South Africa: DPSA refutes wage negotiation media reports

The Department of Public Service and Administration has refuted media reports that it has withdrawn the wage offer it tabled at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC).

This comes after some media houses reported that since the withdrawal of the 3% wage offer, unions are pondering strike action to get government, through the Public Service and Administration Department, to give a better offer to public servants.

In setting the record straight, DPSA Director-General, Yoliswa Makhasi, said it is not true that government has withdrawn the offer.

What has happened is in line with what we call, by operation of law/provisions of the PSCBC constitution, section 17.10 (b), which states that 'if there is no majority support at the council within 21 days, the draft resolution falls away', Makhasi said.

The Director-General said government has been negotiating in good faith and the door of government is still open for labour to consider accepting the offer.

During the negotiations, there have been numerous rounds of discussions, with offers and counteroffers between the employer and the unions, including areas of significant disagreement.

As part of negotiating in good faith, government proposed a facilitation process as part of deadlock-breaking mechanisms. Facilitation took place on 26 - 30 August 2022.

Government had earlier proposed that employees continue to be paid a non-pensionable cash gratuity, which amounts to an average of R1 000.00 after tax to all employees across salary levels 1  12.

This amounts to an average of 4.5% of the R20.5 billon allocated for salaries in the 2022/23 compensation budget.

Organised labour rejected this offer.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-10-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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Elon Musk. Muhammed Selim Korkutata / Anadolu Agency

The smartest insight and analysis, from all perspectives, rounded up from around the web:

Being on Twitter "is like staying too late at a bad party full of people who hate you," said Michelle Goldberg in The New York Times. And it's about to get worse. Last week, tech titan Elon Musk seemed to have capitulated in his efforts to cancel his deal to buy Twitter, agreeing to close the deal at the $44 billion price he offered in April. If he owns Twitter, Musk will be the ultimate troll-in-chief, and he is "likely to make the site a more congenial place for racist demagogues and conspiracy theorists." Already, he's promised to reinstate Donald Trump, and "other far-right figures may not be far behind, along with Russian propagandists, Covid deniers, and the like." Maybe the best thing to hope for is that Musk will make Twitter so awful that "users will flee." But I'm skeptical. Twitter is addictive, particularly for people who live in the world of breaking news, like journalists and politicians.

Sorry, said Rich Lowry in Politico, "at the end of the day, the biggest problem Musk's critics have with him is that he is a threat to their de facto control of Twitter." Since its founding, Twitter's "workforce of hyper-online progressive employees overwhelmingly living and working in a deeply blue jurisdiction" has been calling the shots. By contrast, Musk holds the classical-liberal view that "false or unwelcome speech is best combated by more speech." That feels radical only to those who favor speech suppression. Whatever you think of Musk, buying Twitter will make him a critical force in the 2024 election cycle, said Kevin Roose in The New York Times. Musk "often crusades against the 'woke left,'" and his takeover will make Twitter "a friendlier platform for right-wing voices." He could bring "a host of right-wing culture warriors" back to the service. But don't discount the possibility that ultimately Republicans could "stake out extreme positions on Twitter that end up backfiring on them at the ballot box."

Twitter's value, both as a cultural barometer and as a business, often gets overstated, said Peter Kafka in Vox. With 238 million monthly users, it's dwarfed in size by Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. Yes, Trump could command the "world's news cycle" through Twitter, but that's because he was the president of the United States. Twitter's 280-character tweets are losing their appeal to young people "when much of the world is embracing images and video." Indeed, Musk will be taking over a damaged business, said Jack Shafer in Politico, and at the beginning he'll damage it even more. Musk "shoots off his mouth regularly, fails like clockwork, and overpromises like a confidence man." His Twitter will probably explode on liftoff, like Musk's first tries at launching a rocket. The thing to watch for is what happens afterward. Musk's ambitions for Twitter are grand  one option is to turn it in to a "super-app," along the lines of China's WeChat. To make that work, though, Twitter can't reward only the ugliest and loudest. Look for him to find his way there, because if Musk is forced to spend $44 billion on Twitter, he won't want to see that money disappear.

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.

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Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph was awarded the Order of Jamaica, the nations fourth highest honor.

ANNOUNCER: Miss Sheryl Lee Ralph for startling contribution as an actress, cultural ambassador for Jamaica, and contribution to the international film industry.

VOICEOVER: Sheryl Lee Ralph was born in the United States to Stanley Ralph and Jamaican mother Ivy Ralph. And she is a great cultural ambassador, an acclaimed show business professional with an impressive body of work in film, television, and the Broadway stage. She won this year The Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards for her starring role as Barbara Howard on the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary. She became the first black woman to win that award in 35 years. Her credits also include originating and creating the rule of a Deena Jones in the landmark musical Dreamgirls, which earned her a Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk award nomination for best actress.
It has been nearly a month since the start of astronomical autumn and winter is right around the corner, but for millions across the Pacific Northwest, it still feels like summer.

The mercury started to rise last week and persisted through the weekend with temperatures falling just shy of the 90-degree mark in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle. Sunday's high in Seattle topped out at 88 F, falling just 1 degree short of reaching the all-time October temperature record of 89 F set in 1987 and obliterating the previous daily record for Oct. 16 of 72 F that was set back in 2018.

The temperature in Portland did not quite get as high as it did in Seattle, but the duration of the record-setting warmth was more impressive. New daily high temperature records were set every afternoon from Wednesday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 16, with Saturday being the warmest day of the bunch with a high of 87 F. Portland has tallied 12 days at or above 80 F this month, obliterating the previous October record of six 80-degree days set on multiple occasions, most recently in 1991.

Monday brought cooler conditions to most of the Interstate 5 corridor, but remained warmer inland. Spokane, Washington, hasn't seen a below average high temperature since September 30, and Monday's high of 72 F fell just shy of the daily record high of 75 degrees, set in 2015.

Spells of abnormally warm weather in recent weeks have made the first half of October the warmest on record, a stretch that AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno called "endless summer." Temperatures have been averaging between 6 and 12 degrees above normal in Seattle and Spokane, Washington; and Portland and Medford, Oregon.

While some residents enjoyed what might be the last of the summerlike warmth in 2022, the relentless heat paired with dry conditions continued to be an issue for crews battling wildfires across the Pacific Northwest. With these fires continuing to burn, excessive amounts of smoke and poor air quality will continue to be a concern along the Washington coast.

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The Cedar Creek Fire, the Double Creek Fire and the Moose Fire are the three largest wildfires currently burning across the region. Each has burned more than 120,000 acres as of Monday morning. The Double Creek Fire, which is burning near the Oregon-Idaho border, is the largest of the three wildfires and has been active since lightning sparked the blaze on Aug. 22.

Smoke from these and other wildfires across the region is contributing to poor air quality, even in areas not located close to the fires. On Tuesday morning the air quality ranged from "fair" to "unhealthy" along the Interstate 5 corridor, including in Portland and Seattle, and an air quality alert was issued for many areas west of the Cascades due to the reduced air quality.

Air quality on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. Fair air quality is denoted by yellow and unhealthy air quality is denoted by red. (AccuWeather)

People sensitive to reduced air quality should limit the amount of time spent outdoors, experts say.

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Temperatures will throttle back this week, and afternoon temperatures will be noticeably lower compared to the past weekend; however, highs will still be around 5 to 10 degrees above typical levels for mid-October.

An even bigger shift in the weather pattern is on the horizon for the Pacific Northwest, spelling an end to the current stretch of unseasonable warmth and making residents reach for their coats and umbrellas.

"A shift to a stormy pattern is expected at the end of this week into late October, which can bring multiple storm chances," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva said. "This is likely to lead to above-normal precipitation and colder-than-normal temperatures, as well as high-elevation snow."

Rounds of rain will help usher in more seasonable temperatures and provide some help to crews battling wildfires in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Since the start of September, Seattle has received just 0.26 of an inch of rain, just 7% of what typically falls during that period. Eugene, Oregon, has measured 0.13 of an inch of rain since Sept. 1, only 4% of what typically falls from early September through mid-October. Eugene hasn't seen measurable rainfall for nearly three weeks, while Medford, Oregon has gone 26 days without rainfall.

The upcoming stormy pattern will also deliver some snow to the higher elevations in the Cascades, helping to lay down a base snowpack for what is expected to be a good to excellent year for ski resorts across the region.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Two House Democrats press Mississippi on the use of water infrastructure funds. Meanwhile, floods effect on food insecurity is complicated, and hurricanes are poised to get wetter and faster.

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.

Governor pressed on use of federal water funds

House Homeland Security Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and House Oversight Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) requested further information on Mississippis use of federal funds allocated for water infrastructure following the September water crisis in Jackson.

How we got here: After torrential rain in late August, Jacksons main water treatment facility failed, leaving residents reliant on bottled water and remaining under a boil-water advisory even after water pressure was restored. Full water service was only restored on Sept. 15.

Mayor Chokwe Lumumba (D) has said upgrading city water infrastructure could cost billions, but the predominantly-Black capital has faced receding tax revenues for years. Over the decades, the citys Democratic, predominantly Black leadership has frequently called on Republican, predominantly white state leadership to take action, while state leaders have blamed mishandling of funds at the municipal level.

What are they asking? In a letter to Gov. Tate Reevess (R) office, Maloney and Thompson  whose district includes most of the city  called the crisis a disaster waiting to happen that would likely recur without further investment in city services.

They also noted that the Environmental Protection Agency has issued warnings about the citys water infrastructure for decades and that extreme weather associated with climate change is likely to create similar crises in the future.

Recent federal infrastructure legislation included billions for Mississippi to address water infrastructure in overburdened areas, the representatives noted.



However, criteria used by the Mississippi Municipality and County Water Infrastructure Act to allocate funding  such as median household income, possible population decline, and unemployment rate  may limit the funding Jackson receives compared to other locales, despite Jacksons much greater need, they wrote.

Story continues

Read more about the letter here.

Floods could impact food security for millions: study

Flooding could affect food security for more than 5.6 million people across multiple African nations, a new study has found.

While these effects are usually negative, the researchers also identified certain positive effects  which the authors warned are not necessarily guaranteed.

Record rainfall around the world is creating an urgent need to asses its influence on food needs, according to the study, published on Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Floods can impact food security both immediately and in the months after the flood event, lead author Connor Reed, a former New York University (NYU) Center for Data Science graduate student, said in a statement.

How they determined it: To gain insight into such impacts, Reed and his colleagues examined flood conditions from 2009 to 2020 in more than a dozen countries across western, eastern and southern Africa, including Nigeria, Niger, Kenya, Mozambique and Malawi.

They explored how key flood characteristics  such as location, duration and extent  shifted an independent food insecurity measure used by the United States Agency for International Development.

That metric, called the Famine Early Warning System, measures the severity of food insecurity using a five-tiered scale: minimal food security, stressed, emergency, crisis and famine.

The researchers found that during their study period, flood conditions affected the food security status for about 12 percent of people who were already experiencing food insecurity.



Among the effects were devastating increases in food insecurity, but also some beneficial changes that ameliorated such insecure conditions.

Our results suggest that floods can have opposing effects on food security at different spatial scales, particularly at time periods after they occur, study co-author Weston Anderson, a research scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, said in a statement.

Read more from The Hills Sharon Udasin.

Faster, wetter hurricanes are on the way: officials

The U.S. Atlantic Coast is becoming a hotbed for rapidly intensifying hurricanes, as climate change fuels wetter and more severe storm systems, a new study has found.

A warmer world will likely beget hurricanes that gain strength faster and exacerbate the risk of flooding along the Atlantic Coast, according to the study, published on Monday in Geophysical Research Letters.

Hurricane Ians recent crash-landing in Florida was among the strongest storms to arrive and is a testament to how hurricanes can suddenly turn severe, the researchers observed.

The rates at which hurricanes have strengthened near the Atlantic Coast have surged since 1979  a trend that is poised to continue in a future marked by continued fossil fuel dependence, according to the study.

Our findings have profound implications for coastal residents, decision- and policy-makers, Karthik Balaguru, a climate scientist at the Department of Energys Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, said in a statement.



And this isnt specific only to the Atlantic, Balaguru continued. Its happening in several prominent coastal regions across the world.

To draw their conclusions, Balaguru and his colleagues said they probed data describing the past four decades of hurricane activity and the conditions that fueled them.

They found that a unique coastal phenomenon that causes a specific mix of environmental conditions has been driving such hurricane behavior.

And while those conditions dont appear in the Gulf of Mexico, they could form in other regions, such as the East Asian shoreline and the northwest Arabian Sea, according to the study.

Supercharged by conditions like a warmer sea surface or increased atmospheric humidity, hurricanes like Ian can quickly intensify  crossing multiple categories in a short amount of time, the authors explained.

Read more from The Hills Sharon Udasin.

WHAT WERE READING

Coal producers legally must restore damaged land, but some are dodging obligations (Bloomberg and NPR)

Germany pushes to extend lifespan of three nuclear plants letter (Reuters)

Hurricanes Fiona and Ian gave solar power its time to shine (Politico)

Can Focusing On Climate Change Help Win Elections? (FiveThirtyEight)

5 state-level races that could alter the energy transition (E&E News)

 Lighter click: Fair is fair

Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment page for the latest news and coverage. Well see you tomorrow.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
CHICAGO -- There is no need to purchase a plane ticket to sip in one of the best bars in the world; look no further than Chicagos West Loop.

Kumiko, a Japanese American bar helmed by one of Chicagos premier bar directors, landed a spot on The Worlds 50 Best Bars list recently. Since 2009, the annual list has highlighted the best of the international drinks industry, voted by 650 drink experts around the world.

The list recognized Kumiko, which jumped from ranking No. 61 to No. 25 on the expanded list of 100 bars in just one year, as being the epitome of elegance. Mixologist Julia Momose, owner and creative director of Kumiko, was also praised for her nuanced menu, channeling the flavors of her Japanese American heritage.

Momose said she was caught off-guard by the 2022 ranking.

Its a really big honor, and Im a little surprised and shocked that we went from 61 to 25, Momose said Wednesday. We have been in survival mode for so long, so its a testament to the team.

Momose, who has a staff of 16 and is fresh off winning a James Beard Foundation Media Award earlier this year for her book The Way of the Cocktail, said some of the biggest challenges since opening in 2018 were navigating the pandemic and making significant changes in response, such as offering seating outside or selling carryout cocktails while bars and restaurants were closed  a financial lifeline Momose championed in the early months of the shutdown.

As trying and difficult as it was, Im so incredibly grateful that we had a chance to stay open, Momose said. Over the last year or two, we have been able to welcome in more guests and get to know our neighborhood more.

Kumikos specialties range from nonalcoholic Spiritfrees to Component Flights. For the latter, Momose decomposes a cocktail, such as a Sazerac made with Japanese sake-based vermouth, and offers customers pours of the drinks components  Suntory Toki whisky and Macvin du Jura wine for the Sazerac  so they can experience how each ingredient plays into the completed drink.

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Kumikos nonalcoholic cocktails, called Spiritfrees, also have distinct and nuanced flavors. The Umeboshi Swizzle, for instance, is a tart drink with mild salinity made with shiso-pickled ume (a Japanese fruit often compared to plums and apricots), brown rice vinegar, lemon and Japanese seven spice over crushed ice.

Equal care is given to Kumikos intimate food menu, studded with high-minded renditions of craveable bites like a wagyu katsu sando, and a truffle-flecked milk toast served with fermented honey ice cream.

Kumiko was recognized earlier this year by the North American version of the 50 Best Bars list. Described as an upscale respite, Kumiko ranked fifth on the continental list, which, like its Worlds Best counterparts, is produced by the global food media outlet William Reed.

When it comes to the global accolade, its the first time a Chicago bar has graced the list since 2018, when the now-closed Lost Lake placed at No. 50. Three Dots and a Dash, which appeared in 2014, and The Aviary, an Alinea Group bar on the list from 2014-2017, are the only other Chicago bars to make the list over its 13 years.

Alinea, meanwhile, was the most recent Chicago restaurant to grace The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants list in 2019, although Oriole currently ranks at No. 91 on the expanded list of 100 best restaurants.

In 2022, other U.S. bars to make the global bars list include Cafe La Trova in Miami (No. 21) and six New York bars: Double Chicken Please (No. 6), Katana Kitten (No. 9), Atta Boy (No. 22), Overstory (No. 34), Dante (No. 36) and Employees Only (No. 47).

Other cities to receive the most nods include London, with five bars on the list; Mexico City with four; and Barcelona, with three bars including No. 1 Paradiso and No. 3 Sips. Buenos Aires, Athens and Dubai each had three of the Worlds Best Bars, as well.

When we get these awards, I see them more as recognitions of what we do, Momose said. Were going to keep doing what we do, but on the back of this recognition, my focus is now going to be going to be entirely inward of how to put better systems in place for the team.

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Kumiko, 630 W. Lake St., 312-285-2912, barkumiko.com

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NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopian government forces and their allies on Monday captured Shire, one of the biggest cities in the northern region of Tigray, from regional forces they have been battling on and off since late 2020, two diplomatic and humanitarian sources said.

The violence in Tigray, which has spilled over into neighbouring regions and drawn in the Eritrean military, has killed thousands of civilians, uprooted millions and left hundreds of thousands now facing possible famine.

The conflict stems from grievances rooted in periods of Ethiopia's turbulent past when particular regional power blocs held sway over the country as a whole, and in tensions over the balance of power between the regions and the central state.

Shire is about 140 km (90 miles) northwest of Tigray's regional capital Mekelle and hosts tens of thousands of people displaced from other areas by the conflict.

Just as news of Shire's capture was breaking, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres was calling for an immediate end to hostilities in Tigray and a return to peace talks sponsored by the African Union.

Guterres told reporters the United Nations was ready to support the bloc in every possible way to end the Ethiopian people's "nightmare".

The European Union said the joint offensive by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces should stop immediately and the Eritreans should withdraw from Ethiopian territory. It also urged Tigray forces to refrain from any further military operations.

Spokespersons for the Ethiopian government and army, for the Eritrean government and for the Tigray forces did not respond to requests for comment on events in Shire.

In a post on Twitter, the Ethiopian foreign affairs ministry referred to "areas liberated and controlled" by the national army, saying the government was ready to ensure humanitarian access and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers. It did not specify which areas it was referring to.

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An aid worker from the International Rescue Committee was among three people killed during an air strike on Shire on Friday.

On Sunday, Samantha Power, head of U.S. development agency USAID, said there was a significant risk of attacks on civilians if the Ethiopian and Eritrean armies took control of camps sheltering displaced civilians.

In September, a U.N. human rights commission said it had reasonable grounds to believe that war crimes had been committed by forces from both sides of the conflict, which have all denied perpetrating abuses.

Earlier on Monday, the Ethiopian government said it aimed to seize airports and other infrastructure currently under the control of the Tigray forces, even as it stated it was committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict through peace talks.

The Tigray authorities said on Sunday their forces would abide by an immediate truce and said a "humanitarian catastrophe" was unfolding.

Both sides blame each other for breaking a ceasefire in August that had lasted since March.

Peace talks proposed for earlier this month in South Africa were delayed with no new date announced.

Western and African diplomats said they were concerned that the fighting in Tigray would further delay the start of any substantive talks. They also said the involvement of Eritrean troops was a major issue and it was unclear if the Ethiopian government had any control over its ally's forces.

(Reporting by Nairobi newsroom; Writing by Estelle Shirbon,; Editing by James Macharia Chege and Angus MacSwan)
BRUSSELS  The European Union on Monday approved a military training mission in Europe for thousands of Ukrainian troops and a plan to provide about 500 million (U.S. $486 million) in extra funds to help buy weapons for the war-torn country.

The mission, which will have a headquarters in Brussels and be under the command of French naval officer Vice Adm. Herve Blejean, will initially run for two years with a budget of almost 107 million.

EU headquarters said in a statement that the missions aim is to allow the Ukrainian armed forces to effectively conduct military operations so that Ukraine can defend its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, effectively exercise its sovereignty and protect civilians.

It said the EU will provide individual, collective and specialized training. Countries that arent part of the bloc will be allowed to take part in the training effort. The aim initially is to train about 15,000 Ukrainian troops, chiefly in Poland and Germany.

Its hoped the mission will be up and running by mid-November.

Several EU and NATO nations are already training Ukraines armed forces on a bilateral basis. Asked what added value the Brussels-based mission would bring, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday hes strongly convinced that putting together the capacities of the European armies, we can offer a much better product.

NATO started training military instructors in Ukraine after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. The military alliance believes that training the trainers is the most effective way of helping Ukraines forces, as it doesnt require troops needed for battle to leave the country.

The EU also approved a sixth tranche of money, worth 500 million, from the European Peace Facility  a fund used to reimburse member countries that provide weapons, ammunition and nonlethal military support to Ukraine.

About 10 million from that sum will be used to provide equipment and supplies, like personal protection gear, first-aid kits and fuel.

It brings the total EU sum in security support made available for Ukraine to more than 3 billion. Individual countries are spending more on top of that. The decisions will come almost eight months after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
(Bloomberg) -- The European Union deployed a monitoring mission along Armenias border with Azerbaijan on Monday after clashes last month that killed hundreds of soldiers on both sides.

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The team of up to 40 experts aims to build confidence by reporting on the situation as the two neighboring Caucasus states strive to reach an agreement on delineating their border, the European Council said in a statement. The EU presence will last no more than two months, it said.

The monitors began their work as Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of a fresh build-up of forces along their border after more than 300 soldiers were killed last month in the worst fighting since a 2020 war.

Armenia said Azerbaijani troops seized part of its territory in last months clashes, prompting the US and France to intervene to try to persuade Baku to pull back. Azerbaijan denies occupying Armenian territory.

The EU mission followed Oct. 6 talks in Prague between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Charles Michel. The deployment is a contribution to reaching a sustainable peace in the region, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said.

Aliyev, who signed an agreement in July to double gas exports to the EU, said at a meeting of ex-Soviet states in Kazakhstan last week that he had strongly rejected allowing a similar mission to operate on Azerbaijans side of the border.

Armenia and Azerbaijan are taking part in US-led talks that aim to delineate their border and reach a comprehensive peace deal by the end of the year, seeking to resolve a conflict over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh that erupted as the Soviet Union collapsed more than three decades ago.

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Azerbaijan took over part of Nagorno-Karabakh in the 2020 war and regained seven surrounding districts that had been occupied by Armenians since the 1990s. A truce deal brokered by Russian President Vladimir Putin required the two sides to agree on their border and open up transport routes but little progress has been made.

Why Azerbaijan-Armenia Dispute Draws Big Powers In: QuickTake

Armenia is waiting for positive reaction from Azerbaijan to its proposal to open three border checkpoints, Pashinyan said Monday on Twitter.

The Foreign Ministry in Baku rejected the proposal, repeating a claim that Armenia should provide a corridor to an Azerbaijani exclave bordering Turkey as part of the accord brokered by Putin. That agreement contains no mention of a corridor.

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BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Dutch foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra said on Monday that the EU is leaving behind naivety when it comes to its relations with China.

"There is increasing realism in the dialogue with China. We are leaving naivety behind", Hoekstra told reporters on arriving to a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, adding that he agrees with this approach.

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, editing by Marine Strauss)
Photo: . Wildfires burning on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border created smoky conditions across Vancouver Island on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, with officials warning of particularly bad air quality in Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands. NINA GROSSMAN, TIMES COLONIST

Vancouver Island is under a haze of wildfire smoke Sunday and air quality is considered high risk for some regions.

Environment Canadas air quality health index on Sunday afternoon indicated a 7  a high-risk rating  for Victoria and Saanich, a moderate risk for the West Shore and Duncan and low risk for Nanaimo and Comox Valley. Those ratings are being updated regularly.

While several wildfires are burning on the Island  including a handful near Port Alberni and two near Duncan  B.C. Wildfire said the smoke is coming from a cluster of large fires on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.

Its a combo of several fires, some on the Canadian side of the border and some along the border in Washington state, said Jade Richardson, coastal fire information officer. The Heather Lake wildfire is one were actively working on that is contributing a lot to the smoke.

The Healther Lake fire is southeast of Hope in E.C. Manning Provincial Park.

Richardson said an outflow wind pattern is pushing the smoke from the mainland across the water and toward the Island, making the smoke particularly bad for Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands.

She said its unusual but not unprecedented to have a wildfire season run this late into the fall.

As the days are getting shorter, theres less radiant heat that builds throughout the day, which is helpful when youre fighting the fire, she said. Were looking forward to a season ending rainfall at some point.

Environment Canada said Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands are hardest hit by the smoke, but there could be a brief reprieve overnight.

Starting overnight and into [Monday] we will have some inflow winds from the ocean, said meteorologist Yimei Li. I think that will help in improving conditions a bit.

But Li noted that the coming week will likely remain dry and warm until Friday, when some rain is expected in the region. It could be hazy on and off until then.

Looking at our long range, going through end of October and early November, were still looking at above seasonal temperatures, she said. But there should be more precipitation coming in.

In a bulletin released by health authorities, people are reminded to be mindful of the impacts of smoke exposure. Those in high-risk groups such as older adults, pregnant women and infants, along with those who have pre-existing health conditions or respiratory infections like COVID-19 are more likely to experience health impacts from the smoke.

If you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain or discomfort or a severe cough it is recommended to contact a doctor or visit a walk-in clinic or emergency department. In a medical emergency, call 911.
By Sabine Siebold

(Reuters) -Several European Union foreign ministers on Monday called for sanctions against Iran over the transfer of Iranian drones to Russia, as the bloc agreed a separate set of asset freezes and travel bans over Tehran's crackdown on protests.

The sanctions and threat of more will pile pressure on Iran's rulers who have struggled to contain demonstrations sparked by the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained for "inappropriate attire".

Ukraine has reported a spate of Russian attacks with Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks, saying on Monday that Tehran was responsible for the "murders of Ukrainians".

Iran says it has not sent any drones to Russia since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has not commented.

"Iranian drones are used apparently to attack in the middle of Kyiv, this is an atrocity," Denmark's Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said as he arrived at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu told Reuters he considered sanctions "should be worked out immediately".

Reinsalu said Kyiv's reports on the Iranian origin of the drones should be taken seriously, with sanctions acting as a deterrent to show "this has consequences."

France and Germany, both parties to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, have also said they believe new sanctions over the drones are necessary and that the drone transfers should be seen as a violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution.

PROTEST CRACKDOWN

The EU could move towards imposing new sanctions against Iran over the matter, according to two diplomats involved in preparing talks among the ministers, though no detailed decisions were taken - or expected - on Monday.

"We are following very closely the use of drones. We are gathering evidence and we will be ready to react with the tools at our disposal," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told a news conference after the ministers' meeting.

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Meanwhile, the EU foreign ministers added 11 Iranians and four institutions, including Iran's morality police chief, to a travel ban and asset freeze list for their role in the crackdown on protests after Amini's death.

"Unanimous decision today to take action against those in #Iran responsible for the death of #MahsaAmini and violent repression of peaceful protests," Borrell tweeted.

Tehran says it is keeping order against foreign-instigated troublemakers.

Additional EU sanctions on Iran will not be limited to blacklisting some individuals should Tehran's involvement in Russia's war on Ukraine be proven, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said.

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Marine Strauss, Gabriela Baczynska, Writing by Ingrid Melander, Editing by William Maclean, Andrew Cawthorne and Andrew Heavens)
BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union agreed Monday to send up to 40 experts to Armenia to help watch over its border with Azerbaijan in an effort to help restore peace and build confidence between the longtime foes.

The monitoring mission will be deployed for up to two months, Its aim is to restore some confidence at a time when a lack of security is putting lives at risk and jeopardizes the conflict resolution process, EU headquarters said in a statement.

Last month, Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiated a cease-fire to end a flare-up of fighting that killed 155 soldiers from both sides.

The EU mission will help with the work of border commissions set up earlier this year to address concerns over the delimitation of the two countries common border.

The ex-Soviet countries have been locked in a decades-old conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, which is part of Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994.

The EU monitoring mission idea was floated after the leaders of historic foes Turkey and Armenia earlier this month held their first face-to-face meeting since the two countries agreed to improve relations.
BERLIN (Reuters) -Pilots at Lufthansa's Eurowings began a three-day strike on Monday over working hours, their union said, confirming action that could affect thousands of the budget airline's passengers.

"It's begun. And so far there is no new offer," sais a spokesperson for the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots' union.

The union wants the carrier to ease pilot workloads through measures such as increased rest periods, but Eurowings warned over the weekend that the demands put jobs at risk.

The airline had said it would cancel nearly 170 of about 400 scheduled flights at airports in Duesseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart on Monday, affecting roughly 20,000 travellers.

It expects to cancel a similar number of flights on Tuesday and Wednesday. The walkout is due to end at 11.59 pm local time (2159 GMT) on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Paul Carrel and Klaus LauerEditing by Kim Coghill and David Goodman)
Evidence in an investigation into a man accused of imprisoning and raping a woman in his Excelsior Springs basement has not been linked to any missing persons reports in Kansas City, according to the Excelsior Springs Police Department.

On Oct. 7, a woman escaped from a home in the 300 block of Old Orchard Avenue and screamed for help from neighbors. When police were contacted, they were told she was wearing a metal collar with what appeared to be a padlock on the front, and a trash bag.

The victim was taken to a hospital.

Timothy Haslett, 39, was arrested and has been charged with rape, kidnapping and assault in Clay County. A bond hearing for Haslett scheduled for Tuesday has been rescheduled for Nov 8.

The case has provoked speculation across the community, but police and prosecutors have released few details.

The victim who escaped, a 22-year-old Black woman, told police she was picked up by him on Prospect Avenue weeks earlier, in early September, and kept in a small room in the basement that he had built, according to a probable cause statement.

She reported to police that Haslett had whipped her and raped her frequently.

He kept her restrained in handcuffs on her wrists and ankles. She was able to get free when he took his child to school, an Excelsior Springs detective wrote in a probable cause statement.

The womans statements to police led them to suspect others may have been hurt and a cadaver dog was brought to search the area. Investigators have yet to confirm whether there is evidence Haslett harmed anyone else.

Excelsior Springs police say theyve activated the Clay County Investigative Squad Task Force, made up of members of multiple law enforcement organizations within the county.

Police also said the victim had not been reported missing in the area.

We have checked with law enforcement agencies in the Kansas City metropolitan area and there are no current missing persons reports that correspond with the evidence examined so far in this investigation, Excelsior Springs Police Chief Gregory Dull said.

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The Kansas City Police Department said it bases investigations on reports made to the department.

There have been no reports made to our department of missing persons, more specifically women, missing from Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, Officer Donna Drake said Monday.

Sunday vigil

On Sunday evening, about 30 people gathered at a gas station near the intersection of East 80th Street and Prospect Avenue to bring attention to missing Black women in the Kansas City community.

About one-third of the missing persons cases reported to KCPD this year have been Black females, according to data as of Oct. 8 from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The candlelight vigil, hosted by The KC Defender, a Black-led digital news outlet, and Bishop Tony Caldwell of the Eternal Life Church, was held in part to pray for and support the woman who escaped from Hasletts home.

We pray for that brave young lady today. That soldier, that hero. She broke free, God, to be able to bring justice not only to herself, but to her friends that didnt make it out God. She was able to speak for herself Lord, and we thank you for that, God .... We thank you God for putting the courage in her, God, to stand up even as she was bound, beaten, abused. They did not break her spirit, God, Caldwell said.

If anyone has information regarding this case, they can call the Excelsior Springs Police Department at 816-629-7108 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

The Stars Anna Spoerre contributed to this story.
Getting a breast biopsy can be an anxiety-inducing experience, but knowing what you can expect during the procedure may help. (Photo: Illustration: Julianna Brion For HuffPost)

Getting a breast biopsy can be an anxiety-inducing experience, but knowing what you can expect during the procedure may help. (Photo: Illustration: Julianna Brion For HuffPost)

Check out more stories from Busted, our series that offers an unfiltered exploration and celebration of our boobs and ourselves during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Millions of people get breast biopsies every year, and yet the ins and outs of the procedure are seldom openly discussed.

Breast biopsies help doctors diagnose different types of breast lumps and lesions. If your radiologist cant immediately rule out cancer based on the imaging tests, theyll most likely recommend a breast biopsy to get a sample of the tissue and take a closer look under a microscope.

Past research has shown that most people find the breast biopsy experience at least a little distressing. Its understandable  after all, youre waiting on results that could drastically alter the course of your life. But a recent report found that nearly 82% of people who were worried about getting a breast biopsy said after the fact that the procedure was better than they expected.

By reading up and preparing for the procedure  and, perhaps, practicing some mindfulness along the way  your breast biopsy journey can become a little less frightening. After all, breast biopsies are safe, reliable procedures that can give you some much-needed answers and kick-start your treatment plan if need be.

Heres what to know and what to expect when you need to get a breast biopsy:

Biopsies are an incredibly important form of cancer detection

If somebody has a symptom involving their breasts  whether its a lump or persistent pain  theyll likely undergo imaging (think: an ultrasound or mammogram) so their doctor can get a closer look at what might be causing the issue.

If the imaging tests come back abnormal, your physician may recommend that you get a breast biopsy to obtain a clearer diagnosis. During a breast biopsy, a small needle is inserted into the breast to collect a sample of tissue. That tissue is then evaluated under a microscope to determine whether an abnormal growth or lesion detected on imaging tests is cancer. Youre not sedated during a breast biopsy, but a local anesthetic, lidocaine, is used to numb the area where the needle is inserted.

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According to Dr. Andrea Abbott, an assistant professor at Temple Healths Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, lidocaine is the same type of numbing medicine that your dentist would use. It can burn when it is being injected, but this sensation should go away quickly, Abbott said.

There are three types of breast biopsies

There are three types of breast biopsies, and the type you get largely depends on the imaging device where the lesion showed up.

The first type is a stereotactic biopsy, which doctors conduct while using a mammogram to see where the growth is. The breast is numbed and put in compression, which can be pretty uncomfortable.

Dr. Janie Grumley is a breast surgical oncologist and director of the Margie Petersen Breast Center at Providence Saint Johns Center in Santa Monica, California. She explained that a stereotactic biopsy is basically like getting a mammogram that lasts for 20 to 30 minutes. Occasionally, the biopsy needle can hit a blood vessel in the breast and cause some minor bleeding.

There are also ultrasound-guided biopsies, which are more commonly performed in women with dense breasts. The patient lies on their back while an ultrasound probe is used to detect where the lesion is. The skin is numbed, then the needle is inserted to collect the sample. Because the needle used in this type of biopsy is smaller, its less common for it to hit a blood vessel  but it can happen, according to Grumley.

The third type is an MRI-guided biopsy. This is recommended for patients who have a lesion that is only visible on an MRI. Its a bit more involved, the breast does have to be held still during the biopsy, and [the patient] is coming in and out of the MRI machine, Grumley said.

Though the numbing medicine helps prevent sharp, shooting pains, some patients still feel pressure and vibrations. I always tell patients that everyone reacts to the numbing medicine differently, so its important to communicate with your doctor during the biopsy if you feel anything, Abbott said.

Your physician can provide details on what you can expect with your biopsy based on your particular situation. (Photo: Natalia Gdovskaia via Getty Images)

Your physician can provide details on what you can expect with your biopsy based on your particular situation. (Photo: Natalia Gdovskaia via Getty Images)

What to expect from your breast biopsy results

It usually takes 24 to 48 hours to get your breast biopsy results, but at some centers it could take up to five days or so. Grumley said results arent given immediately because breast tissue, which is fatty, needs to be fixed  a chemical process that prepares the tissue for inspection.

The results come in three categories: benign (which involves normal changes in the breast), cancer, and risk lesion (something that looks abnormal but doesnt seem to be cancer). If cancer is detected, the breast biopsy will give insights as to the type of cancer it is and the treatment methods it will best respond to.

It could really help guide somebody when it comes to treating a breast cancer, Grumley said. Biopsy results cannot tell you what stage the cancer is, according to Abbott. If risk lesions are detected, you will likely be referred to a surgeon who can do a small surgical procedure to collect more tissue and confirm whether there is cancer in the breast.

In certain cases, patients may need to get another biopsy. Occasionally, the mammogram results and biopsy results dont fully add up, and more tests are needed to figure out whats going on. The radiologist (who handles the imaging results) and the pathologist (who evaluates the biopsy) always review and compare their findings.

The two have to have that discussion to make sure that what theyre seeing under a microscope makes sense to what theyre seeing on imaging, Grumley said.

Most breast biopsies come back as benign, or as a risk lesion that ends up being benign. In fact, only about 10% of breast biopsies turn out to be cancers, according to Grumley.

How to cope with the stress of getting a breast biopsy

Its natural to feel some anxiety about getting a breast biopsy. Anxiety feeds off of the unknown, and theres no shortage of unknowns when youre searching for a medical diagnosis. This is a completely normal response to an unknown procedure and to the possibility of the biopsy resulting in a cancer diagnosis, Abbott said.

Research has found that mindfulness, or the practice of being in the present moment, can help patients relax before getting a breast biopsy. If permitted, musiccan also help calm your nerves during the procedure.

Grumley recommends talking to your radiologist, since they can, in a way, prepare you for any answer based on clues from your imaging tests. Jot down any questions you have and ask your doctor about the procedure so you have a clearer idea of what to expect going into it.

Once you learn about that process, its less scary, Grumley said.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
A U-Haul driver was speeding from police before crashing into the side of an Atlanta-area home, according to Georgia State Patrol.

The chase started Sunday, Oct. 16, when troopers joined local police in going after a group of accused burglars near Lake Carlton Road in Loganville, authorities wrote in a news release.

Troopers tried to stop the extremely reckless driver but were unsuccessful despite striking the trucks passenger side twice, police said. A third attempt on the drivers side caused the U-Haul to turn in to a troopers patrol car.

The U-Haul driver then lost control and careened into a house, troopers said. No injuries were reported.

Authorities didnt say how many people were involved or if the driver was arrested.

The crash remains under investigation, troopers said.

A man was killed in a similar incident when he crashed into a tree after leading police on a chase near Augusta last week, McClatchy News reported. Investigators determined the driver was the same man wanted for robbing a Walgreens days earlier.

Loganville is about 35 miles northeast from Atlanta.

Police chase horseback rider galloping through traffic while intoxicated, CA cops say

Accused robber dies in police chase days after Walgreens stickup, Georgia troopers say

Man rams stolen vehicle into McDonalds, Washington officials say. Hes been arrested
HOUSTON/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Oil output at the giant Exxon-led Sakhalin-1 Russian Pacific project collapsed following the U.S. major's refusal to accept local insurance for tankers after Western insurers pulled out due to sanctions, several industry sources told Reuters.

Western insurers withdrew cover from tankers operated by state-run Sovcomflot, Russia's biggest shipping group, which was sanctioned following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

"Exxon has refused to take Sovcomflot's tankers," one industry source said. Some cargoes meant for supplies to Indian refiners were also hit as Exxon did not recognise the alternative cover Sovcomflot had arranged from Russian insurers, according to the sources.

Sovcomflot and Exxon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The developments have unfolded as the European Union is due to impose a ban on Russian oil tanker insurance and shows the major impact ship insurance and re-insurance guarantees can have on operations.

Russia's state oil champion Rosneft, a partner in the Sakhalin-1 project, has blamed Exxon for falling output, saying that since mid-May the project produced hardly any oil.

Exxon's Russian unit, Exxon Neftegas Ltd, has cited difficulty chartering tankers due to sanctions. Russian newspaper Kommersant was first to report on Monday that production at Sakhalin-1 collapsed following Exxon's refusal to work with Sovcomflot. Oil output at the Sakhalin-1 project fell to just 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) earlier this year from 220,000 bpd before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree earlier this month establishing a new operator for Sakhalin-1 that will be managed by Rosneft subsidiary Sakhalinmorneftegaz-Shelf. The decision gives the Russian government authority to decide whether foreign shareholders can retain stakes in the project, giving them one month to express interest or else losing their stakes. Rosneft holds a 20% stake in Sakhalin-1, ONGC Videsh, the overseas investment arm of India's state-run ONGC, has a 20% stake in the project, and Japan's state-backed oil producer SODECO the remaining 30%. In August, Exxon said it was in the process of transferring its 30% stake in the oil and gas project "to another party", without naming it.

(Reporting by Nidhi Verma and Sabrina Valle; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Ezra Miller, left, with their attorney Lisa Shelkrot, appearsin a livestream video remotely from Burlington, Vermont, during Miller's arraignment at Superior Court in Bennington. Steven Senne / AP

Ezra Miller has pleaded not guilty to stealing bottles of liquor from their neighbor's home in Vermont, one of several incidents across a number of states that led to their arrest in the past year.

Appearing remotely in Burlington alongside their attorney, Lisa Shelkrot, on Monday, the Flash actor pleaded not guilty to one count of felony burglary and one count of petit larceny before Superior Court Judge Kerry A. McDonald-Cady.

If convicted of the charges, Miller could face up to 26 years in prison and up to $2,000 in fines.

Miller will remain out of jail on the condition that they have no contact with Isaac Winokur, the neighbor whose Stamford residence they allegedly broke into, and another Vermont resident, Aiden Early.

"Ezra would like to acknowledge the love and support they have received from their family and friends, who continue to be a vital presence in their ongoing mental health," Shelkrot told BuzzFeed News in a statement.

Best known for playing the Flash in the DC Extended Universe movies and Credence Barebone in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, Miller has faced a series of complaints over their behavior this past year.

In March, the actor was charged with allegedly harassing patrons at a bar in Hawaii. A month later, they were arrested again in Hawaii for assault after allegedly throwing a chair at a woman that struck her head when Miller was asked to leave a private residence.

Ezra Miller is seen in a police booking photo after their arrest for second-degree assault on April 19, 2022, in Pahoa, Hawaii. Hawaii Police Department Handout / Getty Images

Miller has also been accused of abusing and manipulating teenage environmental activist Tokata Iron Eyes by her parents, who filed a protection order against Miller in June. Iron Eyes has denied being groomed or abused by Miller, telling Insider last month that the allegations were "a disgusting and irresponsible smear campaign" against the actor.

In late June, a mother and her 12-year-old child in Massachusetts were granted a temporary harassment prevention order against Miller after they allegedly behaved aggressively toward them and acted inappropriately toward the child, who, like Miller, is nonbinary, the Daily Beast reported.

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The actor has also been involved in incidents with locals in Germany and Iceland in previous years.

Miller issued a statement apologizing for their behavior in August.

"Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment," they said.

The allegations and arrests have not tempered studio momentum for the release of their upcoming film, The Flash. Warner Bros. said that the film is still scheduled to hit theaters next summer.

At least one actor has criticized the effort to salvage Miller's reputation and career.

"Im gonna be real, the stuff thats happening with Ezra Miller is, to me, a microcosm of Hollywood," actor and Rap Sh!t creator Issa Rae told Elle in a recent interview. "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. That is a clear example of the lengths that Hollywood will go to to save itself and to protect offenders."

Oct. 17, 2022, at 17:28 PM

More on this
Actor Ezra Miller, pictured at the premiere of "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" in London in November 2018, pleaded not guilty to theft charges in a Vermont case. (Joel C. Ryan / Invision / Associated Press)

Embattled "The Flash" and "Fantastic Beasts" actor Ezra Miller pleaded not guilty to stealing alcohol from a neighbor's home in Vermont.

Miller appeared Monday in Vermont Superior Court remotely with their lawyer for the arraignment to felony burglary and petit larceny. The actor, 30, is on the hook for allegedly stealing "several bottles of alcohol" from a home on May 1.

On Aug. 8, Vermont State Police published a report (that has since been deleted from its blog) detailing Miller's alleged theft in May. On May 1, officials were notified of a home burglary complaint on County Road in Stamford, Vt. Police officials alleged that Miller, who also has a home in Vermont, stole alcohol from the residence while the homeowners were not present.

During the hearing, Miller accepted the grounds that they cannot have contact with the homeowner from whom they allegedly stole alcohol, or go to the residence at the center of their charges. If convicted, Miller could face a maximum of 26 years in prison. The next hearing is set for Jan. 13.

"Ezra would like to acknowledge the love and support they have received from their family and friends, who continue to be a vital presence in their ongoing mental health," Miller's lawyer, Lisa Shelkrot said in an email statement.

Miller's not guilty plea comes amid a slew of troubling controversies for the actor. The actor, also known for The Perks of Being a Wallflower and We Need To Talk About Kevin," was seen grabbing and choking a fan in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 2020 and was arrested multiple times 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. However the teenager disputed the allegations against Miller.

Despite the allegations, "The Flash" is still set to premiere in June 2023.

In August, the actor addressed their behavior in a statement shared with Variety.

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Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment," they wrote. "I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Photo: The Canadian Press Surrey mayor-elect Brenda Locke.

A battle over police services in one of British Columbia's largest cities is looming with the election in Surrey of a new mayor promising to bring back the RCMP, who are currently being replaced with a municipal force.

Mayor-elect Brenda Locke, who defeated mayor Doug McCallum in the municipal election, pledged to keep the RCMP in Surrey during her victory speech Saturday night.

But Locke's pro-Mountie comments drew swift responses Sunday from the provincial government, the Surrey municipal force and the police board who all suggested switching back to the RCMP is not a done deal.

Discussions with Locke and council about policing are welcome, said a Surrey Police Service spokesman, but any decision to change course will require the approval of the B.C. government who approved a municipal police force in the city in 2019.

"We are going to continue to connect with the community," said Ian MacDonald in an interview. "We're going to continue responding to those 911 calls and most importantly we're going to continue building up SPS."

MacDonald said there are about 350 employees at the municipal force, with more than 150 officers on duty.

"On any given day or night we've got 154 officers who are responding to 911 calls," he said. "They were doing it during the election results and they are responding to those calls (today)."

The Surrey police department is the second largest municipal force in B.C. and is focused on building a modern police organization for the city, MacDonald said.

Locke drew cheers Saturday when she said returning the RCMP was one of her top priorities.

"We need better health-care services," she said. "We need to stabilize public safety. We need to clean up our city. But first things first: how about first of all we need to keep Surrey RCMP right here in Surrey."

McCallum made replacing the Surrey Mounties with a civic police force a major goal during his four-year term as mayor, which now ends with his defeat.

Solicitor general Mike Farnworth was not immediately available for comment, but the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General said in a statement the government was not prepared to make any immediate comments about the policing situation.

"Government can not speculate on the potential actions of incoming mayors or municipal councils before they have even taken the oath of office, or the formal steps the city of Surrey might take regarding the Surrey Police Service," said the ministry statement.

A spokeswoman for Surrey's police board said the members want to meet as soon as possible with Locke, who now becomes the board's chair, to update her on the police transition process.

"All we can do is continue to focus on our work and trust the original decision was not made lightly and was certainly not made with the anticipation that it would become an election issue every four years," said board executive director Melissa Granum.

"We have every confidence in the fact we will keep going ahead," she said in an interview.
Billy Chastain, Mark Chastain, Alex Stevens, and Mike Spark were reported missing in Oklahoma last week. Okmulgee Police Department/Facebook

The families of the four men who went missing in Oklahoma are "distraught" after learning the men were murdered, police said.

The four Okmulgee men were murdered, dismembered and dumped into a local river, cops said on Monday.

"This is not fair," the devastated fiancee of one of the men told Insider. "I just want all of this to go away."

The families of four men who went missing from their small Oklahoma city last week are "distraught" and in "shock" after learning the men were murdered, dismembered, and dumped into a local river, police said on Monday.

Mark Chastain, 32; his younger brother Billy Chastain, 30; Mike Sparks, 32; and 29-year-old Alex Stevens  who police have described as "close friends"  were reported missing from Okmulgee, Oklahoma, roughly a week ago after they vanished following a bicycle ride, cops have said.

Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice revealed during a press briefing on Monday that the case is now a murder investigation and that all four men had been shot before their bodies were dismembered and placed into an area river.

Their remains were recovered from the water between Friday night and Monday morning. The exact cause and manner of their deaths are still pending.

Loved ones of the men  three of whom were fathers  "were upset" and "very distraught" after police informed them of the gruesome news, Prentice said.

"This is not fair," Sparks' devastated fiancee, Chrystal Parker, told Insider on Monday. "I just want all of this to go away."

Authorities believe that the men were planning to "commit some type of criminal act" after they left Billy Chastain's house the night of October 9, Prentice said, adding: "We do not know what they planned or where they planned to do it."

"That belief is based upon information supplied by a witness who reports they were invited to go with the men to 'hit a lick big enough for all of them,'" Prentice said.

The men were reported missing last week to the Okmulgee Police Department overnight Monday into Tuesday by their families, who had not heard from them since Sunday, October 9.

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Police said that the owner of a local salvage yard  Joe Kennedy  has been identified as a "person of interest" in the case.

Kennedy, who went missing on Saturday night, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday after he was found in a vehicle that was reported stolen to the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office on Monday, authorities said.

Police have searched Kennedy's salvage yard and its surrounding properties, and Prentice said they discovered "evidence of a violent event at an adjoining property."

Prentice said that Kennedy had spoken with investigators from the Okmulgee Police Department on Friday afternoon and denied knowing any of the four men.

Authorities were in the process of getting Kennedy back to Okmulgee County from Florida, so that police can talk to him in connection to the murders.

Additionally, a warrant was issued for Kennedy's arrest in relation to a shooting he was sentenced for in 2012 in Okmulgee, police said. The bond for that warrant is $500,000.

Last week, Mark Chastain's wife of nine years, Jessica Chastain, told Insider that the men would regularly frequent a local scrap yard, but it was unclear whether it was the same salvage yard as Kennedy's.

The Okmulgee Police Department is asking anyone with information about the murders, the disposable of the bodies, or Kennedy's whereabouts to contact the department.

Read the original article on Insider
A family member of an 87-year-old woman found her dead sitting in her wheelchair inside her Chicago apartment, according to police in Illinois. Now, a homicide investigation is underway.

She was discovered dead just before 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, the Chicago Police Department said in a news release on Oct. 17.

The woman  identified as Mae Brown by the Cook County Medical Examiner  was sitting in her wheelchair with injuries to her face and head, police said. Medical officials said she died from multiple assault injuries.

Her death was ruled a homicide, and detectives are investigating, police said.

She didnt get a chance to enjoy the rest of her life, Browns neighbor told ABC 7.

No suspects have been identified, police said.

Man accused in brutal killing of his grandmother at her home, SC deputies say

Nursing home employees arrested after video shows them abusing patient, Texas cops say

Kind and gentle grandmother found dead in home, NC cops say. Man charged with murder
Daniel Booth served in a Navy for eight years right out of high school, seeing the world and serving his country as a Navy technician, according to his family.

No one who loved him, including his 17-year-old daughter, would have thought he would be gunned down on an interstate while doing something he did every day for work: driving.

I didnt believe it, Britney Hite, his sister told Channel 2s Matt Johnson. You dont think that someone is going to pull out a gun and kill you.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Daniel Booth, 40, died Tuesday when DeKalb County Police said someone shot and killed him on I-285. It happened near I-675 at around 2:30 p.m. as Booth was working and driving to job to repair a conveyor belt in nearby Morrow.

We dont have an answer, and we dont know why, said Hite.

Hite and her family told Channel 2 Action News they havent received any information about what may have caused someone to kill him in his work truck. They say road rage is a possibility.

He may not have even known that he even did anything. Thats what makes it even worse, she said.

TRENDING STORIES

Police are looking for the driver of a car with a unique emblem or sticker on the back. They say they want to question the driver about what happened.

Channel 2 Action News has reported on multiple deadly interstate shootings in the metro over the years and some families are still waiting for answers.

Im very angry but Im trying to direct my anger toward a positive thing, which is not only getting for him but getting justice for the other people who have had to experience this as well, Hite told Channel 2 Action News.

Booths family says theyre hopeful police can find his killer - and are even more cautious now behind the wheel.

DKPD needs your help IDing the owner/driver of this vehicle. The vehicle & driver are wanted for questioning in reference to a homicide that occurred on I285 & I675 exit ramp on 10/11. If you have any information, please call our Homicide Assault Unit at 770-724-7850. #WeAreDKPD pic.twitter.com/SLEeg1s9wN  DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) October 14, 2022

IN OTHER NEWS:
The FBI is warning Democratic and Republican state parties that Chinese hackers are scouring their headquarters for vulnerable systems they could potentially hack ahead of the midterms, The Washington Post reported.

According to U.S. officials the Post spoke to, FBI agents in field offices have notified several Democratic and Republican headquarters across the country that they might be targets of potential Chinese hacking as the election approaches.

The officials, however, said that none of the political state parties have been hacked or breached.

[This is] part of a larger move that the FBI isnt waiting for the attack to occur, a U.S. official told the Post.

Emma Vaughn, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee (RNC), told The Hill in an email that the RNC is secure and has not been compromised.

Cybersecurity remains a top priority for the entire Republican ecosystem, which is why we place a premium on ensuring our stakeholders have the necessary tools, resources, and training on best practices so that our Party remains protected and vigilant, Vaughn said.

A Democratic National Committee official told the Hill that the DNC has been in contact with the FBI and that there is no evidence that any systems have been compromised.

U.S. officials have repeatedly said that they are not aware of any credible or specific threats that would compromise or disrupt the election system.

Earlier this month, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a joint advisory that said any attempts to compromise the election system are unlikely to cause large-scale disruptions or prevent voting.

The agencies also said that any attempts to manipulate votes at scale will be detected and thwarted.

A recent report from cybersecurity firm Recorded Future said that Chinas state-sponsored groups are likely conducting malign influence operations targeting U.S. voters in an attempt to further divide the country along party lines ahead of the midterms elections.

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The report also said that China will likely retaliate in the U.S. midterms as a response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) visit to Taiwan in August.

China likely views electoral interference and voter influence ahead of the US midterm elections as an appropriate response to the USs perceived interference with Taiwan, the report read.

The visit was strongly condemned by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which said the trip gravely undermines peace and stability will have a severe impact on the political foundation of China-U.S. relations.

Taiwans defense ministry and presidential office were hit with cyberattacks the week Pelosi visited the island. Although its unclear who was behind the cyberattacks, some experts blamed Chinese activist hackers.

The FBI declined to comment on the matter. The Hill also has reached out to the Democratic National Committee for comment.

This story was updated at 1:25 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Biden administration is allowing Americans to sign up for student debt relief before the official website for the application is formally unveiled. According to CNN, the official website will be available later in October. For now, however, Americans can use the beta testing period to complete the application.

Tonight, the Department of Education will begin beta testing the student debt relief website, a spokesperson for the Department of Education told CNN. During the beta testing period, borrowers will be able to submit applications for the Biden-Harris administrations student debt relief program.

People who apply for debt relief during the beta period will receive a confirmation email. However, their application will not be processed until the site is formally available.

Those 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, the spokesperson said. 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 the official launch.

Most qualifying borrowers are expected to receive debt relief within weeks after the official website is open.

President Joe Biden announced his student debt relief plan in August.

Biden said he would cancel up to $10,000 in student loan debt for individuals making less than $125,000 a year. The president also said he would cancel as much as $20,000 for eligible borrowers who were also Pell Grant recipients.

According to USA Today, the administration is facing opposition from mainly conservative groups as it strives to move forward with the debt relief program.

Six conservative states recently brought their argument to a federal judge in Missouri, saying the plan is a governmental overreach. The judge, however, did not yet make a ruling in the case.

Officials are encouraging borrowers to file their forms by Nov. 15 and possibly finish the process before the administration ends the freeze period that was implemented due to the pandemic.
Associated Press

The extended Senate campaign in Georgia between the Democratic incumbent, Raphael Warnock, and his Republican challenger, football legend Herschel Walker, has grown increasingly bitter as their Dec. 6 runoff nears. With Democrats already assured a Senate majority, its a striking contrast from two years ago, when the state's twin runoffs were mostly about which party would control the chamber in Washington. Herschel Walker aint serious, Warnock told supporters recently in central Georgia, saying that Walker majors in lying and fumbles the basics of public policy.
BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP)  Ezra Miller pleaded not guilty Monday to stealing bottles of liquor from a neighbor's home, one of a string of arrests and reports of erratic behavior by the Flash actor that stretch from Hawaii to Vermont.

Miller, 30, appeared Monday with their lawyer remotely from Burlington, Vermont, for the arraignment in Bennington to felony burglary and petit larceny, a misdemeanor. They accepted the conditions that they not have any contact with the homeowner or go to the residence.

Ezra would like to acknowledge the love and support they have received from their family and friends, who continue to be a vital presence in their ongoing mental health, Miller's lawyer Lisa Shelkrot said by email.

If convicted, Miller faces a maximum of 26 years in prison. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for Jan. 13.

Vermont State Police responded to a burglary complaint in Stamford on May 1 and said they found that several bottles of alcohol had been taken from a residence while the homeowner was away.

The homeowner said he had been friends with Miller for about 18 years and bought the home a year and half ago in the town, where Miller had also purchased a home, according to the police affidavit. Miller was charged after police consulted surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses.

Miller was arrested twice this year in Hawaii, including for disorderly conduct and harassment at a karaoke bar.

Also this year, the parents of 18-year-old Tokata Iron Eyes, a Native American activist, filed a protection order against Miller, accusing the actor of inappropriate behavior with her as a minor from the age of 12. Iron Eyes has disputed that.

Miller stars in the upcoming film The Flash," expected to be out in June 2023, after appearing in several Justice League films for Warner Bros. and D.C. Films as the Flash. A representative for Warner Bros. did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis gave an update on Hurricane Ian fundraising relief efforts in Jacksonville on Monday afternoon.

DeSantis was at Adamec Harley-Davidson of Baymeadows, alongside Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo, to talk about the Florida Disaster Fund and volunteer opportunities.

The First Lady said that so far, the Florida Disaster Fund has raised $45 million with 62,000 different donors. She said state officials asked several credit card companies to waive their processing fees, and they agreed, so 100% of the funds raised will go to those who need them.

Our work has only begun, DeSantis said.

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DeSantis also highlighted creative fundraising efforts by local businesses such as Adamec Harley-Davidson, which has designed a special T-shirt that is free with a $10 donation and 100% of those proceeds will go to the Florida Disaster Fund. Businesses that are interested in finding creative ways to support the Florida Disaster Fund are encouraged to call 850-414-7400.

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis highlighted creative fundraising efforts by local businesses such as Adamec Harley-Davidson, which has designed a special T-shirt that is free with a $10 donation and 100% of those proceeds will go to the Florida Disaster Fund.

Tamayo said the $45 million is what has been raised since Sept. 27. She also said the fund has had contributions from 80 corporate sponsors, including Florida Blue and CSX.

This is a storm like no other, Tamayo said.

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Volunteer Florida is working on the ground with local nonprofits in Southwest Florida to distribute the monies in the Florida Disaster Fund to Ian victims, and the agency also has volunteer opportunities available for those who want to help on its website.

DeSantis also mentioned that she and her husband, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and their kids went to see Jacksonvilles own Lynyrd Skynyrd in concert on Sunday night at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood and the Van Zant brothers donated $100,000 to the Florida Disaster Fund. She said the Seminole Tribe also matched that donation, making for a total of $200,000 going to the fund.

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Photo: The Canadian Press Ukrainian soldiers shoot a drone seconds before it fired on buildings in Kyiv, Monday.

Waves of explosives-laden suicide drones struck Ukraine's capital Monday, setting buildings ablaze and tearing a hole in one of them while sending people scurrying for shelter or trying to shoot down the kamikazes.

The concentrated use of the drones was the second barrage in as many weeks  after months where air attacks had become become a rarity in central Kyiv. The assault sowed terror and frayed nerves as blasts echoed across the city. Energy facilities were struck, and one drone slammed into a residential building, killing four people, authorities said.

The drones appeared to include Iranian-made Shaheds. Intense, sustained bursts of gunfire rang out as they buzzed overhead, apparently from soldiers trying to destroy them. Others headed for shelter, nervously scanning the skies. But Ukraine has become grimly accustomed to attacks nearly eight months into the Russian invasion, and city life resumed as rescuers picked through the debris.

Previous Russian airstrikes on Kyiv were mostly with missiles. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said Monday's barrage came in successive waves of 28 drones  in what many fear could become a more common mode of attack as Russia seeks to avoid depleting its stockpiles of long-range precision missiles.

Five drones plunged into Kyiv itself, said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. In the Kyiv region, at least 13 were shot down, all of them flying in from the south, said Yurii Ihnat, a spokesman for Ukraine's air force.

One strike appeared to target the citys heating network, hitting an operations center. Another slammed into a four-story residential building, ripping a large hole in it and collapsing at least three apartments on top of each other. Four bodies were recovered, including those of a woman who was 6 months pregnant and her husband, Klitschko said. An older woman and another man also were killed there.

An Associated Press photographer caught one of the drones on camera, its triangle-shaped wing and pointed warhead clearly visible against the blue sky.

The whole night, and the whole morning, the enemy terrorizes the civilian population," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post. Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine.

The enemy can attack our cities, but it wont be able to break us," he wrote.

Andrii Yermak, head of the presidential office, posted on social media that Shahed drones were among those used.

Zelenskyy, citing Ukrainian intelligence services, has previously alleged Russia has ordered 2,400 of the Shahed drones from Iran. Russia has rebranded them as Geran-2 drones  meaning geranium in Russian. A photo of debris from one of Monday's strikes, posted by Klitschko, showed the word Geran-2 marked on a mangled tail fin.

Iran has previously denied providing Russia with weapons, although its Revolutionary Guard chief has boasted about providing arms to the worlds top powers, without elaborating.

The drones pack an explosive charge and can linger over targets before nosediving into them. Their blasts jolted people awake early Monday. They included Snizhana Kutrakova, 42, who lives close to where one of the drones came down.

I'm full of rage, she said. Full of rage and hate.

The Russian military said it used long-range air- and sea-based high-precision weapons to fire at Ukrainian military and energy facilities. The strikes hit all assigned targets, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

Iranian-made drones have been used elsewhere in Ukraine in recent weeks against urban centers and infrastructure, including power stations.

They are comparatively cheap, costing in the region of $20,000. Their use in swarms presents a challenge to Ukrainian air defenses, said Ihnat, the air force spokesman. Western nations have promised to bolster Ukrainian air defenses with systems that can shoot down drones but much of that weaponry has yet to arrive and, in some cases, may be months away.

The challenges are serious because the air defense forces and means are the same as they were at the beginning of the war," Ihnat said. Some air defense weaponry supplied by the West can only be used during daylight hours when targets are visible, he added.

Russia forces also struck energy infrastructure elsewhere on Monday, apparently seeking to compound pressure on Kyivs government after previous attacks that knocked out power supplies.

Shmyhal, the prime minister, said hundreds of settlements were without power after missile attacks on critical infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions.

Ukraines nuclear operator said Russian shelling also cut off power again to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, one of the most worrying flashpoints of the Russian invasion.

The nuclear plant, Europes largest, needs power for critical safety systems. When shelling severs its power supply lines, the plant is forced to fall back on diesel generators  a temporary stopgap.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had said Friday that there was no need for more widespread attacks against Ukraine  after a barrage of strikes earlier in the week that he said were in retaliation for the bombing of a bridge connecting the Crimean Peninsula with the Russian mainland.

However, Putin also said that seven of 29 targets designated after the bridge attack were not hit the way the Defense Ministry had planned, so Moscows forces would continue to target them. He didnt specify the targets.

After months during which strikes in central Kyiv were rare, last week's attacks put the country and its capital back on edge.

The strike on Kyiv comes as fighting has intensified in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in recent days, as well as the continued Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south near Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Zelenskyy said Sunday that there was heavy fighting around the cities of Bakhmut and Soledar in the Donetsk region.

The Donetsk and Luhansk regions make up the industrial east known as the Donbas, and were two of four regions annexed by Russia in September in defiance of international law.
Former President Donald Trump at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on September 3. Mary Altaffer/AP

The former DOJ official Neal Katyal commented on Donald Trump's 14-page response to the DOJ.

Katyal said he did not think the response would help Trump unless he was trying to plead insanity.

He said Trump's response showed "evidence" of an insanity plea.

Neal Katyal, a former Justice Department official, says former President Donald Trump's written response to the House Capitol-riot panel's intention to subpoena him looks like an insanity defense.

Katyal  a law professor and an Obama-era acting solicitor general  made an appearance on NBC on Sunday, three days after the House panel investigating January 6, 2021, unanimously voted to subpoena Trump. The subpoena will compel the former president to cooperate with the committee or be held in contempt of Congress and referred to the Justice Department for prosecution  much like Trump's allies Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro.





In response to the decision, Trump sent a document to the panel that started with the sentence, "THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2020 WAS RIGGED AND STOLEN!" and contained multiple baseless claims of election fraud. It also included four photos of the crowd near the Washington Monument on January 6, 2021.

"Yeah, so, this is a 14-page screed, Jonathan, that's very hard to follow. But it does seem to dig the hole in deeper for Donald Trump," Katyal told the MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart.

"I can't see it in any legal way helping him unless he is trying to go for the insanity defense, of which this paper seems, you know, to be some evidence of," Katyal added.

Katyal also said he thought it was a "pretty fanciful" idea that Trump would just give in and testify to the panel because of the congressional subpoena.

"I mean, this is a man who took the Fifth Amendment more than 400 times the last time he was questioned under oath. And I doubt he's suddenly become eager to testify," Katyal said.

Katyal was referencing Trump's deposition in August during New York Attorney General Letitia James' investigation into the Trump Organization's business practices, during which he pleaded the Fifth more than 440 times and answered only a question about what his name was.

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Katyal added that he thought Attorney General Merrick Garland would indict Trump, as there's overwhelming evidence to do so and "no contrition whatsoever" on Trump's part.

A representative at Trump's postpresidential press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Radomir Buzdum, the former owner of the now closed TNT strip club in Lebanon (shown), was sentenced Friday to more than a year in prison for conspiracy to use facilities in interstate commerce to commit prostitution, and filing false tax returns.

The former owner of an infamous Dodge County strip club known for prostitution and violent pimps, was sentenced Friday to more than a year in prison.

Radomir Buzdum "was neither a pimp, nor a drug dealer, nor even the primary point of contact for this element at the club," prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo.

"But he was an enabler whose actions (or failure to act) facilitated the commercial sexual exploitation of untold numbers of women at his club between 2012 and 2019."

Buzdum, 62, was charged in April 2021, and pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to use facilities in interstate commerce to commit prostitution, and filing false tax returns. At one time, he was also part owner of a downtown Milwaukee strip club, but was bought out by other partners after his indictment.

"I'm ashamed of myself," Buzdum told U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman. "I'm truly sorry. I lost everything I'd worked 40 years for."

Adelman called Buzdum "an American success story in many respects," with no prior record, who accepted responsibility and isn't a threat to the public.

He also noted that business owners are generally rational, and that a prison sentence for Buzdum might deter others who contemplate tax evasion and sex trafficking.

Buzdum must pay $171,510 in restitution to the IRS and spend two years on supervision after his prison term.

Others at TNT strip club also sentenced to prison

Christopher Childs, a pimp who operated at the Dodge County club, called TNT, was sentenced in 2020 to 27 years in prison. His cooperation contributed to the indictment of the owner and two managers of another rural strip club, The Hardware Store, in Clyman, also in Dodge County.

While prostitution is linked to many strip clubs, investigators say it was very out in the open at the Dodge County establishments.

One of the managers was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison. The owner got two years.

Federal prosecutors recommended 21 months in prison for Buzdum.

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"The online customer reviews quoted in the (pre-sentence report) paint a picture of an 'everything goes' atmosphere where some dancers seldom even took the stage because they were busy engaging in commercial sex acts with a steady stream of regulars," according to the government's sentencing memo.

Federal prosecutors say Buzdum knew what was taking place at club

The indictment charged that Buzdum implemented changes at the club to accommodate such practices, like installing "champagne rooms" with locking doors and no security cameras. It also charged that Buzdum skimmed lots of the cash generated by the business and failed to report it as income.

Timothy Miller, the former manager at TNT, was charged with Buzdum. Miller pleaded guilty in August to the same prostitution conspiracy count. His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 9.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Frohling challenged the defense portrait of Buzdum as a hands-off owner unaware of exactly what was going on at TNT. He played recordings of Buzdum talking with other businessmen and his wife describing details of operations.

He said he made 350 trips from home to the club one year, that TNT made more than $12,000 a week, and described how he advised dancers to tell if prostitution customers were undercover law enforcement.

In another, he's heard trying to negotiate with a woman at the club he who says he promised $200 for sex but was trying to pay less.

Women under the control of so-called gorilla pimps like Childs were favored by Buzdum and Miller, prosecutors said, because they were more reliable and generated more income since at TNT their pimps could oversee them. They also violently enforced rules without intervention. The pimps profited too, because they could operate with much less chance of their women escaping, or detection by law enforcement.

RELATED: Silk Exotic strip club cuts ties with co-owner amid sex trafficking investigation

In his sentencing memo, defense attorney Dean Strang recounted Buzdum's personal history: the son of subsistence farmers in Croatia, he came to the the U.S. at 12, and started school in Butler, before learning a word of English or how to use the school restroom.

By 25, he opened Buzdum's Pub at South 6th and Cleveland streets, the first of many taverns and restaurants he would go on to own and operate.

In 2012, he repossessed the Roadhouse. It had been a bar but a tenant converted it to a strip club. It allowed prostitution and where management kept "shady" books and looked the other way when pimps assaulted dancers, according to court records.

Buzdum renamed it TNT.

"He should have (and could have) fixed everything. He should've fired Mr. Miller (the manager). He should've cleaned house," Strang wrote. "He should've started over and and run it the way he ran his taverns  on the straight and narrow. But he didn't."

"He knew it was wrong not to change TNT. Thats why he was actively trying to sell it. He forced the shame and anxiety in, refused to acknowledge it, and powered through by working," the memo reads.

Contact Bruce Vielmetti at (414) 224-2187 or bvielmetti@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ProofHearsay.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former strip club owner sentenced in prostitution conspiracy case
Watch: Ex-journalist accused of pushing 'fake news' about Ukraine war has fled Russia, her lawyer says

By Filipp Lebedev and Caleb Davis

(Reuters) -Former Russian state TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, accused of spreading "fake news" about the war in Ukraine, has fled the country after escaping from house arrest, her lawyer said on Monday.

Ovsyannikova is currently "under the protection of a European state", lawyer Dmitry Zakhvatov said, declining to elaborate as "it may turn out to be a problem" for her.

Ovsyannikova captured world attention in March when she burst into the studio during a live TV broadcast with a placard that read "Stop the war" and "They're lying to you". The Kremlin denounced her protest as "hooliganism".

The 44-year-old was given two months' house arrest in August over a protest in July when she stood on a river embankment opposite the Kremlin and held up a poster calling President Vladimir Putin a murderer and his soldiers fascists.

Facing up to 10 years in prison on charges of spreading fake news about the Russian army, Ovsyannikova said in an online post on Oct. 5 she had fled house arrest because she had no case to answer. Her whereabouts since then have been unknown.

Zakhvatov said that Ovsyannikova's daughter left the country with her, while her son remained in Russia. He declined to say where she was but told Reuters: "Soon everything will be made public. We need a couple of weeks."

Russia passed new laws against discrediting or distributing "deliberately false information" about the armed forces on March 4, eight days after invading Ukraine.

(Reporting by Filipp Lebedev and Caleb Davis; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
The Starbucks Anderson location on Interstate 85 and Clemson Boulevard two days after employees participated in a strike, June 12, 2022.

Eight Starbucks employees, three of whom were fired by the company, have filed a defamation lawsuit against Starbucks and a former manager, Melissa Morris, who accused the employees of kidnapping and assault prior to the start of a shift in early August.

A summons for the lawsuit was filed on Oct. 17 after the Anderson County Sheriff's Office found that Morris' criminal accusation was false, according to the summons.

Phone numbers associated with Morris according to public records had been disconnected by Oct. 17, and Morris did not have a lawyer identified in court records for the summons.

On Aug. 1, eight employees at the Starbucks on Clemson Boulevard in Anderson surrounded a store manager and presented a list of demands that included better pay, equipment upgrades and better staffing, according to Mya Ourada, a store barista at the time.

On Aug. 3, Morris, the Starbucks store manager, in coordination with Starbucks management reported to police that the workers had assaulted and kidnapped the manager on Aug. 1, according to the summons.

According to the summons, the Sheriff's Office told a reporter, "None of the allegations were true... The employees did not stop her from leaving and did not put their hands on her, which is what the boss reported had happened."

"Starbucks knew exactly what they were doing when it smeared our reputation, painting us as criminals," Aneil Tripathi, a former employee who was fired, said in a press release. "They abused the law enforcement process to intimidate us and keep us terrified that a knock on the door would be the Anderson police coming to take us away."

Starbucks and Morris have 30 days to answer the claims in the summons.

"We are reviewing the details of this matter and look forward to defending the company against the allegations made," a Starbucks spokesperson wrote in an email to the Independent Mail. "No Starbucks partner has been or will be disciplined for supporting or engaging in lawful union activity  but interests in a union does not exempt partners from following policies and procedures that apply to all partners."

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Check back for more on this developing story.

 A.J. Jackson covers arts, entertainment and more for The Greenville News and Anderson Independent Mail. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter @ajhappened.

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Former SC Starbucks employees file lawsuit against company
Okmulgee Police

The search for four missing friends in rural Oklahoma has been called off after officials discovered their dismembered bodies in a river on Friday and positively identified them on Monday.

Mark Chastain, 32, Billy Chastain, 30, Mike Sparks, 32, and Alex Stevens, 29, were last seen alive on bicycles, leaving the home of someone in the group on Oct. 9, cops in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, said.

The mens spouses reported them missing the following evening after their repeated calls went straight to voicemail. They launched a frantic search to no avail, conceding by the end of last week that their loved ones were likely dead.

Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice said Monday that the quartet were violently murdered at a nearby scrapyardshot, dismembered and then dumped into the Deep Fork River, about 40 miles south of Tulsa.

Prentice added that someone told detectives that the slain men planned to commit a crime when they left the house on Oct. 9, but investigators dont know what their specific plan was or whether it had something to do with their murder. The tipster only told police that he was invited to go with the group to hit a lick big enough for all of them.

Prentice said a suspect or a potential motive have not been identified.

Currently, we have more questions than answers, he said.

Joe Kennedy, the owner of the scrapyard where the men were gunned down, is considered a person of interest in the slayings, but Prentice emphasized that he has not been named a suspect. Kennedy has been missing since Saturday and may be suicidal, Prentice said.

He added that Kennedy didnt know any of the four men personally, and that their four bicycles remain missing.

Ive worked over 80 murders in my career, he said. But this case involves the highest number of victims and its a very violent event.

Last week, multiple search partiessome organized by police, some by familysurveyed Okmulgee, a town of 12,000, and a nearby nature preserve to no avail. A breakthrough came around 2 p.m. Friday, when a passerby spotted four bodies partially submerged in the river and called 911.

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The discovery blew up any hope the family had that their loved ones may still be alive.

Were heartbroken, were sad, were just, the unknown is whats getting us, Jessica Chastain, Marks wife, told News On 6 last week.

Jessica and Mark had two young kids together, according to Jessicas Facebook. Marks public Facebook profile had an eerie final post a day before his disappearance, in which the 32-year-old shared a graphic that said, I'm on my second guardian angel. My first one quit and is now in therapy.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Fox

Television writer and producer Miranda Kwok wanted to see a different take on the classic antihero than the type of character weve become used towhich is to say one that is historically played by a white man. So she created The Cleaning Lady, the juicy Fox drama about an undocumented Filipino-Cambodian doctor-turned-service-worker who finds herself navigating the dark underbelly of Las Vegas after working for a crime syndicate to save her ailing son.

Weve seen crime dramas with other characters over and over again, but weve never seen these stories from the lens of these undocumented immigrants and Southeast Asian characters, Kwok, who serves as a co-showrunner with Melissa Carter, tells The Daily Beasts Obsessed. We want to show characters that are fully fleshed out and multi-dimensional, and that we all have hopes, dreams, issues and challenges that we faceand the choices were forced to make when were put into these extreme circumstances.

Much like its persistent protagonist, The Cleaning Ladyone of the few network shows to feature an Asian leadfeels like an underdog hit. The 10-episode first season averaged 3.1 million viewers per week, ranking as one of the biggest new broadcast dramas of the 2021-22 season; the pilot marked Foxs highest-rated drama premiere in two years and, combined with multi-platform viewing, reached over 11 million viewers.

Equal parts crime thriller and family drama, the show stars Daredevil and The Defenders Elodie Yung as Thony De La Rosa, a whip-smart doctor who successfully performs a liver transplant in Mexico on her own son, Luca (Sebastien and Valentino LeSalle), after years of attempting to seek medical intervention in the U.S.

Fox

In the process, Thony becomes embroiled in a powerful crime ring in Las Vegas, where she meets Arman Morales (Adan Canto). Hes the syndicates brooding lieutenant, who hires her to clean up crime scenes and takes a vested interest in her lifeand with whom she shares an undeniable attraction and connection. The problem is that Arman is already married to Nadia (Eva de Dominici), who makes her feelings about coming second to the cleaning lady in her husbands eyes very clear.

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Now the show, which airs on Monday night, is in its second season, proving the full potential of its promise of delivering a new kind of antihero. Whereas the first season saw Thony cleaning up scenes for the mob, the second often sees her cleaning up crimes of her own making. For instance, in last months explosive season premiere, which drew a total of 4.8 million viewers, Thony was forced to hunt down her estranged husband, Marco (Ivan Shaw), who threatened to take their son back to the Philippines after discovering her involvement with Arman.

During a heated familial confrontation at a motel, Thony witnesses the accidental murder of Marco at the hands of her nephew, Chris (Sean Lew), prompting her to use the tips and tricks that she learned from Arman to wipe away evidence and protect the rest of her familyespecially her strong but sensitive sister-in-law, Fiona (Martha Millan). Were shifting from anything a mother would do for her son to everything that a parent would do for their family, Kwok says.

Fox

Spinning a web of lies in order to stay together is hardly a walk-in-the-park for the De La Rosa family. Consumed with guilt, Chris begins acting up, biking into oncoming traffic and vandalizing school property. After being blackmailed by the motel owner, who made copies of the security camera footage that ties Chris to the crime scene, Fiona knocks him unconscious and finds herself in over her head, so she calls Thony, who instinctively calls Arman to help put an end to their familys latest threat.

With Arman, we really wanted to show how Thonys influence influenced him and vice versa, Carter says, pointing to a scene where Thony threatens the motel owner in front of Arman. All of them must also deal with the ever-present threat of Garrett Miller (Oliver Hudson), an FBI agent who uses Thony as an informant.

Since the shows inception, fans have been rooting for Armonya portmanteau of Arman and Thonyto get together, especially after the two shared two hot-and-heavy kisses last season, and Kwok and Carter both admit the writers have been trying to strike the right balance between keeping them apart and giving the fans what they want. (Having suggestive lines, such as I see youve learned a few things, and silent looks is one way to keep up the sexual tension.)

Fox

That relationship, however, is complicated by the arrival of Robert Kamdar (Naveen Andrews), Nadias gregarious and morally bankrupt ex-lover who remains hellbent on driving a wedge between her and Arman.

Robert is somebody who continues to respect Nadia and elevate her, and its not just for her beauty, but for her intellect and everything that she is, and it becomes harder and harder for Nadia to resist Robert. And then at the same time, Arman is caught between these two women that he loves, he cares for them both, and this obviously isn't a situation where they can continue the way it is, says Kwok, who describes the interrelated relationships between Thony, Arman, Nadia and Robert as a dangerous quadrangle.

Although The Cleaning Lady attempts to shine a light on the plight of the undocumented, some might criticize the show for scripting characters from marginalized communities who consistently find themselves engaged in criminal activity. But Kwok counters that Asian characters should be allowed to represent the full spectrum of the human experience, in the same way that white characters are allowed to run the gamut from (anti)hero to villain.

In this case, while Thony ventures deeper into the criminal underworld, she is trying to offset anything bad she does, in the same vein as Robin Hood.

The 50 Biggest and Best Fall TV Shows to Watch: From More White Lotus to Abbott Elementary

Her motivation is, Im going to start a business to help my family, to help Fiona. Were going to have a clinic in the back, were going to help other undocumented workers like uspeople that dont have insurance, people that are in need, Carter says. Considering the numerous roadblocks that she has faced in the American healthcare system, Kwok adds, Thony becomes galvanized to help her community, to help other people who are undocumented, uninsured or impoverished to access basic health care and medicines that are required to stay alive.

In doing so, the writers have been trying to keep Thonys moral center intact, Carter says. She was a surgeon in her home country. The hippocratic oath of Do no harm is always her barometer  but the fun is watching that line that she draws in the sand move. Because regardless of what justifications you can make for being involved in crime, it will test her, it will test her family, and they have to pull together to protect each other.  I think all the great crime dramas have a character at the center of it who is justifying every choice they make. The audiences have to watch the characters and think, What would it take for me to commit a crime? What would it take for me to cover up a crime?

For all the life-or-death stakes that come with a crime drama, the writers also wanted to explore the unique dynamics that exist within a matriarchal Southeast Asian family, with sisters-in-law (and best friends) Thony and Fiona essentially raising their three children under the same roof. That commitment to cultural authenticity was particularly important to Kwok and Carter from the outset, as they even changed Thonys background to reflect Yungs own Cambodian heritage.

In the second episode of this season, Marco and Fionas parents travel from the Philippines to the U.S. to attend Marcos funeral, where they are dressed in traditional attire and observe specific cultural traditions and customs, including the mano po, that Fiona has not observed since immigrating more than 15 years ago. The hour also explores how, in many Asian cultures, sons and daughters are treated differently.

Fox

There was a scene in episode 2 between Fiona and [her mother] Lola, and it was about how, as a daughter, she was treated poorly compared to Marco throughout her life, Kwok says. They both cried during and after the scene. It was very nuanced, but so real that it really touched them both.

For all her selfless sacrifices for her children, the writers wanted to inject some love and levity into Fionas storyline this season. We want to give her a little joy in her life and a little hope that she can enjoy herself, that she can start our own business, that she can maybe pursue and own her own home, despite still being undocumented, Carter says. (Millan also reveals that she had her first-ever onscreen kiss, because she has often been reduced to playing crack addicts in the past.)

Earlier this year, during the shows freshman run, Carter received some unexpected feedback from the husband of a former college classmate, who is a Republican and Trump supporter. Despite having taken a firm stand against undocumented immigration, he was moved to at least reconsider his stance after watching the shows fifth episode, in which Thony and Fiona are sent to an I.C.E. detention center and the latter is nearly deported back to the Philippines. Yung, in fact, heard the same thing from one of her neighbors.

Kwok admits that she expected a little more pushback from conservative viewers, and says she was grateful for the overwhelmingly positive responseespecially from migrants and domestic workers who have seldom seen parts of their day-to-day experiences reflected onscreen.

Fox

The great gift of television and film is that you can put your audience in your characters shoes and really walk them through what it would feel like, Carter says. Theyre afraid to go to the hospital, theyre afraid to even drive and get pulled over if they have a tail light outall of the things that we all take for granted if youre a citizen of this country.

The way you walk through the world as an undocumented immigrant is different because you don't have certain entitlements and privileges that everyone else does, Kwok adds. You are seen, perceived and forced to act differently, so I think its really great to be able to show an audience how people who are normally pushed into the shadows can actually find their strength. They are resourceful and intelligent.

The Cleaning Lady, a show in which the lead character continues to use her sharp wit to dig herself (and her family) out of trouble, is doing just that. At a time when network TV might be having an identity crisis, making identity such an integral part of the fabric of the show makes The Cleaning Lady not just historic, but revolutionaryall while giving a new voice to people who have rarely seen themselves as the heroes of their own story.

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Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty

This reporting appears as one of several scooplets featured in this weeks edition of Confider, the newsletter pulling back the curtain on the media. Subscribe here and send your questions, tips, and complaints here.

Fox News executives are full-on freaked out about the leak of never-aired clips of Tucker Carlsons interview with Kanye West, Confider has learned, and the network is closing in on the mole who was the source of the embarrassing breach.

A few weeks ago Carlson interviewed West, who now goes by the mononym Ye, and touted him as a brave truth-teller dismissed by liberal elites for his increasingly far-right beliefs and stunts like wearing a White Lives Matter shirt to Paris Fashion Week.

Despite the Fox News celebration of Wests supposed intellectual heft, unaired snippets leaked to Vices Motherboard showed the rapper and fashion mogul peddling openly antisemitic tropes and bizarre claims about fake children being used to manipulate his kids. These more embarrassing, newsworthy remarks never made into the final broadcast of Carlsons chat with the rapper. (The interview was also before Ye threatened online to go death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE before being banned from multiple platforms.)

Like what youre reading? Subscribe to the Confider newsletter here and have The Daily Beast media teams stellar reporting sent straight to your inbox every Monday night.

Fox may be closing in on the leaker, but its now almost a week since Vice published the videos. This is a notable detail because in 2012, the last time the network dealt with a major video breach, it found and escorted the leakerBill OReillys then-associate producer Joe Mutoout of the building in less than 24 hours.

This new leaker learned from my mistakes, Muto told Confider. The main reason I got caught is that I wasnt covering my digital trail particularly well. Theyre obviously doing a better job than I did if they havent been found yet.

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Following Mutos leaks to Gawker, the network instituted stricter security protocols for accessing video, making it more difficult to access sensitive outtakes like the Ye ones. It seems this leaker has found a way around that, Muto remarked.

If youre the Kanye video leaker, or anyone else at Fox with some juicy info, wed love to hear from you. Email us at confider@thedailybeast.com.

A Fox News spokesperson declined to comment.

Subscribe to the Confider newsletter here and have The Daily Beast media teams stellar reporting sent straight to your inbox every Monday night.

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Theres a free event in Puyallup that may help prevent someone from stealing your catalytic converter.

The Puyallup New Car Dealers Association partnered with the Puyallup Police Department to host a catalytic converter etching event on Saturday, Oct. 22 at select locations. People registered online at puyallupcars.com.

Puyallup Police Captain Don Bourbon said all 240 time slots for the event have been filled as of Thursday, Oct. 13. There might be a similar event in the future but no dates have been established yet.

The seven locations participating in the event are: Bill Korums Puyallup Nissan, Kia of Puyallup, Toyota of Puyallup, Volkswagen of Puyallup, Subaru Puyallup, Chevrolet Buick GMC of Puyallup, and Puyallup Mazda. The dealerships are donating time and materials.

Crews will engrave the last eight digits of the vehicle identification number on the converter and highlight it with high-temperature paint, according to a Puyallup Police Department news release.

The identification potentially serves as a deterrent to would-be thieves. If stolen, the marked converter is easier for police to track back to the rightful owner, the news release read.

Those unable to attend the event are advised to install a catalytic converter cage or guard on their vehicle. Parking in secured garages or well-lit lots can also help.

Catalytic converters have palladium, rhodium and platinum, which makes them valuable items to sell and purchase. Over 50,000 catalytic converters were stolen in 2021, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Pierce County has been a hotbed of converter thefts and were excited to take a leadership role in protecting consumers and making converters worthless on the underground market, Luke Korum, Puyallup New Car Dealers Association president, said in the release.
Low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines is adding three new route connections to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Warmer weather awaits travelers departing from several major midwest cities as the airline expands its nonstop routes.

Starting in February 2023, passengers flying from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) will be able to fly directly to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) with Frontier. Additionally, the airline is launching routes to the island from its hometown hub Denver International Airport (DEN) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).

Photo Credit: Frontier Airlines

Supporting Jamaica's Economic Recovery

This new nonstop service to three major American gateways is further proof of Frontiers commitment to providing Jamaicans with convenient, affordable flight options to the U.S., Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial, Frontier Airlines, said in a statement reported on Travel Pulse. At the same time, this new service will be a huge draw for Americans who reside in or near these major metropolitan areas and want to escape winter to come enjoy some sunshine and warm Jamaican hospitality.

We are extremely grateful to Frontier for their continued partnership and expansion of service into Jamaica, added Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica. This directly benefits our tourism industry as we seek to go into the next phase of our recovery and grow exponentially.

These new flight additions by Frontier are welcomed strategic developments that provide more options for travelers to get to Jamaica, Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, said in a statement of his own. This provides even greater connectivity to and from the west and northwest regions of the United States.

The pending merger:

A pending merger with Spirit Airlines aims to make Frontier more accessible and competitive against other airlines. Despite mixed reviews among travelers about the Frontier flying experience, the airline continues to expand its reach with regular announcements of new routes and destinations.

Related: Frontier Airlines To Launch Five International Destinations From Atlanta International Airport To The Caribbean And Central America | Frontier Launches Nonstop Flights From Miami To Jamaica As The Country Relaxes COVID-19 Measures
Photo: The Canadian Press

Canada's telecom regulator says it needs more time to weigh an application from Telus Corp. to introduce a processing fee for customers that pay their bills by credit card.

In a letter sent to the telecom giant last Thursday, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said it may take until Dec. 6 before there is a final decision on the matter which is longer than its initial estimate of 45 business days.

Telus first filed the application on Aug. 8 requesting permission to add a 1.5 per cent processing fee to its terms of service starting this fall.

In the application, Telus said the surcharge is intended "to cover the processing costs that credit card payments incur."

In a statement to the Canadian Press in August, Telus said the average cost each month will be about $2 per customer, who can avoid the fees by selecting another bill payment option, such as debit payments or one-time bank payments.

The fee would not apply in Quebec or to customers of Telus' Koodo subsidiary.
The family of George Floyd is considering legal action against Ye over the rappers comments about Floyds death, an attorney for the family said.

Ye, known as Kanye West before legally changing his name, said on the Drink Champs podcast on Sunday that Floyds death was the result of an overdose and not from former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on the Black mans neck for more than nine minutes.

I watched the George Floyd documentary that Candace Owens put out, Ye said. One of the things that his two roommates said was they want a tall guy like me, and the day that he died, he said a prayer for eight minutes. They hit him with fentanyl. If you look, the guys knee wasnt even on his neck like that.

A jury last year convicted Chauvin of second- and third-degree murder in Floyds death, and he later pleaded guilty to federal charges of using excessive force under color of law.

After the podcast episode aired on YouTube, civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, who represented the family of Floyd, tweeted that the family was considering a suit against the Grammy-award winning musician.

While one cannot defame the dead, the family of #GeorgeFloyd is considering suit for Kanyes false statements about the manner of his death, Merritt wrote on Twitter.

Claiming Floyd died from fentanyl not the brutality established criminally and civilly undermines & diminishes the Floyd familys fight.

TheGrio reported Monday that the attorney was alerted of Yes comments by Philonise Floyd, George Floyds brother.

I have put together a working team to investigate [Yes] statements and to investigate the source of those statements, Merritt said.

While the medical examiners report did confirm Floyd had both fentanyl and methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death, the drugs were not listed as the cause. Testimony from Dr. Andrew Baker, chief medical examiner in Hennepin County, showed it was the police officers compression of Floyds neck that caused his death.

Yes comments come after several weeks of negative feedback for wearing a White Lives Matter t-shirt at Paris Fashion Week, as well as for antisemitic remarks.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Geri Halliwell will release a new series of childrens adventure books, following the success of her Ugenia Lavender books.

The former Spice Girl has signed a two-book deal with Scholastic UK and Penguin Young Reader imprint Philomel Books in the US, under which shell release the first book in the series, titled Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen.

The book, scheduled for publication in autumn 2023, follows orphan Rosie Frost who is sent to a mystery island, which is home to extraordinary teenagers and also a sanctuary for endangered species.

Halliwell said that she hoped the story would inspire young readers to find their strength and power in the face of adversity.

Rosie Frost has lived in my heart for a long time and this feels just the right moment to introduce her to the world, she said.

I hope her strength in the face of adversity and path to believing in herself inspire young readers across the globe to find their own strength and power as they face challenges in their own lives.

Halliwell released her first series of kids books, the Ugenia Lavender series, in 2008.

Scholastic UKs executive editor Linas Alsenas said that Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen would reveal a totally new dimension of Geri Halliwell-Horners extraordinary imagination: a thrilling mix of history, mystery, music, and adventure.

Rosie Frost is the determined, big-hearted hero we all need, and her journey of discovery on Bloodstone Island is packed with surprises that will have fans clamouring for more.

Additional reporting by Press Association
By Sarah Marsh

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's intelligence service chiefs warned on Monday that China could use stakes in critical infrastructure as leverage to pursue political aims amid a debate in Berlin over whether to let Chinese shipping company Cosco invest in Hamburg port.

Germany's Greens-run economy ministry wants to veto Cosco's bid to buy a stake in one of the three terminals in Germany's most important port, while the Social Democrat (SPD)-run chancellery is more in favour, according to government sources.

The dispute reflects a broader, heated debate in Germany over how to reduce dependency on China, its top trading partner, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine highlighted the dangers of reliance on an increasingly assertive, authoritarian state.

China has urged Germany not to politicize the countries' economic relations or engage in protectionism "in the name of national security".

In a parliamentary hearing that touched on an array of security matters, the heads of the German foreign and domestic intelligence agencies said they could not deliver a public assessment of Cosco's bid but in general urged caution.

"We are very, very critical of the participation of China in critical infrastructure," the head of the foreign intelligence service (BND), Bruno Kahl, told a parliamentary hearing, noting that a port should be considered critical infrastructure, so any possible investment should be very carefully reviewed.

Germany should expect China to use technology, including 5G infrastructure, or economic power to implement its ideas, he added. "In the case of a political disagreement between China and Germany, these instruments will be used," he said.

The head of Germany's domestic intelligence service, Thomas Haldenwang, said stakes in critical infrastructure could also open the door to sabotage and influence on public opinion.

"When I speak with foreign partners about China, they always say: Russia is the storm, China is climate change," he said.

"So we are going to have to brace for this climate change in the coming years."

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh, Editing by Miranda Murray and Andrew Heavens)
In her first interview since being convicted last year on charges of helping convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein groom, recruit and sexually abuse underage girls, Ghislaine Maxwell said that "meeting Epstein was the greatest mistake of my life."

"If I could go back today, I would avoid meeting him, and I would say that that would be the greatest mistake I've ever made, and I would make different choices for where I would work," Maxwell told senior international interviewer Daphne Barak in August from the Florida prison where she's serving her sentence. The interview will be aired in an upcoming special on Paramount+, and this excerpt was heard first on "CBS Mornings."

Maxwell said she started to feel that way about Epstein "after he got into trouble" in Florida, where he pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges of felony solicitation of prostitution and charges of procuring a person under 18 for prostitution. As part of a deal he made at the time, Epstein served 13 months in jail, much of it on work release, 12 months of house arrest, and was registered as a sex offender.

When asked if she'd had any concerns about Epstein before he spent that time in a Florida jail, Maxwell said "there were things, aspects to mention here about him, that I cannot discuss because of the appeal."

In June, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years behind bars for sexually abusing, recruiting and trafficking girls for Epstein's alleged sex abuse ring. She has appealed her conviction and sentence.

Asked if she feels like a victim of Epstein herself, Maxwell said, "I don't particularly like the word victim. It's one that should be used very sparingly because, you know, today everybody is a victim of something."

Maxwell told Barak that her arrest in July 2020, and the fact that she wasn't released on bail, came as "a total surprise."

When asked if she had ever considered trying to flee the U.S. justice system, Maxwell responded: "I never left the country and I had no intention of leaving the country.  This is where I was living and where I intended to live, and it's where I intended to go into my pensionhood."

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She also cast doubt on a well-known photo of Britain's Prince Andrew with his arm around a then-teenaged Virginia Roberts Giuffre, with Maxwell smiling off to the side. Giuffre accused the prince of sexually abusing her, which he denied. He paid an undisclosed amount to settle her lawsuit last February.

Britain's Prince Andrew is seen in a file photo with Virginia Giuffre (center) and Ghislaine Maxwell. / Credit: Rex Features

Though Maxwell had previously indicated in an email to former Epstein attorney Alan Dershowitz that the photo was real, she now says she believes there are more than 50 problems with the image.

"I don't recognize that picture, and I don't believe it is a real picture," Maxwell said in the interview. "There is no original and there are that many other things besides that, I cannot hardly get into. But I would very much like to, and as soon as the appeal is over, I will be very happy to discuss it with you.

In the meantime, Maxwell said she is committed to helping her fellow inmates.

"The opportunity that I have is to use whatever abilities I have to help the people that are around me, because the people who are around me, some of them really don't have much," Maxwell said. "There are many people here who don't speak any English. There are people here who are indigent. There are people here who are not educated. I mean, there are many people here who don't even have a TV. So I look at it as an opportunity whilst I'm here to use whatever abilities I have to help those other people who have less than I do. Because by comparison, I have a lot. I have, you know, much more because I'm educated, and I use the skills that I have to help them. And honestly, it's very rewarding."

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By Pamela Barbaglia, Saeed Azhar and Lananh Nguyen

LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs is planning a major reorganization to combine its biggest businesses into three divisions with its investment banking and trading businesses being merged into a single unit, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The plans are expected to be announced on Oct. 18 alongside Goldman's third quarter earnings. Marcus, Goldman's consumer banking business, will be absorbed into the wealth unit, the sources said, confirming an earlier Wall Street Journal report.

A spokesperson for Goldman Sachs declined to comment.

This is the biggest shakeup since the company's investor day in early 2020 when it outlined plans for four core units: investment banking, global markets, consumer and wealth management and asset management.

"It's a head scratcher," said Mike Mayo, a banking analyst at Wells Fargo. "Right now, there are more questions than answers for Goldman Sachs as it relates to this potential restructuring."

The company's stock rose 2.2% on Monday, underperforming the broader S&P 500 index which was up 2.6%.

The reorganization comes as the Wall Street titan seeks to boost its income from fee-based businesses and cut its reliance on volatile trading and investment banking revenues. The changes also signal Marcus, the consumer unit, is being relegated after Chief Executive Officer David Solomon expressed big ambitions to build a mainstream digital bank.

"This may be a way to put Marcus to the back burner as a way to de-emphasize its importance as an investment opportunity," Mayo said.

Solomon, who became CEO in 2018, has sought to expand Goldman's footprint in retail banking since his early days at the helm.

But the consumer banking unit that launched in 2016 has struggled to gain traction and suffered from delays. Marcus has yet to launch a checking account that was scheduled for this year. At mid-year, the bank internally forecast that Marcus' losses would accelerate to more than $1.2 billion in 2022, for cumulative losses of more than $4 billion, Bloomberg reported. Goldman declined to comment on the loss.

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Solomon has said the business could generate revenue of over $4 billion by end of 2024.

Net revenue in the consumer-banking unit grew by 23% to $1.49 billion in 2021, reflecting higher credit card and deposit balances, the bank said in its annual report.

Marcus offers digital banking products such as loans, savings and certificate of deposits. It also provides credit cards via a partnership with Apple Inc.

The consumer business serves more than 14 million customers and had more than $100 billion in deposits with over $16 billion in cards and loans balances, the bank has said.

OVERHAUL KEEPS MANAGEMENT 'ON ITS TOES'

The combined investment banking and trading group will be overseen by Dan Dees and Jim Esposito, who are currently global co-heads of Goldman's investment banking, and Ashok Varadhan, now co-head of its global markets division, according to Bloomberg.

Marc Nachmann, the bank's global co-head of the global markets division, will move to help run the combined asset- and wealth-management arm, the report said.

Marcus will become a part of the asset and wealth management unit, the report added.

"This is a way for Goldman Sachs to keep its management team on its toes and to reinforce the intensity that defines Goldman," Mayo said.

Such an organizational overhaul of the bank comes shortly after its global job cuts in September that could have impacted hundreds of bankers.

In the second quarter, Goldman reported a 48% slump in profit that beat forecasts as fixed-income and commodities trading surged.

Like its Wall Street rivals, the bank is expected to report a sharp drop in third-quarter net profit as investment banking revenue was badly hurt by a slump in dealmaking.

Goldman is expected to deliver a net profit of $2.77 billion in the third quarter, according to analysts' forecasts compiled by Refinitiv, down from $5.38 billion a year earlier.

Given the tough operating environment, Goldman is closely re-examining all of its forward spending and investment plans to ensure the best use of its resources, Barclays said in a recent report.

(Reporting by Pamela Barbaglia in London, Lavanya Ahire and Akriti Sharma in Bengaluru, Selena Li in Hong Kong, Saeed Azhar and Lananh Nguyen in New York; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Nick Zieminski)
Republican lawmakers are urging the Department of Education to investigate government-funded universities involved in a Google-sponsored fellowship that imposed restrictions on white and Asian students.

Representatives Chip Roy (R, TX-21), Mary Miller (R, IL-15) and Bob Good (R, VA-5) sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona instructing him to check if federal anti-discrimination laws may be used against universities that participated in the Google Ph.D. Fellowship program.

The Google Ph.D. Fellowship, which lets participating universities nominate four Ph.D. students each year, came under fire from advocates this year for limiting the number of white and Asian students that universities can nominate.

Universities in the United States and Canada may nominate up to four eligible students from Computer Science or related fields, a deleted FAQ page from Googles outreach program read. If more than two are nominated, then in order to increase opportunities for students who are underrepresented in the field of computing, additional nominees must self-identify as a woman, Black/African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic/Latinx, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and/or person with a disability. In other words, if a university chooses to nominate more than 2 students, then the 3rd and 4th student nomination should self-identify with the underrepresented group mentioned above.

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Following complaints that the policy was discriminatory against Asians, Google quietly modified the FAQs. In place of the previous quota requirement, the company now "strongly encourage[s]" additional nominees from the previously mentioned categories.

"We encourage nominating students with diverse backgrounds especially those from historically marginalized groups in the field of computing, the page now says. If more than two students are nominated then we strongly encourage additional nominees who self-identify as a woman, Black / African descent, Hispanic / Latino / Latinx, Indigenous, and/or a person with a disability.

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Edward Blum, founder of the advocacy group Students for Fair Admissions, accused the program of racial bias.

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"The Google Fellowship program is a blatantly unlawful and immoral quota plan that pits students against one another by skin color and ethnic heritage," Blum was quoted as saying. "Our nations enduring civil rights laws were passed to specifically forbid this type of racial discrimination."

The lawmakers argued that the program violates Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits racial discrimination from federally funded colleges.

In their letter, the Republican lawmakers echoed the advocates view on the matter, highlighting that the Google fellowship imposed "unconstitutional race and sex diversity quotes."

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"Any federally funded university that changed their nominating criteria to meet Googles discriminatory and harmful rules unjustly stripped hard-working and talented students of the opportunity to even be considered for one of the most valuable fellowships in the STEM world, solely because of their race, sex, or disability status," read the letter. "The American people deserve answers and transparency, and every gifted STEM student at a taxpayer-funded university deserves a level playing field."

Featured image via Google

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Editor's note: This is the fifth in a series of columns exploring the future of the Republican Party and the conservative movement.

GQ recently came out with a glowing cover profile of New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (aka AOC), calling the Democrat the political voice of a generation  and a cultural star whose power transcends politics.

She is undoubtedly a celebrity among far-left Democrats. But shes hardly a spokeswoman for everyone in her generation, nor for all women.

Democratic women have run and won in record numbers since 2018. Republicans are catching on, however, that a diversity of candidates plays better with voters, and women on the right are starting to change the face of the GOP.

Conservative ideals benefit all, and women candidates could testify

As a conservative woman myself, I find this a positive trend, just as I do an increase of racially diverse candidates. Conservative ideals, including individual liberty and limited government, benefit all of us, but women candidates are in a better position to sell fellow women on them.

Republican Winsome Sears was elected as Virginia's lieutenant governor in 2021.

From Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina governor, to Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears to Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, conservative women are proving they have what it takes to lead. Haley is widely considered a presidential contender in 2024, and Rep. Liz Cheney has hinted at a run after her Wyoming primary defeat.

Conservative women are working on the front lines and behind the scenes to shape politics and policy that affect all of us, and I recently had the opportunity to speak with some of these influencers.

More women running for office: 2022 elections could be a new year of the woman. Can conservative women catch up?

A concerted effort to elect Republican women

Women for decades have voted at higher rates than men, and the Democratic Party has long had a hold on women voters, with 56% of female registered voters in 2018 and 2019 identifying as Democrats or likely Democratic voters. Minority women are even more likely to vote Democratic.

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If more Republican women stepped up to run, those numbers could change.

After Democratic women experienced a pink wave in 2018, Republicans realized they needed to play catch-up. At that time, the number of Republican women in the U.S. House had fallen to only 13.

Thanks to the efforts of some in the party  notably New York Rep. Elise Stefanik  more women were recruited to run and they were supported along the way. In 2020, the number of Republican women in the House nearly doubled.

Theres still a long way to go to match the number of Democratic women in Congress, but 2022 is promising to be another strong year for women on the right, with a similar number in the running for Congress this year as in 2020.

More conservative women are running for governor as well. A record 37 Republican women filed this year, and nine (also a record) have become nominees. In Michigan, Tudor Dixon is the first woman to run as the Republican nominee for governor.

Women aren't single-issue voters

According to the Center for American Women and Politics, 123 women now serve in the U.S. House of Representatives: 91 Democrats and 32 Republicans. Out of 24 women in the Senate, eight are Republican.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told me that boosting the number of women in the party was a goal for her when she took over the post in 2017. Shes the second woman to hold the job.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel gavels in the opening of the Republican National Convention in 2020 in Charlotte, N.C.

It is something that's near and dear to my heart to have more women in our party as messengers, McDaniel said. We vote for candidates based on merit, but we also understand the importance of having different voices in our party.

How conservative are you? Take our quiz

She said Democrats tend to put women into single-issue buckets, such as abortion. Republicans dont want to do that.

Women are a lot more complicated, McDaniel said. We don't have the ability to think about one thing all day. So Republicans treat women as the whole voter. Women care about health care. We care about education, we care about jobs, about the economy. We care about national security.

A 'triple threat' in Texas

In South Texas, three Hispanic Republican women are considered a triple threat to win in November: Rep. Mayra Flores, the first Mexican-born woman to serve in Congress, won a special election for Texas 34th Congressional District this year and is up again in November. Monica De La Cruz is running for the 15th District, and Cassy Garcia is running in the 28th.

Garcia is a first-time candidate but isnt new to politics, having served as deputy state director for Sen. Ted Cruz. She was also appointed by former President Donald Trump in 2020 to serve as commissioner for the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative.

Shes looking to flip a historically blue seat and unseat an incumbent congressman, and the district is rated as a toss-up by Real Clear Politics.

Cassy Garcia, Republican candidate for Congress in Texas' 28th Congressional District, at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas on Aug. 5, 2022.

When Garcia is out on the campaign trail and knocking on doors, she said, most people tell her they have never had a Hispanic Republican as a candidate. She said the GOP has an opportunity to attract more Latino voters in states like Texas, where border and drug issues are front and center. Frustration with longstanding Democratic representation is encouraging more voters to look across the aisle.

It's so exciting to see so many Hispanics join the Republican Party, Garcia said. This is a positive development. I feel that there's more people ready for new representation in the district.

Between 2016 and 2020, Trump made significant gains among Hispanics nationwide, the majority of whom have been loyal to Democrats, and he saw some of his biggest gains in South Texas.

Honor suffragettes: National monuments in Washington, D.C., are missing a big piece of American history

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A seat to flip in Ohio?

Another candidate who stands out is Madison Gesiotto Gilbert, who is running for an open congressional seat in Ohio. Incumbent Democrat Tim Ryan is running for the Senate, and Republicans say they have a good chance to flip the district red.

Gilbert is an attorney with experience in conservative commentary, and she is a former Miss Ohio USA. Clearly passionate about her community, she said she was tired of sitting on the sidelines. She's happy to be part of a growing number of diverse Republican candidates.

I think we're going to continue to see that shift in the party, Gilbert said. And I think it's going to be beneficial as we welcome new voters and faces into the party. Because at the end of the day, we're on the right side of the policies, and we have the commonsense solutions that can positively impact people. We need to be sharing that more and more in places that Republicans in the past were afraid to go and really just ignored.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

Conservatism is not anti-woman

Its not just conservative women running for public office who are making a difference. Its also those who are actively working to shape policy.

One who stands out is Erin Morrow Hawley, who serves as senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom. Hawley worked on the legal team that helped Mississippi defend its 15-week abortion ban before the U.S. Supreme Court  the pivotal case that led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June.

Abortion decided by states: States will now decide abortion laws. Here's why that could be a good thing.

In addition to being a successful lawyer and former clerk to Chief Justice John Roberts, Hawley is the wife of GOP Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley. She has also written a book on motherhood.

Erin Morrow Hawley is senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom.

Hawley said letting states decide how they want to protect life is a win for women. As a mother of three, it was just amazing to be able to play a role in that, Hawley told me.

Abortion has become a key issue in the midterm elections, yet the focus is most often on women pushing for abortion rights. This ignores many conservative women who believe restrictions on abortion are a good thing and would like more say in crafting state laws.

As issues like abortion become front and center, it's even more pivotal for women to get involved in politics.

Carrie Lukas, president of Independent Womens Forum, said having more engaged women on the right is a positive thing.

I think it's an important part of exposing the lie that somehow conservatism is anti-woman, Lukas said. It sticks a lot less when you've got a lot of strong women who are in positions of power and who are the ones speaking up against that notion.

I look forward to seeing more conservative women on the ballot in coming elections. It will change the GOP for the better.

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques

Meet the team

COLUMNISTS: Ingrid Jacques, Chris Schlak, Tim Swarens, John Wood Jr.

EDITORS: Kristen DelGuzzi, Louie Villalobos, Thuan Le Elston, Tim Swarens

DIGITAL PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: Ryan Marx, Reid Williams

SOCIAL MEDIA, ENGAGEMENT AND PROMOTION: Janessa Hilliard



You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How conservative women are changing the face of the Republican Party
Hillary Swank (left) and Grace Dove (First Nations Secwepemc) star in the new ABC drama Alaska Daily (Photo: ABC/Darko Sikman)

Opinion. Fridays release by the Albuquerque FBI Division of its updated list of missing Indigenous persons in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation is a reflection of progress to obtain accurate information relating to those who are missing in Indian Country.

Indian Country has pressed federal officials for years to intensify efforts for accurate reporting of the numbers of missing Indigenous persons.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

The list released on Friday reveals the troubling number of 192 Native Americans missing in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation.

When multiplied across the United States, the total number of missing Indigenous persons is even more staggering. The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) reports some 1,500 American Indian and Alaska Native persons who are missing throughout the United States. On top of that, approximately 2,700 cases of Murder and Nonnegligent Homicide Offenses have been reported to the Federal Governments Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) reports there are approximately 4,200 unsolved cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP). The U.S. Department of Justices numbers are worse. According the Justice Department, Native women face murder rates more than 10 times the national average and more than 5,000 American Indian and Alaska Native women are missing.

While serving in Congress, the current Secretary of the Interior Department Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) declared the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls an epidemic.

Haaland was correct in calling the crisis an epidemic; unfortunately, there are many people who are unaware of it.

In March, I was on a panel at a Michigan university. During the Q&A session, the dean hosting the event said she had only heard about the missing and murdered Indigenous women issue once before in a story in the New York Times.

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Unfortunately, she is not alone. The mainstream media has done an inadequate job of covering this epidemic from a news perspective. Credit can be given to NBCs Dateline, which aired a special report on MMIP in August 2021, but by and large, the major networks have failed to bring the issue to national audiences.

Thats why I was encouraged last week when I heard about Alaska Daily, a new television program that deals with the MMIP epidemic head on.

The ABC drama was created by Tom McCarthy, who co-wrote and directed the Academy Award winning film Spotlight, which chronicles the Boston Globes investigation of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Curch.

Alaska Daily features two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, who portrays Eileen Fitzgerald, a disgraced New York City journalist who moves to Anchorage to work for a daily newspaper. She is assigned to investigate cold cases of missing Alaska Native women. She teams with Alaska Native reporter Roz Friendly, played by First Nations citizen Grace Dove (Secwepemc). Irene Bedard (Native Village of Koyuk) plays Sylvie Nanmac, a relative of a missing Alaska Native relative.

I watched the first two episodes of the show with interest  and hope.

As a publisher of a daily online news outlet covering Indian Country, I was interested in seeing how the shows fictional newsroom would approach the coverage of a difficult-but-critical topic that Native News Online has covered for a decade.

My professional interest aside, watching the show made me hopeful because it has the potential to raise awareness about MMIP and spur a national conversation on an epidemic that has plagued Indian Country for so long. It taps into the power of storytelling  as well as the enormous reach of prime-time television and streaming  in ways that digital news reporting and government data reports cannot.

Im guessing that some of the 3.6 million live viewers who watched the shows first episode learned about Alaskas MMIP crisis for the first time. Some of them may have been stunned or outraged. Some may have been motivated to do some internet research on the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous people. In my view, thats a story worth telling.

Thayek gde nwendemen - We are all related.

About the Author: "Levi Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
Graham Norton has deleted his Twitter. (PA Images via Getty Images)

Graham Norton has deleted his Twitter account after becoming embroiled in a row with JK Rowling.

A row on social media erupted after Billy Bragg praised Norton for his views on cancel culture and Rowling when interviewed at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

In his interview, Norton said there was no such thing as 'cancel culture' and that famous people were instead facing accountability for their words and actions.

JK Rowling has been criticised for her views on trans people. (Getty Images)

Norton was also asked about Rowling's controversial views on trans rights, to which he said: "When I'm asked about it, I become a part of it. My voice adds nothing to that discussion and I'm sort of embarrassed that I'm somehow drawn into it.

"If people want to shine a light on those issues then talk to trans people. Talk to the parents of trans kids, talk to doctors, talk to scientists.Talk to someone who can illuminate it in some way."

Watch: What does woke mean?

Read more: Graham Norton criticises John Cleese for not taking 'accountability' for his 'free speech'

Bragg then praised his response before being criticised by Rowling who said on Twitter: "Enjoying the recent spate of bearded men stepping confidently onto their soapboxes to define what a woman is and throw their support behind rape and death threats" despite neither Bragg nor Norton mentioning either.

At this time, Norton's Twitter account has been deactivated. Yahoo has reached out to his representatives for clarification.

Graham Norton recently interviewed JK Rowling. (BBC)

Rowling, who denies she is transphobic in any way, has also been embroiled with Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon over the same subject.

The broadcaster and author recently interviewed Rowling for his Virgin Radio show, a move which was criticised by trans rights activists.

Of the interview, Norton later said: "Am I suddenly the f***ing moral arbiter of the world who says who can be on TV or can't? No. 'I wouldn't have her on to air her views, but she has the right to still wang on about her crime novel.

"The easiest thing would be to not have her on, but that didn't seem right."
B.C. Premier John Horgan says its laughable for the new premier of Alberta to suggest unvaccinated people are the most discriminated-against group in her lifetime.

Im not laughing. Im 75 years old, a father, a husband, a grandfather, a stepfather and Im also healthier than Ive been in over 30 years.

I have never been on any form of medication. When this mRNA injection was introduced, my doctor immediately told me Dont take that shot. Ive trusted my health to him for more than 40 years. I followed his advice and Im glad that I did.

Since the world went crazy over COVID-19 and the pressure mounted to take the jab, here are a few things that Ive experienced and seen.

 (Unvaccinated) healthy people were not allowed to fly

 (Unvaccinated) healthy people were not allowed on trains

 They were not allowed in restaurants, or many other venues and buildings

 (Some unvaccinated) people were not allowed to work.

 (Unvaccinated) people not allowed to visit loved ones in hospital or nursing homes. My wife hasnt seen her 96-year-old mother, in a nursing home, for almost three years. Shes 30 minutes away.

 My wife and I have not been allowed to see, or speak too, our five- and seven-year-old grandsons in almost a year. They live five minutes away and we were their principal caregivers when their mom and dad where working. They spent most of their days with us. Now, zero communication.

Many families have been devastated and torn apart.

Tell me when has this type, and amount, of discrimination existed in the past?

Im not laughing Mr. Horgan. Do some research beyond what is been promoted by the drug companies and the mainstream media. The truth is coming out more and more every day. Doctors and scientists, around the world, are attempting to be heard. We still dont know the long-term effects for our loved ones.

Yes, you can label me a conspiracy theorist, thats easy in todays climate. If you do some real research youll find the truth.

Weve also lost some loved ones to the jab as have many others.

This is no laughing matter

Bob Munro
Oct. 17The Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations will put together a Servant Leaders List in an effort to bring civic engagement to the selection of the six incoming Hawaiian Homes commissioners who will be appointed by the incoming 2022 governor-elect.

The Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations will put together a Servant Leaders List in an effort to bring civic engagement to the selection of the six incoming Hawaiian Homes commissioners who will be appointed by the incoming 2022 governor-elect.

SCHHA, the oldest and largest self-governing federation of homestead associations, will select people to include on its Servant Leaders List from applications or nominations submitted through its online survey that closes Oct. 31.

Robin Danner, SCHHA chair, said incorporating civic engagement in the selection process was an idea from two Hawaiian Homes Commission Act beneficiaries, Pat Kahawaiola 'a and retired Judge Bill Fernandez.

"For six decades we've kind of just hoped that governors that come and go pick qualified people, " Danner said. "What Judge Fernandez and Uncle Pat are saying is, hope is not a strategy. ... Be progressive, be forward-looking and help the governor pick good, qualified people that don't have to learn about the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. They live it."

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' Hawaiian Homestead Commission oversees over 200, 000 acres of land trust reserved for Native Hawaiians with at least 50 % Hawaiian blood. Of the nine appointed commissioners, six are approaching the end of their first four-year terms, with two terms being the maximum allowed. In the first 100 days of administration, the incoming governor-elect will select and submit recommended candidates to the Senate for approval.

SCHHA members have voiced concerns that past and current commissioners have not adequately connected with or voiced the true concerns of the communities they represent.

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"Commissioners tend to go along with whatever DHHL (Department of Hawaiian Home Lands ), the agency, wants versus the exclusive duty to beneficiary interests, " Danner wrote in an email to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Sometimes the appointed are individuals who people in the homestead community have never heard of, Danner wrote.

Mike Kahikina, a former state legislator who served eight years on the Hawaiian Homes Commission, believes that homesteaders have a right to be involved in the decision. Kahikina is also one of the founding members of SCHHA and a chair for the Association of Hawaiians for Homestead Land.

"What we're saying is that shouldn't we have a say, " Kahikina asked. "We like take over our own trust, and our purpose is to get rid of the waitlist, period."

Policy committee members of SCHHA from various generations collaborated to create the survey that will find candidates for their Servant Leaders List. When the survey closes, the commission will meet in the first week of November to determine whose names will be on the list that will be mailed to the governor as a report, Danner said.

"He's not obligated by law to even read our report and recommendations, " Danner said. "We hope he will."

This is the first time that homesteaders will have produced a list of suggested commissioner candidates, Danner pointed out. The steady stream of applicants that SCHHA has received has included talented people, some of whom are well known among the Hawaiian homestead community, Danner added.

An added function of the survey is to gain a better understanding of the qualities homesteaders value in DHHL leadership, she said.

"Our younger generations on the committee wanted to know what citizens versus the political elite think should be important for the new governor to consider, " Danner wrote in her email. "Asking those that are most impacted by new governors, by the DHHL State Agency, what their mana 'o is on (is ) what's important."

While anyone may complete the survey, Native Hawaiians with knowledge of the federal law, its purpose and its defined beneficiaries are especially encouraged to participate, Danner said.

Kahikina hopes that these new efforts will prompt a paradigm shift in how beneficiaries pursue positive change.

"This is going to be the first time that the people, the actual people that have been affected by this policy, have made a plan, " Kahikina said. "Get involved and participate. This is a process."

The survey is being circulated throughout the state, and Danner is hopeful that it will produce proficient potential candidates.

"We have a pool of talent within the homestead community that can deliver results for the governor-elect, " Danner said. "I'm excited that we're making this opportunity available, and I think good, transparent and ethical people from our community are going to step forward."

Find SCHHA's survey at.------Linsey Dower covers ethnic and cultural affairs and is a corps member of Report for America, a national service organization that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues and communities.
ORLANDO, Fla. (Reuters) - General Dynamics Corp's Gulfstream Aerospace is weighing one of its business jets to replace its popular G550 aircraft which is now out of production for special mission purposes, President Mark Burns said on Monday.

Governments are eying "special mission" business jets capable of looking or listening at potentially lower running costs than converted passenger or military planes.

The rising demand for small jets with systems once reserved for bigger planes has energised a market led by Gulfstream, which faces challenges from rivals Bombardier and France's Dassault Aviation SA.

Weve got multiple customers with multiple desires for how they are going to use the airplane and were really just trying to sort through which is the best airplane to use, Burns told Reuters on the sidelines of the world's largest business jet show in Orlando, Florida.

In September, Canada's Bombardier Inc said the company's defense business involving special mission private jets could grow to a possible $1 billion in annual revenues from a 'fraction' of it right now.

(Reporting by Allison Lampert in Orlando, Fla.; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Twelve people were killed in a shooting at a bar in central Mexico on Saturday, local authorities said, with growing cartel violence making the region one of the country's most dangerous. Police believe Saturday's attack in Guanajuato state took place when an armed group entered the bar in the city of Irapuato at around 8 pm and opened fire on customers and staff.

At least six men and six women were killed, and three others were injured, the municipal government said in a statement, without specifying the identity of the attackers or their motives.

National Guard officers are seen outside the crime scene after authorities said 12 people were killed in a shooting at a bar in central Mexico on October 15, 2022. / Credit: Reuters

The body of one victim was found outside next to a motorcycle, while the rest of those killed were discovered inside the bar, police said.

The assailants are being hunted by state police, the army, the prosecutor's office and the National Guard, the municipal government said.

The attack is Guanajuato's second mass shooting in less than a month.

In September, armed attackers killed 10 people in a pool hall in the state's Tarimoro municipality.

And earlier this month organized crime groups massacred 20 people, including the mayor, at the town hall in San Miguel Totolapan, in the nearby state of Guerrero. In a video posted on social media, a man claiming to be a Mexican drug cartel leader that attack was in fact aimed at him.

Authorities say there have been 2,115 homicides in the region between January and August.

Mexico has recorded more than 340,000 murders, most of them attributed to criminal organizations, since the launching of a controversial military anti-drug offensive in December 2006.

Industrial Guanajuato state has become the site of a raging dispute between two rival groups -- the Santa Rosa de Lima and Jalisco New Generation cartels -- known for carrying out drug trafficking and fuel theft, as well as other crimes.

The Department of Justice considers the Jalisco cartel to be "one of the five most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the world." The cartel's leader, Nemesio Oseguera, "El Mencho," is among the most sought by Mexican and U.S. authorities.

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The head of the Drug Enforcement Administration told CBS News that the Jalisco cartel is one of the Mexican cartels that are behind the influx of fentanyl in the U.S. that's killing tens of thousands of Americans.

"Those cartels are acting with calculated, deliberate treachery to get fentanyl to the United States and to get people to buy it through fake pills, by hiding it in other drugs, any means that they can take in order to drive addiction and to make money," DEA Administrator Anne Milgram told "CBS Mornings."

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Police: Suspected Stockton serial killer was "out hunting" before his arrest
Then-L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez on Aug. 30 in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

The hateful, racist conversation secretly recorded among Los Angeles City Council members illustrates a reality: Self-interest redistricting brings out the worst in politicians.

The infamous discussion between three council members and a labor leader focused, after all, on how best to gerrymander the politicians districts to benefit them and their Latino allies and hurt their rival colleagues.

The city of L.A., including its politicians, would be much better off if it dumped the corrupt system of drawing lines for council districts. It should adopt a clean method similar to what the county already has created and California voters forced on the state more than a decade ago.

County supervisorial, state legislative and U.S. House districts are drawn by independent commissions that cannot be influenced by the affected politicians. Elected officials are forbidden from taking a role in selecting the commissioners and cant mess with their line drawings.

Theres a move toward that in L.A., triggered by the ugly recorded dialogue. Hopefully, the move wont sputter and die when the public outrage calms.

Actually, the tainted, newly adopted council lines should be erased and fresh ones drawn for the 2024 elections.

In the citys system, the redistricting commission is appointed by the council and other elected officials. And the council approves the commissions final maps. So, they get altered to suit the political needs of council members.

I dont think, in the wake of the tape, that the lines have the legitimacy they need, City Atty. Mike Feuer told Politico.

Fred Ali, chairman of the city redistricting commission, told The Times: This should be a reminder that elected officials should not have any involvement in a redistricting process. It should be an independent process. When its not, you get the kind of manipulation you see reflected in these audiotapes.

Ali was appointed to the commission by then-council President Nury Martinez, who spewed most of the racism and hate in the taped conversation and resigned under pressure last week.

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Theoretically, when drawing district lines, the interests of the governed should come first rather than the interests of those who govern, says longtime L.A.-based Democratic strategist Darry Sragow, who teaches election law at USC.

But that, of course, is a utopian view. It cannot become a reality when politicians are allowed to choose their own voters. The publics interest doesnt make the priority list.

Redistricting is the ultimate fight for power, Sragow continues. In this case, it determines who gets to run the city of L.A.

In his USC lectures, Sragow likes to quote Chinese communist revolutionary Mao Zedong, who said: Politics is war without bloodshed.

People dont play nice because its about power, Sragow says. Its just mean.

But that doesnt excuse mean-spirited talk of the ilk the councilmembers disgorged or tolerated  sometimes chortling.

It was disgusting, Sragow says.

Their private plotting a year ago over divvying up council districts to their advantage brought out the worst in the meeting participants: Martinez, Councilmembers Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo, and then-President Ron Herrera of the L.A. County Federation of Labor.

Herrera quickly resigned after the audio was revealed by The Times on Oct. 9. Martinez followed later. De Leon and Cedillo were hanging on at this writing despite public and political pressure to get lost.

Though Martinezs nasty rhetoric dominated, the others tolerated it and even chimed in with their own verbal venom.

Martinez called white Councilmember Mike Bonin, who is gay, a little bitch. His Black toddler son was referred to, in Spanish, as a little monkey. L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascon? F that guy. Hes with the Blacks.

Martinez mocked Indigenous Oaxacans as little, short dark people and called them ugly. That came as they talked about how to divide up Koreatown, a largely Latino neighborhood. Martinez said placing the entire area in Councilmember Nithya Ramans district  she wanted it  would not [be] a good thing for any of us because it would strengthen her politically.

I get what we have to do, right? Just massage to create districts that benefit you all, Herrera said.

There was much discussion about preserving or acquiring significant economic assets in predominantly Latino districts, such as USC, Los Angeles International Airport, the Van Nuys Airport and the Anheuser-Busch brewery  any established, major business or public facility.

Such talk is common during a decennial redistricting. But the politicians arent concerned about assets benefiting the community. The facilities are already there boosting the local economy, regardless of whose council district theyre in.

What the politicians are concerned about are assets that can benefit them in schmoozing and fundraising  maybe some freebie concert tickets or, most important, hefty campaign contributions.

Republicans wanted country clubs in their districts as a fundraising base, recalls Tony Quinn, a GOP redistricting consultant when the Legislature drew its own lines. Democrats wanted any nearby movie studio so they could hit up the stars for campaign contributions.

Paul Mitchell, who owns Redistricting Partners, a consulting firm that provided demographic data for the commission redrawing L.A. City Council lines, says: If you get a developer building in your district, youre going to get [campaign] checks from that developer. If hes building in the next district, hes going to ignore you.

Redistricting, Mitchell adds, has this combination of raw political power and obscurity. Few people can understand it. Thats why it becomes so corruptive.

In the hands of politicians, redistricting can be poisonous. The cure is an independent commission.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Looks like Harrison Ford is hyper-jumping away from a far, far away galaxy to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As first confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, the Star Wars icon will star in the upcoming fourth Captain America film, New World Order, as "Thunderbolt" Ross, a role that was originated by the late William Hurt in 2008's The Incredible Hulk. (Hurt died earlier this year.)

Ford's MCU debut arrives as he's preparing to bid farewell to the Indiana Jones franchise, which will wrap up with James Mangold's fifth adventure next year. Appearing at Disney's D23 Expo 2022 earlier this year, the actor said that his last outing as the archeologist adventurer will be worth the wait.

"Thank you for making these films such an incredible experience for all of us," Ford told the crowd. "Im very proud to say that this one is fantastic .... Indiana Jones movies are about fantasy and mystery, but theyre also about heart. We have a really great story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your ass."

William Hurt originated the role of "Thunderbolt" Ross in 2008's The Incredible Hulk. (Photo: Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection)

Speaking of kicking ass, Captain America: New World Order  due in theaters on May 3, 2024  will be the first big-screen solo outing for Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as everyone's favorite shield-carrying Avenger, having assumed the mantle from Chris Evans's now-retired Steve Rogers. Co-written by Malcolm Spellman, who oversaw the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and directed by Julius Onah, the film also lay the groundwork for Thunderbolts, which is currently scheduled to follow New World Order into theaters on July 26, 2024.

As the title implies, Ford's Ross will also be a player in Thunderbolts, a team-up feature that's essentially the MCU's answer to The Suicide Squad. The movie will pair some of Marvel's most popular anti-heroes  including Black Widow's Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), FAWS's John Walker (Wyatt Russell) and Ant-Man and the Wasp's Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen)  for a top-secret mission that some of them may not survive.

Stay tuned to see if that top-secret mission involves uncovering a certain Ark of the Covenant...

Captain America: New World Order is due in theaters on May 3, 2024.
The past week saw a series of earthquakes rattle beneath Hawaiis Mauna Loa, the worlds largest active volcano, leaving geologists to issue a warning that it was in a state of heightened unrest.

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake was the strongest ripple to tear across the underbelly of the formation, which is situated on the centre of the states big island of HawaiEi.

News of the increased seismic activity last week prompted the National Park Service to close access to the summit to climbers and tourists, a move that the agency said was a precautionary measure.

Though the volcano hasnt erupted since 1984, the past few weeks of increased underground quakes has given rise to local concerns that the Mauna Loa might be due for a spill over.

Here, we breakdown everything we know about the possibility of such an outcome and why Mauna Loa is on scientists and geologists radar in recent weeks.

What is Mauna Loa?

In addition to Mauna Loa, Hawaiis big island is made up of four major volcanoes: Kilauea, Mauna Kea, Hualalai and Kohala. The aforementioned volcano is by far the largest of the group and also holds the record among active volcanoes on the planet for being the biggest. Mauna Loa  aptly named Long Mountain  stretches 13,679 feet into the air above the sea level where it covers half of the islands length at 60 miles long and 30 miles wide. The summit caldera, called Mokuaweoweo, is itself 3 miles long.

When did Mauna Loa last erupt?

The sky-scraping formation has been relatively quiet over the past few decades, as scientists celebrated the 30th anniversary of its last eruption on 25 March 2014. Though the last one occurred in 1984, eruptions at Mauna Loa have been occurring for generations; since 1832, theres been 39 eruptions documented while the USGS estimates that  on average  one has occured every six years over the past 3000 years.

Fountaining lava on Mauna Loa, March 26th, 1984 (USGS/JD Griggs)

When did new activity begin?

Warnings began to be issued part way through September when geologists began to record an uptick in the number of earthquakes trembling below its surface. For a typical day in mid-September, the site was experiencing approximately 20 quakes a day, but that number shifted up to 40 by the beginning of October.

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In response to this shift in seismic activity, the US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory updated its advisory level from green to yellow out of precaution for the volcanos heightened unrest.

(In this four-tier advisory system, green is the lowest and equates to normal activity; yellow intimates that the volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background activity; orange is watch and means that there is escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption; and red means an eruption is imminent, underway, or suspected.)

Last week, the summit of Mauna Loa was closed to tourists in light of the heightened activity out of what the NPS called a precautionary measure.

Due to elevated seismic activity on Mauna Loa and as a precautionary measure, Mauna Loa summit is closed to hiking until further notice. Mauna Loa is not erupting. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists will notify the park if conditions change.https://t.co/n7nJ9xVyuk pic.twitter.com/aPT5SxxB3C  Hawaii Volcanoes NPS (@Volcanoes_NPS) October 6, 2022

Is it erupting now  or will it erupt soon?

Scientists note that the rate of earthquakes that are occurring at Mauna Loa are not enough to merit raising the alarm bells higher than the current volcanic alert level advisory of yellow.

By comparison, ahead of the 1975 eruption at the site, earthquakes topped out at more than 1,000 per day, while during the last eruption in 1984, there scientists were recording hundreds per day in the weeks leading up to its final blow.

(The USGS last issued a yellow alert for Mauna Loa in 2019.)

The scene from Kilauea, a nearby volcano to Mauna Loa (Getty Images)

Whats causing the increase in seismic activity?

Geologists from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory explained in an update provided on 16 October that the cause behind the increased activity is stemming from renewed input of magma into the volcanos reservoir system, which is described by the USGS as the region beneath the vent of a volcano where molten rock (magma) is stored prior to eruption. Also known as a magma storage zone or magma reservoir.

As the reservoir expands it is triggering small earthquakes directly beneath Mokuaweoweo caldera and in a region just to the northwest of the caldera, the agency said in the Sunday update.

The current locations of earthquakes and deformation do not necessarily mean that the next eruption will occur there. Mauna Loa remains at an elevated alert level of ADVISORY/YELLOW, the statement added, emphasising that the current activity does not suggest that a progression to an eruption is certain, and there are no indications that an eruption is imminent.

Some of the signals that experts rely on to provide them with these estimations are the earthquakes themselves, in addition to satellite imagery, temperature data and visual observation.

For instance, one such device that measures important visual elements are tiltmeters, which are installed to measure the tilt on the ground surface of a volcano.

Does it pose a risk to residents in Hawaii?

Mauna Loa is a very active volcano and because of that it has remained top priority for the USGS to monitor its activity closely. Since 1868, it has produced large amounts of basalt  which is the very fluid, dark lava  that have reached the shores of the ocean eight times. When it erupted it last in 1984, its molten flow came within 7.2 km of Hilo, the largest urban centre on the island with approximately 44,000 residents.

Geologists and scientists are, however, monitoring the situation closely and in their most recent update have indicated that, at present, Mauna Loa is not erupting and there are no signs of an imminent eruption at this time.
Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up.

So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Cronos Australia (ASX:CAU). Even if this company is fairly valued by the market, investors would agree that generating consistent profits will continue to provide Cronos Australia with the means to add long-term value to shareholders.

See our latest analysis for Cronos Australia

Cronos Australia's Improving Profits

In business, profits are a key measure of success; and share prices tend to reflect earnings per share (EPS) performance. Which is why EPS growth is looked upon so favourably. Commendations have to be given in seeing that Cronos Australia grew its EPS from AU$0.0035 to AU$0.011, in one short year. Even though that growth rate may not be repeated, that looks like a breakout improvement. This could point to the business hitting a point of inflection.

Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. The music to the ears of Cronos Australia shareholders is that EBIT margins have grown from 7.8% to 15% in the last 12 months and revenues are on an upwards trend as well. Ticking those two boxes is a good sign of growth, in our book.

In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. For finer detail, click on the image.

Cronos Australia isn't a huge company, given its market capitalisation of AU$455m. That makes it extra important to check on its balance sheet strength.

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Are Cronos Australia Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

It's said that there's no smoke without fire. For investors, insider buying is often the smoke that indicates which stocks could set the market alight. Because often, the purchase of stock is a sign that the buyer views it as undervalued. Of course, we can never be sure what insiders are thinking, we can only judge their actions.

The good news for Cronos Australia shareholders is that no insiders reported selling shares in the last year. So it's definitely nice that company insider Shane Tanner bought AU$49k worth of shares at an average price of around AU$0.35. It seems that at least one insider is prepared to show the market there is potential within Cronos Australia.

And the insider buying isn't the only sign of alignment between shareholders and the board, since Cronos Australia insiders own more than a third of the company. In fact, they own 55% of the company, so they will share in the same delights and challenges experienced by the ordinary shareholders. This should be seen as a good thing, as it means insiders have a personal interest in delivering the best outcomes for shareholders. In terms of absolute value, insiders have AU$251m invested in the business, at the current share price. So there's plenty there to keep them focused!

While insiders already own a significant amount of shares, and they have been buying more, the good news for ordinary shareholders does not stop there. That's because on our analysis the CEO, Rodney Cocks, is paid less than the median for similar sized companies. Our analysis has discovered that the median total compensation for the CEOs of companies like Cronos Australia with market caps between AU$161m and AU$642m is about AU$984k.

Cronos Australia offered total compensation worth AU$801k to its CEO in the year to June 2022. That seems pretty reasonable, especially given it's below the median for similar sized companies. While the level of CEO compensation shouldn't be the biggest factor in how the company is viewed, modest remuneration is a positive, because it suggests that the board keeps shareholder interests in mind. It can also be a sign of a culture of integrity, in a broader sense.

Should You Add Cronos Australia To Your Watchlist?

Cronos Australia's earnings have taken off in quite an impressive fashion. The cherry on top is that insiders own a bunch of shares, and one has been buying more. This quick rundown suggests that the business may be of good quality, and also at an inflection point, so maybe Cronos Australia deserves timely attention. What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Cronos Australia (of which 1 is potentially serious!) you should know about.

Keen growth investors love to see insider buying. Thankfully, Cronos Australia isn't the only one. You can see a a free list of them here.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Experts warn Russia could escalate its cyber efforts in the November midterms as retaliation for the United States ongoing military and economic aid to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Chinese hackers are reportedly scanning Democratic and Republican state headquarters for vulnerabilities in their systems ahead of the midterm elections.

This is Hillicon Valley, detailing all you need to know about tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Send tips to The Hills Rebecca Klar and Ines Kagubare. Subscribe here.





US support to Ukraine could trigger cyber escalation

With Russia continuing to face setbacks in its war against Ukraine, experts warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin may escalate his cyber operations in the November midterms as retaliation for U.S. involvement in the conflict.

Recent cyberattacks against U.S. state government and airport websites that Moscow-backed hackers have claimed responsibility for may have been testing grounds for such Russian efforts to interfere in the upcoming election, posits James Turgal, vice president of cyber consultancy Optiv.

They started out hitting the websites of those particular states as a test bed to see how it works, said Turgal, who previously served as the executive assistant director for the FBIs information and technology branch.



Clearly, theyre amping up [their cyber operations]  and pressure is starting to increase, he added.

Other experts similarly warn Russia may intensify its efforts to interfere in the American election, as a means of distracting the U.S. from assisting Ukraine or as retribution for that ongoing support.

Read more here.





Chinese hackers probing GOP, Democratic entities

The FBI is warning Democratic and Republican state parties that Chinese hackers are scouring their headquarters for vulnerable systems they could potentially hack ahead of the midterms, The Washington Post reported.

According to U.S. officials the Post spoke to, FBI agents in field offices have notified several Democratic and Republican headquarters across the country that they might be targets of potential Chinese hacking as the election approaches.

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The officials, however, said that none of the political state parties have been hacked or breached.

[This is] part of a larger move that the FBI isnt waiting for the attack to occur, a U.S. official told the Post.



Emma Vaughn, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee (RNC), told The Hill in an email that the RNC is secure and has not been compromised.



Cybersecurity remains a top priority for the entire Republican ecosystem, which is why we place a premium on ensuring our stakeholders have the necessary tools, resources, and training on best practices so that our Party remains protected and vigilant, Vaughn said.

Read more here.





 YE BUYING PARLER

Kanye West plans to acquire Parler, a social media app popular among conservatives, the networks parent company announced Monday.

The move by the rapper, legally known as Ye, to grab up the app comes after he was banned from Twitter and Instagram for antisemitic posts on those platforms.

In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves, Ye said in a statement announcing the agreement.

Parler has pitched itself as an alternative to Twitter, describing itself as a premier free speech app with limited content moderation, geared toward conservatives.

The controversial app has been making its way back into major app stores after it was pulled last year in the wake of the rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Read more here.





 NEW POLITICAL AUDIO APP LAUNCHES

A new app featuring content from pundits across the political spectrum is launching, and its founders say it will fill a gap they see in the audio media world.

CenterClip will allow users to hear 30-second to five-minute audio posts from creators on the right and left weighing in on the latest news and current events, according to an announcement exclusively shared with The Hill.

CenterClip founders Quinn Cotter and Lauren Williams said the app is breaking ground in two areas  offering a new type of online platform for audio media and a new way for the public to interact with the pundits they see online and hear on TV.

We really are filling a gap both in the market from a tech perspective of whats lacking in audio currently, and also in the political content perspective. And I think that thats why theres been just a lot of excitement on both sides, because were filling both of those openings in the market that were seeing, founder Williams told The Hill.

Read more here.





MUSK MESSAGE FROM PUTIN

Fiona Hill, a Russia expert who served on the National Security Council under former President Trump, said billionaire Elon Musk was transmitting a message for Russian President Vladimir Putin when he tweeted out a proposal to end the war earlier this month.

Hill told Politico in an interview published Monday that before Musk tweeted out his so-called peace proposal earlier this month, he made a similar statement at a September event in Aspen, Colo., suggesting the Crimean Peninsula remain in Russian hands.

Musk also said then that control over the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions should be negotiated because Crimea would need water supplies from those regions, Hill noted.

The reference to water is so specific that this clearly is a message from Putin, she said.

Read more here.





BITS & PIECES

An op-ed to chew on: As America approaches internet for all, deep caution for middle mile detour

Notable links from around the web:

How a 51-year-old celebrity hacker upended one of the worlds most influential social networks (CNN / Sean Lyngaas and Clara Duffy)

Cybersecurity Tops the CIO Agenda as Threats Continue to Escalate (The Wall Street Journal / Steven Rosenbush)

Western suppliers cut ties with Chinese chipmakers as U.S. curbs bite (The Washington Post / Jeanne Whalen)





 Lighter click: Days off are rest days





One more thing: SpaceX to continue funding Starlink

Billionaire Elon Musk said on Saturday that his company SpaceX would continue funding the Starlink internet service being used on the ground in Ukraine, despite previous warnings that the company would withdraw its services due to a lack of government funding.

The hell with it, Musk wrote on Twitter. Even though Starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, well just keep funding Ukraine govt for free.

When former PayPal founding chief operating officer and co-founder of angel investment firm Craft Ventures David Sacks replied with the comment, No good deed goes unpunished, Musk responded: Even so, we should still do good deeds.

SpaceXs director of government sales told the Pentagon last month that the company was unable to continue its funding of Starlink, sharing that the endeavor would cost $120 million over the next few months and nearly $400 million next year.

Read more here.





Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Technology and Cybersecurity pages for the latest news and coverage. Well see you tomorrow.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) campaign arm, Bold PAC, is spending big on its endorsed candidates, breaking from a past practice of coordinating its general election spending with Democratic leadership.

Bold PAC is sending a $2.4 million independent expenditure windfall to support its endorsees in the final stretch of the race, upping the groups outside spending to a record $5.7 million.

Bold PAC historically has used its muscle to support Hispanic candidates in Democratic primaries, donating a large chunk of its general election funds to House Majority PAC (HMP), the campaign arm for Democratic House leadership.

But two things changed this election cycle: Nearly half of Bold PACs endorsed candidates are in competitive districts, and one primary pitted the CHC group against leadership.

As Politico first reported, the CHCs membership could swing by as many as eight seats this election, possibly turning 2022 into a marquee year for Bold PAC, or into the most aggressive contraction of the CHC in the groups history.

The risk of losing seats hits especially hard in a cycle where HMP is planning to cancel ad reservations in support of Democratic House nominee Michelle Vallejo in a tight South Texas race, according to a report by Axios.

Latinos will be instrumental in the midterm elections and our mission to support Latino candidates is more critical than ever before. Over the past several cycles, BOLD PAC has built its capacity to invest directly in Latino candidates and be decisive players in major races across the country, said Bold PAC Chairman Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz).

Its unclear whether Bold PAC intended to donate a big chunk of money to HMP this cycle  in 2016, it donated $1.1 million; in 2018, $2 million; and in 2020, nearly $2.5 million.

The two groups butted heads in a massively expensive Oregon primary where HMP sided with a cryptocurrency-backed candidate and Bold PAC supported Andrea Salinas, a local legislator who won the Democratic nomination despite being outspent 13-to-1.

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Bold PAC historically has made large donations to other campaign organizations, like Latino Victory Fund. According to the most recent Federal Election Commission numbers, Bold PAC has not made any large transfers to other groups this election cycle.

While Bold PAC and HMP butted heads in the primaries, the new spending strategy doesnt necessarily mean theres a deeper rift between the groups.

House Majority PAC is proud to be working hand in hand with CHC BOLD PAC this year in key races across the country, as we have in previous cycles  and we look forward to continuing our important work with them to support Latino candidates and engage with Latino communities in order to secure a Democratic House Majority in 2022, said HMP Executive Director Abby Curran Horrell.

Still, the new strategy has given Bold PAC liquidity to support candidates like Salinas, Vallejo and others, who could reshape the CHC in the coming Congress.

Now, were doubling down on those efforts in the final midterm stretch. Weve already played major roles in historic wins this cycle with Maxwell Frost, Robert Garcia, and Andrea Salinas and look forward to more in a few weeks, said Gallego.

Updated at 11:52 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photo: The Canadian Press A person walks among trucks on Wellington Street on the 18th day of a protest against COVID-19 measures that has grown into a broader anti-government protest, in Ottawa, on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

The parliamentary security force took issue with the City of Ottawa's plan to move "Freedom Convoy" protesters' semi-trucks out of residential neighbourhoods and onto the street in front of Parliament Hill, according to evidence released through a public inquiry on Monday.

The Public Order Emergency Commission was told the Parliamentary Protective Service, which guards government buildings in the area, disagreed with a plan the city had arranged with some convoy organizers on Feb. 12 to see protesters' trucks moved out of residential areas and onto Wellington Street.

"The (security service) expressed concern with respect to Wellington being turned into a parking lot of 200-plus trucks," reads a summary of an interview city manager Steve Kanellakos gave to the commission, which is examining federal government's decision to invoke the Emergencies Act.

"The (police) then stopped moving vehicles close to Parliament Hill."

The related documents were released on Monday as the commission held its third day of public hearings at the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa. Public hearings are scheduled to run until Nov. 25.

On Feb. 13, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson announced the details of a proposed deal with some protest organizers that would see 400 removed from residential areas.

The summary released through the public inquiry outlined how Kanellakos was not sure whether the parliamentary security service had been consulted on the plan before the Ottawa police began moving trucks onto Wellington Street. It was already home to dozens of large trucks, as well as other vehicles and tents set up by protesters.

During the hearing on Monday, the commission was shown an email sent by Larry Brookson, acting director of the Parliamentary Protective Service, to Kanellakos looking to set up a meeting about the decision.

"Quite honestly Steve I am at a loss as to how this sort of agreement could have been worked out with a clear disregard to security," said the email from Brookson.

"Especially considering that we just finished a bomb blast assessment which included the threat of explosive being transferred via large vehicles."

The commission heard that such a meeting never happened.

The proposed deal to move convoy-related big rigs came as anger mounted from residents who were fed up with the round-the-clock noise brought by the February protests.
Bonnie Sweeten is surrounded by reporters as she leaves Bucks County District Court in Richboro on June 22, 2009, following her preliminary hearing on charges of identity theft and making a false report to police in connection to her abduction hoax.

Bucks Countys infamous Hoax Mom is expected to plead guilty next week instead of standing trial on charges she stole $700,000 from a Lower Southampton law firm and other people, according to a filing in federal court Wednesday.

Bonnie Sweeten, 40, rose to infamy in 2009 when she pretended she and her 9-year-old daughter were kidnapped in Upper Southampton. But in reality, she and her daughter flew to Disney World in Florida where the cops eventually arrested Sweeten.

Sweeten faked the kidnapping after authorities began looking into thefts at the law firm of former attorney Debbie Carlitz, where Sweeten worked as an office manager.

While working for Carlitz, Sweeten transferred money from accounts and judgments to pay for a lifestyle that was beyond her means, court records stated.

In one incident, Sweeten took money from a court judgment that was meant for a youngsters school tuition, according to court records. In another incident, Sweeten allegedly stole money from one of her elderly relatives.

The feds charged Sweeten in 2010 with felony counts of fraud, identity theft and money laundering  for which she was scheduled to stand trial in Philadelphia next week.

Sweeten faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years for the aggravated identity theft charge and 6 to eight years in prison for the other charges, authorities said.

Sweeten has been in federal prison since her arrest because a judge ruled she was too much of a flight risk in light of her hoax. Sweetens federal public defender, James McHugh, declined to comment to the newspaper Wednesday.

Sweeten served 10 months in Bucks County prison for her fake kidnapping stunt. She had pleaded guilty in 2009 to misdemeanor counts of making a false statement and identity theft.

Her sob-ridden fake 911 call was played before a Bucks County judge when he sentenced her.

Please, oh God, oh God, oh God ... please help us, she told a 911 dispatcher, whispering at times. She said she and her daughter, Julia Rakoczy, were inside the trunk of their abductors car, and that she feared they were going to hear her.

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Sweeten left a similar message on her husbands voice mail. On the tape, which was also played in court, she claimed her captors had physically assaulted her and her daughter.

They hit me ... they hit Julia. Please ... please ... I love my kids ... please.

Before handing down his sentence, Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Finley told Sweeten that the tape convinced him that she was a calculating, manipulative, cold-hearted woman.

Ben Finley: 215-949-4203; email: bfinley@phillyBurbs.com;Twitter:@Ben_Finley

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Hoax mom to plead guilty to fraud charges
Bob Chan with Iain Duncan Smith - Shutterstock

The Government's response to the apparent beating of a protester by Chinese diplomats is wholly inadequate, Sir Iain Duncan Smith has said as he called on ministers to move to expel them from the country.

Zheng Xiyuan, Chinas consul-general, was named in Parliament alongside four other diplomats as being involved in the incident in Manchester on Sunday, during which they clashed with protesters and Bob Chan, a pro-democracy activist, was dragged on to consulate grounds and attacked.

Sir Iain said it was an assault on people in the United Kingdom, against all the rights that we hold dear and against our freedoms and demanded to know what the Government intended to do.

So far, Downing Street and the Foreign Office have said that they are waiting for Greater Manchester Police, but Sir Iain dubbed that rubbish. He claimed that waiting for a complex police investigation was needless.

Theres no way you can prosecute these people, so why would you wait, he asked, pointing out that an expulsion could take place as soon as the identities of those involved were confirmed.

The former Conservative Party leader and prominent China hawk said that MPs had to force the Government to the despatch box earlier this week despite the severity of the incident by tabling an urgent question on the matter.

He said they would do so again on Thursday after it became clear that when the Chinese charge daffaires was summoned he was met only by a Foreign Office civil servant and not a minister. Sir Iain characterised their conversation as a gentle rap over the knuckles.

That is not what I call making serious intent, he said, The Government, I believe, shouldve called in the ambassador and said: It is our intention to send a series of people home who were involved in that attack, and they will no longer be welcome in the UK.

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It came as David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, accused the Government of being too distracted by its self-inflicted economic chaos to stand up to the Chinese government.

In a letter to James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, he demanded that any officials involved be expelled and demanded to know why the Chinese charge daffaires was met only by a civil servant.

Sir Iain, speaking at a press conference alongside Mr Chan, linked the incident to Chinas domestic abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong as well as its attempts to infiltrate institutions and intimidate dissidents in the UK and elsewhere.

Weve been asleep at the wheel, he said of the UKs failure to stand up to Beijing.

Afzal Khan, the Labour MP whose Manchester Gorton constituency includes the Chinese consulate, warned that not acting would make the UK appear weak and risked further incidents both here and in other countries.

Mr Chan, who withheld details of his private life out of fear for his familys safety, said that he was having nightmares in which his relatives were attacked by the Chinese government and feared for the safety of his parents.

The Hongkonger, who moved to the UK last March having been attacked by police during protests in his home city, said he was shocked and hurt by this unprovoked attack.

"I am shocked because I never thought something like this could have happened in the UK."

A policeman tries to drag a protestor back through the gates of the Chinese consulate in Manchester - MATTHEW LEUNG/AFP

'I thought I might be beaten to death'

He later added: I thought I might be beaten to death because once you're through the gates, anything can happen.

"There's nothing the police can do because they're not supposed to go through the gate."

Mr Chan visited a local hospital after the assault but was not treated after 15 hours of waiting. He said on Wednesday that he was in pain whenever he sat down and was unable to drive because of it.

Despite his ordeal, Mr Chan remained defiant, insisting that he was not afraid to continue protesting Chinas abuses.

The incident at the consulate erupted on Sunday when a group of pro-democracy Hongkongers began to protest outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester with banners depicting Xi Jinping, the Chinese premier, naked as the emperor with no clothes.

Video footage of the incident shows staff storming out of the consulate gate, clashing with the protesters and smashing up the protesters' banners. Mr Chan is then dragged into the consulate grounds where is beaten before being rescued by a member of the police.
House of the Dragon star Tom Glynn-Carney has opened up about the comparisons between his character and infamous Game of Thrones villain Joffrey Baratheon.

Joffrey, as played by Jack Gleeson on the hit HBO fantasy series, became king as a child, and was renowned for his cruelty and violence.

In House of the Dragon, Glynn-Carney plays Aegon Targaryen, a character who has drawn some comparisons to Joffrey among fans  as well as, it turns out, the seriess creators.

Spoilers follow for House of the Dragon season one...

In the latest episode of House of the Dragon, Aegon was named king, taking over from Paddy Considines late Viserys.

However, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Glynn-Carney outlined the key difference between Aegon and Joffrey.

[Showrunners Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik] said if we could make any comparisons to [Thrones characters], that hes the closest to Joffrey, he said. However, he is not an out-and-out psychopath. Hes much more complex. His decisions are due to insecurities and confusion and rage. Hes just bitterly confused and mentally unwell.

As much of a nightmare as Aegon is and how he plays against any form of rules and discipline, hes pretty defenseless, the actor continued.

Hes so reliant on alcohol that hes a confused, tangled mess of a man who doesnt yet know himself. Hes incapable of making decisions that aid him. His entire life, hes relied on people around him to make sure hes doing the right thing. But he makes awful decisions, and now those decisions are going to be made on a mass scale.

Tom Glynn-Carney as Prince Aegon Targaryen (HBO)

He added that Aegon had grown up with the idea that he didnt want power, and that he had foster resentment because his father didnt want him to have it either.

Hes a very selfish person because he wants to escape. I think if he was a modern-day person, hed leave his family and go traveling around Australia and grow some dreadlocks, Glynn-Carney said.

You can read The Independents recap of everything that went down in House of the Dragon episode nine here.

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The episode left viewers in shock thanks to one unexpected scene involving Alicent and Larys.

Fans were also confused by the bizarre ending of the episode, though the conclusion was in fact given an explanation by one of the shows creators.

Elsewhere, George RR Martin also recently cleared up a lingering viewer question from the first season of House of the Dragon, while TV host John Oliver enjoyed a dig at the shows much-criticised lighting.

House of the Dragon is available to watch now on Sky and NOW in the UK.
A controversial U.S. Supreme Court case that Marion Countys public health agency is pursuing could make it easier for red states across the country to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood.

Although the case began as a dispute over alleged poor nursing home care, the sweeping nature of what the Health & Hospital Corp. of Marion County is asking the Supreme Court to do would have far-reaching repercussions.

Among them: Taking away a key legal tool that Planned Parenthood has used to beat back efforts to defund the organization in Republican-led states, including Indiana.

Health & Hospital, the public agency that operates the Marion County Health Department and the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, wants the high court to ban private lawsuits over federal safety net programs like Medicaid. If justices agree, millions of beneficiaries would lose their ability to sue when state and local governments violate their federal rights or improperly withhold benefits.

More:Marion County agency wants SCOTUS to strip protections for millions of vulnerable Americans

But its not just individual recipients who would be prohibited from suing. Providers such as Planned Parenthood also would be barred from bringing lawsuits.

That prospect has led Republican states across the country to latch onto Health & Hospitals case.

A successful legal strategy

For years, Planned Parenthood has successfully used a federal law passed after the Civil War to block efforts to ban the reproductive health care provider from receiving Medicaid funds because it provides abortions.

The law, known as Section 1983, allows citizens to sue when a state or local government violates their rights under federal law. Planned Parenthood has successfully used the law to file lawsuits against states that withhold Medicaid funds, arguing such bans violate the Medicaid Acts guarantee that recipients can receive care from any qualified provider of their choice.

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The first of those cases took place in Indiana.

Although Planned Parenthood was already barred from using federal funds to pay for abortions except in rare cases, Indiana lawmakers wanted to go further. In 2011, they passed a law preventing Medicaid recipients from accessing any health care services at Planned Parenthood clinics.

Planned Parenthood sued to stop the ban and won.

The lawsuit preserved access to Planned Parenthoods health care services for about 9,000 patients who depend on Medicaid, said Rebecca Gibron, CEO for Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky. Those services include cancer screenings, contraception and STD testing.

More:Law banning Planned Parenthood funding is invalidated

Indianas previous attempt to block these patients from accessing family planning services at our health centers was not only rightly found to be unlawful by the courts but also dangerous and cruel, putting at risk our already underserved communities, Gibron said in an emailed statement.

A perfect opportunity to prohibit Planned Parenthood lawsuits

Indianas defeat didnt deter other Republican-led states from trying to implement their own bans. With a few exceptions, courts have sided with Planned Parenthood.

Health & Hospitals case now pending before the Supreme Court could change that dynamic. A ruling in its favor could prevent lawsuits like the one Planned Parenthood filed in Indiana.

Thats one reason why Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and 21 other Republican attorneys general have intervened.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita speaks to about 100 supporters at the Indiana Statehouse who are against government mask mandates, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, during Organization Day.

In a brief submitted to the Supreme Court, Rokita argues that Planned Parenthoods lawsuit in 2011 interfered in a matter that should have been worked out between the state and federal health officials.

Political accountability demands  that the federal government be the one to decide in the first instance both whether a material breach has occurred and what the proper remedy is  in short, to put its money where its mouth is, the brief says.

Rokitas views are likely to feature prominently in the case because Health & Hospital has granted part of its oral argument time to his office.

State officials from South Carolina have also filed a brief in support of Health & Hospital. That states governor, Henry McMaster, issued an executive order to cease any state payments for services provided at abortion clinics. The order was blocked, though, after Planned Parenthood successfully challenged it in court.

Health & Hospitals case presents the perfect opportunity for the Supreme Court to clarify that lawsuits like the one Planned Parenthood filed against South Carolina should not be allowed because Congress has not explicitly authorized them, South Carolina argues in its brief.

Millions of dollars at stake

Even if the Supreme Court bans such lawsuits, Planned Parenthood could still try to sue based on other constitutional claims. The federal government could also intervene. But the organizations most accessible and successful legal strategy for preserving access to its services for Medicaid patients would be thwarted.

Given that Indiana was the first state to ban Medicaid patients from using Planned Parenthoods services  and the first state Planned Parenthood defeated in court  it is not surprising that Rokita and other Republican leaders have glommed onto the Health & Hospital case, said Sara Rosenbaum, a health law and policy professor at George Washington University.

The state has been smarting from that ever since, she said. This is their retribution I suppose.

More:Here's why Nancy Pelosi, Todd Rokita, Biden administration care about Indiana nursing home case

Federal health care programs are a key source of funding for Planned Parenthood. Last year, the organization received $633 million in government funding, according to the organizations latest annual report. Thats about 37 percent of its total revenue. Most of that government funding comes from Medicaid and the Title X family planning program.

In Indiana, Planned Parenthood received about $1.68 million in Medicaid payments during the last fiscal year, according to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

If they can get the Supreme Court to knock out (Section) 1983 not just for nursing home beneficiaries, but more generally, then they can eliminate Planned Parenthood tomorrow, Rosenbaum said.

Planned Parenthood isnt the only provider who would be affected. For example, lawsuits from hospitals or other health care providers who claim their state governments improperly denied or delayed Medicaid payments would also be barred from suing in federal court for alleged violations of the Medicaid Act.

Whats next

The Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in Health & Hospitals case for Nov. 8.

In the meantime, a coalition of liberal activists and advocates for low-income, elderly and disabled people are putting pressure on Health & Hospital to withdraw the case.

They are outraged that Health & Hospital, a Democrat-led public health agency, is teaming up with staunch anti-abortion opponents such as Rokita to scrap the legal rights of millions of vulnerable Americans, along with providers like Planned Parenthood.

The pressure has led several members of the Indianapolis City-County Council, which appoints two of Health & Hospitals board members, to call on the agency to withdraw its Supreme Court case. At least two Democrats in the General Assembly  Sen. Fady Qaddoura and Rep. Cherrish Pryor  have also publicly called for a withdrawal.

Others in their party have criticized Health & Hospitals pursuit of the case, but stopped short of demanding it retreat from the high court.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Congressman Andre Carson of Indianapolis said on Thursday he was very concerned and disappointed to see a lawsuit filed that could make it harder for low-income patients to exercise their rights if theyve been mistreated.

Andre Carson, U.S. House of Representatives member, speaks at the national convention for the Young Democrats of America, held in Indianapolis, Friday, July 19, 2019.

I am also concerned about the lack of community input, which is critical when a public agency is making such a critical decision, he said.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, who appoints three of Health & Hospital's board members, broke his silence on the case last week when he told IndyStar the agency's Supreme Court petition was a step too far.

More:Mayor Hogsett says health agency went 'a step too far' with SCOTUS case, calls for change

So far, Health & Hospital has refused to comment publicly on the sweeping nature of its request. The agencys board never held a public meeting or vote regarding the decision to petition the Supreme Court.

A spokesman for the agency did not respond to an interview request for this story. Nor did Rokitas office.

Instead, he doubled down on his support for the case in a lengthy news release Friday.

When individual beneficiaries bring unauthorized lawsuits to enforce federal grant conditions, they invite unelected federal judges to interfere with how state and federal officials carry out the jobs the public expects them to perform," he said. "The proper functioning of democracy requires that such judicial interference not occur unless Congress has expressly authorized it."

He concluded: Our office is proud to fight for the fiscal integrity of the state when administering federal programs. We look forward to combining forces with the Marion County Health and Hospital Corporation to argue this case in the U.S. Supreme Court next month.

Health & Hospitals next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Eskenazi Hospital. The board plans to discuss the case in an executive session prior to the meeting, but its unclear if it will discuss the case publicly or take any action.

Contact IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at 317-444-6081 or tony.cook@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @IndyStarTony.

Call IndyStar courts reporter Johnny Magdaleno at 317-273-3188 or email him at jmagdaleno@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @IndyStarJohnny.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Supreme Court case could help red states defund Planned Parenthood
Indonesia is set to launch its bullet train railway next June, according to Euronews. With trains that can travel at speeds of up to 350 km per hour, it will be the fastest train in Southeast Asiathe regions first high-speed train service.

The line will connect the nations capital city Jakarta with the bustling West Java capital Bandung. It currently takes three hours to travel between the two cities. With the new high-speed train, it will take just 40 minutes.

The details:

Largely funded through Chinas Belt and Road infrastructure program, one of the main purposes of the railway is to allow China to develop new trade routes in the region.

President Joko Widodo said it is his hope that the mobility of goods and people can be faster and improved, and our competitiveness will also be stronger.

Almost completed:

The railway is currently about 90 percent completed, however, it has been in the making for quite some time. Construction began in 2016.

The original plan was for the railway to be completed and operating by 2019, but delays have pushed it back another four years due to disputes over land and environmental concerns.

Costs:

The 142.3-km-long railway is said to be worth $7.8 billion. Its train cars, which will be powered by 625,000-watt electric motors, were designed and built by Chinas CRRC Qingdao Sifang railway company.

Passengers will ride in VIP, first, or second class, and there will be cars with large spaces between seats that have been designed for customers with limited mobility.

They even track emergencies:

The impressive trains also have the ability to adapt to the tropical climate of Indonesia. Each train has a security system that can track emergency conditions such as floods and earthquakes.

Related: Africas First High-Speed Trains Debut In Morocco
IDLIB/AMMAN (Reuters) - Rival Syrian rebel groups in northwestern Syria resumed heavy clashes a day after a fragile truce ended five days of bloody fighting in the last remaining opposition enclave, residents and rebels said on Monday.

The main jihadist rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS),listed as terrorists by the United States, Turkey and others,forced factions from the Turkey-backed opposition National Armyto accept a peace deal on Saturday that expanded its grip.

Both sides traded accusations that they had reneged on provisions of the Turkey-brokered deal, which pulls fighters from Afrin and other cities back to their respective frontlines and paves the way for a unified civilian administration.

Intense fighting raged near rugged terrain around Kafr Jana village in northern Aleppo where both sides sent reinforcements. Residents fear the jihadist group seeks to capture the strategic border city of Azaz, the administrative centre of the mainstream Turkish-backed opposition government.

A commander in a mainstream faction that is staying on the sidelines who requested anonymity said the jihadist group was approaching the main Bab al Salamah border crossing with Turkey, northwest of Azaz.

Infighting has weakened the Syrian opposition since the start of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011. Their turf wars have helped Assad and his allies recover significant ground.

Western intelligence sources and rebels say HTS has long sought a wider economic and security role in areas in northern Syria beyond its stronghold in the heavily populated city of Idlib.

They say the goal of HTS leader Mohammad al Golani was to expand to other areas the civilian administration that now efficiently runs Idlib region's public services in an attempt to shed the militant image of the group, a former offshoot of the Syrian branch of al Qaeda.

"We are working for a project that serves everyone and the goals of the revolution that unites the liberated areas in one army and a joint administration that everyone participates in, civilians and areas," a senior Hayat Tahrir al Sham source told Reuters.

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Khalil Ashawi; Editing by William Maclean)
Every part of the UK financially better off  on average by 390 per person  because of international students. Photo: PA

International students make a positive contribution of 25.9bn to the UKs economy, research shows amid news that the government wants to curb the number of foreign students who can stay after finishing their studies.

Every part of the UK financially better off  on average by 390 per person  because of international students' contribution through fees and spending, according to research from the Higher Education Policy Institute, in conjunction with Universities UK.

The home secretary Suella Braverman is expected to consider measures to limit the number of dependants able to accompany international students to Britain, as it reviews migration rules.

Read more: The most and least affordable cities for students in the UK revealed

Braverman has previously suggested the scale of foreign students coming to the UK to study is too high.

Earlier this October, she told the Sun on Sunday that: Weve got a very high number of students coming into this country and weve got a really high number of dependents.

Students are coming on their student visa, but theyre bringing in family members who can piggyback onto their student visa.

Those people are coming here, theyre not necessarily working or theyre working in low-skilled jobs, and theyre not contributing to growing our economy.

Universities UK and Universities UK International are calling for the home secretary to retract her comments on international students, and to reaffirm the centrality of international students and their dependents to their own plans for the economic future of the UK.

The research shows that by limiting the number of international students in the UK, every MP stands to lose revenue that these students bring to their own constituencies.

Fareham, Bravermans constituency, stands to lose up to 20.2m if the number of international students is limited.

Read more: Fraudsters targeting students as impersonating scams cost victims 1,457

In the case of prime minister Liz Truss constituency of South West Norfolk, revenue loss could reach 16m.

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The fact that so many international students choose to study in the UK is a real success story, and the UK benefits in many ways from hosting them. International students contribute to the UKs global connections in trade, politics and in research, and they make an enormous economic contribution too, CEO of Universities UK Vivienne Stern said.

For a government focussed on growth, to try to reduce the appeal to international students would be bizarre, especially when you consider that they contribute nearly 26bn to the UK economy  and that this is spread throughout all parts of the UK.

It is even more bizarre when recent growth in international student numbers has been a direct result of pro-growth government policies and visa changes. We strongly urge the government not to take such a retrograde step, she added.

Watch: Suella Braverman says seeing a plane taking off to Rwanda is 'her dream'
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE:VSH), might not be a large cap stock, but it saw significant share price movement during recent months on the NYSE, rising to highs of US$21.51 and falling to the lows of US$17.79. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Vishay Intertechnology's current trading price of US$18.39 reflective of the actual value of the mid-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Vishay Intertechnologys outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change.

See our latest analysis for Vishay Intertechnology

Is Vishay Intertechnology Still Cheap?

Great news for investors  Vishay Intertechnology is still trading at a fairly cheap price according to my price multiple model, where I compare the company's price-to-earnings ratio to the industry average. Ive used the price-to-earnings ratio in this instance because theres not enough visibility to forecast its cash flows. The stocks ratio of 7.52x is currently well-below the industry average of 14.08x, meaning that it is trading at a cheaper price relative to its peers. Although, there may be another chance to buy again in the future. This is because Vishay Intertechnologys beta (a measure of share price volatility) is high, meaning its price movements will be exaggerated relative to the rest of the market. If the market is bearish, the companys shares will likely fall by more than the rest of the market, providing a prime buying opportunity.

What does the future of Vishay Intertechnology look like?

Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Buying a great company with a robust outlook at a cheap price is always a good investment, so lets also take a look at the company's future expectations. With profit expected to grow by a double-digit 10% in the upcoming year, the short-term outlook is positive for Vishay Intertechnology. It looks like higher cash flow is on the cards for the stock, which should feed into a higher share valuation.

Story continues

What This Means For You

Are you a shareholder? Since VSH is currently trading below the industry PE ratio, it may be a great time to accumulate more of your holdings in the stock. With a positive profit outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as capital structure to consider, which could explain the current price multiple.

Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on VSH for a while, now might be the time to enter the stock. Its buoyant future profit outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy VSH. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to make a well-informed investment decision.

So if you'd like to dive deeper into this stock, it's crucial to consider any risks it's facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Vishay Intertechnology (of which 1 is potentially serious!) you should know about.

If you are no longer interested in Vishay Intertechnology, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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An Action News Jax investigation found a billing dispute is stopping hundreds of local firefighters from receiving special medical physicals.

Firefighters face both mental and physical demands and must be ready at a moments notice. And fighting fires can put their health at greater risk.

You do a dangerous job? Action News Jaxs Ben Becker asked Mike Keener, President of the St. Johns County Firefighters Union.

Yes sir, he replied.

Keener said hundreds of firefighters could be at risk because they havent received potentially life-saving physicals in more than a year.

How important are these physicals? Becker asked.

INVESTIGATES: 39% of adults over 55 who had cancer screening during COVID-19 pandemic missed it, survey finds

Extremely, Keener said. A lot of time your heart is at a resting stage, tones go off, adrenaline rush -- next thing you know your heart rate is way up.

An Action News Jax investigation found there was a billing dispute between the County Administration and the only doctor in St. Johns County who performs specialized physicals for firefighters. Becker obtained a March 28 internal email sent to firefighters by Operations Chief Stephanie Canton-Whaley. It stated the National Fire Protection Association physicals that are given annually were stopping:

I hope this email finds you all well. I just wanted to update everyone on a recent event that will impact your contractual obligation to obtain an annual physical. At this time, we are unable to schedule physicals through Dr. [Gerald] Townsends office. Last week we canceled 30 appointments and have no reschedule date at this time. We are working with County Administration to find viable options for another healthcare provider that can provide NFPA physicals. At this time, we do not know if this situation with Dr. Townsends office is temporary or permanent. However, I will update everyone as we know more. This circumstance has no bearing on your treatment through Dr. Townsends office for personal medical issues. He still remains a preferred provider through Florida Blue.

Story continues

INVESTIGATES: CSX workers want better quality of life amid possible national railroad strike

The special physical includes an EKG, lung X-rays and extensive blood work -- especially for hazmat crews.

Not having the physical creates an additional stressor for them, Keener said.

In August, St. Johns County firefighter Matt Martin died from what Keener described as an apparent heart attack. The 52-year-old was riding his mountain bike at the time. Keener said Martin didnt receive his yearly physical.

According to the NFPA, the average age of a first heart attack for firefighters is 49, but its 66 for the general population.

INVESTIGATES: Why is it acceptable?: Military families push for accountability for base housing problems

Our men and woman in fire rescue are in crisis, St. Johns County Commissioner Sarah Arnold said during a recent commission meeting as she spoke about three SJCFR deaths in eight months, including two suicides.

Arnold asked for emergency funding to approve $500,000 in mental health assistance for the department. As part of our Action News Jax investigation, we discovered the suicides occurred after a $30,000 budget request for mental health funding was first proposed in March that predicted an increased risk of suicide in the department, but the money never made it to the final budget because of a disagreement over what doctor would provide the mental health care.

I knew it was really important to the fire rescue team to make sure they had the right team in place. You know mental health is such a personal thing. It is based on trust and building relationships. And I know they wanted to pick their own people, Arnold said.

INVESTIGATES: Stink study suggests local fragrance factory is still not passing the smell test

Also, Arnold wasnt aware that firefighters werent receiving those special medical physicals until Becker brought it to her attention.

The fact this hasnt come up at a commission meeting, is that troubling? Becker asked

I would say so. Something we [will] handle with [the County] Administration to get some answers, Arnold said.

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Becker emailed the County Administration about the NFPA physicals to find out whats being done to protect those who protect us. A spokesperson said firefighters could still go to their primary doctors, albeit they would not receive the special NFPA physicals. It would be standard. See full statement below.

Keener said this progress only happened after we got involved, but theres still more work to be done to get their potentially life-saving physicals.

Even if its resolved, we have a tremendous backlog of fire fighters that are past due on their physicals, Keener said. So, its going to take time to get everyone caught up.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Full statement from the St. Johns County Administration:

The health and safety of our firefighters are our top priority which is why St. Johns County Fire Rescue has been working diligently for the past few months to restart annual department physicals. Were very close to finalizing a new contract with a new provider. Heres some important background information for your story. In March of this year, our Human Resources Department expressed concern over the billing of annual firefighter physicals and requested clarification. In obtaining clarification, it was determined that a new contract would be needed with the provider, Dr. Townsend; therefore, we initiated a re-negotiation. During this time, Dr. Townsend requested a pause in service until the new contract was finalized. As the agreement was nearing completion in September 2022, Dr. Townsend notified SJCFR that they were closing the practice effective immediately. As you can imagine, we could no longer pursue this contract and needed to find a new provider. SJCFR immediately identified a new provider and began negotiations. Contract negotiations are currently underway and nearing completion. Thankfully, due to already having a nearly completed contract for the previous provider, we were able to move a lot quicker. We will make up any missed physicals and return to the regular annual schedule for all certified personnel. Hazmat team members will be the priority as their physicals are mandated. Keep in mind that at no time was anyone prohibited from completing an annual physical through their primary care doctor or seeking any personal health treatment during this process. SJCFR personnel was made aware of the temporary pause in department physicals on at least two occasions and were encouraged to seek physicals through their County benefit plan during this time. The yearly physical is part of the standard benefits package for all County employees. Again, any SJCFR personnel who missed their annual department physical due to this temporary pause will still have their department physical completed as expeditiously as possible once the contract with a new provider is enacted. St. Johns County Administration

UPDATE from St. Johns County: Thanks to a partnership with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, firefighter physicals for St. Johns County Fire Rescue will restart this Friday, Oct. 21, while they work to finalize a new contract with a local provider. Hazmat team members will go first.

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I watched the election results on TV. It Seemed like the Vancouver-based media focused on the Lower Mainland more than anywhere else.

What I did see was (defeated) mayors wishing the winners good luck, as well the victorious candidates thanked them for their service.

Which brings us to Kelowna. Reading the comments from (defeated Mayor) Colin Basran, he took a moment to congratulate the incoming council but not Dyas specifically.

"I have congratulated council because council is nine people," Basran said.

When asked if he called Dyas to concede or congratulate him, he responded "I have not." Asked if he would, he said he's "not sure."

That immediately brought to my mind the following quote: Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.

What is the true measure of character?

The true measure of a person's character is how one handles one's failures, not successes.

M. Boyer, Kelowna
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's foreign minister reacted on Monday to European Union sanctions levied on Tehran, calling them "superfluous" and "an unconstructive act out of miscalculation."

"The EU today adopted further superfluous sanctions on Iranian persons. It is an unconstructive act out of miscalculation, based on widespread disinformation. Riots and vandalism are not tolerated anywhere; Iran is no exception," Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Twitter.

EU foreign ministers added 11 Iranians and four institutions, including Iran's morality police chief, to a travel ban and asset freeze list.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Chris Reese)
A Ukrainian soldier examines what is thought to be an Iranian Kamikaze drone at the site of a Russian strike - STRINGER

In 1944, residents of southeast England learnt to dread the stuttering growl of primitive pulse jet engines  the sound of the V1 flying bombs.

Today Ukrainians are becoming familiar with the sound of a new doodlebug  the Iranian Shahed-136 Kamikaze drone.

The distinctive whine of their cheap petrol engines has already seen it dubbed the moped by Ukrainian front line soldiers.

All night and all morning, the enemy terrorises the civilian population. Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the Telegram messaging app.

Russian forces have apparently obtained scores of the cheap, plentiful and potentially deadly Iranian-made drones. Like the Nazis in the Second World War, the Russians may hope these new weapons could turn the tide of the war in Russias favour.

Made by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Company, the Shahed-136 entered service last year. With a range of up to 1,500 miles and carrying a warhead of 35 kilograms, the drones are designed to loiter overhead before striking targets. Ukrainian forces say they come in both Kamikaze and munition-launching variants.

Constructed from commercially available components  including mobile phone parts and model aircraft engines  the drones are easy and cheap to build with a supply chain that is difficult to disrupt with Western sanctions.

Their deployment comes amid signs that Russia is running out of other precision weapons. Last week, Sir Jeremy Fleming, the head of GCHQ, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: We believe that Russia is running short of munitions.

The waves of drone strikes are a rudimentary new form of terror, compared with the precision Kalibr cruise missiles which have been used to strike targets deep inside Ukraine.

The drones are estimated to cost less than 18,000 per unit. Thats a fraction of the cost of conventional Russian missiles, which range from about 270,000 for a Tochka-U up to 11.6 million for a x-101 cruise missile.

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The relatively low speed of the Shahed-136  just over 100 miles per hour  make them a tempting if difficult target for Ukrainian small arms fire. Soldiers in the Kharkiv region recently told The Telegraph that the drones are slow and visible enough to engage with small arms fire and that they had downed at least one using ordinary machine guns.

But their lack of defences is not a design flaw. The disposable drone is designed to be launched in swarms to overwhelm air defences. The drone is fired from launcher racks in stacks of five aircraft that take off with a booster rocket before switching to a petrol engine.

This, plus the size of their payload, means the drones pose a serious threat, Ukrainian commanders say.

Iran 'becoming an accomplice in the war'

After the drones first appeared on the front last month, Brigadier General Sergei Melnik  the commander responsible for the defence of Kharkiv city  said that one that exploded just in front of the tank it was targeting left a crater a man can stand up in.

Tehran has carefully couched its denials about the Shahed-136, repeatedly rejecting accusations it has supplied Russia with weapons to be used in the war in Ukraine. But security officials told the Washington Post that Iranian technical advisors have visited Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine to provide training on operating the drones.

An Iranian drone approaches for an attack in Kyiv on Monday - YASUYOSHI CHIBA

And Western security officials believe Iran plans to send more of these attack drones, as well as supplying Moscow with Iranian-made ground attack missiles for the first time.

The potential of Iranian Kamikaze drones to shape the war in Moscows favour has alarmed Ukraines European allies, with EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday to discuss further sanctions on Tehran in response.

These kamikaze drones that we are seeing in Ukraine apparently now - this is an escalation, said Alexander Schallenberg, the Austrian Foreign Minister.

His Lithuanian counterpart said this was making Iran complicit in the invasion.

Iran, with its drones and missiles, is becoming an accomplice in the war, in a similar fashion as Belarus, Gabrielius Landsbergis said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy

According to U.S. intelligence services, Iran has secretly agreed to send to Russia not only attack drones but also surface-to-surface missiles intended for use against Ukraine, The Washington Post reported.

Read also: Israel providing Ukraine with intelligence about Iranian drones  media

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Israel has given Ukraine no real military aid since the full-scale Russian invasion began, according to French daily newspaper Ouest-France.

"I'm shocked, he said in an interview with the newspaper.

Read also: Jewish pilgrims to Uman could be at risk from Russian missiles, Ukraines ambassador to Israel warns

I don't understand. Israel gave us nothing. Nothing, zero... I understand they need to defend their land, but then I got information from my intelligence services that Israel provides [the air defenses] in other countries.

Read also: Chief Rabbi of Moscow has left for Israel due to his refusal to support Russian aggression

He noted that Israeli society supports Ukraine in its defense against the full-scale Russian invasion. The president addressed the Israeli parliament in March with calls for the country to donate some of its Iron Dome anti-air defenses to Ukraine. These calls have so far gone unanswered.

Help NV continue reporting on the Russian invasion



Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
CANNES  The four-part drama Litvinenko, starring Scottish actor David Tennant, has sold to more than 80 international markets, ahead of its debut on the new ITV streaming service, ITVX in the U.K., and on Nent Groups Viaplay streaming service in the Nordics, Netherlands, Poland and the Baltics.

AMC Networks Sundance Now and AMC+ have acquired the exclusive U.S. rights to the drama, and Prime Video has taken the series in Canada.

More from Variety

In Europe, Litvinenko will air on M6 in France, ProSiebenSat.1 in Germany, and Sky Italia, amongst others.

In the Asia Pacific region, Seven Network Australia, TVNZ (New Zealand), and Now TV in Hong Kong are amongst those to have picked up the rights, along with Viacom 18 which will make the title available on the Indian subcontinent. BookMyShow will hold the TVOD rights in India, through its platform BookMyShow Stream, and M-Net has taken the drama for pan-Africa.

This fascinating, thought-provoking story would pique the interest of viewers globally at any point, but perhaps never more so than this current moment in time. Were immensely proud to play our part in shedding light on the circumstances surrounding Alexander Litvinenkos death around the world, said Ruth Berry, managing director, global distribution at ITV Studios.

Litvinenko tells the story of a group of Scotland Yard officers who worked for 10 years to prove who was responsible for the Russian dissidents death.

Written by George Kay (Lupin, Criminal), and produced by Patrick Spence, ITV Studios, and Tiger Aspect Productions, the drama is directed by Jim Field Smith (Criminal, Truth Seekers).

Litvinenko was produced with the support of key individuals involved in the investigation and in the public enquiry, including former Scotland Yard officers Clive Timmons and Brent Hyatt along with Ben Emmerson QC and Litvinenkos family. It was commissioned for ITV by head of drama, Polly Hill.

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The story begins in November 2006, when two police officers were called to University College Hospital in London to interview a patient in poor health. It was Litvinenko, who claimed to have been poisoned on the direct orders of Vladimir Putin.

With information he provided to the police from his bedside, detectives tracked down two Russians who had poisoned Litvinenko with Polonium 210, a highly toxic radioactive substance.

After he was pronounced dead on Nov. 23, Scotland Yard launched a murder investigation.

The drama also tells the story of Marina, played by Margarita Levieva (The Deuce, The Blacklist), his widow who fought hard to persuade the British government to publicly name her husbands killers and acknowledge the role of the Russian state in his murder.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is investigating a murder after a man was found dead Monday morning outside of a business in Norwood Plaza, which is next to the Gateway Town Center.

JSO Homicide Unit Sgt. Steve Rudlaff said just after 10 a.m., someone flagged down an officer at JSOs Zone 1 substation in the Gateway Town Center to report a man lying on the sidewalk around the corner.

The person told the officer that the man was in front of one of the businesses in Norwood Plaza.

The officer found the man, who is in his 30s-40s, lying on the ground, and saw that he had been shot at least once, Rudlaff said.

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Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department personnel who responded to the area pronounced the man dead at the scene.

Police are currently looking for witnesses and video surveillance. Anyone with any information is asked to contact JSO at (904) 630-0500 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

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Terence Patrick/CBS via Getty

Famed restaurateur and Instagram maven Keith McNally has revoked his ban on James Corden from one of his restaurants after the late-night host apologized over allegations of rude behavior toward staff.

James Corden just called me and apologized profusely, McNally confirmed, welcoming him back to the restaurant while claiming all is forgiven.

In an Instagram post on Monday, McNally complimented Corden as a hugely gifted comedian before ripping into the Brit as a tiny Cretin of a man and the most abusive customer to my Balthazar servers since the restaurant opened 25 years ago.

The French restaurant, located in Manhattans trendy SoHo neighborhood, is a hotbed of celebrity sightings, with Vogue editor Anna Wintour and actress Sienna Miller among its regular clientele.

I dont often 86 a customer, [but] today I 86d Corden. It did not make me laugh, McNally wrote in his post, before detailing two unfortunate outbursts by Corden that were written up by the restaurants managers.

In one of the reports, an unnamed manager recounted a time in June when Corden allegedly found a hair in his dish and showed it to another manager, identified only as G.

Corden was extremely nasty to G, and said: Get us another round of drinks this second. And also take care of all of our drinks so far. This way I write any nasty reviews in yelp or anything like that, the manager wrote.

In another instance dated Oct. 9, Corden allegedly called over a server to complain about his wifes egg yolk omelet, which was apparently tainted by a bit of egg white. That same day, Corden was in town for The New Yorker Festival, where he had an hour-long chat with writer Rachel Syme.

The kitchen remade the dish but unfortunately sent it with home fries instead of salad, the manager shared, according to McNally. Thats when James Corden began yelling like crazy to the server: You cant do your job! You cant do your job! Maybe I should go into the kitchen and cook the omelette myself!

Story continues

Keith McNally on Nearly Dying, Graydon Carter, Defending Woody Allen, and Saving His Restaurant Empire

Representatives for Corden and McNally did not respond to requests for comment from The Daily Beast.

In a follow-up post Monday night on Instagram, McNally said Corden just called me and apologized profusely. McNally said that he had fucked up myself more than most people and that he strongly believe in second chances.

He joked: So if James Corden lets me host his Late Late Show for 9 months, Ill immediately rescind his ban from Balthazar. No, of course not, he said.

But... anyone magnanimous enough to apologize to a deadbeat layabout like me (and my staff) doesnt deserve to be banned from anywhere. Especially Balthazar. So Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Corden.

He ended with: All is Forgiven. xx.

Back in April, Corden announced that hell be stepping down as host of The Late Late Show on CBS next year, adding that hed been thinking of leaving for a long time. The actor and comedian, who appeared in 2019s Cats and last years remake of Cinderella starring Camila Cabello, has hosted the late-night show since 2015.

McNally is the owner of several high-profile restaurants in Manhattan, including Pastis, Morandi, and Minetta Tavern. The restaurateur is known for his off-kilter and brutally honest Instagram account, where he occasionally shares anecdotes from his restaurants as well as his occasionally controversial opinions on current events, including his continued support for friend and frequent restaurant guest Woody Allen.

Last year, McNally banned Graydon Carter from his restaurants after the former Vanity Fair editor made a reservation for 12 people at Morandi but didnt show up, even after extra staff was called in to help with service.

Ill tell you one thing, McNally wrote on Instagram at the time. That fancy fucker will never be allowed to make a reservation at one of my restaurants again. Never.

Carter later called McNallys post deranged in an interview with People.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Japans prime minister Fumio Kishida has ordered an investigation into the Unification Church in a move which could strip the group of its religious corporation status.

Mr Kishida said he has asked the education ministry to investigate the Unification Churchs problematic spiritual sales tactics.

This is the first time the government will exercise its authority to investigate a religious group based on the countrys Religious Corporation Law, reported The Japan Times.

We will deal with the religious group deemed to be problematic in a strict manner, including under the Religious Corporation Law, the prime minister said.

The government has taken seriously the fact that there are a large number of victims as well as poverty and broken families, and they havent been provided with adequate relief, he added.

I must frankly apologise that we have damaged the publics trust in politics.

Japans education minister, Keiko Nagaoka, said the probe will begin immediately.

The church has been under the spotlight since the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe on 8 July this year.

Police said the suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, attacked Abe as he believed the former leader was a supporter of the Unification Church, which he said financially ruined his family as his mother had made huge donations to the church.

The church is said to have deep ties with Japans ruling party lawmakers and even with Abe himself, who had praised its emphasis on family values.

The church acknowledged Mr Yamagamis mother donated more than 100 million yen ($700,000), including life insurance and real estate, to the group. It said it later returned about half at the request of the suspects uncle.

Mr Kishidas announcement of an investigation into the church, which was earlier known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, comes at a time when public support for his government plummeted to its lowest since he took office a year ago.

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There is anger among people that members of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), of which Abe earlier was the leader of, did not fully disclose their ties to the church. It was earlier reported that an internal survey by the LDP revealed about half the partys lawmakers had ties to the church.

According to one Kyodo News survey which was conducted earlier this month, it was revealed the approval rating for Mr Kishidas cabinet has fallen to 35 per cent  the worst since it took office in October last year.

Meanwhile, under the Religious Corporation law, if the church is found to be violating the law or conducting activities significantly damaging public welfare, the government can strip the group of its religious corporation status. Local media reported that a court will then decide whether that will go ahead.

Even if the Unification Church is stripped of its status, it is still allowed to conduct religious activities.

Before Mr Kishidas announcement on Monday, a report by the Consumer Affairs Agency expert panel had revealed that the government needed to investigate the Unification Church.

Based on the problems that have come to light, the ministry in charge needs to exercise the right to question and get a report (on the Unification Church) with an eye to making a request to remove its religious corporation status, the report said.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

With support for his Liberal Democratic Party plummeting, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday ordered an investigation into the Unification Church, which has ties to several members of the ruling party.

In July, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated while delivering an outdoor campaign speech. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, posted online that his mother made large donations to the Unification Church, which led to his family going bankrupt, and he blamed Abe for promoting the organization.

In the wake of Abe's death, police learned that several lawmakers with the Liberal Democratic Party did not publicly reveal their close connections with the Unification Church. The party and the church have "shared interests in conservative causes," The Associated Press reports, and last month, Kishida said those ties would be severed. Still, many called on the government to launch a probe into how the Unification Church may have influenced those lawmakers.

Kishida spoke to Parliament on Monday, and said he was "taking seriously" accusations made against the Unification Church, including that it fleeced followers and drove them into poverty. Kishida also stated that he does not have any ties to the church.

The Unification Church  which recently changed its name to the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification  was founded in South Korea in 1954, and its followers have been referred to as "Moonies." Its detractors have described the church, known for holding mass arranged wedding ceremonies, as a cult. The church has admitted that Yamagami's mother donated $700,000, including life insurance and real estate to the organization, and said it gave half of the money back at the request of Yamagami's uncle.

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Sen. Ron Johnson recently made two payments to a law firm led by a Wisconsin attorney embroiled in the Justice Departments Jan. 6 investigation, in part to assist in a possible recount, according to financial disclosure forms filed Friday.

Johnson, R-Wis., made the payments to the law firm led by James Troupis, who is alleged to have played a role in a plan to reverse the 2020 election results through the use of fake electors that is under scrutiny by the federal government. Troupis, a lawyer for Donald Trumps campaign, led Trumps unsuccessful recount efforts in Wisconsin.

Johnsons public explanations about whether he had a role in the plan  including what he has said about his interactions with Troupis in the hours before the violent attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021  are drawing scrutiny.

Johnson, locked in one of the closest Senate races in the country against Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, has paid a little over $20,000 in recent months to the Troupis Law Office in Cross Plains, Wis., according to new financial disclosure forms filed with the Federal Election Commission. Troupis is the firms principal.

On July 26, Johnsons campaign paid $13,287 to Troupis Law for legal consulting. On Aug. 18, it paid $7,000 for what is listed on his financial records as Recount: Legal Consulting. Financial records suggest the only other financial interactions between Troupis and Johnson came in 2010, when Troupis donated $1,000 to Johnsons campaign fund.

While campaigns sometimes prepare for different Election Day voting scenarios, Johnsons payment for legal consulting on a possible recount to an outside law firm could be a sign that he expects the kind of dead-heat contest the battleground state is known for. Johnson has not said whether he would accept the results of the Nov. 8 election. Previous financial disclosure forms did not indicate previous payments to the Troupis firm. The records show he made regular payments, totaling at least $30,000 this year, to another law firm, Wiley Rein, for legal consulting.

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A law firm representing Troupis did not immediately respond to a message Monday or to a phone message at the number he listed on the recount forms he filed on behalf of Trump in 2020. Other numbers publicly listed for the Troupis Law Office appear to have been disconnected or are inoperable.

Reached for comment Monday, a spokesman for Johnsons campaign said, We see no reason to participate in any way in another smear.

Troupis was among the attorneys and Trump representatives named this year in government subpoenas the FBI served to some of the fake electors in June, according to a source with direct knowledge of the investigation. The Washington Post also reported, citing documents that were released as a part of a public records request, that two Arizona state legislators had received subpoenas for any communications they might have had with various Trump attorneys and representatives, including Troupis, relating to any effort, plan, or attempt to serve as an Elector. The Post also reported that around the same time  mid-June  multiple people in other states were served subpoenas as part of the fake elector investigation.

The alleged scheme had slates of Republicans send forms to Washington attesting that Trump won the 2020 election, even though he lost in their states.

Johnsons previous financial disclosure forms also reveal that during his 2022 campaign, he received $8,700 in donations from another Trump attorney, Kenneth Chesebro, who is accused in a Wisconsin civil lawsuit of having played a central role in orchestrating the false elector effort. Chesebro, a New York-based lawyer, has also been subpoenaed by a Fulton County, Georgia, grand jury investigating allegations of efforts to overturn the 2020 election. A coalition of lawyers who form the advocacy group Lawyers Defending American Democracy has also recently asked New York attorneys regulators to investigate Chesebro, calling him the mastermind behind the false elector plot and accusing him of violating New York ethics rules in the process.

In February, The New York Times published a Nov. 18, 2020, memo from Chesebro addressed to Troupis laying out the elector strategy, which is also cited in the Wisconsin civil lawsuit that names Troupis and Chesebro as defendants.

Chesebro did not respond to a request for comment. An attorney for Chesebro, Adam S. Kaufmann, previously told The Times that Chesebro was offering a contingency plan to the Trump campaign if a court found evidence of fraud in battleground states where Trump was disputing the outcomes.

On May 11, Chesebro donated $5,800 to Johnsons campaign, the maximum amount an individual can contribute during the primary under FEC rules. On May 16, he donated $2,900 more, which was credited to the general election.

Troupis and Chesebro were named in a May lawsuit in Wisconsin that alleges they were key players in the broader scheme to reverse Joe Bidens victory that included gathering 10 phony electors to falsely attest that Trump was Wisconsins rightful winner. The lawsuit alleges that Troupis was a link between the Trump campaign and the fake electors.

The House committee investigating the riot first released communications between Johnsons office and an aide to then-Vice President Mike Pence. In June, the panel released text messages between a top Johnson aide and an aide to Pence about passing along slates of electors from Wisconsin and Michigan. The Pence aide rebuffed Johnsons office, according to the texts.

The first payment to the Troupis firm for legal consulting documented in the financial disclosure forms was made a month after Johnson acknowledged he personally texted with Troupis on Jan. 6, 2021, about passing along information involving what Troupis said was Wisconsin electors to Pence.

Johnson has denied knowing anything about the fake elector scheme, and as recently as this month he has appeared to distance himself from Troupis.

What would you do if you got a text from the attorney for the president of the United States? Johnson said at a recent event in Milwaukee. You respond to it.

According to testimony and documents obtained by the House Jan. 6 committee, the fake elector scheme sought to undermine Bidens 2020 presidential victory by passing along to Pence slates of electors in battleground states who purported that Trump was the rightful winner.

The scheme failed, however, with Pence recognizing Bidens victory.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Photo by CARLOS JASSO/AFP via Getty Images

Kevin Spacey testified in his own defense on Monday, often crying on the stand as he vehemently disputed allegations he sexually assaulted actor Anthony Rapp four decades agowhile offering up a series of shocking claims about his past.

For starters, the House of Cards actor promptly told the jury that his father was a neo-Nazi.

My father was a white supremacist and neo-Nazi, Spacey said in Manhattan federal court, adding that he would listen to hours and hours of his beliefs.

I have never talked about these things publicly. Ever, he continued.

The claim came as Spacey was defending himself against Rapps $40 million civil lawsuit in New Yorkjust one of a slew of claims of sexual violence against Spacey dating back decades.

Within hours, Spacey had tearfully apologized for coming out as gay in a statement addressing the sexual assault allegation against him when it first went public five years ago. In the statement, he had indicated he did not remember the alleged encounter with Rapp and offered an apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior.

On the stand, Spacey claimed the statement was motivated in part by a desire to push back on conspiracy theories that he had been on Jeffrey Epsteins pedo islandand that he had been involved in the bogus right-wing obsession known as Pizzagate. The actor claimed that while he met Epstein on a 2016 humanitarian trip to South Africa, he was not involved in the notorious pedophiles nefarious activity.

I was accused by the gay community of trying to change the subject, he said, after suggesting he was essentially pressured into apologizing rather than defending himself by his PR team.

Rapp alleges that Spacey sexually assaulted him after a Manhattan party in 1986 when he was just 14 years old. Jurors will be tasked with deciding whether Spacey is liable for Rapps claim of battery after a judge on Monday dismissed another claim: of intentional infliction of emotional distress.

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The dismissal of that claim marked a major blow to the highly publicized civil case against Spacey. It also signaled another legal win for the former House of Cards actor, who has been accused of sexual assault or misconduct by at least a dozen people.

Judge Lewis Kaplan concluded that the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim essentially repeated Rapps allegation of battery against the 63-year-old actor. But he said he would not dismiss the case entirely.

Im not saying one way or the other. Im just saying Im not going to grant that now, Kaplan said.

Spaceys team began their defense case with a video deposition from another actor, John Barrowman. After the short deposition, Spacey took the standtelling jurors that his father would ask him about his sexual orientation because of his interest in theater.

My father used to yell at me about the idea I might be gay, Spacey said. He would scream at me: dont be a... he would use an f word that was very derogatory to the gay community.

After Rapps claims were first published in Buzzfeed in 2017, Spacey tweeted a statement where he came out as gay.

Spacey on Monday grew emotional as he discussed the statement, claiming that he felt pressured to put out a response. He said that at the time, the entertainment industry was reeling after sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein and that everyone was nervous about who was going to be next.

I was shocked, I was frightened, and I was confused, he said. I was literally confused. I didnt know how to respond to this. I had no memory of ever being alone with him.

The actor added that his team felt it was necessary to apologize for the allegations so he could not be accused of victim blaming.

Take it seriously, not factually, he said about their game plan. He also suggested his decision to come out as gay was not prompted by Rapps allegations but was something he had been talking about for about the last year and a half.

When he was on the stand himself, Rapp said that Spacey invited him to a party at his Upper East Side apartment after the two previously had a night out with Barrowman. Spacey admitted to going to a club with Rapp and Barrowman in May 1986, but said that he was only interested in the latter, whom he believed to be a man. When asked by his lawyers whether he wanted Rapp to join him and Barrowman that night, he said he had no interest in the then 14-year-olds presence.

But Rapp said he went to Spaceys apartment party alone after the night out with Barrowman, and that he felt uncomfortable around so many adults. Then, he said, he went into Spaceys bedroom to watch television.

Hard to Breathe: Spacey Accuser Says Facing Him Is Brutal

Suddenly, Rapp said, an apparently drunken Spacey was standing in the doorway, and then lifted him up like a groom carrying a bride over the threshold. Rapp said Spacey then climbed on top of him and pressed his pelvis on the teenagers hip.

It felt very wrong, Rapp said on the stand. I didnt want him to do it, and I had no reason that made any sense of why he would do it. I felt like a deer in headlights.

Spaceys lawyers have claimed Rapps allegations amount to a story he fabricated in a fit of jealousy at The Usual Suspects actors career. On the stand, Rapp denied being jealousand disputed that he viewed Spacey as a fraud for not coming out sooner, stating he was perfectly happy with his own career.

But Spacey leaned into the claim during his own testimony.

To call someone a fraud is to, I guess, say they are living a lie, Spacey said on Monday. I wasnt living a lie, I was just reluctant to talk about my personal life.

Before Rapp took the stand, a former New York public film coordinator told jurors that Spacey lifted him by the crotch during the workday in 1981. He was wearing tight blue jeans and through the jeans, I very clearly saw a very large erection, Andrew Holzman, 68, testified. He sort of lifted me up by my crotch and sort of pushed me back on my desk.

Spacey on Monday denied the alleged incident at the Astor Library occurred.

Despite the avalanche of claims against him dating back decades, Spacey has dodged criminal charges in the United States as two potential prosecutions crumbled and one accuser died.

Previously in Rapps civil case, Kaplan booted a second plaintiff after he declined to reveal his identity. Spacey only faces one criminal case, in the United Kingdom.

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Photo: The Canadian Press Vancouver Mayor-elect Ken Sim arrives for a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver's next mayor says he expects the first of 100 additional police officers promised in his election platform to hit the streets within a year.

Ken Sim, who takes office Nov. 7, says adding the officers and the same number of mental health nurses is one of the top priorities in his party's 94-point platform, alongside accelerating property permitting and making more daycare spaces available.

The mayor-elect's ABC Vancouver party will hold a strong majority on city council, as well as the park board and school board.

Sim says the party's transition team had its first meeting Sunday and will spend the next three weeks mapping out an implementation plan of the platform commitments.

He declined to commit to a specific property tax cap, a delivery timeline for the city budget or any other immediate actions before the transition team does its work.

The transition team is led by campaign manager Kareem Allam and Dianne Watts, a former member of Parliament and mayor of Surrey.

"There'll be more to come in the next few weeks on what we will be rolling out and the timing of it."
Just a third of U.S. voters say theyd vote to reelect President Biden in the 2024 presidential race, while over half would cast their ballot for someone else, according to a new Fox News poll.

The poll found that 33 percent of registered voters said theyd back Bidens reelection bid, while 54 percent say theyd vote for someone else.

Biden pulled in most of his support from his own party: 71 percent of Democrats said theyd vote for the president in 2024, compared to 13 percent of independents and just 4 percent of Republicans.

Still, with the next presidential election another two years away, a chunk of each group said they didnt know or that it was too soon to say: 11 percent of Democrats, 5 percent of Republicans and 25 percent of independents.

The overall share of support for a Biden reelection bid ticked down 3 points from a similar survey in January, which found 36 percent would back the president.

By contrast, Bidens approval rating climbed up 3 points to 46 percent in the last month, up from a low point of 40 in July.

Biden has expressed his intent to run again despite some concerns about his age, and a number of polls suggesting voters may not be enthusiastic about a reelection campaign  though the presidents approval ratings have been on the rise as they bounce back from record lows.

The Fox News poll was conducted Oct. 9-12 and surveyed 1,206 registered U.S. voters. Conducted jointly with Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research, the results had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is calling for onetime White House strategist Stephen Bannon to serve six months of jail time and pay a $200,000 fine for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

In a separate filing, Bannon argued he should not to go jail for relying on the advice of his lawyers, asking the judge to instead impose probation.

The recommendation comes ahead of a Friday sentencing hearing for Bannon, who was among the first four people to be subpoenaed by the panel. Bannon claimed executive privilege barred him from testifying before the committee despite its interest in actions he took well after his short stint in the White House.

A $200,000 fine is the maximum for the two counts of contempt of Congress  one for refusing to testify, and the other for refusing to produce any of the documents requested in the deposition.

That was a result, the DOJ said, of his refusal to participate in a review of his finances that helps determine the extent of a fine a defendant will pay.

For his sustained, bad-faith contempt of Congress, the defendant should be sentenced to six months imprisonmentthe top end of the Sentencing Guidelines rangeand fined $200,000based on his insistence on paying the maximum fine rather than cooperate with the Probation Offices routine pre-sentencing financial investigation, the DOJ wrote.

Bannon was subpoenaed by the panel in September of last year, with the full House voting to hold him in contempt roughly a month later.

That subpoena noted Bannons presence in the Trump campaigns war room at the Willard Hotel, including involvement in a discussion with Republican lawmakers about objecting to election results.

They also sought to ask him about a comment of a Jan. 5, 2021, episode of his podcast where he said all hell is going to break loose tomorrow.

Bannon began his confrontation with the Justice Department with a fiery press conference he livestreamed, vowing to fight the charges.

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Im telling you right now, this is going to be the misdemeanor from hell for Merrick Garland, Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden.  Were going on the offense, Bannon said in November.

But shortly before trial, Bannon sought to cooperate with the committee, claiming Trump had freed him from the constraint of executive privilege that the DOJ had determined did not apply to him.

On the eve of trial, he attempted an about-face, representing to the Committee that former President Donald J. Trump had waived executive privilege and freed the Defendant to cooperate. But this proved a hollow gesture; when he realized that his eleventh-hour stunt would not prevent his trial, the Defendants cooperative spirit vanished, the DOJ wrote in Mondays filing.

Ahead of trial, a judge rejected most of the arguments Bannons defense team could present before the jury, and ultimately his legal team decided to call no witnesses and did not introduce any new evidence at trial.

Should a person who has spent a lifetime listening to experts  as a naval officer, investment banker, corporate executive, and Presidential advisor  be jailed for relying on the advice of his lawyers? his attorneys wrote in the latest filing.

Should a person be jailed where the prosecutor declined to prosecute others who were similarly situated  with the only difference being that this person uses their voice to express strongly held political views?

Bannons team said if the judge does impose jail time, he should be allowed to serve his sentence in home confinement.

Bannons upcoming sentencing comes over a year after he was first subpoenaed, a reminder of the delayed consequences for those that defy congressional investigators as the panel seeks to compel testimony from Trump.

Bannon is one of just two former White House officials where the DOJ accepted a criminal contempt referral from Congress. It chose not to pursue charges against former chief of staff Mark Meadows or communications guru Dan Scavino but has charged White House aide Peter Navarro.

Updated at 12:45 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian officials said Russia killed at least four people on Monday by detonating a so-called kamikaze drone in Kyiv, the latest apparent use of the unmanned explosive device.

The officials suggested the strike  one of 28 drones that targeted the Ukrainian capital on Monday  appeared to involve an Iranian Shahed-136 drone, with video showing an aircraft quickly lowering on its target in the citys center.

All night and all morning, the enemy terrorizes the civilian population. Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine. A residential building was hit in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

Mondays strikes arent the first time Ukraine has accused Russia of deploying the Iranian technology. Officials say Russia used kamikaze drones often in recent days to strike targets far from the wars front lines and terrorize civilians.

Tehran denies supplying the drones, a position contested by both Ukraine and the U.S.

How kamikaze drones work

The Shahed-136s nickname, which is also often applied to U.S. Switchblade drones and other similar systems, originates from Japanese military pilots who flew suicide missions during World War II to strike Allied naval vessels.

The unmanned triangular drone is known to loiter in the air until it determines its target, and then it quickly lowers itself to the ground and detonates. Russia has reportedly renamed the system the Geran-2.

Ukrainian online publication Defense Express, citing Iranian data, reported that the Shahed-136 is about 11 feet long with a wingspan of about eight feet, weighing about 440 pounds.

The data reportedly shows the drone can travel up to about 115 miles per hour and fly up to about 1,500 miles, although the publication expressed skepticism in Irans estimates.

The British Defense Ministry has also acknowledged the reported range, although its intelligence reports suggest the drone only has a small explosive payload.

The British intelligence reports indicate the drones are slow and fly at low altitudes, making it prone to destruction from conventional air defenses.

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A video posted by Oleksiy Biloshytskiy, chief of the Patrol Police Department of Ukraine, appears to show Ukrainians shooting down one of the Iranian drones launched at Kyiv on Monday.

How it was from the 1st person. Patrol Police shot down one of the Shakhid drones attacking infrastructure of Kiev. pic.twitter.com/Px5t7PxD5f  Oleksiy Biloshytskiy (@Biloshytsky) October 17, 2022

It is unlikely to be satisfactorily fulfilling the deep strike function which Russia probably aspired to use it for, a British intelligence report published last week stated.

How Ukraine and the U.S. are responding

The White House warned about Iranian drone sales to Moscow in July, and Biden administration officials confirmed in late August that the first shipment of drones had arrived in Russia.

Iran has denied supplying the drones, but White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday accused Tehran of lying.

There is extensive proof of their use by Russia against both military and civilian targets there, Jean-Pierre told reporters Monday.

U.S. officials say Russia wanted the technology as it looked to address weaponry shortfalls created by the months-long war.

Zelensky for weeks has indicated Russia began launching the drones as Russian President Vladimir Putin escalated the invasion by annexing four Ukrainian regions, mobilizing up to 300,000 reservists and threatening the use of nuclear weapons.

Ukraines foreign ministry on Sept. 23 announced it was reducing the number of diplomatic personnel at the Iranian embassy in Kyiv, calling Irans supply of the drones an unfriendly act that heavily damages Ukraine-Iran relations.

Last week, Zelensky told the Group of Seven (G-7) leaders that Ukrainian intelligence indicates Russia ordered 2,400 of the drones from Tehran.

The Shahed drones apparently experienced success in many cases, including in Kyiv on Monday, although U.S. intelligence suggests the drones have also been assessed to have numerous failures.

But the strikes have already led to deaths and destruction across Ukraine, leading Zelensky to appeal for stronger air defense systems from the West.

Look how #russia carries out a strike by Iran-made kamikaze drones this morning. Several buildings are damaged. #Rescuers are pulling civillians out of the rubble.

This is  another terrorist attack on the capital.#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/TKOiu9hr1w  Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) October 17, 2022

Starting from yesterday, the enemy used more than a hundred cruise missiles and dozens of different drones, including Iranian Shaheds, Zelensky said at the G-7 meeting. And every ten minutes, I receive a message about the enemys use of Iranian Shaheds.

U.S. officials have said they are working to provide eight National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems to Ukraine, although most of those deliveries are not expected to arrive for months.

Following Mondays strikes in Kyiv, Ukraines foreign ministry condemned Irans alleged role as Ukraines foreign minister said he asked European Union leaders to impose sanctions on Iran in response.

Dozens of people, including children, were killed and injured, the foreign ministrys statement reads. A third of Ukraines energy infrastructure was affected. The buildings of two diplomatic missions in Kyiv were damaged. Providing weapons to wage a war of aggression in Ukraine and kill Ukrainian citizens makes Iran complicit in the crime of aggression, war crimes and terrorist acts of Russia against Ukraine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Vladyslav Musiienko/Reuters

Early Monday morning, residents of Kyiv described the inescapable, dystopian buzz of Iranian-made Shahed-136s attack droneswhich fly low into the city, weaving around buildings and carrying precision missiles that prove impossible to stop.

The so-called kamikaze drones are a precise weapon shot from flatbed truckswhich leaves them vulnerable to anti-aircraft missiles as they are deployed, but they are stealthy enough to cause major damage once inside city limits. The horrifying buzzing is almost always followed by the sort of loud explosions that rocked the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Monday morning, killing several, including a woman who was in her sixth month of pregnancy.

The woman was identified by GoodWine wine sellers on their Facebook page as their incredibly kind sommelier Vika, who they say started at the company six years ago as the only female among the male sommeliers, but who never showed weakness, there were no difficult tasks, challenges for her.

The owners called her part of the family. In a heartfelt tribute, the wine shop owners wrote, Today is a very dark day for our company. The Daily Beast has not been able to independently confirm the identity of the victim, but the wine shop said Vika was pregnant, and that she was found in the arms of her beloved husband Bogdan and a cat, which squares with information released by Ukrainian authorities.

The use of the weapons is a sign that Russia is running low on precision guided weapons, one analyst told The New York Times.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said it was able to shoot down some of the terrifying drones, but some got through. Ukraine said nine of the drones were knocked out by an anti-aircraft missiles deployed by fighter jets and two were hit by forces on the ground. In the past 13 hours, #UAarmy shot down 37 Iranian Shahed-136 drones and 3 cruise missiles launched by Russian terrorists, the ministry tweeted.

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A group of patrolmen and women who were guarding a residential area inside Kyiv told Ukraines advisor to internal affairs Anton Gerashchenko that they heard the familiar buzz of the drone overhead, so just started shooting at it with their machine guns and pistols. It fell about 50 meters from where they were standing, they said. The minister tweeted a brief interview and the remnants of the drone with what he wrote on Telegram also included the words, for Luch referring to Belgorod, where a power plant was attacked inside Russia.

These guys are real Heroes - they shot down one of the drones. pic.twitter.com/UsLvCjbzQ5  Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) October 17, 2022

The attack by those that made it into the capital killed at least three people and wounded 18, according to Ukraines State Emergency Service. Several others were unaccounted and thought to be under rubble.

The bodies of three dead civilians were pulled out during search and rescue operations in a residential building in the city center, hit by a Russian drone, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed on Telegram, according to CNN. Among them is a young couple, a husband and wife, who were expecting a child. The woman was six months pregnant.

The attacks, which were launched from occupied southern Ukraine, mark a new strategy in Russias increasingly desperate attack on the sovereign nation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia had bought 2,400 of the kamikaze drones from Iraneach with the capacity to carry fully loaded precision-guided missiles.

Klitschko said three or four explosions had been heard. Kyivs main train station was also reportedly hit, but no details of casualty numbers have been released.

Explosions in Kyiv. @AndriyYermak announces caused by kamikaze drones. One video via https://t.co/6X8XtQx6ah pic.twitter.com/ZCfcntXi87  Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) October 17, 2022

Andriy Yermak, head of President Zelenskys office, wrote on Telegram that Ukraine needed help defending against Russias new weapon of choice. We need more air defense systems and as soon as possible, he wrote. We have no time for slow actions. More weapons to defend the sky and destroy the enemy. So be it.

Iran denied furnishing weapons to Russia. The strikes come a week after Vladimir Putin rained down missiles on Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than 100 in what he framed as a reprisal for the attack on a key bridge that connects Russia to occupied Crimea.

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Celebrity Sightings : Day Six - Paris Fashion Week - Menswear F/W 2022-2023

Kanye West on January 23, 2022 in Paris, France. Credit - Getty Images2022 Edward Berthelot

Kanye West is acquiring the libertarian-leaning social network Parler, the company announced on Monday, just days after his Instagram and Twitter accounts were temporarily locked for a spate of posts that were criticized for being anti-Semitic.

In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves, said musician and fashion designer West, now known as Ye, in a statement released by Parlement Technologies, which operates Parler. The company did not disclose the value of the deal.

Parler, which calls itself an uncancelable free speech platform was established in 2018 but rose to prominence in the aftermath of the 2020 election, when it became a haven for users who were banned from the mainstream social media platforms for spreading hate speech and disinformation. The platform was temporarily taken offline in early 2021, shortly after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol building, when Apple, Google and Amazon all withdrew their support for it, citing its lack of content moderation. Many on the political right saw the removals as a sign of rising cancel culture and censorship by Big Tech companies.

Parler is a micro-player in the social media space. Its user base has plummeted since its time in the spotlight in early 2021, according to estimates from analytics firm data.ai. It now has less than a million monthly active users, compared to more than 6 million in the first half of 2021. Twitter, by comparison, has 238 million daily active users. Facebook has nearly 2 billion.

Although the platforms user base is currently relatively small, Wests acquisition of Parler could have implications for Twitter if Elon Musk goes through with his on-again off-again $44 billion acquisition of the platform. It suggests that Muskwho has echoed Republican talking points by saying he plans to roll back Twitters restrictions on free speech may have competition from another celebrity provocateur who is prepared to lean even further rightwards.

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Read More: Elon Musk Wants to Buy Twitter Again. Heres How the Platform Could Change

West, who has bipolar disorder, has often made headlines for his controversial behavior. He has expressed support for former President Donald Trump in the past, but ran against him in the 2020 election. West has pursued various business ventures by partnering with well-known brands in the pastbringing his dedicated fans as new customers to more staid older companies. Some of those brands have severed ties with West in recent weeks due to his controversial public statements. Adidas said it was reviewing its partnership with West following his appearance at Paris fashion week wearing a white lives matter T-shirt. In September, JPMorgan said it would end its relationship with West and his clothing brand Yeezy. West has also said he is ending his relationship with Gap, accusing the fashion retailer of stealing his designs.

In early October, shortly after the white lives matter T-shirt controversy, West shared a screenshot on Instagram of a conversation between him and rapper Sean Diddy Combs, in which he suggested Combs was being controlled by Jewish people. After he was suspended from Instagram for the post, he sent a tweet saying he would go death con 3 [sic] On Jewish people. The tweet prompted Twitter to temporarily suspend his account.

Read More: The Inside Story Behind the Kanye Docuseries Two Decades in the Making

Musk publicly interacted with West in the aftermath of the controversy. After West was suspended from Instagram, he tweeted an image of himself and Mark Zuckerberg referring to their past friendship and asking how the Meta CEO could kick me off Instagram.

Musk then replied to Wests tweet. Welcome back to Twitter, my friend! he wrote.

The billionaire and Tesla CEO added in a subsequent tweet that he had spoken to West about his anti-Semitic outburst. Talked to ye today & expressed my concerns about his recent tweet, which I think he took to heart, Musk said.

A verified Parler account in Wests name was opened on Oct. 17, the day his acquisition of the platform was announced. At the time of publication, it had less than 600 followers.
George Floyd's family is considering suing Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, for making false claims about Floyd's death, a prominent civil rights lawyer said.

In a recent appearance on the hip-hop podcast Drink Champs, the rapper and fashion designer questioned the cause of Floyd's death, suggesting it was due to fentanyl use and not by Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and was convicted of murder.

Chauvin's knee "wasn't even on his neck like that," Ye said. The interview had been viewed nearly 2 million times on YouTube as of Monday afternoon.

Ye said his claims were backed by a documentary by conservative commentator Candace Owens.

George Floyd (Courtesy photo)

His remarks drew widespread condemnation, including from civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, who tweeted Sunday: "While one cannot defame the dead, the family of #GeorgeFloyd is considering suit for Kanye's false statements about the manner of his death. Claiming Floyd died from fentanyl not the brutality established criminally and civilly undermines & diminishes the Floyd family's fight."

Merritt said Monday that he had been contacted Sunday by Floyd's brother, Philonise, about whether legal action can be taken to prevent Ye from repeating debunked claims about Floyd's death. Merritt said he is also looking into whether Owens can be sued on similar grounds as well.

Chauvin was convicted in April 2021 of second- and third-degree murder, as well as second-degree manslaughter, and was sentenced in June 2021 to 22  years in prison. He pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of violating Floyd's civil rights by using excessive force under color of law and was sentenced to just more than 20 years in July. His federal and state sentences are to be served concurrently.

The medical examiner who ruled Floyd's death a homicide testified during Chauvin's state trial that Floyd's heart disease and drug use contributed to his death, but that police officers' restraint of his body and compression of his neck were the primary causes. Other prosecution expert witnesses were explicit in their assessments that Floyd died from asphyxia, or low oxygen.

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At his sentencing in the federal civil rights case, Judge Paul Magnuson of U.S. District Court in St. Paul told Chauvin, who was the most senior of the four officers at the scene: "I really don't know why you did what you did. But to put your knee on another person's neck until they expired is simply wrong, and for that conduct you must be substantially punished."

Three other former police officers were also charged in connection with Floyd's death: Thomas Lane, who held down his legs as he cried out that he couldn't breathe; J. Alexander Kueng, who helped restrain Floyd; and Tou Thao, who kept concerned bystanders at bay.

The officers encountered Floyd on May 25, 2020, outside a convenience store where he was alleged to have used a fake $20 bill to buy cigarettes. Video of Floyd's final moments taken by bystanders touched off protests around the world against police brutality and systemic racism.

Lane pleaded guilty last month to a state charge of second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's killing and was sentenced to three years in prison. Kueng and Thao, who rejected a plea deal, are set to go on trial this month.

The three men were convicted in federal court of depriving Floyd of his civil rights while acting under government authority when they failed to give him medical aid. Kueng and Thao were also convicted for failing to intervene. In July, Kueng was sentenced in federal court to three years and Thao to three and a half years.

Ye, who has courted controversy in recent weeks, was blocked from posting on Twitter and Instagram about a week ago over antisemitic posts that the social networks said violated their policies. In one tweet, Ye said he would soon go "death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE," according to internet archive records, making an apparent reference to the U.S. defense readiness condition scale known as DEFCON. This month, Ye, who once suggested slavery was a choice, was criticized for wearing a "White Lives Matter" T-shirt, alongside Owens, to his collection at Paris Fashion Week. The Anti-Defamation League has called the phrase hate speech.

Many criticized Drink Champs and its hosts, rapper N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, on social media, for giving a platform to Ye's racist talking points that denied the brutality Floyd was subjected to and the excessive force Black people experience in some encounters with police.

During a call-in interview Monday with The Breakfast Club, a nationally syndicated radio show, N.O.R.E. apologized to Floyd's family and said that Drink Champs will edit future broadcasts.

"I just want to be honest. I support freedom of speech. I support anybody, you know, not being censored," he said. "But I do not support anybody being hurt. I did not realize that the George Floyd statements on my show was so hurtful. And you got to realize, it was the first five minutes of the show. Like when he walked in, he told my producer, he said that if he'll stop filming, he'll walk out."

N.O.R.E. also said he "checked" Ye over his comments about Floyd and White Lives Matter, but said it was so late in the episode and "I was already inebriated at that time that maybe people looked over it."

"I apologize to the George Floyd family," he said. "I apologize to anybody that was hurt by Kanye West's comments."

Early Monday, it was announced that Ye had agreed in principle to acquire the conservative-oriented social media app Parler. Parlement Technologies, the parent company of Parler, announced "it has entered into an agreement in principle to sell Parler" to Ye, who has been "taking a bold stance against his recent censorship from Big Tech."

"In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves," Ye said in a statement.

George Farmer, the chief executive of Parlement, who is married to Owens, said in a statement Monday that "Ye's acquiring of Parler will strengthen our ability to create an uncancelable ecosystem."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
American filmmaker Ken Burns is actively fundraising for Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.).

Burns, known for critically acclaimed documentaries including The Civil War and The Vietnam War, has put his name on several emails sent out by Kellys campaign.

In one fundraising email, Burns noted that the Arizona senator is a retired Navy captain who landed 299 times on the USS Midway during his career.

A Navy pilot contends with the ocean, the wind, and the aircraft carrier  not to mention their own plane. Its one of the most challenging things a person can do, and he did it 299 times. That says a lot about Mark: Hes up to a challenge, Burns wrote. But that number doesnt tell the whole story. Before Mark ever landed, he had a team behind him.

Today, in Marks re-election campaign, were his team. Were his support system. And he needs all the help we can give, Burns continued.

Kelly is facing a tight race for reelection against Trump-backed opponent Blake Masters, with midterm elections less than a month away.

Burns asked supporters to split their donation between Kelly and Gillibrand, who is up for reelection in 2024.

In addition to his war films, Burnss vast catalogue with PBS includes documentaries about the Great Depression, Congress and his latest series on Americas response to the Holocaust.

In another email asking for donations to both Gillibrand and Kellys campaigns, Burns said the challenges to our republic are rampant, the democratic values that make up the fabric of our nation under assault and at risk of unraveling.

Ive spent more than four decades making films about turning points in American history in an attempt to help us understand our past and interpret our present, the filmmaker wrote. I know when a historic moment is upon us, and the outcome of the November election is clearly such a moment. 

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Burns, 69, has previously warned the U.S. is facing another great crisis, comparing the current state of political polarization to the Civil War, the Great Depression and World War II.

This is a time not for rejoicing, but to remember that in order to gather strength to deal with these dark moments, we have to actually remember to let in the light that is right in front of us, he said on NPR last year.

Burns is a longtime Democrat who has previously spoken out against former President Trump.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Actor Kevin Spacey attends the reading of the event "The Boxer - La nostalgia del poeta" (The Boxer - The nostalgia of the poet) at Palazzo Massimo alle Terme on August 02, 2019 in Rome, Italy. Photo by Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images

Kevin Spacey revealed on Monday that his father was a "neo-Nazi" and a "white supremacist."

The disgraced actor was on the stand in his sexual-abuse trial in New York.

"I have never talked about these things publicly. Ever," Spacey testified.

Disgraced actor Kevin Spacey revealed during testimony in his sexual abuse trial in New York on Monday that his father was a "neo-Nazi" and a "white supremacist."

"I have never talked about these things publicly. Ever," Spacey testified at the US District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan.

Spacey is on trial over sexual abuse claims involving actor Anthony Rapp, who says that Spacey sexually assaulted him at a party at Spacey's apartment in 1986 when Rapp was 14.

While on the witness stand in his own defense in the civil case on Monday, Spacey spoke about his childhood and how he and his siblings were forced to listen to their father's beliefs, which he said turned him into a private person from an early age.

"It was humiliating and terrifying to even consider bringing friends home to my house," he said. "I felt I had to keep to myself and keep private everything that happened in that house."

Spacey testified that his father would yell and curse at him over the possibility that he might be gay because of his interest in theater, admitting that it did lead him to have "a degree of shame."

But he also said he stayed in the closet for artistic reasons.

"I wanted people to remember the characters I played and not know too much about me. That was my reasoning, I was protecting the work," he said.



Referring to Rapp, his accuser, he said: "It's clear he was angry" that Spacey took so long to come out as gay.



"I wasn't living a lie," he said. "I was reluctant to talk about my personal life."

In 2020, Rapp sued Spacey, accusing him of assault, battery, and intentionally inflicting emotional distress. Rapp is asking a jury to award him $40 million in damages. Spacey has denied the allegations.

Read the original article on Insider
DEAR READERS: How should a long-time employee in a hard-to-fill position respond when a problem thats been discussed several times with a supervisor and HR rep isnt resolved soon? They like their job and are afraid to give an ultimatum  but the situation is beginning to impact their mental health. Advice?

Its imperative to remember that you have options and dont need to put up with a situation thats making you feel sick, stresses Kimberley Tyler-Smith, an executive at the career tech platform Resume Worded.

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Taking a few steps can help resolve the situation:

Ask for weekly short checkpoint meetings with HR and your manager. Discuss the progress thats being made, advises Stan C. Kimer, president of Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer. Ask them to come up with a tangible plan and timeline and state that you really want to work through the issue in a positive way and resolve it, he says.

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Ask each of them about their thoughts to solve this problem and for a firm timeline, echoes Patrick Kellenberger, COO of Betts Recruiting, who says to make sure the situation being discussed is documented in writing. Keep at it and dont give up; respectfully remind them of the problem and timeline and any action items you need addressed.

Tyler-Smith also encourages reaching back out to HR and the supervisor if an on-going problem isnt being addressed. You can even reach out directly to the manager or owner of the company if it seems like something more serious is happening, she adds.

If things continue to impact your mental health, share that fact with HR too. One great approach may be to ask them for a week or two of paid leave to nurture yourself so that you can return and continue to be productive, Kimer suggests. Also suggest that during this short leave, they can spend time resolving the issue. If your HR and management will not even give you this, this may indicate that they do not value your importance as much as you may think, and it would seriously be time to look for another job.

Speak with your supervisor about other positions that might be a better fit for your skillset. Tyler-Smith suggests doing that if the problem isnt resolved within a reasonable time frame. If there arent any available options, I would suggest considering looking for another job outside your organization, she says. You can do this by reaching out to friends who may know someone at another company who might have an opening in their department.

Issue the ultimatum. If nothing is being done, its better to give an ultimatum than to just give up and quit or to allow your mental health to be compromised, Kellenberger concludes.

(Kathleen Furore is a Chicago-based writer and editor who has covered personal finance and other business-related topics for a variety of trade and consumer publications. You can email her your career questions at kfurore@yahoo.com.)
(Reuters) -Kuwait's crown prince swore in the new government on Monday, state news agency KUNA reported, following a reshuffle aimed at addressing lawmakers' objections to the original cabinet line-up and ending a prolonged political feud.

Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah has, since taking over most of the ruling emir's duties, been trying to resolve a standoff between the appointed government and the elected parliament that has hindered fiscal reforms.

Several lawmakers publicly criticised the cabinet approved by Sheikh Meshal on Oct. 5 for not "reflecting" the results of early legislative elections in September, in which opposition members made big gains.

That prompted the crown prince to delay the opening of parliament, which was scheduled for last week. Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Sabah then held talks with lawmakers and on Sunday, the Gulf OPEC oil producer announced several cabinet changes including new oil and foreign ministers.

New foreign minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah al-Sabah had previously served as Kuwait's ambassador to the United States and Korea and in the country's delegation to the United Nations.

Bader al-Mulla, named oil minister, is a former lawmaker who had headed parliament's budget committee. Oil policy in Kuwait, which is heavily dependent on oil income, is set by a supreme petroleum council.

Stalemates between Kuwait's government and parliament have often led to cabinet reshuffles and dissolutions of the legislature over the decades, hampering investment and reforms.

The crown prince first appointed Sheikh Ahmad as prime minister in July after some opposition MPs staged a sit-in to press for a new premier, and then Sheikh Meshal dissolved parliament in August.

Former prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah had resigned in April ahead of a non-cooperation motion in the assembly against him.

Kuwait does not allow parliamentary parties so lawmakers campaign individually and form loose alliances.

The country still has one of the most open political systems in the Gulf, though the ruling emir has the final say in state matters.

(Reporting by Moataz Mohamed; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous;Editing by David Goodman and Andrew Heavens)
KYIV, Ukraine  Russia blasted the Ukrainian capital with a deadly wave of kamikaze drones Monday, in a renewed attack that set apartments ablaze as soldiers fired into the air.

The drones, carrying explosives and their distinctive buzz, terrorized Kyiv just a week after the Kremlins forces unleashed a deadly barrage against civilian and infrastructure targets across the country.

Ukraine said the attacks included Iranian-made drones, which it has accused Moscow of increasingly deploying as it runs low on precision missiles, and appealed again for Western allies to provide aerial defensive help.

The drones launched by Russia inside Ukraine did appear to come from Iran, said a senior defense official, who added that U.S. intelligence indicates that Iran has provided Russia with hundreds of autonomous flying vehicles capable of exploding upon impact.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has escalated his strikes on Ukrainian cities in the wake of a series of battlefield setbacks that have weakened his militarys grip on territory Moscow claims to have annexed, as well as the Kremlins hold over the mood at home.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said "kamikaze" drones caused five explosions that rocked the city in the early morning hours Monday. One of them hit a residential building in the central Shevchenkivskyi district, he said.

Image: UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CONFLICT-WAR (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP - Getty Images)

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said four people  including a young family expecting a child  were killed in the attack, but he noted that search and rescue operations were still underway. Infrastructure, housing and civilians appeared to be the target, he added.

"Terror must lose and will lose," Zelenskyy said on his official Telegram channel. "And Ukraine will prevail and will bring to justice every Russian terrorist  from commanders to privates who carried out criminal orders."

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the Ukrainian presidents office, said 19 people were rescued from the building, and the rescue operation was ongoing.

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NBC News has not verified the number of people killed, injured or rescued.

Authorities worked quickly to clear out rubble, looking for anyone missing after several floors appeared to have collapsed. The air was filled with a smell of fire and smoke, as well as dust from the rubble.

Speaking with NBC News at an intersection close to the damaged building, Kyiv resident Anna Frolova said the morning was off to a horrible start as she thought the Russians had "enough" after striking key infrastructure in her city last week.

It turns out they have not had enough, and now they are hitting residential buildings as well and people are dying. And this is scary, Frolova, 52, said.

I feel fear, pain, anger and hate, she added, vowing to stay in the capital despite the strikes. Hate toward, I dont know, these people who have allowed this to happen in the 21st century. This medieval war.

After the first round of air raid sirens ended around 9:30 a.m. local time (2:30 a.m. ET), life seemed to have quickly returned to relative normality on what turned out to be a sunny, mild day. The citys center was full of cars and people as the threat of another nosediving drone dissipated, only for the warnings to soon return.

Image: UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CONFLICT-WAR (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP - Getty Images)

Ukrainian officials also reported rocket strikes in the southern port city of Odesa, the central Dnipropetrovsk region and the northeastern Sumy region. Overnight, drone attacks were also reported by officials in the southern city of Mykolaiv, where deadly rocket strikes last week destroyed the two top floors of a residential building.

The head of Zelenskyy's office, Andrii Yermak, called for more air defense systems from the West and "as soon as possible."

Klitschko shared an image of what he said was wreckage of one of the drones involved in the attack on Kyiv, displaying a Russian name for Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones that both Washington and Kyiv have accused Tehran of supplying to Moscow to be used in Ukraine. Iran has denied the claims. NBC News could not verify the photo.

The mayor said that, in all, 28 drones flew in the direction of Kyiv on Monday morning, but the majority of them were shot down. In total, Russia attacked Ukraine with 42 drones on Monday and 36 were shot down, according to Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs adviser Anton Gerashchenko.

Because the Russian attack also targeted energy facilities in south and central Ukraine, the country's national energy company Ukrenergo said it could not rule out the possibility of rolling blackouts in the affected areas.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelenskyy, said on Twitter that "Iran is responsible for the murders of Ukrainians, adding that the country "oppresses its own people" and is now giving Russia "weapons for mass murders in the heart of Europe."

"That is what unfinished business and concessions to totalitarianism mean," Podolyak tweeted. "The case when sanctions are not enough."

State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a press briefing on Monday that Irans supply of the drones did appear to be a violation of UN Security Council resolution 2231, a key provision of the Iran nuclear agreement. He said further sanctions against Iran could be a possibility.

Russia deepening an alliance with Iran is something the whole world, especially those in the region and across the world, frankly, should be seen as a profound threat and its something that any country should pay very close attention to," Patel said.

Russia's Defense Ministry did not directly acknowledge drone strikes on Kyiv, but said Monday it used "high-precision long-range air and sea-based weapons" to strike what it said were military and energy targets in Ukraine.

Image: UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CONFLICT-WAR (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP - Getty Images)

Zelenskyy warned earlier this month about Russias increasing use of Iranian-made drones, posing a new challenge for the countrys air defenses and causing concern among Ukraine's Western allies over Tehran's alleged support for Russia in the war.

The Shahed-136 drones, which have earned the nickname kamikaze for destroying their targets by physically crashing into them, are relatively cheap and can be equipped with a small warhead, making them effective precision weapons, military analysts told NBC News.

Their operational range is subject to debate among analysts, but could be as long as 1,200 miles, although they are probably much shorter in practice, but still sufficient to hit any target in Ukraine from Russian-occupied areas.

Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said during a briefing Monday that the country's air defense systems destroyed 85% of the Iranian drones that Russia had used to attack Ukraine since Sunday evening. NBC News could not verify the claim.

Rescue workers search for survivors after a drone attack on a residential building in Kyiv on Monday. (NBC News)

Last week's attacks were framed by Putin as revenge for a blast that damaged his signature bridge from Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula.

The aerial aggression inspired renewed support from Kyiv's Western allies, with President Joe Biden vowing to provide the advanced air defense systems Ukraine wants in order to fend off such attacks.

The White House was previously reluctant to put the technology in play in Ukraine, fearing it would be seen by Russia as a step closer to direct U.S. involvement in the war.

Anastasiia Parafeniuk reported from Kyiv, Yuliya Talmazan reported from London and Dennis Romero reported from California.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Kyiv Oblast was attacked by two waves of kamikaze drones on Oct. 17.

Read also: Zelenskyy calls Russian drone strikes on Kyiv an act of terror

"An air raid alert in Kyiv Oblast began at 6.30 a.m., but the air defense system was working, he said.

Read also: Kamikaze drone attack on Kyiv Oblast  police give details and post video

Its work was effective, though I cannot elaborate on this. There are no hits or destruction in our oblast. The situation is calm and stable.

A series of explosions rung out in the capital city of Kyiv on the morning of Oct. 17. Mayor Vitaliy Klychko confirmed four hits in the citys central Shevchenko district. The attacks were the result of Iranian-made Shahed-136 suicide drones, At least one of which struck a critical infrastructure facility, while another hit a high-rise residential building.

Read also: Ukrainian Air Force downs enemy aircraft, kamikaze drone in southern Ukraine

During the night and on the morning of Oct. 17, the Russian military targeted Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (Dnipro City switched to rolling blackouts to preserve power), as well as Sumy Oblast and the cities of Odesa and Zaporizhzhia.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
KYIV  Residents of the Ukrainian capital on Monday were once again woken by air raid sirens and explosions as Russia launched a large-scale assault on the city, using its new Iranian-supplied Shahed-136 suicide drones, almost exactly a week after its last attack on Kyiv. According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, at least four people were killed.

The barrage of remote-piloted kamikaze aircraft began a little after 6:40 a.m. Multiple explosions and gunfire could be heard across the city as the drones flew slowly toward their targets. Ukrainian defenders, both law enforcement and ordinary citizens, attempted to shoot them down.

A drone approaches for an attack in Kyiv on Monday. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the Kyiv City State Administration, 28 of the drones targeted Kyiv. Ukrainians have derisively nicknamed them flying balalaikas owing to their resemblance to the Russian stringed instrument, or flying mopeds because of the high-pitched buzzing sounds their engines make. Ukrainian forces say they shot down a majority of the drones, with local air defense recently bolstered by Western security assistance since last weeks terror bombing, but at least five detonated around the busy Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv.

A blast following a drone attack in Kyiv on Monday. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

The Shahed-136s, supplied by Russias ally Iran, are cumbersome and unsophisticated but still carry an 88-pound warhead, which can wreak immense damage. And at an estimated cost of $20,000 each, they are extremely cheap in comparison to Russias more high-tech but dwindling stockpile of cruise missiles. Ukrainian intelligence claims that Iran has supplied 2,400 of these drones to Russia. The Iranian government still flatly denies these claims in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

One of the Shaheds appeared to have for Belgorod written in Russian on its fuselage, a possible reference to recent Ukrainian attacks on military targets in the Russian city, just 50 miles north of Kharkiv, that has been used as a springboard for the invasion of eastern Ukraine.

Firefighters work after a drone fired on buildings in Kyiv on Monday. (Roman Hrytsyna/AP)

Ukrainian military and police on the ground engaged the incoming UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) with whatever small arms they had to hand  assault rifles, pistols and even shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles. Dramatic footage captured by the Kyiv city polices bodycams showed patrolmen scrambling to engage these winged bombs before taking cover as they detonated yards away from their position. One Ukrainian civilian was even pictured leaning out of his apartment window, firing what appeared to be a shotgun to try to pick them off.

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A police officer fires at a flying drone amid attacks in Kyiv on Monday. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

As of 9 a.m. local time, smoke was pouring from residential and commercial buildings that had caught fire. Ukrainian firefighters and EMTs had already arrived, dousing the flames and attending to civilians who had been wounded as a result of the blasts. A five-story czarist-era building had been half-demolished by one explosion, and rescuers combed through the rubble, looking for survivors. Anxious relatives waited behind the police cordon for any news of their loved ones.

Medics help an injured woman after drones fired on buildings in Kyiv on Monday. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

One of the relatives, Denis Koval, a market trader, had just left the building for work. He told Yahoo News that his 74-year-old grandmother, who lived in the same building, was home when the Iranian drone attacked. When he heard about the blast, he immediately rushed home but found little left of his residence, and his grandmother, Anna, was trapped under the rubble.

Anna was successfully rescued by Ukrainian first responders. Shaken but uninjured, she was taken to the hospital for precautionary medical checks. Rescuers also pulled a shivering and concussed cat, Philya, from the wreckage. The distressed animal was wrapped in a thermal blanket before being taken to a veterinarian.

Ukrainian rescuers save a cat named Philya at a residential building hit by a drone attack in downtown Kyiv on Monday. (Oleg Petrasyuk/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

By midafternoon, Ukrainian authorities had confirmed that four people had been killed in the strikes, including a six-months-pregnant woman, Victoria, and her husband, Bogdan, both 34.

This latest assault on civilian targets came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a news conference on the back of a summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, claimed that he saw no further need for massive strikes on Ukraine.

Smoke rises after a Russian drone strike in Kyiv on Monday. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters)

About a half hour after the air raid alert ended, Kyivs streets returned to normal: filled with heavy traffic and pedestrians.

We arent going to be terrified by Putin, Danylo, a student at Kyiv University and a freelance photographer, told Yahoo News. We know that any agreement that we might make with a terrorist like him would be worthless anyway.
WASHINGTON  Bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate would grant the Pentagon wartime procurement powers, allowing it to buy massive amounts high-priority munitions using multi-year contracts to help Ukraine fight Russia and to refill U.S. stockpiles.

The Senate Armed Services Committees chairman, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and ranking member, Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., proposed the legislation as an amendment to the annual defense authorization bill, which the Senate is expected to vote on in November. It was offered instead of the critical munitions acquisition fund that the Pentagon and some lawmakers sought for the same purposes, before Senate appropriators rejected it.

The amendment, the text of which was released last week, offers multi-year contracting authorities typically reserved for Navy vessels and major aircraft. As drafted, it would let the Pentagon lock in purchases of certain munitions made by Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, BAE Systems and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace over fiscal 2023 and 2024, a step aimed at encouraging manufacturers to expand production lines for sought-after munitions.

The Pentagon would also be permitted to team with NATO to buy weapons for its members in mass quantities, and for Ukraine-related contracts, the legislation would ease several key legal restrictions on Pentagon procurement through fiscal 2024  a sign lawmakers see the war dragging on.

The intent of the legislation is to spur the Pentagon and industry to move more aggressively by removing bureaucratic barriers, with an eye not only on Russia but the potential for a confrontation with China over Taiwan, according to a senior congressional aide who spoke to Defense News on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the press.

Whether you want to call it wartime contracting or emergency contracting, we cant play around anymore, the aide said. We cant pussyfoot around with minimum-sustaining-rate buys of these munitions. Its hard to think of something as high on everybodys list as buying a ton of munitions for the next few years, for our operational plans against China and continuing to supply Ukraine.

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If the language becomes law, the Department of Defense would be allowed to make non-competitive awards to arms manufacturers for Ukraine-related contracts, an idea spearheaded in legislation from Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and 13 other senators.

The Inhofe-Reed amendment would also grant special emergency procurement authorities reserved for contingency operations and waive a requirement that contractors provide certified cost and pricing data, a safeguard intended to help ensure the Pentagon is paying reasonable prices.

Criticism from Capitol Hill

The move comes amid criticism from Capitol Hill and the defense industry that the Pentagon is moving too slowly. Of the $6 billion Congress appropriated this year to buy equipment for Ukraine, DoD has awarded $1.2 billion, and of $12.5 billion appropriated to replace U.S. stockpiles of weapons sent to Ukraine, just $1.5 billion has been awarded, the Pentagon said Sept. 20.

This is an effort to speed up contracting, said Mark Cancian, a defense budget analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Weve been hearing from industry, when we talk to them about this issue, that they want to see a demand signal. DoD has been saying the right things but they havent been providing that demand signal. And when you look at the amount of money actually obligated, its very low.

One aim of the amendment is to signal to the defense industry that its time to restart or to re-energize dormant supply lines. Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet said during a July earnings call that the Pentagon had yet to put the contracts in place or coordinate with industry to buy more supplies, a process that could take two to three years. And I can tell you the clutch isnt engaged yet, Taiclet said.

While the legislation will likely be welcomed by the defense industry, Julia Gledhill, a defense analyst in the Center for Defense Information at the non-partisan watchdog group Project on Government Oversight, said Monday that Congress should leave protections against defense spending bloat in place.

Ukraine aid shouldnt be another way for contractors to nickel and dime the Pentagon, wasting taxpayer dollars and undermining the purpose of assistance: to support the Ukrainian people, Gledhill said. But the amendment further deteriorates already weak guardrails in place to prevent corporate price gouging of the military.

Ukraine invasion prompts congressional push for a new look at Patriot missile defense needs

Mobilizing munitions manufacturing

Concerned about constraints on the U.S. defense industrial bases ability to produce munitions to resupply U.S. stocks transferred to Ukraine, Congress this year appropriated $600 million in Defense Production Act funding. Some of the money is to expand domestic capacity and invest in domestic production of strategic and critical materials.

The Senate Armed Services Committee authorized $2.7 billion for future munitions production when it advanced the FY23 NDAA in June. And while multi-year contract authorities could save the Defense Department money on munitions procurement over annual contracts, they could also add several billion dollars more per year in non-discretionary spending to the defense budget topline  an annual, contentious debate in Congress.

The House NDAA, which passed 329-101 in July, contains a more limited critical munitions acquisition fund offered as an amendment from the House Armed Services Committees chairman, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash. That amendment would apply only to high-demand munitions transferred to Ukraine and its European neighbors.

The sheer volumes of weapons that the legislation authorizes contracts for equipment sent to Ukraine includes 750,000 XM1128 and XM1123 rounds for 155mm artillery; 1,000 M777 Howitzers; 700 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and 100,000 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.

But it extends far beyond what the U.S. needs to replenish stocks sent to Ukraine. For instance, it authorizes contracts to procure up to 20,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and 25,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles. That far exceeds the approximately 1,400 Stingers and 5,500 Javelins that the U.S. has sent to Ukraine from its stocks.

These numbers are much larger than just replenishing stocks, said Cancian. These are huge numbers. They are not driven by what weve given to Ukraine, but sort of related to what weve given to Ukraine.

This isnt replacing what weve given them, he added. Its building stockpiles for a major ground war in the future. This is not the list you would use for China. For China wed have a very different list.

The amendment also authorizes buying up to 30,000 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles; 36,000 AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles; 1,000 Harpoon missiles; 800 Naval Strike Missiles; and 10,000 Patriot Advanced Capability - 3 air defense system and 6,000 MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems.

The proposed legislation also authorizes contracts for 20,000 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air missiles, which Ukraine has not fired extensively  if at all. Britain announced last week that it would donate these AMRAAM rockets to Kyiv for its use in the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, which the United States has pledged to provide in the future via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

Co-production with NATO

To that end, the legislation aims to facilitate co-production of weapons systems with NATO allies. For example, the proposed legislation also authorizes sharing designs for the large-caliber cannon, which Cancian noted was developed by Britain.

In a separate provision that would allow bulk weapons purchases between the U.S. and NATO, the amendment would expand existing authorizations that cover NATOs bulk purchases of logistics support items, like fuel, to cover acquisitions of any kind. The idea is that the U.S. and allies would be able to pool resources for artillery shells and other weapons and potentially save costs by buying together.

European countries are focused on boosting the defense industrys production capacity to provide for countries future needs and to backfill stockpiles sent to Ukraine.

While U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Brussels last week, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance had decided to increase stockpiles of munitions and equipment  and to speed up aid deliveries to Ukraine.

Because allies are digging deeper into their stocks to be able to provide more support to Ukraine, its important that we also are able to ramp up production, Stoltenberg said, adding that emerging NATO plans would provide industry with the long-term demand it need to boost production.

Austin led a meeting of Ukraine donor nations in Brussels where the defense chiefs discussed how to keep supplying Ukraine in the difficult months and years ahead and pushed to galvanize our industrial bases to fire up production for the systems to defend Ukraine, even while meeting our own security needs.

In Washington last week, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agencys director, James Hursch, projected U.S. arms sales would increase continuously over the next three years as the conflict fuels demand from Europe.

They are drawing lessons from the conflict that we see today about the kinds of systems they need to have, Hursch said, projecting demand for armored vehicles, precision fires and integrated missile defense systems.
(Photo: via Getty Images)

(Photo: via Getty Images)

The first few weeks of my sons life were filled with ups and downs and a fair amount of crying  both his and mine. The intense psychological transformation to motherhood and the plunge in my hormone levels post-birth conspired to make me a less stable version of my former self.

I noticed, in particular, a sense of dread unfurling up from the pit of my stomach as the afternoon wore on. I knew night was coming. And I didnt know how I could manage to survive another one.

We had a co-sleeper bassinet carefully anchored to one side of our bed and a crib in the nursery, adjusted to the appropriate newborn height. The crib mattress fit the crib snugly and was encased in single fitted sheet made of organic cotton with rainbow-colored polka dots.

My wife and I had spent countless hours carefully selecting these items, then more hours putting everything together and preparing the nursery for our baby. The night I managed to fit a decorative, brightly-colored bedskirt under the rungs of the crib, I woke up several hours later and had my first contraction.

Our sons arrival was the culmination of years of effort, multiple sperm donors and fertility specialists, two rounds of IVF and many, many thousands of dollars in savings, gifts and credit card debt.

We were not the kind of people interested in taking any risk, no matter how tiny, with our infant. He would sleep flat on his back, on a firm surface, at a safe distance from us, his parents.

Except he refused.

On those long, dark nights after nursing him to sleep, Id rise from the recliner and attempt to lift him over the cribs top rail and down onto the cool mattress  but once he got there, in fact usually before, he would rouse and start rooting around for my nipple again, then grunt into a full-blown squeal until I pulled him back up to me, latched him on and returned to the chair to start the whole thing over again.

After a few rounds of this, my eyelids began sliding shut as soon as his, and Id wake later with a start, terrified that Id wedge him against the armrest somehow and kill him.

Story continues

One night, my wife entered the nursery when I didnt come back to bed and found the baby sleeping against my thigh. He had slid all the way down there in his sleep, and in mine.

This isnt safe, my wife observed, logically. Just come get in bed.

So we did. I chucked the pillows to the ground, kicked the covers down below my feet, and like human mothers have done for many thousands of years, I laid on my side, rested my head on my shoulder and nursed my baby to sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, he was fine. So was I  in fact, I felt much better than I had since before my labor began. Id gotten several solid hours of rest.

Finally, the clouds had parted, allowing a thin ray of light to shine through. If I could sleep at night while I nursed him, then maybe this whole motherhood thing was possible.

The American Academy of Pediatrics takes a firm stance against bed-sharing.

It turns out that my wife was right about the chair. Its up to 67 times more dangerous to sleep with a baby on a soft surface like an armchair or sofa, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

In the newly-revised guidelines that they released in July, the AAP reiterated the importance of placing babies on their backs to sleep, and doubled down on the recommendation against bed-sharing that had kept me trying to stay awake in that chair all those nights.

Admitting that this mode of infant sleep has been the norm for most of human history, the guidelines state:

The AAP understands and respects that many parents choose to routinely bed share for a variety of reasons, including facilitation of breastfeeding, cultural preferences, and belief that it is better and safer for their infant. However, based on the evidence, we are unable to recommend bed sharing under any circumstances.

Note that while the AAP does not condone bed-sharing, which is what I was doing lying on my side and nursing my baby to sleep, they do recommend co-sleeping, or room-sharing, for at least the first six months. This was what we had attempted to do with the co-sleeper, where the baby sleeps nearby but on a separate surface.

The reality that parents quickly learn when theyre breastfeeding is that somethings gotta give in the first few weeks.Diana West, an international board certified lactation consultant

My baby did not want a separate surface, however. He wanted to be able to reach my breast with his mouth.

While I sometimes felt like a failure, or like I must be going crazy, during those first weeks of my sons life, there is also research to back up my experience.

In a study published this September in the journal Biology, which received a great deal of media attention for its proposed mathematical formula of getting a baby to sleep, researchers also found that babies heart rates increased most at the moment of detachment from the mother.

This sounded precisely like my children. As infants, they would happily nurse to sleep and lay cuddled against me all night long, nursing on and off, but the moment I peeled their sticky little bodies off of me to try to put them down, or even just to get up to pee, it was game over. They seemed hardwired to sleep beside another human.

The AAP continues to recommend room-sharing for the first six months because it is associated with a lower risk of SIDS, and because it facilitates breastfeeding, which is also associated with a lower risk of SIDS, in spite of a 2017 study finding that parents were up to four times more likely to bring babies into the bed when they were sharing a room.

Of her failed attempts to get her daughter to stay in her co-sleeper, a friend of mine once told me, she can smell me. I know it.

Bed-sharing is much more common than people let on  or tell their pediatricians about.

I felt like the AAP guidelines contradicted themselves, and this was before the 2022 updates increased the breastfeeding recommendation to two years from one. If the baby is in the room, and the baby is breastfeeding, odds are that the baby will end up in the bed at some point.

Repeatedly, studies have borne this out.

Professor Helen Ball is the head of the Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre in Durham, England. The sleep center, formerly known as the sleep lab, is where Ball and her colleagues in the department of anthropology have spent over 20 years studying infants sleep.

We did a prevalence survey in the U.K. and found that about 50% of all babies in the first three months were spending some time in bed with their parents, Ball told HuffPost.

That was in 2004. Subsequent surveys have reproduced similar results, she said, with higher breastfeeding rates correlating with higher rates of bed-sharing.

All of those people were doing it... with no information about what might be safe and unsafe. They were just told not to do it.Helen Ball, head of the Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre in Durham, England

Even in the U.S., bed sharing is a frequent, yet unspoken, occurrence.

In a 2015 study, 61.4% of respondents from 14 states reported bed-sharing with an infant, with 37% saying they did so rarely or sometimes, and 24.4% reported often or always.

It seems to me that we were massively under-acknowledging the amount of bed-sharing that happens in Western countries, said Ball. Therefore, that meant that all of those people . . . were doing it with no information about what might be safe and unsafe. They were just told not to do it.

Data shows that bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS, but its a little more nuanced than that.

While I knew that bed-sharing was the most instinctual thing for me and my son to do  and I had several new mom friends at the time doing the same  I was never convinced that it was safest. Just because something feels natural doesnt mean it offers the best odds of survival, does it?

The truth is that about 3,400 infants under age 1 die every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These deaths are labeled under Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths, and the CDC breaks them down into three categories: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), unknown cause, and accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed.

In 2020, 41% of these deaths were categorized as SIDS, 32% as unknown, and 27% as accidental suffocation or strangulation.

The rate of SIDS waned significantly in the 1990s, after the AAP came out with its safe sleep recommendations, and the Safe to Sleep campaign blanketed the country in public safety messages. But the rates of unexplained suffocation or strangulation deaths have held steady over the past few decades, even rising slightly  though this may have to do with how the deaths are classified more than their cause, which in many cases is unknown.

While many of the deaths  such as those from SIDS  were not preventable, what if some of them were? 3,400 is a lot of shattered families.

Emily Oster, an economist and author, examines and contextualizes the risk of bed-sharing in her bestselling book Cribsheet. Using data from a 2013 meta-analysis (a study of studies) published in the British Medical Journal, Oster shows that the risk of infant death increases significantly when bed-sharing occurs with an infant who is bottle-fed, whose parent smokes, or when a parent has been drinking.

While it remains quite small, the risk of SIDS does increase for a baby who bed-shares, even in the absence of these factors, going from 0.08 deaths per 1,000 births to 0.22 deaths per 1,000 births. This is significantly lower than the overall infant mortality rate of 5 deaths per 1,000 births. Oster explains in the book, A perhaps more useful way to say this is that among families with no other risk factors, roughly 7,100 of them would have to avoid co-sleeping to prevent one death.

The question is, is it feasible or realistic to keep that many babies out of their parents beds, all night, every night, for the first year of their lives? And, perhaps more urgently, how do the AAP guidelines limit what pediatricians are able to say to their patients?

To tell people just dont do something that nature tells them to do, it is not only not going to be successful, theyre going to go underground.Diana West

Dr. Jill Wright, a pediatrician at UNC health, told HuffPost that she sticks to the AAP guidelines when talking to families about infant sleep.

I have had that happen to a patient, to an infant, and its a tragedy  a preventable tragedy, said Wright.

There is good evidence that bed-sharing can increase the risk of infant death, she said, adding that there are a lot of things that further increase the risk.

As to the idea of safer bed-sharing, Wright reiterated that the AAP said no bed-sharing under any circumstances, and that she would advise families to have that safe surface easily accessible in the parents room.

Other American doctors quoted in the media implore parents not to bed-share, saying that there is no reason to do so.

As Dr. John Cox in Ohio recently told a local TV news station, I know moms are tired, and youre nursing frequently, and youre feeding frequently throughout the nighttime. You can easily have that bassinet right in your room right next to you, so when youre done, you put that baby there so you can get the proper rest.

But you can only get rest if the baby remains asleep. Otherwise youre just lying there listening to them cry, wondering what on earth youre supposed to do next.

The reality that parents quickly learn when theyre breastfeeding is that somethings gotta give in the first few weeks, Diana West, an international board certified lactation consultant and the author of Sweet Sleep, told HuffPost.

Some parents turn to infant formula or attempt to sleep-train their babies. And some of us bring the baby into the bed.

The U.K. has a different approach in educating parents about safe sleep.

The U.K. offers a model for a way to discuss sleep safety while acknowledging the utility, and the prevalence, of bed-sharing. Ball calls it a risk minimization strategy.

West likens it to teaching safer sex instead of abstinence only. To tell people just dont do something that nature tells them to do, it is not only not going to be successful, theyre going to go underground.

The U.K. guidelines, released in 2019, speak of a clear sleep space, acknowledging that bed-sharing  whether planned or unplanned  is common, but that it is much more dangerous on a sofa or armchair.

The guidelines advise people not to bed-share with an infant if the baby was preterm or low birth weight, if the parents drink or use drugs, or if either parent smokes  in addition to the general safe sleep advice that says to put babies on their backs, without any bedding or other objects and making sure the room doesnt get overheated. They also recommend that bed-sharing parents should keep pets and other children out of the bed, and prevent the baby from falling or getting trapped between the mattress and the wall.

Parents are very happy about the change in the [U.K.] guidelines, said Ball. They dont have to hide their behavior anymore. They dont feel judged. They dont feel stigmatized, she said.

The Lullaby Trust, Unicef UKs Baby Friendly Initiative and the Baby Sleep Info Source collaborated to write these safer sleep guidelines for the U.K. Previous guidelines, written by the Department of Health and the Lullaby Trust, included this sentence: The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a cot by your

bed.

International organizations like La Leche League and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine also offer guidelines for safer bed-sharing. The latters website states: All parents should be educated on safe bed-sharing, with the understanding that bed-sharing is very common, and when bed-sharing is unplanned, it carries a higher risk than planned bed-sharing.

My daughter was born when my son was 4 years old. I set up the co-sleeper for her and put her down there on her first night home. When she woke, however, I nursed her back to sleep against my curled body  the shape that Ball said she watched all the mothers take in her sleep lab.

During her first year of life, she spent most of her nighttime hours in the bed beside me  but not once did I fall asleep with her in the armchair or on the couch. I nursed her for 21 months. Theres no way to know whether all this prevented her death or put her at risk.

But I never told my pediatrician where she slept.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
Lions Rescued From Ukraine Find New Home in U.S.

(CNN)  Nine lions that were rescued from Ukraine have arrived safely at their new home in Colorado.

The big cats were urgently relocated from Bio Park Zoo in Odessa, Ukraine, when the Russian invasion first began, according to a news release from The Wild Animal Sanctuary.

A convoy transported the lions from Odessa across Moldova to Romania; their journey stretched for over 600 miles, says the sanctuary. They arrived at the Targu Mures Zoo in Romania's Transylvania region on May 24.

The lions spent months at the zoo waiting for an emergency travel permit so they could board a rescue flight, according to the sanctuary. They finally arrived in their final homes on September 29.

Seven adult lions and two cubs from the rescued pride are now being cared for by The Wild Animal Sanctuary, a nonprofit based in Keenesburg, Colorado. The lions will live at an extension of the sanctuary called The Wild Animal Refuge, which consists of almost 10,000 acres of land near Springfield, Colorado. The facility is not open to the public, according to the sanctuarys website.

Another two lions were sent to the Simbonga Game Reserve and Sanctuary in Eastern Cape, South Africa, says the release. On Facebook, the South African reserve said they received two lions, Mir and Simba, who had been rescued from Ukraine and then stayed in Romania.

Pat Craig, The Wild Animal Sanctuarys executive director, highlighted the complexity of the feline rescue mission.

International rescue operations are almost always more complex in nature, but then you are factoring in a variety of foreign governments and timelines for permitting, some of those with active war zones, Craig said in the release. We are thankful we could get all the lions out in time and save them. Thats what matters. They will live out the rest of their lives in pristine, large, natural habitats.

The-CNN-Wire

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A woman admitted to police that she fired a shot while she was working at a local Dixie Queen.

Erica Ousley, 31, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after she fired a shot into the air during work hours.

On Oct. 9, a woman reported to the Memphis Police Department (MPD) that Ousley, who is an employee at Dixie Queen located in the 4000 block of Third Street, got into a verbal fight with the victim over a refund for her order, an affidavit said.

According to court documents, Ousley went outside, retrieved a handgun from her car and fired a shot into the air which placed the victim in fear of being shot.

The suspect admitted to officers on the scene that she fired a shot, court records show.

The victim positively identified Ousley from a photo lineup as the person responsible for firing a shot.

She is due in court on Monday morning and has a $10,000 bond.

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A CTA #4 Cottage Grove bus makes a stop on Oct. 6, 2022. The CTA says it is working on a plan to make buses faster and more reliable across the city. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Karen Jackson takes the Cottage Grove bus from Chicagos Far South Side to her job in Woodlawn, joining thousands of others each day who rely on the busy route that connects residents to schools, jobs, hospitals and downtown.

So when the bus doesnt show up as scheduled, Jackson and other riders are left in a lurch. Students say they have been late to school and commuters late to their jobs. Jackson pays for ride-shares to the health center where she works when the bus fails to arrive.

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The citys buses provide millions of rides a month to residents who find them more convenient than trains, feel safer on them or who live in swathes of the city not served by train lines. But the CTA, like transit agencies nationwide, has long faced concerns about the speed and reliability of buses that get stuck in traffic and tangled in road construction, and recently has struggled with pandemic-era complaints about service and safety on both buses and trains.

Unreliable buses that fail to arrive as scheduled, then arrive in quick succession bunched together, can force riders to turn instead to private cars, community leaders and transit experts said. That can have repercussions for community development and families health and pocketbooks, effects often felt disproportionately by low-income communities and people of color, they said.

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Unreliable service is like a broken promise, said Steven Higashide, director of research at the New York-based advocacy organization TransitCenter and author of the book, Better Buses, Better Cities: How to Plan, Run and Win the Fight for Effective Transit.

Three CTA #4 Cottage Grove buses arrive at the same time at East 63rd Street and South Cottage Grove Avenue on Oct. 6, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

CTA measures on-time service partly by whether riders are experiencing long wait times at bus stops. In June, July and August, between 13% and 14% of gaps between bus arrivals citywide were considered extra long, meaning they were at least 15 minutes and double the scheduled wait time, according to the most recent available CTA data.

Though not the only bus route to have a higher rate of long wait times, Cottage Grove riders have experienced more long gaps between bus arrivals than average in recent months, including in June, when 23% of bus intervals at a stop were extra long. The rate hovered between 21% and 22% in July, August and September, according to the CTA.

Through the first half of this year the Grand Avenue, Chicago Avenue and #67 buses were also among those that frequently had some of the highest rates of long wait times each month, as did several express buses.

A number of factors contribute to unreliable service, and the CTA said long, busy routes that run through the congested downtown, like the Grand, Chicago and Cottage Grove buses, are especially prone to big gaps at stops and bunching.

The agency has also said a driver shortage is partly to blame for long wait times, and it is hiring operators and changing schedules as a result.

The CTA and the city are working on a plan to make buses faster and more reliable across the city. Called Better Streets for Buses, it is intended to provide a framework of corridors to prioritize for buses, which could include Cottage Grove, and ideas to improve service like changes to traffic signals, better bus stops and dedicated bus lanes.

But a final plan is not expected to come out until early 2023, and past efforts to prioritize buses on roads have run into pushback from car-driving commuters.

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In the meantime, the city and the CTA have undertaken measures at various places across the city. The Loop Link network downtown debuted in late 2015, putting in place dedicated bus lanes and enhanced stations, among other features. Plans this year and next call for installing a bus lane along parts of Chicago Avenue, and near West 79th Street and Columbus and Kedzie avenues on the South Side putting in bus-only lanes and signals that allow buses to jump the queue at a light.

Keisha Moore waits along with others for the notoriously slow and unreliable CTA #4 Cottage Grove bus, in Chicago, on Oct. 6, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Fifty bus boarding islands, which allow buses to stop and board passengers without pulling out of a lane of traffic, are scheduled to be installed in 2022 and 2023. The Chicago Department of Transportation received a federal grant to expand transit signal priority to more bus routes in the coming years, which extends a green light to allow an approaching bus to pass through the intersection.

On the #4 Cottage Grove route, the CTA recently reinstated an express bus during morning and evening rush periods in an effort to speed buses along the corridor. But for many passengers, getting to work, school and appointments on time remains a concern.

The Cottage Grove bus runs through Pullman and along commercial corridors, past Chicago State University, the UChicago Medicine and Insight Hospital and Medical Center, to the Chicago River downtown. On recent weekday trips, the bus was packed with adults and backpack-wearing teens, while commuters toting shopping bags and strollers waited to board.

Chris Franklin, 41, regularly takes the bus south to pick up his daughter from high school. Often, his 5-mile trip can take an hour and a half in the middle of the afternoon, he said.

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Some buses on the route end at 95th Street, blocks before his stop, meaning he has to get off and transfer to another #4 running an extended route farther south. Other times, he has to wait as drivers change shifts along the route.

My thing is, why cant we have more service? he asked.

With her car out of commission, Deshaunna Booker, 30, relied on the bus to head north along Cottage Grove to the UChicago Medicine , where she works transporting patients in the hospital. Earlier in the day she had taken a bus south and west to drop off her daughter for her first-grade class.

The bus is often late, she said, with long wait times between runs. She called for more buses.

This is our main bus to get us from home to there to here, she said.

Buses that successfully get people from home to school to work are key to the success of efforts to boost dense retail and residential development near transit, said Roberto Requejo, executive director of Elevated Chicago, a coalition of groups that has worked to promote equitable development near transit.

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A person stands on the street hoping to spot a CTA #4 Cottage Grove bus at 63rd Street in Chicago on Oct. 6, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

In recent years, development has sprung up at the intersection of 63rd and Cottage Grove along the bus route, which is also a Green Line train terminal. Though community leaders have so far been able to work around it, unreliable bus service is an added hurdle to overcome, Requejo said.

If you dont even provide that service that people deserve, you are limiting very much what can be possible, he said.

Many communities that have faced disinvestment still have bus routes, but unreliable service adds another challenge for the community, he said. Though not a valid reason, it provides one more excuse for developers looking to bypass a community, said Lesle Honore, a community activist and writer who works with Elevated.

Compounding the problem is that public transit often fails to take into account people who work nontraditional or multiple jobs, who are not commuting to a 9-to-5, she said.

It means youre late to school, it means youre late to work, she said. It means your route to get groceries or to go to the doctor is even longer than it already is long, because youre living in a food desert or because your nearest clinic is a gazillion miles away. It continues to highlight how Black and brown communities have been disinvested, how they have been looked over.

The CTA attributed the high rate of long waits along the Cottage Grove route partly to crowding, along with the length of the route and contending with downtown traffic. The bus has a high number of boardings and disembarkation, meaning it makes nearly every stop along its route, the CTA said. Crowds waiting to board a bus force it to stop longer, putting it further behind schedule.

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The garage out of which the route operates also has a high number of bus operator vacancies, the CTA said.

The route is among several slated for schedule tweaks later this fall, the agency said.

Improving service across the city will mean adding drivers and making changes to city streets and infrastructure to boost bus service, spokesperson Brian Steele said.

The CTA is absolutely committed to improving the service, he said. On this route in question, roughly 77% of the service in the month of June was on schedule. While that number is OK, its not good enough, and we are committed to making it better.

Tools like those under consideration in the Better Streets for Buses plan can help make buses less susceptible to traffic, removing variability, Higashide said. But without first addressing job quality to improve a nationwide driver shortage, transit agencies will be limited in improving service, he said.

Passenger Angela Jackson, left, rides a CTA #4 Cottage Grove bus after dropping off her son at school on Oct. 6, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

The CTA could move faster to get the Better Streets for Buses plan finalized, he said. The plan involves gathering community input and taking time to do so is important, but some interim bus prioritization efforts can be put in place temporarily while its gathered, with easy-to-remove paint and cones, he said.

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With Chicagos grid, it is as close as you could get to a perfect city for great bus service, he said. So theres no excuse for not speeding it up.

But Angela Jackson, a regular Cottage Grove bus rider, said she would rather see CTA hire more bus operators. She was concerned about the potential for a bus-only lane to take away space for parking and said any kind of roadwork for buses feels too far off to help speed up the slow bus she relies on.

She was regularly late to her former job after taking the bus from near Hyde Park into downtown to drop her son off at his elementary school, then heading back south for work.

Were paying to get on the bus, and yall not taking us home, she said.

sfreishtat@chicagotribune.com
In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Shekel Brainweigh Ltd. (ASX:SBW) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Shekel Brainweigh

The Calculation

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$400.0k US$566.4k US$734.5k US$891.2k US$1.03m US$1.15m US$1.24m US$1.33m US$1.39m US$1.45m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Est @ 41.59% Est @ 29.68% Est @ 21.34% Est @ 15.5% Est @ 11.41% Est @ 8.55% Est @ 6.54% Est @ 5.14% Est @ 4.16% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 9.7% US$0.4 US$0.5 US$0.6 US$0.6 US$0.6 US$0.7 US$0.7 US$0.6 US$0.6 US$0.6

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$5.0m

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.9%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.7%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$1.5m (1 + 1.9%)  (9.7% 1.9%) = US$19m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$19m ( 1 + 9.7%)10= US$7.6m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$13m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$0.1, the company appears about fair value at a 7.3% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Shekel Brainweigh as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.664. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Shekel Brainweigh, we've put together three additional elements you should consider:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Shekel Brainweigh you should know about. Future Earnings: How does SBW's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Amber Davies has confirmed that she is dating her West End co-star, Ben Joyce.

The former Love Island winner, who split the 50,000 cash prize with Kem Cetinay during the 2017 season of the reality series, has been starring alongside Joyce in Back To The Future: The Musical since July.

The confirmation that the pair is dating came just a week after Davies split from boyfriend Nick Kyriaco was confirmed.

Davies and Kyriaco dated on and off for two years since 2020, but a source told The Sun last week that the pair had decided to call it quits for good a few weeks prior.

Speaking of her new relationship on Monday morning (17 October) on ITVs Lorraine, Davies said: The plan was to be single for a while and then I accidentally fell in love with my co-star.

Do you know what it is, hes just a ray of sunshine and hes so loved by everyone in the cast. Hes lovely.

She continued: He is an absolute powerhouse of a talent. He was in Jersey Boys, now hes playing Marty and hes one of the kindest, most caring people Ive ever met.

Davies recently hinted at the burgeoning relationship after she posted a picture of the pair on Instagram three weeks ago.

Davies captioned the series of images with: Marty McFlys + 1 for the evening.

The actor announced in July that she would be joining the cast of Back To The Future: The Musical playing the character of Lorraine Baines, the mother of protagonist Marty McFly.

In a post celebrating the appointment on 11 July, Davies wrote: I am over the moon to be joining the West End cast of Back to the Future: The Musical at the Adelphi.

Lorraine Baines, Im coming for you. Let the fun commence!

Davies has previously starred in the Dolly Parton West End show, 9 to 5.
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Pennsylvania elections worker James Savage says the 2020 election gave him two heart attacks. It wasnt the stress of the historic election, Savage alleged in a lawsuit last year: It was alleged harassment from conspiracy-peddling poll watchers.

Two years later, two of the Republican poll watchers named in Savages lawsuit are holding advanced poll watcher training courses in Savages home county. Theyre among a nationwide movement of right-wing figures mobilizing to sow doubt around the midterm elections. Experts fear the campaign could put election workers like Savage in the crosshairs.

Poll watching at voting sites is legal and common. Volunteers, sometimes working on behalf of political parties, observe election proceedings and file complaints when they suspect violations of rules. But after Donald Trumps refusal to accept his 2020 election loss, the poll-watch systemwhich is meant to cultivate trust in electionshas become a hub for conspiracy theorists, with fringe figures terrorizing public servants.

That Fake Newspaper in Your Mailbox Was Paid For by Peter Thiel

A new report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue found a surge in calls for partisan poll watching by Trump fans who preemptively are accusing Democrats of voter fraud.

Katherine Keneally, a senior research manager at the ISD, said some of those conspiracy theories target individual election workers whose identities are shared online.

Unfortunately as a result of the increase in this trend of doxxing and general threats to election workers, offices are having a very difficult time maintaining election workers and hiring because people are fearful that theyll be threatened or their families will be threatened and that their lives are at risk, Keneally told The Daily Beast.

Thats exactly what Savage says happened to him after the 2020 presidential election. Savage worked as a voting machine warehouse supervisor in Pennsylvanias liberal-leaning Delaware County, where he became a boogeyman for two Republican poll watchers, Leah Hoopes and Gregory Stenstrom.

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In social media posts and press conferences, the pair falsely accused Savage of using USB cards to fraudulently upload 50,000 votes for Joe Biden. Those allegations went viral in the weeks after Trumps loss; the then-president even tweeted a reference to the conspiracy theory.

BIG NEWS, Trump tweeted on Nov. 27, 2020. Pennsylvania Poll Watcher: USB Drives uploaded to machines, gave Biden thousands of votes. Says 47 USB Drives are now missing. EVERY UPLOAD GAVE BIDEN 50,000 VOTES.

The hoax led to threats at Savages home and a physical confrontation at his office, where he says two men accosted him and demanded to search his belongings on behalf of the voters. Savage claims the stress put his health into a precipitous decline.

They put him in the hospital twice. They gave him two heart attacks and damn near killed him, Savages attorney, Conor Corcoran told The Daily Beast.

Reached by phone, Hoopes declined to comment unless in a recorded Zoom meeting. She did not return questions sent via email. Stenstrom did not return requests for comment.

Despite Savages lawsuit, Hoopes and Stenstrom have gone on to advertise their model of poll watching to other Trump fans. In August, the pair published a book about supposed election malfeasance in Delaware County. And this month, the duo is hosting an advanced poll watcher training class in the county. (Reading their book before the training seminar is highly recommended the event page reads.)

Cant take the stripes off that zebra, Corcoran said when asked about the training program.

Roger Stone Threw a Fit After Not Getting Pardon, Called Ivanka Abortionist Bitch

Pennsylvania is primed for rapid spread of midterm election conspiracy theories, Keneally said.

Often other conspiracy theories will be predominantly limited to fringe platforms like Gab and Telegram, she said. But in some of our key states or swing states, like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Arizona those conspiracies are transitioning from fringe to mainstream. And so that's where theyre able to garner increased attention.

Paranoiac poll watcher programs are under way in other states. A Reuters report found that this seasons primary elections have been riddled with complaints of aggressive poll observers, including in Nevada, where people stood outside a polling place with cameras and night vision goggles, and Colorado, where people filmed election workers and pounded on windows.

Hoopes and Stenstroms course isnt even the only partisan training program for Pennsylvania poll watchers. The conspiracy group Audit the Vote PA has led a months-long campaign to enroll its followers as poll watchers, and hosts weekly trainings on poll monitoring.

ATVPA promotes fringe projects, like a quest to get rid of all electronic voting machines for fear that Democrats will alter them. But the conspiracy groups webpage on poll watchers funnels readers into training courses hosted by the more mainstream GOP, with a link encouraging readers to sign up for training sessions hosted by the states Republican party.

A signup site shows that Pennsylvanias Republican party is hosting at least 50 such training courses, including one specifically billed as a Moms 4 Liberty training event. (Another event at a Hanover-area Perkins restaurant, billed as a buy your own meal and eat while you learn seminar currently has 48 of its 50 available spots open.)

The Pennsylvania GOP is not alone in its call for poll watchers. Georgias Democratic party has recruited poll watchers in previous elections, and the Democratic National Committee told Politico this summer that it trains poll watchers to help every eligible voter cast a ballot.

But some official Republican efforts have taken on a more paranoid tone than their Democratic counterparts. The Republican National Committee hosts a poll watcher signup website that reads, in part, As Democrats continue their unconstitutional assault on our most basic voting protections, the GOP is stepping up to protect free and fair elections. But we need your help with this critical work if we are going to be successful at preserving Election Integrity in our great Nation.

A slideshow from a Pennsylvania Republican poll watcher training seminar, reviewed by The Daily Beast, appears to anticipate controversial claims from poll watchers. (Reached for comment, the PA GOP did not confirm whether or not it used the slide.) Under a dont column, the slideshow instructs volunteers not to commit defamation or make unsubstantiated accusations.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Kim Kardashian photographed in 2019. Deputies arrested a man on suspicion of trespassing outside her Hidden Hills home Saturday. (Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press)

Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies arrested a man outside Kim Kardashians Hidden Hills home Saturday morning on suspicion of battery and trespassing.

The suspect, who is in his early 20s, had been detained by private security guards when deputies arrived at 10:51 a.m., Deputy Tracy Koerner said.

The suspect was not on Kardashians property and had no interaction with the reality TV star and mega-influencer, or any members of her family, Koerner said.

Security guards told the Sheriffs Department that the man had walked into a secure residential area of the gated Hidden Hills neighborhood. When the guards tried to detain him, a brief fight broke out. No injuries were reported.

Kroener said deputies contacted the suspect several times in the past, and he is known to have a fascination with Kardashian.

Earlier this month, Kardashian agreed to pay $1.26 million in penalties to the Securities and Exchange Commission after plugging a cryptocurrency on social media without disclosing what she was compensated for promoting it. She also vowed not to advertise any form of cryptocurrency for the next three years.

In August, she was also named as one of the more than 2,000 customers who were issued notices of exceedance by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, indicating that they had surpassed 150% of their monthly water budgets at least four times since the agency declared a drought emergency at the end of last year.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Atlanta police released new details on the murder of a man found dead in the driveway of a vacant lot in Buckhead last week.

Investigators say 57-year-old Christopher Eberhart, a Gainesville framer who was waiting to start construction, was found shot to death in an upscale Buckhead neighborhood on Oct. 13.

Police announced on Monday that a suspect connected to his death, identified as 18-year-old Travis Landrey, is now in custody.

Around 4:30 a.m., Atlanta police stopped a car they believe was stolen near I-75 at Moores Mill Road. Officers say the car with two men inside sped off. The officer found the car overturned on Northside Parkway a short time later.

Only one suspect, Braylon Espree, was in the car when officers found it. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was treated and later released.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The second suspect, later identified as Landrey, escaped before officers arrived and was walking around Buckhead with a gun looking for another car to steal, according to police.

Investigators believe that Landrey found Eberhart sitting in his GMC Sierra pickup truck and confronted him just after 7 a.m. During the confrontation, Landrey shot Eberhart several times and stole his truck.

Landrey and Espree met back up with each other after Espree was released from the hospital at 9:30 a.m., according to police.

TRENDING STORIES:

The pair were later found Thursday in the stolen truck traveling down Interstate 65 southbound in Mobile County, Alabama and subsequently arrested. Police believe they were traveling back to their home in Louisiana.

At that time, Landrey and Espree were charged with stealing Eberharts car.

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Based on evidence police found in the car, they charged Landrey with murder, hijacking a motor vehicle, felony murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Espree was in the hospital at the time of the murder, so he is not facing charges related to Eberharts death at this time.

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Investigators say that Landrey and Espree were in the Atlanta area after taking a Greyhound bus from Lafayette, Louisiana to Atlanta on October 9 and staying in a hotel in Canton for several days before beginning to make their way back home.

Both are being held in Mobile County, Alabama.
An impaired man who was parked at a weigh station in Rowley was arrested over the weekend after a state trooper found a collection of illegal firearms, ammunition, and drugs in his vehicle, authorities said.

Stewart Silvestri, 24, of Brookline, is slated to be arraigned Monday in Newburyport District Court on charges of eight counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, 25 counts of possession of a large-capacity weapon or feeding device, multiple counts of possession of a large-capacity firearm in commission of a felony and improper storage of a large capacity firearm, possession of a silencer, possession of a firearm while under the influence, operating under the influence of drugs, and possession of Class A, B, and E narcotics, according to Massachusetts State Police.

A trooper responding to a report of an erratic driver who had pulled into a weigh station on the southbound side of Interstate 95 shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday found Silvestri sitting in a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander that was parked in a dark corner.

State police say the trooper spotted a handgun with a 50-round drum magazine in plain sight in the vehicle and another handgun under the drivers seat.

In total, troopers located seven polymer handguns and an AR-style short-barreled rifle, as well as 34 magazines, 22 various firearm components, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, according to state police.

Silvestri, who was allegedly under the influence of drugs at the time of his arrest, was also said to be found in possession 42 grams of cocaine, 53 suboxone strips, 167 Xanax pills, and 15 grams of liquid GHB.

State police noted that Silvestri may have obtained the weapons in New Hampshire.

An investigation remains ongoing.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Pep Guardiola. Getty/Sergei Gapon

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he was pelted with coins during his side's defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.

"They tried, but didn't get it," he said. "Maybe next [time] they will do it better."

Liverpool said those found guilty will be banned from Anfield for life.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he was pelted with coins by members of the crowd as his side suffered its first defeat of the season against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Guardiola said the items were thrown at him after City midfielder Phil Foden scored what he thought was the opening goal in the 53th minute, only for it to be disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

"All these coins, they tried, but didn't get it," the Spaniard told reporters after the match. "Maybe next [time] they will do it better."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who later in the match was shown a red card for berating an official, condemned the actions of those who allegedly threw the projectiles.

"Oh, horrible. I am sorry. I apologize for that," he said when told about Guardiola's comments. "I had no idea about it. It never should happen, never."

Liverpool added in a statement: "We are aware of an incident involving objects being thrown into the technical area at today's game.

"This is totally unacceptable behaviour and not the standards of behaviour we expect at Anfield.

"This incident will be fully investigated using CCTV and those found guilty will be punished, including a lifetime ban from Anfield Stadium and a possible football banning order."

On a fiery night on Merseyside, Mohamed Salah's 76th minute goal was enough to separate the two sides and end City's unbeaten run this season.

The defeat means the reigning champions now trail Arsenal at the top of the English Premier League table by four points.

Read the original article on Insider
Just like dreams, theres so much to unpack when it comes to human memory. Human memory can be impressive, giving us the ability to memorize the entire periodic table or taking us on a nostalgia train to a childhood birthday. Some memories are long-term, while others are short-lived.

Memories are not always precise recordings of events, Medical News Today reports. Time and context can influence what a person remembers. Different opinions and other peoples memories can also have an effect on your own memories. The human memory is precious, but it can sometimes be so fickle.

When did Richard Nixon resign?: Date, speech, reason for leaving office explained.

What is the Mandela Effect?

According to Cleveland Health, the Mandela Effect is when a group of people misremember an event or detail that never occurred or existed. It is an instance of collective false memory.

This term was coined by paranormal researcher Fiona Broome. In 2009, Broome shared her false recollection of former South African President Nelson Mandela dying while in prison in the 1980s. After sharing her memory online, Broome discovered that she wasnt alone. Many others believed Mandela had died long before his actual death.

In reality, Mandela served 27 years in prison before being released in 1990. In 1994 he became the first democratically elected president of South Africa, stepping down after one term, according to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. He died in 2013.

How old was Jesus when he died?: Why scholars are not in agreement on it.

How old do you need to be president?: Here is what you need to know.

In 2009, paranormal researcher, Fiona Broome had a false recollection of former South African President Nelson Mandela dying while in prison in the 1980s. She learned that she wasn't alone in having this instance of false memory.

Who is the Mandela Effect named after? How did it get its name?

Broome coined the phenomenon the Mandela Effect because of Nelson Mandela's imagined death and the realization that many can collectively misremember something.

Banned books: Why you should read these 31 banned books now

What are some examples of the Mandela Effect?

The Mandela Effect didnt just take place in that one instance about the South African president. Here are some other examples of the Mandela Effect.

Story continues

Looney Tunes

According to the Cleveland Clinic, its a common misconception for people to believe the animated series, Looney Tunes, is spelled with two Os in the latter half of the title. Starring iconic characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd, Looney Toons was never the title of the Warner Bros., production.

Febreze

You might have this at home and use it every day but failed to notice the air freshener brand is spelled Febreze and not Febreeze, Good Housekeeping reports.

Luke, Im your father.

Star Wars gave its fans many iconic moments through the films, but some remember Darth Vader revealing his fatherhood to Luke Skywalker differently. Contrary to popular belief, James Earl Jones doesnt say Luke, Im your father in the 1980 film Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Instead, he says, No, I am your father.

Just Curious: Answering your everyday questions about life, movies, tech, pets and more

What movies have the Mandela Effect?

The Mandela Effect has been more visible in pop culture than anywhere else  from misquoting famous lines to imagining alternate endings to films. Here are some movies that were misremembered in instances of the Mandela Effect.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

When it comes to the timeless Disney classic, everyone remembers the iconic line, mirror, mirror on the wall. However, that's not the evil queens actual line. According to Looper, she says, magic mirror on the wall, when calling on the enchanted object to affirm her beauty.

Casablanca (1942)

The classic romantic drama shows us a glimpse of life during the World War II. Filmed and set in the time period, "Casablanca" was voted one of top 100 greatest films of all time, according to a poll conducted by British Film Institute's Sight and Sound.

One of the lines that's closely associated with the film is the iconic, "Play it again, Sam." However, it's not exactly said in the film. Instead, the heroine Ilsa Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman, urges pianist Sam to play a song the reminisces the past by saying, "play it, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By.'" She repeats her request by saying, "play it once, Sam, for old times' sake," according to Looper.

Perhaps, it was the film "Play it Again, Sam," inspired by "Casablanca" and released in 1972, that lodged the one-liner in people's mind that reminds them of the romantic drama.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Anthony Hopkins won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in the iconic thriller, but how did the cannibalistic serial killer greet FBI trainee, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) in the film? Not with a Hello, Clarice, in his chilling voice like many remember it. Instead, Lecter simply says, Good morning, to the heroine, Looper reports. In everyones defense, Lecter does say Clarice in his deeply disturbing voice in the film.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is the Mandela Effect? Details, movie examples of phenomenon
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office marked vehicle.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man who they say assaulted a deputy Sunday afternoon near Lower Buckeye Road and South 67th Avenue in Phoenix.

Deputies responded to the area around 5:15 p.m. for reports of a person acting erratically and pointing a gun at people, according to the MCSO. After assaulting a deputy, officials say, the man, later identified as Ricardo Alba, barricaded in a home.

The MCSO set up a perimeter with Phoenix police, and Alba was later taken into custody. He was booked on suspicion of assault on an officer and failure to comply with court orders, according to the MCSO.

The deputy had injuries that were not life-threatening and had been released from the hospital by Monday morning.

Reach breaking news reporter Angela Cordoba Perez at Angela.CordobaPerez@Gannett.com or on Twitter @AngelaCordobaP.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: MCSO: Person arrested after assaulting deputy in Phoenix
Illinois is no longer requiring masking in all health care facilities, Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office announced Monday.

Pritzker updated an executive order, which will trigger the masking change. The action marks a milestone in the pandemic and is in line with recently released recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Health care facilities have been among the last public places to still require masks, after other mask mandates were lifted in Illinois earlier this year.

But dont expect masks in hospitals and doctors offices to disappear overnight. Individual health systems can still choose to require masks if they wish. Masks will still also be recommended in health care facilities in areas of high community transmission. Cook and most of its surrounding counties now have substantial but not high levels of community transmission, according to the CDC. DuPage County has a high level of community transmission.

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Representatives of several Illinois hospital systems, including Sinai Chicago, Ascension Illinois and Rush, said Monday they have no plans, at the moment, to drop their masking requirements.

For the safety of our vulnerable patients and associates, we continue to require masking of all patients, visitors and staff within our patient care settings, said Dr. Rick Scott, chief clinical officer for Ascension Illinois, in a statement.

Illinois is also no longer mandating that all health care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19, Pritzkers office said Monday. A federal rule, however, still requires vaccination among health care workers in facilities that accept Medicare and Medicaid, which includes nearly all health care facilities.

As part of the changes, Illinois will no longer require unvaccinated health care workers to test for COVID-19 weekly.

Thanks to the tremendous efforts of our health care workers and residents, Illinois has done better at keeping our people safe with vaccines, boosters, and masking, which puts us in a position to continue to scale back health care requirements in line with the CDC, Pritzker said in a news release.

He urged people to continue wearing masks and testing, however, when they have COVID-19 symptoms.

COVID-19 is on its way to becoming endemic, like the flu, but it still poses a real threat to our immunocompromised and disabled communities, Pritzker said. Here in Illinois, we look out for one another  its what defines us as Illinoisans. Let us continue to live up to those ideals by masking up and testing when we have symptoms and getting COVID-19 booster shots  as I recently did  so that we can protect our neighbors.

As of last week, about 10.5% of eligible Illinois residents had received new, updated COVID-19 boosters, which are designed to protect against COVID-19 broadly as well as the variants now dominant in the U.S.

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A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Ankur Banerjee

It didn't take long for Britain's newest finance minister Jeremy Hunt (that's four finance ministers in four months for those keeping track) to poke holes in Prime Minister Liz Truss's fiscal plans.

While insisting Truss, who is fighting to keep her job, is indeed in charge, Hunt catalogued the mistakes made in the past few weeks and signalled that tighter spending controls and some tax rises are on the way.

"I think what the country wants now is stability."

Monday will test all sides in the UK gilt markets now that the central bank's emergency bond-buying programme has concluded.

Hunt has already spoken to the Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, agreeing on the need to repair the public finances.

Sterling has nudged higher after Truss reversed some of her government's economic plan, not long after she sacked Kwasi Kwarteng as finance minister. Bond investors, however, remained sceptical of the latest U-turn.

Meanwhile, China and Hong Kong stocks fell after Chinese President Xi Jinping quashed hopes of any changes in growth-hitting zero-COVID policies and property sector curbs in a speech on Sunday.

China's major state-owned banks were spotted swapping yuan for U.S. dollars in the forwards market and selling those dollars in the spot market, banking sources told Reuters on Monday.

On the corporate front, the Wall Street Journal reported that Goldman Sachs will combine its investment banking and trading businesses into one unit as part of a major overhaul.

Elsewhere, the yen languished near a 32-year low as markets awaited signs of intervention from Japanese authorities. Over in Washington, Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Masazumi Wakatabe said the yen's recent fluctuations were "clearly too rapid and too one-sided," while the country's authorities kept up their warnings to the market of a firm response to overly rapid declines.

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Key developments that could influence markets on Monday:

Economic events: CPI data from Italy

Speakers: ECB's Luis de Guindos and Philip Lane to speak at different events

(Reporting by Ankur Banerjee; Editing by Wayne Cole and Jacqueline Wong)
Manchester Uniteds Mason Greenwood (PA) (PA Wire)

Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood has appeared in front of a district judge after being charged with attempted rape.

The 21-year-old stood in the dock at Manchester Magistrates Court on Monday also accused of assault and repeatedly engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour.

All three charges relate to the same woman.

The player was first held in January over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online.

He had been on bail since but was arrested in the Trafford area on Saturday for an alleged breach of conditions.

Members of Greenwoods family sat in a full public gallery in the small courtroom, along with members of the press.

Wearing a grey hooded Nike jumper and grey jogging bottoms and flanked by two dock officers, the footballer, of Bowdon, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

The attempted rape is alleged to have taken place in October 2021.

The controlling and coercive behaviour relates to a period between November 2018 and October this year, where he is alleged to have made threatening and derogatory comments towards the complainant, as well as accessing and monitoring her social media accounts.

The charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm is dated December 2021.

The arrangements of Greenwoods bail will be decided later on Monday.

Within hours of the allegations surfacing online at the beginning of the year, the forward  who has made one appearance for England  was suspended from playing or training with the Old Trafford club.

Nike suspended and later terminated its sponsorship deal with Greenwood, while Electronic Arts confirmed his removal from active squads on its Fifa 22 game.
Hello and welcome back to Max Q. Last week was one of those weeks where your head spins with the sheer amount of news/announcements/launches in the space sector. It's a crazy time to be alive, folks! In this issue:

A busy November for... the moon!

Launch companies expanding to new continents

News from SpaceX, Spire and more

If all goes to plan, Floridas Space Coast could see two separate lunar missions take off in November.

Japanese startup ispace said Wednesday it is targeting a launch window of November 9-15 for its first lunar lander mission. Separately, NASA set a trio of possible November launch dates for Artemis I, the first in a series of planned launches to return humans to the moon by the middle of the decade. For NASA, these November dates are backup opportunities after the agency decided to scrub Augusts initial launch attempts due to technical issues.

The two missions are part of an increasingly widespread push amongst private industry and government space agencies to conduct more science and explore commercial activities on our large natural satellite.

ispace's Hakuto-R lander. Image Credits: ispace

Virgin Orbit and Rocket Lab are expanding their launch capacities as each company gears up for inaugural missions from countries that they have never flown from.

For Rocket Lab, thats the United States; for Virgin, thats the United Kingdom (which has never seen an orbital launch, ever). Rocket Lab said Wednesday that the Electron rocket arrived at Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) at Wallops Island, Virginia; Virgins Cosmic Girl 747 airplane touched down at the Newquay Airport in Cornwall, southwest England last week. Virgins LauncherOne rocket is expected to arrive in Cornwall soon.

The missions are major milestones for the two companies. Until now, Rocket Lab has exclusively launched Electron from the companys complex on New Zealands Mahia Peninsula. Meanwhile, Virgin Orbits Cosmic Girl 747 airplane and LauncherOne rocket have only ever taken off from U.S. soil.

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Rocket Lab Electron Virginia

Rocket Lab's Electron arriving in Virginia. Image Credits: Rocket Lab

More news from TC and beyond

Astra landed two contracts for its spacecraft engines: one with Astroscale for use on its Elsa-M satellite bus; and with Earth observation company Maxar. (Astra; Astra)

China launched a synthetic aperture radar satellite from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China, marking the country's 18th successful mission since August. (SpaceNews)

Exotrail , a French startup developing in-space logistics, won a French government contract "worth several million euros" to demonstrate the Exotrail spacevan's ability to change a satellite's altitude and other capabilities. (Exotrail)

Japan's Epsilon rocket experienced a launch failure due to positioning issues, and the country's space agency ordered the vehicle self-destruct seven minutes after take off. This is the first failure for the Epsilon rocket, which has been flying since 2013. (The Japan Times)

NASA's DART mission has officially been declared a success, after the space agency announced the target asteroid's orbit changed significantly due to the impact. (TechCrunch)

Orbit Fab , the "gas stations in space" startup, was awarded $13.3 million to provide fuel for United States Space Force satellites in 2025. (Orbit Fab)

Project Kuiper , Amazon's broadband satellite project, will launch its first two satellites on United Launch Alliance's under-development Vulcan Centaur rocket, and not ABL Space Systems' RS1 rocket as originally planned. Kuiper's agreement with ABL will stay in place for future satellite launches. (Amazon)

Sierra Space is launching a new venture arm, Sierra Space Ventures, to invest in technologies that could be used on Sierra's space platforms, including its planned private space station Orbital Reef. (Sierra Space)

Skyrora's launch ended in failure after the rocket tumbled into the Norwegian sea shortly after lift-off. This was the company's first attempt to reach space with its suborbital Skylark L vehicle. (Skyrora)

Solestial raised $10 million to take its space-grade solar panels from lab to orbit. (TechCrunch)

SpaceX is asking the U.S. governmement to pick up the bill it's been paying for providing Starlink services in Ukraine; Elon Musk said monthly burn is approaching $20 million per month. (CNN; Elon Musk)

SpaceX stacked Booster 7 and Ship 24 on the launch pad in preparation for more testing. Ars Technica's Eric Berger tweeted he heard an orbital test flight may come in the second half of December, which would be a very nice Christmas gift for me! (SpaceX; Eric Berger)

SpaceX will fly billionaire Dennis Tito and his wife on Starship's fourth crewed launch, though it's anyone's guess when that mission might take place. (Bloomberg)

Starlink's roaming service, dubbed "Starlink for RVs," now has more than 100,000 customers. (SpaceX)

United Launch Alliance is targeting the first quarter of next year for the first flight test of the super-heavy Vulcan Centaur rocket. (ULA)

Varda Space , a startup that wants to build factories in space, successfully executed a drop test of a re-entry vehicle in preparation for the first orbital test that will launch aboard SpaceX's Transporter-8 mission. (Varda Space)

Virgin Orbit signed a multi-launch agreement with Spire, with the first launch expected to take place next year. The two companies did not disclose the exact number of launches or the value of the deal. (Virgin Orbit)

Photo of the week

Starship stacked

Stack stack stack stackedy stack. Image Credits: SpaceX (opens in a new window)

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Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell backed her prosecutors after their case against the driver accused of killing a Phoenix police officer fell apart under the weight of faulty evidence.

On Sept. 22, Maricopa Superior Court Judge Joseph Kreamer threw out the negligent homicide case against Nubia Rodriguez in the death of Officer Paul Rutherford.

I am so sorry for the loss of Officer Rutherford, and I wish I wasnt here giving the news to his family, but I am. And Im sorry thats the case, Kreamer said. Im also sorry for the pain that has continued for others, including Ms. Rodriguez. But I have to rule as best I can on the evidence that is in front of me.

Remembering Rutherford: Hundreds attend funeral

The evidence showed that Rutherford, who was crossing four lanes of traffic on March 21, 2019, appeared from a place he shouldnt have been when he was hit, according to Kreamer.

On that day of the accident, Rutherford and another officer investigated a car crash on the eastbound side of Indian School Road just east of the 75th Avenue traffic lights.

They had parked their police SUV across the two lanes closest to the curb to redirect cars around the accident.

Phoenix Officer Paul Rutherford is celebrated at Christ's Church of the Valley in Peoria on March 28, 2019.

This left the left lane and a two-way turn lane open on the eastbound side of Indian School Road.

Rutherford was walking across Indian School Road from the accident to meet with his partner when he was hit crossing the two-way turn lane.

Detective Greggory Gibbs, the crash expert who examined the accident, said in his report, "Rutherford could have also avoided the collision if he had stopped and looked west down the two-way left turn lane prior to entering it.

The scene at Indian School Road near 75th Avenue in Phoenix on March 21, 2019, where a Phoenix police officer was struck while investigating a crash. He later died from the injuries.

Video from nearby businesses showed that Rutherford was not wearing a high visibility vest and had passed in front of a black SUV in the left lane, putting himself in a blind spot to traffic traveling down the two-way turn lane.

Neither piece of evidence was shown to the court when the prosecution asked to charge Rodriguez with negligent homicide on Aug. 20, 2020.

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In April, Rodriguezs lawyers asked the court to reexamine faults in the evidence the state initially used to charge her. The case went back to court where a probable cause hearing was used to charge Rodriguez anew and start the criminal case over.

During a news conference on Oct. 15, Mitchell backed her attorneys when questioned about the case.

We looked at what our prosecutors did in this case, scrutinized it, and didnt find any wrongdoing on their part.

According to Rodriguez's lawyer, Armando Nava, the state prosecution misrepresented data to show that Rodriguez had been speeding and hid the crash experts opinion that Rutherford should have looked farther down the road before walking into traffic.

They claimed that the evidence presented came from a biased Phoenix Police Department investigation.

I dont think Phoenix ever should have been involved in this case, Nava told ABC15. It was clear from the day of the event, they wanted a certain result.

Gibbs told the court during the probable cause hearing that he felt other Phoenix police officers were upset that he had reported that Rutherford could potentially have been at fault in the accident.

Fallen officers: 17 Arizona officers who died in 2019, 2020 honored

ABC15 reported on text messages between the states lead prosecutor, Tiffany Brady, and Detective Michael Davidson, who was a witness in the case.

According to ABC15, Davidson had, in a profanity-laced message to Brady, expressed disdain and contempt for one of the defense lawyers.

Brady messaged back, sarcastically, You really shouldnt hold your feelings in.

During the news conference in October, Mitchell was asked about these messages by reporters.

Could a prosecutor have responded to that differently? Certainly, Mitchell said.

Reach crime reporter Miguel Torres at Miguel.Torres@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @TheMiguelTorres.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: MCAO defends case after it was thrown out due to faulty evidence
YANA OSADCHA  MONDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2022

Viktoria Obidina, a medical worker who had been separated from her four-year-old daughter Alisa by the Russians, has been freed from Russian captivity.

Ukrinform, a state information and news agency of Ukraine, and Mykola Kuleba, Former Children's Ombudsman, have both reported Obidinas release.

She is one of 108 women who were released as a result of another prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia.

"The mother had been in the [Russian] filtration camp on the territory of the [self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic]; meanwhile, relatives were able to take care of her daughter, a native of Zaporizhzhia.

The little Alisa will soon be able to hug her mom! Im happy for the family and overjoyed that they will be reunited," Kuleba wrote.

Viktoria and her Alisa

Viktoria and her daughter Alisa

Viktoria was separated from her daughter Alisa on Mothers Day, in May 2022. The mother was detained in a filtration camp on the territory of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk Peoples Republic", while the child was sent to the city of Zaporizhzhia on her own. Alisas relatives were then able to take her in and care for her.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Matilda Djerf started Djerf Avenue along with her boyfriend, Rasmus, in 2019. Courtesy of Djerf Avenue

Matilda Djerf, 25, is a business owner and influencer with over 2.7 million Instagram followers.

In 2019, she and her boyfriend decided to start Djerf Avenue without a business plan.

Since then, the couple turned what was once their side hustle into a business worth millions.

Matilda Djerf realized she was destined to become an entrepreneur while she was scraping scales off salmon.

Djerf told Insider that when she was younger, she had fought hard to secure a job in a fish shop.

She prepared extensively for her first day of work and spent hours the night before studying YouTube videos on how to slice fish so that when her boss asked if she could filet one, she could say: "Hell yeah, I can."

But as time on the job went on, Djerf said she became frustrated with what she saw as a lack of innovation from the people above her.

"They would always want to do everything in such a traditional way," she said. "Whenever I came up with new ideas, it would always be like, 'No, this is what we usually do.' So I just realized this is not for me."

She pointed to her early career experience as proof that she had long had an entrepreneurial mindset and wanted to be her own boss.

Meet Matilda Djerf, the influencer

Such a fond memory of her youth spent in a fish shop might surprise some, given who Djerf has become.

Speaking to Insider over the phone from her pristine office in Stockholm, the 25-year-old influencer comes across as glamorous, stylish, and incredibly put together.

Not only that, Djerf is one of the most recognizable faces on social media, with over 2.7 million Instagram followers and over 1.2 million TikTok followers.

Over the years, Djerf has inspired countless TikTok tutorials on how to recreate her effortlessly bouncy, Farrah Fawcett-esque hair  at the time of writing, 13.8 billion videos come up on the platform under the search "Matilda Djerf hair."

Djerf and her dog Rufus. Courtesy of Djerf Avenue

Her social-media presence and ability to forecast trends gradually caught the attention of wider media over the years.

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In September, The Cut credited Djerf as part of the reason ballet flats are back in style. And in August, Elle Magazine described her as synonymous with the effortlessly cool Scandi-core aesthetic.

Clearly, Djerf, who was born and raised in Boras, a small town in western Sweden, is no run-of-the-mill influencer.

A fashion brand is born

As Djerf's social-media following increased and she received more opportunities to collaborate with brands in Sweden, she had a light-bulb moment in 2019.

"That's when I told Rasmus I would love to create something on my own and have full control," Djerf told Insider, speaking of her boyfriend and high-school sweetheart, Rasmus Johansson.

She's now the creative director of her eponymous fashion brand, Djerf Avenue, which she started with Johansson.

"It was a shot in the dark. We kind of felt like it could either be a hit or it could be a complete miss."

There's something to be said about Djerf's initial doubts about launching her own brand; she and Johansson didn't have goals, expectations, or even a business plan.

The couple initially wanted to earn money so they could travel.

"We were like, 'OK, if we get up to this level in five years, it'll be a side thing,'" she said. "'We'll be able to, you know, live and travel. It'll be fun.'"

Djerf said she could've never predicted how far she'd go; it was a gamble. But quickly, she said, Djerf Avenue began exceeding their expectations. And three years on, she and Johansson, who is now the label's CEO, can safely say their bets paid off.

Though she declined to confirm her income to Insider, the success of Djerf Avenue is well-documented. In 2021, Vogue reported the brand was making $8 million in sales, and her sales revenue in 2022 is expected to be around $22 million, the New York Times reports.

Accomplishing what she has takes hustle, she told Insider. Djerf said her workdays could last up to 14 hours. She said that one of her main priorities is managing a staff of 20 employees in Sweden and a staff of six in New York.

"Nobody tells you how much time it takes just to talk to everyone in the office or how to be a good boss," she said. "Handling people is such a time-consuming task."

Knowing her worth

As her reputation as one of TikTok's most recognizable beauty-and-fashion influencers grows, Djerf said her ethical approach to the fashion industry hasn't changed.

Djerf said she finds confidence in her moral compass, which guides her through business decisions.

Djerf at work packaging clothing for customers. Courtesy of Djerf Avenue

She's always maintained that Djerf Avenue is a "safe space" for her customers, who she refers to as Djerf Angels, no matter their appearance.

She said that the people who model the clothes shown on the website are actual customers, and that none of the photographs have been retouched.

And she told Insider that fans won't ever catch her at fashion week because fashion shows tend not to represent a diversity of sizes.

"I know that what I'm doing is so good," she told Insider. "I know that I sit on so much knowledge and so much passion, and Djerf Avenue is what it is today because I'm such a big part of it."

Read the original article on Insider
US rapper Megan Thee Stallion showed off her acting chops in more ways than one while hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend.

Aside from appearing in character sketches, Megan also wowed the audience with her British accent during her opening monologue.

I dont want to toot my own horn or nothing, but I think I do a pretty good British accent, she told the New York crowd Saturday (15 October).

Check this out, she said, before breaking into an upper-class English drawl: Put me in Bridgerton, b****.

Jokes aside, Megan did act in the 2020 comedy special Sarah Cooper: Everythings Fine and she recently teased her potential involvement in the final series of Stranger Things.

Megan performed double duty on Saturday, hosting the show and performing Anxiety and a mash-up of her songs NDA and Plan B.

Elsewhere in the show, Jack Harlow was announced as the next host and musical guest for 29 Octobers episode.

And comedians Chloe Fineman and Heidi Gardner spoofed the Texas mother who went viral for warning parents against Disneys new Hocus Pocus sequel.

Saturday Night Live airs on NBC and streams on Peacock at 11:30pm ET and 8:30pm PT on Saturdays.
STORY: Three people were injured in the attack in the south of Irapuato, the city government said in a statement, adding that security officials were trying to track down the assailants.

The motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear. An initial statement by the city had put the death toll at 11.

Guanajuato, a major manufacturing hub and production site for many of the world's top carmakers, has been convulsed in recent years by brutal turf wars between rival drug gangs.

On Sept. 21, gunmen shot dead 10 people in an attack at a bar in the Guanajuato town of Tarimoro, about 60 miles (96 km) southeast of Irapuato.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The Mexican attorney general's office said on Sunday it is investigating the purchase of Pegasus computer spyware by the previous administration and whether it was carried out legally.

In a statement, the office referred to existing probes of two people, including a prominent ex-official, into the use of Pegasus spyware, days after the current government denied it had spied on journalists or critics.

Pegasus belongs to Israeli spyware firm NSO Group, which typically only sells the software to governments or law enforcement organizations.

In the statement, Mexican prosecutors said they were looking at the acquisition of Pegasus by the prior attorney general's office for 457 million pesos ($23 million). They were trying to establish if it had been done with the proper justification, and had followed requisite public tender procedures.

In the second probe, the office said that judicial authorities had received evidence that NSO had been "illegally selling" Pegasus, without providing more details.

NSO did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Earlier this month, NSO told Reuters it licenses Pegasus only to law enforcement and intelligence agencies of sovereign states and government agencies following Israeli government approval, and terminates contracts when wrongdoing is detected.

NSO noted it does not operate Pegasus, has no visibility on its usage, and does not collect information about customers.

The attorney general's announcement was issued nearly two weeks after President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador denied his officials spied on journalists or opponents after a watchdog's report that the phones of at least three people investigating human rights abuses in Mexico were infected with Pegasus.

Lopez Obrador won office in 2018 having pledged during his election campaign to put an end to the government spying on its citizens.

($1 = 20.0200 Mexican pesos)

(Reporting by Dave Graham; Additional reporting by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
LANSING, Mich. The countrys highest-stakes battle over abortion rights is unfolding in Michigan, where polls show voters appear likely to add an explicit right to the procedure in their state constitution.

While abortion-related initiatives are also on the ballot in California, Kentucky, Montana and Vermont, the outcome in Michigan will have the starkest impact  determining whether the states 1931 anti-abortion law remains on the books.

That law, which provides no exceptions for rape or incest, has been blocked by two different lower state courts, though the injunctions could be lifted by the Michigan Supreme Court should the amendment on the ballot in November fail.

If the amendment passes, the state would become the first to overturn an anti-abortion law since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. A yes vote would also bolster abortion rights advocates conviction that ballot initiatives are their most viable path to restoring access in Republican-controlled states. Coming on the heels of Augusts decisive victory for the abortion-rights side in Kansas, it would likely fuel efforts to put the issue on ballots in several more states in 2023 and 2024.

The Michigan amendment failing, however, would support anti-abortion advocates arguments that Kansas was a fluke fueled by confusion and misinformation, and that Republican efforts to paint Democrats as extremists who want no restrictions on abortion are an effective campaign tactic.



The contest has pushed abortion to the forefront in races up and down the ballot in the swing state, with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel and a host of state House and Senate candidates pitching themselves as the last line of defense for reproductive freedom, regardless of the outcome of the referendum.

Im fighting for everyones right to make the decision they want to about their own bodies, Whitmer told POLITICO. A governor absolutely impacts the right to choose.

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Whitmers GOP opponent Tudor Dixon opposes abortion except to save the life of the parent. But as each side tries to win over moderate Republican voters upset with Roe being overturned, she has argued the ballot measure gives them a chance to both preserve access and vote for a Republican.



Dixon told POLITICO following the gubernatorial debate in Grand Rapids on Thursday that the ballot initiative and her race are two separate issues, adding that a judge has already decided this.

The governor is trying to run on abortion because her record is so bad, she added.

In the final sprint to Election Day, both sides are pouring money into TV ads, mailers, phone banking as well as recruiting staff and thousands of volunteers to knock on doors across the state.



The campaigns are pitching their message in churches, on college campuses, at local chambers of commerce and in labor union halls, with each side painting a bleak picture of what could happen in the state if they lose.

Michigan could become Texas, warned Nicole Wells Stallworth, the executive director of Planned Parenthood of Michigan and a co-leader of the Reproductive Freedom For All ballot campaign. Voters in Michigan have a chance to make sure we dont become one of those other states where they would potentially be criminalized for accessing the basic health care theyve been able to access for nearly the last 50 years.

The anti-abortion rights groups argue that Proposition 3 goes well beyond overturning the 1931 law or codifying Roe. In TV and radio ads, and when canvassing door-to-door, they say the initiative would eliminate all of the states restrictions and regulations on abortion  an argument Democratic officials and some law professors in the state dispute. In particular, anti-abortion advocates claim passing the amendment would abolish the states existing parental consent requirement, an argument they believe can peel away support, even from Democrats.

What Im hearing when Im out canvassing is that voters may support abortion but they dont want to go that far, said Christen Pollo, the spokesperson for Citizens to Support Michigan Women and Children, which is leading the fight to defeat the referendum.

Nessel insists this is misinformation.

I absolutely reject that premise, she told POLITICO. I mean, you cant vote until youre 18. And while theres a Second Amendment right to gun ownership, we dont let children purchase firearms. We have so many rights that we hold to be sacred but that doesnt mean we cant impose limits on those rights as it pertains to a persons age.

The abortion-rights camp got a significant head start in fundraising, amassing more than $8 million before the amendment was certified, according to disclosures filed to the Secretary of States office. This haul, fueled by large donations from national organizations like the ACLU, NARAL, the Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood, has allowed their campaign to run ads in every media market in the state, Reproductive Freedom For All told POLITICO.

Anti-abortion advocates told POLITICO earlier this summer that they were hesitant to start campaigning in earnest before they were sure the amendment would be on the ballot  which didnt happen until the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in September.

As of July, the anti-amendment side had raised roughly $300,000, largely from anti-abortion advocacy organizations and faith-based groups  primarily the Catholic Church, according to the most recent campaign finance report filed with the Secretary of State. Recent TV ad purchases suggest a surge in their fundraising, with the campaign spending more than $4 million on commercials in September and October, according to AdImpact, a media tracking firm. Many conservative and religious groups in the state are also spending independently in the race and cutting their own ads to persuade people to vote no.

With early voting already underway, each side is also knocking on doors to deliver their message face-to-face and remind voters whats at stake.

As members of the Reproductive Freedom for All campaign canvassed last week in a suburb of Lansing, awash in fall colors, they urged residents to pass the amendment to ensure that we dont go back 50 years on womens rights. They warned that, without it, doctors could be prosecuted for decisions they make when confronting serious medical complications that happen during pregnancy, people could turn in their neighbors and family members, and residents could have to travel across state or national borders for the procedure. Passing the amendment, they argued, puts us back to where we were on June 24  the day the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Most voters who answered the door appeared receptive.

Anthony Patino, a Lansing resident who works for a pharmaceutical company, told POLITICO that hes upset by the Catholic Churchs backing of the anti-amendment campaign, arguing theyve lost their way.

People should be able to decide for themselves. Thats why God gave us free will, he said, stepping out onto his porch, the television playing in the background. I cant believe my own religion cant understand that. They want to control the rest of us. But not all Catholics and not all religious people feel like they do.

The next afternoon, an hour away in Wyoming, just south of Grand Rapids, volunteers with Students for Life, a national anti-abortion group opposing the amendment, handed out leaflets in the pouring rain.

Our message is that Proposal 3 is beyond the pale, Titus Folks, an organizer with the group Students for Life based in Indiana who has been leading teams of student volunteers to knock on doors in Michigan  part of the groups national plan to knock on 250,000 doors in 33 states ahead of the midterms. Even people who are pro-choice believe there should be a cutoff somewhere, and theyd rather see the [1931 law] amended incrementally over time than have this drastic shift with the amendment.

Yet views on the referendum in the purple-but-trending-blue part of the state were mixed.

While some enthusiastically agreed with Folks argument that the proposed amendment goes too far in lifting restrictions on abortion, others took one look at his shirt reading The pro-life generation votes and slammed the door.

Im concerned about eliminating every single abortion, especially if the mother is going to die or the child is going to die  I dont agree with that, said Kristy Bachert, who told Folks she remains undecided. There are circumstances where it should be allowed.

With recent polls showing more than 60 percent support for the amendment, Folks and other anti-abortion advocates lamented Dixon, the states top GOP nominee, isnt using her platform to help defeat it.

It is frustrating, Folks said. A lot of [Republicans] are staying quiet about it. But I understand the strategic decision, and we cant control them. And if they are scared of the issue, Id rather them be quiet than try to throw us under the bus.

Democrats such as Nessel, meanwhile, have made abortion a top issue in their races  and argue their election is still important to ensure the procedure remains legal even if the amendment passes and a crucial backstop if it fails.

Just because you codified our state constitution to include these rights  the fight is not over, Nessel told POLITICO. Even assuming that it passes, there will be legal challenges. And its going to be up to the Attorney Generals office to defend the law.

A group of seven county district attorneys  who collectively represent most areas where abortion clinics operate  have pledged not to enforce the 1931 law should a higher court allow it to take effect. But Eli Savit, the Washtenaw County District Attorney whose jurisdiction includes Ann Arbor, stressed these promises arent enough to give abortion providers in the state assurance that they can practice.

I call it a belt and suspenders and Velcro approach, to make sure this 1931 law doesnt spring back into existence, Savit said. But everyone involved in this is aware that the litigation measures and prosecutorial discretion  us pledging not to prosecute abortion  those are only Band Aids. Even if our side ultimately prevails in litigation, weve seen in other states and at the federal level that a change in membership on the court can result in a quick backtracking on reproductive freedom.

Backers of the ballot amendment say amid this multi-pronged strategy, its their most potent weapon.

Were focusing on Proposal 3 because its an enduring approach, said Wells Stallworth. Its not subject to an appeal. Its not subject to whoever happens to be serving on the bench at the Michigan Supreme Court. Its not subject to whoever is governor or who is in the legislature.
NEW YORK  An emotional Kevin Spacey testified in a New York courtroom Monday that he never made a sexual pass at the actor Anthony Rapp, who has sued for millions of dollars in damages, claiming the Academy Award-winning actor tried to take him to bed when he was 14.

Repeatedly, Spacey denied Rapps claims that a then-26-year-old Spacey picked him up like a groom does a bride after a 1986 party at his Manhattan apartment and put him on his bed before lying on top of him.

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Rapp testified earlier in a civil trial in which he accuses Spacey of assault and battery that he squirmed out from underneath an inebriated Spacey in the fully clothed encounter before fleeing, only to have Spacey follow him to the door and ask if he was sure he wanted to leave.

They are not true, Spacey said of the allegations, first made in 2017 in an interview with Buzzfeed. The accusations, along with more made by others, brought to an end Spaceys popular role on the Netflix series House of Cards and abruptly derailed his career.

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Spacey, 63, dabbed tears from his eyes with a tissue and sniffled as he described immediate intense pressure from publicists and lawyers to respond with compassion and empathy and an apology to Rapps claims.

They told me I couldnt push back on the story, Spacey recalled. I knew I wouldnt have any sexual interest in Anthony Rapp or any child. That I knew.

At the time, with the #MeToo movement gaining momentum, The industry was very nervous. There was a lot of fear in the air about who was going to be next, he said.

He added: I was shocked. I was frightened and I was confused. ... I knew I had never been alone with Anthony Rapp.

After the article, the two-time Oscar winner said on Twitter that he didnt recall the encounter with Rapp, adding: But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years.

His managers said it was the best way to contain a crisis that was going to get worse and to avoid being accused of being a victim shamer, he said.

Spacey told jurors he now regrets my entire statement.

Ive learned a lesson, which is never apologize for something you didnt do, he said.

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Spacey said he had met Rapp and another aspiring actor, John Barrowman, backstage following Spaceys Broadway performance in Long Days Journey into Night. He said he took them to dinner, to a nightclub and finally to his studio apartment, where he flirted with Barrowman  who was 19 at the time  but showed no interest in Rapp before the two visitors left.

Anthony Rapp seemed like a kid and John Barrowman seemed like a man, Spacey said in an account that was backed up by a deposition by Barrowman. At the time, Rapp was performing in Precious Sons on Broadway.

Rapp, a 50-year-old regular on Star Trek: Discovery on television who was part of the original Broadway cast of Rent, has testified that he and Barrowman went home immediately after the nightclub outing and days later Spacey invited him to his apartment party, waiting until other guests left to make a move on him.

The Associated Press does not usually name people alleging sexual assault unless they come forward publicly, as Rapp has done.

Spacey, testifying on a day when Judge Lewis A. Kaplan tossed out Rapps claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress on the grounds that it duplicated aspects of the assault and battery allegation, also was asked if he has been private about his personal life over his career.

I grew up in a very complicated family dynamic, he said, explaining that rants by his father when he was a youngster led him to hate bigotry and intolerance.

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My father was a white supremacist and neo-Nazi, Spacey said. It meant that my siblings and I were forced to listen to hours and hours of my father lecturing us about his beliefs.

As Spacey became interested in theater, he said, he endured the screams of his father who used to yell at me at the idea that I might be gay.

Prior to Mondays testimony, Spacey said he had never talked about these things publicly, ever.

He said he had been considering revealing that he was gay publicly for about 18 months before deciding to announce it after Rapps allegations came out.

Spacey cried as he described immediately regretting the timing of the revelation as he faced backlash in the gay community, including from friends, and others who thought he was using the announcement to change the subject, to deflect.

It was really wrong and it was really bad and Im deeply sorry, he said as his voice cracked.
Leaders in Kansas Citys Black community say local police dismissed their worries that a serial killer was preying on young Black women until it was too late.

On 7 October, a 22-year-old Black woman escaped from a house in nearby Excelsior Springs, Missouri, where she said she was kidnapped, raped, whipped, and held in shackles for days by a man who killed two of her friends, according to Black news site The Kansas City Defender. Her name has not been released to protect her privacy.

Police arrested Timothy Haslett, Jr, a 39-year-old white man, the same day. He has been charged with first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping, and second-degree assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Local leaders say the woman, described in police documents with the initials TJ, was put in harms way because the police didnt their claims seriously.

In September, the Defender posted a video warning of a Kansas City killer targetting Black women in the area of Prospect Avenue. It went viral, racking up nearly 70,000 retweets and more than 105,000 likes on various platforms.

At the time, police called the claims completedly unfounded.

There is no basis to support this rumor, the KCPD told the Kansas City Star.

Bishop Tony Caldwell, whose warnings formed the basis of the Defender video, told the site on Friday that the police had failed.

We get a lot of information because were right on the street level, he said. A lot of times we are even trying to give the police information so they can act on it, because the people in the street dont trust them and now we can see thats rightfully so.

The families are heartbroken and now they are even more mad. Because something could have been done back then, he added. Theres a possibility their loved ones could have been saved if folks would have acted back when our community was first making these reports, instead of waiting for the young lady to escape.

The Kansas City police have stood by their previous denunciation, arguing that at the time the allegations were made, there was no evidence of a serial killer on the loose.

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TJs horrific claims against Timothy Haslett may only be the beginning.

Per arrest documents, the 39-year-old allegedly kept TJ in a basement room that he built, holding her chained in handcuffs on her wrists and ankles. She showed injuries on her back consistent with someone who was whipped.

Police say she managed to escape when her captor left to drop his son off for school, and neighbours found her barefoot, wearing latex lingerie and a hommade padlock, with duct tape around her mouth.

I could see immediately she was in desperate trouble  she looked like something out of a horror movie, Lisa Johnson, who found TJ on her front steps, told the Daily Mail.

The terrorised woman told police she had been picked up in September in the area around Prospect Avenue, the same time frame and location figures like Bishop Caldwell had been warning police about. She also said shed been picked up with two friends, who she claims Timothy Haslett killed.

Police are now investigating whether there are more victims.

In the last year, police had visited his rental home three times -- twice on welfare checks at the behest of his father and a coworker, and a third time in July of 2022 on an animal control call.

Timothy Haslett is slated to appear in court on 18 October for a bond hearing.

Notably, This isnt the first allegation of racism against the KCPD. In September, the Justice Department announced it was investigating the agency over allegations Black officers were called slurs, discriminated against in hiring, and disciplined excessively.
The Monster Pumpkin Fest returned to Pittsburghs Strip District on Sunday.

Its a festival that features some of the largest pumpkins of the year.

This year, pumpkins weighing more than a ton were presented at the festival. There were 10 in that weight category.

PHOTOS: Monster Pumpkin Fest returns to Pittsburghs Strip District

One pumpkin weighed 2,400 pounds and now holds the state record. According to our partners at TribLIVE.com, that pumpkin was grown by Eric Gunstrom of Harrison City.

Most of the large pumpkins are moved with forklifts and carefully set onto trailers of strapped-in flatbed trucks.

A popular feature at the festival is when one of the pumpkins weighing more than 2000 pounds gets lifted 200 feet in the air with a crane and dropped into a pool.

Its been awesome. The food has been great, pumpkins are huge, displays are really impressive, and I have seen a lot of cool, nifty things for sale, said Matthew Stoff, a festival visitor.

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By Diane Bartz

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When a Washington state beauty salon charged Simran Bal $1,900 for training after she quit, she was shocked.

Not only was Bal a licensed esthetician with no need for instruction, she argued that the trainings were specific to the shop and low quality.

Bal's story mirrors that of dozens of people and advocates in healthcare, trucking, retail and other industries who complained recently to U.S. regulators that some companies charge employees who quit large sums of money for training.

Nearly 10% of American workers surveyed in 2020 were covered by a training repayment agreement, said the Cornell Survey Research Institute.

The practice, which critics call Training Repayment Agreement Provisions, or TRAPs, is drawing scrutiny from U.S. regulators and lawmakers.

On Capitol Hill, Senator Sherrod Brown is studying legislative options with an eye toward introducing a bill next year to rein in the practice, a Senate Democratic aide said.

At the state level, attorneys general like Minnesota's Keith Ellison are assessing how prevalent the practice is and could update guidance.

Ellison told Reuters he would be inclined to oppose reimbursement demands for job-specific instruction while it "could be different" if an employer wanted reimbursement for training for a certification like a commercial driving license that is widely recognized as valuable.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has begun reviewing the practice, while the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission have received complaints about it.

The use of training agreements is growing even though unemployment is low, which presumably gives workers more power, said Jonathan Harris who teaches at the Loyola Law School Los Angeles.

"Employers are looking for ways to keep their workers from quitting without raising wages or improving working conditions," said Harris.

The CFPB, which announced in June it was looking into the agreements, has begun to focus on how they may prevent even skilled employees with years of schooling, like nurses, from finding new, better jobs, according to a CFPB official who was not authorized to speak on the record.

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"We have heard from workers and worker organizations that the products may be restricting worker mobility," the official said.

TRAPs have been around in a small way since the late 1980s primarily in high-wage positions where workers received valuable training. But in recent years the agreements have become more widespread, said Loyola's Harris.

One critic of the CFPB effort was the National Federation of Independent Business, or NFIB, which said the issue was outside the agency's authority because it was unrelated to consumer financial products and services.

"(Some state governments) have authority to regulate employer-driven debt. CFPB should defer to those governments, which are closer to the people of the states than the CFPB," it added.

NURSING AND TRUCKING

Bal said she was happy when she was hired by the Oh Sweet salon near Seattle in August 2021.

But she soon found that before she could provide services for clients, and earn more, she was required to attend trainings on such things as sugaring to remove unwanted hair and lash and brow maintenance.

But, she said, the salon owner was slow to schedule the trainings, which would sometimes be postponed or cancelled. They were also not informative; Bal described them as "introductory level." While waiting to complete the training, Bal worked at the front desk, which paid less.

When she quit in October 2021, Bal received a bill for $1,900 for the instruction she did receive. "She was charging me for training for services that I was already licensed in," said Bal.

Karina Villalta, who runs Oh Sweet LLC, filed a lawsuit in small claims court to recover the money. Court records provided by Bal show the case was dismissed in September by a judge who ruled that Bal did not complete the promised training and owed nothing. Villalta declined requests for comment.

In comments to the CFPB, National Nurses United said they did a survey that found that the agreements are "increasingly ubiquitous in the health care sector," with new nurses often affected.

The survey found that 589 of the 1,698 nurses surveyed were required to take training programs and 326 of them were required to pay employers if they left before a certain time.

Many nurses said they were not told about the training repayment requirement before beginning work, and that classroom instruction often repeated what they learned in school.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said in comments that training repayment demands were "particularly egregious" in commercial trucking. They said firms like CRST and C.R. England train people for a commercial drivers license but charge more than $6,000 if they leave the company before a certain time. Neither company responded to a request for comment.

The American Trucking Associations argues that the license is portable from one employer to another and required by the government. It urged the CFPB to not characterize it as employer-driven debt.

Steve Viscelli, a sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania who spent six months training and then driving truck, said the issue deserved scrutiny.

"Anytime we have training contracts for low-skilled workers, we should be asking why," he said. "If you have a good job, you don't need a training contract. People are going to want to stay."

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Chris Sanders and Lisa Shumaker)
KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday urged his troops to take more prisoners, saying this would make it easier to secure the release of soldiers being held by Russia.

Zelenskiy made his remarks hours after the two sides carried out one of the biggest prisoner swaps so far, exchanging a total of 218 detainees, including 108 Ukrainian women.

"I thank everyone involved in this success, and I also thank all those who replenish our exchange fund, who ensure the capture of enemies," he said in an evening address.

"The more Russian prisoners we have, the sooner we will be able to free our heroes. Every Ukrainian soldier, every front-line commander should remember this."

Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy chief of staff, said there were 12 civilians among the freed women.

"It was the first completely female exchange," he wrote on the Telegram messaging app, adding that 37 of the women had been captured after Russian forces took the giant Azovstal steelworks in the port city of Mariupol in May.

One of the women, medic Viktoria Obidina, said that up until the last moment the group had no idea they would be exchanged. Obidina had been with her young daughter when Mariupol fell but the two then became separated.

"I will go to see my daughter. I want to see her so bad," she told reporters.

Separately, Ukraine's interior ministry said some of the women had been in jail since 2019 after being detained by pro-Moscow authorities in eastern regions. Earlier, the Russian-appointed head of one of the regions said Kyiv was freeing 80 civilian sailors and 30 military personnel.

(Reporting by Max Hunder and David Ljunggren; Editing by Sandra Maler and Grant McCool)
Mr. Gay World 2022 Jose Lopez Duvont

A new Mr. Gay World has been named.

Jose Lopez Duvont from Puerto Rico now takes up the mantle, according to a press release. Lopez Duvont is the first Latinx and first competitor from the Americas to win the international Mr. Gay World pageant.

Lopez Duvont, who represented Puerto Rico in South Africa, presented a social impact project to address the body dysmorphia he suffered from as a child, and promote healthy lifestyles within the LGBTIQ + communities, the organization said.

The actor and model also won awards at the pageant for Best National Costume, Best Swimwear, Photogenic, and the Social Media Impact Award.

The organization has seen its share of controversy over the last year.

Pageant organizers hit former Mr. Gay World winner Louw Breytenbach with a gag order after Breytenbach made comments against the organization behind the pageant.

The reason I entered the Mr. Gay SA and Mr. Gay World competitions respectively, was never about the title. I am passionate about charity, the work I started even before the competitions, Breytenbach said in a statement, according to South African newspaper The Citizen. My intention was to use the platform to add a voice to the lgbtqia+ community, the Gates of Hope as well as Future Step. As winners, we tend to be blinded by the glitz and glam the contest brings.

He continued that his resignation as Mr. Gay World wasnt to tarnish the reputation of the organization, but rather because of value differences.

I was excited when I was crowned with lots of plans to build the gay community. But unfortunately, I could not achieve this dream, Breytenbach explained.

Breytenbach, 31, won the competition in October 2021, but the South African human rights activist and tv presenter refused to sign the final contract to be Mr. Gay World, The Citizen reported at the time.

The central issue was that whoever is Mr. Gay World must use the organization as his exclusive agent for bookings and acting roles.

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Related: 36 Thirst-Quenching Photos of Former Mr. Gay World Contestants

I dont need them to manage whatever TV opportunities I get. My suggestion was that they manage me based on opportunities pertaining to the pageant and my role as Mr. Gay World, he said.

He continued that he was also concerned with the groups inability to be audited when they refused to divulge how funds are used for the Mr. Gay World Foundation.

I think it is my right to know what happens to [the] money that I raise for the organization in my capacity as Mr. Gay World. Who is benefiting from all of [these] sponsorships? he asked.

In response, Mr. Gay World organizers provided a statement to The Citizen rebuking Breytenbachs claims. The group said that those claims include a series of defamatory allegations about the organization and its officials.
Multiple police departments are searching for a man wanted for robbing Culver's restaurants in three Wisconsin cities.

Multiple police departments are searching for a man wanted for robbing Culver's restaurants in three Wisconsin cities, including Mequon, the Lake Mills Police Department said in a news release.

Police are looking for the suspect after the latest robbery in Mequon on Oct 10. Other Culver's robberies occurred in Janesville on Oct. 6 and Lake Mills on Sept. 26.

Lake Mills police have released surveillance photos of both the suspect and the vehicle used in the crimes.

The vehicle is described as a four-door, late model Jeep that is maroon or dark red. The license plate number is unknown.

Police say the vehicle used in the robberies is a four-door, late model Jeep that is maroon or dark red.

Police didn't provide a description of the suspect, other than to say he was male, but the surveillance photo shows a view of the suspect's face.

The suspect stole an undisclosed amount of money from the Culver's restaurants through the drive-thru, Lake Mills Police Chief Steve Schroeder said in the release.

No weapon was displayed, but the suspect implied they had a weapon during the robbery, he added. Based on the consistency of the robberies, Schroeder believes the same suspect was involved with each of the incidents.

Anyone with information on the suspect or vehicle can call the Lake Mills Police Department's non-emergency number at 920-648-2354 or email bcedarwall@ci.lake-mills.wi.us.

Contact Alex Groth at agroth@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @grothalexandria.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Police looking for man who robbed Culver's in Mequon, Lake Mills
After setting an initial trial date for Richard "Alex" Murdaugh, the South Carolina Courts Administration has now set a new date for the disbarred and disgraced South Carolina attorney to stand trial on charges that he murdered his wife and son  Jan. 23.

After a string of other indictments, Murdaugh was charged on July 14 with two counts of murder and double weapons charges on allegations that he killed his wife, Maggie, with a rifle and his son Paul with a shotgun at their vast Colleton County estate, Moselle, on the night of June 7, 2021.

Judge Bentley D. Price, chief administrative judge of the 14th Judicial Circuit, has signed an order stating that Murdaugh's murder trial begins in Colleton County on Jan. 23 and is expected to last as late as Feb. 10.

The state Courts Administration and state Supreme Court also filed an order excusing Circuit Judge Clifton Newman from presiding over cases in Richland County during that time period to install him to preside over the murder case in Colleton County General Sessions.

Murdaugh murders: Alex Murdaugh will head to trial in the deaths of his wife and son, Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.

"This is the date the state wanted, and the defense agreed to it," said Robert Kittle, spokesperson for the South Carolina Attorney General's Office.

The initial date for the trial was set last week to be Jan. 30, but before the initial order could be officially filed that date was changed to better fit with judicial schedules, said Kittle.

Latest lawsuit:Latest Alex Murdaugh lawsuit names 2 more prominent Hampton attorneys

Mallory Beach case:Judge reverses, rules Murdaugh, Parker's tried together Jan. 9

Alex Murdaugh faces financial and drug charges, too

The state Attorney General's Office will also prosecute the more than 90 financial and drug crime allegations against Murdaugh later in 2023.

Murdaugh is being represented by noted South Carolina attorneys Jim Griffin and Richard Harpootlian, the same high-profile attorney who was set to defend Paul Murdaugh after a fatal 2019 boating-under-the-influence case.

Upon announcement of the trial date last week, Murdaugh's legal defense team issued the following statement: "We appreciate the Court accommodating our request for a speedy trial. Alex is looking forward to his day in court and we are confident that he will be acquitted after an impartial Colleton County jury considers all the evidence...

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"Alex and his family continue to hope that everyone responsible for Maggie and Paul's death will eventually be brought to justice."

Alex Murdaugh, center, leaving the Colleton County courtroom after a contentious hearing. Faced with double murder charges, Murdaugh will soon have a look at the evidence the state plans to use against him during the trial, which may take place as early as January.

Harpootlian gained fame in 1991 when he prosecuted the death-row case of Donald Pee Wee Gaskins, who admitted to killing 13 people between 1970 and 1975 before blowing up a fellow inmate with plastic explosives. Since then, Harpootlian has made a name for himself as a defense attorney.

Murdaugh is also expected to go to trial Jan. 9 in Hampton County Court of Common Pleas as a codefendant in the Mallory Beach wrongful-death lawsuit. Beach died after the February 2019 crash involving Murdaugh's boat and his allegedly intoxicated son.

Murdaugh is also facing 11 other civil suits, with trial dates as yet unset.

Murdaugh remains detained in Richland County's Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on a $7 million bond he can not meet.

Who is Judge Clifton Newman?

According to information from the South Carolina Judicial Branch's website, sccourts.org, Judge Clifton B. Newman was born in Kingstree in 1951 to the late Reverend Dr. Marion L. Newman Sr. and Alice Singleton Newman.

He was raised in Greeleyville, where he graduated valedictorian of Williamsburg County Training School in 1969. His inspiration to pursue a legal career originated while playing the role of an attorney in a high school play centered around the 1954 school desegregation case of "Brown v. Board of Education."

He received his undergraduate degree from Cleveland State University, where he served as the president of student government and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

While attending Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, he served as chief justice of the University Judiciary, the student court, and worked for the Legal Aid Society representing indigent clients.

Upon receiving his juris doctor degree in 1976, he began practicing law in Cleveland, Ohio, where he formed the partnership of Belcher & Newman.

Returning to South Carolina in 1982, Newman started a private law practice in Columbia and Manning. The Manning office soon relocated to Kingstree, where the practice flourished. While continuing in private practice, he was appointed assistant solicitor for Williamsburg County in 1983. In 1994, he formed and served as managing partner of Newman & Sabb, P.A., with offices in Columbia, Kingstree and Lake City.

After 24 years as a practicing attorney and 17 years as assistant solicitor, he was elected circuit court judge by the South Carolina General Assembly on May 24, 2000.

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Newman received historical preservation awards for his work in restoring historic buildings in Kingstree and Columbia. Among numerous accomplishments, Newman cites his designation as Patriarch of the Miles Newman Family as one of his most cherished. He succeeded his uncles, the late Sen. I. DeQuincey Newman and Bishop Ernest W. Newman, as the leader of his family.

He is a member of I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist Church where he faithfully serves as chair of the administrative council. He is a member of the Ohio and South Carolina Bar Associations and is a member of the Executive Board of The I. DeQuincey Newman Institute for Peace and Social Change.

He is married to the former Patricia Blanton of Cleveland, Ohio, and they have four children.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Murdaugh murders: New, earlier trial date set for Alex Murdaugh
Mykki

Mykki Blanco is one of those people just born cool. The 36-year-old California native seems to master anything they try  be it poetry (From the Silence of Duchamp to the Noise of Boys), music (the rap and hip-hop pioneers 2016 debut, Mykki, was met with critical praise) or bold honesty and courageous activism. After establishing themself as a talented performance artist and releasing several mixtapes and EPs, Blanco announced on Facebook in 2015 that they were living with HIV, expressing both anxiety and joy in the declaration. Fuck stigma and hiding in the dark, this is my real life. Im healthy Ive toured the world 3 times but Ive been living in the dark, its time to actually be as punk as I say I am, Blanco wrote in the post. No more living a lie. HAPPY PRIDE. On the eve of Blanco releasing their sophomore full-length album, Stay Close to the Music, and a fall tour through New York and Europe, the artist discusses their new musical direction, a return to touring, and how their HIV disclosure affected their career.

Tell us about your sonic evolution to Stay Close to the Music.

I wanted to feel as if I was in time with myself. I am someone who has been archived before they have climaxed. Praised for pioneering so many ways of being, and seeing, things that people only 10 years ago found quite taboo and are now ashamed to admit. I hate attaching a narrative of struggle to my career because that narrative is such a Black queer cliche and Ive had quite a glamorous career and quite an adventurous life because of it, but struggle makes a for a romantic story. I wanted to finally feel I was making music where you put the album on and  from start to finish  you are moved, you are changed, you have experienced something sonically.

Tell us about the French Lessons video, which depicts a hate crime, a daring rescue, and a happy ending.

Most of my adult life has been spent living in the [European Union] and Im most comfortable there; my tastes, my lifestyle, connecting with other Black and brown people who were also raised in many of these countries  I find a commonality in the diaspora here. French Lessons was filmed in Tbilisi, Georgia, a countryfilled with so much history, so much creativity, talent, and just these amazing landscapes that are ancient, biblical. I worked with director Felix Kalmenson to create this narrative that felt straight out of Gilgameshbut it was importantto have a happy ending because trauma can also be quite predictable.

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How does it feel to return to regular live performing?

Absolutely amazing. My live shows tend to be what makes a solid fan for life. Ive learned a lot about myself while performing and a lot about life, culture, people, different societies, different social norms by living this life  it hasnt been so rock n roll always  there is definitely a spiritual dimension to it.

In the past, you expressed concerns about disclosing your HIV status. Were your fears founded?

I think in the past my concerns were warranted [because] when I disclosed publicly on Facebook in 2015 no one had ever done that in the way that I did it, and no one had done that, period, with any kind of platform for a few years  so I had reason to be very fearful and concerned. Society has been on somewhat of an acceleration curve...but the stigma faced even in 2020 is nothing compared to 2015. What happened was a miraculous outcome; the people that needed to flood into my life did and the people that needed to flood out of my life left, and I understood true compassion for the first time.

How do you foster hope and optimism in your life?

I am lucky in that I have lived through multiple things that were worse than Trump and worse than the pandemic. Even in my darkest moments, it has been proven to me that life will always take care of me.

Stay Close to the Music, featuring collaborations with artists including Devendra Barnhart, Kelsey Lu, Diana Gordon, Jonsi, and Michael Stipe, is available on October 14.
We think intelligent long term investing is the way to go. But unfortunately, some companies simply don't succeed. To wit, the Nabors Industries Ltd. (NYSE:NBR) share price managed to fall 65% over five long years. We certainly feel for shareholders who bought near the top. The last week also saw the share price slip down another 11%.

If the past week is anything to go by, investor sentiment for Nabors Industries isn't positive, so let's see if there's a mismatch between fundamentals and the share price.

Check out our latest analysis for Nabors Industries

Nabors Industries wasn't profitable in the last twelve months, it is unlikely we'll see a strong correlation between its share price and its earnings per share (EPS). Arguably revenue is our next best option. When a company doesn't make profits, we'd generally expect to see good revenue growth. As you can imagine, fast revenue growth, when maintained, often leads to fast profit growth.

Over half a decade Nabors Industries reduced its trailing twelve month revenue by 6.3% for each year. While far from catastrophic that is not good. With neither profit nor revenue growth, the loss of 11% per year doesn't really surprise us. We don't think anyone is rushing to buy this stock. Ultimately, it may be worth watching - should revenue pick up, the share price might follow.

You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

If you are thinking of buying or selling Nabors Industries stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet.

What About The Total Shareholder Return (TSR)?

Investors should note that there's a difference between Nabors Industries' total shareholder return (TSR) and its share price change, which we've covered above. 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. Dividends have been really beneficial for Nabors Industries shareholders, and that cash payout explains why its total shareholder loss of 62%, over the last 5 years, isn't as bad as the share price return.

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A Different Perspective

While it's never nice to take a loss, Nabors Industries shareholders can take comfort that their trailing twelve month loss of 3.7% wasn't as bad as the market loss of around 25%. Of far more concern is the 10% p.a. loss served to shareholders over the last five years. This sort of share price action isn't particularly encouraging, but at least the losses are slowing. 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. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Nabors Industries you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies 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.

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Nasas Lucy spacecraft spotted streaking across the western US during its close pass gravity assist flyby of Earth on 16 October, 2022 (Nasa)

Astronomers and skywatchers are sharing their images and videos of Nasas Lucy spacecraft as it buzzed close by Earth on Sunday.

The large school bus-sized Lucy spacecraft passed within 220 miles of Earth on Sunday morning, and was visible to viewers in Western Australia and the western US. Lucys flyby came on the one-year anniversary of its launch, the first high-speed close encounter of a planned 12-year mission to visit the Jupiter Trojan asteroids.

Nasa encouraged people to share images of Lucy on social media using the hashtag #SpotTheSpacecraft, or images of themselves waving at the passing Lucy using the hashtag #WaveToLucy.

Members of the Lucy mission team based on Colorado had to drive to Nebraska to get out from under cloud cover in order to capture the video of Lucy streaking overheard that they then shared on the social media website Twitter.

#SpotTheSpacecraft update: The Lucy Team in Boulder and Littleton, Colorado were stuck with overcast skies, but two intrepid team members made a roadtrip to Scottsbluff, Nebraska and spotted Lucy with a telescope and shared what they saw. Whoot! #LucyMission#EarthGravityAssist pic.twitter.com/8LYhFBNdqp  Lucy Mission (@LucyMission) October 16, 2022

Pluto researcher Marc Buie took an image of Lucy that was shared by French space-blog Twitter account @RevesdEspace, while the Virtual Telescope Project, an international robotic telescope cooperative, also capture Lucy images.

Despite a very bright Moon just 6 degrees away, we tracked #LucyMission 12 hours after its fly-by and showed it live to many people all around the globe. #SpotTheSpacecraft @LucyMission pic.twitter.com/fk7uj4EqGT  Virtual Telescope (@VirtualTelescop) October 17, 2022

Nasas Goddard Space Flight Center, meanwhile, has shared animations on Twitter illustrating Lucys Earth flyby and subsequent mission. The animations also highlight the spacecrafts unique, circular solar panels, each 24 feet in diameter  large enough to supply Lucy with the 500 watts of power the spacecraft will need while traveling through the dark reaches of space among the asteroids near Jupiter.

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Launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 16 October 2021, Lucy is Nasas first mission to the Trojan asteroids of Jupiter. The asteroids are large populations of space rocks that share the gas giants orbit, but precede and follow the planet by 60 degrees along that orbit.

Sundays flyby of Earth gave Lucy added momentum, slingshotting the spacecraft out toward the orbit of Mars in a maneuver known as a gravity assist. Lucy will make another gravity assist pass by Earth in 2024 before finally heading out toward its first targets.

The spacecraft will first fly by an asteroid known as Donaldjohanson in the main asteroid belt in 2025, a space rock that is not a Jupiter Trojan, but is conveniently located along the way.

Lucy will then reach the leading population of Jupiter Trojans in 2027, flying by four space rocks, Eurybates, Polymele, Leucus, and Orus, each named for characters in the Homeric epic The Iliad.

Lucy will then head back to Earth for another gravity assist flyby of our planet in 2031, which will put the spacecraft on a course to visit the trailing population of Jupiter Trojans in 2033.

Seen from above, Lucys flight path looks like a figure eight twisted up like a pretzel, according to Nasa.

An illustration of the unusual flight path of Nasas Lucy mission, which will flyby Earth several times during its 12-year mission to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids (Nasa)

You can follow Lucys current trajectory and watch an animation showing its future motion relative to Earth, asteroid targets, and the planet Jupiter by going to Nasas whereislucy.space website.
Set in Wisconsin, where the forces of progressivism and conservatism battle like prairie dogs, writer Rebecca Gilmans extraordinary new play has just four struggling, working-class characters.

But Gilman, a Chicago playwright who has morphed into a great poet of the Upper Midwest, still packs into her riveting Swing State themes of environmentalism, mental health, opioid abuse, trucking, policing and the consequences of hollowing out small, mutual supportive communities and turning them into repositories for Dollar Generals and Kwik Trips.

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But thats not what blew me away about Swing State, which premiered Sunday night at the Goodman Theatres smaller Owen space under the direction of former artistic director Robert Falls. Its how well Gilman contextualizes and understands how people are feeling after the COVID-19 pandemic, the sense of despair, even panic, that so many mostly silent Americans have about the divisiveness in the country that impacts their own futures, the feeling that America has atrophied, the sense that once-shared values have swung so far to the extremes that the bones of a nation have crumbled.

Swing State is perhaps the first of the great American post-COVID plays, the first work Ive seen not just to wrestle with what happened during the pandemic but also to explore, and call out, the fundamental changes it has wrought on our collective psyche. This is especially true if the aforementioned pandemic involved a personal loss.

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Ive been reviewing Gilmans plays for more than 25 years now. This is a new level from this particular writer, perhaps a consequence of having so much time to write and revise. Shes penned a mystery with enough narrative tension that no one at the Goodman Theatre moved a muscle. She has written about grief and bereavement, the personal consequences of the political and, as with so many great plays, her cast of characters is made up of fundamentally decent people all doing their best in near-impossible circumstances. The piece, an empathy-generating machine, deserves the broadest possible audience; it deserves a Broadway run.

Anne E. Thompson, Kirsten Fitzgerald and Mary Beth Fisher in Rebecca Gilmans play "Swing State" at the Goodman Theatre. (Liz Lauren / HANDOUT)

Falls superbly cast production, which stars the longtime Gilman muse Mary Beth Fisher, Bubba Weiler, Kirsten Fitzgerald and the formidably honest newcomer Anne E. Thompson, rings true. That wouldnt be possible, of course, without a play that delves so deep into character. More than in any of her other plays, Gilmans gentle, nonjudgmental dive into what makes ordinary people tick (or stop ticking) is really arresting, especially in an era in the American theater where authorial ideas are so ascendant. That said, Falls production tracks the traumas that occur in this Wisconsin farmhouse, located somewhere near Janesville, with the kind of closely observed detail that you never fall out of the play for a moment, nor do you get ahead of where it is going.

The focus of the actors is relentlessly in the present moment; the set design by Todd Rosenthal is both fascinating and rightly determined not to blow out the human scale and trajectory of the play. Youd say the same of Evelyn Danners costumes and Eric Southerns lights.

The less you know about the plot, the better. Suffice to say we meet Peg (Fisher, doing the best work of her career), a 60-ish Wisconsin widow who is caring for a threatened patch of prairie (a nod, perhaps, to the fight to save the Bell Bowl Prairie around the Rockford airport) and grieving the loss of her husband. She has a friendship going with a neighbor, Ryan (Weiler), a young truck driver with a history of addiction and crime. Two local police officers, Sheriff Kris (Fitzgerald) and a rookie deputy (Thompson) figure into the action. Everybody knows everyone elses past. Small town. Difficult times.

Bubba Weiler and Anne E. Thompson in Rebecca Gilmans play "Swing State" at the Goodman Theatre. (Liz Lauren / HANDOUT)

Things go wrong for all these characters and you find yourself fearing for their shared future, not least because seemingly disconnected events have a way of cascading toward the hellish, as so many of us found out during the pandemic. But there is hope here, too. And real affection for the people of the Upper Midwest.

Theres nothing academic or postmodern about Swing State. Instead, you get a piece of deeply moving theater that seems to understand depression, the complexities of how police officers change peoples futures for good or ill, the difficulty of carrying on when you have to carry on. Gilman has explored many of these melancholy themes before, most notably in Blue Surge and Twilight Bowl.

But Swing State is landing on a changed nation that has lost its equilibrium.

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Oh, and one other thing: this is a play that understands the sheer agony of not being trusted when you know youve done nothing wrong that you could help.

Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.

cjones5@chicagotribune.com

Review: Swing State (4 stars)

When: Through Nov. 13

Where: Goodmans Owen Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.

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Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Tickets: $15-$45 at 312-443-3800 and GoodmanTheatre.org/SwingState
Bubba Wallace has been accused of anti-Asian hate for attacking Kyle Larson after they crashed at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday.

The confrontation began at Stage 2 of the South Point 400, where Wallace  who won Stage 1  ended up racing side-by-side with Larson in Turn 4 of the track. Larson, who was driving the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, bumped Wallaces #45 McDonald's Toyota into the wall while trying to make a three-wide pass.

Wallace bounced back and followed Larson down to the apron, where he appeared to spin the latter out before they both crashed into the wall.

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Wallace then exited his vehicle, charged toward Larson and shoved him against his Chevrolet. Wallace pushed Larson several more times before a safety worker managed to separate them.

It has been a challenging year so far for both drivers, with Wallace failing to qualify for the playoffs and Larson  the reigning NASCAR champion  being eliminated last week. Now, NASCAR is expected to penalize them for their latest actions.

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Im smart enough to know how easily these cars break, so when you get shoved into the fence deliberately like he did trying to force me to lift, the steering was gone, Wallace said after the race, as per the Associated Press. Larson wanted to make a three-wide divebomb, but he never cleared me and I don't lift.

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When asked to explain his actions after the crash, he simply said Larson knows why.

He [Larson] knows what he did was wrong. He wanted to question what I was doing, and he never cleared me.

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But aside from a possible penalty, Wallaces display of aggression has earned him allegations of racism and anti-Asian hate. Larson, who is visibly smaller in stature, is Japanese American.

Bubba Wallace, who falsely claimed that someone hung a noose in his garage last year, violently attacks one of the only Asian drivers in NASCAR. Violence against Asians needs to stop, conservative YouTuber Ian Miles Cheong wrote in a now-viral tweet.

Bubba Wallace, who falsely claimed that someone hung a noose in his garage last year, violently attacks one of the only Asian drivers in NASCAR. Violence against Asians need to stop. pic.twitter.com/u7SEeUUh9Q  Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) October 17, 2022

Others echoed the sentiment:

Bubba Wallace is a racist. Picking on the poor Asian dude.  Dean Mills (@Millsvideo) October 16, 2022

#bubbawallace Bubba Wallace shoved the smallest Asian in Profesional racing. Where is Asian Lives Matter at this morning? #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/Lj2ow0oWm7  Ukfa Ua (@UkfaUa) October 17, 2022

An enraged Bubba Wallace assaulting and harassing an Asian man is the most @McDonalds thing I've ever seen outside of an actual McDonalds. We used to have to go inside McDonalds for these kinds of hate crimes. But thanks to McDonalds and Bubba Wallace, we can access them at home  Corn Pop Was a Bad Dude (@parkedin) October 17, 2022

Bubba Wallace is anti Asian American obviously  Justin Carrier (@JCarrier713) October 16, 2022

While Wallace evidently shoved Larson, the accusations against him appear to be unfounded as he has not been reported to have uttered anything racist or anti-Asian during the incident. Additionally, the 29-year-old has no known history of anti-Asian behavior, and it was actually Larson who made headlines in 2020 after using the N-word during a virtual race.

Cheong, whose allegation appears to have received the most engagement thus far, also accused Wallace of making false claims about a noose the driver had found in his garage. Two days after a member of Wallaces team reported the noose to NASCAR in June 2020  and nearly a month after the police murder of George Floyd and the popular rise of Black Lives Matter  the FBI confirmed that it had been present in the garage since October 2019, but whether Wallace conjured a hoax has not been proven.

Besides Cheongs, many of the anti-Asian claims lobbied against Wallace appear to stem from users who are not Asian and are critical of the Black Lives Matter movement, which the NASCAR driver has been a proponent of.

Every fan has heard time and time again when BLM driver Bubba Wallace makes History for being the first black man to do this or that.

Well, huge congrats to Bubba Wallace for being the first black NASCAR driver to Assault the smallest Asian driver in the sport on live NBC TV. pic.twitter.com/qEv396uLkI   Stroker Ace  (@StrokerAce90) October 16, 2022

If the roles were reversed, NASCAR would hold a press conference denouncing the racist actions of Kyle Larson, announce an immediate 3 race suspension, take away points and donate 1 Million $ to BLM in Bubba Wallace's name.  JokeBiden (@JokeBiden10) October 17, 2022

Where is the outcry against Black on Asian violence after Bubba Wallace attacked Kyle Larson? @NASCAR  MeHereNow (@immeherenow) October 17, 2022

Larson, for his part, acknowledged that he made the initial aggression on Sunday but stressed that Wallaces race wasnt over until he retaliated.

I obviously made an aggressive move into [turn] three, got in low, got loose and chased it up a bit, Larson recalled, according to AP. He got to my right front, and it got him tight and into the wall. I knew he was going to retaliate.

Still, Larson said he prefers a fight over the potential damage that could have been done to their cars.

He had every right to be upset. I would rather him do that [fight] than tear up our cars in a dangerous manner.

Featured Image via NASCAR on FOX
Marvin Samuel Tolentino Pineda / Getty Images

If youre looking for a cheaper way to feed your Netflix addiction, the streaming service has a new option available  but youll have to sit through advertisements to enjoy it.

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On Thursday, Netflix announced the upcoming launch of its new Basic with Ads plan, which offers a subscription price of only $6.99 a month in the United States. The ad-supported plan will launch on Nov. 3, 2022, at 9 p.m. Pacific time.

The $6.99 monthly price is $3 cheaper than Netflixs basic plan that doesnt have ads, CNBC reported. Its standard plan is $15.49 a month.

Current plans and members will not be impacted by Basic with Ads, Netflix said. Instead, the ad-supported plan is designed to complement its existing ad-free Basic, Standard and Premium plans. In addition to the U.S., Basic with Ads will be available in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain and the UK.

When Netflixs new plan launches, ads will be 15 to 30 seconds long and play before and during shows and films, for an average of four to five minutes of ads per hour. Ads will be customized by country and genre.

The video resolution for Netflixs advertising tier will be 720p instead of 1080p, which is the quality of Netflixs standard plan. The companys basic plan without advertising also has 720p resolution.

As CNBC noted, Netflixs ad-supported plan comes amid a recent slowdown in subscribers. The company lost subscribers during the first two quarters of 2022 and is expected to add about 1 million in the third quarter, which is considered a weak number. Netflix is still the worlds largest streaming service, with about 221 million subscribers.

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The new ad-supported plan is priced below similar plans from rivals Disney+ and Hulu, both of which are owned by The Walt Disney Company. Those ad tiers will cost $7.99 a month when they launch in December. HBO Maxs ad-supported plan is $9.99 a month, CNBC reported.

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Viewers still have cheaper ad-supported options at Paramount+ and Peacock, both of which charge $4.99 a month for basic plans with ads.

Netflix has lined up hundreds of advertisers for its launch and has nearly sold out its inventory, the company said in a media call. Initially, there will be no advertising within kids programs or new movies. Older movies might have mid-roll ads.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Netflix Announces Basic Service With Ads for $6.99 a Month
Netflix has come on board for the second year to support the Short Film Camp, a film industry training program for professionals from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The SFC is led by Purin Pictures, a film funding body backed by the Purin Foundation.



The event, running for ten days (Dec. 2-12, 2022) in Bangkok, Thailand, will involve 12 teams of directors and producers. The 24 participants will receive mentoring that aims to hone their writing, producing and directing skills. The workshop culminates in a live pitch of their short film projects, where four winners will receive funding and post-production support to produce their short films.



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The 12 pairs include six teams are from Thailand, four from Myanmar, two from Cambodia, and one from Laos. Their film projects cover a gamut of topics including family drama, LGBTQ, political repression and the deconstruction of identity.



Last year three projects were funded as a result of the workshop: My Bees Knees, directed by Tinshine Mont and produced by Christine Flemming; Blazed Away, directed by Supamart Boonnil and produced by Ratthathammanoon Supapootorn; and Dear You, directed by Muendaw Kamontum and produced by Kataporn Sae-ieb.



Supporting local creators builds opportunities for underrepresented filmmakers in Southeast Asia and beyond so that they get to tell the stories that they may not have been able to tell, said Amy Sawitta Lefevre, head of external affairs (APAC) at Netflix.

Netflix last week unveiled its first multi-title film and TV slate from Thailand.



Assarat is an established filmmaker in his own right with writing and directing credits including Wonderful Town and a segment of Ten Years Thailand, and producing credits including Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy. His role at Purin Pictures also sees him providing twice yearly production grants to films from Southeast Asia. He was at the Asian Project Market in Busan last week pitching his own film project The Thonglor Kids.



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A seminar in Busan involving producers and distributors from Southeast Asia addressed matters including skills shortages, the need to increase production budgets in the region and the uneven support for the industry from governments.

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Click here to read the full article.
Netflix is making it easier to boot moochers out of your account while still letting them hang onto their viewing preferences. So, when you get fed up of an ex continuing to use your account, you can send them on their way with their recommendations, viewing history, saved titles in My List, game saves, subtitle appearance and other settings intact when they start their own account. That's assuming you ended things on good terms, anyway  you might still want to kick them out without warning.

The feature is rolling out to all users starting Monday after Netflix initially tested it in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru. Profile transfers will be enabled automatically in all countries except South Korea and the US. You'll need to activate it from your settings in those two nations.

You'll get an email when the profile transfer tool is available on your account. After that, you'll be able to access the Transfer Profile option from the drop-down menu that appears when you hover over your profile icon on the homepage. From there, it's a case of following the directions to set up a new account.

Netflix confirmed to Engadget that you won't be able to transfer a profile to an existing account. This process will only work when you're transferring a profile to a new account.

Netflix profile transfer process

Netflix says this is a long-awaited feature and the company is framing it as a helpful option for those going through some changes in their life, such as a relationship ending or someone moving away from their parents' account to start a new one with profiles for all their own family members. However, Netflix is also looking to crack down on password sharing.

In August, it started charging users in five Latin American countries more if they share their accounts on an ongoing basis with people who live outside of the primary residence. That came after a trial run in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru, which suggests that account sharing fees may be coming to more territories after the broader rollout of profile transfers. We may soon start hearing about people getting kicked out of Netflix accounts because their friends or parents don't want to pay extra.

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Netflix is taking account sharing more seriously, particularly in light of the fact that its total number of subscribers dropped for the first time this year. It lost around 1.2 million in the first six months of 2022.

If you do suddenly find yourself having to pay for your own Netflix account, though, you'll soon have the option to transfer your profile to a cheaper, ad-supported plan. That tier will be available starting on November 3rd. It costs $7 per month, but it won't include access to the full Netflix library or offline viewing.

Update 10/17 11:15PM ET: Added clarification from Netflix that profiles can only be transferred to new accounts.
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  The death toll from floods in Nigeria this year has increased to 603 as local authorities race to get relief items to hundreds of thousands being evacuated from their submerged homes.

More than 1.3 million people have been displaced by the disaster, which has affected people across 33 of Nigeria's 36 states, the nation's humanitarian affairs ministry said late Sunday.

At least 340,000 hectares of land also have been affected, worsening fears of food supply disruptions. Armed conflict already has threatened production in the northwest and central regions of Nigeria, which produce much of what the country eats.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari directed all concerned to work for the restoration of normalcy, according to a statement issued by the presidency.

Nigeria experiences annual flooding especially in coastal areas but this years floods are the worst in more than a decade. Authorities blame the disaster this year on the release of excess water from Lagdo dam in neighboring Cameroon and on unusual rainfalls.

The flooding has worsened the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria where armed violence especially in the troubled northern region has already displaced more than 3 million people, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center.

Sadiya Umar Farouq, Nigerias minister of humanitarian affairs, warned that five states are still at risk of experiencing floods up till the end of November.

We are calling on the respective state governments, local government councils and communities to prepare for more flooding by evacuating people living on flood plains to high grounds," Farouq said.

Last week, President Buhari approved 12,000 metric tons of grains for the flood victims, the humanitarian affairs minister said.
Severe floods in Nigeria since September have caused the deaths of over 600 people and displaced 1.3 million from their homes, according to a government minister, in the most devastating episode of seasonal floods Nigeria has seen in a decade.

Heavy rains combined with poor urban planning have made parts of Nigeria more susceptible to flooding.

Read more

Around the River Niger bridge which joins Lagos to Onitsha and the rest of eastern Nigeria, sizable portions of surrounding communities have been submerged under water, crippling economic activity for many small traders and farmers. The situation has been so dire that Sadiya Umar Farouq, Nigerias minister of humanitarian affairs, has asked five state governments to prepare to evacuate residents living along flood plains. In Anambra, one of those states, 76 people died trying to flee the flood after an escape boat capsized.

Hard to comprehend the scale of this disaster - Anam flood pic.twitter.com/PEM535DFxG  Gesare Chife (@gechife) October 11, 2022

More than 200,000 houses and 266,000 acres of farmland have been completely or partially damaged, the minister said on Oct.16, warning states to prepare for more flooding and provide medical supplies for a possible outbreak of water-borne diseases.

Another year of failing to prepare hurts Nigeria



The last major flood emergency was between July and October in 2012, when the Niger and Benue rivers overflowed their banks. The reported death toll at the time was under 500, but it displaced a similar number of people as this years.



But in addition to state governments failing to prepare early for seasonal floods, this years events have also been blamed on the release of excess water from Cameroons Lagdo dam in the middle of September. Nigeria does not have a buffer dam to prevent this flow though this need has existed since 1982 when the Lagdo dam was completed.



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All Federal agencies dealing with rescue and disaster management have been directed to scale up response and intervention efforts to support the victims of flooding across the country, as well as all the affected State Governments - 33 States so far affected, and the FCT.  Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) October 16, 2022

In the absence of adequate prevention, Nigeria succumbs to the damage of these floods, resorting to the disbursement of relief items as its main response. 12,000 metric tons of food from Nigerias reserves will be sent to affected communities, following president Muhammadu Buharis approval. But government efforts are hardly attending to the scale of damage unfolding around the country. In some communities, individuals have started online and offline fundraising campaigns to crowdsource relief.

Some big agricultural businesses are feeling the heat and that could increase food prices in the coming months. Olam Nigeria, which produces a quarter of Nigerias rice, says 10,000 acres of its farmland have been submerged, leading to a shortfall that could raise prices. We should expect an increase in rice prices in December. Of course, that goes without saying, because the entire crop has been lost, said Ade Adefeko, the companys vice-president for corporate and government relations.




MADISON  New Jersey's epidemic of suburban auto thefts is now a federal issue.

Local police chiefs and county sheriffs from across North Jersey joined a bipartisan coalition of elected officials on Monday to promote legislation in Washington to fight the problem.

The news conference in Madison was organized by U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-Montclair, who introduced a bill in Congress last week that would provide $150 million in grants over five years to local law enforcement, in response to a wave of auto thefts and stolen vehicle trafficking around the country.

Some of those vehicles are illegally sold to foreign markets. Others are used as untraceable transportation in violent crimes right here in New Jersey.

"It's not just your car getting stolen out of your driveway," said Col. Patrick Callahan, the head of the New Jersey State Police and one of more than a dozen speakers at the event. "It's an hour later that it's being used to shoot a teenager in a nearby city."

Sherrill, currently running for reelection in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, is cosponsoring the Auto Theft Prevention Act with Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican. She hopes to see Congress take up and pass the bill during its lame-duck session after the November election.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) speaks about her introduction of a federal Auto Theft Prevention Act that would help law-enforcement combat the rising wave of vehicle thefts in New Jersey and elsewhere around the nation, Oct. 17, 2022 at the Hartley-Dodge Memorial building in Madison.

Standing on the steps of Madison's historic Hartley Dodge Memorial building, which serves as the borough's municipal hall, Sherrill echoed statistics that local and state officials have cited to illustrate the surge in auto thefts in recent years. High-end luxury vehicles are a particularly prized target, sought by crime rings that scour neighborhoods for key fobs left inside cars or in unlocked house.

According to state police data, a record 14,320 cars were reported stolen last year in New Jersey, representing a 22% rise in thefts from 2020. By August of this year, 9,000 vehicles had been stolen, state police reported. That put New Jersey on pace for 17,000 by the end of 2022, "a trend that poses not only a threat to property, but a real safety risk," Sherrill said.

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In Washington, she learned that "this is not just a New Jersey problem."

"Nationally, almost 500,000 vehicles worth an estimated $4.5 billion were stolen in the first half of 2022," Sherrill said. That represented a 25% increase in thefts compared with the first half of 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic, she said.

NJ car theft on a record-setting pace: See where your town ranks

'Target-rich': In NJ suburbs, police battle alarming rise in luxury auto theft

Sherrill's and Bacon's bill would provide $30 million annually over five years to create a competitive grant program. The money would fund new hiring, equipment and technology and other resources to target the increasingly brazen crime rings, who in New Jersey have been known to use children as young as 13 to scout for vehicles.

Sherrill's Republican opponent in the election, Paul DeGroot, did not immediately respond to messages on Monday. In a meeting last week with The Record and NorthJersey.com editorial board, DeGroot, a former Passaic County assistant prosecutor, said he would make law-and-order issues a priority if elected, including car thefts and burglaries. DeGroot said he would fight for more federal funding for police and better coordination among authorities at all levels.

Authorities say there's a simple way for owners to protect their cars: Lock the doors and take your keys with you. But plenty of careless residents don't do so, making the New Jersey suburbs an easy hunting ground. The tech-savvy thieves, police say, look for new, unlocked luxury models with fobs left inside. If the fob is not there, they often will look for an open door to enter homes, find the key and make a quick getaway, according to police.

In Morris County this year, 89% of vehicle thefts have involved keys or key fobs left in a vehicle. Of these, 61% were stolen from residences and another 23% at commercial locations.

Speakers at the event included state Sens. Anthony Bucco, R-Boonton, and Richard Codey, D-Essex, who in August co-sponsored their own bipartisan bill in the state Legislature to increase penalties for adults and juveniles participating in organized efforts to steal vehicles and burglarize homes.

The crime wave has led to an increase in police chases of suspected car thieves that often result in crashes, property damage and injury. In July, the pursuit of an allegedly stolen Mercedes ended in a fiery crash that knocked out utility service for thousands in central Morris County; in September, police conducted an hours-long manhunt around the Boonton Reservoir before eventually arresting five men accused of ditching a stolen Porsche.

"This is a crisis, no doubt about it," Bucco said. "These car thefts are getting more and more dangerous, not only in terms of the public, but for the law enforcement personnel who are out there trying to protect us. Our bill, hopefully along with the congresswoman's legislation, will help to give them the resources they need to help them protect our friends and neighbors."

"It's a big business, and it strikes to our own heart that we're not safe in our own homes," added Codey, a former state Senate president and acting governor. "So let's get state legislation done, and the federal done, right away."

Sherrill referred to the speakers at the event as evidence of an "all-hands-on-deck effort here across the state to address this challenge."

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) speaks about her introduction of a federal Auto Theft Prevention Act that would help law-enforcement combat the rising wave of vehicle thefts in New Jersey and elsewhere around the nation, Oct. 17, 2022 at the Hartley-Dodge Memorial building in Madison.

Other speakers included New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, Passaic County Undersheriff Kevin Dickson and Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll.

"In the state, we have been doing everything we can to combat the rise in auto theft," said Platkin, a graduate of Madison High School. "We have a long way to go. But with these partnerships and with these dollars, we can get this problem under control."

Federal dollars, Platkin said, can help pay for technologies such as automated license plate readers, gun-violence detection sensors and other modern tools of the trade.

The problem is not limited to thefts of expensive cars in wealthy suburbs. Through September of this year, Dickson said, "we've seen more than 900 auto thefts in Passaic County alone, about a 15% increase over the same time last year."

Fontoura said if the news conference had been held outside in Newark, instead of Madison, they might even have seen "a stolen car chase go by."

Codey and Bucco said they also hope to get their bill on Gov. Phil Murphy's desk before the end of the year.

"I spoke to the Senate president last night and told him in no uncertain terms, ASAP," Codey said. "He got the message."

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com

Twitter: @wwesthoven

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Sherrill Auto Theft Prevention Act backed at NJ bipartisan rally
Former Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa) is seen in 2006 at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., in front of Grant Wood's

Former Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa) is seen in 2006 at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., in front of Grant Wood's "American Gothic." Wood painted in much of Leach's district. (Photo: Chris Maddaloni via Getty Images)

Jim Leach is angry. And if you know Jim Leach, you know that takes some doing.

In his 30-year tenure on Capitol Hill  when, among other things, he headed the House Financial Services Committee and helped shape the banking deregulation bill known as Gramm-Leach-Bliley  the genteel Iowan was known as one of the most professorial and polite members of Congress.

These days, though, Leach is less the moderate Republican he was until he lost reelection in 2006, and more someone determined to warn others about the current Republican Party. And that mission includes endorsing the Democratic challenger to a man whom he worked alongside for those 30 years: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

Chuck has been a fine friend of mine. Weve never had the exact same records. We were different kinds of Republicans, Leach told HuffPost in an interview recently.

But the problem to me is a very simple one, he said. This state of Iowa and much of the Midwest is really an integrity-related type of people. And what has happened is the breakdown of integrity in public life.

Leach made waves in late July with his declaration of support for Grassleys opponent, retired Navy Adm. Mike Franken, and with the news that hed switched his registration from GOP to Democratic  despite having been a Republican, by his count, since the early 1960s.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who is seeking his eighth Senate term, says he still considers Leach a friend, despite Leach's endorsement of Grassley's Democratic opponent this fall. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images)

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who is seeking his eighth Senate term, says he still considers Leach a friend, despite Leach's endorsement of Grassley's Democratic opponent this fall. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images)

An Emerson College poll conducted in early October showed Grassley with an 11-point lead, after Franken had closed the gap to only eight points in a July Des Moines Register newspaper poll.

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David Yepsen, a veteran Iowa reporter who covered the states politics for 34 years for the Register, said Leachs endorsement of Franken could help on the margins.

Jim Leach will be the first to tell you endorsements dont mean a lot in Iowa politics. But they are worth some media attention and buzz, and this endorsement helps Franken underscore the argument that Grassleys been there long enough, Yepsen said.

Leach is a respected figure in Iowa and his point may be enough to convince moderate GOP voters to make the switch, he added. Frankens got to peel off some Republican votes, and much of Frankens media is designed to do that.

Befitting the idea of Iowa nice, Leach said he wont run down Grassley, only talk up Franken, who he said has needed military knowledge and skills.

I will be speaking respectfully of Chuck, but I will be advocating [for] Michael Franken. Any other approach is kind of not consistent and doesnt express adequate sincerity, he said.

That reluctance to attack was not exactly shared by Grassley when he was asked about Leachs endorsement before the Senate went into recess at the end of September.

Well, that shouldnt surprise you. He changed to the Democrat Party. You would expect him to do that, Grassley told HuffPost.

But when asked if he still considered Leach a friend, Grassley replied Oh, sure, though he said he and Leach have not spoken face to face since 2016.

It happens that I have great respect for Jim Leach, even though he has changed parties, Grassley said.

Leach knows his former party colleagues are upset with him, but argues that he had no choice. Donald Trump and the Jan. 6 attempted insurrection were his breaking point, Leach said.

Leach is a respected figure in Iowa and his point may be enough to convince moderate GOP voters to make the switch.David Yepsen, former politics reporter for The Des Moines Register

I have disappointed them and they know it, but that doesnt mean I can change my mind and say I have no right to look at another political party when the political party I have become part of has become dishonest and criminal, Leach said.

Those are very strong words, he said. But I have no choice but to be appalled with what I have been seeing in Washington, D.C. And you cant pass it up. And if you do, you give America away to the worst.

Its unclear if Leachs name still carries the weight it once did. (Sen. Joni Enst, the other Iowa Republican senator, had not initially heard about Leachs endorsement, saying she didnt follow him.)

But Leach, who turned 80 on Saturday, said hell stick to his guns, no matter what.

I think the point of the issue is that I have to do what fits my convictions, and if I dont see with my convictions, I have no basis of living, he said.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

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Graying alums of Americas antislavery crusade brought a sense of urgency to a belated reunion of Old Abolitionists in Chicago. The event had been postponed to 1874 because of the Great Chicago Fire three years earlier. So those who met at the Second Baptist Church at Morgan and Monroe streets were painfully aware that time was running out to set the record straight about the Underground Railroad.

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Immediately after the Civil War, there was cachet in claiming to have been part of the clandestine network of safe houses that helped enslaved Blacks reach freedom in Canada. Some got credit on little or no evidence.

The Chicago Tribune reported on the first reunion of the Old Guard abolitionists who met in Chicago on July 9, 1847. (Chicago Tribune)

Some parts of the abolitionists story were too well-known to be conveniently forgotten. The year before John Browns ill-fated 1859 raid at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, the militant abolitionist and his guerrillas brought 11 enslaved Blacks, rescued from Missouri, to Chicago and met with prominent members of the citys anti-slavery movement.

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During the Civil War, Union soldiers sang: John Browns Body lies a-moldering in the grave/ But his soul goes marching on. The tune was later used for The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Illinois role in the Underground Railroad was inevitably controversial. In July 1857, the Tribune reported that the Nashville Democrat, a small-town newspaper, had complained:

On July 16, 1857, the Tribune reported that the Nashville Democrat, a small-town paper, said the fugitive enslaved Blacks were headed to that hot bed of treasonable Abolitionism and corruption, Chicago. (Chicago Tribune)

For some time past the Negro stealing Abolitionists of this section of Illinois have persisted in their determination to establish this point as a depot on the Underground Railroad. 

The paper said the fugitive enslaved Blacks were headed to that hot bed of treasonable Abolitionism and corruption, Chicago.

An estimated 3,000 to 4,500 formerly enslaved Black people passed through Chicago, most finding asylum in Canada, according to the National Park Service.

Fearing that their story might not survive them, the organizers of the Old Abolitionists reunion made a point of inviting young people in the announcement of the event, which was sent to 400 newspapers.

Along with others in attendance, the young people sang The Antislavery Hymn:

While he treads the wheel of slavery

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Bid his hopeless fears subside

Bear him through oppressions currents

Land him safe on freedoms side.

First-person narratives were told at the reunion. Frances Willard described The first time she saw free land was from Lake Ontario, where she saw the land of Canada, the Tribune reported.

Frances Willard, shown circa 1880, described The first time she saw free land was from Lake Ontario," referencing Canada. (Library of Congress)

A letter from John Cross was read: I well recollect, a few years later, seeing Elias Robinson, for no crime but wearing the skin his Creator had given him, by the decision of a Chicago magistrate, delivered up, in utter disregard of Gods prohibition, to the biped bloodhounds from Missouri which were howling on his track.

The reunions audience heard the story of the abolitionists patron saint, Harriet Tubman. Escaping from slavery in Virginia in 1849, she returned to lead dozens of other enslaved people to freedom, often using the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War, she escorted Union soldiers into Confederate territory.

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An inspirational lecture on Benjamin Lundy, founder of the Union Humane Society, a pioneering abolitionist group, was given by Zebina Eastman, the editor of Chicago magazine.

But the pledge he made to his soul at Wheeling, to remember the poorest of the poor, to remember those in bonds, to deliver them, held a spell upon him, Eastman declaimed. It was a constant question: What shall I do? And he concluded he must act.

The reunions audience heard the story of the abolitionists patron saint, Harriet Tubman, shown here between 1860 and 1875. (Library of Congress)

Indeed, an easterner complained that the host city was hogging the podium. He believed that Chicago had enough speakers to run the Convention to the ground, the Tribune reported.

Perhaps so, but Chicago had something to brag about. When a slave owner appeared in Chicago in 1855, the Tribune advised him; you had better go home and thank God your slaves have escaped, and pray to him to keep you from the sin of owning more.

Chicagos abolitionists included John Jones and his wife Mary. A free Black man, he ran a prosperous tailoring business at 119 Dearborn St. Their spacious home was a station, as safe-houses on the Underground Railroad were dubbed.

The citys first Black congregation, Quinn Chapel A.M.E., operated another station in a little church at State and Madison streets. When Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, Jones presided at a community meeting in Quinn Chapel. It created a Vigilance Committee to watch for bounty hunters trying, under cover of night, to drag Black Chicagoans into servitude.

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Old documents for Quinn Chapel AME profess it as one of the oldest African American churches in Chicago. The church had a Vigilance Committee to watch for bounty hunters trying to drag Black Chicagoans into servitude. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

The most enigmatic of Chicagos abolitionists was Allan Pinkerton. He founded a detective agency that would become infamous for roughing up union organizers and strikers. But in the 1850s, he was on the side of enslaved Blacks. When John Brown passed through Chicago, he sought out Pinkerton, who fed Browns group and brought them to the Jones station. The escapees were sent on to Detroit, from where they reached Canada.

Another set of Chicagos station masters was Jan and Antje Ton, Dutch immigrants and dedicated abolitionists. The site of their farm, on what became the citys Southeast Side, was marked by a plaque this year.

Jan Ton, born in the Netherlands in 1826, settled in the Calumet District in 1847. Jan and his wife Antjes farm was a stop on the Underground Railroad. (Chicago Tribune archive)

Geography dictated Chicagos role in the Underground Railroad, and the citys role can be seen as a predecessor, of sorts, to its current identification as a sanctuary city where the police dont cooperate with federal authorities searching for immigrants in the country illegally.

In the 19th century, Illinois was flanked by slave states to the west and south. But enslaved people were essentially freed by setting foot on Illinois soil. In 1853, a judge freed Robert Herman, whose owner had brought him from Arkansas to Illinois.

Vintage Chicago Tribune Weekly The Vintage Tribune newsletter is a deep dive into the Chicago Tribune's archives featuring photos and stories about the people, places and events that shape the city's past, present and future. >

He now wishes to say to Richard Thurston of Van Buren, Ark., his ex master, that he thanks him for his freedom; that if he had kept him there with his wife and child he would never have left them, and would therefore have been today a slave, the Tribune reported.

But as the Fugitive Slave Act took hold, it was perilous for enslaved Blacks to depend upon the goodwill of judges. The Act also imposed a heavy burden on the conductors of intermediate stations on the route to Chicago, as was noted in a letter the Tribune printed on the eve of the Old Abolitionists reunion.

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Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, left, and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, center right, help unveil a marker at the site of the former Jan Ton Farm on Sept. 24, 2022, in Chicago. Slaves who escaped the South between the 1830s and the Civil War and traveled north to Chicago, Detroit and Canada, sought and received refuge at the farm as part of the Underground Railroad. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

My father with three brothers who occupied adjoining farms, entertained hundreds of these runaways, taking them 10 or 15 miles on their way  in many instances feeding them in some place of concealment, for days and even weeks, wrote a resident of Galesburg. Not only were these friends and helpers of the fugitive in danger from the owners, who not infrequently armed with the authority of Law, tracked him across the state, but a price was put upon their heads, and they were beset with spies among their own neighbors, and ostensible friends.

The Old Abolitionists reunion ended with a salute to newspapers that had supported the abolitionist cause. Among them was the Western Citizen and an eventual successor, the Chicago Tribune.

*Editors note: An earlier version of this story misstated the connection between a song on John Brown sung by Union soldiers and The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Sign up to receive the Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter at chicagotribune.com/newsletters for more photos and stories from the Tribunes archives.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com.
The team behind House of the Dragon have explained the final scene in episode nine, amid viewer frustration that it was something of an anti-climax.

On Sunday (16 October), the HBO show broadcast its first seasons penultimate episode, which explored the fallout from the death of King Viserys (Paddy Considine) in the previous episode.

*Spoilers follow  you have been warned*

Incorrectly believing Viseryss dying wish was for their son Aegon to succeed him as ruler, Alicent (Olivia Cooke) informs her father Otto (Rhys Ifans), who jumps to action in order to prevent Rhaenyra (Emma DArcy) from taking her rightful place on the Iron Throne.

Throughout the episode, the Hightowers attempt to convince the people on Kings Landing, including Viseryss sister Rhaenys (Eve Best), that, in the final moments of his life, he went against his steadfast wish to have Rhaenyra succeed him.

Rhaenys attempts to escape Kings Landing when she realises the Hightowers are fasttracking the coronation before Rhaenyra has a chance to prevent it. Disguised in a shawl, Rhaenys slinks away as Aegon is being crowned  only to return on dragonback, dressed in silver and red armour.

She rides Meleys from the Dragonpit, landing directly in front of the Hightowers, with Alicent shielding her son, believing death to be imminent.

However, instead of ordering Meleys to breathe fire on the usurpers, which would have put at end to any civil war about to begin, she flies off, presumably to Dragonstone to inform a clueless Rhaenyra and Dameon (Matt Smith) about everything thats happened.

This act left viewers feeling underwhelmed and frustrated. However. Best has explained Rhaenyss motivations behind her decision in a post-episode interview, telling Entertainment Weekly: Its the moment when she shows herself to be the greatest possible ruler.

Best said the moment was the most merciful and most graceful act, adding: Its because shes so intelligent and in the end chooses to do the right thing, which is not to destroy. Its a truly forgiving moment and sort of a loving moment, in a weird way.

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Eve Best at the end of House of the Dragon episode nine (HBO)

The actor continued: Shes suffered so much loss, and for her own sake and on behalf of so many others, the urge to destroy is so strong. And yet the choice not to destroy becomes even stronger. Thats the mark of greatness and [a] truly inspiring moment.

Best also said that an earlier scene between Alicent and Rhaenys inspired the decision to spare her life, as well as Alicents immediate protection of Aegon in what she believes will be her final moments.

She steps up as a mother  I think Rhaenys sees that and respects that, Best said.

Discussing the debate with The Hollywood Reporter, writer-producer Sara Hess said: I think she just cant do it. Its not her war. The fight is between these two sides and shes kind of not in it. She doesnt feel like shes the one to come in and do that. But youre right. If she had just incinerated everybody, its game over, Rhaenyra wins and were done here. But the cost is huge.

Alicent protecting Aegon in the closing moments of House of the Dragon episode nine (HBO)

Meanwhile, fans have been left in disbelief over a scene involving Larys (Matthew Needham) and Alicents feet.

House of the Dragon continues in the UK on Sky Atlantic on Mondays at 2am, before repeating at 9pm later that day. It is also available to watch on NOW.
In its campaign against password sharing, Netflix has begun the global rollout of a feature that allows users to transfer profile data to a new account. In other words, if youre using a shared account (naughty, naughty) that contains your profile with its rich viewing history and saved settings, Profile Transfer will let you move that data to a new account  one that you pay for.

The Profile Transfer rollout begins on Monday and account owners will receive an email notifying them when the feature is available.

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People move. Families grow. Relationships end. But throughout these life changes, your Netflix experience should stay the same, Netflixs blog post announcing the feature reads. Today, were launching Profile Transfer, a feature that lets people using your account transfer a profile  keeping the personalized recommendations, viewing history, My List, saved games, and other settings  when they start their own membership.

The feature can be selected on a users profile page via the dropdown menu found by hovering on the profile icon. Once selected, Netflix will instruct the user to create a new profile with its own associated email address and password. Account owners also have the option to disable Profile Sharing in their account settings.

Netflix spent the last year testing features that curb password sharing, where account owners share a Netflix password with multiple people. The practice violates clauses in the streamers terms of service stating that accounts can only be used by people who belong to the same household, and the streamer estimates that over 100 million non-paying households use shared passwords to access their content.

March saw the streamer roll out a feature in Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru allowing members to share accounts with people outside of their household in exchange for an extra fee. That test also allowed users to transfer profiles to separate accounts or the extra member accounts. A separate test was launched in five other Latin American countries this August, allowing account owners to add different households to their account for a lower price than a full membership.

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Netflixs move to shut down password sharing follows several setbacks from the streamer, which lost around 1.2 million subscribers during the first two quarters of 2022. The subscriber loss resulted in falling stock and several rounds of layoffs to multiple departments. Recent research from Moffett Nathanson indicated that the streamer had largely maxed out its potential number of subscribers in the U.S. marketplace.

Netflix made the announcement on October 17, the day before it will announce its third quarter 2022 results after market close.

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Flight nurses had to trek fresh blood into the woods after a hiker fell off of a mountain in North Carolina Sunday evening, according to Burke County Search and Rescue.

Channel 9s Dave Faherty learned Monday the hiker is a 18-year-old from the Durham area and fell from 40-feet at the top of Hawksbill Mountain.

Faherty climbed more than 4,000-feet in elevation to the summit of the mountain east of the Linville Gorge in the Pisgah National Forest.

At the same locations the day prior, rescue workers said they received reports of a hiker who had fallen approximately 45 feet around 7 p.m. Officials said the hiker was not rock climbing at the time, but got too close to the edge and fell.

ALSO READ: Rescuers save hiker with impaled foot from North Carolina mountain

After making contact with the hiker, EMS determined that due to the nature of their injuries, the hiker would need whole blood before being moved from the area.

While the hiker was being stabilized by EMS, Burke Rescue said ropes were used to set up a horizontal raise to bring the hiker back to the top of Hawksbill. However, high winds on the top of the mountain made a helicopter extraction too dangerous and it was decided the hiker would have to be carried off the mountain.

Rescue workers said while their crews were working to extract the hiker from the woods, the helicopter was able to land, and EMS was able to transport their crew via ambulance to the Hawksbill parking area.

In that area, the mountain is rugged, Captain Burke Browning with Burke Emergency Services said. The place she fell in was quite rugged so they did have to do quite a bit of work to get her out.

The flight nurses then hiked fresh whole blood into the woods, where they met rescue crews on the trail and a successful blood transfusion was administered, according to Burke Rescue.

The hiker and responding crews all made it safely out of the woods around 1 a.m. The hiker was then transported to a nearby trauma center.

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Anna Perdue, a hiker on the trail on Monday, said she doesnt take chances with any of the areas dangerous drops.

You always have to be kind of aware of where the edge is, she said. I dont like getting too close to the edge, because vertigo can get you.

Burke County Search and Rescue said they believe this was the first whole blood delivery in the Linville Gorge. They are also working with the local hospital in Morganton to get more equipment for related recuses.

(WATCH BELOW: Mountain rescue: Hiker with impaled foot rescued from North Carolina mountain)
Protesters outside City Hall demand the resignations of Councilmembers Gil Cedillo, whose City Council term ends this year, and Kevin De Leon, who is set to serve through 2024, and major California political figures, including L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and Sen. Alex Padilla, have joined the protesters' cause. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)

Nury Martinez, the Los Angeles City Council president who derided a progressive district attorney for being "with the Blacks," described a small Black boy as parece changuito (like a monkey) and claimed his white father handled him as if he were an "accessory," resigned her seat last Wednesday.

But Councilmembers Kevin De Leon and Gil Cedillo, who were in the room during the leaked conversation in which Martinez spewed racist statements, are still in office.

Major California political figures, including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, have joined protestors in calling for the resignations of Cedillo, whose term ends this year, and De Leon, who is set to serve through 2024. Even President Biden, who was in Los Angeles last week, has called on the lawmakers to leave office.

The episode, which has captivated much of the country, showcases two political phenomena  strife among Democrats jockeying for power and anti-Black racism among politicians of color  that are rarely aired so openly. Two of the lawmakers involved in the tape have refused to leave office in the face of righteous anger, creating a waiting game of sorts. But focusing on whether a few politicians will resign, rather than on a culture that nurtures anti-Black racism within Latino communities, can obscure the prevalence of racist beliefs, experts told The Times.

Anti-Black racism in the Latino community is not a question of a few bad eggs, said Tanya Kateri Hernandez, a law professor at Fordham University School of Law and author of "Racial Innocence: Unmasking Latino Anti-Black Bias and the Struggle for Equality."

"[Martinez's] comments don't exist in a vacuum," Hernandez said. "They exist within a set of cultural racial attitudes that are part of Latino culture."

In much of the world, anti-Black racism evokes certain images  "whites only" signs hanging above water fountains in the deep South, burning crosses in the Midwest and white men hurling racist insults at Trump rallies. But the Atlantic slave trade made anti-Black racism a persistent global phenomenon.

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Although the legacy of slavery is most closely associated with the United States, the trade was much more prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean. Of 12 million Africans trafficked to the Western Hemisphere, fewer than 400,000 were taken to North America while millions went to Latin America and the Caribbean, according to scholars' estimates. And although Jim Crow was unique to the United States, Latin American countries continue to use police power and state resources to uphold racial hierarchies and racist social norms through what Hernandez calls "customary race regulation."

"You don't need 'whites only' signs when an entire society already has internalized the notion of what are the white spaces," Hernandez said.

In Latin America, it is common for people to dismiss racism and deem class the primary wedge issue between groups, Hernandez added.

But racial disparities permeate Latin American societies. In Colombia, for example, Afro-Latinos account for 26% of the country's population and 75% of poor people, according to the United Nations. On average, Colombian Afro-Latinos earn 34% less than their non-Black counterparts. In Brazil, Afro-Latinos make up nearly half the population, yet their economic participation is only 20% of the nation's gross domestic product.

Anti-Black sentiment is prevalent not only among people in Latin America but also among Latinos in the United States, Hernandez said. In the U.S., levels of racial prejudice against Black people are comparable for Latinos and non-Hispanic whites, political scientists Yanna Krupnikov and Spencer Piston found in a 2016 study.

In the United States, where Latinos also endure discrimination, it can be easy for people like Martinez to downplay the harm of their words, she added.

"Getting rid of one Nury doesn't deal with Latino anti-Blackness," Hernandez said, adding that not all Latinos are anti-Black. "But there are many Nurys and we need to become racially literate about the existence of anti-Blackness within communities that are not white Anglo English-speaking Americans. "

Pastor Thembekila Coleman-Smart and activist Greg Akili, inside City Hall last week, demand the resignations of council members involved in the taped conversation. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

Hasan Kwame Jeffries , a historian at Ohio State University, noted that Martinez made her racist comments during a conversation about political redistricting.

This isnt just ones persons beliefs or biases against another, he said. Nury is connecting to a particular base in a rigidly segregated community. In the context of political power, the solidarity between Black and brown communities can sometimes break down. It would be nice if we could push beyond that. But power is power.

Black and Latino Democrats often find themselves together pushing for power in Congress, which remains disproportionately white.

In the Los Angeles political power structure, however, there is no shortage of Democrats of color, and lawmakers often find that their most threatening rivals are within their own party.

Martinez expressed "aspirations of replacing one oppressor with another," Melina Abdullah, who has been affiliated with Black Lives Matter nationally and is currently a leader in BLM-LA, told The Times. The anti-Black sentiments expressed by Martinez are a common approach of so-called leaders who move based on their own political ambitions rather than service," Abdullah added.

In Los Angeles, Black organizers say they still see many Latino activists as natural allies in the struggle against white supremacy. But the tape has deepened their distrust of the city's Latino leadership.

"How can you have any trust in people to make public policy around the interests of Black folks when they're making fun of Black people like that," said Greg Akili, a 74-year-old organizer with Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles. "It shows a certain side that many of us thought did not exist within the Los Angeles Latino leadership."

"People like that should not be in political office," he added.

Jessica Zubia Calsada, a 23-year-old San Fernando Valley resident, expressed dismay over Martinez's comments and said they were not an anomaly.

Calsada, a non-Black Mexican American, urged people to call out racism in Latino spaces when it arises.

"It's important we also look within and put the same energy towards our anti-Black community members as we are towards Martinez," she said. "We need to stop anti-Blackness to build unity between communities."

Calsada said she has younger Black siblings and strives to speak up when she hears her family members espouse racist rhetoric.

"I don't want them to think that this is something that should be normal and something they have to tolerate," she said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Jim Urquhart/REUTERS

Oath Keeper founder Stewart Rhodes and the far-right militia groups lawyer sent each other sexually explicit text messages in the days leading up to the Capitol Riot, federal prosecutors revealed on Monday.

Speaking of fucking... if you need some come on over, Rhodes texted general counsel Kellye SoRelle on Jan. 2, 2021, according to a message shown in court. Maybe Ill drag you into my hotel room and throw you on the bed then.

SoRelle, in a text message shown in court, responded: See thats how I know youre trouble. Youre too good at what you do. Whole bad boy thing. I am a damn moth to a [flame emoji]. I really am replaying my teenage years.

Whether sent in jest or not, the racy text messages between Rhodes and SoRellethe attorney has denied they had any kind of romantic relationshipcome as prosecutors attempt to challenge any claim of attorney-client privilege between the duo. Last week, District of Columbia Judge Amit Mehta ruled that prosecutors would be allowed to show the messages in an attempt to prove there the relationship between Rhodes and SoRelle before the Capitol riots wasnt strictly professional.

I think its quite clear from the context of the statements that these are personal text messages and do not meet the definition of attorney-client privilege, Mehta said on Thursday.

Prosecutors and some defense lawyers previously claimed SoRellewho is facing separate charges in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection herselfwas romantically linked to her former client.

Oath Keepers Best New Hope Is a Lawyer Who Cites Lord of the Rings

For his part, Rhodes defense team last week filed a motion insisting that SoRelle was simply a licensed attorney who had done pro bono work for the Oath Keepers at the founders behest since 2020.

Prosecutors say shedding more light on the relationship will bolster their argument that Rhodes and other far-right militia members executed a long-planned mission to shatter a bedrock of American democracy with their actions at and around the riot. Five Oath Keepers, including Rhodes, are currently on trial for charges of seditious conspiracy, a rare Civil War-era offense that is the most serious allegation lobbed at anyone in connection with the attack.

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Rhodes estranged wife, Tasha Adams, suggested the texts could undermine his claims that the Oath Keepers were working a legitimate security job and protecting rally-goers on Jan. 6.

"Most people dont want to fool around the night before a test. Its stressful, right? To me this [shows] the mindset. This wasnt stressful to him. Hes high on dopamine or something. Hes loving this. Hes getting ready to attempt an overthrow of the government and hes trying to be all flirty and alpha male," Adams told The Daily Beast. "Hes not stressed out about working a security job or saying, Weve got to keep the VIPs safe, the whole thing hes trying to say [in his defense]. Hes not focused on any of that."

Adams filed to divorce Rhodes in 2018. The case has stalled in court for years, with Rhodes fighting the proceedings. Following the Capitol riot, Adams and her adult children have gone public about Rhodes alleged misbehavior toward family members, and his political radicalization. Now, Adams said she hopes to have successfully divorced her ex by the end of the year.

Thanks Guys for the texts and messages. #MAGADATING Thanks USG.  https://t.co/Dpv1WW5spC  Kellye SoRelle, Attorney (@kellyesorelle) October 17, 2022

All five defendantswhich include Rhodes, retired Navy intelligence officer Thomas Caldwell, Florida Oath Keepers leader Kelly Meggs, member Kenneth Harrelson, and Jessica Watkins, who led an Ohio militia grouphave pleaded not guilty and face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors have painted a picture of the far-right group engaging in a meticulous planning process dating to at least December 2020. While Rhodes is not accused of entering the Capitol, prosecutors say he surveyed his troops like a general during the riot as they stormed the building in coordination with other far-right groups.

Prosecutors on Monday also showed jurors surveillance video taken after the insurrection that showed Watkins, Caldwell, and another Oath Keeper saluting each other at a hotel. Other militia members were also seen in the footage hauling large cases into their hotel roomswhich prosecutors allege continued weapons.

SoRelle, who was a volunteer with Lawyers for Trump during the election, is accused in a separate case of conspiring to obstruct the Electoral College certification of Joe Bidens victory and hiding and destroying evidence to obstruct the criminal investigation into the riots. Prosecutors in her case say that she was also in encrypted chats with other Oath Keepers.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Former President Barack Obama shakes hands with President Joe Biden during the unveiling of Obama's White House portrait. Carolyn Kaster/AP

"Pod Save America" co-host Jon Lovett joked with Obama about the age of the nation's leaders.

Lovett quipped whether the next generation of leadership Obama talks about was "The Silent Generation.

Insider's "Red, White, and Gray" series explored how America became a gerontocracy.

Former President Barack Obama said that while Donald Trump's presidency may have distracted him, he remains focused on elevating the next generation of leaders within the Democratic Party.

It's a goal that one of Obama's former aides quipped is evermore urgent considering who is currently in command.

"One of the things you said since leaving office is that it's your job to kind of step back and allow a new generation of leaders to emerge," Jon Lovett, a former staffer, said during a "Pod Save America" interview Friday with Obama. "Did you intend on that to be the Silent Generation?"

Lovett's joke underlines the unprecedented moment America is experiencing as a mixture of an increase in life expectancy and the power of incumbency has led to the nation's oldest president and Congress in history.

Insider journalists spent months interviewing hundreds of sources and analyzing gigabytes of data to understand how the United States arrived at this moment, publishing its findings during September in the 30-part "Red, White, and Gray" series.

Obama, who was 47 when he became president in 2009, expounded on a number of topics during his interview with Lovett, Jon Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor, including why Democratic policies are oftentimes more popular than Democrats themselves.

But even the former president was stumped by why there is a generational "gap" in talent between Silent Generation-era leaders such as President Joe Biden, 79, and the younger elected officials in the US House and in statehouses.

Some of the elements of America's gerontocracy defy party lines as is evident by Senate Republicans being led by Mitch McConnell, who is 80 years old. That's around the same age as the three top Democratic leaders in the House  Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Whip James Clyburn  who are all in their early 80s.

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"You know there's a gap between the talent that is coming up," Obama said. "A lot of them are 40 and under and then we have our national leadership that is "

"Over 40," his aides chimed in as the former president appeared to be searching for a diplomatic way to describe the current situation.

Obama said the "good news" is that he sees a growing number of talented lawmakers, particularly in Congress. He declined to name specific officials, though.

"If you look at the talent that's in Congress right now, young dynamic folks who are willing to shake things up, it's really impressive," he said. "It's just gonna be a matter of them continuing on the path they're on and then making that leap where they start getting national attention."

As for the age gap's existence, Obama said people could speculate. One possible explanation is that as president, Obama presided over two disastrous midterms for his party that greatly depleted Democrat's bench to draw on for bigger races.

Obama told his former aides that Trump's actions meant that his post-presidency began in 2017 with him being more outspoken about contemporary political issues than he intended to be. Now, with his former vice president in the Oval Office, the 44th president said he can focus on the next generation of leaders.

"I was probably more active politically than I anticipated," Obama said. "But I thought the stakes were high enough during the four years my successor was in office that I was more vocal, and still tried to pick and choose my spots, I was more engaged and involved."

Lovett had one final question and joke for his former boss: Where is Gen X?

As Lovett noted, Gen X is underrepresented on the national stage. Insider explored this odd gap in detail, noting that Obama is not technically a Gen Xer, either.

"Why do you think Gen X didn't run? Do you think it was grunge? They just kind of sat the whole thing out, it's a little weird," Lovett said.

"It's a little weird," Obama said while chuckling. "There you go."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Does the October share price for Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Occidental Petroleum

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$11.3b US$8.49b US$6.82b US$6.68b US$6.63b US$6.64b US$6.68b US$6.75b US$6.84b US$6.95b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x7 Analyst x4 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ -0.74% Est @ 0.08% Est @ 0.65% Est @ 1.05% Est @ 1.33% Est @ 1.52% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.6% US$10.4k US$7.2k US$5.3k US$4.8k US$4.4k US$4.0k US$3.7k US$3.5k US$3.2k US$3.0k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$50b

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.6%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$6.9b (1 + 2.0%)  (8.6% 2.0%) = US$106b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$106b ( 1 + 8.6%)10= US$46b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$96b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$66.7, the company appears quite good value at a 36% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Occidental Petroleum as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.423. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Occidental Petroleum, we've compiled three fundamental aspects you should assess:

Risks: To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Occidental Petroleum (including 1 which can't be ignored) . Future Earnings: How does OXY's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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With little time left to pass legislation, Republican leadership in the Ohio Senate might not ban abortions from the moment of conception by the end of this year.

"This is a tiny amount of time. We have five session days scheduled," Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, told the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau. "There may be people who say this is too pro-life or people who say this is not pro-life enough."

What will happen, in his opinion, is expanded care for pregnant women and defining life of the mother exemptions in the state's current "heartbeat" law. But whether overall restrictions get "extended all the way out to whatever we would define as conception, that remains to be seen at the moment," he said.

Huffman's comments represent a shift from the expectation that GOP lawmakers would ban nearly all abortions when they reconvened after the November elections.

Thousands gathered at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus earlier this month to rally and march during the first Ohio March for Life. Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch

Twenty-one Republican legislators recently promised to ban abortion from the point of conception at an Oct. 5 anti-abortion rally at the Ohio Statehouse. And abortion opponents previously expressed optimism that 2022 was their year: "We are going to accomplish our goal and our mission to end abortion in 2022," Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis said in June, just days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

But crafting language that clears legal hurdles and addresses doctors' concerns about vague exceptions while appeasing staunchly anti-abortion legislators is proving complicated in states across the nation. Ohio's six-week abortion ban is currently blocked by a court order.

Huffman, a lifelong Catholic whose mother helped start Ohio's crisis pregnancy centers, wants to reach a consensus with his fellow GOP lawmakers. He's just not sure that will happen before 2023 given the time left after November's election and the uncertainty over who is going to lead Republicans in the House after current Speaker Bob Cupp leaves at the end of the year.

Story continues

"This is sort of tradition in politics for the Senate to blame the House, but I dont know if that uncertainty adds to the challenge of getting things done...," Huffman said. "I think we can get a bill passed in the Senate, and I think the governor will sign it. I am uncertain about the House."

What is the Republican and Gov. Mike DeWine response to Roe?

It's also not clear what lines, if any, Gov. Mike DeWine will draw before signing another abortion ban. The Republican governor previously said Ohio lawmakers wouldn't restrict access to contraception  some of which works after conception but before implantation.

No one in their right mind is going to go try to have the state be involved in contraception, DeWine told reporters in July.

DeWine has pitched other ideas, such as eliminating the sales tax on baby items and extending maternity leave for state employees, in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Huffman said he wants to pass legislation that helps foster parents, makes adoption more affordable and expands programs for teenage mothers. He also wants to clarify what "life of the mother" means in medically useful terms for doctors. A Hamilton County judge recently blocked Ohio's six-week abortion ban, in part, because the exceptions were too vague for doctors. The state is appealing his ruling.

"Those are things that need to go forward, I think," he said.

Kellie Copeland, executive director of Pro-Choice Ohio, said abortion rights advocates warned lawmakers that their restrictions would have consequences.

"If theyre saying that after nine years of deliberation, they are going to somehow craft clearer exceptions that will in any way prevent people from being harmed by their policies, they are either lying or revealing how truly incompetent they are when it comes to understanding the complexities of pregnancies," Copeland said.

"The only way to protect Ohioans facing pregnancy complications, or the myriad of other nuanced and important reasons we may need access to abortion, is to not ban abortion in the first place."

More:Gov. Mike DeWine pitches eliminating Ohio sales tax on baby items amid abortion debate

What the anti-abortion movement in Ohio wants

"There's a lot of desire to do something on life at conception," Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer said. "We're not an easily discouraged crowd."

And Gonidakis says Ohio Right to Life is pushing for that in the final weeks of the legislative session, which are often called "lame duck."

"Based upon my conversations with Huffman and Cupp I am convinced that abortion will be addressed during lame duck," said Gonidakis, adding that he backs a comprehensive approach including DeWine's proposals, improvements to adoption and more resources for children. "Ohio Right to Life will utilize all of its resources to ensure these topics are addressed."

But Baer acknowledged that making big changes to Ohio law takes time. For example, it took conservatives nine years to pass Ohio's current "heartbeat bill."

During that time, abortion opponents passed a mandatory waiting period, required face-to-face consultations and limited abortion clinics' access to both insurance and public dollars.

"If we're not able to get everything we want to get done in lame duck, we will be right back on Jan. 1 pushing," Baer said.

How Roe v Wade was overturned:For decades groups in Ohio worked to overturn Roe v Wade. Here's what they did

One of the sticking points around a law that says life begins at conception is the way it might impact fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization and certain birth control methods. But Baer has "serious concerns" about how fertility clinics handle embryos that don't get implanted into their patients.

"They are an industry that has promoted themselves as creating families," Baer said. "But they now are having to acknowledge that abortion is a part of IVF."

What happens if life at conception doesn't pass?

Republicans are expected to retain control of the Ohio House and Senate following the 2022 elections, and DeWine is headed toward reelection over Democratic challenger Nan Whaley, according to most public polls.

"The state legislature has a super pro-life majority in both chambers, and I guarantee after Election Day 2022 those numbers will either increase or remain the same," Gonidakis said. "Ohio pro-life voters will have done their job this election season and this will send a strong message to our friends in the legislature to do theirs."

But that Republican majority eliminates some urgency.

"If we dont get it done now," Huffman said. "We will all be back here anyway."

Anna Staver and Jessie Balmert are reporters for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Will Ohio Republicans ban abortion at conception in 2022?
Democrat Tim Ryan and Trump-endorsed Republican JD Vance squared off in a debate in their battle for Ohios open Senate seat on Monday night. Mr Vance dodged on whether Donald Trump should comply with a subpoena from the House January 6 committee.

The pair faced each other as local Democrats plead for help from the national party in the belief they can win the race despite the state trending more conservative.

In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp and his Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams also met for a debate, as did Utah Senator Mike Lee and independent candidate Evan McMullin.

Meanwhile, Georgia Senate nominee Herschel Walker has insisted that a sheriffs badge he flashed onstage at a debate on Friday is legit after being ridiculed for falsely claiming to have held official law enforcement powers.

Mr Walker made the claim in an NBC News interview that saw him once again deny paying for an ex-girlfriends abortion. He said he saw no reason to reach out to his accuser  who is also the mother of his child.

Follow the latest news on the 2022 midterms below

Key points

JD Vances second debate with Tim Ryan turns nasty

Herschel Walker again denies paying for abortion

Fetterman pulls in fundraising haul after NBC controversy

Kari Lake attacks Democratic rival for skipping debate

Ohio Dems press party to invest in high stakes Senate seat

Watch: Herschel Walker appears to have no idea what his first crime bill will be

13:15 , Oliver O'Connell

WATCH: Ga. GOP Senate nominee Herschel Walker tells @kwelkernbc he has "no idea" what the first crime bill he would sponsor looks like.



Walker: "What is it gonna look like? Who knows? But we have to have to get something back. We have to have law in order." pic.twitter.com/8v6bmlvExb  Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 17, 2022

Kari Lake: The seemingly unstoppable rise of the Trump-endorsed election denier

12:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Story continues

Two years after quitting her television job, this Trump-endorsed Maga champion is involved in a showdown with a Democratic opponent that pundits say is too close to call.

Andrew Buncombe reports.

The seemingly unstoppable rise of election denier Kari Lake

Is 2022 a 2020 sequel or a preview of 2024 for Biden and Trump?

10:15 , Oliver O'Connell

This years midterm elections are playing out as a strange continuation of the last presidential race  and a potential preview of the next one.

Donald Trump, who refused to exit the stage after his defeat, has spent months raging against Joe Biden, reshaping downballot campaigns that normally function as a straightforward referendum on the incumbent president.

The result is an episode of political shadowboxing with little precedent, as the current president and his immediate predecessor  and possible future challenger  crisscross the country in support of their partys candidates.

For Biden and Trump, 2022 is 2020 sequel  and 2024 preview?

Stacey Abrams says shes on the right side of history in rematch against Georgia governor Brian Kemp

09:45 , Alex Woodward

While Brian Kemp outlined his vision for an optimistic second term as Georgias Republican governor, Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams pointed to what she called the state of fear for many Georgians that has dominated the last four years since they last faced off in 2018  gun violence, threats to abortion rights and rising housing and medical costs.

This is a governor who for the last four years beat his chest and delivered very little for most Georgians, Ms Abrams said, adding that Mr Kemp has weakened our privacy rights and womens rights and denied women the access to reproductive care.

The most dangerous thing facing Georgia is four more years of Brian Kemp, she said.

Despite polls showing her trailing behind Mr Kemp, Ms Abrams said she is on the right side of history and on the right side of the issues.

But we also know that polls are a snapshot, she said. The question is: Who are they taking a picture of?

The Independents Alex Woodward has the highlights from their debate rematch, four years in the making:

Key moments from Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp in debate rematch for Georgia governor

Heated Ohio Senate race gets ugly at second debate between JD Vance and Tim Ryan

09:00 , Alex Woodward

The final debate before Election Day between JD Vance and Tim Ryan in Youngstown, Ohio, was puncuated by vicious back-and-forth sniping between two candidates with a clear personal disdain for one another.

The Independents John Bowden has the highlights from high-stakes Senate race debate:

Heated Ohio Senate race gets ugly at second debate between JD Vance and Tim Ryan

Republican hopefuls turn to Pence to broaden appeal before election

08:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The final weeks of this years intensely competitive midterm elections suggest that the former vice presidents fortunes have shifted as he lays the groundwork for his own potential 2024 White House campaign.

Read more:

GOP hopefuls turn to Pence to broaden appeal before election

Marjorie Taylor Greene claims to be victim of January 6 riot

06:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Georgia Representative Majorie Taylor Greene on Sunday used her only general election debate to comment on her Democratic opponents headgear and cast herself as a victim of the January 6 attack on the Capitol despite supporting the aims of the rioters that day.

Ms Greene is running for a second term against Marcus Flowers, who has raised significant amounts of money but has little chance of defeating her because of the makeup of Georgias 14th district.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Marjorie Taylor Greene claims to be a victim of Jan 6 in heated Georgia debate

Reporter corrects Dr Oz live on air

04:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Dr Mehmet Oz was corrected live on air after he made false claims that his opponent John Fetterman wanted to end life imprisonment as his first political priority.

The pro-Trump Republican candidate for Pennsylvanias US Senate seat is trailing his Democratic rival for the open seat with less than a month left before election day.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Reporter corrects Dr Oz live on air as he makes false claim about Fetterman

Stacey Abrams says shes on the right side of history in rematch against Georgia governor Brian Kemp

02:17 , Alex Woodward

After losing the election for Georgias governor in 2018, Stacey Abrams has boosted her national profile as a voting rights advocate, combatting a wave of Republican-led efforts to restrict ballot access across the US.

But closer to home, as she makes a second bid for the governors office, she has struggled to close the gap between her campaign and her GOP opponent Brian Kemp, who is making his pitch for another four years in office, as they head to a rematch this November.

On the final day of early voting in their governors race, Ms Abrams and Mr Kemp faced off on the debate stage for the first time since their 2018 challenge.

Read more:

Key moments from Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp in debate rematch for Georgia governor

Voices: Obama back on the campaign trail for radically different Democratic Party

02:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes that the 44th president never fully bonded with his partys establishment but todays Democratic Party is a different beast than it was in 2016  never mind 2008.

Obama returns to the trail for a radically changed Democratic Party

Heated Ohio Senate race gets ugly at second debate between JD Vance and Tim Ryan

01:52 , John Bowden

The final debate before Election Day between JD Vance and Tim Ryan in Youngstown, Ohio, was puncuated by vicious back-and-forth sniping between two candidates with a clear personal disdain for one another.

The night began with Rep Tim Ryan wielding Donald Trumps ass-kissing quote  made in the same city just a few weeks ago by the former president when he visited town to stump for Mr Vance  like a club and portraying the Republican candidate as a spineless, two-faced politician. Mr Ryan was quick to note that Mr Vance was campaigning alongside a man he once compared to Adolf Hitler (which Mr Vance claimed falsely was not the case), and scoring easy blows against his opponent.

Read more:

Heated Ohio Senate race gets ugly at second debate between JD Vance and Tim Ryan

Kemp doesnt regret appointing Kelly Loeffler to Senate. after she lost to Raphael Warnock

Tuesday 18 October 2022 00:56 , Alex Woodward

Brian Kemp said he does not regret appointing Republican Kelly Loeffler to the US Senate. She lost in the 2020 election to Democratic candidate Raphael Warnock, who won alongside fellow Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff, giving the state to Democrats and handing the party narrow control of Congress.

Instead, Mr Kemp blamed the GOPs ground game and turnout.

Stacey Abrams deflects when asked if she will accept the election results

Tuesday 18 October 2022 00:47 , Eric Garcia

Stacey Abrams deflected in a debate Monday evening when asked about whether she would accept the results of Georgias governors race in November after she did not concede in 2018s election.

Debate moderator Greg Bluestein asked Ms Abrams about her non-concession in 2018 and whether she would commit to accepting the outcome of the vote and what it shows.

Ms Abrams said that in 2018, she acknowledged that Governor Brian Kemp had won the election. At the time, Mr Kemp served as secretary of state, Georgias top elections officer.

Read more:

Stacey Abrams deflects when asked if she will accept the election results

JD Vance dodges on whether Trump should comply with Jan 6 subpoena

Tuesday 18 October 2022 00:31 , David Taintor

Ohio Republican Senate nominee dodged when asked whether former president Donald Trump should comply with a subpoena from the House January 6 committee.

Im not going to pretend to give the president legal advice, Mr Vance said, adding that it would probably be enlightening testimony from the former president.

Kemp tries to tie Abrams to defund the police'

Tuesday 18 October 2022 00:20 , Alex Woodward

After Mr Kemp asked if any law enforcement agencies have endorsed her, Ms Abrams fired back: Unlike you, I dont have the luxury of relying on slogans to describe my position on public safety.

Despite the defund the police mantra among GOP officials aimed at Democrats this cycle, more than 83 per cent of US law enforcement agencies are spending more this year than in 2019.

Abrams says I will always acknowledge the outcome of elections as Kemp hits her on 2018 election

Tuesday 18 October 2022 00:16 , Alex Woodward

Tonights debate is a bit of a rematch from 2018, after which Ms Abrams did not formally concede but ended her campaign alleging unfair election practises and voter suppression.

In office as governor, Mr Kemp signed a sweeping restrictive elections bill into law, joining a nationwide Republican-led campaign to roll back ballot access.

I will always acknowledge the outcome of elections, Ms Abrams said. I will never deny access.

Mr Kemp said the bill makes it easy to vote and hard to cheat in the state, a familiar GOP refrain in support of restrictive voting laws.

Tim Ryan hits JD Vance over attacks against Pelosi

Tuesday 18 October 2022 00:16 , John Bowden

Tim Ryan opened up his performance in Mondays Ohio US Senate debate by slamming his opponent, JD Vance, for his incessant attacks attempting to tie him to Nancy Pelosi or other DC Democrats.

If you want to run against Nancy Pelosi, move back to San Francisco and run against Nancy Pelosi, he told Mr Vance.

Follow live for more updates.

JD Vance says Trumps kissing my ass line was a joke

Tuesday 18 October 2022 00:15 , David Taintor

JD Vance says that Donald Trump claiming that the Ohio Senate candidate was kissing his a** because he wanted the former presidents support so much amounted to a simple joke, adding that he knows Mr Trump well and recognised the humour in the remark.

JD Vance and Tim Ryan debate begins

Tuesday 18 October 2022 00:02 , David Taintor

The Ohio Senate debate between JD Vance and Tim Ryan has begun. Its expected to last for about one hour. Follow along for live updates.

Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp debate to begin

Monday 17 October 2022 23:59 , Alex Woodward

A debate between Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams and Republican incumbent Brian Kemp will start in a just a moment as the candidates make their case for who should be the governor of Georgia.

Well have the highlights.

Herschel Walker acknowledges giving check to ex but claims not to know if it was for abortion

Monday 17 October 2022 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Georgia Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker acknowledged in an interview with NBC News that he did indeed send a check to his ex-girlfriend but denied that it was to pay for an abortion.

NBC Newss Kristen Welker showed an image of the $700 check that he reportedly gave an ex-girlfriend. The network spoke with the woman who purported to be Mr Walkers ex-girlfriend and provided a copy of the check and a receipt from the medical centre in Georgia.

Eric Garcia reports.

Herschel Walker says he wrote check to ex but doesnt know if it was for abortion

Obama to campaign for Dems in Wisconsin

Monday 17 October 2022 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Barack Obama is heading to Wisconsin later this month to back the faltering campaign of Democratic Senate hopeful Mandela Barnes, a race that could help determine who controls the upper house.

Mr Obama, who handily won Wisconsin in 2008 and 2012, is reportedly bound for the state on 29 October, and will also campaign on behalf of governor Tony Evers.

Josh Marcus reports.

Obama to campaign in Wisconsin for Democratic Senate candidate trailing in the polls

Poll shows Vance inching ahead of Ryan in Ohio

Monday 17 October 2022 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

USA Today reports:

Republican J.D. Vance has opened a narrow edge over Democrat Tim Ryan in the Senate race in Ohio, a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll finds, as President Joe Bidens unpopularity complicates the campaign by the moderate Democratic congressman to flip a GOP-held seat.

Vance leads 47%-45%, a shift from Ryans one-point advantage last month, 47%-46%. Both findings are within the surveys 4.4 percentage-point margin of error.

The Ohio race stands second only to Pennsylvania as a prospect for Democrats to pick up a Senate seat now held by a Republican.

Biden sticking by Fetterman in Pennsylvania Senate race

Monday 17 October 2022 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The White House has said that President Joe Biden is sticking behind Democratic Senate nominee John Fetterman in Pennsylvania despite some concerns about his health after he survived a stroke.

Eric Garcia reports.

Biden is sticking by Fetterman in Senate race after post-stroke interview row

Herschel Walker represented by empty podium at latest debate

Monday 17 October 2022 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

A moderator has gone viral for saying Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker would be represented by an empty podium when he failed to show up for a debate against his rivals.

Johanna Chisholm has the story.

Moderator says Walker will be represented by an empty podium after he skips debate

Elise Stefanik boasts about hospital investment she voted against

Monday 17 October 2022 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican lawmaker Elise Stefanik has been caught touting $12.9m in funding for rural hospitals in her district that she actually voted against.

The pro-Trump congresswoman from New York welcomed the Rural Development Grants from the Department of Agriculture, calling it a significant investment.

But the money came from Joe Bidens infrastructure plan.

Graeme Massie reports.

Elise Stefanik caught boasting about $12.9m hospital investment she voted against

ICYMI: Fetterman raises $1m after NBC interview

Monday 17 October 2022 19:15 , Oliver O'Connell

John Fetterman, the Democratic candidate challenging Dr Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvanias crucial Senate race, reportedly raised $1m in the days since a bombshell interview with NBC News aired.

Mr Fettermans campaign announced on Wednesday night that hed raised the million-dollar figure in less than 36 hours since the Tuesday night sit-down with reporter Dasha Burns aired on the network.

Johanna Chisholm reports

John Fetterman raises $1m after debate-stirring NBC interview

Gisele Fetterman calls for NBC apologyafter shocking interview with husband John Fetterman

Monday 17 October 2022 18:32 , Oliver O'Connell

Pennsylvania Democratic Senate nominee John Fettermans wife Gisele Baretto Fetterman criticised an NBC News interview with her husband for the way it talked about accommodating closed captioning.

Mr Fetterman suffered a stroke in May, shortly before the Pennsylvania Senate primaries. As a result, he uses closed captioning.

But in his interview with NBC News, journalist Dasha Burns said during small talk beforehand, it seemed that the Democratic lieutenant governor did not seem to understand what they were saying.

Ms Fetterman spoke with The Independents Eric Garcia.

Gisele Fetterman calls for NBC to apologise over interview with John Fetterman

Watch: The best and worst midterm campaign videos

Monday 17 October 2022 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The 2022 US midterm election takes place on Tuesday 8 November and across America, candidates have been ramping up their campaigns to secure the all important votes.

Many Republican lawmakers have focused their campaigns on attacking Joe Biden, sharing some rather bizarre videos on their social media channels.

Ahead of the midterms, take a look at some of the best and worst clips, from politicians including Kandiss Taylor, Blake Masters and Jerone Davison.

The best and worst midterm campaign videos: I believe in Jesus, guns and babies

ICYMI: Walker denies paying for abortion

Monday 17 October 2022 17:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Georgia Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker acknowledged in an interview with NBC News that he did indeed send a check to his ex-girlfriend but denied that it was to pay for an abortion.

NBC Newss Kristen Welker showed an image of the $700 check that he reportedly gave an ex-girlfriend.

This is still a lie because she is the mother of my child, he said. I have no idea what that can be for.

Eric Garcia writes:

Herschel Walker acknowledges check to ex, says he doesnt know if it was for abortion

Lee accidentally runs self-penned puff piece in Utah newspaper

Monday 17 October 2022 16:45 , Andrew Naughtie

Utah Senator Mike Lee is being roasted for writing an opinion piece in the Salt Lake Tribune in which he praises himself in the third person.

Since taking office, Senator Mike Lee has earned a reputation as a principled conservative. He believes elected officials are responsible for keeping the federal government within its constitutionally limited role, writes Sen Mike Lee, a plug for the article on social media states.

The awkward phrasing brought cackles of derision on social media. Mr Lees campaign has now said they never intended for the standard bio to be run under Mr Lees byline.

About that Mike Lee op-ed  his campaign says it was a mistake!



Campaign advisor says @sltrib "solicited an essay from the campaign" so they gave them "a version of Sen. Lee's standard bio."



"It's regrettable it was presented as being from Senator Lee."https://t.co/LjECGSYjIn  bryan metzger (@metzgov) October 17, 2022

Bevan Hurley has the story.

Mike Lee roasted for opinion column celebrating himself

Ron Johnson calls his opponent a Putin tool"

Monday 17 October 2022 16:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Ron Johnson, a full-throated Trumpist who is fighting to keep his Wisconsin Senate seat this November, has lately seen his polling numbers recover somewhat as the Republican Party apparatus tears into his rival, Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes. But hes not taking his foot off the pedal, and going ever further in his attacks:

Ron Johnson, who downplayed Russian election interference after making a July 4 trip to Moscow, says his opponent Mandela Barnes is a "tool of Vladimir Putin" because he appeared on Russia Today in the past. pic.twitter.com/OnwhX8WrN6  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) October 17, 2022

SNL rips Herschel Walker after debate

Monday 17 October 2022 15:30 , Andrew Naughtie

In a measure of how much his various missteps are permeating the national debate, this weekends Saturday Night Live featured a brief skit taking a poke at Herschel Walkers bizarre police-badge moment on Friday.

Walker pulled out a prob badge and said I am work with many police officers, which is yet another sign that Herschel Walker is has brain problems.

Its Weekend Update with Colin Jost and Michael Che! pic.twitter.com/Gg53aemECP  Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) October 16, 2022

Read Herschel Walkers bizarre sheriff badge explanation

Monday 17 October 2022 15:21 , Andrew Naughtie

Herschel Walker has repeatedly claimed to have been given law enforcement powers by a local police force, but has never produced anything to demonstrate he had anything more than honorary status, meaning he was not in fact a law enforcement official.

Having been ridiculed for producing a sheriffs badge in support of the false claim at Fridays debate, he has now doubled down in his new NBC interview. A transcript indicates that his latest explanation makes little sense.

So Herschel Walker discussed his badge with NBC News' Kristen Welker, claiming it is "legit." The interview will air tomorrow on TODAY.



Anyway, here's his explanation, and, ummm: pic.twitter.com/bTLUHkoogk  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) October 16, 2022

Analysis: Obama returns to the trail

Monday 17 October 2022 14:00 , Andrew Naughtie

In todays Inside Washington dispatch, Eric Garcia takes a look at Barack Obamas return to the campaign trail  a rare return to the political fray for an aloof former president who kept much of his party at arms length:

Back in 2008, his campaign decided that he would not appear with members of Congress, aware that many Americans disapprove of the legislative branch as a matter of course. Mr Obama never forged much of a relationship with Democrats in Congress, leaving that to his vice president, a Senator of 36 years who enjoyed back-slapping and gladhanding. He infuriated many Democrats during his tenure by turning away from the Democratic National Committee and setting up a separate campaign apparatus known as Organizing for Action, and in 2014, he bitterly feuded with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid when he refused to send cash to fundraise for a Democratic outside group.

Read the full analysis below.

Obama returns to the trail for a radically changed Democratic Party

Walker on allegations he paid for abortion: new interview

Monday 17 October 2022 13:00 , Andrew Naughtie

Herschel Walker has long denied and prevaricated upon allegations that he offered to pay for an ex-girlfriend to have an abortion more than a decade away. In a new interview with NBC News, he has reiterated that the allegation is a lie...but admitted that a cheque shown to him by the interviewer was indeed signed by him.

Asked why he hadnt reached out to his accuser, the candidate responded: Why should I?

Watch the clip below.

Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker sat down for an exclusive interview with @kwelkernbc and addressed allegations he paid for an ex-girlfriend to have an abortion in 2009. pic.twitter.com/xOZ0xmrsGr  TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 17, 2022

Biden approval rises with midterms less than four weeks away

Monday 17 October 2022 12:00 , Andrew Naughtie

ICYMI: With fewer than four weeks left until Americans choose who will control both chambers of Congress and most governors mansions and state legislatures, a new poll shows President Joe Bidens approval rating jumping six points from the low point it hit over the summer.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Biden approval rises to 44 per cent with midterms less than four weeks away

Analysis: Greg Abbotts inaction on gun reform after Uvalde is hardly surprising. Until you look at Parkland.

Monday 17 October 2022 11:02 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: As a Republican governor of a historically red state, who is both notoriously cosy with the NRA and in the midst of an election cycle, Abbotts inaction may come as little surprise. Except that it has been done before, Rachel Sharp writes.

Greg Abbotts inaction after Uvalde isnt surprising. Until you look at Parkland

Reporter corrects Dr Oz live on air as he makes false claim about Fettermans first wish for America

Monday 17 October 2022 09:03 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Dr Mehmet Oz was corrected live on air after he made false claims that his opponent John Fetterman wanted to end life imprisonment as his first political priority.

The pro-Trump Republican candidate for Pennsylvanias US Senate seat is trailing his Democratic rival for the open seat with less than a month left before election day.

Reporter corrects Dr Oz live on air as he makes false claim about Fetterman

Pro-Trump election denier Kari Lake refuses to say shell accept result of her own Arizona race if she loses

Monday 17 October 2022 07:53 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Former reporter Kari Lake was on CNN this Sunday facing questions from Dana Bash when she dodged multiple inquiries regarding whether she would accept the result of the election if she lost.

Its an important question given Ms Lakes refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and her frequent mention of that view on the campaign trail  but the Republican candidate was furious with Bash for bringing it up over other issues like the economy or immigration.

You want to have me on here and talk 2020 election, and youre the one who accuses me of constantly talking about it? she asked Ms Bash.

Read more from The Independents John Bowden:

Election denier Kari Lake refuses to say shell accept result of her own Arizona race

Elise Stefanik caught boasting about $12.9m hospital investment that she voted against

Monday 17 October 2022 07:01 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: GOP lawmaker Elise Stefanik has been caught touting $12.9m in funding for rural hospitals in her district that she actually voted against.

The pro-Trump congresswoman from New York welcomed the Rural Development Grants from the Department of Agriculture, calling it a significant investment.

Elise Stefanik caught boasting about $12.9m hospital investment she voted against

ICYMI: The best and worst midterm campaign videos ahead of Novembers midterms

Monday 17 October 2022 06:10 , Graeme Massie

I believe in Jesus, guns and babies.

The 2022 midterms are down to their final stretch and many races are neck-and-neck. That means campaigns are desperate, and pulling out all the stops to win.

The result has been some of the most entertaining  and downright weird  political advertising in recent memory.

Take a look, with The Independent:

The best and worst midterm campaign videos: I believe in Jesus, guns and babies

Obama to campaign in Wisconsin for Democratic Senate candidate trailing in the polls

Monday 17 October 2022 05:04 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Former president Barack Obama is heading to Wisconsin later this month to back the faltering campaign of Democratic Senate hopeful Mandela Barnes, a race that could help determine who controls the upper house.

Mr Obama, who handily won Wisconsin in 2008 and 2012, is reportedly bound for the state on 29 October, and will also campaign on behalf of governor Tony Evers.

Obama to campaign in Wisconsin for Democratic Senate candidate trailing in the polls

ICYMI: Can Marie Perez defeat Trump-backed Joe Kent in rural Washington state?

Monday 17 October 2022 04:06 , Graeme Massie

Democrat Marie Perez says her campaign to defeat Joe Kent, a hardline conservative backed by Donald Trump, is running on jet fuel.

She says the scrapping of Roe by the Supreme Court has led to a surge in support for her campaign, especially among women and young people.

And she suggests Trumps efforts to punish and oust the 10 Republican members of Congress who voted to impeach him may very well back fire.

Andrew Buncombe reports from Vancouver, Washington.

Business owner says bid to defeat Trump-backed Joe Kent running on jet fuel

ICYMI: What candidate fashion can tell us about the 2022 election

Monday 17 October 2022 03:01 , Graeme Massie

Josh Marcus investigates what the fashion choices of the 2022 midterm candidates can tell us about race, gender, and the future of their parties.

Hoodies, MAGA hats and cowboy boots: What style can tell us about the 2022 midterms

Could a Republican soon be running Oregon?

Monday 17 October 2022 02:15 , Graeme Massie

Oregon is typically known as a bastion of West Coast liberalism, where Democrats are easily elected and a Republican hasnt served as governor since the early 1980s.

But with an unusually competitive three-way contest for governor, the Democratic candidates 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 governors races in the country.

Read more:

A GOP governor in liberal Oregon? Dems sound alarm on spoiler

I hope people with see through Marjorie: Desperate Democrats celebrate Marcus Flowerss dignified performance against MTG

Monday 17 October 2022 01:40 , Graeme Massie

Democrats have not represented this congressional district for 30 years, writes Andrew Buncombe in Rome, Georgia.

Desperate Democrats celebrate Marcus Flowerss dignified performance against MTG

ICYMI: Fetterman reacts after NBC interview sparks debate about his health

Monday 17 October 2022 01:05 , Graeme Massie

Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman promised that he would be much better in January after an NBC reporter disclosed the support the Democrat needed during a sit-down interview that aired this week.

He added that his opponent, Dr Oz, would still be a fraud.

John Fetterman reacts after NBC interview sparks debate about his health

Marjorie Taylor Greene obsesses over opponents hat and claims to be a victim of Jan 6 in heated Georgia debate

Monday 17 October 2022 00:05 , Graeme Massie

Ms Greene is running for a second term against Marcus Flowers, who has raised significant amounts of money but has little chance of defeating her because of the makeup of Georgias 14th district, writes Andrew Feinberg.

Marjorie Taylor Greene claims to be a victim of Jan 6 in heated Georgia debate

MTG claims that her husband has proof Biden didnt beat Trump

Sunday 16 October 2022 23:35 , Graeme Massie

Marjorie Taylor Greene refused to acknowledge that Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in the 2020 election, and even claimed that her husband, who has filed for divorce, has the proof.

Flowers: Did Biden win the election?

Greene: Hes the president

Flowers: You pushed a big lie that he did not win

Greene: There was election fraud and my husband has the proof pic.twitter.com/Vhu2sOW7PQ  Acyn (@Acyn) October 16, 2022

MTG rants that Democrats are party of child abuse'

Sunday 16 October 2022 23:14 , Graeme Massie

Marjorie Taylor used her district debate to rant that the Democrats were the party of child abuse and mutilation.

Marge goes on an unhinged rant, saying the Democratic Party is the party of child abuse, genital mutilation, anti-white racism, and grooming kids in school. pic.twitter.com/UKsPkH3l36  Ron Filipkowski  (@RonFilipkowski) October 16, 2022

Marcus Flowers says he has MTG rattled

Sunday 16 October 2022 23:05 , Graeme Massie

I just got off the debate stage with Marjorie Taylor Greene and its clear that our message is winning and she is rattled, the Democrat tweeted following his debate with his Republican opponent in Atlanta.

John Fetterman raises $1m after debate-stirring NBC interview

Sunday 16 October 2022 23:00 , John Bowden

John Fetterman, the Democratic candidate challenging Dr Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvanias crucial Senate race, says that hes raised $1m in the days since a controversial interview with NBC News aired.

The interview, which was the Democratic candidates first TV sit-down since suffering a stroke back in May, kicked off a flurry of controversy online after Ms Burns disclosed ahead of its screening that the recovering candidate required the use of closed captioning to understand her questions.

Read more from Johanna Chisholm:

John Fetterman raises $1m after debate-stirring NBC interview

Flowers brands MTG a showhorse

Sunday 16 October 2022 22:56 , Graeme Massie

This isnt about Democrats or Republicans this is about right and wrong, chaos versus stability, this is about us, said Marcus Flowers in his closing statement.

Do we want a showhorse or a workhorse who is going to get things done for us?

Marcus Flowers says he will being honour, decency, integrity to job

Sunday 16 October 2022 22:52 , Graeme Massie

Honour, decency, integrity, three core values Marjorie Taylor Greene doesnt have, said Marcus Flowers when asked what he would bring to the job.

MTG claims she was victim on January 6

Sunday 16 October 2022 22:45 , Graeme Massie

Marjorie Taylor Greene was asked why she was more supportive of criminals who took part in the Capitol riot rather than the people of her district.

I was a victim of the January 6 riot, I am completely against what happened on January 6, she said.

Marjorie Taylor Greene debates Marcus Flowers in Georgia (Screen grab)

MTG brands rival a liar over wearing a hat

Sunday 16 October 2022 22:41 , Graeme Massie

Marjorie Taylor Greene called her opponent Marcus Flowers a liar for wearing a hat.

He wears a hat and doesnt have one head of cattle, he is a liar the lawmaker said.

Marjorie Taylor Greene favoured to win Georgia House election

Sunday 16 October 2022 22:16 , John Bowden

Marjorie Taylor Greene heads in to tonights debate against Marcus Flowers with the knowledge that Democrats have an uphill battle to unseat her.

Polling of the deep-red House district is sparse, but one clue to how the district will vote can be found in primary vote totals. More than three times as many people voted for Ms Greene in the GOP primary than voted for Mr Flowers in the Democratic race.

Follow The Independent for live updates on tonights debate.

Obama to campaign in Wisconsin for Democratic Senate candidate trailing in the polls

Sunday 16 October 2022 19:31 , John Bowden

Former president Barack Obama is heading to Wisconsin later this month to back the faltering campaign of Democratic Senate hopeful Mandela Barnes as Democrats look to oust one of the Senates most vocal pro-Trump Republicans.

Mr Barnes, currently lieutenant governor, is facing off against Republican incumbent Ron Johnson, who is seeking a third term.

Read more:

Obama to campaign in Wisconsin for Democratic Senate candidate trailing in the polls

Reporter corrects Dr Oz live on air as he makes false claim about Fettermans first wish for America

Sunday 16 October 2022 19:00 , John Bowden

Dr Mehmet Oz was corrected live during an interview after he made false claims that his opponent John Fetterman wanted to end life imprisonment as his first political priority.

The moment came during a conversation with NBCs Dasha Burns, who interviewed Mr Fetterman last week.

Read more:

Reporter corrects Dr Oz live on air as he makes false claim about Fetterman

New poll: Democrats lead Republicans on generic ballot, trail among likely voters

Sunday 16 October 2022 17:36 , John Bowden

A new poll from Fox News shows that more Americans want Democrats to control both houses of Congress after the midterm elections next month, while the GOP holds a slight advantage among those who actually say they are likely to vote.

Its a troubling sign for Democrats who are playing defense and attempting to hold slim majorities in both chambers.

NEW FOX NEWS POLLS

While 44% of registered voters prefer a democratic candidate, 47% American's that are certain to vote prefer the republican candidate. pic.twitter.com/jYw5dCEc8o  Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) October 16, 2022

Marjorie Taylor Greene prepares for Georgia debate

Sunday 16 October 2022 16:32 , John Bowden

Incumbent Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene will face off Sunday evening against Marcus Flowers, a Democrat.

The district, located northwest of Atlanta, has become one of the most expensive House races in the country. Ms Greene, a vocal supporter of a wide range of conspiracy theories, is favoured to win the seat again but is weighed down by some of her past statements which have become ammunition for Democrats.

The debate will be held live at 5:30 p.m. est. Follow The Independent for live updates.

ICYMI: Could a GOP candidate become governor in liberal Oregon?

Sunday 16 October 2022 12:05 , Graeme Massie

Oregon is typically known as a bastion of West Coast liberalism, where Democrats are easily elected and a Republican hasnt served as governor since the early 1980s.

But with an unusually competitive three-way contest for governor, the Democratic candidates 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 governors races in the country.

Read more:

A GOP governor in liberal Oregon? Dems sound alarm on spoiler

Watch: Herschel Walker scolded by debate moderator for prop badge

Sunday 16 October 2022 10:00 , Graeme Massie

That is not allowed, sir. At the Herschel Walker and Rafael Warnock debate, Herschel Walker pretends he was a police officer by pulling out a badge. Then hes flawlessly scolded by debate moderator Tina Tyus-Shaw for the stunt. pic.twitter.com/XwZ5Aac0W2  Mike Sington (@MikeSington) October 15, 2022

ICYMI: The best and worst midterm campaign videos

Sunday 16 October 2022 07:58 , Graeme Massie

The 2022 US midterm election takes place on Tuesday 8 November and across America, candidates have been ramping up their campaigns to secure the all important votes.

Many Republican lawmakers have focused their campaigns on attacking Joe Biden, sharing some rather bizarre videos on their social media channels.

Ahead of the midterms, take a look at some of the best and worst clips, from politicians including Kandiss Taylor, Blake Masters and Jerone Davison.

The best and worst midterm campaign videos: I believe in Jesus, guns and babies

As midterms approach, Biden lauds lower prescription drug costs

Saturday 15 October 2022 12:04 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: President Joe Biden highlighted his administrations efforts to lower prescription drug costs on Friday as part of his three-state Western tour this week, as he confronts a sobering inflation report in the waning weeks before midterm elections.

Biden pushing lower prescription drug costs in midterm press

Fetterman raises $1m after NBC interview

Saturday 15 October 2022 11:15 , Oliver O'Connell

John Fetterman, the Democratic candidate challenging Dr Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvanias crucial Senate race, reportedly raised $1m in the days since a bombshell interview with NBC News aired.

Mr Fettermans campaign announced on Wednesday night that hed raised the million-dollar figure in less than 36 hours since the Tuesday night sit down with reporter Dasha Burns aired on the network.

Johanna Chisholm reports.

John Fetterman raises $1m after debate-stirring NBC interview

Herschel Walker called out for prop badge during debate

Saturday 15 October 2022 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A debate moderator admonished Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker for pulling out a prop badge after Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia accused him of lying about being a police officer.

The exchange happened during a question about rising crime in Georgia, when Mr Walker accused Mr Warnock of being anti-police and criticising them too much.

Eric Garcia watched the debate.

Walker pulls out prop badge in debate when accused of lying about being a sheriff

Voices: USs next coup is on the ballot in November

Saturday 15 October 2022 01:15 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Even as hardcore Trumpists campaign to take over the countrys electoral machinery, other issues are at the front of voters minds, writes Eric Garcia.

The USs next coup is on the ballot this November

Saturday 15 October 2022 01:11 , Oliver O'Connell

Its unclear whether this debate will have changed any minds, but it could have solidified support for both candidates.

Mr Walker did better than expected, though the bar was low and he maintained that the abortion scandal dogging his campaign is a lie  the issue was not addressed in depth.

Senator Warnock gave thoughtful, rehearsed answers that seemed intended to appeal to the middle ground.

Undoubtedly, the debate will only be remembered for Mr Walker pulling out a prop police badge, which was surreal.

Instant classic debate moment:

Warnock: One thing I have not done, I have never pretended to be a police officer.

Walker: <pulls out fake police badge from jacket pocket and waves it.>pic.twitter.com/sGVOnz387m  Helen Kennedy  (@HelenKennedy) October 15, 2022

Saturday 15 October 2022 01:04 , Oliver O'Connell

In closing statements, Senator Warnock asks people to vote early (early voting begins in Georgia on Monday), while Mr Walker asks people to consider him  the outsider  as their representative in Washington. Throughout the debate he kept referring to Mr Warnock as a career politician or DC insider, though he has only held the job for two years.

Saturday 15 October 2022 01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Warnock also demurs to answer a question on whether he would expand the Supreme Court.

Mr Walker says he would not support increasing the number of justices.

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:55 , Oliver O'Connell

On who should run in 2024, Senator Warnock manages to twice sidestep the issue of whether Joe Biden will be too old to run.

Ive not spent a minute thinking about what politicians should run in 2024.

The people of Georgia hired me to represent them ... they didnt hire me to be a pundit.

Mr Walker says he would support Donald Trump: Yes, hes my friend.

"President Trump is my friend and you don't leave your allies like Biden did in Afghanistan"- @HerschelWalker....wild zinger response when asked about a potential 2024 presidential campaign run for Trump #GASenDebate  Ameshia Cross (@AmeshiaCross) October 14, 2022

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:52 , Oliver O'Connell

There is a question about how the US should react if Vladimir Putin uses nuclear weapons in Russias war on Ukraine.

Mr Walker responds by asking why Senator Warnock didnt stand up to Chuck Schumer.

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:49 , Oliver O'Connell

The moderators manage to keep the debate on track while both candidates try to respond to various allegations against them.

On the topic of healthcare, in a confusing answer Mr Walker appears to say that everyone has healthcare.

Right now, people have coverage for health care.

Mr Walker says Georgians should get off the government healthcare and get on the healthccare hes got, pointing to Warnock.

Herschel Walker (R) calls for Americans to get off the government health care and get on the health care [Warnocks] got.



Sen. Raphael Warnock (D), like all senators, has a government-provided health care plan. pic.twitter.com/o8NxJCWjo0  The Recount (@therecount) October 14, 2022

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:42 , Oliver O'Connell

On the question of character, Senator Warnock is asked about a dispute with his wife.

I went through a divorce, like a lot of people, while that was a painful period... my children know I am with them and for them and that I support them in every single way that a father does.

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Moving on to crime, Mr Walker says Senator Warnock has empowered criminals to think theyre more powerful than the police.

He then lies and says 70 per cent of drugs coming over the border come to Atlanta.

We will see time and time again tonight, as weve already seen, that my opponent has a problem with the truth, Senator Warnock says.

There are loud cheers from the crowd. There is then laughter when Mr Walker responds when accused of pretending to be a police officer by pulling out a police badge.

He is reprimanded for using a prop.

Warnock: "One thing I have not done I've never pretended to be a police officer."



Walker pulls out badge: "I am work with many police officers."#GASenDebate pic.twitter.com/3g1m3z7XHH  The Republican Accountability Project (@AccountableGOP) October 14, 2022

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:32 , Oliver O'Connell

On a federal minimum wage, neither candidate is in favour of raising the federal minimum wage.

Mr Warnock clarifies that he wants a liveable wage, not a minimum wage.

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:28 , Oliver O'Connell

The debate moves onto the topic of student debt.

Mr Walker says: This is not right, its unfair. How can you transfer someone debt who owe it to someone who dont owe it? ... You gotta pay that debt

Senator Warnock says: Its interesting that people crying about student debt havent said anything against billion-dollar PPP loans.

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Warnock mentions that he has tried to tackle the issue of maternal mortality and has worked on the issue with Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida.

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:21 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Walker continues: On abortion  Im a Christian. I believe in life... Ill be a senator that protects life.

Rev Warnock argues that on abortion the examination room is getting crowded and that he trusts women more than I trust politicians on the issue. So far tonight this get the biggest reaction from the audience.

"I trust women more than I trust politicians."



 Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) on his abortion stance in the #GASenDebate pic.twitter.com/CMp1HzHLPc  The Recount (@therecount) October 14, 2022

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:18 , Oliver O'Connell

Questioning turns to the abortion scandal that has plagued the Walker campaign. The Republican candidate denies that he paid his former girlfriend to get an abortion.

I said that was a lie and Im not backing down, he says.

Herschel Walker (R), who has backed a national ban with no exceptions, again denies the multiple reports he paid for a womans abortion in 2009 and encouraged a second abortion two years later:



As I said, thats a lie  That was a lie and Im not backing down. pic.twitter.com/TWKKagJXDm  The Recount (@therecount) October 14, 2022

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:16 , Oliver O'Connell

The second biggest concern of Georgia voters is threats to democracy and voting rights.

Mr Walker appears to reject Donald Trumps election fraud lies that the 2020 election was stolen: President Biden won and Senator Warnock won. Thats the reason I decided to run.

Both candidates say they will respect the result in November.

Herschel Walker rejects Donald Trump's big lie that the 2020 election was stolen: "President Biden won and Senator Warnock won. That's the reason I decided to run." pic.twitter.com/qe3EGnJ0rj  Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) October 14, 2022

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:14 , Oliver O'Connell

The first question in about the economy  which polling says is the number one concern of the electorate  Mr Walker immediately ties Mr Warnock to the Biden administration complaining about inflation and energy independence.

Mr Warnock mentions his work to lower the price of insulin and the Inflation Reduction Act. Mr Walker counters saying for insulin to work you gotta eat right.

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:09 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Warnock says he is pleased to be in his hometown of Savannah and that he grew up just a mile away.

Only in America is my story possible, he says.

Mr Warnocks take on the race is that it is about who is ready to represent Georgia in the Senate.

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:08 , Oliver O'Connell

In opening statements, Mr Walker says the race is not about him  though much of the talk about the campaign has centered on the abortion scandal that has dogged him  he says that the race is about what Mr Herschel and President Biden have done to Georgia families.

Herschel Walker (R) begins #GASenDebate by invoking faith and hitting Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) and Biden:



First Id like to acknowledge my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ... But this race aint about me. It's about what Raphael Warnock and Joe Biden had done to your family. pic.twitter.com/Zlv43Ska6U  The Recount (@therecount) October 14, 2022

Georgia Senate debate gets underway

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:04 , Oliver O'Connell

Democrat Senator Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker are facing off in Savannah, Georgia, tonight as the election day gets closer.

Rev Warnock is the first Black senator to represent the state and is asking voters to send him back to DC for a full six-year term.

Mr Walker has the support of former President Donald Trump and blames his opponent and President Joe Biden for the states problems.

NBC: Obama to campaign for Mandela Barnes in Wisconsin

Friday 14 October 2022 23:54 , Oliver O'Connell

Per NBC News:

Former President Barack Obama is heading to Wisconsin to help boost Senate candidate Mandela Barnes, a Democrat challenging GOP Sen. Ron Johnson, two sources familiar with the plans told NBC News.

The former president is also expected to help boost Gov. Tony Evers re-election efforts, the sources said.

Pennsylvania governor race breaks campaign finance record

Friday 14 October 2022 23:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvanias Democratic nominee for governor, has smashed the states 2-decade-old campaign spending record as he competes against Republican Doug Mastriano, who was on track to spend less than a tenth as much.

The race between Shapiro and Mastriano may test how powerful that campaign spending is in one of the nations highest-profile races for governor. One candidate has spent more money than any other gubernatorial nominee ever in Pennsylvania, and the other has spent less than any other in at least the past two decades.

Read more:

Campaign finance record broken in Pennsylvania governor race

Ohio Dems plead for help against Trump-backed Vance in Senate race

Friday 14 October 2022 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Democrats across Ohio are pleading for help in the states Senate contest, afraid they may lose a winnable election unless national party leaders make major investments in the coming days.

So far, the most powerful groups in Democratic politics have prioritized Senate pickup opportunities in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania over Ohio, once a perennial swing state that veered right in the Trump era. But on the eve of the 2022 midterms, some public polls suggest Ohio is as competitive as the other swing states, leaving many Democrats here wondering why their party isnt backing Senate contender Tim Ryan more forcefully.

Read more:

Ohio Dems press party to invest in high stakes Senate seat

What to watch for tonight in Walker v Warnock

Friday 14 October 2022 22:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Raphael Warnock and former University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker will square off in their only scheduled debate in Savannah on Friday.

Heres what to watch for tonight:

What to watch for in Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock Georgia senate debate

Coming up: Walker v Warnock in Georgia Senate race debate

Friday 14 October 2022 22:37 , Oliver O'Connell

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and his Republican challenger, Herschel Walker, will meet Friday night for their only debate in Georgias marquee Senate contest, just days before in-person early voting begins.

The 60-minute session, which will take place before a live audience, comes in the wake of reports that Walker paid for a girlfriend to have an abortion in 2009 before later fathering a child with her. Additionally, the matchup could force both men to answer other attacks  personal and political  that have flooded voters television screens and social media feeds for months.

The Independent will be covering the debate live at 7pm ET.

Walker, Warnock meet for only debate in Georgia Senate race

Voices: Tucker Carlson missed the entire point about my tweet about accessibility and John Fetterman

Friday 14 October 2022 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes that providing accessibility doesnt give politicians with disabilities a pass; it allows us as the press to hold them accountable.

No, Tucker Carlson  that is not what I meant

Watch: Highlights of Mandela Barnes v Ron Johnson Wisconsin Senate debate

Friday 14 October 2022 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Combined a few clips from tonights debate pic.twitter.com/6Ac0xffWmK  Acyn (@Acyn) October 14, 2022

Senator Ron Johnson draws laughs at debate with claim of FBI set-up

Friday 14 October 2022 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Ron Johnson, the Wisconsin GOP senator who is frequently in the news for his repetition of conspiracy theories and disinformation, had audience members at his debate with Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes laughing out loud after he complained that the FBI had exhibited corruption by briefing him about being the target of a Russian disinformation campaign.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Pro-Trump GOP Senator Ron Johnson draws laughs at debate with claim of FBI set-up

Cheney: Not necessarily the last day of the hearings'

Friday 14 October 2022 20:44 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Rep Liz Cheney, vice chair of the House select committee investigating the event of 6 January 2021, was asked on CSPAN why the panel waited until the last day of the public hearings to subpoena former President Donald Trump. More specifically she was asked why it had not been done on day one.

Its not necessarily the last day of the hearings, replied Ms Cheney to applause.

We have felt that it is very important that the investigation is conducted in a way that is rigorous and disciplined and responsible, and that has meant collecting evidence from many if not  not all because some people took the fifth or refused to appear  but collecting evidence from all those around the central figure in January 6, before we issued a subpoena for him. And so thats what weve done.

Watch below:

Q: "Why did the committee wait 'til the last day of the hearings to subpoena the president? Why not on day one?"@RepLizCheney: "It's not necessarily the last day of the hearings." pic.twitter.com/Dx8l6S4WOx  CSPAN (@cspan) October 14, 2022

Biden pushes lower prescription drug costs in midterms

Friday 14 October 2022 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden is set to highlight his administrations efforts to lower prescription drug costs on Friday as part of his three-state Western tour this week, as he confronts a sobering inflation report in the waning weeks before midterm elections.

Biden will head to a community college in Irvine, California, to meet with seniors and tout his administrations efforts to reduce inflation and drive down costs

Read more:

Biden pushing lower prescription drug costs in midterm press

Fox contributor mocked for blaming inflation for $28 Taco Bell lunch

Friday 14 October 2022 19:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has gotten in on the action after a Fox Business contributor drew mockery by revealing that he spent $28 for lunch at Taco Bell and blaming inflation for the high price.

Abe ASher has the story.

AOC leads mockery of Fox contributor who blamed inflation for $28 Taco Bell lunch

Could a Republican soon be running Oregon?

Friday 14 October 2022 18:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Oregon is typically known as a bastion of West Coast liberalism, where Democrats are easily elected and a Republican hasnt served as governor since the early 1980s.

But with an unusually competitive three-way contest for governor, the Democratic candidates 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 governors races in the country.

Read more:

A GOP governor in liberal Oregon? Dems sound alarm on spoiler

Coming up: Walker v Warnock in Georgia Senate race debate

Friday 14 October 2022 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and his Republican challenger, Herschel Walker, will meet Friday night for their only debate in Georgias marquee Senate contest, just days before in-person early voting begins.

The 60-minute session, which will take place before a live audience, comes in the wake of reports that Walker paid for a girlfriend to have an abortion in 2009 before later fathering a child with her. Additionally, the matchup could force both men to answer other attacks  personal and political  that have flooded voters television screens and social media feeds for months.

The Independent will be covering the debate live at 7pm ET.

Walker, Warnock meet for only debate in Georgia Senate race

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
Relatives and friends attend the funeral ceremony for Liza, a 4-year-old girl killed by a Russian attack, in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, on July 17, 2022. Wearing a blue denim jacket with flowers, Liza was among 23 people killed, including two boys ages 7 and 8, in Thursday's missile strike in Vinnytsia. Her mother, Iryna Dmytrieva, was among the scores injured. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

KYIV, Ukraine  Waves of explosives-laden suicide drones struck Ukraines capital Monday, setting buildings ablaze, tearing a hole in one of them and sending people scurrying for cover or trying to shoot them down in what the president said was Russias attempt to terrorize civilians.

The concentrated use of the kamikaze drones was the second barrage in as many weeks  after months in which air attacks had become a rarity in central Kyiv. The assault sowed fear and frayed nerves as blasts rocked the city. Energy facilities were struck and one drone largely collapsed a residential building, killing four people, authorities said.

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Intense bursts of gunfire rang out as the Iranian-made Shahed drones buzzed overhead, apparently as soldiers tried to destroy them. Others headed for shelter, nervously scanning the skies. But Ukraine has become grimly accustomed to attacks nearly eight months into the Russian invasion, and city life resumed as rescuers picked through debris.

Previous Russian airstrikes on Kyiv were mostly with missiles. Analysts believe the slower-moving Shahed drones can be programmed to accurately hit certain targets using GPS unless the system fails.

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Also Monday, a Russian Su-34 warplane crashed in a residential area in the Russian port of Yeysk on the Sea of Azov after an engine failure, killing at least four people on the ground, injuring 25 others and starting a fire that engulfed several floors of a nine-story apartment building, authorities said. Six people were reported missing. Both crewmembers, on a training mission, bailed out safely, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said Mondays barrage came in successive waves of 28 drones  in what many fear could become a more common mode of attack as Russia seeks to avoid depleting its stockpiles of long-range precision missiles.

Five drones plunged into Kyiv itself, said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. In the Kyiv region, at least 13 were shot down, all flying in from the south, said Yurii Ihnat, a spokesman for Ukraines air force.

One strike appeared to target the citys heating network, hitting an operations center. Another slammed into a four-story residential building, ripping open a gaping hole and collapsing at least three apartments. Four bodies were recovered, including those of a woman who was 6 months pregnant and her husband, Klitschko said. An older woman and another man also were killed there.

A drone is seen in the sky seconds before it fired on buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, Oct. 17, 2022. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

An Associated Press photographer caught one of the drones on camera, its triangle-shaped wing and pointed warhead clearly visible against the blue sky.

The whole night, and the whole morning, the enemy terrorizes the civilian population, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post. Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine.

In a televised address to the nation Monday night, Zelenskyy said Moscow was resorting to the drones because it was losing the war.

Russia doesnt have any chance on the battlefield, and it tries to compensate for its military defeats with terror, he said. Why this terror? To put pressure on us, on Europe, on the entire world.

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Zelenskyy, citing Ukrainian intelligence services, alleges Russia ordered 2,400 drones from Iran. Russia has rebranded them as Geran-2 drones  geranium in Russian. A photo of debris from one of Mondays strikes, posted by Klitschko, showed Geran-2 marked on a mangled tail fin.

Iran has previously denied providing Russia with weapons, although its Revolutionary Guard chief has boasted of providing arms to the worlds top powers, without elaborating.

The drones pack an explosive charge and can linger over targets before nosediving into them. Their blasts jolted people awake, including Snizhana Kutrakova, 42, who lives near one of the strikes.

Im full of rage, she said. Full of rage and hate.

The Russian military said it used long-range air- and sea-based high-precision weapons to strike Ukrainian military and energy facilities. They hit all assigned targets, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for European Union sanctions on Iran for providing drones to Russia and, and both he and Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraines need for air defenses and weaponry.

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EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the 27-nation bloc is gathering evidence about Irans drone sales to Russia, and if true, we will be ready to react with the tools at our disposal. The EU also approved a military training program in Europe for thousands of Ukrainian troops and plans for about 500 million euros ($486 million) in extra funds to buy weapons for Ukraine.

Iranian-made drones have been used elsewhere in Ukraine in recent weeks against urban centers and infrastructure, including power stations. At just $20,000 apiece, the Shahed is only a fraction of the cost of higher-tech missiles and conventional aircraft. The Kalibr cruise missile that Russia has used widely in Ukraine costs the military about $1 million each.

Drone swarms also challenge Ukrainian air defenses. Western nations have promised systems that can shoot down drones but much of that weaponry has yet to arrive and could be months away.

The challenges are serious because the air defense forces and means are the same as they were at the beginning of the war, said Ihnat, the air force spokesman. Some Western-supplied air defense weaponry can only be used during daylight hours when targets are visible, he added.

Russia forces also struck energy infrastructure elsewhere, apparently seeking to compound pressure on Kyivs government after previous attacks knocked out power supplies.

Shmyhal, the prime minister, said hundreds of settlements were without power after missile attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions.

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Ukraines nuclear operator said Russian shelling cut power again to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, one of the most worrying flashpoints of the Russian invasion. The nuclear plant, Europes largest, needs power for critical safety systems. When shelling severs its power supply lines, the plant is forced to rely on diesel generators - a temporary stopgap.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had said Friday that there was no need for more widespread attacks against Ukraine  after an earlier barrage of strikes that he said were retaliation for the bombing of a bridge connecting Ukraines Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula with Russia.

However, Putin also said seven of 29 targets designated after the bridge attack were not hit the way the Defense Ministry had planned, so Moscows forces would continue to target them. He didnt elaborate.

After months in which strikes in central Kyiv were rare, recent attacks put the country and its capital back on edge.

Mondays strike on Kyiv came amid intensified fighting in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as a continued Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south near Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Zelenskyy said Sunday there was heavy fighting around the cities of Bakhmut and Soledar in the Donetsk region.

The Donetsk and Luhansk regions make up the industrial east known as the Donbas, and were two of four regions annexed by Russia in September in defiance of international law.

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In the south, Ukrainian air forces reported shooting down nine drones in the Mykolaiv region and six in the Odesa region. The governor of the eastern Kharkiv region said overnight attacks on a city and villages killed one and injured four.

Russia and Ukraine also completed a prisoner swap Monday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. It said 110 Russians who were freed included 72 seamen from commercial vessels held since February, while 108 female Ukrainian POWs were handed over to Kyiv authorities, with two saying they wanted to stay in Russia. The Ukrainian side confirmed the exchange but not that two Ukrainians decided to stay in Russia.
Apple Valley resident and veteran Aubrey Burke, 97, served as an Army Air Force machinist supporting B-24 bombers during World War II.

Aubrey Burke, an Apple Valley resident and World War II veteran who kept the birds in the air over Europe as a machinist in the Army Air Force, has died. He was 97.

Burke's wife, Beverly, told the Daily Press on Thursday that he died Dec. 11 en route to Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley after his heart gave out.

Aubrey was cremated at Riverside National Cemetery, but we didnt have a service in town because of the pandemic, Beverly Burke said. Im almost 90 and Ive never been so unsettled in my entire life.

Aubrey Burke is survived by his son, Stephen; and daughters, Patricia and Peggy; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; his wife's children and the entire High Desert, Beverly Burke said.

He is preceded in death by a son, Paul Joshua Burke, according to Beverly Burke.

In a 2017 interview, Aubrey Burke told the Daily Press he met Beverly at the Apple Valley Senior Center about five years earlier. The two later married across town at St. Timothys Episcopal Church. It was the third marriage for both.

During the interview, the quick-witted veteran said Beverly kept him young. He attributed his longevity and good health to his late-mother, who passed down her genetics and lived to celebrate her 94th birthday.

An Arkansas native, who previously lived in Canada and Long Beach, Aubrey Burke described himself as a PowerPoint and social media expert who maintained an active lifestyle.

Aubrey was the longest member of Kiwanis in Apple Valley plus being one of the original and ongoing, active parishioners of St. Timothys Episcopal Church, his wife said.

Apple Valley resident and World War II veteran Aubrey Burke died Dec. 11, 2020, en route to Providence St. Mary Medical Center.

Burke held a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Southern California and had taken classes toward a masters degree in business administration.

In a letter, Beverly Burke said her husband had recently completed what was to be his final project: A fence surrounding the couple's front yard.

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Each piece designed, made and put in place by the man who could  and did  do everything, she said. Someone else might order a fence  Aubrey ordered wood  and literally made each slat that went into that fence  as only Burke could do it.

After graduating from high school in 1940, Aubrey Burke trained as a machinist in the National Youth Administration, a program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal. The program aimed to put people back to work in the wake of the Great Depression, Beverly Burke said.

Aubrey Burke shipped off to Hartford, Connecticut, training in the program for less than a year before joining the Army Air Corps in 1941.The AAC later became known as the Army Air Force.

Aubrey Burke told the Daily Press he joined the Air Force to keep him away from being drafted as a foot soldier.

He served in the 8th Air Force in England and was stationed there at Royal Air Force Station Wendling, where he supported B-24 bombers.

The veteran said he never saw combat during the war, but he did survive two air raids while stationed in Europe.

Beverly Burke said her husband hoped to be a pilot, but bad eyesight grounded and led him into the bomber mechanic field, where he often said, We fixed the shot up ones to see that they got back in the air.

Aubrey Burke once created an original communion cup out of spent shells from a shot up airplane, which continues to grace the Burke living room. He spoke often of seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time when he returned home from war.

It was the most unbelievable sight to see the Statue of Liberty when coming home, Beverly Burke explained. This was also the grand finale in the segment done on Aubrey for the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

While in the army, Aubrey Burke met and married Milena, who later became the mother of their three children. The marriage lasted 26 years before they divorced.

He first moved to Victorville in 1950, where he worked at the Victorville Army Air Field, which later became George Air Force Base before closing in 1993.

After discovering that bachelorhood did not suit him, Aubrey Burke formed a chapter of Parents Without Partners in the High Desert, where he met his second wife, Marion. After the couple married, Aubrey Burke adopted Marion's 10-year-old son.

Aubrey Burke worked for Southwest Portland Cement Company for 22 years. He also owned Burkes Interiors alongside Marion, who died in 2004, the Daily Press reported.

Beverly Burke called her husband a politician at heart, adding that he was a fervent Democrat. When they met, Aubrey Burke shared with her how, in 1959, he sat with the delegation that threw Jack Kennedys hat in the ring to be the next president of the United States.

After the couple married, they traveled frequently, always attending the 8th Air Force Historical Society Reunion in New Orleans.

Beverly Burke said they enjoyed trips to her hometown of Kansas City, as well as Little Rock, where Aubrey Burke was born. Their favorite destination, however, was Lake Louise in Calgary, Canada. Beverly Burke described the place as a little spot we call our own.

Ive started a new chapter in life, Beverly Burke said. I wish Aubrey was still here so we could enjoy the last one.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: 'As only a Burke could do it': The life of World War II veteran Aubrey Burke
Othal Wallace sits with his attorneys Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, for a case-management hearing before Judge Raul Zambrano at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach.

Othal Wallace, the man accused of gunning down Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor, will likely get a third lawyer who will bring more death-penalty defense experience to his team.

Wallace appeared on Monday before Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach.

Wallace, 30, was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder in the killing of 26-year-old Raynor.

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Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Wallace, who is scheduled to go on trial April 3.

Assistant State Attorney Jason Lewis on Monday said prosecutors were ready for trial.

Attorneys Terry Shoemaker and Tim Pribisco from St. Augustine are representing Wallace.

Zambrano had previously expressed concern about Wallace's defense attorneys' qualifications in death penalty cases. On Monday, the judge received some reassurance.

Pribisco said that they had been speaking with attorney Garry Wood from Palatka about joining the defense because of Wood's experience in death penalty cases. Pribisco said they anticipated Wood to join Wallace's defense team this week.

Othal Wallace is escorted into the courtroom by a Volusia County Sherriff's Office bailiff, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, for a case-management hearing before Judge Raul Zambrano at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach.

"We want to make sure that it's a good fit for Mr. Wallace," Pribisco said.

Zambrano is familiar with Wood.

"I know Mr. Wood has been around probably longer than I've been around and most certainly is very well-versed in the matters that are going to come before the court," Zambrano said. "I welcome him if he decides to join your team."

Zambrano also noted that the case has received regular media coverage and he asked Wallace's attorneys that if they were inclined to ask for a change of venue, "a fair amount of notice would be appreciated" because of the difficult logistics involved.

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Zambrano said that if they wanted to try to pick a jury in Volusia County, he was looking at moving the trial to the courthouse in DeLand, which he said would be better suited for the trial.

Zambrano addressed Wallace directly at one point.

"Mr. Wallace, is everything OK with you and your attorneys?" Zambrano asked.

"Yes, sir, " Wallace said.

Zambrano also said he wanted the attorneys to address motions dealing with the constitutionality of the death penalty this year. The judge set a "default date" for the next hearing on Wallace's case for Dec. 28.

The night Raynor was shot

Raynor was patrolling in an area of Daytona Beach on June 23, 2021, because residents had complained about criminal activity.

Wallace was sitting in a car outside of an apartment building at 133 Kingston Ave., where he was living with his girlfriend and their children, according to reports.

Raynor walked up to Wallace and asked him if he lived there, body camera video showed. Wallace stood up out of the car and Raynor told him to sit back down, the video showed.

After Raynor told Wallace to sit down, the video became shaky and then ended.

Police said Wallace shot Raynor in the head. Raynors gun was found still in its holster.

Wallace was arrested on June 26 when a task force found him hiding in a treehouse in DeKalb County, Georgia, near Atlanta.

Raynor died 55 days later on Aug. 17, 2021.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida man accused of killing Daytona Beach police officer may add lawyer
By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) -South Pacific defence ministers will meet in Tonga on Tuesday, with Australia seeking a closer military relationship with the three island nations that have defence forces to counter China's security push in the region.

Australia's defence minister Richard Marles was due to arrive in Tonga on Monday ahead of the South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting this week, held annually to discuss regional security challenges.

Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga - the only Pacific Island nations with militaries - are members, as are New Zealand, France, Australia and Chile.

Last week Marles said Australia was negotiating a defence treaty with Papua New Guinea that would see the two nation's navies and armies work alongside each other more often, and Canberra also wanted to "evolve our relationships" with other Pacific islands.

In a statement on Monday, Marles said the region was facing more threats to shared security.

"The Pacific family is stronger when we respond together, by enhancing coordination, sharing information and improving interoperability between our countries and our defence forces," he said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters at a regular briefing in Beijing: "We hope that the military cooperation of the countries concerned will contribute to the stability of regional peace and will not be directed against third parties."

The United States and allies including Australia have been alarmed at China's growing influence in the strategically important region after Beijing struck a security pact with the Solomon Islands in April and sought a wider trade and security pact with 10 nations in May.

Although the Solomon Islands does not have a military, a leaked draft of the agreement showed it would allow Chinese naval vessels to replenish there.

China has been a significant donor of equipment to Fiji and Papua New Guinea's militaries, while Tonga, with heavy debts to Chinese banks, has received some Chinese military funding.

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Marles will also travel to Fiji for defence talks and visit the Blackrock military camp, funded by Australia as a regional disaster relief centre, his statement said.

In January, Tonga was hit by a volcanic eruption and tsunami that saw Australia and New Zealand coordinate a humanitarian response from defence forces that included those of Japan, France and Britain. China also deployed navy vessels to provide humanitarian assistance.

Papua New Guinea said this month it would sign an agreement with the United States to put its military officers on U.S. coast guard and navy ships to patrol for illegal fishing, local media reported.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; additional reporting by Martin Pollard in Beijing. Editing by Gerry Doyle and Ed Osmond)
PANAMA CITY  A local man was arrested Saturday night and charged with driving drunk and fleeing Florida Highway Patrol troopers.

According to a press release from the FHP, a trooper attempted to stop a suspected drunken driver traveling east on U.S. 98 near the Hathaway Bridge about 11:15 p.m.

The FHP said the driver, Deric Marshall, 43, of Panama City, fled, sparking a car chase throughout Panama City that ended near 23rd Street and Michigan Avenue.

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The release says a trooper performed a PIT maneuver on Marshall, which caused him to crash into a utility pole and business sign.

Marshall then got out of his vehicle and began to flee on foot, according to the FHP, but two troopers were able to catch and arrest him.

"(Marshall) was then transported to Bay County Jail," the release reads. "Charges against (him) include aggravated fleeing, reckless driving, DUI, resisting arrest with violence and no valid license. (Marshall) also had an open warrant out of Bay County Jail for fleeing and attempting to elude."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: FHP: Panama City man drove drunk, fled troopers, sparking car chase
Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Russia is sending as many as 9,000 servicemen and hundreds of armored vehicles to Belarus, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said Monday. According to the ministry, Belarusian forces are set to conduct live fire exercises and anti-aircraft guided missile launches with the Russians.

It is the latest sign that Belarus, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has used as a staging ground for the war in Ukraine, may be preparing its armed forces for more action.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said earlier this month he agreed with Putin that there should be a joint regional group of troops in connection with the aggravation on the western borders of the Union State, referring to the union state between Russia and Belarus that fuses the countries militaries, banking, and other sectors.

According to a briefing with military attaches, Russia will send Belarus approximately 170 tanks, up to 200 armored combat vehicles, and up to 100 guns and mortars with a caliber of more than 100 mm, the head of the Department of International Military Cooperation of the Ministry of Defense Belarus, Valery Revenko, said.

Aviation components and troops have already begun to arrive, Revenko said. Belarus Armed Forces have also undergone a sudden inspection of the combat readiness this month, he added.

Top Putin Ally Threatens Cruel Attacks on New Country

The exercises come as Ukraine warns that Belarus may make an attempt to attack Ukraine from the north, Ukraine Security Service (SBU) Colonel Roman Kostenko said earlier this month.

Belarus has long been supportive of Russias war in Ukraine, serving as the launching pad for Russias effort to seize Kyiv early this year. Although the offensive failed, Belarus has been ginning up its military in light of the war for months. In June, Belarus announced the creation of a peoples militia, a new military unit on the southern border with Ukraine, and drills.

Lukashenko has in recent weeks accused other European countries of acting provocatively and has also zeroed in on Polandthreatening a forceful response if anything goes awry on its border with the country.

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At the same time, the Belarusian president has made calls for peace, suggesting that he is against war, even while allowing Putin to use Belarus for his war plans. Belarus Ministry of Defense has claimed that proposals of peace have not been accepted, forcing Belarus to resort to deployment.

In the current conditions of the military-political situation, most of the proposals of the MoD of Belarus on the need for dialogue and de-escalation of tension under various pretexts were not accepted. Result is the deployment, Revenko said.

Putin is probably working to lean on Lukashenko after a series of losses in Ukraine, Kenneth Yalowitz, a former U.S. ambassador to Belarus, told The Daily Beast.

Putin is probably pressing him very strongly, Yalowitz said.

Putin may be hoping that if Belarus appears to be building up for potential deployment, Ukraine will have to divert some resources to defend against a potential northern incursion, taking focus away from the fight against the Russians in the south and giving the Russians an edge.

By developing this force on the border between Belarus and Ukraine what Putin is driving at is to force, you know, Ukrainian forces, to defend that part of the border, Yalowitz told The Daily Beast. This is more of psychological warfare to show that Putin is not defenseless, but that he still has options even though the war is going poorly.

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin expanded on the Belarusian and Russian grouping in a meeting at a tractor factory on Monday, noting that Belarus is practicing for deployment.

The grouping includes command and control bodies of various levels as well as army units and support units, according to Khrenin.

We have practiced various options for deploying and using the regional force grouping, Khrenin said. We have practiced deploying all the systems in the face of an obvious threat and the gradual deployment in accordance with the situation. Taking into account the evolving situation, we are gradually implementing individual measures meant to prepare the regional force grouping for responding to emerging challenges and threats.

The influx of Russian forces into Belarus is stirring rumors of mobilization and striking fear throughout the country, as the domestic population is unlikely to support a broad mobilization. One Belarusian mother, who spoke with RFERL under a pseudonym to protect her safety, said she has instructed her son, who is deployed near the Ukrainian border, to run.

You just need to not go to the military office and hide the children, the mother said, so they're not going to fight for other people's interests.

Others are examining ways to avoid conscription should Lukashenko order a broader mobilization, especially after Belarusian lawmakers have been eyeing canceling draft deferments for students studying abroad.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has warned that if Lukashenko moves forward with a mobilization, he would face significant domestic pushback.

Lukashenko has worked to toe the line, and has sworn that his involvement in the conflict is just to help Russians and Ukrainians and that he does not intend for Belarus to get involved in the war directly.

The Belarusian Defense Minister echoed his stance, claiming that the group exercises were only about defense, not offense.

We are not going to attack anyone. I'd like to emphasize once again that this force grouping is supposed to carry out purely defensive tasks, Khrenin said, adding that it was meant to be an adequate response to what is going on on Belarusian borders.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Police are investigating a shooting that left one dead after a road-rage incident in Skykomish, according to Washington State Patrol.

Around 8 p.m. on Oct. 15, near milepost 63 on Route 2, a silver Kia Sorrento and Subaru SUV got into a road rage incident, according to a news release.

The Kia then moved away from the Subaru, troopers said. Someone in the Subaru shot through the rear passenger window of the Kia, according to the release.

A 24-year-old woman from Everett, who was a passenger, was shot and killed, police said. The release did not identify her.

The person who was driving the Subaru fled the scene, and police are asking the public to help locate their car.

The Subaru is described as having a dark color and a mounted cargo basket on the cars roof.

If anyone has any information about the car, you are asked to call 360-654-1140.

Skykomish is about 70 miles east of Seattle.

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A bird struck into the engine of a United Airlines Flight 1930 on Friday from Chicago. It was a routine flight just departing for Miami. Fortunately, the pilot returned safely to Chicago OHare International Airport after passengers were frightened by the blast the bird strike caused to the planes engine, as reported by Local 10s Joseph Ojo.

How it happened:

It was a bang, this aint right, said Flight 1930 passenger Darick Rhodes.

Big jolt, loud, crazy banging noise, up and down, went around and landed, Very crazy, said Carly Franczak, who was another passenger that was on the same flight.

Passengers and residents recorded footage of the flashing and loud noises coming from the plane.

Infamous Bird Strike of 2009

For a long time commercial aviation has had a problem with bird strikes. Back in 2009 a U.S. Airways pilot had to land a plane on the Hudson River in New York due to a bird strike that made the aircraft lose both engines.

"Sully" Starring Tom Hanks

There was even a movie starring Tom Hanks, where he portrays the pilot who landed the aircraft on the Hudson River. In the film, the pilot flies into a flock of birds after take off and we watch Tom Hanks calmly get the crew and passengers to safety.

Passengers Perspectives

Passengers of Flight 1930 expressed they experienced 15 horrifying minutes as the pilot had to return back to OHare airport to land the plane.

Youve got to just chill, everyones gotta relax. Quit screaming. Let this pilot do his thing, said Darick Rhodes.

It was a moment I will always remember, said Rhodes, Im glad we landed back in Chicago.

The pilot of the United Airlines flight 1930 managed to land the aircraft safely and none of its passengers were injured in the incident.
Polestar 3 (Polestar 3 )

Polestar has launched its latest electric SUV with centralised computing built in and also incorporating Volvos latest safety features.

The Polestar 3 is the first car from Polestar to feature centralised computing with the NVIDIA DRIVE core computer, running software from Volvo Cars. Serving as the AI brain, NVIDIAs high-performance automotive platform processes data from the cars multiple sensors and cameras to enable advanced driver-assistance safety features and driver monitoring.

The infotainment system is powered by a next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. As a central component of the Snapdragon Digital Chassis  a comprehensive set of open and scalable cloud-connected automotive platforms  the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform will be utilised to provide immersive in-vehicle experiences with its high-performance capabilities to deliver high-definition displays, premium quality surround sound and seamless connectivity throughout the vehicle.

With Volvo Cars embarking on a new era of safety, Polestar 3 carries next-generation advanced active and passive safety technology from Volvo Cars as part of its DNA. This includes the latest innovation  interior radar sensors that can detect sub-millimetre movements in the interior of the car, to help protect against accidentally leaving children or pets inside. The system is also linked to the climate control system to avoid heat stroke or hypothermia.

Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO, said: Polestar 3 is a powerful electric SUV that appeals to the senses with a distinct, Scandinavian design and excellent driving dynamics.

It takes our manufacturing footprint to the next level, bringing Polestar production to the United States. We are proud and excited to expand our portfolio as we continue our rapid growth.

This car has been designed as a Polestar from the start and features new defining characteristics for us  like the dual blade headlights, SmartZone and front aero wing.

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Polestar 3 (Polestar 3)

Materials used inside Polestar 3 have been selected for their sustainability credentials, while raising premium aesthetics and luxury tactility. These include bio-attributed MicroTech, animal welfare-certified leather and fully traceable wool upholsteries. A complete life-cycle assessment (LCA) will be completed on Polestar 3 when production begins. Subsequent assessments will follow throughout its life cycle and work will continue to constantly find ways of reducing its carbon footprint.

Polestar 3 launches with a dual-motor configuration and a power bias towards the rear. The standard car produces a total of 360 kW (489 hp) and 840 Nm of torque. With the optional Performance Pack, total output is 380 kW (517 hp) and 910 Nm. Adjustable one-pedal drive is included, as well as an electric Torque Vectoring Dual Clutch function on the rear axle  an evolution of what was first developed for Polestar 1. A decoupling function is also available for the rear electric motor, allowing the car to run only on the front electric motor to save energy under certain circumstances.

Advanced chassis control is provided by dual-chamber air suspension as standard, allowing Polestar 3 to adapt between comfort and dynamic suspension characteristics, and the car can adjust its active damper velocity electronically once every two milliseconds (500 Hz).

Joakim Rydholm, Polestars chief chassis engineer., said: Our goal was to offer the performance and precision that define all Polestar cars, without compromising the comfort of the daily drive.

To do this, we used new components like the adaptive air suspension to engineer the Polestar feeling for this type of car.

What is Polestar 3s driving range?

Polestar 3 (Polestar 3)

A 111 kWh battery pack provides Polestar 3 with generous driving range of up to 379 miles WLTP. The lithium-ion battery features a prismatic cell design housed in a protective aluminium case with boron steel reinforcement and liquid cooling. A heat pump is included as standard, helping Polestar 3 utilise ambient heat for climate and battery pre-conditioning. Polestar 3 is also equipped for bidirectional charging, enabling future potential for vehicle-to-grid and plug-and-charge capabilities.

The optional Performance Pack sharpens driving dynamics even further and includes the maximum power and torque output (380 kW, 517hp and 910 Nm), along with performance optimisation for the air suspension, unique 22-inch forged alloy wheels and additional signature Swedish gold details.

When will the Polestar 3 be available?

Polestar 3 is the first car on a new all-electric technology base developed by and shared with Volvo Cars. Production for initial launch markets is planned to begin in Volvo Cars facility in Chengdu, China, in an incremental ramp-up phase from mid-2023, with first deliveries expected towards the end of 2023.

Additional manufacturing at Volvo Cars Ridgeville, South Carolina facility in the United States, is expected to follow towards the middle of 2024  from which point supply to North American and other markets is planned to switch from China to the US. Initial deliveries from this factory are expected around the middle of 2024.

How much does it cost?

At launch, the Polestar 3 Long range Dual motor (360 kW, 489hp, 840 Nm) is available with an indicative launch price of 79,900. Orders commence online from 12 October 2022 with more information here.
An autopsy determined that an 87-year-old woman found dead at her South Side apartment was the victim of a deadly assault.

Mae Brown suffered multiple injuries from an assault and her Saturday death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiners office.

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The victim was discovered unresponsive in her wheelchair inside her home in the Lincoln Perry senior apartments in the 3200 block of South Prairie Avenue around 3:40 p.m. Saturday, according to Chicago police.

Officers were alerted by a witness who was unable to get a hold of Brown, police said.

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No arrests had been made in connection to Browns death, police said.

Chicago Tribunes Deanese Williams-Harris contributed.
Update from 10/20/22: Authorities say they have identified the person of interest from the October 19th stabbing of activist Jean McGuire in Franklin Park. The persons name has not been released at this time.

Investigation Update: Police Have Identified the Person of Interest from the October 19, 2022 regarding the Franklin Park Stabbing  Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) October 20, 2022

Post from 10/19/22: Boston police are asking for public assistance locating a person of interest after a 91-year-old civil rights pioneer was stabbed in Franklin Park last week.

Dr. Jean McGuire was walking her dog in the city park when she was attacked by an unknown assailant on October 11. Emergency crews responding to Playstead Road within the park around 8:30 p.m. and found McGuire suffering from apparent stab wounds. She was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

According to Monday update, police believe McGuire was walking her dog on Seaver Street when she was stabbed between 7:55 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, Boston Police revealed new surveillance photos of the unknown subject.

Louis Elisa, who lives across the street from Franklin Park, said the release of the surveillance stills is a promising sign that investigators are making progress in their investigation.

Im thinking that whoever did this is someone whos mentally deranged, Elisa said. I hope for the residents here in the community of Roxbury, Dorhcester and JP for their mental health that whoevers responsible for this has been removed out of the public domain for a while.

What did he want? Dog walkers dont carry money. We carry poop bags and ID. Thats all hes going to get. Unless he has the urge to beat up somebody whos defenseless, McGuires sister told Boston 25.

McGuires sister also told Boston 25 that her dog may have bitten the suspect during the encounter.

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The reported stabbing happened right next to the Franklin Park Zoo, where the lantern light experience has been going on every night from 6: 00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

McGuire was a leader in the fight for equal rights in education for Black communities in the 1960s. She was also the first Black woman to gain a seat on the Boston School Committee.

Additionally, McGuire served as the executive director of METCO for more than four decades. She is also known for advocating for Black educators, calling for the need for racial and community representation at all levels.

It was just shocking to know that someone who was part of this community for so many decades, fighting for this community, was stabbed and hurt in the community where she works and lives and walks on a regular basis, said METCO president Millie Arbaje-Thomas.

In 2020, McGuire was honored during a Boston Celtics game as part of the teams Heroes Among Us program, which recognizes heroic achievements and outstanding citizens in the community.

McGuire grew up attending public schools in Brookline as one of the only Black students in all of her classes.

Investigators urge that anyone with information related to the incident contact detectives at 617-343-4400.

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
Authorities are investigating after a young woman was killed and two men were wounded in a triple shooting in Boston on Sunday night.

Officers responding to a report of a shooting in the area of Dorchesters Geneva Avenue shortly before 9 a.m. found three people suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to the Boston Police Department.

The 24-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.

One of the men was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, while the other man is said to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called the incident a devastating way to the end the weekend.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Boston police homicide detectives at 617-343-4470.

The shooting is the latest in a series of violent acts in the area.

Earlier this month, a student was shot outside the Jeremiah Burke High School. A 14-year-old was fatally shot on Washington Street in broad daylight last week. A 91-year-old civil rights and education activist was also stabbed multiple times while walking her dog in Franklin Park.

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
WORCESTER  There are still many unanswered questions following a mass shooting at a Webster Street warehouse early Saturday morning.

Police declined Monday to provide an update on the conditions of any of the six people injured in the gunfire, which erupted just after 3 a.m. at 88 Webster St.

They also declined to say whether anyone had been arrested in connection with the incident that left one person with serious injuries.

A Worcester police car is parked in front 88 Webster St., as a detective walks toward a building Saturday.

Police have said very little about the shooting, which was the second at the address in less than a year. The first, on Dec. 25, 2021, critically injured a city man who died on Jan. 8 from his injuries.

In the wake of the recent shooting, members of that man's family renewed their plea for anyone who has information about his death to tell police.

"I am so sorry to hear that about the other people that got shot but this might bring them closer to who killed your son an (sic) my nephew on Christmas Day...So I ask all of you if you know something please say something," Lee Cunningham, who identified himself as the victim's uncle, wrote in a Facebook post.

Police declined to speculate on whether the two incidents were related.

The incident Saturday apparently sent victims fleeing from gunfire. Some of those who were injured ended up in various areas of the city, police said.

Leicester ambulance crew provides aid

Leicester Selectman Herbert Duggan Jr. said Monday that he learned that a Leicester ambulance crew returning to town from Worcester was flagged down near Giovanni's Italian Bakery and Deli, less than a mile from 88 Webster St., and rendered aid to a woman who had been shot.

"Our ambulance and a state trooper assisted and provided medical aid to her," Duggan said. "A paramedic from Worcester EMS responded and our ambulance transported her to a hospital."

Police responded to 88 Webster St. for a shooting early Saturday.

Duggan said he's proud of the ambulance crew for jumping in to help.

"They didn't hesitate and I'm glad they noticed someone trying to flag them down," he said. "I'm very proud of them, although the level of violence Worcester experienced that night is disturbing."

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John Sarli, who owns Giovanni's, said he was unaware of what had happened until detectives arrived at his shop Saturday morning asking to see footage from his security cameras.

He said he has noticed an uptick in violence in the area recently and while he still "loves" the neighborhood, he is concerned.

In July 2020, gunfire erupted near the bakery in broad daylight, leaving one person seriously injured and the bakery parking lot taped off as a crime scene.

"It has gotten a little tough down here," Sarli said.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester warehouse mass shooting: Police won't say if any arrests
Marietta Police are investigating a scene near Massachusetts Ave. after a shooting that occurred early Sunday evening.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police told Channel 2 Action News, police arrived to the area of Carolina Rd. and Massachusetts Ave. around 5:09 p.m. after reports of someone being shot.

When police arrived to the scene they learned two men got into an argument ending in gun fire.

The victim, a 27-year-old man was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries but later died from his injuries.

Shortly after, SWAT was called to the scene to assist if needed.

When our SWAT team travels to a scene like this they bring their armored ambulance Hercules. SWAT is only here stagedthere is no known immediate threat to the public at this time, Marietta Police said in a statement.

TRENDING STORIES:

Police told Channel 2 Action News, a person of interest, believed to be the shooter, has been taken to their headquarters for questioning.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Two men have been charged in connection with a stabbing near a southwest Charlotte Walmart that led to a police chase in a stolen car, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said.

Officers responded Monday morning to the scene at the Whitehall Commons shopping center on South Tryon Street near Interstate 485. Police said they found a man who had been stabbed several times. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

ALSO READ: Juvenile accused of stabbing 12-year-old boy several times on Charlotte school bus

Channel 9s veteran crime reporter Glenn Counts learned the argument that led to the attack started over football.

The victim said he jumped from the car to save himself.

Your adrenaline starts pumping to where, at the time, I really didnt feel anything, cause Im in defense mode, the stabbing victim said in an interview only on Channel 9.

On Monday morning, the 39-year-old man said he had to fight for his life.

Channel 9 is keeping the man anonymous, because he doesnt want to be identified after being seriously hurt.

I got stabbed in my leg twice and my arm, he said.

Two men -- Quinton Qu Fredlaw and Donnell Harris -- have been arrested by CMPD.

I feel pretty safe now and I feel like they did a good job by getting these criminals off the street, the victim said.

They led police on a short chase before Fredlaw ran from the car before being caught later. Harris was identified as the driver and arrested at the scene.

He and another witness told detectives that they saw the victim and Fredlaw fighting in the backseat, CMPD said. Both said they were unaware the victim has been stabbed and that he exited the vehicle.

The victim said the argument began over football.

Im joking and playing around, you know, and as Im joking and playing around I could tell hes really getting kind of heated and Im a man, so Im gonna try and defend myself, he said.

The fight started and the man was stabbed in the backseat. He then jumped from the car to avoid more serious wounds.

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Anywhere closer to my chest, or to my face, or that kind of situation, and when I had the chance just got out of there, he said

ALSO READ: Armed suspects lead 115-mph chase through Hickory with baby in the car

The man thanked shoppers who came to his aid. He said he lost lots of blood, but expects to make a full recovery.

A witness told Channel 9s Dan Matics earlier this week that he was riding his bike next to the road when he saw the vehicle also crash into the 7-Eleven, and said he could have easily been hit.

Yeah, he was going crazy, man  fast as hell, Mario Bennett said. I saw a car going crazy, and he tore that wall up, and he backed up out of there, tore down Tyvola and went through the woods over there.

Police said Fredlaw was taken into custody on Tuesday. Harris was arrested following the chase.

Fredlaw was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and resisting a public officer. Harris was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, flee/eluding arrest, hit and run leaving property damage and resisting a public officer.

(WATCH BELOW: 1 student dies, another hurt in stabbing at NC high school, police chief says; student arrested)
A resident trying to remove a political sign on their Upper Makefield property was injured after discovering razor blades had been affixed to the outside of the poster.

Township police said Sunday that the resident was cut on blades that were placed on a Josh Shapiro for governor campaign sign, which had been placed on the property without the resident's permission.

Shapiro, a Democrat who currently serves as the state's Attorney General, is running against Republican State Sen. Doug Mastriano, of Franklin County, for governor.

Upper Makefield police said investigators also found razor blades placed on the perimeters of campaign signs for John Fetterman and Ashley Ehasz. Both Democrats, Fetterman, the current lieutenant governor, is running for U.S. Senate, and Ehasz is running against incumbent Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick for the 1st Congressional District of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Every year we see an increasing number of cases in which political signs are vandalized in one form or another. Over the course of my time in public service I have had my own signs defaced and cut apart.," State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, chairman of the Bucks County Democrats, said in a statement. "This latest incident, which has taken this behavior to a new low, is reprehensible as it risks peoples safety.

"The Bucks County Democratic Party condemns what happened and hopes that whoever is responsible is brought to justice as soon as possible."

Ehasz, in statement issued Monday, shared similar sentiments.

"There is no place in our electoral politics for violence of any kind, and I condemn any actions that would harm or risk our community's safety. I hope whoever is responsible is found out and held accountable," she said.

Like the Shaprio sign, those signs were also placed on the property without the resident's permission, according to police. The blades were taped to the signs.

Student made threats:Police: Teen arrested for threatening to 'shoot up' Central Bucks West High School

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Political signs vandalized, stolen:Bucks police report theft, vandalism of yard signs

For subscribers:'Makes me sick': Ex-Hatboro-Horsham aide sentenced in Bensalem child sex assault case

"Obviously, this was designed to inflict punishment on anyone who attempted to remove the sign," the department said.

Police are still investigating the incident. The department asks anyone who found signs placed on their property without permission to inspect them before they remove them. Residents are asked to call police if the signs have anything affixed to them.

"No matter your political affiliation, no matter your candidate preference, resorting to this type of depravity is unacceptable and criminal. We can do better and must," the department said in a statement.

In the months leading up to the 2020 election, some Bucks County police departments had reported thefts or vandalism of some political or pro-police yard signs.

Upper Makefield police said the township has seen thefts and vandalism of signs during previous election cycles, however this was the first time they have dealt with razor blades being placed on signs.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Political sign rigged with razor blades cuts Upper Makefield resident.
Polk County supervisors plan to vote Tuesday on a proposal to rename the Polk County Justice Center after John Sarcone, who is retiring after 32 years as county attorney.

A resolution to rename the building at 222 Fifth Ave. the John P. Sarcone Polk County Justice Center says Sarcone exercised the authority entrusted to him by the residents of Polk County to enforce the laws of the State of Iowa with the utmost integrity.

Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Angela Connolly said Monday she initiated the resolution with Ralph Marasco, an assistant county attorney who works in Sarcone's office on county legal business.

The Polk County Justice Center, 222 5th Ave., home to the Polk County Attorney's Office.

"It's not too often you have a county attorney who has done what John's done," Connolly said. "He's got victims on his side. He's a former public defender. ... He's a true public servant."

Connolly said shed like to see the building renamed before Sarcone officially leaves his post at the end of the year.

In a statement, however, the American Civil Liberties Union urged the supervisors to vote against the resolution. Supervisor Matt McCoy also objected, saying no one consulted the public before plans to rename the building were announced at a retirement party for Sarcone last week.

More:US Rep. Ashley Hinson hospitalized in Cedar Rapids with kidney infection, cancels debate

Had they sought input from residents, I think they would have heard an outcry," McCoy said. "Sarcone has a bad reputation with black and brown communities, and I think to take a building that was built with a referendum to improve justice in our community sends a message to those communities that when they walk into that building, they are going to get that history of his form of justice.

The ACLU in its statement made a similar argument, saying there are cases daily that show the role racial disparities, assumptions that government is always right, and excessive deference to the police play in Iowa's justice system.

Nowhere are these problems more evident than in Iowas largest county and specifically in the office of the Polk County Attorney," the statement said. "Lets be clear: This is not simply naming just any public building after a former elected official because this is no ordinary public building. This building houses the very courtrooms where Iowans will defend their rights against the government. This is where judges will sentence people. And, without some real changes in our criminal justice system, this is the very place where racial disparities in law enforcement and sentencing will continue to happen."

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Meeting Agendas and Minutes

McCoy said he also strongly objects to renaming the building after a living politician. He pointed to the ongoing controversy in the city of Des Moines over a movement to rename George Flagg Parkway, named in 2002 for a retired but then still-living City Council member who had been accused of racism.

McCoy, who has sparred heavily with other supervisors and county officials since joining the board in 2019, noted that there was no move to name a building after long-serving county Treasurer Mary Maloney, who died unexpectedly in 2021.

Nobody is saying (Sarcone's) public service isnt valuable, but I think its a mistake to name buildings after living politicians, McCoy said. Give him a pocket watch.

Sarcone, a Democrat who intensified criminal prosecutions in Iowa's largest county after he was elected in 1990 during a period of elevated crime, enjoyed wide respect from his peers in the legal profession during much of his tenure and was unopposed in all seven of his reelection bids.

But Sarcone also faced periods of intense public criticism, most recently after his office's prosecution of protestors and then-Des Moines Register journalist Andrea Sahouri in the wake of unrest sparked by the 2020 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody and a national outcry for racial justice.

John Sarcone

Sahouri, while covering a protest, was arrested for allegedly failing to obey a police order to disperse. A Palestinian-American, she said after her acquittal she believed race played a part in the charge against her and the decision to take her case to trial, where a jury acquitted her after hearing testimony she was doing her job as a journalist as she followed the protesters.

Other cases also ended in acquittal or dismissal, and defendants and their supporters alleged police in some cases used excessive force and made arrests without sufficient cause.

More:Iowa Poll: Gov. Kim Reynolds earns 52% support, leads Deidre DeJear by 17 points among likely voters

Sarcone's announcement in 2021 that he did not intend to run again kicked off the first contested campaign for the position in three decades and the possibility of a generational shift in law enforcement priorities for Iowa's most populous county.

Democrat Kimberly Graham, 58, will face Republican Allan M. Richards, 68, for Polk County attorney in the general election.

Richards said Monday he thinks the effort to rename the building is a nice gesture, given Sarcone's service to the county. Graham, who has run on a platform of ending racial and income disparities in the countys justice system, did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Lee Rood's Reader's Watchdog column helps Iowans get answers and accountability from public officials, the justice system, businesses and nonprofits. Reach her at lrood@registermedia.com, at 515-284-8549, on Twitter at @leerood or on Facebook at Facebook.com/readerswatchdog.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Polk justice center could be named after retiring county attorney
The election is three weeks away, but with mid-terms coming up some states are concerned they might not have enough poll workers to staff polling locations.

News Center 7s John Bedell checked in with the local board of elections to see if they are being impacted by this shortage.

Its two weeks into early voting in Ohio.

There are a few poll workers staffing the Montgomery County early voting site now, but theyll need hundreds more at precincts across the county for Election Day.

>> Election 2022 Hub

We are actively recruiting and training poll workers for the 2022 general election, Sarah Greathouse, Montgomery County Board of Elections deputy director said.

Of the 1,600 poll workers Montgomery County will need to staff polling locations on Election Day, they still need to hire 100.

Greathouse said the county is not experiencing a shortage and has seen an uptick in people signing up to be poll workers.

The Greene County BOE said they are fully staffed with poll workers for Election Day.

Warren County BOE said they are doing alright with poll worker staffing and have a few positions open on the Democrat side.

Clark County also said they are not experiencing a shortage.

>> Early voting begins; How you can cast your vote in person, by mail

News Center 7 also reached out to Miami County but has not heard back at the time of reporting.

Being a poll worker is a paid position, Greathouse explained the rates for Montgomery County workers.

If you are a poll worker, youll earn $120.00 for election Day. If you do in-person training, youll earn an additional $25.00. We do have polling location supervisors who earn a bit more, Greathouse said.

In Ohio, people can sign up to be poll workers in the county theyre registered to vote, you can find out more here.
Prosecutors have dropped domestic violence charges against a Cook County judge after the complaining witness decided not to testify in the case, according to court records.

Cook County Circuit Judge Carl Boyd, who was assigned in the 6th Municipal District in Markham, was charged last month with a misdemeanor count of domestic battery. A 57-year-old woman had reported to police that Boyd threw a glass bottle at a glass door window, causing the window to break in the 10700 block of South Seeley Avenue, Chicago police said.

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Police said the woman had a large cut on her face from the glass.

Cook County prosecutors on Oct. 11 asked the judge to dismiss the case when the woman decided not to proceed, according to court records and a statement from the states attorneys office.

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The judge granted the motion to dismiss.

Chief Judge Timothy Evans had placed Boyd on restricted duties, assigning him to work in the office of 1st Municipal District Presiding Judge E. Kenneth Wright Jr. Evans also asked that a judge from outside Cook County hear the case and Will County Judge Art Smigielski was appointed.

A spokesperson for Evans said Boyd remains on restricted duties.

mabuckley@chicagotribune.com
To get a sense of who is truly in control of PWR Holdings Limited (ASX:PWH), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. We can see that individual investors own the lion's share in the company with 44% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Meanwhile, institutions make up 31% of the companys shareholders. Generally speaking, as a company grows, institutions will increase their ownership. Conversely, insiders often decrease their ownership over time.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of PWR Holdings.

View our latest analysis for PWR Holdings

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About PWR Holdings?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

PWR Holdings already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see PWR Holdings' historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

PWR Holdings is not owned by hedge funds. KPW Property Trust is currently the largest shareholder, with 10% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 10.0% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 6.1% by the third-largest shareholder. Kees Weel, who is the second-largest shareholder, also happens to hold the title of Chief Executive Officer.

A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 12 shareholders have a combined ownership of 50% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

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While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

Insider Ownership Of PWR Holdings

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

It seems insiders own a significant proportion of PWR Holdings Limited. Insiders own AU$120m worth of shares in the AU$893m company. We would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 44% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Private Company Ownership

We can see that Private Companies own 12%, of the shares on issue. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too.

Many find it useful to take an in depth look at how a company has performed in the past. You can access this detailed graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow.

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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A significant amount of radioactive contamination was discovered at an elementary school in suburban St. Louis, near where nuclear weapons were produced during World War II, according to a report by environmental investigation consultants.

The report was issued by the environmental investigation firm Boston Chemical Data Corp. last week and confirmed fears of contamination at Jana Elementary School in Florissant that had been raised by a 2018 study by the Army Corps of Engineers.

I was heartbroken, Ashley Bernaugh, a parent at the school, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch after reading the report. It sounds so cliche, but it takes your breath from you.

The contamination was at 22 times the expected amount and many times above the amount allowed by federal Superfund regulation, according to the report. Ingesting or inhaling these radioactive materials could cause significant injury.

The 2018 Army Corps of Engineers study found significantly less contamination than the recent report did, though the Corps had not taken samples within 300 feet of the school or inside it.

The report by Boston Chemical was based on samples of soil, dust and plant materials taken from inside and around the elementary school, including the library, kitchen, classrooms and playground. It found the radioactive isotope lead-210, polonium, radium and other toxins were far in excess of what the firm expected.

Jana Elementary School is part of Hazelwood School District and sits in the floodplain of Coldwater Creek, which was contaminated by radioactive waste from the production of nuclear weapons during World War II. The contamination has been traced back to Mallinckrodt Chemical Works, which is responsible for the production of uranium for the Manhattan Projects atomic bombs in the 1940s and 50s.

Boston Chemicals report said a significant remedial program would be required to bring the conditions at the school in line with acceptable levels. However, unless Coldwater Creek itself is remediated, flooding could recontaminate school grounds.

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The report will be addressed during a Hazelwood School Board meeting Tuesday, board president Betsy Rachel told the Post-Dispatch.

Safety is absolutely our top priority for our staff and students, Rachel said Saturday.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
Hip-hop heads are in disbelief that music icon Grandmaster Flash is coming to Delaware next month to deliver a lecture and a turntable demonstration.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer will deliver a free, one-hour audiovisual lecture at the Wilmington Public Library on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Tickets to RSVP will become available at 9:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17. Guests are required to reserve tickets in advance. This event will likely sell out the same day tickets go live, so fans wont want to sleep on this.

Middletown rapper Zeeky El, formerly of Wilmington and New Castle, is shocked Grandmaster Flash will share his musical wisdom in Delaware.

I am hype and just grateful that a legend and a hip-hop pioneer, of the caliber of Grandmaster Flash, would take the time to give even more of himself as an elder in the culture, said the rapper, whose mixtape "Grapes + Sorbetto" is streaming on various social platforms, including YouTube.

Zeeky El added that hip-hop deserves to be taught and learned with the same academic seriousness as musicians tackling classical music.

Hip-hops pioneers should be respected and revered the same way the educational system does for William Shakespeare, he added.

Robert RZA Diggs of the Wu-Tang Clan is a far more advanced writer than Shakespeare ever was. In fact, every member of the Wu-Tang could outshine Mr. Shakespeare on their worst day.

Firefly rapper says hip-hop is broken

Jamal 'Relay' James from the Dover-based rap trio Cypher Clique gigs on the Backyard Stage at Firefly Music Festival in Dover in 2015.

Newark emcee Jamal Relay James said it will be a one-of-a-kind experience to see Grandmaster Flash ripping it up on the turntable next month.

James is part of the Dover-based rap trio Cypher Clique with his little brother Daryl (James Major) and friend Mike Thomas (Mic Anthony).

The rap trio, which has played the Firefly Music Festival, is dropping a new project titled For the Algorithm on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

Teenage Dover DJ prodigy: Makes Firefly festival debut

While Relay said legends like Flash helped open the door for modern artists like himself, he cant help but notice that the current state of hip-hop glorifies too much negativity.

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Hed rather see the genre push more conscious rap that offers solutions to social issues and politics, which had a greater presence in rap music in the 90s era.

Id say about 78% of the music today sounds the same, he said.

People are entitled to freedom of speech, he added, before explaining hed like to see a balance where more positive rap gets a boost. There are kids who are looking to the hip-hop stars as role models and (to a certain level) whatever they're rapping about, they're going to be influenced by it.

Amillion The Poet launched water deal from hip-hop

Dover rapper Amillion Mayfield, better known as Amillion The Poet, said through his lens, he's optimistic about the modern era of rap because its reaching new fans, its accessible around the world and hip-hop culture has had a major impact on his life.

The artist, who tours internationally, dropped the project "1NA Flows," and makes the majority of his income from hip-hop. The genre has afforded him the chance to provide for his teenage daughter; start his "1NA Radio Show on iHeart Radio; and launch his label 1NA Records, to which he signed Wilmington artist Kason Miller.

He thanks Grandmaster Flash for paving the way for artists like him to pay his bills.

Rapper turned a bitter situation sweet: During COVID pandemic

With me being an artist, were always taught to salute the DJs, said Amillion, who played Firefly in 2018. Hes in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  He's one of the original forefathers.

Earlier this month, Amillion got into the bottled water business and debuted his drink 1NA Alkaline Water, which is available at Dicks Sporting Goods, ALDI and other local shops, he said.

She loves Flash, The Fugees and Wu-Tang

Wilmington resident Shannon Branch, who owns Sound Body Studio on Concord Pike in Talleyville, grew up listening to hip-hop acts in the 80s and 90s.

She said some of the newer artists are OK, but shes missing that feeling she used to get from older acts.

I grew up in the space of Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang, Biggie, Eric B. & Rakim, Fugees, Geto Boys, Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Branch explained. I just don't hear that sound anymore, that vibe. Maybe it's a generational thing.

She called it amazing that Grandmaster Flash is coming to her neck of the woods to educate the community in November. Someone with his knowledge and experience could be an inspiration to the next generation of artists."

Who's Grandmaster Flash?

In the 1970s, Grandmaster Flash started out deejaying in Bronx house parties.

He was the first DJ to lay his fingertips on the body of a vinyl record and scratch it in a backward, forward or counterclockwise motion, whereas most DJs at the time simply put records on and let them play, according to his official bio.

The rap group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five went multiplatinum with their mega single, The Message, which dropped in the 1980s.

Eminem and Straight No Chaser: They have ties to this Delaware TikTok star

Over the years, Grandmaster Flash performed all around the world and was hand-picked by Chris Rock to spend five years as the music director for his HBO series, The Chris Rock Show (1997-2000).

In 2007, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was the first hip-hop group ever inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

More recently, New Yorks Flash has played for audiences as large as the Super Bowl and as elite as Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, per his bio.

Tommy Davison, Judge Joe Brown, more coming

Comedian Tommy Davidson will be a guest at Wilmington Public Library on Nov. 10.

This year the Wilmington Public Library celebrates its 100th anniversary, and that milestone was complemented by its recognition by the White House with the National Medal of Museum of Library Service, the most prestigious award a library can achieve.

Last month the library hosted the cast of A Different World and Hollywood Walk of Fame actress Jenifer Lewis. Last year NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman was a guest.

Wilmington Librarys fans on Facebook have been going wild over these events, including the one with Flash.

No bleeping way! one person wrote, in response to the iconic DJ coming to Wilmington.

A Different World cast and now this! another excited fan wrote.

Wilmington Library is snappin with these events! a proud supporter said.

White House reporter April Ryan is coming to Wilmington on Oct. 27, followed by a live debate between famous TV personality Judge Joe Brown and New York Times contributor Dr. Michael Eric Dyson on Nov. 3.

Comedian and actor Tommy Davidson will deliver a talk and book signing for "Living in Color: What's Funny about Me" on Nov. 10.

'A bit overwhelming'

Jamar Rahming, director of Wilmington Public Library, said his goal over the last few years has been about bringing empowerment to the city.He's aimed to accomplish that by attracting world-renowned guests to Wilmington whom residents will get a chance to learn from for free because some folks dont have the means to see these individuals in a ticketed setting.

The library director said hes humbled that he and his team have been recognized for their great work and that they've been able to bring so many big names to the First State.

It's been a bit overwhelming because all we've done is just come to work and do our jobs, and all these great things have happened.

Registration to Grandmaster Flash at the Wilmington Public Library (10 E. 10th St., Wilmington) opens at 9:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at wilmington.lib.de.us. The event will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16. The event is free but only registered guests may attend.

Andre Lamar is the features/lifestyle reporter. If you have an interesting story idea, email Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Grandmaster Flash, Tommy Davidson, Judge Joe Brown coming to Delaware
UKRAINSKA PRAVDA  MONDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2022, 18:39

Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) did not arrive at the border with the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, where the Ukrainian delegation was waiting for them.

Source: The Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine, Dmytro Lubinets, on Telegram

Quote: "We planned this visit together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, in order to encourage it to obtain access from Russia to the Olenivka POW camp and visit Ukrainian prisoners of war.

It appeared to be more difficult for the ICRC than repeating its "appeals to both sides" on its website. Despite our call and readiness to ensure such a trip, we did not see the ICRC."

Details: In Lubinets opinion, the organisation is not fulfilling its mandate, namely, to visit prisoners of war in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and in Russia, justifying its failure to do so by the lack of permits from the Russian Federation.

At the same time, the ICRC has not answered what exactly it is doing to change the situation and gain access to the prisoners.

Quote: "Because of the inactivity of the ICRC, prisoners of war are being tortured every day. Yes, I am not mistaken, every day. The Russians know that the Red Cross will not come and will not demand access to the prisoners.

If the organisation fails to fulfil its goals and plays along with the aggressor by its silence, it should be dissolved."

Background:

On 13 October, the head of the President's Office, Andrii Yermak, made an "absolute demand" to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to send a mission within three days to the prison camp in occupied Olenivka, where Ukrainian prisoners are being held.

Prior to that, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted that the International Committee of the Red Cross has obligations, primarily moral, and must visit Olenivka, where Ukrainian prisoners are being held.

A team of 11 staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross said it was ready to visit prisoners in Olenivka camp, but that they lacked minimum security guarantees on the ground and "the local authorisation" to conduct a visit.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The remains of a solider killed during the Korean War will be returned to Massachusetts on Tuesday before being buried in Malden, according to Boston Police.

Joseph Puopolo, an East Boston native, was reported missing in action December 2, 1950 after his unit attempted to withdraw from Kunu-ri, North Korea, following the Battle of Chongchon. Four POWs that returned in 1953 reported that Puopolo died as a prisoner of war in February 1951. He was 19 years old when he died.

Although the Boston native was interred as an unknown solider in 1954, analysis by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting agency were able to identify him forensic DNA analysis.

The plane carrying Puopolo is scheduled to land in Boston at approximately 3:00 p.m. He will be reburied at a Malden cemetery later this week.

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A remote worker has gone viral after he shared a video showing the realities of working from home.

TikTok user Mr Brotein has more than 50,000 on the video-sharing platform, where he posts tips and relatable content about remote work. In one video  which has received 3.4 million views since it was posted on 29 September  he captured the uncomfortable moment when his manager invited him to a work meeting while he was secretly on a plane.

When youre working from home and your manager invites you to a meeting in 30 minutes, the text overlay read. In the clip, the TikToker is seen sitting in the airplane, with a pillow around his neck, about to take off. The video was also set to the song Ex-Factor by Lauryn Hill, with the lyrics How can I explain myself? playing in the background.

Wifi problems, he jokingly captioned the TikTok.

The relatable work-from-home moment prompted many users in the comments section to share similar stories of lying to their supervisor about their whereabouts.

This happened to me on the way to Hawaii so I didnt answer and it turns out they were laying me off in two weeks, one person shared.

Bahahahaha Ive been there, someone else said. Its like they can smell when youre not in office.

Another user wrote: This is going to be me next Tuesday, wish me luck.

Many people also took the opportunity to suggest tips and tricks for avoiding impromptu work meetings while traveling, without getting in trouble. Some users advised others to take a personal day during a scheduled flight, while others suggested filling a calendar with meetings for the duration of the flight.

This is why you always fill in your calendar with a few random length meetings during your flights, one person said. Always take personal or sick days on the flight days! another user wrote.

Others jokingly said that remote employee should tell their bosses that the internet is down or theyre having connectivity issues.

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INTERNET IS DOWN! Im traveling to a new location, one person advised.

Say you dont have internet service or electricity shortages, said someone else.

Put a background filter on, another person suggested.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many companies have reverted to remote or hybrid schedules, which allows employees to do most of their work from home or in the office part-time. Last July, another remote worker went viral on TikTok after their manager similarly invited them to a previously unscheduled work meeting while they were on a flight to North Carolina.

The TikTok user, who goes by the name Roderick, filmed himself sitting in a seat on a plane and wrote: When you are working remote and your manager randomly adds a meeting to your calendar in 30 minutes. He ultimately revealed in the comments that he decided to leave his camera off for the meeting.
In the Knives Out film series, James Bond star Daniel Craig plays a very different leading man in Benoit Blanc, a dandyish Southern gentleman detective with a passion for Stephen Sondheims Follies score. So, when director Rian Johnson was recently asked if the character was queer during a press conference with the cast at the London Film Festival, his answer was very blunt: Yes, he obviously is.

According to Insider, a brief scene in the second Knives Out film Glass Onion features Craigs Benoit Blanc living with a man during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the heavy implication from the scene that the brilliant detective and the other man are in a romantic relationship, it isnt explicitly stated within the film, and Blancs sexuality largely has no bearing on the rest of the feature, which sees the character travel to Greece to tackle a new murder case.

More from IndieWire

Theres nobody in the world I can imagine in bringing me more joy for Benoit Blanc to be with, Johnson said about casting Blancs partner, who is played by an A-list actor in a cameo appearance. Craig, also at the press conference, chimed in: No spoilers [but] who wouldnt want to live with that person?

Blancs second adventure, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, is set to release in theaters and on Netflix this winter after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival this September and closing the London Film Festival. The film is notably the first Netflix release to run in the three major U.S. theater chains  AMC Theaters, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark  playing in roughly 600 theaters during its limited release.

The sequel to 2019s successful Knives Out sees Craig joined by a completely new cast of suspects, with Edward Norton, Janelle Monae, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Ethan Hawke, and Jackie Hoffman. Stephen Sondheim and Angela Lansbury are also confirmed to make cameo appearances in the film as themselves, in the final film appearances for both of the recently deceased Broadway legends.

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In her review of Glass Onion out of TIFF, IndieWire executive editor Kate Erbland praised the whodunnit, writing that, Johnson isnt reinventing the mystery movie with Glass Onion, but he is having a hell of a time lightly deconstructing it and reorienting it to suit his whipsmart script and central super detective.

Netflix will release the film in select theaters on Wednesday, November 23, before releasing it on its streaming platform on Friday, December 23.

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PROVIDENCE  The Rhode Island Department of Education on Monday said it received the RICAS standardized-test result data file on Sept. 12, but cautioned that the scores werent final.

The department "received the data file that was not validated or final from the vendor on Aug. 25 last year and Sept. 12 this year, department spokesman Victor Morente said Monday.

The release of scores from the Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System has blown up into a major campaign issue following WPRIs story Friday that the vendor, Cognia out of Georgia, had already provided the data to the education department.

What do the RICAS test results show?

The RICAS, a standardized test in math and English given every spring in Grades 3 though 8, is the most important measure of how students are doing at the individual, school and state level.

Republican challenger Ashley Kalus and Democratic Gov. Dan McKee found plenty to disagree about in the forum Thursday night sponsored by The Providence Journal and The Public's Radio and hosted by Rhode Island College. To watch the debate video, go to https://bit.ly/3et7ps5

They are crucial in several respects. They show how students are doing over time  last year's third-graders, for example, versus the previous year's. They show how groups of students are faring  in particular students of color, students with special needs and English language learners.

These student populations typically lag behind, sometimes far behind, their white, middle-income peers. When teachers drill down into the data, they can identify where a student is struggling or where the curriculum needs tweaking.

Rhode Island adopted the Massachusetts version of the RICAS in the 2017-2018 school year because of its rigor and its role in elevating Bay State student performance to the best in the nation.

Test scores took a nosedive in Rhode Island last year in the wake of the pandemic, as did scores across the nation.

With students back in school, there is an expectation that scores from last year's tests will be brighter. Gov. Dan McKee has a lot riding on those hopes, as does state Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green, in the third year of state takeover of Providence schools.

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RICAS: Timing of student test scores' release continues to roil RI gubernatorial race

Responding to questions from The Journal, Morente on Monday denied that someone from the governors office helped draft the Department of Education news release in November. WPRI said it had obtained emails showing that the governors office was involved in shaping the department's news release.

Although Infante-Green said she expected the release in October, Morente called that an estimate, adding that the scores have been released anywhere from late October to late November.

Providence administrators reportedly received preliminary data this summer. Morente said school districts received raw student data, not final, aggregated, validated data. No district should be drawing conclusions from raw scores.

McKee, Kalus debate: The candidates paint Rhode Island in stark contrasts at Journal, Public's Radio forum

RICAS test results becoming key election issue

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ashley Kalus on Monday continued to accuse McKee of playing politics with the scores by not releasing them until after the November election.

Last Tuesday, Dan McKee looked into the camera  into the eyes of Rhode Islanders  during the first debate and lied, Kalus said Monday morning outside of the Department of Education. He not only lied to the press, but he lied to every parent and teacher in the state.

Previous reporting: RICAS standardized test results will come in mid-November, after general election

Based on what the [education] commissioner said this morning, a month passed between the state receiving the scores and the first debate, Kalus said. You never once asked during that time period?"

Cognia declined to comment Monday on the RICAS.

In a series of emails late Friday night, McKees administration said he had not personally seen the scores in any form.

At a business forum Monday in East Providence, McKee denied asking the Department of Education to hold onto the results until after the election.

"Look, we are not going to make a political issue out of this ... kids are too important," he said. "When the information is ready it should come out. Not before it's ready ... "

Asked when the department got the results, McKee said, "I don't know that they have. I am told they have raw data that they have been working on."

Asked if he or his staff helped the department draft its news release, McKee said: "No. We were provided what that looked like. We told them to run with what they provided."

McKee, when asked if he knew the department had the raw data, referred to an Oct. 6 interview Infante-Green did with Matt Allen on WPRO.

During that interview, Infante-Green said the department gets raw data that the department has to review, analyze and correct for any errors.

"Every state goes through this process," she said. "It's the same process this year as last year."

She also said that parents receive individual student data before it is released to the district or state.

Digging Deeper: Why RI's latest student test results are so bad. It's not just COVID

Infante-Green also said the department doesn't have enough staff to handle not only the RICAS data but also SAT and ACT test scores.

"We do not have the capacity," the commissioner said. "Do we need more resources? Yes."

Asked if she was told to "slow roll" the release, Infante-Green said, "Absolutely not."

She also denied that anyone, from McKee to the Board of Education, has asked her to delay the release.

With reports from Katherine Gregg.

Linda Borg covers education for The Journal.

Election 2022 Updates: The latest news in the highest-profile races in Rhode Island

Political Scene: Pundits say don't rule out Magaziner yet in race against Fung for Congress

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Ashley Kalus attacks Gov. Dan McKee over release of RICAS test results
Robbie Coltrane as Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky and Pierce Brosnan as 007 in The World Is Not Enough, 1999. (Keith Hamshere/Getty Images)

James Bond star Pierce Brosnan has paid tribute to Robbie Coltrane following the Scottish actor's death on 14 October, 2022.

Coltrane played Russian arms dealer Valentine Zukovsky opposite Brosnan's Bond in his 007 debut, 1995's GoldenEye, before returning for a second time in 1999's The World Is Not Enough.

Sharing his condolences on Instagram, Brosnan wrote: "Im so sorry to hear the news of my dear friend Robbie Coltranes passing.

Read more: Tributes pour in for Robbie Coltrane

"We had so many good laughs through out our days making the James Bond movies. Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough the second photo is from our first days shoot on Goldeneye at Leavesdon [sic] studios.

"I cannot think of a finer actor and man of humanity and humor to share the world stage with on such a day as that so many years ago. My sincere condolences, prayers love and respect to the family."

Robbie Coltrane as Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky in the James Bond film GoldenEye, 1995. (Keith Hamshere/Getty Images)

The Scottish actor starred in a number of classic British franchises and shows during his career including 007, Blackadder and Harry Potter, where he starred as the beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid.

An outpouring of messages and fond memories were shared on social media following the news from his agent of 40 years, Belinda Wright, announcing that Coltrane had died on Friday.

Read more: Coltrane's daughter shares touching photo with late father

James Bond's long-term producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, described the actors death as a tragic loss to the world.

In a joint post to Twitter, they added: He was an exceptional actor whose talent knew no bounds.

He was beloved to Bond audiences as Valentin Zukovsky in GOLDENEYE and THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH as well as to millions who saw him in his multitude of roles.

We shall miss him as a dear friend. Rest in peace Robbie.

Robbie Coltrane during the return of a historic Scottish steam engine to the city of Glasgow. (PA)

Harry Potter stars were also among those who remembered their time with Coltrane fondly.

Tom Felton, who starred as Draco Malfoy in the fantasy series, described Coltrane as a big friendly giant as he recalled shooting a scene with him during the first film.

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One of my fondest memories of filming Harry Potter was a night shoot on the first film in the forbidden forest, Felton tweeted.

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

Watch: Tributes paid to Robbie Coltrane
A mob supporting U.S. President Donald Trump breaks into the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

An Illinois resident and his father have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Bradley Bokoski, 58, of Eagle Mountain, Utah and Matthew R. Bokoski, 31, of Chicago entered pleas on Thursday, according to documents filed with the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, to one count each of unlawful parading, demonstrating or picketing at the Capitol.

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Charges of impeding Congress by illegally entering the Capitol will be dropped as part of a plea agreement in each case, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

The misdemeanor charges carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison, five years probation and a $5,000 fine. Sentencing was set for Jan. 17.

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According to court documents, the Bokoskis traveled to Washington to hear President Donald Trump speak at a rally on Jan. 6, then followed the crowd to the Capitol, which they entered through a breached Senate door.

After the crowd was met by 10 to 15 police officers, both men turned around and left, the complaint said. They were in the building for about five minutes.

A tip to the FBI provide screenshots of Matthew Bokoskis Facebook page, including one post depicting a group of people inside the Capitol and a caption reading, I was with my dad and walked right up the capital steps and inside with others, the complaint said.

The riot delayed the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election, but Congress reconvened hours later to do so.

Both men were arrested in May.
WASHINGTON  Ohio Senate candidates J.D. Vance and Tim Ryan stage a second debate showdown Monday, both looking for an edge in a close contest with national significance.

The two meet in Youngstown just a week after a first debate in which they clashed over abortion, inflation, Ryan's support of President Joe Biden and Vance's support of former President Donald Trump.

Any of these issues could decide an election that could determine whether Democrats and Republicans control the U.S. Senate.

Dead heat:In key US Senate race in Ohio, Democrat Tim Ryan leads Republican JD Vance by a point: Suffolk poll

The candidates: Ryan vs. Vance

Ryan, a 10-term congressman, attacked Vance during the first debate over investments in China, his relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and the opioid epidemic, and his alleged subservience to Trump and the conservative extremists who back him.

Ohio needs an ass kicker, Ryan said during the debate. Not an ass kisser.

Vance, a venture capitalist who gained fame as the author of a 2016 memoir called "Hillbilly Elegy," stressed Ryan's opposition to tariffs, natural gas fracking and a border wall. Vance said the congressman poses as a moderate, but is really a Biden-style liberal.

Were getting close to Halloween, and Tim Ryan has put on a costume where he pretends to be a reasonable moderate," Vance said.

First debate: Economy. Abortion. Ukraine-Russia war. 4 major takeaways from Ohio Senate debate

Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan and Trump-endorsed Republican and "Hillbilly Elegy" author JD Vance are scheduled to participate Monday in their second debate in their race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Rob Portman in Ohio.

On abortion

As with other Democrats across the country, Ryan is hoping for a big turnout among women who oppose Republican attempts to restrict or ban abortion.

Democrats like Ryan made abortion a major campaign focus after the Supreme Court in June overturned Roe vs.Wade, the 1973 ruling that had made abortion a constitutional right.

Abortion politics:Exclusive: Concern about abortion explodes among Democrats, fueling a push to vote

On inflation

Like other Republican candidates nationwide, Vance is hitting Ryan over high inflation rates and economic uncertainty coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The president's party tends to struggle in midterm elections, so Vance is also trying to link Ryan to Biden, whose presidential approval ratings are hovering in the low-to-mid 40s.

A test for Biden: Asset or liability? Biden's momentum hasn't led to new invitations on midterm campaign trail

A close race

Polls have the Vance-Ryan race as a dead heat, well within the margin of error. The Real Clear Politics website poll average has Vance ahead by less than 1 percentage point.

Senate races in 2022: Which party will control the Senate? Here's every seat up for grabs in the 2022 midterms

Ohio Senate race in spotlight

The Ryan-Vance race is one of the closest Senate races in the country, and the result could decide whether Democrats or Republicans control the U.S. Senate.

The chamber is split 50-50 between the parties, with the Democrats in charge because of the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Vance and Ryan are seeking to replace U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who opted to retire rather than seek reelection. Democrats believe Ryan give them a good chance of picking up a Republican seat.

Senate control will be decided in closely contested states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Nevada, as well as Ohio.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohio Senate: Tim Ryan, J.D. Vance hold second debate in pivotal race
The jury for Ruben Flores, who is accused of helping his son, Paul Flores, cover up Cal Poly student Kristin Smarts murder, has reached a verdict.

The jury deliberated for just over a week, accounting for breaks.

The decision comes just two days after a juror was excused for talking about the case with his priest and replaced with an alternate.

The Ruben Flores verdict will not be read until the separate jury for Paul Flores has also reached a decision. That jury is still deliberating.

Paul Flores is on trial in Monterey County Superior Court for the murder of Smart, who went missing following an off-campus party during Memorial Day weekend in 1996.

Ruben Flores, right, and his attorney Harold Mesick watch the proceedings as Judge Jennifer OKeefe announced that his jury had reached a verdict on Oct. 17, 2022, in the Kristin Smart murder case. The verdict will remain sealed until the Paul Flores verdict is determined.

He was allegedly the last person seen with the freshman as she walked back to her residence hall room.

Paul Flores has long been the prime suspect in Smarts disappearance. Over the years, the case has garnered a cult-like following as it dragged out with seemingly few concrete answers as to what had happened to Smart.

Then in April 2021, both Paul Flores and his father were arrested and charged in her murder.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution alleged Paul Flores killed Smart in the course of an attempted rape, and that his father helped him to hide her body for the past 26 years.

Smarts body has never been found.

Monterey County Superior Court Judge Jennifer OKeefe told Ruben Flores jurors they had to be available to return to the courthouse within an hour once Paul Flores jury makes a decision.

The public will also be notified at that time.

OKeefe said the verdict in Ruben Flores case will be locked inside a box until it is ready to be read. Jurors are ordered to not talk about the case or view media about the case until both verdicts are read.

Monterey County Superior Court Judge Jennifer J. OKeefe hands the verdict envelope to the courtroom clerk for safe keeping on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, until the Paul Flores jury reaches a verdict.

Judge denies motion for mistrial from Paul Flores attorney

Immediately following Ruben Flores jury verdict, Paul Flores attorney, Robert Sanger, motioned for a mistrial for the ninth time in the Smart case.

Sanger said his investigator, Ramona Messina, saw members of the prosecutions team hugging the Smart family in front of Paul Flores jurors as they were gathered in the hallway outside the courtroom.

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Sanger called this extremely inappropriate and really unforgivable, alleging the conduct could sway jurors emotions to a guilty verdict  something he alleged was San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney Chris Peuvrelles goal during his opening and closing statements.

Ruben Flores and his attorney Harold Mesick confer before court on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. The judge announced that the jury for Ruben Flores has reached a verdict in the Kristin Smart murder case. The verdict will remain sealed until Paul Flores verdict is determined.

A small degree of compassion in my view is entirely appropriate, Peuvrelle said, adding that Denise and Stan Smart been waiting for an answer in their daughters case for 26 years.

OKeefe denied the motion because jurors have been admonished multiple times per day to ignore anything they see outside of the courtroom by those connected with the case, she said.

In her view, she added, they take those admonishments very seriously.

OKeefe added that, in an abundance of caution, prosecution team members should avoid doing something similar in the future.

In a hearing later in the day, the judge gave a specific instruction to Paul Flores jurors to ignore anything they see parties and witnesses in the case do outside the courtroom, per Sangers request.

The jurors were excused after about two minutes.

Then Peuvrelle added to the record that he and San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office investigator James J.T. Camp were not the people that hugged a member of the Smart family.

The prosecutor said the people who hugged the Smart family member were San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office Det. Clint Cole and a San Luis Obispo County victim-witness advocate, noting that it is within the advocates job title to provide support.

Cole should not have hugged the Smart family member, Peuvrelle said, and he will be filing a memo to clarify what happened despite the motion for a mistrial already being denied.

Sanger responded that San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson, who was present at the courthouse out of uniform, also hugged the family member and held that those who hugged the family should know better.

OKeefe adjourned court without responding to Sanger.
Russia is escalating its attacks on Ukraines civilian infrastructure, taking hits at the countrys energy system as Ukrainian officials warn that a difficult winter in the country is looming.

An onslaught of strikes Monday morning took aim at Ukraines capital city, killing at least four in Kyiv, according to a Telegram update from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

It acts insidiously  kills civilians, hits housing, infrastructure, Zelensky said of the attacks.

Recent strikes in central and northern Ukraine damaged energy infrastructure facilities, state grid operator Ukrenergo reported on Telegram, according to translations, and an attack Saturday severely damaged a significant power facility near Kyiv.

Ukrenergo said the countrys energy situation is under control at the moment but urged Ukrainians to be frugal with their energy use to help avert emergency shutdowns. Zelensky echoed that call.

Due to the Russian missile terror in some cities and regions of Ukraine, energy workers have to limit the supply of electricity so that the entire system works stably. But it will be possible to avoid such stabilization blackouts if all of us in Ukraine consciously treat our consumption during peak hours. This is a small thing for every persons life  but extremely tangible within the entire energy system, Zelensky said.

The grid operator also cautioned Ukrainians that a difficult winter lies ahead as Russia continues its attacks into the colder, darker months. Moscow appears intent on hitting Ukraines energy infrastructure and ramping up its strikes as winter approaches.

Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko told CNN in an interview last week that Russia had hit around 30 percent of the countrys energy infrastructure in just a two-day period.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that Russia had fired 28 explosive kamikaze drones at the capital city in Mondays strikes alone.

Russias Ministry of Defense on Monday reportedly said it had struck all designated targets in its latest bout of attacks, according to Reuters.

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Ukraines energy system has so far been resilient, and Ukrainian troops have maintained their successful counteroffensive effort, but Zelensky has long predicted that the winter season will be a significant challenge for the civilian population and for the war effort.

After waging successful advances last month, the Ukrainian president said he anticipated a turning point in the conflict this winter, which could lead to the rapid de-occupation of Ukraine.

In a call with President Biden earlier this month, Zelensky underscored that recent large-scale damages of critical energy infrastructure pose serious challenges ahead of the upcoming winter and beginning of the heating season, according to an update from his office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
'No gay propaganda' banners

Russian legislators Monday discussed amendments to strengthen the nations so-called gay propaganda law, and the changes are expected to be approved this fall.

The current law, approved in 2013, bans the promotion of nontraditional sexual relations in venues accessible to minors, but the amendments would extend the ban to all ages and would also outlaw the denial of family values.

At the session of the Duma, the lower house of Russias Parliament, supporters of the effort said strengthening the law will be helpful in the nations war against Ukraine and its battle against what it considers Western values, Agence France-Presse reports.

The special operation takes place not only on the battlefield but also in the minds and souls of people, said Alexander Khinstein, who chairs the Dumas information committee.

Konstantin Malofeyev, a banker and media tycoon, made similar remarks. The war is not only on the battlefield, he said. It is also in the smartphones of our children, in cartoons and films.  Our enemy really holds the propaganda of sodomy as the core of its influence.

The Russian Book Union, an association of publishers, is concerned that a stricter propaganda law could result in the suppression of some classics of Russian literature, the newspaper Kommersant reports. The group sent a letter to Khinstein saying several publishers have wondered if the language about family values would make certain books illegal, such as Fyodor Dostoyevskys novel Devils, which has a scene involving sexual abuse of a child. Khinstein said he hasnt read the letter but doesnt think classic literary works would be considered propaganda.

Also Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered that 3.9 billion rubles ($63 million) be assigned to school curricula promoting patriotism, AFP reports. The Kremlin website says this should encompass digital content and multimedia products that support the patriotic and spiritual education of children and youth.
Firefighters work to put out a fire in a residential building destroyed by a Russian drones strike in Kyiv on October 17, 2022. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Russia launched fresh attacks on Kyiv on Monday morning with explosive drones.

Reports and Ukrainian officials identified the drones used as ones made in Iran.

Iran denies arming Russia, despite evidence of its equipment being found.

Russia launched a new attack on Ukraine's capital on Monday, with Ukrainian officials saying it used a swarm of Iran-made "suicide" drones in its bombardment.

At least one person in Kyiv had been confirmed dead, while rescuers were searching for more in the rubble, mayor Vitali Klitschko said not long after the explosions.

Residents fled to shelters as air raid sirens went off, and Ukrainian troops tried to shoot down the drones that Ukrainian officials said were single-use "kamikaze drones" which explode on contact.

Multiple officials said that these drones were used in the attack, including Klitschko, interior ministry advisor Anton Gerashchenko, and presidential advisor Andriy Yermak.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the drones were being used in multiple attacks across Ukraine on Monday.

A Russian drone is seen during a Russian drone strike, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 17, 2022. REUTERS/Roman Petushkov

"All night and all morning, the enemy terrorizes the civilian population. Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine. A residential building was hit in Kyiv."

Photos showed Ukrainian troops trying to shoot down the drones.

Iranian drones

Gerashchenko said the building in Kyiv was "hit by an Iranian drone."

Emine Dzheppar, the first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said the strike was done "by Iran-made kamikaze drones this morning."

Iran on Monday repeated its denial that is has supplied any drones to Russia. A foreign ministry spokesperson said "We have not provided weaponry to any side of the countries at war," Reuters reported.

But Russia has already been using Iran-made drones in its invasion.

And US intelligence officials told The Washington Post that Iran has agreed to send more weapons to Russia, including surface-to-surface missiles and more drones.

Russia has launched a significant amount of its equipment as it loses to and retreats from Ukrainian forces in the east.

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US officials said earlier this month that Russia turning to pariah states like Iran and North Korea is a sign that it is suffering on the battlefield.

Changing strategy

The drone attack marks a change in Russia's strategy, showing a renewed focus on hitting Kyiv despite the capital being far from the front lines.

Russia also until recently relied on missiles, rather than drones, to attack Kyiv, the AP noted.

Insider's Jake Epstein last week reported that military experts believe Russia had burned through much of its cruise-missile supply.

Kyiv residents described to Insider how last Monday's missile attack on Kyiv shattered what had been a slow return to more normal life in the city, to which many people fled from the more dangerous eastern and southern parts of the country.

Western and Ukrainian leaders described Russia's new attacks on Kyiv as an act of desperation prompted by its army's loses on the battlefield.

Read the original article on Business Insider
VALENTYNA ROMANENKO  MONDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2022, 15:33

The Russian Federation will deploy about 170 tanks, up to 200 armoured combat vehicles, and up to 100 guns and mortars of over 100 mm calibre to Belarus as part of the joint Belarusian and Russian force.

Source:, Head of the Department of International Military Cooperation and aide to the Belarusian Minister of Defence, Valery Revenka, on Twitter

Quote: "The total number being sent to Belarus will be up to 9,000 personnel, about 170 tanks, up to 200 armoured combat vehicles and up to 100 guns and mortars of over 100m calibre."

Details: Revenka said that the security threats to the Union State [an organisation aimed at deepening the relationship between Russia and Belarus through the integration of economic and defence policy  ed.] of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus are considered to be: "the deployment of the NATO groups near the borders of the Republic of Belarus, in the absence of dialogue; an increase in the intensity of the NATO training activities in offensive topics; and the encouragement of Belarusian radical elements to overthrow the legitimate authorities in the Republic of Belarus".

Previously: The aviation unit of the joint regional force has started arriving in the Republic of Belarus from the Russian Federation.

Background:

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!




Army of the Russian Federation in Belarus

According to him, Moscow will transfer about 170 tanks, up to 200 armored combat vehicles (ACVs), and up to 100 guns and mortars with a caliber of more than 100 mm.

"The deployment of NATO groups near the borders of the Union State in the absence of dialogue, increased intensity of NATO training activities with a focus on offensive actions, encouraging Belarusian radical elements to overthrow the government of Belarus are considered threats to the security of the Union State," the representative of the Ministry of Defense wrote.

However, no such NATO deployments have taken place, leaving it unclear as to which threats the representative was referring to.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said on Oct. 17 that Russia was attacking Kyiv and northern regions of Ukraine with kamikaze drones from Belarus.

Russia attacked Kyiv with kamikaze drones on the morning of Oct.17. After the first attack, a fire broke out in a non-residential building, and several residential buildings were damaged.

As of 3.55 p.m., four people had been reported dead under the rubble, including a six-month-pregnant woman and her husband. Nineteen residents were rescued.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Read also: Aftermath of first missile strike on Kyiv since June  photo report

In an official address, Putin claimed the airstrikes were in response to a recent attack on the Crimean Bridge, a multibillion dollar vanity project closely linked to the Russian ruler that connects Ukraines occupied Crimean peninsula with the Russian Federation. However, this attempt to portray the strikes as an act of revenge was widely questioned. Skeptics noted that Russia has carried out similar attacks on multiple prior occasions and pointed to the fact that Putin himself had specifically threatened such an escalation almost one month earlier. Speaking in mid-September as his army retreated in disarray from the Kharkiv region, Putin declared that recent Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure were a warning and promised a more serious response if Ukraines counteroffensive continued. He appears to have kept his word.

The targets selected for Mondays precision airstrikes suggest a clear intention to cripple Ukraines civilian infrastructure while spreading fear and panic among the Ukrainian population. In addition to a number of energy facilities, Russian missiles also struck a range of civilian locations in the heart of Kyiv including a childrens playground, a pedestrian bridge, a university, and a busy downtown intersection. None of these targets has any conceivable military value.

The strikes appear to have been timed to inflict maximum chaos, with the first wave taking place during the busy morning rush hour as Ukrainians took their children to school and traveled to work. Russias missile blitz continued on Tuesday, further undermining earlier claims that this was a response to the Crimean Bridge attack.

Putins escalation provoked international condemnation, but was widely cheered by domestic Russian audiences. In an official statement, US President Joe Biden accused Russia of killing civilians and destroying targets with no military purpose. Biden said the attacks demonstrated the utter brutality of Mr. Putins illegal war on the Ukrainian people. French President Emmanuel Macron claimed the precision attacks on civilian targets marked a profound change in the nature of this war. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was quoted as being deeply shocked by another unacceptable escalation of the war, while a spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the attacks amounted to a war crime.

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The mood in Russia was jubilant. Putin had been coming under increasing pressure in recent weeks to hit back following a series of humiliating military defeats that shocked the Russian public and punctured the triumphalism of the Kremlin propaganda bubble. The decision to strike Ukrainian civilian targets was widely toasted on Russian social media and greeted by many prominent regime figures as a welcome show of strength. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who had been among the most high-profile critics of Russias faltering war effort, declared himself 100% satisfied with how the war is being waged following Mondays attacks.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy head of Russias Security Council, said the attacks should be seen as the first episode in a new phase of the war. Medvedev, who has sought to position himself as a hardliner in the war against Ukraine, argued that Moscows ultimate goal should now be the complete dismantling of the Ukrainian political regime which he said posed a permanent, direct, and clear threat to Russia.

Talk of an entirely new phase in the conflict may be overstating the case. After all, Russian forces have been deliberately targeting Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure ever since the invasion began in February. Nevertheless, the unprecedented scale of this weeks missile attacks does indicate a significant shift in emphasis as Putin seeks to regain the initiative following months of battlefield setbacks.

The Russian rulers plans to conquer Ukraine began to unravel from the very first day of the invasion. Advancing Russian troops were told they would be met with cakes and flowers by a grateful population. Instead, they encountered fierce opposition and were forced to retreat from Kyiv after sustaining severe losses. Moscow then attempted to regroup and focus on the occupation of eastern Ukraines Donbas region, but this concentrated push soon ground to a halt amid more heavy casualties. The situation deteriorated further in early September when the Ukrainian military launched a stunning counteroffensive that succeeded in liberating much of northeastern Ukraine while leaving the Russian military exhausted and demoralized.

Putin now finds himself confronted with the previously unthinkable prospect of an outright Ukrainian victory and is attempting to rescue his unraveling invasion by raising the stakes. In recent weeks, he has staged fake referendums in occupied regions of Ukraine and hurriedly annexed these areas to the Russian Federation while threatening to defend his newly acquired lands with nuclear weapons. He has also sought to replenish the depleted ranks of his invasion force by announcing Russias first mobilization since World War II.

This weeks sudden increase in airstrikes on Ukrainian civilian targets fits neatly into the broader escalatory stance adopted by the Russian ruler. Unable to defeat Ukraine on the battlefield, Putin is now employing terror tactics to break the resistance of the Ukrainian nation.

The man recently appointed by Putin to command Russian forces in Ukraine, General Sergei Surovikin, appears to have been hand-picked for this task. Ap-pointed in early October, Surovikin has a reputation for brutality that helped earn him the nickname General Armageddon. This weeks airstrikes are exactly what his admirers were hoping for and offer an ominous indication of Russias plans for the months ahead.

Ukrainians has so far responded to the escalation in Russias air war with a mix of anger and determination. Ukrainian government officials and members of the public alike took to social media on Monday with messages of defiance and expressions of continued confidence in ultimate victory. International observers appear to agree on this last point, with many noting that the Russian campaign against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure has little military value and is unlikely to change the course of the war.

Nevertheless, Russias terror tactics present grave challenges for the Ukrainian population. This weeks attacks highlighted Ukraines vulnerability to airstrikes and underlined the countrys urgent need for enhanced air defense systems. Some new systems have recently been delivered and more are already on their way, but Ukrainian officials are currently stressing that further deliveries remain a top priority. With attacks on civilian infrastructure likely to continue during the coming months, measures must also be put in place to repair vital infrastructure, address supply chain emergencies, and secure alternative energy supplies.

Putins desperation and his capacity for war crimes should not be underestimated. He knows that if he loses the war in Ukraine, he is unlikely to survive. With military victory proving elusive, he intends to bomb Ukraine back into the pre-industrial age and bring the country to its knees.

Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko has stated that Russian missiles hit roughly 30% of the countrys energy infrastructure during the first two days of Moscows blitz. This is just the beginning. Millions of Ukrainians are now facing the grim prospect of a long winter with limited access to water, heating, and electricity. Their plight may not be enough to rescue Putins failing invasion, but it could spark one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of the twenty-first century. The only way to prevent this unfolding tragedy is to pro-vide Ukrainians with the weapons they need to defend themselves and win the war.

This story was originally published by the Atlantic Council. NV is republishing it with permission.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Russian journalist who staged a one-woman anti-war protest on state television has fled the country after being added to a national wanted list.

Marina Ovsyannikova, who was placed under house arrest after the TV stunt in March, left Russia recently amid growing turmoil over Russian President Vladimir Putins civilian mobilization order to continue his countrys war with Ukraine.

Ovsyannikova and her daughter left Russia a few hours after departing from the address where she was under house arrest. They are in Europe now, the former Channel One editors lawyer Dmitry Zakhvatov told Agence France-Presse.

He continued: They are fine. They are waiting until they can talk about publicly, but for now it is not safe.

Ovsyannikova was fined 30,000 rubles, equivalent to about $270, for organizing unsanctioned actions after she held up an anti-war sign during a broadcast on state-run Channel One.

Stop the war. Dont believe propaganda. Theyre lying to you here, read the sign.

The former journalist was later charged with spreading false information about Russian armed forces and ordered to be placed under house arrest for more than two months.

She was added to Russias wanted list after escaping house arrest before she fled the country.

Ovsyannikova recorded a video before her on-air protest where she apologized for participating in Kremlin propaganda.

Im very ashamed of it  that I let people lie from TV screens and allowed the Russian people to be zombified, she said in the video.

Ovsyannikova told CNN in March that she felt a cognitive dissonance between her beliefs and what she was compelled to say on television that motivated her to make a viral statement.

The war was the point of no return, she said. I realized that I either would need to do something or we would reach a point of no return and it would be more and more difficult to do anything.

She added: I wanted to show to the world that Russians are against the war, the majority of Russians.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The occupiers forcefully take the residents of captured Melitopol to fight

Read also: About 700,000 people leave Russia after announced mobilization

"As for mobilization in general, unfortunately, it exists, he stated.

They can just take people in the middle of the street, take them to the military registration and enlistment office, and there they are released, but immediately registered. And there are examples when people were also taken to the army. In total, 3,000 residents of Melitopol were taken to some pseudo-volunteer battalions, and mobilization, unfortunately, continues.

Read also: Russians announce volunteer mobilization units in Kherson, fears men in occupied area may be targeted

He noted that Russians prioritize mobilizing people who have received Russian passports.

"Today, when we talk about mobilization, those people who received passports of the enemy state are the first to be mobilized, Fedorov said.

Right at the checkpoint they are stopped, taken out of the car, and send immediately to the trenches.

Read also: Russian mobilization of Crimean Tatars tantamount to ethnic cleansing, official says

The forcible conscription of civilians by an occupying power is a violation of international humanitarian law, and is considered a war crime.

Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin announced a "partial mobilization" in Russia on Sept. 21. The call-up came after the Russian army suffered a heavy defeat in Ukraine, losing swathes of formerly occupied territory in Ukraines Kharkiv Oblast.

According to official data from the Russian Defense Ministry, the plan is to draft about 300,000 reservists. However, the part of the published decree ordering the mobilization dealing with the number of draftees has been classified, leaving the true mobilization target in doubt, though independent Russian media outlets have reported that the number is around one million.

After the announcement of partial mobilization, Russians began to buy tickets abroad en masse to avoid participation in their countrys full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The 2022 races for the Illinois Supreme Court have been far from supreme. The candidates aspire to the states high court, but their campaigns are wallowing in the mud.

In the final weeks of the election season, the contests for two Supreme Court seats are getting welcome attention. Judicial races usually fly way below the radar. They are last on the ballot, and most voters go to the polls not even knowing the candidates names, much less their credentials.

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These campaigns have been dominated by partisan politics and charges of bias, fueled by tumultuous times. The U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and end the constitutional right to an abortion, burgeoning gun violence and mass shootings around the nation, and the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol have all heightened fears about our rights, freedom and even our democracy.

The Illinois Supreme Court competition is a marquee race on the Nov. 8 ballot. Judicial candidates run under the banners of political parties. Democrats currently hold a 4-3 majority on the Illinois court, but if Republicans prevail, the balance could flip in their favor. The winners will serve for 10-year terms, giving them a long time to wield their influence.

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Republicans see a once-in-a-generation chance to shift control of the court. Democrats warn that if they lose these seats, the right to an abortion, gun safety, even democracy, will be in jeopardy.

[ Sara Paretsky: State Supreme Court races could lead to a rollback of abortion rights in Illinois ]

Candidates for judicial office are supposed to be impartial and stay above the partisan fray. Yet political action committees, activists and donors on both sides of the aisle are getting down and dirty.

The judges are elected based on districts. The 2nd District race covers Chicagos northsuburbs, where the Republican candidate, former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran, is up against Democrat Elizabeth Liz Rochford, a Lake County circuit judge.

The 3rd District, which takes in the southwest suburbs, features Supreme Court Justice Michael Burke, a Republican, and Illinois Appellate Court Judge Mary Kay OBrien, a Democrat.

A look at the candidates qualifications offers clear choices. For example, Rochford brings 35 years of legal experience as a lawyer in private practice, an assistant states attorney and commissioner of the Illinois Court of Claims. She has been a Lake County judge for a decade and was rated highly recommended by the Illinois State Bar Association.

Curran has practiced law for 31 years, including stints as the Illinois attorney generals gang crimes bureau chief, a states attorney and a special assistant U.S. attorney. He was Lake County sheriff for 12 years. In 2020, he made an unsuccessful run against U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Curran has never been a judge and was not recommended by the State Bar Association.

Judicial candidates are supposed to be impartial and avoid discussing issues that could come before the court. Their campaign ads have not. For instance, Rochfords ads and other promotional materials highlight her endorsements from Planned Parenthood; Personal PAC, a staunchly pro-abortion rights political action committee; and the Gun Violence Prevention Political Action Committee.

Allies attack the Republicans for being supported by anti-abortion rights groups and warn they are aggressively anti-abortion rights.

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A recent TV ad features a doctor who claims Curran and Burke are too extreme for the Illinois Supreme Court. Pregnancies are complicated, and every situation is different, the doctor asserts. My job is to do whats best for my patients.

Curran and Burke want to criminalize abortion in Illinois, and theyll get that chance if theyre elected to the state Supreme Court, claims the spot, paid for by the independent expenditure committee All for Justice.

The ad is false, and defamatory, Illinois Republican Party Executive Director Shaun McCabe responded in a statement.

Top party politicians and donors are plowing major money into the messaging. Illinois billionaire Gov. J.B. Pritzker has donated $500,000 each to the Rochford and OBrien campaigns.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch recently donated $250,000 to OBrien and $150,000 to Rochford from his personal campaign fund, the political website Capitol Fax reported last week.

Citizens for Judicial Fairness, a political action committee that has received donations from Republican megadonor Ken Griffin, is running an ad that accuses Rochford and OBrien of shady ties to Michael Madigan, the indicted former Illinois House speaker.

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The candidates are all crying foul and argue their opponents are distorting their records. They pledge to be impartial on the bench.

The campaign rhetoric belies that promise. Judges and their decisions affect every aspect of our lives, more than any other elected officials.

Today, too many of our democratic institutions are in question  the media, our state legislatures, Congress, even the presidency.

If voters cant be confident that our judges are impartial and fair, our Democratic system is sure to fail.

Laura Washington is a political commentator and longtime Chicago journalist. Her columns appear in the Tribune each Monday. Write to her at LauraLauraWashington@gmail.com.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
MONDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2022, 07:45

The Russians have launched a missile attack on critical infrastructure facilities in the Romny district of Sumy Oblast; there are casualties.

Source: Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, the Head of the Sumy Oblast Military Administration

Details: It is stated that the strike occurred after 5:00.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Russian troops shot and killed an orchestra conductor who refused to perform at a concert Russia staged in the occupied southern region of Kherson, according to Ukrainian officials.

The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine said in a Facebook post that it confirmed Friday that Russian soldiers shot Yuri Kerpatenko in his own home.

Kerpatenko, the main conductor of the Gileya Chamber Orchestra, refused a Russian invitation to perform a concert with the orchestra group to demonstrate the so-called improvement of peaceful life in Kherson, according to the ministry.

The late conductor was also affiliated with the Kherson Regional Philharmonic and the Mykola Kulish Kherson Music and Drama Theater in the region.

Ukrainian journalist Olena Vanina first reported the news on Thursday and was cited by the cultural ministry.

The war in Ukraine has dragged on for more than seven months and has killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians and thousands of soldiers on both sides.

Fighting continues to rage in the eastern and southern regions of the country, including in and around Kherson.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously slammed the EU's plan to limit the price of Russian gas. Photo by Contributor/Getty Images

The G7 and the EU are in discussions to impose price caps on Russian oil and natural gas.

Russia's Gazprom threatened to stop gas supplies to Europe if the price caps are imposed, per Reuters.

President Putin last month also threatened to cut off energy supplies if these price caps were imposed.

Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom on Sunday threatened to halt natural-gas exports to the European Union if the bloc imposes a price cap on the fuel, Reuters reported, echoing a similar warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin last month.

The G7  which includes the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan  and the EU are in discussions to impose price caps on Russian oil and natural gas. Alexei Miller, the CEO of Gazprom, described the caps as "a one-sided decision," per Reuters.

"Such a one-sided decision is of course a violation of existing contracts, which would lead to a termination of supplies," Miller said on Russian state television, per Reuters.

Miller's comments came a month after Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out at the EU's natural gas price cap plans, calling them "stupid." He also threatened to cut off all energy supplies if price caps were imposed.

"Will there be any political decisions that contradict the contracts? Yes, we just won't fulfil them. We will not supply anything at all if it contradicts our interests," Putin said on September 7, according to Reuters. "We will not supply gas, oil, coal, heating oil  we will not supply anything."

The US and EU have been moving away from Russian fuel since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. The US has already banned imports of Russian oil, while the EU has imposed an embargo on most imports of the fuel by the end of 2022. The EU  which imported some 40% of its natural gas from Russia last year  is also planning to cut its dependence on Russian natural gas.

The moves aim to cut Russia's energy revenue, which funds the Ukraine war. Energy is a key pillar of Russia's economy, accounting for over one-fifth of its GDP.

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Gazprom has already halted deliveries via the key Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which was damaged by what's been widely considered an act of sabotage following leaks which were discovered on September 26. Russian gas deliveries to Europe have fallen by about half this year so far, Gazprom said on September 8.

EU countries are preparing for a tough winter ahead due to the natural-gas crunch, with many turning to alternative heating sources like coal and firewood amid soaring energy prices.

Benchmark Dutch natural-gas futures have more than doubled this year.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Karim Sadjadpour, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace senior fellow, and Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad join Andrea Mitchell to assess the state of U.S. policy with regards to Iran amid extraordinary protests against Irans regime sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. It behooves the United States to do everything to try to help the cause of representative government in Iran because this is perhaps one of the most anti-American regimes in the world, and a representative government in Tehran would be a positive geopolitical game changer for the United States, Sadjadpour explains. Regarding efforts to revive the JCPOA nuclear deal, Sadjadpour says the facts on the ground in Tehran, I think, have probably convinced the President that at this time of a national uprising in Iran, the United States can't possibly come to the rescue and empower a regime which is trying to crush the spirits of peaceful protesters for freedom.
Danny Masterson, at center in 2020, is charged with raping three women at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. (Lucy Nicholson / Pool Photo)

The two sides agree on one thing: The Church of Scientology is not on trial.

Yet, when prosecutors and actor Danny Masterson's defense team met in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom recently for a final meeting before Masterson's rape trial, much of the legal wrangling was over the role the controversial religion would play in the proceedings.

Masterson's lawyers wanted Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo to bar any mention of Scientology throughout the trial, which is expected to begin Tuesday. Deputy Dist. Atty. Reinhold Mueller argued that he should have free rein to invoke Scientology.

Masterson, a Scientologist, is charged with raping three women between 2001 and 2003. The women allege he plied them with alcohol and sexually assaulted them at his Hollywood Hills home.

The women were also members of Scientology and allege that church officials tried to stop them from reporting Masterson to police.

One accuser testified that when she reported the rape to Scientology officials, she was told not to use the R-word.'" Another testified that a lawyer for Scientology came to her home and warned that she would be expelled from the church if she went to authorities about Masterson.

"Were going to work out how you can not lose your daughter, the attorney told the womans father, according to her testimony.

"The trial is not about Scientology. The trial is about Danny Masterson. But that being said, the facts of what happened, why certain things happened, who was involved ... its so interwoven that certain parts of the trial will necessarily have to involve Scientology," said Brian Kent, who represents Masterson's accusers in a civil lawsuit they brought against the church and Masterson.

Masterson, who gained some level of celebrity for his role in the popular sitcom "That 70s Show," faces decades in prison if he is convicted of raping the women.

At a preliminary hearing last year, each of the women testified, recounting the alleged attacks in graphic detail. One said Masterson threatened her with a gun as he raped her while she faded in and out of consciousness.

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"Youre not gonna fing tell anybody," she recalled him saying.

Another accuser said she had awoken to Masterson, her boyfriend at the time, penetrating her. When she tried to stop him by pulling his hair, he hit her in the face, she testified.

The Times does not name victims of alleged sexual assault unless they choose to identify themselves.

Scientology practices were scrutinized during the preliminary hearing. Masterson's accusers testified about a range of topics, including the religion's international justice chief, described as the churchs ultimate authority, and "wog-law," a term the church uses dismissively to refer to the secular world's police and courts.

But that was not in front of a jury.

With impressionable jurors set to determine Masterson's fate, his attorney Phillip Cohen argued at the hearing earlier this month that the actor's proximity to the much-maligned religion will be used to paint him as guilty by association.

"It is disingenuous to say the government is not placing Scientology on trial," Cohen told Olmedo. He added that being forced to battle over Scientology doctrine will make the trial an unfair "war on two fronts" and suggested the judge allow only nonspecific references to "the church."

Prosecutors countered that Scientology, founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the 1950s, is fundamental to everything the women went through and should be mentioned by name at trial.

"It's about their entire life being wrapped up in this church," Mueller said at the Oct. 3 hearing. "If they don't follow certain policies ... they lose that entire life.

"It's not just as simple as not talking about Scientology," he added, saying jurors would be confused if the prosecution referred to Scientology merely as a church.

Prosecutors also sought the judge's permission to have a former Scientologist testify as an expert witness about the structure of the organization and how it operates.

Olmedo struck a middle ground in her ruling.

Saying the church's "tentacles" undeniably reach into many facets of the trial, she excluded the prosecution's proposed expert, but found that the religion is relevant. She rejected Cohen's argument that it should not be named because of negative views jurors may have.

"Evidence presented in criminal cases often involve subject matters that many of the public view with disdain, including gangs, guns and violence," Olmedo said. "The fact that any individual has a negative view of any particular subject matter does not, per se, render that person unfit to serve as a juror."

The accusers can explain how Scientology led them to delay reporting their sexual assaults to police, Olmedo said. She added that they could tell jurors about their belief that church policy prohibits reporting crimes committed by other Scientologists to law enforcement.

The Church of Scientology declined to comment on the pending criminal matter, but said the religion has no policy against reporting crimes committed by Scientologists to law enforcement.

"Church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land," spokeswoman Karin Pouw said.

The court is performing a balancing act, letting in references to Scientology where it is necessary to give context, while not allowing the case to devolve into a trial within a trial, said Lou Shapiro, a defense attorney and former public defender in Los Angeles County.

"Judges are reluctant to let trials go down rabbit holes," Shapiro said.

Olmedo compared the case to the 2011 rape prosecution of Warren Jeffs, the self-proclaimed prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The tenets of the Mormonism offshoot were admitted at trial to provide context for why a 15-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl submitted to rapes at the hands of Jeffs, Olmedo said.

According to a list of potential witnesses filed in court, prosecutors plan to call Brie Shaffer, an actress and high-ranking Scientologist who has defended Masterson on social media in the past. They also may call Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley's daughter, a Scientologist who reportedly left the church in 2014.

Mike Rinder, a former high-ranking member who left the church in 2007, said Scientologists involved in other criminal cases have been relocated by church officials outside a court's jurisdiction to keep them from testifying.

"There are certain people who apparently are very integral to the events ... and I wonder if they are going to appear at the trial," Rinder said.

The three women alleging Masterson raped them are also plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed against the Church of Scientology in 2019. They say they were harassed and stalked by Scientology after reporting Masterson to police. The lawsuit will move forward after the criminal trial.

The women allege that representatives of Scientology followed them, came to their homes and went through their trash in an attempt to intimidate them.

One says in the suit that her dog may have been poisoned to death by representatives of the church.

Masterson's lawyers fought to keep the allegations of stalking and harassment from the civil case out of the criminal trial.

"The only thing the jury could use this evidence to really consider would be emotional bias to convict Mr. Masterson based on the conduct of this alleged, uncharged co-defendant of the Church," Karen Goldstein, another attorney for Masterson, said at the Oct. 3 hearing.

Goldstein noted that prosecutors had turned over to the defense a photo of the "admittedly ... very cute little dog."

Olmedo ruled there was to be no mention of the dog. The women, she decided, can speak in general terms about the alleged harassment or stalking, but they cannot go into detail of specific incidents.

Times staff writers James Queally and Matthew Ormseth contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory's most recent annual financial disclosure to Louisiana's Ethics Administration was supposed to shed light on his efforts to bolster his income while in office. But the report filed Friday raises more questions about the first-term mayor-president's side hustles than it answers.

Guillory's WM&N Equipment Rentals company, founded in August 2021, made headlines shortly before his return from rehab in August, after which he denied any impropriety or conflicts of interest at a brief press conference.

In public statements since then, Guillory and his wife Jamie, who is listed as the company's sole officer, have said the endeavor has not been particularly successful, with Jamie Guillory telling KLFY in an August interview the company was "pretty much breaking even." His office declined a similar interview with the Daily Advertiser shortly afterward.

"I can tell you right now, the money we have made off of this is not enough really to even pay our salary," she said.

Lafayette Mayor President Josh Guillory speaking at press conference. Monday, Aug. 15, 2022.

The Guillorys have said publicly that Jamie Guillory is the company's majority owner and that it has two additional partners. In his filing to the Ethics Administration, Guillory noted that he and his wife owned 100% of WM&N in 2021, but he did not report any income from the business for last year.

Instead, Guillory reported earning between $5,000 and $25,000 from his private law practice in 2021 in addition to his $120,000 salary as mayor-president and $6,400 in payments from teaching two business law classes at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette last year.

Elected officials across the state are required to file financial disclosures to the Ethics Administration each year that outline their sources of income, debt obligations, ownership of businesses and property holdings.

In August, the Daily Advertiser reported that Guillory has continued to work as an attorney since taking office, and likely filed paperwork for at least one client during his stay at an out-of-state rehab facility this past summer.

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The Daily Advertiser also found that dozens of Guillory's former clients had their criminal charges removed from court records since he took office in January 2020, likely through expungements that completely obscure what, if any, role he had in sealing those cases.

The first-term mayor-president also did not report his ownership of a second law firm  Acadiana Family Law, LLC  that he founded shortly after winning election in 2019 despite a requirement to list "any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, business organization, self-employed individual, holding company, trust or any other legal entity or person" on his annual financial disclosure.

CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TODAY: Help support local journalists like Andrew Capps

The same company, which has been kept in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State through required annual reports by Guillory, was also not reported on the mayor-president's financial disclosures for 2019 or 2020.

Guillory has repeatedly defended his decision to continue practicing law while serving as mayor-president despite a prohibition on outside work that "would interfere with or detract from" his elected duties in Lafayette's Home Rule Charter.

"It's something I'm passionate about," he said on his weekly call-in radio show on KPEL in August. "And I can provide a little more for my family, (so I) don't apologize for it."

Also notable in Guillory's latest financial report to the state Ethics Administration was his purchase and soon-after sale of a rental property in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his wife and brother-in-law this summer.

Real estate records show the trio paid $379,000 in June 2021 for a beach-front condo in the popular tourism destination, borrowing $300,000 in the process. Josh and Jamie Guillory then sold their interests in the unit to the brother-in-law for an undisclosed price in September.

It is unclear what, if any, profit or loss the Guillorys experienced from the condo transaction. Guillory did not respond to a request for comment through Lafayette Consolidated Government spokesperson Jamie Angelle Monday.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Lafayette mayor's 2021 financial disclosure raises questions
Senator Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, slammed Republican Georgia Senate opponent, Herschel Walker, for producing a prop police badge during their debate.

WARNOCK: I think what we saw clearly Friday night and last night, is that my opponent Herschel Walker is not ready. I pointed out the fact that he claimed to be in law enforcement, to be a police officer, and that he threatened a shootout with the police, and his response was to produce a fake badge? The people of Georgia deserve a serious person to represent them at serious times and I'm committed to doing that work. I've been very transparent about my life. I've meant what I've said, I've said what I meant. It's an open book. He on the other hand claimed to be a police officer, he's not, even though he produced a badge on the Friday night. Claimed to work for the FBI, clearly did not. Claimed to be a college graduate, he's not. Claimed to be a valedictorian of his class, he was not. Claimed to have 800 employees on his business, he has eight. Claimed to have started a business that does not even exist. So I guess he expects the people of Georgia now to hallucinate and imagine that he is also a United States Senator. He's clearly not ready.
By Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Egypt has missed out on an additional $75 million in American military aid after a senior Democratic U.S. senator blocked the funding over concerns about Cairo's human rights record including holding political prisoners.

Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, rejected an assessment offered by the U.S. State Department to justify the aid, which was subject to conditions under a law passed by Congress last year. The committee has jurisdiction over spending legislation including U.S. financial assistance for Egypt.

"We should take this law very seriously, because the situation facing political prisoners in Egypt is deplorable," Leahy told Reuters in a statement.

"We can't give short shrift to the law because of other policy considerations. We all have a responsibility to uphold the law and to defend the due process rights of the accused, whether here or in Egypt," Leahy said.

The conditions set by Congress require Egypt to make "clear and consistent progress" in releasing political prisoners and providing detainees with due process of law.

The United States allocates around $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt annually. Much of it has no conditions attached. But the State Department withheld $130 million of military aid to Egypt in September over broad rights concerns, but said it would allow another $75 million to be paid, citing progress by the Egyptian government on political detentions and due process, including the release of about 500 political detainees this year.

But Leahy objected. Talks between his office and the State Department failed to resolve the issue, and the $75 million in funding expired on Sept. 30.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Leading human rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's government of widespread abuses such as torture and the detention of tens of thousands of political prisoners.

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Sisi has denied that Egypt holds political prisoners. He also has said that stability and security are paramount for Egypt and that authorities are promoting rights by trying to provide basic needs such as jobs and housing.

Analysts have said Western powers are reluctant to take serious action against a strategic ally, in Egypt, that has served as a mediator in longstanding issues such as the Arab-Israeli conflict and also controls the Suez Canal, one of the world's most important shipping lanes.

U.S. officials have called the American relationship with Egypt complex. The most populous Arab country is a vital ally and Washington is still committed to support it for what U.S. officials call "legitimate defense needs."

(Additional reporting by Aidan Lewis in Cairo, Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Will Dunham and Michelle Nichols)
Coptic Solidarity Hosts DC Event, The Indigenous Copts: Marginalized & Excluded in their Homeland

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Coptic Solidarity

Oct. 17, 2022

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- Coptic Solidarity will be hosting an event in Washington, DC on October 20th, titled The Indigenous Copts: Marginalized & Excluded in their Homeland from 11:30AM  5:00 PM at 224 2nd St SE, Washington, DC 20003. This event is open to the pubic and press and requires online registration. Although CS has hosted an annual conference since its founding, and a Modern Coptic Martyrs Remembrance Day for the past 6 years, this is the first in-person event Coptic Solidarity has hosted since the start of the global pandemic and is a demonstration of the renewal of an advocacy presence in Washington DC.

The purpose of this event is to create awareness and action for Egypt's indigenous Christians who continue to experience systematic discrimination in Egypt, in addition to heinous acts of violence against individual Copts, the burning of 11 churches in August of this year, and the continued trafficking of Coptic women and minor girls.

Given that the U.S. House of Representatives will be in a district work period this week, critical supporters of #CopticEquality have recorded messages for the event, including U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) - Co-Chair, Egypt Human Rights Caucus; U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) Co Chair, International Religious Freedom Caucus; Executive Committee Member, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC); U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) Original Co-Sponsor of H. RES 117 Supporting Coptic Christians in Egypt; U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) Sponsor of H. RES 117 Supporting Coptic Christians in Egypt; and U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) Co-Chair, TLHRC.

Confirmed speakers include Mr. Mohamad Magid - Commissioner, US Commission on International Religious Freedom; Ambassador Albert M. Fernandez - Vice President, Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI); Ms. Amy Hawthorne - Deputy Director for Research, Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED); Mr. Raymond Ibrahim - Author & public speaker specializing in the Middle East & Islam; Mr. Sean Nelson, JD Legal Counsel, Global Religious Freedom - ADF International; and Mr. Peter Burns, Director of the International Religious Freedom Summit.

Coptic Solidarity is an organization seeking to help minorities, particularly the Copts, of Egypt and we support those in Egypt working for democracy, freedom, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens. It advocates in cooperation with the affiliated organizations in Canada and in Europe (Solidarite Copte). For more information, contact Lindsay Rodriguez at 801-512-1713 or coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org

SOURCE Coptic Solidarity

CONTACT: Lindsay Rodriguez, 801-512-1713, coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org
Fred Guttenberg, seated with his wife, Jennifer Guttenberg, looks skyward as they hear their daughter's murderer will not receive the death penalty as the verdicts are announced in the sentencing trial of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz in Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 13. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Jurors recently handed down their decision in the sentencing trial of Nikolas Cruz, the man who murdered 17 people, mostly children, in the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018 in Parkland, Florida. They opted against the death penalty, choosing instead to give Cruz life in prison without parole.

The three jurors who voted against the death penalty did so based on mitigating circumstances from Cruzs life.

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They made the wrong call.

Still, their rationale is superior to the reason many will agree with the sentence: a blanket opposition to the death penalty. Public support for capital punishment has slid over the last 30 years, remaining a majority opinion but barely so.

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Those who oppose death as a punishment often have kind, even noble intentions. They abhor violence, even when administered by the state. They wish no more people to perish than already do by war and crime. Yet their well-meaning beliefs do not translate into justice or the common good. In contrast, we can see support for the death penalty in the U.S. Constitution, in Americas religious history and in the principles of justice.

First, the Constitution assumes death is a legitimate punishment. The Fifth Amendment opens with, No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury. While giving the defendant protections, this clause assumes that some crimes are capital, meaning those worthy of death. Both the Fifth and Fourteenth amendments contain a clause stating that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. These provisions also provide procedural safeguards. But they assume that the government can in some instances take away life so long as it follows those safeguards.

Second, Americas Christian heritage lends support to capital punishment. In Genesis 9:6, God tells Noah that whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. The opening might seem merely descriptive, that people will try to kill the killers. But the closing phrase, tying those responsive actions to man being made in Gods image, shows it to be prescriptive. Murderers will be put to death as an act of just punishment. Moreover, Romans 13:4 declares that if you do wrong, be afraid, for he (the ruler) does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out Gods wrath on the wrongdoer. Bearing the sword means executing violence, including lethal violence. One might note Deuteronomy 32:35 in response, wherein God says vengeance is his, or Matthew 5:38-40, which calls on Christians to turn the other cheek against misdeeds. These passages deny both individuals and the church any power to punish by death, confinement or fine. Yet these texts cannot mean no place exists for broader human dispensing of these penalties at the level of the state. For, as Genesis 9 implies and Romans 13 makes explicit, God has decreed that he will not wait for judgment day to see any justice done but works now through government to dispense correction, including retribution for crimes.

Third, our Constitution and religious history comport with the death penalty because that punishment itself is consistent with justice. Restraint and reform have a place in how we treat lawbreakers. But retribution also plays a vital role as a purpose of punishment. We should avoid private individuals exacting vengeance. Mob justice usually is injustice, with the passions of the people running roughshod over contrary evidence and proportionality between crime and penalty. But retribution through the law, by public officers, partakes more of reason and provides time as well as means to assess guilt and innocence. Punishment, including death, should be done with care and caution. But it should be done.

One might object that death as a penalty is hypocritical and cheapens respect for the sanctity of life. But to say that exacting death is hypocritical, especially on murderers, undermines the basis for all punishment. For imprisonment of kidnappers might be called hypocritical, infringing liberty because a person denied the same to his victim. Or fines for theft might fall to the same accusation, violating the thiefs right to property. That capital punishment cheapens life flows from a similar misperception since any punishment could be accused of lacking respect for the right whose exercise it limits. Yet Genesis 9:6 pinpoints that penalties, including death, can affirm a societys respect for human life.

Capital punishment demands the highest price for murder. What you exact from killers says much about what you think of killing.

No punishment can make the Parkland victims or their families whole again. But we should take the justice we can achieve, however imperfect. We owe them that much.

Adam Carrington is an associate professor of politics at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan.

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BEIJING (Reuters) - Shanghai reported no new domestically transmitted symptomatic coronavirus cases for Oct. 16, the same as a day earlier, and 32 local asymptomatic cases, up from 28 the previous day, the city government said on Monday.

No cases were reported outside quarantined areas, the same as the previous day.

Shanghai recorded no COVID-19-related deaths for Oct. 16, unchanged from a day earlier.

(Reporting by Shanghai newsroom; Writing by Liz Lee; Editing by Kim Coghill)
Solange performs at the 2019 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee. (Amy Harris / Invision / AP)

Solange has liked a tweet accusing Bill Murray of touching her hair amid misconduct allegations against the "Being Mortal" actor.

On Sunday, TV writer and producer Judnick Mayard tweeted that she once saw Murray "put both his hands into Solanges scalp after asking her three times if her hair was a wig or not." In a follow-up tweet, the "Entergalactic" scribe clarified that Solange's hit track "Don't Touch My Hair" is not about Murray, however:

"She had just finished performing that song on SNL when he did it. thats the audacity of whiteness."

your yearly reminder that i saw Bill Murray put both his hands into Solanges scalp after asking her three times if her hair was a wig or not.  FLEEKNIK (@Judnikki) October 16, 2022

Solange  who performed "Don't Touch My Hair" on "Saturday Night Live" in 2016 after releasing her acclaimed studio album "A Seat at the Table"  appeared to endorse both of Mayard's tweets by liking them. Representatives for Murray and Solange did not immediately respond Monday to The Times' requests for comment.

Last week, Seth Green accused Murray of picking him up by the ankles and dangling him upside down over a trash can when the "Robot Chicken" actor was 9 years old  also behind the scenes of "Saturday Night Live."

"I was screaming, and I swung my arms, flailed wildly, full contact with his balls," Green recalled on the YouTube show "Good Mythical Morning."

"He dropped me in the trash can, the trash can falls over. I was horrified. I ran away, hid under the table in my dressing room and just cried.

Mayard's tweets surfaced about a week after Puck's Eriq Gardner reported that Murray kissed and straddled a "much younger" female crew member on the set of the film "Being Mortal." The woman "interpreted his actions as entirely sexual" and filed a report against Murray, according to Puck. After parent studio Disney reviewed the complaint, Searchlight Pictures suspended the production in April.

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Murray reportedly paid his accuser more than $100,000 in a settlement, while the woman agreed not to pursue any legal claims against the producers of Being Mortal, including Disney and Searchlight.

Amid the suspension, Murray called the situation a difference of opinion with a woman on set and was optimistic that he and his accuser could make peace with each other.

I did something I thought was funny, and it wasnt taken that way, the 72-year-old performer told CNBC. The movie studio wanted to do the right thing, so they wanted to ... investigate it, and so they stopped the production."

The Puck report did not identify the woman Murray allegedly assaulted but noted that she is not "Being Mortal" cast member Keke Palmer, who recently revealed she was "pretty devastated" by the production shutdown.

If somebody could figure it out, it would be ['Being Mortal' director Aziz Ansari], Palmer told Variety at Saturday's Academy Museum gala in Los Angeles.

Obviously, we got cut short at a certain point but ... its an amazing film. If there is some way to be able to complete, salvage it, I would want to do it.

The "Nope" star added that Ansari "would probably have to do a major rewrite" in order to finish the movie, which still had about a month of filming left before the Murray scandal derailed it.

"I know what we got was gold," she said.

"Being Mortal," which was set to be released next year, would have marked comedian and actor Ansaris feature directorial debut.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's troops kicked off their annual Hoguk defence drills on Monday, designed to boost their ability to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats amid simmering tension over both sides' military activities.

The drills, due to end on Saturday, are the latest in a series of military exercises by South Korea in recent weeks, including joint activities with the United States and Japan.

The latest field training came as North Korea has been carrying out weapons tests at an unprecedented pace this year, firing a short-range ballistic missile and hundreds of artillery rounds near the heavily armed inter-Korean border on Friday.

Pyongyang has angrily reacted to the South Korean and joint military activities, calling them provocations and threatening countermeasures. Seoul says its exercises are regular and defence-oriented.

Joined by some U.S. forces, the South Korean troops will focus on maintaining readiness and improving the troops' ability to execute joint operations during the Hoguk drills, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

"The forces will conduct real-world day and night manoeuvres simulated to counter North Korea's nuclear, missile and other various threats, so that they can master wartime and peacetime mission performance capabilities and enhance interoperability with some U.S. forces," it said in a statement.

Last week, tensions flared after the North fired a missile, shot more than 500 artillery shells and flew a multitude of warplanes near the skirmish-prone sea border.

Seoul condemned Pyongyang and imposed its first unilateral sanctions in nearly five years, describing the moves as a violation of a 2018 bilateral military pact banning "hostile acts" in the border area.

But the North accused the South's military of escalating tension with its own artillery firing.

South Korean lawmakers have said the North has completed preparations for what would be its first nuclear test since 2017, and might conduct it between China's key ruling Communist Party congress, which began on Sunday, and the Nov. 7 U.S. midterm elections. But some analysts do not expect any tests before the Chinese congress ends.

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
FALL RIVER  The Ritz Carlton. The Plaza. The Four Seasons. Fall River.

Not so long ago, this citys name carried the same weight of grandeur and elegance. From 1847 to 1937, the Fall River Line steamship service connected Manhattan and Boston, carrying the Vanderbilts, Astors, Rockefellers, Roosevelts and several U.S. presidents in high luxury aboard ships whose opulence rivaled the worlds finest hotels.

Some of the wealthiest and best-known people in the country were passing through Fall River, says journalist and author John Henry.

The Preservation Society of Newport County is hosting a lecture series about the Gilded Age at Rosecliff mansion and via Zoom. Henry, an award-winning journalist with Newsday and the New York Daily News, will be delivering an installment of the series on Oct. 20, Night Boats to Newport: Remembering the Floating Palaces of the Illustrious Fall River Line.

If any steamboat company was worthy of the Gilded Age, Henry says, it was the Fall River Line.

A postcard depicts the Fall River Line passenger steamship Commonwealth.

'A wonderful house': New homeowners bring life back to Lizzie Borden's Maplecroft mansion

What was the Fall River Line and how did it start?

Steamship service between New York City and Fall River began in 1847 by the Bay State Steamboat Co., founded by Richard Borden. He was born into an already successful family but parlayed that into even greater success, building a small empire in town with the Fall River Iron Works, cotton and textile mills, the gas works, the Fall River Branch Railroad, and more.

Bordens first ship, the Bay State, was a grand paddle-steamer built to carry freight quickly and hundreds of passengers in style. The trip was an overnight affair, linking two of the countrys major urban centers at a time of rapid industrialization.

John Henry at the Fall River Marine Museum.

It was really designed in its early days as a service for business travelers," Henry says. They put in a full day of work in Manhattan and leave at 5:30 [p.m.] and arrive at South Station in Boston around 8:30 [a.m.] ready for another business day.  It was the easiest, simplest way to head east. And you didnt waste any business time.

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It was also a massive success, leading the steamship line to expand and then sell to new owners. Within a short time, what soon became known as the Fall River Line was the ideal way for the countrys elite to travel. It was quick, reliable, comfortable, glamorous and high-tech for the time.

Overnight trains between the two cities existed, but trains in the area weren't as comfortable. They didnt even have electric lighting in the sleeping compartments until 1910. One of the Fall River Line steamers got it in 1883, Henry says.

A postcard depicts the grand saloon inside the Fall River Line passenger steamship Priscilla.

On a roll: South Coast Rail's Fall River station is 90% complete  here's when trains hit the tracks

The Fall River Line at its peak

By the late 1800s and just after the turn of the 20th century, the Fall River Line's passenger steamships  the Priscilla, Plymouth, Providence and Commonwealth  were the absolute height of luxury, the largest paddle-steamers in the world.

The largest and last of the vessels, built in 1908, had a dining room on the top deck 50 feet above the water with French doors so you had great visibility, Henry says. It was done in Louis XVI style. It would have been the finest hotel of the Edwardian era.

A postcard depicts a luxurious stairway inside the Fall River Line passenger steamship Puritan.

Every step of the journey was meant to shelter hundreds of travelers cruising overnight in unfathomable style. Ships featured libraries, writing rooms, hair salons and barber shops, telephone service in every room, concerts with bands playing marches and classical music, cuisine that would have been found at the finest restaurants, served on linen with gleaming silver  porterhouse steaks, mock turtle soup, roast spring lamb, oysters, ice cream, a wine list with over 100 varieties. The line had its own publication  like todays in-flight magazines  called the Fall River Line Journal, filled with jokes, snippets of light news, and ads for luxury hotels and theaters. In a particularly lavish gesture, company president Jim Fisk once had 250 canaries put in cages aboard the two most luxurious, Henry says, and hes said to have personally named each of the canaries.

The great majority of the rooms didnt have a view of the water, so they would have been kind of stuffy," Henry says. But the public spaces were just magnificent.

The overnight trip from Manhattan traveled through the sheltered waters of Long Island Sound, through open Atlantic waters until it hit Point Judith, Rhode Island, then stopped at Newport, its first port of call, at a sort of unseemly hour of about 4 a.m., Henry says. But if you were a younger person, it wouldnt have been mattered  you wouldve been partying all night.

Summertime fun: Dartmouth's Lincoln Park was a summer hotspot  but why did it close?

The Fall River Line's passenger steamship Plymouth sails into harbor in Manhattan.

The boats docked in Fall River, about where Battleship Cove is today, around 5:30 a.m., where passengers going on to Boston shrugged off sleep and boarded a luxurious train whose parlor cars reflected the extravagance of the ships. The train journey took an hour and 20 minutes and ended at South Station.

By the way, I checked that out  today it would take 20 minutes longer if you went by public transportation, Henry says. Youd take a bus to Providence, and then the Acela if you were really in a hurry."

The trip in reverse, Boston to New York, was even more civilized, because you didnt have to make that awkward transition at 5:30 onto a boat train, Henry says. Passengers left Boston at 6 p.m. and spent their evening gliding along Mount Hope Bay, arriving at Newport around 8:30. They cruised through Long Island Sound by moonlight and woke up in Manhattan the next morning.

Even the luxury passenger ships carried freight  raw cotton from New York to Fall Rivers mills, and the finished cloth and thread back to New York, making the line part of the citys heartbeat.

The dining saloon aboard the Fall River Line passenger steamship Commonwealth featured white linen tablecloths and silver utensils.

How Fall River's Gilded Age came to an end

But the Gilded Age couldn't last forever. The wheels of progress kept turning, and in the early 1900s the Fall River Line saw competition from faster ships, ones where passengers didnt need to stop in Fall River to catch a train; the opening of the Cape Cod Canal in 1916 made competitors trips even faster, Henry says. As the cotton mills in Fall River faced financial trouble and moved to the South, the freight business dried up, too. And the line would face competition from the mode of transportation destined to dominate the rest of the 20th century: the car.

In 1937, a sit-down strike of Fall River Line employees ended when the owners simply decided to shut the service down. The parent company, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, was in bankruptcy was looking to close down the line, and this was the perfect excuse, Henry says.

People in Fall River who had been used to the line running like clockwork for almost a century were stunned. The good times were over. One freighter, the City of Taunton, was scuttled on the Somerset shore of the Taunton River, where its remains are still visible at low tide. The floating palaces that once held the cream of American high society were sold for scrap.

The last of these ships, these beautiful ships, were built for a cost of $6 million total. The scrapyard bought them for $88,000, Henry says. Just incredible.

John Henry at the Fall River Marine Museum.

'A grand experience'

The Maritime Museum at Battleship Cove holds memorabilia from the Fall River Line  uniforms, stationery, keys, an exquisitely carved newel post from a stairway on the Priscilla. Walking through the exhibits, Henry admires all that has survived, and marvels at a giant model of one of the Fall River Line ships, joking that if it ever goes missing, youll know where to find it.

Henry's love of steamships began as a child in Buffalo, New York, watching overnight steamers travel through Lake Erie to Detroit. That got me hooked, he says. In about five years, I got my parents to take me on one of these four times.

Henry is also the author of Great White Fleet: Celebrating Canada Steamship Lines Passenger Ships. His talk on the Fall River Line will include a special focus on its relationship to Newport, and how the ships gave passengers a taste of that citys sophistication and culture.

Aboard the Fall River Line, he says, you really felt you were in for a grand experience."

Visit NewportMansions.org/Events to register for Henrys lecture. Tickets to attend in person at the Rosecliff Ballroom is $15 for members of the Preservation Society of Newport County, $20 for non-members. To attend via Zoom, tickets are $10.

Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River Line luxury steamships linked to Newport's Gilded Age
When a man got out of a car he was driving and pointed a gun at them, four Southlake police officers on Monday fired upon the driver, fatally wounding him. The man was a suspect in a killing earlier in the day in North Richland Hills, authorities said.

The man was shot at the entrance to a shopping center parking lot near the eastbound Texas 114 service road near Carroll Avenue.

The suspects condition on Monday evening was not clear, Southlake police said. He was taken to a hospital.

Southlake Police Chief James Brandon said that the shooting occurred after police tracked a person of interest in the homicide to Southlake and tried to stop his car.

The mans name has not been released.

North Richland Hills police said that a 26-year-old man was shot to death about 12:30 pm in a parking lot in the 1600 block of Weyland Drive. The victims name has not been released.

Witnesses told North Richland Hills police that a gray or silver four-door sedan left the area following the shooting.

Criminal Investigations began working several leads and developed enough evidence to ID a person of interest, North Richland Hills police wrote in a press release. Detectives then started communicating with the Southlake Police Department, relaying information on the 28-year-old person of interest.

Southlake police at the scene of a shooting Monday on the service road of Texas 114. Police said the shot a man after they pulled over his vehicle. Emerson Clarridge/Southlake police at the scene of a shooting Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, on the service road of Texas 114. Police said the shot a man after they pulled over his vehicle.

North Richland Hills Criminal Investigations continues to work directly with the investigators from the Southlake Police Department to gather any evidence that may be related to the homicide investigation, the departments statement said.

Active death investigation off Weyland and Harwood - heavy police and criminal investigations presence in the area. More details will be released as soon as possible.  NRH Police (@NRHPD) October 17, 2022

The Texas Rangers have been asked to investigate the police shooting, Brandon said. The employees involved who are a captain, a sergeant, a corporal and an officer with between eight and 31 years of experience  have been placed on administrative leave, which is department procedure, the chief said.

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A heavy police presence continued at the Carroll Pointe shopping plaza shooting scene Monday evening.

Southlake police reportedly shot a suspect in the area of the eastbound Texas 114 service road near Carroll Avenue on Monday afternoon. TxDOT traffic camera

Based on the view from its helicopter, KXAS-TV reported that a large amount of blood could be seen on the pavement near the plaza.

We are working an officer involved shooting around the EB Highway 114 service road and Carroll (near Chuys). There is no threat to the public. Please avoid this area.



Media staging will be in the parking lot east of Hand & Stone Massage at 1221 E Hwy 114, Southlake, TX 76092.  Southlake DPS (@SouthlakeDPS) October 17, 2022

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BERLIN (AP)  King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain have started a state visit to Germany that was delayed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic and will see the monarch and the German president open the annual Frankfurt Book Fair.

Felipe was received with military honors by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday at the German head of state's Bellevue palace in Berlin.

Finally we're here - we're very happy about that, Felipe said. He said Germany and Spain are united by the principles of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

The king also is due to hold a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; visit the German parliament, Berlin city hall and the capital's Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of Germany's post-Cold War reunification; and attend a German-Spanish forum that will address issues such as the transition to a greener future and digitization.

Felipe and Steinmeier are due to open the Frankfurt Book Fair together on Tuesday. Spain is the guest of honor at this year's fair, which runs until Sunday.

We hope it will help promote even more the Spanish language and culture as a vehicle for mutual understanding between our two peoples, Felipe told reporters at the presidential palace.
Photos issued by the FBI allegedly show retired Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey McKellop, a former 3rd Special Forces Group soldier at Fort Bragg, at the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot in Washington D.C. McKellop is asking for the second time that his case be dismissed on claims that President Joe Biden tained the jury pool.

WASHINGTON D.C.  A former 3rd Special Forces Group soldier accused of assaulting officers with a flagpole during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot is blaming President Joe Biden for impacting his ability to receive a fair trial.

Jeffrey McKellop, 57, is a decorated Army veteran and previously served with the 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg.

In a Sept. 8 motion, McKellop seeks to have his case dismissed because President Joe Biden has intentionally and irreparably poisoned the entire nation as a jury pool.

McKellop points to Bidens Sept. 1 address as an example.

PATCH LEADS TO CHARGES:How a Special Forces patch led to charges for former Green Beret related to Capitol riot

During his remarks from Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the president said of Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again supporters that MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.

Biden said not all Republicans are MAGA Republicans. Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology."

MAGA Republicans, he said, "do not respect the Constitution. They do not believe in the rule of law."

They look at the mob that stormed the United States Capitol on January 6th  brutally attacking law enforcement  not as insurrectionists who placed a dagger to the throat of our democracy, but they look at them as patriots," he said.

McKellop argues that Biden's speech inflamed the entire nation by assuring that "Trump and the MAGA Republicans are a clear and present danger to our democracy."

The accusations

According to a Feb. 14 grand jury indictment, McKellop is charged with:

10 counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers;

Two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon;

One count of civil disorder

One count of entering and remaining on restricted grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon;

One count of disorderly and disruptive conduct on restricted grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon;

One count of engaging in physical violence on restricted grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon;

and one count of engaging in physical violence within the Capitol grounds.

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He pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The government argues in opposition to the motion that McKellop has failed to establish that he can not receive a fair and impartial trial in D.C. or elsewhere in the U.S.

McKellop is accused of entering the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021, with flagpoles, a helmet, tactical vest, protective eyewear and gas mask and remaining in the area 90 minutes after police told the crowd to leave.

Video surveillance shows Special Forces veteran Jeffrey McKellop allegely assault an officer with a flag pole during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot in Washington D.C.

The government alleges that McKellop threw objects at officers three times from 1:02 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. before pressing toward the police line and scaffolding near the southwest area of the capitol. There, he is accused of trying to grab a can of riot-control spray from a lieutenants hand, throwing a bottle at a line of officers, grabbing another officer, striking a sergeant and assaulting another officer by shoving her to the side.

At one point, McKellop appeared to assist an officer who fell to the ground, then allegedly struck a captain in the face, causing lacerations and scarring, and allegedly threw a flagpole "as though it were a spear" at the captain.

McKellop also allegedly attacked from behind another officer attempting to contain rioters and he threw another object at officers, the government said.

The defense

McKellop, who retired from the Army on Aug. 12, 2010, while at Fort Bragg, served more than 20 years in the Army, including nine years with Special Forces and served with Fort Bragg's 3rd Special Forces Group, his military records show.

In one of four motions requesting release from pretrial detention, McKellop states he served nearly 22 years in active-duty service and about a year in inactive service.

The motion notes McKellops military decorations, including three Bronze Stars, and states he deployed twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan.

McKellop said he was unarmed and did not intend on rioting when he traveled to Washington, D.C., to the Jan. 6 rally for then-President Donald Trump with a friend.

In a letter included in the record, the friend who accompanied McKellop, Scott Steiert, said McKellop was concerned that anti-Trumpers would attack him for his political views.

Steiert said McKellop brought his body armor with him as a defense against any attack possibly from anti-Trumpers.

The strength of Mr. McKellops character is shown through his extensive and distinguished military service, his cooperation with the FBI as relates to his arrest, his lack of criminal record, his lack of involvement in (organizing) the riot, and his willingness to surrender himself and potential evidence, the motion says.

Acting U.S. Attorney Channing Phillips said that despite many opportunities to reconsider his actions," McKellop continued his alleged assault.

"Jeffrey McKellop, weaponized his extensive military training and experience to attack the U.S. Capitol and facilitate its breach during Constitutional proceedings on Jan. 6, 2021, Phillips wrote.

Motions to move or dismiss trial

In a March 27 motion for a change of venue, McKellop sought to move his trial out of Washington D.C.

McKellop claimed he would not receive a fair trial and impartial jury there because about 93% of voters in Washington voted against Donald Trump and because of the media coverage of the events surrounding Jan. 6, 2021, and related arrests, criminal charges and prosecutions.

The antipathy towards Donald Trump and his supporters in the District is obvious, the motion says.

McKellop suggested the trial be moved to the Western District of Virginia.

Residents of western Virginia have not been warned that domestic terrorists are threatening their hometown, nor is the area overrun by D.C. politics, the motion stated.

In a Sept. 26 reply to the governments opposition to the dismissal, McKellop said that potential jury members were exhorted to hate the Jan. 6 defendants by President Joe Biden.

Again referencing Bidens Jan. 1 speech, McKellop said that the presidents poisoning of the jury pool has obstructed the conduct of an impartial trial.

The charges against the defendant should be dismissed, the defense wrote.

McKellops March request for a change of venue is pending.

LATEST:Latest in the case of Special Forces veterans, Fort Bragg soldiers who went to D.C. riot

The government argued in its response that there is no reason to believe that 12 impartial jurors in D.C. or the nation cant be found, noting a legal known as voir dire affords both the defense and prosecution the ability to screen potential jury members and reach an agreement about who will serve on the jury.

After a careful voir dire, this court can select a jury from those residents who either did not watch the presidents remarks or who, despite having watched the remarks, give adequate assurances of their impartiality, the response said.

The trial is set for Feb. 14.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-385-3528.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Why a Special Forces vetran blames Biden for impacting fair trial
Phoenix police say they have detained a suspect accused of barricading himself inside a business after stabbing a man.

Reports say the man was inside Kem Krest, an automotive accessories facility, at the 7170 block of West Sherman St., for more than two hours.

The victim received several "serious stab wounds" and is being treated at the hospital. His condition is unknown, but he is expected to survive, police said.

Officers previously said they responded to a call about a subject with a knife at an office building on 71st Avenue and Sherman Street and found a man with a stab wound there.

Media Outlets: Regarding 71st Avenue and Sherman Street. If your news helicopter is in the area of our scene, please have them keep a further distance. The sound of your helicopter does not allow officers to communicate with anyone inside. pic.twitter.com/sYKTFtxok7  Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) October 17, 2022

Police said witnesses saw a man stab the victim inside the office building.

Phoenix police are asking the public to avoid the area.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Stabbing suspect barricaded in an office building in west Phoenix
The Hispanic population of the United States is more than 62 million and accounts for much of Americas prosperity. Not only do Hispanic people contribute 51% of Americas population growth, they also account for nearly $2.8 trillion in GDP.

The just-concluded Hispanic Heritage Month shines light on Hispanic-American accomplishments and influence. But its also an opportunity to acknowledge the work that still needs to be done to move toward greater diversity, equity and inclusion, says Luis Flores, a second-year Stanford MBA student.

Seeing is believing, particularly for those of us who are closing the gap and still under-represented in many ways  not only at Stanford but across America, Flores says.

THE SPARK YOU NEED TO HAVE

Stanford Graduate School of Business has been working to amplify Hispanic voices, this month and year-round.

Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to learn about the rich culture and history of our community and have an open dialogue about the challenges we face, Flores continues. Its the spark you need to have those insightful and meaningful conversations that can lead to surprising outcomes.

Each year at this time, Poets&Quants partners with Stanford to take a closer look at the ways in which the GSB highlighted its Hispanic students over the past month. Then we dive deeper into what the month means to four GSB students who share their visions for greater DEI  at Stanford and beyond.

Darwin Valentine: Hispanic Heritage Month gives you a chance to take a step back and reflect on the stories and experiences that ultimately shape such a rich and diverse culture. Photos courtesy Stanford GSB

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AT THE GSB

The GSB made several efforts to emphasize Hispanic Heritage Month.

In order to encourage representation, the school organized a photoshoot to highlight Hispanic students experiences  not just with the Stanford community, but with those who might be considering Stanford. Its really important to show prospective applicants a diversity of experiences and identities here at Stanford, says Sonny Stephens, a second-year MBA student.

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Seeing what a career or MBA experience could look like as a Latino is super empowering, adds Flores. During the application process it was important for me to meet with students and alums who looked like me and had similar lived experiences.

The GSB also put the spotlight on its Hispanic students through social media posts and a web story. Plus, Stephens hosted an Instagram takeover to showcase some of the different ways in which the GSB incorporates cultural identity into day-to-day life.

At the end of the month, from Oct. 15-16, the Hispanic Business Students Association (HBSA) is hosting an off-campus retreat to build Hispanic community between the first and second-year MBA classes. During this retreat, we engage in rich conversation about what its like to be Hispanic at the GSB and form close relationships, says Flores, who attended last years retreat.

It was one of the ways I was able to be challenged and more open, vulnerable, and authentic with others. We discussed the importance of accepting and embracing our entire selves, including where we come from, who we are, and our hopes for the future.

See the next page of this story to learn more about the experience of Hispanic Heritage Month at the GSB through the eyes of four MBA students: Sonny Stephens, Luis Flores, Darwin Valentine, and Eduardo Zaldivar.

Sonny Stephens: We come into Stanford with a whole lifetime of experiences that are largely shaped by our cultural identities.

Sonny Stephens: Acknowledging the history and contributions of Latino people is of utmost importance.

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Stephes grew up in a traditional Mexican-American family. I had my mom, grandparents, and great grandmother all under one roof, he shares.

Upon graduating with an undergraduate degree in Global Affairs at Yale University, he moved to Washington, D.C. to begin a consulting career. He came to Stanford to broaden his horizons and explore different potential career paths.

Stephens believes that in order to look outside of students biases and backgrounds to fulfill the schools motto of changing lives, changing organizations, and changing the world, its imperative that they recognize the cultures of people who may not look like them or have the same history. The Bay Area has a high population of Latinos, he says. And Latinos have made a huge impact on Stanford.

To Stephens, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to acknowledge the history and contributions of Latino people. We come into Stanford with a whole lifetime of experiences that are largely shaped by our cultural identities, he says. If were going to become leaders who manage people  and who do so in a way thats conducive to a better world  acknowledging the history and contributions of Latino people is of utmost importance.

Darwin Valentine: A chance to take a step back and highlight stories of a rich culture.

Eduardo Zaldivar: Stanfords emphasis not just on excellence but on creating positive change was exactly what I was looking for.

Darwin Valentine split his time growing up between going to school in LA where his dad lived, and spending the summers in Mexico where his mom resided.

After studying political science at UCLA, he worked in investment banking in New York City. After one too many harsh winters, he returned to LA where he landed another investment gig, specifically within renewable energy and clean technology.

He decided to go to Stanford so that he could explore entrepreneurship and different forms of investing. It felt like business school was a great way to reflect on my own work experience to-date, and take a step back from what I was doing before the GSB to better explore entrepreneurship, work for an early-stage startup, and test out different types of investing roles, he says.

For Valentine, Hispanic Heritage Month offers Stanford students an intentional opportunity to learn from their classmates and directly engage with the Hispanic community. Hispanic Heritage Month gives you a chance to take a step back and reflect on the stories and experiences that ultimately shape such a rich and diverse culture, he says.

As a member of the HBSA, he aims to help create a safe, welcoming place for incoming Hispanic students; once hearing of folks from Hispanic backgrounds being accepted into the GSB, he and other HBSA members would congratulate them and offer their time to answer any of their questions. I think its important that Hispanic people have great experiences inside and outside the classroom at the GSB and that they continue to engage and stay committed to not only the Hispanic community, but also other communities that are important to them on campus, he says.

Luis Flores: [Its] an opportunity to share our vibrant culture with the world.

Flores was born and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas. It was a vibrant, tight-knit community where people had an attitude of service and were actively looking out for each other, he says. Thats where I found my earliest mentors who inspired me to dream big.

He came to Stanford from a background working in consumer packaged goods for PepsiCo. After six years there, he wanted to embrace a new opportunity to develop personally and professionally. Plus, he was looking to pivot his career into investing. I thought an MBA was a perfect opportunity to develop a repertoire of skills to become a principled leader, he continues.

For Flores, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to share our vibrant culture with the world.

The Hispanic culture is very diverse, he explains. We have tons of different family traditions, values, and beliefs. For me, its an opportunity to share my own familys traditions, including the recipes that remind me of my abuelita.

But he believes that this month is about more than this; its a blend of sharing the rich Hispanic culture with others as well as being reminded that there is still work to be done. This month is an opportunity to reflect on the progress that our ancestors and families have made over time, but also a reminder to stay committed to the challenges ahead, he says.

By looking at the progress that still needs to be made, theres an opportunity to have vulnerable conversations about whats challenging and the problems that this community faces. Plus, its an opportunity for those on the outside to ally with us and help move our agenda forward, he adds.

Eduardo Zaldivar: Its about remembering the brave and strong latinos and latinas who have paved the way for this generation of hispanic leadership.

Luis Flores: This month is an opportunity to reflect on the progress that our ancestors and families have made over time, but also a reminder to stay committed to the challenges ahead.

Eduardo Zaldivar, a Stanford MBA and Harvard MPA joint degree candidate, was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. Growing up, he spent much of his time in Zacatecas, Mexico, where his family is from.

After working in technology entrepreneurship and investing, Zaldivar wanted to further develop as a leader. Stanfords emphasis not just on excellence but on creating positive change was exactly what I was looking for, he says.

Getting the best possible education  and making the most of the opportunities hes been given  have been guiding principles throughout his life. My parents didnt have the opportunity to attend college, he shares. My mother only attended up until middle school before having to drop out to support her family.

To Zaldivar, Hispanic Heritage Month is centered around remembrance. Plus, its a chance to inspire future generations of Hispanic leaders to continue making a positive impact. Its about remembering the brave and strong Latinos and Latinas who have paved the way for this generation of hispanic leadership, he says. Our parents and grandparents have risked everything to make it in America and provide for the people they love.

When he graduates in 2023, Zaldivar wants to continue to build and invest in meaningful projects, with the ultimate goal of either working in or launching his own organization. I want to become the version of myself that is most able to maximize human flourishing and minimize human suffering, he explains.

DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES ARE CRITICAL

Like all DEI efforts, there is much work to still be done beyond Hispanic Heritage Month  especially when it comes to increasing representation in the MBA classroom. My vision for DEI is to focus on representation and increase the number of applicants that are applying to the GSB, says Flores.

Flores stresses the importance of schools and workplaces to remember that providing access is different than promoting a safe and inclusive environment  and one thats conducive to the entire community. Diverse perspectives are critical for several reasons, he says. While theyre thought-provoking and can sometimes lead to difficult conversations, theyre ultimately the best facilitators of unique solutions to the challenges we face  from both a business perspective and personal perspective.

Stephens says his vision of DEI is to include recruitment, attainment, and advancement  all of which is in service of creating a virtuous cycle where people can leave this institution and feel like they had a positive experience, strong foot forward to take into the professional world, and want to continue to give back to this community for those who come after them, he explains.

To Zalvidar, he hopes to create an inclusive community of people from all walks of life that feel valued. I wish for every single person to have the opportunity to bring about the best possible reality for others, he says.

DONT MISS LAST YEARS P&Q STORY ON HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AT STANFORD GSB

The post At Stanford GSB, A Celebration Of Hispanic Culture & Influence appeared first on Poets&Quants.
Toni Preckwinkle is as tough as any old-school Chicago pol of her generation.

At a recent endorsement session, when we asked her if she still enjoyed coming to the Tribune and campaigning for an office she has held since 2010, she shot us a look that spoke volumes. To say that Preckwinkle grits her teeth while answering journalists questions on the campaign trail is to understate what she clearly views as an excruciating necessity.

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As we see it, there is a downside and an upside to that toughness and, on balance, the latter eclipses the former.

[ Chicago Tribune elections coverage ]

First, the downside. When we brought up the now-pervasive fear of violent crime in Chicago during our conversation, and the possible impact of legislation eliminating cash bail, Preckwinkle made the point that residents in more affluent neighborhoods are now getting a taste of what it has been like to live in the Chicago ZIP codes that have heard gunfire and feared carjackings for years. She made that observation with a sardonic chuckle.

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Fair enough, perhaps. Its true that life in some neighborhoods long has been plagued by the same issues that folks on the Gold Coast and in Lincoln Park are now experiencing at scale for the first time, at least in a long while. And the long-standing inequity of, in essence, being able to buy your way out of jail, does not belong in a fair judicial system.

But in the case of the SAFE-T Act experiment, there are both the intent and the unintended but likely consequences to consider, especially in the short term. Preckwinkle, who has vehemently defended Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx, should also be advocating vociferously for foolproof safeguards that will stop dangerous criminals from returning to the streets, not seeming to relish some kind of comeuppance for the affluent.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle at her campaign headquarters in Chicago in June 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Thats just not the best point of view for a Cook County Board president who represents all the countys residents. Everyone deserves to feel safe, whatever the value of their homes. As with Chicago, Cook County needs diversity, and it is a simple reality that when people dont feel safe, they often choose to move. And that just makes everything worse.

Then we raised the question of late property tax bills, for which Preckwinkle took only limited responsibility. This is problematic for several reasons. If the bills dont arrive by Dec. 31, then the payment will not be deductible on federal returns for 2021, possibly sticking Cook County taxpayers with a bigger tax bill through no fault of their own and, given the annual caps on property tax deductibility, possibly reducing their deductibility overall. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed in 2017, capped the deduction for state and local taxes, including property taxes, at $10,000.

[ Illinois election 2022: See who the Tribune Editorial Board endorsed  plus how the candidates answered our questions ]

Worse, Cook County taxpayers who dont park that money away now likely will be stuck with two property tax bills coming through the mailbox in quick succession, possibly causing financial hardship.

Preckwinkle did not promise to have the bills out by the end of the year, although she suggested it would be likely. She also said that it will likely take another cycle or two for this computer issue to be solved and that arrangements have been made to help any needy agencies expecting revenue to get bridging loans. Thats thin gruel, though, for taxpayers. And even if there is little Preckwinkle can do at this point, this is all on her watch.

Now to the upside.

We believe Preckwinkle has been an effective fiscal steward of Cook County, overall, and a competent manager in the massive countys various areas of jurisdiction, from corrections to transportation to public health. Given that the county has more 800 governmental units, thats a crucial quality that voters must keep in mind.

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Preckwinkle also was a solid spokesperson during the COVID-19 crisis for vaccinations and other precautions. She focused vaccine delivery to ZIP codes where the takeup was least and yet the risk of serious infection was considerable.

Mostly importantly, perhaps, we admire how Preckwinkle has marshaled a budget of some $8 billion (and counting) and has dealt with the various crises of the last few years without pushing for new taxes, fines, fees or tax increases. Federal largesse, now likely a thing of the past, certainly made her job easier, as did the windfall of tax revenues from ballooning cannabis sales, which might well come at a price yet unanticipated.

But, all in all, we consider Preckwinkle to be a highly competent fiscal steward and skilled manager. This is a post responsible for many of the quotidian services that voters would prefer not to have to think too much about as they get on with their lives. Among her most notable skills is hiring competent people. Weve met and talked with her top team and they are an impressive crew.

[ Whats an endorsement, and why does the Tribune Editorial Board do them? ]

Finally, we dont think Preckwinkle has credible opposition in former Ald. Bob Fioretti, who has run against Preckwinkle as both a Democrat and (now) an expedient Republican and who chose not to participate in our process.

Fioretti, 69, who ran for mayor in 2015 and 2019 is a perennially unsuccessful candidate who also finished dead last in the 2020 primary race for states attorney, a race won by Foxx. We also dont see Libertarian candidate Thea Tsatsos as offering a viable alternative.

Preckwinkle isnt likely to change much at the age of 75. But we think she has done the work to deserve voters support for an additional term.

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Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
A Starbucks barista prepares a drink at a Starbucks Coffee Shop location in New York. Ramin Talaie/Corbis via Getty Images

Starbucks is closing a store in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana over safety concerns.

But puzzled police say they weren't aware of any safety problems and were rarely called to the area.

Starbucks has closed more than a dozen other locations since July, citing safety concerns.

Starbucks is closing a store in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana over safety concerns, joining more than a dozen other locations that the company has closed since July for the same reasons.

A spokesperson told Fox 59 that the coffee chain routinely reviews its stores and closes them "when necessary."

"Our first priority is to make sure our partners are safe at work," the spokesperson added. The store, on Monument Circle, is set to close on October 28.

But local police and business owners are puzzled by the announcement, telling Fox 59 that the area is safe.

"We were not made aware of any type of safety concerns," Phil Burton, commander of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Downtown District, told the outlet.

He said that officers aren't often called to the businesses on Monument Circle and that in 2022 police have only been called specifically to that store once so far, which was for a report of theft and battery of an employee and led to an arrest.

"Downtown is very safe," Burton told WRTV.

Officers visit local businesses and speak to managers to see if they have any concerns, and adjust their daily patrol plan based on this information, Burton told Fox 59. He said that Starbucks hadn't expressed its concerns and spoken to police about the the decision to close prior to the announcement being made.

"We're doing everything that we can to ensure the safety of those that actually live, work, and visit downtown, so it really comes as an unfortunate incident, Starbucks not reaching out to myself as the commander, let alone my community relations sergeant or any officer for that matter," he said.

Burton added that Starbucks hadn't signed a trespass agreement that IMPD offers which enables officers to arrest people for criminal trespassing.

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Kim Nething, owner of the candy store Rocket Fizz which is located just a few doors down from the Starbucks store, told Fox 59 that police officers come in every morning "just to say hi and see how we're doing" and that she didn't have concerns about her safety or her staff's safety.

"I don't feel unsafe," Chrystal Chadwick, a manager at the nearby soup shop Soupremacy, added.

"I've been working in downtown on the circle for over 15 years and I've never thought it was dangerous or unsafe," Kristina Tressler, co-owner of the South Bend Chocolate Company Monument Circle, told WRTV.

Taylor Schaffer, the president and CEO of Downtown Indy, called the announcement "disappointing."

"Data indicates that Downtown continues to be the safest district in Indianapolis, accounting for less than 5% of overall crime," she told Fox 59.

Starbucks closed 16 stores in July and two more in August due to safety issues, including some in Washington State and California.

"After careful consideration, we are closing some stores in locations that have experienced a high volume of challenging incidents that make it unsafe to continue to operate, to open new locations with safer conditions," a Starbucks spokesperson previously told Insider.

Insider's Mary Meisenzahl spoke to workers at stores that closed, with some saying they'd witnessed overdoses and had to regularly clean up blood and needles, while others said their stores didn't have major safety concerns.

Starbucks said that employees at the Indianapolis store will be able to transfer to other stores nearby.

Do you live or work in downtown Indianapolis? Got thoughts on the area's safety? Contact this reporter at gdean@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) -Starbucks Corp was sued on Monday by eight employees at a unionized South Carolina store who said the company falsely accused them of criminal conduct after they demanded a raise from their manager.

The workers filed a lawsuit in South Carolina state court against Starbucks and the manager at the store in Anderson, a few miles from Clemson University. They claimed the manager urged police to charge them with assault and kidnapping after the workers pressed her for a raise in August.

The store's employees had voted 18-0 to unionize in June.

At least 240 other Starbucks in the United States have unionized over the past year, and the company has been accused of illegal labor practices at dozens of locations. Starbucks has denied wrongdoing.

Starbucks in a statement provided by a spokesperson said it was reviewing the lawsuit.

"No Starbucks partner has been or will be disciplined for supporting or engaging in lawful union activity  but interest in a union does not exempt partners from following policies and procedures that apply to all partners," the company said.

According to the complaint, the Anderson workers on Aug. 1 presented the manager with a letter calling for a raise. She then called a Starbucks district manager and falsely claimed the workers were preventing her from leaving the store, the plaintiffs claim.

The manager reported the incident to law enforcement two days later, prompting a weeks-long investigation that included police visiting some of the workers' homes, according to the lawsuit.

The local sheriff's office ultimately concluded the workers had done nothing illegal, the plaintiffs said.

Starbucks released a statement on Aug. 8 saying the manager had felt unsafe and the workers were suspended with pay pending an investigation.

The plaintiffs in Monday's lawsuit said the statement falsely suggested they had threatened the manager and engaged in criminal conduct.

The workers accused Starbucks of defamation and abusing the legal process in violation of state law. They are seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Josie Kao)
Before Gov. Kevin Stitt was elected, he vowed to sign all anti-abortion bills that made it to his desk, a promise he says he's proud to have kept during his four years in office.

Stitt celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, and a "trigger" law he signed allowed Oklahoma to then ban abortions except those necessary to save the life of the mother in a medical emergency.

Although Stitt's opponents in the Nov. 8 governor's race differ on reproductive rights, they all oppose the abortion bans the governor approved that largely ended the procedure in Oklahoma.

The debate over abortion rights is galvanizing voters across the country ahead of the midterm elections, but it's unclear how the fall of Roe may alter turnout in deeply conservative states like Oklahoma.

In addition to bills criminalizing abortion, Stitt also signed legislation that allows private citizens to sue anyone who "aids or abets" a woman seeking an abortion at any point in her pregnancy. The woman pursuing the procedure could not be sued. Another new law Stitt signed makes it a felony to perform an abortion, a crime now punishable by 10 years in prison or up to $100,000 in fines.

More:Five key policy differences between Hofmeister and Stitt in Oklahoma governor's election

Im proud to be called Americas most pro-life governor, and today were here to celebrate a lot of hard work," Stitt said in a June news conference mere hours after the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson decision.

"It is my hope that the rest of America will follow Oklahomas lead," Stitt added. The National Right to Life endorsed Stitt's reelection bid.

Stitt says the state needs to take greater steps to support expecting mothers experiencing crisis pregnancies, and he created a task force to explore what can be done to help. He endorsed a proposal to expand Medicaid benefits for pregnant women, an idea Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joy Hofmeister says she has long supported.

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A recent SoonerPoll indicated "protecting a woman's right to choose" is the second-most important issue to voters this fall following high grocery and gasoline costs. A late September poll from Oklahoma City's Amber Integrated showed when voters are casting ballots in the governor's race, they will be thinking about the economy and inflation, education issues and then abortion.

Related:Confronted by a rape survivor, Stitt says Oklahoma can amend abortion ban if it went too far

Gov. Kevin Stitt, pictured in left image, is being challenged by state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister this election cycle.

Hofmeister vows to repeal Oklahoma's abortion ban

Hofmeister, Oklahoma's state schools superintendent, said she would push to repeal the state's abortion ban.

She also has said the state's Texas-style abortion law is an invitation for miscarriage bounty hunters."

"I am personally pro-life, but like a lot of Oklahomans I do not favor extremes on either side of this issue," she said in a statement. "Most people agree that abortion policy is complicated as no two circumstances are the same, and that some women face unimaginable circumstances. Its why I oppose Governor Stitts extreme ban on abortion that shows no mercy for survivors of rape or incest and prevents doctors from making life-saving medical decisions."

Hofmeister

More: Private group raises money for new Oklahoma governor's residence

Someone seeking an abortion should not be prosecuted under Oklahoma's anti-abortion laws, and the state's prohibitions on the procedure don't apply to a woman having a miscarriage or seeking treatment for an ectopic pregnancy, Attorney General John O'Connor wrote in recent guidance.

It was not immediately clear how Hofmeister might attempt to repeal the state's abortion ban considering Oklahoma's GOP-led Legislature approved that legislation and other anti-abortion bills by wide margins.

During her 2014 run for superintendent, Hofmeister said she would support legislation to ban abortion except to save the life of the mother if Roe were overturned, according to The Frontier. Her stance on abortion has since changed, she told the online news outlet.

Her campaign did not respond to questions about what, if any, abortion protections she would like to see in state law and up to what point she thinks a woman should be able to receive an abortion.

Sallys List, a nonpartisan Oklahoma group that aims to elect "progressive" women who prioritize abortion rights, endorsed Democratic candidates up and down the ballot but did not back Hofmeister.

A former lifelong Republican, Hofmeister is running for governor as a moderate, which likely will earn her support from across the political spectrum.

Joy will not use the terminology of being pro-choice, and thats a requirement for us, said Sara Jane Rose, the founder and director of Sallys List. I do believe she is (pro-choice) but she wont use that term.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes did not endorse in the Oklahoma governor's race.

More:Oklahoma has record number of female candidates for statewide elections

Ervin Yen leans on his medical experience when addressing abortion

Former Republican state Sen. Ervin Yen, who is running for governor as an independent, has plans to challenge Oklahoma's anti-abortion laws in court and at the ballot box.

The Oklahoma City anesthesiologist said he would ask the Legislature to put to a statewide vote a question on abortion rights. Should lawmakers refuse, Yen said he would advocate for a citizen-led initiative petition to protect a woman's right to choose.

He suggested writing the proposed state question so that it asks voters to ensure women have a right to seek an abortion up to about 15 or 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Yen also said he would mount a legal challenge against Oklahomas abortion ban. There are attorneys who say such bans violate religious freedom protections, he said.

Yen

He wants the state to offer free emergency contraception, also known as Plan B or the morning after pill. Yen also wants to ensure women have access to transportation so they can seek an abortion out of state, although he said it's unlikely the state could foot the bill for travel costs.

A Catholic, Yen said he used to consider himself to be "pro-life" until he thought deeply about the issue after Roe was overturned.

Youre not either pro-life or pro-choice, and Im in the middle," he said. "I certainly dont believe its the governments job to say women cannot terminate their pregnancies after conception.

Under Oklahomas anti-abortion laws, pregnant women have fewer rights than the fetus they are carrying, Yen said.

Yen made national headlines when he voted in 2016 against a bill to criminalize abortion while he was serving in the state Senate. Yen called the bill that was later vetoed "insane" because it openly disregarded the Roe precedent and was ripe for a legal challenge.

Related:Hofmeister opposed Medicaid management change implemented by Stitt

Government shouldn't mix with health care decisions, Libertarian says

Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Natalie Bruno said she'd like to see the Oklahoma Constitution include language ensuring the government stays out of private medical decisions, including those on abortion.

Voters would have to approve any updates to the constitution.

Saying she's "disgusted" with the state's abortion ban, Bruno said the government has no place in health care decisions. Women have bodily autonomy, and they should be able to make their own health care decisions in consultation with their doctor, she said.

"It's pretty dicey to allow the government to make decisions when it comes to health care choices in general," Bruno said. "That's in regards to abortion. That's in regards to vaccines. That's in regards to any kind of medical decision."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Where do Oklahoma's governor candidates stand on abortion?
U.S. President Joe Biden Mario Tama/Getty Images

Student-loan borrowers can apply for debt relief now during a beta testing period.

Lingering conservative lawsuits could still pose a challenge to the relief if they prevail.

Borrowers are awaiting a decision from a federal judge who heard arguments for a lawsuit last week.

President Joe Biden's administration is moving full speed ahead with student-loan forgiveness, but lawsuits could still pose a challenge to that relief.

On Friday evening, the Education Department launched the student-loan forgiveness application for a beta testing period, during which borrowers can apply for up to $20,000 of debt cancellation as the department monitors the site and determines any needed fixes before formally setting it live later in October. The exact date for when the site will be officially available is yet to be determined, and borrowers' applications will not be processed until then.

It's clear Biden's administration is moving forward with the process for relief and doesn't appear to be deterred by the lingering lawsuits attempting to block debt cancellation from coming to fruition. At least five major conservative lawsuits have been filed so far, and borrowers are awaiting a decision from a federal judge who heard arguments from six Republican-led states last week that claimed debt relief will hurt their states' tax revenues, along with the business operations of Missouri-based student-loan company MOHELA.

Should the judge rule in favor of the Republicans and impose a preliminary injunction on the relief, the implementation process would be paused  meaning no loan forgiveness could be applied to borrowers' accounts  until a final decision on the legality of broad debt cancellation is made. It could also mean borrowers will have to resume payments in January 2023 without any relief applied to their accounts.

The primary authority being challenged is the HEROES Act of 2003, which gives the Education Secretary the ability to waive or modify student-loan balances in connection with a national emergency, like COVID-19. While Biden says he has the right to use that authority because borrowers are still financially recovering from the pandemic, the Republicans challenging the relief said that this is an overreach of the authority and lacks any standing.

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While it's unclear which side the judge who heard arguments last week will favor, at least two conservative lawsuits have already been struck down, suggesting a positive trend for millions of borrowers hoping for an up to $20,000 reduction to their debt balances. And administration officials continue to be confident Biden has the standing to carry out broad loan forgiveness, telling reporters during a press call prior to the preview of the application that it is "not getting sidetracked" by the mounting legal challenges.

"We're moving full steam ahead to implement this form and sharing with you this simple and straightforward process," the official said.

Borrowers can apply for relief during this beta testing period at this link, and they will just need to fill out basic information like their names, email addresses, and Social Security numbers. They should receive a confirmation email once the application is submitted, and their student-loan company will notify them once the relief is processed.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Qin PinLi / iStock.com

Federal student loan borrowers who qualify for forgiveness of up to $20,000 are now a step closer following an announcement from the U.S. Department of Education that beta testing the application process has begun.

Student Loan Forgiveness: How Do I Know If I Got a Pell Grant?

More: Why More Than 7 Million Student Loan Borrowers Wont Get Assistance

The beta phase began in the evening on Oct. 14, CNBC reported. The application is available at StudentAid.gov and will be available on and off during the testing period. The Education Departments technical staff will occasionally pause the site for assessments, refinements and maintenance during the beta phase. When the site is down, borrowers are advised to check back so they can submit their applications after the pause has concluded or when the official site launches.

There wont be any changes made to the application itself during the beta phase, CNN reported. However, there could be changes to the website software as the tech team tracks how it works in beta mode.

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, an Education Department spokesperson told media outlets in an email statement.

Take Our Poll: Do You Have an Emergency Fund Established?

Borrowers who apply for debt relief during the beta period will receive confirmation emails, but their applications wont be processed until the site formally launches. The official launch is expected by the end of October. Once the formal processing phase begins, most qualifying borrowers are expected to receive debt relief within weeks.

Borrowers will not need to reapply if they submit their applications during the beta test, the Education Department spokesperson said.

As previously reported by GOBankingRates, borrowers with an annual adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $125,000 in either 2020 or 2021  or $250,000 for households  will be eligible for up to $10,000 in canceled debt. Those who received Pell Grants will be eligible for up to $20,000 in cancelled debt.

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To qualify, borrowers must have federally held student loans. In addition to federal Direct Loans used to pay for undergraduate degrees, federal PLUS loans borrowed by graduate students and parents might also be eligible if the borrower meets the income requirements.

Education Department officials aim to start processing debt relief before the current pause on student loan repayments ends, which is scheduled to happen on Dec. 31, 2022. However, borrowers will have until Dec. 31, 2023 to submit their loan forgiveness applications.

Opponents of the student loan forgiveness plan have filed multiple lawsuits to either end the process or at least slow it down. As CNN noted, a U.S. district judge might soon decide whether to temporarily block the program until the judge issues a final ruling on the case.

Student Loan Forgiveness: Mark These 4 Dates On Your Calendar Now

Find: Do I Get Student Loan Forgiveness if Im Still in School?

Meanwhile, potential applicants who signed up for updates on the loan forgiveness process will receives emails notifying them about the beta website. Once the website is formally launched, the White House will spread the word over social media and other channels.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Student Loan Forgiveness: Beta Testing Begins for Application Process  What You Need To Know
The student loan forgiveness application officially opened on Monday at studentaid.gov/debt-relief/application, powered by the Education Department (ED). This is the only site where borrowers can sign up for student loan forgiveness.

The official launch of the application portal follows a beta test that offered borrowers periodic access over the weekend. The application is available until December 31, 2023.

"This is a game-changer for millions of Americans," President Joe Biden said Monday at a press briefing with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.

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.

Borrowers who successfully submitted the form over the weekend during the beta test do not need to apply again. More than 8 million applications were submitted then.

(Photo: Getty Creative)

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.

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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.

White House

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.

Paper version of application available in English and Spanish

ED has made a paper application available online for download in English and Spanish. Borrowers can find the paper application on the FSA Forms Library by clicking on "Loan Forgiveness and Discharge" and selecting "Federal Student Loan Debt Relief" to download the English or Spanish version.

Borrowers can mail or fax the paper application to the address and number provided on the form.

If you do not have internet access, cannot access the form while abroad, or cannot go to a public library to download the application, reach out to the contact center for assistance.

U.S. Education Department

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.

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. Again, the application link is studentaid.gov/debt-relief/application.

White House Avoid Student Loan Scams

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

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The Supreme Court on Monday turned away an appeal that had urged the justices to interpret the Constitution as conferring birthright citizenship on people born in American Samoa.

The courts denial came in a one-line order without explanation or noted dissent. The justices vote breakdown was not disclosed, as is typical, but the courts rejection means fewer than four voted to hear the appeal.

The lawsuit, brought by a group of American Samoans, challenged a set of infamous Supreme Court precedents known as the Insular Cases, which were decided more than a century ago.

These cases held that people born in American Samoa and other unincorporated U.S. territories are not entitled to birthright citizenship under the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment.

The challengers, who were backed by a Utah-based nonprofit group, won the first round of litigation in 2019. This prompted an appeal by the U.S. government, which was joined by the government of American Samoa.

On appeal, a Denver-based federal appellate court found that the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment was ambiguous on the question of American Samoans birthright citizenship. The divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit further ruled that the Insular Cases were still good law, even as they acknowledged those cases to be racist and disreputable.

The 10th Circuit panel said the authority to grant citizenship to people born in American Samoa resides with Congress, which previously conferred the right on Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Supreme Courts denial leaves intact the appeals courts ruling.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
STOCKHOLM (AP)  Sweden's parliament on Monday elected conservative leader Ulf Kristersson as prime minister at the head of a center-right coalition that has promised to crack down on crime and curtail immigration in partnership with a populist party with far-right roots.

Kristersson, 58, was elected in a 176-173 vote and will present his government on Tuesday.

His three-party coalition secured a majority in the 349-seat Riksdag, or parliament, after the Sept. 11 election by teaming up with the Sweden Democrats, a party founded by right-extremists in the 1980s. The party has softened its image and moved toward the mainstream, but was until recently considered too radical to work with by all other parliamentary groups.

Kristersson presented a deal last week whereby his conservative Moderate Party will form a government with the smaller Christian Democrats and Liberals, while coordinating government policies closely with the Sweden Democrats, which won 20% of the vote to become Sweden's second-biggest party.

They agreed on a common platform that included making it harder for asylum-seekers to stay in Sweden and easier for authorities to deport foreign nationals with links to criminal gangs. Gang violence has become a major concern in Sweden, particularly in neighborhoods dominated by immigrants, and is considered a key reason for the country's shift to the right.

It feels great, I am grateful, Kristersson told reporters in Stockholm after the vote. "I am happy about the trust that I have received from the Riksdag. I am also humbled by the tasks that lie ahead of us.

Kristersson, who has led the Moderates since 2017, will take over the prime minister's post from Magdalena Andersson, the leader of the center-left Social Democrats, which are now in opposition after eight years in power.

The Social Democrats and other opposition parties have criticized the incoming coalition for opening the door to the Sweden Democrats. Nooshi Dadgostar, the leader of the former communist Left Party, said her parents who fled from Iran could never have imagined that Sweden would embark on an authoritarian path.

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What is happening now in Sweden is frightening, she told parliament before the vote.

Since the election, the Sweden Democrats have landed the chairmanships of four parliamentary committees, giving it the ability to wield more influence.

In addition to immigration and criminal justice, the incoming coalition has agreed to work with the Sweden Democrats on other areas such as energy, including efforts to expand nuclear power.

The change in government isn't expected to affect Swedens historic bid to join NATO with neighboring Finland, which was endorsed by a clear majority in parliament following Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.

___ Jan M. Olsen contributed to this report from Copenhagen, Denmark.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Kristerssons age is 58, not 59.
Meredith Gleason, far left, plants tulips with others in Chicago's Washington Park neighborhood on Oct. 15, 2022. Amanda Williams planned the event along with the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative for a day of neighborhood beautification by planting tulips on vacant land. It is part of Williams' project "Redefining Redlining." (Michael Blackshire / Chicago Tribune)

By spring, the intersection of 53rd Street and Prairie Avenue will be awash in a sea of red tulips  6 acres of them to be exact, planted Oct. 15 by artist Amanda Williams, 2022 MacArthur grant recipient, South Side residents, and the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative.

The neighborhood beautification is part of Williams Redefining Redlining project that calls attention to the effects of redlining, the practice of systematizing discrimination based on where someone lives. The practice that denied members of the Black community the chance to invest in property from 1933-1968 continues to reverberate across the country. Racially restrictive covenants made popular by the real estate industry marked certain areas as undesirable if people of color lived there. While whites could build wealth through equity in homes, redlining enforced segregation and created a wealth gap from which Blacks have yet to rebound.

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Ive been thinking about this idea for five or six years ... about redlining and the impact it had on our ability to shape our neighborhoods and our environment, Williams said. The work that Ive been doing over several years to really interrogate the redlining maps. ... I decided what might it look like to tackle redlining as a term and process a lot more literally, so that people can see and understand. So we decided to re-create the footprint of the houses and apartment buildings that should be still standing in several of these lots.

Sadly, because of the proliferation of vacancy, you do have uninterrupted swaths of land where you can really get that visual impact of how detrimental these systemic racist policies have been to these neighborhoods. Were filling it in with red, something that people can instantly relate to and understand.

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Amanda Williams hugs her daughter Aya Burns, 9, as they listen to Mayor Lori Lightfoot give a speech in Chicago's Washington Park neighborhood before planting tulips on Oct. 15, 2022. Williams planned the event alongside Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative for a day of neighborhood beautification that is part of her project "Redefining Redlining," with planting tulips on vacant land. (Michael Blackshire / Chicago Tribune)

Williams has centered a lot of her work around color  from Blackness in its myriad colors in 2020 with her Instagram series called What Black is This, You Say? to her multiyear Color(ed) Theory project wherein she painted condemned South Side houses in colors such as Newport 100s teal and Crown Royal bag purple to acknowledge the racially tinted architectonic blight of Black communities.

With this latest work, she said the choice of tulips was specific, given the history and speculation around tulip bulbs in 17th century Holland. At the height of Tulip Mania, speculation of the value of certain rare bulbs meant they cost as much as a house at the time. That coupled with the aesthetics: the color relating to redlining, and the straight stalk and crisp edges of tulips being perfect from an artistic standpoint, brought the idea full circle.

It seems so poetic and powerful to imagine or suggest, what it means to have 100,000 tulips, and what would that mean if we could have the value of a house for every single one of those being planted in these neighborhoods that should still be vibrant neighborhoods, Williams said. The confluence of all these things lead to this moment thats going to be hugely impactful, good, bad or otherwise. 100,000 bulbs in these fields and imagining the houses, the apartments that are still there and those that get to look out the window every morning and see this idea about a field of flowers is a gesture toward how you create momentum about possibility.

Williams said of the four lots at 53rd and Prairie, she and Ghian Foreman, president and CEO of Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative plotted out a space of 16 to 18 homes or apartment buildings for the tulips. The shock of color and the amount of flowers in one location was planned so people can understand the significance of one pin on a map as opposed to a vacant lot hereand there. When you can see 100,000 tulips by standing in the middle of the street and spinning in a circle, the magnitude of that is a lot different, she said.

Foreman agrees. Emerald South Development Collaborative is partnering with Williams on Redefining Redlining through its Terra Firma initiative. According to Foreman, the initiative launched in 2021 locally and is modeled after a pilot program in Philadelphia. Foreman said the East Coast program helped with decreasing violence and improving well-being. The premise of the Chicago initiative is similar  transforming vacant lots through clean up, fencing, and plantings in hopes of building and attracting community wealth to create better outcomes for the South Side, physically, mentally, short term and long term.

Were figuring out how to create this next generation and what these communities will be in the future. And were starting with something simple: flowers, Foreman said. The cost of planting this amount of bulbs is $200,000. Terra Firma is a five-year, $25 million land care program meant to maintain, beautify, activate more than 200 acres of vacant South Side land  from Bronzeville to South Chicago along the lake. Foreman said we have land here to dream big dreams.

Morgan Jackson plants tulips on vacant land in Chicago's Washington Park neighborhood on Oct. 15, 2022. (Michael Blackshire / Chicago Tribune)

When we do these kinds of projects, the long-term impact they have on community residents is to think about the possibilities, Foreman said. The Washington Park community, where were doing the planting, has about 8 million square feet of vacant land. For many community members, this is all theyve ever known.

The simple act of planting flowers and being a part of the community coming together to plant these flowers and the magic that will reveal itself in the spring, in a lot of ways is what were hoping for in the community. It takes some work, it takes some time. It takes some big thoughts, some outside investment. For those young people in the community who will later say, I was a part of this, they will think big thoughts and theyll come up with that next idea that will have a big impact on the community. Were hoping that continues to have ripple effects far beyond what we can even think about.

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Foreman believes the flowers are only the beginning of a scalable and transferrable form of community engagement. Just like the bulbs blossom and go back underground during winter, the idea of possibilities is going to multiply and grow, where one neighborhood may plant mint, another lavender. Foreman also hopes that the Redlining project will draw people from around the city and they will stop, sit and savor the work and go on to support local businesses. By seeing a neighborhood not very dissimilar from their neighborhood, everyone wins and everybody can play a part.

Its not just the responsibility of those in this community, its all of our responsibility, Foreman said. I want people to call us and say we want to do something  lets ideate together, lets try to figure out how to bring in the resources that we need to get this done.

Our communities are used to finding a way to figure it out. I hope its not just people from the South and West sides. I hope its people from around the city. And I hope this sparks bigger conversations about what we can do, our individual contribution to making our city better. I think a lot of it is a function of us creatively thinking about how we work together and thinking about ourselves as one collective unit. We have these artificial boundaries we call neighborhoods, but we all have the same issues.

What Ive learned from color theory and the idea of what I call communal activations, as opposed to community building is that when you put what seems like low barriers of entry or low stakes kinds of gathering together for people, they form the long-lasting threads and bonds, Williams said The multiplicity of ways that people are going to take ownership of this work goes beyond the kind of more obvious ideas that we are talking about with homeownership or land value or landowners rights.

This could do more for people who have lived near one another, but maybe never had a conversation (other) than trying to beg them to come to a town hall or an activation event in a way that they never might not necessarily feel invested in or feel like its too much effort. What is planting one bulb? Whats walking past the site? I also think the young people, this sparks an idea in their minds about what they can propose, what they can make happen and that people in their own neighborhood can help them facilitate that. Im super excited to see that impact.

drockett@chicagotribune.com
The cast of The Midnight Club (Eike Schroter/Netflix)

On Netflixs new horror show, the terrific and terrifying The Midnight Club from scare maestro Mike Flanagan, most of the characters are high school kids. And they are all facing something darker than evil spirits: none have long left to live. They board together at the storied Brightcliffe Manor, a special hospice for terminally ill teens. Despite the houses sobering purpose, the atmosphere can verge on gleeful. These kids might be dying, but at least here there arent any parents nagging them to be a fighter.

Theres only two adults on staff (Heather Langenkamp as Brightcliffes founder and Friday Night Lights Zach Gilford as its nurse practitioner) and just one rule  a 10pm curfew that the patients treat like a suggestion. At midnight, they creep out of their rooms and into the old mansions library to trade scary stories and, like teens with longer life expectancies, mercilessly pick on each other.

That includes incisive critiques of one anothers tales. Startled isnt the same as scared. Anyone can bang pots and pans behind someones head, spits an HIV-positive kid called Spencer (Chris Sumpter), calling out another club members over-reliance on jump scares. Its just startling. And its lazy as f***, he adds bitingly. Dying young doesnt make you an angel.

The Midnight Club feels unfashionably hokey compared to the critically acclaimed heartstoppers that have dominated horror for the past few years. The twisty, atmospheric (and pompously named) elevated horror genre has been led by films from Jordan Peele (Get Out), Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse), and Ari Aster (Midsommar). But with The Midnight Club, Flanagan is building on the brand of horror hes finessed across several Netflix series. His classic genre beats  cat scares, mirror reveals, loud noises  are threaded with earnest existential themes.

Flanagans 2018 series The Haunting of Hill House, based on the Shirley Jackson novel, was about the need for belonging. The Haunting of Bly Manor, mostly based on Henry Jamess The Turn of the Screw, called itself a love story. The Midnight Club, co-created with Once Upon a Time writer Leah Fong and based on Christopher Pikes 1994 young adult novel of the same name, is his most emotionally captivating series for the streamer yet. Its Are You Afraid of the Dark? , with the most enduring and universal of existential questions lurking at its heart: what happens to us after we die?

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The episodes tend to have two halves. First, we watch the kids as they go about their days, processing the grief of their predicaments in group therapy or brewing antioxidant teas they secretly hope will save them. (To any adult watching, the coexistence of the kids pain and hope will be the part they watch through half-covered eyes.) But then they head downstairs for extra-curricular horror therapy. Horror is a genre steeped in metaphor  villains lurk in darkness, disoriented heroes run in the wrong direction  but carved into The Midnight Club is an ambitious, metaphorical case for the genres existence. When these kids meet to tell their stories, theyre really divulging their deepest secrets.

In the first episode, Ilonka, a formerly Stanford-bound student with thyroid cancer, tells a scary story about a girl named Julia, who came to Brightcliffe in the 1970s. Julia disappeared into the woods for a few days and returned cancer-free, with the menacing ability to prophesy when the other kids would die. Alexa & Katie star Iman Benson plays Ilonka with competing reserves of fear and pluck, and Julia is a manifestation of the miracle cure shes still hoping for, long after convincing her foster dad to take her to Brightcliffe. The other patients rag on Ilonkas storytelling for resorting to the sick kid trope. We try not to do it here, someone warns her. Its a little masturbatory.

Ruth Codd as Anya in The Midnight Club (Eike Schroter/Netflix)

Other stories work similarly as confessions in disguise. An Irish teen in a wheelchair (an amusingly vicious Ruth Codd) spins a spooky yarn about a girl who splits herself in two in order to get everything she wants. One side is a good girl who does everything right; the other, a bad girl who does as she pleases. Both are punished in the end, because wanting is inherently dangerous at Briarcliffe. Longing is the monster hiding under the bed when youre a teen in hospice care. For a group of kids united by tragedy, horror becomes a shared language to discuss by night the desires that they darent name when the sun is shining.

The group is also bound by a promise: whoever dies next will do everything they can to reach back across the abyss to tell the others what to expect. Even with such short lives ahead of them, these characters cant help thinking about their shared, imminent future. Or, namely, their lack of one. Death is how the horror story theyve been living  their terrible medical diagnoses and the brutal treatments that have failed them  finally ends.

But at night, when no adults are watching, they trade the horror stories that set them free.
A 47-year-old Thai man is in critical condition after two Frenchmen assaulted him in an unprovoked attack caught on camera.

Somkuan Songkhot picked up his wife, Lakhana Salao, from her cleaning job at Central Mall in Koh Samui, Surat Thani province, on Oct. 15 and were driving home on their motorbike when they were passed by a white Porsche with Bangkok registration plates. 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. The cars driver parked the Porsche perpendicular to the road, blocking traffic. Lakhana said Somkuan saw the two passengers were foreigners and thought they might be lost, so he approached them and asked in English if they needed assistance.

Thats when a man in a black shirt exited the passenger side of the Porsche and attacked Somkuan. In cellphone video captured of the incident, the man can be seen kicking and punching Somkuan in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head hard against the pavement, knocking him unconscious. It is unclear if the driver, who is shirtless in the video, also attacked Somkuan.

More from NextShark: Kamala Harris Introduces Bill to Say 'Chinese Virus' is Racist and Condemn Anti-Asian Attacks

Police arrested and charged both the 28- and 34-year-old Frenchmen, who confessed to attacking Somkuan, with assault causing serious injury. Their vehicle was also seized by police.

Somkuan was rushed to Koh Samui Hospital, where he reportedly received emergency brain surgery to treat a brain hemorrhage and is still in critical condition.

More from NextShark: 32% of Americans Have Seen Asians Attacked Over COVID-19

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UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The United States and Mexico said Monday they are preparing a U.N. resolution that would authorize an international mission to help improve security in Haiti, whose government issued a distress call for the people of the crisis-wracked nation.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the announcement at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council as thousands across Haiti organized protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The demonstrations came on the day the country commemorated the death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a slave who became the leader of the worlds first Black republic.

The U.S. ambassador said the proposed non-U.N. mission would be limited in time and scope and be led by a partner country that was not named with the deep, necessary experience required for such an effort to be effective. It would have a mandate to use military force if necessary.

She said the resolution being worked on is a direct response to a request on Oct. 7 by prime minister Henry and the Haitian Council of Ministers for international assistance to help restore security and alleviate the humanitarian crisis. It reflects one option in a letter from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the council on Oct. 9 that called for deployment of a rapid action force by one or several U.N. member states to help Haitis National Police.

Both Russia and China raised questions about sending a foreign armed force to Haiti.

Haiti has been gripped by inflation, causing rising food and fuel prices, and exacerbating protests that have brought society to the breaking point. Daily life in Haiti began to spin out of control last month just hours after the prime minister said fuel subsidies would be eliminated, causing prices to double. Gangs blocked the entrance to the Varreux fuel terminal, leading to a severe shortage of fuel at a time that rising prices have put food and fuel out of reach of many Haitians, clean water is scarce, and the country is trying to deal with a cholera outbreak.

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Political instability in Haiti has simmered ever since last years still-unsolved assassination of Haitis president Jovenel Moise, who had faced opposition protests calling for his resignation over corruption charges and claims that his five-year term had ended. Moise had dissolved the majority of Parliament in January 2020 after failing to hold legislative elections in 2019 amid political gridlock.

Haiti's Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus said he came to the Security Council with a distress call" from the Haitian people to tell the world they are not living  they are suffering."

Haiti urgently needs robust support" to help the police stem the humanitarian crisis, neutralize the the gangs, guarantee fuel distribution and facilitate a return to normal life, he said.

Thomas-Greenfield said the resolution authorizing the security mission is coupled with a resolution obtained by The Associated Press last week that would impose an arms embargo, asset freeze and travel ban on influential Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, nicknamed Barbeque. It also would target other Haitian individuals and groups who engage in actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of the Western Hemispheres poorest country, according to the text obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.

Some diplomats expressed hope for a vote on the sanctions resolution this week, but Russia's deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said Moscow can't support quickly pushing through a sanctions resolution.

In depth analysis and detailed negotiations" are required, he said, to make sure that the measures are aimed at restoring government control and not be perceived as is frequently the case as a way of punishing the entire country and its people.""

The U.S. ambassador stressed that the United States is keenly aware of the history of international intervention in Haiti, and specifically of concerns about the council authorizing a response that could lead to an open-ended peacekeeping role.

The Security Council and the international community must seek a different course to respond to the security and dire humanitarian crises in Haiti, which require targeted international assistance that must be coupled with support for political dialogue and backed by sustained international pressure on the actors supporting gang activity.

Reflecting opposition to foreign interference in Haiti, Marco Duvivier, a 35-year-old auto parts store manager, who joined Mondays protest in Port-au-Prince said: The U.S. needs Haiti to make its own decisions and not interfere in Haitis business.

Life is not going to get better with an international force, he said.

China's deputy U.N. Ambassador Geng Shuang noted prime minister Henry's call, but also the opposition by some political parties and groups to the presence of a foreign armed force in Haiti.

At a time when the Haitian government lacks legitimacy and is unable to govern, will sending such a rapid action force to Haiti receive the understanding, support and cooperation from the parties in Haiti, or will it face resistance or even trigger violent confrontation from the population?," he asked. These are things we need to consider ... and to treat with caution."

Since the gang led by Barbeque" surrounded the fuel terminal, the distribution of more than 10 million gallons of gasoline and fuel and more than 800,000 gallons of kerosene stored on site have been blocked.

Gas stations remain shuttered, hospitals have slashed services and businesses including banks and grocery stores have cut their hours as everyone across the country runs out of fuel.

The situation has worsened a recent cholera outbreak, with hundreds hospitalized and dozens dead amid a scarcity of potable water and other basic supplies.

Haitis last cholera outbreak was a result of U.N. peacekeepers from Nepal introducing the bacteria into the countrys largest river by sewage. Nearly 10,000 people died and more than 850,000 were sickened.

We dont need a foreign force. Its not going to solve anything, Jean Venel said.

Helen La Lime, the U.N. special envoy for Haiti, told the Security Council in a video briefing from the capital Port-au-Prince that a humanitarian emergency is now at our doorstep" with disruptions to hospital operations and water supplies impacting the response to the cholera outbreak.

She said appeal by diplomats, the U.N. and others to establish a humanitarian corridor have gone unheeded, and insecurity is rife, with nearly a thousand kidnappings reported in 2022 and millions of children prevented from attending school.

___

Sanon reported from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Associated Press writer Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico contributed.
Livestreams have become a growing part of TikToks platform. Now the company is introducing new age restrictions on the format.

Zoomers are growing up and TikTok isnt just for teens anymore, or at least its trying not to be. The platform is aiming to graduate along with its primary user-base. And as one step towards maturity, TikTok is introducing an adults-only option for live streamers on the platform who wish to restrict their viewership to those 18 and older.



As for when and why streamers might opt to set an age limit, TikTok offered a couple of theoretical examples.Perhaps a comedy routine is better suited for people over age 18. Or, a host may plan to talk about a difficult life experience and they would feel more comfortable knowing the conversation is limited to adults, the company wrote in its Monday news release.

Read more

Those justifications may sound naively chaste, but the move to age-restrict some content on the platform is unlikely to make TikTok the next Only Fans. The platform has a strict ban on most of the content that would be traditionally considered adult. We do not allow nudity, pornography, or sexually explicit content, says the companys community guidelines.

And nothing in the new announcement suggests that those guidelines will be different for adults-only streams. All content, even if designated as better suited for those over 18, must adhere to our community guidelines, said a TikTok spokesperson in an email to Gizmodo. With regard to moderation, its the same as all content in TikTok. We leverage a combination of people and technology to enforce our Community Guidelines which apply to everyone and everything on the platform.

Worth noting though: Just because the site says explicit content isnt allowed, doesnt mean it doesnt show up. TikTok has struggled with its moderation in the past, and videos that should, theoretically, be barred based on the community guidelines often slip through the cracks.

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The company announced its forthcoming, adults-only streams alongside multiple other changes to the livestream feature. For example, users will now be able to include up to five guests in a multi-guest stream. Plus, the app says its updating its keyword filtering feature to send reminders and suggestions to creators looking to moderate their own livestream commenters and interactions.

Notably, the company also announced another age-related change to live streaming. Soon, only adult users will be allowed to stream. Currently, TikTokers with a minimum of 1,000 followers older than 16 can livestream, but on November 23 that age limit will go up to 18.

TikTok didnt fully explain the change in its company blogpost, simply describing the shift as an extension of its already-existing in-app graduated age restrictions (like the 18+ limit in monetization, and the 16+ limit on direct messaging.) Our decision to change the LIVE age threshold to 18 or older reflects our commitment to protecting our youngest community members as they grow their online presence, the company wrote to Gizmodo.

Both the adults-only streaming option and the updated age restriction on who can stream were listed under the header, our ongoing work to help keep our community safe.

Live streaming is becoming an increasingly large part of TikToks business model and interface. In 2021, live streaming revenue was about 15% of TikToks total turnover, but it has grown nearly twice as quickly as the companys online ad business over the past two years.

Streaming is one of the best ways for the platforms users to make money, as TikTok doesnt share ad revenue with creators. However the company has faced recent flack over the heavy pie-slice it takes from so-called gifts and tips given to streamers on the platform. In one particularly shocking case, a BBC investigation found that TikTok and middlemen grifters were reportedly pocketing up to 70% of the donations raised by refugees begging on the platform.

Update 10/18/2022, 10:56 a.m. ET: This post has been updated with comment from TikTok.
Tory Delury's van-life journey hasn't always been easy. Courtesy of Tory Delury

Tory Delury spent $48,700 buying and renovating a 2015 RV to live and travel in.

She painted the van pink, inspired by Taylor Swift, to contradict sexist expectations.

Delury has at times had concerns over safety, but she still has no plans to give up the lifestyle.

Tory Delury is a 25-year-old who travels the country in a van she rebuilt with the help of YouTube videos.

Courtesy of Tory Delury

Tory Delury, a 25-year-old van-lifer, caught the wanderlust bug two years ago on a cross-country road trip. She'd been accepted into the Disney College program, a paid internship in which participants work at Disney, and the trip required many nights of sleeping in her car.

"Sleeping in my car was not the best," she told Insider now, but the trip was "freeing." She realized she didn't want to give up the rootless, spontaneous freedom. She just wanted it to feel safer. So, she decided to rebuild a van.

A month before COVID-19 lockdowns began, Delury purchased a 2015 van with 24,000 miles for $31,000  adding $17,700 of additional costs over time for the rebuild.

These days, she's posting about #vanlife on TikTok and Instagram.

In September, Delury's van was featured in a video made by Caleb Simpson, a YouTuber who posts about different types of unique living spaces. The video blew up, receiving over 1.3 million views, and Delury told Insider she began posting more regularly in response to the influx of interest.

Delury paid for the vehicle with money she made from making custom band merchandise for fans.

The Jonas Brothers tried to look grown up but it did not work out. Steve Granitz/WireImage

Delury's down payment for the van was all "thanks to the Jonas Brothers," she told Insider.

A year earlier, she'd worn an intricate, handpainted jacket she'd made to a Jonas Brothers concert. Another fan asked for one, and Delury made her a custom jacket of her own. When she posted the jacket online, it went viral with a retweet from the Jonas Brothers, she said.

For a year  before COVID-19 killed her business, she told Insider  Delury spent days creating $250 custom jackets for fans of their favorite musicians.

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That cash made her van rebuild affordable. But YouTube tutorials made it possible.

The van was bare when Delury purchased it  she mapped out her ideal layout and did everything from building the floor to placing the skylight from the comfort of her parent's house.

"I just spent hours on YouTube watching rebuild videos," she told Insider. "I had no idea how to do anything with tools, the first page in my van-build notebook is a reference diagram of different screws." But, over time, she learned.

She said 98% of the rebuild was her labor. For the 2% she doesn't claim, she told Insider her brother helped her hoist up material that was too heavy for one person, and she hired an electrician to double-check the work she did on her fuse box.

She made the interior pink and 'girly' in homage to Taylor Swift, and in response to sexist comments she received.

Courtesy of Tory Delury

Delury's all-pink interior was inspired by Taylor Swift's "Lover" album  and to contradict sexist assumptions she said she encountered while building out the van, including commenters assuming a man must be doing the work or men DMing unsolicited and inaccurate critiques of her work.

Delury said she started wearing over-ear headphones when she went to hardwear stores because too many men  including those who didn't work there  kept asking if she needed help.

Delury captioned a March 2021 rebuild post with a Taylor Swift quote from the "Miss Americana" documentary: "I wanna love glitter, and also stand up for the double standards that exist in our society. I wanna wear pink, and tell you how I feel about politics."

The earlier cross-country road trip in her car helped her design a dream layout.

Courtesy of Tory Delury

On Delury's cross-country road trip, she'd learned what her priorities were: absolutely yes to a skylight as a safety feature, and no to a bathroom  public bathrooms and gyms with full locker rooms for showering and using the restroom were plentiful and relatively cheap.

Delury's build includes a retractable five-foot-long table where she eats and does work for her small business. Over the plywood, she stuck contact paper from Amazon that looks like granite  a popular interior design hack.

Behind the table are storage cabinets that house necessities like dishes and water, as well as a sink. She also stores her makeup and skincare in area, which includes decorative flowers to avoid the appearance of clutter.

The van's temperature can be too cold in winter and too hot in summer  but it's an acceptable flaw.

Courtesy of Tory Delury

At 5'9, Delury fits the pink, shag-covered bed perfectly. The ceilings, which anyone under 6'2 can fit comfortably under, are also painted pink.

While the mattress is comfortable, the quality of the sleep depends on where Delury is parked. If she's staying in Van Alley, a stretch of road lined by van lifers in Brooklyn and near plenty of lively bars, she told Insider some noise will inevitably jolt her awake around 4:30 AM. If she's in Acadia National Park in Maine, it's far quieter.

In terms of temperature  it's never quite right.

Last year, Delury parked in Vermont for the winter. She'd entered the Miss Vermont pageant, and she needed six months of residency in the state to be eligible. The van includes a $3,000 heater, but Delury described the winter as like living as an "icicle." This year, she told Insider she'll probably be going somewhere warmer.

In the summertime, the van gets hot  but Delury accepts these issues as minor drawbacks. "You get to a point where you say, OK, I like this lifestyle, I'm going to deal with the heat," she told Insider.

Since there's no bathroom, Delury uses her gym membership to access showers.

Courtesy of Tory Delury

First thing every morning, Delury spends 30 minutes cleaning. "If you put one piece of clothing out, the whole van feels cluttered. It gets chaotic very quickly, and if I don't clean then I feel claustrophobic," she said.

Then, she refills the water jug underneath the sink at a nearby Planet Fitness  the gym's accessibility and affordability is what helped her decide to forgo building a bathroom in the van. "That's definitely weird," she told Insider, miming carrying her water jug through a crowd of the gym's bleary-eyed morning visitors.

The gym membership also gives her access to the locker room's shower and bathrooms. For all the times she can't access one, she has a pee jug inside her van.

Picking the clothes and books to bring was difficult, partly because the weight impacts gas milage.

Courtesy of Tory Delury

Delury's closet (pictured on the far right) is small, and she told Insider it was hard to pare her clothing down, but it was more difficult to do with her many hobbies.

Weight is important  particularly for gas mileage. Her paints didn't get a spot, but she knew she needed to include a bookcase for a few dozen books, regardless of weight.

Delury mostly makes waffles and cereal  so she didn't need a big fridge.

Courtesy of Tory Delury

Inside a bench, Delury stores her fridge and electrical system. Since Delury isn't a "fancy eater" and mostly makes cereal and waffles, she said she doesn't need a large fridge.

Delury said her simple food taste and relative lack of outdoorsyness  "I'll do a hike, but there has to be a good view for it to be worth it"  set her apart in the online #vanlife community, where she told Insider she often sees aesthetic photos of "fancy food."

Her favorite element is the van's skylight, a key safety feature.

Courtesy of Tory Delury

Delury's favorite feature is the skylight. It's a great way to access great views of the surrounding area, but it also functions as a safety tool as she can use it as a "submarine telescope," peeking out to see who's near her van.

As a single woman, Delury takes personal safety seriously: she rarely stays in a spot longer than three days so no one realizes she's traveling alone, and, unless she's grown familiar with another van lifer on social media first, she won't introduce herself to them in person first.

She told Insider she was assaulted only a few feet away from her apartment door two years ago.

"If it can happen when I live in an apartment, it can happen when I go to the grocery store," Delury told Insider. "Instead of fearing going places, I decided to educate myself so that I can defend myself in those situations. I wanted to take my life back under my control."

Delury pulls a curtain for privacy at night, though a keyhole helps her peek out on the street without being seen.

Courtesy of Tory Delury

In two years, Delury told Insider police have knocked on her window only four times  and mostly in the early days when she was still figuring out where to park.

She said she understands why they do it  to check she's alright if the car is running or because someone called it in  but the experience is jarring. "I'm in the back when they knock," she explained, "So I don't know who it is or what they want."

At night, Delury pulls a curtain for privacy behind her driver's seat. The fabric has a small star-shaped cutout in it, so Delury can peek out if she hears someone by her car  without them being able to see her.

Responses to Simpson's YouTube video featuring Delury's van weren't all positive, and Delury said she even started receiving death threats.

At the time, Delury was living in Brooklyn's Van Alley, but concerned for her safety, she left the city. In a slight silver lining, the video reached her Van Alley neighbors, who kindly reached out to Delury over social media.

"It's scarier than when I wasn't on social media," she said. "I felt very safe in here before then."

Van life allows Delury to do what she loves: travel and work at jobs that she enjoys.

For Delury, #vanlife allows her to explore the country on a whim  without being tied down with obligations such as a lease.

So far, Delury said she's lived in California, Vermont, Maine, New York, and Massachusetts.

In each place, she's picked up a part-time job for four to six months  operating rollercoasters at Disney Land, making ice cream at the original Ben & Jerry's factory, manufacturing guitars, and, now, as an actress  to help her pay for "responsibility costs" like gas, groceries, car insurance, and a gym membership.

Any profits from her small business, which sells self-defense resources, constitutes her budget's "play money," used to finance any far-flung trips that aren't strictly necessary.

"There are so many cool jobs across the world, and I want to be able to try out different things," she told Insider.

Delury's recent job as an actress doesn't pay much, but she told Insider that's fine for now  she's not paying rent, and her life, purposely built around flexibility and freedom, meshes well with auditions and shows.

Even though her jacket business was successful enough to fund her van purchase, Delury isn't sure she'd do it again just for the money. "I like taking part-time jobs all across America and getting to know a community for a while. I make money but I don't feel like I'm working."

The solitude of a rootless life doesn't bother her. "Anyone who is gonna be a Van Lifer has to have a degree of loving the independence and the being alone," she told Insider. Friends will occasionally visit her, and she's made connections with other van lifers through social media.

Delury loves van life, and though an online presence makes her feel less safe, she's not willing to give it up out of fear.

Courtesy of Tory Delury

Though the spotlight from Simpson's video came with a lot of negative attention, Delury doesn't want to stop using social media  something that helps her connect with other people  or dressing "girly" out of fear.

"I want to wear skirts and be who I am, and I don't want to feel like I'm trying not to be that person because of the comments," she said. "I have thought about stopping posting a lot of times  but, instead, I think I'm just kind of trying to tweak things in my life to make it safer."

"I can't imagine living in a house at this point," Delury told Insider. "I'll probably do van life until I'm very, very exhausted," she said, "which will maybe be in like 30 years."

For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.

Read the original article on Insider
Thaer Zidan

Timothy Teasley was sentenced to life in prison Monday for the murder of a convenience store clerk in Alexandria on Valentine's Day 2017.

Teasley, 30, was convicted Sept. 30 in the second-degree murder of 27-year-old Thaer Zidan at the Chi-Town Gas & Grocery on Third Street.

The Rapides Parish jury also convicted him of attempted second-degree murder for shooting at another employee. That employee was not wounded.

Ninth Judicial District Court Judge Chris Hazel also sentenced Teasley to 40 years on the attempted murder conviction. It will be served concurrently with his life term.

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Both sentences are to be served without the possibility of parole, probation or suspension, according to Rapides Parish Clerk of Court records. Hazel deemed both as crimes of violence.

Teasley's attorney, Chad Guillot, objected to the sentence and told Hazel he would be filing an appeal.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Timothy Teasley sentenced to life for 2017 Valentine's Day murder of clerk
Rep. Michelle Steel campaigning in California

Republican Rep. Michelle Steel speaks to supporters at her campaign office in Buena Park, Calif., on September 26, 2022. Credit - Paul BersebachMediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

The campaign signs that popped up around Orange County, Calif., last week with Jay Chens name on them werent Jay Chens.

Chinas Choice they read, the phrase punctuated by a gold star on a red background, mimicking the flag of China. For Chen, a Democrat vying to unseat Republican Rep. Michelle Steel, the attack was as notable for its offensive message as for its execution. He and Steel are competing in one of the most heavily Asian American districts in the country.

In some areas, signs labeling him Chinas Choice wouldnt be such a problem. But in the home of the largest Little Saigon in the nation, where tens of thousands of Vietnamese Americans bitter towards China and communism reside, the signs put up by his opponent were an unambiguous insult.

Weve seen outrage in the community over her conduct, and this is going to backfire on her, Chen predicts.

The hotly contested race between Chen and Steel is unfolding in one of Americas most diverse congressional battlegrounds, a suburban seat where Democrats have a slight advantage on paper and where a plurality of voters, as well as both candidates, are Asian American.

Throughout the year, issues of identity have repeatedly emerged as flashpoints. When Chen suggested in the spring that you kind of need an interpreter to understand Steel, she accused him of mocking her accent and spoke with pride about being a first-generation Korean American immigrant. For months, her campaign hammered him on a vote he took years ago as a school board member in support of a China-backed educational initiative. A few weeks ago, Vietnamese American voters began receiving mailers from Steels campaign painting Chen, who is Taiwanese American, as a communist sympathizer.

Steel is trying to exploit generational trauma in the Vietnamese American community, Chen says. These attacks are meant to incite fear and distrust in the Vietnamese community. Theyre meant to reopen wounds for her own political benefit.

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The district includes thousands of Chinese Americans that the anti-China strategies stand to offend. But even among the Vietnamese Americans that make up the biggest Asian American population in the district, Steels tactic is risky, and has drawn pushback in the Vietnamese-language press. Through her campaign, Steel declined to comment for this story.

Leaders in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community say such strategies play on stereotypes and treat the community as monolithic. They expect young voters, especially, to recoil.

As executive director of the Orange County Civic Engagement Table, a progressive group, Jonathan Paik helped advocate for the new district lines, which united many low-income Asian American communities. Now, he fears their needs are getting lost as both sides try to position the homeland politics of various groups as deciding issues.

Thats the lost opportunity that we have seen in this upcoming November election, Paik says. Our voices and our experiences living in this district are not being centered.

Stopping China Is Personal

The fierce battle in Orange County comes as Democrats face cause for concern with Asian American voters nationwide. A new poll of Asian American voters across battleground states and districts, including Steels, shows support for a generic Democrat congressional candidate has dropped five points since a similar poll in 2020, from 56% to 51%. The Asian American voters surveyed also indicated that they trusted Republicans more on the economy and cost of living, top issues for Asian Americans and all voters in todays turbulent economy.

The poll, conducted by the Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group and shared exclusively with TIME, makes it clear Democrats cant take Asian American voters for granted. The party seems to be losing enthusiasm among AAPI voters in a way that mirrors the general populationeven as the poll shows that 4 in 5 Asian Americans say they are highly motivated to vote this year.

The poll finds some good news for Democrats as well. Nearly a quarter of the Asian Americans surveyed consider gun control, an area of traditional Democratic strength, their top issue. And the poll found Asians Americans trust Democrats more on abortion, an issue the party has made a top talking point since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Yet the poll also reveals the ways in which both parties risk losing AAPI voters by treating them as a monolith. It found Indian Americans provide the highest support to a generic Democrat on the ballot at 57%.

This kind of in-depth polling of Asian Americans is rare. Few political polls examine the dozens of disparate subgroups that fall under the umbrella of AAPI. Some dont even include Asian Americans, deeming their numbers insignificant.

For people who are not part of the Asian American community, here is some insight into how culturally complex the work is [and] how much more time and energy needs to be spent to understand who we are and how to mobilize us, says Nadia Belkin, the executive director of the Asian American Power Network.

To make this poll happen, AAPI-focused groups like Belkins partnered with other progressive organizations like EMILYs List, the Service Employees International Union, and Priorities USA.

There may be no district in the country where the complex dynamics of winning the Asian American vote are more strongly at play than Californias redrawn 45th congressional district. A third of the voters in the district were born outside of the U.S. Were demographics destiny, that statistic might give Democrats reason to rejoice. Instead, they are scrambling to shore up support.

Later this week, members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus are heading to the district to campaign with Chen. Meanwhile, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee opened an office in Little Saigon at the beginning of this year.

AAPI leaders still doubt the party is doing enough. They want to see Democrats pouring more money into mailers and more candidates showing up on Asian American voters doorsteps across the country. They want the party to spend cold, hard cash on in-depth research into various AAPI communities. They want candidates and campaigns to really listen to the community groups doing the work on the ground.

The Democratic Party has to be investing more, says Brad Jenkins, the president and CEO of the AAPI Victory Fund. Were seeing record levels of investment from the Republican Party in reaching Asian American communities.

That point may be especially salient in Orange County, which has long been home to trailblazing Asian American Republicans. They include Van Tran, the first Vietnamese American state legislator in the nation and Tri Ta, the first Vietnamese American elected mayor.

And then theres Steel. Sam Oh, a GOP consultant who works for her, remembers first meeting Steel some fifteen years ago at a lunch she and her husband were hosting for Asian American GOP staffers. In the years since, she has continued to be a leader in the partys AAPI outreach efforts. In 2020, she became one of the first California Republicans to unseat House Democrats in 26 years, in part through the support of Vietnamese voters in her current district, where the majority of voters are white. The new, redrawn district is majority-minority, and Republicans still see a lot of promise.

That is largely an up-and-coming district, says Orange County Republican Party Chair Fred Whitaker. You dont have huge enclaves of wealth. But you have huge enclaves of people who are hard-working and ambitious. Crime and homelessness, the bad state of education and the high cost of livingthose hurt people who are on their way up more than people whove already reached the top.

But even as Steel highlighted those issues in her campaign, she is also working to frame the race as one in which voters must consider who is more likely to stand up to China, devoting a recent campaign commercial to the issue. I am Michelle Steel and I approve this message, because stopping China is personal, she says in the ad.

As for her signs painting Chen as a puppet of China, despite the criticism they have drawn, some speculate that such tactics still might work.

Theres a lot of people who are first generation who were really impacted by communism, says Mary Anne Foo, the founder and executive director of the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance. It could make them feel like, I need to vote for Michelle.
Keturah Kendrick in Thailand. Courtesy Keturah Kendrick

I've traveled to over 20 countries alone, and I absolutely love my solo adventures.

When I talk about my travels, people ask if I get lonely. Sometimes I do, but mostly I love it.

Spending time alone has changed my relationship with the concept of loneliness  and with myself.

I've lived on three different continents and traveled to over 20 countries alone. When I share this with people, I'm often met with looks of admiration quickly followed by, "You've gone to all those places by yourself? Weren't you lonely?"

And yes, sometimes I was. Having time to sit with  instead of run away from  my loneliness has been the greatest gift solo travel has given me.

I've learned that loneliness often masks something else

When I lived in Shanghai, China from 2016 to 2019, I made a routine of vacationing in Bali, Indonesia. On my third visit, I sat at a quaint restaurant in the middle of a rice paddy awaiting the breathtaking sunset, one of the reasons I so frequently returned. I felt the acute pang of being alone as I looked all around and saw numerous couples and groups of friends chatting away.

Before giving in to the self-pity that often accompanies loneliness, I took a moment to query what I was really feeling. I became aware that I'd done so much on the island over the course of all my visits, that while I was excited to have a glass of wine as I watched day turn into night, Bali no longer thrilled me the way it used to. I'd seen all the Buddhist temples, eaten food at all the night markets, gotten massages at all the spas, and done all the outdoorsy activities I'd wanted to do.

Keturah Kendrick in Bali. Courtesy Keturah Kendrick

It turned out that it wasn't so much that I felt lonely  I just felt bored, and having a bae or good friend there with me wouldn't have made that much of a difference in addressing that root feeling of boredom. While I would have had someone to vent to or do something new with, ultimately, I'd exhausted my Bali bucket list.

I realized that I enjoy traveling because I thrive on the newness of a place. It rejuvenates me: Simply choosing a new destination to explore would solve my problem and resolve the mood that had come over me, and I was relieved to discover my own company was still enough. I'd heard Malaysia and the Philippines also had great islands and beach spots, and thought that perhaps I should try out one of those places next time, instead.

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Loneliness is an emotion, just like any other

As I've gone from place to place, I've realized that part of what makes loneliness hard to manage is the way we treat the emotion. We see people who move through the world solo and think the choice must've been made for them, rather than assume it's a choice they made for themselves. There's this idea that feeling lonely is a shameful thing, as if it's is directly linked to a flaw in our characters. In reality, it's just another emotion, and one that eventually passes when you accept what you're experiencing and make room for another feeling to take its place.

When you arrive in any new place, you experience a lot of emotions, and if you're traveling alone, loneliness is bound to be one of them. During my first few months in Rwanda in 2014, I also felt excitement, confusion, acceptance, rejection, a sense of community, hope, and varying levels of sadness. And I felt all these things before I even had the chance to leave the country and travel around the African continent.

Keturah Kendrick in Mexico. Courtesy Keturah Kendrick

Later, on a solo trip to nearby Kenya, I experienced a litany of emotions. I felt full of pride when learning about the Masai people. I was full of wonder at the Giraffe Center and Elephant Orphanage, but I was also irritated with all the other people who were there with me, because being with crowds of people at tourist sites is my least favorite thing about traveling; experiencing such conflicting emotions at the same time was frustrating. Later, when I returned to my hotel, I welcomed the feeling of being alone, and relief soon washed over me.

Now I can appreciate loneliness and move through it to a place of gratitude

Yes, sometimes I'm enjoying the best meal in Addis Ababa when loneliness strolls in and sits next to me. I'll be minding my own business taking selfies in front of the Big Buddha at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur when it sneaks up on me again.

But I've learned to appreciate loneliness. To thank it for joining me. After all, I've been on my fair share of girls' trips filled with drunken laughter. I've cuddled with a boyfriend after a romantic day trip out of the city. These have all been valuable experiences. However, it has been the trips with myself that have left me with the most appreciation for the life I enjoy as a Black woman with expendable income and control over my own schedule.

Traveling with myself has reframed how I relate to loneliness. I now count it as one of the many privileges I enjoy that previous generations of women couldn't. For this, I will forever be grateful.

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Former President Barack Obama, left, and former first lady Michelle Obama cast their ballots at an early voting venue, Oct. 17, 2022, in Chicago. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)

Former President Barack Obama is about to hit the campaign trail ahead of the Nov. 8 election, but he came home Monday with the former first lady to vote.

The two came to Chicago to vote in the city where Michelle Obama was born and raised and where the former president began his political career, first working as a community organizer before he was elected as a state senator, a U.S. senator and ultimately, president.

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They arrived at the Chicago Board of Elections Supersite in downtown Chicago shortly after 12:30 p.m. They chatted with poll workers, shook hands, voted and then left.

The former president said he missed the old punch-style ballots, joking that they were a way to get out some aggression, some frustrations.

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The former president is scheduled to be in Atlanta on Oct. 28 to campaign on behalf of Stacey Abrams, the Democrat running for governor of Georgia against Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.

After that, he plans to campaign in Michigan and Wisconsin on behalf of Democrats running for governor, senator and down the ballot.
The Dennis family, Jennen family, and Brandt family are among the families of transgender youth who have challenged Arkansas ban on gender-affirming care for young people. The trial begins Oct. 17. Credit - Rana Young/ACLU

When Mo Banks heard that the Arkansas legislature had banned gender-affirming care for transgender youth, it felt like their body went into shock.

Banks then-13-year-old daughter Zara is trans and had benefited from such medical care, Banks says. After Zara began gender-affirming care, her mental health improved, her parents say, and she became more happy, confident, and social. So when the state legislature voted to ban gender-affirming care for minors in April 2021, I went into, what are we going to do to survive this mode, says Banks, who is non-binary.

The legality of that law is now the subject of a two-week federal trial beginning Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. While laws limiting the rights of trans youth have proliferated around the country in recent years, this will be the first trial on the merits to challenge such a law passed in the last six years. The closely watched casein which both sides argue they are acting in the best interest of childrenhas already received input from major medical organizations, LGBTQ advocacy groups, and the Biden Administration, and could determine the trajectory of challenges to similar policies going forward.

More from TIME

Four families of trans youth and two doctors have sued the state, arguing the ban violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment by discriminating on the basis of gender identity, violates the First Amendment by limiting the speech of medical providers, and undermines parents fundamental rights to make medical decisions for their children. They are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), The ACLU of Arkansas, and the law firms Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Gill Ragon Owen, and the Walas Law Firm.

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Arkansas maintains that the law, Act 626, is legal because the state has a unique responsibility to protect children from medical treatment that lawmakers believe is unsafeeven if the childs parents and doctors disagree. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Academic Pediatric Association, the American Medical Association, the American Pediatric Society, and other medical organizations oppose Arkansas position, and have filed a brief in the case stating that not only is gender-affirming care safe and supported by scientific evidence, but denying it to young people who need it could put them at risk of significant harm to their mental health.

In July 2021, the district court issued a preliminary injunction preventing the law from going into effect as litigation played out, and an appeals court affirmed that injunction in August 2022. Mondays trial will now determine whether the law can go into effect.

Arkansass Act 626 was the first gender-affirming care ban in the country. But in the year and a half since it was enacted, similar policies have been introduced in at least 22 state legislatures. In February, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott directed the states Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate any parent who provides their trans child with gender-affirming care. In April, Alabama made providing gender-affirming care to minors a felony punishable up to 10 years in prison. In August, Florida banned Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care for patients of any age. These policies are part of a broader restriction of LGBTQ rights in state legislaturesaccording to a NBC News analysis, between January and March of 2022, lawmakers introduced roughly 240 anti-LGBTQ rights bills, about half of which specifically target trans people.

Read More: As Texas Targets Trans Youth, a Family Leaves in Search of a Better Future

The Arkansas trial will not only determine whether trans and gender non-conforming youth in the statearound 1,800 teens, per estimates by the Williams Insitute at ULCAs School of Lawcan access gender-affirming medical care. The outcome may also have an important impact on other cases challenging similar policies across the country, says Katie Eyer, a professor of law at Rutgers Law School. Those who defend laws restricting gender-affirming care often argue they do not discriminate on the basis of transgender status or sex. If the Arkansas court finds otherwise, Eyer says, it could weaken that defense elsewhere in the country.

For the Banks family, waiting for the legal battle to play out has been excruciating. Even though the law has been blocked for over a year, Jasmine Banks, Zaras mom, feels the legislatures actions have already sent her family a message: They dont want parents to be able to make informed, medically safe decisions for their kids.

What is gender-affirming care?

Gender-affirming care is a model of care that can include a range of social, psychological, behavioral, or medical interventions meant to support and affirm a persons gender identity, according to the World Health Organization. The treatment can help support youth experiencing gender dysphoria, which the Mayo Clinic defines as a feeling of discomfort or distress that might occur when someones gender identity is inconsistent with the sex they were assigned at birth.

What such treatment looks like can vary and is often patient-specific. In young children, gender dysphoria can be treated with non-medical social and behavioral interventions, which might include changing a childs name, pronouns, or clothing. Once puberty has begun, a young person experiencing gender dysphoria may also begin receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analoguesoften known as puberty blockersto pause the continued development of a puberty that is incongruent with their gender identity. When they get older, some adolescents may begin taking gender-affirming hormones. Minors rarely undergo surgical intervention, but some might decide to pursue top surgerysurgery to change the appearance of the chestwhile they are still teenagers.

Arkansas Act 626, titled the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, bans doctors from providing gender transition procedures to anyone under age 18, including the prescription of puberty blockers, gender-affirming hormones, or surgical interventions. Similar medical intervention is not banned for other pediatric conditions, like the use of puberty blockers to treat central precocious puberty, which causes children to enter the developmental stage too early. The law also bans physicians or other healthcare professionals from referring minors to receive gender-affirming medical care elsewhere. The law says Arkansas has a compelling government interest in protecting the health and safety of its citizens, especially vulnerable children, and argues there isnt strong enough evidence that gender-affirming cares benefits outweigh its risks.

In a statement to TIME, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said that she is wholeheartedly defending the law, and noted that it does not prevent trans youth from receiving mental health counseling. Instead, Rutledge argues, the law is meant to protect children from making life-altering, permanent decisions that they may desire to make as an underage child but could regret as an adult.

Major medical organizations disagree that such care is either experimental or unsafe, and stress that it is provided to young people in consultation with a young persons parents and doctors. Instead, they warn that denying trans and gender expansive youth access to gender-affirming care could be dangerous for a group already at risk for higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation. In their brief at the appellate level, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and other organizations argue that empirical evidence indicates that gender-affirming care, including gender-affirming medical interventions, can alleviate clinically significant distress and lead to significant improvements in the mental health and overall well-being of adolescents with gender dysphoria. Among several studies, the brief cites a 2019 study published in the Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology of 47 trans youth that found beginning gender-affirming hormones decreased suicidality by a statistically significant amount.

Read More: The Pain and Pride of a Generation Changing How America Sees Gender

In their lawsuit, the ACLU argues that Act 626 violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by singling out trans youth who are seeking the care for gender-affirming purposes, but allowing similar treatment to continue for their cisgender peers with different medical conditions. The suit also argues the law violates the First Amendment by prohibiting doctors from providing information to their patients and their patients families. Lastly, the suit claims that the law violates parents rights to determine the best medical care for their children in consultation with their childrens doctors. The Justice Department has filed a Statement of Interest in support of the plaintiffs, writing that Act 262 specifically and discriminatorily denies transgender minors, and only transgender minors, the ability to receive medically necessary care based solely on their sex assigned at birth.

The Banks family will be watching the trial closely. But they say that even if the policy is struck down, they no longer feel safe in their home state. They plan on moving out of Arkansas later this fall.

There hasnt been a day thats gone by since the bill was introduced that I havent thought about the safety of my kid, says Mo Banks. These are things no parent should have to deal with.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump's administration at a crucial time in the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 blocked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from adopting a federal mandate requiring face masks on airline flights and other forms of transit, a congressional report released on Monday said.

Marty Cetron, a senior CDC official, is cited in the report as saying the federal public health agency began working on the proposed order in July 2020 after its experts determined that there was scientific evidence to support requiring masks in public and commercial transportation.

The report was released by a Democratic-led House of Representatives subcommittee examining pandemic-related issues.

The proposed order would have required masks on public and commercial transportation modes and hubs like airports, airplanes, trains and ride-sharing vehicles, Cetron said.

By July 2020, major airlines, regional transit systems and some airports had taken action on their own to mandate masks to try to curb the spread of COVID-19. But the report stated that CDC had heard from the transit industry that it wanted the federal government to issue a mandate.

Cetron, who heads the CDC's division of global migration and quarantine, said the agency was told by Trump administration officials that a mask requirement on mass transportation "would not happen," according to the report. Cetron also told the panel that masking requirements "could have made a significant contribution" to saving U.S. lives from COVID-19 in 2020.

The report quoted Cetron as saying Alex Azar and Robert Redfield, who at the time headed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC respectively, both had expressed support for the proposed order.

With more than a million deaths, the United States leads the world in reported COVID-19 fatalities. Democrats have accused Trump of overseeing a disjointed response to the pandemic. Trump himself was hospitalized with COVID-19 later in 2020.

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Days after President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, the CDC issued a sweeping order requiring face masks on nearly all forms of public transportation.

Cetron, who remains at the CDC, and an agency spokesperson declined to comment on Monday.

Reuters reported in July 2020 that the Trump administration had held extensive talks about whether the CDC should issue an order requiring transportation masking. The Trump White House instead announced that it opposed any efforts by Congress to require masks in transit. Trump was seeking re-election at the time. Many U.S. conservatives opposed government mandates requiring masks during the pandemic.

Representative James Clyburn, who chairs the House committee, said the report shows that Trump's administration "engaged in an unprecedented campaign of political interference in the federal government's pandemic response, which undermined public health to benefit the former president's political goals."

The Biden administration's transportation mask mandates were challenged in court. A Florida-based federal judge in April declared the order unlawful and lifted it. The administration has appealed the ruling. A U.S. appeals court has tentatively set arguments in the case for January.

The House report also said Trump's administration rejected a CDC plan to extend a no-sail order for cruise ships through the winter of 2020-2021 and instead issued a conditional order requiring the cruise industry to complete incremental steps before resuming operations.

The report cited Redfield as saying then-Vice President Mike Pence made the decision not to extend the no-sail order following lobbying from the industry and its allies.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Will Dunham)
Former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Prosecutors said Steve Bannon made a "hollow gesture" with a late bid to cooperate with the House.

Bannon asked for a probation-only sentence and bemoaned "outdated" caselaw that limited his defense.

A Trump-appointed judge is set to sentence Bannon on Friday in Washington, DC, federal court.

Federal prosecutors on Monday recommended that longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon receive a six-month prison sentence for defying the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

In a 24-page court filing, federal prosecutors said Bannon should also pay a $200,000 fine for his "sustained, bad-faith contempt of Congress."

"The committee sought documents and testimony from the Defendant relevant to a matter of national importance: the circumstances that led to a violent attack on the Capitol and disruption of the peaceful transfer of power," prosecutors argued. "In response, the Defendant flouted the Committee's authority and ignored the subpoena's demands."

A jury convicted Bannon in July on a pair of contempt of Congress charges stemming from his refusual to sit for questioning or turn over records to the House January 6 committee. The conviction, coming after only a few hours of deliberation, handed the Justice Department a decisive victory in a high-profile, politically charged trial against the onetime White House chief strategist for former President Donald Trump.

The Justice Department pursued charges against Bannon following a referral from the House recommending a prosecution against the former Trump advisor. After that initial referral, the House went on to hold three other former Trump White House advisors  Mark Meadows, Dan Scavino, and Peter Navarro  in contempt.

But, of those three, the Justice Department only brought charges against Navarro, who is set to stand trial in November.

Bannon declined to testify in his own defense or call any witnesses. But he emerged from the federal courthouse in Washington, DC, after each day of his trial to rail against the House January 6 panel.

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"I only have one disappointment, and that is the gutless members of that show trial committee  the J6 committee  didn't have the guts to come down here and testify in open court," Bannon said outside court in July.

On the day of his guilty verdict, Bannon pledged to appeal, declaring that he had lost the "battle" but not the "war." His defense team is expected to formally challenge the criminal conviction to the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit following his sentencing on October 21.

In his own court filing Monday, Bannon said he should avoid prison time and instead receive a probation-only sentence. Bannon's lawyers also asked Nichols to stay the sentencing pending their appeal to the DC Circuit and argued that "outdated" caselaw limited their defense of the former Trump advisor at trial.

Ahead of the trial, Nichols handed down a series of rulings that left Bannon all but defenseless. Nichols, a Trump appointee, ruled that Bannon's lawyers could not argue that executive privilege excused his refusal to sit for questioning or turn over records to the House January 6 committee. The judge similarly prevented Bannon's defense team from arguing that his past role as former President Donald Trump's chief White House strategist justified his defiance.

In their sentencing recommendation, federal prosecutors noted that Bannon claimed that executive privilege "justified his actions" with the House January 6 committee, even though that privilege "did not apply to him and would not have exempted his total noncompliance even if it did." On the eve of trial, Bannon attempted an about-face and told the committee that Trump had waived executive privilege and freed him to cooperate with the panel's investigation.

"But this proved a hollow gesture; when he realized that his eleventh-hour stunt would not prevent his trial, the Defendant's cooperative spirit vanished," prosecutors said. "Despite the removal of the only purported barrier to his compliance, to this day the Defendant has not produced a single document to the Committee or appeared for testimony."

In their court filings Monday, prosecutors revealed that one of Bannon's defense lawyers, Evan Corcoran, contacted the House January 6 committee just days before trial to push the congressional panel to recommend that the Justice Department drop charges in exchange for Bannon's cooperation. The House committee's top investigator, Timothy Heaphy, took contemporaneous notes of the call and had a staff member join as a potential witness.

Later, while being interviewed by an FBI agent, Heaphy "described the overall 'vibe' of his conversation with Corcoran as defense counsel's attempt to solicit the Select Committee's assistance in their effort to delay Bannon's criminal trial and obtain a dismissal of the contempt of Congress charges pending against him," according to a summary of the October 7 interview.

The Justice Department's sentencing recommendation came just days after the House January 6 committee held its ninth  and likely final  public hearing to air the findings of its more than year-long investigation. The hearing featured an audio recording of Bannon predicting just days before the 2020 election that, "If Biden is winning, Trump is going to do some crazy shit."

"If Trump is losing by 10 or 11 at night, it's going to be even crazier  He's going to sit right there and say, 'They stole it. I'm directing the attorney general to shut down all ballot places in all 50 states,'" Bannon told associates on October 31, 2020.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a California Democrat, said the recording was evidence that Bannon had "advance knowledge" of Trump's intent to falsely declare victory on election night.

Later in the hearing, Rep. Liz Cheney, the Republican vice chairperson of the House January 6 committee, identified Bannon as among those who had "gone to enormous lengths to avoid testifying about their dealings with Donald Trump."

"Steve Bannon has been tried and convicted by a jury of his peers for contempt of Congress," she added. "He is scheduled to be sentenced for this crime later this month."

At the end of the hearing, the House January 6 committee voted unanimously to subpoena Trump to testify.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to sit for a deposition Wednesday in a federal defamation lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll, an author who says he raped her in the dressing room of a New York department store in the 1990s.

What are the latest developments?

Last week a federal judge in Manhattan rejected a request by Trumps lawyers to delay the deposition while a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., weighs whether the case should be thrown out in its entirety.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that Trump must answer questions under oath from Carrolls attorneys. Carroll herself was scheduled to be deposed by Trumps team on Friday.

In his ruling, Kaplan noted that Trump, 76, and Carroll, 78, and other witnesses already are of advanced age and that Trump should not be permitted to run the clock out on the suit.

Kaplan also denied Trumps request to substitute the United States government into the case as a defendant on the grounds that the alleged defamation occurred when he was president.

What are Carrolls allegations?

E. Jean Carroll arrives at court in New York in March 2020. (Seth Wenig, File/AP)

In a book excerpt published by New York magazine in 2019, Carroll wrote that Trump raped her in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan in the mid-1990s.

Carroll, a longtime advice columnist, said she ran into Trump at the store and he asked for advice on buying a gift for a girl.

They eventually ended up in the lingerie department, Carroll said, where Trump coerced her into a dressing room.

The moment the dressing-room door is closed, he lunges at me, pushes me against the wall, she wrote. He seizes both my arms and pushes me up against the wall a second time, and, as I become aware of how large he is, he holds me against the wall with his shoulder and jams his hand under my coatdress and pulls down my tights.

Trump has been accused by more than 20 women of sexual misconduct ranging from inappropriate touching to rape.

He denies the various allegations. In Carrolls case, Trump also told a reporter that he did not know Carroll, that shes not my type and that she concocted the rape claim to sell her book.

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Carroll then filed her defamation suit.

What other challenges is Trump facing?

Former President Donald Trump. (STAR MAX/IPx via AP)

The former president is currently facing legal battles in numerous criminal and civil proceedings  including the Justice Departments investigation into his handling of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, as well as a state prosecutors probe of efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia  in addition to the House select committees investigation into the violence of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

But according to Maggie Haberman, author of the recent book Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America, Trump is fixated on this case.

For whatever reason, he is very focused on this lawsuit, Haberman said on CNN on Thursday.

What is Trump saying ahead of the deposition?

Trump departs Trump Tower in New York on Aug. 10, two days after FBI agents searched his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. (David Dee Delgado/Reuters)

Following the judges recent ruling, Trump issued a lengthy statement calling the case a complete con job and the U.S. legal system a broken disgrace.

Trump also repeated his claims that he does not know Carroll and that she is not his type.

She completely made up a story that I met her at the doors of this crowded New York City Department Store and, within minutes, swooned her, he said in his statement. It is a Hoax and a lie, just like all the other Hoaxes that have been played on me for the past seven years. And, while I am not supposed to say it, I will. This woman is not my type!

E. Jean Carroll is not telling the truth, is a woman who I had nothing to do with, didnt know, and would have no interest in knowing her if I ever had the chance, Trump said, adding: Now all I have to do is go through years more of legal nonsense in order to clear my name of her and her lawyers phony attacks on me. This can only happen to Trump!

Roberta Kaplan, Carrolls attorney, said the statement obviously does not merit a response.

Whats next?

Carroll addresses reporters outside a courthouse in New York in March 2020. (Seth Wenig/AP)

The defamation lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial on Feb. 6. But Carroll is planning to file a sexual battery lawsuit against Trump after New York passed a law  the Adult Survivors Act  giving adult sexual assault victims a one-year window to file such civil suits even if the statutes of limitations have long expired.

In a court filing made public last month, Carrolls attorney said she plans to file her new case on Nov. 24, the start of the window under the new law. She also plans to ask the judge to have the two cases tried together.
Woman walks in front of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Records released Monday by the House Oversight Committee reveal how the Trump Organization charged the Secret Service well above the normal government rate to stay at company hotels while protecting former President Donald Trump and his family, multiple outlets have reported.

The records are at odds with claims made by Eric Trump, the former president's son and head of the company while his father was in office, who said the Trump Organization often provided the Secret Service with "at cost" or even free hotel rooms, per The Washington Post. Rather, the records indicate that in multiple instances, "the Trump Organization billed the Secret Service far higher amounts than the approved government rate  in one case charging agents $1,185 a night to stay at the Trump International Hotel in [Washington, D.C.]," the Post writes.

Such "exorbitant rates ... raise significant concerns about the former president's self-dealing and may have resulted in a taxpayer-funded windfall for former President Trump's struggling businesses," Oversight Committee Chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) wrote to Kimberly Cheatle, director of the Secret Service. "This raises concerns that the Trump Organization was profiting off the presidency," Maloney added in an interview with The New York Times.

In a statement, Eric Trump doubled down on claims that "[a]ny services rendered to the United States Secret Service or other government agencies at Trump owned properties, were at their request and were either provided at cost, heavily discounted or for free," adding that the Trump Organization would have been "substantially better off" serving "full-paying guests," but wanted to support the government.

Maloney noted in her letter to Cheatle that the committee is still awaiting more information, and has asked the Secret Service for additional documents on the matter, per The Wall Street Journal. The Oversight Committee obtained records from Trump's four-year presidency through September 2021, but lacks those concerning agency visits to Trump's private club at Mar-a-Lago, his resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, or any of his international properties, the Post adds.

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Former President Donald Trumps company charged the Secret Service excessive nightly hotel rates on dozens of trips, according to new documents released Monday by the House Oversight Committee.

The exorbitant rates charged to the Secret Service and agents frequent stays at Trump-owned properties raise significant concerns about the former Presidents self-dealing and may have resulted in a taxpayer-funded windfall for former President Trumps struggling businesses, the Oversight panel's chair, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), wrote in a nine-page letter to the Secret Service pressing for more information.

The Secret Service was charged in excess of the government-allowed rate when Eric Trump, the former presidents son and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, stayed in Washington, D.C. at the Trump-owned hotel with his wife Lara Trump, the House panel said. Citing new documents from the Secret Service, the Oversight Committee disclosed five stays at about three times the allowed rate.

When Donald Trump Jr. stayed at the Trump-owned hotel in Washington in 2017, the Secret Service was billed $1,185 a night, nearly six times the allowed per diem rate of $201 per night, according to the records released Monday. And when the then-president stayed at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, the Secret Service detail was charged nightly rates that were nearly double the per diem rate, the records showed.



The revelations come as Maloney seeks more answers from the Secret Service about taxpayer dollars spent at Trump Organization properties. She suggested in her letter that the records received by the committee were an incomplete snapshot of the agency's expenses.

Secret Service spokesperson Steve Kopek said in a statement the agency received Maloney's letter and "will respond directly to the committee with the requested information."

Her latest inquiry is part of a long-running Oversight Committee investigation into allegations Trump personally profited from the presidency and created potential conflicts of interest through the Trump Organizations businesses. Maloney gave the Secret Service until Oct. 31 to produce more information, including a full list of Secret Service stays at Trump Organization properties, the total amount paid by the agency for each stay and the nightly rate paid, among other documents.

The panel argued the records that it has unearthed contradicted previous claims by Eric Trump that federal employees traveling with Donald Trump  such as Secret Service agents  would stay for free or at cost. The Secret Service is given the authority to exceed government rates because of its protective missions, but its employees are required to document the request by filling out a variance request," many of which the House panel obtained during its inquiry.

The Trump Organization did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
By Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Donald Trump's recent comments that American Jews have offered insufficient praise of his policies toward Israel were "insulting" and "anti-Semitic", White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday.

"Donald Trump's comments were anti-Semitic, as you all know, and insulting both to Jews and our Israeli allies," Jean-Pierre told reporters.

A Trump spokesperson did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Trump on Sunday warned that American Jews need to get their act together before it is too late!

The suggestion of disloyalty, made on Trumps social media platform Truth Social, plays into the antisemitic trope that U.S. Jews have dual loyalties to the U.S. and to Israel, and it drew immediate condemnation.

No President has done more for Israel than I have, Trump wrote before adding that it was somewhat surprising that our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S.

Last week, President Joe Biden told CNN in an interview that "I believe I can beat Donald Trump again" if both men run for president in 2024.

(Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw and Jeff Mason; Editing by David Gregorio)
As she remains forceful throughout her fight against a rare form of cancer, Zaria Hunter stays in positive spirits and refuses to lose hope. This semester, she victoriously returned to Tennessee State University (TSU) to continue her studies.

Last spring, Hunter energetically commenced her sophomore year pursuing her studies in agriculture sciences with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine, ready to conclude another academic year successfully.

Photo by Aaron Grayson

However, when she began to experience severe headaches regularly, Hunters excitement was put on hold, and the course of her school year changed. In her mind, she didnt think her headaches were of serious worry and believed the pain would eventually pass with some medication.

At 19 years old, the last thing on her mind was turning 20 admitted to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, battling such an illness. Hunter was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer rapidly spreading throughout her body. In April 2021, it was identified as stage 4, and her family discovered that the disease had already affected many areas of her body.

Photo by Aaron Grayson In 2021, Zaria was hospitalized for five months after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

It was in my liver, brain, lungs, spine, and hip bone, Hunter shared, according to the news release sent to a Blavity.

The vehement fight for her life continued. While she was a resident for five months at St. Jude, Hunter lived through some challenging moments and went into a coma several times, one of which lasted four days.

Thats when things were getting rough, she expressed.

At one point, Hunter lost a significant amount of weight; standing at 5-foot-4 inches tall, she weighed only 85 pounds. She was frail and even lost the ability to walk, and she wasnt giving up. Zaria also underwent seven rounds of intravenous chemotherapy and surgery to have a port implanted in her chest.

While the Atlanta native was In Memphis for treatment, one of her longtime friends from high school, Chayne Alexander, heard about Hunter and prayed for her healing. Alexander is also a student at TSU and was eagerly awaiting her return.

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her family had reached out to her friends, and once I found out, I instantly started crying because Ive experienced this feeling before when I lost my granddad, so I was hurt to the core, Alexander said, the news release reports.

Many friends of Hunter were keeping the faith alive with supportive words and praying for her daily, shared Alexander. The Associate Dean For Academics in the College of Agriculture, Dr. De Etra Young, also had positive thoughts and prayers for the young student.

When Zaria was hospitalized, we communicated frequently, Dr. Young also noted that Hunters heart was set to return to TSU and was concerned about her schoolwork.

Her desire to return to school while fighting cancer is determination that I have never seen before, expressed Young. She inspires me. Her resilience speaks to the caliber of what type of student she is. To know that she is still fighting and staying uplifted, I look forward to the day she graduates, Young added. Once a tiger, always a tiger.

Hunters strength is admirable, and her dedication is incredible. Despite her struggle with this illness and how unwell she became, fellow students and professors, say that Hunter always smiled and remained optimistic throughout her journey.

After five months of being treated at St. Jude, Hunter was finally released and began her daily dosage of chemotherapy.

I never lost who I was when I was in the hospital, she shared. I kept high spirits and stayed positive.

Hunter returned to Nashville this semester and is now only combating a small ratio of cancer that remains in her lungs. Once a month, she visits St. Jude for a checkup and is now proudly back at TSU this semester pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian.

It feels great to be back, she cheerfully said. My determination to be better and to do better kept me going  I was praying for these better days, shared a smiling Hunter.

It got tricky for Hunter at times. She shared that balancing her social life and school while battling cancer wasnt an easy task, but she is up for the challenge.

God let me know that it was going to get rough in the beginning, but  I never gave up on myself, she noted.

Hunter is looking forward to being cancer free and achieving her degree, ultimately becoming a veterinarian. She is thankful and expressed her gratitude for her support system at TSU.

We are proud of you, Zaria Hunter, and will keep you in our prayers, sis. Your energy and spirit are immensely commendable.
A group of local Rotary Clubs and churches came together Monday to pack up and ship out a truck full of life-saving medical supplies to a country in need.

Its always a great thing when you can help someone, even when you cant see who youre helping, V.J. Lively said.

But what Lively does see is a need.

We in America take things so much for granted, Lively said. If you look at some of these places overseas there are people laying on the floor there are people laying in the dirt in some of these hospitals.

Its why for two decades, hes given his life to medical supplies network international.

Inside the Tulsa warehouse he manages, you can often finding loading hospital beds, wheelchairs, masks, IV holders, blankets, gowns and so much more into trailers, just like he was doing on Monday morning.

We are shipping a container to Malawi Africa, Lively said.

Mondays shipment is filled with lightly used donations courtesy of hospitals in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Texas, among others.

Those donations were all sought and collected by numerous local Rotary Clubs, as well as Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church and the Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery.

RELATED>>>Tulsa Day Center in need of mens clothing

You can see blankets have gone in there, solar lights even, said Cathy Webster, the Governor for District 6110 of Rotary International, overseeing Rotary Clubs in Northeast Oklahoma, Northwest Arkansas, Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas.

The connection to Malawi all came through the Rotary Club, after members of a local chapter met members of a Malawi chapter at an international conference.

Malawi has Rotary clubs, and so those Rotarians are going to be receiving the shipments there and making sure its going where it needs to go, Webster said.

The shipment is now on its way to New York, where it will set sail.

Hopefully in a bout three of four weeks it will end up in Malawi, Lively said.

There, it will take on a new life to give others life.

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My favorite part is knowing that somewhere in the world, Im saving somebodys life, he said.

If you would like to donate or get involved, you can learn more at Medical Supplies Internationals website, MSNI.org.
Republican state Rep. Tom Demmer, shown on left on Oct. 6, 2022, is challenging incumbent Democratic Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, shown on right on Oct. 13, 2022. (Brian Cassella and Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Democratic incumbent Michael Frerichs and Republican Tom Demmer are competing for an office that deals primarily in dollars and cents, but issues from abortion to the failed graduated-rate income tax amendment have also found a way into the campaign for Illinois treasurer.

Frerichs, 49, a former state senator from Champaign, has touted his accomplishments over two terms in office, which he said include returning more unclaimed property to residents, starting new investment programs and making significant changes to the states Bright Start college savings program.

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Demmer, 36, a state representative from Dixon, said hes trying to run with a focus on whats the states financial situation, what pressures do families have because of the taxes and the spending in Illinois.

Demmer has promised to serve as a check on Democratic-dominated state government while also emphasizing his experience as budget point person for House Republicans in Springfield.

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State Rep. Tom Demmer, Republican nominee for Illinois state treasurer, at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting at the Palmer House Hilton on Oct. 6, 2022. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

One of his main lines of attack on Frerichs is over remarks the treasurer made in 2020, when he said voter approval of a graduated income tax on the ballot that November could open the door to conversations about whether the wealthiest retirees should have some of their retirement income taxed.

The comment was seized upon by Republicans, even as Frerichs went on to repeatedly insist he opposed any state tax on retirement income.

Demmers website features a petition that reads Do you agree that we should protect, NOT tax, Illinois citizens retirement? Let Tom know you stand with him!

Frerichs said Demmer is using the retirement income tax argument simply to distract voters.

I do not support and will not support the retirement tax, Frerichs said. My opponent knows this. He continues to repeat this lie, and I think its because he is scared to talk about his extreme positions.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs presents an award during the National Forum for Black Public Administrators-Chicagos Marks of Excellence Awards ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago on Oct. 13, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a debate this month that he would not take another swing at implementing a graduated income tax in Illinois, which suffered a bruising defeat at the hands of voters in 2020.

But Demmer told the Tribune he is convinced the graduated income tax proposal will be back.

I dont believe that the graduated tax is dead in the water, he said. The spending trend of the last couple of years has shown that while voters rejected that graduated tax in 2020, Democrats continue to spend as if they approved it.

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Demmer was one of only two candidates on a Republican slate backed by billionaire Ken Griffin to survive the primary in June. Frerichs has tried to question Demmers appetite for the treasurers post.

He wanted to be secretary of state and hasnt bothered to really study this job, Frerichs said. He said he was running for secretary of state until Ken Griffin told him we have a candidate for secretary of state and then he announced for treasurer.

Demmer did not respond directly when asked about Frerichs claim that he wanted to run for secretary of state, instead pointing to his experience working on financial issues in Springfield.

The treasurers office is one where I see a real opportunity for somebody to speak up more about the condition of Illinois finances, about how tax-and-spend policies affect Illinois families, he said.

Frerichs also said Demmer has waffled on his support for Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey, depending on the audience. Bailey, branded by Pritzker as too extreme for Illinois, was endorsed by former President Donald Trump in the primary and handily defeated Griffins candidate, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin.

Demmer said he has not endorsed Bailey, nor has Bailey endorsed him. In an Aug. 9 news conference, Demmer said yes when asked whether Bailey would make a good governor, but said he disagreed with Baileys controversial comparison of abortion to deaths in the Holocaust.

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I dont think the Holocaust should be used as a comparison with anything, he said.

In an election year during which womens reproductive rights are front and center, Frerichs has worked to make abortion an issue in the race, even while acknowledging choice doesnt have much to do with the treasurers office.

Frerichs has argued that Demmer, who received a fully pro-life rating from Illinois Right to Life in June, has adapted his position depending on his audience.

If he says no, I support reasonable exceptions (for legal abortion), then I think the people of Illinois Right to Life would like to know that before they vote based on his survey, he said.

In response, Demmer said that Frerichs comments are consistent with his constant deception and deflection of responsibility.

Demmer accused Frerichs of trying to get attention by talking about abortion instead of the important fiscal issues facing Illinoisians to deflect from his dismal record of increasing taxes and spending.

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He continues to prove he is not the fiscal watchdog the people of Illinois need, Demmer said.

There is one issue on which both candidates agree. Demmer and Frerichs have each stated their support merging the treasurers office with the comptrollers office, which oversees the states checkbook.

Its a perennial election-year issue that would need to be executed in a constitutional amendment approved first by three-fifths majorities in both chambers of the legislature and then by voters. Such a referendum has never gone on the ballot, but both candidates said theyd support the idea.

Frerichs offered a technical take on how such a merger might unfold, noting that some responsibilities the treasurer and the comptroller currently split might need to be delegated.

You could take some of the incompatible duties and give them to the attorney general or the auditor general, or the secretary of state or to the governors office and then still find some economies of scale, still have a reduction in duplicate services and save the taxpayers money, he said.

Demmer has filed legislation in Springfield that would begin the process of putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot, and cast the issue as a common sense reform.

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The important part is that Illinois voters are given the chance to weigh in on this and do something that has for years been talked about as an opportunity for some streamlining and savings, but has always been stymied by some kind of backroom force under the Capitol dome, he said.

The treasurer also is the steward of the states 529 college savings program, Bright Start. Frerichs office switched the contract for supervising the funds under Bright Start from Oppenheimers OFI Private Investments to Union Bank and Trust in 2017 in an effort to reduce fees and offer more investment choices.

We took our program from one of the worst in the nation, a bronze rating, to literally tied for first, a gold grade, Frerichs said.

Demmer questioned that rosy picture of the college savings program, noting that his 5-year old daughters Bright Start account had seen double-digit losses along with the rest of the stock market.

He said he wasnt worried about his own childs savings account, but about older children who are closer to needing to put that money toward tuition.

Having a loss when you still have 13 years before you need the money, thats all part of the long-run investing, but thats a very different story from somebody who is losing double digits and theyre 17 years old, he said.

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Demmer added that the treasurer should be more proactive in communicating with families about their risk profiles and helping them come up with good investing strategies.

Frerichs accused Demmer of fearmongering over Bright Start and said his opponent doesnt understand the program.

We have structured for parents an option that will move them more out of equities and into bonds as they get closer to their childs graduation, he said.

If parents are following the age-adjusted investing guidelines, Frerichs said, their accounts will be much more stable when the stock market dips.

Demmer said hed work to implement a program passed in the federal 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that allows families to use 529 accounts to help pay for private elementary and secondary education.

Frerichs said hed put such a program into effect if the General Assembly implemented it for Illinois  while pointing out that, as a legislator, Demmer has more power over that than he does but has not acted on the issue.

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Rep. Demmer had no interest in filing legislation to make these changes while serving in the statehouse, he said.

Frerichs has reported having considerably more campaign cash than Demmer. He had more than $2 million in his campaign fund on July 1 and as of Friday had reported raising nearly $755,000 in additional contributions, state records show.

Demmer began the general election period on July 1 with more than $465,000 cash on hand in his campaign fund and as of Friday had reported receiving nearly $94,000 in additional large-dollar contributions, state records show.

Chicago Tribunes Dan Petrella contributed.

ckubzansky@chicagotribune.com
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Turkey and Greece on Monday exchanged more mutual recrimination over 92 migrants who were found stripped naked by Greek authorities at the two countries joint border, a day after the United Nations called for an investigation into the incident.

Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi on Saturday tweeted a photo of the naked migrants, some with bodily harm, accusing Turkey of pushing them into Greece and stripping them naked before doing so. The claim prompted Fahrettin Altun, the communications director of Turkeys president, to accuse Greece of engaging in  fake news.

On Monday, Turkeys foreign minister again rejected the allegation and accused Athens of shameless and reckless behavior. He also took aim at European Union nations, accusing them of encouraging EU-member Greece to slander Turkey.

The Greek governments spokesman, Giannis Oikonomou, meanwhile, charged that Turkey was continuing to openly instrumentalize migrants and even with unprecedented and unthinkable practices of barbarism.

The exchange of accusations comes at a time when tensions between the two neighbors is running high, with the two engaging in mutual accusations of airspace violations and Turkey accusing Greece of militarizing islands in the Aegean Sea in violation of international treaties and threatening possible military action.

To be able to appear right even when you are in the wrong like Greece - you need to be shameless and reckless. Its only Greece that can achieve this, Cavusoglu said at a news conference at the end of meeting in Istanbul of the foreign ministers of Turkic states.

It is natural that Greece ... attempts to slander Turkey as its crimes increases, Cavusoglu said. Unfortunately, there are European Union member countries who want to believe this, who want to accept everything that Greece says as true ... This is what encourages Greece.

Greek police said Saturday that police officers found the migrants stark naked on Friday, some with bodily injuries. They had entered the country using plastic boats to cross the Evros River  known as Meric in Turkey  which forms a border between the two countries.

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This inhuman behavior is a disgrace to civilization, and the Turkish leadership, instead of blaming others for what is happening on its territory, should investigate the incident, punish those directly involved and honor its obligations under its Joint Declaration with the EU, the Greek government spokesman said in reference to a 2016 deal to stem the arrival of refugees.

Turkey regularly accuses Greece of violently pushing back migrants entering the country by land and sea. Turkeys coast guard frequently shares videos of such pushbacks.

Greece accuses Turkey, which hosts the largest number of refugees in the world, of pushing forward migrants to put pressure on the EU.

The U.N. refugee agency said it was deeply distressed by the shocking reports, condemning the degrading treatment and calling for an investigation.

___

Derek Gatopoulos contributed to this report from Athens, Greece.

___

Follow APs coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
The Real Housewives franchise is used to new faces  even on the same person  but never has an entire cast been replaced. Until now.

At BravoCon, the legally-sanctioned fight club for gays and divorcees, overlord Andy Cohen brought out the new ladies jogging through Manhattan's elite circles for season 14 of The Real Housewives of New York.

Cohen had previously warned that this was happening back in March when he disclosed that the Housewives of New York would be completely booted and rebooted.

"I think this represents a tremendous opportunity for a rebirth of the show," Cohen said in a Variety profile. "What we're looking for is everything that makes a great Housewife: fun, opinionated, successful, aspirational women who represent a side of New York that we want to see more of."

RHONY season 19 cast

Bravo Real Housewives of New York season 19 cast

And true to his words, the newest holders of the sacred apples made their debut, to the surprise and possible confusion of fans, on stage at a special BravoCon taping of Watch What Happens Live.

There was nary a recognizable face in the bunch, save for ex-J. Crew "It"President Jenna Lyons. who is no stranger to reality TV. The professional stylemaker had her own show on HBO Max for one season, Stylish with Jenna Lyons, but the rest of the cast will be completely unknown to most of America.

So toss back those dirty martinis and let's meet the gals:

Sai De Silva is an Afro-Latina, born and raised in New York. She is the creative director of Scout the City, which originated as a passion project blog and quickly evolved into an online lifestyle destination. Scout the City chronicles Sai's adventures of chic parenting from her home in Brooklyn [Note: Justice for Alex McCord] where she resides with husband David Craig and their two children, London and Rio.

Ubah Hassan is a Somalian model and philanthropist who moved to New York and made it her home. At a young age, Ubah fled to Kenya with her dad and brother, but later moved to Canada where she was spotted by a photographer and was subsequently signed by a modeling agency. Ubah is also an entrepreneur and the founder of UBAHHOT, a hot sauce company she built from scratch.

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Erin Dana Lichy is a funny, confident and candid New Yorker, raised in Manhattan as one of five children in a close-knit Israeli family. A born go-getter, Erin became a real estate agent at 19 and owns her own home renovation and design firm, Homegirl. Erin's husband is an attorney and owner of Lichy Law. The couple share three children together and live in Tribeca. Erin is super sociable, loves being around others and is always up for a good time.

Jenna Lyons is former President and Executive Creative Director of J.Crew Group, where she was widely recognized as the creative force behind the American retail chain's phenomenal rise from floundering catalogue chain to one of the most coveted fashion brands in the US. Jenna is now Co-Founder and CEO of direct-to-consumer beauty brand, LoveSeen, and resides in New York City with her son Beckett.

Lizzy Savetsky is a digital influencer, activist, mom of three and wife to plastic surgeon Dr. Ira Savetsky. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Savetsky moved to New York for college and, after a brief stint back in her home state, returned to the Big Apple. Lizzy uses her platform to express her style, educate others on her deep-rooted beliefs and hosts Instagram show "Bashert," where she is setting out to help Jewish singles find love.

Jessel Taank is an outgoing and unreserved fashion publicist and brand consultant, known for thinking outside the box. Jessel, who is of British-Indian descent, met her husband, financier Pavit Randhawa, after they were introduced by a friend at a bar. Romance didn't spark immediately and they remained close friends for years before they began to date. The two married in Mexico in 2014 and have twin boys.

Brynn Whitfield is a brand marketing and communications professional. A cheeky "trophy wife in training," Brynn has a penchant for interior design, fashion and hosting dinner parties from her (small but mighty) West Village apartment. Originally from a small town in the Midwest, Brynn was raised by her grandmother who taught her invaluable lessons about navigating life, owning her narrative as a bi-racial woman and the true meaning of hard work.

Notably, this cast is far more diverse than previous RHONY casts, as was made painfully obvious in season 13 when Ebony K. Williams joined as the first Black Housewife of New York and several veterans proceeded to routinely stick their Manolos in their mouths when it came to matters of race.

As for those vets, Cohen also promised a spin-off series with OG Housewives, but the closest thing announced so far is Luann and Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake, a Simple Life-like reality show with cabaret ... star(?) Luann De Lesseps and dilapidated townhouse habitue Sonja Morgan.

Premiering on Bravo in 2023, the show follows Luann and Sonja as they pack up their Vuitton trunks and head to the small town of Benton, Ill. to help "spruce up" the place. "Hijinks and hilarity" have been said to follow.

The new season of The Real Housewives of New York will premiere on Bravo in 2023. Till then, we'll always have Scary Island.

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.

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Asian Doll (also known as Asian Da Brat) took the stage at Livingstone College for their homecoming concert on Saturday, and during her performance, a fight broke out. A man, who isnt a student of the HBCU, pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking one man and another woman.

YIKES! Two students were shot at #LivingstoneCollege this weekend during Asian Doll's homecoming performance and multiple were injured.



Authorities believe the shooter does not attend the college. Thoughts?#411WithNellaD #411Uncut pic.twitter.com/vMnHmqz3Qs  411 Uncut (@411Uncut_) October 17, 2022

The police arrived at the Salisbury campus around 11 p.m. and found the two wounded victims and several others who were hurt trying to flee the drama.

In a statement, officials affirmed that a male victim suffering a gunshot injury was flown to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte. He is said to be in stable condition. The female victim was treated for a graze wound at a local hospital nearby, and she was released shortly after treatment, the City of Salisbury reports.

Following the occurrence, the President of Livingstone College, Dr. Anthony Davis, released a statement via Instagram, saying the school is cooperating with local authorities throughout their investigation. He asserted that the schools priority is to ensure the safety of their students and will evaluate measures to establish a safe environment for everyone.

He also stated that the school would assess students mental health after the gun violence.

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I am saddened because our students, alumni, family and friends were exposed to this senseless act of violence, Davis said.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Livingstone College (@livingstonecollege)

Livingstone College is a private historically Black school in Salisbury, North Carolina, approximately 35 miles northeast of Charlotte.

As of now, authorities have not made any arrests.

So far, officials say no arrests have been made >>> https://t.co/OFctrtoPUq  Spectrum News 1 Triad (@SpecNews1Triad) October 17, 2022

According to the Hollywood Reporter, at Clark Atlanta Universitys homecoming, four people, including three students, were injured early. This took place as a DJ performed outside a campus library.
A Marine veteran-turned-police officer and a Navy veteran just weeks away from her wedding were among the victims of a deadly mass shooting last week in Raleigh, North Carolina.

A 15-year-old gunman killed five people and injured several others on the night of Oct. 13 in the northeastern Raleigh neighborhood of Hedingham.

Officer Gabriel Jesus Torres, 29, was off duty and on his way to work when he was killed in the attack. He was reportedly with the department for 18 months and leaves behind a wife and a 2-year-old daughter.

According to his service record, provided to Military Times, Torres served in the Marine Corps from Nov. 2016 to Feb. 2021, reaching the rank of sergeant and working as an electrician in Combat Logistic Battalion 24, 2nd Marine Logistics Group out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Torres was awarded 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 record showed.

A GoFundMe page for his family has raised over $88,000 as of Monday afternoon.

A memorial has been established at 218 West Cabarrus Street to honor the life and service of Officer Torres. Those who wish to provide support to Officer Torres family and the entire RPD family should contact us at SupportRPD@raleighnc.gov. #RPDStrong #SupportRPD  Raleigh Police (@raleighpolice) October 15, 2022

Mary Marshall, a 34-year-old Navy veteran, was also killed in the attack while out walking her dog. Marshall joined the sea service in Aug. 2008 and separated in July 2011 after working as an aviation structural mechanic with Strike Fighter Squadron 192, according to her service record.

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Marshall was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, a Navy E Ribbon, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Medal, her record showed.

She also spent time stationed in Japan, her sister told NBC News, adding that following her service, Marshall earned a degree in pastry arts and worked for a small chiropractic office in Raleigh.

The navy veteran was going to be married later this month, according to her fiance Rob Steele, who started a GoFundMe page to help with funeral and memorial costs. As of Monday afternoon, it has raised over $16,000. Another GoFundMe started by her sister has raised nearly $10,000.

We mourn and share the loss of not only our officer, but all the victims of this senseless gun crime, Raleigh police chief Estella D. Patterson said in a press conference the morning after the shooting.

The other victims killed in the attack include Nicole Connors, 52, Susan Karnatz, 49, and 16-year-old James Thompson, the News and Observer reported. Also injured were police officer Casey Joseph Clark, who has since been released from a local hospital, and Marcille Gardner, who remains in stable condition as of Saturday.

All of us in Raleigh need to come together, Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said during the press conference. We need to support those in our community who have suffered a terrible loss.

The gunman, who has not yet been publicly identified, is expected to be tried as an adult.
KYIV (Reuters) - The U.S. embassy in Kyiv condemned Russian attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Monday and said the United States stood with the Ukrainian people.

"More desperate and reprehensible Russian attacks this morning against civilians and civilian infrastructure. We admire the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people. We will stand with you for as long as it takes," the embassy wrote on Twitter.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic and Republican members of the U.S. Congress announced legislation on Monday intended to help Haiti address a worsening humanitarian and security crisis by punishing members of political elites found to be colluding with criminal gangs.

The Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2022, introduced in both the Senate and House of Representatives, would require the U.S. State Department to investigate the relationship between gangs and elites, and provide reports in Congress.

It would impose sanctions for human rights violations and visa restrictions on both Haitian gang leaders and those who support their activities.

"It is time for both Haiti's gangs and their financers and political backers to face more consequences for threatening Haiti's future and broader hemispheric stability," Senator Bob Menendez, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.

The blockade of a major fuel terminal by gangs protesting a plan to cut fuel subsidies has prevented the distribution of diesel and gasoline in Haiti, halting transport and cutting off the capital from the food-producing south.

As a result, some Haitians are experiencing catastrophic hunger, while the gangs are using sexual violence to instill fear, a U.N. report found last week.

On Saturday, U.S. and Canadian military aircraft delivered tactical and armored vehicles and other supplies to Haitian police to help them combat the gangs.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
By Brian Ellsworth

(Reuters) - The United States and Mexico said on Monday they will seek support from the United Nations for a security mission to restore order in Haiti amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, but did not identify who would lead the mission.

Haiti is facing dire shortages of basic goods and a paralysis of economic activity due to the blockade of a fuel terminal by gangs, which has halted transport and left many without food or clean drinking water amid an outbreak of cholera.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier this month suggested sending in a "rapid-action force," according to a letter seen by Reuters.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. representative to the United Nations, said during a Security Council meeting on Monday that the resolution would propose a "carefully scoped non-U.N. mission led by a partner country with the deep and necessary experience required for such an effort to be effective."

The Security Council is separately considering a sanctions regime to impose an asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo on anyone who threatens the peace in Haiti, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters on Thursday.

U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill on Monday to investigate and punish any political elites colluding with the gangs.

But the administration of President Joe Biden has appeared skeptical of sending troops to Haiti, which has a long history of U.S. military intervention.

Representatives of Russia and China responded to the proposal with skepticism, noting that some Haitian leaders have openly opposed the idea of a foreign intervention and questioned the effectiveness of such a force.

"Will sending such a rapid action force to Haiti receive the understanding, support and cooperation of the parties in Haiti?" asked the representative from China. "Or will it face resistance or even trigger violent confrontation from the population?"

A U.N. peacekeeping mission known as MINUSTAH, which operated in Haiti between 2004 and 2017, faced harsh criticism over problems including its role in a 2010 cholera outbreak.

(Reporting by Brian Ellsworth in Miami, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
(Reuters) -The United Arab Emirates on Monday summoned the acting head of the mission at the EU delegation to the UAE, asking for explanation of what it said were racist comments made by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell last week.

The UAE foreign ministry said the remarks were "inappropriate and discriminatory" and "contribute to a worsening climate of intolerance and discrimination worldwide" UAE state news agency (WAM) reported.

In his remarks at the new European Diplomatic Academy in Bruges, Belgium, which have been widely circulated online since he made them last week, Borrell called Europe "a garden" and most of the world a "jungle" that "could invade the garden."

"The gardeners should take care of the garden, but they will not protect the garden by building walls. A nice small garden surrounded by high walls in order to prevent the jungle coming in is not going to be a solution. Because the jungle has a strong growth capacity, and the wall will never be high enough," said Borrell, a Spanish politician.

"The gardeners have to go to the jungle. Europeans have to be much more engaged with the rest of the world. Otherwise, the rest of the world will invade us," he said.

At a press conference on Monday, Borrell denied that his message was racist or colonialist, news agency EFE reported. The comments were intended to reject the idea of 'fortress Europe' and to encourage students to engage with the world, he said.

(Reporting by Nayera Abdallah and Andrew Mills; Editing by Chris Reese and Rosalba O'Brien)
NEW YORK (AP)  Food delivery app Uber Eats and Leafly have joined forces with local suppliers to offer cannabis delivery in Toronto starting Monday.

The companies say it's the first time cannabis delivery will be offered on a major third-party delivery platform.

Customers 19 years and older can place the order through the Uber Eats app, where it will be directed to one of three local cannabis retailers: Hidden Leaf, Minerva or Shivaa's Rose. The delivery will be made by a government-certified employee who will verify the age and sobriety of the customer upon arrival.

In addition to keeping impaired drivers off the roads, Leafly and Uber Eats say the new delivery service will help combat the illegal underground market, which they say makes up more than 50% of nonmedical cannabis sales in Ontario.

Leafly, based in Seattle, is an online cannabis marketplace and information resource.

Uber Eats is part of San Francisco-based ride-hailing company Uber and has partnerships with 825,000 restaurants and merchants in more than 11,000 cities around the world.
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian grain exports in the first 17 days of October were just 2.4% lower than in the same period of 2021 despite the closure of several seaports and the Russian invasion, agriculture ministry data showed on Monday.

The country's grain exports have slumped since February as the war closed off Ukraine's Black Sea ports, driving up global food prices and prompting fears of shortages in Africa and the Middle East.

Three Black Sea ports were unblocked at the end of July under a deal between Moscow and Kyiv, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.

The ministry's data showed that Ukraine has exported 2.12 million tonnes of grain, mostly corn and wheat, so far in October, versus 2.17 million tonnes in the same period of October, 2021.

The data also showed that Ukraine has exported a total of 10.8 million tonnes of grain so far in the 2022/23 July-June season compared with 16.5 million in the same period of 2021/22.

This season's volume includes 3.99 million tonnes of wheat, 5.88 million tonnes of corn and 896,000 tonnes of barley.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
For the first time a staged version of the St. Charles History Museums annual Grave Reminders cemetery walk will be presented in partnership with Steel Beam Theatre. Historical figures will come to life on stage Oct. 22-23 at Steel Beam in downtown St. Charles, making the program accessible to those who would have difficulty walking the cemetery grounds. (St. Charles History Museum)

Maybe you like the spirits but not the spooky setting.

Or perhaps you simply missed last weekends walk at North Cemetery in St. Charles but still want to learn more about the areas early settlers.

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History buffs will get their chance to learn more about the figures that helped shape the city when the St. Charles History Museum and Steel Beam Theatre present Grave Reminders at 2 p.m. Oct. 22 and at 6 p.m. Oct. 23.

(It) is a staged, abridged version of the cemetery walk, said Lindsay Judd, executive director of the museum. That way people in wheelchairs or people who have a hard time walking through a cemetery can still learn about the characters and the figures.

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Judd said the seated version of the cemetery walk stemmed from the museums partnership with Steel Beam.

We just thought it would be a fun way to kind of change the program up while reaching more people, she said.

After the museum held a few previous walks at night, some participants indicated they had a difficult time navigating the grounds in the dark, Judd said.

Some people had some hard time walking through the cemetery at night, she said.

By presenting a staged version, it gives people more options and opportunity to attend.

The people that cant really traverse the cemetery can go to the Steel Beam, Judd said.

Located in downtown St. Charles, the second floor theater has a lift for accessibility.

Tickets for the staged Grave Reminders are $10 and can be purchased through the Steel Beam website.

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Those proceeds go back to the museum, Judd said.

Those attending the staged version will get to meet prominent and influential St. Charles residents like farmer and philanthropist Col. Edward J. Baker.

(He) built obviously the Hotel Baker, Baker Memorial Church and many, many other buildings throughout town, Judd said.

Baker is one of the historical figures that did not make an appearance at last weeks walk in North Cemetery.

He is actually buried at Union Cemetery across the street, Judd said. This way with the staged version were able to resurrect Col. Baker out of Union Cemetery and bring him over to Steel Beam Theatre. Were excited to see him come to life.

Among the other historical figures audience members will get to meet are newspaperman S.S. Jones. For 10 years Jones owned and operated the Kane County Democrat. He later started the Relgio-Philosophical Journal with a group of spiritualists in 1865 at the publishing company he started in Chicago. Twelve years later, he would be murdered in his Chicago office.

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The cemetery walks tend to draw history fans and help to create new ones by inspiring the younger generations, Judd said.

I also think living history of any kind, when people dress up as characters and interpret the history, I really have found that it resonates with people and it sparks interest, she said.

They also draw people who enjoy the local stories.

A lot of people of St. Charles as a whole have been here for several generations and through oral histories and storytelling they remember or have heard first hand accounts of some of these characters, Judd said. So that kind of brings it home.

Grave Reminders

When: Oct. 22-23

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Where: Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., 2nd Floor, St. Charles

Tickets: $10

Information: 630-587-8521; steelbeamtheatre.com

Kathy Cichon is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
Denys Monastyrsky

We are asking countries to provide assistance for us to safeguard ourselves against drones, he said.

According to him, the negotiations are already underway, making sure that the assistance is provided not only to Kyiv, but to all cities that are under attack by Iranian-made drones Russia uses in war against Ukraine.

Monastyrsky also urged firearm owners not to try to shoot down kamikaze drones on their own.

On Oct. 17, Russia attacked Kyiv with kamikaze drones. After a first attack, a fire broke out in a non-residential building, and several residential buildings were damaged.

After 8:00 a.m., the citys Shevchenkivsky district was rocked by new strikes. Kamikaze drones hit a residential building causing an explosion. At least three people were killed and four more were injured in the attack.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
VALENTYNA ROMANENKO  MONDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2022, 10:23

Ukrainian air defence units destroyed 11 Shahed-136 kamikaze drones on the morning of 17 October.

Source: press service of Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Quote: "In the area of responsibility of Air Command Tsentr [Centre], which covers the northern and central regions of the country, anti-aircraft missile units and fighter aircraft destroyed nine Shahed-136 kamikaze drones.

There is also data on the efficient work of the Ground Forces' air defence [systems] on this front; at least two Shaheds were destroyed.

Details: The Air Force explains that all kamikaze drone attacks, particularly in Kyiv, were carried out from the south.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday said Russian forces had launched a new wave of drone attacks, adding that some of the unmanned aerial vehicles had been shot down.

Zelenskiy, who spoke in a video address, did not say where the attacks had taken place.

Russia fired dozens of drones at a number of cities during morning rush hour on Monday, killing at least four people in a Kyiv apartment building.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Mark Porter)
UKRAINSKA PRAVDA  MONDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2022, 00:20

Ukrainian air defence units have destroyed 11 Shahed-136 kamikaze drones in the south of the country, including 9 within an hour.

Source: Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Quote: "Another attack by Shahed-136 kamikaze drones in the south of Ukraine... The Air Force servicemen destroyed nine Shahed-136 kamikaze drones within an hour, from 21:30 to 22:30 on 16 October."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
In total, the Armed Forces destroyed 11 Iranian drones in one day

Read also: Ukrainian soldiers tell how they deal with Iranian kamikaze drones used by Russia

The drones were shot down over the space of an hour, from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m., Air Force Command clarified.

In late August, international media outlets, citing representatives of Western intelligence, began reporting that Russia had received hundreds of combat drones from Iran. This information was also confirmed by the White House.

According to CNN, Russia received three types of Iranian drones: Mohajer-6, Shahed-129, and Shahed-191.

According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Russian troops have about 300 of these Iranian-made drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that Moscow had ordered a total of 2,400 drones from Tehran. Iran has denied supplying drones to Russia, despite their denial being false - with the first evidence of Iranian drone usage by Russia emerging in mid-September.

Russia employs these drones not only against military targets, but also against Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure, endangering civilians.

Read also: Israel providing Ukraine with intelligence about Iranian drones  media

According to Oleksiy Danilov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, the Ukrainian military is intercepting 85% of the Shahed suicide drones sent against Ukraine.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
ROMAN PETRENKO  MONDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2022, 11:02

Ukrainian authorities are working through diplomatic channels with neighbouring countries to stop all existing logistical corridors for Iran, Davyd Arakhamiia, the head of the Sluha Narodu [Servant of the People] faction, has said.

Source: Arakhamiia on Telegram

Quote from Arakhamiia: "Thanks to kamikaze drones, Russia managed to: show the terrorist essence of its state; remind the whole world who we are dealing with; give us additional arguments for speeding up the supply of weapons.

All this only accelerates their defeat.

They never understood that wars cannot be won by terror. They only bring problems upon themselves.

As for Iran, we are already working through diplomatic channels with neighbouring countries to stop all existing logistical corridors [between Iran and Russia]."

For reference: Iran supplies Russia with kamikaze drones; according to recent media reports, the Iranian government may transfer ballistic missiles to Russia as well.

Background: Explosions rang out in Kyiv on the morning of 17 October, as the Russians attacked the city and Oblast with kamikaze drones.

The Russians hit a residential building in the Shevchenkivksiy district of Kyiv.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
IRYNA BALACHUK  MONDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2022, 17:16

Iran bears direct responsibility for the murders of Ukrainians killed in attacks on Ukrainian cities with Iranian-made kamikaze drones.

Source: Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the Head of the Office of the President, on Twitter

Quote from Podoliak: "Iran is responsible for the murders of Ukrainians. A country that oppresses its own people is now giving Russian monsters weapons for mass murders in the heart of Europe. That is what unfinished business and concessions to totalitarianism mean. A case where sanctions are not enough..."

Iran is responsible for the murders of Ukrainians. Country that oppresses its own people is now giving ru-monsters weapons for mass murders in the heart of Europe. That is what unfinished business and concessions to totalitarianism mean. The case when sanctions are not enough...  (@Podolyak_M) October 17, 2022

Background:

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(Reuters) - The United Nations on Monday backed an immediate end to hostilities in Ethiopia's Tigray region and a return to peace talks, calling for all sides to protect civilians and adhere to international law as fighting continued.

"The situation in Ethiopia is spiraling out of control. Violence and destruction have reached alarming levels," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters at the United Nations one day after the African Union urged an immediate ceasefire.

"Hostilities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia must end now," he said, adding: "There is no military solution."

Guterres said the UN was ready to support the African Union in every possible way to end the "nightmare" for the Ethiopian people, noting that "civilians are paying a horrific price" amid indiscriminate attacks and reported attacks, including sexual violence.

"All parties must adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law," he told reporters.

On Sunday, the African Union in a statement called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and the resumption of humanitarian services. On Monday, fighting continued as sources said Ethiopian government forces had captured one of the biggest cities in the northern region of Tigray.

"The United Nations is ready to support the African Union in every possible way to end this nightmare for the Ethiopian people. We need the urgent resumption of talks towards an effective, lasting, political settlement," Guterres said.

"The international community must rally together now for peace."

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Susan Heavey; Editing by Chris Gallagher and David Gregorio)
WASHINGTON  The Air Force this month demonstrated an exoskeleton it hopes will allow aerial porters to load cargo onto aircraft with fewer injuries and less fatigue.

The Forge System exoskeleton is designed to augment the leg strength of aerial porters, who are in charge of managing and loading passengers and cargo on and off mobility aircraft, with pneumatically-powered leg braces and a backpack.

They might not be as elaborate as the exosuit Sigourney Weaver used in the classic movie Aliens, but the overall concept  using tech to give human muscles and bones a boost during strenuous labor  is not far off.

Aerial porters cargo-loading duties are physically demanding, and they often suffer injuries to their muscles and bones from overuse.

The cargo that aerial porters push and pull onto planes can range from pallets of equipment, gear and food weighing thousands of pounds to drones to even more massive tanks or High Mobility Artillery Rocket System trucks. A 2019 Transportation Department study found disability benefits for aerial porters cost the government $31 million each year.

Last year, the Air Force said that 2019 study prompted it to start looking at exoskeleton technology that could cut down on porters injuries. A previous exoskeleton developed by Arizona State University, Air Mobility Command and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, dubbed the Aerial Port Exoskeleton, was tested at Travis Air Force Base in California last year.

The Army has also developed various models of exoskeletons to lessen soldiers injuries from lifting ammunition or moving other heavy loads. And U.S. Special Operations Command has experimented with an Iron Man-like armored tactical exoskeleton for special operators, though making that concept a reality has proven challenging.

The Forge System, the latest version of the exoskeleton, was developed by California-based Roam Robotics as part of a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research grant, with the help of the Air Force Research Laboratorys Center for Rapid Innovation.

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The Forge System exoskeleton's pneumatic braces strap on to aerial porters' legs to give them a boost loading thousands of pounds of cargo onto mobility aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster. (Patrick O'Reilly/Air Force)

AFRL and a team from Roam on Oct. 6 demonstrated the Forge System at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, the service said in a release.

As part of this demonstration, two aerial porters from the 87th Aerial Port Squadron at Wright-Patterson moved a 3,500-pound pallet onto a C-17 Globemaster with the help of the exoskeleton. Typically, that kind of a load would require four or five porters, the Air Force said.

One of those porters, Chief Master Sgt. Sean Storms, said he felt much less pressure on his knees while moving the pallet as the exoskeletons actuators gave him a boost.

John Florio, the deputy director for AFRLs Center for Rapid Innovation, said the exoskeleton could allow teams of porters to load heavier objects onto aircraft more quickly, saving time and money.

But the biggest game changer for the Air and Space forces is less injuries to personnel, which can lead to longer careers, Florio said. Chronic injuries are rampant all over this particular field and in other related fields too.

Brig. Gen. John Andrus, commander of the 711th Human Performance Wing, said medical personnel conducting aeromedical evacuations who have to lift sick or injured troops on litters are another example of airmen who could benefit from such an exoskeleton.

Andrus and other observers at the demonstration tried on the exoskeleton and used it to push weighted sleds, climb stairs while carrying weights and take on other activities meant to simulate the work aerial porters do.
Two Republican candidates for Will County Boards District 4 say they have extensive experience in government while their Democratic challengers say that although they are newcomers, they want to jump in and make a difference.

Republicans Steve Balich, the only incumbent seeking reelection, and James Richmond will face Democrats Sheri Boniecki-Cooling and Andrew Englebrecht for the two board seats to be elected in District 4, which includes all or portions of Homer Glen, Mokena, Lockport, Orland Park and Tinley Park.

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With many longtime prominent Republican board members retiring, some with 20 and 30 years experience, Balich said its important to retain Republican leadership.

Balich said he has spent the last decade fighting tax increases. He said he has been active, especially on the Land Use and Development Committee.

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Richmond said as a Mokena trustee, he worked to keep taxes low and maintain an AA+ bond rating. He said he is proud of his work to implement major capital improvement projects in Mokena, including upgrades to a sewer treatment plant and building a police station, borrowing only a small portion of project cost on a short-term basis.

Boniecki-Cooling said she decided to run because she had a tough time receiving answers from her Will County representatives. She said she has a background in business management, marketing and human resources and enjoys working with all types of people.

She noted her group, the Homer Township Democratic Organization, last December donated Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and winter solstice flags to the Homer Township administration center after the township received a donation of a Nativity scene, because she didnt want groups to be excluded.

Englebrecht said his interest in politics stemmed from growing up in a union family. He said he believes all levels of politics matter and he recognizes the financial struggles of families. He said he wants to fight for workers rights and ensure theres enough jobs for residents to earn a living wage.

Balich said he feels the biggest issue facing the county is the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today law or SAFE-T Act. He said he is strongly opposed to it and supports Will County States Attorney Jim Glasgows lawsuit that says Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other state Democrats violated the states constitution when passing the criminal justice reforms.

Balich said he would like the county board to pressure Springfield lawmakers into repealing the act. Balich said he also supports parental rights in school districts and wants to use his position as a county board member to talk with local educators to eliminate opinion-based learning.

Balich said he is against raising the tax levy. He supported allocating $500,000 in cannabis tax revenue to the Will County Childrens Advocacy Center, which handles reports of sexual and physical abuse, exploitation and neglect in children.

He said other cannabis tax revenue should support mental health resources that the Will County Health Department provides, and he opposes the mental health referendum on the ballot.

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Government needs to tighten its belt, Balich said.

Richmond said the county boards budget should have needs, not wants.

People are seeing their 401Ks hit hard and are concerned about their jobs and their savings accounts, Richmond said. Anything and everything we can do to not raise taxes has to be a priority.  Its about living within your means.

Richmond said he supports repealing the 4-cent per gallon gas tax.

The gas tax became effective Feb. 1, 2020, and goes toward infrastructure improvements. It brought in about $15.9 million in 2021 and helps support the Transportation Departments 2022-2027 Transportation Improvement Program, according to the county.

Richmond said while he understands mental health needs are important, he is against the proposed mental health referendum, saying that adding a new tax is not the answer.

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Cannabis funds should be used for drug education and prevention and for addiction services, Richmond said.

He said when federal funds, such as the pandemic-relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, are given to the county, the board has to look at long-term ramifications.

You cant start new programs or projects with reoccurring expenses when you have a one-time funding source, Richmond said.

Boniecki-Cooling said she wants to work to bring in quality jobs that pay living wages. She said there has to be a balance between adding development and preserving open space and wants to ensure there are a diversity of job opportunities available other than warehouses.

Boniecki-Cooling said she understands many Republicans are interested in repealing the gas tax, but the tax is necessary for infrastructure improvements on roads that were built long ago.

If we want Will County to continue to be a great place to live, work and grow, we have to repair our roads, Boniecki-Cooling said.

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She agreed the cannabis tax should help the Childrens Advocacy Center. She said other cannabis revenue should go to underserved communities, legal assistance for low-income residents to help get cannabis-related offenses expunged from their records and to help treat substance use disorders.

Boniecki-Cooling said the COVID-19 pandemic showcased the need to increase the mental health resources and supports the mental health referendum.

Englebrecht said he wants everyone to have access to high speed internet and would like to use some of the pandemic relief funds to ensure universal broadband. He said there is a need for improved high speed internet in the rural areas and throughout the county.

He also wants to see more businesses start up that pay living wages and will work on tax policies that help working class residents.

Cannabis tax revenue should go to help those people affected most when cannabis possession was illegal and should help disadvantaged groups, Englebrecht said. Another good use would be to help those with cannabis-related convictions get those convictions expunged, he said.

Englebrecht also said a new bridge over the Des Plaines River Valley is needed. The corridor, which connects Crest Hill to Homer Glen, has been studied for more than 20 years but municipalities and townships cannot sponsor the high costs of construction. The city of Lockport wants the county to finish the first phase of studies.

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Steve Balich

Steve Balich (Steve Balich)

Party: Republican

Age: 72

Hometown: Homer Glen

Education: Bachelors degree from St. Xavier University

Occupation: Will County Board member, Homer Township supervisor

Experience: Will County Board, 2012 to present; Will County Forest Preserve Board; Chair of the Homer Township Republican Organization; Homer Township supervisor, 2021-present; former Homer Township clerk; former Homer Township trustee

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Jim Richmond

Jim Richmond (Jim Richmond)

Party: Republican

Age: 62

Hometown: Mokena

Education: Masters degree from Governors State University

Occupation: Self-employed small business owner

Experience: Mokena Village trustee, 2011-present; Mokena Park Board, 2007-2011

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Sheri Boniecki-Cooling

Sheri Boniecki-Cooling (Sheri Boniecki-Cooling)

Party: Democrat

Age: 43

Hometown: Lockport

Education: Associate degree from Moraine Valley Community College

Occupation: Online sales marketing

Experience: Founder and chair of the Homer Township Democratic Organization, 2021-present; treasurer of an area LGBTQ-group; member, Illinois Democratic Women of Will

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Andrew Englebrecht

Andrew Englebrecht (Andrew Englebrech)

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Party: Democrat

Age: 31

Hometown: Lockport

Education: Bachelor of Science in social work from Bradley University

Occupation: Hotel receptionist

Experience: Treasurer of Homer Township Democratic Organization, 2021-2022; student senator at Bradley University, 2010-2012

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Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
A Border Patrol agent walks between a gap along the border wall between the US and Mexico in Yuma, Arizona on June 1, 2022. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

US Customs and Border Protection agents seized $402,196 worth of liquid meth at a border crossing in Texas.

The nearly 44 lbs of meth was stuffed into 136 condoms stored inside four different pumpkins.

The driver and passenger of the truck in which the drugs were found were taken into custody.

Customs agents at a border crossing in Texas this week seized nearly 44 lbs of liquid methamphetamine in condoms stuffed inside pumpkins.

The drugs, stored within 136 condoms which were then stuffed inside four gourds, were valued at $402,196, according to a US Customs and Border Protection agency press release.

Officers at the Eagle Pass Camino Real International Bridge on Tuesday encountered a 2012 Ford Escape arriving from Mexico and conducted two searches of the vehicle, ultimately yielding the hidden narcotics, CBP said.

CBP officers discover nearly 44 pounds of liquid methamphetamine within condoms inside pumpkins in a passenger vehicle at Eagle Pass Port of Entry. Customs and Border Protection

"Our frontline CBP officers have seen just about everything and this Tuesday was no exception as they encountered liquid methamphetamine hidden within pumpkins," Acting Port Director Elizabeth Garduno of Eagle Pass Port of Entry said in a statement. "They utilized their training, experience, interviewing skills and uncovered a rather novel narcotics smuggling method in the process."

Other recent seizures by CBP officers foiling unique attempts at hiding drugs include 44 pounds of cocaine coated corn flakes found in Ohio last year, as well as $380,000 of cocaine hidden inside the cushion of an electric wheelchair in June.

The driver and passenger of the truck in which the narcotics were found were turned over to the custody of Maverick County Sheriff's Office deputies for further investigation, according to the CBP press release.

Representatives for the US Customs and Border Protection agency declined to respond to Insider's request for comment as the case was turned over to the Maverick County Sheriff's Department.

The Maverick County Sheriff's Department did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
WASHINGTON  The U.S. government may require commercial planes and ships conducting military lift operations to carry technology that lets them navigate and communicate even when an adversary is trying to jam their systems, according to the head of U.S. Transportation Command.

This requirement for a carry-on kit for sealift and airlift partners comes amid the commands effort to mature its concept for sustaining the joint force in a fight in a contested environment.

Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost told reporters Friday that last years collaboration between military and commercial aircraft to evacuate at-risk Afghans as the Taliban took control of their country foreshadowed what could happen in the Pacific region, which is a larger area and likely includes more dangerous airspace. During the withdrawal, military aircraft flew in and out of contested airspace in Kabul, but quickly offloaded passengers to commercial planes for a longer flight out of the region.

As we work with our commercial carriers and the [Federal Aviation Administration], we think about where they could go and then where they would transload onto a military-specific platform for the last thousand tactical miles. Those are the kinds of concepts of operations were working with the carriers, she said ahead of an Oct. 17 speech at the fall meeting of the National Defense Transportation Association.

Last year, for the third time since its 1951 creation, the Civil Reserve Air Fleet was activated. The organization is part of an agreement between civilian airlines and the government to augment military airlift assets when needed. A comparable Maritime Security Program exists on the maritime side to supplement government-owned sealift ships.

On the maritime side, Van Ovost said civilian mariners have a long history of sailing into dangerous waters to resupply military forces, and she expects that will continue if a conflict erupted with China or another adversary. However, she acknowledged TRANSCOM can equip these ships for safer and more effective operations.

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Her command is studying how to place a Navy reservist onboard to serve as a tactical adviser, working alongside the ships master to maneuver in a contested environment as well as advising on emissions control, secure communications, and situational awareness in a denied or degraded space.

For both commercial ships and planes, Van Ovost said, TRANSCOM wants to develop carry-on kits to bring Link 16 connectivity, secure navigation and other capabilities.

China has tailor-made their capabilities to try to disrupt our lines of communication, whether that be sea or air or land. They dont want us to mobilize, to deploy; they dont want us to get into theater, so theyll be looking for ways to deny, degrade or delay our ability to even leave the United States, where 85% of the force elements reside, she added.

TRANSCOM is working with U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Cyber Command to understand what threats these commercial companies could face at home that might prevent them from mobilizing, including cyberattacks at airports as well as denial of communications and navigation closer to American shores.

Gen. Jaqueline Van Ovost addresses attendees of last year's National Defense Transportation Association fall meeting in National Harbor, Md. (Oz Suguitan/U.S. Transportation Command)

Once personnel, trucks, fuel and materiel make it to theater, it will be tougher to get them to the point of need, Van Ovost said. The armed services  the Navy and Marine Corps in particular  are looking at new operating concepts that call for smaller units to be more dispersed around the theater, creating a greater need for the intra-theater movement of supplies.

The commands analysis directorate recently briefed her on the latest Future Deployment and Distribution Assessment, which will be signed soon, according to TRANSCOM spokesman Scott Ross. This eighth iteration of the research and analysis effort is set in the 2030-2035 time frame and considers both inter-theater lift to move gear to the Pacific and intra-theater lift to move gear to the specific point of need.

Ross said this latest study shows the need for airlift and sealift capabilities with a mix of volume, range and other attributes.

Van Ovost specifically said shes eyeing the Navys upcoming Light Amphibious Warship and Next-Generation Logistics Ship programs. Even though theyre under development for the Navy and Marine Corps operational needs, she said they may play an important role in joint force intra-theater lift.

The general also said she and other leaders are discussing a multimodal joint solution, such that when theyre done with the [light amphibious warship], how can we use that to move other things around in the Pacific? We can no longer be really service-centric in that last thousand tactical miles  thats what our study uncovered. Weve got to be more joint in our solutions.

The ability to get goods to their final destination on time in a denied environment is concerning, she admitted, but exercises next year will try to address any remaining gaps in that capability and prove that innovative solutions  such as adding kit to a commercial tanker so it can offload fuel at sea without stopping at a port  can overcome any threats China pay pose.

To identify remaining gaps, we are absolutely following the scheme of maneuver for the Marine Corps and for the Navy, especially on how they need to be replenished, their timelines to meet the joint warfighting concept, and then what drives the capabilities that TRANSCOM will pursue in the coming years.
Rising COVID-19 cases in Europe are setting off warnings that the U.S. could experience a new surge this winter.

Previous jumps in the U.S. have followed a pattern in which cases first rise in Europe, making officials nervous they could see a spike in U.S. cases as the weather turns.

The most recent data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control shows that cases began going up around the beginning of September in Europe.

The seven-day average is roughly 230,000 cases per day, reflecting rates that were seen in late July when Europe was still dealing with the omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariant wave.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated last week that a rise in cases in Europe was expected due to cooling temperatures, but stressed that hospitalizations and deaths did not have to rise as well due to the viral therapeutics that are now available.

Confirmed coronavirus-related deaths across the European Union have remained low, with a seven-day average of 280 as of last week.

In the U.S., cases and deaths have continued to trend down, but dropping temperatures that push people indoors, dismal booster vaccination numbers and an overall disregard for pandemic mitigation practices are setting the stage for a winter wave resembling the one across the Atlantic.

The seven-day moving average for cases in the U.S. is around 38,000, while the seven-day moving average for deaths is about 330.

Ali Mokdad, epidemiologist and professor of Health Metrics Sciences at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, told The Hill the contrast in the regions can be attributed to multiple factors, including warmer temperatures in the U.S. and differing levels of community immunity.

In the U.S., we have a higher infection rate than many European countries, where more people have been infected here. So we have a little bit more immunity than they do, but still we have waning immunity, Mokdad said.

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COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations in the U.S. will likely begin going up in three to four weeks, Mokdad said, though they wont reach the same levels seen during the omicron wave last winter. He emphasized that this projection is contingent on a situation in which new coronavirus variants that are better at escaping immunity dont rise in dominance.

Researchers and virologists have continually stated that the risk of a more infectious variant still looms as the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to spread and mutate.

The COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub, a U.S.-based data collective operated by researchers and public health experts, publishes possible directions in which the pandemic could go based on multiple models.

The most recent projections from the data hub present four scenarios: two in which no new variants occur and two in which they do.

Shaun Truelove, assistant scientist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a member of the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub team, said he is leaning away from the potential scenarios where no new variants arise.

We are seeing variants, we are seeing that they are emerging and it seems like we will have one of those, said Truelove.

The BA.5 omicron subvariant, the dominant strain in the U.S., has begun losing its foothold in the U.S., with sublineages like BA.4.6 and BQ.1.1 growing in prevalence. In some parts of the Midwest, BA.4.6 now accounts for a fifth of COVID-19 cases.

The differences in community immunity levels between the U.S. and Europe presents a challenge in projecting where the American infection rates will go based on overseas observations, according to Truelove.

We have a situation where people are constantly being infected, so their immunity from that infection or from vaccination is waning. And then at the same time as all thats happening, were also seeing the influx of these new variants that have these immune escape properties, he said.

Apart from COVID-19, there are other bits of information that can be gleaned from Europes situation that could help forecast what the U.S. will experience in the upcoming months.

Health officials have warned that the flu will likely be worse than it has been in recent years due to lack of exposure, possibly resulting in a twindemic of both viruses. Mokdad noted that a spike of influenza infection in Europe has not yet been observed amid the coronavirus surge.

We havent seen a spike of cases in Europe right now.  So some encouraging news for the flu, but I wouldnt bet on it, said Mokdad.

While U.S. influenza cases have been rising, only 3.3 percent of lab-tested specimens have come back as positive, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recent polling from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases found that 49 percent of U.S. adults plan on getting the flu shot this year, only 5 points lower than the percent of adults who got the shot last year.

The prevalence of people getting vaccinated and practicing viral mitigation methods like masking and social distancing has largely fallen out of favor. President Biden said in September that the pandemic was over, a move that Mokdad partly cited for the slow booster uptake.

President Biden said the pandemic is over, but thats a mistake for me at a time when were trying to push a booster for a new vaccine designed for BA.4 and BA.5 and he goes and says its over. So why would people go and get the vaccine? Mokdad said. Its very hard for me to say COVID-19 is over. Its not over, especially right now coming into winter.

Experts who spoke with The Hill strongly encouraged people to get the updated bivalent booster ahead of the holiday season.

The best holiday present that you can give  whatever you celebrate  that you give for yourself and your family members is protection and safety. And the best way to do it is to go and get your booster and your flu shot, Mokdad said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
At noon Tuesday, the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge will host graduate student Masooma Hussaini to discuss Taliban Rule and Afghan Women.

In this virtual event, to be heldvia Zoom, Masooma will share first-hand information about the destruction of human and female rights in Afghanistan after the takeover by the Taliban.

She is a graduate of an Afghan college who joined the military and was sent to the United States to learn how to fly military helicopters, according to a local League news release. After her training, she returned home and found that she was seriously discriminated against because she is a woman and a minority (Shiite Muslim). Masooma returned to the United States to earn an advanced degree in journalism at the University of Tennessee and currently resides in Knoxville.

Members and regular attendees receive a Zoom link for the luncheons, as well as information about upcoming programs, via email. Guests are welcome to participate and may request the link by contacting Mary Ann Reeves at maryannreeves1@att.net. Anyone not familiar with Zoom meetings may go to https://support.zoom.us, then scroll down to frequently asked questions. Several days after each event, attendees may view the recorded session on the Leagues website, https://my.lwv.org/tennessee/oak-ridge.

The League welcomes members and nonmembers alike to all its first and third Tuesday noon Zoom gatherings.

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge is described in the release as "a nonpartisan political organization for men and women. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy."

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: UT grad student to discuss 'Taliban Rule and Afghan Women'
The Utah Senate race between conservative Republican Sen. Mike Lee and Independent Evan McMullin has emerged as a potential wild card in the battle for the Senate.

Recent polls show the race is close, with McMullin trailing Lee by only a few points in a state where Republican victories are usually all but guaranteed.

Lee, a conservative who supported then-President Trumps effort to challenge the 2020 election results on Jan. 6, is a star among many members of Utahs Republican base, but his unpopularity among moderates and Democrats has driven his approval rating down to the low 40s.

This is within the margin of error, said Richard Davis, an emeritus professor of political science at Brigham Young University, citing recent polls by Deseret News and the Hinckley Institute of Politics. It could go either way. Its basically neck and neck.

If McMullin manages to pull off an upset, his pledge to not caucus with either Democrats or Republicans could throw the battle for control of the Senate into turmoil.

If Republicans wind up keeping retiring Sen. Pat Toomeys (R) Pennsylvania seat in GOP hands and defeating the Democratic incumbent in Nevada or Georgia, McMullin could still keep the Senate under Democratic control by voting for Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) as majority leader.

Conversely, he could swing it to Republicans by affiliating with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) or simply not affiliating with either party, which would give Republicans a 50-to-49 seat majority with one unaffiliated senator in the chamber.

Hes in the catbird seat because as an Independent both sides are going to want to give him something to get his vote for determining the Senate majority in an evenly split chamber, Davis said.

I cant imagine that hes going to caucus with the Republicans, but he had to say that he wasnt going to caucus with the Democrats to win over the very people hes trying to win over right now, Davis said of the moderate Republicans who arent thrilled about voting for Lee but wouldnt consider voting for a Democrat, either.

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He could be in an extremely powerful situation if he gets to determine which way the Senate is organized, which party gets the majority, he added. I think what hes going to do is negotiate on Utahs behalf, get things for Utah out of this.

The latest Deseret-Hinckley poll shows Lee leading McMullin by four points, 41 percent to 37 percent, with 12 percent of Utah voters undecided.

The poll found that 40 percent of respondents had a favorable view of Lee, while 47 percent had an unfavorable view.

Lees allies, however, argue that the Deseret poll put too much weight on registered instead of likely voters, skewing the results in favor of McMullin.

Lees allies think its more likely that the incumbent wins by a healthy margin of 10 or more points.

The poll, however, found the numbers stay largely the same among likely voters and the race tightens among those who say they will definitely vote, with Lee leading McMullin 42-40 percent.

Mike Lee is leading this race. Every reliable poll shows Sen. Lee with a significant lead and our internal polling gives us even greater confidence in the strong support he has across the state, said Matt Lusty, an adviser to the Lee campaign.

Utah Democrats helped McMullin significantly by declining to endorse one of their own members and instead backing McMullin at their state convention in April. The Deseret poll found 68 percent of Democrats backing McMullin, and he leads with unaffiliated voters as well.

Davis said if McMullin can win over more Republican moderates who see themselves more in the same camp as Utahs centrist Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, who voted twice to convict Trump on impeachment charges, he could wind up winning.

McMullin ran as an Independent for president in 2016 and turned in his best performance in Utah, where he won 21 percent of the vote in the general election  trailing the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by only 6 points. Trump carried the state with 45 percent of the vote.

Boyd Matheson, a prominent Utah radio host who formerly served as Lees chief of staff, said McMullin would find himself under tremendous pressure to pick a side if he manages to defy the odds and win election to an evenly divided Senate.

The Senates two current Independents  Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Angus King (Maine)  both caucus with Democrats. Neither, however, had to defeat a sitting senator to win their seats.

He would be under immense pressure from both Democrats and Republicans and picking a side at this point matters because if you look at someone like a [Sen.] Joe Manchin [D-W.Va.], the reason Manchin has power because hes in the room, Matheson said.

He said if McMullin refuses to caucus with either party, he wont have any way to sit on a committee without getting a special deal from one of the party leaders.

Thats going to be the challenge for McMullin. If he wins, can he have any influence without any committee assignment without being in the Republican lunch or the Democratic caucus lunch? he said.

The race was largely overlooked until Lee went on Fox News host Tucker Carlsons show Tuesday to plead for Romneys endorsement, a surprising move since Romney made clear early in the race that he would stay neutral.

As soon as Mitt Romney is ready to, I will eagerly accept his endorsement, Lee pleaded on Carlsons show. Evan McMullin is raising millions of dollars off Act Blue, the Democratic donor database based on this idea that hes going to defeat me and help perpetuate the Democratic majority.

Ive asked him, Im asking him right here again tonight right now, Lee said. Please get on board. Help me win reelection.

Senate aides say Lees pleas for help from Romney were especially surprising given that they have clashed repeatedly this Congress, starting with Lees strong support for Trumps effort to challenge the 2020 election results through the courts.

Romney, by contrast, was the only Senate Republican to vote to convict Trump after both of his impeachment trials.

The two Utah senators have also clashed over major policy differences. Lee voted against the three major bipartisan initiatives that Romney supported during President Bidens term: a $1 trillion infrastructure bill; legislation addressing gun violence after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas; and a $280 billion bill to support the domestic semiconductor industry.

But Lee and Romney have also worked together on bills to help constituents in Utah, such as the bill they introduced in April to address housing supply and affordability by allowing parcels of federal land to be purchased at a reduced price.

And they pool their staff to work jointly on constituents special cases.

Even so, Romney and Lee are hardly considered friends.

Davis, the emeritus political scientist, said Romney is unlikely to change his mind and endorse Lee because I dont think these two get along well.

He cant endorse McMullin because that would probably be a step too far to do that but by not endorsing [Lee] hes certainly sending a message, he added of Romney.

Adding to the surreal moment on Carlsons show, Trump waded into the race by releasing a statement praising Lee as an outstanding senator and criticizing Romney harshly for not endorsing his home-state colleague  bringing fresh attention to the possibility that Lee, who won reelection in a landslide six years ago, might be in trouble.

Trump declared that Romneys decision to stay neutral in the race has abused Lee in an unprecedented way.

Lusty, Lees campaign adviser, said: Sen. Lee sees it as important for all members of the party to stand together and he welcomes the public endorsement of all of his Senate GOP colleagues, including Sen. Romney.

But Romneys defenders are quick to note that Lee refused to endorse late Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) when he ran for reelection in 2012 and Lees chief of staff at the time, Spencer Stokes, predicted that Hatch would lose because he had already spent far too much time in Washington.

Fundraising data collected by the Federal Election Commission as of Oct. 14 showed that Lee had raised $7.9 million for his reelection while McMullin had raised $3.2 million.

Outside interest groups are also pouring money into the race.

The conservative Club for Growth, a group long allied with Lee, has already spent $2.2 million on the Utah Senate race and has vowed to pour more money into the race, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

On the other side, the Put Utah First PAC has spent more than $2.5 million to help McMullin.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
mediaphotos / Getty Images

Cash back and flight miles are some common benefits to having a credit card, but you could be missing out on some hidden perks that could really come in handy. From travel insurance to shopping bonuses, theres a whole lot having a credit card in your wallet can do for you.

Explore: GOBankingRates Best Credit Cards for 2023

Important: If Your Credit Score Is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now

Travel Insurance

Lost a bag? Had to cancel a trip due to extenuating circumstances? Need to cancel a hotel at the last minute? These are all instances that could potentially be covered by the insurance your credit card offers. Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and The Platinum Card from American Express were all listed as cards that offer top travel insurance benefits.

Free and Express Shipping

No need to pay for Amazon Prime because American Express, Chase cards and World Elite Mastercards come with a shipping perk  a ShopRunner membership. This membership offers free 2-day shipping and free returns at 100+ stores including 1-800-FLOWERS and Bloomingdales.

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If youre looking to skip the long security lines at the airport, your credit card might be able to help you do that. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve will give you up to a $100 credit towards the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

Price Protection

Never lose out on the best price again. If you use your credit card to buy an item and it goes down in price, this perk will refund you the difference. Some cards that offer this include the Wells Fargo Visa Signature Card (up to $1,000 a year), UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card (up to $1,500 a year) and Capital One Spark Miles for Business (up to $2,500 a year).

Extended Warranties

Though big-ticket items might come with a standard manufacturers warranty, some credit cards extend that insurance so you can have some extra peace of mind. If you buy the item with your credit card, the credit cards extended warranty will kick in as soon as the manufacturers expires, giving you anywhere from 1-3 more years of protection. Cards known for offering this are any Chase card and Capital One Venture Rewards.

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Hotel Extras

Looking to add a little luxury to your next trip? See if your credit card offers hotel perks. These can include free meals, free room upgrades, and late check-out at no charge. One card known to have these types of benefits is the Platinum Card from American Express.

Cellphone Insurance

Were going to damage our phones. There is no way around it. Luckily, some credit cards offer insurance so its cheaper (or even free!) to repair your phone, or get a new one if need be. Check to see if your card has this protection, and then make sure youre paying your phone bill with that credit card to get access to insurance. That way, all the lines on your cellphone account are covered.

Free Access to Museums

If youre looking to do something a little different on the weekends, some credit cards like those from Bank of America offer free museum passes on certain weekends.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Vacation Add-Ons, Free Flights and More Credit Perks To Use Now
By Manoj Kumar and Shivam Patel

BALLARI, India (Reuters) - Members of India's opposition Congress party voted on Monday to elect its first head in nearly 25 years from outside the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty of leaders, with a veteran loyal to the family expected to win.

Results are due on Wednesday in the battered party's bid to revamp itself after losing the last two general elections to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party, despite the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia.

With the next general election due by 2024, Modi retains a big edge over the party, which dominated politics for decades after leading India to independence from Britain in 1947, but has recently struggled to recoup its fortunes.

Party veteran Mallikarjun Kharge, 80, has the support of many members, and his 66-year-old rival and former U. N. diplomat, Shashi Tharoor, has already complained about big leaders openly supporting Kharge.

"We are strongly supporting Kharge and expect he will get 80% to 90% of the votes of party delegates," Ajay Kumar Lallu, a Congress delegate from the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, told Reuters.

"Kharge represents the ideology of the party, has the support of the senior leadership, and is likely to work by taking along party workers," Lallu added.

He was speaking as Congress's Bharat Jodo Yatra, or march to unite India, arrived in the district of Ballari in the southern state of Karnataka.

Kharge has said he was seeking the "support of the delegates to strengthen Congress for a better India".

Uttar Pradesh accounts for about 1,200 of the nearly 9,000 Congress delegates, most of them senior party members, who will vote for its president, a position held by Sonia Gandhi on an interim basis since her son Rahul resigned in July 2019.

On Twitter, Tharoor said he had spoken with Kharge to "reaffirm my respect for him and our shared devotion to the success" of the party.

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"Some people play safe in order not to lose," he said. "But if you just play safe, you will definitely lose."

Congress has mostly been led by a member of the Gandhi family, choosing presidents unanimously for terms of five years, except in the years 1937, 1950, 1997 and 2000, when elections were held since there was more than one candidate.

(Reporting by Manoj Kumar Ballari and Shivam Patel in New Delhi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
VINELAND  Mayor Anthony Fanucci is well into his second term of office, but a recent lawsuit by a former city employee is reviving some political drama left over from his successful 2020 re-election campaign.

The lawsuit, filed in September in Cumberland County Superior Court, claims police investigator Fernando Castillo was laid off in retaliation for campaigning for another mayoral candidate. The plaintiff ran candidate Jeffrey Riggione's mayoral campaign in 2020, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit alleges that employment rules and policies were manipulated to expose Castillo to removal, while at the same time preserving jobs for other police employees and enabling new hiring. Castillo was laid off effective May 10, 2021, according to the complaint.

More:Vineland residents applauded pot growers defeat, so howd he turn it into a victory?

More:Vineland election lineup set after ballot position drawing

In one part of the lawsuit, Castillo alleges that on March 25, 2021 he was home after finishing his work day when his doorbell sounded. He opened the door to find Acting Police Chief Pedro Casiano and police Lt. Matt Brown.

The lawsuit states: In front of the plaintiffs daughter and in view of his neighbors, Acting Chief Casiano said, I came to serve you with a layoff notice. I know you work tomorrow, but the city wanted this done immediately. Sorry.

The notice, the lawsuit states, informed Castillo that he was being laid off for reasons of economy and efficiency from your permanent position of Investigator, Police Department. Castillo had been an investigator since August 2017, and previously had a job as a clerk in the municipal court.

Vineland Mayor Anthony Fanucci.

In the month before leaving his job, Castillo states he was ordered to train three people who would take over police investigator duties.

Fanucci declined to comment when asked about the lawsuit. The complaint, which was served on the city on Sept. 19, names Fanucci individually as a defendant as well as city government itself.

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The Westmont law firm of Brown & Connery is representing the city. The attorney on the case, Andrew Brown, has not filed a response with the court as of Oct. 13.

Woodbury attorney Jeremiah J. Atkins represents Castillo.

We feel strongly that Mr. Castillo is entitled to the protections and relief provided by law, Atkins said. We look forward to securing justice for Mr. Castillo, and we will have no further comment at this time.

Castillo is seeking a jury trial on the claims under the N.J. Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit demands include compensatory, punitive, and statutory damages, including back and front pay. His former job paid about $36,000 annually, the suit states.

The lawsuit also claims that his attempt to obtain an investigator position with the Millville Police Department failed due to interference from Vineland. Millville is not a defendant in the case, however.

Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.

Have a tip? Reach out at jsmith@thedailyjournal.com. Help support local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Vineland Daily Journal: Political retaliation claimed in layoff lawsuit against Vineland mayor
The Washington State Patrol is asking for the publics help to locate a missing and possibly endangered Lacey woman.

The State Patrol announced the alert about 5 p.m. Sunday after Lacey Police were dispatched earlier in the day to a domestic violence situation in the 3800 block of Rossberg Street Southeast, which is in the area of 37th and College Street in Lacey.

Lacey police could not find the woman, Young An, 42, but they found her phone. It appeared the victim had been taken by her husband, Chae An, 53, by force, according to the State Patrol.

Troopers and police are searching for a 2006 light blue Dodge Caravan, with a Washington license plate number of WA-BFM5141.

Anyone who sees the vehicle is asked to call 911.
A wildfire near the Washington-Oregon border burned out of control on Sunday, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes and flee from the blaze.

The Nakia Creek Fire began Oct. 9 near Vancouver, Washington. Officials said it broke containment lines on Sunday and grew in size from 156 acres to about 2,000 acres in a matter of hours.

Residents of more than 2,900 homes in Washington state were issued a Level 3 Go Now evacuation notice by Sunday night telling them to evacuate, according to the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency. Thousands more have been told to be prepared to evacuate.

The fire has been fueled by powerful winds and unseasonably high temperatures. The temperature in Vancouver was 86 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, a stark contrast to the typical mid-October temperature that rarely exceeds the low 60s. Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency officials described a fire official telling a crew that while the calendar may say its October 16th  I need you to think like its August 16th.

Some cities experienced record-high temperatures over the weekend. Seattle hit 88 degrees Sunday, marking its second-warmest October day on record and breaking the daily record of 72 degrees set in 2018, according to the National Weather Service.

With the current weather patterns here in the [Pacific Northwest], we have another good week of potential fire weather, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency officials said.

Winds are expected to ease but temperatures will remain above average for the next few days, CNN reports. Hot conditions will linger until Thursday, before dropping to average and below average for the weekend. Rain is also expected over the weekend.

Oregon experienced similar conditions over the past month, leading to continuing wildfire threats in the Pacific Northwest. In September, the Cedar Creek Fire burned more than 86,000 acres in central Oregon and, like the Nakia Creek Fire, forced residents to evacuate.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
Looking for something to do? Here are some things going on the week of Oct. 21-27 in the Chicago suburbs and northwest Indiana. Events are current as of press time; please check websites for updated information and COVID-19 restrictions.

Something To Be Proud Of

Advertisement

Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Hobart Art Theater. Tickets are $45. At 230 Main St. Call 219-942-1670 or go to brickartlive.com/.

Free fall fun

Advertisement

Water Streets merchants will have a Fun Fall Family Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22 in downtown Naperville. Admission is free. Go to waterstreetnaperville.com.

Fire and Rain

How Sweet it Is: Steve Leslie sings James Taylor at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Elgin Community Center. Tickets are $35. At 1700 Spartan Drive. Call 847-622-0300 or go to eccartscenter.org.

Go Crazy

Genesee Theatre presents Purple Reign at 8 p.m. Oct. 22 in Waukegan. Tickets are $37.50-$59.50. At 203 N. Genesee St. Call 847-263-6300 or go to geneseetheatre.com.

Big sound

The Stone Bratt Big Band will perform at 3 p.m. Oct. 23 at Moraine Valley Community College Fine Arts & Performing Arts Center. Call 708-974-5500 or go to morainevalley.edu/fpac/.

Email any events in the Chicago suburbs for consideration at least two weeks in advance to wweber@tribpub.com.
657 Boulevard in Westfield (Google Maps)

The six-bedroom Dutch colonial looks like the quintessential American dream home.

Nestled on a quiet street in a salubrious suburb, 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey boasts four bathrooms and more than 3,800 square feet on almost a half-acre of land. Its in a great school district less than 28 miles from Manhattan  the perfect family home for both commuting and raising children.

At least thats what the Broaddus family thought when they bought it nearly a decade ago.

Instead, they claimed they received a series of terrifying letters warning that their new home and young children were under constant surveillance by a creepy stranger who knew intimate details of their lives.

He called himself The Watcher.

Insurance executive Derek Broaddus and his wife, Maria, were so scared by the letters that they never moved in. Multiple investigations  undertaken by Broaddus hirees and authorities  attempted to unmask the letter writer. The case sparked countless theories, both locally and internationally; everyone from neighbours to sex offenders to the Broaddus family themselves came under suspicion.

It took the family years to sell the home  at a massive loss. And to this day, there are still no clues about who The Watcher might be  and what that threatening person truly wanted. Many in Westfield try to downplay the mystery or avoid discussing it altogether; others have altered their jogging routes to avoid passing a house that still gives them a weird feeling.

The Dutch Colonial at 657 Boulevard in upscale Westfield, NJ was built in 1905 and bought by the Broaddus family in 2014; its pictured during the time it was occupied by the Bakes family, who had no issues while living there (Margaret Bakes Davis)

It all began in 2014 when Derek and Maria Broaddus, who had three young children, decided to buy their dream home for $1.35million in her hometown. They moved in their furniture and carried out extensive renovations  but before they could take up residence themselves, their idyllic family adventure took a strange and eerie turn.

Just days after closing, Mr Broaddus says he discovered a white envelope, addressed to The New Owner, in the family mailbox.

How did you end up here? the letter read. Did 657 Boulevard call to you with its force within?

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It added that the home had been the subject of my family for decades now and as it approaches its 110th birthday, I have been put in charge of watching and waiting for its second coming. My grandfather watched the house in the 1920s and my father watched in the 1960s. It is now my time. Do you know the history of the house? Do you know what lies within the walls of 657 Boulevard? Why are you here? I will find out.

In a total of three letters, the Broadduses say the writer mentioned specifics that presumably could have only been witnessed and heard in close proximity to the home.

I see already that you have flooded 657 Boulevard with contractors so that you can destroy the house as it was supposed to be, the person wrote. Tsk, tsk, tsk  bad move. You dont want to make 657 Boulevard unhappy.

The writer added: You have children. I have seen them. So far I think there are three that I have counted, then the threatening: Do you need to fill the house with the young blood I requested? Better for me. Was your old house too small for the growing family? Or was it greed to bring me your children? Once I know their names I will call to them and draw them too [sic] me.

The writer eventually did refer to the children by birth order and by their nicknames, even one child in particular, reported New York Magazines The Cut.

Mr Broaddus told the publication that he was a depressed wreck as he and his wife attempted to figure out what to do; she said their main goal was to avoid putting the children in harms way.

That was certainly a difficult decision, given the malevolent tone of the correspondence.

It has been years and years since the young blood ruled the hallways of the house, The Watcher wrote. Have you found all of the secrets it holds yet? Will the young blood play in the basement? Or are they too afraid to go down there alone. I would [be] very afraid if I were them. It is far away from the rest of the house. If you were upstairs you would never hear them scream.

Will they sleep in the attic? Or will you all sleep on the second floor? Who has the bedrooms facing the street? Ill know as soon as you move in. It will help me to know who is in which bedroom. Then I can plan better.

All of the windows and doors in 657 Boulevard allow me to watch you and track you as you move through the house. Who am I? I am the Watcher and have been in control of 657 Boulevard for the better part of two decades now. The Woods family turned it over to you. It was their time to move on and kindly sold it when I asked them to.

I pass by many times a day. 657 Boulevard is my job, my life, my obsession. And now you are too Broaddus family. Welcome to the product of your greed! Greed is what brought the past three families to 657 Boulevard and now it has brought you to me.

The stately home, which has six bedrooms, is nestled on a quite street about 28 miles from Manhattan; its high-ceilinged dining room is pictured in this Christmas photo taken by a previous owner (Margaret Bakes Davis)

The Broaddus family asked the previous owners whether theyd been plagued by such letters; the Woodses said theyd received only one in 23 years of occupying the home - and that had come in the mail just before they moved out.

The occupants who preceded the Woods family also said thered been no issues during their 28 years at the address. Margaret Bakes Davis, who grew up in the house, tells The Independent the whole brouhaha was a little odd, I think, especially because it was such a wonderful time for me, for our family ... There were no issues.

It was like Mayberry R.F.D. It was a beautiful place to grow up. I had a wonderful childhood. There was nothing when we lived there. Absolutely nothing.

All of that had changed years later, however, during the Broadduses ownership. The parents-of-three contacted police, and suspicion initially centred on neighbour Michael Langford, whose eccentric family had a unique vantage point that would explain one detail in the letters.

The Langfords vehemently denied involvement and were ultimately cleared; Michael died in 2020 and his family remain livid to this day.

It f*****g never ends, an irate sibling tells The Independent. Im his brother; I own the g*****n house. We got accused of doing something that we didnt do. Did we ever get a f*****g apology from the police?

No, he says, complaining not only about the familys treatment but also the lawyer fees.

The Westfield police department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. Neither did the mayor, the Broaddus lawyer or most local businesses.

In 2014, however, even when the Langford home came under suspicion, the Broaddus family kept up with the probe.

They employed a private investigator, who staked out the neighborhood and ran background checks on the Langfords but didnt find anything noteworthy, The Cut reported, in addition to enlisting the services of two former FBI agents.

One recognized several old-fashioned tics in the letters that pointed to an older writer, the magazine wrote. The envelope was addressed to M/M Broaddus, the salutations included the days weather  Warm and humid, Sunny and cool for a summer day  and the sentences had double spaces between them. The letters had a certain literary panache, which suggested a voracious reader, and a surprising lack of profanity ... [the investigator] didnt think The Watcher was likely to act on the threats, but the letters had enough typos and errors to imply a certain erraticism.

The Broaddus family also hired a forensic linguist who didnt find any noteworthy overlap when he scoured local online forums for similarities to The Watchers writing, although he did think the author might watch Game of Thrones. (Jon Snow is one of the Watchers on the Wall.)

The Broadduses, still unwilling to move into the house, rented it out - and say another letter arrived at the address in 2017, listing various tragedies that could befall them such as a car accident, fire or sudden death of a pet or loved one.

The familys fear and seemingly dogged investigation, however, would soon turn into a legal battle, too. The Broadduses filed suit against the Woods family and two companies involved in the sale, alleging information about The Watcher had intentionally been withheld; the Woodses filed a counter claim, alleging the new owners were trying to smear their reputation by working with the media.

All claims had been thrown out of court by 2019.

As word spread through New Jersey and further afield over the years about the story, however, theories also spread like wildfire.

Forget just neighbours; some theorised a jealous buyer whod lost out while bidding on the stately house could be sending the letters. Or a realtor. Or a prankster.

Or, perhaps most creepily but least plausibly, someone whod been living behind the walls or in a space within the home for years.

Attention centered on the Broadduses, as well. Many suspected the letters could have constituted some type of inside job; locals theorised buyers remorse could have prompted a wild plan to recoup expenses.

The Watcher home had eerie similarities to the infamy of another Dutch colonial just 60 miles east - the Amityville Horror House on Long Island, which also sparked international interest for its creepy story (Getty Images)

The hoax theories called to mind perhaps one of the most interesting haunted cases in modern history - creepily enough, in another Dutch Colonial just 60 miles east, centred on a crime that happened exactly 40 years earlier. The Amityville Horror House rose to international attention when Ronald DeFeo Jr killed his entire family on Long Island; subsequent occupants alleged paranomal activity and hauntings that spurred countless documentaries and films - along with rumours it had all been made up for profit and movie rights.

The Broaddus family has faced similar scrutiny, particularly in Westfield with an upcoming Netflix show fittingly dubbed The Watcher, which premiered on 13 October with a cast including Mia Farrow, Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale and Jennifer Coolidge.

Mr Broaddus has fastidiously denied any accusations and hit back on social media about any theories involving his family. He did not respond to a request for comment from The Independent.

The Broadduses eventually sold 657 Boulevard in 2019; the transaction made national headlines - and they made about $400,000 loss. The buyers wished to remain anonymous but, according to local reports, are also a young family.

Derek Broaddus continued to comment on the case as recently as last February, when he tweeted: Mental illness is real, and so is the person who was so angry that we bought 657 they thought its be a good idea to threaten a 5 yo baby.

They live in that hood close enough to see/hear. Solvable crime.

Others, however, are not so sure. The spectre of The Watcher, whoever it may be, remains a silent presence in New Jersey and the minds of internet sleuths both in the neighbourhood and across the world.

I was at an event just last weekend with a bunch of friends, none of whom were from Westfield, but one of them, from across the room, said, Was that your house? Its still out there, Ms Davis tells The Independent.

Its still a thing. Whenever I say Im from Westfield, they say, Have you ever heard of The Watcher house?

She answers: Yes. I lived there for 28 years.

She doesnt share any theories about the home, but she does have only fond memories of 657 Boulevard - and when Derek and Maria Broaddus put it back on the market, she says her family almost bought the house back.

None of us were worried about it, she tells The Independent.

Shes also looking forward to seeing the upcoming Naomi Watts project - featuring a home she knows intimately well, a house still close to her heart.

Im wondering how Netflix is approaching it, she says. How are they characterising the whole thing?

Im interested to see how they portray it.

This story was originally published in February 2022 and was updated on 26 September to include new details about the Netflix series The Watcher.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will play host to Israel's President Isaac Herzog for a White House meeting on Oct. 26, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced on Monday.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; Editing by Chris Reese)
President Biden on Monday lauded the official launch of student loan forgiveness applications, with the White House touting that more than 8 million Americans have already applied for the administrations program during an online soft launch that began late last week.

Today marks a big step, among others, that my administration is taking to make education a ticket to the middle class that folks can actually afford, Biden said. The new student loan application is now open. If you have federal student debt, please visit StudentAid.gov. Its easy, simple and fast and its a new day for millions of Americans all across our nation.

Biden said the website, which soft launched on Friday, has handled applications without a glitch or any difficulty. The president, who was joined for the announcement by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, called the portal a game changer that would allow the government to better serve the public.

The beta testing phase that launched on Friday allowed applications to be submitted, but they were not processed until the formal launch.

The presidents student loan forgiveness program, which he unveiled in August, is set to forgive $10,000 in federal student loan debt for borrowers earning under $125,000 and $20,000 for borrowers who received Pell Grants.

Since the announcement, the administration updated the plan to exclude borrowers with privately held federal student loans, saying loans not held by the Education Department are no longer eligible. Cardona said on Monday they are working on pathways to support those borrowers who are excluded.

Were moving as quickly as possible to provide relief to as many as possible, the secretary added.

Several conservative groups and Republican state officials have filed lawsuits seeking to end the loan forgiveness program, though the filings have thus far failed to proceed because of lack of standing over who is harmed by the policy, which is optional. Biden noted in his remarks that litigation against the program is underway, adding our legal judgment is that it wont stop the program.

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Biden also took a jab at Republicans for criticizing the student loan forgiveness program for being too costly, arguing that it will be paid for because of his efforts to bring down the deficit.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre earlier on Monday said the administration has seen an overwhelmingly positive response as well as a strong website performance since we began testing the site this past Friday night.

Jean-Pierre added that the Department of Educations technical team will continue to monitor the sites performance in real time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Biden administration says that Iranian denials that it has supplied military equipment to Russia are lies, following deadly Russian strikes in Kyiv on Monday that Ukrainian officials said came from Iranian drones.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that reports from Kyiv appear to document Iranian Shahed-136 drones striking the city.

We have been warning since July  that Iran was planning to sell UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] to Russia for use against Ukraine.  There is extensive proof of their use by Russia against both military and civilian targets there, Jean-Pierre told reporters Monday.

You all have seen as well the reports this morning of what appear to be an Iranian drone strike in downtown Kyiv, yet Iran continues to lie about this, she continued.

They have not been truthful about this and deny providing weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine. Meanwhile, according to these new reports, Iran is considering selling more destructive weapons to support an invasion they claim to oppose, she added.

At least four people were killed in early morning strikes on Kyiv that targeted infrastructure and buildings, Ukrainian officials said. The dead included a pregnant woman and her husband, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram. Rescue crews are searching the rubble for more victims.

The Associated Press and AFP captured images of the triangle shape of the drone over Kyiv. It appeared to resemble the Iranian Shahed-136, also referred to as a kamikaze drone. The AP reported that Klitschko posted a photo of debris recovered from the attacks on Monday showing Geran-2, the Russian name for the drone, marked on a tailfin.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani denied on Monday that Iran was providing Russia with drones.

The published news about Iran providing Russia with drones has political ambitions and its circulated by western sources. We have not provided weaponry to any side of the countries at war, he said at a Monday press conference, according to Reuters.

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Jean-Pierre said the administration is going to continue to vigorously enforce U.S. sanctions on both the Russian and Iranian arm trade.

Thats what well do from here, make it harder for Iran to sell these weapons to Russia, and well stand with our partners throughout the region against that Iranian threat, she said.

The administration is reportedly readying sanctions targeting Iranian military sales, according to Politico, but with measures likely looking to target specific individuals rather than the Iranian regime.

For anybody in the world who is either selling material to Iran that could be used for [unmanned aerial vehicles] or ballistic missiles, or who is involved in flights between Iran and Russia: Do your due diligence, because we are absolutely going to sanction anybody whos helping Iranians help Russians kill Ukrainians, a U.S. official told Politico.

Such a distinction is likely a way for the U.S. to thread a delicate needle in targeting individuals or businesses enabling military sales to Russia while attempting to preserve pathways for diplomacy with the Iranian government over efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

The door for diplomacy will always remain open, but as of now we dont see a deal coming together anytime soon, Jean-Pierre said. Meanwhile, regardless of the nuclear talks, we will continue to confront Irans behavior in the region.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Binance logo is displayed on a mobile phone screen Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of Binance, published a 6,000-word document about his management style.

In it, he wrote that he avoids giving employees verbal compliments.

"If we make a big deal out of each 'little' accomplishment, it feels like we are setting a low bar," he wrote.

Changpeng Zhao, the CEO and founder of the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange, published a 6,000-word document on Thursday about his managing style.

Binance employs thousands of staff members in engineering, marketing, business development, and other roles. One thing those employees won't hear much from Zhao? Compliments.

"If you do something well, you may hear from others: 'good job, great work, etc.' Probably not so much from me," Zhao wrote. On the other hand, the CEO said he often confronts staff who make mistakes or handle a task badly.

"If we make a big deal out of each 'little' accomplishment, it feels like we are setting a low bar. Not something we want to do," Zhao wrote.

Zhao said he also avoids doling out compliments because it could give way to perceptions of favoritism, and said congratulating someone for a job well done simply isn't time efficient.

"Satisfaction should come from within. When I do something well, my inner intrinsic rewards are sufficient," the CEO wrote.

"I am not saying this is a good approach, it's just how I operate," he added.

Binance has been the center of both acclaim and frequent controversy, as it faces concerns from authorities on whether it can be used to transfer illicit funds. On October 7, the exchange was hacked and about $100 million of Binance Coin was stolen.

Zhao himself has become a household figure in the blockchain industry. Worth $28.5 billion, the Chinese-Canadian mogul is the world's 37th richest person, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The stakes of domestic violence could not be higher.

The economic cost for the state is estimated at more than $650 million annually.

The link between domestic violence and mass killings is well-documented.

And in Wisconsin, someone dies in an act of domestic violence every five days.

At its core, domestic violence is about power and control in an intimate relationship.

Natalie Hayden

Leaving an abusive relationship can be complicated and difficult. People often fear for their safety, custody of their children and their daily life, especially if they don't have stable housing or income outside of their partner.

But there is hope.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asked four survivors of domestic abuse to offer their perspectives in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which runs throughout October.

Natalie Hayden and LaVerne Badger are the founders of "EXPOSED The Podcast" about life after an abusive relationship. Jennifer Moston and Rhoda Barnes are members of VOICES, a committee of survivors at Sojourner Family Peace Center who speak out to help others.

Jennifer Moston

What do you want the public to understand about domestic violence?

Natalie Hayden: What's really important for the public to understand about domestic violence is that it does not have one face. It doesn't show up in just one part of the city. It doesn't show up with just one type of person.

LaVerne Badger: What I would love for the public to understand about domestic violence is that it is not a one-covers-all. There are several ways to be abused. ... People think of the physical right away. But there's the emotional, the mental. There's social media abuse now. There's spiritual abuse. There's financial abuse. ... I would love for people to understand that just because you're not physically being harmed, that you still can be in an abusive relationship.

Jennifer Moston: What I really want the public to understand about domestic violence is that it can happen to anyone. It doesn't matter your race or socioeconomic (status). It doesn't matter where you live, what you do for a living. It can affect anyone.

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Rhoda Barnes: Domestic violence is dangerous. You either survive it or you die from it.

Rhoda Barnes

What helped you on your journey?

Hayden: Oftentimes when you are in a domestic violence circumstance, you are isolated and so you're not necessarily certain as to what to trust. ... The main thing that helped me was just being open to some of the advice, and even though I may have not taken it at that moment, it did resurface. I did think about it in those moments of despair and hopelessness and it was an opportunity.

Badger: It takes about 7 to 10 times to leave before you (permanently) leave, statistics say. And within those times that you leave and go back, people have dropped seeds in me. ... There were women who I would go into these small group counseling and I wouldn't talk much, but I heard what they were saying to me. They were things that were empowering me to get stronger and stronger, to say that I'm worthy.

Moston: What helped me most of my journey is reaching out to women's shelters for help, because if I would confide in friends, of course, naturally they would say, "You have to get out, you have to leave," and they didn't understand what a scary situation it was and how dangerous it was for me to get out.

What helped was stopping in the women's shelter in Waukesha and them saying, "We understand it's dangerous for you to get out, but what we're going to do is we're going to help you figure out a plan to get out, and we're going to help you figure out a plan what to do if another situation occurs."

Barnes: My higher power helped me in my journey, along with a few friends that understood me as a person and knew I didn't deserve that.

LaVerne Badger

What would you say to someone currently in an abusive relationship?

Hayden: The message that I would have ... is to take it very seriously, to know that there is hope and to try again. Do not give up and to believe in yourself. Know that there is a way out, that there's a door. Always.

Badger: Understand that you're worthy. I know personally how hard it is to break away from an abusive relationship. And if you're ready to do that, then make sure you come up with a plan.

Moston: You can get help. You can be OK. You can survive. There are other women who understand exactly how you are feeling. And there are other women who have been through what you're going through. It feels extremely alone when you're in this situation and you feel like nobody understands. But I promise there are people who understand.

Barnes: I would say if you're in a current relationship of domestic violence, to get out and seek help  a therapist, a psychiatrist  because you're going to need it. All abuse does is burden you down with misery and our higher power didn't create us to suffer. He created us to live and help one another.

Where to find help

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.

The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at (414) 933-2722.

We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org.

The Womens Center in Waukesha has a 24-hour hotline at (262) 542-3828.

The Asha Project, which serves African American women in Milwaukee, provides a crisis line from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (414) 252-0075.

The UMOS Latina Resource Center in Milwaukee offers bilingual, bicultural, domestic violence, sexual assault and anti-human trafficking supportive services and operates a 24-hour hotline at (414) 389-6510.

The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence and can be reached at (414) 383-9526.

Our Peaceful Home, which serves Muslim families and is a program of the Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition, operates a crisis line at (414) 727-1090.

The Hmong American Womens Association, which serves the Hmong and Southeast Asian community, has advocates available at (414) 930-9352 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help.

Need more help with crime and safety questions? The Milwaukee Resource Guide is here to help. Have something you want answered? Submit a question.

Contact Ashley Luthern at ashley.luthern@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @aluthern.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What Wisconsin domestic violence survivors want you to know
A conservative commentator has received flak after she demanded repatriations from American Airlines for having to sit between two overweight passengers on a three-hour-long flight.

Sydney Watson, an Australian-American political commentator, had taken to Twitter to share her discomfort onboard a flight on Monday, which she described as being literally wedged between two obese people.

This is absolutely not acceptable or okay. If fat people want to be fat, fine. But it is something else entirely when Im stuck between you, with your arm rolls on my body, for three hours, she wrote, along with posting images of the passengers arms.

I don't care if this is mean. My entire body is currently being touched against my wishes. I cant even put the arm rests down on either side because theres no f***ing room, she added. If you need a seat belt extender, you are too fat to be on a plane.

Ms Watson, in one of the tweets, referred to the passengers as the fats while saying that they are sweating on me.

She added that she asked the sibling of one of the passengers if they would like to swap seats, but he refused. He says, No. that's okay, she wrote.

Our passengers come in all different sizes and shapes. Were sorry you were uncomfortable on your flight, the airline said in a reply to one of her tweets.

Our passengers come in all different sizes and shapes. We're sorry you were uncomfortable on your flight.  americanair (@AmericanAir) October 11, 2022

The airline, in another tweet, said it offered a variety of seat sizes and styles, so our customers can select what works best for them and in another reply to a social media user, posted a link describing its seat options.

We offer a variety of seat sizes and styles, so our customers can select what works best for them.  americanair (@AmericanAir) October 11, 2022

Please follow the link below for details on all of our seat options. https://t.co/76sHAkoxRE  americanair (@AmericanAir) October 12, 2022

Unsatisfied with the airlines reply, Ms Watson asked if she is expected to have only a quarter of a seat during flights.

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I am currently - 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. pic.twitter.com/9uIqcpJO8I  Dr. Sydney Watson (@SydneyLWatson) October 10, 2022

I just experienced getting sweat on, touched without my consent, smacked in the face and subjected to hours of no personal space, she added.

On Friday, the commentator asked for repatriations after her experience sparked a debate on social media, with some people criticising her for fatphobic remarks, while others questioned the airline.

The next day, Ms Watson said she was totally fine with being in the news for fat shaming, later adding that she will stand by everything she said earlier.

This is my worst nightmare as a fat person who is not rich. I would hate to see a picture of my fat body on a strangers Twitter because I want a vacation, wrote one Twitter user.

Lady, if space and luxury is so important to you why not fly first class? Why didnt you speak up and asked to be moved in the first place instead of complaining on social media. People are so entitled nowadays, said another user.

I wouldnt have been stuck between them at all. All passengers have rights as do you in this circumstance. I once had someone who reeked next me. I had the attendant move me away from the odor. As a passenger I pay for my rights, not subordinate to anyone else, wrote radio host David Webb in a reply to Ms Watson.

I wouldnt have been stuck between them at all. All passengers have rights as do you in this circumstance. I once had someone who reeked next me. I had the attendant move me away from the odor. As a passenger I pay for my rights, not subordinate to anyone else.  David Webb (@davidwebbshow) October 16, 2022

Some argued that the onus should be on the airlines to make human-sized seats instead of slamming fat people.

Has it occurred to you that airlines should make seats that are HUMAN SIZED rather than putting the onus on fat people to be seat sized? This is about companies putting profit over people, but glad folks now know NOT seek to medical care from an ignorant bigot like you. https://t.co/HFONhpqpjC  TAYLOR [Vaughn Lasley] REID (@TVElle) October 16, 2022

There are measuring boxes to check if your luggage fits and complies with the dimensions limit. Seems like soon we will need the same for the seats, wrote Thomas Daujotas.

Ms Watson later clarified that the company that was flying her to a venue had booked the middle seat and when she went to change, there were no other seats available.
Laura Howarth stole 100,000 from her employer to fund lavish purchases. (Reach)

A finance assistant has been jailed after she stole 100,000 from her employer to fund an "Instagram lifestyle".

Laura Howarth, 41, stole "every single week" from British Independent Utilities in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire.

Preston Crown Court heard that she bought a white SUV car, hair extensions and VIP concert tickets using the stolen money, copying the lifestyles of other glamorous women, including her boss's wife, and posting the results of her spending spree on Instagram.

The mother-of-two was earning over 900 a month and owed "a couple of thousand" in payday loans.

The court heard she only stopped stealing from her bosses when she went on holiday or was on maternity leave.

Howarth, from Devona Avenue, Blackpool, even applied for extensions to the credit card limits to allow her to steal up to 6,000 a month. When the thefts came to light, in August 2018, she claimed she had shared the money with her work colleagues.

However, jailing her for 10 months for theft, Judge Richard Gioserano told her: "You stole a great deal of money to provide a lifestyle you couldn't afford - a glimpse of which can be seen on your Instagram account."

Howarth was employed by the company in 2013 and asked to look after the petty cash and expense accounts.

Stuart Neale, prosecuting, said she started stealing "almost immediately". In August that year she withdrew 50 from a Royal Bank of Scotland ATM, despite cash withdrawals being forbidden by the company.

She then added the money to a legitimate expense claim when she entered it on to the Sage accounting system, to make the books appear to balance.

Read more: Bus driver dies in 'medical episode' at the wheel after crashing into house

Laura Howarth was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to 10 months in prison. (PA)

When she realised she could get away with it, Howarth went on to withdraw an average of 3,000 a month.

In November 2016, she spent 6,000 of company money in a month, the court heard. But in August 2018, financial controller Chris Russell was reviewing the company credit cards and discovered one - used by Howarth - had been used to withdraw cash.

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He later found a credit card statement on her desk. An investigation was launched and Howarth was suspended from her job. That night, she sent a WhatsApp message to her employer, saying: "I'm sorry for everything."

Russ Priestley, owner of British Independent Utilities, said: "I have worked over 100 hours a week, sacrificing social time and time with my family to build this business up.

"These events have made me question my choices and fundamentally make me look at people differently."

He said he had suspicions about Howarth when he saw her driving a new Kia Sportage.

On another occasion, after he had spent 500 a ticket to see his favourite comedian on stage in Manchester, Priestly was shocked to see Howarth and her husband seated in the row behind.

Anthony Parkinson, defending, said his client had always been a hard worker and had no previous convictions. The impact of her offending would be felt by her wider family, he said.

Sentencing Howarth, Judge Gioserano said: "You attempted to conceal your thefts with false accounting, and you did so over a long period of time.

"You not only covered your tracks but you increased the card limit so that you could steal more.

"You tried to blame others in the sense that you said what you had withdrawn had been given to other employees - and that was a very limited pool.

"Most of all, you accept you stole this money not to alleviate genuine financial hardship, not to pay for private hospital treatment for a sick member of your family, but to fund a lifestyle you couldn't otherwise afford. Honest hardworking people work hard to try and afford this, and if they can't afford it in that way they simply accept that. They do not resort to theft in order to fund it."
Washington State Patrol is investigating after a woman was killed in a road rage shooting in Skykomish on Saturday night.

According to WSP, the shooting happened around 7:48 p.m. on Highway 2 near milepost 63.

Authorities said the shooting started as a road rage incident between the driver of a silver 2014 Kia Sorento and the driver of a Subaru SUV. When the driver of the Kia tried to create distance between themselves and the Subaru, an occupant of the Subaru fired a gun through a rear passenger window on the Kia.

A 24-year-old Everett woman in the Kia was hit and killed.

Authorities said the Subaru fled in an unknown direction.

Detectives are asking for the publics help in locating the Subaru. Witnesses described it as a dark-colored SUV with a roof-mounted cargo basket on top.

If you see a vehicle that matches the description or have other information about the case, you are asked to call or email Detective Sergeant Michael Marken at 360-654-1140 or Michael.Marken@wsp.wa.gov.
Illuminating Chinese art history with their splendid hues, these wares bear witness to cultural exchanges going back centuries.

What would be the most apt words to describe the domestic ambience of a literary-minded man living in 14th-century China, during the Ming empire (1368-1644)? To a modernday person who has dabbled in the country's aesthetic history, likely candidates would be "sober" and "demure", bearing in mind the succinct lines and dark colors of the now-hailed Ming-style furniture.

Well, all the writing tables, armchairs and wardrobe cabinets on display in one of the Chinese galleries on the second floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York prove they would be right.

But only partially, says Lu Pengliang, assistant curator of the museum's Asian art department. In a sequestered space on the third floor, Lu has quietly amassed a clamorous show, with nearly 100 pieces of Chinese enamelware, almost all dating to the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. With bold colors bordering on boisterous and patterns intricate to the point of intoxicating, the exhibits, from fruit plates and flower vases to incense burners and snuff bottles, beckon viewers with a flight of fancy into history.

"The sheer number of Ming and Qing enameled wares that have been found and the multitude of purposes they served testifies to their role: people lived with and amid them," says Lu, who titled the display Embracing Color: Enamel in Chinese Decorative Arts, 1300-1900.

The exhibition opens with a prelude, in the form of a bluish-white porcelain vase from around the 13th century. With its swirling carved pattern silenced by a glacial sheen, the vase exudes a calmness and a composure that China's elite literati valued.

"Polychrome porcelain enjoyed an elevated status in Chinese art history for a long time," Lu says, pointing to a collector's manual from the late 14th century, which described cloisonne enamels as "out of place in a scholar's study" for its perceived visual excess.

Yet 68 years later, in a revised version of the book, the new author reversed his predecessor's judgment, calling cloisonne enamels of the imperial court "delicate, sparkling and lovely". What happened in between the two editions was the royal family acquiring taste for color, which in turn led to the new aesthetic's adoption throughout society, Lu says.

"In a sense, it was more about who set the standard for beauty than about beauty itself. This is not to discredit the technical tour de force that had allowed this to happen."

Cloisonne enameling, used in the West since ancient times, entails affixing thin metal strips to the pre-drawn surface of a metal object. This creates many small compartments  the French cloisons means partitions  into which a paste of finely ground, colored glass and water is placed. The piece is then fired, turning the glass into enamel and fusing it with the metal. Often the enamel shrinks, and a second or even a third application and firing is needed to fill the cloisons completely.

Contemporary writings of the Ming era traced cloisonne enameling, believed to have been introduced to China in the late 13th century, to the Arab empire (632-1258) and the Byzantine empire (395-1453), in the latter case the art peaking in the 12th century. While the Byzantine cloisonne often used gold featuring miniature-sized religious objects, Ming cloisonne had colors bursting on the copper surfaces of daily wares, with the standing edges of the copper strips polished and gilded to contrast with the objects' signature turquoise and lapis blues.

The blues, which gave rise to the Chinese name for cloisonne enameling, jingtailan (jingtai is the reign mark for the seventh emperor of Ming, and lan means blue), were made possible through imported and later domestically produced cobalt pigment, one of the few that can withstand extremely high firing temperatures. In fact, it was the same pigment that led to the production of chinaware painted in underglaze blue, a famed category of Chinese porcelain whose blue-white combination bears a clear Islamic influence.

Not unlike cloisonne, such wares, known as qinghua (blue flower pattern), were initially considered vulgar, before being celebrated and made in large quantities at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty in the mid-14th century. When cloisonne enameling had its own moment soon after, its saturating colors overflowed onto porcelain.

"This was no accident since porcelain had always been what China was known for in ancient times," says Lu, whose Chinese color story is partly centered on cloisonne and partly on porcelain. "Both involved enameling. While cloisonne was never realized on the surface of porcelain, it did every bit to inform its chromatic overglaze."

In the same way copper strips were used with cloisonne, the underglaze blue was employed to draw the outline and provide partition for the varied colors of the overglaze, added during a second firing.

Within those well-delineated spaces, Lu sees an amalgam of influences, ones that had come from far and wide.

Found on several exhibits in the current display is a lotus scroll pattern composed of repeating lotus flowers set within meandering, intertwining tendrils. Now considered archetypal Chinese, it is mostly likely to have traveled the Silk Road from the West, where it had been modeled after acanthus, a plant commonly used to make foliage decoration.

Also traveling the ancient route were Sasanian silverware and pilgrim flasks. The former found their way into a 16th-century porcelain ewer whose red enamel had taken a cue from Chinese lacquerware. The latter, having quenched the thirst of Sogdian merchants and others who had trekked the long road, were reinvented as a pair of luxurious 18th-century cloisonne bottles, both sides densely populated with dragons and tigers, horses and monkeys, alluding unabashedly to the secular pursuit of fame and fortune.

Elsewhere, cloisonne assisted in the spiritual quest, as in the form of a 15th-century base that once supported a three-dimensional ceremonial mandala that probably comprised models of temples and colored sands. If visual intensity could help focus attention and induce piety, a belief central to certain mandala designs, then cloisonne is well-suited to the job.

For Lu, the mandala base testified to the fervor of the Ming court for Tibetan Buddhism. Similar objects have been found in stupas in Tibet and are believed to be the Ming rulers' parting gifts for visiting Tibetan monks, he says.

On a Ming Dynasty cloisonne bowl the Eight Treasures of Tibetan Buddhism  a lidded jar and conch shell being two of them  jostle for space with a miscellany of emblems derived from Taoism and other indigenous beliefs. These include ingots, rhinoceros horns and the Three Peaks, cloud-wreathed worshiping sites for Taoist practitioners.
Chinese President Xi Jinpingsspeech on the opening day of this weeks ruling party meeting charts a course for ongoing tense relations with the U.S. hinged to a dark vision of a China beset by external attempts to suppress and contain it.

Xi outlined an aggressive foreign policy on Sunday as he detailed his work report, a document that sets out domestic and foreign policy priorities for the Chinese Communist Party for the next five years.

We will resolutely safeguard the security of China's state power, systems and ideology  and build up security capacity in key areas, Xi said. We will crack down hard on infiltration, sabotage, subversion, and separatist activities by hostile forces.

Xi spoke at the opening of the 20th Party Congress, a gathering of more than 2,000 CCP officials who are widely expected to endorse him for a third term as the countrys paramount leader.

Xi s implicit messaging: Hell dedicate his third term to countering a perceived U.S. threat to his hawkish vision of national rejuvenation  referring to his determination to defy any perceived violations of Chinas unity and sovereignty.

The Congress comes just four days after the Biden administration released a National Security Strategy that focused on China as the only competitor with both the intent to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to do it.

Xis speech provides a window into the Chinese leaders increasingly bleak view of the future of U.S.-China relations and could intensify moves by the U.S. to pursue policies and partnerships to counter Chinas growing influence in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

What is striking  is how pessimistic China is in terms of assessing its overall security environment, particularly its external environment, said Bonny Lin, former country director for China at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Many of the measures it lists China as needing to undertake are intended to prepare the PRC population for domestic or external crises.

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Xi channeled that pessimism by referring to external attempts to blackmail, contain, blockade, and exert maximum pressure on China.

That language reflects the Chinese governments deepening concern about the impacts of the growing number of Biden administration initiatives targeting the perceived economic and security threats Xis China poses to the U.S. This month alone the U.S. restricted semiconductor exports to China, and warned China may pursue weaponization of trade as a tool of geopolitical coercion.

Xi also called for greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, reflecting the Chinese governments concerns that those initiatives may starve China of the ability to develop a high-technology industrial base for both civilian and military use competitive with that of the U.S.

Xi underscored the need to upgrade Chinas national security and military readiness, urging a strong system of strategic deterrence, an implicit reference to the Peoples Liberation Armys dramatic expansion of itsnuclear weapons capacity in the past two years.

The emphasis on national security and comprehensive security is striking, said Danny Russel, former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs and vice president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute. This is the shape of things to come [in Xis] third term  Its a construct that justifies his continued rule and that the party uses to require loyalty and sacrifice by Chinese citizens.

The trigger point of that sacrifice may be potential conflict between the U.S. and China over Taiwan. After House Speaker Nancy Pelosis Taiwan visit in August, China began regularly flying fighter jets across the halfway point in the waters between China and the self-governing island.

In his speech, Xi reiterated the CCPs standard position that it will never promise to renounce the use of force to ensure reunification with Taiwan.

In the context of intensifying Peoples Liberation Army provocations across the Taiwan Strait, such statements appear more threatening than they have in the past, said Kerry Brown, former first secretary at the British Embassy in Beijing

There is a sense of battle readiness and that the army is not just there as a trinket of power, said Brown, now director of the Lau China Institute at Kings College, London.
Ford on stage smiling



Harrison Ford on stage at the D23 Expo earlier this year.

There had been speculation that the upcoming fifth Indiana Jones movie could be Harrison Fords last film role. Not only is that untrue, Ford is jumping from that franchise into the biggest one in all of modern Hollywood: the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

As previously reported by the Hot Mic and Slashfilm, it has now been confirmed that Ford will play General Thaddeus Ross, a role vacated by the late, great William Hurt, in the MCU. Ford will first assume the role in Captain America: New World Order, starring Anthony Mackie, which is scheduled for release May 3, 2024. Julius Onah is directing from a script co-written by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier showrunner Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musso. The new report doesnt say if Ford will then carry that role over into Thunderbolts later that summer on July 26, 2024, but considering Ross nickname is Thunderbolt, casting someone of Fords stature is a huge deal, and the previous reports said he would, its a very safe assumption well see the character in that film as well.

Read more

Since he finished Indy 5, Ford has been working his 80-year-old butt off. Hes set to star in a new Yellowstone series, 1923, as well as Apple TV+s upcoming Shrinking, from members of the Ted Lasso team and starring Jason Segel. With that pivot to television, and now the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you almost get the sense Ford was reinvigorated by the Indy 5 experience. That makes those quotes from his frequent collaborator John Williams about Indy 5 possibly being his last film all but forgotten.

Well next see Han Solo/Indiana Jones/Jack Ryan/Rick Deckard on the big screen in the still somehow untitled Indiana Jones 5, a full trailer of which is likely to be out before the end of the year. Thats set for release June 30, 2023.





Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel and Star Wars releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Read also: Ukrainian defenders down nine Iranian suicide drones in one hour

All night and all morning the enemy terrorizes the civilian population, Zelenskyy wrote.

Read also: Russians use Iranian drones in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast overnight, says governor

Kamikaze drones and missiles attack all of Ukraine. In Kyiv, there was a hit on a residential building.



However, these attacks will not damage Ukrainian morale or resolve to defeat the enemy, the president stated.



The enemy can strike at our cities, but he will not be able to break us, he said.

Read also: Iran to send ballistic missiles to Russia for war against Ukraine

Only fair punishment and condemnation by future generations awaits the invaders. For us - victory.



Four Iranian-made suicide drone struck residential buildings and infrastructure facilities in Kyiv on Oct. 17, according to Kyiv mayor Vitaliy Klychko, who stated that the hits had all occurred in the central Shevchenko district of the city.

Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts were similarly attacked. Rolling blackouts have begun in the city of Dnipro.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
UKRAINSKA PRAVDA  MONDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2022, 22:43

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on this mornings drone attack on Kyiv, saying that Vladimir Putin, leader of the aggressor country, could now add a new "achievement" to his tally: the death of another pregnant woman.

Source: President Zelenskyys video address

Details: President Zelenskyy said that rubble was being cleared away throughout the day today at the sites that were struck by Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones deployed by Russian terrorists. Over 25 cities and towns came under Russian attack in the early hours of 17 October.

Quote: "In Kyiv, they killed a young family, targeting an apartment building with an Iranian Shahed. A [young man] and a young woman, six months pregnant Vladimir Putin can mark another achievement: he killed another pregnant woman.

In total, four people were killed by this Shahed alone. There were other [strikes].

Previously: Russian forces deployed Iranian-made kamikaze drones in an attack on a residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv on the morning of 17 October. Kyiv was hit a total of four times.

One of the drones hit an apartment block on Zhylianska Street, killing a young couple, Bohdan and Viktoriia, who was six months pregnant. She was found in her husbands arms

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
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.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  While University of Virginia students bombard Reddit, Twitter and Yik Yak and other social media with complaints about Grounds construction projects being seemingly every 10 feet, the University of Virginia has unveiled the big project behind one pile of dirt.

After breaking ground last week, UVa will unveil a brand new hotel and conference center in the summer of 2025. The grassless hill on the Emmet Street/Ivy Road corridor is the site for a new hotel and conference center owned by UVa and operated by Pyramid Global Hospitality.

The $130.5 million project will be constructed on the northern edge of the Emmet-Ivy entrance corridor to greet visitors at one of the central points of the university grounds.

This will be a crossroads for the university, and the universitys front door, UVa President Ryan said during the groundbreaking ceremony last week, according to UVa Today. The hotel and conference center will play an important role as a place where people can gather and stay; prospective students and their parents, data scientists, faculty from the Law School can meet there with members of the Medical School faculty. This will be a bridge that makes the community stronger, bring worlds together in ways that are predictable and unpredictable.

UVa Today reports that the space is being designed to host visiting scholars and lecturers, prospective faculty members and students, returning alumni, career recruiters and other visitors.

With enough space to host a conference, meeting and gala all in one day, the hotel will include meeting and terrace spaces on the third floor. Outdoor dining and a ballroom are slated for the second floor and an event suite with a private terrace space on the top floor.

Guests will have 214 rooms that boast views of the Rotunda and about 25,000 square feet of conference space from which to choose.

Weve partnered with a number of design firms, contractors and consultants to ensure the hotel is well designed and built, said Colette Sheehy, UVa senior vice president for operations and state government relations. It creates a welcoming and inclusive place where the UVa community, local residents and visitors can gather and interact.

With shovels in hand, Ryan, Sheehy, UVa COO J.J. Davis and UVa Foundation CEO Tim Rose broke ground last week along with representatives from Handbury Architects, the firm leading the project and its design, and Pyramid Global Hospitality officials.

Pyramid Global also operates the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Perimeter at Villa Christina in Georgia as well as the Westin Grand Cayman Resort & Spa in the Cayman Islands.

The UVa Board of Visitors approved the designs for the 223-square-foot hotel and conference center last year. Construction will begin on the southwest corner of the Emmet/Ivy parking garage across from Newcomb Hall.

Maintaining the universitys sustainability goals and mission to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across grounds by 2030, the hotel and conference center will be certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, an extension of the U.S. Green Building Council, UVA Today reports.

The roof will be compatible with solar panels and storm water runoff from the building will flow to a retention pond near the Emmet/Ivy garage.

To complement the signature design of UVa buildings, the hotel exterior will be crafted with red brick similar to the material used on the School of Data Science building located southeast of the new inn.

The UVa Foundation will manage the latest addition to the university while Benchmark Hospitality, a subsidiary of Pyramid Advisors Unlimited, will operate the hotel. According to UVa Today, Benchmark plans to establish relationships with local high schools, community colleges and trade schools to offer job training for those looking to work in the hospitality industry.
Applications are now being accepted for The Community Foundation for Western Iowas Make It Happen nonprofit training program.

Make It Happen is an 18-month training program designed to assist nonprofit partners in establishing fundraising tactics, building longterm relationships and growing their sustainability, according to a press release. The program expounds on research from Jenni Frumer  retired CEO of Alpert Jewish Family Services and current president of an eponymous organizational management company  and focuses on what motivates donors and stakeholders toward philanthropy.

The fund development learning program, available to western Iowa nonprofit and community partners, also leverages strengths-based management principles to build and solidify internal organizational strengths toward fund development success.

Beginning in January 2023, participants will meet once a month through June, after which the program switches to quarterly Continuing to Make It Happen sessions, where participants are able to learn from subject matter experts based on their personal feedback and needs.

After the Community Foundation was awarded an initial grant from the Iowa Council of Foundations in April 2019 for its inaugural Make It Happen program, investment banking firm D.A. Davidson is sponsoring the 2023 program.

Supporting the communities in which we live and work is one of D.A. Davidsons core values and we are pleased to support the Community Foundations Make It Happen initiative, which will ultimately benefit the communities of western Iowa, D.A. Davidson CEO Larry Martinez said. As someone who was raised in Council Bluffs, it is particularly gratifying to support the community that means so much to me as well as many of my colleagues.

The Community Foundation created the Make It Happen program after witnessing an increase in requests for consultation in the areas of nonprofit agency endowments and fundraising, according to its press release.

The program will support nonprofit partners by increasing their ability to put a comprehensive plan in place that focuses on the benefits of a strong, endowed funding stream, and will not only ensure the organizations longterm viability and strength, but will also effectively create a widespread culture of philanthropy throughout the Community Foundations western Iowa service area.

Thanks to the amazing generosity and kindness of our partners at D.A. Davidson, we are excited to offer this high-impact learning cohort to the nonprofit organizations of our southwest Iowa region, Community Foundation president and CEO Donna Dostal said in the press release. This will be our second offering of the cohort, with newly-added guest speakers and exclusive learning based on the research of Dr. Frumer. Make It Happen is another way we feel the Community Foundation can help build knowledge and sustainability within our nonprofit community.

The inaugural 2020 Make It Happen cohort consisted of eight area nonprofit organizations: Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, FAMILY Inc., Golden Hills RC&D, Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs, Historic General Dodge House, Midlands Humane Society and Trivium.

Organizations will be selected through an application process, which is open through Nov. 1. Information on the program and how to apply can be found at www.givewesterniowa.org/impact/makeithappen.
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Art is a form of communication and painting, as one of its languages, has been an important way to record and illustrate events.

Painters in China have used their brushes to tell stories about the country's historic achievements in the past decade.

In September, China Daily's Times' Palette Studio signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Academy of Art, the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, the Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts, the Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts and the Hubei Institute of Fine Arts to build a joint platform to introduce Chinese paintings to the world.

Presenting eight paintings from the China Academy of Art, the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and the Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, this page demonstrates how people's lives have been improved and how the country has forged ahead in ecological preservation and environmental protection over the past decade.
The African Unions (AU) chairman has called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in the two-year-old conflict in Ethiopias northern Tigray region, whereby his call for a truce comes as the pan-African body makes efforts to bring the warring sides to the negotiating table.

African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed grave concern in a statement Saturday (15 October) over the fighting and called for an immediate, unconditional cease-fire and the resumption of humanitarian services. The statement also urged the Parties to recommit to dialogue as per their agreement. AU-led peace talks were due to take place in South Africa earlier this month but were postponed because of logistical and technical issues. The warring parties had said they were ready to participate in the process, even though fighting persists in the conflict-torn region.

The AU statement followed one issued late Saturday by a UN representative who said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was gravely concerned about the escalation of the fighting and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Also European Union foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell said he was horrified by the reports of continuous violence, including the targeting of civilians in Shire. Ethiopian government forces have been engaged in fighting with Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) rebels since November 2020. Meanwhile, an aid worker was reported among three people killed during an air strike on the town of Shire in Ethiopias northern Tigray region, the International Rescue Committee said on Saturday.
The 5th edition of the YouthConnekt Africa summit that ended in Kigali, Rwanda, on Saturday (15 October) was attended by thousands of young innovators and leaders from all across the world who discussed different ways to promote growth and advancement for the youth of the African continent.

This years summit  on the theme Accelerating investments in Youth: Resilient Youth, Resilient Africa  featured 3 days of conferences, masterclasses and networking sessions. It brought together participants from 30 African countries to discuss and chart a way forward on how to involve the youth in Africas trade, health, climate resilience and financing, technology, and skilling for the future among other topics.

Among the high level delegates were Kenyan Deputy President Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua and Rwandas President Paul Kagame who stressed that the youth are a resilient movement that will contribute to a prosperous 2063 agenda for a better Africa.

According to findings by the United Nations Development Programs (UNDP) 42% of Young people in Africa dont have access to the funding needed to run their businesses. They, therefore, fall to get that funding. Sometimes their ideas remain in the back of their brains and they are unable to take their dreams to the market and reach their customers.

The African Union (AU)s 2063 agenda is the continents framework which aims to deliver on goals for inclusive and sustainable development according to the AU, it is a manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity.
PPA-CI, the political party of former Ivoirian leader Laurent Gbagbo, is celebrating this Monday its first anniversary, ahead of the 2025 presidential elections.

The party is the third force in the national assembly with 18 seats behind ruling RHDP of incumbent President Alassan Ouattara and PDCI of former leader Henri Konan Bedie. There is no doubt: the PPA-CI is already a major player on the Ivorian political arena, said Justin Kone Katinan, spokesman for the party and former budget minister.

PPA-CI was founded in 2021 upon the return of leader Gbagbo in June after he was acquitted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) after a lengthy trial. Gbagbo was arrested in April 2011 and transferred to the ICC detention unit in The Hague. The ICC charged him with four counts of crimes against humanity for allegedly having been an indirect co-perpetrator of acts of murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, persecution, and other inhuman acts.

Ivorians are expected to vote a new leader in 2025 and Gbagbo is touted to be the partys candidate.
The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has highlighted in his latest report to the Security Council on the Sahara issue, Spains position that considers the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007 to be the most serious, credible and realistic basis for resolving the dispute.

In his report, Guterres mentions the letter addressed on March 14, 2022 to King Mohammed VI by the head of the Spanish government, stating clearly Spains position on this issue.

Spains support for the autonomy initiative is a further recognition of the credibility of the Moroccan proposal and the fact that it comes from Spain, given its historical role as a former colonial power, reinforces its weight and symbolism.

The report also refers to the reaction of Algeria, which in opposition to Spains decision, however sovereign, decided to recall its ambassador in Madrid for consultations, and resorted to its usual tactics of intimidation, through suspending the treaty of friendship, neighborhood and cooperation with Spain.

Similarly, the UN Secretary Generals report mentions the virulent reaction of the polisario which, following this letter, decided to suspend its contacts with the Spanish government, thus mimicking its Algerian mentor.

Spains decision, which is in line with the broad and growing international recognition of Moroccos legitimate rights over its Sahara, only reaffirms the realism, pragmatism and seriousness of the Moroccan autonomy initiative, supported by the Security Council and more than 90 countries in the world, as the basis for resolving this regional dispute.

In his report, the UN Chief also highlighted the quality of cooperation between Moroccan authorities and MINURSO and expressed special thanks to the Moroccan government for its full cooperation on issues related to Covid-19, stressing that the Royal Armed Forces and the Ministry of Health have continued to provide MINURSOs military and civilian personnel with anti-Covid vaccinations.

Guterres underscored the full cooperation and ongoing communication at the strategic level between MINURSO and the Royal Armed Forces, including through numerous visits by the MINURSO Force Commander and the Acting Force Commander to FAR headquarters between November 2021 and August 2022.

In this connection, he welcomed the freedom of movement enjoyed by MINURSO in the Sahara, which allows it, he stated, to implement its mandate in the best possible operational conditions.

Guterres likewise commended the strengthened commitment of Morocco with its Special Representative, Alexander Ivanko.
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Virtual Investor Conferences

Company invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend real-time, interactive presentations on VirtualInvestorConferences.com

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Idaho Champion (CSE: ITKO) (OTCQB: GLDRF), a Canadian-based battery metals focused company with operations in Idaho, USA and Quebec, Canada, today announced that Jonathan Buick, President and CEO, will present live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com on October 20th, 2022.



DATE: October 20th, 2022

TIME: 10 am EST

LINK: https://bit.ly/3q1Z3Ka

Available for 1x1 meetings: October 21st, 24th and 25th

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

Company Highlights

Looking for North Americas next domestic battery metals supply source

Exploration planned in Q4 2022 on the 16,975-acre cobalt portfolio in the fairway of the Idaho Cobalt Belt

Near-term exploration on the newly acquired 40,031-acre prospective lithium pegmatite projects in Quebec, Canada

CEO is the second largest shareholder; Board members are involved in successful lithium assets with over $6 Billion in market value

About Idaho Champion

Idaho Champion is a discovery-focused exploration company that is committed to advancing its highly prospective mineral properties located in Idaho, United States and Quebec, Canada. The Companys shares trade on the CSE under the trading symbol ITKO, on the OTCQB under the trading symbol GLDRF, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 1QB1. Idaho Champion is vested in Idaho with four cobalt properties in Lemhi County in the Idaho Cobalt Belt. In addition, the Company has been advancing the Baner gold project in Idaho County and the Champagne polymetallic project located in Butte County near Arco.

Story continues

Idaho Champion strives to be a responsible environmental steward, stakeholder and contributing citizen to the local communities where it operates. Idaho Champion takes its social license seriously, employing local community members and service providers at its operations whenever possible.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

Idaho Champion

Nicholas Konkin

Marketing and Communications

(416) 567-9087

nkonkin@idahochamp.com

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

johnv@otcmarkets.com




ReportLinker

The Global Next Generation Advanced Batteries Market size was estimated at USD 1,492. 33 million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 1,626. 20 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 9.

New York, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Next Generation Advanced Batteries Market Research Report by Technology, End user, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06340145/?utm_source=GNW

22% to reach USD 2,533.95 million by 2027.



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 Next Generation Advanced Batteries to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Technology, the market was studied across Lithium-Sulfur Battery, Magnesium Ion Battery, Metal-Air Battery, Next-generation Flow Battery, and Solid Electrolyte Battery.



Based on End user, the market was studied across Consumer Electronics, Energy Storage, Industrial, and Transportation.



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 Next Generation Advanced Batteries 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 Next Generation Advanced Batteries 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 Next Generation Advanced Batteries Market, including 24M Technologies, Inc., Amprius Technologies Inc., Aqua Power System Japan, Arconic Corporation, e-Zinc, Energizer Holdings, Inc., EnZinc, Inc., ESS, Inc., GS Yuasa Corporation, Ionomr Innovations Inc., LG Chem Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Mag One Products Inc., Oxis Energy Ltd, Panasonic Corporation, Pathion Inc., Pellion Technologies Inc., PolyPlus Battery Company Inc., Renata SA, RiAlAiR Ltd., Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Sion Power Corporation, Sonic Energy, Sony Corporation, ZAF Energy Systems, Inc., and Zinc8 Energy Solutions Inc..



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 Next Generation Advanced Batteries Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Next Generation Advanced Batteries Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Next Generation Advanced Batteries Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Next Generation Advanced Batteries Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Next Generation Advanced Batteries Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Next Generation Advanced Batteries Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Next Generation Advanced Batteries Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06340145/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

Story continues

CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




ReportLinker

The Global Retail Vending Machine Market size was estimated at USD 41. 89 billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 44. 43 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 6. 32% to reach USD 60.

New York, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Retail Vending Machine Market Research Report by Type, Payment Mode, Application, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06341150/?utm_source=GNW

53 billion by 2027.



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 Retail Vending Machine to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Type, the market was studied across Beauty & Personal Care, Beverage, Candy & Confectionery, Food, Games/Amusement, Ice-cream Vending Machines, Pharmacy, Ticket, Tobacco, and Vending Machine.



Based on Payment Mode, the market was studied across Cash and Cashless.



Based on Application, the market was studied across Commercial Places, Offices, and Public Places.



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 Retail Vending Machine 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 Retail Vending Machine 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 Retail Vending Machine Market, including Azkoyen Group, Cantaloupe Systems, Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., Glory Ltd., Orasesta S.p.A., Royal Vendors, Inc., Sanden Holding Corp., Seaga Manufacturing Inc., Sellmat S.r.l., and Westomatic Vending Services Limited.



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 Retail Vending Machine Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Retail Vending Machine Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Retail Vending Machine Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Retail Vending Machine Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Retail Vending Machine Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Retail Vending Machine Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Retail Vending Machine Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06341150/?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




The Opelika Police Department is requesting the publics assistance in identifying two suspects in a theft of property, third degree, which occurred at Ulta on 2690 Enterprise Drive.

On June, 18 2022, police said two adult suspects entered the store and stole select fragrance items.

Police said surveillance video shows the first suspect to be a Black male wearing a black hat, a black face mask, a white shirt and tattoos on both arms. The second suspect was a Black female with a long blonde ponytail wearing a blue jacket and tan hat with a light-colored face mask.

Anyone with information on this incident or the identity of the suspects is asked to contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at 334-705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App.

Tips can also be forwarded through Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP(7867), toll-free at 1-833-AL1-STOP, or via their Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/215stop or their website: www.215STOP.com.
CPC charts course for Chinese modernization as key congress opens

Xinhua) 08:05, October 17, 2022

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) on Sunday unveiled its blueprint for building a modern socialist China in all respects for the next five years and beyond as the 20th CPC National Congress opened.

The five-yearly meeting is the first national congress of the CPC after its centenary in 2021, when the Party led the Chinese people to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

"From this day forward, the central task of the CPC will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization," Xi Jinping said in a report at the opening session of the congress.

He urged all CPC members to never forget the original aspiration and founding mission and to have the courage and ability to carry on the fight.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

MILESTONE DECADE

Xi hailed the great transformation in the first decade of the new era as "a milestone in the history of the Party, of the People's Republic of China, of reform and opening up, of the development of socialism, and of the development of the Chinese nation."

The CPC embraced its centenary, ushered in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and eradicated absolute poverty and finished building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, thus completing the First Centenary Goal, he said, calling the three major events "historic feats."

China's GDP has come to account for 18.5 percent of the world economy, up 7.2 percentage points over the past 10 years. The world's second largest economy has become a major trading partner for over 140 countries and regions, leading the world in total volume of trade in goods.

China has also joined the ranks of the world's innovators with breakthroughs in some core technologies in key fields. With its people-centered philosophy of development, the country has built the largest education, social security, and health care systems around the globe.

As a collaborative endeavor, the Belt and Road Initiative has been welcomed by the international community both as a public good and a cooperation platform.

Other great achievements highlighted by Xi range from comprehensively deepening reform to advancing the critical battle against pollution.

While fully affirming the Party's remarkable achievements, Xi also urged all CPC members not to lose sight of the shortcomings, difficulties and problems, such as bottlenecks hindering high-quality development and wide gaps in development and income distribution between urban and rural areas and between regions.

Xi Jinping delivers a report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

CHINESE PATH TO MODERNIZATION

The world's most populous country is walking on a model of modernization that has not been seen before.

In his report, Xi reaffirmed that Chinese modernization is the socialist modernization pursued under the leadership of the CPC.

Chinese modernization is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature and of peaceful development, he stressed, adding that it offers humanity "a new choice" for achieving modernization.

In its two-step strategic plan, the CPC aims to basically realize socialist modernization from 2020 through 2035 and build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful from 2035 through the middle of this century.

Xi expounded on China's overall development objectives for the year 2035, which include substantially growing the per capita GDP to be on par with that of a mid-level developed country, significantly enhancing national soft power, steadily lowering carbon emissions after reaching a peak as well as comprehensively strengthening the national security system and capabilities.

He also stressed tasks and targets in China's ambitious modernization drive, such as building a high-standard socialist market economy, advancing whole-process people's democracy, implementing the employment-first strategy as well as exercising law-based governance on all fronts.

"The next five years will be crucial for getting our efforts to build a modern socialist country in all respects off to a good start," Xi said.

Sean Slattery, one of the foreign experts invited to translate the heavy-weight report, said that to achieve modernization for the 1.4 billion people is a huge step forward for humanity.

"China is underscoring the importance of every country pursuing modernization through a path that suits to their own conditions and that their people would accept and support," he said.

Aerial photo taken on June 17, 2022 shows a panoramic view of a highway passing through eastern areas in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

BACKBONE OF NATION, ANCHOR OF STABILITY

China has entered a period of development in which strategic opportunities, risks, and challenges are concurrent and uncertainties and unforeseen factors are rising, Xi told the 2,340 delegates and special delegates at attendance representing over 96 million CPC members.

Warning of various "black swan" and "gray rhino" events that may occur at any time, Xi, in the report, urged the CPC to be ready to "withstand high winds, choppy waters, and even dangerous storms."

He called on the Party, which he said has always remained the "backbone" of the nation, to always stay alert and bear in mind that self-reform is "a journey to which there is no end."

Describing corruption as "a cancer to the vitality and ability of the Party," Xi called for winning the tough and protracted battle against it.

Xi underscored that Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which the CPC and China are founded and thrive.

"Our experience has taught us that, at the fundamental level, we owe the success of our Party and socialism with Chinese characteristics to the fact that Marxism works, particularly when it is adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of our times," he said.

In a world that "has once again reached a crossroads in history," Xi reiterated China's commitment to promoting common development and a human community with a shared future.

"Only when all countries pursue the cause of common good, live in harmony, and engage in cooperation for mutual benefit will there be sustained prosperity and guaranteed security," according to the report.

China adheres to the right course of economic globalization and opposes all forms of unilateralism, it added.

China stands firmly against all forms of hegemonism and power politics, the Cold War mentality, interference in other countries' internal affairs, and double standards, Xi said.

"No matter what stage of development it reaches, China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansionism," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Du Mingming)
China's higher-level opening-up and reform of caps on business ownership are producing rich dividends for the country's financial services industry in general and the capital market in particular, experts said.

More foreign entities like securities brokerages and investment banks are expanding their global footprint into China even as Chinese companies tap foreign bourses for additional funds. All this is causing a healthy trend in two-way capital flows, besides boosting related market segments like derivatives. What is more, existing foreign players in China are increasing their financial product portfolios, they said.

There is good reason for foreign firms to do so, market mavens said, underlining that in the current fraught global scenario, the Chinese market represents a solid opportunity to earn decent returns on big-ticket investments.

Take Bridgewater Associates, for instance. In the first half of this year, the world's biggest hedge fund notched up an impressive 4.76 percent gains on its investments in China's stock market. What makes Bridgewater's performance outstanding is that during the same period, the local benchmark, the Shanghai Composite Index, shed as much as 6.63 percent, with comparable global indexes abroad not faring much better either.

Small wonder, foreign players are making a beeline for a slice of the Chinese market pie. Their rush coincides with the larger trend of the deepening of financial reform and opening-up, which is also expected to facilitate the renminbi's internationalization and enhance China's influence on commodity pricing.

On Sept 15, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the country's top securities watchdog, accepted an application from Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest banking group by total assets, to set up a foreign-controlled securities brokerage in China.

If the application proves successful, the proposed joint-venture securities firm would be set up in Qingdao of East China's Shandong province. Intesa Sanpaolo will take a 51 percent stake while the rest will be shared by three local companies.

Intesa Sanpaolo is tipped to emerge as the 10th foreign financial institution to set up a securities brokerage with a controlling stake in China.

Many other foreign players are lining up for a piece of action in China. Among them are well-known names such as Standard Chartered, SMBC Nikko Securities and BNP Paribas, all of whom have submitted similar applications earlier and are awaiting CSRC approval.

For foreign players yet to get a taste of the China market, Bridgewater has been a revelation. The latter's new product, launched in a low-key manner in association with local partner CITIC Securities in June, sold like hot cakes among investors. Its 200 million yuan ($27.85 million) quota sold out instantly.

Investors in China, market experts said, have taken a shine to Bridgewater's overall eye-catching performance in the first half of the year, led by its multi-asset, all-weather portfolio.

In an online forum in May, Ray Dalio, Bridgewater's founder, expressed confidence in the investment outlook in China. Given the relatively lower asset prices in China at present, long-term investment opportunities are implied here, he said.

Similarly, in early August, Black-Rock, the world's largest asset manager, released a new product focusing on advanced manufacturing companies listed on the A-share market. It is the industry giant's third such product in China since its emergence in June 2021 as the country's first wholly foreign-owned mutual fund company.

"The launch of BlackRock's wholly foreign-owned enterprise in China, and the release of (its financial) products, can prove to overseas financial institutions the effectiveness of the continued opening-up in the Chinese capital market. The Chinese government is willing to facilitate foreign institutions' access to China by rolling out necessary policies and making necessary resources available. Entry into China is sure to prove a success under such circumstances," said Zhang Chi, general manager of BlackRock Fund Management Co.

Many experts agree that the deepening of the opening-up policy has not slackened in spite of the resurgence of COVID-19 cases this year.

For instance, on July 4, trading via exchange-traded funds  ETFs  under the stock connect mechanism between Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong commenced officially. Chinese mainland investors thus gained access to four ETFs listed on the Hong Kong bourse while 83 ETFs listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges became available to international investors via the northbound leg of the connect programs.

As of Sept 1, about 1.04 billion yuan worth of trading was completed under the northbound leg of the ETF connect, while the trading value under the southbound leg was HK$12.5 billion ($1.59 billion).

Abby Wang, head of China asset management for KPMG in China, said the inclusion of ETFs in the connect programs is another major landmark in the high-level two-way opening-up of the Chinese capital market.

The connect programs, which started by linking the stock exchanges in Shanghai and Hong Kong in 2014, have been extended to the London Stock Exchange in 2019.This has facilitated Chinese companies to issue global depositary receipts or GDRs on the Frankfurt and Zurich bourses in February as per the CSRC's latest guidance.

In less than half-year, as many as six A-share companies have issued GDRs successfully on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

The expanded scope of the connect programs is another breakthrough in the Chinese capital market's opening-up, as it succeeded in attracting resources from all over the world, said Tian Xuan, associate dean of Tsinghua University PBC School of Finance.

Apart from the traditional equities sector, China's financial opening-up has been extended to derivatives trading. On Sept 5, the CSRC announced that Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors and Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors can trade in 23 designated commodity futures, 16 option contracts and stock option contracts in China.

This move was highly anticipated as part of the opening-up policy, said Luo Xufeng, chairman of Nanhua Futures, adding it will facilitate the renminbi's internationalization and strengthen China's say on prices in the global commodity markets, which have been rocked by geopolitical tensions for much of this year.

Besides capital markets, China's larger financial services industry has been a beneficiary of the process of deepening opening-up. China has lifted the ownership limits on securities firms, banks and insurance companies.

China's top banking and insurance regulator approved the establishment of over 120 foreign banking and insurance institutions in China between 2018 and 2021. Another 11 foreign banking institutions opened in China last year, with 929 foreign banking institutions operating in all. Their total net profit approached 21.28 billion yuan in 2021, up nearly 25 percent year-on-year, said the China Banking Association.

China Economic Information Service calculated that Shanghai was home to 1,707 licensed financial institutions last year. The total number of financial institutions in the city exceeded 10,000, of which foreign financial institutions accounted for 30 percent.

Consequently, competition has stiffened and investment strategies have diversified, adding both width and depth to the market.

The change in investment style can be seen in the faster shifts this year in the direction of northbound capital  the funds overseas investors use to buy into the A-share market via stock connect programs.

While northbound capital reported a net inflow of 74.2 billion yuan in June, the scene changed to a net outflow of 21 billion yuan in July. One month later, another U-turn led to a net inflow of 12.7 billion yuan.

Wang Chunying, deputy head of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, said short-term volatility in cross-border securities investment can be seen globally. It is quite normal for an increasingly open financial market like China to experience such volatility, she said.

Overall, northbound capital reported a net inflow of 52.2 billion yuan in the first nine months of this year, CSRC data showed. As of Aug 26, overseas investors invested nearly 21.3 billion yuan in international futures products like yuan-denominated crude oil futures.

At the China International Finance Annual Forum 2022 held in early September, CSRC Vice-Chairman Fang Xinghai said foreign investment in the Chinese capital market has shown strong resilience over the past few months. The continued inflow of foreign capital has confirmed international institutions' confidence in China's long-term economic growth.

At Nomura's 14th China Investor Forum earlier this year, Toshiyasu Iiyama, executive managing director of Nomura Holdings Inc and chairman of its China committee, said they are preparing to apply for an investment banking license in China, a business line that will be the next focus for the Japanese securities company.

"The best is still ahead of us as we steadily increase our presence and build a sustainable business in China. We are optimistic about growth prospects for the market and our business as we support financial sector reforms and the opening up of the financial market," he said.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many families that experienced the loss of a loved one were only able to have small graveside services.

For Pat Hollowell, of Byhalia, Miss., this made the passing of her husband even more difficult.

Her husband, Hugh Hollowell Sr., was the president of the Watson Volunteer Fire Department board of directors, an active firefighter and the emergency management coordinator for Marshall County, Miss.

He contracted COVID in the line of duty and passed away on Oct. 22, 2020, at the age of 69.

This year at the 41st annual National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Md., Hollowell was honored along with 147 other fallen firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2021 or in previous years.

Fire Chief Rob Low represented Opelikas Plainview Volunteer Fire Department by volunteering to escort a family during the memorial weekend on Oct. 8-9. This year Low was assigned to the Hollowell family.

Theres no higher honor than that, Low said. Its a very emotional kind of thing because youre there representing a brother or sister firefighter that has made the ultimate sacrifice in their job.

Low, 55, has been in the fire service for 35 years. After retiring from Greater Naples Fire Rescue in Florida in January, he and his wife Jill moved to Opelika where he decided to join the Plainview Volunteer Fire Department.

Hes been involved with the NFFF for 15 years and has been a family escort at the memorial weekend event six times.

The very first time I did it was in 2009, and when I got back from there, I felt like that was probably the single most important thing Ive done in my life, he said.

Low said he enjoyed getting to know the Hollowell family and described them as salt of the earth kind of people.

Pandemic

Pat and Hugh Hollowell met in high school, got married in 1969 and were married for 51 years. They had three sons, Hugh Jr., Neal and Jimmy as well as four grandchildren with one more on the way.

Hugh served four years in the Air Force where he spent time in Korea managing the command unit for communications. Afterwards, he returned to his hometown in Mississippi, and with the help of his wife, established the Watson Volunteer Fire Department.

Pat said they didnt receive money from the county and had to raise the funds and put down the concrete themselves.

Hugh was a volunteer for the local fire department since it was established in the 1970s. He was the fire chief for seven of those years, later the president of the board and was also the emergency management coordinator for the county since 1996.

He was planning to retire in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic began and he withdrew his retirement feeling like he couldnt leave his community during this crisis.

Low said Hugh felt responsible to respond to the pandemic and protect the members of the community.

Pat said her husband and the other volunteer firemen worked night and day to find supplies to fight the virus.

We didnt have the shots back then and we couldnt find sanitizer. We couldnt find protective uniforms to put on the guys to go into situations. Even the clinics couldnt find it, Pat said. Everyone had stopped working because everyone was sick.

Hugh traveled to military storage units, brought back what the guards would allow and gave the supplies to clinics, fire departments and ambulances that were in need.

Pat said her husband was the type of person who remained calm in stressful situations and who could calm other people as well. People would always come to Hugh for advice, even for things he didnt know much about, because they trusted him.

Closure

Pat said she cant express how much it meant to her and her family to have Hugh recognized at the NFFF memorial and to have his name engraved on the memorial wall on the National Fire Academy campus.

She wasnt sure at first if she wanted to go or if she would be able to handle it emotionally, but she decided she wanted to do it for her three children.

We werent able to have a celebration, Pat said. All the fire departments wanted to put on a parade and all this, but we couldnt do it because of COVID. We were all locked down.

They werent allowed to have more than 10 people at the graveside service and only family could attend.

It felt like we didnt give him a proper burial because he did so much for the county, Pat said.

The program during the memorial weekend gave Pat and her family closure and connected them to a new friend, Chief Rob Low.

Rob was so helpful. He never left our side, Pat said.

Low not only helped explain what was going to happen and where they needed to be, but also helped Pat, who was in an electric wheelchair, navigate the terrain that had bumps, ditches and cords for cameras.

I only had to be rescued twice because my wheelchair wouldnt make it, Pat laughed. He called guys over to help and they grab on each side and lifted me up and over (the ditch).

During the ceremony when Hughs photo and story appeared on the screen, Pat began to cry, but Low, who was sitting next to her, was there to comfort her.

Youd have thought he was my son. He was patting me on the shoulder telling me I can get through it, she said.

The NFFF recognized each family representing a fallen fireman during the ceremony.

Pat said she was given a book with photos and stories of each fallen fireman; a new U.S. flag that has been flown over the U.S. capitol and over the memorial in Maryland; a rose; and a gold shield patch with her husbands name and date engraved on it.
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With the generous support of Auburn Universitys Office of Inclusion and Diversity, The Alabama Prison Arts and Education Project, or APAEP, in partnership with Auburn University Libraries invites you to three Community Conversations focused on incarceration in the U.S.



Each gathering includes the screening of a documentary film that speaks directly about prisons in Alabama or highlights issues faced by communities across the country, including those in our state. Guided by these films, we will gather for conversation with people directly impacted by incarceration including teachers and healthcare providers that work in prisons and scholars who study the U.S. prison system.



The Auburn Family is encourged to join us to share, listen, learn, question and connect. The events are free and complimentary refreshments will be served. We will gather in the Caroline Marshall Draughon Lecture Room 0019 on the lower level of the Ralph Brown Draughon Library at Auburn University.



Event details are as follows:

Monday, Oct. 24

2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Tutwiler (2020; 34 minutes)

RBD Library 0019

Tutwiler accompanies members of Alabamas Prison Birth Project as they support people incarcerated at Alabamas Tutwiler Prison for Women through pregnancy, delivery, and the painful separation from their newborn children one or two days after giving birth.





Monday, Nov. 14

2 p.m.-5 p.m.

Prison in Twelve Landscapes (2016; 87 minutes),

RBD Library 0019

Prison in Twelve Landscapes observes how mass incarceration affects places and lives beyond the prison walls, such as an impoverished Appalachian coal town betting its future on the promise of prison jobs and people waiting on a street corner in NYC for a bus that will take them to visit relatives incarcerated in upstate prisons.





Monday, Jan. 23

2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

The Dhamma Brothers (2007; 76 minutes)

RBD Library 0019

The Dhamma Brothers follows a group of men incarcerated at Alabamas Donaldson Correctional Facility who participated in a ten-day intensive retreat based on the principles of Vipassana meditation. With nowhere else to go, the men turn inward and describe revisiting deep-rooted pain, guilt, and hopelessness. They also affirm the freedom that comes with truth, forgiveness, and grace.



To register for the events, please visit https://aub.ie/APAEPfilmseries.



To learn more, visit us at this link.
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The Newman brothers are battling for Sallys love.  #YR is new this week on @CBS! Watch the latest episodes on @paramountplus! pic.twitter.com/eSRuZpDPok  Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) October 16, 2022

The Bold and the Beautiful

This Week in Soaps history...

October 20th-24th, 2003

This week on the US Daytime Soaps...No B&B promo uploaded AGAIN this week. If Y&R can manage it, idk why B&B can't. I assume CBS daytime has got the same person running their socials.Adam was stunned to learn that JR and Babe were married. Jamie confronted Babe about the night that they had spent together. Babe was delighted when she realized how luxurious her new bedroom was. Jamie couldn't get Babe out of his mind. Adam tried to bribe Babe into leaving JR, but she refused the offer. JR asked Babe and Jamie about a cow that seemed significant to each of them. Juan Pablo begged Maria to save Carlos' life. Carlos survived surgery. Tad and Juan Pablo hid Carlos in an unused part of the hospital. Jack sat at Greenlee's bedside. Greenlee dreamed about Roger. Greenlee regained consciousness and initially believed that the year was 1999, but her memory later returned. Mary enlisted Adam's help with her plan to get revenge against Juan Pablo. Tad, Juan Pablo, and Simone were furious with Mary for tipping off a tabloid. Erica pulled David into a passionate kiss. Derek's suspicions were aroused when Erica went to the hospital to comfort Jack. Lena's gift touched Bianca. After telling Aidan that she had no romantic interest in Ryan, Kendall later kissed Ryan.Katie had Henry get rid of Glenda the nurse so she could help Mike recuperate. Rose gave Paul proof that Jennifer is trying to break them up. Paul threw Jennifer out. Barbara and Paul visited James in prison. Jessica had Marshall arrested and offered him an ultimatum. Lucy broke up with Aaron after he was arrested. The charges against Aaron were dropped when Dusty came forward.Deacon asked Amber to move out. Amber kissed Oz when he praised her for being a good mother. Oz vowed his club would reopen in explosive fashion, though Sally asked him not to reopen the club out of respect for Macy. When the club opened, Oz announced he would sell the club to fund coma research. Nick told Stephanie about Ridge's death. Later upon seeing Ridge was really alive, Stephanie embraced Brooke. Nick told Brooke he was leaving so as not to cause more trouble for her and Ridge.Hope was attacked again at the police station by Salem's serial killer. Rex submitted to a polygraph test that fooled almost everyone to believe in his innocence, but then failed one important question about the true identify of his biological parents. Tony, John and Tek wondered about the identity of Rex and Cassie's parents. Sami and Lucas bonded for Will's benefit. Philip, Cassie and Mimi followed Rex on a disturbing trip to the scene of each crime. Bonnie continued to wish her way into a life of wealth and social acceptance. Jennifer mourned Jack's death as Jo and Vern tried to help Abby cope with her loss and anger toward Jennifer. Jennifer saw Jack in a new "light" as his soul and spirit gave her the courage to go on with her life, coupled with good news for the future and a warning for the present. Shawn tried to help Belle's dreams for a happy future together. Maggie agreed to another hypnosis session with Marlena that confirmed that she witnessed Abe's death and the assailant, but all she was able to remember were the evil eyes of the serial killer. Maggie's life was in danger.While at her new home a very pregnant Carly fell down the stairs, and went into labor. Courtney crashed her car while racing to get help for Carly. Jason and Sonny found Marcella who has been pretending to be "Lily," and she confessed to working for Alcazar. Sonny raced to save Carly from Alcazar and shot his enemy when he heard his wife screaming. As Sonny delivered their baby Carly lost consciousness and Sonny realized she had a bullet wound in her head. Edward made plans to send Dillon to military school, therefore Georgie and Dillon planned to have sex before Dillon's departure. Zander vowed to fight for his marriage. Jax tried to teach Sam how to be a lady. With Skye's help Luke found the ace of spades from the "Dead Man's Hand" at the Quartermaine mansion. Monica told Emily that her cancer is in remission. Georgie hid the remaining cards to the "dead man's hand" in her bedroom.Shayne's condition and therapy continued to improve when he managed to speak long enough to save Marina. Josh and Reva started to mend their differences. Marah prepared for the fashion show. Jeffrey and Beth found more interesting ways to keep their love life exciting, as Alan warned Beth that Jeffrey's intentions may not be all that honorable. Rick encouraged a very troubled Phillip to get help during this very difficult time in his life. Marah planned a casual dinner for Sandy to meet her parents that ended up making Reva question Sandy's actions as well as show the darker side of his personality. Gus, Harley's angels and Jeffrey solved the Lorie Jensen case. Jeffrey warned Brad that he would be watching him. Danny and Nico teased Michelle about her obsession that someone or something was moving objects in the house, but Michelle was determined to resolve the mystery at all costs. Sandy's true identity was revealed to be Jonathan, Reva and Richard's son. Reva caught Sandy in a compromising situation.Max decided to leave Llanview to spend more time with Frank and Leslie. Gabrielle reconsidered her rash decision to leave Bo. Natalie allowed herself to win the tournament, despite John's threat. Flynn took Natalie as his hostage, demanding two million dollars ransom. Arthur called Flynn to tell he and Natalie that Cristian, Walker, and John were dead.TC spoke with Chad over the phone and attempted to make amends with him. The call was cut short when a gunshot was heard on Chad's side of the line. TC feared for Whitney's life and lashed out at Eve. Latoya celebrated her victory after shooting Whitney. Chad went in search of revenge while Fox stayed by his beloved Whitney's side. Gwen couldn't let go of her baby or her anger. Theresa eagerly anticipated what she thought was an inevitable reunion for her and Ethan. Luis and Sheridan struggled to locate their baby.Christine received news that she would get an offer for a job in the district attorney's office. Christine turned down Paul's marriage proposal. Nick discovered the truth about Victor and Michael's bribery, and he called John Silva. Victor's brother, Matt, appeared and told Victor that Victor's father was alive but on his deathbed. Katherine and Esther moved out, and Jill told Katherine that she didn't hate her. Lily's parents found out that she had slept with Kevin. Damon and Olivia tried to help Ashley, but they were sad to see she still believed Robert was alive. Source 2 , and Source 3
If the oil price cap comes into effect without support from China and India, and if Russia simply cuts off supply, oil prices could climb well above $100.

Following the OPEC+ decision to cut production in November, oil price volatility increased, which makes an oil price spike increasingly likely.

The plan to put a price cap on Russian oil exports is one that the G7 and the EU have embraced as a way to reduce Russian oil revenues.

The idea of placing a cap on the price of Russian oil as a means of reducing the countrys oil revenues was first floated by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in the spring. Since then, the idea has grown into a full-blown plan involving, besides the U.S., its partners from the G7 and the European Union. And it just got a lot riskier.

Earlier this month, OPEC+ caused a stir in Washington by agreeing to reduce its oil production quota by 2 million bpd and its actual production by some 1 million bpd. Most of the cut would come from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait, meaning the physical supply of oil would tighten globally.

Oil prices rose on the news but quickly subsided on persistent concerns about a slowdown in global economic growth and the increasing likelihood of several large consumers suffering through a recession.

In Washington, discussions of the Russian oil price cap have continued, but now some in the Biden administration are beginning to worry that it could backfire.

Bloomberg reported on the worries of some White House officials last week, saying that after the OPEC+ production cut decision, volatility in the oil market had increased markedly, and a price cap on Russian crude could lead to a spike in prices rather than a decline.

Another fear, and quite justified, is Russia making good on its warning that it could choose to stop selling oil to any country that has implemented a price cap on its oil. This would certainly lead to higher oil prices, with UBS estimating recently that the jump could see Brent hit $125 per barrel.

The Russians were clear: If you force us to accept the price cap, were simply not going to deliver crude to you, the head of UBS Global Wealth Management commodities Dominic Schnider told CNBC.

According to Schnider, the cap could see global supply fall by another 1 million bpd as a result of the price cap, if it is indeed ever implemented, pushing crude well above $100 per barrel.

The spokeswoman of the National Security Council, Adrienne Watson, told Bloomberg the news that some in the White House had serious misgivings about the oil price cap was false.

She went on to say that the administration team are full steam ahead on implementing a price cap on Russian oil with strong support from the G-7 and other partners. It is the most effective way to ensure that oil continues to flow into the market at lower prices and supply meets demand.

Yet, it has been clear from the beginning that the G7 alone could not really make a price cap work, chiefly because they have already banned imports of Russian oil. So it was essential to get consumers such as China and India on board, which has so far proved tricky.

Indeed, Indias The Hindu reported this month, quoting Janet Yellen, that there were no attempts to convince other countries outside the G7-EU coalition to join the price cap. This happened just a couple of months after Yellen went on a tour in Asia that was partially designed to convince India and China to join the cap.

Related: Russia Is Losing Its Influence In Central Asia

In addition to the quite real danger of further supply shocks, there are other challenges for the price cap as conceived, including the exact way of implementing it in a world with shipping transport rules that offer a range of ways to circumvent such caps.

It is very optimistic to believe this [price cap] can work, Ben McWilliams, an energy analyst at Brussels-based think tank Bruegel told Euronews this month.

In fact, I dont believe even the architects think it will work perfectly. They just prefer a leaky system in which Russia can still make some profit above the cap rather than a scenario in which Russia is completely forced off market.

These concerns were all there before OPEC+ decided to cut. With the decision, they just got bigger and heavier, even though analysts warned OPEC would not be a fan of any oil price caps because they would set a dangerous precedent that could see them become targets at any point the U.S. became unhappy with their policies.

In a way, then, the OPEC+ decision to cut production could be seen not only as a pre-emptive economic move, as the official position of the cartel states, but as a pre-emptive political move to challenge the implementation of the oil price caps.

As a result of this pre-emptive move, the caps became a lot more dangerous, and we may see an extended period of discussions yet, even though the official position of the G7 is that the caps need to be agreed upon as soon as possible. After all, these discussions have been going very well for months now, and we have yet to see a final decision.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads from Oilprice.com:
Multiple OPEC+ producers defended the groups decision to reduce production in November in a wave of statements on Sunday and Monday, in what looked like a coordinated response to U.S. criticism of the cut.

The United States said last week there would be some consequences for Saudi Arabia for its decision together with Russia to steer OPEC+ into a large oil production cut after OPEC+ endorsed earlier this month a decision to reduce the headline production target by 2 million barrels per day (bpd) as of November.

A day after U.S. President Joe Biden threatened there will be consequences for OPEC+s decision, Saudi Arabia came out with a statement that expressed its total rejection of Bidens and other statements from Washington with regard to the decision.

This decision was taken unanimously by all member states of the OPEC+ group, a statement from Saudi Arabias Foreign Ministry said last week.

Other OPEC+ producers, including the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Algeria also issued statements on Sunday and Monday, in which officials defended the cut as necessary for the market and reiterated the decision taken by the group was unanimous.

On Sunday, Iraqs state oil marketing company, SOMO, said in a statement carried by Reuters, There is complete consensus among OPEC+ countries that the best approach in dealing with the oil market conditions during the current period of uncertainty and lack of clarity is a pre-emptive approach that supports market stability and provides the future the guidance it needs.

The UAEs Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei wrote on Twitter on Sunday, I would like to clarify that the latest OPEC+ decision, which was unanimously approved was a pure technical decision, with NO political intentions whatsoever.

Algerias Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab told Reuters in a statement the decision was a purely technical response based on purely economic considerations.

Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait also defended the OPEC+ production cut.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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Any decision to impose a price cap on Russian natural gas exports would result in the suspension of said exports, the chief executive of Gazprom, Alexei Miller, said in response to reports the EU is considering such a move.

"Such a one-sided decision is of course a violation of existing contracts, which would lead to a termination of supplies," Miller said on Russian TV, as quoted by Reuters.

Russian gas deliveries to Europe have already declined substantially since the Ukraine invasion as the EU rushed to diversify its sources of the commodity and Gazprom reduced flows via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline before it got blown up last month.

The European Union has been hard at work trying to find a way to reduce its gas bill, with price caps among the most actively promoted options. However, there is no agreement yet on the kind of price caps to be implemented.

A group of 15 members has called on the Commission to implement price caps on all gas imports, both from Russia and from countries such as Norway, Algeria, and the United States.

The Commission and some other EU members including Germany and the Netherlands, however, have warned against such a move as it would put the security of supply at risk.

The Commission has instead proposed a price cap on Russian gas supply only, prompting a reaction from the Russian side. EU leaders are meeting again at the end of this week to discuss their options, with the Commission expected to make its official proposal on the issue.

"Impatience is growing with member states," an unnamed EU diplomat told Reuters this weekend. "So we changed gear and put everything that is being floated... on the table. It is a way of putting pressure on the Commission to come up with the most concrete possible proposals."

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Japan has not been immune to the energy crisis that has made its way across the globe this year, facing headwinds in both the availability of supplies and rising prices.

The new legislation could allow "repeated extensions", should they be approved by the country's nuclear regulators.

Nuclear continues to be on an upswing globally.

Most recently, we learned that Japan is now considering extending its 60 year limit on the operation of plants and is even considering submitting legislation on the issue as soon as next year, according to U.S. News and Nikkei.

The rules could allow "repeated extensions", should they be approved by the country's Nuclear Regulation Authority.

Currently, regulations put in place in reaction to the Fukushima disaster say that reactors "can be operated for 40 years, followed by a 20-year extension if approved by regulators". As of now, four of the country's 33 reactors have been approved for up to 60 years.

A nuclear plant at Sendai, run by Kyushu Electric Power Co Inc., applied for an extension this week. Kansai Electric Power Co Inc and Japan Atomic Power Company have also lobbied for similar extensions.

Japan has not been immune to the energy crisis that has made its way across the globe this year, facing headwinds in both the availability of supplies and rising prices.

Recall, just days ago we reported that Greta Thunberg, wasn't against shutting down nuclear plants in favor of coal. Thunberg said that it is a "bad idea" to turn off nuclear power stations if it means switching to coal, according to Politico on Tuesday.

"It depends. If they are already running, I think it would be a mistake to shut them down and turn to coal," she said about nuclear plants.

Nowhere is the nuclear agenda more important than in Germany, a country that had planned to close its 3 remaining nuclear plants at the end of the year before it was launched into a massive energy crisis with skyrocketing prices as a result of the Russia/Ukraine war. They have now decided to extend the life of 2 of the plants.

The additional collateral damage of planning to shut down the nuclear plants has results in Germany also reviving several dormant coal plants, the report says. Nuclear has been such a hot-button issue in the country that "the public discourse over extending the reactors, even for a few months, has been far more controversial than rebooting highly polluting coal plants," Politico says.

Germany's Finance Minister Christian Lindner said of Thunberg's comments: "...in this energy war, everything that creates electricity capacity has to be connected to the grid. The reasons speak for themselves  economically and physically."

By Zerohedge.com

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The large jump in electric vehicle (EV) demand over the past three years has brought into focus the growing importance of charging stations in key countries. Rystad Energy research shows that at present  public charging infrastructure is not a limiting factor to the fast adoption of EVs, especially in nascent markets. In countries such as Germany, France, and Netherlands, there is no direct correlation between the growth of charging infrastructure and the number of EVs sold. Of far more significance to consumers are issues such as high fuel prices for combustion engines or high sticker prices for EVs. Rystad Energy data, however, also shows that charging points deployment needs to ramp up if it is to reach the targets countries have set for EV adoption, which are often an integral part of net zero emission cut plans. The costs involved in reaching these targets and the new evidence about the importance of charging infrastructure (or lack thereof) calls into question these commitments and if investment might be better redirected towards more significant barriers facing EV adoption.

Rystad Energy research has found no clear correlation between BEV adoption and widespread availability of public DC charging points. In the long run, as BEV adoption increases and becomes the default, the number of BEVs per charging points will need to come down. At present however, in countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark EV adoption is growing despite there being higher number of BEVS per charging point. This indicates that there are other, possibly more significant barriers to widespread BEV adoption.

Consumers seem content with home charging, particularly in locations where the average journey time is low enough that public charging is not required. Indeed, for early EV adoption, home charging is the first major requirement, followed by workplace charging and then regular public charging. However, power prices for public charging points are often higher compared to home charging, and incentives  such as off-peak power charging  are harder to avail.

Governments will need to decide if their public charging installation commitments are necessary and achievable or if viable alternatives exist. For example, California has pioneered the concept of shared-private charging whereby residents with private chargers could lease out the charger for public use and draw income from its usage. As a result, public charging points owned by the state and other companies make up only 45% of total public charging infrastructure. This has allowed the government to focus charging infrastructure funding along highways, which are mainly DC fast charging solutions

Many countries currently support non-public charging, like Germany, for example, which has a separate funding of 350 million to incentivize it. This decision has proven to be successful as more than 75% of charging now occurs at home or workplaces in the country.

The emerging evidence shows that the availability of public charging stations, which also tend to be used less than private charging, does not influence EV adoption during the early phase of EV adoption. Given the costs involved, governments are better advised to instead focus on funding and incentives to reduce sticker price and incentivize private charging before pushing ahead on public charging initiatives, says Abhishek Murali, analyst, Rystad Energy

China at the forefront of charging point deployment

China is leading in absolute terms with around 1.15 million charging points by the end of 2021. The country has been deploying charging stations at a staggering rate, and last year alone installed 340,000 public points. However, public charging points accounted for only around 44% of the total in the country in 2021, the rest being private charging points. Further, of the 1.15 million public points, about 41% are DC fast chargers, which take between 15 and 45 minutes to charge most EVs up to 80%making it significantly quicker than regular Alternating Current (AC) charging stations.

The US emerges as the second largest player in this area, albeit with a much lower 107,219 charging points at the end of last year. Of this, only roughly 20% of installations are DC charging points. The country has been steadily increasing installations every year, with close to 40,000 additions in 2021. The US government, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed in November 2021, earmarked $7.5 billion to build a more reliable network of chargers. Electrify America, the countrys public charging network, is also placing special attention to deploying fast charging solutions across highways to facilitate long cross-country trips. European countries then follow with the Netherlands having installed 91,738 charging points by the end of 2021. France and Germany have significantly lower numbers of units at 62,711 and 54,653 charging points installed, respectively, although the countries are much larger markets in terms of new EV sales. Having said that, we note that more than 85% of European charging points at the end of 2021 were AC charging points. Hence, the deployment of fast DC charging infrastructure in Europe has been relatively slow. Nevertheless, Europe is starting to put a spotlight on deploying charging infrastructure, especially in the aftermath of news of the end of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales by 2035 across the European Union (EU) member countries.

Many countries have thus seen charging station year-on-year growth rates in recent years. Growth rates for the UK and the Netherlands, for example, are balancing out at around 50% as well as 35%, respectively, as seen in the chart below. Germany, however, has seen decreasing rates throughout the past few years. While in 2018, newly installed charging points increased year-on-year by 77%, in 2021 the growth rate was only 40%. China has also shown decreasing growth rates for the past three years. Charging points year-on-year growth slowed down from 72% in 2019 to 42% in 2021. The Chinese government, rather than opting to deploy charging infrastructure, implemented a model that requires companies to do so and then benefit from subsidies. This led to many companies setting up their own networks and forming partnerships with other automakers.

This chart (above) also encapsulates the early stages of EV adoption across selected countries (even for slightly more mature markets). It reveals that there is no direct correlation between the growth of charging infrastructure and the number of EVs sold. China has seen a surge in EV sales over the past three years despite the lower growth rate for public charging points deployment. On the other hand, rapid deployment of charging infrastructure in Netherlands has not resulted in the same growth for EV sales  but rather a slowdown. Norway is one of the few countries with simultaneous growth in EV sales and charging points.

A lack of public charging points has not slowed the acceleration of early EV adoption

As EV adoption in the current market is showing little sensitivity to public charging deployment, other factors should be considered. For instance, fuel prices for combustion engines or sticker prices for EVs  seem to have a larger impact on EV adoption. Also, private charging (as seen in and widely adopted by Norway) can bolster a lacking public charging infrastructure to a large extent, especially since the average range of a trip does not require extensive public charging infrastructure. In Germany, meanwhile, the average trip range per day was around 39 km, according to the governmental body BWI. In general, for early EV adoption, home charging is the first major requirement, followed by workplace charging, and then regular public charging. In addition, power prices for public charging points are often higher compared to home charging, and incentives  such as off-peak power charging  are harder to avail. However, countries such as the US, which have a very varied split of annual driving distance across different states, will need to ramp up development of fast charging stations to support EV adoption outside urban centers. Related: The Global Energy Crisis Is Contributing To A Nuclear Renaissance

Government targets set to boost charging infrastructure can vary substantially. China for example wants its charging infrastructure to be able to support 20 million EVs by 2025. The EU, on the other hand, aims to have one million charging points set up by 2025 and 3 million by 2030. Germany declared a goal of 1 million installed charging points by 2030, equating alone to a third of the EU target. However, up until now, Germany is lagging far behind its self-set government target, with current capacity falling 470% short in the case of a linear adoption over the year. This will put pressure on the government to exponentially boost charging point buildout to be able to reach its target. Already, Germany needs to double its charging points installations to be on a linear route to reaching government goals set for 2030. The UK has set its target to 300,000 charging points by 2030. With current installations, the UK is just slightly lagging annual charging station goals. However, it is expected that with past growth rates of 50%, the UK will be well on track to reach its target by 2030.

While governments have been announcing various targets for charging points and deployment rates, focusing instead on reducing EV sticker prices via production incentives for automakers and subsidies for consumers could help break past early adoption barriers. Furthermore, deploying DC fast charging points across inter and intra-state highways to facilitate long distance travelling would lower the load on the distribution network. And deploying more public charging in areas where home charging is not possible would also help governments be better prepared for their self-imposed targets.

By Rystad Energy

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Speaker:

Mr. Sun Yeli, spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC)

Chairperson:

Mr. Liu Siyang

Date:

Oct. 15, 2022

Liu Siyang:

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, good afternoon.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will open tomorrow. Today we have invited Mr. Sun Yeli, spokesperson for the 20th CPC National Congress, to brief you on the preparations and the agenda of the congress.

Now, let's give the floor to Mr. Sun for his introduction.

Sun Yeli:

Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends, good afternoon.

The 20th CPC National Congress will open at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The congress will last from Oct. 16 to 22. As the spokesperson for the congress, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the Chinese and foreign reporters who are here to cover the congress.

Entrusted by the congress, I would like to brief you on the situation.

The congress will be a meeting of great importance, held at a critical time as the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups are embarking on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects and to realize the Second Centenary Goal. The congress will hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, uphold Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It will comprehensively review the work over the past five years and the great achievements made and valuable experience accumulated over the period since the start of the new era as the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core united and led the entire Party and the whole nation in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. It will thoroughly analyze the situation both at home and abroad and fully grasp the new requirements for the development of the cause of the Party and the country and new expectations of the people on the new journey in the new era. On this basis, it will formulate programs of action and major policies and make plans and arrangements for the Party and the country's cause from an overall strategic perspective.

The preparatory meeting of the congress was held this afternoon, during which the agenda of the congress was adopted. The main items on the agenda of the congress are as follows: to hear and examine the report of the 19th CPC Central Committee, to examine the work report of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, to deliberate on and adopt an amendment to the Constitution of the CPC, and to elect the 20th CPC Central Committee and the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

At the preparatory meeting, the list of members of the congress presidium was approved, and the congress will proceed under the leadership of the presidium. A secretariat was set up to handle the affairs of the congress. Comrade Wang Huning was approved as secretary-general of the congress.

After the preparatory meeting, a meeting of the Credentials Committee was held, and the presidium met for the first time. At its meeting, the presidium adopted the working agenda of the congress and created its standing committee.

The preparations for the congress have been completed, and I would like to brief you on them. Preparations for the congress started under the leadership of the Party Central Committee after the Resolution on Convening the 20th CPC National Congress was adopted by the 19th CPC Central Committee at its sixth plenary session in November last year. The preparations focused on the following four areas:

First, drafting the political report to the 20th CPC National Congress. Drafting the report is an important part of the preparations for the congress. The CPC Central Committee attached great importance to the work and set up a group for this purpose. The group was headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping and was comprised of other Party and state leaders, heads of relevant departments and localities, as well as experts and scholars. The group worked under the direct leadership of the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee.

To draft the report, the CPC Central Committee organized thorough surveys and studies. It entrusted 54 organs of the CPC Central Committee and the central government with the task of conducting surveys and research on 26 key topics, and 80 reports were submitted. Relevant central departments also solicited opinions online regarding work on the congress, receiving more than 8.542 million comments. All this laid a solid foundation for drafting the report to the congress.

On July 26, at a seminar for officials at the provincial and ministerial level, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech in which he elaborated on major issues to be covered by the report to the congress. He emphasized that rationally defining the goals, tasks, and major policies for the cause of the Party and the country in the next five years or even longer periods to come is crucial to the further development of the Party and the country's cause, to the future of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to the realization of national rejuvenation. He stressed the need to focus on the Party's central tasks on the new journey in the new era and to put forward new ideas, strategies and measures to advance the Five-sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-pronged Comprehensive Strategy in a coordinated way. He called on all of the Chinese people to forge ahead with enterprise and fortitude and work hard together to write a new chapter in building a modern socialist country in all respects.

In drafting the report, democracy was fully practiced and opinions and suggestions from both inside and outside the Party were broadly solicited and incorporated. To facilitate the drafting process, the CPC Central Committee issued a circular to solicit opinions from various sectors on the topics to be included in the report. When the text of the draft report took shape, opinions were sought extensively from more than 4,700 people who had discussions on it. They included members of the 19th CPC Central Committee and the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, delegates to the 19th and 20th CPC national congresses, heads of the Party committees of all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government, leading Party officials of the Party, government, and military departments at the central level, heads of the Party committees of major units of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force as well as leading Party officials of the people's organizations. General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired five meetings to directly hear opinions and suggestions from various sides. The drafting group also heard opinions of some retired senior Party officials. On Aug. 31, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting to solicit opinions from leaders of other political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and prominent figures without party affiliation. Many of the opinions sought from both inside and outside the Party were adopted.

During the drafting process, the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee both held multiple meetings to deliberate on the draft. On Oct. 12, the 19th CPC Central Committee discussed and approved the text of the report at its seventh plenary session and decided to formally submit it to the 20th CPC National Congress for examination.

Second, making revisions to the Party Constitution. Another important task of the 20th CPC National Congress is to revise the Party Constitution. It has been a common practice for our Party to make revisions to its Constitution at its national congresses in recognition of the Party's latest innovations in theory and the evolution of practice. The current Party Constitution was revised and adopted at the 12th CPC National Congress in 1982. Starting with the 13th CPC National Congress, appropriate revisions have been made to the Party Constitution at successive national Party congresses. Practice shows that making revisions to the Party Constitution in response to new developments and tasks helps all Party members more earnestly study, observe, apply, and uphold the Party Constitution, and enables the Party Constitution to play a better role in guiding and regulating the Party's work and Party building efforts.

When the Party Central Committee solicited opinions in January about the topics to be included in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, many localities and departments proposed that appropriate revisions be made to the Party Constitution at the congress in recognition of the Party's latest innovations in theory and the evolution of practice and in response to the evolving situation and tasks. The Party Central Committee issued a circular in May this year to solicit opinions on revising the Party Constitution from all localities and departments. The consulted localities and departments submitted written reports in which they expressed agreement that appropriate revisions to the Party Constitution should be made at the 20th CPC National Congress. They also made comments and suggestions for revisions in their reports. Some retired senior Party officials and ordinary Party members also wrote to relevant departments of the Party Central Committee to propose that the Party Constitution be revised.

After taking into account the opinions from all sides, the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee met to discuss the matter and decided that appropriate revisions should be made to the Party Constitution and a Party Constitution revision panel should be set up to carry out this work. It was stressed that in revising the Party Constitution, the major theoretical viewpoints and major strategic thinking set down in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress should be incorporated into the Party Constitution. It was also stressed that the revised Party Constitution should fully embody the latest achievements in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times, the new ideas, new thinking, and new strategies on governance the Party Central Committee has developed since the 19th CPC National Congress, and the new experience the Party has gained in its work and Party building, in order to meet the new demands placed on the Party's work and Party building by new developments and tasks.

Acting in accordance with the requirements of the CPC Central Committee, the Party Constitution revision panel conducted an in-depth study of the opinions submitted by all localities and departments and produced a proposal for revisions. The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and the Political Bureau deliberated over the proposal respectively, after which revisions to the Party Constitution were drafted. On Aug. 4, the texts of the draft revised Party Constitution and the draft report to the 20th CPC National Congress were issued to select Party members for consultation. The Party Constitution revision panel then made careful revisions based on opinions from all sides, and the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and the Political Bureau held meetings one after the other to review the text of the draft revised Party Constitution. The draft of the revised Party Constitution, which is a product of the collective wisdom of the entire Party, was discussed and approved by the 19th Party Central Committee at its seventh plenary session and will be submitted to the 20th CPC National Congress for deliberation.
Russias Central Asian partners have broadly distanced themselves from the war, while refraining from direct criticism of Russias aggression.

Putin referenced one of his conspiracy theories about foreigners scheming to rob the world and destroy Russia.

If there are any tensions in relations between a bellicose Russia which has invaded its neighbor and its former colonies in Central Asia, outsiders are to blame for stirring them up. That, at least, was the message delivered by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit with Central Asian leaders in Kazakhstan on October 14.

The situation that has taken shape in the world and in the region encourages the activation of all mechanisms of cooperation between us, he told the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

There were attempts from the outside to hamper the development of our cooperation in many areas, to destroy the honest links and close cooperation that have taken shape in politics, the economy and the humanitarian sphere throughout the course of history, Putin griped.

He did not name names, but it was not hard to guess that he had in mind the West, which he presents as the root of most of Russias problems.

Putin was speaking after airing one of his conspiracy theories about evil forces scheming against Russia at another international gathering in Astana the previous day. There, he complained of a self-proclaimed so-called Golden Billion, which has locked in for itself all flows of capital and technologies, to live to a significant degree at the expense of others.

Related: Saudi Arabia Announces $400 Million In Aid To Ukraine

The Golden Billion is a three-decade old, Russian-invented conspiracy about foreigners scheming to rob the world and destroy Russia.

Putins complaints about outsiders fomenting trouble in Russo-Central Asian relations are at odds with evidence that what is causing tensions is his invasion of Ukraine.

Russias Central Asian partners have broadly distanced themselves from the war, while refraining from direct criticism of Russias aggression.

Kazakhstan, in particular, has faced a barrage of aggressive rhetoric from Russian nationalists voicing territorial claims against it over perceptions that it is being disloyal by not supporting Moscow.

That has included stating that Astana will not recognize referendums in Ukrainian territories that effectively led to their annexation by Russia, and making it clear that it will not assist sanctions-busting.

The Kremlin has only itself to blame for shifting alliances with once close partners. But that is unlikely to stop it from imagining sinister outside forces hellbent on doing Russia down.

By Eurasianet.org

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In contrast, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan voted against a decision to discuss the situation in Chinas Muslim-majority Xinjiang, hinting that China may be gaining ground in Central Asia.

The difference between nay votes and non-votes, or abstentions, at the United Nations is symbolic, but often significant. A country that abstains might do so for any number of reasons, including fear of offending friendly countries on opposite sides of an issue. Voting yes or no, on the other hand, means taking sides and being prepared for the diplomatic consequences.

On October 12, Central Asias two largest countries, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, joined 35 other UN members in abstaining on a resolution in favor of Ukraines territorial integrity and condemning Russias hastily-staged referendums in occupied Ukraine.

Only five countries, including Russia, voted against the non-binding resolution that demanded Russia reverse its annexation of the four Ukrainian territories, with 143 voting in favor. Belarus was the only ex-Soviet state to give Moscow its backing. Neutral Turkmenistan did not vote.

Central Asian states, who have so far refused to recognize the entities in Russia-occupied Ukraine, behaved the same way as they did in 2014 during a motion against Russias annexation of Crimea. Back then, 58 countries sat on the fence, while ten were opposed.

But it was a different story last week in the 47-seat United Nations Human Rights Council where Tashkent and Astana  both temporary members of the 47-seat council  voted against a decision to discuss the situation in Chinas Muslim-majority Xinjiang, thereby backing Beijing.

The vote followed the publication of findings by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights that attested to widespread rights violations during Beijings multi-year crackdown there, which OHCHR said could constitute crimes against humanity.

Kazakhstans vote raised eyebrows because ethnic Kazakhs are among the groups that China has targeted in a campaign of mass arbitrary detentions, and because it represented a slight departure in position.

In the summer of 2019, when Xinjiang-related activism was peaking in Kazakhstan, Astana decided to sign neither a letter submitted to the UNHRC by 22 mostly Western countries critical of Beijings policies there, nor a counter-letter in support of Chinas position. While that was not a formal vote, Astanas inaction amounted to an abstention.

This time, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were among the 19 voting against discussing Chinas abuses; 17 voted for discussion and 11 abstained.

In response, rights watchdog Amnesty International criticized silence  or worse, blocking of debate  in the face of the atrocities committed by the Chinese government.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has made it clear that he is not particularly interested in the Xinjiang rights crisis.

During an interview in 2019, he opined that rights groups working on the topic were prone to misinformation and that Kazakhstan should not become a territory for the global anti-China front.

Months before, a leading Xinjiang-born Kazakh activist had been arrested on charges of sowing inter-ethnic discord. The activist, Serikzhan Bilash, now lives in de facto exile, and the movement he spearheaded documenting abuses is far more subdued than it was three years ago.

Weakened public interest in Xinjiang makes it easier for Astana to vote the way it did.

Related: The Problem With Carbon Offsetting

A separate motivation for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is the fact that both clamped down in bloody fashion on regime-rattling unrest earlier this year, with neither heeding calls for internationally backed independent investigations into those events.

But Kazakhstans sudden overt support for Chinas position  risking frowns in the West  likely reflects both lobbying by Beijing and the countrys ongoing tensions with Moscow over Ukraine, which has sent it scrambling for diplomatic backing.

Last month, Xi Jinping did his neighbor a solid in this regard when he made the country his first foreign visit since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, while en route to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Uzbekistan.

Speaking in Astana, the Chinese leader made pointed comments in support of Kazakhstans territorial integrity and against meddling by any forces, after Russian politicians had joined political commentators threatening their Central Asian neighbor over its neutral position on Ukraine.

Xis September 14 stopover was not good news for everyone, however. Two members of a small group of relatives of detained Xinjiang residents, who marked their 600th day of protest outside Chinas consulate in Almaty earlier this month, were sentenced to 15 days administrative detention on the eve of his visit.

Other members of the group complained of intense surveillance as police attempted to thwart their plans to travel north to the capital and demonstrate against Xis visit.

By Eurasianet.org

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The family of Harold Hamm, founder of Continental Resources, will buy all the remaining stock in the shale firm that isnt already owned by the Hamm family in a merger transaction approved by Continentals board of directors.

The company announced on Monday the agreement with Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation that is owned by Continentals founder Hamm.

Following the news release, shares in Continental Resources (NYSE: CLR) jumped by 8% in pre-market trade in New York.

Shale tycoon Harold Hamm and the rest of the Hamm family collectively currently own around 83% of Continentals common stock. The tender offer would be for approximately 58 million shares of common stock that the Hamms do not already own.

The family, via the entity Omega Acquisition, will launch a tender offer to purchase any and all of the outstanding shares of Continentals common stock at $74.28 per share. The price is a 15% premium to the closing price of Continentals common stock of $64.50 as of June 13, 2022, before the June 14 announcement of the Hamm familys initial offer to Continental.

Back in June, Hamm offered to take Continental Resources private in a deal that valued the company at $25 billion.

We have consistently said that as long as we were appreciated in the market, we would remain a public company, but if our opportunities were limited by being public, we should look at alternatives, Hamm said in a letter to employees in June.

We have determined that the opportunity today is with private companies who have the freedom to operate and arent limited by public markets, similar to the way that we operated approximately 15 years ago, prior to becoming a public entity, Hamm added.

In a statement today, Continental Resources said that its Board of Directors, acting on the unanimous recommendation of a special committee consisting solely of independent and disinterested directors, had approved the merger agreement and related transactions, and recommended that Continentals shareholders tender their shares of common stock pursuant to the tender offer.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Iran has started refining its crude oil in Venezuela, Iranian media have reported, citing oil minister Javad Owji.

Iranian crude is being processed at a rate of 100,000 bpd at the El Palito refinery, the minister said, as quoted by state news agency Shana.

Another Iranian news agency, Mehr, cited the minister as saying the El Palito refinery was the first one built by Iran overseas and adding that Tehran will pursue more overseas refinery projects in other countries besides Venezuela.

Plans for the tie-up have been in the making for quite a while. As Owji put it, "This was a long-standing and 43-year-old dream that was realized through the efforts of my colleagues at the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC)."

The actual agreement to start refining Iranian oil at the El Palito refinery was closed this spring as the two inked a deal to boost output at Venezuelas largest refinery.

According to a Reuters report from July, the agreement stipulated that PDVSA would receive 4 million barrels of Iranian heavy crude in that month alone to be refined at the El Palito facility.

The additional volumes would help Venezuela boost the output of its flagship export grade, Merey, which Asian refiners prefer, Reuters noted in its report. Iran has also been helping Venezuela boost its oil exports by supplying it with gasoline and condensates to blend into the heavy crude, as well as equipment and assistance.

The cooperation between Caracas and Tehran helped Venezuela boost its oil exports to over 700,000 bpd of crude and refined products last month, Reuters reported earlier this month, citing tanker tracking data and internal PDVSA documents.

China remained the biggest buyer of Venezuelan oil and fuels, just as it remains the biggest buyer of Iranian oil and, most recently, Russian oil.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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NATO has started its regular nuclear deterrence exercises in Western Europe amid soaring tensions with Russia prompted by President Vladimir Putin's veiled nuclear threats in the face of Moscow's military setbacks in Ukraine.

"Exercise 'Steadfast Noon' involves 14 countries and up to 60 aircraft of various types, including fourth and fifth generation fighter jets, as well as surveillance and tanker aircraft," the 30 member alliance said in a statement, stressing that the "routine, recurring training activity" -- which runs until October 30 -- was planned before Russia invaded Ukraine and is not linked to the current situation.

The exercise will take part in training flights over Belgium, Britain, and the North Sea.

"NATOs new Strategic Concept, adopted by Allied leaders at the Madrid Summit in June makes clear that 'the fundamental purpose of NATOs nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression,' the statement said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has rejected any calls to cancel the exercise after Putin ratcheted up his nuclear rhetoric as Russian forces suffered reversals in Ukraine.

"It would send a very wrong signal if we suddenly now canceled a routine, long-time planned exercise because of the war in Ukraine," Stoltenberg said last week.

"We need to understand that NATO's firm, predictable behavior, our military strength, is the best way to prevent escalation.

By RFE/RL

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New England, which partially relies on LNG imports to cover fuel shortfalls during the winter, could see its power grid exposed to reliability issues that could necessitate rolling outages to ease the strain on the electricity system.

ISO New England Inc, the operator of the power grid in the U.S. northeastern region, warns that in case of a severe cold spell and amid global gas market volatility, consumers could face blackouts due to not enough gas for power generation.

The most challenging aspect of this winter is whats happening around the world and the extreme volatility in the markets, Vamsi Chadalavada, COO at ISO New England, told The Wall Street Journal.

Spot LNG prices are sky-high and will likely move higher as winter comes, meaning that power generation firms would have to pay astronomical prices to bring natural gas to the U.S. Northeast. Europe and Asia will be competing for LNG this winter, which may leave New England with fewer LNG cargoes.

Natural gas pipeline constraints also prevent the nearby Marcellus-Utica basin, the largest U.S. gas-producing region, from sending additional supply to the Northeast. More pipeline capacity is needed for New Englands energy demand, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) said last month as energy prices spike in the region.

BandAid fixes to New Englands gas supply, such as suspending the Jones Act to temporarily ease receipt of more LNG imports and federal assistance in paying for New England consumers energy bills, are not lasting or affordable solutions to addressing electric reliability concerns, INGAA president and CEO Amy Andryszak wrote in an op-ed in Boston Herald last month.

Meanwhile, U.S. electricity prices are rising the most in New England. According to the EIAs latest Short-Term Energy Outlook published last week, wholesale electricity prices at major power trading hubs in the U.S. will be about 20-60% higher on average this winter.

The highest wholesale electricity prices are likely to be in New England because of possible natural gas pipeline constraints, reduced fuel inventories for power generation, and uncertainty regarding liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments given the tight global supply conditions, the EIA said.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Saudi state media announced Saturday that the kingdom will provide $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, following a Friday phone call between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Volodymyr Zelensky.

SPA stated of the call, "The crown prince expressed the kingdom's readiness to continue efforts of mediation and support everything that contributes to de-escalation," in reference to the over seven-month long invasion of Ukraine.

The timing of the new aid is raising eyebrows at a moment there are growing calls in US Congress to freeze all new military arms and equipment sales to Riyadh, and after the White House just days ago confirmed President Biden will re-evaluate ties with Saudi Arabia.

"We are reviewing where we are; well be watching very closely, talking to partners and stakeholders," State Department spokesman Ned Price price said Tuesday, following the Saudis having led the way in getting major oil producers to cut petroleum output, crucially also ahead of mid-term elections in the US.

As reported previously by Al Jazeera of Price's press briefing:

He added that President Joe Biden had previously spoken of the need to recalibrate ties with Saudi Arabia to better serve the US  a position that Price said was underscored by the recently announced oil cuts.

"Our guiding principle will be to see to it that we have a relationship that serves our interests. This is not a bilateral relationship that has always served our interests," Price said.

Price went so far as to charge that OPEC is essentially supporting Russia's aggression in Ukraine "against the interests of the American people" in this latest move.

Chart via Al Jazeera: OPEC members' oil reserves

Currently, Senator Chris Murphy and Rep. Ro Khanna are leading a Congressional move to get advanced anti-air missile systems which the Pentagon has stationed in Saudi Arabia removed and transferred to Ukraine.

Murphy announced in a Thursday statement, "For several years, the US military has deployed Patriot missile defense batteries to Saudi Arabia to help defend oil infrastructure against missile and drone attacks. These advanced air and missile defense systems should be re-deployed to bolster the defenses of eastern flank NATO allies like Poland and Romania  or transferred to our Ukrainian partners."

As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Murphy also lent his voice to ongoing calls to "freeze new military aid to Saudi Arabia" - which would possibly impact the pending sale and transfer of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Riyadh based on a previously approved contract of $650 million

By Zerohedge.com

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Chinas oil major CNOOC expects a twofold increase in its net income for the first nine months of the year, Energy Voice has reported, citing information from a stock exchange filing.

The total for the nine-month period is expected to come in at around $15 billion, thanks to record-high oil and gas production, and higher international prices.

The company last month booked a more than twofold increase in its first-half profits to $10.5 billion, again thanks to higher oil prices and higher oil and gas production. The amount was the highest on record.

Oil production at the companys fields reached 304.8 million barrels of oil equivalent during the first half of the year which was a 9.6-percent annual increase and 71 percent of this increase came from production in China.

CNOOC is also present in some international oil projects, including Guyanas Stabroek Block, where it is a partner of Exxon and Hess, which have made a string of major discoveries turning the South American nation into the latest oil hot spot.

China has been expanding its domestic oil and gas production in order to improve energy supply security for the winter, as the country remains one of the biggest hydrocarbon consumers in the world and the biggest oil importer.

While Chinese oil demand continues to suffer due to the country's zero-Covid strategy, it has rebounded to some degree in recent months as lockdowns become less frequent and refineries prepare to ramp up production.

Reuters earlier this month reported that Chinese refiners are gearing up for an increase in refining rates thanks to stronger demand for refined products. Indeed, when Beijing issued the last batch of fuel export quotas for the year, it was the highest for the year, at 13.25 million tons of refined oil products.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The U.S. Army and Papillion-based Truck Center Companies recently signed a partnership agreement to become part of the U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success program.

The PaYS program is a strategic partnership between the Army and a cross section of private industry, academia and state and local institutes, according to the programs website. PaYS guarantees soldiers five job interviews and possible employment after their service in any component of the U.S. Army.

Trey Mytty, president and CEO of Truck Center Companies, said his company  along with its more than 1,100 employees across four states  were excited to join the partnership.

An interesting fact about Truck Center Companies is that 25% of our staff are current or former military, Mytty said. Thats something that were very proud of.

Mytty said military service provides people with work experience, work ethic, integrity and job skills, and that the companys Sarpy County training center can enhance those skills.

The goal is to bring some people in that have the work ethic and the desire and provide them an opportunity for training and to continue to get better and have some career advancement opportunities, he said.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said the Nebraska National Guard members drove 150,000 miles during the pandemic response, delivering 3.7 million gloves, 2.4 million masks and face shields, 620,000 gowns and 10,000 gallons of hand sanitizer.

When the people of Nebraska needed them, the National Guard was there, Ricketts said.

What we see here is a way to be able to say thank you to our military members, who sacrificed so much for us.

Rep. Don Bacon noted that the nation has a shortage of 70,000 truck drivers, making the PaYS program a win-win for exiting service members and an industry in need of workers.

For this country to work, weve got to have a strong trucking industry, and weve got to fill that shortage to make this right, Bacon said.

Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard, signed the agreement with Mytty on behalf of the U.S. Army.

If you think about todays competition for talent, we need to find ways to double down, and thats exactly whats happening today, Bohac said. Thats a win win for all of us, as we looked for the talent we needed to get to address the labor shortage here in Nebraska.

The Aug. 30 ceremony, held at Truck Center Companies campus just east of Highway 50 on Cornhusker Road, also included the enlistment Private Vu Dinh, 22, of Lincoln. Bohac administered the oath of enlistment to Dinh, who enlisted as a combat medic specialist.

Find more information on PaYS at armypays.com. Find a list of PaYS partners in Nebraska at tinyurl.com/paysne.
LINCOLN  Some Nebraska lawmakers are calling for an investigation into the State Department of Education, alleging that the department provided materials to teachers promoting critical race theory through a state website.

The allegations centered on one document, titled Winning Racial Justice In Our Schools, by the Education Justice Research and Organizing Collaborative at New York University.

The document never was directly available on the website in question, Launch Nebraska, and is not currently accessible through the site.

State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, the lead lawmaker calling for the investigation, said, however, that it serves as evidence that the department has gone off the rails.

Bureaucrats at the Nebraska Department of Education have decided Nebraska children would be better served if their time was spent learning to become activists and talking about woke gender theory, Murman said.

Murman was joined at a Monday press conference by Sens. Steve Erdman, Steve Halloran, Myron Dorn and Robert Clements. He also read statements of support from Sens. Lou Ann Linehan and Rita Sanders.

Parents, not educators, are responsible for teaching their children, Erdman said.

Murman, a member of the Nebraska Education Committee, said the committee likely will lead the investigation, which may not begin until after the midterm elections or even after the next legislative session begins next year. He said the investigation will look into potential misconduct by the department, what state resources or taxpayer dollars were used and what legislative solutions are available to restore the dignity and trust in the department.

Murman didnt specify what outcomes he wants from the investigation, but referenced other states that have passed laws banning teaching critical race theory, and requests to eliminate the department entirely.

Although Murman said the document proves the department was promoting critical race theory for at least a full school year, Department of Education spokesman David Jespersen countered that it was accessible for only a few months at most.

Launch Nebraska originated early in the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to help state educators transition back into the classroom, Jespersen said. The document never was linked directly on the website. Instead, it was accessible by clicking a link to a different website, called the Culturally Responsible Education Hub, which at one point had a link to the document.

Jespersen said the department was not aware that the document was indirectly available through the website until early this summer, when Gov. Pete Ricketts office reached out with concerns. Jespersen said department officials agreed the material wasnt appropriate for the site and took down the link. He said theres no evidence the material was ever used in any Nebraska public schools.

The Senators that held this press conference never reached out to discuss or address their concerns, Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt said in an emailed statement. Instead, the first this was raised as a concern was through a media site that never verified the information through the NDE, and only reached out for comment within an hour of publishing.

News of the investigation first broke on the Daily Caller, a conservative news site founded by Fox News personality Tucker Carlson. The report referred to the Launch Nebraska site as a resource for promoting Critical Race Theory (CRT) and other left-wing tropes such as anti-racism.

Murman said he has staff who had worked in the Governors Office who made him aware of the material. Though he has known about it since this summer, he said, he wanted to do more research.

We got it up there as soon as we felt comfortable discussing it, he said.

Murman acknowledged that the document was never directly linked on the website, but he said the state still made the material available to educators, and that is cause for concern.

Launch Nebraska still includes language encouraging educators to cultivate high-trust classroom environments through Culturally Responsive Education. Jespersen said thats because research has shown that students of color were disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

Although people have differing interpretations of it, a central tenet of critical race theory is the assertion that the laws and legal institutions in the U.S. are inherently racist and advantage White people over other races, particularly African Americans. Adherents say the theory is a framework or lens for understanding race in history and society to help illuminate a pathway to improving the country.

Halloran said he thinks the Culturally Responsive Education label is just a thinly veiled disguise to hide the continued promotion of critical race theory.

We can put lipstick on the pig, but its still CRT, Halloran said.

Murman connected what he said was the departments promotion of critical race theory to the decline in the states average ACT scores, which have dropped to the lowest level in at least a decade. Jespersen said he thinks the falling scores have more to do with the effects of the pandemic than anything else, but noted that compared to the average ACT scores of other states that test at least 90% of their graduates, Nebraska ranked second.
The past decade has seen notable changes in various fields across the country, according to delegates to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), who spoke to the media on Sunday.

"I was sent into space twice in 2013 and 2021. China's manned space program has made new achievements over the past decade, offering us a broader flight platform and longer flight time," said astronaut Wang Yaping.

Short-track skater and Winter Olympic medalist Wu Dajing still remembered the days when they had to queue up into late night for on-ice training due to the lack of skating rinks 10 years ago. "It no longer bothers today's athletes as the indoor skating rinks top 1,400 now."

Kunshan City in east China's Jiangsu Province has seen its industrial scale become larger and its industrial structure more optimized in the past 10 years, according to Zhou Wei, the city's Party chief, adding that the city's proportion of strategic emerging industries has exceeded 50 percent.

Yang Ning, Party chief of Jiangmen Village in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has seen the mountainous village shake off poverty with its per capita net income soaring since she returned to her hometown in 2010 as a college graduate.

"I will stay in the village to make it more beautiful and affluent," Yang said.

The spectrum of the more than 2,000 delegates attending the ongoing congress is broadly representative. The delegates come from various sectors, administrative levels, and institutions.

The congress will run from Oct. 16 to 22.
Nebraskas net tax collections were up nearly 18% from what was expected for September, according to a State Department of Revenue report released on Friday.

The net revenue receipts for the state were $110 million more than the projected figures for September, continuing a trend of higher-than-predicted figures for the fiscal year that began in July, the report shows.

So far, the states tax collections are 9.4%  or nearly $140 million  more than expected for the fiscal year, according to the report.

In July and August, the states net tax collections were up 1.1% and 4.8% respectively from the predicted figures set by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board in February, according to the report.

On Friday, Gov. Pete Ricketts released a statement celebrating the September revenue figures. He said the higher-than-expected tax receipts have helped the state provide tax relief, while making key investments and building the largest cash reserve in state history.

Nebraskas growth continues to be incredibly strong, creating opportunities for our families to enjoy the Good Life, Ricketts said in the statement. Thanks to Nebraskans whose hard work is helping our state thrive.

The forecasting board will meet again in late October to update previous projections and make the first revenue forecast for the two-year budget period ending June 30, 2025. Both the Legislature and the governor use the boards forecasts in making tax and budget decisions.
BLOOMINGTON  Good neighbors make for a good community gathering.

At least 70 attended the first Festival of Jewish Life on Sunday at the Moses Montefiore Temple in Bloomington, celebrating the greater community and all things Judaism, as well as the synagogues 140th anniversary.

Meryl Brown, Moses Montefiore Temple president, said in advance of the celebration: We're hoping it goes off with a bang.

She also said her temple loves community, and that love extends to the whole community  not just their own.

We want all of Bloomington-Normal, that not only knows us, but also knows, likes and trust us, Brown said, adding that all were invited to come and have fun with them.

Brown said the celebration lined up perfectly with Simchat Torah, a holiday where they celebrate going back to the beginning of the Torah.

And its a big deal, she noted. Every week, Brown said they read a portion of the Torah in order.

We read throughout the entire five books of Moses, and then we start over again, she said.

Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe told The Pantagraph that celebrating their life and culture is about responding to challenges, such as the rise of anti-Semitism, by stepping forward together in solidarity with our community.

She also said they should show their children  who often are the only Jewish ones in their schools  that many people care about them, and they care about other kids, too.

When asked what celebrating Jewish life means to him, temple member Herm Brandau, 81, of Bloomington, said its about celebrating life. He noted Jewish people have a long history with tragedy, but concentrating on the good in human nature is important.

Psychologists will tell you, unfortunately, that it's easier to stir up negative feelings than positive feelings, Brandau said. It's more of an effort  and an effort worth doing  to really stir up people's positive beliefs for other people, and even themselves.

Dayna Brown was another synagogue member present. She said its important to celebrate their community, because theyre a small but a very strong one.

A lot of us grew up in other areas where there were more Jewish celebrations, said Brown. It's really exciting for us to be able to share some of our traditions with our neighbors and friends.

Food was also served during the event, including falafel from The Rock, fresh grilled hot dogs, and Jewish bakery items. There was a kosher wine tasting by the Mystic Kitchen, too.

Temple member Beth Sender, 66, of Normal, helped run the bakery table. She pointed to how their synagogue has active and energetic members of all ages and persuasions, and that makes her happy to see.

Sender listed food items tabled, such as their challah bread, which is eaten Friday nights on Shabbat. They were made by Marty Toher, who she said is a wonderful baker.

They also had Rugelach, which Sender said is cinnamon and nuts rolled in sugar with a buttered crust. And its delicious.

She agreed sharing culture means sharing their cuisine, too, while adding that means inviting out the community.

We want the community to know more about us and that we value our friendships and relationships with other members, said Sender.

The Childrens Corner opened up just after noon for music and songs, story time, and activities for the kiddos. A puppet show was also put on.

Temple principal Myriah Monical read one childrens book detailing Jewish holidays, like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, plus naming ceremonies. One page read: Here is a yarmulke, here is a shawl. Here is the synagogue, open to all.

Another stated: Here are two candles, with flames burning bright. Here is the challah we eat Friday night.

She then read another text titled Are We Still Friends, which encouraged kids to celebrate their differences and appreciate their similarities.

Synagogue member Megan Goldfarb went to the festival with her son Noah Goldfarb, 3, and daughter Emma Goldfarb, 6. She said celebrating their culture is about family, perseverance and community.

Emma Goldfarb shared with Monical that her Hebrew name is Shaindel. Her mother said it means beautiful.

Phani Aytam, of Bloomington, attended with his daughter, Shree Aytam, and wife, Sandeepa Aytam. He said he worked with Rabbi Dubowe on the Not In Our Town project, and added the event was everything our community is about.

He said that includes diversity, and celebrating our differences.
PONTIAC  Livingston County State's Attorney Randy Yedinak has joined a growing list of state's attorneys who are challenging the constitutionality and enforcement of Illinois' SAFE-T Act in court.

Yedinak announced Monday that he had filed a complaint Oct. 4 for declaratory relief and injunction against the criminal justice reform law, which was signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in early 2021. More than half of the state's attorneys in Illinois, including McLean County State's Attorney Erika Reynolds, have filed similar measures.

The SAFE-T Act made Illinois the first state to fully eliminate cash bail. Opponents of the new law have been critical of the elimination of cash bail and the mandate for all police officers to wear body cameras by 2025.

Supporters have argued that the cash bail system disproportionately affects people of color and the poor.

In a post to the Livingston County State's Attorney's Office's Facebook page, Yedinak said he does not rebuke reform to the criminal justice system but he cannot support an act so poorly drafted that uniform enforcement of it is all but impossible.

Under the new law, Yedinak said, judges across the state will no longer possess discretion to assess danger to the community as a whole when considering pretrial detention for suspects charged with certain offenses.

Effective Jan. 1, local circuit judges must consider several factors for pretrial detainment for individuals charged with a forcible felony that is not eligible for probation. These factors include whether the defendant is a danger to an individual or the community or whether they are considered a flight risk.

Critics have expressed concerns that under the law as written would not allow judges to detain an individual accused of second-degree murder, drug trafficking, arson, robbery, aggravated battery, threatening a public official and other probational offenses unless prosecutors prove they are a flight risk.

"The need for meaningful legislative changes is necessary to provide the proper balance between the rights of accused and the safety of our law-abiding citizens," Yedinak wrote. "The act, as it stands, will impact the safety of every citizen, regardless of what they look like, where they live or how much money they have in their bank account."

Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, have been named in similar lawsuits.
Micah Ott met Miles Toenyes at a cattle show at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield five years ago. This September, two weeks before harvest, the couple tied the knot a few hundred yards from where they met.

Because family farming is such an important part of both their lives, it was part of their courtship, engagement and wedding.

Micah grew up on a corn and soybean farm near Danvers and also showed cattle.

We had horses and goats and pigs. It was a good lifestyle to grow up, and when we have kids we can do the same with them, she said.

One of Miles uncles is a cattle producer and another is a pork producer, so Miles raises both on the couples 7-acre farm in southern Illinois.

For their engagement, Miles told Micah that his family was hosting a party on July 4 on their new patio made from a converted grain bin. What she didnt know was that more family was hiding in a camper trailer at the site waiting for the perfect moment when he knelt on one knee and proposed.

They chose to marry in the Exposition Building at the state fairgrounds. It was a perfect location midway between her family in central Illinois and his in the deep southern part of the state. It was on the grounds where they met when she was showing cattle.

When she was a little girl, Micah thought she would get married on the family farm, but it turned out the guest list was too long for that.

In early September its hard to tell if it will be summer or fall weather, so she chose muted tones with taupe dresses for her bridesmaids and gold and silver with blush accents.

It was perfect. Just as I had imagined, she said.

Micah, who is a nurse at Alton Memorial Hospital about 18 miles north of St. Louis, is well aware of how much the pandemic has disrupted lives. She started nursing only six months before COVID-19 stopped regular life in its tracks.

In part because of the pent up demand for wedding venues, she only had two dates in 2022 to choose from for a wedding at the Exposition Hall  one in March and one in September. She consulted with her dad about planting and harvest and chose the Sept. 10 date.

I think by the grace of God we had a late spring, she said.

Only two weeks after the nuptials, her dad was harvesting crops in his McLean County fields.

As a nod to harvest season, the couple, who now live in Pocahontas, Illinois, deferred their honeymoon to November.
YORKVILLE  What once was the scene of tragedies is now the scene of triumphs, learning and fun.

Accidents at the old Glen Palmer Dam on the Fox River claimed more than 20 lives over the years before the state decided to modify the low-head dam.

In the process of making the dam safer, the project also included a 1,100-foot-long bypass chute on its south side with boulders creating a whitewater paddling park.

The Marge Cline Whitewater Course opened in 2011 at Yorkvilles Bicentennial Riverfront Park, 302 E. Hydraulic St., about 90 miles from Bloomington-Normal, in Kendall County.

There is no charge for using the whitewater park. There are no lifeguards. You paddle at your own risk. A sign at the entrance advises people to wear life jackets. Although not mentioned on the signage, a helmet is a good idea.

The park has at least one portable toilet and changing area as well as a playground for younger family members. There also are restaurants nearby to refuel after paddling.

Equipment can be rented from the Yak Shack, including one-person inflatable rafts called tube trackers that are suitable for beginners, said Yak Shack owner Jeff Brown. The rental season is about to end, but Brown said it usually resumes around April 1. Check yakshackonline.com for more information.

The whitewater park is named in honor of longtime paddling advocate and educator Marge Cline, known as River Mom, who was a leader in the Chicago Whitewater Association.

Brown said the whitewater park has all the features that youd find in bigger, more natural whitewater but without the consequences.

There also are whitewater parks in Wausau, Wisconsin; South Bend, Indiana; and Charles City, Iowa.

This one is really kind of designed as a beginner course, said Chris Sweet of Lexington, who got into whitewater kayaking about three and a half years ago. When I come up with my family, they like to just bomb down it in inflatable kayaks.

But he notes, although the course is beginner-friendly, its also designed for kayakers who want to stay and play in the river  do playboat moves, to surf the waves.

Those playboat moves include making the short boats flip and spin. Surfing is finding the right balance point while paddling upstream so the boat seems to sit on a wave without moving.

Tom Hafner of Oak Park describes it as being in the Zen zone, with gravity trying to pull you down and water trying to push you downstream.

You have to be fully present to maintain that position, and its meditation because nothing else can be in your mind, so youre totally in the zone, he said.

Stacy Sparlin of Plainfield, an Illinois State University graduate, finds whitewater paddling to be both calming and exhilarating.

Its very calming when youre by any water, even when you're near like a rapid, just the sound.  And its a challenge. Theres always something new to learn, said Sparlin.

That learning ideally should be done through formal lessons.

Whitewater is not something that you get into on your own. Youve got to have a class and somebody to go with that knows what theyre doing, said Sweet.

Brown hopes to offer classes on rolling your kayak  getting it right-side-up after capsizing  in a pool this winter.

Steve Butler of Urbana, an experienced flatwater canoe paddler and kayaker, went to the course with Sweet with the goal of expanding the skill set a little and just having some fun.

Butler said, I havent figured it all out yet, but well see how it goes. He was still smiling at the end of the day, despite capsizing a few times. And when he hit the sweet spot, surfing a wave, his friends  old and new  cheered him on.

Whitewater paddlers in Illinois are a pretty tight-knit group. We rely on each other, especially when were running high-flow, more dangerous rivers, said Sweet. Your partners that youre paddling with are potentially there to rescue you, so its a great way to build friendships and relationships.
The Minister made these comments when he toured the ongoing 23-kilometer Dome-Kitase Road project which is being undertaken by First Sky Construction Limited.



Speaking briefly to the media after the tour, the Minister, who was highly impressed about the progress of work and said: just under two months of work, and with the level of world-class equipment and human resource mobilization I have seen today, First Sky Construction Ltd is comparable to any world-class construction firm in the world



He further emphasized that from his quiet briefings with technical engineers from the Ministry up to the level of the Chief Director, the feedback is that the construction is according to specifications.



Although it is expected to complete the 23-kilometer Dome-Kitase Road project in twenty-four months, First Sky Construction Limited, the construction firm undertaking the project, has assured that the project will be completed within fourteen months.



According to Eric Seddy Kutortse, Chairman of the company who gave the assurance, it will work assiduously day and night without compromising the quality and integrity of the project to facilitate human and vehicular movement.



This project has 24 months duration, we are one and half months into the 24 months. Our assurance is that with the pace at which we are going, we are sure that we will deliver this project within 14 months, within 14 months we will have it done, Mr. Kutortse told Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Minister of Roads and Highways, during an inspection.



Kwesi Amoako-Attah signed a contract with First Sky Limited, a local construction company in Accra, for the rehabilitation of the 23-km Dome-Kitase Road.



The $35 million project will start from the Dome Roundabout in the Greater Accra Region and end at Kitase, near Peduase in the Eastern Region.



According to a notice shared on the official Facebook page of the ministry on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, the exercise is expected to start in August 2022 and is scheduled for completion in 24 months.



The project starts from the Dome Roundabout in the Greater Accra Region and ends at Kitase in the Eastern Region. The Project, estimated to cost $35 million is being funded by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the Government of Ghana, the ministry announced.



The Road will serve as an alternative route to Peduase and Akuapem enclave and one of the prestigious Universities in the country, the Ashesi University, it added.



Barely two months after works began, Kutortse during the tour with the minister said it had completed 97 percent of all land clearing while filling to formation was 15 percent complete, adding that excavation and cut to formation was also 16 percent complete.



He added that scarification and formation were 16 percent complete, three percent of 600*600mm U-drains had been constructed with 41 percent of pipe culvert also constructed.



What we are doing currently is that, we are improving the vertical alignment of the road by cutting to formation and we have almost 250,000 cutting to be done and if that is completed the project will be almost 30 percent and per our programme, by the end of this month we will cut the entire road to formation, he said.



He added that: Currently, we have also started the construction of U-drain, weve started also the culvert, we have only about eight culverts, we have constructed two already.



Other officials who joined in the project tour included Mr. Stephen Jalulah, Deputy Minister of Roads; Dr. Abass Awolu, Chief Director of the Ministry; Mr. Christian Nti, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Highways Authority (GHA); Mr. Roosevelt Otu, Director, Department of Feeder Roads and other directors of the GHA, and officials of the Urban Roads.





















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A documentary on the environment and climate change produced by Ghanaian youth videographers will be showcased at the upcoming climate talks in Egypt (COP 27)  the first in the history of the country.



The documentary consists of 12 separate films that highlight the impact of climate change on the environment and livelihoods, particularly among coastal communities hit by tidal waves and rising sea levels.



The film also captures climate change mitigation measures executed by individuals and organisations, including the adoption of climate smart agriculture systems to improve food production.



The films were produced as part of the Ghana Youth Videography Programme and facilitated by the UN Youth Climate Report, a platform that showcases actions being taken by youth around the world on climate change.



During a screening of the film at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) last Friday, Mr Mark Terry, Executive Director, Youth Climate Report, said the film would be shown to UN Policy makers at COP27 on November 9, 2022.



He said all 12 films were approved by the UN and had been added to the UNs Geographic Information System map of the world.



Mr Terry said the youth played an important role in the fight against climate change, adding that the documentary was one of the ways to ensure that the views of the youth were considered in the climate talks.



The idea is to amplify the voice of the youth particularly those in Ghana. We want to hear the stories of climate change and the impacts that they have here, he said.



Professor Magnus Mfoafo-MCarthy, a member of the Project Team, said policymakers must realize that the youth also had a voice because they also have something that they bring on the table.



He said the Film would create awareness on climate change and elevate Ghana to the world in terms of climate action.



It elevates Ghana to the point of having that conversation that Ghana is taking climate change seriously, Prof. Mfoafo-MCarthy said.



Africa will host the 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 27) in November this year, which will be the second time the continent is hosting global climate talks after hosting COP 17 in South Africa in 2011.



Although African countries have contributed to less than four per cent of global emissions, its citizens are the most affected by climate change.



The continent is increasingly battling with extreme drought, erratic rainfall, rising sea levels, flooding and other challenges that impact food systems and contribute to hunger and poverty.

Source: GNA









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You are here: China

The Chinese economy has posted a notable trend of recovery in the third quarter (Q3) of this year, an official said Monday.



Zhao Chenxin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, told a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
Former President John Dramani Mahama says Africa must look beyond the deployment of troops in addressing the challenges to peace and security on the continent.



According to him, it is necessary for Africa and its institutions to rather find the source of the regional insecurity fire and extinguish the flames before they engulf the continent.



Presenting the State of Peace and Security in Africa 2021 report at the 10th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, Mr. Mahama said Africa must consider the time-tested spirit of entrepreneurship so that we can fight the trade war rather than simply expend our energies trying to put out the extremist fires  and behaving like a fire brigade, only reacting when is too late.



The former president who is the Chairperson of the Tana Forum Board noted that Africa seems unable to proactively prevent crises despite the availability of key institutions and mechanisms to pre-empt and resolve conflict.



He also argued that the degree of cross-border interaction and exchange, and the deepening reach of globalization, means we now need to frame Africas conflict situations as regional crises with national dimensions.



According to the report, Africa in 2021 witnessed a reversal of some of the democratic gains that were achieved in the 1990s and 2000, with the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government, contestation for state power, the regionalisation of violent conflict and return to authoritarian rule and the undermining of the rule of law, both of which are drivers of violent conflict.



Moreover, in 2021, limited economic growth, an immense youth bulge, and high levels of rural-urban conflict and forced migration have created conditions for extremism to spread into vulnerable countries, the report further noted.



Outlining some of the recommendations of the 2021 State of Peace and Security Report, President Mahama said Africa Union member states need to prevent the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government by reacting much more swiftly to ensuing crisis and develop continental-based pharmaceutical industries to manufacture and distribute their own COVID-19 vaccines to African citizens.



The report also recommends that the AUs Commission for Political Affairs, Peace and Security develop dedicated programmes of work with the AU Special Envoy for Youth and the African Youth Ambassadors to mobilize the continents youth to proactively work to prevent and resolve conflict as well as promote post-conflict reconstruction, peacebuilding and transitional justice.

Source: Ghanab.com









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The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, responsible for Lands and Forestry has applauded the Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Katakyie Kwasi Bumagama II for his strong stands against illegal small scale mining, popularly known as "Galamsey" in the Western North region.



His comments of applauds comes after the Paramount Chief made his intentions known during the inauguration of Stool Lands Regional office that, regardless of status or position, he will from henceforth not allow any form of small scale mining operations in his region due to the wanton destruction of Lands and waterbodies in the Western North.



The Deputy Minister applauded the Paramount Chief in an interview with the media on the sidelines of his working visit to the Western North Region after inspecting some projects the OASL has undertaken with funds from revenues collected in the Western North Region.



Speaking to the media at one of the sites, Mr Owusu-Bio disclosed that his mission for this inspection was to ensure that the revenues collected have actually been put to good use and also to serve as a source of accountability to the people of Ghana.



The Deputy Minister hoped that more projects will be embarked on and the existing ones will be maintained for the continuous development of the Region.



Some of the projects visited include the Mpomam road, which has been stabilised and scheduled to be tarred with some GHS22,100, a 1 unit KG school block at Bosomoiso and Sefwi Bekwai Senior High School Administration Block, all in the Western North Region.

Source: Classfmonline









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Ghanas Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye has assured world leaders that the country is committed to upgrading existing slums, while preventing the emergence of new ones in the country.



He made this known while addressing participants at a high-level meeting to launch the Global Action Plan Framework on Informal Settlements and Slums being held in Pretoria, South Africa by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Government of South Africa.



Hon. Asenso-Boakye remarked that, there is the urgent need for a coherent and integrated national urban and housing policies, which prioritizes the implementation of national developmental plans, policies, and result-oriented programmes and projects for slums.



Ghana has taken the bold step in the development of a draft Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy, following the countrys active participation in the implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) and the emergence of this Global Action Plan will help shape our strategy for effective implementation, the Minister added.



The Minister for Works and Housing further indicated that, the importance of the Global Action Plan Framework on Informal Settlements and Slums, cannot be over-emphasized as it will consolidate, and amplify the worlds collective resolve to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the New Urban Agenda (NUA).



The Executive Director of the UN-Habitat, Her Excellency Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, while speaking at the launch lauded various governments for their resolve towards upgrading of existing and prevention of slums.



The high-level meeting also brought together Ministers, top Government officials, as well as Civil Societies who continue to play active roles in upgrading and transforming informal settlements.





Global Action Plan Framework



The International Meeting will see to the launching of a Global Action Plan Framework to transform Informal Settlements and Slums in the Decade of Action, accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. The International Meeting leverages the momentum of the Urban October and the preparation process for the UN-Habitat Assembly in June 2023.



The Global Action Plan Framework Initiative is anchored in the Slums and Informal Settlements Network (SiSnet) launched during Habitat III in Quito as part of the global Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP), initiated by the Organization of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), financed by the European Commission and implemented by UN-Habitat.



The Global Action Plan Framework is informed by the co-creation of a global publication in search of solutions to the challenges of informal settlements and slums. The publication provides a snapshot of the current global status quo of slums and informal settlements, reflects on lessons learnt in the past 20 years and identifies sustainable and inclusive solutions for transforming informal settlements and slums. The Government of South Africa invites Member States to launch a resolution formulation process shaping commitments and endorsement in support of the Global Action Plan Framework.



The intention of the Global Action Plan Framework is to take coordination, collaboration, commitments and partnerships to the next level. It consolidates and amplifies efforts for accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda (NUA) in the Decade of Action. It provides a joint vision to inform actions framed by partnerships and is the basis for Member States to elevate commitments in form of a resolution to be pledged in the UN-Habitat Assembly process.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Minister for Transport, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has urged the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to provide full support to the players in the maritime industry to achieve a safer, more secure and greener industry.



According to him, of utmost importance to the shipping industry are more innovative measures designed by the IMO to ensure that global standards are implemented uniformly considering the fact that member states are at varying stages of socioeconomic development and are tackling varying developmental issues and priorities at varying times.



He argued that the implementation of the IMO technical cooperation activities, including the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), designed to assist developing countries to improve their technical expertise in accordance with IMOs global mandate to promote safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping, is a very good one, the innovative measures would bring the member states to speed in reaching the global level that all are craving for.



It is imperative that the IMO achieves harmonization by implementing global standards uniformly across the different jurisdictions. The shipping industry is dynamic, and the growing demand for measures towards ensuring a safer, more secure and greener industry is justified in every sense. No member should be left behind as that would not aid in achieving the global mandate of promoting safe, secure and greener shipping. It is essential that we all move along, he noted.



Hon. Asiamah made this observation on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, when he was contributing to a panel discussion on the occasion of the International Maritime Organization World Maritime Day Parallel Event held at Durban ICC in Ethekwini, South Africa.



His comment was in reaction to what the IMO could do more to promote its Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), enhance its financial sustainability and also increase the representation of African countries.



The theme for this years World Maritime Day Parallel Event is New Technologies for greener shipping which calls for the global family of nations to take action on decarbonization of shipping and ports through the use of zero or low carbon technologies, fuels and infrastructure.



Speaking on the financial sustainability of the IMO, Hon. Asiamah urged the IMO to ensure the continued financial viability of the ITCP through core funding via the Technical Cooperation (TC) Fund and access to external and in-kind support.



He encouraged member states to honour their financial commitments to the Technical Cooperation Fund, and also provide financial and in-kind support to the ITCP through bi-lateral arrangements.



Further to that, he urged member states to co-operate with the IMO in the development and execution of resource mobilization campaigns.



The South Africa Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, in his keynote address urged players in the maritime business to be proactive in coming up with mitigation measures in dealing with greenhouse gas emissions from ships which is projected to increase from the current 3% to 250% by 2050 because future demand of cargo would be carried by international ships.



He told the gathering that South Africa has expressed commitments in various multilateral platforms of its intent to decarbonize its economic sectors that are currently reliant on fossil fuel for energy.



This is on the basis that there is a just transition which considers the socio-economic factors of the country and her people. We believe that the abundance of renewable energy potential can accelerate the development of greener technologies and alternative fuels in order to meet the demand of supplying bunker to ships at our ports, he noted.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been assured that the US$330 million Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal project, popularly referred to as the Boankra Inland Port Project, which has been on the drawing board for some eighteen (18) years, will be completed by the first quarter of 2024.



The Concessionaire, Ashanti Ports Services Limited, a joint venture of Afum Quality Limited of Ghana and DSS Associates of the Republic of Korea, made this known on Sunday, 16th October 2022, when President Akufo-Addo visited the site of the construction.



Covering a total land area of 413 acres, the President was informed by the Concessionaire that we are working to eliver this job within the schedule date. By the end of 2023 eighty percent (80%) will be done, and, by the end of the first quarter 2024, we will finish the project.



The Concessionaire was hopeful that the eastern and western railway lines will be completed on schedule, which will further improve the viability of the Boankrainland port.



The idea of the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal project has been in the pipeline since the days of the Government of the 2nd President of the 4th Republic, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor. In attempting to bring it into fruition, it encountered a number of challenges, a significant one being the exit of the NPP government in 2009.



2020 Sod-cutting



Cutting the sod for the construction of the Port on Thursday, 5th November 2020, the President explained that the Boankra Inland Port project has been initiated to provide service to importers and exporters in the middle and northern parts of the country, and also to act as a major conduit for the efficient transportation of transit traffic to and from our neighbouring landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.



After completion of the Terminal, it will be fitted with an inland clearance depot, customs bonded and unbonded estates, commercial areas such as banks, offices and trading facilities, vehicle parking areas, light industrial areas, and an administration complex.



The Project will also offer significant employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labour during the two phases of construction and operation. Beyond the creation of jobs, there are other ancillary small and medium scale businesses that will be located within the enclave to support the operations of the Terminal.



It is noteworthy that the transformation of the Ghanaian economy, from a raw material producing and exporting one, to an industrialised one, will be given a huge impetus with the coming on stream of this facility. Governments commitment to establishing firmly the economy of Ghana on a solid path of industrialisation, with the view to delivering a vision of self-reliance, development and prosperity for all, is unwavering, he added.



The Concessionaire, Ashanti Ports Services Limited, a joint venture of Afum Quality Limited of Ghana and DSS Associates of the Republic of Korea, according to President Akufo-Addo, is committed to investing a total of $330 million for the realisation of this project. Additionally, the Concessionaire is expected to design, engineer, finance, procure, construct, operate, and maintain the project, and transfer title to the Government after a thirty (30) year period.



It is my hope and expectation that the Concessionaire will not renege on the confidence reposed in it, and will take all the necessary actions to deliver the project on schedule and on budget, he added.



One of the success stories of the Africa economic integration agenda is the coming into force of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).



The objective of the AfCFTA is to promote trade among African countries, with the President stressing that this will be buoyed by the presence of an effective and efficient transport system, especially as Ghana is playing host to the Secretariat.



President Akufo-Addo was hopeful that this project and other similar infrastructure projects, such as the development of the Keta Port, the Tema-Akosombo Railway Line, and the ongoing port expansion projects at Tema and Takoradi Ports, would make a positive contribution in ensuring that Ghana derives maximum benefits from the AfCFTA.









Source: graphiconline.com









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Nana Fredua has expressed disappointment in the Christian leaders in the country.



The Board Chairman of the National Theatre blamed the religious leaders for the unbridled lust for money that has engulfed the hearts of many Ghanaians, particularly the youth.



His comment comes after the Christian Council comprising the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye and a host of Pastors toured some galamsey sites in the Eastern Region.



The Pastors prayed for repentance and good character as they visted the sites.



They also admonished the leaders of the nation to be relentless in the fight against the galamsey menace.



But to Nana Fredua, the attitude of some of the Pastors is the catalyst for the youth's behavior to make quick money, hence engaging in the illegal mining (galamsey).



Speaking to host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo", Nana Fredua said; "They are partly to blame for the lust for money today . . . particularly from those charismatic Pastors who have made everything contingent on wealth."



"So, as they advise us to repent, I plead with them to also check their character," he advised the Pastors.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says he has no basis to sack Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.



According to him, the current economic challenges were not the fault of Mr Ofori-Atta who he said performed his duties excellently in his first term as President.



Speaking in an interview on OTEC FM today, the President said he still had confidence in the capabilities of his Finance Minister.



I came to office in 2017 under a stringent IMF programme . . . This same man (Ofori-Atta) was able to manage the affairs of our economy in such a way that in my first term, we were one of the fastest-growing economies in the world," the President said.



An average growth rate of 7 per cent which allowed us to initiate programmes such as Planting for Food and Jobs. So somebody who has been able to do that . . . The current difficulties are not his fault. So how do I do it (sack him)? What will be the basis? What is the rationale.



The President said if the Finance Minister had not performed well in his first term when he Ghana was the fastest-growing economy with an average growth rathe of 7%, then he would have a reason to sack him.



Critics



There have been growing calls for the Finance Minister to lose his job following the decision of the government to seek economic support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).



One of Ofori-Atta's critics, Former Chief of Staff in President Kufuor's administration, Kwadwo Mpiani argued that the utterances of the current Finance Minister before the government sought the intervention of the International Monetary Fund makes him unfit for the role.



"Honestly, If I were the Finance Minister (Ken Ofori-Atta) this is not a question of the President dropping me, from my utterances and then what is happening, I would just say Mr President, thank you so much, I think it's time for me to sit back for another person to take over," Mr Mpiani said in an interview with Joy News.





It will be recalled that in February this year, Mr Ofori-Atta said the government had no intention to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout but will resort to available means within the country to generate revenue.



The u-turn by the government has resulted in critics calling for his resignation over his pronouncements on IMF support.

Source: graphiconline.com









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One of the countrys most reputable corporate and commercial law firms, Sam Okudzeto & Associates, is celebrating 50 years of providing legal professional services to clients and contributing to democracy of the state.



The law firm was founded in 1971 by one of the countrys finest and most astute lawyers, Mr. Sam Okudzeto, (SAG. FCIS, LLB (Hons) Lond. Dip, College DEurope, Belgium, Notary Public) after he moved on from Law Chambers. It now boasts close to 30 lawyers and six partners. The firms new office has an ultra-modern library, fully equipped and updated with the most current law reports for legal research, as well as an ICT facility.



Speaking ahead of the public lecture marking the start of anniversarys celebrations to be held on October 21, 2022, Mr. Okudzeto  who acquired his law degree from Kings University College, London, and has been practicing law for almost six decades  said his vision at the time for establishing the law firm was premised on the fact that there were no lawyers specialised in commercial law; hence, he saw an untapped area where his expertise would be useful.



My expertise was in commerce, so business law became an important matter. At the time, I wasnt really thinking of a huge law firm. My idea was to set up a firm that could handle business matters and handle them well, because I realised most of the lawyers didnt have the background I had. And so, in that case I would be able to give my clients a package that is all-embracing, he said in an interview with the B&FT.



Asked what has contributed to making his law firm one of the most reputable ones in the country, Mr. Okudzeto said as part of the training for the lawyers and partners, values and principles such as integrity, honesty, adherence to high ethical standards of the legal profession, and diligence are core requirements; hence, clients are always left satisfied and happy with the service they are rendered.



We strive to ensure that the service we provide improves and does not diminish; it becomes better. You have to ensure that the people you are bringing in are tutored to know how to handle matters; the honesty involved, their relationship with clients, the diligence involved, must be understood so that when they go out there they will be like me, if not better. And we have achieved that, he said.



Sam Okudzeto & Associates has over the years contributed to deepening democracy in the country, as it has produced some of the finest judges  including Supreme Court justices  and lawyers in the country.



Activities lined-up for the 50th anniversary celebration



The 50th-anniversary celebration will be commemorated with a series of activities which include a lecture on the theme A Lawyers Contribution to Governance and Socio-Economic Development in Ghana.



The law firm will also embark on a visit to the Nsawam Prisons and outdoor its new office building in the upcoming months.



The general public is encouraged to participate in the public lecture by using the link below:

Source: thebftonline.com









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The Eastern Regional Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Deputy Commissioner of Immigration, DCOI Faisal Disu, has asked personnel of the service to be alert and vigilant in tracking down foreigners who illegally enter the country to engage in all sorts of criminal activities.

Some of such activities, he indicated include cybercrime, internet fraud, kidnapping, terrorism, galamsey and QNet among others.



DCOI Disu who was recently posted to the Eastern Region was addressing personnel under his command at Koforidua last Wednesday. The personnel were made up of district and municipal sector commanders.



Meeting



Meeting the personnel for the first time since his posting to the region, he stated that foreigners had illegally entered the country and were carrying out criminal activities such as internet fraud, cybercrime and kidnapping among others.



He said the foreigners who had come to Ghana because the authorities in their countries were on their heels, managed to lure their compatriots and other West African nationals to Ghana, ostensibly for non-existing jobs and defrauded or kidnapped them in the process.

DCOI Disu, therefore, asked the personnel under his command not only to be vigilant at the borders, but also be alert in the cities and towns to help track down foreign criminals.





"These criminals promise others good jobs such as working at the bank in Ghana but in the end rob them of their money," the Regional Immigration Commander stated.

He explained that such criminals colluded with Ghanaians in carrying out such criminal acts.



Foreign nationals



DCOI Disu noted that foreign nationals of West Africa have seen Ghana as a good destination to visit, reside in and work but a few have come with some covert behaviour and attitudes that threaten the security and peace the country is enjoying.



He said the GIS will do everything possible to strengthen the commands for the personnel to give of their best.



It is one of my visions as the Regional Commander to strengthen the command for the personnel to be happy with the work they do.



"Lets work together to deal decisively with criminals and other unscrupulous persons. I, therefore, want to take the opportunity to advise personnel under my command to exercise due diligence in whatever role they are assigned to perform, DCOI Disu stated.



On terrorism, he stressed that Ghana could not be spared since the country was also in a region where such activities were carried out. Therefore, he urged personnel to be on the alert, especially at the borders to track them.

Source: graphiconline.com









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Embattled District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bosome Freho in the Ashanti Region, Yaw Danso has spoken for the first time since a voice purported to be his encouraging illegal mining popularly known as Galamsey activities in his district went viral on social media.



Responding to a letter from the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Daniel Botwe asking him to respond to the audio recording of a person believed to be him discussing galamsey in his district, Yaw Danso stated in a letter dated October 13, 2022 addressed to the minister which was sighted by DGN Online that I humbly inform you, the Minister that the said recording is not my voice and the tape has nothing to do with me.



He therefore assured the minister about his readiness to serve his people with hard work, humility, and integrity.



It is against this reason that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo directed with immediate effect that Yaw Danso should be suspended to allow investigation into the matter by the appropriate agencies to verify the authenticity of the alleged audio recording.



An audio in circulation which went viral on social media implicated the suspended District Chief Executive when he was purportedly heard encouraging illegal mining activities in his district.



Some members of the Assembly had already called on President Akufo-Addo, his Chief of Staff, Local Government and Decentralization Minister, and Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Abu Jinapor to take a serious look into the allegations.



President Akufo-Addo, recently while speaking with MMDCEs at a galamsey engagement, pointed out that the embattled District Chief Executive has been invited to defend himself against the charges.



Yaw Danso was noted by the President to be in a period of mourning following the demise of his wife.



When the one-week celebration is over, he will have to respond and depending on the quality of his response, we will decide what the future holds for him, President Akufo-Addo noted.



Already, the President has warned that he will not shield any government official found complicit in galamsey activities while speaking to MMDCEs during the engagement.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Wang Lijun drove for about 10 kilometers to pay a visit to the tomb of General Su Yu (1907-84) in Huangshan, Anhui province, on Thursday before the opening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which took place on Sunday.

Looking forward to the congress, Wang, who runs a homestay in the city's Tanjiaqiao township, wanted to pay his respects to the Party in this way.

Born in 1976 in the township's Xitan village, Wang migrated to neighboring Zhejiang province in 1999, and worked there as a cook and truck driver until 2016, when he returned home for business opportunities.

"I left my hometown because there were not many job opportunities, but returned as the area was becoming a popular tourism attraction," said Wang.

In the tomb is only part of the remains of Su, one of the most famous generals who fought hard for the founding of New China. Su later served as PLA Chief of Staff and was conferred the title of Senior General in 1955.

In July 1934, shortly before the Long March, the Red Army's then headquarters in Jiangxi province dispatched an army to move northward as vanguard troops  with Su being a key commander  to resist Japanese aggression.

Though Su had won numerous key battles in his later career, he said he could never forget the painful defeat in Tanjiaqiao by the Kuomintang army, with thousands of his soldiers dying there, according to Su's memoir.

According to his last will, part of the general's remains was buried in Tanjiaqiao out of respect for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives there.

"Though General Su experienced painful losses here, we villagers in the New Era have gained a lot," said Wang.

In the first two years after Wang's return, he participated in the rural area's infrastructure construction, as the local authorities had invested a lot in improving residents' lives and developing the area's tourism resources.

Located at the foot of the renowned Huangshan Mountain, or Yellow Mountain, Tanjiaqiao township is now the eastern gateway to the scenic area.

In recent years, Huangshan authorities have been striving to develop tourism, bringing a lot of opportunities to residents.

In 2018, Wang decided to renovate his house and yard for a homestay business. Xitan Yard, the homestay, started operation in 2019, becoming Xitan village's first of the type.

Now with three employees from the village, Wang said he personally sees an annual income of more than 400,000 yuan ($55,600) from the homestay.

In addition, he established a company with partners to rent several more vacant houses from other villagers to develop more homestays.

"We give the villagers up to 10,000 yuan a year for each such house, depending on its condition," said Wang, whose village has 132 households and 430 residents.

During the weeklong National Day Holiday earlier this month, his own homestay and others shared with partners were always fully occupied.

On a sunny day during the holiday, Wang sat in his yard enjoying not only the sunshine but more importantly listening to a band of young men playing instruments and singing.

"The band was here for more than a week until Thursday for performances via livestream and touring around the city's numerous tourism attractions," said Wang.

"Without the improving infrastructure and environment, the area would have remained an impoverished mountainous village and our business would be impossible," said Wang.

"The CPC has been making great efforts to improve the people's welfare. We can see it, feel it and sincerely appreciate it," said Wang.

A guideline from 2021 projects said that the number of homestay businesses in the province will surpass 10,000 by 2025.

So far, Huangshan has more than 2,500 homestays across the city, bringing in revenue of more than 1.5 billion yuan last year, according to the Huangshan government.

As the city strives to build itself into a globally renowned eco-friendly destination for leisure tourism, Wang believes that the villagers' lives would keep improving.

"It will be like advancing from one victory to another," said Wang.
Religious intolerance - in one of the most religious countries in Africa if not the world - is one of the issues dominating debate ahead of next year's elections.



It is rare to find a Nigerian who is not devout in a nation that is roughly divided into a mainly Muslim north and a largely Christian south.



The constitution guarantees religious freedom - the country has no official religion and none of its 36 states is allowed to adopt one. It also prohibits religious discrimination.



Yet many who live in areas where they are in a religious minority do feel discriminated against, and live in fear - and with good reason given the history of religious-based violence.



"We don't have freedom to worship. If you dress like a Muslim, you are in trouble. We are just hiding our religion in fear of not being attacked," Ibrahim Bello, a Muslim living in south-eastern Nigeria, told the BBC.



Obinna Nnadi, a Christian who once lived in northern Kaduna state felt similarly fearful: "I felt it was not safe to practise my religion there. I had to pack my family and leave."



Read Full Story .... HERE >>> :









Source: BBC









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has described his administrations fight against illegal mining, commonly called Galamsey, as unprecedented.



According to him, his governments efforts to end galamsey have recently made the issue topical.



He said this when speaking at the Manhyia Palace where he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as part of his 4-day tour to the Ashanti Region.



President Akufo-Addo reiterated that his government is committed and will do whatever it takes to end galamsey menace.



No government has shown such commitment to the fight against galamsey than my government, President Akufo-Addo said.



He seized the opportunity to debunk the assertion that his government has not initiated more projects in the Ashanti Region when it happens to be one of his political party strongholds to ensure development in the area.



For his part, the Asantehene urged the president to tell inhabitants in the Ashanti Region what he has done for them since assuming office, as part of his tour.



President Akufo-Addo visited the Boankra integrated logistics terminal, also known as the Boankra inland port, and inspected progress of work.



He will also inspect the Agenda 111 project at Kokoben.



The President spent the first day of the tour worshipping at the St. Cyprian Anglican Church in the Subin Constituency.



He also commissioned the Konongo Municipal Hospital in the Asante Akyem Central Constituency.



He is scheduled to inspect the Agenda 111 Hospital Project at Kokoben and commission the 30kv Kumasi-Bolgatanga Transmission line.

Source: Daily Guide









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National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party, Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), has advised Sammy Gyamfi to render an unqualified apology to Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh over defamatory comments made against him.



An Accra High Court on Thursday, October 13, 2022, ruled against the National Communications officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, ordering him to pay GH500,000 damages to Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh for alleging that one of the suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping of some two Canadian girls in Kumasi, Seidu Mba, was his (Dr. Prempeh's) errand boy.



Commenting on the ruling in a Facebook post, Sammy Gyamfi said he will challenge it adding that the court erred in arriving at the decision it did.



After three years of litigation, the court today held that the said comment was defamatory and consequently awarded damages of GH500,000.00 and cost of GH50,000.00 against me.



It is my considered view that the honourable court erred as its decision is contrary to the evidence that was put before the court.



More importantly, I hold the view that the courts decision to totally disregard the testimony of my witness, DW1, Mafus Jibril who testified that the said Seidu Mba was in fact the errand boy of Plaintiff and was in his company when he (DW1) was attacked in Manhyia sometime in 2012, constitutes a grave miscarriage of justice.



Consequently, my lawyers will be filing a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution to challenge the decision of the High Court forthwith. Its my hope that justice will be served, Sammy Gyamfi wrote on his page.



But reacting to the development on his Facebook page, Nana B indicated that he sympathizes with Sammy Gyamfi as everyone was prone to error.



He, however, said everyone must endeavour to make amends when we step on toes, thus admonishing Sammy Gyamfi to put aside his pride and apologize to NAPO whom he believes let go of the matter.



Nana B wrote: Clearly, my brother Sammy Gyamfi has been a ghost of himself since the High court found him guilty and fined him Ghc500,000 in the defamation case brought against him by Hon. Mathew Opoku Prempeh (Minister for Energy).



The gavel of the trial Judge came heavily on Sammy Gyamfi and we can only sympathize with him. Its trite that no one is infallible and we are bound to make mistakes; however, we must always remember to surrender and make amends when we step on toes.



I think Sammy Gyamfi should shove his ego and pride, and apologize to NAPO over his unsavoury comments against the Minister.



The Nana Poku (Napo) I know is widely known for his kindheartedness, empathy and forgiving spirit; Im confident that if Sammy Gyamfi should render an unqualified apology, NAPO will let go of this matter.LESSON: As young politicians, let's be circumspective in our utterances.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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The Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda and the Vice Chair of the Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee in Parliament, Alexander Akwasi Acquah has advised the youth who are interested in taking political office in the future to establish themselves in their own businesses before pursuing any political office in the future.



He said the notion that politics can make you rich over night is false. The Akyem Oda MP said with a vibrant civil society and several corruption control mechanisms in the country, the youth will be disappointed if they get attracted to the use of political power to enrich themselves.



Mr Akwasi Acquah was contributing to the 4th edition of Ekosiisen National Dialogue series which was on the theme: Youth Entrepreneurship, the catalyst to Ghanas Development and Financial Independence.



He said entrepreneurship is taking advantage of governmental initiatives to establish busineses to ease the countrys wage bill. He said it is not for nothing that the NPP is often touted as champion of property owning democracy since the party believes in creating the enabling the environment for private businesses to start and to thrive.



The MP who himself is an entrepreneur, said all the thematic policies of the current government are geared towards private sector development. The founder of Community Hospital Group which owns chains of hospitals in the country have always lauded the NPP government for introducing the national health insurance scheme, a policy which has resulted in the growth of private medical care in this country.



He said young entrepreneurs who find themselves in politics are able to serve their constituents well with the state resources put at their disposal.



Other government officials at the event who took turn to explain various government policies and how they relate to the development of private businesses included the Dep. Minister of Finance, Dr. John Kumah, the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industries, Michael Okyere Kofi Berfi, the CEO of Masloc, Hajia Abibata Shanno Mahama Zakariah, CEO of National Youth Authority, Pius Enam Hadjide and the CEO of National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program, Kofi Ofosu Nkansah. The popular entrepreneur, Dr. Daniel Mc Korley graciously chaired the function.

Source: anglefm









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A political marketer, Dr. Bernard Tutu-Boahen says the General Secretary for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketias decision to contest as chairman for the party is long overdue.



According to him, General Mosquito as the chairman of the NDC will be helpful considering the worth of experiences and knowledge that he has gathered over years.



The party obviously needs someone who is not just an experienced person but again someone who can serve the ambassadorial role. Beyond that it should be somebody who understands politics and has deeper knowledge in politics and I see these characteristics in General Mosquito.



If you look at his progression, he has actually progressed from the very low hierarchy to the top and that is why I believe that he has what it takes to lead the party into 2024. Again with the experience as the General Secretary of the party for more than ten years now, I think that he has gathered to himself a lot of gains that he can use to direct the party into 2024, Mr. Tutu-Boahen told Starr News.



He added: I think the decision for him to move out to contest the chairmanship of the party is in good order. To some of us who have studied the political terrain of Ghana especially within political marketing contests I think that it is long overdue. Even if he had gone before 2016, 2020 it could have done the party a lot more good but nothing is too late.



Meanwhile, Pollster, Ben Ephson has said the opposition NDCs Chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and current General Secretary Asiedu Nketia are both nurturing plans to lead the NDC as flagbearer in the 2028 election.



According to him, he has picked intelligence that the NDC will want an Akan to lead the party in 2028 hence Aseidu Nketias move to contest Ofosu-Ampofo for the chairmanship.



If you are chairman at least you will put in place structures towards 2028 because post-2024, you will be in charge having conducted primaries for potential delegates. And as chairman who have worked within the party at the highest levels, National Executive positions, they will know the way about people they have nurtured along the line to control triggers, which will ensure that people who will support them are in positions to be able to help them, he explained on Morning Starr with Francis Abban Friday.



He continued: If it has not happened doesnt mean that it cannot happen. When I heard the Intel I kept it in my pocket and for Asiedu to step up means a lot. Because normally you will see Asiedu will want to stay where he is and help the candidate most likely John Mahama or if Duffuor wins.









Source: ghanaweb.com









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The National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP), Stephen Ayesu Ntim, has lauded members of the partys National Council of Patrons for their immense contributions to the party over the years.



He said the party would soon roll out a reward scheme that would give recognition and appreciation to dedicated patrons for their contributions towards the party.



Mr Ntim stated this at an engagement with some members of the partys National Council of Patrons at the partys headquarters in Accra.



The engagement formed part of an initiative introduced by the National Executive, dubbed Time with party patrons, aimed at revitalising the patrons support and commitment to party activities as well as enhancing the relationship between the party and its patrons.



Engagement



The meeting, facilitated by the National Treasurer of the Party, Dr Charles Dwamena, explored various fundraising strategies that the party could adopt for the running of the party at all levels, among other things.



Officers who graced the occasion were the National Chairman, Stephen Ayesu Ntim; the Second Vice National Chairperson, Madam Rita Asobayere; the Third Vice National Chairman, Alhaji Masawudu Osman; Chairman of the Finance Committee, Abankwa Sekyere, and Mr William Yamoah, Director of Finance and Administration of the party.



The National Chairman said plans were underway to ensure that such meetings were held on a timely basis to create a platform for the patrons to know one another for the betterment of the party.



The national patrons who attended the meeting included the Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, a former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko; Edward Boateng, Gifty Ohene Konadu, Nana Ohene Ntow, Diana Asonaba Dapaah, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, Francis Addai Nimo, Jimmy B. Haymann, Iddrisu Abdulai, Jojo Fosu, Egbert Faibille Jnr, Stephen Kyerematen, Abankwa Yeboah, Catherine Afeku and Mawusi Awitty.









Source: graphiconline.com









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Chairman of the opposition National Democartic Congress (NDC), Mr. Ofosu Ampafo has asked Ghanaianas to disregard reports of attacks on him from his opponents.



A statement from his office read; Having regard to the high office of party chairman which I occupy and the onerous responsibility of overseeing a successful reorganisation of our party in our quest to wrest power in 2024, I have decided not to respond to the said accusations.



Read full statement below;



I have become aware of a viral interview granted to a media house by the General Secretary of my party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in which he makes various references to my person, leadership style and stewardship as National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress.



Having regard to the high office of party chairman which I occupy and the onerous responsibility of overseeing a successful reorganisation of our party in our quest to wrest power in 2024, I have decided not to respond to the said accusations.



Throughout my entire adult life, I have faithfully, dutifully and conscientiously served the National Democratic Congress in various capacities. I have done so with honour and dignity, while resisting every temptation to vilify political opponents.



I hold the view that it is totally out of place for party officials to divulge or discuss internal party matters that are within their knowledge by virtue of their privileged position, in the media or on any public forum. It is within this spirit that I elect to refrain from commenting on the merit or otherwise of the matters that were referenced in the said interview, including high-level party decisions that are supposed to be held in confidence.



It is important to underscore the fact that Former President John Dramani Mahama remains the only surviving Former President of the NDC tradition, a true statesman whose stellar record in office is widely celebrated. References to the Former President in discussing sensitive party matters in the public domain relative to ones internal election campaign, as was done in the said media interview is quite unfortunate and regrettable. As a statesman of our political tradition, the least we can do to honour him is to jealously guard against commentary that brings his name and that of the party into disrepute and needless acrimony.



It is my considered view that the quest to lead in the NDC's impending internal elections must be about who is more experienced and competent, and not vile personal attacks. I therefore seize this opportunity to admonish all seeking election into various positions, from Constituency to Region to National to be minded to engage in campaigns that market their track-record, leadership abilities, experience, vision and strategic direction for the party. Ultimately, the delegates of our party will have the opportunity to assess every candidate on the strength of their personality and ability to lead and not personal attacks.



We must all be guided by the fact that after all is said and done, the party must unite at all levels to prosecute a single agenda of rescuing our country from the clutches of the misrule and economic mismanagement being supervised by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government. It is therefore important to guard against incendiary language, finger-pointing and personal attacks that have the potential to jeopardise any effort at reconciliation after this electioneering process.



Finally, we must all remember that the internal elections of the NDC are a family contest and not an internecine war against ourselves. The real opponent is out there - the New Patriotic Party who have inflicted untold hardship on our people. Ghanaians will not forgive us if we fail to rescue them from the current economic malaise that we find ourselves in. May it not be said that we failed because we were busy throwing mud at one another and took our eyes off the real enemy.



Long live the NDC.



Signed.

Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo

(National Chairman, NDC)

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The 2023 edition of the PANAFEST/Emancipation Day Celebration slated for July 19 to August 1, 2023 has been launched in Accra.



The Pan African Historical Theatre Festival Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Ghana Tourism Authority, launched the event on the theme: Re-Claiming the African Family: Confronting the past to face the challenges of the 21st century.



Activities for the celebration include wreath laying ceremonies, Return Journey, Traditional Akwaaba ceremonies, bazaar and expo, colloquium, reverential night and emancipation vigil, exhibitions, performances, tours to significant sites, and would be finally climaxed with a grand durbar of chiefs and queen mothers at Assin Manso in the Central Region.



Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a speech, said PANAFEST which was conceived and developed in Ghana was the longest consistently celebrated Pan African festival in the world.



He said it had been in existence since 1992 and its forte was to use the powerful medium of the arts and intellectual interaction to speak the unspeakable, raise awareness, build bridges, and generate healing.



Dr. Awal said PANAFEST originated as a state-led festival in 1992 and had become a powerful Ghanaian initiative of which Ghana could be justifiably proud of, and assured of the ministrys commitment to continue to collaborate with the Foundation and other actors involved in the initiative.



Additionally, I expect that building up participation by different communities and that of the Ghanaian public in general will be taken up seriously. I also expect that participants will be able to have the experience of both iconic features and innovations to keep them coming back to the festival and to Ghana, he added.



Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy, Chairperson, PANAFEST Foundation, said PANAFEST 2023 rode on the many insights gained from 2021, however, over the last two years, several important trends appeared to mark the existence of African people across the world.



She stated that the challenges of the 21st century must be confronted to make way for transformational opportunities. Prof. Sutherland-Addy called on the African family to take its fate into its own hands and point out the challenges to re-unite and illuminate new paths towards transformational unity.



Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority, said the 2023 edition of PANAFEST would be exciting and different from the previous ones, which would show hope and unity among the African descent. He promised his outfits commitment to keep the relationship between the global African family and Ghanas role as the beacon of Pan-Africanism.



PANAFEST is celebrated annually to mark the abolition of slavery in the British colonies in 1862, and its annual observance introduced in Ghana in 1992 under the leadership of late former President Jerry John Rawlings.













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Actress, Beverly Afaglo Baah has called out some hospitals in Africa suggesting their negligence has caused several celebrity deaths.



In an Instagram post on Friday, she indicated that it is about time society started to discuss the incompetence of some of these hospitals.



Beverly was speaking in reaction to the recent death of her colleagues such as Ekow Blankson, Prince Yawson aka Waakye, and the most recent death of former Big Brother Naija star, Rico.



The rate at which our celebrities are dying in hospitals is alarming. All these negligence and cruelty by our nurses must be discussed. All these can only happen in Africa where most of our health workers do not care about saving lives but just earning a living. Dear Hospital owner, when a celebrity dies in your hospital its not good for your brand, it makes your hospital inadequate and incompetent, she wrote.



These nurses are busy recording the celebrities for content and gossip and others are busy on their phones on social media, following trending news or talking and chatting with their boyfriends instead of saving lives. We have lost too many celebrities this year too sudden. How do u feel when that celebrity dies and u know u could hv saved him/her? U live and die with that guilt, she added.



She went on to make some suggestions to her concerns. I suggest our nurses drop their phones in lockers and on silent when they get to work and can only have them when they get a 30mins break during their shift.



When videos of celebrities on hospital beds surface on the internet, every nurse in that ward must be arrested,



investigated and the culprit dismissed and his/her license revoked. It is sad and humiliating to see our celebrities in such state so stop it, she indicated.

Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Three Ghanaian celebrities; Deloris Frimpong Manso, John Dumelo and Ebenezer Akwesi Antwi alias Dr Likee have been named brand ambassadors of Lemonade Finance, a cross-border payment solution that enables Africans in the diaspora to send money back home.



The trio will be working closely with Lemonade Finance to promote the companys services and products amongst the Ghanaian diaspora.



They will also be lending their voices to Lemonade Finances marketing campaigns and initiatives. The trio were announced as ambassadors on Friday, October 14, 2022, at a ceremony held at the Lancaster Hotel in Accra.



On the choice of brand ambassadors, Precious Ama Kwartemaa Oduro, the Country Manager said, Our decision to work with them is based on the work they have put in over the years, earning them the trust and goodwill of Ghanaians. Were confident that their reach, voice and positive image will help us drive brand awareness with Ghanaians, everywhere.



Ms Manso popularly known as Delay has in her over 14-year career on radio and as a TV presenter earned the trust of Ghanaians at home and abroad. For her, Lemonade Finance is a brand that helps diasporans to support and show love to their dependents back home.



As part of her role, she intends to use her influence to help promote and show love to families back home.



Actor and entrepreneur John Dumelo said he understood how the financial support of diasporans can be key to livelihood, education and small businesses in Ghana.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Astronomers have now spotted more than 30,000 near-Earth asteroids (Getty Images)

Astronomers have found 30,039 near-Earth asteroids in the Solar System  with more than half spotted in the last decade.

The acceleration in discovery bodes well for detecting medium-sized asteroids a few hundred metres in diameter.

Many are still out there, waiting to be discovered, and at smallish sizes they have not been easy to find.

None of the near-Earth asteroids found so far are of concern for at least 100 years.

Some of the smaller objects will and do impact Earth  but the most common are also the smallest and have little effect, except for creating trails of shooting stars as they burn up in the night sky.

When it comes to large and potentially devastating asteroids larger than one kilometre across and above, the majority have been discovered and none show an impact risk for at least a century.

Read more: What are fast radio bursts, and why do they look like aliens?

Richard Moissl, ESAs head of planetary defence, said: "The good news is that more than half of todays known near-Earth asteroids were discovered in the last six years, showing just how much our asteroid eyesight is improving.

"As this new 30,000 detection milestone shows, and as new telescopes and methods of detection are built, its only a matter of time until weve found them all."

An asteroid is called a near-Earth asteroid (NEA) when its trajectory brings it within 1.3 Astronomical Units (au) of the Sun.

One au is the distance between the Sun and Earth, and so NEAs can come within at least 0.3 au, or 45 million kilometres, of our planets orbit.

Currently, near-Earth asteroids make up about a third of the roughly 1 million asteroids discovered in the Solar System.

Most of them reside in the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars.

Read more: Telescope detects 100 mysterious radio signals from billions of light years away

Asteroids have been catalogued by astronomers for more than two centuries since the very first asteroid, Ceres, was discovered in 1801 by Giuseppe Piazzi.

Story continues

The first near-Earth asteroid, (433) Eros, was discovered nearly a century later in 1898.

The roughly 30-kilometre Eros asteroid was located by Carl Gustav Witt and Felix Linke at the Urania Observatory in Berlin and independently by Auguste Charlois at the Nice Observatory.

The stony asteroids orbit brings it to within around 22 million kilometres of Earth  57 times the distance to the Moon.

Not only is Eros the first known NEA, but the first asteroid to be orbited by a spacecraft and the first to have a spacecraft land on it. Early calculations of the space rocks orbit also enabled a precise determination of the-then imperfectly known distance between the Sun and Earth.

Naturally, large asteroids were discovered first as they are so much easier to see. They were thought of as minor planets, a term still used today.

As telescopes get more sensitive, we are finding many more asteroids at a great rate, even those down to tens of metres in size.

Gaia, ESA's space observatory on a mission to catalogue 1 billion stars in the galaxy, has also helped us better understand the asteroid risk.

"Because of Gaia, we know more about the stars in the galaxy which act as a backdrop to asteroid observations," said Tineke Roegiers, community support for the Gaia mission.

"Asteroids positions are obtained against these background stars, so the better one knows where the stars are, the more precisely the orbits of asteroids can be computed."

With the use of "Gaia's stars", even the orbits of already-known near-Earth asteroids have been improved, and some asteroids that were "lost" were found again.

"Of course, any asteroid discovered near Earth qualifies as a near-Earth asteroid, but many are found far from home," said Marco Micheli, astronomer at ESAs Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre.

"New objects are observed over time, their movements are studied and with just a handful of data points from different nights their future positions can be predicted. Depending on the number and quality of observations, this can extend decades, even hundreds of years into the future."

Watch: Breaking down Nasa's successful DART mission
17 Oct  Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel is set to visit the Philippines soon.

The Filipino-American beauty queen, who won the crown last month albeit in such a controversial fashion, will be visiting the country as part of her humanitarian missions.

"We actually have a trip planned with Smile Train, which is a cleft based organisation to do charity work, so I'm actually looking forward to going to the Philippines in December," she said to ABS-CBN.

Speaking about her victory, the first Fil-Am to win the crown stated that it just happened organically.

"I was never familiar with pageants and what they stood for I was more a model in the fashion world and I met somebody at a hair shoot that said 'hey, you should do a pageant.' I started diving in deeper looking at beauty queens, Catriona Gray and Pia [Wurtzbach] and former Miss USAs like Deshauna Barber and I love the way they can communicate and speak and be so dynamic and that's what really drew me into it," she said.

R'Bonney added that she will work hard in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant, not only to represent Filipinos but Filipino Americans at the international stage.

R'Bonney will be coming to the Philippines

(Photo Source: R'Bonney Gabriel Instagram)
The locations of Ali Kosh and Chagha Sefid as well as obsidian sources that were and were not identified among the assemblages. Geography based on the National Geophysical Data Centers ETOPO1 Global Relief Model (topographic data), World Data Bank (rivers), and NASAs Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and Natural Earth (coastlines). Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109321119

An analysis of obsidian artifacts excavated during the 1960s at two prominent archaeological sites in southwestern Iran suggests that the networks Neolithic people formed in the region as they developed agriculture are larger and more complex than previously believed, according to a new study by Yale researchers.

The study, published Oct. 17 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is the first to apply state-of-the-art analytical tools to a collection of 2,100 obsidian artifacts housed at the Yale Peabody Museum. The artifacts were unearthed more than 50 years ago at Ali Kosh and Chagha Sefid, sites on Iran's Deh Luran Plain that yielded important archaeological discoveries from the Neolithic Erathe period beginning about 12,000 years ago when people began farming, domesticating animals, and establishing permanent settlements.

Original analyses performed shortly after the artifacts were discovered had suggested people first acquired the obsidianvolcanic glassfrom Nemrut Dag, a now-dormant volcano in Eastern Turkey, and then relied on an unknown second source for the material. This new elemental analysis showed the obsidian came from seven distinct sources, including Nemrut Dag, in present-day Turkey and Armenia, which is as far as about 1,000 miles on foot from the excavation sites.

"It wasn't a simple pattern of people obtaining obsidian from one source and then shifting to the next," said Ellery Frahm, an archaeological scientist in the Department of Anthropology in Yale's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and the study's lead author. "Rather, our analysis shows that they were acquiring obsidian from an increasingly diverse number of geological sources over timea trend that was impossible to detect with the technology and methods available 50 years ago."

The new analysis, combined with computer modeling, indicates that there were intensifying connections among Neolithic people, suggesting the presence of a greater number of settlements between the source volcanoes and the two sites where the artifacts were unearthed thousands of years later, Frahm said.

Composite photograph of 200 obsidian artifacts from the MJ Phase of AK. This set is less than 10% of the Deh Luran Plain obsidian corpus chemically analyzed during the course of this study. These blade, bladelet, and flake artifacts are typical of both sites.Credit: Jordan Boggan, Council on Archaeological Studies, Department of Anthropology, Yale University

The artifacts were collected in the 1960s during multiple excavations of the two sites led by Frank Hole, the C.J. MacCurdy Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Yale. The initial analyses were based largely on the artifacts' appearance, specifically their color when held up to sunlight. A subset of 28 artifacts were then subjected to an elemental analysis method common at the time that involved grinding them into powder.

Frahm and coauthor Christina M. Carolus, a doctoral student in the Department of Anthropology, are the first researchers to study the elemental composition of the obsidian artifacts since these early analyses. They used state-of-the-art portable X-ray fluorescence instruments, which allowed them to examine the entire collection without damaging the artifacts.

"Every aspect of the discoveries made at these sites had been revisited since the 1960s except the elemental composition and sourcing of the obsidian artifacts," Carolus said. "A lot more is known about the source volcanoes today than 50 years ago, and we know that sorting obsidian by color will miss a lot of nuances. Fortunately, we have instruments the size of cordless drills that, in a matter of seconds and without destroying material, give us a more accurate elemental signature than anything that was possible in the past."

Scientists widely believed that humanity's transition from the hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture produced a period of rapid population growth due to the increased birth rates made possible by enhanced food supplies and permanent settlements. Finding evidence of this demographic shift often requires excavating locations that include burial sites, which can indicate a given settlement's population and provide a clearer picture of how agriculture allowed people to disperse across a landscape, Frahm said.

The researchers' analysis of the obsidian provided similar evidence.

"Tracing these obsidian artifacts from their sources to their endpoints offers insight into how they moved from hand to hand to hand over time, which helps us better understand population changes in the region during the Neolithic Era," Frahm said. "It suggested there were larger social networks and more settlements between the source volcanoes and the excavation sites than we previously thought."

More information: Ellery Frahm et al, Identifying the origins of obsidian artifacts in the Deh Luran Plain (Southwestern Iran) highlights community connections in the Neolithic Zagros, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109321119 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
The Bramble Cay melomys is believed to be the first mammal made extinct at least in part by human-caused climate change. Credit: Ian Bell / EHP / Queensland, CC BY

Life on Earth is undergoing a period of mass extinctionthe sixth in history, and the first caused by humans. As species disappear at an alarming rate, we have learned that we understand only a fraction of Earth's variety of life.

The task of describing this biodiversity before it is lost relies on the discipline of taxonomy, the scientific practice of classifying and naming organisms.

But taxonomy is far more than just naming things. It underpins an enormous range of human activities, including biology (via health and conservation management), the economy (via agriculture and biosecurity) and many other areas of endeavor.

Unfortunately, taxonomy is suffering globally from reduced support and funding. This is an area of ongoing concern recognized in Australia's State of the Environment report released in July this year. The workforce of taxonomists has declined when it is needed most.

Taxonomists unite

So what is being done?

Communities of taxonomists in Australia and the world over are making a concerted effort to face the challenge of naming and understanding Earth's unknown species.

Australian taxonomists are garnering support to achieve the goal of documenting all Australian species by 2050.

This ambitious plan requires not just government and other external support but also co-ordination of our taxonomists. Success will mean bringing together those who study lesser-known groups, such as insects, spiders and fungi, with those who work on more familiar groups such as vertebrates, including mammals.

Mammals under threat

Mammals are perhaps the best known and cherished group of species on the planet. Even so, many mammals remain undiscovered.

Mammals are also among the most threatened animal groups globally. And because it has contributed the most species to the list, Australia has the worst modern mammal extinction record of any country, along with one of the most distinctive mammal faunas on Earth: about 90% of our terrestrial mammals live nowhere else.

More than 100 species that lived only in Australia are recognized as having become extinct since 1788.

Not just koalas and kangaroos: the Australasian Mammal Taxonomy Consortium currently recognises 404 species of Australian mammals. Credit: EcoPrint / Shutterstock

Thirty-nine of these extinct species are mammals. Most recently, this includes the Bramble Cay melomys (Melomys rubicola), a native rodent declared extinct in 2016, and the first known mammal extinction due at least in part to human-induced climate change.

In the face of an avalanche of human-mediated threats, including climate warming, land-use change and introduction of pest species, are the host of hidden mammal species destined for extinction before they are even discovered, described and known to humanity?

The Australasian Mammal Taxonomy Consortium

To help address this existential threat, and in response to the call to arms within Australian taxonomy, we have formed the Australasian Mammal Taxonomy Consortium (AMTC), a group affiliated with the Australian Mammal Society.

The consortium aims to promote stability and consensus, provide advice and guidance, and promote the cause and importance of Australasian mammal taxonomy to both scientists and the broader public.

We have recently introduced the aspirations and aims of our group in a review paper and published our first list of species, covering Australian mammals.

We recognize 404 Australian mammal species, including 2 monotremes (platypus and short-beaked echidna), 175 marsupials (such as the Tasmanian devil, the numbat, the koala, kangaroos and so on) and 227 placentals (such as rodents, bats, seals, whales and dolphins). The list includes 11 species, and numerous subspecies, that have only been discovered and formally named in the past decade.

A suite of other recognized variable forms, new species-in-waiting, need study and description.

The Australian mammal species list will be updated annually to incorporate new species names. In the future, working with research groups throughout the region, we will produce lists of mammal species found elsewhere in Australasia.

A new launching point

We hope this will standardize the use of mammal species names, highlight groups where further taxonomic work is required, and provide a launching point for this work.

In the past decade, rapid DNA sequencing has revolutionized our ability to understand biodiversity, even while species loss to extinction at the hands of humanity is at an all-time high. This juxtaposition makes it both an exciting and critically important time for taxonomy.

We hope the Australasian Mammal Taxonomy Consortium can do its part to help grow and focus an interest to better understand and conserve our precious Australasian mammals before it is too late.

The authors comprise a steering committee representing the broader Australasian Mammal Taxonomy Consortium working group, which includes more than 30 members.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names of deceased people and mentions domestic violence and murder.

Public hearings have officially commenced into the Senate Committee Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children. The inquiry has found "Murder rates for Indigenous women are eight times higher than for their non-Indigenous counterparts." This came as no surprise to many of us who have worked in this field for a long time.

In fact, these numbers are likely to be higher when they include manslaughter rates. The rate at which women are murdered in Australia over time (200506 to 201920) have been declining. But according to the Homocide Report Australia 201920, report, this sadly is not the case for Indigenous women.

When women are murdered in Australia, there is understandable outrage, displays of grief and moments of reflection in our parliament.

However, there is often silence in the media and in public discussion about the violence Indigenous women experience, as Indigenous studies Professor Bronwyn Carlson has discussed.

This inquiry has the potential to provide voice to the Indigenous women and children we have lost and continue to lose to violence, as well as ending the silence that follows.

What is this senate inquiry?

In November 2021, First Nations Greens senators Dorinda Cox and Lidia Thorpe called for a Senate inquiry into the high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women and children in Australia. Through measures including hearing testimony from survivors of violence and examining police responses, this will be an opportunity to investigate what can be changed to better address violence against Indigenous women and children in Australia.

Available data tell us Indigenous women represent up to 10% of unsolved missing persons cases in Australia, many of whom are presumed dead. Indigenous women are also 30 times more likely to be hospitalized for assault-related injuries. As part of its public hearings, the inquiry is examining these damning statistics.

However, the inquiry is also delving deeper, asking more about the women's stories, with the intention to go beyond statistics and hear how people are affected by their experiences with family violence.

Police and domestic violence services are not helping

My research has found violence against Indigenous women is significantly under-reported and perpetrators regularly go unpunished. This is not to say Indigenous women are not crying out for support: they are and have been. However, they are often confronted with a dilemma of who is safe to turn to, and what the consequences of reporting might be.

For First Nations women, there are significant risks to consider when reporting violence to police or seeking assistance from domestic violence services. These risks include their children being taken from them by child protection services, the women themselves being arrested for unrelated criminal matters, and the risk of being misidentified as the perpetrator.

Criminology and law researcher Emma Buxton-Namisnyk's study of domestic violence policing of First Nations women in Australia found "there were very few examples of police interventions that did not produce some identifiable harm." Buxton-Namisnyk found this harm was through police inaction and non-enforcement of domestic violence laws. Some instances involved police action resulting in "eroding victim's agency" through criminalizing victims and increasing police surveillance over their families.

In June 2022, Acting Coroner Elisabeth Armitage handed down damning findings against the Northern Territory Police in the death of Roberta, an Aboriginal woman from the Katherine region. Armitage said the police "did nothing to help her." In fact, the fatal assault was the seventh time Roberta's partner had abused her in less than two weeks. It was five days after Roberta had been told by police to "stop calling us."

Armitage summed up this case as one in which police failed to follow any of their procedures concerning domestic violence complaints. She also found their manner towards Roberta was rude and dismissive.

These actions and failures were not confined to the actions of police. The triple-zero call operator incorrectly classified Roberta's calls for help, and the parole officer tasked with supervising Roberta's partner was oblivious to his breaches of parole conditions. The breakdown in communication across these services and the lack of support available to Roberta created the conditions that led to her death.

This case also speaks to a broader issue of bystanders who fail to act on our women's cries for help. The Northern Territory is a unique jurisdiction in that it is mandatory for all adults to report domestic violence "when the life or safety of another person is under serious or imminent threat" or be liable for a fine up to $20,000.

Despite this, Armitage explained there were witnesses to the violence Roberta endured, who did not report. To my knowledge, no one has been held accountable for failing to report.

There are stories behind the numbers

During this Senate inquiry, politicians need to consider the stories behind the statistics, such as Roberta's. It is these stories that demonstrate the need for domestic and family violence death reviews in all of our states and territories. They provide the opportunity to understand the victim's story and how it is affected by services and systems currently in place.

But it's also critical Indigenous people are included in the process of reviews and the analysis of what keeps going wrong with services that are meant to save lives.

In addition to this, there needs to be an extensive review of cases over time to understand trends in missing and murdered Indigenous women and children. We need to find out whether systemic problems or issues in practice are responsible for failing these women.

"Horrific' First Nations missing and murdered cases to be focus of Australia-wide inquiry.

A Senate inquiry will examine the mounting rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women and children. https://t.co/oP47pJSOed  Melissa Castan (@DrMCastan) August 6, 2022

As the United Nations' violence against Indigenous women and girls report states, Indigenous women already have to navigate violence in the form of racial discrimination and system inequities. Our calls for help need to be met with a culturally safe person who can hear our stories and respond with care and respect to help us navigate our way to safety.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The first and third photos show the paper made from phosphorylated sugarcane cellulose. The second shows the 3D structure of the material comprising cellulose and nutrient. The fourth shows the microparticles in powder form and after molding into tablets. Credit: Lucas Luiz Messa/Debora Franca

A research team affiliated with the Laboratory of Polymeric Materials and Biosorbents at the Federal University of Sao Carlos (UFSCar) in Araras, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, has produced and is testing cellulose-based materials for enhanced-efficiency fertilizers to improve the supply of nutrients to crops and reduce the release of non-biodegradable chemicals into the ecosystem.

The studies were led by Roselena Faez, a professor at the Center for Agricultural Sciences (CCA-UFSCar). The findings have recently been reported in two publications. One is an article published in Carbohydrate Polymers, with Debora Franca as first author. Here the researchers describe how they used modified nanocellulose to discharge the nutrients contained in fertilizer into the soil slowly and in a controlled manner, given that nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are highly soluble.

"Potassium is rapidly washed away by rain because of its high ion mobility. It's the hardest to release in a controlled manner. Nitrogen can be obtained from various sources, such as nitrates, ammonia and urea, but plants get the nitrogen they need most easily from nitrate, which is also easily washed away and doesn't remain in the soil for long. Phosphorus [as phosphate] is a very large ion and less mobile than the other macronutrients," said Faez, who coordinates the Polymeric Materials and Biosorbents Research Group at UFSCar Araras.

Controlled-release products are available on the market, she added, but most are made of synthetic polymers, which are non-biodegradable. "Fertilizer grains are about the size of grains of coarse sea salt. To make sure the nutrients are released slowly, they're coated with layers of polymer that last about two months each, so the manufacturer applies two, three or four coats, according to the desired length of time for controlled release," Faez explained, noting that the polymers in question are plastics and remain in the soil, eventually degrading into microparticles that last virtually forever.

The researchers at UFSCar developed an entirely different product in which the chemical reaction between the modified nanocellulose and mineral salts keeps the nutrients in the soil. "We focused on the worst problems, which are nitrate and potassium. The material we developed is totally biodegradable and releases these nutrients at about the same slow rate as the available synthetic materials," Faez said.

The nanocellulose was obtained from pure cellulose donated by a paper factory. The nanofibrils were functionalized with positive and negative charges to enhance polymer-nutrient interaction. "Because the salts are also made up of positively or negatively charged particles and highly soluble, we hypothesized that negatively charged nanocellulose would react with positive ions in the salts, while positively charged nanocellulose would interact with negative ions, reducing the solubility of the salts. This proved to be the case, and the group succeeded in modulating nutrient release in accordance with the type of particle in the material," Franca said.

Evaluation in soil

The group fabricated the product in the form of tablets and evaluated its performance in terms of nutrient release into the soil. Evaluation of release into water is the usual method, and water is a very different system from soil. This part of the research was conducted in partnership with Claudinei Fonseca Souza, a professor at CCA-UFSCar's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection in Araras.

"We evaluated nutrient release into the soil and biodegradation of the material at the site for 100 days. But we deliberately used very poor soil with little organic matter, because this enables us to see the physical effects of release more easily," Faez said.

The researchers used two techniques to obtain tablets: atomization and spray drying to encapsulate the nutrients with the nanocellulose, followed by heat processing of the resulting powder, which was pressed in a mold. This work was completed with the help of colleagues at the Cellulose and Wood Materials Laboratory belonging to EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) and in collaboration with UFSCar's Water, Soil and Environment Engineering Research Group, led by Souza. Franca performed the cellulose modifications at EMPA while on an internship there.

Self-fertilization

The second recent article by the group was published in Industrial Crops and Products, with chemist Lucas Luiz Messa as first author. The goal of the study was to extract cellulose from sugarcane bagasse and modify it with a surface negative charge by phosphorylation (addition of a phosphorus group) to allow controlled release of potassium. In theory, delivery of plant nutrition would be slowed by cellulose phosphorylation, which would create surface anionic charges that would bind to macronutrient and micronutrient cations.

The group prepared three types of structure with the phosphorylated cellulose: oven-dried paper-like film; spray-dried powder; and freeze-dried porous bulk similar to polystyrene foam. Freeze drying, or lyophilization, was seen to leave nutrients in the voids left by water removal.

"Technologically speaking, the paper-like structure was the best material we produced for controlled delivery of nutrients. Several products can be created using this paper," Faez said.

The results obtained in the research led by Messa enabled the group to develop small propagation pots for seedling cultivation. When this material degrades, the phosphorus it contains is released. According to Faez, cellulose phosphorylation is cheap, and the cost of the end product is relatively low. "It's more or less BRL 0.27 per gram of paper produced. The propagation pot must be about 1 gram. Unit cost is therefore about BRL 0.30 in terms of laboratory costs," she said.

Biodegradable propagation pots are already available on the market. "But our product has built-in fertilizer, which is a major competitive advantage. Indeed, we've filed a patent application," she said.

The pot is about to be trialed by a flower producer in Holambra, Sao Paulo state. Several batches produced in the laboratory have been shipped there. Nutrient release has so far been tested only in water. "We call this an accelerated ion release assessment method because it's faster in water, but even in water we found the release rate to be 40%-50% slower compared with the behavior of the ion in the material and without the material. Even in water, therefore, we succeeded in retaining these ions. We assume delivery will be even slower in the substrate," she said.

Messa was assisted by a colleague at the University of California Davis (U.S.), where he worked as a research intern.

More information: Debora Franca et al, Charged-cellulose nanofibrils as a nutrient carrier in biodegradable polymers for enhanced efficiency fertilizers, Carbohydrate Polymers (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119934 Lucas Luiz Messa et al, Sugarcane bagasse derived phosphorylated cellulose as substrates for potassium release induced by phosphates surface and drying methods, Industrial Crops and Products (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.115350

Provided by FAPESP
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

This summer, homeless encampments in cities such as Vancouver and Los Angeles and others were dismantled.

The reasons varied. In Vancouver, it was fire hazard concerns on Hastings Street, a major artery in the Downtown Eastside, where the encampment had sprung up over several blocks.

In Los Angeles, the encampment was on city-owned land intended for other uses. There, officials have gone even further to curtail encampments, with the city council approving a ban on homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools and daycare centers.

Encampments of those experiencing homelessness have become a fixture in large cities as well as smaller communities. It should not be surprising that people who are unsheltered seek out the relative security, community and resources encampments can provide.

Yet, the ineffective, and often punitive, responses by various levels of government are alarming. These policy failures are most evident in the troubling encampment evictions occurring across North America.

More than 235,000 people are estimated to be homeless in Canada. In addition to these visibly homeless, another 450,000 to 900,000 are among the "hidden" homeless: those staying with family and friends because they have nowhere to live.

Policing not the answer

Our country has a housing crisis. Homelessness results from a severe shortage of affordable housing, poverty and insufficient support services. For people who end up homeless, it is a tortuous and difficult route.

For many, their path to living on the streets starts with childhood trauma, mental health issues and substance misuse. For others, in low paying jobs with no savings or family support, they can be one pay cheque away from homelessness. Regardless of how they end up homeless, people deserve to be treated with dignity and understanding.

Instead, shockingly, police have been carting away belongings from encampments, leaving people with few options of where to stay, other than another street or park. Even worse, evictions have turned violent.

Los Angeles is not the only city that has tried to enforce bans on people sleeping in public space with so-called vagrancy by-laws. When Victoria tried to enforce city by-laws to that effect in 2005, homeless people took the city to court. The B.C. Supreme Court sided with the unhoused people, saying that it was an infringement of their rights.

A similar court decision occurred in 2021 when residents of a CRAB Park encampment in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside challenged an injunction by the Vancouver Parks Board forcing an eviction. Elsewhere in British Columbia, the city of Prince George was forced to apologize for the trauma it caused by destroying part of an encampment even though a judge ruled that the encampment must remain because there is not enough adequate accessible housing in the city to justify its closure.

Dismantling encampments has a dire impact on people's lives. It severs social relationships, causes stress, and increases fear and distrust of authorities. It dehumanizes unhoused populations even more.

Long-term solutions needed

It is clear that dismantling encampments is not the answer. Some people, even if they have been provided with shelter, will opt for encampments. In other cases, which occurred in Vancouver this summer, there was no shelters or other housing available. And in previous encampment evictions, some residents were offered substandard SRO housing, the same kind of housing some were fleeing when they opted for living on the streets.

By-laws and practices which target activities like sleeping on streets, parks or in cars and panhandling criminalize individuals. And the consequences of criminalizing homelessness disproportionately falls on racialized people. Marginalized communities often face discrimination in accessing housing and other services which is compounded if they have a criminal record due to homelessness.

Ten percent of the off-reserve First Nation and Inuit populations have experienced homelessness in Canada. In 2020, the last year that a homeless count was conducted in Vancouver, 39 percent of the city's homeless population was Indigenous even though they comprise two percent of the total population.

People who identified as Black, Hispanic and Arab were also significantly over-represented compared to their percentage of the general population.

As the federal Housing Advocate Marie-Josee Houle said in a September visit to Vancouver's homeless encampments, "the housing system has failed everyone there." Homeless encampments have become a last resort because of lack of better housing alternatives. The shelter system is overcrowded and too restrictive for many people.

But sanctioning encampments should not be the only solution. Encampments can be unsafe and dangerous places, and provide little opportunity for moving out of homelessness. We need a holistic approach to ending homelessness that addresses the reasons for homelessness.

For those who fall into homelessness out of economic necessity we need more plentiful affordable rental housing, rental assistance and stronger rent controls to ensure that renters' rights are upheld. For those struggling with multiple health and substance issues, we need more supportive housing.

For Indigenous people experiencing homelessness we need more, better funded, and culturally appropriate housing and services. For those ending up in encampments we need to ensure, at the very least, that their rights are upheld.

Homeless encampments are not going to go away any time soon. The federal government has already declared housing to be a human right. We must work to end homelessness now.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Flooding has long been a threat in Venice, Italy, but with a projected sea-level rise of anywhere from 17cm to 120cm by 2100, higher water levels will be more frequent, longer-lasting and potentially permanent. Credit: A. Currell/Flickr, CC BY

Over the last few years, many parts of the world have been devastated by extreme droughts, floods, wild fires and heatwaves linked to climate change. But climate change is not only influencing our weather: it also poses an existential threat to the outstanding universal value (OUV) of many of the world's most precious sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and potentially to the World Heritage system itself.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, one of the most successful international conventions. It was adopted in 1972 to protect globally significant heritage places as a common heritage of humankind. Renowned World Heritage sites include the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Yellowstone National Park and the Galapagos. The convention has been signed by 194 countries (known as states parties). More than 1,150 sites in 167 countries have been inscribed on the World Heritage List for their cultural and/or natural values. On average, around 25 more sites are added to the list at each of the annual meetings of the World Heritage Committee, even as existing sites come under threat from climate change.

Climate change is now the most significant threat to many World Heritage sites, especially those inscribed for their natural values. Short- and long-term climate-related impacts are increasing. For example, by 2100 and depending on the emissions scenario used, complete glacier extinction is predicted for 8 to 21 World Heritage sites, within which glaciers are an attribute of their universal value. The number of African coastal heritage sites at risk from a 100-year extreme flooding and coastal-erosion event, including the Stone Town of Zanzibar and Mozambique Island, is projected to more than triple by 2050 under a moderate emissions scenario.

The rise is the number of World Heritage sites and their increasing exposure to greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. Credit: Greg Terrill/UNESCO, Fourni par l'auteur

Impacts are cumulative and some will persist for centuries after the world achieves net-zero emissions. Climate change is a threat multiplier, exacerbating existing threats, impacting sites in increasingly complex ways, and demanding further resources for management and adaptation. Food insecurity, social stresses and the displacement of populations as a consequence of climate change will further increase pressures on World Heritage sites.

The concept of outstanding universal value is fundamental to the World Heritage Convention and its processes. OUV has generally been interpreted assuming that the environment is largely stationary, something that climate change has proved incorrect. It will ultimately be impossible to maintain the outstanding universal value for which many sites were inscribed, even if effective global and local mitigation strategies and local adaptation strategies are implemented.

In Venice, the effectiveness of massive retractable barriers constructed at the entrance to the lagoon will be tested by the projected sea-level rise of anywhere from 17cm to 120cm by 2100 that will bring increasingly frequent, longer-lasting and potentially permanent flooding. A restoration and adaptation program is attempting to develop a suite of safe, acceptable interventions to help the Great Barrier Reef resist, adapt to, and recover from the impacts of climate change. However, it will be challenging to operationalise interventions at scale across this large World Heritage Area.

Substantive reforms are necessary for the World Heritage system to address these challenges. Although amending international conventions is notoriously difficult, the convention is a treaty where many important matters are dealt with in subsidiary documents, especially its operational guidelines, which are much easier to change than the convention, if state parties so wish.

An open-ended working group is working to finalize a policy document on climate action for World Heritage and to develop an implementation plan. The document outlines high-level directives but says little about the operational reforms required to address the scale and complexity of the challenges. Meaningful operational reforms are likely to be highly contested because of the differing priorities of various states parties. For example, African nations are very concerned about the under-representation of African sites on the World Heritage List and the perceived over-representation of African sites on the list of World Heritage in Danger.

In 2021, the Australian Academy of Science bought together 18 expertsin climate science, climate vulnerability assessment, IPCC processes, cultural, natural and Indigenous heritage, outlook reporting, site management, World Heritage system processes, environmental law, international law and diplomacyin a roundtable on reforms to the convention to address the consequences of climate change. Their ideas for change focused on three key areas:

identification of climate-related threats to World Heritage sites;

the processes for state party reporting to the World Heritage Committee;

responses to climate impacts to outstanding universal value.

Identification of climate-related threats

Introducing a requirement for World Heritage nominations to include a standardized vulnerability assessment could provide a baseline against which climate-related impacts to its potential OUV could be monitored. Currently there is no agreed standard: several methods have been applied to individual sites and a thematic approach has also been used, assessing comparable sites or groups of sites facing similar risks. Clear guidelines around the requirements for such assessments need to be discussed and developed so that assessments are systematic, useful and comparable.

The World Heritage Committee responds to threats to outstanding universal value through complex and resource-hungry reporting processesthese include state-of-conservation reporting, reactive monitoring and a six-year cycle of periodic reporting based on geography. These processes are already under strain due to the large number of sites in the reporting cycle. In 2021, less than 20% of the state-of conservation reports were discussed by the committee. Given the anticipated increase in the number and severity of threats as a result of climate change, the reporting processes need reconsideration. Such change cannot take place without considerable discussion.

Responding to climate impacts

As climate change accelerates, the outstanding universal value of some World Heritage sites will be severely or permanently impacted. In others, the changes may be milder. Limits of acceptable change could be developed for each property to identify the amount or nature of change that each property's attributes can sustain without irretrievable loss of OUV. Accepting that change is inevitable, improved methods are needed to assess significant and minor changes to each site's statement of OUV as well as clearer guidelines and thresholds for including a site on the List of World Heritage in Danger or delisting it.

These reforms could result in more systematic and comparable evidence for climate impacts as a basis for realistic adaptation strategies and greater transparency and objectivity in decision-making by the World Heritage Committee.

Substantive reform of the operational guidelines would be a fitting project to commence in 2022, the 50th anniversary of the convention. We hope this article will stimulate widespread discussion about these matters, which are existential to the future of the Convention and its capacity to protect the world's most precious heritage places in the face of climate change.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

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 farbut 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.

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 interruptionthe 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 disaster's 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 Agency's 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 disaster's 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 estimatesthe 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 government's 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 there's 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 floodplainsperpetuating 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.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
When properly programmed and operated, sprayer drones are able to fly above crops to apply chemicals using a small tank and spray nozzles, avoiding muddy fields and difficult terrain, all while providing the targeted application that saves growers money and time. Credit: Simer Virk

It's a familiar sight for manya ground sprayer slowly making rounds in a field, applying pesticides to row crops to give producers the best chance of protecting crops from pests and seeing high yields at harvest. These ground sprayers, with booms that can be up to 120 feet wide, are the tool of choice for producers who are spraying large areas with agricultural chemicals.

But there are times when these large, heavy ground sprayers have limitations. Significant rains or difficult terrain can make it challenging to run the machinery in a particular area or field, preventing a producer from applying pesticides in a timely manner, said Simer Virk, assistant professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Producers face additional challenges when pests or diseases are present in small areas of their fieldswhere ground sprayers, with their large booms may not be well-equipped or efficient to provide the targeted application that producers seek.

In coming years, however, there may be a solution for these production woes: sprayer drones.

"In crop production, timing of every operation is critical. We want to address issues in the fields as quickly as possible and that includes the timely application of pesticides and other chemicals that preserve yield potential. Sprayer drones could be another tool in our toolbox that can help us to be timely, especially when the field conditions are not suitable for ground application," said Virk, who also serves as a precision agriculture specialist with UGA Cooperative Extension.

The use of drones has steadily increased in agricultural production over the last decade, but only recently have researchers begun to consider how this technology might complement the work done by ground sprayers. When properly programmed and operated, sprayer drones are able to fly above crops to apply chemicals using a small tank and spray nozzles, avoiding muddy fields and difficult terrain, all while providing the targeted application that saves money and time.

As with all new technologies in agriculture, there are important questions and concerns to address before researchers and experts are able to provide information and recommendations for producers looking to add spray drones to their operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the governing body that regulates the use of agricultural drones, or small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). Over the last decade, the regulations around operation of sUAS have evolved significantly as the technology has changed and become a more popular option for agricultural researchers, industries and producers across the nation. In years past, agricultural drones have been used primarily to capture imagery that can be used to assess crop damage, scouting and other needs. FAA has issued specifications for weight, height, speed and operation hours for drones of this kind.

"With spray drones, we've added a tank and nozzles to the equation, which increases the weight and also changes the purpose of the drone, so the FAA has different set of rules when it comes to aerial application of pesticides. However, they are also constantly reviewing these regulations as drone applications expand in new areas," Virk said. "We're hopeful that our work will help regulatory bodies as they seek to accommodate these new needs for agriculture."

Virk, along with research partners at UGA and experts at Auburn University, is hoping to address some of the most important questions in spray drone technology.

"We have two main objectives in this work: identifying how spray drones can complement the work we're already doing with ground sprayers and analyzing application performance in order to determine a set of standard and safe practices," Virk said of UGA's pioneering work in this area.

Even with ground sprayers, which have been in use for many years, there are continual advancements in nozzle type, flow/droplet size control systems and application technology, among other advancements. With a great deal of variety in spray drone design, size and programming, Virk and his team are running trials that test various available platforms, along with questions about ideal height, coverage estimates, nozzle types, spray drift and flight speed. With this information, they are hopeful that producers will be able to continue safe and sustainable use of pesticides in agriculture, which is important to successful and profitable crop production.

"Right now, there's a lot we need to learnwith the regulations around spray drones and the precision required for effective pesticide applications, it's critical that we provide Georgia farmers with the information they need when considering adoption of this new technology."

Virk said the goal of his research is to equip producers with information that can help them do their job more effectively and precisely, especially when using new technologies like sprayer drones. As both a researcher and an Extension professional, he spends his time conducting trials that move research forward, training students in agricultural technology and working directly with Georgians to make our state's No. 1 industry stronger and more profitable.

"In many aspects, agriculture is so far ahead of where we were 10 years agoour hope is that the research we're doing at UGA will be a critical part of moving our industry forward in the next decades and beyond," he said.

More information: Follow Virk and Georgia Precision Ag on Twitter for real-time updates on developing precision agriculture technologies.
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Iranian Petroleum Minister Javad Owji said on Sunday that Iran has started refining its crude oil in Venezuela, SHANA news agency affiliated to his ministry reported.

Iran had started processing some 100,000 barrels per day of its crude in Venezuela's El Palito refinery, Owji was quoted by SHANA as saying.

"This was a long-standing and 43-year-old dream that was realized through the efforts of my colleagues at the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC)," he said.

Jalil Salari, head of NIORDC, said on Sunday that efforts are underway to expand Iran's refinery operation in overseas projects.

According to Press TV, Iran signed a 116-million-U.S. dollar contract with Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA in May to repair and expand the refinery.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

With reading and math scores plummeting during the pandemic, educators and parents are now turning their attention to how kids can catch up. In the following Q&A, Susanna Loeb, an education economist at Brown University, shines a light on the best ways to use tutoring to help students get back on track.

1. How much money is spent on tutoring in the US each year?

Billions of dollars are spent each year on tutoring in the U.S. This was true even before the pandemic.

The private tutoring marketmade up largely of parents who can afford to hire tutors for their childrenwas estimated at US$24.9 billion in 2021.

With many students struggling as a result of disruptions from the pandemic, spending on tutoring is expected to grow. Much of this growth will be driven by wealthy families who hired tutors during the pandemic and plan to keep them. This extra help is likely to worsen the gaps in academic achievement between students from upper-middle-class families and those from families who are poor.

School districts also invest in tutoring for their students. This means special sessions outside of their regular classes. Many districts, such as Chicago Public Schools and those partnering with Reading Corps, Experience Corps and others, provided tutoring before the pandemic. With new funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, district investment in tutoring is also growing. Of the nearly $200 billion in these emergency relief funds available, $22 billion must be spent to help kids catch up using interventions that are proved to work. High-impact tutoring qualifies as one of those interventions.

2. What kind of difference does it make?

It depends, because not all of the approaches are effective.

During the era of No Child Left Behindthe federal education law that sought to get all children proficient in reading and math by the year 2014parents of children in failing schools could sign them up for tutoring outside of school at the school district's expense.

But it didn't really work. Research shows that only 23% of eligible students participated. And for those students, the average effect was close to zero. When the Elementary and Secondary Education Act replaced No Child Left Behind in 2015, it did not require tutoring to be offered to students in failing schools, although schools can still spend on tutoring if they choose.

Not all tutoring is effective. Research shows that for tutoring to be effectiveor what I refer to as high-impact tutoringthere are several critical elements. They include small groups, meaning no more than three students. Tutoring also works best when it is embedded in the school day, such as during homeroom or as an elective, occurs with a consistent tutor and takes place for at least 30 minutes at least three days a week. And it involves using student assessment data so that the tutor knows where to focus instructional time.

In fact, this type of small-group, relationship-based, data-informed, intensive tutoring embedded in the school day has been shown to have a larger positive effect on student learning than any other academic intervention, such as reducing class sizes or sending teachers to professional development. A large body of rigorous research shows that tutoring can help students who are behind catch up by as much as half a school year to a full school year.

3. Does tutoring work online?

New studies from Spain and Italy find that virtual tutoring can be effective. Like in-person tutoring, virtual tutoring connects students to a consistent tutor. They just meet online instead of in person.

Potential for online tutoring broadens opportunities for students in rural districts. It does the same for those who need tutoring in subjects for which it is harder to find teachers, such as math.

4. How can parents get free tutoring for their kids?

The most effective way for parents to get free tutoring for their children is through their school. Tutoring programs offered through their child's school offer a number of benefits for students, schools and parents. Students who attend tutoring as part of their regular school education either during or immediately before or after school are shown to have higher attendance rates, which leads to better outcomes, such as stronger math and reading achievement.

When tutoring is offered through the school, it enables the child's teacher and tutor to collaborate on ways to help the child progress.

However, not all schools offer high-impact tutoring. Some states such as Idaho, Indiana and New Hampshire offer grants to parents that can be spent on tutoring. But in those cases, the parent must register and transport their child to take advantage of this opportunity.

Other states and districts offer opt-in tutoring or tutoring that is available at a convenient time, or homework help options. While there is value in this type of tutoring, recent research shows that this type of tutoringwhich is reliant on the student to ask for helpoften does not reach those students most in need, and therefore likely will not show the same learning growth that high-impact tutoring does.

If educators want to reap the benefits of tutoring, research shows it should be high-impact tutoring that is built into the schools over the long run. Anything else will be less effective.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Two rowers paddle along the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland on July 12, 2011. Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, is the 50th anniversary of Congress passing the Clean Water Act to protect U.S. waterways from abuses like the oily industrial pollution that caused Ohio's Cuyahoga River to catch on fire in 1969. Credit: AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File

Lifelong Cleveland resident Steve Gove recalls when the Cuyahoga River symbolized shamefetid, lifeless, notorious for catching fire when sparks from overhead rail cars ignited the oil-slicked surface.

"It was pretty grungy," said the 73-year-old, an avid canoeist in his youth who sometimes braved the filthy stretch through the steelmaking city. "When you went under those bridges where the trains were hauling coke from the blast furnaces, you had to watch for cinders and debris falling off."

It wasn't the only polluted U.S. river. But outrage over a 1969 Cuyahoga firethe latest in a series of environmental disasters including a 3-million-gallon oil spill off California's Santa Barbara months earlieris widely credited with inspiring the Clean Water Act of 1972.

As officials and community leaders prepared to celebrate the law's 50th anniversary Tuesday near the river mouth at Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga again is emblematic. This time, it represents progress toward restoring abused waterwaysand challenges that remain after the act's crackdown on industrial and municipal sewage discharges and years of cleanup work.

A 1967 survey found not a single fish in the river between Akron and Cleveland. Now, there are more than 70 species including smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge. Limits on eating them have been lifted. The Cuyahoga is popular with boaters. Parks and restaurants line its banks.

"I have folks come into my office routinely from other states and around the world, wanting to see the Cuyahoga River," said Kurt Princic, a district chief for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. "They want to know how we got from where it was in the '60s to where it is today. It starts with the Clean Water Act, partnerships and hard work."

Yet the river remains on a U.S.-Canada list of degraded "hot spots" in the Great Lakes region; it's plagued by erosion, historic contamination, storm water runoff and sewage overflows. Toxic algae blooms appear on Lake Erie in summer, caused primarily by farm fertilizer and manure.

Cleveland firefighters aboard the Anthony J. Celebrezze fire boat extinguish hot spots on a railroad bridge torched by burning fluids and debris on the Cuyahoga River in 1969, in Cleveland. Fifty years ago, Congress passed the Clean Water Act to protect U.S. waterways from abuses like the oily industrial pollution that caused Ohio's Cuyahoga River to catch on fire in 1969. Credit: Mitchell Zaremba/Cleveland.com via AP

HALF EMPTY, HALF FULL

The Clean Water Act established ambitious goals: making the nation's waters "fishable and swimmable" and restoring their "chemical, physical and biological integrity." It gave the newly established U.S. Environmental Protection Agency broad authority to set and enforce regulations.

"We've made tremendous progress," EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in an Associated Press interview Friday. "By passing the Clean Water Act, Congress solidified the importance of protecting our lakes, rivers and streams for generations to come."

Experts and activists agree many waterways are healthier than they were, and cleanups continue. The Biden administration's 2021 infrastructure package includes $50 billion to upgrade drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, replace lead pipes and cleanse drinking water of toxic PFAS, known as "forever chemicals."

But the law's aims have been only "halfway met," said Oday Salim, director of the University of Michigan's Environmental Law and Sustainability Clinic. "If you spoke to most clean water policy advocates today, they'd be pretty disappointed in how long it has taken to get halfway."

The measure's crowning achievement, Salim said, is a program that requires polluting industries and sewage treatment plans to get permits limiting their releases into waters. EPA also set pollution standards for 50 industries.

Yet the agency is far behind on strengthening those requirements to reflect pollution control technology improvements, said Eric Schaeffer, a former EPA enforcement chief and executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project, which has sued the agency over the delays.

The Cleveland Fire Department fire boat sprays water on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland Monday, June 22, 2009, on the anniversary of when floating oil and debris caught fire on the river helping spur the environmental movement and the federal Clean Water Act. Fifty years ago, Congress passed the Clean Water Act to protect U.S. waterways from abuses like the oily industrial pollution that caused Ohio's Cuyahoga River to catch on fire in 1969. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File

Two-thirds of the requirements haven't been updated in more than 30 years, the group said in a March report that blamed the outdated ones for "more pollution from oil refineries, chemical plants, slaughterhouses and other industries pouring into waterways." Pollution control plans for large watersheds and regulatory enforcement are weak, it said, while EPA and state environmental agencies have endured repeated budget cuts.

One result, Schaeffer said, is that more than 50% of lake, river and stream miles periodically assessed are still classified as impaired.

Regan acknowledged EPA has "some more work to do" but had an "aggressive agenda to curtail pollution and upgrade standards and enforcement policies at a pace that science allows us to do."

"We can't ignore that the previous administration did not take action," he said. "We also can't ignore that we have the same staffing levels that we had in the late '80s. I think we're doing a really good job of beginning to make up for lost time."

RUNOFF LEFT OUT

The Clean Water Act prompted many states to prohibit laundry detergents containing phosphorus. Some had labeled Lake Erie "dead" as the soaps fueled algae blooms that sapped oxygen and killed fish.

The bans caused a turnaround in the 1980s. Erie was blue once more instead of brown.

A catfish is visible on the shoreline of Lake Erie in the algae-filled waters off Toledo, Ohio, on Sept. 20, 2017. Toxic algae blooms appear on Lake Erie, the river mouth of the Cuyahoga, in summer, caused primarily by farm fertilizer and manure. Credit: Andy Morrison/The Blade via AP, File

Yet the algae blooms were back within a couple of decadesthis time because of a problem the Clean Water Act had sidestepped.

Its emission limits and permitting requirements apply to wastes released into waters through pipes or ditches from identifiable sources, such as factories. But it doesn't regulate runoff pollution from indirect sourcesfertilizers and pesticides from farm fields and lawns; oil and toxic chemicals from city streets and parking lotsthat flow into waterways when it rains.

Such runoff pollution is now the leading cause of U.S. waterway impairments.

Scientific studies say manure and fertilizer from livestock operations spread on crop fields are largely to blame for sprawling summer algae in western Lake Erie and the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico, which receives massive heartland runoff from the Mississippi River. They're also the top pollutant in Chesapeake Bay.

Environmental groups who have long argued the law allows regulation of large livestock farm pollution sued EPA this month, demanding a tougher approach. But federal and state agencies rely mostly on voluntary programs that provide financial assistance to farms for using practices such as planting cover crops that hold soil during off-seasons and buffer strips between croplands and streams. Farm groups resist making such practices mandatory.

"Agriculture politics are the third rail," said the Environmental Integrity Project's Schaeffer. "The farm lobby is powerful."

Stan Meiburg, director of the Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability at Wake Forest University and a former EPA deputy administrator, favors requiring farms and other runoff sources to bear costs of environmental damage they cause if a workable system could be found.

Algae floats on the surface of Lake Erie's Maumee Bay in Oregon, Ohio on Sept. 15, 2017. Toxic algae blooms appear on Lake Erie, the river mouth of the Cuyahoga, in summer, caused primarily by farm fertilizer and manure. Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File

"But it's not clear to me that such a thing exists in the real world," he said. "I find it unlikely that any legislation any time soon is going to impose wide-scale restrictions on how farmers conduct their activities."

A more practical approach, he said, is convincing farmers that anti-runoff practices are in their economic interest.

WETLAND WARS

A case argued this month before the U.S. Supreme Court involved one of the longest-running debates about the Clean Water Act: Which waters does it legally protect?

Lakes, rivers and streams are covered, as are adjacent wetlands. But 40 years of court battles and regulatory rewrites have left unsettled the status of wetlands not directly connected to a larger water bodyand of rain-dependent "ephemeral" streams that flow only part of the year.

"We want to preserve and protect our ability and statutory authority to regulate in this area," EPA's Regan said, describing wetlands as crucial for filtering out pollutants that otherwise would flow downstream. They also store floodwaters and provide habitat for a multitude of plants and animals.

His agency is rewriting rules for those disputed waters, even as the Supreme Court prepares to provide its own interpretation from the case of an Idaho couple who wants to build a house on land with swampy areas near a lake.

Firefighter Greg Geracioti maneuvers the Anthony J. Celebrezze down the Cuyahoga River, June 13, 2019, in Cleveland. Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, is the 50th anniversary of Congress passing the Clean Water Act to protect U.S. waterways from abuses like the oily industrial pollution that caused Ohio's Cuyahoga River to catch on fire in 1969. Credit: AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File

"What's at stake here is at least half the waterways in this country," said Jon Devine of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The National Association of Homebuilders, which supports the Idaho couple's challenge of an EPA order to stop work on their house, says states are better suited to oversee isolated wetlands and ephemeral streams than EPA or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which handles some cases.

"The federal government doesn't have the bandwidth to regulate every single tiny wetland away from anything that would be considered navigable," said Tom Ward, the group's vice president for legal advocacy. State regulation was lax 50 years ago but has improved and "they know their waters," he said.

JUSTICE FOR ALL

Environmental justicethe quest for environmental policies that treat everyone fairly, including communities of coloris a high-profile issue nowadays, although it began with early 1980s protests over a hazardous waste landfill in an impoverished, majority-black community in Warren County, North Carolina.

But for Crystal M.C. Davis, the movement began the day after the infamous 1969 Cuyahoga fire, when Carl Stokes, Cleveland's first Black mayor, called a news conference and filed a complaint with the state seeking help in cleaning up the river. His brother, U.S. Rep. Louis Stokes, asked Congress for helpanother step toward the Clean Water Act.

"The renaissance of the Cuyahoga River is personal to us," said Davis, who is Black and a vice president of the Alliance for the Great Lakes. "That's why we have to stop and celebrate, even though there's still room for improvement."

A dead tree on the Lake Erie shoreline frames the old Coast Guard lifeboat station at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, May 29, 2008. Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, is the 50th anniversary of Congress passing the Clean Water Act to protect U.S. waterways from abuses like the oily industrial pollution that caused Ohio's Cuyahoga River to catch on fire in 1969. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File

Regan, EPA's first Black administrator, said funding provided by the infrastructure package will help the agency apply the law in keeping with science and in partnerships with state and local agencies.

"So no matter the color of your skin ... or your ZIP code, you can enjoy safe, reliable water," he said.

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Our research team has studied college students' attitudes toward evangelicals, a topic that tends to prompt strong reactions.

Some liberals don't see the topic as worthy of discussionwhy study whether Americans appreciate a privileged group with strong influence on society? Meanwhile, many conservatives are adamant that evangelical perspectives are not tolerated, let alone welcome, on U.S. university campuses.

Yet our findings about students' attitudes underscore important lessons about fostering tolerance and appreciation on campus for any group. Views of evangelicals are particularly interesting, since they highlight the complexities of social privilege: how individuals can feel discriminated against, even when their community as a whole is influential.

Surveying students

The Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey, or IDEALS, surveyed 9,470 college students from 122 institutions across the country at three times: the beginning of their first year, the end of their first year, and the end of their senior year, which wrapped up in spring 2019. As part of this project, conducted by a team of researchers from Ohio State University, North Carolina University and the nonprofit Interfaith America, we asked students about their attitudes toward religious, spiritual and secular groups, including but not limited to atheists, Jews, Muslims and evangelicals.

We asked students to indicate their responses to four statements on a scale of 1, or "disagree strongly," to 5, or "agree strongly":

In general, people in this group make positive contributions to society. In general, individuals in this group are ethical people. I have things in common with people in this group. In general, I have a positive attitude toward people in this group.

Our analysis controlled for other variablessuch as the institution's type, selectivity and size, and students' race, gender, sexual orientation, major and political affiliationto home in on the specific ways the campus learning environment was related to students' views about different religious groups.

Compared with their attitudes toward other religious groups on campus, students' appreciation for evangelicals grew at a slower pace, but still grew. On average, students' responses showed an increase of over 40% in appreciation toward evangelicals by the end of their first year. By the time students graduated, they demonstrated another 30% increase between the end of their first year and fourth year of college.

Campus climate

After seeing that students' views of evangelicals improved, on average, we wanted to better understand why.

First, we looked at the experiences students said were related to their gains, such as whether they took a religious studies course. Then, we conducted 18 case studies at institutions of various sizes and affiliations to learn about campus culture and hear from hundreds of students in focus groups. In these groups, we showed students data on the gains reported by their peers on campus and asked them why they thought these gains were made.

We found that appreciation increased for students on campuses they consider committed to inclusion for people of faiths, and people of no faithregardless of whether the institutions were public or private, large or small, selective or not.

Some students talked about the impact of simply living and studying alongside people from different backgrounds. Many named the influence of interfaith and multifaith centers, spaces dedicated to bringing people from different religions together.

For example, a student at a Protestant-affiliated institution who identified as agnostic noted that she had "experienc[ed] a lot of toxic Christianity" growing up. She credited her interactions with a "progressive Christian" chaplain at her campus's interfaith center with helping her understand that Christian beliefs and identities are diverse, and not limited to the type of faith she was introduced to as a child.

Survey data also suggested that, on average, students whose views of evangelicals improved reported having at least two curricular experiences related to religion. This included many type of activities: for example, enrolling in a course specifically designed to enhance knowledge of different religious traditions; reflecting on one's own religion in relationship to other perspectives as part of a class; and discussing other students' religious or nonreligious backgrounds in class.

Personal relationships

How students related to one another was another important theme that often came up in discussions about views of evangelicals.

Evangelicals have to negotiate a seeming paradox: As Protestant Christians, who have long held influence in U.S. culture and politics, they belong to a privileged group. Yet many evangelical students say they feel unwelcome and misunderstood because of their beliefs.

Many non-Christian students who themselves feel marginalized because of their identities wrestle with how to make their evangelical peers aware of their relative privilege, and of how their beliefs and actions might affect other students.

For example, one student who identifies as atheist at a small, secular college recalled a Christmas tree put on their door by another student. "The person has literally no idea that that could possibly be upsetting," they said, but added it was "a very sweet thing to do." In other words, they believed that the other student was likely ignorant of why the Christmas tree could bother other students, but acting out of good intentions, tempering their anger about the unwelcome decoration.

Many students discussed developing empathy and humility. A Catholic student attending a Catholic college summarized, "Myself being a more liberal Christian, I'm not as accepting of the close-minded evangelical Christian  but that's kind of being close-minded myself.  So I have to examine myself and be like, "I'm okay with them being them, even if I don't agree with them." They're saying, "All of these people are saying let's accept everybody, but you're not accepting me." And I said, "That's absolutely right."  Even in political realms, too, I don't agree with you, but I need to be okay with you."

Finally, student gains in appreciation also seemed to stem from recognition that evangelicals are diverse, not one homogeneous groupas with the student who appreciated her conversations with the Christian chaplain at her campus's interfaith center.

As a research team, we found this project's findings left us considering ways to address deep divisions in the U.S. today. Some principles apply to fostering respect in many other situations beyond religion, and beyond college, from our offices at work to the halls of Congress: intentionally but empathetically engaging with one another's differences.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: The Art of Pics / Shutterstock

Of the 5.5 million British people living outside of the U.K., many have long considered themselves expatriatespeople living outside their country of birth, often with plans to return home. For a long time, I didn't think twice about using the word "expat" to describe Brits who move to Spain to retire, or businessmen relocating to Hong Kong.

A 2015 article by journalist Mawuna Remarque Koutonin caused me to think more carefully about the connotations of class, race and privilege associated with the term expat.

Koutonin asked why we use words like "immigrant" to describe some groups of people who move countries, and reserve "expat" for those who are white, western and wealthy. Koutonin suggests that the word expat allows Europeans to distance themselves from other migrant groups and therefore avoid the negativity often (unfairly) associated with migration.

My research shows that post-Brexit, Brits living abroad are also distancing themselves from the term. One year after the Brexit referendum, camera crews descended on resorts in Spain's Costa del Sol to ask British people living there how they feel about the occasion.

The comment sections of videos like this and other news articles are full of ridicule towards these communities for their perceived lack of integration with the local community. Overwhelmingly, this coverage focused on retired people, with little mention of the 74% of Brits living in the EU who are there for employment purposes.

In 2021, I began my own research into British communities abroad, focusing on the Turkish resort town of Fethiye, where I interviewed British residents. I wanted to understand how expat communities identify and feel about the term expat.

Fethiye is often called "Little Britain" by locals, and could be described as Turkey's Benidorman area of Spain known for its British holidaymakers that even inspired a sitcom. The resort is the most popular place in Turkey for Britons to settle, and is even home to a fake "British high street," with Turkish versions of popular U.K. stores and supermarkets (Tesko, Azda, Marc Spenger and Selfridgez to name a few).

During my research, I didn't find people happily embracing the expat identity, but the opposite. I was met with Brits desperate to distance themselves from the stereotypes of holiday complexes (resorts that have no relationship with local life).

These stereotypesparticipating minimally in local life or culture, refusing to learn the language of their hosts and generally recreating a "little England in the sun"have become synonymous with idea of British expats.

"It's embarrassing really, people hear 'expat' and think of somewhere like Benidorm or 'Blackpool in the sun' and being uninterested in the local culture  but I'm very interested in Turkish culture, that's why we moved here."

Some observed a connection between Brexit and negative perceptions of British people abroad.

"Since Brexit there does seem to be added stigma about British expats. They'll say things like 'isn't it a bit ironic living in Turkey after all the Brexit stuff'  because people are noticing that expats do exactly the same thing that British people complain about back home! It's lack of integration really."

Who is an expat?

I found that the desire to dissociate from the expat stereotype also seemed to be actively encouraging Britons to steer clear of one another, avoiding the perception that expats only mix with fellow foreigners. This resulted in greater interaction with Turkish people instead. "We are expats, it's just what we are, I had never even thought about it. The Facebook groups are called 'Expats in Fethiye' the social groups are 'expat groups.' I had honestly never even questioned it until Brexit happened and suddenly it seems to be a bad thing. Of course we are immigrants too, but expats just seems to be the more common word. Turkish people call us 'yabanc' which just means foreigner maybe that's a better word for everyone."

At its most basic, the term expatriate describes someone who does not live in their own country, and could therefore be used to describe migrants, asylum seekers, guest workers and other groups. Some definitions add that "an intention to return home" is what separates expats from other migrant groups.

I would argue that Polish workers in the U.K. too have plans to return "home," and Jamaican migrants to the U.K. may plan to spend their retirement in the sunshine of the Caribbean. Yet we would rarely use the term expat to describe them.

Migrant communities are often scrutinized in the media and political sphere. Much of Brexit's "leave" campaign, for example, centered around the chance of millions of migrants flooding the U.K. if Turkey were to join the EU.

Now, it seems that Brits living abroad are no longer immune from such conversations about migration. As migrant stigmatization has began to involve expats themselves, the term has lost its appeal.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Some of the images measured and analyzed in the study, picturing the diversity in color and forms. Credit: Juan Olvido Perea-Garcia

Have you ever wondered why some people have lighter eyes than others? Differences in iris coloration have traditionally been explained as a result of sexual selection, but a recent study led by researchers from the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Science revealed that this is partly due to differences in lighting in the habitats of primate species.

For over 20 years, studies focused on explaining variation in primate eye coloration have exclusively focused on eyes as visual signals for inter and intra-specific communication. This idea, however, has received little support from experimental studies in species other than humans. Other suggestions, like eye pigmentation patterns being used in camouflage against predators, have also received limited support.

Even though eyes help us navigate the world thanks to light entering that organ, the idea that eye color diversity may have evolved due to different qualities of light being present in different habitats was never seriously considered.

Now, researchers from NUS, together with collaborators from Republic Polytechnic, the University of St Andrews and Leiden University, have discovered that ambient light is an important factor determining eye color across primate species. Postdoctoral researcher Dr. Juan O. Perea-Garcia, former Ph.D. student of Professor Antonia Monteiro from NUS Department of Biological Sciences, suggested that this pattern may also explain differences in eye color in human populations.

Their findings were published in Scientific Reports on October 15, 2022.

Seeing eyes in a new light

The research team collected hundreds of photographs from 77 primate species and measured the brightness and color of different parts of their eyes. These photographs were found online, taken by the researchers, or by wildlife photographer Mogens Trolle. The researchers found that species living farther from the equator tend to have lighter conjunctiva (the tissue surrounding the iris), not unlike skin pigmentation in humans. Iris color also shifted to become greener or bluer, as populations were found farther away from the equator, where irises tend to be browner.

"We have known for a long time that humans are exceptionally good at using their eyes in communicating with others, so many researchers had tried to find these same functions in primates. Understanding that ambient light, instead, may have an impact in the appearance of primate eyes brings a fresh perspective to this field," said Dr. Perea-Garcia.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

Most previous studies addressing diversity in iris color in humans (brown, blue, green, etc.) revolved around the idea that color was sexually selected. This was also the preferred explanation for diversity in skin pigmentation, until evidence tipped the balance towards protection from UV rays.

Seeing that differences in eye color could be explained by changes in lighting typical of the natural ranges of primate species suggests that iris color may have been selected by environmental conditions in humans, similar to skin pigmentation.

Prof Monteiro said, "What is exciting about this research is that by using the comparative method in evolutionary biology, we find that many species of primates independently evolved bluer eyes at higher latitudes, just like what happened within our own species. This helps tip the balance towards an ecological, rather than sexual selection explanation, for the evolution of blue eye color in humans."

Blue light helps us tune our circadian clock to adjust energy levels by stimulating special receptors in our retina. In geographic regions with less light, bluer irises may allow more blue light to reach those special receptors, thus boosting energy levels. This would help explain why blue eyes evolved and spread only far away from the equator.

"Even though this study provides a possible solution to the puzzle of iris color variation, many mysteries remainfor example, why some species living in the equator sometimes have striking blue eyes, like the brown spider monkey (Ateles hybridus), or why some species with similar ranges have different levels of conjunctival pigmentation, like the chimpanzee and bonobo, remains to be addressed," said Dr. Perea-Garcia.

More information: Juan Olvido Perea-Garcia et al, Ecological factors are likely drivers of eye shape and colour pattern variations across anthropoid primates, Scientific Reports (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20900-6 Journal information: Scientific Reports
Credit: Jason Betz/Unsplash, CC BY

Coffee may be a major casualty of a hotter planet. Even if currently declared commitments to reduce emissions are met, our new research suggests coffee production will still rapidly decline in countries accounting for 75% of the world's Arabica coffee supply.

Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) is one of two main plant species we harvest coffee beans from. The plant evolved in the high-altitude tropics of Ethiopia, and is hypersensitive to changes in the climate.

Our research shows there are global warming thresholds beyond which Arabica coffee production plummets. This isn't just bad news for coffee loverscoffee is a multi-billion dollar industry supporting millions of farmers, most in developing countries.

If we manage to keep global warming below 2 this century, then producers responsible for most global Arabica supply will have more time to adapt. If we don't, we could see crashes in Arabica productivity, interruptions to supply, and price hikes on our daily cup.

Where our coffee comes from

Most of our Arabica is grown in the tropics, throughout Latin America, Central and East Africa and parts of Asia. Brazil, Colombia and Ethiopia are the world's top three producers of Arabica, and the crop has crucial social and economic importance elsewhere, too.

Millions of farmers, mostly in the developing world, depend on productive Arabica for their livelihood. If coffee productivity declines, the economic consequences for farmers, some of which do not earn a living income as it is, are dire.

Arabica coffee is typically most productive in cool high elevation tropical areas with a local annual temperature of 1823. Higher temperatures and drier conditions invariably lead to declines in yield.

Last year, for example, one of the worst droughts in Brazil's history saw coffee production there drop by around one-third, with global coffee prices spiking as a result.

What we found

Previous research has focused on how changes in temperature and rainfall affect coffee yields. While important, temperature and rainfall aren't the best indicators of global Arabica coffee productivity. Instead, we found that it's more effective to measure how dry and hot the air is, which we can do using "vapor pressure deficit."

Vapor pressure deficit tells us how much water gets sucked out of a plant. Think of when you walk outside on a hot, dry day and your lips dry and crackthe moisture is being sucked out of you because outside, the vapor pressure deficit is high. It's the same for plants.

We built scientific models based on climate data that was linked to decades of coffee productivity data across the most important Arabica producing countries. We found once vapor pressure deficit gets to a critical point, then Arabica coffee yields fall sharply.

This critical point, we found, is 0.82 kilopascals (a unit of pressure, calculated from temperature and humidity). After this point, Arabica yields start falling fasta loss of around 400 kilograms per hectare, which is 50% lower than the long-term global average.

Vapor pressure deficit thresholds have already been exceeded in Kenya, Mexico and Tanzania.

Unabated global warming will see the world's coffee producing powerhouses at risk. If global warming temperatures increase from 2 to 3, then Peru, Honduras, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Colombia and Braziltogether accounting for 81% of global supplyare much more likely to pass the vapor pressure deficit threshold.

What can we do about it?

While there are ways farmers and the coffee industry can adapt, the viability of applying these on a global scale is highly uncertain.

For example, irrigating coffee crops could be an option, but this costs moneymoney many coffee farmers in developing countries don't have. What's more, it may not always be effective as high vapor pressure deficits can still inflict damage, even in well-watered conditions.

Another option could be switching to other coffee species. But again, this is fraught. For example, robusta coffee (Coffea canephora)the other main species of production coffeeis also sensitive to temperature rises. Others, such as Coffea stenophylla and Coffea liberica could be tested, but their production viability at large scales under climate change is unknown.

There is only so much adapting we can do. Our research provides further impetus, if we needed any, to cut net global greenhouse gas emissions.

Limiting global warming in accordance with the Paris Agreement is our best option to ensure we can all keep enjoying coffee. More importantly, keeping global warming below 2 is the best way to ensure the millions of vulnerable farmers who grow coffee globally have a livelihood that supports them and their families well into the future.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Tusks with CITES markings in a recent ivory seizure from Uganda. Credit: John E. Brown III

In January 2019, a seizure of 3.3 tons of ivory in Uganda turned up something surprising: markings on some of the tusks suggested that they may have been taken from a stockpile of ivory kept, it was thought, strictly under lock and key by the government of Burundi.

A new study from University of Utah distinguished professor Thure Cerling and colleagues, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uses carbon isotope science to show that the marked tusks were more than 30 years old and somehow had found their way from the guarded government stockpile into the hands of illegal ivory traders. The results suggest that governments that maintain ivory stockpiles may want to take a closer look at their inventory.

Ivory's isotope signatures

Cerling is a pioneer in the use of isotopes to answer questions about physical and biological processes. Isotopes of a given element refer to atoms of the element that vary in their number of neutrons, and thus vary oh-so-slightly in mass. A carbon-14 isotope has one more neutron than carbon-13, for example.

Some isotopes are stable and some are unstable. Unstable isotopes decay into other isotopes or elements through radioactive decay. Since the rate of decay is known for unstable isotopes, we can use the amounts present in a sample to determine ages. That's how carbon dating worksit uses the rate of decay of unstable carbon-14 to determine the age of organic matter.

Around a decade ago, Cerling attended a presentation at the U by Sam Wasser of the University of Washington, who was studying the genetics of wildlife and using those tools to investigate the date and place of wildlife poaching. Cerling, recognizing that his expertise in isotope science might be able to add useful information, began an ongoing collaboration with Wasser.

In 2016, Cerling, Wasser and colleagues published a study that addressed a key question in the ivory trade: how old is the ivory seized by governments? Some traders have claimed their ivory is old, taken before 1976, and thus exempt from sales bans. And with the average size of ivory seizures more than 2.5 tons, researchers, governments and conservationists wonder how much of the ivory is recent and how much is coming from criminal stockpilesor is stolen from one of several ivory stockpiles held by the governments of some countries in Africa.

"Governments keep their stockpiles for multiple reasons," Wasser says. "They hope to sell the ivory for revenue, sometimes to support conservation efforts. However, they can only sell ivory from elephants that died of natural causes or were culled because they were problem animals. They can't sell seized ivory because they don't know it came from the country."

With the combination of Cerling's isotope data and Wasser's genetic data, the 2016 study found that more than 90% of seized ivory was from elephants that had been killed less than three years before. It was a sobering result, showing active and well-developed poaching and export networks. The study seemed to show that little ivory from government stockpiles had ended up on the black market.

Marked tusks

But the 2019 seizure of ivory in Uganda showed something concerning. Some of the tusks sported markings that looked suspiciously like the markings that CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, uses to inventory stockpiled ivory.

"Due to the markings seen on some samples of the ivory," Cerling says, "it was thought that quite a few samples in this shipment could be related to material held in a government stockpile in Burundi. We were asked to date samples from this, and three other recent ivory seizures, to see if some samples could possibly be from older stockpiles."

To determine the ivory's age, the researchers collected small samples from the tusks and analyzed them for the amount of carbon-14 isotopes in each sample. They were looking specifically for the amount of "bomb carbon" in the tusks. Between 1945 and 1963, nuclear weapons testing doubled the amount of carbon-14 in the atmosphere, so anything living that's consumed carbon since thenincluding youhas a measurable carbon-14 signature. The amount of carbon-14 in a sample of ivory that hasn't yet radioactively decayed can tell scientists when the ivory stopped growing, or when the elephant died.

The method takes some calibration, using samples from organisms living in the same area. Some of the samples came from schoolchildren in Kenya, through a program called "Kids and Goats for Elephants." Because most families in rural Kenya keep goats the program, run by Cerling and Paula Kahumbu of WildlifeDirect engages children in collecting hair samples from goats for isotopic analysis. The isotope data is useful for many applications, including fighting elephant poaching and, in this case, calibrating the bomb carbon decay rate for more accurate dating of ivory.

A consequential result

The researchers analyzed ivory from four seizures in Angola, Hong Kong, Singapore and Uganda. Genetic data ensured that they weren't sampling two tusks from the same individual. The results of analysis from the Angola, Hong Kong and Singapore seizures were as expectedthe samples were mostly around three years after the death of the elephant, with no tusks having been taken more than 10 years previous.

But the Uganda seizure, with the inventory markings on the tusks, showed something very different. Nine of the 11 tusks tested had been taken more than 30 years before, with the dates of death ranging between 1985 and 1988. Those dates are consistent with the age of ivory in the stockpile of the government of Burundi, which was inventoried and stored in sealed containers in 1989.

"My suspicions were affirmed," Wasser says. "The bigger surprise was how near to 1989 the elephants were killed." At the time Burundi assembled its stockpile, a condition of joining CITES, which assists governments in managing ivory reserves, was that the ivory to be stockpiled was old. The results suggest that that wasn't the case, Wasser says, which would have violated conditions for Burundi to join CITES.

"The hope is that CITES will request the stockpile to be re-inventoried," Wasser says, "including aging randomly selected tusks and secure the remaining stocks."
Scientists are looking to address untested hypotheses into the origin of psychedelic compounds in fungi. Credit: University of Plymouth

Psychedelic compounds found in "magic mushrooms" are increasingly being recognized for their potential to treat health conditions such as depression, anxiety, compulsive disorders and addiction.

However, very little is known about how such compounds have evolved and what role they play in the natural world.

To address that, scientists from the University of Plymouth are conducting a first-of-its-kind study using advanced genetic methods and behavioral experiments to address previously untested hypotheses into the origin of psychedelic compounds in fungi.

This includes exploring whether such traits have evolved as a form of defense against fungus-feeding invertebrates, or whether the fungi produce compounds that manipulate insect behavior for their own advantage.

The project will particularly focus on psilocybin, commonly found in so-called "magic mushrooms." In chemical terms, it is very similar to serotonin, which is involved in the sending of information between nerve cells in animals.

The researchers are sampling psychedelic and non-psychedelic fungi, and using next-generation DNA sequencing to test whether or not there is a diverse animal community feeding on psychedelic fungi.

They are also using laboratory tests to investigate fungal-insect interactions, and whether the fungi undergo genetic changes during attack and development. They will also investigate the effect of psilocybin on the growth of soil bacteria.

The research will also involve using cutting-edge gene editing technology to try and create mutant fungi that cannot synthesize psilocybin. It is hoped this will help researchers better understand the role of a wide range of fungal compounds in future.

The study is being led by a team of experienced researchers in molecular ecology, animal-plant interactions and fungal biology in the University's School of Biological and Marine Sciences. Driving the study are Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Dr. Kirsty Matthews Nicholass and Research Assistant Ms. Ilona Flis.

Dr. Jon Ellis, lecturer in conservation genetics, is supervising the study. He said, "In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic compounds from a human health perspective. However, almost nothing is known about the evolution of these compounds in nature and why fungi should contain neurotransmitter-like compounds is unresolved.

"The hypotheses that have been suggested for their evolution have never been formally tested, and that is what makes our project so ambitious and novel. It could also in future lead to exciting future discoveries, as the development of novel compounds that could be used as fungicides, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and antibiotics is likely to arise from 'blue-sky' research investigating fungal defense."

Dr. Kirsty Matthews Nicholass said, "Within Psilocybe alone, there are close to 150 hallucinogenic species distributed across all continents except Antarctica. Yet, the fungal species in which these 'magic' compounds occur are not always closely related. This raises interesting questions regarding the ecological pressures that may be acting to maintain the biosynthesis pathway for psilocybin."

The researchers have sampled psychedelic and non-psychedelic fungi from the wild to explore a range of currently untested hypotheses. Credit: University of Plymouth

Researchers involved in this project have previously explored the genetic diversity among U.K. pollinators, the feeding preferences of slugs and snails, and developed an early warning system for plant disease.

The history of research into psychedelic compounds in nature

Dr. Jon Ellis says, "Fungi generally receive less attention overall than animals and plants, partly because they are less apparent, people interact with them less and they can be hard to study. Historically, there have also been legal barriers which meant certain research has not previously been possible. Saying that, there were some very interesting studies in the 1940s and 50s into the use of LSD as a psychotherapeutic treatment for alcoholism and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Around that time, people also became interested in fungi from an anthropological perspective.

"One couple, the Wassons, went to Mexico and witnessed the ritual use of fungi for the first time in religious ceremonies. Articles they published brought public attention to psychoactive mushrooms. Around this time, there were also other charismatic individuals, such as Timothy Leary, who advocated the use of LSD more widely by the general public. In the 1960s, psychedelic compounds really came to widespread public attention and that ultimately led to governments introducing new laws to restrict their use.

"For some time, that also restricted the fundamental research that could be carried out. More recently, people have returned to that initial research and found that compounds such as psilocybin can have psychotherapeutic benefits. However, that has not addressed their evolution in nature, which is what makes the research we are doing so exciting.

"I hope our project can change the public perception of magic mushrooms. But beyond that, asking questions about the biological world is a fundamental part of our human nature and this project fits into a long narrative of research asking questions about biodiversity and its evolution."
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Nigeria is experiencing its worst flooding in over a decade. Over 1.4 million people have been displaced, 500 have been reported dead and thousands have been injured.

Flooding isn't a new challenge in Nigeriait's one of the country's most prevalent natural disasters. During the rainy seasons, from March to July and mid August to mid October in the south, and July to October in the north, major rivers often burst their banks. Dams burst too. This causes flooding in numerous Nigerian states, among them Delta, Kogi, Anambra, Bayelsa, Adamawa and Niger.

Various experts have written for The Conversation Africa on Nigeria's flooding challenge and steps needed to alleviate their worst effects.

Here we share three insightful reads.

Environment researcher Adaku Jane Echendu explains thatunlike some natural disastersfloods due to rainfall can be controlled with proper planning and infrastructure.

She reveals that the main drivers of Nigeria's include poor, or non-existent, drainage systems, poor waste management, unregulated urban expansion and the lax implementation of laws.

Floods can be particularly devastating in Nigeria's cities, causing the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. In a study of Lagos and Port Harcourt, disaster risk reduction and resilience specialist Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola found that a variety of factors make cities vulnerable. These include institutional failures, inadequate infrastructure and a lack of disaster education.

Okunola outlines what cities must do to better cope with the risk of floods. Key to this is the need for government, non-governmental agencies, community-based organizations and residents to join forces and prepare for floods, reducing their impact.

Flooding may seem to be an inevitable reality for Nigeria. But, argues water management expert Nelson Odume, risks can be minimized in a variety of ways. The most significant of these is coordinated spatial planning. This involves bringing urban planners and environmental practitioners together to organize the distribution of people and activities in a space.

He outlines the steps Nigeria needs to take to deal with flooding. These include installing gauging stations, developing suitable models for hydrological predictions, and collecting data that will enable accurate flood forecasting.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Villagers with their belongings cross a flooded area on a boat, in Dadu, a district of southern Sindh province, Pakistan, Sept. 23, 2022. The devastation wreaked by floods in Pakistan this summer has intensified the debate over a question of climate justice: Do rich countries whose emissions are the main cause of climate change owe compensation to poor countries hit by climate change-fueled disasters? Credit: AP Photo/Fareed Khan

More than half of the flood victims in Pakistan's worst-hit Sindh province have returned to their homes over the past three weeks as the waters there gradually receded, officials said Monday.

The announcement came as Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the district of Jaccobabad in Sindh, from where he traveled to the city of Sohbatput in another flood-stricken province, Baluchistan, his office said.

Floodwaters are gradually receding in both provinces and elsewhere in Pakistan, engulfed since mid-June in unprecedented monsoon rains and floods that have killed 1,719 people in the impoverished South Asian country. At one point in August, more than half a million people were living in tents across Pakistan.

The disaster management agency in Sindh said currently a little over 200,000 people are living in relief camps in the province, where the floods have affected 12 million people and killed 780.

The Indus River, which caused much of the devastations in Sindh, is now at normal levels, though authorities say it will take another two months to completely drain the water.

In Sohbatput, the prime minister urged irrigation experts and engineering crews to ensure that floodwater is drained as soon as possible so that people can return to a normal life. Sharif also expressed concerns about the spread of waterborne diseases.

Local authorities should provide free-of-cost seeds to farmers to help with winter crops, Sharif said and promised his government would financially help people rebuild the homes they lost in the floods. Later, Sharif visited a medical camp and a learning center set up for children in the city.

Waterborne diseases and skin infections are spreading in Sindh, where doctors have treated 30,000 people over the past 24 hours, the provincial health department said Monday.

Nationwide, the floods have affected 33 million people, damaged over 2 million homes, washed away thousands of kilometers of roads and destroyed 435 bridges. The overall fatalities have included 641 children and 345 women.

Several economists and government officials have said the cost of the disaster may reach $32 billion.

The United Nations humanitarian agency said over the weekend that 7 million women and children and women require immediate access to food and that around 5.5 million people have no access to safe drinking water. Around 8.2 million people in flood-affected areas needed urgent health services, OCHA said.

The U.N. in early October raised its call for $160 million to $816 million to help with the crisis.

For his part, Sharif has repeatedly asked developed countriesnations that experts say have impacted climate change the mostto scale up aid to his impoverished Islamic nation, where authorities say flood survivors will face a harsh winter this December.

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
 Flash

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened on Sunday.

The central committees of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) have respectively sent their congratulations to the CPC Central Committee on the successful convening of the meeting.

Calling the week-long congress a landmark event, the four parties spoke highly of China's achievements over the past decade under the leadership of the CPC, and expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with the CPC in the future.

Landmark event

The WPK Central Committee extended warm congratulations to the 20th CPC National Congress.

The 20th CPC National Congress is a political event of milestone significance in a new 100-year journey of the Chinese people, the WPK Central Committee said, adding that it firmly believes that this congress will be historic.

The CPV Central Committee also hailed the 20th CPC National Congress as an important event of historic and milestone significance for the party and in the political life of the Chinese people.

It expressed the firm belief that the congress will set the course for China to basically realize socialist modernization by 2035 and build it into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful in the middle of this century.

Historic achievements

The WPK Central Committee said that the CPC has united and led the Chinese people in striving for building a modern socialist country, and has achieved remarkable results.

Over the past decade, the CPC has comprehensively strengthened party building and led the Chinese people in their vigorous struggle for sustainable development and prosperity of the country and for safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the WPK Central Committee said, noting that China's comprehensive national strength and international status have been improved unprecedentedly.

The CPV Central Committee said it is glad to see that since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the CPC has led the Chinese people in making great achievements in various fields, completing on schedule the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics into a new era.

Under the strong leadership of the CPC, the brotherly Chinese people have made remarkable achievements in building socialism with Chinese characteristics, said the LPRP Central Committee.

In particular, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the Chinese people in making new leapfrog development, successfully achieving the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and historically resolving the problem of absolute poverty, it said, adding that China's international status has been on the rise.

These historic achievements have provided valuable experience and set a successful example for other developing countries, including Laos, and have also made major contributions to the cause of global development, it said.

The PCC Central Committee said that the CPC has led the Chinese people in defending national sovereignty, independence and unity, building socialism, developing the country's economy and consolidating China's role in ensuring global stability and balance.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC, under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, has turned China into a global leader of innovation, it said, noting that China has pursued an active foreign policy and put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, which are widely commended.

Closer bonds

The WPK Central Committee said the party stands ready to work with the CPC to further consolidate their bonds, and make sure that the vitality of their bonds is given more powerful demonstration in all spheres of bilateral relations.

Vietnam and China are two friendly neighbours, the CPV Central Committee said.

The CPV has always attached importance to its ties with China and is ready to work with the CPC, state and people of China to continuously consolidate and promote the Vietnam-China good-neighborly friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new stage of development, it added.

The LPRP, the Lao government and the Lao people of all ethnic groups cherish the traditional friendship between Laos and China, and are willing to work with the CPC, the Chinese government and people to continuously consolidate and develop the Laos-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and continuously deepen and solidify the building of the Laos-China community with a shared future, so as to better benefit the two countries and their people, and to make greater contributions to regional and global peace, cooperation and development, the LPRP Central Committee said.

The PCC reiterated its firm position of upholding the one-China principle and said that it firmly opposes any attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs.
Near-Earth Asteroid Surveillance Constellation in the Sun-Venus Three-Body System. Credit: Space: Science & Technology

An enormous number of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) orbit around the sun, and among them, 2,072 NEAs are recorded in the Minor Planet Center (MPC) database as potential hazardous near-Earth asteroids (PHAs). These PHAs frequently make close approaches to Earth's orbit, and therefore, the hazard caused by PHAs is still a very real and ever-present threat. Faced with potential threats of PHA impacts, asteroid defense has been discussed with growing interest. Monitoring for and early warning about those PHAs is the premise of planetary defense.

In a research paper recently published in Space: Science & Technology, Xiangyu Li, from the School of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, and co-authors propose the novel concept of a surveillance constellation of heterogeneous wide-field near-Earth asteroid (NEA) surveyors (CROWN), in which six space-based surveyors would be loosely deployed in Venus-like orbits to detect the NEAs along the direction of the sunlight.

The authors discuss the concept and overall design of the NEA surveillance constellation. Generally, an asteroid defense system should obey the circle of OODA, which includes observation, orientation, decision, and action.

The proposed CROWN would be a key part of the asteroid defense system, which would be mainly responsible for observation and orientation, i.e., the detection and early warning of the PHAs and tracking and orbit determination (OD) of the target. The surveillance constellation would contain a mother ship and six daughter surveyors (space-based optical telescopes).

The mother ship would provide the maneuverability required for transfer and deployment. Six daughter surveyors would be loosely deployed on Venus-like orbits, and would be equipped with the telescopes pointing backward to the sun to detect NEAs approaching from the sun's direction.

Moreover, the methods and aspects for evaluating the performance of the proposed CROWN are presented. In general, the performance of a surveillance constellation can be evaluated in aspects of the constellation, the surveyor, and the payload. For each aspect, both the ability and the cost are considered.

For the constellation, the abilities include the surveillance convergence and the OD performance. The costs of the constellation would contain the energy required for transfer, deployment, and maintenance. The performance of a single surveyor could be evaluated by the life-circle costs and the relatively favorable cost/benefit ratios. The performance indexes of the payload include the sensitivity, accuracy, power consumption, and the price.

In closing, the authors introduce the overall mission of the CROWN, which includes four stages.

More information: Xingyu Zhou et al, Near-Earth Asteroid Surveillance Constellation in the Sun-Venus Three-Body System, Space: Science & Technology (2022). DOI: 10.34133/2022/9864937

Provided by Beijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd
Chemical vapor deposition of molybdenum disulfide on a well-isolated boron nitride nanotube creates a coaxial nanotube structure. Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan University

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have used a surfactant to disperse insulating boron nitride nanotubes and coat them onto surfaces without bundling. The team demonstrated that heat treatment could remove the surfactant to reveal clean nanoscale templates; chemical vapor deposition could then form coaxial nanotubes on the template using a range of materials. The ability to coat nanotubes onto "inert" insulating structures gives scientists unprecedented access to the properties of new nanotube materials.

Breakthroughs in nanotechnology have made nanotubes and nanosheets easier to come by for materials scientists. But studying them in isolation is far from easy. Because they often come bundled or aggregated, it's tricky to target the exotic optical and electronic properties that come from their reduced dimensionality.

Recent work showed that nanotube materials could be grown on the surface of a carbon nanotube, providing well-separated structures that could potentially be characterized. But carbon nanotubes have conducting properties and strongly absorb light, making it difficult to tell apart the electrical and optical properties of the coated material from those of the original nanotube.

Now, a team led by Assistant Professor Yusuke Nakanishi, Assistant Professor Yohei Yomogida, and Associate Professor Yasumitsu Miyata from Tokyo Metropolitan University has used insulating boron nitride (BN) nanotubes instead as templates for growing nanotubes. This is no mean task: boron nitride nanotubes are notoriously sticky. Though they can be dispersed with a surfactant which helps keeps the tubes apart, it was not clear whether the surfactant could be removed to reveal a clean template. Now, the team has successfully found a surfactant that does not stick to the tubes; they also honed a heat treatment under vacuum which leaves clean, well-isolated insulating nanotube templates.

(a) Boron nitride nanotubes tend to come in bundles, but they can be dispersed using a surfactant. (b) Solid (left) and dispersed (right) boron nitride nanotubes. (c) Different network structures formed by boron nitride nanotubes by themselves (left) and with a surfactant (right). Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan University

Carbon nanotubes have metallic or semiconducting properties, and strongly block light used to probe the properties of materials. On the other hand, boron nitride nanotubes are insulating and transparent, letting light signals get through. Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan University

Using chemical vapor deposition, a range of materials could be coated onto the templates. The new tube wraps around the original BN tubes, forming something that looks like a nanoscale coaxial cable. Importantly, since BN is an insulating material, the electrical properties of any materials coated can be studied in unprecedented depth. This includes a property known as chirality, the "handedness" in the structure of the atoms in the nanotube which gives rise to a whole range of exotic electronic properties.

In principle, the team believes that their "nano-test-tubes" can be used to template the growth of a whole range of different materials. They've already succeeded with molybdenum disulfide and carbon, with scope for many more. Add to this the optical and electrical inertness of their BN template, and their new platform promises not only material discovery, but also unfettered access to their exotic physicochemical properties. Their research is published in ACS Nano.

More information: Shinpei Furusawa et al, Surfactant-Assisted Isolation of Small-Diameter Boron-Nitride Nanotubes for Molding One-Dimensional van der Waals Heterostructures, ACS Nano (2022). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06067 Journal information: ACS Nano

Provided by Tokyo Metropolitan University
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The floods ravaging Victoria have destroyed hundreds of homes and left at least one person dead. Some rivers are not expected to peak until Monday and more wet weather may leave towns battling floodwaters again in the coming weeks.

We've been researching the experiences of people who survived floods in Queensland and New South Wales this year. Our initial findings offer insights as Victoria now suffers its own flood disaster.

The current crisis is far from over. Those affected will be feeling confused and overwhelmed. Well-meaning helpers are likely to rush in, and recovery agencies will be mobilizing.

In the difficult weeks and months ahead, here's what Victorian flood survivors will be going thoughand how best to help.

'Just one step in front of the other'

Our study involves researchers from Macquarie University, University of Southern Queensland and Queensland University of Technology, and is funded by Natural Hazards Research Australia.

Since late August this year, we've interviewed more than 200 flood survivors from about 40 communities.

Our research area stretches from the Queensland town of Maryborough down to Sydney's Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, taking in communities west of Brisbane as well as those in the Northern Rivers area around Lismore.

Some flood survivors we interviewed in September and October had experienced three or four floods this yearand lost everything multiple times.

Almost eight months after the worst of the floods, many are not back in their homes. Some have returned but don't have electricity or water, and only have one or two habitable rooms in what is otherwise a shell of a house.

People were worn down by the multiple floods and getting back on their feet each time. They'd faced difficulties getting help from recovery organizations, and dreaded another summer the same as the last.

As one flood-affected resident said:

"It's just one step in front of the other, because what else can we do?"

Another participant expressed frustration with the recovery efforts of their local council:

"This isn't their first rodeo. What the **** are they doing?"

Some of the worst affected people lived in properties that had never flooded before. Some didn't act to protect their belongings because their homes were built above all previous flood levels. But their homes were inundated to the ceilings, and they lost everything.

An avalanche of decisions

Having disorganized thoughts is a normal response to stress and trauma. We spoke to many flood survivors who felt as if their brains were "scrambled" during and after the disaster.

Many said it had led to poor decision-making that left them facing a more complex and protracted recovery. For example, some who chose to delay evacuation faced trauma that could have been avoided, such as the loss of pets. Others regretted decisions made during the clean up.

Some people had the added stress of having to decide if they must permanently leave their homesbecause, for example, it is built on a floodplain or is too damaged to repair. This additional emotional strain was also experienced by survivors of Victoria's Black Saturday bushfires.

Cleaning up after the floods has been fraught. Many people didn't take photos of their damaged houses before they were stripped outand are now struggling to prove to their insurance company how badly their house was affected.

Wonderful people helped with the flood clean-upbut in some cases, it meant everything happened too fast. Precious damaged items that might have been cleaned or repairedsuch as photos or a grandfather's timber chairwere instead chucked out.

The many questions from those offering help were overwhelming: what do you need? What can we do? We found in the first few weeks, survivors generally had capacity to answer only very specific questions involving a "yes" or "no" answer: would you like lunch? Can I clean out the chook house? Can I get you a trailer or generator?

Tracking down help was a grind. Every call seemed not to reach the right person to talk to, and ended in a promise that the person would call them back. Frequently, they didn't.

Some people felt insurance companies were dragging the chain, preventing them from rebuilding or relocating. Others with properties that had never flooded never thought they needed insuranceand their homes may now be un-insurable.

Local communities stepped up to carry survivors through the initial clean-up and recoverya common experience after disasters.

But once the urgent work is done, volunteers usually return to their families, lives and jobs. For survivors, the feeling of being forgotten can be overwhelmingespecially for those who live alone, or those struggling to access mental health services.

Our in-depth interviews with flood survivors will inform the next phase of the research, an online survey opening later this month. Anyone interested in contributing can contact us here.

Many themes we identified in our research so far also emerged after the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009. The journey of recovery from that tragedy is still underway.

The age of disasters

As we write, floodwaters in parts of Victoria continue to rise. Elsewhere the water is receding, but flooding is expected to persist for days yet.

We were saddened by the hundreds of conversations with flood survivors this year. But we also have huge admiration for people's determination to pick themselves up.

And despite the devastation they'd experienced, most interviewees found silver linings. Some found renewed faith in their neighbors, friends and towns. Others were committed to being less attached to things, to helping their community when they can, or to be more responsive to family and friends.

Our research is too recent to provide tangible help to Victoria's flood survivors. But we hope it will help in future as Australians recover from floods and other disasters.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Skeleton showing effects of leprosy, from a medieval Danish leprosy cemetery, reputedly c.1350. Credit: Science Museum A635011/Wikipedia

As long as humans have been around, there have been pathogens to make us sick. Some have achieved infamy in human historythe bubonic plague, for example, or smallpoxand with modern technologies, scientists can time-travel to find out what the bugs that caused these illnesses were like, and how they have evolved. With a bit of luck, and the correct alignment of environmental factors, the genomes of pathogens from time gone by can be sequenced from well-preserved samples. By comparing these genomes to those of present-day pathogens, scientists can understand more about how pathogens have evolved and adapted throughout history.

Reconstructing ancient genomes is not easy, and has only become possible in the last few decades, thanks to advances in molecular techniques such as high throughput DNA sequencing. One central hurdle is the damage that DNA accumulates over hundreds of years. Time and exposure to the elements can fragment the DNA and lead to changes in the nucleobases that make up the molecule, which can, in turn, modify the sequence itself. However, there is great variation in the conditions that ancient bodies experience, meaning that in some cases, even very old samples can be relatively well-preserved.

When Mycobacterium leprae comes to town

One of the earliest documented diseases, leprosy, and its causative agent Mycobacterium leprae, are well-studied when it comes to ancient DNA. Though the disease became less common in Europe after the 16th century, it is still endemic around the globe, with almost 128,000 new cases reported in 2020. Back in 2013, researchers analyzed M. leprae DNA from British, Danish and Swedish skeletons dating back to Medieval times, and found that the sequences were remarkably similar to those from modern strains. The gene ML0411 has experienced the most change, perhaps in an effort by M. leprae to evade immune responses, as ML0411 codes for a surface antigen that our immune system can use to recognize the pathogen.

Mycobacterium leprae (pink), pictured here in sputum, has caused leprosy in humans since at least 2000 BCE. Credit: Chaurasiya A.K./Wikipedia

By comparing ancient and modern DNA sequences, the researchers could also glean some insight into why leprosy suddenly declined in Europe during the 16th century. In a 2018 study of 10 ancient M. leprae genomes from Britain, they suggest that a loss of virulencea pathogen's ability to cause diseasewas probably not to blame, as the ancient and modern strains are so genetically similar, with the latter still being capable of causing disease. Instead, external factors such as improvements in hygiene practices following other pandemics of the time, such as cholera and tuberculosis, may have contributed to the decline, as M. leprae is primarily spread via droplets over recurrent, close contact.

In another study from 2021, researchers paid special attention to understudied regions within Europe and analyzed DNA from 11 more ancient M. leprae genomes. They analyzed several samples from a leprosarium, where infected individuals were confined, in Barcelona. There they found a menagerie of M. leprae strains, suggesting that beyond serving local populations, the leprosaria also welcomed individuals from abroad, carrying different strains of M. leprae. This also raised questions about the importance of migration in spreading the disease.

Using bioinformatics approaches, the researchers were able to link historical expansions in M. leprae populations to significant events in human history, showcasing the power of human movement and connectivity in influencing infectious disease dynamics. For example, the ongoing expansion of the Roman Empire co-occurred with an M. leprae population boom around 250 AD. The researchers hypothesized that, as humans migrated, they could have introduced M. leprae to previously unexposed populations, who may have been more susceptible to the disease. This would explain the increase in disease incidence, as M. leprae may have had a relatively easy time infecting humans with no prior exposure.

The mysterious cocoliztli epidemic caused massive population declines in what is now Mexico. Credit: Acuna-Soto R. et al./Wikimedia

New answers to old questions

Besides shedding light on pathogen evolution, sequencing ancient DNA can also help to clarify the pathogens responsible for mass mortality events where other historical evidence is scarce. For example, the cause of cocoliztli, an epidemic that affected large parts of what is now southern Mexico between 1545 and 1550, remained a mystery for over 500 years. The descriptions of symptoms that have survived are non-specific, including vomiting and red spots on the skin, making it difficult to infer what could have caused the epidemic.

However, in 2018 a team of researchers identified Salmonella enterica Paratyphi C, a bacterium that causes potentially lethal enteric fever, in the teeth of 10 bodies excavated from the only confirmed cocoliztli-era cemetery in Mexico. Using state-of-the-art analysis tools to search for ancient pathogen DNA, the researchers could provide evidence that S. Paratyphi C was circulating at the time of the epidemic, and may have caused, or at least contributed to, the catastrophic population declines associated with cocoliztli.

While the identity of the bacterium was resolved, its origins still remain murky. Given the devastation that cocoliztli caused, a leading hypothesis is that it was introduced by Europeans to indigenous Mesoamerican populations without pre-existing immunity. A S. Paratyphi C genome has also been found in the remains of a Norwegian woman, who died in 1200, showing that the bacterium was present in Europe before contact was made with indigenous populations in Mesoamerica. However, the researchers could not be certain of from where the S. Paratyphi C they detected had come.

Mechanism of a type 6 secretion system (T6SS) that bacteria such as Escherichia coli can use to directly inject proteins into neighboring cells. Credit: Corbitt J. et al./Journal of Bacteriology, 2018

Potential pathogens hiding in plain sight

While historically infamous and important, not all targets of ancient genome reconstruction are nasty pathogens. Earlier this year, a team of researchers working in Canada, Italy, Australia and France reconstructed a 16th-century Escherichia coli genome from the mummified gallstone of an Italian nobleman. What was special about this bug, though, is that it was not responsible for large-scale mortality events, like the bubonic plague or cocoliztli. Instead, it made its living as an opportunistic pathogenone that strikes only when its host is already weakened.

These kinds of pathogens can be harder to identify because of what the authors of the study call "burden of authentication," as they could also have been introduced as exogenous contaminants from the environment, or during excavation and sample processing. In these cases, DNA damage can actually be helpful, as scientists can differentiate ancient genomes from potential modern contaminants by looking for tell-tale molecular signatures. These include degradation at the ends of DNA fragments, whereby the nucleobases making up DNA lose key functional groups, changing their chemical structure.

The ancient E. coli genome included virulence genes, which contribute to its ability to cause disease. For example, several copies of genes encoding type VI secretion system (T6SS), which lets bacteria directly inject proteins such as toxins into their neighbors, point to possible exchange of these genes with other bacteria. Indeed, the T6SS gene cassette appeared to have been acquired from Klebsiella aerogenes, a fellow opportunistic bacterium that co-occurs with E. coli in certain types of infections. However, most virulence genes that the researchers identified are also carried by E. coli K12, the harmless laboratory workhorse strain. Moreover, when the researchers used a strain with a genome similar to the ancient reconstruction, they found that it could not successfully infect mice. Altogether, these pieces of evidence support this strain's primary role as a commensal bacterium that only turns pathogenic if the opportunity presents itself.

Learning from pathogens of days past

The fossils of the microbial world, the genomes of ancient pathogens, can tell us much about the past, and present, of how microbes make us sick. Molecular evidence, combined with information from other branches of research, including archaeology and history, can help us better understand both the evolution and epidemiology of past infections. As technological advances in DNA sequencing and analysis are made, the window of opportunity for sequencing and learning from all kinds of ancient DNA widens.
U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, had eight times as much on hand in his campaign fund as Republican challenger Liz Lemery Joy, heading into the final full month of the campaign for the seat representing the 20th Congressional District, which includes all of Saratoga, Schenectady and Albany counties and a portion of Rensselaer County.

Tonko had $996,034 in his campaign fund as of Sept. 30, and Joy, a former blogger and speaker from Schenectady, had $123,660 on hand, with $11,276 in unpaid bills, according to reports the two campaigns filed separately with the Federal Election Commission.

Tonko raised $234,526 during the third quarter, including $16,710 in so-called small dollar contributions of less than $200 per contributor, often seen as an indicator of grassroots support.

Joy raised $206,014 during the third quarter, including $35,819 in small-dollar contributions.

Tonko spent $466,418 on his campaign in the third quarter.

Joy spent $328,415 on her campaign in the third quarter.

In other regional political news:

Textile bill signed

State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, announced on Friday that Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation Woerner spearheaded to stimulate the textile industry.

This law recognizes the positive economic and environmental impacts and the limitless potential of the animal and plant fiber textile industry, Woerner said in a news release.

Now that the legislation is signed, Woerner will begin working with the state Department of Agriculture to establish a new state Textile Council, a state panel of experts to advise the department on industry issues.

The council is among several provisions in the legislation, which has no fiscal impact because it does not establish any new state spending. It merely revises language of existing laws or parameters of existing economic development programs to incorporate the textile industry.

Conservative Party scorecard

State Sen. James Tedisco, R- Glenville, received a 100%, the top score possible, on a new legislative scorecard that the New York Conservative Party released on Thursday.

The scorecard is based on votes of legislators during 2021 and 2022.

Tedisco is running in the 44th Senate District against Democratic challenger Michelle Ostrelich, a Schenectady County legislator from Niskayuna.

Sen. Daphne Jordan, R-Halfmoon, who is not seeking reelection, also received a 100% score.

Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, received a 96% score.

Stec voted in favor of legislation the Conservative Party opposed that requires notifying undocumented immigrants of the risk of deportation if they plead guilty to crimes.

The legislation passed by a vote of 50-12.

In the Assembly, Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, received a 36% score, and Jake Ashby, R-Castleton, and Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, each received 88% scores.

Woerner is running in the 113th Assembly District against Republican challenger David Catalfamo, an economic development official and writer from Wilton.

Ashby is running for an open seat in the 43rd Senate District against Democrat Andrea Smyth, a longtime health care and family issues policy advocate from Troy.

Simpson is running unopposed in the 114th Assembly District.

Business Council endorsements

The political action committee of the Business Council of New York State, the states largest business organization, on Thursday announced endorsements of state Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, and Assemblyman Matt Simpson, R-Horicon.

Stec is running in the 45th Senate District against Democratic challenger Jean Lapper, a certified public accountant and financial adviser from Queensbury.

The Business Council did not endorse in the 43rd and 44th Senate District races.

Woerner is running in the 113th Assembly District against Republican challenger David Catalfamo, an economic development official and writer from Wilton.

Simpson is running unopposed in the 114th Assembly District.

Joy endorsements

Republican congressional candidate Liz Joy on Wednesday announced that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 97, endorsed her candidacy.

Her pro-nuclear and natural gas energy approach protects and promotes good-paying jobs in the 20th District and ensures reliable energy for consumers throughout the state, said union local President Michael Shelby in a news release.

Joy, a former blogger and speaker from Schenectady, is challenging Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, in the 20th Congressional District.

Castelli endorsement

Democratic congressional candidate Matt Castelli on Thursday announced that the New York League of Conservation voters endorsed his candidacy.

Matt Castelli has spent his life serving the interests of the United States and he understands that in order to protect our country we must also protect our environment, said Julie Tighe, the leagues president, in a news release.

Castelli, a former CIA counterterrorism official who lives in Glens Falls, is challenging U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, in the 21st Congressional District.

Stefanik endorsements

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, on Thursday announced that 70 elected officials from Rensselaer County endorsed her re-election bid.

On Friday, Stefanik announced that 51 elected officials from Otsego County endorsed her candidacy.

Stefanik is running in the 21st Congressional District against Democratic challenger Matt Castelli, a former CIA counterterrorism official who lives in Glens Falls.
MAYS LANDING  The trial of a Chambersburg, Pa., man in the 2014 strangling death of an Egg Harbor Township woman began Monday with jury selection.

The trial began before Superior Court Judge Dorothy M. Incarvito-Garrabrant at the Criminal Courts building here.

Timothy P. Wright, now 42, was indicted in 2019 on one count of murder in the death of Joyce Vanderhoff, 25. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Wright was living in Mays Landing at the time of the killing.

The naked body of Vanderhoff, 25, was found beside a wooded area in Hamilton Township along Weymouth Road on Feb. 14, 2014, authorities said at the time.

Medical examiners ruled her death a homicide by strangulation.

Hundreds of people attended Vanderhoff's funeral, and for years there was no movement on the case.

That changed in April 2019, when then Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner announced the arrest.

The investigation into the murder of Ms. Vanderhoff has never stopped since her death in February 2014. I want to credit the hard work and dogged determination of the detectives of the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office who pursued this matter," Tyner said in a press release then.

Tyner called the arrest, more than five years since the incident, "a message that the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office will never stop in its pursuit of justice for victims and their families."

Wright was arrested by Chambersburg police, extradited to New Jersey on May 8, 2019, and booked into the Atlantic County jail. He has been held since then, after a detention hearing later that month.
Wenbin Yu, professor in Purdue Universitys School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, will be the primary investigator on a project to create a computer tool to design tailorable composites and hybrid material systems for space applications. NASA has awarded commercial software provider AnalySwift LLC with a 13-month, $156,490 Phase I STTR contract for the research. (Photo provided by Wenbin Yu)

AnalySwift receives NASA contract to fund research at Purdue University and University of Texas at Arlington

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  For the second time in a year, commercial software provider AnalySwift LLC has received a contract from NASA to develop a design tool for tailorable composites and hybrid system materials.

The 13-month, $156,490 Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract is for the dedicated project Tool for Thermomechanical Design of Tailorable Composites and Hybrid System Materials. It will fund research to be conducted at AnalySwift, Purdue Universitys School of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the University of Texas at Arlington.

Allan Wood, AnalySwift CEO, said the company will have developed an efficient, high-fidelity computer tool at the end of the project. It will be capable of accurate, thermomechanical design of the materials beyond the traditional approaches for conventional composites.

This research will benefit NASA by exploiting the full potential of tailorable composites and hybrid material systems, he said. They can endow lightweight space structures with reduced thermal sensitivity while retaining their strength and stiffness. Applications of interest to NASA include lightweighting exploration vehicles, space habitats and other space hardware, as well as enabling challenging performance characteristics.

Wenbin Yu, professor in Purdues School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, said there are four challenges to designing tailorable composites and hybrid materials systems compared to conventional materials:

They have curved and/or discontinuous fibers whose orientation varies by location.

Their strength and stiffness vary by in-plane location.

Their location-dependent strength and stiffness couple structural design with material design.

They can be made through synergistic use of metallic alloys, short and/or continuous fiber reinforcements and a variety of matrices.

Wood said there are two main technical barriers to using tailorable composites and hybrid material systems to their full potential; both have to do with design tools.

First, most tools are based on a theory and rules that rely on assumptions applicable to conventional materials, he said. There is a need for advanced design models capable of accurately modeling tailorable composites and hybrid system materials without ad hoc assumptions.

Second, most works are aimed at solving simple problems involving idealistic structures, which result in special-purpose codes. There is a need for theories and codes that are ready to be integrated into third-party commercial codes like MSC Patran, NASTRAN and Abaqus for the design of real structures composed of these next-generation materials.

Yu will be the primary investigator in the research to create the new design tool. Liang Zhang of AnalySwift and Xin Liu of the University of Texas at Arlington will be co-investigators.

The final design tool will be broadly applicable to various NASA uses, including lightweight structures for antennas, landers, rovers and solar arrays; airframe technology like a hybrid/blended wing body; and highly fatigue- and damage-tolerant structures for vertical lift aircraft, Yu said. The STTR contract from NASA will bring us from ideation to a final, government-endorsed tool quicker than other contracts or investments would support.

AnalySwift licenses Purdue University intellectual property through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization.

About AnalySwift

AnalySwift LLC is a provider of composite simulation software, which enables an unprecedented combination of efficiency and accuracy, including multiphysics structural and micromechanics modeling. Drawing on cutting-edge university technology, AnalySwifts powerful solutions save orders of magnitude in computing time without a loss of accuracy so users can consider more design options and arrive at the best solution more quickly. The technologies deliver the accuracy of detailed 3D FEA at the efficiency of simple engineering models. SwiftComp is licensed from Purdue Research Foundation. VABS is licensed from Utah State University, Purdue Research Foundation, and Georgia Institute of Technology. Contact AnalySwift at info@analyswift.com.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.

About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization

The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the universitys academic activities through commercializing, licensing and protecting Purdue intellectual property. In fiscal year 2021, the office reported 159 deals finalized with 236 technologies signed, 394 disclosures received and 187 issued U.S. patents. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. In 2020, IPWatchdog Institute ranked Purdue third nationally in startup creation and in the top 20 for patents. The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Contact otcip@prf.org for more information.

Writer: Steve Martin, sgmartin@prf.org

Sources: Allan Wood, allanwood@analyswift.com

Wenbin Yu, wenbinyu@purdue.edu
During September, Northwestern Mutual Eastern Iowa partnered with 22 local Hy-Vees to host lemonade stands to raise funds for childhood cancer.

These stands occurred at Hy-Vees in the Cedar Rapids-Marion, Cedar Falls-Waterloo, Dubuque, Coralville, and Quad-Cities markets on varying Thursdays and Fridays in September, as it was childhood cancer awareness month. Together they raised $4,680.

All proceeds go toward nonprofit Alexs Lemonade Stand (ALSF) to help fund research, raise awareness, and support families affected by childhood cancer.

A lot of us have been touched by childhood cancer in some way through families, friends or clients, said Kalvin Grabau Keele, managing partner of Northwestern Mutual Eastern Iowa. ALSF has been a great opportunity for Northwestern Mutual team members to give back and make an impact on the lives in their community.
Since the Interstate 74 Bridge's pedestrian path opened in April, it has been used for walks, runs and bike rides.

Now the walkway has served as a setting for a perfect proposal  with the backdrop of the Mississippi River and an autumn sunset.

Milan resident John Hannah proposed to his girlfriend-now-fiancee, Nadia Shumber, on Oct. 8 on the bridge path. She had spent the day with her aunt, who suggested they take a walk on the bridge in the evening.

Hannah and members of his family were there to meet the pair at the halfway point of the path. There on the oculus, he got down on one knee.

Shumber figured a proposal was coming, given the pair had looked at rings. But the date, time and location were a complete surprise.

"The bridge is just so new, and it's what everybody is talking about," Shumber said. "It was really pretty, and it was just really thoughtful."

The couple met a decade ago at the Mississippi Valley Fair  Shumber came in from Pittsburgh to visit family, who were friends with Hannah's friends. For years the fair served as the backdrop of their friendship  until he asked her out three years ago, followed by her move to Iowa.

Hannah had been trying to plan the proposal since August, he said, but various setbacks kept him from popping the question. He wanted Shumber to be able to show off her ring the next time she sees family in Pennsylvania, so he picked the day and the place and hoped for good weather.

"I didn't want to do the traditional restaurant or stuff like that," he said. "If it's in a building somewhere, that building might not be there forever, but the bridge is always going to be there in my lifetime, our lifetimes."

Everything worked out perfectly for the proposal, though Hannah was nervous about it going smoothly after all the bumps in the road that led them to the bridge path. Friends and family reacted to the engagement announcement with a resounding "Finally!" he said.

Hannah joked that he even had a contingency plan in case things went south: He told Shumber after the proposal that if she had said no, he could have just made a quick escape into the Mississippi River.

But she said yes, and the bridge's role in their relationship will always be a part of the lifetime memory.

"I told her, if she's having a bad day, when she's crossing (the bridge) she can remember that day and be happy," Hannah said.
CHICAGO - An autopsy determined that an 87-year-old woman found dead at her South Side apartment was the victim of a deadly assault.

Mae Brown suffered multiple injuries from an assault and her Saturday death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiners office.

The victim was discovered unresponsive in her wheelchair inside her home in the Lincoln Perry senior apartments in the 3200 block of South Prairie Avenue around 3:40 p.m. Saturday, according to Chicago police.

Officers were alerted by a witness who was unable to get a hold of Brown, police said.

No arrests had been made in connection to Browns death, police said.

Chicago Tribunes Deanese Williams-Harris contributed.
 Flash

Five prosecutors were appointed to investigate an underground coal mine explosion that killed 41 workers in northern Turkiye, the country's Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said Sunday.

"I would like to express clearly to the public that this incident will be investigated and clarified in all its aspects. No matter how many questions there are, they will all be answered," he said.

Eleven others were injured and hospitalized in the explosion, which occurred 300 meters below ground on Friday at the Amasra Hard Coal Enterprise in Amasra town, state and local officials said.

If there is any negligence, fault, or deficiency, the law will do what is necessary, the Turkish minister emphasized.

Bozdag said it was not possible to detect evidence inside the mine at present as the cooling works have not yet been completed, but promised that all requirements of the investigation will be meticulously fulfilled in the next period.

Meanwhile, all the operations at the mine have been suspended until further notice and the teams continued to fight the fire in parts of the site, the Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez told reporters.

Initial findings indicate the blast was caused by firedamp, he said.
Richmond police have released the name of the woman shot and killed near Westover Hills Elementary School on Friday.

Imani Hill, 26, of Richmond was wounded after an altercation started outside the school, police said. Hill was taken in a personal vehicle to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The school went into lockdown shortly after police received a call at around 2:17 p.m.

A man also was hit in the head with a firearm during the confrontation, and a 17-year-old boy has been charged with malicious wounding, possession of a firearm by a juvenile and possession of a firearm on school grounds, police said.

No students or staff were hurt, and police said the school was not a target.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (804) 646-6996 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
A shooting Sunday afternoon in the 2500 block of Phaup Street wounded two men, one of whom suffered life-threatening injuries, Richmond police reported.

Both were taken to the hospital.

Police arrived at the scene, near Fairfield Court Elementary School and the Boys & Girls Clubs, in response to a call about a shooting at 2:08 p.m. Sunday.

Shortly afterward, another male with a gunshot wound arrived at a hospital. He brought himself there.

Detectives are in the initial stages of their investigation. No further details are available.

Police ask anyone with information about this shooting to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
Two students were taken to a hospital and several others were treated at the scene after a large fight broke out Monday morning at Highland Springs High School.

A school resource officer was assaulted while trying to de-escalate the brawl, police said.

Henrico County police officers and fire department paramedics responded to the school at 200 S. Airport Drive just after 9 a.m. after a Highland Springs school resource officer reported a fight.

Upon arrival, officers were informed there was an altercation between a handful of students that quickly escalated into a large fight. The school resource officer used pepper spray to de-escalate the situation, police said.

Updated: 10 wounded in weekend Richmond shootings A man found fatally shot Sunday evening in Shockoe Bottom was one of two people killed and 10 wounded in eight separate shootings over the weekend in Richmond.

Due to the deployment of the spray, several students were treated at the scene for side effects, while others left property.

Henrico fire paramedics transported two students to a hospital for additional treatment.

The school resource officer who was assaulted sustained minor injuries.

Police said the incident remains under investigation. Police are working with Henrico Public Schools to ensure all students remain in a safe learning environment.

Authorities said additional police officers would remain at the school for the remainder of the day.

In a message sent Monday morning to the families of Highland Springs High students, the schools principal, Kenneth White, wrote:

I am writing to let you know that our school is currently in a lock and teach following a fight between a group of students. Movement in hallways is restricted while administrators and first responders address the matter. As a precaution, students will see an increased police presence on our school campus as we work together to support orderly transitions during lunch and student dismissal.

Police encouraged anyone with information about the incident to call them at (804) 501-5000.

Tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or through the P3 Tips app. Both methods are anonymous.

Additionally, police said anyone with photos or videos of the incident can submit those at police@henrico.us.
Richmonds Planning Commission wants much of the second slice of federal COVID-19 relief funds to go for seven park and recreation projects.

Its recommendation for the $77.4 million last half of city funds from the American Rescue Plan Act includes two new projects: $2 million for the Texas Beach-North Bank Tower repair and $1 million for a bridge at the Crooked Branch Ravine.

The biggest projects it is recommending are $19 million each for existing work at the T.B. Smith Community Center on Ruffin Road and at Lucks Field.

Work on the Southside Community Center would get $8 million, while improvements at the Calhoun Center would get $7 million.

Purchase and development of the James River Branch trail, which will be a paved, shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians, extending from 49th Street to Hopkins Road, would get $4.5 million.

The commission, meanwhile, is asking the City Council to approve buying nearly 17 acres of CSX-owned land for the trail  basically a 1.8-mile-long corridor between Westover Hills Boulevard to the west and Hopkins Road to the east. It will use state transportation funds for this $4 million purchase.

All in all, this project will cost $13 million. The council has already slated $4.5 million for it out of the first half of the COVID relief money.

In addition to the parks and recreation capital projects, the Planning Commission proposes topping up the citys Affordable Housing Fund with $10 million.

Students pepper-sprayed, officer hurt in fight at Highland Springs High Two students were taken to a hospital and several others were treated at the scene after a large fight broke out Monday morning at Highland Sp

The commission also proposes adding $2.5 million to the new Health Equity Trust Fund, which funds programs aimed at improving health and quality of life in communities experiencing deep health disparities and the longstanding impacts of racism.

The equity funds support out of the $5 million of earlier COVID relief funds the city used to launch it includes programs to make sure homeless individuals get up-to-date vaccination and transitional housing and case management for people coming back to the city from prison who also have a history of addiction.

In addition, the commission recommends new COVID funds also include $1.5 million for the parks and recreation department to buy property for new parks.

The commission also recommends $1.2 million go to the Office of Sustainability to assess climate change risk, while the public works department would get $1.5 million to enhance street lighting, install cameras and to undertake various beautification projects.

Just under $200,000 will go to a COVID-19 reserve fund.

The commissions recommendations go to the City Council for its approval. The city would then have until December 2026 to spend all the money.
With less than 3 weeks until polls close, misinformation abounds on social media despite promises by tech companies to fix the problem. Here's what to know.
The Virginia Attorney Generals Office is planning to spend $2.6 million over the next two years to hire prosecutors as part of Operation Bold Blue Line  an anti-crime initiative Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday in Norfolk.

To accomplish this, the Attorney Generals Office has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the governors office and the Department of Criminal Justice Services to disburse $1.3 million each year for the next two years. The money would stem from the Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund  which DCJS administers. Miyares plan entails hiring about five or six prosecutors along with two or three group violence intervention coordinators.

State Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, said she is concerned that the Attorney Generals Office is tapping into the funding without going through an application process  which is outlined in the budget language that established the fund. The Department of Criminal Justice Services board is responsible for approving grants from the agency, such as the Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund.

Attorney General Jason Miyares said in an interview that his plan is another component of what the overall fund is seeking to achieve.

One component of this, in addition to the violence prevention programs, is getting dedicated prosecutors, he said.

He added that the additional prosecutors are for repeat violent offenders who are past the point of prevention.

Virginia law states that the funding shall be used solely for the purposes of implementing violent crime reduction strategies, providing training for law enforcement officers and prosecutors, providing equipment for law-enforcement agencies, and awarding grants to organizations such as state and local law-enforcement agencies, local attorneys for the Commonwealth, localities, social services providers, and nonprofit organizations that are engaged in group violence intervention efforts.

Its unclear if the memorandum of understanding is part of an application process to receive the funds, as the memo was presented Thursday at a Department of Criminal Justice Services board meeting and no action was taken on it. The DCJS has not yet responded to the question, nor has a spokesperson for the governor.

In a letter Monday to its director, McClellan formally asked the department if an application process has been established.

If this had gone or if it does go accordingly, [the Attorney Generals Office] would be one of other applicants who would be basically pleading their case saying, This is why we need this funding. Heres how were going to use it, McClellan said in an interview. Then the board would say, OK, were gonna pick one or more of these applications and say, here you go. 

Miyares did not directly answer if the memorandum of understanding is part of an application process to access the Operation Ceasefire funding, but he said plans are already in motion for the hires.

Theres broad discretion from the governors office, Miyares said. Were working on the logistical details, but weve already advertising and planning the hiring of these prosecutors, and were excited about that fact.

McClellan said the board for the Department of Criminal Justice Services can revisit the memo at its December meeting, at which she again intends to raise questions about an open application process if one has yet to have opened.

I think the board would be violating the law if they approve a grant that didnt follow the [application] process, McClellan said.
The Democratic incumbents in Virginias three hotly contested congressional contests had the financial advantage heading into the homestretch, but the three GOP challengers each raised more than $1 million in the third quarter, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Retired Navy Capt. Hung Cao, the GOP challenger in Northern Virginias 10th District, raised nearly $1.4 million in the third quarter, covering July 1 through Sept. 30, topping the $903,242 that Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-10th, raised in the reporting period. But Wexton had $3.13 million in cash on hand at the end of the quarter, to Caos $992,796.

Virginias three closely contested races could be key to GOP hopes of taking over the U.S. House in the Nov. 8 elections.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin is making a push via campaign appearances and PAC donations to help the three Republican challengers. State Sen. Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach, faces Rep. Elaine Luria, D-2nd. Yesli Vega is taking on Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, in another newly configured Northern Virginia district, and Cao is challenging Wexton in a district based in Loudoun and Prince William counties.

Luria, first elected in 2018, raised $2.87 million in the third quarter and had $3.02 million on hand at the end of the reporting period.

Kiggans, a state senator since 2020, raised $1,048,979 in the quarter and had $433,578 on hand as of Sept. 30.

Spanberger, also first elected in 2018, raised $2.21 million in the third quarter and had $851,852 on hand as of Sept. 30. Vega, a Prince William County supervisor and an auxiliary deputy in the Prince William Sheriffs Office, raised $1.55 million in the third quarter and had $422,594 on hand at the end of the reporting period.

The incumbents had a head start on their opponents in congressional fundraising as the challengers did not announce until this year.

Luria has brought in a total of nearly $8.8 million in the first 21 months of the election cycle, to about $2.62 million for Kiggans, according to VPAP.

Spanberger has raised about $7.8 million all told, to about $2.3 million for Vega.

Wexton has received $3.44 million in the 21 months, to $2.38 million for Cao.

In Richmond-area districts, the incumbents have big fundraising advantages.

In the 1st District, which now includes western Chesterfield and western Henrico counties, as well as part of Hanover County, Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, raised $360,851 in the third quarter and finished the reporting period with $912,029 on hand.

Wittmans Democratic challenger, Herb Jones, a military veteran and former New Kent County treasurer, raised $177,619 in the period and had $237,766 on hand as of Sept. 30. There was no file for David Foster, an independent candidate in the contest, according to VPAP.

In the 4th District, which includes the city of Richmond and eastern Chesterfield and Henrico counties, Rep. Don McEachin, D-4th, raised $117,005 in the third quarter and finished the period with $307,893 on hand.

His Republican opponent, minister Leon Benjamin, raised $78,972 in the period and had $10,634 on hand as of Sept. 30.

The 5th District now includes 13,000 voters in Hanover. Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, who has held the seat since 2021, raised $211,569 in the third quarter and had $316,671 on hand as of Sept. 30.

Goods Democratic challenger, minister Josh Throneburg, outraised Good in the quarter, taking in $275,040, but lagged Good in cash on hand, with $156,474.
Petersburg could support the operation of a casino, regardless of whether Richmond were to host one as well, a long-awaited legislative study concluded on Monday.

If both cities opened casinos in 2028, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found that the amount of tax revenues and new jobs would be lower in Petersburg than if Richmond did not open a casino in close competition. It also found that a Richmond casino would generate more gaming revenue and jobs than one in Petersburg.

However, two new casinos would boost state gaming revenues to $1.1 billion in 2028, including money from four other casino operations that voters in Bristol, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Danville already approved, the study found.

Those casinos would generate less revenue if Petersburg opens a gaming resort and even less if Richmond approves a casino after voters rejected a proposal last year.

JLARC staff deferred to lawmakers about the best course for the General Assembly to take when it convenes in January.

Its pretty obvious this is going to be a major issue in the upcoming session, said Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, chair of both JLARC and the Senate Finance and Appropriation Committee. Its likely to be a brawl.

Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, threw the first rhetorical punch. He already has filed legislation to make Petersburg the fifth casino location in Virginia and eliminate a potential rival site in Richmond.

We are not interested in two regional casinos, Morrissey said in a phone interview after attending the JLARC meeting. We want a destination resort in Petersburg. If there are two casinos 25 miles from each other, they would cannibalize each other.

The study found that a Petersburg casino could generate $204 million in gaming revenues by 2028, larger than the casino that has already opened in temporary quarters in Bristol and slightly larger than the Portsmouth operation scheduled to launch next year. It would generate $140 million if Richmond were to open a competing casino.

It also found that a Petersburg casino alone would generate almost $25 million in tax revenue  $12.3 million for the state and $12.2 million for the city, and create almost 1,300 jobs.

Those numbers assume a resort with 1,700 slot machines, 70 table games, a 300-room hotel, a 1,500-seat event center and restaurants for up to 600 diners.

The size of the Petersburg resort and casino operation would be smaller if Richmond were to open a rival resort, the study said, but the amount of additional state tax revenue from the two operations would be almost double, about $49 million. The increased state revenue from the two casinos would be partly offset by reduced revenues from the other four casinos.

The casino in Petersburg would be larger if there is no Richmond casino, said Tom Zitt, executive vice president of the Innovation Group, the states gaming consultant.

A Richmond casino would lower new local gaming tax revenues in Petersburg by almost $4 million and reduce the number of new jobs by about 300, the study estimates. Richmond would receive almost $15 million in new tax revenues if casinos opened in both cities.

The jobs are there and they need the jobs in Petersburg, Morrissey said. Its just another side dish for Richmond; for Petersburg, its the main entree.

However, the study found that a casino in Richmond would generate about $300 million and 2,000 jobs  almost $100 million more in revenue and 700 more jobs than one in Petersburg by itself.

The number one choice would be the city of Richmond, said 8th District City Councilwoman Reva Trammell, who strongly supported the previous proposal for a casino in her district.

In a statement on Monday, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said, Were pleased that the facts presented in the JLARC study reaffirm Richmond as the best choice for a Central Virginia casino.

We look forward to further discussion on this important economic development opportunity, which would provide well-paying jobs and much-needed revenue to address priorities, Stoney said.

Casinos in both cities would increase net gaming revenue from all operations by $389 million to more than $1.1 billion. State gaming tax revenues would rise from $103.5 million to $115.8 million with a casino only in Petersburg and to $130.1 million with an additional casino in Richmond. But those totals include reduced revenues at the other four casinos.

The General Assembly voted in 2020 to legalize casino gambling in five cities, including Richmond. Those include two cities, Norfolk and Portsmouth, on either side of the Elizabeth River in Hampton Roads.

I think that was wrong, Morrissey said. Youve got two casinos right across the river from each other.

Voters in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Danville and Bristol approved casino operations in 2020. Richmond voters narrowly rejected a $650 million casino resort proposed in South Richmond by Urban One and Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, which also owns Rosies Gaming Emporiums in five cities, including Richmond, and plans to open two additional locations.

Richmond had petitioned the court to hold a second referendum on the project this year, but withdrew it after Morrissey persuaded General Assembly budget negotiators to block a second vote until JLARC studied the viability of a casino in Petersburg.

The study estimates that all four casinos would generate about $55 million less if Petersburg were to open a casino. The losses would rise to $91 million if Richmond also were to open a casino, although the 2020 legislation that legalized casino gaming accounted for a casino there.

JLARC also found that a Petersburg casino would reduce revenue from historical horse racing operations by $46 million, which would rise to $105 million if Richmond also opened a casino. State tax revenue from historical horse racing would fall by $4 million with a casino in Petersburg and by $9 million if one also opens in Richmond.

The 2020 casino legislation accounted for losses at the historical horse racing gaming parlors that Rosies operates in Richmond, New Kent County and three other localities, with two more now set to open.

It gave Rosies, owned by the same company that owns the Colonial Downs track in New Kent, the authority to operate an additional 2,000 machines if casinos opened in all five cities, including 1,600 in Dumfries, the only gaming operation currently allowed in the lucrative Northern Virginia market.

They make out like a one-armed bandit, pun intended, Morrissey said.

******

In a separate study, JLARC recommended on Monday that the state consolidate state regulation of all gaming activities at the Virginia Lottery, which already oversees casino and sportsbook gaming, as well as operating its own games online and at retail locations.

The study found that regulation of charitable gaming, by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and horse racing, by the Virginia Racing Commission, is inadequate. It suggested that the General Assembly either consolidate all gaming regulation at the lottery or provide more funding and regulatory authority to the other agencies.
A Hopewell resident died in a single-vehicle crash on Sunday in Prince George County.

The crash happened in the 10300 block of Prince George Drive at about 7:01 p.m. Police said the driver of a Jeep Liberty veered off the roadway, overcorrected and traveled to the opposite side of the roadway, then hit a tree.

Deanna Elliott, 23, of Hopewell, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt, police said.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call police at (804) 733-2773.
A former Culpeper County voter registrar is opening up about her recent indictment in Prince William County for alleged misconduct in the 2020 election, and defending herself.

Michele White, Prince Williams elections director from 2015 to 2021, said in a phone interview Friday with the Culpeper Star-Exponent that she is not sure what is going on, referencing ambiguous charges against her.

She called the indictment very politically motivated.

On Sept. 7, a Prince William County grand jury handed down the two-count felony and one-count misdemeanor action against White, who spent 11 years in the Culpeper County voting office before moving on to the higher-paying position in Prince William.

White said she was shocked to be indicted.

Its been a real jolt to me, a real shock to the system, she said. Ive needed time to get my life back into some sort of day-to-day order.

In a statement, White defended herself against the indictments.

I showed up for the voting public election after election, in Prince William County, planning for a very robust early voting program and voter information program for the Prince William County voters. Presidential 2020 was my 5th Presidential election, White stated. I assisted many voters and candidates during my 17 years in elections in both Prince William and Culpeper Counties.

White, 51, of Occoquan, has moved on since resigning her post last year. She is working in graphic design, where she started when she moved to Culpeper from Charlottesville in the early 2000s to raise a family.

She said Friday that she doesnt have the money for legal fees to fight the charges of willful neglect of duty as an election officer, corrupt conduct as an election officer and giving a false statement on a required form.

The offense date for the first two charges is Aug. 1, 2020. The offense date for the false-statement charge is Nov. 3, 2020, Election Day when Donald Trump lost, a fact that the former president and many others still deny.

White has set up a gofundme.com page to cover her anticipated attorneys fees in the case$20,000 for retainer and $20,000 for trial. She said Friday she expected the case would go to trial, and that she will fight the charges.

Her lack of ability to retain an attorney has delayed proceedings in Prince William Circuit Court. A status date is set for Oct. 21, by which time White hopes to have hired a lawyer, if she can raise the first $20,000.

Since my indictment, individual acts of kindness, words and prayers have encouraged me to summon the strength to defend myself and defend the electoral process I have faithfully served here in Virginia, she said in a statement on Gofundme. I cannot fight this alone and need financial support to defend myself against this attack. Donations to the Go Fund Me in any amount will help and I thank you.

The link to donate is gofundme.com/f/michele-white-legal-defense. About $1,400 had been given as of Saturday.

If there are remaining funds after litigation, these funds will be kept intact for the defense of other Directors of Election, White said in her statement. Unfortunately, I believe there will be other similar cases to follow.

In her interview, she said she is seeking as much help as possible to defend against charges of which she said she is still very unclear.

The former, two-county voter registrar provided a timeline of events as part of her statement, starting with her Sept. 7 indictment:

Sept. 9: Two days later, the VA Attorney Generals Office announced the Election Integrity Unit.

Oct. 5: The Virginia Governors administration loses voter registrations

Oct. 7: Current director of elections in Prince William County, VA, Eric Olsen, who replaced Michele White, announces his resignationsays hes quitting amid a dispute with local GOP, White said in her statement.

Two days after Whites indictment, the Republican Party of Virginia lauded Attorney General Jason Miyares for creating his Election Integrity Unit, and mentioned the former registrar in its Sept. 9 news release.

Just this week, we saw the need for stronger protections for our elections system when a former top Prince William County election official was indicted on fraud charges related to the 2020 election, the Virginia GOP stated. By prosecuting this individual, Attorney General Miyares is sending a strong message to election officials throughout the state to follow the law, because our election process must be held to a high standard.

White said in her statement that this was not the first time Prince William County Republicans tried to use her tenure to suit their political agenda.

White referenced a 2016 news article, Prince William Electoral Board Chair Under Investigation, saying that issue was how the county Electoral Board chose to welcome her as Prince Williams elections director.

In closing, White thanked people for their consideration in defending election officials who are simply doing the job faithfully for the voting public.

The former election official said she is very happy to be back at her design career.

I would really like this to go away, White said of her Prince William case.

On Friday, the Culpeper Star-Exponent asked the Virginia attorney generals office for more details on the case, the specific nature of the charges against White, and if Miyares will help prosecute White.
 Flash

At least four inmates died and 61 others were injured in a fire at Tehran's Evin prison Saturday night, official news agency IRNA reported on Sunday.

"Following last night's fight between some prisoners of the special ward for theft and financial convictions of Evin prison and the fire breakout in the sewing workshop of this prison ... a significant number of prisoners were saved ... unfortunately, 4 prisoners died and some were injured," according to the report.

The four prisoners, who died of smoke inhalation, were convicted of theft and serving their sentences in Evin prison, it said.

Among the 61 injured, 51 were treated in outpatient clinics and 10 were hospitalized, four of whom were reported to be in critical condition.

More than 70 prisoners at risk of injury were saved, according to the report.

During the conflict and fire, a number of prisoners convicted of violent and dangerous crimes tried to escape, but failed thanks to security measures, said the IRNA.

Earlier reports said that the fire was ignited following clashes among a number of inmates in the wards which spread to the prison's clothing storeroom.
Surrounded by law enforcement members and local elected officials, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears on Monday announced their administrations plans to invest in law enforcement around the state and help reduce violent crime.

Operation Bold Blue Line, as the governor announced Monday in Norfolk, outlines a series of actions the Youngkin administration plans to take that can support training and recruitment efforts for police departments around the state, bolster prosecution of violent crimes, and support victims.

The Virginia State Polices 2021 annual report indicated an increase in homicides and violent crimes.

This surge in violent crimes is a crisis everywhere, but it is an absolute crisis in many communities around the commonwealth of Virginia, Youngkin said.

Key details include a $30 million campaign to recruit officers from in and out of state, pursuing the creation of a full-time hiring coordinator within the Department of Criminal Justice Services, and accelerating disbursement of $75 million that is budgeted for one-time training and equipment to law enforcement officers. Of that figure, $60 million is expected to go to local departments around Virginia.

Youngkin has also authorized an abbreviated eight-week course for prospective officers to become fully certified as a law enforcement officer in Virginia if they are officers who are moving from other states, are federal law enforcement or have served in the military.

We have a serious problem with staffing in our law enforcement agencies and we must get more badges on the street, Youngkin said.

The Youngkin administration plans to work with the General Assembly to establish a program that can provide funds to aid victims or witnesses to violent crimes, such as transportation, lodging or installation of monitoring systems needed to fulfill protective services.

Additionally, Operation Bold Blue Line entails hiring more prosecutors to go after violent crimes. The Attorney Generals Office will hire five or six cross-designated prosecutors who can work on state or federal cases and two or three group violence intervention coordinators.

To do this, Miyares office has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Youngkins office and DCJS to deploy money from the Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund  a move questioned by state Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond.

The memo proposes disbursing $1.3 million each year for the next two years from the fund to the Attorney Generals Office and can be decided by the DCJS board by the end of the year.

McClellan, concerned the funding proposal is bypassing an open bid process, sent a letter to the departments director Monday asking if a formal application process will open for the funding.

The announcement of the Bold Blue Line initiative followed months of stakeholder engagement conducted by a violent crime task force Youngkin established over the summer. The task force has conducted 14 roundtable discussions with localities in Virginia.

This is a beginning, Youngkin said. I fully expect we will add programs and initiatives that work all around the commonwealth.
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Trauma surgeon Douglas J. E. Schuerer, MD, is professor of surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, director of trauma at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and a founding board member of the Life Outside of Violence program. Credit: Jerry Naunheim Jr./Washington University

When a patient comes into an emergency room with a gunshot wound, the No. 1 priority is to save a life, by whatever medical procedure necessary. But the impacts of violence go beyond what emergency medical care can address, and treating physical injuries alone does little to disrupt the cycles that perpetuate violence within communities.

The Life Outside of Violence program (LOV), launched in 2018 by Washington University's Institute for Public Health, offers comprehensive support to people who've experienced violence, and it aims to decrease incidences of retaliation, re-injury and death. LOV takes an individualized approach for those who've been harmed by offering mental health services and connecting participants to resources and agencies for education, employment, medical and housing assistance.

Born out of the university's Gun Violence Initiative that began in 2015, LOV is the first city-wide hospital-based violence intervention program in the nation. The program collaborates with four trauma centers (BJC HealthCare's Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital and SSM Health's St. Louis University Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital) and three research universities (WashU, Saint Louis University and University of Missouri-St. Louis). The joint effort has broadened the reach of assistance and has allowed LOV stakeholders to get a bigger picture on how violence and its aftereffects impact the city.

"By collaborating among hospitals citywide, we have a more robust program, and we're able to track and understand the patients and outcomes a lot better than any single institution," says trauma surgeon Douglas J. E. Schuerer, MD, professor of surgery at the School of Medicine, director of trauma at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and a founding board member of LOV. Those numbers include not just how many people are subject to violence in the city, but how often they end up back in the hospital following another violent incident.

By some estimates, nearly 60% of people who have experienced violence-related trauma in the U.S. wind up returning to the hospital, known as recidivism, following subsequent encounters with violence. Incidents of retaliation are a major driver of recurrent violence, and mortality rates may be as high as 20% within five years for those who initially survive violent trauma.

LOV has seen dramatically lower rates for patients who have received the program's comprehensive support, achieving its goal of less than 10% recidivism within its first three years of operation. And in an extraordinary mark of the program's effectiveness, there have been no incidents of retaliation or mortality among the enrolled participants.

"The LOV program has been very important to us as providers because we're finally starting to affect injury prevention in and around the area of interpersonal violence," Schuerer says. "That's been one of the hardest areas to address."

Meeting patients in the moment

LOV is available for patients between the ages of 8 and 30, and the program works with participants for up to a year. The LOV team receives real-time alerts when people who have experienced violence are admitted to St. Louisarea hospitals, and the intervention process begins soon afterward. Connecting with patients and their loved ones in the moments immediately following a violent trauma is crucial to the effectiveness of the program.

"There's an important window of opportunity when you're seeing someone who has maybe survived a near-death experience, and the psychological impact of that," says Kateri Chapman-Kramer, LOV project manager. "We want to engage people in services at that moment and offer comprehensive support that goes beyond their stay in the hospital."

Members of the LOV team begin by offering patients and their families help with their immediate needs, including safety concerns and managing the mental health impacts and other ripple effects of a violent trauma. LOV's team are from the communities being served, and members have direct experience with violence, either personally or from the loss of a loved one. "They can take the approach of saying, 'I've been where you are,'" Chapman-Kramer says.

Those who enroll in the LOV program are connected to a case manager, who becomes their point of contact for comprehensive support, including managing continued medical care and helping build a life outside the cycle of violence. LOV case managers meet with participants in their homes or wherever they feel most comfortable, developing a relationship and building trust. "From a therapeutic standpoint, rapport building is key," says Brown School alum Melik Coffey, who earned an MSW in 2011 and is an LOV clinical case manager at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. "We also work to normalize the crisis piece of it, assuring patients and their families that what they're experiencing is to be expected."

Support beyond healing

LOV provides participants with resources needed to forge a path toward recovery, which includes consideration for the psychological impacts of experiencing violence. "Our participants are connected from day one with mental health support, and we utilize a trauma-informed approach," Coffey says. "Whatever the situation, whether we're trying to get them housing or be their advocate, they have somebody who can help them navigate these different systems," says Coffey, noting that special attention is paid to how trauma has impacted their mental well-being.

The first three months of the program are typically focused on building rapport with participants and assessing what is needed to make a comprehensive recovery. Once an individual's physical injuries are managed, the next phase generally involves more intensive therapeutic support, providing participants with tools and coping mechanisms to move forward, including connecting them with tutoring or resources to assist with college or job applications.

Perhaps most important for long-term recovery, LOV case managers aim to help participants recognize that the impacts of trauma are complex and take time to work through. "We want to help them understand what's going on with their mental health, normalize that, and put coping tools in place," Coffey says. "In order to disrupt this cycle of violence, we have to wrap our arms around that person and their support network."

A future for violence prevention

After a three-year pilot supported by the Missouri Foundation for Health, LOV has secured additional grants, including from the U.S. Department of Justice, and has commitments from participating St. Louisarea hospitals to sustain the program for at least another two years. The future of LOV depends on continuing to demonstrate its benefits to the city's medical systems and to the people within the communities it serves.

"We're trying to show that it works and that it's cost effective," says Schuerer, of the program's significant success rate, which has clear benefits for participants and also saves hospitals resources by driving down recidivism. "The hospitals themselves can support the program with the return on investment," Schuerer says.

Encouraging more individuals who experience violence to enroll in the program will also be key to its longevity. "It's important for us to demonstrate the benefits of the program to the community, to foster more trust toward the medical system," Schuerer says. That means continuing to build partnerships with community leaders and organizations to spread the word about the LOV program and its lasting impacts on participants.

"We're pushing to help people understand that other futures are possible," Coffey says, "and that they can be agents for positive change in the community. But we need to have these conversations."

Provided by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
A research project conducted at Koc University aims to shed light on future social and environmental threats. The study of 30,000 kmof land in Turkey and Bulgaria will analyze radical changes in land use and land cover. Correlating the data with population dynamics, the research will contribute to predictions of possible agricultural population loss and deforestation in the future.

Conducted by Assoc. Prof. M. Erdem Kabaday of the Koc University Department of History, the project titled "A GeoAI-based Land Use Land Cover Segmentation Process to Analyze and Predict Rural Depopulation, Agricultural Land Abandonment, and Deforestation in Bulgaria and Turkey, 1940-2040" was granted a Proof of Concept Grant by the European Research Council (ERC).

Assoc. Prof. M. Erdem Kabaday's earlier research project titled "UrbanOccupationsOETR", conducted in collaboration with Cambridge University and the University of Glasgow, which was awarded a 1,5 million euro grant by the ERC, constitutes the basis of this new project. The only ERC project in its field that compares the economic histories of Turkey and the Ottoman Empire, the "UrbanOccupationsOETR" project focused on differences in urbanization and regional economic development in Turkey from 1850 to 2000.

Supporting efforts against ecological, economic, and social threats in the 2040s

The project led by Assoc. Prof. M. Erdem Kabaday, who is renowned for his research on Ottoman economic and labor history, is also a first methodologically to process black-and-white aerial and satellite images through artificial intelligence and deep learning methods. It is also a first in terms of its aim to analyze aerial and early satellite images from 1940 onwards and modern satellite data through remote sensing methods in order to predict the relation between population and land use in the 2040s and its effects on agricultural and population geography. The project aims to contribute to efforts to fight ecological, economic, and social threats to emerge in the 2040s.

The project will be conducted in collaboration with Prof. Elif Sertel of the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Department of Geomatics Engineering, and with the contributions of Koc University Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations Director Prof. Chris Roosevelt. A team consisting of researchers from Koc University and ITU will be formed for the project.

The output of the project, which was awarded a 150,000 euro Proof of Concept grant by the ERC, will be shared with local governments, relevant ministries and EU institutions, in order to fulfill a social responsibility with a broader field of impact.

More information:

erc.europa.eu/news/second-roun  ncept-call-2-funding

pr.ku.edu.tr/en/assoc-prof-mus  esearch-council-erc/

orcid.org/0000-0003-3206-0190

Provided by Koc University
FLORENCE, S.C.  Kindergartners at three Florence County and one Darlington County elementary school Friday went home with an unexpected gift  a book.

Susan Evans and Liz Walker from Two Men and A Truck, along with the company mascot, Truckie, visited Henry Timrod, Theodore Lester and Wallace Gregg before rolling over to Darlington County for Pate Elementary School.

The students lined up outside the school, where they were given the books and bags by Evans and Walker and had a chance to meet, and hug, Truckie.

We partnered with a national nonprofit called First Book and what were doing is giving book, Florence School District One approved book, one book to each kindergartner in three targeted Title I lower income schools, Evans said. Evans is marketing coordinator for the Florence/Camden franchise of the business. These children get to take home a book and its just precious. Its called When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree.

Surprisingly, one of the kindergartner classrooms got a lemon tree, Evans said.

This is one of the examples where we reach out to our community, she said.

The company blessed more than 200 students with books Friday. Company-wide, Two Men and a Truck delivered more than 6,000 copies of the book to students in need of a book.
 Half dozen GVRs provide only "excitement" for CJ fans in latest SCOTUS order list | Main | New DPIC report: "Deeply Rooted: How Racial History Informs Oklahomas Death Penalty" 

October 17, 2022

Feds urging six months' imprisonment and $200,000 fined for Steve Bannon as punishment following his convictions for criminal contempt of Congress

As detailed in this extended ABC News piece, the "Justice Department is asking a federal judge to sentence Steve Bannon, adviser to former President Donald Trump, to six months in prison and make him pay a $200,000 fine for his conviction on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress, according to a new court filing." Here is more of the basics:

Bannon was found guilty in July of defying a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He had been subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 panel for records and testimony in September 2021. Bannon is set to be sentenced on Friday at the D.C. courthouse by federal judge Carl Nichols at 9 a.m. His lawyers are expected to submit their own sentencing memo Monday.

The Government's 24-page sentencing memorandum is available at this link, and it starts this way:

From the moment that the Defendant, Stephen K. Bannon, accepted service of a subpoena from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol (the Committee), he has pursued a bad-faith strategy of defiance and contempt. The Committee sought documents and testimony from the Defendant relevant to a matter of national importance: the circumstances that led to a violent attack on the Capitol and disruption of the peaceful transfer of power. In response, the Defendant flouted the Committees authority and ignored the subpoenas demands. The Defendant, a private citizen, claimed that executive privilegewhich did not apply to him and would not have exempted his total noncompliance even if it hadjustified his actions. Then, on the eve of trial, he attempted an about-face, representing to the Committee that former President Donald J. Trump had waived executive privilege and freed the Defendant to cooperate. But this proved a hollow gesture; when he realized that his eleventh-hour stunt would not prevent his trial, the Defendants cooperative spirit vanished. Despite the removal of the only purported barrier to his compliance, to this day the Defendant has not produced a single document to the Committee or appeared for testimony. For his sustained, bad-faith contempt of Congress, the Defendant should be sentenced to six months imprisonmentthe top end of the Sentencing Guidelines rangeand fined $200,000based on his insistence on paying the maximum fine rather than cooperate with the Probation Offices routine pre-sentencing financial investigation.

UPDATE: Steve Bannon has also today submitted his sentencing memorandum, which can be found at this link. Here is its starting "summary":

The ear of a sentencing judge listens for the note of contrition. Someone was convicted. Did they learn their lesson? This case requires something more. It involves larger themes that are important to every American. Should a person be jailed when the caselaw which sets forth the elements of the crime is outdated? Should a person be jailed for the doing the exact same thing that was done by the highest law enforcement officers in this country, yet they received no punishment? Should a person who has spent a lifetime listening to experts  as a naval officer, investment banker, corporate executive, and Presidential advisor  be jailed for relying on the advice of his lawyers? Should a person be jailed where the prosecutor declined to prosecute others who were similarly situated  with the only difference being that this person uses their voice to express strongly held political views? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then a sentence of probation is warranted. Because we believe that the answer to each of these questions is no, we respectfully ask this Court to impose a sentence of probation, and to stay the imposition of sentence pending appeal.

October 17, 2022 at 01:11 PM | Permalink

Comments

Should ask for the full one year.

Posted by: anon5 | Oct 17, 2022 2:22:29 PM

If I were the judge reading defense counsel's ideological screed, I would be tempted to double to sentence I was originally thinking about.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Oct 17, 2022 9:57:09 PM

Yes, of course. Judge should follow only his undisclosed (presumably) ideology.

Posted by: Fluffyross | Oct 18, 2022 10:09:44 AM

It seems like the guideline range is what is driving the AUSA's recommendation of six months instead of the maximum. While the facts of this case might justify an upward departure, arguing for a sentence at the high end of the guideline range will seem more reasonable to the trial judge.

Posted by: tmm | Oct 18, 2022 10:47:50 AM

I have no love for Bannon. They can nail his a$$ to the wall as far as Im concerned. But how much of a fine and prison sentence did Obamas wing man get for contempt of Congress?

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Oct 18, 2022 9:41:04 PM

Post a comment
 Feds urging six months' imprisonment and $200,000 fined for Steve Bannon as punishment following his convictions for criminal contempt of Congress | Main | Extended Final Call for Papers: "Drugs and Public Safety: Exploring the Impact of Policy, Policing, and Prosecutorial Reforms" 

October 17, 2022

New DPIC report: "Deeply Rooted: How Racial History Informs Oklahomas Death Penalty"

This coming Thursday, Oklahoma is scheduled to execute Benjamin Cole for the 2002 murder of his infant daughter (though his lawyers have sought a stay from SCOTUS based on claims of incompetency). Remarkably, Oklahoma has another 20+ executions scheduled for the next two years, with almost one execution scheduled for every month through 2024. These plans appear to have prompted the folks at the Death Penalty Information Center to produce this big new report titled "Deeply Rooted: How Racial History Informs Oklahomas Death Penalty." Here is the text of the report's conclusion:

Oklahoma is at an inflection point in its administration of the death penalty. The state can continue executing people affected by what many Oklahomans consider a broken system or implement reforms that have been proposed by bipartisan advocates for years. A shift away from the death penalty may even be more aligned with Oklahomans views on the issue, as recent surveys have shown a decline in support for the death penalty. In addition, more than half of Oklahomans surveyed in 2015 revealed they would support abolishing capital punishment if the state replaced the death penalty with the alternative sanction of life without parole, plus restitution. Systemic issues in the states use of the death penalty affect all capital defendants. However, the impact is skewed based on the race of defendant and victim, and the effects are particularly harsh on defendants of color. People of color are more likely to be victims of police misconduct and violence; they are more likely to suffer from the effects of having all-white or nearly all-white juries; and they are at greater risk of being executed if they have intellectual disabilities. Additionally, the higher rate of death sentencing for cases involving white victims illustrates the enhanced punishment for those accused of crimes against white people that has been evident since the heyday of lynchings. Despite documented problems with the administration of Oklahomas death penalty, courts are largely unwilling to rectify them, leaving few options for relief. If Oklahoma is to establish a fair and humane system of justice, it is crucial to acknowledge and redress the lingering effects of Jim Crow and racial violence on the states administration of the death penalty.

October 17, 2022 at 05:40 PM | Permalink

Comments

OK, so we should get rid of the DP in Oklahoma because of its racist roots.

Will the DPIC be writing a paper to abolish the minimum wage, which also originated in racism?

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Oct 18, 2022 5:58:02 PM

TarlsQtr --

Hey, look, EVERYTHING originated in racism. Everything in America (or make that Amerika), and certainly American law, is just a footnote to slavery. So we have no moral standing to resist or to punish crime. Indeed, we have it coming.

The Left will never (or very seldom) admit that that's what they think, but it is. The problem they're going to have in this upcoming election is that they've been more vocal and less shrewd about it than they usually are, and the election results are going to reflect their indiscipline.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Oct 18, 2022 9:59:12 PM

Post a comment
Bill Gates, co-chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, speaks during the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. The first-ever Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit brings together climate leaders to showcase transformative solutions that repair and regenerate the planet.

By Jason Gale

(Bloomberg)  Bill Gates says polio came tantalizingly close to being eradicated in the spring, before new outbreaks were seeded in Africa and a man was paralyzed in New York. Now the billionaires philanthropic foundation is pledging US$1.2 (S$1.7) billion to complete the mission.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced its largest financial commitment yet to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in Berlin on Sunday. The money will help plug a shortfall in funding which, along with floods in Pakistan, the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, have frustrated a 35-year effort to rid the world of the crippling disease.

About six months ago was the closest weve ever been, the Microsoft Corp. co-founder said in an interview Thursday. For more than a decade, wiping out polio has been the top priority of the foundation he co-chairs with ex-wife Melinda French Gates. The Seattle-based nonprofit, with an endowment of about $70 billion, has donated almost $5 billion directly to the cause.

Were very committed, Gates, 66, said. I cant say forever, but giving up would mean hundreds of thousands of kids being paralyzed.

Since the World Health Organization declared the international spread of wild poliovirus a global health emergency in 2014, cases worldwide have fallen from 359 to just 29 in 2022. Over the same period, cases linked to a mutated strain derived from the oral polio vaccine have jumped from 56 to 398 after the pandemic forced a four-month pause of immunization and disease surveillance campaigns in 2020.

The eradication programs current five-year strategy needs $4.8 billion to reach 370 million children annually with polio vaccines and other essential health services through 2026. As of last week  before Gates latest pledge  it had indications of only $2.2 billion in support, after the UK and Norway, historically key donors, cut their planned contributions. Gates said he hopes the gap will be narrowed when Germany co-hosts a pledging event at the World Health Summit on Tuesday.

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Were a little disappointed that some of the other donors arent as generous as they were historically, Gates said. Theres so many distractions right now, its more challenging than youd think, given the value of getting this eradication done.

The UK government made a pledge to the polio program before lowering its aid spending to 0.5% of gross national income from 0.7% in 2021. Some things they prioritized and some things they didnt, Gates said. But this one seems pretty urgent. It is a bit ironic that now we have some poliovirus being sampled in environmental samples, not only in London, but also in New York City.

Testing of wastewater can detect the presence of the virus in an area.

Disease Eradication

Smallpox remains the only human disease eradicated so far. World health leaders went after polio in 1988, expecting to complete the task within 12 years, the same time it took to vanquish smallpox. Ending polio, however, has proven a more elusive goal.

Almost $19 billion in financial support and heroic efforts to vaccinate hundreds of millions of children have cut polio cases by 99.9%. Thats left Pakistan and Afghanistan as the only two countries in which the ancient foe has never been stopped. From that tenacious stronghold, the wild poliovirus has spread back into southeastern Africa.

In May, it led to Mozambiques first outbreak in 30 years, prompting three national vaccination campaigns targeting more than 4.5 million children.

While these viruses exist anywhere in the world, the whole worlds at risk, said Carol Pandak, the Chicago-based director of the PolioPlus program at Rotary International, whose members launched an immunization campaign in the Philippines in 1979 that helped inspire the Global Polio Eradication Initiative nine years later. Its in our own interests to see this through to the end, to remove that risk for all populations.

Gates is focusing on Pakistan, where eradication had become super close, with just one strain circulating in an area of Waziristan, a mountainous region bordering Afghanistan. In recent months, floods inundated a third of the country, displacing millions of people and fanning the spread of poliovirus.

Sadly, thats now flourished and has spread back into other parts of the country, Gates said. And with the floods, its likely to show up reasonably broadly around Pakistan. Vaccinations are slated to resume in Waziristan next month after the acute challenges posed by the floods are met, he said.

Gastrointestinal Tract

Polio, known medically as poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious disease caused by one of three poliovirus types that replicate in the human gastrointestinal tract. Infected people shed the virus in their feces, enabling it to spread easily in areas without good sanitation and hygiene. Its difficult to eradicate because fewer than 1 in 100 people who catch it show signs of illness or are aware of the infection, enabling them to silently transmit the virus to others.

Smallpox, in comparison, is easily identified by the characteristic red rash it causes, speeding the identification of outbreaks and the commencement of vaccination programs in response. The cowpox-based vaccine used against smallpox protected almost everyone after a single inoculation, whereas with the oral polio vaccine  used in about 150 countries as recently as 2016  three or more doses are required to fully protect 85% of children.

That vaccine, developed by Albert Sabin, uses a live, attenuated form of the poliovirus. If the weakened virus is transmitted from person to person over a prolonged period in an under-vaccinated community, it can undergo genetic changes that turn it back into the paralysis-causing form. Such a strain caused polio in an unvaccinated man from New Yorks Rockland County in June.

Most cases globally are caused by a derivative of the oral vaccine for the type-2 poliovirus. The Gates Foundation helped fund the development of a newer version that cant revert back to its pathogenic form.

The WHO authorized the novel vaccines emergency use almost two years ago. Since then, almost 500 million doses have been administered in 25 countries, said Hamid Jafari, the Amman-based director of polio eradication for the WHOs Eastern Mediterranean region. It offers the best weapon yet to stop vaccine-derived cases and end polio transmission by the end of next year, he said.

We are on a path to stop all polio by the end of 2023, Jafari said in an interview. A lack of funding would be very tragic.

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Available in time for Canniversary, new House of Terpenes Canntinis offers a smoke-free way to celebrate the cannabis industry milestone

House of Terpenes Canntinis

Cranberry Citrus and Ginger Lime

Toronto, Oct. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Launching in time for Canniversary, House of Terpenes, Canntinis is bringing the first cannabis-infused mocktails to legal-age Canadians in celebration of four years of legalization.





As the latest addition to the Truss Beverage portfolio of leading cannabis beverage brands, House of Terpenes Canntinis is the first-of-its-kind, pioneering the cannabis mocktail segment in Canada. Launching with Cranberry Citrus and Ginger Lime, two high-dosage cannabis beverages inspired by the tastes of classic cocktail flavours, House of Terpenes Canntinis is answering the call for more diverse and delicious high-potency offerings.



Taste is the number one purchase consideration driver of cannabis beverages, so it was critical to prioritize crafting cannabis mocktails that are true-to-taste, said Melanie Smith, Innovation Lead at Truss Beverage Co. Having consulted award-winning beverage experts at Quell, including Evelyn Chick, Christina Veira and Trevor Lui, our ambition was to ensure that the Canntinis are just as delicious and flavourful as widely recognized cocktails, but without the alcohol.

With the growing demand for alternative adult-beverage options to alcohol, House of Terpenes Canntinis offers a different kind of cocktail that is true-to-taste and gives consumers a buzz, while still allowing them to make the most of the following day. Inspired by the timeless Cosmopolitan, Cranberry Citrus features notes of tart cranberry, lime, orange zest & terpineol, while Ginger Lime with notes of ginger beer, lime and curcumene, was handcrafted to emulate a refreshing Mule.



Consumer feedback shows that the demand for alternative beverages to alcohol has never been stronger, particularly when it comes to social occasions, said Lori Hatcher, Head of Commercial at Truss Beverage Co. House of Terpenes Canntinis not only fulfills this consumer need, but brings something entirely new and unexpected to the cannabis beverage category.

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House of Terpenes Canntinis will begin to hit shelves in time for Canniversary on October 17th, continuing to roll-out in retailers nationwide with availability differing per province.





# # #

About Truss Beverage

Truss Beverage Co. is a joint venture between affiliates of Molson Coors Canada and HEXO Corp., a licensed producer of cannabis products in Canada; formed to lead innovation in the development of non-alcoholic, cannabis-beverages for the Canadian market. The Truss portfolio has a wide range of products for Canadian consumers of legal age, providing a variety of taste experiences for multiple beverage occasions. The Truss portfolio of brands includes XMG, Little Victory, Mollo, House of Terpenes, Veryvell and Bedfellows Liquid Arts.



Truss Beverage Co. will continue to deliver on its promise to be the cannabis beverage specialist through extraordinary products and marketing that reinforces its commitment to responsible adult use.

Attachment

CONTACT: Jessica Hoffeldt Truss Beverage Co. (647) 269-7438 jhoffeldt@thinkagnostic.com




FILE PHOTO: A woman and her child arrive for ebola related investigation at the health facility at the Bwera general hospital near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Bwera

By Aaron Ross

(Reuters) -The Serum Institute of India plans to manufacture 20,000 to 30,000 doses of an experimental Ebola vaccine by the end of November for use in trials against an outbreak in Uganda, its developers and a company source said.

The response to Uganda's outbreak has been blunted by the absence of a proven vaccine against the Sudan strain of the virus.

There have been 54 confirmed cases and 19 deaths since last month and the first case in the capital, Kampala, was recorded last week. But health authorities believe the actual numbers could be higher.

Vaccines against the more common Zaire strain of Ebola have proven highly effective during recent outbreaks in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Oxford University, which developed a COVID-19 vaccine with AstraZeneca, has an Ebola vaccine that has been shown to induce an immune response to both the Sudan and Zaire strains in Phase 1 trials.

Its developers said they were working with the Serum Institute to manufacture doses that could be deployed in Uganda as part of a clinical trial once the authorities there gave regulatory approval.

"We are hoping to have a large number of doses, approximately 20,000 to 30,000 or more by mid-to-end of November," Teresa Lambe, the chief scientific investigator on Oxford's Ebola vaccine, told Reuters.

A source at the Serum Institute, the world's biggest vaccine maker and part of a conglomerate run by Indian billionaire Cyrus Poonawalla, confirmed this information. The source said the Ebola vaccine doses would be supplied free of cost.

'PLAYING CATCH UP'

Uganda's Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi said he did not have any information on a vaccine rollout.

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week that clinical trials of two vaccines could begin in the coming weeks pending Ugandan government approvals, without naming the vaccines.

There are at least six vaccines in development for the Sudan strain, including three with Phase 1 data, according to WHO.

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One of those was developed by the Sabin Vaccine Institute in Washington, D.C. A Sabin spokesperson said the institute believed its vaccine was "farthest along in the pipeline" and that it was working with WHO and other organisations about how it can help respond to the outbreak.

The Oxford researchers voiced frustration that their vaccine was not ready to be rolled out when the outbreak hit, saying governments around the world had not made investing in vaccines enough of a priority in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vaccine has been in development for several years but its progress through clinical trials has been slowed by funding shortfalls, they said.

"With better investment the world could easily have ready-made vaccines sitting in vials for this and a number of other diseases," said Sandy Douglas, an associate professor at Oxford.

"We're spending a couple of months now playing catch up on work that could have been done ahead of time."

(Additional reporting by Elias Biryabarema in Kampala;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Sparing no effort to ensure China's grain security

Xinhua) 08:17, October 17, 2022

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- As the world embraces the 42nd World Food Day, China, the world's most populous country, is making every effort to ensure grain supply amid growing uncertainties in global food security.

Food security is among the country's most fundamental interests, said Chinese President Xi Jinping. To ensure food security, he has on different occasions stressed farmland protection and improvement, development of seed industry, collection and protection of germplasm resources, as well as supporting farmers and agriculture in all ways possible.

PROTECTING, IMPROVING QUALITY OF FARMLAND

China needs to feed nearly one-fifth of the global population with only 9 percent of the world's arable land. To the president, protecting and improving the quality of farmland means a lot, in order to fill Chinese people's rice bowls, mainly with Chinese grain.

Xi has said that farmland is the lifeline of grain production and the foundation of the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, and urged the implementation of the strictest possible system for farmland protection.

To ensure the country's farmland area remains above the red line of 1.8 billion mu (about 120 million hectares), China has basically formed a legal system for farmland protection, including related provisions in its civil code and criminal law.

At the annual central rural work conference in 2020, Xi stressed the importance of developing high-standard farmland to secure high and stable yields despite droughts and floods.

Through a decade-long endeavor, the country's high-quality farmland will have reached 1 billion mu by the end of 2022, with a stable grain production capacity of over 500 billion kilograms.

INCREASING GRAIN PRODUCTION WITH TECHNOLOGY

To ensure food security from the source, Xi has made special emphasis on the seed industry. During an April visit to a seed laboratory in Sanya, Hainan Province, he said seed resources must be "firmly held in our own hands" to ensure food security.

He stressed efforts to achieve self-reliance in seed technology and ensure that China's seed resources are self-supporting and under better control.

Under his leadership, the country has made progress in collecting and protecting germplasm resources and building seed banks, while making breakthroughs in seed breeding and selection as well as in the research and development of cutting-edge breeding technology.

So far, the number of national seed breeding and production bases in China has increased to 216, official data showed. These hubs breed or produce seeds for grain, cotton, oil and sugar, among others.

With the help of technology, China's grain production has undergone structural upgrade. Over the past decade, the comprehensive mechanization rates of wheat, corn and rice production have exceeded 97 percent, 90 percent and 85 percent, respectively.

Supported by technological innovations, Chinese farmers can now install small weather stations and soil moisture meters in their fields, supervise crops through mobile applications, and use intelligent tractors and agricultural drones in farming.

SUPPORTING FARMERS IN MULTIPLE WAYS

To ensure food security, Xi has also urged efforts to implement all supportive policies, protect farmers' enthusiasm for their work, and improve incomes from food production.

Over the past decade, a string of policies have been introduced to bring more benefits to grain planters. China has steadily raised the minimum purchase prices for rice and wheat, provided subsidies for grain planters, and introduced cost and income insurances for major grain producers in main production areas.

The country has encouraged the development of family farms and farming cooperatives. In recent years, over 78 million farming households have received support from more than 950,000 socialized agricultural services organizations.

This year, 40 billion yuan (about 5.63 billion U.S. dollars) has been allocated from the central government budget to ease the impact of agricultural material price rises, agricultural specialists have been sent to fields to assist farms, and various government agencies have strengthened consultations, early warning and disaster relief for floods and droughts.

As an epitome of China's agricultural infrastructure construction, water conservancy projects have seen rapid development. In the past decade, over 7,000 large and medium-sized irrigation areas were built in China, with an effective irrigated farmland area of 69.13 million hectares, accounting for 54 percent of the country's arable land and producing 75 percent of the country's grain.

With hardwork on all fronts, China's grain output had topped 650 billion kilograms for seven consecutive years by 2021, with the per capita grain supply remaining higher than the internationally recognized security line.

This year, China has seen output increases in summer grain and early rice and is expecting another bumper harvest. Such achievement didn't come easily as the country has overcome the impact of last year's rare autumn floods in the north, the late sowing of winter wheat in large areas and sporadic resurgences of COVID-19 cases, and coped with severe heat and droughts in some southern regions.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Du Mingming)
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Namibia has been hit by another outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Zambezi region, which is located in the extreme north-east of the country, agricultural officials said in an e-mailed statement on Saturday.

The country's Chief Veterinary Officer Albertina Shilongo said the areas of Kabbe South and North constituencies have been declared FMD-infected areas, while the entire Zambezi region is declared a disease management area (DMA).

Intensive FMD surveillance aimed at establishing the extent of the outbreak is underway, Shilongo said, adding that movement of all cloven-hoofed animals out and through the controlled area has been banned, with immediate effect.

She said all previously issued permits into and out of the controlled area are cancelled and recalled except animals originating from other FMD zones destined to export abattoir.

The government has also banned the transportation of potentially infectious commodities out and through the controlled areas such as hides, skins, game trophies, grass and plant materials.

She said vaccination of cattle against FMD will commence next week.
Officials in Alaska have cancelled this years snow crab fishing season in the Bering Sea, citing extremely low population levels.

The move is a blow to the states crab industry, a major part of Alaskas economy and a global source of seafood, and comes after a massive and unexplained crash in the crab population.

State officials told CBS News that about one billion crabs have disappeared from the frigid northern waters of the Bering Sea in the past two years. Its a sudden, drastic and somewhat mysterious drop in population  but one that might also be related to the climate crisis.

Did they run up north to get that colder water? one Alaska fisherman, Gabriel Prout, said to CBS. Did they completely cross the border? Did they walk off the continental shelf on the edge there, over the Bering Sea?

Snow crabs  a large crustacean with massive legs, native to the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans  are eaten around the world and fished in Alaskas coastal waters, among other cold marine habitats.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) regularly monitors crab populations and  if populations are too low  they can shut down a fishing season to ensure a species doesnt die out completely.

In addition to the Bering Sea snow crab season, the department also shut down the blue king crab season around Saint Matthew Island, the red and blue king crab season in Pribilof and the red king crab season in Bristol Bay.

Understanding crab fishery closures have substantial impacts on harvesters, industry, and communities, ADF&G must balance these impacts with the need for long-term conservation and sustainability of crab stocks, the agency said in their announcement of the Bering Sea snow crab closure.

No one is exactly sure why the snow crabs have disappeared, but there are some ideas. One researcher with ADF&G told CBS News that disease is one possibility.

But officials are also looking into the impact of the climate crisis on these frigid-water marine arthropods. Water temperatures in the Bering Sea  the stretch of ocean between western Alaska and far-eastern Russia  have spiked in recent years.

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Younger snow crabs need cooler water than older crabs, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). And one biologist with ADF&G told NBC News that warmer waters could have forced younger crabs into smaller and smaller pockets of cold water, which could have led those crabs to starve.

Many of the snow crabs in the Bering Sea live around something called the cold pool, NOAA says, a mass of water formed from melting sea ice. But if temperatures get too warm for sea ice to form, that cold pool may cease to exist.

In addition, as waters warm, predators like cod could move into snow crab habitat and threaten the crustaceans, NOAA adds.

Gabriel Prout, the Alaska fisherman who spoke with CBS, told the network that the fishermen who rely on the crab season need some kind of relief program to weather difficult crab years, like this year is now set to be.

But if the declines are truly related to warming temperatures, these issues may only get worse in the coming decades.

The planet has already warmed about 1.1-1.2 degrees Celsius above 19th-century temperatures as humans have dumped greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Much of that heat has ended up in the ocean  water surface temperatures have increased by 0.8C in that time, according to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

With further temperature increases, sea ice would have even more trouble forming and chilly waters would be pushed even further north, potentially creating even more challenges for cold-water species like the snow crab.
Credit scores are complicated, so the process of improving them can look different for everyone. Get some helpful tips here, along with more business and economy news in case you missed it.
It was a major topic among Iowa lawmakers earlier this year during the legislative session. It was a significant factor in the June primary elections in Republican legislative campaigns. Its one of the top issues in Iowas gubernatorial campaign.

And it is sure to be one of the top issues again during next years legislative session.

Leaders representing Iowa organizations that are among the most invested in the debate over school choice  and more specifically, Gov. Kim Reynolds proposal to shift taxpayer funding for public schools to private school tuition assistance  discussed the issue last week for The Gazettes Iowa Ideas 2022 virtual conference.

Drew Klein, state director for the Iowa chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative issue advocacy organization, said expanded school choice options in Iowa are necessary to meet the unique needs of all Iowa students.

Ive talked to a number of educators, and I think one thing that we can all agree on is that not every child is the same, and they dont learn the same, and they need the options to meet their own needs, Klein said.

Melissa Peterson, a government affairs specialist with the Iowa State Education Association, the union that represents teachers and other educators statewide, said state funding should be reserved for schools that serve the most students in Iowa  in other words, the public school system.

The Iowa State Education Association believes firmly that the finite resources of the state ought to be spent to benefit the greatest number of students possible, and to make sure that we can afford a quality educational opportunity for the nearly half-million students that we do serve here in the state of Iowa, Peterson said.

Public school funding comprises by far the largest share of the states general fund budget. In the state budget year that ended in June 2021, the $3.4 billion dedicated to school aid made up 43 percent of the budget, according to the states nonpartisan fiscal services agency.

Over the first 38 years under Iowas current funding formula, general state funding to K-12 public schools increased by an annual average of 5 percent, according to data from the state agency. Since 2011, when Republicans regained at least a portion of control over the lawmaking process, that average annual K-12 funding increase has been 1.9 percent.

Peterson said the state already has robust school choice options, pointing to the School Tuition Organization tax credit, the availability of charter schools, and broad statewide open enrollment policies recently enacted by statehouse Republicans.

Klein and Trish Wilger, executive director of the Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education, said there still is a greater need for Iowa students and families to have more choices for their education.

There are some options available to some parents right now. But depending on where they live, some of them dont have options. And we feel that the governors proposal this last session made good strides in giving options to additional parents that would allow them to seek the best option for their child, Wilger said. With the current School Tuition Organization or STO tax credit program, it still is unable to serve the need thats out there. There are still families that theres just not enough funding to go around.  The need is huge.

Peterson noted that the tax credit is not yet being fully utilized. According to the state agency, in the 2020 state budget year, $9.5 million was utilized out of a program that at that point was capped at $15 million. The program has an annually increasing cap that will level at $25 million in 2025.

Margaret Buckton, with the Rural School Advocates of Iowa and Urban Education Network of Iowa, noted the conservative Heritage Foundation ranked Iowa ninth in the nation for school choice.

The Heritage Foundation, which advocates for school choice programs, in its Education Freedom Report Card said, Iowa does well in empowering families to choose among private and district schools but could do more to expand education choice, and goes on to recommend Iowa establish education savings accounts, which are what is proposed in Reynolds proposed legislation.

Buckton also discussed the potential challenges that could be faced by rural Iowa schools if they lost students under Reynolds proposed program. The legislation failed to pass into law this year only after failing to gain support from roughly a dozen Republicans in the Iowa House, many of whom represent rural districts.

Theres an economy of scale that exists in our larger urban centers that doesnt exist in our rural centers, Buckton said. So if our rural schools were to lose two or three students, that takes with it the resource that would maybe pay for a teacher. But if they dont all come out of the same grade, and even the loss of three students, you still have to have that second grade teacher. So it makes balancing the budget difficult if you do lose students.
BRONSON, Iowa -- Growing up, Scott Wendel remembered herding cattle on horseback at the farm, founded by his grandpa Vern in 1912 who later sold the more than 2,000 acres of land to Wendel's dad Al.

"I grew up in the Loess Hills," Wendel, now an Omaha resident, said of the property that is located along Whiskey Creek, near Bronson, Iowa in rural Woodbury County. "It was beautiful then and it is beautiful now."

Wendel, along with his two surviving siblings, Elizabeth Moulton and Charles Wendel, both of Omaha, have donated 113 acres of their family's Century Farm to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), a private nonprofit conservation group that works to protect and restore the state's land, water and wildlife.

According to the INHF, the Wendel Family's ecologically rich area will be forever protected from development pressures of the nearby Sioux City.

This is important since the property is not only distinguished by its location in the Loess Hills -- a geologic stretch found along a 200-mile stretch of Iowa, along the Missouri River as well as along China's Yellow River -- but also for a unique east-west orientation of the hills which produces incredible vistas.

By protecting this portion of the prairie remnant, grass and wildflower seeds can be used in restoration projects throughout the state.

In total, more than 50 species of prairie plants have been identified on the Wendel's land -- some of which are quite rare since the this remnant prairie has never been tilled.

"They found some rare wildflowers on the land," Scott's wife Sandy Wendel explained. "I am told that very few places will have such pristine untilled wildflowers like this in the state."

Scott Wendel said he didn't always appreciate the land when he was growing up.

"I attended school in Sioux City and always considered myself a city kid who grew up on a farm," he explained. "On the other hand, my city friends thought farm living sounded pretty nice."

Eventually, Wendel left the farm for college. After graduating he relocated to Omaha, where he began a career as an educator and, then, a sales manager.

"I consider education and sales to be pretty similar," he said with a laugh. "As a teacher, I educated little kids and in sales, I educated bigger kids."

Yet Wendel was always proud of his family's legacy.

"Not only did my grandfather's farm survive the Great Depression, it grew larger," Wendel said. "My dad wasn't given the farm. He purchased it, turning the land into a big operation, raising cattle and hog."

More importantly, Wendel's family wanted to be good stewards of the land in addition to being civil leaders.

"I wanted to keep that tradition alive," he said.

"Families like the Wendels, who are thinking about what property will be in 50 or 100 years, are the people who make the work on INHF work," INHF president Joe McGovern said. "Conservation in Iowa happens when people care about the next generation of people, plants and animals."

Wendel said the remnant prairie land, which will now be known as the Wendel Prairie Preserve, is a legacy his family will be proud of.

It also brings back many memories of the time he spent on the farm.

"The memories of herding cattle on horseback in the Loess Hills are what life is all about," Wendel said. "Our family is honored to preserve this precious footprint forever through the INHF."
Police were called on March 3 for a domestic assault. Ruedas had cut the woman with a knife while she was in bed, cutting her on the left side of her neck near her carotid artery and on the back of her head.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, Alan Kennedy, 35, was hurt at 12:07 p.m., when he was driving south in a Kia Seltos on U.S. Highway 59 near the intersection with Susan Lawrence Drive. Kennedy crossed the center line for an unknown reason and collided with a northbound Ford pickup truck pulling a livestock trailer, striking the driver's side of the pickup and front corner of the trailer.
DES MOINES  Attorneys for the groups that successfully challenged a state law that would have banned abortions in the first two months of pregnancy filed new legal arguments late last week.

The new filings were in response to arguments presented this past month by attorneys for Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is asking the state courts to lift a 3-year-old injunction on the so-called fetal heartbeat bill and allow the ban to go into effect.

In the new filings, attorneys for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the Emma Goldman Clinic and Dr. Jill Meadows argue the state failed in its attempt to argue the Iowa Supreme Court has the authority to lift the 2019 injunction, and that previous cases cited by the state are not relevant to the fetal heartbeat law.

Not only has the State failed to establish a jurisdictional or procedural basis for its motion, but even if it had, it cannot overcome the threshold inquiry of showing a change of the law that would alter the outcome of the case because the undue burden test remains the law under PPH IV, attorneys for the groups that sued to block the law argue in the new filing.

A state judge in 2019 halted implementation of a law, passed by Iowa Republicans, that would have banned abortions once a fetus heartbeat can be detected.

Supporters of such laws say the ban goes into effect at roughly six weeks of pregnancy, which often is before the pregnant person is aware of the pregnancy. However, medical experts  including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  say the sound detected by an ultrasound at that point is not a heartbeat, because the fetus heart is not yet fully formed.

Earlier this year, the Iowa Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court overturned previous rulings and effectively erased a pregnant persons right to abortion access at both the federal and state levels, essentially remanding the topic to be regulated on a state-by-state basis.

Reynolds then filed a request that, in light of those recent court decisions, the state courts lift the injunction of the states fetal heartbeat law.

Late last month, the state filed new arguments in the case. Attorneys for the state argued the Iowa Supreme Court should lift the injunction and, has the authority to do so despite legal arguments presented by others.

The states attorneys argued the courts have the authority to modify an injunction after a substantial change in the law, and that the recent state and federal rulings qualify as substantial changes.

The latest filings by the attorneys for Planned Parenthood and other plaintiffs were in response to those arguments from the state.

In the new filing, Planned Parenthoods attorneys said state lawmakers could pass another six-week ban now, and that the Iowa Supreme Court should not permit the State to circumvent this step.

The new filing also pushed back on the argument made by attorneys for the state that legal precedence allows for the Iowa Supreme Court to lift an injunction that was instituted more than a year earlier.

Recognizing that courts have inherent equitable powers, Iowa courts have applied a narrow equitable exception to (a rule that states a) one-year limit on vacating judgments, Planned Parenthoods attorneys argue. But contrary to the States position that the Court should ignore the Rules and assert wide-ranging authority to modify or vacate injunctions, Iowa courts have applied this exception narrowly to prevent it from swallowing the Rules.

While the matter is once again considered in the courts, abortion in Iowa remains legal up to roughly 20 weeks of pregnancy. Should the courts lift the injunction, however, the more restrictive ban would go into effect.
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The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China commenced in China with a significant report presented by Xi Jinping explaining the path to Chinese epic economic development, modernization, development, and governance achievements through the people's process democracy. The report focuses primarily on the progress made since the last National Congress meeting and the overall decade. China's modernization and progress have been realized over the past decade; China has become stronger through its clarity in the vision of governance, especially at the level of the ideology and governance methods of the Chinese Communist Party leadership. Chinese people's process of democracy has been strengthened with the materialization of the Second Centenary Goal to transform China into a democratic, prosperous, harmonious, and beautiful country till the mid of this century. China focuses on human resources, education, science, and technology to make the country modern to compete with the world. Through upholding the rule of law and investing in people's well-being, what is important is the modernization of the defense and security capability apart from maintaining national reunification.

Viewing the entire process of the 20th Congress of the CPC from Pakistan is a fascinating insight into where the whole event has been organized to symbolize the sense of inclusiveness through the Chinese way and model of democracy. The country's leadership has built this system keeping in view the domestic cultural, ethnic, and local norms and values, especially those that are based on communist forms of living. Before the main event, clearly defined road maps helped the leaders and people work together to build strategies to resolve local, regional, and national issues. The entire process reflects that the governance structures and progress are indigenous and, over the years have grown organically with the society and people of the country. Apart from this, what has been a strength of China' has remained that through evaluating the emerging challenges and changing times, the CPC has made all possibilities to renew, rejuvenate and excel by improving the overall requirements for building the Party in terms of self-governance and ideology.
A court in Beijing has sentenced Chinese-Canadian pop star Kris Wu to 13 years in prison on charges including rape. The June trial of the former member of the South Korean group EXO was closed to the public to the protect the alleged victims' privacy. Beijing's Chaoyang District Court on Friday said Wu was sentenced for a 2020 rape and for the crime of assembling a crowd to engage in sexual promiscuity in a 2018 event in which he and others allegedly assaulted two women they had gotten drunk. The court said the three victims in the rape case had also been drunk and were unable to consent.
Barbara Kingsolver has been writing about issues of social justice for decades, starting with her first novel, 1988s The Bean Trees, set against the backdrop of immigrant life in Arizona. Its easy to dismiss her novels as middlebrow, but Ive found the best of her work angry, engaged with politics, and alive to the natural world in ways that have only felt more relevant as tastes in fiction have evolved.

Kingsolvers new novel, Demon Copperhead, takes her back to Appalachia, where the author was raised and where, after decades away, she once again lives, on a farm in southwestern Virginia. As the title suggests, its a backwoods twist on Dickens David Copperfield, starting from the opening sentence, First, I got myself born. Demon, ne Damon, is a chatty, likeable orphan whose life gets caught up in the structural poverty and opioid epidemic that plagues rural America. Its a propulsive reading experience, energetic and funny while still conveying Kingsolvers fury at the institutions that have let her community down. I talked to Kingsolver about how J.D. Vance portrays Appalachia, about leaving home and coming back, and about the forgotten history of Appalachian progressivism. Our conversation has been edited and condensed.

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Dan Kois: It seems difficult to write fiction about structural poverty because the forces seem so insurmountable. How do you make a book that does not feel hopeless, even though its about characters who have every reason to lose hope?

Barbara Kingsolver: How do you keep it from feeling hopeless? Well, in the same way that I live my life with hope. Its something that I derive from the whole ecosystem of people that we have here in this place who are survivors, who are caretakers. If I had to choose one cultural characteristic of this region, it is a resilience embedded in community. The way we rely on and belong to our communities. Weve survived a lot of shit. Can I say that?

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Were a website, its OK.

I wont cuss as much as Demon, I promise. Looking at Appalachia from the outside, all people know about us or think about us, is that we are, I dont know, backwards, ignorant degenerates, if you believe Deliverance, or people with such limited worldview that we cant even imagine bettering our circumstances, if you believe J.D. Vance in Hillbilly Elegy. The portrait that is consistently painted of us is toothless, hopeless, the butt of every joke. I live here, thats not who we are. And part of why I write about this place is to counter those stereotypes and show the world a portrait of us with some subtlety.

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Why did you leave Appalachia for so long, and what drew you back?

Well, I left because thats what kids from little towns do. You want to kick the little-town dust off your shoes. I wanted to go away to college, and then after that I wanted to go out in the world and seek my fortunes. So I backpacked around Europe and I ended up living here and there working at low-paying jobs. When I got to Tucson, Arizona, I just got stuck. I went there expecting to stay a month, and I stayed 20 years, because life happens. Every single day that I lived in Tucson, I missed the trees, I missed the mossy creeks and the ferny glens and the hollows. I missed water and green, and I just longed for home.

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Its true that you couldnt have chosen a place less like the Appalachians on an ecosystem level.

Also at a cultural level. Its just a place where few people had roots. And it felt that way to me. So it was hard to pass any budgetary assistance for the schools because so many of the people there had already raised their kids and didnt have investment in the future of the place.

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Tucson was where you wrote a book for the first time, nonfiction about a mine strike.

Yes, not the first book I had published, but the first book I wrote. When I was covering that strike, I was a stringer for a number of national publications, and I started really looking at and analyzing what happens when big power comes up against the working class. And what I saw was: I know this. This is why the Eastern Kentucky of my childhood was deeply politicized and really pretty radical. You wouldnt guess it now, necessarily, because labor unions and everything that they did for people have been deconstructed.

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Disassembled, basically.

Yeah, disassembled, exactly. But in the 60s and 70s, everybody understood the difference between labor and capital. And so there was something about that mine strike and the peoples stories and the fierce determination to represent their communities that really resonated with me. I think thats why I stuck with that assignment through many months, even though it was hard. I got tear-gassed, a lot of close shaves. I didnt intend to write a book about it, but I just kept showing up weekend after weekend for these big picket lines. And the women that I was interviewing started referring to me as that girl thats writing a book about us. So I thought, Oh man.

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I guess I better.

Now I got to do that. Im not one to disappoint people. Thats when I first thought, maybe I could write a whole book, and I did.

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Another thing that came out of that time was a short story of yours I love, Why I Am a Danger to the Public.

Exactly.

Its written in the voice of a Latina mineworker. I taught that story recently to a group of college students who really enjoyed it and who also got into a big debate about whether a white writer should even have written that story.

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Of course.

Im curious how you feel about that story now, and more broadly, how you imagine your way into other peoples lives, whether theyre Latina crane operator or a young man from a trailer park universe.

Well, that story is an outlier for exactly that reason. At the time I wrote it, the whole issue of authenticity and the writers ethical domain, nobody was really talking about that. It was a pretty primitive argument at that time: A lot of us were saying, Weve only read about womens experience from male writers. Maybe women writers ought to be writing about female experience too. We were just trying to carve out some basics of the territory.

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But pretty quickly, by the time I wrote The Poisonwood Bible in the 90s, I was well aware that I was not going to represent Congolese characters from the inside. And that has generally been my rule. If you think about Of Mice and Men, you only ever see Lenny from the outside, you never go inside. Steinbeck couldnt know what its like to be a person with that brain damage. But hes beautifully represented from the outside. So keeping that inside-outside rule is the way I navigate that pretty comfortably.

"At the time, it felt OK to do. And now, I have no argument with your students who said I probably shouldnt have."  Barbara Kingsolver

And so thats why I say Danger to the Public is an outlier. And that happened because I had more than 100 hours of taped conversations with these women who sounded just like her. And thats just the ones I had on tape, not counting the hundreds of hours we just bullshitted on the front porch or on the picket line or running for cover or whatever. So I channeled that story. It was the rare story that just felt like it came through me. I felt like these women that I had come to love had given me this story and I gratefully accepted it. At the time, it felt OK to do. And now, I have no argument with your students who said I probably shouldnt have.

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Demons from Appalachia, but his life is still very different from the life you live in Appalachia now.

Not as different as you might think. I know Demon. He is not very different from me. I was very bullied as a kid for not wearing the right clothes, for being nonconforming in various ways, and being perceived as less wealthy. Ive lived with imposter syndrome my entire life since I left Kentucky. Ive almost never walked into a room without feeling like, Theyre going to figure out, I dont belong here. Theyre going to kick me out. And the higher I might fly, the worse that feeling becomes.

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I know this character. I own the right to represent Appalachia, even from the inside of a kid like Demon. Plenty of people have usurped the Appalachian experience, but Im not.

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The book isnt overtly political, but every now and then Demon reveals hes paying attention. Im thinking of that bit when hes talking about the word hillbilly, how its been reclaimed by some people as a mark of defiance. And he mentions other words like that: redneck, moonshiners  deplorables. How did you think about how much this book ought to intersect with the real-world politics of its time?

Well, that awareness is always there. Like many writers, Im wearing this mantle, I have to represent my people. When Colson Whitehead or Jesmyn Ward write about Black experience, its what theyre bringing to the table. I bring to the table a level of outrage. And Ive come to see, over the course of my career, a greater acceptance  or Id put it another way, less wariness, less suspicion of the possibility that a novel can engage with the issues of the world. Identity politics have become quite acceptable as a component of fiction. I guess Ive always done that, and Im happy that it seems like people have lightened up about that.

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I also live in Virginia, but in Northern Virginia.

[Mountain twang] Where they have those AP classes and all.

Thats correct.

[Even twangier] We could kick yer butts.

My kids wouldnt last 10 minutes in Demons school. When I drive through the western and southern parts of the state, I see a lot of Trump signs everywhere. I also meet a lot of people who remain really devoted to progressivism and social justice. As you said, Appalachia has always had a history of fighting for change. I think a lot of people dont understand that. So heres a reductive question: Who do you think Demon wouldve voted for in the last election?

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This is probably cop-out, but I honestly think he would not have voted. He has so little faith in adults, first of all, who have never, ever come through for him. He has no faith in institutions, who have never come through for him. I know a lot of people who dont vote because theyre so completely dispirited. Their only contact with institutions tends to be negative.

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In part, thats what the book is about, about the way that whatever hope Demon feels does not come from institutions, it comes from the people around him.

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Exactly. For him, its his community of boy friends. When his caseworker says, Oh, I meant to get your clothing and books from your home and I forgot to do that. After hes been in a foster home for week. And he says to himself, or he says to you, the reader, If I didnt have my guys looking out for me, Id be nowhere. And a lot of those Trump signs are really saying, Ive given up on government as we know it. Im voting for the guy who just says hes not government. Hes going to blow it all up and somehow, magically, make things work for us.

That word you mentioned, deplorables, we went back and forth. It came out, it went in, it came out, discussions with my editor and my agent and other people. People asked, You really sure you want to do that? I decided, yes, if theres this little frisson of discomfort when people read that  I meant for that to be an uncomfortable moment. I meant for plenty of readers to say, Ouch. Were doing some name-calling here.
Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group.

Dear Care and Feeding,

I am looking for advice on how to talk to my 12-year-old daughter about my drug use. This past January, I was diagnosed with brain cancer. Im on many different medications, and I start my second round of chemo this week. The problem is this chemo is new to me and the side effects are terrible. With my last chemo round (different type of chemo) my biggest problem was nausea. At the advice of a fellow cancer patient, I tried smoking marijuana. It works amazingly well at curbing the nausea, but only by smoking. Edibles and oils do not help. I only smoke outside after work in the evening and then freshen up before joining my family in the house. I know I must smell like smoke, but my daughter has not said anything. My husband has been supportive because he knows the other side effects are awful and this really does help.

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I need to talk to my daughter about it. She must know something is going on, but she doesnt say anything about it. I want her to know that sometimes drugs can be very helpful to a person who is suffering. I dont want her to think drug use for recreation is OK. Shes in middle school and kids there are already talking about it and trying to convince others to try it. But what do I say? How do I convey to her that most drugs are very bad and terribly addictive? I am using marijuana to help with ongoing chemo side effects, not for fun.

I have gotten my daughter into therapy so she can deal with her emotions of my diagnosis and the changes she sees in her mom. Perhaps I should discuss this with her therapist? Prior to my cancer diagnosis, we had many conversations about drug use, addiction and how it can affect a persons life negatively. I dont want her to interpret my usage as a green light for her to try drugs. Any advice, books or websites to review would be very appreciated.

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 High But Not Suffering

Dear HBNS,

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My answer to your question is complicated depending on how marijuana is policed in your state. I will assume that marijuana is, at minimum, legal for medicinal use where you live. If that is not the case, you will have to consider the advice more carefully.

I would be very open with your daughter about the fact that you are using marijuana, and why. Explain the side effects of the chemo and why they are serious, and how the marijuana helps. If this is something you started on the recommendation or with the blessing of your physician, you might mention that too. If marijuana is fully legal in your state, you can draw comparisons to alcoholsomething you keep in the house but to be used responsibly by adults, not kids. If marijuana is only legal medicinally, I would instead liken it to Vicodin and other controlled substances that are medicinal in nature. Depending on your politics, this might be a great opportunity for you and your daughter to discuss the criminalization of marijuana so that she fully understands the past cultural stigmas of the drug and their impacts on criminal justice, certain communities, and healthcare. You can discuss all of this while still underscoring that just because something is legal does not mean it is safe in large quantities or for still-developing minors.

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My guess is that, with such a serious diagnosis, she will be in favor of you doing anything that makes your quality of life or your survival prospects better. Your job is to explain the context and be as transparent as possible. I wish you good outcomes from your treatment.

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Dear Care and Feeding,

Where do you stand on parents bringing babies or toddlers to wedding or funeral ceremonies? Im usually frustrated by the former, as I really want to hear the speeches and struggle to do so even if a baby is far from me, due to the echoes in the space. If Im being honest, I find loud shrieks or additional noises teeth-grindingly annoying, especially when I then cant hear my friends say their vows.

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Today, I went to a funeral and there was a baby at first babbling, then crying during the service. That almost felt one step further in annoying or disrespectful. I assume there is nothing you can do but grin and bear it. At this point Im thinking of taking my vows to become a vicar just so I can be up front and hear whats being said. (I dont ever know the guests involved if thats any help for context.)

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Cant Tune Them Out

Dear CTTO,

Since you asked my opinion, I think its lovely to have babies and small children at these events, even though I recognize that it can be distracting. At my husbands funeral, the pastor made a point of telling the parents in the room that young children were more than welcome to stay, because they are members of the community and have just as much right to Gods house as the adults, and they remind us that life is cyclical and bigger than any one person. I appreciated the pastor saying this in the greeting, not only because my two-year-old was being a doofus in the front row most of the time, but also because I would hate to have someone miss out on the communal experience of grieving my husband because they feel they need to take their baby to the hallway.

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As a parent, its really hard to feel like you are a social pariah because you have a child who cries. Kids get upset at weddings, funerals, restaurants, airplanesthe list goes on. I can guarantee you no one is more mortified than the parents, yet folks act as if the parents have performed some audacious act by daring to be out and about in the world as a family. Infants arent pets or accessories that can be easily left at home, and even if they were, isnt it understandable that a parent would want to experience funerals, weddings, and other life events alongside their kids?

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It is totally fine to be annoyed when these solemn events are disturbed by shrieks and cries, but that is just part of being in a community. And while I wish that more pastors (or vicars, in your case) would better learn the art of pausing and projecting their voices to compensate, I think grinning and bearing it is really your only option.

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Submit your questions about parenting and family life here. Its anonymous! (Questions may be edited for publication.)

Dear Care and Feeding,

My daughter started sixth grade this year and seems to be having a hard time adjusting. Subjects in elementary school seemed to come easy for her so she did not have to do much studying. It did not help that her school had a no homework policy, so up to this point she had not had to figure out how to do work on her own.

Right now, she is failing math. She didnt tell me she was struggling, and the teacher never reached out to let me know. I only found out when I checked her grades on the parent site (which I do weekly) and saw the grade. We are working together nightly on the unit she is having problems with, but while she seems to be able to do the math at home with me, she is still getting bad grades on tests and quizzes.

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I am considering getting her a tutor, but I am a single parent with a very limited income who would rather not spend the money (and take it away from something else like bills or food), and she is near the end of this unit. Should I wait and see if it was just this one thing holding her up, or should I get a tutor now and be preemptive for the year?

 Middle School Is Hard

Dear MSIH,

I would start by talking to the teacher. What is he or she noticing from the school day? How does your daughter behave during tests? Does the teacher have a practice test your daughter can do at home to see if perhaps its the timed nature of the exam thats leading to your daughters errors? Basically, use these next few weeks to do some fact-finding, and make a plan to talk to the teacher again after the new unit starts so that you can compare notes. And before you invest in a tutor, see whether the teacher holds office hours or after-school time for kids who need extra instruction.

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My last thought is a friendly reminder that learning disabilities like ADHD are often undiagnosed among girls and can go undetected through elementary school. For many smart kids, its not until the subject matter and workloads become more challenging that the disability appears. If your teachers indicate any suspicions in this realm, dont hesitate to get her assessed. Receiving accommodations and learning coping strategies early can make a significant difference for people with these diagnoses.

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Dear Care and Feeding,

When my son James was 4, I divorced my abusive ex-husband Mark. Mark and I got equal custody of James. Mark then moved in with his girlfriend, Martha, and her toddler daughter, Katie. Mark has since gone to prison for serious charges, and after Marks arrest, Martha and I became good friends. We live close to each other. Because I was working from home and Martha was working in-person, even at the height of the pandemic, I often watched Katie.

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James is now 8, and Katie is now 5. The two of them have a really sweet relationship. Martha has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and will die within a few months, and Martha has asked me to be Katies guardian. Katie is an amazing kid, and I am more than happy to take her in. There are two issues that I am anticipating that I would like advice on how to deal with.

One is that Katie really doesnt look anything like my son and me. Were all white, but James looks exactly like me (darker skin, curly darker hair, typical Mediterranean features) while Katie has fair skin and light brown hair. I have been caring for Katie while Martha is dealing with her illness. When we go out, people often ask if were related, which makes Katie feel upset. I know it isnt an issue to the same extent as it is for parents of mixed-race or interracially adopted children, but is there any way to minimize these statements or make them easier for Katie to ignore?

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Another thing is that Marthas home has very different expectations and boundaries than my home does. For example, Martha expects Katie to eat everything thats put on her plate, whereas I do not. My kids have a strict bedtime with very few exceptions, and Martha doesnt. Katies life is going to be very tumultuous, and I want to make sure that she has the smoothest possible transition into my home, given the circumstances. At the same time, Im not entirely sure I want to change a lot of the rules in my house for Katie, only to change them back when things settle down. How can I help Katie transition into our home comfortably?

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I am not comfortable in chaos, and when immersed in it, I know I tend to fixate on things that I have control over. So, are these even things I should be worrying about?

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 Well Be a Family

Dear WBaF,

I am so sorry that your friend is dying, but Im happy that Katie will have a familiar and warm home to welcome her when that day comes. To know that she is loved and wanted is the most important thing you can offer her in this transition, so although you want to try to plan for all the things ahead, please know that you already have the big stuff covered.

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Structure and context will also be important for Katies adjustment to your home. I would recommend that you keep your household rules as they have always been, but have explicit conversations with Katie so that she understands the rules and how they differ from what she is used to. You want her to recognize that she will have to acclimate to the new space and routine, without feeling like shes at sea. That said, find opportunities for her to have a say in things when possible. Work her favorite dinners into the rotation, or incorporate the bedtime routine she had with her mom (even if youre stricter on the actual bedtime); these are easy accommodations that can help the transition feel more like blending a family and less like piling changes on one little girl.

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As to the inquisitive strangers out in the world, sighhh. Craft a few responses to have in your pocket. Phrases like we are a family dont offer strangers any information they arent entitled to, and it signals to Katie that she belongs and that you have her back. (It also avoids words like I am her mom which might feel to Katie like shes betraying Martha.) Youll find lots of inspiration for responses onlinethis mom has some great perspectives on the topic. Unfortunately, from what I know of the adoption experience, questions like this are unlikely to go away anytime soon. Even well-intentioned people can use language that hurts; phrases like given up for adoption or comments that paint you with a saintly brush for taking in this poor child are engrained in our verbiage but can nonetheless sting. You cant prevent it all, and it may be hard to predict which ones will hurt for Katie, so focus your efforts on weathering the storm together as a team of three.

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Allison

More Advice From Slate

Our daughter (17F) sat us down last night and explained that she was in love with the (16M) neighbor next door. Instead of being delighted, as weve known the boy since birth and theyve been friends almost as long, my husband threw a fit and forbade her from seeing him ever again. An argument ensued and our daughter accused my husband of being racist. (Were Filipino and the neighbors are Black) When he shared his reasons for reacting the way he did, my world changed forever. And I dont know what to do with this information.
Few people are as knee-deep in our work-related anxieties and sticky office politics as Alison Green, who has been fielding workplace questions for a decade now on her website Ask a Manager. In Direct Report, she spotlights themes from her inbox that help explain the modern workplace and how we could be navigating it better.

If you read any think pieces on cultural and economic trends, youve probably seen quiet quitting getting a lot of attention recently. Employees, were told, aregasp!no longer going above and beyond at work and instead are just doing the basics required in their job descriptions. This is apparently so outrageous that its been labeled quitting when in fact these workers arent leaving their jobs; theyre simply establishing healthier work-life boundaries.

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This terribly named trend mirrors a larger change in peoples relationship to work. The pandemic, the lackluster response to it from many employers, the move to more remote work (after employers told workers for years that remote work would be impossible to accommodate), and the employee-friendly job market have all caused many people to rethink the role they want work to play in their lives, as well as what theyre willing to give of themselves and what is reasonable for employers to expect of them. Increasingly, workers are concluding that theyve gone above and beyond for a long timedealing with inadequate staffing, low pay, unreasonable demands on their time, and embarrassingly meager workplace protectionsin return for very little. No wonder theyre less emotionally invested.

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If anything, a lot of workers are disgusted with the idea that they should do more than quietly quit. Heres a sampling of what Ive been hearing in my inbox:

 I used to check my email at night and weekends. I used to answer reference questions at night and on weekends. Thats never been part of my job. I did it because I was encouraged to do it by our administrators because were supposed to care and I naively believed them. Well, years have gone by and I dont get a bonus for doing this stuff. I dont get more money. I put in for raises and am told, sorry no. I try to move up and am told no. So Im done with that. When its business hours, I am doing my job and I am trying to do it well. But at night? On a Sunday? All the hell no.

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 Why should I go out of my way to give extra to my company? When was the last time the company went out of its way to give extra to the employees? We have a business arrangement; they pay me X salary in exchange for me completing Y tasks. If I throw in Z task, Im lucky to even get a thank-you, so why not just stay in my own lane?

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 I have been trying to enact better boundaries around what I will and wont do at work because my industry is one of those where you can very easily get roped in to doing more and more with little reward. Im not quitting my job nor am I slacking on it, but Im trying to put it in its proper place where it gets a piece of my attention, but not all of it.

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 I will work hard and do good work for what Ive been hired to do. I just wont volunteer or agree to do extra stuff you wont pay me for. I made the mistake of taking on an extra project last spring that was more work than Id been told, yet my raise didnt reflect the extra work. So Ive scaled back to just my actual job for my normal hours at my expected pay and thats it. None of this is me quitting. Its just me doing only my actual job and not providing additional labor to my employer that they arent compensating me for.

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 Employers have enjoyed the benefits of not just underpaying people broadly (look at wages vs. productivity, and wages vs. cost of living), but getting free extra labor, usually with either the promise of a promotion/raise that never comes or with the threat of unemployment if the employee works to rule instead of working extra. God knows I fell for that scam when I was new to the working world, and it has never once paid off. I just now quit doing it, after nearly five years of taking on extra at a job for which I was already overqualified, only to pass an external interview for a job Id done on top of my own for years, then hear from my own management that I would not be moved on to the next round. They like my work in that role just fine, but theyd prefer not to pay me for it and to keep getting my actual job duties covered for my current rate too. Nope, screw that, they had their shot and now Im going to do as specified while I look for greener pastures. Lifes too short to waste my time and energy like this; I want to do good work that allows me to live a life in which Im content. Thats it, thats all, thats not shameful or wrong or lazyand I adamantly reject any suggestion that it is.

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 My version of quiet quitting is staying in my own lane. Im not flaking out, but Im also not taking anything new on voluntarily, and Im definitely not offering to go above and beyond for my boss.  I do my job and I do it well, but thats all I do.

 In education, because there is a teacher shortage in particular, Ive seen a lot of my fellow staff members do the quiet quit. My district is working without a contract and the big admins are saying theres no money when hiding $1820 million and giving our superintendent a $400,000 contract. We are doing what we are paid for, we care about our kids, but no more grading or planning outside of school. If its not in my contractual day, I likely wont work on it.

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 I work my contracted hours. I check my email once a day, during contracted hours. I do my recordkeeping and write my bulletins in my contracted hours. I do not serve on committees. When I was a first-year teacher, our consultant for our accrediting body told me that I should be doing material making every Saturday and recordkeeping every Sunday. Yeah, I dont do that anymore.

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 I think for a lot of people, theyve come to this mentality because they went above and beyond for years but realized what they gained didnt outweigh what they sacrificed. A lot of companies and organizations have been banking on their employees going above and beyond with no incentives. Teachers go above and beyond and pay for supplies out of pocket. An executive assistant goes above and beyond for their boss and is rewarded with 2 percent raises, prestige, and calls on vacation. A salesperson went above and beyond and spent late hours convincing clients, but missed the formative years of his childrens lives. And companies benefited from their employees desire to go out of their way to do good work. But they didnt reward those employees in any real, worthwhile way.

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The whole narrative of quiet quittingthat doing only the basics of your job and nothing more is somehow akin to resigningis the kind of thinking that lets employers take advantage of employees in the first place. Its not quitting to do your job without burning yourself out or to decline to take on extra work without compensation. If a companys business model requires its employees to go above and beyond, the problem isnt the employees; its the business model.

It remains to be seen whether a change in the job market will alter these workers stances; employers, no doubt, are counting on regaining the upper hand at some point. But it sure does feel like a fundamental shift in our relationship to work has taken place, and for now, thats a really good thing for workers.
Last year was one of the best ever for the worlds richest law firms. Deals surged. Hiring boomed. Salaries ballooned. First-year associates now make $215,000, and thats pre-bonus. The median BigLaw partner earns well over $1 million a year.

For most Americans, however, the pandemic has been a legal disaster. The need for legal help swelled alongside rising household debt, unemployment claims, and domestic violence incidents. Even pre-pandemic, most Americans did not hire a lawyer when facing legal problems, even serious ones. The majority of legal problems are met with inactiona person doesnt write the will, doesnt contest the eviction, doesnt challenge the debt, or doesnt seek the restraining order.

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Then, even when Americans do take action, its typically without legal assistance. In a stunning three-quarters of the 20 million civil cases filed in court each year, at least one party lacks a lawyer. When Americans think of the legal system, they imagine A Few Good Men, Perry Mason, or even My Cousin Vinnylawyer clashing with lawyer in open court. The reality is starkly different.

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Like any complex problem, this justice gap has many causes. Backlogged courts, dwindling legal aid funding, and growing income insecurity, often due to health care shocks, are all likely factors. But theres also mounting evidence of another culprit: restrictive rules governing the provision of legal services.

Sweeping rules in almost every state give lawyers a powerful monopoly by mandating that only lawyers can do legal work or own law firms. These rules ostensibly protect consumers by ensuring a lawyer exercises independent judgment, untainted by commercial considerations. But like other restraints on trade, they also predictably constrain the supply of legal help, limit outside investment in law firms, shut out non-lawyer expertise, and drive up the cost of services. Innovative, lower-cost delivery models, whether via nurse-practitioner-like paraprofessionals or software, are literally forbidden. With full-price lawyers as their only option, and even inexperienced lawyers charging more than $300 per hour, most Americans are priced out of the market for legal help.

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Amidst growing public concern about access to justice, some states have begun to take action to relax the rules and welcome new providers into the system. Whos leading the charge?

Not progressive states like California. Though the Golden State is famous for its history of tech disruption and progressive politics, the California legislature recently passed a bill that shuttered a high-profile State Bar working group tasked with proposing ways to rethink the states approach to the regulation of legal services. Fierce criticism from lawyers groups was simply too great a political threat to risk even a proposal seeing the light of day. Around the same time, the American Bar Associations governing body doubled down on the idea that only lawyers can responsibly provide legal services, a protectionist shot across the bow of states considering deregulation.

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While other states continue to weigh reforms, the only two states that have actually implemented these justice-enhancing measures are an unlikely red-and-purple-state duo: Utah and Arizona. In mid-2020, the Utah Supreme Court launched a pilot sandbox program to allow pre-approved entities to innovate with new business models and services. At the same time, Arizona became the first state to scrap Rule 5.4, a restriction on who can own law firms and profit from legal referrals, and it authorized certain nonlawyers to take legal action, including representing clients in court.

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When first announced, these bold reforms drew criticism from both knee-jerk protectionists and good-faith skeptics worried about consumer harm. But the returns, so far, are quite promising.

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As of this summer, 57 entities had been authorized in the two states to try out new approaches. Of those entities, about 20 are traditional firms seeking to improve services, with new investment in software or nonlawyer skillsets. Many others are one-stop-shops that combine law and non-law expertise. Still others are using a previously prohibited mix of lawyers, nonlawyers, and software to provide services, from low-cost divorces to criminal expungement. And several entities are newly empowered nonprofits using previously-forbidden approaches to help low-income Americans address medical debt or seek protection orders against abusers.

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Perhaps most important of all, the reforms do not appear to pose a risk of consumer harm. Data reported by Utah and Arizona indicate that newly authorized entities do not draw a higher number of consumer complaints as compared to regular lawyers.

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To be sure, much remains to be tested, interrogated, tweaked, and re-tested. The point is not that these models have succeeded. Whats important for now is that they are being tried at all. Experiments require trials, and trials yield informationwhich policymakers can then use to refine models and improve results.

Moreover, it is important when evaluating outcomes to recognize that the choice for many Americans is not between a real lawyer and some kind of lawyer lite. It is between some measure of professional assistance and no help at all. As it stands, the current systemand the monopoly it confersfails millions of Americans, consigning them to navigate a complex system, designed by and for lawyers, entirely alone.
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For Slovak comedian Frantisek Kosaristan, who is better known as Fero Joke, Teplaren had always been a place where he  and many others  felt safe and accepted for who he was.

At Teplaren, one of Bratislavas two LGBT+ bars, the entertainer who proudly identifies as a gay Catholic also started off his career by making people laugh. This cosy bar has now fallen into silence and dozens of candles and flowers lie outside the venue following the murder of two members of the LGBT+ community.

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This culture of death, or hatred against minorities, is a consequence of the behaviour of politicians in parliament who shamelessly insult homosexuals and lie publicly [about them], outraged Kosaristan said.

On the evening of October 12, a 19-year-old Bratislava grammar school student targeted and shot dead two young LGBT+ people  university student and Teplaren bartender Matus Horvath and visual merchandiser Juraj Vankulic  outside the bar situated near the city centre with his fathers legally owned gun. Another customer, a woman, was also injured in the shooting.

There could have been more people in the bar, Teplaren owner Roman Samotny said. The bar opened two hours before the gunman carried out the attack. He had waited outside, observing Teplaren for at least half an hour before his attack.

Several hours after the shooting, the attacker was found dead in a street near the main railway station. He is believed to have shot himself dead.

The gunman who has been identified as Juraj K., the son of a politician from the non-parliamentary far-right party Vlast (Homeland), published online a white supremacist manifesto, in English, before the shooting, expressing his wish to carry out further attacks on different groups and in different places. Eduard Heger, head of the conservative government, was the gunmans initial target.

The police are investigating the deadly shooting as premeditated murder, but do not rule out reclassifying it as terrorism.

The public reacted strongly to the killings, with an estimated 15,000-20,000 people marching from Teplaren to one of the Bratislava squares two days after the attack to condemn hate against the LGBT+ community in Slovakia, a rather conservative EU country with a strong presence of the Roman Catholic Church. Gatherings were also held in other Slovak towns and outside the country.

Many say LGBT+ people are an ideology, Samotny told the Bratislava crowd on October 14. But I saw the blood of my friends on the pavement. I saw their shot bodies, no ideology.

Despite the shooting and the publics immediate support, the LGBT+ community remains sceptical about seeing any potential improvements to the lives of members of the community, since the atmosphere of hate against them has, they argue, been nurtured by many groups, including politicians in power or in parliament, for years.

Politicians blamed for spreading hate

President Zuzana Caputova echoed many in the LGBT+ community when she said that the hate crime was the result of animosity that had been fuelled for a long time by the stupid and irresponsible statements of politicians.

This hatred took innocent human lives. Stop it before it costs more, Caputova called on her fellow politicians in her first reaction to the crime. A video of the president embracing the owner of Teplaren at the scene of the murders, both in tears, has been widely shared on social networks.

Caputova later walked at the front of the march against hate, organised by LGBT+ organisations on Friday, and apologised to the victims and their bereaved from the stage.

But on the Slovak political scene, her attitude has been the exception rather than the rule. And as president, her role is symbolic and representative, and does not have the executive power to change laws. In a gesture of solidarity, the Presidential Palace flew the rainbow flag alongside the Slovak and the European flags. Just this summer, some of the Slovak lawmakers  a far-right MP who made it into parliament on the slate of the LSNS, and an MP of the ruling OLaNO party of Prime Minister Heger  wanted to push through a ban on rainbow flags on official buildings.

Slovakias political structures have always been negative or, at best, indifferent to the situation of the LGBT+ community. As a result, Slovakia is one of the few remaining EU member states that does not legally recognise same-sex partnerships.

Slovakias Inakost (Otherness) Initiative, partnering with like-minded organisations from five other EU countries within the R.I.S.E. project, in 2021 found that Slovakia is among the few remaining countries in the EU that does not recognise same-sex partnerships in any form (the others are Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania). The authors of the report pointed out that the current constitutional provision labelling marriage as a unique bond between a man and a woman, inserted into the constitution in 2014, represents a huge obstacle to the passage of any legislation that would make the lives of same-sex couples easier.

Under the current government, there were no expectations any positive change would come for same-sex couples; observers have pointed out that the 2020 election has produced the most conservative parliament in Slovakias 30-year history.

Prime Minister Heger is one of these conservative politicians. Before the election, he was part of the informal group Christian Candidates that pledged, among other things, not to introduce the registered partnership for LGBT+ people. After his initial reaction that nobody should be in danger because of their way of life, Heger apologised to the LGBT+ community for using inappropriate words.

On Friday night, he marched with the crowd against hate, carrying a rainbow flag handed to him on the spot by an LGBT+ rights activist Hana Fabry. Heger confirmed earlier that the murderer previously posted a selfie in front of the block of flats where he lives with his family and was reportedly on the murderers list.

PM Eduard Heger attends the march against hate in Bratislava. (Source: TASR)

Of the three highest constitutional officials, only Speaker of Parliament Boris Kollar did not attend the march. His party, Sme Rodina, ran for parliament for the first time in 2016, mostly on an anti-migration platform, but Kollar also belonged to the politicians who used denigrating language about LGBT+ people. Derogatory statements were in the past repeated by politicians across the political spectrum, including former prime ministers Robert Fico and Igor Matovic.

Negative stances towards LGBT+ people have also been heard from many representatives of Slovakias churches in the past. One notable example is a pastoral letter of the Catholic bishops that was read out in churches across Slovakia before Christmas of 2013. In it, the bishops called people advocating for gender equality and LGBT rights as adherents of the culture of death.

Two years later, in 2015, the Catholic Church called on people, in another pastoral letter, to support the referendum on the family, organised by the Alliance for Family civic organisation and targeted against the LGBT+ community. The referendum failed in the end.

Forensic psychologist Anton Heretik said in an interview with Radio Expres after the attack that he hoped the murders would prompt some action to improve the position of LGBT+ people in Slovak society. Slovakia is one of the few countries where homophobia is part of some sort of lifestyle of many important representatives, he accused.

President Zuzana Caputova speaks to the crowd. (Source: Sme - Marko Erd)

Life partnerships and a refuge

Only two among the relevant political parties have come up with proposals to anchor same-sex partnerships in the Slovak legal system, or with other minor improvements to the lives of LGBT+ couples in Slovakia  the Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party, which is now in opposition after leaving the coalition, and the non-parliamentary Progressive Slovakia (PS).

The MP Tomas Valasek, who is a member of PS, failed with his attempt to introduce registered partnerships last year. In August this year, SaS, prior to departing the government, filed a set of draft amendments to parliament that would effectively introduce life partnerships. In the form of a binding notary deed, any couple regardless of gender would be able to agree on practical issues like inheritance rights, joint co-ownership, and the right to share health and other personal information.

After the murders outside Teplaren, several parliamentary parties, including the coalition parties OLaNO and Sme Rodina, indicated they could support the proposal. The leader of the most popular party Hlas, the former prime minister Peter Pellegrini, told the public-service broadcaster RTVS on October 16 that the attack was a wake-up call for society and their party will definitely support the proposal of SaS.

And then let us go further and discuss whether Slovak society is willing to accept registered partnerships, too, Pellegrini said. For now, in my opinion, it is not.

The attack left the LGBT+ community in shock, but they stressed in their reactions that they have lived in fear and experienced verbal and physical violence for some time.

As many as 77 percent of same-sex couples are always or often afraid of holding hands in public, according to data from the Fundamental Rights Agency of the EU. One in five trans and intersex people in Slovakia said they were physically or sexually attacked in the five years leading up to the survey.

In the atmosphere of fear that LGBT+ people describe as ever-present in their lives, many of the community described the bar, one of the few in the Slovak capital, as a home and a haven. That was the case for the two murdered people, too.

They used to go to Teplaren because it is a refuge for many young people who are looking for solid ground under their feet. They fail to find it elsewhere, because this country is not favourable to them. This country systematically rages against them, Samotny said in an interview with Sme.

Teplaren owner Roman Samotny and President Zuzana Caputova. (Source: TASR)

Lubos Janak, a 26-year-old native Bratislavan, does not hide that he is gay. As an actor who performs in front of people, he says it is important to him to be true to the people. But he says he does not talk about his sexual orientation if he does not need to, and admits that fear is a factor, increasingly, as he grows older. He confirms that he has never felt safe in Bratislava.

Every day I live in fear that someone will beat or kill me or my loved one just because they do not like the way we look, he wrote on his Facebook page last year.

The worst incident he has experienced was an attack in a small park in central Bratislava, close to his university. A group of men approached him and his friend, shouting abuse and asking them, among other things, who they voted for. The attackers were proud to share that they were voters of the neo-fascist LSNS party.

What surprised me the most was that when I ran to the nearby cafe to ask for help, they just mocked me for being scared, he said.

Calls to end the silence

People from within the community describe the silence and indifference as harmful, too.

We are silent when people are attacked at bus stops and when they are insulted on the bus. Now I am talking not only about LGBT+ people, but also about Roma, Jews, Ukrainians, women and other minorities. We keep silent and let evil grow, Samotny told Sme.

The attack has increased the fear within the community, but also determination to bring about change. The Inakost Initiative called on the government to take measures to improve the position of LGBT+ people in Slovakia.

Its now up to all society to finally stop the trend of growing hatred towards LGBT+ people, said Martin Macko, head of the initiative.

The most that has come from the political class so far has been the repeated apologies from President Zuzana Caputova.

It is not you who should feel threatened. Not you who do not belong here. It is hatred and intolerance that does not belong in Slovakia, she told the LGBT+ community in a Facebook post.

This story was produced in partnership with Reporting Democracy, a cross-border journalism platform run by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network.
Slovakia is not ready for registered partnerships, says ex-PM Peter Pellegrini.

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After the shooting of two young LGBT+ people outside a popular community bar in Bratislava last week, the question of registered partnerships is again on the table.

Environment Minister Jan Budaj (OLaNO) is in favour of registered partnerships, he said in the political talk show Na Telo on the private TV Markiza on Sunday.

The minister even thinks OLaNO head Igor Matovic might support registered partnerships.

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Hlas party MP Richard Rasi prefers gradual steps in this regard. "The steps that should be taken should be gradual and should be explained in such a way that they do not bring further polarisation," Rasi said, adding that he supports solving the situations of all couples living outside of marriage.

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Related article Years of LGBT+ intolerance in Slovakia culminates in two killings Read more

Indication of support

In August of this year, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), prior to departing the government, filed a set of draft amendments to parliament that would effectively introduce the cohabitation arrangement.

In the form of a binding notary deed, any couple regardless of gender would be able to agree on practical issues like inheritance rights, joint co-ownership, and the right to share health and other personal information.

After the murders outside Teplaren Bar, several parliamentary parties, including the coalition parties OLaNO and Sme Rodina, indicated they could support the proposal.

In the past, both Matovic and Sme Rodina head Boris Kollar repeatedly used denigrating language about LGBT+ people. Most recently, on Sunday night, Matovic mocked the LGBT+ community on Facebook, saying that "he is a man and he feels like a man".

Speaking on the political show V Politike on private news television TA3, OLaNO's Gyorgy Gyimesi said he would not support registered partnerships. However, he was in favour of inheritance rights or sharing health information for same-sex couples. Recently, the MP unsuccessfully tried to ban rainbow flags on state buildings.

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Related article Thousands marched the streets of Bratislava to say no to hate Read more

Hlas will support SaS' proposal

Peter Pellegrini, the leader of the most trusted party, Hlas, told the public-service broadcaster RTVS on October 16 that the attack was a wake-up call for society and their party will definitely support the proposal of SaS.

"It must be said frankly that people do not choose it [sexual orientation]. That's how they are born. When a person is born with a different sexual orientation, it does not mean a threat to the 1,500,000 people in Slovakia," Pellegrini said.

He does not think Slovakia is ready for registered partnerships.

MP Tomas Valasek, who is a member of PS, failed with his attempt to introduce registered partnerships last year.
https://sputniknews.com/20221017/after-heated-arctic-debate-china-expert-explains-why-prc-wont-dance-to-natos-tune-on-russia-1101958922.html

After Heated Arctic Debate, China Expert Explains Why PRC Wont Dance to NATOs Tune on Russia

After Heated Arctic Debate, China Expert Explains Why PRC Wont Dance to NATOs Tune on Russia

Throughout the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis this year, the Peoples Republic has faced heavy pressure from the United States and its allies over its... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T14:02+0000

2022-10-17T14:02+0000

2022-10-17T14:02+0000

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NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer and Chinese Ambassador to Iceland He Rulong got into a tense exchange Saturday at the Arctic Circle Assembly. The organization, designed to facilitate dialogue among government officials, business leaders, environmental groups, scientists, indigenous peoples and other stakeholders on issues affecting the Arctic, held its annual meeting in Reykjavik between October 13-16.At the event, Bauer suggested that China does not share the alliances values, and suggested that the country undermines the rules-based international order.Chided by Ambassador He, who accused the Dutch admiral of making a speech filled with arrogance and also paranoia and defended Chinese activities in the Arctic region, Bauer shot back, accusing Beijing of undermining the principle of sovereignty and the importance of the internationally recognized borders in the world by staying neutral on the Ukrainian crisis. So why is it possible then that China still is not condemning Russias attack in Ukraine? Bauer asked.Separately at the event Gao Feng, Chinese Foreign Ministry special representative for Arctic affairs, told forum attendees that Beijing will not support attempts to exclude Russia from the Arctic Council the eight-member organization dedicated to Arctic issues, notwithstanding Western pressure.China will not support Norways takeover of the chairmanship of the Arctic Council if Russia, which was supposed to be the chair until 2023, remains semi-banned, and may not take part in Council meetings in the future, the diplomat added. Russia was excluded from taking part in some Arctic Council activities earlier this year on the pretext of the crisis in Ukraine.China Wont Support Wests Militarization of ArcticWang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Relations at Renmin University, stresses it would be foolish to try to exclude Russia from various international cooperation platforms.The West is using the Ukrainian conflict to block international cooperation, including in the Arctic, Wang said in an interview with Sputnik.The Russian-Ukrainian conflict has its difficult historical causes. Attempts to use the situation to exclude Russia from cooperation in multi-stakeholder mechanisms are not only irrational, but exemplify very well the strategic intensions of those who stand behind such attempts, Wang said.Commenting on Rob Bauers claims that China doesnt share the blocs values, the academic characterized these remarks as an example of doublespeak.Russia is currently a full-fledged member of the Arctic Council, while China is an observer to the body. Within the framework of the Arctic Council, all sides share the same idea. Just because our political system and ideology differs from that of other countries, it should not be compared with the values of an international multilateral mechanism like the Arctic Council, deliberately misleading people and creating controversy, Wang stressed.China has resisted and will continue to resist all efforts to politicize and militarize the Arctic, the scholar said.

https://sputniknews.com/20220916/us-watching-russian-chinese-activities-in-arctic-very-closely-pentagon-says-1100874868.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/catcalling--harassment-instill-fear-delhi-students-react-after-male-mob-invades-campus-1101928566.html

'Catcalling & Harassment Instill Fear': Delhi Students React After Male Mob 'Invades' Campus

'Catcalling & Harassment Instill Fear': Delhi Students React After Male Mob 'Invades' Campus

On October 14, students of the all-women Miranda House College in Delhi organized a Diwali fest on campus, which saw several men from Ramjas College and other... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T14:11+0000

2022-10-17T14:11+0000

2022-10-19T20:48+0000

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Female students from Delhi's Miranda House College have opened up about a horrific incident that took place last weekend, when scores of men trespassed the campus during a Diwali fest with malicious intent.Within an hour of the celebration beginning, long queues of students from other colleges wrapped around the area. When they were denied entry, some men decided to climb over the fence to get onto the premises.Sobhana, a student at Miranda House, posted footage of the incident online, showing how female students on campus were exposed to catcalling, sexist sloganeering, and even groping. When the situation got out of control, the Women's Development Cell of Miranda House ordered the girls to evacuate for their own safety.Since its a girls college, we don't censor ourselves and dress the way we like. Men wrongfully try to sneak into the campus and make videos. There is also a false impression made by the people that girls of Miranda House College go out on a date with Ramjas College," Khanna further shared.Like Khana, Kundu also had to wait half an hour to enter her college and was pushed around by the crowd several times.When I entered after much difficulty, I saw boys trespassing and entering the college. They would stare at us badly and even make [derogatory] comments. We complained to the teachers who too were troubled by the boys, as they would make noise outside the classroom while classes were going on, Kundu said.Another third-year student, Astha Patel of the Bachelor of Arts (BA) program, told Sputnik that although the campus environment is generally good and inclusive, they still feel very unsafe when leaving it.Holding the college administration responsible for the incident, Patel said that the security placed at the entrance was not checking the ID cards of students.I saw the crowd becoming very violent and desperate to enter the campus. When men fail in their attempt, they would chant sexist slogans and sing songs like 'bewafa bewafa nikli hai re tu' ('you are an unfaithful lover'), Patel said.When asked how their parents react to such incidents, Patel said, They are shocked to see that a prestigious institute like this is not able to handle such incidents, which have been happening every year during college fests. General hopelessness has set in in them and they have imposed measures for our safety like returning home early before its dark and keep a track of our whereabouts.

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/eu-greenlights-training-mission-for-ukraine-troops-new-military-aid-package-1101925793.html

EU Greenlights Training Mission for Ukraine Troops, New Military Aid Package

EU Greenlights Training Mission for Ukraine Troops, New Military Aid Package

Even though EU member states have repeatedly claimed that they have no intention to send troops to Ukraine, thus becoming a party to the conflict, they have... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T11:18+0000

2022-10-17T11:18+0000

2022-10-19T20:57+0000

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European Union Foreign Ministers have given the green light at their meeting in Luxembourg to a mission to train around 15,000 Ukrainian troops. Besides signing off on establishing the Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine, they also approved a further 500 million ($486Mln) in European Peace Facility funding for Ukraine. The off-budget fund reimburses EU member states for arms delivered to Ukraine."The aim of the mission is to contribute to enhancing the military capability of Ukraines Armed Forces to effectively conduct military operations," stated the European Council in its press release, adding:EUMAM Ukraine will operate within the territory of EU member states and will have its Operational Headquarters within the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels. Vice Admiral Herve Blejean, the Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) within the EEAS, will be the Mission Commander. The mandate of the non-executive mission will initially last two years, with its financing costs estimated at 106 700 000 euro. The mission will be "open to participation of third states."Hungary is the only EU country that has refused to support the initiative to train Ukrainian military in Europe, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Monday.The minister underscored that Hungary was the only EU country to adopt such a stance, since it does not support steps leading to an escalation of the conflict. Budapest is in favor of the early start of peace negotiations, the minister added.Earlier reports had suggested the military training would start in mid-November and take place on EU territory, with Poland hosting the main hub of the mission. Germany was also reportedly to be a key staging post for training. Training programs operated by individual European states will continue independently until they become incorporated into the EU mission at a later stage.Since Russia started its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, the so-called collective West has imposed swathes of sanctions on Moscow, as well as providing military and technical assistance to Kiev. Although countries which have sanctioned Russia have repeatedly stated that they have no intention to send troops to Ukraine and become a part to the conflict, they did not baulk at sending their instructors to Ukraine and also assisting Ukrainian soldiers in travelling to other countries to undergo military training.Besides the United States, Canada and the UK, which have already been training thousands of Ukrainian troops, several individual EU nations, such as Germany and France, have been training Ukrainians to use the modern artillery systems, missile launchers and air defenses they have delivered to Kiev.Moscow has repeatedly rebuked the West for supplying weapons to Kiev, warning that western countries are playing with fire. Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that "any weapon [and] any arms shipment to the Ukrainian territory" would be considered a legitimate target by the Russian military.

https://sputniknews.com/20221017/eu-expected-to-greenlight-training-mission-for-ukraine-troops-with-hubs-in-poland-germany-1101914315.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20221012/which-countries-train-ukrainian-soldiers-1101777467.html

https://sputniknews.com/20221011/lavrov-says-evidence-abounds-of-us-western-military-fighting-on-the-ground-in-ukraine-1101732472.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/eu-ministers-reportedly-urged-to-toughen-stance-on-all-out-competitor-china-1101917494.html

EU Ministers Reportedly Urged to Toughen Stance on All-Out Competitor China

EU Ministers Reportedly Urged to Toughen Stance on All-Out Competitor China

Recalibrating Brussels strategy towards Beijing as China becomes an ever stronger global competitor for the EU is one of a plethora of issues on the agenda of... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T10:49+0000

2022-10-17T10:49+0000

2022-10-17T10:49+0000

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The EU must rethink its attitude towards China and treat it as an "all-out competitor" with "limited areas of potential engagement," the EUs 27 national foreign ministers have been advised, according to an internal paper prepared by the European External Action Service (the EUs foreign affairs branch) and cited by the Financial Times.Ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council starting Monday in Luxembourg, the blocs ministers were advised working more closely with the US, strengthening cyber and hybrid threat defenses, while diversifying supply chains away from China as part of recalibrating Brussels strategy towards Beijing.The "challenges," it added, are likely to widen the divergence between Chinas and our own political choices and positions.Since the existing policy towards Beijing was agreed back in 2019, describing Beijing as a strategic partner of the EU in addressing global and international challenges, there has been a marked decline in the relationship, according to the document. EU-China ties have been marred by trade disputes and tit-for-tat sanctions, the paper is cited as emphasizing. Remaining areas of limited potential cooperation with China, according to the report, include climate change, the environment, and health. The EUs dependence on China for semiconductors and some rare-earth metals was described as a strategic vulnerability by the paper, urging boosted domestic production, diversified supply chains, and other initiatives inside the bloc.While the paper deplored ostensibly numerous failed attempts to find common ground, it is no secret that the bloc's relations with China have spiraled amid numerous allegations leveled at Beijing. From unproven claims of human rights "abuse" in Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), decried by Beijing as maliciously distorting Chinese laws and policies," to political manipulation of Hong Kong and Taiwan - related issues, the West has increasingly offered skewed narratives on what the Asian giant sees as meddling in its internal affairs.'Outdated' PolicyChinas position on Russias special military operation in Ukraine, its stance regarding Taiwan, Hong Kong and alleged mistreatment of its Uyghur minority all warrant a rethink of the original EU policy, officials said.The EUs existing policy of perceiving China as partner-competitor-systemic rival is outdated, the EEAS paper to be discussed by foreign ministers in Luxembourg stated. China-Russia bilateral relations clearly amount to a strong strategic partnership, based on support for each others core interests, and cannot be ignored, the paper added.For the EU bloc, Chinas ever-deepening ties with Russia are a worrying development . . .[that] cannot be ignored, the ministerial paper underscored. It added that Beijings support for Moscow has brought China to more directly contest western democracies.From the beginning of Moscow's operation in Ukraine, the US pressured China to both join the sweeping sanctions imposed on the Kremlin by the so-called collective West, and limit its cooperation with Russia in the military and economic spheres, prompting a firm rebuttal from Beijing, which insisted on maintaining ties with Moscow.Furthermore, China warned that the sanctions against Russia had triggered spillover effects of rising energy costs and economic risks for developing nations.Regarding the province of Taiwan, which Beijing considers as an inalienable part of China, the five-page EEAS document said:The situation around Taiwan escalated after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island in early August. China condemned Pelosi's trip, which it regarded as a gesture of support for separatism.At the 20th Congress of the governing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that opened on Sunday in Beijing, it was underscored that "in the face of serious provocations by separatist forces calling for Taiwans independence, and interference from outside forces," China would "protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity."From alleged instances of "economic coercion" by China, heightened competition in key technologies, to purported cyber and hybrid threats, singled out by the EEAS paper, the EU was egged on to look upon the current EU strategy as no longer valid. The assessment was sent out ahead of a debate on China by the blocs 27 leaders at a summit starting on October 20. The claims in the paper echo earlier warnings from Washington that China was its most consequential geopolitical challenge. The US released a national security strategy that warned Beijing harbors the intention and, increasingly, the capacity to reshape the international order.We will prioritize maintaining an enduring competitive edge over the PRC, the US strategy said, referring to the People's Republic of China.The EU internal assessment comes against the backdrop of the Chinese Communist Party's congress, which started on Sunday and will continue through the rest of the week. Chinese President Xi Jinping weighed in on his country's policies in response to the current global trends, saying on the opening day that China resolutely defends impartiality and fairness in international relations, advocates and practices true multilateralism, and is against hegemonism and the politics of brute force. Xi Jinping also said on October 16 that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) considers it necessary to accelerate the process of turning the country into a leading world industrial power, including in the development of manufacturing industry, astronautics, transport, and network technologies.The week-long event will wrap up on October 22, with Xi Jinping expected to be nominated for a third five-year term as the CCPs general secretary and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).

https://sputniknews.com/20220914/eu-intel-chief-scraps-taiwan-trip-after-china-finds-out-report-1100780220.html

https://sputniknews.com/20221016/chinas-20th-communist-party-congress-kicks-off-in-beijing-1101889078.html

https://sputniknews.com/20221015/europe-joins-economic-war-against-china-can-they-afford-this--1101854692.html

https://sputniknews.com/20221015/us-war-drive-against-china-reflected-in-anti-asian-hate-crimes-1101862006.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/eu-officially-approves-dispatch-of-40-observers-to-armenia-azerbaijan-border-1101922101.html

EU Officially Approves Dispatch of 40 Observers to Armenia-Azerbaijan Border

EU Officially Approves Dispatch of 40 Observers to Armenia-Azerbaijan Border

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union has decided to dispatch up to 40 observers along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan, the... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T09:58+0000

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"The Council today decided to deploy up to 40 EU monitoring experts along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan with the objective of monitoring, analysing and reporting on the situation in the region," the Council said in a statement.The observers will be temporarily redeployed from the EU monitoring mission in neighboring Georgia, the statement said.The deployment of a civilian EU monitoring mission to Armenia-Azerbaijan border was an agreement reached at a meeting between the leaders of both countries with European Council President Charles Michel and French President Emmanuel Macron on October 6.Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a short war for the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. Both countries agreed to a Russia-brokered ceasefire in November 2020 and the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in the region. With the delineation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border since in progress, occasional clashes continued, with the latest episode taking place on September 13 in an area unrelated to Nagorno-Karabakh.

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/former-house-speaker-gingrich-says-fbi-should-be-broken-up-over-russiagate-1101965779.html

Former House Speaker Gingrich Says FBI Should Be Broken Up Over Russiagate

Former House Speaker Gingrich Says FBI Should Be Broken Up Over Russiagate

Last week saw the start of the trial of Igor Danchenko, a Russian-born US resident and analyst earlier revealed to be the primary source behind the opposition... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T17:52+0000

2022-10-17T17:52+0000

2022-10-17T18:04+0000

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donald trump

newt gingrich

fbi

russiagate

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Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich has accused the current crop of Federal Bureau of Investigation leaders of being the most corrupt in history, and suggested that the domestic security service may need to be broken up to avoid a repeat of Russiagate  the debunked conspiracy theory that Donald Trump colluded with the Kremlin during the 2016 presidential campaign.Suggesting that FBI Directors James Comey, Andrew McCabe, and Christopher Wray had perverted the US criminal justice system by going after Trump in spite of a lack of compelling evidence, Gingrich alleged that the agency has shown unacceptable levels of bias in probing Trump while protecting Clinton and Hunter Biden, President Joe Bidens son, despite their own shady and potentially illegal activities.Danchenkos trial began last week, with closing arguments and jury deliberations kicking off on Monday. One of the five charges of lying to the FBI was dropped last week after District Judge Anthony Trenga concluded that Danchenkos answers to an FBI interviewer about a conversation hed had with a Democratic operative was literally true and not worth sending to the jury.The remaining four charges allege that Danchenko had made a series of false statements about July 2016 communications he purportedly had with Sergei Millian, a Belarusian-American businessman and Trump contact. The FBI says Danchenko lied to them about speaking to the businessman regarding Trumps alleged Russia-related activities.Secret SourceThe trial revealed that Danchenko had been paid over $200,000 by the FBI for his services as a confidential informant between 2017 and 2020, and that the agency put in a request for an additional $346,000 payment at the end of that period which was ultimately denied. FBI Special Agent Kevin Helson, Danchenkos handler, maintained that the analyst had proven an invaluable source of information and suggested that his loss as an informant harmed US national security, with the FBI setting up a brand new unit solely on the basis of the Russian nationals information.Danchenko served as the primary source behind the so-called Steele Dossier, an infamous collection of wacky and raunchy allegations about Donald Trumps alleged ties to the Kremlin. The claims include the infamous allegations that the billionaire was compromised by Russian intelligence, which was said to have filmed him watching a pair of prostitutes urinate on a bed in a Moscow hotel room in 2013. Trump spent years denying this specific claim, joking in 2021 that he was not into golden showers.Judge Trenga prohibited the "pee tape" portion of the dossier from being brought up at the Danchenko trial, citing the danger that the information might confuse the jury and cast unfair prejudice against the defendant.Special Counsel John Durham, the former United States attorney tapped by Trump in 2020 to investigate the origins of Russiagate, sought to have the raunchy information from the Steele Dossier included to demonstrate Danchenkos propensity to make false statements.The dossier was compiled as an opposition research document for Hillary Clintons presidential campaign by former MI6 spy Christopher Steele. Despite the outlandish nature of many of its claims, the FBI ended up using it to assist in secretive preliminary probes against Trump from 2016 on, including in at least one wiretap against a Trump associate. The FBI moved forward even as other US intelligence agencies, including the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, expressed concerns about the documents sourcing.The Steele Dossier ultimately snowballed into Russiagate, a conspiracy theory alleging that Trump colluded with Russia or was some kind of agent of the Kremlin. Russiagate ran well into Trumps presidency, and helped push the Republican, who campaigned on improving ties with Moscow, into a series of provocative anti-Russian actions ranging from new sanctions to sending weapons to Ukraine, bombing Syria, and pulling out of strategic treaties to prove that he was not in cahoots with the Russians.In 2019, Special Counsel Robert Mueller wrapped up a three-year-long, $32 million probe into Russiagate, concluding that there was no evidence of collusion of any form whatsoever between the Trump campaign and Russia.

https://sputniknews.com/20221011/fbi-agents-who-asked-facebook-to-hush-up-hunter-biden-laptop-story-are-dem-donors-filings-reveal-1101737921.html

https://sputniknews.com/20221009/judge-orders-trial-of-key-steele-dossier-source-to-avoid-getting-into-raunchy-claims-about-trump-1101659470.html

https://sputniknews.com/20221014/trump-sends-14-page-letter-to-us-select-committee-probing-january-6-events-1101855419.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/israeli-weapons-deliveries-to-kiev-will-destroy-moscow-tel-aviv-ties-medvedev-warns-1101920298.html

Medvedev: Israeli Arms Deliveries to Kiev Will Destroy Moscow-Tel Aviv Ties

Medvedev: Israeli Arms Deliveries to Kiev Will Destroy Moscow-Tel Aviv Ties

Kiev began asking Israel to deliver air defense systems and other advanced weaponry earlier this year. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T09:12+0000

2022-10-17T09:12+0000

2022-10-19T20:57+0000

dmitry medvedev

israel

russia

russia

ukraine

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The delivery of advanced Israeli weapons systems to Ukraine would destroy interstate ties between Moscow and Tel Aviv, Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev has warned."I won't even mention that the Banderite degenerates were and remain Nazis. It's enough to take a look at their the symbols used by their modern-day henchmen. If they are supplied with weapons, it will be time for Israel to declare [Stepan] Bandera and [Roman] Shukhevych their heroes," he added, referring to the Ukrainian WWII-era ultra-nationalists whose OUN/UPA insurgent force collaborated with the Nazis, and slaughtered tens of thousands of Poles, Jews, Russians and pro-Soviet Ukrainians in the areas of western Ukraine under their control between 1943-1944.Ukrainian authorities have placed growing pressure on Israel to go ahead with weapons deliveries in recent weeks. "I don't know what happened to Israel. I'm honestly, frankly - I am in shock because I don't understand why they couldn't give us air defenses," President Zelensky said last month in an interview with French media.On Sunday, a senior Israeli politician called on Tel Aviv to drop any prohibitions on arms deliveries to Ukraine, citing (as yet unconfirmed) reports that Iran has been sending advanced armaments to Moscow.The Israeli government has taken a staunchly pro-Ukrainian position after Russia began its special military operation to "demilitarize" Ukraine and "de-Nazify" its government in February, accusing Russia of "aggression" and calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities on Kiev's terms. At the same time, Israeli officials have expressed reticence in escalating tensions with Moscow by delivering arms to Kiev. In the course of the Ukrainian crisis, Moscow has slammed Tel Aviv over the suspected operations of Israeli mercenaries in the conflict zone, and rebutted Israeli attacks on Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after the diplomat pointed out that Zelensky's Jewish blood was not a legitimate argument for showing that Kiev doesn't have a neo-Nazism problem.Russia and Israel established diplomatic relations, immediately after the collapse of the USSR. The Soviet Union cut off ties with Tel Aviv in the aftermath of the Israeli war of aggression against Egypt, Jordan and Syria in June 1967, and did not reestablish relations until a week before the socialist nation's disintegration in December 1991.

https://sputniknews.com/20220304/why-is-the-west-silent-about-ukrainian-neo-nazi-movements-azov-battalion--bandera-legacy-1093561142.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220503/russia-slams-israeli-govt-for-supporting-ukrainian-neo-nazis-amid-diplomatic-flap-over-zelensky-1095232593.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/justices-are-silent-us-supreme-court-refuses-to-hear-case-on-american-samoans-full-citizenship-1101987768.html

'Justices Are Silent': US Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Case on American Samoans Full Citizenship

'Justices Are Silent': US Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Case on American Samoans Full Citizenship

Located in the South Pacific Ocean, American Samoa has been an unincorporated territory of the US since 1900, and is the only US territory where birthright... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T21:52+0000

2022-10-17T21:52+0000

2022-10-17T21:51+0000

supreme court

americas

american samoa

birthright citizenship

citizenship

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The US Supreme Court declined on Monday to take up a case calling for justices to rule on whether individuals born in American Samoa are entitled to birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. The denial was issued without an explanation or breakdown on the courts vote.Since 1901, the Supreme Court has rejected claims for birthright citizenship for US territories via a series of decisions known as the insular cases. The rulings allow the US to treat people living in US territories differently than other Americans, denying them the same rights under the US Constitution.Both the Justice Department and the American Samoan government asked the Supreme Court not to hear the case on the grounds that, should American Samoans desire to change the status quo, they should do so through political processes, not judicial ones.Lawyers for the territorys government said in a statement that the people of American Samoa appreciate their unique political status, which allows them to preserve faa Samoa, their traditional culture.Some American Samoans fear that if they were granted birthright citizenship, theyll lose their indigenous land rights and political systems. But others, including the three plaintiffs, who live in Utah, want to be free from the stigma thats printed on their US Passports: NOT A US CITIZEN.Neil Weare, a lawyer for lead plaintiff John Fitisemanu, underscored in a recent statement that the high courts decision to reject the case continues to reflect that Equal Justice Under Law does not mean the same thing for the 3.6 million residents of US territories as it does for everyone else.Fitisemanu and company initially won their first legal challenges in 2019; however, a later appeal filed by the US and the government of American Samoa saw a panel of judges rule that the insular cases ruling was still valid even though such cases appeared to be racist and disreputable. The US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit has stated that only Congress has the authority to grant citizenship to those born in US territories.The courts Monday decision to not hear the case involving American Samoan citizenship comes months after civil rights groups pressured the Biden administration to disavow the insular cases in a move aimed at extending Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to Puerto Ricans. In April, the Supreme Court upheld Congresss ability to deny SSI benefits to residents of Puerto Rico.Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the only dissenting justice from the April ruling, wrote in her dissent that the [insular cases] were premised on beliefs both odious and wrong, and Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, in a separate opinion, asked the court to use an appropriate ruling to reconsider the cases, noting their shameful flaws in legal reasoning. In some of the rulings, the court described people living in the territories as uncivilized and inhabited by alien races who might not adhere to Anglo-Saxon principles.

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/kanye-west-buying-parler-1101923894.html

Kanye West Buying Parler

Kanye West Buying Parler

Social media platform Parler, which was introduced in 2018, has a significant user base of supporters of Americans with conservative views. Many Twitter users... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T11:52+0000

2022-10-17T11:52+0000

2022-10-17T11:52+0000

kanye west

parler

science & tech

social media

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On Monday, Parlement Technologies, parent company of social media platform Parler, said that it had reached an agreement with American rapper Kanye West - aka Ye - to sell the platform."Parlement Technologies is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement in principle for Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, to acquire the Parler platform. The acquisition ensures Parler a future role in creating an un ecosystem which is impossible to cancel and where all voices are welcome," the company said in a statement.The rapper, whose Twitter account just got blocked over allegedly anti-Semitic posts, has also issued a statement regarding the conservative platform's acquisition:Parler chief executive, George Farmer, stressed that the deal with West would "change the way the world thinks about free speech","Ye is making a ground-breaking move into the free speech media space and will never have to fear being removed from social media again," Farmer added.Parler was on verge of disappearance last year, when tech giants such as Apple, Google and Amazon refused to cooperate with the service. In their opinion, Parler users were spreading calls for violence on the platform. Parler came back online later with a new platform that was built on "sustainable, independent technology," as the company said.The Parler app was launched in 2018 by John Matze, Jared Thomson and Rebekah Mercer. The social network positions itself as a platform free from censorship, which originally attracted users, who faced being blocked on Facebook*, Twitter and YouTube.*Facebook is banned in Russia over extremist activities.

https://sputniknews.com/20220107/parler-app-rakes-in-20-million-in-new-funding-1092096709.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/kashmiri-pandits-call-on-muslim-clerics-to-protest-civilian-killings-by-militants-operating-in-jk-1101918493.html

Kashmiri Pandits Call on Muslim Clerics to Protest Civilian Killings by Militants Operating in J&K

Kashmiri Pandits Call on Muslim Clerics to Protest Civilian Killings by Militants Operating in J&K

Kashmiri Hindus, also known as Pandits, have faced militant attacks since the inception of an anti-India insurgency, which led to their migration in the late... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T10:41+0000

2022-10-17T10:41+0000

2022-10-17T10:41+0000

kashmir

jammu

conflict between india, pakistan escalates over exchange of airstrikes in kashmir

hindus

muslim

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A prominent Kashmiri Hindu organization on Monday appealed to Islamic clerics and the Muslim community in Jammu and Kashmir to condemn the recent killings of Pandits by militants operating in the region.The appeal came two days after suspected militants gunned down Kashmiri Pandit community farmer Puran Krishan Bhat while he was on his way to an apple orchard in the Shopian district. Bhat was the sixth Kashmiri Pandit to have been killed by militants since 2019, according to local police data, which states that overall, more than 120 civilians have been killed in similar attacks.Making his first point, Tickoo demanded that all religious clerics make the youth of Kashmir aware of what true Islam is: "Whether it is a religion which says that killing an innocent is like killing the entire humanity or is it permissible to kill anyone in the name of Jihad?" "...Secondly, the Kashmiri Pandit community, wherever they are in India or across the globe should leave politics behind and come out to protest. Thirdly the Muslim majority of Kashmir should hold protests in their own vicinities to condemn the killings, Tickoo added.The protests by the Pandit community, however, have persisted amid fears of future attacks.He also said that local women and children should also come out: The children should come out and interact with our children to better understand our issues.Militant groups, prominently The Resistance Front (TRF), issued several statements after the 2019 revocation of Kashmirs semi-autonomous status, threatening locals whom they suspected of working for the government. For the latest killing, however, a lesser-known militant group named Kashmir Freedom Fighters has claimed responsibility, police said.Speaking to reporters, ex-state chief and Member of Parliament Farooq Abdullah expressed skepticism about the killings coming to an end soon. This will not stop. It wont stop till justice is delivered, he said, blaming the government once again for revoking Kashmir's temporary semi-autonomy.A few Kashmir Pandits on Monday held a protest outside the APHC office in Srinagar. A Kashmiri Hindu community member, requesting anonymity, said that the demonstrations will intensify if the killings do not stop.

https://sputniknews.com/20221005/clear-about-not-speaking-to-pakistan-indian-home-minister-says-at-kashmir-rally-1101531241.html

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kashmir, jammu, conflict between india, pakistan escalates over exchange of airstrikes in kashmir, hindus, muslim
https://sputniknews.com/20221017/mallikarjun-kharge-vs-shashi-tharoor-indias-main-opposition-party-to-elect-new-chief-1101913394.html

Mallikarjun Kharge Vs Shashi Tharoor: India's Main Opposition Party to Receive New Chief Soon

Mallikarjun Kharge Vs Shashi Tharoor: India's Main Opposition Party to Receive New Chief Soon

This is the sixth time in the history of Indian National Congress (INC), that polling will decide the party chief. The new leader of India's main opposition... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T11:10+0000

2022-10-17T11:10+0000

2022-10-17T11:15+0000

india

indian national congress

sonia gandhi

shashi tharoor

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Polling is underway to determine whether Indian National Congress will have former opposition leader, Mallikarjun Kharge, or former federal minister Shashi Tharoor as its next party president. The voting, which began at 10.00am (IST), (4.30 GMT) will continue until 4.00pm. The results are expected to be announced on Wednesday, 19 October.Almost 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) members will vote in different states of India.Many senior members of Congress have already expressed their support for Kharge, who is also being called "Congress' unofficial official candidate! by many media outlets.If elected, 80-year-old Kharge, who also comes from the Dalit community, is likely to play an important role in the citizens' minds, especially in his home state Karnataka. The move also comes after the federally ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made Draupadi Murmu, who comes from the tribal community, the country's president.State assembly elections in Karnataka are due to be held next year.Tharoor recently accused Congress party delegates of being biased. According to the Hindu newspaper, Kharge held meetings with 25 Congress state units, whereas Tharoor held meetings with seven state units.Congress is a center to center-left nationalist party which was founded in 1885 by British civil servant, Allan Octavian Hume. Traditionally, the party chief has been elected unanimously. The first election of the Congress party was held in 1939, when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose won.

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indian national congress, sonia gandhi, shashi tharoor
https://sputniknews.com/20221017/over-200-chinese-citizens-willing-to-leave-ukraine---embassy-data-1101910656.html

Over 200 Chinese Citizens Willing to Leave Ukraine - Embassy Data

Over 200 Chinese Citizens Willing to Leave Ukraine - Embassy Data

BEIJING (Sputnik) - More than 200 Chinese citizens have expressed willingness to leave the territory of Ukraine after a relevant warning was issued by the... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T03:28+0000

2022-10-17T03:28+0000

2022-10-19T20:57+0000

world

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ukraine

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On Saturday, the Chinese foreign ministry, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine, urged Chinese citizens to leave Ukraine amid security concerns.As of 02:30 GMT on Monday, 180 Chinese citizens have filled out the evacuation registration form on the embassys WeChat page. Another 36 people have filled out the self-evacuation form.According to the Global Times newspaper, the evacuation was initiated as a preventive measure, aimed at protecting the well-being of Chinese citizens. In March, around 6,000 Chinese citizens were evacuated from Ukraine, according to Global Times.Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said last 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 October 10 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 the past week.

https://sputniknews.com/20221015/china-to-guarantee-own-food-and-energy-security-cpc-congress-spokesperson-says-1101881030.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/prosecutors-want-steve-bannon-jailed-for-6-months-for-failing-to-show-up-to-dems-show-trial-1101960634.html

Prosecutors Want Steve Bannon Jailed for 6 Months for Failing to Show Up to Dems' 'Show Trial'

Prosecutors Want Steve Bannon Jailed for 6 Months for Failing to Show Up to Dems' 'Show Trial'

The former Trump official was charged with two counts of criminal contempt of Congress in July after ignoring a subpoena from the House Select Committee... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T14:48+0000

2022-10-17T14:48+0000

2022-10-17T15:36+0000

americas

steve bannon

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january 6

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sentencing

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Federal prosecutors have requested that former Trump presidential advisor and Breitbart.com editor Steve Bannon be locked up for six months and pay a $200,000 fine for contempt of Congress.For his sustained, bad-faith contempt of Congress, the Defendant should be sentenced to six months imprisonment  the top end of the Sentencing Guidelines range  and fined $200,000 based on his insistence on paying the maximum fine rather than cooperate with the Probation Offices routine pre-sentencing financial investigators, the government wrote in a 24-page sentencing memo filed Monday.Bannon, 68, failed to show up to the House Select Committees investigation into the January 6 Capitol riots in September 2021. The committee, consisting of seven Democrats and two Never-Trump Republicans, has characterized the breach of the Capitol as an unprecedented attack on Congress and American democracy by white nationalists and far-right extremists. Bannon and other pro-Trump Republicans dismissed the January 6 hearings as a clown show, witch hunt, and show trial whose sole purpose is getting Donald Trump banned from running for president again in 2024.A jury found Bannon guilty of contempt of Congress in July for failing to abide by the Select Committees subpoenas. The former presidential aide told US media shortly after that he was prepared to go to jail. I support Trump and the Constitution and if they want to put me in jail for that, so be it, he said.Bannon is also facing a separate criminal fraud investigation. Last month, he surrendered to New York state prosecutors, who accuse him of skimming a million dollars off the top of a $25 million pro-Trump "We Build the Wall" crowdfunding campaign. He has vocally denied the charges against him in that case.The former official has accused the FBI of coming after him and other MAGA supporters, and vowed that those engaged in the campaign against him would have to kill him before he stopped resisting the deranged thugs engaged in his persecution.Bannon is expected be sentenced on the contempt of Congress charges on Friday.

https://sputniknews.com/20221014/trump-sends-14-page-letter-to-us-select-committee-probing-january-6-events-1101855419.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220910/steve-bannon-claims-fbi-staged-raids-against-35-maga-republican-supporters-of-donald-trump-1100635215.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/russia-and-china-on-same-page-seeking-to-build-new-order-free-of-western-pressure-1101962838.html

Russia and China on Same Page, Seeking to Build New Order Free of Western Pressure

Russia and China on Same Page, Seeking to Build New Order Free of Western Pressure

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a pivotal speech on Sunday outlining the country's strategy at a time when geopolitical uncertainties and unforeseen... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T17:11+0000

2022-10-17T17:11+0000

2022-10-19T18:49+0000

opinion & analysis

us

russia

sanctions

vladimir putin

xi jinping

ukraine

south china sea

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The 20th Congress of the governing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) kicked off on October 16 in Beijing with President Xi Jinping delivering an opening statement.Xi particularly emphasized the necessity "to improve the mechanisms of combating sanctions, external interference and extraterritorial jurisdiction" amid the "rapid changes in the international situation."The Chinese leader underscored that his nation has "taken a clear-cut stance against hegemonism and power politics" and "never wavered" in opposing unilateralism and "bullying," referring to, but not naming, the US.Shortly before the opening of the 20th Congress, the Biden administration unveiled its National Security Strategy (NSS), naming the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation as major "threats" to the Western-centered world order.Western Unilateral SanctionsSuccessive US administrations' efforts to take on China and Russia have been accelerating rapprochement between Moscow and Beijing for the past several years.On February 4, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping outlined a mutual vision for the future multipolar world order. The leaders' joint statement placed emphasis on the ongoing shift "towards redistribution of power in the world" and condemned "some actors representing but the minority on the international scale" who "advocate unilateral approaches to addressing international issues and resort to force."Following the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, the US and its NATO allies slapped unprecedented sanctions on almost all sectors of Russia's economy and resorted to nothing short of a proxy war against Moscow on the ground in Ukraine.China did not join the West's anti-Russia restrictions, but blasted them as "illegal" and "immoral." The PRC has also repeatedly abstained from supporting anti-Russia resolutions in the UN.After Russian banks were barred from using SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication), Moscow and Beijing turned to domestic payment systems, i.e. China's Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) and Russia's System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS). Some Russian banks went on to issue co-badged cards linking Russia's Mir and China's UnionPay systems. Moscow and Beijing also accelerated de-dollarization efforts by agreeing to settle energy deals in national currencies in September 2022.The Kremlin has repeatedly emphasized the growing role of Asia in the world's economic development. Speaking at the first Russia-Central Asia Summit on October 14, Vladimir Putin noted that Russia's "reorientation of exports and imports is stimulating the development of transport corridors throughout the Greater Eurasia region."The concerted Russo-Chinese effort to withstand Western sanctions could also be explained by the fact that China's economy has also been subjected to the pressure of Washington's tariffs and restrictions on critical telecom and IT technologies under both the Trump and Biden administrations.On October 13, 2022 The New York Times reported that the US was determined to choke off Chinas access to critical semiconductor technology. The media outlet quoted Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, who talked about a "small yard, high fence" for critical technologies. According to the NYT, the Biden administration will act either in tandem with its allies or alone in order to sever Beijing from sophisticated technologies. Notably, the recent effort came after a July 2022 report by industry watcher TechInsights which revealed that China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) had probably built semiconductors using 7nm technology.External InterferenceRussia and China are on the same page when it comes to external interference. The February 4, 2022 Russo-Chinese statement specifically lambasted the West's attempts to meddle in he domestic affairs of other nations.The controversial trip of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan  an island considered by Beijing as an inalienable part of China  prompted unanimous condemnation from Beijing and Moscow. Even though the US State Department tried to distance itself from Pelosi's "surprising" visit to Taipei, Vladimir Putin called the House speaker's move "a carefully planned provocation" during his speech at the X Moscow Conference on International Security on August 16.The Russian president lambasted Pelosis visit as a "brazen demonstration of disrespect for the sovereignty of other countries," and for Washington's obligations under the One China Principle. According to Putin, Pelosi's visit to Taiwan was "not just a trip of an individual irresponsible politician, but part of a purposeful, conscious US strategy to destabilize and make the situation in the region and the world more chaotic." The Foreign Ministry of China praised Vladimir Putin and Russia's stance on the China-US row over Taiwan.Extra-Territorial JurisdictionThe US beefing up its military presence in China and Russia's immediate neighborhood has also facilitated the Beijing-Moscow rapprochement.Starting with President Barack Obama's "Pivot to Asia," Washington has increased Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) in the contested South China Sea, bolstered arms sales to Taiwan, and strengthened regional alliances to contain China's rise. The trend has caught a second wind under the Biden administration, which has declared the aim of "restor[ing] American leadership in the Indo-Pacific and adapt[ing] its role for the 21st century." In addition to this, NATO member states have started to step up military drills in the Asia-Pacific and mounted criticism of China's stance with regard to the South China Sea and Taiwan.China has repeatedly denounced the US' attempts to interfere in the territorial dispute over the South China Sea as null and void, given that Washington is not a claimant to the sea. Beijing has also cited the fact that the US never ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which is used by Washington to justify its FONOPs.Likewise, Beijing suspects the US of attempts to downplay the One China Principle by strengthening official ties with Taipei and boosting military supplies to the island. In early September 2022, the US State Department announced a $1.1 billion arms package for Taipei following weeks of tensions over the island prompted by Nancy Pelosi's visit.In a clear sign that Beijing deems the escalation serious, Sun Yeli, a spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, noted on October 15 that the PRC does not rule out the use of force to resolve the Taiwan issue, but only against the supporters of the islands independence and interfering forces from third countries.Much in the same vein, the US has beefed up its military presence on Russia's doorstep, starting with US President Bill Clinton's lobbying for NATO's eastward expansion in the late 1990s, subsequent military deployments near Russia's borders, including the installation of dual-purpose Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Systems in Poland and Romania, and ending with the militarization of Ukraine after the 2014 February coup. To tackle what Moscow saw as imminent threat to Russia's sovereignty, the Kremlin handed the US and NATO draft security proposals in December 2021, reserving the right for military-technical action if its offer were rejected. However, Washington and the alliance's leadership neglected the accords, which eventually led to the beginning of the Russian special military operation.Beijing apparently sees striking similarities in the US approach and methods of containing of Russia and China. After the beginning of the special military operation, Beijing immediately blamed the US and NATO for provoking the unfolding security crisis.On August 10, 2022, Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui reiterated China's support for Russia, stressing that the US had driven Moscow into a corner with NATO's eastward expansion and support for those seeking to align Ukraine with the European Union rather than with Russia.Despite Western media speculations about the alleged chill in relations between Moscow and Beijing at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's September summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the countries are continuing to boost cooperation amid growing pressure from Washington.The phenomenon was acknowledged by former Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Michael Rudd in a recent interview with Der Spiegel. According to Rudd, Russo-Chinese relations have been largely shaped by two factors: first, by the settlement of a decades-old border dispute between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and his Chinese counterpart Deng Xiaoping in 1989; second, Moscow's turn to Beijing following Crimea's reunification with Russia in 2014. "Since then, Putin and Xi have essentially developed an almost umbilical relationship - personally, politically and strategically," the former Australian prime minister said.Russia and China share a common vision towards unilateral sanctions policies, external interference, and extraterritorial jurisdictions exercised by the West. The February 2022 Russo-Chinese statement particularly promoted the concept of a more just world order, based on "universal human values of peace, development, equality, justice, democracy and freedom, respect for the rights of peoples to independently determine the development paths of their countries," with more non-Western countries currently joining international platforms led by Russia and China.

https://sputniknews.com/20220519/arming-kiev-sanctioning-russia-wont-lead-to-peace-or-security-in-europe-china-says-1095642624.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220907/easts-rise-irreversible-west-speeding-up-own-decline-via-indiscriminate-sanctions-scholars-say-1100507574.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220928/china-in-the-crosshairs-why-natos-next-line-of-defense-will-be-south-china-sea-1101312790.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220919/bidens-taiwan-defense-vows-how-us-using-salami-slicing-strategy-to-dilute-one-china-principle-1100977719.html

https://sputniknews.com/20221015/us-designed-european-sky-shield-initiative-to-escalate-tension-with-russia-analyst-says-1101880792.html

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Ekaterina Blinova

us, russia, sanctions, vladimir putin, xi jinping, ukraine, south china sea, taiwan, taiwan strait, nancy pelosi, bill clinton, asia & pacific
https://sputniknews.com/20221017/sri-lankas-rajapaksa-confident-of-winning-election-despite-receiving-blame-for-economic-crisis-1101919786.html

Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa Confident of Winning Elections Despite Being Blamed for Economic Woes

Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa Confident of Winning Elections Despite Being Blamed for Economic Woes

Gotabaya Rajapaksa became president after securing a thumping majority in the 2019 elections, which paved the way for members of his family to occupy key... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T11:24+0000

2022-10-17T11:24+0000

2022-10-17T11:25+0000

world

sri lanka

gotabaya rajapaksa

mahinda rajapaksa

economic crisis

election

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Weeks after former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ended his exile, his brother and ex-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed confidence in returning to power even if the general elections were to be held in the country today.We know there is a section of this country against us. When we have an election, we know that we will have more. Even today, if there is an election, a general election, we will win. That is the truth, the elder brother of Gotabaya Rajapaksa said while addressing a large public rally.Rajapaksa's SLPP launched a nationwide campaign months after Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to resign from the presidency and flee abroad in the wake of unprecedented public unrest. He returned to the island nation in the first week of September after spending more than 50 days in exile -- in Thailand and Singapore.The former president has kept a low profile since hastily fleeing to the Maldives on July 13, hours after angry protesters broke into his official residence demanding his resignation over the nations worst financial crisis in decades.Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the lone parliamentarian of his party, became president in July with the help of Gotabaya Rajapaksas SLPP. The current Sri Lankan president has been making efforts such as raising taxes on many items to bring the economy onto a sustainable path, but has failed to get assurances from lender countries and organizations on debt restructuring, a measure essential to ensure funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).Meanwhile, Mahinda has increased political activities in recent days, indicating that the family wants to return to power sooner rather than later.On Monday, the IMF and Sri Lanka held discussions on the steps the country must take to obtain approval for the proposed Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. Anne-Marie Gulde, deputy director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the IMF, said last week that the multilateral organization is very concerned about the situation in Sri Lanka. The country of 22 million people has a debt of $51 billion, primarily from venture capital funds and countries like China, India, and Japan.

https://sputniknews.com/20221011/seeking-more-funds-sri-lanka-downgrades-economic-status-to-low-income-state-1101707302.html

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sri lanka, gotabaya rajapaksa, mahinda rajapaksa, economic crisis, election
https://sputniknews.com/20221017/starving-seals-indicate-swedish-overfishing-fuel-fears-of-ecosystem-collapse-1101911485.html

Starving Seals Indicate Swedish Overfishing, Fuel Fears of Ecosystem 'Collapse'

Starving Seals Indicate Swedish Overfishing, Fuel Fears of Ecosystem 'Collapse'

Years of overfishing, and destructive practices by fisheries have put Baltic Sea staples such as cod and herring at risk of extinction, endangering the future... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T08:16+0000

2022-10-17T08:16+0000

2022-10-17T08:16+0000

world

environment

newsfeed

scandinavia

sweden

fish

fisheries

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Researchers in Sweden are ringing alarm bells about the threats overfishing pose to both humans and other species.The herring shortage in the Bothnian Sea (which forms the northern part of the Baltic Sea) has driven seals to the point of starvation.According to recent observations, the blubber layer in local seals is only a centimeter - and sometimes even less - rather than the five centimeters to be found in a healthy animal.Lena Bergstrom, a professor of the University of Agriculture (SLU) confirmed that seals are suffering from a lack of food.Seals are usually considered a major problem for commercial fishing as they feast on catches and destroy gear. Now the tables have turned and they are the ones suffering at the hand of humans. At the same time, the starvation of a top predator in the food chain indicates that the entire ecosystem has been disrupted and is at risk of falling apart. This dismal view has been analyzed by the Gavleborg County administrative board, which warned of the possibility of collapse.This is a big blow to other fish species as well, Gullberg told SVT.This week on Monday and Tuesday, the EU will decide on new fishing quotas for the Baltic Sea. Although a certain reduction in the Bothnian Sea area has been forecast with the result of higher fishing quotas in the central Baltic Sea, local authorities warned that these measures are insufficient. Instead, Gavleborg County's administrative board is demanding that the fishing quota in an area of the Bothnian Sea be halved, with several zones declared completely fishing-free. Bergstrom also warned that the present arrangement is bound to continue unless fishing is restricted more drastically.Many years of overfishing and poor management, including illegal discarding and other destructive practices, have put iconic Baltic Sea species such as cod and herring in perilously bad shape, with researchers warning of stocks dropping to critical levels for conservation. Meanwhile, stocks are crucial for populations of sea birds, marine mammals and other fish.

https://sputniknews.com/20220725/norway-doubles-import-of-russian-fish-feed-as-govt-prioritizes-national-economic-interests-1097758689.html

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Igor Kuznetsov

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/us-temporarily-lifts-lng-restrictions-for-puerto-rico-after-hurricane-fiona-1101914134.html

US Temporarily Lifts LNG Restrictions for Puerto Rico After Hurricane Fiona

US Temporarily Lifts LNG Restrictions for Puerto Rico After Hurricane Fiona

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The US Department of Homeland Security has temporarily lifted restrictions on seaborne supplies of liquefied natural gas to its Caribbean... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T06:53+0000

2022-10-17T06:53+0000

2022-10-17T06:53+0000

americas

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lng

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"In support of the Puerto Rican people as they continue to recover from Hurricane Fiona, I have approved a temporary and targeted Jones Act waiver to address the unique and urgent need for liquified natural gas in Puerto Rico," Mayorkas said in a statement.According to the Jones Act, all maritime cargo supplies between US ports must be delivered by vessels flying the US flag. The Homeland Security can grant a waiver if particular transportation is in the interests of US national defense, as is now the case with Puerto Rico, the authority said.Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico on September 18, causing massive power outages throughout the island. The hurricane was accompanied by record rainfall  up to 1,000 millimeters (39.4 inches)  in some regions. US President Joe Biden has promised a major boost of federal aid to the Caribbean island, which is a US unincorporated territory.

https://sputniknews.com/20221003/biden-announces-60mln-in-storm-preparedness-funding-for-puerto-rico-1101479890.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20221017/veteran-actress--wife-of-indias-megastar-amitabh-bachchan-faces-backlash-for-scoffing-at-paparazzi-1101917058.html

Veteran Actress & Wife of India's Megastar Amitabh Bachchan Faces Backlash for Scoffing at Paparazzi

Veteran Actress & Wife of India's Megastar Amitabh Bachchan Faces Backlash for Scoffing at Paparazzi

Jaya Bachchan has been known for provoking controversies with her statements and continuous run-ins with the media. In one of such instances, the woman, who is... 17.10.2022, Sputnik International

2022-10-17T08:33+0000

2022-10-17T08:33+0000

2022-10-17T08:33+0000

india

amitabh bachchan

wife

movie

movie star

film

film star

paparazzi

slam

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Bollywood actress Jaya Bachchan is facing a barrage of criticism on social media after she was seen lashing out at a paparazzi during her appearance at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai on Sunday.In a video widely shared online, Jaya, who is also the wife of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, is seen entering the venue of the event with her granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda when a photographer falls on the ground while clicking them.Her comments riled a section of social media users who slammed Bachchan for her intemperate behavior.Another netizen said perhaps some people find it difficult to handle fame. Another one described her as being "so terrible"."...What a perennially angry, rude & entitled woman!! And yet I know a couple of Blind worshippers who tweet .....Jaya ji you are my idol....on her birthday," the Twitter user commented.Coming back to her filmography, Jaya has starred in several classic movies of Indian cinema, including Sholay, Zanjeer, Abhimaan, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and many others.She will next be seen in director-producer Karan Johar's "Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani" scheduled to be released next year.

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As the Iredell County Board of Commissioners is set to vote on proposed changes to the animal control ordinance, there is support for the updates to the rules but also questions from some people if more should be done.

Kristian Hernandez of Iredell County Animal Services said the goal is to strike a balance between the concerns of pet owners, animal rescue organizations and the public at large.

Our goal is to stay in the middle, trying to do whats best for the community and animals, Hernandez said. The public is ultimately who will go for it or not and will weigh in before the vote. Whether it passes or not, were open to feedback.

Hernandez said the proposed changes are to keep the department up with state standards, but the changes arent meant to be drastic.

Some of the feedback is coming from Amy Marie Miller, who said believes the changes are a push in the right direction but still hopes to see more details about the rules for the sake of the animals and people around them.

Among the changes she does believe could use some tweaking are those to the dangerous dogs ordinance, particularly the part defining a potentially dangerous dog.

Some of the changes proposed help better spell out that what happens if a dog bites someone outside of the owners property.

However, Miller worries that the rule that a dog that does not have any reported violations for 36 consecutive months can have the label of potentially dangerous dog removed with a request from the owner. She said that the dogs being kept on the owners property for that period of time can all but ensure that the dog will have the label of potentially dangerous dog removed, but without any other way of proving the dogs behavior has changed.

Miller suggests a more stringent evaluation by Animal Services or if an underlying medical issue with the dog that caused it to be agitated is resolved, a note from a veterinarian to specify the issue has been addressed. She also said if a dog is given the potentially dangerous dog label, the owners should be required to get liability insurance as part of the process.

To me, thats a fair way to do it because if this dog is potentially dangerous, it acted in a manner to prove that. Has something been done have changed that or the dogs still potentially dangerous? But if you can show that somethings changed, I agree with having the ability to remove it, Miller said.

Other proposals

Some of the other proposed changes are:

Shelter: Shelters for animals are any structure with standard building materials (wood, concrete or similar materials) with bedding, blankets, cedar chips or their equivalent provided for the animal. Areas underneath outside steps, decks and stoops, inside vehicles, underneath vehicles, buildings without proper ventilation, and metal barrels wont constitute adequate shelter.

Similarly, no household pet shall be tethered and left unattended without adequate shelter for longer than 30 minutes at a time, according to the proposed changes.

Community cats: One of the other notable changes is the community cat program, for cats that are abandoned, stray or lost or are feral and cared for by a community cat caregiver. The community caregiver of the cat colony must provide care, including food, shelter or medical care. While the caregiver isnt considered the owner or keeper of the animal, there are responsibilities that come with it.

Outside of feeding and watering, the biggest might be trap-neuter-return rules, meant to prevent the cat population from exploding. Hernandez said the program, as well as the community cat program, were modeled on other municipalities programs.

Miller said she also had some concerns with this and hopes for more notifications to the nearby residents of the presence of a community cat.

Up for vote

Ultimately though, she said despite often speaking out on animal issues at public meetings, she wanted to support Hernandez but hopes that the county rejects the proposed changes as written. Miller said that with everything on both Animal Services and the commissioners figurative plates, a committee of concerned residents and stakeholders can help hammer out some of the finer details.

With the nature of dogs, its something personal, and with that in mind, they might need a little bit of a finer look at this.
HILDEBRAN  After a high-speed chase on Interstate 40 ended in a crash, deputies said they found an infant unharmed inside the vehicle.

JerMichael Davidson, 24, of Charlotte, was charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest and felony possession of a firearm by a felon, according to a statement from the Burke County Sheriffs Office. Also charged was 20-year-old Lee Owens, of Charlotte, who was charged with felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance and misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon.

The charges came after deputies were dispatched to the Pond View Apartments on Main Avenue East in Hildebran around 9:13 p.m. for a reported disturbance, according to investigators.

A caller described two people in a tan, older model car brandishing multiple guns in the parking lot of the complex and causing a disturbance, authorities said. One of the individuals was screaming for someone to come downstairs.

Burke County authorities responded to the scene and saw the two men, later identified as Davidson and Owens, outside of the vehicle. Investigators attempted to stop the vehicle, but it fled the scene and tried to hit a marked sheriff's office patrol vehicle to escape, the sheriff's office reported.

Deputies gave chase, following the vehicle east on I-40 into Catawba County, hitting speeds as high as 115 mph, the statement said. The chase came to an end on the ramp at Exit 125, where the vehicle crashed.

Authorities took Davidson and Owens into custody, and Davidsons infant was found in a car seat in the back of the car. Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant said the baby was taken for a checkup by EMS but was uninjured.

Investigators also found crack cocaine in Owens possession, the statement said.

Davidson, who has a previous conviction of felony possession of stolen goods, had his bond set at $35,000, while Owens bond was set at $5,000. Theyre both set to appear in court again Nov. 4, according to records from the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
16 Hands has moved its2022 fall studio tour from Thanksgiving weekend to Oct. 22-23, opening up the event to those that may not have been able to attend in the past.

October is one of the most beautiful times of the year to tour Floyd Countys landscape; visiting the 16 Hands studios under the peak of fall foliage will not disappoint.

Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22 and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23.

This fall tour will be the final tour for founding members Silvie Granatelli, Ellen Shankin and Brad Warstler. As some of the original members of 16 Hands, these three have lived and created work in Floyd for more than 30 years.

They will continue to create but are stepping away from 16 Hands.

The existing members of 16 Hands wish to thank all the founding members (Donna Polseno, Rick Hensley, Susan Icove, David Crane, Silvie Granatelli, Ellen Shankin, Brad Werstler and Davin Butterfield) for setting such a level of excellence in their field and all they have contributed to their community.

Many of the studios on the 2022 fall tour will also feature seven guest artists with experience from Texas to New York.

Silvie Granatelli will be hosting Agnes Seabass, who lives and works in Texas creating one-of-a-kind and small series pieces, mostly in sterling silver.

Sarah McCarthy will host functional potter, Julie Covington of Asheville, N.C.

Ellen Shankin and Brad Warstler will be hosting Laurie Shaman. Laurie lives in Chicago, Ill., and creates expressive hand-built porcelain pieces.

Andrea Denniston and Seth Guzovsky will host two potters, Errol Willett and Jennifer Gandee. Both are from the Syracuse, NY, area, where Willett teaches at Syracuse University, and Gandee operates the Gandee Gallery.

Ron Sutterer will be hosting Royce Yoder, an accomplished studio potter from Lederach, Penn.

Wendy Werstlein will be hosting a local favorite, fiber artist Siobhan Booth, who creates beautiful naturally hand dyed wool and cotton.

Refreshments will be available at each studio.

Its never too early to find the perfect gift for a birthday or holiday, or even a little something for yourself, the collective said.

More information on featured artists, tour dates, and studio locations is available online at www.16hands.com and on Facebook and Instagram @16Hands.
EAST CLARK COUNTY  The Nakia Creek Fire in east Clark County exploded in size on Sunday, prompting a significant expansion of Level 3 mandatory evacuation zones affecting 2,903 residences in the rural outskirts of Camas and Washougal and Level 1 and 2 warning zones affecting 33,782 residents extending as far as Hockinson and east Vancouver.

Both the Washougal School District and Mount Pleasant School District have canceled classes for Monday.

The Clark County Sheriffs Office reported around 2:30 p.m. that the fire had broken through containment lines and was aggressively moving to the west and southwest.

The fire has grown from 156 acres to about 2,000 acres, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Containment is estimated at 5 percent.

There are reports of additional fires near Chelatchie Prairie and Sunset Campground within Clark County and several in Skamania County as well, according to the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency.

A large smoke plume, blowing generally east to west, became visible throughout the metro area late Sunday morning as fire activity picked up.

This is highly dynamic, wind-driven fire with long-distance spotting, DNR spokeswoman Trina Contreras said Sunday afternoon before a 3:30 p.m. press conference at Grove Field in Camas. She said emergency warnings have been sent to about 3,000 residents using the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agencys alert system.

Contreras said the fire had remained contained until high winds whipped up Sunday morning, driving the blaze to the west and southwest.

The winds up there were really gusting, and we got some significant growth, Contreras said.

Those high winds prevented the use of an air tanker on the fire earlier in the day, but Contreras said conditions had improved Sunday afternoon and the tanker was being used again.

The fire activity has increased as the area remained under a red flag warning for wind and low humidity levels through 6 p.m. Sunday. Southeast winds of 10-20 mph were forecast in the area of the fire, with gusts up to 30 mph and humidity as low as 22 percent.

The National Weather Service reported that an air quality alert remains in effect for the area through 5 p.m. Monday. The AirNow.gov website shows air quality in the moderate to unhealthy in parts of Southwest Washington due to wildfire smoke.

The Nakia Creek Fire started on Oct. 9 in an extremely steep area covered with a mix of brush, medium logging slash and timber. Prior to the fires expansion Sunday containment was estimated at 20 percent.

The fire had been smoldering and creeping with some torching observed and short-range spotting. Fire managers said the potential for fire growth remains, and containment lines are being put in place.

Contreras said there are 110 personnel working the fire with one spotter plane and one air tanker. A larger Type 2 team has been called in and will assist in the effort, she said.

Roads close, evacuation sites open

The Clark County Sheriffs Office has about 20 deputies that are in the evacuation area, as well as 30 members of the Clark County Search and Rescue, said Sgt. Chris Skidmore, public information officer for the department.

Several roads are closed off in the evacuation areas. The majority of the area is sparsely populated, but the department went in with loudspeaker notifications and are starting to knock on doors in the residential areas being evacuated around Northeast Lessard Road, Northeast Boulder Creek Road, Winters Road and Northeast Rawson Road.

Were asking people if they dont have a house up there or are helping somebody try to get back to please stay out of the area, said Skidmore during a press conference Sunday afternoon at Grove Field in Camas.

Folks who live in the area or are trying to assist those in the area are being let back in, but deputies are stopping and talking with cars in an effort to keep as many people out of there as possible.

What were telling people is if they do go in, we may not be able to guarantee that emergency services or those kinds of things can reach them if it goes any further, said Skidmore.

The sheriffs department was working to close roads, help control access and assist people needing to get out, said Skidmore.

Evacuation zones have expanded repeatedly throughout the day and may expand more, officials warned. Updated fire and evacuation information will be posted at cresa911.org/2022/10/11/nakia-creek-fire-updates/.

A shelter location has been opened by the American Red Cross at Camas Church of Nazarene, 2204 N.E. Birch St, Camas, and at the Washougal Church of the Nazarene, 573 30th St., Washougal.

ilani has opened up parking lots 10 and 11 for evacuees. Those using the lots are asked to put a sign in their window saying Fire Evacuee. No RV services are available, and gray water will need to be dumped at the Gee Creek Rest Area.

For livestock shelter, call 360-607-2535 for assistance. Livestock had been being taken to Clark County Fairgrounds, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield, but Skidmore said it was full.

Those in need of help can reach the Emergency Operations Center for Clark Regional Emergency Services at 360-992-9229.

They can start trying to prioritize getting people assistance there, said Skidmore.

The Washougal School District announced there would be no classes on Monday due to the fire. Cape Horn-Skye Elementary and Canyon Creek Middle School are both in the Level 3 evacuation area and have been closed by the fire chief. For those impacted by the fire, Gause Elementary School will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide on-site meals, support, and recreational activities. More information is available on the districts website.

The Mount Pleasant School District also announced late Sunday that it had canceled classes Monday.

This is in response to the Nakia Creek Fire to prioritize safety and to support families who may need to evacuate, the district said in an announcement. Our thoughts are with all of our families during this time  stay safe.

Level 3 Go Now mandatory evacuation area has expanded to include the Larch Mountain Corrections Center and outlying areas in Camas and Washougal, including the Bear Prairie and the Ireland area near Livingston Mountain. Contreras said that as of Sunday afternoon, Larch staff and inmates were sheltering in place. CRESA reported 2,903 residences are in this zone.

Level 2 Get Set voluntary evacuation area now expands into Hockinson and north Camas and Washougal. There are 5,017 residences in this zone, CRESA reported

Level 1 Get Ready warnings extend throughout Camas and Washougal and as far west as Northeast 182nd Avenue and as far north and Northeast Sunset Falls Road. This zone includes 28,765 residences, according to CRESA.

Those in Level 3 Go Now should evacuate to the south toward Washougal River Road into Washougal.

Please understand that this is a very dynamic situation and if you are anywhere near this area, you should take precautions to evacuate, a bulletin from CRESA said.

Staying safe

The American Red Cross offered these wildfire safety tips for those in the fire area:

Be prepared to evacuate at a moments notice and obey all evacuation orders from officials.

Back your car into the garage or park it outside, facing the direction of your evacuation route.

Keep your pets in one room, so you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly.

Limit exposure to smoke and dust. Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in.

Dont use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves.

If youre trapped outdoors, crouch in a pond, river or pool.

Dont put wet clothing or bandanas over your mouth or nose, as moist air can cause more damage to your airway than dry air at the same temperature.

If there is no body of water, look for shelter in a cleared area or among a bed of rocks. Lie flat, face-down and cover your body with soil. Breathe the air close to the ground to avoid scorching your lungs or inhaling smoke.

Dont return home until officials say its safe to do so.

Inspect the roof immediately and extinguish any sparks or embers. Wildfires may have left embers that could reignite.

Check your home for embers that could cause fires. Look for signs of a fire including smoke or sparks.

Avoid damaged or downed power lines, poles and wires.

Keep a close eye on your animals. Hidden embers and hot spots could burn them.

Wet down debris to minimize breathing in dust particles.

Wear work gloves and shoes with heavy soles.

Throw out any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.

Download the Red Cross Emergency app for real-time alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and expert advice on wildfires. The Emergency app includes an Im Safe feature that help people check on loved ones. Search American Red Cross in app stores, or go to redcross.org/apps.
The final part of the five-part series Community in the Crossfire: Seeking Civil Dialogue in Uncivil Times, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Laufman Lecture Hall in the Lower Columbia College Health and Science Building.

The final forum will give the public a chance to suggest ways to heal local political divisions. The series also is available via Zoom at civil-dialog.com and will be recorded by KLTV and broadcast at a later date.

Organizers will ask the audience ways to ease divisiveness, mistrust and animosity in the community. They also will seek suggestions on how the community can find solutions to local problems such as drug abuse, homelessness and economic stagnation, according to organizers.

We cant heal the nation, but maybe we can heal our own community, said retired judge Stephen Warning, who has acted as moderator of the series, in a press release. Contentious national issues may separate us, but we can come together around local issues that matter most in Cowlitz County.

The audience can also suggest new ideas for the Civil Dialogue project itself.

The first four forums explored the causes of political divisiveness and suggestions for overcoming it; the tension between economic development and the environment; and the local homeless crisis; and decriminalization of drugs. Recordings can be viewed on KLTV at civil-dialog.com.
Motorola Moto E22 is all set to launch in India today. From camera, display, battery to expected price- here is all you need to know.

Motorola is all set to launch Moto E22s in India today (Monday, October 17), expanding its smartphone range under the budget segment. The phone will be made available to the customers via e-commerce platform-Flipkart. The phone will get a 90Hz IPS LCD display, A 16MP AI Camera system, Side Fingerprint sensor and more. Informing about the same, Motorola India tweeted on Sunday, "Make way for the #motoe22s as it's almost here! Prepare to experience a brilliant 90Hz IPS LCD Display, Premium Design, A 16MP AI Camera system, Side Fingerprint sensor and much more!. Get ready as its coming to you tomorrow on @flipkart & at leading retail stores."

It can be known that Moto E22s is a 4G phone and according to a report by Live Mint, it is expected to be an entry-level phone and could be priced below Rs. 10000. Also, the smartphone is already on sale in the European market. Here is all we know about the Motorola Moto E22s.

1. Motorola Moto E22s Processor: The phone will come powered by MediaTek Helio G37 octa-core processor. The phone is said to run on Android 12.

Not sure which

mobile to buy?

2. Motorola Moto E22s Display: As per the information provided by the company, the Moto E22s is equipped with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display. It will offer a refresh rate of 90Hz and an aspect ratio of 20:9.

3. Motorola Moto E22s Design: The phone gets a punch-hole design at the front, housing the front camera. While on the rear, a dual camera setup can be seen.

4. Motorola Moto E22s Camera: The Moto E22s will come with a 16MP AI Camera system. It can be paired with a 2MP depth sensor on the rear. While, the selfie camera can be of 8MP.

5. Motorola Moto E22s Battery: The handset is said to be equipped with a 5,000mAh battery and could offer up to 10watt fast charging support.

6. Motorola Moto E22s Price: Though, Motorola has not yet revealed the price of the phone, the device is expected to come with a price tag below Rs. 10000.
Gamma-ray burst detected by astronomers was the nearest ever burst to Earth. It was million trillion times as bright as the Sun.

In an astonishing development, astronomers have detected the most-powerful ever' gamma-ray burst shockingly close to Earth. The burst was first detected by telescopes on October 9. According to NASA, a gamma-ray burst (GRB) is a short-lived burst of gamma-ray light, which is the most energetic form of light. Although these bursts are short-lived, they shine a million trillion times as bright as the Sun. Any closer and it would have been catastrophic.

The gamma-ray burst observed on October 9 was so powerful that scientists initially thought it came from a source not too distant from Earth, according to ScienceAlert. Astronomers initially confused it with a short burst of X-ray from a nearby source and dubbed it as Swift J1913.1+1946. According to ScienceAlert, it was only after a brief study of the data they came to know that it was actually a terrifyingly powerful explosion of gamma-rays from a source further away than they had previously assumed. It has now been renamed as GRB221009A.

Though not as close as initially expected, it is still one of the closest gamma-ray bursts detected near Earth, at a distance of just 2.4 billion light-years away. Astronomers have further revealed that it was the most-powerful gamma-ray burst ever detected, measuring up to 18 teraelectronvolts.

Astronomer Gemma Anderson of the Curtin University node of The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) in Australia told ScienceAlert, This event being so nearby but also very energetic means the radio, optical, X-ray and gamma-ray light it produces is extremely bright and therefore easy to observe. We can therefore study this GRB with lots of big and small telescopes around the world and collect very comprehensive datasets as it first brightens and then fades away.

Can gamma-ray bursts harm the planet?

Although this was the most-powerful gamma-ray burst ever detected, it originated from a far-enough distance which made it safe for Earth. If the burst occurred nearer to Earth, it would have been catastrophic for the planet. According to NASA, such a huge gamma-ray burst near Earth would strip the Earth of its protective Ozone layer which shields the planet from the harmful UV rays of the Sun. This would mean that deadly UV rays would hit the planet and threaten life.
Potentially hazardous asteroid Phaethons rotational period is decreasing by 4 milliseconds per year. Its the 11th known asteroid to show a change in its spinning period.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is planning to launch its DESTINY+ mission to fly by the near-Earth asteroid Phaethon in 2024. The spacecraft aims to fly by the space rock in 2028. However, scientists have detected a shocking fact about the "potentially hazardous" asteroid's speeding spin. According to the recent study led by a team of researchers, the asteroid's rotational period is decreasing by 4 milliseconds per year. Though it's a very small change, it could affect the DESTINY+ observations.

Findings presented at the 54th annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Sciences in London, Ontario, earlier this month, say that the information about the spin rate will allow them to predict the asteroid's orientation during the spacecraft's flyby more accurately.

As reported by Space.com, it's rare for an asteroid's spin to change; Phaethon is the 11th and largest known asteroid to change its rotational period with an average diameter of 3.4 miles (5.4 kilometers).

Sean Marshall, a planetary scientist at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, created a model to determine the shape of Phaethon by using data and observations from 1989. This will help scientists in preparation for the DESTINY+ mission.

Marshall said, "The predictions from the shape model did not match the data." He added, The times when the model was brightest were clearly out of sync with the times when Phaethon was actually observed to be brightest. I realized this could be explained by Phaethon's rotation period changing slightly at some time before the 2021 observations, perhaps from comet-like activity when it was near perihelion the point in its orbit nearest to the sun] in December 2020."

Though researchers are still learning about Phaethon, the DESTINY+ mission will give more insight about it. Further, Phaethon is large enough and close enough to Earth to be categorized as a potentially hazardous asteroid, but it poses no immediate threat to our planet.
Netflix has revealed that it will be upgrading its Basic plan in Malaysia to offer up to 720p HD resolution instead of capping it to 480p SD resolution as it currently is. The change will be made starting this November and will be the first time Netflix has upgraded its Basic plan since its debut in our country in 2016.

According to Netflixs official support page for Malaysia, the change will not affect the price of the Basic plan, as it will remain at RM35 per month. Furthermore, the plans rest of the offerings will remain the same.

The move coincides with Netflixs upcoming release of a new ad-supported tier in 12 countries, which will also be implemented in November 2022. However, do note that Netflix has yet to reveal any plans to release the new Basic with Ads subscription tier in our country.



Currently, the cheapest Netflix plan in Malaysia is the mobile plan which is only RM17 per month. However, it does have a couple of limitations, including a capped 480p resolution and is only available for streaming on a phone or tablet.

So, what do you guys think of the new Basic plan upgrade to 720p? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news in Malaysia and beyond!
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

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 Los Angeles 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 Amazon's 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.

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 L.A. 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.

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 that's been legally recognized for more than 70 years," Paradis said in an email. "Like many other companies, we hold these meetings because it's 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 board's 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.

2022 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Apple Inc. retail workers at a store in Oklahoma City have voted to unionize, expanding labor's foothold at the world's most valuable company and raising the prospect of further gains in other cities.

The U.S. National Labor Relations Board counted ballots Friday night from an election held among employees at the store, located in the city's upscale Penn Square Mall. The staff voted to join the Communications Workers of America, making theirs the second store to unionize among Apple's roughly 270 U.S. outlets. The vote was 56 in favor and 32 against.

The CWA's win follows a June vote by staff at a Maryland store to join another labor groupthe International Association of Machinistsmarking one of several groundbreaking victories this year at previously union-free U.S. companies.

Labor organizers have also made inroads at Amazon.com Inc., Trader Joe's and Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.as well as Starbucks Corp., where the union's swift spread from one initial victory in Buffalo, New York, to hundreds of successful votes around the country illustrated just how galvanizing a win can be.

In response to the Oklahoma City vote, Apple said it believed that an "open, direct and collaborative relationship" with employees was the best way to "provide an excellent experience for our customers and for our teams."

"We're proud to provide our team members with strong compensation and exceptional benefits," the company said. "Since 2018, we've increased our starting rates in the U.S. by 45% and we've made many significant enhancements to our industry-leading benefits, including new educational and family support programs."

As with the Machinists' victory in Towson, Maryland, the Oklahoma vote could quickly embolden Apple workers who have been privately discussing organizing elsewhere. The fact that the effort prevailed in a deep-red state, whose unionization rate is only around half the U.S. average, underscores the campaign's potential to spread nationwide.

Patrick Hart, a leader in the Oklahoma City campaign, said he's now eager to advise other Apple stores on how to organize.

"I want this to become a labor movement," he said. "We're going to be that catalyst for people."

With two stores unionizing, Apple will have a tougher time maintaining the status quo, said Epstein Becker & Green attorney Steven Swirsky.

"If I lost one, it could concern me," Swirsky, who advises companies on how to avoid unionization, said prior to the vote. "If you lose more than one, then it starts to become hard to explain away."

The Oklahoma City win is a watershed moment for the CWA as it faces off against Apple and competes with the Machinists to organize the company. The group has said that it's in touch with Apple store workers around the country and has filed unionization petitions at two locations so far: the Oklahoma site and one in Atlanta. In the latter case, the union withdrew its petition for an election the week before a scheduled vote, citing alleged misconduct by Apple.

At the Oklahoma City storeone of two Apple locations in the stateemployees said they built an organizing committee of about 20 people and signed up 70% of the workforce over the course of five days before filing for this week's vote.

The company has made its opposition to the union clear. Apple warned against putting "another organization in the middle of our relationship" in a spring video message to employees. In that address, Senior Vice President Deirdre O'Brien described a union as "an organization that doesn't have a deep understanding of Apple or our business, and most importantly, one that I do not believe shares our commitment to you."

The Cupertino, California-based company has also increased employee benefits and pay this year, potentially undercutting the union's case. In May, Apple said it was hiking its national minimum retail wage to $22 an hour. Just this week, the company announced a suite of new benefits, but told its unionized store in Maryland that employees there wouldn't be receiving the perks without negotiating first.

The CWA has filed claims with the NLRB accusing Apple of breaking the law in its efforts to stop the union, including through threats, interrogations, surveillance and mandatory anti-union meetings in Oklahoma.

Earlier this month, the agency's general counsel issued a complaint against Apple in a New York City case, accusing the company of interrogating employees about their workplace activism and discriminating against union supporters by selectively enforcing a no-soliciting policy. Apple has said that it disagreed with those allegations.

The CWA's victory is no guarantee of an actual contract with Apple. Under U.S. labor law, management is required to hold contract talks "in good faith" once workers vote to unionize, but there's no obligation to make substantial concessions on the issues workers want addressed.

Securing a collective bargaining agreement tends to take more than a year after workers vote to unionize, and the process can drag on much longerespecially if a company is motivated to avoid encouraging further organizing efforts elsewhere.

Leaders of the Oklahoma City union campaign have said they hope to secure more transparency and input on issues like safety, scheduling and pay.

"We like our jobs," Leigha Briscoe, a member of the store's organizing committee, said in an interview last month. "And we know that it can be better. We know that it can be more equitable."

2022 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The first satellite to be built under ESAs Eurostar Neo programme has launched. The satellitecalled Eutelsat Hotbird 13Fwas developed and built by satellite manufacturer Airbus for satellite operator Eutelsat. It is based on the Eurostar Neo telecommunications satellite platform, developed under an ESA Partnership Project with Airbus designed to foster innovation and competitiveness in the European space industry. It was launched on a Space-X flight from Cape Canaveral, USA, at 01:22 local time on 15 October (06:22 CEST) and full contact with the satellite was confirmed at 10:42 CEST. The satellite is one of an identical pair, the second of whichEutelsat Hotbird 13Gis due to launch next month. Once in geostationary orbit some 36 000 km above Earth, the twin satellites will reinforce and enhance the broadcast of more than a thousand television channels into homes across Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East, replacing three older satellites. Credit: ESA

The first satellite to be built under ESA's Eurostar Neo program has launched.

The satellitecalled Eutelsat Hotbird 13Fwas developed and built by satellite manufacturer Airbus for satellite operator Eutelsat. It is based on the Eurostar Neo telecommunications satellite platform, developed under an ESA Partnership Project with Airbus designed to foster innovation and competitiveness in the European space industry.

It was launched on a Space-X flight from Cape Canaveral, U.S., at 01:22 local time on 15 October (06:22 CEST) and full contact with the satellite was confirmed at 10:42 CEST.

The satellite is one of an identical pair, the second of whichEutelsat Hotbird 13Gis due to launch next month.

Once in geostationary orbit some 36,000 km above Earth, the twin satellites will reinforce and enhance the broadcast of more than a thousand television channels into homes across Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East, replacing three older satellites.

Elodie Viau, director of telecommunications and integrated applications at ESA, said, "The launch of the first Eurostar Neo satellite demonstrates how ESA helps to boost European space companies and keep them competitive in the global marketplace, support their investments and help them to answer market needs. We are proud to work with our partner Airbus and with Eutelsat to federate industry around large-scale programs and achieve competitive leaps forward."

Francois Gaullier, head of telecommunications satellites at Airbus, said, "It's a huge new payload-centric product that is more competitive than anything we have previously done and Eutelsat Hotbird 13F is the first one to be launched. It is also a very big partnership venture with ESA, the French Space Agency (CNES) and the U.K. Space Agency. We would not have developed this product without their support, which sustains the overall European space industry. The investments made in this product line have created some 2200 long-term jobs as this satellite is the first of eight that have been ordered already."

Pascal Homsy, Eutelsat chief technical officer, said, "Our congratulations to the ESA, Eutelsat, Airbus and SpaceX teams for successfully launching our Eutelsat Hotbird 13F satellite into geostationary orbit. This satellite brings the latest technology resources of the new ESA-supported Eurostar Neo platform at our leading 13-degree East position and confirms a long-term partnership between Airbus and Eutelsat."

Jean-Pierre Diris, deputy director of telecommunication and navigation at CNES, said, "Our long-term support for this project shows the confidence that we have in the European space industry, including satellite builders and operators such as Airbus and Eutelsat."

Harshbir Sangha, director of growth at the U.K. Space Agency, said, "The U.K. is a world leader in developing satellite technology and our support for the Eurostar Neo program has strengthened the electrical propulsion supply chain in the U.K., delivering growth to the space sector and unleashing innovation.

"As one of the leading investors in this program, we have catalyzed investment into the U.K., supporting hundreds of jobs at Airbus, which has received orders for more satellites from customers around the world."

Seven other Eurostar Neo spacecraft have been sold by Airbus. They will be used for high-speed internet and advanced mobile communications by the different customers. The satellites are at various stages of design and manufacturing and will all benefit from improvements drawn from this first build.

ESA's Neosat program comprises both Eurostar Neo by Airbus and Spacebus Neo by Thales Alenia Space.
The website of the Telegram messaging app is seen on a notebook screen in Munich, Germany, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Germany has announced that it is issuing fines of 5.125 million euros ($5 million) against the operators of the messagging app Telegram for failing to comply with German law. Credit: AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Germany announced Monday that it is issuing fines of 5.125 million euros ($5 million) against the operators of the messaging app Telegram for failing to comply with German law.

The Federal Office of Justice said Telegram FZ-LLC hasn't established a lawful way for reporting illegal content or named an entity in Germany to receive official communication. Both are required under German laws that regulate large online platforms.

German officials said they have repeatedly failed in their attempts to serve papers to Dubai-based Telegram, despite support from authorities in the United Arab Emirates.

A Germany-based law firm has since declared that it represents Telegram, but this wasn't enough to prevent the fines being issued, the Federal Office of Justice said.

German federal police warned earlier this year that the app is becoming a "medium for radicalization," used by some to target politicians, scientists and doctors for their role in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

"The operators of messaging services and social networks bear a particular responsibility for acting against incitement to hatred and violence on their platforms," Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said in a statement. "These legal requirements and this responsibility can't be avoided by trying to be unreachable."

The fine can be appealed.

The logo of Telegram messaging app is seen on a notebook screen in Munich, Germany, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Germany has announced that it is issuing fines of 5.125 million euros ($5 million) against the operators of the messagging app Telegram for failing to comply with German law. Credit: AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed UnlockedMaps, a web-based map that allows users to see in real time how accessible rail transit stations are in six metro areas. Shown here is a screenshot of UnlockedMaps in New York. Stations that are labeled green are accessible while stations that are labeled orange are not accessible. Yellow stations have elevator outages reported. Credit: University of Washington

While many people use Google Maps and other navigation tools to plan their rail transit trips across a city, these apps and websites often lack important information about how accessible a specific station is. That's a problem for people who use the elevators, including those with mobility disabilities, pregnant people and commuters with heavy equipment such as suitcases or bicycles.

Researchers at the University of Washington developed UnlockedMaps, a web-based map that allows users to see in real time how accessible rail transit stations are in six metro areas: Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle, Toronto, New York and the California Bay Area. UnlockedMaps shows which stations are accessible and which ones are experiencing elevator outages. The team collected elevator outage data from more than 2,300 transit stations over the past two years to build the system.

The researchers will present these findings Oct. 24 at the ASSETS 2022 Conference on Computers and Accessibility.

UW News asked lead author Ather Sharif, a UW doctoral student in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, to share the details.

What was the inspiration behind UnlockedMaps?

Ather Sharif: First, people who rely on elevators, such as people who use wheelchairs, currently have no map-based tools available to know if there is a real-time elevator outage at a given station. So, these commuters usually just show up at stations, find that the elevators aren't functioning and then have to find alternative ways to commute, which can lead to missing important appointments or even having to cancel them.

Second, the history of elevator outages is not available anywhere. We've been recording elevator outages for the past 28 months in these metro areas. The data can be used by developers, disability advocates and policymakers for a variety of purposes, including shedding light on the frequency of elevator outages and their repair times to identify the disparities between neighborhoods in a given city.

How did you get started with UnlockedMaps?

AS: In 2014, a good friend and I developed a tool called UnlockPhilly at a hackathon. It was the same idea, except that it was limited only to Philadelphia. UnlockPhilly is, unfortunately, no longer an active project, but it inspired us to build UnlockedMaps that targets six different metro areas and is an active research project for us.

Why did you pick these areas?

AS: I have lived in Philadelphia, Chicago and Seattle, so those were no-brainers. It was a way to give back to the community. The other three became part of the project because developers from those cities reached out and wanted to contribute to give back to their communities. I am excited to onboard more cities, and the work for that has already begun.

How does it work?

AS: We scrape the websites of transit authorities and get elevator outage updates hourly. We're working on increasing our computing resources to fetch the data even more frequently.

What does it mean for a station to be "not accessible" compared to having an elevator outage?

AS: Most stations unfortunately are not accessible. This means there's either no elevator or ramp present for people who use wheelchairs to access the platform. To make them accessible, the local city government would need to work with the transit authorities to perform necessary construction of ramps or installation of elevators. And that, in my experience, is a painfully slow process.

UnlockedMaps also contains information about nearby restaurants and restrooms. Why?

AS: I think restaurants and restrooms are two of the most common things that people look for when they plan their commute. But no other maps really let you filter those out by accessibility. You have to individually click on each restaurant and check if it's accessible or not, using Google Maps. With UnlockedMaps, all that information is right there!

For your study, you recruited 34 participants who identified as being a member of the following groups: people with mobility disabilities, pregnant people, cyclists/stroller users/commuters with heavy equipment, members of disability advocacy groups and civic hackers. These participants interacted with UnlockedMaps in their metro area for at least 20 minutes. What were their reactions?

AS: People loved it. They loved that we finally had something that had a central focus on accessibility. Of course, there's room to grow and features to implement. In our study, people suggested creating an app for the system and adding route-planning features. We're working on those suggestions.

Are there next steps for this project?

AS: Yes! First, we're expanding to other cities, and Tokyo is next on our list.

The data that we're collecting here is invaluable. We could study the accessibility of urban rail transit systems between cities, countries and even continents. We're conducting long-term studies to understand how people use the tool and will use our findings to improve the system.

I want to add one more thing on the issue of equity. While Google Maps and other tools are great, why has it taken us all this time to understand that our infrastructure disenfranchises people with disabilities? We really hope that this tool and the data that we contribute can provide some transparency into the inequitable aspects of our cities.

More information: Ather Sharif UnlockedMaps: Visualizing Real-Time Accessibility of Urban Rail Transit Using a Web-Based Map, ASSETS 2022 Conference on Computers and Accessibility Proceedings (2022). Ather Sharif UnlockedMaps: Visualizing Real-Time Accessibility of Urban Rail Transit Using a Web-Based Map,(2022). DOI: 10.1145/3517428.3550397 UnlockedMaps: unlockedmaps.com/ Conference: assets22.sigaccess.org/
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YORK  Jeremy Matthews, 22, of Denver, Colo., who was charged with eight felonies in a case involving illegal drugs, weapons and driving under the influence has taken a plea agreement.

He appeared in York County District Court this past week, for a status hearing.

This case began when a deputy with the York County Sheriffs Department was on regular patrol on Interstate 80. He saw a speeding vehicle in the middle of the night. A traffic stop was initiated.

Matthews was the driver and the deputy saw a vape pen lying on his lap while talking with him. The deputy said there was brown resin in the pen which indicates it was concentrated cannabis.

The deputy said in court documents Matthews failed field sobriety tests.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the finding of 1.4 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms, concentrated cannabis in multiple forms, mushroom residue, sealer bags, a digital scale and a fixed blade knife in a sheath in the drivers door with the blade measuring 3  inches.

He was charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, both Class 2A felonies; possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, a Class 3 felony; two counts of having no drug tax stamp, both Class 4 felonies; two counts of possession of a controlled substance, both Class 4 felonies; and first offense driving under the influence.

As part of a plea agreement, Matthews pleaded no contest to carrying a concealed weapon, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and attempted possession of a controlled substance, also a Class 1 misdemeanor.

He is facing a possible maximum sentence of a year in jail for each count.

Sentencing has been set for Nov. 23.
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Gerbilhaltung The family of rodents include called tips and tricks for proper Gerbilhaltung gerbils, or even gerbils. They prefer a dry Habitat, because they originally come from deserts in Africa and Asia. In many of these areas it is very cold in the winter what characterizes the gerbils very robust species. Most gerbils live attitude with conspecifics, they are no loner. However enough space should be provided the gerbils, so that they can go to in case of doubt out of the way. Siblings from a litter tolerated best and with them there are least turf disputes. There must be always enough litter, to ensure that gerbils can fulfil also their beloved activity, tunnel construction. Generally enough activities should be made possible the gerbils, to keep the animals healthy and happy. So, one should try to exercise them outside of the cage. In addition, it must be but first ensure that is there no cable or, escape routes are. Gerbils can become very slim and fit by gaps that appear too narrow for her at first sight. Gerbilfutter gerbils are largely vegetarian. Prefer you eat parts of plants, such as leaves, seeds, fruit, stem, root and tuber. Some species eat but also small insects, snails or reptiles, and a few make even the hunting on small rodents. Attitude at home that can are very well finished mixtures used, suitable as Gerbilfutter. These include such as much good rice in the best case, are low in fat and minerals and vitamins. In addition, but also constantly fresh and dried fruit and vegetables should be fed. The Gerbilfutter can also like one are hidden, so must seek their feed like in nature itself of small mice and remain so active. You should provide a bit of dry bread, to ensure an adequate supply...
(TBTCO) - Trong 2 ngay (23-24/11), tai TP. Luong-Pha-Bang (Lao), Hoi nghi Ban Chap hanh Hiep hoi An sinh xa hoi ASEAN (Hoi nghi ASSA) lan thu 39 a dien ra voi chu e Bao tro xa hoi trong qua trinh phuc hoi sau ai dich. Tai hoi nghi nay, Bao hiem Xa hoi Viet Nam vinh du uoc nhan Giai thuong voi du an Giai phap chinh sach cua Viet Nam ho tro nguoi lao ong va nguoi su dung lao ong bi anh huong boi ai dich Covid-19 tu quy bao hiem that nghiep.
Classic rock band Journey will perform in Casper in April, the Ford Wyoming Center announced Monday.

The show will be somewhat of a return for the band, who also performed at the venue  then known as the Casper Events Center  nearly 40 years ago.

The tour is a 50th-anniversary celebration for Journey, who produced massive hits with songs such as Dont Stop Believin and Any Way You Want It. The band will be visiting Casper as part of a 38-stop tour of North America.

The show was announced at a Monday morning press conference at the venue. Casper Mayor Ray Pacheco encouraged the community to come out and support the show. He also challenged Caspers business community to get in on the act with food specials or renaming drinks after the band.

Anything we can do to make this moment that much more important, he said.

Journey will be joined at the Casper show by Toto, an act that, like Journey, had its heyday in the late 1970s and 1980s. Toto is perhaps known best for songs such as Africa and Rosanna.

Casper was barely eligible for a stop on the tour. The band required venues to have 8,000 seats. The Ford Wyoming Center, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, seats 8,017, according to General Manager Brad Murphy.

Tickets for the April 11 show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. They can be purchased online or at the venue (like we did in 1983, Murphy noted at the press conference).

Tickets start at $49.50 and go as high as $149.50.
President Joe Biden has officially kicked off the application process for his student debt cancellation program. He announced Monday that 8 million borrowers had already applied for loan relief during the federal governments soft launch period over the weekend.

A key witness in a trial that led to the conviction of disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes adamantly stood by his testimony during an unusual court appearance Monday. The prosecution witness, former Theranos lab director Adam Rosendorff, made a remorseful appearance at Holmes Silicon Valley home after the trial, raising questions about potential misconduct.

The Justice Department is arguing that Steve Bannon should serve six months behind bars and pay a $200,000 fine for defying a congressional subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Officials say two occupants of a small plane died after crashing into a house in a South Florida neighborhood. Miramar police say the single-engine Aventura II went down just before noon Monday, shortly after taking off from the nearby North Perry Airport.

Southern California police say a man with a knife has been arrested following a series of stabbings that killed a woman and wounded three others.

The acting president of the Los Angeles City Council is escalating the pressure on two members to resign over their participation in a private meeting in which they did not object to a colleagues crude and racist remarks and at times joined in the banter.

Early rock pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis and bluegrass performer-turned-country star Keith Whitley were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The Tennessee Titans have lined up the last financing for an estimated $2.1 billion domed stadium that will put the franchise in position to host a Super Bowl. The Titans hope to open the new stadium in time for the 2026 season.

Almost three weeks after Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida, students in the areas largest school district are poised to return to class. The School District of Lee County says 28 of the district's 120 schools were reopening on Monday and Tuesday, and another 32 have been cleared to reopen soon.

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal seeking to give people born in American Samoa U.S. citizenship. The court passed up an invitation to overturn a series of decisions dating back to 1901 known as the Insular Cases, replete with racist and anti-foreign rhetoric.

Ezra Miller has pleaded not guilty to stealing bottles of liquor from a neighbors home in Vermont. The 30-year-old Miller appeared remotely for the arraignment Monday on one count of burglary and one count of petit larceny.

In this week's religion roundup, Jews in Jerusalem celebrated Sukkot at the Western Wall, Peruvian Catholics revived a tradition, and Muslims celebrated the Prophet's birthday
A Florida man has found a trunk from the 1930s washed up on a beach, Christmas celebrations are kicking off in Sweden, and more of today's top
The 66th Wyoming Legislature was made up of 79 Republicans, nine Democrats and just two members from a minor party or with no party ties.

One of those was Rep. Marshall Burt, L-Green River, a Libertarian from Sweetwater County. Then, seated in the corner of the House floor, there was Rep. Jim Roscoe, I-Wilson, the Legislatures only independent.

After two terms in the Legislature (2009 to 2012 and 2019 to the present), Roscoe declined to run again and is on his way out.

Despite losing its only independent, theres a chance the soon-to-be 93-member Wyoming Legislature will pick up additional minor party and/or unaffiliated elected officials.

Voters around the Equality State will find seven independents, seven Libertarians and three Constitution Party candidates on their general election ballots  the highest number of minor-party and unaffiliated candidates in a quarter of a century.

One of those candidates is Bob Strobel, an independent whos on the ballot to replace Roscoe in House District 22. Hes up against Andrew Byron, a moderate Republican candidate whom the Wyoming GOP voted to financially support.

House District 22 is an amalgamation of disparate swaths of Wyoming. It includes super-wealthy, left-leaning Wilson and other southern swaths of Jackson Hole. Its southernmost reaches are another world: more-centrist Hoback Junction is part of the district, and so is right-leaning northern Star Valley, home to working ranches and small communities like Alpine, parts of Etna and Star Valley Ranch. Bondurant and Daniel Junction used to be included, but redistricting recently changed that. The northwest portion of Sublette County was lopped off because the population slipped and the district now stops at the Sublette County line.

Whos running

Byron, who has self-identified as a super moderate Republican, is a Hoback Junction resident, real estate agent and volunteer firefighter who unsuccessfully ran for a Teton County Board of County Commission seat in 2018. Byron has received $2,500 from the Wyoming Realtors PAC and the Wyoming Republican Party voted to send him another $2,000 at its central committees September meeting.

At an Oct. 11 debate in Wilson, Byron said he did not ask for Wyoming GOP funding and that he hasnt seen it. I wonder if that check ever will arrive, because Ive come out as a very moderate Republican, Byron said. I have a large issue with the former president.

Though running as an independent, Strobel has historically identified as a Republican classic kind of guy, he said at the Wilson debate.

The newcomer to politics and resident of Etna has a techy, entrepreneurial background, having founded a webcam website, SeeJH.com, and the brick-and-mortar store, Jackson Hole Computer Clinic. Hes trailing Byron in funding, having raised only $1,800, according to the secretary of states website. Outgoing representative Roscoe has thrown his support behind Strobel, who struck the same tone as Byron on many issues while the two debated, whether it was local control over land-use planning, public land policy or abortion  both are pro-choice.

What to watch for

Theres not a lot separating Byron and Strobel ideologically or in terms of policy positions, and their parallels might make for a close race in House District 22. Byron has said as much, telling the Jackson Hole News&Guide their similarities might be difficult for both of us.
Wyoming is experiencing an increase in overdose deaths, and state health officials believe its tied to rising fentanyl use.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid thats 50 times as strong as heroin. Its normally used to treat severe pain, such as that experienced by cancer patients. But its also being produced illicitly.

Nationally, deaths from overdoses of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are up considerably.

Between 2019 and 2020 alone, they rose 56%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Wyoming, overdose deaths have been growing steadily since 2017, when the state recorded 62. Last year, there were 106, a rise of roughly 71%.

The increase over the last couple of years in overdose deaths is partially due to an increase in synthetic opioid-involved overdose deaths, said state health officer Alexia Harrist. In fact, between 2018 and 2021 the number of synthetic opioid-involved fatal overdoses among residents of our state more than quadrupled while the deaths connected with most other opioids stayed relatively stable.

Fentanyl is not only more potent, Harrist added  it can also be more addictive.

In light of the rise in fentanyl abuse and deaths, state health officials are advising people to learn to identify and respond to overdoses and talk with health care providers about access to Narcan, a drug that counteract the effects of an overdose.

More information about drug treatment in Wyoming can be found at health.wyo.gov/behavioralhealth/mhsa/treatment/rsac/.
T&Ts Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF) declined by 15.14 per cent between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022, according to the two quarterly reports for the Fund for this year.

The HSF reports, which are published on the Ministry of Finance website, indicate that at the start of 2022, the value of the assets in the Fund totaled US$5.62 billion.

At the end of March 2022, the total net asset value of the HSF was US$5.29 billion, approximately US$323.63 million lower than the previous quarters closing value. And at the end of June 2022, the total net asset value of the HSF was US$4.77 bllion, approximately US$528 million lower than the previous quarters closing value of US$5,299.5 million.
If ever a Government makes a real attempt at solving Trinidads failing transportation system, there is one person they will need to speak with.

Glen Beadon will be at his home in the town of Hanley Castle, England, surrounded by a vast archive containing all we need to know about the railroad that, once upon a time, moved people and products around the island.
Surviving the terror of the pipeline which claimed the lives of four of his colleagues was one battle Christopher Boodram fought.

Struggling to survive outside in a world filled with financial pain and mental anguish is another.

Boodram, the lone diving survivor, has issued an appeal for Paria Fuel Trading Company Ltd to assist him and the families of the deceased divers.

In an interview with the Sunday Express last Friday, Boodram said his family is facing immense financial hardship, as he has not been able to work since the diving tragedy on February 25.
There could be no doubt that the post-pandemic situation is fraught with many problems ranging from concerns for health, education, economy and personal situations.

Among these that may be prioritised according to our individual cares come the national concerns. Even then debate will range over which should be our priorities.

My view is that the greatest and most enduring problem will be our loss of effective teaching-learning time over well nigh two years.
For children across Southern Arizona, and across the country for that matter, that Super Bowl of sugar highs known as Halloween is less than two weeks away.

Much to the chagrin of Tucson's dentists, many of the city's big box stores are teeming with cheap bags of miniature Snickers, Jolly Ranchers and other popular chocolates and candies, all of which will be purchased and handed out to pint-sized ghouls and goblins on Oct. 31.

The stage is set for unbridled feasts and subsequent tummy aches.

But living the sweet life doesn't have to end when spooky season does.

There are a number of candy and chocolate shops in Tucson willing to help your family satisfy your cravings before Oct. 31 and long after your Halloween stash runs out.

Here are a few options.

Purple Penguin Candy Emporium

3392 E. 22nd St., facebook.com/tucsoncandy

This cozy shop, across the street from Reid Park, has a lot of flavor, and that's before you start shoveling the near-1,000 types of sweets available on its shelves into your mouth, Augustus Gloop-style.

Its owner, Dino Volpi, has a long history in the food service industry, but he also owned antique stores. Old crates, signs and larger-than-life M&M figures are sprinkled amid shelf after shelf of chocolates and candies from across the country.

This is a place of imagination, said Volpi, who opened the Purple Penguin in 2019. If you sit here and look at these things through the eyes of an 8- and 9-year-old, it has got to be awesome.

Volpi's primary clientele are families with children.

We had a school bus full come in the other day," he said. Twenty-one kids.

But he also has a lot of older customers chasing their youth.

One of the Purple Penguins specialties is nostalgic sweets from different parts of the country (and the world) that you arent likely to find anywhere else in town.

Pick up some Violet Crumble bars from Australia, Huckleberry Gems from Idaho and a Twin Bing with cherry-flavored nougat from Sioux City, Iowa.

If they are still making the old candies, we can get them, Volpi said. If there are new candies out there, the kids will tell you. Well pick them up.

Purple Penguin is open 10:30 a.m.

-5 p.m. Mondays-Tuesdays and Thursdays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays.

Candy World

9136 E. Valencia Road, tucne.ws/1lll

With a bit of distance from Tucsons hustle and bustle, Rita Ranch seems an unlikely place for one of Southern Arizona's largest independently owned candy shops to succeed.

Alicia and Michael Huff, owners of Candy World, on the north end of the master-planned community, have proven otherwise.

The Huffs first opened their shop in Sierra Vista seven years ago as a way to give back to the community.

There wasnt a whole lot for kids to do in Sierra Vista," Alicia Huff said. I wanted all ages to come in and be able to enjoy themselves, and relax in a fun place.

They opened a second shop in Rita Ranch, on Tucsons southeast side, after moving to the community in 2019.

After the first shop, which was located at the Sierra Vista Mall, shuttered permanently due to the pandemic, the Rita Ranch location became the couples flagship.

It is a very strong community, Alicia Huff said. People here really support each other. Plus, it is easy to get to from Interstate 10 for customers coming from Sierra Vista and Cochise County.

Candy World keeps the Rita Ranch area well supplied, with more than 800 types of candies, chocolates and even Thrifty ice cream in stock.

They offer nostalgic delights, novelty treats, fresh fudge and a selection of locally made products.

Parents come in for the candy bars that remind them of their childhood and Jelly Belly jelly beans by the pound, Alicia Huff said.

The kids go for just about all of it, but the candies that go viral on the social media platform TikTok, products like Slime Lickers and Jelly Fruits, are by far the most popular.

As soon as a candy hits TikTok, you cant even get them from distributors anymore, Alicia Huff said. They can't keep up with demand.

Alicia Huff said the shop has done well in their little corner of Tucson.

It is our happy place, she said. We like to make sure that it is the customers happy place as well.

Candy World is open 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. They stay open late to accommodate the after-dinner ice cream crowd. It is open noon-7 p.m. on Sundays.

Mexicandy

4500 N. Oracle Road in the Tucson Mall, mexicandyshop.com

The sweet, sour and spicy flavor profiles found in many of the candies coming up from Mexico can now be purchased at this new shop at the Tucson Mall.

Mexicandy, near Dillards at the mall, offers all of the classics: Pulparindo, Paleta Payaso, chili-coated lollipops.

But they also do their own thing.

Visit the shop and you can pick up all manner of gummies, including Sour Kids, tart ropes and gummy worms, covered in Mexicandy's own chili powder recipe.

Ours has a unique flavor, said Michael Apalategui, who owns Mexicandy with his wife, Celina Guzman. You get that chili powder, but it is not overpowering. You still get the full effect of the candy. It is the best of both worlds.

Mexicandy also offers tamarind-based rim dips, to line your margarita and michelada glasses, in flavors ranging from watermelon and mango to cucumber and pickle.

Apalategui, a Tucson native, and Guzman, recently moved back to town from California, where Apalategui served in the Marine Corps for 13 years.

The couple launched their business in California, attending high-profile events, such as Los Angeles Comic-Con and setting up pop-ups at the Galleria Mall in Riverside.

Some of this candy was really hard to get, Apalategui said. No one was really doing it on a mass scale. We wanted to make it so people could get it all the time.

Finding themselves back in Tucson to be closer to Apalategui's family, they felt the opportunity was there to take their business concept to the next level.

Many Mexican Americans resonate with what we are offering, Apalategui said. They are starting to see their culture out there more. When they come in, and see the candies from their childhood, they feel proud.

Apalategui and Guzman opened Mexicandy at the Tucson Mall in August and are set to open their second location at the mall in Riverside in November. They hope to expand in Tucson. They inquired about a space at Park Place mall, but it already has a candy store, a Fuzziwig's Candy Factory franchise.

Apalategui said they hope to pop up at some of the big events around town in the coming months.

I would love to start doing things, like UA tailgate parties, he said. We are trying to put ourselves out there.

Mexicandy is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Chocolate Depot

6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, traildusttown.com/chocolate-depot

You can add a little bit of European flavor to your chocolate intake with a trip to the Chocolate Depot at Trail Dust Town on Tucson's east side.

The shop imports its chocolate bars from Belgium, then melts them down to create an array of treats, including truffles, nut clusters and chocolate dipped strawberries. They also have fudge, peanut brittle, toffee and a wide selection of nostalgic candies and confections.

Owners Scott and Pascale Rail have owned Chocolate Depot since 2004. The business itself has been offering dessert delights to visitors to Trail Dust Town since 1997.

Pascale Rail said the fact that they are in Trail Dust Town, an Old West tourist attraction anchored by the longtime steak house Pinnacle Peak, has been crucial to their survival.

We have seen chocolate businesses close down over the years, Pascale Rail said. It is hard to make it. But we get a lot of foot traffic because of where we are.

Pascale Rail said business went through a significant downturn during the pandemic, but the Chocolate Depot is back on track now that tourism has returned.

We get tourists, but we get a lot of locals, too, she said. This is also the time of year where we see a lot of our snowbirds coming back.

Like most of the attractions at Trail Dust Town, the Chocolate Depot keeps evening hours, 5-9 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

If you are looking for something completely different, make your way to Monsoon Chocolate (monsoonchocolate.com), 234 E. 22nd St., for some high-end, award winning bon bons, with flavors such as chiltepin pepper, prickly pear caramel and chile mango.
One sip of this soup is like getting wrapped in your warmest, coziest sweater. Between the thick chunks of vegetables, tender cubes of potato, juicy shreds of chicken (take your pick of boneless breasts or thighs), and thick, creamy broth, it truly doesnt get more comforting than chicken potato soup.

As the temps begin to dip, this is a family-friendly soup to keep on repeat all through fall and winter.

Should I boil potatoes before adding them to soup?

Nope! The potatoes will cook directly in the pot of soup until tender, so theres no need to cook them separately. There are a couple important things to remember about buying and prepping the potatoes.

Use Yukon Gold potatoes. There are a lot of potato varieties to choose from, and for this soup, waxy Yukon Golds are the best choice. Unlike starchy Russet potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes keep their shape well during cooking.

Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. This is just the right size so that the potatoes are cooked through and tender, without being too soft. Cutting the cubes to the same size also ensures theyre all cooked evenly. Yukon Gold potatoes also have a thin, tender skin, so theres no need to peel them.

Do you cook chicken before adding it to soup?

The answer is no again. Everything cooks in one pot, and the chicken (regardless of whether you start with breasts or thighs), gets poached directly in the broth. Youll start by sauteing the aromatics, then, after adding the potatoes and broth, the chicken is added to the pot. Bring the soup to a simmer, then continue to simmer until the chicken is cooked through. If using boneless chicken thighs, this will be about 10 minutes; for boneless chicken breasts, youll need 12 to 18 minutes.

How do I thicken chicken and potato soup?

The thick and creamy broth is a big part of what makes this soup so irresistibly cozy. Here, all-purpose flour is the secret to thickening the broth. Youll sprinkle it over the vegetables, let it cook for just a minute, then pour in the broth and milk. As the broth simmers it will slowly begin to thicken.

Chicken Potato Soup

Serves 6 to 8, Makes about 2 1/2 quarts

1 medium yellow onion

2 medium carrots

2 medium stalks celery

3 cloves garlic

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (3 medium or 2 large breasts, or 5 to 6 thighs)

2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more as needed

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

2 tablespoons olive oil

3/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (3 medium or 6 small)

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 (32-ounce) box low-sodium chicken broth (about 4 cups)

2 cups whole or 2% milk

1. Prepare the following vegetables, adding them each to the same medium bowl as you complete it: Dice 1 medium yellow onion (about 1 1/2 cups). Peel and halve 2 medium carrots lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup). Cut 2 medium celery stalks crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1 cup). Finely chop 3 garlic cloves.

2. Season 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs all over with 1 teaspoon of the kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the black pepper.

3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion mixture, 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, and the remaining 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cut 1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes into 1-inch cubes (about 3 1/2 cups, no need to peel).

4. Add the potatoes to the pot and stir to combine. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to cook the floury taste out. While stirring constantly, pour in 1 (32-ounce) box low-sodium chicken broth and 2 cups whole or 2% milk. Add the chicken in a single layer. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a lively simmer, stirring occasionally.

5. Reduce the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, the chicken is cooked through, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers at least 165 F, about 10 minutes for thighs or 12 to 18 minutes for breasts.

6. Remove the pot from the heat. Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board and shred into bite-size pieces.

7. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Return the chicken to the soup. Taste and season with more kosher salt and black pepper as needed.

Recipe note: An equal amount of store-bought precooked rotisserie chicken can be used in place of the boneless, skinless chicken breasts of thighs.
PHOENIX  Democrat Katie Hobbs has more money in donations than Republican Kari Lake in the race for governor. But that difference is being made up by more than $6 million spent by outside groups independently advocating for Hobbs defeat.

And most of that is coming from the Republican Governors Association. It is led by current Gov. Doug Ducey, who has distanced himself personally from his would-be successor, a perpetual critic of Ducey on the campaign trail.

Hobbs had collected more than $9.6 million into her own campaign, new figures filed with the state by the Saturday deadline show. Her expenditures in the report, which covers everything through the end of September, exceeded $8.3 million.

By contrast, Lake had collected nearly $7.4 million, with $5.5 million in expenses.

The real money being spent on Lakes behalf, however, is that cash from outside groups, led by the Republican Governors Association.

None of its spending was urging Arizonans to support Lake who, in the Republican primary, defeated Ducey-backed Karrin Taylor Robson. Instead, its entire $5.2 million is designed to convince people to vote against Hobbs.

Ducey, asked about the RGA funding, told NBC News correspondent Vaughn Hillyard, that his focus is on the three issues of border security, lower taxes and school choice. The last category includes legislation he signed this year allowing any student to get a voucher of state funds to attend private and parochial schools.

Kari Lake is on the right side of all three of those issues, Ducey said.

Ducey also brushed aside questions about the fact that Lake has said she would decertify the 2020 election despite his repeated assurances that the election was fair.

The primary is over, the governor said.

Lake has continued her questioning of the fairness of Arizona elections, refusing as recently as Sunday to say she would live by the results.

Im going to win the election, and I will accept that result, she told CNN, repeating the statement after being asked if that would be the case if she lost.

Her campaign, however, put out a statement Monday saying that Lake wasnt saying she wont accept the results if she loses, only that she isnt going to lose because of all the issues with her opponent.

Lake is getting other outside financial help.

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund reported expenditures of $400,000 in advertising to promote her candidacy. And thats on top of $400,000 listed in opposition spending targeting Hobbs.

Then theres $1 million from an entity called Put Arizona First.

That organization which also spent more than $2.1 million attacking Robson in the GOP primary to Lakes benefit, lists an address as a UPS store on North Cave Creek Road in Arizona. And it shares that address with SPH Medical, LLC which is listed as having contributed $1.7 million.

There is no such limited liability company listed with the Arizona Corporation Commission. A call to the number listed on the campaign finance report was not immediately returned.

Aside from the funds Hobbs reported as going into her own campaign, another $1.4 million was listed as being spent to elect her from others.

Working America, a group affiliated with AFL-CIO, spent close to $500,000 on behalf of Hobbs. And there was another $150,000 from Stand for Children which advocates for school funding.

Secretary of State

In the race for secretary of state, Democrat Adrian Fontes is getting big help from outside groups.

Fontes reported donations of more than $2.4 million. But that was nearly matched by independent expenditures working for the defeat of Republican Mark Finchem.

Close to $2.2 million of that opposition spending came from moveon.org, a national group that advocates for progressive causes. That doesnt count another $250,000 the organization put into pro-Fontes efforts.

Also putting cash into the anti-Finchem campaign was Future Forward PAC, which has leanings similar to moveon.org.

Finchem, for his part, reported collecting $1.8 million directly into his campaign.

Attorney General

Democrat attorney general hopeful Kris Mayes listed income of more than $2.2 million into her campaign against almost $1.8 million for Republican Abraham Hamadeh.

But in this race, too, much of the spending for and against each candidate is being done by outside groups through independent expenditures.

In Hamadehs case, the Republican Attorneys General Association spent about $830,000 in supporting his election  and more than $1.3 million in commercials and other materials urging the defeat of Mayes.

Mayes, by contrast, had just $46,000 in spending by outsiders urging her election. But Future Forward PAC listed nearly $435,000 in expenses against Hamadeh.

Schools Superintendent

The race for state schools chief shows incumbent Democrat Kathy Hoffman with nearly $305,000 in donations. That includes the $276,000 she got from the Citizens Clean Elections Commission in public funds and another $27,675 she was allowed to collect in private donations.

There was another $12,430 spent on her behalf by outsiders.

In contrast, Republican Tom Horne, running with private dollars, lists income of more than $865,000.

There were no independent expenditures listed for him. And neither candidate showed outside groups spending money against them.

State Treasurer

In the race for treasurer, incumbent Republican Kimberly Yee listed income of more than $286,000. That includes $153,486 she had left over from her short-lived bid for governor before pulling out of the race and deciding instead to seek another term.

She is being matched by Democratic challenger Martin Quezada whose donations totaled $293,000.

Arizona Corporation Commission

The four candidates for two seats on the five-member Arizona Corporation Commission all have pretty much the same amount of money to spend.

Democrat incumbent Sandra Kennedy, fellow Democrat Lauren Kuby and Republicans Kim Owens and Nick Myers all agreed to accept public funds. That qualified each of them for more than $110,000 for the primary and another $166,000 for the general election.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib shocked the world when she recently argued that progressives who support the worlds only Jewish state are not progressives at all.

Tlaib said, you cannot claim to hold progressive values yet back Israels apartheid government, and we will continue to push back and not accept that you are progressive . What a shocking claim to make to the legion of supporters of Israel, both Jewish and non-Jewish, who embrace and champion the progressive agenda and have achieved some of its most significant accomplishments.

As someone who is a progressive and unapologetically Jewish and a Zionist, I feel its imperative to push back on the rhetoric and show she does not speak on behalf of our party or values.

According to Pew, in 2021, over 70% of American Jews lean toward the Democratic Party, and half describe their political views as liberal. Progressivism is aligned with Jewish values, which celebrate Tikkun Olam, the concept of mans role in repairing or bettering the world. At the same time, Gallup found that 95% of American Jews support Israel, and Pew indicated that eight-in-ten U.S. Jews say caring about Israel is an essential or important part of what being Jewish means to them.

This is easily understood. Alyza Lewin of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law has written: (The) determination to return to Zion is the glue that has kept Jews connected for millennia. For centuries Jews have not only prayed facing Jerusalem, they have prayed to return to Jerusalem.

Support for Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel is integral to the Jewish faith. Lewin further writes: demanding that a Jew abandon any part of his or her Jewish identity is antisemitic  one does not have to be a Zionist to agree that harassing a Jew for expressing the Zionist part of his or her Jewish identity is antisemitic.

Accordingly, those like Tlaib, who would deny Jews their right to identify and practice our faith as our ancestors have for thousands of years, exhibit and inculcate antisemitism by acting to exclude Jews.

Yet it must be understood that Tlaib and her ilk are more than talk. As early as 2017, the Chicago Dyke March became famous for expelling a group of marchers who brought a Pride Flag with a Star of David.

That same year, anti-Israel radical Linda Sarsour proclaimed that Zionism and feminism are incompatible, which would probably have elicited a chuckle from Israels great female prime minister Golda Meir.

Last month, two Jewish women were harassed and kicked out of a sexual-assault survivors support group at the State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz for their Zionist identity. Just this fall, nine affinity groups at the University of California at Berkeleys school of law have begun the academic year by amending their bylaws to provide that they will never invite any speakers that support Israel or Zionism  a standard Berkeley Laws Dean Erwin Chemerinsky noted would ban both himself and 90% of his Jewish students.

Is it really plausible that expelling Jews is the progressive choice? Most of Israels founding generation of leaders, including its first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, were of the Left. Governments of Israels Labor Party pursued the 1990s Palestinian peace process, but their electoral fortunes declined when their peace overtures were answered with the bombs and bullets of Yasser Arafats intifada.

However, Israels current prime minister, Yair Lapid, comes from the new Yesh Atid, a secular party with a center-left agenda. Importantly, the same day that Tlaib was calling for the exclusion of Jews, Lapid called for a two-state solution and an independent Palestinian state in his first address to the United Nations General Assembly. Israel, the Middle Easts only multiparty and multiconfessional democracy, hosts a thriving LGBT culture and the biggest Pride events on the Asian continent. Why then would progressives opt for the position of Hamas, the theocratic terror group whose founding charter calls for the obliteration of the State of Israel?

In fact, Tlaib is not redefining the values of progressivism; she is redefining the word progressive away from its values. This is exactly what Donald Trump has done to American conservatives by advancing the idea that you cant be a conservative unless you support Donald Trump.

The truth is more like the opposite; the same is true of Tlaibs outrageous claim  can you truly be a progressive if you deny the Jews, one of the worlds oldest indigenous peoples and the sufferers of the worst genocide of the 20th Century, the right to favor sovereignty in their homeland?

In fact, what Tlaib is trying to do is create more and more spaces in which the overwhelming majority of Jews are not welcome. This is an ongoing hate crime in which too many progressives have become complicit. We must consistently highlight the racism and bigotry inherent in trying to push Jews and Zionists out of shared and progressive spaces, and the human harm that has been caused by re-othering Jews with this virtual yellow Star of David.
The most recently available state data show a 17% increase in fatal crashes from 2020 to 2021. "These fatalities do not have to happen, and thats why we dont call them accidents," Trooper Eric Foster told the Tulsa World.
A Sapulpa woman died two days after being injured in a crash about two miles north of Sapulpa last week, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported Monday.

Jackie Guthrie, 65, died Wednesday at a Tulsa hospital, troopers reported.

She was driving a 2006 BMW F6D north on Oklahoma 97 when a southbound 2012 Chevrolet Silverado turned left onto 81st Street in front of her and the two vehicles collided around 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10, according to an OHP crash report.

Troopers said the other driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic. The other driver, also a Sapulpa woman, was not injured, according to troopers.
A 17-year-old charged in the Sept. 30 homicide at a southeast Tulsa apartment complex has been taken into custody in California, Tulsa police said.

Police allege that Kaleb Pelton was recorded on a surveillance camera on Sept. 30 walking up to Fedro Givens Jr., 18, and shooting him at the Echo Trail apartments near 61st Street and U.S. 169.

Tulsa County prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder on Oct. 10, and a warrant was issued for Peltons arrest. He who is now in custody in Elk Grove, California, a suburb of Sacramento, police said Monday afternoon.

Givens fatal shooting was the third in a day of four separate homicides across the city  the first time Tulsa has experienced such a spate in more than 30 years  and his is one of two that day that involved juveniles. Terron Yarbrough, 17, died in a shooting at McLain High School later that night.

All year long weve been having very young people who have no business carrying a gun around carrying guns and shooting each other, Tulsa Police Lt. Brandon Watkins said at the time.

They are the suspects, and they are the victims. Its mystifying. Theres no reason any of these kids should have ever had a gun in the first place.
Time off: Several area school districts will not be in session for at least part of the week due to Fall Break.

Tulsa and Anderson do not have classes the entire week and will resume instruction on Oct. 24.

Berryhill is out on break Monday and has a previously scheduled distance learning day on Tuesday. Glenpool and Verdigris are also on break Monday.

Collinsville is out Monday and Tuesday.

Owasso is out Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Broken Arrow and Catoosa will not have classes Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

Bixby, Jenks, Liberty and Union are on break Thursday and Friday.

Sperry is not session on Friday or Oct. 24.

Teacher Appreciation Night: Tulsa-based Relate then Educate will host a Teachers Night Out on Nov. 15 at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center. Along with live music and giveaways, the event will feature a keynote address from author, educator and motivational speaker Gerry Brooks.

Tickets are free, but preregistration is required. Online registration opens at 6 p.m. Monday at relatetheneducate.com/teachers-night-out.

Talk to us: Sperry Public Schools is soliciting community input on calendar priorities for the 2023-24 academic year. A survey is available online at tinyurl.com/sperrycalendar.

Life after high school: The Osage Nation Education Department will host its annual College and Career Fair at the Osage County Fairgrounds in Pawhuska on Nov. 3.

With sessions scheduled for 9-11 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m., the event is open to all area students.

For more information or to RSVP, call 918-287-5300.

New leadership: The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence announced three new members of its Board of Trustees on Thursday, including Sand Springs Charles Page High School social studies teacher Frank Cooper.

Additional new board members are Midwest City-Del City Public Schools Superintendent Rick Cobb and retired teacher Claudia Swisher.

Since 1987, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has awarded $5.2 million in academic awards and scholarships to Academic All-State honorees and Oklahoma Medal for Excellence recipients.

School board calendar: The boards of education for Bartlesville and Catoosa are scheduled to meet on Monday. Tulsa Public Schools previously scheduled meeting for Monday has been canceled.

The state CareerTech board is scheduled to meet Thursday in Oklahoma City.

 Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, Tulsa World
20th CPC National Congress delegates witness big changes in past decade

Xinhua) 08:19, October 17, 2022

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The past decade has seen notable changes in various fields across the country, according to delegates to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), who spoke to the media on Sunday.

"I was sent into space twice in 2013 and 2021. China's manned space program has made new achievements over the past decade, offering us a broader flight platform and longer flight time," said astronaut Wang Yaping.

Short-track skater and Winter Olympic medalist Wu Dajing still remembered the days when they had to queue up into late night for on-ice training due to the lack of skating rinks 10 years ago. "It no longer bothers today's athletes as the indoor skating rinks top 1,400 now."

Kunshan City in east China's Jiangsu Province has seen its industrial scale become larger and its industrial structure more optimized in the past 10 years, according to Zhou Wei, the city's Party chief, adding that the city's proportion of strategic emerging industries has exceeded 50 percent.

Yang Ning, Party chief of Jiangmen Village in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has seen the mountainous village shake off poverty with its per capita net income soaring since she returned to her hometown in 2010 as a college graduate.

"I will stay in the village to make it more beautiful and affluent," Yang said.

The spectrum of the more than 2,000 delegates attending the ongoing congress is broadly representative. The delegates come from various sectors, administrative levels, and institutions.

The congress will run from Oct. 16 to 22.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Du Mingming)
A fire at Valmont Galvanizing in an industrial park east of the Port of Catoosa was extinguished late Sunday, Rogers County officials said.

The fire at Riverview Business Park was contained to one building, according to Rogers County Emergency Management Director Scotty Stokes.

Multiple agencies responded after the fire erupted at the plant, which contains potentially hazardous chemicals, according to authorities.

Oak Grove Fire Department was among several agencies assisting at the scene, according to a social media post stating that no one was injured in the fire.

First responders remained on scene for over six hours and worked seamlessly as one team providing manpower, support, and assistance to reach a positive outcome, the agency said early Monday morning.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, according to authorities.
Geographically, the 2020 Census didnt much change the configuration of state House District 70 in midtown Tulsa. Its basic outline is still 21st Street to 81st Street between Yale and Lewis, with east and west protrusions on the north end.

The voter demographics have changed, though  and that, as well as a fairly well-known candidate for an open seat, gives Democrats hope that they can flip the seat in the Nov. 8 general election.

Ten years ago, HD 70 was 54.5% Republican, 35.5% Democrat and 10% independent.

Its still 35.5% Democrat, but now only 45.7% identify as Republican. Independents are a little over 18%, and Libertarians  not a recognized party in 2012  push the percentage of HD 70 voters without a horse in this race to nearly 20%.

The only two candidates in the general election are Democrat Suzanne Schreiber, a longtime Tulsa Public Schools board member, and Republican Brad Banks, an engineer and construction company owner.

Both are married with school-age children, and both view economic development as essential to the states and regions future. As is often the case this election cycle, the two seem to differ most on schools and abortion rights.

Schreiber is committed to public education and at least some choices for pregnant women.

Banks describes himself as pro-life, and his four children attend a private school, but he said he would be open to the will of his constituents.

Both talk about the need for practical governing.

I dont operate on the thought that government stinks, that the system is broken, said Schreiber. I believe it can be used to solve problems.

Schreiber said shes knocked on a few doors that quickly closed when the inhabitants learned that she is a Democrat, but for the most part people in the district want to hear about some of those solutions.

One woman told me that if she hears one more time that somebody is going to go over (to Oklahoma City) and fight, she was going to walk away. She wanted someone to work to solve problems.

Schreiber, 49, grew up in New Mexico, where her mother was a lieutenant governor, but came to Tulsa to attend law school and remained. She has been a program director for the George Kaiser Family Foundation the past 11 years.

Her time on the school board, Schreiber said, taught her a lot about listening and dealing with constituents. She also learned how to work with people with whom she might disagree mightily to reach a common goal.

When speaking with fellow Republicans, Banks reminds them that HD 70 is the only Republican-held House district wholly within the Tulsa city limits. With voters, his pitch is broader and more basic.

I think everyone wants to have objective leadership in office, Banks, 39, told the Tulsa World. People are looking for someone who has enough experience that theyll be able to understand their viewpoints, whether or not its coming from another business owner, whether its coming from employees  having sat in all of those seats, from being an hourly wage worker to a blue collar worker, having gone to college to get a professional degree, but then I chose an industry that is primarily blue collar in nature.

Banks was born in Oklahoma but finished high school in Texas. He then served 5 years in the Marine Corps, including embassy security postings in Africa and Denmark. Upon returning to the U.S., Banks earned a civil and environmental engineering degree from the University of Texas-San Antonio and soon found himself working back in Oklahoma.

Banks was manager of operations for the Tulsa-Rogers County Port of Catoosa for five years before starting his own engineering and construction companies.

I feel like with what Ive done in my life, Ive been able to achieve the American dream, he said. I want to see others be successful, and I want to see them achieve that American dream, so I want to essentially preserve the liberty and the ability to live a better life.
Correction: This story originally misidentified what state the Oneida Nation is based in. The story has been corrected.

An unfavorable ruling in a case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court would deal a devastating blow to the welfare of tribal children and the basic foundations of federal Indian law, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said Monday.

Hoskins comments came during a virtual news briefing regarding a case dealing with the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The law, enacted by Congress in 1978, gives Native Americans preference in adoptions of Native children.

Three states and seven individuals have challenged the federal law, claiming in part that it creates an illegal race-based federal child-custody system that states are required to implement for all Native American children who appear before their courts in child-custody proceedings.

But tribal officials, in Supreme Court filings, called Texas race-based claims inflammatory, noting that no appellate court has accepted the states argument that ICWA is facially invalid as race discrimination.

Simply, for the court to overturn ICWA in this case would be a devastating blow not just to the welfare of our children but to Congressional authority, legal precedent, and to the basic foundations of federal Indian law, Hoskin said in comments delivered by another tribal official as Hoskin was traveling.

Brought by seven individuals and the states of Texas, Indiana and Louisiana, the case has drawn support on both sides, with conservative groups filing friend of the court briefs backing the three states and seven individuals, while over 500 tribal nations and groups that work under the law have lined up in support of the law.

In addition to the Cherokee Nation, the Navajo Nation, the Wisconsin-based Oneida Nation, the Washington-based Quinault Indian Nation and the California-based Morongo Band of Mission Indians are participants in the appeal.

Opponents of the law challenge whether Congress has the ability to enact laws governing state child-custody proceedings when the child is a Native American and whether the law violates equal-protection guarantees, among other issues.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Feb. 28 to hear the various ICWA-related cases that have been consolidated for appeal purposes. In taking the case, the Supreme Court said it would hear oral arguments Nov. 9.

Asked whether this case involves something other than the welfare of children, Cherokee Nation Deputy Attorney General Chrissi Ross Nimmo said it did.

Nimmo said outside forces are using ICWA, a law designed to protect children and families, to go after other things that tribes have that they see as commercially beneficial or money makers, Nimmo said.

Challengers to the law have drawn support from conservative groups such as the Cato Institute and the Goldwater Institute, which push for limited government.

Hoskin, in his written comment delivered by Nimmo, said ICWA opponents are trying to diminish the political nature of tribal citizenship by saying the law is race-based.

The U.S. constitution recognizes tribes as sovereign nations, Hoskin said. And courts have repeatedly recognized that tribal citizenship is a political classification.

That may be an inconvenient fact for those who want to convince the court that ICWA violates the Constitutions Equal Protection Clause, but neither the facts nor precedent are on their sides.

Likewise, the claim that Congress does not have authority to enact ICWA (is) equally inconsistent with Congressional authority granted by the Constitution over matters concerning sovereign tribes.

Featured 2014 video: The Baby Veronica aftermath
Last defense: U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and Democratic colleague Jack Reed of Rhode Island brought Inhofes last defense bill to the Senate floor on Tuesday, even though the chamber was virtually empty.

Reed is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Inhofe the ranking Republican.

I am particularly eager to get this bill passed because, as you all know, it is my last NDAA to shepherd through the Senate, and theres been a lot of them at this point, Inhofe said on the Senate floor Tuesday, according to Roll Call.

Last weeks move was a largely procedural step in getting the National Defense Authorization Act, which this year is named for Inhofe, in front of the full Senate when it returns from recess following the Nov. 8 elections.

The Senate version Inhofe and Reed brought forward authorizes $817 billion for the Department of Defense and $29 billion for related programs within the Department of Energy. It includes a 4.6 percent pay raise for service members.

The bill also includes a good many other things not directly related to defense, including the Water Resources Development Act and reauthorization of the U.S. State Departments budget.

About 900 amendments have been filed for what is officially designated S.A. 5499, in the knowledge that it is one bill that must be passed by Congress.

Dots and dashes: U.S. Sen. James Lankford called for an end to vaccine mandates for federal employees, service members and contractors.  Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole said China dangerously views reunification with Taiwan as a national imperative, even if that means taking this independent nation by outright war.  Choctaw Nation citizen Kelbie Kennedy was named the Federal Emergency Management Agencys first national tribal affairs advocate.  Fifth District Congresswoman Stephanie Bice said she will seek to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to include unpaid leave for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Lankford said the $80 million targeted for the Internal Revenue Service over the next 10 years puts too much emphasis on enforcement and not enough on taxpayer assistance.

 Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World

Featured video:
Once at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, I went to check in, and when I reached for my wallet it wasnt there. The clerk said that I wouldnt be able to check in without a credit card.

I explained that I had, mercifully, in another pocket, enough cash to pay for the stay. Reluctantly, they took more than enough of it for the two days and made a big point of telling me not to sign for even a cup of coffee.

Nowadays, I doubt they would accept my cash deposit.

Real people carry credit cards. Non-people  a subspecies of the American customer  are without. Woe to those.

Today there are more of these non-people because one of the lasting effects of the COVID pandemic is that cash is out, and plastic is all. No plastic, no go.

Hotels, airlines and even coffee shops have gone cashless. Ostensibly, this is because it is healthier. Truthfully, they dont want to be bothered. Cash is a problem; credit is easier. In fact, from the vendors point of view, cash sucks, credit is cool.

At a large hotel in Orange County, California, where I am attending a conference, I tried to buy a coffee at Starbucks. I dont take cash, said the barista, primly. Just credit cards and room service.

This caused me to wonder again about the legions of Americans who dont have credit cards, some of whom dont want them, but most dont have credit or have been turned down.

If we have a recession, which now seems inevitable, there will be more people without credit and immobilized by the post-COVID realities of the plastic-favored world.

Cash on hand wont save them. They are the unbanked, a lesser order of our citizenry.

For starters, millions of the working poor are mostly without credit. It is hard to worry about the niceties of credit when you struggle to get food to the table for the family.

In this new world, the cardless also are immobilized.

Consider what being without plastic means: You cant make a reservation on Amtrak or an airline. You must go to an airport, as airlines no longer have free-standing ticket offices. Then you will learn that you must use a reverse ATM to buy a card with cash to buy a ticket. Amtrak still takes cash, but you must go to the railroad station.

The first consequence is, in most cases, you will pay a lot more if you try to buy the ticket on the day of travel. Those tempting book now and save ads are only for credit card holders.

You cant get to the railroad station or the airport on a ride-sharing service because they work only with credit cards.

So the luckless, who probably dont have plastic because of financial problems, will pay more because they will be paying mostly at the last minute, and they will be charged to convert their cash to plastic at the airport. These travelers wont be able to buy a drink or internet service because that requires you to file a credit card before you board.

It is an old story: the poor pay more. Now they may not be allowed to pay with the currency of the land.

An odd byproduct of the move to plastic is a further blow to privacy. Cellphones and security cameras have already stripped away much of our privacy. Will the fact that this very morning I bought a latte and a croissant with a credit card cause me to be inundated with internet advertisements for designer coffee and pastry?

What would the deduction be by a suspicious partner if the credit card bill showed two lattes and two croissants?

Bring back cash. It was universal, left no record, and was preferred by merchants. Now they dont want it, even for a coffee.
Tulsa County extended a monthslong burn ban for at least another week on Monday as extremely dry conditions persist.

These are some of the driest conditions Ive ever seen, said Tulsa Area Emergency Management Director Joe Kralicek.

Its going to take some major rainfall amounts to turn conditions around, he said. And then, with the expected freezing coming up in the next couple of days, thats going to cause everything (plants) to go dormant. Things will turn from green to brown, and the (wild)fire risk will continue to grow.

According to Oklahoma Forestry Services, more than half of Oklahomas 77 counties are under burn bans, including most of the southeastern area of the state, which typically receives more precipitation than central and western Oklahoma.

Several area counties, including Creek, Okmulgee, Rogers, Wagoner and Washington, are among those with burn bans in effect until at least Oct. 24.

Tulsa County has been under a burn ban since Aug. 15.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Tulsa County and nearly all of eastern Oklahoma is under either extreme or exceptional drought conditions  the two highest levels on the drought scale.

The chance for rain for the next five days is slim, Tulsa World Meteorologist Kirsten Lang said.

However, as we move into the start of next week, a front is expected to move through and bring a chance for a few spotty showers by Monday and Tuesday, she said.

The Tulsa County burn ban prohibits outdoor burning, including controlled burns, bonfires, fire pits and chimineas.

Grilling and welding over nonflammable surfaces are permitted.

Enforcement of the resolution can be carried out by any law enforcement officer in the state of Oklahoma. Exemptions for burning must be obtained through area fire districts.

Anyone convicted of violating the resolution will be subject to a $500 fine or prison not to exceed a year, or both. Fine amounts may be higher in municipalities.

So far this month, Tulsa officially has received 0.42 inches of rain, nearly an inch and a half below the normal of 1.89 inches for October, according to the National Weather Service.

Since Sept. 1, the city has received 2.33 inches, about 3.5 inches below the normal of 5.74 inches for the period.

So far this year, Tulsa has received 26.78 inches of rain  7.20 inches below the normal of nearly 34 inches for this time of year.

The city averages just under 41 inches of rain per year, according to the weather service.

The state has greater chances of above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation through the month, according to the Climate Prediction Center.
A worker at a filling station in Ca Mau Province, southern Vietnam returned a gold ring weighing about one tael he found while cleaning the venue to its owner as witnessed by local police, a local official said on Sunday.

Tran Duy Kha, the worker in question, reported to the local police in Cai Nuoc District after he had discovered the 24K gold ring, which was later found to belong to Quach Thi Ngoan, living in the same district.

Ngoan had bought petrol at Khas filling station on October 13 and only realized that she lost the ring, weighing about one tael (37.5 grams), upon arriving home.

One tael of 24K gold was selling for VND52.3 million (US$2,148) on Monday morning in Vietnam.

After Khas report, the Cai Nuoc police quickly investigated and determined Ngoan as the owner of the gold ring and carried out a handover.

Nearly a month ago, Nguyen Hien Phong, a taxi driver living in the same district, returned a lost cash amount of $4,000 to an overseas Vietnamese and was awarded a certificate of merit by the Peoples Committee of Ca Mau Province for his good deed.

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Deputy chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Thi Thang has agreed to the city's project to open a night food street in Phu Nhuan District in December this year.

Thang gave the green light to the establishment of a night-time food street on Phan Xich Long Street at an October 15 meeting, part of the plan to promote the night-time economy in the district.

She made the decision after Phu Nhuan District officials submitted the night-time economy development program to her at the meeting.

She instructed relevant bodies to speed up the process so that the plan can be implemented in December.

The vice-chairwoman urged Phu Nhuan authorities to coordinate with other departments in finalizing the draft project before submitting it to the municipal Department of Industry and Trade and all agencies concerned in October 2022.

The city administration pointed out that Phu Nhuan District needs to analyze and evaluate the current situation in order to make proposals on spurring the development of the night-time economy.

It is important to know that Truong Sa Street is not eligible for the program, the administration noted.

Phu Nhuan officials need to work closely with Ho Chi Minh City Urban Environment Company Limited to significantly improve pollution in the area used for the program to avoid negative impacts on locals and visitors.

Thang also ordered the Department of Industry and Trade to conduct a consultation for the project with all relevant units.

The department is required to finish the report and submit it to the People's Committee for a decision by November 15 so that Phu Nhuan District can implement the project by December.

Building a harbor

Prior to the October 15 meeting, the Department of Industry and Trade submitted the project to establish a night food street on Phan Xich Long to the People's Committee for approval

According to the plan, the proposed food street will be set up on the Phan Xich Long section leading to the Rach Mieu residential area and the side streets connected to Phan Xich Long Main Street, Nguyen Cong Hoan Street, and Cu Lao Street, belonging to Ward 1, Ward 2, and Ward 7 in Phu Nhuan District.

As part of the project, electronic vehicles will be the medium of transportation on the night food street while a harbor will be built for canoes and rowing boats in Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal.

The proposed budget for the project is estimated at VND31 billion (US$1.3 million), of which VND1.7 billion ($70,000) will be provided by the government and the rest will come from the private sector.

The project's annual operating cost is projected to be VND500 million ($20,716), which will be covered by enterprises.

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Ho Chi Minh City authorities inaugurated the second branch of the Bung Bridge project, which cost VND515 billion (US$21.3 million), to connect Binh Tan District and Tan Phu District on Sunday afternoon after five years of construction.

The bridge is built to replace the existing one spanning over the Tham Luong canal that is seriously degraded, often causing traffic congestion in the northwest area of Ho Chi Minh City.

Delegates cut the ribbon to mark the inauguration of the second branch of the Bung Bridge project connecting Binh Tan District and Tan Phu District in Ho Chi Minh City, October 16, 2022. Photo: Luu Duyen / Tuoi Tre

Its first branch has been opened to traffic since December 5, 2021, 11 months before the inauguration of the 555-meter-long second branch.

Cars run on the newly-inaugurated second branch of the Bung Bridge project connecting Binh Tan District and Tan Phu District in Ho Chi Minh City, October 16, 2022. Photo: Luu Duyen / Tuoi Tre

During its construction, the VND515-billion project was suspended multiple times due to site clearance issues and COVID-19.

Cars run on the newly-inaugurated second branch of the Bung Bridge project connecting Binh Tan District and Tan Phu District in Ho Chi Minh City, October 16, 2022. Photo: Luu Duyen / Tuoi Tre

Bui Xuan Cuong, deputy chairman of the Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, hailed the Bung Bridge as a key project helping solve bottlenecks that had hindered traffic between Binh Tan District and Tan Phu District for many years.

A birds-eye view of the Bung Bridge connecting Binh Tan District and Tan Phu District in Ho Chi Minh City, October 16, 2022. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre

The bridge also creates a favorable premise for developing the Tham Luong canal - Ben Cat - Nuoc Len canal route, thereby helping to synchronize road and waterway traffic, according to Cuong.

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This week a Foreign Correspondent crew travels for hours across the Arctic tundra to learn about the Samis experience.

The Sami people are indigenous to Europe, their traditional lands crossing from Russias Kola Peninsula to the north of Scandinavia and into the Arctic Circle.

Surviving decades of assimilation and discrimination, the Sami have fought to keep their culture alive.

Theyve also fought for elected representative bodies to be their voice to governments  known as Sami Parliaments  models that could inspire our own Voice to Parliament.

We know what is good for us and we can speak for ourselves, says Stefan Mikaelsson, the former President of Swedens Sami Parliament. And we dont wantSwedish state officials to talk on our behalf.

As Australia debates the merits and model of its own indigenous Voice to Parliament, reporter Lauren Day travels to Scandinavia to learn about the Samis experience.

In this stunningly beautiful film, the Foreign Correspondent crew travels for hours across the Arctic tundra to capture the Samis traditional way of life, filming the autumn reindeer corral ahead of the winter migration.

And the crew heads out on Norways spectacular fjords with the Sea Sami who traditionally rely on fish for their livelihood.

In Norway and Sweden, Day hears of the immense pressures on Sami lands and waters from a new wave of green development sweeping across the Arctic.

The Sami Parliaments are fighting windfarms and major mine proposals to extract resources crucial for the green energy transition.

Theyre fearful the projects could disrupt reindeer migration and that tailings from a large-scale copper mine could contaminate the waters of a significant fjord.

One of the strongest weapons in the struggle is the Sami Parliament, say Sea Sami fisherman Torulf Olsen.

While there are limits to these Parliaments powers  they dont have the right of veto or the power to make law  many feel theyre a powerful weapon in the Samis fight to survive.

If it should happen that the Sami Parliament stopped existing, then I think it should be much worse for the Sami people again, says reindeer herder, Nils Mathis Sara.

And Sara has some strong words for Australia:

If there is someone feeling like they are not being heard thenyou should aim for a system that can speak up for you, your group, such as we have here. This would be my advice.

8pm Thursday on ABC.
Foxtel is set to secure a long-term deal for the majority of NBCUs programs, according to one media report.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Stans contract expires this year and it has concerns over price and clauses that give NBCUniversal the power to terminate and launch its own service, Peacock, at any time.

Under the proposed new deal, Foxtel would have access to programs and films from NBCUniversal brands such as Peacock, Sky Studios and Bravo.

Seven West Media, which lacks a subscription streaming platform, would also have access to the back catalogue and potentially programs from NBCUniversals reality streaming platform, Hayu.

The Australian Financial Review reported last month Seven wants an option to be a partner if Peacock launches in Australia.

Foxtel stages its 2023 Upfronts this week with Sevens to be held next week.

Foxtel, Seven and NBCUniversal declined to comment.

You can read more here.
Production has commenced on season two of animated series Space Nova for ABC ME.

The 15 x 22-minute series by SLR Productions is aimed at six-to-ten-year-olds and is co-produced with Giggle Garage in Malaysia.

SLR Productions CEO and Executive Producer, Suzanne Ryan said, It is incredible to be back in space with season two of Space Nova and working with returning partners, ABC ME, Screen Australia, Australian Childrens Television Foundation, Giggle Garage and ZDF Studios. As the #1 Australian voiced animation show on ABC ME, I am thrilled to see more Space Nova on its way for kids and families and to work with the talented key creatives, cast and crew returning to make such an out of this world and inspirational show.

We are delighted to be able to add a sequel of Space Nova to our catalogue of childrens programming. It is always a pleasure to work on such exciting projects with Suzanne Ryan and her very talented team. We are convinced that our worldwide clients will be quick in securing their rights to this fabulous new season, said ZDF Studios VP Junior, Arne Lohmann.

Giggle Garage and SLR Productions share a passion for storytelling and high-quality production values. We are very excited to continue this passion with SLR Productions and all our partners to produce the second season of the unique and fun space adventure of Space Nova added Executive Producer, Juhaidah Jeomin.

Space Nova has sold into Australia, Germany, UK, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Poland, USA, Singapore, East Asia, Indonesia, and Brazil.

It is funded by both Screen Australia and the Australian Childrens Television Foundation as well as development funding from ABC ME and Create NSW.
Veteran Australian screenwriter and novelist Peter Yeldham OAM, who wrote All the Rivers Run and 1915, died late last month, aged 95.

Yeldham was a towering figure in radio, stage, film and television. He began writing 2GB radio scripts while still in his teens and completed his thirteenth novel at the age of 88.

His UK career included the films The Comedy Man, The Liquidator, Twenty Four Hours to Kill, Ten Little Indians, and The Age of Consent, along with television plays and episodes and works for the stage. His most successful stage play, Birds on the Wing, a huge hit in Berlin and Paris, was the top-grossing play in Europe in 1972. He returned to Australia in 1976.

Roger Simpson, Angela Wales and Geoffrey Atherden of the Australian Writers Guild recalled Yeldham was active during early industrial agreements.

Stop-works against Crawfords, Channel 10 and the ABC and marches in the street for Australian content quotas on television  the 70s and 80s were formative times for Australian writing and formative times for the Guild, they recalled.

He adapted many classics of Australian literature, including Ride on Stranger, The Timeless Land, All the Rivers Run, Jessica plus originals, Captain James Cook, 1915, Naked Under Capricorn and Run from the Morning. And then in 1988 he began writing novels.

Until hearing got the better of him he frequently lunched with his AWG colleagues, but one always sensed, like any compulsive, he was really dining out with his characters. Maybe deafness was his excuse to get back to the keyboard and a world where he heard every word, they said.

We will be enjoying his creations for a long time yet.
ReportLinker

The Global Microfinance Market size was estimated at USD 238. 12 billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 261. 84 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 10. 21% to reach USD 426.

New York, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Microfinance Market Research Report by Service Type, Providers, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06339916/?utm_source=GNW

86 billion by 2027.



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 Microfinance to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Service Type, the market was studied across Group & Individual Micro Credit, Insurance, Leasing, Micro Investment Funds, and Savings & Checking Accounts.



Based on Providers, the market was studied across Banks and Non-banks.



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 Microfinance 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 Microfinance 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 Microfinance Market, including 51Give, Accion International, Al-Barakah Microfinance Bank, Alamana Microfinance, Annapurna Finance (P) Ltd., Asirvad Micro Finance Limited, Banco do Nordeste do Brasil S.A., Bandhan Bank Ltd., BSS Microfinance LTD., DMI Finance Private Limited, GC Business Finance, Grameen America, Grameen Foundation, Kiva Microfunds, LiftFund, Madura Microfinance Ltd., Microfinance Ireland DAC, Pacific Community Ventures Inc., and PT.Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk..



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 Microfinance Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Microfinance Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Microfinance Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Microfinance Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Microfinance Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Microfinance Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Microfinance Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06339916/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Green investing is also called ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) investing (Image: Getty Images)

This article was brought to you by CryptoPR and is not necessarily representative of the views of the Herald

The effects of climate change are already being felt worldwide, and they're only going to worsen in the future. As an investor, you need to be aware that these impacts could affect your investments, so it's crucial to find sustainable investing options that help reduce global warming risks.

Many investment options are available that incorporate sustainable practices, and it's up to you to find them. By making this investment, you're taking advantage of the many benefits green investments offer.

These benefits include sustainability, climate change mitigation, financial stability, and more. In this post, we'll expand more on the reasons why a green investment could be a good investment decision you could make right now.

>>>Buy Impt Now<<<

There are many benefits to green investment

Before discussing the benefits of green investment, it would be good to elaborate on what green investing is. Green investing is also called ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) investing.

Green investing is about investing in companies and investments that have a positive environmental impact. This can include investing in renewable energy, sustainable land management practices, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and more.

Many investors advocate for green investment because it is one of the best ways to mitigate climate change. It is estimated that investing in green technologies will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 85%.

In addition to mitigating climate change, investing in green companies also has financial stability benefits. Many stock market crashes have been caused by global events (such as the recession), but they've also been caused by things like regulation changes or company performance.

When investing, it's essential to consider a company's long-term stability, and green companies are usually more stable and less risky than conventional investment options.

Story continues

There are many reasons to start green investing right now! Here are 10 Reasons To Start Green Investing Right Now:

1. You'll reduce your environmental impact

There's no denying that investing in green companies makes a positive impact on the environment. These businesses use sustainable practices and resources, which lowers carbon emissions and conserves natural resources. Many environmental organizations encourage investors to put their money into clean technology.

2. You'll reduce your risk

Green companies are often more stable than conventional investments. This is because they're typically less likely to experience financial problems, which can cause stock prices to fall and leave you with a losing investment. If the global economy crashes or some other unforeseen event affects the stock market, green investing could help protect your hard-earned cash. By investing in environmentally friendly companies, you're taking calculated risks and ensuring that you have access to stability should things go wrong.

3. Socially responsible investing

Investing in sustainable companies is an essential way of doing your part in reducing global warming emissions while also feeling good about yourself. One of these companies is IMPT, a new crypto project focusing on reducing carbon footprint. IMPT has taken the initiative to tokenize carbon credits to combat current industry issues. This new approach will increase transparency and eliminate any possible problems with double-spending tokens. Tamadoge (TAMA) is another new crypto project running on the newly upgraded Ethereum network, an upgrade that has reduced the energy consumption by 99%. By investing in projects that care about the environment, you're taking control of your financial future and helping make a difference on a much larger scale.

4. You'll create jobs

The green energy industry is growing rapidly, and the number of renewable energy jobs is projected to grow by more than 20 percent over the next decade. By investing in these companies, you're helping to create sustainable employment opportunities for future generations.

5. You'll improve the quality of life for future generations

By investing in sustainable companies, you're supporting responsible practices that will have a positive impact on future generations both environmentally and economically. For example, by choosing renewable energy sources instead of oil or coal, we can help mitigate climate change while also creating jobs.

6. Governments are involved

Governments around the world are becoming more and more interested in investing in renewable energy sources, which is positive news for the green investment market. Governments are implementing policy changes that support clean energy investment, which means there's stability and growth potential for companies in this sector. In the previous decade between 2010 and 2019, China was the country that invested the most in renewable energy, according to research by the United Nations Environment Program. China spent more than two times as much on non-hydro renewable energy as did the US ($356 billion). The Sri Lankan government also partnered with the SavePlanetEarth initiative, a company with a goal of planting 1 billion trees around the world. There is also an opportunity to invest in the initiatives token, SPE.

7. Green investments do well in challenging situations

When the market is down, green investments tend to perform better than traditional ones. This is because environmental and social responsibility is often seen as intrinsic values in a downturn, and investors are more likely to put their money into what they believe in.

8. The demand for sustainable products is on the rise

As green technologies become more popular, more and more companies are starting to embrace sustainability as a key part of their operations. There's growing consumer interest in sustainability-oriented products, which means that green investment opportunities will continue to grow over time. According to UNCTAD estimates, the value of investment products with a sustainability focus reached $3.2 trillion in 2020, an increase of more than 80% from 2019, demonstrating that the capital market is rapidly aligning itself with the SDGs and other outcomes of sustainable development. Reuters estimated that by the end of 2021, a record $649 billion had been invested in ESG-focused funds globally as of November 30. This is an increase over the $542 billion and $285 billion invested in similar funds in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

9. Financial security

A more sustainable investment portfolio will protect not only the environment, but also your financial security down the road as sustainability becomes increasingly important for long-term investing success. In the event of an emergency, investing in a green company is one less thing you need to worry about. For example, wind power companies are often not affected as much by oil price fluctuations due to their reliance on renewable energy sources. Also, green investments tend to be cheaper than conventional investments, which can help you save money on your overall investment portfolio. So not only will you be doing good by reducing global warming emissions, but you could also potentially see some extra cash in your pocket.

10. Wide investment options

One of the great things about investing in green companies is that there are a variety of different options available to you. You can invest in renewable energy, green cryptocurrencies, sustainable agriculture, animal welfare initiatives, and more. One of the concerns about cryptocurrencies is the amount of energy expended, a problem some crypto projects are now solving. NANO uses the energy-efficient block lattice technology, which drastically reduces its overall energy consumption compared to a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.

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Bottom Line

By starting green investing now, you'll be better prepared for whatever comes next. Sustainable investing relies on long-term data and analysis, which can be difficult to come by when dealing with shorter-term market fluctuations. However, by being proactive and investing in sustainable options, you can positively impact the world - and your portfolio.

This article was brought to you by Crypto PR and is not necessarily representative of the views of the Herald
The King has told a refugee from Afghanistan that he hopes to one day visit the country in a "joyful moment" during a visit to Scotland.

The King has spent the day meeting refugees from Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine who have recently settled in Aberdeen.

The city's council has worked with the UK and Scottish governments to provide accommodation and critical services such as health and education for more than 1,000 people who fled their home countries due to conflict.

During a reception at the Aberdeen Town House, the King spoke to families about their experiences and the challenges they've faced.

Some of those families fled Afghanistan last summer, evacuated by the British Armed Forces.

The King met Burhan Vesal, who arrived last August with his wife and six-year-old son.

He told Mr Vesal, a former army translator, "I'm hoping one day I can go to Afghanistan. I've only been once."

Mr Vesal said meeting the King was "an unexpected, wonderful day" for his whole family.

"That kind King, who was willing to see the immigrants. It's such a joyful moment, I cannot describe it in words," he said.

The King also said he was "happy" to hear another man, Abdul Mateen Hejran, had secured a job in cybersecurity, telling him: "You never know what these people are going to do next."

'You're going to have a safe life here'

In another touching moment, the King shared advice on being a good grandparent as an Afghan man, who asked to be known only as Yar to protect his identity, explained how his family has just expanded to 12 with a recent new addition.

He said: "This was my first time to meet the King and this is my whole life. He is a very kind person."

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Yar continued: "I had a good chat with him telling my family story to him, and he was really, really good and said that 'now you're going to have a safe life here'."

Story continues

He said the King was "excited" to hear that he had become a grandfather for the first time and wished him luck in dealing with a growing his growing family.

'Historical, important and valuable'

A Ukrainian woman named Inna Skvortsova fled Kyiv in March and travelled through Poland before arriving in Aberdeen.

The tour operator, 34, has been working with Aberdeen City Council to support other Ukrainian families who have also been housed in the city.

She said the King's visit "meant a lot" to her.

"I'm from a country where there is no monarchy, so for me it's kind of historical, important and valuable. So for me, it's something incredible," Ms Skvortsova said.

If the King is setting the tone for his reign, this engagement speaks volumes.

He cannot interfere with party politics, but it is well known that he has strong views on many issues.

By meeting refugees, he sends a very clear message of support and solidarity for a cause he clearly cares about.
The University of North Georgia's (UNG) College of Education was one of 32 educator preparation programs nationally to receive the Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement from the Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) for 2021-22. It is reserved for those institutions that achieve the gold standard in teacher preparation accreditation with a clean review.

Dr. Sheri Hardee, dean of the College of Education, said the recognition is a testament to the dedication of faculty and staff of using data to improve the programs and training they offer students.

"You can collect data all day, but how are you using it to make your program better for your students?" Hardee said. "Our faculty does a great job of that."

Other schools to earn the Murray recognition included Rutgers University, Oral Roberts University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Clemson University, UNC Greensboro, Furman University, and Mary Baldwin College.

A previous area for improvement  recruiting more diverse students to the college  was a strength for UNG this time around. The Realizing Inspiring and Successful Educators (RISE) program with Hall County Schools and Aspiring Teachers Program (ATP) with the Gainesville City School System implemented within the past few years have been instrumental in that process.
LAO CAI - Traditional craft villages in the northern province of Lao Cai not only help preserve the unique cultural values of ethnic groups but also improve the lives of people, particularly women.

Lao Cai Province currently has 30 craft villages, of those 20, such as brocade weaving, embroidery, silver carving, incense making, bamboo and rattan see a majority of female managers and workers.

The success of female leadership is proven in models like the sewing and brocade embroidery villages in Ngai Tro Village (Y Ty Commune, Bat Xat District); brocade sewing and embroidery village in Ni Xi Village (Pha Long Commune, Muong Khuong District); brocade weaving village of Tay people (Nghia o Commune, Bao Yen District); brocade weaving village of Giay people (Ta Van Commune, Sa Pa Town); and the weaving village of Thu Lao people (Ta Gia Khau Commune, Muong Khuong District).

For the Dao Ho ethnic group in the province, clothes made from self-woven fabrics play an important role in their daily lives, especially in special rituals.

Dao Ho women in Tra Trau Village, Son Ha Commune, Bao Thang District, have long kept the traditional way of weaving for generations. Almost every household in the village has a loom.

A local resident Trieu Thi Ha, 60 years old, said that she learned how to weave when she was a child.

Previously, the Dao people in Tra Trau grew cotton and weaved cloth by themselves, she said.

Now they could easily buy cotton at the market to make clothes.

Cotton bought at the market still has to be processed through many stages, she said.

After spinning, handfuls of yarn are put into a pot of boiling water and boiled for six hours.

A large pot of porridge with plain rice is poured into the yarn, then the material is rubbed. The yarn is then dried in the sun so that it does not break when spinning.

After weaving and dyeing indigo, the cloth is cut and sewn. Finally, Dao women meticulously embroider and create accents for the outfit.

Head of the Culture and Information Department of Bao Thang District Le Hai Thanh said that after the weaving profession of the Dao Ho people in the district was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage, the locality actively promoted it.

They opened classes to teach young people about the traditional weaving craft, he said.

In Sai Duan Village, Phin Ngan Commune, Bat Xat District, a local woman named Chao Coi May called on doctors to join her team which provides bathing herbs and homestays for tourists.

May said that she followed her mother to the forest to find medicinal leaves when she was a child.

She was taught about traditional medicine and mastered dozens of traditional herbal remedies of the Red Dao ethnic group.

I have been looking for and recording remedies and passed them on to my grandchildren, she said, adding that she always told people to keep forests, so that they could preserve medicinal plants and earn from the plants.

Mays initiative has attracted and created jobs for fifteen women in the village with stable incomes. The introduction of baths with medicinal plants has developed the potential of using herbal medicine of the Red Dao people in Sai Duan Village.

Meanwhile, Lu Thi Tuoi, a 32-year-old woman from the Tay ethnic group in Bac Ha District, chose to start her business with green rice flakes  a dish that was only available during the holidays to celebrate the new rice of the Tay people in Na Lo Village, Ta Chai Commune.

Bac Ha green rice flakes are made from local glutinous rice varieties grown in the cold climate.

Thanks to a longer growing period, the flakes are soft and have a special taste compared to those in other localities. The product is enjoyed by visitors.

Tuoi said she started the business in 2020.

With her family's experience in the traditional profession, she always uses the best rice varieties so that the green rice flakes are sticky and fragrant.

Realising the increasing demand of consumers for products with clear origin and food safety, before last years crop, Tuoi completed procedures for her product to be recognised as satisfying hygiene and safety standards, with clear packaging, labels, and QR codes.

Accessing social networks such as Facebook or Zalo, Tuoi usually got stable output for her products, she said, adding that she sometimes sold out of products for consumers in Ha Noi, Lao Cai City or Phu Tho Province.

As the market is expanding, Tuoi gradually established a co-operation group and built a brand for Na Lo Bac Ha green rice flakes.

Tuoi said that the consumption this year was good, with the price of the green rice ranging from VN140,000  150,000 per kilo.

Her co-operative group had sold nearly ten tonnes of green rice, earning an average income of VN15-25 million per household per crop. VNS
Agricultural enterprises pay attention to emissions mitigation

There are still three years for enterprises to prepare for compulsory mitigation measures, which are regulated at the governments target committed in the updated National Determined Contribution. Accordingly, from 2022 to 2025, there is no pressure on facilities to reduce emissions, but there will be a focus on enhancing capacity to carry out GHG inventory and develop plans. From 2026 to 2030, mitigation measures at all levels will be implemented will be distributed.

Being proactive in implementing solutions for emission mitigation before having compulsory requirements will be an advantage for enterprises. If they do not have any preparation, they will be confused once the policy officially comes into effect.

However, at present, many agricultural enterprises are proactive in building GHG mitigation emission strategies to meet the international partners demand and for their sustainable business development.

Speaking at the workshop on GHG emission mitigation and carbon tax application, organised by the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development and The PAN Group on October 14, Hoang Thanh Vu, vice general director of Sao Ta Foods JSC, said that emission mitigation was a compulsory requirement from large-scale international partners.

In recent three years, Sao Ta had opportunities to export shrimp for Tesco  the second largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom. They asked the company to mitigate 5 per cent of methane emissions at shrimp farms per year. To meet the partners demand, the company installed a rooftop solar panel system and planned trees in the surrounding area of farms, Vu said.

Sao Ta is a member of The Pan Group - one of the first corporations to build a set of internal sustainable development indicators. The group operates a large-scale agriculture eco-system, and its products are exported to more than 40 countries, and the export turnover accounts for 50 per cent of the groups revenue. Thus, the group is aware of the importance of activities demonstrating in-depth investment, reducing resource input, cutting emissions, and creating benefits between the environment, workers, and the community.

At the workshop, a GreenFeed representative shared the groups experiences with emission mitigation.

The company built the GHG inventory schedule and thoroughly applied energy-saving solutions. Along with the installation of rooftop solar panels, the company uses biomass material for general energy instead of coal, the representative said.

Besides, the company participates in a group with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the State Bank of Vietnam to build the criteria framework for issuing a green bond. This will help enterprises remove barriers in mobilising finance for sustainable development targets.

Pham Nam Hung, a specialist in the Division of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction and Ozone Layer Protection under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said, Being proactive on solutions for emission mitigation before having compulsory requirements will be an advantage for enterprises. If they do not have any preparation, they will be confused once the policy officially comes into effect.

It is also an advantage in the GHG inventory process because the authority will also consider the achievements in emission mitigation to evaluate their GHG inventory. However, enterprises face challenges. Notably, they lack knowledge about regulations and technical requirements for inventory, and the cost for the inventory is also big, Hung said.

During the workshop, experts and business representatives discussed GHG inventory, a concern of many businesses. They also shared practical experiences of leading companies in Vietnam on reducing GHG emissions to understand trends and impacts of GHG mitigation better and issue directions for businesses on solutions to meet strict requirements of international markets.

Emission fraud plagues famous German car makers With a billion-dollar fine and the huge number of recalled vehicles, will the emission fraud scandal drag down Mercedes-Benz like it did Volkswagen back in 2015?

Nissan joins long line of emission scandals Customers belief in giant car manufacturers is once again shaken as Nissan is caught up in another emission fraud scandal, after on July 2 it admitted falsifying emission tests on 19 models offered in Japan.

A win-win situation for greenhouse gas emission cuts Enterprises operating in Vietnam still have opportunities to pay for carbon value or ecology services voluntarily via partnerships with forest owners. These initiatives will provide win-win prospects for domestic enterprises and smallholder forest owners in the effort to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The principles for emission ambition In November 2021 at the COP26 climate summit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced Vietnams strong commitments in responding to climate change and implementing mechanisms under the Paris Agreement to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. VIRs Van Nguyen spoke with Dinh Thi Quynh Van, general director of PwC Vietnam, about how the country can successfully carry out its commitments.

Panasonic announces global emission reduction goal for 2050 Panasonic Group has announced its commitment to reduce emissions by more than 300 million tonnes, or about 1 per cent of the current total global emissions of 33 billion tonnes, by 2050.

International role key for methane emission cuts International support is crucial for Vietnam to reduce methane gas emissions in the agricultural sector  one of the biggest emitters in the country.
At the AWS Public Sector Summit 2022 held in Singapore in early October, AWS announced it is partnering with the Social Economic Accelerator Lab to accelerate digitisation and launch the Indonesiaku AWSome!, a five-month programme that provides comprehensive education on advanced cloud technologies.

AWS has also jointly developed Cloud Ready SG with AWS with the Singapore government, a holistic digital and cloud technology skilling programme curated for Singaporeans across segments.

Meanwhile, in Thailand, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is collaborating with AWS to train more than 1,200 public sector employees with cloud skills.

AWS is also working with educational institutions across the region, like Indonesias Ministry of Education and Culture, Singapores Ministry of Education, and Malaysias Ministry of Higher Education, to transform course delivery, enhance the student experience, and improve learning outcomes.

As a result, in Indonesia, the company has trained over three hundred thousand individuals with cloud skills since 2017. As expected, the AWS Asia Pacific (Jakarta) Region will create 24,700 direct and indirect jobs with an estimated $5 billion planned investment in the local economy. The AWS Asia Pacific (Jakarta) Region will add an estimated $10.9 billion over the next 15 years to Indonesias GDP.

In Singapore, AWS has trained over 200,000 individuals in Singapore with cloud skills since 2017. Following the launch of the AWS Asia Pacific (Singapore) Region in 2010, AWS has invested over US$6.51 billion in local infrastructure and jobs across Singapore. Amazon and AWS will collectively create 1,000 jobs in Singapore in 2022.

Talking to the media at the event, Emmanuel Pillai, head of AWS training and certification for ASEAN said, ASEAN is undergoing rapid digital transformation but our opportunity to become leaders in the digital economy depends on having a robust workforce of skilled professionals to help us continue our pace of innovation. With the skills gap widening, now is the time for employers to upskill and reskill their workers with a sense of urgency.

People learnt about AWS cloud skills at Public Sector Summit Singapore in early October

Shang Gao, AWS regional lead of education to workforce said, AWS is providing more equitable learning opportunities to nurture a diverse digital workforce. We are collaborating with governments and educational institutions to incorporate the latest content into mainstream education curricula so that students can gain in-demand cloud skills and are prepared for entry-level jobs. It is inspiring to see students across ASEAN leveraging AWS education programmes to increase their employability and drive industry innovation when they enter the workforce.

AWS has helped train 700,000 individuals with cloud skills across ASEAN since 2017.

Singapore Management University (SMU) is a good example of how it benefits from AWS skills programmes. Professor Kyong Jin Shim from SMU said that she joined AWSs cloud skills programmes in 2018 and was one of the first faculty members to start integrating AWS cloud content into her courses.

Next semester, she will teach an advanced elective course called Big Data Architecting (launched last year) using AWS cloud and course content. Professor Shim also lectures for the School of Law, where she focuses on helping students develop digital solutions for the public, especially the underprivileged, such as those with physical and mental disabilities.

In Vietnam, digital and cloud-related skills are increasingly in-demand in workplaces. This demand has only been exacerbated by the changes in operations, products, and services that the pandemic has induced across industries. AWS has been helping train the locals with cloud skills by launching Build On Vietnam, AWS re/Start in Vietnam, AWS Skill Builder, and AWS Educate.

According to an AWS 2022 report on building skills for the changing workforce in Asia-Pacific and Japan, 88 per cent of workers in the seven countries studied said they need more digital skills to adapt to job changes due to the pandemic. The report found an estimated 86 million more people in that region (14 per cent of the total workforce) will need to undertake digital skills training over the next year alone to keep pace with technological advancements.

ASEAN Digital Skills AlphaBeta Research Commissioned by AWS Tech and non-tech workers  Both tech and non-tech workers in Indonesia and Singapore stand to benefit from digital skills training. Non-tech workers report benefitting from greater efficiency (94 per cent of respondents), improved employability (92 per cent), and higher personal satisfaction (91 per cent). Tech workers similarly benefit from greater efficiency (93 per cent), higher personal satisfaction (92 per cent), and improved employability (91 per cent).  Non-tech workers train less than tech workers and feel less ready for future digital skill demands. In Indonesia and Singapore, although 81 per cent of tech workers undertake digital skills training at least once a year, only 52 per cent of non-tech workers do so. Non-tech workers are also found to be less confident of their ability to meet future digital skill needs  66 per cent do not feel confident, as compared to 52 per cent of tech workers.  Non-tech workers indicate a great desire to undertake digital skills training, particularly in cloud-related skills. Among non-tech workers in Indonesia and Singapore who currently do not do any training, 82 per cent say that they want to do so within the next year. Non-tech workers are motivated to improve their productivity at work (72 per cent) and increase their employability (63 per cent). Gender  Female workers in Singapore and Indonesia are motivated to undertake digital skills training. The top motivations for female workers to undertake digital skills training are the desire to improve their productivity at work (70 per cent) and employability (64 per cent). 85 per cent of female workers who currently do not do any training indicate that they want to do so within the next year.  Female workers have become more aware of the importance of digital skills training due to the pandemic. 96 per cent of female workers say the pandemic has made them realise the importance of digital skills. However, only 82 per cent of female workers have undertaken more training since the pandemic.  Female workers can benefit significantly from digital skills training. 93 per cent improved their productivity at work and 91 per cent experienced improved employability upon undertaking digital skills training.

Vietcetera goes all-in on AWS to grow globally Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon company, announced on August 16 that Vietcetera, one of the fastest-growing digital media companies in Vietnam, has gone all-in on AWS to better serve 20 million users globally.

AWS boosts presence in Vietnam with first two edge locations Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com company, has marked its presence expansion in Vietnam by announcing on August 31 the launch of the first two AWS edge locations in the country located in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

AWS offerings turbocharge wide support for customers in Vietnam Amazon Web Services (AWS) is expected to increase investment in infrastructure and digital skills, and bring best practices to Vietnam as a way to increase its footprint in the market. Phil Davis, the US tech firms managing director for Asia-Pacific and Japan, discussed with VIRs Bich Thuy the changes in its future business strategy here.
Five thermal power projects could be removed from power planning VIII

In the document submitted to the government on October 13, the MoIT proposed removing the five thermal power projects from the PDP8 because investors are facing difficulties implementing them.

The projects combine four with foreign capital, namely Song Hau 2, Nam Dinh 1, Vinh Tan 3, and Quang Tri 1, while Cong Thanh is funded by a local investor.

On October 7, the Thai Ministry of Energy announced it would stop work on the long-delayed 1,320 MW thermal power.

On October 4-6, the MoIT worked with the investors of these projects to discuss their difficulties. However, all said they were determined to develop projects.

At Quang Tri 1, the investor said it was determined to develop the project. However, on October 7, the Thai Ministry of Energy announced it would stop work on the long-delayed 1,320MW thermal power plant.

The MoIT asked the investors of these projects to prepare a specific commitment from loaners to provide capital for them. The investors must submit these commitments attached with documents to the MoIT before October 30. This is an important basis for keeping these projects in the Power Master Plan.

The five power plants:

- The Vinh Tan 3 thermal power plant invested by Vietnam Electricity, Pacific Group, and OneEnergy Asia Ltd., a partnership of Hong Kongs CLP Holdings and Japans Mitsubishi Group.

- The Nam Dinh 1 thermal power plant invested by a consortium of Saudi Arabian ACWA Power and South Korean Taekwang Power Holdings Co., Ltd.

- The Quang Tri 1 thermal power plant invested by EGAT International Co., Ltd.

- The $3.5 billion Song Hau Coal-fired power plant II invested by Toyo Ink Group.

- The Cong Thanh thermal power plant invested by the Cong Thanh Thermal Power JSC.

Lang Son to add 4,600MW of wind power in the National Power Development Plan VIII Lang Son Peoples Committee is waiting for the governments approval to add 4.600MW of wind power to the National Power Development Plan VIII with the addition of 32 wind farm projects by 2030.

$2-billion Song Hau 1 thermal power plant inaugurated The inauguration of the $2-billion Song Hau 1 thermal power plant in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang will contribute to ensuring national energy security.

EVN approved to become investor of O Mon III thermal power plant EVN has been approved to become the investor of the $1.19 billion O Mon III thermal power plant, which is located in Can Tho city.
"We cannot stick to national policies, because this creates distortions within the European continent," the French leader said in an interview with French daily Les Echos, due out on Monday.

French President Emmanuel Macron waits to welcome Ghanaian President during a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris on October 13, 2022. Photo: Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP

"As with the Covid crisis, this is a moment of truth for our Europe... We must act with unity and solidarity," he added.

Power prices have soared after Russia curtailed supplies in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine in response to western sanctions.

That triggered an acute crisis in Europe and beyond, and because Germany was heavily dependent on Russian supplies it was particularly hard hit.

The government of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been accused of going it alone with a 200-billion-euro support scheme to protect its households and businesses.

It has come under pressure from several EU partners to accept more financial solidarity.

"If we want a coherent approach, it is not national strategies that need to be adopted but a European strategy," Macron argued.

However, he said he retained confidence in the strength of the Franco-German relationship "and in our ability to carry out an ambitious strategy together".

EU leaders will try to forge a common response to the surge in energy prices during a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

"There is European solidarity with Germany and it is normal that there is German solidarity with Europe," Macron said in the newspaper interview.
The 2022 Fluorine Forum was organised by IMFORMED (Industrial Minerals Forum & Research Ltd.) in collaboration with Masan High-Tech Materials Corporation. This is the first time the forum has been held in Vietnam.

On the last day of the forum, delegates had a chance to tour the Nui Phao mine in Dai Tu district of the northern province of Thai Nguyen and see how the top-notch fluorspar production facility runs, including the open pit, ore concentrate processing plant, wastewater treatment area, and discharge points.

All the experts were impressed with how the mine operated, and Masan's companys substantial investment in cutting-edge technology in ore processing and production of advanced high-tech materials.

Masan High-Tech Materials has been commended as a role model for responsible and sustainable mining practices in Vietnam. The delegation members were also impressed by their efforts to use water and energy efficiently in the mine operations.

Mike O'Driscoll, director of IMFORMED said, The way Nui Phao mine is organised and run and the discipline and professionalism in the magnificence and grandeur of this site, shocked and amazed me today when I saw it with my own eyes for the first time.

On October 12, Masan High-Tech Materials welcomed the Society of Mining Professors delegation to visit Nui Phao Mine as part of the 11th SOMP Regional Meeting. The mining professors from the United States, Germany, Australia, Japan, Indonesia and India showed a keen interest in the leading-edge manufacturing process supported by advanced mining and processing management software.

As one of the world's leading suppliers of acid-grade fluorspar which is used as a raw material for the production of hydrofluoric acid and aluminium fluoride, Masan High-Tech Materials focuses on and promotes continuous improvement initiatives in fluorspar production.

After a successful transformation from a mining business to a high-tech materials manufacturer, Masan High-Tech Materials is moving forward. It is focusing on research and development of highly applicable products to become a global consumer technology business.

Masan recently partnered with Nyobolt  a fast charging Lithium-ion battery solutions company based in the United Kingdom. Nyobolt expects to use Masan High-Tech Materials' high-tech tungsten material in the battery's anode coating, giving the battery a record high capacity. Thus, it is possible that through new products and innovations, Masan High-Tech Materials will come closer to consumers directly benefiting from the new materials technology.

In the near future, Masan will be more than just a supplier of strategic high-tech materials. The company will cooperate with the world's leading innovation enterprises to research and develop advanced materials technology solutions and use the materials they produce to create practical technology products that solve the needs of global consumers and key industries.

The International Fluorine Forum was first launched by IMFORMED in Mexico in 2017, encompassing a high-quality programme moderated by experts to examine and discuss fluorine mineral supply and demand from mine to market.

Subsequent fluorine forums were held in Madrid in 2018 and Prague in 2019, followed by two online formats in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic Throughout the years, the forum has developed into a major networking event in the global fluorine market.

IMFORMED was co-founded in 2015 by Iseme Clarke and Mike O'Driscoll to provide professional networking opportunities and market research expertise for the global non-metallic minerals industry.

Masan High-Tech Materials: making growth through sustainability Masan High-Tech Materials has asserted its position in the industrial mineral and metal processing lines as a trailblazer in sustainable development through its tireless efforts in adopting the three Rs of reduce, reuse, and recycle on both a national and global scale. Masan High-Tech Materials CEO Craig Richard Bradshaw and deputy CEO Hady Seyeda shared with VIRs Le Luu on how the corporation is moving forward on its sustainability journey with its innovative solutions in line with the circular economy.

H.C. Starck invests over $50 million into Nyobolt H.C. Starck Tungsten Powders (HCS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Masan High-Tech Materials (MHT), on July 15 announced the signing of agreements to invest approx. 52 million into Nyobolt Ltd.
The event drew 100 leaders from various organisations who pledged to break bias against the LGBTQ+ community at work.

Prudential and the British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (BritCham) want the movement "Pride at Work" to create a truly diverse and inclusive culture in the corporate environment. A healthy workplace that deepens belonging will benefit not only the employees but corporations greatly.

This first-ever Pride at work event in Vietnam underscores both organisations dedication to promoting diversity and equality in the workplace by engaging and inspiring businesses and organisations in the Britchams network. The event is also an opportunity to strengthen awareness about the importance of breaking social bias for LBGTQ+ and share experiences through networking to drive LGBTQ+ activities in business.

Joining the event were Tran Thanh Phong, chief marketing officer of Prudential Vietnam; Alan Phan, founding head of the North London Collegiate School Ho Chi Minh City; Ngo Le Phuong Linh, director of ICS Centre, and Ung Hoang Loi, director of Media & eCom Transformation of P&G Vietnam.

In a panel discussion, they shared how organisations can break the bias against LGBTQ+ in the workplace and what they have done to create an inclusive and diverse working environment. Moderated by Dustin Phuc Nguyen, the panellists shared their insights about the challenges for LGBTQ+ communities in the grey-suited business world, especially traditional and conservative businesses.

Stonewall, the leading UK-based charity for LGBTQ+ advocacy said, The best employers understand why all their employees should feel welcome, respected and represented at work. They know that inclusion drives better individual, business, and organisational outcomes. And they believe that staff must be able to bring their whole selves to work. Because when LGBTQ+ employees feel free to be themselves, everybody benefits.

In early August, Vietnams Ministry of Health said in an official document that being LGBTQ+ was entirely not an illness and cannot be cured nor needs to be cured and cannot be converted in any way. This directive of the government signalled major progress in LGBTQ+ rights in Vietnam. However, it is recognised that there is a long way to go for the community to be socially accepted and recognised under the law in Vietnam.

Believing in the diversity of its employees and inclusion in its work environment, Prudential Vietnam has enriched its organisation and embedded diversity and inclusion into its corporate culture. Last year, Prudential was included in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index for the second consecutive year. Prudential has a diversity and inclusion charter to empower its people and create a sense of belonging by respecting and appreciating differences.

In line with embracing a more progressive view and inclusive definition of family, Prudential has launched its latest campaign, Made for Every Family, which highlights diverse types of families, whether it be nuclear, extended, cohabiting, or adoptive. The campaign shows Prudential's commitment to protecting families of every shape and size across Asia.

BritCham Vietnam is very proud to partner with an organisation such as Prudential, a leading insurance company in Vietnam. The UK is at the forefront of trying to make society more inclusive, and the workplace is a vital part of that plight," said Matt Ryland, executive director of the BritCham. "We are very pleased to be able to be part of this and continue the development of inclusivity and diversity in Vietnam and particularly in the workplace. We hope this inaugural event will help to highlight the positive changes and challenges that still lie ahead, and we look forward to the subsequent events continuing that journey.

Prudential Vietnam was among the first to offer same-sex domestic partner benefits to employees. We look to collaborate with like-minded organisations to create a workplace free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination where differences are valued and celebrated," said Phong.

This commitment also extends to our customers. "Made for every Family" is an example of how Prudential is trying to equalise access to insurance solutions, making insurance more accessible and inclusive by broadening the concept of family, allowing health and protection solutions to cover different types of family, he added.

Prudential Vietnam launches new AI-powered mental wellness tools Prudential Vietnam on July 4 announced the launch of its new mental wellness tools aimed at supporting users to manage their mental and physical health with personalised information and recommendations. The AI-powered tools can now be accessed on Pulse by Prudential.

Prudential Vietnam achieves strong revenue growth in 2021 despite challenging environment The United Kingdom-backed life insurer Prudential Vietnam delivered strong revenue growth of 15.2 per cent in 2021 against a challenging operating environment, with $374.3 million of insurance benefits paid to customers.
Dong Phu Rubber JSC has yet to make public its 2022 third-quarter business results. According to the companys latest figures, in the first eight months, the company counted $21.26 million in revenue and $4.86 million in accrued profits, up 7.6 per cent in revenue and 23.7 per cent in profit on year.

This means undergoing two-thirds of the year, Dong Phu Rubber has just fulfilled 54 per cent of its full-year revenue plan and 34.4 per cent of its full-year profit plan, as in 2022 the company aims to reach $39.47 million in revenue and $14.13 million in accrued profit.

The price of latex is anticipated to remain low

At Phuoc Hoa Rubber JSC, the companys third-quarter financial statement shows that its post-tax profit in the first nine months soared 115 per cent on-year to touch $11.34 million, in which the figure for the third quarter just amounted to $535,650, showing a sharp decline of more than 80 per cent on-year as well as compared to the first two quarters.

The lower latex price has seen profits from sale and service provision in the third quarter down nearly $104,340 on-year, meanwhile profit from the financial business was down $1.93 million as in the same period last year.

Besides selling costs, business management costs have all gone up in 2022.

After three quarters, Phuoc Hoa Rubber has just completed more than 38 per cent of the full-year revenue plan and 36 per cent of the full-year profit plan.

This year, when most nations have re-opened their doors post-pandemic, the oversupply of natural latex has come back.

Le Thanh Hung-, general director of Vietnam Rubber Industry Group, said that the groups business was fairly good in the early months of 2022 but facing mounting hardships recently due to lower latex prices and slow consumption against rising input costs. These factors have all affected the groups income source.

In the first nine months, it earned around $800 million in revenue and $191.6 million in profit, up 2 per cent in revenue and 4 per cent in profit on year.

With such results, the group has finalized 62 per cent of its full-year revenue target and 82.5 per cent of its full-year profit target.

Tien Phong Securities remarked that the demand for natural rubber is invariably commensurate with economic shifts globally. Accordingly, demand will soar following a strong rebound of the major economies, and vice versa.

Global rubber output rose remarkably from 2012 following a boom of rubber plantation expansion across Asia, particularly in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

This led to oversupply for a long period of time which only broke in 2021 when the supply-demand reached a balance due to difficulties in latex exploitation and transportation amid the pandemic.

This year, when most nations have re-opened their doors post-pandemic, the oversupply of natural latex has come back.

A report by the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries shows that in August and September, total natural rubber volume approximated 2.7 million tonnes, up 71,000 tonnes on-year. Meanwhile, the total demand was 2.5 million tonnes.

Trading Economics data shows that the rubber latex price peaked on February 23, then slid down and bottomed out at 130 US cents per kg on September 6.

In October, the latex price saw a slight increase compared to September but is anticipated to stay in a low range going forward due to the possibility of a global economic recession. The latex price now hovers around 134 cents per kg and shows no clear signs of rebounding.

According to Tien Phong Securities, rubber firms are encountering a big threat. First, lasting and heavy rainfall has taken place during harvest season, affecting the latex output. Second is the risk associated with the Chinese markets dwindling demand due to power shortages, as China has just undergone record hot weather and drought.

Rubber groups aim to cut China reliance As China cuts down on its purchase of rubber from Vietnam, the latter has witnessed a sharp decline in its rubber market share in China.
Nina brings with her more than 15 years of experience in luxury hospitality, events, and the inbound travel industry, complemented by extensive knowledge of both local and international business networks.

Vuong Thu Nguyet (Nina), director of Sales & Marketing of Sedona Suites

Prior to joining Sedona Suites, Nina was managing partner of the Mystery of Mekong and executive director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam. She also spent her earlier career working with Park Hyatt Saigon as their Senior Events Manager.

We are delighted to have Nina join our young and dynamic team. With her expertise and in-depth knowledge of hospitality, and understanding of the business climate of this bustling, and ever-evolving city, we are confident that she will lead the charge in developing new markets and creating unforgettable moments for our guests who are here on extended stays, business, and leisure trips," said Albert Lafuente, acting general manager.

In her new role, she is responsible for the overall commercial strategy overseeing sales, marketing, and events business initiatives, which are all committed to the highest standards of service and delivery.

Sedona Suites, centrally located in Saigon Center, is a 5-star hotel and serviced apartment complex in Ho Chi Minh City, managed by Keppel Land Vietnam.

Known for its hallmark Asian hospitality and elegant accommodations, Sedona Suites aims to maximise the travel experience of every guest.

All rooms and suites epitomise sophistication and luxury living with elegant design, thoughtful amenities, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer unparalleled panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City.

Ideal for both short and extended stay requirements, the grand studio room and one to three-bedroom apartments are available for you to check out anytime.

Hyatt's first hotel in Hanoi appoints new director of Sales & Marketing Hyatt Regency West Hanoi  the third Hyatt hotel in Vietnam and the first in the capital city  announced the appointment of Carol Lee as the new director of Sales & Marketing.

First Holiday Inn & Suites in Vietnam gets five stars Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport Hotel has received a 5-star certification from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism for excellent design, facilities, and services.

Fusion Suites Vung Tau celebrates first anniversary Designed for the 21st-century traveller, Fusion Suites Vung Tau was opened officially on July 16, 2020 with suites, studios, apartments, and sky pools to bring Fusions down-to-earth, wellness-led lifestyle to a great destination.
What is your vision of the current state of socioeconomic development in Vietnam?

Truong Bui, partner at Roland Berger Vietnam

Extensive reform and integration into the global economy since the 1980s has rapidly helped Vietnam grow from a low to middle-income country in just two decades, with a forecast of becoming a high-income country by 2045.

Despite the global economic context being strongly affected by the pandemic, Vietnam has a strong recovery with forecasted GDP of 7 per cent and continues to be one of Southeast Asias largest economies.

I would translate the views of Vietnamese business policymakers here who wish that recovery for businesses and the economy after the pandemic is not a return to the old state but to a new look, new business models, innovations, digital transformation, and sustainable development.

The business sector generates over 60 per cent of Vietnams GDP and plays an important role in the countrys socioeconomic growth and development. However, businesses today face a double challenge. On the one hand, companies have had to deal with issues that require urgent action in the face of a crisis, like the pandemic, that could even threaten their very existence.

On the other hand, they see a greater degree of uncertainty than they experienced before. Vietnam is an economy that is heavily dependent on the import-export market, so businesses are even more affected by fluctuations across the global market.

However, the volatile context always brings opportunities. This is a good time for businesses to restructure and reshape growth strategies. Vietnamese companies are trying to catch up with new business trends, craft scenarios to adapt to changes, actively implement digital transformation, and use technology to improve productivity and quality.

As a top strategic consulting organisation, what can you do to help businesses accelerate recovery in an uncertain context?

To succeed in a changing world, businesses here will need a new institution that focuses on increasing foresight and sensing changes. To create that business institution we need robust organisational governance, a holistic approach that we created at Roland Berger based on deep academic insights, industry practice, and consulting experience.

It is a comprehensive approach that has six different dimensions that help organisations to assess their current capacity, identifying specific priorities for future development. Those dimensions are community ideals, strategy and culture, leadership philosophy and talent management, financial and investment management, managing processes and dynamic factors, business ecosystems and networks, and technology and data governance.

The exploitation of technology has become a core factor for success. What examples of this can Roland Berger assist in?

The fact that businesses need to invest in, capture, and control disruptive innovations in technology is not new. Looking out to the world, global pioneers have taken this boldly.

For example, Nestles digital transformation strategy, Vision2Life, is purposefully designed to leverage digital technology to support internal and external growth. On the Asian side, Meituan of China has been implementing a driverless delivery vehicle project since 2016 and started operating a fleet of hundreds of test vehicles, reaching more than 100,000 orders by 2021.

Roland Bergers approach to technology adoption describes not only what they are but, more importantly, how to build. Vietnamese businesses can maximise the impact of technology by focusing on people, budgeting, partnerships, and monitoring.

Technology often accompanies innovation and new value propositions. So how do you assess Vietnamese businesses from this perspective?

Innovation is the driving force for the competitive advantage and development of businesses, while technology helps those innovations come to life in a more optimal way.

However, it must be admitted that the capacity for research and development (R&D) and innovation is not high, meaning investment is not significant from the business side.

A developing economy such as Vietnam is characterised by shorter-term investment channels and faster recovery in comparison to R&D or capital investment. This is not a small challenge for Vietnam. But on a positive note, I see more and more big businesses investing in long-term projects and hopefully, we can pick up this momentum. Vietnamese business can leverage the way that Singaporean business does when working with global brands in open innovation projects.

The environment is full of uncertainty. What should Vietnamese enterprises do specifically in this regard?

I would suggest focusing on four main things. Businesses must move fast, gather sufficient information, and decide quickly which opportunities to pursue. They must build up a growth engine to use a successful pattern to enter new markets.

In addition, strategies should be diversified by carefully selecting some opportunities to take a giant leap and others to do a step-by-step approach and get returns on the way. The final factor is reacting quickly in case circumstances change, ensuring flexibility to deviate from the planned course.

Having proved our expertise in the most challenging times, we know how to help businesses strengthen their ability to navigate post-pandemic difficulties with our profound global experience.

Tax cuts proposed to support businesses rocked by pandemic The Tax Policy Department under the Ministry of Finance is drafting a proposal on tax reduction to support individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19.

Hanoi rolls out red carpet for technology-led investors With the capitals orientations towards technology-driven economic development and new actions to support business recovery, more new opportunities are expected to come for potential investors in Hanoi.
Ngo Sy Hoai, vice chairman of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association, told VIR that on October 16, 2022, a United States Department of Commerce (DoC) investigative committee visited several wood enterprises in Vietnam.

He said the DoC team would separate into two groups and spend 7-10 days doing on-site inspections of 40 enterprises that perform well and 36 businesses that the DoC deems uncooperative. The DoC picked the businesses at random for inspection.

Vietnam's wood furniture exports to the US market are in decline, hitting just $607 million in September 2022, 11 per cent less than in August

According to the Trade Remedies Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), Vietnam's wood industry faces two DoC anti-trust investigations involving plywood goods and wood cabinets.

In the instance of anti-trust plywood goods constructed from hardwood imported from Vietnam, the US side has reached a preliminary finding, and a final decision is due on October 17.

Thirty-six businesses did not completely participate in the preliminary inquiry and conclusion, presenting conflicting information. The remaining businesses that can produce documentation that they do not utilise Chinese raw materials (representing 80 per cent of the plywood export turnover during the investigation period) will still be approved to export to the US and not be charged an anti-circumvention tax.

In a second instance, in June 2022, the DoC continued to launch an inquiry into the tax evasion of Vietnamese-imported wooden and kitchen cabinets. Forty of the businesses asked to provide opinions did so after the deadline.

The Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam said that, it had collaborated with wood organisations to encourage enterprises to assist in investigations and provide comprehensive and correct information.

The export of Vietnamese furniture to the US is decreasing. According to the Vietnam Industry and Trade Information Centre, the export turnover of wood and wood products to the US market during September was $607 million, a decrease of 11 per cent compared to August but an increase of 73.4 per cent compared to the same month in 2021.

In the nine months of 2022, the export value of wood and wood products to the US was assessed at $6.9 billion, an increase of 2.4 per cent compared to the previous year.

Vietnam plans out domestic wood pivot To ease the dependence on imported wood and timber products, Vietnam aims to reduce the amount of imported material and instead strengthen the domestic supply  a goal the government aims to reach by applying a traditional carrot and stick approach.

Wooden cabinet exporters advised to review activities related to USs investigation The Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV) has recommended that wooden cabinet producers and exporters continue to review the export activities of their products subjected to the US Department of Commerce (DOC)s anti-circumvention and anti-subsidy investigation.
TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Petroleum Minister Javad Owji said on Sunday that Iran has started refining its crude oil in Venezuela, SHANA news agency affiliated to his ministry reported.

Iran had started processing some 100,000 barrels per day of its crude in Venezuela's El Palito refinery, Owji was quoted by SHANA as saying.

"This was a long-standing and 43-year-old dream that was realized through the efforts of my colleagues at the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC)," he said.

Jalil Salari, head of NIORDC, said on Sunday that efforts are underway to expand Iran's refinery operation in overseas projects.

According to Press TV, Iran signed a 116-million-U.S. dollar contract with Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA in May to repair and expand the refinery. 
Jakarta - Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community for 2021-2024, Satvinder Singh, has affirmed that Vietnam is one of the strongest contributors to ASEANs dynamic, resilient economy and is a very critical partner for ASEANs integration.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

He noted that Vietnams gross domestic product (GDP) doubled from 155.8 billion USD in 2012 to 362.0 billion USD in 2021, and the countrys share of the blocs GDP has also increased from 6.5% a decade ago to 10.8% at present.

According to him, Vietnam is one of those economies in ASEAN that are contributing very significantly to the blocs stability and also providing a path forward for economic liberalisation, showing the way of how one can invite good quality direct foreign investments (FDI) into the country at the same time.

Vietnam has been able to attract high and good quality FDI not only from China but also from many global multinationals who are looking for a new strategy for their ASEAN presence, said Satvinder. All those kudos go to your people, government, for having the resiliency to be able to adjust and to be able to take the opportunity of whats coming.

He went on to say that Vietnam is very globally competitive and all its sectors are doing well.

The focus of Vietnam businesses and sectors should not be domestic, their focus should be on how to grow regionally and internationally. Vietnam has the potential to create the next generation of some of the largest unicorns that we have seen in ASEAN, he added.

According to the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General, the people, communities, regulators, the government must have a shared vision. To become an important player in the region, its important to invest in integrating the ASEAN region first.

There is a huge potential for Vietnam to take a much more active interest in integrating in ASEAN and I believe that Vietnam is showing the way. Vietnam has a very strong interest in opening its markets he added.

Satvinder also said that Vietnam is not only working hard to integrate into ASEAN but also integrating into the global platforms, and it is currently negotiating very effective bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) with significant economic partners globally.

Vietnam is on the right path and showing the rest of ASEAN of what is needed to transform your economy, and how we can become regionally and globally relevant. In this whole spirit of integration in ASEAN, Vietnam is in a position to make the best out of it, he affirmed.

The ASEAN official also shared some recommendations for Vietnam and other regional countries to maintain stable growth, one of which is to integrate into ASEAN and work together. The countries also need to clearly define their economic priorities and better tap human resources.
One key area for cooperation is digitalisation. In February, Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited Singapore as his first overseas stop of the year. Close to 30 MoU between businesses from both countries were signed. Worth almost $11 billion, many were in the field of technology.

Vietnams forward-looking ambitions are noteworthy. Aspiring to be a high-income economy by 2045, the nations digital economy is set to account for 20 per cent of its national GDP, thanks to its ambitious digital transformation plan. Milestones to achieve by 2025 include 80 per cent of online public services to become mobile friendly, and 80 per cent of households with fibre optic broadband (compared to about 55 per cent in 2020).

Michele Wee-CEO Standard Chartered Vietnam

Collaborating for growth

Singapore could play a major role in supporting this journey. The Lion Citys technology companies, such as Singtel and ST Telemedia are highly advanced, with many commanding an overseas presence throughout Asia, Europe, and North America.

The city-state can assist with the development of digital infrastructure, from data centres that store and manage digital assets to networks connecting people and businesses online. Singapore companies can also help nurture Vietnams talent pool, especially in roles involving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and instil good governance in talent management. In return, the digitally savvy workforce can add competitive advantage for Singapore businesses operating in Vietnam.

At the same time, Vietnams increasingly skilled workforce can help advance the nations manufacturing transformation, supporting Singapore manufacturers and retailers supply chains diversification. This will help ease the impact of disruptions brought about by the global pandemic and prolonged lockdowns.

Purposeful partners

Another area of potential partnership is sustainability. At the COP26 in 2021 in Glasgow, Vietnam pledged to become net zero by 2050. Likewise, Singapore has since announced its intention to be net zero by or around the same time. Towards this ambition, the Vietnamese government has undertaken many measures. Employing a whole-of-government approach to promote the interaction between ministries and adopting a legal and governance framework that encourages foreign and domestic private investments in the green economy and sustainable development will be instrumental.

One such policy is Vietnams National Green Growth Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, which sets out to accelerate economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social equality. The strategy strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per GDP by at least 15 and 30 per cent by 2030 and 2050, respectively as compared to 2014 levels. It also aspires to increase renewable energys mix in Vietnams total primary energy supply to up to 20 per cent.

Singapore has built world-class infrastructure, and is renowned for robust urban planning. It is a global sustainable financial centre and a fintech hub, whose efforts to bring down the cost of providing financial services could help Vietnam, as it strives to become more financially inclusive, especially in rural areas.

Inclusive green growth requires ready access to green financing. In Vietnam, Standard Chartered is raising capital on behalf of companies through green bonds and providing credit facilities to incentivise borrowers to reduce their carbon footprint  as well as offering individuals green mortgage loans and carbon-neutral debit and credit cards. Vietnam has the potential to become a leader in renewables, given its comprehensive installed solar power capacity and abundant wind resources. The nations political will and market incentives could offer valuable lessons to other ASEAN countries in their just transition journey.

Supporting a resilient future

For Vietnams digitalisation and sustainability agendas to succeed, financing will of course be a non-negotiable prerequisite. According to the United Nations, there is a global shortfall of $100 trillion in funding sustainable development. And that is why at Standard Chartered we continue to work with governments and businesses to support sustainable economic growth and boost financial inclusion through digital solutions.

One such solution is Solv, a technology platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises that is designed to help small businesses digitalise their commerce and lending journeys. Standard Chartered has launched Solv in India and Kenya and plans to unveil the solution in Southeast Asia to support the regions underserved.

A close partnership between Singapore and Vietnam will enable the two countries to further capitalise on the wealth of opportunities that digitalisation and sustainability offer. This should not only spur growth and prosperity for both nations but also foster greater interconnectivity and prosperity for the whole of ASEAN.

Singapore and Vietnam strengthen cooperation across the board In addition to being a major investment destination for Singaporean enterprises, Vietnam and Singapore are also strengthening their strategic partnership in all aspects like finance, transport, trade and services, ICT, and education and training.

Bridging Singapore and Vietnams digital cooperation The digital economy in Southeast Asia is at an inflection point. The number of new digital consumers added in just one year in 2020 in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam is equivalent to the entire population of the United Kingdom.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been arrested after police saw him allegedly shooting at a house Sunday.

Marshall Ray Polk, 18, of 1628 Columbia St., was arrested for intimidation with a weapon, assault with a weapon, carrying weapons, interference while armed and possession of marijuana. Bond was set at $50,000.

His grandmother, 63-year-old Valerie Regina Norman, was arrested for intimidation and interference.

According to police, officers were sent to Logan Avenue around 12:15 p.m. Sunday for a disturbance.

Witnesses said Polk had threatened a woman with a gun and chased her.

As officers were arriving, they saw Polk stick his hand out of a Chevrolet Equinox and fire a single shot toward 617 Logan Ave. Police stopped the vehicle, which was driven by Norman, and Polk, a passenger ran off, according to court records.

Police allege Polk attempted to hide a 9 mm Taurus G2C, and he was detained a short time later.
WATERLOO  A man who was stabbed Friday night has been arrested for domestic violence.

Waterloo police arrested John Thompson Smith IV, 42, on Sunday for second-offense domestic assault after he was released from the hospital. Bond was set at $2,000.

According to police, Smith was assaulting a woman in a bedroom at 510 Fowler St. around 11:45 p.m. Friday. The son heard the commotion, kicked open the door, and stabbed Smith, police said.

Paramedics took Smith to MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center, where he was treated.

The son wasnt charged in the incident.

Smith has a prior domestic assault conviction from a 2010 incident, according to court records. He also is on unsupervised probation for assault for allegedly punching another woman in the face in May 2022, records state.
WATERLOO  A former school bus driver has been found not guilty of shooting his mothers husband with a shotgun in 2016.

Jurors deliberated Friday before returning to the courthouse Monday and acquitting Daytrell Pendleton, 33, of all charges.

Pendleton, of Waterloo, took a long breath after hearing the verdict. He then hugged his defense attorneys and received an embrace from his mother.

Pendleton had been charged with attempted murder for shooting 47-year-old Andrew Spates Jr. five times with a shotgun outside a convenience store in May 2016.

Prosecutors allege Pendleton planned the encounter, expecting to see Spates at the store following an ongoing series of heated run-ins between the two. Pendletons mother had filed for a restraining order in April 2016 alleging Spates had abused her, and a brick had crashed through the window of her home hours before the shooting.

Pendletons attorneys, Nichole Watt and Konrad Kamizelich with the Waterloo Public Defenders Office, argued their client acted in self-defense.

On the stand, Pendleton said Spates had approached him with a metal pipe on a frontage road next to the Franklin Street Kwik Star.

He said he continued shooting after Spates dropped the pipe because it appeared Spates was reaching for something in his vehicle, and Pendleton feared it was a gun.

Spates was struck in the hands and abdomen and had to have a finger amputated.

Evidence at trial included numerous text messages that Pendleton sent to relatives before the shooting where he said he wanted to kill Spates because of the abuse allegations. It also included several school officials who had worked with Pendleton and testified he was a peaceful person, and police who testified that Spates had a known reputation for violence.

The trial had been delayed for several years, in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic and a mistrial after seating a jury in February 2020.

At the time of the shooting, Pendleton had been a bus driver for Fred Becker Elementary School and was being considered for a position as a paraeducator. He currently drives semis.

Spates wasnt present in the courtroom for the verdict. He is currently awaiting trial for allegations that he threatened to set fire to an ex-girlfriend and her children and burn down their house in December 2020.
CEDAR FALLS  Greg Holt has been named executive director of the Cedar Falls Community Theatre and the Oster Regent Theatre.

He is replacing John Luzaich, CFCTs current general manager, who is officially retiring Jan. 31. Holt begins his duties Dec. 12.

Currently, Holt is artistic director at the Waterloo Community Playhouse where he directs five or more productions each season.

Its always good to have new challenges and a chance to work in a new space and grow, Holt said. In this new role, he will oversee artistic projects from both CFCT and the Oster Regent. I hope to be able to direct one play each season, but my primary focus will be in trying to maximize use of the space.

He is looking forward to continuing to build on the foundation of what Luzaich and staff have achieved. The Oster Regent is ready for its next life as a live performance venue, and Im anxious for CFCT to play a larger role in bringing art, theater and creativity to a higher level.

A search committee led by Pat Lyons selected Holt from among 26 candidates from five states. The title has been changed from general manager to executive director.

Greg brings a wealth of experience and local contacts, but the things our search committee really valued were his demonstrated commitment to inclusion, outreach and professionalism. We are overjoyed that Greg will be raising the bar for performance art in the Cedar Valley for years to come, said CFCT Board President Meghan McEleney, in a news release.

Holt has been artistic director at WCP since 2015. He was the Black Hawk Childrens Theatre artistic director for eight years from 1995 to 2003, directing more than 36 shows. He left Iowa to pursue other theater opportunities and returned to the Cedar Valley in 2007 as director of youth and drama ministry at the First Congregational Church.

A veteran actor and director, he directs biennial theater productions at North Star Community Services, and is founder and director of Red Herring Theatre. He previously directed Potters House Players and the Parabola Youth Theatre.

He collaborated with artist/cinematographer Paco Rosic of Waterloo to direct the thriller Without You, released earlier this year, the 2021 documentary Hopian: Slow Moving Change in Americas Heartland, and in 2020, the short film, An Inspired Mind.

A native of Washington, D.C., Holt began acting at age 6. He earned his drama degree from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C., and a bachelors degree in fine arts and masters degree in theater from University of Denver in Colorado.

Holt is former artistic director at Blue Planet Theater in Arkansas as well as Kidworks and The Growing Stage in Chicago. He has directed professionally at the Borealis Theatre (Illinois); Lincoln Theatre (Indiana); CenterStage (Colorado) and the Theatre of Repertoire Americana (Iowa). His productions have been staged in over 20 states around the country.

As a professional actor, Holt has appeared with the Denver Center for the Arts, the MUNY in St. Louis, Bailiwick Theatre in Chicago and Free Shakespeare Company in North Carolina. He has performed on Broadway and has appeared in half a dozen national television commercials, as well as local commercials.

Leaving WCP/BHCT is bittersweet, Holt said, after having invested countless hours in directing shows, teaching classes and more.

Since COVID, weve had more people auditioning for shows, and thats encouraging that people want community theater as a resource for expressing themselves. Im really hoping to see collaborative efforts between the two theaters (that) enrich theater in the Cedar Valley.

His last production with WCP will be Shrek The Musical Nov. 11-Dec. 4.

Holt and his wife, Michelle, reside in Cedar Falls.
WATERLOO  The YWCA Black Hawk County will hold a workshop Wednesday as it marks the Week Without Violence.

The event will held from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Hawkeye Community Colleges Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center, 120 Jefferson St. Registration and coffee will begin at 8:30 a.m.

This years presentation is Recognizing the Roots of Violence: Addressing Anti-LGBTQ+ Ideologies and Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community. Registered nurse Jennifer Christiason will lead a discussion on learning about different identities, perspectives, and experiences in an ever-diversifying society and how thats important in being supportive of all people. She will talk about how thats particularly important when it comes to people who are stigmatized, marginalized and largely silenced.

Christiason will also clarify a common vocabulary on LGBTQ issues and discuss how misinformation, bias and hate speech leads to isolation, discrimination, injustice, and violence based on ones gender identity and/or sexual orientation. The presentation will be followed by a panel of LGBTQ+ affirming faith leaders from a variety of religious organizations in the Cedar Valley. They will discuss the important role religion and clergy play in the spiritual health and overall well-being and safety of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Week Without Violence workshop is free and space is limited. For more information or to register, contact Cindy Mohr at (319) 234-7589 or lmohr@ywcabhc.org. Morning coffee and workshop materials are included in the registration fee.

NASW social work continuing education units and Iowa Board of Nursing continuing education unit are available for an additional cost.

The YWCA Week Without Violence is an annual national campaign highlighting practical and sustainable alternatives to violence in homes, schools, workplaces and communities. The YWCA Black Hawk County is joining more than 200 YWCA associations around the country in marking the week.
DES MOINES  One element of Justin Glisans job as state climatologist is to help state government officials and Iowans be prepared for severe weather.

But few things could have prepared Glisan for all that has transpired during his first four years in the job.

When Glisan was hired to his dream job in 2018, Iowa was experiencing historic drought and rain  sometimes simultaneously, in different parts of the state.

The following year brought a bomb cyclone and historic, devastating flooding in southwest Iowa.

Then, in 2020, came the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a destructive derecho that caused $11 billion in damage across the Midwest.

And in 2022, Iowans  especially farmers  are coping with a third consecutive year of drought conditions.

A state climatologists job is rarely dull, but Glisans brief tenure has been remarkably eventful.

And yet when asked what, if anything, has surprised Glisan since taking the job, he does not mention those historic weather events. Instead, he talks about how each day is different.

Coming in with the science behind the position, I knew that aspect of it. But there are so many different things that I do on a day-to-day basis, no one day is the same as the last. And thats what makes this job so interesting, said Glisan, who recently turned 40. But also it really drives my passion for weather and climate, but also the people that we serve.

The state climatologist compiles and processes Iowa climate data for current and future weather data research needs, according to a description on the state agriculture departments website. The climatologist compiles the weekly weather summary for the state crop progress and condition report, and the monthly state weather summary.

Iowas climatologist is housed in the state agriculture department. Most state climatologists, Glisan said, are housed by a state university. He enjoys this quirk because it enables him to better interact with Iowans, especially farmers whose livelihoods are dependent upon dealing with weather.

Im able to actually interact with farmers and agricultural stakeholders and various groups across the state in a different way than my academic colleagues can, Glisan said. Thats been the most fulfilling aspect of this job, is actually getting out, doing field tours, looking at the crops, looking at drought conditions, getting my feet on the ground.

Im a climate modeler by training. Getting out into the field gives you a whole new perspective, versus what you see in the models and the forecasts.

The ongoing drought conditions around Iowa are foremost in Glisans work these days. He said the current drought actually started in 2020, and while conditions have improved slightly at times, currently only 15% of the state is not experiencing some degree of drought conditions, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. More than 30% of the state, mostly in northwest and southeast Iowa, is in severe or extreme drought conditions, according to the latest report.

Droughts a different beast. Its a slow-moving disaster. You dont snap your finger and drought occurs. It takes several months if not years for a wide-scale, devastating drought to form, Glisan said. Were in the third year of this drought, which started in 2020. Weve seen good improvement over a time period. 

My concern is the subsoil moisture profiles. We need rainfall before the ground freezes to get at least some water in the tank. Looking overall, over the last three years, to really extinguish these drought conditions across the state were going to need several months, if not a year or more of above-average rainfall and precipitation and snowpack to really put a chip in these deficits.

That, in part, is why Glisan is working with other state agencies on a state drought plan, which he said will help guide state policy and help the government react to severe drought conditions.

The state drought plan is being developed in conjunction with the state Department of Natural Resources, emergency management department, the governors office, and the federal agriculture department and National Weather Service, Glisan said.

Because were in a drought right now, but the expectation is to have droughts in the future. And these droughts could be worse if we look at the trends, Glisan said. So having a state drought plan in place, that allows us to have a better monitoring network, but also developing triggers in case a location or a county or a specific part of the state gets into dire straits  we can help our producers, we can help our farmers in terms of things that will help mitigate stress that theyre seeing in terms of crops, but also livestock.

With Iowas somewhat unique geography of being bordered by two major waterways, the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, Glisan said future flooding is a 100% certainty.

So working on that climate assessment, coupled with our drought needs, gives us a better idea of the trends that we should expect in the future, he said.
They should be isolated of any uplifting perspective in Russia and alienated for their treacherous activities. It would be interesting on the off chance that college understudies, whose family members are battling and biting the dust in a NATO battle against Russia in Ukraine, start scrutinizing those Trojan Professors whom have pervaded in large numbers the Russian scholarly world. Confrontation against these 5th Scum is necessary and the sooner than later approach is appropriate

On the off chance that the 5th Column as they feel the pressure of a society that does not appreciate their western attitude and manipulations, could they desire to do without Russia and the Russian public as their home? I then suggest that they ought to go either to their verifiable whence paycheck comes from western home and or contribute by and by to a much colder European spot of their desire

Russian persistence and resilience are without a doubt unbelievable and why the tolerance of 5th Column is allowed has befuddled me for years within Russia

It is simple: 5th Column? Collaborators of enemy? Trojan Horse?

Leave or die? Your choice

WtR
Photo taken on Oct. 16, 2022 shows Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (2nd R, front) visiting a stall during an agricultural products exhibition to mark the World Food Day at National Crops Resources Research Institute, Wakiso district, Uganda. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)

A visitor talks to an exhibitor of soybeans during an agricultural products exhibition to mark the World Food Day at National Crops Resources Research Institute, Wakiso district, Uganda, Oct. 16, 2022. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)

Visitors tour a maize stall during an agricultural products exhibition to mark the World Food Day at National Crops Resources Research Institute, Wakiso district, Uganda, Oct. 16, 2022. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)
Iran bad, they supply weapons to Russia!

Collective West is good for supplying weapons to Ukraine?

So let me understand?

Anything the Collective West does is angelic in the press

Anything anyone else in the world does is demonized

No, me thinks the Collective West is the one confused. For I am not confused at what I see happening

WtR
Israel seemed to be going to supply weapons to the Kyiv regime. A very reckless move. It will destroy all interstate relations between our countries.

Im not talking about the fact that the Bandera geeks were Nazis, and remained so. Just look at the symbolism of their modern henchmen. If they are supplied with weapons, then it is time for Israel to declare Bandera and Shukhevych their heroes

Medvedev

WtR
This is not the first time the West has published articles about someones troops being supplied with Viagra in order to rape civilians

Remember this article above?  In 2011, in order to demonize Muammar Gaddafi, Reuters already wrote that Libyan troops loyal to him practice rape, and for this they stock up on Viagra. When the data is real, but the Internet helps remember everything

Bow to demonize Russia

The Russian army has adopted the latest weapon, Viagra, according to UN Special Envoy Patten.  And add this to other news of schizophrenia of a sick imagination

***

 The answer of the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Ms. Ms. Zakharova to the media question in connection with the statements of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflicts P. Patten.

 Question: The day before, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflicts, P. Patten, accused the Russian army of using drugs to sexually assault civilians as a military strategy. How could you comment on this?

 The essence of what P. Patten said cannot be seriously commented on. Her words go beyond reason. In addition, the official, obviously, acts outside of her mandate and powers. At the same time, she does not hide the fact that in her judgments she relies on fragmentary data from an independent international commission of inquiry into Ukraine not recognized by Russia, which, in her own words, are difficult to verify. In other words, we again have the classic highly like, only this time at the level of perverted fantasy.

On the whole, all this reminds of false and provocative statements until recently by L. Denisova, Commissioner for Human Rights in Ukraine, who herself admitted that she simply invented many of the facts of her statements in order to receive Western funding and weapons. As a result, as we remember, L. Denisova was dismissed by the Kyiv regime for her rude anti-Russian lies, with which she misled the entire international community.

This is not the first time that detailed stuffing has been done. In 2011, in support of plans to destroy Libya, Reuters journalists wrote that troops loyal to M. Qaddafi practice rape, for which they stock up on Viagra. As you can see, the West is again using the same templates in its hybrid war.

Maria Zakharov

WtR
Weather Alert

...Cold Temperatures, Winds, and Snow Return This Week... After a quiet holiday weekend, a few storms are on track to bring back colder temperatures, periods of windy conditions, and the potential for snow in the Sierra and western Nevada the week ahead. A quick-hitting storm will pass through the region Monday afternoon and evening with gusty winds, colder temperatures, and chances for snow. Highest snow potential will be for the Warner mountains, Surprise Valley and northern Washoe County (60% chance of 2-4 inches) with lesser potential as the storm slides southward across the Interstate 80 corridor (50% chance of a dusting). Snow is anticipated after the Monday evening commute, but could bring localized slick roads overnight and into the Tuesday morning commute. Winds will be more impactful than the snow with this early week storm. Widespread valley wind gusts 35 to 45 mph are forecast with Sierra crest winds gusting 80+ mph. Plan on recreational impacts for backcountry activities and for area lakes as well as turbulence for aviators on Monday. Later in the week simulations are honing in on a couple of potentially more impactful storms. These stronger storms would pack more of a wind and snow punch if they track into the Sierra and western Nevada.
GAZA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Monday vowed to reach a prisoners' swap deal with Israel to release the Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails.

Hamas's pledge was made during a rally held before the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza City to mark the sole prisoner swap deal reached between the movement and Israel 11 years ago.

In 2011, Egypt brokered a prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in which Hamas released Israeli corporal Gilad Shalit, who was taken captive by the movement in Gaza in 2006, in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners.

During the rally, participants carried pictures of Palestinians still imprisoned in Israeli jails. Waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans, the participants called for the release of all Palestinian and Arab prisoners from Israeli prisons.

In 2016, Hamas announced that it was keeping four Israeli captives without specifying their fate. Israel said two of them were already killed.

The Palestinian Prisoners Club Association announced that the Israeli authorities had arrested 5,300 Palestinians in the West Bank since January, including 111 women and 620 children, and 1,610 under administrative detentions. 
NEW YORK  In Donald Trumps assessment, Mike Pence committed political suicide on Jan. 6, 2021.

By refusing to go along with the then-presidents unconstitutional push to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Pence became a leading target of Trumps wrath and a pariah in many Republican circles.

But the final weeks of this years intensely competitive midterm elections suggest that the former vice presidents fortunes have shifted as he lays the groundwork for his own potential 2024 White House campaign. The man who was booed last year at a conservative conference is now an in-demand draw for Republican candidates, including some who spent their primaries obsessively courting Trumps endorsement, in part by parroting his election lies.

Pence has traveled the country, holding events and raising millions for candidates and Republican groups, including signing fundraising solicitations for party committees.

For some campaigns in tight races, Pence is seen as something of a neutralizing agent who can help broaden their appeal beyond Trumps core base of support. Thats the case in Arizona, with a critical Senate race this year and where the 2024 presidential campaign will be hotly contested. Last week, Pence endorsed Senate nominee Blake Masters, who has struggled to pivot from the primary and win over moderates in a state where one-third of voters are registered independents.

He takes a little bit of the edge off Masters with a lot of voters, veteran GOP strategist Scott Reed said. You know Masters is new to this, first-time candidate, said some silly things he probably regrets during the campaign. But now its all about undecided voters in Maricopa County. Theres not a lot more science behind this.

The endorsements can seem jarring given that Pence has spent much of the past year pushing back on Trumps election lies, which spurred the violent mob that descended on the Capitol on Jan. 6 while Pence was trying to preside over the formal congressional certification of Joe Bidens election victory. Pence and members of his family had to be rushed to safety and were held for hours in an underground loading dock as the marauders roamed the buildings hallways. Some rioters chanted Hang Mike Pence! and erected a makeshift gallows outside.

Pence agreed to endorse Masters even though Masters, during the primary, baselessly denied the 2020 election results. Masters recorded a video in which he said he thought Trump had won and claimed on his website that if we had had a free and fair election, President Trump would be sitting in the Oval Office today. Trump endorsed Masters in June, saying in a statement: Blake knows that the Crime of the Century took place, he will expose it and also, never let it happen again.

Pence made no mention of that in Phoenix on Tuesday.

What I came here to Arizona to say is not only is Blake Masters the right choice for the United States Senate, the people of Arizona deserve to know Blake Masters may be the difference between a Democrat majority in the Senate and a Republican majority in the Senate, Pence said.

The former vice president, along with Masters and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, took just three questions, two of them from conservative websites. When a television reporter noted that Masters has questioned the 2020 election, a spokesman for Masters cut him off before he could finish his question.

Masters is not the only election denier Pence has endorsed or assisted.

Two days after the Masters event, Pence was in Georgia headlining a fundraiser for Burt Jones, the nominee for lieutenant governor. Jones not only embraced Trumps claims of widespread election fraud and called for a statewide investigation into the 2020 race, but he also signed on to be one of his states fake alternate electors  a scheme now under criminal investigation.

Last month, Pence was in New Hampshire for Senate nominee Don Bolduc, a retired Army general who also spent his primary campaign telling voters the race was stolen from Trump.

Marc Short, a longtime Pence adviser, declined to set a red line for candidates Pence would and would not endorse.

Its more about making sure that hes being a team player where he needs to be, Short said. I think as a lot of these candidates look to solidify the party behind them, Pence can be helpful.

There is no evidence of any widespread fraud or manipulation of voting machines in the 2020 election, underscored by repeated audits, court cases and the conclusions of Trumps own Department of Justice. Still, support of false election claims run deep among GOP candidates this year.

The Masters endorsement notably came days after a debate in which he made headlines for seeming to have shifted from his most outrageous rigged election claims. Masters instead blamed Trumps loss on big tech, big media and the FBI, and under repeated questioning, acknowledged he hadnt seen evidence the vote count or results were manipulated, as Trump has claimed. (After the Pence visit, Masters told Fox News he stood by what he had said on his now-modified website, adding: I think if everyone followed the law, President Trump would be in the Oval Office.)

Short said Pence was happy to support candidates who had moved past 2020, as the former vice president has urged the party to do.

If people sort of acknowledged a mistaken position before, he certainly wants to reward that, Short said. I think he wants to help conservatives first and foremost, but if people who were elected are now adopting new position about the events of Jan. 6, Short said, then thats a positive.

Jones and Bolduc have also tried to distance themselves from their previous statements.

In interviews, Jones has tried to play down the fake elector slate as a procedural move, while noting that voters rarely mention the 2020 race.

Look hes been consistent that he does not believe the 2020 election was rigged. He said that Joe Biden is president, said Jones campaign spokesman Stephen Lawson, who noted that Pence and Jones have a long-standing relationship and, like Masters, share former Pence staff.

For us, it was sort of a no-brainer because the vice presidents still very well liked in Georgia, very well received. And were in that final stretch where any Republican coming to raise money, support, is a value add, he said.

I think its certainly a nod to more mainstream kind of moderate Republicans. I think thats a fair assessment, he said.

Bolduc claimed throughout the primary race that the 2020 election had been stolen. During a debate, he proclaimed that Trump won the election, and damn it, I stand by and adding, Im not switching horses, baby.

But right after the GOP primary  and a day after appearing with Pence  he told Fox News it was time to move on. You know, we live and learn, right? And Ive done a lot of research on this and Ive spent the past couple of weeks talking to Granite Staters all over the state from every party. And I have come to the conclusion, and I want to be definitive on this: The election was not stolen, Bolduc said. He described Biden as the legitimate president of this country.

(Earlier this month Bolduc changed his position again, saying he wasnt sure what happened with the election. I cant say that it was stolen or not. I dont have enough information.)

Reed, the party strategist, said he understood the rationale behind Pences endorsements.

Hes a big picture party guy. And it doesnt surprised me that hes hustling as hard as he is for people who may not be 100% Pencers, he said. By doing these kinds of events, he added, theyre going to take another look at him if he decides to run.

Pences political future is an open question. Trump, who is widely expected to run again, remains deeply popular with Republican primary voters and would almost certainly be an early front-runner for the 2024 nomination. Pence has said his own decision about running will not be influenced by Trump, though allies often voice skepticism that Trump ultimately will end up on the ballot.

Beyond his endorsements, Pence has spent his time since leaving office performing a careful balancing act. He has distanced himself from Trumps most corrosive statements while promoting what he calls the Trump-Pence agenda. Pence, like generations of could-be candidates, has used the primaries as an opportunity to forge new relationships and build goodwill, and continues to align himself with conservative causes. His trips often include college visits and speeches before anti-abortion groups.

Other potential 2024 candidates have campaigned for the Republican cause, including Texas Sen. Ted Cuz, who is on a monthlong, 17-state Take Back America bus tour. Trump has held rallies and finally begun spending a small part of his vast political fortune to help his favored candidates.

I think he and all these guys are out there really helping the Republicans to win back the House and win back the Senate. Its an effort that everybody needs to contribute to, said David McIntosh, president of the influential Club for Growth, who has joined Pence at several events.

McIntosh, who has been at odds with Trump in recent months, said he believes the electorate is moving on from 2020 to whats on the ballot this election. He said candidates such as Masters want to show that theyve got support from all different types of Republicans, everyone thats out there, so theres a unity theme.

Its always been my view, he added, that leaders like that help themselves by helping.

But being popular enough that candidates want to campaign with you is very different from being popular enough to be competitive in a presidential primary, and right now, Pence routinely polls in the single digits, far lower than Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Around here people talk about DeSantis and Trump, said Georgia GOP strategist Brian Robinson, adding that attention is largely focused on the Nov. 8 midterms.

Pences policy group recently held a retreat in Utah at the Montage Deer Valley that was attended by GOP donors such as Matthew J. Bruderman, a New York investor who praised Pences election-year efforts.

Hes been extremely effective and deserves credit for continuing to help elect people who he believes will help advance conservative principles, Bruderman said by email, adding that he would support him or any fiscal conservative of courage and character that wins the nomination in 2024.

Art Pope, another donor who attended the retreat, said he personally would love to see Vice President Pence run in 2024.

Yes there are frictions and there are divisions in the GOP, he said, but the party is uniting behind its nominees now that primaries are over.

Vice President Pence is both benefiting for that unity and helping lead that unification, he said.

___

Associated Press writer Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this report.

___

Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics
PHOENIX  The federal government is demanding the state remove double-stacked shipping containers placed to fill gaps in the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, saying they are unauthorized and violate U.S. law.

The Cocopah Indian Tribe in southwestern Arizona welcomed the call to take down the containers in the latest rift between the Biden administration and Republican-led border states over how to prevent illegal border crossings.

The Bureau of Reclamation also demanded in last weeks letter that no new containers be placed. It said the bureau wants to prevent conflicts with two federal contracts that have been awarded and two more still pending to fill border wall gaps near the Morelos Dam in the Yuma, Arizona, area.

The unauthorized placement of those containers constitutes a violation of federal law and is a trespass against the United States, the letter states. That trespass is harming federal lands and resources and impeding Reclamations ability to perform its mission.

There was no immediate response Monday from Republican Gov. Doug Duceys office, but it said in the past it would remove the containers if the U.S. government starts construction to fill the gaps.

The tribe complained last month that the state of Arizona acted against its wishes by placing 42 of the double stacks on its land near Yuma to halt illegal border crossings in an area that has become a major entry point for migrants.

We believe the Bureau is taking the necessary and appropriate action to resolve this issue, the Cocopah tribe said in a statement distributed Monday. Beyond that, we will continue working side-by-side with local, state and federal law enforcement on securing the border.

Ducey ordered installation of more than 100 double-stacked containers that were placed over the summer, saying he couldnt wait for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to award the contracts it had announced for work to fill the gaps in the border wall in the Yuma area.

Migrants nevertheless have continued to avoid the recently erected barriers by going around them, including through the Cocopah Indian Reservation.

The border wall promoted by former President Donald Trump continues to be a potent issue for Republican politicians hoping to show their support for border security.

President Joe Biden halted wall construction his first day in office, leaving billions of dollars of work unfinished but still under contract. Trump worked at the end of his term to reach more than 450 miles (720 kilometers), nearly a quarter of the border.

The Biden administration has made a few exceptions for small projects at areas deemed unsafe for people to cross, including the gaps near Yuma.

The quibble over the containers close to Yuma underscores the obstacles faced when constructing barriers on the southern U.S. border. Building on tribal land, including in the Tohono Oodham Nation in Arizona, can face opposition. Landowners, especially in Texas, where much property is privately owned, also can refuse to sign off on construction.

Ducey, like fellow Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, has often sparred with the Democratic administration over immigration policies. Both states in recent months have been offering free bus rides to the East Coast for asylum seekers who are released in the United States to pursue their cases.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has arranged private flights of Venezuelans from San Antonio, Texas to Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Arizona did the job the federal government has failed to do  and we showed them just how quickly and efficiently the border can be made more secure  if you want to, Ducey said when the containers were installed in southern Arizona.

___

AP writer Elliot Spagat contributed reporting from San Diego.
MOSCOW  A Russian warplane crashed Monday into a residential area in a Russian city on the Sea of Azov after suffering engine failure, leaving at least 13 people dead, three of whom died when they jumped from upper floors of a nine-story apartment building to escape a massive blaze.

A Su-34 bomber came down in the port city of Yeysk after one of its engines caught fire during takeoff for a training mission, the Russian Defense Ministry said. It said both crew members bailed out safely, but the plane crashed into a residential area, causing a fire as tons of fuel exploded on impact.

After hours of combing through the charred debris of the building, authorities said 13 residents, including three children, were found dead. Another 19 were hospitalized with injuries.

Vice governor of the region, Anna Menkova, said three of the four victims died when they jumped from the upper floors of the building in a desperate attempt to escape the flames, according to the RIA-Novosti news agency.

The authorities reserved emergency rooms at local hospitals and scrambled medical aircraft. Over 500 residents were evacuated and provided with temporary accommodations.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed about the crash and dispatched the ministers of health and emergencies along with the local governor to the site. Yeysk, a city of 90,000, is home to a big Russian air base.

Surveillance cam videos posted on Russian messaging app channels showed a plane exploding in a giant fireball. Other videos showed an apartment building engulfed by flames and loud bangs from the apparent detonation of the warplanes weapons.

The Su-34 is a supersonic twin-engine bomber equipped with sophisticated sensors and weapons that has been a key strike component of the Russian air force. The aircraft has seen wide use during the war in Syria and the fighting in Ukraine.

Mondays accident marked the 10th reported non-combat crash of a Russian warplane since Moscow sent its troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24. Military experts have noted that as the number of Russian military flights increased sharply during the fighting, so did the crashes.
NEW YORK  A Connecticut jurys ruling this week ordering Alex Jones to pay $965 million to parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims he maligned was heartening for people disgusted by the muck of disinformation.

Just dont expect it to make conspiracy theories go away.

The appetite for such hokum and narrowness of the judgments against Jones, who falsely claimed that the 2012 elementary school shootings were a hoax and that grieving parents were actors, virtually ensure a ready supply, experts say.

Its easy to revel in Alex Jones being punished, said Rebecca Adelman, a communications professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. But theres a certain shortsightedness in that celebration.

Theres a deep tradition of conspiracy theories across American history, from people not believing the official explanation of John F. Kennedys assassination to various accusations of extraterrestrial-visit coverups to unfounded allegations of the 2020 presidential election being rigged. With the Salem witch trials in 1692, they even predated the countrys formation.

Whats different today? The internet allows such stories to spread rapidly and widely  and helps adherents find communities of the likeminded. That in turn can push such untrue theories into mainstream politics. Now the will to spread false narratives skillfully online has spread to governments, and the technology to doctor photos and videos enables purveyors to make disinformation more believable.

In todays media world, Jones found that theres a lot of money to be made  and quickly  in creating a community willing to believe lies, no matter how outlandish.

In a Texas defamation trial last month, a forensic economist testified that Jones Infowars operation made $53.2 million in annual revenue between 2015 and 2018. He has supplemented his media business by selling products like survivalist gear. His company Free Speech Systems filed for bankruptcy in July.

To some, disinformation is the price America pays for the right to free speech. And in a society that popularized the term alternative facts, one persons effort to curb disinformation is another persons attempt to squash the truth.

Will the Connecticut ruling have a chilling effect on those willing to spread disinformation? It doesnt even seem to be chilling him, said Mark Fenster, a University of Florida law professor. Jones, he noted, reacted in real time on Infowars on the day of the verdict.

This will not impact the flow of stories that are filled with bad faith and extreme opinion, said Howard Polskin, who publishes The Righting, a newsletter that monitors the content of right-wing websites. He says false stories about the 2020 election and COVID-19 vaccines remain particularly popular.

It seems to me that the people who peddle this information for profit may look upon this as the cost of doing business, Adelman said. If theres an audience for it, someone is going to meet the demand if theres money to be made.

Certainly, the people who believe that Jones and those like him are voices of truth being suppressed by society arent going to be deterred by the jury verdict, she said. In fact, the opposite is likely to be true.

The plaintiffs awarded damages in the Sandy Hook case were all private citizens, an important distinction in considering its impact beyond this case, said Nicole Hemmer, a Vanderbilt University professor and author of Partisans: The Conservative Revolutionaries Who Remade American Politics in the 1990s.

The case is reminiscent of Seth Rich, a young Democratic Party aide killed in a Washington robbery in 2016, she said. Richs name was dragged  posthumously  into political conspiracy theories, and his parents later sued and reached a settlement with Fox News Channel.

The message, in other words: Be wary of dragging private citizens into outlandish theories.

Spreading conspiracy theories about the Biden administration is not going to get Fox News Channel sued, Hemmer said. It is not going to get Tucker Carlson sued.

Tracing the history of outlandish theories that sprout and thrive in the webs murky corners is also difficult. Much of it is anonymous. Its still not clear who is responsible for what is spread on QAnon or who makes money off it, Fenster says.

If he was a lawyer, he said, Who would I go after?

Despite any pessimism about what the nearly $1 billion Sandy Hook judgment might ultimately mean for disinformation, the dean of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania says it still sends an important message.

What this says is we cant just make up truths to fit our own ideological predilections, John Jackson said. There is a hard and fast ground to facts that we cant stray too far from as storytellers.

Consider the lawsuit filed against Fox News Channel by Dominion Voting Systems, a company that makes election systems. It claims Fox knowingly spread false stories about Dominion as part of former President Donald Trumps claims that the 2020 election had been taken from him. Dominion has sought a staggering $1.6 billion from Fox, and the case has moved through the deposition phase.

Fox has defended itself vigorously. It says that rather than spreading falsehoods, it was reporting on newsworthy claims being made by the president of the United States.

A loss in a trial, or a significant settlement, could impose a real financial hardship on Fox, Hemmer said. Yet as it progresses, theres been no indication that any of its commentators are pulling punches, particularly concerning the Biden administration.

Distrust of mainstream news sources also fuels the taste among many conservatives for theories that fit their world view  and a vulnerability to disinformation.

I dont think theres any incentive to move toward well-grounded reporting or to move in the direction of news and information instead of commenting, Hemmer said. Thats what they want. They want the wild conspiracy theories.

Even if the crushing verdict in Connecticut this week  coupled with the $49 million judgement against him in August by the Texas court  muzzles or minimizes Jones, Adelman says others are likely to take over for him: It would be wrong to misinterpret this as the death knell of disinformation.

___

David Bauder is the media writer for The Associated Press. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dbauder
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Monday that some 200,000 vehicles had traveled on the kingdom's first-ever expressway since it was open to the public for trial use for free on Oct. 1.

Invested by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, the 2-billion-U.S.-dollar Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway connects the capital Phnom Penh and the deep-sea port province of Preah Sihanouk.

"It's good for Preah Sihanouk provincial residents because a lot of people have visited there, traveling on the expressway for free of charge for a month's trial use," Hun Sen said during a graduation ceremony of some 6,400 students at the National University of Management in Phnom Penh.

Preah Sihanouk provincial spokesman Kheang Phearom said on Monday that some 125,000 national and international tourists visited Preah Sihanouk province this weekend.

"The increase in tourists came after the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway was put into trial operation for one month from Oct. 1 to 31 for free," he said.

With two lanes for traffic in each direction plus an emergency lane on each side and paved with asphalt concrete, vehicles will be able to reach their destination in about two hours on the 187 km expressway, instead of five hours on the National Road 4.

Vasim Sorya, undersecretary of state and spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said the expressway is the largest single project under the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation between Cambodia and China.

"The expressway will inject new impetus into Cambodia's economic development since it links between the capital and the international deep-water seaport," he told Xinhua.

Ministry of Commerce's undersecretary of state and spokesman Penn Sovicheat said that the expressway is crucial to serving both economics and tourism, saying that it helps ease traffic congestion, save travel time, and reduce transportation costs. 
Rediffusion today announced the appointment of Beena Koshy as Executive Vice President & Head of Rediffusion Mumbai.Beena comes to Rediffusion with over 25 years of work experience, of which 12 years have been in the advertising industry and the balance at the client end with Bajaj Electricals Ltd.



She started her advertising journey with Rediffusion DY&R. For over 8 years, she handled clients like Airtel, Heinz, Taj Group of Hotels & UTI, Colgate Palmolive & Tata Motors (among others). In addition, she has worked across agencies such as JWT, Dentsu & Ogilvy on brands like Ponds - Unilever, Godrej Appliances, Aventis Pharma, Park Avenue, HDFC Standard Life Insurance, and Suzlon among others.



In 2008, Beena moved to Bajaj Electricals Ltd. to head their Advertising, Digital and Brand Development. In 2017, she moved within the company to head the Exports division to manage the operations, including Sales & Marketing, besides leading the Branch office in Dubai (catering to MENA Region) till 2020.

It is great to have Beena back at Rediffusion, from where she started her advertising career. With the kind of experience that she has garnered over the years, I am sure she will enrich the very many brands that will be in her charge at the agency, says Kalyani Srivastava, Joint President, Rediffusion.

I am looking forward to my second innings at Rediffusion. Rediffusion is an iconic brand name of the Indian ad industry. And it is a matter of pride for me to be leading the flagship office of the agency now. It is great to be back to working on Tata Motors, Taj and other clients that I serviced 25 years ago at the agency, adds Beena Koshy.
Google today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support and accelerate the Government of Assams mission to promote digital growth and development in the State. Under this new initiative, Google will collaborate with the Assam Governments Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department (SEED) to strengthen their school digitization efforts with digital learning tools and solutions to aid teaching and learning, while also promoting the fundamentals of online safety and digital citizenship to school children through the Be Internet Awesome program.

Google will also extend scholarships for Google Career Certificates to Assams youth in collaboration with the Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM).

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Honble Chief Minister, Government of Assam, said, I thank Google for its steadfast support and commitment to Assam over the years, and for supporting our efforts to accelerate digital literacy across communities. Digital-led technology and governance are cornerstones in our vision for transforming Assam and making its economy amongst the countrys leading growth drivers. We are delighted to collaborate with Google to bring the best of digital tools and technology to classrooms across the State and create new skilling opportunities. These programmes will go a long way in empowering our children and our youth in developing critical skills and for wider job and career opportunities.

Elaborating on the MoU, Sanjay Gupta, Country Head & Vice President, Google India, said, This MOU is another step in our long collaboration with the Assam government to bring the benefits of digital tools and technology to communities across the State, and to assist its mission for technology-driven holistic development. We are pleased to support the Assam government in its most recent endeavor to thoughtfully integrate digital technologies into classrooms, modernizing education for the next generation, while also building awareness about online safety so children can reap the benefits of the internet. We look forward to working together as we accelerate digital adoption and unlock the value of the internet for children and youth, setting them on a path of growth and equipping them with essential training and skill-sets to succeed in the fast growing digital economy of India.

Under the MoU, Google will collaborate with the Assam government to:

Empower public schools with digital education through Google for Education s collaborative tools: Google for Education will collaborate in the States education digitization efforts and support digital learning in schools across Assam, enabling access to its digital learning platform, Google Workspace for Education - Fundamentals, for all teachers and students in the State, with teacher training and certification. Googles Read Along application will help primary school students to safely and independently learn and build their reading skills.

Provide Google Career Certificates scholarships to youth: Google will collaborate with ASDM to provide scholarships and wrap-around training to enable youth to become job-ready for the demand for digital talent. The program will support qualified applicants to pursue Google Career Certificates in high demand fields like IT Support, IT Automation, Project Management, Data Analytics, UX Design and Digital Marketing & Ecommerce. These learners will also be able to connect with employers who have an ongoing demand for these skills through a hiring pool that recognizes the certificates.

Promote digital citizenship and online safety across schools through the Be Internet Awesome program : Google will equip teachers with essential training to teach students the skills they need to be safe and smart online and guide them on their digital journeys with an interactive curriculum.

Google has previously collaborated with the State Government to increase internet penetration across Assam and support the governments efforts on women empowerment, internet safety, skill development and universal education. In 2018, Dibrugarh train station became the 400th railway station in India to become WiFi-enabled under Googles joint initiative with Indian Railways and RailTel. Most recently, Assamese was added to the list of languages available in Google Translate.
We make it a point to visit our loved ones during Diwali and these visits brighten up celebrations for everyone. Indias fastest growing asset management company, Nippon India Mutual Fund, has launched an initiative to maximise your returns on Diwali celebrations called #ShareYourLight, Nippon India has provided us with a toll free number 1800 547 8227 where trained volunteers will assist callers with nearest orphanages, old-age homes, women shelters and NGOs of their choice; close to their localities.

They have put together a heart-touching TVC to dial up our good sides and motivate us to make that call! This initiative is being shared actively on social media, spoken about in mainstream media and being forwarded in WhatsApp groups.

Nippon India Mutual Fund also encourages everyone to click a selfie/ record a video of their visit and post the same on social media with #ShareYourLight so that the words spread far and wide.

After all, whats a celebration without sharing a little festive cheer?




Todays evolving customer needs have taken customer engagement to a different level. Hyper-personalisation and New-Age commerce have opened new customer engagement channels for brands to stay connected with their customers. In the last few years, the entire customer engagement paradigm has undergone massive transformation.

Rising consumer expectations, the need to engage with customers more closely, high market competitiveness, and increasing digital needs have shifted the focus to technology. Oracle is a technology partner for many leading retail and commerce brands in India, supporting their entire Customer Experience (CX) operations. Companies across economic sectors like Tata Teleservices, Bausch + Lomb, BPCL, HDFC Ergo, Flipkart, Federal Bank, Lifestyle and SBI Card, among others, have employed Oracle Customer Experience (CX) solutions.

In an exclusive interview with Adgully, Rakesh Jaitly, Senior Sales Director, Oracle Applications, speaks at length about their various customer engagement product offerings and how customer engagement has today become the backbone of every company to meet customer expectations.

Technology has played a very pivotal role in todays e-commerce business. How has Oracle helped the e-commerce companies to closely engage with their customers?

In the last few years, the entire customer engagement paradigm has undergone massive transformation. Rising consumer expectations, the need to engage with customers more closely, high market competitiveness, and increasing digital needs have shifted the focus to technology. Oracle is a technology partner for many leading retail and commerce brands in India, supporting their entire Customer Experience (CX) operations. Companies across economic sectors like Tata Teleservices, Bausch + Lomb, BPCL, HDFC Ergo, Flipkart, Federal Bank, Lifestyle and SBI Card among others have employed Oracle Customer Experience (CX) solutions. Our Cloud-native applications enable organisations to engage with customers more closely and manage their needs by leveraging smart technologies and processes such as real-time smart segmentation, customer analytics, actionable intelligence, customer behaviour mapping, and much more. This enables them to serve their customers efficiently while simultaneously accounting for the constantly changing market dynamics and customer purchasing habits and behaviour.

Can you elaborate more on hyper-personalisation? How is it helping organisations and brands in todays transformed digital world?

To grasp the concept of hyper-personalisation, lets consider the factors that contributed to customers' highly dynamic needs. For instance, the Indian economy is transitioning from a low-income to a middle-income region, with rising urbanisation, literacy rates, employment opportunities, and a growing market. Hence, customer expectations are rising as they interact with more and more brands. Overall, mass campaigns are no longer effective, nor are personalised campaigns that target customers based on personas or segments. This is where Hyper-personalisation comes into the picture  emerging as a mega trend that will shape the customer engagement ecosystem for decades to come.

Hyper-personalisation is a step ahead of personalisation, catering to individual needs of each customer. The most advanced way for brands to tailor their marketing to individual customers is through hyper-personalisation. It is accomplished by using technologies like Data Analytics, Cloud Analytics, AI, and Automation to create customised and targeted experiences. In current times, businesses are looking for ways to improve the customer experience and evolve their marketing programmes to be more digital, targeted, precise, and personalised. To meet these expectations, retailers are implementing hyper-personalisation solutions for their customers, which are enabled by advanced innovations and technologies. These solutions work by mapping each customer's needs and behaviours, then using embedded smart technologies like Cloud and AI to recommend data-driven recommendations and, ultimately, providing highly superior personalised experience.

Customer centricity is the hallmark of every brand today. How are Oracles CX offerings helping brands in adding value to their customers?

Customer centricity is the core aspect at which Oracles CX applications focus on  to provide our customers across industries with cloud native applications with AI-embedded capabilities that help them cater to their customer base. Oracle Cloud CX uses a data-first approach to create the next great experience for each customer by connecting customer behaviours, transactions, and demographics across marketing, sales, service, and your back-office applications. With Data as part of the core DNA of our CX solution; for more than 40 years, Oracle has assisted customers in managing, securing, and driving business value from data.

Keeping up with our customers hyper-personalisation needs, Oracles cloud-native Customer Experience (CX) solutions, which rely on data-driven insights and AI-powered intelligence, assist our customers across industries in advancing their customer-centricity operations and meeting their customers' hyper-personalisation needs. Hence, brands can add more value to their entire customer engagement operations by providing data-driven servicing and personalised experiences.

How do you keep reinventing and innovating technology to meet customer challenges? What has been your approach here to introduce newer solutions?

We believe in constantly updating our applications to keep up with industry requirements. This includes market research, investing in R&D, understanding our customers growing business requirements, and updating and introducing new cloud applications accordingly.

We introduced two solutions as part of our Customer Experience Suite in the past year to cater to the growing market and assist marketers and sales people in creating personalised campaigns and sales strategies. Last year, we launched Fusion Marketing to assist marketers in creating personalised campaigns. This was followed this year by Fusion Sales, an AI-powered, predictive intelligence solution that provides sales people with the insight and bandwidth they require to close more leads.

In addition to this, we are focusing on localisation of our applications. Oracle CX unity solutions are now available on our cloud data regions in India  Hyderabad and Mumbai  to better serve public-sector organisations and assist them in adapting to concepts like hyper-personalisation. This will enable us to better assist our customers in the public sector and regulatory markets, two customer-oriented sectors that cater to our countrys citizens and their critical needs, while also providing data residency, a major request for public sector organisations. We will continue to expand on our growing momentum by introducing new offerings as well as upgrading our current offerings as per market needs.

As a technology provider, what are some of the new innovations one can expect in scaling up the customer experience and bringing in effective customer engagement?

As a technology player engaging with numerous players globally and in India, we recognise the need for smarter CX solutions that are focused on concepts such as Customer-centricity, Smart Analytics, and Hyper-personalisation. We believe that this will become an industry standard in the future, and that customers will expect this from brands in their day-to-day engagement. Hence, the onus is on technology players and brands to constantly capitalise on the vast technological dynamism and potential that we now have.

As demonstrated by Oracles recent launches, we are constantly expanding our CX offerings and incorporating new capabilities, increasingly relying on embedded technologies in our cloud solutions. In fact, our Oracle CX businesses grew by 55% year on year in the previous fiscal year (FY22). As a result, our CX solutions are growing in terms of both offerings and revenue, and we will continue to focus on scaling our offerings. In terms of CX growth, Public sector partnerships and the BFSI sector are contributing to the expansion of CX businesses, particularly in India.
BANGKOK, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's health authorities said on Monday that the Southeast Asian country has confirmed its 11th case of monkeypox.

The infected person is a 40-year-old Thai man who worked in a massage parlor in Qatar and returned to Thailand, said Tares Krassanairawiwong, acting director-general of the Disease Control Department.

The man started showing symptoms on Oct. 8 when he was still in Qatar. He took a flight back to Thailand on Saturday, where he had an assessment in a local hospital and was transfered to a disease center for further diagnosis, said Tares.

Lab testing confirmed the monkeypox infection, making him the country's 11th confirmed case, said Tares, adding that further investigation of the case is underway in an effort to identify any other potential infections.

Thailand detected its first case of monkeypox in July this year. The 10 previous patients have fully recovered, said Sophon Iamsirithavorn, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department. 
Mathias Berg, currently VP, Head of Advertising Nordic and Deputy CEO TV4 Media, will join Telia Companys Group Executive Management team as SVP, Head of TV & Media, succeeding Casten Almqvist, who will leave Telia Company on December 1, 2022.

Allison Kirkby, Telia Company President and CEO, says: "I am delighted and proud to promote Mathias into the role of SVP, Head of Telia's TV & Media business unit, and to welcome him into our Group Executive Management team. Mathias' extensive sector experience, sharp commercial acumen and deep understanding of Telia's TV & Media assets, having been in various leadership roles in TV4 Media for eight years, makes him the perfect candidate to succeed Casten and lead our TV4 and MTV businesses into their next exciting, more digital phase.

Mathias Berg will be succeeding Casten Almqvist as he leaves Telia Company after more than a decade leading TV4 and MTV, the last three of which as head of Telias TV & Media business.

I want to express my huge and heartfelt thanks to Casten Almqvist who has been an outstanding leader of Bonnier Broadcasting and Telia's TV & Media business for a total of 11 years. Under Casten's leadership TV4 became Europe's most profitable commercial broadcaster and remains so today. As Casten moves on from Telia, he leaves a proud legacy for Mathias to build on in this new digital era."

Telia Company today also announced plans to simplify the TV & Media organization set-up, putting the viewer experience at the heart of the future organization. The TV & Media business unit will, under the leadership of Mathias Berg, consolidate all its linear and streaming content under TV4 and MTV, offering more flexibility for viewers and a richer set of products for advertisers.

Mathias Berg says: "Telias ambitious transformation builds on TV4 and MTVs digital success to date, and I am excited to lead the business during this next phase of digital transformation. Bringing our broadcast and streaming resources together to create one national go-to destination will allow for an outstanding viewer experience no matter how, where and when viewers want to watch our amazing content.

In the future, TV4 in Sweden and MTV in Finland will span linear, AVOD, HVOD, and SVOD streaming services, thereby strengthening their national champion status via a one cross-platform approach. As part of the initiative, C More premium content will be transferred into the TV4 Play and MTV Katsomo streaming services, offering a more focused slate of premium Nordic content.
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The value of imports and exports passing through the Chinese-invested Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia rose to 1.9 billion U.S. dollars in the first nine months of 2022, up 21 percent from 1.57 billion dollars over the same period last year, said an operator's report on Monday.

Situated in the southwestern coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, the SSEZ is the country's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's undersecretary of state and spokesman Penn Sovicheat said the SSEZ is a perfect example of win-win cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The SSEZ has provided a lot of jobs to the workers and served as a role model for the cluster industries and as a base for exports," he told Xinhua. "The SSEZ is located near the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, which is very convenient for trade exchange between Cambodia and other countries."

Neak Chandarith, director of the Cambodia 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Research Center, said the industrial zone has significantly contributed to supporting the country's exports during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
In the larger drama well call Russiagate Igor Danchenko gets nowhere near top billing. Even today, after his week-long trial, not one American out of ten could identify this FBI informant by name. Fewer still could tell you word one about the dramas other walk-ons, Sergei Millian and Charles Dolan. Although the Democrats and major media are anxious to see all three of these minor players vanish into the ether, Special Counsel John Durham made future stars out of them all.

Danchenko was accused of lying to the FBI about his relationships with both Millian and Dolan. These are lies, said Durhams co-counsel Michael Keilty in his opening statement that the FBI should have uncovered but never did. So saying, team Durham put Washington on notice. This trial was not really about Danchenko at all. It was about the FBI, the Department of Justice, and, finally, the Mueller investigation.

The evidence in this trial will show that the Steele dossier would cause the FBI to engage in troubling conduct that would ultimately result in the extended surveillance of the United States Citizens, said Keilty. That conduct, the trial revealed, included offering Christopher Steele what amounted to a million-dollar bribe to corroborate his infamous dossier, paying Danchenko to be a confidential human source (CHS) after he proved to be a serial liar, and basing a multi-year persecution of President Trump on information the FBI had every reason to believe was bunk.

The attempted bribe, revealed on Day One of the trial, should have stopped the presses. Specifically, Durham asked FBI supervisor Brian Auten what the FBI offered Steele for corroborative information. Said Auten, Mr. Steele was offered anywhere up to a million dollars for any information, documentary, physical evidence, anything of that sort which could help to prove the allegations.

This offer reeks of desperation. The FBI made it in early October 2016, two weeks before it filed its first FISA application against American businessman Carter Page. As Auten admitted, Steele did not and could not provide anything. Ever. Yet without any corroboration, the FBI went ahead and filed not just one but four FISA applications against Page with the unproven Steele information as its foundation -- a clear violation of FISA law.

Millian, like Carter Page, was an innocent bystander. The Russia-born Danchenko cited the Belarussian businessman as one of Donald Trumps co-conspirators in the information he provided to Christopher Steele. A former FBI informant himself -- this fact came as news to the media -- Millian proved to be innocent of any conspiratorial involvement. Auten conceded, however, that dossier information indicting Millian was included in the October 2016 FISA application and all subsequent renewals, even after his innocence had been established.

Charles Dolan was not innocent at all. A longtime Democrat operative with Russian ties, Dolan was Danchenkos principal sub-source. He just made stuff up and fed it to Danchenko who, in turn, fed it to Christopher Steele who fed it to the Clinton campaign, the media, and the FBI who collectively shared this unvetted nonsense with the world for several years.

At trials end, the judge dismissed the one count involving Dolan for semantic reasons. Predictably, perhaps intentionally, CNN missed the real story, headlining its article, Judge drops 1 of 5 charges against Trump-Russia dossier source, in blow to special counsel Durham. This was no blow. Dolan was not on trial. By tying the FBI investigation back to the Hillary campaign and the DNC, Durham accomplished what he needed to. A further revelation of the trial was that the FBI leadership resisted all efforts by its agents to interview Dolan or share information about him with the Mueller investigation.

Americas newsrooms are having a hard time digesting all this. The editors at the New York Times remain proud of the 2018 Pulitzer for their -- dont laugh -- deeply sourced, relentlessly reported coverage in the public interest that dramatically furthered the nations understanding of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and its connections to the Trump campaign.

Not wanting to give the Pulitzer back, the editors continue to ignore or downplay all evidence that challenges their long since discredited narrative. As late as April 2022, Charlie Savage, the Times Washington correspondent, was claiming, "Donald J. Trump and his backers say revelations about the Steele dossier show the Russia investigation was a hoax. That is not what the facts indicate.

The word hoax does not do the Russia investigation justice. Greatest political scandal ever is closer to the mark. As Durham proved, the FBI and the DoJ turned a willfully blind eye to the dirtiest trick in the nations political history, and the media gave themselves awards for covering it all up. For the actual facts, I would recommend Techno Fogs reporting at The Reactionary. This summary only skims the surface of the official skullduggery Durham revealed in just four days of trial.

In addition to exposing the conscious malfeasance of the FBI brass, Durham also established the organizational structure of the whole Russia investigation from the FBIs Operation Crossfire Hurricane through to the Mueller Inquiry. This information should prove useful in any future investigation when the real culprits are indicted on RICO charges.

Image: US Attorney's Office, CT
As the midterms approach, the great unifier decided that it is a good time to start emphasizing his "unifyingness."

He put out a bizarre and delusional text that both bragged about his vision and achievements and claimed he is a president for every American and will not leave anyone behind.

This followed the White House's United We Stand summit in September, in which, in full Don Quixote style, Biden tilted against the phantom forces of white supremacy and hate, which from Bidentongue translates into anyone who didn't vote for him.

The problem for Biden is that after you have declared war on half of the country while power-charging the misery index, it is not possible to pivot to unity, even if your internal polls scream that you should.

From day one, he has acted as if he is a wartime president overseeing actions against the 74 million Americans who did not vote for him, even going so far as to say that "brave, right-wing Americans" would need modern fighter jets to stand up against him.

No administration in history has tried to pull off what his has done, which is to declare anyone who doesn't vote for a Democrat to be the enemy. When Biden uses the phrase "MAGA Republican," that roughly translates to any Republican not named Kinzinger or Cheney, a number that is growing as Biden voters experience increasingly acute buyer's remorse, perhaps because they can no longer afford to buy anything.

Even impeachment-voting Senator Ben Sasse saw how little currency that bought him this week, since those charming denizens of the left put all Republicans into their hate-filled cauldron.

While the Democrat media pretend Biden is talking about a small group, he isn't, and neither are they. On an MSNBC panel this week, a Brookings fellow, Shadi Hamid, commented to a nodding Jen Psaki, former mouthpiece of the regime, "So then we have to find a way to live with them (74 million Trump-supporters) even if we think they're bad people, even if we think they're a threat to everything we hold dear."

It is a small hop from language and thinking like that to some of the worst atrocities in history. Democrats are already doing all in their power to marginalize, demonize, and silence.

Who are these "bad" people whom they hate so much? They are Americans who believe in quaint things like the Constitution, limited government, faith in God, equality, family, borders, national interests, and public safety.

Most of these objects of Democrat hate don't even care that much about politics or even hate them back.

Who they are not? Marxists, fascists, racists, supremacists, and just about every other "ist" word they they've been smeared with by the projectionist-in-chief and his merry band of hate-filled extremists.

This corrupt shell of a man who claims to be the president of all Americans, or more likely the person or cabal calling the shots, put his entire Cabinet on war footing to attack Americans and damage America from day one. All the Cabinet departments have taken part, even if the Department of Justice, using the FBI as its politicized weapon, has been the most obvious offender.

Perhaps the worst chapter in FBI history happened recently, and it isn't even the obviously political, banana republicstyle raid of a former president that crossed a line most Americans never expected to see crossed in their lifetimes. It was the arrest of eleven Christian pro-life protesters in Tennessee for a protest act from 18 months ago, which closely followed another FBI raid on a Catholic pro-life American in Pennsylvania for defending his son.

At worst, if these eleven protesters were blocking the abortion facility as alleged, this should have been an easy local action. Instead, we got guns-drawn FBI raids, complete with handcuffs. When it comes to terrorizing political enemies, this administration is all about "go big or go home." It's what unchecked power looks like, the kind that Lord Acton warned about when he observed that absolute power corrupts absolutely.

It is hard to fathom the sheer evil of what the government has done in these cases. They are taking Christian political prisoners with the hope that it sends the message that "we're with you" to their voters, perhaps less surprising when you consider that Democrats have largely campaigned around the single issue of having a completely unrestricted right to murder unborn babies. What that says about how they view their voters is mind-boggling.

They arrested an 87-year-old woman who likely doesn't have a single violent bone in her body and threatened her and the other protesters with prison and a massive fine.

While Democrats are turning violent prisoners free to terrorize Americans while ensuring a nonexistent border to allow even more violent criminals and drugs in, they are threatening peaceful protesters with eleven years in jail in some of the most overt anti-Christian government actions in recent memory.

Biden's promise that he is "not leaving anyone behind" rings a bit hollow when his idea of not leaving them behind is to lock them, and a host of other politically chosen prisoners, away.

As for the actual violent pro-abortion crowd targeting pregnancy centers, Biden's black soul brigade has no interest in them other than to egg them on with their silence and words of support. At least eighteen actual arson and vandalism attacks on pro-life organizations have netted a whopping zero arrests, which is of no great surprise since this administration isn't concerned about actual criminals targeting Americans.

The Democrat party has never been about unity. They've always preached resentment, hostility, and anger. But the class warfare language of yesterday was nowhere near as toxic as the Marxist, globalist, and racist stew they've replaced it with today.

This leads to a core question. Is something resembling unity in America even possible anymore?

Once you've declared half the country to be the enemy, there is no easy road back from that hellish place. But there are a couple actions Republicans should take in the short term.

When Republicans take the House, they should immediately begin impeachment proceedings against Merrick Garland, Alejandro Mayorkas, and Jennifer Granholm for attacks against Americans and gross dereliction of duty on border and energy policy. That would be a good start to highlight the extreme radicalism of the modern Democrat party.

Harass the functionaries relentlessly, but don't impeach the vessel of corruption that sits in the Oval Office. Let him remain the albatross around the neck of the radical Democrats.

Looking ahead, let's posit that in 2025, America inaugurates President Trump for his second term, Governor DeSantis for his first, or some other Republican candidate who emerges before then.

As happened to President Trump, the government bureaucracy will immediately spring into full antibody mode and work to thwart the president at every turn. It will be a subversive force, loaded down with overpaid government employees who will transform overnight into an active resistance.

That brings us to the second action needed. The government needs to be cut dramatically. Every single agency should be sliced with a butcher's cleaver, and some of them should be eliminated entirely.

As a practical matter, a government America can't even come close to affording needs to be cut anyway. But it needs to be remade into a much smaller and less partisan force so that the Republican president can actually be successful. If it can be dispersed around the country instead of centered in Washington, even better.

This will at least allow the president to function and will perhaps open enough eyes to an extent that something resembling unity, or at least tolerance for opposing views, can be restored. In the meantime, the great unifier and his black soul brigade will continue their war on an ever-increasing number of red-pilled Americans.

Image: 10 Tampa Bay via YouTube, CC BY 3.0 (cropped).
Projections vary, but the consensus of any number of studies forecasts a significant physician shortage for the United States over the next decade. A 2020 study predicted a total physician deficit of nearly 140,000 by 2030. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) 2021 report on physician supply and demand calculates that the U.S. population rate will grow by 10.8% with a potential shortage of 48,000 primary care doctors by 2034. Population growth and aging continue to have the greatest impact on demand growth, concludes the AAMC.

Public health officials offer various solutions to this problem such as increasing the number of medical schools, recruiting foreign-trained doctors, and advancing telehealth technology. Some medical schools and training programs pride themselves on primary care physician development, emphasizing programs in rural health and regional healthcare.

One such program is East Carolina University (ECU) and the Brody School of Medicine (BSoM) in North Carolina. In 2018, 59% of the medical school graduating class at Brody matched in primary care residencies; in 2022, 61% of students matched into primary care. BSoM graduates the 2nd highest number of physicians entering family practice in the country. ECU has an Office of Generalist Programs, dedicated to increasing the number of medical students entering primary care careers.

The North Carolina General Assembly rewarded ECUs commitment to primary care by specifying $215 million in funding for ECUs School of Medicine in the 2021 state budget. The ECU Chancellor noted the funds were, a landmark moment for the future of rural health care and medical education [emphasis added] in our state and region. This would indicate that ECUs medical community and the NC taxpayers are doing their part to narrow the projected gap of primary care supply and demand. So why  only a few months after the $215 million government award  has ECU Medicine started a primary care program to provide sex-change drugs to children?

Last month, the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal reported on ECUs 2022 faculty convocation:

Cierra Buckman, director of pediatric research at the Brody School of Medicine, followed Kyles remarks by opening with her name and pronouns, stating that sharing the latter upon introduction is one of the first steps in the direction of becoming a more inclusive campus. Buckman went on to say that, after five years at ECU, she feels that the climate is completely different now than when she started. Whether or not taxpayers should applaud this metamorphosis was not addressed.

Noting the approval of BSoM dean, Dr. Michael Waldron, Buckman then described a revolutionary new health initiative for ECU with the establishment of a Pride Clinic in the summer of 2022. Housed in the internal medicine and pediatric clinic, this primary care clinic delivers LGBTQ+ affirming care not only to adults, but to children as well. Buckman gave an example of such care:

For adolescents who are struggling with their gender identity having a safe space to talk through that before maybe theyre even ready to disclose to their parents hasnt always been available. ECU has chosen to take a very visionary stance and become a home for that kind of care.

ECU will become a medical facility where primary care doctors insert themselves between a parent and child, potentially affirming a minors new gender identity without parental knowledge. Buckman also described plans to expand the program into other specialties. (Could this include surgery given its role in gender-affirming care?) Medical students and residents will rotate through the gender clinic to incorporate gender-affirming care in future primary care practices.

But ECUs Pride Clinic doesnt just discuss gender identity with minors outside the sphere of parental influence. Dr. Colby Dendy, a primary care doctor running the clinic, lists gender-affirming hormone therapy for both adults and adolescents as a special service of hers on an ECU medical webpage. In an interview for The East Carolinian, Dendy confirmed that the clinic provides hormone treatment to a wide range of patients. According to the article, Dendy said she believes gender-affirmation care for people of all ages [emphasis added] should be included in primary care [emphasis added].

While medical institutions like Stanford, Duke, and Yale have pediatric gender programs or centers, at least they are staffed by pediatric endocrinologists. Endocrinologists have additional training in diseases of hormone dis-regulation. Common diseases would be diabetes or growth hormone disorders. Pediatric endocrinologists also treat disorders of sexual development and pubertal disorders like precocious puberty.

Dr. Denby is not a pediatric endocrinologist. She completed a medicine/pediatrics primary care residency only two years ago. She also lacks any published research in pediatric hormone therapy or gender dysphoria. With the support of ECU, however, she wants to bring controversial and irreversible hormone treatments into the primary care field for adults and children. A recent expose by Reuters related the following about hormones for gender dysphoria in kids:

Puberty blockers and sex hormones do not have U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for childrens gender care. No clinical trials have established their safety for such off-label use. The drugs long-term effects on fertility and sexual function remain unclear. And in 2016, the FDA ordered makers of puberty blockers to add a warning about psychiatric problems to the drugs label after the agency received several reports of suicidal thoughts in children who were taking them.

Buckman was right. ECUs experimental clinic in disrupting the parent-child relationship and providing minors off-label hormone medications with psychiatric side-effects is certainly revolutionary. Inserting gender-affirming treatments into primary care normalizes a widespread delivery system of sex-change drugs to minors that could forever alter the fertility, sexual function, and mental health of these children. No longer will specialty degrees and tertiary care centers be required; ECU will ensure that accessing hormones for a child will be as easy as visiting the family practitioner down the street.

As we have seen in our state school system, North Carolina advertises budgetary funding for a legitimate need, yet the money ultimately supports experimental and radical agendas. In analyzing physician shortage, the AAMC calculates a 42.4% increased growth in the over-65 population by 2034 compared to a 5.6% growth rate for the under 18 population. The AAMC designates this as a key demographic finding: This trend portends high growth in demand for physician specialties that predominantly care for older Americans. ECU however, redirects medical students, residents, and financial resources towards a revolutionary primary care clinic to change the gender of children.

The solution for these irresponsible actions? Replace the ECU leaders who approved this program. ECU alumni need to withhold donations and demand accountability. Legislators should pass bills like North Carolinas proposed Youth Health Protection Act, which would protect parental rights while also preventing rogue administration of drugs to children (outside of medically verifiable genetic disorders) that have lifelong effects. Parents and grandparents should be proactive in asking questions and staying involved in their childrens lives.

Without these measures, the only solution available in stopping the normalized delivery of experimental hormones to children will be the significant shortage of primary care physicians. Unfortunately, the people who need primary care services the most will have to suffer.

Image: Twitter video screen grab from user @JoshLekach.
Renu Mukherjee of City Journal noticed what Sherlock Holmes would call a dog at Harvard that didn't bark. In this is the clue derived from the absence of what ordinarily is expected to happen looks like a sign of panic over the arguments being heard by the Supreme Court in the case brought against the nation's oldest university by Students for Fair Admissions, the plaintiff in the case attacking racial preferences in admissions to Harvard College. SFFA argues that Harvard's policies limit the number of Asians admitted, allegedly over personal characteristics, as opposed to academic qualifications like grades and test scores.

Here is the Crimson canine that didn't bark:

Every year since 2013, usually during the first week of September, the Harvard Crimson publishes survey results profiling the incoming freshman class, including their political and social orientations. These feature-length reports have consistently shown that a dominant majority of Harvard's incoming students identify as politically and socially progressive, with ever-fewer students identifying as conservative. This year, however, the Crimson didn't publish the feature and didn't reply to my inquiry about whether they would do so.

Why would the Crimson want to stop proving data on the characteristics pof Harvard's freshman class when the SCOTUS is deliberating the case?

[T]he Supreme Court will reexamine a half-century-old justification for race-based university admissions  namely, that racial diversity generates viewpoint diversity on campus and contributes to the lively exchange of ideas. Past results of Harvard's freshman surveys, which detail growing racial diversity but diminishing viewpoint diversity, discredit this justification. Of the Class of 2025, for example, only 1.4 percent identify as very conservative; only 7.2 percent identify as somewhat conservative; and only 18.6 percent identify as moderate. By contrast, 72.4 percent of freshmen identify as predominantly liberal. Yet this class is the "the most diverse class in the history of Harvard," according to William R. Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid.

The fact that engineering racial diversity has not led to viewpoint diversity turns out to contradict a key assumption Justice Lewis Powell made in the Bakke case that first okayed racial preferences in college admissions, reinforced in the subsequent Grutter case::

In his landmark opinion in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, Lewis Powell argued that the use of race as a factor in college admissions ought to be permitted because it would (presumably) lead to greater student-body diversity. This was a laudable goal for a university, he said, for it would allow it to achieve "a robust exchange of ideas." Sandra Day O'Connor recapitulated Powell's argument in her opinion for the Court in Grutter v. Bollinger, upholding the University of Michigan Law School's policy of intentionally favoring applicants from certain racial groups over others with similar qualifications. O'Connor justified the decision largely by appealing to its supposed policy implications. She cited several amicus briefs submitted by left-wing academics, corporations, and professional organizations, all of which alleged countless studies showing that racial and ethnic diversity guaranteed greater viewpoint diversity and, in turn, increased tolerance of differing opinions.

Evidently, the allegation that racial diversity yields viewpoint diversity is not true now, if it ever had been. Thus, the argument supporting racial preferences is built on sand, and the left-leaning Harvard Crimson presumably understands this.

Read the whole thing, including the explanation of the amicus brief filed by the Legal Insurrection Foundation, affiliated with the great website Legal Insurrection.

Hat tip: David Kahn.
At a recent private Democratic Congressional Campaign committee reception hosted in Los Angeles, Joe Biden called Pakistan "one of the most dangerous nations in the world" due to its "nuclear weapons without any cohesion."

Biden's remarks were in the context of the rapidly moving geopolitical situation following Russia's military intervention in Ukraine.

"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? 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?"

Like a stopped clock that is right twice a day, Biden was correct about his assessment of Pakistan.

All throughout the history of Pakistan, almost none of their "elected leaders" has ever completed his tenure. These "leaders" are executed or jailed or unseated after Pakistan's Deep State stages a coup. Occasionally, army generals from the Deep State who led coups themselves become leaders and in time become victims of other coups led by other factions of the Pakistani Deep State.

The knowledge that they can be summarily dismissed or even eliminated perennially looms over every elected leader in Pakistan. Hence, they toe the line and obediently follow diktats from the Deep State.

The Islamic clerics and their fundamentalist allies functions like Sturmabteilung for Pakistan's Deep State.

They have radicalized most of population. There are frequent "honor" killings. There are death sentences for blasphemy. Killers of blasphemers are celebrated, and shrines are dedicated to them.

There is no freedom of expression. The media outlets critical of the state are regularly shut down while dissenting journalists are hauled up for treason.

Religious minorities such as Hindus, Christians, and other groups are frequently targeted and treated as non-persons. Places of worship for minorities such temples and churches are either rapidly targeted or are neglected.

Pakistan is known to have hosted the most dreaded terrorists in the world.

Osama bin Laden and Khalid Sheik Mohammad, the architects of 9/11, lived comfortably in Pakistan for prolonged periods. The terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, continues to thrive in Pakistan. Palestinian terrorist Abu Zubaydah was also in Pakistan prior to his 2002 apprehension.

Pakistan has masterminded and conducted myriad terror attacks against its neighbor, India.

Pakistan is among the few countries to recognize the Taliban in Afghanistan. This is the very Taliban that created a safe haven and training grounds for al-Qaeda.

Do Biden's words about Pakistan match his actions?

Since 2002, the U.S. sent more than $14 billion to Pakistan for the "war on terror." This is part of the $33 billion in total help that the U.S. has given Pakistan.

President Trump suspended about $2 billion in security aid to Pakistan for failing to clamp down on the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network terror groups and dismantle their safe havens in the country.

Reversing the decision of President Trump, the Biden administration has recently approved a $450-million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment program to Pakistan.

Secretary of state Antony Blinken insists that the sale would better help Pakistan fight terrorist groups.

In the past, the U.S. heavily armed the Pakistan military during their hunt for bin Laden. In the end, bin Laden was living comfortably in Pakistan near a military base.

Einstein famously defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

The Indian government slammed this act of insanity by the Biden administration and raised concerns with Biden's defense secretary, Lloyd Austin.

Recently, Pakistan has also become a subordinate of China.

So what happens when the F-16 aircraft are delivered to Pakistan?

There are multiple obvious risks here.

Pakistan has funded, trained, and actively numerous terror attacks in India.

In September 2016, the Indian Army launched air strikes against terrorist camps in Pakistan in response to a terror attack by Pakistan-based terrorists on an Indian army base that killed 19 soldiers. A day later, 24 Pakistan Air Force jets, including the F-16 jets, entered Indian airspace. One of the F16s was shot down by the Indian Air Force.

It is not outside the realm of probability that such aircrafts will be used again against India.

Washington Examiner contributor Michael Rubin revealed that in recent times, Pakistan and China have held joint air force war shows. These war games had stopped when President Trump was in the White House; however, the operations resumed since Biden took over.

It isn't outside the realm of possibility that Pakistan will allow Chinese pilots to practice against F-16 aircraft jets to help the Chinese to adjust and update their tactics against the U.S. Pakistan will doubtless grant China full access to the F-16s in order that they can learn and perhaps even emulate U.S. technology, just as they have done before.

The killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul proves that the various terror networks have a base in Afghanistan. Arming Pakistan, which shares a porous border with Afghanistan, will indirectly help the various terror groups who have made Afghanistan their safe haven.

Biden's claim that Pakistan is among dangerous nations in the world after selling them F-16 just weeks ago.

This once again proves that while Biden may in office, he is not necessarily in power.

It is the invisible puppetmasters and the Deep State who are running the show.

Ironically, in Biden's situation with his handlers makes the U.S. seems a bit like Pakistan.

Why does Pakistan get away with this repeatedly?

Pakistan has a strong group of lobbyists in the U.S. who push Pakistan's agenda in Washington and portray Pakistan as a firefighter, despite the country being a serial pyromaniacal arsonist. Perhaps the lobbyists donate generously to D.C. either directly or via proxy.

Why does Washington relentlessly arm Pakistan?

Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-16 jets, donated over $50,183,176 to D.C politicians in both parties since 1990 and spent over $302,479,517 in lobbying since 1998. Lobbying is a euphemism for bribing.

The sale of F-16s to Pakistan is obviously part of the quid pro quo agreement that D.C. has with Lockheed Martin, a major player in what President Eisenhower called the Military-Industrial Complex.

It is not that Biden's puppetmasters are unaware of the perils of selling arms to Pakistan; they just place pecuniary and personal gains above everything.

This explains why the entirety of Washington rose in unison against President Trump. He was the only one who brought a stop to the insanity of arming terrorist nations.

Now that he is no longer in Washington, matters are back to normal  i.e., profiting by selling arms to terrorist nations.

Following its hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, and an inability to deter Russia from intervening militarily in Ukraine, the Biden administration has once again placed the world in peril by resuming arms sales to Pakistan.

Worst of all, this is being done knowingly.

Image: U.S. National Archives via Picryl, no known copyright restrictions.
History may well judge Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine to be a great gift to Western civilization. That is not to say that Russia's invasion of that sovereign country was not unwarranted and a crime against humanity. Clearly, it has been both of those things. But how is it that the West, and the rest of the world by extension, will benefit from Mr. Putin's heinous acts? It is related to the law of unintended consequences, which I will simply define as the following: "for every act intended to produce a specific outcome, there is a set of one or more unintended consequences that result."

Mr. Putin invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. On March 8, 2022, the U.S. placed an embargo on all Russian oil, gas, and coal imports into the U.S. In June 2022, the E.U. imposed economic sanctions on Russia, which included a partial embargo on seaborne Russian oil sales to the E.U. effective December 2022, with a full embargo on seaborne petroleum products to the E.U. in February 2023. Pipeline exports were exempted. The economic sanctions imposed by the E.U. on Russian oil were intended to punish Mr. Putin for the invasion of Ukraine. But they had a set of unintended consequences.

First, Mr. Putin responded by reducing and then eliminating the supply of natural gas to the E.U. through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which supplied the E.U. with 35%+ of its natural gas demand. That act roiled E.U. financial markets and the price of energy, especially natural gas, which powers most of the E.U. countries' power grid. It threatened the financial stability of the banks and other institutions that financed energy futures, a key component in the operation of the E.U. energy sector. Electricity prices in virtually all the E.U. countries quickly doubled. Manufacturers throughout the E.U. announced layoffs or the closing of their factories. Governments in the E.U. quickly announced plans to subsidize retail consumer's cost of electric power in the coming year, bringing into question how the E.U. countries could pay for such subsidies. It promised to be a cold, dark winter for many in the E.U.

Second, when its energy exports to the U.S. and E.U. were banned, it pressured Russia to turn to China to buy its oil and gas, further pushing the Russians into the Chinese sphere of influence. Despite the comments by climate envoy John Kerry that "China has a plan" to reduce carbon emissions, China quickly agreed to buy the Russian fossil fuels. The one and only thing that Mr. Kerry has been right about on the global warming issue is that China has a plan. In 2021, China built three times the number of coal- fired electric power plants than the rest of the world combined. Does anyone with walking-around sense think that China is going to stop burning coal? Does anyone think that President Xi Jinping will pay Mr. Putin the world market price for Russian oil and gas? Does anyone think that China will not sell or burn those fuels in the most cost-effective manner possible, further enhancing its economic advantage over the West? Does anyone not understand that the Chinese atmosphere is connected to the E.U. and the rest of the world?

Third, when Russia cut off its gas supply to the E.U., it caused many E.U. leaders to realize that dependence on an adversary for energy supplies is unwise, to say the least. Further, it caused the leaders of many countries in the E.U. to question the wisdom of abandoning coal in powering their electric grid, despite the pressure of their Green Parties and eco-terrorists to do so. In 2021, the EU production of hard coal was 57 million tons, 79% less than the 277 million tons of 1990. The E.U. has 79 billion tons of proven coal reserves, which, if mined, could create jobs, improve the balance of trade, and provide a reliable source of domestic energy to power their electric grids for 285 years at the 1990 levels of consumption.

Virtually all the E.U. nations have announced that they intend to re-start coal-fired electric power plants that have been idled in the last 30 years. Unfortunately, the decision to pivot to coal as an energy source for powering electric plants will not be easy to execute for some countries in the E.U.



A coal-fired generating plant (public domain).

Coal will need to be purchased on the open market as domestic mining operations ramp up. Germany closed its last coal mine in 2018. Second, many E.U. countries like Germany have significantly reduced coal-fired power generation in the last 30 years. It will take decades to rebuild coal fired electric plant capacity. In the meantime, most E.U. countries will be dependent on oil and gas purchases on the world market, further placing their domestic economies at an economic disadvantage. Finally, it should be expected that Green Parties and eco-terrorists throughout the E.U. will protest a move back to electricity produced from coal-fired power plants. Such a move would indicate that the E.U., and probably the rest of the West, have discounted the urgency with which the proponents of the fraudulent global warming hypothesis have promoted their cause.

In my book titled Global Warming: The Great Deception  The Triumph of Dollars and Politics over Science and Why You Should Care, I cite published, peer-reviewed scientific research, employing the first principles of the relevant scientific fields of thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, atmospheric physics, and spectroscopy to prove that CO2 does not cause global warming. I use publicly available data from the world's temperature databases to prove that there has been no significant global warming of the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, or land mass.

Do the scientific facts matter at all? Will people in the E.U., the U.S., and the rest of the world "get woke" when it comes to the fraudulent man-made global warming hypothesis and its consequences?

Guy K. Mitchell, Jr. is the author of a new book titled Global Warming: The Great Deception  The Triumph of Dollars and Politics over Science and Why You Should Care. It was published on January 4, 2022. www.globalwarmingdeception.com

Photo credit: Arbyreed.
Ruling parties in DPRK, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba congratulate CPC on landmark national congress

Xinhua) 08:33, October 17, 2022

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened on Sunday.

The central committees of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) have respectively sent their congratulations to the CPC Central Committee on the successful convening of the meeting.

Calling the week-long congress a landmark event, the four parties spoke highly of China's achievements over the past decade under the leadership of the CPC, and expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with the CPC in the future.

LANDMARK EVENT

The WPK Central Committee extended warm congratulations to the 20th CPC National Congress.

The 20th CPC National Congress is a political event of milestone significance in a new 100-year journey of the Chinese people, the WPK Central Committee said, adding that it firmly believes that this congress will be historic.

The CPV Central Committee also hailed the 20th CPC National Congress as an important event of historic and milestone significance for the party and in the political life of the Chinese people.

It expressed the firm belief that the congress will set the course for China to basically realize socialist modernization by 2035 and build it into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful in the middle of this century.

HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS

The WPK Central Committee said that the CPC has united and led the Chinese people in striving for building a modern socialist country, and has achieved remarkable results.

Over the past decade, the CPC has comprehensively strengthened party building and led the Chinese people in their vigorous struggle for sustainable development and prosperity of the country and for safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the WPK Central Committee said, noting that China's comprehensive national strength and international status have been improved unprecedentedly.

The CPV Central Committee said it is glad to see that since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the CPC has led the Chinese people in making great achievements in various fields, completing on schedule the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics into a new era.

Under the strong leadership of the CPC, the brotherly Chinese people have made remarkable achievements in building socialism with Chinese characteristics, said the LPRP Central Committee.

In particular, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the Chinese people in making new leapfrog development, successfully achieving the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and historically resolving the problem of absolute poverty, it said, adding that China's international status has been on the rise.

These historic achievements have provided valuable experience and set a successful example for other developing countries, including Laos, and have also made major contributions to the cause of global development, it said.

The PCC Central Committee said that the CPC has led the Chinese people in defending national sovereignty, independence and unity, building socialism, developing the country's economy and consolidating China's role in ensuring global stability and balance.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC, under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, has turned China into a global leader of innovation, it said, noting that China has pursued an active foreign policy and put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, which are widely commended.

CLOSER BONDS

The WPK Central Committee said the party stands ready to work with the CPC to further consolidate their bonds, and make sure that the vitality of their bonds is given more powerful demonstration in all spheres of bilateral relations.

Vietnam and China are two friendly neighbours, the CPV Central Committee said.

The CPV has always attached importance to its ties with China and is ready to work with the CPC, state and people of China to continuously consolidate and promote the Vietnam-China good-neighborly friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new stage of development, it added.

The LPRP, the Lao government and the Lao people of all ethnic groups cherish the traditional friendship between Laos and China, and are willing to work with the CPC, the Chinese government and people to continuously consolidate and develop the Laos-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and continuously deepen and solidify the building of the Laos-China community with a shared future, so as to better benefit the two countries and their people, and to make greater contributions to regional and global peace, cooperation and development, the LPRP Central Committee said.

The PCC reiterated its firm position of upholding the one-China principle and said that it firmly opposes any attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Du Mingming)
SYDNEY, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of homes may be inundated, and tens of thousands of homes may be either inundated or isolated as flood continues to wreak havoc in Australia's state of Victoria.

According to the latest update of incidents and warnings from Victoria's emergency department, there are over 50 warnings across the state including more than 10 evacuation orders that are mainly for the northern part of Victoria.

Residents in areas such as Shepparton and Murchison, in northern Victoria, were warned as "it's too late to leave" and to "move to higher ground."

Australian Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt told national broadcaster ABC News on Monday that emergency authorities would be kept busy as conditions continually change.

"This is a very serious situation. The reports I'm getting, we are could be looking up to 9,000 homes inundated in northern Victoria and potentially close to about 34,000 homes in Victoria either inundated or isolated."

Southeastern parts of Australia including the state of Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania have experienced a flooding emergency as heavy rainfall hit the states since last week.

A 71-year-old man in Victoria was found deceased in floodwaters in the state's north last Saturday.

The Victorian government announced on Monday a 351 million Australian dollars (about 219 million U.S. dollars) package funding to help families affected by the flooding, as well as rebuilding damaged roads and clean-up efforts. 
Social Justice jingoists now proclaim that Love is love. Have you seen this new expression? Love is love! What does it mean? Where did it come from? Why is it being promoted?

After a bit of searching, I found one famous person using this expression. Love is love, voiced President Barack Hussein Obama on June 26, 2015, as he celebrated the Supreme Courts profoundly controversial 5-4 ruling making same-sex marriages legal in the USA. Because the President said that and many applaud the spirit of what that decision means, few of us have challenged what Obama and those who share his sentiment are really saying.

Instead, the Love is love refrain is showing up on yard signs and bumper stickers in many parts of America. It will surely enter the halls of conventional wisdom if the extremists in the Human Rights Campaign get their way. I have my own doubts, however, about the wisdom of the saying.

Image: Love is love (edited).

There are all kinds of love. Our literature is full of inspiring love stories many tied to emotional generosity and genuine sacrifice.

More recently, though, the Social Justice extremists are twisting love in all kinds of directions. Their ideas of love have many similarities to the Silly Putty we played with as kids. I can play that game too.

For example, I have recently come to love Turkey Hills Belgian Style Chocolate Ice Cream. When I think about it, my taste buds tingle. As I enjoy a serving of this new favorite, however, I know I am adding unneeded calories to my already husky physique. I also realize that my intake means the consumption or destruction of that which I say I love. Thus, this love eliminates the very thing I love and is not good for me when taken to excess.

In the famous movie about the Viet Nam War, Apocalypse Now, Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore exclaims outrageously, I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Napalm is a nasty weapon that sets ablaze everything and everyone it touches. This hard-to-forget line leads many to conclude that Kilgores love is crazy and sick. When I try to fit what the poets and Lt. Col. Kilgore say about love, I struggle to reconcile the two.

In my examples showing two different types of love, the human desire to self-gratify plays a big role. I suspect that there is an excess of selfishness in our time which will be self-destructive to our society.

The Social Justice extremists who favor all kinds of selfish love often label the Bible as hate speech. In the Bible, however, we find Pauls hymn about the supremacy of love (1 Corinthians 13). At weddings, which are a celebration of love, 1 Corinthians 13 is often read as a reminder to the couple and the guests of the way that love oughta be.

Here are some of the points Paul makes about love. Love is:

Patient

Kind

Not envious or boastful

Not arrogant or rude

Does not insist on its own way

Not irritable or resentful

Rejoices at truth and rejects wrongdoing

Capable of bearing all things

Hopeful

Never ends

From my perspective, it seems like the Social Justice extremists are hell-bent on rebuilding Sodom and Gomorrah in the 21st century. They want to transform sexual perversion into socially acceptable practices, and one way to do this is to dress everything up as love.

As I write, Social Justice warriors are trying to remove pedophilia from our lexicon and replace it with softer-sounding minor-attracted persons. With this verbal sleight of hand, they want us to forget that pedophiles prey upon innocent children and bring unutterable suffering into their lives. They defend themselves by chanting Love is Love. They confuse love with wicked lust.

Paul says that love rejoices at the truth and rejects wrongdoing. From my perspective, the Love is Love crowd rejoices at wrongdoing and rejects the truth.

Ultimately when Social Justice activists argue that Love is Love, they are siding with groomers and predators. Love involves building up the person loved. Sexually abusing children has nothing to do with love. It reeks of selfish lust.

Ned Cosby, a regular contributor to American Thinker, is a pastor, veteran Coast Guard officer, and a retired career public high school teacher. His newest novel OUTCRY is a love story exposing the refusal of Christian leaders to report and discipline clergy who sexually abuse our young people. This work of fiction addresses crimes that are all too real. Cosby has also written RECOLLECTIONS FROM MY FATHERS HOUSE, tracing his own odyssey from 1954 to the present. For more info, visit Ned Cosby.
Out in cloud-cuckoo Bidenland, where everything is the opposite of its claims, Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was blaming Republicans for the ongoing border surge.

According to Legal Insurrection (hat tip: Sarah Hoyt at Instapundit):

Mayorkas swiped at Republicans during a call with The Dallas Morning News. Their rhetoric is causing problems at the border, not the Biden administration: "I've got a lot of work to do, and I intend to continue to do it. That's my response," he said, during a meeting with The Dallas Morning News editorial board. He added that "the political cry that the border is open"  a common refrain from GOP critics  "is music to the smugglers' ears, because they take that political rhetoric and they market it" to desperate migrants from Venezuela and other countries. The border is open. There is a reason why migrants have told Biden repeatedly to "honor" his promise about an open border. This is from a Honduran caravan in January 2021: "We recognize the importance of the incoming Government of the United States having shown a strong commitment to migrants and asylum seekers, which presents an opportunity for the governments of Mexico and Central America to develop policies and a migration management that respect and promote the human rights of the population in mobility," the statement said. " We will advocate that the Biden government honors its commitments."

Wow. Just wow. The chutzpah is getting bolder from this bunch.

By Mayorkas's logic, if Republicans would just stop criticizing Joe Biden's open borders and his own performance as Homeland Security secretary, nobody would cross illegally into the U.S., and the border surge would then end.

It's gaslighting. Republican criticism has followed from Biden's day-one notice about opening the borders and halting deportations.

Maybe that's Mayorkas's pushback for the ongoing warnings from a likely incoming Republican-led Congress that his impeachment for dereliction of duty is on the agenda.

Mayorkas's claims come just as the real story about the pathetic-ness of the Bidenite "find the root causes" solution to the surge (to be resolved by throwing U.S. aid at Central America), is getting out.

According to Todd Bensman, who has just written a book called Overrun about what's going on at the border, in a New York Post op-ed:

When the Joe Biden campaign first appropriated Europe's failed liberal social engineering experiment as its chief immigration policy, star-struck American media never bothered to dig into its long, sorry history or demand details for how much it would cost. No one asked when, exactly, the White House would consider Central America "fixed" enough to declare U.S. border security success. And most importantly, "root causes" ignores a simple equation: People decide to jump the southern border when federal government policies let them illegally cross and stay for long enough to earn back many times the smuggling fee money they borrowed. When they feel the odds of that happening are high, they come. They stay home when they see they'll be turned away at the American border or be quickly deported to square one, with nothing to show for the smuggling money fortunes they gambled.

Bensman cites example after example of migrants rationally calculating whether their odds of being allowed to stay in the U.S. outweigh the costs and the risks of coming to the States illegally, and how closely these migrants  from more than 100 countries now  follow presidential actions and statements.

There's no evidence that what Biden's out-of-power political opposition says is what's driving some two million migrants into the U.S. illegally. Migrants know that the person to follow on immigration policy, and the calculation of their own odds, is the person who is in charge: Joe Biden. They watch what he does, not what he says, and his actions speak volumes. Biden's failure to enforce the border has telegraphed to millions around the world to run for it.

The "root causes" claims in fact are pretty pernicious, Bensman noted:

But what the root-causes doctrine really does is act as a plausible-sounding cover story for opening the border. At the heart of progressive appreciation for this plausible-sounding strategy was that it would serve not as a complement to American deportation, detention, and deterrence  which cause immigrants to stay home  but as their total replacement. So, while those dollars somehow will rebuild three countries on no particular timeline (a dubious proposition), the Biden administration would leave the border gates open. Americans were told it would all prove out in due time.

Meanwhile, aid itself is a migration-generator. Bensman focuses on the role of Kamala Harris in propagating the "root causes doctrine" and notes as a kicker that aid itself tends to motivate migrants to leave, based on a study out of Europe, and I know it's not the only one:

Writing for the International Institute of Social Studies in 2007, social scientist Hein de Haas concluded that, "Besides the limited scope and credibility of such policies, empirical and theoretical evidence strongly suggests that economic and human development increases people's capabilities and aspirations and therefore tends to coincide with an increase rather than a decrease in emigration."

More aid, more migration. Why does anyone think Harris was so focused on bringing banking services, remittance services, English languagelearning apps, and other future migrant tools in her goody package to Central American countries, but only a few actual jobs? It was part of a concerted effort, witting or not, to encourage illegal migration to the States.

I'll leave it up to the reader to decide if this was intentional or not.

Image: Screen shot from Fox News video via YouTube.
This past weekend, Derek Hunter published in Townhall a well turned, nicely argued piece attacking the kind of "liberals" who take their small children to drag shows. This a classic case of the lefty tactic of using their own kids as cannon fodder to promote their ideology. No sane individual would disagree with Hunter's stance here.

But then, right in the middle, we get this:

What does this do to the mind of a kid? In the future, it'll likely mean they'll have some serious problems with their parents, up to not talking to them anymore.

That's right  in the midst of a piece attacking LGBTQ+ agitprop, Hunter effectively gives up the fort by using trans pronouns.

I don't want to come across as attacking Hunter, who seems to be the level-headed sort that the movement needs a lot more of. This kind of thing is universal  I'm sure you could provide your own examples, and plenty of them. But there's no getting around the fact that it's a weakness, an unnecessary one, and one that needs correcting.

Adapting left-wing terminology and usage is something that goes back a long way among conservatives. Consider only one example: Red/Blue political identification. When this first entered media discourse in the late '90s, nobody, but nobody, mentioned that it was sourced from military jargon, where it was used in exercises to describe the status of forces involved  "Blue" was friendly, "Red" (with a distinct nod toward the Soviets) was enemy. And yet, conservative writers trampled each other to adapt a usage that termed themselves and all their works as "enemies"  and enemies associated with communism at that.

No wonder they think we're stupid.

Let's be clear: allowing the opposition to set the terms of argument is a losing strategy under all circumstances, and as regards the left, it is a form of polemical suicide.

With trans pronouns in particular, it's a sure recipe for defeat. By accepting neo-pronouns, you are effectively saying you accept the synthetic, unnatural identities of the people using them  that they are, in fact, what they say they are; that it's possible for somebody to switch his sex at the drop of a hat for any reason or none. This is the entire argument. Once you give in to the pronouns, you give in to everything. You have no argument anymore, and all that's left is walking out waving the white flag.

This is to ignore the fact the neo-pronouns are simply nuts, and that to accept them is to join Lesbian Snow White (who I confess baffles me) in the eighth dimension. (It comes across as satire, but in 2022 America...? I dunno.)

I'm quite sure that's not a place where Derek Hunter wants to be, so I would encourage him, the staff at Townhall (where this seems to have become editorial policy), and the rest of the conservosphere to be true to their rightselves and not give an inch.

Image: StuckInLagToad.
The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, theoretically the highest organ of the Party, opened Sunday in Beijing, and Chairman Xi led off with a speech that got rousing applause when it got aggressive toward Taiwan, and took hardline stands on zero Covid, Hong Kong. You can read summaries of it here, here, and here.

Xi is in charge, no question. But he knows he alone is on the hook as hard times loom, and the opposition lets him know they havent gone away.

Real power in the party lies at the top of the hierarchy, and that hierarchy is elected every five years at these Party congresses.

YouTube screengrab

The 2300 delegates elected from party organizations all over China, will start the formal process of updating the membership of the Partys power structure:

These delegates will appoint some 400 members to the partys top national-level institution, the Central Committee. The 200 voting members of the Central Committee will then select from its ranks, the 25-member Politburo and the even more elite seven-member PSC.

Xi has purged opponents with corruption trials. Corruption is so common there that virtually anyone in the power structure is vulnerable. He is in charge, has consolidated his backing and hes going to get his term as Party Chairman extended beyond the norm since Mao.

In the past, the twice-a-decade congress was seen as a chance for leaders to promote their supporters, as they vied to increase the power of their factions within the party. But observers say these days there appears to be only one faction at the 20th Party Congress - that of Mr Xi. In a clear sign of this consolidation of power, top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders released a communique days earlier endorsing him as "the core" of the party and leadership. They also called for the party to unite even more closely behind him. Mr Xi currently holds the three most powerful positions in China - general secretary of the CCP, chairman of the country's armed forces and president. He is expected to renew his term for the first two titles at the congress. The CCP does not set any term limits. But no leader besides Mao, the founder of communist China, has ever served a third term.

The downside of all this power is that he is accountable, and if too many of his policies go south, you might say that he could lose the Mandate of Heaven. The Party, while a dictatorship, must always fear losing the allegiance of the people. Thats why it has so heavily invested in surveillance and social credit schemes, to keep control of unrest. Because China has millennias of history of throwing out failed governments.

Xi may be powerful now, but the germ of opposition is out there, lurking in the soil. Everyone attending the conference has seen or heard about the signs that all is not calm beneath the surface.

In an ultra-rare move, banners directly attacking Xi were displayed in an affluent Beijing neighborhood. It was a reminder that currents of opposition still exist and that the happy talk of official media is not the real story.

A little over a year ago, a very Chinese style criticism of Xis rule came for a respected elder. A retired Premier, Wen Jiabao, published what everyone in China understood to be an implicit criticism of Xi, couched in, of all things, a tribute to his mother.

In China, with no tradition of free speech, criticism of authority has always had to be couched in indirect terms, sometimes as historical allegories, or on the basis of moral inquiry, for instance.

Stephen P. Young, who coauthored the book The Tradition of Human Rights in China and Vietnam, explained it:

In the elegant style of Neo-Confucian literati in previous dynasties when they would comment on the unfitness of a ruler, Wens political thesis is put forth indirectly with allegories, symbolic references well known to readers, and analogies to past heroes and ideals. His thesis though is to criticize the politics and philosophy of Xi Jinping for lacking virtue and relying instead on the repressive apparatus of the state to be the One Man in China supervising All-Under-Heaven as the former emperors asserted was their right and duty.

When Wen finally states his beliefs at the end of the letter, he provides a China Dream to rival Xis China Dream of power, glory, and global hegemony. Wens China Dream is that of a country full of fairness and justice, where there is always respect for the human heart, humanity and the essence of human beings, and where there is always an air of youth, freedom and struggle.

The revealing tells in Wens letter are:

He goes on at length about his Mother and Father and the sufferings and vicissitudes of their lives as just ordinary, hard-working and patriotic Chinese establishing his credentials as a Chinese worthy of respect for being of the people. He states that My mother taught how to be a human being or simply how to be human. This simple sentence brings to mind the first passage in the Book of Mencius where Mencius sets forth the core of his vision for humanity  my only counsels are to humanness (ren) and righteousness (yi). Mencius rejects li or self-interest as the basis for just rule. This implies that others may not follow ren-yi and so are not dutiful administrators of the best of Chinese thinking. His Mothers telling him about the heroes Yue Fei, Wen Tianxiang and Zhuge Lian. To me the most important allegory here is to Zhuge Lian. Zhuge Lian was the Taoist master strategist who could use yin/yang forces and the Five Elements. He was one of the heroes seeking to preserve the Han Dynasty against unworthy militaristic upstarts in the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Mentioning Zhuge Lian immediately brings to mind noble efforts to preserve righteousness under Heaven. Yue Fei and Wen Tianxiang were famous under the Southern Sung Dynasty striving to preserve the ethical heritage of China against northern invaders, again pitting righteousness against military might and unseemly personal ambition. Building on this moral instruction, Wen says: She always combined being a human being, ambition and responsibility with hard work and conscientiousness, which made me understand that people should not only be able to do something, but also learn to be a human being first. Another tell is his pointing out that his Mother called on him when at the top to make peace with people, and to remember that a lone tree cannot become a forest." Wen provides a guide as to how to measure the goodness of a leader  look at his face. This brings to mind a saying by Confucius that a person cannot hide his moral quality. Wen simply says There are many things that people can do to imitate each other, or even make painstaking efforts to do so. But the only thing that cannot be faked is the sincerity, simplicity and kindness of emotion and heart. Just look at his eyes, look at his compassion, look at his courage in distress, look at his spirit of commitment at the critical moment of the country's future and destiny, and you can see his true nature. Xi Jinping, by the way, has a face (physiognomy) which does not inspire trust or reveal his possession of caring virtue. Wens closing lines are a frontal challenge to the state authoritarianism advocated by Xi Jinping:

The China in my mind should be a country full of fairness and justice, where there is always respect for the human heart, humanity and the essence of human beings, and where there is always an air of youth, freedom and struggle. I have cried out and fought for this. This is the truth that life has taught me and that my mother
Rumors are that Samsung wants to use Qualcomms next-gen Snapdragon processor on the Galaxy S23 series globally, ditching its in-house Exynos solutions. While we dont yet have confirmation on that, we now know that the US variants of the upcoming Galaxy flagships will definitely not switch to Exynos. The base Galaxy S23 model for the US (model number SM-S911U) recently appeared on benchmarking platform Geekbench revealing a few key details.

The Samsung SM-S911U, aka the Galaxy S23, will feature an octa-core processor codenamed Kalama. It is none other than Qualcomms upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The chipset has its single prime CPU core clocked at 3.36GHz, four mid cores at 2.80GHz, and three power-efficient cores at 2.02GHz. We should be looking at ARMs latest Cortex-X3, Cortex-A710, and Cortex-A510 cores, respectively. The Geekbench listing also reveals the Adreno 740 GPU. The new chipset should boast an improved NPU (neural processing unit) as well.

This Geekbench entry for the Galaxy S23 shows 8GB of RAM, though it should be safe to assume that Samsung will offer more RAM options. The phone will debut with Android 13 out of the box, along with the latest iteration of the Korean firms One UI custom software. Overall, the handset scored 1,524 points in the single-core test and 4,597 points in the multi-core test on Geekbench v5.4.4. These are decent scores for early tests which are likely based on a prototype unit with unoptimized hardware and software. We should see more of these online benchmarks for the new Samsung flagships in the coming weeks.

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The Galaxy S23 series may feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 globally

As said earlier, Samsung is considering using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor in its Galaxy S23 series globally. It shipped the previous-gen models with its in-house Exynos processors in some markets, including Europe. However, the consistently poor performance of Exynos solutions has become too big a problem for the Korean firm to overlook anymore and it wants to go exclusively with Snapdragon chipsets. The Korean media recently reported an internal conflict between the multiple business divisions of Samsung regarding this decision. We should get a clearer picture soon.

We should also be hearing more about the Galaxy S23 series in the coming months. The new Samsung flagships are expected to go official in late January 2023, or early February. So the phones are still more than three months away, which is plenty of time for more leaks and rumors. We will keep you posted.
(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 17 - Italian police have identified four Lithuanian jewel thieves who carried out a 150,000 euro heist at a jeweller's at Arona on Lake Maggiore last November and have arrested two of the gang, judicial sources said Monday.

Police said they are now looking for the 'inside man' who helped set up the robbery.

They said the gang may have carried out similar heists in other countries before making their getaway in a powerful Volkswagen Bora whose movements across Europe have been tracked. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 17 - In a report published in Brussels on October 12, the European Commission recommended that EU candidate status should be awarded to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), subject to reforms and conditions.

In his announcement statement, EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhely urged leaders in Bosnia "to make the most of this historic opportunity" and advance reforms.

The so-called Enlargement Package for 2022 includes the European Commission's annual reports for the Western Balkans and Turkey.

Bosnia and Herzegovina received the status of a potential candidate in 2003 and its application for membership in the EU was officially submitted in 2016.

The next step on the path to membership will now be the opening of formal accession talks, a step which again requires the approval of all EU member states and may take years. The commission's conditional backing for Bosnia follows a similar approval for Ukraine and Moldova in June. Austria and Slovenia, among others, had urged the bloc to also consider Bosnia during the deliberations.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: INTERETHNIC TENSIONS AFTER RECENT ELECTIONS On October 2, general elections were held in BiH, and although the political winners have different views on most strategic issues regarding the future of the country, one of the rare issues where there is a formal consensus is joining the EU.

After the elections, the winners called for pro-European reforms. The EU Commission's decision could give a new impetus to the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are to be formed after the recent elections.

BiH officials reckon that the decision of the EU Commission to recommend to the Council of the European Union the granting of candidate status for EU membership to Bosnia and Herzegovina comes at the right moment and is historic for the country and its citizens. BiH Foreign Minister Bisera Turkovic welcomed the Commission's recommendation, saying on Facebook: "This is a strong message () that we hoped (for) earlier." She added that it was a recognition of all the efforts BiH has undertaken, despite obstacles, to align its policy with the EU, notably on the Ukraine war.

The president of the Croat HDZ party in BiH, Dragan Covic, said on Twitter this was "a historic day for BiH". Covic submitted BiH's application for EU candidate status in 2016 in his then capacity as Chair of the BiH Presidency.

Zeljko Komsic, one of the three members of the presidency, said it was important for the commission to note that Bosnia and Herzegovina had aligned 80 percent of its foreign policy statements with the EU. He added, however, that the granting of candidate status remained uncertain.

Regarding the electoral reform, he criticized the recent decision of the High Representative of the International Community in BiH, Christian Schmidt, who had made use of his powers and imposed electoral law changes on election night on October 2. Ahead of the elections, negotiations between key political actors on electoral reform had failed, heightening political and interethnic tensions. The reform is mainly about the problem of proportional representation of Croats as the smallest of the three constituent peoples. Komsic has reported Schmidt to the Constitutional Court, claiming that the electoral law changes have deceived voters and further fueled ethnic divisions. "The High Representative for BiH, in making decisions, is completely disregarding rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and the opinion of the European Commission, and thus jeopardizes BiH's EU path," he said. On Wednesday, EU Enlargement Commissioner Varhely appealed to the leaders of BiH to "proceed quickly to reform the constitution and the electoral law".

NEEDED REFORMS AND CONDITIONS After the elections, the EU Commission called for a rapid formation of government and authorities at all levels, so that they could tackle the fulfillment of the conditions. The required reforms to advance entry into the bloc relate to building the rule of law, adopting measures to prevent conflicts of interest, and strengthening the prevention of and fight against corruption and organized crime. In addition, Bosnia and Herzegovina must promote measures to ensure effective coordination at all levels of border management and immigration, as well as the functioning of the asylum system. The conditions also include ensuring the prohibition of torture, freedom of expression and the media, and the protection of journalists.

However, due to internal political divisions, the question is to what degree BiH will be able to fulfill the set conditions.

"Today's choice is a political impulse. Certainly, Bosnia does not meet all conditions to be a country of the EU today.

However, we believe that these conditions will become reality.

It is an impulse, which I hope the new political authorities of Bosnia will understand and exploit. It is an incentive for action", said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell.

He also stressed that the recommendation comes at a time when "a battle of ideas is underway with Moscow. We cannot close our eyes to its growing influence, not only in the Balkans".

This article was produced with contributions from ANSA, dpa, FENA, HINA, MIA and STA as part of the European Newsroom project. (ANSA).


HANOI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum 2022 was held Monday in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

Themed "Connecting Regions: Partnership for Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains," the event explored how the OECD and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries can improve the resilience of their supply chain to better guard against future shocks and help build the foundations for a greener and digital future, local newspaper Vietnam News reported.

In his speech, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh called for further cooperation in the supply chain between Vietnam and the OECD countries, as well as further utilization of existing economic networks and free trade agreements between Southeast Asia and the OECD, Vietnam News Agency reported.

He called on the OECD countries to help Southeast Asia bring into full play its potential in the digital economy, high-tech agriculture and innovation, and consider coordination in developing digital and farm produce supply chains.

Minh also suggested that the OECD help Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises access international capital markets, transfer technologies, and improve administrative capacity and competitiveness.

Addressing the forum, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann affirmed to continue coordinating with Vietnam to promote cooperation between the OECD and Southeast Asian countries and to implement the OECD-ASEAN action plan, according to Vietnam News.

Co-organized by the OECD, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Australian embassy in Vietnam, the event was attended by over 200 delegates including high-level officials from the OECD and Southeast Asian countries. 
Italy's ENI ready to pay guarantee to unblock Russian gas Gazprom failed to provide a newly-imposed guarantee

(ANSA-AFP) - MILAN, OCT 3 - Italian giant Eni said Monday it is ready to provide a 20-million-euro guarantee to restart deliveries of Russian gas through Austria, after a stoppage blamed on regulatory changes. The gas delivery was suspended Saturday because Russia's Gazprom failed to provide a newly-imposed guarantee to the carrier transporting it from Austria to Italy, Eni's CEO Claudio Descalzi said. "We are seeing if we take over" and provide the 20 million euros, he said, adding that he hoped that "the problem can be resolved this week". "The stoppage is absolutely not due to geopolitical reasons," Descalzi said on the sidelines of a Rome conference.



Speaking about Gazprom, he added that "it is difficult to imagine that a company that wants to pay in rubles can provide guarantees in euros." Gazprom completely suspended gas deliveries to Eni on Saturday, citing the "impossibility of gas transport through Austria" due to a new regulation that came into force on October 1. Most of Russian gas delivered to Italy passes via Ukraine through the Trans Austria Gas Pipeline (TAG), to Tarvisio in northern Italy on the border with Austria.



(ANSA-AFP).





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Found 92 migrants on Greek-Turkish border Naked and bruised

(ANSA-AFP) - ATHENS, OCT 17 - Ninety-two migrants were found almost naked and bruised after allegedly being forced across the Evros river from Turkey into Greece, Athens said Sunday, a charge fiercely denied by Ankara. EU border agency Frontex confirmed to AFP the arrival of the group in circumstances which the Greek ministry for civil protection said sent out an "inhuman image." "The Frontex officers reported that the migrants were found almost naked and some of them with visible injuries," said Paulina Bakula, spokeswoman for the organisation. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said in a tweet that it was "deeply distressed by the shocking reports and images of 92 people, who were reported to have been found at the Greek-Turkish land border, stripped of their clothes". Bakula, speaking from Frontex's Warsaw HQ, said Frontex officers worked with Greek authorities to provide the migrants -- mainly Afghans and Syrians -- with immediate assistance. She added the organisation had informed the agency's fundamental rights officer of a potential rights violation. Greek minister for civil protection Takis Theodorikakos accused Turkey of "instrumentalising illegal immigration" in the latest of a series of recriminations on migration between the neighbours.



(ANSA-AFP).





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NEW YORK - A brand new museum for the "Salvator Mundi"? The Crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud (MBS), who in 2017 bought the painting attributed- among a thousand controversies- to Leonardo da Vinci for the record price of 450 million dollars, is now having a special gallery built to have the painting on exhibit in his country. The renown art historian from Oxford, Martin Kemp, mentioned this during conference at the literary festival of Cheltenham in the UK. "The Salvator Mundi" is in Saudi Arabia and the country is building a special art gallery for it that will soon be finished, I believe in 2024", said Kemp, who in the past was one of the experts who were favorable in attributing the artwork to Leonardo.



The art historian expressed some reservations regarding his having to be "convinced to go to see the painting in Saudi" due to the "unacceptable" situation with regards to human rights in the country. The country is blacklisted by the international community. Nonetheless, Kemp said that he would be ready to go to Saudi Arabia if his presence were to be helpful to bring the painting "back to see the light of day".



A real 'diva' in the art world, since the painting was sold by the auction house Christie's, the "Salvator Mundi" is estimated to have been painted around 1500 by Leonardo with the help of one or more of his students.



The painting has earned by some the nickname of "the male version of the Mona Lisa", it shows Christ in the act of blessing with one hand while, with the other, he holds a small crystal globe. After the sale for an unsurpassed amount of money in the auction market, several doubts were raised on the painting's authenticity. Last year, the Spanish Prado museum joined others believing that the artwork was not the work of Leonardo's hand, but rather of his students under his supervision. Since 2017, when it was shown by Christie's, the "Salvator Mundi" has not been seen in public. Before that date, in 2011, it was included in a Leonardo exhibit at the National Gallery in London, while for the following five years many were wondering where the painting had vanished to. One of the most daring stories, in addition to the usual Swiss safe, was MBS's yacht, with the inevitable worries that the salinity of such environment could have on the painting's state of conservation.



Saudi Arabia is pouring enormous investments in its cultural institutions: next year it plans to open the vast Wadi AlFann complex, in the north west of the country, curated by Iwona Blazwick, from the UK, who had curated the Whitechapel Gallery for decades, who was recruited as consultant for this project.
TURIN - The Robert Doisneau exhibit, at the Italian Center for Photography in Turin, attracted just in its first week, a record public, registering over 4,000 visitors. The show is open every day until 14 February 2023. The exhibit showcases 130 images of the iconic French photographer, starting from his most iconic shots as well as lesser-known ones, selected among the 450,000 negatives that make up his archives.



Robert Doisneau is considered, together with Henri Cartier-Bresson, one of the fathers of French humanist photography and of street photojournalism. He captured through his lens the daily lives of people and children in Paris.



Doisneau was able to tell a story with great expressive freedom, showing the gestures, desires and emotions of a society that was changing, providing us with an incredible portrait of humanity after World War II.



Starting from his most known shot - showing the kiss of a young couple who is indifferent to the crowds around it and to the traffic of the Parisian Hotel de Ville- the exhibit narrates his career through known and recurrent themes which the artist explored over the course of more than 50 years.



The show is curated by Gabriel Bauret and promoted by the Camera, Silvana Editors and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio of the cities of Padova and Rovigo (a foundation promoting sustainable development of the territory and quality of life).



The show is accompanied by the Robert Doisneau catalogue, published by Silvana Editoriale. There is a packed schedule of meetings with the public planned with the Thursday at the Camera, guided tours for adults and children, activities for schools of all types and grade and, for the first time, a dedicated program for visually impaired and blind that includes audio descriptions.
ROMA - For a third night in a row there have been clashes in Tunis between police and protesters from the working-class neighborhood of Cite Etthadamen. These clashes follow the death of a young man last Thursday who was injured while being chased by the police in August, as reported by local media.



The authorities had to use tear gas to disperse the crowds of protesters who turned over and set fire to garbage bins.



Malek Slimi, 24, died last Thursday in the Charles Nicolle hospital in the capital, fifty days after being taken to the intensive care unit. After his funerals on Friday the clashes began. Police has already arrested 6 persons and seized Molotov cocktails, according to a note of the National Guard.
For Turkey Greece is making false accusations about migrants Athens denounces finding 92 migrants without clothes at border

(ANSA) - ISTANBUL, 17 OTT - Turkey had dubbed Greece's complaint as "fake new and disinformation" with regard to the finding of 92 migrants rescued by Greek authorities at the border after they were found without their clothes near the Evros river, on the Turkish-Greek border.



"Greece is once again showing the entire world that it does not respect the dignity of the refugees by publishing the pictures of these oppressed which it has deported after having stolen everything they had from them", stated the presidential communications directorate of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing Athens of "complicity with Frontex" (the European Border and Coast Guard Agency). The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu, spoke about "defamation" committed by Greece, adding that the country is acting "irresponsibly" and "shamelessly", as reported by the Turkish news agency Anadolu.



Ankara's declarations arrive after the Greek Minister for Migration, Notis Mitarakis, announced that next Monday it will meet with the President of the UN's General Assembly, to submit the case to his attention. (ANSA).




BEIRUT - Hundreds of activists and common citizens are flocking to the center of Beirut to commemorate the third anniversary of the beginning of the vast protests that broke out at the same time that the country's worst economic crisis ever hit Lebanon. On social media and among political activists, thousands of people gave each other a meeting place for this popular anti-governmental mobilization, known as "thawra" (revolution in Arabic). The protesters met in square Riad el Solh, the symbolic place were the anti-government sit-in took place in 2019. From there they marched toward the Martyrs' square, another historic place for the protests against the political class in power. This elite has been accused by multiple sources of being the main culprit responsible for the poor governance and corruption. This evening there will be a march from Martyr's square to the Parliament area, not far but well-protected by a row of policemen wearing anti-riot gear and by barbed wire.



Lebanon declared its financial default in March 2020. The local Lebanese pound has lost in three years more than 95% of its value against the US dollar, which is now worth 40 thousand pounds (in 2019 it was 1,507) on the black market. Another gathering was called for next Thursday, always in the center of Beirut, it will correspond with the third Parliamentary session for the election of the President of the Republic. The current head of state, the contested Michel Aoun, ends his mandate on 31 October.
ISIS claims responsibility for killing 120 people in 3 months The victims (103) mostly belong to the Kurdish and Arab militia

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, 17 OCTOBER - The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the killing in Syria of 120 persons in less than 3 months. These killings were conducted during attacks of its cells in the Euphrates valley, in the eastern part of the country and in other areas of the war-torn country.



This news was made public this morning by Nabaa, an IS publication distributed though its social media channels. The news includes 59 military operations by jihadists in Syria from 1 August until 5 October. The majority of the victims (103) are Kurdish and Arab militia, part of the coalition led by the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), present in the north and north-east of Syria since 2012 who have been supported for years by the United States.



ISIS has also claimed responsibility for the killing of 19 government military and filo-Russian and filo-Iranian auxiliary militia, during operations on the west bank of the Euphrates river and in central Syria.



Over the last days, the Syrian government and Russia attributed to "the Islamic State" the responsibility of a dynamite attack near the capital, Damascus, which killed 18 government soldiers last week. (ANSAmed).




Greece says Turkey have "shamed civilization" over refugees 92 naked migrants rescued by Greek authorities on border

Related Associated For Turkey Greece is making false accusations about migrants

(ANSAmed) - ATHEN, 17 OTT - Greece have accused Turkey of "shaming civilization" after border guards on the Greek side of the Evros border rescued 92 migrants who were left completely naked, having allegedly been taken to the border by the Turkish military.



Truly shocking images emerged in reports in the Greek media on Sunday of the incident, with the 92 migrants involved mainly from Afghans, in addition to some Syrians. The migrants reportedly informed Frontex border agency officers that they were taken to Evros in three Turkish gendarmerie (Jandarma) vehicles.



And now Athens has asked for Turkey to provide explanations regarding its handling of migration following the incident.



"The behavior of Turkey towards 92 migrants whom we rescued at the border is a shame for civilization. We expect Ankara to investigate the incident and finally protect its borders with the EU," said Greece's Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis via his personal Twitter account. The minister added that he is going to raise the case at the UN.



Earlier in the day, Greek Citizen Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos commented: "It is an inhuman picture, a barbarous behavior that evokes the middle ages, not the 21st century." He added: "There is a daily threat in Evros, through the barbaric weaponization of irregular migrants by Turkey, which systematically creates problems all along the length of the river," underlining that Greece has been made stronger militarily in the last 3.5 years, has greatly upgraded and enhanced its strategic collaborations, especially its relations with the United States and France.



"Here there are people that are absolutely united, who do not accept any discussion that concerns sovereign rights. The Turks are well aware of this and that there is total vigilance and complete readiness to deal with any incident, any conditions," the minister said, adding that Greek forces were on alert.



While Greece have pointed the finger firmly at Turkey for this latest shocking incident involving migrants, Turkish internal affairs minister Ismail Catakli sought to shift the blame on Greece, and accuse Athens of creating fake news.



"As you couldn't find one single case of human rights violation by Turkiye, you just seek to expose the image of your cruelty you've inflicted as if Turkiye's done it! Spend your time to obey human rights, not for manipulations & dishonesty! C'mon, it's not a big deal; just be a little bit civilised!," he said via his Twitter account. (ANSAmed).




Lapid and Netanyahu at loggerheads over Lebanese maritime deal Opposition leader will not meet PM for a 'useless' meeting

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 17 OCTOBER - The maritime agreement with Lebanon and the exploitation and usage of the gas found off the coasts, continues to keep the nation of Israel divided. The leader of the opposition, Benyamin Netanyahu - who was an outspoken critic of the deal- refused the Prime Minister's invitation, Yair Lapid, to discuss security updates regarding the agreement, stating that it was "useless". Netanyahu explained that Lapid's party has called the Likud's opposition as "irresponsible". "On the one part Lapid - stated the Likud party in a tweet that was re-tweeted by Netanyahu- refuses to submit said agreement of surrender to Nasrallah (leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon) to the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) with the excuse that it is not liked by the opposition, and on the other hand, it asks the opposition to meet in a fruitless meeting putting us before the fait accompli". "The conduct of the Lapid party is anti-democratic, we insist - added the Likud- that the agreement with Lebanon be submitted for approval to the Knesset.(ANSAmed).




Jeremy Hunt has announced the formation of a new economic advisory council to provide independent expert advice to the Government as he seeks to restore economic stability after weeks of turmoil.

The new Chancellor announced the names of the first four advisers, including Rupert Harrison, who served as his predecessor George Osbornes chief of staff during the austerity era of 2010-2015.

The panel will also comprise two former members of the Bank of Englands Monetary Policy Committee: Gertjan Vlieghe, who is now chief economist at US hedge fund Element Capital, and Sushil Wadhwani, chief investment officer for asset management company PGIM Wadhwani.

One of the advisers named by Mr Hunt is ex-chancellor George Osbornes former chief of staff (Yui Mok/PA)

Karen Ward, who was an economics special adviser to former chancellor Philip Hammond for a year after the Brexit vote, has also been appointed to the council.

She is now investment bank JP Morgans chief market strategist for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Further members will be added to the council in due course, the Treasury said.

The council, which will consist of leading and respected experts and act as a consultative forum for the Government, will be attended by the Chancellor and the Treasurys chief economic adviser.

Mr Hunt made the announcement in the Commons after tearing up Liz Trusss economic strategy.

Prime Minister Liz Truss and former chancellor Kwasi Kwartengs tax-slashing mini-budget unleashed turbulence in the financial markets (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Ms Truss became Prime Minister after winning the Tory leadership contest on the back of promises to dramatically cut tax and upend the status quo in the Treasury.

But Ms Truss and Kwasi Kwartengs tax-slashing mini-budget unleashed turbulence in the financial markets, leading to Mr Kwartengs dramatic sacking as chancellor and the installation of Mr Hunt in an effort to reassure investors.

The economists on Mr Hunts new advisory council could signal a return to the very Treasury orthodoxy Ms Truss railed against during her leadership campaign.

Mr Hunt told the Commons he fully supports the vital, independent roles of the Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility.

But he added: But I also want more independent expert advice as I start my journey as Chancellor. So, Im announcing today the formation of a new economic advisory council to do just that.

Senior Conservative MP Mel Stride asked the Chancellor for reassurance that the council will not in any way conflict with the Bank of England, or the Office for Budget Responsibility  and all of our institutions, and that it will be there to complement, not work against any of those institutions?

Mr Hunt replied: I can absolutely give him (Mr Stride) that assurance. I want, to be frank, to make sure that Im getting advice from fantastic institutions, like the Treasury, the Bank of England, and the Office for Budget Responsibility, but also advice that is independent of those institutions, because that is the way we will get the best result.

The Liberal Democrats said the panel should be made up of housing and debt charities instead of only asset managers.

Lib Dem Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney said: An advisory panel of purely wealthy asset managers in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis proves just how out of touch this Conservative Government is.

Jeremy Hunt is just as bad as Kwasi Kwarteng by shutting himself away from the financial hardship faced by millions of families and pensioners.

This Conservative Partys reckless and unfunded tax cuts for the wealthiest companies have sent financial markets into turmoil. It is now innocent families left to pick up the tab with spiralling mortgage bills.
Online mattress retailer Eve Sleep has been purchased by Bensons for Beds after saying it had called in administrators following a failed sale process.

Bensons acquired the brand, website and assets on Monday with plans to retain Eve as a standalone brand and relaunch its website later this month.

Eve had its shares suspended from the London Stock Exchanges AIM index after hiring Matthew Ingram and James Saunders of Kroll Advisory as administrators, who will now be required to manage the sale of the brand.

The company floated on the stock market in 2017 with a 140 million valuation, but has suffered declining customer numbers and increased cost pressures in recent years.

In June, it revealed it was looking for a buyer or new investor as it warned it would miss revenue targets for the year after a period of significant consumer downturn.

Its chief executive said on Monday morning that it was heartbreaking that terminating the sales process and appointing administrators was the best way to preserve value for creditors, partners and suppliers.

Bensons  which operates 166 stores across the country  has ambitious plans for growth and transformation after recently securing additional investment from its owner, Alteri Investors.

North London-based Eve will be added to its portfolio which already includes beds and mattress brands Slumberland and Staples & Co.

The value of the acquisition has not been disclosed.

Gavin George, chief executive of Alteri Investors, said: It is encouraging to see Bensons continuing to strengthen its position in what remains a challenging market.

Eve Sleep is a strong brand name that resonates with a different demographic of younger consumers.

Alteri is pleased to back Bensons management in the acquisition of a brand which will augment the groups offer, widen its appeal and boost its digital credentials.
Amazon workers and supporters march during a rally in Castleton-On-Hudson, about 15 miles south of Albany, N.Y., Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. The startup union that clinched a historic labor victory at Amazon earlier this year is slated to face the company yet again, aiming to rack up more wins that could force the reluctant retail behemoth to the negotiating table. (Rachel Phua via AP)

NEW YORK (AP)  The startup union that clinched a historic labor victory at Amazon earlier this year is slated to face the company yet again, aiming to rack up more wins that could force the reluctant retail behemoth to the negotiating table.

This time, the Amazon Labor Union and the nations second-largest private employer are facing off in the town of Schodack, near Albany, New York. Workers at the warehouse there, which employs roughly 800 people according to Amazon, will finish voting in a union election on Monday. The votes will be tallied Tuesday by the National Labor Relations Board.

There are also a lot of odds against us, but I think theres definitely a huge possibility we might win, said Sarah Chaudhry, an 18-year old whos been organizing workers since joining the company two months ago. I cant jinx it.

The face-off near the states capitol  one of the most unionized metro areas in the country, according to Unionstats.com  marks the third time the ALU is taking on Amazon following its initial win at a Staten Island facility in April. That victory  the first ever for an Amazon facility in the U.S.  came as a surprise even to those sympathetic to the unions calls for a $30 hourly wage and better working conditions for warehouse workers.

But soon enough, challenges began to appear. A loss at a second, nearby warehouse in May took some wind out of the unions sail. Fractures were exposed when some prominent organizers left the group.

Elsewhere, the union lost time and resources attempting to cement its lone win. Amazon has accused the ALU and the NLRBs field office in Brooklyn of tainting the vote. In a quest for a redo election, the company filed more than two dozen objections with the agency, triggering a lengthy process that could take years to resolve.

Last month, a federal labor official who presided over the hearings ruled against the company, which has noted it intends to appeal. During an interview last month, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy also signaled the retail giant could drag the case to federal court.

Amazon is ready to fight this to the death, said John Logan, the director of labor and employment studies at San Francisco State University. And the problem for the Amazon Labor Union is if you only have one warehouse ... youre never going to have enough leverage to force the company to bargain.

The election in Albany offers the ALU a chance to show its win isnt a one-off, experts say. Heather Goodall, the main worker organizer in the facility, launched the campaign at the warehouse in May, three months after joining the company and a month after the Staten Island win. Her passion for unionizing, she said, came from the death of her son, who committed suicide six years ago while working for a large company.

So when I heard that there were working conditions that were suspicious in my own community  and I have a 17- and 15-year-old that attends the school district in the area where Amazon conducts its business  I wanted to see firsthand what was going on, Goodall said.

Amazon launched its own campaign to push back the organizing effort. As it did with other warehouses, the company held mandatory meetings at the Schodack facility in an attempt to persuade workers to reject the union. It also put up flyers and signs across the warehouse urging workers to vote no.

Dont sign an ALU card, the company said on one sign posted on a screen at the facility. The ALU is untested and unproven.

Weve always said that we want our employees to have their voices heard, and we hope and expect this process allows for that, Paul Flaningan, an Amazon spokesperson, said in a statement.

Last week, Amazon workers at a separate facility in Californias Moreno Valley filed for their own union election, seeking to join the ALU. Nannette Plascencia, who has worked at the warehouse for seven years, said she and her colleagues have been attempting to organize the facility for more than two years, but the companys famously high turnover rate had made it challenging to build up enough support.

Another election spearheaded by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union at a warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, remains too close to call with 416 challenged ballots still waiting for adjudication. The vote, held this spring, was the union's second attempt to organize there, following a prior loss that it contested.

Unlike Starbucks stores that have voted to unionize by the hundreds in the past year, organizing Amazon warehouses is a much more arduous task. The facilities typically employ hundreds  or thousands  of employees. And it can take months to build up enough showing of support for an election.

Amazon warehouse workers at a facility in Garner, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, have been organizing for months and plan to file for an election by the end of summer next year, said Tim Platt, an Amazon worker whos been soliciting support for the campaign under a group called Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment, or CAUSE. Organizers are taking their time to file for an election so they can be confident of the outcome by the time workers start voting.

The workers there chose not to align with the ALU, though organizers still coordinate with each other routinely. Platt said workers might join another union in the future. They've met with the Teamsters, which launched a division last month focused on organizing Amazon workers. But for now, Platt said they're only focused on organizing.

Mendoza, ALUs director of communications, said the union is trying to support other workers forming their own organizing committees across the country. However, their main task will be filing their own election petitions and building up more support at the facility that voted to unionize in case it needs to call for an action, such as a strike.

The union has been able to hire two full-time staff to help out with trainings and meetings. A $250,000 donation from the American Federation of Teachers has also allowed them to get office space in Staten Island. They're building support, but it takes time, Mendoza said.

You can lose some elections or win other ones, he said. Were not concerned about an individual result the way Amazon is. They cant really afford to lose one.
Ariel Skelley / Getty Images

The average Social Security benefit for retired workers is $1,548 per month. That comes out to $18,576 in annual benefits for a single person, or $37,152 per year for a couple  about $31,500 less than the U.S. median household income of $68,703, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Find Out: 8 Purchases Retirees Almost Always Regret

Learn More: 7 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Reach Your Retirement Goals

Living on a fixed income basically means you're solely or almost entirely dependent on funds such as Social Security, pensions and inheritance, with little to no flexibility in the amount you're paid each month. Unstable costs, such as a volatile housing market, can be especially challenging to deal with on a fixed income.

If you rely mostly -- or solely -- on a fixed income, click through to see the best places to live in your state.

Chris Pruitt / Wikimedia Commons

Alabama: Jasper

Alabama might be the best state to retire on a fixed income, especially if you want your retirement nest egg to stretch the furthest. Jasper has a stable housing market, making it a safe choice for those on a fixed income. Home values increased by 4.84% year over year, but rents dropped. Additionally, homes are relatively affordable, with the median home value at $126,233.Pictured: Decatur, AlabamaTake Our Poll: Are You Struggling To Keep Up With Your Utility Bills?

lippyjr / Getty Images

Alaska: Fairbanks

Alaska is an income-tax and sales-tax-free state, making it one of the best places to retire on a fixed income. Home values in Fairbanks increased about 12.09% year over year, and the median home value is $255,438  below the national median of $287,148. And there is good news for renters, as the median rent in Fairbanks decreased about 2.3% year over year.

Tim Roberts Photography / Shutterstock.com

Arizona: Sierra Vista

If you're thinking of buying a home on a fixed income, consider Sierra Vista  but act quickly. Home values in Sierra Vista rose over 12% year over year, making it one of the cities with the largest increase in the past 12 months. Average rents also rose by $12 to $994 a month, but they still are less than the national average.

Davel5957 / Getty Images

Arkansas: Little Rock

Rent prices in Little Rock went up $57 a month year over year, and the current median rent is $953. Little Rock is one of the more affordable places to own a home, though, with the median home value coming in at $165,027.

Armona / Wikimedia Commons

California: Delano

Zillow lists the price of a typical California home at $668,300, but a median-valued home in Delano is much less at $257,342. Home values rose 12.09% in the past year, above the California average of 10.9% Rents also increased by 2.64%.Pictured: Hanlon, California

chapin31 / iStock.com

Colorado: Pueblo

The median home price in Pueblo is $244,009 but going up fast, increasing about 17.90% year over year. Rent prices have remained stagnant, even decreasing less than 1% year over year to $908 a month.

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Connecticut: Hartford

Real estate prices in Hartford increased 15.23%, with the median home value going up to $188,305. Rent prices went up even more  by about 10.2%  to $1,392 a month.

Robert Kirk / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Delaware: New Castle

Delaware is one of the few states that doesn't levy a state sales tax. It also does not tax Social Security benefits, which makes it one of the best places to retire in the U.S. In the past year, New Castle home values rose about 11.88% to a median of $264,884, while rents increased 2.79%.

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Florida: Kissimmee

Home values in Kissimmee went up 7.37% year over year, with a median home value of $264,884. Rents also rose 5.70% over the same time span to an average of $1,457 per month.

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Georgia: Statesboro

Home prices in Statesboro are flat, increasing 1.20% year over year to $162,557. Rent prices grew 1.43% in the same span but remain on the low side at $837 per month.Pictured: Augusta, Georgia

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Hawaii: Pahoa

In uber-expensive Hawaii, Pahoa is an affordable option. Zillow puts the typical home prices in the 50th state at $718,095, but the median home value in Pahoa is just $217,858. That's up 13.88% year over year. The average rent is close to $1,500 a month, up 3.52% year over year.Pictured: Hilo, Hawaii

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Idaho: Pocatello

In Pocatello, home values increased almost 18% in the past year, making it one of the biggest gainers in the study. The median home value now is $231,035, which is still about $56,000 less than the national median. Rents went up about 1.54% to $872 per month.

James R. Martin / Shutterstock.com

Illinois: Galesburg

The median home value in Galesburg is the lowest in the GOBankingRates study: $73,009. That makes homeownership more accessible for people who live on a fixed income. The average rent also is affordable at $715, and both housing and rental prices remained virtually the same year over year.

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Indiana: Richmond

Home prices in Richmond increased about 5.25% year over year to a median value of $99,402. And rent prices also remained stable, with about a 1.2% increase year over year  good news for renters living on a fixed income.

EJ_Rodriquez / iStock.com

Iowa: Burlington

Burlington has stable housing and rental markets: Home values increased about 2.69% year over year, and rent prices increased about 4.45%. The median home value in the city is $96,243, making it one of the most affordable cities on the list.

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Kansas: Manhattan

In Manhattan, the location of Kansas State University, the median home value is $225,182, up 3.85% year over year. The average rent fell substantially, dropping about 7.2% to $1,023 a month.

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kentucky: Bowling Green

Bowling Green is a good place for renters on a fixed income to live, but prices are rising. The median rent is $928, up about 3.3% over the past year. A median-priced home costs $192,853, which is almost $95,000 less than the national median but is less than a 1% rise year over year.

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Louisiana: Pineville

Home values in Pineville have remained steady, with about a 1.06% increase over the past year to $145,066, while rent decreased 2.70%. Median rent in the city is $858.Pictured: Lafayette, Louisiana

jiawangkun / Shutterstock.com

Maine: Bangor

Home values in Bangor increased a whopping 20% over the past year, but with a median home price of $197,690, homes there are still much more affordable than the national median of $287,148. And rent prices are increasing as well: They went up about 5.88% year over year.

Eric Fischer / Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-SA 2

Maryland: Salisbury

Home prices in Salisbury increased about 9.60% year over year, but the median home value is affordable at $182,212. Rent costs also rose slightly, by 2.08%, with the average rent at $1,131.

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Massachusetts: West Springfield

The median home value in West Springfield is $275,707. Although this is nearly $12,000 below the national median value, it's much less than the median home price in the state of Massachusetts as a whole, which is $508,232, according to Zillow.Home values in the city increased about 10.81% year over year.

Davel5957 / Getty Images

Michigan: Mount Pleasant

Rent in Mount Pleasant increased 5.87% year over year to $834. Home values increased 6.75%, however, and the median home value is now $155,448.Pictured: Lansing, Michigan

nikitsin / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Minnesota: Winona

Homebuyers on a fixed income can benefit from Winona's relatively stable housing market: Home values increased about 6.50% year over year to $186,452. Rent decreased by $3 month to an average of $808.Pictured: Minneapolis, Minnesota

sshepard / Getty Images

Mississippi: Starkville

The median home price in Starkville is $189,873  appealing to those on a fixed income. Home value increased by 3.84% and rents by 3.65%.

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Missouri: Joplin

Home and rent prices are both well below the national median in Joplin: The median home value in the city is $130,466 and rent is $814. The home values rose by 7.38%, and rents went up 8.24% year over year.Pictured: Springfield, Missouri

Christopher Boswell / Shutterstock.com

Montana: Butte

Renters with a fixed income in Butte shouldn't have to worry too much about rent hikes: Prices went up less than 2% in the past year to an average of $888. The median home price, however, rose about 10.13% to $166,952.

marekuliasz / Getty Images

Nebraska: Kearney

Housing costs in Kearney are about $50,000 below the U.S. median. Home values showed nearly a 5.35% growth year over year, bringing the median value in Kearney to $236,999.

CrackerClips Stock Media / Shutterstock.com

Nevada: Pahrump

Rental costs in Pahrump, in the northern part of the state, dropped about 3.4% year over year to $918. The median value of a home is $279,920, about $7,200 below the national figure.

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Hampshire: Rochester

Home values in Rochester were among the biggest risers year over year, increasing by about 17.63% to $280,307. Rent prices barely budged, however, rising just $2 to an average cost of $1,472 over the same period.

Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Jersey: Franklin Township

The median home price in pricey New Jersey is $287,148, according to Zillow, but in Franklin Township it is $265,843  up nearly 8% year over year. Rent prices dropped about 1.5%, but they are the highest in the study at $1,801 on average per month.Pictured: Jersey City, New Jersey

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New Mexico: Alamogordo

Alamogordo is one of the best places to live on a budget, but prices are rising. The median housing price is $145,479, up about 4.85% year over year. The change in rental price was even higher at 4.3%.

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New York: Town of Orchard Park

The median value of a home is $255,916, more than $30,000 below the national average. Home values have increased by about 8.81% year over year and rents have gone up over 9%.

traveler1116 / Getty Images

North Carolina: Raeford

Home values are rising while rents are dropping in Raeford. Home values increased about 3.47% to $175,012, while rents increased less than 1%. Still, the average rental cost is $860 per month.Pictured: Fayetteville, North Carolina

Tim Kiser / Wikimedia Commons

North Dakota: Fargo

Home values in Fargo increased about 7.56% over the past year. The rent rose about 4.4%, bringing it to an average of $988 per month.

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Ohio: Findlay

The median monthly rent in Findlay is $900 which is nearly 5.96% more than it was a year ago. Home values in the city skyrocketed more than 9.25% to a median value of $176,012.Pictured: Toledo, Ohio

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Oklahoma: Stillwater

In Stillwater the median home value is $184,821, and the median monthly rent is $924. Both increased year over year, however, with home values going up about 3.03% and rents about 4.88%.

will_snyder_ / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Oregon: Roseburg

The median home price in Oregon is $536,921, according to Zillow, but in Roseburg it's $272,470. The market is shifting, though, with about a 14.29% year-over-year increase in home values. Rents went up nearly 2% to $1,216.

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Pennsylvania: Williamsport

Rents in Williamsport went up more than 4.24% over the past year to $909, while home values rose about 2.73%. The median home value is $156,817 more than $130,000 less than the national figure.

Richard Cavalleri / Shutterstock.com

Rhode Island: Woonsocket

The cost of living in the nation's smallest state, Rhode Island, can be high, but Woonsocket is a more affordable locale for residents on a fixed income. The median home value is below the national average at $108,731, and the cost of rent is about $197 higher than the U.S. price at $1,219.Pictured: Woonsocket, Rhode Islans

Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

South Carolina: Orangeburg

South Carolina doesn't tax Social Security benefits. Orangeburg is the best place in the state for people on a fixed income because home prices are relatively affordable, with the median home value at $108,731. The rental market also rose 6.10% year over year, with the average monthly rent now $779.Pictured: Columbia, South Carolina

H2O2 / Wikimedia Commons

South Dakota: Aberdeen

Rent is increasing at a clip of nearly 4.44% in Aberdeen, but the average monthly rent is still just $810. Meanwhile, the year-over-year increase in home values was about 3.17%, bringing them to $177,917.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Tennessee: Shelbyville

People living on fixed incomes can benefit from the relatively low home values in Shelbyville. The metro area's median home value rose nearly 10% year over year. Another money-saver for fixed-income residents is rent cost. The median rent in Morristown increased about 1.27% year over year from 2020 to $831.Pictured: Nashville, Tennessee

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Texas: Alice

Alice's relatively low housing costs could be beneficial to someone on a fixed income. Home values rose by less than 5% year over year but is still among the most affordable cities, with a home value of $93,507 though rents increased. The average monthly rent is $913.Pictured: Corpus Christi, Texas

Ken Lund / Flickr.com

Utah: Cedar City

The increases in median home value is steeply climbing in Cedar City year over year, at 15.17%. The median home value in Cedar City came in at $278,919, less than $1,000 over the national average, with rent at $830.Pictured: St. George, Utah

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Vermont: Rutland

The median home price in Rutland is about $83,000 less than the national median. The housing market is growing here, but not too fast, at 9.27% for home value. Rent actually decreased by a bit more than 1%, with average rent at $1,018.

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Virginia: Martinsville

The median home value in Martinsville is just $82,335 making it a very affordable option for those wishing to live on a fixed income in Virginia. It's also a stable housing market: Values increased about 4.84% over the past year.Pictured: Lynchburg, Virginia

Erhoman / iStock.com

Washington: Moses Lake

Home values are on the rise in Moses Lake, increasing nearly 18% to a current median of $273,071. That's the second highest year-over-year rise in the study. Rents, however, have been on the decline, with the average rent decreasing about 2% to $888 per month.Pictured: Wenatchee, Washington

matejphoto / iStock.com

West Virginia: Huntington

Home prices in Huntington are among the lowest compared with the other cities in this study, with the median home value at $89,994, with only a 3.32% year over year increase. Rent also is among the cheapest at $854 per month, and prices decreased year over year by nearly 3%.Pictured: Parkersburg, West Virginia

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Wisconsin: Racine

Home values in Racine rose nearly 8.14% over the past year to $138,222. Rising home values can help retirees on fixed incomes, especially if prolonged costs wipe out retirement savings, leaving their home as their only financial asset.

Mr. Satterly / WTFPL

Wyoming: Gillette

Home values in Gillette are increasing, while rent costs are decreasing. Rents dropped less than 1% over the past year, bringing the median rent price to $1,074. The median home price rose less than 1% to $278,763.More From GOBankingRates6 Types of Retirement Income That Aren't Taxable

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Jami Farkas and Jordan Rosenfeld contributed to the reporting for this article. Methodology: In order to find the best city in every state to live on a fixed income, GOBankingRates first looked at every city with both Zillow home value data for May 2020, February 2021, and May 2021 available as well as county fair market rent for both 2020 and 2021 sourced from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's data. With all these data points sourced GOBankingRates then parsed down the list to only include cities that met the following criteria: a size rank according to Zillow of 2,000 or less and a May 2021 home value less than the national average of $287,148.For these qualified cities, GOBankingRates found: (1) the quarter-over-quarter percent change in home value; (2) the year-over-year percent change in home value; and (3)the year-over-year percent change in rent by county. Those cities with negative values for factors (1) or (2) were then eliminated. With the remaining cities GOBankingRates scored and combined all three factors with the lowest score being best. The city with the lowest score from each state was included in our final rankings. These factors were chosen because changes in home values serve as a proxy for measuring the volatility of a housing market, with large increases posing a threat to those living on fixed incomes, while a negative change in value means money is being lost in depreciating house values. However, decreasing rental prices benefit a household on a fixed income.For Utah and Vermont the size rank criteria had to be enlarged to 3,000 and up to 5,000 for Hawaii. All data was collected on and up to date as of June 17, 2021Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only and may represent the nearest large metropolitan area.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Best Places in Every State To Live on a Fixed Income
JACKSON, Miss.  Two congressional committees want Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves to explain how the countrys poorest state is spending hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds as its predominantly Black capital city struggles with crumbling water infrastructure.

Reps. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., and Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., sent the request in a letter to Reeves on Monday as part of an investigation by the Homeland Security and the Oversight and Reform committees into a safe drinking water crisis that at its height left thousands of Jackson residents without running water this summer.

The breakdown occurred after Jackson was pummeled by days of heavy rain and the citys main water treatment plant failed. In the past, Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, a Democrat, has argued that the citys public water utility was poorly positioned to handle threats from climate change because Republican state leaders have provided little financial help for the aging systems challenges. He has estimated that tackling the citys water troubles, which stretch back decades, could cost billions of dollars.

Thompson, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee and whose district includes almost all of Jackson, has previously expressed concerns about whether enough federal aid allocated by the state is making its way to the city.

In an interview on Monday, he said that withholding the funds Jackson needs to ensure safe drinking water puts lives at risk.

Mississippi is one of several states that absolutely rely on the generosity of the federal government, Thompson said. That means we cant really do anything for ourself without federal help. In return, the only thing the federal government asks is that you spend those monies in a nondiscriminatory fashion.

Thompson and Maloney, who chairs the Oversight and Reform Committee, have asked Reeves for details about the racial makeup and population size of communities that have received federal funds or are slated to receive those funds to improve their water systems.

They also want to know why Jackson was the only city the Legislature placed under additional oversight as a condition for receiving money from a water infrastructure improvement program for local governments.

We urge you to take action to protect the health and safety of Jackson residents and direct funding to Jackson immediately to fix this life and death issue, Maloney and Thompson wrote.

A spokesperson for Reeves did not directly comment on the letter, and instead referred to a Twitter post by the governor on Monday sharing the states plans to address ongoing staffing challenges at Jacksons water treatment plants through an emergency contract. In the past, the city has struggled to hire enough qualified workers at its water facilities.

Reeves wrote that the proposal, which could bring in additional help, is the next step in ensuring clean water continues to be delivered to the people of Jackson.

The representatives letter asks Reeves to respond by Oct. 31. But its uncertain whether Maloney and Thompson will be in positions to continue the probe in the long run. If Republicans take over the House in the midterm elections, the leadership of both committees  and potentially their priorities  will shift.

More than 200 Jackson residents and supporters hold signs as they march to the governor's mansion to protest water issues in the city. (Rogelio V. Solis / AP)

Jacksonians had been under a citywide boil-water notice for more than a month when water pressure dropped in late August.

Service was restored by the next week, and most Jackson residents no longer have to boil their water, but there are lingering concerns about water quality. For the past six years, the state Health Department has cautioned pregnant people and young children against drinking unfiltered tap water because of the potential danger of lead exposure.

While Reeves has contended that the citys management of the water system is at the root of the crisis, there are growing questions about whether Mississippi has done enough to help shore up Jacksons infrastructure.

In September, the Justice Department sent a letter to Lumumba saying both local and state officials have not acted to protect public health.

This summers outage was the latest crisis to roil the city, which suffered a stretch of low water pressure after a winter storm last year hobbled operations at the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant. And boil-water notices are common; the city has issued at least 300 of them over the past two years.

Jackson has received some state funding in the past, using money from a loan program administered by the state Health Department to make upgrades. But the states decision to limit each municipalitys loan forgiveness to $500,000 leaves Jackson  which has needed to borrow almost $30 million for a single project alone  at a disadvantage compared to smaller, rural communities where requests often dip below $1 million.

Last month, the NAACP asked the Environmental Protection Agency to open a civil rights investigation to determine whether the way Mississippi disperses federal funds meant to keep communities in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act has discriminated against Jackson.

Separately, the EPAs Office of Inspector General, which is independent from the agency, announced last month that it was probing the water crisis.
A former laboratory director for the failed Silicon Valley blood-testing startup, Theranos, testified against the companys former CEO Elizabeth Holmes for a second time on Monday, diminishing her chances for a new trial.

Lawyers for Holmes and federal prosecutors questioned Dr. Adam Rosendorff under oath during an evidentiary hearing on Monday. The hearing was sparked by Holmes claim that Dr. Adam Rosendorffs post-trial statements to her romantic partner Billy Evans conflicted with those he made at trial. In January, a jury found Holmes guilty of using her now defunct blood diagnostics company, Theranos, to defraud investors.

"Do you still stand by your testimony?" U.S. Assistant Attorney John Bostic asked Rosendorff, according to Law 360s Dorothy Atkins. "Absolutely, I do," Rosendorff said.

During Holmes trial, Rosendorff testified on behalf of the government, saying he felt pressured to rapidly expand Theranos blood-testing system, despite problems with its technology.

However, Holmes contends that Rosendorff sought out Holmes at the couples Woodside, California home on Aug. 8, seven months after Holmes' trial. In a conversation with Evans, she claims, Rosendorff allegedly said that government prosecutors made his testimony about conditions at Theranos seem worse than they actually were. Holmes argues that a mischaracterization of Rosendorff's testimony could justify retrying the case.

But in a court filing and again in court Monday, the former Theranos lab chief made it clear that he stands by his prior testimonyand that he visited the residence to forgive the 38-year-old Holmes, not to recant his statements under oath.

On the stand Monday, Law 360's Atkins Tweeted that Rosendorff told Wade that he showed up at Holmes' home after feeling distressed that Holmes' child, born in August 2021 around a month before the start of her trial, would be raised at first without her mother, if Holmes is sentenced to serve time in prison. Rosendorff reportedly added that he understood Holmes to be pregnant with a second child.

Twitter post from Law360 reporter Dorothy Atkins Oct. 17, 2020

Holmes lawyer Lance Wade also pressed Rosendorff about his mental health, citing a September story published in South African Jewish report in which Rosendorff said his role as a whistleblower led to a breakdown that included hospitalization, health problems, and medication prior to Holmes trial.

Rosendorff told Wade that the state of his mental health didn't impact the truthfulness of his trial testimony, Law 360 reported.

Criminal defense lawyers who talked with Yahoo Finance anticipate that Holmes' chances of securing a redo are slim. His post-trial statements were at the center of Holmes' request.

If Rosendroff testifies in the way he previewed in his motion...and the judge credits him, its over, Andrey Spektor, a partner with the law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, said before the hearing.

Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes arrives with her partner Billy Evans, as the jury continues to deliberate in her fraud trial at federal court in San Jose, California, U.S. December 23, 2021. REUTERS/Peter DaSilva

Even if Evans story is accurate, it wouldnt necessarily lead to a new trial for Holmes, criminal defense attorney Michael Weinstein told Yahoo Finance. In addition to his motion and trial testimony, Weinstein said, Rosendorff also signed a certification to affirm the truth of his statements made on the stand.

"Based on what he filed already, I don't see this developing into a new trial,"Weinstein said. "Unless he comes out and says I lied, or I testified falsely, which of course, would put him in serious jeopardy..."

In order to grant a new trial the attorneys said the judge would need to find that the government committed prosecutorial misconduct. Specifically, that they shaped Rosendorffs testimony in a way they knew would be false to secure a conviction.

Judge Edward Davila, who also presided over Holmes highly-publicized trial, granted Holmes and federal prosecutors until Oct. 24 to file briefs, according to Law 360.

In January, Holmes was convicted on three counts of criminal wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Her jury unanimously found her guilty of illegally fleecing investors out of millions of dollars through her Silicon Valley blood-testing startup.

In July, a separate Silicon Valley jury closed another chapter in the decades-long Theranos story, convicting its former president and chief operating officer, Ramesh Sunny Balwani, of criminal fraud. Balwani was also Holmes romantic partner during the time the two ran the biotech startup.

Holmes sentencing, which was postponed multiple times, is now scheduled for Nov. 18.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

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Despite hiccups with supply shortages and COVID-related shutdowns, General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Barra is bullish on the China marketplace.

We still think theres tremendous opportunity there, Barra said at Yahoo Finance's All Markets Summit in an interview with Editor-in-Chief Andy Serwer.

GM reported a bounceback in China sales for Q3 of this year, where it sold 629,900 vehicles, up about 1% from a year ago. While that doesnt sound like much, sales dropped a whopping 35% in Q2 due to those COVID shutdowns and related parts services.

Barra says it was a combination of traditional GM brands and their China joint-venture products that are driving growth. GMs joint venture SAIC-GM builds and sells products under the Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac brands in China.

YANTAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 14: Employees work on the assembly line of Buick Envision SUV at a workshop of GM China Dong Yue Motors Assembly Plant on September 14, 2022 in Yantai, Shandong Province of China. (Photo by Tang Ke/VCG via Getty Images)

The Buick brand is very strong as is Cadillac, and we also have Chevrolet there, but we also have a joint venture with Wuling, that allows us to sell the Baojun brand, she says. The SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture, GMs other main partnership, sells the Wuling and Baojun brands in mainland China.

Buick has been a stalwart for GM in China, with sales climbing 11.4% in Q3 versus a year ago. Chevrolet was up 14.3%, and Wuling climbed a modest 4%. Though Cadillac was down 5% in China compared to a year ago, GM is bullish on its growth prospects, with the LYRIQ EV SUV going on sale there in September.

And EVs are a potential mainstay for growth in China for GM, where the EV market is the most developed in the world. The [Wuling] Hongguang Mini EV has been one of the highest selling vehicles this year, from a Chinese perspective for EVs, Barra says about the diminutive box-like car.

QINGDAO, CHINA - MARCH 30: A Wuling Hongguang Mini EV Macaron microcar rolls off the assembly line at a branch of SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile on March 30, 2022 in Qingdao, Shandong Province of China. (Photo by Yu Fangping/VCG via Getty Images)

Barra is more bullish on the high-end, where she sees relative strength versus the competition. Were definitely seeing the landscape change, were seeing more competition from domestic suppliers, but we think especially in luxury and with Buick, the strength of those brands, we think, is going to remain strong.



Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

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By Filipp Lebedev and Caleb Davis

(Reuters) -Former Russian state TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, accused of spreading "fake news" about the war in Ukraine, has fled the country after escaping from house arrest, her lawyer said on Monday.

Ovsyannikova is currently "under the protection of a European state", lawyer Dmitry Zakhvatov said, declining to elaborate as "it may turn out to be a problem" for her.

Ovsyannikova captured world attention in March when she burst into the studio during a live TV broadcast with a placard that read "Stop the war" and "They're lying to you". The Kremlin denounced her protest as "hooliganism".

The 44-year-old was given two months' house arrest in August over a protest in July when she stood on a river embankment opposite the Kremlin and held up a poster calling President Vladimir Putin a murderer and his soldiers fascists.

Facing up to 10 years in prison on charges of spreading fake news about the Russian army, Ovsyannikova said in an online post on Oct. 5 she had fled house arrest because she had no case to answer. Her whereabouts since then have been unknown.

Zakhvatov said that Ovsyannikova's daughter left the country with her, while her son remained in Russia. He declined to say where she was but told Reuters: "Soon everything will be made public. We need a couple of weeks."

Russia passed new laws against discrediting or distributing "deliberately false information" about the armed forces on March 4, eight days after invading Ukraine.

(Reporting by Filipp Lebedev and Caleb Davis; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
King meets refugees who have settled for new life in Scotland

The King welcomed refugees from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan as he learned of efforts to resettle displaced families in Aberdeen.

Charles visited the Scottish city on Monday to hear first hand how Aberdeen City Council had been supporting people fleeing conflict in their homeland.

The city council has worked with the UK and Scottish Governments to provide accommodation and critical services such as health and education for more than 1,000 people from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria.

In a reception at the citys Town House, the King met Inna Skvortsova, a Ukrainian woman who arrived in the city in April.

She now has a full-time role at the council assisting with the resettlement programme.

Ms Skvortsova said it was such an honour to be invited to meet the King.

She said: Six months ago I didnt expect that I would be here, or with the King, his majesty, and now I am proud to represent my country.

Im so grateful that the United Kingdom helped me and helped my compatriots.

The monarch also met Burhan Vesal, who worked as an interpreter with the British Army in the south of Afghanistan.

He also met Mr Vesals wife, Narcis, who plans to use her medical experience as an Ob-Gyn to work as a doctor in the UK, and their son Sapehr, seven, who is enjoying school in the city.

King Charles met refugees who have come from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan and have made a new home in Aberdeen (Jane Barlow/PA)

Of meeting the monarch, Mr Vesal said: It means a lot as a new immigrant. He spoke to us with openness and with laughter and joy.

We ran away from conflict, we ran away from violence, in a hard situation, and now besides having the support from the community here, we have the support from the King and the Government.

He added that the monarch was touched when Mr Vesal recounted his familys life story.

The King also shared advice on being a good grandparent as the Afghan refugee, who asked to be known only as Yar to protect his identity, told Charles his family had expanded to 12 with a recent new addition.

Yar, who is still awaiting a permanent home in Aberdeen, had been employed as an interpreter with the Armed Forces and worked in Camp Bastion as an IT support worker before fleeing to Pakistan where he was evacuated to the UK.

The King met Burhan Vesal, his wife Narcis and son, Sapehr, who fled Afghanistan (Jane Barlow/PA)

He said: This was my first time to meet the King and this is my whole life. He is a very kind person.

I had a good chat with him telling my family story to him and he was really, really good and said that now youre going to have a safe life here.

He said Charles was excited to hear that he had just become a grandfather for the first time and wished him luck in dealing with a growing his growing family.

Before his departure, a choir of school children, university students and some of the refugee families sang a song, the Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen, to the monarch.

During an official visit to Jordan in November 2021, the King visited the Al Nuzha Community Centre which is supported by UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and met refugee families receiving UK assistance through UNHCR.

Aberdeen has resettled about 1,000 Ukrainian refugees, with capacity for more.

Approximately 170 Afghan refugees are currently staying in two hotels in the city and about 30 Syrian families have also been resettled in the city since 2014.
The King will meet with families settled in Aberdeen from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan as part of a programme to re-settle refugees in the city.

On Monday, the monarch will hear how Aberdeen City Council programmes have supported people as well as meet with local dignitaries including Inna Skvortsova, the lead welcome hub officer and a Ukrainian woman who arrived earlier this year as part of the Ukrainian resettlement programme and now has a full-time role at the council.

He will join a reception in the Town and County Hall in the Town House where he will meet Afghan, Syrian and Ukrainian families who have been supported by Government Schemes in Aberdeen.

The King on a visit to Glasgow (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The King will also have an opportunity to hear personal stories from families on their evacuation, their arrival in Aberdeen and some of the challenges they have faced.

Before his departure, a choir made up of school children, university students and some of the refugee families will sing The Northern Lights Of Old Aberdeen.

As Prince of Wales, Charles carried out a number of engagements with refugee communities.

During an official visit to Jordan in November 2021, the King visited the Al Nuzha Community Centre which is supported by UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and met refugee families receiving UK assistance through UNHCR.

Aberdeen has resettled around 1,000 Ukrainian refugees, with capacity for more.

Approximately 170 Afghan refugees are currently staying in two hotels in the city and around 30 Syrian families have also been resettled in the city since 2014.
Nathan Larson, an accused kidnapper and pedophile who was on trial for allegedly grooming a 12-year old Fresno girl, has died in custody.

According to the Eastern District of California U.S. Attorneys Office, Larson died on Sept. 18. An order of dismissal in his case was filed on Oct. 11. The office had no further details on the death, Public Information Officer Lauren Horwood said in an email to The Bee on Monday.

While it is not yet clear when or why, it appears that Larson had been transferred from a federal facility In the Fresno area to a facility in Arizona, where he died. A website for the medical examiner in Maricopa County has Larson listed as dying on Sept. 18. The primary cause of death is pending, according to the site.

Larson was last seen in court in March, arguing to represent himself in a federal felony case that could have seen him serve life in prison if convicted. The 41-year-old was originally arrested in December 2020 at the Denver International Airport. He was attempting to take the 12-year-old Fresno girl to his home in Virginia where his plan was to sexually assault her and impregnate her when she turned 13, according to court records.

Larson allegedly had been grooming the girl online after he found her on a rape/kidnap fetish website he operated from his home in Virginia. Larson traveled to Fresno where he convinced the girl to sneak out of her house and arranged for a ride share company to take them to Fresno Yosemite International Airport before flying to Denver.

At the time of his arrest, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims described Larson as a white supremacist and a well-known advocate for pedophilia.

Prior to his arrest, Larson had been an accountant and congressional candidate in Virginia. In 2008, he served 14 months of a 16-month sentence in federal prison for threatening to kill the president. At the time, George Bush was outgoing and Barack Obama was elected in November of that year.
WASHINGTON  The White House on Monday sharply condemned former President Donald Trumps ominous warning to American Jews, which he made in a social media post the day before.

U.S. Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel  before it is too late! Trump wrote in a Sunday post on Truth Social, the ex-presidents Twitter-like social media network. Trump also praised evangelical Christians for supporting his record on Israel more than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S.

The remarks were widely denounced by Jewish leaders and many others for invoking the antisemitic dual loyalty canard alleging that, wherever they live, Jews harbor a secret allegiance to Israel. Others also criticized Trump for lecturing American Jews on their own religious obligations.

On Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre added the Biden administration to the chorus of critics.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at the White House on Monday. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Donald Trump's comments were antisemitic and insulting both to Jews and our Israeli allies, she said in response to a reporters question. Jean-Pierre also charged that Trump had consistently aligned with extremist and antisemitic figures. And it should be called out.

Separately, Jean-Pierre also announced that Israeli president Isaac Herzog would visit Biden in Washington on Oct. 26. In a subsequent statement, she said the visit would serve to reaffirm the enduring partnership and friendship between the two nations.

During his presidency, Trump seemed to solidify that U.S.-Israeli friendship by moving the American Embassy to Jerusalem and fostering diplomatic ties between Israel and its Arab neighbors, in particular a series of agreements known as the Abraham Accords.

Yet he also has a complicated relationship with American Jews. On the one hand, his daughter Ivanka converted to Judaism when she married Jared Kushner, who served as one of Trumps top advisers in the White House. During their time in Washington, the couples children attended Jewish schools.

At the same time, Trump deployed the kind of nativist, conspiratorial rhetoric that experts say traditionally emboldens antisemites. Several of his advisers, including Steve Bannon and Sebastian Gorka, were criticized for rhetoric and writing that seemed to reference classic anti-Jewish tropes about an all-powerful cabal manipulating international affairs.

Donald Trump at a Save America rally in Warren, Mich., Oct. 1. (Emily Elconin/Getty Images)

Sundays post from the former president appeared to be occasioned by his desire for recognition. No President has done more for Israel than I have, he wrote. (Even some of Trumps more ardent fans in Israel may concede that honor belongs instead to Harry Truman, whose recognition of the fledgling Jewish state after World War II proved crucial to its survival.)

Although most American Jews do support the state of Israel, that support is hardly uniform  or automatic. Although antisemitism can emanate from anywhere on the political spectrum, it is white supremacists who most frequently suspect American Jews of taking their orders from Israel.

Such unfounded fears recall the anti-Catholic sentiment in 1960 that held that then-presidential candidate John F. Kennedy would take his cues from the Vatican, were he to win the White House.
TALLINN, Estonia (AP)  A leading Belarusian political activist has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for opposing President Alexander Lukashenkos regime.

Mikalay Autukhovich was convicted and sentenced by a Belarusian court Monday on charges of plotting a terror attack, high treason and a conspiracy to seize power.

Autukhovich is a 59-year old former military officer and a veteran of the Soviet war in Afghanistan. He has helped the opposition raise funds for their efforts to oppose Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet nation with an iron hand for more than 28 years.

Lukashenko has brutally suppressed protests that were fueled by his being awarded a sixth term in office in a 2020 presidential vote that was widely seen as rigged.
WASHINGTON (AP)  This years midterm elections are playing out as a strange continuation of the last presidential race  and a potential preview of the next one.

Donald Trump, who refused to exit the stage after his defeat and continues to rally his supporters with lies about voter fraud, has spent months raging against Joe Biden, reshaping down-ballot campaigns that normally function as a straightforward referendum on the incumbent president.

The result is an episode of political shadowboxing with little precedent, as the current president and his immediate predecessor  and possible future challenger  crisscross the country in support of their partys candidates.

Even as he faces multiple investigations, including a criminal probe into the handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump has been holding raucous rallies in battleground states, where he alternates between touting his handpicked candidates and denouncing his enemies. He belittles and excoriates Biden while lying, as he did in Ohio last month, that we didn't lose the last election.

Biden has so far steered clear of some of the tightest midterm races, instead focusing on fundraisers and official events where he draws contrasts between Democratic and Republican policy agendas. He often avoids direct references to the last guy, but on Saturday in Oregon, Biden warned that Trump controls the Republican Party.

This combination of photos shows former President Donald Trump, left, and President Joe Biden, right. This years midterm elections are playing out as a strange continuation of the last presidential race  and a potential preview of the next one. (AP Photo/File)

Sometimes the two men travel to the same places, such as when they visited Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, within days of each other, a reflection of the narrow political map that will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.

Its remarkably unusual, said Jeffrey Engel, founding director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University, who strained to think of any comparison in previous election cycles.

Without exception, since the Great Depression  Republican Herbert Hoover tried to plot a path back to power despite losing to Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932  we have not had a former president who believed they still had a viable political career ahead of them, he said.

Neither Trump nor Biden has formally announced they will run again. Trump has come close to declaring his candidacy, and Biden has said he intends to seek a second term.

If they face off again, the competition between them could become one of the longest and impactful political duels in American history, spanning several years and multiple elections.

Voters seem to have little appetite for a rematch.

A recent AP-NORC poll shows only about 3 in 10 Americans want either Biden or Trump to run for president in two years. Just 5 in 10 Democrats want Biden to seek a second term, while 6 out of 10 Republicans hope to see Trump seek the presidency again.

Engel said another battle between Biden and Trump would likely prove dispiriting.

What that fundamentally means is our country is not moving forward, he said. I have not met anybody who relishes that campaign.

However, it's clear that both men see their fortunes tied to the other.

When CNNs Jake Tapper asked Biden whether hes the only one who could fend off his predecessor in another campaign, the president sidestepped the question but expressed confidence about his chances.

I believe I can beat Donald Trump again, he said.

I believe I can beat Donald Trump again.President Biden

Trump would take issue with the use of the word again  he continues to spread the lie that Biden only took office through voter fraud.

Its an integral part of Trump's political message, and he never fails to bring it up at rallies for Republican candidates who have endorsed his false views on the last election. Sometimes the rhetoric dives even deeper into conspiracies, a reminder that another campaign could represent an even sharper break with reality.

In Arizona, during his most recent rally, Trump darkly suggested that Biden is surrounded by vicious, very smart people who are pulling strings.

No one thought this could happen in our country, and it all happened because of a rigged and stolen election, he said.

President Biden speaks about infrastructure investments at the LA Metro, D Line (Purple) Extension Transit Project - Section 3, in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

The former president has also tightened his embrace of the QAnon conspiracy theory, which portrays Trump as battling sinister, hidden forces.

Using his Truth Social platform, Trump shared an image of himself wearing a Q lapel pin overlaid with the words The Storm is Coming," referencing his eventual victory over opponents who would be tried  or even executed  on live television.

People close to Trump have said they believe a strong performance by Republicans in November will further encourage Trump to run again in two years, as he has been openly teasing for months.

In addition to his rallies, which earn candidates local media attention and fire up the Republican base, Trump has been helping candidates in other ways, holding fundraisers and tele-rally calls on their behalf. Most significantly, last week, his new super PAC, MAGA Inc., reserved nearly $5 million in airtime for ads in key states attacking the opponents of his favored candidates.

The first round of ads from the group notably do not feature Trump or even mention his name. Republicans have expressed frustration that Trump was hoarding small-dollar donations for himself and refusing to help the candidates he had pushed voters to nominate, despite sitting on an enormous war chest.

But Mike DuHaime, a longtime Republican strategist, isnt sure the outcome of the midterms will make a difference in Trumps plans for the next presidential race.

Hell take credit for every win and deflect blame for every loss, he said.

Trump has claimed, as he did in Pennsylvania last month, that the midterms are a referendum on the corruption and extremism of Joe Biden and the radical Democrat party.

But DuHaime said Trump has prevented that from happening by injecting himself into this year's races, providing a boost to Biden, whose poll numbers remain underwater as voters express concerns about the economy.

Trump is no ordinary president, nor did he really seem to care about the party, he said. He seems to care about himself more than the party that put him in office.

Former President Donald Trump makes his entrance at a rally at the Minden Tahoe Airport in Minden, Nev., Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Villegas)

Biden's circle has a similar view. An adviser, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations, said those around Biden see the midterms as having become more of a choice than a referendum. Trump's presence on the trail, the adviser said, is seen as helping make Democratic points for them.

Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster, said the only thing more helpful would be if Trump announced another presidential campaign.

Hes getting dangerously close to that, she said.

Biden has deferred any announcement about his own candidacy until after Election Day, keeping his focus on the midterms.

Like other incumbent presidents in an election year, Biden has blended his political and governmental duties as voting begins.

He stopped in Colorado on Wednesday to designate the first national monument of his administration, fulfilling the wishes of the states senior Democratic senator, Michael Bennet, who is seeking reelection this year. Although Bennet is favored to win, he's facing a concerted challenge from Joe ODea, a Republican businessman.
From left, Councilmember Gil Cedillo, acting City Council President Mitch O'Farrell, Councilmember Nithya Raman and Councilmember Kevin de Leon. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

We no longer live in the Los Angeles that is depicted in the leaked recordings of city leaders engaging in a casually racist and nakedly corrupt conversation.

Our City Council politics may be tribal and divisive, but all Angelenos lead lives that are in some way multicultural, intentionally or not.

Cambodians, Thais and Filipinos shop in Chinatown. Central Americans and Nicaraguans celebrate special occasions at a Thai restaurant in Koreatown. Quinceaneras and weddings take place at Armenian-owned banquet halls. Black people shop in swap meets, at shops run by Latinos and owned by Koreans. At a stoplight in any given neighborhood in L.A., you can hear someone blasting Nipsey Hussle, Kendrick Lamar or Tyler, the Creator.

But as the leaked recordings show, City Hall isn't listening.

Angelenos of all races and backgrounds have marched at one another's protests, shouting "Black Lives Matter!" or "Stop AAPI hate!" or "Protect essential workers!"

But on redistricting priorities, Councilmember Kevin de Leon said, Protect me.

We eat one another's food, work together, marry and, over time, learn to share neighborhoods. Sometimes, in our own messy, imperfect way, we come together and recognize a common cause.

But on slicing up Councilmember Nithya Ramans district through gerrymandering, Councilmember Gil Cedillo said, Shes not going to help us.... Yeah, why not?

They  De Leon, Cedillo and since-resigned Council President Nury Martinez and L.A. County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera  mocked protestors, journalists and activists but seemed to show empathy for politicians facing scandals and investigations. They bragged cozily about their connections in the U.S. attorneys office and recast their narrow political setbacks as an insult to Latinos everywhere. And at no point during the meeting did they discuss how another community besides their own might benefit.

Now, some white commentators are using this incident to argue that we should stop talking about race so much. So it's important to say that what De Leon, Martinez and Cedillo are doing is not a consequence of racial discourse  it is a manipulation. They've distorted the language of racial justice and equity to serve themselves, and in doing so, they've harmed every minority group that hopes to have its concerns taken seriously.

To hold politicians accountable, we actually need to talk about race more, and with more sophistication, so that we are not so easily manipulated. Because a politics that divides everyone based on race only makes it easier for corrupt politicians to stay in power.

"In this city, interethnic relations are not a sideshow. They are actually the predominant relationship, said historian Scott Kurashige.

Real progress in Los Angeles has always required the collective efforts of racial groups, dating back to the coalition of Black, Jewish, Asian and Latino people that brought the city its first and only Black mayor, Tom Bradley, in 1973.

Starting in the 1980s, Asian American and Latino voters in cities across the San Gabriel Valley banded together to break the grip of white political majorities, a collaboration that helped Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) win her seat.

But "it's been a while since we had those kinds of leaders," said Megatoys chief executive and longtime political player Charlie Woo.

Woo recalls that when Chinese Councilman Michael Woos district was targeted for excessive gerrymandering in the 1990s, Bradley vetoed the map.

You're supposed to have a sense of common good in society," Charlie Woo said. "It's like our elected officials no longer feel accountable to that."

He is no stranger to cutthroat Los Angeles politics, but even he was bothered by the racial cynicism on display in the recordings. Honest, grass-roots civic activism on behalf of Asian Americans is hardly ever rewarded in City Hall, Woo said. But even communities that don't have numbers or political clout deserve to have their needs addressed.

"The Asian American voice is important, but that's not what they value from me," Woo said. Politicians "just care about my money, connections and the taxes I pay."

Kurashige calls this dynamic "the politics of racial succession"  a method of achieving political power first practiced in the United States by Irish, Italian, German and other European immigrants in New York and other Northeastern and Midwestern cities. Minority groups fight for their rights, then, after gaining a critical mass and forming a majority, help maintain the system that originally disenfranchised them. They abandon their coalitions in favor of preserving and maintaining political power.

The more power you get within the system, the more you have a stake in upholding the status quo, said Kurashige, author of "The Shifting Grounds of Race: Black and Japanese Americans in the Making of Multiethnic Los Angeles."

The political future of Los Angeles and the rest of this country will rest on our ability to form coalitions and create a new kind of majority that is built on more solid ground than the politics of racial succession.

That's why it's ironic that the quartet in the recording singled out for criticism Community Coalition South Los Angeles and KIWA Workers for Justice, because these are two of the many groups in the city that are doing that important work. KIWA brings Korean and Latino workers together to demand better conditions, and Community Coalition organizes Black and Latino Angelenos, and others, around a variety of causes.

"It's a reflection of what Los Angeles should be," said Jose Roberto Hernandez, KIWA's chief of staff and director of organizing.

Hernandez has counted himself among the admirers of the disgraced councilmembers. He celebrated when Cedillo authored a state law that offered access to driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. But now he thinks all three should resign.

The tapes showed "back-door dealing without really any consultation to the stakeholders in the community," Hernandez said. "I have to hold them even more accountable because of these reasons."

Outside of council politics, Woo says, the city has long since moved beyond the racial zero-sum game. He cites examples of Asian, Latino and Black political engagement groups  like the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality and the Los Angeles Urban League  collaborating on polling efforts and programming.

"Clearly, elected leaders have not gotten on the same program," Woo said. "They're still stuck on, 'What's in it for me?'"

In an era when race is more and more relevant to mainstream politics, voters need to demand accountability from those who say they represent us. We should teach one another to identify abuses of representation politics, reject model minority appeals and see beyond surface-level political appeals to food and culture. We should learn to recognize when we are on the same side, even when we don't have the same culture or language.

Jael Baha is a Oaxacan American who grew up in Koreatown, where her family owns laundromats and dry cleaners. When Martinez's ugly comments about short, dark people in Koreatown became public, Baha was at a quinceanera. Banda music filled the air, and the women wore their best traditional Oaxacan attire, dancing the Flor de Pina.

Baha takes great pride in her culture, and Martinez's comments cut deep, especially because Baha volunteers for KIWA.

But she's glad that the recordings were released.

"Now we know who these people really are," she said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Cool temperatures continued Monday as a cold front moved into the North Texas area, and cooler weather should continue for the first part of the week, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

Over the weekend, the area saw about 1/10 to a quarter of an inch of rain. On Monday, cloudy skies and a small chance of rain lingered in the early morning, said Jason Dunn, meteorologist with NWS. Any sprinkles were expected clear up by Monday afternoon, and sunny skies should return in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The temperatures for the first part of the week should be cooler with highs in the 60s and low 70s on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Temperatures on Wednesday are expected to drop significantly, with a low in the 30s. The temperature could set a record, according to the weather service, as temperatures do not typically drop that low in North Texas until November.

On Thursday and Friday, temperatures will warm up again into the 80s.
A medical attendant disinfects the rubber boots of a medical officer before leaving the Ebola isolation section of Mubende Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda on Sept. 29. In this remote community facing its first Ebola outbreak, testing trouble has added to the challenges. (Hajarah Nalwadda / Associated Press)

California officials are urging doctors to be on alert for any signs of Ebola symptoms among people who have recently traveled to Uganda, the East African nation currently undergoing a significant outbreak.

So far, the Ebola outbreak in Uganda has been limited to rural areas of that East African country. Ebola cases have not been reported in Uganda's capital, Kampala, nor Entebbe, home to the nation's international airport, according to a recent bulletin by the California Department of Public Health.

"However, spread of the outbreak within the region is possible due to several factors," the report said. They include the likelihood that Ebola was spreading weeks before the index case was identified and that patients initially sought care at healthcare facilities with sub-optimal infection-control practices.

In addition, some of the early victims were buried in large ceremonies, and the area where the outbreak began was along a main highway two hours from the Ugandan capital and leading to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

There are 54 confirmed and 20 probable Ebola cases in the recent outbreak, as well as 39 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. An outbreak was declared Sept. 20. The Ebola strain behind this outbreak is known as the Sudan species; past outbreaks of the Sudan species have resulted in a mortality rate of 50%.

There are no vaccines or drugs approved to prevent or treat the Ebola Sudan species. The current Ebola vaccine is designed for use against the Ebola Zaire species and isn't expected to protect against the Ebola Sudan species, according to California health officials.

On Oct. 6, federal officials began routing all U.S.-bound passengers who have been in Uganda in the 21 days before arrival through one of five airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.

Travelers at those airports will be checked for symptoms by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those who show no symptoms will be allowed to continue to their final destination. Those coming to Los Angeles County as their final destination will be referred to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for ongoing monitoring, local health officials said.

Once they arrive in L.A. County, the local Department of Public Health will give travelers information to monitor symptoms, and they will be given a phone number to call a nurse with the county should they have questions or begin to experience symptoms.

It can take 21 days between exposure to the virus for the onset of symptoms to begin.

No Ebola cases have been reported in the U.S., the California Department of Public Health said. But state officials and infectious diseases experts told doctors to be on the lookout for symptoms consistent with Ebola virus infection among people who have traveled recently to Uganda.

"So just to remind you what to watch out for: fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and it's followed by vomiting and diarrhea and bleeding from gums, et cetera, but not in everyone," UC San Francisco infectious diseases expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong recently told his colleagues in a campus town hall meeting. "So far, not a concern in the U.S., but again, something we're watching really closely."

During the 201416 Ebola outbreak, centered in West Africa and caused by the Ebola Zaire species, 11 people in the U.S. were treated for the virus. Of the 11, two died  both of whom had been in West Africa.

The 201416 Ebola epidemic  the largest since Ebola was discovered in 1976  resulted in more than 28,000 cases and 11,000 deaths, mostly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Ebola is generally transmitted through direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids  including saliva, sweat and vomit  from someone who is sick or who has died from the virus. It is not spread through air, food or water.

People can spread the Ebola virus only after developing symptoms of illness.

"Ebola poses little risk to travelers or the general public who have not cared for or been in close contact (within three feet or one meter) with someone sick with Ebola," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

During an Ebola outbreak, however, the virus "can spread quickly within healthcare settings," the CDC added.

L.A. County is prepared for Ebola cases should they arrive locally, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said.

The county has the capability to test for Ebola virus and is home to an Ebola regional treatment center. In 2016, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles was designated a regional Ebola treatment center, meaning it has agreed to accept Ebola patients from elsewhere in California, as well as Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and U.S. territories in the Pacific Ocean.

Other hospitals in California that can care for patients with Ebola, according to a state news release in 2016, include Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, UC Irvine Medical Center, UC San Diego Medical Center, UC San Francisco Medical Center, UC Davis Medical Center, and Kaiser hospitals in Los Angeles, Oakland and Sacramento.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol displays a video of former President Donald Trump at the White House during a hearing on October 13, 2022. (Reuters)

Former DOJ official Neal Katyal commented on Donald Trump's 14-page response to the DOJ.

Katyal said he did not think the response would help Trump unless he was trying to plead insanity.

He said Trump's response was "evidence" of an insanity plea.

Neal Katyal, a former Justice Department official, thinks former President Donald Trump's written response to the House panel's intention to subpoena him looks like an insanity defense.

Katyal  a law professor and an Obama-era acting solicitor general  made an appearance on NBC on Sunday, three days after the House panel investigating the Capitol riot unanimously voted to subpoena Trump. The subpoena will compel the former president to cooperate with the committee or be held in contempt of Congress and referred to the DOJ for prosecution  much like Trump allies Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro.

In response to the decision, Trump sent a document to the panel that started off with the sentence, "THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2020 WAS RIGGED AND STOLEN!" and contained multiple baseless claims of election fraud. It also included four photos of the crowd near the Washington Monument on January 6, 2021.

"Yeah, so, this is a 14-page screed, Jonathan, that's very hard to follow. But it does seem to dig the hole in deeper for Donald Trump," Katyal told MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart.

"I can't see it in any legal way helping him unless he is trying to go for the insanity defense, of which this paper seems, you know, to be some evidence of," Katyal added.

Neal Katyal, a law professor and an Obama-era acting solicitor general, is seen in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. (Reuters)

Katyal added that he thought it was a "pretty fanciful" idea that Trump would just give in and testify to the panel because of the congressional subpoena.

"I mean, this is a man who took the Fifth Amendment more than 400 times the last time he was questioned under oath. And I doubt he's suddenly become eager to testify," Katyal said.

Katyal was referencing Trump's deposition in New York in August during New York Attorney General Leticia James' probe of the Trump Organization's business practices, during which he pleaded the Fifth more than 440 times and only answered a question about what his name was.

Katyal also added that he thinks Attorney General Merrick Garland will indict Trump, seeing as there is overwhelming evidence to do so and "no contrition whatsoever" on Trump's part.

A representative at Trump's post-presidential press office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
KYIV (Reuters) - Russia attacked the centre of Kyiv during morning rush hour with drones on Monday and shelled other cities around the country, the second time in a week it has unleashed strikes across Ukraine while its forces face setbacks on the battlefield.

Soldiers fired into the air trying to shoot down the drones after blasts rocked central Kyiv. Residents fled for shelter. An anti-aircraft rocket could be seen streaking into the morning sky, followed by an explosion and orange flames.

An official in Ukraine's presidential office said three people were killed in an attack on a residential building in Kyiv. Black smoke poured out of the windows of a blasted building and emergency service workers toiled to douse flames.

Ukraine said the attacks were carried out by Iran-made 'suicide drones', which fly to their target and detonate. Russia's defence ministry said it had carried out a "massive" attack on military targets and energy infrastructure across Ukraine using high-precision weapons.

Reuters saw pieces of a drone used in the attack that bore the words: "For Belgorod" - an apparent reference to Ukrainian shelling of a Russian region bordering Ukraine.

Ukraine's Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi later said there had been deaths in other cities too in Monday's attacks.

The strikes came exactly one week after Russia unleashed its heaviest aerial bombardment of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities since the start of the war - also during morning rush hour.

Russian drone strike targets civilians in Kyiv.

"All night and all morning the enemy terrorizes the civilian population. Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine. A residential building was hit in Kyiv," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app.

"The enemy can attack our cities, but it wont be able to break us. The occupiers will get only fair punishment and condemnation of future generations. And we will get victory."

Ukraine's military said it had destroyed 37 Russian drones since Sunday evening, or around 85% of those involved in attacks.

A drone attack also hit the Everi marine terminal in the southern city of Mykolaiv late on Sunday, officials said, damaging sunflower storage tanks and setting aflame leaking oil.

"This is an entirely civilian facility. There is no military," said Andriy, 47, a senior manager who declined to give his last name. He said the attacks were part of a Russian effort to "destroy the economy and to destroy food security".

U.S. embassy condemns 'desperate and reprehensible' attacks

The new United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk of Austria, said drone attacks on civilians had to stop.

The U.S. embassy in Kyiv also condemned the "desperate and reprehensible" drone attacks. Russia denies targeting civilians.

Iran repeated on Monday its denial that it is supplying the drones to Russia. The Kremlin has not commented.

Some European Union foreign ministers, gathering for talks in Luxembourg on Monday, called for new sanctions against Iran if Tehran's involvement in Russia's war on Ukraine is proven.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Russia should be expelled from the Group of 20 major economies and other international groups following the drone attacks.

"Those who give orders to attack critical infrastructure to freeze civilians and organise total mobilization to cover the frontline with corpses, cannot sit at the same table with leaders of G20 for sure," he wrote on Twitter.

Russia has accused Ukraine of hitting targets in Belgorod region near the border. Pro-Russian news sources on Telegram reported that Ukraine had struck Belgorod's airport overnight. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv, which typically does not comment on incidents in Russia.

Elsewhere on Monday, renewed Russian shelling near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe's largest, caused it to be disconnected again from Ukraine's power grid, Ukrainian state energy firm Energoatom said.

The plant, which has often been shelled during the war, is occupied by Russian forces but operated by Ukrainian staff.

In southern central Ukraine, a large fire broke out at an energy facility in the Dnipropetrovsk region after an overnight missile hit, a local official said.

British military intelligence said on Monday Russia was facing more acute logistical problems in southern Ukraine after a blast on Oct. 8 caused damage to a road-and-rail bridge linking mainland Russia to Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Intense fighting is taking place around the eastern city of Bakhmut and the nearby town of Soledar, Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address on Sunday.

Bakhmut has been a key 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.

Ukrainian forces, helped by Western arms, have clawed back territory in the southern Kherson region - strategically vital as it links Crimea to the rest of Ukraine - and in parts of the northeast in a major counter-offensive over the past two months.

Ukraine's battlefield successes prompted President Vladimir Putin earlier this month to announce a partial mobilisation, Russia's first since World War Two, a deeply unpopular move that encouraged many men to flee the country.

On Monday, the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, said the Russian capital had "completed" its call-ups and further summons would no longer be issued.
WASHINGTON  Negotiations for the United States and Iran to reenter an agreement on the production of nuclear fuel may be fatally stalled, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday during a press briefing.

We dont see a deal coming together anytime soon, Jean-Pierre said, even though she qualified that assessment by pointing out that the door for diplomacy will always remain open.

While not surprising, the admission made clear that roughly two years of efforts by the Biden administration may ultimately fail to produce results. Known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, the accords were signed in 2015 and were, at the time, seen as a major accomplishment of the Obama administrations conciliatory diplomacy.

Under the agreement  which was also signed by fellow nuclear powers Russia, China, Germany, France and the United Kingdom  Iran agreed to curb efforts to produce a nuclear bomb and to open its nuclear processing facilities to international inspectors.

Then-President Barack Obama, center left, at the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council summit in 2015 at Camp David, Md. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

In return, the United States and the European Union would lift the crippling sanctions that have devastated Irans economy, impoverishing and isolating its citizens.

Most conservatives criticized the deal, as did the allies of Israel in the U.S. foreign policy establishment. They cheered when then-President Donald Trump withdrew the United States out of the JCPOA in 2018, decrying it as one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into.

As with other aspects of American foreign policy, Joe Biden promised to reverse the withdrawal if he were elected president. Just days after taking office, he appointed veteran diplomat Robert Malley to restart JCPOA negotiations. Those negotiations had been slow, especially since Iranian diplomats refused to meet with Malley directly. But there was still optimism, however cautious, that Iran would ultimately recognize that a new deal was in its own best interests.

In recent weeks, however, prospects for a new JCPOA appear to have plummeted. For one, Iran is now supplying weapons for the Russian invasion of Ukraine; on Monday, Iranian-made Shahed-136 kamikaze drones were used to launch attacks against Kyiv. It would be difficult for the Biden administration to argue that a regime fueling Russian President Vladimir Putins brutal war in Ukraine can be trusted to curb its nuclear ambitions.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at the daily news briefing at the White House on Monday. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The protests that have shaken Iran in recent weeks have also complicated any hopes of a nuclear deal. Galvanized by the killing of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who refused to comply with strict rules regarding head coverings for women, the protests have exploded into a mass movement against Tehrans repressive policies.

Those policies were well known to the American diplomats who first forged the JCPOA and have tried, since 2021, to revive it. But the stories and images now emanating from Iran have trained worldwide condemnation on Tehran.

Irans support for Russia & crackdown on protests has ended any chance the U.S. will rejoin the JCPOA anytime soon if ever as it would throw an economic lifeline to a repressive and aggressive regime that could well be on the ropes, Council on Foreign Relations President Richard N. Haass wrote in a Monday morning Twitter message.

Increasingly, that appears to be the conclusion also reached by the Biden administration. Much as Jean-Pierre did on Monday, State Department spokesman Ned Price acknowledged that a new Iran deal is not our focus right now, as he put it at a briefing last week. Price praised the Iranian demonstrators for the remarkable bravery and courage that the Iranian people are exhibiting through their peaceful demonstrations.
KYIV  Residents of the Ukrainian capital on Monday were once again woken by air raid sirens and explosions as Russia launched a large-scale assault on the city, using its new Iranian-supplied Shahed-136 suicide drones, almost exactly a week after its last attack on Kyiv. According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, at least four people were killed.

The barrage of remote-piloted kamikaze aircraft began a little after 6:40 a.m. Multiple explosions and gunfire could be heard across the city as the drones flew slowly toward their targets. Ukrainian defenders, both law enforcement and ordinary citizens, attempted to shoot them down.

A drone approaches for an attack in Kyiv on Monday. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the Kyiv City State Administration, 28 of the drones targeted Kyiv. Ukrainians have derisively nicknamed them flying balalaikas owing to their resemblance to the Russian stringed instrument, or flying mopeds because of the high-pitched buzzing sounds their engines make. Ukrainian forces say they shot down a majority of the drones, with local air defense recently bolstered by Western security assistance since last weeks terror bombing, but at least five detonated around the busy Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv.

A blast following a drone attack in Kyiv on Monday. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

The Shahed-136s, supplied by Russias ally Iran, are cumbersome and unsophisticated but still carry an 88-pound warhead, which can wreak immense damage. And at an estimated cost of $20,000 each, they are extremely cheap in comparison to Russias more high-tech but dwindling stockpile of cruise missiles. Ukrainian intelligence claims that Iran has supplied 2,400 of these drones to Russia. The Iranian government still flatly denies these claims in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

One of the Shaheds appeared to have for Belgorod written in Russian on its fuselage, a possible reference to recent Ukrainian attacks on military targets in the Russian city, just 50 miles north of Kharkiv, that has been used as a springboard for the invasion of eastern Ukraine.

Firefighters work after a drone fired on buildings in Kyiv on Monday. (Roman Hrytsyna/AP)

Ukrainian military and police on the ground engaged the incoming UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) with whatever small arms they had to hand  assault rifles, pistols and even shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles. Dramatic footage captured by the Kyiv city polices bodycams showed patrolmen scrambling to engage these winged bombs before taking cover as they detonated yards away from their position. One Ukrainian civilian was even pictured leaning out of his apartment window, firing what appeared to be a shotgun to try to pick them off.

A police officer fires at a flying drone amid attacks in Kyiv on Monday. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

As of 9 a.m. local time, smoke was pouring from residential and commercial buildings that had caught fire. Ukrainian firefighters and EMTs had already arrived, dousing the flames and attending to civilians who had been wounded as a result of the blasts. A five-story czarist-era building had been half-demolished by one explosion, and rescuers combed through the rubble, looking for survivors. Anxious relatives waited behind the police cordon for any news of their loved ones.

Medics help an injured woman after drones fired on buildings in Kyiv on Monday. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

One of the relatives, Denis Koval, a market trader, had just left the building for work. He told Yahoo News that his 74-year-old grandmother, who lived in the same building, was home when the Iranian drone attacked. When he heard about the blast, he immediately rushed home but found little left of his residence, and his grandmother, Anna, was trapped under the rubble.

Anna was successfully rescued by Ukrainian first responders. Shaken but uninjured, she was taken to the hospital for precautionary medical checks. Rescuers also pulled a shivering and concussed cat, Philya, from the wreckage. The distressed animal was wrapped in a thermal blanket before being taken to a veterinarian.

Ukrainian rescuers save a cat named Philya at a residential building hit by a drone attack in downtown Kyiv on Monday. (Oleg Petrasyuk/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

By midafternoon, Ukrainian authorities had confirmed that four people had been killed in the strikes, including a six-months-pregnant woman, Victoria, and her husband, Bogdan, both 34.

This latest assault on civilian targets came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a news conference on the back of a summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, claimed that he saw no further need for massive strikes on Ukraine.

Smoke rises after a Russian drone strike in Kyiv on Monday. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters)

About a half hour after the air raid alert ended, Kyivs streets returned to normal: filled with heavy traffic and pedestrians.

We arent going to be terrified by Putin, Danylo, a student at Kyiv University and a freelance photographer, told Yahoo News. We know that any agreement that we might make with a terrorist like him would be worthless anyway.
The assassination of Regina Martinez in 2012 was horrific: a respected Mexican investigative journalist brutally beaten in her home before being killed. But it was the context surrounding her death that was especially distressing: 10 journalists had been killed in Mexico in 2010 alone; Martinez was the fifth killed in the state of Veracruz since Javier Duarte became governor in 2011. (Duarte is now in prison for embezzling billions of dollars.) The governments investigation into the journalist's death was clearly a sham, built on propaganda and false arrests.

Most Americans are unaware of tragedies like this one. Or if they heard about this one back then, they presumed it was just another case of drug cartel violence. Katherine Corcorans new book, In the Mouth of the Wolf, aims to uncover the truth behind Martinezs murder while also underscoring the larger implications for civil society  and not just in Mexico.

Corcoran was the Associated Press regional bureau chief based in Mexico City in 2012. While shed only briefly encountered Martinez, she was familiar with her work and knew that the killing of a journalist of her national reputation was a step beyond even for Mexico  even for Veracruz under Duarte.

Katherine Corcoran in Las Colonias, Mexico. (Dario Lopez-Mills / Associated Press)

My first motivation for investigating this was that there were so many unanswered questions around these journalist killings, and I thought I could clarify more definitively what was behind them, Corcoran said in a recent video interview from Indiana, where shed been speaking at the University of Notre Dame, her alma mater. (She still spends most of her time in Mexico City.) It was only getting worse, and I thought the only thing I can do as a foreign journalist is bring the story to a wider audience. Maybe that would cause more concern in Mexico.

In her early years reporting on the case, Corcoran saw this as a definitively Mexican story, not something related to journalism in the U.S. But then the whole context here changed and it became cautionary tale," she said, pointing to a hostile environment for the American press thanks to the arrival of a demagogic president who attacked the truth as fake news and journalists as the enemy of the people.

Something that would have ruined someones political career 10 or 20 years ago  like Herschel Walker paying for abortions  is just shrugged off, which has to do with the idea that facts arent important, Corcoran added. In political campaigns were seeing unfriendly media being excluded from events. The idea that politicians only want a mouthpiece is common in a way weve never seen before.

This, she said, is exactly how the system functions in Mexico, and we should read her book not merely as the investigation of a corrupt land beyond our borders but as a harbinger of our future at home: We have traditionally felt none of this stuff could happen in our system, but I wanted to show the erosion has already started.

Corcoran doggedly pursued evidence to try to pin down the person or people behind the killing. She interviews journalists, family members and others about what stories Martinez had been working on and who might have felt threatened. She also dug into everyone linked to the case in any way.

Many times Corcoran almost walked away, both because so many people were uncooperative, leaving her stuck in numerous dead ends, and because she feared for the safety of those who did cooperate, especially Martinezs nephew and the journalists who had worked with her. (Only two people took Corcoran up on her offer to change their names. I wanted to show how brave these people are in the face of these risks to get this story out, she said.)

But the book also strives to bring Martinez, her friends, her mentees and her enemies to life, creating a portrait of a culture where official autocracy is barely in the rear-view mirror and intrepid journalists struggle  frequently at great personal risk  to prompt change or at least some accountability.

While Corcoran narrows her gaze to a single suspect by the books end, that ultimately was not her main concern.

I discovered enough for an angle of investigation by authorities, she said of her prime suspect. He still wields power in Veracruz and the government doesnt seem inclined to pursue the case. But you never know. Politics is always changing, so its worth putting this out there. Still, the rest of the story is as or maybe more important than the whodunit. I wanted to explain the why.

Narcotics have been responsible for some journalists deaths, but Martinezs case was more devastating because her killer walked the halls of power.

Theres a criminal governance in Mexico that is sometimes aligned with the narcos but sometimes is just the people in charge creating their own criminal enterprises, Corcoran said. I wanted to explain to the world what is behind this. Outside of war zones, when journalists are attacked its more often because they are uncovering criminal activity by the government. These governments prey on their own people and thats why they need the silence.

Even though the book is done, Corcoran remains committed to holding those in power accountable in Mexico and beyond. Im not going to drop the subject because its very important, she said, and I see parallels between Mexico and whats happening in the United States.

Corcoran runs a program with a Mexican journalist training editors in investigative reporting. It is crucial, she says, as Mexico appears to be backsliding. The country had seven decades of one-party rule before creating multi-party elections, but she says free elections without institutional reform leave the country open to autocracys return.

Journalists have been complicit in this. Corcorans book documents how pervasive corruption has been in the press. Some reporters were easily bought off while others held back out of fear for their lives. Violence persisted because it worked: Part of the reason so many journalists were killed was the press reaction was to silence itself and shut down, which was what they wanted.

This at least, Corcoran believes, has begun to change: The quality of journalism is improving and there is also a dramatic increase in the solidarity among the journalists.

She hopes her book can also shine some light closer to home. We have to help the public understand what we do, Corcoran said. When you make decisions about voting or hear about contaminated water supplies, its journalists who uncover that and help people live their lives. Independently reported information is necessary to the freedom of society. This is one unchangeable fact, Corcoran believes, that knows no borders.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Midlands man was killed early Sunday morning when a car crashed into a house, the Sumter County Coroners Office said.

Marcus Lane, a 41-year-old Sumter resident, was taken to an area hospital where he died, Coroner Robbie Baker said in a news release.

The single-vehicle collision happened at about 12:05 a.m., according to Baker.

Lane was driving on Oakland Avenue when the vehicle ran off the road and crashed into a house, Baker said.

There was no word if Lane wore a seat belt.

No other injuries were reported.

Information about what caused the vehicle to veer into the home was not available, but Baker said the accident remains under investigation by the coroners office and the Sumter Police Department.

An autopsy is scheduled on Monday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, according to the release.

There were multiple fatal crashes in Sumter County in about a 24-hour span over the weekend.

Late Friday, at about 11:50 p.m., a 20-year-old was killed in a single-vehicle collision on Camden Highway, according to Baker.

Jaheem McCauley was taken to an area hospital where he died, the coroners office said.

An autopsy at MUSC in Charleston is scheduled for the Sumter resident, who was not wearing a seat belt, according to Baker.

Police and the coroners office are continuing to investigate McCauleys death.

At about 7 p.m. Saturday, there was another deadly wreck.

A motorcycle rider died after crashing into a deer on Raccoon Road, and near the intersection with Barnwell Drive, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.

Richard Shields, a 54-year-old Sumter resident, died at the scene, according to Baker.

The Highway Patrol and the coroners office are still investigating Shields death.

Through Oct. 9, at least 810 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2022, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,194 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least 27 people have died in Sumter County crashes in 2022, DPS reported. Last year, 31 deaths were reported there, according to DPS data.
At least 603 people have been killed by flooding in Nigeria, and all but three of the 36 states in the West African nation have been impacted, the Nigerian humanitarian affairs ministry said on Sunday.

The national government also announced that more than 1.3 million people have been displaced due to the rising waters and a minimum of 840,000 acres of land also have been affected. The flooding has also triggered fears of food scarcity in the heavily agricultural nation. Nigerias population of 218 million is the largest in Africa.

We are very sad over these flood incidences in the country. It is a national disaster, said Goodluck Jonathan, former president of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday at an improvised displacement camp in an elementary school.

Flooding in Lokoja, Nigeria, Oct. 13, 2022. (Ayodeji Oluwagbemiga/Reuters)

The floods have been caused by unusually heavy rainfall. Nigeria, which gets heavy tropical rains from May to September, usually suffers from seasonal flash floods but almost never on this scale, Reuters reported last week.

The problem was exacerbated by a release of water from the Lagdo Dam in neighboring Cameroon, which was necessitated by the rain waters causing the dam to overflow.

More extreme rainfall patterns are a consequence of climate change, as warmer temperatures cause more evaporation, making both droughts and floods more common. Countries around the world have experienced both this year. The droughts that parched North America, Europe and China this summer were made 20 times more likely because of climate change, according to a recent study by World Weather Attribution, an international collaboration among scientists.

The city of Kogi after several days of rain. (Fatai Campbell/AP)

Meanwhile, devastating floods in Pakistan have recently submerged one-third of the country, killed more than 1,300 and displaced 32 million people from their homes. In one week in late July and early August, Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri all experienced rainfall so heavy that its only supposed to occur once every 1,000 years.

On Saturday, Australia experienced widespread flash flooding on its east coast as a result of heavy rains. Storm waters inundated homes and cars in three states and some areas were evacuated.

It was frightening, 61-year-old Antoinette Besalino told the news agency Agence France-Presse. Ive been here for the other floods but Ive never seen anything like that.

A woman is rescued from floodwater in Maribyrnong, Australia, Oct. 14. (Erik Anderson/AAP Image via AP)

Twenty people have died from floods in the country this year (including flooding this spring in southeast Australia) and the flooding has also caused $3.3 billion in damage.

The devastation of natural disasters in developing countries such as Pakistan and Nigeria creates additional threats of humanitarian crises, however, because poorer countries are at greater risk of cascading effects such as famine. Nigeria is already struggling with decreased food production due to armed conflict in the countrys northwest and central regions. In East Africa, drought is threatening millions with food insecurity as well.

A satellite image of Idah, Nigeria, from June 12, left, and of the same location on Oct. 11. (NASA Earth Observatory/Cover Images via ZUMA Press)

Among those displaced by the floods are thousands of Nigerians who were already in camps  which the flooding destroyed  for internally displaced people, due to the regional conflict. At least 15,000 Nigerians are in immediate need of shelter and food due to floods which destroyed their camps, according to the U.N.s International Organization for Migration (IOM). Heavy rainfall and strong winds have caused serious damage to shelters and infrastructure in camps and other sites for IDPs since the onset of Nigerias rainy season in June, an information officer for the U.N.s IOM said.

The organization said that funding remains short and the threats of worse impacts and prolonged famine loom.

Its saddening, Chiamaka Ibeanu, a nurse in Nigerias Anambra state, told the Washington Post on Sunday. All of a sudden, people are left with no homes and turned to beggars in weeks. No matter how rich they were, the displacement has reduced them so much.

Wading through floodwater in Makurdi, Oct. 1. (Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

Last week, 76 people died in Anambra when a boat they were using to escape roof-high floodwaters capsized.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently called for increased aid from developed countries, which have contributed more than 80% of the greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change, to help developing countries adapt to climate change and to reimburse them for some of the losses caused by it.

The people of Pakistan are the victims of a grim calculus of climate injustice, Guterres said at the U.N. General Assembly earlier this month. He added that richer nations should increase the generosity of their climate change aid at the next U.N. climate change conference, also known as COP27, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, next month.

A displaced persons camp in Sehwan, Pakistan, Sept. 30. (Akhtar Soomro/Reuters)

The U.N. issued a report last week stating that much of the world lacks sufficient emergency warning systems for extreme weather. Guterres called on nations to work together to implement a five-year action plan to deploy early warning systems worldwide, which he will unveil at COP27.

Entire populations are being blindsided by cascading climate disasters, without any means of prior alert, Guterres said. People need adequate warning to prepare for extreme weather events.
Police say theyre investigating what they now call a suspicious death following a fire early Monday in a Kansas City apartment complex that displaced nearly 30 people, according to officials.

Firefighters responded around 2:30 a.m. to the blaze at the Dorson Apartments in the 900 block of Benton Boulevard, where they found a man unresponsive, Officer Donna Drake, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City Police Department, said in a news release.

The man was later pronounced dead at a hospital, Drake said.

Bomb and arson investigators and homicide detectives were sent to the scene to investigate, Drake said. The incident will be considered a suspicious death at least until the medical examiners office makes an official ruling on the death.

A resident, who wished not to be identified, said she had been living with the man who died for the last few weeks while she saved money for a place of her own.

She had been away dog sitting when she learned of the fire. She said she rushed back to the apartment building on a borrowed bicycle and saw the man being taken out on a stretcher.

Everything she owned, including her phone and ID, were in the apartment.

Around 27 people were displaced by the fire, said Jimmy Walker, an assistant chief with the Kansas City Fire Department, and firefighters helped rescue around a dozen residents from second and third-story apartments during the blaze.

Red Cross officials were on scene to help connect those residents with assistance for food, clothing, shelter, medicine and other needs.

Angie Springs, a spokeswoman for the Red Cross, said 23 people have received assistance so far. The organization expects that number to increase as some residents left the scene before Red Cross officials arrived.

One other person was hospitalized following the fire due to an unrelated medical emergency, Walker said.

Police ask anyone with information to call detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
A Wolfspeed employee died Thursday on the job, prompting the North Carolina Department of Labor to open an investigation into his death.

The fatality occurred Oct. 13 at Wolfspeeds Research Triangle Park campus, said department spokesperson Erin Wilson.

Multiple former Wolfspeed employees told The News & Observer that the worker was a facilities electrician named Vincent Farrell, a who was 45 years old and lived in Durham.

I had the pleasure of working with, and managing Vinny for a number of years at Cree, said Joshua Brown, who was a facilities operations and maintenance supervisor at the company until 2017. He was an incredible person, well-liked by his peers, and a very knowledgeable electrician. Learning about his death is extremely saddening. He will be missed dearly.

Wolfspeed is a growing semiconductor manufacturer that operated under the name Cree until last fall. It employs around 2,500 people in the Triangle. The company is headquartered in Research Triangle Park and is preparing to expand after receiving a massive state incentive package in September to construct an 1,800-job facility in Chatham County.

In the past 10 years, state department of labor investigations into the company have uncovered 17 workplace safety violations, including six serious violations. The most recent was found in 2015.

In a statement to The N&O, Wolfspeed did not share whether it will reconsider its safety procedures in the wake of Farrells death.

Wolfspeed is deeply saddened that a fatality occurred at our Durham, North Carolina, facility on Oct. 13, said Melinda Walker, the companys director of corporate communications. Our thoughts and condolences are with this employees family during this difficult time.

This story was produced with financial support from a coalition of partners led by Innovate Raleigh as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work.
Police are investigating an assault on a Hong Kong pro-democracy protester who had to be rescued by officers after being dragged into the grounds of the Chinese consulate in Manchester and beaten.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the campaigner spent the night in hospital after suffering several injuries and that officers had intervened amid fears for his safety.

Scuffles broke out outside the building on Sunday afternoon after 30 to 40 pro-democracy protesters gathered and put up posters.

The injured campaigner told BBC Chinese that unidentified men had ripped down the posters before he was attacked.

UK police are not normally allowed to enter consulate grounds without permission. The properties fall under UK law, but staff who work there may have diplomatic immunity.

#INCIDENT | Were investigating an assault following a protest outside the Chinese Consulate in #Manchester yesterday. A man was dragged into the Consulate grounds & assaulted. Due to our fears for the safety of the man officers intervened to remove him & prevent further harm. pic.twitter.com/pB3Sz3s8VM  Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) October 17, 2022

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: We understand the shock and concern that this incident will have caused not just locally, but for those much further afield who may have connections with our communities here in Greater Manchester.

It is clear what began as a peaceful protest unexpectedly escalated and our officers acted professionally in response to a hostile and dynamic situation to help the victim and ensure he didnt come to any further harm.

A full and comprehensive investigation is under way by our experienced Major Incident Team detectives, and I can assure the public that all viable avenues will be explored to bring to justice anyone we believe is culpable for the scenes we saw outside the Chinese Consulate on Sunday.

This investigation will take time but we are supporting the man who was subjected to this assault, as well as ensuring that our local officers are providing visible reassurance and are available to anyone may wish to speak to us.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burham called the incident deeply worrying. (Yui Mok)

News of the assault provoked outrage, with Tory MP Iain Duncan-Smith and shadow foreign secretary David Lammy calling for the Chinese ambassador to be forced to explain what happened after the assault.

Downing Street said the reports were extremely concerning, while Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said it is never acceptable for a protester to suffer violence.

He said: What took place yesterday outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester was deeply worrying and has no place in a city region like ours that prides itself on peoples right to protest peacefully.

Greater Manchester Police immediately started a full investigation and are in close touch with the Home Office and Foreign Office.

The UK Government @10DowningStreet must demand a full apology from the Chinese Ambassador to the UK @AmbZhengZeguang and demand those responsible are sent home to China. @SuellaBraverman https://t.co/9nBgJqHIvo  Iain Duncan Smith MP (@MPIainDS) October 16, 2022

It is important that the full facts surrounding this incident are established and for that we will need to wait for the investigation to conclude.

However, on the basis of what I have seen, I want to make clear that it is never acceptable for peaceful protestors to be assaulted and those responsible need to be held to account for their actions.

Sir Iain called for the Chinese ambassador to the UK to be made to apologise, and those responsible sent back to China.

Mr Lammy said: The Foreign Secretary should urgently summon the Chinese ambassador to demand an explanation for the incident.

The UK stands for freedom, the rule of law and democracy. The quashing of peaceful protest will never be tolerated on our streets.
The Stormont Assembly should be restored while negotiations continue to resolve issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said.

Mr Martin was meeting local parties in Belfast as the deadline to restore Stormont and avoid fresh Assembly elections rapidly approaches.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the Irish Government now agreed with him that there is no quick fix to the problems created by the protocol, while Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill said there had to be a way forward within the framework of the post-Brexit agreement.

The DUP is blocking the functioning of the powersharing institutions in Belfast as part of its protest against the protocol which has created barriers on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The UK Government has vowed to secure changes to the protocol, either through a negotiated compromise with the EU or domestic legislation to empower ministers to scrap the arrangements without the approval of Brussels.

Current legislation says that unless Stormont is restored by October 28, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has to call Assembly elections, which he has said he is prepared to do.

Mr Martin said his talks with Northern Irelands political leaders had been useful and open.

He said: I am very clear in my view that the recent elections should be vindicated, should be realised in the form of the executive and the Assembly being restored.

Micheal Martin speaks to the press at the Irish Government Secretariat in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

We are in very, very challenging times with a very significant cost-of-living crisis.

It is in that context that the people of Northern Ireland do need an executive and an Assembly to work with everybody else in respect of dealing with these challenges.

I am also clear that there is clearly a desire with all the major stakeholders for a negotiated resolution of the issues around the protocol.

That was clear from my meeting with the British Prime Minister Liz Truss and from my engagement with the European Union. Talks have commenced, they should be allowed to continue and get a resolution around issues with the protocol.

In the interim I think it is vital that the Assembly is restored.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP (centre) with party colleagues Gavin Robinson and Emma Little-Pengelly (Liam McBurney/PA)

After his meeting with Mr Martin, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson the Irish Government has recently developed a better understanding of unionist concerns about the protocol.

I think it is clear that the Irish Government share our view now that were not looking here at some kind of a quick fix, that what we need to do is deal with the protocol issues comprehensively, that we need to get to a place where the foundations for the political institutions are restored and strengthened, and thats where we want to get to, he said.

Sir Jeffrey added there can be no tinkering around the edges with the protocol and there is a need to replace it with arrangements that respect the integrity of the UK internal market.

I think the Irish Government recognises and understands our position better now than perhaps had been the case in the past, he said.

Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle ONeill gives reaction after a meeting with Taoiseach Micheal Martin at the Grand Central Hotel, Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms ONeill called on the DUP to join the rest of the parties to make politics work.

She said: What we need to see is an agreed way forward within the framework of the protocol, find ways to make it work, and get on with that piece of business because that seems to be the blockage, certainly, according to DUP, in terms of forming an executive.

So there shouldnt be any more delay and where we need to be today is around an executive table.

Commenting on the October 28 deadline for calling a new election, Ms ONeill said: The DUP need to join the rest of us who want to make politics work, who want to honour the election result from May past and who want to actually help people through what is the most challenging of economic times.

Naomi Long, leader of the Alliance Party (Liam McBurney/PA)

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long was the first to meet the Taoiseach on Monday.

Asked about a winter election, she said: If they (the DUP) continue to dig in then it is inevitable.

But I think the more important question is what purpose does that serve?

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it is totally irresponsible for the DUP to prevent the formation of an executive.

Theres a massive crisis in peoples homes right now, theres a crisis, as there always is in the health service, and our economy is in the toilet, and all the way the DUP are sitting out pretending theyre having some influence on the protocol negotiations, he said.

Doug Beattie, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said there was a clear landing zone on which the UK and EU could agree a compromise on the protocol.

Were now hovering above it and all we have to do is land and that takes courage, he said.

Mr Martins visit to Belfast will conclude with a visit to meet participants in programmes working with schools as catalysts for peace and reconciliation.
An international astronomy mission to search the skies for cosmic origins of the universe is to be joined by UK scientists.

Six UK universities will deliver a major upgrade to the cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiment known as Simons Observatory (SO).

The CMB is the trail of heat left by the Big Bang, and scientists say studying it can shed light on our understanding of how stars and galaxies were formed.

Dr Colin Vincent, associate director for astronomy at the Science and Technology Facilities Council, said: This major investment by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) will allow UK researchers to spearhead discoveries alongside partners in this international facility, uncovering the secrets from the very dawn of time.

The Observatory is a ground-based telescope on a mountain 5,200m (17,000 feet) above the Atacama Desert in Chile.

Prior to the new UK contribution, it was comprised of a single large aperture telescope and three small aperture telescopes.

Fluctuations in the CMB, the heat left over from the hot, early days of the history of the Uuiverse, reveal shifts in how matter was distributed shortly after the Big Bang, which are the initial seeds of all structure in the Universe.

The SO site in the Atacama Desert in Chile, showing a number of already-operating CMB experiments (Mark Devlin/SO project)

The two types of telescope will do two different jobs.

The small aperture telescopes are focused on searching for signatures of primordial gravitational waves.

While the large telescope will address a range of unsolved questions including the nature of neutrinos and other relativistic species, the nature of dark matter, and the physics giving rise to the observed accelerated expansion of the universe.

The international project is led by the US, supported by the Simons Foundation and the Heising-Simons Foundation, and includes 85 institutes from 13 countries.

From next month the six universities delivering the major new UK contribution are:

 Cambridge

 Cardiff

 Imperial College London

 Manchester

 Oxford

 Sussex

With 18 million funding from UKRI the UK will be leading on two additional telescopes providing a major increase in the sensitivity of the facility, along with UK expertise in data processing and analysis.

SO spokesperson Professor Mark Devlin, from The University of Pennsylvania, said: Simons Observatory is very excited by the addition of the UK contribution to the programme.

The addition of the new telescopes and researchers will be a significant addition to our program and will help to ensure SO returns amazing science for years to come.
Not at all. It just seems like a lot of back-and-forth talk.

Yes. I'm growing very worried over what might happen.

If it keeps up, I might be a little more concerned.

I think there are much larger things to concern us as a country.

It's hard to tell; I can't take the leader of either country seriously.

Vote

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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The seventh annual Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was awarded to Jamila Afghani, an educator, human rights defender, and founder of the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organization (NECDO). Jamila has dedicated over 25 years of her life to giving the women of Afghanistan access to education. She was commemorated during a series of high-level philanthropy-focused events hosted by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative in Venice, Italy on October 1416.

Before August 2021, NECDO had more than 100,000 women enrolled in literacy programs, thanks to the establishment of small centers in many communities led by local women. The organization also provides legal aid and psychosocial support to more than 10,000 women victims of abuse from a family member or a partner. Forced to flee Afghanistan, Jamila is continuing to help others at distance.

After the Taliban took over her country, Jamila Afghani had to leave her homeland, but she has not given up on its people. NEDCO is still supporting women of Afghanistan and vulnerable families, shedding light on lack of access to education, domestic violence, and other contemporary issues faced by women today, while providing financial aid to the human rights defenders, journalists, and advocates.

Our mission at Aurora is to recognize, celebrate and spread the work of humanitarians like Jamila Afghani around the world. Todays modern-day heroes inspire and guide us and show us how to persevere in the face of seemingly overwhelming challenges. They remind us of our common humanity and encourage us to show the same commitment to serving the poor and marginalized. They remind us, too, of our duty to give everyone an equal chance, said Lord Ara Darzi, Chair of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee and Co-Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London.

Every year, the Aurora Prize is granted by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors. The Laureate receives a $1,000,000 grant and a chance to continue the cycle of giving by supporting organizations that help people in need. As 2022 Aurora Prize Laureate, Jamila Afghani has chosen to support Women International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organization (NECDO). WILPF is a membership-led international organization that seeks to promote world peace by advocating for disarmament, abolition of violence, womens human rights, and gender equality, and NECDO is a non-governmental organization that provides humanitarian and development assistance to women, youth, and children in Afghanistan.

From my professional experience, I know that the human rights issue is a struggle. We go through these periods, and this is one of them, when its not very clear how we are going to see the way forward on so many issues, when we are running out of time. People like Jamila Afghani shine a light of hope on the future and show us all a way out of the darkness, noted Aurora Prize Selection Committee member Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Since its launch, the Aurora Prize has changed the lives of over 1,000,000 people affected by war, conflict, persecution, and other humanitarian issues, with a special focus on helping children, displaced people, and women and girls. This action-based philanthropy, focused on tangible results, is possible thanks to the supporters whose contribution allows the Prize to continue empowering modern-day heroes.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened gunfire from various caliber small arms at Armenian military positions in the eastern direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border at 18:45, October 16, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The situation is relatively calm as of Monday morning.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan held a meeting on October 17 with the newly appointed Ambassador of Brazil to Armenia Fabio Vaz Pitaluga.

The Speaker conveyed good wishes to the ambassador in the implementation of his mission.

Speaking about the inter-parliamentary format of bilateral relations, Simonyan said that an Armenia-Brazil Friendship Group has been set up in the Armenian Parliament, and expressed hope that soon the Brazilian parliament will launch the Brazil-Armenia Friendship Group.

Simonyan and Ambassador Fabio Vaz Pitaluga noted the importance of multi-sectoral cooperation and implementation of steps contributing to this.

Details on the September 13 Azeri attack against the sovereign territory of Armenia and its aftermath were discussed.

Speaker Simonyan said that he is calling for a strong and targeted condemnation by the international partners to the aggression unleashed by the Azerbaijani military-political leadership against Armenia, the gross violations of the principle of prohibiting the use of force or the threat of use of force against territorial integrity stipulated in the UN Charter.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The Council of the European Union today decided to deploy up to 40 EU monitoring experts along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan with the objective of monitoring, analyzing and reporting on the situation in the region, the Council said in a press release.

This decision follows the quadrilateral meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President of France Emmanuel Macron, President of the European Council Charles Michel and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on 6 October.

The Council said the decision is aimed at facilitating the restoration of peace and security in the area, the building of confidence and the delimitation of the international border between the two states.

The EUs deployment of up to 40 EU monitoring experts along Armenias international border with Azerbaijan will aim to build confidence to the unstable a situation that is putting lives at risk and jeopardizes the conflict resolution process. This is another proof of the EUs full commitment to contributing to the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable peace in the South Caucasus, Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said.

"In order to ensure a swift deployment of the EU monitoring capacity, it was decided that the monitoring experts will be temporarily deployed from the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia). The EUMM is taking operational steps so that its monitoring capacity in Georgia is not impacted.

The monitoring mission will have a temporary nature and in principle will not last more than two months", the Council said.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan held a meeting on October 17 with members of the EU technical assessment mission.

Minister Papikyan welcomed the missions visit to Armenia and expressed readiness to cooperate with the mission and support it, the ministry said in a readout.

During the meeting the main goals and issues of the mission were presented to the Defense Minister.

Technical and organizational issues of the missions activities were discussed.

The Council of the European Union today decided to deploy up to 40 EU monitoring experts along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan with the objective of monitoring, analyzing and reporting on the situation in the region.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Red Cross Society (ASRC) has provided financial assistance to the business owners and their employees affected by the fire and subsequent explosion in the area of the Surmalu market in Yerevan, the ASRC said.

Based on the vulnerability assessment results, 42 affected vulnerable business owners and their 211 family members, as well as 38 registered employees and their 186 families members received a one-time financial support of AMD 42,700 for each family member.

A total of 16 million 951 thousand 900 AMD were provided to 397 persons.

The financial assistance was provided with the financial support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Disaster Response Emergency Fund.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands has published the answers of Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra to the written questions of one of the deputies, in which an attempt is still made to avoid pointing out Azerbaijan as an aggressor state under the guise of promoting peace, but a number of important points are made. ARMENPRESS reports, the Federation of Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands (FAON) said on its Facebook page.

The minister particularly emphasized that in fulfillment of the resolution adopted by the Dutch Parliament a year ago, the Netherlands is planning to send observers to Armenia as soon as possible within the framework of the European Union's observation mission.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the commitment of the Dutch government to its calls for an independent investigation into the crimes against Armenian military personnel and civilians, as well as to contribute to peace-promoting measures.

According to the FAON, Wopke Hoekstra informed that Azerbaijan does not receive any support from the Netherlands, either directly or indirectly, and the Netherlands considers the principle of differentiation to be the priority in the support given to Azerbaijan within the framework of the EU. At the same time, it is emphasized that the Netherlands provides support to Armenia in various formats.

The minister clarified that Azerbaijan is not a primary trading partner for the Netherlands, moreover, it occupies the 94th place in terms of trade volumes," FAON said, adding that, referring to the footage of the killing of Armenian soldiers during the recent aggression by Azerbaijan, the minister noted that "during the meeting with the ambassador of Azerbaijan at the Dutch MFA, disgust was expressed regarding the video of the killing of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani soldiers and urged to conduct an independent investigation and publish its results.

The Federation of Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands also informed that imposing sanctions against Azerbaijan at this moment, according to Minister Hoekstra, will not contribute to the establishment of peace.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Azerbaijan continuously attributes the violations of the ceasefire regime committed by itself to Armenia, which creates a pretext for new military aggression against Armenia, ARMENPRESS reports, Pashinyan wrote on his Twitter page.

Azerbaijan is continuously attributing its own ceasefire violations to Armenia. Obviously, this is a creation of a pretext for new military aggression against Armenia. A permanent international mechanism is needed to maintain the ceasefire regime and provide border security, Pashinyan wrote.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The team of the EU civilian observer mission will be deployed along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border very quickly, EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said during a press conference, following the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on October 17.

The ministers also greenlighted the deployment of monitors from the European Union in Georgia mission to Armenia, to the Armenian side of the border with Azerbaijan. A team is already there, and according with the green light of the Council, we will deploy 40 monitors on the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan in the next weeks, very quickly, Mr. Borrell said.

In his turn President of the European Council Charles Michel welcomed the rapid deployment of monitoring capacity in Armenia along its international border with Azerbaijan.

Welcome rapid deployment of monitoring capacity in Armenia along its international border with Azerbaijan following meeting with Azerbaijani President, Armenian PM and French President. Will help build confidence and allow EU to better support border commissions which will convene shortly in Brussels, Michel tweeted.

On October 17 the Council of the European Union decided to deploy up to 40 EU monitoring experts along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan with the objective of monitoring, analyzing and reporting on the situation in the region, the Council said in a press release.

This decision follows the quadrilateral meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President of France Emmanuel Macron, President of the European Council Charles Michel and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on 6 October.

The Council said the decision is aimed at facilitating the restoration of peace and security in the area, the building of confidence and the delimitation of the international border between the two states.

The EUs deployment of up to 40 EU monitoring experts along Armenias international border with Azerbaijan will aim to build confidence to the unstable a situation that is putting lives at risk and jeopardizes the conflict resolution process. This is another proof of the EUs full commitment to contributing to the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable peace in the South Caucasus, Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said.

"In order to ensure a swift deployment of the EU monitoring capacity, it was decided that the monitoring experts will be temporarily deployed from the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia). The EUMM is taking operational steps so that its monitoring capacity in Georgia is not impacted.

The monitoring mission will have a temporary nature and in principle will not last more than two months", the Council said.
Rheinmetall acknowledges the Australian Armys declaration of the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) Initial Operational Capability (IOC). Announced on Saturday 15 October by Richard Marles, Australias Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Boxer IOC declaration reflects the vehicles success in meeting the Australian Armys stated operational needs; paving the way for the Boxer to be deployed on operations.

Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link



Soldiers from the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) conduct a live-fire shoot from a Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle at the Wide Bay Training Area, Queensland (Picture source: Australian Army/Leading Aircraftman John Solomon)

Speaking about the Boxer CRV IOC declaration, Gary Stewart, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, explained the importance of providing a protected capability to the Australian Armys soldiers: The Boxer CRV is the most advanced combat reconnaissance vehicle now in service with the Australian Defence Force. It offers increased protection, lethality and digitisation, and is a game-changer to safely operate in hostile environments and on peacekeeping missions. The Boxers journey to IOC has included extensive testing and live exercises with the Australian Army. I am proud of the global Rheinmetall team who have worked in partnership with Defence to deliver this important capability milestone. Following this IOC declaration, Rheinmetall continues our work in supporting the path to Final Operational Capability.

Rheinmetall is the largest supplier of military vehicles to the Australian Defence Force, with over 2,900 trucks already in service with the Australian Army. Rheinmetall is delivering a total of 211 Boxer CRVs and a further 490 trucks from the companys Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE), based at Redbank, South East Queensland.

Gary Stewart commented: At Rheinmetall, we believe that what we do, matters to those who serve. This is a shared purpose between our staff, now over 730 here in Australia, and the over 30 Australian companies that directly contributed to the manufacture, delivery and support of the initial Boxer CRV capability. As the company continues to design, manufacture and deliver the remaining 186 Boxer CRVs, Rheinmetalls commitment to Australian Industry Capability will provide enduring jobs, skills and opportunities in Australia for many years to come said Mr Stewart.
The recent entry into the BJP of state Congress working president Harsh Mahajan is considered a definite asset for the ruling party

On the BJP side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda (in picture) have already addressed rallies in the state and other senior leaders are also scheduled to visit the state.  DC Image

New Delhi: With less than a month remaining for 68 Assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh to go to the polls, the ruling BJP seems to have an advantage as it aims to achieve Mission Repeat. The states main Opposition party, the Congress, is gripped with dissatisfaction and disarray. The Assembly polls will be held on November 12 and the counting is on December 8. The BJP had won 44 Assembly seats in 2017.

The recent entry into the BJP of state Congress working president Harsh Mahajan is considered a definite asset for the ruling party. Mr Mahajan was considered a close confidant of former CM Virbhadra Singh, who passed away last year. A mass leader, Virbhadra Singh was seen as one of the Congress main star campaigners, and had influence in almost every region of the state and among all castes. Within the state Congress, many feel that after Virbhadra Singh, there is a leadership crisis, though there are many contenders for the leadership.

On Monday, the BJP core group leaders from the state are likely to meet the central leadership to discuss names of candidates, and on Tuesday, the central election committee, which includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to meet at the BJP headquarters. The state leadership has sought the opinion of office-bearers from the district, mandal and state units from four parliamentary seats to form the panels of probable candidates for each Assembly seat, before the final name is decided.

BJP president J.P. Nadda is likely to take a final call on whether or not former chief minister and party stalwart Prem Kumar Dhumal, who is now 78 years old and has crossed the partys unofficial age bar by three years, will contest. Prof. Dhumal was the partys CM candidate in 2017 but lost the Sujanpur seat to his one-time protege Rajinder Rana. It is being speculated that Mr Rana could join the BJP.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Admi Party (AAP) has failed to make any impact so far and has been facing troubles since the Delhi-based outfit announced it would contest polls in the state. The AAP had to dissolve its state unit earlier this year as most senior office-bearers joined the BJP.

Though the Congress appointed its late leaders wife and MP Pratibha Singh as PCC chief, voices of dissatisfaction have been growing. Many in the state party feels that the central leadership is only interested in the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi when it should be busy strategising for the coming polls. AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was the only senior party leader who has addressed a rally in the state so far.

On the BJP side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda have already addressed rallies in the state and other senior leaders are also scheduled to visit the state.

Himachal Pradesh has been electing both the Congress and the BJP to power alternately, but the BJP is confident it will break the trend this time. Though the Congress has been raking up the old pension scheme halted by the Centre, promising one lakh jobs every year and a monthly allowance for women, dissension within the organisation is likely to mar its prospects. Some Congress leaders also feel that the partys decreasing footprint across states and its embarrassing performance in Punjab will also impact its performance in the upcoming polls.

Central schemes and state schemes are the main poll planks of the BJP, whose vote now also consists of beneficiaries of many Central schemes. Since 2014, a significant number of the lower middle class and middle class population has backed the BJP, whose traditional vote bank  the Rajputs and Brahmins -- have a numerically strong presence in the hill state. The Centres recent announcement on including the Hatti community in the Scheduled Tribes list is also expected to benefit the BJP as Hattis have a significant presence in at least nine Assembly seats.
A lone or small group of protesters, however, had rained on Xi Jinpings parade

The 20th national congress of the Communist Party of China began at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday, but the 2,300 delegates came not to question or freely elect the next politburo. The names of its new members and those of the next standing committee, which now number seven, must have been pre-approved.

President Xi Jinping presented his report on the achievements and challenges of the past five years. The 104-minute speech was shorter than earlier ones. He guided China, he said, through a grim and complex international situation. But the tone overall was much less strident than feared or heard five years ago. With the developed world slamming all its doors shut, there appears to be a realisation that the path forward will be bumpy.

China has been vigorously preparing for this congress, with thousands of volunteers deployed to monitor potential troublemakers. With civil society wiped out, human rights lawyers interned and state surveillance rampant, the warlike precautions appeared to be overkill. Propaganda slogans were splattered across flyovers and on massive hoardings. One of them read: Unite More Closely Around the Partys Central Committee That Has Comrade Xi Jinping As Its Core. Deification and hero-worship were on full display to create a public mood for making a third term for the incumbent inevitable.

A lone or small group of protesters, however, had rained on Xi Jinpings parade. Banners were found on Sitong bridge seeking the end of the Covid-zero related lockdowns, and worse, President Xis ouster. The pictures went viral on social media platforms like Weibo, demonstrating that in todays world countering dissent is impossible, even in China. The security agencies reacted in panic to eliminate any trace of the episode. Apparently, even searching for Beijing on Weibo was restricted. Foreign journalists found Chinese on the street clamming up when approached or simply detached from the huge function.

Even an exhibition named Bravely Advancing Toward a New Era had its doors barred to casual visitors. Clearly, the message in the banners had resonated with the people. President Xis report omitted the real challenges facing China like high debt, faltering exports, lacklustre consumer spending and an economic slowdown caused by the Ukraine war and periodic Covid-19 lockdowns. One issue though that was obliquely flagged was Chinas ageing population. Ten days before the congress the United States announced sweeping restrictions on export of advanced technologies for production of chips, covering software and machine tools that facilitate Artificial Intelligence development. The US also belatedly released the Biden administrations national security policy. China was classified as the main competitor, with Russia as an adjunct.

The implications of Americas chip-related action became clear given that China imports chips worth $400 billion annually.

Two important issues flagged by President Xi were Taiwan and Chinas aspiration to be a global leader in scientific and technological fields. Xi asserted that resolving the Taiwan issue is the Chinese peoples own matter. Peaceful unification was the preferred option, but China would not discard the use of military force, especially if provoked. The last amounts to a subjective assessment by China of its redlines. Taiwans President Tsai Ingwen immediately retorted that her island nation was a sovereign and independent country. Further, that Taiwanese public opinion finds the one country, two systems concept unacceptable.

Interestingly, there was no mention of the Ukraine war or the danger of a nuclear conflagration. But Chinese commitment to climate change was reiterated. China promised to use clean-coal technologies while tiding over the international energy crisis created by the Ukraine war and then exacerbated by OPEC Plus two million barrels per day production cut.

President Xi Jinping will certainly get another term. The two-term rule mandated by reformist Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping was annulled in 2018. But does Xi want an open-ended extension or just one more term to shepherd China during a particularly crucial period for China. Both internal and external factors are creating uncertainties that will test the Chinese model of governance and their global aspirations. Xi may or may not reveal his preferred successor. He heads the three top positions  President, general secretary of the party and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Could there be internal lobbying, in exchange for the third term, to wrest some control from him. Alternatively, if his supreme authority is rubber-stamped, then the world stares at a long innings by an assertive and nationalistic leader determined to propel China to a dominant regional and global status. One of the banners posted by the New York Times read: Pageantry in the halls of power but silence on the streets. President Xi lauded the success of Chinas zero-Covid policy resting on lockdowns and testing, despite it causing socio-economic disruption. China as the pandemics source was more successful in its first year. But the global approach of herd immunity and vaccination has fared much better as the virus began to evolve and became more transmissible but less fatal for those vaccinated or immune. China is finding the Covid-19 variants more difficult to control by its Zero-Covid approach.

The Chinese leadership is ignoring the publics fatigue with lockdowns and periodic economic disruptions. As the Northern Hemisphere enters another winter, the virus is lurking and mutating. It will test the resilience of countries like China where herd immunity is low. Parts of Shanghai (and also Beijing) were again locked down after the citywide shutdown six months ago.

The New York Times noted that since 2002 each Chinese leader at the five-yearly party congresses referred to a period of strategic opportunity. That sanguine chant is missing from Xis more sombre assessment. Even domestically the common prosperity policy is still a mere slogan as the rural-urban and rich-poor inequalities persist.

Xi also promised to present a China that is credible, appealing and respectable, recognising perhaps the damage to Chinas image globally due to its aggressive nationalism.

Xis words would be carefully parsed in India. His continuing in power will keep New Delhi alert as he has proved to be deceptive and a risk-taker. Mr Xi has undoubtedly diminished corruption and reformed the Communist Party. But the word national security figured 26 times in his speech, compared to four times in his predecessor Hu Jintaos address a decade ago. Yuha Wang in The Rise and Fall of Imperial Power argues that China over 2,000 years was weakest under the strongest leaders. Farah Stockman adds in the New York Times: The tale of an authoritarian leader who hangs onto power while promising greatness is a cautionary, if familiar, one for people everywhere, not just in China.
The attacks come exactly a week after Russia unleashed a massive wave of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital and cities

Police block the perimeter at the scene of Russian shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, after some explosions rocked Kyiv in the early morning. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

KYIV: Russian-launched "kamikaze drones" attacked Kyiv early Monday, the Ukrainian presidency said, describing the strikes as an act of desperation nearly eight months into a war that has claimed thousands of lives.

Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv shortly before the first explosion at around 6:35 am (0335), followed by sirens across most of the country.

"The capital was attacked by kamikaze drones," the president's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on social media.

"The Russians think it will help them, but it shows their desperation," he added.

"We need more air defence systems and as soon as possible. More weapons to defend the sky and destroy the enemy."

The attacks come exactly a week after Russia unleashed a massive wave of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital and cities across the country.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the drone attack had caused a fire and damaged several buildings in the central Shevchenkivsky district and warned residents to take shelter.

"Fire departments are working. Several residential buildings were damaged. Medics are on the spot," he said on Telegram.

"We are clarifying the information about the casualties."

The mayor also posted a picture of what he said was the charred wreckage of one of the kamikaze drones, loitering munitions that can hover while waiting for a target to attack.

'Iranian drones'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week said Iranian drones were used in Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian cities, although Tehran denies supplying Russia with weapons for the war.

On October 10, Russian missiles rained down on Kyiv and other cities in the biggest wave of strikes in months.

The attacks killed at least 19 people, wounded 105 others and sparked an international outcry.

Moscow carried out further strikes on October 11, though on a smaller scale, striking energy installations in western Ukraine far from the front.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strikes were in retaliation for an explosion that damaged a key bridge linking Russia to the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula.

Putin on Friday had expressed satisfaction and said there was no need for further massive strikes on Ukraine "for now".

The Russian president also claimed Moscow was "doing everything right" in its nearly eight-month invasion of Ukraine despite a string of embarrassing defeats.

In southern Ukraine, Kyiv's troops have been pushing closer and closer to Kherson, the main city in the region of the same name just north of Crimea.

Kherson is one of four regions in Ukraine that Moscow recently claimed to have annexed, and the city of Kherson was the first major city to fall after the Kremlin launched its invasion.

Washington on Friday announced fresh military assistance for Kyiv "in the wake of Russia's brutal missile attacks on civilians across Ukraine".

The new $725 million package included more ammunition for the Himars rocket systems that have been used by Ukraine to wreak havoc on Russian targets.

It brings the total US military assistance to Ukraine to $17.6 billion since the Russian invasion on February 24.
by Emanuele Scimia

The Chinese leader opened the 20th Chinese Communist Party Congress yesterday. Slowing economic growth, mounting debt, youth unemployment and demographic decline: Xi offers many slogans and few solutions. The card of nationalism (and Taiwan) played to find a new glue between the regime and Chinese society.

Rome (AsiaNews)  Xi Jinping is on his way to an historic third term in power. He will rise above his most recent predecessors, although Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin have done better than him, at least from the economic standpoint, which interests the Chinese most in order to accept the unchallenged leadership of the Communist Party (CCP).

The report on his second five-year term at the helm of the Party (and State), with which he opened the 20th CCP Congress yesterday, offered many slogans and few solutions to the problems currently facing the country. The meeting, which will close between 22 and 23 October, will trace a new geography of power in China, with Xi still at the helm.

Over teh next five years the Chinese president, and general secretary of the Party, envisions a national economy that offers opportunities and ensures a fair distribution of wealth. However, this year's GDP figures will be less than thrilling for the supreme leader and the population. The draconian zero-Covid policy, together with the crackdown on big tech companies and the real estate crisis will not allow the annual economic growth target of 5.5% to be reached (a slowdown around 3% is likely).

If, as emphasised these days, China has doubled its economy in the 10 years of Xi's leadership, in Jiang Zemin's decade (1993-2002) it more than tripled, while during Hu Jintao's double term (2003-2012) it grew almost sixfold. Like Xi, both leaders have had to deal with serious economic crises: Jiang faced the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998; Hu the US mortgage crisis of 2007-2008.

Then there are the debts accumulated in the Xi era, especially by provincial governments. According to Reuters calculations, in the first eight months of 2022 the country's 31 provinces recorded a total deficit of 6.7 trillion yuan (960 billion euro).

The zeroing of absolute poverty boasted by Xi in 2021, 100 years after the founding of the CCP, was one of his primary goals. However, a study by the South China Morning Post reveals that as of last year 13% of the Chinese population was still in need.

There are also doubts about the veracity of the official statistics. Observers point out that local leaders often falsify the data, passing off family members and friends as poor so that they can obtain state subsidies. Premier Li Keqiang has often accused provincial leaders of presenting an unrealistic picture of the situation.

Xi speaks insistently of national 'renewal', but youth unemployment is hovering at a stable 20%: a problem not only for the many young graduates looking for work, but for those who will have to retire in the coming years.

This mix of economic slowdown and demographic decline is forcing Xi to find a new glue between the Party and Chinese society. Playing the nationalist card, with the feat of reconquering Taiwan, could offer him such an opportunity.

However, it remains a risky, 'unexplored' terrain for a regime that for decades has relied on the economic driver to ensure internal stability. Not to mention that the geopolitical turmoil created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine could present the "new Mao Zedong" with a challenge of no small consequence on its northern borders  a Russia in chaos and at risk of disintegration.
Today's headlines: Reporters Without Borders calls on China to free a radio broadcaster; Myanmar: 40 junta soldiers dead in last three days; Congress elects new president today; Ukrainian eparchy comes under the control of the Moscow Patriarchate.

IRAN

The death toll has doubled after fire in Evin prison in Tehran. According to the judiciary, the number of victims is eight: all were in the section housing thieves. The prison is notorious because the authorities detain political opponents there. Detainees include many participants in the protests of recent days.

JAPAN

Fumio Kishida today ordered the opening of an investigation into the Unification Church. The Japanese Prime Minister's public approval rating plummeted after the assassination in July of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe revealed covert links between the religious organisation and many members of the Liberal Democratic Party.

TAIWAN-CHINA

The Taiwanese section of Reporters Without Borders called on Beijing for the immediate release of two dissidents, both living in Hong Kong. Editor Gui Minhai is serving a 10-year prison sentence for "espionage". Two years and eight months for radio speaker Edmund Wan Yiu-sing, accused of "sedition" and money laundering.

MYANMAR

In the past three days, 40 soldiers of forces loyal to the military junta are reported to have died at the hands of anti-golpe and ethnic armed militias. The attacks took place in the regions of Sagaing, Magwe, Bago, Yangon and Tanintharyi, and in Chin, Karen and Mon States.

INDIA

The Congress elects its president today, who for the first time in 24 years will not belong to the Gandhi family. The race is between two historic party leaders: Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor. Nine thousand delegates will participate in the vote. This is the sixth presidential election in the 137-year history of the political formation.

UKRAINE-RUSSIA

One of the eparchies of the Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia, that of Rovenkov, will be directly subject to the Patriarch of Moscow. The synod of the Russian Orthodox Church and the local eparchial assembly itself took the decision jointly. As emphasised by patriarchal spokesman Legojda: "Each eparchy will decide autonomously".

KYRGYZSTAN

The Kyrgyz authorities have distributed 75,000 copies of a new manual on the "History of the Development of Religions" in the nation's schools. This was announced by the head of the Ministry of Education, Samat Tojaliev. Variants in Russian, Uzbek and Tajik are being printed, up to a print run of 120 thousand copies, to 'encourage a moderate approach to religion'.
by Guido Alberto Casanova

Pressed by public opinion, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida opened an investigation into the huge donations to the religious group that got it caught up in the Abe assassination. Kishida told parliament that a help line for alleged debt-stricken victims received 1,700 calls. The investigation could see the church lose its status as a religious entity and related tax benefits.

Tokyo (AsiaNews)  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced this morning in parliament that the government plans to investigate the Unification Church (now called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification), a Christian religious group cited as the motive for the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last 8 July.

The news comes after the government was extremely cautious for weeks out of respect for the right to religious freedom in the face of pressure from public opinion over the huge donations received by the religious group.

The latest polls, however, show a further drop in the government's approval rating, to around 35 per cent, the lowest since the beginning of the Kishida administration.

This loss of support follows the discovery of many links between members of the prime ministers Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Unification Church.

This morning Prime Minister Kishida asked the Minister of Education and Culture to begin an investigation.

"The government has taken seriously the fact that there are a large number of victims as well as poverty and broken families, and they havent been provided with adequate relief," Kishida said.

Since the government opened a telephone help line for those who consider themselves victims of the religious group, at least 1,700 calls have been received and most of these concern donations.

According to the government's Consumer Affairs Agency, which met recently, questionable practices are reason enough to recommend an investigation.

In recent weeks, people have reported that the religious group tricked them into buying "spiritual" items forcing entire families into financial ruin, the agency said.

Acting on behalf of victims, a group of lawyers highlighted the number of court decisions going against the Unification Church.

The latter, however, responded to the accusations in recent weeks, denouncing a campaign of hatred and aggression.

In late September, it submitted a 22-page document to the UN Human Rights Committee claiming that religious rights of its members in Japan were seriously, systematically and blatantly violated" since last July.

What could happen to the Unification Church? At the end of the investigation, if the ministry files a case in court, and the court issues a dissolution order, the religious group would lose its status as a religious entity and the resulting tax benefits.

However, this would not also entail an obligation to dissolve and the religious group could still continue to exist.

Japanese courts have issued dissolution orders against other religious groups twice in the past, but this is the first time ever that the Japanese government has undertaken an investigation.

Thus, despite Kishida's change in strategy, a certain caution is required.
by Stefano Vecchia

Environmentalists and workers rallied near the Department of Agriculture, a portfolio held by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in person. The Philippines continues to be one of the countries most exposed to food insecurity due to climate change. For Caritas, the government should have a subsidy programme so as not to burden farmers.

Manila (AsiaNews)  Philippine environmental groups, farmers, and workers organised a march today in the capital rallying near the Department of Agriculture to urge President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to treat the right of people to food as a priority. The president, who took office on 30 June, also serves as secretary of agriculture.

The Philippines continues to be one of the countries most exposed to food insecurity. According to the government, 20 million people (out of a total of 110) live in poverty.

On World Food Day, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) issued an appeal to "leave no one behind" at a time when tens of millions of people face or risk facing food shortages due to pandemics, conflicts, climate change, and rising prices.

According to UN data, about 3.1 billion people who are already unable to eat properly could see their conditions worsen.

In the Philippines, the emergency concerns above all  now and in the future  climate unpredictability and the sudden alternation of droughts and floods.

Typhoon Noru alone devastated large parts of the country in September, destroying more than 158,000 tonnes of food, and bringing 110,000 farmers and fishermen to their knees in sectors on which 40 per cent of the population directly depends.

Before the end of the rainy season, at least nine more extreme events are expected, which could undermine government action.

Farmers affected by Noru received seeds from the authorities worth US$ 3.5 million, plus a US$ 500 interest-free loan; however, for farmers' organisations, this is too little, and above all too late. Instead, they want immediate intervention.

Antonio Labiao Jr, executive secretary of Caritas Philippines, calls on the government to modify its action plan by directing resources to the development of a government subsidy programme so that insurance premiums do not weigh on farmers.

For this reason, the priority should clearly be on farmers, not landowners, to avoid waste of resources and abuses.

Instead of relying on imports, the clergyman also wants to see action to strengthen local production and food purchased from local farmers.
by Nirmala Carvalho

Hindu nationalist groups accuse him of luring people to his church with money. These accusations of conversion are fabricated, said Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians. The few Pentecostal Christians in Uttar Pradesh live in fear and insecurity because Hindu extremists improperly use the anti-conversion law as a tool of harassment.

Varanasi (AsiaNews)  Police in Varanasi district (Uttar Pradesh) yesterday arrested Rev Chhotelal Jaiswar, a pastor resident in Barwa, Sindhora, after right-wing Hindu nationalists accused him of encouraging people to embrace Christianity through donations of 50,000 rupees (about US$ 610).

Police said he was questioned and action would be taken against him. In their complaint, the Hindu Jagran Manch and Dharma Jagran Seva organisations claim to have caught the pastor red-handed and turned him over to police.

According to them, Rev Jaiswar gave 2,000 rupees to three young men from the village of Thana Phulpur, promising them the rest of the sum on 16 October when the conversion programme would be formally completed" at the Sarva India Ministry Church in Babatpur.

At the event, however, the young people came with two leaders of Hindu organisations.

"These accusations of conversions are fabricated and baseless, said Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), speaking to AsiaNews.

"The few Pentecostal Christians in Uttar Pradesh live in fear and insecurity because of right-wing nationalist vigilantes. In addition, they live in poverty, so it is impossible for them to lure someone with money.

Uttar Pradesh's new anti-conversion law, passed in 2021, prohibits illegal conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, or by any fraudulent means.

But it is improperly used as a tool of harassment. On the basis of a simple verbal complaint, Christian services are interrupted and believers arrested.
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Since, back then, television was the top-of-the-heap choice to reach vast audiences, the guys From Dearborn, Michigan, spared no expense to boast about the contribution of the Blue Oval for the boys in blue.It is a neat publicity stunt to have the badge of an automobile maker stamped with "Police" decals, especially if those cars are fast and reliable, which is precisely what Ford was advertising through its law-enforcing automobiles.The police cars had to be tough to endure the ordeals of prolonged usage under rough conditions. When we talk about special-purpose vehicles, we think of some performance  in this case, speed was the main attribute of the police cars (in Ford's opinion).The new top-of-the-range optional Interceptor Y-8  dubbed by copywriters as the "Most Modern Engine"  was quite impressive in specs for its time. Specially designed to equip the Police and Emergency vehicles of Ford make, the 312 CID (5.1 liters) "deep-block" could output 215 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque (430 Nm)  when equipped with the Ford-O-matic transmission (which was a three-speed automatic).The other two options were either Conventional three-speed manual drive or Overdrive  also manual, but with an auto fourth-speed overdrive gear - had the less powerful plant, which gave out 210 hp and 312 lb-ft (423 Nm).The four-barrel carburetor with integral choke and complete twin exhaust system gave the engine "rapid acceleration and high speeds." The extra two barrels on the carburetor had a distinct feature: "are brought into use by the engine's needs, not by the gas pedal position."Introduced by Ford in 1954, the Y-shaped V8 had several other technological attractions: the turbo-wedge combustion chambers (check the second video to see another TV commercial about those), three-piece oil rings with chromed-steel segments, high-lift camshaft, free-turning overhead valves, or 18 mm anti-fouling spark plugs.Also, a special factory-built, factory-sold, but not factory-installed High Power Engine Kit  a "special-order high-performance parts to modify the 312-CID engine for police" churned 260 hp. Ford took such great pride in giving their engine power to the Force that they built a special police car engine called (you're not going to believe it!) "Special Police."This motor was the standard plant for all police Ford cars of 1956. Slightly less potent than the Interceptor, the Special Police was a 292 CID (4.8-liter) V8 with two different transmission-dependent outputs. Both manual gearboxes (the three-speed Conventional and four-speed Overdrive) got 200 hp, 285 lb-ft (Nm). The three-speed automatic Fordormatic benefitted from two extra hp and four extra lb-ft of torque, reaching a 202 hp power figure and 289 lb-ft (392 Nm).The police cars of the 1956 model year and Ford provenance weren't all about speed and power  although the TV commercial in the video below seems to hint at those traits primarily. Safety was also a significant trait that the motoring company bragged about  and we mean car occupants' safety. Don't think of some bullet-proofing or any other special equipment destined to keep the police officers safe in a hot action scenario.Ford was less flamboyant about real-life police missions expectations  but very glitzy about the Lifeguard Design of their new cars. 56 years ago, this translated into four traits:First, the steering wheel was more forgiving to the driver in case of a sudden and undesired change of the car's speed when hard-hitting an obstacle. Ford ads made this attribute almost sound like something the motorists would look forward to."Three equally spaced spokes from the wheel rim to a recessed deep center effectively absorb strong impact pressures and help protect the driver's chest from more serious contact with the unyielding steering column." Remember, this was 1956  airbags would only arrive in cars 17 years later.Secondly, the Lifeguard Design brought a new optional interior lining concept from Ford, with shock-absorbing padding for the instruments panel and sun visors. After carefully studying statistics, designers concluded that one of the three major causes of car accident injuries was the violent hit the occupants received from the hard surfaces within an automobile. Check the gallery to read about the other two statistics-derived causes.So, Ford put restraints on the passengers  with lap seat belts "designed to exceed the rigid CAA requirements for aircraft" and available as an optional extra. One-handed adjustment and operation of the aluminum buckles was a rare commodity back in the day (three years later, Volvo brought the three-point seat belt and revolutionized the automobile industry forever).The fourth Lifeguard in the 1956 police Fords came in the form of... doors that stayed closed after an impact. It might not sound eyebrow-raising today, but remember that seat belts were not mandatory, and doors had the rather unpleasant habit of gaping wide open in a car crash.This perfect mayhem combination resulted in passengers being thrown out of the car at high speeds (if they didn't hit the hard interior surfaces first). So, Ford engineers added double-grip latches to make sure doors stayed shut.Again citing Ford advertisements of the age , "Ford engineers have minimized these injury hazards with the new safety features shown here that combine to make Lifeguard Design a safer buy for police and law enforcement operation." Oh, and one more standard feature in this Lifeguard Design of theirs was the rearview mirror. After all, it took a Ford to catch a Ford; then again, it took a Ford to get away from the Ford that filled said rearview mirror with the "Police" hood decals.
Mike and Lauren love the outdoors, so naturally, they looked for a vehicle that could allow them to explore and camp in comfort. They found a 1981 Toyota Land Cruiser that used to be an emergency response vehicle in Australia. As you can imagine, the Land Cruiser wasnt really well-equipped for off-grid adventures.But since they love challenges, they began working on the project with the goal of turning the old vehicle into a cozy tiny home on wheels. They completely renovated the Land Cruiser and gave it a second chance at life. After two years, they still have things to add to their rig. However, they can now travel and camp in comfort wherever they go.The camper was cleverly-designed to include most of their necessities. The rig has an open-style concept. There is a door that lifts up on both sides of the vehicle, which also serves as an awning. Then you have the back doors that also open up to allow the indoors inside.The kitchen area is set outside. There are several push-to-open drawers that provide ample storage for food, a camp stove, and other necessary items. On one side, they plan to mount a sink as well. The living space includes a custom-size bed that comfortably fits Mike, Lauren, and their dog Cooper.Under the mattress is a 21-gallon (95 liters) water tank. Together with the 360-watt solar panel array on the roof, the couple can stay off the grid whenever they want. Elsewhere, their rig offers storage galore : it has space under the bed and above it. Plus, the couple added a closet, and they installed some baskets on the rear doors that they use for different items. Mike and Lauren recently offered a full tour of their unique camper to the folks from Tiny Home Tours. If you want to find out more about them and their Land Cruiser turned tiny home on wheels, you can check out the clip attached down below.
VTOL

Airbus' UAS New Programmes group joined forces with the company's X-Works rapid prototyping team to develop the "cargo copter." The unmanned aerial vehicle is a 35-kg (77-lbs) vertical take-off and landing () aircraft designed to carry different payloads.The sub-scale demonstrator has a modular design, allowing rapid battery swaps. It is also outfitted with the Airbus-developed DeckFinder, so it can land autonomously on moving ship decks. It was created for military applications, so the drone can be used for cargo transportation and (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) ISR missions. It can serve as a communications relay too.The VTOL's capabilities were tested last month in realistic operational conditions as part of the REP(MUS)2022 military exercise held in Portugal's Troia Peninsula. The aircraft demonstrated shore-to-ship cargo transfer. Teams also validated its flexible design with rapid swap-out of batteries and payloads. The vehicle was also used for unmanned aerial surveillance."Performing the demonstrations in such a demanding environment  surrounded by six research ships, 11 warships and 120 uncrewed systems around us  was extremely challenging, and at the same time very productive, as we have been able to learn and create useful collaboration links," said Jens Federhen, who leads the X-Works rapid prototyping team.This is just a glimpse of what the "cargo copter" will be capable of. In addition, the tests provided crucial data that will be used to develop a full-scale multi-mission cargo drone . Airbus UAS New Programmes hopes that the full-scale version of the drone will be far more advanced.The drone should be able to travel more than 300 km (186 miles) while carrying payloads heavier than 250 kg (552 lbs). Airbus also hopes to use its Multi-Mission and Transport UAS in civilian applications. For example, the company plans to utilize it in the case of natural disaster response and humanitarian relief aid.
EV

And while this vehicle looks like our driverless Origin, it is actually a customized prototype designed to be driven by a human. This helps us validate perception models and object tracking systems specific to the Origin.  cruise (@Cruise) October 16, 2022

Although not lacking in controversies, GMs Cruise is one of the few companies in the world that deployed commercial ride-hailing services using autonomous vehicles. Its signature Chevy Bolt EVs already roam the streets of San Francisco, where they sometimes cause chaos by blocking traffic . It might not seem obvious, but the companys goal is to build a self-driving capsule that doesnt need a steering wheel to chauffeur people around.The Cruise Origin pod was developed by Cruise in partnership with Honda and was expected to enter production early next year . The moment might come even sooner than that, according to Cruises Twitter account. In fact, a prototype of the capsule is already undergoing testing in San Francisco right now. But because theres something unusual about it, Cruise wanted to warn us that this is not the final version of the capsule.Our purpose-built AV, the Origin, is on track for production, wrote Cruise. While we eagerly await its arrival for commercial use in the coming months, you may see a human-operated Origin prototype driving on the streets of SF.According to Cruise, the Origin capsule undergoing testing in San Francisco is a customized prototype designed to be driven by a human. This is necessary as the company validates perception models and object-tracking systems specific to the Origin. The information implies that the Origin is different from the Boltin terms of automated driving systems. Therefore, testing with a human driver is still required until the certification is granted.Theres no further information available, although Cruise promises more updates in the future. Origin will likely be the worlds first mass-produced vehicle with no pedals and no steering wheel, although its too early to say whether it will be a better driver than the Bolt EV that Cruise currently uses in San Francisco. It better be, considering the insane cash burn rate the autonomous driving startup is experiencing.
SUV

4WD

Now, the Mat refers to the finish of the paint, which is matte, instead of the glossy shades of metallic paint, or the look of solid colors. Thecomes with gloss black alloy wheels, gloss black side mirror caps, and the already classic black body cladding to offer an interesting contrast to the matte dark gray paint job. That shade of gray was already available in the range with a glossy finish.Ever since June, Dacia 's range has received the marque's new brand identity, and for the Duster, it means having new logos, as well as a new grille that integrates the DC motif. Ever since this summer, we know that the first deliveries of these models with the new brand identity are supposed to take place starting the last quarter of 2022.The Duster Mat Edition is based on the Journey trim line, which is the range-topper in the markets where it is referred to as such. The interior is not all-black or matte, but does have orange stitching on the seats, as well as specific floor mats and door sill ornaments. The orange motif is present on the glossy exterior mirrors.Customers can only order this special edition Dacia Duster Mat with the 1.3-liter TCe engine and the six-speed EDC gearbox, which cannot be had with. Sadly, this is one of the elements that the Renault Group continues to refuse to offer in the Dacia Duster range  a model that features both an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.According to company officials' previous statements on the matter (this has been discussed for years), the EDC gearbox is not compatible with the four-wheel drive system, and it cannot be adapted in any affordable way.Dacia notes that it only offers things that customers are willing to pay for , not things that people might like to have, but only a few end up buying. Since we are on this topic already, pricing information for the Dacia Duster Mat edition has not been revealed at the time of writing.
The 2022 Paris Motor Show opens its doors this Monday, so expect the next few days to be bombarded with news about the novelties being shown in Frances capital. And well start with what Jeep promises to be a revolution in the electrified B-SUV segment, the Avenger.

34 photos
Work on the G800 is progressing at a rapid pace and its almost complete, so last week Gulfstream flew the test flight G800 to Orlando, Florida. It landed there to take part, alongside the G280, G500, G600, G650ER, and G700, in the 2022 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) event.The G800 flew for the first time earlier this summer, and from that point forward it spent a lot of hours in the air. During these flights, it proved it could easily reach speeds close to the speed of sound (Mach 0.925), and a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet (15,545 meters).The performances of the plane are not in small part owed to the Rolls-Royce engines that power it. Part of the Pearl family of powerplants, and also used on the G700, theyre potent enough to give the plane the said speed, while at the same time allowing for a five percent increase in fuel efficiency compared to powerplants of similar design.As per the official specs, the airplane can cover a distance of 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km) at a speed of Mach 0.85, making it the longest-range business aircraft currently flying.It can be had in several configurations, the basic one offering three living areas and a dedicated crew compartment. It can generally carry up to 15 passengers, and sleep up to seven if need be. The airplane will be on the table for prices that kick off at over $70 million, but its yet to be available to customers.As for the NBAA-BACE event where the plane can be presently admired, it describes itself as the most important business aviation event of the year. In 2022, its taking place over in Orlando, Florida, for the first time in four years, and promises a treat of single-engine piston aircraft, turboprops, business jets of all sizes, rotorcraft and advanced air mobility aircraft.
While we keep an eye on the 2022 Paris Motor Show developments , it is also great that digital artists have interesting ideas that combine European DNA with stuff from across the seas. Or, rather, from across the Atlantic Ocean, as this Japanese model that we are about to discuss has a San Antonio, Texas-based production residency.Of course, everyone has guessed that we are again focusing on a virtual Toyota Tundra. The third generation of the mighty full-size nameplate has been a darling of the pixel master world, recently. So, it took the mantle of an unofficial 2024 or 2025 refresh that swapped the TRD Pro credentials for some ZR2 goodies, as well as morphed into a CGI dually force to be reckoned with by the heavy-duty establishment.Anyway, while most real-world builds focus on its natural or outrageous (read 6x6) potential , this new digital transformation from Abimelec Arellano, the virtual artist better known as abimelecdesign on social media, takes after the JDM tuning culture more than anything else. Albeit it also does so with a little Euro twist  via the BMW Individual Frozen Blue paintjob that seems like a match made in posh heaven for Tundras new flagship Capstone trim.Plus, the full-size pickup truck is subtly lowered on forged aftermarket wheels from HRE Wheels in a contrasting black hue and rocks a set of golden brake calipers to try and rock the establishment. Cool, right? Well, it sure looks like it, and this Tundra probably would not disappoint either when flaunting its brave new 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain, affectionately dubbed the i-Force Max by Toyota. So, does it get our CGI hall pass, or not?
The Mini Moke was undoubtedly an icon of the 60s, driven by the likes of Brigitte Bardot, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys, to name just a few examples. Although originally conceived as a lightweight military vehicle, it quickly became a favorite among the general consumer, being produced in multiple variants. One of them was the Moke Californian, which turned out to be a hit among fashion-conscious crowds, especially in sun-drenched locations, where it became the ultimate beach shuttle, thanks to its open-top design. Moke Californian 's production in America ceased in 1982.Now, 40 years after the last Moke was sold in the U.S., Moke International is back with an electric version of the iconic four-wheeler, designed specifically for the American market. It is based on the electric Moke that recently went on sale in Europe, only this version of it differs in name, being a tribute to the 1977 Moke Californian.As boasted by the carmaker, this is the first time a genuine version of the original Mini Moke has gone on sale in the U.S. in more than four decades and the first time a highway-legal version of the original Mini Moke has been available in America.The new, upgraded vehicle is still more about looks rather than performance specs. Packing a 44-hp (44.6-ps) electric motor and weighing less than 800 kg (1,763 lb), the rear-wheel-drive electric Moke Californian can hit a top speed of 50 mph (80 kph) and needs 4.3 seconds to get from 0 to 34 mph (0 to 55 kph). Mokes beach accessory on wheels requires four hours to fully charge via a Type 1 port and offers 80 miles (128 km) of range per charge.Moke International says that further details about the car and its pricing will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The brands name says it all  were talking about a tiny house sitting as close as it can be to Lake Bumbunga, one of the famous pink lakes in Australia. Well, there are actually two tiny homes because the brand-new Peony is joining the original model, Sakura. Both of these lovely homes were built in the town of Lochiel, close to Adelaide, in South Australia, sitting directly opposite Lake Bumbunga.Similar to its sister house Sakura, Peony reveals a gorgeous Japanese-inspired design, minimalist and elegant at the same time. The brand presents it as its newest luxurious addition.Comfortable enough for up to four guests, the 27-square meter (290 square feet) house features a loft bedroom with two single futons, plus a queen-size bed on the ground level. This atypical configuration is meant to be more comfortable for couples and for those who would find it hard to climb up the ladder to the bedroom loft every night.Although its meant as an oasis of peace in this stunning location, the Peony is also ready for some fun. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, games, a projector, and even karaoke microphones in the small but charming living area. Theres also a kitchenette and a bathroom with an odorless bio-composting toilet. Plus, Peony is equipped with solar panels and reverse-cycle air-conditioning.And, since this is about glamping at its best, this tiny house boasts a generous wooden patio deck with a firepit making the evenings close to the pink lake even more memorable. Peony and Sakura are the only tiny houses that are close to a pink lake in all of Australia, and they can be booked at Pink Lake Tiny House
Carmakers across the world are currently battling a very constrained semiconductor inventory, and a Canadian lawmaker used a trip to Taiwan as an opportunity to emphasize the need for increased production capacity.Chris Lewis, who is an Ontario member of parliament, told reporters in Taiwan that carmakers in Canada are currently struggling with what he described as very major shortages of chips. He said most companies operating plants in Ontario, including American carmakers, have filled their parking lots with vehicles waiting for chips.Lewis traveled to Taiwan as part of a Canadian delegation and also met with TSMC to discuss the chip shortage. Please send us more chips, Lewis was quoted as saying , with Taiwanese semiconductor makers allegedly working on aligning the production with the demand as we speak.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, also known as TSMC, is currently the worlds number one chipmaker.Lewis also emphasized the need for U.S. and Canada-based chip production, especially as more companies are investing in new facilities following the CHIPS Act.For the time being, however, addressing the chip shortage overnight seems to be impossible. While carmakers expected a substantial recovery in late 2022, industry experts now believe that the constrained inventory would continue to be a problem until 2023.General Motors CEO, for example, warned that the chip crisis is unlikely to come to an end until next year , warning that in some cases, companies in the automotive market could continue battling a tight supply even beyond 2023.In the meantime, carmakers across the globe, including giants like Toyota, turn to aggressive measures of reducing production disruptions, such as temporary halts of assembly plants until the chip supply is replenished.
A company called Deutsche Luft Hansa AG was created in Berlin in 1926, after the merger of Deutscher Aero Lloyd and Junkers Luftverkehr. The company flew its first trip the same year, and its this one todays Lufthansa likes to identify with.With that in mind, in 2026 the company will celebrate its 100th anniversary. A lot of special events will probably be planned then, and the first of the bunch was announced by the companys CEO, Carsten Spohr, during an employee event over the past weekend.The company is about to create a permanent display of two of its most important historic planes, the Lockheed Super Star and Junkers Ju 52 D-AQUI, to remind everyone of the early days of German civilian aviation. The display will be located in either Frankfurt or Munich, at places that will be announced later this year.Super Star is how Lufthansa called its fleet of four Lockheed L-1649 Starliner, the last version of the American-made Constellation, dating back to 1957. The Germans used them to fly transatlantic routes (Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Orly to New York).According to available info, just four Starliners exist today. Lufthansas is in storage, dismantled into individual parts, and itll probably have to be put back together for its permanent public display.The Junkers Ju 52 D-AQUI, on the other hand, is a much rarer bird, having been made before the onset of the Second World War. Only one of them was used by Lufthansa, first as a seaplane. This one is in almost complete form today.Both planes have a very special place in Lufthansa's history and in the hearts of all aviation fans, and showing them permanently to the world is one way for the company to wish itself a happy centenary.
ATV

Developed by MAN for the German army, the Kat 1 (Category 1) truck proved to be a reliable, efficient, and versatile military vehicle, thanks to its modular design and rugged construction. But this boxy truck can be used for other purposes, too. For instance, it can be a great candidate for camper conversions, because it is spacious and built to handle rough, bumpy terrains.The latest build from LuxuryBricks proves that the Kat 1 is spacious enough to be turned into one comfortable house on wheels suitable for the most exciting off-road adventures. This right here is just a LEGO custom creation based on MANs truck, but it can be a great source of inspiration for those looking to build a capable camper with plenty of living space.For those unfamiliar with LuxuryBricks projects, it is a YouTube channel where you can find all sorts of custom campers, motorhomes, and trucks, all made completely out of LEGO bricks. There are some pretty awesome builds you can feast your eyes on, such as a LEGO version of the $1.9 million Earth Roamer HD, a Con Air-inspired prison bus , or a Kenworth-based motorhome , to offer just a few examples.Back to the latest LuxuryBricks camper, it uses 1,000 plastic bricks, and it boasts a rugged, off-road capable exterior with an upper deck and a spacious interior with a kitchen, bedroom, and a large lounge/dining area. Theres also an enclosed garage for the minifigures to store anything from spare tires to an, mountain bikes, or a motorcycle.Take a tour of the off-road camper in the video below.
Through this new partnership, Mercedes-Benz premium vehicles will have access to a suite of sound-amplifying software unlike any system seen in other vehicles in the segment. Mercedes-Benz's new proprietary audio surround sound system will consist of the new Dolby Atmos loveliness alongside optional 4D and 3D sound systems courtesy of Burmester.Universal Music Studios, one of the world's largest record labels, is due to open a studio in Sindelfingen, Germany, dedicated entirely to mixing songs with Dolby Atmos. It's a project Mercedes-Benz drivers will no doubt make great use of. Sindelfingen is the place where Mercedes builds the S-Class and its derivatives, the electric EQS and the luxury Maybach, among others."Our collaborations with Apple Music and Universal Music Group are truly unparalleled and set a new benchmark by adding music content and platform expertise to our Dolby Atmos-capable Burmester sound system," said Ola Kallenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. "Through this exceptional partnership, we are giving our customers the extraordinary in-car audio experience they expect from Mercedes-Benz."Don't expect the above-mentioned Burmester Premium 4D Audio kit to sound like your average aftermarket amp unit from the mall. It consists of 31, yes, 31 separate speakers. Plus, eight different sound transducers and two separate amplifiers run on 1750 watts directly from the vehicle's charging system.All these features will be readily available for all new Mercedes-Benz drivers already subscribed to Apple Music. It will debut with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and the standard S-Class soon after. Eventually, other models in the Mercedes-Benz U.S. lineup will see this feature available. All in all, it's a sound system that almost justifies the price of the car.
In case you are wondering what that is, the Microlino is an L7e electric car (heavy quadricycle), which means it can be driven on highways. The L6e segment  composed of light quadricycles  is what the French call san permis, a vehicle that one can operate without a regular drivers license because it does not exceed 45 kph (28 mph). In other words, it may help drivers under 18 (but older than 14) to start their driving experience.The company did not mention if the Microlino Lite has a different motor or if it is electronically limited to 45 kph. If that is the case, theres a good chance that the young buyers of these new bubble cars will soon be sharing ways to beat the electronic limitation. We may also see some adults drawn to the same idea only because of the slightly lower price the Microlino Lite will have. We have asked the company if that is compared to the cheapest Microlino (the Urban) or if all versions will be offered as an L6e vehicle, which is pretty unlikely.After all, the Lite comes with a black front bumper, glossy black trims instead of the LED bars front and rear, and a different color scheme that was not disclosed yet. Microlino already confirmed it will be sold in 2023, probably after deliveries of the Microlino Urban begin.Another Microlino derivative that will be available from summer 2023 in a limited series is the Spiaggina. If you have already heard this Italian word, you know it is related to the beach, offering vehicles that look like a buggy. The Microlino Spiaggina does not have side or rear windows and comes with waterproof materials inside in case it rains or if it gets too close to the beach. The canvas roof comes with blue and white stripes. There was no word on how many units Microlino will make or how much they will cost.In a way, the Swiss company did not even have to worry so much about new vehicles: the Microlino 2.0 and the Microletta had never been on French soil before the Paris Motor Show. The French public will get a taste of both at the event. For those with an eye on the Microletta, the company does not have good news: its production will have to wait. Microlino is currently focused on its electric bubble car. With the new derivatives, that will probably be the case for quite a while.
WLTP

According to Drive Tesla Canada, the Model S Long Range now has a range of 634 kilometers (394 miles). Although the Plaid has an amazing performance, it also offers an impressive WLTP range: 600 km (373 mi). The Plaid is the first to be delivered: if you order it now in Germany, you will receive it sometime between December 2022 and February 2023. The car costs 137,990 ($135,810 at the current exchange rate). The Long Range has no price on the website yet, but it will be available in 2023.The Model X Plaid has a price tag of 140,990 ($138,762). According to Drive Tesla Canada , it used to present a range of 528 km (328 mi). Now, the Tesla website discloses arange of 543 km (337 mi). We have no idea if the older number that the page used to present was WLTP-certified or just an estimate.The range that the Model X Long Range used to have on Teslas website was 560 km (348 mi). Now, the WLTP range the page shows is 576 km (358 mi). There is no price for it there, but it is undoubtedly lower than that for the Plaid.We can only wonder why Tesla took so much time to deliver the Model S and Model X to other markets. It would be great if the company was waiting to replace the steering yoke with a proper steering wheel or one yoke that at least did not peel, but thats unlikely. Vehicles without suspension issues would also be welcome.
Avfuel Corporation, Sheltair Aviation, and Neste are the players responsible for providing SAF to the upcoming 2022 NBAA-BACE starting October 18 in Orlando, Florida. Neste is the green jet fuel producer, while Avfuel and Sheltair are in charge of the actual deliveries.Avfuel has already delivered two truckloads of Neste SAF at the companys branded FBO (Fixed Base Operator) Sheltair at the Orlando Executive Airport. The fuel will be available for Sheltairs customers to use for their operations at the convention. Plus, additional loads were delivered in partnership with Embraer and Textron Aviation at other locations. According to Avfuel, this SAF will be used for the aircraft arriving at the NBAA-BACE to be showcased in the static display.This operation is also important because SAF supply is predominantly linked to the West Coast, so it takes more effort to make it available on the East Coast. Avfuel and Sheltair have done this before by supplying green jet fuel for EBACE a few years back, as well as for Embraers headquarters in Melbourne, Florida.Neste claims to offer one of the fuel blends with the highest percentage of SAF on the market  a 30/70 blend ratio of SAF with petroleum-based jet fuel. Two truckloads of this SAF are said to drastically reduce CO2 emissions across the fuels lifecycle - the equivalent of what burning 88 barrels of oil would produce.These four loads provided by Avfuel, together with its partners, can eliminate 76 metric tons of CO2 emissions. Thats the amount of carbon created by charging nearly 9.25 million smartphones, said Keith Sawyer, Avfuels manager of alternative fuels.
AWD

ECU

Today we're looking at another Hoonigan battle that recently took place at Santa Margarita Ranch in California. And if you have even the slightest knowledge about drag racing, you know that you shouldn't jump to any conclusions too fast.We all know how fast a Lamborghini Huracan is even when it has just left the factory floor. And it looks even faster in this shade of green called Verde Ithaca. Normally, you wouldn't think that an early '90s Toyota pickup truck would stand a chance against the Italian supercar.But what if said supercar had also received the Sheepey Race treatment? Just imagine this. Buying a Huracan will set you back at least $150,000, and that's if you're going to get a car that has tens of thousands of miles on the odometer.The most basic Sheepey Race twin-turbo kit for this car will require an additional $34,625 installed plus tax. But that will only take you up to about 800 hp on pump gas. The car we're looking at today is running at 1,500 whp, which means it has the Elite1500 kit inside.Getting access to that kind of power is going to set you back an additional $130,068 installed plus tax. But that should turn the twin-turbo Bull into a 1/4-mile (402 meters) monster, to say the least. Meanwhile, you can tell by looking at the hood of the Toyota that it's hiding something under there.It's quite a classic recipe, as the owner opted for a twin-turbo LS engine . It's nowhere near as fancy as the Lamborghini, but it should be good for 900 horsepower nonetheless. The two-speed Powerglide transmission should come in handy, and the Toyota is also about 300 lbs (136 kg) lighter than its opponent.But it will likely deal with some wheelspin going off the line, regardless of the massive slicks on the rear axle. With a modernsystem in place, the Lamborghini Huracan takes control of the first run right away.But at one point, the Toyota just goes flying past it en route to the finish line. Something was wrong with the Huracan, and it turned out to be a fuel safety cut. It's great to have a smartthat can look after your engine like that, but it must be frustrating to deal with something like that during a race.And it happened again on the second run. But this time, the Toyota driver had to let off due to almost losing control of his car down the road. So with one win each, the third run would decide the winner of the challenge. After some negotiations, the finish line was set at just 500 feet (152 meters). To even the odds, the Japanese machine was also given a small advantage at the start.This wasn't a good day for the Lambo at all, as it ran into the same problem for the third time in a row. And that goes to show how unpredictable racing can be. The pickup got the win, while also eating up just a fraction of the budget required to build the supercar. So if you're going to build a quarter-mile project, you don't have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to go fast.
ADAS

VinFast is one of the first carmakers to ditch combustion engine vehicles and offer battery-electric cars exclusively. This is a major step for the company that amused many people (myself included) at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. The VinFast VF 8 and VF 9 are already available worldwide since January, with deliveries planned for the years end. VinFast announced that 65,000 orders had been received for the two SUVs. Now, its time for the smaller VF 6 and VF 7 crossovers to make their European debut.Youd forgive VinFast for not having any hard facts about their smaller crossovers, even though they were first introduced in January at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. VinFast only recently delivered their first 100 examples of the VF 8 in Vietnam, with around 5,000 units expected to be handed to customers in international markets later this year. The smaller crossovers will, no doubt, follow later down the line.We wouldve loved some technical data, but we have nothing besides the fact that both crossovers are designed by Torino Design. This contrasts with their bigger brothers, which were designed by Pininfarina. The VF 6 is a B-segment crossover, and the VF 7 belongs to the C-segment, so you see why both are crucial for VinFasts European success. Like the VF 8 and VF 9, they will sell with a comprehensive 10-year warranty, unprecedented in the automotive industry.The VF 6 and VF 7 sport an elegant design with the companys signature front face and feature a glass cockpit which is not far from what Tesla offers. The Vietnamese company still offers physical buttons, which is a nice addition. VinFast will provide a comprehensivepackage and Smart Services, aiming for a 5-star Euro NCAP rating.Like other startups, VinFast will rely on a fleet of electric service vans to service and repair its vehicles as the first option. Likewise, it will roll out several charging initiatives in Europe. These include access to around 300,000 charge points across multiple network providers throughout Europe, thanks to a partnership with Bosch.
Azerbaijan is continuously attributing its own ceasefire violations to Armenia, he wrote on Twitter. Obviously, this is a creation of a pretext for new military aggression against Armenia.

A permanent international mechanism is needed to maintain the ceasefire regime and provide border security, added Pashinian.

Other Armenian officials likewise said earlier that Baku is planning a fresh military offensive to try to open an extraterritorial corridor to Azerbaijans Nakhichevan exclave through Armenian territory.

Azerbaijani forces attacked and seized last month some of the Armenian army positions at various sections the border between the two countries during two days of heavy fighting that killed at least 290 soldiers. Although the hostilities were largely brought to a halt on September 14, the two sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire with small arms fire on a virtually daily basis.

Earlier on Monday, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry warned Yerevan over what it called a deployment of more Armenian soldiers and artillery at one of the border sections. It said that this could lead to another upsurge in violence.

The Armenian Defense Ministry confirmed the deployment but insisted that it was carried out in response to an Azerbaijani military build-up in the same area.

The steps taken by the Armenian side  have a solely defensive nature, the ministry said, adding that it will pull back the reinforcements if the Azerbaijani military does the same.

Tensions along the border remain high despite major progress made by Baku and Yerevan towards the signing of a bilateral peace treaty. But the two sides continue to disagree on the status of a road and a railway that would connect Nakhichevan to the rest of Azerbaijan.
Parties from around world laud congress

10:23, October 17, 2022 By Mo Jingxi ( China Daily

The Communist Party of China opens its 20th national congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Oct 16, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

DPRK, Vietnam, Laos and Cuba among nations wishing CPC success

The ruling parties of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Laos and Cuba have sent their congratulations to the Communist Party of China on the opening of the 20th CPC National Congress.

In its congratulatory letter, the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea said China's achievements have demonstrated that the Chinese people, who rally around the CPC, cannot be held back when they march forward on a path guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

The WPK sincerely wishes the 20th CPC National Congress a great success, the letter said.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam said that as the comrade and brother of China, the CPV firmly believes that the 20th National Congress will put forward a series of major guidelines and policies that anchor the direction for China to achieve its goal of realizing socialist modernization from 2020 through 2035.

Noting that China's historic achievements have set a model of success for Laos and other developing countries, the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party said it believes that the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people will certainly achieve greater progress on the new journey and realize the great national rejuvenation.

In its congratulatory message, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba said that the CPC has made China a leader in global innovation and praised China for proposing the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative.

Political leaders and friends around the world also sent congratulations to the CPC Central Committee and Xi Jinping on the opening of the 20th CPC National Congress.

Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa as well as of the African National Congress, said he expects the congress to achieve constructive results that will help the CPC to develop and grow stronger.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, also president of the country's Justicialist Party, said that under the leadership of Xi, the CPC has made remarkable achievements in such areas as poverty alleviation, scientific and technological innovation, and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, who is also president of the country's People's Democratic Party, said it is under the CPC's leadership that the friendly Chinese people have made remarkable achievements in the process of socioeconomic development and national modernization.

Political parties from other countries including Sri Lanka, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Romania, Iraq, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Congo, Comoros, Uruguay and the United States also sent congratulations to the 20th National Congress.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Du Mingming)
The good folks at Bakersfield College had to get a bigger meeting room last Thursday to accommodate the large crowd that turned out to bear wi
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 42F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 42F. Winds light and variable.
As part of Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Centenary Celebrations, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Dar es Salaam hosted a gathering attended by representatives of 38 Hindu religious and social organizations based in Dar es Salaam in the presence of Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami.

This 'Unity Forum' brought together 180 Hindu leaders of numerous denominations and featured discussions on preserving Hindu culture, and other issues affecting Hindu mandirs and organizations.

They also discussed how the community can collectively preserve our ancient culture and beliefs as revealed in our authentic and ancient shastras.

Each religious leader and their team had a personal dialogue with Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami. During these sessions, they informed that the forefathers of some Hindu families had migrated to Tanzania more than 150 years ago, and that their descendants were also sincerely practising and preserving our Hindu beliefs and traditions.

Bhadreshdas Swami shed light on how knowledge can be applied to foster social harmony and peace. He emphasized the need for continuous dialogue and cooperative efforts to establish a solid foundation of Hindu practices anchored in scriptural teachings and principles.

The meeting concluded with group photographs.
A former police inspector general and his wife went on trial Monday for allegedly working together to kill a low-ranking police officer at their home  charges that could carry the death penalty if they are found guilty of premeditated murder.

The sensational case has shined a spotlight on perceived excesses by members of Indonesias national police force.

The defendant considered calmly and carefully all his actions and the consequences of his actions which could result in loss of life, chief prosecutor Sugeng Hariadi said while reading from the indictment, a copy of which was obtained by BenarNews.

Brig. Nopriansyah Yosua Hutabarat was killed at Ferdy Sambos official residence on July 8. Police had initially said a patrolman killed Yosua in a shootout, after he caught him sexually assaulting Sambos wife, Putri Candrawathi.

Yosuas relatives and advocates challenged the assault allegation by claiming the killing was premeditated.

In opening remarks, prosecutors said Sambo, 49, asked Second Patrolman Richard Eliezer if he had the guts to shoot Yosua, moments before he did so.

You shoot, you shoot quickly. Come on, shoot! the indictment quoted Sambo as telling Eliezer.

Eliezer fired his handgun three to four times at Yosua, causing him to collapse in a pool of blood. Sambo, wearing gloves, then fired a bullet into the victims head, killing him instantly, according to the indictment.

The prosecution said Putri was present when the two discussed killing Yosua, who was assigned to be her chauffeur. She cooperated with her husband instead of trying to stop Sambo from going ahead with the plan, the indictment said.



Instead of telling the defendant Ferdy Sambo to refrain from carrying out his evil plans, the couple actually worked together, the prosecutor said.

The pair could face the death penalty if convicted of premeditated murder.

Putri Candrawathi, the wife of former Indonesian police official Ferdy Sambo, appears in the South Jakarta District Court in Jakarta where they are standing trial on premeditated murder charges, Oct. 17, 2022. [Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/Reuters]

Sambo, wearing a brown batik shirt, sat passively and at times closed his eyes as the prosecutors took turns reading the nearly100-page indictment.

Defense lawyer Sarmauli Simangunsong argued that the indictment was incomplete and vague and called for her client to be acquitted.

The lawyer accused Yosua of making a threat to Putri that he would shoot her family after he allegedly tried to sexually assault her.

If you tell Ferdy Sambo, Ill shoot you, Ferdy Sambo and your children, Yosua allegedly said, according Sarmauli.

The couples trial is to resume on Thursday while a trial against Eliezer for his role in the killing is to begin Tuesday.

Outcry

Following the murder, amid a public outcry, national Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo set up a special team to investigate the case. The team exhumed Yosuas body and worked with an independent forensics team to conduct an autopsy.

Eliezer told investigators that he killed Yosua on Sambos order and agreed to cooperate in return for possible leniency, according to his then-defense lawyer Muhammad Burhanuddin. Eliezer also said Sambo had fired Yosuas gun at the wall to make it appear as if they had a gunfight.

Sambo was arrested in August and a police ethics tribunal dishonorably dismissed him from the force last month.

He and six other high-ranking police officers  all now dismissed  were charged with obstruction of justice for alleged attempts to destroy evidence, including removing security cameras from Sambos house.

Sambo gave Eliezer and two other alleged accomplices a mobile phone each and promised them a total of 2 billion rupiah (U.S. $187,000) in cash in August if things went according to plan, according to the prosecution.

Analyst: Clear and robust

Gayus Lumbuun, a former Supreme Court justice, said the indictment was clear and robust.

For me there is no doubt. Its just a matter of how the prosecutors defend their case, Gayus told BenarNews.

Previously, Mohammad Mahfud MD, coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, said there needed to be a change of culture within the police and warned the ranks against greed, arrogance and hedonism.

Sambos perceived wealth has put a spotlight on the lifestyles of high-ranking police with people questioning their sources of income considering senior officers relatively modest salaries.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 43F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 43F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.


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Plans advance for a new use of an historic Stockbridge building
Community News Editor / Librarian

Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989.
GREAT BARRINGTON  A large Connecticut-based water company that serves Sheffield may be eyeing Housatonics beleaguered system for purchase.

Representatives from Aquarion Water Co., a subsidiary of Eversource, will attend the Select Boards regular Zoom meeting Monday night for a discussion about problems with Housatonic Water Works Co.s system.

Peter Fazekas, Aquarions director of corporate communications, told The Eagle that the board on Oct. 4 invited representatives to the meeting.

When asked if the company is considering buying Housatonic Water Works Co., Fazekas said the company doesnt yet have enough information, but suggested it is a possibility.

We want to continue growing the company, he said. Weve been invited to give our thoughts on the current situation and answer questions.

Select Board Chair Stephen Bannon said that residents wont be able to ask questions during the discussion, but can participate during the citizens speak time at the end of the meeting.

The Bridgeport, Conn.-based company is the largest privately run water utility in the region, with 236,000 accounts in 72 cities and towns in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

Eversource acquired Aquarion in 2017.

It has just over 8,800 connections in Massachusetts serving roughly 21,500 people, Fazekas said. It operates in Sheffield, Dover, Millbury, Oxford and Plymouth.

Last year Aquarion bought Mountain Water Systems, which ran Sheffields system. The purchase was the second time in four years Sheffields utility changed ownership.

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Sheffield has roughly 500 customers. Most households have private wells.

In March, Aquarion announced it would acquire Torrington, Connecticuts water system by the end of this year. The company also recently purchased the Falls Village, Conn., system, which is part of Canaan, near the Massachusetts border at Sheffield.

Other Connecticut systems near the Berkshires include Norfolk and Salisbury.

The company says that the more systems it owns, the better it can operate.

Over the last 10 years, Aquarion has integrated over 84 water systems into its operations, strengthening the companys ability to deliver high-quality water to communities throughout the region, says Aquarions website.

Water problems in Housatonic have worsened this year due to a combination of factors. Discoloration that ranges from yellow to dark brown has tried residents patience, and a brief spike in a cancer-causing chemical alarmed them and regulators. Officials are searching for long-term solutions to a complex crisis involving pipes that date to the 1800s and an outdated filtration system.

Its also a financial crisis, given what is estimated to be a $25 to $30 million overhaul of mains and equipment. For that reason town officials are considering a purchase of the company, as well as other alternatives.

Bannon said the board has found a potential purchase by another company an appealing option and wants to explore this with Aquarion given its acquisition of Sheffields system last year.

We wanted to leave no stone unturned, he said.
BOISE - AAA and other traffic safety partners are teaming up to remind drivers of Idaho's 'Slow Down, Move Over' law, which requires drivers to move over at least one lane when approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the shoulder or side of the road.

If unable to change lanes, drivers are required to slow down below the speed limit and pass with caution.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,700 people were killed while outside of a disabled vehicle from 2016 to 2020, including six in Idaho.

Idaho Governor Brad Little also officially declared October 15 as "Idaho Move Over Law Day."

In part, the proclamation reads, Public awareness of Idahos Slow Down, Move Over law is key to its successful implementationall Idahoans share an appreciation for the dedicated service of emergency workers and are committed to their safety.

When theres a crash or vehicle disablement, emergency responders are the true heroes who put themselves in harms way to rescue others, says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. Weve all been stuck in traffic, so its easy to see the importance of quickly clearing the scene to prevent secondary crashes and get people and products back on the go. We can thank these workers by slowing down and moving over to reduce their risk of death and serious injury.

Efforts are currently underway in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to establish a National Move Over Day, that would be recognized on the third Saturday of October each year.
The average household paying more for heat this winter, the White House urges Americans to wear facemasks, Covid causing a surge in alcoholism, a new survey ranks the unhappiest places in the country.

Plus, the true story of the pilgrims and the voyage of the Mayflower.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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.
Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
Partnership expands Entravision 365 Digital's presence into West Africa

Entravision (NYSE: EVC), a leading global advertising solutions, media and technology company, announced today that its Africa-based digital business unit, Entravision 365 Digital in Ghana, has become the authorised sales partner of Meta, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Entravision 365 Digital will provide support, training, lines of credit and local billing to advertisers in the Ghanaian market, thereby enabling them to meet their business objectives.

This partnership reinforces our commitment to advertisers to connect brands to consumers through local strategic support, creative expertise and relevant in-market training, said Julian Jordaan, chief executive officer of Entravision 365 Digital. As we continue to expand our presence throughout the continent of Africa, we are thrilled to partner with Meta as their authorised sales partner in Ghana to equip and empower local businesses with our top-notch advertising expertise.

Jordaan continued, We are also pleased to welcome Stephen Sawyerr as country manager to spearhead our partnership with Meta in Ghana. With over 10 years of management, digital marketing and brand building expertise, Stephen is very well equipped to build a world-class team to support Entravisions growth in West Africa.

Entravision 365 Digital, as an authorised sales partner, will deploy dedicated local expert teams in Ghana to provide businesses with each of the tools crucial to sales growth, while also assisting these same customers in deploying their advertising investments more efficiently across the Meta family of products.

"Ghana is an important country for Meta and it is a priority for us to invest in the market and to be closer to the people and businesses here, said Enitan Denloye, regional director for Africa at Meta. As such, we are happy to bring in Entravision 365 Digital as Metas authorised sales partner in Ghana and believe that with their robust local market insights and expertise, we can provide better support for businesses and agencies locally, helping them unlock their potential growth.

About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.

About Entravision

Entravision is a leading global advertising, media and ad-tech solutions company connecting brands to consumers by representing top platforms and publishers. Our dynamic portfolio includes digital, television and audio offerings. Digital, our largest revenue segment, is comprised of four business units: our digital sales representation business; Smadex, our programmatic ad purchasing platform; our branding and mobile performance solutions business; and our digital audio business. Through our digital sales representation business, we connect global media companies such as Meta, Twitter, TikTok and Spotify with advertisers in primarily emerging growth markets worldwide. Smadex is our mobile-first demand side platform, enabling advertisers to execute performance campaigns using machine learning. We also offer a branding and mobile performance solutions business, which provides managed services to advertisers looking to connect with global consumers, primarily on mobile devices, and our digital audio business provides digital audio advertising solutions for advertisers in the Americas. In addition to digital, Entravision has 49 television stations and is the largest affiliate group of the Univision and UniMas television networks. Entravision also manages 45 primarily Spanish-language radio stations that feature nationally recognized, Emmy award-winning talent. Shares of Entravision Class A Common Stock trade on the NYSE under ticker: EVC. Learn more about our offerings at entravision.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

About Entravision 365 Digital

Entravision 365 Digital is an African online media and ad-technology business with a rich heritage in the African advertising industry. For 23 years the business has represented the largest publishers and platforms in Africa and have helped global brands reach connected consumers and drive business impact. With a mission to connect publishers to brands, and brands to consumers, Entravision 365 Digital helps brands reach audiences at scale through its exclusive partnership with leading platforms like TikTok, Anzu, Triton Digital and many more. Entravision 365 Digital is a business unit of Entravision, a leading global advertising, media and ad-tech solutions company connecting brands to consumers by representing top platforms and publishers. Learn more about all of our innovative media, marketing and technology offerings at entravision365digital.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.




Salesforce recently held its annual headlining event Salesforce Live in Cape Town. At the event, attendees were treated to talks that centred around how big brand companies use Salesforce's offerings to their advantage. The CRM company also made a significant announcement at the event: the company is launching a talent strategy and skills programme to drive digital transformation and job creation in South Africa, which adds to its local expansion that was announced earlier in the year.

Salesforce Live Cape Town kicked off with a keynote talk from Zuko Mdwaba, area VP and country leader for Salesforce in South Africa, where he touched on the companys latest innovations and releases, as well as Salesforces ongoing commitment to its climate action journey to net-zero.

Mdwaba told the audience that Salesforce continues to be a company driven by innovation. He said that Salesforce launches three products every year, making it a priority to support and empower businesses to be a platform for change, through trust, customer success, innovation, equality and sustainability. These core values are reportedly the north star guiding the companys success.

Following Mdwabas talk, there were various half-hour discussions on how South African brands use the Salesforce ecosystem to help drive business and marketing results. These brands include Coca-Cola, Distell, Clicks Group, Multichoice Group, Cape Union Mart, and Retail Capital.

Salesforces new skills programmes

The announcement of Salesforces new skills programmes was a major takeaway from the event, aside from the informative opening keynote talk and discussions around the companys services for other brands.

The Salesforce ecosystem is expected to create 31,000 new jobs and generate $5.1bn in new business revenue in South Africa by 2026.

Ursula Fear, senior talent programme manager at Salesforce SA, said the companys talent strategy will focus on the following five pillars: schools; universities and tertiary institutions; the partner ecosystem; customers; and a countrywide digital skills initiative. She also introduced Salesforces accredited training partner and workforce development partners, which looks to bring more skills into its ecosystem.

We need to come together and do things differently if we want to tackle the skills gap. It is not sustainable for businesses to import skills from abroad.

As part of its commitment to skills, Salesforce will partner with Deloitte to start a skills bootcamp in the first quarter of 2023. This will help people develop specialised skills.

We need to come together and change the narrative around training and skills development in South Africa and this kind of collaboration is an important step in doing that, Fear said.

Exceeding shoppers' expectations with Retail Capital

As previously mentioned, Retail Capital was part of the discussions at the event. Retail Capital is a local SME funder that has funded more than 43,300 South African businesses with over R5.5bn in the past decade. The companys chief technology officer, Carlo Stepcic, was the representative at Salesforce Live. In his 30-minute conversation, he addressed the role of managing customer data for small businesses, saying that business owners need to be able to test, learn, fail fast, and be agile when it comes to customer data.

"What we've been able to get out of Salesforce is exactly that. We also use Salesforce for our debit order processing and collections. Very quickly things can become untidy, so the message is to keep your house tidy," Stepcic said, alluding to the idea that Salesforce's services can help keep the online processes of smaller businesses in check for smooth operating.

A key takeaway from Stepcic's talk is that Retail Capital has had a positive attitude to technology adoption over the years, which has helped the company with carrying out various objectives. Salesforce happens to be one of the companies that Retail Capital has leveraged to stay on the path of using technology for automation and more.
South African Airways (SAA) is in talks with Airbus to acquire a new wide-body long haul aircraft to replace its A340 which it wants to dispose of, its top official said on Friday.

A plane of South Africa's national airline, South African Airways (SAA), prepares to take at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, September 23, 2021. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

State-owned SAA has experienced longstanding financial woes that were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing it to halt all operations in September 2020 when it ran out of funds. The company exited administration in April last year thanks to another massive government bailout.

The airline took to the skies again for the first time in September last year, launching domestic flights and a slimmed-down international service to five African capitals: Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka and Maputo.

John Lamola, its interim chairman and chief executive officer, said the new aircraft will be used to fly one of its long-haul international routes, by the end of this year.

"We will be announcing in December one of the first international routes that we will be flying and we will be acquiring a special aircraft for that," Lamola told Reuters.

"No, not at all," he said when asked if the investment will require a cash injection from shareholders.

SAA will look to acquire the new aircraft by start of the next financial year in April, he said.

Lamola, who was speaking on the sidelines of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa's annual general assembly said the airline was yet to decide which long-haul aircraft to buy. "We dont know which one (aircraft) because our teams are working on it," he said.
A new solar power plant at Gold Fields' South Deep mine near Johannesburg will supply 24% of its electricity, the miner said late last week, adding they are also exploring wind power as companies across the country seek to curb their reliance on Eskom.

Gold Fields bets on solar to cut costs and carbon at its South Deep mine, south-west of Johannesburg. 2022. Source: Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

Mining companies in South Africa face an uphill struggle to deliver on emissions reduction targets as the electricity they source from the national grid is 80% coal-generated. Electricity accounts for 93% of South Deep's carbon emissions and 10% of its annual costs.

Investing in renewables helps miners cut emissions and save money on power, as Eskom seeks to hike power tariffs by 32% next April.

Reduced carbon emissions

Gold Fields spent around R715m on the vast field of solar panels near South Deep. It is expected to save the mine R124m a year and reduce its annual carbon emissions by 110,000 tonnes.

The solar plant will generate 103 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity a year, about a quarter of the mine's annual power usage, and a Gold Fields executive said the mine has contacted Eskom about selling surplus power back into the grid.

"If there's enough people doing 50 and 100 megawatt plants around the country, you can add five gigawatts of power into the system and there's less load shedding," said Martin Preece, Gold Fields' executive vice president for South Africa.

"We want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem," said Preece who, like a rising number of South Africans, avoids blackouts at home thanks to solar power.

South Deep is also eyeing wind power, having started the environmental permitting process for a wind farm.

The solar plant should hit its generation peak of 50 megawatts within the next six weeks, Preece said. The start of the summer rains will help, washing off a layer of orange dust the panels have collected over a long dry winter.
Image: Unsplash

The beauty industrys shift towards multicultural beauty in recent years has placed hair care at the crux of a broader conversation of inclusivity. Identifying the unique needs of black consumers  which describes people of African descent and those from the continent  is a crucial first step for companies to better understand and cater for specific consumer segments. Examining the prospects and challenges for consumers with textured hair on the African continent can help hair care players looking to expand their inclusivity and be a valuable lesson for innovation for textured hair everywhere.

Hair care industry catches up to address the wide spectrum of hair types

According to Euromonitor Internationals Beauty Survey 2021, 5% of global respondents reported having kinky or tight coils, while 27% of black or African descent respondents reported having kinky or tight coils. African hair has a unique texture  tight curls prevent the even spread of oils across the hair strands resulting in dry hair, thereby making it prone to breakage. As a result, African hair tends to stay quite short due to the brittleness of the hair strand.

The Beauty Survey found that the leading hair concerns of Black and African descent respondents notably differed from respondents of all races and ethnicities. It also found that 31% of respondents identifying as Black and of African descent preferred hair care products with specific benefits/claims in 2021, marginally up from 29% in 2016. The desire among this cohort for specific benefits, in addition to products suited to Type 3 (curly) and Type 4 (kinky) hair types, has historically been at odds with what leading hair care manufacturers have provided; in the past this has been skewed to meet the needs of White consumers, which tend to include a higher proportion of Type 1 (straight) and Type 2 (wavy) hair types.

The appeal of natural hair and a more extensive routine

Among Black and African descent consumers, two forces are at work. There is the natural hair movement, fuelled by consumers growing increasingly conscious of the effect of the products they use and gravitating away from more artificial substances and towards more natural ingredients. An increasing number of women are returning to their natural hair because they believe it is the healthier option, empowered by embracing one's natural beauty.

At the other end, women who alternate between natural and processed hair, which can include relaxed, braids, weaves, wigs, or coloured hair, comprise a growing segment. The hair regimen varies greatly between women, but the same person may have a different routine depending on her hair style at the time. As a result, Afro-textured hair necessitates the use of a diverse range of products to maintain healthy hair and scalp.

Amid more frequent discussions about inclusivity, hair care players should be attentive to hair care innovation coming from the Middle East and Africa region, where consumer demand for Type 3 and Type 4 hair care is widespread.

State of play in the Middle East and Africa hair care market

Historically, the hair care market in the Middle East and Africa has been dominated by multinational brands that cater primarily for Type 1 and Type 2 hair. As a result of these unmet needs, Black consumers in the region have learnt to care for and style their hair with unbranded ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, and castor oil. These ingredients have also been at the forefront of inclusive beauty in hair care since they help address the needs of a wide spectrum of hair types.

Among multinationals, early attempts to capture the hair care market of Black and African descent consumers were sometimes ill-conceived (such as introducing new packaging with language that is more specific to Black and African descent consumers, but not changing the formulation).

However, in recent years, multinational brands made concerted efforts to launch products catering for Black and African descent hair. Godrej and Amka are two major players in African hair care, with popular brands including Black Like Me, Easy Waves, Darling, and Inecto. Their product lines are designed to cater for this hair type and are priced very competitively to make them more accessible to a wider consumer base.

Hair care opportunities through segmentation

In 2021, hair care in the Middle East and Africa grew by 11% in current terms, fuelled by shampoos, and conditioners and treatments, and to a smaller extent, styling agents. Hair care is dominated by the mass segment, which held a 92% share of value sales in 2021. Due to the dominance of mass hair care, there is a scarcity of Black and African descent hair-specific brands and products in the premium tiers  which could create a niche space for a premium local or international player.

Formulation renovation is also defining new hair care launches. Vitamin-enhanced products with natural ingredients that consumers recognise are gaining shelf space. For example, brands such as Hask, Mielle, Kaio and OGX now include biotin in their hair care ranges. Castor oil and shea butter, which were previously used in their natural state and were mostly sold unbranded, are now being sold as branded items. These products have been redesigned to appear more premium, and their visibility has increased as they are now sold online and through major retailers.

Lastly, segmentation is needed. Hair care in the region is currently not differentiated enough to cater for specific hair types, particularly those in Type 4. Consumers are slowly seeing a shift in product claims to differentiate by hair types, particularly in specific messaging for curly hair, but so far, brands are addressing concerns rather than segmenting specifically for kinky and curly hair.

Trust and education at the core of winning the Middle East and African hair care consumer

Hair care players should widen their approach to educating consumers in the region. Sometimes, it can take the form of correcting misinformation. In South Africa, for example, the use of dishwashing soap is a popular shampoo option, based on the widespread belief of efficacy and price accessibility. However, its formulation can damage hair and lead to more serious issues among Black and African descent consumers. In other ways, consumer education should include connecting with hairdressers in the informal sector and offering experiences or making information available about the suitability of products, based on hair type, to assist consumers in the selection process.

Hair care players should focus on building trust with Black consumers in the region. This can be accomplished by collaborating with influencers and by using more inclusive marketing language. Industry players should recognise that this segment of the population has learnt to find solutions when an appropriate hair product is not available on the market. It will take more than elaborate packaging with a brown logo to entice them.

For more in-depth analysis, read our report Hair Care in South Africa.




The sixth annual Innovator Trust Women In Tech (Wit) Appreciation Experience is set to take place on Wednesday, 16 November 2022. The awards aim to honour female tech entrepreneurs from across the country for their outstanding achievements in leading their businesses.

The awards are hosted by the Innovator Trust - a small-business training incubation facilitator established in 2014, whose mission it is to support and nurture the development of sustainable information and communications technology SMMEs in South Africa.

Now in its sixth year, the auspicious Wit Appreciation Experience was initially conceptualised primarily to recognise female beneficiaries from the enterprise development, supplier development and young entrepreneurs programmes facilitated by the Innovator Trust.

Since its inception, the Innovator Trust has successfully incubated more than 190 Black-owned ICT small businesses, some of which have been able to grow from the startup phase to medium and large-scale enterprises.

For the last two years, the Wit event was virtual and offered a captivating line-up of keynote addresses and panel discussions featuring renowned women in leadership such as minister of small business development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams; former public protector of South Africa, professor Thuli Madonsela; chancellor of the Nelson Mandela Bay University, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, and Vodacom chief officer and Executive director for external Affairs, Takalani Netshitenzhe.

This years experience will be hosted as a one-day hybrid event to include those unable to attend in person. Leading women of industry, innovators, government, academia, media, and small business owners are expected to attend the event in recognition of the female beneficiaries being awarded.

Wit 2022 presents a call to action for women to #PowerUp in support of one another and unite as a collective toward creating the opportunities for economic growth that exist within the realm of tech entrepreneurship, despite the dire economic and social climate of the country, commented Tashline Jooste, CEO of the Innovator Trust.

In addition to a spectacular awards ceremony, the programme promises an impressive lineup of guest speakers and panel discussions engaging on topics such as women and sustainability, African entrepreneurship and the effects of the energy crises in the SMME sector, challenging the current status quo on the state of women in technology and entrepreneurship.

Complimentary virtual registrations to Wit 2022 are now open until 16 November 2022.
The COVID truth trickles out in drips and drabs. I havent covered every leak of late because its exhausting and demoralizing.

Frankly, nearly everyone capable of rational thought in this matter has long ago defected from Team Vaxx. The normies still boosting themselves senseless, for the most part, are unable or unwilling to comprehend the crimes committed against them in the name of Public Health.

The lies are exhausting. Pushing back on the COVID propaganda is like trying to argue with your compulsive liar mother-in-law. When you corner one lie, she slips through the net, unconstrained by the laws of physics that limit honest people. More lies lead to a never-ending game of Whac-a-Mole.

Eventually, you end up circling the postmodern drain until you give up out of sheer exasperation. Nothing has been settled and you just need a drink to unwind, having fruitlessly expended volumes of mental currency in exchange for indulging a liar in a pointless tit-for-tat over minutia.



Alas, if theres one revelation that could shake the COVIDians out of their coma, its this: a Pfizer executive under questioning in the European Parliament, recently admitted the awful truth: viral admission was not tested in Pfizer trials.

Dutch MEP Rob Roos:  Was the Pfizer Covid vaccine tested on stopping the transmission of the virus before it entered the market? If not, please say it clearly. If yes, are you willing to share the data with this committee?

Janine Small, Pfizers president of international developed markets: Regarding the question around, um, did we know about stopping the immunisation [sic] before it entered the market? No, heh . Uh, these, um, you know, we had to really move at the speed of science to really understand what is taking place in the market, and from that point of view we had to do everything at risk.

Straight from the horses mouth. No prevarication or alternative explanation is possible. No amount of spin can put this genie back in the bottle.

Moving at the speed of The Science, as the executive put it, Pfizer skipped the whole transmission aspect of clinical study, presumably because the company knew that their product didnt work. Then it deployed its minions like Warlord Fauci and Dark Brandon to lie to the whole world about it.

Youre not going to get COVID if you have these vaccinations.

-Joe Biden, July 21, 2021

Vaccianted people do not get sick do not spread the virus.

-CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, March 29, 2021 When people are vaccinated, they can feel safe they will not be infected.

-NIAID Director Anthony Fauci May 17, 2021

Damnable lies, each and every one.

The vaccine hesitant, or anti-vaxxers as they were less charitably known at times, were castigated as antisocial knuckle-dragging monsters who were going to kill their grandmothers.

The whole justification for the vaccine mandates and the vaccine passports, in fact, was the social responsibility angle, premised on the now-disproven claim that the vaxxes stopped transmission.

To summarize: Pfizer bypassed basic testing protocols that every other vaccine in history has undergone, then manipulated the public with existential terror into taking its product based on false claims of stopping transmission with no evidence whatsoever.

Thats how The Science works.

-

As an aside, heres a more fundamental question, applicable in a broad range of contexts beyond COVID: why on Earth would anyone seriously take health advice from such a creature as this:

Janine Small, Pfizers president of international developed markets

Or this:

Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel L. Levine

These are not healthy people in any sense of the word  physically, mentally, or spiritually. They have no moral authority to condescend to you about what you should or shouldnt be doing to protect your personal health.



Thousands, perhaps millions of people, including children who were never at personal risk of COVID but internalized the propaganda, got injected, and went on to suffer myocarditis, the effects of which can last indefinitely and shorten lifespan.

Millions of Americans lost their livelihoods due to their refusal to comply with vaccine mandates  again, legally premised on the vaxxes stopping transmission. They got left out in the cold with no legal recourse.

Hospitals denied desperate patients lifesaving organ transplants who refused to submit to the shot.

Liberal intellectual hero Noam Chomsky recommended locking the unvaxxed in their homes to literally starve them out in siege warfare.

Due to data suppression, we may never know for sure how many people ultimately lost their lives who would not have gotten the shot if not for Pfizer and Public Health gaslighting and coercion.

We need Nuremberg II. The guilty Public Health and big pharma demons who did this must be punished, and brutally so. If/when the GOP retakes Congress in November, they need to feel the pressure to act under threat of insurgency if they dont.

Ben Bartee is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff via Armageddon Prose and/or Substack, Patreon, Gab, and Twitter.

Bitcoin public address: 14gU3aHBXkNq8bDqmibfnubV7kSJqfx5LX
MusicUnitesUS presents: The Garifuna Collective

Photo/courtesy The Garifuna Collective

A collective that is preserving the sounds and culture of Afro-Indigenous people from Belize and Honduras will join the Brandeis community for a concert and residency this fall.

Garifuna culture was forged when a ship carrying captive Africans wrecked off the coast of St. Vincent in the 1600's. The survivors swam ashore, mixed with the island's native Arawak population, and created a unique, resilient society of free people that successfully resisted European enslavement since before the founding of the United States. Their independent culture persists to this day in communities in Belize, Honduras, and neighboring nations, where their African-inspired language, customs and music are preserved and continue to evolve.

For more than 15 years, the Garifuna Collective has inspired a sense of pride in Garifuna culture throughout Central America, and helped fortify their Afro-indigenous tradition and spread awareness about Garifuna culture worldwide. The collective will join the Brandeis community from Oct. 24 to 29 for a cultural residency as part of the MusicUnitesUS program culminating with a concert at Slosberg Music Center on Oct. 29 at 8 p.m.

The Garifuna Collective have created a unique sound rooted in the rhythms and melodies of their afro-indigenous tradition, according to MusicUnitesUS Interim Director Ben Paulding. Although grounded in the music of their ancestors, they are unafraid to incorporate an eclectic mix of contemporary influences, creating their own original contribution to the evolution of Garifuna culture. Their instrumentation includes vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, and electric bass, playing on top of the deeply Garifuna percussion section of primero drum, segunda drum, maracas, claves, and turtle shells.

The collective was founded after Belizean musician Andy Palacio visited neighboring Nicaragua as a young man and saw the Garifuna culture there had become virtually extinct. He vowed not to let his beloved Garifuna culture in Belize experience the same fate. Palacio later teamed up with music producer Ivan Duran to co-found the collective, which is designed to preserve Garifuna music and culture, and to promote it in Belize and throughout the world.

Their debut album Watina enjoyed critical acclaim, winning both the BBC and Womex World Music Awards, and thrusted Garifuna culture into the international spotlight of the world music industry. For more than 15 years, the Garifuna Collective has inspired a sense of pride in Garifuna culture throughout Central America.

MusicUnitesUS is a campus-wide program hosted by the Brandeis University Department of Music that includes intercultural residencies, public school outreach and a concert series. Its mission is to further the understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures through music. Since it was founded in 2004, MusicUnitesUS programs have highlighted musical traditions from Azerbaijan, Ghana, India, Korea, Peru, Syria and Turkey, amongst others.

The MusicUnitesUS residency runs from Oct. 24 to 29. A concert featuring the Garifuna Collective will be held Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. with a pre-concert talk at 7 p.m. in Slosberg Recital Hall. Tickets are available online, via phone at 781-736-3400, or in person at the Shapiro Campus Center Box Office. The full residency schedule is available on the MusicUnitesUS website.
Even as Xi Jinping was promising Chinas Communist Partys national congress at the weekend that China would resolutely win the battle in key areas of technology, employees of technology companies in China and elsewhere were being told to down tools.

Dozens of the hundreds of executives and engineers with US citizenship or green cards who work in or with Chinas semiconductor sector, many of them born in China, have been told by their employers  whether those are foreign or Chinese companies  to stop work while their employers seek clarification of a new US rule that bars US citizens and residents from supporting Chinas advanced chip-making industry without a licence.

Xi Jinping vowed at Chinas Communist Partys national congress at the weekend that China would resolutely win the battle in key areas of technology. Credit:AP

When the US Congress passed the Chips and Science Act back in July, that was largely seen as a bill that supported and subsidised US domestic manufacturing of the advanced chips that are vital to the development of 21st Century industrial and defence technologies. It provided $US52.7 billion ($84.7 billion) in subsidies for domestic chip plants and semiconductor research and development.

A little over a week ago, however, a low-profile US Commerce Department agency, the Bureau of Industry and Security, issued a detailed list of rules, including what are effectively extraterritorial restrictions on exports of advanced chips, chip-making equipment and chip-making components to China where there has been any US input to the process. It was by far the broadest and most potent attempt to stymie development of Chinas semiconductor industry.
Whittaker had her moment of realisation well into the filming of her first season which had, she recalls, largely taken place in a remote bubble. Were all on set, weve moved to Cardiff, youre seeing the same people all day every day, and you dont reach your head above the water at all, she says. Then we went to San Diego Comic-Con for the announcement of this season, and I found that overwhelming in a positive way. When you see someone [dressed up] in your costume, no matter what age, where theyre from, whatever their background, its just incredibly emotional because you realise that this show is so much bigger than you ever can imagine because its so cross-generational, Whittaker says. The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker, centre) with Tegan (Janet Fielding, left) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) in The Power of the Doctor. Credit:BBC Studios It doesnt have necessarily a typical demographic. There are Whovians [Doctor Who fans] everywhere and its so unexpected. And its wonderful. Whittakers final episode, The Power of the Doctor, is the third of three specials produced this year; written by Chris Chibnall, it dives deeply into the shows canon, featuring not just the return of the Daleks, the Cybermen and the Doctors long-standing nemesis, The Master, but also two companions from the shows classic era, Tegan (Janet Fielding), who travelled with the fifth Doctor (Peter Davison), and Ace (Sophie Aldred), who travelled with the seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy).

Ncuti Gatwa will be the next incarnation of the Doctor. Credit:Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP Such moments, when the shows modern iteration and its classic era connect, are acutely poignant, Whittaker says. They are also rare; the most notable is the return of Sarah Jane Smith, companion to the fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) in the 1970s, during the David Tennant era in 2006. Whittaker says she was almost overwhelmed by the scenes she filmed with Fielding and Aldred, and says she found herself unexpectedly needing their approval. Youre welcoming them in, but its more like, do you accept me? Whittaker says. I was just really needy for acceptance, I think. While finer plot details of the special are not known, what is clear at this point is that it will include a regeneration scene in which Whittaker is transformed into the next incarnation of the Doctor. Thats where things get a little, to quote Tennants Doctor, wibbly wobbly timey wimey. It has been confirmed that the next Doctor will be played by actor Ncuti Gatwa, but there is also speculation Whittakers regeneration may be a degeneration, allowing a brief return to Tennants Doctor, at least for the shows 60th anniversary, in 2023, which would then set the stage nicely to introduce Gatwa.

None of that, of course, is anything that Whittaker can offer commentary on. Nor would she. But she has confessed that there are periodically informal handover discussions between doctors. In Whittakers case, Chibnall had asked Tennant, who was a friend, if he would mind talking to the new actor taking over the role. And so when [I called him], he was like, why is your name on my phone? Whittaker says, laughing. And [he said], youll have the time of your life but itll go in the click of a finger. And that its incredible but its kind of your own experience. Loading So whatever it was for me will be completely different for Ncuti, but it was so exciting to talk to him, Whittaker says. For someone as talented as him, theres no advice needed. Its just grab it by the reins and do what you will. Thats the freedom and the joy of this part. Its everybodys individual story in this incredible collection. To some extent what defined Whittakers tenure as Doctor Who was the fact that she was the first female actor cast in the role, setting aside a scene in the one-off 1999 special, The Curse of the Fatal Death, in which the Doctor, played by Rowan Atkinson, regenerated through a sequence of new doctors, including Richard E Grant and Hugh Grant and, ultimately, Joanna Lumley. (As a one-off comedy special, filmed for charity, that prior gender-bending moment is considered non-canon.)
Electric vehicles (EVs) are famously quick off the mark. However, when it comes to going electric, Australia has not been. But were finally putting our foot down.

September was a watershed month: Tesla outsold Volkswagen for the first time ever; an Aussie billionaire invested $10 million in a company thats importing second-hand EVs in bulk; and the federal government released an overdue strategy to get more EVs delivered down under.

About 4 in 10 Australians say their next car will be electric or hybrid.

All of those events combined will accelerate the falling cost of EVs at a time when fuel prices are headed back above $2 a litre, with little respite on the horizon.

EVs are already cheaper than petrol cars in countries such as Norway, where government emissions standards have incentivised car makers to import electric over petrol vehicles, driving down the price of the new technology.
IAN BERSTEN: 19392022

There are few people in the world who know as much about coffee as Ian Bersten. His encyclopaedic knowledge of coffee and his expansive collection of antique coffee makers made him a sought-after figure.

In 1967, Ian was working at CSR, one of the first graduates from the University of NSW bachelor of commerce degree program. He was restless in the role, understimulated. One of his tasks was to visit the Commonwealth statistician each week and look at the global figures for commodities. It was not a task he relished, and to bribe himself he would stop off at Paul Mendels nut shop in the Strand Arcade and purchase a marzipan bar.

Ian Bersten, owner of a chocolate shop in Willoughby. Credit:Fairfax

One day, he asked Paul whether he would sell nuts and chocolate to him if he were to open a shop. Paul suggested coffee was where it was at, and so when he got to the statistician, he looked up the price of coffee: 1 shilling 10 pence for raw coffee from Kenya. He went to David Jones, then in Margaret Street, and saw that the retail price for the same volume of coffee roasted and ground was 10 shillings 6 pence. That seemed very promising.
Two Maribyrnong flood victims have described the devastation of having their homes inundated with mud and then learning that the properties had also been robbed.

A masked looter was reportedly seen fleeing a property on Burton Crescent on Monday morning, three days after the Maribyrnong Rivers banks broke and flooded the north-west Melbourne neighbourhood, and CCTV footage captured lights turning on at an empty home overnight on Oakland Street, where an expensive tool was allegedly stolen.

Homeowner Darren, who did not want his surname used because his children had not yet been told about the extent of the damage to their home, estimated that about $15,000 worth of items were stolen and police said they were investigating the alleged crime, which has raised the ire of the Victorian premier and emergency management chief.

He said it appeared the thief forced open the front security door, smashed through the house and filled bags with his familys belongings.
Joe Cocker, walks with friend, Eileen Webster, to the aircraft in Melbourne, 21 October 1972. Credit:Staff Cocker and five other members of the group were each fined $300 for possession of Indian hemp. Another member was fined $600 for possession of heroin and possession of instruments for administering the drug. Deadline The Minister for Immigration (Dr Forbes) yesterday signed deportation papers giving the seven 48 hours to leave Australia.

At least 40,000 pop fans have already paid for tickets to Cockers remaining six concerts. If the seven failed to leave the country on time they would be arrested and deported as soon as practicable. Dr Forbes said: I have done this because this Government takes a very serious view of such offences  especially when committed by people who are in a position to have profound influence on many young Australians. A spokesman for the Harry M. Miller organisation said none of Cockers concerts had been cancelled. The spokesman thought money would be refunded if any of the concerts did not go on as planned.

Loading First published in The Age on October 23, 1972 Baffling chain of events, says Cocker English pop star Joe Cocker flew out of Melbourne on Saturday, ending his sensation-filled tour on a comparatively quiet note. At Tullamarine Airport, Cocker was first reluctant to talk, but warmed enough to say he was angry about the consequences of the drug convictions and bewildered by the authorities handling of the tour.

It was just one bewildering chain of events, he said. Questioned about the drug raid, he replied: Well, I guess we must have been squealed on. But, really, everything was fine in Adelaide. We paid our fine and expected that to be the end of it. But from then on it was just one strange sequence of events. Cocker said he might drop the appeal against the drug charges. We thought we were appealing against the deportation but apparently that cant be done, he said. We dont want to come back just for the appeal.

Loading Pressed for a definite reaction to the events of the tour, Cocker said he was angry because the drug offences would bar him from entering the United States. Sherry We dont know what the situation is at present, but we to be allowed in for a few weeks just to do some recording. Asked for his version of his opening concert in Melbourne, Cocker said he was angry and upset at the time following the incident in Adelaide.
There are still 13 major emergency warnings current as part of Victorias flood crisis this morning.

As of 6am today, residents of Echuca, Charlton, Bunbartha, Zeerust, Mundoona and Kaarimba in Victorias north were still being told to evacuate their homes immediately.

By 3pm, Charlton had been downgraded to a watch and act alert, but Barmah  on the Murray River north-east of Echuca  had been issued with an emergency warning to evacuate immediately.

Those in Shepparton, Mooroopna, Orrvale, Murchison and Kialla West are still being instructed that it is too late to leave their properties, and they should shelter at the highest possible location due to flooding.

VicEmergency has 60 current warnings and advice notices  primarily related to floods  which can be viewed on its website.
The first homes for essential workers and vulnerable Australians financed by Labors new housing fund will not have foundations dug and frames up until the end of next year.

Housing and Homelessness Minister Julie Collins said legislation for the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund was nearly complete and would be brought before parliament in the next few months.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Julie Collins. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Collins expects the legislation to pass parliament early next year and wants to see concrete slabs poured as soon as the fund starts providing returns, hopefully in the second half of 2023.

If the returns come through in the second half of next year, I want to see that happening as quickly as we possibly can, she said.
The RSL national president who blasted the Australian War Memorials plan to commemorate the frontier wars between Indigenous Australians and British colonists is a leading candidate to take over as chair of the institution.

Greg Melick is the War Memorial Councils longest-serving current member and with chairman Brendan Nelson to depart after the councils next meeting in mid-November, discussions are under way over who will replace the former Liberal politician in the $80,000 per year position.

War Memorial chairman Brendan Nelson and Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Several members of the defence and veterans community, who asked not to be named so they could speak freely, told this masthead that Melick and former prime minister Tony Abbott, who recently had his term on the council extended by Labor, were among the names being discussed but Abbott will not be putting his name forward for the job.

Board members Glenn Keys, the founder of Aspen Medical, and Professor Susan Neuhaus, a surgeon and veteran who served in Afghanistan and Cambodia, are also seen as potential candidates.
Cash has rejected an assertion that she denied knowing about Higgins alleged sexual assault before February 2021 because it would have been politically inconvenient.

In a pointed exchange, prosecutor Shane Drumgold, SC, challenged Cash on her evidence that she had only heard of the allegation during a phone call with Higgins on February 5.

Asked whether it would be politically inconvenient if such an allegation emerged in October 2019, Cash replied, absolutely not, adding it would have been something that needed to be attended to.

Asked by Drumgold whether she agreed it would be politically harmful if it emerged a staff member, Higgins, was still working for a minister following such an alleged incident, Cash replied, absolutely not, I just dont understand a political connection to this.

Drumgold then asked: Are you familiar with the term plausible deniability?

Cash asked Drumgold to clarify, to which he put again to her that she was aware of the allegation before February 2021.

Im putting to you that youre denying that because it would be politically embarrassing, to which Cash replied, absolutely not.

I dont understand the line of questioning related to political embarrassment. I dont know how it could be politically embarrassing, she said.
Dubai: A weekend fire at Irans notorious Evin Prison damaged one of the largest buildings in the complex, according to satellite photos analysed on Monday. Authorities raised to eight the number of inmates killed, doubling the initial toll.

What happened on Saturday night at the prison  for decades the main holding facility for political detainees and a centrepiece of the states systematic crushing of dissent  remains unclear. Online videos purport to show chaotic scenes with a prison siren wailing as flames rise from the complex, the apparent crackle of gunfire and people screaming: Death to the dictator!

This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows Evin prison in Tehran, Iran, on Sunday, October 16, after a fire at the complex. Credit:AP

The fire erupted as nationwide anti-government protests triggered by the death of a young woman in the custody of the countrys morality police entered a fifth week. Tensions have escalated to a point unseen since the mass demonstrations that accompanied the countrys 2009 Green Movement protests.

The fire at one of Tehrans most heavily guarded facilities potentially raises the stakes for those continuing to rally against the government and the mandatory headscarf, or hijab, for women after the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini.
London: Ghislaine Maxwell has submitted 300 complaints to officials over her treatment in jail, including a lack of food and clean water, it has been revealed.

The former socialite was convicted on five charges last December, including one of sex-trafficking of a minor, and is serving a 20-year sentence.

Ghislaine Maxwell is serving 20 years in prison. Credit:AP

Her conviction is the subject of an appeal that could be heard as early as 2023, sources say.

Maxwell also spoke of feeling sorry for her dear friend Prince Andrew after his reputation suffered as a result of their relationship.
Latest News Mortgage brokers hit more than 70% market share Highest percentage recorded for residential home loans

RBA governor apologises to mortgage holders Lowe sorry interest rates comment was misconstrued

Westpac has hired investment bank JP Morgan to advise it on a bid to buy payment terminals business Tyro Payments.

Westpac was said to be one of a handful of Australian banks mulling a bid for the group, to consider whether assimilating Tyro into its wider banking operations would make money for the combined group.

Westpacs decision to rope in JP Morgans investment bankers, led by Adam Penny, suggests that it was serious about the buyout, and puts its interest ahead of rival banks, The Australian Financial Review reported.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia and National Australia Bank are also understood to have considered a play for the Sydney-based fintech but are yet to call in a counsel or advance any plans.

The news comes more than a month after Tyro rejected a highly opportunistic $1.27-per-share buyout offer from a consortium led by private equity firm Potentia Capital, AFR reported.
The on Monday upheld the order of 2020 which allowed Adani Enterprises to operate, manage, and develop Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

The court, however, said the question of ownership of land on which the airport is still to be decided.

The bench of Chief Justice of India UU Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi refused to interfere in the matter, considering that a private entity (Adani enterprises) has taken over the Airport since October 14, 2021.

The top court was hearing the petition filed by the State of Kerala challenging the handing over of the management of the Thiruvananthapuram international airport to Adani Enterprises Limited. Kerala Government had also participated in the bid by the Airport Authority of India.

The State had moved the High Court and the asking why a private entity was preferred over the State for the bid.

The State said the tender process was not in the public interest and violated the provisions of the Airport Authority of India Act, 1994.

The rejected the challenge to the Central government's decision to lease out the to Adani Enterprises in October 2020.

The Kerala State then filed an appeal against this decision in the apex court.
Bank of Maharashtras (BoM's) net profit rose by 103 per cent year on year (YoY) to Rs 535 crore in the quarter ended September (Q2FY23), on the back of an improvement in its net interest margin (NIM).

The Pune-based public sector lender had posted a net profit of Rs 264 crore in (Q2FY22).

The banks stock was trading 4.74 per cent higher at Rs 18.8 per share on on Monday.

BoM's net interest income (NII) was up 25.84 per cent YoY in Q2FY23 to Rs 1,887 crore. Its NIM improved to 3.55 per cent in Q2FY23 from 3.27 per cent in Q2FY22. The margins will remain steady and be around 3.5 per cent for FY23, said A S Rajeev, the bank's managing director and CEO in a media interaction after the Q2FY23 .

The lender's non-interest income dipped 40 pet cent YoY to Rs 502 crore during the quarter under review.

Its asset quality profile improved with gross (GNPAs) at 3.4 per cent till September 2022, compared with 5.56 per cent a year ago. Net NPAs dipped to 0.68 per cent from 1.73 per cent.

The bank expects to transfer 2-3 of its loans to National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) in the current quarter and recover about Rs 170 crore, bank officials said in the media interaction.

The provision coverage ratio rose to 96.06 per cent for the quarter under review from 92.38 per cent a year ago.

The banks loan book grew 28.65 per cent YoY, at a much higher rate than the banking systems pace of loan book expansion (16.4 cent YoY) in September 2022. Outstanding advances stood at Rs 1.48 trillion as of September 2022. The bank expects to expand loan book by about 25 pet cent in FY23. The growth is sustainable with sound asset quality and prudent borrower selection.

Earlier the lender had said that as the loan base expands, YoY growth could moderate to 21-22 per cent in FY23.

The deposits grew by 7.86 per cent YoY to Rs 1.95 trillion in September 2022. This was lower than the deposit growth of 9.2 per cent. Sequentially, BoMs deposit growth moderated from 12.35 per cent YoY in June 2022. It will monetise excess Statutory Liquidity Ratio investments in government bonds to make funds available for lending.

The credit-to-deposit (C\D) ratio was 75.69 per cent at the end of September 2022 up from 63.47 per cent a year ago. Sequentially C\D ratio rose from 71.75 per cent in June 2022.

The banks total capital adequacy ratio (CAR) stood at 16.71. per cent in September 2022, up from 14.67 per cent a year ago. The present capital level is comfortable to support loan growth and BoM may look at raising in last quarter of FY23 or early next financial year to reduce government stake (91 per cent)., Rajeev added.
said on Monday it was in talks with steel makers, including British Steel, owned by China's Jingye Group, and India's to help secure the industry's long-term future.

The government said had agreed to maintain current operations and job numbers while the talks were under way.

Sky reported earlier on Monday that Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg had written to Jingye Group to express a willingness to negotiate over the Chinese company's request for a bailout to avoid thousands of job losses.

Jingye, which bought out of insolvency in 2020, had told the government that its two blast furnaces at its Scunthorpe steelworks were unlikely to be viable without government aid, Sky reported earlier this month.

A government spokesperson said: "We are working across the steel sector on achieving their sustainable and competitive long-term future.

"We recognise that businesses are feeling the impact of high global energy prices, particularly steel producers, which is why we announced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme to bring down costs."

(Reporting by Paul Sandle, editing by Elizabeth Piper and Angus MacSwan)

(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.)
Byjus has raised $250 million from its existing investors as the educational technology (edtech) giant targets profitability by March next year.

The valuation of the Bengaluru-based firm remains at $22 billion, informed sources. Existing investors who have invested in this round include Qatar Investment Authority (QIA).

Byjus has raised a total funding of $5.5 billion from investors like Sumeru Ventures, Vitruvian Partners, BlackRock, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Sequoia, Silver Lake, Bond Capital, Tencent, General Atlantic, Tiger Global, and QIA. The firm has over 150 million learners.

We are in that sweet spot of our growth story where unit economics and the economies of scale are both in our favour, said its founder and Chief Executive Officer .

This means the capital we now invest in our business will result in profitable growth and create sustainable social impact, he added.

Regardless of the adverse macroeconomic conditions, Raveendran said 2022-23 is set to be the best year in terms of revenue, growth, and profitability.

Continued support from our esteemed investors reaffirms the impact created by us so far, and validates our path to profitability, he said.

Byjus has raised funding at a time the firm booked losses of Rs 4,588 crore for 2020-21 (FY21), 19x more than the preceding year, according to its latest financial report.

The firm, which was last valued at $22 billion, earned Rs 2,428 crore in revenue in FY21. Its adjusted revenue in 2019-20 was Rs 2,511 crore; the adjusted loss Rs 300 crore.

Byjus is now set to lay off nearly 2,500, or 5 per cent, of its workforce as part of an optimisation drive. The move by Indias most valuable start-up comes amid a funding winter freeze and steep losses.

It has embarked on the path to achieving group-level profitability by March next year with a three-pronged approach.

It is consolidating all its K10 India subsidiaries into one unit to leverage their synergies. Aakash Education and Great Learning, which are into test preparation and upskilling, respectively, will continue to operate as standalone independent units.

Byjus will now be reorienting its marketing budget towards its overseas markets. The group is also increasing the strength of its in-house sales team for more efficient and effective consumer-centric lead conversions.

It plans to hire 10,000 teachers in the next six months, adding to the current strength of 20,000.

The company is also expanding its teams, besides hiring senior leadership, to further build operational strength.

The hiring strategy will play a crucial role in the companys optimisation plan as it looks to target profitability by March next year.

Byjus plans to hire people in India, the US, and Latin America. Almost half of the recruitment will be done in India, the rest will be conducted in overseas markets.

The plan is to go deeper into India and go global as well. About 60-70 per cent of our teachers are women. They are able to utilise the benefit of being able to teach from their homes or anywhere in the world. It was a model we launched during the pandemic, said co-founder Divya Gokulnath in a recent interview, adding, That is what we are scaling further. The plan is to add 10,000 more teachers over the next six months.

Raveendran recently told employees that the firm has started shifting focus towards profitable growth. He said a revenue of $2 billion was within sight and that the firms 2021-22 revenue was nearly Rs 10,000 crore, or $1.3 billion.

This means we are now a $1 billion-plus revenue company, said Raveendran, in a letter to employees.
Following a recent incident of smoke in a plane cabin, the regulator has directed the airline to send the engine oil samples of the entire Q400 fleet consisting of 14 operational aircraft to Pratt & Whitney Canada to ascertain the presence of metal and carbon seat particles.

Moreover, the has also directed for inspection of bleed-off valve screen and housing for evidence of oil wetness.

had initiated the probe after a flight made an emergency landing at Hyderabad airport after smoke was detected in the cabin on October 12.

In light of the above incident and also a similar incident in the recent past involving PWC 150 A engine, which had also shop visited Standard Aero-Singapore for overhaul, SpiceJet was directed that that no engine shall be sent to Standard Aero-Singapore till the investigation is completed.

DGCA has directed that engine oil samples be periodically drawn every 15 days instead of presently 30 days and sent to Pratt & Whitney Canada to ascertain presence of metal and carbon seal particles.

It also directed one time Boroscopic inspection of all operational engines within one week and completion of the inspection on three engines, which have been received from Standard Aero, Singapore by Monday night.

It also asked the airline to introduce inspection of bleed off valve screen and housing for evidence of oil wetness during every weekly check.

DGCA also asked for an immediate inspection of magnetic chip detectors for the presence of any metal particles on reporting of fault in the central display system, which otherwise is a class 2 fault and calls for inspection within the next 65 flight hours. In case of detection of any metal particles, boroscopic inspection of the engine shall be carried out prior to the release of aircraft, said the DGCA.

DGCA said that it is keeping a close watch on the situation and will take all appropriate action to avert any untoward incident.

--IANS

kvm/dpb

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
and will power Reliance Jios network, the European telecommunication (telecom) gear makers announced on Monday. The Swedish and Finnish suppliers have inked multi-year supply contracts with Jio for supplying network equipment to the countrys largest carrier.

Under its contract, will supply equipment from its AirScale radio portfolio, including base stations, high-capacity radio antennae, and remote radio heads to support different spectrum bands and self-organising network software.

Jio will deploy a standalone 5G network, which will interwork with its 4G network and enable it to provide services such as machine-to-machine communication, network slicing, and ultra-low latency.

All products and solutions are deployed on the new-build 5G standalone networks designed to maximise the benefits of 5G to communication service providers and their customers, said .

Telecom networks comprise four distinct parts  a radio access network, a core network, a transport network, and an interconnect network.

A 5G standalone network requires a new core, while a non-standalone network leverages the existing 4G infrastructure to offer higher speeds and low latency.

Bharti Airtel is deploying a non-standalone network for its 5G services and has selected Samsung, in addition to the two European gear makers for its network.

Jio 5G will be the worlds largest and most advanced 5G network, Chairman had said at the companys annual general meeting in August.

Jio will be investing around Rs 2 trillion to develop its and plans to expand countrywide coverage by December 2023.

Commercial 5G services began on October 1.

While Airtel is offering the service in eight cities, Jio is carrying out a beta trial in four (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Varanasi) until significant completion of the network coverage in those cities.

While new sites are being activated in these cities by installing radio access networks, many subscribers are yet to get access to the service. This is because the 5G-enabled devices are yet to receive a software update.

Last week, the Ministry of Communications convened a meeting of telecom service providers and handset makers for a status update on device readiness.

Samsung will release the necessary over-the-air software updates for all its 5G-enabled smartphones by mid-November, outpacing Apple, which will release the same in December for all 5G-enabled iPhone models in India. This will enable the owners of Samsung and iPhone 5G-enabled devices to finally tap into the super-fast service.
Former president Ravi Kumar is joining as President Americas, said the company in a regulatory filing. He will take on the position from January 16, 2023. Kumar will be reporting directly to Brian Humphries, CEO .

in a BSE filing, last week, had shared that Kumar has resigned. Kumar also has served as Chairman of the Board of Business Process Management, and brings more than 20 years of experience in consulting and industry sales, incubating new practice lines and driving large transformational programs.

"As President of Americas, which accounts for more than 70% of the companys total annual revenues, Ravi will be responsible for the strategic direction and operational performance of our business in the US, Latin America, and Canada, including our industry teams, the Americas Consulting organization, and the global Large Deals Team," said an internal note by CEO Brian Humphries.

"I believe his leadership will inject a new level of energy and innovative thinking to help accelerate growth. Ravi will also serve as a close partner to me. He is based in New York City and will join the EC, reporting to me, on January 16, 2023," said the email from Humphries.

Kumar takes over from Surya Gummadi, who will take over leading the $5 billion Health Sciences Business of Cognizant,

Cognizant also announced the appointment of Prasad Sankaran who will be heading the software and platform engineering (SPE) services. He joins from Bain & Company.
Consulting has opened its eleventh client innovation center (CIC) in the country in Bhubaneshwar to cater growing business transformation needs of its clients, the company said on Monday.

The Center was inaugurated by Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha in the presence of Amit Sharma, Managing Partner - Global Delivery, Consulting, along with officials from the Government of Odisha and . This is in line with IBMs strategy to expand in emerging cities to get access to the unexplored talent available across the country.

The company has around 4,000 clients including government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare.

The global IT major said the expanded presence in Bhubaneswar will create opportunities for existing employees as well as enable the company to harness the potential talent including graduate hires from the technical educational ecosystem in Odisha.

Bhubaneswar is fast emerging as a key talent hub in the country and this Center will provide these technology professionals the opportunity to do impactful work for clients not just in India but across the world, said Amit Sharma, Managing Partner - global delivery, IBM Consulting.

With the new unit, IBM Consulting now has eleven CIC locations in India, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, National Capital Region, Pune, Mysuru, Kochi, and Coimbatore. The new CIC will leverage the IBM Garage method of delivery, an approach that helps IBM Co-create, Co-execute, and Co-operate transformative business and complex technology solutions with its clients and ecosystem partners, the company said.

Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri commented, Odisha is now fast emerging as a technology resource hub of India. Seizing the immense scope available in this land of opportunity, most IT have set foot in Bhubaneswar. The enabling environment, facilitation service, and huge talent pool available here have turned Odisha into a destination of choice. Opening up of the IBM Client Innovation Center adds yet another watershed moment, signifying the fast-changing IT ecosystem in the state.

IBM employs 140,000 in over 175 countries, and it is one of the largest multinational employers in India. However, the company did not disclose the number of people working at the new center in Bhubaneshwar.
insurer Insurance on Monday said it will pay the penalty imposed on it by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) to avoid unnecessary and long legal escalations. However, it does believe that it has not committed any wrongdoing in its share sale transaction with Axis Bank.

The regulator imposed a Rs 3 crore penalty on the life insurer last week and a Rs 2 crore fine was imposed on the bank for the share sale deal that saw the bank acquiring 12.99 per cent stake in the life insurer and becoming a co-promoter of the company.

With a view to pave the way for the future including strengthening the long-term strategic partnership with Axis Bank and avoid unnecessary and long legal escalations, has decided to pay the penalty imposed by the Irdai, while it is of the belief of not committing any wrongdoing, said in a statement.

The transactions were undertaken in a bonafide manner. However, keeping the best interest of the company and its stakeholders in mind, we have resolved to remit the payment towards the penalty, said Analjit Singh, Chairman of .

The regulator, in its order last week indicated that the deal between Max Life and Axis Bank circumvented regulations on commission limits. There were three charges  misrepresentation to the regulator, higher-than-permitted compensation to the corporate agent, and not following fair market value in share transactions  made out against the insurer by the authority and in each of the charges it found the company guilty and imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore each.

An email sent to Axis Bank did not elicit a response.



"Irdai has imposed a penalty aggregating to Rs 2 crores on Axis Bank alleging certain violations of directions issued by Irdai on account of transaction of transfer of shares of Company Limited between Max Financial Services Limited and Axis Bank/its subsidiaries. In this regard, please also note that the said penalty does not have any material impact on the Bank or its corporate agency operation," the bank said in a statement to the exchanges.



Axis Bank together with its subsidiaries Axis Capital Limited and Axis Securities is the co-promoter of following the acquisition of a 12.99 per cent stake in April 2021. Axis Bank is expected to raise its stake in the company in the coming quarters.

Over the next few quarters, Axis Bank will increase its stake. It holds 13 per cent in Max life. Axis Bank is a very large financial services conglomerate. We will go through the process to increase that to up to 20 per cent, Prashant Tripathy, managing director and chief executive officer of Max Life Insurance told Business Standard in an interview in August this year. insurer Max Life Insurance on Monday said it will pay the penalty imposed on it by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) to avoid unnecessary and long legal escalations. However, it does believe that it has not committed any wrongdoing in its share sale transaction with Axis Bank.

The regulator imposed a Rs 3 crore penalty on the life insurer last week and a Rs 2 crore fine was imposed on the bank for the share sale deal that saw the bank acquiring 12.99 per cent stake in the life insurer and becoming a co-promoter of the company.

With a view to pave the way for the future including strengthening the long-term strategic partnership with Axis Bank and avoid unnecessary and long legal escalations, Max Life has decided to pay the penalty imposed by the Irdai, while it is of the belief of not committing any wrongdoing, said Max Life in a statement.

The transactions were undertaken in a bonafide manner. However, keeping the best interest of the company and its stakeholders in mind, we have resolved to remit the payment towards the penalty, said Analjit Singh, Chairman of Max Life Insurance.

The regulator, in its order last week indicated that the deal between Max Life and Axis Bank circumvented regulations on commission limits. There were three charges  misrepresentation to the regulator, higher-than-permitted compensation to the corporate agent, and not following fair market value in share transactions  made out against the insurer by the authority and in each of the charges it found the company guilty and imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore each.

An email sent to Axis Bank did not elicit a response. The exchange has also sought clarification from the bank but so far, the bank has not responded. Both Axis Bank and Max Life have to pay the penalty within 21 days from the date of issuance of the order.

Axis Bank together with its subsidiaries Axis Capital Limited and Axis Securities is the co-promoter of Max Life Insurance following the acquisition of a 12.99 per cent stake in April 2021. Axis Bank is expected to raise its stake in the company in the coming quarters.

Over the next few quarters, Axis Bank will increase its stake. It holds 13 per cent in Max life. Axis Bank is a very large financial services conglomerate. We will go through the process to increase that to up to 20 per cent, Prashant Tripathy, managing director and chief executive officer of Max Life Insurance told Business Standard in an interview in August this year.
plans to create a talent base of 50,000 product managers by 2025 as the ecosystem lacks talent at all levels, Ramkumar Narayanan, chair, Product Council, told Business Standard.

We have a good install base for engineers, with almost 1 million passing out every year, but we are lacking a lot of people for functions like product managers, designers, analysts, and top-class product marketers. As more and more product start to emerge from India, we need a large number of people in these roles, he said.

Speaking with Business Standard as the Product Conclave kicks-off on October 18th, which will see a participation from around 2000 stakeholders, Narayanan said filling gaps in the workforce was crucial for Indian product and SaaS to be globally relevant.

He added that there was a shortage of people at every level. At the top level, we need chief product officers, we need VP-level executives for product management at par with the global companies, he said.

Nasscom's Product Council estimates the sector to be valued at $7 billion and growing at 9.5 per cent year-on-year. Apart from skilling, the committee has also formed a deep-tech club  a group of 300 deep- surrounded by mentors.

The industry body recently released a study on the rapidly growing number of deep-tech start-ups. As per the report, India had over 3,000 deep-tech start-ups, implementing new-age technologies like Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, quantum computing, Big Data, Machine Learning, and robotics, at the end of 2021. Narayanan said this would continue to increase as the adoption of deep-tech among the product companies was expected to grow to70-80 per cent by 2030.

Nasscom Product Council is a community to cater the needs of 3,720 product companies based in India in both domestic and global contexts.

To be globally relevant in product and SaaS the country needs at least 50,000 product managers at different levels in the country, which do not exist today. We are focused on bringing together people, up levelling them, and creating programs around them. These programs are already present in the market; we are bringing them together under our product skills umbrella, he added.

Narayanan said other areas that the industry lobby was also focused on providing a global stage for Indian product companies to connect them with the market. The senior official added that the product council was collaborating with the government, especially in the areas like drone policy, as it advocates that the restrictions on the import of spare parts should be relaxed.
Indian smartphone maker International Ltd. is in advanced talks with Chinas Huaqin Technology Co. to create an electronics manufacturing venture in the South Asian nation.



The venture would aim to win contracts from US and Chinese customers for research and development, design, and manufacturing of electronics products, according to a letter from to Indias technology ministry seen by Bloomberg . Talks for the partnership are close to being completed, according to the letter.

The pact would give the closely held heft as they seek to take on rivals such as Foxconn Technology Group. The Taiwanese giant, which assembles phones for Apple Inc., is among electronics that have built out production capacity in India to diversify beyond and take advantage of incentives that are part of Prime Minister Narendra Modis aspirations to make India a manufacturing hub.

Shanghai-based Huaqin, with more than 33,000 employees and sales topping $13 billion last year, designs and makes smartphones, laptops, tablets and smartwatches for customers including Vivo, Xiaomi Corp., Samsung Electronics Co., Lenovo Group Ltd., Amazon.com Inc. and Acer Inc. A partnership with would give Huaqin deeper access to one of the worlds fastest-growing major electronics markets that has an abundance of labor cheaper than that in . For Lava, the pact would bring in much-needed capital and expertise as the company seeks to become a formidable electronics player.

The venture would employ more than 100,000 people and put India on the global map for design, supply chain and manufacturing, Lava said in the letter. It would help bring the supply chain ecosystem & much needed skills and technology to India.

Representatives for Lava, Huaqin and the Indian technology ministry didnt respond to emails seeking comment.

A partnership agreement hasnt been completed as details such as shareholdings are being finalized, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be named as the plan isnt public. While the venture will be closely scrutinized by the Indian government, it is likely to win approval because it would elevate the countrys status as an electronics manufacturing hub and doesnt threaten national security, the people said.

A bloody skirmish between India and on a disputed Himalayan border in 2020 has led to a frosty relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. New Delhi has subjected Chinese firms operating in the country, such as Xiaomi and rivals Oppo and Vivo, to close scrutiny of their finances, which has led to tax demands and money laundering allegations.

The government has also used unofficial means to ban Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. telecom equipment. While theres no official policy prohibiting Chinese networking gear, wireless carriers are encouraged to purchase alternatives. India is also seeking to restrict Chinese smartphone makers from selling devices cheaper than 12,000 rupees ($146) to kickstart its faltering domestic industry, people familiar with the matter have said.

The Lava-Huaqin venture would have an advantage over other Chinese manufacturers by its association with a domestic producer.

--With assistance from Gao Yuan.
After a two-year hiatus, in New Delhi is flourishing again with patients coming in from Bangladesh, Iraq, Uzbekistan and Kenya, according to a report by Times of India (TOI). Most of the patients coming to India are availing of cardiac surgery, liver transplants, and kidney and bone marrow transplants.

The 'flattening' of the third wave of Covid-19, easing restrictions and removing government quota on private can be attributed to the rise in . They remained frozen for over two years.

" have begun receiving international cases, especially with life-threatening illnesses like cancer, orthopaedic surgery and organ transplants. We expect a further rise in the number (of medical tourists)," Dr Sangita Reddy, joint managing director, of Apollo told TOI.

The report also quoted Abdul Karim from the Gambia who came to India for the hernia operation of his wife Adana in August as saying that the treatment in India has brought "smiles back" to their faces. He said that all the arrangements for the operation were made by the Gambian health ministry.

in India had fallen to nearly 33 per cent during 2020-21. It rose to 50 per cent in 2021-22. In the first half of 2022-23, it has crossed the pre-pandemic levels.

According to Fortis Hospitals, foreign patients in 2019-2020 in the hospital were 45,000. These fell to 14,000 in 2020. Till September, the number of patients rose to 17,000.

However, the pattern of medical tourism has shifted post-pandemic. Earlier Delhi used to see the maximum number of tourists from Afghanistan. Since the takeover by the Taliban, the number of patients has decreased.

Due to visa issues, the number of patients from Turkmenistan has also reduced. While on the other hand, patients from Fiji and the Pacific islands are limited due to the restricted number of flights.
The government on Monday suspended with immediate effect senior and former chief secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Jitendra Narain, accused of raping a woman in Port Blair.

The suspension came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed immediate strict action against Narain, who is presently posted as the chairman and managing director of the Delhi Financial Corporation, according to a Union home ministry statement.

The ministry said the government is committed to ensuring zero-tolerance towards the acts of indiscipline by its officials irrespective of their rank and status, especially regarding incidents involving women's dignity.

The ministry received a report on Sunday from the Andaman and Nicobar Police regarding the alleged sexual assault of the 21-year-old woman by Narain, when he was serving as chief secretary of the archipelago, and others.

As the report indicated the possibility of grave misconduct and misuse of the official position on the part of Narain, an IAS of the AGMUT cadre of the 1990 batch, Shah directed immediate strict action against the officer concerned as per the law.

Accordingly, Narain has been placed under suspension with immediate effect and disciplinary proceedings have been ordered against him, the statement said.

An FIR has been registered and action in the criminal case is being taken separately by the Special Investigation Team of the Andaman and Nicobar Police.

As per the allegation of the woman, she was gang-raped by two officials, including the former chief secretary, in Andaman and Nicobar Islands at his official residence.

Following the allegation, a Special Investigation Team has been constituted, headed by a Senior Superintendent of Police, for investigation and a case has been registered at the Aberdeen police station.

The woman alleged that the other officer who was involved in the rape was Labour commissioner R L Rishi and they indulged in the alleged crime on two occasions.

When contacted, Narain told PTI last week that he cannot 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 (TIP) 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.

The woman also alleged that two weeks later 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.

Officials said that 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.

According to sources, Narain 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.)
The on Monday transferred more than Rs 1,866 crore to farmers, agricultural labourers and members of women self-help groups (SHGs) -- all beneficiaries of the states several flagship schemes.

At a virtual function, Chief Minister did the transfer.

Over 2.7 million payees enrolled under the governments schemes such as the Kisan Nyay Yojana, Gramin Krishi Bhumiheen Mazdoor Nyay Yojana, and Godhan Nyay Yojana will benefit ahead of Diwali.

Of the amount, Rs 1,745 crore has been transferred to the accounts of 2.4 million under the Kisan Nyay Yojana. The scheme was introduced by the in 2019 to provide financial assistance to paddy-growing . Since inception, the state has paid Rs 16,416.10 crore, including the third instalment released on Monday, to .

is the only state that has been procuring paddy from farmers at Rs 2,500 per quintal, which is higher than what the Centre has set.

Besides, the state government is providing aid under the scheme to farmers adopting crop diversification and plantation.

Under the Gramin Krishi Bhumiheen Mazdoor Nyay Yojana, Rs 115.80 crore has been transferred to the accounts of 466,000 landless labourers.

The state government also transferred Rs 5.59 crore to the beneficiaries of the Godhan Nyay Yojana, the most talked-about scheme of the government.

Under the scheme, gauthans (livestock sheds) have been built in panchayats and they have become a source of livelihood for villagers.

As of now, 8,408 gauthans have been set up against the sanctioned 10,624 and the state government is building a rural industrial park.

SHGs have taken up projects that include manufacturing vermicompost and fertilisers from cow-dung and urine the state government is procuring under the Godhan Nyay Yojana, launched in 2020.

The state government spokesperson said of the amount, Rs 4.22 crore had been paid to villagers who sold cow-dung to the Gauthan Committee.

With this, the government has procured cow-dung worth Rs 174.56 crore. Of the gauthans, 3,089 have become self-reliant and purchased cow-dung worth Rs 20.64 crore.

The state government has been working on a plan to make as many gauthans self-reliant as possible.
Congress members queued up across the country on Monday to elect their first non-Gandhi president in 24 years, choosing between senior leaders and Shashi Tharoor in an exercise aimed at putting the party on the path to revival.

"I have been waiting for a long time for this day," Congress chief Sonia Gandhi told reporters after voting at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters here.

Over 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates form the electoral college to pick the party chief in a secret ballot. The results will be declared on October 19.

Voting in the much discussed elections began at 10 am at the AICC headquarters and at polling booths in PCC offices across the country.

Satisfied with Congress' presidential poll process. Elections are free, fair, transparent, said Madhusudan Mistry, the central election authority chairperson.

Voting is going on smoothly. There are no complaints so far on polling from anywhere, Mistry told PTI.

While Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, voted in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi, who is on the Bharat Jodo Yatra, did so at a meeting room container converted into a polling booth at the yatra campsite in Ballari in Karnataka.

Kharge, 80, a Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka tipped to win the election because of his proximity to the Gandhis, cast his ballot at the Karnataka Congress office in Bengaluru. His electoral rival, the party's 66-year-old Thiruvananthapuram MP Tharoor, who has pitched himself as the candidate of change, voted in the Kerala capital.

Kharge said in Bengaluru that Tharoor called him up and wished him good luck and he wished him the same. The two, he said on Twitter, were contesting internal polls on a friendly note to strengthen the Congress to build a stronger and better nation for the future generations.

In Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor said he is confident of victory even though the odds were stacked against him as leaders and establishment were with the other candidate.

"India needs a strong Congress. I did not contest for my political future, but for that of the Congress and India. I am here as a viable alternative. I am standing for change. A change in how the party functions," he said.

"Spoke to this morning to wish him well and to reaffirm my respect for him and our shared devotion to the success of Congress," Tharoor addedin a tweet, noting that the Congress' revival had begun.

Earlier in the morning he said, "Some people play safe in order not to lose. But if you just play safe, you will definitely lose", using the hashtag "#ThinkTomorrowThinkTharoor".

Electors in the Congress presidential polls have been asked to put a tick mark against their candidate in the ballot paper after Tharoor's team took up with the party's top poll body the issue of its earlier directive that voters write "1" to reflect their preference. This, the team said, may lead to confusion.

As the election process continued, the Gandhis dominated the discourse in many places.

Senior leader Ambika Soni told reporters after voting that the Gandhi family cannot be ignored and the party workers' attachment with them would remain.

"The Gandhi family will continue to play a very important role. Sonia Gandhi will be demitting her office after the new president is elected but there is no doubt that she has been our leader and will continue to be our leader. We will look towards her for inspiration and guidance from time to time," added Congress general secretary Mukul Wasnik said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, once a frontrunner for the post said in Jaipur that his relationship with the Gandhi family will be the "same for life", even after October 19.

Attacking the BJP, Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said the party's elections marked a historical moment.

"None of us know how J P Nadda got selected, two-and-a-half people decided - one Modi, one Shah and a half RSS. So such a party commenting on polls is a joke," he said.

Uttar Pradesh MLA Virendra Chaudhary echoed him.

"The atmosphere at the party office is that of a festival. I can say that if democracy is alive (in any political party), it is the Congress," the Congress' MLA from Pharenda told PTI in Lucknow.

In Chennai, where the Sathyamurthy Bhavan was converted into a polling camp, TNCC president K S Alagiri, who was one of the early voters, said the elections were being held in a democratic manner.

His party colleague Karti Chidambaram backed Tharoor, saying people were looking for someone who has a fresh perspective.

Tharoor is articulate, a three-time Parliamentarian and has a huge fan following, he added.

Senior Kerala leaders, including KPCC chief K Sudhakaran, V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and K Muraleedharan have also openly declared their preference. They said Kharge is better suited for the post as he has risen through the ranks and is more experienced than Tharoor.

Tharoor has on many occasions said Congress leaders in Kerala appeared to be against him.

The political journeys of the two dramatis personae in the Congress presidential election have been disparate.

Kharge is a grassroots politician and a hardcore loyalist of the Gandhi family while Tharoor, articulate, a social media pioneer and often outspoken, joined the Congress only in 2009 after a long stint at the United Nations.

Kharge was born in a poor family at Varavatti in Bidar district, did his schooling and BA as well as Law in Gulbarga. Tharoor was born in London and studied in Delhi University's St Stephen's College before going to the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in the US for his masters and doctorate.

Though Tharoor raised issues of uneven playing field during the campaign, both candidates as well as the party have maintained the Gandhis are neutral and that there is no "official candidate".

The lines during the campaign were clearly drawn.

Ahead of the polling, Kharge had said in Bengaluru that he would have no shame in taking the advice and support of the Gandhi family in running the party affairs, in case he becomes its president.

Tharoor, on his part, took a veiled dig at some senior leaders supporting Kharge, saying in Lucknow that some colleagues were "indulging in 'netagiri' and telling party workers that they know who Sonia Gandhi wants elected.

The last contested election for the post of Congress president was in 2000 when Sonia Gandhi handed Jitendra Prasada a crushing defeat.

The Nehru-Gandhi family has been at the helm of the party for about 40 years in years since Independence. The five family members to take on the mantle of party president are Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

(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 slipped to rank 107 among 121 countries in the latest edition of the Index. The country was ranked 101 out of 116 countries in the 2021 index. With a GHI score of 29.1, the report placed India's levels under the "serious" category. While this shows an improvement in the "alarming" numbers of 38.8 points in 2000, the report says that India's child nutrition performance was quite concerning.

The Indian government has maintained its stance that the GHI is an "erroneous measurement of hunger" and part of a "consistent effort" to "taint India's image."

What exactly is the GHI, how is it measured, and why has the Centre consistently opposed its annual report?

The Index

The GHI measures and tracks global, regional, and . It maps four indicators across three dimensions. This includes the under-five mortality rate under the "child mortality" dimension, undernourishment under "inadequate food supply", and and child wasting under "child undernourishment".

While child wasting maps the percentage of children under five years of age with a low weight for their height, counts for the share of children with a low height for their age in the same age group.

The GHI primarily sources data from various multilateral agencies based in the United States and other countries to compute scores under each dimension for all participating countries. These organisations include the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and UNICEF.



Also read: India's ranking in Global Hunger Index driven by incorrect record: Expert

Computing the dimensions

Each of the four components under the three dimensions is given a standardised score based on thresholds set slightly above the highest country-level values observed worldwide for that indicator since 1988. For instance, the highest value for undernourishment in this period is 76.5 per cent, so the threshold for standardisation is set at 80 per cent. Thus, if a country has an undernourishment prevalence of 40 per cent, its standardised undernourishment score will be 50 or halfway between having no undernourishment and the maximum observed level.

The standardised scores are then aggregated to calculate the GHI score for each country. Undernourishment and child mortality contribute one-third of the GHI score, while and wasting each contribute one-sixth of the score.

The GHI scores are marked on a 100-point scale, where 0 is the best score (no hunger), and 100 is the worst. In terms of the criteria ranking scale, a score equal to or below 9.9 is categorised as "low", 10.0 to 19.9 is "moderate", 20.0 to 34.9 is serious, 35.0 to 49.9 is alarming, and 50.0 or above is extremely alarming.

The GHI revised its methodology in 2015, which has led to an upward shift in GHI scores for most countries.

India's standings and objections

India is ranked second lowest amongst the SAARC nations, with Pakistan at 99, Bangladesh at 84, Nepal at 81, and even the crisis-stricken Sri Lanka at 64. Only Afghanistan is ranked lower at 109. Maldives and Bhutan were not ranked.

India's share of child wasting  19.3 per cent  is the highest in the world. While the numbers for child stunting have shown improvement, from 54.5 per cent in 2000 to 35.5 per cent now, the share is still too high. Similarly, under-five child mortality has decreased from 7.1 in 2006 to 5.2 in 2012 and 3.3 per cent in 2022.

The Indian government has primarily maintained two major objections over the past two instalments of the GHI. In a press release, the ministry of women and child development (MWCD) says, "Three out of the four indicators used for calculation of the index are related to the health of children and cannot be representative of the entire population." Moreover, the ministry claims that the estimate of the undernourished population accounts for a very small sample size of 3000 based on the FAO's Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) survey model.

The GHI official website mentions that they don't use the FIES and instead rely on the prevalence of undernourishment indicators assessed by the FAO using the Food Balance Sheet, which is based primarily on data officially reported by member countries, including India.

The website also mentions that GHI uses three children-related indicators out of the total four to assess hunger levels for an entire country to ensure "that both the food supply situation of the population as a whole and the effects of inadequate nutrition within a particularly vulnerable subset of the population are captured."
on Monday told the that the was not empowered to issue general orders to block accounts unless the nature of the contents satisfied the grounds of Section 69A of the Act, 2000.

The section talks about the power of the to issue directions for blocking public access to any information through any computer resource if the believes it goes against the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India or other reasons mentioned in this section. However, the reasons for blocking such information must be recorded in writing by the government.

There cant be general blocking orders unless the content violates the grounds under 69A, Advocate Arvind Datar, appearing for Twitter, told Justice Krishna S Dixit.

In the previous hearing, Datar told the court that 10 blocking orders were issued by the between February 2021 and the same month this year, to block accounts during the farmers stir in and around Delhi. He emphasised that Section 69A (power to intercept electronic communication) of the Act does not spell out the mass blocking of accounts.

further said while Indian laws allow the blocking of tweets but to block entire accounts simply based on political criticism may go against the heart of the freedom of speech and expression and the right to criticise the government.

The court had also asked Datar to compile data about how other countries around the world may have dealt with a similar issue.

Giving an example of Australia, he said the time limit for blocking orders in the country was three months but there was no such limit in India.

All jurisdictions recognise that intermediaries were also aggrieved persons when blocking orders were passed by the government, he said.

Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Ashok Haranahalli, also appearing for Twitter, said that not disclosing reasons to users for blocking their content or accounts goes against the right to freedom of expression.

has challenged the blocking of only 39 URLs out of 1,474 accounts and 175 tweets.
Every year on October 17, the International Day for the Eradication of is observed to recognise the struggle and efforts made by those who, due to various circumstances, are forced to live below the line (BPL). The term " line" refers to the minimum level of consumption deemed adequate in a particular country.

In India, Tendulkar Committee, established in 2005 and headed by economist Suresh D. Tendulkar was appointed to estimate poverty. The current methodology for poverty estimation in is based on their recommendations, according to which households having consumption expenditure less than Rs 816 per head per month (Rs 27 per day) in the rural areas and Rs. 1,000 per head per month (Rs 33 per day) in urban areas are living below the poverty line.

Poverty is more than income. It's also about access to healthcare, education & standards of living.



This #EndPoverty Day, see how we use data insights from our #MultidimensionalPovertyIndex with @ophi_oxford to target inequalities to #BuildForwardBetter: https://t.co/YZeCArOpBD pic.twitter.com/8RN6OcaU4D  UN Development (@UNDP) October 17, 2022

History of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

The first International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was observed on October 17, 1987. An assembly was called in Trocadero in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was written in 1948 to honour the victims of extreme hunger, violence, and poverty. More than 100,00 people came out to pay their tributes to those who had died from poverty and hunger. All the participants acknowledged that they needed to protect their rights and carved them on a commemorative stone. The General Assembly (UNGA) declared October 17 as International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and adopted a resolution on December 22, 1992.

Significance

A large number of people around the globe are still reeling from poverty. According to a recent report from the World Bank, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have caused between 88 and 115 million more individuals to fall below the poverty line, where they are facing difficulty arranging two square meals each day. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is therefore marked to raise awareness of this problem.

According to the United Nations, the day offers a chance to recognise the hardships of the poor and the efforts made by those who live below the poverty line. On the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, people can come out to voice their concerns and raise assistance in helping the poor.

The theme of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2022

The theme for this year's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is "Dignity For All in Practice: The commitments we make together for social justice, peace, and the planet".

According to the United Nations, "dignity" is a fundamental right and the basis of most other fundamental rights and every human being is entitled to dignity.

People in persistent poverty today encounter contempt for their right to dignity. Therefore, the international community is expected to commit this year to end poverty and securing prosperity for all underprivileged people worldwide.

In his message for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "As we mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we face a harsh truth: the world is moving backwards. Covid-19 plunged millions into poverty, setting back more than four years of hard-won progress. Inequalities are widening. National and household economies are battered by job losses, skyrocketing food and energy prices, and the gathering shadows of a global recession. At the same time, the climate crisis and raging conflicts are causing immense suffering, with the poorest people bearing the brunt. Developing countries are being squeezed dry, and denied access to resources and debt relief to invest in recovery and growth. The Sustainable Development Goals are being pushed far out of reach."

He called out to the governments and said, "Let us renew our commitment to a better world for all. Let us consign poverty to the pages of history."

While talking to Business Standard, Dr Rajendra P Mamgain, Professor, School of Economics, Doon University, said, "Poverty is the worst form of violence that the society bears. Covid has definitely worsened poverty, both globally and in . In India, it has adversely affected those who have irregular jobs and those in the unorganised sector including agriculture labour work. Migrant workers are also among the worst affected due to the pandemic. Therefore, poverty in both urban and rural areas has been increasing and needs to be watched. The small and micro enterprises are suffering as the demands for them have reduced."

He further said that in India, the post-Covid recovery is happening at a very slow pace for those involved in the informal sector. Dr Mamgain noted that the government must vigorously work on correcting the labour market urgently in order to move towards eradicating poverty by generating stable livelihood opportunities. He also suggested that the current skill development programmes in should be redesigned to focus on generating the labour that the economy requires. The skills taught in the skill-development programmes of the government should be demand-driven and favoured by the labour-intensive manufacturing industry, he said. "A large proportion of people will come out of poverty if we focus on creating demand for labour," he said.
Senior leaders and will face-off in an electoral contest on Monday for the post of AICC chief, as the party gets set to have a non-Gandhi president in more than 24 years. Over 9,000 Pradesh Committee (PCC) delegates form the electoral college to pick the party chief in a secret ballot. Voting would take place at the AICC headquarters here and at over 65 polling booths across the country in an electoral contest which is taking place for the sixth time in the party's 137-year history.





Prime Minister will on Monday attend an event to distribute Ayushman cards to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya YojanaMa Amrutam (PMJAY-MA) in Gujarat, officials said. Modi will join the programme organised in Gujarat capital Gandhinagar in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel via video conference and will also interact with three beneficiaries, an official release said on Sunday. The Ayushman PVC cards (made of polyvinyl chloride material which can be carried easily) are to be distributed to more than 5 million beneficiaries under the PMJAY-MA in Gujarat, the release said.
Maharashtra's Thane district has reported 64 new COVID-19 cases, raising its infection count to 7,45,995, a health official said on Monday.

With the addition of the latest numbers on Sunday, the active COVID-19 cases tally in the district, which is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, has gone up to 507 as compared to 488 the previous day, he said.

No fatality was reported in the district on Sunday and the death toll remained unchanged at 11,962, he said.

The recovery count stood at 7,34,190, the official 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 Bombay High Court has granted bail to a 26-year-old man arrested in a rape case, but set a condition that he would have to marry the victim, who is currently untraceable, if she is found within a year.

The man, however, would not be bound by this condition beyond one year, a single bench of Justice Bharati Dangre said in the order passed on October 12.

The court said the accused and the 22-year-old woman were in a consensual relationship, but a rape and cheating case was registered when the man started avoiding her after learning that she was pregnant.

The woman lodged a complaint with the Mumbai Police against the man in February 2020 after which he was arrested.

In her complaint, the woman claimed they were in a relationship since 2018 and that their families were aware of the same and had not objected to it.

In 2019, the woman realised she was pregnant and informed the accused, but he started avoiding her. The woman left her house as she did not want to reveal about the pregnancy to her family members. On January 27, 2020, she delivered a baby in a city hospital.

On January 30, the woman abandoned the baby in front of a building. A separate FIR was then lodged against her for abandoning the child.

Justice Dangre in her order said this "may be a possible reason why she is fleeing from the course of justice".

The accused assured the HC that he was willing to marry the woman and accept paternity of the child.

However, the police informed the court that the woman was not traceable and the baby, who was admitted to a child care centre, has already been given in adoption.

"In such circumstances when the incident was reported, the victim was major and she has already stated that the relationship was consensual," the HC said.

"I deem it appropriate to release the applicant on bail subject to compliance that if the victim is traced within a short while and say in a period of one year, he shall solemnise marriage with her, but he shall not be bound by the statement beyond one year," the order said.

The court granted bail to the man on a bond of Rs 25,000.

(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 union ministry of power has formed a six-member committee under Supreme Court judge to suggest candidates for the post of chairperson, Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), the apex quasi-judicial body of the .

In a gazette notification, the ministry said, "accordance with Section 3(3) of Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, a Search-cum-election Committee is hereby constituted as follows for making recommendations to the Central Government for the appointment to the post of Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity." The other members of the Committee are secretaries of ministry of power, ministry of new and renewable energy, ministry of petroleum and natural gas, and Justice S S Shinde who was former Chief Justice, Rajasthan High Court. The committee will suggest two names for the appointment to the post.

The position of the chairperson of APTEL has been vacant since August 2021. A Supreme Court bench in 2021 had suggested some names including the last serving APTEL head Justice Manjula Chellur who had re-applied but the government could not shortlist a candidate.

Last year, the ministry of power faced heat from the Supreme Court for not appointing a member (legal) in Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) which led to the Court ordering CERC to remain shut for months.
A group of young trekkers on Sunday passed through the 'spiritual trail' from famous Patnitop hill resort to the highly revered Shaivite Centre of Sudh Mahadev in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district as part of the ongoing 'Visit Patnitop' event series, officials said.

Organised by Patnitop Development Authority (PDA), in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) and supported by the department of tourism, J&K, and Udhampur district administration, the trek was flagged off from Nag Temple, the officials said.

They said the spiritual trail of about 12 kms followed the famous pilgrimage route in use since ancient times to reach Sudh Mahadev-Mantalai pilgrimage centre.

The event series 'Visit Patnitop' was kicked off recently by PDA in continuation of its efforts to promote the all-encompassing beauty of nature and adventure tourism potential of Patnitop Tourism Circuit.

The students and faculty of SMVDU, hailing from J&K, and states like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab and Bihar were overwhelmed as the whole experience brought thrilling views along with the mystical enigma of Lord Shiva.

"The 'Spiritual Trail' passing through Nag Temple, Karlah, Gorja Mama, Gali Talai, Gouri Kund, and Sudh Mahadev is a blend of adventure, trekking, nature and spiritual retreat," PDA Chief Executive Officer Thakur Sher Singh said.

Among the temples dotting the Himalayas, the Nag temple which was the starting point for the trek, is largely made of stones instead of widely available Deodar wood.

En route, the trekkers visited Gauri Kund Temple, dedicated to Bhagwan Shiv and Mata Parvati, where Mata Parvati is believed to take her daily bath in the natural spring.

The destination, Sudh Mahadev Temple, is home to the ancient Shiv Trident, on which an inscription is engraved in Brahmi script dating back to Gupta period, the officials said, adding the pilgrimage centre has been devotedly nurtured and developed over centuries by the erstwhile Chenani kings.

On reaching Paap Naashni Baoli, which has exquisite stone carvings on its walls, depicting social and religious themes, the trekkers witnessed the history etched in stones, the officials said.

SMVDU Registrar Nagendra Singh Jamwal said this enticing trek from Patnitop does not just invite the adventure enthusiasts but also those seeking self-discovery or spiritual retreat amidst a serene setting".

During the trek, trekkers from SMVDU and a team of PDA collected the waste from the route under the PDA initiative carry the trash back', the officials said.

Travellers and trekkers from all over the country and abroad were invited to explore the beautiful landscape of Patnitop Tourism Circuit from Sanasar to Basantgarh, they said.

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Prime Minister on Sunday hailed the beginning of the initiative of the Madhya Pradesh government to impart medical education in Hindi and said this will bring a very big positive change in the country.

Union Home Minister on Sunday released textbooks in Hindi of three subjects for students as part of an ambitious project of the Madhya Pradesh government to impart medical education in that language.

Terming it an important day in history, Shah said Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to start the (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) course in Hindi.

Tagging Shah's tweet on the event, Modi said in a tweet in Hindi, "This beginning in the field of medical education is going to bring a big positive change in the country."



"With this, while lakhs of students will be able to study in their own language, many doors of opportunities will also open for them," the prime minister said.

In his remarks at the event in Bhopal, Shah said he feels proud that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh has fulfilled the dream of Prime Minister Modi by launching medical studies in Hindi.

"This moment marks the revival of the education sector in the country and I thank the prime minister for it," he added.

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India needs to set up a dedicated wing in the to release estimates of Green periodically on a regular basis and create a user-friendly data dissemination platform, said an article.

Green takes into account estimates for environmental degradation, depletion of natural resources, and savings of resources and environment into the national income accounts.

"Given the paucity of relevant data, estimation of Green for India in this paper relies on an available global database and provides the starting point for future research in this area of environmental and economic accounting," the article said.

The trajectory of Green GDP for India displays an upward movement with visible improvements particularly, since 2012, it added.

The central bank said that the views expressed in the article are those of the authors and do not represent the views of the .

"Furthermore, resource depletion, CO2 emission and material footprint, especially in the case of biomass and nonmetallic minerals, are showing signs of considerable improvements which further support our findings," said the article.

The authors further said the unavailability of data related to environmental indicators in the case of India is posing a major challenge for engaging in research work in the area and though India has a dedicated Open Government Data (OGD) platform for data dissemination18, but it needs revamping to smoothen its use.

The article stressed that a dedicated in house group in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change may be formed for providing time-series database required for estimation of Green GDP and release estimates of Green GDP for India periodically on a regular basis.

There is also a need for a user-friendly data dissemination platform on the lines of the OECD and the Eurostat, it added.

"Despite the recent initiatives and achievements, a lot remains to be done at the ground level going ahead," it said.

Better coordination of the flow of power between the state-owned power distribution companies, and the rollout of nationwide charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) to name a few, it said.

There is an increasing need for the financial system to move towards green financing, keeping in mind the social and development objectives of India.

The article has been published in the RBI's October bulletin.

(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 Narendra Modi on Monday launched subsidised urea under single brand 'Bharat' as part of One Nation, One Fertiliser scheme and inaugurated 600 Kisan Samruddhi Kendras, saying these two reforms will boost availability and ensure quality fertilisers.

Modi also unveiled international weekly fertiliser e-magazine 'Indian Edge' at the event PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022 organised jointly by and fertiliser ministries.

The Centre has started a new scheme - Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana - One Nation One Fertilizer (ONOF) - under which it is mandatory for companies to market subsidised fertiliser under single brand 'Bharat'.

After launching the brand for the most consumed and highly subsidised fertiliser urea, the prime minister said branding subsidised fertilisers to ensure quality is a major reform undertaken by the government.

Farmers are in "illusion and confused" about fertiliser brands and are not getting the quality soil nutrients because at one hand retailers are pushing certain brands for want of higher commission and on the other hand companies run advertisement campaigns of their products, he said.

Now, these problems have been resolved under ONOF, he added.

"One brand and one quality of urea will be sold across the nation. This brand would be 'Bharat.' Now urea will be available in the brand name of Bharat," Modi said.

With single branding, the competition among companies that push their brands will get reduced. It will also ensure sufficient supply of fertilisers across the country, he added.

Modi, who also inaugurated 600 'PM-Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PM-KSK) at the event, said these will act as one- stop-shop that would provide multiple services to farmers.

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.

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-KSKs.

Modi said about 3.25 lakh fertiliser retail shops will be converted into PM-KSKs across the country.

Expressing concern over import dependency of fertilisers, the prime minister stressed on the need to be "self-reliant" in the commodity to prevent the impact of global shock on the import bill.

"When there is a global problem, it impacts. First, coronavirus came and we faced it...Then war started from where we buy maximum. For example, be it urea, DAP or other fertilisers, they are getting costlier and impacting our economy," he said.

Citing an example, he mentioned that the country is buying urea at Rs 75-80 per kg and selling to farmers at Rs 5-6 per kg.

"This has an impact on our exchequer and creates problems in implementing many works," he said, adding that about Rs 2.5 lakh crore is the spending on fertilisers this year.

Modi said there is a need to work on a mission mode to reduce import of at least food and items.

Highlighting steps taken in the last eight years to ensure sufficient supply of fertilisers, Modi said there used to be a fertiliser crisis with black marketing rampant prior to 2014 and farmers had to face 'lathi charge'.

Fertiliser units were shut down for many years and had to depend on imports.

The current government, however, took steps to end black marketing with introduction of neem-coated urea and revival of six closed urea units and promoting liquid nano urea to become self-reliant and reduce import-dependency, he added.

Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Chemicals & Fertilisers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya were also present at the event. More than one crore farmers virtually joined 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 what could be a Diwali bonanza for millions of farmers, the government will release Rs 16,000 crore under the 12th installment of Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on Monday through direct benefit transfer, which is expected to benefit 10 crore farmers.

The installment amount will be released by Prime Minister on Monday during the inauguration of the " Samman Sammelan 2022" at Indian Agricultural Research Institute here.

IANS had reported on October 13 that the government could release the 12th instalment amount within a week.

"In a reflection of the continued commitment of the Prime Minister towards welfare of the farmers, during the event, Prime Minister will release the 12th instalment amount of Rs 16,000 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through Direct Benefit Transfer. Under the scheme, eligible farmer families are provided a benefit of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each. So far, eligible farmer families have received benefits of more than Rs 2 lakh crore under PM-KISAN," a statement issued by the Prime Minister's office said.

The Prime Minister also tweeted about this on his Twitter handle late on Sunday evening.

Till now the government has disbursed 11 installments to farmers under the scheme.

Farmers however have often complained that the amount doesn't reach them due to several technical glitches related to online transfer of installments.

To ensure that the amount reaches them, the farmers have to complete e-KYC formalities.

The installments are transferred to Aadhar linked bank accounts of farmers.

Meanwhile during the event, the Prime Minister will launch 'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana - One Nation One Fertilizer' scheme. Under the scheme he will also launch Bharat Urea Bags, Bharat Urea Bags, which will help companies market fertilizers under the single brand name "Bharat".

--IANS

ans/shs

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government on Monday said the price rise in wheat and rice has been "normal" and it will intervene in the market to offload the grains if there is any abnormal increase in the rates.

Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey, in a press briefing, also said the government has surplus stocks of both wheat and rice in its godowns which will be used for making market intervention.

"Price rise is not abnormal as it has been perceived and projected...," Pandey said.

Citing the example of wheat, he said the price rise is normal as the last year's wholesale price was depressed as the government sold huge quantities under its Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) to bulk consumers, he said.

The whole price of wheat was ruling at Rs 2,331 per quintal on October 14, 2021, as against Rs 2,474 per quintal on the same day in 2020, he added.

"Therefore, it is not advisable to compare the current year's increase in wheat with last year's. It should be compared with prices that prevailed in 2020," Pandey explained.

When compared with 2020 rates, there is an 11.42 per cent increase in wholesale wheat prices at Rs 2,757 per quintal and 12.01 per cent in retail wheat prices at Rs 31.06 per kg as on October 14 this year.

Asserting that this price increase in wheat is not "astronomical, the Secretary said it is in tune with the increase in the minimum support price, fuel and transportation and other expenses.

He further said there is "nothing to worry" as of now as the government has a comfortable stock of both wheat and rice in its godowns as the procurement has been higher than the requirement under the PDS and other welfare schemes.

The government had a wheat stock of 227 lakh tonnes higher than the buffer norm of 205 lakh tonnes till October 1. Similarly, rice stocks were at 205 lakh tonnes, higher than 103 lakh tonnes in the said period, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) Chairman Ashok K K Meena said in the presentation.

The projected stock of wheat and rice till April 1, 2023, would be much higher than the normal buffer norms even after meeting the free grain supply under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, National Food Security Act and other welfare requirements, he added.

Meena said the government is well aware and regularly monitoring the price scenario of essential commodities and taking corrective steps, as required.

The government has taken proactive steps to avoid any further price rise and export regulations were imposed in case of wheat from May 13 and from May 8 in case of broken rice to an immediate containment in the prices of wheat and rice.

Meena also said production of wheat in the ongoing rabi (winter) season, which started on October 1, is expected to be normal.

Procurement of kharif (summer) paddy in the current 2022-23 has commenced. A quantity of around 58 lakh tonne paddy (39 lakh tonne in terms of rice) has been procured up to October 16 which is higher than a year-ago period. It is expected that procurement of paddy is going to be normal this year, he added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Employee unions in public-sector insurance companies are unhappy with the governments decision to link the next revision in wages of the staff to the performance of the organisations concerned and theirs.

The revisions take effect in August this year.

Unions are opposing this move and planning to hold demonstrations against it this week. They are also planning to take up the matter with finance-ministry officials after Diwali. A wage revision for public-sector banks and insurance companies is done every five years.

As regards the previous wage revision, the finance ministry last week notified an average 12 per cent hike in wages for of four public-sector companies (there are four in all) effective from August 1, 2017. It is for those who were and are with them since the cut-off date.

We had to wait for 64 months to get the wage hike. They have given a 12 per cent wage hike while LIC (Life Insurance Corporation) have received 16 per cent. There is no parity, said Trilok Singh, secretary, Employees All India Association (GIEAIA).

It is unfortunate that in a unilateral and unconstitutional manner even without having shared the complete reports of the consultants i.e. EY on Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and restructuring, the future wage revision for the year 2022 onwards has been linked with the performance of the company and individual (employees), said the GIEAIA in a statement.

The and their implement the schemes, which are running in losses, and it is the companies who are bearing the losses. So, if there are losses in the industry then how can the performance of the companies be (judged?) But without any discussion they are moving ahead, and we have serious reservations around that, Singh said.

According to the unions, the Association (GIPSA) and Department of Financial Services (DFS) have put EY on the matter, and they are asking for EYs report from the so that discussion can be held on it.

Separately, the National Confederation of General Insurance Officers Association (NCGIOA), in a letter to the GIPSA, has said the concept of performance-based wage revision is unheard of in any public-sector undertaking, regardless of sector. They said they were promised this would be implemented after discussion.

Now inserting a clause by back door method is not acceptable and is also commendable, the letter said. The NCGIOA has the GIPSA to delete the provision of performance-based wage revision from the notification.

Experts say the governments decision to link wage revision with performance could have been pivoted on the financial health of the four public-sector . New India Assurance, the only listed state-owned general insurer, saw its profit plummet in FY22 to Rs 164.27 crore from Rs 1,604.69 crore in FY21.

According to a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, all four incurred losses of Rs 26,364 crore in the health insurance portfolio between 2016-17 and 2020-21. That is far greater than the Rs 7,800 crore profit the companies made in marine, motor, and fire insurance during the period.
The union minister for power, new and said on Monday, India will have more than 65 per cent of its from sources by 2030. He also said initiatives by the including the Production Linked Scheme (PLI) scheme will ensure India to have a 90 Gw solar module capacity.

The minister said India already has 42 per cent of non-fossil fuel capacity (including hydro power) as of 2021. "Even 65 per cent is an understatement. Our established capacity today is 170-odd Gw of non-fossil. We have about another 80 Gw under construction. That makes it 250 Gw, he said while speaking at the Aatm nirbhar Bharat conference of CII.

The minister said green hydrogen will also provide a filip to renewable capacity addition.

"Each unit of hydrogen generation requires 25 Giga Watt of . With India planning 35-40 million tonne Green hydrogen capacity by 2030, there will be huge demand for renewable energy," Singh said.

The minister also said, he is considering giving "deemed distribution licence in renewable energy space."

On solar manufacturing, Singh said the Centre's initiatives will ensure India will have 90 Gw of solar module manufacturing facility.

The is soon coming out with the second tranche of the Solar manufacturing totaling Rs 19,000 crore. "High efficiency cells and modules will be incentivised. We will rule out low efficiency cells and modules. We will be give the industry a window for transition, said Singh.

Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said, "For PLI 2, we are confident that the bid will be issued within a week.the scheme guidelines have already been published.

Chaturvedi said that by 2026, India is looking at the capacities of 38 Gw in Polysilicons, 56 Gw in Ingot and Wafers, 70-80 Gw in cells and 90-100 Gw in modules. Our targets are huge, if you consider the 500 Gw plans we have (by 2030), which does not take into account the hydrogen plans. We have to install approximately 25-35 Gw every year. The outlook for solar manufacturing seems good, said Chaturvedi.

The Union Cabinet last month approved the Rs 19,500-crore proposal of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for the second tranche of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for solar equipment manufacturing.

This is part of National programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules for achieving manufacturing capacity of giga watt (Gw) scale in high efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) modules

In the first tranche of tendering, MNRE received close to 50 Gw of bids against a PLI sanction of Rs 4,500 crore and RfP of 10 Gw. It received close to 18 bids from a range of companies  Coal India, L&T, Vikram Solar, Megha Engineering and several new companies. The winners were Reliance New Energy, Adani Infrastructure and Shirdi Sai.

The corpus was increased to Rs 19,500 crore under the Union Budget 2022-23 to accommodate the large number of bids.

The new round of the PLI will have three different schemes for different product categories, this paper reported recently. Of the allocated corpus, the highest share of Rs 12,000 crore could go to end-to-end manufacturing of polysilicon-wafers-cells-modules (raw material to finished product).
finance minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan has said the state government is undertaking steps including financial hedging to withstand any risks or impending that were to hit the world or India.



"I am concerned and worried that we could run into a global in the next two to three years. The government is already taking sufficient steps including financial hedging to withstand any impending crisis. If we were to be hit by a global or a national recession, I can assure you all that would be better placed than most other states to overcome such a crisis," Thiagarajan said, while addressing a meeting of the Jain International Trade Organisation in Chennai.



Elaborating, he said such measures have been part of the efforts ever since the government came to power last year: "Governance is akin to playing a game of chess, where you have to plan at least two-three moves ahead. We plan things ahead for next six months as well as two years ahead," he said.



Tamil Nadu has set a target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030. Recalling his conversations with chief minister ahead of 2019 Parliamentary elections, Thiagarajan said he had predicted that the alliance would win by at least 7-8 per cent margin, but eventually won by 22.6 per cent. He had then told his leader that he is not worried about the outcome of 2021 elections but should be worried about how to govern the state after coming to power.



"We started planning two years ahead and that helped us to hit the ground running. when we assumed power in May, 2021 amidst the deep depth of Covid second wave crisis. From then on we are working to ensure inclusive and equitable growth for all," he said. Minister lauded the new committee and other members of Jain International Trade Organization for their contributions to the education and health care to the underprivileged.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies on Sunday gunned down five terrorists in Balochistan's Mastung district.

The operation was jointly conducted by CTD, and intelligence agencies and they recovered arms and ammunition from terrorists' hideouts, reported Geo News.

At least three officials conducting the operation were also injured.

According to CTD's spokesperson, the operation was jointly conducted with intelligence agencies in Mastung during which five terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with the personnel, reported Geo News.

The spokesperson for CTD added that arms and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists' hideout. The department shared that the killed terrorists were planning attacks on forces and pilgrims.

is in conflict with Government since 1947. The cause of conflict along with ethnicity includes economic and political exclusion.

is the largest province by geographical area in Pakistan, constituting approximately 43 per cent of the total area of . it is Pakistan's largest province, as well as is poorest and least populated.

The grievances of the masses relating to political, economic and cultural rights, have given rise to nationalist movements; the absence of problem-resolution mechanisms, even in the democratic setups; continued negligence of the well-being of the masses that has been the hallmark, though out Pakistan since its creation.

Moreover, 70 per cent of people in live in poverty. The maternal death rate in Pakistan is 278 per 100,000, whereas in Balochistan it stands at 785.

Natural gas was discovered at Sui in Balochistan, yet major parts of the province are still deprived of natural gas.

It's important to understand that the violence in Balochistan is not just because of terrorism. The insurgents are mostly local people longing for their constitutional rights and welfare.

Therefore, most of the insurgent movements in Balochistan have been linked with deprivation and underdevelopment.

(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.)
Foreign experts weigh in on CPC congress and report

Chinadaily.com.cn) 15:17, October 17, 2022

Muhammad Asif Noor, founder of the Friends of BRI Forum. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China commenced in China with a significant report presented by Xi Jinping explaining the path to Chinese epic economic development, modernization, development, and governance achievements through the people's process democracy. The report focuses primarily on the progress made since the last National Congress meeting and the overall decade. China's modernization and progress have been realized over the past decade; China has become stronger through its clarity in the vision of governance, especially at the level of the ideology and governance methods of the Chinese Communist Party leadership. Chinese people's process of democracy has been strengthened with the materialization of the Second Centenary Goal to transform China into a democratic, prosperous, harmonious, and beautiful country till the mid of this century. China focuses on human resources, education, science, and technology to make the country modern to compete with the world. Through upholding the rule of law and investing in people's well-being, what is important is the modernization of the defense and security capability apart from maintaining national reunification.

Viewing the entire process of the 20th Congress of the CPC from Pakistan is a fascinating insight into where the whole event has been organized to symbolize the sense of inclusiveness through the Chinese way and model of democracy. The country's leadership has built this system keeping in view the domestic cultural, ethnic, and local norms and values, especially those that are based on communist forms of living. Before the main event, clearly defined road maps helped the leaders and people work together to build strategies to resolve local, regional, and national issues. The entire process reflects that the governance structures and progress are indigenous and, over the years have grown organically with the society and people of the country. Apart from this, what has been a strength of China has remained that through evaluating the emerging challenges and changing times, the CPC has made all possibilities to renew, rejuvenate and excel by improving the overall requirements for building the Party in terms of self-governance and ideology.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu)
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has said that US President meddled in Iran's "state matters" by supporting "riots" in the country, state media reported.

"On Saturday, Biden interfered for the umpteenth time in Iran's state matters by supporting the riots as he has done ever since the outbreak of recent developments in Iran," the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani was quoted as saying by state media on Sunday.

has not given in to the US "cruel sanctions and idle threats" and will be unfazed by its interventionist policies and the futile campaign, Kanaani added.

Earlier on Saturday, Biden said he "was surprised by the courage of the people taking to the streets in protest in ."

Protests broke out across following the death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini on September 16 at a hospital in the capital Tehran after police custody, Xinhua news agency reported.

"You (US officials) are accustomed to fishing in troubled waters. Since the 1953 coup until today, the anti-Iranian policies by the US government have been well recorded in our minds," Kanaani said.

--IANS

int/khz/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
External Affairs Minister said on Sunday that India is not only open to business but also focused on working with to see what the two countries can make through their cooperation in the region and at the global level.

Jaishankar, who is here on his maiden official visit at the invitation of his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, made the remarks while addressing a meeting of the India- Business Forum in Cairo.

"My message to you today is not just that India is open to business, but that India is specifically focused on working with to see what difference we can make through our mutual benefit in the region and at the global level," he said.

Noting that after the COVID pandemic not everybody has recovered to the same degree, he said, "we are at the more optimistic end of the spectrum. There is a great appetite for doing business not just at home but going abroad."



The event was attended by a wide representation from chemicals, manufacturing, fertilizers, education, renewable energy, retail, pharma and service industry.

Egypt has traditionally been one of India's most important trading partners in the African continent. Bilateral trade has expanded rapidly in 2021-22, amounting to 7.26 billion registering a 75 per cent increase compared to FY 2020-21, according to the Indian embassy in Egypt.

Jaishankar, who earlier in the day called on Abdel Fattah El Sisi, said the Egyptian President told him that he doesn't think it's enough, referring to the trade turnover of USD 7.2 billion.

"So, he (the President) asked us to find ways of increasing (the trade volume)," the minister said, adding that is also the thinking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well.

"One obvious way of doing so is to really focus on the impediments that we may have to (face in) expanding business," he said, underling the factors such as the market access issues, possibilities of investments, production implication and even buy back possibilities.

He noted that this year is the first year after a gap or perhaps the first year ever that Egypt has bought wheat from India.

He said that one of the big challenges today facing the world is actually the security of fertilisers.

"On paper, maybe there are no obstacles to fertiliser trade. In reality, there are challenges and to the extent there are reliable supplies which can be accessed on a predictable basis. That is something which directly contributes to food security, he said, noting that these are the areas which can be unlocked.

He also voiced concern over climate change, describing it as a disruptive factor.

"I will say the urgency with which climate emergencies and events will be looked at is growing...if you have to find sustainable solutions, the sustainable solutions are not going to come only out of conferences, policies will come up at conferences. Ultimately, policies will have to be translated into business if you have to be sustained," he said.

Egypt is hosting the CoP 27 in November.

Jaishankar said that well reputed Indian companies are coming out to destinations like Egypt. "I think this says a lot. It says a lot about our companies and it says a lot about your credibility as an investment destination. So I really see today a world of possibilities."



On inadequate air connectivity between the two countries, he said it's a "reasonable business demand which we will have to find ways of addressing.

(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.)
Iranian Petroleum Minister Javad Owji has said that has started refining its in Venezuela, state media affiliated to his Ministry reported.

had started processing nearly 100,000 barrels per day of its crude in Venezuela's El Palito refinery, Owji was quoted by the state media as saying on Sunday.

"This was a long-standing and 43-year-old dream that was realised through the efforts of my colleagues at the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC)," he added.

Jalil Salari, Head of NIORDC, said on Sunday that efforts are underway to expand Iran's refinery operation in overseas projects, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to state media, signed a $116-million contract with Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA in May to repair and expand the refinery.

--IANS

int/khz/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
When a Washington state beauty salon charged Simran Bal $1,900 for training after she quit, she was shocked. Not only was Bal a licensed aesthetician with no need for instruction, she argued that the trainings were specific to the shop and low quality.



Bals story mirrors that of dozens of people and advocates in healthcare, trucking, retail and other industries who complained recently to US regulators that some charge who quit large sums of money for training.



Nearly 10 per cent of American workers surveyed in 2020 were covered by a training repayment agreement, said the Cornell Survey Research Institute.



The practice, which critics call Training Repayment Agreement Provisions, or TRAPs, is drawing scrutiny from US regulators and lawmakers.



On Capitol Hill, Senator Sherrod Brown is studying legislative options with an eye toward introducing a bill next year to rein in the practice, a Senate Democratic aide said.



At the state level, attorneys general like Minnesotas Keith Ellison are assessing how prevalent the practice is and could update guidance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has begun reviewing the practice, while the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission have received complaints about it.



Employers are looking for ways to keep their workers from quitting without raising wages or improving working conditions, said Jonathan Harris, teacher at the Loyola Law School Los Angeles.



The CFPB, which announced in June it was looking into the agreements, has begun to focus on how they may prevent even skilled with years of schooling, like nurses, from finding new, better jobs, according to a CFPB official who was not authorized to speak on the record.



TRAPs have been around in a small way since the late 1980s primarily in high-wage positions where workers received

valuable training. But in recent years the agreements have become more widespread, said Loyolas Harris.



One critic of the CFPB effort was the National Federation of Independent Business, or NFIB, which said the issue was outside the agencys authority because it was unrelated to consumer financial products and services.



In comments to the CFPB, National Nurses United said they did a survey that found that the agreements are increasingly ubiquitous in the health care sector, with new nurses often affected.



The survey found that 589 of the 1,698 nurses surveyed were required to take training programs and 326 of them were required to pay employers if they left before a certain time.



Many nurses said they were not told about the training repayment requirement before beginning work, and that classroom instruction often repeated what they learned in school.

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A Ukrainian diplomat expressed optimism Sunday about securing the money needed for the continued operation of a satellite network funded by billionaire that has provided key battlefield and humanitarian contacts in the war with Russia.

It's there, it's working, said the envoy, Oksana Markarova. It will need to be working for a longer time.

She did not indicate whether Musk had agreed to continue funding his rocket company SpaceX's Starlink internet service in Ukraine but said the country's collaboration with the company has been excellent.

"We got the Starlinks in Ukraine very quickly, in some areas for humanitarian support, it's the only connection that we have," Markarova told CBS' Face the Nation. And it's very important to continue having it and I'm positive that we will find a solution there.

On Friday, senior US officials confirmed that Musk had asked the Defense Department to take over funding for the service Starlink provides in Ukraine. Starlink, which provides broadband internet service using more than 2,200 low-orbiting satellites, has provided crucial battlefield communications for Ukrainian military forces since early in the nation's defense against Russia's February invasion.

Musk suggested in a tweet Saturday that SpaceX may continue funding Starlink after all, though his tone and wording also raised the possibility that the Tesla CEO was just being sarcastic. It is not clear whether SpaceX has actually established future plans for service in Ukraine.

The hell with it even though Starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, we'll just keep funding Ukraine govt for free, Musk tweeted Saturday.

Musk also recently has sparred with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the billionaire suggested that Ukraine cede the strategically important Crimea region to Russia and make other concessions as part of a peace deal, drawing a rebuke from Zelenskyy.

Musk tweeted on Friday that it was costing SpaceX $20 million a month to support Ukraine's communications needs.

Markarova said Ukraine has disagreed with on some of his views about Crimea, and we were happy to discuss it with him. She added that Ukraine is proud to be one of the fastest growing Starlink countries globally.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ukraine's capital city Kyiv witnessed a wave of explosive-laden suicide drones, also known as 'Kamikaze drones', on Monday. The attack comes even as Russian President has warned of a nuclear attack. The capital's Shevchenko district was among the areas hit, with apartment blocks damaged and a non-residential building on fire, Kyiv city mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

It is the second time has unleashed a wave of Kamikaze on within a week. Andrii Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president's office, also confirmed in a social media post that "Shahed drones" were among those used in the strike on Kyiv.





Explosions in Kyiv. The Ukrainian capital was attacked by kamikaze . The Russians think it will help them, but such actions are like agony.



We need more air defense systems ASAP. More weapons to defend the sky and destroy the enemy.#russiaisateroriststate pic.twitter.com/sg4QoEEZJH  Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) October 17, 2022

Russian President said last week's strikes were in retaliation for bombing a bridge connecting the Crimean peninsula with the Russian mainland. Putin blames for masterminding the blast, which suspended traffic over the bridge and curtailed Moscow's ability to use the bridge to supply Russian troops in the occupied regions of southern .

The strike on Kyiv comes as fighting has intensified in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in recent days, as well as the continued Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south near Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

What are Kamikaze

A Kamikaze is an aerial weapon system in which the munition waits passively and attacks the target once located. These munitions enable faster reaction times against hidden targets that emerge for short periods and allow more selective targeting, as the attack can quickly be aborted.

The name comes from the 2 era's feared Japanese kamikaze pilots, who conducted suicide attacks by crashing their explosive-filled aircraft into enemy targets.

They differ from cruise missiles as they are designed to loiter for a relatively long time around the target area.

Starting in the 2000s, loitering weapons have been developed for additional roles ranging from relatively long-range strikes and fire support down to tactical, very short-range battlefield systems that fit in a backpack.

Are Kamikaze drones and Shahed drones the same?

In September, Ukraine's military claimed that it encountered an Iranian-supplied suicide used by on the battlefield, showing the deepening ties between Moscow and as the Islamic Republic's tattered nuclear deal with world powers hangs in the balance.



A Ukrainian military official and a pro-Ukrainian army website closely associated with the military published images of the drone's wreckage. It resembled a triangle or delta-shaped flown by known as the Shahed, or Witness in Farsi.

US intelligence publicly warned back in July that planned to send hundreds of the bomb-carrying drones to to aid its war on Ukraine.

While initially denied it, the head of its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has recently boasted about arming the world's top powers.

The military official and the website both said Ukrainian troops encountered the drone near Kupiansk amid Kyiv's offensive that has punched through Russian lines around Kharkiv on the eastern front.

Ukraine and also have tense relations, stemming from Iran's Revolutionary Guard shooting down a Ukrainian passenger jet in 2020, killing all 176 people on board.
Shares of state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) were under pressure as Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) hit their respective 52-week lows on concerns of large losses in the July-September quarter (Q2FY23).

At 02:08 PM; these stocks were down 1 per cent, as compared to 0.72 per cent rise in the S&P BSE Sensex. Shares of Corporation (IOC) quoted flat at Rs 66.35 per share, after it hit an intra-day low of Rs 65.55 apiece. Earlier, the stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 65.20 on September 29.

In the past one month, the stocks of OMCs have underperformed the market as they fell in the range of 5 per cent to 11 per cent, as compared to 1 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex.

OMCs like IOC, BPCL and HPCL may for the first time ever post second consecutive quarterly loss, with a combined loss of Rs 22,300 crore in Q2FY23, as they hold petrol and diesel prices below the cost of production. In the April-June quarter (Q1FY23), these companies had posted a combined loss of Rs 18,480 crore due to erosion in marketing margin of petrol, diesel and domestic liquified petroleum gas (LPG).

Analysts believe that OMCs would see further decline in GRMs, as cracks correct on a sequential basis and lower oil prices would drive sizable inventory losses.

"Diesel marketing margins continued to be negative, along with forex losses. Brent averaged at $99/bbl in Q2FY23 and closed at sub-$90/bbl. The sizeable inventory losses are likely to be baked-in by OMCs, as they stay in the red, while windfall tax-led discount on third-party transport fuel purchases would bring partial respite," analysts at ICICI Securities said.

Besides, according to analysts at JPMorgan, a combination of inventory losses, forex losses, higher interest expenses on higher debt, lower GRMs, and high retail fuel losses would drive large losses for the OMCs.

Meanwhile, last week, the Union Cabinet approved one-time grant amounting to Rs 22,000 crore for the three public sector OMCs. This, in turn, will help them tide over continuing losses to provide domestic LPG.
Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher for a second straight session on Monday following buying in index majors Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank and recovery in global .

The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 491.01 points or 0.85 per cent to settle at 58,410.98 as 24 of its components advanced. The index opened lower and fell to a low of 57,639.80 in early trade. However, it bounced back in late morning deals and rallied 529.03 points or 0.91 per cent to touch a high of 58,449 points.

The broader NSE Nifty climbed 126.10 points or 0.73 per cent to close above the 17,300 level at 17,311.80 with 37 of its constituents ending in the green.

"Domestic market started weak in-line with a volatile global market. However, due to buying on dips strategy, the domestic market is recovering well supported by a good start to Q2 earnings season by IT and banks," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.

Among Sensex shares, State Bank of India, NTPC, Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Reliance Industries, and IndusInd Bank were the biggest winners.

On the other hand, Larsen & Toubro, HCL Technologies, Wipro, Tata Steel, Nestle, Power Grid and Bharti Airtel were the laggards.

Ajit Mishra, VP - Research, Religare Broking Ltd said that shrugged off global weakness and started the week on a positive note. Though most sectors participated in the move, banking and energy majors played a crucial role in the surge. The broader indices too ended with modest gains.

In the broader market, the BSE midcap gauge climbed 0.26 per cent and the smallcap index went higher by 0.09 per cent.



Among BSE sectoral indices, utilities climbed 1.86 per cent, power jumped 1.85 per cent, bankex (1.60 per cent), financial services (1.13 per cent), energy (0.66 per cent) and consumer discretionary (0.21 per cent).

Metal, realty, telecommunication and capital goods were among the laggards.

In Asia, in Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong settled higher, while Tokyo ended lower.

Stock exchanges in Europe were trading in the positive territory in mid-session deals. Wall Street had ended significantly lower on Friday.

International oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.07 per cent lower at USD 91.57 per barrel.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers in the Indian capital market on Friday as they offloaded shares worth Rs 1,011.23 crore, as per exchange data.

(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.)
Anupam Rasayan India advanced 1.10% to Rs 733 after the company announced the signing of two contracts with one of the leading European crop protection company for supplying two new life science related specialty chemicals.

The company will supply these products for the next three years under the contract. These products will be manufactured in our existing manufacturing facilities.

Anand Desai, managing director of Anupam Rasayan, said, We are pleased to announce that we have signed two contracts with one of our top European customers. These contracts are in line with our strategy of increasing wallet share and deepening relationship with our existing customers. With these additions, the tally of number of molecules with this MNC goes to 6.

These products were conceptualised within 3 months and it took under 18 months from conceptualisation to commercialisation of these products. We were able to deliver these products in such short period on urgent request of our customer.

Moreover, both of these products were being manufactured in Europe. Now the customer has decided to source these products exclusively from Anupam. We are starting to see this trend of India being chosen as preferred manufacturing base for strategical products presently being manufactured in Europe. We are working with few more MNC clients and expect 20 to 25 niche products to be added in Anupam's product portfolio in near term as of part of Europe plus one strategy.

Anupam Rasayan India is one of the leading companies engaged in the custom synthesis and manufacturing of specialty chemicals in India. Its business verticals are life science related specialty chemicals comprising products related to agrochemicals, personal care and pharmaceuticals, and other specialty chemicals, comprising specialty pigment and dyes, and polymer additives.

On a consolidated basis, net profit of Anupam Rasayan India rose 23.57% to Rs 39.69 crore on 31.19% rise in net sales to Rs 306.56 crore in Q1 June 2022 over Q1 June 2021.

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Anupam Rasayan has signed two contracts with one of the leading European crop protection company for supplying two new life science related specialty chemicals.

The company will supply these products for the next three years under the contract. These products will be manufactured in the company's existing manufacturing facilities.

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Biocon said that its subsidiary Biocon Biologics has entered into a strategic out-licensing agreement with Japanese pharmaceuticals company Yoshindo Inc. for commercializing two of its pipeline biosimilar assets in the Japanese market.

The two biosimilar drugs are Ustekinumab and Denosumab. Ustekinumab, a biosimilar referencing Stelara, is a monoclonal antibody used to treat several autoimmune conditions, including psoriasis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Denosumab, a biosimilar referencing Prolia, is a monoclonal antibody for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Under the terms of this deal, Yoshindo gets exclusive commercialization rights in Japan for bUstekinumab and bDenosumab developed and manufactured by Biocon Biologics, for an addressable market opportunity of approximately $700 million.

Biocon Biologics will receive an upfront license fee as well as additional payments on the achievement of certain development milestones over the next few years.

The strategic partnership with Yoshindo will build upon Biocon Biologics' successful progress in its global development programs for these two biosimilar assets. Clinical trials for these two assets commenced in FY22 and include both Phase 1 and Phase 3 clinical trials backed by robust pre-clinical CMC packages.

Over the course of Yoshindo's long history started from 1929, it has made contributions to human health and social wellbeing through the manufacturing and sales of generic pharmaceutical products. At present, Yoshindo is advancing research and development into biopharmaceuticals and essential drugs for transfusion and dialysis.

Shreehas Tambe, deputy chief executive officer, said: We are excited to partner with Yoshindo to commercialize two of our pipeline biosimilar products, bUstekinumab and bDenosumab, in Japan. This partnership is testament to Biocon Biologics' proven capabilities in R&D, global scale manufacturing and quality compliance.

Once approved, these products will expand our offering of affordable, high quality biosimilars in the Japanese market and help address unmet patient needs in bone health and immunology therapy areas.

Biocon is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to enhancing affordable access to complex therapies for chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune.

The biotech company's consolidated net profit surged 71.1% to Rs 144.40 crore on 21.5% jump in revenue from operations to Rs 2,139.50 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22.

The scrip lost 0.48% to currently trade at Rs 260.05 on the BSE.

On the BSE, 8.05 lakh shares were traded in the counter so far compared with average daily volumes of 2.02 lakh shares in the past two weeks. The stock hit a high of Rs 262.85 and a low of Rs 258.3 so far during the day.

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As part of its employee development initiative

Birlasoft has announced a partnership with Coursera, one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, to further enhance the established technical skills of more than 12,500 employees, broadening their knowledge base.

The partnership with Coursera is a step towards creating an ecosystem where employees feel encouraged to learn through structured interventions that cover skills related to technology, behavioral competencies, industry domains, and leadership capabilities. Through Coursera, the employees will build critical digital capabilities with a focus on niche skills aligned with the requirements of the enterprise.

With this collaboration, all the employees of Birlasoft, will have complete access to Coursera's library of more than 9,000 courses and Guided Projects. In addition, Birlasoft's workforce will have access to programs directly from globally renowned industry educators and leading universities like Yale University, University of Michigan and INSEAD Business School, among others. The programs offered by Coursera on emerging technology and domain skills will enable Birlasoft employees to further enhance their knowledge on leading edge domains like Blockchain, Cloud, Internet of Things (IoT), AI/ML, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Cybersecurity, etc.

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To demonstrate Hydrogen co-firing in Auraiya Gas Power Plant

NTPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan and its subsidiary Mitsubishi Power India to demonstrate the feasibility for Hydrogen co-firing blended with natural gas in MHI 701D gas turbines installed at NTPC Auraiya Gas Power Plant in Uttar Pradesh. The total installed capacity of the Auraiya Gas Power Plant is 663 MW with four gas turbines operating in combined cycle mode.

Under this MoU, both companies will collaborate to carry out the study and identify key actions for introducing hydrogen co-firing at NTPC Auraiya Gas-based combined cycle power plant. The study will identify key actions for co-firing for various percentages of hydrogen e.g., 5%, 15%, 30%, 50% and 100% and the hydrogen required for the project will be supplied by NTPC.

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Pfizer Ltd is quoting at Rs 4320, down 1.15% on the day as on 13:19 IST on the NSE. The stock in last one year as compared to a 6.34% in NIFTY and a 10.91% down 42.37% in the Nifty Metal index.

Pfizer Ltd is down for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 4320, down 1.15% on the day as on 13:19 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0.7% on the day, quoting at 17306.15. The Sensex is at 58360.48, up 0.76%.Pfizer Ltd has added around 5.11% in last one month.Meanwhile, Nifty Metal index of which Pfizer Ltd is a constituent, has increased around 5.14% in last one month and is currently quoting at 12950.45, up 0.43% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 5694 shares today, compared to the daily average of 34193 shares in last one month.

The PE of the stock is 40.08 based on TTM earnings ending June 22.

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The voting for the Congress presidential elections is currently underway.

Senior party leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor are the only two candidates in the fray for the top party post.

The media reported that the voting began at 10:00 IST and will continue upto 16:00 IST. The counting of votes will be taken up on Wednesday (19 October 2022) and the results will be declared the same day.

Party interim President Sonia Gandhi, Secretary Priyanka Vadra, MPs P Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh, and other leaders will cast their votes at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi.

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For incorporating a JV to develop 1000 MW floating solar power projects in Assam

SJVN announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between SJVN's wholly owned subsidiary SJVN Green Energy (SGEL) and Assam Power Distribution Company (APDCL) at Guwahati today. The MoU has been inked for developing 1000 MW Floating Solar Power Projects in Assam by incorporating a Joint Venture Company.

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The media company cancelled board meet for results scheduled on 20 October 2022.

The company's board meeting was scheduled to be held on 20 October 2022 to consider, approve and take on record the un-audited financial results for the second quarter (Q2) and half year ended 30 September 2022 of the financial Year 2022-23, duly reviewed (limited review) by the statutory auditors of the company.

The board meeting stands cancelled an the revised date of board meeting will be informed to the stock exchange in due course.

Zee Media Corporation is mainly engaged in the business of broadcasting of satellite television channels i.e. news / current affairs and regional language channels and sale of television programs.

On a consolidated basis, Zee Media Corporation reported net profit of Rs 8.19 crore in Q1 June 2022 as against net loss of Rs 9.06 crore in Q1 June 2021. Net sales rose 21.61% to Rs 206.96 crore in Q1 June 2022 over Q1 June 2021.

Shares of Zee Media Corporation rose 0.94% to Rs 14.03 on Friday.

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More than 9,500 Congress delegates across the country on Monday voted to elect the party's first non-Gandhi president in 24 years, choosing between senior leaders and as successor to Sonia Gandhi.

Of the total 9,915 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates that form the electoral college to pick the party chief in a secret ballot, over 9,500 cast their ballot at all PCC offices and the AICC headquarters in Delhi, party's central election authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry announced here.

The results of election will be declared on October 19, after ballots from all PCC offices reach Delhi and the votes polled are mixed before counting.

"I have been waiting for a long time for this day," Congress chief Sonia Gandhi told reporters after voting at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters here.

Sonia Gandhi, who had been the party president from 1998 to 2017, was made interim president after Rahul Gandhi resigned in 2019 over the party's poll debacle.

Voting in the much discussed elections, viewed by some as an exercise aimed at putting the party on the path to revival, began at 10 am at the AICC headquarters and at polling booths in PCC offices across the country.

Mistry expressed satisfaction over the poll process and claimed that the election has been "free, fair, and transparent". He, however, said that he cannot force anyone to attend someone's meeting, reacting to Tharoor's charge that there was no level playing field.

Kharge is considered the favourite for his perceived proximity to the Gandhis and has the backing of senior leaders, even as Tharoor has pitched himself as the "candidate of change".

Mistry said the exercise started around two years ago and more than 9,900 delegates, one from every block in the country, were selected for this election.

"Today's election was held across the country. Out of a total 9,915 delegates, over 9,500 voted, with around 96 per cent voting in the Congress president's elections," he told reporters.

"The most satisfactory thing for us was that in all states where polling booths were set up, no adverse incident was reported. This is a big achievement...polls were held in an open process and in a peaceful manner," Mistry said.

Mistry said no one should have any apprehensions as it is a secret ballot and nobody will get to know who voted for whom. He also said that the entire polling was recorded in cameras.

This is an example of democracy within the party and any party can draw lessons from this internal democracy, he said, adding that 87 delegates, most of them Congress Working Committee (CWC) members, voted at the AICC headquarters.

He further said a total of 50 delegates, including Rahul Gandhi, participating in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, cast their vote in the polling booth set up at camp site near Ballari in Karnataka.

Asked whether there will be voting for the new CWC, he said it will depend on the new Congress president and the decision of party's plenary session.

Mistry termed his experience as "very good" and said the election was like an "utsav".

Besides Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those who voted in Delhi.

Kharge, 80, a Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka who is tipped to win the election because of his proximity to the Gandhis, cast his ballot at the Karnataka Congress office in Bengaluru. His electoral rival and Thiruvananthapuram MP Tharoor, 66, voted in the Kerala capital.

Kharge said in Bengaluru that Tharoor called him up and wished him good luck and he wished him the same. The two were contesting internal polls on a friendly note to strengthen the Congress to build a stronger and better nation for the future generations, he said.

In Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor said he is confident of victory even though the odds were stacked against him as leaders and establishment were with the other candidate.

"India needs a strong Congress. I did not contest for my political future, but for that of the Congress and India. I am here as a viable alternative. I am standing for change. A change in how the party functions," he said.

"Spoke to this morning to wish him well and to reaffirm my respect for him and our shared devotion to the success of Congress," Tharoor added in a tweet, noting that the Congress' revival had begun.

"Some people play safe in order not to lose. But if you just play safe, you will definitely lose," Thaoor tweeted in the morning, using the hashtag "#ThinkTomorrowThinkTharoor".

Electors in the Congress presidential polls have been asked to put a tick mark against their candidate in the ballot paper after Tharoor's team took up with the party's top poll body the issue of its earlier directive that voters write "1" to reflect their preference. This, the team said, might lead to confusion.

As the election process continued, the Gandhis dominated the discourse in many places.

"The Gandhi family will continue to play an important role. There is no doubt that Sonia Gandhi will continue to be our leader," Congress general secretary Mukul Wasnik said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, once a frontrunner for the top party post, said in Jaipur that his relationship with the Gandhi family will be the "same for life", even after October 19.

Attacking the BJP, Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said the party's elections marked a historical moment. "None of us know how J P Nadda got selected, two-and-a-half people decided - one Modi, one Shah and a half RSS. So, such a party commenting on Congress polls is a joke," he said.

The political journeys of the two dramatis personae in the Congress presidential elections have been disparate.

Kharge is a grassroots politician and a hardcore loyalist of the Gandhi family while Tharoor, a social media pioneer and often outspoken, joined the Congress only in 2009 after a long stint at the United Nations.

Ahead of the polling, Kharge had said he would have no shame in taking the advice and support of the Gandhi family in running the party affairs, if he becomes its president.

Tharoor, on his part, took a veiled dig at some senior leaders supporting Kharge, saying that some colleagues were "indulging in 'netagiri' and telling party workers that they know who Sonia Gandhi wants elected".

The last election for the post of Congress president was held in 2000 when Sonia Gandhi handed Jitendra Prasada a crushing defeat.

The Nehru-Gandhi family has been at the helm of the party for about 40 years since Independence. The five family members to take on the mantle of party president included Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

(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.)
Navnirman Sena chief on Monday thanked Deputy Chief Minister for the BJP's decision to withdraw its candidate from the bypoll to Assembly seat in Mumbai.

In a letter written to Fadnavis, Thackeray referred to the senior leader as his dear friend and said it is essential to have a positive political culture.

He said the Navnirman Sena (MNS) is always in favour of proliferation of such a positive culture.

I am thankful that you responded to this (appeal), Thackeray said.

Thackeray had on Sunday written another letter to Fadnavis, asking the ruling to pull out of the bypoll race to show reverence to late Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke, whose death necessitated the byelection.

Latke died of cardiac arrest in May this year.

BJP's Murji Patel, who withdrew his nomination papers on Monday, was pitted against the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction's candidate Rutuja Latke, the wife of Ramesh Latke.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar had also appealed to all parties to ensure that Rutuja Latke was elected unopposed.

With Patel pulling out of the bypoll, Rutuja Latke's victory in the November 3 elections is a mere formality.

(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.)
Stressing the need for restoration of statehood to before the holding of assembly elections, Democratic Azad Party (DAP) chairperson Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday urged his party activists to launch a mass contact programme to mobilise public support for the party.

The former chief minister said his party is committed to strengthening communal harmony and social fabric.

"Restoration of statehood, protection of land and jobs for natives and the return and rehabilitation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits is the core agenda of our party," he said addressing DAP workers in Kathua.

He said people across Jammu are worried over the delay in restoration of statehood to .

"The BJP government must not procrastinate on the matter (of restoration of statehood). We need it back before the holding of assembly elections so that our own people can run the administration," Azad said.

He said the DAP is committed to assuage the urges and aspirations of every segment of the society in all the regions and sub-regions.

"The cadre must reach out to the people and help them get solutions to their problems. We will try to work out a strong front to provide good governance to the people," Azad said.

He said the economy of is at the brink of collapse. "There is no sector -- be it tourism, horticulture, transport, or trade -- that has not suffered losses in the past two years," he said, adding that thousands of unemployed educated youth are waiting for job openings.

"The situation has become much worse as the industrial sector, which is supposed to absorb the unemployed youths, continues to struggle," 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.)
Senior Congress leader on Sunday said the Gandhi family has struggled to strengthen the party, and he would have no shame in taking their advice and support in case he is elected party president.

Kharge, considered close to the Gandhis, joined Rahul Gandhi in Bellary on Saturday for the Bharat Jodo Yatra and later addressed a public meeting there.

The veteran leader said he is the "delegates' candidate" in this polls to the party's highest post, scheduled for October 17.

Responding to a question about talk that he would be remote-controlled by the Gandhi family, Kharge said, "They say such things as there is nothing else to tell. The BJP indulges in such a campaign and others follow it. has worked for 20 years in the organisation...Rahul Gandhi was also president...they have struggled for the party and put their strength for its growth."



Congress delegates will vote on Monday to elect their party president. Kharge, who is up against party leader Shashi Tharoor, will cast his vote at the Karnataka Congress office in Bengaluru in the morning, sources close to him said.

Speaking to reporters here, he highlighted that the Nehru-Gandhi family -- from Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi to Sonia Gandh -- has contributed immensely and sacrificed for this country.

"Just because we (Congress) lost a few elections, saying such a thing (against Gandhis) is not right. They have done good for this country. Their advice will benefit the party, so I will definitely seek their advice and support. There is no shame in it. If something benefits from your (media) advice, I will take it as well. They have worked for this party and taking their advice is my duty," Kharge said.

"Further, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi know every nook and corner of the country, who is where and who can do what for the party. What has to be done to have unity in the party, I need to learn and I will do it," he added.

If elected, he would be the first Dalit to head the party in more than 45 years.

He is the only leader to have become the leader of opposition in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He has also been the leader of opposition in the Karnataka assembly, but could not become the state chief minister.

The Member of Rajya Sabha from Karnataka Sunday met some state Congress leaders and addressed the media, as part of his campaign trail here.

Kharge did not make any direct comments on his opponent or his campaign, merely saying everyone has the right to speak about their merit, while seeking support, like he has been highlighting about his connection with the party's grassroots level.

"I don't want to get into any controversy, he (Tharoor) is airing his thoughts, I don't want to debate on his thoughts. I'm sharing my thoughts. It is our organisation or a family matter. He has the right to say what he wants to, similarly I too have my rights. It is an internal friendly fight," he said, to a question about his message for Tharoor.

He also rebuffed suggestion that it was being seen by some as a rigged election as senior leaders and delegates are openly supporting him. "I'm contacting election delegates, my campaign managers are organising...I'm a candidate of delegates, senior leaders and delegates have sponsored me."



Asked about the Congress' prospects in election-bound Karnataka and about the impact of his election as party president, Kharge said, "Leaders in the state are fighting with a cause and working hard...I believe in collective leadership, collective consultancy. The Congress in Karnataka is united and will form a government in the state (after the 2023 Assembly polls)."



Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said Sonia and Rahul Gandhi will always have the "moral authority" as they have always lived by principles and set up right paradigm.

"This moral authority of the Gandhis comes from the 99 percent cadre strength of the party and even Shashi Tharoor swears by them," Surjewala said. PTI KSU SKC



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(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 Yadav family and workers on Monday travelled to Haridwar to immerse in Ganga the ashes of party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, who had died on October 10 in a Gurugram hospital.

SP President Akhilesh Yadav, Pragatisheel chief and his uncle, Shivpal Singh Yadav, Akhilesh's wife Dimple Yadav, Aparna Yadav, the younger daughter-in-law of Mulayam Singh, and other family members flew from Saifai airstrip to Jollygrant airport in Dehradun for their forward journey to Haridwar.

The 82-year-old SP founder had died in Gurugram's Medanta Hospital after remaining in ICU on lifesaving drugs for close to a week.

The Yadav clan came together to pay last tributes to the departed leader who was also a former defence minister of the country.

The veteran socialist leader had been cremated with full state honours last Tuesday, near the place where his first wife Malti Devi was cremated in Saifai, his native village, in Etawah district.

His son had lit the funeral pyre in the village's mela ground, where people lined up to see a glimpse of the grand leader, who had led government four times as chief minister of the state.

According to the pictures shared on the Samajwadi Party's official Twitter handle, Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav, and Shivpal Singh Yadav were seen sitting together in the aircraft during their journey to Dehradun.

Shivpal Singh, who had joined hands with Akhilesh in the recent Assembly election and won the Jaswant Nagar seat on an SP ticket, had fallen out with his nephew after the polls.

Their bickering has been talked about frequently in political circles.

But since the party patron's death, the uncle-nephew duo has been seen standing together on different occasions despite a breach in their relationship.

Former MP Dharmendra Yadav, party national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, and other family members also were present on the occasion.

Akhilesh's children also joined the family in the ritual and were seen standing by their parents in the ritual on the Ganga ghat in Haridwar.

Earlier in the day, Mulayam Singh's brother Abhay Ram Singh, Shivpal Yadav's son and state president of Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party, Aditya Yadav, former MP Tej Pratap Singh, and a family priest arrived at the Saifai airstrip in a convoy of cars.

According to Acharya Radha Mohan Mishra from Mathura-Vrindavan, who recited the Garuda Purana' in Saifai during rituals after the death, the immersion of the ashes in the holy river was done as per Vedic rituals.

The Garuda Katha' is being recited since last Wednesday in the presence of family members in Saifai.

Mishra said that Garuda Path' will continue till October 21 and will be concluded with a yagya for the peace of the departed.

The party also shared video and pictures showing sitting in a car with the urn containing the ashes.

(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.)
Apple might launch macOS Ventura in the last week of this month with support for the upcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.

According to Bloomberg's tech reporter Mark Gurman, the only significant changes to the new MacBook Pro models will be the availability of M2 Pro and M2 Max chip options, reports MacRumors.

The new iPad Pro models with the M2 processor will be unveiled in "a matter of days", said Gurman.

The new MacBook Pros are "on track to launch in the near future", he added.

It is unclear that the new MacBook Pros will debut along with the newest iPad Pro.

Like the initial 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2019 and the first Macs with the M1 chip in 2020, he company frequently introduces new Macs in November, the report said.

The company is working on an updated Mac mini with an M2 chip.

"The company has ushered in its late fall iPad and Mac updates, but this year's rollout will be more subdued. The company will launch the products on its website without the kind of gathering we saw in September with the iPhone 14's debut," Gurman added.

--IANS

aj/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.)
Singapore Airlines and Tata group are in talks, exploring the viability of merging and . While is fully owned by Tatas, is a joint venture of the Indian conglomerate and its Singapore partner. So, if materialised, what will this merger mean for Tatas aviation ambition?

Aviation sector as a whole is still wading through troubled waters. A recent report has put the domestic industrys loss in the range of Rs 15,000-17,000 crore this fiscal. RBI, on the other hand, has also been in a fire fighting mode. The details of RBIs September Monetary Policy Committee meeting were made public on Friday. was the only dissenting MPC member who pitched for a 35 basis point rate hike while RBI raised rates by 50 points. Business Standards Bhaskar Dutta caught up with her.

Moving on to markets, IPOs of small-and-medium enterprises or SMEs have become quite a phenomenon recently with firms heading to primary markets in large numbers. Despite weakness in the secondary markets, many of these IPOs have delivered premium returns. So should investors exercise caution before jumping on the bandwagon?

Staying with the markets theme, anchor investors are offered shares in an IPO a day ahead of its primary market debut. But they cannot offload it for the next 30 days. It is called the lock-in period. Various other investment options come with similar riders. This episode of the podcast tells more about it.
confirmed last week that it was in talks with about a potential merger of full-service carriers with .

(VO 1)

The Singapore national airline owns 49% of . Tata holds the rest.

is Indias second-biggest domestic airline and held a market share of 9.7% in September, far behind IndiGos 57.7%.

Air India, with 8.5% domestic market share is at fourth spot -- just behind GoFirst.

also has an 83.67% shareholding in AirAsia India, which is in the process of being merged with . The conglomerate had acquired from the India government in January. It then roped in Group veteran Campbell Wilson as Air Indias CEO to lead its turnaround plan.

In September, two months after Wilson took over, Air India announced a five-year transformation plan to take its domestic market share to at least 30%.

The plan itself was an indication of merger of all group airlines. Cumulatively, Tatas four airlines including Air India Express rule 24% of domestic skies.

Meanwhile, has cautioned its investors that there is no certainty of a deal. But it said the discussions are in line with its multi-hub strategy of getting access to important sources that complement its strong Singapore hub.

The International Air Transport Association has noted that India will become the third-largest aviation market in the world-- including international and domestic traffic - by around 2024.

Any potential merger would create a more formidable competitor to Indias dominant airline IndiGo as well as Middle Eastern rivals that carry a large share of the countrys international traffic.

Singapore Airlines: Indias air traffic flows to double in 10 years

Singapore Airlines said India had strong domestic and international traffic flows that were expected to double over the next 10 years.

Air India recently said it will lease 30 Boeing and Airbus aircraft, expanding its fleet by more than 25%, as its new owner faces a tough task to upgrade the carriers ageing fleet and turn around its financials and service levels after years of losses.

It is also looking at growing the international routes significantly to put the airline on a path of sustained growth, profitability and market leadership.

Air India is launching more services to North America, where its use of Russian airspace gives it a shorter flight time than rivals that have avoided it since Moscow began its invasion of Ukraine.

Singapore Airlines has a chequered track record in mergers and acquisitions. It owned a 20% stake in Virgin Australia that was wiped out after the Australian carrier entered voluntary administration in 2020.

In 2012, Singapore Airlines sold its 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic to Delta Air Lines for $360 million, well below its initial purchase price of 600 million pounds in 2000.

Speaking to Business Standard, Ajay Awtaney, Founder and Editor, Live From A Lounge, says it makes no sense for Tata to have two full-service airlines. SIA may end invest more now as its recovering from pandemic. It may end up with minority holding in Air India. Air India will lead intl ops.

For customers of Vistara who are signed up to its frequent flyer programme, merger with Air India will provide them with an added benefit. Air India is part of the Star Alliance, the worlds largest global airline alliance with 26 members. A member of Air Indias frequent flyer programme can earn miles when they fly with any of the Star Alliance members.

A potential merger with Vistara will significantly enhance Air Indias fleet, increasing the routes it can fly and frequency of operations. It could also a go a long way towards realising Air Indias stated goal of achieving a 30% domestic market share in five years. It may even have a positive impact on profitability because of cost optimisation. However, experts feel that all of this is contingent on significant investments, running into the billions of dollars, being committed by the .
Fears of a global slowdown and a weak macroeconomic landscape have not deterred the small and medium enterprises of India from entering the primary market this year.

Despite soured sentiment in the secondary markets, 87 SMEs have launched their IPOs so far in calendar year 2022, raising Rs 1,460 crore as against Rs 783 crore raised by 56 such firms last year.

In the first half of the current fiscal, 62 SME IPOs hit the street and garnered a total of Rs 1,078 crore in comparison to 30 IPOs in the same period in 2021-22, which collected Rs 346 crore, data from PRIME Database showed.

Analysts attribute this to a healthy domestic economy, and liquidity conditions that have kept equity buoyed over the last few years.

According to G Chokkalingam of Equinomics Research, the share of SMEs in the overall market cap is less than 1% and the market will see a couple of thousands of SMEs getting listed in the next five years.

These firms are widely diversified and their performance would vary, but wealth creation would be enormous, as we have already seen many of these firms become large companies in the past, says G Chokkalingam, Founder and CIO, Equinomics Research.

However, experts advise caution against the frenzy of SME IPOs amid looming risks of a global recession.

With over 40% of Indias exports being led by medium and small enterprises, the ongoing slowdown in global trade raises uncertainty for these domestic export players.

As per Kotak Securities, the US and major European economies contribute nearly 50% of the exports by MSMEs. The impact on the production side would be felt through manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade. If the global situation was to exacerbate and affect MSMEs substantially, it may also slow down credit and increase pressure on asset quality.

Besides, analysts remain wary of the record returns that SMEs have been delivering in the market.

Nine small and medium enterprises made a stellar stock market debut on October 10 with some of the counters even doubling in value. Six of these nine held on to the listing pop by close.

Speaking to Business Standard, Ambareesh Baliga, Independent Market Analyst says several SME stocks have become multi-baggers post listing. Investors flocking to these issues to make easy money. This is leading to froth building up in this space. Unsure how long this frenzy will last.

Today, the market trajectory will be guided by global cues, domestic corporate earnings of companies and how the rupee plays out.
Fidelity Investments Ireland has today launched a recruitment drive for 300 new fulltime positions in Ireland. Work to fill these roles is underway and the company is looking to have all positions filled within 2 years. When complete this recruitment will see the companys Irish footprint grow to 1,800, including a graduate pipeline as a key part to that overall growth.



The company is seeking to find 200 new associates in Galway and 100 in Dublin with flexible working arrangements available. The roles offer a competitive compensation package. The roles will primarily align to Fidelity Investments technology team which underpins the global operations of the company. There will also be a number of business operations roles in Dublin.



Fidelity Investments Ireland has provided innovative technology solutions to the wider global firm serving the individual needs of over 32 million customers. The organisation in Ireland has grown steadily from a workforce of 400 in 2013 to almost 1,500 today.



Welcoming the news today, Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe said, "Since first establishing a presence in Ireland over a quarter of century ago, Fidelity Investments has become a key part of the Irish financial services sector. The companys commitment to Ireland is reflected in todays announcement and we look forward to seeing Fidelity enjoy continued success in both Dublin and Galway. The Ireland For Finance Strategy underlines the Governments approach to encouraging overseas investment and supporting jobs by focusing on growth in green, sustainable and digital financial services."

Ireland Regional Chair and SVP, Technology, Fidelity Investments Ireland, Lorna Martyn said, "We are excited to be growing our operations in Ireland again. In recent years we have had exceptional success in recruiting high quality candidates and look forward to welcoming our new associates over the coming months. We have shown huge resilience over recent years and, as a company, we are firmly committed to supporting our customers. These new highly skilled positions will enhance our ability to meet our customers changing needs into the future."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
The Taoiseach Micheal Martin last week placed a ceremonial stone marking the building of the new extension at Galway Technology Centre (GTC). The project, which is being comprehensively facilitated by Enterprise Ireland, will see an additional 15,500 square feet added to the centre, bringing the total area to 65,500 square feet. The extension will also see the number of floors in GTC grow from two to four.



Galway Technology Centre is a social enterprise which is jointly owned by Galway Chamber and WestBIC. It became the first technology innovation centre in Ireland when it first opened in 1994, following the closure of Digital Equipment Corporations Galway facility.

In response to the closure of Digital, who at the time were Galways largest employer, a special Government Task Force was established who invited Galway Chamber, WestBIC and An Forbairt to realise their vision of an indigenous ICT cluster in the west of Ireland. This led to the formation of GTC. Since the mid-nineties, the footprint of GTC has been regularly extended to address the growing needs of ICT companies in the region. Over that time it has housed more than 300 companies who have created in excess of 3,000 jobs. Currently there are 41 companies in GTC with over 325 people employed directly on site and thousands more in the other satellite offices of these enterprises located in Ireland and abroad.



Some of the notable companies who have called GTC home over the years include Storm Technology, Blue Tree Systems, Aptarus, Hemdahl, SL Controls, Siren, PlanNet 21, Ex Ordo, Action Point, SourceDogg, Buymedia, Chipright, Triggerfish, 9th Impact, Electronic Arts, SAP, Wayfair and more.



It is estimated that the enhanced centre will facilitate the creation of a cumulative total of 12,500 jobs over the next 15 years, along with estimated investment of 1.4 billion. According to GTC, the development highlights the flourishing of scaling enterprises in the west of Ireland and the increased demand for space to facilitate their growth in the region.



Speaking at the ceremony to mark the extension, Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD said, "Since its inception, Galway Technology Centre has played a central role in enabling the growth of scaling enterprises across the west of Ireland. It has provided numerous start-ups and high potential businesses with the space and support they needed in order to flourish and prosper. The centre has come a long way from its first opening in the mid-nineties, when there were eight units filled by seven start-up companies. In the years since they have developed alongside the enterprises they have supported, providing greater space and resources as the need for their service has grown. Galway Technology Centres new extension, supported by the Government through Enterprise Ireland, will see their positive contribution to scaling companies in the west extend even further, enabling both their impact and the centre itself to reach new heights."



GTC CEO, Oliver Daniels added, "Galway Technology Centre has been rooted in supporting the development of scaling enterprises in the west of Ireland since its inception. That was our founding principle and it will continue to be the driving mission behind our centre. We exist to enable the growth of scaling ICT businesses and high potential start-ups. Our purpose is to meet their needs. That is why this project represents a lot more than just an extension. It highlights how scaling enterprises in Galway and the west are flourishing and the increased demand for space to facilitate that growth. Through this extension Galway Technology Centre will be able to assist even more thriving companies, bringing more dynamic enterprises to our centre as well as further nurturing those who already call GTC home."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Bruno Kahl, BND Chief Getty Images

Russia, Ukraine continue to seek decision on battlefield and therefore one can expect fighting to continue into next year, BND chief says

BERLIN (AA) - Russias war on Ukraine is nothing less than a "declaration of war" against the Western democratic world, local media quoted the head of Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency on Monday.

The war is not primarily about Ukraines territory, the dpa news agency quoted BND chief Bruno Kahl as saying before a parliamentary group overseeing the activities of German secret services.

The BND has always argued that Putin will continue to use violence to achieve his political goals, Kahl said, adding that the Russian war against Ukraine, therefore, came as no surprise to the foreign intelligence service.

Both Russia and Ukraine continue to seek a military decision on the battlefield and therefore Kahl said he expects the fighting to continue into next year.

Other threats, Kahli said, also include "an autocratic China that is rising to become a global power.

Russias war against Ukraine has rattled Germany's political establishment. The German press has also branded it as a 9/11 moment" with surveys showing a major shift in public attitudes.

Reacting to the Russian military attack, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced plans to immediately rebuild its military, delivering arms to Ukraine, and ending its energy dependence on Russia.

Scholz overturned not only decades of Russian policy but also German restraint and pacifism when it comes to security and defense.

Oliver Towfigh Nia/AA
TUC calls for Obajana plant reopening

17 October 2022

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has threatened the Kogi State government to unseal Dangote's Obajana Cement plant or be ready to contend its members.

In a statement signed by TUC president, Festus Usifoh, said it has become expedient for congress to act, as the welfare of over 22,000 workers, their family members, thousands of contractors, wholesalers, users of the products and other stakeholders is currently at stake.

The union condemned the closure of the cement plant by the state government and demanded the immediate reopening of the company for production, while parties work out amicable and peaceful resolution to the issues that led to the impasse.

Congress is disturbed with the situation where most staff of the factory were harmed and inflicted with different degrees of injuries by the community due to clash of interest between the Kogi State Government and the Dangote Industries.

The workers of the factory are not responsible for the irregularities in documentations, therefore they should not be punished, hence our affiliate CANMPSSA has been directed to follow up with these workers and report back to congress, and equally presents ourselves to facilitate the interface between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Cement with the view to put an end to this crisis, it said.

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Have you noticed that lots of people these days are busily discussing what Jesus Christ had to say during His time on earth  but not for all the same reasons? Talk-show celebrities, politicians, podcasters and news commentators are all giving their two cents worth about what they believe that Jesus believed regarding a variety of contemporary issues.

For example, a three-person panel of TV commentators recently spoke with great authority  self-bestowed, that is  about their conviction that since Jesus never addressed the issue of abortion, He must not have been opposed to this controversial practice.

There are at least three big problems with this conclusion.

Lets take the thought one step further: Jesus also never spoke about things such as texting while driving, speeding on highways, looking at Internet pornography, selling heroin, or abusing ones spouse. Should we make the inference, therefore, that He approves of such things?

The second problem is related to it. I dont think its heretical to state that although the Bible records many things Jesus said, to presume that presents everything that He ever said makes no sense. Case in point: Chapter 2 of the Gospel of Luke recounts the time when He was 12 years old and went with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover.

After the celebration, Jesus earthly parents were heading back home for a day before they realized He wasnt with relatives or friends. They returned to Jerusalem and searched for Him three days before they found Him in the temple courts, deeply engaged in discussions with religious leaders and teachers. The only specific words of Jesus mentioned from that incident were, Didnt you know I had to be in My Fathers house? (Luke 2:49).

In inspiring and guiding the writers of the Scriptures, God didnt find it necessary to include more of what Jesus and the astonished leaders talked about. And we have absolutely no record of anything else Jesus said during His childhood or the subsequent years prior to the beginning of His earthly ministry at the age of 30. Surely, He didnt remain silent. Whos to say the subject of abortion in some form might not have come up during those years? Maybe more than once.

As we read in 2 Peter 1:20-21, Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from ones own interpretation. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. The Word of God doesnt tell us everything there is to know about Him  how could it? But as the Lord has seen fit, the Scriptures tell us all He deems that we need to know about Him.

The third problem with arguments about what Jesus said or didnt say about the topic du jour is a very comprehensive statement He made, as recorded in Matthew 5:17-19:

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.

In the extensive Old Testament writings Jesus was referring to, we find both commands and prohibitions of many kinds. He was recognizing that His hearers already knew what these laws were; He didnt need to restate them. His purpose in coming was because no one then  and no one now  could succeed at observing and keeping all of those laws 100 percent of the time. Not even close.

Jesus wasnt saying those God-given commands, even to the smallest letter or the least stroke of a pen, as He said, had become null and void. But because we fail time and again to keep them  the Bible calls this sin  were told, God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

So, its at the very least foolish and ignorant to argue that since the Bible doesnt present a specific statement from Jesus  about abortion or any of the other questionable lifestyle choices people make every day  that means they arent important to Him.

After all, the Lord said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Luke 18:16). Can you imagine Him stating that, and then interjecting, However, if you want to abort them, thats certainly okay? I cant.

* * *

Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and magazine editor. Bob has written, co-authored and edited more than 15 books. These include the newly published, Marketplace Ambassadors; Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Todays Workplace; Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. A weekly business meditation he edits, Monday Manna, is translated into more than 20 languages and sent via email around the world by CBMC International. The address for his blog is www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. His email address is btamasy@comcast.net.
Shortly after an anonymous unidentified source dropped off the multi-colored sketch of Beautiful Broad Street under my door, I accessed the September 29 finely written press release by the head of the non-profit River City Company (favorite public service entity of both foreign investors and local developers) inviting public comments as to how the unused and often vacant throughfare from Jacks Fishbowl (not my words but those of a narrow-minded backward citizen in the past) to Martin Luther King Boulevard (Big 9) which will also affect the pattern of traffic to the foot of the lower level of Lookout Mountain and the also seldom (?) used turn lane to enter historic St.

The professionally stated equivalent of a local Gallup Poll in six pages has sought the comments of more than just the 350 expert and knowledgeable members of the Chamber of Commerce (COC) who supported a minor $80 million project (the eyesore) which has resulted in my office receiving copies from my total reader population of 50 dedicated readers (its still climbing) which includes the below majority opinions of some of the comments of the other 385,000 citizens of the GIG CITY and its outskirts.

THE RESULTS ARE SPECIFIC AND ACCURATE WITHIN A PLUS OR MINUS RANGE OF 40%!

Question No. 1: How often do you visit or travel on Broad Street?

Response: Only during daylight hours!

Question No. 2: How do you get to Broad Street?

Response: On bicycle when the single lanes on both sides of the street are overcrowded.

Question No. 3: Why do you travel on Broad Street?

Response: One of the pot hole free thoroughfares left over from the Berke administration.

Question No. 4: What are your top three favorite things about Broad Street?

Response: 1. Observing sleeping daytime new migrants to the area dozing on the sidewalk of the Scenic City. (photo available upon request)

2. Premature response but if Miamis Design Team Plan includes port-o-lets on every corner they should be decorated by local graffiti artists paid by a local, state or federal grant.

3. Too many to pick only 1 more but some though are listed in response to Question 6.

Question No. 5: If you could improve ONE thing about Broad Street what would it be?

Response: Document reply  Rename the new and improved street Narrow Minded Boulevard (besides any street named Broad is sexist and shows a disdain and disrespect for our gentler female companions in Choo Choo Town.

Question No. 6: On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate the importance of each of the following areas to create a premier downtown street?

A. Trees and Shrubs  Response  Extremely Important  Cut the 40-50-foot trees down and the birds will go somewhere else and tourists wont complain about the droppings on their new electric vehicles. (You can also check Google under the topic for removal of the product if the plan doesnt win public scrutiny.)

B. Sidewalk width  Response  Extremely Important  Increase bike lanes to three on each side of the street to increase revenue so Council members wont have to vote on property tax increase before the next election.

C. Fun/Interesting Spaces  Response - Extremely Important  Provide McKamey Animal Shelter Annex to avoid ASPCA discrimination and class action lawsuits because not enough green spaces for love critters to do their business.

D. Safety  Response  Extremely Important  Insure it is up to a standard equivalent to East 10th-13th Streets.

E. Outdoor Restaurant Seating  Document Response  Extremely Important  Bring back a Krystal restaurant or obtain Costco franchise annex to implement their $1.50 price for non-Nathans hot dog and soda.

F. Bike facilities  Response  Extremely Important  See answer to Number 2.

G. Proximity to Public Restroom  Document Response  Extremely Important  Adequate as long as JB, MB facilities and the parking garage of MCC are available. (Historic buildings between 7th and 8th Street).

H. Parking  Response  Extremely Important  Cut out free Sunday parking so that more immigrants from the North, etc. can attend church services in the former Buckle of the Bible Belt.

I. Retail Stores  Response  Extremely Important  Bring back Hardie & Caudle Mens Clothing Store.

J. Cleanliness  Response  Extremely Important  Are you serious?

Number 7. Other thoughts or comments to share with Florida design team ?

Response  Elvis has left the building!

DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS:

About you and your household and all answers are anonymous

Document survey replies:

A. Zip Codes  Lookout Mountain, Signal Mountain and Walden

B. Age range  Less than 103!

C. Race  Daytona 400, Indy 500

D. Another race  Undecided

E. Gender Identity  Not sure

It is respectfully requested that all public officials including the new City Attorney, (keep Phil Noblett), new Chief Financial Officer, and new Director of Public Works, etc. consider these opinions.

The survey can be found here.

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You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com)


Kate Fuller Ferris Robinson Previous Next

Kate Fuller is the definition of a community advocate. An involved parent at Fairyland Elementary School, she is no stranger to rolling up her sleeves and going to work to better the school.

This petite dark-haired gal has kept those sleeves rolled up all year, as well as a paintbrush in her car, nails in her pocket and a hammer in her purse. She has transformed the former Market on the Mountain on North Watauga into a busy, active community space brimming with classes for all levels and all ages and all manner of activities, from dance to yoga to barre to tai chi for adults, and from art to gymnastics and all manner of dance options for youth. Throw in a little karate an a regular parents night out opportunities, and youve got the Hive, but you have to factor in the monthly community indoor yard sale that folks clamor to attend. Not only do people sell things they bake, make, grow or grow tired of, people love connecting as they cruise the busy sale on the second Saturday of the month. And, Kate brings Chick fil A to the mountain every Tuesday, which is very well received.

That connection is the driving force behind all Kate puts her weight behind. She knows Lookout Mountain is a very active community. Just take a drive down Lula Lake Road and notice all the runners, walkers and strollers on the sidewalks. For that matter, take a drive anywhere on the mountain and you will see the same.

Knowing it had been a while since the King of the Mountain race took place, Kate tried to get to the bottom of it. Believing the mountain is too small to compete, she wanted to make sure she wasnt treading on anyone elses territory. Kate loves the idea of the community, all ages of the community, coming together for a common cause: raising funds for our two elementary schools, Lookout Mountain School and Fairyland Elementary School, as well as scholarship programs for Good Shepherd School and Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Churchs mothers day out program.

With all four of those schools, its hard to find a person not connected to at least one of them in some way. And that includes grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors and friends of these students.

To that end, the First Annual Hive Hustle takes place Saturday and includes a 5K and a 1-mile fun run. The fee is $20 and includes a fun T-shirt. This race is not a qualifying race. Instead its a chance to head outdoors on a crisp fall morning, chat with folks in the community and get a little exercise, all while raising money for our schools. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Kate envisions the Hive Hustle as a win-win for the community in many ways. Its a chance for us all to lift each other up and have fun! she said. This quote on her website might embody Kates philosophy for all she does:

Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much. Helen Keller

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Ferris Robinson is the author of three childrens books, The Queen Who Banished Bugs, The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds, and Call Me Arthropod in her pollinator series. Making Arrangements is her first novel. Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity is a collection of true tales about mans best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a free pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.
Chattanooga firefighters prevented an apartment fire from spreading to surrounding units on Sunday night, containing it to the room of origin.

Red Shift companies responded to the College Hill Courts around 7:30 PM after Hamilton County 911 received reports of flames coming from an apartment in the 600 block of W 13 Street Court. A mattress had caught fire and spread to the curtains and walls.

On arrival, crews found heavy fire showing out the front windows of a downstairs unit and an interior attack was made.

Firefighting operations and a simultaneous search of the apartment and surrounding units were conducted. The residents were all outside upon CFDs arrival and there were no injuries.

The fire was under control in ten minutes and it was contained to the mattress, bedding and walls in the original apartment. It was accidental in nature.

The American Red Cross is assisting one displaced adult displaced. Quint 1, Ladder 1, Squad 1, Engine 5, Ladder 5, Engine 9, Quint 14, Engine 12, Battalion 1 and Battalion 3 (Red Shift) responded.
Officials from the city of Red Bank, local public space advocates, and the Tennessee leadership of Trust For Public Land (TPL) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the White Oak Connector.

It is a new public trail that will connect Red Bank's White Oak Park with the Stringer's Ridge Preservation Easement.

The nearly one-mile White Oak Connector represents one of TPL's first major initiatives in the Tennessee Valley outside of Chattanooga.

This $250,000 trail project, first envisioned during the protection of Stringers Ridge, was funded jointly by the city of Red Bank and private donors, including the McKee Family and the Lyndhurst Foundation.

The connector was designed by Ragan-Smith and Tucker Build served as the project's general contractor with Southeast Conservation Corps constructing the natural surface singletrack and Heartwood Land Management constructing the gravel wide path.
The online silent auction for the Northside Neighborhood Houses 15th Annual Not-So-Silent Auction is now live. The public is invited to bid on the auction items online by visiting nnhouse.org/events. The event will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 6-9 p.m.

Chaired by Josh and Allie Holland, the 2022 Not-So-Silent Auction is not your typical charity auction, as it brings a unique twist to charitable fundraising. We are so excited that we can bring a piece of this wonderful event to everyone, said Holland. The online silent auction has a phenomenal selection of items this year. We are so proud of it, and I hope you bid for an amazing cause.

Examples of items include getaway and travel packages/items, gift certificates to local restaurants and experiences, a new iMac computer, and designer jewelry and accessories.

A very limited number of tickets remain for the in-person event on Oct. 27. This "high energy, fun event: is one that has been loved by locals for years, said officials.

Tickets can be purchased online at nnhouse.org/events or by calling the NNH at 267-2217.

The event funds the Northside Neighborhood House, a non-profit agency that has been serving residents living in Northern Hamilton County for almost 100 years. From ensuring individuals are housed with working utilities to providing low cost necessities through their thrift stores, the NNH focuses on creating relationships and connecting individuals to supports that aid them in creating stability for themselves and their families. The Northside Neighborhood House also runs five CommUNITY School programs in Hamilton County Schools, which provides wrap-around support to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of the school community.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Fisheries Division presented its proposed 2023 fishing regulation proposals during the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commissions most recent meeting held at Fall Creek Falls State Park.



The public is invited to provide comments on the proposed regulation changes. The deadline for sport fishing comments is Nov. 15. To provide comments, email TWRA at fishingreg.comments@tn.gov, or write to TWRA Fisheries Division, 5107 Edmondson Pike, Nashville, TN 37211.



The TFWC will vote on the commercial and sport sportfish regulations at its Dec.

1-2 meeting to be held in Memphis at the Ducks Unlimited Headquarters. If approved, the sport fishing changes would become effective March 1, 2023.

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Fishing Proclamation Proposals

Proposed Commercial Fishing Regulation Changes

Allow the use of boat ramps and navigable waters of the Mississippi River from above I-40 Bridge at MS RM 735 upstream to MS RM 745 for navigation only to and from waters open to commercial fishing.

Statewide (waters currently open to roe harvest)- Restrict harvest of paddlefish to females only over 38 inches (eye fork length) that have eggs.

Mississippi River (waters currently open to roe harvest)- Restrict harvest of paddlefish to females only over 34 inches (eye fork length) that have eggs. This regulation would be limited to portions of the Mississippi River currently open to paddlefish harvest.

Designate waters that are open to roe harvest under the new regional Roe Fish Permit-Supplemental system. Resident or Nonresident Mississippi River Roe Fish Permit-Supplement holder can only commercially fish the Mississippi River, Reelfoot Lake, Forked Dear River, Hatchie River, Obion River portions that are open to the commercial harvest of paddlefish. Resident or Nonresident West/Middle Tennessee Roe Fish Permit- Supplemental holder can only commercially fish Kentucky Reservoir, Pickwick Reservoir, Barkley Reservoir, Cheatham Reservoir, Old Hickory Reservoir, Red River, Harpeth River, Duck River and Beech River portions that are open to the commercial harvest of paddlefish. Resident or Nonresident East Tennessee Roe Fish Permit, Supplement holder can only fish Guntersville Reservoir, Nickajack Reservoir, Chickamauga Reservoir, Fort Loudoun Reservoir, Douglas Reservoir, Davy Crocket Reservoir, Nolichucky River, French Broad River, Hiwassee River, and Holston River portions that are open to the commercial harvest of paddlefish.



Proposed Sportfishing Regulation Changes

Douglas Lake- Establish a seasonal regulation for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. Largemouth/Smallmouth/Spotted Bass: 5 fish per day in combination year around.



Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:

June 1  Sept 30: 5 per day, only one (1) fish may be a Largemouth or

Smallmouth over 16 inches. Oct. 1  May 31: 5 per day, 12-inch minimum length limit

Spotted Bass: no minimum length limit.

Remove Pallid and Lake Sturgeon from the Sport Fishing proclamation due to status as threatened or endangered species.

Trotlines used for sportfishing must be checked at least once every twenty-four hour period and cannot extend more than three-quarters (0.75) across any stream, river, chute, or embayment.

Further defined the boundaries of reservoirs as the reservoir full pool elevation is the boundary between reservoir and tributary streams or rivers. As well as providing designated boundaries for reservoirs on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Reservoirs on Tennessee River: Kentucky Reservoir includes the Tennessee River from the Tennessee/Kentucky State line upstream to Pickwick Dam. Pickwick Reservoir includes the Tennessee River from Pickwick Dam upstream to the Tennessee/Mississippi/Alabama state line. Guntersville Lake includes the Tennessee River from the Tennessee/Alabama State line upstream to Nickajack Dam. Nickajack Reservoir includes the Tennessee River from Nickajack Dam to Chickamauga Dam. Chickamauga Reservoir includes the Tennessee River from Chickamauga Dam to Watts Bar Dam. Watts Bar Reservoir includes the Tennessee River from Watts Bar Dam upstream to Fort Loudoun Dam and Melton Hill Dam on the Clinch River. Fort Loudoun Reservoir includes the Tennessee River upstream of Fort Loudoun Dam to the I-40 Bridge on the Holston River and the Hwy 168 Bridge on the French Broad River.



Reservoirs on the Cumberland River: Barkley Reservoir includes the Cumberland River from the Tennessee/Kentucky State line upstream to Cheatham Dam. Cheatham Reservoir includes the Cumberland River from Cheatham Dam upstream to Old Hickory Dam and J. Percy Priest Dam on the Stones River. Old Hickory Reservoir includes the Cumberland River from Old Hickory Dam upstream to Cordell Hull Dam to Center Hill Dam on the Caney Fork River. Cordell Hull Reservoir includes the Cumberland River form Cordell Hull Dam upstream to the Tennessee/Kentucky State line and Dale Hollow Dam on the Obey River.





Proposed Regulation Changes to TWRA Fishing lakes and State Park lakes

Browns Creek Lake (Carroll Co.) - Increase the Bass daily creel limit from 5 to 10 fish/day. Increase the Protective Length Range (PLR) from 18 to 24 PLR to 18 to 25 PLR, only 1 per day over 25 inches allowed. Reduce the Bluegill/Redear daily creel limit to 10 fish/day. Remove daily creel and length limits on crappie.

Lake Halford (Carroll Co.)  Increase the Bass daily creel limit from 5 to 10 fish/day. Allow only 2 Bass per day over 18 inches. Reduce the Bluegill/Redear daily creel limit to 10 fish/day. Remove daily creel and length limits on crappie. Establish a Blue/Channel Catfish minimum size limit of 16 inches.

Herb Parsons Lake (Shelby Co.) - Increase the Bass daily creel limit from 5 to 10 fish/day. Increase the Protective Length Range (PLR) from 14 to 18 PLR to 16 to 20 PLR, only 1 per day over 20 inches allowed. Reduce the Bluegill/Redear daily creel limit to 10 fish/day. Remove daily creel and length limits on Crappie. Establish a Blue/Channel Catfish minimum size limit of 16 inches.

Acorn Lake (Montgomery Bell SP) - Increase the Bass daily creel limit from 5 to 10 fish/day and remove the 15-inch minimum length limit. Reduce the Bluegill/Redear daily creel limit to 10 fish/day. Remove daily creel and length limits on Crappie. Establish a Blue/Channel Catfish minimum size limit of 16 inches. Establish a delayed harvest season for trout with no harvest allowed from December 1 through March 31, and 5 trout per day, no length limit from April 1 through Nov. 30.

Fall Creek Falls Lake (Fall Creek Falls SP) Increase the Bass daily creel limit from 5 to 10 fish/day. Allow only 1 Bass per day over 16 inches. Reduce the Bluegill/Redear daily creel limit to 10 fish/day. Remove daily creel and length limits on crappie. Establish a Blue/Channel catfish minimum size limit of 16 inches.

Pin Oak Lake (Natchez Trace State Park) Increase the Protective Length Range (PLR) from 12 to 16 PLR to 18 to 25 PLR, only 1 per day over 25 inches allowed. Reduce the Bluegill/Redear daily creel limit to 10 fish/day. Remove daily creel and length limits on crappie.

Travis McNatt Lake (Big Hill Pond State Park)  Remove the Bass daily creel limit, and allow only 1 Bass per day over 16 inches. Reduce the Bluegill/Redear daily creel limit to 10 fish/day. Remove daily creel and length limits on crappie. Establish a Blue/Channel catfish minimum size limit of 16 inches.

Woodhaven Lake (Montgomery Bell SP) - Increase the Bass daily creel limit from 5 to 10 fish/day. Establish a Protective Length Range (PLR) of 18 to 25 PLR, only 1 per day over 25 inches allowed. Reduce the Bluegill/Redear daily creel limit to 10 fish/day. Remove daily creel and length limits on crappie. Establish a Blue/Channel catfish minimum size limit of 16 inches.

Poplar Tree Lake (Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park) - Increase the Bass daily creel limit to 10 fish/day, only one bass over 16 inches may be harvested per day.

Proposed Rule Changes
Gratefull, formerly known as One Table created by Causeway, is back. On Thursday, Nov. 17, residents of the Greater Chattanooga area are invited to a free Thanksgiving Luncheon held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the middle of the 200-block of E. Martin Luther King Boulevard in front of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.

This community-wide Thanksgiving Luncheon was postponed for the past two years due to the pandemic.

Gratefull began in Chattanooga in 2014 and since then, every year the week before or the week leading into Thanksgiving, cities across the country shut down a city block for strangers and friends to gather and share a meal in the middle of the street at one long table. Through Gratefull, organizers are removing barriers and bringing people together from across social boundaries, simply to get to know each other, and build understanding. We believe that in order to build a city that is an honest reflection of its residents, everyone should be invited to the table, said organizers.

There is no fee, no expectations, and no agendajust an open invitation to the community to attend. What started as a one-time event to bring people together has become a quickly growing tradition that spans multiple cities in the southeast including Milan, Tn., Nashville and Huntsville.

Gratefull is made possible by generous financial support from The Maclellan Foundation, First Horizon, Synovus Bank, Elliott Davis, EPB, Benwood Foundation and Brewer Media Group. The event is hosted by River City Company, city of Chattanooga, United Way, Bessie Smith Cultural Center and Causeway.

Party Bites will provide the turkey and dressing while others like Neidlovs, Community Pie, Main Street Meats, and Coca-cola are donating side dishes and drinks.

This year, instead of providing a side dish for the potluck, for those who would like to give back to the community, people are encouraged to bring supplies to benefit the Maclellan Shelter for Families. A collection bin will be available that day. Items of need include nonperishable food, coffee supplies, disposable plates and silverware, hygienic supplies including toothpaste and diapers, and laundry supplies.

Hundreds of volunteers are needed to make the event possible. For volunteer shifts, visit www.ihelpchattanooga.org.

To be a sponsor, supporter, please email Dawn Hjelseth at dawn@rivercitycompany.com or call 265-3700.
The fourth Leadership Hamilton County Schools cohort has held its first session. Leadership HCS seeks to create opportunities for a diverse group of community leaders and stakeholders to understand HCS in a unique way. Participants experience both the successes and challenges of how HCS supports its students.

Leadership HCS invites key influencers in our community to experience the strengths and opportunities of our district," said Dr. Sonia Stewart, Hamilton County Schools Deputy superintendent. "Allowing these change makers a chance to see the intricacies of Hamilton County Schools creates space for them to become champions of our students and district. Our students' success is a shared responsibility, and through this program, we hope to cultivate advocates among these leaders to ensure the community is supporting our vision of all students thriving.

Participants will attend eight monthly sessions running from October to May, with each focusing on a different action area of Hamilton County Schools. The 2023 cohort began learning about Accelerating Student Achievement and governance in public education during the program's first session. In addition to exploring the remaining district action areas, participants will experience being "principal for a day," ending with a deep dive into how the school district budget is created and implemented.

The 2022-23 cohort consists of 16 community leaders, including Geoff Millener, chief operating officer of The Enterprise Center. "Blake Freeman ended our first session to a round of applause as he said, 'I believe public education is a right, and that it should be excellent.' The opportunity to participate in Leadership Hamilton County Schools, following in the footsteps of and walking alongside so many brilliant minds  I'm leaving our first day inspired and excited about what's to come, for our group but especially for our students and families, said Mr. Millener.

Leadership Hamilton County Schools 2023 Cohort

Jocelyn Loza, Latina Professionals of Chattanooga, Executive Director

Geoff Millener, The Enterprise Center, Chief Operating Officer

Eduardo Centurion, Maclellan Foundation, Program Officer

Lee Hope, Chattanooga Public Library, Head of Childrens & Youth Services

Dr. Shane Brown, Lee University, Director of Teacher Education, Field

Experiences and Certification

Jill Black, Hamilton County Schools, District 11 School Board Representative

Stefanie Dalton, City of Red Bank, Vice Mayor of Red Bank

Kelly Flemings, KELCURT Foundation / Soddy-Daisy Community Library,

Education & Outreach Coordinator

Chelsea Johnson, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Director of Community Relations and Foundations

Danielle Farmer, Real Estate Partners Chattanooga LLC, Marketing Director/Operations

Gayle Lodato, Helen Ross McNabb Center, Senior Director of Greater

Chattanooga

Cory Howard, Cempa, Chief Operating Officer

Jim Morgan, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga, Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Vice Provost for Academic Outreach

Chief Glenn Scruggs, Chattanooga Police Department, Assistant Chief of Police

Anthony Sammons, City of Chattanooga, Administrator, Office of Community

Development

Visit here for more information on Leadership Hamilton County Schools.
The Chickamauga Chapter NSDAR Chairman for DAR Schools, Karen Durbin, travelled to the Hindman Settlement School in Hindman, Ky. to deliver checks from Chapter members totaling $830 for the schools flood relief, following the recent Kentucky floods. The checks were presented to the schools Executive Director Will Anderson.

While at the school, Ms. Durbin spent several hours helping to dry and preserve school documents which were affected by the flood waters. Her project reflects the type of work DAR members perform for the NSDARs National Day of Service each October.

The Hindman Settlement School is one of four DAR supported schools. Additionally, in the early twentieth century, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution founded five other schools which members continue to support. The DAR-founded schools were started in rural and disadvantaged areas where public education was not accessible. Their mission was to provide traditional values and educational skills to help the students reach their full potential in life. Today, each school has a different focus serving a variety of special needs programs including adult literacy, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, and children in family crisis.
The Vienna Boys Choir, one of the best-known childrens choirs in the world, will continue Lee Universitys 2022-23 Presidential Concert Series on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in Pangle Hall.

The angelic voices of this most famous vocal group are ageless, (Salt Lake Tribune). Founded in Austria almost 100 years ago, the Vienna Boys Choir, comprising young sopranos and altos, tours the world singing popular standards, as well as classical repertoire.

The choir gained fame as the subject of the Walt Disney film Almost Angels in 1961. Today there are around 100 choristers between the ages of 10 and 14, divided into four touring choirs. The four choirs give as many as 300 concerts and performances each year in front of almost half a million people. Each group spends nine to 11 weeks of the school year on tour, visiting virtually all European countries, along with frequent appearances in Asia, Australia, and the United States.

The concert, conducted by the choirs director Oliver Stech, will include works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Henry Purcell, Hans Leo Hassler, Mozart, and Joseph Haydn.

Mr. Stech, responsible for the boys' repertoire, conducts choir and solo rehearsals and prepares the boys for the sung services in Viennas Imperial Chapel. In addition, he trains the boys for productions at Vienna's two opera houses and for performances with conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, Franz Welser-Most, and Simone Young. Appearances on radio and television, sound recordings, and film shoots are also part of the choirs routine.

Mr. Stech conducted the boys on the set of Curt Faudon's films Songs for Mary and Good Shepherds in Palestine, Italy, and Austria.
All the Signs King Charles III Is Actually Trying to Fix His Relationship With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

King Charles III and his youngest son, Prince Harry, briefly put aside their rift after Queen Elizabeth IIs death. Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, were coincidentally in Europe when the late queen fell ill and died on September 8. The couple immediately canceled their plans and flew to Scotland to be with the royal family at Balmoral Castle.

The family put on a united front when Harry and Meghan joined a walkabout with Prince William and Kate Middleton to greet mourners outside. And, the Sussexes attended the queens funeral at Westminster Abbey. But as soon as those services were over, Harry and Meghan left the United Kingdom and went straight home to Montecito, California. Is it possible, though, that King Charles is actually trying to fix his relationship with Harry and Meghan?

His Majesty, King Charles III | Yui Mok  WPA Pool/Getty Images

King Charles III briefly mentioned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in his first public address

Now that Charles is king, his wife Camilla Parker Bowles has the title of queen consort. Taking the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales  as they are now known  is Prince William and Kate Middleton. The heir and his wife also have the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.

King Charles made the announcement of Camilla, William, and Kates new titles during his first public address as the monarch. At the same time, he briefly mentioned Harry and Meghan. But seemingly indicated they were not part of his plans for the royal family moving forward.

I want to also express my love for Harry and Meghan, as they continue to build their lives overseas, was all the king had to say about his youngest son and daughter-in-law.

Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate also posed for a new royal photo that was released to the public, indicating they were the new royal fab four in a new, more modern monarchy.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been speaking out against the royal family since Megxit

Harry and Meghan first announced their intention to step down as senior working royals in January 2020, an event thats since been dubbed Megxit. The couple left the UK with their son, Archie Harrison, and headed to Canada before they settled in California.

In early 2021, the Sussexes sat down for a primetime interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they accused the royal family of racism. Meghan also claimed she was suffering from mental health issues and was suicidal, but was denied care by the royal family. Meanwhile, Harry said he was trapped his entire life.

I was trapped, but I had no idea I was trapped. My father and my brother are trapped. They dont get to leave. And I have compassion for that, Harry said, adding he felt let down by his father.

Harry also revealed during that interview that his father had stopped taking his calls since Megxit, and theres a lot to work through here because Harry feels really let down. And, even though he said that healing his relationship with his father was a priority, Harry has written a tell-all book that is expected to be released soon.

All of the signs King Charles is actually trying to fix his relationship with Harry and Meghan

Even though it may look like Charles relationship with Harry and Meghan is fractured beyond repair, there are a few signs that indicate the new king is actually trying to fix his relationship with his son and daughter-in-law.

In a new video of Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss meeting with Charles, royal fans were quick to notice that in his office at Buckingham Palace, the king has one of Harry and Meghans wedding photos on display alongside other family photos.

Royal expert Katie Nicholl told Fox News that Charles has been devastated by how things have spiraled since Harry and Meghan left the family. And, she believes that His Majesty is hopeful there will be a reconciliation.

I think we saw that in the very public olive branches that were extended to Harry and Meghan. After the queens death, particularly in that first speech that Charles gave to the nation, he spoke of his love for Harry and Meghan. He addressed them on first-name terms, Nicholl explained.

Nicholl also noted that King Charles made the concession to allow Harry to wear his military uniform when he was standing vigil by the queens coffin.

Will titles for his grandchildren be a final olive branch?

The final olive branch that Charles could extend to his son and daughter-in-law, according to Nicholl, would be princely titles for his grandchildren  Prince Harry and Meghans two kids, Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Meghan and Harry blamed the lack of a princely title for their son on racism during their Oprah interview.

Will that be the final olive branch that is offered? I think well hear about that imminently, Nicholl said.

According to a royal rule set out by King George V in 1917, all royal children and grandchildren of the sovereign through a male line can hold the titles of prince and princess. This means that Archie and Lili should be Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet upon the accession of King Charles.

However, when the royal line of succession was updated to reflect William and Kates new titles on the royal website, no changes were made to Master Archie and Miss Lilis name. And, the Sussexes were pushed down to the very bottom of the line next to Prince Andrew.

Will Harry and Meghan attend King Charles coronation?

Charles coronation has been scheduled for May 6, 2023, and this event could let royal fans know exactly where the new king stands with his youngest son. If Harry and Meghan attend the kings coronation, it could be a hint that theyve started to reconcile.

However, considering that day is Archies fourth birthday, its possible that the Sussexes wont attend. Which would have been unthinkable just a few short years ago.

Its going to be a decision for Harry and Megan to make, Nicholl said. In my book, The New Royals, I do talk about how behind the scenes, Camilla has done really everything she can to try and bring this family back together, and press the importance of trying to move on from this rift, and I think she would be very pleased, as would the king for Harry and Meghan to be at the coronation.

It remains to be seen what Harry and Meghan will decide.

RELATED: Does Meghan Markle Have to Curtsy to Kate Middleton Now That She Is the Princess of Wales?
Josh Duggar has been housed at Federal Correctional Institution Seagoville in Texas since late June. The former Counting On star was convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography late last year. And this past spring, he was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison.

Apparently, the disgraced reality star is having a difficult time adjusting to his new life behind bars, as he is hundreds of miles away from his wife Anna Duggar and their seven children. According to a new report, he just lost the prison job he had after only two short weeks.

Former Counting On star Josh Duggar | Washington County Sheriffs Office via Getty Images

Josh Duggar is not the only high profile inmate at FCI Seagoville

Duggar was taken to the Washington County Jail in Arkansas in December 2021 after his conviction. Then after his sentencing in May, he was transferred to FCI Seagoville. The 830-acre facility is located just outside of Dallas, and is described as a low security federal correctional institution with an adjacent minimum security camp and detention center.

Approximately 40 percent of the prisons 1,800 inmates are sex offenders. Duggar is housed along with ex-Sesame Street composer Fernando Rivas, who is serving 15 years for child porn offenses. Another high-profile inmate on camp is Chris Epps, the former commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections who was sentenced to nearly 20 years in 2017 for taking $1.4 million in bribes.

The former Counting On star cant keep a job in prison

Inmates at FCI Seagoville are required to go to school or have a job. After arriving at camp, Duggar was apparently given a tutoring job in the education department making 23 cents per hour. However, according to OK! Magazine, Duggar was fired from the job after just two weeks.

Josh seems to piss many people off as he thinks he knows it all. I am not sure exactly why he got fired, but I am sure it had to do with his arrogant attitude and clashing with other inmates, an insider dished.

A new photo from behind prison walls has emerged that gives the public their first glimpse at Duggar as federal prison inmate #42501-509. He appears to be standing in a prison dayroom (common area) and sipping a cup of coffee.

Duggar isnt wearing a prison uniform, though. Instead, hes wearing a brown t-shirt and sweatpants that he bought from the prison commissary  with his prison photo ID hanging around his neck via a lanyard. Hes let his beard and hair grow out, too, making him difficult to recognize.

Josh Duggars legal team is appealing his conviction

In early October, the former Counting On stars legal team filed to appeal his guilty conviction and sentence in an attempt to free him from prison. They claimed that Duggars former co-worker Caleb Williams is the person to blame for watching the illegal content found on Duggars work computer at his used car lot.

Williams worked at Wholesale Motorcars, regularly used the HP computer, was extremely tech savvy, and sent Duggar a text message on May 7, 2019 offering to watch the lot during the coming week, the court filing read.

The filing also claimed that law enforcement failed to meaningfully investigate Williams as a potential perpetrator in the charges against Duggar. Williams has issued his own statement, claiming that this is a big PR stunt and Duggar is making these claims because he wants his freedom.

Duggars release date is slated for September 22, 2032, when he is 44 years old. He will then be under supervision for another 20 years, and will not be allowed unsupervised access to children  including his own.

RELATED: Counting On: Josh Duggar Has Some Insane Rules That Anna Duggar Must Obey
Theyre changing the punk music scene  one twerk-filled mosh pit at a time. In 2022, these artists appeared at the Bowery Ballroom for an early concert ahead of the Mercury Prize. Heres Showbiz Cheat Sheets review of the Nova Twins final performance on the Supernova Tour.

The Nova Twins released their Mercury Prize-nominated album, Supernova

Amy Love and Georgia South of punk duo the Nova Twins | Federica Burelli via TCB Public Relations

The Nova Twins (aka Amy Love and Georgia South), are the English duo behind punk originals Antagonist and Choose Your Fighter, off Supernova. In 2020, the Nova Twins collaborated with Bring Me the Horizon for 11.

In 2022, these artists performed in New York City  just hours before the Mercy Prize award ceremony, where Supernova is nominated for Album of the Year along with Harry Styles Harrys House, Self Esteems Prioritise Pleasure, Wet Legs self-titled album, and other productions.

The Nova Twins bring their own Fire & Ice to New York Citys Bowery Ballroom

These artists are booked and busy, especially with their Bowery Ballroom marking the end of their US tour. Even if it was unintentional, the opener spilled the beans about the girls status with the Mercury Prize. As a result, they were heading back to the UK that night.

Fans didnt seem to mind, though, especially with the Nova Twins spending extra time and attention on their New York fans  that even meant meeting attendees and signing posters until the openers set.

We always see our band as a beautiful long journey full of peaks and troughs and ups and downs, Amy Love said. But were here tonight in New York It still blows my mind.

Georgia added that she felt underdressed compared to her fans. Amy agreed, saying people know how to show up here.

Some came dressed in their best punk outfits, with such an early start time, some adorned hoodies and converse. One person had a Muse t-shirt, With the sun somewhat shining into the concert venue, it was a one-of-a-kind concert experience, only amplified by head-banging, mosh-pitting moments.

It wouldnt be a Nova Twins concert without both artists jumping into the pit  Georgia with her bass guitar and Amy with her microphone. The artists even thanked their crew and attendees, apologizing for the early performance.

But its a Sunday, Amy noted, so at least you get your evening back.

The Nova Twins return in 2023 with a new LP and another US-based tour

So much energy and, clearly, passion is evident in the Nova Twins music and every note of their live performance. Their strong sense of self is refreshing and exciting  and their love for twerking and mosh-pits is obviously very relatable.

The artists also recently snagged the Best British Breakthrough Award at the Kerrang! Awards. With their LP dropping in June (and more United States tour dates scheduled for 2023), well be keeping an eye on these punk princesses.

RELATED: Concert Review: Tkay Maidza Left New York City Crowd Shook Along Her Last Year Was Weird Tour
On the surface, Power Book III: Raising Kanan is a gritty drama, but its more than that. The show follows the coming-of-age stories of Kanan Stark (Mekai Curtis) and his cousin, Jukebox (Hailey Kilgrove). Kanan was raised by his drug queenpin mother, Raquel Raq Thomas (Patina Miller). Abandoned by her mother, Kenya (LeToya Luckett), Jukebox was raised by Raq and her father, Marvin (London Brown).

Kenya reentered Jukes life after 16 years to ultimately betray her. Now fans are convinced Jukebox will kill her own mother.

Hailey Kilgore as Jukebox in Power Book III: Raising Kanan | Starz

Kenya betrayed Jukebox on Power Book III: Raising Kanan

Jukebox has been devastated since the end of Season 1. Following the death of her girlfriend, Nicole (Annabelle Zasowski), and a physical fight with her father, she reached out to her long-absentee mother, Kenya, with the hopes of reconnecting.

Jukebox willingly put on dresses and made herself uncomfortable trying to fit into Kenyas religious world. However, that wasnt good enough. In episode 208, A House Is Not A Home. Kenya betrayed Jukebox, tricking her into a violent conversion therapy session.

The event was so horrific and terrifying that it ruined the mother/daughters fragile relationship and harden Jukes heart for the future. Now, fans believe Jukebox might even kill Kenya.

Jukebox could kill Kenya, according to this fan theory

In Power, adult Kanan (Curtis 50 Cent Jackson) told Tariq (Michael Rainey Jr.) that you arent a real killer until you kill someone that you love. As we know, Raq raised Jukebox, and shes no fan of Kenyas. Though Marvin has already confronted Kenya about her actions toward their daughter, its likely that Kenya will have to hear from Raq too.

Knowing how Raq operates, she could even coax Jukebox into pulling the trigger. Though this might seem farfetched to some, one of the major themes in the Power Universe is family killing family, and there are many examples of that throughout all four of the shows.

Adult Jukebox was capable of anything, but were not certain we can say the same about the teen.

Kenya had one job to do as mother and she burned all that to ground smh #RaisingKanan pic.twitter.com/kCi5JWxvq5  Raising Kanan (@RaisingKanan) October 11, 2022

Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 3 could define Jukebox forever

So far, Jukebox cant seem to catch a break. She has been hurt by both her parents; she lost her first love, her uncle betrayed her by giving her song to someone else, and countless other things. As Jukebox drifts further away from her family, she is transforming into the woman we met in Power.

In fact, we think she may even begin leaning on Detective Howard (Omar Epps) for guidance if she finds out the secret behind Kanans parentage. Howard could be the key to Jukeboxs future career as a dirty cop.
Sister Wives: Fans Roast Controlling Kody Brown After He Claims Christine Didnt Have Permission to Move Him Out

Sister Wives fans roasted controlling Kody Brown after claims his wife Christine didnt have permission to move him out of their home. The Brown patriarch confessed to TLCs cameras that Christine took the lead in ending their marriage and clearing his things from their shared residence. However, fans believe Kody is a narcissist whose difficulty moving forward without his third wife has bruised his ego.

Kody Brown of TLCs Sister Wives | TLC/Twitter

Telling Truely was a watershed moment in the relationship of Kody and Christine Brown

On Oct. 16, Sister Wives fans saw Christines conflict over sharing her divorce from Kody with thier youngest daughter, Truely. After she and Kody agreed to tell the little girl together, Truely overheard her mother talking to her oldest daughter Mykelti about relocating to Utah.

This moment significantly altered Christines plans. Off-camera, she shared the news of the end of her and Kodys marriage to their youngest child, whose response, according to Christine, was heartbreaking.

However, Christine maintained that moving to Utah would allow Truely to be surrounded by family. She hoped this change would allow her daughter a better experience than life in Arizona. However, Kody kept hammering home his point he was still the head of Christines household, and she overstepped his boundaries after declaring she wanted out of their marriage.

Fans roast controlling Kody Brown after he says Christine didnt ask permission to move his things out

"I didn't give her permission to move me out." #SisterWives pic.twitter.com/EdthYqEc2O  TLC Network (@TLC) October 16, 2022

In a Sister Wives confessional, Kody declared, I dont want to move my stuff out. Christine moved my stuff out. I didnt want her to move me out. I didnt give her permission to move me out.

Ive tried to give my wives sovereignty to give them control over their lives. In doing so, I made it, so I had no control over mine. It feels hostile to me. I feel like shes done this as a backstab. She could have started talking to me about our relationship long ago. To me, it seems rushed, Kody concluded.

In response, fans called out the Brown patriarch on Twitter for his reaction to Christines decision.

Very controlling. Run Christine, wrote one fan.

Hes playing the victim! What a narcissist! Like he needs permission for Christine to leave and to remove his stuff from her house. His arrogance is his greatest weakness, tweeted a second viewer.

This controlling dude needs to take a real look at how he treats all of these women, and they should all move on and live their life without him! She bruised his ego! exclaimed a third social media user.

If I recall, Christine told him she was unhappy with their relationship in Utah. It shouldnt be such a surprise, declared a fourth Sister Wives viewer.

Kody admits his original idea for plural marriage seems dysfunctional

The Brown patriarch was hopeful that after splitting from Christine, he would be able to maintain a relationship with her and their children. Kody acknowledged hes struggling with sort of a state of regret about the state of their once-happy union and the dissolution of a family ideal.

Its weird to be left, he admitted in an Instagram clip. Its made me question getting into plural marriage, my faith, and religion. The message we had to the world about functional polygamy seems so dysfunctional now.

Ive got what feels like very strained relationships with a bunch of the kids. I dont feel like Ive got the respect I should have, he concluded. No, Im not OK. Im here. Im in a funk. Its this loneliness combined with bitterness with the entire family.

RELATED: Sister Wives Janelle Brown Quiet Quitting the Family, and Kody Brown Wont Notice Say Fans
Workruit also aims to extend its recruitment platform in the US markets by Q1 2023 with the support of the strategic investor. (Photo By Arrangement)

HYDERABAD: AI-powered career and recruitment platform Workruit has announced here on Monday that it has raised over $500,000 in pre-Series A round led by the family office of Kantamaneni from the US. The company will utilize the funds to scale the product, expand its operations anf focus on customer acquisition.

As part of the expansion plans, Workruit also aims to extend its recruitment platform in the US markets by Q1 2023 with the support of the strategic investor.

The company provides a suite of B2B and B2C solutions, including an AI-powered resume builder and a job search & recruitment platform. The platform aims to empower job seekers to achieve their career goals and make their next career move with its flagship product, 'Workruit Resume Builder'.

The career platform has created more than 1M resumes, most created by job seekers in India. Workruit is already trusted by over 2.5M+ job seekers who are registered on their platform to date. It also operates the Digital Employment Exchange of Telangana (DEET) platform in collaboration with Telangana State and is currently in talks with other Governments.

CEO & Founder of Workruit, Manikanth Challa says, In the future of work, the employee is the enterprise. Companies have HR teams, recruiters, and sophisticated technology to manage their pipelines, but all that most job seekers have is a spreadsheet. We're levelling the playing field by building the infrastructure with Workruit that enables people to advance their careers confidently. Workruit is developing tools to assist people in navigating the future of work, where career agility is more important than ever. In addition, our recruitment and career platform champions both the candidate and the enterprise, allowing both to connect easily and network."

"The investment establishes a strong strategic partnership that will propel Workruit into its next growth phase. Having them as partners will enable us to capitalize on the numerous opportunities that we see ahead of us," he adds.

While many players are solving problems for recruiters, we have yet to come across platforms that are focused on candidates. Workruit is developing a distinctively powerful and personalized career platform that is tech-first and candidate-first, beginning with an automated resume offering. They also have a long list of major employers who use their technology, including Axis Bank, Quess Corp, Big Basket, Swiggy, Colleges, and Governments. We are thrilled to be collaborating with Workruit as they transform the hiring market, said Sreenivasarao Lavu of Kantamaneni Family Office.

Designed on the concept of "swipe right to get matched", Workruit lets employers hire skilled talent instantly. Workruit currently is also training entry-level talent to help employers hire trained professionals.
Writer/director Martin McDonagh makes a substantial return to filmmaking after 2017s Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri with the dark comedy-drama, The Banshees of Inisherin. He once again pulls out awards-worthy performances from an impressive cast, but its his ability to tell a very unique story that is both perpetually absorbing and comically endearing that makes this one of the years most unforgettable knock-outs.

The Banshees of Inisherin marks the end of a friendship

Colin Farrell as Padraic Suilleabhain | Jonathan Hession / Searchlight Pictures

Padraic Suilleabhain (Colin Farrell) lives with his sister, Siobhan (Kerry Condon), on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. They live a quiet life taking care of their livestock, while Padraic spends much of his free time with his best friend, Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson). Padraic is shocked to discover one day that Colm suddenly put an end to their friendship.

The Banshees of Inisherin tells the story of a kind man whos determined to repair their broken friendship at any cost. As a result, Colm feels the need to put his foot down to show how serious he is about this decision. He gives his long-time friend an ultimatum with brutal, life-long consequences.

The space between morality and mortality

McDonagh sets the status quo in The Banshees of Inisherin as Padraic makes his way through the beautiful remote landscape, greeting passersby. However, that world is shattered when Colm refuses to acknowledge him in any meaningful way. Padraic doesnt immediately catch on, requiring his buddy to bluntly tell him I just dont like you no more, leaving him with just Siobhan and Jenny the Donkey. He refuses to just let things be, continuously coming up with new reasons to try again.

The story is set in 1923 toward the end of the Irish Civil War. Inisherins residents can hear the blasts coming from the mainland, but Padraic and Colm are unleashing a more psychological civil war amidst their own community. Several of them shift between observer and active participant, as it generates an increasing tension that runs amuck throughout each establishment they run into one another at. Siobhan speaks of the islands loneliness, which Padraic initially brushes off, but its only so long until isolation begins to weigh heavily on his soul.

The Banshees of Inisherin is largely a conversation piece on the space between mortality and morality, and how they impact one another. McDonagh wisely weaves the two together and uses the art of music to bridge the gap. His screenplay is about the sudden end of a friendship and a battle that unfolds, but there are fascinating character arcs brewing underneath the surface. They strengthen the narrative and give Padraic, Colm, and Siobhan individual stakes that make them fully-realized characters.

The Banshees of Inisherin is a glorious dark comedy with an alluring character study

L-R: Colin Farrell as Padraic Suilleabhain and Barry Keoghan as Dominic Kearney | Jonathan Hession / Searchlight Pictures

McDonaghs narrative unfolds on a remote island and his work with cinematographer Ben Davis fully captures its impossible beauty and desolation. Despite wide open landscapes, the picture often takes on a claustrophobic atmosphere as Padraic and Colm try to dodge one anothers presence. The colorful exteriors contrast with the dark interiors in a way that successfully captures both the light and the varying shades of Padraic and Colms friendship.

Farrell delivers the best performance of his career as Padraic. He allows the characters subtleties to breathe, but he also demonstrates excellent control in his bigger moments. The heart of McDonaghs narrative is explored through an exquisite monologue about kindness, which Farrell brings to life with zeal. However, Condon is an undeniable powerhouse, consistently stealing scenes in a brilliant fashion.

McDonaghs fourth feature film feels like it could be an urban legend of sorts. Its a cautionary tale of friendship, loneliness, and the chances we take to grow. McDonaghs dark sense of humor compliments the point hes getting at while instilling an infectious quality. The Banshees of Inisherin is an utterly remarkable blend of drama and black comedy thats unwavering in its perspectives on what it means to be kind.

The Banshees of Inisherin comes to theaters on Oct. 21.

RELATED: Venice Film Festival 2022: 13 Biggest Movies You Wont Want to Miss
International con artist Shimon Hayut was the focus of the true crime documentary, The Tinder Swindler, which streamed earlier this year on Netflix. It depicted Hayut, who went by Simon Leviev, draining the bank accounts of several women after convincing them he was the heir to an Israeli diamond fortune.

Despite stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the women featured in the documentary, Hayut was never held fully accountable for his crimes.

The real-life diamond tycoon, Lev Leviev, and his family are now fighting back. They are taking legal action against the Tinder Swindler for a slew of charges, including impersonation. They are furious at his fraudulent activity, claiming this is only the beginning of many lawsuits they plan to file.

The women scammed by the notorious Tinder Swindler

Tinder Swindler Who Scammed Women Out of Millions Officially Banned From Dating App https://t.co/jQJLdhkxyS pic.twitter.com/vofJ10PZgE  BallerAlert (@balleralert) February 5, 2022

Cecilie Fjellhoy considered herself an expert on the Tinder dating app. When she matched with the handsome playboy, it didnt take long for him to reel her in. Hayut took the unsuspecting target on lavish trips in his private jet and yacht. He showered her with gifts and undevoted attention. When he asked to use her American Express card, she let him use it until enormous bills started piling up.

Meanwhile, Pernilla Sjoholm befriended Hayut and started lending him large sums of money. The Tinder Swindler convinced her he was involved in a business deal gone wrong and was being pursued by his enemies.

Once the women realized they were part of an elaborate scam, it was too late. They both lost a substantial sum of money. While trying to expose him, they discovered several other victims with the help of Norwegian journalists.

Ayleen Charlotte met Hayut on Tinder and dated him for a year. She saw an interview and realized she was involved with a con man. Charlotte contacted authorities. In 2019, the fraudster returned to his native Israel and received 19 months of jail time. He only served five months before being released in 2020.

For those of you who have already binged Tinder Swindler, like us. Youll be happy to know that Simon Leviev is finally being sued by the *real* Leviev family for pretending to be an heir to their diamond fortune to con women (?: @simonleviev) pic.twitter.com/v1bNtrnIba  What's Trending (@WhatsTrending) March 1, 2022

According to People, he is responsible for swindling an estimated $10 million from people across the globe. They reported, Hes walking free and pursuing a Hollywood career  while the women he swindled remain in debt to this day.

Will Simon Hayut finally pay for his crimes?

Guy Ophir, a lawyer for the Leviev family, filed a lawsuit in the Tel Aviv Magistrates Court in Israel on behalf of the billionaire diamond magnate. The complaint stated, He is a swindler and a fraud who changed his name for criminal purposes.

It accuses Hayut of slander, cheating, lying, and harming men, women, and businesses in Israel and worldwide. According to NBC News, Ophir said in a statement that this was only the beginning of a number of lawsuits.

Simon Hayut, The Tinder Swindler, is arrested and accused of fraud in 2019 | TORE KRISTIANSEN/AFP via Getty Images

The Leviev family lawyer said they intend to file a monetary suit against Hayut and any of his affiliates, including websites with joint ventures and anyone that attempts to profit from doing business with him. He claims, Anyone that will try to capitalize from this scheme will be sued.

In an exclusive interview with Page Six, Chagit Leviev, CEO of Leviev Group USA, claims her family has suffered for years because of Hayuts unscrupulous actions.

Chagit said that while they knew he was defrauding companies and other women that reached out, it was difficult to make him stop, despite numerous reports to the police. The daughter of the Israeli diamond tycoon said Hayut believed he owned this company which is very sick and very crazy.

The Tinder Swindler is still making money on Cameo

The Tinder Swindler, Simon Leviev, is now on Cameo charging $200 for personalized video messages. Its outrageous @BookCameo allows convicted criminals on their platform to profit off their crimes. pic.twitter.com/KexTjezyHc  Mike Sington (@MikeSington) February 18, 2022

A spokesperson for Match.com, who owns Tinder, verified that Simon Leviev is not active on Tinder under any of his known aliases. He is also banned from Plenty of Fish and OkCupid dating apps. Shortly after the documentary aired, the con man deleted his Instagram account.

Hayut is still active on Cameo, a money-making platform that encourages users to pay for personalized video messages from their favorite celebrities. With his newfound fame, the Tindler Swindler is spending his time recording birthday and congratulatory wishes to fans of his bad behavior and does not admit any wrongdoing.

In an exclusive interview with Inside Edition, Hayut said, I was just a single guy that wanted to meet some girls on Tinder.

RELATED: The Tinder Swindlers Victims Have a GoFundMe Page
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, left, and Shelby Country Historical Commission members Mark White, Len Hamner, Teresa Hill Mays, Cherokee Nation citizen Jason Terrell and Andrew Pouncey stand together after the appointment of all members and the reappointment of Pouncey as SCHC chairman on May 18.
A $34 million grant through the National Telecommunications and Information Administrations Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program will allow Cherokee Nation to expand high-speed Internet networks, improving access to education, jobs, and health care in unserved Cherokee communities.
Incumbent Democrat Liz Linehan will contest a newly-redrawn 103rd House District that now includes more of Cheshire, part of Hamden, and part of Wallingford, against a relative political newcomer in 73-year-old Republican challenger Randy Raines.

The longtime business executive, former town constable, and retired Marine puts fiscal discipline and personal integrity at the center of his platform.

Where Im coming from is that I owned and ran a business for over 30 years and some of that expertise needs to be in Hartford, says Raines, who was president of the Connecticut Microwave Company, located in Cheshire. That meant paying the bills, he says, as well as being a good steward of inflows and outflows.

For Linehan, affordability for residents is the most important issue of her campaign. Im extremely proud of the work weve done to get our fiscal house in order, which prompted Moodys Analytics to rate Connecticut one of the top states prepared for a recession, scoring high marks for our Rainy Day Fund, affordable college education, and accessible Medicaid and Unemployment systems, she explained.

Raines, however, believes that Cheshire is an example of Connecticuts too-high cost of living, in part because of the politicians weve had. Raines says, They get into office and then the tendency is to spend other peoples money and then they keep getting re-elected.

His primary goal as a representative would be identifying where the excess spending is in Hartford and getting it under control. When they do get a surplus, thats great, but the first instinct is to spend it, rather than returning it to taxpayers.

Raines thinks Hartford often tries to raise tax revenue without voters noticing, pointing to the gas tax holiday that did little to reduce diesel prices. The average person doesnt see it, because they dont run a diesel vehicle, but theres nothing that didnt get (to grocery shelves) without coming via truck or train.

Linehan, in response, stated that In 2007, before I was elected to the legislature, state law adjusted the diesel tax to be relative to the market price. Higher wholesale diesel prices increased due to worldwide supply issues, thereby increasing the diesel tax by 9 cents. I would support a rollback of that increase, mainly because of its effect on small businesses, and that diesel fuel can be used to heat your home in a pinch; however, it must be in conjunction with the extension of the tax holiday on home heating oil, not in lieu of it.

Without mentioning Linehan by name, Raines says that he would favor term limits. Term limits arent a panacea, he acknowledged, but they would, he believes, help the issue of irresponsible spending.

Party politics at this moment is certainly something to which both candidates are giving serious consideration.

Linehan, who has been in office since 2017, sought and received the endorsement of the Independent Party for the first time. I was proud to receive it, she says, adding, I try not to get partisan, because I enjoy working with some of my Republican colleagues, but I was very disappointed when not one single Republican representing Cheshire voted yes on the great things we were able to do for our town this year, like saving Cheshire taxpayers $28 million on school modernization. Additionally, there wasnt one Republican representing Cheshire who supported the child tax credit, the elimination of income tax on retirement income, or the extension of the gas tax holiday. When I knock on doors, residents of all affiliations tell me how helpful these things are this year. In times like these, Im proud to be putting dollars back in my constituents pockets. But those no votes just remind me how important it is to elect representatives who put people before politics, and this year, that was clearly Cheshires only two Democrats elected to the state legislature.

Raines says hes probably a little bit more liberal than some of the other members of the local Republican Town Committee, though less so than the Democrats. We have our disagreements, he admits, saying that he leans more conservative on fiscal issues than on social issues. His website addresses medical freedom, for example: I support medical freedom. I believe its an individuals right to decide, with input from his or her physician, whats best for them and their families, including their children. While the government may provide guidance, the final decision is ultimately the right of the individual.

He emphasizes his first-hand knowledge of the regulatory challenges businesses face in Connecticut. (The state) makes the cost of doing business so high, he says, pointing to United Technology as an example. They have a huge operation down in Florida now, where its just more friendly for business. Id like to get that back here. The state used to be teeming with manufacturing jobs. Theyre not gone, but theyre not where they used to be.

While pro-business, Raines also describes the rampant pollution he used to see on the banks of the Naugatuck River as a young man. Old-timers used to say you could tell what was going on in the plating factories in Waterbury by the color of the banks. He tells the story of being a young pilot completing a training flight over New York City in the early 1970s. It wasnt a navigation problem. The sky looked like a greasy thumb spread on a white shirt. Seeing the effects of unchecked emissions set my mind on environmental issues, but (the government) can get carried away with it, too.

One environmental initiative supported by Linehan is to offer cash incentives and grants for the tertiary costs associated with installing solar panels, like tree removal or roof repair. These are barriers to going solar for many homeowners, and helping with those costs will allow more people to bring down their energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint. We can do all of this without touching the Rainy Day Fund, she believes.

Another campaign issue for Raines concerns criticisms of police departments. Not all police are great, he says, but cops know who the bad cops are, and departments should be given more leeway to police themselves. His campaign website further elaborates: I believe this determination is the responsibility of the Chief of Police. I support giving the Chief the power to terminate, with an appeals board made up of officers equal to or senior in rank to the discharged officer. The decision to terminate should never reside with bureaucrats or politicians.

Raines also address the question of immigration, saying, This country was made great by immigrants. We need immigrants. Companies are desperate for employees. But we also need to get back to the idea of the melting pot so that we can all be Americans. He references the Eisenhower pause put on immigration during the 1950s, to give those different enclaves, such as Little Italys or Chinatown, an opportunity to integrate into American culture. Raines worries that too many new immigrants have put excess strain on American unity, while hurting wages.

Linehan is no less aware of the fiscal stresses her constituents are facing, but even with all this work to ensure affordability, residents of Connecticut still need to be reassured that our legislators will protect our democracy, ensure reproductive rights, and guarantee residents the right to marry whomever they choose. My constituents have my solemn word that I will always make those points a priority.
When the hospital staff called me to my patients bedside, I could see her distress was severe. She was agitated and breathless, her face etched with discomfort and frustration. I cant take this anymore, she cried.

She had suffered for years with chronic illness and had been admitted to my intensive care unit with acute complications. She was debilitated and exhausted, and her grief and frustration had come to a head. I just want to die, she wept.

Her friend was standing next to me at the bedside, and he was clearly upset by her distress. Just ask for MAID, he told her, using the popular acronym for medical assistance in dying, often referred to as physician-assisted death. Then you can end it all now.

I was startled by his statement. Though physician-assisted death is available in Canada, where I live, I had not expected the conversation to move in that direction. Yet I saw that he was feeling desperate and helpless at the sight of her distress.

After some gentle exploration, we quickly realized that the patient didnt really want to die; rather, she needed relief from her pain and anxiety and to understand her acute illness and what it meant for her future. She still wanted time with her loved ones. We worked to address her symptoms and concerns, and she soon felt calmer and more comfortable. Watching her rest and converse with family made it hard to believe she was the same person who only hours earlier had cried out to have her life ended.

What is more unbelievable is that the ability to have ones life ended on short notice is an increasingly acceptable option for Canadian patientswith implications that will reverberate around the globe.

When I was young, I dreamed of being a doctor. The profession of medicine seemed a noble calling, at once intellectually demanding and profoundly humanistic. I devoted myself to the long journey required to become a fully qualified physician.

In the early days, my idealism about medicines power to dignify the suffering of fellow human beings prevented me from appreciating its susceptibility to broader cultural and social changesor appreciating the ways in which medicine has, throughout history, served to undercut rather than protect that dignity.

In 2014, not long after I had finished my training as a specialist in intensive care medicine, serious conversations began in the Canadian medical profession and the wider culture about the possibility of legalizing physician-assisted death.

A high-profile legal case involving two women with degenerative diseases seeking to end their lives garnered a wave of public support for the practice. Death was increasingly regarded as an act of compassion rather than an existential threat. Many of my fellow physicians joined in advocating for this shifting moral consensus. Society wanted the option of physician-assisted death, they argued, so medical professionals had a responsibility to provide it as a matter of compassion and respect for patients.

Image: Illustration by Hokyoung Kim

I distinctly recall the day when it dawned on me that those of us who refused to participate in assisted death would be regarded as physicians of questionable ethics. We might be seen as more concerned for our own personal moral hang-ups than for the welfare of the patient. Where causing death was once a vice, it was soon to be a virtue.

In the name of moral progress, the profession was taking on a new role and assuming a new power unto itself: the power not only to save life but also to take it. The ground was shifting beneath our feet. What did this mean for those who refused to shift with it?

Sue Rodriguez was a 42-year-old woman from British Columbia with a dreaded disease: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease). Faced with progressive disability, in 1993 she appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada to overturn the Criminal Codes prohibition on assisted suicide so she could seek one herself. The court denied her appeal and upheld the prohibition, stating that this state policy is part of our fundamental conception of the sanctity of life. The court also cited concerns about abuse and the great difficulty in creating appropriate safeguards.

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Twenty years later, a very similar case was brought before the court. This time, things were different. Years of observing liberal assisted-suicide regimes in Belgium and the Netherlands seemed to show that safeguards could protect the vulnerable from being euthanized against their will.

Canadian social values had shifted as well, according to leading Canadian bioethicists. An influential report prepared by members of the Royal Society of Canada in 2011 claimed that the attempts at linking appeals to dignity and the sanctity of human life have been widely criticized by philosophers and that the value of individual autonomy or self-determination  should be seen as paramount among the values over which there is broad [Canadian] societal consensus.

The report concluded that

there is a moral right, grounded in autonomy, for competent and informed individuals who have decided after careful consideration of the relevant facts, that their continuing life is not worth living, to non-interference with requests for assistance with suicide or voluntary euthanasia.

Legal permissibility soon followed moral permissibility in short order. Gloria Taylor, who also suffered with ALS, brought her case to the Supreme Court of Canada. She sought the possibility of assisted death, saying, I live in apprehension that my death will be slow, difficult, unpleasant, painful, undignified and inconsistent with the values and principles I have tried to live by.

Other witnesses in the courts proceedings testified that they suffer from the knowledge that they lack the ability to bring a peaceful end to their lives at a time and in a manner of their own choosing.

In a landmark decision issued in 2015, the Supreme Court held that the criminal prohibition on physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, specifically the right to life, liberty, and security of person.

Grounding the freedom to be killed in the right to life might seem counterintuitive, but the court reasoned that the criminal prohibition on physician-assisted death could force some individuals to take their own lives prematurely, for fear that they would be incapable of doing so when they reached the point where suffering was intolerable. Moreover, the court deemed the prohibition on physician-assisted death as an interference with individual decisions about bodily integrity and medical carerights of liberty and security.

One year later, the Canadian government followed the courts instruction and legalized medically assisted death. Initially the law stipulated that assisted suicide was restricted to those with grievous and irremediable suffering for whom death was reasonably foreseeable. However, as the practice has grown in frequency and social acceptance, the restrictions intended to safeguard vulnerable populations have been progressively eliminated.

In 2021, the reasonably foreseeable death requirement was removed, and otherwise healthy people with physical disabilities became eligible for assisted suicide. In the course of parliamentary deliberations on that change in law, I testified before the Canadian Senate alongside two women with visible and severe physical disabilities. They shared eloquently about the adverse impact the change in law would have on the disability community in Canada.

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I found it gut-wrenching that Canada would declare them eligible to have their lives ended, while someone like me without any recognizable physical disability was barred from medically assisted death. What did this say about our societys valuation of the disability community?

In the past five years, the number of patients dying with physician assistance in Canada has grown tenfold, from around 1,000 in 2016 to more than 10,000 in 20213.3 percent of all deaths in Canada that year, according to official government reporting.

The available data suggest that patients are not being coerced against their will into physician-assisted death, and yet the culture of death (a term I initially resisted as needlessly provocative) has taken hold in insidious and surprising ways. Assisted death is no longer seen as a desperate option of last resort but rather as one therapeutic option among many, a reasonable and effective means of definitively resolving suffering offered not only to the dying but also to those whose lives are not regarded as worth living.

Some patients with disabilities or mental illness reported that assisted death was proposed to them without their instigation. Patients have sought and obtained euthanasia because they were unable to access affordable housing. There are even reports that patients have received physician-assisted death based on misdiagnosis, discovered at autopsy. Next year, Canada will expand the law to allow patients to obtain euthanasia for mental illness reasons. Some are even pushing to allow it in certain cases for children and youth.

Once death is deemed a form of health care, health care providers will be expected to offer it.

The logic of assisted death has proven inexorable: If death is therapy that addresses psychological wounds of suffering and the feeling that life is pointless, then who shouldnt be considered eligible?

It was clear this moral evolution has placed immense pressure on doctors who refuse to participate in assisted death. The pressure on medical professionals is not so much to perform the act of ending the life as it is to knowingly refer a patient to someone who will. But a referral is no light thing; we are culpable if we knowingly send our patients to a doctor who will treat them in a manner deemed unethical.

The famous Austrian physician Hans Asperger recently fell into disgrace for his involvement in the euthanasia of children during the Nazi occupation of Austria. Though he didnt directly kill them, he referred children with intellectual disabilities to a Third Reich clinic that did and became complicit in their deaths.

A number of Canadian doctors have partnered with colleagues around the world to advocate for freedom of conscience in the practice of medicine, but the pressures are immense. Several jurisdictions in Canada became the first in the world to require effective referrals with the threat of potential disciplinary action, and California will shortly join them. Once death is deemed a form of health care, health care providers will be expected to offer it.

Medical assistance in dying is legal in ten US states and the District of Columbia, where thousands have lawfully been prescribed life-ending medications in the past decade and a half. It is also practiced in seven countries.

Christians should pay special attention to the evolution of ethical and cultural acceptance in Canada, because the US may not be far behind. California, where euthanasia has been legal for six years, significantly eased restrictions on assisted death this past January.

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The story of how euthanasia came to Canada runs much deeper than the deliberations of academics or the machinations of courts. It is in part a story of the triumph of aesthetics over ethics.

The case for assisted death was grounded not so much in rational moral deliberation but rather in the appeal of taking control over death. Alasdair MacIntyre observed that emotivism is now the dominant moral paradigm. For emotivists, something is good simply because it feels good. And assisted death, some have argued, just feels right.

It is also the story of how secularism can function in a surprisingly religious manner. There was a time when the fear of death prevented us from using death to escape earthly suffering. Contemplating suicide, Shakespeares Hamlet was dissuaded by the dread of something after death / The undiscovered country, from whose bourn / No traveler returns. Conscience, he concluded, doth make cowards of us all.

If suffering is absurd, it can seem natural, even rational, to choose death.

But if God is dead, conscience no longer calls for caution. We assume we know what death brings. One Canadian provider, sounding more like a priest than a physician, confidently described assisted death as a peaceful transition into the afterlife, a claim that can never be tested in clinical trials.

(This hasnt prevented innovative techniques: Last year, a Swiss euthanasia activist announced plans to test a 3D-printed suicide pod for a stylish and elegant assisted suicide experience). This practice expresses blind faith in a godless but no less religious concept of reality.

Most of all, this is a story of individuals struggling to find meaning in life and purpose in suffering. Quoting Friedrich Nietzsche, Jewish psychiatrist and Auschwitz survivor Viktor Frankl observed: He who has a why to live can bear almost any how. As liberated individuals, we insist on finding our own personal meaning, yet such invented meaning proves hollow when we are confronted with irremediable suffering.

How can suffering possibly be meaningful? What would make life with suffering worthwhile? If suffering is absurd, it can seem natural, even rational, to choose death. As the French author and playwright Albert Camus put it, Dying voluntarily implies that you have recognized, even instinctively  the uselessness of suffering.

How then can we as Christians respond to the matter of physician-assisted death? First, we can call upon reason and the light of nature to affirm absolutely the value of life. Assisted death and suicide is said to be a matter of respect.

But to value a person is to value their existence. A willingness to deliberately end someones existence therefore necessarily devalues the person. If people matter, we must not intentionally end them.

Second, our churches can be communities where assisted death is inconceivable because the weak, the aged, the disabled, and the dying are regarded as priceless members of the community. We can be a place where those who suffer enjoy the devoted companionship, love, and support that reminds them of their value and bears them up through pain. This is, after all, what all of us long for.

Third, we can advocate for access to the very best medical and palliative care for those who are suffering or dying. The palliative care movement was started by a Christian physician, Dame Cicely Saunders, and has transformed medical care at the end of life. Yet access to good palliative care in the US, Canada, and the rest of the world is still far too limited.

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We can also advocate for the right to freedom of conscience for doctors and nurses who care for the sick and dying, so that they are not forced to participate in assisted death.

Finally, the message of the cross of Christ we bear for the world empowers faith, hope, and love in the face of suffering and death. We have faith in Gods purposes for ultimate good, we have hope in Gods power to redeem, and we have the love of God poured into our hearts.

Suffering cannot rob us of our true meaningto know and commune with the one who gave himself for us. Indeed, by Gods grace it serves to deepen that communion. To depart and be with Christ is far better, but with patience and faith, we will wait for the masters call.

Ewan C. Goligher is assistant professor of medicine and physiology at the University of Toronto.



If you or someone you know needs help, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text a crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line at 741741. In Canada, call Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566.

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Angel Lamung had been in the public spotlight since she was a teenager. In Myanmar, she won beauty pageants, appeared in commercials, acted in movies, and sang pop songs.

But last year, when news anchors read her name on the nightly broadcast and the state-run paper printed her photo alongside other popular celebrities, the coverage was different.

The government had put her on a wanted list.

After the military overthrew the democratically elected leadership in Myanmar (also called Burma) in a coup in February 2021, the then-23-year-old Christian was among the crowd who took to the streets and social media in protest. It changed her career forever.

The new regime responded swiftly with escalating violence to quell demonstrators and harsh criminal penalties for those who voiced opposition, especially public figures. Lamung was among 20 celebrities charged under a new law outlawing dissenters. By the United Nations count, 1,500 people were killed in demonstrations and more than 10,000 were unlawfully detained in the first year after the coup.

Lamung managed to escape last spring, fleeing to the United States as a refugee. From the safety of a spare bedroom in a family friends house on the East Coast, she fundraises for humanitarian aid and speaks out in support of the largest civil disobedience movement in Myanmars history.

I would rather leave everything that I love than give in to the dictatorship, Lamung remarked in a clip on her YouTube channel.

Back in Myanmar, the government froze Lamungs bank accounts and she faces arrest if she returns. Her friends and fellow activists send dispatches from the Thai and Indian borders, where theyre waiting to flee to safety, or from Yangon, the nations largest city, where police stop to check their social media accounts for signs that they support the resistance, such as displaying red or black on their pages. Many activists carry burner phones or censor their profiles.

Protests became too dangerous once the police switched from rubber bullets to real ones, but civil disobedience continues. Civil servants like health care staff and teachers refuse to work under the regime; by the militarys own estimates, nearly 30 percent of public employees have participated. Some are boycotting the state-owned power company or telecommunications company (internet connectivity has worsened and tripled in price since the coup).

Lamung still repeats the pleas she made to the Lord each night when she got home from the vigils and protests right after the coupfor him to bring safety and peace to Myanmar. I cant yet see the result of our prayers, she said, but God also gave us hands, feet, and a mouth to speak out for justice.

Lamung was born and raised Baptist, the largest Protestant group in a country thats over 90 percent Buddhist. Her family is Kachin, one of Myanmars majority-Christian ethnic groups. In provinces on the countrys perimeter, the Kachin, Chin, Karen, and Kayah have suffered persecution by the army for years and fought against it in favor of democracy.

These Christian groups, unsurprisingly, took a stand against the 2021 takeover in official statements and in their involvement in demonstrations, rallies, and other forms of civil disobedience. What was more remarkable, scholars pointed out in The Review of Faith & International Affairs, was how all types of citizens in Myanmar were evoking their religious beliefs in the aftermath of the coup.

There had been uprisings in the pastthe country has a decades-long history of military rulebut never before were Buddhists, Catholics, and Protestants so publicly involved at once, bringing faith and prayer into their protest. Evangelicals in Myanmar share Lamungs passion for the resistance, calling on a God who takes the side of the oppressed and against evil.

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They quote the Exodus narrative and the story of Daniels captivity. Churches rally money and supplies for the civil disobedience movement. They refer to the military, known as the Tatmadaw, as terrorists. Even when it comes to armed resistance, pastors pray for the thousands of young people who have left the cities to train with rebel militias in the provinces, asking that their missions would be successful.

Theologically, I dont think its wrong. Our God is a fighter, one pastor in Yangon told CT, asking that his name not be used for safety reasons. Its not my choice because Im a shepherd and a pastor, but I understand.

Image: Lauren Decicca / Getty

The military junta has targeted civilians in ways that humanitarian groups deem war crimes and crimes against humanity, including planting landmines in homes, farmlands, and church property.

Mana Tun, director of the Peace Studies Center at the Myanmar Institute of Theology, wishes there were better alternatives for those who feel called to join the armed conflict. He doesnt find it incompatible with a Christian understanding of peace, though, when fighting to free a country from rulers who continue to bomb, execute, and torture their own people. Tun teaches students to see peacemaking as engaged, active, and responsive; forced silence and compliance is not peace.

Peace is possible anywhere. It can be protest. It can be a struggle. People being resilient in such oppressive times is a form of peace, said Tun, who arrived in the US in August for his doctorate studies. You can still love your enemies by protesting, resisting, and even fighting. Love is always standing up for good.

But these responses also carry real consequences in Myanmar. People and organizations who oppose the regime can lose access to their bank accounts, since the system is government-run. Police raid, search, and make arbitrary arrests without due process. Prisons torture detainees, and four revolutionaries were executed by the military government in July.

Even in the early weeks, Lamung knew the risks that came with speaking out as a public figure, but her convictions would not let her stay silent.

After being named Miss Intercontinental Myanmar at 17, Lamung saw her influence as a gift to steward. When the pandemic hit in 2020, she wrote a song called Ar Tin Nay Bar (Stay Strong) to encourage fans facing hard times.

Image: Hannah Yoon

When she prayed about joining the resistance after the coup, she said God gave her peace about the decision. She quoted Proverbs 4:14: Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

I have many fans and influence, said Lamung, who cofounded the organization Passion for Hope to help those displaced by government violence. I want to stand for what I believe in; I want people to know what the military is doing; I want people to stand for justice.

Half the population of Myanmar is under 30, like Lamung and her followers. Young peopleBuddhist and evangelical alikefeel angry and depressed and useless, a 19-year-old Christian in Yangon said in an interview with CT. Under the civil disobedience movement, they dont go to school and its tough to find jobs, so many are eager to join the fight.

Young Christians, at least, have the church. In the past I took everything for granted, the teen said. Im more grateful for Christian community.

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Passion for Hope started as a vehicle for Lamung and her friends to do something tangible for those suffering under the military regime. Its become her way to continue to serve the people and place she loves.

Passion for Hope collects donations for first aid supplies and basic resources. After the coup, while hospitals were understaffed and pharmacies were closed, Passion for Hope helped provide life-saving oxygen for COVID-19 patients. It distributed meals and snacks to villages ransacked by military attacks. It supplied 200 first-aid kits to frontline medical teams. And for kids, it partnered with missionaries to give away 300 copies of The Jesus Storybook Bible in Burmese.

Finances are tight in Myanmar as costs rise and some citizens are forgoing their paychecks from civil servant jobs, so the civil disobedience movement has gotten an influx of support from the Burmese diaspora, including churches in Asia, Australia, and the US. Lamung targets international donors as well as humanitarian organizations looking for a way to help.

Lamung had lined up plans to produce a version of Michael Jacksons Heal the World with fellow celebrities singing in local languages, but the project stalled as artists feared the government could punish them for participating. For now, shes focused on a new campaign to provide supplies to kids whose schooling has been disrupted by civil disobedience or violence, and shes looking for new collaborators.

An estimated five million children in Myanmar have been displaced by airstrikes, some of them runaways separated from family. The more Lamung processes her own trauma from the safety of the US, the more she dreams of funding better social, emotional, and spiritual care for the youngest generation back home.

Lamung says she cant be in crowds without feeling panic; thats why she hasnt committed to attending a church in the States. She misses the old her and asks God if shell ever feel like herself again.

Image: Hannah Yoon

But she believes her depression and her faith can coexist. Shes shared about it with followers on social media, where she continues to post occasional outfit photos and day-in-the-life video clips alongside updates on the political situation in Myanmar.

Praying to God when shes feeling down gives her strength. Thinking of her work gives her perspective.

I have a room. I have American water, Lamung said. There are children running under airstrikes.

Citizens in Myanmar have gone through one nightmare scenario after another over the past year and a half: police violence against unarmed citizens, coronavirus outbreaks without stable health care, economic downfall, attacks in villages, unjust arrests, deaths.

I was seeing all this violence and desperation.  I kept asking, Where could I find hope?  said Tun, the director of the seminarys peace center. I couldnt find hope at all. I focused on Gods presence. It was that faith that sustained my life.

As he talked to families who lost people to sickness or violence, he relied on the theology of a suffering God, telling them that God died with their loved one and that God is risen with them.

A pastor in Yangon said his worship leader, also a local musician, was arrested for organizing a resistance group. The pastor now visits the worship leader in prison, where he has suffered so much torturethe pastor likened it to the Nazis or North Koreathat he no longer knows who he is. The pastor believes that even in this context, the gospel goes forth; he prays for the soldiers and witnesses to the prison guards.

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Before he left, Tun helped organize spaces where Christian leaders could process what they were going through. Even without a lot of previous engagement in the realm of mental health and self-care, churches are starting to see the urgent need.

Living in a context like Myanmar, you dont need a reason to fear, he said. What was I afraid of? I dont know. But every day, I woke up afraid.

The state of fear has spiritual implications too. A Christian theologian from Myanmar, who asked not to be named to protect his familys safety, said, Christians feel helpless. They ask, Why has God allowed the military regime to oppress the people? They question the presence of God and the power of God.

He pointed to Gods deliverance of Israel from Egyptian oppression. Eventually, he said, we will enter the promised land.

Lamung doesnt know what the pathway to peace could look like back home or when shell get to return.

In the span of a year, she saw her life transform entirely. She lost her savings and stepped away from her career as a model and actress. When shes not working on Passion for Hope, she makes a paycheck as a server at a Chinese-American fusion restaurant.

Her days are quiet. Lamung misses the noise of her mom making breakfast and shouting for her to wake up. Anxious over parties filled with new people, she wishes for a carefree night out with her friends back home.

She told CT that this is not what she ever dreamed ofbut she senses Gods hand and call just the same.

Believing God isnt like all the problems will go away. Its giving you a way, she said. I thank God for that.

Kate Shellnutt is Christianity Todays editorial director of news and online journalism.

[ This article is also available in  and . ]

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HYDERABAD: Taiwanese national Chu Chun-Yu, ringleader in the Rs 903-crore multi-country investment fraud who was arrested by the Hyderabad cybercrime police last week, was initially in the business of developing apps for gaming, betting, and investment. For this, he was earning up to $3,000 per month. As part of his job, the 30-year-old flew frequently between India and Cambodia, as well as other Southeast Asian countries.

During one of his trips to Cambodia, police said, he reportedly met a Chinese woman named Huan Zhuan. Huan offered him $4,000 per month in exchange for his services. She paid him $5,000 as a 'gift' before he could give her confirmation to work for her.

Huan and her associate Pei, both Chinese nationals who run JInping ventures in China, were the masterminds behind this multinational investment fraud racket, police alleged. The agents who worked for the duo had no knowledge of their colleagues.

Police said Chun-Yu lives in a plush apartment in Powai, Mumbai, from where he ran web agents for Chinese nationals. When he agreed to work for Huan, he was told that her agent Lec alias Li Zhongjun was already in Delhi and that he would have to collaborate with him in expanding their business.

Initially, he was hesitant to accept Huans offer of $4,000 per month because he was content with his earnings and did not want to take a risk for a little more. But after she gave him $5,000 even before he could give her a confirmation, he thought this is more lucrative and he can make big money in a short time and jumped on the bandwagon, police said.

Lec, who was arrested on Wednesday last, arrived in India prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and began selling mobile accessories in Karol Bagh in New Delhi. Due to the pandemic, he suffered losses and lost his job, when Huan enticed him to work for the scamsters.

Iin January 2022, he was arrested by the Delhi police for overstaying his visa and was imprisoned. He was released on bail but was taken to the Intelligence Bureau's detention centre, where he was arrested by the city police.
As I pull into the parking lot of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, I notice a plainclothes man with a visibly holstered gun emerge from the car beside me. He is one of the schools recently hired safety officers. Their armed presence is the reason Ive arranged to speak with head of school Dean Nicholas.

Our family is new to the school, returning to the United States after 11 years in Canada. Those years were grimly bookended by significant American school shootings: Sandy Hook Elementary in December of 2012 and Robb Elementary School in May of 2022.

In the decade of our expatriation, four of the five deadliest school shootings in American history have taken the lives of more than 70 teachers and students. With gun violence becoming a more credible threat in the US (if still exceedingly rare), many schools like ours are taking action.

At least 29 states allow guns on school grounds. A new state law in Ohio, where we live, allows teachers to carry guns with a minimal 24 hours of training by permission of their local school board, bypassing the more than 700 hours of peace officer basic training formerly required. This executive action came as a relief for some teachers.

The New York Times reported on a kindergarten teacher whose school is in an older building, with no automatic locks on classroom doors and no police officer on campus. Her district-issued emergency supplieswasp spray, to aim at an attacker, and a tube sock, to hold a heavy object and hurl at an assailantseemed inadequate.

On the morning of my interview with Nicholas, Proverbs 22:3 appeared in my daily Bible reading plan: A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences (NLT). The verse seemed to underscore the wisdom practiced by academy leadership. You install sprinklers in your school, Nicholas explained by way of analogy. You hope to never have to use them.

Still, the decision to arm security at the doors of my childrens school surprised me. Perhaps my greater shock registered when I learned of the broad, almost univocal support for the decision by the schools teachers and parents at its suburban and urban campuses. While I want my 14-year-old twin sons to be safe, I have lived elsewhere in the world where parents have worried far less for their childrens safety at school.

We have a uniquely American problemand tired American answers. More guns. Fewer guns. Likely, the national debate about guns at school will continue to stall along partisan lines. It makes me wonder about the role Christians have to play in the US school safety debate.

What if Christians, as the late British missions historian Andrew F. Walls put it, sought to embody alternatives that challenge the culture and invite it toward a life in which injustice, violence, and oppression are overcome? They could know we are Christians not simply by our lovebut by our imagination.

The Violence Project maintains a mass shooter database that begins with the 1966 shooting at the University of Texas in Austin, where a 25-year-old gunman killed 15 people and injured 31 others. The data suggest at least two commonalities between school shooters: first, that these young men have frequently suffered trauma; second, that they are often known to the communities they seek to harm. Other studies have shown that these teens may show symptoms of future actions by displaying a lack of empathy, experiencing loss, bullying others, or struggling with severe anger.

What we know about the perpetrators of school shootings doesnt offer us easy answers, and the FBI warns against attempting to create a profile that might unfairly label nonviolent students. The best tactic, theyve advised, is to identify specific, plausible, and direct threats. In fact, most school shooters made threats that went ignored.

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I find this strangely hopeful news. If school violence is random, we are playing a murderous game of Russian roulette. But if violence frequently erupts from stories of family breakdown by abuse or divorce or death, we can better attune ourselves to warning signsperpetrators pain leaking before homicidal eventsand create mechanisms for reporting these to school authorities. And if school shooters are more likely community members than strangers, we can pursue proactive strategies of care for the troubled faces we recognize.

The Bible tells us that we are a comforted people and a people fitted to comfort others (2 Cor. 1:37). Our God is a sufferer and a sympathizer. The comfort we receive from him in our pain allows us to look with mercy on the bruised, the battered, and those who feel they dont belong. Care, in its most Christian expression, assumes collective brokenness. Everyone needs loving care.

But strategies of careas a line of defensesuggest a kind of social attention difficult to exercise today, even for Christians. Because American family life is breathlessly busy; because loneliness is epidemic; because technology impersonalizes human relationships; because post-pandemic grief is our collective experience.

Who has time to comfort? Energy to care? Those who can afford it might be tempted to professionalize care, to outsource its inefficiencies. For those struggling to make ends meet, its easy to be consumed with our own struggles.

Care as an element of social cohesion seems to have gone the way of black-and-white television. Volunteerism rates have been falling for two decades, according to a 2018 analysis. I wonder what might happen if we saw renewed participation in community caretreatment centers, suicide hotlines, domestic violence supports, food pantries, grief counseling, marriage ministry, conflict resolution workshops, and restorative justice initiativesas safety measures?

What if every Christian in every neighborhood across this country took seriously the call to be their brothers keeper?

Less formally, we might consider radical intervention: compassionately engaging with our childs school bully and his or her family, or making an effort to meet our reclusive neighbor.

What if every Christian in every neighborhood across this country took seriously the call to be their brothers keeper? We cant eliminate every threat, but we can tighten the weave of our social fabric, believing that safety is everyones task.

Maybe one of the most radical forms of countercultural resistance we practice as Gods people, even in our hopes of addressing threats of school violence, is protecting the margin of time required for care. Care requires a willingness to be interrupted and inconvenienced. Care is often an unscheduled act. It cultivates an unhurried predisposition to notice, to listen.

Care is best expressed by community in its many varied forms: families, neighborhoods, schools, churches. Care comes as casseroles and phone calls. Clean sheets and free coffee. Bus fare, resume-writing services, and AA meetings in a damp church basement. Care can also look like involving the police when the lives of our neighbors are unraveled by violence and abuse.

We come to danger primally, intuiting fear and safety as socially located, embodied human beings. We interpret risk through the lens of gender, race, national identity, or past trauma. A gun serves as consolation to some, though certainly not to all. But care? These cups of cold water are taken in hand and rarely misunderstood.

Care is not a Pollyanna solution or a replacement for other mitigating measures. But it is a distinctly Christian approach, one that reminds us that we are citizens of another kingdomone naive enough to believe that swords can be beaten into plowshares.

Jen Pollock Michel is the author of five books, including In Good Time: 8 Habits for Reimagining Productivity, Resisting Hurry, and Practicing Peace (Baker Books, December 2022). Speaking Out is Christianity Todays guest opinion column.

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Liberalism is a word with many meanings, some compatible with Christianity, some arguably demanded by it. In its original sense, to be liberal is to exemplify the virtue of liberality, as in broadmindedness or generosity of spirit. More typically, in the United States, liberalism refers to left-wing political views, though classical liberalism references a relatively gentle variant of libertarianism.

In his new book, Liberalism and its Discontents, however, eminent political scientist Francis Fukuyama sets out to defend liberalism in what may be its deepest sense: the focus on freedom as the highest political good that unites the mainstream American left and right.

Both major political parties, and most American Christians, have embraced this liberal perspective. Republicans tend to seek so-called negative liberty, ensuring that the state leaves individuals alone, while Democrats tend to seek positive liberty, or state empowerment of the individual. Republicans emphasize economic freedom, while Democrats emphasize sexual freedom. Fukuyamas treatment reveals, however, why the liberalism at the heart of both approaches is deeply at odds with the Christian political tradition.

Fielding criticisms

Fukuyama opens with a pair of definitions that seem innocuous enough. He calls liberalism a doctrine advocating legal limitations on government and institutional protections for individual rights. In his view, all variants of liberalism 1) favor the individual over the collective, 2) recognize humans as morally equal, 3) emphasize human unity over cultural diversity, and 4) are optimistic about the improvability of the social world.

Chapter 1 lays out three overarching arguments for liberal ideology. First, liberalism allows diverse populations to coexist in society without descending into infighting. If limitations on government take deeply divisive moral and religious questions off the table, the stakes of politics are lowered and the odds of violence decrease. Second, a persons ability to freely make her own life choices is the foundation of her human dignity. Individual rights safeguarding autonomy are thus a moral imperative. Finally, liberalism is good for the economy.

As its title suggests, much of Liberalism and Its Discontents is devoted to fielding criticisms of liberalism. Chapters 2 and 3 suggest that the last 50 years of US politics illustrate the perils of taking a liberal distrust of government intervention in markets to an unhealthy extreme. The doctrine itself is correct, Fukuyama maintains, but right-wing liberals failed to acknowledge the necessity of state regulation to protect human goods beyond simple material prosperity and to mitigate the harm free trade can inflict on individuals.

Similarly, in chapters 4 and 5, Fukuyama argues that left-wing liberals have taken a healthy focus on individual autonomy and stretched it into an unhealthy obsession. Whereas a sensible early liberalism encouraged tolerance for diverse concepts of the ultimate good, contemporary left-wing variants sometimes erode any ability to make judgments about moral character. But some virtues, like thoughtfulness and openness to self-improvement, are necessary even to maintain liberal society. Fukuyama also acknowledges left-wing complaints that liberalisms emphasis on constitutionalism makes rectifying harms to women and minorities slow and painful.

Fukuyamas responsive strategy is consistent: He embraces critiques of right- and left-wing liberal excesses, but notes that these excesses dont discredit liberalism itself. Likewise, he acknowledges the procedural slowness of liberal constitutionalism, but argues that its benefits outweigh its costs.

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Beneficent nudges

There is substantial good to be found in Fukuyamas work. His call for moderation as a political value should be welcome in an era when a disturbing number of Americans are being drawn to extremes. His ability to acknowledge the value of markets or the impact of race without turning either into an obsession is key to this temperate outlook. Also welcome is his acknowledgment that moral character has implications for society, making it at least somewhat a matter of legitimate state interest.

The last-mentioned strength, however, hints at the fundamental problem with Fukuyamas work for Christians: The liberalism he defends, by its essential nature, forbids the state from seeking the holistic good of the governed. The purpose of government, for liberals, is freedom, not virtue. Its goal is empowering individuals to achieve whatever they autonomously choose to be their good, not to foster real human excellence.

At the root of Fukuyamas first and second arguments for liberalism is the famous dictum that the right is prior to the good. That is, the question of how government should treat individuals is purely a question of justice, and the answer shouldnt favor any particular religious, moral, or philosophical viewpoint.

Despite moderating this aspect of liberalism, as described above, Fukuyama is not shy about spelling out its implications. The most fundamental principle enshrined in liberalism, he writes, is one of tolerance: you do not have to agree with your fellow citizens about the most important things, but only that each individual should get to decide what they are without interference from you or from the state. Moral commitments need to be observed in private life and not imposed on other people.

Liberalism therefore forbids government from interfering to foster the moral and spiritual health of the governed. Liberalism sought to lower the aspirations of politics, writes Fukuyama, not as a means of seeking the good life as defined by religion, but rather as a way of ensuring life itself, that is, peace and security. Rulers must provide material security and empower individuals to achieve whatever they define as their good. They must not attempt to nudge their citizens in the right direction.

This approach is fundamentally at odds with the Christian tradition, in which the purpose of governance is to foster the holisticand realgood of the ruled. As Paul puts it, Christians are to foreswear vengeance precisely because rulers exist to carry out (the real) Gods wrath on (real) evildoing. For the one in authority is Gods servant for your good, according to Romans 13:4. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are Gods servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. As Thomas Aquinas would theorize centuries later, governance exists not only to protect people from one another, but also to habituate the governed to goodness: The law, even by punishing, leads men on to being good.

By making it somewhat more difficult to obtain pornography, for instance, or by withholding a firearm from a potentially suicidal youth, Christian governance can nudge a community in the direction of spiritual health. Christians who instead embrace liberalisms moral agnosticism, in either its left- or right-wing forms, abdicate their duty to love those around them by seeking their good, in governance as in all of life.

Fukuyamas response to this line of reasoning is to dismiss Christian governance as impracticable given the fact of cultural and religious diversity. Any attempt to impose Christianity would require an ugly authoritarianism, he writes, because restoring a shared moral horizon defined by religious belief is a practical non-starter. Consequently, he argues, channeling Winston Churchills famous quip about democracy, liberalism is the worst form of government, except for all the others.

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This response, however, is literally incoherent. Liberalism is not a form of government, but an ideology. Should Christians adopt that ideology and abandon our duty to follow the Second Great Commandment in politics, simply because others are not convinced of Christianitys truth? Not remotely. Christian theorists have always cautioned against heavy-handed use of political power, which is more likely to do harm than good. That is sound prudential advice. But for Christians to give up the goal of using politics to foster the moral and spiritual health of our communities in principle is to deliberately violate our duty to our highest sovereign.

Christian governance

The surface-level difference between liberal and Christian politics may in fact be quite subtle, but it is deeply important. Christian governance in the US does not look like Fukuyamas nightmare of a fascist Christian state. It does not look like abandoning constitutionalism or toleration. It looks like Christian citizens going about the ordinary business of politicsbut accounting for the moral and spiritual impact of their actions as they reason about policies and candidates.

Fukuyama is right to note a stirring Christian discontent with the liberalism embraced by both major US political parties, but wrong to fear it. Liberalism demands that rulers foster the individuals ability to seek a personalized conception of the good. Christianity demands that rulers, gently and cautiously, foster that individuals good as it really is.

Jonathan Ashbach is assistant professor of politics at Oklahoma Baptist University. His work has appeared in scholarly journals and popular publications from Philosophia Christi to Patheos.
Top Thai government officials pushed for tighter gun regulations and a renewed war on drugs last week after a mass killing at a daycare in northeastern Thailand killed 36 people, including 24 children. Meanwhile in the Na Klang district of northeastern Thailand, devastated families gathered at Buddhist temples to attend mass cremations for their loved ones.

The attacker, former police officer Panya Khamrab, also killed his wife and stepson before turning the gun on himself on October 6. Khamrab stabbed children sleeping in the daycare, as well as a teacher who was eight-months pregnant. The Royal Thai Police said it had fired Khamrab in June for possession of methamphetamine, and he was set to go on trial the day after the massacre.

Patompon Kong, academic dean of Chiang Mai Theological Seminary and pastor of Grace New Life Church, reflected on the tragedy and how to understand the worst mass killing in Thailands history.

The shooting incident at the Uthai Sawan Child Development Center has stirred up fear, confusion, anxiety, pain, resentment, and loss for the Thai people. Many have blamed it on a wide range of social, economic, and religious problems. But from the perspective of Thai Christians, the real problem is the sinful state of our souls. Thai society will be only truly saved by the gospel (Col. 1:15-20). Let us look deeper at each of these problems.

In the past 40 years, Ive noticed Thai society change from an open-handed to a closed-fist posture. Before, Thai people were dependent on each other. It was common practice to be courteous to neighbors and show mutual respect.

But today, people only show kindness to those in their own circle. Rather than sharing, people scramble for resources. Differing political views are splitting up families, communities, regions, and the nation. This may have prevented Khamrab from receiving the help he needed.

News reports revealed that Khamrab often behaved aggressively, at times drawing his police gun and threatening people when drunk. He had abused methamphetamine since high school and continued to buy meth from drug smugglers while working as a police officer.

Khamrabs relatives said he asked the mayor to help with his drug problem, but his request was denied because tackling drug addiction and smuggling was a massive endeavor local authorities could not solve on their own. He resorted to finding a solution by hurting others, his family, and himself.

Since the mass killing, people have discussed what pushed Khamrab over the edge. Some view it as a result of quarrels with his wife. Others pointed to his money troubles since getting fired from his job and the difficult economic climate in Thailand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many people questioned whether the countrys gun control laws could have prevented this event and whether only police officers should have the right to possess guns. Yet in many cases, shootings are caused by the unauthorized possession of guns. (About 40 percent of the guns in Thailand are unregistered.)

Some Thais believe the attack was a result of the countrys moral failings. In a country where Buddhists make up 93 percent of the population, the common mantra is that every religion teaches us to be a good person. The average Thai honors the beliefs of others. But if religious principles help society operate well, why did the shooting happen? Where were the religious doctrine and good morals?

It is incorrect to conclude that religious morality is not good; however, the average person does not follow moral principles when they face societal pressure. This causes many of the problems we see in Thai society today.

Although various government and private agencies have come to help in the aftermath of the attack, I cannot look at the incident and blame Khamrabs actions on drug abuse or gun control or economic stressors. We have to look at the true roots of Thai society from a biblical perspective.

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The problem in today's world is that a persons behavior is merely a manifestation of his or her true inner state. Everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23, 6:23). There is no other way to God than the gospel (Rom. 5:8, John 14:6, Hebrews 4:12). Another mass shooting in Thailand took place in a military camp in 2020, when a soldier killed 30 and left 58 wounded. The incidents point to the reality that there are real problems that need to be addressed in Thai society.

Right now, Thai Christians are feeling sorrow, fear, and insecurity. Church leaders encourage believers to rely on God amid this incomprehensible tragedy. We encourage our brothers and sisters to always believe that God reigns over all situations. Gods plan is sovereign, and he instructs us to support one another through dark times like these.

The Christians immediate response to this event is to express condolences, grieve with our fellow countrymen, pray for God to help them make it through, and encourage those who lost loved ones. Yet if the Thai church believes the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the answer to various problems, Thai churches also need to be more alert.

Thailand is a country where the gospel has not completely reached the population. Although missionaries have been preaching here for almost 200 yearsfrom 1828 to the presentProtestants comprise only 0.75 percent of the countrys population of 68 million. Thai Christians must be vigilant in preaching the good news, witnessing, praying, and contributing to society by being salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16). They need to cooperate at all levels with both government and private agencies.

Major Thai Christian groupsincluding the Protestant Committee of Prathai, the Christian Cooperatives of Thailand, United Baptists of Thailand, and the Council of Churches of Thailandhave joined together and set a goal to bring 500,000 people to Christ by 2028, so the Christian population will reach one million in the country. They also aim for Thailand to have 10,000 churches and 10,000 ministry workers. To fulfill this vision and the Great Commission, there must be the cooperation of Christians both at home and abroad.

In the meantime, after this tragedy, we should focus on reaching out to the community and those who lost loved ones. One way to do this is through counseling and mentoring. In addition, churches will need to learn more about how to minister as a larger church body during tragedies like mass shootings.

One way the church can mourn with those who mourn is by organizing prayer meetings that are broadcasted online, so that Christians all over the country can participate. Christians from around the world can also play an important role in Thai society by praying, preaching, and witnessing to Thais.

Thai Christians continue to grieve this unspeakable tragedy. We will continue to be a witness and point people to Jesus during this difficult time in Thailand.
For more than 2,000 years, followers of Christ have answered the call to go into all the world preaching the gospel and making disciples. In the modern age, the Good News has traveled to the ends of the earth with believers sharing their faith in places once thought unreachable. Yet, one area that has remained largely resistant to the gospel is the very land where it all started: Israel. In the same place where Jesus lived and ministered, 99 percent of Israelis today do not know Jesus as their Messiah.

Its a staggering statistic, one underscored by the irony that Israel is a coveted destination for Christians who desire to experience Israel in person. Travelers make pilgrimages to see the places where Jesus walked, taught, and performed miracles, while the people of modern-day Israel have largely forgotten this same savior. Israeli brothers and sisters who have found a relationship with Jesus are distressed by this reality.

But God is moving in Israel. A grassroots ministry by Israeli followers of Jesus has addressed the great need for discipleship of local believers and is experiencing unprecedented growth. Located minutes from the Mediterranean Sea and a short drive from Jerusalem, One For Israel Bible College and Seminary was established as a homegrown training ground for ministry and leadership for Messianic Jews.

Until the college was there, the only way we could educate our young generation [was] to send them to America, says Yossi Ovadia, a Jewish pastor. So we must study English in order to study the Bible? Its the wrong way!

Over the last few decades, the college has expanded to become One For Israel, a multi-faceted ministry that has multiplied through the work of their Bible college students. As the only accredited evangelical Hebrew-speaking seminary in the world, they are bringing the gospel to the people of Israel in their own language and cultural context. And the results are notable.

While a seminary classroom may seem an unlikely setting to address the historically fraught relationship between Israel and Palestine, that is exactly the phenomenon that One For Israel has observed. Over time, the enrollment of Arab believers has risen steadily. Today, one-third of the student population is composed of Arab-Israelis and Palestinian believers, an impressive statistic for a school located north of Tel Aviv. Additionally, they saw an equal number of Jewish and Arab pastors enroll when they opened a masters program for senior leadership and pastors.

God is for all of us, says Shamss Asfour, an Arab student from Nazareth, adding, It made me realize how great God is and how faithful he is, and its not important what background we come from.

This brokering of peace among people who have been political and cultural enemies is not a coincidence; it is the fulfillment of the prophet Isaiahs pronouncement about the Messiah Jesus: that he would do more than restore the people of Israel (49:6 NLT). This reconciliation of peoples is both a miraclethe manifestation of what can happen when believers find unity in Jesusand a gift that is spawning further ministry outside of the seminary.

Leaders at One For Israel believe that the most effective way to bring the gospel to the people of Israel is to work from within a culture. With the college as a training ground, all of One For Israels vibrant ministries launch with a firm foundation in the Word of God and apologetics. Students hone their skills in writing sermons, using technology, and addressing the intersection of faith and culture. Some of their creative initiatives include discipleship courses for Messianic soldiers, courses for women in ministry, online discipleship for new believers, and ministering to at risk mothers and Holocaust survivors. One For Israel Bible College and Seminary is graduating leaders who are equipped to take the Good News of Jesus to their local congregations as spiritual leaders but also into the marketplace and to the ends of the earth.

For American believers, what is our role to play? First, One For Israel is looking for prayer partners who will lift up new believers who are learning and growing in their faith. In the midst of this spiritual awakening, we cannot underestimate the power of prayer in supporting the work ahead. Additionally, financially partnering with One For Israel will sustain the abundant, active ministry that is occurring on campus and online. Your gift could contribute to creating peace in the Middle East as One For Israel continues to support local believers.

What God is doing through One For Israel is exciting and inspiring. Gods faithfulness is evident in the work that was planted in the Bible college over 30 years ago as it continues to bear good fruit. Israels spiritual leaders no longer have to leave for foreign lands to study the Bible and train for ministry because One For Israel Bible College and Seminary has established a way for them to learn within their cultural context. Supporting the unifying work to train and equip the body of Christ in Israel is one way to live out Jesus love in our daily lives. God is inviting everyone to be a part of this modern-day, miraculous revival.
Former director of Episcopal nonprofit accused of stealing $1.4 million

The former leader of an Episcopal nonprofit insurance corporation based in Pennsylvania is being investigated after an audit found that he misappropriated over $1.4 million from the fund.

John Miller, who previously served as executive director and treasurer of the Clergy Assurance Fund, is the subject of an investigation over his alleged mishandling of funds.

The Clergy Assurance Fund referred the allegations against Miller to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, according to the Episcopal News Service.

The Rt. Rev. Daniel Gutierrez, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, said in a statement quoted by ENS that he was disappointed and devastated to learn of this potential fraud.

Fortunately, it did not impact those who were seeking funds from CAF. I trust that the justice system will come to the correct resolution on this, Bishop Gutierrez stated.

Last week, an Anglican Communion publication called The Living Church published a report documenting the allegations against Miller, which stem from earlier this year.

The Living Church obtained a July 11 letter written by Clergy Assurance Fund Vice President James L. Pope, which claimed that from January 2016 to March of this year, Miller made duplicates of death benefit payments using fraudulent checks, some of which contained the forged signature of the vice president of Clergy Assurance Fund.

He paid the checks to himself and deposited them in his checking account in the total amount of $1,425,400. In addition, he had used the credit card for numerous personal expenditures, totaling $20,363, continued the letter.

The approximately $20,000 in credit card expenses included $11,433 for personal healthcare expenses, as well as $8,930 for Uber rides and transportation, according to the letter.

Pope went on to explain in the letter that, despite the over $1.4 million that was taken, the fund was still very well-funded, being able to fully and promptly comply with all requests for policy death benefits from beneficiaries, as well as provide its wellness and other grants as it has before.

The fund was originally created in 1769, before the official founding of The Episcopal Church, and was originally known as The Widows Corporation.

The corporation changed its name to Clergy Assurance Fund in 2019 to reflect a broader scope of its ministry work, which has since gone beyond just looking after the widows of clergy.
NGOs ask Biden admin. to protect Congolese Christians living in the US

A group of nongovernmental organizations has urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to allow Congolese citizens to remain in the United States with a work permit as they face the possibility of severe persecution by Islamic extremist groups in their home country.

The groups have written to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayokas, asking him to consider granting Temporary Protected Status to citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the U.S.-based group International Christian Concern announced Saturday.

The TPS mechanism applies to foreign nationals from more than a dozen countries based on unsafe conditions if they were to return to the country. Current countries granted TPS status include Afghanistan, Cameroon, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen.

However, ICC warns that Christians in the eastern DRC are suffering persecution at the hands of extremist groups like the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamic extremist group mainly active in the eastern North Kivu province near the border with Uganda.

"Though the Congolese government is pushing back against these terrorist groups, insufficient attention is paid to Christian communities, which are targeted for their differing religious beliefs," ICC stated in a press release.

"ICC has witnessed the violence in the DRC firsthand, in one instance coming across the still-smoking wreckage of a car attacked by terrorists in June of this year. Just days later, at least 10 Christians were killed when an Islamist extremist group ambushed their three vehicles near the village of Makisabo, Beni. The Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamist extremist group, allegedly blocked the road, shot all the passengers, and set the vehicles on fire."

ICC noted that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called religious freedom "a vital foreign policy priority" at an event in June. Blinken visited DRC in August to participate in meetings to discuss, among other things, human rights issues in the country.

Persecution in DRC mostly takes the form of violent attacks, according to the global persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA.

"In one district in eastern DRC, there are only four remaining Evangelical churches from 24 that were once active," Open Doors notes.

The ADF, a militia formed by Rwandan, Ugandan, Burundian and Congolese dissidents, began operating in the DRC during the 1990s and killed about 1,300 people between January 2021 and January 2022, according to a United Nations report.

In June, the militia group killed at least 18 civilians and burned down many houses in Otomabere village in Ituri province's Irumu area.

In January 2021, more than 100 people were killed in three large attacks in the same province by the ADF, Open Doors reported. About 46 people belonging to the Pygmy ethnic group were killed in Ituri province by suspected militants.

In early January 2021, about 22 civilians were killed by militants wielding guns and machetes in an overnight attack on Mwenda village in the Beni region of neighboring North Kivu province.

In 2020, the U.N. reported that "widespread, systematic and extremely brutal" human rights abuses by the Islamic militant group "could constitute, by their nature and scope, crimes against humanity and war crimes."

While the militant group has not formally linked itself with the Islamic State terrorist group, IS has claimed responsibility for some of their attacks, calling Congo the "Central Africa Province" of the "caliphate."
Texas megachurch attempts to leave United Methodist Church without congregational vote

The leadership of a Texas megachurch has decided to leave The United Methodist Church without a congregational vote, which defies denominational rules on dismissal.

St. Andrew United Methodist Church of Plano, which has approximately 6,500 members, recently announced that the church is going to disaffiliate with the UMC, the second-largest Protestant denomination in the country.

"St. Andrew will disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church (UMC), but not affiliate with any other existing Methodist denomination. St. Andrew will remain Methodist with the same Wesleyan theology that we have always believed," the announcement reads.

"St. Andrew will be named St. Andrew Methodist and operate over a period as an independent Methodist church while seeking partnerships and accountability with other like-hearted churches. We will be looking to create affiliations with those who also desire greater accountability with more efficient systems and structures than we have had with the UMC."

The UMC Book of Discipline 2553 says that any "decision to disaffiliate" from the UMC "must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the professing members of the local church present at the church conference."

Church leadership told The Christian Post via an emailed statement that they don't believe having the congregation vote on the issue is necessary.

"St. Andrew's decision was made in accordance with its governing legal documents, which allowed the decision to be made without a congregational vote. St. Andrew stands by the legal enforceability of its decision, and it is overwhelmingly supported by the church members," the church's statement reads.

"St. Andrew's leadership comprises a variety of individuals all with unique professional experience and personal views that are representative of our congregation. They collectively spent hundreds of hours of in-depth research examining both the decision to disaffiliate and the mechanism to make the decision."

St. Andrew UMC is one of the largest congregations in the UMC North Texas Annual Conference, headquartered in Plano.

CP reached out to the North Texas Conference for comment. A spokesperson emailed a statement from Bishop Michael McKee.

"The process by which St. Andrew made this decision is unique in the history of our Wesleyan tradition, which requires congregational votes on major decisions," stated McKee.

"I mourn the fact the members of St. Andrew were denied both voice and vote on the most consequential decision their church has ever made."

The annual conference didn't comment on whether there would be ensuing legal action due to the megachurch's refusal to hold the congregational vote on disaffiliation.

The decision for St. Andrew to leave UMC was made by the church's executive committee after an extensive study and votes of approval from other church committees, according to UM News.

In recent months, several congregations have left the UMC, mainly because of the longstanding schism over the denomination's stance on LGBT issues.

The UMC Book of Discipline labels homosexuality "incompatible with Christian teaching" and prohibits the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of non-celibate homosexuals.

Theological liberals have often tried to alter the language, and many in leadership positions within the denomination have refused to enforce denominational standards on marriage and ordination.

St. Andrew is not the first Texas megachurch to announce its intentions to leave the UMC this year. The Woodlands Methodist Church, a congregation of over 14,000, voted in August to disaffiliate from the UMC Texas Annual Conference, with 96.3% of those voting supporting the disaffiliation.

According to the UMC Texas Annual Conference, there were at least 210 member congregations considering disaffiliation from the denomination as of late July. The conference plans to hold a special session on Dec. 3 in Houston.

In July, 106 congregations belonging to the UMC Florida Annual Conference sued the regional body, arguing that the amount of money they were supposed to pay to keep their properties as part of the disaffiliation process was unfair.
Homelessness in America: Why many solutions fail

Earlier this year, The Economist reported that Americas homeless population had risen by a rate of just under 6% nationwide. In cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle, that rate is much higher. In fact, according to some estimates, half of Americas unsheltered homeless population live in California.

Christopher Rufo, in the Discovery Institutes Homelessness project, acutely described the problem:

"Its emotionally jarring. How is it possible that more than a half million Americans are sleeping on the streets, in tents, and in emergency shelters? Governments have mobilized billions of dollars to solve homelessness, but there are more tents on the streets than ever."

Clearly, policy is a major factor contributing to the problem. Over the last few years, many major cities have leaned exclusively on a Housing First model. This model makes getting homeless populations off the streets and into housing priority number one, even if it costs billions.

Behind this policy is an expansive and flawed worldview that assumes the issues facing the homeless population have less to do with individual decisions, and everything to do with systemic injustices. In this view, racism, capitalism, landlords, and employers have created a world where homelessness is essentially random. It could happen to anyone, as Rufo describes it, removing any sense of fault or responsibility from the problem.

Of course, many times chance and injustice do land people on the streets. However, exclusively blaming social injustice ignores two of the most critical factors that drive homelessness right now: drug addiction and mental illness.

The result is a deadly triangle of public policy. Drugs have been decriminalized, leading to a flush of cheap opioids in vulnerable areas. Open-air camps grow unrestricted while lawmakers look the other way. Spending explodes with nothing to show for it, often for the simple reason that building new homes simply cant outpace the effect of bad policies. In Seattle, for example, local spending reached up to $80,000 per homeless person, per year. Yet drug overdoses, prostitution, open-air camping, and crime, not to mention the number of people living without shelter, all increased.

In fact, Rufo noted, In one recent study in Ottawa, Canada, Housing First participants were five times more likely to die than a control group that was simply left on the streets [emphasis added].

Compassion, he concluded, cant be measured by intentions; it must be measured by outcomes. And on that count, these places fail dramatically. They speak the language of compassion, but have created a system of enormous cruelty.

These policies stem from an inadequate view of human nature. How much of homelessness is really chance, and how much of it is choice? How can we humanize people struggling while still acknowledging the reality of addiction or mental illness? What about people who wont change, despite efforts taken on their behalf? Faced with these problems, its easy to retreat either into callousness, or else the simplistic, ineffective policies of unlimited compassion.

A Christian worldview has the ability to split the difference.

Commonsense policy changes are needed. As the Homelessness project suggests, letting encampments take over entire city blocks is not compassion, least of all for those in the camps. It is, at best, abandonment, an injustice. The same goes for decriminalizing drug use, which leads to a death spiral of neighborhood crime and addiction. Instead, while enforcing the law, cities should designate safe ground areas with emergency shelter, even as they partner with local churches and nonprofits to deliver health and social services and long-term resources to those who need them the most.

These changes, however, are best done in concert with what Rufo calls a philosophy of transformation. This philosophy springs from an idea that homelessness is not inevitablethat real help is possiblebut it depends on far more than someones economic situation alone. As authors Alice Baum and Donald Burnes argue,

Homelessness is a condition of disengagement from ordinary societyfrom family, friends, neighborhood, church, and community. Or, as Alan Graham, founder of the most successful restoration project for the homeless in America, puts it, homelessness is, at root, a catastrophic loss of relationships.

If thats true, then the solution must always revolve around re-engagement with relationships, with families, with community, and all the values that spring from them: responsibility, accountability, restoration, grace, and connection. To fill these needs, there is no community better situated than local churches and local nonprofits.

It all starts with a view of people that takes seriously their status as image bearers of God.

Originally published at BreakPoint.
The Churchs silence is hurting young people

For the last 40 years, with rare exceptions, I have been teaching in (and leading) ministry schools on a weekly basis, having the joy and privilege of pouring into the next generation of leaders.

I now spend 5 days a month in Texas, teaching three days at a school in Dallas and two days at a school in Fort Worth. This week, after speaking about the church and LGBTQ+ issues and people, one of the deans made a striking comment to me: The churchs silence has hurt these people. She was absolutely right.

I devoted the class this past Monday to the subject of the churchs calling to make a positive impact on society, and to function as salt and light.

On Tuesday, I spoke about our calling to reach out to the LGBT community with compassion while resisting the agenda with courage.

And on Wednesday, I took questions from the students, about 600 in number and coming from more than 40 different nations.

Unfortunately, I was not able to respond to all the students, since so many had important and relevant questions to ask. So I stuck around for a few minutes afterward, interacting with them one-on-one.

A young woman said to me, I came out of the very things you have been describing. I was gender-fluid, omnisexual, and polyamorous.

When I asked her age, she said she was 18. That is the world we live in today.

An older man said to me with pain in his voice, Please pray for my daughter. She now identifies as a man. She has changed her name, she is taking hormones, and she had her breasts removed.

He told me she was 23 and had the mastectomy at 21. Can you imagine how this father feels?

He welcomed their precious daughter into the world with his wife, probably bouncing her on his knees and singing songs to her when she was a baby, only to see her make these tragic, self-destructive choices.

She was once their precious little girl, perhaps wearing cute frilly dresses for fun. Now she has mutilated her body and identifies as a man.

I encouraged him to watch the In His Image documentary that I had the privilege of hosting for American Family Studios. It gives hope to family members praying for their struggling ones, as well as hope to the struggler. And he gave me a piece of paper with her name on it, asking again for my prayers.

As I walked back to my on-campus apartment, one of the school deans wanted to talk with me. She thanked me for addressing these subjects since they are so relevant to the students.

And then she said those words that were so striking: The churchs silence has hurt these people.

Just a few minutes earlier, I had polled the student body, which, to repeat, is from more than 40 nations. I asked them how many of them had a friend or loved one who identified as somewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. The vast majority raised their hands.

And during the Q&A time, they asked many relevant questions.

How should they relate to a trans coworker who now goes by a new name? What do they say about people who are biologically intersex? How can our churches hold to biblical values and still be safe spaces for those who identify as LGBT? How can we be compassionate without compromise?

One of the students used to work in a Christian school. She explained that a little girl in the school was being raised by two lesbians. One day, the girl was talking to another girl about her two mothers.

She asked her schoolmate, Do you think they are going to Hell?

The other girl said, Yes, and the teacher backed her position.

Was this the right thing to do? If so, how does this affect the little girl? What does it say to her two mothers? Or should a Christian school not even allow a student to attend unless the family is in order? Or is this the opposite of being Christlike?

Virtually every time I have spoken on the LGBT subject and fielded questions, there is a long line of people waiting to speak with me, many of them crying as they wait.

Should they attend their sons same-sex wedding?

Their daughter wants hormone therapy to prepare for transition, threatening suicide if she cannot get the shots. What should they do?

A husband and father of four have left the family for another man. Is there any hope he will return?

Should a family allow their daughter and her girlfriend to stay at the house during the Christmas holidays? If so, must they stay in separate rooms?

What should a dad say to his 15-year-old son, a committed Christian, who is struggling with same-sex attractions?

This is just the tiniest sampling of the kinds of questions I hear. I have been hearing such questions for many years now.

For pastors and Christian leaders not to address these issues is to hurt the people they love. And if they themselves do not feel equipped to address these issues and help their people, it is incumbent on them to find others who can. The resources are available, as are the speakers and the counselors. They just need to be sought out or invited.

The young generation in particular needs guidance. They have been bombarded for years by anti-God, anti-biblical voices and values. They are confused. They are grieved. They are hurting. They are seeking. They are looking for clarity with compassion and guidance with grace. Who will give them what they need?

This is where pastors and Christian leaders must come alongside and help, equipping the parents and grandparents too. To fail to speak, whatever the reason, is to fail to serve the Lord and to fail to serve the flock.

I appeal to each of you: please dont hurt your people with your silence.

Let me also be a resource to you in the most practical, hands-on way.

Just take a minute and download the brand new Ask: Dr. Brown Ministries app on Apple and Android and explore the resources there. In fact, if you scroll down on the app to Consider This, youll find two helpful, animated videos, Can You Be Gay and Christian? and Why Dont More Pastors Speak Out?

Or just search through our articles and videos by subject. We are here to help!

Lets stand strong together and make a difference for the Lord. Lets help those who are hurting. There is no excuse for silence.
Activist pimps: Mom blasts school board for promoting family-friendly' Halloween drag show

Parents are rallying behind a mother who blasted a Southern California school district for its plans to host a family-friendly Halloween drag show, which she said amounts to pimping out our kids in an already hyper-sexualized culture.

In a video that went viral on social media, Brittany Mayer from the Christian-based parental rights group Rooted Wings spoke at the Encinitas Union School District Board meeting in San Diego County, California, accusing them of acting as groomers and activist pimps for the Boo Bash drag queen show planned for the Saturday before Halloween, Fox News reported.

What is it about a grown man costumed in a sparkly bra with augmented boobs busting out and wearing a miniskirt barely covering his twerking a** with duct tape on his front while spreading his fish-netted legs as he writhes on the ground, grinding his groin next to a minor, family-friendly? she asks the board in the video.

On Twitter, Mayer revealed that the drag queen show was sponsored by a local San Francisco gender reassignment surgery center in collaboration with a popular gay nightclub. While we have a culture that has a huge problem with child porn and with sex trafficking, Encinitas Union School District in CA, made the decision to feature an event to sexualize young children, she wrote.

She told the board, You all played the activist pimp for Align Surgical center and for a 21-plus gay bar. It makes you groomers and activist pimps and we wont have those sitting on a school board that oversees the education of our children.

Elected San Diego Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer criticized the parents, saying on Twitter that they should be ashamed of themselves for pushing hate and intolerance on all of us. She also said she would be taking her 3-year-old to the event.

Carrie Boller, a mother of two and a community activist, pulled her kids out of the district, ABC 10 reported. The Encinitas Union School District said it's not hosting or sponsoring the Oct. 29 event but shared it on a community information hub called Peachjar to notify parents about opportunities for families in the district.

However, Boller said, Our message is very clear. We dont want strip shows, we dont want drag shows, and definitely not sent out inviting the parents and kids in our district.

Justin Ried, a parent of two children who is also running for school board, was quoted as saying, We certainly want to be an inclusive community and support groups of all kinds, but the question is where do we draw the line?

The district said the flyer had been taken down as it did not meet district approval criteria, and it has reviewed and adjusted procedures for approving fliers in the future.

But parents are demanding to know who approved it for promotion and want the district to apologize.

Mayer told Fox that she and dozens of other parents showed up at the school board meeting last Tuesday to confront the leadership, which had been requested several times to stop promoting the event and issue an apology.

We asked the board again and again to reconsider and to issue an apology and an explanation, which they didnt, which is why we decided to show up, she was quoted as saying.

She added that the planned show was not an isolated incident.

This is coming to every school across the nation, she said, adding that  Were not going to play by the rules, that were supposed to be afraid, that were going to be punished if we dont speak up now.
Republican lawmakers decry FBI's 'open war on pro-life activists'

Republican lawmakers are seeking answers from the FBI regarding what they see as the selective enforcement of federal law as arrests of pro-life activists make national headlines.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, along with 38 of their colleagues, wrote a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray Wednesday. In the letter, the elected officials expressed concern about the continued politicization of the law enforcement agency, specifically the recent rise in high-profile FBI investigations into pro-life Americans.

The letter listed examples of recent arrests of pro-life activists for purported violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The FACE Act subjects federal charges on anyone who intentionally injures, intimidates, or interferes with or attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with any person seeking to obtain or provide abortions. Violators face a maximum penalty of 11 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The letter highlighted the Sept. 23 arrest of Mark Houck, who was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly pushing an abortion clinic volunteer, who had harassed his [12-year-old] son. The incident that led to Houcks arrest in an early-morning raid on his home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, occurred last year at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Philadelphia as the pro-life activist and his son gathered to pray outside the abortion facility. The letter noted that Houcks arrest occurred despite the fact the charges had been dismissed by local authorities.

A separate arrest of a pro-life activist cited as a violation of the FACE Act identified in the letter stemmed from a Minnesota encounter at a Planned Parenthood clinic that involved a client at the abortion clinic attempting to cut up a pro-life activists sign, resulting in the woman pushing her away. While charges were dismissed in Minnesota state court, the FBI has pursued an indictment anyway.

In yet another case, a priest in New York state is facing FACE Act charges even though local authorities already sentenced the man. These are not federal law enforcement matters and represent an abuse of the FACE Act, the Republican lawmakers wrote. During floor debate on the legislation, Representative [Patricia] Schroeder of Colorado, a co-sponsor of the FACE Act, argued that empowering the federal government through the FACE Act was only necessary if the states cannot help, then we have a duty to move in.

Schroeder, as quoted in the letter, insisted that we do not do it unless it appears the states cannot handle it. According to Schroeder, the federal government does not move in until it appears that in some parts of the country there is a breakdown.

Overzealous prosecutions under the FACE Act weaponize the power of federal law enforcement against American citizens in what should firmly be state and local matters, the letter added. Further, these abuses of federal power against pro-life Americans based solely on their beliefs undermine the American peoples trust in the FBI.

The lawmakers concluded the letter by requesting a briefing on the FBIs application of the FACE Act by Oct. 20 and seeking information about the number of investigations the FBI had opened up under the FACE Act in each of the years dating back to 2019. Additionally, the letter asked FBI officials to provide statistics about how many of the FACE Act investigations in the relevant years dealt with abortion facilities, pregnancy centers and churches or houses of worship.

This line of questioning reflects that the FACE Act also prohibits attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with any person lawfully exercising or seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship.

Additional questions posed to the FBI include inquiries into how many of these cases involve subjects with charges previously dismissed or sentenced by state courts and what criteria the FBI uses when deciding whether to open a case under the FACE Act that was previously dismissed by state courts.

The lawmakers also pressed the FBI for quantification of the amount of resources the FBI is using on FACE Act investigations as well as the existence of any new guidance, memos, or internal correspondence regarding FACE Act investigations since the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization determining that the U.S. Constitution did not contain a right to abortion.

Pro-life pregnancy centers and churches have faced vandalism following the Dobbs decision and the letter contended that federal law enforcement has failed to adequately respond to those attacks while working swiftly to take legal action against pro-life activists engaged in non-violent civil disobedience.

Congressman Roy elaborated on his concerns about the FBIs enforcement of the FACE Act in a statement last week. I am outraged by the Biden administrations open war on pro-life activists and weaponization of federal law enforcement against patriotic Americans for their beliefs, he said. Referring to Houcks arrest, Roy proclaimed, This administration has a lot of explaining to do when protecting ones own child means armed FBI agents at the door.

At a protest calling for the impeachment of U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland over what they view as his abuse of the FACE Act, Randall Terry of the pro-life advocacy group Operation Rescue suggested that the FACE Act is working exactly as intended. When Bill Clinton was elected, he appointed Janet Reno as his attorney general, Terry explained. When she came up to the microphone in her press conference, she said one of her top priorities was to break the back of Operation Rescue.

Terry stressed that the FACE Act was always designed to isolate people of faith who wanted to defend the unborn.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post, Terry recalled that before the laws passage in 1994, hundreds of people would blockade abortion clinics for an entire day. Now that those actions come with federal charges, such large-scale protests no longer take place. Terry told CP that once that law was passed, it effectively broke the back of our movement.
Attacks on pro-life groups, churches continue after DOJ arrests pro-life activists: list

As the pro-life movement expresses outrage over the arrest of pro-life activist Mark Houck, attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers and churches continue in the United States nearly four months after the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain the right to an abortion.

The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice have faced harsh criticism from the pro-life movement in the past three weeks for an early-morning raid on the Pennsylvania home of Mark Houck. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced on Sept. 23 that it had arrested Houck for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The raid took place earlier that morning.

The DOJ contends that Houck is alleged to have twice assaulted a man because he was a volunteer reproductive health care clinic escort. According to the federal agency, the defendant forcefully shoved the clinic escort to the ground on two separate occasions at a Philadelphia Planned Parenthood clinic on Oct. 13, 2021, one of which required him to receive medical attention.

However, a fundraiser set up to raise money for the Houck family insists that the clinic escort was harassing Marks 12-year-old son as they prayed outside the clinic: They walked down the street away from the entrance to the building. The escort followed them, and when he continued yelling at Marks son, Mark pushed him away.

The arrest of Houck for violating the FACE Act, which subjects anyone who intentionally injures, intimidates, or interferes with or attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with any person seeking to provide reproductive health services to federal charges, prompted backlash from the pro-life community. If convicted, Houck faces up to 11 years in prison.

Following Houcks indictment, Bill Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights wrote a letter to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the leading Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In the letter, Donohue wrote that there seems to be much interest in pursuing alleged wrongdoing by pro-life activists, yet little interest in pursuing alleged wrongdoing by abortion-rights activists.

Donohue referred to previous letters he had written urging the federal government to take stronger action against violence directed at pro-life pregnancy centers and churches following Politicos May 2 publication of a leak of the Supreme Courts draft decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization suggesting that a majority of justices were poised to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

The vandalism continued after the official Dobbs decision was released on June 24. Nearly four months after the Dobbs decision and almost six months after Politico published the leaked Dobbs draft decision, pro-life pregnancy centers and churches continue to find themselves subject to varying degrees of vandalism as federal law enforcement agencies direct their resources to prosecuting violations of the FACE Act.

Less than two weeks after Houcks Sept. 23 arrest, the DOJ unsealed an indictment against nearly a dozen individuals for violating the FACE Act by blocking the entrance to a Tennessee abortion clinic. Pro-life activists like Donohue see the FACE Act prosecutions and a corresponding lack of action to address the vandalism of churches and pro-life pregnancy centers as evidence of misplaced priorities.

The following pages list the most recent acts of pro-abortion vandalism of churches and pregnancy support centers since Houcks Sept. 23 arrest.

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Woman sues childcare company for allegedly firing her for refusing to read LGBT books to kids

A childcare teacher in California is suing her former employer after she was allegedly fired for refusing on religious grounds to read books to children that featured same-sex couples.

Nelli Parisenkova, who formerly worked at Bright Horizons Childrens Center in Studio City, filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California on Thursday.

According to the lawsuit, Parisenkova had been working at Bright Horizons for four years, having been aware of the books at the location, but not having been forced to read them.

In April, Katy Callas, the director of the location, who is a lesbian, became aware of Parisenkovas beliefs, took exception to them, and ultimately led to her being dismissed.

Parisenkova formally requested a religious accommodation from Bright Horizons that aligned with her prior informally granted request. Bright Horizons responded by categorically denying the request, stated the suit.

Bright Horizons did not engage in any negotiations and made no attempt whatsoever to determine whether a reasonable accommodation could be reached. Instead, Bright Horizons issued a counseling memo with false statements, terminated her life-insurance benefits, required her to complete retraining in diversity issues, and encouraged her to resign her position. Ms. Parisenkova could not return to work without an accommodation; so, Bright Horizons terminated her employment.

The suit accuses Bright Horizons and its staff of multiple charges, including unlawful retaliation, failure to prevent discrimination and harassment, religion-based harassment, wrongful termination, failure to accommodate, unlawful constructive discharge, and disparate treatment.

Thomas More Law Society Special Counsel Paul Jonna, who is helping to represent Parisenkova, said in a statement Thursday that he believed this was a clear-cut case of one of the largest childcare employers in the country having anti-religious workplace policies that promote indoctrination of young children with the LGBT agenda.

Callas called Nelli into her office, questioned her in an irate manner, told her that if she did not want to celebrate diversity this was not the place for her to work, gave her an administrative leave memo, escorted her outside with a security guard, and left her out in the 96-degree heat with no transportation, Jonna said.

As a result, Nelli was forced to walk 20 minutes in the heat and wait 45 minutes for transportation and suffered heat exhaustion for the next two days. She was afraid to return to work.

Founded in 1986, Bright Horizons is an international childcare organization with hundreds of locations and boasting more than 26,000 employees.

Over the years, Bright Horizons has often voiced support for the LGBT movement, seeing it as part of its overall effort to advance inclusion and diversity.

For example, in October 2018, Bright Horizons documented how their centers celebrated LGBT History Month, including taking part in Pride Parades and reading books to children like Daddy, Poppa, and Me and Mommy, Momma, and Me.

In November 2019, Bright Horizons officially endorsed the Equality Act, a controversial legislative proposal that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to federal antidiscrimination policy.
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.
Victims of religious oppression in Turkey reveal why Christian population is dwindling

Victims of religious oppression in Turkey shared their stories at an event on religious freedom at the European Parliament where the speakers suggested that political and social atrocities in that country were behind the Christian population's decline from 20% to a mere 0.2% over the last century.

The victims highlighted atrocities against Christian minorities committed by the Turkish government and parts of society, according to the human rights group ADF International, which held the event this week in partnership with the group European Conservatives and Reformists.

Among those who testified at Wednesdays event in Brussels, Freedom of Religion in Turkiye, was Mark Smith, a Christian missionary who was expelled from the country in 2020 after living there for over a decade.

We love the country of Turkey and want to work for the good of its people. We are not a threat to the state, the country or the Turkish way of life, Smith was quoted as saying.

Mark, with his wife, led a Turkish-speaking Evangelical church for 10 years before being banned from the country for activities against Turkish state security.

The Turkish government has expelled at least 60 foreign Christian missionaries and their families since 2020, according to the religious freedom group Open Doors, which says Christians in Turkey experience incredible pressure from very strong  and increasing  religious nationalism in the country.

Christians and other faith minorities are unable to exercise their right to freedom of religion, commented Dr. Georgia du Plessis, legal officer for ADF International in Brussels.

Christian missionaries are unable to return to the country they call home, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Orthodox Church has not been able to train clergy for 50 years, and religious sites are being violated without action taken from the government, Plessis continued, adding, These direct and egregious violations clearly indicate the demise of democracy in Turkey.

Member of the European Parliament Bert-Jan Ruissen said Turkey has restrictive government policies on religious practice for all religious communities other than non-Sunni Muslims.

We also see an increase in vandalism and violence against religious minorities and a government interfering in the internal affairs of religious communities, continued Ruissen, who is from ECR Group.

This contributes to a hostile environment where religious communities feel increasingly unsafe and this deserves our full attention, he added.

The 2022 European Parliament Report on Turkey condemned the oppression of religious and ethnic minorities and expressed regret over the continuously shrinking space for them to operate freely in Turkey.

In its recent report, Open Doors says, The government continues to target even foreign Christians in its borders, along with the foreign spouses of Turkish citizens.

Its not technically illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity, but any Muslim who does decide to follow Jesus comes under immense strain from their families and communities, who often demand the convert return to Islam, it adds.

These believers are sometimes forced to lead a double life and hide their conversion. Even Christians who did not convert from Islam are hardly regarded as full members of Turkish society and encounter all kinds of legal and bureaucratic obstructions.

Last month, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide called on the government of Turkey to investigate a claim that the countrys security officials offered to pay an ultranationalist whatever he wanted in return for assassinating church leaders.

In August, an ultranationalist man, identified only as Tolgahan A., confessed to Vedat Serin, a leader of the Salvation Church in the eastern city of Malatya, that members of Turkeys Gendarmerie Intelligence and Anti-Terror Unit offered him whatever he wanted if he killed Serin and two other Christian leaders  former pastor Tim Stone and Pastor Ihsan Ozbek, the chair of Kurtulus Churches Association, CSW said in a statement at the time.

The man, allegedly connected to the Nationalist Movement Party, was given the addresses and photos of Serin and the others, Ahval News reported, adding that he was also given a gun and sent to the church with a friend. But when they saw a little boy playing with a computer inside, they left.

Turkey has a long history of Christian persecution, and its government still refuses to admit that the Ottoman Turks committed genocide of Christian Armenians in 1915.

Turkey is 99% Muslim, according to its own statistics. Although its constitution provides for freedom of religion, the government uses regulations that demand the registration of religious groups to make it more difficult to practice non-Islamic faiths. Hatred toward Christians and Jews in the country often leads to discrimination, stigmatization and attacks.

In July 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan turned the Hagia Sophia, an ancient Christian cathedral, from a museum into a mosque, undoing its transformation in 1934 from a mosque to a cathedral.
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.
High rice yield recorded in east China's demonstration farmland

Xinhua) 15:45, October 17, 2022

HEFEI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A rice yield of about 1,136 kg per mu (approximately 0.067 hectares) was recorded on demonstration farmland in east China's Anhui Province, a major rice-producing region of the country, according to researchers from the Anhui Agricultural University.

The rice cultivation technique utilized by the research team has been shown to withstand seasonal high temperatures and drought.

The demonstration farmland saw an improvement in both the quantity and quality of rice as a result of the green, efficient, high yield and cost-saving cultivation methods during this year's extreme high-temperature climate conditions, said Zhang Xiufu, a researcher with the China National Rice Research Institute.

The farmland also achieved a 10 percent reduction in nitrogen.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Hongyu)
Democrats collude to cover up the crime scene

By Mark Alexander

web posted October 17, 2022

Joe Biden and his Democrat Party cadres in Congress and across the nation are desperately trying to divert attention from the record surge of murder and violence they unleashed nationwide in 2020, an epidemic of crime.

Two years ago during their "summer of rage," Demos insisted that our justice system was infested with "systemic racism." They supported the rioting Black Lives Matter radicals while simultaneously vilifying law enforcement officers and demanding their Demo-controlled urban centers enact measures to defund the police.

The politically motivated violence they fomented marched into 2021 and 2022 with a vengeance.

Now, because crime is high on the list of midterm voter concerns, Demos are ducking and covering. As the corrupt BLM movement implodes, Biden is trying to recast himself as a superhero crime fighter and the "FUND the police" president. Meanwhile, his congressional lap dogs are ramping up their tough talk on crime.

In an effort to help conceal the criminal culpability of his congressional cohorts, Biden recently hosted a hoax "hate summit" as a dog whistle diversion promoting the Demos' so-called "Safer America" plan to fund more police. Biden now insists, "The answer is not 'defund the police,' it is 'fund the police.'"

Tell that to the hundreds of thousands of victims of violence, a large measure of which is committed by black people against black people  the Demos' most loyal constituency. Not only do leftists avoid acknowledging that fact, but there is another inconvenient truth that doesn't fit the Left's favorite "hate crime" narrative: 90% of interracial assaults are black on white. Further, though the age demographic of most of those assailants constitutes only 3% of our population, they commit more than 85% of interracial felonies. Let that sink in...

As I have argued previously, all murders are hate crimes, despite the Left's political carveout classifying only a thin slice of murders as such.

What is the net result of the Democrats' pro-criminal advocacy? Law enforcement line commanders across the nation attest that there is a rising generation of urban sociopaths on our streets, and the consequences are more devastating by the day.

Unfortunately (but fortunately for Democrats), we do not know the extent to which crime continues to surge this year because the FBI's uniform crime reporting system is now anything but uniform. I am sure it is just coincidence that the same month Biden took office, the FBI, besieged with political corruption, switched to a new reporting system, which it absurdly claimed this week is much better than the old system.

As a result of that switch, more than 40% of police departments nationwide did not submit full data sets for 2021, and that includes major Demo-controlled cities in California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, where we know some cities are breaking all-time murder records again this year. Despite the incomplete data, the FBI still reported a 4.3% increase in murders last year over the unprecedented 30% increase in 2020.

To understand the Democrats' crime data collusion to conceal the real numbers ahead of the midterms, former FBI agent and Navy SEAL Jonathan Gilliam declared: "I try to stay neutral when I look at these things and say that this is a reason or that's a reason without the politics, but the reality is, law enforcement is becoming more and more beholden to leftist mayors and governors and the president. When we look at the cities where these reports are lagging behind, we're looking at predominantly liberal cities where the majority of crime is taking place. ... The reality is the politicization of law enforcement is so out of control that we can't even get real statistics."

Notably, the most violent large cities all have leftist Democrat mayors, and the last time these cities had Republican mayors is telling: St. Louis, 1949; Baltimore, 1967; Birmingham, 1975; Detroit, 1962; Dayton, 2001; Baton Rouge, 2005; New Orleans, 1873; Kansas City, 1991; and Cleveland, 1989.

In effect, the Demos are not just erasing violent crime data, they are erasing victims.

Predictably, some of the Democrats' Leftmedia platforms, including first and foremost The Washington Post, insist the claims of a crime surge are fabricated. But at least one leftist platform, CNN, gently noted the dearth of data in the FBI's latest report.

In additional to the FBI's crime data reporting smokescreen, there is another major contributing intersectional factor in the crime surge: violence committed by illegal immigrants. Illegal immigration is also a substantial midterm voter concern, which accounts for why there is no national database of violent crime committed by this ever-growing cohort  including the terrorists, murderers, rapists, pedophiles, drug dealers, and gang members who have entered the U.S. undetected.

To highlight the Left's hypocrisy on dealing with illegal immigrants, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew 48 illegal Venezuelans to the wealthy leftist enclave of Martha's Vineyard. Those immigrants were rounded up and deported off the island the day after they arrived.

Biden and his Demos don't want to acknowledge the unprecedented invasion of 3.3 million illegal immigrants they have invited across our open southern border in the 20 months since he took office. That would be what Border Czar Kamala Harris calls our "secure border." While many of those entering illegally remain in border states, Biden has also shipped hundreds of thousands of immigrants across the nation, making him the most prolific human trafficker in American history.

However, Democrats have deliberately and dutifully avoided any accumulation of data on crimes committed by those migrants. Yes, we know anecdotally that those crimes occur because sometimes the immigrant status of an assailant is reported even in self-designated sanctuary cities. Last weekend, for example, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala stabbed eight people in Las Vegas, killing two.

Of course, there are other indications of at least the ethnicity of those committing violent crimes. Just take a look at the faces and names of those on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Not much diversity there. Or take a look at the Los Angeles Police Department's Ten Most Wanted. Not much diversity there.

I have discussed the lack of illegal immigrant crime data at length with several members of Congress, and in the event Republicans retake both the House and Senate in the midterms, that database will be on the agenda come January. Every violent crime committed by Biden's illegal pawns needs to be hung around his neck.

But for now, the Democrats have done a masterful job of concealing the real data on violent crime. Apparently, they subscribe to the maxim offered by management advisor Peter Drucker: "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it." Conversely, computer magnate Michael Dell concluded, "Anything that can be measured can be improved."

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
IT leaders hold a powerful position at Owens Corning. CIO Steve Zerby not only has a seat at the table, but hes driving business strategy at the manufacturing company thanks to his panoptic view of the centralized yet global organization. Hes able to spot synergies in supply chain processes that could create efficiencies, and connect leaders in high-performing geographies with lower-performing regions that could benefit from their perspective  even if theyre not in the same business division.

Zerbys senior leaders serve as the companys air traffic controllers, he says. Theyre able to see the technologies, processes, and people moving in different directions, the strategies involved, and how they fit together. Were really in the best positioned to connect those dots, draw those parallels, and see collisions that are about to happen, Zerby says.

As digital initiatives flourish, the CIO is one of the few executives with a birds-eye view of all business functions and how they work in the context of the broader organization, including their digital progress, capabilities, challenges, and talent. For these reasons, many CIO roles have expanded to that of chief integration officer. Theyre integrating business and IT cross-functional teams, integrating partner ecosystems for the benefit of the company, and integrating business and IT objectives.

The CIO role has become much more strategic. Its not about a functional responsibility anymore; its about orchestrating the technology capabilities to deliver what the business needs, says Khalid Kark, global CIO research director and managing director of Deloittes CIO Program.

We are seeing a significant expansion in the CIO role and specifically in a handful of responsibilities that werent there pre-COVID, including monetizing data and technology for the organization, re-imagining how work is done through automation, and more focus on emerging technology to drive business solutions, Kark says.

This may be because large organizations are re-shuffling org charts to place chief data officers, chief digital officers, and chief technology officers under the CIO, where many have been horizontal or dotted lines to the CIO. The goal is a more cohesive approach to overall tech strategy. Otherwise, tech will again be siloed and the business doesnt know who to turn to first, Kark says.

Elevating influence

At Tokio Marine North America Services, integration means not just technology integration but people and processes integration. CIO Robert Pick does a lot of integration through the vector of automation. His company became interested in robotic process automation and process orientation, which included business process outsourcing and optimization.

In our organization, the team of Six Sigma and business process management folks is actually in IT, he says. Theyre the same people who do robotics process automation  and now theyre doing broader intelligent automation, with Pick overseeing and integrating those roles in the organization.

Pick also found responsibilities that were once under the COOs stack, or didnt exist at all, are now falling under IT. We collected them just by adjacencies, he says. For instance, IT disaster recovery responsibilities broadened to included non-tech related responsibilities, but they still fell under IT. All of a sudden, boom! We own active assailant training  and the totality of how we continue the true business processes, all the way through to emergency management and crisis management, Pick says.

Like it or not, the horizontal view that CIOs have puts them in the catbird seat to see across stovepipe departments and even across multiple businesses, which makes integration a logical role, not to mention having the resources to execute, as opposed to other adjacent CXOs.

When CIOs are in charge of the integration process they can deliver more value, Pick says. If were providing the glue, not just relying on it, that allows us to avoid problems. It has also elevated the CIOs influence in business strategy.

CIOs as integrators of business strategy

CIOs are better-suited for the chief integration role than other C-suite executives, says Lookman Fazal, CIO of NJ Transit, the third largest transit agency in US providing nearly a million trips a day pre-pandemic.

IT has always been integrating systems, and were used to changing these technologies every three years. Its just that we were doing it with tools, not people, Fazal says. Today, CIOs are bringing people together along with processes to impact business strategy. While most C-suite execs focus on day-to-day operations, the digital heads look to the future and see whats coming on the horizon, he adds.

Fazal has taken the integration reins when it comes to changing the public transit agencys mindset from a state-owned monopoly to a competitive business-to-consumer organization. We offer a product [transit], and we need consumers to buy our product, and we need to stay competitive, he says. So how do we retain customers, maintain foot traffic, increase revenue, stay ahead of competition, and dont get shut down?

One piece of this effort, a rewards program, offers travel points that customers can redeem for rewards at local businesses near transit stops. The IT team not only built the platform for the project, but Fazal helped build the business case, identified its impact on each business unit, and then developed the change management processes around it. IT is in the best position to look at the impact of process change across the organization, he says.

Integrating with outside business partners

Business strategy often collides with a shortage of needed skill sets, and CIOs are being called on to integrate with outside business partners and ecosystems.

National Life Group CIO Nimesh Mehta brought together partners from outside the company to create competitive advantage for the insurance provider in the form of instant policy approval and issue. The application and underwriting process typically took 20 or more days for approval under the companys previous approach. Mehta and his team envisioned being able to issue complicated policies instantly and without a human touch.

We brought together not only internal teams, but we also had four other vendors in the insurance space, including a software vendor, system integrators, and data partners, and we built one team with a very clear vision to get from Point A to B. The 18-month project was completed in June 2022, the first of its kind in the US.

Its not just about the IT team working with the business team  you show up as one team  and making sure that everyone is on the same page with the same goal, Mehta says.

Integration requires tweaking leadership styles

CIOs may need to tweak their leadership style to work successfully with groups outside of IT.

Youve got to have a little bit of humility because as you wade into groups where youre not familiar with their domains and expertise you will be wrong sometimes, Owens Cornings Zerby says. You also have to be willing to give them what they need and not necessarily what you want to provide to them, he adds, whether thats process help, change management assistance, talent guidance, or just a global perspective based on experience.

As part of his integration role, Mehta is helping the organization move from the concept of teams to teaming, which is people who have never practiced together having to come together to solve a problem, Mehta says. This requires changes to the CIOs leadership style. Theyll need to articulate a very clear vision, hone their storytelling and articulation skills, learn to deal with diversity of thought and personalities, and have the ability to influence, he says.

 and a change in hiring style

CIOs should make sure they have capabilities in at least one of the three emerging areas of CIO responsibility to remain relevant  which are monetizing data and tech, re-imagining work/AI, and implementing emerging tech to drive business strategy, Deloittes Kark says.

That sometimes means hiring people with different skill sets. In a Deloitte report to be released this fall, CIOs were asked to rank human skills and tech skills and what they were planning to hire for in the next two years. The majority were looking for human skills, like creativity, out-of-the-box thinking and solutioning, as opposed to more technical skills, Kark says.

The holy grail

Owens Cornings Zerby already sees the CIO integrator-to-influencer role playing out in his organization. When he first placed two divisional CIOs into three of its businesses, they were the technology person sitting in the room waiting for some technology idea and need  thats how they were seen, and thats probably how they acted, he says. But over time they began proving their value by connecting the dots and being good at things outside the IT discipline, he says.

Now theyre [doing things like] leading the organization on how were going to execute a strategy. It could be leading an exercise with the customer; sometimes theyre even interviewing talent for other parts of the business. Thats the holy grail of where you want to get, Zerby says, being seen as a bigger contributor than just a technologist.
For years, auto makers and dealers have used Salesforce for CRM  but its involved a hodge-podge of company-specific customizations. Now Salesforce is hoping to sweep that away with Salesforce Automotive Cloud, a dedicated platform for the auto industry that sticks close to industry standards on data exchange.

This new offering has arrived as auto makers rethink their relationships with dealers and intermediaries who handled face-to-face customer relations and local inventory since the pandemic made online auto sales and touchless delivery seem desirable. Until that point, few consumers wanted to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a car they had never seen or touched.

Michael Ramsey, a VP and automotive analyst at Gartner, said Automotive Cloud offers a way for auto makers to take back control of their branding.

At a basic level, Salesforce built this because they could see that the auto companies were suddenly in need of actually delivering customer experience rather than relying on dealers to do it, he said.

Achyut Jajoo, Salesforces companys GM of manufacturing and automotive, pointed to moves Ford is already making to impose a new way of working on its dealers. They basically want them to become more experiential, he said. The dealership of the future would actually look more like an Apple Store.

Automotive Cloud is intended to help auto makers get closer to their customers by analyzing data not just about one person and their vehicle, Jajoo said, but their entire household and all interactions with dealers on one screen.

And because we have that data, we can now recommend to dealers what next best action to take, he said. Weve created tools to do this in a more declarative fashion, rather than custom coding. The tools include a rules engine that can look at the data and fire off alerts and recommendations.

By gathering data from their dealers in one place, auto makers will also have a better picture of the market, Jajoo said.

Now you can run performance analytics: what cars are selling, which make, model, model year, in which geographies, which dealer is performing better  all of those types of things, he said.

Maintaining standards

One of the things that lubricates data flow around and between enterprises is compliance with standards. The US auto retail industry realized this almost two decades ago, and came together to create the nonprofit corporation Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail. STARs members include the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA); automobile manufacturers such as Ford, GM, BMW, and Toyota; and IT vendors such as Microsoft, Nuspire, and Tech Mahindra. Many of STARs IT vendor members have offices in Detroit, once known as Motor City and increasingly becoming a hub for technology companies.

STAR deprecated its original flat file exchange format long ago, and now publishes over 200 XML message formats for Business Object Documents (BODs) covering everything from exchanging sales leads through arranging credit, selling the vehicle, servicing it, and ordering parts for repairs to resell it.

Salesforce adheres to STARs standards, making sure all necessary fields are available in its platform, said Jajoo: Salesforce as a platform is API first, so it becomes easy for us to exchange information between parties.

The company has created templates to facilitate that data exchange. Its an ecosystem play, he says. We extend this data out for your partners, whether theyre dealers, agents, or other third parties.

That means companies adopting Automotive Cloud should be able to continue exchanging data with those using other STAR-compliant platforms.

But therell be more work involved for CIOs who have already built their automotive CRM systems on the Salesforce platform, as theyll have to unwind years of customization in order to adopt Automotive Cloud.

For legacy car companies, it will be a big leap to adopt the platform wholesale because most already have a pretty robust Customer 360-type database, said Gartners Ramsey.

Toyota Financial Services is one of the companies looking forward to the migration challenge. Its digital information officer is excited by the potential Automotive Cloud offers to build more meaningful relationships with customers.

Accelerator peddling

Salesforce isnt the only company targeting CRM solutions at the automotive industry. Microsoft offers an automotive accelerator for its Dynamics CRM product  but, as with Salesforces previous efforts, this is more about making it easier for customers to develop applications on top of the vanilla CRM tool to meet their needs, and less about providing a turnkey solution.

Automotive Cloud provides a modular way to connect customer, car, dealer, and other parts of the organization together that need customer info, like finance, warranty and connected vehicle services, said Ramsey. There needs to be something like this in place to manage customer IDs and all the interactions between companies, he said, adding, Im sure other companies will follow with some kind of vertical offering like this, but right now it fits in a niche thats a step above a standard CRM and is something closer to a customer operating system, he said.
Europes energy crisis: Dont buy from your enemy By Trig Mabrey

web posted October 17, 2022 One of the basic principles of supply and demand is that when the supply curve contracts, price goes up. An excellent example of this is the US gas prices of the 1970s, which skyrocketed due to an OPEC embargo. Europe is experiencing a similar phenomenon, as prices for all forms of fossil fuels soar. In my own city, gasoline is going for 10 a gallon, and heating prices have jumped tenfold over the past six months. This is not the first time such a gas crisis has happened. Even since petroleum gained its current essential place in our economy it has been especially vulnerable due to its increased scarcity and widespread demand. Unlike other scarce but necessary goods, petroleum is very limited in its areas of production in certain deposits around the world. This has created a dependency on these oil producing nations by many larger states, powers such as China, Europe, Japan, India. Out of all the great powers, the only ones who are net exporters are the USA and Russia. Just like the Japan learned in the 1940s, and the US learned in the 1970s, Europe has now discovered the great folly of giving your enemy control of the taps. Even since the fall of the Soviet Union, many nations in Europe have been utilizing the newly democratic and free market Russia as a cheap and easy source of fuel. However, this has granted Russia a significant playing card. The main producer in Russia is the state-owned GAZPROM, and thus, Putin has control over the taps. After most of Europe sanctioned Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, the gas through the pipes started slowing. A combination of sanctions and Russian reciprocity has dramatically reduced European imports to extremely small levels, causing a run-on effect in gas prices. With the recent Nordstream 1 closure, there will be even less natural gas flowing into the EU, and other sources of supply have not been able to provide enough to meet the demand. With this dramatic loss of supply, and reduction of the corresponding curve, the steady demand has led to rising prices, as much as four times 2021 levels for many areas. Unfortunately for Europe, the opportunity cost of going without heating in the winter is not something people are willing to endure, and thus the quantity demanded cannot fall with the price shift, causing shortages, especially as quantity demanded increases with the onset of cold. There are a few possible solutions to this problem. The one currently considered by the EU is a cap on prices, but I am unable to find information on how this will work. Without some form of intervention, a price cap would be horrible for everyone, exacerbating the shortages and doing nothing to address rising demand. Other options include finding and alternative energy source, such as wind or nuclear, but Europes infrastructure is not optimized for this. The most likely solution is some alternate supplier, such as the Middle East or American LNG. However, this comes with associated costs, and could result in a permanent price jump. In all, the current situation in Europe is a cautionary tale about the importance of supply. When a supply source does not lie under control of a states government, it will always be vulnerable to outside interference or manipulation. Long term economic security for Europe and other places depends on how they answer the question of Who will do the producing?" Trig Mabrey is an AP Economics student in high school. (c) 2022 Trig Mabrey Home
By Ilias Chantzos, Global Privacy Officer and Head of EMEA Government Affairs, Broadcom

On May 11, 2022, the European Union (EU) reached provisional agreement on the new Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). Despite the choice of term, theres nothing provisional about DORA. In fact, one of the worlds most far-reaching cybersecurity regulations for financial services and their supply chains is a done deal.

All that remains prior to formal adoption, expected sometime this October, primarily involves a handful of formalities and translation into the 24 official languages of the EUs member states.

DORA represents the EUs response to the ever-increasing number of cyberattacks against financial institutions. Its designed to strengthen the security of EU financial firms, such as banks, insurance companies, investment firms and more, by imposing resilience requirements and regulating the supply chain. But, as I noted in an earlier post, the tenets of DORA extend far beyond the EU and its financial sector.

DORAs uniform requirements for the security of network and information systems encompass not only enterprises in the financial sector, but also critical third-party vendors providing information and communications technologyrelated services to the financial sector, such as cloud platforms and data analytics.

Indeed, DORAs reach extends to basically any enterprise offering information and communications technology (ICT) services that is considered critical to the supply chain supporting the European financial sector  regardless of whether or not that enterprise or service is based inside the EU. In fact, under DORA, the complexity of the supply chain or the lack of EU presence are both considered risk factors.

Mandating New Regulatory Perspectives

DORA is unique in that it brings a new and different level of regulatory scrutiny to a wide variety of global enterprises. DORAs requirements mandate  not merely suggest compliance with its provisions. Just as important, the impact of this new level of regulatory scrutiny differs depending on the point of view of the enterprise.

Financial institutions accustomed to a regulatory environment primarily designed to assess financial risk and stability will now have to take the potential risk posed by their ICT operations just as seriously. Financial institutions are accustomed to address risk in the form of capital requirements. DORA takes a different approach by mandating specific behavior and performance-based requirements. From the point- of view of financial institutions, that elevation of risk has consequences across multiple aspects of their business, such as how they consume technology and how they transform their business by transitioning to new technologies like cloud computing. This includes overall risk management strategies and capabilities, supply chain security, and organizational staffing and policies for ensuring proper ICT risk assessment and compliance.

DORA also changes the regulatory perspective of ICT organizations. Up to now, theyve been regulated primarily on data-related issues, such as data privacy, and data breach notification, based on concerns about personal data and political objectives like digital sovereignty. Groundbreaking rules, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, and the more recent California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States, come easily to mind.

ICT organizations might also have other regulatory obligations on security, or have been classified as critical infrastructure, depending on where they are located, such as under the Network and Information Security Directive (NIS) in Europe, the Cybersecurity Act 2018 in Singapore, or sector specific legislation for specialized industries, such as telecoms in the United States.

Now, if ICT companies are servicing financial institutions in the EU, they most likely will be subject to DORA as well. So, in addition to their prior regulatory frameworks, those ICT providers designated as offering a critical service will suddenly be regulated under DORA in a way that very much feels as if they are becoming extensions of the EU financial institutions theyre servicing. Regardless of how one looks at it, thats a dramatic change  for both financial institutions and ICT providers.

But thats not all. DORA changes the perspective for the EUs regulatory establishment. Regulators who are experts on financial institution compliance must now extend their scope to include ICT providers offering critical services, such as cloud providers, data analytics services, and other non-financial businesses. In countries with complex regulatory structures, there will also be the need to cooperate with other bodies tasked with regulating these additional types of non-financial industries.

Meeting the Challenges

DORA requires EU financial institutions to assess their own cybersecurity and risk management maturity. Understanding and managing their supply chain risk performance will be central to this effort.

In general, financial institutions are adept at stress tests for determining security and financial stability. Its a different challenge to extend those kinds of tests to other organizations. So, for the EUs financial sector, how to manage vendors, risk management, and operational capabilities in an ever more complex and extended supply chain poses the biggest puzzle.

For example, a financial institution might be headquartered in Europe but have all its support activities outsourced to businesses based in India. These support services may not technically be financial institutions. But DORA will require the financial institution to assess if the vendor is critical to its operations and apply the relevant DORA requirements to that relationship.

For enterprises not based in the EU, the key question is one of jurisdiction and market access. Financial institutions or ICT providers operating outside the EU are not affected. But if the enterprise is a financial institution or ICT service provider servicing the EU finance sector in any way, it will most likely be subject to DORA  directly or indirectly.

Countdown to 2024

Unless something changes in the final text, DORA goes into effect 24 months after its official adoption. Realistically that is likely to be somewhere near the close of 2024. The good news is that this provides plenty of time for organizations to prepare for compliance. Most importantly, it is not too long for inclusion in a typical enterprise budget cycle.

But before that deadline sneaks up on you, start preparing now. Here are five key steps:

Use the time until 2024 wisely.

Understand where you are. Search, find, and identify your compliance gaps.

Determine what you need to remediate your gaps.

Educate and get buy-in from senior management.

Budget for the 24 months.

The clock is ticking.

To learn more about how Broadcom Software can help you modernize, optimize, and protect your enterprise, contact us here.

About Ilias Chantzos:

Broadcom Software

Ilias is the Global Privacy Officer and the Head of Government Affairs programs for Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) of Broadcom. He leads the global privacy program across the companys multiple business units and regions.
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The past, present, and future of Quebec  updated to 2022 (Part Two) By Mark Wegierski

web posted October 17, 2022 In the 1980s, one issue very rarely discussed was the situation of the approximately 20% (combined Anglophone -- persons whose first language is English -- and "Allophone" -- persons whose first language is neither English nor French) minorities in Quebec. Quebec Anglophones were practically the only minority group in Canada that were not encouraged to assert themselves vis-a-vis the majority community. Indeed, it could be argued that they were made to feel rather uncomfortable in a Quebec dominated by regnant Quebecois nationalism. This minority was at that time larger in absolute numbers than any comparable Francophone minority in English-speaking Canada, and percentage-wise, was second only to the Acadian French minority in fully and officially bilingual New Brunswick (35%). Ontario is only about 5% Francophone, but its administration moved to de facto bilingualism (with a wide range of government services and publications available in both official languages) as early as the 1970s, and became officially bilingual in the 1990s. Yet, in Quebec, it is illegal to put up a sign in English only, and the Protestant/English education system had for a long time been under pressure. The Quebec civil service in the 1980s employed virtually no Anglophones (a total of 1.6%), and even in the Quebec federal civil service, a similarly low ratio had existed. In Ontario, on the other hand, fully 5% of the provincial civil service was Francophone by the 1980s. (Figures cited by Peter Brimelow on p. 208 of The Patriot Game.) One might well ask if this does not create some kind of disjunction in what claims to be a free and pluralistic society? Can one ever imagine equivalent measures being introduced by an English-Canadian Premier -- a legal, formal ban on public signs in languages other than English? It could be argued that Canada today is thus characterized by extensive coast-to-coast official bilingualism -- and official French unilingualism in Quebec itself. Furthermore, it could be argued that the huge preponderance of Liberal seats in Quebec (apart from rare instances), has allowed for a skewing of the democratic process against the legitimate interests and desires of English-speaking Canada. Until the definite movement in Quebec federal voting patterns that began in 1993, it was difficult, if not impossible, for English-speaking Canada to elect a government in accord with the beliefs and interests of the majority of its inhabitants. As Brimelow has pointed out, English-speaking Canada, taken as a whole, has voted again and again for the Conservatives, only to find that the Liberal preponderance in Quebec gave the over-all federal victory to the Liberals. In the case of a long-serving Liberal Prime Minister like Mackenzie King, and a Liberal Party that could be called centre-traditionalist or traditionalist-centrist  the consequences of Liberal government were more-or-less salubrious for most Canadians, and did not imply the revolutionary transformations of regime-change. However, from 1963 forward, the federal Liberal Party came under the spell of revolutionary-transformative ideas. Indeed, some have argued that Pierre Elliott Trudeau largely hijacked a centre-traditionalist Liberal Party as a vehicle for his agenda of radical, total transformation. In the years 1968 to 1980, it was indeed supremely important whether Trudeaus party continued to win elections. Unlike some governments that come to power with modest goals, Trudeaus every year in office was driven by a wide-ranging, thoroughgoing program of radical, total, social and cultural transformation. To the extent that Trudeau was able to so drastically alter the social and cultural environment, a situation was reached where the deep radicalism of the changes became mostly imperceptible to most persons, because something like the very nature of the perceived social, political, and cultural reality had shifted. Indeed, almost everyone in Canada now exists within Trudeaus social, cultural, political, and juridical matrix  which some critics have termed the Trudeaupia. Quebec voters continued to overwhelmingly vote for Pierre Elliott Trudeau over the five most critical federal elections of 1968, 1972, 1974, 1979, and 1980. To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home
A week ago, New York magazine dropped a cover with a simple yet striking image: a close-up shot of John Fetterman, the hulking, goateed Democratic nominee for US Senate in Pennsylvania, staring straight forward, his brow slightly furrowed, alongside the headline The Vulnerability of John Fetterman. The cover accompanied an in-depth profile by Rebecca Traister, who landed perhaps the highest-profile interview with Fetterman since he had a major stroke just days before the Pennsylvania primary in May; they spoke over Google Meet, with Fetterman using closed-captioning technology to read Traisters questions due to his ongoing difficulties with auditory processing. As summer turned to fall, Fetterman returned to the trail in person, powering through his convalescence at rallies and via television and newspaper interviews, his physical condition visibly improving, Traister wrote. But what gained more traction in September and October in both the right-wing multiverse and the mainstream political press were Republican attacks suggesting that Fetterman was weak, both physically and in his approach to crimeand that, when it came to his health, he was still hiding something.

Traisters interview made a splashbut not as much as a different Fetterman interview that also came out last week: his first in-person TV sit-down since his stroke, with NBCs Dasha Burns. The full interview lasted more than half an hour, but only a three-minute cut made its way onto NBCs Nightly News, where Lester Holt introduced the sit-down as not a typical candidate interview and then threw to Burns, who noted that Fetterman had required closed captioning for the interview, then claimed that, in small talk before the interview, without captioning, it wasnt clear he was understanding our conversation. There followed clips showing Fetterman pausing to read a question about his fitness for office from a monitor and tripping over the word empathetic (Thats an example of the stroke, Fetterman said, of the stumble), before Burns was shown asking Fetterman why he hasnt released his medical records or made his physician available for an interview. (Fettermans campaign did publish a doctors letter back in June.) The final minute of the Nightly News package flashed up a Republican attack ad as a prelude to Burns asking Fetterman whether hes soft on crime, before the conversation turned, for twenty seconds or so, to abortion. Dr. Oz likes to make fun of me that I might miss a word, Fetterman said (referring to his opponent, the TV doctor turned Republican politician Mehmet Oz), but hes missed two words, and that is yes or no on the national abortion ban.

ICYMI: War coverage escalates, and goes back to the beginning

The interviewand, in particular, Burnss contention that Fetterman seemed not to understand what she was saying without closed captioningquickly drew criticism, including from Traister, who insisted, having herself interviewed Fetterman, that while his auditory processing is impaired, his comprehension, a very different faculty, is not; Kara Swisher, who also recently interviewed Fetterman and is herself a stroke survivor, was more scathing, referring to Burnss comment as nonsense and suggesting that she might just be bad at small talk. Various prominent advocates for people with disabilities also pushed back on the fact that the interview was framed around Fettermans condition, describing it as ableist, a charge also leveled by Gisele Barreto Fetterman, Fettermans wife. Recovering from a stroke in public isnt easy, Fetterman himself tweeted. But in January, Im going to be much betterand Dr. Oz will still be a fraud. Oz, for his part, signal-boosted Burnss question about Fettermans perceived lack of transparency, while other Republican campaign accounts amplified her small talk comment. Tucker Carlson did likewise on his Fox show. What she just told you is that before the machine was turned on, John Fetterman could not understand human language, Carlson said, musing aloud as to where the man ends and the machine begins.

Burns, for her part, clarified in subsequent appearances on MSNBC that shed spoken to stroke experts who had told her that Fettermans reliance on closed captioning does not indicate any sort of cognitive impairmentbut she also reiterated her claim that Fetterman had seemed not to understand what she was saying, and she otherwise defended her interview, stating, in response to Swisher, that different journalists can have different experiences with a candidate, and that all she could do was report on hers. Our reporting did not and should not comment on fitness for office. This is for voters to decide, Burns added on Twitter. What we do push for as reporters is transparency. Its our job. (Burns also sat for an interview with Oz last week, pressing him as to why, as a medical doctor, hed allowed his campaign to make light of Fettermans stroke.)

While Burnss interview kicked off the media furor around Fettermans condition last week, it did not do so in isolationright-wing media figures, in particular, have been questioning Fettermans health for weeks, and mainstream reporters and pundits seemed eager to weigh in on Burnss interview with thoughts of their own. Sanjay Gupta, a doctor and CNNs chief medical correspondent, assessed Fettermans apparent condition on air while pointing to colored zones on a plastic brain. Jonathan Martin, recently of the New York Times, called the Burns interview rough for Fetterman on the grounds that it would only fuel questions about his health, while Ed OKeefe, of CBS, asked whether Pennsylvania voters are comfortable with someone representing them who had to conduct a TV interview this way. Back in the NBC Extended Universe, Joe Scarborough, of Morning Joe, slammed Burnss critics as idiots and accused them of behaving like Trump supporters; on the same show, Chris Matthewslesser-spotted since he timed out of his own MSNBC show in 2020, amid allegations of sexist conductdescribed Burnss questions as soft and reasonable before referring to Fetterman as a guy who cannot answer the question because he had to look at the monitor. (In fact, he used the monitor to answer Burnss questions.) A newsletter from NBCs Meet the Press, meanwhile, led with the headline Fetterman, Walker face political challenges outside of the overall environmentequating Fettermans health, at least in terms of political liability, with allegations that Herschel Walker, the anti-abortion Republican Senate candidate in Georgia, paid a woman to have an abortion.

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The Fetterman furor was strange, in one sense, since there should have been nothing unexpected in Fetterman using closed captioning in an interview; hes done so repeatedly since returning to the campaign trail, and been very open about it, as Traister pointed out on The Ringers Press Box podcast last week. (NBC made a basic accommodation for Fettermans health sound like an investigative finding, Traister said.) That said, theres also nothing unexpected in the media homing in on the cognitive functioning of a prominent politicianthat increasingly seems to be a favored pastime, especially of commentators on the right, but also of liberal pundits and the objective journalism crowd who position themselves in between. Often, such coverage is tied to another hot-button topic in US political discourse right now: advanced age. (Indeed, for her previous major profile, Traister wrote about the eighty-nine-year-old Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein, reporting primarily on her political record but also on the fact that she appears mentally compromised.) The age debate often revolves around President Biden, and last week was no exception. Politico ran a story on his upcoming eightieth birthday, writing that it will likely intensify scrutiny of Bidens health and decision as to whether he will run for reelection. CNNs Jake Tapper, meanwhile, scored a rare sit-down interview with Biden and asked him to respond to concerns about his age. (Biden responded by telling Tapper to look what Ive gotten done.)

Two years ago this month, with Donald Trump in the hospital following his diagnosis with covid, Ben Smith, then the media columnist at the Times, wrote about the increasing urgency of working out how to cover the condition of Americas elderly leaders at a time when there are so many of them, concluding that, while journalists have often seen a politicians age as the sort of thing one doesnt talk about, the US needs a reporting culture thats ready to handle the public decline of this generation of leaders as long as they insist on declining in public, and that searching questions about everything from sleep to cognition shouldnt be off limits. Smith was right, and yet, as he also acknowledged, such stories arent easy; they must, ultimately, be told with care and sensitivity. Cultural squeamishness around covering the age of our leaders can be an impediment to needed scrutinybut the heightened level of attention that often accompanies such stories can also incentivize journalists to tell them compassionately and to ensure that they are based on solid evidence, not just idle political gossip. In return, its reasonable for reporters to expect at least some degree of medical transparency from aging people with immense power. (Trumps medical team infamously failed this expectation following his covid hospitalization.)

Coverage of a politician like Fetterman doesnt revolve around age, of course (hes fifty-three), and in some ways, age and disability in politics demand very different coverage framesthe former, for instance, raises questions of generational representation that are separate from individual health concerns. Still, some of the same issues apply here: around transparency, yes (and reasonable observers can probably disagree as to how much is enough in Fettermans case), but also, on the medias end, around sensitivity and compassionand a recognition that while a politicians condition is a story, its rarely the only story worth telling about them. (Again, Traister did a good job of holding Feinstein accountable for her worldview and policies while also reporting on her mental acuity.) NBCs Fetterman interview, at least as it was packaged for the Nightly News, failed on these terms. It presented Fettermans condition as the key takeaway from the interview without ever justifying why it should be seen as such, failing, among other things, to add prominent medical context as to what viewers might expect to see from a stroke survivor at Fettermans stage of recovery, and using language loosely. Again, understanding and auditory processing are not interchangeable concepts.

Even if it wasnt Burnss intention, the framing of her interview implicitly did comment on Fettermans fitness for office, by presenting a reasonable and normal accessibility accommodation for people with his condition as sufficiently abnormal to merit top-takeaway treatment. (If Fetterman had worn eyeglasses for the interview, Burns would not have remarked that he couldnt seem to see her until he put them on.) Its true that its rare to see a candidate for major office using closed captioning in an interview, and that Burns didnt state any conclusions about Fettermans fitness. But the framing choices we make do influence how people vote, and its never good enough to pretend that we have no power over news consumers perceptions, even if we cant control how the Tucker Carlsons of the world twist our words. This is particularly true when it comes to basic questions of accommodating disabilities in politics. If Fetterman is unusual as a political candidate using closed captioning, the most pertinent question we can ask is why. The fact that this was not a typical candidate interview says much more about who gets to be a political candidate in America than it does about John Fetterman.

In political journalism, vulnerability usually carries a negative connotationreferring to political Achilles heels in a world that rewards strength and toughness. In her recent profile, Traister interrogated a very different meaning of the same word, asking whether Fettermanonce a cartoonish avatar of political strength-projectionmight have conjured a new type of political appeal out of his stroke and subsequent condition. Voters have been knocked flat by a pandemic, by Dobbs, by storms and mass shootings and rising pricesby reckoning with it all, Traister wrote. The vision of a human being who has also been knocked flat making his way back toward health along an unlikely and precarious path is very powerful.

Below, more on representation and the Pennsylvania Senate race:

Representation, I: For Teen Vogue, Sarah Blahovec, a disability community organizer and consultant, writes that NBCs Fetterman interview unleashed a wave of ableist discourse that has been deeply disappointing and speaks to why so few people with disabilities run foror winelected office. Disabled people are underrepresented in politics, though not enough data is available to determine the precise extent of the problem, Blahovec writes. Disabled people know their behaviors and actions will be heavily scrutinized by the press or even become the story rather than the policies theyre fighting for. They know that their required accommodations will be seen as a big deal rather than something perfectly reasonable that many people use in their daily lives.

For Teen Vogue, Sarah Blahovec, a disability community organizer and consultant, writes that NBCs Fetterman interview unleashed a wave of ableist discourse that has been deeply disappointing and speaks to why so few people with disabilities run foror winelected office. Disabled people are underrepresented in politics, though not enough data is available to determine the precise extent of the problem, Blahovec writes. Disabled people know their behaviors and actions will be heavily scrutinized by the press or even become the story rather than the policies theyre fighting for. They know that their required accommodations will be seen as a big deal rather than something perfectly reasonable that many people use in their daily lives. Representation, II: For the Times, David M. Perry, a journalist and historian who regularly writes about disability, criticized Burns for implying that NBC was doing Mr. Fetterman a favor by using captioning, before charting the long history of stigma around disability in US politics and media coverage thereof; FDR, for example, tried to keep the press from photographing him being transferred into and out of his wheelchair. Today, politicians as diverse as Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Representative Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina use wheelchairs, and even their most virulent political opponents generally dont bring up their disabilities, Perry writes. But when it comes to invisible disabilities, and in particular ones that involve communication or mental function, stigma is trickier to detect and dispel.

For the Times, David M. Perry, a journalist and historian who regularly writes about disability, criticized Burns for implying that NBC was doing Mr. Fetterman a favor by using captioning, before charting the long history of stigma around disability in US politics and media coverage thereof; FDR, for example, tried to keep the press from photographing him being transferred into and out of his wheelchair. Today, politicians as diverse as Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Representative Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina use wheelchairs, and even their most virulent political opponents generally dont bring up their disabilities, Perry writes. But when it comes to invisible disabilities, and in particular ones that involve communication or mental function, stigma is trickier to detect and dispel. The race, I: Rolling Stones Kara Voght profiled Gisele Barreto Fetterman, who has become a political star after her husbands stroke forced her into the limelight. As a former undocumented immigrant from Brazil, standing in the spotlight runs counter to years of warnings her mother gave her to be invisible, but Gisele has found herself not just surviving in uncertainty, but thriving, Voght writes. The media response to the NBC interview and the broader questions around Fettermans condition have cast Gisele into yet another role: defending her husband against attacks she views as ableist.

Rolling Stones Kara Voght profiled Gisele Barreto Fetterman, who has become a political star after her husbands stroke forced her into the limelight. As a former undocumented immigrant from Brazil, standing in the spotlight runs counter to years of warnings her mother gave her to be invisible, but Gisele has found herself not just surviving in uncertainty, but thriving, Voght writes. The media response to the NBC interview and the broader questions around Fettermans condition have cast Gisele into yet another role: defending her husband against attacks she views as ableist. The race, II: Another interview Fetterman did last week was with the editorial board of PennLive, a local news outlet, as he sought the boards endorsement. (I wrote about the status of the newspaper endorsement in a newsletter last week.) Oz did not respond to a request that he also sit for an endorsement interview. I had a stroke, and I showed up, Fetterman wrote on Twitter. Whats your excuse Dr. Oz?



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Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
Insurers have won key parts of a complex legal battle with British pubs group Stonegate, MS Amlin said after Mondays judgment on the 1 billion pound ($1.13 billion) lawsuit against three top insurers over losses related to coronavirus.

Insurers have already paid out more than 1.5 billion pounds in compensation to thousands of small businesses that had to close or restrict trading to curb the coronavirus, after Britains markets watchdog won a test case against the insurers.

But not all policy wordings were covered by the test case and, where they were, some businesses disputed payout levels, leading to further court cases.

Stonegate had argued in a case against MS Amlin, Zurich Insurance and Liberty Mutual that its 760 insured pubs, bars and night clubs had each faced separate challenges in the pandemic, opening and shutting at differing times according to regional rules  and seeing business drop by up to 90% below projections.

Insurers accepted Stonegates businesses were covered by their policies, but said cover was limited to one business interruption payment of 2.5 million pounds, which had been paid.

There were just two separate events triggering business interruption payments, Mondays judgment found. In addition, Stonegate could not claim where losses were covered by government furlough payments, it said.

We welcome the judgment of the High Court, and believe this brings some genuine clarity to a very complex business interruption case, Johan Slabbert, Chief Executive Officer, MS Amlin Underwriting Limited, said.

This is a positive outcome for us and is of significance to the entire insurance industry  as issues around furlough payments and aggregation (total losses over a period of time that are not limited to single occurrence) in particular have the potential to have an enormous financial impact for insurers throughout the UK.

Stonegate will appeal some aspects of the case, a Stonegate spokesperson said in an emailed statement, adding the judgment was far from conclusive.

We believe that the courts interpretation on a number of issues which are generally applicable to policyholders is out of step with the approach taken by the Supreme Court in the test case and with the approach of courts in other jurisdictions, the spokesperson said.

Separate judgments on Monday in similar cases totalling more than 100 million pounds brought by Greggs against Zurich Insurance and Various Eateries against Allianz also largely benefited insurers, said Peter Hardy, partner at law firm Reed Smith, which was not directly involved in any of the cases.

Liberty declined to comment. Zurich said it was reviewing the Stonegate judgment and did not respond to a request for comment on Greggs.

Greggs lawyers said the Greggs judgment substantially accepts the sandwich-to-pasty makers case.

Allianzs lawyers said the court had found largely in favor of the insurer. Various Eateries did not immediately respond.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk reverses course on his previous statement and says that his company, SpaceX, would continue to fund Ukraine's Starlink service for free amid Russia's war on the country despite the endeavor resulting in him losing money.

The satellite internet service provided by Musk's SpaceX has been a crucial source of communication in the war-torn nation during its defense against Russia's aggression. The announcement comes after SpaceX, earlier this week, warned the Pentagon that it could stop funding the internet service in Ukraine.

SpaceX Satellite in Ukraine

The company said that this would be done unless the US military kicks in tens of millions of dollars per month. The warning, which was made in documents, also requested that the Pentagon take over funding for Ukraine's government and military use of Starlink.

SpaceX claims that the endeavor would cost more than $120 million for the rest of the year and could cost up to $400 million for the next year. Furthermore, the report cited a flurry of tweets from social media users who were both defending and criticizing the move, as per CNN.

Musk's verified Twitter account also posted on Saturday, saying, "The hell with it, even though Starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, we'll just keep funding Ukraine govt. For free."

The Starlink satellite terminals, since they first started arriving in Ukraine last spring, have allowed the country's military to fight and stay connected even as cellular phone and internet networks have been destroyed by the conflict with Russia.

According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the Pentagon said on Friday that it had been communicating with SpaceX. However, they did not reveal details on whether or not the talks were about the funding of the Starlink satellite communication product.

Read Also: Russia-Ukraine War: Gunmen Attack Russian Army Training Camp at Belgorod, 11 Killed

Good Deeds

One follower replied to Musk by saying that no good deed goes unpunished, to which the tech billionaire replied by saying, "Even so, we should still do good deeds." On Friday, the SpaceX CEO doubled down on the company's request to the Pentagon in a series of posts on Twitter.

One post said that the space company is not asking to recoup expenses but noted that it could not fund the existing system indefinitely. It added that it would not be able to send several thousand more terminals that have data usage up to 100x greater than typical households, calling the situation unreasonable.

Musk also noted that requesting the Pentagon to fund the program was his way of following the advice of a Ukrainian diplomat who replied to his Ukraine peace plan earlier this month. This was before the letter was sent to the Pentagon, with the Ukrainian official telling Musk to, "F*** off."

The tech billionaire said that SpaceX started sending Starlink terminals that allow access to its satellite internet service to Ukraine in late February, prior to the beginning of the war with Russia. The president of Space, Gwynne Shotwell, added that at the time, the company had been working on the project for weeks, Space reported.

Related Article: [Report] Vladimir Putin's Secret Police Snatch Civilians To Put Them in the Front Line of Russia-Ukraine War

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While Xi Jinping's address on Sunday didn't add anything new to the debate over Taiwan, it did use a more stern tone in warning that China would be the only country to decide how and when to reunite the country.

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that China would continue to strive for "peaceful reunification," but he also stated that China reserveS the right to use force and all measures necessary. Analysts said that Xi's earlier mention of Taiwan in his speech than he did five years earlier was a sign of the island's increasing importance.

China Warns Against International 'Interference'

When Xi Jinping took a tough stance on Taiwan, the audience applauded for one of the speech's longer periods. The emphasis on external influences indicated China's growing understanding that the United States and an increasing number of other nations have made Taiwan a priority.

Many experts saw the speech's discussion of Taiwan as a step-by-step response to a white paper that the Chinese government released following Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, visit Taiwan in August.

The Chinese Communist Party made it known after her visit that it reserved the right to invade and to take actions that would effectively cut off the islands of Taiwan from the rest of the world by conducting military drills and increasing dispatches of military aircraft and ships close to Taiwan, as per New York Times.

Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at the Taiwan Studies Program at Australia National University, said that Xi's decision to bring up the Taiwan issue early in his speech signals a newfound urgency on achieving progress on the Taiwan issue.

Xi drew the loudest and longest round of applause from the over 2,300 hand-selected delegates in the Great Hall of the People when he brought up Taiwan once more later in his speech.

"We will never vow to abandon the use of force and we maintain the option of adopting all necessary measures," he said somberly after promising that China will strive for peaceful reunification.

In addition, Xi Jinping emphasized the rapid changes in the international situation, a veiled allusion to the deteriorating relations between China and the West, which have been made even worse by Beijing's covert backing of Moscow in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In an apparent shot at what Beijing sees as a US-led world system that needs to be overturned, he said China has taken a clear-cut stand against hegemonism and power politics and never wavered in opposition to unilateralism and bullying, according to CNN.

Read Also: Stimulus Check Update: Are You One of the 10 Million People Who May Still Be Eligible for Direct Payments Worth $1,800?

China to Continue Strengthening Military

According to Xi Jinping, China will quicken the development of a top-notch military and improve its capacity to develop a strategic deterrent capability.

The ability to preserve national security should be strengthened, as should the assurance of food and energy supplies, the security of supply chains, the enhancement of response capabilities in the event of disasters, and the protection of private data.

To actively lead religion to be consistent with a socialist society and uphold the principle of building a culture with socialist characteristics, China will also deepen patriotic education, according to Xi Jinping. Xi Jinping used the words security or safety 89 times in the whole work report, up from 55 times in 2017, according to a Reuters count. In contrast, his use of the word "reform" decreased to 48 from 68 instances five years ago.

As China's economy has stagnated, according to Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, Xi Jinping is aiming to change the foundation of legitimacy from economic growth to security, ABC reported.

Related Article: Xi Jinping, CCP To Hold Week-Long 20th Congress: Here's Top 5 Things To Expect

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The Colorado College English Departments MacLean Endowment is bringing a host of writers to campus for the 2022-23 Visiting Writers Series. As part of the series, one to two writers per block travel to Colorado College to speak to both the campus and the broader Colorado Springs community. All events are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required.

Steve Hayward, professor of English and director of the Journalism Institute, Brandon Shimoda, assistant professor of English, and Aline Lo, assistant professor of English, are members of the Visiting Writers Committee, which organized the Visiting Writers Series.

We invite writers whose work is fresh on our minds and that we are excited about, writers with whom we dream of being in conversation. We also consider writers and their work in relation to what we are teaching and in what our students are interested in and thinking about, both as readers and as writers, says Shimoda.

The committee seeks to feature writers who have recently published books. Committee members may also get suggestions from colleagues who could be teaching an author and want to bring them to campus, says Lo.

We're excited about all of the writers who are visiting this semester. I'm personally excited to be hosting traci kato-kiriyama, a poet and performer who does a lot of organizing work in Los Angeles, says Shimoda. They are also an important figure in the Japanese American arts community, which is my community, and very near to my heart. I'm also excited to be hosting Raquel Gutierrez, a writer, arts critic, and a friend of mine from Tucson. Their first book, a collection of essays called Brown Neon, just came out; it is a brilliant panorama of life, art, and activism in the US-Mexico borderlands, and is one of my favorite books.

The Visiting Writers Series works to advance CCs antiracism commitment in several ways.

We often feature writers who write from perspectives that have been marginalized, often due to race. Many of the writers are committed to anti-racism via publishing practices, subject matter, or other projects, says Lo. For example, Lawrence-Minh Bui Davis has helped create platforms for BIPOC writers and prioritizes equitable practices. The Asian American Literature Festival, which he runs, pays all writers an honorarium which is not the case for most literature festivals.



Lawrence-Minh Bui Davis's talk was wonderful in many ways. He gave a multimedia presentation on his work as an editor of The Asian American Literary Review and as a curator for the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, in which roles he centers and champions Asian American and Pacific Islander literature, says Shimoda. He talked about solidarity arts economiesfor example, about the need, in the arts, for more equitable distribution of resources, more cooperative structures of ownership and exchange, and the significance of shared justice commitments. He talked, in other words, about the ways literary and arts organizing couldand needs toevolve.

Writers generally talk about their writing and work during the lectures, give a reading, and then open the discussion to audience members for questions, says Lo.

Block 1

Caitlin Barasch 15 was the first visitor of the series. On Sept. 13, Barasch spoke about her debut novel, A Novel Obsession, which was published in March. Baraschs work has appeared in over a dozen publications. Barasch, who majored in English with a concentration in creative writing at CC, and then earned her MFA from New York University, is also a creative writing instructor at the Writers Circle.

Publishing A Novel Obsession this year was an emotional rollercoastersurreal, terrifying, joyful, deeply gratifyingas well as the culmination of a lifelong dream. I started writing my debut novel in 2016, so it took six years to bring it into the world, but upon reflecting on the longform writing projects that preceded it, I realized my senior thesis at CC, a novella, circled the very same themes I explore in A Novel Obsessionthe thin boundary between envy and admiration, the dogged pursuit of art, the ways in which our family legacies inspire or inhibit us, says Barasch. Returning to CC as a published novelist to kick off the Visiting Writers Series was the most meaningful full-circle moment imaginable! As a student, I was a dedicated attendee; the visiting writers always inspired and motivated me. So it was an absolute delight to experience my own personal homecoming last monthto reunite with Professor Steve Hayward; to meet undergraduate fiction writers, read their work, and answer their questions; and to stand at the podium and share something I'm super proud of at the institution that nurtured me through some of my most formative years as an aspiring writer. I'll never forget it.

Lawrence-Minh Bui Davis, who came to campus on Sept. 15, is the curator of Asian Pacific American Studies at the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, where he oversees the Smithsonian Literature + Museum Initiative. Additionally, he is the co-founding director of the Asian American Literary Review.

I enjoyed hearing Lawrence talk about ideas for past and future literature festival: an escape room based on an author's mystery novel; a live version of an author's choose-your-own-adventure book; literaoke, says Lo. He has a knack for bringing folks together and re-imagining how we read. I'm glad students were able to hear about his work.

There were between 45 and 50 students, staff, faculty members, and community members at the event featuring Davis, says Hayward, who chairs the Visiting Writers Committee. Hayward, along with students in his EN280 Beginning Fiction Writing class, attended the lecture. The whole room was full, and people were sitting on the floor, says Hayward. It was a great crowd.

Block 2

traci kato-kiriyama spoke in the Cornerstone Screening Room on Oct. 5. tkk is a core artist with Vigilant Love and a founding member of the the Okaeri Nikkei LGBTQ+ Network. tkks book, Navigating With(out) Instruments, was published last year.

Jessy Randall spoke in the South Hall Commons on Oct. 11. Randalls most recent book is Mathematics for Ladies: Poems on Women in Science, which is a collection of poems about women in STEM fields and is illustrated by NASA artist Kristin DiVona. Randall majored in English at Columbia University and earned a library degree from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Since 2001, Randall has worked as the Curator of Special Collections at Colorado College. Every other year, Randall teaches a Half-Block course, The History and Future of the Book, which will next be offered in 2024. Her poems and stories have appeared in Nature, Poetry, Scientific American, and Womens Review of Books.

I love being included in CCs Visiting Writers series despite not being a visitor. Ive worked at CC for over twenty years, and attended dozens of VW events, so its especially wonderful to be part of the line-up this year, says Randall. Most of my interactions with students and colleagues at CC are library-related, so its marvelous to be part of Visiting Writers and show this other, semi-secret side of myself.

Block 3

Raquel Gutierrez will speak at the Cornerstone Screening Room on Oct. 28. Gutierrez is a 2021 recipient of the Rabkin Prize in Arts Journalism and a 2017 recipient of the Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant. Gutierrezs book, Brown Neon, was published this past June. Brown Neon is a memoir that considers what it means to be a Latinx artist during the presidency of Donald Trump.

Shimoda will have his Block 3 Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing class read Brown Neon.

Block 4

Byron Aspaas and Hillary Leftwich will speak at the South Hall Commons on Dec 6.

Aspaas earned a B.A. and M.A. in creative writing from the Institute of American Indian Arts. Aspaas is a two-time recipient of the Truman Capote Scholarship. Aspaas first published work was included in Yellow Medicine Review, and since then, his writing has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies.

I curated the first Visiting Indigenous Writers Series for Colorado College as a barista in 2016. A year later, I was invited to read with Jennifer Foerster and Layli Long Soldier. In all honesty, it feels great to return, not as a barista or as a guest writer but as Visiting Faculty of Colorado College, while reading with my dear friend, Hillary Leftwich, says Aspaas. In a way, I am pretty damn honored, yet intimidated to return to Colorado College because Colorado Coffee gave me an opportunity to meet each and every bright student who inspired me to smile, each morning, and to continue to do more; and, here I am.

Leftwich is the author of Ghosts Are Just Strangers Who Know How to Knock, Aura, and Saint Dymphnas Playbook. She is the owner and founder of Alchemy Author Services & Writing Workshop and Community Coven. Leftwich is a creative writing professor at the University of Denver and is a visiting professor at Colorado College. Leftwichs writing is primarily focused on class struggle, single motherhood, trauma, mental illness, the supernatural, ritual, and the impact of neurological disease, according to her website.

Click this link to open an email to subscribe to the Visiting Writers Series listserv.
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Authorities reported an Iran prison fire that killed at least four people and injured 61 others at the nation's Evin prison as gunshots and explosions ensued.

Sources who were inside the prison, which was known for housing political prisoners, said that the number of casualties was higher than what was reported. Video footage shared on social media platforms showed flames and smoke at the site, which is located in Tehran.

Iran Prison Fire

The fire also followed weeks of anti-government protests across Iran for the death of a woman over the country's strict hijab laws. Hundreds of people taking part in the demonstrations were sent to Evin prison. It was not yet known whether the situation at the jail was related to the protests.

The demonstrations first erupted last month after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody. While officials said the woman died of a heart attack, her family disputed the claim, saying that she did not have any underlying health conditions and that she was killed by the country's morality police, as per BBC.

Iranian state media suggested that the events at the prison were not linked to the ongoing demonstrations, quoting an official who then blamed "criminal elements" for the fire. The governor of Tehran, speaking from inside the Evin prison, said that there was a riot in a wing of the prison that housed petty criminals.

On the other hand, Iran's Mizan News reported that the injured developed breathing difficulties due to inhaling smoke from the fire at the prison's sewing workshop. They added that four of the injured were in critical condition.

According to Reuters, the families of some of the detainees at Evin prison posted on social media platforms to call on authorities to ensure their safety. In 2018, the prison was blacklisted by the United States government for "serious human rights abuses."

Read Also: Joe Biden Gets Brutally Honest Why Tax Cut Plan of UK Prime Minister Liz Truss Was a Big 'Mistake'

Nationwide Protests

Video taken hours after the fire showed the apparent calm that had returned to the facility, with inmates asleep in their wards. The footage also showed firefighters in the area inspecting a workshop that had damage to its roof.

A human rights activist, Atena Daemi, said that relatives of prisoners at the facility's women's section had gone to the prison for visiting hours but were denied access by authorities. Officials told the visitors that prisoners were "fine, but the phones are broken." However, Daemie tweeted that some women prisoners were able to call their families.

The husband of Iranian journalist Niloofar Hamedi, who was also the one that broke the news of Amini's hospitalization and was arrested last month, posted on Twitter that she had tried to call him on Sunday. The lawyer representing Siamak Namazi, a prisoner at Evin who was imprisoned for nearly seven years, said on Sunday that the prisoner had contacted his relatives.

Authorities said that the fire at Evin broke out after a fight between prisoners as they attempted to distance the incident from ongoing protests. On Sunday, video footage of the prisoner showed scorched walls and ceilings in a room that was the upper floor of the sewing workshop, NPR reported.

Related Article: China: Xi Jinping Wants 'Peaceful Reunification' with Taiwan, But Will Use Force if Necessary

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Singapore rings alarm for November peak of new Omicron variant

As alarm increases over the new immunity-evasive Omicron variant of Covid-19 called the XBB strain, the health minister of Singapore, where the variant is dominating, has said the current wave of Covid-19 in the country will peak by mid-November.

In Singapore, XBB is now the most common subvariant, accounting for 54% of local cases from October 3 to 9. Photo courtesy: MOH

This is likely to be a short and sharp wave," Ong was quoted as saying by Channel News Asia, and the leader has estimated that Singapore will see about 15,000 cases per day on average by then.

According to the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH), hospital cases peaked at 800 in July, and hospitals in Singapore, while stretched, were able to cope.

Over the last month, the proportion of cases with the XBB strain, an Omicron subvariant, has increased in Singapore. Despite being highly transmissible, it has not caused more severe disease than previous variants, experts have said.

On October 14, there were 9,087 new Covid-19 cases reported in Singapore, with nine in intensive care units. A total of 562 patients were admitted to the hospital, with 44 requiring oxygen. The infection ratio is 1.64 week on week, the report said.

In Singapore, XBB is now the most common subvariant, accounting for 54% of local cases from October 3 to 9. Cases have been found in India, Australia, Bangladesh, Denmark, Japan, and the United States, among other nations. Ong has also said evidence suggests that XBB is causing an increase in reinfections.

According to reports, Omicrons new XBB subvariant has now accounted for 71 cases across a few states in India, with Maharashtra reporting its first five infections on Thursday, joining West Bengal, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu on the list. Odisha reported 33 cases in a fortnight, followed by Bengal (17) and Tamil Nadu (16), according to reports.

In India, scientists involved in genome sequencing said that BA.2.75 was responsible for approximately 88% of new infections, while the XBB subvariant was responsible for approximately 7% of all cases. The prevalence of BA.5 in samples is now less than 5%.
A man who scared Central Valley locals in California with a series of fatal shootings was apprehended early on Saturday while out seeking other victims, according to the police.

Wesley Brownlee, 43, was detained in Stockton following an investigation that linked five shooting deaths that occurred throughout the city with one that occurred about 70 miles distant.

Suspect Arrested in Stockton, California Serial Killing

The police gave no details on a motive at a news conference on Saturday. They mentioned Brownlee's criminal past but did not go into further detail. Stanley McFadden, the chief of the Stockton Police Department, said that the arrest was the result of good police work and a supportive community.

The shootings, which shook the city and neighboring areas, prompted a great number of tips from the public. According to Chief McFadden, the police were able to identify a suspect as a result of those tips. The $125,000 prize for information that results in an arrest had increased.

Brownlee was arrested some time after two in the morning without a struggle. He was wearing black clothing, had a mask around his neck, and had a gun when he was apprehended by police, according to Chief McFadden. The San Joaquin County district attorney, Tori Verber Salazar, stated that charges will be made on Tuesday once her office has reviewed the evidence. She claimed that a group of people worked together to capture Brownlee.

Nearly two weeks before the arrest, the police had reported that five victims, all men between the ages of 21 and 54, had all been shot to death while standing alone in regions with poor lighting between July 8 and September 27. One was white and four of the men were Hispanic. Nobody was robbed, as per New York Times.

Officials stated that the men were shot and killed while they were by themselves. Police stated that all of the murders happened at night or in the early morning. The probe was also connected to the shooting of a Black lady, 46, at Park Street and Union Street in Stockton around 3:20 in the morning on April 16, 2021, police said earlier this month.

According to the officials, the woman recovered from her wounds from the incident. Police said that although there is no known cause for the deaths, they were probably done on purpose, ABC News Reported.

Read Also: North Carolina Shooting Kills 5 People, 15-Year-Old Suspect Under Police Custody

Stockton Residents Express Relief Following The Arrest

Following the arrest of a man suspected of killing six men and wounding a woman in a series of gunshots over three months, residents of Stockton were able to sleep better Saturday night. The mayor gave credit to Stockton residents who provided investigators with several tips that ultimately resulted in the 43-year-old suspect's arrest.

On Sunday, it wasn't immediately clear if Stockton resident Brownlee had a lawyer by his side. He was scheduled to be charged with murder on Tuesday. Police did not provide any other information beyond stating that Brownlee had a criminal history and was likely a resident of numerous locations close to Stockton.

After receiving a large number of tips, detectives were able to find and keep an eye on Brownlee's residence. Officer Joseph Silva, a police spokesperson, said Sunday that investigators were still investiagting the material and attempting to determine a reason for the attacks.

Nobody was attacked or robbed, and the woman who survived stated her attacker stayed silent, according to CBS News. On social media, family members of victims have been connecting and reiterating their determination to secure justice for their loved ones.

In the interim, conspiracy theories have taken over Stockton's social media pages, encompassing everything from vigilantism in response to a lack of police officers to hate-crime murder. Late at night or early in the morning, when cameras couldn't capture any of the crimes, the deaths took place in dimly lighted regions.

A screenshot of a suspect in the deaths was released by the police. The police photo may show a slim, dark-clad person who appears to be sporting a hat.

In the screenshot, the person of interest is only seen from behind their face is hidden. Authorities urge residents of Stockton to be cautious, especially at night, Independent reported.

Related Article: Heartless New York Woman Pickpocketed Man, Who Had Just Been Killed by Construction Truck in Manhattan

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As part of minority rights coalition, a delegation from two US-based diaspora non-pofits, Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR), which recently visited Geneva last month, has urge United Nations agencies and officials, as well as dozens of Western countries, to "hold no punches" in asking India tough questions at the 41st session of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Indias human rights, scheduled in November.Under the aegis of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the UPR process allows a review of the human rights situation in all 193 UN Member States once every five years.IAMCs Safa Ahmed and HfHRs Ria Chakrabarty met with United Nations staffers and country representatives at the UN Office in Geneva to highlight Indias egregious violations of human rights and religious freedom under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.Along with the coalition partners from the US, India, and Europe, Ahmed and Chakrabarty met with representatives of the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, as well as staffers of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues and the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers.They also met with Human Rights Officers from the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including the Special Procedures Branch, the Civic Space Unit, and an OHCHR Asia Specialist.In each of the meetings, the delegation stressed the gravity of the situation faced by religious minorities in India, particularly Muslims. They highlighted the "exponential rise" in anti-Muslim hate speech and violence, cow-related lynchings of Muslims, the passage of laws that "discriminate" against Muslims and Christians, threats of sexual violence against Muslim women along with dozens of explicit calls for genocide of Muslims by Hindu supremacist leaders since December 2021.In the past two years alone, weve seen Hindu extremists openly pitch for genocidal massacres of Muslim citizens, bulldozing of Muslim-owned homes, businesses, and places of worship, and rampant arrest of Muslims under draconian terror laws for expressing dissent, said Ahmed.Now more than ever, the international community must realize that India is headed towards a dangerous path. They must put pressure on the Indian government to extend protections to its 200 million Muslims who are at the cusp of genocide. We have called on the country representatives to put special emphasis on preventing mass violence against Muslims, Ahmed added.At HfHR, our goal is to be in lockstep with Indian activists and absorb the dangers that they or people from minority communities face. Our diaspora and international groups are advocating for the same policy recommendations that Indian human rights defenders have proposed, even as we all speak to a wide variety of human rights issues in India, said Chakrabarty.Weve encouraged missions to highlight the undermining of human rights by the Indian government and that over the past five years, things have only gotten worse, she added.They recommended that countries call upon Indian state officials to publicly condemn the "Hindu supremacist ideology and violence against religious minorities, ensure independent investigation and prosecution in all cases of state violence against minorities, and amend draconian and discriminatory legislations, including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), to comply with international human rights standards."Indias last UPR was in 2017, and in the past five years, human rights conditions for Muslims, Christians, Dalits, and other minorities have worsened severely due to the rise of Hindu extremism under the BJP, said Syed Afzal Ali, president of IAMC. IAMC calls upon the international community to prevent the situation from deteriorating even further by holding India accountable in the UPRs public forum.
Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger said that testimony from former United States President Donald Trump before the Jan. 6 House Select Committee would require negotiations between the two sides.

The Republican lawmaker said that he would address the matter when he is sure about the details of whether or not the Republican businessman tried to push to come in and talk to the panel live.

Trump's Potential Testimony

Kinzinger said that Trump has made it clear that he has nothing to hide in relation to the Capitol Hill incident. This means that he should come in on the day that the committee had asked him to come in to testify. The Republican member of the panel said that if the former president pushes off beyond that, they would have to figure out what to do next.

George Stephanopoulos questioned Kinzinger on whether Trump should be held in criminal contempt if he does not comply with the subpoena. However, the Illinois representative dodged the question, as per ABC News.

The Republican said that the decision would be something they discuss when the panel needs to, adding that the committee had a time limit and was trying to wrap up the investigation. The former president has not yet confirmed whether or not he would comply with the committee's subpoena to testify.

However, Trump did send the panel a 14-page screed reiterating his election fraud conspiracies surrounding the 2020 elections that he lost to Joe Biden. Kinzinger said that the committee made a decision in front of the American people and not behind closed doors to begin the process of subpoenaing the former president.

According to Politico, on Thursday, the committee chair, Rep. Bennie Thompson, said that the panel voted last week to bring in the former president to testify. He noted that they have left no doubt that Trump led an effort to upend American democracy that directly resulted in the violence of the Capitol Hill riot.

Read Also: Joe Biden Gets Brutally Honest Why Tax Cut Plan of UK Prime Minister Liz Truss Was a Big 'Mistake'

Capitol Hill Riot Investigation

The situation comes as other current or former presidents of the United States have testified before Congress on various matters. These include Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Gerald Ford, though none of them are in a similar situation as Trump.

Kinzinger said that the move to have the former president testify before the committee is not an unprecedented situation. However, he noted that it was still a relatively big deal and called it a "big move." In Trump's 14-page statement, he repeatedly condemned the committee, saying that they had poor television ratings and have chosen to perpetuate a "Show Trial."

The former president's conspiracy claims surrounding the 2020 elections were mostly anecdotal in nature while others have been long-disproved and/or rejected in court. Kinzinger is one of only two Republicans who are members of the committee, the other being Rep. Liz Cheney from Wyoming.

The lawmaker, who is not seeking re-election, said that he expects that American democracy will ultimately bounce back from the chaotic events of the Capitol riot. Kinzinger also noted that some Secret Service officials reportedly pledged to testify but have not yet come in, USA Today reported.

Related Article: DOJ Requests Appeals Court To Drop Trump-Appointed Special Master in Mar-a-Lago Review

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The role of the CISO has evolved, and so have the responsibilities. Some believe a CISO must have technical knowledge and experience as a cybersecurity professional, others think leadership skills such as being able to communicate with boards are what matters most.

Ultimately, the hiring organisations will define what it needs in terms of cybersecurity to find the right person. In finance and insurance, for example, there will be specific rules that must be followed in different countries and cybersecurity leaders in such organisations may even be liable. In telecommunications, the skills required are likely to be more technical, whereas in government knowledge around governance and risk are top of the list.

For instance, a smaller organisation which is a greenfield site, or a large multinational where there is already an established security function require different sets of skills and approaches, Joseph Head, director technical security at Intaso tells CSO. There are a few commonalities between all CISO roles, however: an understanding of risk and risk appetite  in other words, an understanding of the business, and how much risk it can carry. This dictates how much work a CISO must do, and therefore available budget. Unlocking that budget can only be done by communicating effectively.

Whether technical or managerial skills, those aspiring to become CISOs, CSOs, or VP of security will need to acquire these skills somewhere. CSO has spoken to a few current and former CISOs across different countries on where to acquire such skills.

CISO skill-building stories

Whether they learn on the job, through a certificate or at university, cybersecurity professionals have many ways to acquire skills to get the top jobs. Clarifying a point he made on a LinkedIn post, Head tells CSO that a high-level [of technical] understanding is still important, but [CISOs] certainly do not need to know the granular details of everything in security. I have seen quite a few descriptions for CISO jobs asking them to be able to code in Python or be an expert in AWS. This is clearly not the job of a CISO.

CISOs need to be competent in four areas, according to Tony Vizza, the executive director at KordaMentha in Australia.

They inherently need to understand IT. They need to understand fundamental principles of information security and risk management. They need to understand the legal and regulatory environment which they operate in, which are usually dictated by privacy regimes. They need to have a fundamental understanding of how people and business work.

His professional experience started with a computer science degree from the University of Technology Sydney followed by an Executive MBA from the University of Sydney. He then studied for and attained numerous credentials in cybersecurity, risk management, and privacy, including CISSP, CISM, CCSP, CRISC, CIPP/E and ISO 27001 Senior Lead Auditor certifications. And I havent stopped. I am planning to complete my CIPP/US privacy certification, CGEIT enterprise IT governance certification and GAICD course in director governance in the next couple of years as well as finishing off my Juris Doctor law degree, he tells CSO.

Biljana Cerin, CEO of Ostendo Consulting in Croatia, started her career from college where she studied computer science at the University of Zagreb. Soon after she started working as a security software engineer. Once I got in touch with security standards, I became more interested in the overall governance, risk management, and compliance principles related to information systems security, she tells CSO. She then acquired industry certifications such as CISM, CISA, CGEIT, CBCP, CISSP. Later, once she started managing information security projects, she also obtained the PMP certification. Nowadays, she advises CISOs on establishing efficient cybersecurity risk management strategies, primarily in very large organizations.

Another trend of the industry is defense personnel becoming cybersecurity professionals. That is the case of Narelle Devine who is the CISO of Australias largest telecommunications provider, Telstra. Devine was an officer in the Royal Australian Navy, where she eventually assumed the role of director Navy Cyber Warfare. She tells CSO that not just the Navy, but the Australian Defence Force, the federal government and the broader Five Eyes alliance offer great training opportunities.

Devine has also acquired a lot of diplomas through the Navy and elsewhere including graduate diploma of communications and information systems, advanced diploma of maritime studies, certificate IV in government (procurement and contracting), among others. From the University of New South Wales she also acquired a bachelor arts (English and information systems), master of science (information technology) and master of systems engineering.

After leaving the Navy, Devine became the CISO for the then Department of Human Services (now Services Australia), where she built a new state-of-the-art cybersecurity operations centre, uplifting the capability from 25 to 250 personnel.

Many professionals also learn on the job, like Hilary Walton, who is the CISO at Kordia in New Zealand. Walton, who started her working career as a psychologist, tells CSO that the role of a CISO is about keeping an organizations information security management system (ISMS) running effectively. Learning about and understand the different components of an ISMS was where she started by doing ISACAs Certified information security manager (CISM) certification to give myself something to hang my knowledge together with, she says. I was used to the concepts of risk and safety management systems, so learning an information security one felt similar.

Walton has also built up a lot of skills applicable to the role by running relevant programs, such as embedding risk management into a company, and developing safety management systems. She became familiar with the skills involved in reporting to governance layers by working in roles that provided governance material and reports to the executive team and board, as well as the concepts around risk and governance that these leaders need to understand.

Certifications for CISOs and where to get them

Quite a few certifications are required, or expected, of CISOs, and when looking at CISOs LinkedIn profiles, for example, one is likely to see all these acronyms that follow their names or role. Here we list some of those that cybersecurity professionals are usually after.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) shows expertise in information security governance, program development and management, incident, and risk management.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) unrelated to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency -- is for those for those who audit, control, monitor, and assess an organizations information technology and business systems.

Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) is for those aspiring for executive positions that shows how to handle the governance of an entire organization and consider a move to the C-suite.

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is for those looking to show their knowledge on enterprise IT risk management.

All the certifications mentioned above are offered by the non-profit professional association ISACA. Costs for the exam are $575 USD for members, and non-members pay $760 USD. Courses to prepare for the exams can be quite pricy, costing up to $2,500 USD in Australia or as little as $23 USD online.

After passing the exam, a formal application must be submitted to be certified, this has a cost of US50. To maintain the certifications, fees of $45 USD for members and $85 USD for non-members must be paid annually.

Other certifications include:

Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) for those who have demonstrated both knowledge and skill in the business continuity/disaster recovery industry. It is offered by DRI and requires more than two years of experience. Applicants must be able to demonstrate specific and practical experience in five of the subject matter areas of the Professional Practices. Like the previous certifications, this requires an ongoing commitment to continuing education and industry activities.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) for those who can design, implement, and manage a cybersecurity program at the enterprise level. It is offered by the non-profit International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2. Registration for the exam is $749 USD plus annual maintenance fees of up to $125 USD.

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), also offered by (ISC)2, for those that have the advanced technical skills and knowledge to design, manage, and secure data, applications, and infrastructure in the cloud using best practices, policies, and procedures. The exam costs $599 USD.

Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) is offered by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and it has different areas of focus.

CIPP/A is focused on Asian privacy and teaches laws that govern data use, collection, and transfer in top Asian markets.

CIPP/C teaches federal laws such as the Privacy Act, PIPEDA and CASL, major provincial statutes, and emerging issues in Canadian privacy practice.

CIPP/E encompasses pan-European and national data protection laws, key privacy terminology and practical concepts concerning the protection of personal data and trans-border data flows.

CIPP/US gives privacy professionals the knowledge to manage compliance within the legal web of federal, state, and local privacy regulations, and minimize the risks of regulatory fines and brand damage.

CIPP certification exams cost $550 USD and have a biannual maintenance fee of $250 USD. IAPP offers free resources but training courses from training partners can cost $1,995 CAD, for example, and some offered by IAPP range around $1,495 USD.

Many more options are available including courses on project management and ISO, such as ISO/IEC (information security management) 27001.

Industry associations offer courses and networking opportunities

Networking, books, and podcasts are also sources of knowledge for CISOs. Kordias Walton says the most valuable development experiences she has experienced in cybersecurity were working with and learning from other information security people, reading, listening to podcasts, and attending conferences.

She suggested two LinkedIn groups NZ Network for Women in Security and the Women in Security & Resilience Alliance (WISECRA).

KordaMenthas Vizza recommended books on power and leadership by organizational behavior specialist Jeffrey Pfeffer.

Podcasts recommended by Walton and Devine include:

Ultimately, all agreed that networking is a powerful source for those looking to get the top job. Talking to peers will help identify topics of interest, what the industry needs most at any given time, what those hiring is looking for, etc. Commonly suggested organizations to join that offer learning materials and opportunities to network with peers include international professional association ISACA, (ISC)2, the Project Management Institute (PMI), the Australian Information and Security Association (AISA), and the Australian Woman in Security Network (AWSN).
Late in the morning of Indigenous Peoples Day, smoke-filtered sunlight poured through the large windows of the Many Nations Longhouse, which held a crowd of Native American and Indigenous Studies students, advisors, press and community members.

Interim President Phillips announced the start of the Home Flight Scholars Program, a financial aid and wrap-around services program that aims to support all Indigenous students at the University of Oregon.

The state funded Oregon Tribal Student Grant program offers financial assistance to any student who is an enrolled member of one of the nine federally recognized Native tribes in Oregon. Students who are enrolled members in a tribe outside of Oregon, however, are not eligible for this grant.

The Home Flight Scholars Program will waive remaining tuition and fees for Oregon residents who are enrolled citizens of any of the 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S.

Im very pleased that the Home Flight Scholars Program will have an immediate benefit to an estimated 150 to 175 eligible undergraduate students, Phillips said. This is my Oprah Winfrey moment: It starts now.

Megan Van Pelt, a UO junior and co-director of the Native American Student Union, told the audience that she considered dropping out her first year because she couldnt afford tuition. Van Pelt said she is a recipient of the Oregon Tribal Student Fund and is glad this new program will help all of the out-of-state Indigenous students who felt left out of the state fund.

I know too many students who are from tribes outside of Oregon that just really struggled, Van Pelt said. Some of them are going to cry. This is going to be so huge.

Van Pelt is the resident assistant for the Native American and Indigenous Studies Academic Residential Community, a residential academic cohort support system and dorm located in Kalapuya Ilihi.

My ARC was 10 [students] last year, now its 24, Van Pelt said. We have such a variety of students. I can already tell theres a huge sense of community.

The Home Flight Scholars Program, along with providing financial support, will add a new American Indian and Alaskan Native Academic Advisor position, faculty and peer mentorship programs, early move-in dates and a trial course for Native students.

Many Indigenous students come from reservations, leaving predominantly rural communities and entering directly into college campuses, Jason Younker, chief of the Coquille Tribe, UO Assistant Vice President and Advisor to the President on Sovereignty and Government-to-Government Relations, said.

The student activities introduced by the program are intended to ground students in a collegiate community, Younker said. It will be much easier for students to navigate campus with the support of a cohort than by themselves, he said.

Part of acclimation is knowing what a college class looks like, feels like, but also navigating your way around campus, Younker said.

He said he remembered feeling underprepared and lonely as an Indigenous undergraduate. Without a support system, unsure of his class schedule and where to eat on campus, Younker said alienation is a big reason why he dropped out of public university in his second year.

Younker said if the university prioritizes making students feel comfortable in their academic environment first, they will have an easier time prioritizing their coursework. The integration initiatives introduced in the Home Flight Scholars Program were designed to give Native students a cultural foundation on campus, he said.

Kirby Brown, director of Native American and Indigenous Studies and an Associate Professor of Native American and Indigenous literary and cultural production, took the podium next. Brown, along with the Native American and Indigenous Studies Advisory Council, has been advocating for the Home Flight Scholars Program as a way to support students who didnt meet the requirements of the Oregon Tribal Student Grant, he said.

Brown said he was excited Native students from all over the state would finally have the necessary financial support to pursue their academic goals.

Coming through my own higher education, having no Native studies programs, seeing no Native faculty on campus, seeing no acknowledgement of the Indigenous history and presence on our land, this works to change that, Brown said. This is a crucial piece for students, not only for financial support but the larger infrastructure of support this introduces to the Native community here at the UO.

But the Home Flight Scholars Program wasnt the only thing to celebrate. Brown said he was also excited about the newly formed Native American Studies Major. The new major program  composed of history, English, philosophy, language, environmental studies, ethnic studies and the School of Journalism and Communication courses  would expand upon the NAS minor already offered at the university.

The major program was developed in consultation with the Tribal Education Coordinators of the nine major Native tribes of Oregon, Brown said. The major requires students to take at least one dedicated course on Oregon Native American tribes and at least one full year of Indigenous language instruction.

Brown said the UO Native Studies Major is one of the only Native studies major programs in the country that requires all students, Native and non-Native, to take one full year of Indigenous language instruction.

The instruction will be offered by the Northwest Indian Language Institutes linguistics department at UO. The instruction focuses on Northwest Native languages like Ichishkiin, one of the common languages spoken in Umatilla, Yakama and Warm Springs but also supports students in learning and recovering their own tribal languages, Brown said.

Brown, who is a member of the Cherokee tribe in Oklahoma, said he is working to revitalize the Cherokee language, which hasnt been spoken in his family for three generations.

We see oftentimes that Native and non-Native students who come to understand the significance of language revitalization work, also come to see it as a way to come into relationship with their own home places, Brown said. We as a program will work with their tribal communities and language programs to get them accredited, so they can study their own languages.

Brown said the Native American and Indigenous Studies program wants to continue hiring new faculty. Last year, the NAIS Advisory Council worked with the Institutional Hiring Plan to hire two cultural anthropology positions, an Indigenous environmental studies position and an Indigenous race and ethics studies position.

Wed definitely like to work with the provost office in the next few cycles of the Institutional Hiring Plan, if not to do another cluster hire, to at least make sure that were opening conversations with other units that are hiring, Brown said. We want to work from within Native Studies to get good Indigenous representation in those hires.
Opinion: Netflixs new release of yet another serial killer documentary series has the internet spiraling with people professing their love and obsession for serial killers. But this portrayal romanticizes the horrible things they did.

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On July 22, 1991, serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested after Tracy Edwards was found running down the street in handcuffs by police officers.

Between 1978 and 1991, Dahmer killed 17 people, mostly African American and gay men. He was originally tried in 1989 for sexual exploitation and second-degree sexual assault. Despite his guilty plea, he only served 10 months of his one year sentence. Dahmer then went on to kill 13 more people after being released.

It wasnt until 1992 that his trial for the murders began. Dahmer originally pleaded not guilty despite his confessions to the police officers. He then changed his plea to guilty by insanity and was sentenced to 16 consecutive life sentences in prison.

In 1994, Christopher Scarver, a fellow inmate, killed Dahmer. Netflix released the original Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story 28 years later.

While it is not the first documentary or series about Dahmer, the Netflix original is part of a rapid media production expansion about true crime stories.

One major issue with this rapid production is the lack of consent given for these stories to be told.

Rita Isbell, sister of Errol Lidnsey, a victim of Dahmer, was featured in the Netflix special for her victim impact statement given at Dahmers trial. She has since spoken out against the show due to the lack of respect by Netflix.

I feel like Netflix should've asked if we mind or how we felt about making it, Isbell said. Instead, Netflix used it for their own monetary gain.

Netflixs lack of action to obtain consent shows a great disrespect for the friends and family members of the victims.

Ill be the first to admit it: I like watching these true crime stories just as much as the next person. When Im looking for my next Netflix binge and a documentary series pops up in my recommendations, the odds are thatll be what I watch for the next several hours.

But why have we become so obsessed with these programs recently?

As behavioral scientist Coltan Scrivner explained, it is based on our survival instincts. Historically, we lived up close and personal with many animal predators. Thus, one of our best ways of eluding them was to learn their behaviors and habits. Today, the danger of encountering a lion has been significantly reduced, but the protective instinct has translated to the human population.

Our minds deal with dangerous people like they do with other dangerous predators, Scrivner said. We try to learn about them when it is safe to do so because this helps us know how to more effectively avoid them.

But our fascination with serial killers, terrorists and other morbid tales has gone beyond human evolution in relation to predators.

As Ive seen reactions to the new Dahmer special, Im honestly disgusted. Ive seen people consider whether to dress up as Dahmer for Halloween, make T-shirts with his and other well known serial killers faces and even profess their love for him.

Theres an established difference between liking fictional characters and real people being portrayed in movies or television.

Take the show Criminal Minds, for example. Growing up watching it, I began to develop favorites such as Spencer Reid, Jennifer Jareau and Derek Morgan. I even had a favorite bad guy: Cat Adams.

These characters and the unsubs  the shows coined term for unknown subjects, or criminals  they chase are fictional, though there are some instances in which they were based on real events or people.

However, there are people who watch Evan Peters portrayal of Dahmer and see Dahmer as a fictional character  simply another role for Peters.

The same thing happened with the release of Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, featuring Zac Effron as serial killer Ted Bundy.

Im not arguing we need to stop making these documentary series; we can appreciate the attention to detail, acting and casting. But we should be aware of our intentions when watching them. If we remove the killer from the victims they murdered, we are no longer holding them responsible for the suffering of the friends and families who continue to live through it.

There will always be serial killers as long as the human race is around, and, therefore, a never-ending production of documentary series. But as we continue to move on from one serial killer to the next, lets stop sensationalizing them and focus on the victims.
According to authorities, a 12-year-old girl was discovered in a suitcase in Paris, strangled, with the digits 1 and 0 placed on her body. She also had her neck cut.

The French kid, known only as Lola, had her hands and feet bound with tape, and it appeared that she had died of asphyxiation.

Paris Suitcase Murder

Since then, at least four persons have been detained for interrogation in connection with the case, but no arrests have been made public. When the youngster didn't return home from school in the French capital on Friday, her parents called the police.

The woman later appears in the video with a suitcase. Police then discovered evidence of a kidnapping in the basement of the building. The girl's father, who works as the building's caretaker, told police he saw his daughter with the woman in her 20s on videotape from the building.

On Rue d'Hautpoul, a few streets from the family's home, police received a call at around 11:30 on Friday night reporting the presence of a suspicious suitcase. According to police, a device was used to place the numerals 1 and 0 on the body of the slain youngster, as per New York Post.

Paris Kidnapping Details

The girl's mother reported her missing after she didn't come home from school, and she was later located outside a building of apartments in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. The police announced that they had launched a murder inquiry and discovered evidence of a kidnapping in the family home's basement.

Investigators looked at surveillance video that showed a woman exiting the premises while toting luggage. According to authorities, the girl's body was later found in the same suitcase at Rue d'Hautpoul, a few streets away. According to reports, the schoolgirl had multiple slashes to her throat, her mouth was taped up, and her feet and fists were bound. On Saturday, a post-mortem investigation was planned, Independent reported.

At 3:20 p.m., disturbing footage of the small child in a white suit strolling behind a young woman wearing a green hooded top and light-colored pants shows her holding her school backpack. The defendant, accused of concealing a 12-year-old girl's body in a bag, is then said to have been observed buying a croissant as if nothing had occurred.

A neighborhood witness claimed that he had seen the woman, who is currently being detained by police, strolling around with a large suitcase two hours after the female suspect and Lola were caught on CCTV entering the young girl's building.

Read Also: Iran Prison Fire Kills At Least 4, Injures 61 Others as Gunshots, Explosions Ensued

6 Suspects Arrested, Including Woman

According to the surveillance footage, the young child entered her building but never made it home. On the mother Delphine's Facebook page, the family then made a public plea for assistance in locating their missing daughter, who the parents described as a cheerful blonde girl with shoulder-length hair.

They noted that Lola was sporting white trousers, a white hooded sweater, and a gray bag. The female suspect, who has only been given the age of 24, reportedly begged them for assistance later on as she struggled to carry a suitcase to a nearby car.

A body was purportedly found in a suitcase on rue d'Hautpoul, behind the structure where the young girl had vanished, at around 11:30 p.m., according to a homeless man who called the police. In the third basement of the girl's building on rue Manin, where basement sellotape and a box cutter were discovered, the public prosecutor's office reported signs of a struggle.

On Saturday around two in the morning, the 12-year-parents old's were informed of her passing. The public prosecutor's office reported that six people have now been detained in connection with the incident, including the woman who was reportedly having trouble carrying her bag and the homeless guy who called the police. After hearing about the tragedy, people left flowers and condolence cards at her building, according to The Scottish Sun.

Related Article: Stockton Serial Killer Gets Arrested While Suspect Is 'Out Hunting' Next Victim

@Youtube

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HANG SENG, SHANGHAI COMPOSITE - Technical Outlook:

The Hang Seng Index could decline further following a major technical break down.

The Shanghai Composite Index is facing some weakness within the broader range.

How much more downside for the indices and what are the key levels to watch?

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HANG SENG INDEX MEDIUM-TERM TECHNICAL OUTLOOK - BEARISH

The Hang Seng Index (HSI) is testing yet another crucial support, a break below which could open the door towards the Great Financial Crisis (GFC) low. Repeated lows in recent weeks and strong downward momentum raise the prospect of a break below at some point.

HSI is approaching near key support at the 2011 low of 16170. This follows a break in September below another key support at the March 2022 low of 18235, the March 2020 low of 21139, slightly below the 200-week moving average. Moreover, with the Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator (MACD) continuing to be negative on higher timeframe charts (e.g. the monthly and quarterly charts), the risk of break below 16170 is high. When the MACD indicator is below zero, it indicates a downtrend, and vice versa.

Hang Seng Index Monthly Chart

Chart Created Using TradingView

Moreover, the break below an uptrend line from 2016 has triggered a major Head & Shoulders (H&S) pattern (the left shoulder is at the 2015 high, the head is at the 2018 high, and the right shoulder is at the 2021 high), implying a potential move towards the GFC low of 10676. Like with all technical patterns, measured price objectives tend to serve as guides, rather than a rule. Regardless, this highlights the extent of the potential downside following the support breaks in recent months.

On the upside, HSI would need to clear last weeks high of 18164 at minimum for the immediate downward pressure to fade. However, the broader downtrend is unlikely to change while HSI holds below the 200-day moving average (now at about 21105).

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SHANGHAI COMPOSITE INDEX SHORT-TERM TECHNICAL OUTLOOK - BEARISH

Like its peer, the Shanghai Composite Index is also at quite an important crossroad. It is testing converged support on the 200-month moving average and an uptrend line from 2013. Any break below the support could pave way initially towards the March 2020 low of 2647, with stronger support at the 2019 low of 2441.

Shanghai Composite Index Monthly Chart

Chart Created Using TradingView

From a multi-week perspective, the index has maintained a weak tone. However, from a multi-month perspective, the index continues to hover in a range (as the chart shows). The upper end of the range is the 2018 and the 2021 highs while the lower end of the range is the 2019 low. Unless the index manages to break below 2441, the current spell of weakness is at best consolidation within the bigger range. On the upside, at the very least the index needs to break above the August low of 3155 for the short-term downward pressure to ease.

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--- Written by Manish Jaradi, Strategist for DailyFX.com
British Pound, GBP/USD, US Dollar, USD/JPY, China, Crude Oil, Gold - Talking Points

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The British pound found some support on Monday from a weaker US Dollar and after comments by the new Chancellor of Exchequer Jeremy Hunt over the weekend that implied planned tax cuts might be reviewed.

It could be a tricky week ahead for Sterling with Prime Minister Liz Truss remaining under political pressure and the Bank of England retiring from propping up the Gilt market.

Treasury yields have eased a few basis points across the curve through the Asian session to start the week. The US Dollar is consequently softer overall, with the Australian Dollar the main beneficiary so far, trading above 0.6230.

The Japanese Yen is the only currency not to make gains against the big dollar today with the market remains edgy about possible intervention after some jawboning from officials. USD/JPY is sitting just below the 32-year high of 148.86 seen on Friday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a defiant speech on Sunday that touched on a multitude of topics covering modernisation, Taiwan, Hong Kong, common prosperity, the military, the environment, technology, and foreign policy.

Distinctly missing was any change to the economically crippling zero-case Covid-19 policy. The Hang Seng and CSI 200 equity indices are lower, but it might be more related to Fridays sell off on Wall Street. Iron ore is lower on the disappointing news.

Australias ASX 200 and Japans Nikkei 225 are also down on the day while futures are pointing toward a steady start to North American cash session.

Crude oil and gold have seen small gains on the weaker USD. The WTI futures contract is above US$ 86 bbl while the Brent contract has cleared US$ 92 bbl. Spot gold is nearing US$ 1,650 an ounce.

Recommended by Daniel McCarthy How to Trade GBP/USD Get My Guide

GBP/USD TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

GBP/USD steadied on Monday after peeling back from resistance levels going into the weekend. The break points at 1.1405 and 1.1414 may continue to offer resistance.

The price has been criss-crossing the 10- and 21-day simple moving average (SMA) which could suggest near term uncertainty toward directional momentum. SMAs of 55-days and beyond are all above the price and may indicate that longer term bearish momentum is intact.

Support might be at the previous lows of 1.0924 and 1.0354.

Chart created in TradingView

--- Written by Daniel McCarthy, Strategist for DailyFX.com

Please contact Daniel via @DanMcCathyFX on Twitter
They explain 'white tourists' have 'fetish for the perfect black man to sleep with'

Locals cite poverty and a want to travel as reasons for the flourishing sex trade

Jason, 31, was once offered $800 for an hour with a wealthy tourist's wife

Every year thousands of British tourists flock to the Caribbean, lured in by white sands, clear seas and all inclusive deals at luxurious five-star resorts.

And Jamaica's Montego Bay appears to have it all, from the liveliest nightlife on the island to historic properties offering guided tours about slavery.

However men living in the tourism capital have now revealed an open secret among their society - a lucrative male prostitution industry that sees locals cashing in on a 'white fantasy'.

Speaking to FEMAIL, a number of locals explained how they would earn less than $500 per month working as a waiter - leaving them desperate to make money in other ways.

And many said they feel British and American tourists are looking to fufil a 'fantasy' of sleeping with a 'Rastaman like Bob Marley.'

Jason, 31, who now works as a taxi driver, previously spent eight years working within tourism. He said: 'The most I've been offered for one hour is $800 from a white man who wanted me to sleep with his wife in front of him.'

Jason, 31, said he was once offered US$800 to spend the night with a white tourist's wife when he worked in the hotel industry

While many of the workers claim they must 'rely on tips' if they are to enjoy any disposable income, some opt for more nefarious ways of making money, including sex work.

Male prostitution, which sees large amounts of money changing hands for services rendered, offers some the financial compensation they are seeking.

Jason explained how he was propositioned by the husband of a tourist, saying: 'I declined the offer, but I know plenty of people who have done it.

'They can make more money than women can.'

Meanwhile Rad, 21, (pictured, left) said that men who offer themselves up for sex can live in the lap of luxury

'Personally I don't want to do it because I might catch feelings, even if something is meant to be for a night you can still form a connection you know?'

Jason revealed that he was regularly approached by female tourists, some twice his age, offering money if he shared their bed for the week, or in some cases just the night.

He said: 'The oldest woman who approached me said she was 60, she offered me cash.'

Meanwhile he spoke about the motivation behind the sex work, adding: 'Many female tourists have a fantasy about renting a black man for a week.

'Some men who cannot have sex anymore want to watch their wives sleep with a black man who is younger than them.'

One local, who is known as Short Boss and sells marijuana on the beach, said tourists have a particular fantasy about men whose hair is styled into locs, and who are known as 'Rastamen'.

Frankay, 37, (pictured left) said he could 'see why people sell themselves' to live a more 'comfortable' life

He noted that tourists are willing to pay more for a more 'authentic' experience.

Short Boss spends his time weaving in and out of the populated resort beaches owned by private hotels.

While access is only permitted for those wearing a hotel wristband, many sellers swim under the barriers to hustle with the hordes of punters getting slowly tipsy in the scorching sun.

He explained how rich white men and women scour the terrain for men who look like 'Bob Marley', in a fetishised hunt for a local man who matches their preconceived notions of the Jamaican racial stereotype.

He said: 'Women have an authentic fantasy of a Rastaman, with locs, to rent for the week, just for sex. Like Bob Marley or something. They will pay more.

While access is only permitted for those wearing a hotel wristband, many sellers swim under the barriers to hustle with the hordes of punters getting slowly tipsy in the scorching sun

'Men want to see their woman have sex with a younger, more potent man - it turns them on, I don't know why.

'I know many people that do it, and they make good money. The cost of living here is high and when things in America go up, they also increase here. So people do what they have to do.'

Meanwhile another man, known as Rad said that men who offer themselves up for sex can live in the lap of luxury.

The 21-year-old said: 'These men make a lot of money. You can see them with nice cars, designer clothes, all of the things that mean status.

'I don't have a car myself, and we rarely see a BMW around that is driven by a local.'

Another man, Frankay, who sells his home-made anklets on the beach for US$15 each, said that one day he would 'like to go to England and watch Manchester United play'.

Another man, who gave his name as Short Boss, said tourists have a particular fantasy about men whose hair is styled into locs, and who are known as 'Rastamen'

This is an ambition he says he shares with many Jamaicans, who have to be invited to the UK by a resident to secure a visa.

He explained: 'A lot of people here don't have money, and it's a dream for so many of us to travel, especially to the UK.

'I want to go to the England and see Manchester United play one day, but the cost of the ticket would be expensive, and I would need an invitation.

'It's not easy for us Jamaicans to leave the island and people are struggling to make money, especially outside of the tourist seasons.

'I can see why a lot of men sell themselves, and they have a nice, comfortable life.

'It's dangerous here, there are a lot of scammers willing to make money from tourists by pretending to be in love, so at least... this is honest work in a way.'

When asked further about romance scams, Frankay admitted they are common among hotel staff, who chat up tourists by the poolside and create a relationship.

He said: 'It happens in a lot of countries, and here is no exception.

'You can see this sort of thing in hotels, staff will talk to visitors and create a relationship, then when the tourist gets home they will beg for help, say their car is stolen and such things.

'Men who sleep with older women for sex, it's usually agreed upfront, and the tourist will look for it. She wants the certain look like my friend here.'
The Prince and Princess of Wales are enjoying their 'little community' in Windsor following the move to Adelaide Cottage, sources close to the couple have claimed.

William and Kate - both 40 - are also said to be delighted that their children can 'go out on their bikes and cycle around the estate'.

Speaking to PEOPLE magazine, family friends said Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, are 'really excited to meet everyone'.

The move is helping them shape a 'modern royal family doing normal things', one source too told the outlet.

Speaking to PEOPLE magazine, family friends said Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, (all pictured this summer) are 'really excited to meet everyone'

Insiders have also claimed that the plan is to eventually move to Windsor Castle - the publication reports - but the family is for now basking in their idyllic new abode.

The royals have begun a new life in the country away from the goldfish bowl of their official London residence Kensington Palace, in what is being seen as a bid to put their children first and give them more freedom.

The family are also now using the pretty 19th century Adelaide Cottage as their base after the late Queen gave them permission to lease the four-bedroom Grade II listed cottage, which belongs to the Crown Estate.

It was built for Queen Adelaide in 1831 and is nestled just a 10-minute walk from Windsor Castle in the private Home Park.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are enjoying their 'little community' in Windsor following the move to Adelaide Cottage, sources close to the couple have claimed. Pictured, Windsor Castle last month

The downsizing to Adelaide Cottage, which is not considered vast, means William and Kate's full-time nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo is now living elsewhere for the first time, as well as other staff including the housekeeper and the chef.

A source said at the time of the announcement this summer that the then Duke and Duchess were very conscious of how their move stands in contrast to the cost-of-living crisis impacting the nation.

Asked whether the couple was mindful of the economic difficulties facing many who would not be able to afford such opportunities, the source said: 'They absolutely are.

'It's something they have thought long and hard about and this is a decision they have not taken lightly. It would have been extremely difficult for them to continue on as senior working royals if they were based in Norfolk.

'What they have basically done allows them to put the kids first, but also to continue on doing what they do all day, every day.'

The couple previously said they wanted to 'keep things as normal as possible' for their three children following the death of the Queen, according to reports

The move is helping them shape a 'modern royal family doing normal things', one source too told the outlet. The pair pictured in Northern Ireland this month

And it's been a busy few months for the Prince and Princess of Wales' brood.

The couple previously said they wanted to 'keep things as normal as possible' for their three children following the death of the Queen, according to reports.

The monarch's death came days after they started a new school in Windsor.

William and Kate had been known to have set their heart on outdoorsy prep school Lambrook, with its 52 acres of grounds, where fees will cost the couple in excess of 50,000 a year in total for their three youngsters.
In her first interview from a Florida jail cell, the convicted sex trafficker, Ghislaine Maxwell, says she feels so horrible for her dear buddy, Prince Andrew.

Maxwell acknowledged that her connection with Prince Andrew, who lost his royal responsibilities as a result of his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has not been able to endure.

Ghislaine Maxwell Feels Bad For 'Dear Friend' Prince Andrew

This year, Maxwell, 60, was found guilty of seducing young females who Epstein would later abuse between 1994 and 2004. She has disputed all of the accusations leveled against her and is appealing the judgment for which she was given a 20-year term.

The first interview with Maxwell was conducted in a New York detention facility, and the second one was conducted in a Florida low-security jail where she had been transferred over the summer. Epstein, a disgraced banker, was detained in July 2019 on suspicion of sex trafficking. A month later, he committed suicide in a New York prison.

The late media mogul Robert Maxwell's daughter stated her contact with Epstein was her worst regret and that she would avoid meeting him if she could go back in time. However, she went on to say that many women may connect with the experience of falling in love with someone they later regretted, as per Independent.

Maxwell now claims that the image is a hoax, reversing his earlier claim that it "looks authentic." Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for trafficking, claimed after her arrest in 2020 that another inmate had plotted to kill her while she slept in a New York jail. She claims the photograph has over 50 problems.

Read Also: Robbie Coltrane Dead at 72; Hagrid Actor in 'Harry Potter' Battled Illness for Years

Prince Andrew's Sexual Abuse Scandal

Sigrid McCawley, Giuffre's attorney, expressed her surprise that Maxwell had agreed to an interview despite the strong and compelling evidence against her. She stated that the jury was the only audience that matters.

Gloria Allred, an attorney who represents the Epstein victims, claimed that by bringing up the controversy, Maxwell had done Andrew no favors. The Duke of York and Buckingham Palace did not want to comment through their spokespeople, according to The Sun.

As he defended himself against claims that he molested Ms. Roberts, one of Epstein's victims, as a teenager in London, Manhattan, and the US Virgin Islands, Prince Andrew had his military titles and royal patronages revoked in January. He has categorically and repeatedly denied the accusations. He reached an out-of-court agreement with Ms. Roberts, who now goes by her married name Giuffre, for an undisclosed sum without admitting any wrongdoing.

In a court filing in January, the Duke's counsel refuted 41 different assertions made by Ms. Roberts, including her allegation that Prince Andrew was a close friend of Ghislaine Maxwell.

Prison administrators placed her on suicide watch before her punishment after Epstein committed suicide while waiting for his trial. A fellow prisoner at the MDC boasted that she planned to kill Maxwell and that there was a $1 million bounty on her head, according to information released by the MoS in June.

This past weekend, Maxwell acknowledged that a lady had threatened to kill her while she slept. Maxwell is currently employed in the prison's law library, where she assists other prisoners with their legal issues, Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: Will Queen Consort Camilla Wear Controversial Crown at Coronation with King Charles III?

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Facebook discount group has seen thousands vouch for Fabulosa's Winter Angel

A dupe of Lush's Snow Fairy is now available in the form of cleaning products

A discount cleaning brand is now offering a dupe of Lush's Snow Fairy-fragranced range, available for a slashed price at Poundstretcher and B&M.

Fabulosa, a bargain-hunter favourite, has been all the rage among fans, who say it smells 'exactly like' the high street perfume brand.

A shopper took to Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK to post a snap with a collection of the cleaning agents in the range.

Sharing a photo of products, including a degreaser and cream cleaner, the user said it 'smells the exact same'.

Fabulosa, a bargain-hunter favourite has been all the rage among fans, who say it smells 'exactly like' the high street perfume brand Lush

The post raked up more than 1,000 likes, with some 3,000 commenters excited about purchasing the delightfully scented products ahead of the festive period.

'I have the disinfectant spray and oh my god, it smells amazing. I got mine from Poundland,' one commented.

Another excitedly remarked: 'Theres a whole bloody collection?!...Its bloody Christmas mate...'

And the rave reviews aren't just limited to the group.

Many shoppers were delighted by the cleaning product range, which they say smells 'exactly like Lush's Snow Fairy range

One Facebook user shared a photo of their all-pink packaged Fabulousa purchases, gushing about its smell.

'Fabulosa winter angel smells bang like lush snow fairy,' she wrote.

Sharing a snap of the collection's disinfectant and washing machine cleaner, another poster said: 'Fabulosa have launched a Winter Angel scent that is very close to Snow Fairy by Lush!'

'GET OUT! Fabulousa have released a new scent that apparently smells IDENTICAL too snow fairy,' another penned. 'CAN ANYONE CONFIRM BEFORE I SPEND A THOUSAND POUND.'

And the rave reviews aren't just limited to the group. One Facebook user shared a photo of their all-pink packaged Fabulousa purchases, gushing about its smell

'House smells amazing snow fairy,' another user wrote.

Elsewhere a shopper penned: 'Look at these wee beauties [sic]. Winter angel...snow fairy scent!

'In love and look forward to all the Christmas scents coming out between Fabulosa and zoflora...'

Despite its explosive popularity, Fabulosa has only been around since 2019.

Its website describes it as 'a family-led business established by father and son Mike and James Sharpe'.

It added: 'Fabulosa has had a meteoric rise, supplying over 100 million units and launching more than 150 exciting fragrances since its inception.'
Queen Consort Camilla made a sweet nod to the royal family in an official picture shared at the weekend.

King Charles' wife, 75, was photographed in the Morning Room at Clarence House, on the 64th anniversary of the publication of the first Paddington bear book with several of the Paddington Bear toys left by royal fans in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth following the announcement of the Monarch's death on September 8.

It was revealed yesterday that the soft toys will be given 'good homes,' just like the 'real' Paddington Bear, and are to be donated to vulnerable children supported by the Barnardo's charity.

After the release of the picture, eagle-eyed fans noted that the Queen Consort had surrounded herself with pictures of the late Queen and the royal family.

One snap showed the Queen Consort, the King, with the Prince and Princess of Wales, their three children and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the occasion of Prince Louis' christening in 2018.

Another picture was taken on the occasion of the late sovereign's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and showed her in a sparkling gown by the side of her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, who died in 2021.

Queen Consort Camilla, 75, made a sweet nod to the royal family in an official picture shared at the weekend, which were taken in the Morning Room at Clarence House

A series of pictures from the royal family were seen on show in the corner of the room where the Queen Consort sat for the picture

A series of framed pictures of the royal family were seen on show in the corner of the room where the Queen Consort sat for the picture.

Another picture in view was a black and white close-up portrait of the Queen Mother, in a sweet nod to the King's grandmother, who used to live in Clarence House before he did.

Camilla, who was holding a Paddington Bear on her knees, was beaming in her picture.

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.

One of the pictures was taken on the occasion of Prince Louis's christening in 2-19, and shows the Queen Consort with the King, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Carole and Michael, as well as James Middleton were present, as well as Kate sister's Pippa and her husband Mr James Matthews

The picture of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, which was taken in 2012 on the occasion of the late Monarch's Diamond Jubilee, was also displayed during a special prayer service to commemorate the death of the Prince at St Andrew's Cathedral on April 11, 2021 in Sydney, Australia

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.'

Over the weekend, 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.

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.
This inspirational teen is one of the first Down syndrome models to take the stage at the prestigious New York Fashion Week.

Monika Myers, 14, a model from Toronto, Canada never thought she'd appear on the runway, but after signing with international model agency Zebedee, Monika's modelling career has taken off.

The teenager said she felt 'brave and beautiful' walking the runway, adding: 'My friends couldn't believe the transformation of seeing me in such a gorgeous gown, with fake eyelashes and my hair done.'

Proud mother, Stephanie Myers travelled to New York with her daughter and burst into tears watching her strut her stuff.

Stephanie explained: 'Having a daughter with Down syndrome, you don't tend to fast forward ahead, you live in the moment as you worry a lot.

This inspirational teen is one of the first Down syndrome models to take the stage at the prestigious New York Fashion Week

Monika never thought she'd appear on the runway, but after signing with international model agency Zebedee, Monika's modelling career has taken off

'When I saw her doing something I never dreamed she could do, it made me so proud. I am so proud of her, and she's so proud of herself too.

'Monika has always loved anything to do with hair, makeup and dresses since she was a little girl - she even did a runway walk when she was two years old, and she walked with me. I think that's what has stayed with her.

'We've always celebrated everything she does and have always appreciated her, she was never shy in front of camera either.

'She's been inspired by other Down syndrome models over the past few years which has inspired her to take up modelling herself.

The teenager said she felt 'brave and beautiful' as she made the appearance in New York this month

'She's done quite a few fashion shows now, but New York Fashion Week was so special!

'I was so proud of her, when I first saw her walking in Toronto Kid's Fashion Week it was so emotional, and then when I saw her in New York I cried so much.

'To see these changes happening in this industry is amazing!

'She's the first Canadian Down syndrome model to be in the show.

Monika's mother Stephanie said she felt 'so proud' of her daughter for how she was handling the attention (pictured, being interviewed for TV)

Monika was chosen to walk for Primark and high-end dress designer Wanda Beauchamp Couture (pictured left and right)

'It really makes you think that no matter what, we're all equal and just seeing how much she loved it was so special.

'On the runway she performs so well, she's definitely a woman in control and you could tell she was feeling so confident and believes in herself.'

Monika was chosen to walk for Primark and high-end dress designer Wanda Beauchamp Couture.

Monika explained: 'I felt amazing, I was wearing such nice outfits and I met a lot of really cool people.

The fourteen-year-old confessed she 'felt like a princess' after walking in New York Fashion Week

'I felt like a princess, there were two people doing my hair and I also had my makeup done.

'It was crazy backstage, there were people everywhere and all around me, but it didn't bother me at all.

'I wasn't nervous at all; I'm a brave and beautiful.

'New York was so cool, we went out for dinner every night and then I did the shows as well.

'Primark was a fun walk, I did a twirl and a hair flick. I wore a green jacket and pleather shorts with silver combat boots - I loved it.

Stephanie said her daughter is 'is amazing on the runway' and looks like a 'confident woman in control'

'For Wanda I wore a beautiful big dress. It was more of a serious walk so I had a serious expression, but it was still fun.

It was the first time the pair had ever been to New York together, and Monika was thrilled thrilled to finally experience New York City.

Stephanie adds: 'It was great to go to NYC together. We had a tonne of fun seeing the city together.

'She walked in Toronto Kids Fashion Week and it has given her the chance to get to New York Fashion Week which is amazing.

Stephanie confessed the duo 'don't know what the future holds' but they hope to see more 'inclusivity' in the fashion industry

'She is amazing on the runway, she's a woman in control and feels so confident and believes in herself.

'We don't know what the future holds, but Monika loves modelling and the world is open to her. It is wonderful to see the inclusivity in the fashion industry.

'Monika would love to do more photoshoots and fashion shows.'
A politics student who will become the first person in Miss England's 94 year history to make-up free at the final today has said beauty standards were 'damaging her mentally.'

Melisa Raouf, 20, from London, wowed the judges with her natural beauty when she appeared at the semi-finals of the competition in London in August.

She will compete alongside 40 other women to be crowned Miss England tonight, at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry.

She appeared on Lorraine earlier today where she said she wants to inspire teenagers to realise beauty is not about looks but about their personality and confidence.

She said: 'I've started my own movement. Before I would take almost three or four hours of my day just wearing a full face of make up because I never thought I fitted in with society standards.

Melisa Raouf, 20, from London, will appear without make-up in tonight's Miss England final, where she will compete as one of 40 women

Melisa Raouf, 20, from London, has reached the Miss England final after becoming the first ever beauty queen to appear make-up free at the pageant in its 94 year history (pictured, wearing makeup

'It damaged me mentally and made me really insecure with who I was. I'm showing the world who I am.

'So many teenagers are battling with self-identity issues because of beauty standards set online.

'For me to go out and show that you don't need to fit into society's perfect ideal to be beautiful.

'It's your inner confidence that will radiate far more than your outer beauty.'

She appeared on Lorraine, where she said that she wanted to inspire teenagers to realise their inner beauty was more important than what they looked like

When she won a place in the final she was left stunned and at the time said: 'It means a lot to me as I feel many girls of different ages wear makeup because they feel pressured to do so.'

Melisa said she took the unusual step of entering the competition bare-faced in a bid to promote inner beauty in an age of social media obsession.

Since appearing on the 94-year-old Miss England stage Melisa has had her inbox flooded with support from people who say she has 'inspired them'.

Melisa, who studies at King's College London, will once again brave the catwalk make-up free when she appears at the Miss England final tonight - and revealed she feels like she has done it for 'all girls'.

She said she decided to take to the catwalk without any cosmetics or beauty products in the hope of inspiring other women to embrace their natural looks

Since appearing on the 94-year-old Miss England stage Melisa has had her inbox flooded with support from people who say she has 'inspired them' (left, wearing makeup in 2019, and right, in the contest)

The 20-year-old politics student sure made a statement when she decided to challenge beauty ideals with her stunning make-up free look

Organisers of the world-famous pageant had previously introduced a 'bare-face top model' round but say it's the first time they have known anyone to compete at the pageant without wearing make-up.

Miss England organiser Angie Beasley said she introduced the Bare Face Top Model in 2019 after becoming shocked at the amount of make-up and filler contestants had.

Angie Beasley said: 'I saw too many unrealistic images on Instagram and contestants thinking they needed to wear make-up to look beautiful.

Organisers of the world-famous pageant had previously introduced a 'bare-face top model' round but say it's the first time they have known anyone to compete at the pageant without wearing make-up (pictured)

Melisa smiled as she was announced the winner of a ground-breaking new category in the 94-year-old beauty pageant

Melisa, a politics student, took to the runway in a navy dress and sky blue nails in the Miss England competition - after winning the round for 'bare faced top model' in the semi final

The 20-year-old said she took the unusual step in a bid to promote inner beauty in an age of social media obsession

She said it is only recently she has 'accepted' that she is 'beautiful in her own skin' and is keen to promote the message to other women

'It encourages contestants to show us who they really are without the need to hide behind makeup and filters on social media.

'This round in the contest was introduced back in 2019 as we were receiving so many entry images from contestants covering their faces with thick make up and using filters.

'Since then contestants post their images on social media to enter this round.

Melisa also won the bare-faced round of the Miss England pageant after organizers were 'shocked' at how much filler and cosmetics contestants were using they decided to introduce the new round - after 94 years of glamour and glitz

'This is the first time I've seen a contestant completely make up free competing in a semi final and she said she felt empowered against all the other contestants.

'I'm all for make up to enhance your natural beauty but there's no need for youngsters to wear It so thick that it looks like a mask.

'I wish Melisa the best of luck in Miss England 2022.'
Queen Letizia of Spain was stylish in a royal blue dress as she was snapped during an official visit to Germany today.

The 49-year-old royal, who is accompanying her husband King Felipe for the three-day trip, was photographed alongside German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender.

Images show the group looking cordial as they share a conversation outside the Bellevue Palace in Berlin.

The Spanish Queen looked chic in a blue midi dress, which featured a subtle trumpet skirt, as well as small puff three-quarter length sleeves, flower decals on the showers, and a small keyhole neckline.

Queen Letizia of Spain (pictured with her husband King Felipe in Berlin) donned an elegant blue frock for the first day of the couple's official Germany trip

One of the first engagements on the itinerary was meeting the German president and his wife (pictured L-R: Elke Budenbender, with of the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, King Felipe, Queen Letizia)

Letizia, a mother-of-two, kept her ensemble to a singular colour palette, pairing her dress with a coordinating pair of heeled suede pumps and handbag.

She accessorised her outfit with minimal jewellery, including a pair of sparkling hoop earrings.

Meanwhile, her long dark brown tresses were styled into a sleek, low ponytail.

Her fresh make-up look boasted a dewy, clear base, her trademark light smoky eye, and nude pink lip.

The 49-year-old royal looked characteristically stylish, with her locks pulled into a sleek low ponytail, and an elegant classic make-up look

The 49-year-old Spanish royal looked radiant as she posed alongside her husband today, as well as the German president and his wife (pictured L-R: Elke Budenbender, Queen Letizia, King Felipe, Frank-Walter Steinmeier)

Today's engagement kicks off a three-day official visit to the country, with the couple set to make a number of solo and joint appearances (pictured L-R: Elke Budenbender, with of the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, King Felipe, Queen Letizia)

Queen Letizia and Elke Budenbender, wife of the German president, opted for blue midi dresses for the engagement

Sharing a smile: the two women were snapped having a friendly chat, as they met in Berlin earlier today

Royal in blue! the mother-of-two looked regal during the first day of the Germany trip today, donning a blue frock, and opting for a classic, fresh make-up look

The royal couple's visit is set to last three days, during which they will meet an assortment of German dignitaries, and attend a number of engagements.

An official announcement on the website of Germany's federal president Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he and his wife Elke Budenbender were welcoming the Spanish royals.

It added: 'The Federal President and Elke Budenbender will welcome King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain with military honours at Schloss Bellevue on the morning of 17 October.

'They will then hold talks together. In the evening, the Federal President and Elke Budenbender will host a state banquet in honour of the Spanish King and Queen.'

Crowds of people greeted the Spanish royals enthusiastically as they stepped out on the first day of their three-day German tour

The German president's wife, Elke Buedenbender, was photographed laughing as she engaged with crowds in Berlin today alongside Queen Letizia

The quartet posed for more pictures after the royal couple signed the guestbook at the presidential Bellevue Palace in Berlin (pictured L-R: Elke Budenbender, Queen Letizia, King Felipe, Frank-Walter Steinmeier)

In addition, it listed the German-Spanish Forum, an art exhibition to see the collection of the Helga de Alvear Museum at the Palais Populair, and the Frankfurt Book Fair as engagements the royals would undertake separately.

The couple, who last visited Germany in December 2014, are also set to make some joint appearances, including at a reception they are hosting.

Yesterday, the royal couple were photographed at an airport in Madrid, as they made their way to Germany for the trip.
Also banned electronics after children's bedtime to make most of time together

A mother-of-two has revealed how she 'keeps the romance alive' in her marriage, sharing that she has sex with her husband every day - so they don't feel like 'roommates'.

AnnaLee Ford, 31 and her husband, Ethan, 40, from Denver, Colorado, are parents to two young children - and noticed their lives 'completely changed' after having their first child.

The couple had much less free time to spend together - and found that tiredness, business and stress meant they began being less and less romantic.

They made a list of ways to keep the intimacy in their relationship - which includes kissing for 10 seconds whenever they say hello or goodbye and no electronics after their kids go to bed - and AnnaLee believes it's worked a treat.

The couple explained that not only has their relationship improved in the bedroom, but every aspect has got better - and they are happier, argue less, kinder and 'more in tune' with one another.

AnnaLee Ford, 31 and her husband, Ethan, 40, from Denver, Colorado, are parents to two young children - and have come up with a plan to keep the romance alive

Pictured: Ethan and Annalee with their daughters, Elliott and Collins. The couple have stopped using electronics after their daughters' bedtime in order to focus on each other

AnnaLee, who works as a water engineer, said: 'It's crazy how much things change after you have kids - it hit us harder than we expected.

'Nobody really wants to think about sex when you haven't showered in three days and your boobs are leaking and the size of Jupiter. Being intimate is hard.

'So my husband and I decided to make our relationship a priority because without that, everything else will fall apart.'

AnnaLee revealed that the first thing they make a point of doing is being intimate every day.

She explained: 'This doesn't necessarily mean sex, but whenever we have alone time, we agree to do the 'one minute rule'.

'Whenever we have alone time, we have to be close for one minute, and give it a chance, no matter how tired we are.

'Nine out of 10 times it does lead to sex after that for us - but what it does is ensure we don't immediately say no without giving it a chance just because of tiredness or stress.'

The loved up couple force themselves to kiss for 10 seconds to say hello and goodbye and wrote letters to each other

She added that if sex isn't your jam, another way of being intimate is sharing a shower, and washing each other's hair.

A rule they have is no electronics after their children - Elliott, three, and Collins, one - go to bed.

AnnaLee said: 'It can be a hard rule, and some days we do just want to lie in front of the TV, but if either of us wants to go without electronics the other has to do it too.

AnnaLee and Ethan's top tips for keeping the intimacy alive Prioritize intimacy every day -sex, cuddling, sexting and long hugs.

10 second kiss when you say hello and goodbye.

No electronics after bed - this is a great time to talk about your day or just listen to music and read your favorite books.

Write letters to each other, whether it's an email once or twice a week or in a special journal you buy that you pass back and forth.

Talk frequently about your future dreams and goals as a team - whether it's your forever home, a dream vacation, etc. This seems really simple but helps refocus on what you have been working together to build. Advertisement

'We sit together, read a book, talk and be near each other. And it's nice not to be glued to your phone.'

They also say they have to kiss each other hello or goodbye and it has to be for at least 10 seconds each time.

This is because life can be busy and stressful, but this tiny thing allows them a moment to be close and still.

AnnaLee said: 'Especially if one person is holding the baby, we're so rushed to say hello or goodbye - in and out of meetings, making dinner, getting the kids to school.

'We force ourselves to take 10 seconds to be slow. It's a long time - but after the five second mark you start to notice yourself relax and get closer.

'Then you can go back to your crazy days.'

While their list of rules might sound excessive or difficult to implement, AnnaLee said the more you do it, the more natural it feels.

But their followers on social media were shocked parents of two kids could get physical so often.

But AnnaLee said: 'We don't have sex every time, but we try to give it a chance.

'Sex is like, sometimes at first you don't want to go to the gym, but you go and do a workout, and then you feel great after.'

She added: 'I do feel lucky that I have had two kids with my husband and I am still madly in love and so attracted to him.

'But when you have kids and life is crazy busy, being connected is the only thing you can control.'

AnnaLee's husband Ethan said: 'Life can be very hectic, not only with two little ones, but three dogs, buying and selling homes, moving, and then you throw your career on top of all that!

Ethan and AnnaLee have also said they try to prioritize time intimacy everyday from sex to sexting, cuddling and kissing

The couple explained that life could be hectic, which is why Ethan and AnnaLee made each other their priority every day

'With life, and of course all the really fun and happy times, it has been really important for Annalee and I to take step back and really focus on 'us' and our relationship and mutual respect and love.

'A big part of our success is the everyday intimacy like the early morning snuggles in bed, the hugs, the little touches and kisses throughout the day, and of course sex, I mean who doesn't love sex?

'But success is also finding or making time to spend quality time together such as turning the TV off and just listening to music together on the back patio in the evenings.

'Before kids, relationships felt more about the big, romantic gestures. Now that our life is full of babies and chaos, we have switched to also finding love and happiness in the little moments.

'It's all about the little wins after you have kids. This mindset has made such a huge difference in our happiness and quality of relationship.

'We focus and prioritize connecting with each other daily, which not only reminds us how in love we still are with each other but also has a positive impact on our parenting, our relationship with our kiddos, our career, and all other aspects of life.'
Princess Eugenie has visited an art exhibition in Central London she helped to curate ahead of International Anti-Slavery Day.

The 32-year-old royal was spotted in Trafalgar Square with Julia de Boinville, with whom she launched the Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017.

The pair visited their Collective's art exhibition Art is Freedom, which was curated by Eugenie and two survivors of modern slavery and the organisation Hestia, the leading provider of modern slavery support in London.

Eugenie donned a tan coat and a black dress, paired with knee-high boots in order to visit the exhibition, which opened on Friday 14 and will be on display until Sunday 23 October.

Princess Eugenie, 32, has visited an art exhibition in Central London she helped curate, ahead of International Anti-Slavery Day

The 32-year-old royal was spotted in Trafalgar Square with Julia de Boinville, with whom she launched the Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017

The mother-of-one looked elegant in the coat, which brought out the colour of her hazelnut hair and eyes.

She beamed as she and Julia approached the exhibit, strutting in her heeled leather boots, which she paired with a knee-length black dress.

Eugenie, who is married to financier Jack Brooksbank, 36, kept the look fuss-free, with a neat bun and an everyday makeup with a touch of foundation and bronzer, a sculpted brow and some mascara.

She kept things simple and accessorised with gold hoop earrings and a gold necklace.

Eugenie donned a tan coat and a black dress, paired with knee-high boots in order to visit the exhibition, which opened on Friday 14 and will be on display until Sunday 23 October

She kept the look fuss-free, with a neat bun and an everyday makeup with a touch of foundation and bronzer, a sculpted brow and some mascara

Meanwhile, her co-founder looked elegant in a frilly woolen top with a pleated midi skirt.

The pair arrived together and headed to the art on display.

They met with Hestia's CEO Patrick Ryan, Lord Mayor of Westminster Hamza Taouzzale and Hestia regional director Nahar Choudhury, for the occasion.

There, they admired the art on display, which was crafted by the survivors of modern slavery that have been supported by the Anti-Slavery Collective and Hestia.

The pair arrived together and headed to the art on display, which was crafted by the survivors of modern slavery that have been supported by the Anti-Slavery Collective and Hestia

Eugenie looked elegant in the tan coat, which she paired with leather boots and a knee-length dress

The Duke of York's daughter appeared in high spirits as she visited the exhibition earlier today (pictured)

Speaking ahead of the exhibition reveal earlier this month, Eugenie said: 'The Art is Freedom exhibition has supported survivors of modern slavery of all ages, from across the world, for five years now.

'It is inspiring to see the project give survivors the opportunity to express their feelings, emotions and stories through art. The exhibition also provides an opportunity for those who have experienced modern slavery to gain new skills, which can help to reinforce a sense of community amongst survivors and encourage freedom of expression.

'This exhibition serves as a space to dispel the stigma around survivors, and let their stories speak for themselves. This year, the Anti-Slavery Collective is honoured to be co-curating the exhibition, and we look forward to helping to shine a light on this important issue,' she added.

Last week, the royal reveal that her Anti-Slavery Collective would be highlighting the work of leading figures of the field on their social media channels.

It has been a busy few weeks for Eugenie, who this weekend celebrated the birthday of her mother Sarah Ferguson, who turned 63 on October 15.

One of the piece of artwork crafted by one the modern slavery survivors was a floral scene, left. Hestia regional director Nahar Choudhury, right, discussed the exhibition with Eugenie, Julia and Patrick Ryan

The pair met with Hestia's CEO Patrick Ryan, left, Lord Mayor of Westminster Hamza Taouzzale, centre, and Hestia regional director Nahar Choudhury, right, for the occasion. Westminster City Council Deputy Council Leader Aicha Less, second right, was also present

The 32-year-old royal took to Instagram to post the message to the Duchess of York.

Eugenie shared a selection of candid images featuring her mother, and wrote a caption alongside them.

It said: 'Half an hour left to go of October 15th 2022 but better late than never.. Happy Birthday my dear mumsy!

The co-founders of the anti slavery collective were delighted to meet Princess Eugenie and the organization posted to Instagram with an image of the royal at Trafalgar Square

Four photos shared by the princess, which were all taken in rural locations, showed Sarah posing with her daughters and alone.

The first image in the post showed the duchess and her daughter both beaming and looking fresh faced in casual clothing, appearing to have been snapped during a country walk.

Another two of the photographs showed the duchess alone. In one, she was sitting on a rock in a stream, while in another, she appeared to be striding through a wood.

A fourth snap showed Fergie posing alongside both of her daughters, Eugenie and Beatrice, as well as Eugenie's husband Jack.
A man who served jail time for assaulting his partner has insisted he has 'changed' - while she defended him and said he is 'not a monster' - as they appeared in a new ITV documentary.

Behind the Rage: America's Domestic Violence, by Bafta and Emmy award-winning filmmaker Deeyah Khan, delves into America's domestic violence problem which has reached endemic levels as one in four women fall victim to domestic violence and abuse in the USA.

The documentary, which is on air tonight at 10.45pm, features men taking part in The Family Peace Initiative in Kansas, a battering intervention programme to re-educate abusers, which granted cameras exclusive access for the first time.

Couple Lorie and Marshel appear in the show, with Marshel describing how he was 'addicted' to dominance.

In a clip released ahead of the show, Lorie said: 'The DA [District Attorney] even predicted that..."He's going to come out of prison, he's going to kill you".

'And I thought, we're going to prove him wrong. And so far we have, thank God.'

Marshel, who is shown in Behind the Rage: America's Domestic Violence alongside his partner Lorie, spent an undisclosed amount of time in prison, but reunited with Lorie, with the couple now suggesting they enjoy a non-violent relationship

Marshel (left) embraced his wife Lorie (right), against whom he was violent in the past, during a battering prevention meeting at the Family Peace Initiative

Among the men who speak during the documentary was Daniel, who served some 30 years in prison for the murder of his wife.

He explained: 'This is the first time in my life I ever stopped to look at myself for a long time and it was like, damn!

'I took a woman's life. And that's the hardest thing to live with is that I killed a woman.'

Also featured in the documentary are couple Lorie and Marshel, a couple who open up about Marshel's violence.

The documentary marks the first time cameras were allowed to film a meeting of domestic violence abusers at the Family Peace Initiative

Lorie said: 'It's despicable to kick someone who's weaker than you. It is the epitome of weakness in my mind, not strength.

'Women need to have hope, and men need to understand they're not broken forever, and they're not all monsters.'

Speaking about why he believes he was violent in the past, Marshel discussed being abandoned by his mother, and his subsequent behaviour.

Describing himself as 'a monster', he says: 'I was a kid. My mom and dad split up. She just left. I woke up the next morning, and mom was gone.

Daniel, who served 30 years in prison for the murder of his wife, is one of the male perpetrators of violence who appears in the documentary

'I just felt like I wasn't good enough for a woman. So I would make myself be good enough by making her have to do what I was wanting her to do.'

He admitted that among the violence he's carried out, he would 'choke her...push her down...hold her down', saying he was 'addicted to that dominance'.

As well as highlighting the stories of male perpetrators of violence, filmmaker Deeyah Khan also hears testimonies of survivors and victims' families, as well as the social workers and psychologists who work with violent men.

Among them were Malcolm and Mary, whose daughter Lauren, was killed by her ex-boyfriend Nate Fujita, in Massachusetts.

Director Deeyah Khan (pictured) set out to investigate the endemic levels of male violence in the US in her documentary

During his trial, Fujita refused to talk, but the prosecution alleged he'd murdered Lauren out of rage and jealousy.

Lauren's mother Mary, said: 'She became very aware of his trying to control her and he was not going to let her break up with him. He would find some way to be with her.

'And then once she really said it was over, I let my guard down. I was so relieved, but I hadn't realised his anger was so great about this rejection.

'In the two months that she had this time where she started dating other people, his anger just built and built and built.'

The documentary also features a meeting at Synergy, a domestic violence refuge in Missouri (pictured)

According to Dorothy Halley, who co-runs The Family Peace Initiative, she wanted to understand 'what makes [abusive men] tick' in an effort to reduce the violence (pictured: a meeting of domestic violence abusers at the Family Peace Initiative in Topeka)

According to Dorothy Halley, who co-runs The Family Peace Initiative, she realised that understanding why men abuse their partners could help change their behaviour.

She said: 'Get this woman and these kids away from the monster. That's how I saw those who batter. And then Tina walked into my office. Tina was the seventh victim of the same offender in a five-year time frame.

'When Tina walked into my office, I realised, seven victims in five years, I don't want to be working with his 20th victim.

'What are we going to do with those who batter, to get them to stop? What makes them tick? Why are they doing this?'

Behind the Rage: Americas Domestic Violence airs on October 17 at 10.45pm on ITV.
Interest in Corgis has boomed following the Platinum Jubilee and the death of Queen Elizabeth, according to the Kennel Club.

Numbers of Pembroke Welsh Corgis registered with the organisation have reached a 30-year high, the Times reports.

Conversely, King Charles Spaniels are continuing to see a decline in their popularity, with lovers of the breed reportedly hoping that sharing a moniker with the new monarch may give the dogs a boost (though the new king prefers Jack Russells).

The breed, which is on the Kennel Club's vulnerable list, hit a low in 2020, with just 56 registrations. This increased to 91 in 2021, but numbers so far this year are so low, it is likely to drop beneath 2020.

The number of Corgis registered with the Kennel Club has reached a 30-year high, with interest growing following the death of the Queen (pictured here in 1980 with three of the dogs)

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (as pictured) are doing well in terms of popularity, although their close relative the King Charles Spaniel (not pictured) is seeing a decline

However, it notes that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, the original breed from which King Charles diverged in the middle of the century, is doing well, with 3,772 registrations last year.

The original Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed was developed from toy spaniels. Popular as women's pets, they were also beloved of King Charles II, who was said to be so fond of his spaniels, he could not be parted from them.

Although Corgis were on the Kennel Club's vulnerable list in 2014, they are now one ofthe UK's most popular breeds, and the Queen is credited with boosting their popularity (pictured: Queen Elizabeth with one of her beloved corgis, Candy)

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has become known as a symbol of British royalty thanks to its long-standing association with the Queen

Lovers of the ailing King Charles Spaniel may look to the influence the Queen had in turning around the fortune of corgis in recent decades.

The breed was listed as 'vulnerable' in 2014, and the Kennel Club credits Her Majesty's love of the dogs as the major factor in making them one of the UK's most popular breeds today.

Corgis, which have four short legs, a long snout and two huge pointed ears, are famous for being a symbol of British royalty.

HISTORY OF THE CORGI BREED The word 'Corgi' is Welsh for 'Dwarf Dog', and there are two types; the Pembroke, which is the Queen's breed, and the Cardigan Corgi, a descendent Teckel family of dogs, which also produced the Dachshund Pembroke Welsh Corgis originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales from the Spitz family of dogs which are characterised by long, thick fur and pointed ears and muzzle Corgis are a cattle herding breed that can be traced back as far as 1107 AD, thought to have been brought to Wales by Flemish weavers They are the type of herding dog referred to as 'heelers', meaning that they would nip at the heels of cattle to keep them moving The combination of their low height off the ground and the innate agility of Welsh Corgis would allow them to avoid the hooves of the larger animals They were officially recognised as a native British breed by The Kennel Club in 1928, but Cardigans and Pembrokes weren't seen as separate breeds until 1934 Advertisement

The Queen owned more than 30 of the sandy, short-legged dogs throughout her reign.

She was gifted her first corgi, called Susan, for her 18th birthday from her late father King George VI. Ten generations of her corgis then descended from Susan.

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.

Sometimes the Queen herself made the dog's meals. But her late husband was said to have 'loathed' the dogs' yapping.

She left behind two dogs - Sandy and Muick - who are now cared for by Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York at their Royal Lodge home.

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.

Fergus, who had been named after the Monarch's uncle who was killed during battle in the First World War, died after just five months.

He was later replaced with a new corgi called Sandy, as a 95th birthday present from Prince Andrew and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Meanwhile Muick was named after Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate.

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 series stars Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale, who received threatening letters from an anonymous person telling them to leave their new home

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Netflix viewers were left tossing and turning in terror after watching the creepy new thriller The Watcher - and people who live near the house that the show was based off of are too afraid to go near it.

The brand new horror series tells the real-life story of a couple who were harassed out of their dream home by a creepy stalker - whose identity remains a mystery to this day - and it has left many people on the internet reeling in fear.

Viewers have flooded Twitter with their thoughts on the scary show ever since it premiered on October 13, and many have revealed that they were so frightened by it that they weren't able to sleep.

Netflix viewers were left in terror after watching the creepy new thriller The Watcher - and people who live near the house the show was based off of are too afraid to go near it

The brand new horror series tells the real-life story of a couple who were harassed out of their dream home (pictured) by a creepy stalker - whose identity remains a mystery to this day

Derek and Maria Broaddus purchased a home in Westfield, New Jersey, in 2014, but received four terrorizing letters from an unidentified person who threatened them and their kids (seen)

Now, their story has been retold in a new Netflix show, which has left numerous people on the internet reeling in fear

'Don't watch The Watcher before you sleep, I'm paranoid as Hell,' wrote one person, while another added, 'Watched The Watcher on Netflix today. Lost the ability to sleep in its entirety.'

A third tweet read, 'I didn't sleep the whole night. After watching The Watcher, I felt like my room was watched.'

'Thanks to The Watcher, I couldn't sleep last night,' admitted a different person. Another viewer said, 'The Watcher makes me not wanna sleep alone.'

'Y'all, The Watcher on Netflix got me loading our d**n gun before we go to sleep,' wrote someone else.

'I didn't know The Watcher was gonna be this scary,' tweeted another viewer. 'I got every light on. I'm about to call my friends and see who [gonna] come sleep over.'

Others explained that they were especially freaked out since it's based on a real story.

Viewers have flooded Twitter with their thoughts on the scary show ever since it premiered on October 13, and many revealed that they were so frightened that they weren't able to sleep

10 CREEPY QUOTES FROM THE WESTFIELD WATCHER 1. 'Who I am? I am the Watcher.' 2. 'My grandfather watched the house in the 1920s and my father watched in the 1960s. It is now my time. I have been put in charge of watching and waiting for its second coming.' 3. 'Do you know the history of the house? Do you know what lies within the walls of 657 Boulevard? Why are you here? I will find out.' 4. 'Do you need to fill the house with the young blood I requested? Once I know their names I will call to them and draw them to me. I asked the (prior owners) to bring me young blood.' 5. 'Have they found what is in the walls yet? In time they will. I am pleased to know your names and the names now of the young blood you have brought to me.' 6. 'Who has the bedrooms facing the street? I'll know as soon as you move in.  It will help me to know who is in which bedroom then I can plan better.' 7. 'Allow me to watch you and track you as you move through the house.' 8. 'And now I watch and wait for the day when they (sp) young blood will be mine again.' 9. 'It has been years and years since the young blood ruled the hallways of the house. Have you found all of the secrets it holds yet?' 10. 'Will the young blood play in the basement? Or are they too afraid to go down there alone. I would [be] very afraid if I were them. It is far away from the rest of the house. If you were upstairs you would never hear them scream.' Advertisement

'I keep telling myself that The Watcher on Netflix isn't real so I can go to sleep at night, but the fact that this was a true story? WTF,' read one tweet.

'The fact that The Watcher is based on a true story creeps me tf out,' added another person.

A different Twitter user wrote: 'I'm into some pretty scary s**t but The Watcher might just be a little too much for me.'

'Wow, a show or movie hasn't had me like this in years and all I watch is scary stuff,' read another tweet.

The seven-part series stars Naomi Watts, 52, and Bobby Cannavale, 51, as a married couple who just moved into a brand new house in a suburb of New Jersey, only to find themselves targeted by a stalker who left them threatening letters telling them to leave.

The Watcher is based on a true story about a couple named Derek and Maria Broaddus, who were menaced by an unidentified person after purchasing a six-bedroom home at 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey, for $1.4 million in 2014.

Between June of that year and February 2017, The Watcher sent four terrorizing notes to their home, in which he or she told them that they had been 'watching the house for decades.'

The stalker threatened the Broaddus and their kids, writing in one harrowing note, 'It has been years and years since the young blood ruled the hallways of the house. Have you found all of the secrets it holds yet?

'Will the young blood play in the basement? Or are they too afraid to go down there alone.

'I would [be] very afraid if I were them. It is far away from the rest of the house. If you were upstairs you would never hear them scream.'

Because of the letters, the Broaddus family put the mansion back on the market, and it eventually sold again in 2019 for $959,000, and despite a long investigation, the identity of The Watcher was never discovered by police.

While the new owners have remained anonymous, many people who live in the town are still terrified to go near the home - with one resident revealing that people actually moved away from the area out of fears about the home's sinister history.

'There was always talk about the house. Im sure people decided to move out at least out of that area,' Ralph Bencivenga, 54, a lifelong resident who owns a pastry shop less than a mile from The Watcher house, told The New York Post recently.

The series stars Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Coolidge, Mia Farrow, Henry Hunter Hall, Isabel Gravitt, and Luke David Blumm

Derek and Maria, who were menaced from 2014 to 2017, after purchasing a six-bedroom home at 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey. The real home is seen above

The Watcher sent four terrorizing notes to their home (seen), in which he or she told them that they had been 'watching the house for decades'

Because of the letters, the Broaddus family put the mansion back on the market, and it eventually sold again in 2019 for $959,000, and despite a long investigation, the identity of The Watcher was never discovered by police. Derek Broaddus is seen above

'It was kind of freaky. If you know Westfield, its more of a quiet town, more family oriented. When that story came out, it definitely struck people.'

'That area where it happened is a really beautiful area. Its not too far from schools. It was a weird situation.'

Bencivenga explained that it was hard for the Broaddus family to sell the home because 'nobody' wanted to go near it.

He added that his son knew someone who rented it briefly and visited it on more than one occasion - but didn't notice anything suspicious.

'Nobody wanted to live in the house. My sons friend lived there for two years, and my son used to go there and hang out,' he revealed.

'He never noticed anything. He knew about The Watcher, but it didnt phase him. They just needed a rental in Westfield and that was their only choice.'

He also told The Sun, 'I know a lot of residents out there that were really scared about the neighborhood. I think people were just nervous and cautious.

'While the town is still terrorized by the story, some believe that The Watcher was made up by the Broaddus family, and that the couple faked it for attention - a claim they have always denied.

While the new owners have remained anonymous, many people who live in the town are still terrified to go near the home. A still from the show is seen above

The story has freaked out thousands of people due to the new Netflix show, which was executive produced by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan

'There's a natural tendency to say, "I've lived here for 35 years. Nothing's happened to me." What happened to my family is an affront to their contention that they're safe, that there's no such thing as mental illness in their community,' Derek previously told The Cut. 'People don't want to believe this could happen in Westfield.'

He added that the ordeal turned him into a 'depressed wreck,' while Maria said she was left with terrifying nightmares, including one of a man 'wearing these boots and carrying a pitchfork and calling to the kids.'

In June 2015, the Broadduses sued the prior owners of the house, claiming that they also received a letter from The Watcher but never disclosed it.

The previous owners said they had only received one note, that was unthreatening. The suit was dismissed.

Executive produced by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, who were also behind hit shows Ratched, The Politician and Pose, the new Netflix show also stars Jennifer Coolidge, Mia Farrow, Henry Hunter Hall, Isabel Gravitt, and Luke David Blumm.
South Africa: Consultations on faecal sludge management strategy underway

The Department of Water and Sanitation has started public consultations on a draft National Faecal Sludge Management Strategy (NFSMS) to improve sanitation.

The strategy is in response to the 2016 National Sanitation Policy and Water and Sanitation Master Plan requirements.

The consultations commenced in the Western Cape, with the first discussions held in George, followed by Stellenbosh on Friday.

The department is developing the National Faecal Sludge Management Strategy for onsite sanitation systems throughout the entire sanitation value chain.

Department spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau, said the second draft of the NFSMS has been completed, and is currently being presented to stakeholders to obtain inputs.

The intention is to provide an opportunity to the sector to discuss the results of Status Quo Analysis from data received from provincial stakeholders and identify key issues and root causes contributing to the status of sanitation, Ratau said.

At the heart of the NFSMS are the sanitation value chain positions of capture and containment, including emptying and transportation to ensure safe, affordable, and sustainable services are available to all users of onsite sanitation systems.

It also includes treatment to ensure that all faecal sludge is safely received and treated at appropriate treatment facilities.

Ratau said the strategy will be finalised early next year and implemented immediately.

Meanwhile, the department is reviving Provincial Sanitation Task Teams, which will comprised various national government departments, provincial government, local government, non-governmental organisations, and institutions of higher learning.

The Provincial Sanitation Task Teams will, among other things, ensure coordinated efforts geared towards ensuring improved sanitation to restore the dignity of communities, Ratau said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-10-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
UN chief calls for renewing commitment to better world for all

Xinhua) 16:08, October 17, 2022

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for efforts to renew the commitment to a better world for all in his message for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which falls on Oct. 17 annually.

This year's theme of "dignity for all in practice" must be "a rallying cry" for urgent global action, Guterres said, noting that inequalities are widening, national and household economies are battered by job losses, skyrocketing food and energy prices, and the gathering shadows of a global recession.

"At the same time, the climate crisis and raging conflicts are causing immense suffering, with the poorest people bearing the brunt," he said.

Speaking of the status quo of the Sustainable Development Goals, Guterres said that they "are being pushed far out of reach."

He called for actions to invest in people-centered solutions, saying that actions must be taken to support developing countries as they transition from planet-killing fossil fuels to renewable energy and job-creating green economies.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Hongyu)
Russian kamikaze drones pounded the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, killing at least one person, according to authorities.

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, described the latest Russian drone attack as an act of "desperation," acording to BBC.

The mayor of the port city of Mykolaiv claimed that Russia Kamikaze Drones were responsible for setting fire to sunflower oil storage tanks.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on Telegram that a deceased woman's body was found in the ruins of a home in the Shevchenkivskyi area after an explosion brought on by a drone assault. Rescue workers are still trying to find those missing.

The nation's capital was targeted by Russian missiles during rush hour a week ago, with 19 people losing their lives. According to a Ukrainian air force officer, all of the drones entered the nation from the south.

Hours before the attack in Kyiv, on Sunday night, Mayor Oleksandr Senkevich claimed that three drones had set fire to the tanks in the port city of Mykolaiv.

Senkevich claims Russian drone assaults on the city happened Monday morning. He added that the buzzing of this slow-moving weaponry is becoming normal to Ukrainian ears in the Russia Ukraine war.

Target of Drones Unclear

Gunfire echoed throughout the city as anti-aircraft guns made desperate attempts to bring them down. Social media video showed an interception.

Monday's explosions started around 6:30 local time (03:30 GMT). The last one occurred around 8:10 am. Two of these occurred close to the city's central business district, prompting widespread automobile alarms and sirens.

President Zelensky condemned the assaults, which he called an attempt to "terrorize the civilian population," but he remained confident that the nation could withstand them, per Al Jazeera. It's unclear what is the aim of the Russian drones. It has been reported that both homes and businesses have been damaged.

Railway authorities report hearing and seeing explosions near the Kyiv Central Station.

Read Also: China: Xi Jinping Wants 'Peaceful Reunification' with Taiwan, But Will Use Force if Necessary

A Reuters reporter said they located parts of an attacking drone with the words "For Belgorod" on them.

Russia's government claims Ukraine fired missiles toward the city of Belgorod, located on its border with the country. Ukraine denied Moscow's accussation.

US Condemns Latest Russian Drone Attacks on Ukraine

On Twitter, the United States Embassy in Ukraine has denounced this morning's suicidal drone assaults on Kyiv, saying that the latest attack of Russia Kamikaze Drones on civilians is "desperate and despicable." The US said that it will stand with Ukrainians "for as long as it takes."

More desperate and reprehensible Russian attacks this morning against civilians and civilian infrastructure. We admire the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people. We will stand with you for as long as it takes.  U.S. Embassy Kyiv (@USEmbassyKyiv) October 17, 2022

In the wake of a flurry of deadly drone strikes on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blasted Russia for terrorizing the civilian population of his country using "kamikaze drones and rockets."

On Monday, Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, claimed that since Sunday night, the country had destroyed 37 Russian drones, or between 85 and 86 percent of the number involved in the strikes, as per a CNBC report.

At a press conference, Ihnat remarked that the outcome of the air defense efforts is "quite nice" and that the number of destroyed Russia Kamikaze Drones will rise in the future.

He said that all of the drones had entered Ukraine from the south.

President Zelensky asked the Group of Seven nations for additional anti-aircraft defense systems against continued Russian drone attacks during their assembly last week.

Related Article: Russia War: Elon Musk Vows To Keep Funding Starlink in Ukraine Despite SpaceX Losing Money

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Prince Christian of Denmark's life will change 'significantly' from next year when he turns 18, a Danish royal expert has said.

The eldest son of Crown Prince Frederik and third-in-line to the throne is celebrating his 17th birthday today, after what has been an extraordinary month for the Danish royal family.

Following Queen Margrethe's decision to strip Christian's cousins, Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10 of their royal titles, the family was embroiled in a row between Prince Joachim and the rest of the family.

As the dust appears to have settled on the row, royal historian Lars Hovbakke Srensen has told Danish publication B.T. that Prince Christian only has one year left to enjoy the 'freedom' he currently has before he reaches the age of 18.

Prince Christian of Denmark (pictured in a photo posted on the Danish Royal Household's Instagram account) turns 17 today, and a royal expert has warned he only has one more year to enjoy the freedom he currently has

Prince Christian (second from left with his father, Crown Prince Frederik, grandmother, Queen Margrethe II, mother Crown Princess Mary and siblings Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine) will be given more responsibilities when he turns 18

Lars said: 'This is the last year when he has his freedom to do what he wants. He will be fairly protected on a day-to-day basis. There is an important distinction when he turns 18.'

The publication explains that the Danish royal household has an 'unwritten agreement' with the press to 'let children be children' within the family - meaning for the most part, the royal children can go about their life behind closed doors.

However when they become adults, they can much more freely give interviews to the press.

Lars continued to explain that when Christian reaches the age of 18, he will enter the State Council, and will be given more responsibilities in his role, including carrying out royal engagements.

Crucually, he said that if Christian's parents, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, are out of the country for whatever reason, then young Christian will act as regent.

Queen Margrethe with her son Joachim, his wife Marie and his demoted children (from left) Nikolai, Felix, Athena and Henrik

Over the last few years, the teenage Prince Christian has made headlines in Denmark after being spotted up to mischief with his friends.

Last month, he was caught on video spraying champagne over his friends and fellow peers while on a school ski trip.

Earlier in September he also faced scrutiny during his grandmother Queen Margrethe's Silver Jubilee celebrations, when he was spotted appearing to make controversial hand signals while posing for photos on the red carpet.

B.T reported that the teenage prince had made a reverse 'OK' sign, which caused a stir as the sign has become known in some far-right circles of the internet to mean 'white power'.

While it was widely accepted the act was a silly joke rather than a political statement, royal experts in Denmark warned the Prince should think more carefully about his behaviour during public appearances.

At the time, royal correspondent Jacob Heinel Jensen told the publication: 'Most likely it's just a prank he's having with his friends, but it's definitely not an appropriate event.'

Prince Christian's 17th birthday comes after a turbulent few weeks for the Danish Royal Family after Queen Margrethe, 82, announced his cousins would be stripped of their princely titles from 1 January 2023.

The Queen said Prince Joachim's four children would be known from next year as His/Her Excellencies and would instead hold Count/Countess titles.

In response, Prince Joachim told Ekstra Bladet that his children had been 'hurt' by the decision - and claimed he had only been given a few days to break the news to them before the announcement was made publicly.

He later admitted his relationship with his brother, Crown Prince Frederik, whose children were unaffected by the change, was 'complicated'.

In an extraordinary statement, Queen Margrethe responded with a public statement in which she apologised for the way in which her decision was announced, but insisted it was the right thing to do.

She added her decision had been made in order for her granchildren to live a more normal life.

After nearly two weeks of reported tension within the family, it has been reported that Prince Joachim and Queen Margrethe have held talks to smooth things over.
King Charles appeared to be in good spirits during an engagement in Aberdeen today.

The 73-year-old monarch visited the city to meet with families settled in Aberdeen from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan.

Photographs from the appearance show His Majesty beaming as he meets with staff and refugees at a reception in the Town and County Hall in the Town House.

The royal donned traditional Scottish attire for the appearance, opting for a red kilt, paired with a tweed blazer and waistcoat.

King Charles appeared in good spirits during a reception at Aberdeen Town House in Scotland today

During the engagement, the 73-year-old royal met with families who have settled in Aberdeen from Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine

He wore traditional knee socks in green, as well as sporting a traditional sporran. He finished off the outfit with classic black brogues.

During the reception, the King met Inna Skvortsova, a Ukrainian woman who arrived in the city in April, and now has a full-time role at the council assisting with the resettlement programme.

Ms Skvortsova said it was 'such an honour' to be invited to meet the King.

She said: 'Six months ago I didn't expect that I would be here, or with the King, his majesty, and now I am proud to represent my country.

'I'm so grateful that the United Kingdom helped me and helped my compatriots.'

During the appointment, he also had the opportunity to hear personal stories from families on their evacuation, their arrival in Aberdeen and some of the challenges they have faced.

Among them were Burhan Vesal, who worked as an interpreter with the British Army in the south of Afghanistan.

He also met Mr Vesal's wife, Narcis, who plans to use her medical experience as an Ob-Gyn to work as a doctor in the UK, and their son Sapehr, seven, who is enjoying school in the city.

Of meeting the monarch, Mr Vesal said: 'It means a lot as a new immigrant. He spoke to us with openness and with laughter and joy.

'We ran away from conflict, we ran away from violence, in a hard situation, and now besides having the support from the community here, we have the support from the King and the Government."

He added that the monarch was 'touched' when Mr Vesal recounted his family's life story.

The king was snapped holding a cup of tea as he chatted with refugee families who have settled in Aberdeen

During the appointment, the royal had the opportunity to hear personal stories from families on their evacuation, their arrival in Aberdeen and some of the challenges they have faced

The king met a number of people during today's engagement, including refugee families from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan

As he met with families, he was seen smiling as they shared their experiences of resettling in Scotland with him

Among the people King Charles met was this young boy, with whom the royal was snapped shaking hands

Holding his cup of tea, the royal stopped to chat with families at the reception at Aberdeen Town House

While visiting Aberdeen Town House, the royal also met with people who work with refugees, helping them to settle in the city

His Majesty appeared to be in high spirits as he spoke with a number of people during his official engagement in Aberdeen today

Smiling: photographs from the engagement appear to show the royal enjoying himself, as he meets with people in the Scottish city

During the appointment at Aberdeen Town House King, Charles l also met with pupils from Dyce Primary School

Approximately 170 Afghan refugees are currently staying in two hotels in the city and around 30 Syrian families have also been resettled in the city since 2014.

Aberdeen has resettled around 1,000 Ukrainian refugees, with capacity for more.

Before his departure, a choir made up of school children, university students and some of the refugee families sang The Northern Lights Of Old Aberdeen.

While in the city, the royal was also snapped meeting with crowds who'd come out to greet him.

As Prince of Wales, Charles carried out a number of engagements with refugee communities.

Traditional: King Charles chose to wear Scottish garb for his visit today, pairing a red kilt with a tweed blazer and waistcoat

Animated: crowds who came out to see the king today were greeted enthusiastically by the monarch

As he made his way through the crowds in Edinburgh, the royal spoke with members of the public, one of whom appeared to give him a single rose

Members of the public were seen taking photos and videos of King Charles, as he stopped to chat with those who'd come out to see him

Crowds gathered on Union Street in Aberdeen today to meet the monarch, with many pulling out mobile phones to take photos and film him

Charles seemed to be enjoying himself as he engaged with people in Aberdeen today, showing off a number of animated expressions

During an official visit to Jordan in November 2021, the King visited the Al Nuzha Community Centre which is supported by UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and met refugee families receiving UK assistance through UNHCR.

The visit comes amid news that the king doesn't want to move into Buckingham Palace because it's not 'fit' for modern life and its upkeep is not 'sustainable,'.

It was claimed yesterday that the sovereign, who has been living with the Queen Consort in Clarence House since 2003, doesn't want to move to what he calls 'the big house,' because it is not 'fit for purpose in the modern world.'

The king donned traditional Scottish attire for his engagement today, wearing a red kilt with a tween blazer and green knee socks

Greetings: the king was photographed shaking hands with members of the public, who turned out in significant numbers to see him

Photos show the royal's convoy as he was driven along the city's Union Street ahead of the visit to Aberdeen Town House

The Sunday Times reported that his wife Camilla, 75, and his son the Prince of Wales, who is set to one day move to Windsor Castle, echoes the Sovereign's sentiment.

Under new plans, Buckingham Palace would become businesslike HQ for the royals, with Charles' team working from there.

The Palace is currently halfway through a 10-year 369 million refurbishment project which is funded by the taxpayer, which is unlikely to be completed until 2027, sources close to the matter have said.

News of the visit comes as an insider says the monarch want to live in Buckingham Palace, as he doesn't think its upkeep is sustainable, and wants to use it for business matters only

Sources claimed that the sovereign, who has been living with the Queen Consort in Clarence House since 2003, pictured, won't want to move to what he calls 'the big house,' because it is not 'fit for purpose in the modern world'

'I know he is no fan of "the big house", as he calls the palace,' a source said. 'He doesnt see it as a viable future home or a house thats fit for purpose in the modern world.

'He feels that its upkeep, both from a cost and environmental perspective, is not sustainable,' they added, as other sources confirmed Camilla feels the same way.

It is understood that the Sovereign will conduct affairs of state from Buckingham Palace, while keeping Clarence House as his actual home.

The Royal Standard would be expected to fly over both Buckingham Palace and Clarence House when the King is in town.
Their marriage was showcased in the 2013 movie The Wolf of Wall Street - which starred Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort and Margot Robbie as Macaluso

The ex-wife of the real-life Wolf of Wall Street Jordan Belfort has claimed that the financial crook became 'totally obsessed' with her after their infamous first meeting - and that he 'stalked' her until she agreed to go out with him.

Nadine Macaluso, 54, who is now a marriage counselor and family therapist, met Belfort at one of his parties in the Hamptons when she was 22 years old and working as a model.

The two soon became engulfed in a whirlwind romance, tying the knot in 1991 and welcoming two children together, before they ultimately divorced in 2005 after 14 years of marriage.

Now, the therapist has opened up about her 'first impression' of the broker in a video posted to TikTok, explaining that while she was unimpressed with him at first, he became consumed with trying to win her over.

The ex-wife of the real-life Wolf of Wall Street Jordan Belfort has claimed that the financial crook became 'totally obsessed' with her after their infamous first meeting

Nadine Macaluso, 54, who is now a marriage counselor and family therapist, met Belfort at one of his parties in the Hamptons when she was 22 years old and working as a model

The two soon became engulfed in a whirlwind romance, tying the knot in 1991 and welcoming two children together, before they ultimately divorced in 2005 after 14 years of marriage

Belfort and Macaluso's first interaction was showcased in the 2013 movie The Wolf of Wall Street - which starred Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort and Margot Robbie as Macaluso

She claimed that he'd even drive by her home in his flamboyant Ferrari in the hopes of seeing her, something she now calls a major 'red flag.'

'My first impression of [Belfort] was really not much because I didn't know it was his house, I had no idea who he was or what he was about,' she explained in the recent video. '[His friends] simply introduced us and that's it.

Spilling the tea: Now, the therapist has opened up about her 'first impression' of the broker in a video posted to TikTok, explaining that while she was unimpressed with him at first, he became consumed with trying to win her over

'But then I discovered that after he met me he became totally obsessed with me.

'He had a white [Ferrari] Testarossa with this huge muffler, and it was so loud. I'd hear him when I had my Hamptons house driving by my house all the time. People say he was looking for me ever since he met me.'

In the comment section, a viewer asked Macaluso, 'Wait, so he stalked you?' to which she replied, 'Yes, totally.'

Someone else said they 'couldn't decide' if it was 'romantic or scary,' and she answered, 'Both.'

'Oh man, that was definitely a first red flag,' wrote another user, and Macaluso agreed, writing, 'Truth.'

Belfort and Macaluso's first interaction was showcased in the 2013 movie about his life, entitled The Wolf of Wall Street - which starred Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort and Margot Robbie as Macaluso (who was called Naomi in the flick), as well as Jonah Hill, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, and Matthew McConaughey.

In the movie, the two were seen being introduced by mutual friends at a party, after Belfort and his friends took a sedative called Quaalude.

She claimed that he'd even drive by her home in the hopes of seeing her, something she now calls a major 'red flag'

In the comment section, a viewer asked Macaluso, 'Wait, so he stalked you?' to which she replied, 'Yes, totally'

Someone else said they 'couldn't decide' if it was 'romantic or scary,' and she answered, 'Both'

'Oh man, that was definitely a first red flag,' wrote another user, and Macaluso agreed, writing, 'Truth'

But when Belfort attempted to talk to his future-wife, his actions were overshadowed after his pal Donnie Azoff, who was played by Hill and was based on real-life stockbroker Danny Porush, unzipped his pants and started to touch himself - and Macaluso insisted that's how it really went down.

'So you guys have been asking, "How did you meet [Belfort], the Wolf of Wall Street?" Well it's actually pretty similar to the movie,' she explained in a previous TikTok.

'I was 22 years old and modeling, my boyfriend at the time said, "Do you want to go to the party in West Hampton at a house on the beach?" I was like, "Sure."

'We pulled up and I remember walking into the house. There were all these people and they were acting really weird. Little did I know, they were all Quaalude-d out, I had no idea.

'They were all there with their wives but they were making lewd and weird comments.

'That scene where someone exposes himself to me was true. I actually got terrified by that. I'm 22 and I said to my boyfriend at the time, "We have to leave this party," and we left right away.'

Macaluso did not confirm who the person was who exposed themselves to her; While Hill's character in the movie was said to be loosely based on Porush, he has previously insisted that the fictitious version in the film 'is not him' and that he never engaged in many of the antics portrayed on screen.

In the movie, Belfort's pal Donnie Azoff, played by Jonah Hill, unzipped his pants and started to touch himself at the party - and Macaluso insisted that's how it really went down

X-rated moment: 'That scene where someone exposes himself to me was true,' she said in a previous video. 'I actually got terrified by that. [I] left right away'

Macaluso was married to the criminal when he was arrested for stock-market manipulation - he pleaded guilty to fraud in 1999 and spent 22 months in prison

Macaluso was married to the criminal when he was arrested for stock-market manipulation - he pleaded guilty to fraud in 1999 and spent 22 months in prison - and his story was later published in a memoir, which was turned into the flick years later.

And while some things that happened in the movie were real - like Azoff's expose - Macaluso admitted that 'a lot of it wasn't exactly true.'

His story was later published in a memoir, which was turned into the flick years later. And while some things that happened in the movie were real - like Azoff's expose - Macaluso admitted that 'a lot of it wasn't exactly true'

'I think if you look at it through [Belfort's] lens it was really accurate, but if you look at it through my lens, it wasn't,' she explained in a third video. 'That makes sense because that was actually how our marriage was.'

The marriage counselor added that it was 'not fun' to have a movie 'made about her life,' but that she is now 'ready to share her side of the story.'

'I'm ready to share my side of the story and the wisdom I've learned along the way,' she stated.

'I am very ready now to tell my truth on exactly what happened through my experience, my narrative, and my lens as a mother, wife, daughter, daughter-in-law, and most importantly a therapist and educated woman.'

She told her followers to 'hold on tight' because she has 'a lot of great things to expose.'

During one part of the movie, Macaluso, Belfort, and some friends were seen taking a ride on his yacht - but were left fearing for their lives after they get stuck in a severe storm.

And Macaluso revealed on TikTok that this was a real event. She said: 'The boat scene was totally true.

Speaking out: The therapist added that it was 'not fun' to have a movie 'made about her life,' but that she is now 'ready to share her side of the story'

She told her followers to 'hold on tight' because she has 'a lot of great things to expose.' Belfort is seen in the movie (left) and in real life in 2018 (right)

'It was horrific, horrifying. We were in a squall for 12-18 hours and we lived, thank God.'

The mom-of-two told her followers that Martin Scorsese's office called her before production kicked off and asked if she would meet with Robbie so that the actress could learn how to speak like her.

She agreed to help, and flew to New York, where she went out to dinner with the movie star.

'She was 22, she was adorable, so sweet,' she recalled. 'In the middle of dinner she said to me, "I'm really scared of being naked and all the sex scenes."

'I said, "That's it right there. That fear that you feel about speaking your truth to powerful men, embody that and you'll do a great job." And you know what? She did, she was fantastic.'

On the video streaming platform, Macaluso also reflected on the 'many signs' she 'ignored' during her relationship with Belfort.

'In the beginning of my relationship, whenever I would express a need or a desire or value that I wanted to hold a boundary with, he plowed through it,' she revealed.

'When I didn't want to have kids, he was like, "If you don't have kids I'm not gonna marry you."

Supportive: The mom-of-two said that Robbie did a 'great job' portraying her in the flick, while calling her acting 'fantastic'

Moving on: Macaluso has since remarried; she has been with her new husband, John Macaluso (pictured), who has three kids from a past relationship, for 22 years now

'When I wasn't ready to get married he said to me, "If you're not gonna marry me I'm not gonna date you." He would not allow me to hold a boundary.'

After they split, Macaluso accused Belfort of domestic violence, which she said was fueled by his drug addiction and infidelity.

As for her and Belfort (seen at their wedding), she said they're 'still friends' and are focused on co-parenting their two kids. She explained: 'We're both strong personalities, but at the end of the day, we both love our children'

'[Belfort] was abusive - emotionally and verbally abusive,' she told DailyMail.com in a 2020 interview, adding that his drug use 'ramped up' his 'viciousness and cruelty.'

On TikTok, she said he had an 'extreme temper' from the start - which she admitted she 'didn't know how to deal with.'

'I grew up with a single mom and I didn't grow up with a lot of yelling in my home,' she told her followers.

'So when he first started to yell at me, I was really shocked and taken aback. I didn't know how to deal with it.'

Macaluso has since remarried; she has been with her new husband, John Macaluso, who has three kids from a past relationship, for 22 years now.

As for her and Belfort, she said they're 'still friends' and are focused on co-parenting their two kids.

'We're both strong personalities, but at the end of the day, we both love our children and he gets along great with my [new] husband,' she revealed.
He's known as a passionate and sometimes stern advocate for British consumers, but Martin Lewis showed a more playful side of him today with a throwback picture from his youth.

The TV financial advisor, 50, took to Instagram, where he posted a black and white picture of himself as a young man, sporting a full mop of hair and a dapper black vest and dotted bow tie.

Saying he felt compelled to share the 'old chestnut,' the presenter gave a shout out to his Money Saving Expert colleague Ollie, who babysat his Twitter account in the past.

'I didn't mean to do it Ollie... (Found this old chestnut, thought I'd post it),' the presenter wrote in a caption as he shared the snap.

Martin Lewis showed a more playful side of him today with a throwback picture from his youth. The TV financial advisor, 50, took to Instagram, where he posted a black and white picture of himself as a young man, sporting a full mop of hair and a dapper black vest and dotted bow tie.

Fans of the Money Saving Expert loved the pictures, with some joking it looked 'a fine mess.'

'Thats another fine mess . You got me into keep smiling,' one said.

Several said the picture was 'brilliant,' while another said it looked 'lovely.'

The presenter bagged a NTA this weekend, in a new category set up by the award show's committee.

The presenter bagged a NTA this weekend, in a new category set up by the award show's committee (pictured, on Good Morning Britain earlier this month)

For the first time ever, the NTAs gave out an award for TV expert with the nominees being Kaleb Cooper, Martin Lewis, Sir David Attenborough and Jay Blades with money expert Martin taking home the trophy.

The This Morning regular was given a resounding applause and said: 'When your up against a treasure like David Attenborough, you don't expect to win.

'Whoever said we've had enough of experts, we haven't. We need them more than ever.'

Elsewhere he gave a passionate speech as he scooped the coveted TV Expert gong at the National Television Awards .

The Martin Lewis Money Show host wasted no time taking a swipe at Liz Truss' government and the difficult winter ahead for families as he took to the stage at the OVO Arena Wembley in London.

Martin Lewis gave a passionate speech as he scooped the coveted TV Expert gong at the National Television Awards on Thursday

The Martin Lewis Money Show host, wasted no time taking a swipe at Liz Truss' government and the difficult winter ahead for families as he took to the stage at at the OVO Arena Wembley in London

Filled with emotion, the financial whizz spoke about the 'horrible' and 'disastrous' year the country had endured with the energy crisis and said many have been left with 'terrible issues and mental health problems'.

Appearing to mock Ms Truss' widely criticised policies, he added: 'We need somebody to get a grip on the economy and put things a little bit back.'

He continued: 'Thank you so much to Claire and Angelica and everyone at the Martin Lewis Money Show and also to the web team who feed me the information and do the analysis for Money Saving Expert.

'It's been a pretty horrible year financially and the energy crisis has been disastrous and left many people in terrible issues and mental health problems.

'I'm afraid the next year, with the mortgage problem and the knock-on to rent, is going to be pretty bad.

'And you know what? We need somebody to get a grip on the economy and put things a little bit back.

'But that's for my show next Tuesday, tonight this nerd is gonna party! Thank you and good night.'
From venues to vows, wedding structures are no longer what they used to be  and neither are brides!

Catering to what a modern woman wants to wear on her big day, non-traditional bridal was one of the biggest trends to come out of New York Bridal Fashion Week.

FEMAIL rounds up the top brands redefining the wedding dress in the chicest way possible. Think: crop tops, pantsuits and above-the-knee dresses!

Luxe womenswear label LAPOINTE is known for their statement-making monochromatic offerings.

Luxe womenswear label LAPOINTE is known for their statement-making monochromatic offerings.

And for spring 2023, New York-based designer Sally Lapointe debuted her first bridal collection that's as achingly cool and unapologetic as her ready-to-wear offerings.

'It was a natural evolution to bring that message into bridal,' said Sally.

With feather blazers, sheer paneling, cropped tops and pant suits, the collection is perfect for the stylish bride who wants something different.

'Our bride is seeking alternatives to the traditional and expected world of bridal - she does bridal in her own way,' said LaPointe.

'Our bride is seeking alternatives to the traditional and expected world of bridal - she does bridal in her own way,' said LaPointe

And for spring 2023, New York-based designer Sally Lapointe debuted her first bridal collection that's just as achingly cool and unapologetic as her ready-to-wear offerings

As traditional norms continue to be redefined, Australian-based designer, Rebecca Vallance , is redefining what bridal can be.

As traditional norms continue to be redefined, Rebecca Vallance, is reimagining what bridal can be.

For 2023, the Australian-based designer delivered a fashion-forward capsule collection of dreamy frocks that could be worn just about anywhere.

Ditching lace for feathers, each dress was designed to be tactile and create a sense of effortless fun, and movement while the Mrs. celebrates love.

For 2023, Rebecca delivers a fashion-forward capsule collection of dresses that could easily be worn to a cocktail party or black-tie affair

There are no fixed rules about wedding gowns in 2022, but rather personal preference

The choice of a gown (or pantsuit!) reflects the bride's taste and personality

There are no fixed rules about wedding attire, but rather personal preference. The choice of a gown (or pantsuit!) reflects the bride's taste and personality.

Contemporary Spanish brand Sophie et Voila 's newest 2023 bridal collection offers anything and everything a bride could want  from mini dresses to high-low hems, even black!

'The introduction of the line is comprised of 8 pieces which come in white as well as a range of colors and are made from the most exclusive fabric sourced and the most intricate patterns drawn up by the company to date,' said Sofia Arribas, creative director, and Saioa Goitia, CEO.

Contemporary Spanish brand Sophie et Voila debuted their newest 2023 bridal collection this week at NYBFW, offering anything and everything a bride could want

Sophie et Voila 's 2023 bridal collection includes mini dresses, high-low hems, and even black

Anne Barge emphasize necklines and sleeves for her fall23

Israeli designer Arava Polak 's the Fields of Halo collection was designed to 'empower the divine spirit that bestows a special glow onto brides on their wedding day a halo'

Contemporary Spanish brand Sophie et Voila 2023 bridal collection this week at N

Israeli designer Arava Polak tapped into a bride's inner beauty with her 'Fields of Halo' collection saying it was designed to 'empower the divine spirit that bestows a special glow onto brides on their wedding day  a halo.'

Designed with delicate layers of fine silk and handcrafted French laces, ethereal silhouettes were given alluring details in the form of thigh-high slits and plunging necklines.

Lavish embellishments including 3-D floral motifs, Swarovski crystals, and shimmering sequins add to the femininity of the collection.

Crafted with delicate layers of fine silk and handcrafted French laces, the bridal gowns form romantic silhouettes complimented by a sexy twist in the form of thigh-high slits and plunging necklines.

'A bride should always be the most glamorous version of her everyday self' said Lela Rose

'A bride should always be the most glamorous version of her everyday self,' said Lela Rose.

Inspired by her grandmothers antique mirror, Lela wanted her collection to offer something that speaks to a brides individuality.

For fall, the New York-based designer introduced two new short looks that can easily take the bride from rehearsal dinner to big day.

Plus-size clothing brand ELOQUII launched its newest brand during NYBFW, Bridal by ELOQUII.

Bonus: The thoughtfully-designed collection is affordable, with statement-making separates starting at $49, dresses $89 and up, and formal gowns as low as $299

The 50+ piece collection features styles to suit every brides taste  including statement gowns, slip dresses, jumpsuits, soft silk ensembles, and voluminous sleeves for timeless looks, in sizes 14-28

Plus-size clothing brand ELOQUII launched its newest brand during NYBFW, Bridal by ELOQUII.

The 50+ piece collection features styles to suit every brides taste  including statement gowns, slip dresses, jumpsuits, soft silk ensembles, and voluminous sleeves for timeless looks, in sizes 14-28.

Bonus: The thoughtfully-designed collection is affordable, with statement-making separates starting at $49, dresses $89 and up, and formal gowns as low as $299.
The Princess of Wales 'wasn't like other members of the royal family' a former butler has claimed.

Grant Harrold, 44, who worked for King Charles III for seven years, said that Kate Middleton would 'joke and chat with staff members of the royal household'.

The Mirror reported he said: 'What I liked was that Kate, being a girlfriend and obviously not a member of the family, would be with me and the other staff and she was so polite, friendly, and fun and making jokes.'

The Princess of Wales (pictured with her husband at the Olympic Park during a royal visit last week) 'wasn't like other members of the royal family' according to former royal butler Grant Harrold

Grant Harrold said university sweethearts Kate and William (pictured at St Andrews in 2011) were just like any other boyfriend and girlfriend

The butler, who prior to his position within the royal estate was a firm fan of the royals - and even once wrote to the Queen - witnessed many intimate moments within the family up close.

Grant was part of the household when William and Kate were a young couple, and had just left St Andrews University, where they met aged 19. During this time, he said the pair were just like any other couple.

He also was in attendance for the late Queen and Prince Phillip's 60th wedding anniversary back in 2007.

After the Queen's passing last month Grant spoke to Australian radio hosts Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli on Nova 96.9 on Friday as the world mourned the passing of the monarch.

Grant Harrold, 44, worked as King Charles's butler for seven years and witnessed many intimate moments between members of the royal family

Mr Harrold, who is originally from Airdrie, Scotland, worked at Highgrove between 2005 and 2011, said he was 'in shock' as he opened up about the 'other side' of Her Majesty - who he affectionately dubbed 'Mrs Windsor'.

He explained that when he was young he asked his father about how to dance with the Queen after watching a documentary about the royal family.

'He said "you either marry into the family or you work for them. And I quite seriously thought "who could I marry?".

'And realised that that obviously maybe wasn't a clever move. But then I wrote to the Queen, I wrote two letters to her. I even sent a picture so she knew what I look like and basically said one day I will come to work for you.

'And obviously didn't quite happen like that because I went to be a butler for her son.'

Eleven years to the day after watching the documentary, Mr Harrold found himself in the ballroom at Balmoral with the then Duchess of Cornwall.

'We were dancing, and the Duchess said, "oh, Grant, you look quite nervous. You look quite scared".

'And I said "that's because of this dream that I had when I was young. I said I think I'm going to dance with the Queen tonight" and she said, "there's 150 people in this room. It's highly unlikely the Queen would dance with you".

'At which point we finished dancing, the Duchess could have made this sound as if I stood on her feet.

'And I looked down and I hadn't. I turned around and saw the queen.

'She put her hands up to dance and, and then we're into Rio.'.

The royal butler added it was an 'amazing' experience.
The first time I saw my husband I was 27. He was tall, dark and handsome  the truth, not just a cliche  and wearing tan trousers and a blazer. My first impression? He was hot!

So, did our eyes lock across a restaurant table bathed in flickering candlelight, or was our first encounter perhaps for coffee and a country stroll, just the two of us?

No. You might be surprised that passion burned so brightly when you learn that Jugtar arrived at my parents' house in Glasgow with his whole family in tow, while all my family  including my Nana  were in attendance too.

We were allowed to escape to the dining room to chat privately, but only after we'd all  12 of us in total  shared tea together.

You see, I had an arranged marriage. Jugtar having been chosen as a prospective suitor by my parents. In these days of dating apps, transient relationships and declining marriage statistics, to many, the concept of an arranged marriage seems like something from the Dark Ages, an antiquated convention that inevitably must be oppressive to women.

Raj and Jugtar on their wedding day. She said: 'I had an arranged marriage. Jugtar having been chosen as a prospective suitor by my parents'

And straight away I should make the distinction between an arranged marriage and a forced one. Forced is, as it says, doing something against your will.

Admittedly, in previous generations there was little sense of choice, even with an arranged marriage. For my grandparents and parents, the first time husband met wife was on their wedding day.

But these days  as it was for me  it's more like a blind date. My family had chosen someone who they felt would be a good fit and brought us together, but they were clear that it was ultimately our decision whether it progressed to marriage.

'Intro-marriage' is the modern way to describe this scenario and it's certainly worked for us. While we have our ups and downs, like any other couple, Jugtar, a 49-year-old businessman, and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary last month, and we have two beautiful teenagers.

Recently, our 19-year-old daughter Karam, who is currently studying psychology at university, said that when the time is right she would consider an arranged marriage, too  something that's entirely her choice.

It's a decision many girls her age will instinctively recoil from. Certainly, shock is the initial reaction of the character played by Lily James in an upcoming film called What's Love Got To Do With It?

She plays a documentary filmmaker and dating app addict who has a disastrous romantic history. Yet when she decides to make a film about her friend Kaz's path to his arranged marriage in Pakistan, she realises that she has lessons to learn from a different way of finding a meaningful relationship.

It's bound to spark a debate about the best way to find lasting love, but I truly believe that the lessons you can learn from an arranged marriage go further than fluffy romcom fantasy. These relationships are built on the ideas of respect and compatibility  key qualities which seem very lacking in today's dating-app culture. Here, young people hook up  often just for sex  on the basis of a picture and perceived sexual attraction.

Raj Gill: 'Recently, our 19-year-old daughter Karam, who is currently studying psychology at university, said that when the time is right she would consider an arranged marriage, too  something that's entirely her choice.' Raj with her daughter Karam (pictured)

From listening to the woes of my friends, it's clear that dating apps can be a toxic place, especially if you are female; an environment where women are treated as sexual playthings, discarded when a man gets bored.

And while a survey by the Marriage Foundation revealed that online dating has become the most common way to meet a husband or wife, with a third of those marrying now having met online, it also found that such couples are six times more likely to divorce in the first three years of marriage than those who meet at university or via family and friends.

I'm not surprised. When I was introduced to Jugtar, while I found him undeniably attractive, the focus was on compatibility.

We not only had similar backgrounds, but shared interests  we're both avid readers, for example  and wanted the same things out of life, including children. Our different personalities complemented each other: I'm an extrovert and he is more introverted. I'm always on the go; Jugtar is much more laid-back.

My family are Punjabi Sikhs, as are Jugtar's, and our parents are first-generation immigrants from India.

To start with they worked for foundries and in mills, and I was eight when we  my parents, two brothers, sister and I  moved to Glasgow and they started their own business.

Like most young women today, I was brought up to be educated, financially independent and to embrace the opportunities I was given. While marriageable age in the culture in which I was raised is from 18 years old, I wasn't put under any pressure to do so until I was ready.

My parents' world was one of traditional Indian values  daughters who went straight from their father's home to a husband's  but they let me carve my own path, often against the advice of family members.

After school, I gained a place on a media studies course at Glasgow Caledonian University. At the end of my second year of degree studies, in 1995, I took a job working as a journalist at a national newspaper and re-located to London for three years before returning to Glasgow to finish my degree.

Then I was on the next plane out to start a new adventure in Barcelona, teaching English as a foreign language for a year.
A mum-of-two has despaired over her two-year-old daughter's desire to 'self wean' from breastfeeding, after the pair shared years of the daily practice together.

Ex Australia's Next Top Model star Rebecca Burrow shares six-year-old Arabella Rose and two-year-old Robbie Lou with her surf champion husband Taj.

And despite admitting a nurse once told her she wouldn't be able to breastfeed, the doting mum, who lives in Perth, Western Australia, took to Instagram on October 15 to talk about her youngest daughter's choice to wean before her third birthday.

'I had a nurse tell me I couldn't do it, well look at us now,' she said.

'So many emotions and such a big hormone shift. The first time I weaned I remember actually losing my marbles. I didn't want Bella to touch me or be near me and I felt like I couldn't mother anymore.

Ex Australia's Next Top Model star Rebecca Burrow (pictured) shares six-year-old Arabella Rose and two-year-old Robbie Lou with her surf champion husband Taj

The doting mum, who lives in Perth, Western Australia, took to Instagram on October 15 to talk about her youngest daughter's choice to stop breastfeeding before her third birthday

'What I didn't realise was the hormonal shift I was having. The extra hits of oxytocin that I was getting through feeding had gone, my body was going through changes, and so was my mind.

'After two years of feeding and after being told that I wasn't doing it right but hanging in there and doing it perfectly fine just the way we wanted to, all of a sudden the way I parented felt like it changed.

'I wasn't an instant pain healer through feeding, I wasn't a warm morning hug with her first bit of nourishment for the day, I couldn't give her my body's incredible medicine when she was sick.

'But she grew and we grew together. I was still a hug when she got hurt, I was still there for a morning cuddle, and we found other ways to help when the sick bugs came to play.

'The love was not lost, I found new ways to get oxytocin hits. Those two days of darkness were horrific. I cried, I was furious, my head was a mess and I didn't understand why. Now I do. I hope every mother who's going to wean for the first time reads this and learns something. To be conscious of the hormonal shift can make such a change.'

Rebecca explained that 'this time around' she was better prepared with Robbie to notice the signs of hormone imbalance and could tailor her reactions accordingly

Rebecca explained that 'this time around' she was better prepared with Robbie to notice the signs of hormone imbalance and could tailor her reactions accordingly.

'This time around I feel a little more educated but it's still sad nonetheless. The end of a chapter. No more babies to breastfeed,' she said.

'I'm proud of my body and my one super boob for officially lasting over four and a half years. What a little weapon.'

Many of Rebecca's followers sympathised with her sadness, saying they too were upset to finish the special bonding activity with their children

Many of Rebecca's followers sympathised with her sadness, saying they too were upset to finish the special bonding activity with their children.

'What an incredible gift you and your body have given your babies. I hope you honour yourself during this significant stage through forms of self care like acupuncture and nourishing meals,' one friend wrote.

'Beautiful words babe. I'll be waiting for the hormone hit when this last babe weans herself,' said another.
The Danish royal family have shared a pointed photo of Prince Christian, Princess Mary's eldest son, on his 17th birthday - and it's purposefully in a relaxed style for a reason.

The European royals have been in the spotlight recently after Queen Margrethe, 82, revealed she would be removing the princely titles from her youngest son Joachim's four children Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10.

Prince Frederik's four children have managed to keep their titles - for now - as he is the heir to the throne, despite royal experts prophesying that they might for up for discussion soon.

On Sunday the family's official Instagram account shared a black and white photo of Prince Christian 'taken by his friend' that is in stark contrast to some of the more official portraits the Danes have shared in the past.

The Danish royal family have shared a pointed photo of Prince Christian, Princess Mary's eldest son, on his 17th birthday - and it's purposefully in a relaxed style for a reason

Royal house expert and historian Lars Hovbakke Srensen told BT that trying to paint the young prince as 'ordinary' is a genius tactic

Royal house expert and historian Lars Hovbakke Srensen told BT that trying to paint the young prince as 'ordinary' is a genius tactic.

'It is clear that you want to signal more relaxedness and people-ness, and that he is a completely ordinary young man. It signals that he is a prince who lives a completely ordinary everyday life - and it fits the image that you want to draw of him in public,' he said.

The royal title changes were announced news through a palace statement earlier this month which said: 'As of January 1 2023, the descendants of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim will only be able to use their titles of Count and Countess of Monpezat, their previous titles of Prince and Princess of Denmark ceasing to exist.'

Queen Margrethe said she wants the four children to live more normal lives, however her decision upset Joachim and his four children, with the prince insisting his mother only gave him five days' notice - despite the Royal Household claiming the decision 'has been a long time coming'.

Now the attention has turned to the Queen's remaining grandchildren after Princess Mary told reporters last Friday: 'We will also look at our children's titles when the time comes'.

Historian and royal house expert Lars Hovbakke told BT he imagines that Frederik and Mary's children will be divided into two groups - with the twins (pictured) potentially losing their titles

Without offering any further information, royal experts are presuming the Princess may be saying her youngest children - twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent - might lose their titles in the future.

Historian and royal house expert Lars Hovbakke told BT he imagines that Frederik and Mary's children will be divided into two groups.

'You can easily slim down the royal house by, for example, looking at the twins' titles. It would correspond to the process that is underway in other European royal houses,' he said.

The Danish royal family has found itself in the midst of a real crisis, according to an expert who said the very public row sparked by Queen Margrethe (pictured) stripping her four youngest grandchildren of their titles has shown people a different side

Prince Joachim (centre) has publicly voiced his dismay at his mother's decision to strip his children of their titles (pictured L-R: Prince Felix, Princess Marie, Prince Joachim, Princess Athena, Prince Henrik and Prince Nikolai in September)

But he believes Prince Christian, who is third in line to the throne, and Princess Isabella, will keep theirs.

'I don't think it will affect [Princess Isabella] because titles are needed at the top of the succession,' he said.

Speaking after the public announcement was made, Prince Joachim told Ekstra Bladet his children had been 'hurt' by the decision and that he had only been given five days to break the news to them before it was publicly announced.

Amid the scandal, Joachim and his second wife Marie admitted their relationship with his older brother Crown Prince Frederik and his sister-in-law Crown Princess Mary is 'complicated'.

A Spanish magazine reported the Prince had been 'deeply in love' with his sister-in-law and Crown Prince Frederik's wife, Princess Mary. Pictured in 2014

The Danish Royal Family tree. Prince Joachim's children Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, will all be losing their titles on January 1, 2023

And the Spanish magazine Vaniatis Elconfidencial has since sparked more speculation around the rift, after reporting that Joachim 'was deeply in love with his sister-in-law Mary'.

While Prince Joachim is understood to have since met with his mother to discuss the rift, reports say Crown Prince Frederik was not part of the meeting'.

Following the meeting, the palace confirmed that the monarch and Joachim want to 'look forward' and are trying to 'find their way through' their differences, amid the very public row.
But rebuilding hospitals is 'not practical', said the researchers from Michigan

Sunlight from windows can boost patients' sleep and lower their blood pressure

Having a window in your hospital room can boost your survival chances by a fifth, a study suggests.

Researchers from the University of Michigan looked at nearly 4,000 patients who had 13 high-risk surgeries over three years.

They were split into eight groups  window, no window, a one-person room, two-person room, close to nursing station and not close to nursing and whether or not they were in the direct line of sight of doctors.

The study found that patients were 20 per cent more likely to die if they were given a room without a window.

And after just 30 days, they were 10 per cent more likely to die.

Sunshine can stimulate the brain's release of serotonin, which will leave patients in a better mood and help them feel calm.

Sunlight has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve sleep quality.

Previous research found that patients with a bed near the window stayed for less time in the hospital, compared to patients with a bed by the door.

Patients with light reported less distress and pain, and needed fewer painkillers.

Windows provide a distraction for recovering patients, while sunlight boosts serotonin and helps them sleep better

Every year, the US spends about $50billion (44billion) building healthcare facilities.

The study looked at the outcomes of 3,964 patients who had surgeries at the University of Michigan Hospital between 2016 and 2019.

These included kidney transplants, colectomy (partial or full removal of the colon) and pancreatectomy (partial or full removal of the pancreas).

The patients were distributed in rooms across two hospital floors.

The researchers coded patient rooms based on their features  window or no window, single or double occupancy, distance to the nursing station, and line of sight to doctors.

They found that patients were 20 per cent more likely to die if they were given a room without a window.

And after just 30 days, they were 10 per cent more likely to die.

The death rate was also lower for patients who were in direct line of sight of the main nursing station.

This was because nurses could more easily asses how the patient was doing, and intervene more quickly in serious events, said the researchers.

Dr Ibrahim, assistant professor of surgery, architecture and urban-planning at the University of Michigan, said the relationship between hospital design and patient care is often overlooked.

He said: The common question we get asked is, do you want us to rebuild our hospitals? Of course, that is not practical. But we do recognize clear patterns where certain room types have better outcomes after surgery.

We can start to prioritize the sickest patients there. Just the way we have developed precision health models for getting the right care to the patient, there may be a corollary for the right room for the right patient and procedure to optimize outcomes collectively.

The findings will be presented at the scientific forum of the American College of Surgeons clinical Congress 2022.

Next, the researchers want to look at how pain medication and patient satisfaction with room types impacts their chances of survival.

They also said they need to see if the results are the same across multiple hospitals.

Currently, they are conducting a similar study at the University of Michigan healthcare system and hope to recruit other researchers from other hospital systems.

There were over 33million hospital admissions in the US in 2020.

And in the UK, there were more than 17million hospital admissions between April 2018 and March 2019.
Depite losing millions in the project, Elon Musk tweets that SpaceX will continue funding for Starlink satellite terminals in Ukraine.

The CEO previously asked the Pentagon to take over expenses but has since stated that he will continue paying for Starlink access in Ukraine indefinitely instead, Engadget reports.

Ukraine Will Continue Getting Musk's Support As CEO Backtracks

Despite potentially losing millions of dollars in keeping the Starlink satellite terminals functional in Ukraine, Musk says that they will keep funding them for free.

This statement follows Musk's pleas to the Pentagon in September, asking the United States Department of Defense to continue providing the country's access to Starlink.

However, the SpaceX CEO denies this in a letter to Financial Times, clarifying that the letter to Pentagon did not ask the organization to pay for their Starlink debts.

He further explained that it only said that the company could not support the system in Ukraine, wherein thousands of new units are regularly sent to replace the ones routinely destroyed.

Connectedly, the Pentagon confirmed that they have been talking with SpaceX about payments and potential alternatives to the system.

According to Politico, the Pentagon said that it has been discussing connecting with other satellite communications and services companies following Musk's announcements.

"There are other entities that we can certainly partner with when it comes to providing Ukraine with what they need on the battlefield," Sabrina Singh, Pentagon's deputy press secretary, said.

According to CNN Politics, the letter to the Pentagon also confirmed that 85% of the terminals in Ukraine are fully or partially funded by other outside sources at the moment.

SpaceX told the Department of Defense that to continue the Starlink project in Ukraine, it would cost about $120 million by the end of 2022 and around $400 million in 2023, Engadget reports.

Read More: SpaceX Can No Longer Foot Ukraine's Starlink Bill; Pentagon Asked To Pay for Continued Service

SpaceX Stays In Ukraine's Good Graces With Starlink

Starlink has sent thousands of satellite terminal units to help Ukraine in their war effort, and has played an important role in keeping the country's online connections.

The Verge writes that the servers protect the military and civilians who suffer blackouts from missile strikes and from the high risk of falling victim to cyberattacks.

Just recently, Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov also took to Twitter to thank Starlink for its critical role in restoring internet connectivity in the country after a missile attack.

However, while Starlink has sustained its steadfast services in the country, Musk notes that SpaceX is losing about $20 million for its maintenance services monthly.

Musk also added that it is unfair that the SpaceX project was not subsidized by the US military to operate in Ukraine, forcing the company to pay for Starlink on their own, The Guardian says.

Despite this, Ukrainians have nothing but praise for Starlink, which is why thousands of locals have been paying Musk's company with more than $6000 from their own money to back it up.

Related Article: Ukraine Thanks Starlink for its Continued Service after a Recent Attack
An ex-butcher claims he has been forced to pull out his own teeth for more than a decade after finding it impossible to book an NHS dentist appointment.

David Sergeant, from Leeds, said he hasn't been able to see a dentist for '10 or 15 years'  even after receiving an GP referral.

As a result, he's been forced to use pliers or his hands to pluck out loose teeth.

Before facing the ordeal, the 50-year-old says he has a 'couple of beers' and ibuprofen  but confesses that his DIY dentistry leaves him with a bloody mouth.

He said: 'It doesn't feel very good. At the end of the day, I'm having to pull my own teeth out when I should have somebody looking after me.'

It comes amid the NHS dentistry crisis, which has left millions struggling to get appointments, one in five claiming they do DIY dentistry and medics warning that the service is 'on its last legs'.

David Sergeant, from Seacroft in Leeds, said he hasn't been able to see a dentist for '10 or 15 years'  even after receiving an GP referral

The number of adults seeing a dentist in England over a two-year period has fallen sharply compared to pre-pandemic levels. Only a third have done so according to the latest NHS data

London recorded the lowest percentage of adults who have seen and NHS dentist in two years. The North East and Yorkshire recorded the highest rate at 41.8 per cent

While the number of children in England seeing a dentist has recovered slightly from the Covid pandemic, less than half of are seeing a dentists at least once a year

London recorded the lowest rate of children having seen a NHS dentist in England (40.6 per cent). The rate was highest in the North West with nearly half of children seeing a dentist at least once in 12 months

Millions of people have been left without access to dental care after the number of NHS dentists fell to their lowest level ever last year

Some regions in England are far worse than others for access to NHS dentistry. It is poorest in the North West, South West and Yorkshire and the Humber where 98 per cent of practices won' accept new patients. This was followed by the East Midlands with 97 per cent, the South East with 95 per cent, the East of England with 93 per cent, and the West Midlands with 84 per cent. London was the best performer for NHS dental care, but even in the nation's capital over three quarters (76 per cent) of practices were not accepting new patients

How much does NHS dentistry cost? There are 3 NHS charge bands: Band 1: 23.80 Covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish, and planning for further treatment. Band 2: 65.20 Covers all treatment included in Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions). Band 3: 282.80 Covers all treatment included in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges. For comparison, check-ups can cost between 20 and 120 at private dentists, according to Which?. Dentures and bridges can also cost up to 2,520, the consumer watchdog says. Advertisement

Mr Sergeant said: 'I've been pulling my own teeth out.

'I can't get an NHS dentist, for ten or 15 years. I've tried referrals from the doctors and there's nowhere that will take me.

'I wait until the tooth is loose and then loosen it and loosen it and loosen it and pull it out myself. I have used pliers in the past, like big ones, but most of the time I just use my fingers.

'I have a couple of beers and fill myself up with ibuprofen and out it comes. Next morning there's a bit of blood.'

Mr Sergeant struggles with his mental health, for which he receives disability benefits, and has been hit hard by the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Anyone on benefits can receive free NHS treatment.

He sometimes struggles to provide for his pet dog Ash, a 12-year-old Japanese Akita, but has friends who have helped him to buy dog food.

Mr Sergeant said: 'I've just raided my copper jar just to get a pint of milk.'

An NHS spokesperson said: 'Anyone with concerns about their dental health should contact a local dentist practice as they usually would or seek advice from NHS 111.

'Recently announced reforms to dentistry services are supporting practices to improve access including by giving high performing practices the opportunity to increase their activity and treat more patients  with discussions around further changes that benefit patients and staff ongoing.

'Infection prevention and control measures to protect staff and patients were introduced during the pandemic, limiting the number of procedures that NHS dentists could carry out, however these have now been lifted so dental teams are operating at full capacity for the first time in two years.'

NHS dentistry has been in crisis for many years, but the situation has worsened since Britain emerged from the pandemic.

Thousands of NHS dentists quit during Covid and industry polls suggest even more are considering going fully private in the near future.

Dentists argue it is no longer financially viable to offer NHS procedures because of a lack of Government investment.

As a result, people have been left with no choice but to pay huge private fees, go without or do their own dental procedures.

A shock survey last month suggested that a quarter of Britons haven't been able to secure an appointment. Of these, one in five have resorted to DIY dentistry.

Almost one in three gave up seeking NHS dental care altogether.

As well as pulling out their own teeth, people have reported making homemade false teeth with resin and superglue.

Responding to the poll, the British Dental Association (BDA) said ministers must offer more support to stop the 'horror show' of 'Victorian era' DIY dentistry.

It comes after NHS data revealed that two-thirds of people in England haven't seen a dentist in two years.

Just 16million people had a check-up between June 2020  in the early days of the pandemic  and June 2022. The figure is five million fewer than expected.

And fewer than half of English children had a check-up in the year to June 2022, despite being under-18s being entitled to free dental care.

Adults have to pay at least 23.80 for a basic check-up.

The BDA has warned that dentistry is 'on its last legs' and 'lightyears away from where it needs to be'. It warned that the situation will 'remain the new normal' unless it is reformed and given more resources.
A lubricant made with cow mucus could protect against HIV and herpes, scientists say.

Lab experiments proved the gel, which would be applied in the same way as shop-bought ones currently, could beat the sexually transmitted infections.

Human cells first treated with the lubricant were 70 to 80 per cent less likely to get infected with HIV and herpes.

The researchers said their 'promising' creation could slow the spread of STIs, if it is made publicly available following further tests.

The researchers, from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, examined whether mucus could stop STIs from getting into the body and spreading in the same way. The team, led by researcher Hongji Yan, extracted mucus from cow salivary glands, which they turned into a mucin-based lubricant

In lab experiments, researchers in Sweden exposed human cells to the sexually transmitted infections. The results show that cells that were first exposed to their lubricant  made from a component of cow mucus  were 70 to 80 per cent less likely to become infected with HIV and herpes. Pictured: mucus-based lubricant (yellow liquid) trapping HIV and HSV viruses (pink and blue particles)

How can you protect against an STI? Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed from one person to another through unprotected sex or genital, oral or anal contact. Anyone who has sex can get an STI, even if they don't have lots of sexual partners. Using a condom during sex is the best way to avoid catching an STI. Health chiefs also encourage people to get tested, along with their partner, before sexual activity, even if they have no symptoms  as many STIs have none. Sexual health clinics are the best place to get tested. Advertisement

Mucus  found in the nose, throat and oesophagus  traps bacteria, viruses and dirt to stop them reaching and damaging the lungs.

Mucus is also packed with protective proteins that help break down these germs and force them out of the body through coughs and sneezes.

The main component of mucus  a protein called mucin  is thought to have antiviral properties.

The researchers, from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, examined whether mucus could stop STIs from getting into the body and spreading in the same way.

The team, led by researcher Hongji Yan, extracted mucus from cow salivary glands, which they turned into a mucin-based lubricant.

In a petri dish, the team then exposed human epithelial cells, those which line the inner surface of the body, to HIV-1  the most widespread version of the virus  or HSV-2, which causes genital herpes.

Half of the cells had been treated with the gel beforehand.

The researchers removed the gel from the cells that had been treated with it and left them exposed to the viruses for two days.

The results, published in the scientific journal Advanced Science, show that only 30 per cent of cells mixed with the lubricant and HIV became infected.

For comparison, 100 per cent of human cells exposed to just HIV became infected.

Meanwhile, just 20 per cent of human cells mixed with the gel and HPV became infected, compared to all of those exposed to just the virus.

The researchers said this shows that the gel stopped the transmission of HIV by 70 per cent and herpes by 80 per cent.

The lubricant works by 'trapping' the virus particles and clearing them from the body  replicating the 'self-healing' function that mucus naturally provides in the body, according to the scientists.

The mucin in the gel also hinders the activation of immune cells, which are known to fuel the replication of HIV in the body, the team said.

And if the lube was to be used by people, there is little risk of side effects or antiviral resistance because mucin is already found in the body, according to the researchers.

Mr Yan said the gel could help people 'take greater control of their sexual health'.

He said: 'It could offer protection when condom protection is not an available option, or even as back-up protection in case of condom failure or incorrect use.

'It could be used in both female-to-male sex and male-to-male sex.'

As it stands, people are advised to use condoms during sex and to get tested before having sex with a new partner to avoid the spread of STIs.

Some 3,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the UK last year, while more than 20,000 in England were diagnosed with genital herpes.

Around 35,000 people are diagnosed with HIV every year in the US, while 570,000 are thought to catch genital herpes.

STI rates had been gradually creeping up before Covid hit but lockdowns saw rates naturally decline, given people were less able to meet up for casual sex and flings.
Omicron is also far less deadly, causing mild disease in most affected animals

Omicron's spike is highly mutated which made it the most infectious variant ever

Boston University scientists were today condemned for 'playing with fire' after it emerged they had created a lethal new Covid strain in a laboratory.

DailyMail.com revealed the team had made a hybrid virus  combining Omicron and the original Wuhan strain  that killed 80 per cent of mice in a study.

The researchers were attempting to discover whether the spike protein on the Omicron variant  responsible for making it the most transmissible of Covid strains to date  is also behind the virus having a particularly mild effect on infected hosts, with most suffering only slight illness.

The resultant chimera was only slightly less deadly than the Wuhan strain, indicating that the spike protein is not behind the attenuation of its effects on hosts.

The team behind its creation announced that as well as 'inflict[ing] severe disease' it also 'robustly escapes vaccine-induced humoral immunity', indicating that the recombinant virus retained the most dangerous properties of its parents.

The revelation exposes how dangerous virus manipulation research continues to go on even in the US, despite fears similar practices may have started the pandemic.

Professor Shmuel Shapira, a leading scientist in the Israeli Government, said: 'This should be totally forbidden, it's playing with fire.'

Gain of function research - when viruses are purposefully manipulated to be more infectious or deadly - is thought to be at the center of Covid's origin.

A Chinese laboratory located just miles from the first cluster of cases carried out similar research on bat coronaviruses.

But the practice has been largely restricted in the US since 2017.

Dr Richard Ebright, a chemist at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, told DailyMail.com that: 'The research is a clear example of gain of function research.

He added: 'If we are to avoid a next lab-generated pandemic, it is imperative that oversight of enhanced potential pandemic pathogen research be strengthened.'

In the new research , which has not been peer-reviewed, a team of researchers from Boston and Florida extracted Omicron's spike protein  the unique structure that binds to and invades human cells. It has always been present but it has become more evolved over time. Omicron has dozens of mutations in its spike protein that made it so infectious. Researchers attached Omicron's spike protein to the original wildtype strain that first emerged in Wuhan at the start of the pandemic. The researchers looked at how mice fared under the new hybrid strain compared to the original Omicron variant

Boston University's National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories is one of 13 biosafety level 4 labs in the US

Full-body, air-supplied pressure suits are worn and workers must change their clothing before entering and shower before leaving

80 percent of mice died from the new man-made Covid strain, while none died from the milder Omicron variant alone, researchers at Boston University's National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories found

Dr Richard Ebright (left), a Rutgers University chemist, said that this research could spark the next lab-created pandemic. Professor Shmuel Shapira (right), a leading scientist in the Israeli Government, said that this type of research should be banned as it is playing with fire.

In the new research, which has not been peer-reviewed, a team of researchers from Boston and Florida extracted Omicron's spike protein  the unique structure that binds to and invades human cells.

It has always been present in the virus but has become more evolved over time. Omicron has dozens of mutations on its spike protein that made it so infectious.

Researchers attached Omicron's spike to the original wildtype strain that first emerged in Wuhan at the start of the pandemic, which killed 100% of the mice it was exposed to in the study.

The researchers looked at how mice fared against the new hybrid strain compared to the original Omicron variant.

When a similar group of rodents were exposed to the standard Omicron strain, however, they all survived and only experienced 'mild' symptoms.

Writing in the paper, they said: In...mice, while Omicron causes mild, non-fatal infection, the Omicron S-carrying virus inflicts severe disease with a mortality rate of 80 percent.

The researchers said it signaled that while the spike protein is responsible for infectivity, changes to other parts of its structure determine its deadliness.

The question of whether the global outbreak began with a spillover from wildlife sold at the market or leaked out of the Wuhan lab just eight miles across the Yangtze River has given rise to fierce debate about how to prevent the next pandemic. New studies point to a natural spillover at the Huanan wildlife market. Positive swab samples of floors, cages and counters also track the virus back to stalls in the southwestern corner of the market (bottom left), where animals with the potential to harbor Covid were sold for meat or fur at the time (bottom right)

Pictured: The Wuhan Institute of Virology, where crucial data was wiped by Chinese scientists

Dr Ebright told DailyMail.com: 'The research is a clear example of gain of function research of concern and enhanced potential pandemic pathogen (ePPP) research.

'It is especially concerning that this new US-government ePPP research - like the previous US-government ePPP research on chimeric SARS-related coronaviruses at Wuhan Institute of Virology that may have caused the pandemic - appears not to have undergone the prior risk-benefit review mandated under US-government policies.

'If we are to avoid a next lab-generated pandemic, it is imperative that oversight of ePPP research be strengthened.

'It is imperative that the existing polices mandating prior risk-benefit assessment of ePPP research be followed, and it is imperative that officials at US-government agencies who repeatedly have placed the public at risk by repeatedly violating the existing policies be held accountable.'

Prof David Livermore, a professor of microbiology at the UK's University of East Anglia told DailyMail.com: 'given the strong likelihood that the Covid pandemic originated from the escape of a lab-manipulated coronavirus in Wuhan, these experiments seem profoundly unwise.'

Have we learned nothing? 40 new biochemical labs that handle dangerous viruses are being built around the world The Coronavirus pandemic has prompted a global surge in laboratories that handle dangerous viruses  despite concerns Covid may have been the result of the risky experiments. More than 40 facilities certified as biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) or BSL-4 have either been built or have gone into construction since 2020, predominantly across Asia. Many countries believe they were caught flat-footed by Covid and want to get ahead of the next devastating outbreak by studying pathogens that pose a threat to humans. Experiments at these labs often involve tinkering with animal viruses to advance treatments and vaccines that could be used in a future outbreak. But there are widespread concerns that these experiments might actually raise the risk of pandemics  something some experts believe was the case with Covid. The virus first began spreading from a wet market in Wuhan, about eight miles from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), a high security biolab that worked with dangerous bat coronaviruses. Scientists there worked on some of Covid's closest relatives. They were also found to have wiped crucial databases and stifled independent investigations into the laboratory's links to the pandemic. Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in infection diseases at the University of East Anglia in England, told DailyMail.com he was concerned about what all the new labs would be used for. 'The issue is what youre going to be using [the labs] for,' he told this website. 'If theyre for diagnostic purposes, then you need them. But I dont think every country needs a BSL-4. He added: If they start having a dual purpose for research that has offensive military implications, that is the concern. Russia has set out its proposals for 15 of the maximum security labs and India is aiming for 18 BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs in total. The US is also adding a further highest level biosecurity lab to its existing 12. Advertisement

Gain of function research was largely restricted in the US until 2017, when the National Institutes of Health began to allow it to take place using government funds.

Previously it had been halted from 2014 to 2017 over concerns that it could lead to the inadvertent creation of a pandemic.

The research involves tinkering with viruses to make them more lethal or infectious - with the hopes of getting ahead of a future outbreak.

The University of Boston refuted that the experiments are gain of function, adding that the research was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Boston Public Health Commission.

A spokesperson said: 'This research mirrors and reinforces the findings of other, similar research performed by other organizations.

'Ultimately, this research will provide a public benefit by leading to better, targeted therapeutic interventions to help fight against future pandemics.'

While Covid is officially believed to have been transmitted from an animal to a human - likely from a bat - in a Wuhan wet market, some speculate otherwise.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) was performing gain of function research on similar strains before the virus emerged in the city.

Some believe that the pathogen being developed in the lab infected employees, and escaped into the world as a result.

The Boston scientists were performing similar research, and looked at different strains' effect on human lung cells that were grown in the lab.

Covid latches onto human cells with its spike protein, and instructs healthy cells to produce copies of itself.

Scientists measured how many copies each variant caused the health cells to produce.

They found the hybrid strain produced five times more viral particles than the original Omicron.

The scientists admit the hybrid virus is unlikely to be as deadly in humans as it was in mice.

This is because the specific breed of lab mice used are very susceptible to severe Covid disease. Mice and humans also have very different immune responses to the virus.

The lab, at Boston University's National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, is one of 13 biosafety level 4 labs in the US.

These are labs that are authorized to handle the most dangerous pathogens. There are also facilities in Texas, Atlanta and Manhattan, Kansas.

Experiments at these labs often involve tinkering with animal viruses to advance treatments and vaccines that could be used in a future outbreak.

Work on the live virus that causes Covid must be carried out at a BSL-3 or BSL-4 lab.

In BSL-3 labs, researchers do all experiments in a biosafety cabinet  an enclosed, ventilated workspace for handling materials contaminated with pathogens.

The labs also have self-closing doors, sealed windows, floors and walls, and filtered ventilation systems.

In a BSL-4 lab, full-body, air-supplied pressure suits are worn and workers must change their clothing before entering and shower before leaving.

The lab is situated in a separate section of the building and has its own dedicated air supply.

There have long been speculation about the true origins of the virus that took over the world in early 2020.

Officially, it is believed that the virus was transmitted from a bat or similar animal to a human in Wuhan, before spreading among people.

Some believe that the virus could be man-made - with explanations ranging from the accidental to the nefarious.

The 'lab leak' Covid theory alleges that the virus was created via gain of function research being undertaken at the WIV.

It is feared that the virus being developed managed to infect an employee and then escape into the real world from there.

The theory for Covid was initially dismissed as conspiracy at the start of the pandemic in favor of a natural emergence.

But the hypothesis gained momentum following a series of revelations and cover-ups.

Crucial information about the earliest infected patients was wiped from the Wuhan lab's database in late 2019 and one of its staff vanished after coming down with a mysterious flu-like illness.

Fierce debate about the origins of the Covid pandemic was reignited after two studies claimed to trace the outbreak back to a notorious animal slaughter market in Wuhan.

One shows for the first time how the earliest human cases were clustered within a small radius around the Huanan Seafood Market in winter 2019.

More precise analysis of swabs taken from floors, cages and counters track the virus back to stalls in the southwestern corner of the market, where animals that can harbor Covid were sold for meat or fur at the time.

A second study claims to have pinpointed the exact date the first animal-to-human infection occurred  November 18, 2019  after carrying out genetic analysis on hundreds of samples from the first human carriers.

They also say they have found evidence another first generation strain was spreading at the wet market  which, if true, would place both original lineages within its walls.

Until recently, the only Covid cases linked to the market were Lineage B, which was thought to have evolved after Lineage A.

Proponents of the accidental lab leak hypothesis used this as proof the virus only arrived at the market after evolving elsewhere in Wuhan.
Uber Eats today started delivering marijuana for the first time ever  and will launch the service in Canada.

Residents in Toronto are now able to access a marijuana menu from the app thanks to an exclusive deal with the online cannabis marketplace Leafly.

They will need to prove they are sober and at least 19 years of age when the driver shows up at their door.

The menu will include a host of cannabis products, including chocolates and candies laced with THC  the psychoactive compound in marijuana  as well as vape cartridges.

The delivery service said it was offering a 'safe, convenient' way to get marijuana that cuts out the black market.

Ontario residents have been allowed to order cannabis products online since November, but the law required customers to pick up their purchases.

A growing body of research warns, however, that repeated use of the drug can alter brain development in young adults and even raise the risk of depression or problems in relationships and careers.

Uber Eats told DailyMail.com there were no plans to break into the US market, where the recreational use of cannabis has been legalized in 19 states.

Uber Eats says they are offering a 'safe, convenient' way for people to get cannabis in Toronto, Canada

There are no plans at present for the platform to start offering cannabis in the US (file photo)

The above shows cannabis use across American states. Some 19 have legalized it for recreational use, while nearly all now allow it to be used for medicinal purposes

What are the health risks of marijuana? About 48million Americans smoke cannabis at least once a year, official estimates suggest. This figure is rising as states continue to legalize the drug. But evidence is also growing over its health risks, particularly for young adults. Researchers suggest it has the following negative impacts: Brain damage : It can cause a permanent loss of IQ and even alter development in young adults;

: It can cause a permanent loss of IQ and even alter development in young adults; Mental health : It has been linked to suicide, depression and anxiety in the past, although it is unclear if marijuana is the cause;

: It has been linked to suicide, depression and anxiety in the past, although it is unclear if marijuana is the cause; Daily life : Surveys link it to more problems in careers and relationships;

: Surveys link it to more problems in careers and relationships; Driving : Those who drive under the influence have slower reactions and less coordination, research shows. Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Advertisement

More than 48.2million Americans try marijuana annually  or 18 per cent of the population, official estimates suggest.

This figure has risen in young adults as a total of 19 states have now legalized it for recreational use.

Marijuana can be smoked or eaten via a tablet or edible laced with THC.

It works by stimulating the release of dopamine  the brain's reward chemical  sparking feelings of pleasure, satisfaction and achievement.

Chronic use of the drug has been associated with altered brain development, leading to a lower IQ.

The drug has also been linked depression and other mental health problems.

Under the new Uber Eats scheme, cannabis products will be delivered by shops where they were purchased from, rather than Uber Eats employees.

All customers will be asked for ID to ensure they are over 19 years old  the minimum age for weed purchases in Canada  and are sober.

It marks the first time a 'third-party' has been able to sell cannabis products in Canada. Previously, authorities in Ontario  where Toronto is based  had allowed delivery but only when it was ordered directly from the seller.

Uber Eats has partnered with Leafly, a leading online cannabis seller, to make the products available on its website.

Shops that will now be selling on Uber Eats include Hidden Leaf Cannabis, Minerva Cannabis and Shivaa's Rose.

Lola Kassim, the general manager of Uber Eats Canada, said the move would provide a 'safe, convenient' option for customers that circumvents the black market.

She added: 'Over the last few years, we have invested heavily in our delivery business and selection has expanded tremendously.'

Estimates suggest that about two in five marijuana products bought in Ontario have come from the black market.

Leafly CEO Yoko Miyashita added that they were 'thrilled' to be working with Uber Eats to sell cannabis legally across the country.
'Tiger mums' could increase the risk of their children suffering from depression in later life by rewriting their childrens brains, researchers have said.

Researchers asked more than 1,100 teenagers questions about their parents, such as how strict they were, if they punished them for doing things which were not allowed, ignored them when they displeased them, made them feel guilty and brought up their past mistakes.

Based on their answers, they selected 23 young people whose parents had a strict, harsh or manipulative parenting style.

Tiger mums have been described as using overly strict and authoritarian parenting styles, although the study asked children about both their mothers and fathers.

They compared them to children of parents with a kinder parenting style, who set rules, but made it clear the rules were because they loved their children, and did not excessively punish or shun them for getting things wrong.

The children with the overly strict parents were found to have changes in activity across many different genes which could make them less able to cope with life's ups and downs.

Researchers asked more than 1,100 teenagers about their parents, such as how strict they were, if they punished them for doing things which were not allowed, ignored them when they displeased them, made them feel guilty and brought up their past mistakes

Previous studies have linked these genetic changes to depression in later life.

Indeed, a questionnaire showed the 23 children with very strict parents had more depressive symptoms, such as feeling sad, lonely or that people did not like them - although none had clinical depression.

Dr Evelien Van Assche, now at the University of Munster, who led the study from the University of Leuven in Belgium, said: 'Very strict parenting could change how DNA works, by causing stress in childhood which makes people less resilient to stress in later life, and more prone to depression.

'The kind of strict parents we are talking about are those who will send their child to their room for not eating vegetables, rather than trying to encourage them to eat them, or shout at them for coming in late, rather than explaining why they should be home earlier.'

The study, presented at the annual conference of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, in Vienna, started by asking more than 1,100 children aged 12 to 16 about their parents.

They were given a 64-item questionnaire to fill out.

Children with 'good parents' tended to report discussing problems with them, and feeling better and listened to, while being helped to choose their own direction in life.

What IS a 'tiger mum'? The US academic Amy Chua came up with the name 'tiger mums' in 2011 The US academic Amy Chua came up with the name 'tiger mums' in 2011 to describe the type of parent. Her book on how she guided her two young daughters through extra homework, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, became a global bestseller. Her rules included: only accept exam grades of A or higher and never take part in an activity which isn't education focused. Her methods went as far as to ban sleepovers and only allow violin and piano lessons inside her home if traditional homework had been finished. Advertisement

Those with excessively strict parents agreed with statements such as that their parents punished them, tried to change them, interrupted and blamed them for other family members' problems, made them feel guilty about errors, and that their parent ignored them or stopped making eye contact when they were disappointed with their behaviour.

Researchers looked at the DNA of 21 children with 'good' parents and 23 with highly strict parents, examining more than 450,000 parts of their genetic code.

They were looking at a genetic process called methylation, which works like a dimmer switch, 'dialling up' or 'dialling down' genes in a way which can affect behaviour.

Children with stricter parents had stronger 'dimmer switch' activity across a large number of genes - a pattern of brain activity which is also seen in adults with depression.

The study suggests children with harsher parents are more at risk of depression, although none were actually depressed.

That is because they had more depressive symptoms than the children with 'good' parents in a questionnaire.

That meant, for example, they were less likely to report problems like not looking forward to things, feeling sad or losing sleep.

Dr Van Assche said: 'We discovered that perceived harsh parenting, with physical punishment and psychological manipulation, can introduce an additional set of instructions on how a gene is read to become hardwired into DNA.

'We have some indications that these changes themselves can predispose the growing child to depression.

'This does not happen to the same extent if the children have had a supportive upbringing which is less overwhelming.'

Professor Christiaan Vinkers, from Amsterdam University Medical Centre, who was not involved in the research, said: 'This is extremely important work to understand the mechanisms for how adverse experiences during childhood have life-long consequences for both mental health and physical health.

'There is a lot to gain if we can understand who is at risk, but also why there are differing effects of strict parenting.'
The whole of Great Britain has been declared 'a prevention zone' to stop the spread of a deadly strain of flu in wild and domestic birds.

From today all bird keepers in Britain must follow strict measures by law to protect flocks from bird flu, including keeping free range birds in fenced areas and stringent biosecurity for staff on farms.

The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of the disease in the past year with more than 200 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021  30 of which were confirmed since the beginning of this month.

Around 3.5million domestic birds have been slaughtered during the outbreak so far to attempt to stem the 'unprecedented and devastating' outbreak, according to officials.

Across Europe more than 47million birds have been slaughtered to stop the outbreak.

For the first time the H5N1 bird flu virus did not die off in the summer in wild bird populations, but carried on being infectious, leading to mass die offs of birds ranging from red kites to puffins and skuas, government officials said.

Scientists think the virus has mutated in a way that makes it tougher  and survive longer in the environment on surfaces or in water  although further research is needed.

From today all bird keepers in Britain must follow strict measures by law to protect flocks from bird flu , including keeping free range birds in fenced areas and stringent biosecurity for staff on farms. The map shows the prevention zone (red), where mandatory housing is in place (purple) and the areas under a 10km surveillance zone (yellow)

The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu in the past year with more than 200 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021  30 of which were confirmed since the beginning of this month

The Animal and Plant Health Agency map shows the spread H5N1 cases in wild birds between October 2021 and September 2022 (with highest prevalence shown in dark red)

The maps show the number of bird flu cases (yellow dots) confirmed between October 2020 and September 2021 (left) and between October 2021 and September 2022 (right)

The map shows that parts of the country that have been deemed high risk areas (pink) for the H5N1 strain of bird flu. The darker areas of the map highlight where has the highest density of poultry livestock

The official graph shows the number of positive H5N1 cases detected across Britain per week in 2020/21 (blue lines) and 2021/2022 (orange lines)

The map shows the number of bird flu outbreaks in domestic poultry and captive birds across the UK (red triangles) between October 1 and 10

What the Avian Influenza Protection Zone means Bird keepers across Great Britain must: Keep free ranging birds within fenced areas, and that ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances e.g. zoo birds);

Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;

Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures;

Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas;

Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry;

Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;

Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds. Advertisement

However, officials said the risk to public health from the virus was very low and properly cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat.

The Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss told journalists the northern hemisphere was in the grip of an 'unprecedented highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak'

She said: 'It's been devastating for bird keepers whether you are a backyard flock owner or a commercial farmer, whether you have conserved birds like the Wildlife and Wetland Trust or whoever you are.

'And devastating for ourselves who work as vets and technical people within government.'

She said the virus  known as A(H5N1)  had infected wild birds migrating back to the UK, but for the first time the virus came to 'oversummer' in our native wild bird population.

And as we have moved into colder weather new infections have broken out as wild birds come into contact with kept poultry, she said.

Previously there were just two prevention zones  in the south-west, and East Anglia  but the rapid spread of the disease in wild and domestic poultry has led to the zones being expanded to take in England, Scotland and Wales.

Under the prevention zone rules, producers with more than 500 birds must restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, staff must change clothing and footwear before entering enclosures and vehicles will need regular cleaning and disinfecting.

Backyard owners of smaller numbers of chickens, ducks and geese must also take steps to limit the risk of the disease spreading to their flocks, they are being warned.

If birds show signs of going off their food or water, or show 'respiratory or neurological' signs of infection, owners should contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency or their own private vet, who would then alert the authorities.

Farmers raised fears last month that many Christmas dinners 'have already gone'  as tens of thousands of turkeys were culled by September.

But Dr Middlemiss said she did not think that the supply of turkeys for Christmas or the supply of chicken for the domestic market would be affected by the outbreak.

Dr Andy Paterson, Head of the Animal and Plant Health Agency National Emergency Epidemiology Group said that extreme weather, particularly winter storms last year, had led to damage to chicken sheds and other poultry buildings.

This allowed wild birds to get into buildings which could infect domesticated birds.

In addition, faecal matter could get washed in during heavy rain  and just one dropping could 'set off an infection in a whole shed'.

Dr Paterson said small flocks of chickens in backyards have acted as an early warning or 'sentinel', as they were more likely to catch the disease from wild birds, alerting the authorities before the disease could reach bigger flocks in commercial premises.
The independent probe is expected to expose a catalogue of serious failings

Tracey Fletcher said it will have 'significant impact on families and colleagues'

Staff at the centre of a scandal-hit NHS trust have been warned to prepare for a 'harrowing' report into maternity failings.

The chief executive of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust sent an email to staff ahead of its publication on Wednesday.

Tracey Fletcher warned colleagues to expect a 'harrowing report which will have a profound and significant impact on families and colleagues, particularly those working in maternity services'.

Dr Bill Kirkup, who also chaired the investigation into mother and baby deaths in Morecambe in 2015, has led the review involving more than 200 families.

The independent investigation into the trust is expected to expose a catalogue of serious failings with maternity services at the trust over the last decade.

One of the babies, who was born art East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, lived for five days before being classified as a stillbirth

Pictured above are the ten NHS Trusts with the lowest C-section rates over the year to March 2021, the latest available. There were five trusts that had lower C-section rates than Shrewsbury and Telford which was at the centre of the biggest maternity scandal in Britain. A devastating five-year inquiry ruled that the trust's obsession with 'normal births' contributed to failings. *Official NHS data reports the rate at Royal Cornwall at 15 per cent, but the trust disputes these statistics

WHAT IS A STILLBIRTH? A stillbirth occurs when a baby is born dead after 24 weeks of pregnancy. If a baby dies before 24 weeks of pregnancy, it is known as a pregnancy loss. Not all stillbirths can be prevented, however, not smoking or drinking, as well as not sleeping on your back and attending all antenatal appointments can reduce the risk. What are the signs? Signs may include the baby not moving as much as normal. Pregnant women should contact their doctor immediately if they notice a difference to their baby's movement. What are the causes? Stillbirths do not always have an obvious cause but may occur due to complications with the placenta or a birth defect. They are also more likely to occur if women suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes or an infection that affects the baby, such as flu. Stillbirths are more likely to occur if women are having twins or multiple pregnancies, are overweight, smoke, are over 35 or have a pre-existing condition, such as epilepsy. What happens after a stillbirth? If a baby has died, women may wait for their labour to start naturally or they may be induced if their health is at risk. Bereavement support groups are available to parents who have suffered stillbirths. Some find it helpful to name their baby or take pictures with them. Advertisement

The report, which was delayed following the Queen's death, is also expected to say avoidable baby deaths happened because recommendations following other NHS maternity scandals were not implemented.

It comes amid reports that some NHS trusts in England  including East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust  have used the stillbirth label to avoid having coroners examine any errors that may have been made by staff.

Six children who died before they left hospital were wrongly described as stillborn, despite one living for five days, according to an investigation by The Telegraph.

Coroners are not able to carry out inquests into stillbirths, raising fears that the classification was used to cover up failings.

A stillbirth is when a baby is born dead after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy.

But the fatalities uncovered in the investigation should of been classified as neonatal deaths because the babies were alive for a length of time out of the womb.

One of the six cases medics incorrectly reported that Drs Dunstan Lowe and Kelli Rudolph's baby was stillbirth.

This is despite their daughter Celandine living for five days in 2016 after being born at the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Rudolph was rushed to hospital after meconium, the name for a baby's first stool, was spotted after her waters broke  a sign the baby is under stress.

The expectant mother thought she would have an emergency C-section but instead was taken to the labour ward to have a vaginal birth.

Celandine was eventually born but suffered hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy  brain damage from lack of oxygen, and needed to resuscitated.

She went on to live for five days, spending her the entire time in hospital with her parents.

Dr Lowe, an academic, said he initially believed Celandine's case had been a 'horrible freak accident'.

But as events later unfolded, the couple began to question the openness of staff at the hospital, the newspaper reported.

Before they left hospital, they were handed Celandine's death certificate, which listed both hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy and 'stillbirth' as the causes of her death.

Dr Rudolph said the registrar was 'shocked' when they presented the certificate to record Celandine's birth and death.

NHS staff also discouraged them from having an inquest into Celandine's death, they claimed.

Dr Lowe told the Telegraph: 'The reason they used this word on the death certificate seems quite obvious to us  it's about avoiding scrutiny.'

While the trust has now admitted that it was wrong to log Celandine's death in the way it did, 'stillbirth' is still listed on her death certificate and her parents have never had an inquest to provide them answers.

The trust's chief medical officer, Dr Rebecca Martin, said it 'apologises unreservedly'.

Since 2018, every baby who dies in their hospital from hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy are automatically referred to the coroner.

Parents of babies wrongly said to have been stillborn face financial implications, as they are not automatically eligible for statutory 'bereavement awards' worth more than 15,000.

All the NHS trusts named as having wrongly classified neonatal deaths as stillbirths have apologised to the babies' parents and say they have changed their practices.

But the stories will raise further questions about the safety of maternity care in England, following a damming investigation into the death and injury of hundreds babies and mothers earlier this year.

Independent investigators revealed 201 babies and nine mothers died needlessly during a two-decade spell of appalling care at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

Independent midwife Donna Ockenden, who led that inquiry, warned that the issues at the trust were not unique, and said pregnant women will not be safe until her full raft of recommendations from the report are implemented.
Smoking is terrible for us. We know this to be unequivocally true. And vaping while touted as a safer alternative  poses serious health risks of its own.

But users find both habits hard to quit because of nicotine, the highly addictive chemical they deliver. And yet nicotine is growing in popularity as a nootropic  a substance that improves cognitive function supposedly without harmful effects.

On his popular podcast, The Huberman Lab, Andrew Huberman, a prominent neuroscientist and an associate professor in the department of neurobiology at Stanford University, in California, discusses science-based tools for everyday life.

He recently spoke about his own occasional use of small amounts of nicotine for its cognitive benefits.

When it enters the body, nicotine can cause a temporary feeling of wellbeing through a surge of endorphins. It may also improve concentration and memory.

And, once you look into it, you discover that surprising numbers of people  from medical students to CEOs  are tactically altering their brain chemistry with nicotine by taking small doses in lozenge, gum, spray or patch form (the kind of products commonly used to quit smoking), to improve their cognitive performance.

Smoking is terrible for us. We know this to be unequivocally true. And vaping while touted as a safer alternative  poses serious health risks of its own. But users find both habits hard to quit because of nicotine, the highly addictive chemical they deliver

These advocates know how dangerous smoking can be, but they want to harness the effects of nicotine, a potent drug, widely available from supermarkets and High Street chemists.

Smoking is harmful to us because of the toxins it produces such as carbon monoxide and tar. In contrast, nicotine is not as overtly harmful in small amounts  the most significant risk it poses is making smoking so addictive in the first place.

Nonetheless, nicotine does carry risks: raising blood pressure and heart rate, narrowing arteries and hardening their walls, potentially increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke with regular use.

Yet Dr James Gill, a GP and a lecturer at Warwick Medical School, who has seen an increase in awareness of nootropics among students, says, people are increasingly finding ways of hacking their bodies with nootropics, an example being the widely available and legal nicotine.

He says: We have nicotinic receptors throughout our brains and bodies. Ingesting nicotine stimulates these receptors to produce acetylcholine, one of the most important chemical messengers in our nervous system, as well as dopamine, another chemical messenger, and the hormone adrenaline  with wide-ranging effects that may improve mood, motivation and focus.

The nicotine starts having an effect after two to 15 minutes and lasts for around 45 minutes. The drug has a half-life (meaning the time it takes for the active substance to reduce in your body by half) of about two hours.

Dr Gill adds: Nicotine also appears to activate receptors in the hippocampus, the region in the brain that converts our short-term thoughts into long-term memories. So when we take nicotine, it may also help memory stimulation.

The truth is that humans have been using nicotine for thousands of years. The drug occurs naturally in several plant varieties  including nightshades such as tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and potatoes.

Smoking is harmful to us because of the toxins it produces such as carbon monoxide and tar. In contrast, nicotine is not as overtly harmful in small amounts  the most significant risk it poses is making smoking so addictive in the first place

But its found at its highest levels in the tobacco plant (named after Nicotiana tabacum, a plant in turn named after Jean Nicot, a French ambassador who sent tobacco from Brazil to Paris in 1560, promoting its medicinal use for health problems including headaches). Andrew Huberman devoted a recent episode of his podcast to nicotine, talking about an unidentified Nobel prize winner he met who regularly chewed nicotine gum because of growing research suggesting nicotine might prevent age-related cognitive impairment.

When it comes to its putative benefits for focus, Dr Rachel Taylor, a neuropsychologist at Manchester University, says: Neurotransmitters are vital for our focus and state of mind. It is interesting to note that people with schizophrenia, adult ADHD and severe depression often smoke more heavily than the population without these disorders.

All these conditions involve an inability to focus on certain stimuli while avoiding others, and it may be that they are effectively self-medicating with nicotine.

She adds: It also aids bowel movement. However, it is toxic in high doses and can be lethal. Taken to excess, nicotine can be poisonous. While extreme toxicity has been relatively rare, its become more prevalent in recent years thanks to the slew of new nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine. Symptoms of nicotine poisoning include nausea, dizziness, abnormal heart rate and increased blood pressure.

And, as Dr Gill explains, even a little too much might undermine any cognitive benefits. Nicotine shows an inverted J-dose response, meaning that while a low dose and brief exposure might give a benefit, higher, longer doses might actually impair cognitive function, he says.

Then, of course, theres the unavoidable issue of how highly addictive nicotine is. Dr Gill says: Its addictive because it boosts dopamine, which feels good  and particularly if you use a delivery method such as cigarettes which hit the brain with the drug almost immediately.

Secrets of an A-List body: How to get the enviable physiques of the stars This week: Tess Dalys waist The jumpsuit she wore for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing highlighted presenter Tess Dalys trim waist The jumpsuit she wore for the launch of Strictly Come Dancing highlighted presenter Tess Dalys trim waist. The 53-year-old mother keeps fit with swimming, trampolining and yoga  I dont like sweating much  and often starts her day with five minutes of skipping. What to try: This walk-out tones the core, strengthens the shoulders and stretches the legs and lower back. Start standing with your feet slightly apart, reach down into a forward fold and plant your hands in front of your feet. Shift your weight into your hands and walk them out in front until your back, buttocks and heels are in line in a plank, with your palms and toes supporting you. Take a few breaths, then walk your hands back to the starting position. Repeat three sets of five, daily. Advertisement

That brain boost reduces with regular use, he says. Your body has a thermostat for everything. If you get a lot of exposure to a substance, the benefits get decreased, as your brain learns to compensate, and you want and need more to achieve the same effect.

As a lifelong non-smoker, who relies on nothing stronger than regular mugs of PG Tips to power days of writing at my kitchen table, I have to confess to some curiosity about the touted nootropic benefits of nicotine. I decide to do my own cautious investigation and consult David Tomen, a self-styled nootropics expert and author of Secrets of the Optimised Brain, about how to proceed.

He warns me that the key is to keep the dose low. And only use it occasionally. Too much nicotine desensitises the receptors, so tolerance is an issue. But your receptors recover fairly quickly if you give them a break for a day.

I decide to experiment with low doses, spaced apart, to see if nicotine does anything for my productivity.

Chewing gum: I start by trying a piece of Nicorette gum, which contains 2mg nicotine (a smoker typically gets between 1 mg and 2 mg of nicotine from each cigarette). I chew enthusiastically before sitting down to work and am surprised to find myself, just ten minutes later, nauseous and trembling. Its deeply unpleasant and not conducive to concentrating. I end up gagging over the sink.

When I ask Dr Gill where I went wrong, he says: You got the jitters, just like you would if you never drank any caffeine and decided to have a double espresso. Even a 2mg dose is enough to make you feel like this if you arent used to it. This reaction is called being nic sick. It makes me shudder to think of the increasing numbers of children vaping and exposing themselves to large doses of nicotine.

Lozenges: A few days later, I slowly suck a 1mg nicotine lozenge  David Tomen says these are safest effective delivery for using nicotine as a nootropic, with far fewer toxic ingredients than other delivery methods. This time, theres no shakiness or nausea, instead I experience a noticeable lift, as if Ive been on a run or drunk a strong coffee: I can feel the adrenaline. This alarms me. I can see how addictive it might be.

Spray: Nicotine spray is quicker and more pleasant to use than gum or lozenges and provides the same noticeable lift as the lozenge. I also find Im less hungry at lunchtime  reduced appetite is another nicotine side-effect. When I ask about the risk of addiction, Dr Gill says daily use might well form a dependency  and probably in weeks rather than months.

Patches: I conclude my foray into nicotine with Nicorette patches. Here the release of nicotine into the bloodstream is slower. The lowest dose is a 7mg patch, which is the amount it is supposed to release over 24 hours. I dont experience any jitters, however, and I possibly feel more focused and productive. But as Dr Gill says: If you think something will help you focus better, it probably will.

After all this, there is no doubt nicotine does deliver a cognitive boost if you get past a novices side-effects, and I can see how tempting this might be for students or academics. But Im scared of developing any form of reliance  and sceptical of the burgeoning nootropics industry that suggests we look beyond healthy behaviours, such as exercise and good nutrition, to optimise our existence.

Perhaps Dr Gill puts it best: Were all a bundle of chemicals in human-shaped form. There are lots of things we can do to tweak these chemicals  sometimes for the positive and sometimes for the negative.

But if youre going to mess around with your chemistry, then dont forget your chemistry will also mess around with you.
The demolition job was brutal. In five minutes and 30 seconds, Jeremy Hunt took the scalpel to Trussonomics, trashing every tax cut apart from two, and chopping many of the supply-side reforms contained in the now infamous mini-Budget.

Hunt's time as Health Secretary has clearly rubbed off on him. The new Chancellor delivered his emergency operation to steady the markets with the bedside manner of a surgeon  calm and deadly precise.

What was to be triple bypass surgery turned out to be a full-scale lobotomy, one that leaves the Prime Minister on life-support. Gone are the flagship income tax cut, the VAT exemptions for tourists and the freeze on alcohol duty.

'The new Chancellor delivered his emergency operation to steady the markets with the bedside manner of a surgeon  calm and deadly precise'

Gone are the measures to exempt directors paying the extra tax on dividends, while stricter IR35 payroll rules for freelancers remain. Only the proposal to abandon the rise in national insurance contributions and cuts to stamp duty remain of the 'fiscal event' which set the hare racing in the financial markets three weeks ago.

As widely trailed, corporation tax will go up after all next year from 19 per cent to 25 per cent, while the energy support package is to be reviewed next April. For now, Hunt's U-turn has returned some semblance of stability and confidence to the markets, to business and householders about the state of the UK's public finances.

Within minutes of the rescue package, sterling rallied to $1.13 against the US dollar, the yield on 10-year gilts dropped 0.42 percentage points to 3.96 per cent and shares across the indices were firmer. It is inevitable that trading will remain volatile until more detail emerges about the proposed public spending savings due in the medium-term fiscal plan next week.

Not everyone within the business community is happy about Hunt's reversal. Big business  and trade groups such as the CBI  of course like the new sense of certainty. Yet the 6m or so army of small business owners who provide most of the country's growth and employment are not so pleased.

Indeed, Britain's small firms are disappointed and frustrated that Hunt is to proceed with the 1.25 percentage point tax rise on dividends and reforms to IR35 off-payroll working rules for contractors. These are not expensive reforms  the dividend change only raises about 1bn while the IR35 costs about 2bn.

'As one who claims to share Liz Truss's ambition for growth, Hunt and his Treasury team of advisers have made a serious mistake in not allowing these two measures to go ahead'

Yet both groups of entrepreneurs and workers are among the UK's most productive and most creative. The majority of company directors running their own firms are not in the mega-rich territory. They were also the ones who missed out on help during the lockdown furlough scheme as they tend to pay themselves from dividends with only a nominal salary.

As one who claims to share Liz Truss's ambition for growth, Hunt and his Treasury team of advisers have made a serious mistake in not allowing these two measures to go ahead. They should think again. Sadly, that's unlikely. Rather than overturn the orthodoxy, Truss and Kwarteng have de facto given back yet more control to the mandarins.

By being in such a hurry, by not planning their mini-Budget properly within the right framework alongside the OBR, the duo once known as Batman and Robin may well have destroyed the case for supply-side reform and tax cuts for at least a decade.

Serendipity

No need for white coats in the corporate world. Or so it seems. Chris Hill, the boss of Hargreaves Lansdown, is stepping down. The announcement came shortly after news broke that Hargreaves is facing a 100m lawsuit. As disclosed by The Mail on Sunday, it is being sued by claims management firm RGL over the collapse of Neil Woodford's investment fund on behalf of about 3,200 investors of Woodford Equity Income Fund.

It's the first lawsuit to target Hargreaves, which gave Woodford the thumbs up on its influential 'best buy' list of investments. RGL is suggesting that it 'appears' that Hargreaves knew of issues two years before the 3.7bn fund was suspended.

Hargreaves says Hill's departure, next year, has nothing to do with the lawsuit. That may be true. Apart from the Woodford scandal, the firm has done well under his stewardship and continues to prosper as the latest trading figures show. But the timing must surely be more than serendipity.
Eve Sleep has been plucked from administration by rival Bensons for Beds after collapsing under the weight of an 'economic tsunami'.

The purchase  the price of which was not disclosed  came after the online mattress retailer said it had 'moved heaven and earth' to stay afloat, including putting itself up for sale.

But talks with several potential buyers came to nothing and chief executive Cheryl Calverley said it had made the 'heartbreaking' decision to call in administrators, triggering the swoop by Bensons, which is owned by private equity firm Alteri Investors.

Eve Sleep has been plucked from administration by rival Bensons for Beds after collapsing under the weight of an 'economic tsunami'

'Eve Sleep is a brand that we know resonates strongly with key customer groups and we're looking forward to unlocking its full potential,' said Bensons for Beds boss Nick Collard.

Eve Sleep's collapse came as beleaguered online furniture retailer Made.com said it was in talks with buyers about its own rescue deal.

Softbank ditches Hut Softbank ditches Hut The Hut Group (THG) has suffered another blow as longtime backer Softbank has decided to sell its stake. The embattled online retailer said founder Matthew Moulding and the Qatari sovereign wealth fund  also an early investor  will buy the Japanese conglomerates 81m shares at a heavy discount. Softbank is THGs fourth biggest shareholder with a 6.4 per cent stake and has been invested in it since May 2021. Moulding, the firms biggest backer, will take most of the shares. THG said the purchase further evidences his commitment to the business.

It has given bidders until the end of the month to submit 'firm offers'.

Eve Sleep shares listed on the stock market at 101p in 2017, giving it a value of 140m.

The stock was trading at 130p by the end of that year.

But the firm failed to perform and was hit by the departure of one of its co-founders and a botched merger with rival mattress maker Simba.

Shares lost almost all their value.

They were worth 0.53p when it filed for administration. Eve Sleep warned that shareholders would now be wiped out.

Calverley said: 'Despite monumental efforts to restructure the business and reshape the cost base, the scale of Eve was simply insufficient to withstand the economic tsunami that has gathered momentum over the past six months, and allow it to continue as an independent business.'
Twitch and Lenovo has yet to directly address Adriana Chechik regarding her injuries.

Chechik recently revealed that the previously mentioned companies have yet to reach out to her regarding the injuries she sustained from the foam pit she jumped into in TwitchCon on Oct. 9.

The popular streamer broke her back in two places after jumping and landing on her tailbone in the foam pit following her victory over EdyBot in a competition.

The Reason Behind Twitch and Lenovo's Silence

I find it odd that no one from any of the convention center the booth or twitch has even had well wishes or said anything. I get not talking about it publicly incident wise but saying no nice words to me so far is kinda fucked up.  AdrianaChechikTV (@ChechikTv) October 12, 2022

Chechik tweeted on her official SFW Twitter page that Twitch and Lenovo have yet to reach out to her regarding her injuries from the latter company's foam pit, which also injured other streamers due to its shallowness.

According to the popular streamer, she found their silence and lack of well-wishes odd and that saying no nice words to her was "messed up."

"I find it odd that no one from any of the convention center[,] the booth[,] or twitch has even had well wishes or said anything," Chechik tweeted. "I get not talking about it publicly incident wise[,] but saying no nice words to me so far is kinda f***ed up."

A report from Gizmodo also reflected the two companies' silence on the matter, with Twitch being found to be highlighting good times while avoiding questions about Chechik's situation or Lenovo's foam pit.

Although Lenovo has not directly addressed Chechik's situation, her injuries, and the foam pit it set up for TwitchCon 2022, it did say that it is aware of streamers getting injured from its foam pit in an email to Gizmodo.

Read More: Shenzhou 5, China's First Human Spaceflight Mission, Launched on This Day in 2003

Kotaku's report confirmed Lenovo's response regarding its foampit at TwitchCon, saying that the company was the only one that publicly addressed the situation.

Unlike Lenovo, Twitch has not responded to Gizmodo's inquiries on Chechik's situation and other reported injuries involving the foam pit. Instead, it either referred to Lenovo or said that the company was not commenting on Chechik's incident and other foam pit-related injuries.

Twitch and Lenovo's silence on the matter is unsurprising, according to the lawyers Gizmodo talked to, though they did not mention a probable reason why they chose not to.

Interestingly, the San Diego Convention Center, the venue for TwitchCon 2022, is also silent on the matter, with Gizmodo not receiving a response to its inquiries about Chechik.

Chechik's Current Condition

Today was so hard, I WALKED. I passed out after I brushed my teeth and had to be carried back but baby got her dancing shoes. It was so exhausting I have slept all day since. pic.twitter.com/mcK6ArFOCB  adriana chechik (@adrianachechik) October 14, 2022

Chechik has recently been released from the hospital following her successful back surgery that repaired her broken back. She tweeted that the last surgery she underwent took five and a half hours as doctors had to correct bones that had been "completely crushed."

The popular streamer also revealed that she sustained nerve damage to her bladder, which may hinder her ability to pee in the near future.

She recently tried walking, probably with the assistance of a walker as an Oct. 14 video showed. However, she found the experience and even merely lying down in bed and sleeping "painful."

She also addressed the people asking her why she jumped, saying that she was among the people who assumed the foam pit was made with the proper safety precautions in mind.

"It's like getting into a car assuming the airbag will work and it doesn't," Chechik said. "I'm not at fault. None of the victims injured are."

Related Article: Streamer Adriana Chechik Breaks Her Back in Two Places During TwitchCon Accident
Britain's new Chancellor announced an income tax u-turn this morning, meaning the 20 per cent basic tax rate will no longer be cut to 19 per cent as planned.

Earlier this month, Jeremy Hunt's predecessor Kwasi Kwarteng u-turned over the planned controversial abolition of the additional rate 45 per cent tax band for those earning over 150,000.

The 1 percentage point cut to basic rate income tax - paid on income earned between 12,571 and 50,270 - was first announced by Rishi Sunak, then brought forward a year by Kwarteng and has now been put on ice by Hunt indefinitely.

But the spiking of the National Insurance hike that has already come in will still happen.

We explain what this means for your pay below.

Hunting for calm: The income tax cut from 20 per cent to 19 per cent will be postponed indefinitely, according to the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt.

Had tax cuts come into place in April 2023, an average UK earner on 30,000 a year would have paid 174 less in tax next year, while someone earning 50,000 would have paid 374 less.

For now, Kwarteng's removal of the 1.25 percentage point increase to National Insurance is continuing as planned.

This tax rise from former Chancellor Rishi Sunak was meant to see the money raised ringfenced to support health and social care bodies.

It means workers will still see some benefit next year. For example, someone earning 30,000 is still set to save 218 next year from the National Insurance hike reversal.

What you could have won from tax cuts... and what you will get now

Our table shows how people will be affected now at different earnings levels up to 100,000.

The first column shows what the basic rate tax cut would have saved people, the second column what the remaining NI cut will save them, and the final column is what their overall saving would have been.

What people would have saved prior to 1% income tax u-turn Earnings 1% Basic rate cut saving per annum (scrapped) 1.25% NI saving per annum (remains) Total per year before basic rate cut was scrapped 20,000 74.30 92.88 167.18 30,000 174.30 217.88 392.18 40,000 274.30 342.88 617.18 50,000 374.30 467.88 842.18 60,000 377.00 592.88 969.88 70,000 377.00 717.88 1,094.88 80,000 377.00 842.88 1,219.88 90,000 377.00 967.88 1,344.88 100,000 377.00 1,092.88 1,469.88 Source: Quilter

The maximum income tax saving at 377 came for those income covers the entire 20p band, ie those who then go on to pay 40p tax.

Under the intitial plans, someone earning 30,000 would have been 392 better off thanks to the income tax and NI cut, this will now reduce to just 93 as the income tax cut has been scrapped.

Meanwhile, someone on 50,000 would have been 842 better off but will now only be 468 better off.

A higher earner on an annual salary of 100,000 would have been 1,470 better off but will be 1,093 better off.

Rachael Griffin, tax and financial planning expert at Quilter said: 'The Government is now scrambling to show some semblance of credibility on tax and spending, as they dig their way out of Kwasi Kwarteng's calamitous 'mini budget'.

'The latest u-turn on a policy-that-never-was sees the reduction in income tax from 20 to 19 per cent from April 2023 scrapped.

'The idea that you can cut taxes in search of growth is quickly being swept aside for austerity mark.

'It is clear that Hunt's emphasis will be on balancing the books, so it is likely that tax allowances and thresholds are not going to become more generous any time soon.'

The income tax announcement was not the only government u-turn today. In one statement Jeremy Hunt reversed all the mini-budget moves apart from the National Insurance and stamp duty cuts.

Changes included a scaling back of the energy price guarantee, now only guaranteed until next April, while cuts to dividend tax rate have also been axed.

Laura Suter, head of personal finance at AJ Bell added: 'That sound you can hear is the death knell for Trussonomics, with the vast majority of her tax cutting plans now consigned to the bin.

'People have had yogurt in their fridge that's lasted longer than some of the Government's planned tax cuts, and it's clear that Liz Truss has opted to have one last attempt at saving her skin by ditching her economic principles rather than try to cling on to her policy plans.'
Rakishev became friends and business partners with Hunter and was pictured with Hunter and Joe Biden

The emails come from a leak to an Kazakh anti-corruption group - emails that were sent to Kenes Rakishev, a Kazakh businessman by Hunter's business partner

The relationship has already been flagged as alarming by a Senate report after Baturina mysteriously wired $3.5million to a company linked to Hunter

According to emails obtained by DailyMail.com, Hunter and Baturina's financial relationship was far more extensive than previously known

Hunter Biden's real estate company received a $40million investment from a Russian oligarch, new emails reveal.

The relationship between the president's son and Yelena Baturina, the billionaire widow of a corrupt Moscow mayor, has already been flagged as alarming by a Senate report after she mysteriously wired $3.5million to a company linked to Hunter.

Baturina's brother Viktor Baturin told DailyMail.com the money was 'a payment to enter the American market.'

But DailyMail.com can now reveal that Hunter's financial relationship with Baturina was far more extensive, with her firm investing $40million in a real estate venture by Hunter's company Rosemont Realty.

In 2012 Hunter's firm had a $69.7million plan to invest in 2.15million sq ft of office space in seven US cities.

Documents outlining the plan said the money came from a mix of investors, including $40million from Inteco Management AG, a Swiss company owned by Baturina.

The Inteco group is a plastics and construction behemoth that made Baturina the richest woman in Russia at the time. She has a current net worth of $1.4billion according to Forbes.

Hunter Biden's company Rosemont Realty got a $40million investment from Russian oligarch Yelena Baturina, DailyMail.com can reveal

Documents in Russian show Rosemont Realty's investors, which includes Inteco Management AG, a Swiss company owned by Baturina. Their investment is $40million

Baturina is the billionaire widow of corrupt Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov and was at one time the richest woman in Russia with a current net worth of $1.4billion. Pictured with Luzhkov in 2007

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) and Yuri Luzhkov's widow Baturina attended a farewell ceremony for Luzhkov together

The documents reveal that Hunter's financial ties to Baturina began years earlier than previously thought  and were much more significant as well.

His dealings with foreign billionaires are currently being scrutinized by federal prosecutors, reportedly investigating potential money laundering, illegal lobbying and alleged tax crimes.

Baturina has refused to discuss her suspicious transactions. But her brother, Viktor Baturin (pictured), 63, has told DailyMail.com the money was 'a payment to enter the American market'

Hunter's dealings with the Russian billionaire first hit headlines in September 2020 when the Senate Homeland Security Committee published a report flagging her unexplained wire transfers to a company linked to the president's son.

On February 14, 2014, Baturina wired $3.5 million in a series of payments to Rosemont Seneca Thornton LLC for 'Consultancy Agreement DD12.02.2014'.

The report said Hunter founded the company a year earlier with his best friend Devon Archer, a former Abercrombie & Fitch model and advisor to John Kerry, now sentenced to a year in prison for fraud.

The transactions were flagged in suspicious activity reports filed to the US Treasury Department.

Baturina has refused to discuss them. But her brother, Viktor Baturin, 63, has told DailyMail.com the money was 'a payment to enter the American market.'

Hunter's lawyer George Mesires previously denied the money went to Hunter.

'Hunter Biden had no interest in and was not a co-founder of Rosemont Seneca Thornton, so the claim that he was paid $3.5 million is false,' he told CNN in September 2020.

In 2015 Baturina set up a US office to oversee her American investments and in 2016 she put $10 million in commercial buildings next to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

But according to the new emails obtained by DailyMail.com, Baturina had already negotiated an investment deal with Rosemont Realty back in 2012 to plow $40million into the purchase of seven office buildings in Texas, Colorado, Alabama, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

Hunter's friend and partner in Rosemont Realty, Devon Archer(right), was trying to get Kenes Rakishev (left) to invest in their US office building venture alongside Baturina, and emailed him details of the deal in May 2012

An email from Hunter's business partner Devon Archer to Kenes Rakishev shows that Inteco Management AG, a Swiss company owned by Baturina, was an investor in Hunter's company Rosemont Realty

Archer attached a three-page document written in Russian outlining the deal. DailyMail.com translated it. The document says the seven offices would be bought by a partnership set up in March 2012, and that 'Rosemont Realty has entered into property acquisition contracts for $212,580,000

The emails come from a leak obtained by an anti-corruption group, the Kazakhstani Initiative on Asset Recovery. The emails were sent to Kenes Rakishev, a Kazakh businessman worth more than $950million, who became friends and business partners with Hunter.

Rakishev was photographed with Hunter and then-Vice President Joe Biden at an infamous meeting at Cafe Milano in Washington DC in 2015.

Baturina and her husband, who died in 2019, were also invited to the gathering of Hunters business associates to meet his powerful father.

Hunter's friend and partner in Rosemont Realty, Devon Archer, was trying to get Rakishev to invest in their US office building venture alongside Baturina, and emailed him details of the deal in May 2012.

'I know you mentioned you were less interested in real estate but this is a deal we're closing next month and it's just too attractive not to share,' Archer wrote to Rakishev in one leaked email.

'Inteco, who I know you know, is taking a significant equity piece We'd love to have you on board.'

Archer attached a three-page document written in Russian outlining the deal. The document says the seven offices would be bought by a partnership set up in March 2012, and that 'Rosemont Realty has entered into property acquisition contracts for $212,580,000'.

The deal comprised about $52million in cash and $160million in mortgages.

Kenes Rakishev (left), a Kazakh businessman worth more than $950million who became friends and business partners with Hunter, is seen in a photo with Hunter, Joe Biden and the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov

Rosemont Realty was putting up at least $15million of its own cash alongside Baturina's and other investors, the document said.

'The Managing Partnership will receive a total investment of $69,700,000 from the partners. The Managing General Partner will invest at least $15,000,000 of share capital on the same terms as all partners in the Investment Partnership,' an approximate Russian translation states.

Archer was listed as executive director of Rosemont Realty on the emails and deal documents.

The former Abercrombie & Fitch model is now serving a one-year prison sentence for defrauding a Native American tribe in a complex $60million bond scheme.

Representatives for Hunter and Baturina did not respond to requests for comment.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is planning to resume his migrant flights to Democratic strongholds such as Delaware and Illinois once the state recovers from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian.

The Republican governor had already planned to transport about 100 migrants to the states before October 3, costing nearly $1million, documents released on Friday reveal.

But those plans were later put on pause after Hurricane Ian crashed onshore as a Category 4 storm late last month, DeSantis' communications director said.

'While Florida has had all hands on deck responding to our catastrophic hurricane, the immigration relocation program remains active,' Taryn Fenske said.

Florida officials are now hoping to conduct the follow-up flights on December 1, after the state legislature allocated $12 million for the program, using interest from funds the state received under President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan.

It already paid Destin-based Vertol Systems Company $950,000 for flights to Biden's home state of Delaware and to the liberal city of Chicago  where woke mayor Lori Lightfoot rules  documents from the Department of Transportation reveal.

But Vertol Systems has since agreed to postpone its flights after Hurricane Ian struck the state, the documents show.

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis is still planning to send flights carrying illegal immigrants to Chicago, Illinois and President Joe Biden's home state of Delaware. He is pictured here speaking during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in July

The flights were scheduled to go out before October 3, but were delayed due to Hurricane Ian. Residents of Fort Myers are pictured here cooking food on a grill as they remained without power from the Category 4 storm

Secundino Hernandez sits outside his house that has no electricity on October 7 in Fort Myers

The flights to Delaware and Illinois would be the second and third times this year that DeSantis has flown migrants to liberal bastions.

On September 14, nearly 50 mostly Venezuelan migrants were flown from Florida to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts  where many liberal celebrities own second homes, and former President Barack Obama purchased an $11.75 million estate in 2019.

While the migrant flights to Martha's Vineyard originated in Texas, the charter plane carrying them made a stop in Florida.

DeSantis has said that the migrants' intention was to come to Florida and claimed responsibility for the flights as part of a campaign to focus attention on what he has called the Biden administration's failed border policies.

He was following in the footsteps of Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has sent busloads of illegal immigrants from his state to cities like Chicago, New York City and Washington DC.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD: On September 14, DeSantis flew nearly 50 illegal immigrants to Martha's Vineyard, Massachcusetts

MARTHA'S VINEYARD: Many liberal celebrities own second homes on the affluent island, and former President Barack Obama purchased an $11.75 million estate there in 2019

MARTHA'S VINEYARD: The migrants were soon put on a bus by Gov. Charlie Baker less than 48 hours after landing, and given a police escort to get a ferry to Joint Base in Cape Cod 32 miles away from Martha's Vineyard

But the decision drew much ire from Democrats, who claimed he was using the illegal immigrants as political pawns and slammed him for not providing local officials with prior notice.

Lawyers for 30 of the migrants flown to the affluent island have even called for a criminal probe into DeSantis' decision, accusing him of 'falsely promising them jobs and immigration help.

He is accused of 'preying' on the migrants, with DeSantis saying the migrants knew where they were going having signed waivers.

They were quickly put on a bus by Gov. Charlie Baker less than 48 hours after landing, and given a police escort to get a ferry to Joint Base in Cape Cod 32 miles away from Martha's Vineyard.

DeSantis, though, has accused critics of his move to fly migrants to Martha's Vineyard of 'virtue signaling', saying their concern for the welfare of the migrants was a 'fraud'.

He said: 'The minute even a small fraction of what those border towns deal with every day is brought to their front door, they go berserk, and they're so upset that this is happening.'

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: DeSantis is now planning to send migrants to the liberal city of Chicago, following in the footsteps of Texas Gov Greg Abbott

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: A group of migrants who arrived on a bus from Texas were given cheeseburgers as they prepared to take a bus to a shelter

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Elier Salazar Chacon, 29, carries his 3-year-old daughter Cataleya Salazar Ramirez while talking with a Chicago police officer after arriving on a bus with other migrants from Texas at Union Station on August 31

In the aftermath, Delaware Gov. John Carney announced that his state was 'preparing' for any migrants that may be sent to Biden's home state by DeSantis.

Reports showed that the Florida governor planned to send the Ultimate Air Shuttle to Georgetown, close to Biden's $2.7 million Rehoboth vacation home.

President Biden, in response, sarcastically invited DeSantis to 'come visit,' adding: 'We have a beautiful shoreline.'

But the plane ultimately landed in Teterboro, New Jersey without any migrants on board instead.
There has been a vaccine shortage in Australia due to overseas supply issues

Cases have been detected in regions across NSW, Queensland and the NT

Dog owners have been warned about the spread of the disease leptospirosis

Dog owners are being warned about rising cases of leptospirosis as Australia faces a nationwide vaccine shortage to fight the deadly disease.

Cases of Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted via rat urine and faeces that is potentially fatal to humans, have been detected in NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory in recent months.

Leptospirosis can kill pets in just 48 hours. It causes organ failure, swelling of the brain and haemorrhages.

Pet owners are urged to contact their local vet to see if they're in a leptospirosis 'hotspot' and to get their dogs vaccinated as the nation faces a vaccine shortage (stock image)

Dog owners are being urged to contact their local veterinarian to check if they're in a leptospirosis 'hotspot' and to have their pets vaccinated.

Owners should also check their pets for symptoms which include lethargy, vomiting, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and jaundiced or yellow gums.

The warning comes amid a shortage of the Protech C2i vaccine which protects dogs from the virus.

Daniel Watkins, Head of Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Australia & New Zealand said the supply issues were due to 'specific circumstances at our overseas manufacturing site, including staff capacity issues and distribution challenges'.

'Our Veterinary Medical Services Team has been working closely with veterinarians to help them prioritise available doses for animals most at risk.'

Mr Watkins said vaccine stock would be replenished around the middle of November and that the focus was on raising awareness about the lethal disease.

'Raising awareness about leptospirosis with veterinarians and veterinary nurses is very important to us. We continue to provide professional education and support ongoing research into leptospirosis with the University of Sydney.'

Dogs require two doses given two to four weeks apart followed by a booster every year afterwards.

Leptospirosis start when bacteria is excreted through the urine of infected animals such as rats and is transmitted through contaminated water, food or mud (stock image)

Symptoms for the disease include include lethargy, vomiting, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and jaundiced or yellow gums (stock image)

Dr Christine Griebsch, Senior Lecturer, Small Animal Medicine from University of Sydney said 'risk mitigation methods' were vital to prevent leptospirosis infections.

'The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are passed in the urine of infected animals, particularly from rodents, so limiting contact with urine or areas contaminated with urine is important.'

'This includes limiting contact with, swimming in and drinking out of stagnant water and avoiding contact with possible reservoir hosts such as rodents and farm animals, which can be achieved by fencing and rodent control,' she said.
A Sydney family has amassed a property portfolio of 13 homes worth $4.5 million in the space of just six years despite the main breadwinner losing his job and them having to sell cars to make deposits.

The couple's decision to courageously buck the market trend means they now take more than $5,000 a week in rent, which easily covers their mortgage repayments and leaves them some cash to spare.

Mahesh Kumar and his wife Uma, who are in their 40s and have two young daughters, had only $54,000 in savings when they ventured into the Sydney property market in 2016, news.com.au reported.

Mr Kumar said his early morning jogging habit - listening to investment podcasts - had turned him into a property expert.

'I followed YouTube videos, I jog in the morning and I just listen to podcasts,' he told the publication.

An audacious strategy of defying the Covid downturn has helped net Mahesh and Uma Kumar 13 properties at estimated worth of $4.5 million

They scraped together the 10 percent deposit on a three-bedroom, $546,000 house in the western Sydney suburb of Liverpool with the help of mortgage lenders insurance.

In November 2019, Mr Kumar set out on what would turn into a real estate buying spree, amassing 12 properties in under three years, even as he lost his job during that period.

The Kumars' second property was a $220,000 house in Southport, Queensland, which they quickly followed up with a $160,000 buy north of Brisbane.

However, it was when the Covid pandemic hit that Mr Kumar was able to rapidly double his property portfolio, with his thinking validating the special forces motto: 'He who dares wins'.

'When everyone is scared, that is the moment (to buy),' Mr Kumar said.

The Kumars first purchase was this house in the western Sydney suburb of Liverpool, which they bought for $546,000 in 2016

Even when Mahesh Kumar lost his job in IT due to the Covid pandemic the family kept buying properties

Buying is what he did, snapping up four properties when their value was low in regional NSW, Queensland and WA.

However, the Kumars must have had second thoughts about their plan in 2021 when Covid cost Mahesh his job in IT, although Uma kept working in community services.

Incredibly the family kept adding to their real estate portfolio even during this time and bought two more houses.

But their push to buy more houses meant sacrifice in another part of their life, by selling the family car to make a deposit.

In just six years the Kumars built up a property portfolio that spans NSW, Queensland and WA

The family have since both bought and sold cars when cash was urgently needed to expand their holdings.

After six months of searching Mr Kumar landed another job and the family has barely faltered in continuing to snap up real estate.

This year alone they have added four properties, with their titles being spread across NSW, Queensland and WA.

Perhaps ironically, the one house the Kumars do not own is the one they live in, which is rented.

Mr Kumar says the family's aim is to own 25 properties, one of which the family will move into and finally call their home.
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Former President Barack Obama's daughters Malia and Sasha have been spotted stepping out for a night of fun with their friends in West Hollywood.

The pair were seen walking down the street in the trendy area of Los Angeles on an evening out on Saturday.

Malia wore a flowing green dress with an orange handbag together with a pair of sunglasses adorning her head as she strolled down the road.

Meanwhile Sasha looked to be wearing a red polo neck and a black velvet coat with a flowing patterned dress and black pants.

The girls were seen on a night out at around 1.30am, with one witness describing them as 'playing loud music in the car and having fun.'

Former President Barack Obama's daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama were seen stepping out for a night of fun with friends in West Hollywood over the weekend

The pair were caught walking down the street in the trendy area of Los Angeles on an evening out as they made their way home

Malia moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a screenwriter after graduating from Harvard University last year.

She scored a lucrative position working on Donald Glover's upcoming Amazon show about a 'Beyonce-type character' after previously working as an intern on Lena Dunham's HBO series Girls in 2015 and at The Weinstein Company in 2017.

Glover, who is also known by his stage name Childish Gambino, confirmed in March he gave the former first daughter her first job writing for the series, which is tentatively titled 'Hive.'

'She's just like, an amazingly talented person,' he told Vanity Fair of Malia. 'She's really focused, and she's working really hard.'

Malia's younger sister, Sasha, followed in her footsteps by relocating to Los Angeles earlier this year after transferring from the University of Michigan to the University of Southern California to finish college.

The two girls have received regular visits from their high-profile parents, including their father, who was recently spotted dining with them at Hamasaku, a sushi restaurant in West LA.

Malia could be seen in a flowing green dress with an orange handbag together with a pair of sunglasses adorning her head as she strolled down the street

The girls were seen on a night out at around 1.30am with one witness describing them as 'playing loud music in the car and having fun.'

The Obama girls seem to be loving life on the West Coast, and they both are believed to be in relationships at the moment.

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed in April that Sasha was dating Clifton Powell Jr., 24, who is the son of Ray actor Clifton Powell.

Clifton Jr. and Sasha are understood to have met after she relocated to California, and it appears that he is already close with the family as he has been seen hanging out with her older sister on numerous occasions.

Meanwhile, Malia is dating music producer Dawit Eklund. They were first spotted grabbing takeout food together on July 26, and their relationship appears to be going strong.

Dawit, 33, is the son of retired State Department officer Jon Eklund, 72, who worked at several U.S. embassies in Africa, and his Ethiopian wife, Yeshi, 66.

Sasha, left, her hair in dreadlocks, looked to be wearing a red polo neck and a black velvet coat together with a flowing patterned dress and black pants

Sahsa could be seen holding her keys and phone in one hand as the sisters enjoyed an evening out

He co-founded Washington, D.C.-based record label 1432 R, which specializes in Ethiopian music, and graduated from George Washington University, where he studied International Development in Africa.

In April, Sasha and Malia's mother, Michelle, opened up about how they are all grown up during a final appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

DeGeneres, 64, reminded her of how her daughters had first visited the program as little girls who wanted to see the Jonas Brothers. But over a decade later, they've graduated from boybands to boyfriends.

'Now they're bringing grown men home,' she said. 'Now they have boyfriends and real lives and all that stuff. They have grown up right before our very eyes and they are doing well.'

While Michelle gushed about the 'amazing young women' her daughters have become  'Women, I know! Scary,' she said  and divulged that they are dating, she was much more discreet about the details of their love lives.
A controversial doctor accused of dropping his scrubs mid-surgery among other bizarre allegations has claimed the reason his pants were around his ankles was because he has 'no hips'.

Urologist Dr Daryl Stephens, who was last month suspended by Mackay Hospital and Health Service, has attempted to clear his name after being accused of blowing his nose on a curtain mid-operation and 'mutilating' a patient's penis.

Pictured: Urologist Dr Daryl Stephens

The Queensland doctor claimed multiple photos of him with his scrub pants around his ankles were taken by colleagues and sent to his boss in an attempt to discredit him.

He said one of the photos was 'taken from the internet' and featured a man with hairy legs, with the doctor claiming he didn't have a 'single hair' on his legs.

'This was quite clearly somebody who was aiming to get me in trouble,' the surgeon told the Sunday Mail.

'You may have noticed I've got no hips. Everyone has their times when their trousers fall down when they are operating.

'There is a colour version (of the fake photo). It's got blue socks, I only wear black, I'm a bachelor. I get up at five in the morning.

'It's got hairy legs and I haven't got a single hair on my legs.'

Just last week, the surgeon's suspension from Mackay Base Hospital and Mackay Mater Private Hospital was extended for another month.

Doctor Daryl Stephens, who was last month suspended by Mackay Hospital and Health Service, has attempted to clear his name after being accused of blowing his nose on a curtain mid-operation and 'mutilating' a patient's penis (stock image of an operating room)

Dr Stephens, who is still receiving full pay, said he feared for patients who required specialist care after he was suspended over allegations relating to patient safety.

The surgeon is alleged to have blown his nose on a drape covering a patient in the middle of surgery and thrown a hospital gown into bodily fluids.

While admitting he can sometimes be 'theatrical' and fly off the handle, the urologist denied claims he had problems with hygiene and blew his nose mid-surgery - his explanation being he doesn't like to blow his nose in public.

Of the allegation he blew his nose on a drape covering a patient he said: 'I believe I was leaning over the patient's leg and I don't know what the person saw'.

In 2018, a tribunal ruled Dr Stephens, who was working in Western Australia at the time, had displayed 'incompetence' at the most serious level when caring for a cancer patient.

The Medical Board of Australia concluded Dr Stephens engaged in professional misconduct after he failed to check the patient's pathology results for three months.

However, medical authorities concluded 'the protection of the public' was not required and noted the urologist had completed 12 months of supervision.

He was fined $30,000 for professional misconduct and $2,000 for failing to reveal he had lost his accreditation to practice at Peel Health Campus in 2014.

Dr Stephens continued to operate on patients in Queensland due to a shortage of doctors. He practiced in Mackay, a city about 970km north of Brisbane.

Last week, the surgeon's suspension on full pay from Mackay Base Hospital (pictured) and Mackay Mater Private Hospital was extended for another month

In 2019, the surgeon was accused of bungling an operation on a Queensland father-of-two who underwent a procedure to fix a bed in his penis.

The man told the Sunday Mail he suffered complications just days after the surgery.

'It's been a nightmare,' the patient said.

'It has left me with sexual dysfunction and my penis had to be shortened. The procedure was supposed to fix a bend in the penis that is caused by calcification.

'I ended up with the foreskin attached to the end of the penis. I had a second surgery to try to fix the problem but complications continued and I chose to pay for corrective surgery privately.'

Dr Stephens said he wasn't aware that the father-of-two had received a payout from the Mackay Base Hospital.

He said he was yet to discuss his suspension with the hospital - where he is the only urology public specialist - as staff 'have a lot' on their minds.

The urologist feels like he is 'unemployable' after the recent media scrutiny over claims of misconduct raised by a string of his former patients.

'Any employer who googles me will walk away,' he said.

Dr Stephens said he was yet to discuss his suspension with the hospital - where he is the only urology public specialist - as staff 'have a lot' on their minds (stock image)

Dr Stephens, who is now aged in his 70s, is described as being an experienced urologist with an interest in prostate cancer.

His name became the subject of headlines in 2001, when he became the first surgeon in Australia to be charged with willful murder in a euthanasia case.

He was accused of giving terminally-ill cancer patient Freeda Hayes a fatal dose of drugs that were not included in her treatment plan in a hospice in Perth.

The Director of Public Prosecutions took the case to the Supreme Court where the jury deliberated for just 10 minutes before ruling Dr Stephen was not guilty.
A chilling report released this year predicted 90 per cent of homes in the Victorian city of Shepparton would be uninsurable by 2030 - and now they are severely flooded.

Shepparton, in the state's north, is bracing for a flood peak of 12.2 metres on Monday that is even higher than the 1974 floods, with residents told to move to higher ground if they can.

Nicki Hutley, an economist who co-authored the report, said Shepparton was Australia's most at-risk place for flooding based on forecasts for heavy rainfall in an area which is flat.

'This is exactly what we expected to see playing out,' the Climate Council report author told Daily Mail Australia on Monday.

'Wherever we have built on floodplains, close to rivers and even close to potentially dams, we have put people at risk.

'Our planning systems have failed to take account of these events.'

A chilling report released this year predicted 90 per cent of homes in the Victorian city of Shepparton would be uninsurable by 2030 - and now they are flooded.

When the Climate Council report was released in May, Shepparton hadn't experienced major flooding since 2010 and before that, 1993. But $30,000 annual insurance premiums are now a real prospect.

'In Shepparton, you're talking a decade apart for these catastrophic events, that will have implications for the insurance industry that's already made losses this year,' Ms Hutley said.

'Clearly, it's going to have implications for premiums, not just in the flood-affected areas but for all of us.'

Many residents of Shepparton, on the swollen Goulburn River, have been told it is too late to leave their homes, with rising floodwaters on Monday set to inundate 7,300 properties.

The river reached 11.88 metres on Sunday and continued to rise overnight, with a flood peak of 12.2 metres expected on Monday which would be higher than 1974 flood peak of 12.09 metres.

The Climate Council report had predicted up to 90 per cent homes in Shepparton would be uninsurable by 2030.

It predicted 26.5 per cent of properties in the marginal Nationals-held electorate of Nicholls, covering Shepparton, were so in danger of riverine flooding residents would not get insurance cover.

Residents of Shepparton, on the swollen Goulburn River, have been told it is too late to leave their homes, with rising floodwaters on Monday set to inundate 7,300 properties (pictured are Australian Defence Force personnel preparing sandbags)

The regional electorate in northern also covers the inundated towns of Echuca and Seymour.

The Nicholls electorate, previously known as Murray, had 25,801 properties regarded as high risk.

It was regarded as the most at-risk electorate in Australia on a top 10 list of uninsurable places based on flood or bushfire risk, with northern New South Wales and southern Queensland also deemed to be particularly vulnerable.

Ms Hutley said climate change meant rainfall would be more intense during the La Nina weather pattern.

'Whilst people will tell you quite correctly that we've had La Ninas, El Ninos for a very long period of time, climate change, increasing atmospheric temperatures and water surface temperatures mean that for every one degree of warming, you get an extra seven per cent moisture in the atmosphere,' she said.

Nicki Hutley, an economist with the Climate Council who co-authored the report, said Shepparton was Australia's most at-risk place for flooding based on forecasts for heavy rainfall in an area which is flat (pictured are local residents on Sunday walking through floodwaters)

'That just means that the rain comes down much harder and faster - it's harder to absorb and this is the sort of thing we expect to see.'

The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting the three-year La Nina cycle to end in 2023, which means the end of flooding and the return of El Nino - leading to drought and bushfires again with diminished rainfall.

'As we teeter between one extreme and the other, and those coming more frequently, you get both of these events,' Ms Hutley said.

'When you go out of this La Nina period, we've got lots of regrowth which means that when we did get to the next El Nino, now we've got more risk of grassfires which are just as hard, if not worse to control - you've got a lot more deadwood when the next fire season comes unfortunately.'

The Climate Council report released in May predicted 26.5 per cent of properties in the Nationals-held electorate of Nicholls, covering Shepparton, were so in danger of riverine flooding residents would not get insurance cover
Longtime Donald Trump advisor Roger Stone can be heard ranting how the former president will 'get [his] f**king brains beat in' should be decided to make a third run for the White House.

In newly-released video footage from an upcoming documentary, the consultant rants: 'I'm done with this president. I'm going to go public supporting impeachment. I have no choice.'

'He has to go, he has to go. Run again, you'll get your f**king brains beat in,' Stone seethed. Stone was recorded in mid-January 2021, weeks after the Capitol riot.

Danish filmmaker Christoffer Guldbrandsen, who was embedded with Stone. captured the footage for his documentary A Storm Foretold while Stone was in Florida.

Writing on Telegram, Stone said the footage was 'fake'.

Footage of Roger Stone conducting a furious phone call has been released as part of an upcoming documentary Stone rants on the phone that Trump will 'get [his] f**king brains beat in,' should be decided to make a third run for White House

Trump had already pardoned Stone for multiple felonies in December 2020 but refused to pardon him for the second time

Footage from Jan 20 2021. Stone supports impeaching Trump:Run again youll get your fucking brains beat in. pic.twitter.com/HDiCaehRg7  Christoffer Guldbrandsen (@cguld) October 15, 2022

'Another Deepfake video similar to the one they showed in the January 6 committee hearing.

'Notice how are you cannot actually see my lips moving. They seem to have conflated an interview I gave on Biden not Trump. Not even logical.

'If I were going to turn on Donald Trump why wouldn't I have done so when I was being threatened with 7 to 9 years in prison and Muller was pressuring me to flip.

'Any time something is reported by the Daily Beast and the Guardian you know it's bulls**t.'

In an earlier clip from the same film released last week, Stone called Ivanka Trump an abortionist b***' and said Jared had an 'IQ of 70' in a furious phone call after learning Donald refused to pardon him for the second time.

In footage from another part of the documentary, the consultant rants 'f*** you and your abortionist b**** daughter' in anger at Trump to the person on the other end of the line.

The Jan. 6th committee featured footage of Stone, who was seen with Proud Boys on Jan. 5th, in last Thursday's hearing

The veteran Republican then started ranting about Jared Kushner, seemingly blaming him for not receiving the pardon in the final hours of Trump's presidency.

'Jared Kushner has an IQ of 70. He's coming to Miami. We will eject him from Miami very quickly; he will be leaving very quickly,' Stone said can be heard fuming into a cell phone in obvious anger, 'Very quickly.'

'He has 100 security guards. I will have 5,000 security guards. You want to fight. Let's fight. F*** you,' he said.

Stone had been hoping Trump would give him a second pardon to protect him from any legal action taken on January.

The former President had already pardoned him in December 2020 for multiple charges including witness tampering and trying to interfere in Robert Mueller's 2016 Russia investigation.

At the time, he was sentenced to 40 months in prison before Trump commuted his sentence and eventually pardoned him.

Guldbrandsen provided footage to the House January 6th Committee, which aired film of Stone pictured with far-right Proud Boys at last Thursday's hearing.

He said the committee had selected the clip of Stone but didn't play it. He also noted to The Daily Beast that he did not know who Stone was talking to.

The filmmaker said the 'f*** you and your abortionist b**** daughter,' referenced Ivanka, who served as a senior White House advisor to Trump and was viewed as untrustworthy by some figures in Trump's orbit who railed against a 'globalist' wing.

Stone sounded off on Telegram after the hearing.

'All I've seen in today's Jan 6 Committee is guilt by association,' he said. 'The fact that I know or have met someone is most certainly not evidence of criminal conspiracy. If the committee has actual proof and content of communication between me and anyone charged with a crime, they should produce it.'

The House Jan. 6th Committee included footage of Stone with Oath Keepers in its last hearing, and played video of him exercising his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination

Kushner testified to the committee that he was spending considerable time during his last weeks in office working on pardon issues for Trump.

When Trump pardoned Stone over his conviction, he also pardoned Kushner's father, Charles.

Additional footage and documents revealed the extent of Stone's plan to have Trump pardon members of the 'America First movement' to shield them from potential prosecution after Trump left office.

Stone, 70, at one point said then-White House counsel Pat Cipollone nixed the plan.

'Clearly, Cipollone f---ed everybody,' he told an associate who was in prison in a January 19th call, the Washington Post reported.

Guldbrandsen explained how he had become 'increasingly frustrated' and wanted pared back pardons for himself and former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, a longtime associate of Rudy Giuliani.

Other earlier footage features Florida Rep. Mat Gaetz reassuring Stone that he'll get a pardon. 'The boss still has a very favorable view of you,' he said.

The Jan. 6th committee played video footage of Stone taking the Fifth Amendment during his appearance under subpoena.

They also played a clip from the film of Stone saying: 'F*** the voting, let's get right to the violence.'

'Although we do not yet have all relevant records of Roger Stone's communications, even Stone's own social media posts acknowledge that he spoke with Donald Trump on December 27thas preparations for January 6th were underway,' the committee wrote in a tweet.
The trial was expected to run for six weeks, but arguments will close this week

Brittany Higgins was 'embarrassed' a story could come out about her sneaking into Parliament with Bruce Lehrmann, more than a year before she went public accusing him of raping her that evening, a court has heard.

Senator Michaelia Cash, the former staffer's ex-boss, told Lehrmann's ACT Supreme Court rape trial on Monday that fellow minister Linda Reynolds' office had received a media inquiry about Ms Higgins in October 2019.

Ms Higgins had worked for both politicians that year - first for defence industry minister Ms Reynolds as an assistant media adviser, until moving to Ms Cash's office that same year.

Ms Cash told the court that Ms Higgins was concerned the issue of the security breach, in March 2019, would be made public because the media enquiry was from a journalist from the Canberra Times.

'She was embarrassed because it was in relation to herself and a security issue,' Ms Cash said.

'She and another staff member returned to the office after drinking ... They were potentially intoxicated.

'Ms Higgins fell asleep on the couch and I believe security found her the next day.'

Ms Higgins did not publicly accuse Lehrmann of raping her that evening until February 2021. Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of sexual intercourse without consent.

Brittany Higgins blocked Bruce Lehrmann on social media in the wake of the incident, the ACT Supreme Court has heard

Former attorney-general Michaelia Cash (pictured with Ms Higgins) was one of the first witnesses at court on Monday

In court on Monday, Ms Cash denied knowing about any sexual assault allegations prior to February 5, 2021.

Prosecutor Shane Drumgold grilled Senator Cash about whether she knew about the alleged rape or not, and put to her that she was denying any knowledge 'because it would politically embarrassing'.

Senator Cash replied: 'Absolutely not ... I don't understand the political connection to this.'

Mr Drumgold continued: 'I'm suggesting, as early as October 2019, that Ms Higgins had a conversations about the sexual element of what she said happened to her in Senator Reynolds' office.'

Ms Cash replied: 'Not a sexual element. The first time she mentioned that was in a conversation on February 5, 2021.'

The senator told the court the only time she spoke with Ms Higgins about the evening of March 22, 2019, was in October 2019 - explaining that the conversation was only about the security breach.

Ms Cash said the only other time they spoke about the alleged assault was on February 5, 2021 - a week after Ms Higgins tendered her resignation.

Mr Drumgold then asked whether Ms Cash was prepared to keep Ms Higgins employment, even after she heard about the allegations.

Ms Cash responded: 'Absolutely. Absolutely. She was a very good employee.'

Defence lawyer Steven Whybrow then asked Senator Cash whether it would be 'political suicide' to cover up an alleged assault, to which she replied: 'Correct ... Exactly.'

Bruce Lehrmann arrives at the ACT Supreme Court on Monday, where he is standing trial accused of allegedly raping Ms Higgins in March 2019

Ms Cash's chief of staff, Daniel Try, told the court he was notified by Ms Reynolds' office that there had been a media enquiry about Ms Higgins in October 2019, and that they would send someone around to talk to Ms Higgins.

Mr Try told the court the former defence minister did not go into detail, but she did say 'it was not Brittany's fault'.

He brought Ms Higgins into a board room and someone from Ms Reynolds' office came to speak with Ms Higgins.

Mr Try left the meeting room during that meeting, but noted Ms Higgins was upset when he returned.

Mr Try then brought Ms Higgins into a meeting with Ms Cash. Ms Higgins didn't go into detail, but she said it was about a security issue that was dealt with at the time.

'Brittany was quite upset and I didn't think it was appropriate to press her for details,' Mr try said.

The office of former defence minister Linda Reynolds (pictured) received a media enquiry about Ms Higgins in October 2019

'I just wanted to support her as best we could. It became clear a few days later there hadn't been any follow ups. My understanding initially was they weren't planning to say anything.'

On January 28 2021, the day before Ms Higgins resigned from Ms Cash's office, she went into Mr Try's office and indicated 'the incident was upsetting her again'.

'She said she'd been to a psychologist the day before , or she was going to a psychologist the day before.

'I was surprised she was so upset. She appeared to be very upset - she was crying. I don't think I'd ever seen Brittany cry so much before.'

Mr Try told the court that the next time he heard about the alleged incident was in mid-2020 when Ms Higgins told him she saw Lehrmann in Canberra and grew concerned that he would enter Parliament.

'She wondered if he had a parliamentary pass because she didn't want to see him in the building, and I made enquires and he didn't have one.

Ms Higgins (pictured) alleges Bruce Lehrmann raped her inside Parliament House in March 2019. Ms Higgins did not appear in the courtroom on Monday

'I assumed it had related to the incident in 2019, but I knew it was clearly a sensitive matter - he was the other person involved so I didn't think it was an unreasonable request.'

Ms Higgins did not appear at court on Monday morning. The trial also heard evidence from a detective investigating Ms Higgins' rape, a digital forensic investigator.

Earlier, the court heard details of the police investigation into a picture of a bruise that was allegedly on Ms Higgins' leg.

Digital forensic examiner Peter Reid was only able to find a photo of a large bruise on her thigh on a Google Drive account.

Mr Reid told the court the image had no metadata, location or time, because it had was not one of the 8000 photos stored on her phone.

Mr Reid was provided with two additional phones on July 22, 2021, but the 'pin numbers provided were unsuccessful'.

'I wasn't able to extract any data from those phones,' he told the court.

The court is later expected to hear evidence from Linda Reynolds - the defence minister, who was later her boss - on Tuesday.

The trial continues.

Read the grovelling apology email the political staffer accused of raping Brittany Higgins sent to his minister boss after she threatened to sack him: 'I do feel I have failed... You have been the best'

The man accused of raping Brittany Higgins said he felt 'embarrassed, ashamed and deeply remorseful' in an apology letter to a federal minister who wanted to sack him for code of conduct breaches, a court has heard.

Bruce Lehrmann, 26, is accused of sexually assaulting the former Liberal staffer in the parliamentary office of then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds in the early hours of March 23, 2019.

Lehrmann, who worked with Ms Higgins at the time, has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent in the ACT Supreme Court.

On Tuesday, Ms Reynolds' former acting chief-of-staff Fiona Brown gave evidence, telling the court that Lehrmann was sacked - less than two weeks after the alleged rape - over three conduct breaches.

Two of the breaches involved entering Parliament House while inebriated about 1.45am on March 23, 2019 - he was with Ms Higgins at the time - and for falsely telling security they were there for 'urgent work purposes'.

The third breach was a prior incident relating to the 'mishandling' of a 'protected code-worded document'.

Ms Brown's evidence and Lehrmann's letter of apology can only now be revealed due to a court order banning publication until Ms Higgins had finished giving evidence.

Letters and emails tendered to the court this week showed an exchange between Lehrmann, Ms Brown and Ms Reynolds in April 2019.

The first was a letter from Ms Reynolds on April 4 stated her intention to terminate Lehrmann's job unless he could convince her he should not be sacked.

The second was Lehrmann's lengthy email response the following day, spanning almost two A4 pages.

Scroll down to read the email Lehrmann sent Linda Reynolds and chief of staff Fiona Brown

In the letter, Lehrmann apologised profusely for 'entering the office' at Parliament House after hours, the night he is accused of raping Brittany Higgins. Ms Higgins is seen above on Friday

In his response Lehrmann apologised profusely for 'entering the office after hours' and told the minister she was 'the best' boss he'd ever had.

He then detailed how he grew up on welfare with a single mother because his father had died when he was two.

'I respond feeling embarrassed, ashamed and deeply remorseful,' he wrote.

'I offer no excuses and accept that entering the office after hours is a breach no matter what the reason.

'I would like to take the opportunity to apologise to you and Fiona [Brown] directly for the position I have put you both in because of it... Minister, at no time was I acting with malice, ill-will or intent to cause indirect or direct damage to you, your office or your staff.'

He said he came back to the office to drink some whiskey What then-acting chief of staff Fiona Brown told the court, about Bruce Lehrmann's reasons for returning to Parliament House

During her evidence, Ms Brown told the court she had a meeting with Lehrmann on March 26 - three days after the alleged rape - to address the mishandling of the sensitive document.

She told the court it was a 'sackable offence' in itself, however, she noted his intention, prior to the breaches, had been to leave parliament and seek employment elsewhere. His last day would have been that coming Friday, March 29.

For that reason, Ms Brown told the court there was no disciplinary action taken against Lehrmann.

She simply asked him to go home that evening to look around his office and return any other documents.

Later that morning, she was informed about the security breach when Lehrmann and Ms Higgins entered Parliament House while intoxicated, claiming they had 'urgent' work to attend to.

Ms Brown called another meeting with Lehrmann and asked what he had been doing at work so early in the morning.

'[Lehrmann] didn't agree that he was inebriated,' she told the court.

'He said he came back to the office to drink some whiskey.'

Some of the highlights of Bruce Lehrmann's apology message to Linda Reynolds and acting chief of staff Fiona Brown

When asked if she knew how much he drank at the office, Ms Brown told the court: 'My recollection was that it was two glasses.'

The court heard Ms Brown was particularly concerned because he was previously caught mishandling documents, and then arrived at parliament while inebriated claiming he had work to do.

She asked whether he had taken any documents from the building, and gave him 15 minutes to collect his belongings and leave the office immediately.

Ms Brown told the court she wanted to walk him out, mainly to observe that he wasn't carrying any documents - however, when she went to check on him about five minutes later, he was gone.

In his apology letter, sent more than a week later, Lehrmann did not directly address claims that he told Ms Brown he was in parliament to drink whiskey, he only refuted the claim that he told security he was at work for official purposes.

'This insinuates that I was acting under the authority from [Ms Reynolds] and this was in no way the case and I certainly did not make that inference,' he said.

Lehrmann wrote the email to his boss, minister Linda Reynolds (above, in the Federal Senate) and acting chief-of-staff Fiona Brown. 'Working for you has been a particular highlight of mine,' he said

'This action was the result of a serious lack of judgement on my part and I apologise and regret it happening.'

However, he did apologise to Ms Brown for leaving abruptly on his last day.

'I do offer a further apology to Fiona for not returning on my final day,' he wrote.

'This was a particularly difficult day for me where I simply spiralled down a dark path and to see my some five years plus come to an end so quickly was very shocking for me.

'This past week has been very difficult and I have not been in the right mind to even think about matters on Capital Hill. That is why I retreated to Queensland to see my mother who has been sick for a number of months now.'

Lehrmann went on to detail his childhood, growing up with a mother who relied on welfare and 'gave up her dreams and aspirations to see her two children succeed'.

He added, 'I do feel I have failed', and said watching his mother's illness had an impact on his decision-making skills.

The former political staffer then went on to praise Ms Reynolds for being 'the best' boss he had during his five years in parliament, during which time he worked under six ministers.

'Not only are you the first minister I have worked for that actually takes a deep and abiding interest in the portfolios you hold but you genuinely care how you can make the nation a better place to live, and it's not just words,' he said.

'It is nothing but an honour to work for any senator, MP or minister but working for you has been a particular highlight of mine.'

In the last two paragraphs of his letter, Lehrmann apologised again for his actions, re-stating that they were 'completely out of character for me and the result of poor decision making'.

'I am sorry to you and Fiona for the position I have forced you in to. I have let you down considerably and for that I feel terrible. I will accept the outcome of your considerations,' he wrote.

The letters tendered to the court showed Lehrmann spoke with Ms Brown after sending his email response, however, he later received another letter from Ms Reynolds on April 5 notifying that his employment would be terminated.

'I do remain of the view that your actions contributed to serious breaches of the Ministerial Statement of Standards which constitutes serious misconduct,' Ms Reynolds wrote.

'This letter is formal notification that your employment will be terminated effective today.'

Ms Brown told the court she did not have any further contact with Lehrmann after April 5.

The trial continues.
Undoubtedly one of Koei Tecmo's most successful video game franchises, Dynasty Warriors has introduced gamers to ancient Chinese history, specifically the historical text "Records of the Three Kingdoms."

The hack-and-slash game features over 90 characters that are fictionalized depictions of actual people who are important in ancient Chinese history. However, only 14 have appeared in all nine of the francise's main series games.

Can you guess who they are?

Dynasty Warriors

While you try to guess who the 14 characters are, let us talk a little bit more about Dynasty Warriors.

The series began with the first game, which was released in 1997 and shares the same name as the franchise. What makes the first Dynasty Warriors game different from the rest in the main series is that it is the only fighting game. The rest, as previously mentioned, are hack-and-slash games.

Eight more gaves have been released after the first game as of press time. They are Dynasty Warriors 2, Dynasty Warriors 3, and the numbering continues all the way to Dynasty Warriors 9.

The franchise also a number of spin-off and related games, including the Samurai Warriors franchise.

Related Article: Dynasty Warriors 8 Invades PS Vita

Dynasty Warriors Characters Present in All 9 Main Series Games

Have you guessed which characters have been present in all nine of the Dynasty Warriors main series games? Here's another hint: all characters from the first game are in the list, except for two.

Ready to find out who they are? Here are the 14 characters:

Cao Cao

Faction: Wei

In ancient Chinese history, Cao Cao is considered one of the most central figures in the Three Kingdoms period. He is credited for laying the foundations of the state of Wei, otherwise known as Cao Wei

Dian Wei

Faction: Wei

Dian Wei was a military general who served under Cao Cao and was known for his immense strength. He is also known for wielding a halberd-like weapon

Diaochan

Faction: Other

Diaochan is one of the so-called Four Beauties of ancient Chinese history. The Four Beauties are, as its name suggests, four women who were best known for their beauty.

Guan Yu

Faction: Shu

Like Dian Wei, Guan Yu is also a military general. But instead of serving under Cao Cao, he served under another warlord named Liu Bei, who is credited for the founding the state of Shu Han. He and another military general named Zhang Fei (we'll get to him later), had a brotherly relationship with Liu Bei.

Lu Bu

Faction: Other

Lu Bu was a military general and warlord known for his fierce temper and lack of loyalty when it comes to allegiances. He betrayed many of his allies. He even murdered some of the allies he betrayed.

Lu Xun

Faction: Wu

A military general of Wu, Lu Xun served under Sun Quan, who is the founder of the Eastern Wu dynasty. He was instrumental in the invasion of Jing Province, which led to the defeat and death of Guan Yu.

Sun Shangxiang

Faction: Wu

The daughter of warlord Sun Jian and sister of warlords Sun Ce and Sun Quan, Sun Shangxiang, otherwise known as Lady Sun, is also the wife of Liu Bei.

Taishi Ci

Faction: Wu

Best known for his archery skills, Taishi Chi as a military general who served under the likes of Sun Ce and Sun Quan.

Xiahou Dun

Faction: Wei

Xiahou Dun is another military general who served under Cao Cao and is considered one of the latter's most trusted generals. Xiahou Dun assisted Cao Cao in a number of battles, including those against Lu Bu and Liu Bei.

Xu Zhu

Faction: Wei

While he started as a bodyguard of Cao Cao, Xu Zhu eventually became a military general in his own right. Despite his size and strength, he was known for having an honest, even-tempered person.

Zhang Fei

Faction: Shu

As mentioned earlier, Zhang Fei shared a close brotherly relationship with Liu Bei and Guan Yu. Like Guan Yu, he also served as a military general under Liu Bei.

Zhao Yun

Faction: Shu

Zhao Yun was a military general who first served under a warlord named Gongsun Zan. He eventually served under Liu Bei.

Zhou Yu

Faction: Wu

Zhou Yu was warlord Sun Ce's strategist as well as military general. When Sun Ce passed, Zhou Yun continued to serve under the former's younger brother, Sun Quan.

Zhuge Liang

Faction: Shu

One of the best strategists of his time and known for his intelligence, Zhuge Liang was a statesman and later the regent of the state of Shu Han. You will often find him depicted holding a fan made of crane feathers.

Read Also: Bright Memory: Meet the Groundbreaking Hack and Slash Video Game Made for Next-Gen Consoles
An Avro Vulcan bomber would have attacked airbases in southern Argentina

The plans would have been a controversial idea during the Falklands War

The RAF drew up plans to bomb bases in Argentina in 1982, documents show

The Royal Air Force (RAF) had drawn up plans to bomb airfield bases in Argentina, before flying back via Hawaii, during the Falklands War, new documents have shown.

Targeting the mainland of Argentina was considered a controversial idea during the war, with questions raised in the British Cabinet over whether it would be legal.

During Parliamentary debates, doubts were raised over the strategic and diplomatic consequences the plans could have.

The documents, reported by The Telegraph, show the detailed plans for an RAF raid against Argentina.

The plans showed an Avro Vulcan bomber attacking airfield sites in southern Argentina.

The plans, recently uncovered, would see an Avro Vulcan bomber (pictured) attacking airfield sites in south Argentina

The bomber plane would then leave from Ascension Island, before refueling mid-air multiple times on its way south.

Aviation Historian magazine uncovered the documents in the National Achieves by Aviation Historian, a quarterly journal.

The plans showed three possible routes home. This included landing in Chile, before flying over northern Argentina to Ascension.

Another plan saw the singular plane travel to the UK via Easter Island, Tahiti, Hawaii, mainland US and Canada.

The complex journey to the UK was seen as the most logical route, as it was less complicated than refueling frequently mid-air.

The detailed plans said the mission would need between 11 and 13 Handley Page Victor aircrafts to refuel the Avro Vulcan.

The plans had been created on May 24, 1982. At this point the RAF had already had successful bombing missions in parts of the Falkland Islands as part of Operation Black Buck, one of the longest bombing raids in history.

The plans would have been considered controversial at the time in Downing Street, while Margaret Thatcher (pictured) was in power

Speaking about the tactical value of bombing Argentinian airfields, the official historian of the Falklands campaign Sir Lawrence Freedman told The Telegraph: It would have been extremely hazardous, required a lot of aircraft and might not have achieved very much.'

If the operation were to have gone it could have caused political issues back in the UK.

Sir Michael Havers, attorney general at the time, later known as Sir Michael Havers, is thought to have opposed any attack on Argentina's mainland.

Survivors come ashore from the blazing HMS Sir Galahad in the devastating air attack at Bluff Cove on two British landing ships during the Falklands War in 1982

It would have been a risky plan, considering British planes were unable to cross other South American countries including the Brazilian, Paraguayan or Uruguayan airspaces.

Despite this, two weeks after these neglected plans were drawn up, the Vulcan was forced to land in Rio de Janeiro after failing to refuel mid-air during its sixth Black Buck raid.

In order to make the land, the British had to negotiate with Brazilian military to land the aircraft.

Further documents released from the war time in 2012, showed Downing Street had looked into the impact of any bomb raids on Argentina's mainland.

The government decided that any raid on Argentina could 'gravely damage' diplomatic relations and international support of the UK.
Republicans are plotting to flip 13 House seats in deep blue states because voters are sick of crime - and apathetic about the end of Roe v. Wade.

Democrats who face losing their seats to Republicans in the midterms include a popular progressive, the head of the Dems' biggest fundraising arm and a Rhode Island district Joe Biden won by 13 points.

They're also targeting seats in California, New York, Oregon, Arizona and Connecticut.

Democrats currently hold a slim 220-212 majority in the House, with three seats left vacant, meaning flipping 13 seats would guarantee a Republican majority in 2023.

Axios reported that the GOP are confident their tough on crime stance will attract voters sick of progressive Democrats' anti-cop stance - even though Joe Biden insists he is strongly pro-police.

They've also been pleasantly surprised by the muted reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court in June, which axed federal abortion protections.

Democrats had anticipated making abortion access a key issue in the midterms, but many voters appear unbothered.

With President Joe Biden spending important time stumping for candidates in Oregon and California just weeks ahead of the election, Democrats are forced to play defense where they're used to feeling safe.

Republicans are now spending $25million in ad buys in those states, as well as districts in New York, Rhode Island and Connecticut to try and beat the Democrats.

Republicans believe there may be as many as 13 House seats in traditionally blue districts that they can flip to take control of the lower chamber in the November midterms

Perhaps the highest-profile seat Republicans are trying to gain is in California's 47th District, held by progressive firebrand Katie Porter.

It is one of eight districts where the GOP has dropped over $23million in ad spending to try and elect Porter's opponent Scott Baugh, a former California State Assemblymen.

The GOP is targeting three other districts in California: The 13th, where John Duarte is trying to beat Adam Gray in a newly-drawn district; the 49th, a district Biden won by just four points where second-term rep Mike Levin is trying to hold Brian Maryott; and the 26th, where Julia Brownley hopes to hold off Matt Jacobs in a district she won by 20 points in 2020.

Republicans hope to make even bigger gains in Oregon, where a three-way race has given them hope of taking the governor's mansion for the first time since 1987.

The party is putting major spending on two House seats: The 4th District, where Peter DiFazio's retirement has Val Hoyle trying to hold off the 2020 loser, Alek Skarlatos, in a district Biden won by four points; and the 6th District, which Biden won by 13 points but sees a close race after redistricting as Andrea Salinas tries to defeat challenger Mike Erickson.

In New York, spending is being directed toward two districts, most importantly the 17th, where DCCC Chairman Sean Maloney won a controversial primary against an AOC-backed challenger and is now facing off in a redrawn seat with Michael Lawler. Outside groups have reportedly spent over $2million to try and unseat Maloney, the first gay person elected to Congress in New York history.

Perhaps the highest-profile seat Republicans are trying to gain is in California's 47th District, held by progressive firebrand Katie Porter (pictured left). It's one of eight districts where the GOP has dropped over $23million in ad spending to try and elect Porter's opponent Scott Baugh (pictured right), a former California State Assemblyman

The GOP is targeting three other districts in California, including the 13th, where John Duarte (pictured right) is trying to beat Adam Gray (pictured left) in a newly-drawn district

In the 49th, a district Biden won by just four points, second-term rep Mike Levin (pictured left) is trying to hold Brian Maryott (pictured right)

Rep. Julia Brownley (pictured left) hopes to hold off Matt Jacobs (pictured right) in the 26th District, which she won by 20 points in 2020

In Oregon's 4th District, where Peter DiFazio's is retiring, Val Hoyle (pictured left) is trying to hold off the 2020 loser, Alek Skarlatos (pictured right), in a district Biden won by just four points

They're also attempting to elect Anthony D'Esposito to flip a seat previously held by Kathleen Rice, which her endorsed successor Laura Gillen trying to hang on.

Other blue districts the GOP is pumping cash in are Connecticut's 5th, where Jahana Hayes tries to win a third term against George Logan; Georgia's 2nd, where Sanford Bishop Jr., the longest-serving Congressman from the Peach State having held his seat since 1993, faces off against Chris West.

There's also New Mexico's 3rd, where Teresa Leger Fernandez tries to stop Alexis Martinez Johnson from flipping a seat where Fernandez beat Martinez by 17 points in 2020; and Arizona's 4th, where Greg Stanton is trying save his seat for a third term against Kelly Cooper.

The canary in the coal mine for the GOP may be in Rhode Island's 2nd District. Biden took the district by 14 points in 2020, but polls show Alan Fung leading Seth Magaziner for the open spot being vacated by Democrat James Langevin.

GOP ads have continuously gone after the Dems over crime, bail reform, supposed defunding of the police and immigration.

The 6th District, which Biden won by 13 points, sees a close race after redistricting as Andrea Salinas (pictured left) tries to defeat Mike Erickson (pictured right)

In New York, spending is being directed toward two districts, most importantly the 17th, where DCCC Chairman Rep. Sean Maloney (pictured left) won a controversial primary against an AOC-backed challenger and is now facing off in a redrawn seat with Michael Lawler (pictured right)

Republicans are also attempting to elect Anthony D'Esposito (pictured right) to flip a seat previously held by Kathleen Rice, which her endorsed successor Laura Gillen (pictured left) trying to hang on.

Other blue districts the GOP is pumping cash in are Connecticut's 5th, where Rep. Jahana Hayes (pictured left) tries to win a third term against George Logan (pictured right)

One other factor in many of these states is they don't feature competitive Senate races but do feature gubernatorial races with Republican momentum, like in Oregon and New York, where Kathy Hochul is trying to hang on to beat Representative Lee Zeldin.

A Republican strategist says that the party's candidates are actually doing better in blue states than in swing states, where Democrats are focusing more of their engagement.

A litany of projections suggest Republicans are poised to gain ground in November - though that lead has shrunk in recent weeks amid continued fallout from the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and Biden's fiery new approach of attacking parts of the GOP as 'extremists.'

While the Senate is more of a toss-up, the GOP is still expected to retake the House of Representatives with a plethora of candidates benefitting from newly-redrawn Congressional maps.

Democrats currently control both the House and Senate by slim margins, with only Vice President Kamala Harris' tiebreaking vote giving them an advantage in a completely split upper chamber.

Another key attempt to flip is Georgia's 2nd, where Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. (pictured left), the longest-serving Congressman from the Peach State having held his seat since 1993, faces off against Chris West (pictured right)

In New Mexico's 3rd, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (pictured left) is trying to stop Alexis Martinez Johnson (pictured right) from flipping a seat where Fernandez beat Martinez by 17 points in 2020

In Arizona's 4th, Greg Stanton is trying save his seat for a third term against Kelly Cooper

The canary in the coal mine for the GOP may be in Rhode Island's 2nd District. Biden took the district by 14 points in 2020, but polls show Alan Fung (pictured right) leading Seth Magaziner (pictured left) for the open spot being vacated by Democrat James Langevin

In a bid to energize their base, House Republican leaders unveiled a revamped national platform called their 'Commitment to America.'

It's molded after Newt Gingrich's 1994 'Contract With America,' which was rolled out just before Republicans swept Congress in the first midterm election of Bill Clinton's presidency.

But Democrats, for their part, have sought to tie their Republican opponents to anti-abortion extremism. In more moderate districts, they're attempting to link their rivals to Donald Trump in a bid to discredit them with Independent voters.
'I'm a doctor, I can kill you. I'm a doctor, I can help you,' Kolalou allegedly sang while she tried to shove an inhaler down the throat of the unnamed tenant

Months before the vicious murder, Kolalou allegedly tried to kill another tenant at the boarding house, and sang a menacing song while strangling her

Sandra Kolalou, 36, allegedly murdered and dismembered the landlord of her Chicago boarding house

A Chicago woman accused of murdering and dismembering her landlady allegedly tried to kill a neighbor earlier this year - and even a sang a chilling song while she was doing it, it is claimed.

A woman who lived in the same Chicago boarding house as Sandra Kolalou said the 36-year-old cornered her in a stairwell, then knocked her to the ground and began trying to strangle her.

The woman claimed Kolalou tried to shove an inhaler down her throat and was singing 'I'm a doctor, I can kill you. I'm a doctor, I can help you,' throughout the altercation, according to WKRG.

Kolalou was arrested last week for allegedly murdering the owner of that boarding house, 69-year-old Frances Walker, who was in the process of evicting her over complaints of frightening behavior from neighbors.

Kolalou allegedly dismembered Walker's body with a butcher's knife and stored her remains in a freezer. She is also suspected of killing Walker's dog. She was charged with first degree murder and concealment of a homicide.

Frances Walker, 69, who Sandra Kolalou allegedly murdered and dismembered with a butcher's knife

The house where Kolalou allegedly murdered and dismembered Walker with a Butcher's knife

Kolalou's neighbor chose not to be named while describing her harrowing encounter from last January.

'She got on top of me, she put her hand over my nose, squeezed it shut,' the woman told WKRG. 'Put her other hand over my mouth, closed it shut. Tried to kill me.'

The woman suffers from asthma, and had just taken out her inhaler before she ran into Kolalou, who tried to push the device down her mouth.

She said she managed to bite Kolalou's hand and get away. 'I had one breath left and I bit what I thought was her hand.

'What I ended up biting was her finger,' she said, describing how she was able to then call for help.

'[Officers] tried to get her up off the floor, tried to take her away. Which they eventually did, taking her to a psychiatric hospital.'

After that incident Kolalou was charged with assault, but acquitted over the summer, according to WKRG.

Sandra Kolalou, 36, was arrested last winter after a neighbor said she attacker her in a stairwell

Kolalou was being evicted because other tenants had complained that they were afraid of her

Kolalou was arrested Monday after neighbors called police to report they had heard screaming at the boarding house and that nobody had been able to get in contact for hours.

When officers arrived at the house they found Kolalou stepping into a tow truck she had hired. When officers asked to speak with her she declined saying she knew her rights.

Kolalou then directed the tow truck driver to take her to nearby beach, where she dumped a large plastic bag in a trash bin.

She then tried to pay the driver with a card belonging to Walker, and when the driver declined she became irate and tried to attack him with a pocket knife.

Kolalou was apprehended after the altercation and cop found bloody rags in the bin at the beach.

They then found Walker's body stuffed into a freezer.

Cops said Walker had tried to evict Kolalou over the weekend after multiple tenants had expressed that they were afraid of her.
Mum Tattika Dunn said her heart had been ripped into pieces by her child's death

Nurse who saw the three-week-old first thought it was actually the mum's bag

Harvey McGlinn died in 2019 at a community health centre on the Central Coast

A three-week-old baby suffocated to death while being carried by his mum

When Tattika Dunn walked into a health centre for a regular check-up on her baby son, a duty nurse thought she was carrying a bag around her belly.

It was actually her three-week-old baby son, Harvey McGlinn, slung low and horizontally around her abdomen.

Unknowingly, at some point between her leaving home and popping in to see a nurse, the fabric sling had suffocated him to death.

What would happen over the next few moments would, in Ms Dunn's words, tear her heart into 'a million pieces' and change practices in baby health advice in New South Wales.

A coroner's report has laid bare in grim detail how the morning unfolded when Ms Dunn, then 36, arrived for a consultation at the Breast Feeding Service Drop-in Centre at Killarney Vale on the NSW Central Coast on April 8, 2019.

In a report, Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee absolved nurses and medical staff at the centre of any responsibility for the infant's death - after they did not immediately identify that Harvey was being carried in a sling.

Ms Dunn's third child, and the baby brother of twin boys from a previous relationship, Harvey had been born prematurely at 37 weeks and four days and just under 3kg, and his weight had fluctuated since.

Baby Harvey McGlinn (above) lived for only three weeks and likely died from suffocation after being carried horizontally in a Boba brand baby sling for a baby clinic visit

Tattika, fiance Bill and their new baby Harvey in 2019 before the tragic death of the infant who is pictured with his twin brothers Seth and Bailey (above), then aged four

Home visit nurses had recommended Ms Dunn consult with nurses throughout his young life, and she carried her young son to his appointment in a blue Boba Wrap baby sling.

According to the coroner's report, one of the nurses, RN (Registered Nurse) Kovacs saw Ms Dunn arrive 'walking briskly ... wearing a blue, sling-like carrier around her' with a 'bulge-like presence' at the bottom of the sling.

She described the sling as 'low down', below the level of Ms Dunn's belly button, and positioned horizontally.

She said that 'if at the time she had recognised or believed that there was a baby inside the sling, she would have considered that there was an element of risk involved with the manner in which the baby was being carried.'

Tattika Dunn had stopped en route for coffee at the the Killarney Vale Bakery, about 650m from the health centre, where Harvey in the Boba Wrap was 'kicking and making noises'.

CCTV footage from the bakery shows her settling Harvey with a pat on the bottom and exiting at 8.52am.

A second nurse, RN Percy saw Ms Dunn arrive at the Centre's reception at 9.01am.

She 'did not recognise that Tattika was wearing a baby carrier and instead thought that she was carrying a bag of some kind around her neck'.

A third nurse, RN Mitchell gave evidence that when she first went into the waiting room to call baby Harvey's name, she 'initially recognised that Tattika did not have a pram with her and thought that she may have been a client of another allied health service'.

Tattika said after Harvey died his four-year-old twin brothers (above with the infant) 'loved him more then anything' and the family was devastated in the wake of the tragedy

RN Mitchell then noted that Tattika 'had something on her lap which appeared to be very small, and which RN Mitchell did not immediately recognise to be a baby'.

However, 'when Tattika stood up, she recognised that Tattika was wearing a baby sling and that there was a baby inside the sling, lying across Tattika's body at the level of her belly button'.

And when told by the nurse she had expected to see a pram, Ms Dunn had responded by pointing to Harvey in his baby wrap and saying, 'I've got him in here'.

She would later explain, Harvey went everywhere in the wrap because he couldn't lie flat in a pram, perhaps as a result of his 'horror' delivery just three weeks earlier, arriving 'covered in bruises from the forceps'.

'Every time I laid him flat he would scream straight away. It was like he was in pain. I would say it to the nurses He never went in his pram,' Ms Dunn would subsequently tell the Kyle & Jackie O show.

Baby Harvey probably suffocated when he was carried in a sling called a Boba Wrap, which had instruction to keep the baby's head up and vertical because there was a suffocation risk with horizontal positioning

At that point, the nurse 'presumed that the baby was asleep as she saw no movement from the baby and did not hear the baby making any sounds'.

In the clinic room, Ms Dunn 'expressed concern about Harvey being unsettled at night, and experiencing reflux and vomiting over the previous few days' and 'spoke about her past domestic history from a former relationship'.

The conversation 'took up to 15 or 20 minutes'. RN Mitchell asked to have a look at Harvey.

'Tattika began to unwrap the carrier, exposing one of Harvey's legs. RN Mitchell noted that Harvey's skin was white, blue or grey in appearance,' the coroner's report says.

'She also noted that Harvey's chin was flexed downwards, against his chest, that there was blood around his nostrils, and that the skin around his lips and nose was blue.

'RN Mitchell immediately recognised that Harvey was unconscious or deceased. She initially went to contact Triple Zero but, upon realising that this would take too long, yelled out, "Emergency".

'A call was also made to Triple Zero at 9.29am.'

Tattika Dunn would later tell the KIIS KFM's Kyle and Jackie O show that as clinic staff frantically tried to resuscitated Harvey, she 'fell to the floor screaming.

'I could do nothing to help him. It was horrible, and I was on the floor just watching my baby try to be resuscitated,' she said, breaking down in tears.

Harvey was placed on a trolley and three different nurses applied CPR, with paramedics arriving at 9.36am and an emergency doctor arriving via a CareFlight helicopter dispatched from Westmead at 9.59am.

Tattika Dunn (above on the Kyle & Jackie O show) said her 'heart feels like it's been ripped in a million pieces' in the months after her son died and that she 'fell to the floor screaming' when nurses tried to resuscitate him

Tattika Dunn with her fiance Bill McGlinn, her twin sons Seth and Bailey and newborn Harvey in 2019 before the tragic death of the infant from suffocation inn a baby sling

Baby Harvey could not be revived and was pronounced dead at 10.12am.

A GoFundMe page was set up for Ms Dunn as she and her fiance Bill McGlinn and her twin sons, Seth and Bailey grieved for Harvey.

'It's still very raw and my heart feels like it's been ripped in a million pieces,' Ms Dunn wrote in a Facebook post following Harvey's death.

'On the 8th of last month whilst going for a routine check up with my three week old precious baby boy Harvey passed, it happened for 'no known reason' nothing can be explained.

'A very much loved family member was taken from this world, he had a mum a dad and four-year-old twin brothers who loved him more then anything!

'When one of our worst nightmares came to play a community stood up and helped do things I just couldn't, these people are now like family.'

Harvey (left with dad Bill McGlinn) was three weeks old when he died while in a sling at a baby health care centre worn by his mother (right Tattika Dunn)

The Boba Wrap (above) carries a warning label with advice and images entitled 'SUFFOCATION HAZARD', stating 'when using this wrap, constantly monitor your child. Babies younger than four months can suffocate in a wrap if face is pressed tightly against your body'

Ms Dunn declined to be part of an inquest held over two days last month, but there is no suggestion she breached her duty of care.

Deputy Coroner Lee's inquiry established five key factors to examine for possible causes of Harvey's death and sought the opinion of a senior staff specialist neonatologist, Associate Professor Nick Evans.

The factors were Harvey's age and weight, his health and development, the presence of traces of benzodiazepine (anti-anxiety medicine) in his blood, his position in the baby carrier at the time of death, the adequacy of advice to parents regarding the risks associated with baby carriers.

MUM TATTIKA'S TRAGIC MORNING APRIL 8, 2019: 5:15am: Dad Bill McGlinn leaves home for work, leaving a happy 3-week-old Harvey. 8.20am: Friend Jillian arrives to mind twins Ethan and Bailey, 4, while Tattika takes Harvey to the health centre. Around 8.40am: Tattika and Harvey arrive at the Killarney Vale bakery where the baby boy kicks and makes noises in his baby wrap and Tattika gives his bottom a pat. 8.52am: Tattika and Harvey leave the bakery and walk 650m to the Long Jetty medical centre for harvey's appointment. 9.01am: Tattika arrives at the Centres reception and sits down. 9.05am: The nurse calls out Harvey's name and when she asks where's her pram, Tattika replies 'Ive got him in here'. Tattika goes into the clinic room and speaks with the nurse for 15 or 20 minutes. Around 9.25am: The nurse asks to look at Harvey, who Tattika pulls from the baby wrap. The nurse sees he is blue around the nose and lips and yells 'Emergency'. 9:29am: As nurses perform CPR on Harvey, triple-0 is called, and Tattika collapses. 9.36am: Paramedics arrive at the Centre and continue the resuscitation. 9.59am: A CareFlight helicopter arrives with an emergency physician. 10.12am: Despite every effort, baby Harvey is pronounced dead. Advertisement

Both the Long Jetty health centre staff and the manufacturer of the Boba Wrap sling, Boba Inc, in Wyoming, USA, were also cleared of any liability.

Toxicology results from the autopsy on Harvey found nordiazepam, naproxen (an anti-inflammatory) and paracetamol in the baby's blood.

However Prof. Evans concluded that 'the detected levels of postmortem blood samples are much lower than the reported therapeutic levels and therefore would have had no effect on him at the time of his death'.

The professor said baby Harvey's slow weight gain may have contributed to his death.

Baby Harvey McGlinn (above) did not have sufficient weight to support his neck being held up while he was slung low and horizontally across his mother's belly button

The NSW coroner absolved all staff at the Long Jetty baby health care centre (above) from any responsibility for the death of baby Harvey McGlinn in April 2019

This was because the baby's low weight possibly 'contributed to less muscle and head control (and) the positioning of Harvey's neck ... the most significant factor as to the cause of his death'.

When nurse Mitchell found Harvey dead in the sling, his neck was 'in a flexed position against his chest' and had 'compromised his airway' probably causing him to asphyxiate.

'It is more probable than not that the cause of Harvey's death was positional asphyxia,' the coroner found.

'This most likely occurred as a result of the way in which Harvey was being carried inside the sling which did not allow for a patent airway to be maintained.'

The US-manufactured Boba bay wrap, Professor Evans concluded, had provided adequate guidance and warning, but he noted that the effectiveness of safety instructions were based on the premise that 'firstly people read them (which I suspect they often don't) and secondly, that everyone who acquires the product will have access to these instructions'.

NSW Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee has found three-week-old Harvey McGlinn (above with his mother Tattika Dunn) most likely suffocated to death because he was incorrectly positioned in a fabric Boba Wrap sling

The coroner noted that at the time of Harvey's death, NSW Health provided a book to all pregnant women attended their health services, Having a Baby, which advised carrying babies 'in a safe baby carrier or put them in a pram'

'Parents and carers should take care when using slings and pouches to carry babies,' the book says, 'babies are at risk of suffocation if placed incorrectly in a sling.'

The book goes on to direct readers to online information, including the ACCC product Safety Australia page on baby slings and carriers which states that 'if used incorrectly, baby slings and framed carriers can lead to rapid suffocation ... slow suffocation (or) neck injuries'.

The coroner concludes that 'evidence establishes that discussions between nurses and parents of newborn babies ... did not specifically canvass the use of slings and other fabric baby carriers.

WHAT IS A BOBA BABY WRAP? The Boba Wrap, which has been sold in Australia since at least 2014, comprises one long strip of cotton and spandex fabric. It comes with instructions, which 'require the infant to be placed in the wrap and positioned on the wearer's chest, vertically, with the infant's head close enough for the wearer to kiss'. A warning label attached to the Boba Wrap that Harvey was carried in has written advice and images entitled 'SUFFOCATION HAZARD'. It states, 'when using this wrap, constantly monitor your child. Babies younger than four months can suffocate in a wrap if face is pressed tightly against your body. 'Babies at greatest risk of suffocation include those born prematurely and those with respiratory problems. 'Check often to make sure baby's face is uncovered, clearly visible, and away from the wearer's body at all times. Make sure baby does not curl into a position with the chin resting on or near baby's chest. This position can interfere with breathing.' The Boba instruction booklet also states, 'IMPORTANT: All babies MUST be carried in an upright, completely vertical position, facing the wearer, even when nothing is covering the nose or mouth'. Advertisement

Since Harvey's death, NSW Health has devised a set of instructions for mothers using baby slings to ensure protection with the acronym TICKS (above), which stands for Tight, In view, Close, Keep chin off chest and Supported

'It is not known what advice and guidance Tattika may have had access to, or been provided with, prior to 8 April 2019.'

Following the baby's death, the coroner said NSW Health made changes to their advice regarding the risks of baby slings.

NSW Health director of maternity, child and family Deborah Matha spoke at the inquest saying banning slings was the only way to completely eliminate the risk but admitted that would be almost impossible to do due to cultural and disability reasons for mothers wearing slings.

The acronym 'TICKS' has been devised since Harvey's death as a way to ensure other parents avoid the same accident. TICKS stands for Tight, In view, Close, Keep chin off chest and Supported.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has said he is deeply sceptical of so-called trickle-down economics, warning there is no moral case for government budgets that disproportionately affect the poorest.

Speaking on a tour of Australia, Justin Welby also backed climate activists, saying he is worried for a difficult winter.

Amid chaos in the UK Government, the Archbishop expressed concerns about tax cuts for the wealthiest.

And although he said he did not want to be party political, the comments come as Liz Truss battles to retain her premiership following dramatic policy U-turns.

Speaking on a tour of Australia, Justin Welby also backed climate activists, saying he is worried for a difficult winter

He told The Guardian that wealth should be spread to ensure... those at the lower end of the scale can both heat and eat and expressed concern over how food banks would cope this winter. He also said the Church should do more to encourage action on climate change.

He said: Im not going to make a party political point because both parties are deeply divided and Im not going to talk about Australia because I just dont know the situation. But in the UK, the priority is the cost of living, with the poorest.

And from an economics point of view, Im deeply sceptical about trickle-down theory.

You know, if you cut money for the rich, ever since Keynes wrote his general theory in 1936, whenever it was, he showed very clearly that the rich save if theyve got enough to live on.

So if you want to generate spending in the economy, you put more money into the hands of those who need the money to buy food, to buy goods, to buy basic necessities.

The comments come as Liz Truss battles to retain her premiership following dramatic policy U-turns

He continued: There are lots of ways of addressing the problem. Its not a problem of inequality, its a problem of spreading wealth sufficiently in order to ensure that those at the lower end of the scale can both heat and eat and have a reasonable standard of living. And that is essential.

He said he could see no moral case for setting budgets disproportionately impacting on the poor and expressed concern about how food banks at home would cope in coming months.

The Archbishop also appeared to give his backing to greater and more urgent action on climate change.

Asked if the Church should be doing more to encourage people to take action on climate change, he said: Yes, they definitely should. An awful lot of people are. And they should be encouraging. And you know, they are, we are collectively doing as much as we can...

Why are people hanging back? Because it is so easy for short-termist issues to displace long-termist.
Sydney's Star Casino has been slapped with a record $100 million fine and had its gaming licence suspended by regulators after a scathing report into its operations.

The NSW Independent Casino Commission handed down its decision on Monday after a report has found the casino failed to stop the operation of criminal activity on its premises, despite knowing it was ongoing.

The $100 million fine was the maximum penalty possible under laws recently introduced by the NSW government.

The Star's licence to operate its Pyrmont casino will be suspended, which comes into effect 9am Friday.

Nicholas Weeks has been appointed as the independent manager who will then take over operations, which means the casino will continue trading for at least 90 days.

NICC chief commissioner Philip Crawford added that timeframe could be extended.

'We've decided to impose a fine of $100 million on The Star, and secondly, to suspend the Star's casino licence,' he announced on Monday.

Sydney's Star Casino (pictured) has been slapped with a shopping $100million fine

'The Star Casino will remain open and all staff will remain employed.

'The Star's licence is suspended and the manager will hold a casino licence.'

It comes after the commission last month released a damning report by Adam Bell, SC, which deemed The Star unfit to hold a casino licence.

The inquiry identified a litany of issues - including a notorious gang-linked junket operator running an illicit cage at the casino and that it broke rules on Chinese debit cards.

Mr Crawford said he was not satisfied with Star's reform plan.

'The remediation plan contained in the Star's submission did not make much sense without the leadership of a competent and experienced CEO,' he said.

'Star's new CEO, Robbie Cooke, commences at Star today. We have met with Mr Cook and he presents to us as someone who is absolutely capable of providing the strong leadership needed at the Star.'

An independent manager has been appointed to take over operations, which means the casino will continue trading for at least three more months

Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford (pictured) announced on Monday the Star Casino will remain open and all staff will remain employed

Mr Cooke vowed to rehabilitate the embattled gambling and entertainment company.

'We need to be putting compliance at the top of the list and if you do that, it protects shareholder value,' he told AAP last week.

'There's definitely some challenges in the business,' he said.

Mr Cooke vowed that 'compliance will be put ahead of profits' under his leadership, adding that 'cultural change won't happen overnight'.

'My big focus to deal with those issues is my commitment to our regulators, to our government partners, to our 75,000 shareholders, 8000 team members and the community at large to rebuild trust.'
MPs have called on the Government to urgently investigate after a protester was apparently beaten on the grounds of the Chinese consulate yesterday.

Police have launched a probe after what appeared to be a pro-Hong Kong democracy demonstration in Manchester.

Video footage shows a protester being dragged inside the gates of the Consulate General of the Peoples Republic of China in Rusholme.

The man is forced to the ground and assaulted by at least five men while a police officer tries to pull the attackers off him.

Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters had reportedly organised a peaceful protest outside of the Consulate in response to the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, where President Xi Jinping is widely expected to announce another five years in power.

Video footage shows what appeared to be a protester being dragged inside Chinese consulates gate in Manchester, prompting calls for the UK government to investigate

Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the video was deeply worrying and called on Home Secretary Suella Braverman to look into this urgently.

The Government must demand a full apology from the Chinese ambassador... and demand those responsible are sent home to China.

He told The Daily Telegraph: 'I guess that like everything else the police are endlessly conflicted and are probably worried about a diplomatic incident. But this is on British soil, for God's sake.'

The UK officers appeared reluctant to step into the Chinese consulate itself while attempting to drag the protestor away.

Unlike embassies, consulates remain under the jurisdiction of the host country, but are often afforded special privileges such as immunity from certain laws.

Labour MP for Hornsey and Wood Green Catherine West, who also serves as shadow minister for Asia and the Pacific, said she would raise the issue in parliament 'urgently' and called on both the Home and Foreign Secretaries to investigate.

MP Andrew Gwynne and local Rusholme Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar echoed the message of their colleagues.

'This would be unacceptable on the streets of Hong Kong and against the provisions of the Joint Declaration to uphold democratic rights and freedoms. BUT this is Manchester,' Gwynne told the Manchester Evening News.

The UK officers appeared reluctant to step into the Chinese consulate itself, which enjoys special privileges and usually falls outside the jurisdiction of local police

Protestors had put up pro-democracy posters before the altercation began on the streets

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: 'Police are aware of an incident that took place at around 3pm on Sunday 16 October 2022 at the Chinese Consulate in Manchester involving Hong Kong protestors.

'Officers responded immediately to diffuse the situation and enquiries are ongoing at this time to understand the full circumstances. A police patrol plan is in place in the area following this incident.'

The news comes as Xi Jinping kicked-off the 20th CCP congress on Sunday with warnings that he may use force to retake Taiwan.

The Chinese leader is set to cement his place as the country's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong after removing term limits installed by his predecessors to curb the power of the CCP chairman.

The Chinese Embassy did not respond to requests for comment.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) opened the 20th congress of China's ruling Communist Party on Saturday, where he is expected to win a third leadership term and secure his place as the country's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong

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
More than two-thirds of readers of The Mail+ have said Liz Truss should resign.

As of last night, 70 per cent of more than 9,000 subscribers responding to our online poll said the beleaguered Prime Minister needs to stand down.

It came as Tory grandee Crispin Blunt told Channel 4's Andrew Neil Show that the 'game is up' for her.

The MP for Reigate in Surrey, who supported Miss Truss's rival Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership contest, added: 'It's now a question as to how the succession is managed.'

More than two-thirds of readers of The Mail+ have said Liz Truss should resign as Prime Minister

Earlier this month, 57 per cent of more than 4,000 people surveyed for a Mail+ poll said former PM Boris Johnson would make a better Tory leader than Miss Truss. Just 18 per cent voted for her and 13 per cent for Mr Sunak.

Lord Hayward, the Tory peer and pollster, said yesterday it was going to be 'very difficult' for Miss Truss to remain as Prime Minister.

He told Sky News: 'If the markets don't calm down, the blame is going to be put on Liz Truss. If they do calm, the credit will go to Jeremy Hunt.'

Tory grandee Crispin Blunt (pictured) told Channel 4's Andrew Neil Show that the 'game is up' for Liz Truss

Hunt, the former Health Secretary who has twice stood for the Tory leadership, said Truss remains 'in charge' and insisted voters can still put their faith in her.

'She's listened. She's changed. She's been willing to do that most difficult thing in politics, which is to change tack,' he told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.

A YouGov poll last week found almost half of Conservative supporters (48 per cent) believe the party made the wrong choice of leader this summer.
A beauty giant has faced calls for a boycott after inviting a controversial transgender influencer on a podcast about 'girlhood'.

Ulta Beauty, which has more than 1,200 salons across the country, was slammed by furious women for hosting Dylan Mulvaney on The Joy Of Girlhood.

The firm had tried to showcase the diversity of women that use the brand, but the clip was quickly seized on by customers for the controversial clip.

They slammed Mulvaney for describing her genitals as a 'Barbie pouch,' and also took exception to her previous chat of buying tampons.

Mulvaney has been accused of 'womanface' by some feminists, who claim she is play-acting the parts of a woman she enjoys, with none of the misogyny faced by females on a day-to-day basis.

During a digital campaign entitled 'The Beauty Of ...' the podcast saw the 25-year-old TikTok star being interviewed by gender-fluid hairdresser David Lopez about 'all things girlhood'.

She said she 'wants to be a mom one day and I absolutely can' and added 'the narrative still has a long way to go'.

Customers took to social media to slam the podcast, saying the company and influencer were 'trolling women'.

Dylan became known on TikTok for her 'days of girlhood' series in which she can be heard discussing things that she believes are 'accessible' to her as a trans woman.

Trans TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney has sparked a backlash against Ulta Beauty following her appearance on a podcast in which she spoke about 'all things girlhood'

Mulvaney, right, was interviewed by gender-fluid hairdresser to the stars, David Lopez, left

They including finding love, being a performer, having a family and being a mother.

'Now I know I can find love. I know I can still be a performer. I know that I can have a family. I want to be a mom one day and I absolutely can.

'And that's why the narrative still has a long way to go because when I was grieving Boy Dylan, I didn't know those things were even accessible to me.

'There much shame, so much stigma. I had this idea of trans-people and it was weird because I knew I was trans yet had transphobia of myself.

'I was still judging the community and I've had to get over that. We gotta change it,' Dylan said.

During the podcast as a whole Dylan details her transition while also explaining her background and how she grew up in an 'extremely conservative' family.

The backlash has been swift and severe with subscribers to the podcast unimpressed with some accusing Dylan and Ulta for showcasing her as likening womanhood as 'something that can be worn like a costume'.

The backlash has been swift and severe with subscribers to the podcast do not appear to be impressed with some accusing Dylan and Ulta for showcasing her as likening womanhood as something that can be worn like a costume

'Why didn't you get a woman on? We are your primary target market, are we not?' asked Twitter user, Kady, bluntly.

'STOP TROLLING WOMEN You can hide the replies @Ultabeauty , but you can't hide your contemptible contempt for women,' tweeted Emmeline Wyndham.

'Beyond parody.' summed up another.

In one bizarre posting to TikTok, Dylan explains how she had been carrying around a selection of feminine hygiene products despite not being physically capable of menstruating.

In one bizarre posting to TikTok, Dylan explains how she had been carrying around a selection of feminine hygiene products despite not being capable of menstruating

Dylan Mulvaney attends New York Fashion Week last month

'Day 75 of being girl - I've been carrying around tampons and pads for the past two months but I've never actually opened one up, so let's do it. Woohoo!' she begins before using a euphemism for vagina.

'I thought the letters stood for small, medium and large based on the size of your 'Barbie pouch' but after Googling I found out it's actually the level of your flow.'

Dylan was allegedly offered a paid partnership with Tampax to advertise the menstruation products, but the posting generated a host of angry responses, particularly among gender-critical feminists.

'In case you're wondering why such a visceral reaction to this thread, many of us are aware of just how disrespected we are by this person. Barbie pouch??? This must stop,' tweeted Jennifer.

'Barbie pouch!?! Wtaf. Getting your period unexpectedly, having painful periods for your whole life, seeing drs to try & figure out the cause with zero explanation and they're calling it a Barbie pouch' wrote Millie Mae.

'Glad he can carry around tampons like they're fashion accessories, never having to experienced the misery of mensuration, especially as a 'girl'in middle school, a character he mocks, added another.

The posting, like many others involving Dylan, generated a host of angry responses

Some online posters are suggesting they will no long buy Ulta products as a result with a number posting deliberately offensive remarks such as 'she's actually a man'.

Dylan's TikToks documenting her 'days of girlhood' have accumulated millions of views.

In the videos, she is often seen doing and acting in excessively 'feminine' ways which are often perceived as representing harmful, sexist stereotypes.

While 'being a girl,' Dylan often attributes her womanhood to what she is wearing, her makeup, eating habits and dramatic emotions which lead to crying and binge shopping.

Ulta has now pleaded for dignity and empathy.

'At Ulta Beauty, we believe that beauty is for everyoneand we kindly request that everyone be treated with respect on our channels,' the company wrote in a statement.

The company has also been accused of hiding several of the replies on its social media channels.

'We believe beauty is for everyone. And while we recognize some conversations we host will challenge perspectives and opinions, we believe constructive dialogue is one important way to move beauty forward,' the company said in a statement.

'The intersectionality of gender identity is nuanced, something David and Dylan acknowledge themselves within the episode. Regardless of how someone identifies, they deserve our respect.'
Russia is set to deploy 9,000 soldiers to Belarus, the Belarusian defence ministry has claimed, sparking fears that a fresh ground assault on the Ukrainian capital could be imminent.

Although the Kremlin has claimed that the move is part of a defensive operation, some commentators believe that Putin is attempting to draw Belarus - a country bordering both Russia and Ukraine - into his war, the Telegraph has reported.

Russia's defence ministry stated that the decision to send soldiers into Belarus, for the first time since March, was 'dictated by the ongoing activity in the areas bordering us.'

It comes as Russia also threatened to equip Belarusian warplanes with nuclear missile capability after Russian soldiers came flooding across the border 'by the trainload' on Saturday.

Belarus and Russia reportedly began combining some of their military forces shortly after the explosion on the Kerch Bridge - joining Russian-occupied Crimea to the Russian mainland - according to Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

China this week told its citizens to leave Ukraine amid increasing security threats and some countries, such as Serbia, have closed their embassies entirely.

n this photo taken from video and released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, multiple rocket launchers fire during the Belarusian and Russian joint military drills at Brestsky firing range, Belarus

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (R)

Russia has threatened to equip Belarusian warplanes with nuclear missile capability after Russian soldiers came flooding in 'by the trainload' on Saturday

The Belarusian border, which lies 140 miles from Kyiv, was used as a launchpad for Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February.

On Saturday, the Russian foreign ministry said it would equip Belarusian Su-25 warplanes with the capability to carry nuclear-capable missiles but that it was not yet arming Minsk, the Belarusian capital, with the missiles.

With an army size of roughly 50,000, Belarus does not currently have any nuclear missiles of its own, and is not regarded as an effective military force by defence experts.

Moscow and Minsk officials say that Ukraine is planning to invade Belarus, leading the Belarusian defence ministry to order its troops to be tested for 'combat readiness'.

Dictator Alexander Lukashenko announced earlier this week that he would deploy a 'joint military task force' with Moscow - a move Minsk also claims is 'purely defensive'.

The combat readiness test, ordered by Lukashenko, was announced as the head of his secret service said he expected to see a 'turning point' in Vladimir Putin's invasion in the coming months.

Belarusian news agency BelTA reported Tuesday that the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus had 'begun a test of the Armed Forces of Belarus in accordance with instructions of the head of state' - echoing Russian rhetoric leading up to the invasion of Ukraine, in which Russia claimed it was carrying out military drills on the border.

Dictator Alexander Lukashenko (pictured with Putin on September 26) announced earlier this week that he would deploy a 'joint military task force' with Moscow - a move Minsk also claims is 'purely defensive'

Russia's defence ministry stated that the decision to send soldiers into Belarus, for the first time since March, was 'dictated by the ongoing activity in the areas bordering us.' Pictured: Russian (right) and Belarus soldiers during joint exercises of the armed forces, February 19

Russian and Belarus tanks during joint exercises of the armed forces on February 24, days before Putin ordered his forces to invade Ukraine on February 24

'The test is comprehensive and covers the most important matters concerning the readiness of army units for carrying out their missions,' the agency reported, noting that units will practice 'switching to combat-ready state' while undertaking marching drills, deployment drills and combat training missions.

The combat readiness test has included the Belarusian army testing its mobilisations procedures and calling-up reservists.

Up to 60 T-72 tanks had been taken out of storage in Belarus and sent to Belgorod in Russia, near the border with Ukraine, according to reports.

A Belarusian NGO, though, played down concerns of a new Russian ground assault on Kyiv originating in Minsk. It said that the Russian soldiers were newly mobilised men sent to bases across Belarus without tanks or armoured personnel vehicles.

'It can be assumed that the decision to deploy a 'regional grouping of troops' is a cover for training mobilised citizens of the Russian Federation in Belarus,' said the Belarusian Hajun Project which monitors military activity.

This latest alliance has sparked fury in Europe, with the European Commission urging Belarus to refrain from any involvement in Russia's 'brutal illegitimate undertaking' that violated the United Nations Charter and international law.

G7 leaders said today that Lukashenko's plan to deploy joint forces with Russia is a new instance of complicity with Moscow, and warned Minsk to 'stop enabling' Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.

'The announcement of a joint military group with Russia constitutes the most recent example of the Belarusian regime's complicity with Russia,' they said in a statement, urging the 'Lukashenko regime to fully abide by its obligations under international law'.

On Saturday, the Russian foreign ministry said it would equip Belarusian Su-25 warplanes with the capability to carry nuclear-capable missiles but that it was not yet arming Minsk, the Belarusian capital, with the missiles. Pictured: A Ukrainian military vehicle in Ukraine

Lukashenko has been a loyal ally of Russia's president - openly supportive of his war in Ukraine.

As well as allowing Russia to invade Ukraine from Belarus at the beginning of the war, he has also allowed the Russian air force to fire missiles at Ukraine from Belarusian air space.

He has, though, gone on record to complain that the war had dragged on for too long and has avoided committing Belarusian forces so far.

The invasion of Ukraine is far less popular in Belarus than Russia. Domestic support for Lukashenko is also fragile.

However, analysts have warned that if Putin ordered Lukansheko to join the war, he would comply.

'Joining the war against Ukraine would generate further outrage against his deeply unpopular government but his most important, and only significant, supporter, Putin, wants him to back this failing invasion,' said Kenneth Roth, the former executive director of New York-based Human Rights Watch.

Speaking on Monday, Lukashenko said Kyiv presents a clear threat to his country.

The remarks from Lukashenko, who has held power in Belarus since 1994, indicate a a combined Russian-Belarus joint force in the north of Ukraine.

Belarus and Russia reportedly began combining some of their military forces shortly after the explosion on the Kerch Bridge (pictured, October 8) joining Russian-occupied Crimea to the Russian mainland, according to Lukashenko

'Strikes on the territory of Belarus are not just being discussed in Ukraine today, but are also being planned,' Lukashenko said at a meeting on security, without providing evidence for the assertion.

'Their owners are pushing them to start a war against Belarus to drag us there.'

'We have been preparing for this for decades. If necessary, we will respond,' Lukashenko said, adding that he had spoken to Putin about the situation while at a meeting in St Petersburg.

Lukashenko said he had agreed with Putin to deploy a regional military group, and had started pulling forces together two days ago, apparently after an attack on Russia's road and rail bridge to Crimea early on Saturday.

He said that a warning was delivered to Belarus through unofficial channels that Ukraine planned 'Crimean Bridge 2', though he did not give details.

'My answer was simple. Tell the president of Ukraine and the other lunatics: if they touch one metre of our territory then the Crimean Bridge will seem to them like a walk in the park.'
Japanese authorities warn of North Korean hackers as Lazarus attacks the country's crypto assets.

The National Police Agency reported that Lazarus has conducted cyber attacks targeting the Japanese crypto economy through phishing, according to The Japan News.

Cryptocurrency Businesses In Japan Are In Danger

The Cybercrime Unit of the Japanese National Police Agency identified that Lazarus group was behind numerous hacking incidents in the country, as per U Today.

In a public advisory with the Financial Services Agency, they have sent a warning to crypto asset businesses, asking for vigilance amidst the attacks.

According to Coin Telegraph, the agencies warn that Lazarus uses social engineering methods to execute these hackings, impersonating executives of companies to exploit employees.

The statement says that the cyberattack group resorts to spreading malicious links or attachments with malwares to gain access to networks, Nippon News reports.

The Japan News reports that internal systems of companies have been hacked, and cryptocurrency were stolen according to reports and investigation established in April this year.

According to Nippon News, they believe that the group commonly uses phishing strategies to acquire crypto funds because they are managed more loosely by companies.

The National Police Agency confirms that there have already been several attacks carried out against Japanese digital asset firms, which can allegedly be attributed to the same hackers.

In the public attribution, the Japanese government has named the main attacker and revealed information to the public as a tool to deter the attacks.

The statement adds that individuals and businesses should not download files from sources other than those who have been verified authentically, especially for crypto assets applications.

Read More: North Korea's Lazarus Hacking Group is Targeting Cryptocurrency, Blockchain Industries Using Crypto Apps

Lazarus Is Notorious For Cyberhacking

U Today reports that North Korean hackers have been attacking Japanese businesses for several years now, and is allegedly used by the government to steal crypto to fund its weapons.

Coin Telegraph writes that the Lazarus group is affiliated with the North Korea Reconnaissance General Bureau, a government-run intelligence group that has been targeting Southeast Asia.

Lazarus has been accused of being behind the $650 million Ronin Bridge exploit in March, and was proved to be the culprit in the $100 million layer-1 blockchain Harmony attack.

This North Korean group is also believed to be involved in the 2017 WannaCry ransomware, and is involved in a 78 billion crypto assets case in the US this year, Japan Times writes.

Furthermore, sources have found that Lazarus is also responsible for the theft of 6.7 billion in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency from the Zaif crypto exchange in 2018.

Additionally, the National Police Agency also suspects that the disappearance of 3.5 billion worth of cryptocurrency from Bitpoint Japan in 2019 can be attributed to Lazarus, Japan Times says.

With this information, the police advise digital assets to install security software and implement multi-factor authentication to strengthen their safety mechanisms.

Related Article: North Korea-Linked Sony Hackers Might Be Behind Cyber Strikes Against Global Banks
Brits have been eating chocolate the wrong way - it should never be stored in the fridge and should be eaten at 11am, food experts have said.

A new study, commissioned by Galaxy, found the UK is a nation of chocoholics, with 34 per cent munching on chocolate daily.

Natalie Alibrandi, a food scientist, has unveiled the most common faux pas people make when enjoying sweet foods.

The most common mistake is when chocolate is stored in the fridge as humidity levels are too high.

A new study, commissioned by Galaxy, found the UK is a nation of chocoholics, with 34 per cent munching on chocolate daily

And a lot of people in the UK are making this common mistake.

A study of 2,000 adults found 78 per cent of people stored chocolate in the fridge.

The best temperature for a chocolatey treat is 18C.

If chocolate is too warm, it will crumble or melt in your hands. If you cannot hear a snap when it breaks, it is probably not at the right temperature, the food scientist told The Telegraph.

Putting chocolate in the fridge can also cause oxidation to occur, causing sugar blooms, where the taste and odour from other foods is transferred into the bar.

M Alibrandi also said 11am time is the best time to eat chocolate. This is because cacao contains both sugar and caffeine meaning it's good food to fuel you until lunch time.

Only one in five adults eat chocolate in the morning, the study found.
Billionaire Elon Musk suggested his rocket company SpaceX may continue to fund its satellite-based Starlink internet service in Ukraine.

But the tone of his tweet on Saturday also raised the possibility he was being sarcastic as he often tweets jokes.

The Tesla boss said the set-up was costing SpaceX 17.8million a month.

He wrote: The hell with it... even though Starlink is still losing money and other companies are getting billions of taxpayer money, well just keep funding Ukraine government for free.

Billionaire Elon Musk (pictured) suggested his rocket company SpaceX may continue to fund its satellite-based Starlink internet service in Ukraine

An official said Mr Musk had asked the US government to fund Starlink in Ukraine, but no decision has yet been made.

The senior US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter not yet made public, said the issue of Starlink funding has been discussed in meetings and that senior leaders are weighing the matter.

Starlink, which provides broadband internet service using more than 2,200 low-orbiting satellites, has provided crucial battlefield communications for Ukrainian military forces since early in the nations defence against Russias February invasion.

Tesla did not respond to requests for comment.
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A terrified North Korean soldier was pictured looking at the floor while leader Kim Jong Un embraced him in his latest propaganda stunt.

The despot was visiting Mangyongdae Revolutionary School in Pyongyang, possibly just days after launching a series of missiles in the direction of Japan, escalating tensions in the region.

Established in 1947, the school is a high-profile institution with access only to the Workers' Party of Korea, Korean People's Army, administrative and high-ranking officials families.

It comes after South Korea scrambled fighter jets this week after Kim Jong Un's warplanes flew towards the border and launched a ballistic missile into the ocean.

The leader was pictured grinning as he put his arm round the soldier, and cupped his face with his other hand.

The soldier looks at the ground, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden embrace from one of the world's most infamous dictators.

It was just one of a large number of photos released on Monday, although the exact timing of the leader's visit to the school, which trains North Korean soldiers, is unknown.

He was accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol Ju, during his trip and was seen posing with various pupils and staff.

In one picture a soldier was pictured looking deeply uncomfortable as he was embraced by the North Korean supreme leader

The despot was also seen showing one soldier how to shoot during training exercises at the Mangyongdae Revolutionary School

He met young children at the school over a mealtime,, and appeared to examine their military-style uniform as he spoke to them

Jong Un was seen examining military equipment such as this automatic weapon during his visit to the elite school

Kim Jong Un smiles at something during his visit, on which he was accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol Ju

Other images showed the leader, who was dressed in a pin-striped suit and black hat, teaching soldiers to shoot guns accurately and examining military equipment.

He was also seen meeting with leaders at the school and attending a meal in the canteen, before watching a demonstration by some of the students.

In another uncomfortable photo, he was seen gripping the legs of students possessively as he posed amidst 15 of the cohort.

The latest propaganda appears to be a show of strength from Jong Un following a raft of military drills and missile tests in previous months, which are concerning neighbouring countries including South Korea and Japan.

Around 10 North Korean military aircraft were seen flying near the de-facto border this week, in what it says is a response to 'provocative action' by its southern neighbour.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff says planes were seen flying as close as 12km north of the boundary between the two countries late on Thursday and early on Friday.

In response F-35 jets and other warplanes were scrambled by the South, while there were no reports of clashes in the air.

Shortly afterwards a short-range ballistic missile was fired by Kim's troops towards its eastern waters, the latest in a series of launches that have seen tensions rise in the peninsula.

The JCS said the missile lifted off from the North's capital region at 1.49am and that it had boosted its surveillance posture and maintains military readiness in close coordination with the United States.

It comes a day after the authoritarian country launched two long-range cruise missiles over the Yellow Sea, with Kim saying his nation is 'at full preparedness for actual war'.

During the trip, the dictator watched a demonstration by students in the gym, where they appeared to be practising martial arts

At one point the leader posed for a photograph with 15 students at the school, during which he possesively placed his hands on the legs of those sat either side of him

As well as speaking to students during their mealtime, he also seemed to be commenting on the school to staff, who are seen taking notes

Kim Jong Un observed students while they were at shooting practice, protected by a glass wall, as he chatted with school bosses

The leader is almost completely isolated on the world stage, but this does not stop him from reminding the west of the country's military power

He was also pictured watching students practice swimming and diving alongside his wife and senior officials

Kim Jong Un cups another student's face in a move echoed during his awkward embrace with one terrified young man

School leaders were seen making notes throughout the visit by their supreme leader, who seemed to be issuing orders and comments on students' performance

It was the second time in a week that the South has scrambled jets, after Kim sent 12 warplanes close to the border for bombing drills on October 6.

A total of 30 fighter jets were scrambled by South Korea after eight North Korean fighter jets and four bombers flew in chilling formation towards the boundary between the two countries.

They are thought to have carried out air-to-surface firing exercises, with Yonhap media saying they were flown in 'apparent protest' to recent bombing drills between the US and South Korea.

The North Korean military said it undertook the latest foray and missile test in response to 'provocative action' by Seoul near their common border.

North Korea is all but isolated on the global stage, but continues to intimidate its neighbours and claim to the world that the nation is ready for nuclear war. It is unknown exactly how far the nation has got in its ambition to build its own nuclear weapons.

A North Korean army spokesman said the South Korean army on Thursday had conducted 'artillery fire for about 10 hours near the forward defence area of the KPA Fifth Corps,' according to a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency.

The Korean People's Army 'took strong military countermeasures' in response to the 'provocative action,' the statement said.

The KPA 'sends a stern warning to the South Korean military inciting military tension in the frontline area with reckless action,' the agency's report said.

Meanwhile, the JCS said the South Korean air force 'conducted an emergency sortie with its superior air force, including the F-35A, and maintained a response posture, while carrying out a proportional response manoeuvre corresponding to the flight of a North Korean military aircraft'.

A spokesman for South Korea's military said he had no information regarding the South Korean artillery fire reported by the North.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said it was aware of the latest missile launch and had assessed that 'it does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies.'

'We will continue consulting closely with our allies and partners to monitor the DPRK's destabilising ballistic missile launches,' it said, referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name.

Japanese defence minister Yasukazu Hamada said the missile flew on an 'irregular' trajectory - a possible reference to describe the North's highly manoeuvrable KN-23 weapon modelled on Russia's Iskander missile.

'Whatever the intentions are, North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches are absolutely impermissible and we cannot overlook its substantial advancement of missile technology,' Mr Hamada said.

'North Korea's series of actions pose threats to Japan, as well as the region and the international community, and are absolutely intolerable.'

It comes a day after the North tested yet more missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads in the Yellow Sea.

The missiles flew 1,240 miles before moving in oval and figure eight patterns for almost three hours in a display of their apparent manoeuvrability before hitting targets, the Korean Central News Agency said.

Kim personally oversaw the tests as images showed him applauding inside a tunnel with his cronies, a cigarette in his right hand.

He 'highly appreciated' the test, state media said afterwards, which showed North Korea's nuclear forces are at 'full preparedness for actual war' and sent a 'clear warning to the enemies.'

Kim appears to be capitalising on the Ukraine war - which has tied up the UN and its sanctioning body - to carry out tests of weapons that would typically have drawn retaliatory measures.

Though North Korea is not technically forbidden from testing cruise missiles, it has also tested a flurry of ballistic rockets in recent weeks which are forbidden.

Kim is also thought to be gearing up for a banned nuclear test at its underground testing site, which would be its first in five years.

North Korea on Wednesday tested two long-range cruise missiles (left) which Kim Jong Un said demonstrated that his nuclear forces are at 'full preparedness for actual war'

Kim is pictured overseeing the cruise missile test alongside his top officials, applauding with what appears to be a cigarette in his right hand as the weapons hit their targets

Kim said North Korea will 'focus all efforts on the endless and accelerating development of the national nuclear combat armed forces,' KCNA reported Thursday.

Kim made acquiring tactical nukes - smaller, shorter-range weapons designed for battlefield use - a top priority at a key party congress in January 2021.

'The latest test means the North is operating tactical nuclear capability on cruise missiles, which are harder to detect for their low-altitude flight,' Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification told AFP.

'It is a testament to Pyongyang's capability to mount nuclear warheads,' he said, adding that cruise missiles can also have irregular flight paths making them harder to intercept.

Many experts believe Kim's goal is to eventually win US recognition as a legitimate nuclear state and the lifting of said sanctions, though the international community to date has shown no sign of allowing that to happen.
The user said they preferred living in Asia, where food is cheaper and better

They claimed eating out and going for drinks is overpriced and not worth it

Reddit user posted a huge list of the reasons that they dislike living in Australia

A long-term expat has sparked a debate by sharing a long list of reasons on why they dislike living in Australia.

The expat said they had spent years living in multiple countries but had 'always struggled to enjoy living in Australia'.

In a Reddit post, they said it was difficult to meet with friends and also criticised house prices, as well as the cost of eating out or getting a drink.

In comparison, they praised Asia and said it was affordable, while eating out was both high quality and cheap.

Taking to the social media site, the user said they had spent years living in multiple countries but had 'always struggled to enjoy living in Australia', citing the high cost of eating out

They said it was difficult to meet with friends and also criticised house prices, as well as the cost of eating out or getting a drink

The comments triggered an avalanche of responses with many agreeing that Australia is not all it's cracked up to be.

Others, however, were more supportive of the country.

The user wrote in their post: 'Ive lived in multiple other countries over the years (mainly in Asia) and always struggled to enjoy living in Australia. Im curious to hear others experience and whether or not you have lived overseas.

'Living in Asia, eating out is common, affordable and high quality, getting drinks at a local bar is easy, you can walk to where you want to go, quality apartments, access to events and maintained parks, friends nearby and always felt safe.

They said eating out in Asia is common, affordable and high quality. Pictured is a woman at a cafe

'Compared to Australia we either live in the suburban sprawl near nothing where doing any simple activity becomes a multiple hour planned event OR live in a poorly designed and constructed apartment that costs almost just as much as a three bedroom house.

'Basic activities like eating out or getting a drink with a friend, instead of being a regular occurrence, are luxuries we are lucky to do once a week or a couple times a month and are a logistical nightmare. And the quality rarely matches the price.

'In Australia, we have access to good jobs and high incomes, but it feels like we traded everything else that makes life enjoyable for it.

'We live in golden handcuffs in suburbia spending most of our time in our houses looking forward to the next time we can afford to do something outside.'

Agreeing with the post, one person said: 'Biggest downside to living in the city in Australia is the lack of night life. Everything closes early in Australia and even on a Sunday afternoon the shopping centres are deserted.'

The user added: 'Basic activities like eating out or getting a drink with a friend instead of being a regular occurrence are luxuries we are lucky to do once a week or a couple times a month and are a logistical nightmare'

Another said: 'Things I hate about living in Australia: lack of urban/metro areas. Sometimes I have dreams to pack up and start a new life in a different corner of the country, but you basically only have like 4 places where that can be done in Australia.

'It feels isolating and lonely. What with all the major capital cities being ~1000km away from each other (taking up a whole day to travel to each by car), but we're also just not next to any countries. the most 'local' foreign territories that Aussies can affordably travel to are New Zealand, Bali and Melanesia.

'I'm jealous that in Europe you can just drive 2 hours in any direction and you're in a totally different country where they speak a different language. i'd love to see Europe/USA some time, but they're on the other side of the planet.'

A third added: 'I live in a high quality apartment surrounded by places to eat and drink and nice parks. But I agree most of Australia isnt like that, I cant stand the suburban sprawl.

'I only use my car a couple of times a week and I could probably stop that if I wanted to. Burbs? Cant do absolutely anything without a car. Work? Car. Groceries? Car. Coffee? Car. Takeaway? Car. Suburban life in Australia is being spread out in an Americanised suburban car based life.'

While another person said: 'Im from Europe and also have found my Australian friendships lacking. Just dont seem to be able to create that deeper connection as I could with the fellow Europeans.'

However, others were quick to defend Australia.

One said: 'Im from India. I live on the Gold Coast and have lived in Melbourne. There are things I miss about India, but its mostly specific people and specific places.

'The quality of life is orders of magnitude better here. Everywhere is so clean. Our taxes actually result in good roads, pristine waters and forests, and healthcare for everyone.

'From where I am, its 5 minutes to the water, 20 minutes to mountains, and across the street to a conservation forest. I see extraordinary animals all the time, literally in my backyard.'

Another said: 'Only been living in AUS for 7 months now but I think you are over-simplifying massively. There is like a lot of other places to live other than the suburban sprawl and apartment complexes in Sydney or Melbourne.

'Eating out and such is expensive but also comes with living in a country that has decent worker rights, minimum wage and quality standards.'

While a third added: 'Im at the beach with the dog in 10 mins and it costs nothing. Weve got free barbecues in parks, trails, surf, you name it. Its an amazing place for doing stuff outside for free.'
A 33-year-old woman has been charged with the murder of a 54-year-old man stabbed to death in Northern Ireland.

Tony Browne was knifed in the Woodside Park area of Poleglass in west Belfast on Friday October 14 and died in hospital.

His alleged attacker is expected to appear before Lisburn Magistrates Court today, the PSNI said.

Undated handout photo issued by PSNI of Tony Browne

Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: 'Police received a report shortly before 10.05pm last night, October 14, that Mr Browne had been stabbed at an address in the Woodside Park area.

'He was taken to hospital, but sadly died from his injuries a short time later.

'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 earlier 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.'
Consumers are being warned the price of fruit and vegetables could be on the rise after flooding across NSW and Victoria's impacted key agricultural areas.

Agriculture minister Murray Watt joined Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday to assess the flood damage around Forbes in central western NSW.

He told a media conference prime agricultural regions had been 'very badly impacted by the repeated floods'.

'It's likely that these floods are going to have a cost of living impact on people because of the impact of prices of fruit and vegetables,' Mr Watt said.

The department of agriculture is trying to work out what financial impact flooding across parts of NSW and Victoria will have on agricultural production.

'I think that we can expect that it is going to be a very large dollar impact ... we don't have precise dollar figures but we're certainly working on it,' Mr Watt said.

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt warned grocery prices could go up after widespread flooding

The federal and state governments are also discussing extra support for impacted farmers.

In Victoria's north, where floodwaters continue to rise, farmers are counting the costs.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano said it was too early to say what the full impact on food availability and prices would be.

'Floodwaters have significantly impacted many parts of the agriculture industry,' she told AAP on Monday.

'There will be significant impact and disruption coming through our supply chain in the coming months.'

Flooding has hit communities across Victoria including Shepparton (pictured) in the north of the state. The regional city is an agricultural hub

Grocery bills are expected to go up again thanks to the floods

Farmers in Victoria had been expecting a bumper winter crop but analysts say they now face volume and quality downgrades due to the excessive rains.

RaboBank issued its Australian winter crop forecast on Monday which found there's been a significant impact on yields on low-lying crops with many underwater in central and northern Victoria.

'While Victoria was on track to break production records until last week, we are going to have to wait for all the forecast rainfall to come through and for waters to recede to see the full impact,' RaboBank's Dennis Voznesenski said.

'The unfavourable conditions mean harvest is likely to be drawn out into January,' he said.

Flooding in parts of both NSW and Victoria has led to washed-out fields and unharvestable crops.

'The biggest impacts in Victoria, are expected in the low line country ... there are literally crops fully underwater,' Mr Voznesenski told AAP.

He said NSW had already felt the brunt of the flooding from excessive rain earlier in the year.

'Winter crops like wheat, barley and canola were already downgraded in NSW and we could see even more cropping land impacted now,' he said.
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been dubbed a 'globalisation mastermind with boundless influence' as he exclusively offers his speaking services on a global networking platform.

On Monday, Worldwide Speakers Group (WWSG) announced Mr Morrison was exclusively joining its agency, made up of mostly conservative voices including former US vice president Mike Pence and former US speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich.

For an undisclosed fee, the ex-PM will be available to speak at functions on a range of topics including religion in Liberal democracies, lessons from Covid and the approach to net-zero.

'Australia's 30th Prime Minister, Scott Morrison is the true definition of a leader with a 360-degree worldview,' Mr Morrison's bio reads.

The former PM came under fire in September after he told a journalist he didn't 'engage in day-to-day politics' when he was questioned about appointing himself to a number of cabinet positions.

Former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has signed on with an international speaker platform - with the company describing ScoMo as a 'globalisation mastermind'

In its announcement on Monday, the Worldwide Speakers Group said Mr Morrison 'successfully led his nation through the most difficult and significant challenges Australia had faced since the Great Depression and the Second World War'.

The group paid tribute to his ability to produce 'unique and innovative solutions to unprecedented situations', including his ability in 'controlling natural disasters'.

'Prime Minister Morrison led Australia with his particular brand of calm decisiveness and rationale. A globalisation mastermind, Morrison lends his boundless influence and experience to audiences around the world,' WWSG said.

The group will be 'exclusively' managing all of his speaking appearances going forward, with talks on navigating the Indo-Pacific and the future of globalisation other potential topics.

The Worldwide Speakers Group said Mr Morrison 'successfully led his nation through the most difficult and significant challenges Australia had faced since the Great Depression and the Second World War' (pictured with wife Jenny)

The group in particular paid tribute to Mr Morrison's approach to China, with WWSG principal Dan Sims lauding his calmness in the face of Beijing's 'aggression'.

'Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been a respected leader in Australia, throughout the APAC region and around the world,' Mr Sims said.

'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.'

Other speakers on the platform include Donald Trump's former chief of staff John Kelly, former US Federal Drug Administration Commissioner Dr Scott Gottlieb and photographer Annie Leibovitz.

The group particularly paid tribute to Mr Morrison's approach to China, with principal Dan Sims lauding his calmness in the face of Beijing's 'aggression'

In his first interview since losing the prime ministership, Mr Morrison said his wife Jenny and their daughters Abbey and Lilly had to make 'sacrifices' during the turbulent time but added he has no regrets about the decisions he made while leading the country.

'That's the cost and it's a big cost and painful cost for them and for those who are politicians,' Mr Morrison told Sky News host Paul Murray in an interview last month.

'But as (former PM) Tony Abbott used to say "we're volunteers and they're conscripts" and that's probably one of the truest things Tony's ever said, very wise,' he added.

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison with wife Jenny and daughter Abby and Lilly as he conceded the election earlier this year (pictured)

He said while he had to spend a lot of time away from them, his family have always supported his political career.

'My daughters have lived their entire lives with me in parliament, and most of it with me as a minister,' Mr Morrison said.

The member for Cook's first term as PM after being elected in 2018 was defined by the Black Summer bushfire crisis in 2019-20 and later the Covid pandemic, which began in March, 2020.
Ms Higgins alleges Bruce Lehrmann raped her in 2019. He pleaded not guilty

'I definitely remember her being worried this would define her,' he told the court

She asked him to let her know if any rumours started to circulate about her

Samuel O'Connor recalled she said it was a 'super f***ed up thing that happened'

Brittany Higgins told a Liberal MP during a phone call that she was worried her rape allegations would 'define her', a court has heard.

Bruce Lehrmann is accused of sexually assaulting the former Liberal staffer after a drunken night out ended in former defence minister Linda Reynolds' parliamentary office in March 2019.

Mr Lehrmann, who worked with Ms Higgins at the time, pleaded not guilty and is being tried in the ACT Supreme Court.

On Monday, the court heard Ms Higgins was a volunteer in state Liberal MP Samuel O'Connor's Gold Coast office in 2018, before she moved to Canberra to work in Parliament House.

Mr O'Connor, who is the member for Bonney on the Gold Coast, said Ms Higgins alluded to the alleged incident in text messages, but he ultimately found out during a phone call in April 2019.

At one stage, he told the court Ms Higgins described the alleged incident as a 'super f***ed up thing that happened'.

Samuel O'Connor (pictured with Brittany Higgins) had a phone call with Ms Higgins in April 2019 where she told him about her rape allegations

Samuel O'Connor said Ms Higgins described her rape allegation as a 'super f***ed up thing that happened' (Brittany Higgins is pictured outside court)

During the phone call, Mr O'Connor told the court that Ms Higgins said she had been out drinking with other staffers.

'At the end of the night she got a lift home with another staffer from the office ... She told me it was Bruce,' he said.

Mr O'Connor recalled Ms Higgins was 'hazy on the details', but was 'upset' as she alleged to him that she was 'raped in the minister's office'.

'I definitely remember her being worried this would define her,' he said.

'That she would be remembered for that and not being good at her job.'

He told the court Ms Higgins wanted him to let her know if rumours about her started to circulate.

'She was asking me to let her know if I had heard anything about her,' he said.

Mr O'Connor told the court he knew Ms Higgins because they lived a street away from each other on the Gold Coast, before she started volunteering in his office.

Brittany Higgins is pictured at a racing event - centre, in white. Samuel O'Connor is on the far left

He told the court that Ms Higgins was 'excited' before she moved to Canberra to work in Liberal frontbencher Steven Ciobo's office in late 2018.

'This was her dream,' he said. 'This was what what she loved doing.'

'She got very into the whole Canberra thing - the intense place that it is down there. She was very positive.'

Earlier on Monday, the court heard Ms Higgins was 'embarrassed' that a story could come out about her sneaking into Parliament with Lehrmann, more than a year before she went public accusing him of raping her that evening.

Senator Michaelia Cash, the former staffer's ex-boss, told the court that fellow minister Linda Reynolds' office had received a media inquiry about Ms Higgins in October 2019.

Ms Higgins had worked for both politicians that year - first for defence industry minister Ms Reynolds as an assistant media adviser, until moving to Ms Cash's office that same year.

Ms Cash told the court that Ms Higgins was concerned the issue of the security breach, in March 2019, would be made public because the media enquiry was from a journalist from the Canberra Times.

Bruce Lehrmann (pictured leaving court) has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent

'She was embarrassed because it was in relation to herself and a security issue,' Ms Cash said.

'She and another staff member returned to the office after drinking ... They were potentially intoxicated.

'Ms Higgins fell asleep on the couch and I believe security found her the next day.'

Ms Cash's chief of staff, Daniel Try, told the court he was notified by Ms Reynolds' office that there had been a media enquiry about Ms Higgins, and that they would send someone around to talk to her.

Mr Try told the court the former defence minister did not go into detail, but she did say 'it was not Brittany's fault'.

He brought Ms Higgins into a board room and someone from Ms Reynolds' office came to speak with Ms Higgins.

Mr Try left the meeting room during that meeting, but noted Ms Higgins was upset when he returned.

Mr Try then brought Ms Higgins into a meeting with Ms Cash. Ms Higgins didn't go into detail, but she said it was about a security issue that was dealt with at the time.

'Brittany was quite upset and I didn't think it was appropriate to press her for details,' Mr try said.

The trial continues.
Kayla Shanee McNeal, 31, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder of Vaneesa Wade

Oklahoma authorities have charged a mother over the fatal stabbing of her neighbor after their daughters were involved in a fight.

Vaneesa Wade, 29, was found by police in critical condition having allegedly been knifed by Kayla Shanee McNeal, 31.

Wade was taken to hospital but died a short time later.

Deputies with the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office responded to Wade's home in Spencer, northeast of Oklahoma City on Thursday over reports of a stabbing.

Investigators believe McNeal's 10-year-old daughter had been involved in a fight with Wade's 17-year-old daughter, who is actually her niece.

McNeal is said to have intervened and ensured that both girls returned to their homes, but Wade's daughter then called for help and got her mother to return home.

Wade went across the street to check her mail when a fight broke out between the two mothers, at which point she was stabbed, Fox 6 reports.

Wade attempted to make it back inside her home but collapsed on the driveway.

McNeal was immediately arrested and charged with first-degree murder with more charges pending, authorities said.

Vaneesa Wade, 29, was found by police in critical condition and later died from stab wounds

Wade was summoned home by her 17-year-old daughter. She was stabbed by a neighbor as she went to check her mail box

McNeal is now refusing to cooperate with the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office.

Wade's mother, Delores Wade us still in shock at the death of her daughter.

'She should be burying me one day, not me burying my baby. It shouldn't be like that,' she told News9.

'I got a phone call my 12-year-old grandson called he and said my momma is dead,' Wade said. 'It's going to be a constant reminder every time he comes in and out the house. He's going to see where his mother fell.

'She was so outgoing, outspoken,' Wade said. 'She was just a beautiful person, inside and out, and I'm truly going to miss my baby.'

Vaneesa Wade collapsed in the driveway of her home having been stabbed by a neighbor

An eyewitness who also lives in the street claims to have seen the fight unfold.

'She [Vaneesa] didn't look like she wanted to fight. She just wanted to go in the house, came out the house to check her mailbox,' Dejeanna Smiley said. 'The lady [McNeal] had come out and just punched her.'

Vaneesa Wade tried to make it back across the street but collapsed in her driveway.

'We walked down there, and the little boy was screaming 'They killed my mama. She killed my mama,'' Smiley said.
Dr Anthony Fauci has smirked as he recounted how the pandemic turned him into an international celebrity in a recent interview.

Speaking on ABC's 'This Week,' the White House COVID tsar, 81, looked pleased with himself recalling how he hasn't had to introduce himself since his first appearance at a White House COVID-19 briefing in February, 2020.

The interview also revealed that Fauci has a pillow bearing his own face and a quote credited to himself - 'It is what it is.' - on an arm chair in his living room.

ABC didn't share a glimpse of said cushion - but it is available to purchase online for $40. Fauci wasn't asked if he'd bought the pillow himself, or it if was a gift.

The interview comes as Fauci's 54 years at the National Institutes of Health are due to come to a close at the end of this year, when he steps down from his position as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Anthony Fauci smirked recounting how the pandemic turned him into an international celebrity in a recent interview with ABC

The interview revealed that Fauci has a pillow bearing his own face and a quote credited to himself on an arm chair in his living room, similar to the one pictured

Fauci sat down in his living room with ABC's Jonathan Karl, who recalled Fauci's first time stepping to the podium during a COVID briefing.

'I vividly remember your very first appearance in the White House briefing room in one of the COVID briefings, where a reporter shouted out, interrupted you, and asked you to say your name,' Karl said. 'I suspect that may have been the last time your were asked to identify yourself.'

'Yeah, I think so, in fact a lot has happened since then that's been an amazing journey that all of us have been through, and still are in actually,' Fauci responded, with a simpering smile.

Karl asked Fauci what it was like to become an icon.

'You became an icon. It was kind of wild to see,' Karl said. 'There were Fauci bobbleheads. People had Fauci shirts that said 'In Fauci We Trust.' You became somebody the whole country was turning to. What was that like?'

'I was pretty well known among my peers in science, but certainly not to the extent it is now,' Fauci said. 'You know, I actually think both extremes, Jon, are aberrations of a reflection of the divisiveness in our country.'

Speaking on 'This Week' the 81-year-old Fauci recalled how he hasn't had to introduce himself since his first White House COVID briefing appearance

Fauci is retiring at the end of this year after 54 years at the National Institutes of Health

Fauci went on to explain that even though many in the United States did not agree with, he still considered the entire country to be his 'patient.'

'I look upon the country, in many respects, as my patient,' he said. 'And when you - if you're a really good physician, you are concerned and worry about every element of your patient.'

'Including how your patient is going to react to something you said?' Karl said.

'Exactly,' Fauci said. 'Exactly. And even if the patient is somebody who's not the most attractive person in the world in the sense of personality, you still got to treat them the way you would treat anybody else. We learned that in medical school.'

Fauci speaks at a White House COVID-19 briefing on February 29, 2020, one of his first appearances during the pandemic

Fauci holds his head as he stands behind President Trump at a COVID-19 briefing in March, 2020

During the interview Fauci also doubled down on his mask mandate recommendations, saying he wished he could take back comments he made early in the pandemic that masks were not necessary.

'Would you take back what you said about masks?' Karl later asked.

'Yeah,' Fauci said. 'I mean, sure, if I had to do it over again. Of course. Again, if I tell you why we did it, it would be interpreted as making an excuse, and I don't want to go there because that creates nothing but backlash. If I had to do it over again, I would have analyzed it a little bit better.'

Fauci agreed that school closures were a bad idea, but insisted they had nothing to do with him. Individual states were able to dictate how schools should reopen.

The veteran health expert did concede that he was wrong to flip-flop on masks, having told Americans at the start of the crisis they weren't necessary.

Fauci later became a firm advocate of face-coverings, and claimed he'd only advised against them initially to preserve stocks for doctors when they were in short supply.

He became an unpopular figure among many conservatives as frustration mounted over COVID, with the expert even forced to hire security after receiving death threats.

And retirement won't necessarily protect him from continued Republican fury, with Republican lawmakers vowing to investigate Fauci should they retake congress in the midterms this November.

Asked how he hope to be remembered, Fauci said he wanted to remembered as somebody who gave it his all.

'I want to be remembered as someone who gave everything they had for the public health of the American public and indirectly for the rest of the world, because we're such a leader in science and public health,' he said. 'I mean, I just want people to know that I gave it everything I had and didn't leave anything on the field. I was all there.'
At the World Health Summit in Berlin, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged a $1.2 billion donation to help eradicate polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the two remaining countries where the virus is endemic, as per Forbes.

Moreover, the donation should also help prevent the emergence of new strains of polio. This was after the first vaccine-derived polio case is reported in New York in almost a decade.

Gates Urges Donors to Support Eradication Strategy

The foundation made the announcement of its donation ahead of a key pledging moment that will be co-hosted by Germany and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

The money will proceed to GPEI, a partnership that includes the Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to ABC News, the fund donated by the foundation will be utilize to help implement the GPEI's Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026.

"Polio eradication is within reach. But as far as we have come, the disease remains a threat. Working together, the world can end this disease," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gates also expressed his gratitude to Germany for co-hosting World Health Summit. Likewise, he thanked the country for its longstanding support for polio eradication.

"I urge other donors to support the eradication strategy to ensure no one is paralyzed by polio again," Gates added.

GPEI is aiming to raise $4.8 billion for its Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026 program.

A GPEI pledging moment will be held at the World Health Summit, which will be co-hosted by Germany.

In the pledging moment, global partners, donors and country leaders are expected to make their commitments toward the GPEI Strategy 2022-2026.

Read Also: Bill Gates Foundation Funded A $140-M Project In HIV Prevention Implants

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is Dedicated to Achieve a Polio-Free Future

According to Melinda French-Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the fight against polio has not only protected children against polio. More than protecting the children from the virus, it has a central role in strengthening health systems.

If the $4.8 billion target will be reached, GPEI is expected to bring polio vaccine and other essential health services to 370 million children each year.

"The last steps to eradication are by far the toughest. But our foundation remains dedicated to a polio-free future, and we're optimistic that we will see it soon," said Mark Suzman, CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Since 1988, GPEI has done greatly to prevent an estimated 20 million cases of polio paralysis. Likewise, the organization has helped reduce polio cases globally by more than 99%.

GPEI was able to attain all of these by working closely with governments worldwide.

However, despite of these milestones in combating the disease, interruptions in routine immunization, vaccine misinformation, political unrest, and the tragic floods in Pakistan in 2022 have led to the failure to completely eradicate polio.

Polio is a highly infectious disease that used to paralyze and kill thousands of children annually. It spread mainly through contamination by fecal matter.

Until today, there is no known cure for the disease but children are likely to get nearly 100% immunity with three injections of the vaccine.

Related Article: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Will Run For 25 More Years
A Network Ten executive is suing the company for more $330,000 - while she remains employed there.

Angela Neville remains Ten's general manager and sales director in Brisbane and southeast Queensland despite lodging a court action against her employer saying she is owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in entitlements.

In the documents, filed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Ms Neville said she was contractually owed the money under Ten's short-term incentive plan.

And, while her workmates have been getting the money, she has not.

Angela Neville has taken her employer, the Ten Network, to court claiming they owe her $330,000 in incentive payments

In court documents, obtained by The Australian, Ms Neville said her contract from February 9, 2018 set out that she would 'continue to participate' in Tens short term incentive plan.

Under the plan, Ms Neville received $88,000 in February 2019, but has had no payments since, while colleagues have received three more payments.

In September 2018, Ms Neville's job description changed from general manager TVQ Brisbane to sales director and general manager Brisbane, which meant she she had an expanded role but still no incentive payments, according to her claim.

Ms Neville's documents contained a letter from then-Ten chief operating officer Annabelle Herd who wrote that the incentive payments would continue in the new role.

Network Ten's human resources claimed that Ms Neville was not using a sign-off version of the incentive payments scheme

However, when Ms Neville raised the matter with Ten's human resources vice president Anthony McDonald in September 2021, she was told there were no short term incentive guidelines that had been signed off.

Mr McDonald is reported to have said the 2019 guideline Ms Neville was referring to was a draft that did not get signed off.

Ms Neville claims that her executive colleagues were collecting incentive payments while she wasn't

Ms Neville claims she is owed $88,000, $110,000 and $132,000 by the network and is also seeking legal costs.

Network Ten declined to comment.

While the amounts may seem a lot to ordinary wage earners they pale next to the astronomical sums Ten lavishes on its stars.

It was revealed that Ten lavishes money on its on-air talent such as Carrie Bickmore, who takes home big bickies for hosting The Project

It was recently revealed Carrie Bickmore would be walking away from a whopping $1.1million she rakes in for the three days hosting work she does on The Project.

This reportedly means she outstrips David 'Kochie' Koch, who is paid about $800,000 a year to host Channel Seven's Sunrise four days a week, as well as his full-time co-anchor Natalie Barr.

Bickmore also makes more per year than Tracy Grimshaw, the long-serving host of Channel Nine's A Current Affair, sources told The Australian.
Smoke from the man-made fire could be seen from Portland, Oregon

Washington officials have issued a mobilization order for all fire departments to get involved and fight the blaze

A fast-moving man-made wildfire in Washington state has put 40,000 homes in an evacuation zone Sunday night, as the blaze grew to 400 acres.

Unseasonably warm and dry temperatures led the Nakia Creek Fire in southeast Washington to break containment lines late Sunday, the Clark County Regional Emergency Services Agency reported.

The blaze, which is now officially out-of-control, has triggered a compulsory evacuation zone that includes 1,000 more homes near Camas and Washougal, sending Clark County Sheriff's deputies to each home to make sure residents were evacuating on Sunday.

The entire evacuation zone now covers between 35,000 to 40,000 homes as the fire continues to move southwest, USA Today reports.

Others have not yet been compelled to evacuate - but may soon have to do so if the blaze continues to spread.

Shelters were set up quickly by the Red Cross at the Camas Church of the Nazarene. It is equipped for overnight stays and is allowing pets, but the Red Cross wants people to bring their own kennel and pet supplies.

Schools have also been canceled in the area on Monday.

Smoke from the large blaze, which erupted October 9 and was ruled to be man-made, could be seen in nearby Portland, Oregon as it billowed through the sky as firefighters desperately try to fight it off.

Smoke from the Nakia Creek Fire, which erupted October 9 and was ruled to be man-made, could be seen in nearby Portland, Oregon as it billowed through the sky

The Clark County Regional Emergency Services Agency expanded the evacuation zone to include 1,000 more homes near Camas and Washougal

Washington state officials have now issued a mobilization order that opened all firefighting agencies to provide resources against the blaze  which was only 20 percent contained Sunday afternoon.

Authorities say the blaze has been hard to battle because it is spreading on extremely steep ground as nearly 100 personnel, supported by water-dropping helicopters try to fight it off.

They announced on Saturday they were making 'good progress,' though an Air Quality Advisory remains in effect until 5pm Monday.

The fire comes as the western United States continues to face a drought amid unseasonably high temperatures.

Firefighters are pictured in southwest Washington trying to fight the blaze after it spread to cover 400 acres of hilly land

The evacuation zone now covers between 35,000 to 40,000 homes as the fire continues to move southwest

Washington state officials have also issued a mobilization order that opened all firefighting agencies to provide resources against the blaze

In nearby Vancouver, Washington, temperatures hit 86 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, breaking its previous high temperature record from 1958 by four degrees.

Portland, Oregon reported the same temperature on Sunday, surpassing the daily high of 80 in 2020.

Those temperatures are expected to cool on Monday, but warm again midweek.

Meanwhile, windy conditions have helped spread the fire in recent days.

'The fire's really dynamic. It's smoky and its spreading mainly to the southwest,' Sharon Steriti of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources told USA Today.

'Hopefully we'll have a better idea tomorrow as the weather changes, but winds are predicted to be erratic.'
Ms Dembele led calls for Australia to demand better from its institutions

A survivor advocate has broken down as she delivered an emotional speech during the launch of an 'ambitious' new 10-year plan aiming to end violence against women and children within one generation.

Survivor advocate Lula Dembele delivered an impassioned speech at the event on Monday with tears running down her face as she called on Australia to do better.

'It is time to stop people and institutions using violence,' she said.

'This is an opportunity to change our nation. Change is possible.'

The decade-long plan, labelled the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, was unveiled by the federal government on Monday at Monash University in Melbourne.

It's the second national plan aimed at ending domestic violence after then-prime minister Julia Gillard released the first one in 2010.

The updated plan aims to engage with men and boys and create respectful relationships at all ages, while it will also target sexual violence in all settings.

Ms Dembele is a passionate advocate for survivors of child sex abuse, having survived sexual assault and rape when she was aged just three and four.

A survivor advocate broke down delivering an emotional speech during the launch of an 'ambitious' new 10-year plan aiming to end violence against women and children

Survivor advocate Lula Dembele delivered an impassioned speech at the event on Monday, with tears running down her face as she called on Australia to do better

Ms Dembele shared a statement on social media in November, detailing the abuse she suffered at the hands of a man her mother was dating after her parents separated.

Her mum stepped in immediately after taking her daughter to a doctor and realising she'd been raped.

'I remember being taken to the kids' hospital for an examination. I remember sitting in the waiting area with my mum, feeling nervous,' she wrote.

'I remember feeling like I wanted to protect my mum from their judgement. My mother was fighting against so many barriers, internal and external, trying to act in my best interest and still she was judged.'

Women's Safety Minister Amanda Rishworth said the national plan could be broken down into four key planks - prevention, early intervention, response and healing and recovery.

'We know if we don't focus on these areas equally, then we won't see an end to violence against women and children,' she told reporters.

'Holding those that choose to use violence against women and children to account is critically important ... it shouldn't be left to the victim-survivors to explain or feel shame when it comes to violence against women and children.'

Ms Rishworth said there needed to be a change in conversations surrounding domestic and family violence.

'How often do you hear, for example, people say "why didn't she leave?' I mean, the more important question is, "why does he choose to use violence against her?'" she said.

'We do need to promote more respectful relationships. We do need to actually increase gender equality. All of these things play a role in actually addressing violence against women and children.'

The decade-long plan, labelled the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, was unveiled by the federal government on Monday at Monash University (pictured: march against domestiv violence in 2015)

'It is time to stop people and institutions using violence,' Ms Debele said. 'This is an opportunity to change our nation. Change is possible'

Statistics show one woman dies at the hands of her former or current partner in Australia every 10 days.

One in three women has experienced physical violence and one in five has suffered sexual violence.

The national plan will also focus on how gender inequality drives violence against women.

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomed the plan and called for all levels of government to commit the necessary funds.

'It's encouraging all Australian governments have backed the plan and its ambitious target to end gender-based violence within a generation,' National Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins said.

'For this to succeed, all governments will need to make significant investments in prevention and recovery strategies.'

The national plan will also focus on how gender inequality drives violence against women (pictured: International Women's March in Sydney, 2020)

NT minister for prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence Kate Worden said the plan's focus on protecting Indigenous women was vital.

'In the Northern Territory, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 18 times more likely to be the victims of domestic and sexual violence,' she told reporters.

'They are also 40 times more likely to end up in hospital as a result of that violence ... we really welcome that new focus.'

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Swarms of kamikaze drones made by Iran and launched by Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital this morning, blowing up people's homes as they slept and taking out key energy facilities.

At least five explosions rocked Kyiv starting around 3.30am local time as multiple waves of Shahed-136 drones - 28 in total - dodged air defences and slammed into the city, with police and armed forces resorting to firing machine guns into the air in an attempt to bring them down. Officials said 13 were taken out, and all flew from the south.

One of the drones was scrawled with the phrase 'for Belgorod' - a Russian city that acts as a staging ground for attacks on Ukraine which was shelled at the weekend. It was also the scene of a gun attack on a military barracks that saw at least 11 soldiers killed by two conscripts.

One strike appeared to target the city's heating network, hitting an operations center. Another slammed into a four-story residential building, ripping a large hole in it and collapsing at least three apartments on top of each other. Three people were killed there with 19 were rescued from the rubble, four of them wounded. Rescue workers searching for victims scrambled over the debris from which gray smoke billowed.

Airstrikes then hit critical infrastructure in the Dnipro and Sumy regions - in the centre and north of Ukraine - killing 'several' people while leaving hundreds of villages without power, prime minister Denys Shmyhal said. Suicide drones also struck the port city of Mykoliav late Sunday, setting sunflower oil storage tanks alight.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drones strikes were aimed at 'terrorising the civilian population' but vowed: 'The enemy can attack our cities but it won't be able to break us.'

It comes a week after a huge barrage of Russian missiles and Iranian-made kamikaze drones targeted virtually every major Ukrainian city, destroying infrastructure and killing civilians after a blast on the Crimean Bridge.

Astonishing images capture the moment a suicide drones dives towards the streets of Kyiv (left) and the moment people run for shelter after it explodes (right)

A ball of smoke and flames rises over the streets of Kyiv as the city is bombarded by a swarm of Iranian-made kamikaze drones early on Monday, hitting residential areas and energy infrastructure

A police official holds a fragment of a drone with a handwritten inscription reading 'For Belgorod. For Luch' after the attack on Kyiv this morning

Smoke billows from the ruins of a building in Kyiv destroyed by a suicide drone after the city was attacked early on Monday, as Russian forces continue to target the Ukrainian capital

Firefighters extinguish a blaze started by an Iranian-made suicide drone which hit Kyiv on Monday, as Russian forces change tactics to bring death back to the streets of the capital after weeks of calm

Ukrainian firefighters works on a destroyed building after a drone attack in Kyiv which hit multiple residential buildings

A police officer fires his rifle into the air as he tries to take down a suicide drone attacking Kyiv early on Monday as Russia keeps up its attack on Ukraine's vital infrastructure

An Iranian-made suicide drone, launched by Russia, is seen flying above Kyiv after dozens of the craft were sent to swarm the capital - blowing up civilian buildings and power infrastructure

A security officer uses his rifle to try and take down a suicide drone attacking the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early on Monday

Medics help an injured woman following drone strikes on buildings in Kyiv after being launched by Russian troops

A woman carries her young child out of a Kyiv bomb shelter on Monday morning after the city was attacked by suicide drones launched by Russia

Ukrainian soldiers and firefighters pick their way through the ruins of residential buildings and energy infrastructure targeted by the Russian airstrikes

Damage is seen on the streets of Kyiv after the central Shevchenkivskiy district was hit by Iranian-made suicide drones

Firefighters work in the smouldering ruins of an apartment block in Kyiv that was hit by a suicide drone early Monday

A cat pulled from the rubble of an apartment building that was hit by a suicide drone is handed to medics after being rescued

A Ukrainian soldier looks to the sky after Iranian suicide drones bombarded the Ukrainian capital on Monday

Russia has continued striking cities and infrastructure since then - albeit at a lower intensity - having apparently changed tactics in the war after a humiliating series of defeats on the battlefield.

The strikes also came as Nato this week begins nuclear weapons drills that will take place in northern Europe.

Nato is set to start military drills, practising the use of Europe's nuclear bombs, today after Russian president Vladimir Putin warned a direct clash between the alliance and Russia would spark 'global catastrophe'.

Its annual nuclear exercise Steadfast Noon, which does not involve live bombs, will see up to 60 aircrafts take part in flights over Belgium, the North Sea and Britain.

Vitali Klitschko, mayor of Kyiv, said the central Shevchenkivskiy district was targeted by blasts which hit several residential buildings, burying at least 18 people in rubble - two of whom remain trapped. Oksana Kovalenko, a local journalist, said critical energy infrastructure was also hit.

The Iranian-made Shaheds, which Russia has rebranded as Geran-2 drones, pack an explosive charge and can linger over targets before nosediving into them. They can be fired one after the other.

Andrii Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president's office, confirmed in a social media post that Shahed drones were among those used in the strike. Iran has previously denied providing Russia with weapons, although its Revolutionary Guard chief has boasted about providing arms to the world's top powers, without elaborating.

The drones have also been repeatedly used by Russia elsewhere in Ukraine in recent weeks to target urban centers and infrastructure, including power stations. They are comparatively cheap, costing in the region of US$20,000.

Their use in swarms presents a challenge to Ukrainian air defenses, said Ihnat, the Air Force spokesman. Western nations have promised to bolster Ukrainian air defenses with systems that can shoot down drones but much of that weaponry has yet to arrive and, in some cases, may be months away.

"The challenges are serious because the air defense forces and means are the same as they were at the beginning of the war," Ihnat said. Some air defense weaponry supplied by Western nations can only be used during daylight hours when targets are visible, he added.

Social media video showed drones buzzing over the capital and smoke billowing in the early morning light. The sound of sustained gunfire could also be heard in one post, seemingly trying to shoot a drone down.

Explosions were heard from the same central Kyiv district where a missile strike tore a hole in a children's playground a week ago.

Russian forces struck Kyiv with Iranian Shahed drones, wrote Andrii Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president's office, in a post on the Telegram social media site.

Moscow has repeatedly been using the so-called suicide drones in recent weeks to target urban centres and infrastructure, including power stations.

Last week's strikes were the first explosions heard in Kyiv's city centre for several months, and put the capital as well as the rest of the country back on edge as the war nears nine months.

Monday's blasts seemed to continue what many fear could become more common occurrences in urban centres.

Putin said last week's strikes were in retaliation for the bombing of a bridge connecting the Crimean peninsula with the Russian mainland.

Ukrainian rescuers work at the scene of a Russian drone attack in downtown Kyiv early on Monday

Firefighters examine the remains of an apartment block in central Kyiv that was hit by an explosive-laden drone

A handout photo released by the press service of the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine shows rescuers working at the site of a drone strike in Kyiv

The explosions came from the same central Kyiv district where a week ago a missile struck a children's playground and intersection near the Kyiv National Universitys main buildings

Smoke rises and flames fill the windows of a building in downtown Kyiv (right) after the Russian drone attack

Kyiv city mayor Vitali Klitschko said the central Shevchenkivskiy district of the capital had been hit, and urged residents to take shelter. No further details were immediately known

Rescuers work at the scene of a drone explosion in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, after Russian unleashed a wave of strikes

A fire burns in the remains of a building struck by Iranian-made Russian-launched suicide drones on Monday

Smoke billows from a building hit by a drone attack in downtown Kyiv as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues

Ukrainian police officers stand guard in a street after a drone attack in Kyiv

Nuclear plant severed from grid as generators power cooling system Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was disconnected from the national power grid on Monday following Russian shelling, prompting backup diesel generators to kick in, state nuclear energy firm Energoatom said. 'Russian terrorists once again shelled critical infrastructure substations in Ukraine-controlled territory, resulting in the shutdown of the last 750 kV ZNPP-Dniprovska communications line at 03:59,' it said in a statement. Russian forces have occupied the plant in southern Ukraine, Europe's largest, since shortly after invading Ukraine nearly eight months ago but it is operated by Ukrainian staff. Advertisement

Putin blames Ukraine for the blast, which suspended traffic over the bridge and curtailed Moscow's ability to supply its troops in the occupied regions of southern Ukraine.

The strike on Kyiv comes as fighting has intensified in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in recent days, as well as the continued Ukrainian counter-offensive in the south near Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Mr Zelensky said on Sunday night in his evening address that there was heavy fighting around the cities of Bakhmut and Soledar in the Donetsk region.

The Donetsk and Luhansk regions make up the bulk of the industrial east known as the Donbas, and were two of four regions annexed by Russia in September in defiance of international law.

On Sunday, the Russian-backed regime in the Donetsk region said Ukraine had shelled its central administrative building. No casualties were reported.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian kamikaze drones also hit tanks with sunflower oil at one of the terminals in the Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv late on Sunday, the city mayor said on Monday.

One of Ukraine's largest ports, Mykolaiv halted shipments at the start of the Russian invasion, but Ukraine is pushing to open the port to expand shipments of food under a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.

'In Mykolaiv, three drones hit an object of industrial infrastructure, where tanks with sunflower oil were ignited,' Mykolaiv mayor Oleksandr Senkevich.

The attack took place hours before the strikes in Kyiv by suspected Iranian-made drones, increasingly used by Russia to attack deep into Ukrainian territory.

The regional emergencies service published photos of huge tanks with flames and smoke rising over them.

Mykolaiv, near the Russian-occupied Kherson region, has been under constant shelling in recent months. Port terminals have already been hit at least twice - in June and August.

Ukraine is conducting a counter-offensive to push Russian troops out of the city of Kherson to the south-east.

As Putin looks to ramp up his war after eight months of fighting with few significant gains, it was revealed that 9,000 of his troops will deploy to Belarus.

The Kremlin claims the move is part of a defensive operation, but it has sparked fresh fears that Putin is trying to drag Belarus - which has so-far acted as a launch pad for Russian attacks but has not been directly involved in fighting - into the war.

Russia's defence ministry stated the decision to send soldiers into Belarus, for the first time since March, was 'dictated by the ongoing activity in the areas bordering us'.

Belarus borders Ukraine to the north, and if it were to join the war then its troops would almost certainly be directed in a new attack on Kyiv - which sits just 80 miles away across the Chernobyl exclusion zone.

Fuelling fears of an attack on the city, China this week ordered all of its citizens to leave the country while others - such as Serbia - closed their embassies in the capital.

A handout photo released by the press service of the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine shows rescuers working at the site of a drone strike in Kyiv

Firefighters work at the scene of a drone strike in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Monday morning

Police officers check an explosion site after a drone attack in Kyiv, with multiple blasts reported across the city

Police officers check the explosion site after a drone attack in Kyiv, as Russia changes tactics to focus on long-range strikes after a series of defeats on the battlefield

Firefighters clear the streets of Kyiv after the area was struck by kamikaze drones fired by Russian forces

A man is surrounded by dust in Kyiv after a drone strike nearby, as Russia changes tactics in Ukraine to focus on bombarding its major cities

Social media posts showed a blaze in the area of the strike as well as a building engulfed in flames

Smoke rises from a building after a drone attack in Kyiv amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Residents watch as smoke rises after a Russian drone strike on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv

Flames billow from a sunflower oil storage plant in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, on the Black Sea coast, on Sunday night after the facility was hit by suicide drones

Ukraine said Iranian-made and Russian-launched suicide drones hit the sunflower oil storage facility at the port, causing a large fire that emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish
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Eco-zealots who have provoked fury among drivers after they forced police to close the Dartford Bridge by climbing up it have vowed to keep it shut for 'at least 24 hours'.

Traffic has been seen tailing back on the M25 for seven miles this morning after Just Stop Oil activists scaled the girders of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge shortly before rush-hour.

Angry motorists say the road has become a 'car park' after police closed the road as they try to coax down two demonstrators from the bridge which links the M25 across over the River Thames between Essex and Kent.

National Highways is reporting there are queues of two hours, but some motorists say they have been stuck in traffic for as long as three hours.

Do you know the Just Stop Oil protesters? Do you know either or both of the protesters on the Dartford Bridge? Contact martin.robinson@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

In an ominous warning, the Just Stop Oil said this morning that it expects the bridge to remain closed for 'at least 24 hours' while the demonstrators remain in the air.

'Two Just Stop Oil supporters have climbed to the top of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge forcing police to close the bridge to demand that the government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents,' it said.

'At approximately 5 am two climbers ascended the two 84m masts on the North side of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge forcing the police to stop traffic from entering the bridge. It is expected that the bridge will remain shut for at least 24 hours.'

In a video posted from on top of the bridge today, one of the protesters said he was 'not willing to sit back and watch everything I love burn for the rest of my life'.

In the footage an emotional Morgan Trowland, a 39-year-old civil engineer, ranted against 'the current fraudulent, charlatan excuse for a Government', saying it was 'accelerating that process granting more licences for oil and gas'.

'It's an absolute act of treason, it's selling ourselves and our children into an uninhabitable earth and I believe it's my duty to do anything in my power to stop it,' he added.

Essex Police says it is trying to resolve the incident 'as quickly and as safely' as possible, although it is still likely to cause big delays into rush-hour.

It is latest in a series of protests by the environmentalist group, which has launched demonstrations in London over the last few weeks.

Yesterday protesters sprayed orange paint over an Aston Martin garage in the capital, and blocked roads as they continue to demand an end to new oil and gas projects.

In a video from the top of the bridge Morgan Trowland (pictured left) said he was 'not willing to sit back and watch everything I love burn for the rest of my life'. The protesters, from Just Stop Oil, have vowed not to come down until the Government stops issuing new gas and oil licences

There is gridlock on the main and side roads of Essex today after police were forced to close the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge over the Thames

The protesters have said they intend to stay up and keep the bridge closed for at least 24 hours, potentially causing more than a day of traffic chaos

The protest has caused long delays on the roads, with reports of seven miles of queues on the M25 in Kent and five miles on the M25 in Essex

There have been huge delays on the M25 in both directions this morning after police were forced to close the bridge due to the protest. Pictured: Gridlock on the A282 in Essex today

Traffic cameras show miles of queues in Essex and Kent as motorists struggle to get to work on Monday morning as a result of the road closure

The protesters have unfurled a banner with the words 'Just Stop Oil' between two of the masts on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge

Aerial footage shows the protesters hanging high above the road after scaling the 84m masts on the northern side of the bridge

Police have been forced to close the road, which is the only crossing over the Thames to the east of London, as they try to coax the pair down

There are long queues in both directions of the M25 after the bridge was closed today, with traffic being diverted down the Dartford Tunnel in a bid to ease the congestion

Bamboo tensegrity-obsessed eco-zealot from New Zealand, 39, who has ground M25 to a halt Just Stop Oil has named one of the two protesters who have scaled the Dartford Bridge this morning as Morgan Trowland. The 39-year-old, who describes himself as being 'obsessed with bamboo tensegrity and how it WILL change the world' on his Twitter account, is a veteran of climate change protests. Originally from New Zealand, the civil engineer has taken part in several high profile demonstrations in recent years. He was arrested in 2019 while taking part in protests by Extinction Rebellion in London, for which he was convicted of taking part in an unauthorised protest and fined 500 and given a six month conditional discharge. He has also been arrested for protests at London Concrete in Bow and for blocking Broxbourne printworks in Hertfordshire. Morgan Trowland, pictured here outside St Albans Magistrate Court last year, is a veteran of climate protest In a video posted from on top of the bridge today, Mr Trowland said he was protesting because 'I'm not willing to sit back and watch everything I love burn for the rest of my life'. The emotional protester railed against 'the current fraudulent, charlatan excuse for a Government', saying it was 'accelerating that process granting more licences for oil and gas'. 'It's an absolute act of treason, it's selling ourselves and our children into an uninhabitable earth and I believe it's my duty to do anything in my power to stop it,' he added. The bamboo-loving demonstrator - who has built numerous bamboo sculptures and objects for use at protests - says he is certain climate change will cause havoc for future generations. In a Facebook post last year he said: 'Your children are facing annihilation within a decade or two, who knows exactly when? People in other parts of the world are facing it now. 'Inexorably, extreme weather and ecological collapse will alternately scorch, flood and plague our crops leading to food shortages, leading to mob violence, murder and rape as your desperate neighbours turn ugly. 'We are outta time for incremental changes and we need to organise an emergency response an order of magnitude greater than for COVID. for that we need to take over the state as it's the only institution through which this could happen. the mechanism proposed for that is a citizens assembly to set legally binding strategy. 'That may sound impossible but it's equally impossible to sit back and watch the annihilation lap at our door steps.' Advertisement

Just Stop Oil has named the demonstrators Mr Trowland, bridge design engineer from London, and Marcus, a 33-year-old teacher from the capital.

Mr Trowland said: 'As a professional civil engineer, each year as I renew my registration, I commit to acting within our code of ethics, which requires me to safeguard human life and welfare and the environment.

'Our government has enacted suicidal laws to accelerate oil production: killing human life and destroying our environment.

'I can't challenge this madness in my desk job, designing bridges, so I'm taking direct action, occupying the QE2 bridge until the government stops all new oil.'

Marcus added he felt the current political system in the UK was 'betraying the people of this country'

He said: 'Too many people in this country simply don't know the scale and intensity of climate breakdown as the scientists describe it.

'The authorities are criminally failing to get this grim science communicated. During Covid the science was conveyed on a daily basis.

'Why isn't the most existential threat that humanity has ever faced on the news every day?

'Our political system is betraying the people of this country. More fossil fuel licenses means global genocide. Only direct action will now help to reach the social tipping point we so urgently need.'

This morning's protest is causing long delays, with reports of people having to wait an hour in queues of up to three miles long at 6am.

Essex Police said colleagues at National Highways are escorting traffic through the Dartford Tunnel in a bid to alleviate the impact of the road closure.

Traffic is also being impacted by an earlier closure to the Blackwell Tunnel, which was closed northbound this morning after a collision. It has since reopened.

The crossing is currently the only way to cross the River Thames by road east of London, with the A282, which connects both ends with the M25, running over the bridge.

The crossing contains two tunnels and the bridge, with the tunnels taking traffic north from Kent to Essex and the bridge taking vehicles in the other direction. Police have diverted traffic heading south through one of the tunnels in a bid to ease congestion.

Angry motorists have hit out at the protesters, accusing them of turning the M25 into a 'car park' as commuters struggle to get to work on Monday morning.

Others have accused the demonstrators of potentially costing lives by stopping 'hundreds of NHS staff' from getting to work and preventing people from getting to hospital and doctors appointments.

One video posted on social media shows an ambulance with blue lights flashing stuck in the traffic at Chafford Hundred in Essex this morning.

Essex Police says it is trying to resolve the incident 'as quickly and as safely' as possible, although it is still likely to cause big delays into rush-hour.

'The bridge has been closed while we resolve the incident which we will do as quickly and as safely for all involved,' the force said on Monday.

'It does mean that we have had to close the bridge to traffic, but a diversion is going to be put in place through the tunnel.

'This is likely to cause delays throughout this morning and this incident may take some time to resolve due to the complexities of safely getting people down from height.'

The force later said: 'Our colleagues from National Highways South East have now began escorting traffic through the tunnel. It currently believes there are delays of around 60 minutes. We appreciate your patience and understanding.'

It added: 'This is a complex operation due to the height at which the protesters are currently situated and it may take some but we are working as quickly as possible. We want to be clear  our priority is to keep people safe and keep Essex moving.

'We will take action against anyone who puts life in danger or things they can selfishly stop others getting to work or getting on with their lives. We appreciate your patience and understanding and will keep you updated through the day.'

Documentary filmmaker Rich Felgate, who has worked with Just Stop Oil in the past, says the pair are supporters of the environmentalist group

Furious motorists have vented their frustration at being caught in the delays after police closed the bridge earlier this morning

There are long delays this morning, with police saying there were queues of up to three miles long and waits of more than an hour at 6am

There are reports of more than seven miles of congestion in Kent and five miles in Essex on the M25 as a result of the closure today. Pictured: Vehicles gridlocked on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge this morning

Essex Police said colleagues at National Highways are escorting traffic through the Dartford Tunnel in a bid to alleviate the impact of the road closure

Just Stop Oil has named the demonstrators as Morgan Trowland (pictured here on the bridge), a 39-year-old bridge design engineer from London, and Marcus, a 33-year-old teacher from the capital

Police have closed the road to all traffic as they try and coax the pair down from the girders. Essex Police says it is working to resolve the situation 'as quickly and as safely' as possible

Just Stop Oil has warned that it expects the bridge to remain closed for 'at least 24 hours' while its supporters remain on the girders

The pair have been seen on the girders of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing after climbing up shortly before 4am this morning

Just Stop Oil said the pair climbed the two 84m masts on the north side of the bridge at around 5am this morning to demand the Government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents

Those stuck in the queue have hit out at the eco-zealots, as frustrated motorists honked their horns, revved their engines and shouted out 'come on' as the sea of cars slowly edged toward the crossing.

Oliver Tite, a 25-year-old from Dartford who works as a lift engineer, was trying to get to Essex for a job interview.

'It's ridiculous and it's a pain for everyone,' he said.

'I'm late for a job interview, I probably won't make it, but I'll just have to wait and see. If I don't make it on time, I'll have to get it moved, if they let me move it.

'But it's completely out of my hands and so frustrating. I don't know why they don't keep the bridge going. It's the protesters choice to be up there, so why don't we make them deal with the consequences?'

Mother of two Jo Reading, a 42-year-old personal assistant from Dartford, said: 'It's not great, it's not great at all.

'It's frustrating and I hope it doesn't take too long to get through. It's got to the point where you almost expect this kind of thing, which isn't good either.'

Just Stop Oil said on their website today: 'Today's actions follow over two weeks of continuous disruption by supporters of Just Stop Oil in which they have experienced over 450 arrests.

'On Sunday, there were 14 arrests of Just Stop Oil supporters, who blocked Park Lane and sprayed an Aston Martin dealership with orange paint. Since the campaign began on April 1st, Just Stop Oil supporters have been arrested over 1,700 times, with 5 currently in prison.

'This is not a one day event, expect us every day and anywhere. This is an act of resistance against a criminal government and their genocidal death project. Our supporters will be returning - today, tomorrow and the next day - and the next day after that - and every day until our demand is met: no new oil and gas in the UK.'

According to Rich Felgate, a documentary maker who has been filming the group's recent protests, two of its supporters climbed up this morning 'shutting down the entire bridge and blocking oil tankers from oil terminals in Essex traveling south'.

The protest comes a day after demonstrators from the environmental group blocked traffic in Park Lane, London, and sprayed paint over an Aston Martin showroom.

One furious black cab driver hauled the eco-zealots from the road as they protested for a 16th day in a row in the capital.

One motorist bellowed at them: 'People have got f****** work to go to' while another added 'people are trying to go to hospital'.

One motorist bellowed at them: 'People have got f****** work to go to' while another added 'people are trying to go to hospital'

Members of the public were not amused by the protest group's activities and removed them themselves from the road

Just Stop Oil sprayed orange paint over the Aston Martin car showroom in an apparent spontaneous act of vandalism

The spray painter somehow found themselves on the floor and appeared to have been arrested by the Metropolitan Police

Among them were a pregnant mother and a musician who all vowed to continue with their deeply divisive campaign.

Chloe Thomas, 19, from Cannock said: 'I'm 15 weeks pregnant this week. Today, we're out here on the road together, demanding no new oil. How do I explain to my daughter in the years to come where the animals went, where the culture went, where the beauty went, why there are no bees and why I can't put food in her tummy?

'You know it's bad, don't you? As citizens, as humans, as parents and children we have a responsibility and a right under British law to protect ourselves and those we love. '

David Kearns, 45, a musician from Birmingham added: 'I can not stand by and allow this government to continue destroying everything we love for the sake of nothing but profit.

'The climate crisis is a product of greed, just as the cost of living crisis is a product of greed and I will not comply with a system that puts profits before the people and the planet. '

It came just hours after Suella Braverman slammed the activists as 'thugs' and told the Metropolitan Police and told them to 'do a better job'.
A worker has been tragically killed after he was run over by a truck on an industrial site in Sydney's north west.

Emergency services were called to Box Avenue in Wilberforce shortly after 8am on Monday after receiving reports a man had been injured in an accident.

Paramedics treated the 71-year-old man - who had been hit by the truck while on the work site - but he died at the scene.

The entire site was cordoned off with multiple police units in attendance (pictured)

Officers attached to Hawkesbury Police Area Command have established a crime scene and commenced inquiries.

The entire work site was cordoned off with multiple patrol vehicles and plain clothes detectives in attendance.

A specialist forensic team was working behind the cordoned off area on Monday morning.

SafeWork NSW was also notified and have commenced their own investigation.

Officers and detectives were on site on Monday and have commenced an investigation (pictured)
A grandfather has been convicted of public order offences after he was caught drunkenly loitering outside the home of his new, young neighbour.

Dennis Ravenscroft, 73, stopped at the property of council finance officer Victoria Ormrod, 26, as he stumbled home following a night out.

Security footage from Ms Ormrod's Ring camera showed Ravenscroft trying to open the doors of her car. He was also seen with his hands down his trousers.

The old man was subsequently intercepted by police before he made it home after the victim contacted police, at a later date.

Ravenscroft admitted using threatening or insulting behaviour and was conditionally discharged for two years.

He was ordered last Thursday at Tameside Magistrates Court to pay 85 costs and a 22 victim surcharge.

Dennis Ravenscroft, 73, (pictured) was arrested in April after he tried to open the doors of Miss Ormrod's car. He was also seen with his hands down his trousers

Officers intercepted Ravenscroft, who would drink up to 14 pints in a night, on his way home on April 29th, after Ms Ormrod contacted police.

Miss Ormrod checked the security footage on her phone and immediately recognised Ravenscroft as the culprit after realising she had recently said hello to him upon moving into the area.

'Miss Ormrod was awoken by a loud notification alert from her Ring doorbell,' Prosecutor Mr Graeme Tindall told the court.

'It was 4.53 am on a Sunday morning and Miss Ormrod, who had only recently moved to the area, certainly wasn't expecting any visitors.

'When she looked at the ring footage she saw Ravenscroft standing with one hand down his pants and the other trying her car door to see if it would open.

The prosecutor said Ms Ormrod recognised Ravenscroft as her 'new neighbour' and admitted to having said hello to him a few times, but claimed she 'never really got to know him.'

Mr Tindall said: 'It was for this reason that she was initially hesitant to get the police involved but eventually called the police due to Ravenscroft's persistence in trying to unlock her car door.'

Ravenscroft was detained while heading back to his Buckley Street home. Officers noted he had clearly been drinking and say he gave no explanation for his conduct.

'This is a very sad matter to be dealing with,' defence lawyer Tim Hughes said during mitigation. 'My client has no idea why he would go out or be out at that time. He does suffer short term memory loss, quite frankly, he has the memory of a goldfish.

'When interviewing him earlier he even forgot what the probation officer had said to him an hour earlier. It's for these reasons that he doesn't feel himself capable for his actions.

The prosecutor said Ms Ormrod (pictured) recognised Ravenscroft as her 'new neighbour' and admitted to having said hello to him a few times, but claimed she 'never really got to know him'

Despite the court being concerned about Ravenscroft's behaviour, a restraining order between him and Ms Ormrod (pictured) was not imposed because of the 'logistical difficulties this would entail'

'There is no doubt that there is something neurologically wrong with him, although he has never been diagnosed. Because of his near total hearing loss, Dennis has found it extremely difficult to get diagnosed, COVID certain hasn't helped either.

Mr Hughes added: 'This isn't some kind of weird, wonderful or excessive behaviour. He can't explain what he did that night. The closest he usually gets to Ms Ormrod's address is when he takes his bins out to the front of his house.'

'I come across a lot of people in this job and when they say they can't remember what they did it is usually them trying to play the system or fly a kite. This is not the case for Mr Ravenscroft, in my opinion, there is something neurologically amiss.

'I think Mr Ravenscroft has some form of undiagnosed dementia, my two parents had it and I know the signs. He is currently on state benefits and has expressed remorse that he has upset Ms Ormrod. He is also embarrassed - who wouldn't be?'

A background probation report on Ravenscroft was read to the court.

It said: 'He had suffered a blow to the head when a gas bottle fell on him a number of years ago, since then his mobility has significantly deteriorated.

'He had also been drinking in excess at the time of the event and would go for 14 or so pints at the local pub every other night and he never drank at home. Since this incident, he has reduced that number to three to six pints every other night.

'He has been retired for 10 years but used to be a plumber and electrician that ran his own business. He resides at home and doesn't see his family much save for his son, grandchildren and brother Brian, who is here in court with him today.'

'He is not in a relationship and has previous good character, except for a one-off conviction for theft back in 1983.'

Sentencing JP David Saville told him: 'Although we are concerned about your behaviour, we will not impose a restraining order between you and Ms Ormrod due to the logistical difficulties this would entail.

'You have clearly taken this all onboard and should continue to avoid Ms Ormrod for the foreseeable future.'
Wildlife researcher Dr Vanessa Pirotta said scientists would need to see it in flesh

A woman has stumbled across what many believe to be a whale's penis that had washed ashore.

The large, greyish object was found by a woman who'd been walking along the beach at Magnetic Island, in northern Queensland, this week.

It appeared to have been detached from an animal, with its fleshy insides seen at the top.

Confused as to what the mysterious object may be, she decided to share a video of it on TikTok in the hopes someone could identify it.

'What the f**k is that? It's massive, like the size of my leg,' she said. 'Ew, disgusting.'

A woman found a strange object (above) that many believe to be a 'whale penis' on Magnetic Island in north Queensland

Fellow TikTokkers speculated it was a whale's penis, noting humpback whales are currently breeding in the area.

The video even caught the attention of wildlife researcher Dr Vanessa Pirotta, who said scientists would be unable to confirm exactly what the object is without seeing it for themselves.

'It's hard to know exactly what this object is without seeing it in the flesh. As a scientist we want to have as much information on the size and also how it looks from every single angle so we just don't know at this stage,' she said in her own video.

'Where this unidentified object was found is currently where there are a lot of humpback whales.'

Wildlife researcher Vanessa Pirotta said humpback whales are breeding in the area but shut down theories the possible penis was 'bitten off' as humpbacks don't have teeth (pictured, whales mating)

However, Dr Pirotta did shut down theories the possible penis was 'bitten off'.

'If this is a male humpback whale penis, it is very unlikely that it was bitten off by another humpback whale,' she said.

'These whales don't have any teeth rather they have long hair-like strands known as baleen and to bite another male's penis off is something that I've not ever heard of.'

She did pose the theory if maybe a killer whale had attacked the other marine animal, but noted there wasn't any markings on the object left behind.

'This is just a mystery at this stage,' Dr Pirotta said.
A launch panel for the government's national plan to stamp out violence against women had a noticeable lack of diversity - despite highlighting the shocking rates of abuse in Indigenous communities.

Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth unveiled the plan in Melbourne on Monday alongside Minister for Women Katy Gallagher and several female state and federal MPs.

The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, approved by all state and territory cabinets, describes the 'epidemic proportions' of domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia and outlines the disproportionately high rates among First Nations people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 34 times more likely to be sent to hospital from domestic violence than non-Indigenous women.

They are also three times as likely to suffer sexual violence, and are more likely to be the victim of a deadly assault.

But the panel announcing the plan to bring rates down did not contain a single First Nations representative despite a number serving at both state and federal levels.

Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth unveiled the plan in Melbourne on Monday alongside Minister for Women Katy Gallagher and several female state and federal MPs

Ms Rishworth was forced to address the absence, telling reporters 'we have been very clear about how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are embedded in this plan'.

'There is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory group developing the action plan that will be dedicated and ensures the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are heard,' she said.

She added that a second plan is being developed which specifically focuses on First Nations communities but could not give a timeframe as to when that would be released.

Ms Rishworth awkwardly had to explain the plan's focus on Indigenous communities despite them not being represented in the panel (pictured)

She said the 'unique perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children' would be 'represented across the board' by the new report.

'We want to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop that plan,' she said.

The plan unveiled on Monday draws attention to the worrying statistic that a woman is killed on average every ten days in Australia by a current partner or ex.

The report outlines a number of areas of prevention, response and recovery including promoting gender equality, improving attitudes, early intervention, increasing access to support, tailoring support, and coordination across systems.

There will be two five-year action plans that will include specific commitments and investments from governments as well as the stand-alone First Nations National Plan.

Ms Rishworth said there needed to be a change in conversations surrounding domestic and family violence.

'How often do you hear, for example, people say 'why didn't she leave?' I mean, the more important question is, 'why does he choose to use violence against her?'' she said.

The national plan will also focus on how gender inequality drives violence against women (pictured: International Women's March in Sydney, 2020)

'We do need to promote more respectful relationships. We do need to actually increase gender equality. All of these things play a role in actually addressing violence against women and children.'

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomed the plan and called for all levels of government to commit the necessary funds.

'It's encouraging all Australian governments have backed the plan and its ambitious target to end gender-based violence within a generation,' National Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins said.

'For this to succeed, all governments will need to make significant investments in prevention and recovery strategies.'

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The bloodied face of a Hong Kong pro-democracy protester has been revealed after he was dragged to the ground and beaten by Beijing thugs outside the Chinese consulate on Sunday.

There is clear bruising over the eye of the protester - whose identity is not known - as well a cut beneath it, and a wound on his nose.

The image was made public by the Hong Kong Democracy Council, who said: '[These are] the injuries of the protester at the PRC consulate in Manchester who people from inside the consulate tried to pull inside the compound by his hair, gouging his eyes and reportedly also kicking him.

'UK authorities must investigate. Who exactly were these consulate thugs?'

Police have launched a probe after the incident at the demonstration in Manchester.

Video footage shows the protester being dragged inside the gates of the Consulate General of the Peoples Republic of China in Rusholme.

The man is forced to the ground and assaulted by at least five men while a police officer tries to pull the attackers off him.

Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters had reportedly organised a peaceful protest outside of the Consulate in response to the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, where President Xi Jinping is widely expected to announce another five years in power.

There is clear bruising over the protester's eye as well as a cut underneath it and a wound on his nose

Video footage shows what appeared to be a protester being dragged inside Chinese consulates gate in Manchester, prompting calls for the UK government to investigate

Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the video was deeply worrying and called on Home Secretary Suella Braverman to look into this urgently.

The Government must demand a full apology from the Chinese ambassador... and demand those responsible are sent home to China.

He told The Daily Telegraph: 'I guess that like everything else the police are endlessly conflicted and are probably worried about a diplomatic incident. But this is on British soil, for God's sake.'

The UK officers appeared reluctant to step into the Chinese consulate itself while attempting to drag the protestor away.

Unlike embassies, consulates remain under the jurisdiction of the host country, but are often afforded special privileges such as immunity from certain laws.

Labour MP for Hornsey and Wood Green Catherine West, who also serves as shadow minister for Asia and the Pacific, said she would raise the issue in parliament 'urgently' and called on both the Home and Foreign Secretaries to investigate.

MP Andrew Gwynne and local Rusholme Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar echoed the message of their colleagues.

'This would be unacceptable on the streets of Hong Kong and against the provisions of the Joint Declaration to uphold democratic rights and freedoms. BUT this is Manchester,' Gwynne told the Manchester Evening News.

The UK officers appeared reluctant to step into the Chinese consulate itself, which enjoys special privileges and usually falls outside the jurisdiction of local police

Protestors had put up pro-democracy posters before the altercation began on the streets

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: 'Police are aware of an incident that took place at around 3pm on Sunday 16 October 2022 at the Chinese Consulate in Manchester involving Hong Kong protestors.

'Officers responded immediately to diffuse the situation and enquiries are ongoing at this time to understand the full circumstances. A police patrol plan is in place in the area following this incident.'

The news comes as Xi Jinping kicked-off the 20th CCP congress on Sunday with warnings that he may use force to retake Taiwan.

The Chinese leader is set to cement his place as the country's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong after removing term limits installed by his predecessors to curb the power of the CCP chairman.

The Chinese Embassy did not respond to requests for comment.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre) opened the 20th congress of China's ruling Communist Party on Saturday, where he is expected to win a third leadership term and secure his place as the country's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong

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
NASA's Lucy spacecraft is on its way to the Trojan asteroids, but it swings by Earth's atmosphere on the first anniversary of its launch.

Lucy maneuvered around Earth before heading back out into space to learn about the formation of the solar system, Digital Trends writes.

Lucy Pays A Visit In Earth's Atmosphere

On Sunday, NASA's Lucy spacecraft was lowered 220 miles above the planet's surface, passing through satellites and debris in the process.

The exploration satellite was visible to lucky spectators in Western Australia who have been skywatching to see Lucy disappear into the Earth's shadow.

NASA said that this visit was part of the first gravity assist that aims to put Lucy in a new trajectory for a two-year orbit that gives it the energy to cross the main asteroid, Fox News says.

This slingshot maneuver coincides with the one-year anniversary of Lucy' launch on October 16 last year, which kicks off a 12-year-long mission to Jupiter's asteroids.

In a statement by NASA, Rich Burns, Lucy project manager, said that Lucy was originally going to fly by 30 miles closer, but passed slightly higher to reduce disturbance in the solar arrays.

This small correction is allegedly part of an effort to avoid potentially catastrophic collisions in outer space, according to CNN World.

Digital Trends writes that as Lucy moved away from Earth, the spacecraft also passed by the moon, giving it the opportunity to take images for calibrations and stand-ins for investigation.

"Counting craters to understand the collisional history of the Trojan asteroids is key to the science that Lucy will carry out," John Spencer of the Southwest Research Institute claims.

He believes that the few images will provide Lucy the chance to improve its ability to detect craters by comparing it to previous space explorations.

Once Lucy reaches the Trojan asteroids, it will be the first to visit the remnants of an early solar system, which will help scientists theorize how the planets formed and how they will end.

Read More: NASA Lucy Mission Set to Explore Jupiter's Trojan Asteroids: Full Mission Details, Where to Watch Lucy Spacecraft Launch

Lucy Has A Long Way To Go

According to NASA, the Trojan asteroids are trapped around the sun's orbits, which is why gravitational assists from Earth are necessary to maintain Lucy's trajectory.

With this, the spacecraft is bound for three slingshot returns with its second one expected to launch it directly to the main asteroid belt where it will observe asteroid Donaldjohanson.

In this launch, Lucy will reportedly fly past six Trojan asteroids namely Eurybates and its satellites Queta, Polymele, Leucus, and Orus, according to Space.

Lucy is expected to make its last come back in 2030, which will send it toward an encounter with the Patroclus-Menoetius binary asteroid pair before returning to each for the final time.

NASA invited the public to join the #WaveToLucy social media campaign by posting about their encounter with the spacecraft in their areas.

They also provided instructions for observing Lucy once it passes by the Earth again, which can be accessed through this link.

Related Article: NASA Lucy Mission to Jupiter: Full Milestone Dates Before Spacecraft Reaches Trojan Asteroids!
Congresswoman Cori Bush, who supports the 'defund the police' movement, spent $500,000 in campaign funding on private security, according to a new report.

Bush (D-Mo.), a member of 'the squad', splashed out over $100,000 on 'security services' through the third quarter of 2022 alone, according to Federal Election Commission records, seen by Fox News Digital.

Of that, $71,201.06 was paid to St. Louis-based private security company named Peace Security. The remaining $30,000 on security services went to Cortney Merrits and Nathaniel Davis, who reportedly share an address with Bush's campaign HQ.

The third-quarter spend took Bush's private security spending during the 2020-2022 election cycle to more than $490,000, the news outlet reported.

This is despite Bush openly calling for defunding the police, a movement which exploded following by the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis officer and the deaths of other Black people at the hands of law enforcement.

Congresswoman Cori Bush (pictured in 2021), who supports the 'defund the police' movement, spent $500,000 in campaign funding on price security, according to a new report

Fox News Digital first reported on Bush's security payments in July last year. In an interview with CBS news, Bush strongly defended the spending.

'They would rather I die?' Bush asked at the time. 'You would rather me die? Is that what you want to see? You want to see me die? You know, because that could be the alternative. [...] I'm going to make sure I have security because I know I have had attempts on my life and I have too much work to do.

'So, if I end up spending 200,000, if I spend 10 more dollars on it, you know what? I get to be here to do the work,' she said, adding: 'So, suck it up, and defunding the police has to happen. We need to defund the police and put that money into social safety nets because we're trying to save lives.'

She has explained in the past the the 'defund the police' movement is better described as a reallocation of funds from law enforcement to non-policing forms of public safety and community support.

Speaking on Good Morning America earlier this month, the Missouri representative - who was adopted by the progressive squad when she was sworn into the House in 2021 - said people are too caught up on the word 'defund'.

Bush said that the movement calling for defunding of police is really just a moniker for Americans pleading that the U.S. focus on the problem of police brutality in the country, especially toward communities of color.

'The thing about defund the police is we have to tell the entire narrative. People hear 'defund the police' but you know what they'll say  say 'reallocate', say 'divest', say 'move'. But it's still the same thing,' she replied, explaining that a change in rhetoric won't change the movement.

'We can't get caught up on the words,' Bush continued.

'People spend more time focusing on the word 'defund' than they spend on caring and addressing the problem of police violence in this country.'

A protester holds a sign that reads 'Defund Police' during a rally for the late George Floyd outside Barclays Center, Wednesday, October 14, 2020, in New York

In an interview with CNN this month, Bush insisted 'there is no data that actually shows that saying 'defund the police' cost actual elections.'

CNN anchor Don Lemon asked her: 'If you could do it again, would you still double down or use that slogan, 'defund the police'?' She responded: 'Absolutely.'

The movement has been criticised by both major parties, with Bush being one of the only Democrats left who still openly supports the movement.

In 2021, Bush's security detail became the center of controversy when two St. Louis deputies were fired from the police department for working for her without permission.

Tylance Jackson and Maurice Thompson were dismissed in August 2021 after they were warned about taking a second job with the Missouri Democrat.

The pair were captured on surveillance video with Bush at an event in plain clothes.

In 2020, then-President-elect Joe Biden blamed it for helping Republicans 'beat the living hell' out of Democrats that year.

Congresswoman Cori Bush (D-Mo.) is one of a few Democrats left that still openly support the movement to defund the police

He was given a standing ovation by both Democrats and Republicans in his first State of the Union speech when he proclaimed: 'We should all agree: The answer is not to defund the police, the answer is to fund the police.'

A March 2021 poll from USA Today/Ipsos Poll showed that only 18 percent of respondents support 'defund the police' with 58 percent claiming that they oppose the movement. That same poll even showed that only 28 percent of black Americans were in favor of defunding police.

A separate poll a year later in March 2022 by NBC News revealed that 73 percent of Americans were less likely to vote for a candidate if they supported the defund police movement and only 17 percent were more likely to support that hypothetical candidate.

Seventy-five percent of respondents in that poll were more likely to vote for 'a candidate who supports funding the police and providing them the resources and training they need to protect our communities.'

Democratic lawmakers starting to drop their support for the movement after polling showed it was not a winning issue among a vast majority of voters.

Republicans have proposed in their roadmap for 2022 that they would allocate funds to hire 200,000 more police officers across the country and provide recruiting bonuses and incentives for hiring or retaining cops.

Bush decided to run for public office when she started going out on the streets during Black Lives Matter riots in St. Louis Missouri where protesters were demanding for the defunding of police departments.

'I just stepped out on the streets during the protest as a nurse, as clergy, as someone of the community that just wanted to see justice happen, and I never had a desire to run for office, never had a desire,' the Democratic lawmaker said in her GMA interview.
A police and crime commissioner has demanded a review of the way detectives handled the missing persons case of Leah Croucher after human remains were found and a murder inquiry was launched.

On Monday of last week a contractor called to a 500,000 four-bed home in Loxbeare Drive, Milton Keynes, that had been left empty by its owner. Human remains and Leah's belongings were found in the loft.

It has emerged that when the 19-year-old went missing three years and eight months ago officers had called at the detached house on two occasions but got no response and pushed a leaflet through the door requesting a call back if the residents had any information.

The property is half a mile from her home and on the route Leah used to walk to work.

Matthew Barber, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley which covers Milton Keynes, has now asked the Chief Constable to present him with a review of the case to determine if any further inquiry is required.

Leah Croucher, 19, (pictured) was last seen on CCTV on her way to her job on February 15, 2019, but never made it to work

On Monday human remains were found in the loft of a property at Loxbeare Drive in Furzton, Milton Keynes (pictured) along with Leah's rucksack and other personal possessions

Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Matthew Barber has now asked the Chief Constable to present him with a review of the case to determine if any further inquiry is required

Various posters were released to try and find the teenager after she went missing in February 2019

Enquiries have led police to name convicted sex offender Neil Maxwell as the only suspect in her murder.

Maxwell, a handyman, had access to the house to carry out work in February 2019 when Leah vanished.

In April 2019, two months later, Maxwell hanged himself in Campbell Park, Milton Keynes.

He was on the run from the police, having been named as a man wanted for a sex attack on a woman in her 20s in Newport Pagnell, Bucks.

Neil Maxwell took his own life two months after Leah's disappearance and has been named as the prime suspect in the police investigation

This was the final image of Leah ever captured before she disappeared and failed to show up to work

Matthew Barber said: 'The disappearance of Leah Croucher back in 2019 has hung over the community of Milton Keynes. Hundreds of Thames Valley Police Officers have supported the search for Leah, conducting thousands of house to house enquiries, reviewing many hundreds of hours of CCTV footage.

'The news that the investigation has moved from a missing persons enquiry to a murder investigation following the discovery of human remains will be the most bitter blow to Leah's family and will be felt across the city.

'Given the time that has passed questions have inevitably been raised about the earlier investigation and there is an understandable desire for more information.

'I have been briefed on developments throughout the week and have naturally discussed the case at length with the Chief Constable.

'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.'

He added: 'When the investigation changed from a missing person's inquiry to a murder inquiry, the head of the Major Crime Unit was appointed as the senior investigating officer with Head of Crime, Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter, having strategic oversight.

'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.

'Of course the priority remains the murder investigation and whilst the family are being kept fully informed I will not comment further on the details of the case.

'Over the last three years officers from across the Force have been involved in search for Leah. The police and communities across Thames Valley have all been saddened by this week's discovery. Leah's family have spoken on their thanks to the police and my thoughts are with Leah's family as they come to terms with this heartbreaking news'.

Thames Valley Police have said: 'The property in Loxbeare Drive is a complex and challenging scene, and I want to let local residents know that it could be a number of weeks before we are able to conclude our forensic examinations.'

A memorial service was held last night for Leah, with the community of Furzton, Milton Keynes, invited to 'come together, to reflect, to pray and to light a candle' at the Servant King Church and Ridgeway Community Centre.

Timeline of Leah Croucher's disappearance 2018 November 29 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 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

If you are affected by the issues raised in this article, you can contact the Samaritans for free and completely anonymously on 116 123.
A Ukrainian conductor has been shot dead in his own home by Russian troops for refusing to take part in a concert in occupied territory, Kyiv has claimed.

Yuriy Kerpatenko snubbed the Kremlin-backed concert 'intended by the occupiers to demonstrate the so-called 'improvement of peaceful life' in Kherson', the Ukrainian culture ministry said.

The October 1 concert was scheduled to include a performance by the Gileya chamber orchestra.

Ukrainian conductor Yuriy Kerpatenko has been shot dead in his own home by Russian troops for refusing to take part in a concert in occupied territory, Kyiv has claimed

Smoke rises from a destroyed building after Russian attacks in Kyiv this morning

Kerpatenko was their principal conductor but he 'categorically refused to cooperate with the occupants', Ukraine said.

The musician was also the principal conductor of Kherson's Mykola Kulish Music and Drama Theatre, The Guardian reported.

He regularly posted defiant anti-war messages on Facebook until May and family members outside Kherson say they lost contact with him in September.

It is believed Russian troops raided his village and executed him in cold blood.

The Kherson regional prosecutor's office has now launched a formal investigation 'on the basis of violations of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder'.

Fellow musicians and artists around the world have condemned the shocking killing.

Dalia Stasevska, who was due to conduct this summer's Last Night of the Proms in London before it was cancelled, said: 'The history of Russia imposing a 'comply or die' policy against artists is nothing new. It has a history which spans for hundred of years.'

Ukrainian soldiers drive a captured Russian tank after re-fitting it for use in battle, in Kupiansk region

The Finnish-Ukrainian conductor added: 'I have seen too much silence from Russian colleagues. Would this be the time for Russian musicians, especially those living and working abroad, to finally step up and take a stand against the Russian regime's actions in Ukraine?'

Victoria Amelina, a Ukrainian author and war crimes investigator, said: 'We know the Russian regime is hunting activists, journalists, artists, community leaders, and anyone ready to resist the occupation.

'Yet, even knowing the current pattern and history, we cannot and, more importantly, shouldn't get used to hearing about more brutal murders of a bright, talented, brave people whose only fault was being Ukrainian.'

Acclaimed novelist Andrey Kurkov who wrote Death and the Penguin said: 'Now the name of Yuriy Kerpatenko will be added to the list of murdered artists of Ukraine.

'I increasingly think that Russia is not only seeking to occupy Ukrainian territories, but also diligently destroying Ukrainian identity, an important part of which is Ukrainian culture.'
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It was from a nondescript detached home in Ruislip that a respectable couple helped to feed Britain's nuclear secrets to Moscow.

Until they were caught along with their co-conspirators in 1961, Morris and Lena Cohen were known by their neighbours to be respectable antiquarian book dealers Peter and Lena Kroger.

With the help of Soviet spy Gordon Lonsdale, Navy clerk Harry Houghton and secretary Ethel Gee, the couple's activities in the Portland spy ring helped the Soviet Union to build its own silent nuclear submarines more quickly.

Now, newly-released MI5 files have revealed further details about the extent of the espionage operation that was being conducted at the Krogers' home.

Unseen photos show the everyday objects - including a talcum powder bottle - that boasted hidden compartments, the American money that was ferreted away in out of sight places, and the trapdoor in the kitchen floor that concealed a powerful radio transmitter.

That machine beamed secrets stolen from the Navy's top-secret Underwater Defence Establishment (UDE) in Portland, Dorset to Moscow.

Also found was a Bible in the couple's bedroom that contained a piece of cellophane coated with a layer of silver bromide, which was likely used to make the film needed for 'microdots' - miniaturised documents containing stolen secrets.

After they were caught by MI5 and the Metropolitan Police's Special Branch, the Cohens and the other key players were all convicted of espionage and sent to prison.

The American couple served just eight years of their 20-year sentences after benefiting from a spy swap deal with Russia.

When they left prison in 1969, they received a warm welcome back in Russia, including awards and dinners in their honour.

Lonsdale, whose real name was Konon Molody, had been given a 25-year sentence but was traded back to the Soviet Union in 1964 to return to his wife and children, and died six years later.

Houghton and Gee, whose roles in the plot had been fuelled by an affair between them, left prison in 1970 and later married, with Gee always claiming she did everything 'out of love' for him after 'a lifetime of spinsterhood'.

It was from a nondescript detached home in Ruislip that a respectable couple helped to feed Britain's nuclear secrets to Moscow. Until they were caught along with their co-conspirators in 1961, Morris and Lena Cohen were known by their neighbours to be respectable antiquarian book dealers Peter and Lena Kroger

Now, newly-released MI5 files have revealed further details about the extent of the espionage operation that was being conducted at the Krogers' home. Above: The home is seen with a police car in the drive way during the property's search in 1961

Born in the US, the Cohens had worked for the KGB as couriers passing on atomic secrets but fled America in 1952 after the arrest of fellow sleeper agents.

After being given false passports from New Zealand, they arrived in the UK in 1954 to continue their work.

Both Houghton and Gee lived near the UDE. At the time, HMS Dreadnought was commissioning its first nuclear submarine.

In the 1950s, Houghton had worked in the office of the Naval attache's office in Warsaw, but was returned to Britain because of his heavy drinking.

It was in around 1951 that he was turned by Polish intelligence, before his case was passed on to the Russians.

At the UDE, Gee worked as a clerk and had access to highly sensitive classified documents. She passed them on to Houghton and the couple would travel to London at weekends, posing as husband and wife, to give their stolen information to Lonsdale.

Lonsdale ran jukebox and bubblegum machine businesses and drove a US-imported Studebaker car, enjoying a luxury lifestyle.

It was only after his eventual espionage conviction that they discovered he was really KGB agent Konon Molody.

Unseen photos show the everyday objects - including a talcum powder bottle (above) - that boasted hidden compartments

The trapdoor that was found underneath the linoleum on the kitchen floor. Inside was a radio transceiver hidden among piles of rubble

This was the radio transceiver that was found beneath the floor of the Cohens' home. It was used to send secrets to Moscow

The Cohens' bathroom could be turned into a dark room by clipping over boards on the windows. Above: The clips and boards are seen

The files contained a document printed for internal use in MI5 which was titled the 'The Story of The Krogers'. It told how their home was a 'veritable arsenal of espionage equipment'

When it was discovered that Lonsdale frequently visited the Cohens' home in Ruislip, a 'listening post' was set up across the road.

MI5's surveillance teams were also able to listen in on meetings between Houghton and Molody, with the Brit described as 'loud-mouthed'.

They learned of meetings on the first Saturday of each month, trips to watch the Russian ballet in London and of the meetings at the Cohens' home.

The CIA became involved in January 1961, after its mole in the Polish intelligence service, Michael Goleniewski aka 'Sniper', defected to the west in Berlin and informed on Houghton.

This prompted MI5 to act and recruit Special Branch to arrest the five  with Houghton, Gee and Lonsdale rounded up on Waterloo Road after exchanging documents.

When detained, Gee was found to be carrying film and photographs of classified information in a shopping bag, including details on Dreadnought.

Harry Houghton and Ethel Gee, whose roles in the plot had been fuelled by an affair between them, left prison in 1970 and later married. They are pictured again meeting after their release from prison in 1970

Convicted British spies Harry Houghton, 65, and Miss Ethel Gee, 56, take breakfast together after their release from prison

Gordon Lonsdale ran jukebox and bubblegum machine businesses and drove a US-imported Studebaker car, enjoying a luxury lifestyle. It was only after his eventual espionage conviction that they discovered he was really KGB agent Konon Molody

Meanwhile officers turned up at the Krogers' home on the pretence they were investigating local burglaries.

The newly-released MI5 files shed new light on what they found inside.

One section, from an internal MI5 document titled the 'Story of the Krogers' describes how the house was a 'veritable arsenal of espionage equipment.'

It adds: 'It too a week's hard searching to discover all its secrets.'

As well as the talcum powder tin, other 'innocent' items that contained hidden compartments included a Ronson Table Lighter, a hip flask bound with pig skin, and an Ever Ready battery.

'Cameras, other photographic equipment and a great deal of money added to the haul,' the report said.

'Even a Bible in the Bedroom was found to contain a piece of cellophane coated with a layer of silver bromide probably used to make film for microdots'.

Microdots were secret documents written in invisible ink or documents photographed via a microscope to reduce them to the size of a typewriter's full stop.

The Cohens were also found to be carrying New Zealand and Canadian passports made out in the names of Thomas Wilson and Mary Smith.

On the machine found beneath the kitchen floor, the report said: 'The greatest prize was the high powered pre-calibrated wireless transceiver beamed to the Moscow area, together with a tape sender for high speed transmission...'

This was 'hidden underneath some rubble reached through a secret trap-door in the kitchen floor.

After arresting Mr Cohen, officers stopped his wife from stoking the boiler after correctly guessing she was trying to destroy evidence - in this case the microdots containing national secrets that the couple also stored in books.

The MI5 files also show how a torch battery found at the Cohens' home also contained a secret compartment

This table lighter also had a hidden compartment in its base. The Cohens' home was filled with intricate hidey holes and stacks of money

The area beneath the kitchen floor also contained a series of hidden packages. When opened, they were found to be a camera, spare films, US dollars, and the wireless transceiver

After their release, the Cohens enjoyed champagne on a flight to Poland. They went on to Moscow and stayed there for the rest of their lives

Born in the US, the Cohens had worked for the KGB as couriers passing on atomic secrets but fled America in 1952 after the arrest of fellow sleeper agents

The MI5 files reveal the moment of the arrest.

The arresting officer told how, after Mrs Cohen had asked stoke the boiler, he told her: 'Certainly, but first of all let me see what you have got in that handbag'.

He added: 'She forcibly held on to the handbag so I opened the flap and took it from a white envelope which I later found to contain a six sheet letter written in Russian, a single sheet of paper bearing a block of typed numbers which I recognised as a cypher a message... and a piece of glass which I subsequently found to bear three small microdots.'

A Chinese scroll that had been hanging on the wall was found to contain bundles of US dollar bills, while a belt looped into a pair of trousers was also found to contain money.

The home was also unusual for the amount of locks that secured it. The front door had a Yale lock a Chubb mortice lock, a chain and bolts at the top and bottom.

The kitchen door had bolts and tow locks, and the French windows were fastened with four bolts an two other locks.

The lower windows also had additional locking devices.

The Cohens and Gee protested their innocence throughout their espionage trial in March 1961 while Houghtons efforts to turn on his colleagues were rejected and Molody kept silent.

As well as the 20-year and 25-year sentences handed to the Cohens and Lonsdale, Houghton and Gee were given 15 years behind bars.

Lonsdale later claimed that Houghton had passed on 350 pamphlets on anti-submarine equipment, including some relating to the UK's nuclear submarine fleet.

The UK exchanged the Cohens for Britons Gerald Brooke, Michael Parsons and Anthony Lorraine. The latter wo men had been sentenced by Soviet courts for smuggling drugs.

At the time, Harold Wilson's Labour government were criticised for releasing spies who had done damage to Briton.

Lonsdale was exchanged for Greville Wynne, a British businessman who had been convicted in Moscow for his dealings with Soviet intelligence official Oleg Penovsky.
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A Homeless woman who 'boasted about selling body parts' has been charged with the murder, rape and torture of a 12-year-old girl whose throat was slit before her mutilated body was stuffed in a suitcase in Paris.

Dahbia B, a 24-year-old homeless woman originally from Algeria with 'extreme psychological problems', was indicted today over the gruesome killing of Lola Daviet on Friday as she appeared before examining magistrates.

The schoolgirl was found tied up inside the plastic suitcase near her home with the numbers '1' and '0' imprinted on her chest, and then left in the inner courtyard of a building in the French capital's north-east.

CCTV footage had emerged showing both the alleged killer and her victim next to the block of flats where Lola lived with her middle-class parents who owned properties across northern France.

Lola's mutilated body was later found near the building, in the city's 19th arrondissement, where she lived with her parents Delphine and Johan.

'The suspect had boasted about selling body parts,' said an investigating source. 'Evidence suggests that the girl was taken into the basement of the flat, where she was tortured, and raped, before being strangled and having her throat cut.'

The source added: 'The suspect is believed to suffer with serious psychological problems. She was living on the street, but had friends and family in the Paris area.'

A judicial source confirmed Dahbia B was in custody charged with 'the murder of a child under 15, rape, and torture'.

A murder probe has been launched into the death of the girl - named by French media as Lola Daviet - after her corpse was found tied up inside the plastic suitcase close to her home in the French capital late on Friday night

Lola is seen partially obscured by the door as she follows her suspected killer, pictured centre. The suspect is seen wearing a grey jumper, white leggings and trainers. Lola quickly followed her into the building

Lola is pictured in this CCTV footage still wearing a white coat and carrying what appears to be her schoolbag

On Friday night after the body was discovered, three people were arrested near the scene.

Then a woman, who was spotted on CCTV with the schoolgirl hours before her death, was also held. Two others were also arrested and all are originally from Algeria, Le Parisien said.

Of the six initially arrested, which included Dahbia B's older sister Friha B, four are now considered innocent of any wrongdoing.

One 43-year-old man still faces charges over allegedly making a car available to the suspect over the weekend.

Now it is thought the alleged killer 'acted alone and gratuitously' in allegedly carrying out the murder, according to judicial sources.

Witnesses say they saw her dragging the suitcase which was 'stained with blood' and 'smelt strongly of bleach'.

An investigating source said: 'The alleged murderer somehow earned her victim's confidence and led her into a cellar below the building, where the attack happened.

'The attacker had been talking about selling organs and body parts, but none of this makes sense. She acted alone and gratuitously, and defiled her victim before killing her.'

Lola's parents are professional caretakers of a number of buildings in northern Paris, including the one where they live.

They also own two houses in the village of Fouquereuil, near Bethune, northern France, and a mobile holiday home in Rang-du-Fliers, on the English Channel coast.

Security stand outside the Georges Brassens middle school in Paris today as pupils returned shocked after the death of their classmate

Flower tributes to Lola were left outside her school this morning, with pupils offered psychological counselling

The victim's mother Delphine went to police at 5pm on Friday evening when she became worried that her daughter had not returned home

Lola was a pupil at the Georges Brassens school, just yards from her home.

The victim was discovered with her feet and wrists bound, tape around her face and several cuts to her throat, just hours after she was reported missing by her parents when she failed to return after class.

She had numbers placed on her body by a 'device', rather than cut into her skin, according to a police source cited by French broadcaster BFMTV.

A post-mortem examination on Saturday concluded that she had died of asphyxiation following a physical attack that included a knife being used to cut her body.

Chilling security camera footage has emerged which showed the girl, dressed in a white outfit and carrying what appears to be a schoolbag, walking into her building behind a woman who witnesses claimed was later seen carrying the suitcase.

One resident said he saw the suspect dragging the suitcase around two hours prior to Lola's disappearance.

'We saw her go into the building, and she was dragging the suitcase with her,' he said. 'She did not seem right in the mind.'

Others saw the suspect drinking a coffee and eating a croissant as she appeared to 'try and work out what to do next'.

Police told French media they had uncovered signs of kidnapping in the basement of the building and launched a murder enquiry.

Lola's corpse was discovered on Friday evening by a homeless man who saw an abandoned suitcase on the street

A message reads 'Lola, rest in peace' along with a bouquet of flowers displayed outside her school three days after her death

The schoolgirl's face was covered in tape, her feet and fists were bound, and she had suffered several cuts to her throat, according to reports

A post-mortem examination on Saturday concluded that she had died of asphyxiation following a physical attack that included a knife being used to cut her body

The schoolgirl's face was covered in tape, her feet and fists were bound, and she had suffered several cuts to her throat, according to reports.

The victim's mother went to police at 5pm on Friday evening when she became worried that her daughter had not returned home, and posted a desperate appeal for help on social media.

Mrs Daviet posted an image of Lola accompanied by the following message: 'Our daughter Lola was last seen at 3:20pm in the company of a woman we do not know in our residence.'

The footage from the entrance of the building only captured Lola following her suspected killer into her block.

Less than six hours later, a homeless man contacted the police after he allegedly stumbled upon the suitcase and discovered the body inside at around 11.30pm on Rue d'Hautpoul - a stone's throw away from the victim's home.

The public prosecutor confirmed to BFMTV that signs of a struggle had been discovered in one of the basement rooms in Lola's building.

Parisian officials indicated that staff and students of the Georges Brassens school, as well as neighbouring schools in the area, would receive psychological support.
This is the moment a man desperate to avoid being drafted into Russia's bloody war in Ukraine was snared by Putin's conscript-catchers.

Video taken from an apartment block in St Petersburg shows the man literally fleeing the draft after conscription officers showed up at his home.

Running through traffic, the man manages to evade two officers before another two catch up and collar him.

He is now set to be sent to a training camp and could find himself fighting and dying on the frontlines of Ukraine in just a few weeks.

This is the moment a man tried to flee the draft in the city of St Petersburg, running through traffic as police officers chase him

Putin ordered a partial mobilisation of what he said would be Russia's military reserves last month, with 300,000 men due to be sent to the battlefield.

Since then, footage has emerged of large numbers of men - mostly from Russia's rural hinterlands - being herded on to buses and taken to training camps.

Though their families were told they would spend months building up skills before going to fight, death notices have begun coming home after just a few weeks.

Putin announced that some 220,000 men have been called up so far and that the draft order would end in a couple of weeks.

But rumours have none-the-less been swirling that Putin's order actually goes far beyond the 300,000 he announced - with as many as 1million men on the list.

Whispers have been stoked by the fact that a key part of the draft order issued by Putin was omitted, with sources saying it contains the number to be called up.

That has sparked a rush for the exits, with almost 400,000 though to have fled across the border into Finland, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Mongolia.

Footage shows the man managing to give two officers the slip before being collared by two more, with a military training camp now awaiting him

Putin said last week that some 220,000 men have been press-ganged into the armed forces and that the remaining 80,000 should be rounded up in the next fortnight (pictured, Russian conscripts train for battle)

Despite being promised months of training before being sent into battle, some Russian families have been sent death notices after just a few weeks (pictured, conscripts training)

Putin is desperately trying to stop his military from losing any more ground to the Ukrainian army, which has made big gains on two fronts - both north and south - in the last several weeks.

Experts and analysts believe the new recruits will be used to cling on to what territory he has managed to gain in eight months of fighting, while missile attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure and cities erodes the will to fight.

The aim appears to be to pressure Kyiv and its allies into accepting a peace deal that favours Moscow - amid fears that would allow Putin the time to rearm his military before invading again.

Russia is known to have suffered heavy losses on the battlefield in Ukraine, though its exact casualty figures are shrouded in mystery.

Ukraine claims to have killed 65,000 Russian soldiers and to have taken out more than 2,500 tanks, 5,000 armoured vehicles, and hundreds of planes and helicopters.

The Pentagon estimated back in August that 80,000 Russians had been killed or wounded, or around half the force that Putin originally invaded with.

Russia's defence ministry improbably claims that just 5,937 of its soldiers have died which stands at odds with the admission that 300,000 more troops are needed.
The owner of London's Sherlock Holmes Museum is involved in a High Court fight with his younger brother over the 1million property the latter has called home for 25 years.

John Aidiniantz and his siblings have racked up more than 2.5million in cost and court orders in a decade-long feud over profits from the museum at 221B Baker Street.

The family have appeared in court more than 100 times over the museum, which was the brainchild of Mr Aidiniantz, 66, and has attracted tourists from around the globe to see its 'gas-lit world of London's iconic detective and his Victorian surroundings'.

The feud broke out in 2012 when the relationship between John and the rest of his family 'collapsed in a welter of bad feelings and cross-allegations', the court heard.

Past disputes have concerned who should benefit from the millions of pounds in revenues from the museum - which opened in 1989 - and gift shop, with assets frozen on both sides.

The feud has now reignited as Mr Aidiniantz and his company Rollerteam Ltd are fighting his brother Stephen Riley, 59, over their late mother's former 1million home in Battersea, south London.

Mr Aidiniantz claims he has no right to live there but his siblings, Mr Riley and Linda, 60, claim he cannot be forced out because the property was promised to him as a 'home for life' when it was purchased in Linda's name in 1997.

John Aidiniantz (pictured left) is currently the sole director of Rollerteam Ltd which owns the museum though other family members have been involved in its operation in the past. His brother Stephen (pictured right) told the court that his family members had promised him repeatedly before the falling out that he would always have a home at Parkgate Road

The property on Parkgate Road in Battersea, south London, was purchased in sister Linda's name 25 years ago and was intended to be a home for their late mother Grace and vulnerable younger brother, Stephen

Mr Aidiniantz is currently the sole director of the company which owns it, Rollerteam Ltd, though other family members have been involved in its operation in the past.

Siblings John, Linda and Mr Riley and Jenny Decoteau worked together at the famous museum for years but, for the last decade, have been locked in a bitter feud over money, property and the care of their late mother.

The property on Parkgate Road in south London was intended to be a home for their late mother Grace Aidiniantz and vulnerable younger brother Mr Riley.

But ever since 2012, the family has been involved in several court cases, arguing over 1.8milllion worth of takings from the museum, ownership and occupancy of various properties and the care of their late mother.

The feud has been described by judges who have dealt with it over the years as 'poisonous', 'lamentable' and 'sad' with 'bitterness and contempt' evident between family members.

The court previously heard the family met at the house in 2013 in a bid to settle their differences by signing a consent order and declaration of trust. The agreement resulted in John being appointed the sole owner of the museum company.

The museum was set up in 1989 close to Marylebone Station and has proved highly successful ever since, with it being described as 'a goldmine' in court

He promised Linda and Miss Decoteau, 62, they would receive 1million each while the Battersea property was put into a trust for the benefit of his company, with Grace and Stephen still living there.

In the latest development, Rollerteam and Mr Aidiniantz took Linda and Mr Riley to court once again, arguing Stephen has no right to continue to live in the home which should be handed to Mr Aidiniantz's company with 'vacant possession'.

Linda, who as trustee would be responsible for the transfer, does not oppose it in principle, but argues that she cannot kick Stephen out of the property because he had been promised years ago that it was his 'home for life'.

Stephen told the court his brother and other family members had promised him repeatedly before the falling out that he would always have a home at Parkgate Road.

Cross-examining Mr Riley in the witness box, Stephanie Varron, for Rollerteam and Mr Aidiniantz, alleged that he had known since the agreement in 2013 that he could have to move out.

'The deal was that from April 2013 you no longer had a right to stay at Parkgate Road and that Linda would provide your accommodation in the future,' she said to him.

'You could stay as long as your mother was living there, but she was getting on in years.'

He replied: 'There was no agreement that I was only going to stay at Parkgate Road until my mum died - it would be ridiculous for me to say yes to that.

'I wasn't the black sheep of the family. Jenny and Linda had got a million. I didn't get a million because I was told I would be "all right for life".'

Linda's barrister Cheryl Jones told the court that under the terms of the agreement, Mr Aidiniantz's company was supposed to reimburse her for mortgage payments and other outgoings on the property.

But she had not received the money she is owed, with the only payments received being ordered by judges.

It is argued that she would face 'financial disaster' if she was forced to sell the house at a low price given she is responsible for the mortgage.

Miss Jones told the court Linda would not be doing her duty as trustee if she evicted Stephen, due to the fact she believes he has a right to stay.

'It's quite clear that what was at the forefront of her mind was a concern about Stephen's position,' she said.

'She believed and continues to believe that Stephen has a right to live there. That has been her focus.

'She has sought to sort this out. She is tired. She doesn't resist a sale and never has done in these proceedings. She fully accepts Stephen's position will be decided by this court.

'There is a very unpleasant undertone in these proceedings of vindictiveness, a wish to punish, and a wish to gain an advantage.'

The siblings have been involved in a bitter feud in the courts for years (Pictured: Jenny Decoteau, left, and Linda Riley, right)

Barrister Mark Dencer, representing Mr Riley, claimed his older brother Mr Aidiniantz had known all along that he had a right to stay at the property due to the 2013 trust, which would have required 'very clear wording' if it was to go back on the promise and require him to be evicted.

'What John was getting was a goldmine,' he said. 'It would be surprising if the deal was that Linda gets a million, Jenny gets a million and Stephen not only doesn't get anything, but actually loses the one thing he does have, which is his home.'

The parties will have one more attempt to transfer the home with Stephen still living in it, before Deputy Master Bowles decides whether he has the right to stay or not.

The decision on whether Mr Riley has the right to stay will be made at a later date.

The long-running court feud has resulted in orders for payments from various members of the family totalling at least 2million.

A Court of Protection fight over Grace's care and finances before she died ran up legal bills of 270,000 alone, while another case in 2015 ended up in costs orders for more than 250,000 on just one side of the row.

In 2015, judge Mr Justice Peter Jackson refused the family anonymity in the Court of Protection, pointing out that it was in the public interest for people to know how much they had by then spent on their fight.
An eco-warrior vicar who has been in and out of court and spent time in jail is asking the public to pay his legal bills after joining Just Stop Oil protests.

Reverend Mark Coleman, who is retired due to ill health, is pleading for the public to help him cover his legal and travel costs - which have put him 2,000 out of pocket.

The 63-year-old has been arrested four times this year while campaigning with the group, and said: 'It would be wonderful if some lovely people could help me carry the financial burden.'

Reverend Mark Coleman, who is retired due to ill health, is pleading for the public to help him cover his legal and travel costs - which have put him 2,000 out of pocket

He has become a familiar face at climate protests with pictures going viral of him gluing himself to a road and being carried off by police while donning his clerical collar

The clergyman was also an active supporter of Insulate Britain, leading him to be arrested on nine further occasions after he blocked roads including the busy M25.

He has become a familiar face at climate protests with pictures going viral of him gluing himself to a road and being carried off by police while donning his clerical collar.

He was one of 56 Just Stop Oil protestors who blocked the Kingsbury oil terminal in Kingsbury, Warwickshire, in August.

Coleman is trying to raise 1,000 and has already had 735 donated to him by 22 people in just three days

The Just Stop Oil supporter was also an active supporter of Insulate Britain, leading him to be arrested on nine further occasions after he blocked roads including the busy M25

Following the protest Coleman, who was vicar at St Chad's and St Mary's churches, in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, spent a week in prison on remand for contempt of court.

In a GoFundMe appeal page, Coleman, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, said he needs help with the 'financial burden' because he doesn't 'have a future.'

He is trying to raise 1,000 and has already had 735 donated to him by 22 people in just three days.

One supporter has given him a total of 100.

In August, Reverend Coleman glued his hands to the road in a Just Stop Oil protest at the Navigator oil terminal in, Grays, Essex.

Four months earlier he was cleared of criminal damage after being accused of criminal damage by spraying Tory MP Chris Clarkson's constituency office.

The case was dropped due to a lack of evidence.

He is a member of Christian Climate Action and was released from prison along with two other vicars, Reverend Bill White and Reverend Tim Hewes on September 22.

He is a member of Christian Climate Action and was released from prison along with two other vicars, Reverend Bill White (left) and Reverend Tim Hewes (right) on September 22
The members of K-pop band BTS will serve their mandatory military duties under South Korean law, their management company said Monday, effectively ending a debate on exempting them because of their artistic accomplishments.

Big Hit Music said the band's oldest member, Jin, 29, will revoke his request to delay his conscription at the end of the month and undertake the required conscription steps.

The six other members also plan to serve in the military, according to the company's notice to financial regulators, which it described as management-related information that could possibly affect investment decisions.

Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men under the age of 30 must perform between 18 to 21 months of military service, mainly because the country remains technically at war with nuclear-armed North Korea.

Big Hit issued another statement on Twitter, saying the company and BTS members are 'looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025 following their service commitment.'

The members of K-pop band BTS will serve their mandatory military duties under South Korean law, their management company said Monday, effectively ending a debate on exempting them because of their artistic accomplishments

Big Hit Music said the band's oldest member, Jin, 29, (pictured) will revoke his request to delay his conscription at the end of the month and undertake the required conscription steps

Whether the BTS members must serve in the army had been a hotly debated issue in South Korea as Jin faced possible enlistment early next year after turning 30 in December

Refusing to complete one's mandatory service is a crime in South Korea, and can lead to imprisonment and social stigma.

Exemptions from military service are granted to some elite athletes, such as Olympic medallists, and to classical musicians - but pop stars do not qualify.

Big Hit Music confirmed that the BTS stars, ranging in age from 25-year-old Jungkook to 29-year-old Jin will enlist in the military.

No further information on the timing of their service was given.

BTS announced a break in June from group musical activities to pursue solo projects, raising questions about the band's future.

Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men under the age of 30 must perform between 18 to 21 months of military service, mainly because the country remains technically at war with nuclear-armed North Korea. Pictured: A South Korean navy member participates in amphibious landing drills during a joint military exercise with U.S. and Philippine navies at a naval station in Zambales province, Philippines, on October 7

The band reunited this weekend and performed together in Busan in support of the city's EXPO bid, but only solo projects appear to be planned until 2025.

The announcement came after Lee Ki Sik, commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, told lawmakers this month that it would be 'desirable' for BTS members to fulfil their military duties to ensure fairness in the country's military service.

BTS had already benefited from a 2020 revision to the conscription law that moved the age limit for some entertainers to sign up from 28 to 30 years old.

Since South Korea's draft interrupts young males in their professional careers or studies, the dodging of military duties or creation of exemptions is a highly sensitive issue.

Opinion surveys in recent weeks showed that the public was split over whether the BTS members should serve in the military.
More furious Tories urged Liz Truss to quit today with calls for 1922 chair to step in as the mini-Budget was torched.

Angela Richardson became the fourth MP openly calling for the leader to go, with intense manoeuvring going on behind the scenes.

Backbench shop steward Sir Graham Brady is returning from holiday to the fevered chaos, with 100 politicians said to support changing party rules so Ms Truss can face an immediate confidence vote.

Critics have taunted the leader as 'PINO' - PM in name only - after Jeremy Hunt tore up her plans in an extraordinary series of U-turn to calm markets.

But Downing Street insisted that the premier will not resign, saying she is providing 'stability'.

Ms Truss - who is expected to be alongside Mr Hunt when he makes a Commons statement later - tweeted to say that the government was 'charting a new path'.

Guildford MP Ms Richardson said Ms Truss was '100 per cent' to blame for the chaos.

'We saw those unfunded tax cuts. Had that not happened, the markets would not have responded the way that they did, we would not be seeing the fact that there's potentially an extra 10billion that we've got to try and plug.

She added: 'I believe that's 100 per cent down to the Prime Minister, I'm afraid, and so I just don't think that it's tenable that she can stay in her position any longer and I'm very sad to have to say that.'

Liz Truss has been warned she remains in No10 'at the moment' as she prepares for a crunch meeting with 'centrist' Tory MPs this evening

Ms Truss - who is expected to be alongside Jeremy Hunt when he makes a Commons statement later - tweeted to say that the government was 'charting a new path'

Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the Tories' powerful 1922 Committee, has arrived home from holiday and is also expected to meet with the PM

Penny Mordaunt, the Leader of the House of Commons, used a newspaper article this morning to urge MPs to rally behind the PM and new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt

Mr Hunt was referred to as the 'de facto Prime Minister' by a senior Conservative MP this morning in a withering putdown of Ms Truss

Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries warned MPs to either support Ms Truss or bring back Boris Johnson to avoid a general election

Red Wall MP Ben Bradley voiced despair after the shift by Mr Hunt.

'Well, that effectively renders all the political fallout, criticism, dive in the polls etc of the last few weeks entirely pointless doesn't it... Right back where we started, just far less popular than before,' he tweeted.

However, asked whether the PM would quit, her spokesman said 'no'.

'The Prime Minister is listening to the public,' they said.

'She is listening to advice on the markets, she is listening to her colleagues and she is making the necessary difficult decisions to change our approach so that we can provide the economic stability and indeed maintain that stability of leadership which is important.'

Pressed on whether she accepted she had a credibility problem, the spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister is demonstrating that she is able to make the difficult decisions necessary to provide the leadership for this country.'

Mr Hunt was referred to as the 'de facto Prime Minister' by a senior Conservative MP this morning in a withering putdown of Ms Truss.

It comes after ex-Chancellor George Osborne branded Ms Truss as 'Pino - Prime Minister in name only' and predicted she would be gone by Christmas.

The PM was warned she remains in No10 'at the moment' as she prepares for a crunch meeting with 'centrist' Tory MPs this evening.

Three other Conservative backbenchers have broken ranks to demand Ms Truss quits as PM.

It has been claimed more than 100 are ready to submit letters of no confidence in her leadership to Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the Tories' powerful 1922 Committee.

Sir Graham has arrived home from holiday and is expected to meet with Ms Truss.

He is facing demands from Tory backbenchers to tell the PM her time is up or change party rules to allow an immediate vote of confidence in her leadership.

Under current rules, Ms Truss is safe from such a vote in the first 12 months of her leadership.

With mutinous Tory MPs still undecided over who could replace the PM - or how they might best force her out - Cabinet ministers are pushing back against the feverish speculation over Ms Truss's future.

Penny Mordaunt, the Leader of the House of Commons who has been tipped as a possible replacement for Ms Truss, used a newspaper article this morning to urge MPs to rally behind the PM and Mr Hunt.

'Our country needs stability, not a soap opera,' she wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

The national mission though is clear, as the Prime Minister said,' Ms Mordaunt added.

'That is what we should all focus on now. It needs pragmatism and teamwork. It needs us to work with the Prime Minister and her new Chancellor. It needs all of us.'

But, despite Ms Mordaunt's public backing, there was no Government minister doing TV or radio interviews this morning in defence of Ms Truss's position.

Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries warned MPs to either support Ms Truss or bring back Boris Johnson to avoid a general election.

'There is no unity candidate. No one has enough support,' she posted on Twitter.

'Only one MP has a mandate from party members and from the British public  a mandate with an 80 seat majority.

'The choices are simple  back Liz, if not bring back Boris or face a GE within weeks.'

As part of her efforts to shore up her position, the PM is due to meet with the 100-strong One Nation group of Tory MPs this evening.

Former minister Victoria Atkins confirmed Ms Truss's attendance and said the group would 'do our very best and are a very warm, welcoming audience for Cabinet ministers'.

'At the forefront of our minds will be asking her questions as to how she intends to emphasise our compassionate Conservative principles that have won us elections since 2010,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Asked whether she wants Ms Truss to lead the Tories into the next general election, Ms Atkins replied: 'She is the PM at the moment, we will not have an election for the next few years.

'I want her to get us back on to the right track, I want her to reiterate our concerns for our constituents and for compassionate One Nation values.'

Asked again if she wants Ms Truss to lead the Conservatives into the next election, Ms Atkins said: 'If she's able to bring those values to the fore then I'm very happy for her to do that.'

Senior backbencher Sir Roger Gale referred to Mr Hunt as the 'de facto Prime Minister at the moment'.

'It's quite clear that all the shots are now being called from No 11,' he told Sky News.

'And in a way I'm happy to say that I'm very pleased that they are because I think that will stabilise the markets and I hope that we can find a way forward for the United Kingdom.

'If he gets this wrong, then we're going to go hell in a handcart but if he gets it right, then we can emerge from this, I think, better and stronger and we can start to move forward in the direction that we all really want to go.'

Former deputy PM Damian Green suggested that Mr Hunt's appointed as Chancellor was 'already beginning to reassure the markets' and offered hope the Conservatives could 'start again'.

He referred to Ms Truss as a 'pragmatist', adding: 'She's realised that the first budget didn't work in spectacular fashion.

'So she's now taken the sensible view that we will now try something else, and she's appointed a very sensible Chancellor in Jeremy Hunt.'

Mr Green said it 'would be best' for the Tories to avoid another leadership election.

'I think the general public would be entitled to look pretty askance at that  and so the ideal outcome for the country most importantly, but also, as it happens, for the Conservative Party, is for the Government to succeed,' he continued.

'I think the appointment of Jeremy Hunt and what he's done so far shows us a way that we can do that and if we continue on that course then we will get back the stability that everyone is crying out for.'

Liz Smith, finance and economy spokeswoman for the Scottish Conservatives at Holyrood, told the BBC that Ms Truss has 'just days left to turn this round and if she can't do that she would have to stand down'.

Former chief whip Andrew Mitchell suggested Ms Truss had just a fortnight to save her premiership.

'I think the next two weeks will be critical in determining the answer to that question,' he told Times Radio, when asked if Ms Truss would lead the Tories into the next election.

Crispin Blunt, Jamie Wallis and Andrew Bridgen all publicly called for Ms Truss to quit last night.

Mr Blunt today told Channel 4's Andrew Neil Show he does not think the PM can survive the current crisis.

Mr Bridgen, who supported Rishi Sunak's leadership campaign, told the Daily Telegraph: 'We cannot carry on like this. Our country, its people and our party deserve better.'

Mr Wallis took to Twitter to share a letter sent to the Prime Minister.

He wrote: 'In recent weeks, I have watched as the Government has undermined Britain's economic credibility and fractured our Party irreparably.

'Enough is enough. I have written to the PM to ask her to stand down as she no longer holds the confidence of this country.'
Actor Yeo Jin-goo in a scene from the film "Ditto" / Courtesy of CJ CGV



Remake of 2000 film 'Ditto' features different dialogue, themes



By Kwak Yeon-soo



Yeo Jin-goo, who is returning to the big screen after five years with time travel-romance film "Ditto," said he has always wanted to do a romantic comedy while he is still in his 20s.



"I had been filming heavy material, mainly portraying mature and serious characters. I wanted to try fun, lighthearted acting roles and include romance in my filmography while I'm in my 20s," the 25-year-old said during a press conference for the film, Monday.



"I grew up watching movies set in the 1990s and 2000s, and the 90s rom-coms were always so enjoyable and heartwarming that they even made me envious of the older generation."



"Ditto" is a remake of the 2000 fantasy romance of the same title about two college students living in different eras who are able to communicate with each other using an old radio following a lunar eclipse. It involves a blend of fantasy, romance and drama.



Yeo plays Yong, a mechanical engineering student living in 1999. Cho Yi-hyun, who shot to fame with the Netflix series "All of Us Are Dead," takes on the role of Moo-nee, a sociology student living in 2022.



Cho, who decided to join the project immediately after reading the script, said, "I've been longing to star in films or series that are warm and uplifting. Then I came across the script for 'Ditto' and immediately fell in love with it."



She explained that she felt no pressure, but wanted to do a good job on the remake of the 2000 film, which starred Yoo Ji-tae and Kim Ha-neul. "The director made some dramatic changes in the setting, dialogue and theme that really took us down a different route," Cho said.



Na In-woo, who appears as Moo-nee's love interest Young-ji, said working with Cho was a "quick bonding experience" as they tried to figure out their characters together.



"We quickly became friends after playing games together," he said, adding that he chose "Ditto" because it seemed the perfect thing for audiences who need a break from a culture of busyness.



"We have a lot of things going on in the world and everybody seems to be so busy these days. I'm sure that our uplifting film could give you a perfect escape movie experience," he said.



"Ditto" will hit local theaters, Nov. 16.


NATO today began military drills practising the use of Europe's nuclear bombs after Vladimir Putin threatened to use any means necessary to defend Russian territory in the face of setbacks in Ukraine.

US B-52 long-range bombers and up to 60 aircraft will take part in training flights over Belgium, the UK and the North Sea today as part of NATO's annual nuclear exercise 'Steadfast Noon'.

The nuclear drills - which do not involve live bombs - come after Vladimir Putin said that a direct clash between NATO and Russian troops would lead to 'global catastrophe'.

The bulk of the war games will be held at least 625 miles from Russia's borders.

Belgium is hosting the drills that will involve 14 countries and up to 60 aircraft, including the most advanced fighter jets on the market and U.S. B-52 long-range bombers that will fly in from Minot Air Base in North Dakota. Pictured: A B-52 bomber from the 2nd Bomb Wing of Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, right, flies with Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s during a mission in the Middle East in January

NATO today began military drills practising the use of Europe's nuclear bombs after tensions soared with Russia. Pictured: Soldiers of UK contingents take part in the Bold Hussar military exercise, at the Central Training Area near Tapa army base in Estonia, on October 12, 2022. Bold Hussar is a military practice exercise of the Estonian Defence Forces and NATO allied units

Fourteen of NATO's 30 members will take part in the exercises, with around 60 aircraft including fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads and surveillance and refuelling planes conducting training flights.

U.S. long-range B-52 bombers will also take part in the manoeuvres after flying in from Minot Air Base in North Dakota.

The exercises, which will run until October 30, were planned before Putin ordered Russian troops into Ukraine in February. Russia usually holds its own annual manoeuvres around the same time, and NATO is expecting Moscow to exercise its nuclear forces sometime this month.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has rejected any calls to scrap the drill after Putin ratcheted up his nuclear rhetoric as his troops lose ground in Ukraine.

'It would send a very wrong signal if we suddenly now cancelled a routine, long-time planned exercise because of the war in Ukraine,' Stoltenberg said last week.

'We need to understand that NATO's firm, predictable behaviour, our military strength, is the best way to prevent escalation.'

NATO says it has seen no change in Russia's nuclear posture despite the tougher language from the Kremlin.

'But we remain vigilant,' Stoltenberg said.

NATO's nuclear war games comes as Russia attacked the centre of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv during morning rush hour with kamikaze drones on Monday and shelled other cities around the country.

Five explosions were reported in the city starting around 6.30am local time, the BBC reported, as the drones managed to dodge air defence systems with police resorting to using rifles to try and shoot them down.

Astonishing images capture the moment a suicide drones dives towards the streets of Kyiv (left) and the moment people run for shelter after it explodes (right)

A ball of smoke and flames rises over the streets of Kyiv as the city is bombarded by a swarm of Iranian-made kamikaze drones early on Monday, hitting residential areas and energy infrastructure

This is the second time in a week that Russia has unleashed strikes across Ukraine while its forces face setbacks on the battlefield.

An official in Ukraine's presidential office said three people were killed in an attack on a residential building in Kyiv. Black smoke poured out of the windows of a blasted building and emergency service workers toiled to douse flames.

Ukraine said the attacks were carried out by Iran-made 'suicide drones', which fly to their target and detonate.

Smoke billows from the ruins of a building in Kyiv destroyed by a suicide drone after the city was attacked early on Monday, as Russian forces continue to target the Ukrainian capital

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drones strikes were aimed at 'terrorising the civilian population' but vowed: 'The enemy can attack our cities but it won't be able to break us.'

Russia's defence ministry said it had carried out a 'massive' attack on military targets and energy infrastructure across Ukraine using high-precision weapons.

It comes a week after a huge barrage of Russian missiles and Iranian-made kamikaze drones targeted virtually every major Ukrainian city, destroying infrastructure and killing civilians after a blast on the Crimean Bridge.

Russia has continued striking cities and infrastructure since then - albeit at a lower intensity - having apparently changed tactics in the war after a humiliating series of defeats on the battlefield.
The Tories could be heading for such a walloping at the next election that they might only be the third largest party in the Commons, a shock poll-of-polls suggests today.

Liz Truss's current governing party could be left with a rump of just 48 seats if the country went to the polls tomorrow, handing Labour a potential majority of 364.

In an astonishing reversal for the party that has been in power for 12 years, the scenario mapped out by Electoral Calculus suggests Nicola Sturgeon's Scottish National Party would form the official opposition, with 52 of the 59 seats north of the border.

The website based its findings on opinion polls between October 5 and October 14 that sampled 11,358 people across the UK.

Even in the best-case scenario, the Conservatives are left with fewer than 200 seats.

It came amid reports that Labour frontbenchers are taking lessons in how to run a government.

Liz Truss's current governing party could be left with a rump of just 48 seats if the country went to the polls tomorrow, handing Labour a potential majority of 364

In an astonishing reversal for the party that has been in power for 12 years, the scenario mapped out by Electoral Calculus suggests Nicola Sturgeon's Scottish National Party would form the official opposition, with 52 of the 59 seats north of the border

It came amid reports that Labour frontbenchers are taking lessons in how to run a government

Sturgeon promises 'Scottish pound' and no passports to visit England Nicola Sturgeon today suggested Scotland could have its own currency within five years of independence as she continued her renewed push to break up the United Kingdom. The Scottish First Minister claimed the UK was 'fundamentally on the wrong path' as she set out how an independent Scotland would operate. She insisted the country would be able to have its own Scottish pound and dismissed suggestions Scots would be required to use passports to get into England as 'utter nonsense'. But Ms Sturgeon admitted there would be other border checks for trade between Scotland and England. Opponents questioned how she could avoid an independent Scotland having to join the euro single currency if she sees through her wish to join the European Union. The First Minister claimed that Scotland would not 'qualify automatically' to join the euro and stressed it was not the 'right option' for her country. She was also pressed on how long it would take to set up an independent currency, telling an Edinburgh press conference she hoped it would be 'shorter' than five years. Ms Sturgeon spoke following the release of a new Scottish Government paper setting out its economic proposals for an independent Scotland. The First Minister tore into the current chaos at Westminster as Liz Truss battles to cling on as Prime Minister amid a financial meltdown. The SNP leader claimed the current economic travails were 'a crisis long in the making' and 'not a temporary phenomenon'. 'The UK economy is in long-term decline, the UK economic model is failing and failing badly,' she said. Advertisement

The Times reported that the Institute for Government (IfG) think-tank was running 90-minute sessions for the opposition because so few of Sir Keir Starmer's team were MPs when Labour was last in power.

They are said to be covering the role of cabinet ministers, how to run the transition after an election, and 'scrutiny and spending'.

Meanwhile a separate poll today suggested more people see Keir Starmer as ready to lead the next Government than at any time since Tony Blair was leader.

Nearing half (47 per cent) agree that Labour is ready to form the next government, up 10 per cent since July.

Their numbers are comparable to those achieved by the Conservatives under David Cameron in April 2010 when 47 per cent agreed the Conservative were ready and 41 per cent disagreed  but behind slightly Tony Blairs Labour in 1997 when 55 per cent agreed, 33 per cent disagreed.

Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries has warned her colleagues they must support Miss Truss or bring back her predecessor Boris Johnson to avoid a general election.

She tweeted: 'There is no unity candidate. No one has enough support.

'Only one MP has a mandate from party members and from the British public - a mandate with an 80 seat majority. @BorisJohnson

'The choices are simple - back Liz, if not bring back Boris or face a GE within weeks.'

It came as Jeremy Hunt took a wrecking ball to 'lame duck' Miss Truss's economic policies today in a desperate bid to calm the markets - as Tories warn she must be gone in days.

The new Chancellor said he was propping up market 'confidence' with an extraordinary overhaul of the disastrous mini-Budget two weeks ahead of schedule, and barely three days after he was parachuted into the job.

He 'indefinitely' ditched plans to knock 1p off the basic rate of tax, one of the PM's flagship measures, VAT exemptions for tourists and the freeze on alcohol duty.

In a worrying sign for struggling families, the cap on energy bills also fell victim of the spending drive.

Rather than lasting two years, it will be reviewed in April and replaced with 'targeted' help for the poorest.

Only the stamp duty reductions and cut to national insurance are safe - with the former already in force and legislation for the latter all-but through Parliament.

Mr Hunt warned of 'more difficult decisions' to come 'on both tax and spending' as ministers scramble to fill a 72billion hole in the public finances, after Kwasi Kwarteng's fiscal package sparked a complete meltdown. The pound spiked over $1.13 on the move.

Mr Hunt said: 'We will reverse almost all the tax measures announced in the growth plan three weeks ago that have not started parliamentary legislation.'

He added: 'This government will take whatever tough decisions are necessary.'

Despite jettisoning her closest ally, along with her 18billion commitment to lower corporation tax on Friday and now the rest of her mini-Budget, Miss Truss still looks in deep trouble.

Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith was slated to do broadcast interviews this morning, but no cabinet minister came out to shore up her position.

Mr Hunt is being openly described as the 'de facto PM' while around 100 MPs are said to have written to Graham Brady - chief of the 1922 committee of backbench Tory MPs - who returns from holiday today, urging him to change party rules so the premier can be ousted.

Liz Truss's premiership is lying in ruins today after 'de facto PM' Hunt took a wrecking ball to her economic policies - with Tories warning it is 'all over''.

The new Chancellor said he was propping up 'confidence' with an extraordinary dismantling of the disastrous mini-Budget, two weeks ahead of schedule and barely three days after he was parachuted into the job.

In what amounted to a leadership pitch, delivered Covid-crisis style against a Union Jack backdrop, Mr Hunt 'indefinitely' ditched plans to knock 1p off the basic rate of tax from April.

The flagship 'guarantee' capping energy bills also fell victim to the spending drive. Rather than lasting two years it will be reviewed in April and replaced with 'targeted' help for the poorest.

That could mean households facing annual costs in line with the 3,500 Ofgem cap from next spring, instead of the current 2,500 level.

In a further humiliations, the freeze on alcohol duty and VAT exemptions for tourists were torched. And the cap on bankers' bonuses is even being brought back even though it does not raise any revenue for the government.

Only the stamp duty reductions and cut to national insurance are safe - with the former already in force and legislation for the latter all-but through Parliament.

The dramatic announcement - which sent the Pound spiking (pictured) - comes as ministers scramble to fill a 72billion hole in the public finances, after Kwasi Kwarteng's fiscal package sparked a complete meltdown

Liz Truss (pictured today) has only been PM for 40 days, but rebels are already plotting her removal and are keen for her to go this week, sources say, as her new Chancellor prepares to axe much of her mini-budget today

Of the 45billion of tax cuts boldly announced by Kwasi Kwarteng in the package that sparked market meltdown last month, 32billion has now been reversed. The freezing of tax thresholds combined with inflation rampant will result in Britons paying far more tax than before.

The respected IFS said the figures on departmental budgets due to be announced at Halloween are likely to be 'scary', with half the estimated 72billion hole in the public finances still to be filled. Mr Hunt rolled the pitch for additional pain, warning of 'more difficult decisions' to come 'on both tax and spending'.

The Pound spiked over $1.13 on the move, while government borrowing costs fell.

Mr Hunt said: 'We will reverse almost all the tax measures announced in the growth plan three weeks ago that have not started parliamentary legislation.'

He added: 'This government will take whatever tough decisions are necessary.'

Ms Truss - who is expected to join Mr Hunt in the Commons chamber when he addresses the House at around 4.15pm - tweeted to say the government is 'charting a new course' to boost 'stability'. The Chancellor told a briefing for MPs that she had 'backed him to the hilt', arguing that voters will look 'forward not back' - a phrase that echoes the Labour election slogan from 2005.

But more MPs have been openly calling for her to go, while others are clearly incensed by the chaos.

Backbencher Ben Bradley tweeted: 'Right back where we started, just far less popular than before.'

Senior MP Sir Charles Walker insisted there would not be a snap election, because polls suggest that the Tories would end up with fewer seats than the SNP.

A former Cabinet minister told MailOnline: 'The problem is that her advisers will doubtless be working on a plan to get her out of this, but totally oblivious to the fact that it is all over.

'I think it will be Brady, putting pressure on her that the rules will be changed unless she goes.

'The Cabinet is full of her mates and supporters who are too weak to tell her to go.'

Another Tory veteran aide said: 'It could only get worse for her if she cries in public. And we may yet get there.'

Despite jettisoning her closest ally along with her 18billion commitment to lower corporation on Friday, and now the rest of her mini-Budget, Ms Truss still looks in deep trouble.

She held a Cabinet call this morning to lay out the scale of the policies she was ditching.

Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith was slated to do broadcast interviews this morning, but no Cabinet minister came out to shore up her position.
MoD 'cannot determine a realistic timescale' for when Ajax will come into service

Work to build 589 armoured vehicles has been in limbo for years after setbacks

It comes amid fears the Chancellor could make cuts to the MoD's huge budget

Fresh speculation is raised over whether the Ajax light tank project will be axed

Ajax was meant to be the Army's first new armoured vehicle in a generation, designed to make the military more deadly on the battlefield.

A massive 5.5billion was set aside for the project - but it has been a disaster plagued with glitches, with prototypes damaging the hearing of troops who tested them and making other personnel sick.

Now, with 3.2billion of taxpayers' cash pumped into the scheme - which has failed to put a single one of the promised 589 tanks into service - fresh question marks are swirling over whether it is time for Ajax to be axed.

It comes as the new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt today warned 'there will be more difficult decisions to be made on both tax and spending' after his predecessor Kwasi Kwarteng's disastrous mini-budget last month caused financial chaos and led to the pound plummeting in value.

The comments have fuelled fresh fears that cuts could be looming within the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to fill a 60billion black hole in Government finances.

MailOnline understands mutterings in Westminster over the future of the Ajax programme, which has been delayed by at least five years and faces languishing in defence procurement purgatory while engineers attempt to make the vehicles safe, are growing louder.

The MoD has halted trials of its new Ajax fleet of armoured vehicles because of a range of problems with the new fleet

There are several plans understood to be on the table, which include the MoD holding out and waiting for Ajax's defects to be fixed.

That idea faces its own hurdles, with claims there could be a legal battle between Government and Ajax developers General Dynamics over the poor quality of the military kit - despite a defence minister insisting last week the Government was continuing 'to work with' the American firm to fix defects.

But there is talk, too, of a 'plan B', with one source in Westminster claiming military chiefs were now looking at whether or not to cut their losses and scrap the project.

Now Meg Hillier, chairman of the Commons' powerful public accounts committee - which scrutinises Government spending - said 'hard-nosed decisions' must urgently be taken.

She told MailOnline: 'This is getting beyond a joke. This is putting off the capability that our troops need on the ground and with a land war in Europe, it is a very stark reminder this is a real threat, and we need that capability.

'There needs to be some very hard-nosed decisions... The last time [the MoD] tried to balance the books, they shelved everything. They put lots of things back.'

John Healey, Shadow Defence Secretary, branded the Ajax debacle the 'biggest defence procurement failure of the past decade'.

'The Defence Secretary has made Ajax central to future Army operations and to Britain fielding a modern warfighting division to Nato,' he told MailOnline.

'The MoD has spent 3.2billion, yet it's five years late, just 26 vehicles have been delivered and there's still no solution to the noise and vibration problems.

'It is high time ministers made a decision on whether to scrap or stick with Ajax.

'Dragging out the indecision leaves future Army plans in limbo. Ministers are failing British troops and British taxpayers.'

There are several plans understood to be on the table, including the MoD holding out and waiting for Ajax's defects to be fixed

Defence experts have called for a cancellation of the Ajax programme, which has been delayed for years and is expected to cost 5.5billion

The armoured vehicle was meant to offer unparalleled protection to its crew, and deliver a lethal punch with its 40mm cannon.

But when one of the tanks arrived for trials in 2019, it shook so violently and was so noisy that it ended up injured hundreds of personnel using it.

The deal was agreed in 2014 for 589 vehicles in six different variations, with the project meant to be completed by 2017.

Yet technical woes have already pushed the tank's introduction into the Army back twice, with 26 vehicles reportedly received by the military so far - none of which are in service.

Robert Clark, director of defence and security at the think-tank Civitas, has been following the Ajax saga for years.

When asked by MailOnline whether the costly scheme should now be axed, the armed forces veteran said: 'Yes absolutely.'

He believes the government should cut its losses, having spent billions of pounds on the glitch-plagued vehicle with nothing to show for it, and pump cash back into other military programmes.

'There would still remain 2billion from [the] original Ajax and Infantry Fighting Vehicle budget after Ajax is scrapped.

'So [the Government] could either use that as MoD's contribution to departmental cuts, which are now inevitably coming under Jeremy Hunt, or hopefully use that to purchase more Boxers with a refitted 40mm gun to undertake similar role of the Ajax,' he added.

Over the weekend, however, the Chancellor said government departments, including the MoD, would need to find 'more efficiencies than they were planning' as part of future cuts.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told the nation today there 'will be more difficult decisions to be made on both tax and spending'. Mr Hunt is pictured during his recorded address on Monday

The move would indicate another ditching of one of Liz Truss's Tory leadership campaign pledges to increase defence spending.

The Prime Minister had vowed to bump up defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2026 and 3 per cent by 2030.

But on BBC Radio 4s Today programme on his first day as Chancellor, Mr Hunt refused to say whether the PM's pledge would be upheld.

'We do need to increase defence spending, but I cant make a promise to you here and now about the timings of that,' he said.

'The long-term ability to fund an increase in defence spending will depend on stability in the economic situation and a healthily growing economy.'

The news comes weeks after MailOnline revealed that the government could not 'determine a realistic timescale' for when - or if - the Ajax project would come into service.

The revelation sparked furious calls from experts, who demanded the urgent action from the Government.

It followed comments from new defence minister Alec Shelbrooke. The Tory MP for Elmet and Rothwell was quizzed by Mr Healey over the 'feasibility' of delivering the programme 'on time' and in budget.

MP Alec Shelbrooke was appointed as a defence minister by Prime Minister Liz Truss. He said the MoD cannot determine a 'realistic timescale' for Ajax's operational introduction

Responding to a written question, Mr Shelbrooke admitted: 'We will not accept a vehicle until it can be used safely for its intended purposes and until long-term solutions to the noise and vibration problems have been found, we cannot determine a realistic timescale for the introduction of Ajax into operational service.'

News of the ongoing Ajax saga has left the head of a think-tank outraged and questioning whether the multi-billion pound project was a good use of taxpayers' cash.

Defence expert calls for the costly Ajax programme to be 'cancelled' Ajax, left, pictured next to the British Army's other armoured fighting vehicle, the Boxer Continuing the costly Ajax project would be 'reinforcing failure', a defence expert has warned as he called for the woe-stricken scheme to be axed. Edward Arnold, a research fellow with the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) think-tank, said delaying a decision over on the future of the 5.5billion project any further would be 'dangerous'. Mr Arnold told MailOnline: 'The Ajax saga has moved from a technical problem to a cultural one at the heart of the MoD. 'For an organisation that prides itself on planning and decision-making, there still appears to be an inability for individuals to show leadership, moral courage and accountability and make a definitive call on the future of the Ajax programme. 'When considering the information available, the "best" option would be to cancel the programme and continuing it - to borrow military terminology - would be "reinforcing failure". Delaying this decision further, with a European industrial war ongoing would be dangerous and will cast more ambiguity on the future structure and operation of the British Army. 'If the Ajax programme is cancelled, nothing short of full transparency and accountability into how the MoD got here and why will suffice, no matter how brutal that process might be, especially given the announced intent to significantly increase the defence budget to 2030. It's time for the MoD to learn lessons, rather than simply identifying them.' Advertisement

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, told MailOnline: 'Taxpayers will be furious at this disgraceful use of their cash.

'With the tax burden at a 70-year high, defence chiefs can't afford to waste a single penny.

'They should show more discipline with the public purse.'

The new machines are supposed to replace a family of armoured reconnaissance vehicles designed in the 1960s.

But a damning review of the project in December found 'serious failings' that exposed a 'deep malaise' in the nation's defence procurement process.

The government-commissioned health and safety study also blasted MoD officials and the Army for failing to protect soldiers involved in trials after some suffered hearing damage.

It is understood that as of December 2021, more than 300 personnel may have been harmed by vibration and noise during testing.

Former armed forces minister Mark Francois told the Telegraph that the Ajax debacle was 'a disastrous example of everything that is wrong with the MoDs broken procurement system', adding: 'It is a scandal.

Last year's official inquiry found that warnings the Ajax vehicles were badly flawed and would injure soldiers were ignored four years by military top brass.

The government review said a 2018 safety recommendation saying the vehicle must be redesigned due to excessive vibration was not acted upon.

Had the appropriate action been taken, public money would have been saved and scores of troops would have been spared injuries.

Last year former defence procurement minister Jeremy Quin, who was in charge of buying the nation's new military kit, admitted he was 'horrified' by the revelation.

Mr Quin pledged to appoint a senior legal figure to examine the cause of the problems plaguing the project.

But it is not known how far these discussions have gone since that promise was made.

Tobias Ellwood, the chairman of the Commons defence committee, launched a vicious broadside at the Ajax scheme, branding it a 'complete mess'.

'Our whole land warfare programme is now operationally suboptimal,' the former army officer and ex-defence minister said.

In March the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the 'challenges' faced by the MoD to deliver the project.

The spending watchdog's report found the MoD had no confidence in its own target for Ajax to be fully operational by April 2025.

Previously, soldiers evaluating the weapons system found it has problems clearing eight-inch high obstacles - and some troops testing suffered hearing damage due to loud vibration noise

Troops have complained that the new tank is not performing as it was designed

Meanwhile, NAO chiefs also warned that finding a solution to the problem may not be found until at least the end of the year, amid a reported disagreement over safety between the MoD and the manufacturer.

Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: 'The Ministry of Defence and GDLS-UKs approach was flawed from the start.

'They did not fully understand the scale or complexity of the Ajax programme and a series of failures have led to delays and unresolved safety issues that will have a significant impact on the Armys ability to use the vehicles.'

The government is investing 41billion into new Army equipment and support over the next decade to tackle future threats.

An MoD spokesman said: 'We recognise Ajax is a troubled programme and we are clear that we will not accept a vehicle until it can be used safely for its intended purposes.

'We continue to work with General Dynamics to resolve the noise and vibration problems on Ajax while protecting taxpayers' interests.'

General Dynamics said it remained committed to the programme.

'Built in Wales, Ajax will be the most technologically advanced armoured fighting vehicle in the world, providing much needed state-of-the-art capability to British forces,' a spokesman told the BBC.

How top brass blew 3.5billion on a dud that is a menace to troops: Ajax is the British Army's new tank that's too heavy, makes crew sick and can't fire on the move... all thanks to a mix of cronyism and incompetence

by MARK NICOL DEFENCE EDITOR FOR DAILY MAIL

Some of them reported back spasms and joint pain or swollen ankles. Others a constant tingling in their hands and feet. Still more emerged reeling from acute hearing loss and nausea.

The noise and vibrations that members of the British Army trials team endured while trying out the latest high-tech vehicle were insufferable. Had the test-drives not been stopped, the damage they suffered could have become permanent.

There were concerns about Vibration White Finger syndrome, an injury suffered by industrial workers handling vibrating heavy machinery, where fingers and toes suffer blood circulation loss and can go white and numb. As it was, more than 30 of the men required medical treatment, with two dozen given steroid injections.

This is the story of the Ajax light tank that makes its drivers sick. One that cannot fire on the move as vibrations affect the gun stabilisation system, and which, due to this issue should not be driven faster than 20 mph  comparable vehicles reach 45 mph.

An armoured vehicle so unwieldy it cant fit into transport aircraft. A light tank that has cost billions yet could be scrapped before it enters service  and is set to become the most expensive procurement failure in Army history.

The MoD and General Dynamics (UK), the makers of Ajax, seem on course for a legal battle over the eye-watering sums involved

As Conservative MP and Defence Select Committee member Mark Francois says: It is heavier than a Sherman tank and as stealthy as a Ford Transit full of spanners. And, if you are giving people steroid injections after having been in the vehicle, that tells you everything.

The scandal of the armoured vehicles glaring problems raises concerns about the governments procurement process and why ministers were not alerted to the difficulties, but instead continued to write huge cheques.

Above all, it poses the fundamental question: How on earth is it possible for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to spend billions on a light tank that does not work?

It is a question to which MPs have demanded urgent answers as they urged the government to seek liquidated damages and salvage whatever it possibly can from the billions of pounds of public money already banked by the arms manufacturer behind the vehicle.

Whatever happens, the MoD and General Dynamics (UK), the makers of Ajax, seem on course for a legal battle over the eye-watering sums involved.

Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, who inherited the Ajax debacle, pulled no punches when he said: We paid for a piece of equipment, we expect it to be delivered, and like any consumer we have rights. If its not up to scratch, well take action.

If only things were so simple. General Dynamics (UK) has received in excess of 3 billion for design and manufacturing work already completed, and these payments were made after the MoD agreed the company had met its production targets. The money will never be seen by the taxpayer again.

So where does responsibility lie?

The answer is complicated but involves an extraordinary revolving door process whereby senior Army staff have ended up working for the firm that makes Ajax, General Dynamics (UK).

It includes decisions to reject a cheaper alternative made by British Aerospace (BAe), and then to change the vehicles design half-way through the process.

On top of this, there is the hubris of decision makers in the Army with their insistence that only the very best machine, with the latest technology, would do.

To understand where things went wrong, we must examine these issues, starting with the revolving door between the MoD and General Dynamics (UK).

Certainly, for a clique of former British Army generals, the company has proved highly lucrative.

After overseeing procurement projects at the MoD, for which they were handsomely rewarded and given gold-plated pensions, they cashed in by joining the arms manufacturer.

General Dynamics (UK) hires these senior officers and defence officials not only because of their knowledge of securing contracts, but also because of their relationships with their successors at the MoD  the people responsible for deciding what equipment the UKs armed forces should purchase.

The most senior soldier to spin through this revolving door is the former head of the Army, General Sir Peter Wall.

Sir Peter completed his term as Chief of the General Staff (CGS) in January 2015. Around the same time he approached the governments Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) to say he had been offered a non-executive directorship by General Dynamics  a position which came with a substantial salary.

General Dynamics (UK) hires these senior officers and defence officials not only because of their knowledge of securing contracts, but also because of their relationships with their successors at the MoD  the people responsible for deciding what equipment the UKs armed forces should purchase. The most senior soldier to spin through this revolving door is the former head of the Army, General Sir Peter Wall. He is pictured above with Prince Charles

Given Sir Peters knowledge of army procurement contracts, ACOBA advised his appointment should be subject to strict conditions. These included a waiting period of 18 months from the day he left the Army, stipulations he should not draw on information available to him from his time in Government and that he should not be involved with matters relating to the Ajax contract.

Sir Peter accepted these terms in September 2015 and took up his role with General Dynamics in August 2016. There is no suggestion he breached the ACOBA requirements by getting involved in the Ajax project. Nevertheless, as a board member of the manufacturers U.S. parent company he is paid more than $300,000, according to U.S. public sources.

Sir Peter was a Royal Engineer. Two years later he was joined at his new firm by another ex Sapper  slang for Royal Engineers  Major General Carew Wilks.

Wilks commanded RE units while in uniform before branching into procurement, eventually becoming Director Land Equipment in September 2011  the year the Army chose General Dynamics (UK) to design and build its new armoured reconnaissance vehicle.

According to Maj Gen Wilkss LinkedIn profile, he was responsible for the acquisition of all equipment in the land environment, principally the Army  so, it is likely, he would have been involved with the Ajax project. Earlier this month the retired Major General enraged MPs on the Commons Defence Select Committee when he stonewalled questions about Ajaxs failures.

THE AJAX IN NUMBERS Weapons: 40mm cannon and 7.62mm machine gun Top speed: 45mph Weight: 38 tons Engine: 800bhp V8 Crew: Three plus seven passengers Width: 3.35 m (11 ft) Length: 7.62 m (25 ft) Advertisement

Indeed, former Defence Minister Kevan Jones nearly exploded after repeatedly asking Maj Gen Wilks, now Vice President and General Manager of General Dynamics (UK), why the company was paid so much up front and had taken on little or no risk if the project failed.

Mr Jones snapped: Oh forget it, Chair! He is not answering the question!

But personnel apart, why did the government choose General Dynamics (UK) in the first place?

The firm was chosen to provide 589 armoured vehicles to the Army. Ajax is the companys biggest project and the UK government is its biggest client. In 2018, the company reported a total operating profit of 89.1 million from a turnover of 736 million  of which 509 million was revenue directly generated by Ajax.

The accounts for that year were signed by another former senior Army officer, Lieutenant General Andrew Figgures. He became a director of General Dynamics (UK) after retiring from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Here we come to the second issue in the decision-making process.

According to defence sources, the Ajaxs problems can be traced to the Armys insistence on having the companys armoured vehicle rather than BAes CV90.

In contrast to the Ajax, the CV90 has been introduced into service with armies across the world.

A source told the Mail the MoD wanted to punish BAE for the failure of the MRA4 Nimrod programme  the ministry ordered 21 maritime reconnaissance and attack aircraft from BAe but after delays and hitches the programme was scrapped with losses exceeding 4billion.

Anyone but BAe, was the mantra. And when the choice of Ajax was challenged by the MoDs procurement scrutiny committee, the Army blustered it through, according to sources.

The initial development contract was signed in 2011 and the deal was stacked so the manufacturer received more than half the value of the contract before the Ajax vehicles entered service. To this day 26 have been received by the Army.

Astonishingly, the Defence Select Committee heard that any compensation claims brought by soldiers suffering injuries due to the noise and vibrations aboard Ajax will come not from the manufacturer but public funds.

And while a 7.7 million grant from the Welsh government to construct the vehicle at a factory in Wales must be repaid, the company only has to do this at a rate of 1 million year.
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Furious drivers have resorted to dragging away a group of eco protesters who sparked fury by halting traffic on a busy motorway in Rome.

Rush hour motorists were blockaded on the Grande Raccordo ringroad outside the Italian capital by Last Generation activists who unfurled large banners protesting fossil fuels.

The disruption led to angry scenes as drivers got out of their vehicles to remonstrate with the eco-zealots and plead with them to get out of their way.

Some took matters into their own hands, physically dragging protesters out of the way.

One man on a motorbike begged to be let through, loudly arguing: 'I have to go, I'm a doctor.'

But a female activist refused to grant him permission to get through without seeing his medical identification and demanded he handed it over.

Italy's 'Ultima Generazione' (Last Generation) climate activists block a motorway to highlight the need to combat the climate crisis, in Rome today

Furious drivers have resorted to dragging away a group of eco protesters who sparked fury by halting traffic on a busy motorway in Rome

The driver pulled away a protester on the ground in front of his car in his bid to clear the roads

Police officers intervene and start dragging away the protesters blocking the motorway outside Rome

Rush hour motorists were blockaded on the Grande Raccordo ringroad outside the Italian capital

Drivers got out of their vehicles to remonstrate with the eco-zealots and plead with them to get out of their way

Last Generation activists unfurled large banners protesting fossil fuels and called for an end to oil and gas

Some took matters into their own hands, physically dragging protesters out of the way

One man in a grey hoodie ordered the protesters to 'move out of the f***ing way!'

He eventually brandished his ID card and the demonstrator allowed him to bypass the human barricade.

In another tense exchange, one angry driver shouted at a protester: 'You have to move, move out of the f***ing way!'

When he started to physically drag the activist off the road, a woman intervened: 'Stop! You will hurt him.'

Another man stepped in and confronted the demonstrators, saying: 'This is not the way of protesting. Organise a proper protest, the motorway is not where you should protest. We have to go to work'

'Otherwise, this will become poor against poor. People will get angry and they will beat you and this is not fair... You're p***ing people off.'

Stopping traffic on busy roads has become a tactic used worldwide among climate protesters

Police eventually intervened and broke up the protest, dragging people in the blockade apart and allowing cars to drive on through

Police lifted the protesters away to help clear the roads after the major disruption this morning

The activist replied: 'We've been outside Parliament several times but we didn't get anything.

'Do you think it's easy protesting? I feel bad, you can't imagine how bad I feel. It's not easy.'

Police eventually intervened and broke up the protest, dragging people in the blockade apart and allowing cars to drive on through.

The protesters' banners read 'no gas' and 'no coal' and they are calling for stronger government action on climate issue.

They are demanding a halt to the reopening of disused coal plants and an increase in solar and wind energy.

Stopping traffic on busy roads has become a tactic used worldwide among climate protesters.

Police confiscate the banners belonging to the Last Generation climate activist group

They are demanding a halt to the reopening of disused coal plants and an increase in solar and wind energy

A young protester performs the splits as she spreads herself across the busy road, while drivers remonstrate in the background

Today in the UK, activists forced police to close the Dartford Bridge by climbing up it have vowed to keep it shut for 'at least 24 hours'.

Traffic was seen tailing back on the M25 for seven miles this morning after Just Stop Oil activists scaled the girders of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge shortly before rush-hour.

In a video posted from on top of the bridge today, one of the protesters said he was 'not willing to sit back and watch everything I love burn for the rest of my life'.

In the footage an emotional Morgan Trowland, a 39-year-old civil engineer, ranted against 'the current fraudulent, charlatan excuse for a Government', saying it was 'accelerating that process granting more licences for oil and gas'.

'It's an absolute act of treason, it's selling ourselves and our children into an uninhabitable earth and I believe it's my duty to do anything in my power to stop it,' he added.
Comes as Albanians jailed in England and Wales has soared up from 726 to 1,500

Within just three days, he was working 'in a cannabis house' to repay his debts

One man said he was taken from hotel by relative after three days in detention

Albanian migrants are working at cannabis farms within three days of crossing the Channel, an investigation has found.

The men are being actively recruited by drug lords to cultivate cannabis in empty houses and industrial buildings that have been converted into production sites following their release from detention.

The migrants, the majority of whom are men in their 20s, carry out the work to help pay 5,000 debts owed to Kurdish people smugglers following treacherous journeys in dinghies across the Channel.

It comes as the Ministry of Justice yesterday revealed that a record 1.2 million has been spent in the last year alone to provide Albanian translators to communicate legal proceedings to suspected criminals - more than double the figure five years ago.

That surge comes as the number of Albanians locked up in prisons in England and Wales has also soared from 726 to 1,500.

Speaking to Albanian TV's A2CNN, one migrant said he was working in London after spending a week in 'mountains' in France after three attempts to cross the Channel were blocked by authorities - who punctured the inflatable boats he had planned to use.

As he made a fourth attempt, he had to be rescued by the UK coastguard after his packed dinghy ran out of petrol, The Telegraph reports.

He told the documentary: 'We were kept for three days in a detention centre then transferred to a hotel. I managed to talk with my relative who came and took me from the hotel.

'I am working in a cannabis house to pay the money I borrowed to pay for the journey on the boat.'

The men are being actively recruited by drug lords to cultivate cannabis in empty houses and industrial buildings

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel on Friday

More than 32,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year  more than made it through the whole of 2021.

Albanians accounted for about 60 per cent of arrivals over the summer, with Home Office officials saying more than 6,000 have arrived in the UK up to August this year in sub-standard dinghies and rigid inflatables - compared with less than 900 in the previous three years combined.

It comes as crime experts have revealed gangs from the Balkan state have muscled in to take over much of the UK's illegal drug trade.

The NCA issued a warning in 2017 stating it had increasing concerns that violent Albanian criminal gangs were gaining control in illegal drug trading, particularly for cocaine.

The report said: Criminals from the Balkans are increasingly expanding their network of influence, forming direct relationships with cocaine suppliers in Latin America.

The threat faced from Albanian crime groups is significant. London is their primary hub, but they are established across the UK.

Meanwhile, another of the Albanian men told the documentary that he faces the threat of arrest by police along with attacks from English crime gangs attempting to steal the drugs.

He said: 'They break into the house to rob you and take all the work you have done for many weeks.

'They beat you up. They leave you paralysed. Robbers throw acid into your eyes. Perhaps you can face death.'

A third man, who said he paid 4,500 to traffickers to cross the Channel, revealed how he had been picked up by relatives after three days in detention - and now works on the same cannabis farm.

He added: 'We stay 24 hours locked in this house. We put water in the plants. When the temperature is high, we switch off the lights. When it's cold, we put up the temperature. These plants take 55 to 60 days to grow.

'When we entered UK waters, the weather went mad and we faced big waves. Water entered the boat and that was a big danger of drowning.'

In total, the Government department spent 21.3 millions of taxpayer's money on translators and interpreters - an increase on the previous years spends of 16 million, when court cases were delayed due to the pandemic.

In the last year, 1.3 million was spent on two different types of Arabic, 1.5 million on Urdu and 933,000 on two versions of Bengali. In addition, 837,000 was spent on three types of Kurdish and 230,000 on mandarin.

A total of 184,000 was spent on Italian, 415,000 on Spanish, 220,000 on various French dialects and 57,000 on Greek.

Nicknamed the Golden Lion, this people smuggler makes an estimated 1million a week sending migrants to Britain on flimsy dinghies

Alp Mehmet, Chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: It was inevitable that the cost of translation services for Albanians was going to increase.

The fact that it has gone up by so much simply confirms that there are not only more Albanians coming but also that we are failing to identify criminals at the border.

All this is proof of how lax border control has become. This is dangerous and puts at serious risk the safety of ordinary citizens.

Last month, MPs demanded urgent action to crush people smuggling networks making millions of pounds out of the dangerous Channel crossings.

Their calls came after an undercover investigation in Monday's Daily Mail exposed an Albanian gangster openly running the vile trade in Dunkirk.

Nicknamed the Golden Lion, he makes an estimated 1million a week sending migrants to Britain on flimsy dinghies.

He told reporters posing as customers that he could take them for 4,500 each and promised that the British authorities would give them food, blankets and everything they needed before putting them up in a hotel.

After that, you can go where you want, he said.
Ukrainian soldiers have said while the drones can devastate targets, they are vulnerable to small arms fire, and have coined the drone the 'flying lawnmower'

Russia has pounded Ukraine again with 'kamikaze' suicide drones, causing chaos in Kyiv as buildings erupted into fireballs and panicked citizens fled for safety or even tried to shoot them down.

The Iran-supplied Shahed-136 weapons rained down on the capital in successive waves of 28 drones, Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Five smashed into the capital itself while 13 or more were shot down in the wider Kyiv region, all of them as they flew in from the south, said a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yurii Ihnat.

One strike appeared to target the city's heating network, hitting an operations centre while another slammed into a four-story residential building, ripping a large hole in it and collapsing at least three apartments on top of each other, killing three.

The Shaheds, which Russia has rebranded as Geran-2 drones, pack an explosive charge and be fired one after the other.

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.

An Iranian-made suicide drone, launched by Russia, is seen flying above Kyiv today after dozens of the craft were sent to swarm the capital - blowing up civilian buildings and power infrastructure

A ball of smoke and flames rises over the streets of Kyiv as the city is bombarded by a swarm of Iranian-made kamikaze drones early on Monday, hitting residential areas and energy infrastructure

Astonishing images capture the moment a suicide drones dives towards the streets of Kyiv (left) and the moment people run for shelter after it explodes (right)

Iranian Shahed-136 UAVs: Facts and figures Ukraine has accused Russia 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. Here are some facts and figures about the deadly drone: Weapon type: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) In service since: 2021

2021 Made in: Iran

Iran Maker: HESA (Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation)

HESA (Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation) Weight: 440lbs

440lbs Warhead: 80lbs

80lbs Length: 12 feet

12 feet Wingspan: 8 feet

8 feet Range: 600 miles

600 miles Flight height: 13,000ft max.

13,000ft max. Speed: 120 miles per hour

120 miles per hour Used in: Yemen, Iraq and Ukraine Iranian-made Shahed-136 UAVs Advertisement

Andrii Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president's office, confirmed in a social media post that Shahed drones were among those used in the strike.

Iran has previously denied providing Russia with weapons, although its Revolutionary Guard chief has boasted about providing arms to the world's top powers, without elaborating.

The drones have also been repeatedly used by Russia elsewhere in Ukraine in recent weeks to target urban centers and power stations as Putin exacted revenge for the bombing of the Crimean bridge.

They are comparatively cheap, costing in the region of $20,000.

Their use in swarms presents a challenge to Ukrainian air defenses, said Ihnat, the Air Force spokesman.

Western nations have promised to bolster Ukrainian air defenses with systems that can shoot down drones but much of that weaponry has yet to arrive and, in some cases, may be months away.

'The challenges are serious because the air defense forces and means are the same as they were at the beginning of the war,' Ihnat said.

Some air defense weaponry supplied by Western nations can only be used during daylight hours when targets are visible, he added.

Russia has been using the drones increasingly in recent weeks, with 24 destroyed by Ukraine between September 30 and October 6, their MoD claimed.

Ukrainians who have witnessed attacks by the drones say they make a recognisable noise, and have described them as sounding like 'motorbikes' in the air, while some soldiers have taken to calling it 'the flying lawnmower'.

While the drones can be devastating to their targets, soldiers have said they are vulnerable to small arms fire.

The General Staff of the Armed forces of Ukraine released a video showing a smoking wreckage that it claimed to be one of the drones. The post said it had been shot down by a machine gun.

'This is a primitive handmade product,' Yuriy Ignat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, told Radio Free Europe (RFE) last week.

'It's not a high-tech conveyor-belt production like the [Turkish-made] Bayraktar or American and Israeli [unmanned aerial vehicles],' he added.

A security officer uses his rifle to try and take down a suicide drone attacking the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early on Monday

A police officer fires his rifle into the air as he tries to take down a suicide drone attacking Kyiv early on Monday as Russia keeps up its attack on Ukraine's vital infrastructure

Firefighters extinguish a blaze started by an Iranian-made suicide drone which hit Kyiv on Monday, as Russian forces change tactics to bring death back to the streets of the capital after weeks of calm

Ukrainian residents described the drone attacks to RFE. 'You can hear the roar. First, I just hear them, but then I saw one fly by and then explode,' one man said.

Another said: 'There was a buzz that woke me up. I remember thinking: 'What's that?' The sound was approaching and then there was an explosion near the house.'

According to reports, the first recorded use of the drones was in Yemen in Houthi-controlled areas. Now, Iran is reported to have sold hundreds of the drones to Russia.

The almost 12-foot long Shahed 136 is designed with a delta-wing shape, with stabilising rudders at the top of the aircraft.

The fuselage is at the centre of the drone and blended into the almost 4ft wings, giving it an elegant-looking shape.

Smoke billows from the ruins of a building in Kyiv destroyed by a suicide drone after the city was attacked early on Monday, as Russian forces continue to target the Ukrainian capital

Pictured: The Iranian drone has been in service since 2021 and weighs 440lbs. On top of that it is 12ft long and 8ft wide

The explosives are contained in the nose of the drone, as well as the technology that guides it to its targets for a precision strike.

The engine, meanwhile, is found at the rear of the drone, and drives two bladed propellers.

It has been compared to an engine one would find on a lawnmower or a moped.

'Its motor sounds like a [motorbike]. You can spot it when it's a few kilometres away,' a Ukrainian soldier named only as Magyar told RFE.

'That's my advice to the military. They fly low and are slow, so you can shoot them down,' he said, noting the drones are usually used against larger targets. 'They carry such a load of explosives that it doesn't make sense to use them against infantry.'

Overall, the drone weighs 440lbs, and can fly at speeds of almost 120mph.

In order to overwhelm air defences, several of the drones (batches of five and above) are launched at once from the same rack. They are fired almost horizontally with rocket-launch assistance.

The rocket is jettisoned on take-off, with the engine taking over once it is airborne.
Ben Fordham has called out a private all-boys school that has encouraged teachers to use gender neutral language instead of the terms 'boy' or 'young man'.

Principal Deborah Frizza of St Bede's College in Menton, in Melbourne's southeast, said in a letter to staff this week that the school was looking to change the language it uses following updated Victoria Child Safe Standards.

'Can I ask that we start to use gender neutral language in our communications where possible?' the letter read, reports The Herald Sun.

'I know it can be challenging when communicating with the parents of senior students and calling them 'children', so if anyone has a better gender neutral term than this, please let me know.

'The use of the term 'student' rather than 'young man' or 'boy' can easily be made. I'm yet to find an alternative for 'Beda Boy' (graduated students), and given the history of this term, we would need to think carefully on any changes here.'

Following some backlash in the media, the college confirmed that 'at no stage' were teachers instructed not to use the gender-specific terms at all.

The 2GB radio host took aim at the letter on Monday saying it was political correctness gone too far.

'This is crazy. Cancel culture has hit this all boys school in Melbourne,' he said.

The college confirmed 'staff were asked to use gender neutral language where possible' to comply with new standards to ensure all students were included.

'There are, and will continue to be, boys, young men and 'Beda Boys' within our College community,' a statement from the school on Monday read.

'At the forefront of our minds is, and will remain, the inclusion of all students at St Bede's College.'

St Bede's College in Melbourne has encouraged teachers to use more gender neutral terms for students

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Victoria's updated Child Safety Standards say schools must: 'Pay particular attention to the needs of children and young people with disability, children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who are unable to live at home, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and young people'.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted St Bede's College for further comment.

School campuses across the country are increasingly sparking debate as they make changes to become more inclusive.

Northlakes High School on the NSW Central Coast was recently accused of 'going woke' when they installed 'He/They' and 'She/They' signage of their toilet block.

In South Australia schools must allow transgender students to use the bathroom they feel comfortable with or provide them a private bathroom.
Haggis was recently arrested in Italy on separate sexual assault claims but the charges were dropped

He denies their allegations and says he has been the victim of lies since he left The Church of Scientology

Three other women will testify as part of the case that Haggis also attacked them

Breest sued in 2017, galvanized by the #MeToo movement in Hollywood

She claims he raped her in his Soho apartment on January 31, 2013

Crash director Paul Haggis smiled as he arrived at court in New York City today for the beginning of a civil trial in which he is accused of rape.

The Oscar-winner has not been criminally charged but is being sued by Haleigh Breest, 36, a Manhattan publicist who says he attacked her in his apartment after a premiere for the movie Side Effects in January 2013.

Breest was 26 at the time and Haggis, now 69, was nearly 60. She claims he brought her back to his apartment for a 'drink' then forced her to perform oral sex on him and raped her.

In her lawsuit, she claims he told her not to 'worry' because he'd had a vasectomy so couldn't impregnate her. Haggis - who was previously arrested in Italy on separate rape claims - denies Breest's allegations.

Haggis however maintains the sex was consensual. He says he has been smeared with false allegations of sexual misconduct ever since he left the Church of Scientology in 2009.

He plans to use that as his defense.

Haggis leaves court on Monday smoking a cigarette. The producer will return to court tomorrow

Paul Haggis smiles as he arrives in court in New York City this morning to face a civil rape trial

Oscar-winning producer Paul Haggis (shown left arriving at court today) is facing a rape allegation in civil court. He has not been arrested

Haggis outside court in Manhattan on Monday morning with his attorney. He denies the allegations and says he is being extorted

Oscar-winning producer Paul Haggis (shown left arriving at court today) is expected in court in New York City this week. He is being sued by Haleigh Breest, who says he raped her in 2013. She is shown, right, a year before the alleged attack

He says the entire case is being driven by the Church of Scientology as punishment for his speaking out against it - Haggis used to be a member of the church but deserted in 2009.

Jury selection for the civil trial begins today in Manhattan. Breest is expected to testify, as are three other women who have accused Haggis of rape.

Those women have not been named.

It remains unclear if any of the women reported their allegations to police, or why Haggis has never been arrested over their claims.

The Italian case was dropped six weeks after the woman, who is British, first reported her claims to police in the town of Lecce.

Breest came forward in 2017, galvanized by the #MeToo movement and allegations against Harvey Weinstein.

Haggis maintains that the encounter she describes in her lawsuit was consensual.

His attorneys say that Breest demanded $9million from him before filing her lawsuit, and that the case is one of 'simple extortion'.

The lawsuit describes how Breest, then 26, was working as a publicist at the event on the Upper West Side.

Haggis was a 'celebrity guest'.

Once the party was over, she says he insisted on giving her a ride downtown, and that he asked her to join him for a drink in his apartment.

Haleigh Breest leaves court on Monday. She is seeking unspecified damages from Haggis

Breest with her attorney at lunch on Monday. She says she has waited 'years' to bring Haggis to justice

The New York City apartment where Breest says she was raped by Haggis in 2013

Haggis lining up outside court this morning before jury selection for his civil trial bega

Haggis, shown with Jack Nicholson and co-producer Cathy Schulman, won an Oscar for Crash. He also wrote the screenplay for Million Dollar Baby

Breest in 2009 with Madonna and Andy Cohen at another New York City event. Haggis said they often ran into each other at industry events and that the 2013 incident was consensual

Haggis is shown in New York City earlier this month. He denies all allegations that he forced himself on women

She claims she asked to go to a public bar instead but that he 'insisted' on the privacy of his own home.

Once inside, she claims he led her to a bedroom where he removed her tights, took off his own Banana Republica boxers, and forced her to perform oral sex, instructing: 'Put my d**k in your mouth.'

Haggis then digitally penetrated Breest, telling her 'you're nice and tight', and telling her he liked 'anal sex', according to the 12-page complaint filed in 2017.

She says he then raped her without using a condom, telling her: 'I've had a vasectomy, so you're fine. You can't get pregnant.'

After the alleged attack, she says she 'lost consciousness' in the bedroom and later woke up to find him in a different part of the apartment.

She says she felt 'trapped' and that the only way out of the apartment was from a personal elevator that opened onto the home.

Haggis is shown in Italy in June. He was accused of rape by a British woman in Lecce and was arrested but the charges were later dropped

Records indicate that Haggis paid $1.2million for the apartment on Mercer Street in 2012.

He was spotted returning to New York City ahead of the trial earlier this month.

Haggis, like many other celebrities, defected from the Church of Scientology in 2009.

He has since spoken out against the church and its support of a 2008 law in California that stripped gay couples of marriage rights.

He also cited concerns over widespread allegations of physical violence within the church.

At the time of the alleged attack, he was married to actress Deborah Rennard.

She has spoken in defense of him since the allegations were made.
A depraved former police officer has been found guilty of drugging and raping 13 women he met on dating apps between 2007 and 2018.

Adrian Trevor Moore, 52, a former West Australian cop, had denied the 87 allegations against him which included sexual penetration without consent and bestiality.

But it took a jury just six hours to find Moore guilty of every single charge on Monday after a five week trial.

Judge Alan Troy said the former senior police officer had used 'unprecedented sadism' with the court hearing how Moore forced a series of degrading sex acts on his victims.

These included urinating in their mouths, making them perform sexual acts on their pets, and hitting them.

All 13 women gave evidence at the trial and the jury in the Perth District Court was played video recordings taken by Moore of the abuse.

The footage was so disturbing that two members of the jury had to be excused, while other jurors asked for immediate counselling. Members of the public and the media were not permitted to watch, The Age reported.

Former Western Australia police officer Adrian Moore (pictured front) has been found guilty of drugging and raping 13 women

Judge Troy said he 'greatly regretted' the jury had to see such graphic and confronting videos, but that it was 'utterly unavoidable'.

He said Moore's crimes 'involve a degree of sadism that is unprecedented in my experience' and that it had been an 'extraordinarily demanding trial'.

Moore's crimes were first reported when one of his victims, another police officer, made a complaint to the WA Police's internal affairs unit.

The 52-year-old claimed his victims consented to bondage and other masochistic sexual acts, while claiming some of the alleged abuse did not happen at all.

He used his reputation as a police officer, having once been nominated for officer of the year, to gain his victims' trust, the court heard.

He also had used a computer system to look up the details of some of his victims.

State prosecutor Adam Ebell told the court that police found hundreds of horrific images and videos on a hard drive in a safe in Moore's home after his arrest in 2018.

Detective Inspector Simone Van Der Sluys (pictured) said the verdict came after a 'long and complex' investigation

These included pictures and footage taken of 11 out of the 13 women without their knowledge, and proved they were drugged and unable to consent on at least one occasion each.

Moore mainly met his victims via online dating apps including Tinder and RSVP.

He was arrested at his home in the south-eastern Perth suburb of Kelmscott in 2018.

During a raid of his home police uncovered a document called 'Girls I've F**ked 2016,' which included names and places, what he had done with the women and a score.

Some of the victims recalled later feeling pain and waking up with bruises and bleeding but didn't know why, the court heard.

Speaking outside court, WA Police Detective Inspector Simone Van Der Sluys said the verdict came after a 'long and complex' investigation.

'We hope this brings some closure to the victims of these horrendous crimes,' she said, adding that they were continuing to get support.

Moore will return to court for sentencing on December 13.

1800 Respect
Trowland has previously made bamboo structures for protests and glued himself to Tower Bridge

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A tearful eco-zealot civil engineer who has caused traffic chaos at the Dartford crossing today is a serial law breaker from New Zealand, MailOnline can reveal.

Morgan Trowland, who has bragged about designing bamboo structures for Extinction Rebellion (XR) protests and once glued himself to Tower Bridge, launched himself back into the headlines today.

The 39-year-old, along with another Just Stop Oil activist, scaled the girders at the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge between Essex and Kent at around 3.50am on Monday, forcing police to close one of the busiest roads in the country.

It is part of the pressure group's so-called 'month of protest' against new oil and gas exploration, with Just Stop Oil warning it intends to keep the road closed for at least 24 hours.

In a video from the top of the bridge this morning, Trowland appeared to have difficulty holding back the tears as the climate protester claimed he was 'not willing to sit back and watch everything I love burn for the rest of my life'.

It is far from the first time Trowland, who hails from New Zealand but lives in Hackney, east London, has decided to take part in highly disruptive protests.

Morgan Trowland, from Hackney, east London, is one of two protesters who have scaled the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing today

The 39-year-old, who originally hails from New Zealand, is a veteran of climate change protests

The civil engineer has bragged about building bamboo structures to be used at protests by groups such as Extinction Rebellion

In the past he has taken part in demonstrations by various anarchist groups, including XR, and has ended up in court multiple times, MailOnline can reveal.

And despite being found guilty of breaking the law twice, he has been allowed to continue his activities after walking free from the courts.

In May last year Trowland was among nine XR protester to glue themselves to Tower Bridge, closing the inner-city traffic artery.

Trowland was also one of the ringleaders of the September 2020 blockade of the Hertfordshire newspaper print works.

He bragged that he had designed the two giant bamboo structures that were erected outside the factory to stop production, while he describes himself as being 'obsessed with bamboo tensegrity [tensile integrity] and how it WILL change the world' on his Twitter profile.

The XR action stopped three and a half million newspapers  including the Daily Mail, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun and the Evening Standard - from being distributed across the country.

Trowland was later ordered to pay 334 pounds in fines and costs at St Albans Magistrates' Court.

In April 2019 he also was one of a number 'Tree of Life' protesters who were arrested for public disorder in the City of London.

He was found guilty of the offence at the City of London Magistrates' Court but given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay 500 costs.

Trowland has appeared in court multiple times over his climate change protesting activities. Here he is pictured outside St Albans Magistrates' Court in May 2021

The protesters have unfurled a banner with the words Just Stop Oil between two of the masts on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge today

A Facebook post last year indicated Trowland had no intention of giving up his fight for climate action.

He wrote: 'Your children are facing annihilation within a decade or two, who knows exactly when? People in other parts of the world are facing it now.

'Inexorably, extreme weather and ecological collapse will alternately scorch, flood and plague our crops leading to food shortages, leading to mob violence, murder and rape as your desperate neighbours turn ugly.

'We are outta time for incremental changes and we need to organise an emergency response an order of magnitude greater than for COVID. for that we need to take over the state as it's the only institution through which this could happen. the mechanism proposed for that is a citizens assembly to set legally binding strategy.

'That may sound impossible but it's equally impossible to sit back and watch the annihilation lap at our door steps.'

Earlier today he and another Just Stop Oil activist climbed up the Dartford Bridge to protest gas and oil exploration.

In a selfie video taken on top of the structure, Trowland said: 'I'm not willing to sit back and watch everything I love burn for the rest of my life'.

The emotional protester railed against 'the current fraudulent, charlatan excuse for a Government', saying it was 'accelerating that process granting more licences for oil and gas'.

'It's an absolute act of treason, it's selling ourselves and our children into an uninhabitable earth and I believe it's my duty to do anything in my power to stop it,' he added.

Essex Police has closed the road while it tries to coax them down unharmed.

The crossing is currently the only way to cross the River Thames by road east of London, with the A282, which connects both ends with the M25, running over the bridge.

The crossing contains two tunnels and the bridge, with the tunnels taking traffic north from Kent to Essex and the bridge taking vehicles in the other direction. Police have diverted traffic heading south through one of the tunnels in a bid to ease congestion.

The protest has caused immense disruption to motorists, with thousands being stuck in traffic for hours as they try to make their way to work on Monday morning.

Angry drivers have hit out at the protesters, accusing them of turning the M25 into a 'car park' as commuters struggle to get to work on Monday morning.

Others have accused the demonstrators of potentially costing lives by stopping 'hundreds of NHS staff' from getting to work and preventing people from getting to hospital and doctors appointments.

And there is no sign of respite, with Just Stop Oil saying the activists intend to force the bridge to remain shut for 'at least 24 hours'.

There is gridlock on the main and side roads of Essex today after police were forced to close the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge over the Thames

The protesters have said they intend to stay up and keep the bridge closed for at least 24 hours, potentially causing more than a day of traffic chaos

There have been huge delays on the M25 in both directions this morning after police were forced to close the bridge due to the protest. Pictured: Gridlock on the A282 in Essex today

In a release issued by the group, Trowland said: 'As a professional civil engineer, each year as I renew my registration, I commit to acting within our code of ethics, which requires me to safeguard human life and welfare and the environment.

'Our government has enacted suicidal laws to accelerate oil production: killing human life and destroying our environment.

'I can't challenge this madness in my desk job, designing bridges, so I'm taking direct action, occupying the QE2 bridge until the government stops all new oil.'

BJ Harrington, the Chief Constable of Essex Police, said he thought the pair were 'crazy' and was firmly on the side of motorists.

In an interview with BBC Essex, he said: 'We want them to come down, but we've got to do that safely. Safely for the public, safely for the people who use the bridge and safely for those who operate the bridge. It's a really dangerous and difficult environment.

'I think they are crazy. I'm really frustrated and you've got every guarantee from me that the officers there at the moment, working with the Dartford Crossing and National Highways, will get that road open as soon as possible.'

He added: 'We are advising and guiding the road operator. We are there, lets be honest, to arrest them when they come down. I think it's criminal.

'My officers are down there and it's taking them away from other things and it's stopping Essex and Kent from working and it's just not acceptable.'

There are long queues in both directions of the M25 after the bridge was closed today, with traffic being diverted down the Dartford Tunnel in a bid to ease the congestion

Aerial footage shows the protesters hanging high above the road after scaling the 84m masts on the northern side of the bridge

During today's bridge protest, furious drivers demanded police reopen the road even if the pair are still up there, declaring that the protesters 'knew the risks' and are stopping people getting to work and hospital appointments.

BJ Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, blasted the pair, calling them 'crazy' and said the force is doing everything it can to 'get that road open as soon as possible'.

But while police try to get them down the road seems set to remain closed, with Just Stop Oil saying it intends to keep it shut for 'at least 24 hours' in protest against the use of oil.

It is the 17th consecutive day of protest by the group, which has also targeted the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in Westminster today by throwing soup at the building's entrance and demanding a meeting with the Home Secretary.

The environmentalist group has launched demonstrations in London over the last few weeks.

Protesters sprayed orange paint over an Aston Martin garage in the capital and blocked roads yesterday as they continue to demand an end to new oil and gas projects.

In an ominous warning, Just Stop Oil said this morning it expects the bridge to remain closed for 'at least 24 hours' while the demonstrators remain in the air.

'Two Just Stop Oil supporters have climbed to the top of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge forcing police to close the bridge to demand that the government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents,' it said.

'At approximately 5am two climbers ascended the two 84m masts on the north side of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge forcing the police to stop traffic from entering the bridge. It is expected that the bridge will remain shut for at least 24 hours.'

Documentary filmmaker Rich Felgate, who has worked with Just Stop Oil in the past, says the pair are supporters of the environmentalist group

National Highways is reporting there are queues of two hours with some motorists, who have branded the activists 'selfish', saying they have been stuck for as long as three hours.

Earlier today Just Stop Oil named the demonstrators as Mr Trowland, bridge design engineer from London, and Marcus, a 33-year-old teacher from the capital.

Mr Trowland said: 'As a professional civil engineer, each year as I renew my registration, I commit to acting within our code of ethics, which requires me to safeguard human life and welfare and the environment.

'Our government has enacted suicidal laws to accelerate oil production: killing human life and destroying our environment.

'I can't challenge this madness in my desk job, designing bridges, so I'm taking direct action, occupying the QE2 bridge until the government stops all new oil.'

Marcus added he felt the current political system in the UK was 'betraying the people of this country'.

He said: 'Too many people in this country simply don't know the scale and intensity of climate breakdown as the scientists describe it.

'The authorities are criminally failing to get this grim science communicated. During Covid the science was conveyed on a daily basis.

'Why isn't the most existential threat that humanity has ever faced on the news every day?

'Our political system is betraying the people of this country. More fossil fuel licenses means global genocide. Only direct action will now help to reach the social tipping point we so urgently need.'

Essex Police said colleagues at National Highways are escorting traffic through the Dartford Tunnel in a bid to alleviate the impact of the road closure.

Traffic is also being impacted by an earlier closure at the Blackwall Tunnel, which was closed northbound this morning after a collision. It has since reopened.

The crossing is now the only way to cross the Thames by road east of London with the A282, which connects both ends with the M25, running over the bridge.

Just Stop Oil has warned it expects the bridge to remain closed for 'at least 24 hours' while its supporters remain on the girders

Essex Police said colleagues at National Highways are escorting traffic through the Dartford Tunnel in a bid to alleviate the impact of the road closure

The crossing contains two tunnels and the bridge, with the tunnels taking traffic north from Kent to Essex and the bridge taking vehicles in the other direction.

Angry motorists have hit out at the protesters, accusing them of turning the M25 into a 'car park' as commuters struggle to get to work on Monday morning.

Others have accused the demonstrators of potentially costing lives by stopping 'hundreds of NHS staff' from getting to work and preventing people from getting to hospital and doctors appointments.

One video posted on social media shows an ambulance with blue lights flashing stuck in the traffic at Chafford Hundred in Essex this morning.

Chief Constable Harrington said he thought the pair were 'crazy' and was firmly on the side of motorists.

In an interview with BBC Essex, he said: 'We want them to come down, but we've got to do that safely. Safely for the public, safely for the people who use the bridge and safely for those who operate the bridge. It's a really dangerous and difficult environment.

'I think they are crazy. I'm really frustrated and you've got every guarantee from me that the officers there at the moment, working with the Dartford Crossing and National Highways, will get that road open as soon as possible.'

He added: 'We are advising and guiding the road operator. We are there, lets be honest, to arrest them when they come down. I think it's criminal.

'My officers are down there and it's taking them away from other things and it's stopping Essex and Kent from working and it's just not acceptable.'

Essex Police says it is trying to resolve the incident 'as quickly and as safely' as possible, although it is still likely to cause big delays into rush-hour.

'The bridge has been closed while we resolve the incident which we will do as quickly and as safely for all involved,' the force said on Monday.

'It does mean that we have had to close the bridge to traffic, but a diversion is going to be put in place through the tunnel.

'This is likely to cause delays throughout this morning and this incident may take some time to resolve due to the complexities of safely getting people down from height.'

Just Stop Oil said the pair climbed the two 84m masts on the north side of the bridge early this morning to demand the Government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents

The pair have been seen on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge after climbing up shortly before 4am today

The force later said: 'Our colleagues from National Highways South East have now began escorting traffic through the tunnel. It currently believes there are delays of around 60 minutes. We appreciate your patience and understanding.'

It added: 'This is a complex operation due to the height at which the protesters are currently situated and it may take some but we are working as quickly as possible. We want to be clear  our priority is to keep people safe and keep Essex moving.

'We will take action against anyone who puts life in danger or thinks they can selfishly stop others getting to work or getting on with their lives. We appreciate your patience and understanding and will keep you updated through the day.'

There are reports of more than seven miles of congestion in Kent and five miles in Essex on the M25 as a result of the closure today. Pictured: Vehicles gridlocked on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge this morning

A spokesman for Essex Police said it is 'liaising with our partners and negotiating and speaking to the people who are up on the Dartford Crossing and looking to see what options are available to us'.

Those stuck in the queue at Dartford Bridge have hit out at the eco-zealots, as frustrated motorists honked their horns, revved their engines and shouted out 'come on' as the sea of cars slowly edged toward the crossing.

Oliver Tite, a 25-year-old from Dartford who works as a lift engineer, was trying to get to Essex for a job interview.

'It's ridiculous and it's a pain for everyone,' he said.

'I'm late for a job interview, I probably won't make it, but I'll just have to wait and see. If I don't make it on time, I'll have to get it moved, if they let me move it.

'But it's completely out of my hands and so frustrating. I don't know why they don't keep the bridge going. It's the protesters' choice to be up there, so why don't we make them deal with the consequences?'

Mother-of-two Jo Reading, a 42-year-old personal assistant from Dartford, said: 'It's not great, it's not great at all.

'It's frustrating and I hope it doesn't take too long to get through. It's got to the point where you almost expect this kind of thing, which isn't good either.'

Just Stop Oil said on their website today: 'Today's actions follow over two weeks of continuous disruption by supporters of Just Stop Oil in which they have experienced over 450 arrests.

'On Sunday, there were 14 arrests of Just Stop Oil supporters, who blocked Park Lane and sprayed an Aston Martin dealership with orange paint. Since the campaign began on April 1st, Just Stop Oil supporters have been arrested over 1,700 times, with five currently in prison.

'This is not a one-day event, expect us every day and anywhere. This is an act of resistance against a criminal government and their genocidal death project.

'Our supporters will be returning - today, tomorrow and the next day - and the next day after that - and every day until our demand is met: no new oil and gas in the UK.'
BC Card CEO Choi Won-seok, left, poses with NAPAS Deputy CEO Nguyen Dang Hung, after signing a partnership at the former's headquarters in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of BC Card



By Lee Min-hyung



BC Card has signed a business partnership with the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) to jointly promote non-cash payments, the Korean card processing company said Monday.



The tie-up will enable BC Card to tap deeper into the lucrative emerging market. NAPAS offers a payment service for customers to make payments through their NAPAS-branded cards issued mostly by Vietnam's commercial banks.



Those who plan to visit the country can use BC Card's QR code-based payment system at most stores there. As the Vietnamese firm holds more than 2.2 million affiliated stores in the country, most Korean tourists have no problem paying with their BC Card-branded credit or debit cards there, the company said.



BC Card also forged ties with NAPAS-branded card issuers on the same day. A group of officials from 12 Vietnamese banks also visited headquarters of the Korean firm in Seoul, and tried out BC Card's up-to-date digital transaction technologies.



Both sides also agreed to carry out a set of promotional activities to expand their footing in each country further. NAPAS' membership includes a total of 48 banks and the number of their combined customers exceeds 100 million. BC Card and NAPAS have been in a partnership since 2017.



The Vietnamese card market is estimated to be worth 84 trillion won ($58 billion), according to BC Card. The company said the country's young population makes the market more attractive at a time when digital transactions are becoming more prevalent worldwide.



"More than 90 percent of the Vietnamese population use digital financial services there since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the country's median age is 30 years, so most Vietnamese people have a tendency to embrace new forms of payment methods without much difficulty," BC Card CEO Choi Won-seok said.


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Prince Andrew offered a thankful wave to pedestrians today, as they moved aside to allow his Range Rover through as the fallout from Ghislaine Maxwell's interview continued.

The disgraced Duke, 62, was all smiles as he was seen again in his Range Rover driving in Windsor.

As he continued down the stretch the way forward was impeded by two walkers who had little idea of his presence behind them.

But they eventually clocked him and stepped aside, prompting a wide smile and wave from under-fire Andrew.

The Royal, seen later grinning on a horse, had looked ashen faced yesterday as he was seen with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson - hours after Jeffrey Epstein's conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell called him a 'dear friend'.

Her bombshell comments  in a world-exclusive prison interview with The Mail on Sunday  contradict Andrew telling a US court that they had not been close.

And both the Duke and Duchess of York appeared glum as they were seen in public driving through Windsor on the day after Sarah's birthday.

The remarks by Maxwell, 60  a convicted sex-trafficker described in court as a 'sophisticated predator'  land a devastating blow to the Duke's hopes of returning to public life.

He's behind you! Walkers in Windsor get a surprise as Prince Andrew appears at the wheel at their backs during their stroll

Andrew, who sported a burgundy pulloever, looked perturbed at one point as his Range Rover journey continued today

But the two members of the public scampered away from the roadway to provide safe passage to the prince in his 4 x 4

The gentleman who parted for the prince was treated to a wave and a smile from the royal and his male travelling companion

Back in the saddle again: Prince Andrew is all smiles on top of a horse as he enjoys the thrills of yet another riding session

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.

Andrew 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.'

Prince Andrew with Sarah Ferguson in their car on Sunday afternoon just hours after Ghislaine gave her interview

The pair looked incredibly serious as they drove the Range Rover through pretty Windsor a day after Sarah's birthday

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, 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)

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 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.
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A homeless woman who 'boasted about selling body parts' has been charged with the murder, rape and torture of a 12-year-old girl whose throat was slit before her mutilated body was stuffed in a suitcase in Paris.

Dahbia B, a 24-year-old originally from Algeria with 'extreme psychological problems', was indicted by magsistrates today over the gruesome killing of Lola Daviet on Friday.

The schoolgirl was found tied up inside the plastic suitcase near her home with the numbers '1' and '0' imprinted on her chest, and then left in the inner courtyard of a building in the French capital's north-east.

CCTV footage had emerged showing both the alleged killer and her victim next to the block of flats where Lola lived with her middle-class parents who owned properties across northern France.

Lola's mutilated body was later found near the building, in the city's 19th arrondissement, where she lived with her parents Delphine and Johan.

'The suspect had boasted about selling body parts,' said an investigating source. 'Evidence suggests that the girl was taken into the basement of the flat, where she was tortured, and raped, before being strangled and having her throat cut.'

The source added: 'The suspect is believed to suffer with serious psychological problems. She was living on the street, but had friends and family in the Paris area.'

A judicial source confirmed Dahbia B was in custody charged with 'the murder of a child under 15, rape, and torture'.

Six people, including Dahbia B's older sister Friha B, were arrested in connection with the crime, including a 43-year-old man who faces charges over sheltering the suspect in his car. The other four have been released.

A murder probe has been launched into the death of the girl - named by French media as Lola Daviet - after her corpse was found tied up inside the plastic suitcase close to her home in the French capital late on Friday night

Lola is seen partially obscured by the door as she follows her suspected killer, pictured centre. The suspect is seen wearing a grey jumper, white leggings and trainers. Lola quickly followed her into the building

Lola is pictured in this CCTV footage still wearing a white coat and carrying what appears to be her schoolbag alongside the suspect

Lola's parents Delphine and Johan (pictured) are professional caretakers of a number of buildings in northern Paris, including the one where they live

On Friday night after the body was discovered, three people were arrested near the scene.

Then a woman, who was spotted on CCTV with the schoolgirl hours before her death, was also held. Two others were also arrested and all are originally from Algeria, Le Parisien said.

Now it is thought the alleged killer 'acted alone and gratuitously' in allegedly carrying out the murder, according to judicial sources.

Witnesses say they saw her dragging the suitcase which was 'stained with blood' and 'smelt strongly of bleach'.

An investigating source said: 'The alleged murderer somehow earned her victim's confidence and led her into a cellar below the building, where the attack happened.

'The attacker had been talking about selling organs and body parts, but none of this makes sense. She acted alone and gratuitously, and defiled her victim before killing her.'

Lola's parents are professional caretakers of a number of buildings in northern Paris, including the one where they live.

They also own two houses in the village of Fouquereuil, near Bethune, northern France, and a mobile holiday home in Rang-du-Fliers, on the English Channel coast. Friends have set up a fundraiser for the grief-stricken family.

Security stand outside the Georges Brassens middle school in Paris today as pupils returned shocked after the death of their classmate

Flower tributes to Lola were left outside her school this morning, with pupils offered psychological counselling

The victim's mother Delphine went to police at 5pm on Friday evening when she became worried that her daughter had not returned home

Lola was a pupil at the Georges Brassens school, just yards from her home.

Local residents placed flowers at the gate of the family's building over the weekend, an AFP reporter saw.

One mother told AFP that her daughter, another pupil who knew Lola by sight, was 'not doing well today, she doesn't want to go to school.'

'Today it's time for mourning and for the investigation, which seems to be progressing quickly,' 19th district mayor Francois Dagnaud said during a visit to the Georges-Brassens school.

'What's important is that the main suspect for now has been arrested, there's no psychopath roaming the streets of this neighbourhood,' he added after local parents reported fears for their children's safety.

'Of course, the fact that a 12-year-old child can die in such circumstances is overwhelming for everybody,' he added, saying that counselling would also be offered to local residents.

The victim was discovered with her feet and wrists bound, tape around her face and several cuts to her throat, just hours after she was reported missing by her parents when she failed to return after class.

She had numbers placed on her body by a 'device', rather than cut into her skin, according to a police source cited by French broadcaster BFMTV.

A post-mortem examination on Saturday concluded that she had died of asphyxiation following a physical attack that included a knife being used to cut her body.

Chilling security camera footage has emerged which showed the girl, dressed in a white outfit and carrying what appears to be a schoolbag, walking into her building behind a woman who witnesses claimed was later seen carrying the suitcase.

One resident said he saw the suspect dragging the suitcase around two hours prior to Lola's disappearance, and was offered money to help her move it.

'We saw her go into the building, and she was dragging the suitcase with her,' he said. 'She did not seem right in the mind.'

Others saw the suspect drinking a coffee and eating a croissant as she appeared to 'try and work out what to do next'.

Police told French media they had uncovered signs of kidnapping in the basement of the building and launched a murder enquiry.

Lola's corpse was discovered on Friday evening by a homeless man who saw an abandoned suitcase on the street

A message reads 'Lola, rest in peace' along with a bouquet of flowers displayed outside her school three days after her death

The schoolgirl's face was covered in tape, her feet and fists were bound, and she had suffered several cuts to her throat, according to reports

A post-mortem examination on Saturday concluded that she had died of asphyxiation following a physical attack that included a knife being used to cut her body

The schoolgirl's face was covered in tape, her feet and fists were bound, and she had suffered several cuts to her throat, according to reports.

The victim's mother went to police at 5pm on Friday evening when she became worried that her daughter had not returned home, and posted a desperate appeal for help on social media.

Mrs Daviet posted an image of Lola accompanied by the following message: 'Our daughter Lola was last seen at 3:20pm in the company of a woman we do not know in our residence.'

The footage from the entrance of the building only captured Lola following her suspected killer into her block.

Less than six hours later, a homeless man contacted the police after he allegedly stumbled upon the suitcase and discovered the body inside at around 11.30pm on Rue d'Hautpoul - a stone's throw away from the victim's home.

The public prosecutor confirmed to BFMTV that signs of a struggle had been discovered in one of the basement rooms in Lola's building.

Parisian officials indicated that staff and students of the Georges Brassens school, as well as neighbouring schools in the area, would receive psychological support.
Nicola Sturgeon today suggested Scotland could have its own currency within five years of independence as she continued her renewed push to break up the United Kingdom.

The Scottish First Minister claimed the UK was 'fundamentally on the wrong path' as she set out how an independent Scotland would operate.

She insisted the country would be able to have its own Scottish pound and dismissed suggestions Scots would be required to use passports to get into England as 'utter nonsense'.

But Ms Sturgeon admitted there would be other border checks for trade between Scotland and England.

Opponents questioned how she could avoid an independent Scotland having to join the euro single currency if she sees through her wish to join the European Union.

The First Minister claimed that Scotland would not 'qualify automatically' to join the euro and stressed it was not the 'right option' for her country.

She was also pressed on how long it would take to set up an independent currency, telling an Edinburgh press conference she hoped it would be 'shorter' than five years.

Ms Sturgeon spoke following the release of a new Scottish Government paper setting out its economic proposals for an independent Scotland.

The First Minister tore into the current chaos at Westminster as Liz Truss battles to cling on as Prime Minister amid a financial meltdown.

The SNP leader claimed the current economic travails were 'a crisis long in the making' and 'not a temporary phenomenon'.

'The UK economy is in long-term decline, the UK economic model is failing and failing badly,' she said.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted an independent Scotland would be able to have its own Scottish pound

The SNP leader claimed the UK was 'fundamentally on the wrong path' as she set out how an independent Scotland would operate

Ms Sturgeon dismissed suggestions Scots would be required to use passports to get into England - but admitted there would be other border checks

Ms Sturgeon added it was 'glaringly obvious now that the UK does not offer economic strength and stability or financial security'.

She added: 'There is an understandable human instinct to hunker down in the face of a storm and hope for calmer times.

'But, for the UK, this is not just a passing storm. The UK economy is fundamentally on the wrong path. There is no real alternative on offer within the Westminster system.

'The establishment consensus on Brexit, despite the harm it is causing, illustrates that.

'For Scotland, not being independent means we are being dragged down the wrong path too - a path people here did not vote for.'

Ms Sturgeon admitted many Scots would have 'big, fair' questions about how an independent Scotland would operate.

She claimed that 'few, if any nations in history' had been 'better prepared for independence than we are'.

In the Scottish Government paper, it is proposed that an independent Scotland would 'continue to use the pound sterling for a period before moving to our policy of adopting a Scottish pound' to be managed by a Scottish central bank.

Ms Sturgeon insisted it would not be 'responsible' to set a timetable for such a transition from using sterling to a new Scottish currency.

'I'm not going to put a number of years on it for the very reason I think it would undermine the careful, managed, phased process I'm setting out here and one that is - overall - governed by the interests of the country and the economy,' she said.

Ms Sturgeon added the move to a Scottish pound would be 'guided by requirements and also criteria advised by the central bank as we go' but said she wanted an independent Scotland's continued use of UK sterling to be 'as short as practicable'.

Pressed on whether it would take five, 10 or 20 years to set up a Scottish pound, the SNP leader replied: 'I hope it would be shorter than all of that.'

The First Minister also reiterated her wish for Scotland to become an EU member.

'Nobody with any credibility seriously suggests that Scotland would not be welcomed back into the European Union,' she said.

'And while there would be a process of negotiation, most people who know what theyre talking about on this issue are very clear that that would not be a particularly lengthy process.'

Ms Sturgeon promised the Scottish Government would soon publish another paper specifically on EU issues.

Addressing immediate questions about border arrangements, she said: 'Scotland will remain in the Common Travel Area along with the rest of the UK and Ireland.

'That means any talk of passports to visit relatives in England is utter nonsense.'

But Ms Sturgeon did admit that some 'border arrangements' would be needed between England and Scotland.

'What Brexit does mean though, when Scotland returns to the EU, is that border arrangements will be required to ensure continued trade in goods and services across the UK,' she added.

'None of this is insurmountable but it does require proper planning.'

Asked why she was not setting out proposals for Scotland to join the euro, Ms Sturgeon replied: 'Put aside my preferences for a minute, I don't think Scotland would qualify automatically to join the euro. I don't think it is the right option for Scotland.'

But opponents of Scottish independence immediately questioned Ms Sturgeon's plans for her country to have its own currency and avoid an obligation for new EU member states to adopt the bloc's euro single currency.

Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr said: 'Sturgeon appears to be asking Scots to swallow a change in currency from the Pound, to the Scottish Pound, to the Euro.

'Massive upheaval, huge doubts about the ability for a country our size to back a new currency - and this is supposed to be less risky than staying in the UK?'

Ian Murray, Labour's shadow Scottish secretary, said: 'As one government u-turns as a result of trying to defy economic logic another launches an economic paper trying to defy economic logic.

'No details on currency. No details on debt/deficit. And a wishful hope that EU will change its own binding fiscal/currency rules for Scotland.'
An apartment in a six-story building in Brooklyn became engulfed in flames after a woman's mattress allegedly caught fire

A six-story apartment building in Brooklyn caught ablaze at around 4.30am on Monday after an 80-year-old woman's mattress allegedly caught fire.

Seven people were injured in the fire which originated in a fifth-floor apartment occupied by the woman and her daughter.

Of the seven injured during the fire, three were firefighters. Two of the seven were injured critically but both are expected to be OK.

'Everyone was screaming,' said Eugene Riviera, a resident of the building who called 911, told News 12.

When he heard the noise he went to open his apartment door and the hallway was filled with smoke, he said. Then he looked up and caught a glimpse of a flame above the smoke.

'Everybody fled,' he told News 12.

The fire started on the mother's mattress and the daughter attempted to drag the mattress off the bed to stomp out the flames but was unsuccessful and it spread, a neighbor told News 12.

Then at around 4.46am the fire spilled onto the sixth floor so a '2nd alarm' was declared requiring at least eight engines to attend the residential building.

By 5.15am the apartment in which the fire began was searched by firefighters and found to be empty but filled with 'heavy clutter.'

FDNY officials said that the fire took around an hour to fully extinguish.

Some of the building's residents attempted to escape the smoke-filled hallways

The fire broke out at around 4.30am in a Williamsburg apartment building and took around an hour to extinguish

381 Berry Street at the intersection of Broadway and Berry Street, by the Williamsburg Bridge and around 600 feet from the famous Peter Luger Steak House

Smoke filled the stairwell and hallways of the building, forcing residents to escape via the external fire escape

At 5.15am the apartment in which the fire began was searched by fire fighters and found to be clear but with 'heavy clutter'

The apartment building is located at 381 Berry Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, a borough of New York City.

It is near the Williamsburg Bridge that spans the East River and about 600 feet from the famous Peter Luger Steakhouse.

The 80-year-old woman and her daughter were living together in the apartment, Riviera told News 12.

Smoke filled the stairwell and hallways of the building, forcing some of the residents to escape via the building's external fire escape.

Eugene Riviera is a neighbor of the 80-year-old woman and her daughter and heard screaming. When the opened his apartment door he saw smoke and a flame

Residents of 381 Berry Street gathered on the street as they evacuated their apartments in the building

Two of the seven critically injured during the fire were taken to hospital after inhaling smoke

Within 15 minutes of the fire starting it had spread from the fifth to the sixth floor, triggering a '2nd alarm' to be declared, Fire Chief Michael Curneen said

The official cause has not yet been specified and the Fire Department have said that it is still being investigated.

Battalion Chief Michael Curneen told News 12 that although the fire started on the fifth floor it spilled onto the sixth floor, requiring additional fire fighters.

He said: 'At this time of night everybody's home, so people were waking up. We had a lot of people coming down the fire escape, a lot of people coming down the stairs.

'The guys did a fantastic job.'
The only known survivor of the suspected Stockton serial killer has described how the murderer silently crept up on her before opening fire.

Natasha LaTour, 46, was shot multiple times by Wesley Brownlee at a train station at 3.20am on April 16, 2021.

Brownlee, 43, has now been arrested on suspicion of at least six murders over the past 18 months in California.

The Stockton Police Department is set to charge him with the series of slayings after he was taken into custody by cops who were following him as he was 'on a mission to kill.'

LaTour is the only person who has survived an attack from Brownlee, who she says wore dark clothing and said nothing before he shot her nine times.

She had been standing close to the railway tracks when Brownlee launched his unprovoked attack, spotting a gun pointed at her.

Wesley Brownlee, 43, was arrested early Saturday morning by Stockton law enforcement on suspicion of shooting at least seven people in the last 18 months

Natasha LaTour, 46, was shot multiple times by Wesley Brownlee at a train station at 3.20am on April 16 last year

The pistol Brownlee was carrying when he was arrested Saturday. Police say Brownlee was out hunting for a new victim when he was apprehended early Saturday

Speaking to ABC she said: 'There were no words exchanged. Didn't come any closer. Didn't say anything. Just started shooting. I saw, I saw flashes.

'I was on the side and then a man came around the corner. They already had the gun out, and they just started shooting. I ran towards him knowing I'd have to get closer to the street if I wanted to survive.

'There's a burning that's incredible. You're wet all over and you don't know why you're wet, and I was really glad my legs moved but every time I moved my legs I got wetter, and I thought I was dying.

'I heard a car come by me and then I heard a door open or close and I could tell they went down a distance and then I heard a man say, 'I'm here, we're calling 911 for you don't worry.'

Natasha LaTour, 46, was homeless at the time she was shot by the alleged serial killer in Stockton. She survived despite being shot close to a dozen times

Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden speaks during a news conference at the Stockton Police Department headquarters about the arrest of suspect Wesley Brownlee

Paul Alexander Yaw, 35, was killed on July 8th in a park close to his home, with his family paying tribute to him as a 'wonderful father'

The victims of California's 'serial killer' - who has terrorized the city for nearly two years April 10, 2021: Juan Miguel Vasquez Serrano, 39, was killed in East Oakland. He was homeless at the time of his murder April 16, 2021: Natasha LaTour , 46, was shot in Stockton but survived. She was shot nearly a dozen times at 3.20am outside a tent she was living in at the time July 8, 2022: Paul Yaw, 35, was killed in Stockton. He was one of only two non-Hispanic victims of the killer August 11, 2022: Salvador Debudey Jr., 43, was killed in Stockton. Debudey was a Stockton native and father who died at the scene after police attempted to resuscitate him August 30, 2022: Jonathan Hernandez Rodriguez, 21, was killed in Stockton. He was found dead inside a car on East Hammer Lane. It was unclear if he had been sleeping in the vehicle at the time of his murder September 21, 2022: Juan Cruz, 52, was killed in Stockton September 27, 2022: Lorenzo Lopez Sr., 54, was killed in Stockton. He was gunned down shortly before 2am in a residential area in downtown Stockton Advertisement

LaTour had been homeless at the time of the shooting, like many of Brownlee's other victims, and knew that he was the man who shot her as soon as police released footage of a man they were hunting in connection with the series of slayings.

Brownlee was arrested at around 2am on Saturday by police after investigators received several tips about the person behind the attacks.

Officers watched him drive to parks and dark places, stopping and looking around before driving on  with police saying he was 'hunting' for new victims.

Police stopped him in a car in the Central Valley city, where five of the six shootings took place, and is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday afternoon.

Brownlee, who has a criminal history, killed Juan Miguel Vasquez Serrano, 39, on April 21 in East Oakland just days after attacking LaTour. Serrano was also homeless at the time of his murder.

Authorities managed to link him to the six deaths by ballistics, and praised 'good old fashioned police work' after they arrested him.

Law enforcement authorities described Brownlee's killing spree as a 'reign of terror', releasing footage of a man they believed to be the Stockton serial killer earlier this month.

Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden said on Saturday: 'Early this morning he was on a mission to kill, he was out hunting.

'He was wearing dark clothing and had a mask around his neck. He was also armed with a firearm when he was taken into custody. We are sure we stopped another killing.

'Our surveillance team followed this person while he was driving. We watched his patterns and determined early this morning, he was on a mission to kill.'

After shooting LaTour and Serrano the attacks stopped for several months, before Paul Yaw was killed on July 8.

Lorenzo Lopez Sr, 54, left, was the killer's final known victim and died on September 27. Salvador William Dubedy Jr. right, died on August 11

Police have linked Brownlee to seven shootings in the Oakland and Stockton area inside of the last 18 months

Juan Miguel Vazquez, 39, was killed in East Oakland and was homeless at the time of his murder on April 21

Stockton Police confirmed to DailyMail.com that they believe the man in surveillance footage they released earlier this month is the same man who arrested Saturday

Yaw, 35, was shot in a park at around 12.30am, with his mother paying tribute to him as 'a sweet boy who grew into a man with a big heart.'

Brownlee then shot four people dead within a two month period before officers arrested him on Saturday.

Salvador Debudey Jr, 43, died on August 11 after police tried to resuscitate him.

Jonathan Hernandez Rodriguez, 21, died on August 30 and was found dead inside of a car and Juan Cruz, 52, died on September 21.

Brownlee's most recent alleged kill was of Lawrence Lopez Sr, who died on September 27, and was described as being 'in the wrong place at the wrong time' by his brother.

Jonathan Hernandez Rodriguez, 21, was found shot and killed inside his vehicle at the apartment complex where he lived

Police released a video earlier this month of a suspect dressed in dark colors who walked with an 'uneven stride'

Jerry Lopez told KXTV: 'It's hard to process that this has happened. I mean, me and my brother have been like twins. We were a year a part so we were pretty close'

Five of the killer's seven victims have been Hispanic, though it remains unclear if they were targeted because of their race.

None of the victims were robbed or beaten prior to their killings, and none appeared to know one another, while some were living on the streets.

Police say the killings were not gang or drug related, and they have not revealed a motive but say they believe the killer was 'mission oriented.'

Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln said Saturday following the arrest that members of the community should be able to 'rest a little bit easier tonight.'

He said: 'I want to make this very very clear, to the people of Stockton, to the United States and around the world.

'When the people of Stockton come together and we unite we can get things done. Stockton will be a place where people can live, raise a family and grow a business.'
An NHS GP who sent explicit photos of a married man to his wife and family to take 'revenge' against him has avoided being thrown out of the profession.

Dr Jonathan Darby, 62, launched a 'calculated' campaign against his victim that included sending his spouse information gathered by a private investigator as well as sexual images of her husband on WhatsApp.

The long-serving family doctor even arranged for lewd photographs to be posted to the man's children, a tribunal heard.

He was convicted of revenge porn at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court in October 2021 and was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and given a two-year restraining order against four individuals.

He then faced a misconduct hearing at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal last month which resulted in a six month suspension of his medical licence. The judgement was published at the end of last week.

Dr Darby - who retired in August of this year - also previously worked as a script advisor on popular BBC daytime drama 'Doctors'.

In 2015, Dr Darby gave an interview to BBC Inside Out praising the great job and explained he was responsible for making sure the medical show was accurate and authentic.

NHS GP Dr Jonathan Darby, 62, (pictured) launched a 'calculated' campaign against his victim that included sending his spouse information gathered by a private investigator as well as sexual images of her husband on WhatsApp

Dr Darby, who qualified in 1984, worked as a GP Partner at Halesowen Medical Practice, near Birmingham, West Mids, from 1989 and had an unblemished career, the tribunal heard.

In May 2020, Dr Darby's victim - named only as 'Mr A' - reported the doctor to police, complaining that letters, messages and emails featuring sexual photos of him had been sent to his family.

The nature of Dr Darby's relationship with Mr A was kept hidden at his tribunal, however it was heard the offending related to his personal life.

A tribunal report said there was 'clear evidence Dr Darby intended to cause Mr A distress by sending indecent pictures to his family'.

The report said: 'Having previously forwarded material gathered by a private investigator to Mr A's family by post, Dr Darby later discovered the sexual photographs of Mr A and copied them.

'He sent these to Mr A's wife via WhatsApp. He also arranged for the images to be posted to Mr A's adult children, the report stated.

'It was the tribunal's view that these actions were calculated to cause distress and demonstrated premeditation.'

He admitted disclosing private sexual photos without consent, also known as revenge porn and was convicted at a magistrates' court.

He was convicted of revenge porn at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court (pictured) in October 2021 and was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and given a two-year restraining order against four individuals

Dr Darby then faced a misconduct hearing at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal.

However, the panel ruled Dr Darby's behaviour from March to May in 2020 was 'not so egregious' as to warrant being stripped of his licence to practise. Instead, he escaped with a six month suspension.

Chair of the MPTS hearing, Jayne Wheat, said striking Dr Darby off the medical register would be too harsh.

Mrs Wheat said: 'The tribunal was of the view that, given Dr Darby's developing insight, together with the other mitigating factors... erasure would be disproportionate in the particular circumstances of this case.

'The tribunal was satisfied that the actions resulting in his conviction were not so egregious as to warrant permanently depriving the public of an otherwise clinically competent doctor.

'Although his insight into the circumstances leading to his conviction is not yet complete, the tribunal was satisfied that, if a similar situation arose in future, Dr Darby would not act in the same way.

'It took the view that his reflective statement demonstrates that he is shocked at how he acted and that his regret is genuine.'

Dr Darby did not dispute that his 'actions were aimed at taking revenge'.

He told the Kidderminster Magistrates' Court: 'I cannot begin to describe how much I regret this and the obvious impact this has on the wider profession of doctors*

Dr Darby (pictured) then faced a misconduct hearing at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal last month which resulted in a six month suspension of his medical licence. The judgement was published at the end of last week

'To say the events of the past few years have been a learning point would be an understatement; if I could go back and change what I did, then I would undoubtedly do so.

'With the benefit of hindsight, I fully see that my actions were entirely misguided and that I let my own personal situation cloud my better judgement.

'Clearly, as a doctor, it is vital to be able to separate one's personal and professional life.

'In this instance, I failed to behave in the way that I would have expected of myself as a professional and this clearly has a wider impact in terms of my standing as a doctor.

'I have truly lived to regret this ever since. I would wish to apologise wholeheartedly to all involved in this matter. This includes not only the family of Mr A, but also my regulator.

'I am mortified that the GMC has now spent time in investigating and preparing this case and further that the matter now also goes before the [MPTS tribunal].'

The court also heard how Dr Darby was in 'emotionally challenging circumstances' which were 'deeply personal' and involved his own family, and that his 'judgement was clouded by his heightened emotions'.

The tribunal report stated: 'Dr Darby told the tribunal that it has not been easy for him to make reference to Mr A in these proceedings.

'He stated that, at the time of the events, his emotions were complex, and he was struggling.'

In his first police interview, Dr Darby insisted that he was the 'victim'.

He later apologised to Mr A and his family, claiming he has 'reflected a lot' and will attend a 'professional boundaries course'.
The hunting party in Brittany included around a dozen hunters and two guests

Jacqueline Taylor, 67, was shot above the heart and died in Saint-Brieuc hospital

A British woman who was accidentally shot and killed by her French boyfriend during a wild boar hunt in northern France has been pictured for the first time.

Jacqueline Taylor, 67, died on Sunday from a gunshot wound 'above the heart' after her partner Pierrot Philippot, 69, fired his shoulder-mounted rifle in her direction during the hunt.

Philippot, who now faces a manslaughter charge, is the president of the Goudelin-Bringolo hunt and organised the wild boar hunt close to the couple's home in Goudelin, Brittany, on Sunday. He was said to be 'devastated' by the incident.

Miss Taylor was rushed to hospital in Saint-Brieuc, Brittany, but died from her injuries at around midday.

Jacqueline Taylor, 67, (left) died on Sunday from a gunshot wound 'above the heart' after her partner Pierrot Philippot, 69, (right) fired his shoulder-mounted rifle in her direction during the hunt

An investigating source said: 'The hunters were walking through a field of corn silage when the president of the hunt fired with his shoulder-mounted rifle, barrel pointing towards the back.

'The shot hit his partner, and the bullet caused a penetrating wound above her heart. She was rushed to hospital but died of her wounds'.

Philippot, who has been hunting in the area since he was a teenager, has been bailed while an investigation continues.

Tests for alcohol and drugs proved negative, and an autopsy is due to take place on Wednesday.

Philippot, who has been hunting in the area since he was a teenager, has been bailed while an investigation continues

Philippot, who now faces a manslaughter charge, is the president of the Goudelin-Bringolo hunt and organised the wild boar hunt close to the couple's home in Goudelin, Brittany, on Sunday. He was said to be 'devastated' by the incident

The hunting party included around a dozen hunters and two guests, public prosecutor Nicolas Heitz said.

Laurent Le Faucheur, mayor of Goudelin, said Philippot was 'absolutely devastated by the accident'.

Mr Le Faucheur said: 'It's a terrible shock for us all. I knew the couple well. Jacqueline arrived from Britain about seven years ago, and was very happy in the village.

'She had a horse, and they both shared other animals including dogs and cats.

'What happened is devastating. I was called quickly, I came right away, because of course, a hunting accident is a sensitive subject. A full investigation is under way.'

There is an ongoing bitter debate about hunting in France, following a number of accidental deaths and injuries.

On October 9, a 62-year-old hunter was shot in the abdomen while picking mushrooms in the town of Vinsobres in the Drome region.

Earlier this month, a 33-year-old mother and her young children were injured during a small game hunt in the Rhone, according to Le Bien Public.

In February, a 25-year-old woman died instantly after being hit by a hunters bullet while walking with a friend along a marked trail near Aurillac, in the Cantal region.
A trial over whether states can ban cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers, and sex-change surgery for children begins in Arkansas this week, in a landmark case pitting Republicans against trans campaigners.

US District Judge Jay Moody will hear testimony over the law he temporarily blocked last year blocking doctors from providing sex change treatments to anyone aged under 18. It also prevents doctors from referring patients elsewhere for such care.

Arkansas was the first state to enact such a ban on transition treatment for kids, with Republican politicians in 2021 overriding Gov. Asa Hutchinson's veto of the legislation, called the Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act.

Hutchinson said the prohibition went too far by cutting care to those currently receiving it.

Advocates of the law say it is within the state's authority to regulate medical practices. The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Dylan Brandt speaks at a news conference outside the federal courthouse in Little Rock, Arkansas. The teenager is among several trans youths and families who are challenging a state law banning their treatment

'This is about protecting children,' Republican Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said.

'Nothing about this law prohibits someone after the age of 18 from making this decision. What we're doing in Arkansas is protecting children from life-altering, permanent decisions.'

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, vetoed the Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act, saying it went too far

For those experiencing gender dysphoria, transitioning with drugs and surgery can be life-saving. Still, some experts warn against providing irreversible treatments to adolescents, pointing to growing numbers who come to regret their procedures.

Whether to allow young people to take puberty-blockers, hormones or undergo surgery has become a hot-button issue in America's culture wars, and Republican officials in Arkansas and other states have sought to limit access to procedures.

Several medical groups, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, oppose the bans and experts say the treatments are safe if properly administered.

The families of four transgender youth and two doctors who provide gender-confirming care want Moody to strike down the law, saying it is unconstitutional because it discriminates against transgender minors.

They also say it intrudes on parents' rights to make medical decisions for their children and infringes on doctors' free speech rights.

'As a parent, I never imagined I'd have to fight for my daughter to be able to receive medically necessary health care her doctor says she needs, and we know she needs,' said Lacey Jennen, whose 17-year-old daughter has been receiving gender-confirming care.

A similar law to Arkansas' has been blocked by a federal judge in Alabama, and a Texas judge has blocked that state's efforts to investigate gender-confirming care for minors as child abuse.

Children's hospitals around the country have faced harassment and threats of violence for providing controversial treatments to minors.

'This latest wave of anti-trans fever that is now spreading to other states started in Arkansas, and it needs to end in Arkansas,' said Holly Dickson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, which filed the lawsuit.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas filed the lawsuit on behalf of the families of four transgender youth and two doctors who provide treatment for transgender people

The above map shows the population of transgender adults and children across America in 2020, according to the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles. Its estimate for children aged 13 to 17 has doubled since 2017. It shows the highest population is in southern states, followed by those along the east coast

A three-judge panel of the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals in August upheld Moody's preliminary injunction blocking the ban's enforcement.

The state has asked the full 8th Circuit appeals court to review the case.

The trial in Arkansas comes as debates about gender transitioning surgeries and medical treatments rage across the country.

The number of children with gender dysphoria has exploded in recent years, giving rise to the use of powerful puberty-blocking drugs.

About 300,000 children aged between 13 and 17 (1.4 per cent) in the US identify as transgender, according to most recent estimates from 2020.

That is double the number estimated to be transgender in 2017 in a previous report by the same researchers, though they used different estimates.

Some say the rise is born out of increased awareness of gender dysphoria and growing acceptance in society.

Others say the impressionable minds of children are easily swayed by 'fads' among peers, and that children are not ready to make irreversible decisions about their gender.

As the numbers rise, a growing number of people who received transition treatment as minors are voicing their regrets.

California teenager Chloe Cole spoke out against the rush to affirm youngsters with drugs and hormones.

She told a medical panel how she was encouraged as a 13-year-old to take puberty blockers and later have surgery that 'irreversibly and painfully' damaged her body as she transitioned to Leo, a boy.

In her testimony, she warned of the dangers of online LGBTQ+ activism, unreliable therapists and a medical process and its reversal that left her unlikely to be able to have children and unable to breastfeed.

Polls show Americans are divided, but hew to traditional gender norms.

A Pew Research Center poll in May found that most Americans  60 percent  said sex was determined at birth, rather than by an individual's choice, while 46 percent favored laws against providing children with medical care to transition.

An NPR/Ipsos survey the following month found that 31 percent of respondents supported state laws preventing transgender youngsters from undergoing medical transitions, while 47 percent opposed them.
A hiker who survived after being stranded in the Colorado wilderness in freezing temperatures for two nights after breaking her leg was finally rescued when a train passenger spotted her lying on a riverbank.

The hiker, an unnamed female in her 20s from New Mexico, had been on a day trip to the Deer Park area of the Colorado Trail before she wandered away from the route.

She was taking pictures when she fell from a cliff face and broke her leg, according to the Office of Emergency Management in San Juan County, Colorado.

She was spotted by a passenger on a train going past and was rescued on Monday, October 10 after spending two nights in the wilderness in shorts in 20 degree weather.

A hiker who survived after being stranded in the Colorado wilderness in freezing temperatures for two nights after breaking her leg was finally rescued when a train passenger spotted her lying on a riverbank

She flagged down the first train of the day headed to Silverton at 11.38am, south of the Colorado trail intersection, from which she was spotted by a passenger

The hiker, an unnamed female in her 20s from New Mexico, had been on a day trip to the Deer Park area of the Colorado Trail before she wandered away from the route

She was airlifted to Montrose Hospital, where her condition remains unclear.

The hiker was first reported missing by her parents on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the Office of Emergency Management hailed the rescue as 'miraculous'.

DeAnne Gallegos said: 'It's an amazing feat that she survived two nights in the cold snap we are having.

'Our team thought that was pretty miraculous.'

She was airlifted to Montrose Hospital, where her condition remains unclear

On her second night outside, the hiker dragged herself to the Animas riverbank where she could be seen from the railway.

She flagged down the first train of the day headed to Silverton at 11.38am, south of the Colorado trail intersection, from which she was spotted by a passenger.

The passenger alerted train staff, who contacted emergency crews.

Kylah, a conductor and fireman on the train, said: 'Her leg was clearly injured and she was really cold. We gave her some blankets and some water'

People onboard the train waded across the Anima River in order to reach the woman for the rescue

A spokesperson for the Office of Emergency Management hailed the rescue as 'miraculous'

They used a trolley-like system to transport her to an area where she could be reached by helicopter and she was airlifted to Montrose Hospital.

Kylah and Nick Breeden, who were onboard the train, crossed the Anima River to rescue the woman, and were called 'heroes' by the emergency management team.

Kylah, a conductor and fireman on the train, said: 'Her leg was clearly injured and she was really cold. We gave her some blankets and some water.'
The headless body of a devout Christian was found with a handwritten quote from the Bible in her jacket pocket after she was murdered and beheaded by her property developer friend in a row over money, a court has heard.

Jemma Mitchell, 38, is alleged to have killed 67-year-old Mee Kuen Chong at her home in Wembley on June 11 last year.

She is accused of then driving more than 200 miles to dump her headless corpse in Salcombe, Devon, 15 days later.

Ms Chongs fractured skull was found in undergrowth ten metres away from her body by a holidaying family days later.

A murder trial at the Old Bailey has heard how a row had developed between the pair over money to pay for a renovation project worth hundreds of thousands of pounds at Mitchell's home in Willesden, north London.

Giving evidence today, pathologist Dr Deborah Cook said she arrived at the scene, near the Salcombe estuary, to examine the decapitated body shortly after 11pm on June 27 last year.

She told the court: 'It was apparent that the head and at least the first two bones that form the spine were absent.'

The larynx at the front of the neck was also missing, she said.

Ms Chong was wearing a multi-coloured pattern dress underneath a black quilted Marks and Spencer zip-up jacket when she was found.

Jurors heard that the left pocket of the jacket contained an Oyster Card and business cards for a GP, dentist and an Evangelical church in London.

There were also small pieces of paper torn from a notepad with a quote from the Bible on them, jurors were told.

The two women were in an alleged disagreement after Ms Chong (right) over money to pay for a renovation project at Ms Mitchell's (left) home in Willesden, the court has heard

Ms Chong's body was found in woodlands near the chic seaside town of Salcombe in South Devon

CCTV of Jemma Mitchell driving a car on Bennett Road in Salcombe, Devon, on 26 June last year

Those pieces of paper had writing on them including a quote from the bible, prosecutor Deanna Heer, KC, said.

The pensioner was also found next to a handbag and wearing gladiator-sandals.

Inside the bag was a camera, a tote bag and a length of orange rope which the prosecution alleges matches some found at Mitchells home.

Dr Cook said that one of the handbags straps had been 'fastened underneath' one of Ms Chongs shoe straps.

Inside the handbag, the court heard there was a tote bag, camera and a 'length of orange nylon rope'.

Asked about the Ms Chong's neck, Dr Cook said: 'It was apparent that the head and at least the first two bones that form the spine, that is the first and second cervical vertebrae, were absent.'

The court has previously heard how the pair met through the church and had known each other since August 2020.

Within a month Mitchell began talking to Ms Chong about her finances and suggested she could sign her home in Wembley to her to avoid inheritance tax.

Mitchell, who studied Human Sciences at Kings College London and is said to have become an expert in body dissection, is alleged to have pressured Ms Chong to give her the money.

She then allegedly murdered the vulnerable Ms Chong in her own house in Wembley, north west London, on June 11 last year before faking her will to get money to pay for repairs to her own home.

Ms Chong was wearing a multi-coloured pattern dress underneath a black quilted Marks and Spencer zip-up jacket when she was found

Police at the scene in Salcombe, Devon, where Ms Chong's body was discovered by a family of holidaymakers in June last year

Jurors were last week shown CCTV footage allegedly of Mitchell dragging a suitcase containing Ms Chong's body, along with a second suitcase holding financial documents, around London for two hours.

The court heard Mitchell was seen on CCTV walking into Chaplin Road, where Ms Chong lived, with an apparently empty suitcase - before she reappeared five hours later with the same bag appearing much heavier.

Jurors were told she then walked around London for two hours, calling various taxi firms, before she was dropped off outside her neighbour's home and dragged the two suitcases into her property.

Fifteen days later, Mitchell is alleged to have hired a Volvo from Hertz before making the journey to Devon. She arrived back in London shortly before 7am on June 27.

During the intervening period, jurors heard that Mitchell made herself the main beneficiary of the Ms Chong's will.

The court has also heard how Ms Chong had a history of mental ill health dating back to 2015 when she was noted in GP records as having schizo-affective disorder and acute stress.

According to the records, she suffered an episode of mania with psychotic symptoms in 2017 but by the next year her condition had stabilised and she was discharged by community mental health team.

In May 2021, records indicate she had paranoid schizophrenia.

Former osteopath Mitchell, of Willesden, denies murder. The trial continues.
Robert Browell, tax partner at Samil PwC / Courtesy of Samil PwC





By Robert Browell







Tax policy is an important tool for any government to help achieve its economic objectives. Successive Korean governments have announced that one of their key economic policy aims is to attract foreign investment and make Korea a more attractive location for companies to use as a regional business hub for East Asia. So just how can tax policy help attract foreign investment and promote Korea as a hub location?











President Yoon Suk-yeol's first tax reform package since taking office earlier in the year proposes some important measures highlighting the government's intention to make Korea more attractive for businesses. Although some of the details of how the new tax laws will work are still to be released, the key headlines that will benefit companies include the reduction in the top rate of corporate income tax from 25 percent to 22 percent, the introduction of a partial tax exemption for overseas dividends received and a simplification of how domestic source dividends are taxed. The announcement that the government is proposing not to extend the additional tax on excess corporate earnings when it sunsets at the end of 2022 is further good news for companies.







If passed by the National Assembly later in the year this package of reforms will go some way towards increasing the attractiveness of Korea on the international landscape. But just how does Korea compare to other countries globally including those in Asia?







Over the past several decades, corporate tax rates globally have been declining. The average corporate tax rate of OECD member countries was 32 percent in 2000, reduced to 23 percent by 2021. This trend is perhaps most notable in the U.S. where the top federal rate of corporate tax was cut from 35 percent to 21 percent in 2017 as part of U.S. tax reforms to modernize U.S. international tax rules.







Other key economies have made similar reductions including the UK where rates were cut to 19 percent and France where rates are planned to be cut to 25 percent. While the trend has been a reduction in rates, there are more recent proposals in certain countries, including the U.S., to increase rates as governments face budgetary difficulties arising from the unprecedented levels of support given during the COVID-19 pandemic.







The headline tax rate is, however, just one factor of overall corporate tax policy. Another key part of the modernization of the U.S.' tax rules was to move towards a more territorial tax system where profits earned overseas are generally not subject to U.S. tax, although certain foreign earnings can still be taxed. This was, in part, achieved by introducing an exemption from tax for overseas dividends received. Other countries such as Germany, the UK and France have similar full or partial dividend exemption regimes. These countries also go further and provide a full or partial exemption from capital gains tax for gains realized on the disposal of shares in qualifying subsidiary companies.







The proposed reduction in Korea's top rate of corporate tax to 22 percent will therefore make the rate more comparable to the OECD average of other global economies. The introduction of a partial dividend exemption for overseas dividends will also move Korea towards a more territorial tax regime as seen in other key countries.







When considering the attractiveness of Korea in Asia from a tax perspective, comparisons will also of course be made with Singapore and Hong Kong. Both countries provide low corporate tax rates of around 17 percent and provide for exemptions from tax for foreign profits realized through the receipt of overseas dividends and capital gains on a sale of shares in qualifying subsidiaries.















While the reduction in rates and introduction of a partial dividend exemption goes some way to make Korea more comparable to other key economies, other countries offer a full dividend exemption and provide exemptions from capital gains tax on the disposals of shares in qualifying subsidiaries making them more attractive hub locations from a tax perspective. The government could therefore consider introducing similar exemptions to make Korea more attractive.







The headline tax rate and treatment of dividends and capital gains are, however, just several elements of an overall tax policy framework that makes a country an attractive location for companies to invest in. Companies in Korea often find it difficult to do business because of uncertainties in the application of the tax law on international transactions and the general tax audit environment where companies are often faced with having to pay significant unexpected tax assessments. Providing companies with greater certainty of tax treatment on cross-border transactions through more comprehensive guidance issued by the tax authority and improving the advanced tax ruling system would help overcome these challenges.







The new government's tax reform proposals certainly go some way toward making Korea's tax regime more attractive to foreign businesses. It is also evident that the government is listening to the concerns and recommendations of businesses to try and improve the tax environment in Korea. More though, can be done to truly put Korea on a more equal footing with other countries in Asia.







Tax is also, of course, only one factor that is considered by foreign businesses when deciding where to invest in a region. Other important factors include the overall regulatory environment including labor and foreign exchange regulations, workforce quality and the general cost and ease of doing business. All these factors taken together must therefore be attractive to businesses for them to commit to investing in Korea and using the country as a hub location.



Robert Browell is a tax partner at Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers and Chairperson of the Taxation Forum at the European Chamber of Commerce (ECCK). Any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers or the ECCK.
This was certainly a sale that shoppers were not expecting to catch at a supermarket in the northeastern Brazilian state of Piaui.

A manager and one of his workers were shocked at the sight of a bevy of quails hatching out of a carton of eggs last month, viral video footage shows.

Supermarket manager Fabio Gomes told news portal G1 that Manoel Pereira alerted him about a strange sound that was emanating from the shelf area and spotted something moving inside the plastic carton that was packed with 30 eggs on September 21.

A cellphone video recorded by a startled Gomes showed him opening the carton right before one of the four quails jumped out to the shelf.

The chick subsequently stumbled and slipped off the ledge, but Gomes caught it to prevent it from crashing to the floor.

Fabio Gomes discovered four quails hatching inside a carton with 30 eggs at his supermarket in Piaui, Brazil, on September 21

Two of the four chicks died two minutes after they hatched while two more died the following day after the supermarket owner turned them over to the egg supplier

The other three quails followed by hatching out of the eggshells before he placed the first chick back in the carton.

'We were very surprised to find the chicks being born,' Gomes said. 'I had already moved the cartons because of the heat because they are made of plastic.'

Two of the quails died two minutes after they hatched. The other two were turned over to an egg supplier and died the following day.

'The supplier was amazed too, he only believed it because I was telling him,' Gomes said.

One of the quails stumbled out of the egg carton and slipped off the shelf ledge, but the supermarket manager stopped it from crashing to the ground

Four quails hatched inside an egg carton at a Brazilian supermarket last month. A video of the incident quickly went viral after it was uploaded to social media last Thursday

Local zootechnic Bruno Costa told G1 that supermarkets are required by law to sell eggs from authorized farms that only have females.

'There were males along with females where did these eggs come from,' Bruno said.

'Eggs for consumption should not be hatched [fertilized] due to shelf life. The responsible farms acquire lots of females only. Sometimes control is not effective and they send fertile eggs to markets.'

Mateus Vieria, a biologist, explained that heat and humidity inside the supermarket played a role in the hatching of the four quails.

'Fertile eggs, a temperature approaching 98.6 degrees and a humidity above 60 percent, gave conditions for hatching,' Vieria said.

'The temperature above the ideal, 98.96 degrees, can anticipate the hatch. Below, it can delay. Both cases bring developmental damage to the birds.'
A passenger onboard a Ryanair flight who told a female cabin crew member to 'go f*** themselves' after she refused to serve him alcohol has been fined 700.

Mark Warne decided to get drunk in the airport in Barcelona, Spain, to cope with his fear of flying, a court heard.

Warne, who had been for a weekend away in the Spanish city, became so disorderly onboard the Ryanair flight home to Bournemouth, Dorset, that the crew refused to serve him alcohol.

The 47-year-old then launched into an aggressive rant, telling a female flight attendant to 'f**k off' and at one point squaring up to her.

Mark Warne decided to get drunk in the airport in Barcelona, Spain, to cope with his fear of flying, a court heard

He continued to hurl insults at staff, telling them to 'go f*** themselves' and that they were 'f***ing nothing'.

One air hostess was reportedly left in tears by Warne's drunken behaviour.

The pilot radioed air traffic control and the police were called to Bournemouth Airport.

Officers boarded the plane after it landed, put Warne in handcuffs and led him out of the cabin in front of all the other passengers.

The demolition machine operator pleaded guilty to one count of behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly manner when he appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court.

Warne, from New Milton, Hants, was fined 700 for the 'appalling' act which occurred during the Queen's funeral on September 19.

Warne, who had been for a weekend away in the Spanish city, became so disordered onboard the Ryanair flight home to Bournemouth, Dorset, that the crew refused to serve him alcohol

The 47-year-old then launched into an aggressive rant, telling a female flight attendant to 'f**k off' and at one point squaring up to her

Nicola Reece, prosecuting, told the court: 'On September 19, police were called by air traffic control after receiving reports of a disruptive and abusive character.

'The flight had come from Barcelona. It was explained that when the defendant boarded he had clearly been drinking.

'They (cabin crew) refused to serve him any alcohol. He was not happy about that. He repeatedly told them to f**k off. He told them to go f**k themselves and said 'you are f***ing nothing'.

'At one point he got up close to one of the air crew. His behaviour left one of the stewardesses in tears.'

Philomena Murphy, defending, explained that Warne had gotten drunk at the airport in Spain to cope with his fear of flying and 'could not understand how he got into such a state'.

She said he deeply regretted his actions and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Ms Murphy said: 'Putting this matter into context, he had been away with friends for the weekend and had taken alcohol at the airport.

Footage captured at the time shows him being arrested by police aboard the Ryanair aircraft at Bournemouth Airport, Dorset. The passenger verbally abused a flight attendant after she refused to serve him more alcohol

'The reason for that was that one of his fears is flying. One of the ways he deals with that is drinking.

'This isn't a man who usually behaves in this nature. It is simply out of character. He cannot understand how he got himself into that state.'

Fiona McKenna, the presiding magistrate, described Warne's behaviour as 'appalling' and told him to find a better way of dealing with his phobia.

She said: 'These people are looking after you on a plane and they have to deal with that. You have got to think about another way of dealing with your fear of flying.

'These people are going to work to do a good job and they should not be having to deal with that.'

Warne was ordered to pay 687 which included a 430 fine, 85 court costs, and a 172 victim surcharge.
Police detained the attacker and said he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis

Officers arrived on scene about an hour later, and found the man at a nearby pier where he'd started another fight

The attacker then went to go get backup to help fight the Power Rangers as the employees waited for police

A team of ramen shop workers dressed as Power Rangers became real-life superheroes after fighting off a thug who put a woman in a chokehold.

The woman, who has not been identified, ran into the NoKA Ramen joint in Oakland, California on Friday night and pleaded for help as she was being chased by the man.

The workers, who dress as the 90s superhero icons on Friday nights to advertise their signature Power Rangers cocktail, went into fight mode, according to diner Pira Pokin, who recounted the ordeal on Twitter.

'Once the woman had expressed she wasn't safe, and she didn't want to go home with this man who was choke holding her, the Black Power Ranger (the manager with a kicka** bob) and the Yellow Ranger, told the man to leave,' she wrote.

'He swung at them. This is when all rangers yelled, 'Huey', which in Thai is used as an expression of surprise.

The yellow Ranger was at the front of the battle line and blocked the thug from delivering a punch, while the others rushed the woman into the kitchen to hide.

A team of ramen shop workers dressed as Power Rangers became real-life superheroes after fighting off a thug who put a woman in a chokehold

The heroic employees wear the costumes on Friday to represent the restaurant's signature Power Rangers cocktail

The yellow Ranger was at the front of the battle line and blocked the thug from delivering a punch, while the others rushed the woman into the kitchen to hide

The employees, who only wear the costumes on Fridays, defended the woman against her attacker. The pink ranger attempted to calm the other customers down and told diners their meals would be on the house.

'The craziest thing just happened at dinner,' Pokin wrote in a string of Tweets. 'I'm at a ramen shop owned by Thai people in Oakland dressed as power rangers, when a woman comes rushing in saying she wasn't safe - and a man came running in after her and puts her in a chokehold.'

The attacker then yelled racial slurs at the Asian workers, as he then tried to get to the woman. At that point, the yellow Power Ranger then grabbed him by the collar, and forced him outside while he kicked and threw punches.

'The man starts calling everyone Asian slurs & if Bruce Lee was still alive, he'd kick everyone's a****,' Pokin wrote on Twitter.

The man then started throwing chairs and condiments at the windows of the ramen joint from outside.

'We're trying to call the cops,' the spectator wrote. 'Patrons are shaking & crying... The man goes outside, starts picking up chairs, baby seats & salt + pepper shakers to throw at the windows.'

Diners inside were in distress as the drama unfolded, while another rapidly ate his bowl of ramen as the pink Power Ranger informed them that their meals would be on the house.

'I, for some reason, start wolfing down my ramen,' Pokin wrote.

Meanwhile, the attacker then left but returned with a friend to help in the battle against the Power Rangers.

'More swings are swung, more Power Rangers pile onto the men at the door to lock them out,' Pokin wrote on Twitter. 'Locking us in.'

Customers had called police, but they took nearly an hour to arrive on scene. And by the time they arrived, the man had run to a nearby pier where he had started another fight.

'I tell the hostess we're paying her for our meals & double to tip,' Pokin wrote.

Diner Pira Pokin, recounted the ordeal on Twitter

She explained how a distressed woman ran into the ramen joint to beg to workers for help. Immediately, the Power Rangers leapt into action

Police took nearly an hour to arrive at the scene. When cops finally arrived, the man had gotten into a brawl up the street

Customers were astonished to witness the fight but were glad there were no weapons involved

The fight occurred inside the Noka Ramen restaurant in Oakland, California on Friday

The workers, who dress as the 90s superhero icons on Friday nights to advertise their signature Power Rangers cocktail, went into fight mode

Customers prepared to leave as the scene cleared and thanked the rangers for their heroic acts.

'We're beta testing these costumes, but we wore the right outfit tonight,' the green ranger said.

The black ranger responded: 'I'm a Power Ranger with absolutely no power.'

Police detained the attacker and said he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis, police told DailyMail.com.

Meanwhile, customers were grateful no guns were involved.

'There's no sense, moral or meaning to this story, except that I can't believe power rangers are actually Thai? I'm grateful no guns were involved. And the food at Noka Ramen was excellent,' Pokin wrote.
Georgia Republican Herschel Walker said the one Biden policy he supports is 'eating a lot of ice cream' as he admitted to giving his ex-girlfriend a $700 check in a wide-ranging interview with NBC.

NBC obtained a copy of the check and a receipt for the abortion procedure from Walker's ex, who is the mother of one of his children. The news outlet handed Walker a copy of the check during the interview.

'Yes, that's my check,' said the Senate candidate, who is embattled in one of the midterm's hottest races this season.

He denied, however, that the 2009 check was intended to pay for an abortion.

'It's a lie,' Walker said. 'Prove that I did that. Just show me things like that does nothing for me.'

He said he has 'no idea what that could be for' and claimed he had offered the woman many checks over the years. The woman told NBC News that was the only payment Walker ever sent prior to her having his child.

'You want me to answer something that's a lie, and everyone's trying to trick me and make me respond,' Walker added.

Walker also defended whipping out a prop police badge Friday night during the debate. 'This is from my hometown. This is from Johnson County from the sheriff from Johnson County, which is a legit badge,' Walker said in the NBC interview

'Yes, that's my check,' said the Senate candidate, who is embattled in one of the midterm's hottest races this season

On why voters should believe him, Walker said: 'Voters believe me because I have been very transparent about everything I've ever done. You know I wrote a book about everything I have done, I have not tried to hide one thing I've ever done.'

The woman first told The Daily Beast that Walker pressured her to have an abortion and provided a copy of the $700 check and a 'get well' card the ex-NFL star offered her in 2009. The woman became pregnant with Walker's child again in 2011 but refused his requests for her to have an abortion that time and the relationship ended.

Walker and Warnock faced off Friday night ahead of the Nov. 8 elections

Pressed on whether President Biden had done anything he supports, Walker said: 'One thing that he's done that I support? He eats a lot of ice cream'

Pressed on whether President Biden had done anything he supports, Walker said: 'One thing that he's done that I support? He eats a lot of ice cream.'

Walker has previously expressed support Sen. Lindsey Graham's 15-week abortion bill with no exceptions for rape or incest, but changed course during a debate with Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock on Friday.

He said he supported the Georgia heartbeat bill, which bans abortions earlier on in a pregnancy but makes exceptions for rape and incest.

'I will always support life, but I also support what the people's voice is,' Walker said. 'The people's voice is the Georgia heartbeat bill, which has exceptions in it. Well, I'm a senator for the people. And I said, one of the problems we have [is that] senators in Washington forgot about the people who put them there.'

Walker also defended whipping out a prop police badge Friday night during the debate.

'This is from my hometown. This is from Johnson County from the sheriff from Johnson County, which is a legit badge,' Walker said in the NBC interview.

Walker pulled out the honorary badge as Warnock claimed he had 'pretended to be a police officer.'

'One thing I have not done  I've never pretended to be a police officer, and I've never threatened a shootout with police,' Warnock said during the debate.

'Everyone can make fun, but this badge gives me the right  if anything happened in this county, I have the right to work with the police in getting things done,' Walker said in the NBC interview.

'I never embellish,' Walker added. 'I've never done it. I work in law enforcement.'

The senate candidate also responded to allegations of domestic violence by his ex-wife and 23-year-old conservative influencer son Christian.

Walker was asked about Christian's allegations that he and his mother were forced to move 'six times in six months running from your violence.'

'I love my son Christian. I love my whole family. I'll always love them and stuff. That's what I'll say for my son Christian, and I don't have any violence,' Walker responded.

Asked about his struggles with mental illness, which he wrote about in a 2008 memoir. He said he no longer suffers from the symptoms of dissociative personality disorder.

'I've been redeemed,' Walker told NBC. 'I will say it like this: Everyone wants to talk about a house I used to live in. I don't live there no more. I moved out. My life is now doing some incredible things.'

Walker has blamed his condition for allegations of past violent episodes. Christian's mother, Cindy Grossman, said in a 2008 interview with CNN that Walker had held a gun to her head multiple times and once held a razor to her throat. Walker did not deny the allegations but said he has no recollection of them.

Despite his checkered past, former President Trump launched Walker to the forefront of the Senate race with an endorsement. Still, Walker refused to discuss the former president's persistent claims of 2020 election fraud.

'Herschel Walker's running,' he said in the interview. 'President Trump is not running. President Trump, he's in Florida. Who's in office right now is President Biden, Senator Warnock and their policy is hurting this country.'

Asked specifically if he believed the election is rigged, Walker replied: 'I have no idea and I don't care. What I care about is this election coming up in November.'
Prosecutors are asking that former chief White House strategist Steve Bannon spend six months behind bars for refusing to testify before the House January 6 committee.

Bannon faces sentencing Friday, following his trial for contempt of Congress, after he failed to appear before the panel probing the Capitol riot and the events of Jan. 6th.

The government filed a 24-page sentencing memo Monday in which it accused Bannon of 'flouting' the law and holding on to essential documents. The memo notes that the request for six months in prison is at the 'top end' of sentencing guidelines for the offense.

'By flouting the Select Committee's subpoena and its authority, the Defendant exacerbated that assault,' wrote US Attorney Matthew Graves in the memo. 'To this day, he continues to unlawfully withhold documents and testimony that stand to help the Committee's authorized investigation to get to the bottom of what led to January 6 and ascertain what steps must be taken to ensure that it never happens again. That cannot be tolerated.'

Prosecutors as asking that former chief White House strategist Steve Bannon spend six months in prison for contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena by the House Select Committee on January 6. Prosecutors said in a memo his conduct 'cannot be tolerated'

'Respect for the rule of law is essential to the functioning of the United States government and to preserving the freedom and good order this country has enjoyed for more than two centuries. The Defendant's bad-faith strategy of defiance and contempt deserves severe punishment,' prosecutors concluded.

Prosecutors also want Bannon to pay $200,000 in fines.

Earlier this month Bannon appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court, where he is on trial for allegedly defrauding donors as part of a 'We Build the Wall' scheme

The House January 6 Committee once again focused on Bannon during its hearing last week

'The Defendant's bad-faith strategy of defiance and contempt deserves severe punishment,' prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo

Prosecutors filed a scathing sentencing memo where they accuse Bannon of a 'bad-faith strategy of defiance and contempt'

President Donald Trump pardoned Bannon hours before leaving office after his former campaign advisor was charged with defrauding donors as part of a 'We Build the Wall' scheme to use private funds to build border wall structures.

Bannon is still being charged on state charges in New York on the alleged fraud. Trump's pardon applied to the emerging federal case.

The House Select January 6 Committee subpoenaed former President Trump last week  setting up yet another potential legal clash. Trump has yet to say he will appear, although legal experts say it is unlikely he would do so and unlikely he would be charged should he refuse to appear, even after being painted by committee members as the central figure in the events leading to the attack on the Capitol.

Bannon cited executive privilege when he was first ordered to appear before the committee, saying he could not speak about the matters in question without permission from Trump.

Prosecutors continued to try to slap down his claim in the sentencing memo.

'He did so even though executive privilege could not possibly permit the Defendant's total noncompliance; the Defendant was a private citizen who had not worked at the White House for years; the subpoena's demands sought records and information wholly unrelated to the Defendant's tenure there; and multiple categories of the subpoena were completely unrelated to communications with the former President.'

'From the time he was initially subpoenaed, [Bannon] has shown that his true reasons for total noncompliance have nothing to do with his purported respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, or executive privilege, and everything to do with his personal disdain for the members of Congress sitting on the Committee and their effort to investigate the attack on our country's peaceful transfer of power,' the government wrote. 'His noncompliance has been complete and unremitting.'
A retired biomedical scientist who posted 'only women have a cervix' has been booted from the profession after a tribunal ruled he was 'inflaming gender discrimination'.

Blood expert Malcolm Needs was accused of uploading a string of social media posts that a disciplinary panel found were seriously offensive and discreditable

One of the now-deleted posts he was punished for sharing said: 'Only women have a cervix. There, I said it, its not difficult. Women also have a right to women-only spaces. Speaking up in defence of womens rights doesnt mean we cant respect how others wish to live their lives.'

While another added: 'I Swear my head will explode if another person classes me as a cis woman. I am NOT a cis woman but I AM a woman. I have a cervix which no man can claim to have and biologically that will never change. I am not just tired of this insanity but Im fed up of being labelled.'

Malcolm Needs used social media to take aim at immigrants, black people and feminist 'bra-burners', a disciplinary hearing was told

The 67-year-old's social media rants led to the former chief examiner in transfusion medicine for the Institute of Biomedical Science being struck off after a panel found his posts seriously offensive and discreditable.

But a defiant Needs refused to attend the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) disciplinary hearing.

'How many times do I have to tell you that I want NOTHING to do with your Kangaroo Court, and that, if I get one or email about this, I will take legal advice about harassment,' he told the panel.

The HCPTS hearing was told that a senior biomedical scientist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine alerted regulators to Needs tweets.

The 67-year-olds social media activity was slammed by the whistleblower as a deeply unpleasant tirade of racist, misogynistic, transphobic and nationalistic tweets.

Married father-of-one Needs, who spent more than four decades working chiefly in London in blood transfusion before retiring in 2016, was found to have engaged in inappropriate or unprofessional online conduct during an eight-month period between February and October in 2021.

The panel found that his tweets and retweets formed a stream of deplorable invective which demonstrated prejudice against immigrants [and] feminist issues, as well as inflaming gender discrimination and inciting racial hatred.

Several of Needs highly unprofessional tweets were found by the panel to demonstrate sarcasm, hostility and an offensive and derogatory attitude towards protected groups including stating that only women have a cervix, and another referring to feminists as bra burners.

In one tweet, Needs posted a picture of his former colleagues along with a comment saying that ignorant people have accused him of hating women in work, particularly if they are people of colour.

Needs explained the picture showed the staffing in his laboratory just before he retired, and said that the three 'non-POC' women are a Portuguese woman and two Australian women - content that the panel found both inappropriate and unprofessional.

While in another post, the pension targeted migrants crossing the Channel, tweeting: 'And make them pay, like they paid the people smugglers to come over in the first place, and give our own taxpayers a rest, while sharing an image stating, 'Putting illegal immigrants up in 5* hotels has saved the hotel industry. So lets save the airline industry by flying the f***ers back home!!.

The committee also found that Needs Twitter activity was dismissive and offensive towards black people - citing a tweet stating that Multiculturalism destroys culture, which the panel found to be inflammatory, divisive and prejudiced.

Another post, which asked if there is ANYTHING that is not racist?, was found to intentionally inflame a controversial and heated situation.

Several social media posts disparaged the Black Lives Matter movement - which Needs believes is tying [sic] to rule this country - as well as Black History Month, which the biomedical scientist said demean[s] and insult[s] non-black history.

Mr Needs refused to attend his disciplinary hearing, saying he wanted 'nothing to do' with the 'kangaroo court'

In one such post on September 14, 2021. he said: 'It would appear that Black Lives Matter, but not those of other ethnicities. ANOTHER knife crime Cressida Dick and Sadiq Khan. What is your score for this year?

Three days later he tweeted 'Black Lives Matter Then' along with a post by another user regarding an incident of theft.

And on the following day he wrote: 'Gang members jailed for a brutal street stabbing murder of NHS worker Yet another case of Black Lives Mattering.'

In other posts, Needs tweeted an image stating that homing illegal immigrants in 5* hotels had saved the hotel industry and suggesting saving the airline industry by flying the f***ckers back home.

Needs, now of South Devon, voluntarily absented himself from the disciplinary hearing by sending an email telling the tribunal that he was happily retired.

Deciding to strike him off, the tribunal said that there had been no evidence of any remorse, reflection or remediation on Needs part, and there remained a high risk of repetition.
As Republican-led states continue to limit or ban abortion access, a new poll released on Monday shows the party's voters are supportive of exceptions for cases of life, incest and when a pregnancy threatens the life of the mother.

It's a more pro-choice stance than even some elected officials have, as evidenced by anti-abortion laws in states like Ohio, Alabama and Arkansas - which have no rape or incest exceptions.

Less than a quarter of Republican and Republican-leaning voters believe abortion bans should extend to rape and incest, according to a poll by Penn Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies (PORES)/SurveyMonkey.

Seventy-six percent of the same group said they were in favor of those exceptions.

Slightly more Republicans are in favor of allowing abortion where it's otherwise limited if the pregnancy puts the mother's life in danger.

On that question, 86 percent of Republicans supported the exception, while 14 percent said they're against it.

The poll was taken from September 14 through October 3, ending roughly a month before the November midterm elections.

Voters in six states will have a chance to weigh in more directly on the abortion fight. Vermont, California, Kentucky and Michigan are voting on ballot initiatives directly tied to abortion and bodily autonomy.

A majority of Americans, including Republicans, broadly support abortion ban exceptions for rape and incest

An even higher share support allowing an abortion if the pregnancy threatens the mother's life

It comes as five states have reproductive measures on the midterm ballot, while Alaskan voters will choose whether to overhaul their constitution - which could pave the way for an abortion ban

Alaska voters could pave the way for new abortion language in its constitution, while Montana could see the rights of doctors to exercise judgement on infant viability majorly curbed.

In Alaska, voters will decide on whether to alter their state constitution - a move anti-abortion groups have been pushing for to allow the Republican-led legislature to act on the procedure.

Kentucky, meanwhile, has a 'trigger law' that went into effect after the Supreme Court's decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health.

That law is currently being battled out in the courts, and Kentucky's ballot initiative - if passed - would codify language that says its state constitution cannot have language that can be 'construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.'

Montana's ballot measure is slightly different - voters weigh whether to designate babies born alive at any point of development to be 'legal persons.'

That means doctors could be criminalized for not making an effort to keep alive infants that are virtually unlikely to survive on their own.

California, Michigan and Vermont are all Democrat-led states where voters will decide whether to enshrine 'reproductive autonomy' or 'reproductive freedom' in their state laws.

Americans broadly support some kind of substantial abortion access, according to multiple polls

Democrats have found new momentum in the upcoming elections in the fallout of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in June

Multiple midterm surveys have suggested that abortion access is top of mind for voters heading to the ballot box across the country, particularly since the Supreme Court overturned the protections granted by Roe v. Wade in June.

Monday's new poll is no different - 81 percent said the abortion issue is somewhat or very important to their vote.

Among Republicans, the share is 72 percent, with 45 percent who said it's a 'very' important factor.

Independent voters, who will likely be pivotal to whichever party wins control of both houses of Congress in November, are also broadly in favor of the same exceptions as Democrats and Republicans are.

Roughly nine out of every 10 Independents want abortion bans to have exceptions for rape and incest, the survey suggests.

Ninety-three percent said the same for cases where the mother's life is threatened.

Abortion freedoms that Republican and Republican-leaning voters did not support include cases where a married woman is seeking to have an abortion in her first trimester but the decision is opposed by her husband.

Nearly three-quarters of GOP-aligned voters oppose allowing a woman to get an abortion in that scenario, while just 24 percent approve.

Sixty-seven percent of Republican voters also support blocking a woman from getting an abortion if she is unmarried and her father opposes it.

Just 33 percent said she should be able to get one anyway.
Sadiq Khan left no doubt that he blamed Cressida Dick for all of the problems

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said officers in question should all be sacked

Sadiq Khan has blamed former Met Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick for the failings in Baroness Casey's report - branding her 'lethargic, defensive and arrogant'.

The London Mayor was speaking following the 'horrific' report into police standards that said officers were getting away with sexual misconduct, racism and misogyny.

The review by Baroness Casey, commissioned after the murder of Sarah Everard by Couzens, laid bare the rot at the heart of Scotland Yard.

But Mr Khan expressed confidence Dame Cressida's successor, Sir Mark Rowley, would be the reforming commissioner the capital needed.

He said: 'Here's the difference, you don't have a commissioner in Sir Mark who is lethargic, defensive or arrogant.

Mr Khan branded Dame Cressida Dick 'lethargic, defensive and arrogant' in his big broadside

London Mayor Sadiq Khan left no doubt that he blamed Cressida Dick for all of the problems

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said officers in who were unsuitable should all be sacked

'You have got a commissioner with a plan to address those issues and with a plan to win back trust and confidence,' he told BBC Radio 4's The World At One.

'The Metropolitan Police Service leadership, that starts with the commissioner, didn't take the issues Sir Mark is now taking action on as seriously as they should have done.'

The police chief has only been in the job for a month and has conceded his force is riddled with hundreds of officers 'behaving disgracefully, undermining our integrity'.

Baroness Casey's report found scores of officers remained in the ranks despite being accused of appalling crimes, including sexual assault, domestic abuse, corruption and fraud.

The report was commissioned in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens

The review by Baroness Casey laid bare the rot at the heart of Scotland Yard in full detail

It concluded 'systemic racism' and discrimination in the force's disciplinary system created a culture where 'anything goes' and officers could not be sacked.

Sir Mark has called for an overhaul of the system, which would require a change in the law.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman is understood to be considering bringing the new rules into place.

But the commissioner's pledge to sack more officers was too simplistic for some, who called for a full-scale statutory enquiry into the force.

Hundreds of 'criminals in uniform' are getting away with sexual misconduct, racism and misogyny in Britain's biggest police force, its commissioner admitted yesterday

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (pictured) said the officers involved were 'undermining our integrity'  and should be sacked

ELEVEN misconduct allegations ... but officer remains in his job Sir Mark Rowley has said he was unable to get rid of officers if a legally qualified chairman in a misconduct hearing decided they could keep their job. Among the shocking cases uncovered was an officer facing 11 misconduct cases involving abuse, sexual harassment and assault, fraud, improper disclosure of information and distribution of an explicit image of himself. The officer received a formal sanction in relation to the first allegation of harassment and assault but was not dismissed. By then, six more cases, including sexual assault and serious assault, had been raised. After a formal sanction, four more cases were brought and the officer received another formal sanction but was not dismissed. He is still serving. Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley was unable to get rid of officers if a legally qualified chairman in a misconduct hearing decided they could keep their job One officer who has had six misconduct cases against him for oppressive conduct and harassment, neglect of duty, leakage of information and discriminatory behaviour linked to race and faith has remained in post. The discrimination and harassment allegations were linked to social media, including a Whatsapp group. The officer has received two final written warnings in ten years. He received a 'no case to answer' decision for three of the cases and one case remains open. He, too, is still serving. An officer with seven misconduct cases against him including corrupt practice, sexual assault and domestic abuse, has kept his job. A month after his third case, he was involved in a domestic assault, but a chairman decided this did not constitute misconduct. Seven months later, an allegation of sexual assault and domestic abuse was made which resulted in no action. In total, the officer has received management action three times, reflective practice once and 'no case to answer' three times. Advertisement

Mandu Reid, leader of the Women's Equality Party, said: 'What the Casey Report shows very clearly is that there is a case to answer over institutional misogyny and racism in the Met.

'Yet the response from Met Police Chief Mark Rowley demonstrates the scale of the problem exactly. His focus on sacking the officers in question, whilst the right response to those cases, misses the wider point.

'The culture of the Met permits not only those officers to escape justice but for racism and misogyny to flourish unchecked. Without addressing this, the Met will simply have to sack hundreds of officers a year because nothing will really change - it amounts to sweeping the problem under the rug, at the expense of women and people of colour.

'Nothing short of an independent, statutory inquiry which can compel witnesses and evidence will be able to address this. I have been calling for a statutory inquiry into misogyny in the Met - on the same scale as the Stephen Lawrence inquiry - for years.'

The report found:

Officers are virtually unsackable, with only 5 per cent of all misconduct cases ending in dismissal;

Some officers have faced 19 misconduct probes and one accused of 11 matters including sexual harassment, assault, fraud, leaking information and sending naked images is still in post;

Racism in the ranks results in black officers and staff being 81 per cent more likely to be accused of misconduct than their white colleagues;

Sexual degradation of female officers and bullying is encouraged by some managers;

About 20 per cent of officers accused face multiple misconduct cases, yet less than 1 per cent are fired.

Sir Mark apologised as he said the 'painful' report 'shames us'. He said it was 'hard not to shed a tear' at how some female and black officers had been treated, admitting the report had left him angry and 'upset'.

Currently, only about 30 to 50 officers are dismissed a year from the force. Figures show that just 5 per cent of almost 9,000 Met officers and staff accused of misconduct since 2013 have been sacked.

Of the 1,809 who faced more than one misconduct case, just 13 were fired  less than 1 per cent.

More than 500 officers were involved in three to five misconduct probes, 41 officers faced more than six and some stood accused of as many as 19 matters.

'This leaves many officers and staff in the Met to conclude that discriminatory behaviour is in fact not a breach of professional standards and adds to the sense that 'anything goes',' Baroness Casey said.

The former Whitehall troubleshooter condemned the Met's misconduct system as 'not fit for purpose', saying it has been infected by 'systemic racism' for a decade, with black officers and staff 81 per cent and Asian officers 55 per cent more likely to be accused of misconduct than white colleagues.

Sir Mark called for an overhaul of the system, which would require a change in the law, something which is being considered by Home Secretary Suella Braverman (pictured)

The scandals that have rocked the capital's force OPERATION MIDLAND In 2014 the notorious investigation was sanctioned by Dame Cressida Dick, then a high-ranking officer at Scotland Yard. The disastrous inquiry into spurious VIP child sex abuse allegations saw innocent men, including the late Lord Brittan and former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, pursued by the force. Several men died, with reputations tarnished, before the allegations were disproved. NICOLE SMALLMAN AND BIBAA HENRY MURDERS In June 2020 two officers were tasked with guarding a crime scene where sisters Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, had been stabbed to death. Officers Deniz Jaffer, 47, and Jamie Lewis, 33, took photos at the scene in Wembley, then shared them in two WhatsApp groups. They were each jailed for two years and nine months last December. SARAH EVERARD MURDER In March last year, 33-year-old marketing executive Sarah Everard was abducted, raped and murdered by serving officer Wayne Couzens. The force's officers were accused of 'manhandling' women at a Clapham Common vigil staged ten days after her disappearance. DANIEL MORGAN INQUIRY In June last year a report into the unsolved 1987 murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan accused the Metropolitan Police of 'institutional corruption'. STEPHEN PORT INVESTIGATION An inquest jury ruled in December that failures by Yard detectives contributed to the deaths of a serial killer's three final victims. Stephen Port killed four men in their 20s by giving them overdoses of the date rape drug GHB at his east London home in 2014 and 2015. The inquest found police failed to carry out basic checks. A solicitor for the families said the Met's actions were driven in part by homophobia. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is to re-investigate the force's handling of the case. CHARING CROSS SCANDAL In February the IOPC exposed conduct by officers based at Charing Cross police station who were found to have joked about rape, killing black children and beating their wives. BIANCA WILLIAMS Five officers are to face a gross misconduct hearing over their stop and search of Team GB sprinter Bianca Williams in 2020. She and her partner were stopped in west London. Nothing illegal was found and the couple, who are black, claim they were racially profiled. Advertisement

Black probationary officers are 126 per cent and Asian officers 123 per cent more likely to be forced out compared to their white colleagues, who often escape sanction for lying during vetting and failing exams.

The report also lifted the lid on the tolerance of predatory sexual behaviour within the ranks.

In one unit, 47 per cent of female staff said they had experienced sexism and misogyny in the past six months. In another borough, 22 per cent of public protection officers and 37 per cent of emergency response officers had been the victim of unwanted sexual advances or touching.

One female officer recalled 'being told that if you fell asleep on a night shift you couldn't claim there was no consent to unwanted sexual touching'. After one officer was convicted of an offence, it emerged that a female colleague had reported him for sexual assault but supervisors did not act.

In one unit, 47 per cent of female staff said they had experienced sexism and misogyny in the past six months. In another borough, 22 per cent of public protection officers and 37 per cent of emergency response officers had been the victim of unwanted sexual advances or touching.

One female officer recalled 'being told that if you fell asleep on a night shift you couldn't claim there was no consent to unwanted sexual touching'. After one officer was convicted of an offence, it emerged that a female colleague had reported him for sexual assault but supervisors did not act.

Others told Baroness Casey of their frustration that wrongdoers went unpunished, describing the system as 'stacked against them'. Many were discouraged to report misconduct and made to 'feel like they were the one with the problem when they raised a conduct issue'.

One inspector said: 'We don't want this behaviour in the Met. If we worked for Tesco we'd be able to sack someone for less.'

Baroness Casey found that allegations of sexual misconduct or discrimination were less likely to result in a case to answer than other claims. An internal review revealed that 24 officers had been investigated two or more times for sexual misconduct and domestic abuse but previous allegations had not been taken into consideration.

The report is just the first from the peer who was brought in to look at misconduct procedures and the culture within the force after a series of scandals.

As it was published, the Home Office announced a review of the systems to sack police officers, whether forces are using powers to dismiss probationary officers, and if regulations governing the disciplinary system should be changed. Mrs Braverman said: 'The public rightly expects the highest standards of behaviour from police officers and the vast majority meet this expectation.

'But recently too many high-profile incidents and reports, especially in London, have damaged trust  which is unfair on the public and lets down other serving officers.

'This cannot continue.

'Culture and standards in the police must improve.

'And where an officer has fallen seriously short of these expectations, demonstrable, public action must be taken.'
Murdaugh's attorneys were trying to reduce Smith's credibility- the state plans to use him as one of its star witnesses

Murdaugh had been stealing millions from his law firm to fund an opioid addiction

He is also accused of attempting to stage his own murder by hiring Smith to shoot him in the head

Murdaugh's attorneys say police turned a 'blind eye' to that test and charged him instead to bow to public opinion

He claims that his cousin, Curtis Eddie Smith, failed a polygraph test about the murders which indicated he was involved

The pair were found shot dead on the family's property in South Carolina

Alex Murdaugh is accused of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul in 2021

South Carolina legal scion Alex Murdaugh has accused someone else of murdering his wife and son - his cousin and the hitman he hired to kill him.

Murdaugh is in custody on multiple charges including double homicide. Police say he shot his wife Maggie dead in June 2021, and also killed his 22-year-old son Paul.

Murdaugh's legal and financial troubles were mounting; he was snowed under by debt thanks to a crippling pain killer addiction, and had turned to stealing from his own law firm to try to keep up.

He insists he wasn't the killer, and that his distant cousin Curtis Eddie Smith is to blame for their deaths.

In a recent court filing, Murdaugh's attorneys say police overlooked a lie detector test taken by Smith during which he was asked about the murders.

Alex Murdaugh, left, claims his distant cousin Curtis Eddie Smith (right) is to blame for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul

Maggie and Paul were found shot dead on the family property in June 2021

Smith told investigators he was 'nowhere near' the Murdaugh family home the night of the killings and that he'd been at his own house with friends.

But they say the test indicated he was lying when he made those remarks.

Smith is the same man police say was hired by Murdaugh to shoot him in the back of the head weeks after Paul and Maggie's murders.

In the same polygraph test, Smith suggested another theory: that Maggie was having an affair with a groundskeeper that her son Paul came home and discovered.

He suggested that the groundskeeper then murdered both Paul and Maggie in a panic. Smith did not give the name of the groundskeeper, nor did he explain why he thought that may be plausible.

His attorney told The State that he is not guilty of murdering Paul and Maggie, and that he has an 'ironclad' alibi to prove it.

'Eddie Smith continues to be a victim of Alex Murdaugh and his deeds.

'If you look at this case since the murders, there has been a desire on the part of Alex Murdaugh to insinuate that Eddie Smith is somehow involved.

'This is a continuation of that.'

Smith is also already behind bars for shooting Alex in an attempted life insurance scam. Murdaugh paid him to shoot him in the head in what was supposed to look like a drive-by killing. He orchestrated it in the hopes that his remaining son, Buster, would receive a life insurance payout from him

Murdaugh has also been accused of impropriety in his handling of the death of Gloria Satterfield, a housekeeper who died in 2018 after suffering a fall at the family's home.

Her sons sued Murdaugh for stealing the money he paid them through an insurance company after they filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

They said he encouraged them to sue him to be able to claim some money, but that he pocketed millions instead.

The family's seemingly perfect life unraveled in June last year with Maggie and Paul's murders.

With the notoriety of the killings came renewed attention on a previous scandal - the death of a 19-year-old girl on a boat that was being driven by Paul Murdaugh.

Paul had been drinking when he took the wheel of the vessel. Mallory Beach was thrown from the boat and it took search teams days to find her body.

Alex was a successful local lawyer and worked in branches of local government.

His father and grandfather were both local prosecutors, and the family was a pillar of the local community.

Soon after their deaths, Alex's addiction to opioid pain killers was revealed, along with his mounting debt.

He tried to have himself killed by Smith in what police said was a failed life insurance scam plot for the sake of his remaining son, Buster.
A mother who took part in a gang attack on a drunken partygoer was tracked down by police by her 'very distinctive' hair.

Courtney Ellwood was identified using CCTV footage which picked up on her distinctive clothing and hair during a group attack in Edinburgh on December 19 2020 which left the victim covered in blood.

The 21-year-old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday and pled guilty to a charge of assault to injury while acting with others, according to Edinburgh Live.

The victim, Fraser Brown, was the boyfriend of one of Ms Ellwood's pals and was jumped after leaving a drinking session at his girlfriend's home in Cable's Wynd House, known locally as the Leith Banana Flats.

Courtney Ellwood was identified using CCTV footage which picked up on her distinctive clothing and hair

The 21-year-old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday and pled guilty to a charge of assault to injury while acting with others

Mr Brown refused to cooperate with police over the attack, but they identified Ms Ellwood, from Leith, on CCTV footage.

Fiscal depute Xander Van Der Scheer said Mr Brown left the flats, which featured in Irvine Welsh's novel Trainspotting, at around 5:40am and was near to the entrance to Parliament Street when he was attacked.

The court heard that he suffered a cut to his ear along with bruising and swelling to his face.

Mr Van Der Scheer said police were called over the disturbance and arrived to find Mr Brown 'stumbling about' with 'blood over his head'. He was then taken to a police station after refusing medical attention.

Police then studied CCTV footage from the area and saw the incident, and officers were able to identify Ms Ellwood as one of the attackers.

Ms Ellwood admitted assaulting Mr Brown in Cables Wynd and Parliament Street along with others, repeatedly punching him in the face and kicking him on the body while he was on the ground.

Ms Ellwood admitted assaulting Mr Brown in Cables Wynd and Parliament Street along with others, punching him in the face and kicking him on the body while he was on the ground

Defence agent Victoria Good told the court a 'number of people' had been involved in the assault, and said her client had been traced by the footage due to a 'distinctive item of clothing' and her 'very distinctive hair'.

She said Ms Ellwood's friend had been in a relationship with Mr Brown and had called her to 'assist'.

She added that Ms Ellwood, who gave birth in recent months, 'stupidly' agreed to help her friend before the incident.

Sheriff Roderick Flinn told Ellwood: 'On the face of it, this is a serious offence but I accept you did not act alone.'

Ms Ellwood was fined 210.
Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, has won the right to host the 2026 International Conference on Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), according to a statement released by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) on Friday. It will be the first time the international conference on SIMS is held on the Chinese mainland, demonstrating the progress China has achieved in this field in recent years. The event will be held in HKUST (Guangzhou) which started its very first semester in Guangzhou's Nansha district in September, the statement said. Weng Lutao, director of the Center of Materials Characterization and Preparation Facility with HKUST (Guangzhou), said China has achieved rapid progress in the development of SIMS in recent years and China's achievement in this field has been highly regarded by the Organizing Committee of SIMS. "Meanwhile, the rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the locational advantage of Nansha district with advanced transportation facilities have also helped Guangzhou to be qualified to hold the event," he said. Weng is chief scientist in his center and concurrently professor of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in the university. Weng will serve as the chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 2026 International Conference on SIMS, while Li Xianhua, an isotope geochemist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Zhao Lixia, an expert in semiconductor materials and executive vice-dean of the School of Electrical Engineering and Automation of Tiangong University, will serve as co-chairpersons. Weng is a core member of the Chinese team that bid for the 2026 International Conference on SIMS and he is also the only Chinese representative in the organizing committee of SIMS. According to the statement, SIMS is one of the most widely used surface analysis technologies, which play an important role in the fields of materials, biology and earth science. Due to the high cost of related instruments and equipment, SIMS started late in China. But China's SIMS has developed rapidly in recent years, it said. The country has increased not only the number of instruments in academia and industry significantly, but also the level of relevant academic research. Chinese scientists with the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, once published three papers in world-famous academic journal Nature, after they had studied and researched a very small sample size of lunar soil brought back by lunar probe "Chang'e-5" in a very short period of time via using SIMS and other analytical techniques in October 2021. Weng said the international conference on SIMS, which is held every two years, is the top academic event in SIMS and usually attracts top scholars and experts from all over the world. North America, Europe and Asia usually take turns to host the event. Previously, only Japan and South Korea in Asia had hosted the event. "China once applied to host the event, but failed for various reasons," said Weng.






Korea plans to overhaul a set of business regulations as part of efforts to bolster investment, the finance ministry said Monday, amid growing fears over an economic slump.







The decision was made during a meeting of economy-related ministries presided over by Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.







Korea plans to overhaul 24 business-linked regulations, which is expected to help the country raise investment worth 1.5 trillion won ($1.03 billion), the ministry said.







During the previous meetings held in July and September, the government vowed to revamp a total of 86 regulations.







"The third batch of goals focuses on solving on-site hurdles in areas such as export-import logistics and safety management," Choo said at the meeting.







The tasks include setting clear instructions on the installation of explosion-prevention measures at semiconductor production facilities amid the criticism that the existing rules are vague and cause businesses to make unnecessary expenditures. (Yonhap)


Just Stop Oil protesters have thrown soup over the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and halted traffic outside the building in busy central London.

A dozen protesters gathered on Victoria Street in Westminster just after 11.30 this morning.

They sat down in the road holding banners and glued themselves to the tarmac and each other, blocking traffic.

Just Stop Oil protesters have thrown soup over the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

A number of other protesters then threw soup on to the front of the building.

Just Stop Oil said that they targeted the BEIS because it is the Government department responsible for allowing new fossil fuel extraction.

They said that they used soup in 'a reference to the fact that countless families in this country cannot afford a tin of soup, and famine is rife across sub-Saharan Africa'.

The environmental activist group issued an invitation to the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, for talks

Just Stop Oil said that they targeted the BEIS because it is the Government department responsible for allowing new fossil fuel extraction

A dozen protesters gathered on Victoria Street in Westminster just after 11.30 this morning

The environmental activism group issued an invitation to the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, for talks.

They also demanded that the Government halts all new oil and gas licences.

A spokesperson said: 'Just Stop Oil invites the Home Secretary Suella Braverman to come and meet with us and we will stop throwing soup.

An activist wearing a Just Stop Oil high-vis vest was detained by police after throwing a substance over signage for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Protesters sat down in the road holding banners and glued themselves to the tarmac and each other

'Join us on Thursday October 20 at 11am, in London, in public, to hear what is driving students, builders, engineers, care workers, vicars to throw soup at iconic paintings, to scale bridges, and to repeatedly, relentlessly block roads in the capital.

'We are ordinary people in nonviolent civil resistance in order to protect our rights, freedoms and our heritage. We seek to protect the lives and livelihoods of all humanity.'

Earlier today, two Just Stop Oil protesters climbed to the top of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge which links Essex and Kent, forcing police to close it to traffic.

Earlier today, two Just Stop Oil protesters climbed to the top of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge which links Essex and Kent, forcing police to close it to traffic

Plummer and Holland went viral when they threw Heinz tomato soup on Vincent Van Gogh's 76 million masterpiece at the National Gallery

Monday's demonstrations follow over two weeks of continuous civil resistance by supporters of Just Stop Oil, with protesters spraying orange paint over the Aston Martin showroom on Park Lane on Sunday.

Last week, two activists threw two tins of Heinz tomato soup over Van Gogh's Sunflowers in the National Gallery.

They threw the soup over the iconic 76 million painting before gluing themselves to a wall inside the Gallery.

Since their campaign began on April 1, Just Stop Oil say that their supporters have been arrested over 1,750 times, and five are currently in prison.
An 18-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a teenage boy inside a New York City subway car claims that he is the real victim.

Keyondre Russell is being held without bail on murder charges in the shooting death of Jayjon Burnett, 15, who was killed Friday afternoon after being shot in his chest during a dispute between two groups on a Far Rockaway A train in New York.

Police say the shooting happened around 3:47 p.m. on Friday when a single gunshot echoed through a southbound A train after a dispute broke out between two groups of teens.

Surveillance video footage shows the moment the suspect rushes toward Burnett from behind, police said, but the attack itself takes place off camera.

The teen was transported to a local hospital but was pronounced dead from his injuries  just days before his 16th birthday.

Russell was arraigned in a Queens criminal court Sunday on charges of murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

Assistant District Attorney Christine Occhiogrosso called the slaying 'a gang-related incident,' adding that Russell was picked out in two lineups and 'multiple identification procedures.'

But Russell's lawyer Peter Saint George Davis insisted that his client wasn't a gang member, and claims he was 'not only a victim being jumped but of a gunshot.'

Judge Denise Johnson ordered Russell back to court on October 19, 2022. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years-to-life in prison.

Keyondre Russell, 18, who is being held without bail in the shooting death of a teen inside a Queens subway car claims he is actually the victim and that he was only acting in self-defense

Jayjon Burnett, 15, was killed on Friday afternoon - just six days before his 16th birthday - during a chaotic dispute between two groups on a Far Rockaway A train in Queens, New York

In Queens Criminal Court on Sunday, Russell's lawyer claimed his client 'was jumped by a number of individuals' and was acting in self-defense during the dispute, adding that murder was an 'overcharge.'

'It seems to me that this is a case that is not a murder case,' he said. 'I don't believe that it's a manslaughter case. I don't believe that it should have even been charged.'

Russell had allegedly told police that he was drunk on the train when he 'heard a gunshot, according to the New York Post.

'I don't know what his problem is with me,' he said, allegedly referring to Burnett. 'I got shot. I heard a gunshot, and I don't know where it came from.'

His lawyer pointed out to the judge that Russell, who dropped out of school after the 10th grade, does not have a record and lives at home with his mother and six siblings. This arrest was his first.

Police found Burnett lying on the subway platform on Beach 32nd Street and Mott Avenue with a gunshot wound to the chest. It was not disclosed whether or not the suspect has been wounded.

'Just tragic,' Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. 'At a bare minimum, we in New York City have a right to use our subways and have the ability to get home safely to our families. The defendant will be held accountable and has been charged with murder.'

Burnett's father told the New York Daily News that his son was not a bad kid and was not around guns.

'I never had no problems with him being in the street,' Burnett told the Daily News. 'He wasn't no bad kid. He wasn't around no guns ... It always happens to the good kids.'

Burnett was killed six days before his 16th birthday, his mother Christine wrote on a GoFundMe page that had raised almost $12,000 as of Monday afternoon.

The heartbroken mother remembered her son as a 'smart A student who wanted to go to college in Florida and had his mind set on the future.'

Burnett's heartbroken mother remembered her son as a 'smart A student who wanted to go to college in Florida and had his mind set on the future'

Police say the shooting happened around 3:47 p.m. on Friday when a single gunshot echoed through a southbound A train after a dispute broke out between two groups of teens

Surveillance video footage shows the moment the suspect rushes toward Burnett from behind, police said, but the attack itself takes place off camera

Burnett's sister, Regina Alvarez, lives in Florida and set up a GoFundMe to help out their family.

'He was the greatest brother I had,' she told ABC7, her voice breaking.

'He was more like a son to me. He wanted to move to Florida after high school. He loved school. Straight A student. Loved school. He was just the most loving brother ever.'

Neighbors at the family's Far Rockaway apartment building lit candles and remembered the teen who was taken too soon.

Burnett's older sister, Regina Alvarez lives in Florida and says their family is devastated

Alvarez set up a GoFundMe to help out their family and said: 'He was the greatest brother I had'

Neighbor Conchita Finley told the local news she just saw Burnett headed for school Friday morning.

'Thank god they caught the guy, because he needs to be put away for what he did,' she said.

'He was a baby. He was a child. He didn't get to live his life yet.'

Finley added that Burnett's parents were always looking out for him.

'His mother took care of him. His father took care of him,' she said. 'They were always there for him. If he's not home on time, she goes off.'

Neighbor Conchita Finley remembers seeing Burnett headed out for school Friday morning

Neighbors at the family's Far Rockaway apartment building lit candles and remembered the teen who was taken too soon. Burnett is the eighth person killed in the transit system this year

Police still do not have a motive for the shooting, but believe it was not a random attack due to reports of the two groups being involved in a dispute and arguing.

'We've seen a lot this year where disputes quickly lead to verbal arguments and quickly lead to physical disputes confrontations that unfortunately have led to violence,' NYPD Transit Bureau Chief Jason Wilcox said.

Burnett is the eighth person killed in the transit system this year.

New York City has seen a rise in violent crime over the past year that has included random attacks on subway riders.

Crime in New York City has been running rampant, up overall by 31.8 percent from last year

In January, a 40-year-old woman, Michelle Go, was killed after she was pushed in front of a train at the Times Square Station.

Her accused assailant was sent to a psychiatric facility after prosecutors declined to challenge a mental evaluation that found him unfit to stand trial.

Go's murder was seen as part of a surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans in New York and other major cities.

On April 12, a gunman set off smoke bombs and opened fire in a subway car, wounding more than 20 people. A suspect was taken into custody the following day.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said last month it would install cameras in all New York City subway cars at a cost of some $3.5 million.
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A mass grave containing the remains of 11 people tortured and executed by the Nazis during WWII has been found in a Polish 'forest of death'.

The grisly discovery near the town of Jedwabne was made by researchers looking for the remains of a father and son who were allegedly shot and buried in the woodland in 1943.

Instead, the researchers found a grave containing the remains of 11 Poles with their hands tied behind their backs and signs of torture.

A mass grave containing the remains of 11 people tortured and executed by the Nazis during WWII has been found in a Polish 'forest of death'

Nazis are seen posing outside Jedwabne's St. James the Apostle church in Poland where they are accused of carrying out atrocities

The grisly discovery near the town of Jedwabne was made by researchers looking for the remains of a father and son

The researchers say they now expect to find 'many more'.

The mass grave in the north of Poland also contained bullet casing from a German Mauser, a weapon widely used by all branches of Hitler's military.

Marcin Sochon from the historical exploration group Wizna 1939 said: 'We came to Przestrzelski Forest near Jedwabne hoping to find a father and son who had been murdered, but it turned out that it is a mass grave.'

Anthropologist Urszula Okularczyk added: 'The arrangement of the hands indicates that the victims were bound before they died, the hands were tied behind their backs, the bodies were thrown without care, disrespectfully, and fell one on top of the other.

'You can also see that the skulls were destroyed by the gunshots, as evidenced by the concentric lines and holes specific to the entry and exit openings.

The mass grave in the north of Poland also contained bullet casing from a German Mauser, a weapon widely used by all branches of Hitler's military

The grim find comes just months after the bodies of four other Nazi victims were found in the forest

The area was dubbed the 'forest of death' by locals because of the number of Nazi killings believed to have been carried out there

'We are not yet able to say whether there are any more bodies under these discovered skeletons. It is possible.

'Many of the victims have cracked skulls and jawbones.'

The area was dubbed the 'forest of death' by locals because of the number of Nazi killings believed to have been carried out there.

It was here that German police officers based in Jedwabne tormented and murdered their victims.

Jedwabne mayor Adam Niebrzydowski said: 'The forest is located a little bit in the middle of nowhere, between villages, so it was easy to take these people there and murder them in a bestial way.'

The grim find comes just months after the bodies of four other Nazi victims were found in the forest.

The researchers found a grave containing the remains of 11 Poles with their hands tied behind their backs and signs of torture

The Gestapo and local German police ordered the mass killing of Jedwabne's Jews in a pogrom

Identified as two married couples, they were murdered for helping Poland's underground resistance movement.

Jedwabne became infamous following the publication of a book by historian Jan Gross which accused Poles of mass murdering the town's Jews in a 1941 pogrom.

An investigation by Poland's Institute of National Remembrance concluded that those involved had been forced into it by the local German police and Gestapo.

Archaeologist Ryszard Cedrowski said: 'The Gestapo, which had its headquarters in the market square in Jedwabne, caught Poles who helped or were innocent, or there were denunciations against them. They shot them.'

Now the researchers want to try and identify the victims in their latest discovery.

Dariusz Szymanski said: 'I would like to appeal to the inhabitants of Jedwabne and the surrounding area, to families who know that their relatives were murdered, to report and provide a sample for genetic testing.'
But Salima was found dead, the day before she was due to be stoned

Salima, who was also married, was sentenced to death for adultery while her lover, identified locally as Sirajuddin, was shot dead by the Taliban

The 24-year-old woman, named locally as Salima, was caught with married man by the Taliban after she ran away from her home in Ghor Province, Afghanistan

An Afghan woman has hanged herself to avoid being stoned to death in public by Taliban forces after she was accused of running off with a married man.

The 24-year-old woman, named locally as Salima, was caught with the married man by the Taliban after she ran away from her home in Ghor Province, central Afghanistan, on October 10.

Salima, who was also married, was sentenced to death for adultery and was due to be stoned on Friday, while her lover, identified locally as Sirajuddin, was shot dead by the Taliban.

But Salima was found dead after hanging herself on Thursday, the day before she was set to be stoned to death in public, reports Rukhshana Media. She was buried the next day.

The couple were caught by Taliban forces who were running checks, as under the government's repressive rules, women travelling more than 45 miles alone must be accompanied by a male relative.

An Afghan woman has hanged herself to avoid being stoned to death in public by Taliban forces after she was accused of running off with a married man (file image)

The Taliban claims that Salima and Sirajuddin were married, but not to one another and they had run away from their homes, reports Khaama Press News Agency.

The Taliban then arrested the couple before they shot dead Sirajuddin after he allegedly tried to escape their custody.

Abolfida Ghor Badri, the Taliban's spokesperson for Ghor's police chief, confirmed that Sirajuddin was killed by the security forces.

'The security forces tried to prevent Sirajuddin from escaping at night,' Badri claimed. 'But he was hit mistakenly because it was dark.'

In 2015, a video of a young married woman being stoned to death in a Taliban controlled area of Afghanistan after she eloped with a man went viral.

A video shows the woman, known only as Rokhsahana and believed to be aged between 19 and 21, lying in a hole in the ground as a group of around 15 men hurl stones at her.

Rokhsahana's family had married her off against her will before she was caught while eloping with another man her age.

In 2015, a video of a young married woman being stoned to death in a Taliban controlled area of Afghanistan after she eloped with a man went viral.

Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed repressive rules - especially against women and girls.

In May, the Taliban rulers ordered all Afghan women to wear head-to-toe clothing in public  a sharp, hard-line pivot that confirmed the worst fears of rights activists and was bound to further complicate Taliban dealings with an already distrustful international community.

The decree says that women should leave the home only when necessary, and that male relatives would face punishment  starting with a summons and escalating up to court hearings and jail time  for womens dress code violations.

The decree, which calls for women to only show their eyes and recommends they wear the head-to-toe burqa, evoked similar restrictions on women during the Talibans previous rule between 1996 and 2001.

The Taliban previously decided against reopening schools to girls above grade 6, reneging on an earlier promise and opting to appease their hard-line base at the expense of further alienating the international community.

But this decree does not have widespread support among a leadership thats divided between pragmatists and the hard-liners.
Ezra Miller has appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to stealing three bottles of alcohol from their neighbors property in Vermont.

The troubled Flash star appeared remotely at the hearing at Vermont Superior Court, and was told to stay away from neighbor Isaac Winokur.

Miller, 30, faces 26 years in prison if they are found guilty of the charges, as well as more than $2,000 in fines.

They are accused of taking a bottle of gin, vodka and rum from Winokurs pantry on May 1 at around 5pm.

The casually-dress actor spoke only to confirm that they understood the conditions of their bail, including a ban on contacting Winokur and Aiden Early, another Vermont resident.

Vermont Police charged Miller with felony burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, with the actor claiming they were in the house to look for ingredients for a recipe for their mother.

They were also charged with petty larceny over the three stolen booze bottles, with the charges the latest in a series of legal woes for the actor.

The Fantastic Beasts star was hauled into a meeting with Warner Bros bosses as his ongoing public issues threaten to put the already delayed $250million movie in jeopardy.

Ezra Miller has appeared in court today and pleaded not guilty to stealing three bottles of alcohol from their neighbor's property in Vermont

The casually-dress actor spoke only to confirm that they understood the conditions of their bail, including a ban on contacting Winokur and Aiden Early, another Vermont resident

Miller, a non-binary actor, played The Flash in the DC Cinematic Universe - and was pulled into crisis meetings with Warner Bros over their behavior

Miller and their agent Scott Metzger reportedly met with Warner Bros film chairs on August 24 to discuss how they could stay on course for the release date of the Flash in June next year.

During the meeting they are also understood to have reaffirmed their commitment to the movie as well as apologize for bringing negative attention to the production and company.

Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Miller only agreed to seek help after learning that there was a possibility that the films release would be cancelled.

In a statement Miller's lawyer, Lisa Shelkrot said: 'Ezra Miller this morning pled not guilty to one count of burglary and one count of petit larceny in Vermont Superior Court and accepted the court-imposed conditions of not contacting or entering the home of the inhabitants.

'Ezra would like to acknowledge the love and support they have received from their family and friends, who continue to be a vital presence in their ongoing mental health.'

Miller has also been surrounded by allegations of grooming, after the parents of Tokota Iron Eyes, a Native American activist, 18, filed a protection order against the actor.

A video resurfaced on Twitter of Miller appearing to choke a woman at a bar in Reykjavik, Iceland, in April 2020

A rep for Miller said: 'Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment'

Her parents accused Miller of grooming their child and other inappropriate behavior with her as a minor from the age of 12  which has been disputed by Tokota.

A Massachusetts mother was granted a temporary order of protection against Miller in June, on behalf of the womans 12-year-old child.

It was granted after the judge found the child faced substantial likelihood of immediate danger of harassment.

A mother-of-three and her young children have also moved into their Vermont farmhouse which is allegedly filled with guns and large quantities of marijuana.

The father of the children claims that the mother, 25, left their island home in Hawaii with Miller in April, and took the children without his consent.

Miller has been accused of 'grooming' and 'brainwashing' Tokata Iron Eyes, 18 (backseat), who is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. They are pictured together in a car

Miller was charged with felony burglary in Vermont, and earlier this year was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment at a karaoke bar following two arrests in Hawaii in March, on of which is pictured

Video from April, obtained by Rolling Stone, reportedly showed at least eight assault weapons, rifles, and handguns lying around the living room.

An expose also claimed that they ran a secret harem out of his Vermont ranch, a recent expose on the actor's arrests has shown - a de facto convent where the star asserted himself as a Jesus figure over a group of women.

Miller, who uses they/them pronouns, was arrested twice in Hawaii in March and charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault.

They were accused of shouting and swearing at customers as they sang karaoke at a bar in Hilo, as well as grabbing a microphone from a 23-year-old woman.

At a court hearing for the incident, they pleaded no contest to one count of disorderly conduct and paid a $500 fine.

A married couple took out a restraining order against them, after Miller burst into their bedroom and threatened to kill them, then left stealing her passport and his wallet.

In April the star was accused of throwing a chair at a 26-year-old woman, hitting her at a private party in Pahoa

Miller ran a secret harem out of his Vermont ranch, a recent expose on the actor's arrests has shown - a de facto convent where the star asserted himself as a Jesus figure over a group of women

In April the star was accused of throwing a chair at a 26-year-old woman, hitting her at a private party in Pahoa.

A video of Miller appearing to choke a woman at a bar in Reykjavik, Iceland, also surfaced in April 2020, but did not result in any charges.

In August Miller announced that they were seeking treatment for complex mental health issues, after Hollywood bosses were forced to reconsider their future in the DCs cinematic universe.

They said in a statement: Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment

I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe, and productive stage in my life.
The Hong Kong pro-democracy protester dragged to the ground and beaten by 'Beijing thugs' said today 'I thought I might die'.

Bob Man was dragged inside the gates of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Rusholme.

He was forced to the ground and assaulted by at least five men while a police officer tries to pull the attackers off him.

Mr Man told Sky News: 'I was thinking I might die inside because it's not surprising they'd do that. If the police officer didn't pull me out, I'd have died inside and they could do nothing.

It all happened too fast. I tried holding on to the gates but couldn't hold for too long - they then threw me to the ground and started to kick and punch me.'

'There's no respect, they're rude, it shouldn't be like that here. It's not China, this is the UK, you shouldn't do that.'

Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters had reportedly organised a peaceful protest outside of the Consulate in response to the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, where President Xi Jinping is widely expected to announce another five years in power.

There is clear bruising over Bob Man's eye as well as a cut underneath it and a wound on his nose

Video footage shows protester Bob Man dragged into Chinese consulate's gates and beaten

Video footage shows what appeared to be a protester being dragged inside Chinese consulate's gate in Manchester, prompting calls for the UK government to investigate

Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the video was 'deeply worrying' and called on Home Secretary Suella Braverman to 'look into this urgently'.

'The Government must demand a full apology from the Chinese ambassador... and demand those responsible are sent home to China.'

He told The Daily Telegraph: 'I guess that like everything else the police are endlessly conflicted and are probably worried about a diplomatic incident. But this is on British soil, for God's sake.'

The UK officers appeared reluctant to step into the Chinese consulate itself while attempting to drag the protestor away.

Unlike embassies, consulates remain under the jurisdiction of the host country, but are often afforded special privileges such as immunity from certain laws.

Labour MP for Hornsey and Wood Green Catherine West, who also serves as shadow minister for Asia and the Pacific, said she would raise the issue in parliament 'urgently' and called on both the Home and Foreign Secretaries to investigate.

MP Andrew Gwynne and local Rusholme Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar echoed the message of their colleagues.

'This would be unacceptable on the streets of Hong Kong and against the provisions of the Joint Declaration to uphold democratic rights and freedoms. BUT this is Manchester,' Gwynne told the Manchester Evening News.

The UK officers appeared reluctant to step into the Chinese consulate itself, which enjoys special privileges and usually falls outside the jurisdiction of local police

Protestors had put up pro-democracy posters before the altercation began on the streets

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: 'Police are aware of an incident that took place at around 3pm on Sunday 16 October 2022 at the Chinese Consulate in Manchester involving Hong Kong protestors.

'Officers responded immediately to diffuse the situation and enquiries are ongoing at this time to understand the full circumstances. A police patrol plan is in place in the area following this incident.'

The news comes as Xi Jinping kicked-off the 20th CCP congress on Sunday with warnings that he may use force to retake Taiwan.

The Chinese leader is set to cement his place as the country's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong after removing term limits installed by his predecessors to curb the power of the CCP chairman.

The Chinese Embassy did not respond to requests for comment.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre) opened the 20th congress of China's ruling Communist Party on Saturday, where he is expected to win a third leadership term and secure his place as the country's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong

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
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A husband and his six-months-pregnant wife are among four people killed by Iranian-made kamikaze drones with 'For Balgorod' scrawled on them, which were launched by Russia in an attack on Kyiv this morning.

The drones, which were made by Iran and launched by Russia, attacked the Ukrainian capital, blowing up people's homes as they slept and taking out key energy facilities.

At least five explosions rocked Kyiv starting around 3.30am local time as multiple waves of Shahed-136 drones - 28 in total - dodged air defences and slammed into the city, with police and armed forces resorting to firing machine guns into the air in an attempt to bring them down. Officials said 13 were taken out, and all flew from the south.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a pregnant wife and her young husband were among those who had been killed. He posted on social media, saying: 'A husband and wife who were expecting a child. The woman was six months pregnant.'

Emergency services have said the overall death toll in the capital has risen to four while several more have been wounded.

One of the drones was scrawled with the phrase 'for Belgorod' - a Russian city that acts as a staging ground for attacks on Ukraine which was shelled at the weekend. It was also the scene of a gun attack on a military barracks that saw at least 11 soldiers killed by two conscripts.

One strike appeared to target the city's heating network, hitting an operations center. Another slammed into a four-story residential building, ripping a large hole in it and collapsing at least three apartments on top of each other. Rescue workers searching for victims scrambled over the debris from which gray smoke billowed.

Airstrikes then hit critical infrastructure in the Dnipro and Sumy regions - in the centre and north of Ukraine - leaving hundreds of villages without power, prime minister Denys Shmyhal said. Emergency services said the power has now been restored. Suicide drones also struck the port city of Mykoliav late Sunday, setting sunflower oil storage tanks alight.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drones strikes were aimed at 'terrorising the civilian population' but vowed: 'The enemy can attack our cities but it won't be able to break us.'

It comes a week after a huge barrage of Russian missiles and Iranian-made kamikaze drones targeted virtually every major Ukrainian city, destroying infrastructure and killing civilians after a blast on the Crimean Bridge.

Astonishing images capture the moment a suicide drones dives towards the streets of Kyiv (left) and the moment people run for shelter after it explodes (right)

A ball of smoke and flames rises over the streets of Kyiv as the city is bombarded by a swarm of Iranian-made kamikaze drones early on Monday, hitting residential areas and energy infrastructure

A police official holds a fragment of a drone with a handwritten inscription reading 'For Belgorod. For Luch' after the attack on Kyiv this morning

Smoke billows from the ruins of a building in Kyiv destroyed by a suicide drone after the city was attacked early on Monday, as Russian forces continue to target the Ukrainian capital

Firefighters extinguish a blaze started by an Iranian-made suicide drone which hit Kyiv on Monday, as Russian forces change tactics to bring death back to the streets of the capital after weeks of calm

Ukrainian firefighters works on a destroyed building after a drone attack in Kyiv which hit multiple residential buildings

A police officer fires his rifle into the air as he tries to take down a suicide drone attacking Kyiv early on Monday as Russia keeps up its attack on Ukraine's vital infrastructure

An Iranian-made suicide drone, launched by Russia, is seen flying above Kyiv after dozens of the craft were sent to swarm the capital - blowing up civilian buildings and power infrastructure

A security officer uses his rifle to try and take down a suicide drone attacking the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early on Monday

Medics help an injured woman following drone strikes on buildings in Kyiv after being launched by Russian troops

A woman carries her young child out of a Kyiv bomb shelter on Monday morning after the city was attacked by suicide drones launched by Russia

Ukrainian soldiers and firefighters pick their way through the ruins of residential buildings and energy infrastructure targeted by the Russian airstrikes

Damage is seen on the streets of Kyiv after the central Shevchenkivskiy district was hit by Iranian-made suicide drones

Firefighters work in the smouldering ruins of an apartment block in Kyiv that was hit by a suicide drone early Monday

A cat pulled from the rubble of an apartment building that was hit by a suicide drone is handed to medics after being rescued

A Ukrainian soldier looks to the sky after Iranian suicide drones bombarded the Ukrainian capital on Monday

Russia has continued striking cities and infrastructure since then - albeit at a lower intensity - having apparently changed tactics in the war after a humiliating series of defeats on the battlefield.

The strikes also came as Nato this week begins nuclear weapons drills that will take place in northern Europe.

Nato is set to start military drills, practising the use of Europe's nuclear bombs, today after Russian president Vladimir Putin warned a direct clash between the alliance and Russia would spark 'global catastrophe'.

Its annual nuclear exercise Steadfast Noon, which does not involve live bombs, will see up to 60 aircrafts take part in flights over Belgium, the North Sea and Britain.

Vitali Klitschko, mayor of Kyiv, said the central Shevchenkivskiy district was targeted by blasts which hit several residential buildings, burying at least 18 people in rubble - two of whom remain trapped. Oksana Kovalenko, a local journalist, said critical energy infrastructure was also hit.

The Iranian-made Shaheds, which Russia has rebranded as Geran-2 drones, pack an explosive charge and can linger over targets before nosediving into them. They can be fired one after the other.

Andrii Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president's office, confirmed in a social media post that Shahed drones were among those used in the strike. Iran has previously denied providing Russia with weapons, although its Revolutionary Guard chief has boasted about providing arms to the world's top powers, without elaborating.

The drones have also been repeatedly used by Russia elsewhere in Ukraine in recent weeks to target urban centers and infrastructure, including power stations. They are comparatively cheap, costing in the region of US$20,000.

Their use in swarms presents a challenge to Ukrainian air defenses, said Ihnat, the Air Force spokesman. Western nations have promised to bolster Ukrainian air defenses with systems that can shoot down drones but much of that weaponry has yet to arrive and, in some cases, may be months away.

"The challenges are serious because the air defense forces and means are the same as they were at the beginning of the war," Ihnat said. Some air defense weaponry supplied by Western nations can only be used during daylight hours when targets are visible, he added.

Social media video showed drones buzzing over the capital and smoke billowing in the early morning light. The sound of sustained gunfire could also be heard in one post, seemingly trying to shoot a drone down.

Explosions were heard from the same central Kyiv district where a missile strike tore a hole in a children's playground a week ago.

Russian forces struck Kyiv with Iranian Shahed drones, wrote Andrii Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president's office, in a post on the Telegram social media site.

Moscow has repeatedly been using the so-called suicide drones in recent weeks to target urban centres and infrastructure, including power stations.

Last week's strikes were the first explosions heard in Kyiv's city centre for several months, and put the capital as well as the rest of the country back on edge as the war nears nine months.

Monday's blasts seemed to continue what many fear could become more common occurrences in urban centres.

Putin said last week's strikes were in retaliation for the bombing of a bridge connecting the Crimean peninsula with the Russian mainland.

Ukrainian rescuers work at the scene of a Russian drone attack in downtown Kyiv early on Monday

Firefighters examine the remains of an apartment block in central Kyiv that was hit by an explosive-laden drone

A handout photo released by the press service of the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine shows rescuers working at the site of a drone strike in Kyiv

The explosions came from the same central Kyiv district where a week ago a missile struck a children's playground and intersection near the Kyiv National Universitys main buildings

Smoke rises and flames fill the windows of a building in downtown Kyiv (right) after the Russian drone attack

Kyiv city mayor Vitali Klitschko said the central Shevchenkivskiy district of the capital had been hit, and urged residents to take shelter. No further details were immediately known

Rescuers work at the scene of a drone explosion in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, after Russian unleashed a wave of strikes

A fire burns in the remains of a building struck by Iranian-made Russian-launched suicide drones on Monday

Smoke billows from a building hit by a drone attack in downtown Kyiv as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues

Ukrainian police officers stand guard in a street after a drone attack in Kyiv

Nuclear plant severed from grid as generators power cooling system Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was disconnected from the national power grid on Monday following Russian shelling, prompting backup diesel generators to kick in, state nuclear energy firm Energoatom said. 'Russian terrorists once again shelled critical infrastructure substations in Ukraine-controlled territory, resulting in the shutdown of the last 750 kV ZNPP-Dniprovska communications line at 03:59,' it said in a statement. Russian forces have occupied the plant in southern Ukraine, Europe's largest, since shortly after invading Ukraine nearly eight months ago but it is operated by Ukrainian staff. Advertisement

Putin blames Ukraine for the blast, which suspended traffic over the bridge and curtailed Moscow's ability to supply its troops in the occupied regions of southern Ukraine.

The strike on Kyiv comes as fighting has intensified in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in recent days, as well as the continued Ukrainian counter-offensive in the south near Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Mr Zelensky said on Sunday night in his evening address that there was heavy fighting around the cities of Bakhmut and Soledar in the Donetsk region.

The Donetsk and Luhansk regions make up the bulk of the industrial east known as the Donbas, and were two of four regions annexed by Russia in September in defiance of international law.

On Sunday, the Russian-backed regime in the Donetsk region said Ukraine had shelled its central administrative building. No casualties were reported.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian kamikaze drones also hit tanks with sunflower oil at one of the terminals in the Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv late on Sunday, the city mayor said on Monday.

One of Ukraine's largest ports, Mykolaiv halted shipments at the start of the Russian invasion, but Ukraine is pushing to open the port to expand shipments of food under a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.

'In Mykolaiv, three drones hit an object of industrial infrastructure, where tanks with sunflower oil were ignited,' Mykolaiv mayor Oleksandr Senkevich.

The attack took place hours before the strikes in Kyiv by suspected Iranian-made drones, increasingly used by Russia to attack deep into Ukrainian territory.

The regional emergencies service published photos of huge tanks with flames and smoke rising over them.

Mykolaiv, near the Russian-occupied Kherson region, has been under constant shelling in recent months. Port terminals have already been hit at least twice - in June and August.

Ukraine is conducting a counter-offensive to push Russian troops out of the city of Kherson to the south-east.

As Putin looks to ramp up his war after eight months of fighting with few significant gains, it was revealed that 9,000 of his troops will deploy to Belarus.

The Kremlin claims the move is part of a defensive operation, but it has sparked fresh fears that Putin is trying to drag Belarus - which has so-far acted as a launch pad for Russian attacks but has not been directly involved in fighting - into the war.

Russia's defence ministry stated the decision to send soldiers into Belarus, for the first time since March, was 'dictated by the ongoing activity in the areas bordering us'.

Belarus borders Ukraine to the north, and if it were to join the war then its troops would almost certainly be directed in a new attack on Kyiv - which sits just 80 miles away across the Chernobyl exclusion zone.

Fuelling fears of an attack on the city, China this week ordered all of its citizens to leave the country while others - such as Serbia - closed their embassies in the capital.

A handout photo released by the press service of the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine shows rescuers working at the site of a drone strike in Kyiv

Firefighters work at the scene of a drone strike in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Monday morning

Police officers check an explosion site after a drone attack in Kyiv, with multiple blasts reported across the city

Police officers check the explosion site after a drone attack in Kyiv, as Russia changes tactics to focus on long-range strikes after a series of defeats on the battlefield

Firefighters clear the streets of Kyiv after the area was struck by kamikaze drones fired by Russian forces

A man is surrounded by dust in Kyiv after a drone strike nearby, as Russia changes tactics in Ukraine to focus on bombarding its major cities

Social media posts showed a blaze in the area of the strike as well as a building engulfed in flames

Smoke rises from a building after a drone attack in Kyiv amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Residents watch as smoke rises after a Russian drone strike on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv

Flames billow from a sunflower oil storage plant in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, on the Black Sea coast, on Sunday night after the facility was hit by suicide drones

Ukraine said Iranian-made and Russian-launched suicide drones hit the sunflower oil storage facility at the port, causing a large fire that emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish

Firefighters work at a site of a sunflower oil storage tanks fire after Russian kamikaze drone strikes on the city of Mykolaiv
Two flatmates who scammed a woman out of 612,000 by pretending to be a doctor in love with her as part of an online romance fraud scheme have been jailed.

James Olagbaiye and Adesola Adebayo, both from Newham, east London, were part of an international organised crime group based in the UK and Nigeria and scammed multiple women and a man out of a total of 674,000, a court heard.

Five victims in the USA, Switzerland, and different parts of the UK were identified during the investigation, including one woman who believed her online romance was with a British doctor living in London.

On Friday, Olagbaiye was sentenced to four years and four months' imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court after the 47-year-old pleaded guilty to conspiracy to money launder.

His 38-year-old flatmate, Adebayo, was sentenced to four years and six months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to money launder, fraud by false representation, and conspiracy to commit fraud.

The court heard both men were part of an international organised crime group who scammed victims by becoming romantically involved with them.

Adesola Adebayo, from Newham, east London, was sentenced to four years and six months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to money launder, fraud by false representation, and conspiracy to commit fraud

His flatmate James Olagbaiye was sentenced to four years and four months' imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court after the 47-year-old pleaded guilty to conspiracy to money launder

One victim in her 60s, from Switzerland, lost the equivalent of 612,000. She believed her online romance was with a British doctor and biologist living in London.

The scammers sent her a photo of a fake British passport bearing the photo of an older gentleman as part of the ruse.

The 'doctor' claimed to have produced ventilation machines for the NHS to help in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and sought the victim's money as a loan for this venture.

The 'loan' was subsequently paid into different UK and USA based money mule bank accounts under the defendants' control.

The fake doctor also claimed he had been arrested overseas and required further financial support, all part of the ruse.

This victim only realised she had been scammed after she was contacted by detectives following the arrest of the two men.

The team identified a further female victim from the USA, a man and two women from the UK and the fraud was uncovered following the arrest of another man in August 2020.

Olagbaiye and Adebayo were arrested on October 29 in 2020.

The pair were jailed at Southwark Crown Court on Friday (stock image) A confiscation investigation will follow convictions, where assets are sought in favour of returning some of the losses to the victims

During their arrests, officers seized their mobile phones and bank statements which led them to identify further victims.

Later examination of the evidence revealed Adebayo had also provided a safe address of a trusted associate, who would agree to receive mail, so bank accounts could be set up for the purpose of falsely claiming Covid-19 Bounce Bank Loans.

Adebayo attempted to claim 98,000 but was not successful.

Detective Constable Chris Collins from the Met's Specialist Crime said: 'These men have spun a web of lies to their victims and abused their honest intentions in the most awful way. I would ask anyone in an online relationship to think carefully before meeting demands for money no matter how heartfelt and convincing their story is.'

A confiscation investigation will follow convictions, where assets are sought in favour of returning some of the losses to the victims.

If you suspect you have been a victim of fraud or if you believe someone is trying to access your pension, you should call Action Fraud - 0300 123 2040.
Former prostitute Divine Brown is facing up to 30 years in jail after being charged with battery and cruelty to children, according to reports.

In 1995, Brown was caught carrying out a sex act on British actor Hugh Grant in Los Angeles, in an incident that shot her to fame and fortune.

She said in the years that followed that the $50 'trick' in Grant's car on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard made Brown (real name Estella Marie Thompson) a millionaire.

But earlier this year, Brown was charged with battery, cruelty to children, possession of drugs and smuggling suspected cocaine into a jail, according to Fulton County arrest records, and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Former prostitute Divine Brown (pictured smoking a cigarette whilst talking on the phone outside of her small Atlanta apartment) is facing up to 30 years in jail after being charged with battery and cruelty to children

A close neighbor in the south Atlanta estate where she now lives told The Mirror that Brown has fallen a long way since she became an overnight star.

She is reported to have earned around $1.6 million from the publicity she received from her arrest with Grant, remaining in the public eye through work in the adult film industry, TV appearances and interviews with newspapers.

While Brown would rather have everyone thinking of her as someone who lives a glamorous lifestyle, 'she has no car, and the shoes she steps out in are nasty old flip-flops,' the neighbor said, adding the phrase 'red shoes and no knickers' sums the 53-year-old.

'Divine has been in and out of trouble all her adult life. There is constant shouting coming from her home, mostly when she is drunk. It seems her choices may finally be catching up to her,' the neighbor told the newspaper.

On Valentine's day, police were called to Brown's apartment around midday, where she was arrested under her real name. She appeared drunk with 'very slurred speech,' according to reports at the time.

There, officers found her 13-year-old alleged victim, who told police she had been hit. The Mirror said the police report alleged Brown had been 'grabbing her by her arm, throwing her around the apartment, slamming her on the couch'.

The teenager told officers Divine had been under the influence 'alcohol or something because she has seen her pop pills before,' the Mirror added.

In 1995, Brown was caught carrying out a sex act on British actor Hugh Grant in Los Angeles, in an incident that shot her to fame and fortune. Pictured: Both are seen after their arrest

While the girl was taken to hospital, Brown was taken to Fulton County Jail. There, officers found she had suspected cocaine hidden inside her body.

Records show the case is still open, and being found guilty of unlawful possession of drugs can fetch 30 years in prison. Meanwhile, a first-degree cruelty to children conviction in the state of Georgia can result in 20 years.

Brown and Grant were both arrested on June 27, 1995, for engaging in a sexual act in public. Officers were drawn to Grant's car because they noticed his brake lights were flashing on and off, as the drive was pushing his foot down on the pedal.

Both were arrested and pleaded no contest to offences, resulting in fines.

Brown made a fortune following the arrest, due to the attention the case gained thanks to Grant's stardom. 'That was the trick that changed my life,' she said.

Since then, she has said the incident allowed her to put her children through private school. Her and her then-partner bought a four-bedroom home in Beverly Hills.
The actor said the abuse made him fiercely protective of his private life

Kevin Spacey took the stand in his sexual assault trial to reveal his father was a white supremacist as he gave an unprecedented view into his private life.

The actor said Monday that his father Thomas Fowler was a 'neo-Nazi' who called him a 'f****t' and that the abuse made him fiercely protective of his private life.

Spacey defended his decision not to come out because his upbringing made him believe you should 'never ever, ever talk about anything.'

He choked up as he said his decision not to reveal his sexuality until he was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017 was to 'protect the work,' referring to his acting career.

In the New York City courtroom, Spacey denied the claims by Anthony Rapp that he made a sexual pass at him in 1986 when Rapp was 14.

Kevin Spacey took the stand in his sexual assault trial Monday and denied Anthony Rapp's sexual assault accusations

Spacey (seen on the stand in a court sketch) choked up as he said his decision not to reveal his sexuality until he was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017 was to 'protect the work,' referring to his acting career

Spacey won a victory when the judge in the civil case dismissed the claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, leaving the jury to decide on just one count of battery.

Another count of sexual assault has already been dismissed.

On the sixth day of the trial, Spacey took the stand wearing a light gray suit and a pink tie.

After being sworn in under his full name - Kevin Spacey Fowler - he was asked by his lawyer Chase Scolnick if Rapp's claims were correct.

Spacey said: 'They are not true.'

The actor said Monday that his father Thomas Fowler (pictured) was a 'neo-Nazi' who called him a 'f****t' and that the abuse made him fiercely protective of his private life

Scolnick asked if Spacey's attitude towards privacy extended beyond his sexuality and Spacey said that it did due to his childhood.

He said: 'I grew up in a very complicated family dynamic. My father was unemployed a great deal of the time so therefore he was home a lot of the time.

'My father fell in with some ideas and people that I believe damaged his mind and sensibility and my father was a white supremacist and neo-Nazi.

'It meant we were forced to listen to hours and hours and hours of lectures about his beliefs and ideas.'

Spacey said it was these lectures that were the basis of his 'hatred of bigotry and intolerance.'

He said: 'I was humiliated and terrified of even considering bringing my friends home to my house because I was afraid of what my friends would say.

'My best friend was Jewish. I couldn't bring him to my house. Everything that was happening at that house was something I felt I had to keep to myself, keep private and never ever talk about anything.'

Spacey told the jury about his early life being born in New Jersey then moving to California when he was three years old.

His mother worked as a secretary and was the breadwinner but they moved nine or 10 times by the time Spacey was 11.

His acting interest was piqued by his mother who 'loved music and movies' and introduced Spacey to movie stars of the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

He discovered he had an 'ear for impressions' and said that making his mother laugh was 'one of the greatest sounds I have ever heard.'

After being sent to military school, Spacey began to take acting workshops, including one with the actor Jack Lemmon who said his performance was a 'touch of terrific' - Spacey briefly impersonated Lemmon as he recounted the anecdote.

Spacey's friend Val Kilmer also pushed him to take up acting, Spacey said.

After Rapp made his allegations in 2017 in an article for Buzzfeed, Spacey revealed he was gay for the first time.

Spacey said he didn't do so sooner because of his childhood.

He said: 'I grew up in a situation as a child where I wasn't comfortable talking about these things. My father used to yell at me about the idea I might be gay because I was interested in the theatre.

'My father used to scream at me don't be a F-word that is very derogatory to the gay community. It was very disturbing for me because I was beginning to discover my own sexuality. I think I had a degree of shame but I think also I wanted people to remember the characters I was playin and not to know too much about me.

'That's my reasoning, I was protecting the work.'

Spacey held back his tears when asked about the part of the article which calls him a fraud for concealing his sexuality.

Spacey said: 'I have listened to so many LGBTQ+ leaders (who say) to have empathy and to have understanding and compassion for everyone's process of coming out and I think that to call someone a fraud is, I guess, to think they're living a lie.

'I wasn't living a lie, I was just reluctant to talk about my personal life.'

According to Spacey, he had had relationships with women which were meaningful to him, just as Rapp - who is gay - had as well.

Spacey said: 'I don't know on what basis he (Rapp) was saying I was a fraud. He was clearly very angry I wasn't out.

'It was my choice. Even though politically it's not something that you might agree with you, you respect it's a very difficult process.

'It was very difficult for me'.

When rumors began about Spacey he was already 'very well known', he told the jury, and had to 'think about coming out and the consequences of that'.

Spacey denied a claim by a previous witness named Andrew Holtzman that he thrust his erect penis into his body while Holtzman was working at the New York Public Theatre in 1981.

Had he done so the whole theatre would have heard Holtzman screaming, Spacey said.

Spacey held back his tears on the stand when asked about being called a fraud for concealing his sexuality

Spacey said that at the time the Buzzfeed article came out in 2017 Hollywood, society was 'reeling' from the MeToo movement .

Spacey said: 'There had just been a series of accusations made against Harvey Weinstein that were devastating and frightened a lot of people. The women who came forward to describe what happened to them had shown enormous bravery. But at the same time the (entertainment) industry was very nervous and I think there was a lot of fear in the air about who was going to be next.'

Through his PR at the time, Spacey was sent a request for comment by Buzzfeed journalist Adam Vary.

Spacey said: 'I was shocked, I was frightened, I was confused.'

The email did not mention specific locations and Spacey was unable to figure out where it could have happened.

Only the next day once the article had been published did Spacey put out a comment saying that if the incident happened, 'I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior.'

But Spacey told the court that he now regretted that apology. He said: 'I was encouraged to apologize. I have learned a lesson which is you never apologize for something you didn't do.'

Spacey said that he had 'never been alone' with Rapp and he 'didn't know how that (the allegation) could be possibly true.'

With tears in his eyes, Spacey said that his team of advisers and publicists 'knew this wasn't me.'

He said: 'I was never interested in children.'

Spacey became the most emotional when talking about his decision to come out as gay in his statement responding to Rapp's allegations.

Addressing the court, Spacey said he wanted to do something 'positive' and said that 'maybe I could finally put the question of my sexuality behind me'

Spacey said: 'But it was not greeted that way. I was accused by the gay community of trying to change the subject or trying to deflect or conflating allegations with being gay which was never my intention'.

Spacey dabbed his eyes with a tissue as he said: 'I would never have done anything to hurt the gay community and I was so upset that happened.

'I have to own that. It's my responsibility and I put it out there. It was really wrong and it was really bad and I'm deeply sorry', bowing his head as he cried.

On a trip to Africa was a host of celebrities, including shamed actor Kevin Spacey, comedian Chris Tucker and Bill Clinton - who all traveled there on Epstein's Lolita Express in 2002

The flight logs show President Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker apparently took a trip together from JFK airport with Jeffrey Epstein ('JE') and Ghislaine Maxwell ('GM')

This is Jeffrey Epstein's infamous 'Lolita Express' - a private Boeing 727 airliner that carried prominent passengers and allegedly underage girls

Spacey told the jury that he feared the story would aid conspiracy theorists who had already linked him to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Spacey flew on Epstein's private jet in 2002 on a trip to Africa with Bill Clinton along with the comedian Chris Tucker.

According to Spacey there were a 'number of people on Twitter who were accusing me of being a pedophile' because I flew to South Africa on a trip with President Clinton to raise money for AIDS, and in particular mothers with AIDS.'

He said the plane was 'donated by a man named Jeffrey Epstein and I was now being talked about as if I knew Jeffrey Epstein and as if I was some important and powerful friend of his.'

Spacey had also been accused of going to Epstein's private island in the Caribbean, which he told the jury was known as 'Pedo Island.'

He said: 'While it's true I met Jeffrey Epstein on that trip I never saw him again and I have never been to an island.'

Spacey said he had also been linked to the Pizzagate conspiracy theory whose followers believe there is a 'child sex ring being run out of a pizza parlor in Washington.'

He said: 'They believe that I and Hillary Clinton and Anderson Cooper eat babies as part of it.'

With a laugh Spacey said the idea was 'completely false' but he feared Rapp's allegation, given his age, could 'add fuel to these already crazy ideas that were out there.'

The court heard from John Barrowman, the star of the BBC TV series Torchwood, who has claimed Spacey thrust his erect penis into his body while Holtzman was working at the New York Public Theatre in 1981

Earlier the court heard from John Barrowman, the star of the BBC TV series Torchwood, a spin off from Dr. Who.

He said that he visited Rapp in New York a week before the alleged incident and told the jury that all three of them went back to Spacey's apartment after a night out.

Barrowman, who was 19 at the time, told the jury that while Rapp was in the bathroom, Spacey 'playfully' pushed him onto the bed with his arm so they were lying next to each other.

Barrowman said: 'He leaned to the side to talk to me with his arm on top of me. It didn't affect me in a bad way. I didn't feel threatened.'

But Barrowman knew it 'probably wasn't the best situation' to be in because of Rapp's age so he pushed the arm off and they both got up.

Barrowman said: 'I was a big enough boy and already knew I was gay. I wasn't threatened and was actually to be honest quite flattered that an older man was taking any interest in me.

'I wasn't under age but Anthony was the age he was and I didn't want him to be in that situation.'

Barrowman added he felt 'protective' towards Rapp as they grew up in the same suburb of Illinois and acted together in school.

The court was shown messages between Barrowman and Rapp in 2017 when Rapp went public.

In 2020 Barrowman heard Rapp had sued Spacey and messaged him: 'If you need me I will stand for you in court. He knew you were a minor. He knew what he was doing.'

Spacey's lawyer cross examined Spacey's accuser Anthony Rapp over his claim the actor put his body on top of his in a sexual way in 1986 when he was 14. Seen here in a court sketch

Rapp was performing in 'Precious Sons' on Broadway in 1986 at 14 when he met Spacey, then 26.

Rapp testified that he was watching television on a bed in Spacey's apartment after a party when a fully clothed Spacey entered the room, lifted him up like a groom carries a bride, laid him across the bed and climbed partially on top of him.

Rapp said he wriggled free and briefly went into a bathroom before fleeing the apartment, but not before Spacey followed him to the door and asked if he was sure he wanted to leave.

Rapp, an actor who appears in the TV series Star Trek: Discovery and was in the original cast of hit Broadway musical Rent, is seeking $40million from Spacey in damages in the civil case.

Spacey was fired from the Netflix series House of Cards as a result of the allegations

The trial is the first time a jury will decide on allegations against Spacey which were first made in the media by Rapp in 2017.

As a result Spacey was fired from the Netflix series House of Cards and his legacy as the Oscar-winning star of films like American Beauty and The Usual Suspects has been stained.

Rapp originally sued Spacey in September 2020 for battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and sexual assault.

The sexual assault claim was dismissed in June because it was beyond the statute of limitations.

In a statement on Twitter after Rapp first made his claims, he said that if the incident did happen then 'I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior.'

The case was brought through the law that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on sex crimes that allowed Virginia Roberts to bring a now-settled case against Britain's Prince Andrew earlier this year.

Another individual, identified only as CD, had also sued Spacey and also claimed he was sexually assaulted by the actor in the early in 1980s when he was 14.

CD claimed he first met Spacey when he was 12 when he was teaching a course in Westchester County outside of New York and CD was his student.

Spacey invited CD to his apartment where he 'engaged in sexual acts including performing anal intercourse on (Spacey) and oral sex,' a complaint stated.

CD's case was thrown out in June last year after he refused to use his real name during court proceedings.

Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that 'the threat of significant media attention  however exacerbated by the modern era  alone does not entitle a plaintiff to the exceptional remedy of anonymity'

The case is far from the only claims against Spacey.

He due to face a criminal trial next year in London on five charges of sexual assault against three men, dating back 17 years, while he was artistic director of the Old Vic theatre.

Once that is concluded he faces a separate UK trial at the High Court in a lawsuit brought by one accuser seeking hundreds of thousands of pounds for 'psychiatric damage'.

Born in New Jersey in 1959, Spacey studied at New York's prestigious Juilliard School and made his professional stage debut in 1981.

Spacey won the Oscar for Best Actor at the 2000 Academy Awards for his performance in American Beauty - but now his legacy has been stained

He won a best supporting actor Oscar for his role in 1995's The Usual Suspects and best actor for American beauty in 2000.

In 2015 he received an honorary knighthood and a special Olivier award for his contributions to British theatre.

He was accused of groping an 18-year-old at a bar in Massachusetts in 2016 but the case was dropped when the accuser refused to testify about a missing phone.

In August a judge in the US ruled he must pay $31million to MRC, the producers of House of Cards, for his firing in 2017.

Among the roles taken away from Spacey was oil tycoon J. Paul Getty in Ridley Scott's All the Money in the World which was reshot using Christopher Plummer.

A Netflix biopic of Gore Vidal starring Spacey has been permanently shelved.

The trial comes on the fifth anniversary of the MeToo movement at a time when its momentum appears to be stalling after Johnny Depp's defeat of Amber Heard in their defamation case earlier this year.

Harvey Weinstein is due to go on trial in Los Angeles later this month for rape and sexual assault allegations. He was jailed for 23 years in 2020 for similar crimes.
Cho Joong-hoon, spokesperson at Seoul's unification ministry, holds a regular press briefing at the government complex building in Seoul, Oct. 17. Yonhap



Unification Minister Kwon Young-se plans to meet with families of South Koreans detained in North Korea this week and explain the government's commitment to resolving the issue, his office said Monday.



Kwon plans to meet with family members of two out of six detainees Friday in a bid to console them and express the government's willingness to win their release, according to Seoul's unification ministry.



It will be the first time that a unification minister meets with families of such detainees, it added.



Since 2013, six South Koreans, including three pastors, have been detained in North Korea on charges of committing what the North called anti-North Korea crimes.



"The government has maintained the stance that bringing them back to their home country is necessary as its obligation to protect its nationals," Cho Joong-hoon, spokesperson at the ministry, told a regular press briefing.



The government will make efforts to fundamentally resolve the matter through various channels, including meetings with their families, inter-Korean talks and cooperation from the international community, he added.



Of the detainees, three South Korean pastors  Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kuk-gi and Choe Chun-gil  were sentenced to hard labor for life on charges of spying for South Korea's spy agency. The other three detainees are known to be North Korean defectors. (Yonhap)


The interview also revealed that Fauci has a pillow bearing his own face and a quote credited to himself on an armchair in his living room

Covid czar Dr. Anthony Fauci has stopped short of saying that school shut downs during the pandemic were a mistake but admitted that they have had detrimental effects on children while completing side-stepping responsibility for the closures.

Fauci 81, sat down with ABC's 'This Week' on Sunday with interviewer Jonathan Karl where he said that shutting down schools have had 'deleterious collateral consequences'.

Fauci, who first appeared at a White House COVID-19 briefing in February 2020, was quizzed on whether officials paid 'too high of a price' by keeping schools closed for more than a year, especially since the virus impacted kids less than adults.

'I don't want to use the word mistake, Jon, because if I do, it gets taken out of the context that you're asking me the question on,' Fauci said. 'I would say that what we should realize and have realized - that there will deleterious collateral consequences when you do something like that.'

Fauci then noted that death count for children, which stand at about 1,500, is significantly less than the older populations - and claimed that he had advocated to keep schools open.

'You shouldn't discount that it does afflict children, so it isn't without consequences. If you go back - and I ask anybody to go back - over the number of times I've said "we gotta everything we can to keep the schools open,' no one plays that clip,' Fauci said.

Fauci ranted that critical Americans blamed him for closing schools, but he said he had nothing to do with it.

'They always come back and say, 'Fauci was responsible for closing schools. I had nothing to do [with it],' the health director said while acknowledging he wasn't the head of the school board.

He added: 'The most important thing was to protect the children.'

Dr. Anthony Fauci refused to take the blame on school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalled how he pushed for schools to remain open and noted the consequences of the closures

Fauci, who is set to retire in December, also acknowledged that as a result of the closures, children have been scoring lower in subjects like reading and math, and that they have suffered psychologically.

He said: 'The most important thing was to protect the children.'

Since returning from lockdown closures, ACT college admisstion tests have hit their lowest point in more than 30 years.

The class of 2022's average ACT composite score was 19.8 out of 36 - marking the first time since 1991 that the average score was below 20.

The test scores show 42% of ACT-tested graduates in the class of 2022 met none of the subject benchmarks in English, reading, science and math.

In comparison, 38% of test takers in 2021 failed to meet any of the benchmarks. Benchmarks are set to gauge how well students will fare in college courses.

Fauci acknowledged children weren't as impacted by the virus as adults - but noted that about 1,500 children had died from COVID-19

Fauci said he was an advocate for keeping schools open. (Pictured: students in Colorado being picked up from school)

During the ABC interview, Fauci smirked as he recounted how the pandemic turned him into an international celebrity. He noted that he hasn't had to introduce himself since his first COVID-19 briefing in 2020.

The interview also revealed that Fauci has a pillow bearing his own face and a quote credited to himself - 'It is what it is.' - on an arm chair in his living room.

ABC didn't share a glimpse of said cushion - but it is available to purchase online for $40. Fauci wasn't asked if he'd bought the pillow himself, or it if was a gift.

The interview comes as Fauci's 54 years at the National Institutes of Health are due to come to a close at the end of this year, when he steps down from his position as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Anthony Fauci smirked recounting how the pandemic turned him into an international celebrity in a recent interview with ABC

The interview revealed that Fauci has a pillow bearing his own face and a quote credited to himself on an arm chair in his living room, similar to the one pictured

Karl recalled Fauci's first time stepping to the podium during a COVID briefing.

'I vividly remember your very first appearance in the White House briefing room in one of the COVID briefings, where a reporter shouted out, interrupted you, and asked you to say your name,' Karl said. 'I suspect that may have been the last time your were asked to identify yourself.'

'Yeah, I think so, in fact a lot has happened since then that's been an amazing journey that all of us have been through, and still are in actually,' Fauci responded, with a simpering smile.

Karl asked Fauci what it was like to become an icon.

'You became an icon. It was kind of wild to see,' Karl said. 'There were Fauci bobbleheads. People had Fauci shirts that said 'In Fauci We Trust.' You became somebody the whole country was turning to. What was that like?'

'I was pretty well known among my peers in science, but certainly not to the extent it is now,' Fauci said. 'You know, I actually think both extremes, Jon, are aberrations of a reflection of the divisiveness in our country.'

Fauci went on to explain that even though many in the United States did not agree with, he still considered the entire country to be his 'patient.'

'I look upon the country, in many respects, as my patient,' he said. 'And when you - if you're a really good physician, you are concerned and worry about every element of your patient.'

'Including how your patient is going to react to something you said?' Karl said.

'Exactly,' Fauci said. 'Exactly. And even if the patient is somebody who's not the most attractive person in the world in the sense of personality, you still got to treat them the way you would treat anybody else. We learned that in medical school.'

Fauci speaks at a White House COVID-19 briefing on February 29, 2020, one of his first appearances during the pandemic

Fauci holds his head as he stands behind President Trump at a COVID-19 briefing in March, 2020

During the interview Fauci also doubled down on his mask mandate recommendations, saying he wished he could take back comments he made early in the pandemic that masks were not necessary.

'Would you take back what you said about masks?' Karl later asked.

'Yeah,' Fauci said. 'I mean, sure, if I had to do it over again. Of course. Again, if I tell you why we did it, it would be interpreted as making an excuse, and I don't want to go there because that creates nothing but backlash. If I had to do it over again, I would have analyzed it a little bit better.'

The veteran health expert did concede that he was wrong to flip-flop on masks, having told Americans at the start of the crisis they weren't necessary.

Fauci later became a firm advocate of face-coverings, and claimed he'd only advised against them initially to preserve stocks for doctors when they were in short supply.

He became an unpopular figure among many conservatives as frustration mounted over COVID, with the expert even forced to hire security after receiving death threats.

And retirement won't necessarily protect him from continued Republican fury, with Republican lawmakers vowing to investigate Fauci should they retake congress in the midterms this November.

Asked how he hope to be remembered, Fauci said he wanted to remembered as somebody who gave it his all.

'I want to be remembered as someone who gave everything they had for the public health of the American public and indirectly for the rest of the world, because we're such a leader in science and public health,' he said. 'I mean, I just want people to know that I gave it everything I had and didn't leave anything on the field. I was all there.'
The number of casualties has not yet been specified by official sources, though early reports suggest there are at least three people dead and more than a dozen hospitalised with a series of injuries

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A Kremlin military plane has crashed into a high-rise residential building in Russia, triggering a huge fireball explosion which killed at least three people.

The Russian-made Sukhoi Su-34 bomber was on a training flight when it malfunctioned and ploughed into the block of flats in Yeysk, a resort city in the Krasnodar region near Crimea, around 6:30pm local time.

The engine caught fire shortly after take-off and both crewmembers ejected moments before the aircraft nosedived directly into the civilian building.

An incredible image posted to social media showed one pilot's fully-deployed parachute drifting to the ground directly in front of the crash site, illuminated by a huge wall of flames mere feet away.

Four floors of the building were still ablaze for hours after the accident, with flames spanning 2,000sq metres still ripping through the apartment block.

Russian outlet Zvezdanews confirmed the fire was eventually extinguished with the help of 410 firefighters and emergency services personnel.

It was not immediately clear how many casualties there were, but early reports from Russian outlet Baza suggest at least three people were killed and 19 people, including several children were hospitalised, four of whom are said to be in critical condition.

One report claimed that a resident trapped on the upper floors of the stricken apartment block jumped to their death to avoid being burned alive.

Krasnodar regional governor Kondratyev, 52, confirmed via his Telegram channel that he was at the scene of the incident, but had no immediate information about casualties.

Deputy governor Anna Minkova meanwhile confirmed that additional beds were being prepared to receive injured civilians, adding: 'Specialists of the burn department from regional clinical hospitals have been sent to Yeysk.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed of the fire and ordered 'all necessary assistance be given to casualties from the military plane incident,' the Kremlin told the state-run news agency TASS.

Unconfirmed photos circulating on social media show the dramatic fireball ripping through the building as a fully-deployed parachute floats to the ground nearby (circled)

The aircraft ploughed into the block of flats in Yeysk, a resort city on the Sea of Azov near Crimea

A Russian Su-34 warplane crashed in Yeysk, Krasnodar region, bordering Ukraine, causing an apartment block inferno

Several stories of the apartment block could be seen alight as huge flames ripped through the residential building

The Su-34 bomber was on a training flight when it malfunctioned and ploughed into the block of flats in Yeysk, a resort city on the Sea of Azov near Crimea

The Russian ministry of defence said: 'On October 17, 2022, while climbing to perform a training flight from the military airfield of the Southern Military District, a Su-34 aircraft crashed. The aircraft crashed within the city of Yeysk.

'According to the report of the ejected pilots, the cause of the plane crash was the ignition of one of the engines during takeoff.

'At the site of the crash of the Su-34 in the courtyard of one of the residential areas, the fuel of the aircraft ignited.'

Chief war correspondent for the pro-Kremlin Komsomolskaya Pravda Aleksandr Kots specified the aircraft was an Su-34 from Russia's 277th Bombing Aviation Regiment.

'So far, the main version is that it was birds getting into the engines at takeoff,' Kots claimed.

Russia's Su-34 fighter-bomber aircraft The Sukhoi Su-34 is a Russian-made supersonic fighter-bomber aircraft. It was developed in the 1990s to replace its ageing predecessor, the Su-24, but did not enter widespread use with Russia's air force until well into the 2000s. The Su-34 is considered a fairly capable multirole aircraft, in that it is primarily designed to strike ground and surface targets with missiles and bombs, but can also engage in air-to-air combat missions. However, it has a reputation for being accident prone. On two separate occasions in 2019, two pairs of Su-34s collided during training exercises, and a fifth jet crashed during a training mission in 2020. Advertisement

Firefighters, helicopters and ambulances rushed to the scene of the nine-floor apartment block, with governor Kondratyev declaring that all regional emergency services were working to put out the fire.

'The fire spread to a few floors. According to preliminary information, 17 flats have been affected,' Kondratyev said.

Russia's investigative committee, which investigates serious crimes, said it opened a criminal investigation into the crash.

Local authorities said that the massive blaze engulfed several floors of an apartment building and at least 15 apartments were affected.

The first to fifth floors of the nine storey block of flats were set ablaze, eyewitnesses said, while one report from the scene said that emergency services were struggling to extinguish the flames which had spread throughout the apartment block, exacerbated by the aviation fuel spewed across the crash site.

Oksana, a local resident who declined to give her last name, said the area was cordoned off.

'There could be an explosion. Everything is burning inside. there is smoke,' she told AFP. 'I'm in shock obviously. My child was alone at home. We already used to go to sleep with fear everyday - Mariupol is just across from us,' she said, referring to the Ukrainian port city just across the Sea of Azov which withstood months of heavy bombardment earlier in the war.

Former Russian presidential candidate Ksenia Sobchak said: 'It's scary to imagine how many dead there will be.'

Just a few hundred miles across the border from Yeysk, Ukrainian civilians were experiencing more terror today as kamikaze drones made by Iran and launched by Russia attacked Kyiv this morning.

Thick plumes of black smoke were seen billowing from the crash site. The number of casualties has not yet been specified

The engine caught fire shortly after take-off and both crewmembers ejected moments before the smash and landed safely

Firefighters helicopters and ambulances rushed to the scene of the nine-floor apartment block

The Sukhoi Su-34 (file pic) is a Russian-made supersonic fighter-bomber aircraft. It is considered a fairly capable multirole jet that can be used to strike targets as a bomber or engage in air-to-air combat, but it has a questionable safety record with several crashes in training exercises in recent years

At least five explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital, starting around 3.30am local time as multiple waves of Shahed-136 drones - 28 in total - dodged air defences and slammed into the city, with police and armed forces resorting to firing machine guns into the air in an attempt to bring them down.

One of the drones bore the phrase 'for Belgorod' - a Russian city that acts as a staging ground for attacks on Ukraine which was shelled at the weekend.

It was also the scene of a gun attack on a military barracks that saw at least 11 soldiers killed by two conscripts on Saturday.

One strike appeared to target the city's heating network, hitting an operations centre. Another slammed into a four-story residential building, ripping a large hole in it and collapsing at least three apartments on top of each other.

Three people were killed there with 19 were rescued from the rubble, four of them wounded. Rescue workers searching for victims scrambled over the debris from which gray smoke billowed.

Airstrikes then hit critical infrastructure in the Dnipro and Sumy regions - in the centre and north of Ukraine - killing 'several' people while leaving hundreds of villages without power, prime minister Denys Shmyhal said.

Suicide drones also struck the port city of Mykolaiv late Sunday night, setting sunflower oil storage tanks alight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drones strikes were aimed at 'terrorising the civilian population' but vowed: 'The enemy can attack our cities but it won't be able to break us.'

It comes a week after a huge barrage of Russian missiles and Iranian-made kamikaze drones targeted virtually every major Ukrainian city, destroying infrastructure and killing civilians after a blast on the Crimean Bridge.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's cousin issued a violent threat against those who 'challenge' Saudi Arabia after President Biden warned there would be 'consequences' for OPEC cutting oil production, just weeks before the midterms.

In a message aimed at 'the West,' Saud al-Shaalan is seen in a video saying 'anybody who challenges the existence of this kingdom, we are all projects of jihad and martyrdom. Anybody that thinks they can threaten us--'

Al-Shaalan's threat comes at a time of sky-high tensions between Washington and Riyadh after OPEC+ cut oil production by two million barrels per day and the Biden administration accused the Saudi Kingdom of aligning itself with Russia and Putin.

Biden, in turn, said he would 'reassess' the U.S.'s alliance with the Saudis as the move was sure to jack up gas prices just ahead of midterm elections. A gallon of gas is now averaging $3.88 in the U.S.

Biden claimed that Riyadh would face 'consequences' as aides announced the U.S. would be reevaluating its relationship with the Saudis.

'Theres going to be some consequences for what they've done with Russia,' Biden said in a CNN interview aired last Tuesday.

In a message aimed at 'the West,' Saud al-Shaalan is seen in a video saying 'anybody who challenges the existence of this kingdom, we are all projects of jihad and martyrdom. Anybody that thinks they can threaten us--'

Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman led OPEC+ to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day last week

'I'm not going to get into what I'd consider and what I have in mind,' he added. 'But there will be - there will be consequences.'

The Kingdom then hit back with bombshell statement that the Biden administration had requested to delay the OPEC production cut until after the midterms.

The White House is now bracing for a further spike in gas prices before millions of Americans are set to cast their ballots.

'The country that benefits the most from this 2 million barrel cut is Russia,' White House national security spokesman John Kirby said in a call with reporters on Friday.

The cut 'allows [Putin] to continue to fund his war making machine and it certainly gave him, Mr Putin, a sense of comfort here,' Kirby continued.

The Saudi foreign minister said such an accusation is intended to 'distort the facts' and claimed Saudi Arabia has taken a 'principled position' with respect to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Biden himself had a controversial meeting with the crown prince, beginning with a fist bump rather than a handshake, in July to talk energy production.

'The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would first like to express its total rejection of these statements that are not based on facts, and which are based on portraying the OPEC+ decision out of its purely economic context,' bin Farhan Al Saud said in a statement.

The foreign minister said that Saudi Arabia supports UN resolutions regarding the war and rejects 'any infringement on the sovereignty of countries over their territories.'

The foreign minister also implied the Biden administration had begged them to at least wait until after the midterms to cut production.

Saudi Arabia threw Biden under the bus by releasing a damning statement saying the US tried to delay the OPEC production cut until after the midterms

Biden, in turn, said he would 'reassess' the U.S.'s alliance with the Saudis

'The Government of the Kingdom clarified through its continuous consultation with the U.S. Administration that all economic analyses indicate that postponing the OPEC+ decision for a month, according to what has been suggested, would have had negative economic consequences,' bin Farhan Al Saud said.

But Kirby said Washington presented Riyadh with analysis showing there was 'no market basis' for production cuts and 'they could easily wait till the next OPEC meeting and see how things developed.'

'Other OPEC nations communicated to us privately that they felt coerced to support Saudi's direction.'

In a press call Kirby said Saudi Arabia had been 'twisting arms' to get other nations to agree to the cut, and 'more than one' had privately expressed concerns about doing so.
He will face a retrial at the court in just over a weeks time on October 26

Today at Southwark Crown Court jurors could not decided if he was guilty

Venaik denies the rape charge and told jurors they had 'really good chemistry'

He met the woman on dating app Bumble before going back to his London flat

An investment banker accused of raping a woman he met on Bumble is facing a retrial after a jury were unable to agree whether or not he was guilty.

Australian Varun Venaik, 31, kissed and touched the woman intimately with her consent before taking her back to his luxury 1m apartment in Upper Montagu Street, Marylebone, on 31 July last year.

After the woman told him 'I don't have sex with people on a first date', he allegedly raped her.

The Australian investment banker Varun Venaik denies that he raped a woman at his apartment in London in July of last year

Jurors at Southwark Crown Court (pictured) were unable to reach a majority verdict after deliberating for 11 hours and 19 minutes

The pair had met on the dating site Bumble. After the woman told him 'I don't have sex with people on a first date', the banker allegedly raped her

The banker denies the claim that he raped her, telling jurors they had 'really good chemistry' and insists she consented to sex.

Wearing a light pink shirt and blue tie, Mr Venaik showed little reaction as they jury said they were unable to reach a majority verdict after deliberating for 11 hours and 19 minutes.

Judge Dafna Spiro told the jury: It is not a failure. In a way it shows that the jury system is working.

Mr Venaik will return to face a retrial at Southwark Crown Court on 26 October.

He was released on unconditional bail, provided he returns to the UK from Australia if the court orders him.
An industry body is calling for the UK government to ban retail sales of compressed gas, known as 'Nos' or 'hippy crack', over worries that inhaling the drug could cause neurological damage.

The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) has written to Suella Braverman, urging her to scrap direct-to-consumer retail sales of nitrous oxide.

The drug is typically used by being released into balloons from small silver cannisters and then inhaled, giving temporary feelings of relaxation and euphoria.

But prolonged use of nitrous oxide can cause vitamin B12 deficiency, anaemia and nerve damage.

Last month doctors warned that using laughing gas could lead to spinal injuries.

Nitrous oxide is typically released into balloons from cannisters and inhaled and is the second most popular drug among UK 16 to 24-year-olds

Ellen Daniels, chief executive of the trade body which represents the UK's compressed gas industry, said: 'We congratulate the new Home Secretary on her appointment and hope that she will continue to engage with us regarding the health and social harms posed by nitrous oxide and consider whether retail sales of the gas should be banned.'

Last year the Home Office asked the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to review the harm caused by nitrous oxide as the Government sought advice on whether to make possession of laughing gas a crime.

It came after a rise in its use among young people, with the substance being the second most-used drug among UK 16 to 24-year-olds.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 36 deaths in Great Britain associated with nitrous oxide between 2001 and 2016.

But drugs experts said the move is 'completely pointless' and a 'waste of time'.

The sale of nitrous oxide for its psychoactive effects is illegal but it is not a crime to possess the drug.

It is also used medically as an anaesthetic, given for instance to women in labour.
Jeremy Hunt moved swiftly to cement his position as the grown up in Government today with a prime ministerial address to the nation and a conveniently timed photo blunder.

The new Chancellor stunned Westminster with an announcement he was bringing forward a range of financial measures to calm the markets - and promptly canned most of Liz Truss's economic plan.

Speaking from a desk in front of a Union Jack he channelled the look of Boris Johnson's pandemic era public announcements.

And just a short time later the Treasury inadvertently revealed some of his further plans.

A photo of Jeremy Hunt carrying the highlighted papers, which also appeared to stress the importance of 'Cabinet unity', were shared on its Flickr page on Monday afternoon.

Wording could be made out in copies of the images shared on Twitter, although they appear to have since been blurred further to obscure their contents.

Before they were deleted they also highlighted plans - later confirmed in the Commons, for him to create a new advisory group comprising Cameron-era officials.

It came as a Tory MP suggested the new Chancellor 'could be in contention' to replace Liz Truss.

The new Chancellor stunned Westminster with an announcement he was bringing forward a range of financial measures to calm the markets - and promptly canned most of Liz Truss's economic plan.

Speaking from a desk in front of a Union Jack he channelled the look of Boris Johnson's pandemic era public announcements. Mr Johnson pictured in March 2020

A photo of Jeremy Hunt carrying the highlighted papers, which also appeared to stress the importance of 'Cabinet unity', were shared on its Flickr page on Monday afternoon.

Asked by Matt Chorley on Times Radio whether it would be better if the Chancellor 'just became the prime minister', Guildford MP Angela Richardson said: 'I think there are several people who could be in contention to replace Liz Truss as prime minister, Jeremy Hunt is one of them.'

However, she said her preferred candidate would be Rishi Sunak, who she campaigned for during the leadership election.

Ms Richardson added that holding a 'protracted' leadership contest involving Conservative Party members would 'not be the right thing to do at this time' and there were 'other mechanisms in process'.

The Government has increasingly relied on using taxpayer-funded photographers in place of press cameras to shape its image.

In a series of three photos shared by the Treasury, the Chancellor is pictured carrying documents with bullet-pointed notes.

Zooming in on the copies shared by a journalist on Twitter, it was possible to make out a line on plans to establish a new 'economic advisory' body - possibly a 'council', although the exact wording was obscured by Mr Hunt's hand - consisting of 'leading and respected economists'.

Speaking later in the Commons, the Chancellor has announced the formation of a new economic advisory council to provide 'more independent expert advice' to the Government.

The Government has increasingly relied on using taxpayer-funded photographers in place of press cameras to shape its image.

Jeremy Hunt told the Commons he 'fully' supports the 'vital, independent' roles of the Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility.

However, he added: 'But I also want more independent expert advice as I start my journey as Chancellor. So, I'm announcing today the formation of a new economic advisory council to do just that.

'This council will advise the Government on economic policy with four names announced today. Rupert Harrison, former chief of staff to the chancellor of the Exchequer (George Osborne), Gertjan Vlieghe from Element Capital, Sushil Wadhwani of Wadhwani Asset Management and Karen Ward of JP Morgan.'

Further down, the document appeared to state: 'I must emphasise - showing Cabinet unity on these measures is critical to achieving the stability we need.

'Comms discipline is vital - the detail of these announcements must not be made public before the press conference later if we want them to have the right impact.'

The captions on Flickr suggest that the images were taken ahead of the Chancellor's emergency statement on Monday morning.
The raisin gift was traded in for a bottle of wine in recent years but this year students donated to a food bank

The children would provide a receipt and failure to give one would result in a dousing in the local fountain

Raisin Monday comes from 'children' giving older students raisins to thank them for welcoming them

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Students at St Andrews University celebrated Freshers' Week with a messy booze-filled foam fight at the traditional 'Raisin Monday' shaving foam party.

Freshers, known as 'children', were pictured in fancy dress and doused in foam on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn, known as The Quad, at the Fife university.

Students were left covered head-to-toe in the foam, which was so thick some were even able to style their hair using it, amid piles of shaving foam bottles.

Others meanwhile found the time to make a romantic gesture amid the madness, with some couples kissing while covered in the foam.

Students at St Andrews University celebrated Freshers' Week with a messy booze-filled foam fight at the traditional 'Raisin Monday party'

Some students found the time to make a romantic gesture amid the madness, with some couples kissing while covered in the foam

Freshers, known as 'children', were pictured in fancy dress and doused in foam on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn, known as The Quad, at the Fife university

Bottles of shaving foam are pictured during the annual 'Raisin Monday Shaving Foam Fight'

Raisin Monday weekend is designed to help new students integrate more easily into life at the university, whose alumni include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

It comes from the time when freshers were 'adopted' by senior students and even now each first year student is invited to join a 'family' of senior students.

The celebrations are believed to date back to when the university was founded in 1413 and are named after the tradition whereby 'children' gave older students, their academic 'guardians', a pound of raisins to thank them for welcoming them to St Andrews.

The parents would then expect to the children to present a receipt written in Latin and failure to produce one resulted in a dousing at the local fountain.

Students were left covered head-to-toe in the foam, which was so thick some were even able to style their hair using it

A student dressed in a makeshift toga who has been covered in shaving foam and able to style his hair into a mohican

Groups of friends gathered at the foam event, which is designed to welcome freshers to the university

It comes from the time when freshers were 'adopted' by senior students and even now each first year student is invited to join a 'family' of senior students

The celebrations are believed to date back to when the university was founded in 1413 and are named after the tradition whereby 'children' gave older students, their academic 'guardians', a pound of raisins

Nowadays the pound of raisins is usually a bottle of wine and the children are doused in foam instead.

More recently however, students have engaged in a more responsible and sustainable Raisin Weekend and this year those taking part donated items to a collection for the Storehouse foodbank in St Andrews.

The custom ends the following day with a procession and foam fight in the heart of the campus of the university.

After the foam fight, students were hosed down by the University's Deputy Principal and Master of the United College, Professor Lorna Milne.

Professor Milne will be stepping down at the end of January 2023 to undertake a period of research leave.

Nowadays the pound of raisins is usually a bottle of wine and the children are doused in foam instead of water from a local fountain

More recently however, students have engaged in a more responsible and sustainable Raisin Weekend and this year those taking part donated items to a collection for the Storehouse foodbank in St Andrews
John and five others accused of perverting course of justice by covering crime

Mr Bello choked inside flat of her partner Stasious Scott, the Old Bailey heard

Gym sales manager Justin Bello, 38, (pictured) was strangled and 'dumped unceremoniously in a bin shed' in Wembley, north-west London in November 2019

A criminal solicitor is accused of helping her boyfriend cover up the murder of a 38-year-old gym sales manager who was strangled and 'dumped unceremoniously in a bin shed', a court heard today.

Suzanne John, 40, is accused of plotting to pervert the course of justice by helping her partner Stasious Scott, 34, and his friend Cornell Burrell, 36, cover their tracks after they allegedly 'overpowered' Justin Bello and attacked him 'two on one'.

Mr Bello was choked inside the flat of Scott in Stockwell, south-west London early on November 23 2019, the Old Bailey was told.

His body was then stripped and 'unceremoniously' dumped in a bin shed in Wembley, north-west London, where it was found by refuse collectors some 48 hours later, the court heard.

One of the binmen made the grim discovery when he saw a black suitcase on the ground with feet sticking out of it.

Scott fled the country four days after the killing, leaving his co-accused, Cornell Burrell, to stand trial at the Old Bailey for Mr Bello's murder.

Alongside Burrell in the dock is a group of people accused of conspiring to cover up the crime, including Scott's partner, Suzanne John, with whom he has two children.

Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC said: 'The prosecution case is that her profession will have given her an insight into the method of police investigations which is likely to have been very valuable to Scott and Burrell as they set about trying to cover their tracks.'

Today the Old Bailey (pictured) heard that Suzanne John, 40, is accused of plotting to pervert the course of justice by helping her partner Stasious Scott, 34, and his friend Cornell Burrell, 36, cover their tracks

The killers are said to have worked with family and friends to dispose of Mr Bello's clothes and mobile phones, as well as their own phones.

They allegedly cleaned up the flat where the murder had taken place and got rid of the body.

The prosecutor continued: 'Justin Bello had not been stabbed - but he had been overpowered, had suffered blunt force trauma to his head, face and back - and he had been choked, by significant compression of the neck, causing fractures to both sides of his larynx.

'The only trace of Mr Bello in the flat where he was killed was a stain of his blood on a rug which had been rolled up and propped against a wall.

'During the clean-up of the flat, in addition to that single trace of blood on the rug, one other little detail had been missed - left inside the flat was a lock knife, and on it were Cornell Burrell's fingerprints.'

Burrell, 36, from Wandsworth, south London, has denied murder and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice with John, from Mitcham, south London, and five others.

They are Stasious Scotts father, Oliver Scott, 53, from Hornsey, north London; half-brother Paris Bell-McKay, 28, from south-west London; Dawit Girmay, 34, from Lambeth, south London; Cecilia Bruce-Annan, 50, from Stanmore, north-west London; and Christopher Hatton, 44, of no fixed address.

The trial continues.
A once safe Senate race in Utah has grown increasingly competitive in the final weeks of the midterm election - giving Democrats fresh hope that a GOP takeover of Congress is not totally inevitable.

Independent Evan McMullin, a former CIA officer, is running against Republican Senator Mike Lee in the closest race the state has seen in years - with a new poll showing them less than five points apart.

It's gained the attention of state Democrats, who opted to back him in the race rather than a member of their own party for a better chance of unseating Lee on November 8.

Both candidates tout themselves as 'conservatives' but differ on key issues - among the most visible is Donald Trump.

Lee has Trump's endorsement in the race and has closely aligned himself with the former president, still the de facto leader of the GOP. He was also found to have entertained scenarios for overturning the 2020 election results, as evidenced by text messages with then-Chief of Staff Mark Meadows - though Lee ultimately did not vote to change the final count.

McMullin, on the other hand, made his opposition to Trump clear early. He first leapt onto the national stage as a 2016 presidential candidate offering an alternative to Trump and Hillary Clinton.

His campaign has largely run as a rebuke of extremism on both sides, with the former CIA officer having been inspired to run after the violent events of January 6 last year.

Evan McMullin is a former CIA officer who is running for US Senate in Utah as an Independent, though he still bills himself as a conservative despite not aligning with either party

He's up against pro-Trump Utah GOP Senator Mike Lee, who was considered a safe candidate until McMullin's campaign gained steam

He's now relying on a coalition of Democrats, disenchanted Republicans and Independents to push him over the finish line in November.

Their only debate of the election cycle is due to take place on Monday night.

A McMullin win could have an outsized impact on the makeup of the US Senate - but would not necessarily guarantee Democratic control.

In a divided chamber, McMullin could cast the deciding vote for who controls the Senate between current Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell.

McMullin has said previously that he does not believe McConnell should be a Senate leader.

But he's vowed to remain neutral in Congress, not to join forces with Democrats or Republicans in an apparent bid to not isolate conservative voters across the political spectrum.

'I will maintain my independence. I will not caucus with either side,' he told NBC News' Meet The Press on Sunday.

A recent poll shows Lee with just a four-point lead ahead of McMullin with just three weeks until the midterm elections

McMullin declined to say whether he'd allow a scenario in which his not voting in the race for speaker would still, in effect, allow McConnell to control the Senate.

'Well, look, the parties are going to decide who they choose to lead them. I won't be part of that as an Independent,' McMullin said.

'The parties in Washington and others, they're going to have to figure out what this means for them on their own. I'm committed to maintaining my independence.'

The recent poll by Deseret News and the Hinckley Institute of Politics found that 41 percent of Utah voters would vote for Lee, while Evan trails not far behind with 37 percent support.

Eight percent said they'd pick other candidates, while a potentially decisive 12 percent share have not yet decided.

In a sign of the tightening race, Lee took to the airwaves last week where he made a public plea to his fellow Utah Republican, Senator Mitt Romney, for support.

'I don't think Mitt Romney wants Chuck Schumer to continue to be the Senate Majority Leader. If I'm right on that, then he needs to get on board,' Lee told Fox News' Tucker Carlson.

'As soon as Mitt Romney is ready to, I will eagerly accept his endorsement.'

He also bashed McMullin as a 'closeted Democrat,' a comparison that has been Lee's main attack point against the ex-CIA official.

Romney, one of Trump's few vocal Republican critics in Congress, has vowed to remain neutral in the race.

Trump attacked Romney over his hesitance to support Lee in a post on Truth Social last week.

'Mike Lee is an outstanding Senator who has been abused, in an unprecedented way, by a fellow Republican Senator from his own State, something which rarely has happened in political History,' Trump fumed.

'Such an event would only be understandable if Mike did not perform his duties as a United States Senator, but he has, and he has performed them well.'

During the course of the House select committee on January 6's investigation, it was revealed that Lee had entertained and even discussed legal avenues to overturn President Joe Biden's electoral victory.

Lee never acted on those theories, which he appeared to have distanced himself from after finding they were legally baseless.
The family of a man who fell to his death from Chelsea Bridge after being Tasered by a Met officer are threatening legal action against the police watchdog.

They are challenging the Independent Office for Police Conduct's decision not to hold a criminal or conduct investigation into 41-year-old Oladeji Omishore's death - which they believe is 'unlawful and irrational'.

Video, widely circulated on social media, showed Mr Omishore being hit by an electric stun gun, delivering a shock of up to 50,000 volts, on June 4 this year, then clambering over a barrier and falling into the River Thames below.

Now his family are trying to raise 10,000 to fund a judicial review claim against the IPOC 'for their continuing decisions to treat the two officers as witnesses to the investigation and not subjects of the investigation, and not to classify the investigation as a conduct or criminal investigation'.

Without a criminal or conduct investigation, officers involved in deaths are only treated as witnesses, rather than as subjects, of investigations. Their evidence is unlikely to be scrutinised and challenged to the extent that it would be under a conduct or criminal investigation. The officers in the case remain on active duty.

The latest legal twist comes as a review into Metropolitan Police culture by Baroness Louise Casey yesterday concluded the force must take a 'zero-tolerance' approach to misogyny and racism and enable offending officers to be sacked more easily.

The family of Oladeji Omishore (pictured), who fell to his death from Chelsea Bridge after being tasered by a Met officer, are threatening legal action against the police watchdog

Mr Omishore, known to his family as Deji, fell into the Thames following use of a Taser by two Met police officers on Chelsea Bridge. He was thought to be experiencing a mental health crisis and was holding a plastic cigarette lighter.

The IOPC are currently conducting an investigation into his death but do not consider that a more thorough conduct investigation - which could lead to disciplinary action against officers involved - or a criminal investigation -which could lead to criminal charges - is required.

The family are crowdfunding for legal costs via their solicitors.

In a joint statement, the family said: 'Deji was only a few moments' walk from his home and appears to have been vulnerable and frightened.

'The two Metropolitan police officers who confronted him used repeated force on him which we consider was excessive and unjustified.

'We want those officers to explain why they did not use their training to de-escalate the situation, and safeguard Deji, instead of taking the actions that led to his tragic death.

Mr Omishore, known to his family as Deji, fell into the Thames following use of a Taser by two Met police officers in June

'We wish to pursue a judicial review claim against the IOPC for their continuing decision to treat the two officers as witnesses to the investigation and not subjects of the investigation, and not to classify the investigation as a conduct or criminal investigation.

'The damning Casey review of Metropolitan police culture, published yesterday, solidifies our concern that more must be done to ensure police are held to account for misconduct.

'We are asking all those who support our cause to stand with us in taking this action which, if successful, would set a standard and ensure improved access to justice for many more families and more thorough scrutiny of policing.'

Deborah Coles, Director of pressure group Inquest, said: 'It is in the interest of both the public and bereaved families that police officers are subject to robust investigation of the highest standard.

'They are public servants and must be held to account at an individual and corporate level when things go so badly wrong.

Police were called to the scene in Chelsea Bridge Road, west London, at 9.03am on June 4 after receiving reports that a man was armed with a screwdriver and shouting

'It is vital that conduct or criminal investigations are commenced urgently after a death, to ensure scrutiny is thorough and that officers are rightly treated as subjects of investigations, not just witnesses. This is an issue which has impacted bereaved families for years.

'This legal action from the Omishore family is an important step in challenging this systemic issue in the investigation of deaths in police contact.'

Kate Maynard of Hickman and Rose solicitors who represent the family, said: 'The threshold to treat officers as subjects and declare a conduct investigation is low.

The family of Mr Omishore (pictured) are trying to raise 10,000 to fund a judicial review claim against the IPOC

'The IOPC only needed to consider there to be an indication that the officer may have committed a criminal offence or have behaved in a manner that would justify them facing disciplinary proceedings.

'The failure of these officers to diligently exercise their duties and responsibilities and the excessive use of force are obvious potential disciplinary infringements for investigation.

'The failure to interview the officers as subjects of investigation under caution, and to properly test their evidence under a misconduct notice, risks becoming a material flaw in the investigation, as has happened in other cases.

'The family is taking a stand to set a gold standard for other cases. '

An IOPC spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family and friends of Oladeji Omishore.

'We have received correspondence from the family's legal representatives today which is being carefully considered.

'During any investigation we keep conduct matters under constant review and take decisions based on the evidence available.

'At this stage we have no indication that any of the officers involved may have breached police professional standards or committed a criminal offence.

'This will be kept under review during the investigation.

'We will work to complete the investigation as quickly as possible and we are carrying out a thorough and robust examination of all the evidence.

'We are committed to keeping Mr Omishore's family updated.'
A COVID-19 ward nurse rests at a hospital in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. Yonhap



By Lee Yeon-woo



Nurses, along with other healthcare workers, have been lauded as heroes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as they have been at the forefront of the fight against the virus that has continued for nearly three years.



Their treatment, however, has been undergoing a drastic shift as the daily numbers of COVID-19 infections fall.



With the closure of COVID-19 wards in hospitals, they are being asked to either quit or take voluntary leaves of absence.



Some have followed the "advice," taking leave or moving to other departments unrelated to their area of expertise. Some quit, according to Rep. Kang Sun-woo of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).



The Korean Nurses Association conducted an online survey of 764 nurses working at 245 hospitals across the country from Sept. 19 to 25 to figure out how many nurses have experienced job insecurity.



The survey found six out of every 10 nurses couldn't return to the departments they had worked in previously before being moved to COVID-19 wards. They were asked to resign or forced to go on unpaid leave.



One out of 10 nurses said they were encouraged to take annual leave when they didn't want to, transferred for short-term work in various departments within a relatively short time or sent to assist other departments completely unrelated to their area of training.



When asked how they felt about unwanted transfers, the nurses said they suffered extreme stress and anger over being taken for granted by hospitals and had feelings of job insecurity.



The survey showed that 83 percent of respondents have been transferred to other departments without their consent. One-third of them wasn't given advance notice of being transferred and half of them didn't receive orientation or training before they were newly assigned.



"Nurses have endured the extreme workload and the risks because they believed their hard work was socially recognized and supported. But, now they feel betrayed and angry as they were 'dumped' right after COVID-19 stabilized," the Korean Nurses Association said.



The association also urged the government to prepare practical safety measures and compensation plans for nurses who risked their lives during the pandemic.



"For the last three years, nurses have fought on the front-lines against COVID-19. But as the number of patients decreases, they are considered surplus labor and are mistreated at work," Rep. Kang said.



"The situation has grown worse as the government's administrative orders have fluctuated according to COVID-19 trends, while hospitals have dealt with nurses' personnel matters lopsidedly. The government should come up with measures for the nurses who worked in COVID-19 wards."


A former prison officer has been handed a suspended prison sentence after a relationship with the son of a Ghanian High Court Judge serving life for murder led to her having his child.

Kathryn Trevor, 29, from Kent, was in a relationship with a Ghanaian national David Quartey at HMP Maidstone between February 21 2020 and September 25 2021.

A court heard Trevor had sex with Quartey in his cell while he was locked up in the prison in Kent, and gave birth to their son in August last year.

She used an alias to contact Quartey while not on duty and was sharing information with his family abroad.

Quartey had an illicitly-held mobile phone on which she was saved in his contacts list as 'My True Love'.

Trevor was also aware the prisoner was in possession of the illegal mobile phone and contacted him on it, rather than reporting it to prison security.

She was said to have 'fallen under his spell' a year after she had returned to work following allegations of an affair with another inmate.

Prison officer Kathryn Trevor, 29, had a relationship with the inmate for a year and a half, resulting in her having his child

David Quartey was sentenced to life in jail in 2008 for stabbing his legal guardian to death

When her relationship with Quartey was being investigated, she told a colleague she became 'too emotionally-involved' with prisoners.

Quartey, now in his early 30s, had been jailed for life in August 2008, after stabbing his guardian, consultant paediatrician Dr Victoria Anyetei, 54, more than 50 times on the driveway of her home in Dartford, Kent, in 2007.

This amounted to wilful misconduct and neglect of duty in public office.

Prosecutor Sarah Lindop told Maidstone Crown Court Trevor was working on the wing where Quartey was housed when the category C prison was alerted in October 2020 that she was having an affair with an inmate.

Miss Lindop said that due to the previous allegations in 2019, which led to Trevor being sacked but then reinstated after an appeal found there was insufficient evidence to support those claims, intelligence suggesting another sexual relationship was taken 'particularly seriously'.

She then informed her bosses in March last year that she was pregnant and was taken off Quartey's wing. However, this led to his permitted calls being monitored to see if they were in contact.

Miss Lindop said they were translated and revealed that his family in Ghana, including his father David Quartey Snr, was acting as 'something of a go-between' for Quartey and Trevor, who passed on information to them, including a phone number on which her inmate lover could contact her.

The pair had sex in Quartey's cell in HMP Maidstone (pictured) and communicated using his illicit mobile phone

Trevor was charged with two counts of wilfully neglecting to perform her duty/wilful misconduct while holding public office on March 3, and on April 29 she pleaded guilty to both counts at Maidstone Crown Court.

She appeared at the same court on Monday where she was sentenced to a total of 20 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Judge Catherine Moore told her she had 'narrowly escaped' being sent to prison solely due to the impact such a punishment would have on her young son.

'In most cases, almost inevitably, there are factors which indicate it would not be appropriate to suspend a sentence in a case such as this,' she told the sobbing mum.

'Not only is there a need to punish but also to deter others who seek to exploit the position of power they hold over prisoners.

'I make it very plain that were it not for the position of your son and the age of your son, the sentence would have been immediate custody,' she told the sobbing mum.

Detective Constable Nick Gossage, of the South East Regional Prison Intelligence Team (SERPIT) counter corruption team, said: 'Trevor was employed to ensure the safety and good order of the prison she worked in.

'Her behaviour over an extended period of time undermined this, putting her colleagues and the prisoners at risk.

'Her conviction should serve as a reminder to those that hold a position of power and trust that it is not to be abused and that action will be taken against them if they act in this way.'
A Texas mother has been charged with murdering her five-year-old daughter by strangling and stabbing her while she pleaded 'but I've been good!' in an unspeakable act of violence.

Melissa Towne, 37, is in custody for the murder of her five-year-old daughter.

On Sunday, Melissa showed up at a hospital in Tomball, Texas, with her daughter in the passenger seat of the car.

The child was wrapped in a laundry mesh bag, had bruising around her neck and face.

Melissa Towne, 37, is in custody for the murder of her five-year-old daughter. On Sunday, Melissa showed up at a hospital in Tomball, Texas, with in the passenger seat of the car. The child was wrapped in a laundry mesh bag, had bruising around her neck and face

Her throat had been cut with a knife similar to one found in her mother's pocket.

Upon questioning by police, Melissa admitted to killing the child, who she described as 'evil'.

She said she 'didn't want to deal with her anymore', so decided to kill her in the woods.

She told detectives that the girl pleaded 'but I've been good' as she strangled her.

Melissa, ignoring her daughter's pleas, told her not to 'fight her'.

Charging documents describe how she drove the child to a wooded park where she slit her throat.

When she didn't die, she put a plastic bag around her head to suffocate her, and also strangled her.

Melissa then drove to a hospital with her daughter's body to the hospital.

She walked inside and asked for help, telling nurses her daughter was in the car and that her body was 'hurting'.

A nurse then waked outside to the woman's Jeep Cherokee, where she saw the child inside. Her head was wrapped in plastic and her throat had been slit.

A judge set Melissa's bond at $15million on Monday. It remains unclear why she was lookin after the girl on Sunday.

According to local outlet KHOU, Melissa did not have legal custody of her. The child's father has not been named.

She has three other children aged between two and 18 who are all 'safe and accounted for'.

It's unclear why she was allowed to look after the five-year-old child on the day in question.

Towne's arrest history includes arrests for assault, trespassing and vandalism.
Four Oklahoma men who were last seen riding their bicycles more than a week ago before being shot dead and dismembered were planning to commit a crime, police have said.

Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice said the bodies found late last week in the Deep Fork River are those of Mark, 32, and Billy Chastain, 30, Mike Sparks, 32, and Alex Stevens, 29.

The men were believed to have left a house in Okmulgee on bicycles the evening of October 9.

The police chief said the official cause of death was pending but that all four men had gunshot wounds and that their bodies had been dismembered.

Officers said they suspect the men had been planning to commit 'some kind of criminal act' before they were butchered.

It comes as a scrapyard owner who was named as a person of interest in the case has mysteriously vanished.

Mark Chastain (left), 32, and his brother Billy (right), 30, were among four cyclists whose bodies were found dismembered and dumped in a river in Oklahoma

The group was reported missing last Monday and a witness claimed to see them walk along a street at 2am on Tuesday. Pictured: Mike Sparks (left) and Alex Stevens (right)

The dismembered bodies were found in the Deep Fork River in Oklahoma, pictured

Investigators had been searching for Mark Chastain, 32, Billy Chastain, 30, Mike Sparks, 32, and Alex Stevens, 29, since they were last seen Sunday. The scene is pictured on Monday

Joe Kennedy, 67, the owner of several scrapyards, is currently missing

Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice told a news conference: 'This is now a murder investigation.'

Police also interviewed a man Friday who owns a scrapyard in the area, but that man has since been reported missing and may be suicidal, Prentice said. No charges have been filed.

Joe Kennedy, 67, owns several scrap yards in the area. He has not been named a suspect in the case but he has also not been able to be located. The chief asked the public to report any sightings of him.

A blue PT Cruiser that he was driving was found behind a business on Monday afternoon in Morris, Oklahoma, about six miles east of Okmulgee, reports Fox News.

Kennedy was cooperative with authorities Friday night and denied knowing the four victims, Chief Prentice said.

Kennedy is serving probation after pleading guilty to assault and battery with a deadly weapon in 2012 reports The Oklahoman.

He told sheriff's deputies how he caught six alleged burglars at one of his salvage yards and shot one of them. The others fled.

Investigators found the first remains on Friday and determined over the weekend that the victims died from gunshot wounds before they were cut up and dumped into the river.

Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice discusses the bodies discovered in the Deep Fork River in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on Monday

Officials investigate a bridge near the Deep Fork River where bodies were found in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, on Monday

A nearby scrap yard is also being searched. The owner, Joe Kennedy, 67, has since disappeared

A passerby saw something suspicious in the river near a bridge, police said. The bicycles have not yet been found, Prentice said.

'All four bodies were dismembered before being placed in the river and that is what caused the difficulty in determining identity,' Prentice said. 'The river appears to be a dump site. Whenever water is involved it makes it much more difficult to identify evidence,' he said.

'The family members were upset. I think they had already resolved themselves that this was their loved ones, but the additional information about dismemberment was obviously a shock, they were very distraught,' he revealed.

The men were reported missing after leaving Billy Chastain's home in Okmulgee on bicycles around 8pm on October 9.

The men were reported missing after leaving Billy Chastain's, left, home in Okmulgee on bicycles around 8pm on October 9. Billy's brother Mark, pictured right

Mikel Sparks was one of the sets of male human remains discovered in the Deep Fork River

The body of Alex Stevens was also discovered in the river on Monday

Billy Chastain is pictured alongside his wife in a photo from Facebook

Mikel Sparks is seen with wife Chrystal in a photo posted to Facebook

Prentice said investigators believe the men intended to 'commit some sort of criminal act' that night. A witness told police that the men invited him to join them and would 'hit a lick big enough for all of them.'

'I've worked over 80 murders in my career,' Prentice said. 'I have worked murders involving multiple victims. I have worked dismemberments. But this case involves the highest number of victims and it's a very violent event.'

Kennedy, is considered a person of interest in the case after 'evidence of a violent event' was discovered on an adjacent property, Prentice said. Police were led to that area by a ping from Mark Chastain's phone.

The men were all from Okmulgee, which has a population of around 11,000 and is about 40 miles south of Tulsa.
During his presidency, Donald Trump's hotels charged Secret Service agents more than five times the government rate while they were tasked with protecting the former president, according to a new report by the House Oversight Committee.

Beginning in January 2017 through September 15, 2021 the Secret Service obtained more than 40 waivers to spend beyond the recommended per diem rates at Trump properties to protect the Trump family during and after his presidency.

On March 8, 2017 agents spent $1,160 for a room at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. to watch over Eric Trump, according to a ledger obtained by the Oversight Committee. The recommended government rate for that day in D.C. was $242.

During his presidency, Donald Trump's hotels charged Secret Service agents more than five times the government rate while they were tasked with protecting the former president, according to a new report by the House Oversight Committee

On Nov. 8, 2017 another ledger shows Secret Service shelled out $1,185 to lodge agents protecting Donald Trump Jr. when the government rate was $201.

The new billing documents show taxpayers paid at least $1.4 million for agents' stays at Trump Organization properties, according to a figure first reported by the Washington Post.

'The exorbitant rates charged to the Secret Service and agents' frequent stays at Trump-owned properties raise significant concerns about the former President's self-dealing and may have resulted in a taxpayer-funded windfall for former President Trump's struggling businesses,' Oversight chairwoman Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., wrote in a letter to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.

The records go against what Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, has claimed - that the company often let agents stay at Trump properties 'at cost' or sometimes free. He denied that Trump Organization profited off the federal government.

'Any services rendered to the United States Secret Service or other government agencies at Trump owned properties, were at their request and were either provided at cost, heavily discounted or for free,' he said in a statement. 'The company would have been substantially better off if hospitality services were sold to full-paying guests, however, the company did whatever it took to accommodate the agencies to ensure they were able to do their jobs at the highest levels.'

Beginning in January 2017 through Sept. 15, 2021 the Secret Service obtained more than 40 waivers to spend beyond the recommended per diem rates at Trump properties to protect the Trump family during and after his presidency

On March 8, 2017 agents spent $1,160 for a room at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. to watch over Eric Trump

On Nov. 8, 2017 another ledger shows Secret Service shelled out $1,185 to lodge agents protecting Donald Trump Jr. when the government rate was $201

Maloney noted that the records turned over did not include the agency's payments for Trump's visits to Mar-a-Lago or some visits to his Bedminster, N.J. property or for stays at Trump properties outside of the U.S. such as Trump's Scotland resort above

The documents provided by the committee are only a fraction of the Secret Service's expenses at Trump properties during and after his presidency. Trump visited his own properties more than 500 times during his presidency.

In 2019 Eric Trump claimed the Trump Organization was saving taxpayers huge amounts of money by allowing agents to stay at its properties.

'If my father travels, they stay at our properties free,' he said. 'So everywhere that he goes, if he stays at one of his places, the government actually spends, meaning it saves a fortune because if they were to go to a hotel across the street, they'd be charging them $500 a night, whereas, you know we charge them, like $50.'

In 2020 he made a similar claim. 'We provide the rooms at cost and could make far more money renting them to members or guests,' he said.

'Given the long-standing concerns surrounding the former President's conflicts of interest and efforts to profit off the presidency, the committee has a strong interest in obtaining a complete accounting of federal government spending at Trump properties,' Maloney wrote. 'The Committee continues to examine potential legislation to prevent presidential self-dealing and profiteering, as well as to curb conflicts of interest by ensuring that future presidents are prevented from exercising undue influence on Secret Service spending. '

She noted that the records turned over did not include the agency's payments for Trump's visits to Mar-a-Lago or some visits to his Bedminster, N.J. property or for stays at Trump properties outside of the U.S.
A 15-year-old boy has died after falling from a multi-storey car park in Birmingham city centre today.

Police and ambulance crews dashed to the iconic Selfridges building in Moor Street at around 12.30pm.

The road was cordoned off and closed in both directions while an air ambulance landed nearby.

The teenager was rushed to hospital by land ambulance but died a short time later.

West Midlands Police have confirmed they are not treating the death as suspicious.

A 15-year-old boy has died after falling from a multi-storey car park in Birmingham city centre today

The road was cordoned off and closed in both directions while an air ambulance landed nearby

A police spokesperson said: 'We were called after a teenage boy fell from a multi-storey car park on Moor Street in Birmingham city centre around 12.30pm today.

'The 15-year-old was sadly confirmed dead shortly afterwards.

'There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, which will be referred to the coroner.

'Our thoughts are with his family, and the rest of the community, at this distressing time.'

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'We were called to a medical emergency at 12.23pm to near Moor Street Car Park, Birmingham.

Police and ambulance crews dashed to the iconic Selfridges building in Moor Street at around 12.30pm

'Three ambulances, two paramedic officers, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford, a MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic were responded to the scene.

'On arrival crews found a patient in a critical condition and commenced advanced trauma care.

'The patient was conveyed to hospital by land ambulance for further emergency treatment.'
New York Mayor Eric Adams has claimed that there is only a perception that crime in the Big Apple is out of control despite eight people being murdered on the subway system this year.

Adams claims that he and law enforcement are fighting the actual crime, with the average of six crimes a day on the subway not giving the impression that it is out of control.

Slayings on the transportation network have skyrocketed to the highest annual levels in 25 years, as NYPD data shows the city is grappling with an overall spike in random violence.

The number of murders on the subway system from 2020 to this year is 22  more than the number from 2008 to 2019 combined.

Between 1997 and 2020, there were never more than five murders a year on New York City subway trains.

That number rose to six in 2020, eight in 2021 and it's already at eight with two-and-half months left of the year.

Overall felony crime on the subways it up 42 per cent this year compared to the same period in 2021, but ridership has almost halved.

New York Mayor Eric Adams has claimed that there is only a perception that crime in the Big Apple is out of control despite eight people being murdered on the subway system this year

Jayjon Burnett, 15, was killed on Friday afternoon - just six days before his 16th birthday - during a chaotic dispute between two groups on a Far Rockaway A train in Queens, New York

In 2019, an average of 142million people rode the subway every month - around four million people a day. Now, the monthly rider average is 81million.

Crime in the city has surged by 31 per cent this year, while shooting incident are down according to information released by the NYPD in June.

While shootings incidents were up by seven in June compared to May, the city saw a 12 per cent decline year-to-date.

Adams, speaking at an unrelated event, admitted that there are too many guns on the streets of New York, but added that the NYPD has done an amazing job confiscating thousands of firearms.

The mayor, who had sirens in the background as he spoke about the rise in crime, said: We are dealing with actual crimes those 8 homicides and the perception of fear that people are feeling.

Thats the combination I must deal with, that perception and the actual crime.

'But we cant get away with the fact that we have 3.5 million people using our subway system.

Crime in New York City has been running rampant, rising overall by 31.8 percent from last year alone

Keyondre Russell, 18, who is being held without bail in the shooting death of a teen inside a Queens subway car claims he is actually the victim and that he was only acting in self-defense

We have to be honest about that and those average of six crimes a day is not giving the impression that it is out of control.

His comments come just days after Jayjon Burnett, 15, was shot dead on Friday afternoon during a dispute between two groups on a Far Rockaway A train in New York.

Keyondre Russell, 18, is being held without bail on murder charges in relation to the killing, but claims that he is the real victim  saying Burnett shot him first and he acted in self-defence.

The latest in the transit killings come after officials have repeatedly promised to flood subway platforms and care with more police officers, under Adams Subway Safety Plan.

Adams added: Too many guns are on the street, there is no condolence or consolation if youre shot on the subway or on the street.

We brought down homicides, brought down victims of shooters, we continue to do the job.

The NYPD is hunting a deranged thug who pushed a man in front of an oncoming train at random on Saturday morning, leaving Good Samaritans to rescue him with just seconds to spare

This is the moment the thug ran towards the victim and pushed him into the path of the train before fleeing the station

'Our police department done an amazing job but everyone must play their role.

'Judges must keep shooters in jail lawmakers make sure we dont make laws that allow them to return to our streets - we have to prosecute these cases

There are too many gins on our streets, those that are on the streets are also on the subway systems, they are also in our schools.

They are everywhere we are as innocent New Yorkers, there are too many guns on our streets.

In January, a 40-year-old woman, Michelle Go, was killed after she was pushed in front of a train at the Times Square Station.

Her accused assailant was sent to a psychiatric facility after prosecutors declined to challenge a mental evaluation that found him unfit to stand trial.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said last month it would install cameras in all New York City subway cars at a cost of some $3.5 million.

The MTA pointed out that homicides per million riders dropped 18 per cent between 2021 and 2022 but acknowledged violence is never acceptable.

In a statement they said: Theres no way to console those who have lost loved ones, and with murders dropping this year citywide by 14%, we are confident the NYPD will bring the same success to the transit system.
The family of a British woman who joined a cult in Kenya during the coronavirus pandemic have won the right to have her body undergo a post-mortem examination to prove their suspicions she was murdered.

Lutfunisa Kwandwalla, 44, from Leicester, travelled to Kenya in 2019 to visit members of her husband's family.

But she became stuck in the East African nation when the Covid-19 pandemic swept the world due to lockdown rules and travel restrictions, and according to her family became a member of a cult.

Kwandwalla was found dead at the home of a so-called spiritual leader in Kenya's eastern coastal city of Mombasa in 2020.

But officials claimed she had passed away from natural causes and there was no investigation into her death, nor were any arrests made.

Lutfunisa Kwandwalla, 44, from Leicester, traveled to Kenya in 2019 to visit members of her husband's family, but turned up dead a year later in Mombasa

Now, her distraught family have won a court battle to force Kenyan authorities to exhume Kwandwalla's corpse and perform a post-mortem to check for signs she was killed, the BBC reported.

'The court order is a victory for justice - it was touch and go,' Kwandwalla's brother Imran Admani said.

'It was an emotional moment as well as a moment of joy,' he added.

Kwandwalla's family claim she was killed by cult members and her burial was rushed in an attempt to conceal evidence of her murder.

Kwandwalla's brother Imran Admani spoke of the family's joy at winning a court battle to have her body exhumed

Two years on from her death, nobody has been arrested and there are no investigations into the case.

But her family are hopeful that the post-mortem will reveal Kwandwalla was in fact the victim of a murderous cult leader.

'The next stage to establish if it was foul play is to get to the body. Hopefully very soon we will get to know what happened to her,' Admani said.

Cultism hit the headlines in Kenya in October 2019 when the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced it was investigating two deaths it had attributed to extreme groups.

Earlier that month, a catholic priest was found buried in shallow grave in Embu County, eastern Kenya, while materials belonging to a secret society cult were recovered from the suspected killer's house, according to The East African.

Police also linked the death of the son of prominent University of Nairobi lecturer Hannah Khahugani Inyama to cultism.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday that Trump's comments were 'anti-Semitic,' adding: 'But let's be clear - for years now, Donald Trump has aligned with extremist and anti-Semitic figures'

The White House on Monday condemned former President Donald Trump for telling American Jews to be 'more appreciative' of his administration's work in Israel 'before it's too late.'

Trump stirred outrage with the statement posted to his Truth Social app on Sunday morning, where the ex-president also claimed he was so popular in Israel that he could be its next prime minister.

'Donald Trump's comments were anti-Semitic, as you all know, and insulting, both to Jews and to our Israeli allies,' Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at her daily briefing. 'But let's be clear - for years now, Donald Trump has aligned with extremist and anti-Semitic figures.'

The Biden official headed off accusations of partisanship, pointing out the administration's forceful response to the shockingly racist leaked audio from Los Angeles County officials last week.

'Just like we called out our Democratic friends and colleagues last week, and we will condemn and call this out as well,' Jean-Pierre said. 'So we need to root out anti-Semitism everywhere it rears its ugly head. We need to call this out.'

'With respect to Israel, our relationship is ironclad. And it's rooted in shared values and interests.'

In a final shot at the ex-president, she added: 'Donald Trump clearly doesn't understand that either.'

The message, posted on his Truth Social app, immediately made the rounds on Twitter where it was condemned through the morning. Trump was accused of making a veiled threat against American Jews during a period where extremist violence is already becoming more prevalent.

It comes soon after a famous ally of his, rapper Ye who was previously known as Kanye West, was removed from Instagram and Twitter for a string of anti-Semitic comments.

Jean-Pierre declined to weigh in when asked about Ye's recent bid to buy right-wing social media platform Parler, which is run by the husband of conservative activist Candace Owens, but circled back to criticize the comments that got him kicked off of every other mainstream social media site.

'As you know, when it comes to these types of purchases, or agreements, I can't speak to that. So that's not something - the actual agreement or interaction, I can't speak to that,' she said.

'But what I can speak to is hateful rhetoric, what I can speak to is insulting rhetoric...What I can speak to is anti-Semitism, which is hateful, it is dangerous.

'And we are going to continue to condemn that type of language because at the end of the day, it is disgusting. And it is there is no room absolutely no room, no place in our political discourse, to be having that type of really vile conversation or comments being made.'

Trump said on Sunday morning, 'No President has done more for Israel than I have. Somewhat surprisingly, however, our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S.'

'Those living in Israel, though, are a different story - Highest approval rating in the World, could easily be P.M.!' he claimed.

'U.S. Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel - Before it is too late!'

It's worth noting that Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is a devout Jew. Trump's daughter Ivanka converted to Judaism before marrying Kushner.

The Anti-Defamation League accused Trump of 'Jewsplaining' in a statement to DailyMail.com.

Donald Trump has previously been accused of spouting anti-Semitism, but his most recent comments come against the backdrop of rising threats to vulnerable groups across the country

Trump told American Jews to 'appreciate what they have in Israel' in his Sunday morning post

'We don't need the former president, who curries favor with extremists and antisemites, to lecture us about the US-Israel relationship,' ADL CEO and National Director Jonathan Greenblatt said.

'It is not about a quid pro quo; it rests on shared values and security interests. This "Jewsplaining" is insulting and disgusting.'

Critics on Twitter also immediately went after the alarming remarks.

Aviva Klompas, co-founder of the group Boundless Israel, accused Trump of threatening US Jews in his post.

'And heres Trump adding fuel to the antisemitic dumpster fire by demanding American Jews show loyalty to him because of Israel. And he tops it all off with a veiled threat,' Klompas wrote.

Lawyer David Leopold, who served on the Biden-Harris transition team, said: 'A lot of antisemitism to unpack here. But one thing is clear; Trump has no problem threatening American Jews.'

'[H]ow extraordinary to hear an anti-Semitic fascist billionaire begging for support from Jews,' journalist Craig Unger wrote on the platform.

Lawyer Jennifer Taub wrote: 'Donald Jacka** Trump just threatened Jewish people in America.'

Trump has made similar religiously divisive remarks, including in 2019 when he called American Jewish voters who supported Democrats 'disloyal.'

He was also under fire in December 2021 when told Israeli-based journalist Barak Ravid for his book that it was 'dangerous' that more American Jews on the left did not support Israel - again throwing in the 'Evangelical' comparison.

Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner (pictured, far left, with Trump in Israel) is a devout Jew

Trump's daughter Ivanka, who converted to Judaism to marry Kushner, is seen at the unveiling of the US's embassy in Jerusalem

They also have a close relationship with Israel's former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

'Its a very dangerous thing thats happening,' Trump said, according to Ravid.

'Theres people in this country that are Jewish and no longer love Israel. Ill tell you, the evangelical Christians love Israel more than the Jews in this country.'

The comments earned backlash from civil rights groups like the Anti-Defamation League.

American Jews have historically been a pro-Democrat voting bloc, a trend that did not change in the 2020 presidential race.

During his White House tenure, Trump had been a close ally of Israel's then-conservative government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.

His upending of decades of US policy in the fragile region - including moving the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem - earned praise from conservative Jews at home and abroad.

Trump also shared a famously close relationship with Netanyahu himself, with both right-wing leaders often heaping public praise on the other.

In a show of appreciation for his support, Netanyahu named one of Israel's controversial planned settlements after Trump.

Trump made several pro-Israel moves while in office that were lauded by conservative Jews at home and abroad, including pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal (pictured: Trump visits the Western Wall in Jerusalem in May 2017)

But Trump turned against his friend when the prime minister phoned President Joe Biden after he won the 2020 election.

'The first person that congratulated [Biden] was Bibi Netanyahu, the man that I did more for than any other person I dealt with,' Trump told journalist Barak Ravid for his book.

'Bibi could have stayed quiet. He has made a terrible mistake,' Trump apparently said.

And while not so much a new sentiment, Trump's Sunday morning tirade comes against the backdrop of a troubling rise in threats and attacks targeting vulnerable groups.

A new wave of anti-Semitism in America has prompted synagogues and other Jewish community centers to be on high alert across the country.

Rapper Ye, tweeted last week that he would go 'death con 3' on Jewish people, which got him removed off the site.

Some conservative pundits and members of the fringe-right leapt to his defense, claiming he was censored for exercising his free speech.

It emerged afterwards that an interview he did around the same time with Fox News' Tucker Carlson was edited to remove wild claims like that Planned Parenthood was created to 'control the Jew populations' with eugenics.
Ukrainian citizens staged a protest outside the capital's Iranian embassy this evening, demanding that Iran cease its export of drones for Russia to wage its war

Emergency services said the overall death toll in the capital is four but several more have been wounded

But a swarm of the Iranian-made kamikaze drones attacked Kyiv this morning in the latest Russian strikes

UK, US and France say Iran's export of drones for Russian strikes on Ukraine violates a key UN resolution

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Britain, the US and France have claimed that Iran's export of 'kamikaze drones' to Russia, which have been deployed in multiple attacks on Ukrainian urban and civilian centres, violates a key UN security council resolution and a landmark 2015 nuclear deal.

Ukraine has reported a spate of Russian attacks using Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks, the most recent of which saw a husband and his six-months-pregnant wife killed in Kyiv this morning.

'Earlier today our French and British allies publicly offered the assessment that Iran's supply of these UAVs (for) Russia is a violation of UN Security Council resolution 2231,' A US State Department spokesperson said. 'This is something that we agree with.'

Resolution 2231 endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - that limited Tehran's uranium enrichment activity, making it harder for Iran to develop nuclear arms while lifting international sanctions.

Under the resolution, a conventional arms embargo on Iran was in place until October 2020, but Western diplomats said the resolution still includes restrictions on missiles and related technologies that last until October 2023 and that encompass the export and purchase of advanced military systems such as drones.

Iran has not confirmed the delivery of its drones to Russia, and the Kremlin has not confirmed their use in Ukraine.

But at least five explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital from around 3.30am local time as waves of what are believed to be Shahed-136 drones dodged air defences and slammed into the city, with police and armed forces resorting to firing machine guns into the air in an attempt to bring them down.

Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed that a six-months-pregnant wife and her young husband were among those who had been killed. He posted on social media, saying: 'A husband and wife who were expecting a child. The woman was six months pregnant.'

Emergency services said the overall death toll in the capital from today's attacks has risen to four, while several more have been wounded.

One of the drones appeared to be emblazoned with the phrase 'for Belgorod' - a Russian city that acts as a staging ground for attacks on Ukraine which was shelled at the weekend.

Today's attacks prompted Ukrainian citizens to protest outside of the Iranian embassy in Kyiv, waving their national flag and demanding that the Iranian government cease the delivery of more deadly drones to Russia.

Astonishing images capture the moment a suicide drones dives towards the streets of Kyiv (left) and the moment people run for shelter after it explodes (right)

A ball of smoke and flames rises over the streets of Kyiv as the city is bombarded by a swarm of Iranian-made kamikaze drones early on Monday, hitting residential areas and energy infrastructure

A police official holds a fragment of a drone with a handwritten inscription reading 'For Belgorod. For Luch' after the attack on Kyiv this morning

Smoke billows from the ruins of a building in Kyiv destroyed by a suicide drone after the city was attacked early on Monday, as Russian forces continue to target the Ukrainian capital

Today's attacks on Kyiv prompted Ukrainian citizens to protest en-masse outside of the Iranian embassy, waving their national flag and demanding that the Iranian government cease the delivery of more deadly drones to Russia

Activists protest against Iran allegedly supplying drones to Russia in front of the Iranian embassy after a Russian drone strike in the morning, which local authorities consider to be Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Shahed-136

Firefighters extinguish a blaze started by an Iranian-made suicide drone which hit Kyiv on Monday, as Russian forces change tactics to bring death back to the streets of the capital after weeks of calm

Ukrainian firefighters works on a destroyed building after a drone attack in Kyiv which hit multiple residential buildings

A police officer fires his rifle into the air as he tries to take down a suicide drone attacking Kyiv early on Monday as Russia keeps up its attack on Ukraine's vital infrastructure

An Iranian-made suicide drone, launched by Russia, is seen flying above Kyiv after dozens of the craft were sent to swarm the capital - blowing up civilian buildings and power infrastructure

One drone strike today appeared to target Kyiv's heating network, hitting an operations centre. Another slammed into a four-story residential building, ripping a large hole in it and collapsing at least three apartments on top of each other. Rescue workers searching for victims scrambled over the debris from which gray smoke billowed.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drones strikes were aimed at 'terrorising the civilian population' but vowed: 'The enemy can attack our cities but it won't be able to break us.'

It comes a week after a huge barrage of Russian missiles and Iranian-made kamikaze drones targeted virtually every major Ukrainian city, destroying infrastructure and killing civilians after a blast on the Crimean Bridge.

Russia has continued striking cities and infrastructure since then - albeit at a lower intensity - having apparently changed tactics in the war after a humiliating series of defeats on the battlefield.

The strikes also came as Nato this week begins nuclear weapons drills that will take place in northern Europe.

Nato is set to start military drills, practising the use of Europe's nuclear bombs, today after Russian president Vladimir Putin warned a direct clash between the alliance and Russia would spark 'global catastrophe'.

Its annual nuclear exercise Steadfast Noon, which does not involve live bombs, will see up to 60 aircrafts take part in flights over Belgium, the North Sea and Britain.

A security officer uses his rifle to try and take down a suicide drone attacking the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early on Monday

Medics help an injured woman following drone strikes on buildings in Kyiv after being launched by Russian troops

A woman carries her young child out of a Kyiv bomb shelter on Monday morning after the city was attacked by suicide drones launched by Russia

Ukrainian soldiers and firefighters pick their way through the ruins of residential buildings and energy infrastructure targeted by the Russian airstrikes

Damage is seen on the streets of Kyiv after the central Shevchenkivskiy district was hit by Iranian-made suicide drones

Firefighters work in the smouldering ruins of an apartment block in Kyiv that was hit by a suicide drone early Monday

A cat pulled from the rubble of an apartment building that was hit by a suicide drone is handed to medics after being rescued

A Ukrainian soldier looks to the sky after Iranian suicide drones bombarded the Ukrainian capital on Monday

Vitaliy Klitschko, mayor of Kyiv, said the central Shevchenkivskiy district was targeted by blasts which hit several residential buildings, burying at least 18 people in rubble - two of whom remain trapped. Oksana Kovalenko, a local journalist, said critical energy infrastructure was also hit.

The Iranian-made Shaheds, which Russia has rebranded as Geran-2 drones, pack an explosive charge and can linger over targets before nosediving into them. They can be fired one after the other.

Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president's office, confirmed in a social media post that Shahed drones were among those used in the strike. Iran has previously denied providing Russia with weapons, although its Revolutionary Guard chief has boasted about providing arms to the world's top powers, without elaborating.

The drones have also been repeatedly used by Russia elsewhere in Ukraine in recent weeks to target urban centres and infrastructure, including power stations. They are comparatively cheap, costing in the region of US$20,000.

Their use in swarms presents a challenge to Ukrainian air defenses, said Ihnat, the Air Force spokesman. Western nations have promised to bolster Ukrainian air defenses with systems that can shoot down drones but much of that weaponry has yet to arrive and, in some cases, may be months away.

'The challenges are serious because the air defense forces and means are the same as they were at the beginning of the war,' Ihnat said. Some air defense weaponry supplied by Western nations can only be used during daylight hours when targets are visible, he added.

Social media video showed drones buzzing over the capital and smoke billowing in the early morning light. The sound of sustained gunfire could also be heard in one post, seemingly trying to shoot a drone down.

Explosions were heard from the same central Kyiv district where a missile strike tore a hole in a children's playground a week ago.

Russian forces struck Kyiv with Iranian Shahed drones, wrote Yermak in a post on the Telegram social media site.

Moscow has repeatedly been using the so-called suicide drones in recent weeks to target urban centres and infrastructure, including power stations.

Last week's strikes were the first explosions heard in Kyiv's city centre for several months, and put the capital as well as the rest of the country back on edge as the war nears nine months.

Monday's blasts seemed to continue what many fear could become more common occurrences in urban centres.

Putin said last week's strikes were in retaliation for the bombing of a bridge connecting the Crimean peninsula with the Russian mainland.

Ukrainian rescuers work at the scene of a Russian drone attack in downtown Kyiv early on Monday

Firefighters examine the remains of an apartment block in central Kyiv that was hit by an explosive-laden drone

A handout photo released by the press service of the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine shows rescuers working at the site of a drone strike in Kyiv

The explosions came from the same central Kyiv district where a week ago a missile struck a children's playground and intersection near the Kyiv National Universitys main buildings

Smoke rises and flames fill the windows of a building in downtown Kyiv (right) after the Russian drone attack

Kyiv city mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said the central Shevchenkivskiy district of the capital had been hit, and urged residents to take shelter. No further details were immediately known

Rescuers work at the scene of a drone explosion in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, after Russian unleashed a wave of strikes

A fire burns in the remains of a building struck by Iranian-made Russian-launched suicide drones on Monday

Smoke billows from a building hit by a drone attack in downtown Kyiv as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues

Ukrainian police officers stand guard in a street after a drone attack in Kyiv

Nuclear plant severed from grid as generators power cooling system Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was disconnected from the national power grid on Monday following Russian shelling, prompting backup diesel generators to kick in, state nuclear energy firm Energoatom said. 'Russian terrorists once again shelled critical infrastructure substations in Ukraine-controlled territory, resulting in the shutdown of the last 750 kV ZNPP-Dniprovska communications line at 03:59,' it said in a statement. Russian forces have occupied the plant in southern Ukraine, Europe's largest, since shortly after invading Ukraine nearly eight months ago but it is operated by Ukrainian staff. Advertisement

Putin blames Ukraine for the blast, which suspended traffic over the bridge and curtailed Moscow's ability to supply its troops in the occupied regions of southern Ukraine.

The strike on Kyiv comes as fighting has intensified in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in recent days, as well as the continued Ukrainian counter-offensive in the south near Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Mr Zelensky said on Sunday night in his evening address that there was heavy fighting around the cities of Bakhmut and Soledar in the Donetsk region.

The Donetsk and Luhansk regions make up the bulk of the industrial east known as the Donbas, and were two of four regions annexed by Russia in September in defiance of international law.

On Sunday, the Russian-backed regime in the Donetsk region said Ukraine had shelled its central administrative building. No casualties were reported.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian kamikaze drones also hit tanks with sunflower oil at one of the terminals in the Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv late on Sunday, the city mayor said on Monday.

One of Ukraine's largest ports, Mykolaiv halted shipments at the start of the Russian invasion, but Ukraine is pushing to open the port to expand shipments of food under a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.

'In Mykolaiv, three drones hit an object of industrial infrastructure, where tanks with sunflower oil were ignited,' Mykolaiv mayor Oleksandr Senkevich.

The attack took place hours before the strikes in Kyiv by suspected Iranian-made drones, increasingly used by Russia to attack deep into Ukrainian territory.

The regional emergencies service published photos of huge tanks with flames and smoke rising over them.

Mykolaiv, near the Russian-occupied Kherson region, has been under constant shelling in recent months. Port terminals have already been hit at least twice - in June and August.

Ukraine is conducting a counter-offensive to push Russian troops out of the city of Kherson to the south-east.

As Putin looks to ramp up his war after eight months of fighting with few significant gains, it was revealed that 9,000 of his troops will deploy to Belarus.

The Kremlin claims the move is part of a defensive operation, but it has sparked fresh fears that Putin is trying to drag Belarus - which has so-far acted as a launch pad for Russian attacks but has not been directly involved in fighting - into the war.

Russia's defence ministry stated the decision to send soldiers into Belarus, for the first time since March, was 'dictated by the ongoing activity in the areas bordering us'.

Belarus borders Ukraine to the north, and if it were to join the war then its troops would almost certainly be directed in a new attack on Kyiv - which sits just 80 miles away across the Chernobyl exclusion zone.

Fuelling fears of an attack on the city, China this week ordered all of its citizens to leave the country while others - such as Serbia - closed their embassies in the capital.

A handout photo released by the press service of the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine shows rescuers working at the site of a drone strike in Kyiv

Firefighters work at the scene of a drone strike in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Monday morning

Police officers check an explosion site after a drone attack in Kyiv, with multiple blasts reported across the city

Police officers check the explosion site after a drone attack in Kyiv, as Russia changes tactics to focus on long-range strikes after a series of defeats on the battlefield

Firefighters clear the streets of Kyiv after the area was struck by kamikaze drones fired by Russian forces

A man is surrounded by dust in Kyiv after a drone strike nearby, as Russia changes tactics in Ukraine to focus on bombarding its major cities

Social media posts showed a blaze in the area of the strike as well as a building engulfed in flames

Smoke rises from a building after a drone attack in Kyiv amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Residents watch as smoke rises after a Russian drone strike on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv

Flames billow from a sunflower oil storage plant in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, on the Black Sea coast, on Sunday night after the facility was hit by suicide drones

Ukraine said Iranian-made and Russian-launched suicide drones hit the sunflower oil storage facility at the port, causing a large fire that emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish

Firefighters work at a site of a sunflower oil storage tanks fire after Russian kamikaze drone strikes on the city of Mykolaiv
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A homeless woman charged with the murder, rape and torture of a 12-year-old girl allegedly 'took the girl to her sister's flat and forced her to take a shower' before the child was found dead in a suitcase in Paris.

Dahbia B, a 24-year-old originally from Algeria with 'extreme psychological problems', was indicted by magistrates today over the gruesome killing of Lola Daviet on Friday.

Prosecutors said in a press release Monday that under questioning, the woman made 'varying statements, switching between admitting and denying the facts of the case.'

But she eventually said she had brought Lola to her sister's apartment in the same building, where she forced her to take a shower.

The woman said she had then 'committed harm of a sexual nature and other violent acts against (Lola) that caused her death, and hid her body in the trunk,' prosecutors said.

The schoolgirl was found tied up inside the plastic suitcase near her home with the numbers '1' and '0' imprinted on her chest, and then left in the inner courtyard of a building in the French capital's north-east.

When the suspect, who has no criminal record but was the victim of domestic violence in 2018, was shown photographs of Lola's body, she allegedly replied: 'It does not make me hot or cold. I too was raped and saw my parents die in front of me.'

CCTV footage had emerged showing both the alleged killer and her victim next to the block of flats where Lola lived with her middle-class parents who owned properties across northern France.

Lola's mutilated body was later found near the building, in the city's 19th arrondissement, where she lived with her parents Delphine and Johan.

'The suspect had boasted about selling body parts,' said an investigating source. 'Evidence suggests that the girl was taken into the basement of the flat, where she was tortured, and raped, before being strangled and having her throat cut.'

The source added: 'The suspect is believed to suffer with serious psychological problems. She was living on the street, but had friends and family in the Paris area.'

A judicial source confirmed Dahbia B was in custody charged with 'the murder of a child under 15, rape, and torture'.

Six people, including Dahbia B's older sister Friha B, were arrested in connection with the crime, including a 43-year-old man who faces charges over sheltering the suspect in his car. The other four have been released.

A murder probe has been launched into the death of the girl - named by French media as Lola Daviet - after her corpse was found tied up inside the plastic suitcase close to her home in the French capital late on Friday night

Lola is seen partially obscured by the door as she follows her suspected killer, pictured centre. The suspect is seen wearing a grey jumper, white leggings and trainers. Lola quickly followed her into the building

Lola is pictured in this CCTV footage still wearing a white coat and carrying what appears to be her schoolbag alongside the suspect

On Friday night after the body was discovered, three people were arrested near the scene.

Then a woman, who was spotted on CCTV with the schoolgirl hours before her death, was also held. Two others were also arrested and all are originally from Algeria, Le Parisien said.

Now it is thought the alleged killer 'acted alone and gratuitously' in allegedly carrying out the murder, according to judicial sources.

Lola's parents had called police after their daughter did not return from middle school on Friday afternoon.

The victim's mother went to police at 5pm on Friday evening when she became worried that her daughter had not returned home, and posted a desperate appeal for help on social media.

Mrs Daviet posted an image of Lola accompanied by the following message: 'Our daughter Lola was last seen at 3:20pm in the company of a woman we do not know in our residence.'

Her father, the custodian in the building, saw the unknown woman enter the building in Paris' 19th district alongside his daughter when he checked the CCTV recordings.

Witnesses later said they saw the woman dragging the suitcase which was 'stained with blood' and 'smelt strongly of bleach'.

An investigating source said: 'The alleged murderer somehow earned her victim's confidence and led her into a cellar below the building, where the attack happened.

'The attacker had been talking about selling organs and body parts, but none of this makes sense. She acted alone and gratuitously, and defiled her victim before killing her.'

Lola's parents are professional caretakers of a number of buildings in northern Paris, including the one where they live.

They also own two houses in the village of Fouquereuil, near Bethune, northern France, and a mobile holiday home in Rang-du-Fliers, on the English Channel coast. Friends have set up a fundraiser for the grief-stricken family.

Security stand outside the Georges Brassens middle school in Paris today as pupils returned shocked after the death of their classmate

Flower tributes to Lola were left outside her school this morning, with pupils offered psychological counselling

The victim's mother Delphine went to police at 5pm on Friday evening when she became worried that her daughter had not returned home

Lola was a pupil at the Georges Brassens school, just yards from her home.

Local residents placed flowers at the gate of the family's building over the weekend, an AFP reporter saw.

One mother told AFP that her daughter, another pupil who knew Lola by sight, was 'not doing well today, she doesn't want to go to school.'

'Today it's time for mourning and for the investigation, which seems to be progressing quickly,' 19th district mayor Francois Dagnaud said during a visit to the Georges-Brassens school.

'What's important is that the main suspect for now has been arrested, there's no psychopath roaming the streets of this neighbourhood,' he added after local parents reported fears for their children's safety.

'Of course, the fact that a 12-year-old child can die in such circumstances is overwhelming for everybody,' he added, saying that counselling would also be offered to local residents.

A homeless man was the first to discover the body, which sources familiar with the investigation said was hidden under cloths in a plastic box in the building's courtyard.

The victim was discovered with her feet and wrists bound, tape around her face and several cuts to her throat, just hours after she was reported missing by her parents when she failed to return after class.

She had numbers placed on her body by a 'device', rather than cut into her skin, according to a police source cited by French broadcaster BFMTV.

A post-mortem examination on Saturday concluded that she had died of asphyxiation following a physical attack that included a knife being used to cut her body.

Chilling security camera footage has emerged which showed the girl, dressed in a white outfit and carrying what appears to be a schoolbag, walking into her building behind a woman who witnesses claimed was later seen carrying the suitcase.

Lola's corpse was discovered on Friday evening by a homeless man who saw an abandoned suitcase on the street

A message reads 'Lola, rest in peace' along with a bouquet of flowers displayed outside her school three days after her death

The schoolgirl's face was covered in tape, her feet and fists were bound, and she had suffered several cuts to her throat, according to reports

A post-mortem examination on Saturday concluded that she had died of asphyxiation following a physical attack that included a knife being used to cut her body

One resident said he saw the suspect dragging the suitcase around two hours prior to Lola's disappearance, and was offered money to help her move it.

'We saw her go into the building, and she was dragging the suitcase with her,' he said. 'She did not seem right in the mind.'

Others saw the suspect drinking a coffee and eating a croissant as she appeared to 'try and work out what to do next'.

Police told French media they had uncovered signs of kidnapping in the basement of the building and launched a murder enquiry.

Investigators tracked her movements on CCTV cameras from the building and the surrounding area as well as using phone records and physical searches.

The 43-year-old man also questioned in custody on Monday admitted that he brought the 24-year-old woman to his home with the trunk and two suitcases, where he said she stayed for two hours before leaving again in a chauffeur-driven car he had called for her.

'What's important is that the main suspect for now has been arrested, there's no psychopath roaming the streets of this neighbourhood,' said 19th district mayor Francois Dagnaud said during a visit to the Georges-Brassens school.

'Of course, the fact that a 12-year-old child can die in such circumstances is overwhelming for everybody,' he added, saying that counselling would also be offered to local residents

Parisian officials indicated that staff and students of the Georges Brassens school, as well as neighbouring schools in the area, would receive psychological support.
The Band of the Scots Guards, a British Army band which provides musical support to the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, marches from Sungnyemun Gate to Seoul Plaza, Sunday, as the band takes part in a special changing of the guard ceremony with the Korea Traditional Honor Guard. The Band of the Scots Guards visited Korea and performed at various venues around Seoul including Lotte Tower and the British ambassador's residence. Newsis
He was found in Essex on Saturday morning and pronounced dead at the scene

Police think Mr Alpergin was forced into a van in north London on Thursday night

Met said a 55-year-old man was arrested in Tottenham on suspicion of murder

The body of a Turkish DJ, who roamed in the same circles as Mel B and 50 cent, was found in the woods after he and his girlfriend were kidnapped.

Koray Alpergin, 43, and a 33-year-old woman are believed to have been forced into a white van outside their house in Enfield, north London around 10.30pm on Thursday.

Mr Alpergin, who was the owner of London radio station Bizim FM, was found near Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate in Loughton, Essex at 11.55am on Saturday and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman, reportedly his girlfriend, has been located and is physically unharmed, police said in a statement.

Four men have been arrested in connection with the murder of the DJ. The Metropolitan Police said a 55-year-old man was arrested today around Tottenham, north London on suspicion of murder and has been taken into custody.

He is the fourth person to be arrested for the murder of Koray Alpergin, who police believe was forced into a white van with a 33-year-old woman outside their house in Enfield, north London at around 10.30pm on Thursday.

A fourth man has been arrested in connection with the murder of 43-year-old radio DJ Koray Alpergin (pictured)

The DJ's girlfriend had been visiting from Turkey, the Sun reports. She is now receiving specialist support from Met Police officers following the release from her abductors.

Mr Alpergin had shared photos of his Instagram globetrotting, meeting with famous singers, including American rapper 50 cent and Spice Girl Mel B.

He also posted photos of his family, particularly of his son Deniz and daughter Zara.

Yesterday his son paid tribute to his late father, writing online: 'You was the best father anyone could wish for.

'You taught me so many great lessons in life and I'm so grateful.'

Mr Alpergin's colleague Altan Akturk, 44, also reflected on the DJ's life.

The Bizim FM presenter said: 'Koray is a big star in the Turkish community with lots of followers. We are heartbroken'.

On Facebook, T-Vine, a Turkish-language magazine, wrote: 'He was a brilliant, universally loved man.

'Our deepest condolences to Korays family, friends & entire community.'

Anyone with any information about Mr Alpergin's murder has been told to come forward to police officers.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Kieran of the Met's Specialist Crime unit, said: 'This is an extremely fast-paced and complex investigation that involves numerous crime scenes and, at this time, has resulted in the arrest of four men for the murder of Koray Alpergin.

'We believe that Koray and a 33-year-old woman were forced into a white van outside their home address in Ebony Crescent, Enfield, at around 22:30hrs on Thursday, 13 October.

'I would appeal to anyone who was in that area at the time, who may have seen anything, no matter how small, to contact police immediately. I urge people to check doorbell camera or dash cam footage  you may have captured something that could prove crucial to our investigation.

Police believe that Mr Alpergin, who was the owner of London radio station Bizim FM, was forced into a white van with a 33-year-old woman outside their house in Enfield at around 10.30pm on Thursday

'Although our investigation is still at a very early stage, I am working on the hypothesis that Koray's kidnappers were possibly known to him and this was not a random attack.

'I can assure residents in Enfield and Essex that we are doing absolutely everything we can to understand the chain of events here, and bring to justice those responsible.'

Tributes to the radio DJ flooded in after his shocking death was announced. Bizin FM radio station posted a picture of their owner on social media with the caption: 'R.I.P Koray Bizim.'

The translated post described their shock at finding out about Mr Alpergin's death, as comments below shared the station's grief.

They also shared tributes from others with one describing Mr Alpergin as 'King of Londons radio stations'.

Meanwhile, T-Vine news wrote: 'We are devastated by DJ Koray 'Bizim FM' Alpergin's untimely death. He was a brilliant, universally loved man who brought joy to thousands with his radio shows.

'Our deepest condolences to Koray's family, friends and entire community.'

And Besime Ahmet, from a translated post, wrote on Facebook: 'We woke up to a very long news in the morning, DJ Korayi of our FM, who has been missing since Thursday, was found in Essex Woodland forest.

Mr Alpergin was found near Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate in Loughton, Essex at 11.55am on Saturday and was pronounced dead at the scene. Pictured: police vehicles at the scene on Oakwood Hill

'My condolences to all his family and friends. It was a pity. How he happened at such a young age is still unknown!'

Many added below: 'May God rest his soul' and 'May God have mercy on him'.

The Turkish Police Association has revealed it is supporting the Central Specialist Crime unit in their investigation into the 'sad and tragic incident'.

It has urged the community to come forward with any information.

Essex Police were initially investigating but they confirmed on Sunday that Scotland Yard had taken over the probe as the man is believed to have died within the area for which the Metropolitan Police is responsible.
A California jury has reached a verdict for Ruben Flores, an 81-year-old man accused of assisting his son in the murder of Kristin Smart.

Paul Flores, 45, is accused of murdering Kristin in San Luis Obispo, California, in 1996, then hiding her body beneath the decking in his parents' old house. He has been charged with murder and a jury is still deliberating his fate.

Prosecutors argued that he had a crush on Kristen and killed her while trying to rape her when both were young students in the 1990s.

Ruben, Paul's 81-year-old father, was charged with being an accessory after the fact.

A jury on Monday reached a verdict in his case but it will remain under seal until a verdict has also been reached in Paul's case.

Ruben Flores is shown in court yesterday. He is accused of helping his son by moving Kristin's body when suspicion turned on them in 2020 thanks to a podcast

A jury on Monday reached a verdict in Ruben Flores' (left) case but it will remain under seal until a verdict has also been reached in Paul Flores (right) case

Prosecutors said he helped his son move the body out of the family's yard as interest in the case spiked again and suspicion mounted against them.

Kristin was a Cal Poly student who vanished after a night of partying in the college town in 1995

That is the case in which the jury has reached its verdict but a judge will not allow it to be announced until the jury in Paul's trial has also come to a decision.

Kristin was a Cal Poly student who vanished after a night of partying in the college town in 1996.

The case garnered new attention in 2020 through the podcast Your Own Backyard, in which a journalist from the town revisited the cold case.

His podcast led to the arrests of Paul and Ruben in 2021.

During closing arguments last week, San Luis Obispo County Deputy Dist. Atty. Chris Peuvrelle told the jury in Paul's case: 'Paul Flores murdered her and buried her under his fathers deck.

'It is that simple.'

They argued that Paul was a sexual predator who went on to drug and rape two women after Kristin vanished.

Witnesses testified that he'd been stalking Kristin for months before she vanished, often showing up where she was, and that she was last seen walking back to her dorm with him.

He had appeared in the dark after a party where she'd been drinking heavily.

San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Office personnel search under the deck in the backyard of the home of Ruben Flores, Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Arroyo Grande, California

Part of the state's case was that cadaver dogs sought out Paul Flores' dorm room at Cal Poly over 120 other rooms while searching for the scent of death.

Neighbors who lived next to Paul's parents say that in 2020, as the case attracted attention again, Ruben Flores suddenly started doing work on his yard.

Specifically, they said they saw a tractor trailer being brought onto the property near to his deck, and that he'd tried to keep people away from the deck for years.

If convicted, Paul faces 25 years to life in prison. Ruben faces three years in prison.

Both pleaded not guilty and say they were arrested to satisfy public opinion after the podcast, not because of any evidence that links them to the crime.

'Conspiracy theories can be fun. We love to hear them. We like to watch shows, and you think, "I bet I know what happened". 'But you're here as jurors.

'You took an oath that you would follow the rule of law,' Paul's attorney pleaded with them.
Extraordinary before and after photos have emerged of a dam, highlighting the stark contrast between drought and floods in Australia.

Fifteen years ago, Lake Eildon in Victoria's central highlands was almost empty at just 5.3 per cent full - a record low - and surrounded by dry, barren land.

Today, the dam looks much different at 100.4 per cent of capacity as the widespread flooding crisis across regional Victoria continues.

Even at the start of July, Lake Eildon was at 82.5 per cent capacity.

But recent downfalls saw it quickly reach full capacity, prompting authorities to release water from Lake Eildon into the Goulburn River earlier this month.

Many Aussies are delighted to see the dam full again.

This was Victoria's Lake Eildon when it was at a record low 5.3 per cent capacity during a drought in 2007

'It's good to see it full again. Water in books is always welcome. Sometimes we don't get how important and how valuable water is for all living creatures on this planet,' one Aussie wrote.

Another added: 'Never would've thought it'll refill past 100 per cent ever.'

The photos brought back fond childhood memories for others.

'I remember living there as a child and being constantly told to have quick showers and not to leave taps running because there just wasn't enough water. This is absolutely amazing to see,' one woman recalled.

Located in the regional towns of Mansfield and Eildon in the Victoria's alpine region, the dam rarely filled during the drought in the early 2000s, causing great hardship for once-thriving holiday destinations around the lake unable to attract visitors.

Meanwhile, the ongoing flood crisis is far from over, with a number of emergency evacuation orders issued for part of regional Victoria on Tuesday morning.

Today, Lake Eildon is overflowing after heavy downfalls in recent weeks

This old photo shows water is disappearing from the north end of Lake Eildon near Bonnie Doon, the town made famous by iconic Australian film The Castle

Already flooded areas have been warned to brace for more severe weather with some parts of Australia to receive more than 200mm of rain in the next seven days.

The east coast is set to be battered by more heavy rain and storms this week with extreme weather to begin forming on Tuesday.

On Tuesday the brunt of the weather is expected to settle over South Australia, the Northern Territory and western Queensland with central SA to see the most rainfall.

That rain will then start to spread further east on Wednesday and bring heavy rain to Queensland, NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania.

'Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms will spread over a large area of eastern and southeastern Australia this week, adding more water to already flooded rivers in several states,' Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said.

The worst conditions of the system are expected to land on the NSW-Queensland border with more than 200mm expected to fall by Sunday.

Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to be the rainiest days for the region.

Mr Domensino warned the wild weather will bring severe thunderstorms that will reoccur throughout the week.

A seven-day rainfall chart of Australia (above) shows which regions will be hardest hit in upcoming wild weather

The dam is part of the flooded Goulburn River catchment (pictured near Shepparton on Monday)

'Thunderstorms will be particularly dangerous over Queensland and NSW between Wednesday and Friday when daily severe storm activity is likely in both states,' he said.

The centre and west of NSW, including the ACT, are expected to see more than 100mm of rain in the next seven days.

Sydneysiders can expect a soggy week with showers through to Sunday set to bring rainfall totals above 50mm.

Several regions across Victoria are forecast to receive more than 80mm of rain in the next week while recovery efforts from massive floods continues.

'In some areas, this week's wet weather will cause renewed river level rises and hamper clean-up operations,' Mr Domensino said.

Several regions across NSW are set to receive more than 100mm of rain in the next seven days while the state's border with Queensland will cop more than 200mm (pictured, rainfall chart for the next seven days in NSW)

MAJOR CITIES FIVE-DAY FORECAST PERTH Tuesday Sunny. Min 9 Max 25 Wednesday Sunny. Min 11 Max 29 Thursday Late shower or two. Min 13 Max 23 Friday Showers. Min 12 Max 21 ADELAIDE Tuesday Partly cloudy. Min 15 Max 23 Wednesday Partly cloudy. Min 14 Max 23 Thursday Shower or two. Min 14 Max 23 Friday Cloudy. Min 14 Max 21 MELBOURNE Tuesday Mostly sunny. Min 6 Max 21 Wednesday Sunny. Min 9 Max 23 Thursday Possible shower. Min 11 Max 20 Friday Showers increasing. Min 13 Max 23 HOBART Tuesday Partly cloudy. Min 5 Max 20 Wednesday Partly cloudy. Min 9 Max 21 Thursday Partly cloudy. Min 8 Max 17 Friday Showers. Min 9 Max 21 CANBERRA Tuesday Partly cloudy. Min 9 Max 20 Wednesday Sunny. Min 8 Max 24 Thursday Showers. Min 11 Max 20 Friday Showers. Min 13 Max 21 SYDNEY Tuesday Showers. Min 14 Max 22 Wednesday Mostly sunny. Min 15 Max 24 Thursday Showers increasing. Min 17 Max 23 Friday Showers easing. Min 17 Max 25 BRISBANE Tuesday Possible shower. Min 17 Max 25 Wednesday Showers. Min 19 Max 23 Thursday Showers. Min 19 Max 25 Friday Showers. Min 19 Max 24 DARWIN Tuesday Possible early storm. Showers. Min 26 Max 35 Wednesday Shower or two. Possible storm. Min 27 Max 34 Thursday Shower or two. Possible storm. Min 26 Max 34 Friday Shower or two. Possible storm. Min 27 Max 34 Source: Bureau of Meteorology Advertisement

The system is also set to cause even more challenges for Victoria, where devastating floods have damaged thousands of homes.

'There is another challenge coming later this week,' Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.

'We've still got the Murray to peak.

'A number of communities haven't peaked yet and we're going to get more rain off that higher base so that's going to present really significant challenges.'
A Christian childcare worker has sued a daycare center for discrimination after she was allegedly fired by her lesbian boss for refusing to read LGBT books to preschoolers.

Nelli Parisenkova worked at Bright Horizons Children's Center in California for four years before she was allegedly fired when the director Katy Callas disagreed with her refusal to read titles such as 'Daddy, Papa, and Me' and 'Mommy, Mama, and Me'.

Callas, who is a lesbian, apparently 'took personal offense' to Parisenkova's beliefs when the former worker requested LGBT books be removed from the classroom.

'Ms Callas called Ms Parisenkova into her office, questioned her in an irate manner, told her that if she did not want to celebrate diversity this was not the place for her to work, gave her an administrative leave memo, escorted her outside with a security guard, and left her out in the 96-degree heat with no transportation,' the lawsuit reads.

Parisenkova claimed she was previously told she would not be forced to read books about same sex-marriage when she was first hired. It is unclear who told her this.

Nelli Parisenkova was employed by Bright Horizons Children's Center in Studio City, California for four years before she was placed on leave and eventually fired

The temperature at the Studio City care center reached 96F outside, which forced the children to play inside. Parisenkova noticed that five of the 12 books available for kids were LGBT friendly. Pictured: outdoor playground at a childcare center

Only 12 books were available for the students to read and five of them promoted same-sex relationships, including the books above

The book above was another LGBT friendly book that Parisenkova asked to be removed from the classroom

Parisenkova was working with a lead-teacher, only identified as Ana, on April 7 when she was placed on leave for asking to remove LGBT books from the shelves.

On the day she was fired, the temperature at the Studio City care center reached 96F outside, which forced the children to play inside.

Only 12 books were available for the students to read and five of them promoted same-sex relationships, according to the lawsuit.

The titles included 'Daddy, Pappa, and Me', Mommy, Mama, and Me', both by Leslea Newman, and 'Love Makes a Family' by Sophie Beer.

The Christian teacher asked Ana if she could remove the books for the rest of the day, a request which which Ana agreed to before reporting the incident to director Callas.

'Callas then called Ms. Parisenkova to Callas' office,' the lawsuit reads. 'Ms. Parisenkova sensed that Callas was angry and assumed that Ana reported the request to remove the books from the shelf to Callas.

'In the office, Callas was obviously angry and reprimanded Ms. Parisenkova for her request to remove the books for the day. Callas became increasingly angry, her breathing got harder, her skin became blotchy red, her eye expression livid, and her bodily posture was threatening as she leaned forward over the desk.

'Callas concluded her tirade stating, 'if you cannot celebrate with us, then Bright Horizons is not a place for you'.'

About an hour later, Parisenkova was then given a 'leave memo' and was escorted outside the care center before the end of the day.

She was forced to wait more than an hour in the stifling heat for an Uber or taxi driver, according to the lawsuit.

'Ms. Parisenkova was treated like a dangerous criminal,' the lawsuit reads.

Parisenkova said she requested religious accommodation from the childcare center a week later on April 15, but it was denied five days later.

She also claimed Bright Horizons terminated her life-insurance, required she complete diversity training and told her to resign.

Bright Horizons supports the LGBT community and enforces a non-discrimination policy. Pictured: families in 2018 participating in an LGBT History Month pride parade

Parisenkova later received a termination notice on April 22. The childcare center denied the allegations that the center didn't approve Parisenkova's request, according to the lawsuit.

'Bright Horizons and Ms. Callas treated Ms. Parisenkova like a criminal, harassed her, and terminated here after four years of faithful service. This treatment was despicable,' the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit claimed that Parisenkova doesn't have an issue with communicating with those who don't share her same beliefs but can't 'promote' same-sex relationship lifestyles.

'In this case, Ms. Parisenkova was not posting or displaying any negative messages regarding same-sex relationships,' the lawsuit reads. 'She was only seeking to be excused from promoting same-sex relationships due to the conflict with her sincere religious beliefs.'

Founded in 1986, Bright Horizons openly welcomes the LBGT community into their daycare centers across the US and the world.

The center enforces a non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy that focuses on 'diversity, equity, & inclusion,' according to the Bright Horizons website.

The care center has been open about its support for the LGBT community, including in 2018 when they posted about LGBT History Month and shared that many families associated with Bright Horizons walked in pride parades and created floats.
President Biden called Republicans 'hypocritical' for opposing his student loan plan as he touted the new website where Americans can apply to have their debt forgiven.

Individuals looking to cash in can apply at Studentaid.gov. A beta version of the site launched over the weekend but the official application is now live, though legal challenges against the plan are still ongoing.

'As soon as I announced my student debt plan they started attacking it and saying all kinds of things. Their outrage is wrong and it's hypocritical,' Biden said in public remarks on Tuesday.

'Especially not the same Republicans who voted for a $2 trillion tax cut in the last admin that mainly benefitted wealthy Americans and the largest corporations. and didn't pay for a penny of it and racked up a deficit,' he added, referring to the 2017 tax cuts under President Trump.

'I don't want to hear from Republican officials again who had hundreds of thousands of dollars even millions of dollars in pandemic relief loans, the PPP loans, but who now attack the working class middle Americans for getting relief.'

More than 40 million borrowers are eligible for relief, while some 20 million could have their remaining balance forgiven thanks to the plan, which is expected to cost taxpayers some $400 billion, according to Congressional Budget Office estimate.

President Biden called Republicans 'hypocritical' for opposing his student loan plan as he touted the new website where Americans can apply to have their debt forgiven

Individuals looking to cash in can apply at Studentaid.gov. A beta version of the site launched over the weekend but the official application is now live, though legal challenges against the plan are still ongoing

Over 8 million have already applied to have their student loans canceled but borrowers have until the end of 2023 to do so. In August the Biden administration announced $10,000 in student loan forgiveness and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients.

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.

The White House argues it can waive or modify loan balances under the HEROES Act of 2003. The law, passed after the September 11th terrorist attacks, allows the Secretary of Education to waive or modify student financial aid programs in times of war or national emergency.

The administration argues the covid pandemic qualifies as a national emergency.

Republicans have not only called the plan unconstitutional without an act of Congress but have railed against its price tag and cried that it leaves out those who were responsible and already paid off all their debts.

The White House Twitter account launched an offensive calling out Republican who had their paycheck protection program loans forgiven.

The list started with Greene.

'Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene had $183,504 in PPP loans forgiven,' the White House said, highlighting a Newsmax clip of the Georgia Republican complaining it was 'completely unfair' the taxpayers were shouldering 'great big student loan debt for some college student that piled up massive debt going to some Ivy League school.'

Beyond Greene, the White House Twitter account also name-dropped GOP Reps. Vern Buchanan, Markwayne Mullin, Kevin Hern, Mike Kelly and Matt Gaetz.

Instead of student loans, Gaetz was critical of the White House sending another $3 billion in aid to Ukraine, to bolster the country's forces against Russia's invasion.

The Florida congressman had '$482,321 in PPP loans forgiven,' the White House said.

Kelly, a Pennsylvania Republican, had nearly $1 million in PPP loans forgiven - $987,237 - and had tweeted, 'Asking plumbers and carpenters to pay off the loans of Wall Street advisors and lawyers isn't just unfair. It's also bad policy.'

He had shared a Fox News article headlined: 'Biden announces student loan handout as national debt soars.'

Hern, Mullin and Buchanan each had more than $1 million in PPP loans forgiven - with Buchanan's amount topping more than $2.3 million.

'We do not need farmers and ranchers, small business owners, and teachers in Oklahoma paying the debts of Ivy League lawyers and doctors across the U.S.,' Mullin wrote.

He had 'over $1.4 million in PPP loans forgiven.'

Hern had more than $1 million in PPP loans forgiven.

'To recap, in the last two weeks, the "Party of the People" has supercharged the IRS to go after working-class Americans, raised their taxes, and forced them to pay for other people's college degrees,' the Oklahoma Republican had tweeted.

Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz had gone after the administration, not for student loans, but for spending another $3 billion on a new defense package for Ukraine

Biden supporters marveled that the official White House Twitter account would take on Republicans so boldly. Critics, however, noted that PPP loans were offered after businesses were forced to close on government orders - but the government never ordered students to plunge themselves into debt for an education.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, writing an op-ed for Fox Business, said that Biden's 'student debt forgiveness program could not be more different' than the PPP loans 'despite his lame attempts to draw similarities between the two.'

'Unlike my payroll grants, forgiving student loan debt won't create jobs, save small businesses, or reopen the American economy,' Rubio said.

'This is a handout that primarily benefits the highly educated and already well-off, the laptop liberals and Marxist misfit activists who have never run a business, made payroll, or worried about something other than what pronouns to use,' the Florida senator added. 'It shows where the Democrats priorities truly lie  and it's not with working Americans.'
Have you had a run-in with James Corden? Email us at newsUS@dailymail.com

McNally posted two separate examples of Corden's behavior at the French brasserie in New York's Soho, as well as claiming he treated staff badly at Cafe Luxembourg

He demanded free drinks from a Balthazar server after finding a hair in his meal, threatening to leave a 'nasty' review on Yelp

The Late Late Show host is accused of sending back an egg yolk omelet for his wife after it was made with a 'little bit' of egg white

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James Corden has been branded a 'tiny cretin of a man' and banned by the furious owner of iconic New York Balthazar restaurant  who claims he is the 'most abusive customer ever.'

Fiery restaurateur Keith McNally has banned the Late Late Show host from his restaurants because of his treatment of staff.

Tony award-winner Corden, who earns $36million a year, shot to fame in the US and became well known for his cheeky British humor on the hit CBS show.

McNally, who has a colorful history of booting out celebrities of his exclusive restaurants, claims that Corden also behaved similarly at his former restaurant, Cafe Luxembourg, on several occasions and left one server 'shaken'.

He posted two separate examples of Corden's 'extremely nasty' behavior at the French brasserie in New York's Soho district on his Instagram account.

The 71-year-old started his post by calling the funnyman a 'hugely gifted comedian', before laying into his fellow Brit - who regularly tucks into meals with celebrities as part of a game on the show.

The shocking allegations come months after the 'Into the Woods' star announced he would no longer be hosting the late-night talk show in 2023.

The furious owner said that he '86'd' the star - which means you have been banned - and claims Corden found a hair in his main course when dining there in June, before demanding free drinks for the mistake.

Being 86'd is thought to have originated at Greenwich Village speakeasy bar, Chumley's, on 86 Bedford Street, which had no address on the door - with guests '86ing' themselves from the premises if there was any trouble.

Restaurateur Keith McNally, 71, has banned the Late Late Show host from his restaurants because of his 'extremely nasty' treatment of staff

The popular French eatery Balthazar, in New York's SoHo district, is pictured on Monday

Balthazar's owner, Keith McNally, regularly shares updates from his staff - including, on Monday, excoriating James Corden for his behavior

The restaurant, pictured on Monday, is a popular spot for celebrities, tourists and locals alike - everyone from Anna Wintour to Sienna Miller has eaten at Balthazar

Corden and his wife Julia Carey are accused of sending back an egg yolk omelet because it had a 'little bit of egg white' in it while dining at the plush restaurant

Corden, pictured left on October 9 during the 2022 New Yorker Festival at SVA Theatre, has been branded a 'tiny cretin of a man' by Balthazar's owner Keith McNally, right

Poll Corden V McNally: Who do YOU think is right? James Corden Keith McNally They're both 'cretins' Corden V McNally: Who do YOU think is right? James Corden 441 votes

Keith McNally 4635 votes

They're both 'cretins' 1373 votes Now share your opinion





He said: 'After eating his main course, Corden showed the hair to Balthazar manager G. who was very apologetic.

'Corden was extremely nasty to G, and said: 'Get us another round of drinks this second. And also take care of all of our drinks so far. This way I write any nasty reviews in yelp or anything like that.''

In a second incident McNally claims that Corden was dining with his wife, Julia Carey, at the eatery on October 9 for brunch.

He says that Corden asked for a table outside, and Carey ordered an egg yolk omelet with a salad.

The couple complained to the server that there was 'a little bit of egg white mixed with the egg yolk' and sent the dish back.

McNally added: 'The kitchen remade the dish but unfortunately sent it with home fries instead of salad.

'That's when James Corden began yelling like crazy to the server: 'You can't do your job! You can't do your job! Maybe I should go into the kitchen and cook the omelet myself!'

Tony-award winning Corden has risen to fame over the past ten years after moving across the pond, and becoming famed for his cheeky smile and stream of A list pals

Balthazar in New York's Soho is a much loved celebrity haunt, but the British funnyman has now been banned from dining

Balthazar: Fancy French brasserie-style diner in trendy Soho district Balthazar is a French brasserie-style restaurant housed in New York City's Soho neighborhood. The restaurant opened in 1997 in a building formerly used as a tannery, a place where animal hides are treated. It has since become one of owner Keith McNally's benchmark brasseries. The Michelin Guide describes the restaurant as being 'quintessentially SoHo.' The menu features pastries, seafood and other French-inspired delicacies. McNally has since other Balthazar locations across the globe, including in London, UK. His culinary empire also includes NYC hot spots Pastis and Minetta Tavern. Advertisement

'M.K (server) was very apologetic and brought G. (floor manager) over to the table.

'He returned the dish, and after that, everything was fine. He gave them promo Champagne glasses to smooth things out.

'G. said that Corden was pleasant to him but nasty to the server. M.K. was very shaken, but professional that she is, continued to finish her shift.'

Corden, a big-time foodie, has not yet responded to the allegations.

DailyMail.com has reached out to a representative for James Corden for comment.

Corden is well known for his provocative and at times strange behavior.

In 2017, as the Harvey Weinstein scandal was just being published, Corden joked made fun of the rapist's victims.

'It has been weird this week watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water,' he told a gala in New York City.

'Ask any of the women who watched him take a bath, it's weird watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water.'

He later apologized, tweeting: 'To be clear, sexual assault is no laughing matter. I was not trying to make light of Harvey's inexcusable behavior, but to shame him, the abuser, not his victims. I am truly sorry for anyone offended, that was never my intention.'

At the end of 2019, he ridiculed the technical team behind the film Cats, in which he starred.

'I haven't seen it, I've heard it's terrible,' he told a British radio show, and then told the Oscars audience while presenting an award: 'As cast members of the motion picture Cats, nobody more than us understands the importance of good visual effects.'

In September 2021, while promoting his film Cinderella, he dressed as a mouse and danced in a road, thrusting his groin at bemused drivers.

Corden was accompanied by Camila Cabello, who plays the lead role, and Billy Porter, as a character called Fab G.

At one point Corden seemed to take a drag on what looked like a spliff, before dancing some more.

In July this year, he was knocked off his bicycle in London by a fellow cyclist, who swerved in front of him on busy Regent's Street, nearly pushing Corden into a car.

The comedian was furious, and loudly berated the young bike ride who cut him up.

McNally, in turn, has previous form for banning 'rude' celebrities from his restaurant if he believes their behavior isn't up to scratch.

He ripped into former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter last year after he made a reservation at his plush Morandi restaurant  but failed to show up.

McNally who is the owner of NYC hotspots including Balthazar and Pastis, branded Carter in May 2021 a 'fancy f***er' after booking a table for 12.

Corden, in his mouse suit, is seen with Camila Cabello and Billy Porter in a street performance to promote his new film, on August 27, 2021

Corden gyrates at bemused motorists in Los Angeles, in August 2021, to promote his new film, Cinderella

The British comedian is pictured with Cabello, who plays Cinderella, and Billy Porter, whose character is called Fab G

But the owner, who was formerly a close friend of Carter, said that he had asked staff to specially prepare the restaurant to impress him.

In another scathing Instagram post he said: 'Because Mr. Carter's a restaurateur himself, my chef, manager and floor staff were eager for the lunch to go perfectly for him.

'Extra staff were brought in to help with service, and two tables of six were meticulously set up and ready for Graydon Carter by 1 p.m. Only he didn't show up at 1 p.m.'

Carter got his assistant to call the eatery to say that the editor had 'forgotten to call and cancel', with McNally left seething.

He claims that Carter 'upset the equilibrium of the restaurant' and 'cost Morandi money', before revealing that he had previous for failing to show up to reservations.

In February 2021 he defended Ghislaine Maxwell, in jail awaiting trial for sex trafficking with Jeffrey Epstein, and insisted she was 'currently innocent'.

He then praised Woody Allen and Soon-Yi for appearing at Balthazar, captioning a picture of them at his restaurant: 'I've never been as happy at Balthazar as I was last night to see the beautiful Soon-Yi and her husband dining there.'

That post was covered in the May 15 issue of Air Mail, run by Carter, which described McNally as 'going off the menu.'

McNally was referred to as a 'sometimes dour 69-year-old with fewer than 15,000 followers on Instagram'.

Carter said in a statement to Page Six: 'My office did forget to cancel the lunch reservation until a bit after 1:30, which is wretched and we will be making a donation today to the restaurant's tip pool to cover what the staff would have made.

'As a fellow restaurateur I fully understand the implications of a large party no show.

'As for the rest of McNally's deranged rant, it is pure fiction.

'I rarely eat at his places and this all stems from the story we did about his most recent Instagram controversies in last week's Air Mail.'

McNally also delights in telling tales from his establishments.

In July this year, he claimed that staff at Balthazar were looking for the couple who left behind their wedding ring after having sex in the bathroom.

McNally alleged they ran off before staff had a chance to catch them in the act. But in their hurry a wedding ring was left on the restroom floor.

Balthazar owner Keith McNally made a raunchy Instagram post detailing how a couple used the men's room at the swanky NYC restaurant as their private sexual oasis over the long Fourth of July weekend

McNally alleged they ran off before staff had a chance to catch them in the act. But in their hurry a wedding ring was left on the restroom floor

McNally claims the restaurant manager, Zouheir Louhaichy, told him about the encounter in a note detailing what ensued at the SoHo hotspot over the Independence Day weekend.

'We had one alleged report of a couple having sex in one of the men's stall downstairs,' Louhaichy reportedly wrote.

'But when I asked floor manager Greg to rush down and check what's going on the couple were nowhere to be found so they remained a mystery.'

'But oddly enough, Greg found a small wedding ring on the floor of the bathroom stall,' he added.

Louhaichy said the ring was placed in the restaurant's lost and found.

McNally claims a couple had sex in the bathroom before scurrying off, leaving behind a wedding ring. The ring has since been placed in lost and found

New York restaurateur Keith McNally (pictured) has previously cautioned that '80 percent of Instagram posts are lies,' including his own

The couple's sexual escapade wasn't the only chaos staff were met with over the weekend.

Louhaichy told McNally they had to 'cut-off' a woman at the bar who was 'clearly intoxicated.'

'She was swaying and two other ladies at the bar grabbed her to help keep her upright,' he recalled.

'She threatened to call her lawyer and then when she was leaving she looked towards the podium and said to me: 'I would like to be escorted out, a**hole!''

The manager said the drunk woman had been escorted out of Balthazar on a previous visit as well.

Despite the few unpleasantries, Louhaichy claimed it was a successful weekend for the establishment. They served 480 dinners and many customers issued 'happy comments about the food and service.'

McNally's Instagram posts have become popular with some users alleging there's a 'novel in every post' and the stories should be used to 'produce a series for Netflix.'

However, the eccentric restaurateur has cautioned that most social media posts are complete lies, including his own.

'Eighty percent of Instagram posts are lies,' he told The Wall Street Journal last month.

'People post stories and photos of how they want to be seen by others, not of how they really are. Mine included. But at least I recognize it and try to change it.'

It is unclear if how much of McNally's post about the restroom lovers in factual, but the internet seems eager to believe the story is real.
Steve Bannon's lawyers are asking that their client avoid prison altogether after prosecutors asked for six months' time and accused him of 'bad faith.'

In a 19-page memo in response to a blistering government filing, Bannon's team argues that their client should receive only probation after being found guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress.

They argue that the judge overseeing sentencing should look for 'something more' than simple contrition.

'Should a person who has spent a lifetime listening to experts  as a naval officer, investment banker, corporate executive, and Presidential advisor  be jailed for relying on the advice of his lawyers?' they ask.

'Should a person be jailed where the prosecutor declined to prosecute others who were similarly situated  with the only difference being that this person uses their voice to express strongly held political views?' his lawyer, Evan Corcoran and David Schoen ask.

Prosecutors as asking that former chief White House strategist Steve Bannon spend six months in prison for contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena by the House Select Committee on January 6. Bannon's lawyers countered that he should get probation, and that any sentence should be through home confinement

They say a sentence of probation is warranted for the former chief White House strategist, and also ask the sentencing judge to issue a stay of any sentence to allow for an appeal.

Bannon faces sentencing Friday, following his trial for contempt of Congress, after he failed to appear before the panel probing the Capitol riot and the events of Jan. 6th.

In the alternative, Bannon that he be allowed to serve any sentence in home confinement.

He has a Capitol Hill row house that he also uses to film his daily War Room Pandemic podcast, which is where he is expected to serve any home confinement.

Bannon's team revisits the argument from his trial that the longtime Trump advisor was listening to his lawyer, Robert Costello, when he received a subpoena in September 2021. Costello pointed to statements being made by Trump's lawyers that the president was claiming executive privilege over advice he received as president.

'Upon receiving this letter from President Trumps counsel, Mr. Costello advised Mr. Bannon that because executive privilege belongs to the President, Mr. Bannon did not have the ability to waive executive privilege, or to decide for himself which documents or communications were covered by President Trumps privilege assertion,' according to his filing.

Prosecutors are asking that Bannon spend six months behind bars for refusing to testify before the House January 6 committee.

The government filed a 24-page sentencing memo Monday in which it accused Bannon of 'flouting' the law and holding on to essential documents. The memo notes that the request for six months in prison is at the 'top end' of sentencing guidelines for the offense.

'By flouting the Select Committee's subpoena and its authority, the Defendant exacerbated that assault,' wrote US Attorney Matthew Graves in the memo. 'To this day, he continues to unlawfully withhold documents and testimony that stand to help the Committee's authorized investigation to get to the bottom of what led to January 6 and ascertain what steps must be taken to ensure that it never happens again. That cannot be tolerated.'

'Respect for the rule of law is essential to the functioning of the United States government and to preserving the freedom and good order this country has enjoyed for more than two centuries. The Defendant's bad-faith strategy of defiance and contempt deserves severe punishment,' prosecutors concluded.

Prosecutors also want Bannon to pay $200,000 in fines.

Earlier this month Bannon appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court, where he is on trial for allegedly defrauding donors as part of a 'We Build the Wall' scheme

The House January 6 Committee once again focused on Bannon during its hearing last week

'The Defendant's bad-faith strategy of defiance and contempt deserves severe punishment,' prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo

Prosecutors filed a scathing sentencing memo where they accuse Bannon of a 'bad-faith strategy of defiance and contempt'

President Donald Trump pardoned Bannon hours before leaving office after his former campaign advisor was charged with defrauding donors as part of a 'We Build the Wall' scheme to use private funds to build border wall structures.

Bannon is still being charged on state charges in New York on the alleged fraud. Trump's pardon applied to the emerging federal case.

The House Select January 6 Committee subpoenaed former President Trump last week  setting up yet another potential legal clash. Trump has yet to say he will appear, although legal experts say it is unlikely he would do so and unlikely he would be charged should he refuse to appear, even after being painted by committee members as the central figure in the events leading to the attack on the Capitol.

Bannon cited executive privilege when he was first ordered to appear before the committee, saying he could not speak about the matters in question without permission from Trump.

Prosecutors continued to try to slap down his claim in the sentencing memo.

'He did so even though executive privilege could not possibly permit the Defendant's total noncompliance; the Defendant was a private citizen who had not worked at the White House for years; the subpoena's demands sought records and information wholly unrelated to the Defendant's tenure there; and multiple categories of the subpoena were completely unrelated to communications with the former President.'

'From the time he was initially subpoenaed, [Bannon] has shown that his true reasons for total noncompliance have nothing to do with his purported respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, or executive privilege, and everything to do with his personal disdain for the members of Congress sitting on the Committee and their effort to investigate the attack on our country's peaceful transfer of power,' the government wrote. 'His noncompliance has been complete and unremitting.'
Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has emphatically denied allegations that she shot her neighbors dog and said the man who did was justified in killing the pet after it attacked several of her goats.

Ive never shot any dog  ever, the avid gun-rights supporter told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview on Monday.

Her denial came after Yaritza Mendoza, a 21-year-old neighbor in Silt, Colorado, went on Facebook to accuse Boebert of killing her two-year-old husky, Omega.

On August 17, 2022 you took my best friend away with the "power" of your gun, Mendoza wrote.

The young woman said it had taken her two months to come forward because she needed to find the courage to want to publicly talk about the emotional trauma you caused me along with many others.

Lauren Boebert holds Dolly, a goat she bottle-fed from birth and which she says was killed by Yaritza Mendoza's Saint Bernard in October last year

Boebet supplied DailyMail.com of video of her comforting Liberty, a goat that was attacked by the husky, Omega

Mendoza posted pictures of her huskies on her Facebook page, saying: 'Omega, just like any dog, had a wild instinct to hunt'

I did not find out from you that you killed her, she continued. I found out from the authorities who also handed me a citation for a Dog at large along with the devastating news.

Any decent and human person would have grab my dog and had a conversation with her owner about the situation. Yet you decided to grab her, shoot her, then dump her far from the house, she added.

Mendoza even blamed Boebert's family, saying that Omega had been taken to the enclosure where the goats were housed by the congresswoman's son. She said the dog viewed the area as 'a familiar property.'

Mendoza ended on a political note, stating, I hope as elections are coming up that people can learn and realize how heartless you truly are. The world is filled with corrupt power hungry people just like you. We shouldnt be giving people like you the position of power in which youre in. Yet unfortunately here you are.'

She signed her message 'Sincerely, Omegas Bestfriend.

But when contacted by the DailyMail.com, Mendoza wouldnt stand by her own posting.

Asked whether Boebert had shot her dog, she told DailyMail.com, Im not sure, I need to figure that out.

I need to take a step back for a second, she said while avoiding further questions. Im not ready to release anything to media sources.

Boebert often carries a gun when she is speaking at political rallies. She is pictured in June speaking at a party for her re-election bid. She is facing a tougher-than-expected fight against Democrat Adam Frisch

Yaritza Mendoza said her husky Omega was 'not a violent dog' and Boebert knew that because she allowed her son to play with her

Local police and the district attorneys office also refuted Mendozas claim.

I can assure you it wasnt Lauren Boebert who shot the dog, a spokesperson for the Garfield County sheriffs office told DailyMail.com.

The congresswoman said it was her neighbor Brady Hogan who killed Omega, and only after the dog and another husky owned by Mendoza attacked three of her goats.

They were viciously attacked at the neck and at their rear end, Boebert said. Two dogs at each end on each goat.

Her dogs had been going all throughout the neighborhood, killing chickens and turkeys and cats and other goats, and harassing other livestock, she added. So (Hogan) went in there and neutralized the threat.

Boebert, 35, pointed out that Hogan shot another of Mendozas dogs last October, after it killed a half dozen other animals in the neighborhood, including her own.

Colorado  like most states  allows dogs to be killed for attacking livestock. The law says: 'Any dog found running, worrying, or injuring sheep, cattle, or other livestock may be killed, and the owner or harborer of such dog shall be liable for all damages done by it.'

And, according to Boebert, Mendoza still has a third dog that the congresswoman says is 'terrorizing the neighborhood'.

She has a husky that is still getting into my goat pen and other peoples goat pens, and I know that calls have been made and there are witnesses throughout the neighborhood, she told DailyMail.com.

He got to one of my goats a couple days ago, leaving a gash on his leg.

Mendoza posted a lengthy screed on her Facebook page saying she has taken two months to go public with her accusation, saying she is 'no longer scared' of the right-wing firebrand congresswoman

Boebert responded with her own tweet defending Hogan for killing Omega

This is a very dog friendly community, she continued. And many dogs roam, and people know everybodys animals. We unfortunately got to know Yaris dogs in a very bad way.

Hogan, 51, confirmed Boeberts account.

My girlfriend showed me the (Mendoza) social media posting yesterday and I was aghast at that, especially given the rampage that womans dogs have been on, Hogan told DailyMail.com.

Shes making herself sound like a victim and saying that Lauren had shot the animals, and thats not the case at all.

I spoke to police on both occasions and told them I killed the dogs  a Saint Bernard the first time and a husky the second time, he said.

The animals were both on Lauren Boeberts property at the time I shot them, but she wasnt involved at all.

'The first go around, Lauren wasnt even in the state. The second time, they were here, but not at home. I heard what was happening and couldnt get a hold of anybody, so I just jumped the fence and went up there and shot the dog.

This had been going on for quite some time, Hogan continued.

He said he had initially shot at the dogs with a BB gun in an attempt to scare them off, But that didn't work.

Boebert owned a restaurant called Shooters in Rifle, Colorado, which encouraged diners to pack hear. It closed in July after the landlord decided not to renew her lease

Staff at Boebert's former restaurant were armed, in keeping with Boebert's strong support for Second Amendment rights

The drama occurred at Boebert's ranch in Silt, Colorado, three hours west of Denver

I had shot at those dogs in broad daylight with a BB gun, just wanting to chase them off. But that wasnt cutting it anymore, and they were still attacking, killing goats. I have a herd of goats and so does the congresswoman.

'And the dogs started slaughtering goats and that was when I had to actually take their lives.

He suspects the Facebook posting, circulated online, is a political hit job.

None of this came before, not until a few weeks before the election, Hogan said. It seems ridiculous because I explained what happened.

Im sure this is all happening because of the election season, he said.

Heres the catch. Im not a huge supporter of Lauren Boebert, but I border their property and we have a shared interest in these animals. When this all happened, if nobody was there to stop it, those dogs would have continued to kill all our goats.
King Charles, who was one of only two members of the Royal Family to reach Balmoral before his mother died, has made a poignant return to the Scottish retreat.

Balmoral was closed to the public on Sunday so that the King could spend time thanking the soldiers who guarded the late Queen at the castle in Aberdeenshire  and who helped give her a moving send-off.

'The King wanted to say thank you in person,' a courtier said, after Charles was driven to Balmoral in his electric Audi straight after divine service at nearby Crathie Kirk yesterday.

'He is very grateful for the effort everyone put in before and after Her Majesty's death.'

Unusually, Balmoral's grounds have been opened to the public for the rest of the year so that tributes can be paid to Queen Elizabeth.

They are normally open only from April to July.

The late Queen traditionally inspected a guard of honour from the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, outside the castle gates while the public welcomed her for her annual stay.

However, this year the ceremony happened behind closed doors, in order to maximise Queen Elizabeth's comfort.

'The King wanted to say thank you in person,' a courtier said, after Charles was driven to Balmoral in his electric Audi straight after divine service at nearby Crathie Kirk yesterday

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh with their children, Prince Andrew (centre), Princess Anne (left) and Charles, Prince of Wales sitting on a picnic rug outside Balmoral Castle in Scotland, 8th September 1960

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh on September 13, 2022

In a further indication that the King is preparing to open up Balmoral all year round, the estate has advertised for visitor service assistants to work 'for the 2022 season'.

It costs around 3 million a year to run Balmoral, and half of this money comes from tourism.

Today the King travelled to the city of Aberdeen where he met with refugee families from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan.

Photographs from the appearance show His Majesty beaming as he spent time with staff and refugees at a reception in the Town and County Hall in the Town House.

The 73-year-old monarch donned traditional Scottish attire for the appearance, opting for a red kilt, paired with a tweed blazer and waistcoat.

Aberdeen's city council has worked with the UK and Scottish Governments to provide accommodation and critical services such as health and education for more than 1,000 people from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria.

In a reception at the city's Town House, the King met Inna Skvortsova, a Ukrainian woman who arrived in the city in April.

She now has a full-time role at the council assisting with the resettlement programme.

King Charles III met refugees who have come from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan and who have made a new home in Aberdeen

The King met Burhan Vesal, his wife Narcis and son, Sapehr, who fled Afghanistan

Ms Skvortsova said it was 'such an honour' to be invited to meet the King.

She said: 'Six months ago I didn't expect that I would be here, or with the King, his majesty, and now I am proud to represent my country.

'I'm so grateful that the United Kingdom helped me and helped my compatriots.'

The monarch also met Burhan Vesal, who worked as an interpreter with the British Army in the south of Afghanistan.

He also met Mr Vesal's wife, Narcis, who plans to use her medical experience as an Ob-Gyn to work as a doctor in the UK, and their son Sapehr, seven, who is enjoying school in the city.

Of meeting the monarch, Mr Vesal said: 'It means a lot as a new immigrant. He spoke to us with openness and with laughter and joy.

'We ran away from conflict, we ran away from violence, in a hard situation, and now besides having the support from the community here, we have the support from the King and the Government.'

He added that the monarch was 'touched' when Mr Vesal recounted his family's life story.

The King also shared advice on being a good grandparent as the Afghan refugee, who asked to be known only as Yar to protect his identity, told Charles his family had expanded to 12 with a recent new addition.

The king was snapped holding a cup of tea as he chatted with refugee families who have settled in Aberdeen

Yar, who is still awaiting a permanent home in Aberdeen, had been employed as an interpreter with the Armed Forces and worked in Camp Bastion as an IT support worker before fleeing to Pakistan where he was evacuated to the UK.

He said: 'This was my first time to meet the King and this is my whole life. He is a very kind person.

'I had a good chat with him telling my family story to him and he was really, really good and said that 'now you're going to have a safe life here'.'

He said Charles was 'excited' to hear that he had just become a grandfather for the first time and wished him luck in dealing with a growing his growing family.

Before his departure, a choir of school children, university students and some of the refugee families sang a song, the Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen, to the monarch.

During an official visit to Jordan in November 2021, the King visited the Al Nuzha Community Centre which is supported by UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and met refugee families receiving UK assistance through UNHCR.

Aberdeen has resettled about 1,000 Ukrainian refugees, with capacity for more.

Approximately 170 Afghan refugees are currently staying in two hotels in the city and about 30 Syrian families have also been resettled in the city since 2014.
A man has died and an elderly woman is fighting for life after a house fire in Sydney's west.

Emergency services were called to a Blacktown home shortly after 5am on Tuesday and arrived to find the single storey home fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters rescued a man and woman trapped inside but the man died at the scene, despite desperate efforts to revive him.

He is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be in his 60s.

The woman in her 80s, was rushed to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.

Firefighters inspect a gutted home in Blacktown which claimed the life of a man on Tuesday morning

Another person was treated at the scene.

Firefighters have since extinguished the blaze but remained on scene for much of the day.

'We're still trying to piece together what happened so we'll be working with police throughout the day to determine the cause of the fire and get a complete story,' Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Luke Unsworth told 2GB's Ben Fordham.

'At this time, it's believed that everyone is out of the building. However, we will continue on the assumption they aren't until we can confirm there was nobody else inside, we won't stop looking.'

Police and firefighters spent much of Tuesday examining the Blacktown home trying to determine the cause of the fatal blaze

The roof began to collapse as firefighters pulled the man and woman from burning home.

Fire and Rescue NSW later revealed the blaze was so fierce it took firefighters an hour to control and almost two hours to extinguish and that an initial inspection inside the home found no smoke alarms.

The fire was contained to the room it started in, but the rest of the house sustained severe smoke and water damage.
People visit the Yasukuni Shrine on the 77th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Tokyo, Aug. 15. Reuters



Korea voiced deep regret Monday over Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ritual offering to a war-linked shrine in Tokyo that is regarded as a symbol of Japan's militaristic past.



The government "expresses deep disappointment and regret" that Japan's "responsible" leaders have once again sent offerings, or paid respects, to the Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies the country's aggression and enshrines war criminals, Lim Soo-suk, spokesperson for the Seoul foreign ministry, said in a statement.






Scotland Yard faced fury last night after refusing to say how many officers have criminal convictions for fear it could 'cause them harm'.

A day after Britain's biggest police force was shamed by a bombshell report revealing hundreds of officers were getting away with misconduct, it can now be revealed the force tried to hide the number of serving officers and staff with a criminal record.

When the Daily Mail submitted an enquiry under the Freedom of Information Act asking how many officers and staff have been convicted and for which crimes, officials refused and said it was 'personal information'. The force was the only one of 43 forces in the country to hide behind data protection rules.

It said: 'It would be possible to use the specifics of this data to narrow down individuals. To disclose information which could cause harm to individuals cannot be allowed.'

The decision raises further questions about criminality within the beleaguered force. Yesterday its new commissioner Sir Mark Rowley admitted he could not rule out the possibility that another Wayne Couzens was in his ranks, after being asked about the Met officer who raped and murdered Sarah Everard.

He acknowledged the force is riddled with hundreds of officers 'behaving disgracefully [and] undermining our integrity' who need booting out.

Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (pictured) acknowledged the force is riddled with hundreds of officers 'behaving disgracefully [and] undermining our integrity' who need booting out

He also admitted he could not rule out the possibility that another Wayne Couzens was in his ranks, after being asked about the Met officer who raped and murdered Sarah Everard (pictured)

When asked whether another Couzens could be serving, Sir Mark told LBC radio: 'I can't look you in the eye and say that we haven't got officers who are treating women appallingly. Absolutely not. The evidence says that we do and I'm going to sort it.'

He wants powers to allow police chiefs to reopen misconduct cases against officers and staff whose fate is decided by independent legally qualified chairs.

He said: 'It's a bizarre, over-regulated system. You can sack people in certain circumstances, and then they can be reimposed on the organisation.

'We've got people who have committed serious criminal offences who we've sacked and have been reimposed on the organisation. They wouldn't even pass vetting.'

He spoke out after a report by Baroness Casey revealed how an 'anything goes' attitude in the force allowed scores of officers to remain in the ranks despite being accused of appalling crimes.

In a hard-hitting letter to staff last night in the wake of the report, Sir Mark wrote 'the shame of being an organisation that is weak in protecting its own integrity is hard to take in' and warned officers would be sacked if they committed misconduct after a warning.

Sir Mark wants powers to allow police chiefs to reopen misconduct cases against officers and staff whose fate is decided by independent legally qualified chairs. Superintendent Novlett Robyn Williams (centre) was reinstated as a police officer last year after being dismissed from the Met in March 2020

Pictured: police detain a woman as people gathered at a memorial for Sarah Everard in Clapham Common last March

Referring to recent cases of officers being jailed for sharing grossly offensive messages, he wrote: 'To avoid any doubt, you are not fit to be in the Met if you do any of the following: legitimise sexual violence in 'banter', suggest that colleagues are criminal because of their race or religion, display negative attitudes towards people because of their gender/race/religion/sexuality/disability and use discriminatory and prejudicial language as a form of abuse e.g. 'gay' or 'disabled'.'

Yesterday the Centre for Women's Justice, a legal charity, condemned the force's secrecy around criminal behaviour.

Harriet Wistrich, its director, said: 'This should all be out in the open  if there are a significant number of officers and staff with dodgy convictions.'

The charity revealed it had been contacted by more than 165 alleged victims of police-perpetrated abuse, some of whom claim to have suffered at the hands of Met officers.

One woman in a long-term relationship with a Met firearms officer said she knew of ten crime reports made against him over a seven-year period.

She claimed the officer put a gun to her head in their home and abused her and her child, but no further police action was taken and she had to seek protection via the civil courts.
The man who tried to assassinate Ronald Reagan has admitted for the first time he is responsible for the death of the former president's press secretary.

John Hinckley Jr. opened fire outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington DC on March 30, 1981  striking Reagan within an inch of his heart and nearly killing him.

He also struck White House Press Secretary James Brady in the head, leaving him paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

But Brady survived and went on to become an advocate for gun control, with former President Bill Clinton even naming a bill after him.

He ultimately passed away on August 4, 2014, aged 73, with a medical examiner concluding he died from the effects of the head wound he endured 33 years earlier.

The medical examiner ruled Brady's death at the time as a homicide. Now, Hinckley Jr has finally taken responsibility for his death in a bombshell interview.

Speaking to Piers Morgan, the 67-year-old ex-convict said he does 'accept' that he killed Brady

Brady died on August 4, 2014, with a medical examiner concluding that he died from the effects of the head wound he endured 33 years earlier

Piers Morgan repeatedly pressed the 67-year-old ex-convict in an exclusive interview on the issue of Brady's death.

'He died from the wounds he suffered, it was designated homicide by the coroner because of the year and the day rule you could not be tried for murder,' Morgan said.

'But do you accept now that because you fired the gun at James Brady that caused the catastrophic injuries and subsequent death that you were guilty of his murder?'

At first Hinckley tried to be coy, responding: 'I wouldn't say that, but I certainly caused him to have devastating injuries.

'But I believe he lived on for another 30-something years. So I can't really say I'm the cause of his murder.'

Still, Morgan insisted, 'You did kill him,' to which Hinckley Jr. said: 'I understand. 'But [do] you accept you killed him?' Morgan asked. 'I would say yes,' the would-be assassin finally replied.

Brady was struck in the head by a bullet when Hinckley Jr opened fire on former President Ronald Reagan in March 1981

Brady managed to survive, but was left paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. He is pictured here with Reagan and First Lady Nancy at the reopening of the White House Press Room following the shooting

The exchange came in Hinckley Jr.'s first international television interview since he was released from prison in June.

He insisted that he is a changed man, who could not even remember the details of what he did back on that fateful day in 1981.

'I just remember I was at a hotel in Washington DC and I happened to have the newspaper before me and I saw the President's schedule for that day, and that's how I knew where he would be that day,' Hinckley Jr. shared.

'And I think I went and got some breakfast, and I went up to the hotel.

'In those days it was pretty easy to get close to the President and of course that's all changed now and unfortunately I was able to go through with the crime.'

In addition to shooting Reagan and Brady, Hinckley also injured a police officer, Thomas Delahanty, and a secret service agent, Tim McCarthy.

It was said he was motivated at the time by his obsession for actress Jodie Foster and her film, Taxi Driver.

'I had first seen her, I believe in the movie Taxi Driver in 1976, I believe,' Hinckley Jr told Morgan on Monday, adding that he became obsessed with her to the point where he attended Yale University to 'follow her and try to find her.

'That turned out badly, so my thinking went very negative, and that's why I went ahead with the shooting.'

He was ultimately found not guilty for the shooting by reason of insanity at his 1982 trial, and was released from his psychiatric medical facility to live with his mother under strict restrictions.

Hinckley Jr was finally released from all court restrictions this past June.

Hinckley fired on the president and his entourage outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington DC on March 30, 1981. Secret Service agents, police officer and bystanders are pictured taking action immediately after the shots were fired

This photo taken by presidential photographer Mike Evens on March 30, 1981 shows police and Secret Service agents reacting during the assassination attempt on then-president Reagan

Authorities rushed Brady into an ambulance after he was shot in the head

He now says he feels 'so terrible about what I did.

'I was right in the middle of a really severe mental illness, I had really bad depression and I had delusions going on. Looking back on it now, it's like a whole another lifetime. I just can't imagine doing what I did.'

Morgan then asked him, 'You did want to kill President Reagan, right,' to which Hinckley Jr said: 'I suppose so, back then I did. I'm just so glad I didn't, that I did not succeed.'

He then acknowledged that if he had succeeded, he would still likely be behind bars and said he understood why some people are upset he was released.

'I understand that, because it was such a serious, heinous crime,' Hinckley said.

'But it was 41 years ago and a lot has happened to me in those 41 years. And I am hoping to show the public that I am a good person now and I am trying to do some good things with my music and my art.'

He said he has not been in touch with the victims' of the shooting or their families, and went on to explain that he is now on two medications, including an antidepressant which he thinks 'are effective.'

And when pressed by the TalkTV host about the difference between him and Mark Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon and remains behind bars, Hinckley said he sees 'a big distinction because Mark Chapman was found guilty.

'He has been in prison all of these years. I was never in prison, Piers. Iwas in hospital for 35 years, receiving treatment and I was found not guilty by reason of insanity and I received treatment all these years.

'My family stood behind me and I had a great lawyer I feel like my release was very justified.'

Hinckley later added: 'I would say that I have a really good track record.

'I wasn't just released one day from the hospital. I got released over a number of years. My judge gave me freedom in incremental steps to see how I would do and I've always done well with the freedoms he gave me.

'I've proved myself to be a very peaceful person now. And that's how I kind of live my life.'

He concluded: 'I have shown for the freedoms I have gotten through the past 10 or 15 years, that I do have a good track record of being a good, law abiding citizen.'

Hinckley Jr was said to have been motivated by his obsession with Jodie Foster

He was found not guilty of the shooting by reason of insanity, and now insists he is a changed man after he was freed in June

Hinckley is now trying to move on with his life and pursue a music career, but he said that has been tough because his concerts receive negative backlash and the venues would back out of the deal.

But, he said, he decided to do some interviews to prove to the public 'I am not thee person I was all those years ago.

'There has been an image of me for many years, a really negative image, and I'm trying to change that... to show that I am a totally changed person.'

He added that he would like forgiveness 'from the public at large' and from the victims' families.

'I wouldn't blame them if they don't forgive me,' Hinckley said. 'But I wish they would.'
Britain was celebrating the last Coronation when one of these things first tumbled off the production line  a revolutionary four-wheeled pod designed as a low-cost, eye-catching urban runaround.

Even Cary Grant took to touring Hollywood in what the manufacturers called an Isetta and what the world came to know as a 'bubble car'.

Seven decades on, the concept is back. This time, however, the bubble is bigger, tougher, faster, more comfortable and eco-friendly since it is entirely electric.

It is also between a third and half the price of the next tier of electric cars. And even though the Microlino is essentially a cross between a hairdryer and a shopping trolley, it has both character and a certain retro-chic style. It certainly gets double takes and friendly remarks as I whizz round town in one.

Robert Hardman (pictured) travels to Geneva to test drive the new Microlino bubble car

And unlike the normal 'car of the future', this is not a weird-looking, headline-grabbing prototype wheeled out at an international motor show amid much hype, only to disappear back to the drawing board because it doesn't work or the sums don't stack up.

The Microlino has been designed and fully financed by the same Swiss family who made a fortune redesigning the humble scooter. Dad, Wim Ouboter, has been described as the 'Swiss Elon Musk' after the oddball gazillionaire, although the comparison goes only so far given Ouboter is a family man who lives in suburban Zurich with no desire to buy Twitter, rule the world or conquer space. He's just an ex-banker who makes scooters and now wants to make bubble cars.

The family's ambitious new departure from two wheels to four is already in production at a newly built Italian car plant. The Microlino has an order list stretching more than a year ahead and a price tag of 13,000  rising to the 19,000 for the souped-up, top-end model which I am sitting in.

Robert Hardman: 'Cary Grant took to touring Hollywood in what the manufacturers called an Isetta and what the world came to know as a 'bubble car'. Seven decades on, the concept is back. This time, however, the bubble is bigger, tougher, faster, more comfortable and eco-friendly since it is entirely electric'

I have had to come to Switzerland to drive it because it will not be on British roads until the end of next year, although more than 2,000 Brits have already ordered one. As have thousands of other would-be customers all over Europe.

I climb in through a flip-top front door and then slide along a two-seat banquette to get behind the wheel. I have to reach up to pull a strap which brings the lid down, though not too hard as it emits a reassuring 'thunk' on reaching the bottom  what is called a 'soft close'  and snaps shut by itself.

There is a regular car key which slots into a regular ignition, except there is no noise because there is nothing to ignite. A driver's screen merely lights up with the word: 'Hey!'

Turn the dial from 'N' for neutral to 'D' for drive and step on the dodgem-style accelerator and there is finally a whirring noise. This fast amplifies to a pronounced whine from the automatic gearbox as the car reaches cruising speed.

When I press the button marked 'Sport', the whining becomes intense and the Microlino suddenly accelerates with serious oomph.

Speed is not a problem. In fact, I never got to hit top speed on these urban roads anyway. My concern is with the braking. This is rather squelchy and requires several pushes on the pedal when I try a couple of emergency stops.

Overall, the bodywork feels solid. It's certainly not tinny. Nor is it cramped inside, even with the photographer sitting alongside me with his kit.

The double seat slides backwards and forwards to suit and there is legroom for all but the very gangliest. The boot easily has room for a couple of suitcases or a weekend shop (though not quite for a full-grown man, as I find out when I give it a try).

ROBERT HARDMAN: 'The boot easily has room for a couple of suitcases or a weekend shop (though not quite for a full-grown man, as I find out when I give it a try)'

Headroom may be a problem for the very tall, but the car comes with a sunroof. This is manual, like the sliding windows, for the simple reason that it keeps the number of components  and therefore both the weight and the risk of technical problems  to a minimum.

For the same reason, there is no air conditioning. Just conventional heating and ventilation operated via a touch- screen panel.

The most notable omission is that of any sound system. There is no radio, hifi or satnav. Given that most people now use their phone to play music and give them directions, this is not really a problem; you just stick your phone in a docking cradle and link it to a Bluetooth speaker.

Where this thing impresses most, though, is when it comes to parking. Its wheelbase is sufficiently short to allow you to park at right angles to a standard parking place  what the trade calls 'cross-parking'  and still be legal.

Because entry is through the front, not the side, you can squeeze into really tight spots and still open the door. Indeed, three Microlinos can slot into a standard space for a single saloon. What makes it all the more interesting is that here we have a mass-production car from a family business which has never made a car before.

ROBERT HARDMAN: 'Where this thing impresses most, though, is when it comes to parking. Its wheelbase is sufficiently short to allow you to park at right angles to a standard parking place  what the trade calls 'cross-parking'  and still be legal'

The Ouboters have made their name  and about 600 million from producing the Micro range of scooters. These are aimed at everyone from three-year-olds to commuters. I myself fall over a pile of them every morning just walking down the stairs at home.

Now Wim, his wife, Janine and two sons, Oliver, 28, and Merlin, 26, have applied the same principles again: take a simple, proven design and then remodel it to suit contemporary needs and tastes. 'We do like finding something in a small category that is not cool, that does not have a lot of big competition and then re-engineering it and bringing in a bit of lifestyle,' says Merlin, from the family HQ just outside Zurich, where he runs the sales and marketing side of the new business.

He explains that the family owns an Isetta, just like the one which Cary Grant made famous back in the 1950s and which sold more than 160,000 models before BMW ceased production in the 1960s.

The idea was to make 'a small electric vehicle for the everyday commute'. Given that many others, from madcap inventors to giant motor manufacturers, have tried to corner this market without success, why will the Microlino make a difference?

'I think other newcomers have found just how hard it is to get this off the ground. Building a prototype is only 5 per cent of making a car,' says Merlin. 'And because we are a family, we can make decisions much faster than a big company.'

So, they started work on the original Microlino back in 2016, developed a car using a lot of Chinese components and then dropped the idea after problems with their production partner.

While others might have called it quits at this point, the Ouboters simply set about redesigning a better car just as Covid showed up the perils of global supply lines. The result is a faster, stronger, more efficient model with 90 per cent of components from Europe.

Except it is not, officially, a 'car'. Merlin explains that, according to European technical rules, it has a motorcycle designation, even though you need a vehicle licence to drive it.

This, it transpires, is very important when it comes to finding the right slot in the market.

Citroen, for example, has a tiny electric runaround called the Ami which is classified as 'L6E'. This means it is rated as a quadricycle, can be driven by a 16-year-old without a driving licence but can't go faster than 25mph. It's cheap but, in essence, is a moped with a roof.

Further up the electrical tree is something like the Mercedes-owned Smart car. However, because that is classified as a motor car (known as 'M1'), it has to meet very clear safety specifications for cars. That means much higher weight and cost.

Sitting in between is the Microlino, which has a 'L7E' rating  the highest category for a 'motor tricyle or quadricycle'. This means it can weigh much more than the Ami (almost half a ton without its battery) and carry more power, with a top speed of 56mph.

It is a car in all but name, but without the full specifications. 'If you are classed as a regular car, it's really difficult to make money at that price range,' says Merlin.

Renault has gone for the same bracket with its Twizy, but this has struggled with its mobility scooter looks and the fact the passenger has to squash in behind the driver.

Microlino's strategy has been to create a retro feel while stripping out non-essential fripperies to maximise efficiency.

The family has hired ex-BMW director, Peter Muller, who previously helped design the Porsche Boxster, to head up all things technical.

'We use 50 per cent less electricity per 100km than an average electric car,' says Merlin, adding that a Microlino only requires about 50 per cent of the components, too.

For now, the Microlino strategy, as the name suggests, is to start small. The first cars only hit the road in Switzerland last month and, at present, the family's Turin factory employs just 40 people producing 25 cars a week.

Things are about to scale up fast. Production is scheduled to hit 100 cars per week by the end of this year. Next year, the plan is to build 7,000 Microlinos and 12,000 in 2024.

Customers can only order online but there needs to be a dealership network in place in each country first in order to handle repairs. Germany, Italy and Belgium are now established as the next countries to receive the thing. Talks are in hand with potential British partners and Merlin is adamant that the first Microlinos will be on UK roads by the end of next year.

There are no right-hand drive models in production yet, but he says that is not mandatory and many Brits like the retro continental look anyway.

Besides, the car is improving all the time. Depending on your choice of battery, current models have a range of up to 109 miles. However, a new battery is on its way and, in a matter of weeks, range will be extended to 144 miles. Coming soon, as well, is a less whiny and irritating gearbox.

Meanwhile, the family continues to produce their scooters  Mum, Janine, heads up that side of the business  while Dad remains in charge of overall strategy and the two boys focus on the car.

They are a close-knit quartet. The brothers have left home now but both return there for dinner with their parents every Sunday night.

With no shareholders to answer to, they are under no obligation to discuss the cost of the new venture, although Merlin confirms that it is easily in the tens of millions.

So, have we finally found 'the car of the future', courtesy of the car of the past?

It's too soon to say. However, Merlin reveals a striking new statistic.

Driving a Microlino, it transpires, is more eco-friendly than public transport, following studies with Swiss commuter trains. 'We have used railway data that shows the train consumes 7.8 kwh per person per 100km. With us, it's nearer 7.5 kwh.'

Whenever this thing does finally hit our shores, we are clearly going to have to avoid Microlino owners at dinner parties or the school gates like the plague.

The smugness is going to be unbearable.
Big Four accountancy firm Ernst & Young will hold a memorial service at its Sydney headquarters for a senior auditor who died at the office nearly two months ago.

Aishwarya Venkatachalam, 27, fell from a terrace on the roof of the building's 10th floor around 12.20am on Saturday, August 27, after returning to work after a function.

Ms Venkatachalam, an Indian national, had only moved to Australia 11 months earlier to take up the position and had complained to friends about grappling with bullying and racism.

Her death rocked corporate Australia and sparked outcry about industry expectations to work relentless hours and allegations of a toxic workplace culture.

After Daily Mail Australia revealed Ms Venkatachalam had previously complained that her co-workers were 'mean and racist', Ernst & Young - which trades as EY - last month announced a sweeping company review into workplace culture.

Aishwarya Venkatachalam, 27, (pictured left, with friend Neeti Bisht) died after falling from the 10th floor of EY's Sydney headquarters in August

Now, an EY spokeswoman has confirmed to The Australian's Margin Call column that an internal memorial event will be held onsite with friends and colleagues this week.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted EY for further comment.

Ms Venkatachalam gained an accounting degree in India, before marrying, settling down, then relocating to Australia in November 2021 as a senior auditor in real estate assurance.

Her husband Nakul, who she wed in January 2021, was on a flight from Singapore to Sydney when she died and learned of the tragedy when he stepped off the plane.

'She was very educated, beautiful and brilliant,' Ms Venkatachalam's uncle said.

'She was a very good lady, she was brought up very well.

'I do not know how this could happen.'

In the days following Ms Venkatachalam's death, three witnesses came forward to reveal they found her just hours before she died crying in a carpark after leaving staff drinks at nearby Ivy nightclub.

The Good Samaritans said the senior auditor was sobbing uncontrollably, apparently having a panic attack, and said 'all white people are racist'.

She told the three women she got kicked out of the work function and she left her house key in the EY office but staff would not let her upstairs to get it.

The women said another woman and two men appeared and offered to drop Ms Venkatachalam off at the EY building to get her key, where she later died.

An EY spokeswoman has confirmed the company will be holding a memorial at the office for Ms Venkatachalam on Friday

Aishwarya Venkatachalam's newlywed husband Nakul Mulari was on a flight home from Singapore to Sydney at the time of her death

Close friend Neeti Bisht said Ms Venkatachalam told her she was dealing with bullying and racism at work, but she was otherwise thriving in Australia.

'I think things had just started to brew then... Her colleagues and the racist angle was at play,' she previously told Daily Mail Australia.

An Ernst & Young representative previously told Daily Mail Australia the company 'has a zero tolerance response to bullying, harassment and racism, and we take any allegations that relate to these issues very seriously'.

'The review we launched last week following this tragedy is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further until it is complete,' she said.

'We are continuing to offer all our people counselling and support.'

There is no suggestion EY or Ms Venkatachalam's co-workers or her superiors were in any way responsible for her death.

NSW Police and SafeWork NSW are still investigating the death, and the terrace deck on the roof of the 10th floor has been closed to staff since the tragedy.

Oceanic EY CEO David Larocca (left) has vowed Elizabeth Broderick (right) will look at the firms culture, work practices and psychological health and safety in a 'rigorous, independent' review

EY employees told Daily Mail Australia the company offered counselling services to workers in the wake of the incident, however, staff were infuriated by the firm's initial response which didn't even name Ms Venkatchalam in a speech addressing the company's 9,000 Sydney workers.

Company bosses finally relented after Daily Mail Australia revealed how furious workers were pursuing the CEO on LinkedIn, telling him to 'Say her name.'

Former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick has been appointed to lead the investigation at the giant accountancy firm.

The company has now also launched two additional internal reviews in the wake of the tragedy to tackle mental healthy and safety support within the organisation.

Oceanic EY CEO David Larocca has vowed Ms Broderick will look at the companys culture, work practices and psychological health and safety in an 'independent and rigorous' review.

'We are committed to supporting everyone at EY and want to do everything we can to ensure we continue to provide a diverse, inclusive and safe workplace,' said Mr Larocca.

'The findings of these reviews will help us do that.'

For confidential 24-hour support in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14
Former British fighter pilots are training the Chinese to shoot down Western aircraft, officials warned last night.

Up to 30 pilots have recently moved to China after securing 250,000-a-year contracts to teach Western flying procedures, it was revealed.

Due to legal loopholes, there is nothing the Armed Forces can do to prevent the Beijing brain drain  a potential threat to national security in which Chinese pilots could be given a lethal advantage in any future conflict.

Many more top Royal Air Force pilots have been approached by intermediaries acting on behalf of the Peoples Liberation Army but declined the offers, sources said.

Western officials said last night Britain was discussing with allies how to respond to the issue as they are similarly affected.

The Daily Mail has been told fast-jet pilots from Australia and Canada have also been lured to China on huge contracts.

Former British fighter pilots are training the Chinese to shoot down Western aircraft, officials warned last night (Pictured: Chinese female J-10 fighter pilot Yu Xu leaving the plane after performing at the Airshow China in Zhuhai)

(Pictured: J-15 fighter jets on China's operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, during a drill at sea)

China wants to be the worlds most dominant military power by 2049. Its armed forces are expanding rapidly due to huge investment in aircraft carriers, stealth jets and weaponry.

The shocking recruitment programme will be confirmed today in a rare Ministry of Defence threat alert. It comes as the UK redesignates China from systemic competitor status to a threat to British interests.

An official said last night: Serving and former advanced jet pilots are being openly head-hunted to train Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) pilots in China.

Growing might of the Dragon Chinas armed forces include 915,000 active troops, a third of whom are conscripts Its rapidly developing air force includes latest-generation fighter jets among its 2,000 warplanes Chinas air force is the third largest in the world, including 400,000 personnel Its J-20 stealth jet from 2017 has impressed Western experts Chinese defence spending is growing by nearly 7 per cent a year, approaching 200billion China already has the worlds largest navy, with at least 360 vessels and three aircraft carriers The RAF has 479 aircraft and 38,000 personnel. The Navy boasts two aircraft carriers Advertisement

The recruitment schemes pose a threat to UK and Western interests. They are being conducted by third parties and the remunerative packages are very generous.

These personnel are almost certainly enhancing Chinas knowledge and capabilities. Without us taking action, this activity would almost certainly cause harm to the UK and our allies defence advantage.

The official added: We are issuing threat guidance to personnel at risk of being head-hunted. We are also reminding personnel of their obligation to protect sensitive information acquired during their employment.

While we have no legal levers to compel people to return [from China], we need to take preventative steps.

The practice began in 2019, slowed during the pandemic, then was ramped up once Covid restrictions were lifted in China, according to Western officials.

The Chinese use a private flying academy in South Africa to act as an intermediary as any direct approaches to RAF fast-jet pilots by Beijing would be intercepted by the security services.

Last night, the Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA), based at Oudtshoorn airfield in the Western Cape province, declined to comment on its alleged role.

The TFASA has made offers to RAF Typhoon, Jaguar and Tornado pilots to relocate to China and become PLA instructors, according to Western officials. UK military helicopter pilots have also been approached.

The Ministry of Defence is seeking to tighten legal obligations around former pilots passing on their knowledge and experience.

A forthcoming National Security Bill is expected to include beefed-up rules including legally binding non-disclosure agreements.

Former UK defence intelligence officer Philip Ingram said last night: This is a potentially massive counter-intelligence issue.

(Pictured: Pilots line up in front of fighter jets of the Bayi Aerobatics Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army)

The Chinese will try every technique possible to get detailed understandings of what the pilots know about British tactics and allied tactics, and the technologies around our military aircraft.

I think the pilots are misguided, greedy and naive and now a threat to national security. The Ministry of Defence said: We are taking decisive steps to stop Chinese recruitment schemes attempting to head-hunt serving and former UK Amed Forces pilots, who are already subject to the Official Secrets Act.

We are reviewing the use of confidentiality contracts and non-disclosure agreements, while the new National Security Bill will create additional tools to tackle security challenges, including this one.
Tragic scenes of Australian native animals scurrying to flee rising flood waters continue to emerge as Victoria's flood emergency surges on.

Video has emerged of a wombat swimming through flood waters from the swollen Goulburn River on the outskirts of Ghin Ghin, just north of Melbourne.

The video was captured by a Wildlife Australia volunteer - one of many whom have flocked to Victoria's north to help save thousands of displaced animals.

Kangaroos displaced by rising flood waters in Shepparton on Monday

Baby possums rescued by Wildlife Victoria in the floods

The wombat was rescued by a Wildlife Victoria volunteer and taken to a nearby shelter.

On Friday, Daily Mail Australia reported on the plight of wombats caught up in the floods north of Melbourne.

An image showed the heartbreaking moment a wombat and its tiny joey fled rising floodwaters.

The photo was captured by staff at the Molesworth Recreation Reserve and Caravan Park- situated situated a little over 100kms northeast of Melbourne's CBD on the Goulburn River.

The fate of the wombat and its joey remains unknown, with the caravan park and its residents fighting a losing battle against the rising flood waters.

On Monday, more sad stories highlighting the plight of Victoria's wildlife continued to emerge.

Photos of bedraggled baby possums, soaking wet kookaburras, frightened kangaroos and even homeless lizards have been posted to social media.

A wombat swims for its life after becoming trapped in floodwaters in Ghin Ghin

Wildlife Victoria has set up an appeal to help its efforts to save animals caught up in the floods

In what can be regarded as some rare good news among the animal crisis, a wombat named Selina has been found alive and well after escaping her prison island in the Macedon Ranges - northwest of the CBD.

Selina had dug a burrow in high ground after being flooded out in the area a few weeks ago.

That burrow had become an island over the weekend, with concerns she had been swept away.

Overnight, Selina and her friend 'Wimble' were captured on night vision cameras on dry land after somehow escaping their island.

A little bush mouse named Antechinus was not so fortunate and remains trapped there until the water subsides.

Wildlife Australia has set up an appeal aimed at raising funds that will go directly to its Emergency Rescue Service.

The organisation is running a phone line 24-hours a day so its travelling vets can respond to wildlife emergencies in the field.

A kangaroo find a dry spot to rest after escaping flood waters in Victoria's north

Selina the wombat made a burrow in high ground when the flood waters began to rise.

Selina was later spotted on dry land after escaping the island

The organisation has received more than 1000 calls for help over the past 48 hours.

While Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday announced a $351 million package to give regional Victorian communities the immediate support they need, the state's wildlife have been left to defend to themselves.

On Friday, a Molesworth Recreation Reserve and Caravan Park staffer told Daily Mail Australia the mother and joey they pictured were not the only wombats scurrying for their lives.

'There were wombats everywhere searching for higher ground. It's a terrible situation with the Goulburn right now,' the spokesperson said.

'Our entire park is under water and it's getting deeper and deeper so hoping eases soon.'

Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp told radio 3AW on Monday the floodwaters were expected to continue causing chaos for days to come.

'Echuca had its first peak, so that happened overnight, but as this water works its way up to Goulburn, it will see a second peak in Echuca on Tuesday and Wednesday,' he said.

'Even though the water is slightly receding in Echuca, its still got major flooding levels, theres still significant risk there but its the next peak we are looking at.'

Mr Crisp said a State of Disaster had not yet been declared despite wild weather and flooding expected to last four to six weeks.

A local resident carries a sandbag through a flooded street in Shepparton
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The rocket that will be carried into space in the first ever orbital launch from British soil has finally arrived in Cornwall.

LauncherOne, the 70-foot-long launch vehicle, is due to be packed full of satellites and tucked into the belly of Virgin Orbit's space plane, 'Cosmic Girl', next month.

Cosmic Girl will take off from Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay and transport the two-stage orbital launch vehicle to a high altitude.

It will then be 'horizontally' dropped before engaging its thrusters to launch itself into space at up to 17,500 mph, where it will deposit the satellites.

The LauncherOne vehicle arrived late Friday night from California, on-board the C-17 Globemaster military plane.

The mission, which is on track for a November lift-off, has been named Start Me Up in tribute to the iconic British band, the Rolling Stones.

LauncherOne, the 70-foot-long launch vehicle, is due to be packed full of satellites and tucked into the belly of Virgin Orbit's space plane, 'Cosmic Girl', next month

The LauncherOne vehicle arrived late Friday night from California, USA onboard the C-17 Globemaster military plane

LauncherOne was made at the Virgin Orbit base in Long Beach in Los Angeles County. It was flown to the UK along with the ground support equipment, including the rocket's fuelling rigs

It came after the Cosmic Girl plane, a modified Boeing 747, arrived last Tuesday, and has since begun flight rehearsals

TIMELINE OF FIRST ORBITAL LAUNCHES ON A COUNTRY'S OWN SOIL 1. Soviet Union - 4 October 1957 2. United States - 1 February 1958 3. Japan - 11 February 1970 4. France* - 10 March 1970 (From the French territory, French Guiana) 5. China - 24 April 1970 6. India - 18 July 1980 7. Israel - 19 September 1988 8. Iran - 2 February 2009 9. North Korea - 12 December 2012 10 South Korea - 21 June 2022 11. United Kingdom - ? Advertisement

As well as being the first satellite launch from Britain, it will also be the first commercial launch from Europe and the first international launch by Virgin Orbit.

It will be a momentous occasion, with the UK finally joining the space race some 70 years after the British Space Programme was established in 1952.

LauncherOne was made at the Virgin Orbit base in Long Beach in Los Angeles County.

It has been flown to the UK along with all the ground support equipment, including the rocket's fuelling rigs.

It came after the Cosmic Girl plane, a modified Boeing 747, arrived last Tuesday, and has since begun flight rehearsals.

Although October 29 is when the window for lift-off opens, the mission has still not received the green light from the Civil Aviation Authority which regulates Britain's rocket launches, so November, or possibly December, seems more likely for the first flight.

Once Cosmic Girl is at a high enough altitude  around 35,000 feet  LauncherOne will be unleashed.

The rocket will then thrust itself to an orbital altitude where it will deploy the satellites, by catapulting them at 8,000 miles per hour.

This includes the UK government's two 'cubesats'  measuring about 12 inches long, 8 inches wide and 4 inches deep  along with eight other payloads as part of a mission named Prometheus-2.

'Cubesat 1' and 'Cubesat 2' will provide a test platform for monitoring radio signals including GPS and sophisticated imaging.

Cubesat 1 includes a laser detector, a GPS receiver and a hyperspectral imager  which can capture multiple slivers of pictures over different wavelengths of light.

Cubesat 2, meanwhile, includes two optical imaging cameras, a laser range finder, and a GPS receiver.

The cubesats will allow MOD to better understand how the UK and its international partners can work together to create a 'more capable and flexible system' at a lower cost.

Once Cosmic Girl is at a high enough altitude  around 35,000 feet  LauncherOne is unleashed. The rocket will then thrust itself to an orbital altitude where it will deploy the satellites, by catapulting them at 8,000 miles per hour

Sir Richard Branson's company has already conducted three successful consecutive orbital missions with LauncherOne in 2021 and 2022, the last one in January

The Virgin Orbit Launcher One rocket, pictured in its hanger at Newquay Airport in August last year, will be equipped with Ministry of Defence observation kit among other payloads

The rocket will transport the UK government's two 'cubesats'  measuring about 12 inches long, 8 inches wide and 4 inches deep  along with eight other payloads as part of a mission named Prometheus-2

Sir Richard Branson's company has already conducted three successful consecutive orbital missions with LauncherOne in 2021 and 2022, the last one in January.

Ian Annett, deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency, said: 'Seeing Virgin Orbit's aircraft take off is an exciting reminder that we are close to the first launch from UK soil and first launch of a satellite from Europe.

'This will be an iconic moment in the history of UK space endeavours, so it is fitting that the mission has been named after a song from the Rolling Stones, one of the UK's most iconic bands.'

He added: 'Developing new launch capabilities will build on the strengths of our space sector and attract companies from around the world to benefit from these commercial opportunities.

'This will catalyse investment, bring new jobs to communities and organisations right across the UK, as well as inspiring the next generation of space scientists and engineers.'

Virgin Orbit launches involve the firm's carrier aircraft, a modified Boeing 747 called Cosmic Girl (pictured), and a two-stage orbital launch vehicle called LauncherOne

The Cosmic Girl plane, a modified Boeing 747, arrived in Spaceport Cornwall last Tuesday, and has since begun flight rehearsals.

Once Cosmic Girl is at a high enough altitude  around 35,000 feet  LauncherOne is unleashed. The rocket will then thrust itself to an orbital altitude where it will deploy the satellites, by catapulting them at 8,000 miles per hour

MILESTONES IN BRITISH SPACE 1952: British space programme adopted 1962: First British-built satellite is launched (by NASA from Cape Canaveral, Florida) 1971: British rocket Black Arrow puts a single British satellite, Prospero, into orbit from a launch site in Australia 1975: 10 nations including the UK founds the European Space Agency 1985: British National Space Centre in Leicester is founded 1991: Sheffield-born chemist Helen Sharman becomes the first British person in space 2003: Beagle 2 British Mars lander launched 2004: Sir Richard Branson forms private company Virgin Galactic 2016: Tim Peake becomes the first British person to walk in space 2018: Space Industry Act paves the way for construction of UK spaceports 2022: Three UK spaceports - one in Cornwall and two in Scotland - are expected to become operational Advertisement

Built by In-Space Missions Ltd, based in Hampshire, and designed with Airbus Defence and Space, Prometheus-2 is a collaboration between MoD and international partners, including the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

The mission will come 50 years after a British-made rocket, Black Arrow, last reached space following its lift-off from Australia.

The Soviet Union was the first nation to carry out a successful space launch, with Sputnik 1 in October 1957, before the United States, Japan, France, China, India, Israel and Iran all followed.

North Korea achieved the feat in 2012, along with South Korea earlier this year, so Britain would be the 11th nation to carry out a space launch on its own soil.

Spaceport Cornwall will be the first such hub in the UK to enter service when the repurposed Newquay Airport hosts the space plane lift-off at night, after all the commercial flights have ended.

Science Minister Nusrat Ghani said: 'As we move ever closer to the first satellite launch from UK soil, it's excellent to see the progress being made by Virgin Orbit, Spaceport Cornwall and those across government in delivering this historic mission, the first of its kind in Europe.

'With 47,000 jobs across the UK, our growing space industry is a vital part of the economy and has an important role to play in catalysing investment, generating growth and prosperity.

'I'm looking forward to working with this innovative sector and delivering on our National Space Strategy.'

The Cornwall horizontal launch site is one of three spaceports in the UK that aim to start satellite launches in 2022, but is expected to beat its two Scottish rivals to seal the title as the host location of the first satellite launch from British soil.

Getting the infrastructure and regulations in place to allow for liftoff from Newquay has taken considerable time, but while the airport and its 1.6 mile-long (2.7km) runway look the same, a new building will allow Virgin Orbit to load satellites into its rocket and then attach it to the wing of its plane.

An on-site mission control will also be used to carry out the launch.

Dan Hart, CEO of Virgin Orbit, said: 'What an incredible honour it is for us to be part of something as monumental as bringing Britain into the business of launch.

'Working with our partners across the UK government, we're starting up a new capability that will serve the people, the economy, and the security of the UK.'

Melissa Thorpe, head of Spaceport Cornwall, added: 'It's time to Start Us Up!

There are three UK spaceports aiming to start operations this year. The one in Cornwall is a horizontal launch site, meaning it uses a carrier aircraft, such as a Boeing 747, for launches before deploying rockets when the aircraft is airborne. Meanwhile, Space Hub Sutherland and SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands are vertical spaceports, meaning they perform more conventional ground launches with a rocket

'This is a huge moment for us all in Cornwall as the journey to UK space launch has officially begun.

'The mission name and patch reflect and embrace the incredible partnerships between our two countries and teams.'

The first launch from Spaceport Cornwall is just the beginning, with vertical launch spaceports in Scotland expected to come online in 2023.

In June last year, Mr Hart told MailOnline that Spaceport Cornwall could be used to send probes to Mars, Venus and the moon within the next three or four years .

'Lunar missions and smaller craft bound for Venus and Mars could be launched [from Spaceport Cornwall] within the next three or four years,' he said.

'We're not going to launch a Perseverance rover (currently being used by NASA to search for signs of ancient life on Mars ), for example, but smaller interplanetary probes that explore or carry out landing missions are a possibility.'

However, despite there being talk the Cornish site could one day launch fee-paying space tourists on suborbital pleasure flights, the Virgin Orbit chief said human spaceflight was 'not currently part of the company's plans' for the facility.
The heaviest bony fish in the world has been revealed as a 2.7-tonne sunfish that was discovered floating in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Scientists from the Atlantic Naturalist Association in Portugal hoisted the giant fish out the water using a mechanical winch, in order to study it more closely.

It was identified as a southern or bump-head sunfish, Mola alexandrini, and was around 12 feet (3.6 metres) tall and 11 feet (3.5 metres) long.

The fish was already dead when it was spotted off the coast of Faial Island, part of the Azores island group, in December 2021, but it is still not certain what killed it.

The previous record holder for the world's heaviest bony fish was also a southern sunfish which weighed 2.3 tonnes and was found in Kamogawa, Japan in 1996.

The heaviest bony fish in the world has been revealed as a 2.7-tonne sunfish that was discovered floating in the North Atlantic Ocean

The fish was already dead when it was spotted off the coast of Faial Island, part of the Azores island group, in December 2021, but it is still not certain what killed it

Sunfish are named as such because they bask in the sunlight on the surface of the ocean to warm up after searching the cold, deep water for food. Pictured: Mola alexandrini

WHAT IS THE SOUTHERN SUNFISH? Sunfish are the largest bony fish species in the world, and can weigh 2.5 tonnes when fully-grown. But despite their weight, they can still leap out of the water. They live primarily of jellyfish, but also eat small fish, fish larvae, squid, and crustaceans. Advertisement

After taking it back to shore using a forklift, the researchers carried out a necropsy on the giant sunfish, which weighed exactly 6,049 pounds (2,744 kilograms) - around the same as a rhinoceros.

They analysed its stomach contents and took samples of its scales, muscular tissue and digestive tract to study its DNA.

The record was announced in their results, that were published last Tuesday in Journal of Fish Biology.

A large, semi-cylindrical depression was found near the sunfish's head, and the skin showed remains of red antifouling paint typically seen on the keel of boats.

'It is however not clear if the impact occurred pre or post-mortem, and therefore the cause of death remains uncertain,' the authors wrote.

Sunfish are named as such because they bask in the sunlight on the surface of the ocean to warm up after searching the cold, deep water for food.

They are found all over the world in open tropical and temperate seas, and are often mistaken for sharks when their dorsal fin pokes out the water.

The southern sunfish was classified as a unique species in 2018, after years of being confused with the more common ocean sunfish, Mola mola.

Ocean sunfish can grow up to 2,910 pounds (1,320 kg), so this discovery confirms that the southern species is able to reach twice their size.

The team from the Atlantic Naturalist Association, a non-profit research organisation, want to further study their huge specimen to learn more about the species.

Scientists from the Atlantic Naturalist Association in Portugal hoisted the giant fish out the water using a mechanical winch in order to study it more closely

The team from the Atlantic Naturalist Association, a non-profit research organisation, want to further study their huge specimen to learn more about the species

The specimen was around 12 feet (3.6 meters) tall and 11 feet (3.5 m) long

In 2020, scientists at the Australian Museum Research Institute in Sydney identified the larvae of the southern sunfish for the first time.

Genetic material from the eyeball of the 2mm-long larval specimen was a perfect match to an adult sunfish preserved at the museum.

The sample had been one of several collected by marine researchers in 2017 and sparked the curiosity of sunfish expert Dr Marianne Nyegaard - a researcher at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Dr Nyegaard said the link between baby and adult sunfish had been so difficult to make because the adult version looks nothing like their larvae.

In 2020, scientists at the Australian Museum Research Institute in Sydney identified the larvae of the southern sunfish for the first time. Genetic material from the eyeball of the 2mm-long larval specimen (pictured) was a perfect match to an adult sunfish preserved at the museum

In June, a local fisherman in Cambodia captured a 661-pound (300 kg) giant stingray that was named as the world's heaviest freshwater fish.

Moul Thun, 42, hooked the 13-feet-long (4 metre) stingray, breaking the previous record of a catfish, discovered in Thailand in 2005, which clocked in at 646 pounds.

The stingray, nicknamed 'Boramy' or 'full moon' in the Khmer language, was snagged in the Mekong River that is famous for hosting various species of large fish.

A team of scientists from the Wonders of Mekong research project helped tag, measure and weigh the ray before it was released back into the river.

In June, a local fisherman in Cambodia captured a 661-pound (300 kg) giant stingray that was named as the world's heaviest freshwater fish
GAP

Kanye West has formally notified Gap that he is terminating their partnership.

The artist's lawyers sent a letter to the company on Thursday, September 15 to notify them of the termination, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The letter alleged that Gap breached their agreement by not releasing apparel as planned, or opening stores.

The contract with Gap, signed in June 2020, is good for for another eight years.

Drama: Kanye West has formally notified Gap that he is terminating their partnership

The Wall Street Journal viewed the letter.

The Yeezy Gap merchandise already available in stores will remain there and still be available for purchase, per the letter.

It also said that the company was required to sell 40% of the Yeezy Gap merch in stores during the latter part of 2021.

Only one item from the collection went on sale last fall, and it was only available online and not in a store.

No Yeezy Gap store has opened yet; the company was required to open five retail shops by July 31, 2023.

The Yeezy Gap by Balenciaga merch debuted in stores in July with more coming this fall.

Merchandise made in collaboration with Balenciaga for Gap will not be affected.

Three months after he signed the deal, Kanye threatened to withhold his line unless he got a board seat.

In August, Kanye criticized Gap and spoke to its executives directly: 'You have to really give me the position to be Ye and let me do what I'm thinking, or I have to do the thinking somewhere else.'

That same month, Kanye came under fire after he made the decision to display his new Yeezy line in garbage bags at GAP stores after critics complained that he was mocking homeless people.

The rapper told FOX News Eric Shawn at the time that he was just trying to challenge conventional traditions in the way we dress and make clothing that's more egalitarian and not pretentious.

'I'm an innovator and I'm not here to sit up and apologize for my ideas,' Kanye said.

Kanye West 's Yeezy Gap collaboration engineered by Balenciaga was released earlier this year

He also pointed out that the bags are not 'garbage' bags but actually construction bags and the reason for the bags is so people can informally reach in and grab what they want to buy - adding that the goal is to make life easier and informal so we can all, basically, dress in the dark.

Twitter users expressed confusion over his bizarre vision after photos were posted of his clothing stuffed in large black bags, rather than on hangers or neatly folded in piles.

The father-of-four sparked controversy for saying on his Instagram account that inspiration behind his fashion label, Yeezy, was 'the homeless.'

In January, a Yeezy GAP spokesperson told The Post: 'Ye has a deep and solution-oriented commitment to addressing issues surrounding homelessness.'

In November 2021, Kanye met with charitable organizations and came up with strategies in an attempt to ease the rampant problem in the city, according to TMZ.

Kanye West has been roasted on social media after fans complained that his new Yeezy line for GAP has been displayed in trash bags, at the rapper's own request

ADIDAS

Earlier this month, Kanye accused Adidas of seizing creative control over the Yeezy brand and stealing his design ideas to produce shoes similar to his Boost trainers.

He also claimed that the shoe company ripped off his design for slides.

'No one should be held in that position where people can steal from them and say we're just paying you to shut up,' he told Bloomberg. 'That destroys innovation. That destroys creativity. That's what destroyed Nikola Tesla.'

He's hammered Adidas executives with a series of mocking Instagram posts until, he claims, his lawyers stepped in and asked him to stop.

In some of the posts, he superimposed Adidas executive Daniel Cherry's head on another person's body and created mocking videos of the corporate leader.

Earlier this month, Kanye also posted and deleted a fake New York Times newspaper that falsely claimed Adidas CEO Kasper Rrsted had 'died' at 60.

The rapper wrote the caption: 'I'm not here to be liked I'd you don't like it leave' [sic], he said.

Yikes: Earlier this month, Kanye also posted and deleted a fake New York Times newspaper that falsely claimed Adidas CEO Kasper Rrsted had 'died' at 60

Weeks prior, Kanye posted another fake NY Times newspaper front page announcing the 'death' of Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian's relationship - after they had split.

He later reposted it and put a new caption: 'God loves Us;' it is still up on his Instagram page.

Soon after, Kanye posted a snap of Daniel Cherry, who is the SVP/General Manager of Adidas.

Earlier this month - after nearly a decade of collaborating together, Kanye fired a shot at Adidas for 'blatant copying' of his Yeezy slides.

West fired a direct shot at Kasper, stating, 'To Kasper Im not standing for this blatant copying no more.'

'To all sneaker culture To every ball player rapper or even if you work at the store This is for everyone who wants to express themselves but feel they cant cause theyll loose their contract or be called crazy,' he continued.

Adidas first unveiled their new Adilette slides earlier this month, which will retail at $55, and the 45-year-old rapper is none too happy about it.

Earlier this month: West fired a direct shot at Kasper, stating, 'To Kasper Im not standing for this blatant copying no more;' Kasper seen March 14, 2018

'These shoes represent the disrespect that people in power have to the talent. This shoe is a fake Yeezy made by adidas themselves Im not talking to DC about this either Kasper come talk to me. Happy Monday,' West concluded.

West and Adidas' apparel and shoe deal was first announced in December 2013, with the first collection dropping in February 2015.

That line included his first shoe dubbed Yeezy Boosts, which were limited to just 9,000 pairs available only in New York City... which sold out in 10 minutes.

Adidas first unveiled their new Adilette slides earlier this month, which will retail at $55, and the 45-year-old rapper is none too happy about it.

West took to Instagram, blasting the shoe company and CEO Kasper Rorstad for the slides, which he dubbed, 'fake Yeezys.'

Fake Yeezys: Earlier this month, Kanye took to Instagram, blasting the shoe company and CEO Kasper Rorstad for the slides, which he dubbed, 'fake Yeezys'

Real Yeezys: The real Yeezys slides Kanye West sold through his deal with Adidas

JP MORGAN

Ye also went after JPMorgan Chase, where he holds much of his money after switching from a small Wyoming bank, for not backing him in his war against the popular clothing brands.

'I've went to JP Morgan but of course they won't give me no deal flow cause Jin(g) Ulrich is on the board of both Adidas and JP Morgan. What shoe company will give me control. I need to be the head of the board and chief decision maker,' he posted.

Jing Ulrich is the Chase vice chair of investment banking.

Ye also tried to get banking titan Jamie Dimon on the phone, but was ghosted by the financier.

'I feel like there's a lot of controlling and handling to suppress my ability to affect the American economy and industry,' the rapper said of Chase.
This gaseous pollutant has reflective properties and when released at large amounts from volcanoes, cools temperatures

Officials want to research the possible uses of spraying sulfur dioxide

This is a similar technique used in The Matrix 4 animated film to block the sun in order to slow advances of machines trying to take over the world

The White House announced a five-year plan that aims to limit how much sunlight hits Earth to combat global warming and it involves spraying particles into the atmosphere to reflect light back into space - a similar technique codenamed 'Operation Dark Storm' in The Matrix 4 animated film.

While it sounds like a plot from a science fiction film, US government officials are looking to spend around $10 billion per year on the program that would send flying aircraft into the stratosphere to release an aerosol with reflective abilities.

The research, according to CNBC, is looking at sulfur dioxide, which spews from volcanoes and coal factories and is known to block sunlight, along with cool the Earth.

An excessive amount of the component, however, can have negative impacts on the environment and human health and the White House is conducting research for a way to mitigate the effects.

The White House announced a five-year plan to combat global warming, which involves spraying particles in the upper atmosphere that limits the amount of sunlight that hits the Earth (stock photo)

The Matrix used this technique to stop machines from taking over the Earth, but the White House wants to use it to intervene in the Earth's climate system in a way that offsets effects of climate change.

The program is being led by the White House Office of Science and Technology, which was directed by Congress to develop the plan and spraying sulfur dioxide seems to be the running idea.

Sulfur dioxide is a gaseous air pollutant made of sulfur and oxygen, which creates a bright haze that reflects sunlight back into space - making it a perfect candidate for the White House's fight against climate change.

Using this component is not a unique idea, as New Jersey's Rutgers University published a paper in 2020 about this same technique.

The scientists propose spraying sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere at different locations around the world, to form sulfuric acid clouds that block some solar radiation.

The Matrix used this technique to stop machines from taking over the Earth, but the White House wants to use it to intervene in the Earth's climate system in a way that offsets effects of climate change

The research is looking at sulfur dioxide, which spews from volcanoes and coal factories and is known to block sunlight, along with cool the Earth. A flying craft would release the particles in the upper atmosphere

The study also notes that the amount of spray could be adjusted every year to keep global warming at recommended levels.

President Lyndon B. Johnson was the first to describe using sunlight reflection. In a 1965 report, the former president described it costing $100 square mile to spread particles over the ocean.

CNBC reports that a one percent change in the reflectivity of the Earth would cost $500 million per year, which does 'not seem excessive,' the report said, 'considering the extraordinary economic and human importance of climate.'

However, the current plan is looking at $10 billion each year to cool the Earth by two degrees Fahrenheit, Edward A. Parson, a professor of environmental law at the University of California - Los Angeles law school, told CNBC.

The component, however, cools the Earth when it is released from volcanoes.

Mount Tambora, which blew its top in April 1815, shot a cloud of sulfur dioxide more than 20 miles into the atmosphere.

This caused a three degree drop in temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere.

Chris Sacca, the founder of climate tech investment fund Lowercarbon Capital, told CNBC that sulfur dioxide, although it has reflective properties, is not the best particle to spray into the atmosphere and notes that 'cloud brightening is a very promising technique as well.'

The technique, known as Marine cloud brightening, adds sea salt to the sky over oceans that form sunlight blocking clouds.

Clouds appear when water forms around particles. Since there is a limited amount of water in the air, adding more particles creates more, but smaller, droplets.

Unlike sulfur dioxide, Marine cloud brightening only lasts for a few hours and takes more particles to create the giant clouds - but it is much safer for the environment and human health.

Parson told CNBC that sulfur 'will mess with the ozone chemistry in a way that might delay the recovery of the ozone layer.'

And what goes up must come down - the sulfur will return to Earth as acid rain, which would cause entirely new problems.

Geoengineering, however, also has its own issues, as the concept is seen as controversial for its ethical and political ramifications and the uncertainty around its impact.

A 2018 study found that if the aerosol approach is attempted and then suddenly halted, the planet could warm ten times faster than normal.

Experts previously warned the technique is a 'risky strategy' that could wreak havoc on our weather patterns, triggering severe droughts or devastating cyclones.
Hungarian Ambassador to Korea Istvan Szerdahelyi, second from left, poses for a photo with guests during a reception at the "Folded  Unfolded" exhibition at Sungkok Art Museum, Friday. Courtesy of Hungarian Cultural Center Seoul



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Ambassador Istvan Szerdahelyi, Hungary's new envoy to Seoul, held a reception wrapping up an exhibition that introduced the country's contemporary art to Korea, Friday.



The exhibit, "Folded  Unfolded: Abstract painting by Hungarian artists in the 1960-1970s," was held at Sungkok Art Museum from Aug. 27 to Oct. 15, featuring art from MNB Arts & Culture, a contemporary art collection of the Central Bank of Hungary (Magyar Nemzet Bank, MNB).



About 70 artworks by 15 Hungarian artists from the collection showcase the characteristics of abstraction in Hungary's historical and geographical context in the 1960s and 1970s.



Recently arrived in Korea, Szerdahelyi is an Asia expert, whose previous ambassadorships include postings to Japan and Singapore.





Guests attend a reception at the "Folded  Unfolded" exhibition, showcasing Hungarian abstract art, at Sungkok Art Museum in central Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Hungarian Cultural Center Seoul
'Cannes is the perfect size for walking  even if the film stars take a stretch limo everywhere,' she reveals

She watches yachts go by as she floats in the shallows of Saint-Honorat, a quiet atoll off the coast of Cannes

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As Im floating on my back in the sparkling shallows of Saint-Honorat, an island off Cannes, surrounded by super-yachts and gin palaces, I swear I can hear the clink of ice in a cocktail shaker.

Sure enough, a couple of minutes later, I spot the perfect silhouette of a martini glass as it is passed from cabin boy to elegant recipient on board the white-sailed yacht closest to me.

There is a flash of pink as she raises the drink to her lips. Cosmopolitan, I think to myself. This is as close as I come to the high life. Saint-Honorat is not a hot spot if youre a landlubber: its a quiet little atoll off the coast of the Riviera and all that is here are vineyards, a tranquil monastery manned by wine-making monks and a simple restaurant.

Glamour on a budget: Susannah Jowitt visits Cannes and reveals: 'If youre on a budget like me, you avoid the festivals and high summer and go off-season.' Above are boats and restaurants on the colourful waterfront

Ive come by water taxi and am only enjoying the yachts by swimming among them. My own cocktail will have to wait.

As I head back, the glorious esplanade of vast wedding cake hotels hoves into view, showcasing, with a briny sparkle, the bravura of this once tiny fishing port.

Cannes  on Frances south coast, neatly halfway between the much larger towns of Monte Carlo and St Tropez and only a half-hour drive from Nice airport  is of course famous for its springtime film and TV festivals, thronged with stars and 8,000 hangers-on.

Susannah floats in the sparkling shallows of Saint-Honorat (pictured), a quiet little atoll off the coast of the Riviera that boasts 'vineyards, a tranquil monastery manned by wine-making monks and a simple restaurant'

Sun, sea and sand - the 'key ingredients' to a glitzy Cannes holiday - 'are free', Susannah reveals. Above is the city's Croisette Beach

But its a star in its own right at any time of year. If youre on a budget like me, you avoid the festivals and high summer and go off-season.

You may not be jostling Tom Cruise in the bar queue but that doesnt mean you have to lose the glitz. The key ingredients  sun, sea and sand  are free.

I start well by basing myself less than 100 metres from the iconic red carpet at the Hotel Majestic, where room rates out of season are more affordable and the forensic attention to luxury is undiminished: the Fugue a Paris perfume wafting in the lobby, the pillow menu, the gold leaf in the cocktails. I already feel like a star.

Hotel Majestic (pictured) is Susannah's base for her trip. 'Room rates out of season are more affordable,' she notes

Susannah detects Fugue a Paris perfume wafting in the lobby of the Hotel Majestic

The hotel has hosted celebrities such as French actors Alain Delon and Juliette Binoche and Hollywood's Marilyn Monroe and Robert de Niro. Above is the stunning pool area

Guests at the Hotel Majestic can select their choice of pillow types from a 'pillow menu', Susannah reveals

The beach bar BFire, pictured, has a 'smokingly cool DJ' and serves 'fancy' beach food

The Majestic has hosted so many celebrities that it barely has the wall space to hold photos of them posing in front of its filigree facade: French superstars such as Alain Delon and Juliette Binoche, and Hollywood hotties past and present including Marilyn Monroe, Mickey Rourke, Robert de Niro, Nicole Kidman and Jamie Foxx.

Lounging on the private beach of the Majestic  20 for guests, 40 for outsiders  means I get to rub shoulders with the beautiful people at beach bar BFire, with its smokingly cool DJ and fancy (think truffle pizza) beach food.

Im developing a Cannes-do attitude.

And so I stroll along the long palm-planted Croisette, with its overload of Gucci, Chanel and Hermes boutiques, and then head for the Rue de la Pompe, a quiet and pretty pedestrian alley behind the main drag.

When Susannah arrives at the Forville market (pictured), she's 'transported back to before the English aristocracy arrived in the 1850s and began to transform Cannes into a winter sun resort'

An evening amble up through the winding cobbled streets of the old town brings Susannah to the hilltop of the enchanting Le Suquet area (pictured)

TRAVEL FACTS Doubles with B&B at Hotel Majestic (hotelsbarriere.com) from 210. Gatwick to Nice returns from 60 (easyjet.com). Advertisement

From the end of La Pompe, I turn up to the Forville market and am transported back to before the English aristocracy arrived in the 1850s and began to transform Cannes into a winter sun resort. And before Coco Chanel opened a large boutique here in 1932 and well before the Cannes Film Festival arrived in 1946.

Cannes is the perfect size for walking  even if the film stars take a stretch limo everywhere.

An evening amble up through the winding cobbled streets of the old town, brings me to the hilltop of enchanting Le Suquet, an area with its roots in Roman times, with its magnificent views, medieval castle museum and cosy neighbourhood bars, such as La Sousta offering traditional and Provencal cuisine.

Here, I order the markets red squid with black ink linguine  and the waiter nods approvingly: This is what Cate Blanchett ate. She was very quiet, just with her husband. We didnt ask her for a photo, thats not what we do.

Suddenly, I feel like a Cannes insider  and its a happy feeling.
Love Island couple Chloe Burrows and Toby Aromolaran have split  13 months after they came second on the ITV2 show.

Chloe, 27, jetted off to Morocco last week to escape her breakup woes with former co-star Millie Court, 25, who's been supporting her during the tough time.

A source told MailOnline that Chloe and Toby, 23, are still living at their Essex home but are making arrangements to go their separate ways after a difficult few months of trying to make the relationship work.

It's all over: Love Island couple Chloe Burrows and Toby Aromolaran have split  13 months after they came second on the ITV2 show

'Chloe and Toby put everything into their relationship  but it just hasn't worked out between them', a source explained.

'There's been no wrongdoing, they have simply grown apart, and over time realised it's better for them both to split.

'Naturally, Chloe has found the breakup difficult but being able to spend time abroad with Millie has given her the space she needed to start moving on.'

MailOnline has approached Chloe and Toby's representatives for comment.

'It just hasn't worked out between them': A source told MailOnline that Chloe and Toby are still living at their Essex home but are making arrangements to go their separate ways

'The best friend I've ever had': Chloe jetted off to Morocco last week to escape her breakup woes with former co-star Millie Court, who's been supporting her during the tough time

On Sunday evening, Chloe tweeted: 'You know I f***ed off for a week to Morocco with Millie yo all I had to say was I want to go and she did everything. Millie Court deserves the f***ing world.'

Writing on Instagram, she added: 'Took a break and f***ed off to Morocco and want to award Millie Court the award for being the best f***ing friend I've ever had.'

Chloe also hinted at the breakup last week as she responded to one of Love Island 2019 winner Amber Gill's tweets.

Amber said 'International lesbian day and nobody wifed me yet' with Chloe replying 'I will' before a shocked Amber responded 'What about Tobes?'

'Cheers to us': In November, Chloe and Toby took their relationship to the next level by moving in together, which was the first time the Hashtag United player had ever lived with a girlfriend

Moving on: Chloe shared an image from Morocco on Sunday after thanking close friend Millie for supporting her during the breakup

The former Islander last shared a photo on Instagram with Toby in August as the pair watched Coldplay together at Wembley, saying it was one of the best nights of her life.

Toby dedicated a post to Chloe on her birthday last month, captioning a selfie of them on holiday: '27 years around the sun. Happy Birthday to the second pea in my pod.'

Chloe and Toby met on Love Island last year and came runners-up in the competition to Millie and Liam Reardon, who split in July.

They moved into a 1million Essex mansion last November and celebrated the milestone by toasting with champagne.

Their relationship was Toby's first after he admitted before going on the show that he hadn't been in love before.

He told MailOnline: 'I want to fall in love. I want to experience it. I feel like everyone has experienced it, but I haven't. It's so sad, isn't it?

'I've never had a relationship full stop. It's never gone right.'

Separated: The pair, pictured attending the Pride of Britain Awards together last October, have called it quits after meeting on the 2021 series of Love Island
Victoria Beckham will 'be up for' re-joining the Spice Girls for a headline performance at Glastonbury.

The fashion designer, 48, formerly known as Posh Spice, is keen to join the chart-topping pop group if they are asked to perform at the iconic British festival next summer.

Emma Bunton, 46, revealed she and the rest of the group - Geri Horner, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm have 'definitely got to do it' if they are asked to headline the event, held at Worthy Farm in Somerset.

Reunion! Victoria Beckham will 'be up for' re-joining the Spice Girls for a headline performance at Glastonbury, according to her former bandmate Emma Bunton (pictured in March)

Speaking on Keith Lemon's podcast Back Then When, Emma addressed the rumours around the Spice Girls one-off return at Glastonbury.

She said: 'I hope so! Can I be real? No one's asked us! I read it as well this week saying, "Oh, we've asked them. We're quite far down". All of us have been on the phone like no one's asked us!'

Emma went on to tell Keith she 'doesn't know' where the rumour came from but is 'hoping' it is true and someone will be in contact soon.

She continued: 'I dont know! I think it would be fab. And I have spoken to Victoria about it too. And I think she'd be up for Glasto.'

'She'd be up for Glasto': The fashion designer, 48, formerly known as Posh Spice, is keen to join the chart-topping pop group if they are asked to perform at the iconic British festival next summer (Emma and Victoria pictured in 2008)

Waiting game: (L-R) Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown, Victoria Beckham and Geri Horner performing together in 2007

The Spice Girls officially split back in 2001 and in 2013 a spokesperson for Victoria confirmed the mother-of-four would not be performing again to MailOnline.

They said: 'Victoria has made no secret of the fact her singing days are over, with a hugely successful business and a growing family, she loved her time as a Spice Girl and will always wish the other girls well in whatever they choose to do.'

Victoria has repeatedly snubbed band reunions and the last time she performed with them was at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.

Those who know the designer well say she has resisted joining any reunions, including the 2019 tour, because she thought it might affect the reputation of her fashion label and has also been fed up with her voice being scrutinised.

But friends say that as she nears 50, she no longer cares what people think about her.

'No one's asked us!': Speaking on Keith Lemons podcast Back Then When, Emma addressed the rumours around the Spice Girls one-of return at Glastonbury (pictured in 1996)

Exciting: She said: 'I dont know! I think it would be fab. And I have spoken to Victoria about it too. And I think she'd be up for Glasto' (pictured in 2012)

She also faces pressure from husband David, who loves Glastonbury  so much so that the pair went there as part of their 20th wedding anniversary celebrations in 2019.

The band shot to fame in 1996 after their debut song Wannabe topped the charts in over 30 countries.

The Spice Girls officially split up in 2000 and were said to be hoping to go on tour next year after the success of their UK and Ireland stadium dates in 2019.

A spokesperson for the Spice Girls declined to comment.

Listen to Back Then When on all major podcasting platforms.
Emmerdale celebrated its 50th anniversary with an hour long special on Sunday which saw two of the show's most famous characters left fighting for their lives.

After Harriett Finch's quad bike plunged into the ravine, Kim Tate came to her rescue only for the motor to be struck by lightening, which caused an almighty explosion.

And in first look pictures from Monday's episode both woman lay lifeless and drenched in blood following the catastrophe.

Drama in the dales: Emmerdale celebrated it's 50th anniversary with an hour long special on Sunday which saw two of the show's most famous characters left fighting for their lives (Kim Tate, played by Claire King, pictured)

The pair were thrown back from the bike with Kim hitting her head on a stone as the show ended in dramatic fashion.

After putting their feud aside Kim (Claire King) and Harriet (Katherine Dow Blyton) both had headed out into the storm to find the heavily pregnant Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell).

The terrified mother-to-be took shelter in a barn as she desperately waited for help as she went into early labour.

Explosion: Harriett's quad bike plunged into the ravine, Kim came to the rescue only for the motor to be struck by lightening, which caused an almighty explosion

Drama: In first look pictures both from Monday's episode both woman lay lifeless and drenched in blood

It comes after Harriet told Kim she would no longer interfere in her marriage to Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) despite her too being in love with the former drug dealer.

After finding out Amelia was out in the storm Kim jumped onto her horse Ice while Harriett opted for her car.

However she then decided that a quad bike would be quicker only to then be trapped beneath it following an accident.

As Kim attempted to drag her love rival from the wreckage the storm struck them with a bolt of lightening.

Shock: The pair were thrown back from the bike with Kim hitting her head on a stone as the show ended in dramatic fashion

Terror: After putting their feud aside Kim Tate (Claire King) and Harriet Finch (Katherine Dow Blyton, pictured) both headed out into the storm to find heavily pregnant Amelia (Daisy Campbell)

Scary: Meanwhile mother-to-be Daisy took shelter in a barn with the terrified youngster desperate for help as she went into labour

Emmerdale celebrated its 50th Anniversary, marking a half-century on screens with an epic disaster that sees a storm tear through the usually-sleepy village.

The soap has come a long way since its sleepy beginnings in 1972, when some of the most dramatic events included Jack Sugden's takeover of his family's farm, and Peggy Skilbeck's surprise pregnancy, with recent years seeing the country village hit by tragedy, death and destruction.

So, as fans celebrate Emmerdale's historic milestone with yet more disaster and fan-favourite characters in turmoil, MailOnline took a look-back at the Yorkshire village's most iconic moments.

To the rescue: After finding out Amelia was out in the storm Kim jumped onto her horse Ice while Harriett opted for her car

Danger: Harriet opted for a quad bike only to then be trapped beneath it following an accident

While adverse weather conditions are commonplace in soap land, 2003 was the first time that Emmerdale was rocked by an wind-based disaster.

As the Woolpack prepared to ring in the New Year, Tricia Dingle was preparing to leave the village after ending her marriage to husband Marlon.

Upon reading a romantic letter from her husband, Tricia opted to stay, but as she returned, a lightning strike caused the iconic pub to collapse on top of her, leaving her covered in bricks and debris.

Tense scenes saw Tricia fight for her life, but after slipping into a coma, she died in hospital just days later, leaving Marlon devastated.

Dramatic! As Emmerdale rang in the New Year in 2003, a huge tornado struck the village, with beloved barmaid Tricia Dingle falling victim to the disaster after being curshed by the collapsing Woolpack pub

Meanwhile the soap Emmerdale celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2012 with a one-off live episode, which was heavily teased with plans for two weddings, two births and a surprise death.

As Chas prepares to tie the knot with Dan Spencer, she is desperate to flee her furious ex Carl, and comes dangerously close to killing him after hitting him with a brick.

The eventful hour-long episode also saw Katie Macey tie the knot with Declan, to Megan's fury, and both Debbie Dingle and Gennie Walker give birth to their babies in dramatic scenes.

In a shocking climax, the Anniversary special ended with Cameron coming face-to-face with Carl, before grabbing the same brick Chas used and killing him in a shocking cliffhanger.
Channel 10 executives were apparently taken by surprise when network golden girl Carrie Bickmore announced her departure from The Project last week.

Bickmore, 41, was apparently earning a whopping $1.1million per year to host the current affairs program for just three nights a week between 2021 and 2022, making her a higher earner than top-tier stars at Seven and Nine.

Ten bosses were 'caught off guard' when Bickmore threw in the towel, as they were under the impression Bickmore was satisfied with her lucrative part-time gig, reports The Australian.

Channel 10 executives were apparently taken by surprise when network golden girl Carrie Bickmore (pictured) announced her departure from The Project last week

Bickmore's salary is said to be so generous that it places her among the highest-paid TV talent in Australia.

She reportedly earns more than David 'Kochie' Koch, who is paid about $800,000 a year to host Channel Seven's Sunrise four days a week, as well as his full-time co-anchor Natalie Barr.

Bickmore also makes more per year than Tracy Grimshaw, the long-serving host of Channel Nine's A Current Affair, sources tell Media Diary.

The Gold Logie winner's salary was revealed thanks to a leaked internal memo.

Bickmore, 41, was apparently earning a whopping $1.1million per year to host the current affairs program for just three nights a week between 2021 and 2022

'Diary is assured that details of that particular draft contract got out when it was accidentally sent to another Ten department during Bickmore's last round of contract negotiations,' the report states.

It comes amid speculation Bickmore is being primed to take the helm at 2Day FM's Sydney breakfast show.

Speculation has been rife regarding where Bickmore will go next, with some insiders saying she's primed to host A Current Affair or could even be replacing Allison Langdon on Nine's Today show.

She reportedly earns more than David Koch (pictured), who is paid about $800,000 a year to host Channel Seven's Sunrise four days a week, as well as his full-time co-anchor Natalie Barr

However, television industry veteran Robert McKnight believes Bickmore will instead take on a bigger role at the Hit Network.

'I don't think she's going to ACA. Channel Nine has been pretty emphatic that it will be someone promoted internally. Although things can change from day to day,' McKnight said on the TV Blackbox podcast.

The former Studio 10 executive producer believes Bickmore, who hosts the Hit Network's top-rating drive show with Tommy Little, has plenty of reasons to take over the breakfast slot from its current hosts Dave Hughes, Ed Kavalee and Erin Molan.

Bickmore also makes more per year than Tracy Grimshaw (pictured), the long-serving host of Channel Nine's A Current Affair, sources tell Media Diary

'We need to consider... [Bickmore is] earning, what, a million dollars for her afternoon [radio] show per year? The question is, is [Bickmore] priming to take over the Sydney breakfast radio show?' he said.

'[The current show is] rating like crap. I have already heard whispers she's being offered $2million a year to do the Sydney radio show with Tommy Little.'

'Television doesn't have the kind of money that radio does,' McKnight later added.

Television industry veteran Robert McKnight believes Bickmore's future lies at the helm of 2Day FM's Sydney breakfast show. She already hosts the Hit Network's top-rating drive show alongside Tommy Little (left) and is said to be earning a million dollars per year

Joining breakfast radio would also give the mother of three free time in the evenings to spend with her family, which is something Bickmore mentioned she was looking forward to in her resignation speech.

However, McKnight did note that Sydney listeners may struggle to connect with Bickmore, given that she is 'a very Melbourne personality'.

'But Carrie and Tommy have a really great show! It is really an enjoyable show in the afternoon,' he added.

However, McKnight did note that Sydney listeners may struggle to connect with Bickmore, given that she is 'a very Melbourne personality'

Hughesy, Ed and Erin took over 2Day FM's breakfast slot in January, but the show has failed to rise to the top of the ratings ladder.

The show reached an all-time ratings low in 2021, but has been clawing its way back and hit its highest-ever audience earlier this year.

Yet the program still remains at the bottom of the pack, trailing behind Nova's Fitzy & Wippa and KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

Joining breakfast radio would give the mother of three free time in the evenings to spend with her family, which is something she said she was looking forward to in her resignation speech

It comes after a Nine Network executive denied rumours Bickmore is joining the Today show following her announcement she is leaving Channel 10's The Project.

Industry sources said Bickmore, who has been linked to the Today gig on at least one other occasion, will take up the job in 2023 alongside Karl Stefanovic, while Allison Langdon is drafted to replace Grimshaw on A Current Affair.

But Steven Burling, Nine's Director of Morning Television, shut down these claims on Twitter, saying the proposed moves will not be happening.

Hughesy, Ed and Erin took over 2Day FM's breakfast slot in January, but has failed to rise to the top of the ratings ladder. (Pictured left to right: Dave Hughes, Ed Kavalee and Erin Molan)

Burling's denial comes after an industry insider claimed Bickmore's potential move to Today 'made sense' given her undeniable popularity.

'It is the next, most obvious step for her,' the rival network source said.

'As much as you'd like to say that she is not as nice as her on-screen persona, that's not the case.

The show reached an all-time ratings low in 2021, but has been clawing its way back and hit its highest-ever audience earlier this year. Yet the program still remains at the bottom of the pack, trailing behind Nova's Fitzy & Wippa and KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show

'Everyone likes her. Viewers like her. She would bring a lot of positive energy to Today and, in terms of timing, it all makes sense.'

The bubbly presenter was previously linked to the Today hosting job in 2019, following the ousting of Georgie Gardner and Deborah Knight; however, Nine denied any formal approach had been made at the time.

Bickmore, popular with viewers and her TV colleagues both on and off screen, confirmed she had no plans to leave the small screen during her on-air announcement last Tuesday, saying: 'Honey I'm not retiring. I'm going to move onto something different which I do not know what that is yet'.

It comes after Nine's Director of Morning Television Steven Burling (pictured) denied rumours Bickmore is joining the Today show following her announcement she is leaving The Project

The high-profile changes could signal a long-overdue boost in the ratings for Today which has long taken a battering from Seven's Sunrise and recently dipped as low as 155,000 viewers across the five-city metro market.

Langdon instead took up the role and has been a hit with viewers, particularly female viewers, in her subsequent two years in the chair.

However, an insider says the grind of 3am starts and some recent tensions on set with Stefanovic, with specific regard to the number of his sick days, prompted Langdon to throw her hat in the ring for the ACA job.

Allison Langdon (pictured with one of her children) stepped in to the Today role in 2019. There has been speculation she will replace Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair

Most recently, Stefanovic was a last-minute no-show the morning after the NRL Grand Final.

Should Langdon make way for Bickmore, it will be the ninth female host to take up the Today gig alongside Stefanovic, who is understood to have recently inked a new deal with Nine that would keep him at Today until 2025.

By then the 48-year-old would have clocked 20 years in the job - albeit with a highly publicised 'break' in 2018 when he was benched in the wake of a ratings slide and media scrutiny surrounding his personal life.
The Block's Rachel and Ryan Carr have been awarded $760 by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal after getting caught up in a dispute with a real estate agent.

The couple originally sought $5,392 over a claim of negligence against Assured Real Estate director Britney Kraus, after they said they'd lost money in unclaimed rent.

They told the tenancy watchdog that Ms Kraus had failed to notify the couple over a lapsed landlord insurance policy, reports News.com.au.

The Block's Rachel and Ryan Carr (pictured) have been awarded $760 by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal after getting caught up in a dispute with a real estate agent

The tribunal awarded the money to the Sutherland Shire couple after finding that Kraus had 'not acted with due care and skill and breached the guarantees provided by the Australian consumer laws in its services to clients'.

However, the Tribunal said Kraus had not breached any local consumer laws in her failure to take recovery action against a tenant on behalf of the Carrs' over unpaid rent.

In a statement to NCA NewsWire, Kraus said the matter had been discussed with Ryan.

'We submitted an email [to Ryan Carr],' Kraus said, '...to the effect of, "Ryan, as discussed on the phone, you you do not wish for our agency to pay your landlord insurance policy as you are going to search for a better provider."

'We therefore did not pay his policy.'

The couple originally sought $5,392 over a claim of negligence against Assured Real Estate director Britney Kraus (pictured), after they said they'd lost money in unclaimed rent

It comes after Ms Kraus said her agency had received more than 170 complaints in five years because she was 'unfairly' targeted by 'internet trolls'.

She slammed NSW Fair Trading for putting her business under strict compliance monitoring last week.

Her real estate agency has been the subject of 171 complaints to Fair Trading, from tenants and landlords alike, since 2017.

The tribunal awarded the money to the Sutherland Shire couple (pictured on The Block) after finding that Kraus had 'not acted with due care and skill and breached the guarantees provided by the Australian consumer laws in its services to clients'

Another 91 complaints were lodged specifically against Ms Kraus in the same time period.

An investigation by NSW Fair Trading found her agency failed to lodge rental bonds, failed to complete trust account trial balances and had contravened rules of conduct - all of which she was fined for.

Further complaints to Fair Trading alleged she withheld rental income from landlords, withheld supply documents and failed to pay water and strata bills among other findings.

Ms Kraus' Campbelltown real estate agency has been the subject of 171 complaints to Fair Trading, from tenants and landlords alike, since 2017

However, Ms Kraus claims the investigation didn't account for a supposedly malicious Facebook group of disgruntled customers.

Meanwhile, Rachel and Ryan's five-bedroom, three-bathroom house on The Block this season is expected to sell at auction for more than $4million.

The five renovated homes in Gisborne South, Victoria, will go under the hammer on Saturday, November 6.
Kendall Jenners is showing off her statuesque figure with one of her latest posts on her Instagram Stories.

On Sunday, the supermodel slipped into promo mode and took a selfie of herself wearing a matching activewear set from Frankies Bikinis, which is owned and operated by her friend Francesca Aiello.

In the photo, Jenner can be seen standing in front of a bathroom mirror dressed in a light gray Giselle Tank and matching rehearsal mini shorts.

Promo mode: Kendall Jenner, 26, slipped into promo mode for her friend Francesca Aiello by slipping into one of the activewear sets from her Frankies Bikinis line

By covering most of her face with her phone, it appears the top model wanted to put the emphasis on the casual outfit and her figure.

'This set @franiesbikinis @francescaaiello, the 26-year-old simply wrote in the caption.

For the advert, Jenner has her dark tresses styled long and flowing down to about the middle of her back with a part in the middle.

Gal pals: Jenner has been seen out enjoying dinners together with Frankies Bikinis founder and creative director Francesca Aiello

Entrepreneurial spirit: Aiello, 27, has established herself as a celebrity-endorsed swimwear designer, some 10 years after she and her mother began designing bikinis out of their Malibu home in 2012

Some 10 years into the label Frankies Bikinis, Aiello has established herself as a celebrity-endorsed swimwear designer.

In fact, Jenner, along with sister Kylie Jenner and Rihanna, are just a few of the high-profile celebs that both wear and endorse Frankies Bikinis on their social media pages.

The company has even gone on to collaborate with such powerful women as Gigi Hadid, Naomi Osaka, Hailee Steinfeld and Sofia Richie.

Initially, Aiello teamed up with her mother Mimi and they began designing bikinis out of their Malibu home in 2012.

Frankies Bikinis has even gone on to collaborate with such high-profile women as Gigi Hadid (pictured), Naomi Osaka, Hailee Steinfeld and Sofia Richie

The founder and creative director of the swimwear brand credits model Candice Swanepoel as being one of the first celebrities to post a photo of herself wearing a Frankies Bikinis swimsuit. And from there, 'it started to catch people's eyes from all over, like a domino effect,' Aiello explained to Forbes in May 2019.

Since the company's inception, Aiello has expanded product offerings to include ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, athleisure wear and clean beauty.

'I want girls to look at our brand and feel inspired and confident, not body shame themselves or question their appearances,' the California native, 27, maintained. 'We do not airbrush or photoshop our images, in campaigns or on social media. We leave all stretch marks and dimples visible to the naked eye.'

Celebrity-endorsed: The brand has become a go to for many celebrities, including Gigi Hadid
Kanye West launched into another anti-Semitic rant as he discussed a sex story involving his estranged wife Kim Kardashian and her ex-boyfriend Pete Davidson.

The rapper, 45, shocked fans last week when he tweeted that he was going to 'go death con 3 on Jewish people...' which resulted in him being banned from the microblogging app.

Yet he doubled down on his view during an interview on Drink Champs as he claimed that Kim discussing her sex life with Pete alluded to Jewish Zionist practice.

West was referring to a scene on the The Kardashians, in which Kim, 41, spoke about how she slept with Pete, 28, in front of a fireplace in tribute to her grandmother.

Rant: Kanye West claimed Kim Kardashian's sex confession with Pete Davidson was spurred on by 'Jewish Zionists' as he doubled down on anti-Semitic claims in an interview on Drink Champs

In his rant, West told hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN: 'We Jew so I cant be anti-Semite. First of all, I need my stadiums back. The 78 media outlets that called me an "abuser" when I was trying to get Pete Davidson away from my kids that was tattooing my kids names on him, Skete.

'Kim is a Christian - on TMZ, I just saw it yesterday, it said, "Pete Davidson and Kim had sex by the fireplace to honor they grandmother,"' he said.

'Its Jewish Zionists thats about that life, thats telling this Christian woman that has four black children to put that out as a message in the media.'

He continued: 'So when I drive by and I see the Hulu ads and I see the JP [Morgan Chase] ads, Im gonna let yall know right now, the devil is a defeated foe - you cant poison me.'

Kardashian filed from divorce from West in February of 2021, and the former couple are parents of four children: North, nine, Saint, six, Chicago, four, and Psalm, three.

Former flames: Kardashian was romantically-involved with Saturday Night Live star Davidson from October last year to August

Kardashian was romantically-involved with Saturday Night Live star Davidson from October last year to August.

Prior to their split, Kim opened up about one of their sexual encounters while speaking with her grandmother on her reality show.

She said: 'You know whats so crazy? Pete and I were staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel last weekend and we were sitting in front of the fireplace just talking for hours.

'I was like, "My grandma told me that you really live life when you have sex in front of the fireplace. And so, we had sex in front of the fireplace in honor of you. I know thats probably creepy."'

Claims: West said that 'its Jewish Zionists thats about that life, thats telling this Christian woman that has four Black children to put that out as a message in the media'

West's vitriolic message against Jewish people was his second in as many weeks, as last week he tweeted: 'I'm a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I'm going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE ... 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.'

In the controversial interview, West also said 'the Jewish media blocked me out' after a previous interview with a separate outlet was not aired; and that 'Jewish people control the Black voice.'

West said he spoke without fear of harming his professional or personal life, as he said he has already been subject to numerous consequences.

'Yall already f****d with me so much you already Black Mirrored me; you already made people think Im crazy, you already took my family away, you already separated all my friends. I dont got no celebrity friends.'

West also took aim at talk show host Trevor Noah, who has past been critical of his behavior amid a public series of outbursts aimed at Kardashian and Davidson earlier this year.

'Trevor Noah, not even from America, he just looks Black right?' West said. 'Gonna say, yo, Kim its gonna get dangerous, he putting all that "He so crazy, hes so OJ." Nori just wants the family back together, I just want the family back together.'

Elsewhere during the interview, West said: 'Jewish people have owned the black voice. Whether it's through us wearing a Ralph Lauren shirt, or it's all of us being signed to a record label, or having a Jewish manager, or being signed to a Jewish basketball team, or doing a movie on a Jewish platform like Disney.'

Candid: Prior to their split, Kim opened up about her sexual encounter with Davidson while speaking with her grandmother Mary Jo 'MJ' Campbell in a segment on the show

He continued: 'I respect what the Jewish people have done and how they brought their people together. You know they came into money through the lawyers. After Wall Street, when all of the Catholics, they wouldn't divorce people, so the Jewish people came in they were willing to divorce people and that's when they came into their money.'

West said that he and other black people are the 'darker Jews' as they are part of the 12 lost tribes of Israel. 'We're Jewish also. We're from Africa also. We're the blood of Christ. We're not just black,' he went on.

The rapper said that venture capitalist Ben Horowitz once called him to complain that Jay-Z was giving away 'Jewish business secrets.'

Blocked: In the controversial interview, West also said 'the Jewish media blocked me out' after a previous interview with a separate outlet was not aired

Last week , the Holocaust Museum in Los Angeles invited the Chicago rapper to visit their exhibitions. The museum said in an Instagram post: 'Words matter and words have consequences Ye. We urge you to come visit us at Holocaust Museum LA to understand just how words can incite horrific violence and genocides.

The post continued: 'The Holocaust started with only words that sadly begat stereotypes, racial and religious tropes and blaming others and led to the murder of six million Jews.'

According to the American Jewish Council, Jewish people are the targets of 60 percent of religious hate crimes in America despite making up two percent of the population.
Machine Gun Kelly lead the celebs bringing their star power to the 23rd Annual Newport Beach Film Festival, which was held at Balboa Bay Resort on Sunday.

The 32-year-old pop-punk rocker - who boasts 30.5M social media followers - revealed via Instastory on Saturday that he bleached his hair back to 'Blonde Don' after eight straight months of 'Mr. Pink' hair.

MGK (born Colson Baker) was at the Orange County fest to be honored with the Spotlight Award.

Makeover alert! Machine Gun Kelly lead the celebs bringing their star power to the 23rd Annual Newport Beach Film Festival, which was held at Balboa Bay Resort on Sunday

The Texan-born musician dressed his slim 6ft3in frame in a silky floral suit and metallic booties selected by stylist Adam Ballheim.

MGK later posed inside the venue alongside Roswell, New Mexico actress Amanda Midthunder and Little Demon producer-star Aubrey Plaza.

The One Way actor attended Saturday's screening of Tim Sutton's movie Taurus, which he executive produced and starred as problematic musician Cole opposite his real-life fiancee Megan Fox.

RLJE Films will distribute the downfall drama, which currently has a 70% critic approval rating (out of 10 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes.

Back to blond! The 32-year-old pop-punk rocker revealed via Instastory on Saturday that he bleached his hair back to 'Blonde Don' after eight straight months of 'Mr. Pink' hair

Congrats! MGK was at the Orange County fest to be honored with the Spotlight Award alongside (from L-R) Aubrey Plaza, Aimee Carrero, Ron Howard, Patton Oswalt, Jonathan Majors, and Cooper Raiff

Hiring for his next movie? He chatted with the 68-year-old child star-turned-filmmaker (R), who won two Oscars for his 2001 film A Beautiful Mind

D&G? The Texan-born musician dressed his slim 6ft3in frame in a silky floral suit and metallic booties selected by stylist Adam Ballheim

Talented trio: MGK (born Colson Baker) later posed inside the venue alongside Roswell, New Mexico actress Amanda Midthunder (M) and Little Demon producer-star Aubrey Plaza (R)

Multi-talented: The One Way actor attended Saturday's screening of Tim Sutton's movie Taurus, which he executive produced and starred as problematic musician Cole opposite his real-life fiancee Megan Fox

Dip into the acting pool: RLJE Films will distribute the downfall drama, which currently has a 70% critic approval rating (out of 10 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes

Just concluded the Mainstream Sellout Tour: Music-wise, the 9 Lives rocker will next headline 97x Next Big Thing on December 3 at the Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheater in Tampa

Music-wise, the 9 Lives rocker will next headline 97x Next Big Thing on December 3 at the Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheater in Tampa.

Also being honored at the NBFF was Emmy winner Keke Palmer, who took the plunge in a cream-colored belted cargo maxi-dress selected by 'image architect' Law Roach.

The Illinois-born 29-year-old wore her braided hair in a partial updo and brought out her glowing complexion with false lashes.

Keke (born Lauren Keyana) received the Artist of Distinction Award for her body of work dating back to her childhood stardom in Doug Atchison's 2006 drama Akeelah and the Bee.

Pockets galore! Also being honored at the NBFF was Emmy winner Keke Palmer, who took the plunge in a cream-colored belted cargo maxi-dress selected by 'image architect' Law Roach

Former child star: The Illinois-born 29-year-old wore her braided hair in a partial updo and brought out her glowing complexion with false lashes

'Such a wonderful time. So grateful to be an honoree!' Keke received the Artist of Distinction Award for her body of work dating back to her childhood stardom in Doug Atchison's 2006 drama Akeelah and the Bee (pictured with Newport Beach President & CEO Gary C. Sherwin)

Nice to meet you! Palmer proudly posed with Emmy nominee Jeremy Pope, who looked handsome in a green suit sans shirt

Embrace: Despite never having worked together, the Password host seemed especially hands-on with the 30-year-old Pose alum

Palmer proudly posed with Emmy nominee Jeremy Pope, who looked handsome in a green suit sans shirt.

Despite never having worked together, the Password host seemed especially hands-on with the 30-year-old Pose alum.

Keke will officially launch her digital channel for content creators, KeyTV Network, on November 3.

Palmer will next act opposite EGOT champ Whoopi Goldberg in Tim Federle's Sister Act 3: Kicking the Habit, which will eventually stream on Disney+.

New endeavor! Keke (born Lauren Keyana) will officially launch her digital channel for content creators, KeyTV Network, on November 3

'This is what they asked for': Palmer will next act opposite EGOT champ Whoopi Goldberg in Tim Federle's Sister Act 3: Kicking the Habit, which will eventually stream on Disney+

Any hope it'll see the light of day? The Nope actress also has a role in Aziz Ansari's feature directorial debut Being Mortal, which suspended production in April after her co-star Bill Murray's (pictured in 2015) sexual assault allegations

Keke told Variety on Saturday: '[Ansari] would probably have to do a major rewrite, but I know what we got was gold...If somebody could figure it out, it would be Aziz. Obviously, we got cut short at a certain point but I will say that I am pretty devastated. It's an amazing film. If there is some way to be able to complete, salvage it, I would want to do it'

The Nope actress also has a role in Aziz Ansari's feature directorial debut Being Mortal, which suspended production in April after her co-star Bill Murray's sexual assault allegations.

'[Ansari] would probably have to do a major rewrite, but I know what we got was gold,' Keke told Variety on Saturday.

'If somebody could figure it out, it would be Aziz. Obviously, we got cut short at a certain point but I will say that I am pretty devastated. It's an amazing film. If there is some way to be able to complete, salvage it, I would want to do it.'

Stranger Things scene stealer Joseph Quinn was a sight for sore eyes in a white double-breasted suit over a black top and patent leather Oxfords selected by stylist Fabio Immediato.

Dior global ambassador: Stranger Things scene stealer Joseph Quinn was a sight for sore eyes in a white double-breasted suit over a black top and patent leather Oxfords selected by stylist Fabio Immediato

Alive and well! The 28-year-old Englishman - whom Netflix audiences grieved after his character Eddie Munson's untimely death - will next appear in Luna Carmoon's mother-daughter drama Hoard

Honorees: Joseph received a trophy as part of Variety's 10 Actors to Watch alongside (from L-R) Kerry Condon, Stephanie Hsu, Christina Jackson, Ximena Lamadrid, Thuso Mbedu, Zen McGrath, Amanda Midthunder, Sam Nivola, and Jeremy Pope

The 28-year-old Englishman - whom Netflix audiences grieved after his character Eddie Munson's untimely death - will next appear in Luna Carmoon's mother-daughter drama Hoard.

Joseph received a trophy as part of Variety's 10 Actors to Watch alongside Kerry Condon, Stephanie Hsu, Christina Jackson, Ximena Lamadrid, Thuso Mbedu, Zen McGrath, Amanda Midthunder, Sam Nivola, and Jeremy Pope.

Quinn was surprised on the red carpet by comedian Patton Oswalt and his second wife Meredith Salenger.

Starstruck! Quinn was surprised on the red carpet by comedian Patton Oswalt and his second wife Meredith Salenger

Funnyman on fleek: The 53-year-old Emmy and Grammy winner looked dapper in a brown three-piece suit sans necktie and patent leather shoes

Congrats! Patton was honored with the Artist of Distinction Award at the NBFF

The 53-year-old Emmy and Grammy winner looked dapper in a brown three-piece suit sans necktie and patent leather shoes.

Patton - last seen in James Morosini's comedy I Love My Dad and Netflix's The Sandman - was honored with the Artist of Distinction Award at the NBFF.

Aubrey Plaza bared her arms in a strapless white cut-out pencil dress and matching ankle-strap pumps selected by stylist Jessica Paster.

White out: Aubrey Plaza bared her arms in a strapless white cut-out pencil dress and matching ankle-strap pumps selected by stylist Jessica Paster

Caped: The Delaware-born 38-year-old covered up in a black blazer before hitting the stage to win the Artist of Distinction Award for her career

Coming soon! Aubrey will next play Harper Spiller in the highly-anticipated second season of The White Lotus, which premieres October 30 on HBO

The Delaware-born 38-year-old covered up in a black blazer before hitting the stage to win the Artist of Distinction Award for her career.

Aubrey will next play Harper Spiller in the highly-anticipated second season of The White Lotus, which premieres October 30 on HBO.

Emmy nominee Jonathan Majors opted for head-to-toe black for the screening of his film Devotion followed by the NBFF awards ceremony.

The 33-year-old Cali native - who received the Artist of Distinction Award - is joining the MCU next year as the villainous Kang The Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Man in black: Emmy nominee Jonathan Majors opted for head-to-toe black for the screening of his film Devotion followed by the NBFF awards ceremony

Star on the rise! The 33-year-old Cali native is joining the MCU next year as the villainous Kang The Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Maestro: Two-time Oscar winner Ron Howard rocked a pleather jacket over a green button-up, black jeans, and brown lace-up shoes for the film festivities

Congrats! The 68-year-old father of Bryce Dallas Howard proudly accepted the Variety Legend and Groundbreaker Award

Cinefiles: While on the waterfront stage, Ron talked movies with Patton

Two-time Oscar winner Ron Howard rocked a pleather jacket over a green button-up, black jeans, and brown lace-up shoes for the film festivities.

The 68-year-old father of Bryce Dallas Howard proudly accepted the Variety Legend and Groundbreaker Award.

While on the waterfront stage, Ron talked movies with Patton.

Honorees: Other winners on Sunday included Cha Cha Real Smooth director-star Cooper Raiff (L) being honored with the Maverick Award, and The Menu actress Aimee Carrero (R) being honored with the 2022 Breakout Award

Sunshine: Nanny actress Anna Diop - who won the 2022 Spotlight Award - rocked an orange Tom Ford skirt suit with a matching head scarf selected by stylist Molly Dickson

Yesterday: Meanwhile, Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne had to skip the ceremony, so he suited up to receive his 2022 Icon Award on Saturday

Other winners on Sunday included Cha Cha Real Smooth director-star Cooper Raiff being honored with the Maverick Award, and The Menu actress Aimee Carrero being honored with the 2022 Breakout Award.

Nanny actress Anna Diop - who won the 2022 Spotlight Award - rocked an orange Tom Ford skirt suit with a matching head scarf selected by stylist Molly Dickson.

Meanwhile, Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne had to skip the ceremony, so he suited up to receive his 2022 Icon Award on Saturday.
Doctor Who's Jodie Whittaker has revealed playing the energetic Time Lord 'knocked 15 years off' and made her feel 25 again.

The actress, 40, who will appear in the role for a final time in a feature length episode on Sunday, said the character's enthusiasm even filtered into her personal life.

She explained to The Mirror that before becoming the first ever female to land the lead in the family friendly show, she was often cast in 'emotionally traumatic' roles such as bereaved mother Beth Latimer in Broadchurch.

Young buck: Doctor Who's Jodie Whittaker, 40, has revealed playing the energetic Time Lord 'knocked 15 years off' and made her feel 25 again

She said: 'You don't realise how much that emotional trauma leaves you on the edge of upset when you're doing it for 12-hour days'.

'With Doctor who, there was heartbreak, there was fear and there was loss, my my overriding emotion was excitement'.

'That fed into my evening and my weekend and my year, I feel like it's knocked 15 years off me because I've been so energised!'.

Time Lord: The actress who will appear in the role for a final time in feature length episode on Sunday, said the character's enthusiasm even filtered into her personal life

The long-awaited final trailer for The Power Of The Doctor was released on Saturday, revealing that Jodie's swan song would air on Sunday, October 23, as part of the BBC's 100th Anniversary celebrations.

The eponymous character will have to take on both Daleks and Cybermen in the episode, as the short trailer showed her frantically dodging laser beams.

Sacha Dhawan, who plays The Master, can be seen telling the Doctor 'This is the day you are erased forever' in the trailer.

Tears: She explained that before becoming the first ever female to land the lead in the family friendly show, she was often cast in 'emotionally traumatic' roles such as bereaved mother Beth Latimer in Broadchurch (pictured)

A Dalek incursion on Earth is also teased, with the cast in an intense battle against the clock to save the universe.

It's also been hinted that Tegan and Ace will be reunited with The Doctor after decades apart, as she prepares for an epic final battle with The Master.

Jodie's role will be taken over by Sex Education actor Ncuti Gatwa, with former showrunner Russell T. Davies also returning to the show.

Goodbye! The episode, titled The Power Of The Doctor, will be Jodie's last as the titular time traveller, and will air to coincide with the BBC's 100th Anniversary

Ncuti is set to be the first black Doctor in the show's history, once again marking a milestone for the long running BBC series.

And during his run, the show will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023 - which will see the return of the beloved 10th Doctor, David Tennant, who will appear alongside Catherine Tate, reprising her role as companion Donna Noble.

Teasing the episode previously, Jodie explained to Empire Magazine: 'Its got all the iconic things that you associate with Doctor Who. Its massive.'

Exterminate! The eponymous character will have to take on both Daleks and Cybermen in the episode, as the short trailer showed her frantically dodging laser beams

Villan: Sacha Dhawan (pictured) who plays The Master, can be seen telling the Doctor 'This is the day you are erased forever' in the trailer

And speaking on her looming departure from the screen, she admitted: 'I cannot talk about it without crying. When I could see the crew was happy with that last shot, that's when my bottom lip started going.

'I was like "Well, they can't say they need another take now because I've lost it!"' she jested.

The Power Of The Doctor will air on Sunday, October 23 at 7:30pm on BBC One.
Foreign Minister Park Jin / Joint Press Corps.



Foreign Minister Park Jin left for Vietnam on Monday to discuss bilateral relations as the two countries mark the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties, his ministry said.



During his two-day visit to Hanoi, Park will hold talks with his counterpart, Bui Thanh Son, ministry spokesperson.



The two sides were expected to discuss South Korea-ASEAN relations as well as the current political situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues of mutual concern.



Park will also pay a courtesy call on Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and meet other politicians to discuss ways of expanding cooperation in various areas.



It would be his first official trip to the Southeast Asian nation since taking office in May. South Korea and Vietnam established diplomatic ties in 1992. (Yonhap)


Brian Austin Green on Sunday took to Instagram to commemorate his two-year anniversary of crossing paths with girlfriend Sharna Burgess, who he shares a baby with.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 actor, 49, posted a slideshow of family shots including Burgess and his children.

'October 16th 2 years ago was a day like any other day, but I made plans to meet someone new for coffee,' he said. 'My god am I thankful every single day for that. You are a light in my life, our kids lives, and the most amazing person I have ever met.

The latest: Brian Austin Green, 49, on Sunday took to Instagram to commemorate his two-year anniversary of crossing paths with girlfriend Sharna Burgess, 37. The pair were snapped in Newport Beach, California last month

'The life that we have created and continue to create is better than anything I ever thought was possible :)) I love you.'

Green and the Dancing with the Stars pro, 37, welcomed son Zane Walker Green this past June. He is also father to sons Kassius Lijah, 20, with Vanessa Marcil, 54; and Noah, 10, Bodhi, eight, and Journey, six, with ex-wife Megan Fox, 36.

In the posts, Burgess was seen cuddling with Zane on a couch and on a bed; and posing with the child with Green's three sons.

Green's post received friendly responses from stars such as his 90210 costar Jennie Garth and pro dancer Peta Murgatroyd.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 actor posted a slideshow of family shots including Burgess and his children including Noah, 10, Bodhi, eight, and Journey, six, his sons with ex-wife Megan Fox

The family posed for a selfie in a pool with the baby taking center stage

Burgess was seen cuddling with Zane on a couch amid the frenetic first few months of raising a newborn

Burgess on Saturday shared a slideshow of images and clips of Green set to the Salt-N-Pepa song Whatta Man, writing, '2 years tomorrow with this one. And he keeps getting hotter.'

Green and the Australia-born beauty first posed together in an Instagram post in January of 2021 in which they kissed while on a balcony.

Green and Burgess, who competed together on Dancing with The Stars last year, revealed they were expecting their first child together this past February. Green was previously wed to Megan Fox for more than nine years before they revealed their split in May of 2020.

Burgess and Green's sons cuddled with the baby, who the couple welcomed in June

Green said that Burgess has been an 'amazing' mother and 'so hands-on with' the baby

Green spoke about the early months of raising his newborn son with Burgess with US Weekly last month.

'I always say that the easiest part is to become a mother or a father,' he said. 'Almost anybody can have a baby, but to be a parent - that's the work. Getting up in the morning, making breakfast, making lunch for school, bedtime rituals and bathtime  that's when the real work comes in.'

Green said that Burgess has been an 'amazing' mother and 'so hands-on with' the baby.

'At this point in my life, to have a partner that is as hands-on and in love with the process as she is - even when she's exhausted  it's so nice to have a partner that shares in that duty.'
The Larkins

Rating: *

Somewhere Boy

Rating: **

Whats the point of it? For the life of me, I cannot see why The Larkins (ITV) exists, or who is expected to enjoy it.

The original Darling Buds Of May, starring David Jason and Pam Ferris as the rascally bon viveurs rearing their family in rural Kent, was a national sensation.

It made a major star of 21-year-old Catherine Zeta Jones, who played the oldest of the Larkin brood, Mariette. And for a couple of years, Pops catchphrase Perfick! was on everyones lips.

But the show, based on H.E. Batess short stories, was a magical success because it took its escapism seriously. We really believed in that world of fresh air and tax dodges, Sunday roast dinners and romps in the haystack.

The remake with Bradley Walsh playing Pop and his son Barney as the gormless PC Harness doesnt even pretend to be credible. It has all the subtlety of a Viz cartoon.

Whats the point of it? For the life of me, I cannot see why The Larkins (ITV) exists, or who is expected to enjoy it

Every character is flat as a cowpat, even Ma Larkin (Joanna Scanlan), which is ironic since her bosoms have been inflated to the size of a couple of barrage balloons.

The actors gurn, simper, bellow and squawk their way through every scene. Tony Gardner and Selina Griffiths as the social climbers Alec and Norma Norman are especially guilty. Barging into a dinner party uninvited, they shrieked their lines: Were completely solvent! We make excellent friends! It went well beyond absurdity and even further beyond any chance of raising a laugh.

Theres currently no Mariette: Sabrina Bartlett has left the show, and her replacement Joelle Rae has yet to appear. Peter Davison as the foul-tempered alcoholic vicar is never without a fag in his mouth, and thats the whole of his performance: enter vicar, glug of whisky, swearwords, drag on cigarette, more swearing, exit vicar.

The remake with Bradley Walsh (right) playing Pop and his son Barney as the gormless PC Harness doesnt even pretend to be credible. It has all the subtlety of a Viz cartoon

No one believes in the world of The Larkins, least of all the cast. Anything that looks like a joke is bloated until it collapses under its own weight. When Mr and Mrs Jerebohm (Julian Rhind-Tutt and Morgana Robinson) moved into the manor house, they took up shooting . . . blazing away at bottles on the lawn with shotguns.

We need living creatures to kill, daddy, declared daughter Blanche (Lucy Allix). In case we didnt think this was funny the first time, she did the joke again five minutes later. By the end of the hour, the Jerebohms were loosing off machine guns into the sky like guests at a Taliban wedding.

But the only thing they slaughtered was the memory of those long-ago Darling Buds. This is no remake  its the murder of a much-loved national treasure.

A shotgun was the chief prop of weirdo dad Steve (Rory Keenan), in Somewhere Boy (C4). Each night before he returned home to the lonely cottage he shared with his teenage son Danny (Lewis Gribben), he smeared himself in blood before staggering through the door, gun in hand.

Danny (pictured) believed his dad spent every day fighting monsters, so he never dared venture outdoors  until the police came to take him away. If this set-up didnt make much sense, the aftermath is even more muddled

Danny believed his dad spent every day fighting monsters, so he never dared venture outdoors  until the police came to take him away. If this set-up didnt make much sense, the aftermath is even more muddled.

Danny goes to live with his auntie (Lisa McGrillis) who is devoted to him, despite never meeting him before. He shares a room with his cousin Aaron, a porn addict, and blunders into a succession of painful encounters with the real world.

The idea of an innocent emerging from captivity has been done before, far better, in the Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Somewhere Boy airs in double doses every night till Wednesday. Well have to hope a proper plot emerges, but its in hiding at the moment.

Confined space of the weekend: Long stretches of the Norwegian crime thriller Wisting (BBC4), starring Sven Nordin, were set in the back of a van as detectives tracked an escaped killer and bickered moodily inside the vehicle.

Well, it saves on expensive studio sets.
AFL couple Kieren Jack and Charlotte Goodlet are on the move after reportedly selling their $3million Paddington home for an undisclosed amount.

The retired Sydney Swans captain, 35, and his pregnant wife, 30, hired removalists to help get their furniture and other belongings out of the terrace on Friday.

Before getting started, Kieren was seen speaking on the phone while Charlotte, a newsreader for 10 News First Sydney, bought two Gatorades and a can of Red Bull.

AFL couple Kieren Jack (left) and Charlotte Goodlet (right) are on the move after reportedly selling their $3million Paddington home for an undisclosed amount

The Perth-born presenter took it easy as she gathered the pillows from their bed to carry out across the road to the moving van.

Meanwhile, the removalists took care of the heavy lifting, with one of the hired hands seen carrying a wicker chair down the front steps.

Later, he went back up into the renovated property and helped his colleague lower a huge mattress over the second-floor balcony down to the ground using straps.

The retired Sydney Swans captain, 35, and his pregnant wife, 30, hired removalists to help get their furniture and other belongings out of the terrace on Friday

Kieren was seen speaking on the phone before heading back into the house

Then they piled it into the back of the van alongside the couple's other bulky belongings.

Kieran and Charlotte listed their Sydney home for $2.95million back in May.

The recently renovated two-bedroom property is situated on a 146 sqm block, and features a new kitchen with stone benchtops.

TV journalist Charlotte bought energy drinks for the removalists and her husband

Glass doors at the rear of the property open to a covered terrace, which leads out to a sun-drenched courtyard.

The home, which also features a modern bathroom, oak floorboards and skylights, was scheduled to go to auction on June 4.

However, details of the sale have not been made public.

Kieren and Charlotte bought the property for $1.34million in 2014.

The Perth-born presenter took it easy as she gathered the pillows from their bed to carry out across the road to the moving van

Charlotte carried the pillows out of the house, then crossed the road to put them into the van

Charlotte was seen later in the day leaving the terrace with more of her belongings

They previously sold a home in Randwick for $1.815million in 2016, and offloaded an investment unit in the same suburb for $895,000 in 2020.

The couple is now looking to purchase a family home in Sydney's inner west.

Kieren and Charlotte celebrated their three-year wedding anniversary in November, and are expecting their first child in June 2023.

The removalists took care of the heavy lifting, with one of the hired hands seen carrying a wicker chair down the front steps

Later, he went back up into the renovated property and helped his colleague lower a huge mattress over the second-floor balcony down to the ground using straps
Candiace Dillard Bassett chased down a producer after her husband Chris was accused of improper behavior on Sunday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Potomac.

The 35-year-old reality star got fed up after Gizelle Bryant, 52, said Chris made her feel 'completely uncomfortable' when he asked to speak to her alone in a room at the show's last reunion.

'So, did he do something? Did he say something?,' Candiace asked while talking to Gizelle after a group dance class organized by Ashley Darby, 34.

Chased down: Candiace Dillard Bassett chased down a producer after her husband Chris was accused of improper behavior on Sunday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Potomac

'No. No, he didn't,' Gizelle admitted.

'So, this is a thing we're doing. Chris is being attacked,' Candiace said.

Gizelle denied that he was being attacked as Candiace explained that Chris considers her, Robyn Dixon, 43, and Ashley as friends.

Candiace remained incredulous, but Gizelle insisted that she was just telling her how Chris made her feel.

Executive producer: Executive producer Eric Fuller spoke with Candiace who was furious that her husband was becoming a target on the Bravo reality show

'Uh-huh. Um. Where is Eric?,' Candiace said as she stood up and walked away from Gizelle.

'I need Eric. I don't need the camera. I need to talk to Eric,' Candiace said referencing the show's executive producer Eric Fuller.

'Is Candiace okay?,' Ashley wondered.

Completely uncomfortable: The 35-year-old reality star got fed up after Gizelle Bryant, 52, said Chris made her feel 'completely uncomfortable' when he asked to speak to her alone in a room at the show's last reunion

Good questions: 'So, did he do something? Did he say something?,' Candiace asked while talking to Gizelle after a group dance class organized by Ashley Darby, 34

Checking up: 'Is Candiace okay?,' Ashley wondered as she stormed away from Gizelle

Candiace was then shown in the women's bathroom addressing Eric as he stood in the doorway.

'If it's going to be about maligning my f***ing husband, you don't want me here. Michael Darby is available for that, the ass-grabbing motherf***er that likes to actually make people feel uncomfortable, he's available for that, not my husband,' Candiace said referencing Ashley's estranged husband Michael.

Her remarks were followed by a 'To Be Continued' message for viewers as the episode came to an end.

Husband maligning: 'If it's going to be about maligning my f***ing husband, you don't want me here. Michael Darby is available for that, the ass-grabbing motherf***er that likes to actually make people feel uncomfortable, he's available for that, not my husband,' Candiace said referencing Ashley's estranged husband Michael

Candiace earlier was also approached by Ashley who told her about a concerning early morning message that she got from Chris.

Ashley said she was starting to consider Candiace as a friend and wanted to be transparent with her.

Candiace explained that Chris was still at work as the general manager of Vue when he sent the message and gave Ashley the benefit of the doubt about bringing it up.

Online message: Candiace earlier was approached by Ashley who told her about an early morning message that she got from Chris

Social media: Chris responded to Ashley's post on social media early in the morning

'I appreciate you coming to me. The thing is, Chris is trying to rebrand Vue, so he really wants my friends to come to the W because he wants cool people to come up there,' Candiace told Ashley.

The episode opened with Mia Thornton defending her social media posts about her health status to Gizelle and Robyn at the Spring Fling party hosted by Karen Huger, 59.

Robyn pointed out that everyone was skeptical of her approach as Charrisse Jackson-Jordan arrived despite Karen having issues with her.

The backstory: Candiace explained that Chris was still at work as the general manager of Vue when he sent the message and gave Ashley the benefit of the doubt about bringing it up

Katie also made a surprise appearance at the party and flirted with Karen's husband Ray.

Karen during a party speech declared that the 'Grande Dame was back' and started dancing.

'Grande Dame is back? Where'd she go?,' Gizelle quipped in a confessional.

Party speech: Karen during a party speech declared that the 'Grande Dame was back' and started dancing

'She's back. Back from where? From the Himalayas?,' Candiace said.

'Where the hell has the Grande Dame been,' Ashley joked.

Candiace spent time with her sister Crystal who has been living with her while her home is being built.

Grande dame: 'Where the hell has the Grande Dame been,' Ashley joked about Karen

She revealed to Crystal that she planned on getting pregnant by the end of the year and went to see an IVF doctor about freezing her eggs.

Ashley and her one-year-old son Dylan had a play date with her friend Deborah and her infant child after meeting at a mommy play group.

Deborah asked about her status with Michael and Ashley said they sleep in different rooms.

Close bond: Candiace spent time with her sister Crystal who has been living with her while her home is being built

'So, even though we're not together romantically, because we talk about the kids all the time, it doesn't feel any different,' Ashley said.

Ashley said she's been coping by doing TikTok dances and enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment from learning a new dance and executing it.

She told Deborah about organizing a high heels dance class for her friends.

Social media: Ashley said she's been coping by doing TikTok dances and enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment from learning a new dance and executing it

Robyn met up with Gizelle for lunch and scolded her for sharing her business about buying a house without Juan.

She also told Gizelle about Ashley getting the 2:42am message from Chris and Gizelle said she also gets messages from Chris.

Gizelle said she didn't appreciate how Chris spoke to her in her room at the reunion after he'd been drinking.

Lunch talk: Robyn met up with Gizelle for lunch and scolded her for sharing her business about buying a house without Juan

'I don't wanna be in a closed room with a married man. I am a woman who had a husband cheat on her. I don't wanna be put in the optics of cheating. I don't wanna have anything to do with it,' Gizelle said in a confessional.

'Chris made me feel completely uncomfortable to the point where I told you after it happened, and you were like, 'Oh, Gizelle, whatever'',' Gizelle told Robyn in the restaurant.

Gizelle accused Chris of being a 'sneaky link'.

Sneaky link: Gizelle accused Chris of being a 'sneaky link'

Robyn stood up for Chris saying that he really loved his wife and wants to cultivate friendships.

Gizelle later told Candiace about Chris making her feel uncomfortable at the dance class prompting the discussion with executive producer Eric.

The Real Housewives Of Potomac will return next week on Bravo.
Top model Romee Strijd is giving her 7.8 million Instagram fans and followers another glimpse at her baby bump, some five months after announcing her latest pregnancy.

Serving as one of the faces of Lounge underwear, the Netherlands native struck a couple of poses in black pants and a white shirt, both of which were left unbuttoned to reveal her black bra and underwear combo underneath.

'Almost there... @loungeunderwear,' she wrote in the caption, in a reference to the impending due date of baby number two.

Romee Strijd, 27, offered a kiss towards the camera when she showcased her growing baby bump dressed in a black bra and matching underwear underneath her pants and shirt

In one of the photos, Strijd, 27, can be seen puckering up her lips as to offer a kiss towards the camera.

She has her right hand leaning on her unbuttoned pants while she leans back with her other arm near a wall in a bathroom.

Her burgeoning belly take center stage in both photos, all while her long blonde tresses flow down over her shoulders and chest.

She offered a straight stare into the camera without the added animated look on her face.

Voluminous: The top Dutch model, who serves as one of the faces of Lounge underwear, has her flowing locks hanging over her shoulders and chest with added volume

Strijd announced 'almost there', in a likely reference to the impending due date of her second baby with husband Laurens van Leeuwen

The previous day the in-demand model took to her instagram Stories and shared a short video of herself striking a few poses in a blue bra and underwear combination from Lounge Underwear.

She first stood face forward towards with her camera phone held high dressed in light blue pants that hung low just enough to reveal part of her undergarment.

The soon to be mother of two then stood sideways to highlight just how far along she is in her pregnancy.

Proud mama: The previous day the in-demand model took to instagram and shared a video of herself striking a poses in a blue bra and underwear combination from Lounge Underwear

Mama moves: After first standing face forward she turned sideways to give her Instagram fans and followers a better look at her growing baby bump

Strijd announced back in late May that she and husband Laurens van Leeuwen, who's the son of television presenter Bert van Leeuwen, were expecting their second child together.

'Soon we will be a family of 4, can't wait,' the Dutch model wrote in the caption of the photo that shows the couple playing with their two-year-old daughter, Mint.

Obviously loving being a mother, she would confess 'so happy to be your mommy' in a photo where she and Mint snuggled up next to each other.

Just two months later, Strijd and van Leeuwen decided to make it official and get married on July 20 after being a together for more than a decade.

'Wedding day w my live @laurensvleeuwen,' she gushed in the caption of a photo showing the couple beaming with joy.

The couple announced their engagement this past January with a photo of van Leeuwe on one knee popping the question during a trip to Switzerland with a huge solitaire diamond ring.

Baby news: Strijd announced in late May that she and husband Laurens van Leeuwen, who's the son of television presenter Bert van Leeuwen, were expecting their second child together

Hitched: The couple would then announce they were getting married on July 20

Strijd gave birth to Mint in December 2020 after a years-long struggle with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS.

'WE'RE HAVING A BABY ?,' she wrote when she announced her first pregnancy. '2 years ago I got diagnosed with PCOS after not getting my period for 7 years. I was devastated because being a mom and starting a family with @laurensvleeuwen is my biggest dream.. I was so scared that I would never be able to because I got told it was harder to get babies in a natural way.'

PCOS is a hormonal disorder, in which a woman's ovaries may develop small collections of fluid and fail to regularly release eggs, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

'I think my weight was not good for my body to function properly and couldn't handle the constant traveling,' she previous said of her condition.

'I started to research natural healing for PCOS and came to the conclusion that I should do way less high intensity training, don't restrict foods, be nice to myself, and take breaks when needed.'
Terri Irwin, the widow of late 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin, is considering the option of selling Australia Zoo, according to a new report.

The Sunshine Coast zoo, founded as Beerwah Reptile Park in 1970 by Steve's father Bob Irwin, is one of Australia's most iconic tourist attractions, but suffered financial troubles during the Covid pandemic when tourists were locked out of Queensland.

New Idea magazine, citing sources close to the family, reports Terri, 58, is open to the possibility of offloading the business for personal and professional reasons.

Terri Irwin, the widow of late 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin, is considering the option of selling Australia Zoo, according to a new report. (Pictured from left to right: Robert Irwin, Terri Irwin, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell)

'There has been joy, unbearable loss, and in recent years some very hard financial times thanks to Covid border closures affecting tourist revenue,' the insider said.

Terri is supposedly having second thoughts about handing over the zoo to her daughter Bindi, 24, who only last year welcomed her first child, Grace Warrior.

'It's a beautiful time for her, and Terri doesn't want to burden her with the pressure of running the family zoo,' a source told the Australian tabloid.

The Sunshine Coast zoo, founded in 1970 by Steve's father Bob Irwin, is one of Australia's most iconic tourist attractions, but suffered financial troubles during the pandemic when tourists were locked out of Queensland. New Idea, citing sources close to the family, reports Terri, 58, is open to the possibility of selling the business for personal and professional reasons

Although selling the zoo is still 'just a thought' at this stage, insiders say the mere suggestion has been 'vehemently opposed' by Terri's 18-year-old son Robert.

'Robert's pleading with Terri to pass Australia Zoo to him,' one source said. 'He understands that it'll be time for his mum to take a step back soon.

'He's voiced to both Terri and Bindi that it would make more sense for him to take over. He'd do anything to make sure his dad's zoo and the realisation of all his mum's hard work stays in the family.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Australia Zoo for comment.

The Irwins first acknowledged in February 2021 their zoo was in dire straits due to Covid restrictions. In November that year, an Australia Zoo employee claimed redundancies were taking place at the wildlife sanctuary. (Pictured from left: Robert, Terri and Bindi Irwin)

The Irwins first acknowledged in February 2021 their zoo was in dire straits due to Covid restrictions.

And in November that year, an Australia Zoo employee claimed to New Idea that redundancies were taking place at the wildlife sanctuary.

The source said 'several key staffers' had been let go within a matter of weeks.

Also last year, Bindi admitted her late father Steve's legacy was close to collapse as the family struggled to keep Australia Zoo operational during the pandemic.

Terri is supposedly having second thoughts about handing over the zoo to her daughter Bindi, 24, who only last year welcomed her first child, Grace Warrior (pictured)

The zoo was forced to shut for 78 days in 2020-21 due to Covid, but the Irwins still had to pay $80,000 a week to feed the animals.

The huge outlay placed the tourist attraction in a dire financial predicament.

'The zoo relies on international visitors, and with the borders closed, indeed some state borders closed, and even Aussies struggling to get home, that's a sizable chunk of their income gone,' a source said.

It comes after Robert praised his mother in an interview last month, saying it was a brave thing for her to continue his late father's conservation work instead of selling the zoo when he died

It comes after Robert praised his mother during an ABC interview last month.

The teenage conservationist was visibly emotional when he discussed Terri's strength as a single mother, and her choice not to sell Australia Zoo after the shock death of his father Steve in September 2006.

'She could have sold the zoo and just raised us. And we could have just squirrelled away and lived a little hidden life,' he said.

The teenage conservationist was visibly emotional when he discussed Terri's (left) strength as a single mother, and her choice not to sell Australia Zoo after the shock death of his father Steve (right) in September 2006. 'She's an absolute wonder woman,' he said

Robert admitted that wouldn't have been the 'wrong thing to do', but Terri instead chose to carry on her late husband's treasured work.

'She could see this legacy and knew that it could continue to grow and get bigger and better every single year and she did just that,' he added.

'She raised us. She kept the zoo going through some tough times. I get emotional just thinking about it. She's an absolute wonder woman.'

Robert went on to call her the 'force of nature' behind Australia Zoo, much like his father was prior to his death.

'Everyone saw dad as this larger-than-life character, which he was in real life, 120 per cent, every single day. But mum is the one who kept it going; it's pretty special.'

Elsewhere, Robert reflected on his admiration for Terri, saying he never fully grasped the roles she was forced to play after his father died.

'I don't think I really fully understood, fully grasped what a powerful human being and brave human being she is, and was, until I really started to kind of step into adulthood,' he said.
Rugby league great Sam Burgess may have found his ideal woman.

Following his split from Phoebe Hooke, the influencer daughter of a millionaire mining boss, the down-to-earth Yorkshireman is now dating a working-class girl from his neck of the woods.

His new partner is Lucy Graham, a hairdresser and fashion designer from Leeds, England, whom he has known since his early teens.

NRL legend Sam Burgess' new girlfriend has been identified as Lucy Graham, a hairdresser from Leeds, England. They attended the premiere of Poker Face in Rome, Italy, on Sunday

Her identity was revealed after the retired South Sydney Rabbitohs star, 33, took her as his date to the premiere of Russell Crowe's film Poker Face in Rome on Sunday.

Lucy is the co-founder of the sustainable fashion label Sentenced, which launched in September 2019, reports So Dramatic Online.

Sam's new partner is English and they have known each other for about 20 years, a source close to the footy player told Daily Mail Australia.

While her social media accounts have all been switched to private, archived photos show she isn't afraid to get in front of the camera.

Lucy (pictured in a recent Instagram photo) is the co-founder of the sustainable fashion label Sentenced, which launched in September 2019

While her social media accounts have all been switched to private, archived photos show she isn't afraid to get in front of the camera

While it's not known how long they have been together, Sam has been telling friends they are 'taking things steady'.

Lucy looked glamorous at the Poker Face screening in a plunging black mini dress, which she accessorised with a Chanel handbag.

She completed her look with gold strappy sandals and a matching bracelet.

The retired South Sydney Rabbitohs star, 33, who split from ex-wife Phoebe three years ago (together right), looked smitten as he cuddled up to Lucy at the Poker Face premiere (left)

Lucy is English and the duo have known each other for about 20 years, a source disclosed

Sam dressed to impress in a grey suit, a white shirt and black and white sneakers.

While the English-born prop does not star in the movie, he was invited on the red carpet as Russell's 'bodyguard'.

Sam has been following the Oscar-winning Rabbitohs co-owner around the world for the past year, acting as his assistant and driver.

While it's not known how long they have been together, Sam has been telling friends they are 'taking things steady'

He was hired to work on the set of Poker Face, which was filmed in Sydney.

Sam's new relationship comes after a series of flings that followed his acrimonious split from ex-wife Phoebe in January 2019.

The father of two is said to have briefly dated Daily Mail Australia columnist Jana Hocking in January this year, as well as American waitress Oak Schuetz in late 2019.

Meanwhile, Phoebe, who shares daughter Poppy, four, and son Billy, three, with Sam, has remained single since their divorce.

She is living near her parents in Bowral, about 120km from Sydney.

Lucy looked glamorous in a plunging mini dress, which she paired with a Chanel bag

Sam's new relationship comes after a series of flings that followed his acrimonious split from ex-wife Phoebe in January 2019
Lisa Wilkinson isn't a front-runner to replace Carrie Bickmore as the main female host of Channel 10's The Project.

Bickmore, 41, who anchors the show from Monday to Wednesday, announced last week she was leaving the current affairs program after 13 years.

Wilkinson, 62, who co-hosts on Friday and Sunday, is unlikely to become the new face of The Project because her ratings aren't strong enough.

Lisa Wilkinson (pictured) isn't a front-runner to replace Carrie Bickmore as the main female host of Channel 10's The Project

An analysis of the metro ratings by The Australian shows Wilkinson and her co-host Hamish Macdonald averaged just 218,953 viewers all year.

By contrast, Bickmore and her co-host Waleed Aly managed to pull in 308,460 metro viewers on average for their Monday to Wednesday broadcasts throughout 2022.

With Wilkinson out of the running, Sarah Harris, Chrissie Swan and Abbie Chatfield are among the favourites tipped to replace Bickmore.

Bickmore, 41, who anchors the show from Monday to Wednesday, announced last week she was leaving the current affairs program after 13 years

Channel 10 executives were apparently taken by surprise when network golden girl Bickmore announced her departure from The Project last week.

She was apparently earning a whopping $1.1million per year to host the show for just three nights a week between 2021 and 2022, making her a higher earner than top-tier stars at Seven and Nine.

She is now been tipped for a breakfast radio gig after some insiders suggested Bickmore was primed to host Nine's A Current Affair or could even be replacing Allison Langdon on the Today show.

An analysis of the metro ratings by The Australian shows Wilkinson and her co-host Hamish Macdonald (left) averaged just 218,953 viewers all year on Fridays and Sundays

By contrast, Bickmore and her co-host Waleed Aly (left) managed to pull in 308,460 metro viewers on average for their Monday to Wednesday broadcasts throughout 2022

Television industry veteran Robert McKnight believes Bickmore's future lies at the helm of 2Day FM's Sydney breakfast show.

'I don't think she's going to ACA. Channel Nine has been pretty emphatic that it will be someone promoted internally. Although things can change from day to day,' McKnight said on the TV Blackbox podcast.

The former Studio 10 executive producer believes Bickmore, who hosts the Hit Network's top-rating drive show with Tommy Little, has plenty of reasons to take over the breakfast slot from its current hosts Dave Hughes, Ed Kavalee and Erin Molan.

Channel 10 executives were apparently taken by surprise when network golden girl Bickmore announced her departure from The Project last week

'We need to consider... [Bickmore is] earning, what, a million dollars for her afternoon [radio] show per year? The question is, is [Bickmore] priming to take over the Sydney breakfast radio show?' he said.

'[The current show is] rating like crap. I have already heard whispers she's being offered $2million a year to do the Sydney radio show with Tommy Little.'

'Television doesn't have the kind of money that radio does,' McKnight later added.

Television industry veteran Robert McKnight believes Bickmore's future lies at the helm of 2Day FM's Sydney breakfast show. She already hosts the Hit Network's top-rating drive show alongside Tommy Little (left) and is said to be earning a million dollars per year

Joining breakfast radio would also give the mother of three free time in the evenings to spend with her family, which is something Bickmore mentioned she was looking forward to in her resignation speech.

However, McKnight did note that Sydney listeners may struggle to connect with Bickmore, given that she is 'a very Melbourne personality'.

'But Carrie and Tommy have a really great show! It is really an enjoyable show in the afternoon,' he added.
Amy Adams spent her Sunday morning grabbing some breakfast with her husband Darren Le Gallo.

The 48-year-old actress and her 48-year-old actor husband were seen walking arm-in-arm after having breakfast at the Beverly Glen Deli in Bel Air.

The outing comes just a month after she promoted her new movie Disenchanted at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California.

Breakfast date: Amy Adams spent her Sunday morning grabbing some breakfast with her husband Darren Le Gallo

She had her red locks pulled back in a pony tail with a center part with blue jeans and white sneakers.

The Arrival star completed her look with a brown leather purse slung from her shoulder during the outing.

Amy's look: Adams stepped out in a black t-shirt under a black and plaid grey coat with tan sunglasses

Her husband Le Gallo - who she has been dating since 2002 before tying the knot in 2015 - opted for a dark blue shirt under a black hooded coat.

He also wore black sunglasses and a wool hat while carrying a grey backpack during th eouting.

The actor completed his look with light blue jeans and white sneakers for the breakfast outing.

D23: She made headlines in September for taking to the stage at the Anaheim Convention Center at the D23 Expo

She made headlines in September for taking to the stage at the Anaheim Convention Center at the D23 Expo.

She was promoting her new film Disenchanted, a follow-up to her 2007 film Enchanted.

Adams was spotted filming the movie with co-star Patrick Dempsey back in April, with Disney setting a November 24 release date on the Disney Plus streaming service.

Amy and Patrick: Adams was spotted filming the movie with co-star Patrick Dempsey back in April, with Disney setting a November 24 release date on the Disney Plus streaming service

Adams is coming off a trio of movies in 2021 - Zack Snyder's Justice League, The Woman in the Window and Dear Evan Hansen.

She's currently filming her new movie Nightb***h, starring alongside Scoot McNairy.

The film follows a stay-at-home mom begins to worry that she may be turning into a dog.
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Zoe Saldana made a fashion statement as she arrived at the Netflix and Elle Latinas in Hollywood celebration in Los Angeles earlier Sunday.

The Avatar actress, 44, was elegantly chic in a faux leather skirt along with a fashionable jacket to attend the special event.

Other celebrities also dressed to impress at the celebration, including Riverdale alum, Camila Mendes and former Nickelodeon star, Victoria Justice.

Stylish appearance: Zoe Saldana, 44, was one of many celebrities who attended the Netflix and Elle Latinas in Hollywood event in Los Angeles earlier Sunday

The talented actress was effortlessly chic as she opted to wear a long, black faux leather skirt with a high slit on the left side, giving a glimpse of her toned legs.

The star added a lacy, black shirt underneath while wearing a long-sleeved, green jacket on top.

The outerwear piece comprised of a belt of the same color and material that was tightened to accentuate her slim waist.

Zoe slipped into a pair of sleek, closed-toed black heels that were secured with a thin strap at the ankles.

Chic: The Adam Project actress donned a black faux leather skirt along with a fashionable jacket on top as she attended the special event

The Star Trek actress accessorized her eye-catching outfit by wearing a pair of small, silver-hooped earrings along with an assortment of silver rings on her fingers.

Her brunette hair was parted to the side, allowing her long locks to flow past her shoulders in elegant curls.

Zoe held a vibrant green, crocodile-patterned clutch bag in her hand to complete her ensemble for the event.

The stunning star posed for a brief photo session in front of a wall of plants and green foliage, with the name of the celebration on a sign above her.

A number of other talented actresses were also invited to make a glamorous appearance, including Camila Mendes.

Talented duo: The Avatar actress and Riverdale star, Camila Mendes, posed for a quick photo together at the celebration

Fashionable: The Do Revenge star donned a figure-hugging, black corseted dress at the Latinas in Hollywood event

The budding star opted for a form-fitting, black dress that fell down towards her ankles.

The classy ensemble was comprised of a corseted top and pointed shoulder pads. Camila slipped into a pair of open-toed, black and gold strappy heels to complete her overall look for the evening.

The beauty chose to keep her accessories simple and minimalistic to allow the dress to be the main focal point, and added a pair of small, gold-hooped earrings.

The Do Revenge actress's dark hair was parted in the middle, and pulled back into a sleek, low bun.

Along with posing with fellow star, Zoe, she also took a moment to take a snap with former Nickelodeon star, Victoria Justice.

Big smiles: Camila posed for a photo with actress, Victoria Justice, who was also in attendance at the celebration

Business chic: The Victorious alum showcased her slim legs in black slacks and a matching blazer with heart patterns embroidered on the front

Similar to Camila, Victoria also opted for an all-black outfit which comprised of black slacks that showcased her long, toned legs.

She added a matching blazer on top and opted to wear a lacy, black bralette underneath. The blazer contained white, outlined hearts that were embroidered on the front and also towards the hem of the pants.

The actress slipped into a pair of eye-catching, white boots for a pop of color. To accessorize her look, the star donned a long, gold-chained necklace and a pair of dangly earrings.

Ana de la Reguera was also attendance and turned heads in a colorful ensemble, wearing a patterned, shirt dress with hues of red, pink, and black.

The Nacho Libre actress added a pair of close-toed, black heels and a layered purse for a stylish edge to the look.

Eye-catching: Ana de la Reguera donned a colorful shirt dress with buttons as she arrived at the event

Retro-inspired: Auli'i Cravalho, known for voice the titular character in Disney's Moana, donned a argyle patterned dress

Special guests: Jordana Brewster stunned in a gold and white miniskirt and blouse at the celebration

Auli'i Cravalho, who is known for voicing the titular role in Disney's Moana, stunned in a shimmering, argyle-patterned dress with colors of white, black, and red.

She added a pair of shiny, black open-toed heels and slipped into a pair of black, sheer socks.

Fast & Furious star, Jordana Brewster, was also in attendance with other stars, and donned a flowing white blouse which was tucked into the waist of a white and gold-patterned skirt.

A pair of open-toed, gold heels which were secured with straps, completed her overall ensemble.

During the event, the actresses had the opportunity to mingle and hold important discussions regarding the industry.

Zoe and Camila were pictured sitting with Elle editor-in-chief, Nina Garcia, as they sat at a long table located on a scenic, outdoor patio. Later on during the celebration, some of the stylish guests took a memorable, group photo together.

Fun evening: Zoe and Camila were pictured sitting with the Elle editor-in-chief, Nina Garcia, at the celebration




Korea's military is keeping close tabs on North Korea's movements and maintaining an emergency response posture amid concerns of additional provocations during an ongoing defense exercise in the South, an official here said Monday.







The annual Hoguk drills kicked off earlier in the day after a series of provocations by the North in recent weeks, including the firing of a short-range ballistic missile Friday.







"Comprehensively assessing the recent situations, we are closely tracking and monitoring (the North's) related movements and maintaining a firm readiness posture," said Col. Kim Jun-rak, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), at a regular briefing. "The exercise will be carried out in a substantive way with a focus on maintaining the preparedness and enhancing joint operational capabilities."







This year's training, set to run until Oct. 28, is aimed mainly at improving the military's capabilities to carry out peacetime and wartime missions by simulating various threats from the North, including those involving its nuclear arms and missiles, according to the JCS. (Yonhap)


Melbourne Demons AFL player Christian Petracca proposed to his girlfriend Bella Beischer in Lake Como, Italy, over the weekend.

And on Monday, the 26-year-old revealed he asked Bella's parents permission for her hand in marriage before getting down on one knee.

During an interview on KIIS 101.1's Jase & Lauren, Christian said: 'Of course I asked [her parents] and I got the yes.'

Melbourne Demons star Christian Petracca revealed he asked girlfriend Bella Beischer's parents for permission before proposing

'Her dad is a big softie so it was inevitable to be honest,' he added.

Christian also shared intimate details about his engagement and said he believes Bella suspected he would be proposing.

'I did it at Villa del Balbianello, which is a famous villa in Italy, in Lake Como,' he said.

Christian also shared intimate details about his engagement and said he believes Bella suspected he would be proposing

'We haven't dressed up the whole trip and I told Bella to dress up just for this tour, so I think she sort of knew it was coming to be honest.'

Christian shared news of his engagement to Instagram on Sunday, alongside a series of photos with his fiance after proposing in Lake Como.

He also posted a close-up photo of Bella's stunning emerald cut diamond engagement ring.

Christian shared news of his engagement to Instagram on Sunday, alongside a series of photos with his fiance after proposing in Lake Como

He simply captioned the post with two emojis of a ring and a love heart.

The couple have been enjoying a romantic holiday together and visited Dubai and Paris before arriving in Italy.

Christian and Bella's romance blossomed during the pandemic after the pair met in Portsea and began seeing each other in January, 2020.
Nicola Peltz looked stunning over the weekend as she took to Instagram to share some behind the scenes snaps while getting ready for the Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures Gala in Los Angeles.

The heiress, 27, donned a strapless black Givenchy gown for the occasion - teamed with chic black arm-length gloves.

Sharing the shots to her 2.7M followers, the beauty penned: 'bury me in tights and gloves'.

Beauty: Nicola Peltz, 27, nailed Hollywood glamour in a strapless black Givenchy gown and arm-length gloves this weekend as she shared some behind-the-scenes snaps before the Academy Museum Gala

Lifting her dress out of the way, Nicola adjusted her sheer black tights in one snap as she got ready for the star-studded evening.

The actress opted for a soft glam makeup palette with a swipe of nude lipstick and styled here brunette stresses in a slicked-back half ponytail.

She added a touch of glamour with statement diamond drop earrings to the stunning look, while gazing into the mirror in the bathroom.

Couture: She donned a strapless black Givenchy gown for the occasion - teamed with chic black arm-length gloves

Soft galam: The actress opted for a soft glam makeup palette with a swipe of nude lipstick and styled here brunette stresses in a slicked-back ponytail

Sharing an insight into the getting ready process, Nicola snapped some pictures while her glam team prepped her for the bash.

She was joined by husband Brooklyn Beckham as her date for the evening, who matched her look with a suave black suit.

The pair put on a loved up display during the evening, with the eldest son of Victoria and David planting a kiss on his wife's cheek while they beamed for snaps.

BTS: Sharing an insight into the getting ready process, Nicola snapped some pictures while her glam team prepped her for the bash

Date night: She was joined by husband Brooklyn Beckham as her date for the evening, who matched her look with a suave black suit

Smitten: The pair put on a loved up display during the evening as they beamed for snaps

It was only the second time the gala was held, after managing to rake in a whopping $11 million for the new museum, per The Hollywood Reporter.

And it comes after Nicola and Brooklyn appear to have put rumours of a feud with the latter's famous parents behing them.

Reports of an ongoing family battle between Nicola and Victoria began to circulate earlier this year, following her wedding to the fashion designer's son.

But brushing them off, the couple put on a united front with the Beckham brood earlier this month, attending Victoria's Paris Fashion Week Show.

Victoria solidified this with a gushing post which featured the couple, while David took to Instagram this week to display his love for Brooklyn, sharing some sweet throwback snaps of the family.

Family: And it comes after Nicola and Brooklyn appear to have put rumours of a feud with the latter's famous parents behing them

Supportive: Victoria shared a gushing message for Brooklyn and Nicola, appearing to squash rumours of a family feud
Little Henry's diagnosis came less than two weeks after his first birthday in 2016

He described that period and the months that followed, to be 'obscured by fog'

Comedian opened up about the difficult time in new book A Heart That Work

Catastrophe star Rob Delaney has said hearing that his son had a brain tumour was the 'heaviest pain in the world'.

In his new book A Heart That Works, the American comedian, 45, shared the heartbreaking detail behind his late son Henry's death, who died aged just two-and-a-half on Rob's 41st birthday in January 2018.

An extract published in the Sunday Times provided harrowing recounts of the difficult period for him and his wife Leah who struggled to come to terms with their loss.

Opening up: Catastrophe star Rob Delaney has said hearing that his son had a brain tumour was the 'heaviest pain in the world'

It was only the day after he Sharon Horgan won a BAFTA for comedy writing on Catastrophe in April 2016 that he and Leah were told that little Henry might have a brain tumour.

He described that period of time - despite it being the height of his success so far - and the months that followed, to be 'obscured by fog'.

'Grief drove a bus through the part of my brain where memories are stored,' he said. 'After the MRI, Dr Anson confirmed that Henry had a large tumour in the back of his head, near his brain stem.

'He delivered the news calmly, and ended by saying a paediatric brain surgeon would come to see us within a few hours. We sank inside ourselves.

Heartbreaking: In his new book A Heart That Works, the American comedian shared the detail behind his late son Henry's (pictured) death, who died aged just two-and-a-half

'The heaviest pain in the world. I felt like I had suddenly quadrupled in weight, and an oily, black whirlpool began to swirl where my heart had been.'

The 45-year-old went on to explain how they were introduced to a brain surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital who were going to try and surgically remove the tumour.

Little Henry had only turned one less than two weeks before.

When they arrived at the hospital days before the surgery, parents Rob and Leah shared a shower room with one-year-old Henry, who dad Rob describes as having a fatigued appearance that 'you would normally associate with an old man'.

Devoted dad: Rob wrote the sitcom Catastrophe during his son's cancer battle (pictured with co-star Sharon Horgan)

To stay close to their little one as doctors prepared him for his operation, the couple of 18 years got a hotel room nearby - and he divulged that the pair had sex twice within a few hours during the 'scary' period.

He said he wanted to share that detail in his book because parents experiencing the same thing might feel guilty and 'hyperventilating with anxiety'.

Their fear and horror of what was happening just over the road 'manifested in sex' - 'even at the worst of times', he said, adding that they just wanted to be so close.

After two months in the intensive care unit, Henry was moved to the cancer ward where he received chemotherapy for several months.

And while this was going on, the couple made an 'active decision' to protect their marriage by going on a date once a week even if Henry was in intensive care.

Heartbreaking: On Friday, Rob Delaney, 44, took to Instagram to share a photograph of his late son Henry sleeping, taken when he was only 15 months old and had just started chemotherapy

Devastating: In a heartbreaking caption, the Catastrophe star explained how cancer surgery had damaged cranial nerves and left their son unable to swallow - Henry died three years ago

Months spent at home were great for the family, Rob explained, but it all came to a horrible halt once again when at a check-up following an MRI scan revealed that the cancer started to return.

He said his 'stomach filled with stones' as he and Leah understood there could be no more treatment after this point.

Henry was then expected to live for another three to six months.

In April last year, the actor paid tribute to his late son Henry shortly after acknowledging what would have been his sixth birthday.

And Rob, a parent to three other sons with wife Leah, admitted he still doesn't know how he continues to function after being forced to endure the heartbreaking loss of a child.

Sharing an image of Henry as a baby with Instagram followers, he wrote: This little boy would've turned 6 the other day. He died of cancer a little bit before his third birthday.

'If you asked me how I carry on without him I would tell you I don't know.'

The American star has previously admitted to cherishing the time he spends with his three other sons more than ever following Henry's death, and that he is no longer afraid of dying.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Rob shared his feelings on his grief and own mortality when asked about his 'Moment of Light' - which he revealed was thinking about his own death which gave him peace.

He said: 'When I heard people were sharing so called moments of light on Radio 4, I got angry.

Devastating: Rob revealed Henry was diagnosed with his brain tumour in 2016 after suffering persistent vomiting and weight loss, shortly after he turned one

'How dare they. A historic pandemic and its mismanagement by the government is killing people by the thousands...

'I got so angry, I needed a moment of light myself, so I began to think about my own death. I think about dying a lot and it always makes me feel good. Like many people I used to be afraid of dying.

'But a little less than three years ago, our then-youngest son Henry died of a brain tumour. It so happens he died on the morning of my 41st birthday.

'Thus, that date's significance has been exchanged for something far larger and more powerful.

'I don't know where Henry went or what happened to him when he died, do you? But I know I'll get to find out when I die.

'At the very least I'll get to experience something Henry experienced and that's wonderful. That knowledge brings me peace. I won't say I can't wait because I can.'
Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley were pictured on set of their upcoming period film, Wicked Little Letters, in Sussex on Saturday.

The pair were seen in character at the beach, wearing traditional 1920s dress.

Olivia, 48, and Jessie, 32, were in high spirits, linking arms and hugging as they frolicked on the shore in between takes.

On set: Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley wore traditional dress and frolicked around on the beach on Saturday on set of their upcoming period film Wicked Little Letters in Sussex

The Crown star Olivia, who plays Edith Swan in Wicked Little Letters, wore a long brown dress, a black hat and stockings and heels.

Jessie meanwhile, was dressed in a flowing white long sleeve frock and an orange hat.

At one point, she pulled off her nude heels to walk barefoot along the beach and wore her short locks in curls.

Close: Olivia, 48, and Jessie, 32, were in high spirits, linking arms and hugging as they walked around

In character: The Crown star Olivia, who plays Edith Swan in Wicked Little Letters, wore a long brown dress, a black hat and stockings and heels

Off go the heels: At one point, she pulled off her nude heels to walk barefoot along the beach

Classic hairstyle: Jessie, who is known for 2019's Chernobyl, wore her short locks out in curls under her hat

Olivia and Jessie are reuniting again on screen in this film, after appearing in Maggie Gyllenhaal's 2021 film The Lost Daughter together, alongside Dakota Johnson.

Olivia takes a starring role as Edith Swan in director Thea Sharrock's latest project Wicked Little Letters, based on the real-life story of neighbours who come together after receiving a series of hateful poison pen letters from an unknown source.

Olivia will star alongside Jessie in the forthcoming film, with the Irish actress expected to play Rose Gooding - the fiery younger woman wrongly accused of drafting a spate of hateful letters to various members of the community.

Back together! Olivia and Jessie are reuniting again on screen in this film

Characters: Olivia takes a starring role as Edith Swan in director Thea Sharrock's latest project Wicked Little Letters

Reunited: They appeared together in Maggie Gyllenhaal's 2021 film The Lost Daughter together, alongside Dakota Johnson

Not the shoes! At one point, Jessie was seen bending down to take off her shoes and socks that got wet in the water

Plot: The new film is based on the real-life story of neighbours who come together after receiving a series of hateful poison pen letters from an unknown source

Those familiar with the notorious case will know that Edith (Olivia), a respected member of the community, was eventually exposed as the poison pen author, charged with criminal libel and ultimately tried at Lewes magistrates court in 2021.

The new film is understood to be a lighthearted take on the case, with neighbours joining forces to solve the mystery after the finger of blame is incorrectly pointed at the Gooding.

On two occasions she would be sent to prison for crimes of which she was totally innocent, and the case would involve four trials in all.

Interesting! Jessie's character Rose Gooding is the fiery younger woman wrongly accused of drafting a spate of hateful letters to various members of the community

Lighthearted: The new film is understood to be a lighthearted take on the case

Remarkable case: Those familiar with the notorious case will know that Edith (Olivia), a respected member of the community, was eventually exposed as the poison pen author

The case was high profile, with each trial reported unsparingly by the national press and enthralling the nation.

Timothy Spall, Hugh Skinner and Joanna Scanlan have also been case in unconfirmed roles.

Wicked Little Letters is expected to go on general release in 2023.

Co-stars: Timothy Spall, Hugh Skinner and Joanna Scanlan have also been case in unconfirmed roles

Sweet: At one point, Jessie stopped to hug Oliva as they walked around the shore

Coming soon: Wicked Little Letters is expected to go on general release in 2023

Olivia rose to fame on comedy show Peep Show, before portraying the late Queen Elizabeth II on Netflix's royal drama The Crown - a role in which she received her first Emmy Award.

She recently reflected on her incredible career, telling The Talks that she's 'grateful' for working 'fairly consistently' over the years.

'I think it's just been a long slow burn,' she said.

Reflecting: Olivia recently reflected on her incredible career, telling The Talks that she's 'grateful' for working 'fairly consistently' over the years

'I've worked fairly consistently, and I'm really grateful  even for the years of not getting so many acting jobs because that means I really appreciate being able to do what I love now.'

Despite having various jobs in between acting work to get by, such as a cleaning job, Olivia said she couldn't imagine doing anything but acting long term.

'It's the only thing I can do. I am so bad at everything else!' she said.

Mingling: The pair happily hugged and chatted to a crew member on set, who was rugged up in a white puffer coat
Rhian Sugden put on a busty display as she cosied up to her husband Oliver Mellor during their romantic beach getaway in Turkey.

The glamour model, 36, looked as smitten as ever with her actor husband, 41, as they were seen cuddling and kissing on a beach in Kalkan - four years after tying the knot there.

Rhian flaunted her incredible figure in a skimpy pink patterned two-piece, which she paired with gold flip-flops during their beach trip last Monday.

Smitten: Rhian Sugden put on a busty display as she cosied up to her husband Oliver Mellor during their romantic beach getaway in Turkey

She accessorised with a dainty silver pendant necklace and accentuated her beauty as she went make-up free for the outing.

Rhian swept her golden tresses back into a loose up-do and let her fringe fall and effortlessly frame her face, while she fixed round sunglasses on her head.

Her husband Oliver, who went shirtless in a pair of pink patterned boardshorts, was seen cuddling a laughing Rhian and planting kisses on her cheek.

They were also seen splashing around in the ocean and taking selfies together on a deckchair as they returned to Kalkan, where they married four years ago in 2018.

Wow! Rhian flaunted her incredible figure in a skimpy pink patterned two-piece, which she paired with gold flip-flops during their beach trip last Monday

Stunning: She accessorised with a dainty silver pendant necklace and accentuated her beauty as she went make-up free for the outing

The former Celebrity Big Brother star has been documenting their romantic holiday in Turkey on social media, sharing an array of sizzling bikini snaps.

On Thursday, she put on another very busty display in a black swimsuit with a plunging neckline, that put her ample cleavage on full display.

She balanced on the edge of a boat and showed off her long legs, as she soaked in the sunshine.

Her blonde tresses were straightened and left to fall about her shoulders, while she wore a pair of sunglasses perched on top of her head.

Romantic: The glamour model, 36, looked as smitten as ever with her actor husband, 41, as they were seen cuddling and kissing on a beach in Kalkan - four years after tying the knot there

Relaxing: They were seen splashing around in the ocean and taking selfies together on a deckchair as they returned to Kalkan, where they married four years ago in 2018

Rhian appeared to go make-up free as she worked on her tan, letting her natural beauty shine through as she beamed.

Captioning the stunning snap, she quipped: 'Feeling nauti...' alongside an anchor emoji.

Her relaxing holiday comes after she revealed she has been diagnosed with anxiety stemming from a phobia about being sick.

The star recently spoke out about her anxiety diagnosis for the first time, revealing her lifelong phobia of being sick, which began when she was just three years old, has caused panic attacks and left her hospitalised.

Adorable: Her husband Oliver, who went shirtless in a pair of pink patterned boardshorts, was seen cuddling a laughing Rhian and planting kisses on her cheek

All smiles: The couple appeared to be in jovial spirts as they cosied up to one another on a deckchair

Speaking to former Love Island star Dr Alex George on the Stompcast podcast, Rhian admitted her phobia of being sick has taken over her life and even her husband has struggled to deal with her panic attacks and anxiety.

Rhian revealed her fear has impacted much of her life for over 30 years - from preventing her from getting on school buses, to stopping her taking holidays abroad and eating most food, leaving her seriously underweight.

For years, medics had struggled to help the model, but after she decided to try out different therapies herself - including shock therapy and hypnotherapy - she said more recently she has finally started learning to cope better.

Rhian explained: 'Over the last five years I've been diagnosed with anxiety. But I've had it since I was about three, four years old and it wasn't really a thing back then.

Trip: The former Celebrity Big Brother star has been documenting their romantic holiday in Turkey on social media, sharing an array of sizzling bikini snaps

'As long as I can remember, I've had it bad. I feel like it's taken over a lot of my life, but it stems from a phobia of being sick.

'I have ideas where it came from because I've had so many different types of therapy over the years. I've had hypnotherapy, CBT therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), shock therapy.

'And they regressed me somehow - something that I never thought was possible. I thought this is just ridiculous talk, but they managed to get memories out of me that I didn't realise I had. That was hypnotherapy that did that.

Rhian explained that hypnotherapy helped memories resurface from her childhood including witnessing a dinner lady at her school being sick, helping her to understand when the phobia started.
Charlotte Dawson has tearfully reflected on how her 'whole world came crashing down' when she had a miscarriage at 10 weeks.

The Ex On The Beach star, 30, spoke about her devastating loss to mark baby loss awareness week as she took to Instagram on Sunday to share an emotional video.

Charlotte shares 20-month-old son Noah with her fiance Matthew Sarsfield and the couple tragically had a miscarriage at 10 weeks in April.

Heartbreaking: Charlotte Dawson has tearfully reflected on how her 'whole world came crashing down' when she had a miscarriage at 10 weeks

Speaking about her miscarriage, Charlotte tearfully spoke about feeling 'absolutely heartbroken' as she recounted the moment she was told that she had lost her baby.

'I was shaking, I could not stop crying, I was just heartbroken, absolutely heartbroken,' she explained as she broke down in tears.

'I told everyone that I was expecting a baby, and it was heartbreaking, my whole world came crashing down.'

She said her son Noah 'saved' her after the devastating loss as she admitted she doesn't know what she and her fiance Matthew would have done without him.

Loss: Charlotte shares 20-month-old son Noah with her fiance Matthew Sarsfield and the couple tragically lost a baby at 10 weeks in April

In the video, Charlotte admitted that baby loss awareness week had made her emotional while thinking about her own miscarriage and shared her story.

Charlotte said her mother Tracy - who shares her daughter with Les Dawson - had two stillbirths and said miscarriages are not discussed enough.

She began: 'I've been crying thinking about everything, as it's baby loss awareness week, I thought I'd share a bit of my story.

'I've been reading and listening to these wonderful, strong women's stories about losing their babies, some at 38 weeks, some at 10 weeks, some at 20 weeks, some stillborn, some that have survived for 24 hours then passed away - I can't even imagine what that must have felt like.

Emotional: The Ex On The Beach star, 30, spoke about her devastating loss to mark baby loss awareness week as she took to Instagram on Sunday to share an emotional video

'Me losing my baby at 9-10 weeks was horrific so I can't even imagine what these powerful strong women have been through. It absolutely breaks my heart.

'My mum has had two stillborns and it breaks my heart, she's so amazing. She speaks about it she's open about it, she's such an inspiration.

'It's better to talk about things instead of locking up how we're feeling, we just feel better getting it off our chest.'

Reflecting on her and Matthew's decision to try for a second child, Charlotte said she has always wanted a daughter and they decided to 'extend' their family.

She said: 'I've got the most beautiful little boy Noah. He is our world and we're so lucky to have him, he's all happy, healthy, everything. We were so happy with Noah and wanted to extend our family.

Devastated: Speaking about her miscarriage, Charlotte tearfully spoke about feeling 'absolutely heartbroken' as she recounted the moment she told that she had lost her baby

'I've always wanted a little girl, I want to play Barbie and dress up and do all that type of thing - imagine the outfits, guys!

'We weren't really trying, we were saying if it happens, it happens. We were really happy as a family of three, but if it happened, amazing.'

The TV personality said she became pregnant while she and Matthew were on holiday in Dubai and said she bought a pregnancy test when they had returned.

She described feeling 'over the moon' when she found out she was expecting her second child on Mother's Day, before discussing her current difficulties with getting pregnant.

Recounting the moment she found out she was pregnant, she said: 'So we were in Dubai and my mum said to Matthew's mum 'she'll be pregnant when she gets back, cos she's going to be chilled out there'.

Love: Reflecting on her and Matthew's decision to try for a second child, Charlotte said she has always wanted a daughter and they decided to 'extend' their family

'We had the best time ever. We came back, I kind of had a feeling I was pregnant but I was like 'I'm gonna wait'. On Mother's Day, we went to buy a pregnancy test and we went for a Sunday dinner and I went to the toilet and I did the test, and it said pregnant.

'It was 1/2 weeks and it made my Mother's Day. I was over the moon and I remember and I cuddled Matthew and said 'I'm pregnant!'.

'I was so happy - it just really gets to me. It's not that easy to get pregnant and we're trying again now and it doesn't seem to be happening.

'If you put pressure on things, that can affect it. We went to Matthew's mum's that night and we sat them down and said we had something to tell them. They were really happy, obviously it was bit of a shock to everyone but they were so happy.'

Charlotte admitted she found it difficult not immediately speaking publicly about her pregnancy because she is 'open and honest' and said she told all of her friends.

Support: In a caption, Charlotte said she hoped her sharing her own story would help to break the 'stigma' of discussing miscarriages and stop other women from feeling 'alone'

'Because I'm so open and honest with all of you, I wanted to shout from the rooftops that I was pregnant again. I told Noah he was going to be a big brother. Everybody knew all my friends,' she added.

Reflecting on having a miscarriage at 10 weeks, Charlotte said she was at a friend's child's christening when she went to the toilet and 'started bleeding', before consulting her pals for advice.

She explained: 'We had a really busy weekend - we went to the Races, one of my best friends got married so I celebrated that night, then I was at a friend's son's christening. I had told everyone I was pregnant, loads of old friends, I was so giddy. I had kept it in for so long, I wanted to tell everybody.

'That day, I went to the toilet and I just started bleeding. I found this blood in my knickers, and I thought 'why am I bleeding? I never bled with Noah.

Devastating: Reflecting on having a miscarriage at 10 weeks, Charlotte said she was at a friend's child's christening when she went to the toilet and 'started bleeding'

'My friends have been through loads of pregnancies and some have lost some, so I went out to them and asked 'am I losing my baby?', just panicking. Loads of my friends came to the toilet and they said 'no, this could be implantation bleeding, don't worry'.

'They said 'are you getting any cramps?' and then I started to get a couple of cramps, then cramping started got worse and the bleeding got worse and then I went to hospital that night.

'The lady checked me out and and the nurse said 'everything's fine, you're not having a miscarriage, I promise you, everything will be ok, your wall is closed' - I can't remember exactly what she said now, it's all a bit of a blur.'

Despite being assured that everything was OK, Charlotte said she 'knew' she had lost her baby as she reflected on the tearful conversation she had with Matthew that night.

She continued: 'I went back to the hotel - we were staying over in Blackpool that night. I got in bed with Matthew - he wasn't allowed in hospital with me - and I said 'everything's going to be fine'.

Upset: Despite being assured that everything was OK, Charlotte admitted that she 'knew' she had lost her baby as she reflected on the tearful conversation she had with Matthew that night

'But you know when you just know in yourself and I said to him 'I know I've lost this baby and I shouldn't keep saying that because I don't want it to be true'.

'Then I got in bed that night and I cried myself to sleep, and when I woke up in the morning I thought 'please don't be any blood please', but I went to the toilet and there was just blood, loads of blood and a little clot in it. It was just horrible.

'My mum came to have breakfast with us that morning and I just had a little tissue there then I just felt this plooo and it was horrible. We were looking at buying a house that day, so we went to view the house still as it was right near the hospital.

'So I booked in with the early pregnancy unit, and my mum looked after Noah. We went to look around this house, obviously didn't look round the house with good intentions and it wasn't the right house for us.'

Speaking about her hospital visit after viewing the house, Charlotte recounted the moment she was told she had lost her baby, saying she was 'heartbroken' and her 'whole world came crashing down'.

'I went to the hospital and into the early pregnant unit,' she emotionally continued.

'I was shaking, I could not stop crying, I was just heartbroken, absolutely heartbroken, because I knew what they were going to tell me. I was like 'please, please there must be a little heartbeat, please no'.

'I didn't think it would upset me but it has - it's good to talk about it, like I said. But then they were like 'I'm really sorry that's it, there's nothing we can do'.

'I told everyone that I was expecting a baby, and it was heartbreaking, my whole world came crashing down.'

Charlotte tearfully admitted that her son Noah 'saved' her and Matthew and admitted she doesn't know what they both would have done without him after the tragic loss.

The star also shared that she and Matthew are still trying to have their 'rainbow baby', which is a term used to describe a baby that's born after a pregnancy loss.

Difficult times: Charlotte recounted the moment she was told that she had lost her baby, saying she was 'heartbroken' and her 'whole world came crashing down'

She added: 'The moment that I got home to my mum and saw Noah's face, I felt so, so grateful that I've got Noah. He really, really did save us, he saved me and Matthew. I don't know what we would have done without Noah.

'We honestly don't know how lucky we are with our little cherubs - so we are going to try again. I'm adamant we will get our rainbow baby, we deserve our rainbow baby and we're just going to keep trying, don't put too much pressure on ourselves. If it happens, it happens.'

She concluded: 'I feel like [miscarriages are] not spoken about enough at all, and I felt like it that day when I came out the early pregnancy unit.

'She was like 'yeah it's really common' and I thought 'yeah it's not spoken about enough'. I love you all so much and thank you for taking the time to listen to my story.'

Grief: Charlotte tearfully admitted that her son Noah 'saved' her and Matthew and admitted she doesn't know what they both would have done without him after the tragic loss

Alongside the video, Charlotte said in a caption that she hoped her sharing her own story would help to break the 'stigma' of discussing miscarriages and stop other women from feeling 'alone' in their experiences.

She penned: 'Today is the end of baby loss awareness so I have decided to join @heybearbabyofficial campaign this week.. They have been sharing a story a day of amazing women who have also been through baby loss.

'I hope sharing my story will help break the stigma of discussing miscarriage and help any ladies out there going through the same and feeling alone in their thoughts.

'It was emotional talking about my story but also so emotional hearing everyone elses stories.. but felt better talking about it, please be kind to me & no nasty comments thank you x'

Looking ahead: The star also shared that she and Matthew are still trying to have their 'rainbow baby', which is a term used to describe a baby that's born after a pregnancy loss

In April, Charlotte made the devastating announcement that she had lost her baby in a post shared to Instagram.

She took to Instagram to pen a heartbreaking post, admitting she and her fiance Matt were 'over the moon' to be expecting again, and despite the loss they hope that 'one day they will have their own rainbow baby.'

Charlotte shared a snap of her son Noah holding her positive pregnancy test, alongside a lengthy post detailing her sad loss.

In the post's caption Charlotte wrote: 'Hi my darlings, I finally feel ready to post this.. I mean I don't know when there is a good time to post this.

'It's been an extremely tough week mentally but also obviously physically I am heartbroken beyond words.. and I know I'm never quiet on here, & always so open and honest with you guys so it's been a shock to you all..

Candid: In April, Charlotte made the devastating announcement that she had lost her baby in a post shared to Instagram

'I keep getting lots & lots of messages worrying about us all, asking why I'm being quiet & if Noah is ok.. Noah is absolutely fine.. he's amazing.

'I'm the one that's not OK... unfortunately I've suffered with a miscarriage. Obviously our families & close friends have known about me being pregnant, but didn't announce anything until I got further down the line.. I was so excited to share our happy news with you all.

'Noah's little brother or little sister, as you can imagine Matthew & I were absolutely over the moon our little family was going to be growing.

'I also found out on mother's day which was just so special. But sometimes it's just not meant to be, I really thought it was but it just wasn't this time. Miscarriages are so common & not spoke about enough.

'We are so heartbroken right now have no words and just don't feel up to posting being my happy silly self right now... also please can people stop sending Matthew & I nasty messages about our parenting skills.

'I clearly show and say far too much, we are bloody good parents and Noah is so loved and is our life.

'And these horrible forums talking about us, these trolls are just awful but they won't win.. any nasty vile comments I get on here about this you will be getting blocked and reported.

'Thank you for all your love & support always, I don't ever want to let go of Noah.. I feel so lucky to have Noah, one day we will get our rainbow baby'

Alongside the post, Charlotte also shared a video of the moment she told her son Noah he was going to have a sibling, beaming as she held the positive pregnancy test in the clip.

If you have been affected by this story, you can seek advice at www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk or by calling 01924 200 799.
Netflix viewers have been left fuming at the 'disappointing' ending of the streaming giant's new horror series The Watcher, despite being gripped by the real-life plot.

The gripping seven-episode series from Ryan Murphy is based on the real-life story of a couple who were harassed out of their dream home by a creepy stalker - whose identity remains a mystery to this day.

It stars Naomi Watts, 52, and Bobby Cannavale, 51, as married couple Dean and Nora Brannock who move into their dream home in the New Jersey suburbs only to find themselves targeted by a stalker. Also starring is Jennifer Coolidge, 61, as the realtor who sells them the property and Mia Farrow as one of their creepy neighbors.

After they move from New York City to 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey, the couple are sent a series of cryptic and increasingly threatening letters from an anonymous person, signed off with The Watcher, who wants to force them out of their house.

The letters become increasingly chilling and the family spirals as they try to discover who's behind the threats. Everyone becomes a suspect - their unusual neighbors, their realtor, the town police chief, and the husband and wife homeowners even start to turn on and suspect each other.

Unresolved mystery: Dean and Nora Brannock (played by Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale, pictured in a scene from The Watcher) buy their dream home in a quiet New Jersey suburb only to find their hopes of a new life become a living nightmare

Real life: Derek and Maria Broaddus (pictured here with their children) bought 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey for $1.4million in 2014. Between June that year and February 2017, they received four sinister letters signed by The Watcher that left them fearing for their safety and eventually forced them out of what had been their dream home

The Watcher, a fictionalized retelling of the Broaddus family's real-life nightmare, has garnered praise for the gripping storyline but viewers were mostly disappointed with its true-to-life ending. Pictured above Bobby Cannavale as homeowner Dean Brannock who marches from his house with a letter from The Watcher in-hand to confront neighbors he thinks could be behind the chilling notes making his family's life a misery

The Brannock family receive a letter from The Watcher in the photograph above from the new Netflix show featuring Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale

The Netflix version of 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey where the Brannocks are left on edge by the letters, leaving them suspicious of their neighbors, their realtor, the police chief and each other

The real-life Watcher home: The real 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey (pictured) where the Broaddus family were harassed by an anonymous stalker who sent them chilling letters signed 'The Watcher'

Uneven: According to Metacritic, The Watcher has received mainly mixed reviews and currently holds a score of 52 out of 10

It seems they have finally brought the horrifying chapter to a close when their terminally ill private detective Theodora (played by Noma Dumezweni) confesses to being The Watcher.

Theodora claims she's a previous occupant of the house who wanted to get them to move out so she could move back in. But in a further twist, it's revealed that she lied and just wanted to give the terrorized family closure before she died.

The couple are left with no other option but to move out, leaving the mystery of The Watcher's identity unresolved - as it remains in real life.

Fans rushed to social media to complain about the lack of resolution at the end of the series, with many branding it 'pointless' - but others praised the show for remaining faithful to how it really ended when Derek and Maria Broaddus and their children were forced out of their $1.4million home after four letters from The Watcher left them 'depressed wrecks' and on edge.

It was such a haunting tale that their story was at the center of a bidding war between six studios in late 2018 - and while viewers were gripped by the series, they are furious at its unresolved ending. Tweets range from 'awesome plot, horrendous ending' to 'worst ending... utterly horrible' but others said the true-to-life ending is haunting and special.

Mixed reviews: Viewers were gripped by The Watcher plot - but many found the ending 'an absolute waste of time', while others thought it made the story 'haunting' and 'special'

'Just binged The Watcher on Netflix.. awesome plot, horrendous ending,' wrote one infuriated fan.

Another said: 'The ending of the watcher might be hands down the worst ending to any piece of cinema Ive ever had to see. All the directions they couldve went and THAT is how they end it? Utterly horrible.'

'If youre going to start The Watcher on Netflix, dont. Officially the worst ending Ive ever seen,' a third added.

One penned: 'Ive never watched something Ive been so invested in and get severely annoyed with. Ryan Murphys The Watcher. WHO WAS IT? We learnt absolutely nothing. I want to know more! What was that ending??'

'Just finished The Watcher. I know its based on a true story but that ending made the whole series an absolute waste of time,' one user said.

While other fans felt the ending was satisfying enough as it mimicked the true story: 'Just finished The Watcher... lots of thoughts atm. Really liked the show and its structure, the ending will have people divided but I for one liked where it went...

'I am not p***ed at #TheWatcher's ending as everybody else are. In fact, I think there is something haunting about that ending and that makes it special.'

Same fans were livid by the series' ending - other fans felt it was satisfying enough because it mimicked the true story: 'Just finished The Watcher... lots of thoughts atm.'

'Officially the worst ending Ive ever seen': Netflix viewers were left fuming at the 'disappointing' ending of new horror series The Watcher which stars Mia Farrow and Terry Kinney (pictured) as creepy neighbors Pearl and Jasper Winslow

Storyline: The Watcher follows a family that moves into a new house and is subsequently terrorized by a stalker; Naomi and Bobby seen with Jennifer Coolidge

The series features Jennifer Coolidge as the realtor who sold the couple their home (pictured here in a promo video for the show, in which she showcases the house)

10 CREEPY QUOTES FROM THE WESTFIELD WATCHER 1. 'Who I am? I am the Watcher.' 2. 'My grandfather watched the house in the 1920s and my father watched in the 1960s. It is now my time. I have been put in charge of watching and waiting for its second coming.' 3. 'Do you know the history of the house? Do you know what lies within the walls of 657 Boulevard? Why are you here? I will find out.' 4. 'Do you need to fill the house with the young blood I requested? Once I know their names I will call to them and draw them to me. I asked the (prior owners) to bring me young blood.' 5. 'Have they found what is in the walls yet? In time they will. I am pleased to know your names and the names now of the young blood you have brought to me.' 6. 'Who has the bedrooms facing the street? I'll know as soon as you move in.  It will help me to know who is in which bedroom then I can plan better.' 7. 'Allow me to watch you and track you as you move through the house.' 8. 'And now I watch and wait for the day when they (sp) young blood will be mine again.' 9. 'It has been years and years since the young blood ruled the hallways of the house. Have you found all of the secrets it holds yet?' 10. 'Will the young blood play in the basement? Or are they too afraid to go down there alone. I would [be] very afraid if I were them. It is far away from the rest of the house. If you were upstairs you would never hear them scream.' Advertisement



When the Broaddus family bought 657 Boulevard for $1.4million in 2014, they thought they were embarking on an exciting new chapter in their lives. But between June that year and February 2017, they received four letters signed The Watcher.

The letters kept the family on edge.

In an interview with New York Magazine's The Cut, Derek said he was a 'depressed wreck'. His wife Maria said the letters left her fearing for her children's safety and plagued by terrifying nightmares including one where a man was 'wearing boots and carrying a pitchfork and calling to the kids.'

Police were unable to identify the stalker despite an extensive investigation but suspected the letters came from someone who was within a 300-yard radius of the house.

The author of the letters claimed to have been 'watching the house for decades'. One of the notes stated: 'I am The Watcher. Bring me your young blood.'

According to the letters, observance over the house had been passed down through the family.

One stated: '657 Boulevard has been the subject of my family for decades now and as it approaches its 110th birthday, I have been put in charge of watching and waiting for its second coming. My grandfather watched the house in the 1920s and my father watched in the 1960s. It is now my time. Do you know the history of the house? Do you know what lies within the walls of 657 Boulevard? Why are you here? I will find out.'

Maria Broaddus's fears around how The Watcher may hurt her children were justified. They were mentioned in one of the letters, which said: 'It has been years and years since the young blood ruled the hallways of the house.

Have you found all of the secrets it holds yet? Will the young blood play in the basement?'

'Or are they too afraid to go down there alone. I would [be] very afraid if I were them. It is far away from the rest of the house.

If you were upstairs you would never hear them scream.'

Despite an investigation, police were never able to find the family's stalker but they suspect that the letters came from someone who was within a 300-yard radius of the house (pictured)

However, some people believe it may have been the couple themselves sending the letters. The Broadduses have always denied this.

Derek said: 'There's a natural tendency to say, "I've lived here for 35 years; nothing's happened to me".

'What happened to my family is an affront to their contention that they're safe, that there's no such thing as mental illness in their community. People don't want to believe this could happen in Westfield.'

In June 2015, the Broadduses sued the prior owners of the house, claiming that they also received a letter from The Watcher but never disclosed it.

The Woods said they had only received one note, that was unthreatening. The suit was dismissed.

The Broadduses (Derek Broaddus is pictured right) sued the prior owners, John Woods (left) and his wife Andrea, in 2015 claiming they also received a letter from 'The Watcher' but never disclosed it. The Woods said they had only received one note, that was unthreatening. The suit was dismissed.

Because of the letters, the Broaddus family put the mansion back on the market, and it eventually sold again in 2019 for $959,000.

Their story was at the center of a bidding war between six studios in late 2018, before Netflix acquired the rights and decided to make a miniseries instead of a film.
Celebrity chef Phil Vickery has broken his silence after sharing a kiss with ex-wife Fern Britton's best friend, insisting the pair 'are just mates.'

The This Morning favourite, 61, was snapped locking lips with Lorraine Stanton, 58, as they left a London hotel together last month, which left Fern 'heartbroken and dumbstruck.'

MailOnline later revealed Lorraine's marriage had broken down, causing her to move out of the family home, which sparked speculation she could be about to settle down with Phil.

'We're just mates having lunch': Celebrity chef Phil Vickery has broken his silence after sharing a kiss with ex-wife Fern Britton's best friend, insisting the pair 'are just mates' (pictured in September)

When quizzed about a potential new romance by MailOnline, Phil said: 'Could not possibly comment on that because she's just a friend.'

He added: 'We're just mates having lunch for goodness sake.'

Asked if ex-wife Fern, 65, was satisfied with his explanation he added: 'Yes, she put a tweet out. There you go, we're friends.'

Phil, who was married to Fern for 20 years, was referring to a message the TV host posted on Twitter in the wake of the pictures being published in which she labelled reports her former husband and best pal were in a relationship as 'not true.'

However, MailOnline understands Fern was trying to minimise the situation after the pictures emerged and has been feeling embarrassed.

'We're friends': The This Morning favourite was snapped locking lips with Lorraine Stanton as they left a London hotel together last month, which left Fern 'heartbroken and dumbstruck' (pictured in 2017)

The insider explained: 'Fern finds the situation weird and awkward and has learned that Lorraine is clearly not a great mate.

'She's shocked and is struggling to process her mixed emotions. On the one hand she had felt like she'd moved on from Phil but she hadn't expected this new romance and it's been hard to see.'

The trio's deep interwoven friendship has seen their social media pages littered with pictures of the group out together at various functions, with Lorraine spending time with both Fern and Phil on joint occasions as well as separately.

Fern still follows Lorraine's Instagram page, whose bio reads: 'Cherish your yesterday's, dream your tomorrows, but live for today... oh yes!'

The pair were last pictured together in September 2019, four months before the news of Fern's divorce was announced.

Troubles: Lorraine, who's been friends with Fern for years, told MailOnline her family were going through a 'tough period' after she moved out of the marital home she shared with estranged husband Simon (pictured in September 2019)

Best of friends: The trio's deep interwoven friendship has seen their social media pages littered with pictures of the group out together at various functions

They enjoyed a weekend together in June 2019 in Windermere, Cumbria, where hospitality consultant Lorraine has lived for many years.

Lorraine posted a selfie of the two of them grinning together as they enjoyed a cruise on Lake Windermere on the vintage steamboat Osprey during the break.

She captioned the picture: 'A fabulous Windermere weekend. My lovely friend Fern visited, and the sun shone, we couldn't stop smiling.'

Lorraine told MailOnline her family were going through 'a tough period' after she moved out of the 1million home she shared with husband Simon and their two children.

Exes: Former This Morning host Fern was married to TV chef Phil for 20 years before they announced their split in January 2020 (pictured in 2007)

The retired hospitality consultant said: 'It's a difficult time for me and the family. I don't actually live in the marital home anymore and it's got nothing to do with the latest incident over the pictures.

'We are going through a grieving period as a family, and I've also just lost my step father. My children are feeling very vulnerable, and they are very upset about the whole situation.'

Lorraine refused to reveal where she now lives or when she exactly moved out of the marital home and also said she did not want to speak in detail about the pictures.

Phil and Fern announced their split in January 2020 by posting the same statement on social media, which read: 'After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways.

'We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children. We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time. Thank you for your continued kindness and support.'

The former couple share daughter Winnie, 21, while the Ready Steady Cook presenter also has twins Harry and Jack, 28, and Grace, 25, with ex-husband Clive.
They met on 2021's series of Love Island, making it all the way to the final of the dating show as they left with the runner-up title.

But Toby Aromolaran and Chloe Burrows, 27, have now called time on their one year relatonship, with MailOnline exclusively revealing the news on Monday.

A source told MailOnline that Chloe and Toby, 23, are still living at their Essex home but are making arrangements to go their separate ways after a difficult few months of trying to make the relationship work.

And following the news that the pair have split, MailOnline takes a trip down memory lane with Chloe and Toby's relationship timeline.

Timeline: A look into Toby Aromolaran and Chloe Burrows' relationship timeline... as the pair call it quits on year long romance in shock split

June 2021: A Love Island romance

Toby entered the Love Island villa during it's seventh season as one of the original contestants, before Chloe later made her entrance as one of the first bombshells

Originally coupled up with co-star Kaz Kamwi, Toby quickly had his head turned as he showed interest in Chloe - sneaking a kiss from the blonde beauty on the terrace as they began a romance.

The pair went through a rocky relationhip during the show, with Toby's head being turned by both Abigail Rawlings and Mary Bedford, as he even returned from Casa Amor with the latter.

But eventually they found their way back to each other, winning over the hearts of the nation as they made it to the final.

Turbulent: The pair went through a rocky relationhip during rhe show, with his hea being turned by both Abigail Rawlings and Mary Bedford, but eventually they found their way back to each other

August 2021: Making things official

The pair did a full circle as they placed as runners up to winners Millie Court and Liam Reardon.

But before walking away with the second place title, Toby asked Chloe to be his girlfriend with a sweet speech during their final declarations

Gushing over the blonde beauty, Toby said: 'I'm not the best with words but for you Chlo, I'm willing to try. While I read this declaration of love with those piercing blue eyes watching me, I know that if I look up I might lose all composure! Chloe - will you be my girlfriend?

Love Island 2021 FINAL: Toby asks Chloe to be his girlfriend during emotional declarations at summer ball climax as contestants doll up in dapper suits and glam gowns

November 2021: Moving in together

Their romance appeared to be moving from strength to strength following Love Island, as Toby and Chloe announced that were moving in together - renting a 1million pad in Essex

At the time, a source told MailOnline: 'This is the first time Toby has lived away from home and with a girlfriend, so it's a big step for him and them both as a couple.'

The pair celebrated with a glass of champagne, sharing a snap to social media as they settled into the new pad.

'Cheers to us finally moving in': Toby and Chloe announced that were moving in together in November - renting a 1million pad in Essex

April 2022: Rift rumours

The pair were hit with a wave of breakup rumours back in April, with many saying that they 'didn't have time for one another' due to their conflicting work schedules

A source told The Sun: 'They've both been working really hard and were finding it difficult to make time for each other.

'It looked like they were going to call it a day, but after crisis talks have realised they've got something worth fighting for,' they continued.

Conflict? The pair were hit with a wave of breakup rumours back in April, with many saying that they 'didn't have time for one another' due to their conflicting work schedules

May 2022: First holiday together

But squashing the break-up rumour mill, they jetted off to Jamaica in May as they enjoyed their first holiday together, showing fans they were stronger than ever while sharing a slew of snaps from the getaway

Filming a short clip as they walked through the airport at Montego Bay, Chloe squealed: 'We made it!'

The pair shared a slew of sun-soaked snaps during the trip, confirming that they were very much 'on' as they enjoyed the getaway.

Holiday time: they jetted off to Jamaica in May as they enjoyed their first holiday together

Sunsoaked: They shared a slew of snaps frome the sunny getaway to social media

August 2022: Happy 1 year!

Chloe and Toby celebrate their one year anniversary, as the latter shares a carousel of snaps to mark the moment.

Alongside his sweet post, Toby penned : 'Time flies when youre having fun! Happy 1 year anniversary'

While Chloe commented 'all so pretty', before simply writing 'Happy Anniversary' with a smiley emoji as she posted her own collection of snaps.

Time flies: Chloe and Toby celebrate their one year anniversary, as the latter shares a sweet post and pens: 'Time flies when youre having fun! Happy 1 year anniversary'

September 2022: Birthday wishes

Toby dedicated a post to Chloe on her birthday just last month, captioning a selfie of them on holiday: '27 years around the sun. Happy Birthday to the second pea in my pod'

While the birthday girl celebrated in style with statement pink balloons and a personalised cake.

27! Chloe celebrates her birthday in style with statement balloons

Pea to my pod: While Toby pens a sweet tribute to the blonde beauty

October 2022: Girls trip

Chloe jets off to Marrakesh with pal Millie for a girls' holiday, with reports that she's escaping relationship woes after having a tough time with Toby.

The girls appear to be supporting one another, as it follows on from Millie's recent breakup with Love Island beau Liam Reardon.

On Sunday evening, Chloe tweeted: 'You know I f***ed off for a week to Morocco with Millie yo all I had to say was I want to go and she did everything. Millie Court deserves the f***ing world.'

Writing on Instagram, she added: 'Took a break and f***ed off to Morocco and want to award Millie Court the award for being the best f***ing friend I've ever had.'

'The best friend I've ever had': Chloe jetted off to Morocco last week to escape her breakup woes with former co-star Millie Court, who's been supporting her during the tough time

October 17, 2022: It's all over as Chloe and Toby have 'grown apart'

A source told MailOnline that Chloe and Toby, 23, are still living at their Essex home but are making arrangements to go their separate ways after a difficult few months of trying to make the relationship work.

'Chloe and Toby put everything into their relationship  but it just hasn't worked out between them', a source explained.

'There's been no wrongdoing, they have simply grown apart, and over time realised it's better for them both to split.

'Naturally, Chloe has found the breakup difficult but being able to spend time abroad with Millie has given her the space she needed to start moving on.'

MailOnline has approached Chloe and Toby's representatives for comment.
Pierce Brosnan exuded confidence in a loud fuchsia pink suit as he posed for pictures alongside Dwayne Johnson ahead of the London premiere for their new film Black Adam.

The 69-year-old wowed in the matching two piece outfit, wearing a crisp white shirt underneath which matched his peeping pocket square.

Former Bond Pierce, who plays Doctor Fate in the action-fantasy DC movie, accessorised with a white faced wristwatch and a pair of brown tinted sunglasses.

Wow! Pierce Brosnan exuded confidence in a loud fuchsia pink suit as he posed for pictures alongside Dwayne Johnson ahead of the London premiere for their new film Black Adam

Co-stars: The 69-year-old wowed in the matching two piece outfit, while Dwayne Johnson (right) who he stars in the film with, wore a punch pink

He finished off the look with a pair of brown suede Chelsea boots and looked suave as he gave his signature smoulder to the cameras.

Irish actor Pierce looked pleased to see co-star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, 50, who plays the film's frontman Black Adam.

Sticking to Pierce's men in pink theme, he wore a bright punch pink polo shirt with a navy blue leather bomb jacket.

Strike a pose: Former Bond Pierce, who plays Doctor Fate in the action-fantasy DC movie, accessorised with a white faced wristwatch and a pair of brown tinted sunglasses

Striking: The dapper 69-year-old Irish actor gave his signature smoulder as he posed up a storm with his loud pink suit on Monday

Classic: The Hollywood actor was in good spirits on Monday morning ahead of the premiere for Black Adam in London on Tuesday

He flashed a square silver watch and added a pair of tortoise shell aviator sunglasses, adding a dog tag necklace as an accessory.

Wearing a simple pair of smart black trousers, he wore shiny black leather brogue shoes.

The new film reunites Johnson with his Jungle Cruise director Jaume Collett-Serra. Warner Bros is releasing the film on October 21.

Pleased to see each other: Irish actor Pierce looked pleased to see co-star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, 50, who plays the film's frontman Black Adam

Dapper: He finished off the look with a pair of brown suede Chelsea boots and looked suave as he gave his signature smoulder to the cameras

The highly anticipated release of the comic action hero film starsJohnson, Hodge, Pierce Brosnan, Quintessa Q. Swindell, Sarah Shahi and Noah Centineo.

Fans of the DC Universe were ecstatic to know that they would be able to enjoy the film in an immersive environment.

The action-packed trailer for Pierce's new blockbuster begins with a lifeless body floating in water, as Johnson's title character proclaims, 'My son sacrificed his life to save me.'

Suave: Sticking to Pierce's men in pink theme, Dwayne wore a bright punch pink polo shirt with a navy blue leather bomb jacket

Men in pink: Dwayne flashed a square silver watch and added a pair of tortoise shell aviator sunglasses, adding a dog tag necklace as an accessory.

All smiles: Wearing a simple pair of smart black trousers, Dwayne wore shiny black leather brogue shoes while Pierce wore brown suede Chelsea boots

His son is seen being cut down while Adam is forced to watch, tortured by the sight of his dead son.

He is seen using his superhuman powers to fly through the city, unleashing a lightning blast from his hand.

'These powers are not a gift, but a curse, born out of rage,' he says, while holding his dead son.

Another shot shows him in his full black costume, surrounded by armed soldiers, who start opening fire... to no avail.

Star roles: From left to right, Black Adam stars Noah Centeineo, Pierce Brosnan, Quintessa Swindell, Dwayne Johnson, Sarah Shahi and Aldis Hodge

He catches one of the bullets between his thumb and forefinger, stating in another language, 'Your magic is weak' before taking out the soldiers one by one.

Another shot shows Carter Hall a.k.a. Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) out of costume, stating, 'This loose cannon needs to be locked down, before innocent people start getting hurt.'

A pair of fighter jets are seen flanking a flying Adam, with one of the pilots telling him to land, but Adam simply punches his wing, sending him into a tailspin.

Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) tells Carter that he's been asleep for 5,000 years and asks who is on his team.

Movie stars: Pictured left, Aldis Hodge, who plays Carter Hall a.k.a. Hawkman, and right, Sarah Shahi who plays Adrianna Tomaz, a.k.a. Isis,

The team is shown heading to a plane, including Albert Rothstein a.k.a. Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) and Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), who calls themselves the Justice Society as they get into a high-powered jet that takes off from an underground hangar.

The trailer shows a glimpse at Dr. Fate's powers, as Hawkman tells Adam, 'We're here to negotiate your peaceful surrender.'

Adam is seen tossing a helicopter like it was nothing, along with a glimpse of Maxine Hunkell a.k.a. Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), as Adam says, 'I'm not peaceful... nor do I surrender.'

Mamma Mia star Pierce recently celebrated 21 years of marriage to his beloved wife Keely Shay Smith, and were snapped looking loved up in New York City.

They've been married for an incredible 21 years, celebrating their anniversary in August.

And Pierce Brosnan looked more loved-up than ever with wife Keely Shay Smith on Tuesday as they linked arms while heading to lunch in New York City.

The couple looked happy and relaxed as they beamed while strolling close together amid their low-key lunch date.

The Rock: The new film reunites Johnson with his Jungle Cruise director Jaume Collett-Serra

Justice: The team is shown heading to a plane, including Albert Rothstein a.k.a. Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) and Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), who calls themselves the Justice Society as they get into a high-powered jet that takes off from an underground hangar

Blast: He's seen using his superhuman powers to fly through the city, unleashing a lightning blast from his hand

He was in the American city to make a TV appearance on Good Morning America.

During his time on air, Pierce said he'd be keen to shoot a third Mamma Mia instalment, after the huge success of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again in 2018.

Pierce was asked if he'd be keen, after co-star Colin Firth said he'd be up for the new instalment.

'It's criminal how much fun you have on that movie!' Pierce looked dapper in a maroon suit as he admitted on Good Morning America he'd like to film Mamma Mia! three

'I'm in too, all the way, sure, I mean, it should be a trifecta shouldn't it?' Pierce said.

'It's criminal how much fun you have on that movie, I think everybody would be in,' he added.

When asked if there were 'actual plans' for the movie, he added: 'Yes, I'm sure there are some plans.'

In 2018, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was a huge success, grossing $402 million worldwide.

Likewise, the first film, 2008's Mamma Mia, grossed $611 million worldwide.
This file photo, taken Oct. 27, 2021, shows the South Korean Marine Corps participating in the Hoguk defense exercise in Incheon. Yonhap



By Kang Seung-woo



The Hoguk defense exercise began its two-week run, Monday, amid growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, sparked by recent North Korean military provocations, according to the South Korean military.



"Starting today, we will conduct the Hoguk exercise until Oct. 28. The annual outdoor maneuvers are aimed at enhancing military readiness and boosting joint operations capabilities," Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) spokesman Col. Kim Jun-rak said during a press briefing at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul.



All three branches of the nation's armed forces  the Army, Navy and Air Force  as well as the Marine Corps will take part in the exercise, according to the military. Some U.S. troops will also participate to enhance interoperability between the allies.



In particular, this year's edition will be carried in both day and night scenarios, while assuming North Korea's various threats, including nuclear weapons and missiles, a decision made based on the current situation on the peninsula.



The Kim Jong-un regime has fired eight ballistic missiles over the last three weeks, while its military fired some 200 artillery shells into a buffer zone along the inter-Korean border, Friday, in violation of an inter-Korean military agreement signed on the sidelines of the South-North Korea summit in September 2018. The agreement calls for halting all hostile acts against each other to reduce tensions along the inter-Korean border.



In response to North Korea's consecutive provocations, there are growing calls among conservative politicians to nullify the pact  although the presidential office remains cautious about the issue.



Given that Pyongyang's missile launches and artillery barrages were, it claimed, tit-for-tat moves against recent South Korean and U.S. military drills, additional provocative actions are high likely, according to experts.



The General Staff of the North's Korean People's Army (KPA) said that its launch of a short-range ballistic missile last week was a countermeasure against the South Korean military's artillery fire near the forward defense area of the KPA Fifth Corps.



Ellen Kim, deputy director and senior fellow of the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Andy Lim, an associate fellow with the Korea Chair at CSIS, said North Korea's provocations could resume after the congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to be handed a historic third term in control of China during the congress that will end, Oct. 22.



"After the party congress, there are two upcoming events that can be more windows of opportunities for provocations," they said.



"The first is the annual South Korean Hoguk military exercise, which is set to begin on Monday and last until Oct. 28. The latter half of this exercise falls in the post-party congress period. The second is the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 8, and North Korea has showed in the past a proclivity to cause trouble around U.S. election time."



In response, the JCS said, Monday, the military is maintaining a firm readiness posture, closely monitoring the North Korean military's moves.




Kimberley Walsh has revealed that a Girls Aloud reunion is off the cards for the band, admitting it would be 'too painful' without late bandmate Sarah Harding.

Sarah tragically passed away last September at aged 39, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, which then spread to other parts of her body.

Appearing on Monday morning's episode of This Morning, Kimberley, 40, explained that she and bandmates Cheryl, Nicola Roberts and Nadine Coyle are 'grateful for the time that we had' but won't be going on without their fifth member.

'A reunion would be too painful': Kimberley Walsh, 40, has ruled out a musical reconciliation of Girls Aloud ... admitting it 'wouldn't feel right' without bandmate Sarah Harding

Talking with hosts Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond during the show, Kimberley discussed Girls Aloud's upcoming 20th anniversary.

Explaining that they weren't celebrtating the milestone, Kimberley detailed the money that she and her bandmates have raised for The Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal.

'Were not really doing anything to celebrate that for obvious reasons, but whats been really nice is weve been able to still come together and do some really positive fundraising for Sarahs charity.

Together: Kimberley explained that she and bandmates Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle are 'grateful for the time that we had' but won't be going on without their fifth member L-R) Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Cheryl Cole pictured in 2009

Appearance: Talking with hosts Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond during the show, Kimberley discussed Girls Aloud's upcoming 20th anniversary

She explained: 'Were not really doing anything to celebrate that for obvious reasons, but whats been really nice is weve been able to still come together and do some really positive fundraising for Sarahs charity'

'Its been incredible. Weve funded a whole research project that she wanted us to raise money for. We are really proud of the fact weve managed to do that for her.

'Weve got our Sound of The Underground re-release and all the moneys going to go to breast cancer research and the hospital that looked after Sarah, so thats been a really good way I think of us finding something positive and a way to channel that.'

Noting that while right now isn't the time, Dermot asked: 'Do you think sometime in the future you might do something to celebrate youve got this incredible fan base whod love to see you live?'

Dermot asked: 'Do you think sometime in the future you might do something to celebrate youve got this incredible fan base whod love to see you live?'

Not on the cards: 'Were so grateful that we had the time that we did and that we can find a way of doing something positive. But I dont think its going to be something that well do'

But shutting down the idea, Kimberley said: 'We were all together, we did a gala for Sarah last weekend and we were all together, and lots of our GA [Girls Aloud] family were there and it just felt really special to have that night, but I just feel for all of us, it would just be too painful.

'Were so grateful that we had the time that we did and that we can find a way of doing something positive. But I dont think its going to be something that well do.'

Sarah's mother Marie announced the sad news on social media last year, she wrote: 'Its with deep heartbreak that today Im sharing the news that my beautiful daughter Sarah has sadly passed away.

Heartwrenching: Sarah tragically passed away last September at aged 39, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, which then spread to other parts of her body (Kimberley and Sarah pictured in 2009)

On-screen: Kimberley donned a black chiffon dress with an orange floral print for the TV appearance, as she discussed Girls Aloud and her recent appearance on The Masked Dancer

Gratitude: She noted being 'so grateful' for the time they had together as a band of five

'Many of you will know of Sarahs battle with cancer and that she fought so strongly from her diagnosis until her last day.

'She slipped away peacefully this morning. Id like to thank everyone for their kind support over the past year. It meant the world to Sarah and it gave her great strength and comfort to know she was loved.

'I know she wont want to be remembered for her fight against this terrible disease  she was a bright shining star and I hope thats how she can be remembered instead.'

The members of Girls Aloud reunited in Hyde Park in July for the first time in nine years as they paid tribute to the life of their late bandmate Sarah.

Kimberley, Cheryl, Nicole and Nadine and 5k event in order to raise money for breast cancer, marking their first public appearance together since 2013.
Ryan Thomas has shared a cryptic post about 'judging' others after he was pictured 'cuddling and nuzzling' the neck of EastEnders star Zaraah Abrahams.

The former Coronation Street actor, 38, who is engaged to Lucy Mecklenburgh, took to Instagram Stories on Sunday to break his silence on the incident.

He shared a video of motivational speaker Albaner C. Eugene Jr. who spoke about not judging others and drawing your own conclusions.

Drama: Ryan Thomas has shared a cryptic post about 'judging' others after he was pictured 'cuddling and nuzzling' the neck of EastEnders star Zaraah Abrahams

In the clip, he said: 'Before you judge, before you critique, before you draw your conclusions about anyone's life, about what anybody did, about what you feel is going on in the world, remember you feel as, remember you only know what you think you know.'

Ryan starred alongside Zaraah in the ITV soap when she was a member of the cast between 2005 and 2007.

He was 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.

Close: He was 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

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.

Cryptic: He shared a video of motivational speaker Albaner C. Eugene Jr. who spoke about not judging others and drawing your own conclusions

'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.'
Jaime King's estranged husband Kyle Newman claims he cannot afford to live because the actress hasn't paid him any money.

The Hart Of Dixie actress was ordered by a court in April to pay her ex $1,000 a month in spousal support and $429 a month in child support for their sons James, eight, and seven-year-old Leo but the Barely Lethal director has filed legal documents claiming she hasn't handed anything over.

According to documents obtained by TMZ, Kyle claimed he put his career as a writer and filmmaker on hold to be a stay-at-home dad and has now found himself deep in debt and having to take money from his retirement fund in order to stay afloat.

Contentious: Jaime King's estranged husband Kyle Newman claims he cannot afford to live because the actress hasn't paid him any money according to TMZ on Monday, the former couple are pictured in New York back in November 2018

The 46-year-old filmmaker also accused Jaime of refusing to comply with a court order to disclose information about her income and alleged the Mistletoe Promise star has decimated community property retirement accounts, taking over $500,000.

And that's not all as Kyle claimed the 43-year-old actress recently listed their family home for sale without his consent, with proceeds from that sale, totaling around $1.5 million, currently frozen.

He wants the judge to order Jaime to hand over $700,000 in attorney fees and costs from the proceeds of the sale of the house, and also wants her to be given an extra $50,000 in sanctions for defying previous court orders.

The pair's split hit headlines back in 2020 when Kyle filed documents requesting sole physical custody of the boys.

Sad: The Hart Of Dixie actress was ordered by a court in April to pay her ex $1,000 a month in spousal support and $429 a month in child support for their sons James, eight, and seven-year-old Leo but the Barely Lethal director has filed legal documents claiming she hasn't handed anything over

In his original filing, Kyle wrote: 'I have been the children's primary caretaker since their birth and the children have spent the large majority of 2020 in my sole custody.'

Jaime's representative denied his claims that he was the primary caretaker and the actress later filed for divorce from Kyle to bring their 12-year marriage to an end.

King is currently fighting for custody of her young children. according to court docs in the case, in June, after Newman put in paperwork for an emergency Ex Parte application in an effort to have their custody arrangement altered for him to receive 'sole legal and physical custody.'

King also put in her an emergency Ex Parte application, which said that her attorney was dealing with a 'serious family matter' on the day a hearing in the case was scheduled.

Ouch: Kyle also accused Jaime of refusing to comply with a court order to disclose information about her income and alleged the Mistletoe Promise star has decimated community property retirement accounts, taking over $500,000, the former couple are seen in December 2019

Newman's initial application was denied.

'I have been the children's primary caretaker since their birth and the children have spent the large majority of 2020 in my sole custody,' Newman said in court docs.

The filing came six months after King filed to divorce the director after a twelve-year marriage, requesting a temporary restraining order and domestic violence prevention petition, according to court docs.

King told the court that Newman had been keeping their sons away from her, and subsequently denied accusations that her behavior put their children in danger.

Former couple: Jaime and Kyle, the father of her two sons, were married from 2007 until 2020

In April, the actress was ordered to provide Newman with child and spousal support in the amount of $429 monthly, as well as 16 percent of any money she made more than $175,344 annually, according to court docs People reviewed.

King was also ordered by the court to provide Newman with $1,000 monthly in spousal support as well as 10 percent of money she made above $175,344 in quarterly installments, per court docs.

Additionally, the court stipulated that King and Newman 'meet and confer' on an annual basis each January 15 to 'adjust any overpayments or underpayments' from the year before.
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If a north-south divide really does exist, it was well in evidence on Monday as the Yorkshire based Emmerdale battled cockney soap EastEnders for the lion's share of accolades at the 2022 Inside Soap Awards.

Leading the glamour at London's 100 Wardour Street, Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe ensured she claimed her own share of the spotlight despite being absent from this year's list of winners.

The actress, 39, joined a host of her soap cohorts including Lacey Turner, who picked up the All Time Icon Award, and Chelsee Healey, who was nominated in the Best Comedy performance category.

Game on! If a north-south divide really does exist, it was well in evidence on Monday evening as the Yorkshire based Emmerdale battled cockney soap EastEnders for the lion's share of accolades at the 2022 Inside Soap Awards

Jen - best known for her role as feisty Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 show - commanded attention in a form-fitting green dress with a daring thigh-high split as she greeted onlookers inside the exclusive Soho venue.

The Bradford native styled her look with a series of green accessories - including a belt and bag - as well as a pair of netted 730 Bottega heels, while styling her hair in a chic plait.

Meanwhile, soap vet Lacey, 35, opted for understated glamour in a black velvet suit, which included a single-breasted jacket with satin lapels and matching trousers.

Green with envy! The actress, 39 - best known for her role as feisty Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 show - commanded attention in a form-fitting green dress

Velvet sensation: Meanwhile, soap vet Lacey, 35, opted for understated glamour in a black velvet suit, which included a single-breasted jacket with satin lapels and matching trousers

Sexy: The Our Girl actress styled the look with a black lace camisole and styled her brunette locks in a bouncy blown out style with a radiant coat of make-up in natural tones

Glowing: The soap star wore her highlighted locks in a loose, style sleek and opted for a flawless pallet of make-up in bronze tones to set off her natural beauty

A natural! Chelsee worked all her angles as she posed for photographers on the red carpet

INSIDE SOAP AWARDS: Winners at a glance BEST ACTRESS - Gillian Wright (Jean Slater, EastEnders) BEST ACTOR - Mark Charnock (Marlon Dingle, Emmerdale) BEST NEWCOMER - Heather Peace (Eve Unwin, EastEnders) BEST VILLAIN - Paige Sandhu (Meena Jutla, Emmerdale) BEST COMIC PERFORMANCE - Maureen Lipman (Evelyn Plummer, Coronation Street) BEST DOUBLE ACT - Anna Passey & Kieron Richardson (Sienna Blake & Ste Hay, Hollyoaks) BEST YOUNG PERFORMER - Isabella Flanagan (Hope Stape, Coronation Street) BEST FAMILY - The Platts (Coronation Street) BEST STORYLINE - Marlon's stroke (Emmerdale) BEST ROMANCE - Zoe Henry & Mark Charnock (Rhona Goskirk & Marlon Dingle, Emmerdale) BEST SHOWSTOPPER - Jean in Southend (EastEnders) BEST DRAMA STAR - Rosie Marcel (Jac Naylor, Holby City) BEST DAYTIME STAR - Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson, Neighbours) BEST DAYTIME SOAP - Neighbours BEST SOAP - EastEnders Advertisement

The Our Girl actress styled the look with a black lace camisole and styled her brunette locks in a bouncy blown out style with a radiant coat of make-up in natural tones.

Hollyoaks actress Chelsee looked equally glamorous in a Gothic-inspired sheer dress, which best displayed her incredible figure with its form-fitting style.

The see-through fabric revealed a lace bodice underneath, as Chelsee, 34, cheekily turned to flash a look at her backless dress.

The soap star wore her highlighted locks in a loose, style sleek and opted for a flawless pallet of make-up in bronze tones to set off her natural beauty.

Emma Donovan, who is the daughter of Jason Donovan and stars in Hollyoaks, looked sensational wearing a red dress and strappy heels.

Also in attendance was Corrie actress Elle Mulvaney, who plays Tracey Barlow's daughter Amy in the long-running soap, as she turned out to show support for the show.

Elle, 20, put on a very leggy display in a figure-hugging black dress which featured a daring slit up the leg, teamed with a pair of towering heels.

The battle between EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks has once again been reignited at this year's Inside Soap Awards.

But it was soap stalwarts EastEnders and Emmerdale who snuck ahead in the rankings.

EastEnders was the big winner at this year's first non-virtual Inside Soap awards in two years.

Trophies were presented in 16 categories at a star-studded event after the ceremony was held virtually since 2020 amid the pandemic.

Fans were invited to vote for any actor, from any show, as their 'greatest soap star of all time'.

Here come the (Hollyoaks) girls! Jen and Chelsee were later spotted outside the event together

Beaming: Jennifer was the belle of the ball as she made her way into the event

Out on the town! Jemma Donovan, who is the daughter of Jason Donovan and is joining Hollyoaks after previously starring in Neighbours, looked sensational wearing a red dress and strappy heels

Rosy glow: Jemma looked amazing as she sported a blonde blow dry and a natural pallet of make-up

Edgy! Kimberly Hart-Simpson rocked a cool Adidas suit with fringe detailing

Bold: Danielle Harold, Jacinta Stapleton, Victoria Ekanoye all opted for striking ensembles at the bash

EastEnders cast: Balvinder Sopal, Heather Peace, Matthew Morrison, Lorraine Stanley, Shiv Jalota, Milly Zero, Gurlaine Kaur Garcha, Jamie Borthwick, Clair Norris, Ross Boatman and James Farrar

Lady in red! Award winner Jacinta Stapleton looked amazing in a form-fitting red dress with a risque neckline

With more than 90,000 votes cast, EastEnders' Lacey  who plays Stacey S  was presented with a gold trophy event to celebrate her status as All-Time Icon.

EastEnders also took the Best Soap trophy, along with Best Actress for Gillian Wright, for her portrayal of Jean Slater.

Jean's trip to Southend while in the grip of her bipolar disorder won Best Showstopper  the award given to a significant episode, while the BBC soap's Heather Peace (who plays Eve Unwin) was named Best Newcomer.

Perfect in pastel! Milly Zero opted for pretty pale blue tone as she took to the red carpet

Stand out look: Eva O'Hara, who plays Hollyoaks' Verity Hutchinson, rocked a striped orange and yellow suit

Elegance: Paige Sandhu, Anna Passey and Heather Peace all opted for chic black ensembles

Congrats! Jemma held up the Best Daytime Soap for Hollyoaks

Leggy! Also in attendance was Elle Mulvaney who was sporting a very daring black thigh-high split dress

Inside Soap editor Gary Gillatt said: 'As a six-time winner of our Best Actress prize, it's perhaps no surprise that Lacey takes home our All-Time Icon award.

Ever since her EastEnders debut in 2004, Lacey's heartfelt performance as Stacey Slater  taking her from troubled teenager to lion-hearted young mum  has touched soap fans everywhere. Long may it continue!'

Emmerdale  which celebrated its 50th birthday this week  also had a wave of success.

Fashionable: Emmerdale star Sally Dexter and EastEnders actress Clair Norris were among the arrivals

Arrivals: (L-R) Gurlaine Kaur, Sally and Eva all smouldered in front of the cameras at the bash

Red carpet: Jean Slater actress Gillian Wright looked amazing in a pretty black dress with a semi-sheer cover

Mark Charnock was awarded Best Actor for his portrayal of Marlon Dingle's fight back from a debilitating stroke, which was also named Best Storyline.

Marlon's relationship with Rhona Dingle was celebrated as Best Romance.

Meanwhile, Paige Sandhu is 'Best Villain' for the second year, for her performance as Emmerdale serial killer Meena Jutla.

Coronation Street's popular Maureen Lipman was again awarded Best Comic Performance for her role as the acid-tongued Evelyn Plummer, while

Party time! (L-R) Louise Jameson, Lorraine Stanley and Maureen Lipman all opted for jazzy ensembles on the night

Smashed it! Isabella Flanagan (Hope Stape) won Best Young Performance, beating her real-life older sister  three-time winner Amelia Flanagan, Emmerdale's April Windsor  to the prize

Lads! Kieron Richardson, Joe-Warren Plant and Matthew James Bailey all looked serious dapper during the evening

Smart: Jack James Ryan and Paddy Bever also donned their best ensembles for the night out

Isabella Flanagan (Hope Stape) won Best Young Performance, beating her real-life older sister  three-time winner Amelia Flanagan, Emmerdale's April Windsor  to the prize.

Hollyoaks' Anna Passey and Kieron Richardson were named Best Double Act thanks to the team-up of their long-running characters Sienna Blake and Ste Hay.

Australian soap Neighbours  which screened its final episode in July  was commemorated as 'Best Daytime Soap', while star Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson) was named Best Daytime Star.

The first issue of Inside Soap was published in October 1992, with EastEnders' Sharon and Grant Mitchell as cover stars, with the Inside

Soap Awards 2022 celebrating 30 years of the magazine.

What a duo! Anna Passey and Kieron Richardson held up their Best Double Act awards

Glam: Jennifer looked just as glamorous as when she arrived when she made her exit

Holding hands: Chelsee held onto a female pal as she made her way out of the ceremony

Still smiling! Milly Zero beamed as she left the night out following a successful night for EastEnders

Home time! Lacey was seen leaving the venue with a security guard

Delighted! Lacey was delighted as she left the venue holding her gong

Fashion: Kimberly showcased her style as she left the event in an Adidas tracksuit

Wow! Danielle Harold looked incredible in an LBD as she left the event with her friends

Gift bags! Rosie Marcel and Mark Charnock ensured they left toting swag bag
Jason Isaacs has paid tribute to his late Harry Potter co-star, Robbie Coltrane, after his death last week at the age of 72.

Jason, 59, shared a throwback picture on Instagram of his daughters Lily and Ruby on set with a Hagrid prop, before sharing some of his favourite memories with the late Robbie.

'RIP you lovely man,' Jason wrote in his moving post.

'Rest in peace you lovely man': Jason Isaacs paid tribute to Hagrid actor and Harry Potter co-star Robbie Coltrane on Monday, after his death aged 72

'Rubber Robbie thrilling and delighting my girls almost as much as the real thing did me,' Jason wrote in his post.

'That Robbie Coltrane even knew my name was unbelievable to the boy who'd laughed at and leant in to everything he'd ever done for years.'

'To pretend myself a colleague, to share gossip and gags, to be invited for a cuppa into his personally customized Silver Bullet Airstream was to experience a fanboy's complete bliss.'

He finished: 'RIP you lovely man.'

Tribute: 'RIP you lovely man,' Jason wrote in his moving post (pictured together in 2002)

'To pretend myself a colleague, to share gossip and gags, to be invited for a cuppa into his personally customized Silver Bullet Airstream was to experience a fanboy's complete bliss,' he wrote. Pictured is Robbie as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films

Tribute: Jason, 59, shared a throwback picture on Instagram of his daughters Lily and Ruby on set with a Hagrid prop, before sharing some of his favourite memories with the late Robbie

Familiar face: Jason played Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series

'Heartbroken' Rupert Grint took to Instagram on Saturday to share a heartfelt tribute to his Harry Potter co-star Robbie.

The late actor, who portrayed gamekeeper Hagrid in the franchise, passed away at aged 72 on Friday 14 October - with a flurry of tributes 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 (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.

'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 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.
Larsa Pippen admitted on Sunday that she had scaled back her racy posting on her OnlyFans account after getting a request from family.

The 48-year-old Real Housewives Of Miami star shared at BravoCons Housewife 2 Housewife panel in New York City that her had asked her to tone down the revealing images she posted on the adult-friendly subscription website.

'I was very active on OnlyFans. I love the platform. I think its amazing,' she said, via Page Six.

Covered up: Larsa Pippen, 48, admitted Sunday at BravoCon in New York City that she scaled back her OnlyFans posting after a request from her father, according to Page Six; seen Saturday in NYC

'So my dad called me, and my dad said a lot of people were calling him.  He said, "I dont know what OnlyFans is, but we need to shut it down."'

She added that since their call, 'He took my sex appeal away. He just took it. So I havent been able to get back to where I was on my OnlyFans.'

Larsa previously said that she does not post any nude photos on the site, though many content producers on OnlyFans do post nude and sexual content.

Since her chat with her father, the reality star said she had not been able to 'get back to' her earlier performance on the site.

Bad news: 'So my dad called me, and my dad said a lot of people were calling him.  He said, "I dont know what OnlyFans is, but we need to shut it down,"' she recalled

Not the same: She added that since their call, 'He took my sex appeal away. He just took it. So I havent been able to get back to where I was on my OnlyFans'

'I feel like a lot of people follow me on OnlyFans because I speak Arabic,' she said. 'I feel like thats my community of people, so I do feel thats probably why my numbers [were] up.'

The actor Michael Rapaport, who hosted the panel, also asked her who the most famous person was who ever subscribed to her OnlyFans profile, though she opted to stay mum.

Earlier this year, host Andy Cohen quizzed Larsa on what the largest lump sum of money was that she made from OnlyFans.

'Well, it depends how many posts do you have, how many photos. But I feel like probably $200,000,' she claimed.

However, she clarified that it wasn't in a single payment, but 'within, like, two weeks from the same person.'

Mum's the word: She thought a lot of fans were drawn to her because she speaks Arabic, though she wouldn't tell the moderator Michael Rapaport who her most famous fan was; seen Sunday in NYC

Andy then asked if she had to share any nudity to keep her subscribers satisfied.

'Nothing. It's actually someone from the Middle East. I don't do nudes, so it's not anything,' she said.

Users of the site can subscribe to creators like Larsa for a monthly fee that gives them access to their posted content, though they can also tip creators.

Although the site was originally a haven for adult-content producers, mainstream figures have gravitated to it in recent years as a form of extra income where they share content that is not available on their free social media accounts.

Bella Thorne, Cardi B and Blac Chyna are among some of the stars currently on the site.
She's currently trying her hand at a 'hard' R-rated comedy after starring in the satire Don't Look Up last year.

But Jennifer Lawrence looked surprisingly somber when she was spotted filming on a beach in Montauk on Sunday.

The 32-year-old Oscar winner appeared to be shooting a rare emotional scene for her new film No Hard Feelings while accompanied by a film crew on Long Island.

Dramatic moment: Jennifer Lawrence, 32, looked somber as she filmed a scene on a beach in Montauk on Long Island on Sunday for her comedy No Hard Feelings

Jennifer was costumed in casual attire for the chilly beach day.

She wore a blue-and-white checker-print long-sleeve shirt, which she paired with a set of baggy black sweatpants.

The Silver Linings Playbook star also appeared to have on a pair of black Ugg boots as she sat by a small fire.

She had a low-key makeup look and wore her long blond hair pulled back in a ponytail that was swept over one shoulder.

Cool temperatures: Jennifer was costumed in casual attire for the chilly beach day. She wore a blue-and-white checker-print long-sleeve shirt, which she paired with a set of baggy black sweatpants

Toasty: The Silver Linings Playbook star also appeared to have on a pair of black Ugg boots as she sat by a small fire

No fuss: She had a low-key makeup look and wore her long blond hair pulled back in a ponytail that was swept over one shoulder

Despite the cool temperatures, it looked as if Jennifer's character had just done some surfing, as she sat in front of a long board.

The actress was joined by one of her male costars who wore flip flops, though his face was obscured by crew members standing around.

They held boom microphones above the actors' heads, just out of sight of the camera, with one mic per actor.

In between takes at the Montauk shoot, Jennifer draped a coat over herself to warm up, and a makeup artist touched up her face.

Few plot details have been released about Jennifer's comedy No Hard Feelings, though it has been described as a 'hard' R-rated comedy, which is a bit of a rarity now as studios have eschewed comedies in favor of big-budget superhero films.

The R-rated comedy has also fallen out of favor and largely been replaced by broader PG-13 comedies, which are seen as a safer bet to attract a larger audience.

Two-person scene: The actress was joined by one of her male costars who wore flip flops, though his face was obscured by crew members standing around

Details: In between takes at the Montauk shoot, Jennifer draped a coat over herself to warm up, and a makeup artist touched up her face

Classic: Vogue previously described the film as 'a Harold and Maudetype comedy based on a Craigslist ad in which a mom was seeking someone to date her son before he went to college'

Vogue previously described the film as 'a Harold and Maudetype comedy based on a Craigslist ad in which a mom was seeking someone to date her son before he went to college.'

Although the content of No Hard Feelings is being kept under wraps, Jennifer's costars have already been announced.

She stars in the comedy with Ebon Moss-Bachrach, of Girls and The Bear fame, along with Matthew Broderick, Natalie Morales, Hasan Minhaj, former Saturday Night Live star Kyle Mooney and Laura Benanti.

In addition to playing the lead in the project, Jennifer is also one of its producers.

All-star cast: She stars in the comedy with Ebon Moss-Bachrach, of Girls and The Bear fame, along with Matthew Broderick, Natalie Morales, Hasan Minhaj, former Saturday Night Live star Kyle Mooney and Laura Benanti

Taking the role of producer gives the actress more control over her film, after she said that she felt like a 'commodity' in the wake of filming the Hunger Games series years earlier.

'When I reflect now, I cant think of those following years, [because there was] just a loss of control,' the actress recalled at an event at the London Film Festival, according to Variety.

'I think I lost a sense of control,' she continued. 'Between The Hunger Games coming out and winning the Oscar [for 2012s Silver Lining Playbook], I became such a commodity that I felt like every decision was a big, big group decision.'

However, she said making movies now 'feels personal for me the first time in a long time' after she launched her own production company and took more control of her career path.
Brendan Fraser has apologized for a mammoth 1997 traffic jam in San Francisco, sparked by a hilarious stunt during George of the Jungle filming.

The actor, 53, who is tipped for awards season success with his starring role in The Whale, told how a particularly high-octane scene in which George has to rescue a parachutist entangled in the city's Oakland Bay Bridge, sparked traffic chaos.

He told SFGate : 'Disney put a mannequin hanging by a parachute from the uprights. It brought traffic to a standstill on either side of the bridge.

Back then: Brendan Fraser has apologized for a mammoth 1997 traffic jam in San Francisco, sparked by a hilarious stunt during George of the Jungle filming (pictured in the film)

'My trailer was on the other side in a parking lot. I just remember watching the ...Bridge. Theres this dummy parachutist hanging from it. I had the TV on, and "Oprah" got interrupted because there was a special news report with helicopters saying a parachute is dangling on the bridge.

'And Im going  "wait a minute, Im looking at the helicopters and TV  somebody didnt pull a permit, somebodys going to get in trouble with the mayors office". So I can only apologize for that.'

The star was speaking at the Mill Valley Film Festival, and as he accepted the event's lifetime achievement award, he couldn't resist referencing the traffic jam again.

He said: 'So, that said, my bad. It wont happen again.'

Oh my! The actor, 53, who is tipped for awards season success with his starring role in The Whale, told how a particularly high-octane scene in which George has to rescue a parachutist entangled in the city's Oakland Bay Bridge (pictured), sparked traffic chaos

Icon: He told SFGate : 'Disney put a mannequin hanging by a parachute from the uprights. It brought traffic to a standstill on either side of the bridge (pictured last week)

Brendan played protagonist George in the film, which tells the tale of a man who was raised by animals in an African jungle, who then falls in love with an American heiress during her tour of Uganda.

This comes amid a lengthy press tour for his new project The Whale, which marks his triumphant return to Hollywood after a lengthy battle with depression.

Brendan has said this was sparked after he was 'sexually assaulted' by the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Philip Berk, in 2003.

In a video shared by a guest at the premiere, an emotional Brendan is seen bowing to rapturous applause from the audience before embracing director Darren Aronofsky and screenwriter Samuel D. Hunter who joined him on stage.

Worth it in the end: The death defying scenes certainly captured the admiration of fans

Film: Brendan played protagonist George in the film, which tells the tale of a man who was raised by animals in an African jungle, who then falls in love with an American heiress during her tour of Uganda (pictured with Leslie Mann in the film)

'Am I at Venice [Film Festival]? Five min standing ovation for Brendan Fraser's masterpiece performance in #TheWhale. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand the entire movie. My heart is in my throat,' the audience member wrote alongside the video.

Brendan was proudly supported by his glamorous partner Jeanne Moore as he graced the red carpet for the UK premiere on the seventh day of the BFI London Film Festival.

The Whale, which will be released in cinemas in December, received its first premiere at the Venice Film Festival last month, and is quickly earning rave reviews as well as Oscars buzz for its lead star.

In footage shared on social media following the film's Venice screening last month, Brendan fought back tears as he received another lengthy standing ovation.

Fraser shot to stardom when he was cast in children's favourite film franchises George of the Jungle and The Mummy.

His chiselled physique earnt him a position as a Hollywood heartthrob as he thrashed around the sets performing stunts in high-action roles. But Fraser revealed in a later interview the toll the stunts had taken on his body.

Alongside his physical injuries, Brendan also revealed in a 2018 GQ interview that he believed he had been blacklisted from Hollywood after he claimed he had been sexually assaulted by the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Philip Berk, in 2003.

After Fraser reported the claim to the HFPA he said he believed he may have been 'blacklisted' and was rarely invited back to the Golden Globe awards.

Well-received: The Whale is a psychological drama for which Brendan (seen left at the premiere and right in the movie) underwent a physical transformation and wore prosthetics to play a man 'living with obesity'

Fraser said the incident had caused him to 'retreat' as he spiraled into depression. He described feeling 'not worthy' as the decade wore on, leading him to take roles he was less proud of.

Meanwhile, his marriage was also falling apart. He divorced Afton in 2007 after nine years of marriage and three sons together, Griffin, Leland and Holden. As part of the settlement, he was ordered to pay $50,000 a month in spousal support.

However in 2013 he sought an amendment to the agreement asking to pay less, claiming he wasn't earning the same enormous cheques he had received in the 1990s during his heyday and couldn't afford the payments.

The Whale marks Brendan's first Hollywood project in almost ten years and Brendan's first lead role in a movie since straight-to-DVD thriller Breakout in 2013, leading many fans to believe this is his comeback.

The Whale is a psychological drama which saw Brendan undergo a physical transformation, as he plays a 600-pound gay man confined to a wheelchair, a role for which he also had to wear prosthetics.
Ralphie is back and he still hasn't shot his eye out.

Peter Billingsley was shown reprising his iconic role in the A Christmas Story Christmas teaser released on Monday.

The now 51-year-old actor was seen putting on the character's signature thick-rimmed plastic glasses in the short video posted by the HBO Max Instagram.

Eye not shot out! Peter Billingsley was shown reprising his iconic role in the A Christmas Story Christmas teaser released on Monday

Legend: A throwback image was seen of the iconic character Ralphie as a child from the original 1983 film

Ralphie's signature smile could be seen at the very end of the short clip.

It began with many classic lines from the 1983 original film with flashes of the home including the famous leg lamp as Ralphie's dad Mr Parker (played by Darren McGavin) could be heard saying: 'Fragile. It must be Italian.'

It then cuts to a photo of the young Ralphie in the snow before a voiceover from the original flick saying: 'oh fudge!'

Oh fudge! Ralphie's signature smile could be seen at the very end of the short clip

It began with many classic lines from the 1983 original film with flashes of the home including the famous leg lamp as Ralphie's dad Mr Parker (played by Darren McGavin) could be heard saying: 'Fragile. It must be Italian'

Highly-anticipated: A Christmas Story Story will begin streaming on HBO Max on November 17

A Christmas Story Story will begin streaming on HBO Max on November 17.

Back in January it was announced that Peter would be coming back to his signature role to lead a sequel to the perennial holiday favorite.

The starturnedfilmmaker will be reprising his role in the new film, which is expected to take place when Ralphie is an adult in the 1970s, The Hollywood Reporter revealed at the time.

In addition to starring in the sequel to the 1983 classic  titled A Christmas Story Christmas  Billingsley will produce for its production companies Legendary and Warner Bros.

It's a Christmas miracle! Back in January it was announced that Peter would be coming back to his signature role to lead a sequel to the perennial holiday favorite

The Christmas Chronicles director Clay Kaytis is attached to direct the film, which will be released on Warner's HBO Max streaming service.

Billingsley will be joined by his longtime friend Vince Vaughn to produce A Christmas Story Christmas for their company Wild West Picture Show Productions.

The original Christmas Story was an episodic period piece set sometime in the late 1930s to early 1940s that follows nine-year-old Ralphie as he navigates school and family relationships in a fictional Indiana town while dreaming of getting a Red Ryder BB rifle for Christmas.

In the '70s-set sequel, Ralphie will return home to his old house on Cleveland Street to give his own children the same kind of 'magical Christmas' he experienced as a child.

The original Christmas Story was a period piece set sometime in the late 1930s to early 1940s that follows Ralphie, nine, as he navigates school and family relationships in a fictional Indiana town while dreaming of getting a Red Ryder BB rifle for Christmas; still from A Christmas Story

All grown up: In the '70s-set sequel, Ralphie will return home to his old house on Cleveland Street to give his own children the same kind of 'magical Christmas' he experienced as a child, while also moving on from the death of his father; seen in 2018 in Beverly Hills

The original film was lauded for its realistic production design, which impeccably matched the time period and the Midwestern setting, and the publication writes that the new film will try to adopt a similar style.

Adult Ralphie will reunite with some of his childhood friends featured in the original movie while also trying to move on from the death of his father, often referred to as The Old Man in the original and played by Darren McGavin.

Although the original was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio, with some additional scenes shot in Ontario, Canada, the new production won't even be filming in the United States. Instead, Hungary will be filling in for Hammond, Indiana, when production begins in February.

There are expected to be plenty of references to the original film, which annually plays for 24 hours on TBS and TNT from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day.

Rise in standing: A Christmas Story was initially only modestly successful and received mixed reviews upon its 1983 release, but it became a perennial favorite over the years thanks to repeated TV broadcasts

A Christmas Story, which also starred Melinda Dillon as Ralphie's mother, was initially only modestly successful and received mixed reviews upon its 1983 release.

But over the years the film grew in estimation, and home video releases and television broadcasts elevated its stature year by year, until it came to be regarded as one of the best and most popular Christmas films of all time.

Following his acclaimed performance in A Christmas Story, Billingsley continued to act more sporadically as he grew older, before focusing on behind the camera work as a director and producer.

He directed the comedy Couple Retreat, starring his friends Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, and he executive produced the animated comedy series F For Family with Vaughn.

In 2008, he played a small role as a scientist in Iron Man, which was directed by Favreau, and both actors were later featured in Spider-Man: Far From Home.
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Emily Ratajkowski passionately kissed a handsome mystery man during a romantic night out in New York City on Friday - three months after splitting from 'cheating' husband Sebastian Bear-McClard.

The model, 31, looked happier than ever in the wake of her marital breakdown as she locked lips with the dashing grey-haired man, before the pair stared into one another's eyes and embraced.

The mother-of-one - who was recently rumoured to be dating Brad Pitt, 58 - looked chic in a black off-the-shoulder top, matching slacks and red boots, as she chatted with her companion, before the pair climbed onto his motorbike.

Moving on: Emily Ratajkowski passionately kissed a handsome mystery man during a romantic night out in New York City on Friday - three months after splitting from 'cheating' husband Sebastian Bear-McClard

Emily's date wore a green jacket, tee, jeans and trainers as he walked alongside her.

The apparent new couple were later seen enjoying an alfresco dinner date, where they laughed and smiled as they dined.

Emily was also seen lovingly touching the man's face as they enjoyed a cocktail.

DailyMail.com has contacted Emily's representatives for comment.

In the wake of her divorce proceedings, there had been talk that Ratajkowski has been involved in a romance with Brad Pitt.

New couple? The mother-of-one - who was recently rumoured to be dating Brad Pitt, 58 - looked chic in a black off-the-shoulder top, matching slacks and red boots, as she chatted with her companion

Steamy: The pair put on a passionate display as they locked lips in the street during their date

Over: Emily split from Sebastian Bear-McClard (seen in 2020) in July, with the star filing for divorce two months later

Passion: The pair repeatedly locked lips in the street as they began their new romance

Good spirits: Emily embraced her new love before smiling at him as they chatted

Look of love? The pair headed to an alfresco dinner where they were seen staring into one another's eyes

Sighting: Emily's estranged husband Sebastian was seen stepping out in NYC on Friday - hours before her date

One source told People that the two stars are simply 'having fun' and were not anything serious.

'The split was very rough for her,' the insider stated, adding, 'It was unexpected and devastating. It's the perfect timing right now. There is nothing like Brad Pitt cheering you up.'

A separate source revealed that there is 'an attraction' but that they've only had a few dates, and it's nothing serious.

In late August OK magazine also claimed Pitt was getting close to Ratajkowski: 'He asked her out, and she said yes. Shes always though Brad was cute, and the way she saw it, what did she have to lose?'

Biker chick: Emily climbed onto a motorbike with her companion as they zipped off

Walk and talk: The pair looked in good spirits as they enjoyed their evening date in NYC

Not happening: Emily quashed recent rumours she is dating Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt, 58, as she stepped out with a new man (Brad pictured in August)

PDA: The new couple couldn't contain their affection for one another as they kissed in the street

Giddy: Emily, who looked as stunning as ever, smiled as she chatted with her companion

Fun night: Emily was seen holding a cocktail as she lovingly touched her new companion's face

Ratajkowski had been married for just over four years at the time of her separation in July, amid claims that Bear-McClard, 41, had cheated on her. The marital split came 16 months after they welcomed their son Sylvester.

It was reported last month that Emily had filed for divorce from Sebastian. Page Six, which claims to have seen the documents, added that the divorce is being contested, which means there are issues to be litigated.

The split news came just days after someone close to the pair told Page Six that Sebastian was a 'serial cheater,' with the insider stating: 'It's gross. He's a dog.'

Good spirits: The pair looked relaxed and happy as they chatted over dinner

Passionate display: The pair couldn't keep their hands off one another as they kissed in the street

Loving display: Emily and her new companion looked smitten as they chatted and kissed in the street

Steamy: The pair couldn't stop kissing as they revelled in their new romance

Motor running: The pair looked comfortable in each other's company as they rode a motorbike

Comedian and social media influencer Claudia Oshry also spoke out about the situation during an episode of The Morning Toast podcast at the time, in which she claimed Sebastian's infidelity was an open secret in the industry.

'It's, like, known that her husband has cheated on her and they're filing for divorce,' she said, adding that when the couple officially confirms their separation, it will not come as a surprise to anyone.

Neither Emily nor Sebastian have made any public comments in regards to the status of their marriage as of yet. DailyMail.com contacted representatives for them both for comment.

Lip lock: The apparent new couple put on a steamy display as they kissed before heading to dinner

Chat: The pair were enjoying a night on the town in the Big Apple

Smile: Emily shot her new beau a loving glance as they enjoyed a cocktail before heading off

Transport: The pair put their helmets on as they prepared to ride to the restaurant

PDA-fest: The couple engaged in several passionate kisses as they enjoyed the evening

Small talk: The pair looked relaxed in each other's company as they walked in NYC

Emily and Sebastian were last spotted together in mid-June while on vacation in Italy, and appeared in good spirits as they relaxed on Porto Ercole beach together.

The couple was also among the many celebrity guests at Ari Emanuel's wedding to Sarah Staudinger in St. Tropez in late May.

She first sparked breakup rumors in July, when she was seen going for a stroll in New York with the couple's son, and was not wearing her wedding ring.

Racy display: The pair shared several kisses as they spent time together before dinner

Flirty: The pair smiled at one another as they shared several romantic moments

Off we go: Emily and her new man clambered onto a motorbike before heading off

Style star: The fashion star showed off her enviable frame in an all black outfit

Hot new couple: The pair looked in good spirits as they chatted in the street

Biker chick: Emily held onto her new man as she sped off towards dinner

Emily's love life so far... Could it be? It has been reported that Emily and Brad have been hanging out 'a few times'. But it's also been claimed that Brad is officially single and has been pictured out with a few people Andrew Dryden - August 2013 until February 2014 Emily and the creative director and menswear buyer were snapped together at events during their relationship, including an outing in New York - but they soon went their separate ways. One more chance: Emily Ratajkowski's husband Sebastian Bear-McClard is reportedly 'begging her to give him another chance' Pictured 2020 Jeff Magid - 2014 - until late 2017 Emily and musician, composer, and record producer Jeff are said to have grown close after she had to deal with a nude photo hacking scandal, shortly after her split from Andrew but work commitments drove them apart. Sebastian Bear-McClard - early 2018 - July 2022 Emily and Sebastian, a producer and director, started dating soon after she split from Jeff in early 2018. They married in a New York courthouse after a whirlwind romance in February 2018 and she welcomed their first child, Sly on Mar. 11, 2021. In July 2022, it was reported they had split and Emily filed for divorce on September 8. It was reported that tSebastian had allegedly being unfaithful, but this has not been confirmed. September 2022 - Brad Pitt It has been reported that Emily and Brad have been hanging out 'a few times'. But it's also been claimed that Brad is officially single and has been pictured out with a few people. Emily told Variety this month: 'Im newly single for basically the first time in my life ever. I just feel like Im kind of enjoying the freedom of not being super worried about how Im being perceived.' October - Emily appears to come out as bisexual Emily seemed to confirm her bisexuality in a TikTok video. A TikToker asked: 'If you identify as bisexual do you own a green velvet couch?' The video then cut to Ratajkowski, who smiled at the camera before panning to her large velvet green couch. Advertisement

The model was pictured moving her stuff out of the New York City apartment that she previously shared with Sebastian last month.

As movers removed her furniture, artwork, clothing, and other belongings from the home, Emily was seen carrying out a plant.

Emily and Sebastian, who is best known for producing movies Uncut Gems, Good Time, and Funny Pages, were first linked on Valentine's Day in February 2018 - one month after news had hit the web that she had split from her boyfriend Jeff Magid after three years together.

Love-in: The pair certainly caught the eye with their passionate display in the street

At the time, the pair was spotted packing on the PDA in Los Angeles, California. It's unclear how they met, but an insider told Us Weekly at the time that they had known each other 'for years.'

Just days after their first spotting, news hit the web that they had tied the knot in a New York City courthouse on February 23, 2018.

Emily then confirmed the news via Instagram, writing, 'Sooo, I have a surprise, I got married today.'

Off they go: Emily and her new companion looked close as they rode down the street

Chemistry: The pair looked happy as they chatted in the street before dinner

One more kiss: The pair couldn't help but lock lips as they debuted their new romance

Passion: The pair appeared to be getting on like a house on fire as they chatted and kissed

She later told Jimmy Fallon on his show, The Tonight Show, that she only took '30 seconds' to decide she wanted to marry the producer.

'I thought about it for about 30 seconds,' she joked. 'It was a city hall courthouse wedding. I guess I didnt know what I always wanted to do, which is maybe why it was so untraditional.'

They made their red carpet debut in March of that year, while attending the 33rd Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards together, and the two looked like the epitome of marital bliss at the event.

'Emily looked so in love with her husband. She kept staring at him, smiling and was touching his face a lot,' an onlooker told E! News. 'Emily rested her head on his shoulder and looked truly happy.'

Their four-year romance was plagued with scandal and controversy, starting with the fact that they had wed after only a few days together.

Delight: Emily looked to have moved on from ex Sebastian as she debuted her new romance

Travel: Emily donned a helmet as she held onto her new love on the way to dinner

Fun times; The new couple couldn't keep the smiles off their faces as they chatted on their date

Who is he? Emily has thus far refrained from naming her new man publicly

The pair received a lot of backlash online for the whirlwind romance, and Emily later defended their decision to get married so quickly, explaining during an appearance on Busy Tonight that their relationship had been building for a long time before they started dating.

'We knew each other for a long time before,' she explained. 'He likes to joke, "Yeah everyone thinks we got married quickly, but you vetted me for two years."'

In October 2020, the pair announced that they were expecting their first child together. And while they were excited to share in the experience together, Emily opened up about feeling alone during the pregnancy.

'Its something a woman does by herself, inside her body, no matter what her circumstances may be,' she wrote during a Vogue essay.

'Despite having a loving partner and many female friends ready to share the gritty details of their pregnancies, I am ultimately alone with my body in this experience.

Family: The couple share son Sylvester, 19 months - the family are pictured in March this year

'There is no one to feel it with me - the sharp muscular aches in my lower abdomen that come out of nowhere while Im watching a movie or the painful heaviness of my breasts that now greets me first thing every morning.

'My husband has no physical symptoms in "our" pregnancy, another reminder of how different a woman and mans experience of life can be.'

Sylvester Apollo Bear was born on March 8, 2021, with Emily calling it the most 'surreal, beautiful, and love-filled' experience of her life on Instagram.

Whirlwind romance: Just days after first being linked in 2018 , the pair tied the knot in a New York City courthouse on February 23, 2018. They are seen at the courthouse




This photo, provided by Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency, shows Pyeongtaek Police Station. Yonhap

Police on Sunday launched an investigation to determine how a worker got caught in a mixing machine and died at a bread making factory in Pyeongtaek.



The 23-year-old employee of the factory affiliated with food and beverage giant SPC Group died Saturday after getting caught in the mixer, according to police in Pyeongtaek, 65 kilometers south of Seoul.



The worker was using the mixer to make sauces for sandwiches at the time of the accident, but the machine was about 1 meter tall and not deep enough for her whole body to fall in, they said.



It appeared her upper body got caught inside the mixer, the police said, adding they are trying to determine the details through interviews with her colleagues and company representatives.






Jaime King looked to be in good spirits on Sunday when heading out in the West Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The 43-year-old actress was seen a step behind her new boyfriend, cinematographer Marco Bartkowiak.

This sighting comes after the beauty's estranged husband Kyle Newman claimed he cannot afford to live because the actress hasn't paid him any money.

New love: Jaime King looked to be in good spirits on Sunday when heading out in the West Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The actress was seen a step behind her new boyfriend, cinematographer Marco Bartkowiak

Suited up: King looked radiant in a brown, beige, black and white striped Tory Burch pantsuit that had an opened blazer

King looked radiant in a brown, beige, black and white striped Tory Burch pantsuit that had an opened blazer.

She added a black and white shirt underneath that had a collar was unbuttoned just so to show her gold necklace. The star also had on black and white loafers with no socks.

The Sin City star's blonde hair was pulled back showing off her pretty face which had light makeup applied. She was seen talking on her cell phone as her beau - who wore all black with beige shoes - carried a light blue plastic bag.

On the move: She added a black and white shirt underneath that had a collar was unbuttoned just so to show her gold necklace

He also had on a brown cap over his long dirt blonde locks.

King gave a smile and wave as the pair left a wine and liquor store on Sunset Boulevard.

This comes after some news in regards to her ex.

The Hart Of Dixie actress was ordered by a court in April to pay her ex $1,000 a month in spousal support and $429 a month in child support for their sons James, eight, and seven-year-old Leo but the Barely Lethal director has filed legal documents claiming she hasn't handed anything over.

No stilettos for this day out: The star also had on black and white loafers with no socks

According to documents obtained by TMZ, Kyle claimed he put his career as a writer and filmmaker on hold to be a stay-at-home dad and has now found himself deep in debt and having to take money from his retirement fund in order to stay afloat.

The 46-year-old filmmaker also accused Jaime of refusing to comply with a court order to disclose information about her income and alleged the Mistletoe Promise star has decimated community property retirement accounts, taking over $500,000.

And that's not all as Kyle claimed the actress recently listed their family home for sale without his consent, with proceeds from that sale, totaling around $1.5 million, currently frozen.

Ready to shop: The Sin City star's blonde hair was pulled back showing off her pretty face which had light makeup applied

He wants the judge to order Jaime to hand over $700,000 in attorney fees and costs from the proceeds of the sale of the house, and also wants her to be given an extra $50,000 in sanctions for defying previous court orders.

The pair's split hit headlines back in 2020 when Kyle filed documents requesting sole physical custody of the boys.

In his original filing, Kyle wrote: 'I have been the children's primary caretaker since their birth and the children have spent the large majority of 2020 in my sole custody.'

Jaime's representative denied his claims that he was the primary caretaker and the actress later filed for divorce from Kyle to bring their 12-year marriage to an end.

Leaving the car: The two were seen getting out of a black sedan

Come on: She seemed to be telling her filmmaker boyfriend to come into the store with her

King is currently fighting for custody of her young children. according to court docs in the case, in June, after Newman put in paperwork for an emergency Ex Parte application in an effort to have their custody arrangement altered for him to receive 'sole legal and physical custody.'

King also put in her an emergency Ex Parte application, which said that her attorney was dealing with a 'serious family matter' on the day a hearing in the case was scheduled.

Newman's initial application was denied.

A Hollywood look: Her beau wore all black with beige shoes and carried a light blue plastic bag

'I have been the children's primary caretaker since their birth and the children have spent the large majority of 2020 in my sole custody,' Newman said in court docs.

The filing came six months after King filed to divorce the director after a twelve-year marriage, requesting a temporary restraining order and domestic violence prevention petition, according to court docs.

King told the court that Newman had been keeping their sons away from her, and subsequently denied accusations that her behavior put their children in danger.

Sad: The Hart Of Dixie actress was ordered by a court in April to pay her ex $1,000 a month in spousal support and $429 a month in child support for their sons James, eight, and seven-year-old Leo but the Barely Lethal director has filed legal documents claiming she hasn't handed anything over

Former couple: Jaime and Kyle, the father of her two sons, were married from 2007 until 2020

In April, the actress was ordered to provide Newman with child and spousal support in the amount of $429 monthly, as well as 16 percent of any money she made more than $175,344 annually, according to court docs People reviewed.

King was also ordered by the court to provide Newman with $1,000 monthly in spousal support as well as 10 percent of money she made above $175,344 in quarterly installments, per court docs.

Additionally, the court stipulated that King and Newman 'meet and confer' on an annual basis each January 15 to 'adjust any overpayments or underpayments' from the year before.
Emmerdale star Katherine Dow Blyton has reflected on her exit from the ITV soap as her character Harriet Finch died in Monday's explosive episode.

The former vicar lost her life in a horrifying quad bike incident as she searched for pregnant Amelia Spencer, as a vicious storm gripped the Dales amid the soap's showstopping 50th anniversary episodes.

And as an explosion saw Harriet lose her life, actress Katherine, 57, admitted: 'I dont think it will hit me that Im not going back' as she prepares to say goodbye to the soap after nearly 10 years.

Farewell: Emmerdale star Katherine Dow Blyton has reflected on her exit from the ITV soap as her character Harriet Finch died in Monday's explosive episode (Katherine pictured in 2017)

Sunday's dramatic scenes of the soap saw a dejected Harriet amid defeat after her former love Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) married Kim Tate (Claire King).

But she had no time to wallow in sadness as she soon headed off in search of Amelia (Daisy Campbell), who was stuck in a barn alone as her labour began prematurely.

However, as she raced through the woods in the treacherous weather conditions Harriet lost control of her quad bike and hit a tree, before tumbling down an embankment.

Ouch: The former vicar lost her life in a horrifying quad bike incident as she searched for pregnant Amelia Spencer, as a vicious storm gripped the Dales amid the soap's showstopping 50th anniversary episodes

But as she got back on her feet, the quad bike came thundering down the embankment, crushing her beneath its weight.

Meanwhile, Kim, who was out on horseback also looking for Amelia, found Harriet and pulled her body from beneath the bike.

However, in a cruel twist of fate, lightening struck the quad bike's leaking fuel tank, causing a huge explosion which threw both ladies back.

While Kim was knocked out after striking her head on a rock, an already-injured Harriet unfortunately failed to survive the blast.

Time to go: And as an explosion saw Harriet lose her life, actress Katherine, 57, admitted: 'I dont think it will hit me that Im not going back' as she prepares to say goodbye to the soap after nearly 10 years

Detailing what it was like to film the death scenes, Katherine explained: 'I got very emotional reading it. On the actual day I was covered in blood and I had various bits of woodland hanging out of my hair. We had these industrial wind machines which were literally blowing sand and debris into your eyes.

'So when it came to it, it wasnt as emotional because the technicality of what you have to do takes away from the emotion so I managed to get through the day without sobbing. '

'The death wasnt my last scene though but on my last day I received flowers and lovely gifts and messages. I dont think it will hit me that Im not going back for a couple of weeks because it feels like Im on a break but it will slowly hit me.'

On a mission: Harriet had no time to wallow in sadness as she soon headed off in search of Amelia (Daisy Campbell), who was stuck in a barn alone as her labour began prematurely

Help! Pregnant Amelia was trapped in a barn as the vicious storm swept through the village

Rescue: Meanwhile, Kim, who was out on horseback also looking for Amelia, found Harriet and pulled her body from beneath the bike

Katherine, who first joined the soap as the police officer turned vicar in 2013, went on to say how much she'll miss her character, explaining: 'I will very much miss playing her although I wont miss wearing the police uniform.

'What I loved about coming into Emmerdale and what really made me want to play Harriet was because she was coming in as the vicar. I loved playing the vicar and the fact that she was flawed and she was a bit off the wall.

'She had a sense of humour and I loved the character. Ill very much miss her but shes with me obviously. Were not too dissimilar.'

Boom! However, in a cruel twist of fate, lightening struck the quad bike's leaking fuel tank, causing a huge explosion which threw both ladies back

Gone: While Kim was knocked out after striking her head on a rock, an already-injured Harriet unfortunately failed to survive the blast

And while she's worked flat-out the past decade, the thespian shared that she'll very much enjoy having some much needed downtime as she contemplates her future.

She shared: 'For the first time in my life I dont have any plans. I think I need time to decompress and to reevaluate what I want the next part of my life to be. I have so many big decisions but Im going to feel my way for the rest of this year and reconnect with my friends in London.

'Just live my life for a bit and not set my alarm for 5:30 in the morning. Ive done a few self tapes so theres always something bubbling away but Im leaving it up to the universe for a couple of months just to see where life takes me.'

Departure: 'I dont think it will hit me that Im not going back for a couple of weeks because it feels like Im on a break but it will slowly hit me' (pictured in 2013 with John Middleton)

Goodbye: 'I loved playing the vicar and the fact that she was flawed and she was a bit off the wall. 'She had a sense of humour and I loved the character. Ill very much miss her'

Meanwhile, while Harriet sadly lost her life, another character is left fighting for theirs as Sam Dingle is impaled on piece of farm machinery.

The shock injury occurred when the character (played by James Hooton) jumped out of the way of some stampeding cows amid the terrifying storm.

With his loved ones Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor Draper) and Nate (Jurell Carter) managing to get out of the cows' way, it remains to be seen whether Sam will survive his ordeal.

Emmerdale continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on ITV.
Kimberley Garner amped up the glamour on Monday, as she attended a special screening of The Peripheral at Odeon Luxe West End in London.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 31, stunned in a pale green corset, that enhanced her ample cleavage.

Her top boasted a lace-up back, and a large bow that fell to the floor in a long train, for extra drama.

Looking good: Kimberley Garner amped up the glamour on Monday, as she attended a special screening of The Peripheral at Odeon Luxe West End in London

Adding a casual touch, she teamed the corset with a pair of blue jeans and elevated her height in a pair of nude high heels.

Keeping her jewellery simple, she opted for a four-leaf clover bracelet and wore her blonde locks down.

Finishing off her stunning look, Kimberley opted for minimal makeup, letting her natural beauty shine through.

Busty display: The former Made In Chelsea star, 31, stunned in a pale green corset, that enhanced her ample cleavage

Fancy footwear: Adding a casual touch, she teamed the corset with a pair of blue jeans and elevated her height in a pair of nude high heels

Showstopper: Her top boasted a lace-up back, and a large bow that fell to the floor in a long train, for extra drama

Joining her at the star-studded screening was Charlotte Riley, Adelind Horan and Miles Barrow.

Charlotte, who stars in the series as Aelita, put on a leggy display in a black minidress, with white polka dots and shoulder pads.

Her long legs and svelte waist were on full display in the eye-catching number, and she paired it with black high heels.

Classy: Charlotte Riley, who stars in the series as Aelita, put on a leggy display in a black minidress, with white polka dots and shoulder pads

Chic: Her long legs and svelte waist were on full display in the eye-catching number, and she paired it with black high heels

Her brunette tresses were styled in neat curls and swept up into an elegant updo, while she finished her look with a smoky eyeshadow.

Meanwhile, her co-star Adelind flashed a peek at her toned midriff as she arrived in a bold green co-ord.

The actress, who plays Billy Ann Baker in the show, sported a green crop top with an asymmetrical strap.

Vision in green: Meanwhile, her co-star Adelind Horan flashed a peek at her toned midriff as she arrived in a bold green co-ord

Stylish: The actress, who plays Billy Ann Baker in the show, sported a green crop top with an asymmetrical strap

She teamed it with a coordinating green maxi skirt, that clung to her lithe figure, and showed off her black high heels.

Her short locks were styled in loose waves and tucked behind one ear, to show off her gold hoop earrings.

Miles cut a casual figure in a black, grey and orange patterned jumper, with a pair of back jeans.

Fashion forward: Miles Barrow cut a casual figure in a black, grey and orange patterned jumper, with a pair of back jeans

Also in attendance was Julian Moore-Cook who looked handsome in a brown tailored suit and black striped tie.

While executive producer Vincenzo Natali looked sharp in a black and grey ombre sweater underneath a black blazer, teamed with bold trainers.

Emma Conybeare looked incredible in a white off-the-shoulder minidress, covered in black polka dots.

Dapper: Also in attendance was Julian Moore-Cook who looked handsome in a brown tailored suit and black striped tie

Dashing: While executive producer Vincenzo Natali looked sharp in a black and grey ombre sweater underneath a black blazer, teamed with bold trainers

She ensured all eyes were on her long, toned legs by sporting a pair of black thigh-high heeled boots.

Pandora Christie caught the eye in a quirky ensemble, made up of a bright pink and orange jumper and a leopard print skirt.

The radio presenter added a large purple handbag, chunky white boots and a swipe of pink lipstick.

Eye-catching: Emma Conybeare looked incredible in a white off-the-shoulder minidress, covered in black polka dots

Turning heads: She ensured all eyes were on her long, toned legs by sporting a pair of black thigh-high heeled boots

The Peripheral is currently scheduled to make its debut on the Amazon Prime Video streaming platform later this month.

Development on the upcoming show was initially revealed to have commenced in 2018.

The program will be based on William Gibson's novel of the same name, which was originally published in 2014.

Standing out: Pandora Christie caught the eye in a quirky ensemble, made up of a bright pink and orange jumper and a leopard print skirt

The show is centered on a pair of siblings who become involved in a murder that took place in the digital world.

Chloe Grace Moretz is currently set to portray the show's central character, Flynne Fisher, while other cast members include Gary Carr and Jack Reynor.

Westworld's co-creators, Johnathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, serve as two of the show's executive producers.
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Tom Schwartz and Raquel Leviss have been denying their romance all throughout BravoCon2022, however, their contradictory actions over the three-day event simultaneously fueled dating rumors.

Leviss raised eyebrows when she made an unannounced visit to the Cocktails with Schwartz & Sandy panel on Sunday, which was moderated by DailyMail.com senior reporter Caitlyn Becker.

The Vanderpump Rules star quietly arrived backstage with Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval, wearing a rhinestone TomTom hoodie, and sat in the front row before being called on stage at the end of the show.

Gatecrasher: Leviss raised eyebrows when she made an unannounced visit to the Cocktails with Schwartz & Sandy panel on Sunday, which was moderated by DailyMail.com senior reporter Caitlyn Becker

The Cocktails with Schwartz & Sandy event was the final panel of BravoCon2022 and the Toms made sure it was as fun, fabulous and chaotic as possible - and that included a surprise visit from Raquel.

Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval took to the stage on Schwartz's 40th birthday to chat about their new Los Angeles bar and dish up two signature drinks for a friendly competition.

Real Housewives stars Brandi Glanville and Marysol Patton were on hand to judge the bespoke beverages and declare who is King of the Cocktails.

In the front row of the audience sat Raquel Leviss dressed in a head turning ensemble. The Bravolebrity rocked tiny sunglasses, chunky knee-high boots and an oversized black hoodie with TomTom written in bronze rhinestones.

Mixed signals: Tom Schwartz and Raquel Leviss have been denying their romance all throughout BravoCon2022 but arriving together at the Schwartz & Sandy panel reignited rumors

Are they or aren't they? Leviss quietly arrived backstage with Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval, wearing a rhinestone TomTom hoodie, and sat in the front row before being called on stage at the end of the show

Making a statement: Raquel seemed to encourage the relationship rumors by sitting front row during the panel in a TomTom sweatshirt before being unexpectedly called on stage

She had arrived prior to the panel backstage with the Toms but, curiously, none of their other costars were in attendance.

When it came time to judge the cocktails, Brandi Glanville saw took the opportunity to point Leviss out to the crowd and the Rules star agreed to come up on stage.

The Toms quickly provided her with samples of their respective cocktails and, though she got a little confused as to who made which one, naming Schwartz twice, she ultimately declared that Sandoval's was a bit boozier and therefore the winner.

Her appearance at the panel was curious considering she and her co-star spent all of BravoCon weekend denying rumors that they were in a relationship.

Bottom's up: Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval took to the stage on Schwartz's 40th birthday to chat about their new Los Angeles bar and dish up two signature drinks for a friendly competition

Wild times: The Cocktails with Schwartz & Sandy panel was the final event of BravoCon2022 and the Toms made sure it was as fun, fabulous and chaotic as possible

Good times: Real Housewives stars Brandi Glanville and Marysol Patton were on hand to judge the bespoke beverages and declare who is King of the Cocktails

Not 24 hours earlier, Schwartz exclusively told DailyMail.com that he an Raquel were not dating, even though they shared a kiss at Scheana and Brock's wedding this year.

By the time Sunday rolled around, the pair - as well as Sandoval - were over it when it came to the topic of the kiss. However, romance rumors immediately ramped up the moment Raquel stepped on stage at the panel.

Schwartz had already set the tone for the show by running into the crowd with shots of alcohol and snapping selfies mere moments after he was introduced.

After a few samples of the drinks, the already rowdy audience began a chant of 'take it off' to Tom Sandoval who obliged and stripped down to his bare chest, tossing his f**ks' T-shirt on the stage.

Making it interesting: When it came time to judge the cocktails, Brandi Glanville saw took the opportunity to point Leviss out to the crowd and the Rules star agreed to come up on stage

Schwartz on the brain: Raquel was a little confused and named Schwartz twice as the cocktail winner but actually declaring Sandoval's the top

Hmm? Raquel's unannounced appearance at the panel was curious considering she and her co-star spent all of BravoCon weekend denying rumors that they were in a relationship

A raucous round of audience questions led to Sandoval call former co-star Jax Taylor a 'd**k' while explaining that Taylor had rudely returned the Randy Jackson signed Samurai sword he had given him and regifted a custom pair of sneakers.

He also intimated that certain former co-stars are not getting a spin-off series despite all their talk (particularly while drinking). And, while he didn't name Jax specifically in the moment, the audience understood that he meant Taylor and wife Brittany Cartwright.

For the cocktail competition, Tom Schwartz whipped up his Citrulline Dream, which is his take on a watermelon margarita with Patron reposado, fresh lime juice, fresh watermelon juice, agave and basil leaves.

The recently single Bravo star quipped watermelon is nature's 'aphrodisiac', which sent the frenetic crowd into tizzy.

What?! A raucous round of audience questions led to Sandoval call former co-star Jax Taylor a 'd**k' while explaining that Taylor had rudely returned the Randy Jackson signed Samurai sword he had given him and regifted a custom pair of sneakers

Out of control: After a few samples of the drinks, the already rowdy audience began a chant of 'take it off' to Tom Sandoval who obliged and stripped down to his bare chest, tossing his f**ks' T-shirt on the stage

Delish! For the cocktail competition, Tom Schwartz whipped up his Citrulline Dream, which is his take on a watermelon margarita with Patron reposado, fresh lime juice, fresh watermelon juice, agave and basil leaves

Here for a good time: Schwartz had already set the tone for the show by running into the crowd with shots of alcohol and snapping selfies mere moments after he was introduced

Both Marysol and Brandi gave the drink their stamp of approval, however, Glanville did compare the flavor to the nonspecific college drink 'jungle juice.' The critique was intended as a compliment but it sent Schwartz's eyes rolling and declaring his drink to be 'perfectly balanced.'

Sandoval's cocktail was a bit more complicated. His TomTom Thai Tea Manhattan was crafted from their brand of Toms Good Lovin Bourbon, Thai tea infused cognac, Amaro Nonino and Cynar 70.

The panel was also joined by Kandi and the Gang stars Mama Joyce, Aunt Bertha Jones and Aunt Nora Wilcox who sipped a delicious custom mocktail shaken up by Sandoval.

On Saturday, Tom, Raquel and Tom's ex/co-star Katie Maloney were forced to address the kiss head on with reporters.

Yum! Both Marysol and Brandi (L-R) gave Schwartz's drink their stamp of approval

Say what? Brandi confirmed for the crowd that her tryst with Denise Richards was pure fact

OLG: The panel was also joined by Kandi and the Gang stars Mama Joyce, Aunt Bertha Jones and Aunt Nora Wilcox (L-R) who sipped a delicious custom mocktail shaken up by Sandoval

'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 told DailyMail.com

'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.'

'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".'

Facing the music: On Saturday, Tom, Raquel and Tom's ex/co-star Katie Maloney were forced to address the kiss between Schwartz and Raquel head on with reporters (Raquel Leviss, Scheana Shay, James Kennedy, Katie Maloney L-R)

'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".' (Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent, Tom Sandoval, Arianna Madix L-R)

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.

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.'

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.

'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 told DailyMail.com 'Everybody seems to have an opinion about it. I don't regret anything. And, Schwartz is like one of my really, really good friends now.' (Raquel Leviss, Scheana Shay L-R)

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.'

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.'
Chloe Grace Moretz stood out from the crowd on Monday, as she attended a special screening of The Peripheral at Odeon Luxe West End in London.

The actress, 25, flaunted her bold sense of fashion in a bright pink jumper, paired with a pink tulle skirt.

The skirt was completely sheer, showing Chloe's black tights underneath and striped pink and black underwear.

Quirky: Chloe Grace Moretz stood out from the crowd on Monday, as she attended a special screening of The Peripheral at Odeon Luxe West End in London

She added a few extra inches to her frame in a pair of black high heels and added a pair of small silver earrings.

Her blonde tresses were swept up in a sleek updo, with a voluminous quiff and she opted for a light palette of makeup to accentuate her elegant bone structure.

The Kickass star posed alongside her The Peripheral co-star Jack Reynor, who looked dashing in a black suit and grey tie.

Fashion forward: The actress, 25, flaunted her bold sense of fashion in a bright pink jumper, paired with a pink tulle skirt

Pretty in pink: The skirt was completely sheer, showing Chloe's black tights underneath and striped pink and black underwear

Beauty: She added a few extra inches to her frame in a pair of black high heels and added a pair of small silver earrings

Stunning: Her blonde tresses were swept up in a sleek updo, with a voluminous quiff

Flawless: She opted for a light palette of makeup to accentuate her elegant bone structure

Gary Carr also donned a black suit, pairing his with a white shirt with a uniquely shaped collar, that showed off a flash of his chest.

T'Nia Miller looked resplendent in a showstopping gold fishtail gown, with a full black skirt.

She added a pair of large gold earrings and finished off her striking look with a slick of deep red lipstick.

Starring role: Chloe is currently set to portray the show's central character, Flynne Fisher

Coming soon: The Peripheral is currently scheduled to make its debut on the Amazon Prime Video streaming platform later this month

Co-stars: The Kickass star posed alongside her The Peripheral co-star Jack Reynor

Handsome: He looked dashing in a black suit and grey tie

Got the giggles: The co-stars broke into laughter while posing for photos

Sharp: Gary Carr also donned a black suit, pairing his with a white shirt with a uniquely shaped collar, that showed off a flash of his chest

Lisa Joy exuded sophistication in a little black dress, with a voluminous bodice and a sheer skirt.

Her raven locks were styled in Hollywood waves and she elevated her height in a pair of bejewelled black high heels.

Kimberley Garner, 31, stunned in a pale green corset, that enhanced her ample cleavage.

Dazzling: T'Nia Miller looked resplendent in a showstopping gold fishtail gown, with a full black skirt

Dramatic: She added a pair of large gold earrings and finished off her striking look with a slick of deep red lipstick

Glamorous: Lisa Joy exuded sophistication in a little black dress, with a voluminous bodice and a sheer skirt

Looking good: Her raven locks were styled in Hollywood waves and she elevated her height in a pair of bejewelled black high heels (L-R T'Nia Miller, Jack Reynor, Chloe Grace Moretz, Gary Carr and Lisa Joy)

Her top boasted a lace-up back, and a large bow that fell to the floor in a long train, for extra drama.

Adding a casual touch, she teamed the corset with a pair of blue jeans and elevated her height in a pair of nude high heels.

Keeping her jewellery simple, she opted for a four-leaf clover bracelet and wore her blonde locks down.

Finishing off her stunning look, Kimberley opted for minimal makeup, letting her natural beauty shine through.

Looking good: Kimberley Garner amped up the glamour on Monday, as she attended a special screening of The Peripheral at Odeon Luxe West End in London

Busty display: The former Made In Chelsea star, 31, stunned in a pale green corset, that enhanced her ample cleavage and boasted a lace-up back with a large bow

Showstopper: Her top boasted a lace-up back, and a large bow that fell to the floor in a long train, for extra drama

Fancy footwear: Adding a casual touch, she teamed the corset with a pair of blue jeans and elevated her height in a pair of nude high heels

Joining her at the star-studded screening was Charlotte Riley, Adelind Horan and Miles Barrow.

Charlotte, who stars in the series as Aelita, put on a leggy display in a black minidress, with white polka dots and shoulder pads.

Her long legs and svelte waist were on full display in the eye-catching number, and she paired it with black high heels.

Classy: Charlotte Riley, who stars in the series as Aelita, put on a leggy display in a black minidress, with white polka dots and shoulder pads

Chic: Her long legs and svelte waist were on full display in the eye-catching number, and she paired it with black high heels

Her brunette tresses were styled in neat curls and swept up into an elegant updo, while she finished her look with a smoky eyeshadow.

Meanwhile, her co-star Adelind flashed a peek at her toned midriff as she arrived in a bold green co-ord.

The actress, who plays Billy Ann Baker in the show, sported a green crop top with an asymmetrical strap.

Vision in green: Meanwhile, her co-star Adelind Horan flashed a peek at her toned midriff as she arrived in a bold green co-ord

Stylish: The actress, who plays Billy Ann Baker in the show, sported a green crop top with an asymmetrical strap

She teamed it with a coordinating green maxi skirt, that clung to her lithe figure, and showed off her black high heels.

Her short locks were styled in loose waves and tucked behind one ear, to show off her gold hoop earrings.

Miles cut a casual figure in a black, grey and orange patterned jumper, with a pair of back jeans.

Fashion forward: Miles Barrow cut a casual figure in a black, grey and orange patterned jumper, with a pair of back jeans

Also in attendance was Julian Moore-Cook who looked handsome in a brown tailored suit and black striped tie.

While executive producer Vincenzo Natali looked sharp in a black and grey ombre sweater underneath a black blazer, teamed with bold trainers.

Emma Conybeare looked incredible in a white off-the-shoulder minidress, covered in black polka dots.

Dapper: Also in attendance was Julian Moore-Cook who looked handsome in a brown tailored suit and black striped tie

Dashing: While executive producer Vincenzo Natali looked sharp in a black and grey ombre sweater underneath a black blazer, teamed with bold trainers

She ensured all eyes were on her long, toned legs by sporting a pair of black thigh-high heeled boots.

Pandora Christie caught the eye in a quirky ensemble, made up of a bright pink and orange jumper and a leopard print skirt.

The radio presenter added a large purple handbag, chunky white boots and a swipe of pink lipstick.

Eye-catching: Emma Conybeare looked incredible in a white off-the-shoulder minidress, covered in black polka dots

Turning heads: She ensured all eyes were on her long, toned legs by sporting a pair of black thigh-high heeled boots

The Peripheral is currently scheduled to make its debut on the Amazon Prime Video streaming platform later this month.

Development on the upcoming show was initially revealed to have commenced in 2018.

The program will be based on William Gibson's novel of the same name, which was originally published in 2014.

Standing out: Pandora Christie caught the eye in a quirky ensemble, made up of a bright pink and orange jumper and a leopard print skirt

The show is centered on a pair of siblings who become involved in a murder that took place in the digital world.

Chloe Grace Moretz is currently set to portray the show's central character, Flynne Fisher, while other cast members include Gary Carr and Jack Reynor.

Westworld's co-creators, Johnathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, serve as two of the show's executive producers.
Phoebe Dynevor looked chic as she attended a special screening and Q&A for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery at The Curzon Mayfair on Sunday in London.

The actress, 27, turned heads in a camel varsity jacket which she layered above a white unbuttoned shirt and a pair of black trousers.

Accessorising with a brown Louis Vuitton handbag, she posed with OffTheRails editor Amy Verity, who put on an eye-popping display in a glossy red coat.

Looking good: Phoebe Dynevor 9right) looked chic as she attended a special screening and Q&A for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery at The Curzon Mayfair on Sunday in London

Also in attendance were Mika Simmons, Aki Omoshaybi, Sophia Nomvete, Ismael Cruz, Charlotte Colbert and Philip Colbert.

Martha Ward, Nadine Leopold, Margaret Clunie and Luc Roegattends also ensured to dress up for the star-studded event.

Phoebe flew under the radar on Sunday as she stepped out for a stroll with her mum Sally, as both actresses donned casual ensembles.

Stunning: The actress, 27, (left) turned heads in a camel varsity jacket which she layered above a white unbuttoned shirt and a pair of black trousers while posing with Amy Verity (right)

Outfit: Mika Simmons wore a black blouse and a matching pair of trousers while Aki Omoshaybi looked suave in a navy suit

What a pair! Sophia Nomvete and Ismael Cruz Cordova appeared to be in high spirits

Pals: Charlotte Colbert and Philip Colbert posed for a photo

While the actress has been gracing soap screens as Sally Metcalfe on ITV soap Coronation Street since 1986, her daughter only recently skyrocketed to fame.

She gained global recognition after starring as character Daphne in the eponymous Bridgerton family, following an array of child acting and a role in Waterloo Road.

The casual Sunday stroll came after a busy week for the star, who took to Paris to attend the Louis Vuitton show during the city's fashion week.

Gorgeous: Martha Ward looked trendy in a plaid grey coat and jeans

Fashion forward: Nadine Leopold (left) put on an unmissable display in a red-and-black coat while Margaret Clunie (right) wore a grey polo neck sweater

Smart: Luc Roegattends looked smart in a blue top and a grey blazer

Phoebe looked stunning at the fashion event, posing up a storm as she joined a slew of A-listers in attending.

And it appears her schedule isn't set to slow down anytime soon, with the beauty recently being cast in new spy thriller Inheritance.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Phoebe will play a daughter thrown into a world of "secrecy and crime" after her estranged father suddenly reappears.
Sisters Amelia and Delilah Hamlin were spotted on a coffee run in Beverly Hills on Monday.

Amelia, 21, and Delilah, 24, both had on very baggy clothing that hid their spectacular supermodel figures.

This comes after their Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star mom Lisa Rinna was booed on stage at BravoCon in New York City.

LA casual: Sisters Amelia and Delilah Hamlin were spotted looking comfy in sweats on a coffee run in Beverly Hills Monday

Amelia added a dark pair of designer sunglasses and let her long dark locks fall naturally, styled with a part in the middle.

The supermodel wore a loose-fitting green tracksuit and held an iced coffee in her left hand.

Delilah styled her honey-blonde hair in two braids which she hid under a hat as she sipped a hot beverage. The beauty wore a loose grey top, blue sweats, white socks and sandals.

The young stars seemed to be enjoying the lovely fall season in Los Angeles during their time out together.

Model sisters: Amelia let her long dark locks fall naturally, styled with a part in the middle and wore a loose-fitting green tracksuit

Cute look: Delilah styled her honey-blonde hair in two braids and wore a loose grey top, blue sweats, white socks and sandals

Wow: Delilah and Amelia put on a flesh-flashing display while attending the Bloomingdale's 150 x Harper's BAZAAR ICONS Party with Amelia in September

This comes after their 59-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star mother, Lisa Rinna got booed at BravoCon.

The reality TV 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.

Lisa 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.

Mom is at it again: This comes after their outspoken 59-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star mother, Lisa Rinna got booed at BravoCon ; seen on Friday at the event

Chorus of boos: The star walked onstage at the three-day long convention to a chorus of boos from the audience

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.

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.

Place to be: Seen in September with her famous parents Lisa and Harry

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.

Also on Friday, Delilah was seen modeling for Kim Kardashian's SKIMS brand.

The looker was seen in a lavender bodysuit with jeans falling off her hips captioned, 'New SKIMS FITS EVERYBODY colors dropping 10/18 at 9AM PST @SKIMS #ad.'

The beauty was back to blonde as she wore mauve lipstick and matching blush.

Delilah had on the suit that went high on the hips and also had a thong backside.

Thanks Kim: Delilah has landed a new modeling job. The daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin is working for Kim Kardashian these days

She did it too: Kim was also seen modeling lavender SKIMS on Monday

Her jeans were unbuttoned and she pulled them down her slender hips as she wore several gold bracelets.

In February of this year, Delilah announced joyfully on her Insta Stories that she had successfully marked six months sober.

Last year the elder sister of Amelia Hamlin suffered from a Xanax dependency which she has now evidently managed to kick.

Delilah posted a half-hour Instagram video at the start of November where she asserted that the Xanax trouble began after she got her COVID-19 vaccine.

She clarified she is 'in no way an anti-vaxxer' but claimed that the jab 'flared up and triggered certain autoimmune diseases that I didn't know I had.'

Among other issues she began having panic attacks, she said, and she has accused a psychiatrist of overprescribing her Xanax to deal with them.

Delilah said she 'got dependent on Xanax' as a result, adding that on account of her high blood pressure she was also put on the beta blocker propranolol.

She said that she 'overdosed' and 'ended up in the hospital' after taking Benadryl in combination with the propranolol.

Although she did not reveal that she had weaned herself off Xanax entirely at the time, she did say that she had reduced her use of it.
Jemma Donovan couldn't hold back her happiness as she held Neighbours' gong for Best Daytime Soap at the 2022 Inside Soap Awards held at London's 100 Wardour Street.

The daughter of Jason Donovan, 22, played Harlow Robinson on the Aussie soap for three years before it was axed this year.

And she proudly posed with the beloved soap's award, with former co-star Jacinta Stapleton.

Proud: Jemma Donovan couldn't hold back her happiness as she held Neighbours' gong for Best Daytime Soap at the 2022 Inside Soaps Awards held at London's 100 Wardour Street

The actress turned heads in a red long-sleeved satin minidress, that showed off her incredible legs.

She added a few extra inches to her frame with a pair of strappy bright orange high heels.

Her blonde tresses were swept up in a bouncy ponytail, and she opted for a light palette of makeup to showcase her youthful beauty.

Ladies in red: The actress turned heads in a red long-sleeved satin minidress, that showed off her incredible legs as she posed with former co-star Jacinta Stapleton

Stunning: Her blonde tresses were swept up in a bouncy ponytail, and she opted for a light palette of makeup to showcase her youthful beauty

Jacinta complemented her in another red dress, that boasted a plunging neckline to show off her ample cleavage.

She added a pair of glittery high heels, a silver bracelet and a diamond dangly earrings for a touch of sparkle.

Her blonde tresses were slicked back from her face and she completed her look with a classic red lip.

Soap star: The daughter of Jason Donovan, 22, played Harlow Robinson on the Aussie soap for three years before it was axed this year (pictured on Neighbours)

The award win comes after it was announced last week that Jemma has joined the cast of Hollyoaks.

The actress will be taking on the role of Rayne, an outgoing party girl and social media influencer.

The character will be moving to the village with her childhood best friend, as the pair are set to cause mischief with the younger residents of the Cheshire village.

Casting: The award win comes after it was announced last week that Jemma has joined the cast of Hollyoaks

Jemma gushed: 'I am thrilled to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be able to bring something unique and fun to a new role and I can't wait to be a part of the Hollyoaks family.'

Rayne and her pal will soon befriend the likes of Romeo (Owen Warner), Prince (Malique Thompson-Dwyer), and Yazz (Haiesha Mistry).

It comes after Amanda Holden said fans were stunned to find out Jemma was not her own as the pair filmed scenes for Neighbours together earlier this year.

She gushed: 'I am thrilled to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be able to bring something unique and fun to a role' (pictured with dad Jason)

Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda, 51, appeared in a guest role as Aunt Harriet in the now defunct soap, with playing her niece Harlow.

And Amanda, who is mother to daughters Alexa, 15, and Hollie, nine, claims onlookers were surprised to learn they were not related, with the star saying she and Jemma share 'quite high foreheads and little round faces'.

She said: 'The amount of times people stopped to ask, "Is that your daughter, Amanda?". We do look quite similar.

'We've both got kind of quite high foreheads and little round faces!

'She's just so cool and so sweet, and I know her dad, obviously, very well. I love him and the whole family, so it was just so brilliant to be part of it all. And just so camp!'

Shock: It comes after Amanda Holden said fans were stunned to find out Jemma was not her own as the pair filmed scenes for Neighbours together earlier this year

Jemma was reunited with her father Jason, 54, and grandfather Terrence when the three reprised their roles on the soap opera's finale in August.

Jason's appearance marked his first time on Ramsay Street since his character Scott Robinson moved to Brisbane in 1989.

His father, Breaker Morant star Terence Donovan, 79, also returned as his Doug Willis character one last time, a role he has played on and off since 1990.

Terence told the Herald Sun he loved the series because it helped many up-and-coming actors get their feet wet.

'It's done wonderful things to put a bit of Australia on the screens of the world,' he told the publication.

Family: Jemma was reunited with her father Jason, 54, and grandfather Terrence when the three reprised their roles on the soap opera's finale in August

'It's a good thing, and Jason and Kylie Minogue appreciate the opportunities that this show gave them,' he added.

The beleaguered soap opera faced an uncertain future following its cancellation by original network Channel 5, where it has spent the last 14 of its 37-years on British TV.

And Fremantle Media, the production company responsible for its development confirmed it would be taken off-air after an 'extensive search for alternative funding' was unsuccessful.

But in the 80s the show was unstoppable with Kylie and Jason's onscreen wedding as Scott and Charlene watched by two million Australians on July 1, 1987.
Cara Delevingne looked happy and healthy on Monday evening, as she attended the Fremantle Photocall as part of the MIPCOM 2022 in Cannes.

It marked the 30-year-old model's second red carpet appearance since she sparked concern for her mental health with a string of erratic public appearances last month.

Weeks earlier Cara broke cover to celebrate her Cara Loves Karl spring/summer 2023 capsule with luxury fashion house Karl Lagerfeld, which was previously helmed by the late designer.

During her latest public appearance she cut a very glamorous figure in a black minidress, that showed off her long legs and ample cleavage.

Looking good: Cara Delevingne looked happy and healthy on Monday evening, as she attended the Fremantle Photocall as part of the MIPCOM 2022 in Cannes

The strapless number boasted cutouts across the bust and midriff, to flash an extra glimpse of skin.

The actress added a few inches to her already impressively tall frame in a pair of black leather high heels.

She kept her jewellery simple to let her outfit do the talking, opting for a thin gold chain necklace.

Concerning: It marked the 30-year-old model's second red carpet appearance since she sparked concern for her mental health with a string of erratic public appearances last month

Second outing: Weeks earlier Cara broke cover to celebrate her Cara Loves Karl spring/summer 2023 capsule with luxury fashion house Karl Lagerfeld, which was previously helmed by the late designer

Sophisticated: She cut a very glamorous figure in a black minidress, that showed off her long legs and ample cleavage

Cara wore her caramel-coloured tresses in loose waves and cascading down her back.

She finished off her stunning look with a dusting of blush, smoky shimmery eyeshadow and a swipe of pink lipstick.

She was joined at the event by Brian Cox, who put on a very dashing display in a sharp checked suit.

Daring: The strapless number boasted cutouts across the bust and midriff, to flash an extra glimpse of skin

Previously: Cara brushed off the recent drama surrounding her erratic public appearances by smiling for the cameras at her Paris fashion launch in September

He added a navy-blue shirt and a matching navy tie with polka dots and sported a smart pair of brown shoes.

Also in attendance was Melissa George, who dazzled in a white sequinned gown, that glittered under the lights.

She elevated her height in a pair of black high heels and styled her long locks in bouncy waves.

Dazzling: She kept her jewellery simple to let her outfit do the talking, opting for a thin gold chain necklace

The event comes as Cara's wellbeing has been at the forefront of her friends and family's concern.

Claims have also circulated that her family are set to stage an intervention as a result of her erratic public appearances.

And Cara recently admitted that she is surprised that she reached the age of 30, after celebrating her birthday in Ibiza last month.

Stunning: Cara wore her caramel-coloured tresses in loose waves and cascading down her back

'Honestly, I didn't think I'd be alive at this age,' the model admitted to Stylist.

'I literally couldn't wait to turn 30, because the 20s are f****** hard.

'You're basically still a teenager  but you're meant to be an adult and everyone's telling you this is the best time of your life.'

Flawless: She finished off her stunning look with a dusting of blush, smoky shimmery eyeshadow and a swipe of pink lipstick

Cara's friends and family are said to have become 'worried' about her after a string of erratic public appearances in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, Margot Robbie appeared upset just hours after leaving the home of her close friend Cara.

The Oscar-nominated star was seen struggling to contain her emotions after leaving a rented home in West Hollywood to travel to Los Angeles International airport around 5pm.

Dapper: She was joined at the event by Brian Cox, who put on a very dashing display in a sharp checked suit

Sharp: He added a navy-blue shirt and a matching navy tie with polka dots and sported a smart pair of brown shoes

Earlier, Margot, 32, had been spotted leaving Delevingne's $7m West Hollywood house on Monday around 1pm - two hours after Delevingne's socialite sister Poppy had also been seen exiting in a black SUV.

It's not clear if Cara was at home when Margot was there.

Cara's fans have voiced their worries after she was recently seen sitting alone in a parked car in Los Angeles, where she took drops of liquid from a pipette and smoked from what appeared to be a pipe. Her legs appeared to be bruised.

Incredible: Also in attendance was Melissa George, who dazzled in a white sequinned gown, that glittered under the lights

Sensational: She elevated her height in a pair of black high heels and styled her long locks in bouncy waves

She was then seen looking erratic and out of sorts at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles earlier in September.

It has been claimed that her family and friends are searching for ways to help the troubled former 'it girl'.

'We are all incredibly concerned. The situation has been building for a few weeks now, and Cara's family is involved,' a close friend told The Sun.

'There is talk of staging some kind of intervention and making sure Cara gets the help she may well need,' the person added.

'She has been burning the candle at both ends of late, and it's clearly taking its toll.'

Cara made another worrying appearance in Los Angeles, appearing disheveled and jittery prior to boarding Jay-Z's private jet.

According to DailyMail.com sources, the cover girl appeared unable to control her body movements at certain points as she was seen on the phone, bending over, dropping her phone, and walking around looking very jittery and as if she was unable to stop moving.

Recently, Cara also spent a few days at the Burning Man festival at Black Rock desert in Nevada.

Sources told MailOnline that she didn't eat or shower while at the event, which doesn't feature shower facilities or any food stalls.

Sisterly help: Cara's friends and family are searching for ways to help the troubled former 'it girl' amid claims her family is considering an intervention (Poppy and Cara pictured in 2019)

The source added that her sister Poppy 'has her back' and her friends and family are rallying around Cara after becoming 'worried' about her.

They said: 'She had just spent days in the desert, not eating all that much and she looked disheveled because she hadn't had time to scrub up yet.'

He went on: 'Her friends are worried about her generally after some erratic behaviour, but she has a good group around her. Her sister was at the festival with her. She wasn't alone and she has her back.'

The source continued: 'Burning Man isn't lined with burger vans like other festivals. You chuck everything you need in an RV and that's what you have to live on while you're there. Everything works on a swapping system.'
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker are marking the one year anniversary of their romantic engagement in Santa Barbara.

The couple, who have since tied the knot, became betrothed at the Rosewood Miramar on October 17, 2021.

Kourtney, 43, and Travis, 46, celebrated the special occasion with photos taken from their engagement day and wedding weekend in Italy.

She said yes! Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker are marking the one year anniversary of their romantic engagement in Santa Barbara

The reality star posted a carousel of images from their engagement day, with one capturing Travis down on one knee as he shared a smooch with Kourtney.

The couple were pictured celebrating their betrothal with an embrace and of course a kiss.

'October 17,' Kourtney captioned the post, along with a red heart emoji.

Meanwhile, Travis posted a snap of him helping Kourtney into a sexy black dress from their wedding weekend back in May.

That's amore! Meanwhile, Travis posted a snap of him helping Kourtney into a sexy black dress from their wedding weekend in Italy

He put a ring on it! Kourtney displayed her exquisite engagement ring as she celebrated their betrothal on the beach

The black-and-white photograph was captioned 'October 17'. Unlike Kourtney's post, he gave it a black heart emoji.

In the photo, Kourtney rested her gloved hands against a wall as her shirtless fiance fit her into her dress.

She wore a blue veil over her locks and strappy heels.

The image was taken in Italy and just one day before she said 'I do' for a third time to Travis.

Future Mr. and Mrs: The couple lovingly held hands as they posed beside a lavish display of roses

Feeling the love: 'October 17,' Kourtney captioned the post, along with a red heart emoji

Travis previously revealed the special meaning behind October 17 and why he specifically chose that date to propose to Kourtney.

'So the 17th is the first day we ever hung out. Like I told your mom, I've been madly in love with Kourtney forever,' Travis told Khloe Kardashian when revealing his proposal plans on the Hulu series The Kardashians.

'I believe she's my soulmate and I would like to propose to her on the day that I first was with her.'

Be mine! Kourtney kissed Travis as he asked for her hand in marriage

The couple went on to say 'I do' three times in 2022 - first in Las Vegas in a ceremony conducted without a marriage license, followed by an intimate affair at the Santa Barbara courthouse with Kourtney's grandmother Mary Jo in attendance.

They exchanged vows for a third and final time in Portofino, Italy in May in a lavish bash attended by friends and family.

The marriage marked Kourtney's first time tying the knot and a third for Travis, who had been married twice before. He shares son Landon Barker, 19, and daughter Alabama Barker, 16, with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler.

Kourtney, meanwhile, has sons Mason, 12, Reign, seven, and daughter Penelope, 10, with her former long-term partner Scott Disick.
An employee works on an ambulance at a workshop of a MPV production branch of Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp Ltd in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui province, on Feb 25, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua] According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China exported 1.91 million automobiles in the first eight months of 2022, 44.5 percent higher than in the same period last year. More importantly, the volume surpassed that of Germany, making China the second-largest automobile exporter behind Japan. In August alone, China exported 308,000 automobiles, a new high. China is taking an increasingly bigger share of the global automobile market. In 2002, China exported only 43,100 automobiles, while the world's total was 22.1 million. There are multiple reasons for that. In the short term, it is the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused a major crisis in the global supply chain, which resulted in a shortage of microchips that in turn caused a downturn in automobile manufacturing in Japan, Europe and the United States. China performed well in bringing the pandemic under control and so Chinese companies have had enormous opportunities in world markets. In the long term, there is the rise of new-energy vehicles, in which China has emerged as a major player. According to official data, China's new-energy vehicle exports grew from 223,000 in 2020 to 588,000 in 2021, while the number had already risen to 517,000 in the first eight months of the year. At the same time, the average price of automobile exported from China rose from $12,900 in 2018 to $16,400 in early 2022, to $18,900 in August this year. Behind the two trends is China's continued progress in automobile manufacturing and its complete industry chain. Which in turn has much to do with China's enlarged and constantly deepened opening-up policy. In 2018, China lifted foreign ownership restrictions on new energy vehicles; Foreign ownership restrictions on commercial vehicles was lifted in 2020. From Jan 1, the limits on foreign ventures' shares in Chinese automobile companies were removed, as was the restriction limiting a foreign company to a maximum of two joint ventures in China, according to the latest negative list. Which means that China's automobile industry is now open to the world, which has attracted quality companies from all over the world to cooperate with domestic companies and export their products to the world. In that process, China benefits, too, as it can sharpen R&D tools and improve the automobile industrial chain of the nation.
Rep. Lee Man-hee of the ruling People Power Party speaks at a parliamentary audit session held at the North Gyeongsang provincial government office in Andong, about 190 kilometers southeast of Seoul, Oct. 17. Yonhap



An average of more than 200 cases of crimes committed by those high on drugs have been reported annually over the past four years, a lawmaker said Monday.



The number of such crimes totaled 221 in 2018, 236 in 2019, 182 in 2020 and 230 last year, showing a yearly average of 217, Rep. Lee Man-hee of the ruling People Power Party said, citing police data.



By type, traffic offenses accounted for 216 cases, physical assault 87 and sexual assault 81 cases.



Nine cases were murder.



The data also showed the number of drug offenders increased from 8,887 in 2017 to 10,626 in 2021.



During the same period, the number of foreign nationals apprehended on drug charges more than doubled from 624 to 1,673.



Among foreign drug offenders, 44.4 percent were Thai, followed by 24.1 percent of Chinese and 10.1 percent of Vietnamese.



As of September this year, 9,422 people had been apprehended on drug charges, including 1,243 foreigners.



"Illegal drugs must be eradicated, as they can leave bruises on the users, their friends and families, and the community, and also lead to other crimes," Lee said, calling on authorities to come up with effective measures to respond to drug offenses. (Yonhap)


Carrie Bickmore will leave Channel 10 when she signs off from The Project next month, the network has confirmed.

'Yes, Carrie is leaving 10, but we hope to work with her again,' a Ten spokesperson told industry website TV Tonight.

Bickmore, 41, has been employed by the Paramount-owned TV station for 17 years, and spent 13 years at the helm of The Project.

Carrie Bickmore (pictured at the Logies on June 30, 2019) will leave Channel 10 when she signs off from The Project next month, the network has confirmed

The network also revealed Bickmore's final day on The Project will be November 30.

Rumours began swirling that Bickmore was leaving Channel 10 last week after a telling Instagram post by her co-host Peter Helliar.

Less than 24 hours after Bickmore announced her decision to leave The Project, her photo was removed from the 'hall of stars' at the network's Pyrmont headquarters.

Rumours began swirling that Bickmore was leaving Channel 10 last week after a telling Instagram post by her Project co-host Peter Helliar (pictured)

Helliar posted a photo of Bickmore standing in front of the empty poster frame where her promo photo was once on display.

'Wow. Channel 10 have reacted swiftly to Carrie's big farewell news!' he wrote.

Bickmore joined the network in 2006 as a contributor to variety show Rove Live.

Less than 24 hours after Bickmore announced her decision to leave The Project, her photo was removed from the 'hall of stars' at the network's Pyrmont headquarters

Bickmore, 41, has been employed by the Paramount-owned TV station for 17 years, and spent 13 years at the helm of The Project. (Pictured from L-R: original Project panellists Dave Hughes, Charlie Pickering and Bickmore)

She went on to appear on network flagships So You Think You Can Dance Australia, and The 7PM Project, which was renamed The Project in 2011.

It follows reports Channel 10 executives were taken by surprise when network golden girl Bickmore announced her departure from The Project.

Bickmore was apparently earning a whopping $1.1million per year to host the current affairs program for just three nights a week between 2021 and 2022, making her a higher earner than top-tier stars at Seven and Nine.

It follows reports Channel 10 executives were taken by surprise when network golden girl Bickmore announced her departure from The Project

Ten bosses were 'caught off guard' when Bickmore threw in the towel, as they were under the impression Bickmore was satisfied with her lucrative part-time gig, reports The Australian.

Bickmore's salary is said to be so generous that it places her among the highest-paid TV talent in Australia.

She reportedly earns more than David 'Kochie' Koch, who is paid about $800,000 a year to host Channel Seven's Sunrise four days a week, as well as his full-time co-anchor Natalie Barr.

Bickmore was apparently earning a whopping $1.1million per year to host the current affairs program for just three nights a week between 2021 and 2022

Bickmore also makes more per year than Tracy Grimshaw, the long-serving host of Channel Nine's A Current Affair, sources tell Media Diary.

The Gold Logie winner's salary was revealed thanks to a leaked internal memo.

'Diary is assured that details of that particular draft contract got out when it was accidentally sent to another Ten department during Bickmore's last round of contract negotiations,' the report states.

She reportedly earns more than David Koch (pictured), who is paid about $800,000 a year to host Channel Seven's Sunrise four days a week, as well as his full-time co-anchor Natalie Barr

Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl that Bickmore is being primed to take the helm at 2Day FM's Sydney breakfast show.

Speculation has been rife regarding where Bickmore will go next, with some insiders saying she's primed to host A Current Affair or could even be replacing Allison Langdon on Nine's Today show.

However, television industry veteran Robert McKnight believes Bickmore will instead take on a bigger role at the Hit Network.

Bickmore also makes more per year than Tracy Grimshaw (pictured), the long-serving host of Channel Nine's A Current Affair, sources tell Media Diary

'I don't think she's going to ACA. Channel Nine has been pretty emphatic that it will be someone promoted internally. Although things can change from day to day,' McKnight said on the TV Blackbox podcast.

The former Studio 10 executive producer believes Bickmore, who hosts the Hit Network's top-rating drive show with Tommy Little, has plenty of reasons to take over the breakfast slot from its current hosts Dave Hughes, Ed Kavalee and Erin Molan.

'We need to consider... [Bickmore is] earning, what, a million dollars for her afternoon [radio] show per year? The question is, is [Bickmore] priming to take over the Sydney breakfast radio show?' he said.

'[The current show is] rating like crap. I have already heard whispers she's being offered $2million a year to do the Sydney radio show with Tommy Little.'

'Television doesn't have the kind of money that radio does,' McKnight later added.

Television industry veteran Robert McKnight believes Bickmore's future lies at the helm of 2Day FM's Sydney breakfast show. She already hosts the Hit Network's top-rating drive show alongside Tommy Little (left) and is said to be earning a million dollars per year

Joining breakfast radio would also give the mother of three free time in the evenings to spend with her family, which is something Bickmore mentioned she was looking forward to in her resignation speech.

However, McKnight did note that Sydney listeners may struggle to connect with Bickmore, given that she is 'a very Melbourne personality'.

'But Carrie and Tommy have a really great show! It is really an enjoyable show in the afternoon,' he added.

However, McKnight did note that Sydney listeners may struggle to connect with Bickmore, given that she is 'a very Melbourne personality'

Hughesy, Ed and Erin took over 2Day FM's breakfast slot in January, but the show has failed to rise to the top of the ratings ladder.

The show reached an all-time ratings low in 2021, but has been clawing its way back and hit its highest-ever audience earlier this year.

Yet the program still remains at the bottom of the pack, trailing behind Nova's Fitzy & Wippa and KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

Joining breakfast radio would give the mother of three free time in the evenings to spend with her family, which is something she said she was looking forward to in her resignation speech

It comes after a Nine Network executive denied rumours Bickmore is joining the Today show following her announcement she is leaving Channel 10's The Project.

Industry sources said Bickmore, who has been linked to the Today gig on at least one other occasion, will take up the job in 2023 alongside Karl Stefanovic, while Allison Langdon is drafted to replace Grimshaw on A Current Affair.

But Steven Burling, Nine's Director of Morning Television, shut down these claims on Twitter, saying the proposed moves will not be happening.

Hughesy, Ed and Erin took over 2Day FM's breakfast slot in January, but has failed to rise to the top of the ratings ladder. (Pictured left to right: Dave Hughes, Ed Kavalee and Erin Molan)
Ferne McCann has broken her silence after leaked voice notes allegedly saw her brand Sam Faiers a 'fat c***' and 'narcissistic b**ch'.

Fresh from completing Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, the former TOWIE star, 32, revealed she had 'confronted difficulties in her life' during the experience.

Taking to Instagram on Monday to reflect on the show, she shared a snap taken in the Jordanian desert with fellow winners, AJ Pritchard, Calum Best and Maisie Smith.

'I've confronted difficulties in my life': Ferne McCann has broken her silence after leaked voice notes allegedly saw her brand Sam Faiers a 'fat c***' and 'narcissistic b**ch'

The reality star wrote: 'What a journey. Taking part in @sas_whodareswins was one of the most humbling and toughest things Ive ever done.

'I can honestly say its changed my life. The whole experience makes you look at every single part of yourself - your strengths, your weaknesses, your deepest fears.

'It taught me resilience, self acceptance and that every moment is an opportunity for change. Its given me the confidence to finally confront difficulties in my life, deal with them and move forward.

'I went in to the series to prove to myself I can be strong and I wanted to make Sunday proud. It was a major shock to the system!

Falling out: The former TOWIE star, 32, has been embroiled in an ongoing feud with Sam, 31, after audio footage was leaked which allegedly saw Ferne brand her pal a 'fat c***' (pictured together in 2019)

'Every day I cried for Sunday, every day I wanted to leave, my body ached and I missed home so much. But I had my personal reasons why I needed to stick it out.

'Yes I completed it and I passed but If SAS taught me anything, it taught me to take things step by step, push a little harder to the next morning, get through just to one more task.

'Moments will floor you, you will mess up but youve got to find that resilience & grit to pick yourself up and go again.

'Just when you think youve got it all figured out life will always throw something else up, and as the DS say, its about how you deal with it.

Opening up: Fresh from completing Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Ferne revealed she had 'confronted difficulties in her life' during the experience

Dream team: Taking to Instagram on Monday to reflect on the show, she shared a snap taken in the Jordanian desert with fellow winners, AJ Pritchard, Calum Best and Maisie Smith

'Speaking of the DS (and the serving SAS). They are some of the most incredible people Ive ever met.

'This was two weeks of my life, safe in the knowledge I was going back home. For them its real life, in some of the most dangerous, life threatening scenarios.

'I have the utmost respect for them and their bravery and Im hugely grateful to them for their service. @billingham22b @jason_carl_fox @remiadeleke @realrudyreyes

'Ive loved getting to know my fellow recruits. You all smashed it! Huge thanks to @channel4, the crew and @minnowfilms for looking after me and for giving me this opportunity.'

Triumphant: The reality star wrote: 'What a journey. Taking part in @sas_whodareswins was one of the most humbling and toughest things Ive ever done'

Ferne hit headlines just earlier this month after the audio footage was posted from an Instagram account.

Sam and Ferne, who starred alongside one another on The Only Way Is Essex, were friends for over 20 years before the drama.

Ferne has reportedly been left devastated by the leaked notes and 'can't stop crying' as she has received backlash from fans online after the audios appeared to show her calling Sam a 'fat c***'.

Social media friends: Sam has unfollowed Ferne on Instagram but Ferne is still following Sam

'Her thighs are so big and I looked really skinny today,' the message continued - cutting to other clips where allegedly describing Sam, Ferne said: 'Sort of girl that she is, she's just a narcissistic b**ch, she honestly won't care.'

The Instagram account wrote alongside the clip: '@FerneMcCann what a jealous bitter woman talking about your so called best friend @SamanthaFaiers who you have known for 20 years.

'As a friend you should be supporting your friends not running to other friends and slating them.'

The voice messages were allegedly sent by Ferne on WhatsApp to a friend in June, just a month after Sam had given birth to her third baby, Edward.

Voice clip: The voice messages were allegedly sent by Ferne on WhatsApp to a friend in June, just a month after Sam had given birth to her third baby, Edward (Sam pictured)

But sharing that Ferne 'doesn't know what to do next', a source to her explained: 'She is in a living nightmare and wants this to stop. People dont know all the facts. All eyes are on what could come out next on this Instagram account.'

'If those voice notes were made by Ferne then it is incredibly damaging. She is being seen as a bit toxic at the moment. No one can believe she would say such things.'

Sam has unfollowed Ferne on Instagram amid the drama, with her sister Billie reportedly calling her former co-star to find out the situation.

According to The Sun, Ferne has now reached out to Essex Police to see if they can locate the anonymous person behind an Instagram account that has been sharing the shocking voice notes.

Protective: Sam's mum Suzie recently dismissed recent claims that Sam and Ferne were 'feuding' and said the past few days have been very 'hurtful' and 'upsetting' (Suzie pictured with daughters Sam and Billie)

A source said: 'Ferne was visited by the police on Thursday night after having her life turned upside down by a fake account that has launched a malicious smear campaign against her.

'Officers spent a few hours with her and gave reassurances that they are prioritising this case, tracking the parties responsible.

'Having taken statements, the police are currently in the process of tracking the fake account's whereabouts. The Online Safety Bill was discussed as they clamp down on cyber crime.'

The voice messages also allegedly show Ferne taking a swipe at Sam's sister Billie, saying it was 'weird' that Billie decided to call her son Arthur - the name of Ferne's ex Arthur Collins, who she shares daughter Sunday with.

Arthur, 29, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty of carrying out a brutal acid attack in 2017. Ferne has raised Sunday as a single parent.

The voice note says: 'It feels so weird saying 'Arthur', I can't believe, it's like me having a little boy and calling him Greg, anyway, whatever.'

However, many fans have flocked to Ferne's defence, insisting everyone makes comments 'behind closed doors' and arguing that the row should be sorted in private.

Taking to social media, one fan said: 'Always two sides to every story. You just never know what goes on behind closed doors. Fact.'

Another wrote: 'I really disagree with this, however can't it be sorted privately, I recon Ferne will be in a very bad place over this, as much as she has done wrong, two wrongs don't make a right.'
Love Island Australia star Amelia Marni has clapped back at a troll who said she'd 'moved on quickly' from her ex-boyfriend Josh Moss.

The influencer, 26, posted photos on Instagram from her trip to Jervis Bay with her new boyfriend, whose name she has not revealed, last weekend.

While the post was flooded with positive comments, one person pointed out how Amelia hadn't wasted any time finding a replacement for her ex.

Love Island Australia star Amelia Marni (pictured) has clapped back at a troll who said she'd 'moved on quickly' from her ex-boyfriend Josh Moss

The influencer, 26, posted photos on Instagram from her trip to Jervis Bay with her new boyfriend, whose name she has not revealed, last weekend

Amelia replied: 'And you judged a person you haven't met quickly.'

The troll said there was 'no hate' and she was 'just making an observation', which prompted Amelia to comment: 'If only she was focusing on her happiness and goals and not judging other people's happiness.'

Amelia split from Josh in May after a four-year relationship.

She revealed in September she was seeing someone new, but has not yet revealed the name or face of her mystery boyfriend.

While the post was flooded with positive comments, one person pointed out how Amelia hadn't wasted any time finding a replacement for her ex

Last month, she shared a photo to Instagram of herself holding a man's hand after a fan asked her during a Q&A if she was seeing anybody.

While she didn't reveal his name or face, the black-and-white photo suggested the pair were dating as both their legs were intertwined.

The picture may have been taken during Amelia's recent trip to Mykonos, where she shared countless sizzling snaps but didn't reveal a mystery beau.

She appears to be adjusting well to life after calling it quits with Josh, 29, whom she dated for about four years.

Last month, the 26-year-old influencer shared a photo to Instagram of herself holding a man's hand after a fan asked her during a Q&A if she was seeing anybody

Following their break-up, Amelia announced she would be relocating from Australia to Europe for several months.

She hinted a 'casual move' was on the cards, but returned to Australia in mid-August.

'So, in two weeks, I'm gonna go to Mykonos for, like, 10 days,' she said in June.

Amelia shared stunning snaps from her trip to Jervis Bay, showing off her enviable curves in a tiny string bikini

'Who knows, I'm very sporadic, I'm very spontaneous at the moment.'

Amelia and Josh started dating as contestants on season one of Love Island Australia in 2018.

They mutually ended their relationship in May, after it was reported the pair had been 'unhappy' for months.
Dorit Kemsley and her husband Paul 'PK' Kemsley put Erika Jayne on blast after she called them the next Bravolebrity couple set to call it quits.

PK advised Erika to 'stop thinking' after she predicted their separation at BravoCon over the weekend in a scathing post shared to his Instagram on Monday.

'Erika Jayne thought her husband was innocent. She thought the ankle is more important than the brain,' he wrote. 'She thought she should keep the earrings. Now She thinks Dorit and I are next to Split up .

'Stop thinking!' Dorit Kemsley and her husband PK Kemsley slammed Erika Jayne after she called them the next Bravolebrity couple to call it quits

'Heres a quick bit of management advice  stop thinking! #rhobh.'

The dig referenced Erika's legal troubles with her estranged husband, the disgraced lawyer Tom Girardi, who has been accused of embezzlement.

Dorit also called out Erika on Instagram after a fan account posted video of Jayne speculating on their split.

'Misery loves company. What else can [I] say,' she posted, along with a shrug emoji. 'Our friends, those that truly know us, know what we have and who we are.'

She went there! Jaws were dropped when Erika named her friends Dorit and PK as the next 'Bravolebrity relationship headed to Splitsville' at BravoCon

Jaws were dropped when Erika named her friends Dorit and PK as the next 'Bravolebrity relationship headed to Splitsville' at BravoCon.

'I don't want to answer this question because I feel bad,' Erika first said before eventually naming Dorit and PK, according to Page Six.

'Dorit and PK,' she said defiantly, prompting the crowd to erupt in shock.

Happy together: 'Our friends, those that truly know us, know what we have and who we are,' Dorit posted to Instagram in response to Erika's comments; Dorit and PK pictured

Dorit and PK tied the knot in 2015 and have son Jagger, eight, and daughter Phoenix, six, together.

Erika, meanwhile, has been embroiled in legal drama for the last few years in connection with her estranged husband Tom Girardi.

Jayne has repeatedly defended herself and denied knowledge of Girardi's potential wrongdoings yet has still been roped into the legal drama.

Legal battle: Erika, meanwhile, has been embroiled in legal drama for the last few years in connection with her estranged husband Tom Girardi

In June, a judge ordered Jayne to turn in a pair of $750,000 diamond earrings after a court determined they were bought with money stolen by her estranged husband. An auction house is now preparing to sell off the accessories.

On Friday, the star spoke to Us Weekly at BravoCon saying her diamonds are not up for auction, 'they're on appeal.

'We'll see what happens,' she added.
Devon Windsor has taken her family to the happiest place on earth: Disney World in Florida.

On Sunday the 28-year-old Victoria's Secret alum shared several images from the amusement park where she posed with her husband Johnny Barbara and daughter Enzo Elodie Barbara, age one.

'Zo does Disney!' wrote the blonde bombshell in her Instagram caption.

Party of three: Devon Windsor has taken her family to the happiest place on earth: Disney World in Florida

With mommy: On Sunday the 28-year-old Victoria's Secret alum shared several images from the amusement park

The family was seen posing with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in a little home.

And dad was photographed riding a Dr Seuss themed carousel with his dark-haired daughter.

There was also an image of the toddler - who turned one in September - standing in front of the pink and purple castle situated in Fantasyland.

The child had on a pink ombre Dior T-shirt and matching striped shorts with white sneakers.

Baby with mouse ears: Here the child is seen with Mickey and Minnie Mouse

Magic everywhere: 'Zo does Disney!' wrote the blonde bombshell in her Instagram caption

Mom Devon wore a black T-shirt and went with unfussy hair as she added black Minnie Mouse ears.

She is usually showing off her toned body on Instagram in various bikinis she designed.

The star has her own eponymous swimwear company that debuted in 2019.

Round and round we go: Barbara held on to his daughter Enzo Elodie Barbara

Near the Mulberry Street Store: Dad waved as Enzo modeled a little white outfit

Daddy gave her a ride: Here Enzo was on dad's shoulders as they walked through the park

Windsor and her husband Barbara welcomed Enzo Elodie into their family on September 8, 2021 with the new mom posting it was the best day of her life.

The runway regular shared her baby bump throughout her pregnancy.

Now the star has been focusing on staying in shape. Just over a year post-partum, the burgeoning business woman seems to have proven she can manage a work-life balance.

Golden girl: Windsor attended the FLANNELS x LaQuan Smith Paris Fashion Week dinner at Restaurant Laperouse on September 30 in Paris

Devon is also focusing on her swimwear line. Last year she told E! News she pours her heart into the looks.

'My goal is to always be unique,' said the blonde beauty.

'I do not want to be just another average resort line. I choose prints and silhouettes that I am not only drawn too, and can envision on many types of women, but also ones that I personally haven't seen before in the swim market!

'My goal is to make women feel confident and special in my styles.'
June 2021: A rocky island romance

Toby entered the Love Island villa during it's seventh season as one of the original contestants, before Chloe later made her entrance as one of the first bombshells

Originally coupled up wit co-star Kaz Kamwi, Toby quickly had his head turned as he showed interest in Chloe - sneaking a kiss from the blonde beauty on the terrace as they began a romance.

The pair went through a rocky relationhip during the show, with his head being turned by both Abigail Rawlings and Mary Bedford, but eventually they found their way back to each other

Turbulent: The pair went through a rocky relationhip during rhe show, with his hea being turned by both Abigail Rawlings and Mary Bedford, but eventually they found their way back to each other

August 2021: Making things official

Despite the turbulent journey, Chloe and Toby turned things around to become fan favourites as they made it all the way to the final - finishing as runners up to Millie Court and Liam Reardon

But before walking away with the second place title, Toby asked Chloe to be his girlfriend with a sweet speech during their final declarations

Gushing over the blonde beauty, Toby said: 'I'm not the best with words but for you Chlo, I'm willing to try. While I read this declaration of love with those piercing blue eyes watching me, I know that if I look up I might lose all composure! Chloe - will you be my girlfriend?'

Official: Before walking away with the second place title, Toby asked Chloe to be his girlfriend with a sweet speech during their final declarations

November 2021: Moving in together

Their romance appeared to be moving from strength to strength following Love Island, as Toby and Chloe announced that were moving in together - renting a 1million pad in Essex

At the time, a source told MailOnline: 'This is the first time Toby has lived away from home and with a girlfriend, so it's a big step for him and them both as a couple.

'Cheers to us finally moving in': Toby and Chloe announced that were moving in together in November - renting a 1million pad in Essex

April 2022: Rift rumours



The pair were hit with a wave of breakup rumours back in April, with many saying that they 'didn't have time for one another' due to their conflicting work schedules

Conflict? The pair were hit with a wave of breakup rumours back in April, with many saying that they 'didn't have time for one another' due to their conflicting work schedules

May 2022: First holiday together

But squashing the break-up rumour mill, they jetted off to Jamaica in May as they enjoyed their first holiday together, showing fans they were stronger than ever while sharing a slew of snaps from the getaway

Filming a short clip as they walked through the airport at Montego Bay, Chloe squealed: 'We made it!'

Holiday time: they jetted off to Jamaica in May as they enjoyed their first holiday together

August 2022: Happy 1 year!

Chloe and Toby celebrate their one year anniversary, as the latter shares a sweet post and pens: 'Time flies when youre having fun! Happy 1 year anniversary'

Time flies: Chloe and Toby celebrate their one year anniversary, as the latter shares a sweet post and pens: 'Time flies when youre having fun! Happy 1 year anniversary'

September 2022: Birthday wishes

Toby dedicated a post to Chloe on her birthday just last month, captioning a selfie of them on holiday: '27 years around the sun. Happy Birthday to the second pea in my pod'

27! Chloe celebrates her birthday in style with statement balloons

Pea to my pod: While Toby pens a sweet tribute to the blonde beauty

October 2022: Girls trip

Chloe jets off to Marrakesh with pal Millie for a girls' holiday, with reports that she's escaping relationship woes after having a tough time with Toby

'The best friend I've ever had': Chloe jetted off to Morocco last week to escape her breakup woes with former co-star Millie Court, who's been supporting her during the tough time

October 17 2022: It's all over as Chloe and Toby have 'grown apart'

A source told MailOnline that Chloe and Toby, 23, are still living at their Essex home but are making arrangements to go their separate ways after a difficult few months of trying to make the relationship work.

'Chloe and Toby put everything into their relationship  but it just hasn't worked out between them', a source explained.

'There's been no wrongdoing, they have simply grown apart, and over time realised it's better for them both to split.

'Naturally, Chloe has found the breakup difficult but being able to spend time abroad with Millie has given her the space she needed to start moving on.'
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The prosecution logo is seen on the window of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul, Oct. 13. The prosecution is under increasing pressure to investigate former President Moon Jae-in as questions emerge over who ordered the deletion of intelligence reports giving an important clue to how the fisheries official ended up in North Korea's waters, where he was shot dead two years ago. Newsis



Questions arise over who ordered deletion of fisheries official intelligence reports



By Jung Min-ho



The prosecution is under increasing pressure to investigate former President Moon Jae-in as questions emerge over who ordered the deletion of intelligence reports potentially containing clues as to how the fisheries official ended up in North Korea's waters, where he was shot dead two years ago.



One of the key findings announced last week by the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) was that the official was wearing a life jacket emblazoned with Chinese letters  a product that cannot be found in the South Korean market. This information debunks the very basis on which the Defense Ministry argued that he, unlike other officials, was wearing a life jacket while on duty on a fishery inspection boat before jumping into the sea to defect to North Korea. Also, none of the life jackets on that boat were missing.



Yet, such critical information was deliberately omitted from official reports in a coordinated effort to frame him as a defector, which prompted former Defense Minister Suh Wook and former National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won to unlawfully remove intelligence documents from the case, according to the state auditor.



Ruling party lawmakers believe that such a coordinated move would have been impossible without former President Moon Jae-in's direct order and are calling on the prosecution to investigate him.





Kim Haeng, center, a member of the People Power Party's emergency measure committee / Newsis
Residents of Uijeongbu stage a massive protest rally ahead of Kim Geun-sik's planned move to a rehabilitation facility in their city, Oct. 16. Yonhap



A child rapist serving a 15-year prison term for assaulting 11 girls in 2006 has been rearrested on an additional charge a day before his discharge and is expected to face another prison term as heavy as seven years, officials said Monday.



The Anyang office of the Suwon District Court on Sunday issued an arrest warrant for Kim Geun-sik, 54, on a charge that he sexually abused a 13-year-old girl in 2006.



The arrest warrant was issued one day before Kim was to be discharged from prison after serving a 15-year term for raping 11 underage women between May and September 2006 in the greater Seoul area. Earlier that May, he was discharged from prison following a five-year imprisonment over rape and violence charges.



The latest victim reportedly filed a complaint against Kim in December 2020 after hearing about his serial sexual crimes via media reports.



The arrest of Kim put an end to fierce protests by residents of Uijeongbu, a city north of Seoul, where Kim was scheduled to enter a rehabilitation facility for former prisoners.



A court had prohibited Kim from contacting any women aged below 19 or going out after 10 p.m. after being released, but the city of Uijeongbu protested fiercely, threatening to close off the roads leading to the rehabilitation facility on the day of Kim's release.



Residents of Incheon, Goyang, Paju and other cities where Kim raped or molested underage women had also been edgy about Kim's release, posing a headache to law enforcers about where and how to house the widely feared child rapist.



Kim is denying the additional sexual abuse charge, and how long he will be imprisoned if he is additionally convicted is beyond anyone's guess.



Currently, those convicted with sexual abuse are given a sentence between three and seven years if there are multiple victims or the crimes are repetitive.



"In the upcoming trial, Kim is likely to face a heavily punitive sentence as there had been criticism that his previous 15-year sentence was too lenient," a prosecutor-turned-lawyer told Yonhap News Agency. "The sentence will be more than one or two years if he is convicted."



Another lawyer well-versed in sexual crimes also argued the country should come up with social measures to handle the return of heinous criminals to society after incarceration, such as Kim Geun-sik.



"This issue should serve as an important point to start a debate about how to handle issues like this in the future," lawyer Lee Eun-eui said. (Yonhap)


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For Release: Monday, October 17, 2022

DEC Celebrates Success of Croton River Invasive Species Control Project

Croton River Treated and Monitored for Invasive Hydrilla for Six Seasons, No Hydrilla Found in 2022

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the successful completion of a long-term treatment of the aquatic invasive plant Hydrilla verticillata in the Croton River. Federally listed and State prohibited hydrilla was first discovered in the Croton River in 2013. Nine years later, no hydrilla was found thanks to an intensive DEC control project.

"The Croton River Hydrilla Control Project was the first large-scale aquatic invasive plant control effort managed by DEC," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "Hydrilla grows and spreads quickly and can be one of the most difficult aquatic invasive plants to control. Infestations can have negative impacts on recreation and tourism and pose severe consequences for aquatic ecosystems. DEC is proud of the success of these treatments and grateful to our partners for their work to protect the Croton and Hudson rivers from hydrilla."

The Croton River is a large and direct tributary to the Hudson River. It is an important recreational fishery, popular destination for swimming and paddling, and the source of drinking water for the village of Croton.

Hydrilla is a federally listed noxious weed and a prohibited plant under State invasive species regulations. It can rapidly spread and form dense mats of vegetation that impact access to the river and displace native plants and animals that would typically use the river for food and shelter. In addition, decomposition of hydrilla biomass can impact drinking water quality.

Over several years, DEC engaged in extensive planning for this eradication project, including stakeholder meetings, pilot studies, and extensive aquatic plant surveying which culminated in the development of a five-year management plan of hydrilla in the Croton River. This effort has proven successful in preserving the Croton River and its uses, as well as protecting the Hudson River Estuary and its unique habitats.

Beginning in 2017, the project used aquatic herbicide to treat and control hydrilla. Prior to treatment, hydrilla was found at 190 of 446 aquatic plant survey points within the Croton River. In 2022, no hydrilla was found at any of these same 446 survey points. The control project also surveyed and documented that no hydrilla has been found in the Hudson River. In total, hydrilla in the Croton River has been treated and monitored for six seasons and with key collaboration by the village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), Riverkeeper, and Westchester County Parks. DEC will continue to monitor the river for an additional three years starting in 2023.

DEC invested a total of more than $3.5 million from the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for the multi-year project. The EPF is a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. Among the many environmental victories in the 2022-23 State Budget (leaves DEC website), Governor Hochul succeeded in increasing the EPF from $300 to $400 million, the highest-ever level of funding in the program's history. This year, the EPF has $17 million dedicated to invasives species management in New York State.

To learn more about the Croton River Hydrilla Control Project, visit DEC's project webpage. Simple steps to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species can be found on DEC's website. For more information about hydrilla, visit DEC's website.
Chun-yu would let the hotel employees know he was expecting a courier while checking in. He would then move to his apartment after he had received the package.  Representational Image/DC

Hyderabad: Taiwanese national Chu Chun-yu, the kingpin of the Rs 903 crore investment fraud, who was apprehended by the Hyderabad police recently, used to operate out of a five-star hotel in Mumbai's affluent Powai neighbourhood.

Despite renting an apartment, he never met with his agents there. Instead, he held meetings with them in the hotel in Mumbai. He would obtain the SIM cards and bank account information of account users via courier, Hyderabad police said.

Chun-yu was entrusted with gathering the SIM cards for the mobile numbers connected to the bank accounts as well as the bank account numbers and couriering them to Cambodia. His Chinese-based handler Huan Zhuan would instruct him to wait in the hotel for a day or two whenever he needed to receive the material.

Chun-yu would let the hotel employees know he was expecting a courier while checking in. He would then move to his apartment after he had received the package.

Later, he would package the SIM cards and the slips with bank account information before sending them to Cambodia via courier. The SIM cards were hidden in the mobile phone earphones case, and the bank information was put on little slips to avoid being seen or tracked during transport.

Investigators discovered that he was shipping them under the guise of sending ear buds to Cambodia, investigators revealed. The SIM cards and bank account details were utilised by his handlers for online banking activities because the accounts were used by the fraudsters to receive money from victims around the nation, according to the investigators.
Pawan Kalyan meets JSP activists after they were released on bail Pawan Kalyan meets the JSP activists at Novotel Hotel after they were released on bail in Visakhapatnam. (Photo By Arrangement)

Visakhapatnam: Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has met the Jana Sena leaders who were granted bail on Monday here before leaving for Hyderabad.

The Visakhapatnam police had arrested 70 party leaders in connection with the attacks on YSRC leaders and vehicles of ministers on October 15.

While 61 leaders were released on Monday morning, the remaining 9 others will be granted bail by afternoon, according to Jana Sena spokesperson.

One of the leaders who was released on a bail, Dr Vishwaksen Syed (@DrVishwaksenJSP) tweeted, "After 36 hours of Police Drama, I was released on bail today.

Thanks to President @PawanKalyan garu , @mnadendla garu, @NagaBabuOffl garu, JSP legal team, and Janasainiks for the concern and support. (Sic)"

The Vizag police on Sunday night produced the arrested men before the VIIth Metropolitan Magistrate. Sixty-one of them were granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 10,000 each. The remaining nine others were sent to judicial custody till October 28.

The section 307 (attempt to murder) booked against nine leaders was altered to 326 (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means).
According to sources, 2,134 shop owners have failed to pay rent out of 2,152 shops. (Representational Image/DC)

HYDERABAD: The GHMC has lost Rs 300 crore in rents due to 99 per cent of shop owners and almost all 19 commercial complexes failing to pay annual lease, besides very small amounts collected as rent. According to sources, 2,134 shop owners have failed to pay rent out of 2,152 shops.

According to the official data, the corporation has built 21 market complexes, totalling 2,152 shops, including five vegetable markets, seven meat markets, seven mixed markets and others. According to the corporation's officials, the total annual demand was Rs 1.91 crore, based on the market value determined by the registration department in accordance with GO NO 25 (dated January 31, 2018).

Authorities informed that the auction and eviction were decentralised on November 7, 2015. The GHMC said notices had been issued to the 2,134 units that were evading rent.

The GHMC found that 716 shops in the 19 commercial complexes have not paid any rent amounts over the years. Showcause notices had been issued to deputy commissioners for failing to collect the rent. The corporation has failed to collect rents from its 37 model markets, 11 of which are located in the LB Nagar zone, six in Charminar, four in Khairatabad, five in the Serilingampally, eight in Kukatpally, and three in the Secunderabad Zone.

The model markets have 589 shops of which 104 are occupied, 60 are under agreement. Officials claimed that 100 percent occupancy is not possible because model markets are built at non-feasible locations.

According to sources, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The GHMC is still unaware of properties and lands that were leased decades ago. The corporation has been collecting rents from records stored in just one almarah out of a total of 24. Some private individuals took advantage and used the land and properties for commercial purposes.

Officials have not made field visits to protect GHMC's properties. For example, the GHMC gave more than 18 acres for 99-year lease to build the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) in 1988 and has not collected any rent. The corporation has granted permission to build toilets, hotels, and dormitories in accordance with the lease agreement.

However, in violation of the agreement, the TSRTC has sub-let commercial establishments to private individuals, ATMs and other. Sources claimed that the TSRTC owed the corporation Rs 100 crore since 2008, despite generating Rs 5 crore in monthly revenue through sub leases.

A senior GHMC official who requested anonymity told Deccan Chronicle that the corporation's revenues had been impacted by the inaction of the field staff. According to the official, most leased properties' rents were set more than 25 years ago, and some even more than five decades ago.

According to him, the corporation's demand under the old rates was `50 crore per year, and if rents were collected at the current rate the civic body could generate Rs 300 crore per year.

Headline: Where are the rents?

Rs 300 crore: Total outstanding rents

Shops

>>> 2,152 rented out by GHMC

>>> 2,134 failed to pay rent

>>> 716 shops in 19 commercial complexes not paying rent

>>> 18 acres of land GHMC leased to Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS), has not collected rent

37: Total number of model markets

11 in LB Nagar zone

6 in Charminar Zone

4 in Khairatabad Zone

5 in Serilingampally Zone

8 in Kukatpally Zone

3 in Secunderabad Zone.

TSRTC

Rs 100 crore outstanding rents to GHMC since 2008
IT minister Gudivada Amarnathsaid that Kalyan's agenda was only three marriages but not three capitals.  Twitter

Visakhapatnam: Actor-turned politician Pawan Kalyan's three marriages were once again highlighted by rival parties in Visakhapatnam, where he was not allowed to hold his party's Janavani, a public grievance redressal programme, on Sunday.

YSRC leaders including IT minister Gudivada Amarnath said that Kalyan's agenda was only three marriages but not three capitals.

Speaking at a press conference, Kalyan said, I have married thrice. According to the YSRC leaders logic, I have to ask for three capitals in the places where my wives hail from. Besides, people are talking about my personal life and wives. Maybe they are jealous about it. Leaders who are commenting about my marriages can have three marriages after their divorce if they want."

Responding to a reporter's question, Kalyan said that he had learned acting in Mumbai and asked if the AP capital should be set up in Mumbai for this reason. He asked YSRC leaders not to make illogical statements.
We established a polling booth at Kurnool district Congress office and made all necessary arrangements for a free and fair polling, APCC president Dr.Sailajanath told DC.  DC File Image

VIJAYAWADA/ANANTAPUR: The APCC delegates from 26 districts were all set to head for Kurnool and cast their votes in the Congress presidential poll on Monday. Kurnool DCC office has made arrangements for the polling. Counting will be done on October 19 and the results declared the same day.

Delegates from Krishna, Guntur, NTR, Eluru, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Godavari, Prakasam, Nellore, Chittoor etc would participate in the voting process in Kurnool. Party sources said some leaders were in Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Padayatra and they would reach Kurnool on Sunday night.

Several delegates for the voting from other areas have arrived. The rest of Congress delegates will reach Kurnool by Monday morning to cast their votes.

Recently, Mallikarjuna Kharge contesting the presidential poll visited Andhra Ratna Bhavan, the AP Congress headquarters in Vijayawada along with senior leaders including KVP Ramachandra Rao and conducted a campaign, seeking support to Kharge from the delegates. According to party sources, the other presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor also contacted AP Congress leaders and sought their support for him.

Around 350 APCC delegates across the state have votes. "We established a polling booth at Kurnool district Congress office and made all necessary arrangements for a free and fair polling," APCC president Dr.Sailajanath told DC.

Former chief minister Damodaram Sajeevaiah was elected as the AICC chief and worked between 1962-64 and again won the post in 1971 and served as AICC president for a year.
Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam Airport police booked cases under various sections including 307 IPC against 28 leaders of the Jana Sena party. This apart, hundreds of people were rounded up for their alleged involvement in the attack on the ministers at the airport on Saturday evening.

Additional sections were added against Jana Sena leader PLN Murthy, who spearheaded movement against land scams in Visakhapatnam including Daspalla. The police also visited his house at Sivajipalem and questioned his family members.

The police filed two separate cases -- one for the attack on an assistant of minister RK Roja and the other for the attack on police personnel on the bandobast duty at the airport.

A senior police official said on Sunday evening that M Dileep Kumar of Visakhapatnam, personal assistant to minister RK Roja filed a complaint on Saturday evening. The assistant said when he reached the airport, around 200 to 300 Jana Sena workers on instructions from their leader Pawan Kalyan waylaid their vehicles and attacked them with sticks and iron rods. Their intention was to kill minister Roja, he said.

He said that by raising slogans against the YSRC leaders, the mob caused injuries to some people. While he stood guard to the minister, some men threw a dustbin lid at him, which caused a bleeding injury. He was immediately taken to a private hospital and given first aid, the complainant said.

Thereafter, he went to the police station and lodged a complaint against 28 persons whom he said he could recognize as the attackers.

In the second complaint, Pendurthi circle inspector B Nageswara Rao said while on bandobast at the arrival gate, he and his colleagues were attacked by a mob of 300 people with flag-sticks, causing injuries to the police personnel. They raised slogans against the YSRC leaders and then left the place, the complaint said.
New Delhi: Calling on electors to show courage to "embrace change", Congress' presidential polls candidate Shashi Tharoor on Sunday asserted that in the change he envisions, the party's "values and loyalties" will remain the same with only the ways of achieving the goals undergoing a transformation.

In his "last appeal" to the over 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates who constitute the electoral college to pick the next AICC chief, Tharoor noted that from his conversations over the last few days he gathered that many of them may have concerns or hesitation about change.

While Tharoor has pitched himself as the candidate of change, Kharge is considered the favourite and the 'unofficial official candidate' with a large number of senior leaders backing him.

"It is natural to have concerns about change in any organisation of the scale and size like ours, that's why I want to address this directly," Tharoor said in his video appeal which he posted on Twitter.

"In the conversations that we had in the last few days, I gather that many of you have not still made up your minds (on who to vote for). I recognise that while my message of decentralisation, modernisation and inclusivity may appeal to you, you still have concerns and hesitation about change," he said.

The Congress has endured as an important force in Indian politics because time and and time again when the situation demanded, it was willing to embrace change, Tharoor said and cited the examples of the 1991 economic liberalisation, generational change effected with Rajiv Gandhi being brought about after losing a tall leader like Indira Gandhi and the green revolution in the 1960s and 70s.

Many people would notice that due to these changes the party was strengthened, he said, underlining that change is not easy and it is dicomforting to adopt.

"Now for many, embrace of the new also seems to imply a rebuke of the old. I want to clarify in no uncertain terms that the change I envision is one that combines the wisdom of the old and the energy of the new," Tharoor said. "Our values and loyalties will remain the same and yet the ways in which we seek to achieve our shared goals will need to change".

He said the thing that is most needed for this change is courage.

It does not matter who becomes president but what matters is that does the Congress and its workers have the courage to embrace change, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said.

"Whatever the outcome may be, I believe every vote for me provides a signal, not just to the party but to the country, that the Congress is willing to change and is willing to do whatever is needed to reinvigorate ourselves and take on the divisive forces of the BJP," he said. "All party workers and citizens of the country are waiting for your answer."

"I still remain optimistic because I believe that courage is at the very core of the Congress, our predecessors took on an empire, took on the forces of hate, oppression and division, and they won. They won because the soul of the Congress was built on millions of acts of courage not just by leaders but by Congress workers just like each one of us today. I believe that legacy endures in you even today," Tharoor said.

"When you stand in that booth with your secret ballot there is no other force there with you except your own conscience and your own courage. I hope we will exercise not just our vote but also our legacy of our courage," he added.

In his message to the delegates, Tharoor also said Monday morning they are all are going to do something historic and as a faithful Congress person, probably it would be for the first time they will vote for the post of the party president.

"I hope you would be knowing about the 10 points of my manifesto. You know that I want to bring about decentralisation, modernisation in the party and my dream is to make it more inclusive," he said.

With Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra not in the running for the party president's post, a non-Gandhi would be at the helm after over 24 years following the polling on Monday and counting on Wednesday.

The upcoming polls would certainly be historic as the new president would replace Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving party president who has been at the helm since 1998, barring the two years between 2017 and 2019 when Rahul Gandhi took over.
A user cannot send pictures on Kakaotalk after a fire at the company's data center disrupted the messaging app and other Kakao services, Oct. 16. Korea Times file



Kakao, the operator of Korea's dominant messaging app KakaoTalk, said Monday that it is working for a full recovery of its services disrupted by a fire at a data center over the weekend.



"Most functions of KakaoTalk and other Kakao services are being normalized," an official from Kakao said. "Some of the less popular services are still unavailable, but we're working on them"



Nearly all online services provided by Kakao, including KakaoTalk, suffered a massive malfunction from Saturday afternoon due to a fire at SK CC located in Pangyo, just south of Seoul.



SK CC houses the data centers for Kakao and Naver, Korea's two major tech giants.




Criticising the stand Chandrababu Naidu took on the airport incidents, Botsa said it was curious that the former CM did not condemn the attacks on state ministers.  DC File Image

Visakhapatnam: Education Minister Botsa Satyanarayana has come out strongly against the Jana Sena for the incidents here since Saturday and said actor Pawan Kalyans outfit does not have a political character.

Addressing the media, the minister urged the people to teach a lesson to the parties that have betrayed north Andhra by opposing the decentralization plan of the YSRC government.

Jana Sena is not a political party. It has no ideology and no policy. Pawan Kalyan should react to these incidents and speak the truth. He does not have such principles, Botsa said.

He said Pawan Kalyan should make clear why he was opposing chief minister Jagans capital plans.

While the Visakha Garjana was going on, the party held a round-table meeting against the three capitals plan.

Criticising the stand Chandrababu Naidu took on the airport incidents, Botsa said it was curious that the former CM did not condemn the attacks on state ministers.

The Jana Sena and TDP cannot play their games any more against the people of north coastal AP. The parties opposing the three capitals will be our enemies, Satyanarayana told the media.

Overwhelmed by the success of the Visakha Garjana, the minister said the meeting was a warning to those opposing the decentralization concept. The wishes of the people from north coastal Andhra, particularly from Visakhapatnam, were manifested in the meeting, he claimed.

Minister for Industries Gudivada Amarnath said the non-political JAC would soon intensify the demand for decentralization. An action plan would be chalked out.

The minister alleged that Pawan Kalyn came to Visakhapatnam with an agenda. He wanted to mislead the people against the Visakha Garjana. Soon after his arrival, his goons attacked the ministers who participated in the Garjana and were returning home.

Pawan Kalyan came with a package to target the north Andhra YSRC leaders and thrust the land scams on their heads. This Chandrababu-designed package has the support from a section of the media and some political parties, Amarnath said.
Police block the perimeter at the scene of Russian shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, after some explosions rocked Kyiv in the early morning. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

KYIV: Russian-launched "kamikaze drones" attacked Kyiv early Monday, the Ukrainian presidency said, describing the strikes as an act of desperation nearly eight months into a war that has claimed thousands of lives.

Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv shortly before the first explosion at around 6:35 am (0335), followed by sirens across most of the country.

"The capital was attacked by kamikaze drones," the president's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on social media.

"The Russians think it will help them, but it shows their desperation," he added.

"We need more air defence systems and as soon as possible. More weapons to defend the sky and destroy the enemy."

The attacks come exactly a week after Russia unleashed a massive wave of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital and cities across the country.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the drone attack had caused a fire and damaged several buildings in the central Shevchenkivsky district and warned residents to take shelter.

"Fire departments are working. Several residential buildings were damaged. Medics are on the spot," he said on Telegram.

"We are clarifying the information about the casualties."

The mayor also posted a picture of what he said was the charred wreckage of one of the kamikaze drones, loitering munitions that can hover while waiting for a target to attack.

'Iranian drones'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week said Iranian drones were used in Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian cities, although Tehran denies supplying Russia with weapons for the war.

On October 10, Russian missiles rained down on Kyiv and other cities in the biggest wave of strikes in months.

The attacks killed at least 19 people, wounded 105 others and sparked an international outcry.

Moscow carried out further strikes on October 11, though on a smaller scale, striking energy installations in western Ukraine far from the front.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strikes were in retaliation for an explosion that damaged a key bridge linking Russia to the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula.

Putin on Friday had expressed satisfaction and said there was no need for further massive strikes on Ukraine "for now".

The Russian president also claimed Moscow was "doing everything right" in its nearly eight-month invasion of Ukraine despite a string of embarrassing defeats.

In southern Ukraine, Kyiv's troops have been pushing closer and closer to Kherson, the main city in the region of the same name just north of Crimea.

Kherson is one of four regions in Ukraine that Moscow recently claimed to have annexed, and the city of Kherson was the first major city to fall after the Kremlin launched its invasion.

Washington on Friday announced fresh military assistance for Kyiv "in the wake of Russia's brutal missile attacks on civilians across Ukraine".

The new $725 million package included more ammunition for the Himars rocket systems that have been used by Ukraine to wreak havoc on Russian targets.

It brings the total US military assistance to Ukraine to $17.6 billion since the Russian invasion on February 24.
Fiji will host the prestigious World Hindi Conference for the first time next year to make the country a new launching pad to popularise Hindi as a global language, according to Indian High Commissioner to the South Pacific nation P S Kartigeyan.

The decision to host the World Hindi Conference in Fiji was jointly taken by the Indian and the Fijian government, The Fiji Times reported.

The three-day conference, which would be held in the Fijian city of Nadi and envisaged to promote Hindi globally, would see the participation of over 1,000 experts of the Indian language, including scholars, writers and laureates, the newspaper quoted Kartigeyan as saying.

Read | Fiji is new hotspot for Indian movies

"Fiji will host the prestigious World Hindi Conference for the first time next year. Im not at liberty to announce the dates though it has been finalised by both the governments. We hope that it will be formally announced very soon," he said.

Kartigeyan, who took over as the High Commissioner of the archipelago nation in January, 2021, said the event would be co-hosted by both the Indian and the Fijian governments.

"I can broadly indicate its going to happen sometime in the first quarter of next year and its being planned in Nadi and this event will be co-hosted by both the Government of India and Government of Fiji," he said.

Talking about the agenda of the event, he said that about 1,000 delegates from around the world will participate in the event. He said this included a good number of participants from Fiji but also from major Hindi speaking countries around the globe.

Its going to be a major event and this is the first time its happening in Fiji and the Southern Hemisphere," he said.

Hindi has a very special place in Fiji. It is one of the three official languages and Fiji-Hindi itself has a very unique history thanks to the girmit brothers and sisters who came here 130 years back. Karthigeyan also acknowledged the contribution of Fijian scholars in developing Hindi not just in Fiji, but across the world through the Fiji diaspora.

It is a unique opportunity to celebrate this relationship and the cultural link that we have with Fiji so we are excited and happy to host this prestigious event and we look forward to a successful event, he said.

According to the United Nations (2020), Fiji has a population of more than 896,000 and out of which over 30 per cent is of Indian-origin. Many Indians arrived in Fiji as indentured labour in the 19th century.
Matthew Sussex for 'The Conversation'

One of Vladimir Putins oft-quoted maxims is that sometimes it is necessary to be lonely to prove you are right. As his ill-fated invasion of Ukraine drags on, he seems to be heeding his own advice.

Putin looks increasingly isolated, not just on the world stage, but inside Russia as well. The longer the war goes on, the harder it will be for him to extricate himself with any credibility, either at home or abroad.

So where does he go from here?

Also Read  Defiant Putin says Russia 'doing everything right' in Ukraine

Dwindling allies

In a recent United Nations General Assembly vote condemning Russias sham referendums annexing chunks of Ukraine, Putin was on the end of a thumping censure, with 143 votes in favour, 35 abstentions and five against (including Russia itself).

If the vote was any indication, Russia has precisely four friends: North Korea, Syria, Belarus and Nicaragua. As the anti-colonial movement Putin announced Russia would lead in his bizarre annexation speech of September 30, it hardly inspires confidence.

And among those who abstained from the vote, powerful actors with influence in Moscow  including China and India  have publicly signalled their disquiet about Putins war.

In the Middle East, where Moscow has tried building diplomatic clout around its highly questionable support for non-interference, both Qatar and Kuwait  two energy giants  have called for Ukraines territory to be respected.

Closer to home, all the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States abstained, with the exception of Georgia and Moldova voting in favour of condemning Russia, and Belarus that voted with Moscow.

Domestic ructions

On the home front, the picture is of a disconnected leader finding it difficult to keep rival factions in check. Recent criticisms of Russias top military leadership have targeted Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

The chief malcontents appear to be Yevgeniy Prigozhin, head of the Wagner group (allegedly a private military company, but in reality a military arm of the state) and Ramzan Kadyrov, currently the head of Russias Chechen Republic.

Aside from their opportunism and naked ambition, such critiques present Putin with a problem. He has previously been comfortable purging lower levels of Russias elite cadres: the military, the intelligence services and other parts of the Russian bureaucracy. But Shoigu is one of the most powerful people in Russia after Putin. While dismissing him would rid Putin of a potential rival, it would also upset a delicately balanced circle of patronage and power. That could end up rebounding on Putin himself.

Its true that Putin has contained rumblings among the population. The estimated 700,000 Russians who fled the country following Putins mobilisation order are no longer a potential hub for disquiet.

But if jockeying for position at the top feeds popular discontent, Putin may find himself trapped between two unhappy constituencies: the Russian citizenry with whom he broke his contract by sending them to war; and Russias elites who are expected to carry out his orders without question, and then take the fall when they fail.

There are signs this is already occurring. General Andrey Kartapolov, a member of Russias parliament, and until recently the head of its influential Defence Council, has called openly for the government to stop lying to the population about its military failures in Ukraine. The people know, Kartapolov observed, adding:

Our people are not stupid, they see they are not telling them the truth and this can lead to loss of credibility.

Where does Putin go from here?

So how does Putin extract himself from this mess of his own creation? Realistically the only way to do so is to win the war in Ukraine, or at least to win sufficient concessions that would permit him to spin it as a victory.

However, thats now highly unlikely. Putin has broadened the parameters of the conflict by endorsing the narrative  amplified by Russias far right  that hes at war not only with Ukraine, but with NATO itself.

Putin evidently judged that it is necessary to rally flagging domestic support. But doing so also redefined his concept of victory. In order to win in Ukraine, Russias armed forces must now not only achieve their stated aims but dramatically exceed them, compelling the West to accept Putins demands for a new security compact in Europe on his terms.

Another problem for Putin is that Ukraine is unlikely to accommodate Putin, either on the battlefield or at the bargaining table. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already said he would only negotiate with Russias new president. He has also doubled-down on Ukraines war aims, amounting to the complete liberation of its territory.

The spectacular strike on the Kerch Bridge, sometimes referred to as Putins wedding band to Crimea was a direct insult to Putin, who had personally overseen its construction. In comparison to wilting Russian morale, it also symbolised the sense among Ukrainians that the wars tide had turned.

Finally, Russias military position in Ukraine is now looking hopeless. Its forces are exhausted and they continue to retreat.

Putins decision to appoint Sergei Surovikin  the general who ordered indiscriminate bombings in Syria and Chechnya  to oversee Russias war has been uninspiring.

Indeed, his shift in tactics to mass cruise missile strikes against Ukrainian population centres and power generation facilities has backfired completely: it has made Ukrainians even keener to fight, and been seen globally as a vindictive act of petulance.

Unable to win on the battlefield, Surovikin has so far expended some US $400-700 million in missiles from a dwindling stock in an attempt to cow Ukraines population. This included hitting cities Russia had purportedly annexed, effectively targeting its own territory and people.

The upshot is that unless Putin chooses to escalate dramatically, even by crossing the nuclear threshold (which itself is fraught with risk), his only option is to find a face-saving way out.

3 hints at saving face

Putin has recently tried to do that in three ways. Instructively, theyre at odds with his more customary violence and threats. They also suggest a growing sense that his position is untenable.

Turkish diplomats communicated Putins desire for a new grand bargain with Europe. This reportedly envisaged talks between Russia, the US and the EU. But doing so shut Ukraine out of the process, and little has come of the proposal.

An apparent attempt to weaponise SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who tweeted a peace proposal for Ukraine and warned Russia would use nuclear weapons if its Crimean Black Sea base was threatened. Despite denying he had spoken to Putin, Musks proposal closely matched Putins past demands, including specific details about access to fresh water for Crimea.

An overture from Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, claiming Putin would be open to peace talks with US President Joe Biden at the upcoming G20 Summit in Bali.

The West shouldnt react to these Kremlin hints. For one thing, they only restate its long-standing ultimatums. For another, Putin has ignored every previous diplomatic off-ramp offered to him, instead escalating his campaign against Ukraine ever more brutally.

Its also likely Putin will use any ceasefire merely as a pause to refashion his forces for a renewed onslaught.

To his credit, US President Joe Biden has already said he has no intention of meeting Putin, and the recently-released US National Security Strategy paints a picture of continued mistrust of Putins intentions.

Ultimately, if peace breaks out in Ukraine it will be something Putin must arrive at himself. Otherwise, it looks increasingly likely Ukraines armed forces will bring him to that realisation.

And although Putin would find any climb-down unappealing and embarrassing, he has already lost his dignity. It now only remains to be seen whether he can retain his political skin.

The author is with Australian National University
Amid a series of pet dog attacks, the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation has banned residents from keeping the Pitbull, Rottweiler and Dogo Argentino breeds as pets.

The civic body issued a host of other guidelines on Saturday for pet-owners according to which they will have to get a licence for their dogs, which will be issued from November 1, and no family can keep more than one pet dog.

Pet-owners living in high rise complexes will have to use service lifts for taking their dogs out and make sure they wear a muzzle while in the public.

The decision comes amidst several dog bite incidents reported from various localities of the city in the recent months. The pet-owners will have to obtain registration within two months.

"The three breeds -- Pitbull, Rottweiler and Dogo Argentino -- are ferocious, and no permission will be granted to keep these dogs. No licence will be issued. If somebody buys one of these, he/she will be responsible. All these three breeds have been banned in Ghaziabad," BJP leader and GMC councillor Sanjay Singh told PTI on Sunday.

Singh had moved s proposal to ban these breeds which was passed by the municipal body House.

Also Read | SC directs AWBI to submit data on dog bites in last 7 years

He said people who already have these breeds of dogs will have to get them sterilised within two months.

Mayor Asha Sharma told PTI, "Sterilisation of the dogs has been declared compulsory in the board meeting of the civic body held on Saturday. Without sterilisation, certificate registration will not be granted."

"In case the dog is younger than six months, the owner will have to submit an affidavit with an assurance that they will get the pet sterilised when he becomes one," she added.

The mayor said dog-owners love their pets, but they must also think about the children who sustained severe injuries in dog attacks.

"More than 10 children suffered dog bites. A child in the Sanjay Nagar colony, Kush Tyagi, was attacked by a Pitbull and he got 150 stitches on his face. Four days later, another boy was attacked by a dog of this breed," she said.

All zonal officers of of the GMC have been instructed to issue notices to pet-owners to inform them about the rules and regulations passed in the board meeting.

On stray dogs, mayor Sharma said residents would be allowed to offer them food at a designated place.

"The Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN) would slap fines on dog-owners if complaints are received from RWA (Residents' Welfare Association)," she said.

Earlier, the Kanpur Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the Panchkula Municipal Corporation banned the pitbull and rottweiler breeds of dogs as pets within the city limits.
Released: October 17, 2022

The Delaware County Bureau of Elections has now completed the mailing of more than 50,000 vote-by-mail ballots (including both mail-in ballots and absentee ballots). The deadline to apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot is Nov. 1, 2022.

Delaware County Elections reminds voters to properly mark, seal, and return the vote-by-mail ballot to ensure that the ballot can be counted. Voters must:

Place the marked ballot in the white Secrecy Envelope provided with their ballot (this envelope, per State Law, is marked Official Ballot Envelope). Seal the Secrecy Envelope. Place the sealed Secrecy Envelope into the Ballot Return Envelope. Seal the Ballot Return Envelope. Sign the declaration (on the back of the Ballot Return Envelope). Enter the date where indicated (on the back of the Ballot Return Envelope). Return the sealed Ballot Return Envelope.

Ballot Return Envelopes can now be returned to the drop box located in the lobby of the Delaware County Government Building in Media (accessible via Orange Street) orbeginning Mon., Oct. 24at any of the more than three dozen drop box sites located throughout the County. Most sites will be open 24/7. The complete list of sites, including hours of operation, are available at delcopa.gov/dropbox.

Please note: The decision to open ballot drop boxes on Oct. 24 is due to staffing constraints. Voters will have two full weeks to return their ballot at any County drop box of their choice; this two-week period aligns with when the County has observed a steep increase in the use of drop boxes during recent elections and represents the best allocation of resources under the circumstances.

Voters can also return their completed ballots, properly sealed in the Secrecy and Ballot Return Envelopes, through the US Postal Service (no postage needed). If using the US Postal Service, voters are encouraged to use the drop-offs inside the lobby of a local post office.

Voters may verify the status of their ballot on the PA Department of State website at vote.pa.gov/MailBallotStatus.

Voters must return only their own ballot. The only exception is to assist a disabled voter or an emergency absentee voter, which requires a declaration form signed by the voter and by the person returning the ballot. This form is available on the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/dropbox.

If a voter needs help or information on paperwork for assisting a disabled voteror if a mistake is made in completing and sealing the ballotvoters may call the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE (8683). Voters may also visit the Delaware County Voter Service Center in Media to receive a replacement ballot and envelopes.

The Ballot Drop Box in the lobby of the Government Center Building in Media is now open and accepting Delaware County ballots 24/7 until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tues., Nov. 8. In all, over three dozen Delaware County Ballot Drop Boxes will begin accepting Vote-by-Mail ballots on Mon., Oct. 24. Most sites will be open 24/7. The complete list of sites, including hours of operation, are available at delcopa.gov/dropbox.

Delaware County residents can visit the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/vote for additional election news, sample ballots and information on registering to vote for the first time or filing a name or address change.
This Halloween, for the first time since 2019, North West Carnival Initiative will once again take to the streets in the citys world famous carnival parade.

The theme of the parade this year is On the Ninth Wave.

Explaining the thinking behind the theme, Jim Collins, project manager of the Carnival Initiative, explained our ancestors believed the Ninth Wave was a magical portal to the Otherworld.

In Celtic mythology water was regarded as sacred and an important connection to the spirit world.

Commenting on the return of the Halloween parade, Jim said Were so looking forward to again showcasing the communities creative talent and providing an opportunity for them to perform in front of tens of thousands of people at this key civic celebration.

Our programming would not be possible without the continued support of key funders and at this time and I would like to acknowledge the continued support we receive from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Lottery Funding.

Gavin OConnor, Arts Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support the North West Carnival Initiative.

Thanks to The National Lottery players, hundreds of people from communities across the city will have the opportunity to take part in the carnival parade, one of the many highlights of Derrys world-famous Halloween celebrations. Congratulations to all involved!

Jim said: Weve had a fantastic community response with an increasing number of dance groups taking part and Im particularly looking forward to seeing the debut performance of the NW Carnival Samba Band, Its going to be something really special

The North West Carnival Initiative at the Derry Halloween Carnival Parade can be viewed at 7pm on Halloween night (October 31). Jim is encouraging everyone to get dressed up and come join in the fun.
The police will have high-visibility patrols in town and city centres across Northern Ireland as part of a week of action to reduce business crime.

From Monday, the PSNI will be conducting planned operations and engaging with local businesses and the community as part of the operation.

Local police teams will also be holding Safer Business Action (SaBA) Days to deliver a range of crime prevention activities.

Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones said: The week of action is an opportunity to bring police and partners together to tackle the key issues of business crime in our communities.

Each police area will be holding various crime prevention activities and initiatives to increase engagement with local businesses and retail outlets and tackle some of the most prolific offenders.

The officer urged retailers to report offences to police and to reach out to their local neighbourhood and crime prevention officers.

He said: We know under-reporting is an issue in all sectors of business crime. Please let us know if you have been a victim or you see something suspicious happening.

Your report helps us target our resources, apprehend offenders and ultimately reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said: Given the current economic climate, crime has a huge impact on retailers, particularly those smaller independents.

It is important that retailers work in partnership with the police, keep their security procedures under review and ensure their staff remain vigilant.

Mr Jones added that Northern Irelands town and city centres have some of the lowest crime rates in the UK.

Working alongside our partners in the business community we will continue working to make sure that they remain safe, attractive and prosperous places where business crime will not be tolerated, he said.
A 33-year-old woman has been charged with the murder of 54-year-old Tony Browne, who was stabbed in Poleglass in west Belfast on Friday October 14.

She is expected to appear before Lisburn Magistrates Court on Monday, the PSNI said.

The victim died in hospital following the incident on Friday night.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: Police received a report shortly before 10.05pm last night, October 14, that Mr Browne had been stabbed at an address in the Woodside Park area.

Our detectives, investigating the murder of 54-year-old Tony Browne, have charged a 33-year-old woman to court. pic.twitter.com/5App1JyqgZ  Police West Belfast (@PSNIBelfastW) October 17, 2022

He was taken to hospital, but sadly died from his injuries a short time later.

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 earlier 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.
Former president Moon Jae-in waves his hand on the Air Force Two presidential jet in this Sept. 20, 2018 file photo. Joint Press Corp



The government is considering replacing the presidential Air Force Two jet used for domestic and short-distance trips, officials said Monday.



The current Air Force Two has been in use since 1985 and is in need of replacement due to its age, according to the officials.



"We're carefully reviewing a new purchase," a senior presidential official told Yonhap News Agency.



The previous administration of President Moon Jae-in decided in 2018 that it would lease a new aircraft, but buying a new one turns out to be cheaper, according to another official.



"We haven't even come up with a detailed budget plan yet," the second official said. "Even if we buy it, it will take about five years (to acquire it) so the current administration won't be able to use it."



The president travels on Air Force One for most of his overseas trips, but sometimes uses the smaller Air Force Two for trips to Asia or inside the country. (Yonhap)


A man has suffered life-changing injuries after he was hit in the face with an axe at a house in Belfast.

Detectives investigating the incident which occurred just after 10.15pm on Sunday in the Cregagh Road area have made two arrests.

A PSNI spokesperson said: At this stage we believe a number of people were gathered in a property in the area when the assault occurred.

The injured party, aged in his 50s, was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries which are believed to be life-altering at this time.

Two men, aged 19 and 22, were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences and remain in custody at this time, assisting with inquiries.

Our inquiries are ongoing and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or who may have any information, to contact police on 101, quoting reference 1738 of 16/10/22.
Tiger Shroff And Prateik Babbars Chase Scene In Baaghi 2 Inspired From Srk And Sunny Deols Darr
Minister Coveney to attend Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg

Press release

On 17 October, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney T.D. will attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

The Council will consider and discuss the EUs strategic response to a broad range of issues and recent events, including Russias continuing aggression against Ukraine, and developments in Lebanon, Iran, Ethiopia, and Burkina Faso, amongst others. Ministers will also discuss coordination of their efforts ahead of the COP27 UN Climate Change Conference in Egypt. The Council will as well assess the EUs relationship with China ahead of the European Councils strategic discussion on EU-Asia relations later this week.

Speaking ahead of the discussion on Russian aggression against Ukraine, Minister Coveney said:

It is clear that Russia has decided to choose the path of escalation in this war, by proceeding with its attempted annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory. We have said since the outset of Russias invasion that we will respond with unity, firmness and determination, in solidarity with Ukraine.

The Council now stands ready to act and I look forward to adopting a series of decisions that will support Ukraine, and deter Russias aggression.

Speaking on COP 27, Minister Coveney said:

Ireland is extensively engaged in EU preparations for the COP27 Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh. This includes working to increase our collective climate ambition in line with the Paris Agreement, and pushing for urgent implementation of prior commitments.

We have been coordinating with other EU partners and hope today to take a significant step forwards in enhancing the closeness and effectiveness of that partnership.

ENDS

Press Office

17 October 2022

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Tech giant Google has announced that Meet calls can now be transcribed into text, and users can further save them in a Google Doc format.

According to Android Central, the saved file can be accessed from Google Drive.

Google Meet is one of the most popular apps, especially after replacing the Google Duo app for iOS and Android devices. However, Google has stated the new feature that can be accessed in Google Meet for desktop or laptop clients and is available only for the English language.

Google said the transcribed file can be stored in the same "Meeting Recordings" folder of the Google Meet app from the accompanying Google Drive storage.

Before joining the Google Meet call, attendees will be notified that the call is transcribed.

These transcripts are intended to capture the meeting's discussion, serves as a record, and is helpful as a follow-up to attendees or host if they want to recall a particular segment or point in the whole discussion.

Another nifty feature is that the "transcript will automatically be attached to the associated calendar invite for the meeting".

And for meetings involving more than 200 attendees, the transcribed file will be shared with meeting organisers, hosts, co-hosts, and individual users who initiated a transcription.

The new feature is expected to roll out starting October 24. It will be available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers.

(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.
Popular smartphone company Motorola has launched yet another entry-level smartphone in India, called Motorola Moto E22s. The smartphone looks like a decent bargain, especially for those on a tight budget. It offers a large display with a higher refresh rate and a long-lasting battery. Here is everything we know about the Moto E22s.

Moto E22s specifications

Moto E22s features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel with HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the budget smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Helio G37 SoC, along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The smartphone's rear panel has a dual camera setup consisting of a 16MP primary shooter and a 2MP secondary shooter, and the front panel has an 8MP selfie shooter in a punch hole.

Apart from this, users get a big 5,000 mAh battery with 10W USB-C charging support. It also comes with a fingerprint scanner on the right panel for securely unlocking the smartphone.

Interestingly enough, the smartphone is IP52-rated, which is a good sign for overall durability.

Among other things, the company also provides a microSD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, support for Google's voice assistant, 4G connectivity, dual SIM functionality, and Android 12 OS.

Moto E22s price and availability

As per the official Twitter handle of Motorola India, the Moto E22s will be available at Rs. 8,999 from October 22, 2022, on Flipkart and leading retail stores in the country. Customers can choose among two colour options: Eco Black and Arctic Blue.

Recently, the brand launched Motorola E32 in India, which seems similar to the Moto E22s except it has a 50MP primary camera. The Motorola E32 is available for Rs. 10,499 on Flipkart. From what it looks like, the Moto E22s is a toned-down version of the Motorola 32.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.
Subscriber content preview

Photo by Benjamin Minnick [enlarge] The Fourth Avenue South Bridge spans a myriad of train tracks in the Argo Yard.





The recent opening of the West Seattle Bridge has grabbed all the headlines lately, but there are other bridges in the city that also need extensive repair or replacement.





. . .
Members of a youth organization call for a thorough investigation of the accident in front of SPC's headquarters in Seocho district, Seoul, Oct. 17. Yonhap



Korea's food and beverage giant SPC Group issued an official apology Monday over a young worker killed in an accident at one of the group's bread making factories over the weekend.



The 23-year-old employee at the factory affiliated with the group in Pyeongtaek, 65 kilometers south of Seoul, died Saturday after her upper body was caught in a sauce mixer, according to police.



"I would like to express my deepest condolences and apologies to the bereaved family of the deceased who died in an unexpected accident at her workplace," the group said in an apology letter signed by SPC Chairman Heo Young-in.



"We are deeply saddened by the fact that a noble life was lost at our production site. We feel greatly regrettable to have caused such pain to so many," it added.



The group, which runs the Paris Baguette bakery chain, also vowed to closely cooperate with a police investigation into the employee's death while promising to enhance the workplace environment and infrastructure to prevent similar incidents from recurring.



Heo visited the funeral hall of the victim late Sunday.



President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed his regrets for the victim a day after the accident occurred while ordering investigative authorities thoroughly look into the case to see if there were any "structural problems" that caused the accident.



The Ministry of Employment and Labor ordered the bakery group to suspend operations at the factory where the accident occurred.



Authorities are looking into the case to determine whether the company violated any workplace safety regulations, including the Serious Accidents Punishment Act that imposes heavy criminal and administrative liability on companies that fail to prevent serious man-made accidents. (Yonhap)


SCDNR News

CHARLESTON COUNTY

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (October 17, 2022)  Surrounded by family and friends, longtime South Carolina Department of Resources Board chairman Norman F. Pulliam was recently recognized with a lifetime achievement award during an end-of-season banquet for the Governors Cup Billfishing Series.

Pulliam received this years Governor Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Award in recognition of his dedication to billfish conservation, which he has championed through his 16 years of service as a member of the SCDNR Board. First appointed to the Board to represent the 4th U.S. Congressional District in October 2006, he has served as Board chairman since 2017, following a year as vice chairman.

"Governor Carroll Campbell was not only a stalwart champion for blue water conservation, he was also a close personal friend of mine," said Pulliam. "I am honored and humbled to be recognized with this award, and I am proud of our billfishing community and of all the work we have done to honor and carry forth his legacy."

The Governors Cup is an annual sportfishing series founded to encourage the conservation of ocean resources through the tagging and release of billfish  a group of large, ocean-going fish that includes marlin and sailfish. Since its founding in 1989, South Carolina has seen a dramatic shift in billfishing statistics  from 90% mortality to a 99% release rate. Tag recoveries from Series-tagged billfish have additionally contributed to billfish research efforts. A South Carolina-tagged marlin, recaptured off Brazil after traveling 4,320 nautical miles, provided the first known evidence of a billfish's trans-equatorial crossing.

Pulliams commitment to the Governors Cup has been personal as well as professional: his passion as a sportsman led to a successful fishing partnership with friend Foster McKissick, with whom he owns the Rascal, a 61-ft Viking captained by Mark Rogers.

"Folks familiar with South Carolinas billfish community know that you cant mention the Rascal without also highlighting one of the boats greatest achievements," said SCDNR Director Robert Boyles, who presented the award. "While fishing aboard the Rascal during the Carolina Billfish Classic in 2005, angler Corky Taylor landed an 881-lb blue marlin, a fish that still holds the South Carolina state record."

About the Governor Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Award: Without the leadership provided by Governor Campbell, the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series and her participants would not exist. His foresight has led the Series to great strides both nationally and internationally in the name of billfish conservation, ranging from the rise of release-only tournaments and the Billfish Conservation Act passed by Congress, which prohibited the sale of marlin and sailfish in the United States, to a law to protect released fish by making illegal to remove them from the water. The Governor Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Award is presented each year to those individuals and families who have followed in his footsteps of promoting billfish conservation.
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Periodically we conduct data profiling on the information we collect to better understand our customers in order to provide targeted communications which suit your needs. If you wish to stop your information being used for data profiling, please contact the Data Protection Officer. Please note that a request to opt out of data profiling will automatically stop direct marketing from us and vice versa.

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We will not sell or rent your information to third parties for their marketing purposes without your consent.

However, just like most service providers, Merit Group PLC works with third parties who administer important functions for us that allow us to offer and enhance the services we provide. These providers are covered by an appropriate agreement and are located within the European Economic Area. Sometimes it will be necessary for us to disclose information required for the specific purpose to them so that the services can be performed and by requesting us to provide you with the services you consent to this disclosure.

We reserve the right to disclose to third parties your information to comply with applicable laws including but not limited to disclosure in accordance with the Act, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and lawful authority requests, to safeguard the proper operation of our systems and to protect ourselves and the companies we work with.

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Merit Group PLC is committed to handling your information with high standards of information security. We collect, store and process your information on servers primarily located in the United Kingdom but also elsewhere in the European Economic Area. We use safeguards such as firewalls and data encryption, we enforce physical access controls to our buildings and files and we authorise access to personal information only for those employees who require it to fulfil their job responsibilities. Our site uses industry standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to allow for the encryption of information during transmissions to our servers. These security measures mean that we may occasionally have to ask you for proof of identity before we are able to disclose personal information to you.

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You can access the personal information you have provided us by making a Subject Access Request to the Data Protection Officer using the details available in the Privacy Summary. Upon receipt and following any necessary proof of identification checks, Subject Access Requests will be responded to within one calendar month.

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A request to have the personal information you have provided us removed from our systems can be made to the Data Protection Officer using the details available in the Privacy Summary. Your information will be removed from our systems except in circumstances where we are required to retain this information for compliance with legal obligation or for future suppression purposes, where the minimal amount necessary will be retained in order to honour an individuals right.

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You can review the personal information you have provided us and make any desired changes or rectifications at any time either online or by contacting the Data Protection Officer using the details available in the Privacy Summary.

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We will process your personal data for the purposes set out in this policy. However, if you have any queries or requests in relation to Data Protection or this Privacy Policy please notify our Data Protection Officer using the details available in the Privacy Summary. Alternatively, if you have any concerns about our information rights practices that our Data Protection Officer was unable to address sufficiently, you may report these to our statutory authority, the Information Commissions Office: ico.org.uk.
Industrial production in India contracted 0.8% in August

Industrial production in India, based on the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) contracted 0.8 per cent year-on-year in August, hitting an 18-month low, on the back of a decline in manufacturing and mining sector output, quick estimates released by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation on Wednesday showed.

The previous low in industrial output growth was a contraction of 3.2 per cent in February 2021.

Factory output, measured in terms of the IIP, had expanded by 13 per cent in August 2021. The IIP grew 2.2 per cent in July this year, as per the ministry data.

During April-August this year, IIP rose 7.7 per cent against the 29 per cent growth recorded in the same period a year ago.

Production in the manufacturing sector declined by 0.7 per cent in August 2022 against the 11.1 per cent growth recorded in the year-ago period. Power generation showed a growth of 1.4 per cent against a 16 per cent expansion a year ago. Production in the mining sector contracted by 3.9 per cent in August 2022, against a growth of 23.3 per cent in the year-ago period. The Indices of Industrial Production for the mining, manufacturing and electricity sectors for August 2022 stood at 99.6, 131.0 and 191.3, respectively.

Capital goods output, which is a barometer of investments, rose five per cent in August 2022 compared to 20 per cent in the year-ago month. Output growth in the consumer durables segment declined 2.5 per cent from 11.1 per cent a year ago. The primary goods segment, which accounts for nearly 34 per cent of the index, expanded 1.7 per cent in August compared to 16.9 per cent growth in the year-ago period. The ministry said the growth rates in the corresponding period of the previous year are to be interpreted, considering the unusual circumstances on account of the Covid-19 pandemic since March 2020.
NHAI InvIT raises Rs1,430 crore through follow-on issuance of units

National Highways Infra Trust (NHAI InvIT), the infrastructure investment trust sponsored by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to support Government of India's National Monetization Pipeline, has raised Rs1,430 crore from domestic and international investors through placement of its units, for part funding its acquisition of three additional road projects from NHAI.

The placement of units with institutional investors witnessed strong demand from both existing investors, who reposed their commitment by participating in the process, as well as new investors, according to the ministry of road transport and highways.

The units have been subscribed by a number of institutional investors, including Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board, State Bank of India, SBI Pension Fund, SBI Mutual Fund, IOCL Employee Provident Fund, L&T Staff Provident Fund, Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Karamchari Pension Fund, TATA AIG and Star Union Daiichi Life Insurance. NHAI subscribed to the units through preferential allotment to maintain its unitholding of at least 15 per cent. The units were subscribed through a book build process at Rs109 per unit, at a premium over floor price of Rs107.12 per unit.

In addition to the above, NHAI InvIT has also filed prospectus with market regulator, Securities and Exchanges Board (Sebi) for issuance of non-convertible debentures (NCDs) to raise Rs1,500 crore. The NCDs would carry a coupon of 7.90 per cent payable semi-annually and would be available for subscription by both retail and institutional investors.

The success of the follow-on issuance of units by NHAI InvIT demonstrates its attractiveness to sophisticated institutional investors. Their participation in this round supports National Monetization Pipeline, in which NHAI has the largest share and is crucial for Prime Ministers and Minister of Road Transport and Highways vision of development of roads sector in the country, says the ministry release.

In a historic first, NHAI InvIT has, through a transparent and market driven process, raised the funds in a follow-on issuance with entire premium accruing to NHAI. We thank the existing investors for their continuing faith in NHAI InvIT as well as new investors for coming on board in making NHAI InvIT a success, said NHAI chairperson Alka Upadhyaya.

Launched in November 2021, NHAI InvIT had raised Rs8,011 crore for NHAI in its maiden round, with initial portfolio of five operating toll roads of aggregate length of 390 km. With the acquisition of three additional road projects, NHAI InvIT will own, operate and maintain a portfolio of eight operating toll roads with an aggregate length of 636 km spread across the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, with concession period ranging between 20 and 30 years.
India, Norway to extend S&T co-operation to new areas

The India-Norway Joint Working Group on S&T at its meeting on Wednesday decided to extend S&T co-operation between the two countries to include areas like quantum science and technology, electric mobility, green hydrogen, ocean science, cyber-physical system, blue economy, information and communication technology and strengthening existing areas of co-operation like polar sciences, bio-economy, renewable energy, nano-science and technology and anti-microbial resistance.

The meeting decided on furthering activities like bilateral workshops, support for on-going joint research projects, new joint R&D project call with industry participation, human capacity development, focusing on areas which has more relevance or impact to society as well as industrial R&D programmes

The co-operation will help in enhancing quality and relevance of R&D, technology translation, taking it to market, connecting industry, startups, MSMEs to R&D labs and academia, societal connect, science for people, diversity and inclusion (Youth, Women, Rural, SC/ST), aligning S&T with national priorities, water, energy, environment, transport, health, manufacturing, waste processing and so on, said S K Varshney, advisor and head, International Cooperation, Department of Science and Technology (DST), who led the delegation from the Indian side.

Anne Line Wold, director general, ministry of education and research, who headed the delegation from Norwegian side, underlined that India is among the 9 priority countries outside Europe in S&T co-operation for Norway and emphasised on strengthening co-operation on priority areas like ocean, health, energy, climate and security.

Hans Jacob Frydenlund, Ambassador of Norway to India, highlighted the successful areas of S&T co-operation between the two countries and expressed the hope that the meeting would help expand co-operation to areas of increasing relevance like green hydrogen, anti-microbial resistance, renewable energy and so on.

Representatives from the scientific and education ministries as well as the ministry of external affairs of India and their counterparts from Norway discussed in details the thematic areas in which co-operation can be taken forward and the mechanisms to do so.

The Indo-Norwegian S&T Cooperation was formalised through an inter-governmental agreement signed in Tromso, Norway in 2006 and was activated through a Programme of Cooperation (POC) signed in Oslo in May 2009. A Joint Working Group constituted under the framework of Inter-Governmental agreement met for 6 times so far, alternately in India and Norway.

The activities so far included support for joint workshops on ICT and Bio-economy during 2016-2017, joint projects under ICT and projects under bio-economy. A joint call on renewable energy was launched in 2017-2018. Joint projects on energy storage, microgrids and solar cell applications were supported. During 2018-2019 a joint call on Nanoscience and Technology was launched and 7 joint projects were supported.
The Government plans to introduce an eviction ban for tenants during the current cost of living crisis, it has been confirmed.

Minister for Housing Darrah O'Brien told RTE News that the issue is being discussed.

The discussions are expected to take place on Monday night.

"We obviously have to be conscious that any measures that we take don't have any unintended consequences of further reducing supply in the rental market," he said.

"I have said before in relation to open and blanket bans in relation to evictions, things like that can have a negative effect with regard to reducing further supply," Minister O'Brien said.

In anticipation of the likely implementation of an eviction ban this winter, Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said every moment must be utilised between now and the lifting of the ban to protect people from entering homelessness.

With evictions up 58%, Senator Moynihan said red tape must be removed around tenant in situ scheme and a mapping exercise must be undertaken by local authorities to identify households at risk of homeless and put a plan in place to protect them.

"Labour has long called for the introduction of the eviction ban and while it's introduction at this late stage does nothing to help the many hundreds of people who have been evicted out of their rental accomodation in recent months, it will protect those who remain at risk this winter," Senator Moynihan said.

"Labour first called for an eviction ban in light of the housing crisis in March of this year, when 9,825 people were living in homelessness. Since then, over 1,000 people have entered homelessness with most recent figures published by the Department in September recording 10,805 people living in homelessness. It's a disgrace.

"During the pandemic, we saw the impact that an eviction ban can have on preventing people entering homelessness. The scale of the housing crisis is such that government has no option but to temporarily ban evictions. While the ban is in place, government must plan appropriately for its lifting in 2023," Senator Moynihan said

Local authorities must be mandated to use these months, she said, to map out people at risk of homelessness in the private rental sector, and to remove red tape and hesitation where there is a tenant in situ and buy the property.

A report compiling this data must be delivered to the Housing Minister in January so he can prepare for the lifting of the ban and prevent any potential crisis for those at risk, she added.

For the period of the emergency eviction ban, the Minister must scale up the tenant in situ scheme and remove red tape to ensure that where a landlord is leaving the market, the tenant can remain in their home. We need to shrink our reliance on the Private rental sector to fulfil our social housing needs. This is the most efficient way of doing this. We can't continue with our two tier system of social housing - propping up landlords while tenants can be evicted when their landlord decides to sell," Senator Moynihan said.

"This is a huge issue that many renters have been faced with over the past 12 months. We know that a huge volume of people entering homelessness come from the private rental sector. Local authorities must be empowered to safeguard against homelessness in this way.

The threat of losing a home is possibly the greatest fear any household can face. Many households will be relieved by news of an eviction ban. However, it is no replacement for building homes. We know that there is no simple solution when it comes to housing. It takes two to three years to build homes. Yet Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have had over five wasted years when it comes to addressing Irelands housing disaster," Senator Moynihan said.
Irelands deputy leader has said that three elected Fine Gael members have received legal letters from Sinn Fein figures.

Leo Varadkar also questioned whether Sinn Fein is using legal threats as a strategy to stifle debate, echoing similar comments by the Taoiseach at the weekend.

I know of at least three Fine Gael elected representatives who received legal letters from Sinn Fein figures, Mr Varadkar told reporters in Dublin on Monday.

Put it this way, its not unprecedented for politicians to sue.

Ive never done it, never issued a solicitors letter a day of my life, but its not unprecedented for politicians to do it.

There is a risk involved.

There are considerable legal costs in suing anyone, and theres always the risk that you wont be successful.

Theres nothing new than that.

But what seems different this time is it seems almost strategic.

They appear to be using the same law firm, and Im not sure whether they are bearing the cost themselves.

You know, certainly, if anyone from Fine Gael decides to sue the media or sue another person, we say its a matter for them.

We dont advise people to do that and we certainly dont pay any of their legal costs.

I would just wonder on this occasion, is this something more strategic?

Is Sinn Fein actually encouraging their public reps to sue other people? Are they underwriting some of the cost and the financial risk?

And if that is the case, then thats something quite new, that is the strategic use of legal action to try and stifle debate, and thats worrying.

When asked about the nature of the legal letters, Mr Varadkar said: I dont want to get into it, because its for those individual TDs, councillors, senators to say if they want to.

But Im certainly aware of at least three Fine Gael elected reps who received legal letters from Sinn Fein figures threatening to sue.

Speaking at Stormont, Mr Martin said that there had been a number of cases taken by Sinn Fein.

There has been a number of cases taken in terms of media, in terms of RTE, in terms of a number of other journalists and some politicians as well.

In politics a lot has been said about us by Sinn Fein and we havent been out suing people or trying to shut down debate.

I think part of it is shutting down the past and I believe that, particularly in relation to Mairia Cahill, there is no doubt, in my view, there has been a determined attempt to shut down that debate about how Mairia Cahill was treated. Thats the view I have.

There are a number of other individuals outside of our party who have received legal letters as well.

Responding to Mr Varadkars comments, Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin denied the partys involvement in its members libel actions.

Any member of the party who decides to take a libel action does so individually, they fund it themselves, and if Leo Varadkar wants to have less libel actions against his members he should tell them to stop libelling members of our party, he told RTEs Drivetime programme.

A Sinn Fein spokesperson told the PA news agency: Sinn Fein does not fund such cases. Legal actions are funded by those who have no option but to vindicate their good names in the face of false accusations made by others.

Is the Fine Gael leader suggesting it should be okay for people to tell lies about members of Sinn Fein? Well its not.

The right to vindicate ones good name has no impact on the cut and thrust of political debate, as can be seen in the Dail, in council chambers and in media debates on a daily basis.

Numerous Fine Gael representatives have taken similar cases. Leo Varadkar is perfectly au fait with how defamation laws work.
From left, Kyung Hee University professor Ahn Byong-jin, Pusan National University professor Lee June-yi, Kookmin University professor Kim Hwan-suk and Kyung Hee University professor Shin Chung-shig hold a roundtable discussion during the Peace BAR Festival at the university's Seoul campus in Dongdaemun District, Sept. 21. Courtesy of Kyung Hee University System



By Lee Hae-rin



In commemoration of the U.N. International Day of Peace, Kyung Hee University System assembled scholars to exchange ideas for resolving global disasters and bringing about world peace.



The institution, whose branch institutions include Kyung Hee University, held its annual Peace BAR Festival from Sept. 20 to 22 at the university's Grand Peace Palace. BAR stands for the university's three core values of "spiritually beautiful, materially affluent and humanely rewarding." The event aims to promote and reflect upon the significance of the International Day of Peace.



The International Day of Peace, which falls on Sept. 21 every year, was established by the U.N. in 1981 to strengthen the ideals of world peace and observe 24 hours of non-violence and a cease-fire around the world.



The day's establishment was followed by a proposal by Choue Young-seek (1921-2012), the founder of Kyung Hee University. Also a peace activist and philosopher, Choue first called for the idea at the 6th Triennial Conference of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) held in Costa Rica in 1981 because he thought reducing Cold War tensions was critical to peace at the time.



The IAUP incorporated Choue's proposal in its resolution and sent it to the 36th U.N. General Assembly that year. The 157 U.N. member states voted unanimously in the General Assembly to adopt the resolution and established the day to "commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and people."



Years after the day's establishment on Jan. 1, 1986, U.S. President Reagan and the Soviet Union's General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev exchanged New Year's greetings of peace and exchanged thoughts on disarmament, paving the way for peace.



The Kyung Hee University System, since its foundation in 1949, has continued to inherit Choue's philosophy and tradition of "scholarship and peace" according to its founding principle and spirit.





A roundtable discussion commemorating the International Day of Peace is held at this year's Peace BAR Festival at Kyung Hee University's Seoul Campus in eastern Seoul's Dongdaemun District, Sept. 21. Courtesy of Kyung Hee University System
Dundalks water quality was to the fore in Leinster House recently when Irish Water executives were questioned by Dundalk TD Ruairi O Murchu, who told them that people laugh at him when he asks for tap water, instead of bottled, in local eateries.

The Sinn Fein TD said water quality has been a huge issue in Dundalk, North and Mid Louth for a considerable time.

He told said: "I was in a chip shop the other day, and somebody asked me if I wanted tap water or bottled water. I said tap water, and everybody laughed and assumed that I was not being serious. It is a considerable issue."

Deputy O Murchu asked Irish Water about the CRU investigation on Cavan Hill treatment plant in Louth, which highlighted problems with Irish Waters communications with customers.

He said: "In 2020, there were breaches in manganese levels, but there was a huge issue in communications.

"This also happened later in June 2021, but the fact is that every year for the last number of years, Irish Water has spoken about flushing programmes and has said that the problem would be dealt with.

"It went from iron oxide to manganese.

"Over the summer I, along with various elected representatives, tried to make contact with Irish Water.

"We were given the date of 14 September as the end of this flushing process. I did not believe it to be the case that that would be the end of it.

"Irish Waters own press releases had listed Blackrock initially, parts of Dromiskin and later Dundalk. In Dundalk, Irish Water named the number of the estates, such as the estate I live in myself, Bay Estate, as well as St. Alphonsus Road, Muirhevanmor etc.

"I was also constantly and consistently getting pictures and videos of brown water from other areas of Dundalk. I am speaking about the likes of OHanlon Park, Marian Park and the north end of Dundalk. I never saw any of those places on the list.

"I find it hard to believe that the date of 14 September could have ever been the end date. I am still getting photographs of brown water. The situation has not been completely resolved. I am looking for a timeline."

Irish Waters head of asset operations, Tom Cuddy said there had been incredible increases in manganese, including in Dundalk.

He said: "The raw water is the issue. It also tends to be seasonal, so it comes to the fore in the summer and late summer.

"What happens is that it comes out of solution when it is in the network. It then causes cloudy and speckled water. The only resolution, once it gets that far, is for us to flush the network.

"Now it has progressed to the stage where it needs pretty much a dedicated a flushing team and we have had to make changes within the network.

"This is really a treatment issue. It is a new process within the overall treatment plant."

He added that many lessons were learned from the CRU report and that has been corrected at this stage.

Irish Waters head of asset strategy, Angela Ryan said the source of the water at Cavanhill is Lough Muckno and there had been a number of instances over the last few years where the water levels have dropped to historic low levels.

She said they were continuing to look at how to deal with manganese and said: "It will probably require us, because it is a recurring issue across our supplies, to set up a programme to address that specific topic."

Irish Water said the current levels of manganese in the Dundalk supply are below the compliance limit, but conceded there may be some areas that still need to be flushed, and while the peak manganese problem seems to have passed, there is a fundamental problem that will have to be addressed.
The Irish Government now agrees that there is no quick fix to the problems created by the Northern Ireland Protocol, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Speaking after a meeting with Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Belfast, the DUP leader also said it is the Governments call on whether fresh Stormont elections are called later this month.

But Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said a winter election will be inevitable if the DUP continues to dig in and refuses to rejoin the power-sharing institutions.

The Taoiseach was meeting local parties in Belfast as the deadline to restore Stormont and avoid fresh Assembly elections rapidly approaches.

Mr Martin arrived at a city centre hotel on Monday morning ahead of his round of talks.

The DUP is blocking the functioning of the power-sharing institutions in Belfast as part of its protest against the post-Brexit protocol that has created barriers on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The UK Government has vowed to secure changes to the protocol, either by way of a negotiated compromise with the EU or through proposed domestic legislation which would empower ministers to scrap the arrangements without the approval of Brussels.

Relations between the UK and EU appear to have improved since Liz Truss became Prime Minister, and London and Brussels have been talking up the potential for a deal through fresh negotiations.

Current legislation says that unless Stormont is restored by October 28, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has to call Assembly elections  something he has said he is prepared to do.

Speaking after his meeting with Mr Martin, Sir Jeffrey said he feels the Irish Government has recently developed a better understanding of unionist concerns about the protocol.

I think it is clear that the Irish Government share our view now that were not looking here at some kind of a quick fix, that what we need to do is deal with the protocol issues comprehensively, that we need to get to a place where the foundations for the political institutions are restored and strengthened, and thats where we want to get to, he said.

Sir Jeffrey said there can be no tinkering around the edges with the protocol and there is a need to replace it with arrangements that respect the integrity of the UK internal market.

I think the Irish Government recognises and understands our position better now than perhaps had been the case in the past, he said.

We want to see the political institutions up and running as quickly as possible.

But, in the current circumstances, its difficult to see that solution coming forward before the 28th of October  we have to be realistic about that.

The question as to whether there should be an election is a matter for the Government entirely.

It will not change my view, it will not change the view of the wider unionist community that the protocol needs to be sorted out. So an election wont change that.

Alliance Party leader Mrs Long was the first to meet the Taoiseach on Monday.

Asked about a winter election, she said If they (the DUP) continue to dig in then it is inevitable.

But I think the more important question is what purpose does that serve?

We cannot keep running elections in Northern Ireland until the main parties are satisfied with the outcome. That isnt democracy.

Weve got our answer from the public. The job of a politician post-election isnt to demand another one, so they can get a better result  it is to work on the basis of the mandate they got to deliver as best they can for the public.

Speaking after his meeting with the Taoiseach, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it is totally irresponsible for the DUP to prevent the formation of an Executive.

Theres a massive crisis in peoples homes right now, theres a crisis, as there always, is in the health service, and our economy is in the toilet, and all the way the DUP are sitting out pretending theyre having some influence on the protocol negotiations, he said.

The Taoiseach will hold separate meetings with Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie later.

His programme will conclude with a visit to meet participants in programmes working with schools as catalysts for peace and reconciliation.
President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks to reporters as he arrives at the presidential office in Seoul, Oct. 17. Yonhap



President Yoon Suk-yeol said Monday the antitrust watchdog is looking into the issue of top mobile messenger KakaoTalk dominating Korea's mobile messenger market, after the service ground to a halt due to a server outage over the weekend.



A fire started the outage at a data center used by Kaka, the messenger app's operator, on Saturday afternoon, causing major disruptions to everything from everyday communication to ride-hailing and public services tied to the app.



The weekend standstill exposed a major vulnerability in one of the world's most wired nations, leading to questions about Kakao's dominance in the communication market and the need for government intervention to address structural flaws.



"I'm a believer in a free market economy that respects the freedom and creativity of businesses, but that is premised on the market rationally distributing resources and income according to a fair and competitive system," Yoon told reporters as he arrived for work.




The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are stepping up their cooperation to support the economic development and energy transition of regions of common interest.

EBRD President Odile Renaud Basso and JBIC Governor Hayashi Nobumitsu signed a memorandum of understanding on the enhanced cooperation between the EBRD and JBIC in Washington, DC, on the sidelines of this years World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings.

Under the agreement, the two organisations will support economic and social development in common regions of operation, such as countries in central and eastern Europe, Central Asia and the southern and eastern Mediterranean. Particular attention will be paid to developing co-financing opportunities for projects related to the energy transition, digital transformation, and inclusion.

The agreement builds on the successful cooperation between the EBRD and JBIC to date and reflects the organisations common goals of promoting the resilience and green transformation of the economies in which the EBRD works. To further unlock Japanese investment in the EBRD regions, the two institutions will also cooperate on business development activities with Japanese firms.

Japan is a founding shareholder of the EBRD and an important contributor to the Bank's work. Its companies are significant sources of financing for many of the economies in which the EBRD operates.

JBIC, wholly owned by the Japanese government, has a mandate to contribute to the sound development of Japan and the international economy and to support the overseas activities of Japanese companies.
President Yoon Suk-yeol gestures as he answers reporters' questions at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap



Yoon says Kakao is virtually part of national infrastructure



By Nam Hyun-woo



The presidential office announced a plan to establish a cybersecurity task force team to thwart threats and risks that can disrupt the nation's key infrastructure after disruptions to Kakao's ubiquitous messaging and settlement functions wreaked havoc on the nation over the weekend.



Kim Sung-han, director of the National Security Office, will preside over a meeting with ranking officials from the science and defense ministries, the National Intelligence Service, Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the military.



The disruption of Kakao's services "not only made the lives of ordinary citizens tougher, but was also an incident that can impact national security. The incident proved that such worries are real and can happen," an official from the presidential office told reporters. "Thus, there was a shared view among senior presidential secretaries that we need a task force team that can regularly check cybersecurity."



The announcement of the cybersecurity team came after President Yoon Suk-yeol presided over a meeting with senior presidential secretaries.



Senior presidential secretary for public relations Kim Eun-hye said in a briefing that platform malfunctions stemming from cyberattacks or disasters may expand to systematic risks, and platform service providers should make preemptive investments for cyber security or data stabilization. Thus, it is important to "have a scheme which checks whether a monopolistic platform company is fulfilling its social responsibility to prevent systematic risks," she said.



The presidential office unveiled the plan to establish the cybersecurity task force hours after the president stressed that messaging and networking services provided by Kakao are practically a part of Korea's national infrastructure and hinted at the possibility of government intervention in case of major disruptions in the future, like the service outage caused by a fire over the past weekend that paralyzed Kakao's widely-used functions.



He made the remarks to clarify why the government needs to intervene in the private sector. Yoon said the government should explore follow-up measures and preventive steps considering the ubiquitousness of Kakao's services.



On his way to the presidential office, Monday, Yoon told reporters that he ordered the minister of science and ICT to oversee the recovery process of Kakao's services and explore government measures to prevent a recurrence.



"It is a network operated by a private company, but equivalent to a national infrastructure network for the public," Yoon said. "Since the National Assembly is paying a lot of attention to this matter, it is important to set up regulatory schemes for prevention and come up with reporting systems to enable fast announcements in case of such an incident."





Kakao services nearly in full swing after fire SK, Kakao, Naver heads face grilling by lawmakers over unprecedented outage Financial authority launches probe into Kakao over service outage Yoon's comments came after the fire at SK C&C's data center caused a major shutdown of Kakao's messaging, commerce, banking, map, ride-hailing, music streaming and other services for more than 10 hours starting from Saturday. Reportedly, more than 32,000 Kakao server devices were set up in the data center in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province.



The impact became more serious because other companies' apps and services tied to Kakao's verification systems also suffered disruptions.



As the disruptions caused major difficulties across Korea's social and economic activities, questions were raised on the knock-on effects of Kakao's dominance in the communication market, as well as debate on the necessity of government intervention to prevent damage caused by structural flaws. Kakao's flagship service, messaging app Kakao Talk, commands an 87-percent market share as of last year.



"I believe in a free market economy and respecting entrepreneurs' autonomy and creativity, but this is possible only when the market distributes resources and income reasonably within its own fair competition," Yoon said. "If the market is distorted by a monopoly or serious oligopoly, and it involves national infrastructure, the country should make necessary systematic responses for the national interest."



Yoon added that the Fair Trade Commission is looking into the matter.



The comments triggered speculation over whether the government will change its policy direction regarding online platform companies such as Kakao.



In its policy goals announced in May, the Yoon administration set "autonomous regulation" as its principle on platforms to allow businesses to introduce innovative services. As Kakao's disruptions resulted in a digital blackout, however, not only Yoon but also the ruling People Power Party (PPP) is voicing the necessity of legislation to prevent similar incidents from paralyzing Korea, which is considered one of the most digitally-connected countries in the world.



Ruling People Power Party floor leader Joo Ho-young, left, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps

"So far, Kakao has been expanding its business, having 134 affiliates in mobility, commerce, finance and other sectors," PPP floor leader Joo Ho-young said. "However, the company has yet to operate its own data center and concentrated its main system to a single venue.  Given that we have to prepare ourselves from North Korea's cyberattacks on our networks, relevant measures are urgently needed for the sake of national security."



Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) floor leader Park Hong-keun also said, "The cause of the digital blackout was that the company did not set up backup systems properly to reduce costs."



Park added, "It is suspicious that Kakao even has a crisis response manual given its vulnerability to this fire. And this is the result of its negligence to the responsibility that comes along with its dominant market status."



Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Park Hong-keun speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

The PPP said it will pursue a bill designating data centers as facilities that are managed under the government's disaster control plan. A similar bill was tabled in 2020, but did not pass the National Assembly due to concerns over state influence over private property.



The DPK also said it will start reviewing a revision to the Framework Act on Broadcasting Communications Development in order to allow the government to include such data centers under its disaster control plans.




EBRD publishes Law in Transition Journal on e-government, digitalisation

EBRD chiefs of policy and legal departments to speak at CEPS in Brussels

Case studies include Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland and Ukraine

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will launch its Law in Transition Journal: Digitalising Government Services report today following a discussion on digitalisation at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in Brussels.

Law in Transition is the annual publication of the EBRDs Legal Transition Programme, which focuses on legislative reform in the economies where the Banks operates.

The 2022 report, includes analysis of open government, the use of the cloud in the Polish public sector, e-procurement for public-private partnerships and concessions, the digitalisation of Mongolias mining geo-data, the digital enforcement of court decisions in Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Ukraine, and a new businessguide.ebrd.com resource for small and medium-sized enterprises in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

The second theme of the report, sustainability, examines the role of lawyers in Paris alignment and environmental, social and governance reporting.

Michel Nussbaumer, Director of the EBRD Legal Transition Programme and the journals editor, said: Countries that introduce digital tools will reap combined benefits. A good example is the Mongolian story. The EBRD helped Mongolia put in place a digital geological database of mining resources, which replaced obsolete paper-based registries with millions of pages. The benefits are twofold: boosting investor interest and strengthening mining-sector governance.

Digital transition is one of the EBRDs strategic priorities. The Bank offers both financial and technical support for policy reform, in cooperation with donors such as the European Union.

EBRD General Counsel Michael Strauss said: The digital agenda has appeared as a cross-cutting theme in our technical assistance to governments over the last few years. The pandemic has accelerated the movement. During lockdown periods, digital platforms were often the only way for citizens to access government services.

The launch event, co-organised with Brussels-based think-tank CEPS, will be attended by EBRD Vice-President for Policy Mark Bowman, as well as EBRD General Counsel Michael Strauss. The event will include a hybrid online/in-person panel discussion on Building digital resilience: How new technologies can support rebuilding Ukraine and strengthen digital transformation in Eastern Neighbourhood countries. Other high-level participants will include Pearse ODonohue of DG Connect (European Commission), Nanna-Louise Wildfang-Linde of Microsoft, Karel Lannoo, CEO of CEPS and Tinatin Akhvlediani, a CEPS research fellow.

The launch and discussion can be watched live at 3 pm CET on 17 October on the CEPS YouTube channel.
Buttevant parish priest, Fr Eugene Baker and a GAA stalwart Pat Spratt, have raised 22,275 for the Irish Community Air Ambulance after climbing the eight highest peaks in Munster.

The pair took on the challenge over five days in September starting in Tipperary and finishing on top of Irelands highest mountain range in Kerry, having climbed Galtymore, Mangerton Mountain, Mount Brandon, Baurtregaum, Caher East, Caher West, Beenkeragh and Carrauntoohil.

Baker and Spratt even finished their feat by scaling four peaks in one day.

Fr Baker said: We were amazed by the amount of people who donated. The Irish Community Air Ambulance is such a great cause and has helped many people in the Buttevant and surrounding areas.

Initially, we planned on climbing the seven highest peaks of Munster, but we actually ended up completing eight in total. For us, it was about overcoming challenges, whether its fitness or a fear of heights.

The Irish Community Air Ambulance works in partnership with the National Ambulance Service and attends to serious and life-threatening emergencies.

The helicopter is based in Rathcool, Co Cork with its Volunteer Emergency Medical Responders on the ground in Dublin, Mayo, Donegal, and Wicklow.

Micheal Sheridan, CEO of the Irish Community Air Ambulance said: I want to say a massive congratulations and huge thank you to Fr Eugene Baker, Pat Spratt and all their supporters. The ground fleet includes six Advanced and Critical Care Emergency Medical Responder vehicles.

22,275 would cover the full cost of at least six taskings for the helicopter or purchase vital equipment. We would not be able to expand our ground services to additional locations across the country without the support of community fundraisers like this, Micheal Sheridan went on to say.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

Scientists studying over 1,500 miles of the Rocky Mountains have documented competition between mountain goats and bighorn sheep. The competition is over resources that are being uncovered as glaciers melt. A newly released study documents these previously unknown conflicts and shows that most of the time, the goats are winning.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Colorado State University and the National Park Service are responsible for the study, which reviewed a 1,500-mile span of the U.S. Rocky Mountains. As glaciers melt, more minerals, including salt licks and potassium deposits, are being exposed, and the mammals compete over access to these resources. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.

While humans continue to be justifiably concerned about the climate-induced havoc were wreaking planet-wide, much has remained unknown about species aggression among our mammalian brethren said Joel Berger, lead author of the study, senior scientist for WCS and the Barbara Cox-Anthony Chair of Wildlife Conservation at Colorado State University.

Scientists were surprised to find that among the conflicts, the goats won more often than bighorn sheep. Mountain goats won more than 98% of battles at three sites from Colorado to Alberta, Canada.

We were surprised that mountain goats won, Berger told the Washington Post. Naively, I was just thinking, weve got two similar-sized species and they both live in these mountains. And if everything was equal, then half the time wed expect one to win and half the time the other.

While mountain goats are native in the northwestern U.S., they are not native to Colorado and Wyoming. The observations bring concerns that the mountain goats may outcompete the native bighorn sheep.

Scientists suspect melting glaciers that expose resources are part of the problem, but the interactions may also be driven by human activity, like building roads and artificial sources of water that restrict natural resources for the animals.

If we cant offer species other than ourselves a chance, were just cooking our fates along similarly destructive paths, Berger said in a statement.

As reported by The Guardian, the Rocky Mountains have lost over 300 glaciers over the past 100 years. NASAs Earth Observatory shared that by 2030, most of the glaciers in Glacier National Park will no longer be visible. These ongoing and rapid changes due to global warming could further impact species in these mountainous habitats.

Not long ago these areas were covered in ice and snow. Theyve now opened up and theres some conflict over access, Berger told The Guardian. Direct conflict isnt something any of these species want, but this is what happening.




Kazakhstan and Qatar sign investment agreement in dairy and poultry productions

Kazakhstan and Qatar have signed 13 bilateral documents worth more than $625 million at the Kazakhstan-Qatar Investment Forum in Astana, Kazakhstan, on October 12, the Kazakh Invest national company's press service reported.

Both countries signed investment agreements in dairy and poultry productions, metallurgy and mining, tourism, agricultural, education, healthcare, IT and communication sectors.

Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Almas Aidarov said that the agreement on promotion and mutual protection of investments between Kazakhstan and Qatar will open new opportunities for investors and strengthen relations.



- The Astana Times






Possible ASF case in Iloilo, Philippines

The province of Iloilo, the Philippines, has logged a suspected African swine fever (ASF) case, despite a ban on the entry of pork from other parts of the country with confirmed ASF cases, the Manila Bulletin reported last week.



"As of now, it is still a suspected case," said Dr. Darel Tabuada, chief provincial veterinarian.



Tabuada told Iloilo media in a press conference on October 13, that his office is still awaiting the confirmatory test from the Metro Manila laboratory of the Bureau of Animal Industry, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA).



The suspected ASF case was recorded in a semi-commercial hog farm in Oton. Six hogs have died so far.



The provincial government is coordinating with the local government of Oton led by Mayor Sofronio Fusin Jr. to implement the necessary measures against ASF.



The provincial government is working together with the Oton Municipal Agriculture Office to check the population of hogs within the radius of 0.5 kilometer of the hog farm.



Tabuada added there is a current border control within the area.



- Manila Bulletin




Risk assessment on Cooke Aquaculture's salmon farm expansion in Nova Scotia, Canada, released

Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans had released its review of Cooke Aquaculture's proposed Atlantic salmon farm expansion at Liverpool Bay, Nova Scotia, highlighting potential impacts on lobster and wild salmon.

The risk assessment does not recommend approval or rejection of the expansion that is before provincial regulators awaiting a hearing.

Cooke, through its subsidiary Kelly Cove Salmon, wants to increase the size of its existing fish farm at Coffin Island in Liverpool Bay and add two more sites nearby at Mersey Point and Brooklyn.

If approved, production from each site would be 660,000 salmon  a 370% increase in the number of farmed fish in the bay, according to the DFO report.

The DFO assessed the risks from the use of approved drugs contained in fish feed and pesticide baths, the impact of organic material on the seabed, potential for entanglements, effect on wild salmon and cumulative effect of the increase with other human activities underway in Liverpool Bay.

The report noted that Cooke does not use approved pest-control products, including hydrogen peroxide and azamethiphos, in the bay. However, it also noted the company has not had a reported escape since Cooke took over the lease in 2010.

The company said there is no issue with sea lice at its current Liverpool Bay site.

The report assessed the risk of chemicals regardless of whether they are in use. It found that the seabed up to 3.8 kilometres from a site could be exposed to in-feed drugs from waste, if those drugs were used.

Pesticide levels that are toxic to some species may travel up to 4.3 kilometres from the proposed sites, if they are used.

Lobster and crab are within exposure zones where fish health-treatment products will be used. Adult lobsters may be exposed to in-feed drugs and harmful concentrations of pesticides in shallower areas around a site.

Larval lobster may also be exposed to toxic concentrations of pesticides.

Restrictions on the use of azamethiphos, a sea lice treatment, are likely to apply from November to May, when lobster pounds less than one kilometre from the proposed sites are operational.

The DFO said low oxygen levels caused by smothering sediment have occurred at the current site. But it added that exposures to waste feed and other smothering material may be transient as the seabed is periodically reset by waves and storms.

The addition of more feed and waste products from the increased production of fish, in combination with land and marine pollutants, boating traffic and contaminated sites, "suggests a high potential for cumulative effects on water and sediment quality, particularly impacting benthic habitats and associated species," the report stated.

The DFO said the proposed expansion would result in an increase in the proportion of escapees in most rivers within 200 kilometres on either side of bay sites with a resulting increase in the risk of interbreeding with wild salmon. The population of wild Atlantic salmon along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia is already in serious trouble.

Cooke spokesperson Joel Richardson said the company just received the DFO document and has begun a review.

"The items raised by DFO appear to all be already addressed within Kelly Cove Salmon's technical and scientific application document to the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture," Richardson said in a statement.

He disputed a risk identified by the DFO that "the proposed increase in total leased area may result in lobster being inaccessible to the traditional lobster fishery in Liverpool Bay."

Richardson said the inshore lobster fishery and its salmon farms co-exist.

"We allow lobster fishers to come into our lease areas to set traps and they have great success in every location where we operate including at our existing Coffin Island farm in Liverpool Bay," he commented.



- CBC




Fonterra announces new sustainable finance framework

As part of Fonterra's commitment to sustainability and implementation of its strategy, the co-operative has released on October 17 its Sustainable Finance Framework (Framework).

The framework aligns Fonterra's funding strategy with its sustainability ambitions and reflects the evolving preferences of lenders and debt investors in this area. It outlines how the cooperative intends to issue and manage any sustainable debt, which could include Green Bonds and Sustainability-Linked Bonds and Loans.

The framework has been developed with Joint Sustainability Co-ordinators HSBC and Westpac NZ, and has been independently verified by ISS Corporate Solutions confirming alignment with globally agreed sustainable finance principles.

"This new framework is a step on our sustainable financing journey  aligning with our cooperative's broader sustainability ambitions," said Simon Till, Fonterra's director of capital markets. "Over the next decade, we intend to significantly increase our investment in sustainability-related activities and assets throughout our supply chain to both mitigate environmental risks and continue to differentiate our New Zealand milk. By FY30, we intend to invest around NZ$1 billion (US$557 million) in reducing carbon emissions and improving water efficiency and treatment at our manufacturing sites. In doing so, we will be taking significant steps towards our aspiration to be net zero by 2050 and we plan to align our funding with this approach."

The framework's announcement comes off the back of strong annual sustainability performance reported in September 2022.

Fonterra's chief operating officer, Fraser Whineray, said that the cooperative is making solid progress towards its sustainability targets.

"In our sixth year of independently assured reporting, we are pleased with progress. Fonterra's GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions (Scope 1 and 2) are 11.2% lower than FY18 and well on their way to our goal of 30% by 2030," Whineray said. "With our supplier owners, we are ahead of target for delivery of Farm Environment Plans (FEP), with 71% of farmers now having plans, against a target of 67% for FY22 and on track for 100% by 2025."

This year, Fonterra has also seen close to double the number of farmers achieving the Co-operative Difference to last year, with more than 70% achieving it at some level.

From the 2021/22 season, farms became eligible for the Co-operative Difference payment of up to 10 cents per kg for milk solids, based on meeting specific criteria, covering milk quality and an on-farm demonstration of care for the environment, animals, people and community.

The cooperative is also working with partners and other stakeholders on a wide range of potential solutions to help reduce biological emissions. Fonterra, along with other agribusiness leaders, recently entered into a joint venture with the New Zealand government, as part of the new Centre for Climate Action on Agricultural Emissions.

Under the memorandum of understanding, industry partners have already made an indicative commitment up to around $35 million. This could see around $172 million invested over the next four years to develop and commercialise practical tools and technologies for farmers.

"Over the next four years, we're looking to scale up an investment in methane reduction of around $50 million through this joint venture.

"We know we can, with the government, achieve more by partnering with others and are looking forward to working together to find solutions that will benefit our farmer owners along with the rest of New Zealand," said Whineray.

Fonterra said it is committed to helping people reach their full potential.

Continued focus on training has seen New Zealand employees spend more than 500,000 hours upskilling, an average of 45 hours per learner. To date more than 1,000 employees have taken part in the Leadership Essentials Programme that develops current and future frontline leaders.

There has been a continued positive trend in regard to female representation in global senior leadership from 32.4% to 34.8% in FY2022, Fonterra added. The beginning of the cooperative's new financial year has seen two more women promoted to key roles on its management team with the appointment of Komal Mistry-Mehta to chief innovation and brand officer and Emma Parsons as managing director of strategy and optimisation.

This year, Fonterra has set a new goal of 40:40:20' (40% female, 40% male, 20% any gender).

Other progresses that Fonterra noted include:

- Water use by the cooperative's manufacturing sites in water-constrained regions decreased by 4.2%, taking Fonterra to a 6.6% absolute reduction against its 2018 baseline. Going forward, Fonterra is broadening its water target with an aim to reduce water use across manufacturing sites by 15% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline. Further, all sites will have refreshed bespoke water improvement plans by the end of FY2024.

- New Zealand's first electric tanker, Milk-E, was launched as part of its fleet decarbonisation plans. The percentage of e-vehicles continue to increase. There are now 693 electric vehicles (cars, forklifts, milk collection tanker) and the network of e-charging stations has expanded to 81;

- On a total tonnage of packaging basis, 89% of Fonterra's packaging is now recycle-ready, up from 87% last year.

- 87.7% of products meet Fonterra's independently endorsed nutritional guidelines through further improvements to the composition of everyday and advanced nutrition products;

- 50 million KickStart breakfasts have been served since the programme began.

100% of Fonterra's manufacturing sites are certified to a leading food safety management system;

- Fonterra has increased on-the-job training and reskilling hours, ahead of its plan to double on-the-job training and reskilling hours by 2025 from a 2020 baseline, in line with our Aotearoa New Zealand Skills Pledge.

- Farmer insight reports have been extended to include key insights relating to animal wellbeing including somatic cell count, milking efficiency, mastitis rates, lameness and the potential impact of heat stress;

- 76% of farms in New Zealand agreed an Animal Wellbeing Plan with their vet this year.



- Fonterra




Cooke subsidiary launches premium salmon brand for US market





Cooke Aquaculture's True North Seafood has quietly launched a premium salmon brand that leans heavily on its origins in the US state of Maine.

The company's Cutler Cove Salmon is now available on a limited basis in fillets and portions through Baldor Specialty Food in US areas including New York City, Harbor Fish in Portland, Maine, and Taylor Lobster in Kittery, Maine, according to True North Vice president of marketing Jill Cronk.

"Cutler Cove Salmon is our premier salmon offering in the US market," Cronk told SeafoodSource. "We know from our market research that seafood consumers are interested in salmon that is Product of USA, raised without the use of antibiotics, fresh [and] never frozen, and [Best Aquaculture Practices] four-star certified. Cooke Aquaculture USA is the only producer of ocean-raised, Atlantic salmon in the US market, so we were already well-positioned to produce salmon that meets all these criteria. Cutler Cove Salmon is raised and harvested in Maine, shipped in recyclable packaging and transported by truck. We created the Cutler Cove Salmon brand to help our customer base, from home cooks to chefs and upscale retailers, easily identify the salmon that has all these key features."

Cooke declined to provide the company's current production volumes for Cutler Cove Salmon, but Cronk said the company's goal is to grow the brand's footprint nationally.

"Expansion plans are currently regionally focused, with intentions to grow across the US," she said.

Baldor Specialty Foods director of merchandising Kevin Lindgren said his company, which serves approximately 5,000 restaurants in the US Northeast on a daily basis, has been carrying Cutler Cove Salmon since May 2022.

"Baldor has done business with Cooke, buying their smoked salmon, for at least the past 10 years, and [eventually] expanding to frozen salmon under the True North label," Lindgren said. "Our sales rep learned what we were looking for how we were trying to grow the category and gave us the opportunity with the Cutler Cove Salmon.

"We want to carry premium products, not the same commodities that everybody else has. And Cutler Cove Salmon checks every box for us."

- SeafoodSource




Mexico in industry-government effort to create meat traceability systems

Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is working with the country's pork and poultry industries to design traceability systems that make possible to know the origin, transit and final destination of a meat.

The system would provide added value to the Mexican livestock industry, as it would complement the epidemiological surveillance actions carried out by official veterinarians and producers, for the direct benefit of consumers and Mexico's trading partners.

The main challenge for Mexican technicians is to extend the certifications in good practices to a larger number of producers. This move has the benefit of guaranteeing the absence of pathogens such as salmonella and Cyclospora, thus maintaining the eligibility for the most competitive internal and external markets.

Through compliance with sanitary measures and the adoption of good practices, the industry seeks to expand the domestic market and diversify the external market, mainly to the Middle East, the European Union and main Asian markets, such as China, Japan and South Korea.



- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Mexico)




Pakistan urged to abrogate 35% tax on grandparent chick





Industry players in Pakistan have demanded that the government should abolish a 35% tax imposed on grandparent chick.

Tax on import of mineral vitamins should be reduced so that poultry and eggs can be made affordable to the masses, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) president Saqib Rafiq and Pakistan Poultry Association chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Ashraf argued.

Rafiq said the volume of poultry industry in Pakistan had exceeded Rs1,200 billion. The poultry sector generates employment and provides source of income to more than 1.5 million people in Pakistan directly and indirectly, he added.

He said Pakistan was included in countries where severe stunting in young children was found, and an increased consumption of eggs can help overcome this issue.

The poultry industry can be further developed by reducing the tax imposed on feed and machinery, he added.

Ashraf said that the poultry industry was suffering due to the increase in production costs and heavy taxes. He said the poultry sector is playing an important role in alleviating malnutrition in Pakistan.



- Dawn
Two of nine dogs trained to find dead wild boars to prevent the possible spread of African Swine Fever approach a carcass during training in May 2022. Courtesy of National Institute for Wild Animal Disease Control



By Ko Dong-hwan



To prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF)  a highly-contagious, animal-to-animal virus  Korea's central disease control agency dedicated to handling wild animals has launched a new canine unit to locate wild boars potentially infected with the deadly disease.



Nine dogs specially trained to find wild boar carcasses in the wild commenced their official duty on Monday, according to the National Institute for Wild Animal Disease Control (NIWAD). They will roam around the jurisdictions of Chungju and Goesan in North Chungcheong Province and Mungyeong in North Gyeongsang Province. The authority selected the three regions out of 23 cities and counties in the country with the highest ASF risks based on records of the past cases of the disease as well as their geographical traits of being mountainous that likely increase the risks of the disease spreading.



The dogs will be deployed up to 30 times until the end of this year.



With the help of experts, the authority started training the dogs in February of this year. By the end of their training in September, the search dogs have acquired a sense of smell 10,000 times stronger than that of humans and drastically improved stamina. They can search areas that are difficult for humans to access, such as steep cliffs or heavily wooded areas.





Handlers of search dogs under training stand over a dead boar found by the dogs during a test in June. Courtesy of National Institute for Wild Animal Disease Control



The authority in June carried out the first test, hiding in a mountain area four wild boars that tested negative for ASF and having the dogs search them. Within two hours, the dogs and their handlers found all of the boars.



The dogs took part in another drill in July. For three months, they were dispatched to Chungju and Mungyeong, where 10 ASF cases were recently reported. During that period, the dogs found two wild boar carcasses in Chungju and four in Mungyeong. All of the boars tested negative for ASF.



"It is the first time that NIWAD employed search dogs to prevent the spread of ASF," Ji Seong-in, an official from NIWAD, told The Korea Times. "There are precedents in other countries but not in Korea."



Jeong Won-hwa, the chief of the Disease Response Team at NIWAD, said Monday that the practice has already been employed in Germany and Switzerland to locate wild boar carcasses. "The carcasses of wild boars can spread the virus, so finding and eliminating them as early as possible using search dogs is critical," said Jeong.





Search dogs were trained to locate wild boar carcasses to prevent African Swine Fever from spreading to domesticated pigs. Courtesy of National Institute for Wild Animal Disease Control




Barbados not supportive of more subsidies as local farmers struggle

The government of Barbados has signaled that it is not in favour of providing any further subsidies to its agriculture industry as public officials work on a strategy to assist struggling farmers facing a possible increase in feed costs.

Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir made this revelation at the ministrys headquarters in Christ Church following a ceremony to commemorate World Food Day, which is recognised internationally on October 16.

Weir told Barbados Today that a subsidy was a temporary quick fix and not a long-term solution.

"I am not so sold on the traditional route of dropping in price support. It lasts for a period of time and then you are back with the same problem," he said. "I want to create overall improvement and once the farmers are more efficient and the cost of operations is down, then they may be able to withstand any external shocks."

Last year, the government set aside $4 million in price support for poultry and livestock farmers when Pinnacle Feeds indicated that due to the skyrocketing costs of inputs, it was going to increase its prices by 19% and 26%.

Back then, the government also negotiated with the manufacturer to drop the margin to 11%.

Weir said there were other ways the government could assist farmers.

"At the end of the day, many of these small farmers are struggling because of high costs of operations and it does not always have to be a subsidy," he said. "We can provide other support by improvement of their facilities, improvement in terms of genetics, technical support (and) introducing modern systems."

Pinnacle Feeds recently wrote to the Barbados Agricultural Society informing the organisation of its plan to increase its prices by as much as 21% due to the continued rising costs of grain.

However, after a meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Ministry of Energy and Business Development, Pinnacle agreed it would hold on its prices for a week and provide the Ministry of Agriculture with financial details to allow officials to conduct an assessment and analysis of how the company was being impacted by increasing input costs and its inability to raise prices.

Meanwhile, Weir said it was impossible for Barbados to control supply chain issues occurring in the international sphere and it was time to look for feed inputs from non-traditional sources.

"My view on all of this is that we now have to look to new source markets. I dont think that we can control what is happening globally," he added. "We can foster partnerships with people who are closer to us like Roraima (Brazil) to be able to get better prices of grain.

"That is what I am working on and I am duty-bound to protect the small farmers. So, (for) all of those small farmers who are involved in pig farming and poultry farming, Im also looking at options that we can explore to provide support for them."

Stakeholders in the farming community told Barbados Today that another price increase could run them out of business.

Meanwhile, Weir said Pinnacle has been keeping true to its word on its deliverables.

"We requested information so we can do an in-depth analysis of what is happening in terms of the landed cost of grains, cost of production (and so on) It took a little time for us to get all the information we needed," he said.



- Barbados Today




USDA proposes massive changes to poultry sector to reduce food poisoning

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed massive changes in the processing of chicken and turkey meat in the country that may reduce illnesses from food contamination, but meat firms must make significant adjustments to their operations, Time reported.

Currently, consumers are largely responsible for handling raw poultry carefully in the kitchen, following the standard recommendations to not wash raw chicken or turkey (doing so spreads the bacteria), using separate utensils when preparing meat, and cooking to 165 degrees. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the USDA wants to take action by beginning with the farmers who raise the poultry and moving on to the processing facility where the meat is produced.

Their primary target for food poisoning is one of the three salmonella serotypes that account for one-third of all human illnesses from chicken and turkey products. There are more than 2,500 salmonella serotypes. The organisation suggests limiting their use on poultry products.

The cost of doctor and hospital visits, recuperation, and early deaths is estimated by the USDA to total of US$4.1 billion annually due to foodborne salmonella infections.

Similar action was taken in 1994 by the USDA's FSIS, which identified specific E. coli strains as contaminants in ground beef and began testing for the pathogen. As a result, the number of illnesses linked to the meat has significantly decreased.

The agency is recommending a regulatory framework that would include checking incoming flocks of chickens and turkeys for the bacteria that commonly affects the intestines and kills 1.3 million people annually. Symptoms of salmonella infection in humans can include diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting that can last for several days. Officials are hoping that testing chickens and turkeys before they are killed will persuade farmers to use techniques that lessen the bacterial infection on the bird before it is processed for meat.

As a second measure, sampling for the bacteria at various points inside the processing facility would be implemented in order to improve monitoring for salmonella during processing. Establishing a maximum level of bacterial contamination permitted and perhaps restricting the three specific types of salmonella that can cause illness would be the third significant change. Meat that would be out of compliance or that contained prohibited strains of salmonella could be kept off the market.

The vast majority of poultry products are produced at about 220 of the approximately 3,000 federally inspected facilities that slaughter poultry, according to the USDA. The agency stated that it is difficult to estimate how many people would be impacted by the upcoming rulemaking at this time.

On November 3, the FSIS will hold a public hearing to gather feedback from the poultry industry and other stakeholders before beginning a protracted process of proposing new rules. The government wants to develop new rules and regulations that could be implemented starting in the following year and enforced in two years.

Sandra Eskin, USDA's Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, said before establishing strict regulations, the USDA will take its time to introduce these ideas and solicit feedback, adding that it plans to start developing rules in the middle of 2023 and finish them in two years.

For years, consumer advocates have pushed for this kind of regulation of poultry products. Eskin said that the changes are being pushed by US President Joe Biden's administration.

One of the nation's top attorneys for consumers harmed by food sources, Seattle state-based Bill Marler, applauded the agency's decision, which acknowledges that preventing salmonella from spreading to animals before they enter processing plants is essential to lowering meat contamination. As a starting point, he advised FSIS to declare salmonella to be an adulterant, a contaminant that can lead to a food-borne illness, in all meat.

For a few decades, the industry has struggled to reduce food-borne salmonella infections in accordance with government targets. Eskin said a 25% reduction would be necessary to achieve the new target set for 2030 of 11.5 infections per 100,000 people annually.

Despite the fact that the industry was able to cut the number of chicken samples containing salmonella by 50% between 2017 and 2021, Eskin said the number of salmonella illnesses over the previous 20 years has not significantly decreased. The consumption of poultry products is to blame for more than 23% of foodborne salmonella illnesses, with nearly 17% coming from chicken meat and more than 6% from turkey meat.

Salmonella control initiatives are a top priority, according to the North American Meat Institute, the trade association for American packers and processors of beef, pork, lamb, veal, and turkey.

Julie Anna Potts, the president and CEO of the North American Meat Institute, said they find it encouraging that FSIS is following the standard rulemaking procedure and will look forward to reviewing the proposal and offering commentary from the industry.

Salmonella reduction initiatives are supported by the National Chicken Council, which represents businesses that raise and process chickens for meat.

Ashley Peterson, the organization's senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, said they are concerned that the proposed framework currently lacks industry input, research, and data.

- Time
Xi Jinping delivers a report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2022. The 20th CPC National Congress opened on Sunday. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping on Sunday stressed upholding and improving the policy of One Country, Two Systems. "The policy of One Country, Two Systems is a great innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It has proven to be the best institutional arrangement for ensuring sustained prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao after their return to the motherland," Xi said in a report at the opening session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). "This policy must be adhered to over the long term," he said. "We will fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. We will remain committed to law-based governance in Hong Kong and Macao," Xi said. "We will ensure that the central government exercises overall jurisdiction over the two regions. We will see that Hong Kong and Macao are administered by patriots," he said. "We will support Hong Kong and Macao in growing their economies, improving their people's lives, and resolving deep-seated issues and problems in economic and social development, and promote long-term prosperity and stability in the two special administrative regions," Xi said. "We will support Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating themselves into China's overall development and playing a greater role in realizing national rejuvenation," he said. "We will ensure both the central government's overall jurisdiction and a high degree of autonomy in the special administrative regions," according to the report. The central authorities will uphold executive-led government in Hong Kong and Macao and support the chief executives and governments of the two regions in exercising law-based administration, enhancing their overall governance and management capacity, and improving their judicial and legal systems, the report said. "We will inspire more people in Hong Kong and Macao to love both the country and their own regions, be more patriotic, and forge a broader united front at home and abroad in support of the One Country, Two Systems policy," it said. "We will crack down hard on anti-China elements who attempt to create chaos in Hong Kong and Macao. We will take resolute action to prevent and stop interference in the affairs of Hong Kong and Macao by external forces," the report said.
By Arthur I. Cyr





"Give 'em hell Harry." That was the preeminent statement associated with President Harry S. Truman, and accurately sums up his political and more general style while in the White House, and thereafter for the rest of his life.



At the end of September, a statue of President Truman was unveiled at the United States Capitol, where our Congress does our nation's legislative business and conducts legislative hearings along with the more private debates, discussions and deals that have kept our great nation more or less together for nearly 250 years.



The statue, the work of gifted artist-sculptor Tom Corbin of Kansas City, is seven and a half feet tall, distinctive and captures Truman's personal style and impact. The nation's chief executive is descending stairs but looking straight ahead, with a straight posture and firm expression.



Every state can place two statues in the Rotunda. The statue of President Truman replaces one of another Democrat, Senator Thomas Hart Benton, who represented Missouri in the upper house from 1821 to 1851, an unprecedented length of tenure up until that time. The Benton statue will be moved to the Missouri State Historical Society Art Gallery.



The setting is appropriate and the monument fitting. Truman was an exceptionally dedicated, effective  and honest  member of the United States Senate, including tireless work during World War II that paved his way to becoming vice president, and then president upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in April 1945.



Democratic Party leaders very consciously selected Senator Harry Truman as the vice presidential candidate in 1944. He was in no way an "accidental" president when FDR died only 82 days into his unprecedented fourth term in the White House.



Despite iron determination and discipline, President Roosevelt's deteriorating health at times alarmed those around him. The long-term undertow of polio paralysis, plus the enormous strains of World War II and more than a decade in office exacted a final toll.



Vice President Henry Wallace, more, a populist left-winger than a practical politician, sympathetic to the Soviet Union, was unacceptable. Truman, in World War I an artillery officer tested by combat, led effective investigations of corruption in federal contracts during World War II.



Only a few months into the job, President Truman faced the decision of whether to use the just-developed atomic bomb against Japan. He decided yes.



Truman along with General George C. Marshall, Secretary of State Dean Acheson, George Kennan and others led the formation of United Nations institutions, the Marshall Plan to aid devastated Europe and, as the Cold War descended, the NATO alliance.



Crisis followed crisis: Soviet blockade of encircled West Berlin, communist threats to Greece, Italy and Iran and communist victory in China.



President Truman was decisive in supporting U.N. efforts to defend South Korea against North Korea's invasion in 1950. He fought pressure to use the atomic bomb there. When influential General Douglas MacArthur publicly criticized U.S. policy, Truman fired him.



At home, Truman desegregated our military and federal civil services.



In 1948, Democrats nominated Truman for president but Southern Democrats and Wallace radicals ran separate tickets.



Truman campaigned tirelessly. At Bremerton, Washington, a supporter shouted he should "give 'em hell," and he did, and he won.



At the statue unveiling in the Capitol, Republican Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri commented insightfully that, "No president in such a short period of time made more consequential decisions."



On the base of the statue is the reminder President Truman kept on his desk, visible to visitors:



"The buck stops here."





Arthur I. Cyr (acyr@carthage.edu) wrote "After the Cold War." Contact




By Sandip Kumar Mishra





North Korean nuclear and missile capabilities have grown alarmingly. In 2022, North Korea conducted several missile tests and according to South Korean Unification Minister Kwon Young-se, these tests seek to "tame South Korea." The unification minister feels that there are two other reasons for North Korea's incessant missile tests. One, North Korea wants to upgrade its weapons and two, North Korea wants to draw the attention of the U.S. government.



In response, South Korea had nothing new in its armor. Seoul has warned North Korea against these tests, declared that their defense is strong enough and would be further strengthened, and announced that more sanctions would be brought in to force North Korea to talk and denuclearize. South Korea keeps saying that the "ball is in the North Korean court" and they "hope" that North Korea will realize that it is better to talk.



On Oct. 1, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said that it is time for North Korea to make a decision on denuclearization. Meanwhile, South Korea will conduct joint military drills with the U.S. to achieve an "alliance in action." Yoon has already announced his "audacious initiative" in which economic assistance has been promised in exchange for North Korea moving toward denuclearization.



The U.S. under the Biden administration first has a long review of North Korea policy and came out with an unimaginative and stale approach that the North Korean nuclear and missile programs are not acceptable and that Pyongyang should give them up. It seems that the U.S. is busy managing its contest with China, building its Indo-Pacific network, trying to articulate a China-free supply network including "Chip 4" and dealing with the Ukraine issue by isolating Russia.



These are complex issues and it would not be possible for the U.S. to bring back its attention to the North Korean issue anytime soon. Japan is another country that is directly threatened by North Korea's provocative behavior as well as the advancement of its nuclear and missile technologies. However, Japan also has no clear plan except for more sanctions and the policy of isolating North Korea.



Actually, many observers feel that South Korea, the U.S. and Japan have gone through a period of fatigue and they are not sure about their future course of action toward North Korea. In the meantime, they keep reiterating certain rhetorical positions which appear to be reasonable but are basically empty and may lead to the worsening of their position vis-a-vis North Korea.



First and foremost, it must be understood that North Korea, through its nuclear and missile tests, has been upgrading its weapons. There could be various strategic, tactical and immediate reasons for these tests but ultimately, they help North Korea to advance its technologies.



Second, it is important for South Korea, the U.S. and Japan to have defense preparedness against North Korean nuclear and missile arsenals. But such preparedness would not have much impact on the North Korean nuclear and missile programs. There must be plans and their execution to stop and, if possible, reverse it.



Third, if North Korea has been trying to draw the attention of the U.S. or the international community, it must not be avoided. We have had periods of "strategic patience" and the "principled wait" but it led to more sophistication of North Korea's arsenal rather than North Korea joining talks to denuclearize.



Fourth, the idea that more sanctions will cripple North Korea has also proved to be ineffective. A country must be connected to the world to get negatively affected by sanctions and North Korea is not. Furthermore, complete isolation of North Korea is not possible as China and now Russia would not stop formal and informal assistance to the North. Also, North Korea is a totalitarian state and any hardship experienced because of sanctions would be borne by its people and not by the regime.



Thus, waiting and hoping that North Korea will come to talk or having more sanctions and better defense preparedness is insufficient to deal with the North Korean issue. It would also be unproductive to keep oscillating between engagement and containment with the misperceived notion that both of them do not work. Engagement with North Korea is definitely a better option and one may say that it is the only realistic option.



Even though it has brought less than desired outcomes, other options have been worse. A long engagement would lead to more mutual dependency, the building of trust and normal inter-state exchanges between North Korea and other countries. In the course of things, then we may bring in the issue of denuclearization.



We must realize that getting North Korea to agree to denuclearization upfront is impossible now and it would be possible only if sufficient trust is built among the relevant parties. So, it is important for South Korea, the U.S. and Japan to realize the futility as well as the danger of their approaches and take up the issue with urgency and proactively bring their act together.





The author (sandipmishra10@gmail.com) is associate professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, India.


New Chief Executive for Standard Bank Isle of Man

A leading bank has appointed a new head in the Isle of Man.

Lee Franciss arrival as Chief Executive and Island Head at Standard Bank (Isle of Man) comes in the year the company is celebrating its 30th anniversary on Manx shores.

Lees experience has spanned Gibraltar, Cyprus, Geneva, London and South Africa over a career approaching 30 years, including eight years as Chief Operating Officer for Barclays Africa Wealth & Investment Management.

He relocates to the Isle of Man from BUPA UK where he held a senior role in IT Security.
Fossil is acting on its promise to release Wear OS 3 watches, but you might want to temper your expectations. The fashion brand has introduced its first Wear OS 3 model, the Gen 6 Wellness Edition, and the name says a lot about it  it's a refresh of last year's smartwatch that focuses on software. Google's new software promises an easier-to-navigate interface with improved health tracking, including through Fossil's in-house Wellness app. You'll also get relevant watch faces, including a device-exclusive "Wellness Gauge" to monitor your vitals.

There are a few physical changes. The Wellness Edition includes a tweaked 44mm case in rose gold- or silver-hued steel with 20mm straps. Apart from that, though, it's effectively the Gen 6 you saw in 2021. That means a 2020-era Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chip, a 1.28-inch circular display, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage and 3ATM water resistance. You'll be disappointed if you were expecting a Snapdragon W5+ or more space for your apps and music.

Existing Gen 6 owners should be receiving Wear OS 3 as an update, and they'll get much of the experience from the Wellness Edition. Gen 6 watches from Michael Kors, Razer and Skagen should also get the new software. Just be warned that you'll need to erase your device data as part of the upgrade.

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The Gen 6 Wellness Edition is available now for $299. Silicone straps to customize the look are available for $30 each. Fossil still makes some of the better-looking Wear OS watches outside of luxury models like the Montblanc Summit 3, but this is undoubtedly a tough sell if you're looking for something genuinely new. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 family offers a wider range of cases and more up-to-date processing power, while Google's Pixel Watch compensates for its aging chip with Wear OS 3.5 and a truly stand-out design. If you weren't thrilled by Fossil before, the refresh won't change your mind.
Adults in the US with mild-to-moderate hearing loss can now buy hearing aids online or from a store without a prescription, medical exam or audiologist fitting. The Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule in August that allows stores and online retailers to sell over-the-counter (OTC) devices starting today.

The move could save consumers thousands of dollars on a pair of hearing aids, according to the White House. Walmart is now selling them through its website, Sam's Club, more than 1,000 in-store Vision Centers and 474 Sams Club Hearing Aid Center locations. Walmart's options cost between $199 and $999 per pair. The company claimed comparable prescription hearing aids cost between $4,400 and $5,500.

Walgreens and CVS are also now selling OTC hearing aids. Best Buy and Hy-Vee will begin selling them online this week and in stores a little later.

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Last week, Sony announced two hearing aid models that it created with WS Audiology. The CRE-C10 has a battery life of up to 70 hours on a single charge, according to Sony. That model will be available sometime this month. The CRE-E10, meanwhile, will cost $1,300. Sony claims it has a battery life of 26 hours, though you'll be able to recharge it wirelessly. The CRE-E10 can also connect to an iPhone for audio playback.

Jabra revealed a set of hearing enhancement earbuds in August 2021. While they were initially available from hearing care clinics, but Jabra says they're now on sale as OTC hearing aids. Early last year, Bose announced what it claimed were the first FDA-cleared hearing aids that don't need a prescription or visit to a doctor.

Nearly 30 million Americans are believed to have some degree of hearing loss, including 10 million folks under the age of 60. Over-the-counter hearing aids could drastically improve many people's quality of life, especially since the devices should be far less expensive. However, those who have severe hearing loss or anyone aged under 18 will still need a prescription for hearing aids, the FDA ruled.
TikTok is once again updating its livestreaming features, and this time the biggest improvements affect the people who can't watch. For starters, the upgrade now lets TikTok Live users host adult-only broadcasts. If a stream is likely to include lots of colorful language or tackle traumatic subjects, you can make sure the audience is mature enough to handle it. The option will be available in the "coming weeks." And no, it's not an officially sanctioned alternative to OnlyFans  TikTok's policies still forbid sexually explicit content.

The social video service is also raising the minimum age for hosts from 16 to 18 starting November 23rd. TikTok pitches this as a logical extension of its restrictions on teen content, but it also comes after incidents of abuse. Older viewers have sexually exploited teen hosts, for example, while teens have made threats against schools. In theory, the higher minimum age will reduce the number of school-age kids using Live to get into the kinds of trouble that wouldn't be possible using pre-recorded clips. Accordingly, a feature arriving in the weeks ahead will remind creators to block keywords they've filtered out in the past.

There is one upgrade that brings more people into the fold. A recently expanded Multi-Guest feature now lets a host invite up to five other participants using either a grid or panel layout. This can be helpful for pro creators who want to air full-fledged shows, of course, but it could also be helpful for any streamer who wants to bring more friends into a conversation.

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TikTok is facing government pressure to implement audience controls like this. American and British officials are worried the social network might harm children, whether through promoting unhealthy behavior or jeopardizing privacy. Age restrictions won't necessarily prevent abuses of live broadcasts, but they could indicate that TikTok is addressing key concerns.
From left are SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Kakao founder Kim Beom-su and Naver founder Lee Hae-jin / Yonhap



Lawmakers criticize Kakao's insufficient preparedness for disasters



By Park Jae-hyuk



The worst-ever disruption in Kakao's services, caused by a fire last Saturday at the company's main data center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, has prompted lawmakers to summon the owners of the companies involved in the incident to a National Assembly audit as witnesses.



The ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed on Monday to summon SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Kakao founder Kim Beom-su and Naver founder Lee Hae-jin to an audit of the Ministry of Science and ICT next week. SK C&C CEO Park Sung-ha, Kakao CEO Hong Eun-taek and Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon have also been summoned.



Kakao's main servers were located inside an SK C&C building in Seongnam where the fire broke out.



Both parties leveled criticism at Kakao for its insufficient preparedness for disasters.



While PPP floor leader Joo Ho-young pointed out Kakao's failure to set up an independent data center, DPK floor leader Park Hong-geun attributed the nationwide chaos last weekend to Kakao's negligence in its duty to establish backup systems.






When Xi Jinping came to power a decade ago, China had just overtaken Japan to become the worlds second largest economy.

It has grown at a phenomenal pace since then. With an average annual growth rate of 6.7% since 2012, China has seen one of the fastest sustained expansions for a major economy in history. In 2021, its GDP hit nearly $18 trillion, constituting 18.4% of the global economy, according to the World Bank.

Chinas rapid technological advances have also made it a strategic threat to the United States and its allies. Its steadily pushing American rivals out of long-held leadership positions in sectors ranging from 5G technology to artificial intelligence.

Until recently, some economists were predicting that China would become the worlds biggest economy by 2030, unseating the United States. Now, the situation looks much less promising.

As Xi prepares for his second decade in power, he faces mounting economic challenges, including an unhappy middle-class. If he is not able to bring the economy back on track, China faces slowing innovation and productivity, along with rising social discontent.

For 30 years, China was on a path that gave people great hope, said Doug Guthrie, the director of China Initiatives at Arizona State Universitys Thunderbird School of Global Management, adding that the country is in deep trouble right now.

Economic slowdown and rare dissent

While Xi is one of the most powerful leaders China and its ruling Communist Party have seen, some experts say that he cant claim credit for the countrys astonishing progress.

Xis leadership is not causal for Chinas economic rise, said Sonja Opper, a professor at Bocconi University in Italy who studies Chinas economy. Xi was able to capitalize on an ongoing entrepreneurial movement and rapid development of a private [sector] economy prior leaders had unleashed, she added.

Rather, in recent years, Xis policies have caused some massive headaches in China.

A sweeping crackdown by Beijing on the countrys private sector, that began in late 2020, and its unwavering commitment to a zero-Covid policy, have hit the economy and job market hard.

If anything, Xis leadership may have dampened some of the countrys growth dynamic, Opper said.

More than $1 trillion has been wiped off the market value of Alibaba and Tencent  the crown jewels of Chinas tech industry  over the last two years. Sales growth in the sector has slowed, and tens of thousands of employees have been laid off, leading to record youth unemployment.

The property sector has also been bludgeoned, hitting some of the countrys biggest home developers. The collapse in real estate  which accounts for as much as 30% of GDP  has triggered widespread and rare dissent among the middle class.

Thousands of angry homebuyers refused to pay their mortgages on stalled projects, fueling fears of systemic financial risks and forcing authorities to pressure banks and developers to defuse the unrest. That wasnt the only demonstration of discontent this year.

In July, Chinese authorities violently dispersed a peaceful protest by hundreds of depositors, who were demanding their life savings back from rural banks that had frozen millions of dollars worth of deposits. The banking scandal not only threatened the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of customers but also highlighted the deteriorating financial health of Chinas smaller banks.

Many middle-class people are disappointed in the recent economic performance and disillusioned with Xis rule, said David Dollar, a senior fellow in the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution.

According to analysts, the vulnerabilities in the financial system are a result of the countrys unfettered debt-fuelled expansion in the previous decade, and the model needs to change.

Chinas growth during Xis decade in power is attributable mainly to the general economic approach adopted by his predecessors, which focused on rapid expansion through investment, manufacturing, and trade, said Neil Thomas, a senior analyst for China and Northeast Asia at Eurasia Group.

But this model had reached a point of significantly diminishing returns and was increasing economic inequality, financial debt, and environmental damage, he said.

A new model is needed

While Xi is trying to change that model, he is not going about it the right way, experts said, and is risking the future of Chinas businesses with tighter state controls.

The 69-year old leader launched his crackdown to rein in the disorderly private businesses that were growing too powerful. He also wants to redistribute wealth in the society, under his common prosperity goal.

Xi hopes for a new normal, where consumption and services become more important drivers of expansion than investments and exports.

But, so far, these measures have pushed the Chinese economy into one of its worst economic crises in four decades.

The International Monetary Fund recently cut its forecast for Chinas growth to 3.2% this year, representing a sharp slowdown from 8.1% in 2021. That would be the countrys second lowest growth rate in 46 years, better only than 2020 when the initial coronavirus outbreak pummeled the economy.

Under Xi, China has not only become more insular, but has also seen the fraying of US-China relations. His refusal to condemn Moscows invasion of Ukraine, and Chinas recent aggression towards Taiwan, could alienate the country even further from Washington and its allies.

What are Xis options?

Analysts say the current problems dont yet pose a major threat to Xis rule. He is expected to secure an unprecedented third term in power at the Communist Party Congress that begins on Sunday. Priorities presented at the congress will also set Chinas trajectory for the next five years or even longer.

It would likely take an economic catastrophe on the scale of the Great Depression to create levels of social discontent and popular protest that might pose a threat to Communist Party rule, said Thomas from Eurasia Group.

Moreover, growth is not the only source of legitimacy and support for the Communist Party, and Xi has increasingly burnished the Communist Partys nationalist credentials to appeal to patriotism as well as pocketbooks, he added.

But to get China back to high growth and innovation, Xi may have to bring back market-oriented reforms.

If he was smart, he would liberalize things quickly in his third term, said Guthrie.

Laura He

: edition.cnn.com


Air Serbia is expected to push back the launch of its new long haul service between Belgrade and Tianjin from late October to December due to delays with the arrival of its second wide-body aircraft, EX-YU Aviation News has learnt. The airline is set to lease an Airbus A330-200 jet from Aircastle Limited. The plane, which formerly operated on behalf of South African Airways, is currently stored In the Arizona desert but performed a test flight in September. Air Serbia is still committed to launching the China service and has received approval from the China Civil Aviation Authority to commence a one weekly rotation. Frequencies remain limited due to Chinas Covid-related restrictions. Air Serbia is expected to push back the launch of its new long haul service between Belgrade and Tianjin from late October to December due to delays with the arrival of its second wide-body aircraft, EX-YU Aviation News has learnt. The airline is set to lease an Airbus A330-200 jet from Aircastle Limited. The plane, which formerly operated on behalf of South African Airways, is currently stored In the Arizona desert but performed a test flight in September. Air Serbia is still committed to launching the China service and has received approval from the China Civil Aviation Authority to commence a one weekly rotation. Frequencies remain limited due to Chinas Covid-related restrictions.





Air Serbia has not commented on the likely delay of its China service. The carrier previously said flights to Tianjin would commence at the start of the 2022/23 winter season, which begins in just under two weeks. It noted the incoming wide-body aircraft would have a speedy entry into service, which would prevent the carrier from immediately installing its own interiors. Rather, the plane would feature cabins from the aircrafts previous operator South African Airways. Air Serbias CEO, Jiri Marek, previously described taking on the second A330 as a big deal for a regional carrier. We are very satisfied with the performance of our A330-200, because flying just to one long haul destination with just one aircraft is quite challenging. The new addition will be vital to our further expansion, launching new routes and increasing the frequency of flights in our existing network of destinations,





Air Serbia looks to eventually introduce flights to Beijing and Shanghai but has opted for Tianjin as its first point in China due to Covid restrictions. We would have preferred to start with Beijing and Shanghai. However, there are very strict restrictions in China due to the pandemic and also with regard to market access. So, you can't just fly wherever you want. Tianjin was the best alternative, Mr Marek recently noted. During the next summer season, which begins on March 26, 2023, Air Serbia will have two A330-200s at its disposal, which will enable it to launch two weekly flights to Chicago. The new aircraft will be adorned by the image of Mihajlo Pupin, one of the other all-time greatest Serbian scientists, Mr Marek said. The aircraft will complement the other A330 featuring Nikola Teslas image.




Welsh authorities have confirmed the country's first bird flu case since 1 October following a significant uptick in UK outbreaks in the past month.

The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Wales confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in poultry at a site in Anglesey.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been declared around the infected premises to limit the risk of disease spread.

Within these zones, bird movements and gatherings are restricted and all holdings that keep birds must be declared.

It is the first confirmed case of avian influenza in Wales since the start of this month.

The Welsh government said it was 'vital' for keepers of birds to remain vigilant for the disease, while ensuring they had the 'very highest levels' of biosecurity in place.

The CVO said: "All keepers of kept birds should be vigilant for signs of the disease such as increased mortality, respiratory distress and drops in food or water intake, or egg production.

"Consult your veterinary surgeon in the first instance if your birds are unwell. If you or your vet suspect that avian influenza could be causing illness in your birds, you must, by law, report this to APHA."

In England, there have been 43 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza since the start of this month.

A mandatory poultry housing order is currently enforced across Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex, due to the high rate of infections in this region.

And a separate regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) without housing measures remains across Cornwall, Devon, Isles of Scilly and parts of Somerset.

Elsewhere in the UK, Scottish authorities recorded two cases of the disease since 1 October - near Tankerness, Orkney, and on the island of Lewis, Outer Hebrides.

A case of bird flu was also confirmed in captive birds in Co Down, Northern Ireland, the first case of the disease in the province since February 2022.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's CVO, encouraged all bird keepers - including commercial farmers and backyard keepers - to ensure good levels of biosecurity.

She said the government expected the risk to continue to rise over the coming months as migratory birds return to the UK.

"We are now taking further action to help protect flocks from this highly infectious and devastating disease," she explained.

"Keepers in hotspots must continue to follow strict biosecurity standards to protect their flock, and should use the next few days to prepare and move their birds indoors."
Welsh food and drink continues to thrive as the latest figures show the sectors supply chain turnover increased to 23 billion last year.

The new figures, released on Monday (17 October), represent a growth of 2.9 percent from the 22.4 billion in 2020.

The food and drink manufacturing sector in Wales, which produces diverse products, experienced very strong growth in 2021 with turnover increasing by 10.2% from 4.9bn to 5.4bn.

Todays announcement follows news earlier this year that Welsh food and drink exports hit a record high in 2021 reaching 640m.

Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said the figures demonstrated the commitment of Welsh food businesses to succeed, despite the tough economic situation they faced.

I am very proud of the resilience and enterprise shown by businesses emerging from the pandemic and overcoming multiple supply chain challenges," she added.

Wales innovative spirit continues to shine brightly in the sector and the proof is in the pudding with Welsh businesses continuing to pick up awards."

It comes as Welsh farmers and food exporters celebrated the first shipment of PGI Welsh Lamb to the United States in over two decades.

Dunbia, which operates a processing plant in Carmarthenshire, became the first processor in the UK to achieve approval by US authorities.

It followed a campaign to lift restrictions on imports of lamb from the UK. A ban had been in place since 1989 due to concerns around BSE, commonly known as 'mad cow disease'.
Young farmers have shared their top recipe ideas for schoolchildren to learn how to cook, with a twist on the classic toad in the hole the winning recipe of the challenge.

The National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC) challenge sought affordable and nutritious meal ideas that celebrate British produce and help improve cookery skills.

The winner, 12-year-old Isaac from Lothersdale in Yorkshire, was chosen after a nationwide search for six dishes to celebrate during this week's National Young Farmers Week.

The challenge was set in response to the governments Food Strategy that aims to ensure secondary school children leave school knowing how to cook at least six healthy recipes.

The NFYFC asked young farmers to submit affordable and nutritious recipe ideas, while also including how they would shop locally for their produce.

The winning recipe, which uses pork sausage meat, onions and apple alongside a classic Yorkshire pudding mix, was inspired by Isaacs late grandmas cookery books.

Isaac, an active member of his Lothersdale Young Farmers Club, said he chose it because it celebrated Yorkshire produce and because he thought it would even appeal to fussy eaters, like his brother.

I was really happy to win, said Isaac. Its important for young people to know how to cook because its better to learn when youre young rather than having to go on courses later on. Cooking from scratch saves money too.

The winner, 12-year-old Isaac from Lothersdale in Yorkshire, was chosen after a nationwide search

Isaacs entry to the challenge outlined all of the places where he sourced the produce for his dish.

As a regular at his local farm shop and greengrocers in Skipton, Isaac said he was keen to promote using British produce and supporting local farmers.

I'm better than my mum at cooking so I do it all. I first learnt how to cook at school. Practice makes perfect, so once I started, I didnt stop, said Isaac, who makes crumbles and jams using apple and plum trees in his village.

After all the hard work you put into cooking, you can eat it, share it with friends and make people happy.

Other recipes included creamy chicken and leek hotpot, by Melanie Hawes, Norfolk, and Poldarks Crown Jewels Cornish Saffron Toast served with seasonal fruit & Cornish Toffee Sauce, by Megan Stratton, Cornwall.

The challenge was part of NFYFCs new #HomeGrown campaign, which aims to encourage more people to shop locally and cook from scratch in a bid to improve the UKs health and support British farming.

NFYFC President Nigel Owens MBE said: Im proud to represent an organisation of young people who are passionate about British food and farming.

"NFYFCs competitions and training programmes support the development of skills in cookery and agriculture as well as improve understanding about sustainable food."
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Beebong, Korea's last captive Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, is seen after being released in waters off of Jeju Island, Sunday. Courtesy of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries



By Lee Kyung-min



The last captive Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Beebong, has been freed in the waters off of Jeju Island, Sunday, after 70 days of training to help it acclimatize to the natural environment after 17 years of captivity, according to the oceans ministry.



Beebong was the last of eight captive dolphins held at eight aquariums on Jeju Island since 2012, when the ministry designated them as an endangered species. The remaining seven have already been released  three in 2013 and two each in 2015 and 2017.



The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said that the aquatic mammal was released near Seogwipo, off the south coast of Jeju Island, at 9:40 a.m. Sunday.



It showed no difficulties in communicating with other groups of dolphins and adjusted well to areas with fast currents and high waves.



The ministry plans to monitor it daily for the next 30 days with three onshore teams and two ships, as enabled by a location tracking device attached to the fin of the mammal. It will be followed by at least five consecutive days of monitoring per month over the next six months.



The process will be monitored and updates will be provided to animal rights groups, experts and government officials.



The aquatic mammal had been kept away from public display, in line with recommendations against exposure to extraneous noise and light.



Oceans Minister Cho Seung-hwan said that the government will continue monitoring the dolphin to ensure the safe return of the endangered species to the ocean.



"The aquatic mammal returned home 17 years after being held captive," he said. "The government will continue discussions with the aquarium industry to help a greater number of animals return home and improve overall animal welfare."



The ministry seeks to release the Beluga whale, Ruby, which has been kept in an aquarium in South Jeolla Province, at some point in the latter half of next year.



The issue of captive dolphins came into the spotlight recently, after Woo Young-woo, the lead character in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," the popular Netflix series, said, "I want to see an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin near the coast of Jeju someday."



An estimated 120 Indo-bottlenose dolphins live off the coast of Jeju Island.



Photos and video clips of the monitoring are available at www.meis.go.kr, a marine environmental information portal.






Chinas apparel exports to India increased by two and a half folds in August compared to March 2022. Monthly exports rose to $131.555 million in August from $53.275 million in March 2022. Although, the trade value is insignificant for both nations, the trend is important as it indicates that more and more Indian buyers are importing cheaper Chinese garments.

A lot of speculations are floating in the Indian yarn market regarding the steep rise in imports of cotton garments from China which is seen as the main cause for low demand in the entire textile value chain in the country. All the items in the garment category are being imported as they are cheaper than the garments made in India. If garments are imported from China, nobody will buy yarn or fabrics. Therefore, demand is not improving even during the festival season, a trader from Ludhiana told Fibre2Fashion.

Monthly garment exports from China increased consistently during the last six months. The exports grew to $77.066 million in April, $87.901 million in May, $109.995 million in June, $129.678 million in July and $131.555 million in August 2022, according to Fibre2Fashions market insight tool TexPro. The data shows that garment exports grew in July 2022 over June 2022 when the US banned cotton and cotton products originating from the Xinjiang region of China. Cotton and yarn prices declined in the Chinese market after the ban.

China's apparel exports to India increased by two and a half folds in August compared to March 2022. Monthly exports rose to $131.555 million in August from $53.275 million in March 2022. Although, the trade value is insignificant for both nations, the trend is important as it indicates that more and more Indian buyers are importing cheaper Chinese garments.

Chinese exports to India increased to $274.963 million in the second quarter from $184.135 million in the first quarter of this year. Annually, the exports rose to $1,145.475 million in 2021 from $838.195 million in 2020. The exports were at $720.332 million in the first eight months of the current year.

Chinese apparel exports were at $448.821 million in the first half of this year. Trousers and shorts contributed 22.61 per cent ($101.491 million) in the total supply. Jackets and blazers (18.17 per cent), accessories (15.27 per cent), socks (7.06 per cent) and dresses (5.78 per cent) were the other top products exported to India, as per TexPro.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Jordans apparel imports rose during the first nine months of this year by 27.2 per cent to JD174 million compared to JD136 million during the same period last year, according to the Textile and Readymade Clothes Syndicate. Footwear imports during the period increased by 25.5 per cent to JD42 million compared to JD33 million during January-September 2021.

China was the top exporter of apparel (40 per cent) and footwear (62 per cent) to Jordan during the period this year. The countrys apparel imports from China during the period amounted to JD70 million, compared to JD56 million during the same period last year.

Jordan's apparel imports rose during the first nine months of this year by 27.2 per cent to JD174 million compared to JD136 million during the same period last year, according to the Textile and Readymade Clothes Syndicate. Footwear imports during the period increased by 25.5 per cent to JD42 million compared to JD33 million during January-September 2021.

Apparel imports from Turkey during the period were worth JD41.9 million, those from non-Arab Asian countries (excluding China and Turkey) were worth JD41.6 million, those from Arab states were worth JD13 million and those from European nations were worth JD6 million, according to a Turkish newspaper report.

Over the same period, the countrys footwear imports from China amounted to JD26 million, compared to JD21 million for the same period last year.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
An early outcome of the cooperation between Brazils ministry of economy and is the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is the full digitisation and automation of the Brazilian National Plan of Export Culture (PNCE) export maturity self-assessment service, based on a benchmarked methodology developed by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI).

Both sides have been cooperating since 2019 to promote inclusive economic growth in Brazil through the internationalisation of Brazilian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), according to a joint statement released by Brazil and the United Kingdom on such cooperation.

The cooperation is a result of a memorandum of understanding both sides signed on August 20, 2019, on prosperity fund cooperation on trade facilitation.

An early outcome of the cooperation between Brazil's ministry of economy and is the Uk Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is the full digitisation and automation of the Brazilian National Plan of Export Culture export maturity self-assessment service, based on a benchmarked methodology developed by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry.

The main deliverable of this cooperation is the Global Trade Hub (GTH), or BRAEXP in its Brazilian brand name, a digital marketplace for export services focused on MSMEs and based on the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) Integrated Services for MSMEs in International Trade (ISMIT) concept, to be fully developed and transferred to Brazilian ownership and operation by March 2023.

The PNCE service allows any Brazilian MSME from any region or sector and with access to the internet to self-assess its export maturity and receive, for free, a tailor-made internationalisation plan with the identification of the export services it needs to consume to access or expand its sales in international markets.

While the service is already available to Brazilian MSMEs, it will be fully integrated into the Global Trade Hub (GTH) once the digital marketplace for export services is transferred to Brazilian ownership and operation and goes online.

The PNCE service and the GTH digital marketplace are based on open source, cloud-ready, and cutting-edge technology as well as on innovative international best practices.

They place Brazil as a leader among emerging economies in the digitisation of foreign trade procedures and trade facilitation, the joint statement added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The United Kingdoms talks with India over signing a draft free trade agreement (FTA) do not have a October 24 (Hindu festival of Diwali) deadline anymore, according to UK trade secretary Kemi Badenoch, who recently said the negotiations are, however, progressing well. "We are close. We're still working on a deal, she told the state broadcaster.

We've closed a lot of chapters (the sections for the negotiating text). The negotiations are progressing well. But we want to focus on the quality of the deal rather than the speed of the deal. Given the changes that have taken place  not just in government but the mourning period (for the Queen) and so on, it makes sense for us to focus on the deal rather than the day," she was quoted as saying by newswires.

The United Kingdom's talks with India over signing a draft free trade agreement (FTA) do not have a October 24 (Hindu festival of Diwali) deadline anymore, according to UK trade secretary Kemi Badenoch, who recently said the negotiations are, however, progressing well. "We are close. We're still working on a deal, she told the state broadcaster.

The Diwali deadline was announced by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his India visit in April.

UK home secretary Suella Bravermans recent comments raising concerns over the prospect of visa concessions for India as part of an FTA were also reportedly perceived as throwing the talks off-track.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
First global report on parcel theft

Over a third of Australians affected by parcel theft or loss in lifetime

One in ten people globally are now reluctant to shop online because of fear of theft

Australia second highest on global list of increasing parcel problems

Sharpest rise and greatest rate of parcel theft and loss in Greater Adelaide

LONDON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Doorstep parcel theft is sweeping Australia, according to the first global report on parcel theft. More than 3.6 million parcels were lost or stolen in a 12-month period, with nearly a third of residents having a parcel stolen or lost. This has cost Australian consumers a total of AU$224.3 million in missing goods.1

The results are part of the world's first global parcel theft survey which found that close to one in ten people had at least one parcel lost or stolen from May 2021 to April 2022. This amounts to a staggering 1.009 billion packages2 globally, at a total cost of AU$57.04 billion.1

Worldwide, there was an all-time high of stolen or lost parcels with an estimated rise of 155 million2 compared to the previous 12 months, despite initiatives to tackle the surge post-covid. This is more than a 2% increase.

The Penn Elcom Global Parcel Theft Report was commissioned by Penn Elcom, a globally recognised British steel manufacturer and producer of the Penn Parcel Box, and sponsored exclusively by Scurri, the world's leading courier management platform for eCommerce and shipping, and produced by YouGov. It revealed that Australia suffered the second greatest increase (+3%) after the UK (+5%), followed by Canada (+2%), the US and UAE (+1% respectively).

Australian regional hot spots include:

Sharpest rise in missing parcels: Greater Adelaide , up 15% to 28% - nearly a third of residents had a parcel stolen or lost in the last 12 months

Parcel problems hotspots - proportion of residents who had a parcel lost or stolen between May 2021 and April 2022 :

Greater Sydney : 17%



Greater Brisbane : 15%



Greater Melbourne : 13%

Highest levels of anxiety around parcel theft: Greater Sydney (23%)

A staggering 36% of people surveyed in Australia have had a package lost or stolen in their lifetime, amounting to over 9.2 million parcels2 and expected to rise without preventive measures.

The psychological impact

Almost a quarter of Aussies (23%) feel anxious about parcel theft, with one in five (20%) also in fear of parcels being stolen. These concerns are highest in Greater Sydney, where a quarter of respondents are anxious about posted goods (25%) and a fifth (20%) proactively looking for parcel-theft prevention products.

In Greater Adelaide, only 15% of respondents have looked into preventatives, despite having the sharpest increase in the rate of missing parcels and the highest level of parcels stolen or lost.

Greater Sydney and Greater Melbourne topped the table for people reluctant about making new online orders due to theft (20% respectively).

More Australian women felt anxious about parcel loss or theft (55% women, to 45% men), but 58% of parcel security product searches were by men, compared to 42% women.

Penn Elcom's chairman, Roger Willems, said: "A surge in online shopping accelerated by Covid, along with seasonal rushes, means couriers are under intense pressure. Professional thieves are known to follow delivery vans, stealing packages minutes after they are dropped off, while opportunistic thieves take advantage of parcels left on doorsteps."

"We expect parcel piracy to continue to rise as global parcel deliveries increase3 if measures are not taken. We are doing our best to support delivery companies and save online shoppers the headache of missed deliveries - as well as the heartache of lost and stolen parcels," added Roger.

According to Google Trends, global searches for 'parcel theft' have rocketed as shoppers continue to order online, especially for seasonal holidays. The study found that one in ten people worldwide are also now reluctant to shop due to fear of theft, impacting retailers.

Gavin Murphy, CMO of Scurri, said "When parcel delivery fails at the final hurdle, the customer experience fails expectations and customers may be discouraged from buying online again from that retailer. Real-time data is critical. Simply stating that a package has been dispatched or is on board a last mile delivery vehicle is totally inadequate."

Penn Elcom is campaigning to restore confidence in online shopping and has a solution. The Penn Parcel Box, made from quality British steel and designed using Penn Elcom's decades of steel engineering expertise, is a secure, stylish, weatherproof solution for parcel deliveries for homes and businesses.

The Penn Parcel Box was developed in response to enquiries from customers who had problems with parcels going missing.

YouGov, the leading British research group, surveyed 2,000 random consumers in the UK, US, the UAE, Canada and Australia in May 2022. 50% were male and 50% female, ranging in age from 18-55 and above.

Images are available at: https://bit.ly/3fOYly2

FOR MORE INFORMATION: including interviews and a copy of the Penn Elcom Global Parcel Theft Report:

Mark Foxwell, mark@sharpminds.agency, +44 (0) 7796 473020

Charlie Jones, charlie@sharpminds.agency, +44 (0) 7710 695794

Siobhan Stirling, siobhan@sharpminds.agency, +44 (0) 7990 543829

NOTES TO EDITORS

Penn Elcom is a UK manufacturing success story, with 50% of sales being overseas. Established in 1974, the company is a world leader in flight case and speaker cabinet hardware as well as 19-inch racking solutions.

Scurri is a leading software provider that connects and optimises the eCommerce ordering, shipping and delivery process for online retailers. Scurri is an Irish company, which last year announced a 9 million investment to accelerate growth in the European markets. This brings the Wexford-based company's total funding to 15.3 million to date. Scurri currently derives over 61% of its revenue from the UK, and will power over 100 million parcel deliveries this year by enabling merchants to present the most efficient delivery option via more than 700 carrier services. Scurri's platform allows retailers to create accurate labels, track shipments from dispatch to delivery and provide analytics and it helps businesses ship their products anywhere in the world through its network of carrier integrations. Customers include eBay, Bulk Powders, Vision Direct, Gousto and many others.

NOTES AND SOURCES

1 Total price value has been estimated by average parcel cost, based on annual online retail spend versus annual volume of packages shipped

2 Survey results extrapolated to global and national populations

3Pitney Bowes, 28.09.21: Global parcel volumes rose to 131 billion in 2020, a 27% year-on-year increase, and are predicted to double again by 2026 to 266 billion.

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BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - China will on Monday release September figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Imports are expected to rise 1.0 percent on year, up from 0.3 percent in August. Exports are called higher by an annual 4.1 percent, slowing from 7.1 percent in the previous month. The trade surplus is pegged at $81.0 billion, up from $79.39 billion a month earlier. Singapore will provide September numbers for non-oil domestic exports, with forecasts suggesting a decline of 2.1 percent on month and an increase of 7.1 percent on year. That follows the 3.9 percent monthly decline and the 11.4 percent yearly gain in August. Indonesia will see September data for imports, exports and trade balance. Imports are expected to jump 31.48 percent on year after rising 32.81 percent in August. Exports are seen higher by an annual 27.91 percent, down from 30.15 percent in the previous month. The trade surplus is called at $4.84 billion, down from $5.76 billion a month earlier. Japan will see final August results for industrial production and for its tertiary industry index. Industrial production was up 0.8 percent on month and down 2.0 percent on year in July, while the tertiary industry index was down 0.6 percent on month. 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.
Imagine a world where people never have to worry about unlocking car doors again. Leading makers of automotive locking systems recently launched an interesting concept that eliminates the need for handles and gives more room in cars

NEWARK, Del., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global automotive door latch market is expected to expand at a yearly growth rate of 4.8% and reach a value of US$ 7,647.8 Mn in 2027. Valued at US$ 5,762.5 Mn in 2021, the target market will likely reach an estimated US$ 6,040.2 Mn in 2022. The advancing automotive industry is contributing to the escalating demand for automotive components all over the world. This is expected to propel the growth of the automotive latch market over the forecast period.





A door latch system overlooks the general safety of driver and the passenger. These latches ensure in-time locking and unlocking of the doors and the storage trunk which protects property and lessens the risks for passengers in case of an accident. The rising demand for autonomous driving is fueling the need for savvier ways to unlock the car.

This is expected to positively influence the target market, transforming the automotive door latch landscape.

Moreover, the target market is much influenced by technological developments like touch-enabled locking systems and smart sensors. Incorporation of these technological advancements will drive the door latch industry. In addition to this, the expanding automotive sector coupled with high demand for automotive counterparts will amplify the market prospects for automotive latch.

Again, a preference for safe and secure vehicles by consumers will contribute to the growth aspect of the target market. Other factors like increasing disposable income, rise of the car industry as a result of population increase, infrastructure development, and suburbanization, and others will contribute to the growth of the automotive door latch market during the forecast period.

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"Extensive industrial applications as well as the heightened demand for automotive components will drive the global growth of the automotive door latch market over the forecast period," says an FMI analyst.

Key Takeaways:

Functional and operational issues may hamper the market prospects.

Asia Pacific is predicted to offer many lucrative opportunities to the target market.

is predicted to offer many lucrative opportunities to the target market. Germany will generate a growth opportunity of US$ 96.4 Mn in the target market during the forecast period.

will generate a growth opportunity of in the target market during the forecast period. The U.S. A's market will be driven by elevated investments in product development.

The electrically operated segment is expected to exhibit significant growth through 2027.

The mid-size automobile segment will grow at a 5.9% CAGR.

By sales channels, the OEM segment will create an absolute dollar opportunity of US$ 1,358.9 Mn .

Competitive Landscape

STRATTEC, Kiekert AG, Inteva Products LLC, Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd., Magna International Inc., WITTE Automotive GmbH, Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, U-Shin Ltd, Shivani Locks Private Limited, and MITSUI KINZOKU among others are some of the major players in the automotive door latch market profiled in the full version of the report.

For any Queries Linked with the Report, Ask an Analyst@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-4556

Key market players are focusing on enhancing their product efficiency and capabilities. These businesses also employ several expansion tactics like mergers and acquisitions to help them meet the rising demand.

More Insights into Automotive Door Latch Market Report

In its latest report, FMI offers an unbiased analysis of the global automotive door latch market, providing historical data from 2013 to 2021 and forecast statistics for 2022 to 2027. To understand the global market potential, growth, and scope, the market is segmented on the basis of latch type (side door latch, tailgate latch, hood latch), function (electronically operated, mechanically operated), vehicle type (compact car, mid-size, luxury car, SUV, HCV, LCV), sales channel (aftermarket, OEM), and region.

According to the latest FMI reports, based on segmentation, the mid-size automobile segment will grow at a 5.9% due to increasing vehicle production as well as a growing preference for personal mobility. The OEM sales channel is estimated to create an incremental opportunity of US$ 1,358.9 Mn and expand at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period.

Based on region, the Asia Pacific region is expected to offer many lucrative opportunities to the automotive door latch market. India and China will likely lead the market growth in this region with India's automotive latch market registering a 4.6% sales growth in 2022 and China will become the largest manufacturers of door latches during the forecast period. Other countries like Germany and the U.S. will record notable growth during the forecast period.

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Table of Content

Chapter 1: Global Automotive Door Latch Market - Executive Summary

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Automotive Door Latch Demand Side Trends

1.2.1. The Preference Towards High Quality Products

1.2.2. Demand for Economic Range Products

1.2.3. Government Regulations to Propel the Sales of Electric Vehicle

1.3. Automotive Door Latch Supply Side Trends

1.3.1. Technological Forefront:

1.3.2. Expansion of Manufacturing Facilities

1.4. FMI Analysis & Recommendation

Chapter 2: Global Automotive Door Latch Market Overview

2.1. Introduction

2.1.1. Global Automotive Door Latch Market Taxonomy

2.1.2. Global Automotive Door Latch Market Definition

2.2. Global Automotive Door Latch Market Dynamics

2.3. Global Automotive Door Latch Market Size (US$ Mn & Volume ('000 Units)) and Forecast, 2013-2027

2.3.1. Global Automotive Door Latch Market Y-o-Y Growth

2.4. Cost Structure

2.5. Macro-Economic Factors

2.5.1. 2.6.1. Global Automotive Sector Outlook

2.5.2. 2.6.2. Global Automotive Industry by Vehicle Type and Automotive Door Latch Y-O-Y (%) growth projection comparison from 2018 - 2027

2.5.3. 2.6.3. Regional Vehicle Production & Vehicle PARC

2.6. Value Chain

2.7. Pricing Analysis

Preview Analysis@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/automotive-door-latch-market

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A Mubadala backed series relaunch "The Adventures of Mansour: Age of A.I." (52 x 11') becomes the first Arab cartoon originally produced in English and Arabic and repurposed for a global audience tackling issues, such as artificial intelligence, technology, climate change and space exploration

Builds on the current success of the "Mansour" show, which has racked up three million subscribers and 280 million watch hours with over 25 million unique viewers in the last 90 days

Funded by Mubadala Investment Company with the support of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority

A global network of talent including from the U.S., Canada , Europe and the Philippines have contributed to the new animation to appeal to an international audience

ABU DHABI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 'The Adventures of Mansour', a widely-popular cartoon in the Middle East with over two billion YouTube views, has announced it will re-launch an all-new series, "The Adventures of Mansour: Age of A.I." (52 x 11') at MIPCOM 2022 for a global audience, tackling issues of international significance such as artificial intelligence, the role of and reliance on technology, climate change and space exploration.





Originally created in Abu Dhabi to appeal to Arab children and encourage a healthy lifestyle, cultural appreciation and an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the show has superseded the expectations of its original, award-winning creator, Rashed Alharmoodi, to capture the imagination of children across the entire Middle East region and beyond.

Now a popular show among children in the region with three million subscribers and 280 million watch hours, and 25.2 million unique viewers in just the last 90 days, the new series aims to build on this success. As the first Arab cartoon to be originally produced in both English and Arabic, the new creators, Bidaya Media, aim to take the story of Mansour to children all around the world.

Commenting on the launch of the new globally relevant show, Brian Lott, Chairman of Bidaya Media and Chief Communications Officer of Mubadala, said: "Mansour has captured the imaginations of young audiences and established a wide fan base across the Middle East. Our upcoming seasons of the cartoon take Mansour to a new level, with the aim of encouraging children to understand issues across borders through fun and storytelling. As the first Arab cartoon to be originally produced in both English and Arabic, we have created new episodes of Mansour that build on its heritage and increase audience awareness internationally."

Set in the near future, in the technologically advanced Salam City, 'The Adventures of Mansour: Age of AI' is a sci-fi action adventure series that revolves around Mansour, a 12-year-old tech whiz, who unintentionally creates a mischievous sentient artificial intelligence known as Blink. With the support of his closest friends, Mansour must deal with all manner of pranks, challenges and dangers posed by Blink, who for his own amusement, is determined to cause as much chaos as possible for Mansour and the people of Salam City.

The series targets children aged 6-12 and is funded by Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), a sovereign investor that delivers a positive impact on the communities where it operates, and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) as part of their efforts to support children content creation that support inclusion, culture, and Arabic language.

Commenting on the partnership between the ECA and Mubadala on the show relaunch, H.E. Sana Suhail, Director General of ECA, said: "We are proud of our deepening partnership with Mubadala in expanding the available development opportunities for children worldwide through the relaunch of such a popular show. Importantly, the relaunch exhibits a healthy balance that is needed in today's world between the role of technology in our lives and the need for children to disconnect from their devices and connect with the real world. This healthy balance between the online and real worlds is at the core of this show and is key to better prepare our children for the future."

Supported by increased budgets and enhanced production values, the rebooted show has used a global network of talent to bring the fan-favorite show to children all around the world, from English voiceover performed at Baboon Animation in New York to animation production by Top Draw Studio in the Philippines.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1922024/Mubadala_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1922025/Mubadala_2.jpg





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KT CEO Ku Hyeon-mo, right, talks with Ferdinand Marcos Jr., president of the Philippines, at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, Oct. 14. Courtesy of KT



By Baek Byung-yeul



Ku Hyeon-mo, CEO of Korean telecom company KT, met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and discussed ways to improve the Southeast Asian nation's digital technology capability, according to the mobile carrier, Monday.



KT said Ku visited the presidential palace in Manila on Oct. 14. Marcos Jr., who took office in June, has stressed that he aims to establish an efficient national administrative system and improve the standard of living of the people through information and communication technology (ICT).



During the meeting, Ku said he thinks the Philippines has great potential in the ICT sector, saying "the president's vision and Korea's aim to create a digital platform government are in line with each other."



Specifically, the CEO said the Philippines could be a key regional area for submarine cables and can emerge as a key country to resolve personnel shortages in the ICT sector, if the country focuses on nurturing more ICT professionals.



"KT has grown into a telecommunications company in Korea, but it has recently been reborn as a digital platform company based on its capabilities in artificial intelligence, big data and media," the CEO said. "Based on the know-how of Korean companies, they will be able to help resolve the social issues that the Philippines is facing such as transportation and housing shortage."



KT has been doing business with the Philippines since establishing its branch there in 2018. The company completed the construction of a 1,570-kilometer-long optical cable backbone network in Luzon. In 2021, the company also won an order to build ICT infrastructure in Palawan and is discovering additional business opportunities there.



Ku said he will actively seek more digital transformation business opportunities in other countries based on the success the company has achieved in the Korean market.



"The digital platform industry is in its early stages around the world and is expected to have a high growth rate. We will try to advance into the global market based on our success in the domestic market," Ku said.


Extending technology leadership with a second 3nm design win

Strong Q3 trading and design wins in the quarter reflect our hybrid business model, combining IP and custom silicon

First time consolidation of OpenFive into the Group, from 1 September 2022

Management remains confident in the outlook for the business and reiterates stand-alone1 mid-term and long-term guidance, despite difficult macro environment

LONDON and TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alphawave IP Group plc (LN: AWE) ("Alphawave", the "Company"), a global leader in high-speed connectivity for the world's technology infrastructure, is pleased to publish its trading and business update for the three months ended 30 September 2022.





US$m Q3 2022 Q3 2021 Change Licence and NRE 57.8 21.5 169 % Royalties and Silicon Orders 22.2 1.8 nm New Bookings (excluding VeriSilicon and WiseWave multi-year subscription licences) 80.0 23.3 245 %







Additional design win activity - FSA drawdowns and China re-sale licences2 8.5 3.9 118 %







WiseWave multi-year subscription licences - - nm







Number of end-customers (as at end of period)3 46 21 nm

Due to rounding, numbers presented in the table may not add up to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.

Tony Pialis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alphawave IP said: "During the third quarter, we continued to see strong design win momentum, particularly in North America. Alongside this, we extended our technology leadership with a second 3nm design win and are already seeing the benefits of the greater scale of the hybrid business model in which we can further monetise our differentiated IP through custom silicon. With an enhanced product portfolio of high-speed connectivity and increasingly broader customer base, we are confident in the long-term growth potential of our business".

John Lofton Holt, Executive Chairman of Alphawave IP said: "The level of bookings in the quarter reflects the strength of our technology combined with the ongoing strong execution of the team. Our continued leadership in the most advanced technologies and our talented team underpin the long-term growth potential of our business. We are working hard to deliver on our plans and create long-term value for our shareholders."

Changes to Reporting of Bookings Including OpenFive

We have consolidated the acquired OpenFive business from 1 September 2022. As a combined business we bring a broader IP portfolio and engineering expertise in high-speed connectivity to customers in digital infrastructure markets. This, combined with a growing customer base and the greater scale of the hybrid business model will help us drive sustainable long-term revenue growth and create value for shareholders.

The following table summarises how each type of booking has been mapped into the new bookings classifications:

Alphawave

OpenFive

New Alphawave Type Includes

Type Includes

Type Notes Includes Licence and related - IP licensing, NRE and support

IP Licence - IP licensing, NRE and support - IP royalties

Licence and NRE Includes IP licensing, NRE

and support of combined business Not volume dependent - IP licensing NRE and support - Custom silicon NRE -Other custom silicon (not volume dependent)





Custom silicon - IP licensing, NRE and support - Custom silicon NRE - Other custom silicon







Potential future royalties - IP royalties

Custom silicon - Custom silicon revenue (finished product)

Royalties and silicon orders Volume dependent - IP royalties - Custom silicon revenue (finished product)

Key Highlights

Licence and Non-recurring Engineering ("NRE") bookings in Q3 2022 were up 169% year-on-year. Including estimates of potential future royalties4 and silicon orders, new bookings excluding the WiseWave multi-year subscription licence were up 245% year-on-year. Bookings in the third quarter were driven by North American and Chinese customers5.

Within the first month after closing the acquisition of OpenFive we secured a leading storage design win that leveraged both Alphawave's IP as well as the custom silicon capabilities acquired with OpenFive.

Cumulative bookings over the life of the Company6 exceeded US$480 million.

Expanding Technology Leadership and Strong Customer Traction

Since 2017, the Company has demonstrated connectivity technology leadership in 7nm, 6nm, 5nm, and 4nm technology. In Q3 2022, Alphawave IP extended its leadership with a second design win in 3nm technology. The Company expects further design wins in 3nm and is working with its foundry partners in 3nm and beyond.

Alongside the year-on-year growth in new bookings (excluding multi-year subscription licences) and a growing customer base, two additional data points underline the strong level of customer activity during the third quarter: Flexible Spending Accounts7 ("FSA") drawdowns of US$3.0 million, and China (VeriSilicon) reseller deals8 of US$5.5 million. Both FSA and reseller deals represent the conversion of customer commitments to design wins.

Design win activity in the quarter was strong with seven new design wins, including five from new customers and two from repeat customers. In the quarter we built on the advantages of the hybrid business model with four new custom silicon wins in September. Our hybrid model enables the business to generate larger revenue streams by capturing the full value embedded in our custom silicon offering.

Alphawave has six of the top ten semiconductor device companies as customers9, a reflection of its continued strength in the data infrastructure markets that require the world's most advanced connectivity technology.

Outlook

Based on current visibility, the Company expects continued customer traction during the last quarter of the year.

Alphawave IP reiterates its stand-alone mid-term and long-term outlook communicated on 21 September 2022 in its interim results for H1 202210. Despite the uncertain macroeconomic environment, our growing pipeline reflects positive secular growth trends in data infrastructure markets and the continued investment in next generation connectivity solutions. This combined with our talented team and strong balance sheet give us confidence in our future.

Further details on the pro forma 2023 outlook and long-term financial model, including the acquisition of Banias Labs and the multi-year agreement with a leading North American hyperscaler11, will be communicated at our Capital Markets Day on 13 January 2023.

About Alphawave IP Group plc (LN: AWE)

Faced with the exponential growth of data, Alphawave IP's technology services a critical need: enabling data to travel faster, more reliably and with higher performance at lower power. Alphawave IP is a global leader in high-speed connectivity for the world's technology infrastructure. Our IP and custom silicon solutions meet the needs of global tier-one customers in data centers, compute, networking, AI, 5G, autonomous vehicles, and storage. Founded in Toronto, Canada in 2017, by an expert technical team with a proven track record in licensing semiconductor IP, our mission is to focus on the hardest-to-solve connectivity challenges. To find out more about Alphawave IP, visit: awaveip.com

Related Party Disclosures

There are no new related parties disclosed in this press release.

Trademarks

All registered trademarks and other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

_____________________________________ 1 Stand-alone outlook excludes the acquisition of Banias Labs and the multi-year agreement with a leading North American hyperscaler announced on 13 October 2022. 2 Both FSA (Flexible Spending Account) drawdowns and China re-sale licences convert previously announced contractual commitments included within bookings reported in prior periods to new product design wins which will be recognised as revenue over time. 3 Includes customers from OpenFive who were not already customers of Alphawave and who signed contracts from 1 September 2022. 4 Our bookings comprise in some instances, our estimate of potential future royalties. Our royalties are estimated based on contractually committed royalty prepayments or, in limited instances, on sensitised volume estimates provided by customers. 5 These Chinese customers are out of scope from the WiseWave and VeriSilicon agreements. 6 Since its inception in 2017. 7 FSAs or Flexible Spending Accounts represent contracts with customers who have committed to regular periodic payments. These payments are not in respect of specific licences but can be used as credit against future deliverables. FSA drawdowns represent the design win value of transactions signed during the period, against which FSA payments will be credited and will convert to revenue over time. 8 In February 2021, Alphawave IP signed a three-year exclusive subscription reseller agreement with VeriSilicon with a minimum value of US$54 million. Reseller deals represent the subsequent licensing of IP by VeriSilicon to third parties in China and do not constitute additional bookings for the Company as they are part of the US$54 million minimum commitment. 9 Semiconductor device companies ranked on market capitalisation. 10 Including the financial contribution from OpenFive, the Company expects to reach revenues of between US$325m and US$360m in 2023. Longer-term, we expect to achieve annual revenue run rates in excess of US$500m in 2024 and in excess of US$1bn by 2027. Near-term margins will be impacted by OpenFive as we integrate and scale that business, and we anticipate a 2023 adjusted EBITDA margin of 32% to 36% with a steady increase thereafter as we focus and integrate the business and realise the anticipated synergies. Excluding OpenFive, standalone revenues are expected to be in line with the guidance provided at IPO, namely $210m to $240m by 2023, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 50% to 60%. 11 Communicated on 13 October 2022

Contact Information: Alphawave IP Group plc, John Lofton Holt, Executive Chairman, Jose Cano, Head of IR, ir@awaveip.com, +44 (0) 20 7717 5877; Brunswick Group, Simone Selzer, Sarah West, alphawave@brunswickgroup.com, +44 (0) 20 7404 5959; Gravitate PR, Lisette Paras, Wynton Yu, alphawave@gravitatepr.com, +1 415 420 8420

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LEI 2138006E2VG89XLORJ06

Yorkshire Water Services Limited announces Director Appointment

Yorkshire Water today announces that Wendy Barnes has been appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director to the board of Yorkshire Water Services Limited, with effect from

1 November 2022.

Wendy brings with her a significant breadth of knowledge from the utilities sector as well as in regulation, cyber security, customer service, and change management. She is currently a Non-Executive Director at both Scottish Power Limited and BMT Group Limited, having previously held non-executive roles at OCS Group, Southern Water Services Limited and Scottish Power Networks Limited.

Wendy was previously the Interim Chief Operating Officer at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and she has held executive roles within the water sector, with United Utilities. She also has strong family connections with the Yorkshire and North West regions.

There are no further details or disclosures required under Listing Rule 9.6.13R.

Vanda Murray, Chair, commented, "I am delighted to welcome Wendy to the Board. She brings with her essential skills that I am sure will further enhance our Board and contribute to our future success."

For further information, please contact:

YORKSHIRE WATER SERVICES LIMITED

WESTERN HOUSE

HALIFAX ROAD

BRADFORD, BD6 2SZ

ATTN: Company Secretary
Feasibility Study Contract Awarded to Wood plc for Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt Project, Brazil

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2022 / Horizonte Minerals Plc (AIM:HZM)(TSX:HZM), a nickel company developing two Tier 1 assets in Brazil, is pleased to announce it has awarded Wood Plc ("Wood") the principal engineering contract to undertake the Feasibility Study ("FS") for Horizonte's 100%-owned Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt Project ("Vermelho" or "the Project").

Vermelho is a large high-grade, long mine life, scalable resource, designed to be a low-cost producer of nickel and cobalt for the battery industry. The Vermelho FS contract award is another key milestone for Horizonte as it advances towards its long-term objective of becoming a 60,000 tonne per year nickel producer, following the start of construction at Araguaia, its ferro-nickel project, early this year which is on schedule to produce first nickel in Q1 2024.

Highlights

Vermelho is designed to produce 25,000 tonnes of nickel and 1,250 tonnes of cobalt per year over a 38-year mine life;

The Pre-Feasibility Study (dated October 2019) estimated a NPV8 of US$3.4Bn and a post-tax IRR of 38.6% with net cash flows of US$12.9Bn using a nickel price of US$23,000 per tonne;

Wood is a global leader in project delivery, engineering and technical services with experience across a number of the major high pressure leach nickel operations globally;

The FS cost estimate will be completed to AACEI Class 3 standard;

Additional contracts that are in the final stages of being awarded include pilot test work, mining, hydrogeology, hydrology, infrastructure and logistics packages; and,

Environmental licencing for Vermelho is well advanced, with key regulatory submissions, forming the basis for the construction licence issuance, expected to be made prior to year-end.

Jeremy Martin, CEO of Horizonte Minerals, commented:

"We are pleased to be working with Wood plc to deliver the Feasibility Study for the Vermelho Project. The commencement of the FS is an important step forward in unlocking Vermelho's significant value. There are very few nickel resources of this scale and quality at an advanced stage of development, leaving Vermelho well positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for sustainable critical metals.

"Vermelho is located in the Carajas mining district, an area that features well-developed infrastructure, and hydroelectric power. The Project is designed to produce nickel in intermediate or refined form and will be a globally significant, non-conflict, ethical source of cobalt.

"Araguaia and Vermelho have a combined inventory of over four million tonnes of nickel. By leveraging the synergies of these two world-class projects, located within trucking distance of each other in a stable and pro mining jurisdiction, Horizonte is well positioned to deliver its growth target of producing 60,000 tonnes of nickel per year, placing the Company amongst the global leaders in primary nickel production outside Indonesia."

Further Details

Wood is a global leader in project delivery, engineering and technical services, providing efficient, integrated solutions across the asset life cycle in multiple sectors. They have extensive experience in the nickel industry having worked on a number of the key nickel high pressure leach operations globally. The company is recognised in the industry as a leading hydrometallurgical group, delivering smart, high value outcomes for its clients worldwide.

Wood (formerly GRD Minproc), who undertook a successful Vermelho FS for Vale between 2003 - 2006, already has a detailed understanding of the Project, enabling them to leverage this existing knowledge during the process of producing this updated FS for Horizonte.

Wood will provide engineering to a sufficient level so as to support a cost estimate with an expected accuracy of - +/-15% for the Definitive FS phase in accordance with AACEI Class 3 estimate guidelines.

Environmental licencing for Vermelho is well advanced. Horizonte has received the Operating Licence allowing for the current exploration and drilling activities in the area and is nearing completion of the environmental and socioeconomic impact assessment ("ESIA", also known as "RIMA" in Brazil) for the Project. The ESIA/RIMA will be complemented with further detailed environmental technical studies to support the FS. Tenders for these activities have been completed and award of these feasibility studies support contracts are expected to be made in the near future.

About the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt project

The Group owns 100% of Vermelho, a high-grade, long mine life, scalable resource, which is located in the Carajas Mining District in the Para State, northeast Brazil. The area has well-developed infrastructure, including roads, rail, and hydroelectric power as a result of the sustained mining activities in Carajas.

The Vermelho Pre-FS comprises a planned open pit nickel laterite mining operation that covers a number of different pits. The hydro-metallurgical process incorporates a beneficiation plant where ore is upgraded prior to being fed to a centralised High-Pressure Acid Leach ("HPAL"). The Project will mine a 141.3 million tonne ("Mt") Probable Mineral Reserve to produce 924kt of nickel, 36kt of cobalt and 4.48 Mt of a saleable by-product, kieserite (a form of fertiliser) over an initially projected 38-year mine life. At full production capacity, the Project is expected to produce an average of 25,000 tonnes of nickel and 1,250 tonnes of cobalt per year, utilising the High-Pressure Acid Leach process.

Vermelho is set to deliver significant socio-economic benefits for communities in the Para state, including over 1,800 direct jobs in the construction phase, and over 600 jobs during operation, as well as additional economic and social development programmes.

For further information, visit www.horizonteminerals.com or contact:

Horizonte Minerals plc

Jeremy Martin (CEO)

Simon Retter (CFO)

Patrick Chambers (Head of IR)

info@horizonteminerals.com

+44 (0) 203 356 2901 Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker)

Ross Allister

David McKeown

+44 (0)20 7418 8900 BMO (Joint Broker)

Thomas Rider

Pascal Lussier Duquette

Andrew Cameron

+44 (0) 20 7236 1010 Tavistock (Financial PR)

Emily Moss

Cath Drummond

+44 (0) 20 7920 3150

ABOUT HORIZONTE MINERALS

Horizonte Minerals plc (AIM & TSX: HZM) is developing two 100%-owned, Tier 1 projects in Para state, Brazil - the Araguaia Nickel Project and the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt Project. Both projects are large scale, high-grade, low-cost, low-carbon and scalable. Araguaia will produce 29,000 tonnes of nickel per year to supply the stainless steel market. Vermelho is at feasibility study stage and will produce 25,000 tonnes of nickel and 1,250 tonnes of cobalt to supply the EV battery market. Horizonte's combined near-term production profile of over 60,000 tonnes of nickel per year positions the Company as a globally significant nickel producer. Horizonte is developing a new nickel district in Brazil that will benefit from established infrastructure, including hydroelectric power available in the Carajas Mining District.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the ability of the Company to complete the acquisition of equipment as described herein, statements with respect to the potential of the Company's current or future property mineral projects; the ability of the Company to complete a positive feasibility study regarding the second RKEF line at Araguaia on time, or at all, the success of exploration and mining activities; cost and timing of future exploration, production and development; the costs and timing for delivery of the equipment to be purchased as described herein, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves and the ability of the Company to achieve its goals in respect of growing its mineral resources; the realization of mineral resource and reserve estimates and achieving production in accordance with the Company's potential production profile or at all. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks related to: the inability of the Company to complete the acquisition of equipment contemplated herein, on time or at all, the ability of the Company to complete a positive feasibility study regarding the implementation of a second RKEF line at Araguaia on the timeline contemplated or at all, exploration and mining risks, competition from competitors with greater capital; the Company's lack of experience with respect to development-stage mining operations; fluctuations in metal prices; uninsured risks; environmental and other regulatory requirements; exploration, mining and other licences; the Company's future payment obligations; potential disputes with respect to the Company's title to, and the area of, its mining concessions; the Company's dependence on its ability to obtain sufficient financing in the future; the Company's dependence on its relationships with third parties; the Company's joint ventures; the potential of currency fluctuations and political or economic instability in countries in which the Company operates; currency exchange fluctuations; the Company's ability to manage its growth effectively; the trading market for the ordinary shares of the Company; uncertainty with respect to the Company's plans to continue to develop its operations and new projects; the Company's dependence on key personnel; possible conflicts of interest of directors and officers of the Company, and various risks associated with the legal and regulatory framework within which the Company operates, together with the risks identified and disclosed in the Company's disclosure record available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, including without limitation, the annual information form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021, the Araguaia Report and the Vermelho Report. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Horizonte Minerals PLC

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DUSSELDORF, Germany, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stavian Chemical, the 22nd largest global chemical distributor, is showcasing its exceptional 'One-Stop Shop' solution' and a wide range of polymers, affirming its leading position in the global plastics industry, especially in Europe, at booth C12, hall 7.2, during the K 2022.





The K 2022 is taking place from October 19 - 26 at the Fairground Dusseldorf to present new products and innovations from all sectors of the industry - from production to processing, to mechanical engineering while guided by three main themes: Circular Economy, Climate Protection, and Digitalization.

In line with this, Stavian Chemical's 'One-Stop Shop' concept is a crucial business solution connecting oil refineries and chemical manufacturers to hundreds of thousands of plastic manufacturers that contribute to the sustainable growth of each partner.

The 'One-Stop Shop' solution, comprising 12 specific business solutions, from in-depth customer-centricity advisory and financial support to warehousing and customs handling and clearing, provides a world-class full-service package for Stavian Chemical's customers and partners. This is in addition to the brand's strategic relationships with oil and gas conglomerates, top global multi-industrial corporations, and its decades of expertise in the logistics industry.

"The European plastics market is forecasted to grow by around 2% annually, reaching a volume of US$108 billion in 2031. As an international polymer distributor, and a major manufacturer of eco-friendly biodegradable packaging with high trustworthiness in the chemical industry, Stavian Chemical is proud to showcase One-Stop Shop at the K 2022 and become a strategic partner supporting the sustainable growth of European clients," said Stavian Chemical representative.

Proving its value to European clients, Stavian Chemical delivers innovative and sustainable solutions for customers and partners while maximizing values and prosperity for all stakeholders. In 2021, the company has developed a network of more than 21 offices and 40 warehouses across 30 countries. It also has served 14,000 partners across more than 100 countries, and this exponential business growth resulted in revenues of US$1.2 billion last year.

"Spurred on by the European Union - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Stavian Chemical has entered Europe with a strong proposition, bringing premium quality polymers from Vietnam, China, South Korea, and other countries that are priced competitively. We have also developed a bonded warehouse ecosystem in Europe. This expansion is ongoing and we want to ensure effective logistics, timing, and cost efficiency not only in the European market but also for our clients worldwide," he added.

About Stavian Chemical

Established in 2009 and headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam, Stavian Chemical - a member of the multi-industry and multi-national corporation Stavian Group - is a global chemical distributor and a leading eco-friendly biodegradable plastic packaging manufacturer. Stavian Chemical provides an exceptional 'One-Stop Shop' solution in B2B and global seamless connectivity with its offices across the globe.





With several accolades under the belt including being named the Top 22 largest chemical distributor worldwide and Top 6 in the Asia Pacific by the Independent Chemical & Energy Market Intelligence (ICIS) in 2021 and more recently the Corporate Excellence award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2022, Stavian Chemical will continue to pave the way in the industry to provide holistic and end-to-end services in K 2022.

For more information, visit the Stavian Chemical website at https://stavianchem.com/.

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with a Nordic ocean conference, Swedish Ambassador for the Ocean, Anna Lindstedt, paid a visit to Minesto's grid-connected tidal energy site in Vestmanna. The visit aimed to highlight how predictable tidal energy can be an important part of the future energy mix, and how Swedish innovation is at the forefront of ocean energy technology.

Together with Catarina Hedar, Unit Manager at Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management and Carl Rosen, Director at Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation, Swedish Ambassador for the Ocean, Anna Lindstedt, visited Minesto's tidal energy site in Vestmanna. The delegation was welcomed by Minesto's team onsite and had the opportunity to check out the "Dragon 4" power plant.

"As Ambassador for the Ocean, I have an important task to protect the world's oceans and promote sustainable use of the ocean. Undeniably, the ocean is suffering from the effects of climate change, but it can also be a part of the solution to climate change. This particularly applies to green energy, where we have the possibility to generate as much as forty times more energy from the ocean than we do today. Therefore, it's very positive that Sweden can contribute with world-leading ocean energy technology with global potential," says Anna Lindstedt.

"We are very pleased to have the ability to welcome a broad spectrum of stakeholders to our established site in Vestmanna, and the interest from Swedish governmental officials brings an important commercial value for us in approaching new markets," says Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto.

"I am delighted to see how Minesto supports the Faroe Islands in reaching their policy goal of becoming fossil-free by 2030. It's a great showcase of Nordic collaboration," concludes Anna Lindstedt.

For additional information, please contact

Cecilia Sernhage, Communications Manager

+46 735 23 71 58

ir@minesto.com

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/14621/3649241/1639495.pdf Press release https://news.cision.com/minesto-ab/i/swedish-delegation-visiting-minesto-tidal-energy-site-in-faroe-islands,c3101530 Swedish delegation visiting Minesto tidal energy site in Faroe Islands

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2022) - Lendified Holdings Inc. (TSXV: LHI) (the "Company" or "Lendified") today announces that each of Mr. Peter Ostapchuk and Mr. Kevin Dane has informed the Company of their resignation from the Company's board of directors effective immediately. Lendified wishes to express its appreciation to Mr. Ostapchuk and Mr. Dane for their services to the Company and wishes them the best in their future endeavours.

ABOUT LENDIFIED HOLDINGS INC.

Lendified, a company located in Ontario, Canada, is a Canadian FinTech company operating a lending platform which provides working capital loans to small businesses across Canada through a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Further Information

For further information regarding Lendified, please contact:

Eoghan Bergin, Chief Executive Officer and Director

1-844-451-3594

eoghan.bergin@lendified.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, including whether the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will be even more severe than it has been to date, any of which could cause results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Many risks are inherent in the industries in which the Company participates; others are more specific to the Company. The Company's ongoing quarterly filings should be consulted for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Management assumes no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, further events or otherwise.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/140777
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2022) - North Digital Inc. has signed an official referral agreement with NexHealth, a leader in digitizing dental and medical offices. The agreement will mutually benefit both companies while helping local dentists thrive as they navigate the post covid-world. North Digital, a Canadian digital marketing agency, was awarded the number one ranking video on YouTube in 2020 on the topic of "Dental Marketing."

Through this agreement, North Digital is positioned to refer NexHealth's services to North Digital's client base. In turn, NexHealth will refer dental clients seeking predictable new patient acquisition to North Digital.

The cooperation of these organizations will continue to drive innovation in both the dental industry and the digital marketing space.

"This agreement will allow us to give our clients an additional and significant competitive advantage," Sean Wiggins, founder of North Digital said.

"Delivering a more modern experience to patients and doctors while ensuring that our joint customers recognize the ROI of investing in both companies is a game changer.", Christopher Smith, Head of Partnerships at NexHealth said.

NexHealth, a premier patient experience platform, recently closed $125 million in a Series C financing round through Buckley ventures. This recent capital raise increases the company's valuation to $1 billion. The company remains at the forefront of front-end patient experience, solidifying investor confidence in medical practice innovation.

According to Fortune Business Insights, "The global dental market is projected to grow from USD $38.84 billion in 2022 to USD $63.93 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.4% during forecast period."

Dentists strive to serve patients faster and better borne out of pandemic-fueled trends. 2022 has witnessed a rise in teeth grinding and cracked teeth. This has made online booking a requirement for dentists faced with increasing patient volumes, along with an increase in average annual total number of visits.

With the dental implant market also growing rapidly, dentists are focused on using technology efficiently to ensure they deliver a wide range of services. More dentists are incorporating cutting-edge marketing tools to attract and retain their clients in the long-term. North Digital and NexHealth's combined value proposition delivers that patient-acquisition marketing machine.

Importantly, recent transaction activity has shown the importance of dental practice owners optimizing how their administrative duties are managed. When it comes to practice management, the demand for tools and services that drive data-driven solutions has never been stronger.

NexHealth will continue to focus on expanding practice management, while creating new doctor-facing platform features that enhance patient experiences - including one-click booking and integrated forms. NexHealth's API is based on a developer-centric strategy which allows for expedient innovation.

To learn more about NexHealth, visit http://www.nexhealth.com

To learn more about North Digital, visit http://www.north.digital

About NexHealth:

NexHealth, the Patient Experience Platform, helps doctors, developers and patients worldwide through EHR-integrated real-time online scheduling, patient communication and more. NexHealth was co-founded in 2017 by Waleed Asif and Alamin Uddin. The pair gained recognition in Forbes' 30 under 30 in 2018 for healthcare innovation. NexHealth's mission is to "accelerate innovation in healthcare by connecting patients, doctors, and developers."

About North Digital Inc:

North Digital is a digital marketing agency based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. North Digital employs the scientific method to algorithm-based advertising platforms; primarily through Google and Facebook. The company continues to bring dental clients a steady stream of new patients each month online. North Digital Inc. has achieved industry leading client retention both in Canada and the US.

Contact

Sean Wiggins

Phone: +1-604-328-5659

Email: Sean@north.digital

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/140671
Regulatory News:

THERACLION (ISIN: FR0010120402; Mnemo: ALTHE), an innovative company developing a scalable robotic platform for non-invasive ultrasound therapy to treat varicose vein disease, announced at the 2022 AVLS congress in New Orleans, Louisiana (US), on October 14th, that the final patient enrolled in the first SONOVEIN study in the United States has been treated.

Finalized enrollment in the US study on echotherapy for varicose veins

In total, 20 patients were enrolled in this clinical trial approved by the FDA (Food Drug Administration) in early 2022. Conducting the clinical trial are Dr Steve Elias, principal investigator, Dr Nicos Labropoulos, and Dr Antonios Gasparis, all three internationally recognized vein specialists with more than 30 years of experience each.

SONOVEIN HD utilizes a robotic platform that integrates the best-in-class, high-definition MACH30 10-12Mhz ultrasound imaging system with high intensity focused ultrasound to obliterate the source of venous reflux completely non-invasively.

Encouraging early results presented at the 2022 AVLS congress

Early results were presented at the 36th American Vein Lymphatic Society (AVLS) Annual Congress in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 14th. Dr Elias highlighted that 19/20 (95%) of cases had no reflux at one week interval. The completion of the study was three months interval, 10 out of 10 had no reflux. There were no reported adverse events. All patients were treated without local or tumescent anesthesia. No post procedure compression was utilized.

Dr Elias shared during the congress that SONOVEIN HD enabled faster treatment than previous generations and that he 'only needed his pencil and his ultrasound gel' to treat his patients. He also stated that all treated patients would recommend it to others: 'this highlights that patients can be treated sitting in an exam chair and return to normal activity immediately

Dr Michel Nuta, Chief Medical Officer at Theraclion, said: 'a 95% success rate, taking the learning curve into account, is very encouraging and reflects well the great clinical and technical developments behind SONOVEIN HD'.

Next on the agenda: this study's closure, and the start of a full pivotal study

The US is the largest market for varicose veins with an estimated 2.3 million procedures representing a $5 Billion healthcare spending. Following the upcoming closure of this clinical trial, a full pivotal study for FDA review should take place next.

About Theraclion

At Theraclion we believe that surgery, as we know it, is outdated. It converts optimistic patients into anxious individuals, brilliant doctors into exhausted system executors and stretches healthcare systems to the limit. We have disrupted this convention by creating extracorporeal treatment platforms. We replace surgery with a robotic treatment from outside the body using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). Our leading edge echotherapy platforms are currently CE marked in non-invasive treatment of varicose veins with SONOVEIN and of breast fibroadenomas and thyroid nodules with Echopulse.

Located in Malakoff, near Paris, our employees live and breathe innovation by extensive clinical research and harness artificial intelligence. The market of varicose veins treatment alone requires around 5 million procedures annually. It is a dynamic market in which we change paradigms by making non-invasive echotherapy the new standard.

For more information, please visit www.theraclion.com and our patient website www.echotherapy.com.

Theraclion is listed on Euronext Growth Paris

Eligible for the PEA-PME scheme

Mnemonic: ALTHE ISIN code: FR0010120402

LEI: 9695007X7HA7A1GCYD29

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005812/en/

Contacts:

Theraclion

David AUREGAN

Chief Operating Officer

david.auregan@theraclion.com

Anja KLEBER

VP Marketing, Market Access Sales Francophonia

anja.kleber@theraclion.com
Working with local partners to drive innovation

PARIS, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei hosted European Innovation Day 2022 today in Paris, under the theme of 'Open Innovation for a Sustainable Europe'. The event brought together innovators from around the world who are working on building a "Digital Europe" and exploring how digital technology can be used to protect the environment.

The agenda kicked off with a keynote from MEP Ardiana Maldonado, who discussed "Innovation as Our Best Tool for Future Global Challenges, where she stressed how Europe urgently needs digital innovation to meet future challenges. She also called for the creation of a truly open ecosystem where enterprises, startups, academia and policymakers can work together to ensure that Europe continues to lead the charge in the coming years.

Gael Blondelle, VP of Ecosystem development at Eclipse Foundation, one of the biggest open-source communities in the EU, also delivered a presentation advocating open-source solutions to the innovation challenges Europe currently faces, and Dario Rossi, Director of A14NET Lab & DataCom Lab at Huawei's Paris Research Centre discussed how Huawei is contributing to science and innovation in France and Europe.

An open ecosystem powered by digital technologies can accelerate Europe's growth

Rainer Terlutter, VP of Industry Solutions for Empolis Information Management, spoke at the event on why innovation in digital technologies is so important to Europe, saying, "Smart products and services based on artificial intelligence and smart knowledge are the engine of digitization."

David Chquiry, CEO & Founder of Green Tech Innovations also added that, "By working together, we can use edge computing and other new technologies to create solutions that are green by design."

A particularly compelling feature of Innovation Day 2022 was the startups and future leaders who shared their own successful stories. For example, Jake Phillips, Director of Ecosystem Development at an internationally recognized start-up community Dogpatch Labs, introduced their company's ecosystem and highlighted the innovation and job growth potential it will bring. He shared how 2021 had been a landmark year for investment in unicorns in Europe, with start-ups having entered a hyper-growth phase. He also touched on their work in driving positive policy initiatives that allow start-ups to unleash their potential.

Atul Shrivijay Athavale, Huawei Cloud WEU's Head of Cloud Ecosystem, then announced the official launch of the Huawei Cloud Startup Program and Huawei Cloud Developer Competition in Europe, as part of Huawei Cloud's commitment to working with partners to build an innovative startup and developer ecosystem.

A green and sustainable Europe is closely linked with digital technology

Three more speakers included the Porini Foundation's CTO Toni Caradonna, the Center for Conservation Action's Head of Protected and Conserved Areas James Hardcastle, and Rainforest Connection CEO, Bourhan Yassin, who jointly called for building a greener and more environment-friendly Europe with innovative digital technologies.

Huawei continues its contribution to Europe

Participants were then treated to a presentation by Dr Basalisco, Director of Copenhagen Economics, who shared the key findings within a study published on the 17th of October. The study demonstrated Huawei's economic contribution to Europe in 2021, which is significant in value-added, jobs supported and European tax revenues. Huawei also contributed significantly to research and innovation, talent cultivation, sustainable development, and social and digital inclusion in Europe.

In his closing remarks for Innovation Day 2022, Huawei's VP of Corporate Communications, Karl Song shared a few real-life examples of how Huawei is contributing to digital, intelligent, and green development both in Europe and around the world, said, "We will always be committed to the digital transformation of French and European SMEs and the creation of a more digital Europe."

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/huawei-holds-european-innovation-day-in-paris-301651012.html
Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

17 October 2022

REDDE NORTHGATE PLC

("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 17 October 2022 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 80,000 Weighted average purchase price paid : 318.7912 pence per share Highest purchase price paid : 323 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid : 313 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 12,671,477 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company is 233,419,946 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions (all of 17 October 2022)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 2019 313.50 08:43:18 00061598475TRLO0 LSE 184 313.00 08:44:27 00061598487TRLO0 LSE 1786 313.00 08:44:27 00061598488TRLO0 LSE 286 314.50 09:02:18 00061598689TRLO0 LSE 305 314.50 09:02:18 00061598690TRLO0 LSE 600 314.50 09:02:18 00061598691TRLO0 LSE 1400 315.00 09:08:38 00061598825TRLO0 LSE 723 315.00 09:08:38 00061598826TRLO0 LSE 723 315.00 09:08:38 00061598827TRLO0 LSE 341 315.00 09:08:38 00061598828TRLO0 LSE 399 314.00 09:12:52 00061598948TRLO0 LSE 292 314.00 09:12:52 00061598949TRLO0 LSE 700 314.00 09:12:52 00061598950TRLO0 LSE 655 314.00 09:12:52 00061598951TRLO0 LSE 1843 314.00 09:12:52 00061598952TRLO0 LSE 178 314.00 09:12:52 00061598953TRLO0 LSE 1904 314.00 09:12:52 00061598954TRLO0 LSE 693 314.50 09:31:09 00061599235TRLO0 LSE 301 314.50 09:31:09 00061599236TRLO0 LSE 1 314.50 09:31:09 00061599237TRLO0 LSE 227 314.50 09:31:09 00061599238TRLO0 LSE 350 315.00 09:47:05 00061599587TRLO0 LSE 2290 315.00 09:48:24 00061599632TRLO0 LSE 2638 315.00 09:48:24 00061599633TRLO0 LSE 513 315.50 10:03:02 00061599854TRLO0 LSE 92 316.50 10:59:57 00061601341TRLO0 LSE 600 316.50 10:59:57 00061601342TRLO0 LSE 655 315.50 11:00:17 00061601349TRLO0 LSE 71 315.50 11:00:17 00061601350TRLO0 LSE 1499 315.50 11:00:17 00061601351TRLO0 LSE 782 315.50 11:00:17 00061601352TRLO0 LSE 10 315.50 11:33:06 00061601913TRLO0 LSE 902 316.50 11:48:19 00061602146TRLO0 LSE 630 316.50 11:48:19 00061602147TRLO0 LSE 3 316.50 11:48:19 00061602148TRLO0 LSE 1 316.50 11:48:19 00061602149TRLO0 LSE 1876 316.50 11:50:28 00061602183TRLO0 LSE 871 316.50 11:56:07 00061602221TRLO0 LSE 1880 317.50 12:43:11 00061603814TRLO0 LSE 2106 317.50 12:43:11 00061603815TRLO0 LSE 1669 317.00 13:14:55 00061604742TRLO0 LSE 846 317.00 13:14:55 00061604743TRLO0 LSE 3 317.00 13:14:55 00061604744TRLO0 LSE 4 317.00 13:14:55 00061604745TRLO0 LSE 578 317.50 13:40:24 00061605641TRLO0 LSE 574 317.50 13:40:24 00061605642TRLO0 LSE 4 318.50 14:02:04 00061606314TRLO0 LSE 3 318.50 14:02:04 00061606315TRLO0 LSE 3 318.50 14:02:04 00061606316TRLO0 LSE 28 318.50 14:02:04 00061606319TRLO0 LSE 668 320.00 14:17:02 00061607148TRLO0 LSE 1527 320.00 14:17:02 00061607149TRLO0 LSE 1879 321.00 14:55:12 00061609748TRLO0 LSE 1993 321.00 14:55:12 00061609749TRLO0 LSE 1937 320.50 14:56:28 00061609821TRLO0 LSE 330 321.50 15:22:52 00061611066TRLO0 LSE 1400 321.50 15:22:52 00061611067TRLO0 LSE 527 321.50 15:22:52 00061611068TRLO0 LSE 2204 321.50 15:22:52 00061611069TRLO0 LSE 358 322.50 15:32:37 00061611519TRLO0 LSE 153 322.50 15:32:37 00061611520TRLO0 LSE 888 322.50 15:32:37 00061611521TRLO0 LSE 700 322.50 15:32:37 00061611522TRLO0 LSE 68 322.50 15:35:10 00061611750TRLO0 LSE 2247 322.50 15:35:10 00061611751TRLO0 LSE 783 323.00 15:37:49 00061611906TRLO0 LSE 1262 323.00 15:37:49 00061611907TRLO0 LSE 1600 323.00 15:42:51 00061612161TRLO0 LSE 219 323.00 15:42:51 00061612162TRLO0 LSE 2045 322.50 15:44:53 00061612228TRLO0 LSE 1026 322.50 15:44:53 00061612229TRLO0 LSE 1091 322.50 15:44:53 00061612230TRLO0 LSE 2128 321.50 15:51:02 00061612673TRLO0 LSE 172 320.50 15:52:02 00061612750TRLO0 LSE 643 321.00 15:52:02 00061612751TRLO0 LSE 638 321.50 15:52:02 00061612752TRLO0 LSE 551 321.50 15:52:02 00061612753TRLO0 LSE 1928 321.50 15:52:02 00061612754TRLO0 LSE 17 321.50 15:52:02 00061612755TRLO0 LSE 364 321.00 16:00:02 00061613346TRLO0 LSE 470 321.00 16:00:02 00061613347TRLO0 LSE 777 321.00 16:00:02 00061613348TRLO0 LSE 265 321.50 16:05:23 00061613929TRLO0 LSE 2136 322.00 16:08:35 00061614158TRLO0 LSE 487 322.00 16:08:35 00061614159TRLO0 LSE 1745 322.00 16:08:35 00061614160TRLO0 LSE 164 322.00 16:11:49 00061614392TRLO0 LSE 2086 322.00 16:11:49 00061614393TRLO0 LSE 486 322.00 16:15:55 00061614644TRLO0 LSE 1434 322.00 16:15:55 00061614645TRLO0 LSE 182 322.00 16:15:58 00061614649TRLO0 LSE 1381 322.00 16:17:20 00061614773TRLO0 LSE

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden.

Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals.

Further information please visit the Company's website:

www.reddenorthgate.com
In this photo provided by Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, Oct. 16, a charred building is seen after a fire on the property of the Evin prison, in Tehran, Iran. AP-Yonhap



A towering blaze at a notorious prison housing political prisoners and anti-government activists in Iran's capital killed four inmates, the country's judiciary said Sunday. The dramatic scenes of the nighttime fire have reverberated across Iranian social media.



Flames and thick smoke rising from Tehran's Evin Prison had been widely visible Saturday evening, as nationwide anti-government protests triggered by the death of a young woman in police custody entered a fifth week. In online videos, gunshots and explosions could be heard in the area of the prison.



The blaze was extinguished after several hours and no detainees escaped, state media said.



Authorities have attempted to distance the events at the prison from the ongoing protests, while state media has offered conflicting accounts of the violence. Hundreds are being held at Evin, where human rights groups have reported repeated abuses of prisoners.



Families of inmates gathered Sunday near the prison hoping for news of their loved ones inside.



Masoumeh, 49, who only gave her first name, said her 19-year-old son was taken to the prison two weeks ago after taking part in the street protests. ''I cannot trust news about his health, I need to see him closely,'' she said.



Another man, Reza, who also gave only his first name, said his brother has been in Evin Prison since last year after he was involved in a violent quarrel. ''He did not call us in recent days and following last night's fire I am here to learn what happened to him,'' he said.



State media originally reported nine people were injured but the judiciary-affiliated website Mizan.news on Sunday said four inmates died of smoke inhalation and 61 others were injured. It said all four who died were in prison on robbery convictions.



Ten inmates were hospitalized, with four of them in serious condition, Mizan reported. It said some prisoners had tried to escape but failed.



State TV on Sunday aired video purporting to show the fire's aftermath of scorched walls and ceilings in a room it said was the upper floor of a sewing workshop at the prison.



''This fire was caused by a fight between some prisoners in a sewing workshop,'' said Tehran Gov. Mohsen Mansouri.





This photo provided by Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, Oct. 16, shows a building following a fire on the property of Evin prison in Tehran, Iran. AP-Yonhap



Iranian social media posts challenged state media claims over the cause of the fire and apparent explosions at the prison. Former inmate of Evin and rights activist Atena Daemi said in a Tweet Sunday that normally, all prisoners are sent to their wards and the workshops closed by sunset.



The European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell expressed his ''most serious concern'' to Iran's foreign minister and called for ''maximum transparency on the situation'' following the prison blaze and apparent violence.



Iranian authorities are responsible for the lives of ''all detainees, including human rights defenders and EU nationals,'' Borrell said in a Tweet Sunday.



Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported Saturday that there were clashes between prisoners in one ward and prison personnel, citing a senior security official. The official said ''rioters'' set fire to a warehouse full of prison uniforms, which caused the blaze.



The official said the ''situation is completely under control'' and that firefighters were extinguishing the flames. Later, Tehran prosecutor Ali Salehi said that calm had returned to the prison and that the unrest was not related to the protests which have swept the country for four weeks.



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.



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, the videos showed.





A woman holds a placard with a picture of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini during a protest against her death, in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 28. AP-Yonhap
30th annual Raindance Film Festival set to take place in London, Oct. 26 Nov. 5

Celtx, a leader in media production software development, has announced its sponsorship of the 30th annual Raindance Film Festival, Europe's leading independent film festival. As an official partner, The Raindance organization has named Celtx as the official scriptwriting software of Raindance, and the Raindance Film School.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221003005078/en/

"This new partnership with Raindance is very exciting for us," said Celtx co-founder and CEO Mark Kennedy. "We are proud to partner with organizations that share our purpose of backing and who also champion creators. We're looking forward to taking part in this year's events at the Raindance Festival and celebrating the creative process that goes into filmmaking and screenwriting."

Celtx joins a handful of festival partners that are supporting Raindance's new Script Competition, which champions emerging independent writers. This year's winners were announced earlier this month. The overall winner of the Raindance Feature competition will receive the 'Best Unproduced Screenplay' award at the Festival. All of the script competition winners will receive one-year subscriptions to Celtx Writer Pro.

As the official scriptwriting software for all Raindance Film School campuses, all Raindance Film School students will receive Celtx's multi-format script editors and easy-to-use script writing software to support their learning and growth. While at the festival, Celtx will present a masterclass on "Script Break Down" as part of the Industry Programme track taking place on October 27.

"Our festival, community, and educational programs exist to provide creators with the best opportunities, resources, and experiences that we can offer," says Elliot Grove, founder of Raindance. "The path to a career in writing is a long and arduous task, which is why we have chosen to partner with Celtx which has helped to support the careers of so many writers previously. We know that at the heart of the Celtx business is a desire to support writers and creators so they can produce their best work."

About Celtx

Celtx creates cloud-based software for the early stages of media production designed for collaborating, organizing, and producing media projects like film TV, commercials, documentaries, machinima, games and interactive media, and podcasts. Celtx's software is used by creatives and companies worldwide to achieve streamlined production workflows from concept to camera. Founded in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Celtx was acquired by Backlight in 2021. For more information, please visit www.celtx.com.

About Raindance

Now in its 30th year, Raindance Film Festival is Europe's leading independent Film Festival showcasing feature films, shorts and docs, virtual reality, web series and music videos from around the world and specialising in independent films and directorial debuts. The festival has a strong legacy of showing alternative, edgy films. Since 1993 Raindance Film Festival has uncovered the hottest new filmmakers to hit the cinematic scene.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221003005078/en/

Contacts:

Andrew Krepkow

Hotwire for Celtx

media@backlight.co
Regulatory News:

Press Release Paris, 17 October 2022

Pernod Ricard (Paris:RI) announces today the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of a majority shareholding of Codigo 1530 Tequila, a range of Ultra-Premium and Prestige tequila. This new investment into the fast-growing agave category, mainly driven by the US market, complements the Group's very comprehensive portfolio across price points and occasions.

Founded in 2016 by Ron Snyder, Federico Vaughan and George Strait, the story of Codigo 1530 tequila, produced in the Mexican state of Jalisco, is based on the transmission of an ancestral tequila recipe following Los Codigos, "the codes" in English. Codigo tequila has positioned itself within a very competitive category, thanks to the unique quality proposition of its range of Ultra-Premium (Blanco, Rosa and Reposado) and Prestige products (Anejo, Barrel Strength Anejo and Origen Extra Anejo).

Codigo is already available within 50 states across the US and is at the early stage of its international development with a presence in over 30 markets. Thanks to Pernod Ricard's distribution expertise in ultra-premium prestige brands and its successful experience in collaborating with entrepreneurs, Codigo is now poised to accelerate its global development and reach new consumers.

Through this partnership, Pernod Ricard is expanding and diversifying the value proposition of its portfolio of tequila brands, which already includes Olmeca, Altos and Avion. The Group is also adding two new Mezcal references (Codigo Mezcal Artesanal and Codigo Mezcal Ancestral) to its market leading Mezcal portfolio built around the Del Maguey and Ojo de Tigre brands. The strengthening of the agave portfolio follows the Group's recent investment in the sotol category through its acquisition of a minority stake in the ultra-premium Nocheluna brand.

Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, said: "Cdigo's range of exquisite tequilas reinforces our offer of Ultra Premium+ agave products in the US, where the category is enjoying a very strong momentum. It is a privilege to partner with Ron Snyder, Federico Vaughan and George Strait with whom we share a common vision for Cdigo 1530 and common ambition to strongly accelerate and strengthen the success of the brand"

For Ann Mukherjee, CEO of Pernod Ricard USA, "We are incredibly excited to welcome Cdigo 1530 into our portfolio, enhancing our agave products offer especially in its upper segment where consumers and connoisseurs are eager to discover brands that combine strong roots with the most exclusive quality. Thanks to our newly enhanced portfolio, we have never been more confident to lead the growth of the spirits' industry within the US market.

For Ron Snyder, "We are thrilled to join forces with such a savvy international powerhouse like Pernod Ricard. Our goal for Codigo has always been to produce and share the best possible tequila. What started as simply enjoying our tasty tequila with friends in Mexico, quickly grew into an aspiration to share Codigo with discerning consumers around the world.

To gain the backing of Pernod Ricard is a powerful alliance, and a logical progression that will benefit consumers with an expanded reach through our collaborative growth. We look forward to working closely with Alex, Ann the Pernod Ricard team as we build our brand globally."

Perella Weinberg Partners acted as financial advisor to Pernod Ricard and Debevoise Plimpton LLP acted as its legal advisor. Rothschild Co acted as financial advisor to Codigo and Perkins Coie LLP acted as its legal advisor.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales amounting to 10,701 million in fiscal year FY22. The Group, which owns 17 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive portfolios in the industry with over 240 premium brands distributed across more than 160 markets. Pernod Ricard's portfolio includes Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur or Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes. The Group's mission is to unlock the magic of human connections by bringing "Good Times from a Good Place", in line with its Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap. Pernod Ricard's decentralized organization empowers its 19,480 employees to be on-the-ground ambassadors of its purposeful and inclusive culture of conviviality, bringing people together in meaningful, sustainable and responsible ways to create value over the long term. Executing its strategic plan, Transform Accelerate, Pernod Ricard now relies on its "Conviviality Platform", a new growth model based on data and artificial intelligence to meet the ever-changing demand of consumers.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code:FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices.

About Cdigo

Codigo 1530 is a premium spirits brand born from a private recipe known for generations by only a select group of Mexico's most respected families and finest jimadors. Now available to the world, Codigo 1530's tequila and mezcal offerings have been perfected using time-honored customs without ever veering from the historic traditions of including no added chemicals, flavorings, or sweeteners. Passionately produced in Amatitan, Jalisco, MX the rested tequilas are meticulously aged to taste in the world's finest French Oak Cabernet wine barrels procured from the Napa Valley region. Codigo 1530 is available in all 50 states, and in over 30 countries world-wide. Learn more at www.codigo1530.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005867/en/

Contacts:

Pernod Ricard Contacts



Investor relations

Florence Tresarrieu Global SVP Investors Relations and Treasury +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 03

Edward Mayle Investor Relations Director +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 13

Charly Montet Investor Relations Manager +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 13



Media

Emmanuel Vouin Head of External Engagement +33 (0) 1 70 93 16 34

Jessica Whyte International Press relations Manager +33 (0) 1 70 93 24 23



Cdigo Contact:

Kaitlyn Dolan Public Relations Manager

Kaitlyn@Codigo1530.com

+1(732)882-3841
EQS Voting Rights Announcement: QIAGEN N.V.

QIAGEN N.V.: Release according to Article 40, Section 1 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution



17.10.2022 / 22:04 CET/CEST

Dissemination of a Voting Rights Announcement transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The AFM (the Netherlands Authority For the Financial Markets has informed us on October 14, 2022 that a notification related to our institution has been released by the AFM. The following notification has been disclosed in the relevant register on the AFM website: Date of transaction: 10 Oct 2022 Person obliged to notify: Goldman Sachs Group Inc., The Issuing institution: Qiagen N.V. Registration Chamber of Commerce: 12036979 Place of residence: VENLO Distribution in numbers Type of share Number of shares Number of voting rights Capital interest Voting rights Manner of disposal Settlement Ordinary share 6.924,00 6.924,00 Real Real Indirectly - The Goldman Sachs Trust Company of Delaware Physical Delivery Ordinary share 15.579,00 15.578,84 Real Real Indirectly - NN Investment Partners Holdings B.V. Physical Delivery put option 90.000,00 90.000,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs International Physical Delivery Ordinary share 387.380,00 387.380,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Physical Delivery Convertible bond 530.331,00 530.331,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - NN Investment Partners Holdings B.V. Physical Delivery Ordinary share 210.500,00 210.500,00 Real Real Indirectly - Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE Physical Delivery Warrant 61.199,00 61.199,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE In cash Swap 300.153,00 300.153,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs International In cash Option 3.863.782,00 3.863.782,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Physical Delivery Ordinary share 11,00 11,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE Physical Delivery Swap 46.540,00 46.540,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC In cash Call-Option 375.000,00 375.000,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs International Physical Delivery Ordinary share 5.503,00 5.503,00 Real Real Indirectly - United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC Physical Delivery Ordinary share 42,00 42,00 Real Real Indirectly - Folio Investments, Inc. Physical Delivery Ordinary share 581.515,00 581.515,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs International Physical Delivery Convertible bond 419.014,00 419.014,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - Goldman Sachs International Physical Delivery Distribution in percentages Type Total holding Directly real Directly potential Indirectly real Indirectly potential Capital interest 2,99% 0,00% 0,00% 0,10% 2,88% Voting rights 2,99% 0,00% 0,00% 0,10% 2,88% QIAGEN N.V. is not responsible for the accuracy and correctness of the notification above. The content has been taken from the relevant register of the AFM: https://www.afm.nl/en/professionals/registers/meldingenregisters/substantiele-deelnemingen/details?id=131939

17.10.2022 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


EQS Voting Rights Announcement: QIAGEN N.V.

QIAGEN N.V.: Release according to Article 40, Section 1 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution



17.10.2022 / 22:04 CET/CEST

Dissemination of a Voting Rights Announcement transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The AFM (the Netherlands Authority For the Financial Markets has informed us on October 14, 2022 that a notification related to our institution has been released by the AFM. The following notification has been disclosed in the relevant register on the AFM website: Date of transaction: 11 oct 2022 Person obliged to notify: UBS Group AG Issuing institution: Qiagen N.V. Registration Chamber of Commerce: 12036979 Place of residence: VENLO Distribution in numbers Type of share Number of shares Number of voting rights Capital interest Voting rights Manner of disposal Settlement Ordinary share 2.750.433,00 2.750.433,00 Real Real Indirectly - UBS AG, UBS Asset Management (Americas) Inc., UBS Asset Management (Australia) Ltd., UBS Asset Management (Deutschland) GmbH, UBS Asset Management (Singapore) Ltd., UBS Asset Management (UK) Limited, UBS Asset Management Life Limited, UBS Fund Management Physical Delivery Ordinary share 492.944,00 492.944,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - UBS AG, UBS Financial Services Inc., UBS Switzerland AG Physical Delivery Convertible note 762.019,00 762.019,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - UBS AG, UBS Fund Management (Luxembourg) S.A., UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) AG, UBS Third Party Management Company S.A. Physical Delivery Call-option 20.000,00 20.000,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - UBS AG Physical Delivery Swap 2.236.011,00 2.236.011,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - UBS AG In cash Distribution in percentages Type Total holding Directly real Directly potential Indirectly real Indirectly potential Capital interest 2,71 % 0,00 % 0,00 % 1,19 % 1,52 % Voting rights 2,71 % 0,00 % 0,00 % 1,19 % 1,52 % QIAGEN N.V. is not responsible for the accuracy and correctness of the notification above. The content has been taken from the relevant register of the AFM: https://www.afm.nl/en/professionals/registers/meldingenregisters/substantiele-deelnemingen/details?id=131976

17.10.2022 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


CAZ Investments, a Houston-based investment manager, made a $350 million commitment to Bonaccord Capital Partners II, the fund of Bonaccord Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on acquiring non-controlling equity interests in leading mid-sized alternative asset managers.

CAZ and Bonaccords long-term strategic partnership has resulted in over $1 billion in aggregate capital commitments since 2020.

Bonaccord focuses on making strategic minority investments in leading mid-sized alternative asset managers across private equity, private credit, real estate, and real assets globally. The firm seeks to support long-term value creation for these sponsors by leveraging Bonaccords strategic development capabilities and broader global network. Bonaccord is an affiliate of P10, Inc., is a multi-asset class private markets solutions provider in the alternative asset management industry.

FinSMEs

17/10/2022
On September 19, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Wang Yi said that China and Cuba are good friends, good comrades, and good brothers with mutual trust and a shared future. The heads of state of the two countries have built their friendship and maintained close communication. The Chinese side stands ready to work with Cuba to follow the guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen unity and cooperation, and consolidate and develop the special friendship between China and Cuba. The Chinese side thanks the Cuban side for its firm support for China in safeguarding China's core interests, and the Chinese side also firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its sovereignty and independence, and firmly supports the country in accelerating development and rejuvenation, and believes that Cuba will make new and greater achievements on its path of socialist development.

Wang Yi stressed that the two sides should further strengthen strategic alignment, advance Belt and Road cooperation in a steady manner, expand cooperation in agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, and other fields, and translate the high-level political mutual trust between the two countries into more outcomes in practical cooperation.

Rodriguez wishes the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a full success. He thanked the Chinese side for the long-term support for Cubas national course of justice and for the solidarity and assistance when Cuba suffered from the pandemic, disasters, and other difficult times. Cuba is glad about the profound friendship and political mutual trust between the heads of state of the two countries, and supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and a series of other important initiatives put forward by the Chinese side. Cuba will continue its firm commitment to the one-China principle, unswervingly support the positions of brotherly China on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang, and oppose all anti-China practices driven by political factors, and expects to further deepen Cuba-China relations of mutual benefit.

Wang Yi said that the current international landscape is fraught with crises and mess, but good prevails over evil, solidarity means strength, and perseverance means victory. We are fully confident in the bright prospects of the progress of the human society, and stand ready to work with Cuba and other developing countries to strengthen unity and coordination, uphold fairness and justice, and jointly respond to global challenges, and promote common development and prosperity.
On September 24, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister Simeon Oyono Esono Angue of Equatorial Guinea on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.

Wang Yi said that under the joint guidance of the heads of state of the two countries, China-Equatorial Guinea relations have witnessed sound and smooth development, setting a good example of relations between countries of different sizes characterized by equality, solidarity, mutual help and sincere friendship. The Chinese side stands ready to work with the Equatorial Guinean side to jointly carry forward the traditional friendship, and better synergize development strategies to the benefit of the two peoples.

Wang Yi said that China and Equatorial Guinea have maintained close communication and sound cooperation in the United Nations and other multilateral institutions. The Chinese side will continue to firmly support the Equatorial Guinean side in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests on the international arena, and in playing a bigger role in regional and multilateral affairs to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, uphold solidarity and cooperation on the African continent, and jointly safeguard the "golden rule" of non-interference in others' internal affairs in international relations which also underpins the very survival of developing countries.

Oyono said that China is a reliable friend and a strong partner of Equatorial Guinea. Under the care and guidance of the heads of state of the two countries, Equatorial Guinea-China relations have progressed smoothly. Oyono thanked the Chinese side for providing valuable support to Equatorial Guinea in economic and social development, which has brought real benefits to the Equatorial Guinean people. Equatorial Guinea is firmly committed to the one-China policy, supports the policy of "one country, two systems", highly appreciates and supports the Global Development Initiative and other important visions put forward by President Xi Jinping, and looks forward to strengthening synergy between the two countries development strategies and deepening cooperation with China in various fields.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Joe Biden meet at Al Salman Palace upon his arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15. Reuters-Yonhap



OPEC+ member states lined up on Sunday to endorse the steep production cut agreed this month after the White House, stepping up a war of words with Saudi Arabia, accused Riyadh of coercing some other nations into supporting the move.



The United States noted on Thursday that the cut would boost Russia's foreign earnings and suggested it had been engineered for political reasons by Saudi Arabia, which on Sunday denied it was supporting Moscow in its invasion of Ukraine.



Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz said the kingdom was working hard to support stability and balance in oil markets, including by establishing and maintaining the agreement of the OPEC+ alliance.



The kingdom's defense minister and King Salman's son, Prince Khalid bin Salman, also said the Oct. 5 decision to reduce output by 2 million barrels per day - taken despite oil markets being tight - was unanimous and based on economic factors.



His comments were backed by ministers of several OPEC+ member states including the United Arab Emirates.



The Gulf state's energy minister Suhail al-Mazrouei wrote on Twitter: "I would like to clarify that the latest OPEC+ decision, which was unanimously approved, was a pure technical decision, with NO political intentions whatsoever."



His comment followed a statement from Iraq's state oil marketer SOMO.



"There is complete consensus among OPEC+ countries that the best approach in dealing with the oil market conditions during the current period of uncertainty and lack of clarity is a pre-emptive approach that supports market stability and provides the guidance needed for the future," SOMO said in a statement.



Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Chief Executive Officer Nawaf Saud al-Sabah also welcomed the decision by OPEC+  which includes other major producers, notably Russia  and said the country was keen to maintain a balanced oil markets, state news agency KUNA reported.



Oman and Bahrain said in separate statements that OPEC had unanimously agreed on the reduction.



Algeria's energy minister called the decision "historic" and he and OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais, visiting Algeria, expressed their full confidence in it, Algeria's Ennahar TV reported.



Ghais later told a news conference that the organization targeted a balance between supply and demand rather than a specific price.



Oil inventories in major economies are at lower levels than when OPEC has cut output in the past.



Some analysts have said recent volatility in crude markets could be remedied by a cut that would help attract investors to an underperforming market.



U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday that "more than one" OPEC member had felt coerced by Saudi Arabia into the vote, adding that the cut would also increase Russia's revenues and blunt the effectiveness of sanctions imposed over its February invasion of Ukraine.



King Salman said in an address to the kingdom's advisory Shura Council that the country was a mediator of peace and highlighted the crown prince's initiative to release POWs from Russia last month, state news agency SPA reported.



Khalid bin Salman said on Sunday he was "astonished" by claims his country was "standing with Russia in its war with Ukraine."



"It is telling that these false accusations did not come from the Ukrainian government," he wrote on Twitter. (Reuters)




The penne maschile - shown here with a side of garlic bread - may have been the star of the show, but it was far from the only highlight during a recent visit that proved Corelli's Italian Cafe can fill even the hungriest of stomachs. (Photo by Matt deGrood)
Religious offerings dedicated by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, and Health, Labour and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato are seen at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Oct. 17. AP-Yonhap





Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday sent a ritual offering to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a source of diplomatic friction with some of Japan's Asian neighbors who view it as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.



Kishida sent the "masakaki" offering on the occasion of the Shinto shrine's autumn festival, but he is expected to refrain from paying a visit, people close to him said.



Yasukuni Shrine honors the souls of the nation's more than 2.4 million war dead but Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals in a post-World War II international tribunal are also enshrined there.



Japanese actress Ai Kayano sparks anger in China after Yasukuni Shrine visit






French English

Montrouge, 17 October 2022

CACEIS and Royal Bank of Canada have signed a Memorandum

of Understanding on the potential acquisition of RBC Investor Services operations in Europe

CACEIS and Royal Bank of Canada have signed on the 14th of October a Memorandum of Understanding on the potential acquisition by CACEIS of RBC Investor Services operations in Europe.

This transaction would further enhance CACEIS positioning as a global leader in asset servicing in Europe and worldwide with circa 4.8 trillion in Assets under Custody and 3.5 trillion in Assets under Administration (figures as of 31/03/2022) after its completion(*) which is expected to take place by the end of the third quarter of 2023.

This transaction would be in line with the Group's development objectives and would respect our profitability criteria with an expected return on investment of more than 10% over 3 years thanks to the realisation of synergies. It would have a negative impact of less than 10 basis points on Credit Agricole S.A.'s CET1 and Credit Agricole Group's CET1 (figures as of 30/06/2022).

(*) The signature of the final agreements between CACEIS and Royal Bank of Canada requires prior consultation with the relevant works councils and the completion of the contemplated transaction will be subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals.

CREDIT AGRICOLE S.A. PRESS CONTACTS

Olivier Tassain: +33 (0)1 43 23 25 41  olivier.tassain@credit-agricole-sa.fr

Mathilde Durand: +33 (0)1 57 72 19 43  mathilde.durand@credit-agricole-sa.fr

See all our press releases at: www.credit-agricole.com  www.creditagricole.info



Attachment
HANOI, Vietnam, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apple in June this year was reported to be moving some iPad production out of China and shifting it to Vietnam, together with other tech giants such as Google, and Microsoft, making the country a hotter-than-ever destination in the wave of global shift away from Chinese production.

Vietnam has received increasing attention from global producers as many of them are searching for alternative supply chains in the face of Chinas zero Covid policy. Samsung is one of the flagship tech giants pioneering the wave of moving production to Vietnam. Recently, Samsung has just completed the construction of a US$220 million research and development center in Hanoi, its largest in Southeast Asia. Last year Samsung reported $74.2 billion sales for its Vietnam branch, up 14 percent from 2020. They included exports of $65.5 billion, up 16%

Disbursement of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first nine months of 2022 hit $15.4 billion, up 16.2 % year-on-year and marking a record high, according to a report from the Foreign Investment Agency.

Besides technology, textile and garment also witnessed a strong shift away from China to Vietnam as the country continues to be an important link in the global supply chain.

Two giant brands in the global footwear industry, Nike and Adidas, have chosen Vietnam as their main production base. To date, Nike has more than 100 suppliers in Vietnam, with 96 factories concentrated in the southern region, according to Vietnam Footwear Manufacturing Industry Report 2022.

Last year, Vietnam surpassed Bangladesh to take the worlds second position in terms of textile and garment export market share position, behind China. Despite the difficulties of the post-Covid 19 economy, as of mid-July 2022, garment-textile was one of the four sectors posting the highest export revenue, with a record of over $20 billion, up nearly 20% year-on-year, according to The General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Vietnam has approximately 6,000 garment and textile manufacturing companies employing 2.5 million people, and its top export destinations are leading consumer markets  the US, Europe, Japan, and South Korea, according to Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association.

As a major player in global supply chain, Vietnams textile and garment industry is taking steps to become a more sustainable destination with a target green textile industry. Aurora IP, developed by Vietnams leading real estate developer Cat Tuong Group, is entering forward-looking initiatives.

Converging many outstanding advantages, many investors consider Aurora IP as the most preferable and potential destination in the Nam Dinh province. The development of a textile-specialized industrial park like Aurora IP is one of the important factors contributing to the take-off of the industrial real estate market not only for Nam Dinh province, but also for the whole picture of the country.

With a total phase 1 area of about 520 hectares, Aurora IP aims to build a textile-dyeing specialized industrial park with a strategy of green  clean - sustainable development orientation, ensuring to improve the quality of life for the local community as well as a favorable working environment for experts and workers.



In addition to land leasing, Aurora IP also provides built-to-suit factory solutions which certainly boost flexibility for the investment plan of secondary investors.

Aurora IP closed deals with total investment surpassing $200 million for land lease contracts with two Asian FDI investors to develop hi-tech textile and dyeing projects, proving its attractiveness and unique value as a well-invested industrial park.

For the past years, Vietnam has emerged as a very important supply chain node for the textile and garment industry. With the wave of shifting operations out of China, Aurora IP is considered one of the most ideal destinations for investors in the textile industry, said Mr. Tran Quoc Viet - Chairman & CEO of Cat Tuong Group.

At Cat Tuong Group, we have been constantly striving to become an investment destination with the best services and utilities and a model industrial park for the sustainable development of the garment and textile industry in particular and the manufacturing industry in Vietnam in general, the Chairman added.

info@auroraip.vn

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/632b15cc-64a0-403a-9a2b-9867e6beb397
More than 30 brands from 15 global automakers will utilize HERE ISA Map data to comply with the EU Intelligent Speed Assistance requirement.

HERE location data and software used in 170 million vehicles globally.

Paris Motor Show  The European Unions (EU) Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) regulation is in effect, and global automakers have overwhelmingly chosen the ISA Map from HERE Technologies to comply with the mandate.



ISA is an in-vehicle safety feature that displays for drivers the legal speed limit on any given EU roadway. To date, more than 30 brands from 15 global automakers have signed agreements to utilize the HERE ISA Map. An estimated 50 million vehicles across the EU could be equipped with speed limit data from HERE by 2024.



HERE will deliver regularly updated speed limit information to passenger and commercial vehicles from leading automakers including HERE shareholders, as well as Jaguar Land Rover, Scania, and VinFast.



From July 2022, all new passenger and commercial vehicle types and models introduced in the EU must be equipped with ISA. From July 2024 onwards, ISA must be in all newly registered vehicles in the EU. The HERE ISA Map was introduced last year to provide automakers selling vehicles in the EU market with the most accurate speed limit information available.



The European ISA mandate will kickstart a new era of location-enriched mobility in the automotive industry. Put simply, to operate as an automaker in the European market, OEMs from all regions will need a location platform capable of delivering accurate and up to date insight on local speed restrictions, said James Hodgson, Principal Analyst at ABI Research. Future autonomous and electric vehicle applications will leverage a wider set of rich and dynamic attribution; automakers should look for a platform that can meet the threshold for ISA type approval in the short term, and also scale to meet the requirements of their long-term objectives.



There is a core need for spatial intelligence when building connected, electric and automated driving experiences of today and tomorrow, said Edzard Overbeek, CEO at HERE Technologies. We are proud to serve our longstanding partners and emerging brands, across the auto industry, with this critical speed limit data focused on improving road safety.



HERE location data and software services are used in 170 million vehicles globally. The HERE platform presently ingests live sensor data from an estimated 34 million connected vehicles to power its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), connected and automated vehicle services. Information shared by this large population of vehicles helps HERE continuously update speed limits in the map.



HERE has built one of the worlds largest enterprise-grade location data and map platforms. The company leverages thousands of data sources to capture and index the worlds road networks and urban environments. The HERE location platform offers software developers and the global automotive industry a one-stop shop for location data, services and software.



Learn more about the HERE ISA Map and visualize EU country speed limit data at: https://www.here.com/platform/intelligent-speed-assistance



Media Contacts

Dr. Sebastian Kurme

+49 173 515 3549

sebastian.kurme@here.com



Jordan Stark

+1 312 316 4537

jordan.stark@here.com



About HERE Technologies

HERE, the leading location data and technology platform, moves people, businesses and cities forward by harnessing the power of location. By leveraging our open platform, we empower our customers to achieve better outcomes  from helping a city manage its infrastructure or a business optimize its assets to guiding drivers to their destination safely. To learn more about HERE, please visit here.com and 360.here.com.









Attachment
Dublin, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Space In-Orbit Refueling Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Application, End User, Capability, and Country - Analysis and Forecast, 2022-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global space in-orbit refueling market is estimated to reach $1,090.8 million by 2032 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 103.85% during the forecast period 2022-2032 (CAGR:2026-2032)

The major factor driving the market growth is expected to be the increase in demand for sustainable and reusable space systems.

With the increasing number of satellites going into space, the demand for satellite servicing has been rising. In the future years, refueling capabilities are expected to become a need rather than an option for satellite operators. Several market players have already started demonstrations and some have been successful. Commercial players are expected to extract the maximum benefit of the space in-orbit refueling technologies.

Note: Based on primary interviews and key developments by companies, the market for space in-orbit refueling is expected to observe scheduled commercial services by 2026.

Market Lifecycle Stage

Space in-orbit refueling has been on the wish-list of satellite operators for decades, however, even though the concepts existed, no company was able to materialize the technology.

However, in the past 5 years, multiple established players and startups have entered the market and are now full-fledged working on the refueling capabilities. Massive amounts of investments are pouring into the industry and multiple collaborations are happening in order to co-develop new technologies.

Over 15 years of research and development on satellite refueling technologies have bought us to a stage where key players are performing successful demonstrations of in-orbit refueling and services in-orbit.

Additionally, commercial players with large constellation sizes or heavy communication satellites are expected to adopt the market first. Following this, government agencies like NASA and ESA are also stepping forward to develop technologies and fund startups in the in-orbit refueling industry.

Applications, such as site earth observation, communication, and navigation, are some of the areas where satellites are expected to be refueled in the coming years. Moreover, newer technologies, such as advanced docking systems, fueling ports, and artificial intelligence software are expected to support the growth of the space in-orbit refueling market over the 2022-2032 forecast period.

The players operating in the space in-orbit refueling market are engaged in several strategies, including strategic partnerships, contracts, agreements, and business expansion. The marketing strategies will help the readers understand the revenue-generating strategies adopted by the in-orbit service providers operating in the space in-orbit refueling market.

For instance, Orbit Fab, Inc and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory have signed a technology-sharing agreement to share details regarding RAFTI. The company markets its products to all different layers of the military, intelligence, and commercial satellite community. The Air Force will help Orbit Fab review some of the technologies that aided in developing them. More specifically, they are going to advise on requirements and design elements, as well as provide testing and qualification access at several governmental facilities throughout the country.

In February 2022, Northrop Grumman-owned SpaceLogictics has signed a launch agreement with SpaceX and a contract with Optus for the sale of its Mission extension pod. Under the agreement, SpaceX will be responsible for providing launch services for the 2024 MRV and MEP launches.

Market Segmentation

Based on application, the space in-orbit refueling market is expected to be dominated by the communication segment owing to its technological and economic feasibility. Communication and Earth observation applications are expected to see the first initial missions for refueling.

Based on end-user, the space in-orbit refueling market is expected to be dominated by commercial end-users. Commercial end-users are expected to garner significant share and growth due to their priority requirement and economic feasibility. Commercial satellite operators with large satellite constellations and heavy communication satellites are expected to adopt the technologies faster compared to any other segment.

During the forecast period, North America is expected to dominate the space in-orbit refueling market (by region). The significant presence of key companies engaged in developing space in-orbit refueling services is a major factor responsible for the region's growth.

A higher number of collaborations between various service providers, satellite operators, and enabling technology providers is another factor driving the market growth. An increasing number of start-ups and emerging players and successful demonstrations and increasing investments by key players in the market are also contributing to the market growth.

Recent Developments in the Space In-Orbit Refueling Market

In January 2022, Astroscale Holdings Inc. and Orbit Fab, Inc signed a commercial agreement for refueling LEXI in the GEO orbit. LEXI is the first satellite that is designed to be refueled. As per the agreement, Orbit Fab, Inc will refuel Astroscale's fleet of LEXI Servicers with up to 1000 kgs of Xenon Propellant.

To develop technologies for cryogenic propellant storage and transfer, with these awards, NASA is investing in technologies for the storage and transfer of cryogenic propellants in space. Four awards worth more than $250 million went to companies working on cryogenic fluid management.

To demonstrate refueling a GEO satellite, Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle-1 (MEV-1) docked with Intelsat 901 on 25th February 2020 and pushed the satellite back to its normal orbit. Northrop Grumman's MEVs are expected to give more than 15 years of life extension to these satellites along with providing spacecraft inspections, inclination changes, and orbit repair.

In April 2022, Washington's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is planning to provide commercial refilling services in near the prime space real estate of Geosynchronous Orbit, commonly referred to as GEO. It's also planning on creating a "bulk fuel depot" in the orbits. DIU is looking for companies with the capability for bulk liquid and gas propellant storage (>5,000 kg) in orbit. Two of the propellants include hydrazine and liquid oxygen.

In April 2022, Orbit Fab, Inc and Neutron Star Systems have announced a partnership for the co-development of sustainable propulsion capability and satellite refueling technologies. The agreement will help to increase the range of refuellable propellants by combining NSS propellant-agnostic electric propulsion technology with Orbit Fab's refueling interfaces and tankers.

Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis

The companies profiled in the study have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts and analysis of the companies' product portfolios, key developments, and market penetration.

Space in-orbit refueling as a technology is still in the development and demonstration phase. However, there are several established players and startups that have entered the market and have made considerable progress.

Some prominent established names in this market are:

Astroscale Holdings Inc.

Altius Space Machines, Inc.

D-Orbit SpA

Lockheed Martin Corporation

LMO Space

Maxar Technologies Inc.

Momentus Space

Orbit Fab, Inc.

Obruta Space Solutions

Orbit Recycling

SpaceX

SpaceLogistics (a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation)

Space Machines Company

Starfish Space Inc.

Tethers Unlimited, Inc.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Markets

1.1 Industry Outlook

1.1.1 Space In-Orbit Services: Overview

1.1.1.1 Life Extension

1.1.1.2 De-Orbiting

1.1.1.3 Satellite Inspection and Repair

1.1.1.4 Relocation

1.1.2 Emerging Technology Trends

1.1.2.1 Life Extension Vehicles

1.1.2.2 Orbital Propellant Transfer Vehicles

1.1.2.3 Bulk Fuel Depots

1.1.2.4 Satellite Docking Systems

1.1.3 Ongoing and Upcoming Program

1.1.3.1 Lockheed Martin's Augmentation System Port Interface (ASPIN) Program

1.1.3.2 Space Infrastructure Dexterous Robot (SPIDER) Program

1.1.3.3 Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) Program

1.1.3.4 NASA's Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM)

1.1.3.5 ESA's Esprit Program

1.1.3.6 Orbital Express Space Operations Architecture Program

1.1.4 Start-Up Landscape

1.1.5 Patent Analysis

1.2 Business Dynamics

1.2.1 Business Drivers

1.2.1.1 Increase in Demand for Sustainable and Reusable Space Systems

1.2.1.2 Life Extension Services to Enable Other In-Orbit Services in Future

1.2.2 Business Challenges

1.2.2.1 High Operational Cost of Refueling

1.2.2.2 Technical Challenges

1.2.2.2.1 Spacecraft Design Compatibility for Refueling Operations

1.2.2.2.2 Storage and Transfer of Cryogenic Propellants in Space

1.2.2.2.3 Interface and Docking

1.2.2.3 Regulatory Challenges

1.2.3 Business Strategies

1.2.3.1.1 Market Developments

1.2.3.1.2 Product Developments

1.2.4 Corporate Strategies

1.2.4.1.1 Contracts, Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations, and Mergers

1.2.5 Business Opportunities

1.2.5.1.1 Increase in Investments for Startups

1.2.5.1.2 Rise in Demand for In-Space Services

1.2.5.1.3 Advancement of New Space Technologies for Storage, Refueling, and Receiving Propellants

2 Application

2.1 Global Space In-Orbit Refueling Market (by Application)

2.1.1 Market Overview

2.1.1.1 Demand Analysis of the Global Space In-Orbit Refueling Market (by Application)

2.1.2 Earth Observation

2.1.3 Communication

2.1.4 Navigation

2.2 Global Space In-Orbit Refueling Market (by End User)

2.2.1 Market Overview

2.2.2 Commercial

2.2.2.1 Demand Analysis of the Global Space In-Orbit Refueling Market (Commercial End User, by End User)

2.2.3 Other End Users

3 Technology

3.1 Global Space In-Orbit Refueling Market (by Capability)

3.1.1 Market Overview

3.1.2 Propellant Transfer

3.1.3 In-Orbit Rendezvous

3.1.4 In-Orbit Propellant Storage

4 Regions

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/31shfe

Attachment
FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apex Capital Corp proudly reached a new peak with its No. 6 ranking in the Medium Employer Category among the 2022 Best Companies to Work for in Texas. This is the 15th year Apex Capital has been honored for its warm and friendly office atmosphere, its emphasis on employee happiness, and its world-class client services. The award, presented at an early October gala in Austin, follows Apex's No. 1 showing in the 2022 Best Companies to Work for in Fort Worth.

The Best Companies to Work for in Texas is an annual survey and awards program that determines which of the participating companies are the best employers. The process is managed by Workforce Research Group, an independent research firm that specializes in identifying as well as recognizing excellent places to work in the United States.

Apex participates in the Best Companies to Work for in Texas survey process yearly, which qualifies the company for the award and gives Apex's senior managers an invaluable opportunity to receive feedback for ongoing improvement.

Speaking of feedback, the recent Apex client satisfaction survey for 2021 revealed that Apex's Net Promoter Score (NPS) is 88. That is "world-class" level customer satisfaction.

"We are so honored to reach a new peak as the No. 6 Best Medium Employer to work for in Texas," says Chris Bozek, president of Apex Capital. "Congratulations to each Apexer on achieving this amazing accomplishment. All of us at Apex take care of our clients, our business partners, and each other. Our very special team lives these values daily and chooses to make Apex a great place to work."

Apex nurtures employee camaraderie and adheres to high client standards inspired by always doing the right thing. It's no wonder that Apex employees are dubbed "Apexers" and are immediately part of the family. Apex embraces employee wellness through a multi-leveled approach, offers tuition reimbursement and student debt repayment programs, caters month-end lunches, rewards employees with quarterly profit-sharing bonuses, and celebrates company-wide milestones.

"For nearly 27 years, Apex Capital Corp has made it a top priority to provide an atmosphere where our folks do exceptional work and make an impact every day in the lives of others," says Patty Fritz, Chief People Officer. "Our core values are exemplified through our growth and development opportunities, corporate citizenship events, company celebrations, and our legendary customer service. It's heartening to know Apexers feel such genuine pride for their company and share that with others."

For more information on the Best Companies to Work for in Texas program, visit www.bestcompaniesintexas.com.

###

About Apex Capital

Founded in 1995, Apex Capital is a full-service freight factor that specializes in small to medium-sized trucking companies. Apex is the leading freight factoring company for the trucking industry. Apex buys freight bills and provides industry-recognized customer service, credit checks, 24-7 Factoring, the blynk digital payment platform, a Mobile Factoring app, a free load board, NextLOAD.com, the Apex Fuel Card and many other benefits to its clients. To learn more about Apex Capital, visit apexcapitalcorp.com or call 800-511-6022.

Contact Information:

Mario Tarradell

Bilingual Communications Specialist

mario.tarradell@apexcapitalcorp.com

817-258-5020



Sherry Leigh

Chief Product and Marketing Officer

sherry.leigh@apexcapitalcorp.com

817-665-2637



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Image 1: Apex Capital Corp Places 6th in Best Companies to Work for in Texas 2022





Apex Capital Corp proudly reached a new peak with its No. 6 ranking in the Medium Employer Category among the 2022 Best Companies to Work for in Texas.









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Vancouver, BC, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. (TSX-V: REVO), (Frankfurt: IJA2) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors unanimously approved the signing of a term sheet agreement dated October 14th, 2022, defining a potential share equity acquisition by a European Financially Regulated entity allied to a UAE Based Financial Consultancy firm. Under the terms of the agreement, if fruitful, it may result in a change of control as specified in the SECURITIES ACT [RSBC 1996] CHAPTER 418 - Part 1. The Company issues the current news release in conformity with policy 85, sections A and C of the SECURITIES ACT as it pertains to "Continuous Disclosure."



Analysis Term

The parties have agreed that a maximum period of 45 calendar days suffices to conclude the preliminary due diligence and analysis of the underlying proposal. As a result, the adoption of the agreements necessary to formalize the transaction cannot take longer than 45 days from the date of the signing of the present term sheet. Likewise, the Company agreed and entered a period of exclusivity in which it undertakes not to hold or participate in negotiations or discussions on any other proposed purchase of its shares for 45 days ending at midnight November 28th, 2022.

About The Equity Investment Proposal

Some time ago, Management began studying strategic M&A opportunities, deeming the present proposal potentially conducive to shareholder value and possibly a significant advent for the Company. The Board has granted permission to evaluate the opportunity and decide the path forward that is in the best interests of the ensemble of its shareholders and the Company. There can be no assurance that any definitive agreement, tender, or investment will be completed, and the term sheet remains preliminary and non-binding. The Company will update shareholders on any material changes and possible advancements between the parties.

Upon conclusive management analysis and assessment of the proposal, and should the tendered proposal ultimately prevail, and should a change of Control result under the Securities Act Policy, the Company shall protect the bona fide interests of its shareholders, including, if required, obtaining applicable shareholder approval.

About RevoluPAY

The Company's flagship Neobanking technology is RevoluPAY, the Apple and Android multinational payment app. Conceived entirely in-house, RevoluPAY features proprietary, sector-specific technology of which the resulting source code is the Company's intellectual property. RevoluPAY's built-in features include Remittance Payments, Forex, Crypto-to-fiat exchange, Retail and Hospitality payments, Real Estate Payments, pay-as-you-go phone top-ups, Gift Cards & Online Credits, Utility Bill payments, Gaming Credits, Leisure payments, Travel Payments, etc. RevoluPAY is aimed squarely at the worldwide multi-billion dollar Open Banking sector, cross-border forex payments, and + $595 billion family remittance market. RevoluPAY is operated by the European wholly-owned subsidiary RevoluPAY EP S.L situated in Barcelona. RevoluPAY is a licensed United States MSB, Canadian FINTRAC, and European PSD2 payment institution 6900 under the auspices of E.U. Directive 2015/2366 with EU 27 Country Passporting and official issuer of Visa Cards and authorized Visa Affiliate Member. RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. controls five wholly-owned subsidiaries on four continents.

About RevoluGROUP Canada Inc.:

RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. is a multi-asset, multidivisional publicly traded Canadian Company deploying advanced technologies in; Banking, Mobile Apps, Money Remittance, Cross-Border Forex Payments, Mobile Phone Top-Ups, EGaming, Healthcare Payments, Esports, Invoice factoring, Online Travel, Vacation Resort, Blockchain Systems, and Fintech app sectors. Click here to read more.

For further information on RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. (TSX-V: REVO), visit the Company's website at www.RevoluGROUP.com. The Company has approximately 189,957,876 shares issued and outstanding.

RevoluGROUP Canada, Inc.

"Steve Marshall"

______________________

STEVE MARSHALL

CEO

For further information, contact:

RevoluGROUP Canada Inc.

Telephone: (604) 332 5355

Email: info@revolugroup.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ethos Cannabis (Ethos or the Company), a multi-state vertically integrated cannabis operator headquartered in Philadelphia, has officially announced the re-branding of its first Ohio dispensary in Lebanon. Ethos Lebanon will open its doors to Ohio medical marijuana patients this week.



Ethos is committed to developing health and wellness markets and serving mainstream cannabis consumers. The company helps consumers live better through their experiences with cannabis. The expansion into Ohio provides a footprint in a fourth U.S. state. Ethos currently operates nine dispensaries in its flagship state of Pennsylvania. The company also operates three medical and recreational dispensaries in Massachusetts and three medical dispensaries in Maryland.

The company recently purchased About Wellness Ohio and was awarded a second dispensary license in New Lexington. About Wellness in Lebanon, OH will be re-branded on 10/20/22 to operate as Ethos Ohio. We are planning to open the site in New Lexington in Q2 2023 as Ethos New Lexington.

These dispensaries in Ohio position us to continue extending our retail experience and products to benefit more patients. As one of the most populated states in the U.S., Ohio is a natural progression for us as we further expand our operations. We are thrilled to continue leading this industry forward in a manner that puts health and wellness at the forefront, said David Clapper, Ethos CEO.

On October 20, 2022, Ethos will host brand representatives from Meigs County during a patient education event for the grand re-opening under the Ethos name. Attendees will receive product information and giveaways from Meigs County.

About Ethos Cannabis:

Ethos Cannabis is a multi-state operator in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Ohio. Ethos is a vertically integrated, retail-focused platform serving mainstream consumers while expanding the health and wellness market by focusing on the guest experience and its relationship with Thomas Jefferson University. The company is also developing several new product brands for launch in certain markets by early 2023. Ethos is dedicated to helping individuals feel and live better through their experiences with cannabis.

For more information about Ethos visit their website at http://www.ethos-oh.com/

CONTACT:

Wilfred Waimiri

wilfred@nisonco.com

M: 978.577.5504


Melbourne, FL, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. (OTCQB: KGKG), a holding company focused on product development in the better-for-you and functional beverage sector is pleased to announce it has signed a distribution agreement with Hayden Beverage Company. Hayden Beverage Company, based in the great state of Idaho, is the state's largest and most professional distributor of beer, wine, and premium non-alcoholic beverages and has a distribution footprint that covers all of Idaho and all of Montana. Hayden Beverage Company is family owned and has operated since 1970, recently celebrating 50 years in 2020.

Hayden Beverage Company will be distributing Kona Gold's sparkling and non-sparkling lemonades in the markets of Idaho and Montana, which are new markets for Kona Gold. Kona Gold has been aggressively growing its market presence in the western region of the United States where it previously lacked distribution and market share.

"I'm excited to share with our shareholders that we continue to grow our western region presence with the signing of Hayden Beverage Company, stated Robert Clark, CEO of Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. "Our West Region Territory Manager, Brett Catanzaro, is making a huge impact withing our team, leading our West Coast expansion. We are currently in talks with distribution partners in Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Hawaii, which would fill out our expansion to western markets."

Clark added, "We recently exhibited at the 2022 NACS Show in Las Vegas, our second consecutive showing at that show, where we had great success again this year in networking, finding new distribution partners, and finding new products for our own distribution company. Our team is signing distribution partners, lining up big retail meetings, and putting pieces in place to have accelerated growth in early 2023."

Kona Gold Beverage recently announced it has signed agreements with three new distribution partners in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Kona Gold has been focused on bringing its beverage portfolio to the West Coast of the United States, recently signing distribution partners in California and Nevada. With the addition of Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, the Company will be making a big market push in the remainder of 2022 and into 2023 with its Ooh La Lemin Lemonades.

For more information regarding Hayden Beverage Company, please visit:

https://www.haydenbeverage.com/

For more information regarding Kona Gold Beverage, please visit:

https://konagoldbeverage.com/

About Kona Gold Beverage, Inc.

Kona Gold Beverage, Inc., a Delaware corporation, has created wholly-owned subsidiaries, Kona Gold LLC, HighDrate, LLC, and Gold Leaf Distribution, LLC. Kona Gold, LLC has developed a premium Hemp-Infused Energy Drink line; please visit its website at www.konagoldhemp.com. HighDrate, LLC has developed the beverage industry's first CBD-Infused Energy Water, available in 6 delicious flavors; please visit its website at www.highdrateme.com. Gold Leaf Distribution, LLC was created to fill the Company's distribution needs in markets that it wants to enter quickly; please visit its website at www.goldleafdist.com. Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. recently rebranded its Lemin Lemonade to Ooh La Lemin Lemonade; please visit its website at www.oohlalemin.com. Kona Gold and its family of companies are located on the east coast of Florida in Melbourne and in Greer and Conway, South Carolina.

Safe Harbor Statement:

The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact:

Robert Clark

844-714-2224

investorrelations@konagoldbeverage.com
Carson City, NV, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZICIX Corporations (OTC Pink: ZICX) President, Mr. Fernando M. Sopot, on his weekly report to its Chairman, Mr. William Petty and disclosure to its stockholders that its operating company, CTIP First Investment, Inc. (CTIP-FII), has received an order for a total of fifty (50) units of passenger buses including other vehicles for the Citys Public Transport Project to service the needs of the public. The order came from the Kakata City Corporation, a municipal corporation in Margibi County, Liberia. The details of the order are as follows:

57-seater Passenger Buses  Ten (10) Units 47-seater Passenger Buses  Fifteen (15) Units 22-seater Passenger Buses  Fifteen (15) Units Ambulance - Two (2) Units Jeeps (4x4) - Four (4) Units Pick-up (4x4) - Four (4) Units

NOTE:

Total Number of Units - Fifty (50) Units

Expected Contract Costs - $6,720,000.00

All the vehicles are Made in China.

Kakata is the capital city of Liberias Margibi County and is in Kakata District just over the Du River bridge. It is a transit city at the heart of the historical natural rubber plantation belt in Liberia. It is estimated that the city is surrounded by more than 100,000 acres of rubber plantations most of which are now past latex production. As of 2020, Liberia has a population of about 5.058 million, while the population of the City of Kakata has about 40,000 people.

The City Mayor, the Honorable Emmanuel M. Goll Sr., has said that once its public transport project becomes operational, it will ease the problem of transporting passengers and cargoes from the City of Kakata to different municipalities and cities in Liberia. A Transport hub is also being planned as part of the Citys Bus Transport Project. Mayor Goll said this is just part of the several development project undertakings being done by the city and the National Government as its continuing commitment to its citizens.

About the Corporations:

ZICIX Corporation (OTC Pink: ZICX)  Originally founded as a service provider to the Healthcare industry, the ZICIX Corporation has recently been restructured with the intention of acquiring and developing technology applications designed for service companies in consumer, retail, and other industries. www.ZicixGroup.com .

CTIP First Investment, Inc. (CTIP-FII), a subsidiary and operating company of ZICIX Corporation. It is a private investment and providing investment banking services focused on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode, and project development services, involved in undertaking development projects for both the Government and the Private Sectors respectively. CTIP-FII designs and brings the right financial engineering to project owners and creditors to fund development undertakings and permanent mortgage. www.ctip-fii.com .

CTIP The Journey, Our Projects, Our Company, "Local to Global"

Safe Harbor Act: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking Statements describe future expectations; plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as may, future, plan or planned, will or should, expected, anticipates, draft, eventually, or projected. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements because of various factors, and other risks identified in a companys annual report.
PUNE, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Prepaid cards Market" research report focus on overall information that can help to take decisions on current market situation. Prepaid cards are widely used across various industry verticals such as corporate institutions, retailers, government, and financial institutions. Presently, factors such as increase in awareness & ease of access and surge in the number of internet users & booming e-commerce industry drive the market growth. Moreover, growth in unbanked and underbanked population and emergence of new applications are expected to present lucrative opportunities to market players.

Prepaid cards Market Report Contains: -

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine War Influence, the global market for Prepaid Cards estimated at US$ 2474770 million in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of US$ 4233360 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period 2022-2028.

The USA market for Prepaid Cards is estimated to increase from $ million in 2022 to reach $ million by 2028, at a CAGR of % during the forecast period of 2023 through 2028.

The China market for Prepaid Cards is estimated to increase from $ million in 2022 to reach $ million by 2028, at a CAGR of % during the forecast period of 2023 through 2028.

The Europe market for Prepaid Cards is estimated to increase from $ million in 2022 to reach $ million by 2028, at a CAGR of % during the forecast period of 2023 through 2028.

The global key companies of Prepaid Cards include Green Dot Corporation, NetSpend Holdings, H&R Block, American Express Company, JPMorgan Chase & Co., PayPal Holdings, BBVA Compass Bancshares, Mango Financial and UniRush, etc. In 2021, the global top five players had a share approximately % in terms of revenue.

Top Country data and analysis for United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, etc. It also throws light on the progress of key regional Prepaid cards markets such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle East and Africa

Description and analysis of Prepaid cards market potential by type, Deep Dive, disruption, application capacity, end use industry

impact evaluation of most important drivers and restraints, and dynamics of the global Prepaid cards market and current trends in the enterprise

Detailed profiles of the Top major players in the industry, including. Green Dot Corporation,NetSpend Holdings,H&R Block,American Express Company,JPMorgan Chase & Co.,PayPal Holdings,BBVA Compass Bancshares,Mango Financial,UniRush,Kaiku Finance

Get a Sample Copy of the Report at - https://proficientmarketinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample/21771812

Prepaid cards Market Segmentation: -

researchers latest report provides a deep insight into the global Prepaid cards market covering all its essential aspects. This ranges from a macro overview of the market to micro details of the market size, competitive landscape, development trend, niche market, key market drivers and challenges, SWOT analysis, Porters five forces analysis, value chain analysis, etc.

Report Scope

This latest report researches the industry structure, revenue and gross margin. Major players headquarters, market shares, industry ranking and profiles are presented. The primary and secondary research is done in order to access up-to-date government regulations, market information and industry data. Data were collected from the Prepaid Cards companies, distributors, end users, industry associations, governments' industry bureaus, industry publications, industry experts, third party database, and our in-house databases.

This report also includes a discussion of the major players across each regional Prepaid Cards market. Further, it explains the major drivers and regional dynamics of the global Prepaid Cards market and current trends within the industry.

Inquire or Share Your Questions If Any Before the Purchasing This Report  https://proficientmarketinsights.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/21771812

Key Drivers & Barriers

High-impact rendering factors and drivers have been studied in this report to aid the readers to understand the general development. Moreover, the report includes restraints and challenges that may act as stumbling blocks on the way of the players. This will assist the users to be attentive and make informed decisions related to business. Specialists have also laid their focus on the upcoming business prospects.

COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War Influence Analysis

The readers in the section will understand how the Prepaid Cards market scenario changed across the globe during the pandemic, post-pandemic and Russia-Ukraine War. The study is done keeping in view the changes in aspects such as demand, consumption, transportation, consumer behavior, supply chain management, export and import, and production. The industry experts have also highlighted the key factors that will help create opportunities for players and stabilize the overall industry in the years to come.

Report Includes:

This report presents an overview of global market for Prepaid Cards market size. Analyses of the global market trends, with historic market revenue data for 2017 - 2021, estimates for 2022, and projections of CAGR through 2028.

This report researches the key producers of Prepaid Cards, also provides the revenue of main regions and countries. Highlights of the upcoming market potential for Prepaid Cards, and key regions/countries of focus to forecast this market into various segments and sub-segments. Country specific data and market value analysis for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Germany, the U.K., Italy, Middle East, Africa, and Other Countries.

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This report focuses on the Prepaid Cards revenue, market share and industry ranking of main companies, data from 2017 to 2022. Identification of the major stakeholders in the global Prepaid Cards market, and analysis of their competitive landscape and market positioning based on recent developments and segmental revenues. This report will help stakeholders to understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights and position their businesses and market strategies in a better way.

This report analyzes the segments data by type and by application, revenue, and growth rate, from 2017 to 2028. Evaluation and forecast the market size for Prepaid Cards revenue, projected growth trends, production technology, application and end-user industry.

Descriptive company profiles of the major global players, including Green Dot Corporation, NetSpend Holdings, H&R Block, American Express Company, JPMorgan Chase & Co., PayPal Holdings, BBVA Compass Bancshares, Mango Financial and UniRush, etc.

Prepaid cards Market segments help decision-makers direct the product, sales, and marketing strategies, and can power your product development cycles by informing how you make product offerings for different segments.

Segment by Type

Single-Purpose Prepaid Card

Multi-Purpose Prepaid Card

Prepaid Cards

Segment by Application

General-Purpose Reloadable Card

Gift Card

Government Benefits/Disbursement Card

Incentive/Payroll Card

Others

Market segment by Region/Country including: -

North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)

Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Spain, etc.)

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Southeast Asia, etc.)

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc.)

Middle East & Africa (South Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, etc.)

In this section of the report, the researchers have done a comprehensive analysis of the prominent players operating and the strategies they are focusing on to combat the intense competition. Company profiles and market share analysis of the prominent players are also provided in this section. Additionally, the specialists have done an all-encompassing analysis of each player. They have also provided reliable revenue, market share and rank data of the companies for the period 2017-2022. With the assistance of this report, key players, stakeholders, and other participants will be able to stay abreast of the recent and upcoming developments in the business, further enabling them to make efficient choices. Mentioned below are the prime players taken into account in this research report:

Key Players in the Prepaid cards Market: -

Green Dot Corporation

NetSpend Holdings

H&R Block

American Express Company

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

PayPal Holdings

BBVA Compass Bancshares

Mango Financial

UniRush

Kaiku Finance

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Key Benefits of Prepaid cards Market Research Report:

Types, applications, regions, and key players covered in the study

Industry drivers, restraints, and opportunities covered in the study

Recent industry trends and developments

Competitive landscape & strategies of key players

Historical, current, and projected market size, in terms of value

In-depth analysis of the Artificial Intelligence AI Chips Market

Sales, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate are covered in the report sales channels, distributors, traders, dealers, etc. are covered in the report

Detailed TOC of Global Prepaid Cards Industry Research Report, Growth Trends and Competitive Analysis 2022-2028

1 Report Overview

1.1 Study Scope

1.2 Market Analysis by Type

1.2.1 Global Prepaid Cards Market Size Growth Rate by Type: 2017 VS 2021 VS 2028

1.2.2 Single-Purpose Prepaid Card

1.2.3 Multi-Purpose Prepaid Card

1.3 Market by Application

1.3.1 Global Prepaid Cards Market Growth Rate by Application: 2017 VS 2021 VS 2028

1.3.2 General-Purpose Reloadable Card

1.3.3 Gift Card

1.3.4 Government Benefits/Disbursement Card

1.3.5 Incentive/Payroll Card

1.3.6 Others

1.4 Study Objectives

1.5 Years Considered

2 Market Perspective

2.1 Global Prepaid Cards Market Size (2017-2028)

2.2 Prepaid Cards Market Size across Key Geographies Worldwide: 2017 VS 2021 VS 2028

2.3 Global Prepaid Cards Market Size by Region (2017-2022)

2.4 Global Prepaid Cards Market Size Forecast by Region (2023-2028)

2.5 Global Top Prepaid Cards Countries Ranking by Market Size

Explore Full Report With Detailed TOC Here: https://proficientmarketinsights.com/TOC/21771812#TOC

1.To study and analyze the global Prepaid cards consumption (value) by key regions/countries, product type and application

2.To understand the structure of Prepaid cards market by identifying its various sub segments.

3.Focuses on the key global Prepaid cards manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the value, market share, market competition landscape, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.

4.To analyze the Prepaid cards with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.

5.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).

6.To project the consumption of Prepaid cards submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries).

7.To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.

8.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.

Key Reasons to Purchase

To gain insightful analyses of the market and have comprehensive understanding of the global Prepaid cards market and its commercial landscape.

Assess the production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk.

To understand the most affecting driving and restraining forces in the Prepaid cards market and its impact in the global market.

Learn about the Prepaid cards market strategies that are being adopted by leading respective organizations.

To understand the future outlook and prospects for the Prepaid cards market.

Besides the standard structure reports, we also provide custom research according to specific requirements

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English French

Voltalia (Euronext Paris, ISIN code: FR0011995588), an international player in renewable energy, confirms its growth ambitions in wind energy in France with the construction of the Rives Charentaises wind farm.

When commissioned in the first half of 2024, the production of the Rives Charentaises plant will cover the electricity consumption of more than 32,800 inhabitants, thus contributing to energy autonomy, in addition to the fight against global warming.

Located in six municipalities between Vienne (Lizant, Genouille and Surin) and Charente (Taize-Aizie, Nanteuil-en-Vallee and Le Bouchage) in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, the Rives Charentaises wind farm will consist of 17 wind turbines with a unit power of 2.2 megawatts, for a total installed capacity of 37.4 megawatts.

"The stakes of geostrategic energy independence have never been higher and the continued acceleration of renewable energy deployment is necessary. Voltalia is proud to support this development through this new wind power project. After several wind farm construction projects in the Grand-East region (Sud Vannier, Sarry and Molinons) in recent months, Voltalia is once again demonstrating its ability to complete ambitious projects that respond concretely to the multiple challenges we face: providing local green energy solutions and controlling our CO 2 emissions," said Sebastien Clerc, CEO of Voltalia.

Next on the agenda: Q3 2022 revenues on October 19, 2022 (after market close)

About Voltalia (www.voltalia.com) Voltalia is an international player in the renewable energy sector. The Group produces and sells electricity generated from wind, solar, hydraulic, biomass and storage facilities that it owns and operates. Voltalia has generating capacity in operation and under construction of more than 2,4 GW and a portfolio of projects under development representing total capacity of 13.6 GW.



Voltalia is also a service provider and supports its investor clients in renewable energy projects during all phases, from design to operation and maintenance.



As a pioneer in the corporate market, Voltalia provides a global offer to private companies, ranging from the supply of green electricity and energy efficiency services to the local production of their own electricity.



The Group has more than 1,450 employees and is present in 20 countries on 3 continents and is able to act worldwide on behalf of its clients.



Voltalia is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris, compartment B (FR0011995588  VLTSA) and is part of the Enternext Tech 40 and CAC Mid & Small indices. The Group is also included in the Gaia-Index, an index for socially responsible midcaps. Loan Duong, Head of Communications & Investor relations

Email: invest@voltalia.com

T. +33 (0)1 81 70 37 00 Actifin

Press Contact: Jennifer Jullia

jjullia@actifin.fr . T. +33 (0)1 56 88 11 11

Attachment
BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The past decade has seen notable changes in various fields across the country, according to delegates to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), who spoke to the media on Sunday.

"I was sent into space twice in 2013 and 2021. China's manned space program has made new achievements over the past decade, offering us a broader flight platform and longer flight time," said astronaut Wang Yaping.

Short-track skater and Winter Olympic medalist Wu Dajing still remembered the days when they had to queue up into late night for on-ice training due to the lack of skating rinks 10 years ago. "It no longer bothers today's athletes as the indoor skating rinks top 1,400 now."

Kunshan City in east China's Jiangsu Province has seen its industrial scale become larger and its industrial structure more optimized in the past 10 years, according to Zhou Wei, the city's Party chief, adding that the city's proportion of strategic emerging industries has exceeded 50 percent.

Yang Ning, Party chief of Jiangmen Village in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has seen the mountainous village shake off poverty with its per capita net income soaring since she returned to her hometown in 2010 as a college graduate.

"I will stay in the village to make it more beautiful and affluent," Yang said.

The spectrum of the more than 2,000 delegates attending the ongoing congress is broadly representative. The delegates come from various sectors, administrative levels, and institutions.

The congress will run from Oct. 16 to 22.
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. (PIMCO Canada) today announced the 2022 September cash distributions for the ETF series (ETF Series) of the PIMCO Canada mutual funds that distribute monthly (Funds). Unitholders of record of the ETF Series, at the close of business on October 24, 2022, will receive per-unit cash distribution payable on or about October 31, 2022.

Details of the per-unit cash distribution amount are as follow:

Fund Name Ticker Cash Distribution per Unit PIMCO Monthly Income Fund (Canada) PMIF $0.07070 PIMCO Monthly Income Fund (Canada) US$ PMIF.U US $0.07410 PIMCO Investment Grade Credit Fund (Canada) IGCF $0.05833 PIMCO Global Short Maturity Fund (Canada) PMNT $0.04754 PIMCO Low Duration Monthly Income Fund (Canada) PLDI $0.06333

The Manager, PIMCO Canada administers and manages the PIMCO Canada ETFs, and retains Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC (PIMCO), to provide sub-advisory services to the Funds.

About PIMCO

PIMCO was founded in 1971 in Newport Beach, California and is one of the worlds premier fixed income investment managers. Today we have offices across the globe and 3,000+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions expect, intend, will and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Funds. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Funds, PIMCO Canadas and/or PIMCOs current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, market factors. Although the Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

No offering is being made by this material. Interested investors should obtain a copy of the prospectus, which is available from your Financial Advisor.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

All investments contain risk and can lose value. For a summary of the risks of an investment in a specific fund, please see the risks of mutual funds section of the prospectus.

Investments made by a Fund and the results achieved by a Fund are not expected to be the same as those made by any other PIMCO-advised Fund, including those with a similar name, investment objective or policies. A new or smaller Funds performance may not represent how the Fund is expected to or may perform in the long-term. New Funds have limited operating histories for investors to evaluate and new and smaller Funds may not attract sufficient assets to achieve investment and trading efficiencies. A Fund may be forced to sell a comparatively large portion of its portfolio to meet significant shareholder redemptions for cash, or hold a comparatively large portion of its portfolio in cash due to significant share purchases for cash, in each case when the Fund otherwise would not seek to do so, which may adversely affect performance.

Funds can offer different series, which are subject to different fees and expenses (which may affect performance), having different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to different services.

The products and services provided by PIMCO Canada may only be available in certain provinces or territories of Canada and only through dealers authorized for that purpose.

PIMCO Canada has retained PIMCO LLC as sub-adviser. PIMCO Canada will remain responsible for any loss that arises out of the failure of its sub-adviser.

PIMCO as a general matter provides services to qualified institutions, financial intermediaries and institutional investors. Individual investors should contact their own financial professional to determine the most appropriate investment options for their financial situation. This material contains the current opinions of the manager and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America L.P. in the United States and throughout the world. 2022, PIMCO

PIMCO Canada Corp. 199 Bay Street, Suite 2050, Commerce Court Station, P.O. Box 363, Toronto, ON, M5L 1G2, 416-368-3350

Contact:

Agnes Crane

PIMCO  Media Relations

Phone: +212 597.1054
SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GPS Capital Markets, LLC, a leading Fintech firm offering corporate foreign exchange services, expanded its leadership at their North American headquarters in Utah.



GPS is pleased to announce the addition of Rob Fotheringham. Mr. Fotheringham has been hired as Vice President of Business Strategy and Innovation, to help further implement the GPS suite of FX technology products, as well as the continued technological growth across the company.

I'm excited to have the chance to contribute to GPS' impressive track record of FX hedging advisory excellence, said Mr. Fotheringham. Using technology to magnify the impressive capabilities of the GPS team is a tremendous opportunity.

Rob Fotheringham comes to GPS with over 20 years of experience improving hedging strategies, product management, product design and developing machine learning algorithms, while growing business at every turn. GPS has developed a premium FX suite of products to meet its client needs and aims to stay at the forefront of technology and market trends. Providing clarity to current client needs, analyzing their FX data, and evaluating the innovations in the industry is vital to the growth of GPS.

"I am excited to welcome Rob to the GPS family as Vice President of Business Strategy and Innovation. Rob has a proven track record of being a problem solver and will be a great asset to our management team, said Brandon Parke, President of GPS Capital Markets. "Rob brings with him extensive experience in the product management area specifically related to technology. He possesses the unique ability to analyze and view our business at a holistic level and is a consensus builder. Rob will make each department better and more efficient as we continue to grow."

Mr. Fotheringham will be joining GPS Capital Markets at the upcoming 2022 Association of Financial Professionals (AFP) Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where the company is planning to showcase its newly released FXpert 2.0 platform. As a recurring annual exhibitor, GPS will be at booth #1237, where they will have demonstrations of their powerful foreign exchange forecasting, management, and analytics platform.

ABOUT GPS CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, GPS Capital Markets, LLC provides corporate foreign exchange services that help companies manage their foreign currency risks and execute foreign currency transactions through one unified platform. GPS has several offices throughout the United States, as well as in Australia, Canada, Lithuania, and the United Kingdom. Learn more at www.gpsfx.com.

Lindsey Wing

Public Relations Manager

Lwing@gpsfx.com

801-979-6114
It is race week again and Formula 1 is gearing up for the United States Grand Prix. This race weekend is a late affair for European fans due to the time difference. But if you're located in the US then you're in for an afternoon treat. Find out what time and where to turn on for this weekend's session here.

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Also celebrating for Red Bull Racing?

The 2022 world champion has already been crowned after the Japanese Grand Prix. Max Verstappen was told after the Japanese GP that he had prolonged his title, sparking a big party at Red Bull Racing after some despair. After a fine celebration, the team is now also preparing to secure the constructors' title in America.

Red Bull has a 165-point lead over Ferrari and needs to leave a lead of 147 points after the race in Austin to clinch the title. So there are plenty of scenarios where this is possible. At the Circuit of the Americas, Red Bull is also considered the favourite, so ending with a 1-2 cannot be ruled out.

European fans should stay up late

The sessions in Texas will be run at 'normal' times. Thus, the first free practice starts at 14:00 local time and the third free practice and the race also start that late. Only qualifying is a bit later, at 17:00. However, the seven-hour time difference makes it a late affair for European fans. For qualifying, you have to wait until 23:00 before the lights go green and the race starts at 20:00 in the United Kingdom. So just scrap your morning plans this weekend.

At GPblog, you won't miss any of the action on and off the track this weekend either. Not only can you find the latest news here, but there are also liveblogs of all sessions. These liveblogs start an hour before the session starts and keep you fully informed of everything that happens on and off the track. After the sessions, GPblog will also feature a broad summary, analyses and read the reactions of the drivers and teams.

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Timetable for the United States Grand Prix 2022 United Kingdom Times (Local time in brackets)

Friday

Read more What punishment will Red Bull get? This athlete did lose his gold medal

First free practice: 20:00-21:00 (14:00-15:00)

Second free practice: 23:00-00:30 (17:00-18:30)

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Saturday

Third free practice: 20:00-21:00 (14:00-15:00)

Qualifying: 23:00-00:00 (17:00-18:00)

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Sunday

Race: 20:00-22:00 (14:00-16:00)

Read more Ecclestone suspects Red Bull penalty will be more severe than points deduction
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In 2018, a 10-year contract was signed between F1 and the organisers of the Vietnam Grand Prix. Preparations for the 2020 event were ready, but the Grand Prix never took place. Vietnam is not on the calendar in 2023 either, so hopes are fading.

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It was one of the first major announcements and changes to the F1 calendar since Liberty Media took the reins at Formula 1. There would be an F1 race in Hanoi in Vietnam as of 2020. A deal was made for as much as 10 years which would cost the organisers of the event as much as $60 million a year. This money taken care of by VinGroup. It is now 2022 and no Vietnam GP has ever taken place. Since corona threw a spanner in the works in 2020, there has been little talk of the Vietnam GP.

Read more Future Vietnamese Grand Prix is a possibility

Hope for Vietnam GP ebbs away

We now know that the Vietnamese GP will not be on the calendar in 2023 either. That means the race has now been postponed for at least four years. The South African ENCA.com writes that hopes of making the event a reality are fading. Most distressingly, the entire track and all facilities were already ready and the park now looks abandoned. The medium writes that the site is closed, but cyclists often find their way in to cycle undisturbed on the spacious asphalt surface.

The 10-year deal was partly meant to improve Hanoi's image and make it reflect the country's economic growth. That the Mayor and strong supporter of the GP, Nguyen Duc Chung, had been arrested for corruption did not help. "Without Chung, the future of the race is very gloomy." Meanwhile, there are also rumours that the city government wants to ban the race at least until 2029.


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Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, mark an International Day of the Girl Child through their Educating Linda program, which supports girl education (#yesforGirl Education) and ending child marriage (#EndChildMarriage) through helping young girls who are unprivileged but brilliant to continue their education.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and also an Executive Director of the song expressed, We at Merck Foundation mark Girl Child Day every day through our continuous efforts with our partners, African First ladies to implement Educating Linda program in their countries, which is a part of our More Than a Mother campaign. I strongly believe that an educated girl will lead a healthy life, save lives, build a stronger family, earn a better income, make informed choices, empower her community, lift her country and reduce inequalities. However, it has been seen that many girls drop out of the school due to many challenges such as: lack of necessities such as fees and uniforms. Therefore, as a part of Educating Linda program, in partnership with the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother campaign we have contributed to the future of 1000s of girls by providing with scholarships and essential school items in many African countries.

Moreover, I am very happy and excited to share that to mark this important day, H.E. CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia, also the Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, distributed essential school items to over 450 school-going girls in Liberia. The items were provided by Merck Foundation as a part of our Educating Linda project. More will be distributed in the near future, moreover we will provide scholarships to 20 unprivileged but brilliant Liberian girls to continue their school education. added Senator Rasha Kelej.

As a part of Educating Linda Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with the African First Ladies has provided scholarships for young girls in many countries like Burundi, Central African Republic, DRC, Ghana, The Gambia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Merck Foundation has also provided 3,000 sets of essential school items for girls schools in many countries like Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, and Zambia. Each of the recipients gets a set containing 1 Ruler, 3 Pencils, 2 Erasers, 1 Sharpener, 1 Pen, 6 Color Pencils, 1 Triangular Ruler, 1 Protractor, and 1 Fabric Bag.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej further emphasized, In partnership with the African First Ladies, we have been building healthcare capacity through providing training to healthcare providers in many medical specialties. More than 1470 medical graduates have benefitted from this program so far. I am very proud that out of these over 650 are female medical graduates. This is close to 50% of the total beneficiaries, which is a great milestone for us.

Moreover, we have emphasized on the importance of supporting girl education through Our Africa by Merck Foundation, a pan-African Tv program broadcasting across the continent and available on our social media.

Merck Foundation has also announced the MARS Awards to appreciate and recognize Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researcher. The aim is to empower women and young African researchers, advance their research capacity and promote their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

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Ahead of the 2022 African Energy Week conference  which runs from October 18  21 in Cape Town  the African Energy Chamber (AEC) spoke with Susan Hart, General Manager, Middle East and Africa at ChampionX, in an exclusive interview about the companys bronze sponsorship participation at AEW 2022 and the challenges and opportunities faced by Africas oil and gas upstream sector.

With Africa seeking to boost activities across the entire oil and gas value chain, what are Champion Xs short to medium term growth plans across the continent?

ChampionX already has a very significant footprint and operational capabilities in several countries including Angola, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Ghana and we will continue to localize our operations in these countries, bringing technology and solutions to our customers to support our business needs.

Our focus is on upstream and midstream markets, where new technology and innovation are core enablers of growth, supporting our customers to maximize production, enable flow assurance and minimize deferred production. We will also continue the development of our environmentally preferred chemistry solutions, which support the ESG initiatives of our customers and ChampionX as a company.

In addition, we plan to pursue new market and frontier entry opportunities, leveraging our proven capability and decades of experience in building secure and reliable chemical supply chain and operations in Africa.

As a leading upstream player across the African market, what are some of the key challenges you have noticed disrupting Africas exploration, production and infrastructure development activities? How can ChampionX help the industry address these challenges?

Many frontier markets remain in Africa, and entry to these markets comes with risk for all parties involved. ChampionX has been involved in the early part of several frontiers and has learned many lessons that can be applied to current frontiers when setting up new supply chains and developing new operations.

Localization is crucial for African markets, with local content rules and regulations varying from country to country. Every company must balance investment, risk and reward effectively. We work through various business models in Africa, and its vital to set up a country model which can be adapted to meet changing requirements and evolving markets.

ChampionX has always recognized the value of local expertise and ingenuity across the continent and a majority of our workforce are now nationals, ensuring that success is shared among the local economies and communities where we operate.

Environmental sustainability and digital transformation are some of the key trends within the oil and gas industry. How is the African oil and gas industry progressing in terms of aligning operations with the two?

I believe the global pandemic and the volatility of the oil and gas market affected most continents and companies in relation to both of those. In light of that, the ability to make progress within those two very vast and wide-ranging areas of focus can seem overwhelming. In reality however, our industry has many solutions currently available that can support a companys environmental sustainability  for ChampionX Chemical Technologies division, this includes green chemistry products that reduce or eliminate hazardous substances in chemicals, and products which have been developed with an improved carbon footprint. We also have a number of chemical solutions that can directly decarbonize oilfield operations, including our Emissions Technologies division, which supports decarbonization through emissions monitoring technologies.

I believe there is now a genuine desire by companies and individuals to do the right thing in relation to advancing policies and initiatives which support ESG strategies and bring benefits to the environment, to people and to the wider society, and this is supported by cultural change.

With regard to digital advancement, there are some difficult challenges, but we are making progress across Africa. How companies responded to the pandemic and changed and adopted new digital ways of working was impressive, and I believe this accelerated digital transformation in many areas.

Champion X is set to participate as a bronze sponsor in high-level forums and panel discussions at AEW 2022. What key message will you be sharing with industry stakeholders present?

The ongoing development and improvement of technologies and solutions which will help the energy industry to maximize production from existing assets, while also supporting decarbonization and improved environmental sustainability, will be the focus of global attention. We look forward to sharing our insight into how this can be achieved through our participation in AEW 2022.

What deals and key discussion topics do you expect to see taking center stage at this years edition of AEW?

The role which technology will play in helping increase and enhance existing production will be a focus of many discussions. I think we will also see a focus in relation to key ESG opportunities. Discussion about localization and opportunities for the African nations to work collaboratively to get better leverage of resources is also likely to feature highly. I think we will also see enhanced focus on digitalization and how it will improve efficiency across the industry.

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There is nothing quite like that first cup of coffee in the morning. For me, its a moment to gather my thoughts before the day really begins. However, this daily ritual isnt something we can take for granted.

Climatologists have warned that without action, coffee farmers in Africa will lose their livelihoods. So, if we want to keep enjoying that precious cup, we need to ensure our coffee is sustainably sourced.

The continent produces 12% of the worlds coffee, with over ten million farmers across 30 countries. Whilst demand for coffee is forecast to grow significantly, crops have been declining in Cote dIvoire, the largest coffee producer in West Africa.

Nestle has been manufacturing coffee in Cote dIvoire for over 60 years, and we have seen first-hand the challenges farmers are facing.

Climate change creates rising temperatures, drought and flooding which makes coffee more difficult to grow. Under this pressure, farmers have turned to environmentally harmful practices such as deforestation and are substituting old coffee trees for crops that are easier to grow.

The case for sustainable coffee farming and transition to regenerative agriculture

Its not too late to reverse this decline. On a recent farm visit to the village of Yobouekro, I saw for myself the impact climate change is having. I met with Amani Ahou, a female coffee farmer who, until recently planned to abandon her plantation as the crop from her aged trees had fallen to depressingly low levels.

Over the last few years, Amani has received training from Nescafe agronomists. She has learned pruning techniques, composting and the importance of planting shade trees. She is now more upbeat about the prospect of reviving her coffee farm. My plantation has rejuvenated, my old trees are starting to flower again, and are producing good coffee, she said.

It was great to see for myself how improving technical knowledge, building stronger partnerships between farmers and industry can have a real and lasting impact on farmers like Amani.

Regenerative agricultural techniques like these play a critical role in the future of coffee farming. They will improve soil health, restore water cycles, increase biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By planting more coffee trees and encouraging greater biodiversity, farmers can create an environment for bees, insects and birds to thrive on their farms. This will have a positive impact on the ecosystem and reduce the effects of climate change.

The responsibility and cost for transitioning to regenerative agriculture cannot lie solely with the farmers. Its been 10 years since we launched the Nescafe plan, during this time we have worked closely with farmers to improve agricultural practices, sharing our knowledge and expertise from across the planet. The plan builds farming skills to help farmers produce higher quality beans and achieve higher premiums, so they can support their families and contribute meaningfully to their local communities.

However, we know there is much more to be done, which is why we are going further and last week announced the Nescafe Plan 2030 to accelerate regenerative agriculture, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve coffee farmers livelihoods.

Nescafe has committed to invest over 1 billion Swiss francs globally. The aims of the plan are:

100% of our coffee to be sourced responsibly by 2025

20% of coffee sourced from regenerative agricultural methods by 2025 and 50% by 2030.

In Cote dIvoire, we are committed to support farmers that take on the risk and costs associated with transitioning to regenerative agriculture. We will be piloting a financial scheme which includes conditional cash incentives for adopting regenerative agriculture practices.

We have a long way to go, but if the whole coffee industry in Africa supports this transition to regenerative agriculture, we will ensure no farmer is left behind, so we can continue to uplift lives and livelihoods with every cup we drink.

By Scott Coles, Coffee Business Executive Officer for Nestle (www.Nestle.com) Central and West Africa

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Taka Izakaya and Sushi Bar offers guests a chance to enjoy specialty Japanese food, curated through chef Takashige Satates impressive decades of culinary feats, right in the heart of Tamuning.

Taka, located in the former Table 35 building, opened its doors in February and has since surprised diners with the quality and caliber of the food, said Tatsushi Satate, a minor investor in the restaurant.

Takashige Satate first entered Japans renowned culinary world at the age of 14. He started working in Hokkaido and then shifted to the Tokyo area before moving to the United States. He landed in Ohio and then drifted to the West Coast, and was named one of the top 10 chefs in San Diego in 2000 by the newspaper San Diego Reader.

I try not to make the same menu as the other Japanese restaurants, I have more of a traditional style, Takashige Satate said.

At lunchtime, the restaurant is bustling and the generous, inviting atmosphere is warm enough to suit families, couples or business meetings.

The set menus are an affordable option that doesnt skimp on robust flavor or thoughtful presentation. The teriyaki salmon set, at $16.90, comes with a creamy sesame salad, miso soup, and juicy, tender salmon. The sweet and sour pork, at $15.50, is a fan favorite. For a complete meal, wash it down with a cold Asahi.

At dinnertime, more fusion dishes come out to play.

We have izakaya-style items, a little more extended from what we have on the lunch menu. A lot of sushi, and then we have a mix of Chinese, Italian and very traditional Japanese-style food, Tatsushi Satate said.

The rotating menu allows Takashige Satate to exercise his creativity while making quality ingredients sing. Even the dessert is homemade; the chef is proud of the signature cheesecake.

The masterminds behind Taka are eager to introduce their cuisine to the island.

We care about the quality. For the sushi, we dont use frozen fish. We use fresh. Today, we have a fresh scallop, not frozen, so it has a different texture and different taste  its more sweet, he said.
Dededo resident Maria Arriola fills out an employment application along with other job seekers during a job fair conducted by the Guam Department of Labor at the agencys American Job Center in Anigua Oct. 30, 2021.
Two men were charged in unrelated criminal sexual conduct cases in the Superior Court of Guam in recent days. One was a registered sex offender with two previous criminal sexual conduct convictions.

Between August and October 2022, 48-year-old Vincent Benavente Velasco allegedly inappropriately touched a minor known to him, court documents state. The touching stopped when another adult entered the room, according to a magistrates complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam.

Velasco was charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct as a first-degree felony.

He is a registered sex offender and was previously convicted for two separate counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in August 2003. The victims of his previous crimes were both girls under 16.

Velasco is listed as an unsupervised offender in the Superior Court database. In November, he was charged with family violence after he allegedly tried to strangle a woman known to him.

Julian Quenga

On Oct. 8, GPD officers spoke with a minor who told officers Julian Quenga had inappropriately touched them while they were in middle school. The minor related two incidents involving the 48-year-old Quenga, charging documents state.

When interviewed by police, Quenga said that something did happen that day but he does not wish to disclose that information, and that he would try his luck in court, documents state.

Quenga faces charges of first and second-degree criminal sexual conduct as first-degree felonies, and harassment as a petty misdemeanor.
The government of Guam needs to start paying ancestral landowners who cant get their land back, according to Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, who said she will send a bill to the Legislature on Tuesday to jumpstart the payment process through the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission.

The Ancestral Lands Commission, which collects money by leasing public land, now has more than $15 million in a Land Bank to compensate ancestral landowners, but the payment process has been stalled for years because of unresolved legal questions.

I cannot and will not stand by idly while our original owners remain unfairly compensated for the loss of their land for more generations, Leon Guerrero said Monday. We need an alternative to get ancestral owners paid now.

Commission

The Ancestral Lands Commission, created more than 20 years ago, is responsible for returning excess federal land to its ancestral owners and for paying just compensation to those whose land was declared excess by the federal government but is being used by the government of Guam for public purposes.

The commission has not yet paid any ancestral owners, but it tried to get payment rules approved in 2017.

It submitted proposed rules and regulations for the Land Bank to the Office of the Attorney General, which rejected them, stating the rules impermissibly contradict existing statutes.

According to the attorney general, the rules and regulations submitted by the commission, exceed the authority granted by the Legislature, because they call for ancestral landowners to be paid indefinitely, without having to give up claim to the property for which they are being paid.

That is not just compensation, according to the attorney generals office.

The attorney generals office, in its 2017 review, also stated lawmakers did not provide enough guidance about how landowners should be paid, which means it might be impossible for any Land Bank rules to be adopted unless the law is first changed.

The commission in 2017 passed a resolution, asking lawmakers to change the law, but senators have not acted on the request.

According to the governor, the Land Bank Reform Act of 2022 will repair the broken Land Bank law so ancestral landowners can be fairly compensated. She said several agencies and the attorney generals office worked several months to prepare the bill, taking into account the concerns stated by ancestral landowners and their descendants.

Although the bill was not available Monday, the governor said it will: clarify the criteria for ancestral owners eligible to receive compensation; allow other funding sources to be used to pay landowners, including annual budget appropriations and federal Section 30 money; and provide a means for ancestral claims to be calculated and paid to the lands original owners or their descendants.

Eagles Field

According to the governor, the bill also would make the ancestral owners of military land in the Eagles Field area of Mangilao eligible for compensation. She said the current law doest allow them to be paid.

The administration is negotiating a long-term lease for 102 acres of military land in the Eagles Field area so a new medical complex can be built there within four years.

The Mangilao site is part of a larger parcel of land  741 acres  condemned by the Navy in July 1950. Some of that land was transferred to the Air Force in May 1960 and it built several communications towers and a radar facility on the site. The towers and buildings later were dismantled and the land currently is vacant, except for the 9-acre Eagles Field.

Some ancestral landowners object to the lease and instead want the military to return the Mangilao property so it can be transferred to its ancestral owners.

The administration scheduled a meeting with the Eagles Field ancestral landowners late Monday afternoon at Adelup, to include representatives from the Ancestral Lands Commission and the Guam Economic Development Authority.
Exactly 1,800 ballots were cast during the first week of early voting for the 2022 general election, as of the close of polls at the Okkodo High School voting satellite on Saturday.

Satellite voting at Okkodo this past weekend saw a steady stream of voters and a loud showing of candidates and supporters rallying outside the high schools gate.

Guam Election Commission Executive Director Maria Pangelinan said the turnout so far was much higher than the first week of early voting for the August primary election, maybe double that, and she hopes that the trend will continue all the way to Election Day in November.

For this years primary race, a total of 5,290 ballots were cast at the Westin Guam Resort early voting center, and, according to Pangelinan, a large number of those who did vote early waited until the last few days voting was available.

Guam went to the polls in August with a record 58,152 voters  more than any other primary besides 2002, before registries were purged for nonvoters and the deceased. But it was also the lowest turnout primary in 30 years, with just 40.7% of registered voters showing up to cast their ballot.

Pangelinan said fingers are crossed that the ease of the universal early voting option will drive more voters to exercise their rights for the general election.

Despite the low turnout of this years primary, I think if we didnt have voting, not that many people wouldnt participate, she said. Early voting I think increases voter participation.

Just shy of one in four of the total 23,679 ballots cast in the primary race were cast early.

While there was no primary in 2020 due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, around 48% of every ballot cast in the 2020 general election was cast early, according to Pangelinan.

There were 59,298 registered voters for the general election as of Saturday, a figure higher than every general election besides 2002. Registration is open until Oct. 24.

Vote early

Residents will have two more chances to vote over the weekend in the central and southern areas of the island. Satellite voting centers will be open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at:

Guam Community College on Oct. 22.

Merizo Martyrs Memorial School on Oct. 29.

Doors are open weekdays at the Westin from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, up until Nov. 3.

You can register to vote on the spot at the Westin or at the satellite voting site at GCC. The last day to register is Oct. 24.

District registration is also available at your village mayors office through Oct. 24 and you can register online at http://gec.guam.gov/register.

Registration requires a valid photo ID.

Homebound voting

For those who have a disability, or are unable to leave their homes, homebound voting also opens on Tuesday. Homebound voters can call the Guam Election Commission at 671-477-9791 up until Election Day on Nov. 8.
The University of Guam Marine Laboratory is on a mission to revive the island's reefs.

A team from the Marine Lab attended the Reef Futures 2022 conference in Key Largo, Florida, Sept. 26-30. It consisted of members of the lab as well as Laurie Raymundo, director of the Marine Lab and professor of marine biology at UOG.

Raymundo said Guam's coral reefs need to be treated and taken care now, before a majority of the reefs will be loss. Raymundo shared research showed more than one-third of all coral reefs in Guam were killed from 2013 to 2017 due to multiple bleaching events.

The five-year event was unique. But, fortunately, we have not bleached badly since then. But we feel its only a matter of time, Raymundo said in a news release.

The other members of the team who went to the conference gave presentations on their findings of Guam reefs, as well as some of the efforts to help the coral reefs.

Ashley Castro, a restoration technician, presented her work on growth rates of coral reefs in a nursery. Castro noted there were clear differences between the corals growing in the Piti nursery compared with those in the Cocos Lagoon nursery

These results will be helpful in identifying ways to improve our culture approaches and species that are responding differently in our two nurseries, Raymundo said in the release.

Maria Andersen, also a restoration technician at the Marine Lab, gave a talk about how these species fared after pruning and planting  how they are surviving and what is causing some mortality.

Renee Crisostomo and Carlos Tramonte, members of the marine lab and UOG students, presented posters on their thesis projects.

The health of Guam's reefs has an impact on Guam's tourism industry.

We know from (Guam Visitors Bureau) reports that most visitors come because of our beautiful beaches and marine life. If we do not maintain them, we will probably lose our tourists, Raymundo said in the release.
A cultural performance is featured during a University of Guam celebration. UOG has been selected to be part of an initiative  funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation  to help a select group of U.S. colleges and universities strive to close equity gaps for low-income, indigenous, Black and Latinx students.




Haiti - FLASH : The UN Security Council decides today on the aid to be provided to Haiti





This Monday, October 17, 2022, the United Nations Security Council will debate the situation in Haiti and should decide on the recommendations of the Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, on the deployment of a rapid action force composed of one or more several countries to help the Government of Haiti to fight against insecurity and gangs.



The United States will table a resolution in the Security Council to support the deployment of the force, although it is unclear what role the United States will play in it https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37891-haiti-politic-the-usa-ready-to-participate-in-a-multinational-rapid-action-force.html



Remember that for a UN Security Council resolution to be adopted, 9 votes are needed and no veto from the following countries: United States, Russia, Great Britain, China and France.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37891-haiti-politic-the-usa-ready-to-participate-in-a-multinational-rapid-action-force.html

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



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Social : 216th of the death of J-J Dessalines (message from Lesly Conde)





Monday, October 17, 2022, day of commemoration of the 216th anniversary of the assassination of the Founding Father of the Nation, Emperor Jacques 1er (Jean-Jacques Dessalines September 20, 1758 - October 17, 1806), the Ex-Consul General of Haiti in Chicago Lesly Conde delivered a message of reflection that we invite you to share :



Message from Lesly Conde :

"Dear fellow citizens everywhere,



This year, we commemorate the 216th anniversary of one of the most fatal and significant events in the history of our country. As of October 17, the day when the founding father of the Haitian nation was cowardly assassinated in Pont-Rouge, we can say that this nation turned its back on its glorious destiny to become a lost sheep letting itself be led by partners whose benevolence leaves much to be desired. It's true that you can't change history, but when you look at the circumstances of the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, you can't help but imagine the best way for this nation, our Nation, would have chosen. On October 17, 1806, universal liberty lost one of its most authentic allies.



On the occasion of the 216th anniversary of the very unfortunate event that was the assassination of the founding father of the Haitian nation, I bow down humbly before the memory of this great man; while inviting you to contemplate with me the magnitude of his contribution to the history of humanity. Today, our historians pay a worthy tribute to Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and to the unparalleled courage of the men and women who chose to accompany him in this courageous adventure against the powerful slave machine. But Emperor Jacques Premier was a visionary well ahead of his time and ours. His unwavering attachment to the ideals of justice and well-being for all earned him powerful enemies. Following his execution, his name was banished from the vocabulary of the Nation for forty years by those who succeeded him.



To speak of the disappearance of Jean-Jacques Dessalines only two years after this valiant General had led an army of slaves to victory is to evoke a page in our history which gives rise to so much pain and so much regret.



Indeed, for having been cowardly assassinated by some of his own brothers in arms even before being able to establish the bases of his brand new Nation, Jean-Jacques Dessalines was the victim of a double injustice. It is perhaps better to say that our Nation is the great victim because when the Emperor Jacques 1st disappeared, his vision also disappeared. The decisions that were taken after this assassination contrasted flagrantly with the philosophy of the Founding Father of the Haitian Nation. This philosophy advocated the unconditional welfare of the unknown heroes who had contributed, through their sacrifices, to the only victorious slave revolt of all time. This vision cost the life of Jean-Jacques Dessalines.



The man whose life we celebrate today is not just a Haitian hero. It is a giant of planetary dimensions. He is a military genius and an ardent defender of human rights even before this concept was popularized and vandalized. There are heroes who are revered around the world for their bravery and for their brilliantly retold accomplishments. But they are mostly invaders and conquerors. They are honored for having subjugated their adversaries, and conquered their territories. Dessalines conquered freedom and for having vigorously defended it against all odds, he was assassinated.



Today, the Nation of Jean-Jacques Dessalines seems inevitably to sink into chaos and destruction. Our country, which at the beginning of its existence was a dream destination for all human beings who wanted to breathe the air of freedom, is now among the countries to which no one wants to belong. The assassination of the Father of our Nation proved that hatred had replaced the love of freedom in the hearts of some of our ancestors. When we stop loving our own compatriots because of their economic or social condition, we are likely to betray our Nation. Haiti has repeatedly been betrayed by her children. This indifferent or downright hostile world will not reach out to us. Like our ancestors, we can only rely on ourselves. We must transcend our prejudices and this fear of freedom in order to surprise the world once again."



Reflection messages by Lesly Conde in 2022 :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-37692-icihaiti-social-264th-birthday-of-emperor-jean-jacques-dessalines.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37002-haiti-social-message-from-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-father-s-day-2022.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36788-haiti-social-message-by-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-mother-s-day-2022.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36691-haiti-219th-flag-day-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36443-haiti-eastermessage-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36423-haiti-holy-weekmessage-of-reflection-by-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36365-haiti-219th-of-the-death-of-toussaint-louverturemessage-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36129-haiti-social-international-women-s-day-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35862-haiti-social-black-history-month-message-of-reflection-by-lesly-conde.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35702-icihaiti-earthquake-2010-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35620-haiti-218th-anniversary-of-independence-traditional-message-from-lesly-conde.html



All Messages from Lesly Conde in 2021 :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35584-haiti-social-wishes-from-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-the-new-year.html



IH/ iciHaiti






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





The DG of ONAPE released against ransom

Saturday, October 15 Herve Boursiquot, the Director General of the National Office for Partnership in Education (ONAPE), kidnapped on September 25 on the Route de Freres https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37750-haiti-news-zapping.html was released by his captors against ransom.



The pm Satisfied with the first batch of equipment for the PNH

"On behalf of my government and the Haitian people, I welcome the arrival of a first batch of materials and equipment that we have ordered for the National Police of Haiti (PNH) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37897-haiti-flash-the-first-new-armored-vehicles-for-the-pnh-have-arrived.html . We reiterate our firm commitment to better equip our police in the fight against banditry, with a view to restoring order and peace in the country [...] We warmly thank the American and Canadian Governments for their support and accompaniment in the process of delivery of this equipment and will continue to count on their partnership in order to strengthen the capacities of our police force," declared Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry.



Health Update for Minister Larsen

The Embassy of Haiti in France wishes to reassure all those who have been concerned about the state of health of Dr. Alex Larsen, Minister of Public Health visiting France, whom Dr. Larsen spoke by phone to the Ambassador of Haiti in Paris Josue Dahomey to confirm to him that he was doing very well and intended as planned, to participate soon in a meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Germany.



Training : Cholera prevention and surveillance

Saturday, October 15, 250 multipurpose community health workers (ASCP) were trained by the West Health District and by the World Health Organization (WHO - Haiti) on the prevention and monitoring of Cholera. To support the work of the ASCPs that will be deployed in the field, UNICEF provided buckets, soap, Aquatab tablets and HTH chlorine for distribution in the community during awareness sessions.



80 women trained in commercial cooking and baking

As part of the cooperation between the Government of Haiti and the Embassy of Taiwan (Republic of China) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36717-haiti-taiwan-$26m-for-an-economic-recovery-and-women-s-empowerment-project-in-haiti.html through the International Higher Education Scholarship Programs (ICDF), for economic recovery and women's empowerment in Haiti, 80 participants at the end of a two-week technical professional training in commercial cooking and pastry, received their certificate of perfect completion of training.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















By Ishani Sarkar | Published on 2022/10/16

Too tired of sunshine, rainbows, and fluffy romantic comedies? Take a shot at traumatic, albeit entertaining, thrillers and melodramas that will chill you to the bone and make your rethink your choices but will keep you on your toes nonetheless.

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Here are my picks for 10 K-Dramas that are thoroughly unhinged and dark but you'll love!

"Save Me"

Any list about traumatic K-Dramas will place "Save Me" first and foremost and for good reason too! The drama deals with abusive cults, life-threatening situations, and suffocating predicaments. It will leave you paralysed in fear for the characters but you'll enjoy it nonetheless.

Where to Watch Powered by JustWatch

"The King of Pigs"

Terribly underrated, in my opinion, "The King of Pigs" is a modern dark masterpiece. Based on the animated film "King of Pigs" by Yeon Sang-ho, this drama takes us into the deepest darkest recesses of the mind of a killer. The gore in the drama is worth a content warning so viewer's discretion is advised.

Where to Watch Powered by JustWatch

"Through the Darkness"

"Through the Darkness" follows a charismatic criminal profiler Song Ha-yeong, played by Kim Nam-gil who, per his job description, looks into the minds of criminals to solve cases. As you'd expect from a drama like this, every episode brings out a new evil, and you'll be left stunned each time.

Where to Watch Powered by JustWatch

"Hellbound"

"Hellbound" is one of the finest psychological/philosophical thrillers to come out of South Korea. With its stunning cast of actors, including Yoo Ah-in, Park Jung-min, Kim Hyun-joo, and Won Jin-ah, the drama explores themes of retribution and sin through the eyes of a cult. What's more is that "Hellbound" is slated for a second season so now is a great time to catch up.

Where to Watch Powered by JustWatch

"One Ordinary Day"

"One Ordinary Day" is one of those dramas that you watch with bated breath until the very last scene of the last episode. It is a whodunnit legal thriller that takes "innocent until proven guilty" to a whole new level, as viewers try to figure out if our protagonist Kim Hyeon-soo, played by Kim Soo-hyun, is really the killer as he is posed. You're going to love every second of this.

Where to Watch Powered by JustWatch

"Mouse"

"Mouse" posits a central question in its plot: "Is a psychopath born a psychopath?" and runs with it to create the most intricate web of mystery. If you enjoy being part of the chase when it comes to thrillers, "Mouse" is going to keep you thoroughly entertained. Twists, turns, misleading clues, and unreliable narrators, this drama has it all.

Where to Watch Powered by JustWatch

"Little Women"

The recently concluded star-studded drama "Little Women" is well worth being on this list, more for the emotionally harrowing nature of the plot than anything else. The original novel by Louisa May Alcott is turned on its head to give us a quick-paced thriller that challenges core human values. You'll keep asking yourself, "how far is too far?" as you watch this drama, and the answer will amuse you, to say the least.

Where to Watch Powered by JustWatch

"Juvenile Justice"

Led by Kim Hye-soo, "Juvenile Justice" highlights the issue of juvenile crime in a more realistic way than it is presented in most K-Dramas, and for that, it has received much appreciation. The cast delivers an exceptional performance, and the message hits right where it hurts. You do not want to miss this one.

Where to Watch Powered by JustWatch

"Taxi Driver"

If you're looking for some good old catharsis, "Taxi Driver" is going to be right up your alley. It is a revenge thriller starring Lee Je-hoon that adopts an omnibus approach alongside a running storyline to give us episodic satisfaction as well as a coherent plot. The concept of the dark hero is fleshed out wonderfully and hooks the viewer from the very first episode.

Where to Watch Powered by JustWatch

"Reflection of You"

Finally, I conclude with an emotional whirlwind of love, betrayal, grudges, and revenge - "Reflection of You". This is dark makjang at its purest, featuring morally grey characters that make it extremely hard to pick a side. Still, it is incredibly entertaining to watch the knots of vindication untangle, and you're not going to be able to stop once you start. Enjoy!

Where to Watch Powered by JustWatch

By Ishani Sarkar.
Over two-thirds (68%) of the respondents stated that they agree fully and 22 per cent that they agree partly with the statement about normalising relations with Russia.

THE MAJORITY of Finns believe Finland cannot normalise its relations with Russia as long as Russia is ruled by President Vladimir Putin , indicates a survey commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat.

The survey examined public views on a number of questions about Russia and its war of aggression in Ukraine. Well over four-fifths (85%) of the respondents estimated that the only way to put an end to the war is to drive Russia out of Ukraine. Almost four-fifths (79%), meanwhile, agreed fully or partly with the statement that western countries, including Finland, should provide heavier weapons to Ukraine.

On the other hand, 52 per cent of the respondents also viewed that Ukraine should look for a negotiated peace with Russia.

Finns are somewhat divided over how foreign-policy makers should approach Russia. While 40 per cent of the respondents viewed that Finland should suspend all interaction with Russia, 47 per cent viewed that the country should refrain from handling day-to-day issues such as visa questions. Only four per cent were of the opinion that the interaction should continue in the broadest scope possible.

Almost a fifth (18%) of the respondents stated that ordinary Russians are highly responsible and 35 per cent that they are somewhat responsible for the war in Ukraine. Nearly a half of the respondents were of a different view, however, with 29 per cent stating that ordinary citizens are only slightly responsible and 16 per cent that they are not at all responsible for the war.

The views do not vary significantly based on variables such as age or political affiliation, according to Helsingin Sanomat.

Most Finns (91%) fully disagree with the statement that Russia had the right to annex parts of Ukraine. Putin in September announced Russia has annexed four Ukrainian regions after staging what western countries largely dismissed as sham referendums in the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Kantar Public interviewed 1,069 people for the survey between 12 and 14 October.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The bill was forwarded to parliamentary committees for discussion last week after it was discussed in the Finnish Parliament.

THE PARLIAMENTS Legal Affairs Committee has requested feedback on a bill for updating transgender laws from organisations that, according to proponents of the bill, are openly against transgender people, writes Helsingin Sanomat.

The central amendment in the bill is that people would be able to change their gender designation in the population register without a medical examination or transgender diagnosis. The bill would also do away with the requirement that people seeking a gender re-assignment surgery undergo sterilisation.

Finland is the only Nordic country with such a requirement.

Parliamentary committees are able to invite experts, officials and organisations to give an oral or written statement as they prepare their own report or memorandum a matter at hand. The Legal Affairs Committee has decided to request a written statement on the bill from, for example, the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) Finland, which describes itself as an umbrella organisation for individuals and associations providing pastoral care and Christian counselling.

Helsingin Sanomat on Friday asked Leena Meri (PS), the chairperson of the Legal Affairs Committee, how the association can contribute to the discussion.

The committee has decided to hear them. I dont think its anything out of the ordinary that there are different perspectives and different concerns that the committee hears. I dont see anything unusual about that, she replied to the daily newspaper.

Also other selections by the committee have raised eyebrows.

Among the experts it is set to hear tomorrow are two from LGB Union, an organisation that describes itself as a defender of gay, lesbian and bisexual rights but opposes some elements of the bill. LGB Union views that sexual orientation is firmly based on biological sex and that sexual orientation is not a mutable preference.

The other experts addressing the committee tomorrow are from Seta, Trasek and Finland for All Families.

The Legal Affairs Committee has also decided to request a written statement from Tapio Puolimatka, a professor of educational theory from the University of Jyvaskyla. Puolimatka is well known for his anti-gay writings.

Meri stressed to Helsingin Sanomat that the committee decided on the hearing and statement requests unanimously, without a vote.

I cant comment on the committees discussions in more detail, she said, reiterating that it is good to hear views from different perspectives. No one is proposing that someone be heard just for the heck of it, but because they may have some questions that bother them about the issue.

The Social Affairs and Health Committee is tasked with drafting the report on the bill, in part based on statements presented by the Legal Affairs Committee and Constitutional Law Committee.

CORRECTION: This article has been amended to clarify the views of LGB Union. In an e-mail to Helsinki Times on 27 October, the organisation stated that it supports some elements of the bill, including abolishing the requirement to prove sterility, but opposes others.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Marin was originally set to participate in a panel discussion on the role governments can have in creating an environment that fosters innovation with Christian Miele , an employee of the same private equity firm as her husband, Markus Raikkonen .

START-UP EVENT Slush will look for another interviewer for Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP), reports Helsingin Sanomat.

The arrangement had provoked concerns and criticism from other political parties, along with members of the public.

Slush is an event with a high attendance fee that highlights companies. The prime minister is definitely allowed to protect the interests of Finnish companies, but its questionable why shes participating specifically with this company, Jouni Ovaska, a deputy chairperson of the Centre Parliamentary Group, commented on Friday.

Timo Heinonen (NCP) did little to mince his words.

Its unfortunately looking more and more day after day that Marin is not in politics to promote the interests of the fatherland but of her own inner circle, he said, evoking a tweet Marin directed at then-Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre) in 2017.

Marin apologised to Sipila in 2021.

Mari Holopainen (Greens) stated that while it is positive that the prime minister is attending start-up events, she did not make the classiest decision by agreeing to be interviewed by a colleague of her husband.

Im sure there wouldve been other opportunities to appear at Slush without provoking discussion about linkages. This setup obviously brings up questions about them. So this wasnt the classiest decision, she remarked.

Its important that people in key political positions are especially careful about conflicts of interest and ties to their inner circle, echoed Veronika Honkasalo (LA).

Marin on Friday stated to Helsingin Sanomat that she is participating in the event because she believes the event is important and the themes of discussion are extremely good from the viewpoint of Finland.

Slush will look for a new interviewer for the discussion so that no suspicions of a possible conflict of interest arise, she noted.

She told STT a day earlier that she did not think her participation is problematic because the themes of discussion are generic and align with themes she has talked about also at several other events. Well re-examine the participation from the conflict-of-interest viewpoint and discuss the issue with the chancellor of justice, she messaged.

Eerika Savolainen, the CEO of Slush, told Helsingin Sanomat on Friday that the initiative for replacing the interviewer came from the prime ministers staff. The original arrangement, she added, was initially not a problem for the staff as it had been curated with the office of the prime minister.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
LOCAL BRIEFS: Capitol Christmas tree, Halloween, Sleepout, pet rescue day

Related Stories

Public invited to celebrate Capitol Christmas tree

FLETCHER  The public is invited to celebrate the sendoff of Ruby, one very special red spruce, on her grand adventure from the mountains to Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Forest Service is hosting the harvest celebration for the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in the Expo Building at the WNC Agricultural Center.



The forest service will invite people to sign the banners on her truck to send good wishes to all the communities hosting Ruby along the way. Visitors can also take a walk through an interactive display of the four national forests in North Carolina and learn about each forests ecosystem and employees. More than 25 partner organizations will offer fun family-friendly games and U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree merchandise. The event is free and open to the public.



The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree  also known as The Peoples Tree, reflecting the nickname for the U.S. House of Representatives as the Peoples House is raised on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The tree is selected each year from a different national forest. The honor of being the Peoples Tree this year was given to the 78-foot-tall red spruce affectionately named Ruby (short for the scientific name, Picea rubens).

The tree will be harvested on the Pisgah National Forest in early November in advance of a nearly 1,000-mile expedition. The journey will include a series of community celebrations before Ruby arrives on Nov. 18 to the Capitol, where it will be decorated with handmade ornaments and tree skirts created by North Carolinians.

Fletcher Halloween Carnival features fun costume contest



FLETCHER  Children 11 and under are invited to Bill Moore Community Park for free Halloween fun during Fletchers Halloween Carnival from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, featuring carnival games, face painting, candy and more.

Children and families interested in participating in the costume contest must be registered by 1:45 pm. Heres the schedule:

 Noon-3:00 p.m. carnival games, face painting

 1:45 p.m. deadline to register for costume contest

 2 p.m. ages 4 and under contest

 2:20 p.m. ages 5-7 contest

 2:40 p.m. ages 8-11 contest

 3 p.m. family contest

The event is free and open to the public thanks to sponsors Blue Ridge Orthodontics, Prescott Auto Reserve, Hunter Subaru and State Farm insurance agent Tabatha Hamlin. For the safety of pets and guests, the town asks people to leave pets at home.



Only Hope WNC announces Sleepout

Only Hope WNC, the local non-profit that raises awareness and funds to combat youth homelessness in Henderson County, will host its 11th annual Sleepout on Nov. 4. That night a group of board members and concerned citizens will be sleeping out at the Historic Courthouse for the cause.

Sleepout 2022 kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, with an opening rally and information about Only Hope. The Sleepout officially takes place from 8 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday.

To take part, donate online or support in any way, visit onlyhopewnc.org or call Michael Absher or Kim Fletcher at 828-693-5499.



Mills River hosts movie night Oct. 21



MILLS RIVER  The Town of Mills River is hosting its first outdoor movie night at Mills River Park on Friday, Oct. 21.

The event is free to attend and no pre-registration is required. The film Hocus Pocus (1993) is scheduled to begin at dark (approximately 7 p.m.). There will be lawn games, a photo booth and other activities available starting at 6:30 p.m. Cash only concessions will be available. Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Please leave all pets at home for this event. Free parking is available in the park and carpooling is encouraged.

This first-of-its kind event for Mills River is made possible as a result of the Town Councils decision to expand Parks and Recreation services for the residents of Mills River by increasing staff support and earmarking funding for programs and events. This investment by the Council was supported by the Towns Parks, Trails, and Recreation Advisory committee and the recently adopted Parks and Recreation masterplan.

Mills River Park is located at 124 Town Center Drive, Mills Rive. The event will take place on the multi-purpose fields. For more information visit www.millsriver.org/events, email recreation@millsriver.org or call 828-890-2901.

Subaru Loves Pets, ASPCA campaign supports rescues

Blue Ridge Humane Society is participating in the Subaru Loves Pets Campaign this month. Sponsored by Subaru and the ASPCA, the campaign enables Blue Ridge Humane Society to receive a $100 grant up to the amount of $3,500 for each cat and dog adopted during this campaign.

Blue Ridge Humane Society will be participating in the WLOS Pet Project at Hunter Subaru in Fletcher from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21. During the major adoption event, the agency will have adoptable dogs onsite and will also be offering discounted adoption fees. To see all of Blue Ridge Humane Societys adoptable animals visit www.blueridgehumane.org/adopt.
IT was with a great sense of irony that members of Henley Town Council adopted a pledge to be civil and respect one another.

Thats because last weeks full meeting was marred by a row between two councillors who accused each other of bullying.

Ken Arlett, of the ruling Henley Residents Group, and opposition Conservative Will Hamilton made a series of accusations about each other throughout the 42-minute meeting.

Just four minutes in Councillor Arlett criticised his rival for having tweeted about the Planet Organic supermarket which is due to open in Market Place later this month.

Councillor Hamilton had criticised the decision of South Oxfordshire District Council to grant planning permission for the busines sdespite objections made by the town council.

Holding a printed out copy of the tweet, Cllr Arlett said: Can I just ask the councillor to log on to the council website for the information rather than sending out these stupid tweets?

After Cllr Arlett criticised another of his tweets later in the meeting, Cllr Hamilton responded: He is obviously a bit tense about Twitter tonight.

He added: While Cllr Arlett may have a view about Twitter, it starts with email. It starts with emails sent from councillors to other councillors after these meetings and they need to stop because it is bullying.

There is one councillor that continues to send emails and he despises Twitter and Facebook and needs to understand the way that they work. That councillor continues to be a bully and that councillor I have had drivel from in the last month.

At this point, Cllr Arlett interrupted, saying: Cllr Hamilton doesnt receive emails from the town council.

The Tory continued: I have had to block both my AOL accounts on the advice of the town clerk during a period of mourning.

Mayor Michelle Thomas told Cllr Hamilton to sit down, saying the dispute was unbecoming to both councillors.

I really think this is getting a little bit out of hand with all these accusations, she said. I want it to stop. You have both made your points and I think we should move on.

Councillors then voted unanimously to adopt the Civility and Respect Pledge, a national initiative to stand up to poor behaviour in councils.

Councillor Ian Reissmann described it as more than just a pledge, saying: It is about working together and being co-operative and improving the way we function as a council. When that sort of process breaks down you get damaging results.

Referencing the US Capitol attack, he said: We saw what happened on January 6, 2020, when a leader is rude and impolite. Democracy itself comes under threat.
SOME of us from Greener Henley attended a very interesting lecture at The Henley College the other morning given by two members of the research team at the Walker Institute, Reading Universitys Interdisciplinary Climate Research Centre.

The lecture for students studying environmental sciences, geography and related subjects was an explanation of the kinds of projects that the institute does, especially with research to support countries in the southern hemisphere which dont have the research facilities we have.

I am still trying to digest all the important issues raised but one fact that hit home was the environmental rankings of 180 countries.

Britain was 18th highest for emissions of carbon dioxide and 58th for climate change vulnerability. By comparison, Pakistan ranked 30th for carbon emissions but eighth for climate change vulnerability.

The data was collected in 2019 since when we have had the catastrophic floods in Pakistan, which clearly demonstrates that how we live here affects the lives of people and countries that are doing far less harm than we are.

We have no excuses for our over-consumption and the resulting carbon emissions and pollution  it is time to change our behaviour.

To a certain extent, this was the theme of the addresses given by speakers at the recent Green tactics for Henley businesses seminar hosted by Greener Henleys business group.

We heard from local companies from a range of sectors, many of which gave good examples of how they have changed their business practices, for example, going paperless, using and encouraging customers to use refills and changing to 100 per cent renewable energy.

Did you know that the hairdresser Salon of Chi recycles hair and offers to refill for hair products, thereby saving single-use plastic?

Mark Chapman, of the Zero Carbon Forum, who advises companies how to cut their carbon and their costs, described himself as a survivalist.

He said that consumers expected businesses to solve the climate crisis, not the politicians.

Businesses working together and wanting us all to survive would do more because of their longer-term thinking as opposed to politicians who generally thought short-term and certainly not as far as the end of the century or even 2050 (just 28 years away).

Town councillor Ian Reissmann shared a comprehensive list of things the town council had done to reduce Henleys carbon footprint, which covered a wide variety of day-of-day activities.

If you missed the councils stall at Henleys Great Big Green Fair you can go into the town hall and see, on the opposite wall to the information office, posters explaining the work the council has done.

It really is impressive what the council has achieved with its climate emergency working group, transport strategy group and parks department (and not a lot of people know that.)

Talking of cutting costs, Greener Henleys next general meeting will be about energy  simple tips we can all follow to lower our energy use and reduce our bills.

Anyone is welcome to attend this listen and share session. It will be held at Kings Arms Barn on Tuesday (October 18) at 7.30pm. For more information, visit https://greenerhenley.org.uk

Finally, thank you to everyone who helped to make Henleys Great Big Green Week a success. If you visited the fair on the Saturday, wasnt it great?

It was lovely to see schoolchildren involved and it was good to have some of our local independent traders present.

Local community groups, the Mayor, councillors and other environmental groups all added to the positive message that we can make a difference by working together.

During the week so many different parts of the community helped to show that Henley does care about the climate and our environment.

To the library staff, the shops and businesses with their window displays and special green menus and the participants in all the events during the week, you were great.

We are also very grateful to the people who gave us financial support  the Tony Lane Foundation, Henley Town Council, Thamesfield Youth Association, Henley Royal Regatta, Mercers solicitors, Hobbs of Henley and Oxfordshire County Council. We couldnt have done it without you.

Diana Barnett
PLANS to build a hydroelectric power plant on the River Thames near Henley have been vetoed by the National Trust.

The scheme at Hambleden weir would have generated nearly 400,000 kWh of carbon-free electricity per year and any surplus income would have gone into a fund to support local climate change projects.

But the trust has twice blocked the plans even though it doesnt own the land and the actual landowner backs the project.

The trust has the power to enforce a covenant imposed by Viscount Hambleden in 1944 to protect 3,900 acres of land on both sides of the river.

This imposes restrictions to protect and preserve the historic architecture, agricultural character and rural integrity of the area.

Tony Hoskins, who has led the proposed scheme, called the trusts opposition astonishing.

He said: While I understand the National Trusts legal obligations, I consider it to be living in the past. In 1944, when the covenant was issued, no one knew the phrase climate change. They are acting like the captain of the Titanic.

Under the scheme, the plant would have been built on land at Remenham Farm, which belongs to the Culden Faw Estate.

The site was chosen as it avoids any encroachment on to property or assets belonging to the Environment Agency.

The scheme would have involved a 300m long, 14m wide channel to the south of the lock with a hydro station halfway along.

Mr Hoskins, of St Marks Road, Henley, said: Similar man-made channels are elsewhere on the Thames, including the locks at Hurley, Culham and Clifton Hampden.

After landscaping and planting, such artificial channels become indistinguishable from natural watercourses and add to biodiversity.

The plant would comprise a concrete box mostly below ground level, housing two or three Archimedes screw turbines, each with its own semi-circular trough along with control sluice gates and inlet and outlet channels.

Above ground there would be a small machinery house containing the main turbine, gearboxes, generators, electrical inverters and switchgear as well as control equipment for the sluice gates.

The turbines would have been connected to the river from upstream through a channel about 180m long, starting just upstream of the layby for boats waiting to pass through Hambleden lock. Bridges would have been installed for walkers using the Thames towpath.

When the trust vetoed the first option, Mr Hoskins sent a revised proposal to use pre-cast concrete culverts in the channel, which would be back-filled so that it would not be visible.

He also proposed that the turbine house be camouflaged with bushes and trees.

The trust rejected this plan last week.

Mr Hoskins, who chairs Henley Town Councils climate emergency 2030 working group, said the Hambleden covenant contained a presumption against development because of the Viscounts fears over post-war new towns.

He said: We will never achieve net zero unless we review legal commitments in light of the climate change crisis.

What is amazing is that, according to the National Trusts website, it has a resilience committee which makes bold statements about green issues and its aspirations towards renewable energy projects. The website proudly cites several examples of renewable projects, including hydro schemes established on trust properties. You get the feeling that its left hand doesnt know what the right hand is up to.

Alex Dick, manager of the Culden Faw estate, said: I would like to introduce the scheme as it is making use of a natural asset to produce energy with very little impact on the environment at a time when we are facing an energy crisis.

We are trying across the board to move away from fossil fuels so it is rather strange that at the weekend the boss of the National Trust, Hilary McGrady, said that the Government was demonising conservationists.

Graham Deans, the National Trusts assistant director of operations, London and South-East, said: Climate change poses the biggest threat to the places we care for and we believe strongly in the need to grow renewable energy and reduce the use of fossil fuels. We also believe that delivering these projects with respect for the natural and historic setting is essential.

The National Trust holds a restrictive covenant over 3,900 acres of land in the Hambleden Valley. The purpose of the covenant is to protect and preserve the historic architecture and rural integrity of the area.

Every planning application is individually assessed to explore whether it would have an adverse impact on the covenanted land and whether this could be mitigated.

In the case of the proposed hydroelectric scheme at Hambleden lock, we believe the intervention and scale of the proposed structure would have a detrimental impact on the landscape.
I THOUGHT Id really enjoyed writing this book, Robert Harris told a packed marquee about his new thriller, Act of Oblivion, until my wife reminded me that Id absolutely hated it.

The book is Harriss 15th novel but his first set in the vicious political turmoil of the 17th century and it was this departure from his more usual settings of the Second World War and ancient Rome that made writing Act of Oblivion an agonising but ultimately rewarding process. Many critics are calling this novel Harriss best yet.

Starting in Massachusetts in 1660, the story follows two high-ranking Roundheads on the run from an England ruled again by a king after 11 years as a republic.

Edward Whalley and his son-in-law William Goffe are exceptions to the general amnesty, enshrined in a law called the Act of Oblivion, for members of the old regime.

The new king Charles II has granted a pardon to almost everyone who supported Oliver Cromwells interregnum but not Whalley and Goffe.

They will be hunted across the Atlantic and remain fugitives for the rest of their lives because, as two of the 59 signatories to the death warrant of Charles I, their crime is the killing of a king. As a fellow novelist, I was fascinated to hear about Harriss writing method.

The initial inspiration for this book came via a tweet that described the pursuit of Whalley and Goffe as the greatest manhunt of the 17th century. In a flash, Harris sensed this story could become a Puritan Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Harris was also intrigued by the awkward dynamic between a man and his son-in-law thrust together in an extreme situation because, he said, much as hed been fond of his own father-in-law, he wouldnt wanted to have gone on the run with him.

A hunt, of course, requires a hunter and the name of the real pursuer of Whalley and Goffe is lost from the historical record, so Harris invented Richard Nayler, a clerk to the Privy Council who will stop at nothing to bring the regicides to justice.

The only fictional character in the book, Nayler is a study in obsession with revenge.

Harris believes that the creation of great characters is key to the success of any novel: They just have to be human enough for you to care about them and then be thrust into an interesting situation.

Asked about his extensive historical research, Harris said that he leaves most of it out of the book, explaining: Just because something is true, doesnt make it interesting.

More important than facts in creating historical atmosphere were his characters speech patterns. Ingeniously, Harris found that applying the word order of French sentences to English dialogue instantly thrust his characters back into the 17th century.

Harris steeped himself in the language of the time by reading letters and speeches of the Civil Wars key players.

Despite their interest in big questions which still preoccupy us, like who should rule the country and how to worship God, their lives are not much written about now.

Harris suggested that this is because the Civil War period is highly complicated and lacks the romance of the Tudors as well as any obvious goodies and

baddies.

Nevertheless, he pointed out, the 17th century has direct legacies in our modern world, from the religious rights overturning of Roe vs Wade in the US to the Accession Council ceremony of Charles III. Harris wrote the bulk of Act of Oblivion during the bleak Christmas lockdown of 2020 and this helped him imagine the experience of his fugitives hiding out in cold, dull cellars.

He realised that monotony doesnt make time drag so much as turn it into a blur as the weeks speed by. He used his lockdown well, though, writing a full draft of the book in six months. To do this, he kept to a strict routine of writing 800 words, seven mornings a week, followed by a stiff drink.

Harris ended by saying he hadnt yet decided where next to turn his writerly attention. He was still pleasantly mulling over the possibilities. I cant wait to find out where his pen will land.

Carolyn Kirby
AT first glance there wouldnt seem to be much in common between the latest books from authors Sarah Winman and Patrick Gale, who appeared together before a full house.

The inspiration for Winmans bestselling Still Life was a visit to Florence where she noticed wall markings which denoted the level reached by the river flood of 1966.

She was also drawn by memories of her grandfather who had fought in the Eighth Army campaign to liberate Italy during the Second World War.

By contrast, the world of Gales Mothers Boy is less expansive.

The novel springs from the authors admiration for the Cornish poet Charles Causley, a respectable man who taught in a primary school and whose closest relationship was with his mother.

Causley was once a staple of the school curriculum but seems to be slipping from view and, as Gale explained, one of his hopes for the novel is that it finds the poet a new audience.

Under the skilful questioning of panel chairman Daniel Hahn, both writers described how the war and the travel which came with it broadened the lives of their characters.

Causley found a kind of release from home life during naval service in Gibraltar. Terrible as it was, the war might also have been an enriching experience. If nothing else, the weather was better in the Mediterranean.

Another link between the writers is the broad historical sweep of their novels, covering decades of the 20th century.

Both Winman and Gale underlined the healing power of art, whether poetry or painting.

They also offered plenty of asides on the writing process, including Winmans exuberant account of how a parrot somehow became a fully-fledged character in Still Life.

Altogether, this was an illuminating and entertaining session from two accomplished novelists.

Philip Gooden
BEIJING, Oct.17 -- Recently, medics of the 10th Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent to Mali provided mental health training and free clinic activities for peacekeepers in the Sector East of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). During the event, the Chinese medics applied the mental and physical health monitoring and maintenance system independently developed by the Chinese military for the first time, which served to improve the health screening efficiency.
LORD Pattens presentation was delayed due to the combination of the previous speaker, Sarah Ferguson, leaving at the same time as his audience queued to enter the venue.

Telegraph columnist Tim Stanley introduced Lord Pattens early career as working in research for the Conservative Party after leaving Oxford University, followed by becoming an MP for Bath in 1979.

He was Secretary of State for the Environment under Margaret Thatcher and then chairman of the party when John Major was prime minister.

On losing his seat in the next election of 1992, he ruefully admitted it was a mixed blessing because Mr Major had wanted him to become the next Chancellor.

Instead Norman Lamont took the role and faced an economic crisis.

Lord Patten was appointed governor of Hong Kong to prepare the colony for handing back to China in 1997, in accordance with the original lease emanating from the Opium Wars.

He said it was a difficult and controversial task, unlike other Commonwealth countries preparing for independence upon leaving the British Empire with their established legal and democratic systems.

In the case of Hong Kong, the task was to return the country to China while also attempting to retain some democratic systems.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration Treaty signed in 1984 allowed for one country, two systems, with a pledge to maintain the existing structures of government and economy in place for as long as 50 years.

Lord Patten freely admitted that during the lengthy negotiations with China, he should have concentrated more on defining and refining the democratic institutions, which came under attack from China very soon after the

handover.

Hong Kong had been noted as being open and liberal, with right of free speech and adherence to the rules of law.

With great regret, he saw the Chinese government disregard these long-standing hallmarks of Hong Kong society, intent upon strictly applying the mainland Chinese rule by law instead.

This led to widespread protests, harsh treatment and imprisonment for many who voiced opposition.

Lord Patten said he had returned to Hong Kong several times since the handover, the last in 2017.

It was clear that the Chinese pledge to maintain one country, two systems for 50 years was completely broken.

The Government had even started to rewrite school text books to describe Hong Kong as being formerly an occupied country and not as a British colony.

Some of his friends were now in prison and there was no longer right of free speech.

A Catholic, he was also critical of the Vaticans decision to cede the right to appoint bishops. Hong Kongs former Bishop Zen, now in his nineties, was in prison for being an outspoken opponent of the regime.

Asked about the threat from the Chinese to invade Taiwan, Lord Patten said it was most unlikely as the island was very well-protected with British defence systems. Such action would also would ruin the Chinese economy because its international trade would suffer.

On the question of Chinese repression of its own people, he said it was our duty to firmly apply a moral code, call out wrongs in the face of injustice and not be deflected by the need to comprise.

His views were strongly supported by the capacity audience.

Terry Grourk
Refurbishment and redevelopment of the Central Hotel in Dublin city centre commenced in Q2 2022

Irish interior designer Bryan O'Sullivan to deliver the hotel alongside Ennismore and BCP Capital

The historic facade and fabric of the iconic building is being retained and refurbished

Opening of the Central Hotel as a Hoxton planned for 2024

Deutsche Finance International ("DFI"), the pan-European private equity real estate investor which manages over 3.3 billion of assets and specialises in customer-centric real estate, and BCP Capital, the London and Dublin focused value-add real estate manager of 1.0 billion in assets, have signed a long-term agreement with Ennismore - the lifestyle hospitality company - to operate the Central Hotel as Ireland's first Hoxton. The 129-room hotel located in Dublin city centre is scheduled to open in 2024, with the agreement reflecting a strong conviction in the post-pandemic recovery of the Irish tourism industry and leisure market.

The Hoxton is a series of open-house hotels inspired by the diversity and originality of its local neighbourhoods and communities. Operating in some of the most exciting cities around the world, including London (locations in Shoreditch, Holborn and Southwark), Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome, Chicago, Williamsburg, Portland and Downtown LA, The Hoxton is celebrated for its thoughtful design, open plan lobbies, and destination dining. Further openings in the pipeline ahead of Dublin include Brussels, a second property in Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Berlin and Vienna.

Acquired by DFI and BCP Capital in 2019, the Central Hotel is located on Exchequer Street, just off Grafton Street, one of Dublin's prime retail and leisure destinations. Plans are progressing for the careful refurbishment and expansion of the hotel, incorporating neighbouring buildings, which will restore the Central Hotel and its iconic Library Bar as a cultural landmark in the city centre. Award-winning Irish interior designer Bryan O'Sullivan will deliver the hotel alongside Ennismore and BCP Capital. As part of the redevelopment there will be a significant increase in the existing bar, night venue and restaurant space, including a revitalized Ri-Ra nightclub and The Globe bar. The redevelopment is being financed with a loan from a fund managed by an affiliate of Apollo Global Management.

Hotel website
The stars of the travel, tourism and hospitality aligned at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, Kenya to find out who amongst them had won the industrys ultimate annual honours.

A capacity audience of 400 VIP guests, industry figureheads and media were in attendance for a sensational World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2022.

Big winners at the red-carpet reception included Maldives winning Indian Oceans Leading Destination and Indian Oceans Leading Tourist Board. Cape Town picked up the coveted honour of Africas Leading City Destination. Kenya topped off an evening that will live long in the memory by scooping the major title of Africas Leading Destination, capital Nairobi claimed the prize for Africas Leading Business Travel Destination and KICC for Africas Leading Meetings & Conference Centre. Indian Oceans Leading Wedding Destination went to Mauritius, while Indian Oceans Leading Honeymoon Destination was won by Seychelles. Thanda Island took the trophy for Africas Leading Luxury Island.

The event marked the return of business tourism with a bang, and gave cause for unbridled celebration for Kenya Airways with a hat-trick of top aviation honours. Kenyas flagship carrier claimed success in categories for Africas Leading Airline - Business Class, Africas Leading Airline Brand and the ultimate prize of Africas Leading Airline. Ethiopian Airlines took the title of Africas Leading Airline  Economy Class. Air Seychelles celebrated with the honour of Indian Oceans Leading Airline with Indian Oceans Leading Airline Brand won by Air Mauritius.

Travel industry VIPs from 25 nations attended World Travel Awards comeback event at KICC in heart of Kenyas vibrant capital city, Nairobi.

Graham Cooke, Founder, WTA, said: What a breath-taking event and what a truly memorable experience was had by our blue-chip audience. WTA had the privilege of recognising the regions leading lights as the industry marked its triumphant return in style. As stellar examples of tourism excellence, our winners have helped to once again raise the bar.

Nairobi is a pulsating city, rich in heritage but with a dynamic, forward-thinking business focus. And at its epicentre is the majestic KICC. I would like to put on record my heartfelt thanks to Nana Gecaga  the KICCs superstar CEO and her fabulous team, as well as extend my gratitude to our generous Event Partners and Supporting Partners. Ive been travelling the globe for the last 29 years heading up our annual Grand Tour of gala ceremonies. Tonight was amongst the very best Ive had the privilege of leading. As the industry bounces back better and stronger, Kenya should take its place at the high table of world class tourism destinations.

The refined elegance of Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club claimed the ultimate hospitality award for Africas Leading Hotel, with Radisson Blu taking top honour for Africas Leading Hotel Brand. Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, South Africa won the prize for Africas Leading Boutique Hotel with Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Nigeria taking the title Africas Leading Business Hotel

The hotly contested category for Indian Oceans Leading New Resort went to Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island; the award for Indian Oceans Leading Beach Resort went to Andilana Beach Resort; Madagascar, Indian Oceans Leading Luxury Island Resort was awarded to Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi; and Indian Oceans Leading Resort was won by Vakkaru Maldives.

Travel provider winners included Flight Centre, South Africa (Africas Leading Travel Agency) and Thompsons Africa (South Africas Leading Destination Management Company). In the Indian Ocean region top honours went to Get Into Maldives Travel Indian Oceans Leading Luxury Tour Operator, Simply Maldives (Indian Oceans Leading Travel Agency) with Mautourco taking the honours for both Indian Oceans Leading Destination Management Company and Indian Oceans Leading Tour Operator.

The next red carpet events on the WTA Grand Tour 2022 will take place in Amman, Jordan (Middle East) followed by Muscat, Oman (Grand Final).

Find more information and a full list of winners on the official WTA website.

About World Travel Awards

WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

WTA gala ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

For more information about WTA visit worldtravelawards.com.

World Travel Awards

+44 (0) 20 7925 0000

World Travel Awards
A new platform, Hospitality Unite, has launched to support refugees and their families by providing access to hospitality job opportunities, backed by the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

Initially running as a pilot for Ukrainian refugees looking for hospitality work throughout Europe, the platform provides a centralised space for hotel brands to post job opportunities, and a simple online system for refugees to apply and interview for roles while in transit or looking to leave Ukraine.

The website, which is available in both Ukrainian and English, is already posting jobs from leading brands including Radisson Hotels Group, Accor and IHG Hotels & Resorts. The site will be shared with refugees via disaster relief agencies, and Ukrainian and other local media.

The ambition is that this platform can be rolled out globally, both in response to a disaster and as an ongoing support mechanism for the almost 90 million people who are currently forcibly displaced worldwide.[1]

Free to use by hotels and refugee job seekers, the platform is powered by Harri, experts in hospitality workforce management. Any hotel seeking to support refugees with employment opportunities can apply to participate in the initiative. At the start, this will apply to hotel properties in countries that have granted the right to work for Ukrainian refugees. Hotels and other support agencies are also encouraged to register their interest for expanding the reach of the platform.

This platform demonstrates the role that the hospitality industry can and continues to play supporting people within local communities around the world. Through our members and our partnership with Harri, we were able to create a hub which gives refugees a centralised portal to access opportunities in real-time. Our aim is that this resource is applicable not just to this present crisis, but the ongoing situations that refugees and internally displaced people continue to experience across the globe, said Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

Hospitality Unite already has a commitment from several leading global hotel brands that formed part of the steering group to help with the Ukrainian disaster and make this incredible initiative a reality. Their European hotels are actively seeking additional staff and they recognise that displaced Ukrainian nationals are motivated and skilled recruits in need of opportunity, said Pete Willis, Commercial Director at Harri

In addition to bringing together the hotel industry, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is working with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to make employment opportunities available to refugees, along with the Tent Partnership for Refugees (Tent)  a network of major companies committed to economically integrating refugees in their new communities.

Live for Ukrainian refugees, the Hospitality Unite platform can be accessed here: https://ukraine-refugee-relief.ourstory.harri.com/. Hotels and support agencies interested in getting involved can find further information and register their interest here: https://sustainablehospitalityalliance.org/hospitality-unite.

Support from industry partners

The heart of hospitality is people. In the midst of turmoil, people come together as local, national and global communities. This is what we in the hospitality industry do every day, we open our doors and hearts to take care of people. Hospitality is therefore the perfect home for those in crisis, a place where they can find work, connections and community. The hospitality sector is open to all, both those with and without experience, who care and who want to be part of something special. Accor is proud to be part of Hospitality Unite and commits to working with all those that we hire to help rebuild and grow their community and ours with them. Anne-Sophie Beraud, SVP Diversity & Inclusion Accor:

At IHG Hotels & Resorts, it is in our culture to bring to life our purpose of True Hospitality for Good by giving back to the communities that our thousands of hotels are part of. We are proud to see this same commitment to make a difference to the world around us is shared by the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and our peers, and this new platform is an incredibly meaningful way to do just that. Karin Sheppard, SVP & MD Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts:

We are proud co-initiators of Hospitality Unite, a hospitality job-search page for refugees, developed in partnership with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. In Radisson Hotel Group and across the industry, hospitality is home to great talent with rich and diverse backgrounds that see in hotels an opportunity to accelerate their careers in an environment full of opportunities. Radisson Hotel Group is an inclusive and diverse company committed to helping refugees and those in need to find employment, a fundamental pillar in times of need. This dedicated job-search page, powered by the Harri recruitment platform, is a significant, great new step for the industry. Daniel Afonso, Senior Vice President, Global Talent, Rewards & HR Technology at Radisson Hotel Group

[1] UNHCR, 2021, available from: https://www.unhcr.org/uk/figures-at-a-glance.html

About Harri

Harri is the global leader in Frontline Employee Experience. The Harri platform is built for companies that have service at the heart of their business and believe that the customer experience will never exceed the employee experience. The Harri suite of talent attraction, workforce management, employee engagement and compliance technologies enable organizations to intelligently attract, manage, engage and retain the best talent to run and improve their business. Harri serves over 20,000 restaurant and hotel locations and four million hospitality employees globally with emerging growth in retail and healthcare. www.harri.com

About Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance brings together engaged hospitality companies and uses the collective power of the industry to deliver impact locally and on a global scale. They work with leading hospitality companies and strategic partners to address key challenges affecting our planet and its people and develop practical resources and programmes to enable the wider industry to operate responsibly and grow sustainably.

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they commit to drive continued action on human rights, youth employment, climate action and water stewardship. Their members make up over 35% of the global hotel industry by rooms and include 21 world-leading hotel companies including Marriott International, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt and Radisson Hotels Group as well as regional brands. For further information, visit www.sustainablehospitalityalliance.org.
The easing of Covid travel restrictions has meant growth for Singapores hotel market, with investors also showing increasing interest.

Transactions have favoured the mid-market segment, while operations remain under pressure because of the straitened labour market.

JLL reported that the island had recorded US$899.7m in hotel transactions in the first half of the year, with the mid-market seeing the bulk of the deals.

Noel Neo, head of Singapore mid-markets, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, said: Singapores mid-market hotel segment is firmly on investors radars as they take a longer-term view on changing consumption habits and new conversion opportunities available to operators. The pandemic highlighted the sectors role in accommodating longer-term stays, and we see a broader push from the mid-market space to transform properties into co-living spaces.

The trend of co-living conversion was highlighted by the launch of LHN Group Four Stars joint venture under the Coliwoo brand and the more recent partnership between SLB Development and Weave Living to convert the Hotel Clover in Jalan Sultan into a co-living property.

Despite the growing interest in the flexible mid market, there was continued focus on the luxury sector, as part of wider supply increases. HVS reported that 14 additional hotels with 3,443 keys would open in Singapore by 2026, with four hotels with 663 keys due to open by the end of the year. Openings this year in the luxury segment include The Singapore Edition, Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa and Pan Pacific Orchard.

Commenting on The Singapore Edition, Craig S. Smith, Asia Pacific president & managing director of Marriott International, said: Singapore is one of the most important business and travel hubs in Asia Pacific and the world. We are very excited to enhance our luxury hotel portfolio and bring more options to this vibrant city.

As of YTD June 2022, HVS reported that Singapore hotels saw a year-on-year drop in occupancy by 2.6 percentage points, as it was no longer benefiting from the quarantine market. Once the international border re-opened, the room rates and revpar increased by 77.3% and 70.6% year-on-year respectively, with Bloomberg reporting in September that rooms had reached a decade high in terms of rate.

Douglas Louden, senior asset manager, Global Asset Solutions, said: April saw Singapore open its borders to fully-vaccinated travellers, with limitations on group gatherings also lifted. As one would expect, this has meant a boost to travel numbers, with hotels returning to traditional operations after years of quarantine service."

A shortage of labour is putting pressure on hotels, particularly in the luxury segment, creating a greater need for operational expertise. Rates are rising, but so are the demands of guests, freed to travel for the first time in a long time and meeting their needs and the requirements of the owners will be a challenge as the region reopens.

For YTD June 2022, Singapore saw 1.71 million arrivals, up 773.8% on the year, with the Singapore Tourism Board forecasting 4 million to 6 million visitors for the full year.

While investors are looking at domestic deals, the growing move into the mainstream of hotels as an asset class has seen Singapore making investments in the global hotel market. Most recently sovereign wealth fund GIC purchased a stake in Greeces Sani/Ikos Group. The deal that valued the luxury resort group at 2.3bn, one of the biggest deals in Europe since the start of the pandemic.

With GIC committed to viewing hotels as a long-term prospect, many are now viewing Singapores hotel sector the same way.

About Global Asset Solutions

Global Asset Solutions operates worldwide and is the largest independent asset manager in Europe, with assets under management worth over $15bn. The company leans on decades of experience in the luxury sector to deliver bespoke solutions which allow investors to grow their asset value and realise the potential of their assets. www.globalassetsolutions.com

Alex Sogno

CEO & Senior Hotel Asset Manager

Global Asset Solutions
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) announced that Carson Booth, CHTP will join the association as its Chief Operations Officer (COO)  Europe, starting November 1, 2022. Booth will take on the position held by Carl Weldon since 2016 upon his retirement at the end of October. Booth brings decades of international, hospitality industry experience in management and technology-centered positions.

"HFTP continues to grow throughout the globe because the industry continues to request it," said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE, FIH. "Because of our partnerships, Carls retirement and hospitality technology evolution in Europe, HFTP needed an on-the-ground expert with a keen understanding of the internal workings of hospitality technology. HFTP is enormously fortunate to have someone of Carsons caliber join our team.

Booth has held top positions across multiple sectors within hospitality. Most recently he worked as COO of a U.K. hospitality payments startup and as CEO of SnapShot, a Shiji Group brand. He also served as Global VP, Property Technology for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and general manager for the Starwood International Licensing Company Sarl, Luxembourg.

Throughout his career, Booth has volunteered his expertise by serving as a director on multiple industry association boards, including HFTP and HTNG. He has particular insight on HFTP in Europe, having served as chair of the HITEC Europe Advisory Council.

Booth will be responsible for promoting HFTPs professional benefits and events in the region. This includes a renewal of HFTP Europe activities which were slowed at the start of the pandemic, including HITEC Europe, but have since ramped up with regular virtual HFTP Europe Hangouts and several CIO/CFO dinners. As COO Europe, Booth will develop new HFTP Europe conferences coming in 2023.

Based in Berlin, Booth will also work extensively with HFTPs other locations in the United States, Middle East and India.

HFTP Europe is meeting later this month in London on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. The event, Industry Updates, Cocktails and a Fond Farewell will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at cloudM at citizenM Tower of London. At the center of the evening, Weldon will be honored for his contributions to HFTP. A well-known and well-regarded industry personality, Weldon has been key to building HFTP Europe. RSVP for this event.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with offices in United Kingdom, Netherlands and Dubai. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP uniquely understands the industry's pressing issues, and assists its stakeholders in finding solutions to their challenges more efficiently than any organization. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org. For the latest news, visit the HFTP News page at news.hftp.org and the HFTP Connect blog at blog.hftp.org.

Eliza Selig

Staff VP, Marketing and Communications

+1 512 220 4026

HFTP
Company policies restricting business travel are diminishing for both small and large organizations. The negative impacts of reduced business travel are increasingly evident.

The current state: Less than half of companies (42%) have policies in place restricting business travel as a result of the pandemicdown from 50% in Q2.

Go deeper: Larger companies are more likely than smaller companies to have numerous travel policies in placeparticularly related to cost controls or spending limitations.

Looming hurdles: According to the latest Q3 Business Travel Index, business travel activity is expected to moderate in the coming months as a result of unfavorable economic conditions.

With many economists now anticipating a mild recession in 2023, companies will likely pull back on their spending and business travel activity in the coming months.

By the numbers: While four in 10 corporate executives surveyed plan to spend the same or more in the next six months on group business travel such as conferences, conventions and trade shows, more than six in 10 expect their company will spend less on all types of business travel over the next six months compared to 2019.

A smaller share of business travelers in Q3 expect to take at least one trip in the next six months, compared to Q2.

What else: remote work does not appear to have a meaningful impact on business travel activity. Remote workers expect MORE business travel in the next six months than in-office workers.

Impacts of reduced business travel is increasingly evident for both business travelers and corporate executives.

Business travel is considered essential for more than three-quarters of corporate executives.

Up from Q2, four in 10 corporate executives say reduced business travel is negatively impacting their companys financial performance.

Developing relationships continue to be considered the most critical component of business travel to job performance for both business travelers and corporate executives.

What else: Executives and business travelers see increasing value to employee professional development as a meeting in person to attend conference conventions, trade shows or meet with customers and other stakeholders.

A bright spot: Nearly nine in 10 (86%) of corporate executives organizations surveyed have sustainable corporate travel policies in place.

And if more sustainable business travel options were readily available and accessible, both executives and business travelers would increase their business travel overall.

View the Business Travel Tracker's Key Findings here.

View source
In the hospitality industry, guest communication plays a pivotal role in shaping the guest experience. It influences guest booking decisions, sets expectations prior to arrival, and ensures guests feel welcome and well taken care of during their stay.

In recent years, however, customer communications have changed dramatically. The number of communication channels has expanded , with companies implementing an average of 3.5 new channels as a result of the pandemic. More consumers are choosing to interact with businesses on digital channels over in-person or the telephone. And the speed of mobile communications has created higher expectations than ever before for real-time responses. Meanwhile, staffing shortages have left hotels struggling to uphold service standards.

How can accommodation operators overcome the challenges? Here we discuss how to avoid common communication mistakes, provide a snapshot of communication solutions available to hotels today, and share actionable tips for managing professional communications at every stage of the guest journey.

What is guest communication in hospitality?

Guest communication refers to the sharing of information between a hospitality business and its guests, whether in person, on the telephone, or through digital channels like SMS, email, live chat, WhatsApp, and Messenger.

The importance of communication to the guest experience

The manner in which hotels communicate with travelers has far-reaching implications, influencing sentiment and behavior throughout the travelers journey, including:

Impressions of the property and its staff

Decisions whether or not to book a room

Expectations upon arrival

On-property purchase decisions

Ratings and comments in post-stay surveys and reviews

Decisions whether or not to return

Given whats at stake, hotels must build a communication strategy that ensures a positive experience at every stage of the guest journey. This includes:

Pre-stay communications such as confirmations and pre-arrival messaging.

communications such as confirmations and pre-arrival messaging. In-stay communications, such as information shared at check-in and throughout the stay.

communications, such as information shared at check-in and throughout the stay. Post-stay communications, such as requests for feedback and promotional offers to come back.

Learn more about managing the three stages of the guest experience.

The role of the front desk in guest communication

As the central hub of guest service and communication, the front desk plays a critical role in shaping guest sentiment and behavior. Traditionally, most on-property guest interactions have been handled in person or by telephone. Today, more communications and transactions are taking place on digital channels, from guest messaging via SMS, chat apps, and social media messaging to mobile check-in and contactless payments.

These multiple modes of communication preferences create several challenges for hotel management:

There is less face-to-face contact with guests.

There are more communication channels to manage.

Guests still expect a presence at the front desk.

Expectations of a quick response are higher than ever.

Poor communication can lead to lost business and bad reviews.

To minimize the risks, hoteliers must be aware of the potential pitfalls of poor guest communications and strive for proactive and transparent communications in the front office and across every department on property.

Learn more about exceeding guest expectations in hospitality.

Related video:

Today's guests expect a frictionless, tailor-made experience. How does technology help?

5 guest communication mistakes and how to avoid them

Lets start with the potential pitfalls and how to overcome them.

Not listening.

Listening is the most important communication skill for hospitality staff. If you dont understand what guests want, you cant fulfill their needs. This is a common challenge in digital communications because employees are often multitasking and messages are skimmed or misinterpreted. To avoid miscommunications, staff must take the time to read messages carefully, pay close attention to detail, and ask questions to clarify. Only then can they be confident their responses will meet the guests needs.

Delays in replying.

The longer a property takes to respond to a guests query, the more impatient the guest may become. If the guest is using live chat to inquire about a reservation or pricing, it could lead to lost business. If the guest is in-house, it may result in a bad review. To ensure guests receive prompt responses, hotels should set standards for minimum response times and consider utilizing messaging platforms with built-in automation tools like auto-replies, escalation triggers, and chatbots.

Poor choice of words.

When dealing with guests in person, employees can draw on visual and vocal cues like tone of voice and eye contact to convey empathy and understanding. On digital channels, staff must rely solely on written verbal cues. Its therefore important to pay close attention to the words you use and the tone they convey. To calm and reassure guests, the underlying message should always be, I understand, and Im here to help.

Sending too many messages.

Todays communication tools make it easy to keep in touch with guests, but be careful not to be overly communicative. If guests feel bombarded by messages, they will opt out. This is particularly true of promotional emails and texts. Strive for a balance between service messages and promotional messages. For example, special offers like a room upsell, or late checkout can enhance the stay while also generating incremental revenue.

Not responding to reviews.

Whether you receive positive reviews or negative ones, a thoughtful management response not only strengthens traveler perceptions of the property, it can also increase bookings. According to Tripadvisor, when a property owner leaves personalized responses to reviews, 77% of Tripadvisor travelers are more likely to book as a result. To leverage the benefits, hoteliers should utilize review tools to collect feedback and establish standards such as responding to negative reviews within 24 hours.

Learn more tips, strategies, and tools for taking control of guest feedback.

8 actionable tips for providing better guest communication

In addition to preventing common mistakes, its also important to take a proactive approach to managing guest communications. Consider the following practices:

Get a head start on the guests stay.

Rather than wait until check-in to find out guest preferences, send a pre-stay email or text inviting the guest to start planning their stay. Guests will be impressed when you have everything in order upon arrival. You can even use this as an opportunity to offer them a room upgrade to build incremental revenue.

Be transparent about changes to operations.

Use pre-stay messaging to set guest expectations and ensure there are no unpleasant surprises upon arrival. For example, if renovations are taking place on property or the restaurant is closed for a private event, take advantage of the efficiency of messaging platforms to inform guests in advance and provide alternatives instead of having them find out last minute, which can lead to a bad experience.

Give guests more control over their stay.

Allow guests the choice of helping themselves rather than waiting in line with self-service options like online check-in, mobile concierge services, and self-checkout. Use an FAQ, digital directory, or chatbot to provide quick answers to common questions.

Never overlook the importance of courtesy and professionalism.

Digital communications tend to be briefer and more direct than in-person communications, but that doesnt mean sacrificing courtesy and professionalism. Personalize digital communications by addressing the guest by name when appropriate and identifying who you are and your department or position.

Allow guests to contact you on their preferred channels.

Everyone has their preferred way to communicate, whether its by email, phone, webchat, SMS, WhatsApp, or Messenger. Strive to maintain an active presence on as many channels as possible without compromising service standards. Todays guest messaging platforms make it easy by consolidating messages from multiple channels into one unified inbox that can even be integrated with your property management system so you can handle all your guest communication and data in one place.

Choose the right channel for the right types of messages.

Depending on the situation, its sometimes appropriate to change communication channels. For example, if a guest is angry or frustrated, its a good idea to pick up the phone to resolve the issue. If youre sharing directions or complicated instructions, send the information by email or text with supporting images or links.

Give guests the option of communicating in their preferred language.

Some people prefer digital communications because they dont speak the local language. By using a guest messaging platform that integrates with Google Translate, you can quickly interpret messages and respond in the guests preferred language. To prevent misunderstandings, always inform guests when youre using a translation tool.

Use automation to ensure consistency in communications.

When staff get busy, tasks can be delayed or forgotten. With a guest communication platform, you can save time by automating certain messages and ensure guests receive important information at the right time. This includes reservation confirmations, pre-arrival messages, post-stay review requests, and special offers to return.

Guest communication platforms

In recent years, all sorts of solutions have been developed to help hotels streamline and automate both external guest communications and internal communications among staff. Here are a few of the most popular options:

Whistle

Whistle for Cloudbeds is a top-rated guest messaging platform that integrates with your PMS and helps properties provide 5-star guest engagement from discovery to post-stay with communication tools that include messaging apps, video, and webchat. Whistle for Cloudbeds has helped properties gain 24% more service recovery opportunities with their comprehensive platform.

HelloShift

HelloShift helps modern hoteliers go digital with an easy-to-use all-in-one platform that includes flexible and automated guest messaging, staff collaboration, housekeeping management, and more.

GuestHub

Guesthub is a Guest Experience Management System that enhances the interaction between your guests and internal staff, improving efficiency, accountability, and traceability of every request made.

GuestTalk

GuestTalk creates an instant and direct connection between guests and properties, allowing them to send requests via smartphone and properties to promote their services directly to guests.

HelloHere

HelloHere acts like an assistant by providing guests with important information like check-in details, WiFi code, and house rules, as well as sharing your top recommendations for local attractions.

All of these solutions offer integrations with the Cloudbeds hospitality platform. To check out more options, see our integration partners page.

An example of effective guest communication in action: The Pad

Guest communication is important for every property, from hotels to vacation rentals and short-term rentals. Here is just one example of how a lodging business can successfully use guest communication:

In Silverthorne, Colorado, The Pad operates on an innovative hybrid business model which combines the best features of both hotels and hostels. To help drive direct bookings and support the overall guest experience, the company employs Cloudbeds software across the property.

This includes using the Whistle communication platform to automate pre-arrival guest registration and streamline the check-in process. After just eight months of operation, The Pad has achieved a high rate of 60 to 65% direct bookings and an average guest review rating of 95% with over 1,000 reviews. Their performance can be attributed to the companys commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences and harnessing technology to improve guest communications.

[Whistle] is a big help to both our staff and guests in terms of increasing and improving communication between parties to make things more seamless, said Kevin Bowen, Director of Operations. Read the full case study.

About Cloudbeds

Cloudbeds provides the platform that powers hospitality, driving streamlined operations, increasing reservations and revenue, and enabling memorable guest experiences for lodging businesses of all sizes and types across the globe. The award-winning Cloudbeds Hospitality Platform seamlessly combines solutions for front desk, revenue, distribution, guest acquisition and guest engagement in a single unified system, enhanced by a marketplace of third-party integrations. Cloudbeds was named No. 1 PMS and No. 1 Hotel Management System by Hotel Tech Report in 2022 and recognized by Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 in 2021. For more information, visit www.cloudbeds.com.
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Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Cloudy and damp with rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Low 43F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Cloudy and damp with rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Low 43F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Williamstown Board's Try to Make Housing Affordable Called 'Madness'

Updated Monday morning to clarify a point about the towns existing accessory dwelling unit bylaw.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  After June's annual town meeting referred back most of an ambitious slate of proposals from the Planning Board, the panel is preparing a simpler, more focused set of proposed bylaw amendments that it hopes will be more readily understood by members of town meeting 2023.

Last week, the board heard a sample of just how objectionable some residents can find even the simplest of ideas.

"I may be the only person in this room feeling this way, but it seems like madness has taken hold of the Planning Board," Rhon Ernest-Jones told the board.

Ernest-Jones was speaking in response to a draft warrant article that would essentially replace the term "mobile home" in the zoning bylaw with the more contemporary term "manufactured home" and allow said structures in all residential areas subject to the same rules as any other home.

Advocates argue that such a change would acknowledge advancements in the manufactured home industry that looks very different from the "mobile homes" that were common when the bylaw was enacted in the 1950s. And, more importantly, permitting manufactured homes would open up the town to a housing option that is significantly less expensive than conventional stick-built homes.

The bylaw on the table specifically would allow homes "built in conformance with the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards," a U.S. Housing and Urban Development regime that was enacted in 1974 to enforce "appropriate standards for the construction, design, performance, and installation of manufactured homes to assure their quality, durability, affordability, and safety.

Ernest-Jones, who has a background in construction, accused the Planning Board of trying to trick the town by changing the terminology from "mobile" to "manufactured."

"I think we're sugar-coating with terminology changing, total sugar-coating," Ernest-Jones said. "I have no idea why you're changing a name like that other than bamboozling people into thinking it's not a mobile home. An 8-by-40 foot, manufactured on a chassis home is a mobile home.

"I think it's inexcusable, in a way, to propose to sugar coat it by a name change."

Earlier this fall, the Planning Board sat down with a representative from the manufactured home industry who detailed the quality standards required for a HUD-certified home, the economies of scale created by the manufactured home industry and the ways in which modern manufactured homes are indistinguishable from stick-built residences.

Ernest-Jones said if the town wanted to allow what he continued to refer to as "mobile homes," they should only be permitted in "parks that are well-conceived, well-managed and the rules strictly enforced."

Citing his experience in municipal government in other places, Ernest-Jones said, "our first-responders spent 90 percent of their time in these mobile home parks."

Randy Fippinger, who was at Tuesday's meeting to speak on a different topic, went to the microphone right after Ernest-Jones.

"I have seen many communities successfully have manufactured housing as an [accessory dwelling unit]," Fippinger said. "My mom lived in one, and I spent a good deal of my childhood living in one. It was an ADU, and it did not destroy our community."

The four current Planning Board members did not appear to be swayed by Ernest-Jones' argument. But one member made his own case for greater regulation of manufactured homes and also suggested the board concentrate on expanding the opportunity to create mobile home parks beyond the town's single such park, Pine Lodge Park off Henderson Road.

Roger Lawrence opened Tuesday's discussion with a presentation of his research into the manufactured home question, largely focusing on the advantages of strong rules that make existing parks in the region more favorable for tenants. Lawrence also asked his colleagues whether a bylaw change that allows more manufactured homes should include "form-based" codes that regulate the look of such structures.

Peter Beck immediately responded that he did not favor any form-based rules that would be targeted at a specific type of housing, and the town does currently have requirements for design elements like roof pitch or landscaping around homes.

Beck did agree with Lawrence that the town should look at opening up the possibility for additional manufactured home parks, but he said allowing manufactured homes on single lots throughout town is a good first step.

Lawrence noted that parks are often more affordable than single-lot manufactured homes because the latter requires additional expense for land acquisition whereas parks often have allow home owners to rent the land beneath the home.

"Do we achieve affordability by allowing anyone to tear down any existing building lot, tear down an existing building, and put up three manufactured homes on it?" Lawrence asked, referring to how a new manufactured home bylaw would interact with the town's existing ADU bylaw. "Yes, it probably will be cheaper to get three units on a piece of property, but will that be good for the neighborhood, and will that be more affordable for anyone who lives in those buildings?"

Planning Board Chair Stephanie Boyd clarified Monday morning that while the ADU bylaw does allow a two-unit home and a detached ADU on a single lot, it also requires a five-year waiting period between applications for the first and second accessory unit and caps the total number of buildings at two.

Beck at last weeks meeting countered Lawrence's point about land costs.

"Last year, we said, 'Maybe we'd have cheaper homes if lots were smaller,' and people said, 'Yeah, but construction costs are so high,'" Beck said. "Now, we're saying, we have a cheaper form of construction. We can't then say, Yeah, but land costs are so high.' We've got to chip away at these costs one way or the other."

Enacting the bylaw amendment as drafted could have another benefit to the town: bringing the bylaw into compliance with existing state law.

Attorney Elisabeth Goodman, like Fippinger at the meeting to talk about town meeting procedures in her capacity as town moderator, pointed the Planning Board to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40A , Section 3, which reads, in part, "No zoning ordinance or bylaw shall regulate or restrict the use of materials, or methods of construction of structures regulated by the state building code."

"Is manufactured housing regulated by the building code, and, if so, how can the Planning Board regulate that?" Goodman asked.

Town Planner Andrew Groff said that although Williamstown is not alone in the commonwealth in prohibiting that type of housing outside mobile home parks, he agreed that Chapter 40A puts those prohibitions on questionable legal ground.

Groff said the commonwealth's building code, "says you can build it if it has a HUD sticker on it."

"Honestly, I think this is a topic ripe for a legal challenge in Massachusetts if someone wanted to do so," Groff said.

In other business on Tuesday night, the Planning Board discussed the two other potential bylaw amendments it is crafting for May's annual town meeting: one that would open up multi-unit housing for up to three units per residence and another that would reduce the lot frontage requirement in the General Residence district  one of the proposals that was referred back to the Planning Board by this year's annual town meeting.

The board also held a discussion with Fippinger and Goodman about possible changes to the operation of town meeting to make it more accessible to residents and more efficient.
BCC and OLLI to Present Talk from Holocaust Survivor

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Berkshire Community College (BCC) and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at BCC will present "Shattered Crystals: A Talk by Holocaust Survivor Eve Kugler" via Zoom on Wednesday, October 19 at 12:30 p.m.

The free talk is open to all; registration is required. To register and receive a Zoom link, visit www.berkshireolli.org/event-4977519

According to a press release, now age 91, Eve Kugler is one of the few still living who witnessed first-hand the atrocities of the 1930s and 40s. She was born in 1931 in Halle, Germany, where her father owned a department store. Eve grew up alongside her sisters, Ruth and Lea, in a period of ever-increasing repression against Jews. Though her father applied for a visa to Palestine in 1935, the family's application was repeatedly refused.

In October 1938, Eve's 79-year-old grandfather was arrested, along with thousands of other Polish Jews living in Germany, and was returned to Poland in the first Nazi deportation. Ten days later, Kristallnacht occurred. Nazis rampaged through the family home, destroying household possessions and her grandfather's sacred Jewish books before marching Eve's father out to transport him to Buchenwald.

In this talk, she recalls the terror, desperation, determination and series of miraculous tales of survival  including her father's daring escape from a concentration camp  that eventually allowed her family to reunite in America in 1946.

Eve worked as a journalist in the United States until she moved to London in 1990. She created and edits the publication "Shattered Crystals," which contains testimonies of child survivors who attended her high school and is used by educators in the United States and Great Britain. Her book by the same name details her family's Holocaust history.

Eve speaks regularly in schools, synagogues and to civic groups about this history, and she has given presentations throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. She regularly accompanies young people to Poland on the annual March of the Living.
Students of all ages came from district schools, Gateway Regional School District in Huntington, and one attended from Lenox schools. Mann and her teacher School staff assist in traffic crossing with signs. The police department also escorted the group. PreviousNext

Visually Impaired Students Unite for White Cane Awareness Day at Pittsfield High

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  "Yes we can" was the phrase of the day on Friday as students with visual impairments gathered at Pittsfield High School to celebrate White Cane Awareness Day.

"It's nice for them to know that there are others dealing with the same situations," said Lynn Shortis, a district schoolteacher for the visually impaired. "Maybe not the same exact vision issues but they're in the same boat. Some kids have that because there are multiple kids in the same school, it just happens to fall that way, other kids don't have that."

The national day of awareness is on Oct. 15 and has been celebrated since 1964. It recognizes the accomplishments and independent skills of those that are visually impaired.

The cane is an essential tool used by this population to move around freely and safely.

Students of all ages came from district schools, Gateway Regional School District in Huntington, and one attended from Lenox schools. There are about 35 visually impaired students in Pittsfield Public Schools right now.

Students participated in a meet and greet with one another, a virtual presentation through the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), a walk to city hall to meet Mayor Linda Tyer, and lunch at the PHS culinary restaurant.

Meeting the mayor was the highlight of the day for many of the kids, who excitedly greeted her and posed for photos. She was presented with a White Cane Day tee shirt that reads "Yes we can" and joined the kids in chanting the phrase on the City Hall steps.

Three students from Herberg Middle School: Gabbi, Kyron, and Brooke, agreed that they now have sibling bragging rights after meeting Tyer.

During the presentation, it was announced that Gateway student Gabby Mann received the Meg Robertson Award for Orientation and Mobility. Robertson is the former director of the commission's Orientation & Mobility Department.

It was said that O&R has made a tremendous difference for Mann, as she is able to keep pace with her peers and travel in areas that other seventh graders travel in without much supervision. She has also learned to problem-solve in other travel situations, including navigating a dirt driveway in a rural area to catch the bus for school.

Mann's teacher explained that she was hesitant about using the cane about six years ago but grew to be very successful with it and has gained a lot of independence.

"To me, it means our daily living," Gateway student Isabella Vera-Ortiz said. "It's something that whether you become blind later in life, or if you're born blind, most of us use a cane so it means our safety and our travel and independence as many people said. It's very important."
Family Challenge Night to Boost Student Interest in STEAM

PITTSFIELD, Mass  Flying Cloud Institute (FCI) will lead a free night of hands-on science and arts exploration for students in grades K-8 and their families at Hancock Shaker Village on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, from 4:30-6:30 pm.

This is the third STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Challenge Night led by FCI, with support from the Berkshire STEM Pipeline and Hancock Shaker Village. The event coincides with Massachusetts' 5th Annual STEM Week to boost students' interest in STEM fields.

"Flying Cloud Institute looks forward to an exciting evening of creativity and innovation and invites local families to attend. We feel this event is so important for children after two years of disrupted learning during the pandemic," said FCI Executive Director Maria Rundle.

Students and their families will spend the evening problem-solving together in ways that involve exploring, tinkering, and creating.

Several local organizations will be leading challenges: Volunteers from Hancock Shaker Village will help participants explore traditional water turbines and make suncatchers in honor of the work of Korean artist Kimsooja. Berkshire Community College and Berkshire Innovation Center will explore 3-D scanning and printing. Berkshire Museum will challenge students to build and run a zipline, while Berkshire Arts Center leads a Shape Sculpture Building Challenge, and Crane Currency instructs in the art of papermaking. Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing will give each participant a bottle full of glitter "germs" to filter and fill into a vial so that the end result is glitter-free. The Black Arts Council will lead a STEAM activity. Bottomless Bricks will help students design and build catapults using LEGO elements, while an engineer from General Dynamics leads popsicle bridge building competitions. Mass Audubon will host a Wildlife Tracking Challenge where students use field guides and measuring tools to unravel stories written in the tracks of animals. Flying Cloud Institute will present an array of activities including robotics, a Laws of Motion Derby and circuitry artmaking workshop.

In addition, prizes will be raffled off to families, including a Wards Nursery gift card, theater tickets, candy, children's books, Dinosaur Discover Packs, an Atom Building Game, Yellow Scope DNA & Traits Kit, CityScape kits and other fun games. These prizes will be awarded thanks to the generosity of local businesses and organizations including The Gifted Child, Matrushka Toys and Gifts, Price Chopper, Shakespeare and Company, Sweet Dreams Bakery and Ward's Nursery. This event is made possible thanks to contributions by the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing and The Bookloft.
Four journalists are still unaccounted for following the major fire at Irans Evin prison on 15 October. The International Federation of journalists (IFJ) has expressed its grave concern for the fate of the four and called on the authorities to provide urgent updates on their situation. The IFJ has been informed that the families of the four detained journalists have still heard nothing from them following the fire at the prison in Tehran where many political prisoners and journalists are being held.

A picture obtained from the Iranian Mizan News Agency on October 16, 2022 shows damage caused by a fire in the notorious Evin prison, northwest of the Iranian capital Tehran. KOOSHA MAHSHID FALAHI / MIZAN / AFP

Eight prisoners are reported to have died and over 60 were injured following the fire, officials say. While some of the journalists detained have confirmed they were safe to their families, no information has been received from four of them.

Clashes erupted late on 15 october between prisoners and prison personnel at Evin prison leading to a fire at the prison. Several explosions and shooting have been heard and tear gas has been fired at inmates.

According to IFJ statistics, at least 10 journalists are detained in Evin, including some of those arrested during the nationwide protest following Mehsa Aminis murder.

While Elaha Mohammadi, Nilufar Hamedi, Aliya Matlabzadeh, Alireza Khoshbakht, Vida Rabani and Fatemeh Rajabi have called their family and informed them they were safe, four male journalists - Ruhollah Nakhai, Alireza Jabari Darestani, Ahmadreza Halabisaz and Farshid Gurbanpour - have given no news, raising concerns about their fate.

All face-to-face visits in Evin are now on hold and many Iranians have received no information on the situation of family members and friends.

Twenty-four journalists have been arrested since the beginning of the protests in Iran, according to IFJ statistics. Six have been released and 18 remain in jail. Four other journalists were detained before the start of the protest, bringing the total to 22.
ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) Philippines continues to keep its fans on the edge of their seats as they unveil another iteration of its most-awarded gaming smartphone  the ROG Phone 6D Ultimate! Stay tuned on October 21, 2022, at 7:30 pm for the ROG Dare to Be Ultimate Launch on the ROG Philippines Facebook Page as ROG officially announces the availability and pricing of the most powerful gaming smartphone ever made.

Powerful new ROG Phone 6D Ultimate gaming smartphone by MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ kicks off with a livestream tournament

ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE WITH MEDIATEK DIMENSITY 9000+

Mobile gamers can look forward to the unrivaled performance of the ROG Phone 6D Ultimate powered by the flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ with MediaTeks HyperEngine 5.0 gaming technologies. Backed up with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of storage for the most reliable and stable gaming experience.

Favorite features of the gaming smartphone include the ultra-smooth 165Hz AMOLED HDR+ display, the newly upgraded AirTrigger 6 ultrasonic sensors, GameFX audio system for that truly balanced stereo sound effects, the incredibly monstrous 6000mah battery, and the upgraded GameCool 6 cooling system that features the all-new AeroActive Portal for that 20% boost in thermal efficiency that takes gaming with the ROG Phone 6D Ultimate on a different level in competitive scenarios.

ROG HEROES DARE YOU TO BE ULTIMATE

Adding to all the exciting announcements, ROG has invited two of their beloved ROG Heroines, Dexie Diaz and Ann Mateo, to showcase the ROG Phone 6D Ultimate in an intense battle of PUBG: MOBILE and play with chosen fans of the ROG community. Visit their FB pages to sign up and get a chance to play with these ROG Heroines. Watch or play with them live as they showcase the full unrivaled performance of this flagship chipset for sustained marathon gaming sessions.

All these are happening on October 21, 2022, at 7:30 pm on the ROG Philippines Facebook Page. Stay tuned for the latest updates and RSVP to the official event page ASUS ROG Dare To Be Ultimate Launch | Facebook.
Sprout Solutions, the largest homegrown B2B SaaS company in the Philippines, recently held a series of events that educated HR practitioners about the latest HR trends, government updates, and best practices.

Todays working environment constantly evolves, declares Atty. Lester Ople, Sprouts HR Evangelist and Consultant, so HR professionals must be ready and have the tools to manage their people more effectively and cost-efficiently.

These events from Sprout help HR professionals understand the Filipino workforce better and offer fresh insights on how to revolutionize people management.

Reporting on The State of HR in 2022

A conference in partnership with the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) dubbed The State of HR; Key Insights and a Practical Roadmap to Optimize Your HR Practice, talked about post-pandemic practices to attract and retain employees.

The speakers included Patt Soyao, Managing Director and Founder of Icon Executive Asia; Atty. Arlene De Castro, Chief People and Customer Officer of Sprout. They were also joined by HR evangelist and consultant for Sprout, Atty. Lester Ople; and PMAP Vice President, Elizabeth Nasol, DPM.

In a similar forum, Sprout joined the 243rd General Membership Meeting of the PMAP CALABARZON Chapter on Revisiting Rewards and Benefits Policies, which discussed the current state of employer-employee relations.

Guest speakers included Atty. Nepomuceno Leano II, Assistant Regional Director, Region IVA of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Atty. Lester Ople, HR Evangelist and consultant at Sprout.

Atty. Lester Ople talked about the importance of digital maturity. Understanding digital maturity  or an organizations ability to respond and adapt to tech changes  makes it easier to craft the right rewards and benefits policies.

In early September, Sprout was invited to once again speak at PMAPs Regional Summit in the Luzon chapter. The event was named From Inward to Outward: Exponential Growth through Adroit Shift in Mindset.

During the event, Sprouts Chief People and Customer Officer, Atty. Arlene De Castro discussed the importance of the outward paradigm, which involves being proactive and staying future-oriented. She offered practical tips on how to adopt the outward mindset, which include allocating enough resources, proper communication, and building a strong team.

Integrating Performance Management & Development

In line with Sprouts mission to drive digital transformation through its cloud-based, end-to-end HR platform that automates the entire employee life cycle, it hosted a webinar called HR Experts: Levelling Up Your Performance and Learning Management Process. The online event featured Eduardo Gutierrez, Sprouts Director of Product Marketing and Innovation, who discussed Performance+, the first HR solution in the Philippines that combines performance and learning management into one system.

The world is changing fast and we have to change with it, Gutierrez stated. The key aspect is development, which is aligned with learning and performance. Performance+ simplifies career development. It measures how your employees do their jobs and provides the support they need.

Addressing Occupational Safety & Health

The pandemic has changed the standards of worker safety, prompting Sprout to hold a webinar about best practices in employee health and safety.

Aptly named Occupational Safety and Health: How it Will Evolve with the Shifting Work Environment key speakers included Ronahlee Asuncion, Ph.D., Dean, UP College of Labor and Industrialization who talked about best practices in Occupational Safety and Health. Meanwhile, Atty. Psydi Mae Oatemar, Sprouts legal counsel, discussed the latest trends and technologies to help businesses succeed in hybrid work.

Sprouts First-Ever Client Summit Kick-off

Meanwhile, Sprout Solutions strengthened its client relations with its first-ever client summit dubbed Sprout Solutions Client Summit: Leveraging HR Technology to Drive Transformational Change. Over 300 HR leaders attended the event where the latest HR trends and updates on Sprouts end-to-end cloud HR platform were discussed.

Attendees of the eventful summit, included Sprouts CEO and Co-Founder, Patrick Gentry, Chief Product Officer, Kislay Chandra, Chief People, and Customer Officer, Atty. Arlene De Castro and HR Evangelist, Atty. Lester Ople. They were joined by special guest speakers, Jose Kahn, President and Chief Operations Officer of Kahn Do Solutions, and influential HR consultant, Fabi Carino.

The event talked about how to leverage HR analytics and proper self-care for HR practitioners. It also shared exclusive updates about Sprouts product roadmap.

All the insights shared by our speakers are meant to help HR practitioners create a framework that benefits their respective operations, says Atty. Arlene De Castro, Chief People and Customer Officer for Sprout. At Sprout, are always on the lookout for ways to share groundbreaking innovations among HR professionals. We look forward to hosting more insightful events to help companies stay change-ready and future-proof.

Staying on Top of HR Trends: Quiet Quitting

Even though the concept of employee disengagement isnt new, a phenomenon called quiet quitting recently went viral on social media. Sprout wanted to help HR leaders address the issue so it held an event called The Impact of Quiet Quitting: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What You Can Do About It.

Over 700 HR leaders attended the highly anticipated event. Thelma Meneses, Chief Culture Officer of the Coca-Cola Company, the main keynote speaker of the forum, talked about how to address quiet quitting and shared some best practices from Coke. She was joined by Sprouts HR Evangelist, Atty. Lester Ople, who discussed the pain points businesses often experience related to employee engagement.

Moving forward, Sprout will continue to organize thought-provoking, high-impact events about relevant topics in the local HR community. Each one will serve as a platform to innovate HR management and inspire change in the HR industry in the Philippines.
Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - Issued in the interest of investors.

KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary.

No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account."

www.indiainfoline.com is part of the IIFL Group, a leading financial services player and a diversified NBFC. The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others.
Following the extraordinary achievement of registering a sale of more than Rs350 crore, EaseMyTrip.com ( Easy Trip Planners ), one of India's major online travel tech platforms, extends its spectacular holiday season sale for another week to provide maximum benefit to its clients ahead of Diwali.From October 17, 2022, to October 23, 2022, the company brings back its Travel Utsav Sale with enticing discounts. During the sale, one fortunate winner will have the opportunity to win a sedan Tata Tiago Car from Gamezy.EaseMyTrip has revealed the deals, which include discounts of up to 14% and 10% off domestic and international flights, respectively. Discounts of up to 25% are available on domestic hotels, while discounts of up to 15% are available on buses. Flat 14% cashback on cab reservations up to Rs2000 and flat 20% cashback on train bookings up to Rs100 are also available.Finally, EaseMyTrip thrills its customers by offering holiday packages beginning at Rs7,900 per person and cruise packages beginning at Rs26,500 per person. The company stated that terms and conditions are applicable to all the stated offers.The company also informed that there are multiple card discounts running on the website, which users can check.Customers may easily take advantage of the excellent bargains offered by EaseMyTrip's Brand Partners such as Gamezy, IndMoney, Times Prime, and Kalyan.At around 10.44 AM, Easy Trip Planners was trading 1.47% higher at Rs394.35, against previous close of Rs388.65 on NSE. The counter hit an intraday high and low of Rs396.60 and Rs393 respectively.For feedback and suggestions, write to us at editorial@iifl.com
At around 11.30 AM, Royal Orchid Hotels was trading at Rs269.50 up by 0.54% from its previous closing of Rs268.05 on the BSE. The scrip opened at Rs263.65 and touched intraday high and low of Rs272.95 and Rs263.65 respectively.



For feedback and suggestions, write to us at editorial@iifl.com

Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels , India's largest business and leisure hospitality brand, is increasing its presence in Goa, the country's most popular tourist destination.The Royal Orchid Hotel has opened its fifth location in Goa, the Regenta Central Imperial Candolim. The resort opens for business on October 15, 2022.The Royal Orchid Beach Resort & Spa Utorda Beach, Regenta Central North Goa, Arpora, Regenta Place Mandrem Beach Resort, Pernem, and Regenta Inn Palacio De Goa, Panaji are the Group's existing properties in the state.The Regenta Central Imperial Candolim is strategically located on the Candolim road, close to the interesting tourist attractions of north Goa. The newly opened premium hotel has 73 rooms. Four emperor suites, 18 luxury suites, four deluxe rooms, and 47 excellent rooms are among them.The rooms are luxurious and comfortable, with contemporary amenities. The premium hotel also has a multi-cuisine restaurant to suit visitors' preferences.Individual guests or FITs, walk-in visitors, groups, and MICE travellers will all be catered to at the hotel. The property's outstanding location is one of its main selling qualities and attractions.The hotel is adjacent to Candolim Beach (300 metres), Baga Beach (3 kilometres), Calangute Beach (2 kilometres), Fort Aguada (5 kilometres), Anjuna Flea Market, and Casino Gold.
India has offered to upgrade the Philippines artillery and conduct military courses for its armed forces personnel on operational readiness and cyber security as part of the strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier this month, Philippines Defence Secretary Jose Faustino Junior held a meeting with the Ambassador of India to Manila, Shambhu Santha Kumaran, to discuss potential collaboration in addressing traditional and non-traditional security issues concerning both countries.

In the meeting which took place at Camp Aguinaldo  the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines  the top official of the countrys Department of National Defence (DND) told Kumaran that India is among the Philippines important partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

He highlighted the importance of sustaining defence engagement between both countries, particularly the conduct of high-level dialogue, education and training exchanges, information sharing, and defence industry and logistics cooperation.

In addition, the defence secretary mentioned the DNDs interest in welcoming a resident Indian defence attache in Manila.

The Indian ambassador also held talks on enhancing defence industry dialogue, including discussions on aerospace platforms, air defence systems, and the upgrade of artilleries.

He further recognized the importance of developing a Self-Reliant Defence Posture in meeting the security challenges of recent times.

Both officials also exchanged views and insights on various geopolitical challenges. Faustino underscored the critical role of strengthening partnership among like-minded countries, especially India and the ASEAN member states, to maintain stability in the region. Notably, both the Philippines and India work closely together under the ambit of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus, according to a DND statement.

After President Rodrigo Duterte made way for successor Ferdinand Marcos Junior in June, Faustino replaced Delfin Lorenzana as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the countrys defence department.

Kumaran also conveyed a congratulatory message from Indias Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to the Senior Undersecretary for his appointment as the OIC, DND.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been emphasising that the island country of Southeast Asia plays an important role in Indias Act East Policy and its Indo-Pacific Vision.

As reported by IndiaNarrative.com earlier, India will begin equipping Manila with the medium-range ramjet supersonic Brahmos cruise missiles next year.

The Philippines will thus become the first foreign nation to acquire the missile weapon system developed through the joint venture between India (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and Russia (Military Industrial Consortium Mashinostroyenia).

Worried about Chinas strategic expansion into the South China Sea, Manila had signed a contract worth $375 million with Brahmos Aerospace for the Philippine Navys Shore-based Anti-ship Missile System acquisition project in January this year.

At the crossroads of the busiest sea lanes in the world, including the Strait of Malacca, both India and the Philippines realised the critical role the Brahmos deal will play to safeguard the Indo-Pacific region.

As the worlds fastest supersonic cruise missiles, the Brahmos Missiles will provide deterrence against any attempt to undermine our sovereignty and sovereign rights, especially in the West Philippine Sea, Lorenzana had commented after the signing of the contract in January, earlier this year.

Also Read: Will delivery of Brahmos missiles help Philippines deter China in the Pacific?
Horrifying incidents of kidnapping Hindu girls and forcibly converting them to Islam is continuing unabated in Pakistan. During the last 24 hours, three such incidents have been reported from the Sindh province, populated by an estimated 40 lakh Hindu minority.

According to initial information made available by Pakistani media sources, Salma Meghwar, of Thattu tehsil, Sheela Meghwar, and Maria Meghwar of Nukot district were abducted by armed Muslims on Sunday. A large majority of Sindhi Hindus belong to Meghwar and Kolli sub-castes live in the region.

Panju Meghwar, father of Salma lodged a complaint with the police that one Jehadi Shahid Unner abducted his daughter. The parents of the other two girls could not reach the police station as yet since they were residing in far-off villages.

On the other hand, when the Hindus lodged a strong protest outside the police station, they were told that Salma had converted to Islam of her own free will and was now named Sajda Bibi.
Ancient Egyptian history has revealed many things about the lifestyle of the generations that existed way before us - what they ate, how they lived and how they travelled, all through the ancient cravings that are thousands of years old.

Some say the recent discovery of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs could prove that 'time travel' existed. New theories came to life when archaeologists discovered modern-day helicopter-like cravings at an ancient temple in Egypt. Watch the video explaining the theory here.

Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs With Helicopter-like Carvings Discovered

In a video posted on YouTube by user Walid Haddad, archaeologists claim they have found 'proof' of time travel after studying ancient hieroglyphs that seem to depict a modern-day rotorcraft and a fixed-wing aircraft. The hieroglyphs that also show a futuristic-looking aircraft and a plane, were seen among cravings of what looks like snakes and insects.

As per reports, experts are now of the opinion that the strange hieroglyphs are evidence that ancient Egyptians may or may not have seen modern-day like aircrafts. Over the years, several clips surfaced on social media that showcased the 'helicopter' hieroglyphs and have given birth to views and theories of all kinds. However, nothing has been backed up with concrete evidence so far.

Today in my ASB333 #Pseudoarchaeology class we discussed the importance of context for archaeology and how pseudoarchaeology is "particularly contemptuous of context" as Fagan put it. I like to use the famous "Helicopter Hieroglyphs" as an example here. What do you see? 1/5 pic.twitter.com/53Hxvx0NR1  Matt Peeples (@PattMeeples) August 25, 2022

The carvings were found at Seti I's temple in Abydos

YouTube Screengrab

The helicopter hieroglyphs were found in Seti I's temple in Abydos, they are over 3,000 years old. Researchers said the initial carving was made during the reign of Seti I and translated to "He who repulses the nine [enemies of Egypt]". The carvings were later filled in with plaster and re-carved during the reign of Ramesses II with the title "He who protects Egypt and overthrows the foreign countries".

The temple of Seti I, situated in Abydos, is one of the most important archaeological sites of Ancient Egypt. Abydos is located in Upper Egypt, about 10 km from the Nile River. It was a necropolis for Egypt's earliest kings and later became a pilgrimage centre for the worship of the god Osiris.



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(h/t: The Sun)
Climate Proof Canada is comprised of nearly 30 private and civil organizations, including insurers, disaster relief organizations, municipalities, indigenous groups, and academic leaders.

Some of Canadas most prominent insurance companies have joined the calls for a stronger national climate adaptation strategy. Climate Proof Canada includes Aon, Aviva, Desjardins, Intact Financial Corporation, Travelers, Sun Life Financial, Wawanesa, and Zurich Canada, among others.

Canadas share of global emissions is under 2%, yet we are experiencing some of the most damaging effects of climate change. The federal government urgently needs to accelerate work on climate defence, said Craig Stewart (pictured), vice president of federal affairs at the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). The IBC is also among the coalitions members.

Read more: Hurricane Fiona highlights gaps in insurance as climate change worsens, experts say

Climate Proof Canada is calling for the national adaptation strategy to focus on realistic goals through a series of five-year action plans spanning 25 years. Each five-year plan should be designed to drive collective efforts towards clear and specific targets. The strategys objectives should also be established in consultation with provinces, territories, and indigenous peoples.

The unveiling of a national plan to address climate change comes weeks after Hurricane Fiona lashed Atlantic provinces with heavy rains and strong winds. Dubbed one of the worst storms of hit Canada, Fiona made landfall in Nova Scotia and swept homes into the sea and cut power for thousands of households. At least three people were killed during the storms onslaught.

DBRS Morningstar estimated costs from Hurricane Fiona at between CA$300 million and CA$700 million in insured losses. Fionas financial toll stands starkly against $2.1 billion in insurance damages for several weather events across all of Canada last year.

The costs will continue to climb if no concrete action is made to mitigate the risks of extreme flooding, Stewart warned. Flooding has surpassed forest fires as the top cause of property damage in Canada in the past several years, costing property owners over $1 billion in losses annually. The number of uninsurable homes in Canada due to climate change has also reached 10%, according to industry figures.

Flood insurance is just one of the tools for climate resiliency. Insurers advocate that it be part of a broader effort to reduce climate risk across the country, Stewart told Insurance Business.

Read more: What Canadian homeowners need to know about flood insurance

When it comes to extreme heat, Stewart said the national strategy should account for vulnerable sectors, particularly those living in low-income and multi-residential areas. Last years unprecedented heat waves caused 619 deaths in British Columbia alone, according to the government, with 98% of them occurring indoors.

According to Climate Proof Canada, any national adaptation strategy should be focused on risk, vulnerability, and exposure. It advocates a risk-based approach to mitigate the climate-related hazards people experience today, while addressing the longer-term impacts in the decades to come. The coalition also urged the government to prioritize climate adaptation efforts for the most vulnerable communities, including Canadas indigenous population.

When asked why the insurance industry has joined forces under Climate Proof Canada, Stewart said: Our organizations are paying for the risks of these natural catastrophes, and we see firsthand the tremendous impact and devastation of these events in the communities that we live, work in, and serve. Beyond that, climate resilience is just something many of us are deeply passionate about.

Marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 13, Canadas minister of emergency preparedness, Bill Blair, pledged to continue working to make communities more resilient.

We are also working to enhance whole-of-society collaboration in these efforts through the development of Canadas first national adaptation strategy, the creation of a low-cost national flood insurance program, and by partnering with non-governmental organizations to bolster our humanitarian workforce through funding to train and recruit personnel who can mobilize quickly in response to large-scale emergencies, Blair said in a statement.
This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync.

Broker licensing, long a complicated subject, has been thrust into the spotlight here on the AgentSync blog once more as North Carolina drops its broker-specific licensing.

In many ways, North Carolinas change will bring about more consistency between states when it comes to broker licensing. However, broker licensing is so nuanced even state to state that more consistency only goes about as far as you can throw it.

Before you go all-in on our content, please keep in mind: Were not your compliance department. This isnt legal advice. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney. Otherwise, enjoy our cute and slightly snarktastic blog for its informative aspects.

Broad variation in broker licensing across states

Broker licensing is a source of consternation for those who like consistency and clarity in the insurance industry. To be clear, in this case, were talking about run-of-the-mill producers acting as product-agnostic intermediaries working on behalf of consumers, not to be confused with surplus lines brokers.

In some states, you need a specific license to operate as a broker. In most states, you can act as an insurance broker if you have a producer license. Some states require all producers to have carrier appointments, regardless of whether theyre brokers or not. Others prohibit someone acting as a broker from holding an appointment. And at least one state prohibits any type of activity that is held out as being an impartial broker service at all.

In fact, variations and nuances in broker regulation are so intriguing, we added it as a category for each jurisdiction in our Compliance Library (check out State Broker License Rule in applicable states).

North Carolina broker license discontinued

July 14, 2022, the North Carolina Department of Insurance issued a notice to all producers that, as of July 7, 2022, the DOI would no longer offer broker licenses, and that it would cancel all broker licenses as soon as is practicable.

If this seems like an abrupt way to retroactively inform someone that their license was no longer, its worth visiting the original broker regulation. Prior to the statute change, North Carolina required those with broker licenses to first hold insurance producer licenses. So, all brokers were definitely licensed insurance producers, although not all licensed insurance producers were brokers. Sort of a square-and-rectangle situation.

For producers who hope to continue working as brokers in the state of North Carolina, they may continue to operate as per usual, by providing broker services without being appointed to a carrier, and by going through a producer who is appointed by the desired carrier.

Per the North Carolina DOI notice:

An Insurance Producer has always been able to act as an agent for companies with whom they are duly appointed. An Insurance Producer may now procure insurance for parties other than themselves through a duly authorized agent of an insurer without holding a Broker license.

How does this affect those previously licensed as brokers?

For producers who also held a broker license, very little will actually change. Although the North Carolina DOI will cancel all broker licenses, the state made it very clear that the action will not be reported to other states as an administrative action. I.e., if you hold a broker license in another state, the cancellation of this license shouldnt affect your license in other states or in any way reflect negatively on your professional reputation and record.

Previously, the North Carolina broker license included a provision that stated: an applicant for a broker license must  file an application with a surety bond or cash, CDs, or securities as provided by statute. The new regulation has rescinded this requirement, making it somewhat less restrictive to be a broker in the state.

The changes also eliminate the requirement that resident Brokers maintain a bond. Resident licensees may notify their bond company to cancel the bond effective immediately, the DOI news release said.

The future of insurance broker licensing in North Carolina

While this change may eliminate some confusion for carriers, agencies, and producers working across state lines, this may not be the final word on North Carolinas insurance broker rules.

Other states have retooled regulations after running into situations where the pipeline of broker fees and agent commissions create a conflict of interest for all the involved insurance professionals. Consumers often dont understand who operates under what function and who makes what when it comes to more complex insurance distribution relationships.

Additionally, judicial rulings in different states have come to opposing conclusions about whether an insurance broker should be held to a fiduciary standard on behalf of clients. For instance, in California, judicial precedent holds brokers to a fiduciary duty, meaning they must legally put their clients above their own commission interests.

Whether shifting broker regulations in North Carolina will make adjustments to tackle these emerging issues remains to be seen. For carriers, MGAs, and agencies that hope to stay on top of the changing regulatory landscape for insurance licensing, see how AgentSync Manage can help.

Topics Agencies North Carolina
This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync.

Floridas struggles to retain a property and casualty (P&C) insurance market have made headlines and spurred a special legislative session this year. With a package of regulatory overhauls and an unprecedented move for state-backed reinsurance, it remains to be seen whether the reforms can plug the holes of Floridas beleaguered system.

General struggles in P&C across the country

As climate change increases the number and severity of natural disasters and their accompanying damages, states particularly vulnerable to drought or floods have struggled to maintain coverage options for homeowners.

California has stop-gap measures enabling the insurance commissioner to put a moratorium on home insurance cancellations in disaster areas. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the biggest insurers pulled out of homeowners insurance in Louisiana. That state now maintains its P&C market through smaller, more localized insurers, which the state tailors its regulatory culture to, as evidenced by this years legislative packages.

Overall, a McKinsey report echoes the anecdotal evidence of these states: P&C insurance has in recent years left larger incidents uninsured, and tends to perform better for smaller carriers interested in localized coverage and underwriting. Unfortunately, theres still no widespread solution that delivers that coverage at a more affordable rate for consumers. Fewer insureds often means more expensive coverage for those who do retain it.

Broadly speaking, then, Florida is hardly alone in needing to address a property insurance market that has as many challenges as it does opportunities. Yet, in a season thats seen relatively few disastrous incidents thus far, why are so many insurance companies leaving Florida?

Why is homeowners insurance so expensive in Florida?

Theres no single reason homeowners insurance has ballooned  although its true that the typical Florida homeowners insurance premium is three times the national average. Instead, there are a few reasons. For one thing, insurers underwriting and premium assessments havent kept up with rising risk, which has eaten into surpluses and caused losses in profitability. However, a few factors unique to Florida have created a snowball effect that goes well beyond the market adjustments we see in other coastal states (more on how these create a perfect storm for carriers later on):

Roof coverage and replacement rules: Florida law requires homeowners to replace roofs that have sustained 25 percent or more in damage. However, carriers may require homeowners to meet a deductible for coverage, or may reject a roof claim outright.

Assignment of benefits: An assignment of benefits, or AOB, allows a homeowner to sign their policy benefits over to a roofing company so the roofer can directly approach an insurance carrier about the cost and reimbursement of roofing repairs, or enlist a public adjuster to back up their assessment of damage.

Attorney fee multiplier: A court case in 2017 affirmed and strengthened a legal principle in Florida that an attorney can collect as much as 250 percent of a typical attorney fee if they win a lawsuit on behalf of a homeowner. The rule is based on the understanding that these are typically contingency cases, meaning attorneys only get paid if they win. So, homeowners suits can be unattractive when compared to other cases where your firm is guaranteed compensation for their billable hours. The idea of the fee multiplier was to encourage attorneys to take on cases on behalf of homeowners.

For an anecdotal perspective on how these factors have played out in recent years, several media outlets have profiled homeowners whose stories have a similar thread:

A Florida property owner is approached by a roofing contractor who asserts that the propertys roof has substantial enough damage to warrant a total replacement. The contractor assures the homeowner that the damage will be fully covered by their insurance; in fact, if the homeowner will just sign an AOB, the contractor and their legal team can even handle the insurance end of the roof replacement for them, no hassle!

The Florida property owner signs the AOB, and then has to wait for months, or years, while the roofing contractor engages an insurance carrier. The carrier may dispute that the roof has damage equaling or exceeding 25 percent of its value. The roofing contractor then sues the carrier for the benefits, leading to months of protracted litigation, and often resulting in coverage for a brand new roof as well as tens of thousands of dollars in attorneys fees, incentivized by those 100 to 250 percent multipliers.

If the carrier wins, it still has to pay its attorneys fees.

Taken together, these rules have yielded a crisis for the Florida homeowners insurance industry. Consider: Florida has largely avoided a major hurricane season since 2018. Florida homeowners compose 9 percent of annual claims in the U.S. However, Florida accounts for 79 percent of annual homeowners claims lawsuits.

The downstream result is premiums that have risen in triplicate for some property owners, and insurers have become increasingly unwilling to take the risk of insuring roofs over the age of 10 years old.

Florida P&C market in crisis as insurers leave, ratings downgraded

The Florida homeowners insurance crisis reached a fever pitch in the last year as insurers have backed out of the state entirely.

In a proclamation calling for a special session of the legislature in late May 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis justified the emergency measure with stats such as, the Florida insurance industry has seen two straight years of net underwriting losses exceeding $1 billion each year, and Citizens Property Insurance, the State of Floridas public insurer of last resort, has seen an increase of 399,822 policies since the beginning of 2020 and is on track to be over 1 million policies by year end.

So, very clearly, the market is losing money, and more people are being forced onto the state-backed insurer after their insurers leave the market.

And, to be clear, insurers are certainly leaving the market.

In July 2022, Bankers Insurance Group became the thirteenth insurance company to begin liquidating or stop offering new policies just this year. For perspective, the Tampa Bay Times noted there were 63 P&C insurers required to report financials in the state as of the end of 2020 (a list that included companies in the process of liquidation even then). That same year, the Times said, an analysis of the market showed only four companies had demonstrated profitability at all.

And, lest you think condominium owners in Florida have it better After a tragic building collapse that killed 98 people in Surfside, Florida, in 2021, a $1 billion insurance settlement has driven P&C carriers away from insuring Florida condos. For carriers that choose to remain in the Florida condo market, theres so little competition that prices can double, triple, or more and consumers have no option to shop elsewhere.

Floridas special session P&C insurance legislation

With the available pool of insurers facing contractions of more than 10 percent, DeSantis and the legislature went back to the table after the regular session to address some of the underlying factors that have driven market collapse in the last five years.

May 24, 2022, the legislature passed sweeping legislation aimed at reforming the market, with the Florida governor signing it into law two days later.

Provisions of the law include:

$2 billion allocated to a Reinsurance to Assist Policy program, giving insurance companies assistance to place reinsurance contracts for coverage

$150 million in grants to Florida homeowners for home hardening, aiming to make homes more resilient to storm damage

Requirements that carriers cover roofs less than 15 years old, or roofs that have at least five years of useful life remaining

New standards for attorney fee multipliers and attorneys fee assignments, disincentivizing frivolous claims

Some lawmakers in Florida sought to bar policyholders from contesting claims denials in court altogether, while others defended claims suits, saying theyre an important enforcement mechanism that incentivize carriers to pay claims in the first place.

Other criticisms argued that the laws dont go far enough to protect consumers, who will likely not see reduced or even plateauing premium costs for years after the laws implementation. One property insurance law group criticized the law as one-sided, admitting policyholder and contractor fraud has played a role, but saying:

The F word is not a one-way street Contrary to popular belief, insurance companies continue to avoid their contractual and statutory obligations despite their incessant concerns about defending rampant lawsuits. Actually addressing the truly frivolous litigation is step one in beginning to solve our property insurance market issue, but why stop there?  The same efforts need to be targeted at combating the unspoken immunity that is insurer fraud

Demotech homeowners P&C insurance rating downgrade

While Florida legislators hope the new law will forestall more P&C market turbulence, there are still choppy waters ahead.

For one thing, Florida insurance carriers rely heavily on Demotech, a ratings agency, to provide judgments about solvency for the carriers in the state. In July, Demotechs plans to downgrade the ratings of 17 P&C carriers brought swift furor from the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) and state regulators. By downgrading these carriers, Demotech would be signaling to consumers that these carriers arent adequately pricing and underwriting their contracts, and warns of placing contracts with them.

A downgrade could also have secondary repercussions, as many mortgage backers require homeowners to hold insurance policies with companies that meet certain solvency standards.

The FAIA and state regulators didnt name which carriers Demotech planned to downgrade, but seven were made public in the beginning of August.

With the number of active P&C carriers willing to provide new homeowner policies in the state hovering under 50, at this point, having 17 downgraded could be devastating to the overall sustainability of the market.

In an effort to keep the market afloat, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) took a truly unprecedented step, offering temporary reinsurance contracts with the full backing of the states insurance company, Citizens Property Insurance, and, further, the states guaranty association. A news release from Commissioner David Altmaiers office said the arrangement should satisfy requirements for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Future of Florida homeowners insurance market remains uncertain

The Florida OIR and legislature are clearly making efforts to shore up the market, harden homes, and retain a profitable environment safe for consumers. Yet, just as these extreme conditions didnt arise overnight, real solutions will take time.

It remains to be seen how effective this years actions will be, as well as what the legislature may propose in next years session to further bolster the Florida P&C market. In the meantime we will hope for Florida to see clear skies, smooth water, and sunshine.

At AgentSync, theres little we can do to directly affect P&C claims and Florida market conditions. However, for carriers, MGAs, and agencies, we can help streamline producer and adjuster licensing, verification, and appointments. For more on how, check out our solutions.

Topics Trends Florida Market Homeowners
President Emmerson Mnangagwa today warned the people of Matabeleland against individuals and parties that want to use the Gukurahundi issue for their selfish political ends.

He said this at the Bulawayo State when he launched the Community Engagement Programme for Matabeleland and other areas affected by the post-independence disturbances.

Gukurahundi was a period of disturbances which occurred in Matabeleland and the Midlands region in 1982 and ended with the Unity Accord in 1987 between Zanu led by former President Robert Mugabe and ZAPU then led by the late revolutionary icon Joshua Nkomo.

I urge you all to be vigilant and to disregard any attempts by any party or grouping to achieve political mileage through the Gukurahundi issue, said President Mnangagwa.

Never again shall we be divided by those who purport to teach democracy, he added.

Some political parties and civil society organisations have sought to use the Gukurahundi issue to stir hostility among the Ndebele people towards the ruling Zanu PF Government.

The President encouraged Zimbabweans to seek the path of peace and dialogue as a way of resolving all issues confronting them.

To the external detractors who seek to maintain Gukurahundi as a perennial fountain of conflict, I say to you, Lingena ngaphi? (where do you come in?). This is a matter for Zimbabweans and shall be resolved by the people of Zimbabwe.

Our traditional values should be respected at all times and divisive ideologies that perpetuate conflict should be shunned. Shame on anyone who seeks to divide us.

We must remain united towards a peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe for the present and future generations. The nations founding fathers moved past their differences and dedicated their life to bring equality, justice, and peace for all, he said.

The engagement programme, which seeks to bring closure to the disturbances that affected the Matabeleland and parts of Midlands soon after independence, during which many people died during fighting between Government forces and dissidents, will be spearheaded by traditional leaders in consultation with the Government.

President Mnangagwa took the opportunity to launch the manual which was compiled for traditional leaders on how they are going to engage the communities.

Chiefs Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira presented the manual to the President.

President Mnangagwa said traditional leaders were best placed to deal with issues affecting their respective communities since they were the custodians of culture and heritage.

He said the Constitution and customary law empowered traditional leaders to resolve conflicts among their subjects in accordance with local traditions and customs.

The resolution of conflict in our tradition is not a prescriptive process but one that involves consultations and dialogue amongst affected parties.

The very construction of our traditional conflict resolution system renders Chiefs the most suitable leaders to engage in the process of finding concrete and lasting solutions to all the challenges that our people encounter.

The President appealed to affected families and communities to cooperate with traditional leaders in the process.

We have already identified some of the key result deliverables, which include the issuance of national identity documents, among others, in line with 10 provisions of our Constitution.

We have already designed and rolled out a programme targeting those undocumented individuals with the assistance of the Traditional Leaders and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritages Civil Registry Department, he said.

He called on churches, civil society organisations and community leaders to continue contributing positively to the nation-building process.

The process of addressing the Gukurahundi issue was irreversible, he said, as it would assist in enhancing the development agenda and strengthen the unity of Zimbabweans through a shared narrative that affirmed a common identity, dignity and humanity.

In March 2019, a grouping of non-governmental organisations working under the umbrella of Matabeleland Collective sought an audience with President Mnangagwa to discuss issues affecting this region.

At the inaugural meeting, President Mnangagwa declared that all matters affecting the nation, including the Gukurahundi issue, were not out of bounds for discussion amongst the citizens.

A decision was made during the engagement that chiefs, as the authority that was closest to the people, would lead the Community Engagement Programme.  New Ziana
This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync.

State by state variations of laws, compliance protocols, industry transparency, and general regulatory cultures can lend one the impression that keeping up with industry changes is a little bit like herding cats. So, what better way to wrangle some of the more localized insurance news than in a Regulatory Roundup?

On an ongoing basis, in no particular order or rank, were wrestling the various regulatory changes, compliance actions, and commissioner decisions into our roundup. As a disclaimer: Theres a lot going on at any given time in these here United States, so this isnt a comprehensive picture of state-level action by any means. Think of it as, instead, a sample platter of regulation.

Louisiana cancellation and putting coverage with Citizens

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has announced an additional 60 days for homeowners to replace coverage from liquidated Florida P&C insurance companies.

A Florida court ordered the liquidation of Weston Property & Casualty Insurance Company on Aug. 8, 2022, which will cancel the insurers 10,300 Louisiana policies by Sept. 7. The news release from Donelons office said during the additional 60-day period, the state-backed insurer Louisiana Citizens will provide coverage as insurance agents help homeowners find appropriate coverage.

United Property & Casualty Insurance, another Florida insurer, was recently given a downgraded financial stability rating by ratings agency Demotech. The lower rating puts the insurer outside of many mortgage-paid policies requirements, meaning Louisiana homeowners will need to obtain different coverage in order to maintain their mortgage according to their banks policies. The new 60-day Citizens-backed coverage will apply to them, as well.

I urge Louisiana policyholders who have residential insurance policies with Weston to contact an agent and begin shopping for a new policy in the private market or, if necessary, with Citizens, said Donelon. UPC policyholders should open any correspondence from their mortgage company in case it contains a notice of force-placed coverage, in which case they should contact their agent immediately or call the LDI at 800-259-5300.

Louisiana updates CE rules

Louisiana has issued a notice of intent, signaling that the commissioner wishes to change rules regarding the continuing education requirements of the state. Among other things, the change would remove the states exemption for first-time licensees from submitting CE within their first license renewal period. The DOI bulletin cites the states recent abdication of pre-licensing requirements as the justification.

Colorado DOI waives building codes for Marshall Fire recovery

The Colorado Division of Insurance has issued an emergency regulation giving policyholders the ability to opt out of portions of their local building codes.

The Marshall Fire on Dec. 30, 2021, burned through more than 1,000 buildings, both commercial and residential. As insurance policyholders have filed claims to rebuild or repair homes and businesses, new building codes enacted since the original structures were finished have increased the cost of rebuilding.

Often, policies limit coverage to the cost to rebuild to the structures original standard. This regulation would provide policyholders whose coverage is limited to choose whether to rebuild to the old standard, or build to a newer standard (which may include more out-of-pocket costs).

The regulation puts the decision in a policyholders hands, and forbids insurance companies from interfering with their decision.

Individuals impacted by this fire will need access to every available claim dollar they are entitled to under their policy, said the DOI order. In order to rebuild their lives and communities, policyholders are entitled to amounts available through their law and ordinance coverage to cover upgrades made in rebuilding their homes to be compliant with authorized building codes. The Division finds that this regulation will help to protect and provide necessary resources to affected policyholders.

Illinois DOI issues caution on responses to application background questions

Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) Director Dana Popish Severinghaus issued a caution to would-be producers applying for a license in the state about the importance of answering background questions correctly.

The notice alleges DOI employees are seeing a significant number of license applications containing incorrect responses to background questions.

Specifically at issue are two questions regarding criminal background, from misdemeanors to felonies, military offenses, or administrative proceedings such as FINRA sanctions.

Please be aware that the Illinois Department of Insurance will evaluate and consider the individual circumstances regarding any response. Responding incorrectly to any question may be of greater concern than the circumstances requiring a YES response, said the notice.

As the DOI notes, Illinois has access to the NAICs list of regulatory actions. Reading between the lines, the state is trying to tell applicants that theyre far better off reporting past misdeeds accurately and having a discussion with the Illinois DOI than lying. Past misconduct can be explained, learned from, and forgiven; lying about your past instead means you are currently still a liar-McLiarPants.

Auditing your agents background questions can be time consuming. Learn how AgentSync can help through robust reporting and background question response tracking.

Other state updates

Kansas in March voted to license pharmacy benefits managers, and, beginning in October 2022, the state will have a Pharmacy Benefit Manager License Class to match in the National Insurance Producer Registry.

California approved revisions to the syllabus and topics required for the eight-hour long course the state mandates for producers selling long-term care insurance.

Maryland issued a bulletin allowing surplus lines brokers to charge policy fees and outlined specifics regarding how much, when, and how to report these fees for tax purposes.

Georgia, meanwhile, issued Directive 22-EX-4 specifically clarifying that charging surplus lines insurance policyholders any fees beyond those specified in the policy is prohibited.

North Carolina has issued a data call to property and casualty carriers writing personal auto and residential home insurance and updated state appointment fees from $10 to $11.

Washington extended its order on coronavirus vaccine counseling coverage and requirements that insurers waive copays and deductibles for coronavirus tests for another month, through most of September.

New York approved of the Excess Lines Association of New York (ELANY) request to reduce its stamping fee to .15 percent.

Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway was honored by One Colorado with a 2022 Prism Award, recognizing him for his work on behalf of the LGBTQ community in becoming the first state to explicitly include gender-affirming care as a required benefit in commercial health insurance.

Georgia isnt currently allowing the Agent  Georgia Access application electronically, possibly waiting until the states clash with the federal government over the Georgia Access model is settled.

New Mexico warned licensees to be wary of scammers purporting to be from government agencies that are trolling for sensitive information.

Hawaii has announced new training requirements for producers who sell annuities. For producers licensed before the close of 2022, the new training must be completed by July 1, 2023.

Massachusetts passed a law at the end of July to require abortion coverage in health insurance plans without copays for health insurance policies outside of specific church-controlled organizations with exemptions and plans that require copays to maintain a specific tax status.

While these points of interest arent comprehensive, our knowledge of producer license and compliance maintenance is. See how AgentSync can help make you look smarter today.

Topics Legislation Claims Louisiana Illinois Colorado Homeowners
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While some analysts are predicting that the property insurance industry will be able to manage Hurricane Ian and its estimated $50 billion in insured losses, a few are now warning that the storm could significantly erode the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Funds surplus, which could spell trouble for carriers who may face soaring reinsurance costs next year.

An analysis by Chicago-based Ian Gutterman, a longtime investor in insurance companies and founder of a startup homeowners insurance company, put it bluntly.

From my point of view, the risk to the system is that the FHCF is the finger holding back the dam, Gutterman wrote in a blog post in early October. If it gets removed, most of the local insurers are going to get washed away.

The post has elicited a range of reactions from leaders in the Florida insurance industry.

Hes not right on everything, but hes pretty warm, said John Rollins, an actuary and former chief financial officer at Olympus Insurance Co. in Florida.

The Florida cat funds chief operating officer was not available to talk about Ians impact on the state-created reinsurance fund. But a spokesperson said the program is in a strong financial position, with liquid resources of more than $16 billion and a bonding capacity of $8 billion.

The funds reserves, bonding capacity and other factors mean that Gutterman has no idea what hes talking about, said Melissa Burt DeVriese, president of Security First Insurance Co., an Ormond Beach-headquartered carrier with some 160,000 policies in force in Florida.

Others said that while the cat fund will likely survive, Ians massive right hook, affecting more than 2.3 million properties, by some estimates, has exposed deeper issues and will push some Florida insurers to the brink. Industry insiders are now saying that a special session of the Florida Legislature is needed soon to salvage the industry and expand the cat fund before the 2023 reinsurance renewal deadlines.

Guttermans argument is essentially this: If insured losses from Hurricane Ian do, in fact, reach $50 billion, as some models have predicted, thats probably around $30 billion in residential losses and enough to wipe out the cat funds $12.7 billion surplus, according to publicly available FHCF reports.

Yes, the cat fund will still have bonding capacity and other resources, Gutterman said. But the storm means that the program will be forced to sell bonds, perhaps at less-favorable rates, which would leave the fund with half the claims-paying capacity for next years catastrophe season. That would force insurers to seek more-expensive reinsurance from the gun-shy private reinsurance market.

While private reinsurers could fill the void, the price they would charge is unaffordable, Gutterman wrote. Thus, private insurers (and Citizens) will be far more exposed to cat risk next summer.

He called it a Hobbesian choice, noting that retaining more risk is not really an option: More insurers will lose their Demotech financial stability rating if they follow that path. That could lead to restructuring, rehabilitation, a structured run-off or even insolvency for some.

The predicted loss numbers for Ian may not be far off. Days after the storm the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reported more than 222,000 claims have already been filed  a fraction of what the final number will likely be. Citizens, which holds almost 13% of the Florida market, has estimated it will see 225,000 claims and some $3.8 billion in losses. A week after Ian hit, Citizens had revised its estimate to closer to $2.6 billion in losses, not including litigation costs.

By comparison, Hurricane Michael, which hit part of the less-populated Florida Panhandle in 2018, produced almost 159,000 claims and $9.1 billion in estimated total insured losses. Hurricane Irma, which raked across a large swath of the state in 2017, resulted in some 1.1 million claims and insured losses of $20.7 billion, the OIR reported. Hurricane Charley, a 2004 storm that made landfall on the same part of the coast as Ian, caused about $7 billion in insured losses, S&P Global rating firm reported. Thats about $11 billion in todays dollars.

Ian has been called a more powerful storm that could become the most expensive yet to strike Florida, according to some models. Much of the damage, though, appears to have come from storm surge and flooding, which could ultimately moderate the losses for property insurers.

S&P said that, all told, insurers should be able to manage the losses.

We expect Hurricane Ian to result in substantial insured losses of $30 billion to $40 billion, reads the report released by S&P. However, U.S. property/casualty insurers we rate are well positioned to absorb losses, and losses for global reinsurers also should remain within annual catastrophe budgets.

Even if the claims numbers reach unprecedented levels, Rollins, the former Milliman actuary, argued that Guttermans presumption that many Florida-domiciled insurers will fail next year is misguided. But only because Rollins believes that the political pressure will soon become so great that state lawmakers will be called on to expand the cat funds wind coverage for insurers, something many Florida insurance advocates have lobbied for in recent years.

A lot of companies arent going to make it unless there are some major changes in public policy, Rollins said.

Others in the industry agreed, noting that some elected officials are now quietly considering a special session as soon as December  the second session this year to deal with Floridas property insurance crisis. Among other changes, this session will likely focus on lowering the retention, or deductible, that insured losses must reach before insurers can access the cat fund, said Paul Handerhan, a longtime Florida insurance advocate and president of the Federal Association for Insurance Reform. That would essentially provide an affordable, lower level of reinsurance at a crucial moment for the industry.

A special session is needed soon because waiting until the 2023 regular session of the Legislature will be too late, many say. The regular session wont start until March and ends in May, giving insurers no time to complete their reinsurance programs before the June 1 renewal deadlines.

Pressure is building for a special legislative session, but probably not because of Hurricane Ians impact on the cat funds surplus, Handerhan said. He pointed out that the FHCF is not really in danger of losing all of its reserves this year, because it will likely take five years to pay all the Ian claims from insurance companies.

Over that whole time, the cat fund is collecting premium, he said.

Gutterman agreed that the cat fund could utilize a cash-basis accounting method to smooth over losses, but that is not without risks.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Florida Hurricane Reinsurance Hurricane Ian
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The District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in D.C. Superior Court Thursday against chemical manufacturer Velsicol Chemical, LLC, claiming it violated city environmental laws by polluting a major waterway, the Anacostia River and the surrounding area for decades.

A complaint filed by D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine alleges that Velsicol produced a pesticide that contained chlordane and marketed it to low-income homeowners in the city from 1945 to 1988. That was the year the chemical was banned for sale in the U.S. by the Environmental Protection Agency over health effects in humans, including tremors, convulsions and cancer.

But Racine claimed at a press conference that Velsicol knew long before that that chlordane could cause cancer, as far back as 1959, yet still sold products that contained it.

Rachel Carson raised alarm bells about chlordane in the seminal environmental book, Silent Spring, published in 1962.

Velsicol did not immediately return calls for comment.

As recently as the 1960s, D.C. residents used the Anacostia River for recreation and food, but years of pollution from a variety of sources _ sewage, chemical runoff and litter _ made the river unusable.

The lawsuit developed out of a decades-long effort to clean up the river, Racine said. Local environmentalists, like Matt Gravatt, chair of the D.C. chapter of the Sierra Club, said the river is almost back to being safe for public use, but not yet.

City departments and environmental researchers have known about the potential harm of chlordane in the Anacostia for decades. The year after the EPA ban, the district put out an advisory warning residents against eating fish caught from the river, in part because levels of chlordane in aquatic life exceeded limits suggested by the Food and Drug Administration.

In the lawsuit, the attorney generals office said it anticipates the city will spend $35 million remediating sediment contaminated with chlordane and other toxic chemicals. The hope is the award will help pay for the river cleanup.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Pollution Manufacturing Chemicals
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Some cities around the world are pulling back from shorelines, as rising seas from climate change increase flooding. But so far, retreat appears out of the question for Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The breezy getaway town is on the water on a barrier, which was once reachable only by boat but in modern times via a causeway. The city fully occupies a small piece of land, water on either side, just above sea level.

We love our residents, said Barbara Woolley-Dillon, former Atlantic City Planning and Development Director. We have one of the most diverse populations. its a great place to be, and we have such a thriving community that we want to do everything we can to keep it intact.

The city, popular with vacation goers in the Eastern U.S., particularly in the summer, brings in billions of dollars in revenue, another incentive to keep it intact as long as possible.

Atlantic City is a seven billion dollar a year economic engine that benefits all of southern New Jersey and must be maintained, said Jim Rutala, an Atlantic City planning contractor.

Still, the flooding is getting deeper and more frequent. In 1910, researchers installed a tide gauge at the end of Steel Pier Amusement Park. The gauge shows the sea has risen a foot and a half since then, more than double the global mean sea level rise.

City leaders have no plans to take state offers to buy and demolish homes in flood-prone areas, according to Rutala.

Instead, officials are spending $100 million, from 2016 through next year, to fortify and armor the city from rising sea levels by installing sea walls, pump stations and bulkheads, according to Rutala. Unseen by most tourists, a newly built pump station in Fishermans Park pushes ocean water that has come ashore back into the bay. It is common to hear construction crews at work building structures with entrances elevated to strict new height requirements.

Other cities in New Jersey have taken a different route to confront flooding. In Woodbridge, about 100 miles north of Atlantic City, in recent years the state has bought and torn down more than 150 homes to remove people and property from the danger of future floods.

In Atlantic City, tourists and residents walk along street names that inspired the Monopoly board game, such as Baltic Avenue and Park Place. Casinos pull in people hoping to win big at the poker table or slot machines. And outside are wide-open beaches and boardwalk amusement park rides.

Twenty-seven million people visit the resort town annually. For some, its a place to escape from their daily lives. For others, its a way to live a simple life by the ocean.

For many residents, its unbearable to contemplate a future without the city.

This part of Atlantic City is just very tightly knit and we are a nice little neighborhood, said elementary school teacher Abby Moul, 47, as she played with her dog in the north part of the island. It is kind off the beaten path and thats what I love about it.

Under current projections for global emissions, Rutgers University estimates that New Jersey is likely to experience another one to three feet of sea level rise between now and 2070, according to Robert Kopp, Rutgers climate scientist. And the land here is sinking from what scientists call the see-saw effect of melting glaciers much further north.

Its unclear if the citys new fortification projects will be enough to confront the projected sea level rise. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that New Jerseys 950 square miles of beaches and back bays will sustain more than a billion dollars in annual flooding damage in a few years.

Atlantic City is the one of the poorest and most densely populated part of the New Jersey coastline. More than two dozen different languages are spoken in city schools.

Many people here have what locals call back-of-the-house jobs at one of the nine casinos, preparing food, cleaning rooms and other work.

It can cost $150,000 in the denser, older parts of the city to raise up an $80,000 home to protect it from nuisance flooding, periodic flooding, sometimes from high tides or backed up drainage systems. That cost is simply out of reach for many.

On a recent afternoon, lifelong Atlantic City resident Zakiy Abdullah, 45, a forklift operator, did his best to keep his three-year-old daughter Jamaarah Wells from riding her tricycle through flood waters in the street.

Flooding it is a constant problem, said Abdullah. As you can see, the water has not evaporated from the other night.

Kimberly McKenna, of the Stockton University Coastal Research Center, says most of the increased flooding in Atlantic City happens in the part of the island that faces the mainland, called the back bay. That also happens to be where many people live in poverty.

Residents often move their cars to higher ground during high tides and full moons.

Those floods, what we may now call nuisance flooding, will turn into regular flooding, said McKenna. And thats going to be persistent flooding. People wont be moving their cars. They will be moving their homes.

Local coastal governments like Atlantic City will have to decide whether to manage a retreat from the coastline over several years, or to stay and only leave when and if the flood waters become unlivable.

You dont need to give up a community right now because of the risk of three or five feet of sea level rise, said Kopp, the Rutgers climate scientist. But you need to think about how redevelopment plans you are making today will fare in the future. There is no simple solution.

________

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Flood
Reinsurer AXIS Capital said it would refuse to underwrite energy, mining and other projects that did not have the backing of local indigenous communities, in a move welcomed by campaigners as setting a new industry standard.

The decision follows years of protests from communities, particularly in the developing world, that argue their voice is often ignored when banks, insurers and investors pursue projects that can negatively impact their lives.

The need to secure the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) of impacted communities was recognized by the United Nations in 2007, yet high-profile arguments between indigenous peoples and large multinationals and financial service firms continue.

Non-governmental organization Rainforest Action Network (RAN) told Reuters that AXIS was the first North American insurer to adopt such a policy, and believed it set a fresh standard for best practice.

Two insurers in Europe  Swiss Re and Allianz  mention FPIC in their human rights frameworks, but AXIS now references in detail the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, RAN said.

We expect insureds to respect and observe the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and it is our policy to not provide insurance coverage on projects undertaken on indigenous territories without FPIC, AXIS said in its updated human rights policy, which was shared with Reuters.

FPIC ensures indigenous peoples right to give or withhold consent to a project that may affect them or their territories.

Without such explicit support for FPIC, insurers and the projects they back continue to face protests. In Canada, they have faced pressure for years to drop cover for the governments Trans Mountain oil pipeline, which is opposed by environmental campaigners and some indigenous groups.

In the United States, the Dakota Access oil pipeline has been the subject of a lengthy court battle between tribes seeking its closure and Dallas-based company Energy Transfer, while in Peru, local communities continue to protest against the planned expansion of the Las Bambas copper mine by MMG Ltd.

Matt Remle (Lakota), co-founder of U.S. pressure group Mazaska Talks, said insurance companies must stop underwriting fossil fuel projects that are in violation of the rights of Tribal Nations.

For too long our treaty rights have been violated and these institutions have built, financed, and insured projects without proper consent, he said.

(Editing by Mark Potter)

Photograph: Panoramic view of huge cooper mine in Australia Outback. Photo credit: Bigstock

Topics Mining
Three climate activists appeared in a London court on Saturday on charges of criminal damage after protests including throwing soup over Vincent van Goghs 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 Polices 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 UK 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 didnt 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 dont have paint or adhesive substances on them in a public place.

Police said they made some 28 arrests in relation to Fridays 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.

Activists have also blocked bridges and intersections across London during two weeks of protests against the UK governments 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 UK government was undermining the fight against climate change.

Photograph: Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of two protesters who have thrown tinned soup at Vincent Van Goghs famous 1888 work Sunflowers at the National Gallery in London, on Friday Oct. 14, 2022. The group Just Stop Oil, which wants the British government to halt new oil and gas projects, said activists dumped two cans of Heinz tomato soup over the oil painting on Friday. Londons Metropolitan Police said officers arrested two people on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass. Photo credit: Just Stop Oil via AP

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Auto
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) and Howden CAP.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), part of Liberty Mutual Insurances Global Risk Solutions division, announced the promotion of Markus Hefel to the role of general manager, LSM Switzerland, subject to regulatory approval.

Hefel is responsible for leading the Swiss team and LSMs business in Switzerland to serve the needs of Swiss clients and brokers. Prior to his promotion, he was deputy general manager, and regional manager for Accident & Health (A&H) and underwriting manager, Casualty.

Hefel joined LSM in 2018 from Ironshore where he was country manager for Switzerland. He has over 30 years of experience in insurance and has built robust relationships with brokers and clients. During his career he has underwritten business in international casualty, A&H insurance, as well as financial lines, marine, and construction.

Switzerland is a critical European market for LSM. Markus has a wealth of experience in the region and is the right person to lead the team to meet our ambitious growth plans here. The Swiss team makes a significant contribution and plays a key role in our strategy to serve the needs of Swiss clients and brokers, were grateful for the confidence and trust of our partners, said Kadidja Sinz, head of Central Region (Europe and MENA) at Liberty Specialty Markets.

***

BHSI Names Bruce-Kahn as Chief Executive in Singapore

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced that it has appointed Mary Bruce-Kahn to the role of chief executive, Singapore.

Bruce-Kahn joined BHSI in January as regional head of Operations & IT based in Singapore. She has more than 20 years of experience in operational leadership in the insurance industry and previously held senior local and regional positions in Thailand, Singapore and Australia. She will retain her current position in addition to the new role.

Prior to joining BHSI, she held roles at Liberty Specialty Markets, Willis Towers Watson and AIG  all in Singapore, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Since we received our license at the end of 2014, the team and the portfolio in Singapore have been growing steadily, said Marc Breuil, President, BHSI Asia Middle East. With a firmly anchored local presence both in Singapore and in Asia, BHSI continues to expand its relationship and its product capabilities. As such, we are delighted to see Mary step up to the CE role where she will add to our collective strength and lead our further expansion.

Bruce-Kahn will continue to be based in Singapore and can be reached at mary.bruce-kahn@bhspecialty.com.

***

Howden CAP Names Marshs van Kuffeler Chief Commercial Officer

Howden, the London-based insurance broker, announced the appointment of Alexander van Kuffeler as chief commercial officer of Howden CAP, a new capital, advisory and placement business for financial institutions and corporates.

Van Kuffelers role will be to hone the value proposition for Howden CAP, support its delivery of unique and innovative advice and solutions and forge relationships with key clients and markets.

Van Kuffeler joins Howden CAP from Marsh, where he was a client director in Marshs Private Equity and M&A Practice, advising on risk transfer solutions for complex M&A transactions. Prior to this, he worked at Willis Towers Watson for 13 years, where he was executive director in Political Risk and Structured Credit insurance team. Latterly, he was a senior client executive in the Global Solutions Group with a focus on structuring M&A solutions for private capital investments in Infrastructure and Real Assets, as well as managing lenders insurance requirements for such transactions.

About Howden CAP

Howden CAP, part of Howden Broking, is a new capital, advisory and placement business for financial institutions and corporates. The division provides a blend of insurance and investment solutions to help manage complex risks and optimise capital for clients in the private equity, banking and asset management sectors.

Howden CAP houses the brokers Mergers & Acquisitions practice, its Global Credit Solutions and Surety practices, and specialists in regulatory capital, risk weighted assets, private equity, insolvency, tax, credit, and structured finance.

Topics Auto Commercial Lines
The parents of a northern Indiana teenager who died along with her boyfriend when a vehicle being chased by police crashed into their car in 2020 is suing the city of Mishawaka.

The lawsuit filed by Elizabeth Johnson-Nehers parents alleges that the December 2020 police pursuit was dangerous from the onset and that Mishawaka police officers were not properly trained in reasonable procedures governing such pursuits, the South Bend Tribune reported.

Johnson-Neher was 18 when she and her boyfriend, Clayton McClish, 19, died after his car was struck in an intersection by a vehicle fleeing police in Mishawaka, just east of South Bend.

McClishs car was hit by a vehicle allegedly driven by 23-year-old Jesse Lottie, who officers were chasing for allegedly breaking into a home.

Lottie was charged with resisting law enforcement and leaving the scene of a fatal crash. But court and jail records show he was never taken into custody and a warrant remains in place for his arrest.

Johnson-Nehers parents filed their lawsuit last week in St. Joseph County. It seeks damages, including for suffering and mental anguish as a result of their daughters death, WBND-TV reported

A message seeking comment was left Friday by The Associated Press for a law firm thats representing the city of Mishawaka.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Law Enforcement Indiana
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics employees who say that overtime and other payments were improperly paid will receive $15 million as part of a class-action suit that was filed in 2019, according to documents filed Friday.

The healthcare system and about 11,000 workers have argued that managers didnt pay overtime, bonuses or accrued leave as quickly as state and federal laws require.

Lawyers for the employees said the settlement figure could have been as high as $64 million. However, they were worried that a higher court could have reduced the amount to as low as $11 million after lawyers for the Iowa Board of Regents threatened to appeal a judges ruling for partial summary judgment, the Des Moines Register reported.

Based on that prospect, attorneys for the class members said in documents they believe they have obtained a great result with the settlement.

The six employees who led the lawsuit will each receive $10,000. The other 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. The lawyers will take home $3.4 million.

A spokesperson for the Board of Regents did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Education Iowa Universities
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Gerald F. Hemphill was installed as president of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents during the organizations Sept. 22 board of directors meeting held in San Diego, California.

Hemphill, of Richmond, Virginia, was sworn in together with his four fellow national officers: Richard A. Savino, president-elect; Ariel Rivera, vice president/treasurer; Mark A. Suhr, secretary/assistant treasurer; and Anthony Tony Curti, immediate past president. All the officers will serve one-year terms from Oct. 1 to through Sept. 30, 2023.

PIA is constantly expanding its ability to be the preferred resource for independent agents, said Hemphill. During my installation remarks in San Diego, I mentioned a quote that has made a significant impact on me and one that I keep at my desk, Change is inevitable, Growth is optional.'

Hemphill pointed out that PIA is currently in the ascendency, the result of making significant advances in key areas in recent years. He said PIA adapted quickly to changes in the business environment prompted by the coronavirus crisis, having already invested in technology upgrades. He lauded PIAs aggressive advocacy on behalf of independent agents that has produced legislative and regulatory victories that have added to agencies bottom lines.

Our association heads into 2023 in a position of strength, purpose and vision, he said. With many initiatives, programs, products and services, there are a lot of exciting things happening within our Association, and I look forward to serving alongside our Board, Members, Staff, Affiliates and Carrier partners. I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity.

An independent insurance agent in the metro-Richmond, Virginia area since 1993, Gerald represents all lines of insurance, specializing in commercial and life insurance risks. He was an agent for a large domestic carrier for five years and has been principal of his own agency ever since.

In 1996, Gerald earned his LUTCF (Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow) designation, and in 2002, completed his CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation. He is a graduate of Campbell University and Fork Union Military Academy. In addition to his designations, he holds property and casualty, and life, health and annuity licenses.

Hemphill was president of the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Virginia/DC in 2010 and has served on the National Board of PIA since 2013. He was named the PIA of Virginia/DC Agent of the Year in 2012.
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A Florida senator is calling for action from the Transportation Department and automakers after a series of electric vehicle fires tied to Hurricane Ian.

The storm caused flooding and destruction across the state, and fire officials say they are still seeing its impact with EV batteries catching fire after saltwater damage. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is aware of multiple fires in Tesla Inc. vehicles, the agency said in a letter sent Friday to a Florida official and obtained by Bloomberg Government.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) raised concerns about the fires to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and EV makers  including Tesla, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co., and Stellantis NV  in letters sent Thursday, asking for guidance and whether any recalls are being considered.

This emerging threat has forced local fire departments to divert resources away from hurricane recovery to control and contain these dangerous fires, Scott said. Car fires from electric vehicles have proven to be extremely dangerous and last for a prolonged period, taking in many cases up to six hours to burn out.

The fires could represent a new area of concern as the Biden administration seeks to rapidly expand electric vehicle use across the country. The administration is aiming to have 50% of all new cars sold in the US be electric by 2030.

Scott joins Jimmy Patronis, Floridas chief financial officer and state fire marshal, in drawing attention to the issue. Patronis said two houses burned down this week after an EV caught fire. He has asked manufacturers for help.

Patronis also wrote to NHTSA last week asking about the federal response and guidance. In its reply, NHTSA pointed to existing technical information and guidance available from the agency and from Tesla.

Tesla didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lithium-ion vehicle battery fires have been observed both rapidly igniting and igniting several weeks after battery damage occurred, Jack Danielson, executive director at NHTSA, wrote in the letter to Patronis.

Fires in EVs pose unique challenges for firefighters, NHTSA said in a separate statement to Bloomberg Government. The agency said it has been researching the effect of saltwater immersion on batteries when similar issues emerged with EVs after Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

There are more than 95,000 electric vehicle registrations in Florida, the second-most state after California, according to the Energy Department.

Photograph: A logo is displayed on a Tesla Inc. electric vehicle charging at the Tesla Supercharger station in Fremont, Calif., on Monday, July 20, 2020. Photo credit: Nina Riggio/Bloomberg

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Florida Hurricane Tesla Hurricane Ian
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Canopius Hires Liberty Mutuals Johnson as CUO U.S. and Bermuda

Canopius Group, a global specialty re/insurer, announced it has hired Coleman V. Johnson as its chief underwriting officer US and Bermuda. Johnson joins Canopius USAs growing leadership team as the company continues its expansion in the US.

Johnson brings more than 20 years of multifaceted underwriting and insurance leadership experience to his new role. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and chief underwriting officer, Middle Market, for Liberty Mutual where he drove significant profitable growth and retention in the companys US Middle Market P/C business. Prior to his position at Liberty Mutual, Johnson held senior leadership positions at The Hanover Insurance Group and The Hartford.

Johnson will report to both Lisa Davis, chief executive, Canopius US and Bermuda, and Mike Duffy, Canopius group chief underwriting officer.

Prior to Johnsons arrival, Davis was acting US and Bermuda CUO in addition to her role as chief executive, Canopius US and Bermuda. Under Daviss leadership, Canopius USA continues to build out its leadership team and add top quality talent, having increased staff by more than 30% since 2020. In the last 18 months, Canopius USA appointed Greg Alcazar as chief financial officer, Serena Lee as General Counsel, and Adam Finkle as chief operations officer.

We are thrilled to welcome Coleman as our chief underwriting officer, said Davis. Coleman brings a diverse background within the insurance industry, leading teams and building solutions across industry verticals and business lines. His strategic vision and breadth of experience developing and operationalizing successful growth initiatives will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow our US and Bermuda operations and leverage the possibilities of our multi-platform approach.

About Canopius USA and Canopius

Canopius USA is a specialty insurer with experienced teams serving clients throughout the United States. Canopius USA has the ability to write business on multiple platforms and paper, including SFMI A++ (admitted), Canopius Lloyds of London Syndicate 4444 (non-admitted) and Excess & Surplus (E&S) business through Canopius US Insurance Inc. (CUSI).

Canopius is a global specialty re/insurer with underwriting operations in Australia, Bermuda, China, Singapore, the UK and US. It underwrites through Lloyds Syndicate 4444 (managed by Canopius Managing Agents Limited), a US surplus lines insurer, Canopius US Insurance, Inc and Canopius Reinsurance Ltd, a Bermuda based Class 4 Reinsurer.

***

AXA XL Promotes McKinley to Casualty Leader for N. America Construction Business

AXA XL Insurance has promoted Michael McKinley to lead Construction Primary Casualty Insurance business in North America.

Based in Atlanta, in his new role, McKinley will lead the continued growth of AXA XLs Construction Primary Casualty business, helping construction companies address their auto liability, general liability, workers compensation and wrap-up insurance needs.

In addition to McKinleys proven track record for building business here, he brings a collective 25 years of insurance industry experience to his new role, including six years spent on Zurich Insurances Construction team.

He began his insurance career as a field underwriter for Westfield Insurance. A graduate of Marietta College, Mr. McKinley earned Certified Risk Management (CRM), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Construction Risk & Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations

Our clients have relied on Mike for their Wrap Up or Owner-Controlled Insurance Programs (OCIPs) for more than a decade. When he joined us in 2011, he developed our Construction Wrap Up program capabilities from the ground up. Despite a slight downturn during COVID, our Wrap Up business has continued to grow and 2022 is looking like it will be our best year yet, according to Gary Kaplan, president of AXA XLs Construction insurance business.

Topics Leadership AXA XL Construction Casualty
There are few surprises expected on Election Day in solidly Republican Arkansas, where Donald Trumps 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 states constitution is drawing millions of dollars from opponents and supporters of legalization, with ads crowding the airwaves.

President Joe Bidens 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.

Bidens 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 with voters who may be on the fence, said Mason Tvert, partner at VS Strategies, a cannabis policy and public affairs firm.

Bidens 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 shows that states are ahead of the federal government on the issue.

I think its an example of state level leadership and citizens pushing the federal government in the right direction, said Eddie Armstrong, a former state legislator who leads the Responsible Growth Arkansas group campaigning for legalization.

Medical Marijuana

In 2016, Arkansas became the first Bible Belt state to approve medical marijuana, with voters approving a legalization measure. More than 91,000 people have cards to legally buy marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries, which opened in 2019. Patients have spent more than $200 million so far this year, the state says.

An ad by Responsible Growth Arkansas points to benefits such as the thousands of jobs it says legalization would create. The main group opposing the measure is running an ad that urges voters to protect Arkansas from big marijuana.

The proposal faces opposition from Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a former head of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration who criticized Bidens pardon announcement. Former White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, the Republican front-runner to succeed Hutchinson, has said she will vote against the measure. Her Democratic rival, Chris Jones, said he supports it.

In neighboring Missouri, a proposed constitutional amendment would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older and expunge records of past arrests and convictions for nonviolent marijuana offenses, except for selling to minors or driving under the influence.

Supporters said they do not expect Bidens pardon announcement for some federal marijuana offenses to have much of an impact on the Missouri measure, which could expunge several hundred thousand state marijuana offenses.

There is some danger of confusion, but I think most people understand the distinction of the federal and state processes, said John Payne, campaign manager for Legal Missouri 2022.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican and former sheriff, opposes the ballot measure but has not aggressively campaigned against it. He has no plans to emulate Bidens pardon announcement.

Parson has granted pardons to individuals who demonstrate a changed life-style, commitment to rehabilitation, contrition and contribution to their communities _ rather than as a blanket approach to undermine existing law, said Parson spokesperson Kelli Jones.

Similarly, North Dakotas legalization campaign does not expect to incorporate Bidens pardons into its messaging. Mark Friese, treasurer of the New Approach Initiative backing the legalization ballot proposal, said he doubts Bidens pardon will have much of an impact in North Dakota or sway the legalization effort.

The number of North Dakotans convicted in federal court is small, said Friese, a prominent North Dakota lawyer and former police officer. Small amounts of marijuana are typically and historically not prosecuted in North Dakota.

Matt Schwiech, who is running South Dakotas ballot initiative campaign to legalize recreational marijuana possession for adults, said the presidents pardons may hand the campaign a boost with older Democrats. It also underscores the campaigns message that convictions for pot possession hurt people on job or rental applications, as well as that enforcing pot possession laws are a waste of time and resources for law enforcement, he said.

South Dakotans, including a sizable number of Republicans, voted to legalize marijuana possession in 2020, but that law was struck down by the state Supreme Court in part because the proposal was coupled with medical marijuana and hemp. This year, recreational pot is standing by itself as it goes before voters.

It remains unclear whether Bidens pardon move will inject party politics into an issue that supporters say crosses partisan lines. For example, Arkansas voters in 2016 approved medical marijuana the same year they overwhelmingly backed Trump.

All of the states with recreational marijuana on the ballot next month, except for Maryland, voted for Trump in the 2020 presidential election. And the issue is going before voters as GOP candidates have been stepping up their anti-crime rhetoric.

From our perspective the people of Arkansas, they didnt vote for Biden initially and so we dont anticipate this really having any sort of influence over anybodys decision, said Tyler Beaver, campaign manager for Safe and Secure Communities, the main group campaigning against the proposal.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cannabis Arkansas
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In the hardest-hit parts of southwest Florida, many newer structures survived remarkably intact in Hurricane Ians winds, suggesting that updated Florida building codes are making a difference in reducing property losses, according to early assessments.

From what I saw, the structures and roof systems that were installed since the last couple of cycles of building codes did relatively well, said Mike Silvers, a roofing contractor and director of technical services for the Florida Roofing and Sheetmetal Contractors Association, who toured the Fort Myers and Naples areas after the storm.

Two reports, one from university professors who studied the damage and one from CoreLogic, the data analytics company, agree. A preliminary report to the Florida Building Commission last week included an aerial photograph of Fort Myers Beach that gives a stark picture of modern building techniques.

The graphic, from State University of New York Distinguished Professor Michel Bruneau, tracked the age of homes on one beach area. It shows 18 homes built before 1981 that were completely wiped away by the storm. But one house, built in 2020, appears to be almost unscathed. The home is elevated above much of the storm surge level, but the roof also looks undamaged.

In a ground-level photo of the 2020-built house, one can clearly see that the storm surge punched through the elevated first floor, and that the walls were made of concrete blocks (with what appears to be reinforced concrete block posts around garage doors), Bruneau wrote on his Linkedin page. This clearly was not the case for the surrounding homes built in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s.

A wind map produced by Applied Research Associates shows peak wind gusts of 100 mph at Fort Myers Beach, and up to 120 mph on part of nearby Sanibel Island, just to the northwest, according to the building commission report, which was submitted by David Prevatt, of the University of Florida, and David Roueche, of Auburn University. Those windspeeds were somewhat less than was predicted by forecasters, but still powerful enough to cause significant damage across parts of Florida.

Ian was the tied for the 5th-strongest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland, CoreLogic meteorologist Curtis McDonald noted.

In a webinar last week, CoreLogic showed that wind losses in Lee County, one of the coastal areas with the most damage in Ian, were twice as high for structures built before 1996, when the state began tightening building codes for wind load.

Florida is known for developing some of the strongest building codes in the nation for wind resilience, largely as a result of the wrenching impact that Hurricane Andrew had on southeast Florida in 1992. These have included stronger roof-to-wall connections, more impact-resistant windows, and better hurricane shutters, Smith said.

Building codes definitely played a role in reducing losses, said David Smith, senior director for model development at CoreLogic.

Overall, CoreLogics computer models predict insured losses from Hurrican Ian to be in the range of $22 billion to $32 billion, not including flood damage. Thats lower than some other organizations have predicted. And its much lower than the losses that coastal Florida would have seen if newer structures had not been built to the stronger standards, CoreLogic and other experts said.

I do think the things that we have been doing with the code are improving the situation, said Silvers, who has worked with the Building Commission through the years on roof standards.

The codes continue to evolve. The Florida Building Commission this month, in fact, is examining an issue raised by legislation passed in the 2022 property insurance special session of the Florida Legislature.

Lawmakers in May approved Senate Bill 4D, which changed the building code to allow repair of roofs surfaces in most cases, if less than 25% of the surface area is damaged. The previous code and a state law often required insurers to pay for an entire roof replacement if a just small section was damaged.

But the statute did not address a key question: Must the repaired section of roof meet current building code requirements, or can it be repaired to the code that was in effect when most of the roof was installed?

The commission is expected to deliberate on the question over the next few weeks.

The statute also has met with a legal challenge by contractors who argue that the law unfairly singles out roofing companies and violates constitutional requirements.

That case is pending in Leon County Circuit Court. Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Security First Insurance, Tower Hill Insurance and U.S. Coastal Property & Casualty Insurance last week all intervened in the suit, asking the court to rule against the plaintiffs, Restoration Association of Florida and Air Quality Assessors.

Top photo: A graphic by Michel Bruneau, professor at SUNY, showing age of homes on a section of Fort Myers Beach hit hard by Hurricane Ian. Newer homes withstood the wind and waves with much less damage. (From a recent report to the Florida Building Commission)

Topics Florida
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A federal lawsuit filed Thursday accuses Georgias Bartow County of violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when it fired two Black men two years ago.

U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan of the Northern District of Georgia said the county, which is about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Atlanta, subjected former employee Carlen Loyal to a racially hostile work environment and retaliated against former employee Bobby Turner before dismissing them both.

No one should be forced to labor in an environment where employers condone racial slurs and employees are expected to tolerate them, Buchanan said in a news release. It is also unacceptable for an employer to foster a work environment where employees with the courage to report such abhorrent behavior experience retaliation from supervisors and face termination of their jobs. Our office will vigorously and continuously leverage our resources to address this type of illegal discrimination in the workplace.

Loyal worked for the countys Road Department for almost 10 years and Turner, who is his brother-in-law, was also employed there for several years, according to the news release.

In 2019, Loyal complained to his supervisor that a white co-worker sent him a text message referring to him as the n-word. After Loyal complained, the human resources director called Loyal into his office where he subjected Loyal to more racial harassment in front of the employee who allegedly sent the text, the Justice Department said.

The HR director also demanded that Loyal tell him if hed told anyone else about the text, and Loyal said hed told Turner.

Two weeks later, the county accused Loyal and Turner of misconduct and fired them. According to the complaint, Loyal and Turner had each been promoted several times and had no history of discipline with the county.

Loyal and Turner filed discrimination charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which investigated and found reasonable cause that the county violated the law.

The United States is asking the county to develop and implement policies that would prevent discrimination and retaliation. Its also seeking to compensate Loyal and Turner for damages sustained as a result of being fired.

In a statement, Peter Olson, county administrator for Bartow County, rejected the allegations in the lawsuit, calling them outrageous.

Bartow County government does not racially discriminate nor retaliate against its employees, Olson said. The two employees in question were fired for repeatedly falsifying time sheets and claiming overtime hours for work they did not perform, thereby stealing from the county.

Olson said the same action would be taken against any other employee.

We will be contesting the suit vigorously, he added.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Georgia
A fruit company in central Washington is accused in a federal lawsuit of discriminating against an employee based on her sex, and retaliating against her and her husband.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleges in the lawsuit filed last month in U.S. District Court that a Monson Fruit production manager made unwanted advances and sexually harassed an employee between June and September 2019, The Yakima Herald-Republic reported.

Monson Fruit Co. is a family-owned fruit packer, grower and shipper based in Selah, Washington.

Monson officials declined to comment to the newspaper.

According to the lawsuit, the production manager made unwanted advances and sexual comments to the worker, and offered benefits and money in exchange for sex.

When the incidents were reported, the behavior didnt change and the company failed to take action, according to the lawsuit. When the woman transferred to avoid the manager, he fired her husband, who also worked at the facility, the complaint said.

The production manager also failed to provide job modifications offered to other pregnant employees when the woman became pregnant, and she was forced to quit because Monson didnt stop the harassment, according to the lawsuit.

Sexual harassment and retaliation within the farmworker community is a pervasive problem, EEOC Senior Trial Attorney Teri Healy said a statement. The EEOC will vigorously prosecute employers who refuse to protect their employees.

The lawsuit is seeking lost wages, monetary damages including compensation for emotional distress, punitive damages, and training on handling sexual harassment in the workplace.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Washington
THE recruitment process for the chief executive of the new Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply Chain has begun.

Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue gave the update in a written reply to a Dail question from former Minister Brendan Smith, TD (FF).

By having the competition in parallel with the legislative process, I want to ensure that the Office is up and running as early as possible, he said.

Deputy Smith had asked him to ensure that a clear message goes from Government to the multiples that an adequate price needs to be paid, without delay, to pig and poultry primary producers in view of the difficulties facing those sectors at present.

Minister McConalogue said farmers should be adequately rewarded for the work they put into ensuring that Irish food has an assurance of quality, safety, and taste.

In general, retail multiples do not purchase pig meat or poultry meat directly from farmer suppliers, but from meat processing companies.

Prices paid to farmers or charged to consumers are not controlled by Government and are, obviously, subject to market demands.

It is, critically important that operators along the supply chain recognise their mutual dependency. Farmers are small businesses and are vulnerable to price volatility.

They need to make a reasonable economic return for their output if the supply of high-quality pig meat and poultry is to be maintained, he said.

Minister McConalogue said it is critically important that farm families and food producers are treated fairly.

He said the establishment of the Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply Chain is one of his priorities as Minister.

I am confident it will be an advocate and provide a voice for farmers, fishers, growers and other food businesses all along the agricultural and food supply chain, he said.
Scientists hope the countrys first satellite in space will open doors for further technology demonstrations, as plans are already under way to develop a second satellite.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister Damien English signed papers with the European Space Agency (ESA) today to facilitate the launch of the satellite, which has been designed and built by staff and students at University College Dublin.

The satellite, known as the Educational Irish Research satellite 1  or Eirsat-1  will be launched from the ESAs base in French Guiana between January 20 and February 20.

The exact date is expected to be confirmed in the next week.

The Government granted authorisation to sign an exchange of letters with the ESA at a Cabinet meeting on October 4 and signed those letters on Monday.

Its a major milestone, I think, for the Irish space centre, which has huge potential for businesses and also universities, Mr Varadkar said.

Today, the Government signed Letters of Exchange with the European Space Agency, and a Registration and Supervision Agreement with UCD, for Irelands first satellite EIRSAT-1. Picture Jason Clarke

Professor Orla Feely, UCD vice-president for research, innovation and impact, said the project would aim to deliver really outstanding fundamental research, and also develop talent.

You can have no bigger challenges than those associated with space research, that literally seeks to figure out where the universe came from.

This project is fundamentally a student enterprise under the wonderful and inspiring leadership of Professor Lorraine Hanlon and her colleagues, and its great to see.

Space is a wonderful way to get people to get children excited about science. PhD student Rachel Dunwoody said the project was a huge learning experience and will open doors as people realise the potential of Irish space technologies.

We can have a way of demonstrating Irish technology in space through this mission. Its opened a lot of doors in industry to have more technology demonstration, she said.

Weve had amazing opportunities; weve gotten to go to European Space Agency facilities to test it. Weve also developed great facilities in UCD. Prof Hanlon, director of the Eirsat-1 projects and the UCD C-Space Centre, said work is already under way on a second satellite, but attention is currently focused on the first mission.

She said: I think one of the joys of this platform for new technology development is that its a very quick way to demonstrate new technologies from Irish companies and all of it, and because there are many more launch opportunities.

One of the hardest barriers for a company to overcome is demonstrating that your product works in space. The final costs for the project have not been confirmed, but it is estimated that the cost up until now is around 1.5 million euro, with the ESA funding the launch, the Irish Research Council funding nine team members, and Science Foundation Ireland and the Department of Enterprise also providing funds.

Mr English said 97 companies in Ireland have contracts with the ESA, and the technologies developed will not be used solely in space.

As we see it, any money we put into ESA we win back in contracts, he told reporters at a press event.

I think theres been a 50% increase in the number of companies over the last seven- or eight-years winning contracts through ESA, so our investment is really paying off.

But more so, its about developing talent as well and Rachel and her 12 colleagues who are here, they are going to partner up with industries and create more and more technologies.
The coming weeks will be "crucial" for climate change both nationally and internationally, according to environmentalists, with Ireland's latest Climate Action Plan and the international Cop27 global summit in the final planning stages.

The UN-backed Cop27 at Sharm-El-Sheikh in Egypt this November follows on from the Cop26 event in Glasgow last year.

It aims to build on a number of pledges made by national governments around the world on tackling greenhouse gas emissions.

Meanwhile, the Government is poised to update its Climate Action Plan to incorporate the agreement on "carbon budgets" and ceilings imposed on various sectors as to the emissions they can produce, reflecting legally-binding reduction targets for 2030 and 2050 in the Climate Act.

Stop Climate Chaos (SCC), an umbrella group of more than 30 organisations in Ireland, said: "The next few weeks are a crucial period for climate action. Big decisions are due to be made both nationally and internationally.

"A trio of Irish climate policies are due to be finalised or progressed. The global Cop27 climate negotiations start next month. Every action that every one of us takes between now and then is important."

A breakthrough on loss and damage is "desperately needed" at the Egypt event, SCC said.

'Loss and damage'

The UN uses the term "loss and damage" during climate negotiations to refer to the consequences of climate change that go beyond what people can adapt to, or when options exist but a community does not have the resources to access or utilise them, according to the World Resources Institute.

SCC said: "Sometimes climate impacts are so severe they go beyond what people can adapt to.

Think of the current climate-exacerbated drought in the Horn of Africa, heavy rains destroying hectare upon hectare of crops in Rwanda or recent flooding that left one third of Pakistan under water.

Climate impacts like this are referred to as 'loss and damage'."

The bigger and more developed countries, typically in Western societies, are the biggest culprits when it comes to emitting greenhouse gases that are warming the planet, but it is the smaller countries that are paying the price of devastation from extreme weather events and global warming, SCC said.

"Big polluters should be paying for the loss and damage they cause  but at the moment theyre not," it said.

"Climate-vulnerable countries and climate justice movements will make a huge effort to change this at Cop27."

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday, where co-ordination on EU efforts on climate change ahead of Cop27 was discussed, among other issues such as the Ukraine crisis.

"Ireland is extensively engaged in EU preparations for the Cop27 conference in Sharm el-Sheikh," he said. "This includes working to increase our collective climate ambition in line with the Paris Agreement, and pushing for urgent implementation of prior commitments."

Environmental groups 'curtailed'

Cop27 is already under fire from human rights organisations over fears that the host country is stifling dissent from climate scientists.

Egypt, which is seeing the likes of rising sea levels and water scarcity already having an impact, has silenced critics, according to a report from Human Rights Watch.

The Egyptian government has severely curtailed environmental groups ability to carry out independent policy, advocacy, and field work essential to protecting the countrys natural environment, it claimed.
Government officials are facing a 'logistical headache' over the rotation of the role of Taoiseach from Micheal Martin to Leo Varadkar on December 15.

That is the same date as the start of the final European Council meeting of this year in Brussels.

But both Micheal Martin and Leo Varadkar are required to be in Ireland on December 15 to resign their positions to allow the planned rotation to happen.

Mr Martin is due to offer his resignation to President Michael D Higgins on that date and the Dail would need to hold a vote to elect Mr Varadkar as Taoiseach who would then go to Phoenix Park to receive his seal of office.

However, given the number of steps in this process, it would be logistically difficult to do in time to allow Mr Varadkar to attend the EU Council meeting in the afternoon.

The Irish Examiner understands Government officials are now struggling to figure out which leader can attend the EU meeting and it is causing a logistical headache".

A senior Government source said there are a number of options that have to be considered but was adamant that Mr Martin would not resign as Taoiseach earlier.

Another option is postponing the rotation by a week. However, this would require the Dail to sit for an additional week into Christmas week to allow for the rotation and Cabinet reshuffle.

Several backbench TDs in both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have said they would be against such a move with one senior figure saying the two leaders would want to sort it out".

Senior Government sources have said they are aware of the awkward situation that has arisen and are trying to work out what can be done.

The rules are that a Government leader has to attend the European Council and a deputy leader can not go instead.

Another EU country can represent Ireland at the meeting but this is not the preferred option", said a senior source who pointed out there may be important decisions made at the meeting to help with the energy crisis.

One source said: A practical solution needs to be found and officials are trying to work this out but ideally, the leader of the day, Micheal Martin should be the one to attend.

Another said: In practical terms, one of them has to go to the European Council meeting so it will be worked out.

The source added that the matter will not be sorted until after this weeks EU council meeting with Mr Martin due to travel to Brussels on Thursday.
Interview Myanmar Regime Has No Legitimacy to Hold Election: DPNS Leader

Democratic Party for a New Society chairman U Aung Moe Zaw. / The Irrawaddy

The Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS), which opposes military rule in Myanmar, turned 34 on October 14.

It was established by students in the aftermath of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising and was at the time the second-biggest political party after the National League for Democracy.

The DPNS joined pro-democracy protests after last years coup, saying it would not cooperate with the regime.

The party is engaged domestically and internationally to bring down the regime.

It is the only political party involved in the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), the highest-level body of the opposition.

DPNS chairman U Aung Moe Zaw recently talked to The Irrawaddy about how the DPNS has changed over the last 34 years and how he sees the revolution.

What lessons did you learn from the 2020 general election?

The results of both the 1990 and 2020 general elections were rejected and whats worse, the generals took back power.

Unless the military dictatorship is rooted out, to quote [late prominent political prisoner] U Win Tin, unless the generals are kicked into the Bay of Bengal, our country will remain in deep water.

Our country will have a healthy future only when the dictatorship is completely wiped out.

The DPNS supported revolutions against the previous and current regimes. What made the party join elections in the past?

The revolution must continue as long as those people exist. Around 2013 we thought there were political changes in the country. So we decided to go back into the country, stand as a political party and work with other stakeholders for a gradual transition.

Our commitment and our political standpoint to continue to bring about changes in the country never changes and we only changed the way we work to make those changes happen.

But the coup showed that democracy is impossible with the military. We must fight them or future generations will be in trouble.

What is the DPNS policy on the revolution?

What has happened has strengthened the peoples resolve to end military rule. Parents urge their children to fight.

Ethnic minorities have joined the revolution. Karen, Karenni, Kachin and Rakhine groups are participating.

The 8888 uprising is a significant event in our history but this is on a wider scale. People now have political ambitions about how they want to build the country.

The DPNS is the only party involved in the NUCC, the highest-level political body in the revolution. Why did the DPNS join the NUCC?

This revolution needs cooperation among various organizations. The Bamar are engaged in armed revolt across the country. As many groups revolt, it is important to establish links among them.

There must be a platform like the NUCC that all forces can join. So we joined to continue to engage in the revolution with all the others.

We want other political organizations and individuals to join. Only when we work and struggle together will we be able to satisfy the hopes and demands of our people.

The NUCC has been criticized for failing to provide effective policy leadership. What is your assessment of the NUCCs leadership?

Some people and organizations had never met each other before they joined the NUCC. There are ethnic armed organizations, political parties, civil society groups and protesters in the NUCC.

They vary in age, experience and the way they work.

They have different views and it will take time to discuss political issues. It will take longer than we expect. But it is good to have a platform.

Our revolution is a long journey.

It will be stronger if we are closer and have greater trust through meetings.

The National Unity Government (NUG) is acting as a parallel administration. How do you assess the NUGs leadership during the revolution?

Everything it has done so far is aimed at fulfilling the demands of the people, I assume. We must work together.

To step up the revolt, it needs to work closely with ethnic armed forces, which are key.

If they have a clear consensus not only about ousting the dictatorship but also about how to establish a federal union, which everyone is demanding, our revolt will become stronger.

What is the DPNS view on the election the regime plans to hold next year?

The regime does not have any legitimacy to hold an election and we must prevent it from doing so. No one recognizes the regime as legitimate.

Regional countries and the international community do not recognize it either.

But perhaps some countries and international agencies may recognize an election. So we must stop it happening.

We are obliged to do so.

The regime is trying to climb on the international stage through the ladder of an election. We must knock it down.

I ask our partner organizations and citizens to stop the regime claiming legitimacy through the dogs door. I urge for cooperation to stop this and no governments to recognize any election.

The regime is competing with the NUG to gain legitimacy on the international stage. But China, the US and other western countries have agreed that Myanmars crisis should be settled through ASEAN. Are you satisfied with the international communitys intervention in Myanmar?

It is wrong to let ASEAN handle Myanmar. Countries like Malaysia support Myanmars people but Cambodia and Laos cooperate with the regime. I cant accept the US and other countries asking ASEAN to handle Myanmar. US President Barack Obama visited Myanmar twice after 2010. The US certainly backed the changes that happened.

But it appears to have distanced itself now we are in trouble.

I dont like the way the international community handles Myanmar.

It provides huge support for Ukraine but asks ASEAN to handle Myanmar.

It should be more serious and do more. Right now we have to work by ourselves.
Asia Key Moments From Chinese Presidents Address to Communist Party Congress

Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) arrives for the opening session of the 20th Chinese Communist Party Congress in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 16, 2022. / AFP

BEIJINGPresident Xi Jinping kicked off Chinas five-yearly Communist Party Congress on Sunday with a wide-ranging speech defending Beijings zero-COVID approach, hailing its anti-graft efforts and reasserting its ambition to absorb Taiwan by force if necessary.

The speech gave Xi an opportunity to tout his governments achievements to the conclaves roughly 2,300 delegates, ahead of being handed an expected third term in power at the end of the week.

Here is a rundown of key takeaways from Xis opening address:

Critical moment

Xi took the stage at Beijings Great Hall of the People to thunderous applause, beginning his speech by hailing the Communist Partys rule and noting that the gathering came at a crucial time.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is a very important congress convened at a critical moment, Xi said.

Putting lives first

After weathering months of criticism over the effects of his countrys strict zero-COVID policy, Xi said China had put the people and their lives first when dealing with the pandemic.

He said China had protected peoples safety and health to the highest degree and achieved significant positive results in coordinating epidemic prevention and control with social and economic development.

Xi gave no sign that the rigid policywhich has forced millions into lockdowns over just handfuls of cases as the rest of the world learns to live with the viruswould relent anytime soon.

Hong Kong and Taiwan

Chinas increasing assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait, as well as its moves to snuff out dissent in Hong Kong following pro-democracy protests in 2019, have drawn pointed critiques from Western governments.

But Xi on Sunday hailed the end of what he described as the chaos in Hong Kong, while condemning external forces interfering in self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

The situation in Hong Kong has achieved a major transition from chaos to governance, he said, going on to pledge a major struggle against separatism and interference in Taiwan.

He later added that the Taiwan issue must be resolved by Chinese people alone.

We will never commit to abandoning the use of force, and reserve the option to take all necessary measures, Xi said in remarks greeted by thunderous applause.

Anti-graft drive

Xi told delegates that his long-running crackdown on corruption had put an end to serious latent dangers within the Communist Party, military and the state.

The fight against corruption has won an overwhelming victory and has been comprehensively consolidated, eliminating serious latent dangers within the party, the state and the military, he said, referencing a campaign critics say has been used to curb internal dissent.

Climate fight

The Chinese president also vowed that Beijing was committed to the global fight against climate change.

China will actively participate in global governance on climate change, Xi told delegates, committing to carbon emissions reduction while promising to strengthen the clean and efficient use of coal.

Despite vowing to reduce coal use from 2026 as part of a broad set of climate promises, Beijing has stepped up spending on the fossil fuel in the face of extreme weather, a domestic energy crunch and rising global fuel pricesraising concerns its policies may hinder the fight against climate change.

Cold War mentality

Xi said Beijing opposed a Cold War mentality in international diplomacy, but made no mention of frayed relations with the United States.

China resolutely opposes all forms of hegemony and power politics, opposes the Cold War mentality, opposes interfering in other countries domestic politics, opposes double standards, he said, claiming Beijing will never seek hegemony and will never engage in expansion.

Things left unsaid

While the Chinese leaders speech referenced the fraught international climate, he notably made no mention of Russias invasion of Ukraine or the major ripple effects the conflict has had on the global economy.

He also made no reference to the situation in Chinas western region of Xinjiang, where Beijing stands accused of widespread human rights abuses and detaining over a million Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in re-education camps.

Nor did his speech touch on the unprecedented crisis in Chinas real estate sector, where cash-strapped, debt-laden developers have seen sales plummet and confidence dashed in the housing market.
Burma Myanmar Junta and Ethnic Armed Group Trade Accusations Over Fatal Pagoda Shooting

Rescuers carry a wounded pilgrim to hospital after a firefight at the base of Kyaik Htee Yoe (Golden Rock) Pagoda on Wednesday. / CJ

Myanmars military regime and an armed ethnic Karen group have blamed each other for the fatal shooting of female pilgrims at the base of Kyaik Htee Yoe Golden Rock pagoda in Mon State last week.

Three Buddhist pilgrims were killed during a firefight between regime troops and a resistance force at a junta outpost near the temple on Wednesday.

Local people said the fatal shots were fired by junta soldiers after the resistance fighters had retreated.

The regime blamed the attack on an anti-junta People Defense Force (PDF) allied with the Karen National Liberation Armys Brigade 1, the civilian National Unity Government (NUG) and its parliamentary wing. It said three were killed and 19 injured.

Thahton PDF, a local resistance force, told the BBC Burmese Service they directed fire only at the soldiers and police in the outpost, before retreating, adding that the pilgrims may have been hit when the regime forces retaliated. They challenged the junta to release CCTV footage of the incident.

The Karen National Union (KNU), the political wing of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), said on Thursday it was investigating whether any of the 24 PDFs under its command were behind the fatal attack on pilgrims. The attack occurred in an area where KNLA Brigade 1 is active.

On Friday night, the KNU issued a statement that the killings were caused by random fire from regime forces responding to the PDFs attack, citing testimony from a resident of Kin Mon Chaung village, where the attack happened.

On the same night, the regime issued a report on the attack that claimed resistance forces under the command of the KNLA, NUG and its parliamentary wing were responsible for the fatalities.

The regime also said it would also take legal action against The Irrawaddy and BBC Burmese for reporting that the pilgrims were killed by junta forces.
Burma Myanmar Junta Chief Demands Unity as Secrets Continue to Leak

Min Aung Hlaing meets personnel and their families at the Southeastern Command in Mawlamyine on Sunday. / Cincds

In recent visits to Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region and Mawlamyine in Mon State, Myanmars regime leader Min Aung Hlaing repeatedly called for unity as his personnel continue to leak confidential information.

On Sunday, Min Aung Hlaing discussed military training with the chief of the general staff and the heads of the navy and air force and commandants of the defense services academies in Pyin Oo Lwin where he highlighted the importance of information security.

A sense of urgency was noticeable in his voice.

He called on instructors to make sure trainees have information-security awareness and warned against the use of harmful online activities.

He then immediately left for Mawlamyine, near the Golden Rock Pagoda, where junta troops were attacked on October 12, and met officers, other ranks and their families.

He called for unity within and urged soldiers and their families to keep information safe. He said unity within 14 times, suggesting deep concerns and growing disunity.

His concerns are reasonable. Confidential information about his meetings, troop movements and his planned trips are leaked to the independent media.

The regime is issuing orders by phone instead of sending telegrams. But information is still leaking.

Min Aung Hlaing recently canceled trips after details leaked on social media.

Leaks are also frequently costing soldiers lives.

Junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun in March admitted the armed forces contained watermelons: green on the outside but National League for Democracy red on the inside.

More than 3,000 personnel have deserted since the February 2021 coup, according to Peoples Embrace, a group formed by defectors.

The ranks are also being depleted by daily clashes across the country and the regime is struggling to recruit both officer cadets and privates.

The regime has been forced to use police and veteran soldiers in combat roles and to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62.

Min Aung Hlaings repeated calls for unity only serve to highlight ever-growing divides.
Burma Myanmar Political Prisoners Issue List of Torturers in Juntas Insein Jail

Prison officials at the gate of Insein prison in Yangon on February 12, 2022. / AFP

Political prisoners in Yangons Insein Prison have revealed the names of officials and staff there involved in torture and rights abuses of prisoners of conscience.

The list of 10 names includes Corrections Department director Myo Oo, prison warden Zaw Lwin Aung, staff officers Tun Win Htike and Ye Kyaw Thu and six other supervisors.

In their statement, political prisoners from the mens section said that about 5 percent of political prisoners arrested since the coup have been permanently disabled by the juntas brutal torture.

Those who took part in silent protests and hunger strikes in December 2021, in June and July, and in August this year after the junta executed four pro-democracy activists, were punished with severe beatings and solitary confinement. Some suffered bone fractures and head injuries, the statement said.

Female political prisoners were also subjected to beatings and rights abuses, it added. One had delivered a stillborn baby after being refused proper medical aid during labor.

It is a violation of prison regulations to beat any prisoner, said one lawyer. Such beatings are not only against the law but also blatantly criminal, said the lawyer, who asked for anonymity over fears of reprisal.

The statement said Insein jail currently holds more than 200 political prisoners aged under 20, about 10 in their 70s, and more than 1,000 in the 21-35 age group.

It called on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) and international agencies to investigate the juntas torture and killing of political prisoners. It added that political prisoners would continue to fight for their rights at the risk of their lives.

The statement also demanded an end to all forms of dictatorship including military dictatorship, cancellation of the military-drafted 2008 Constitution, the establishment of a federal, democratic Union, and the immediate release of political leaders, activists, students and others demanding democracy.
Burma Senior Myanmar Junta Figures Behind Legal Action Against Irrawaddy, BBC

Regime No. 2 Soe Win / Myawady

The Myanmar regimes No. 2 man, along with an adviser, a minister and pro-regime media were behind the juntas decision to take legal action against The Irrawaddy and the BBC Burmese Service for their reporting on last weeks fatal shooting at the base of Kyaik Htee Yoe Pagoda in Mon State.

Three Buddhist pilgrims were killed during a firefight between regime troops stationed there and a resistance force on Wednesday.

The regime accused an anti-regime Peoples Defense Force (PDF) group allied with the Karen National Liberation Armys Brigade 1, the civilian National Unity Government (NUG) and its parliamentary wing for the attack. It said three people were killed and 19 injured.

Local people said the incident began when the resistance group attacked a regime outpost at the site, and the pilgrims were killed when the junta soldiers opened fire in response.

The Irrawaddy reported the incident and the BBC Burmese Service interviewed the local resistance group, Thaton PDF, which claimed responsibility for the attack on the outpost but denied opening fire on civilians. The resistance group blamed the junta for the civilian deaths. Other Myanmar media outlets reported the fatal shooting, too.

On Friday, the regime announced it would take legal action against the news outlets under the Communications Law, News Media Law and other laws for reporting that security forces opened fire on pilgrims, contradicting its official account.

Pessimistic Irrawaddy and BBC news agencies turned a blind eye to the correct information [which] mentioned security forces opened fire at pilgrims, the statement said.

The Irrawaddy has learned that the juntas deputy chief, Soe Win, took charge of issuing the orders for legal action to be taken, as junta leader Min Aung Hlaing was in Pyin Oo Lwin at the time.

The action against The Irrawaddy came after one of the regimes advisers, Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, complained about the news outlets reporting on the attack on her Facebook page, saying, This is Fake News! It contradicts all evidence and eyewitness accounts! It is NUG-PDF who murdered our Buddhist pilgrims.

Then, others joined the bandwagon, including regime Minister of International Cooperation Ko Ko Hlaing. He commented under Yin Yin Nwes post: What [matters] is how to counter their black propaganda effectively. I think it is crucial and urgent to do that.

It has been learned that Yin Yin Nwe reported to Soe Win about The Irrawaddys story, while pro-regime media organizations Myanmar Hard Talk and Myanmar National Post complained to Chief of Military Security Affairs Lieutenant General Ye Win Oo asking him to take action against the BBC Burmese Service, which has been allowed by the junta to operate inside Myanmar along with 18 other foreign news agencies.

Since the coup in February 2021, The Irrawaddy, one of the countrys independent news media outlets, has been targeted by the regime several times for its critical reporting on the junta. Its website has been banned by the regime.

In March last year, the military regime sued the news outlet under Article 505 (a) for disregarding the armed forces in reporting on the anti-regime protests that were occurring at the time. The police opened a case against The Irrawaddy as a whole rather than individual employees, making it the first news outlet to be sued by the regime after the coup.

On two occasions later that year, The Irrawaddys office in downtown Yangon was raided by security forces. No one was arrested during the raids, as The Irrawaddy ceased its operation inside Myanmar following the coup.

Myanmar has become the worlds second-biggest jailer of journalists since last years military takeover, with more than 140 journalists detained. Over 60 remain behind bars and four journalists have died in custody.
Burma Sixteen Myanmar Regime Troops Captured in Karen State Ambush

Resistance forces celebrate their successful ambush. / Red Dragon

The Karen National Union (KNU) and its resistance allies said they twice ambushed junta reinforcements heading to Waw Lay in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, at the weekend, killing six junta soldiers and capturing 16 others, including a major.

KNU Brigade 6 and the Nagarni (Red Dragon) resistance group attacked junta reinforcements in the northeast of Kyainseikgyi Township on Saturday and Sunday, according to resistance sources.

The clash on Saturday lasted for two hours and there was six hours of fighting reported on Sunday. A junta hilltop base in Kyainseikgyi provided artillery support for regime troops during the fighting.

Six junta soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion 358 of the 13th Military Operations Command based in Bokpyin in Tanintharyi Region were reportedly killed in the fighting.

Sixteen junta soldiers, including a major and two captains, were captured along with weapons, according to resistance sources.

Twenty-three other junta soldiers escaped, the groups added.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

Around 18 rifles, a 60mm grenade launcher and other ammunition were seized in the fighting.

KNU spokesman Padoh Saw Taw Nee told The Irrawaddy: We dont have details but we can confirm the ambush. Some junta soldiers were seriously injured. We seized nearly 20 firearms.

The KNU and Nagarni clashed with Light Infantry Battalion 432 on October 13. A junta soldier was reportedly killed in the clash.
War Against the Junta About 40 Myanmar Junta Forces Killed in Three Days of Resistance Attacks

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The Myanmar juntas forces reportedly suffered around 40 deaths in the last three days after facing ambushes and other attacks by Peoples Defense Force groups (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) across the country.

Over a dozen incidents were reported in Sagaing, Magwe, Bago, Yangon and Tanintharyi regions and Chin, Karen and Mon States.

Regime forces also looted and burned houses during their raids on villages in Magwe and Sagaing regions.

The Irrawaddy has rounded up the following reports of significant attacks by EAOs and PDFs, as well as the latest regime atrocities.

Military helicopters attacked in Chin

One of two military transport helicopters was reportedly hit during an ambush by Chinland Defense Force-Kanpetlet in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State on Sunday while transporting regime reinforcements to the town, according to the parallel National Unity Governments Defense Ministry.

The chopper was damaged but did not crash, the resistance group told the media.

10 regime forces killed or injured by PDF ambush in Mon

At least 10 junta soldiers were killed or injured when Taungnyo Guerrilla Force ambushed a military convoy of seven vehicles between two villages while the convoy was traveling to Thanphyu Zayat from Ye Township on Saturday, the PDF group claimed.

Two vehicles were destroyed in the ambush.

Two junta soldiers killed by PDF drone strikes in Karen



Junta outposts being bombed by KNLA-allied PDF group Federal Wing in Karen State in early October. / Video: Federal Wings

Two junta soldiers including an army captain were killed when the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied resistance groups used drones to drop 81-mm and 60-mm mortar rounds on Infantry Battalion 32 in Kyainseikgyi Township, Karen State at around 2 a.m. Sunday, according to Red Dragon Column, which was involved in the attack.

Another soldier was injured.

Pro-regime militia member assassinated in Tanintharyi

Launglon-PDF (LLPDF) claimed on Sunday it killed Pyu Saw Htee pro-regime militia member Ko Tun Naing from Kahtaungni Village in Launglon Township, Tanintharyi Region on Saturday.

The victim, who was armed by the military regime, had threatened people and randomly opened fire, the PDF group said, adding that an improvised firearm, mobile phones and some illegal drugs were seized from him.

15 junta soldiers killed in PDF ambush in Tanintharyi

At least 15 regime troops were killed and many others injured in Dawei Township, Tanintharyi Region last Friday when six resistance groups jointly ambushed a military convoy carrying 100 regime forces between two villages, according to Dawei East Forest-PDF, which joined the ambush.

Regime forces responded with heavy explosives, but all of the PDF fighters escaped without any casualties.

School burned down by junta forces in Magwe

School buildings were burned down by a regime detachment during a raid on Taung Myint Village in Pauk Township, Magwe Region on Sunday, local resistance group Shwe Tuang Myay-PDF said.

The detachment, which burned down houses in Theechar Village, Pauk Township last Wednesday, raided villages in the township on Sunday, the PDF group said.

Military detachment mined in Bago

Resistance group Myanmar Revolution Force-Nattalin claimed on Sunday it used three land mines to ambush a military detachment between two villages in Natalin Township, Bago Region on Saturday.

In the attack, regime forces are believed to have been killed or injured, the group said.

Several junta soldiers killed or injured in two days of attacks in Sagaing

A number of regime forces were believed killed in Taze Township, Sagaing Region during ambushes and attacks by combined local resistance groups on Saturday and Sunday, claimed Taze-PDF, which coordinated the attacks.

On Saturday, a shootout occurred between over 100 junta troops including Pyu Saw Htee pro-regime militia members and combined PDF groups in the township after the military detachment was ambushed with land mines by the resistance groups at the entrance of Ywar Thit Village.

Early Sunday morning, a fierce clash also broke out at a small bridge in the township when PDF groups ambushed the detachment using land mines.

One more firefight occurred in the township when PDF groups attacked the military detachment at the entrance of Chaung-U Village in the township at 11 a.m. on that morning.

Two military gunboats ambushed in Sagaing

PDF fighters use improvised firearms to attack military gunboats in Mingin, Sagaing Region last Friday. / Video: KyaukLonegyi-PDF

Two military gunboats carrying 50 junta soldiers were ambushed by resistance groups from Mingin and Kani townships, Sagaing Region on Friday while the junta forces were traveling from Mingin to Monywa along the Chindwin River, said Kyauklonegyi-PDF on Saturday.

The PDF group said they ambushed the gunboats from two locations. However, military casualties are unknown. Videos show firefights between the gunboats and the PDF groups.

Military vessels face additional PDF attacks in Sagaing

Two military gunboats and a barge were ambushed by six PDF battalions in Monywa Township, Sagaing Region on Saturday as the flotilla was departing from the port of Monywa bound for Salingyi along the Chindwin River.

Resistance groups said they used five explosives to target the barge, which was carrying a large number of regime troops. However, the military casualties were unknown. Amid the juntas firing of heavy explosives, PDF fighters escaped from the area without any casualties.

Three junta soldiers killed in urban attack in Sagaing

Myanmars Royal Dragon Army-MRDA claimed it and three PDF groups managed to throw a grenade into a military vehicle traveling in the town of Monywa, Sagaing Region on Saturday evening.

In the attack, three regime troops were killed and others injured, MRDA claimed.

Villages looted, torched by junta forces in Sagaing

Houses were looted and burned down by junta forces during raids on villages in Wetlet Township, Sagaing Region starting last Friday, according to GZ-Special Task Force-Wetlet, a local resistance group.

A military detachment of over 100 troops raided at least seven villages on the weekend.

Six junta soldiers killed by PDF land mines in Sagaing

At least six regime forces were killed in Chaung-U Township, Sagaing Region on Saturday when PDF groups ambushed a military detachment that was raiding and burning villages in the township, claimed Chaung-U PDF, which coordinated the attacks.

At around 10 a.m. on Saturday, Chuang-U PDF and another PDF group used a cluster of land mines to ambush 50 regime forces of the detachment near a village in the township. The detachment had been raiding villages since early in the morning. Military casualties were unknown.

After the ambush, regime forces burned down houses in nearby Mahtitha Village in the township.

In the afternoon, the combined PDF groups continued to ambush the military detachment near Ngarlonetine Village using land mines. In the attack, six junta soldiers were killed and some injured, Chaung-U PDF said.

Over a dozen 40-mm bombs were seized during the ambushes. Another 150 houses in Ngarlonetin Village were burned down by the regime forces on Saturday and Sunday.

Court bombed in Yangon

The underground resistance group Brave Eagles claimed that it and another PDF group bombed the court of Kyimyindaing Township, Yangon on Saturday morning using a remote-controlled bomb.

Another bomb was found and detonated by regime forces, the group said.

The group urged people to avoid regime forces and junta-controlled government offices and departments due to potential attacks.
Tom Cui: "While the company [Optus] seems to be gradually increasing its advertising spend, particularly on Facebook, its at a slow and steady pace."

Australia's second biggest telco Singtel Optus dropped its daily digital advertising spend from US$55,000 (A$88.1 million) on 21 September to less than US$5000 on 22 September, the day it announced a massive data breach, a data analytics company says.

Digital marketing intelligence company Pathmatics said Optus decision to reduce its advertising did not come as a surprise as this is the normal response during a crisis.

Ten days after the breach, the company had yet to re-ignite its advertising efforts. But since 14 October, the digital advertising spend has come back to normal levels.

Pathmatics said an interesting fact about the restored spend was that practically all of it was on Facebook advertising

Telstras advertising spend rose from US$140,000 on the day of the cyber attack to US$180,000 three days later.

Vodafone increased its advertising efforts with a particular focus on Facebook where its spend rose from just under US$15,000 per day to almost US$35,000 per day.

Exetel also ramped up its marketing efforts, with a significant spike in advertising spend on 23 and 24 September, the two days following the announcement of the Optus data breach.

Lycamobiles advertising spend fluctuated, with peaks in activity on the day the breach was announced and the next day.

Boost Mobiles advertising spend increased from US$400 to US$5000 following the announcement of the breach.

The firm also tracked the activity of Opus' competitors and provided the following data which was taken on 5 October:

Pathmatics noted that no telco was yet including warnings about online safety as part of the messaging in their advertising, but instead focusing on product and brand awareness.

Asked why Optus had reduced the digital ad spend after the breach announcement  when one could logically argue that any company suffering bad media exposure would increase its ad spend to counter that  Pathmatics APAC managing director Tom Cui said: "Given the ongoing fallout and public scrutiny of the data breach, I would expect to see Optus maintain a lower profile in the short term while they assess reputational damage and financial implications of the data breach.

"While the company seems to be gradually increasing its advertising spend, particularly on Facebook, its at a slow and steady pace."

Cui was asked whether the drop in expenditure on digital advertising was a general trend when a company was receiving bad press or when an adverse event affected its profile. "More often than not we see companies halt their digital ad spend following negative press," he responded.

"For example, when DoorDash was recently investigated for leaking its users' credit card information, we saw its digital advertising spend drop from more than US$$60K per day to US$3.5K per day following the attack.

This allows the company to focus their efforts on fully assessing the crisis and any potential negative impact."

Given that Optus took out full-page ads in some newspapers to apologise for the data breach, Cui was asked about advertising in these media. He said Pathmatics could not comment on print advertising as it only provided insights and analysis on digital advertising spend.

Cui said it was correct to assume that other telcos were stepping up their digital ad spend to try and grab some of Optus' market share.

Yes, our data shows Telstra, Vodafone, Exetel and Lycamobile all increased their digital ad spend following Optus attack. Its presented them a real opportunity to capitalise on consumers who will be looking to migrate telco service providers," he commented.

Cui was asked why Pathmatics had underlined the fact that no telco had included online safety messages in their advertising, instead focusing on product and brand awareness.

He replied: While privacy and security has increasingly become an important topic for many consumers and businesses alike right now, this doesnt necessarily translate into the most optimal advertising messages to drive purchases.

"At Pathmatics we found that the top advertising creatives for telco companies continue to focus on production introductions, brand awareness and promotions.

"Behind the scenes I expect to see telcos turning much of their attention towards data security compliance infrastructure to prevent something like this happening again.
Hitachi Vantara, modern infrastructure, data management and digital solutions subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd.(TSE: 6501), today announced significant growth in its Hitachi Content Platform (HCP) object storage business with substantial net new customers in 1HFY22 and a projected growth of +40% in Q2 FY22 compared to Q2 FY21, outstripping the market CAGR of 13.6%1. This growth is especially significant given the challenges businesses face converting data into valuable insights that improve customer experiences, create new efficiencies and fuel innovation.

For more information on Hitachi Vantaras Object Storage offerings, visit:https://nhttps://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/products/data-storage/object-storage.html

Representing up to 90% of all data stored, unstructured data is a critical component to achieving data centricity but is often left unutilised as the vast majority is never analysed. To help organisations efficiently process this information, advanced analytics and business intelligence tools are vital to easily classify and make sense of data, govern it, and make it actionable. A recent report byGigaOmnotes, with the right processes and tools, businesses can do more with their data than ever before, mining it for hidden insights and capturing incredible value in the process, transforming it from a liability into an asset.

A quality unstructured data platform extends beyond just storing data  robust analytics are crucial in delivering insights into an organisation's data patterns and trends, saidRadhika Krishnan, Chief Product Officer for Hitachi Vantara.As customers needs evolve and IT departments transform from a supporting role to one of enablement, HCP is uniquely suited to addressing the biggest data challenges with faster and more accurate insights for improved savings, employee productivity, and customer experience.

Hitachi Content Platform Adds Intelligence to Object Storage

HCP offers a broad ecosystem of solutions including comprehensive, intelligent data management that spans beyond object storage alone to unlock the full value of data assets. A leader in theGigaOM Radar for Unstructured Data Management Business Solutionsand aDCIG Top 5 On-premises SDS Object Storage Solution,Hitachis HCP portfolio delivers robust capabilities for empowering customers as they extend beyond the walls of the enterprise, to the cloud and the edge.

DCIG reports, HCP demonstrates wide deployment, cloud and analytic support compared with other evaluated solutions, and that Hitachi Vantara complements HCP with a portfolio of software products that provides expanded data management, governance, analytics, collaboration, and file gateway capabilities.

HCP Partners Discover New Unstructured Data Management Customer-Use-Cases

The major purpose of long-term digital preservation is to preserve primary data and metadata in such a way that both the readability and the interpretability (authenticity) can be guaranteed. Long-term preservation has become more challenging since data formats, compliance, applications, and usage change over the life of the data. Our customers are interested in a secure transfer of data to and from the cloud to store/preserve data and make it easy to access, saidPaul Schindeler, CEO of Data Matters, a cloud services provider in The Netherlands. Hitachi Content Platform successfully delivers on all of these requirements, making it a perfect platform to build solutions for integrating analytics with a private cloud, while helping ensure privacy, security and longevity of data.

As a cloud services provider, we pride ourselves in providing infrastructure that scales without limits and facilitates data innovation while maintaining flexibility, security, and investment protection within our customers existing systems, saidAhsan Khan, Chief Technology Officer at ThinkOn, a cloud computing services provider in Ontario, Canada. We believe object storage is the ideal technology to securely deliver our storage services and help protect against the latest cyber and ransomware threats by employing strong data protection policies, including encryption, object locking, and multiple backups of sensitive data. Using the Hitachi Content Platform portfolio as the foundation for our data protection-as-a-service offerings, we can provide our customers with their choice of industry-leading backup, disaster recovery, analytics, and storage service offerings.

Hitachi Vantara Unstructured Data Webinar Series

Hitachi Vantara is hosting a series of webinars featuring trailblazing partners, and industry analysts discussing the cloud journey for enterprises, delving into best practices and considerations for a cloud object storage solution.

November 8, 2022  12:00 PM (PDT)

The data centre is no longer a physical location - this webinar will explore the shift in how organizations are investing in their data centres and real-world best practices for Big Data Analytics and IoT environments.

Participants:Todd Dorsey, analyst, DCIG; Ken Clipperton, analyst, DCIG; Tanya Loughlin, director, Content Platforms, Hitachi Vantara

November 15, 2022  12:00 PM (PDT)

Being digital goes beyond operating in digital channels - this webinar will explore how organizations are applying an inclusive view of infrastructure and people to build transformative solutions.

Participants:Enrico Signoretti, research analyst, GigaOm; Tanya Loughlin, director, Content Platforms, Hitachi Vantara

Additional Resources

Connect With Hitachi Vantara

About Hitachi Vantara

Hitachi Vantara, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., delivers intelligent data platforms, infrastructure systems, and digital expertise that supports more than 80% of the Fortune 100. To learn how Hitachi Vantara turns businesses from data-rich to data-driven through agile digital processes, products, and experiences, visitwww.hitachivantara.com.
The global mobile phone accessories market size is expected to grow at US$32.72 billion ($51.79 billion) from 2021 to 2026 at a CAGR of almost 6%, according to market research company Technavio.

Technavio cited the integration of advanced function in smartphones, growing preference for wireless mobile phone accessories, and the proliferation of low-priced smartphones as factors propelling market growth.

Growing market for counterfeit mobile accessories and short shelf life of smartphones may hinder market growth, Technavio said.

The competition in the global smartphone market has intensified as smartphone manufacturers are focusing on integrating innovative features and technologies in their products to stay competitive in the market.

Such innovations will allow users to employ their devices for several applications, such as taking high-definition videos and selfies, accessing mobile applications quickly, and playing high-definition games.

Features such as taking high-definition videos and selfies, accessing mobile applications, and playing high-definition games will generate the demand for accessories such as power banks, earphones, headphones, protective cases, and screen protectors.

Trends in the mobile phone accessories market

Technavio pointed out that increasing focus on improving telecommunication network infrastructure is a key trend in the mobile phone accessories market.

Smartphone manufacturers, government organisations, and telecommunication service providers are working in collaboration to improve the telecommunication network infrastructure to support high network bandwidth capacity.

This is accelerating investments in the 4G/5G networks and developments in 4G/5G compatible devices.

For example, in September 2018, Celcom Axiata Berhad, a Malaysia-based mobile telecommunications provider, announced that it had signed an agreement with Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson.

Under this agreement, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson will supply Celcom Axiata Berhad with radio access network (RAN) equipment from its Ericsson radio system portfolio.

This will accelerate the use of mobile phones for accessing online audio and video content which, in turn, result in high demand for mobile phone accessories, Technavio said.

High availability of counterfeit products makes it difficult to control

Counterfeit mobile accessories pose a challenge. It records high growth in emerging economies such as Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Taiwan in APAC.

This demand is driven by the increased preference for low-cost products in the region and the high availability of counterfeit products. The easy availability of these products on every distribution channel, including physical and online retail stores, in each country, makes it difficult to control the sales of counterfeit items.

The increasing sales of fake accessories are reducing the total potential market for mobile accessories, hindering global mobile phone accessories market, according to Technavio.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 14 October 2022.
NEC has signed a charter contract with U.K.-based Global Marine Systems Limited for an optical submarine cable-laying ship (the Norwegian registered Normand Clipper) for approximately four years.

Based on this contract, NEC intends to strengthen its position to provide submarine cable systems and thus respond to expanding demand for submarine cables due to the increase in global data traffic.

Currently located in a northern port on the Japanese island of Kyushu the Normand Clipper arrived on October 1st after a voyage of 39 days from Portland, UK.

NEC says that it has been a leading global vendor in the submarine cable system business for over 50 years, manufacturing submarine cables, submarine repeaters, and terminal station equipment. In fact various subsidiaries will be involved in most aspects of sub-sea cable deployment from the contracted vessel. The submarine cable will be manufactured by NECs subsidiary OCC Corporation and submarine relaying devices will be manufactured by NEC Platforms Ltd.

Further, the company has been actively involved in the coordination of marine surveys, route design, equipment installation work, cable laying, training and delivery testing.

For previous projects, NEC has procured submarine cable-laying ships for each project separately. In order to respond to the growing demand for new submarine cables due to the recent spread of 5G and the increase in data traffic between data centres in various countries, NEC has chartered a long-term dedicated cable-laying ship for the first time. As a result, NEC will provide submarine cable systems more quickly and flexibly than ever before to meet customer demand.

One of the biggest consumers of cable bandwidth is follow the electricity price data centre usage. Most global data centre managers will very closely watch electricity prices around the world and rapidly relocate customers virtual machines to take advantage of the lowest price wherever they have an active data centre.

Sub-sea cable-laying has become big business with demand for new capacity growing rapidly. In addition, there has long been a need for duplicated cables in areas serviced by only one cable  the recent outage in Tonga being an obvious example. Further, sub-sea mud flows have occasionally cut cables, so any duplicate capacity in high risk areas is also beneficial.

Currently, most sea-facing countries are serviced by these cables and any increase in service will almost certainly be consumed very quickly.
Digital adoption platform provider Whatfix has appointed Raj Sundarason to the role of APJ leader, Sameer Mishra to the role of vice president and head of sales for India and Southeast Asia, and Manojkumar Narayanakurup to the role of vice president and global head for services partnerships and alliances.

"We're excited to bring on these three technology industry superstars to contribute to our next stage of growth in APAC. The region is uniquely positioned because of its technology and transformation initiatives," said Whatfix CEO and co-founder Khadim Batti.

"As leaders in our category, we prioritize bringing the best people on board to maintain and push forward our standard of excellence. After the US and EMEA, we are eager to see Whatfix switch to hyper-growth in APAC."

Raj Sundarason (pictured above) previously worked for WalkMe as regional vice president and chief evangelist.

He has also worked for Bridgestone as head of strategic people programs, SAP as vice president of sales for SuccessFactors, NGA Human Resources as APJ and MEA regional vice president of sales and marketing, regional sales manager at ADP, and business development manager at Unisys.

Sundarason holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School.

Sameer Mishra brings more than 15 years' experience to Whatfix. He joins the company from Happay, where he most recently worked as vice president and head of enterprise sales in India.

His previous roles include enterprise lead for north and east India at Uber, regional sales manager at SAP, and senior business development manager at Ramco,

Mishra holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Rajasthan (India), and a postgraduate diploma in marketing from the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow.

Manojkumar Narayanakurup has more than 25 years of experience in the IT industry, and joins Whatfix from WNS Global Services, where he worked as head of partnerships and alliances.

He previously spent 15 years at HCL, most recently as general manager of strategic alliances at HCL, and earlier in his career held business development and marketing roles at Bahwan CyberTec, TCS, and Transmatic Systems.

Narayanakurup holds a bachelor's degree in electronics and communications engineering from Mar Athanacius College of Engineering at Mahatma Gandhi University (India), and an MBA from the

Institute of Management in Kerala at the University of Kerala (India).

He is also a certified supply chain professional.
The Roku Smart Home line showcases security capabilities that include two-factor authentication (2FA), user data encryption, secure boot, and other protection settings.

Integrated with Roku OS, users will be able to receive real-time alerts and view live streams of camera and video doorbell from Roku TV or any player. It also comes with Roku Voice and third party voice assistants.

The products are certified by ioXt Alliance, the global standard for connected devices, Roku said.

The initial Roku Smart Home product lineup includes:

Floodlight camera

Indoor and outdoor cameras

Indoor 360 camera

Video doorbell and chime

Smart bulbs (white and colour)

Smart light strips

Indoor and outdoor smart plugs

Developed with Wyze Labs, the range will be available exclusively at US Walmart stores from 17 October.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 14 October 2022.
Today

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable.

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

A few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny. High 74F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph, becoming WSW and increasing to 10 to 20 mph.
The two soldiers are suspected along with nine other defendants of having participated in the September 28, 2009 massacre of 156 people during an opposition rally in the capital Conakry.

Moussa Tiegboro Camara, 53, was for many years, until last March, a key figure in Guinea's security apparatus, heading the powerful special services. At the time of the events, he was Secretary of State in charge of fighting drugs and organized crime. Charged with murder, assassination, rape, torture, kidnapping and sequestration, he was a heavyweight in the regime of former president Alpha Conde, overthrown by a putsch a year ago. He appeared on October 10, 11 and 12 before the court of Dixinn - part of the capital where the September 28 stadium is located  which has moved for the occasion to the Court of Appeal.

In the brand new building built for the Conakry stadium massacre trial, the seats are emptying as the debates continue. Only ten days after the symbolic opening of the trial on September 28, the audience is already sparse in the large courtroom. Security personnel in blue shirts and caps now occupy a quarter of the seats, where they doze during the hearings. They have been massively deployed in and around the court for this highly publicized trial, taking place under the cameras of Guinean television stations, is not open to everyone. Only people accredited by the Ministry of Justice can attend by passing three checkpoints. Each time, the security staff search bags and check access badges. These few dozen prison guards, police and military also ensure protection of the accused when they are brought into the box or transferred at the end of each hearing to Conakry central prison.

The week before, exchanges focused on procedural issues. All requests were rejected and all defendants remain in custody. Former junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara will not receive special treatment or be allowed house arrest, nor will Aboubakar Toumba Diakite, whose lawyers requested medical evacuation. These technical discussions have wearied some victims, who are now less likely to attend the hearings. Others live far away and cannot come every day. It is also "a question of security", confided Alpha Amadou DS Bah, lawyer for the civil parties. And since the trial is being broadcast on the Internet, "we did not think it was necessary to expose these people, as they risked being identified and then subjected to attempts at intimidation.

Tiegboro steps forward in a Borsalino

Tiegboro was the first to be called to the stand by the court president. The former head of the anti-drug unit stepped forward wearing a Borsalino and then placed his hat on his lawyer's table. His gangly figure stood facing the president and he remained standing throughout questioning.

He pleaded not guilty, denied having participated in the massacre, and explained that he had gone to the stadium on September 28, 2009, to fulfil his duty as a soldier. When he learned that gunfire was erupting at the site of the opposition meeting, he decided to go there without having received orders. He said he found the political leaders Cellou Dalein Diallo, Sidya Toure and Jean-Marie Dore, who had been hurt during the repression of the demonstration. It was he who took them to a clinic in Conakry to receive first aid, he said. "I did not go inside the stadium. I knew that Toumba and his men were there. You know my relationship with Toumba."

Aboubakar Sidiki Diakite, known as "Toumba," is the former aide-de-camp to Moussa Dadis Camara, Guinea's self-proclaimed former head of state -- two other heavyweights in the trial. Tiegboro said that because of his conflicting relations with Toumba, he chose to remain on the stadium esplanade where he saw "no corpses, no rape. Under a barrage of questions, Tiegboro remained unperturbed but exploded when one of the civil parties lawyers asked: "Mr. Camara, aren't you lying? The room was in turmoil. The presidents voice had trouble breaking through the hubbub. The hearing was adjourned.

Tiegboro was less tempestuous faced with the prosecutors. "Didn't you see the women running around half-naked, their clothes in tatters? There are videos of them. They were filmed on the esplanade of the stadium," said the prosecutor. First to appear, the gendarmerie colonel used his position to develop his version of the facts. When a lawyer for the civil parties cited witnesses who claimed to have seen him on the stadium grounds, Tiegboro said: "Confront me with these people, bring the proof!

In Guinea, "we hear the accused first

Why did the judges decide to start with Tiegboro? Its the cornerstone of this case, its quite strategic to start with him," said Bah, lawyer for the civil parties. In the Guinean judicial system, "we hear the accused first, and it's after their interrogation that the witnesses and victims are heard", he explains.

The contrast was great when the second defendant, Marcel Guilavogui, was invited to take the stand in the afternoon of Wednesday, October 12. He is 45 years old, thirteen of which he has spent in Conakry's central prison. "My client is ill, can he sit down Mr. President?" his lawyer asked. A chair was placed for him.

- "On September 28, 2009, what position did you hold?

- A good question, Mr. President. You know it has always been said that I was Toumba's deputy. I was never appointed [to this position] by the President of the Republic Moussa Dadis Camara.

- What was your function?

- I was President Camaras bodyguard."

For half an hour, the man gave an account of his long detention since April 1, 2010, initially for "inciting rebellion" and then for his alleged participation in the September 28 massacre. "My children grew up without me and I could not educate them! he told the court.

On the day of the massacre, he said, he was in his bed, having been the victim - the day before - of a road accident. "I almost lost my tongue [in that accident]. I was instructed not to make any movements for at least one to two weeks." Yet, the prosecutor said, witnesses saw him "shooting at the crowd in the stadium".

Guilavogui became angry, raising his voice on the stand. "Calm down and answer the questions," the court president told him. The prosecutor continued: "Did you learn that there was looting in the suburbs on the same day and the following days?" Guilavogui said no. The prosecutor asked if he remembered his interrogation on November 3, 2010 when he told investigators otherwise. Guilavogui hesitated on his answer, said he had fallen ill in the meantime and lost his memory. "So you are not sure of what you said? In fact, you remember what happened when it exonerates you," said the prosecutor.

Guilavogui's appearance is scheduled to continue on Monday, October 17.

The first defendants testimony lasted three days. The interventions of the lawyers for the civil parties, some 20 in all, were often repetitive. After Guilavogui, there will be nine defendants to listen to, and a hundred witnesses and victims. The court has also decided to limit itself to three days of hearings per week, from Monday to Wednesday, to allow the lawyers to continue with other cases. A recess is also a possibility. "Lawyers could ask for additional information so that they can investigate certain parts of the case, particularly the mass graves. There has not yet been any investigation into these elements," said DS Bah.

At this rate, the trial -- whose schedule has not been announced -- will last several months and perhaps "a year", according to government spokesman Ousmane Goual Diallo.
The new United Nations rights chief voiced alarm at the escalating conflict in Ukraine as he began his posting on Monday, insisting that civilians must be protected.

"Any escalation in warfare is deeply troubling to us, and it's happening in Ukraine," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told reporters in Geneva on his first day in the job.

Earlier Monday, Russia launched a fresh attack on Kyiv using what the Ukrainian president's office said were "kamikaze drones".

"We have received reports from our colleagues on the ground about these drone attacks," said Turk, who is succeeding former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet at the helm of the UN rights office.

"It is absolutely important that civilian objects, civilians are not targeted", he said, warning that "this is very difficult in densely populated urban areas."

Monday's attacks came exactly a week after Moscow unleashed a massive two-day wave of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital and across the country.

The deadly October 10-11 attacks marked the biggest wave of strikes in months in the conflict that began with Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, and sparked an international outcry.

Turk, a 57-year-old Austrian national and UN veteran, stressed that respect for international law was "absolutely critical".

- 'De-escalate' -

"The big call is to de-escalate and to find ways and means to respect international law," he said.

"Ultimately, it is about human beings who are not involved in warfare, and they need to be protected."

Turk, who most recently served as UN chief Antonio Guterres's assistant secretary general for policy, said he was taking on his new job at "a very critical point in time".

Pointing to the brutal war in Ukraine, but also to violence and conflicts raging in many other parts of the world, he said it was vital "to have a very strong focus on human rights."

"We have seen so many divisions around the world, but also incredible pushback on gender issues, on civic space issues, on the utter contempt for human life in warfare," he said.

Turk will certainly have his work cut out on a range of issues, including the Ukraine conflict, the war in Ethiopia's Tigray region, and the situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban's takeover last year.

The situation in China's Xinjiang region also looms heavy on the agenda.

Minutes before she left office at the end of August, Bachelet published a long-awaited report, which cited possible crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities there, but left the tricky follow-up job to her successor.

In his brief encounter with journalists Monday, Turk did not discuss specific cases, but insisted that "we need to come back to a deep understanding about why it is important to respect international law."

"For me, human rights is a common language of humanity. It unifies us. It is not meant to divide us."

Turk vowed that as UN rights chief he would be "guided by the impact that we can have on people's lives and how they interact with each other, how they interact with nature and with future generations.
The BBC celebrates its centenary on October 18, after 100 years of technological innovation, ambitious programming  and controversy.

 1922: the first steps 

The BBC was officially founded on October 18, 1922 by a group of entrepreneurs, but it was not until November 14 that the first radio program was broadcast.

At 6:00 p.m. a newscast started and the first words  This is 2LO, Marconi House, London Calling  crackled over the radio.

It was read once and immediately repeated at half speed because the technology wasnt great, said James Stirling, who is responsible for the centenaries.

Ten years later, in 1932, technology was so advanced that King George V was able to address the British Empire on the radio for the first time.

That was the start of the BBC Empire Service  the forerunner of the BBC World Service.

The voice of the king was heard by millions of people at once for the first time.

Television programs began in 1936.

 Second World War 

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced the start of the war on September 3, 1939 on the BBC.

During the conflict, the BBC became a major source of news, and not just for Brits.

On June 18, 1940, exiled French General Charles De Gaulle launched his call to resist the Nazi German invasion on the BBC airwaves.

Radio Londres also broadcast the program Les Francais parlent aux Francais (The French are talking to the French) and in early June 1944 a coded message calling for the sabotage of railway facilities prior to the D-Day landings.

 coronation 

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 3, 1953 was the first to be televised live.

This is such a pivotal moment in the history of the BBC, including on the airwaves, Stirling said.

Some 20 million people across Europe watched, while viewers in the UK gathered with friends and neighbors to catch the spectacle on TV.

My grandparents bought a television for the occasion, Stirling said. Its very important historically and technologically.

In 1981, the wedding of then-Prince Charles  now King Charles III  to Lady Diana Spencer was seen by 750 million people around the world.

 1995: Diana 

Other records were broken in 1995 when the BBC aired an explosive interview with Princess Diana.

There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded, she told the Panorama program, referring to Charles affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.

Diana also spoke of her own infidelities when the couples marriage fell apart, how she thought Charles was unfit to be king and that she wanted to be a queen of peoples hearts.

A report published last year revealed the fraudulent methods used by journalist Martin Bashir to secure the interview and criticized the BBC for its handling of the matter.

 2007: digital 

In 2007, the BBC launched its streaming and on-demand website, BBC iPlayer, to complement its traditional broadcasting.

The platform has evolved in line with competition from other services like Netflix and Disney+ that have transformed viewing habits.

 2012: Jimmy Savile 

Eccentric presenter Jimmy Savile had been a fixture on childrens television since the 1960s, but scandal erupted in 2012, a year after his death.

Savile, who regularly hosted the hit music show Top of the Pops and had his own program Jimll Fix It, was exposed as a predatory pedophile who had raped and molested minors for decades.
Far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and left-wing challenger Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva traded punches and insults as they faced off on Sunday in their first-ever head-to-head debate two weeks before Brazils presidential runoff.

Lula attacked Bolsonaro as a petty dictator and fake news king, in return drawing accusations of lying, corruption and a disgraceful record as the rivals entered the first debate over their polarizing second-round showdown in October fought 30.

Frontrunner Lula, the charismatic but ailing ex-president (2003-2010) who is targeting a comeback at 76, has been particularly harsh in criticizing Bolsonaro for his handling of Covid-19, which has killed 687,000 people in Brazil, second only to the United States.

Lula attacked Bolsonaro for his opposition to buying vaccines and adopting unproven drugs like hydroxychloroquine, saying the president has the weight of these deaths on his shoulders.

Their negligence resulted in 680,000 people dying, although more than half could have been saved, said the ex-metalworker in his characteristically hoarse voice.

Bolsonaro, 67, tried to shift focus to the issue of corruption  a soft spot for Lula, who was jailed in 2018 on controversial, now-cleared, charges stemming from an investigation into a massive bribery scheme against a state oil company, Petrobras.

Your past is disgracefulYou have done nothing for Brazil but stuff public money in your pockets and those of your friends, Bolsonaro said, calling Lula a national disgrace.

Lula, stop lying, its bad for you at your age, the ex-army captain said elsewhere, while defending his own record and targeting his rivals age.

 Under The waistline 

Already bitter, divisive and mud-slinging, the campaign has slipped even further into negative territory, if at all, since the first-round vote.

Lulas camp, in particular, has embraced attack strategies once again seen on the far right, combing through archival video footage of Bolsonaro and plunging into unflattering quotes to try to link him to things like Freemasonry and cannibalism.

Her latest attack implied that Bolsonaro was a pedophile, with Lula allies calling the president a depraved criminal and expressing disgust on Saturday because he visited a home last year where a group of underage Venezuelan girls were apparently believed to be prostitute worked.

The head of Brazils top electoral court, Judge Alexandre de Moraes, ordered dozens of Lula-linked websites to remove attacks linked to the Bolsonaro video, ruling on Sunday that the incumbents comments had been taken out of context.

Arriving at the debate in Sao Paulo  the first attended only by Lula and Bolsonaro  the President said the past 24 hours had been the most horrible of my life because of the attacks.

Lula did not mention the issue during the debate but wore a campaign against child sexual abuse pin on his lapel.

The free-running debate rules allowed the contestants to roam the stage and approach the cameras, which both frequently did  although they rarely looked at each other, with the notable exception of a tense silence that Bolsonaro finally broke by placing his hand on Lulas shoulder with a smile.

As with much of the campaign, far more time was devoted to personal attacks than to factual discussions.

Policy proposals have lost their central role and accusations have taken their place, political scientist Christopher Mendonca told AFP.

 Are polls wrong again? 

Bolsonaro, the caustic hard-line conservative who took office in 2019, came second in the first round of voting on Oct. 2 with 43 percent of the vote, versus 48 percent for Lula.

But many opinion polls had put Lulas lead in double digits.

Bolsonaros stronger-than-expected performance has given him an aura of momentum en route to the runoff, fueling speculation about the possibility of another upset in two weeks time.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)  Hagens Berman is urging Azure Power Global Limited (NYSE:AZRE) Investors who have suffered significant losses Submit your losses now.

school lesson: June 15, 2021  August 26, 2022

Deadline for lead plaintiff: October 31, 2022

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/AZRE

Contact a lawyer now: [email protected]

844-916-0895

Securities fraud class action lawsuit brought by Azure Power Global Limited (NYSE:AZRE):

The Complaint challenges Defendants assertions that Azure and each of its subsidiaries maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure.

These statements were allegedly false and misleading because they failed to disclose that: (1) there were procedural irregularities, including deviations from safety and quality standards, at one of Azures plants; (2) certain project data was manipulated; (3) as a result of the foregoing, Azures internal controls and procedures were not effective; and (4) Azure has received a credible whistleblower complaint alleging such misconduct.

Investors learned the truth on August 29, 2022, when Azure announced that its CEO had resigned after just two months in office, that it had received a whistleblower complaint in May 2022 alleging possible irregularities and misconduct by employees in at a subsidiary plant and that Azure, in reviewing the whistleblowers allegations, discovered deviations from safety and quality standards and found evidence of project data manipulation.

This news caused the price of Azure shares to fall 44% on August 29, 2022.

We are focused on the investors losses and evidence that Azure has concealed its internal control failures, said Reed Kathrein, the partner at Hagens Berman who led the investigation.

If you have invested in Azure Power and are experiencing significant losses or have knowledge that can assist the Companys investigations, Click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.

Whistleblower: People with non-public information
NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)  Bragar Eagel & Squire, PC, a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, is investigating possible claims against Intuit, Inc. INTUEnviva, Inc. Eveand Tattooed Chef, Inc. TTCF. Our investigations address whether these companies have violated federal securities laws and/or engaged in other illegal business practices. For more information on each case, see the link provided.



Intuit, Inc. INTU

On March 29, 2022, the FTC filed a lawsuit against Inuit alleging that the company tricked millions of Americans into paying for tax service preparation software that was supposed to be free. On May 4, 2022, Intuit agreed to pay $141 million to settle similar turbo tax allegations.

At that new price, Intuits stock fell $22.14, or 5.1%, to close at $409.86 on May 5, 2022.

For more information on the Intuit investigation, go to: https://bespc.com/cases/INTU

Enviva, Inc. Eve

Enviva is the subject of a report published by Blue Orca Capital on October 12, 2022. The report claims that the company is falling far short of its ESG ideals by relying on carbon loopholes that subsidize European energy companies to replace coal with wood pellets derived from it. Blue Orca claims that the company manufactures its wood pellets from deforested forests, a practice condemned by climate activists and ESG investors.The report adds that the company has overstated the sustainability of its hardwood harvest and artificially inflated its profit margin.

According to the report, Enviva stock fell $2.59 per share, or 4.7%, to close at $52.05 per share on October 13, 2022.

For more information on the Enviva investigation, visit: https://bespc.com/cases/EVA

Tattooed Boss, Inc. TTCF

On October 12, 2022, after market close, Tattooed Chef announced that it would restate its quarterly and annual financial statements for 2021 and for its first and second quarterly fiscal periods in 2022. Tattooed boss explained
Paris investigators on Monday questioned a woman and a man suspected of raping and murdering a 12-year-old girl whose body was found in a suitcase on Friday.

Possible charges include the rape and murder of a minor under the age of 15, as well as torture, ill-treatment and concealing a body, a French judicial source told AFP, adding that prosecutors had ordered two people into temporary custody.

A 24-year-old woman with mental disorders was identified as the prime suspect.

She was arrested in Bois-Colombes, in the north-west suburbs of Paris, on Saturday after being spotted in CCTV images from the apartment block of the young victim, identified only by her first name, Lola.

An eyewitness who also saw her at the scene said she offered him money to help her move a large suitcase, multiple media outlets reported.

Investigators suspect that a 43-year-old man who was also arrested was protecting the young woman and driving her around in the vehicle in which she was discovered.

Lolas parents called the police after their daughter failed to return from middle school on Friday afternoon, also unsettled by the presence of the unidentified young woman at the apartment building in Pariss 19th arrondissement.

But a homeless man was the first to spot the body, which sources familiar with the investigation said was hidden under cloths in a plastic box in the buildings courtyard.

The body had visible large wounds on its neck and an autopsy conducted on Saturday found Lola died of asphyxiation, a source said.

So far, six people have been taken into custody in connection with the case, four have since been released.

Local residents laid flowers at the gate of the family home over the weekend, an AFP reporter saw.

Meanwhile, school authorities have announced that they will provide psychological support to staff and students at Lolas middle school and others in the area.

A mother told AFP that her daughter, another student who knew Lola by sight, is not well today, she doesnt want to go to school.

Today is mourning and the investigation, which seems to be progressing quickly, said the mayor of the 19th district, Francois Dagnaud, during a visit to the Georges Brassens school.

Importantly, the prime suspect has been arrested for now, there is no psychopath roaming the streets of this neighborhood, he added, after local parents reported concerns about their childrens safety.
Kamikaze drones launched by Russia struck Kyiv early Monday, the Ukrainian presidency said, describing the strikes as an act of desperation, nearly eight months after the start of a war that has claimed thousands of lives.

Just before the first blast at around 6:35 a.m. (03:35 a.m.), air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by sirens across most of the country.

The capital was attacked by kamikaze drones, Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak said on social media.

Russians think it will help them, but it shows their desperation, he added.

We need more air defense systems and we need them as soon as possible. More weapons to defend the skies and crush the enemy.

The attacks come exactly a week after Russia unleashed a massive wave of rocket attacks on the Ukrainian capital and cities across the country.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the drone strike caused a fire and damaged several buildings in the central Shevchenkivsky district and warned residents to take shelter.

Firefighters are on duty. Several residential buildings were damaged. Paramedics are on site, he said on Telegram.

We clarify the information about the victims.

The mayor also released an image of what he said was the charred wreckage of one of the kamikaze drones, munitions loitering that can hover while waiting for a target to attack.

 Iranian Drones 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week Iranian drones have been used in Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian cities, despite Tehran denying it is supplying Russia with weapons for the war.

On October 10, Russian missiles rained down on Kyiv and other cities in the largest wave of attacks in months.

The attacks killed at least 19 people, injured 105 others and sparked an international outcry.

Moscow conducted further strikes on October 11, albeit on a smaller scale, and attacked power plants in western Ukraine far from the front lines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the attacks were in retaliation for a blast that damaged a key bridge linking Russia to Moscows annexed Crimea peninsula.

Putin expressed his satisfaction on Friday, saying there was no need for further massive attacks on Ukraine for now.

The Russian president also claimed Moscow got everything right in its nearly eight-month invasion of Ukraine, despite a series of embarrassing defeats.

In southern Ukraine, Kievs troops are advancing ever closer to Cherson, the capital of the region of the same name north of Crimea.

Kherson is one of four regions in Ukraine that Moscow allegedly recently annexed, and the city of Kherson was the first major city to fall after the Kremlin began its invasion.

Washington on Friday announced fresh military aid to Kyiv following Russias brutal rocket attacks on civilians across Ukraine.

The new $725 million package included more ammunition for the Himars missile systems used by Ukraine to wreak havoc on Russian targets.
Miner Thokozani Mtshweni, 37, looks exhausted as he prepares for a 12-hour shift huddled under a carport canopy to escape the scorching sun. He fastens his belt, which is weighed down by an oxygen tank and gas detectors.

An hours drive from Johannesburg, the Khutala Colliery is one of more than 100 coal mines and a dozen coal-fired power plants that dot the industrial landscape of the north-eastern province of Mpumalanga, an area known as South Africas coal belt.

Workers in dirty yellow overalls breathe the hazy air as they wait to board trucks that will take them to an underground shaft.

The closure of these mines would greatly affect our lives, Mtshweni told AFP. It would be chaos.

Coal is a mainstay of South Africas economy, employing nearly 100,000 people and accounting for 80 percent of electricity generation.

However, the future of the sector is uncertain as Africas most industrialized economy seeks to wean itself off of carbon-emitting fuels in line with global efforts to combat climate change.

Last year, the government secured $8.5 billion in loans and grants from a group of wealthy nations to fund the transition to greener alternatives.

Tense negotiations over how the money will be spent are expected to end ahead of the COP27 climate summit in Egypt in November.

Supporters hope the money could act as a catalyst to change the energy landscape in one of the worlds top 12 polluters.

However, questions remain about the countrys ability to rapidly advance its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

 money and jobs 

Significantly more funds are needed, said Daniel Mminele, who heads the finance task team of a climate commission set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

A study by South Africas Stellenbosch University put the figure at $250 billion over the next 30 years.

Recent studies suggest more jobs will be created than lost, but analysts say the swap wont be painless.

The coal industry is concentrated in Mpumalanga, which accounts for about 80 percent of all coal production.

We need coal, says Isaac Mahumapelo, a section manager at the Khutala colliery, as mountains of black stuff are crushed behind him.

The cities, the cities in and around Mpumalanga were created by the coal mines.

Unions fear job losses will not be recovered by the renewable energy sector. Nationwide, unemployment is over 30 percent.

Wind and solar are not developed in South Africa, they are manufactured elsewhere, says energy analyst Tshepo Kgadima.

After a decade in the pits, Mtshweni the miner is among those who fear for their future.

Everyone depends on that coal to feed their loved ones, he says.

International pressure on South Africa to clean up its act is viewed with distaste by some.

Europes renewed appetite for coal after the gas crisis sparked by Russias invasion of Ukraine is often cited as evidence of double standards.

Coal will be around for some time and while we want to work together lets have our own agenda that realistically recognizes South Africas socio-economic imperatives, says Mike Teke, CEO of Khutala Colliery Operator, Seriti.

 No turning back 

Nevertheless, things are moving.

Khutala Colliery is located near Kendal, an industrial town surrounded by coal silos and thick plumes of smoke.

The mine feeds a nearby power plant  one of the largest in the world  operated by state-owned power company Eskom.

The plant and neighboring mines are surrounded by corn and cattle farms.

Cattle graze under the gray polluted sky. Lumps of coal lie by the side of the road while trucks come and go.

Still, Seriti recently launched a green energy arm to invest in wind and solar.

We have to diversify according to what might come, says Teke.

Climate activists have tried to force the government to step on the gas by taking them to court.

In a first victory this year, judges ordered authorities to reduce pollution in Mpumalanga  which Greenpeace says has some of the dirtiest air in the world.

As Eskoms aging assets struggle to produce enough energy to keep the lights on, the government has unveiled plans to expand renewable energy.

Action is a must, says Gaylor Montmasson-Clair, an economist at Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies, a think tank, warning that the long-term cost of sticking to coal will be much higher.

The European Union will introduce a carbon tax on imports  a move other countries could follow and would hit economies like South Africa hard, he warns.

If we dont decarbonize, there will be significant job losses. We will lose our access to markets and finance, he says.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)  Hagens Berman is urging TuSimple Holdings, Inc. TSP Investors who suffered significant losses after the company completed its $1.1 billion IPO in April 2021 Submit your losses now.



school lesson: April 15.08.2021  08.08.2021 1, 2022

Deadline for lead plaintiff: October 31, 2022

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/TSP

Contact a lawyer now: [email protected] | 844-916-0895

TuSimple Holdings Inc. TSP Securities Class Action:

In its offering documents for the IPO, TuSimple promoted its supposedly industry-leading L4 autonomous technology specifically designed for semi-trucks and its autonomous freight network, claiming they would make long-distance transportation safer and more reliable.

The complaint alleges that TuSimples IPO documents the following: (1) overstates TuSimples commitment to security and conceals significant issues with its technology; (2) hasty testing of its autonomous driving systems to launch more safety-conscious competitors; and (3) fostered a corporate culture that ignored safety in favor of ambitious delivery schedules (thereby increasing the likelihood of accidents during testing and increased regulatory scrutiny).

The truth came out on August 1, 2022 when The Wall Street Journal reported that on April 6, 2022, an autonomously driving truck equipped with TuSimple technology suddenly made a left turn, crossed the I-10 freeway in Tucson, AZ and crashed into a concrete barricade. That WSJ further reported that independent analysts and over a dozen former employees said the accident underscored concerns that TuSimple was risking safety on public roads to bring driverless trucks to market, and while TuSimple had repeatedly blamed the accident on human error, The companys recent regulations disclosure and internal documents show what autonomous driving specialists are calling fundamental issues with TuSimples technology.

This news caused the price of TuSimple shares to fall sharply on August 1, 2022, closing at $8.99, or more than 77% below the
"HAESOO" shippers, rejoice! Jung Hae In surprised fans with his support to "Snowdrop" co-star Jisoo after he was spotted attending BLACKPINK's concert in Seoul. The two even had their photo taken!

'HAESOO' Reunion: Jung Hae In, Jisoo Reunite at BLACKPINK Concert

On the second day of BLACKPINK's "Born Pink" concert in Seoul last October 16, more celebrities and familiar faces were seen at the event.

On its first day, idol-actress Lee Hyeri attended the concert to support her friend Rose. She even brought her lightstick proving she's a certified BLINK.

Meanwhile, on Day 2, which was held in the same place, K-pop and K-drama fans were delighted as they get to have a "HAESOO" reunion during the concert.

Jung Hae In, who starred in the JTBC drama "Snowdrop" alongside Jisoo, surprised fans by sharing his attendance at the concert.

It immediately created a buzz as Jung Hae In posted a photo of him with his "Snowdrop" co-star and BLACKPINK member Jisoo after the concert. He even tagged the idol and wrote in his caption, "#BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR! Hwaiting!"

What made the fans even happier was the fact that Jung Hae In also had his official BLACKPINK fanlight and used it during the group's concert.

#HAESOO Trends Following Jung Hae In & Jisoo's Reunion

As soon as Jung Hae In shared the snippets of his reunion with his leading lady, #HAESOO trended on Twitter and various online portals.

Meanwhile, other "Snowdrop" actors and staff were also present at the Day 2 concert to show their support to the idol-actress.

This is the best cast ever. I'll never forget them and Snowdrop they own a special place in my heart. Thank you for being with Jisoo and loving her. I love you all so much #Haesoo #Haein#BLACKPINKWorldTour2022 pic.twitter.com/Kk0MKQCx0V  aliyanadeem65 (@aliyanadeem654) October 16, 2022

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: BLINK Spotted! Hyeri Showcases Love For BLACKPINK With THIS

Jisoo will continue to focus on the BLACKPINK's world tour until 2023.

On the other hand, Jung Hae In is about to make his comeback with new exciting projects.

What To Expect From Jung Hae In in 2022-2023

Following "Snowdrop," Jung Hae In is returning to the small screen. First is through the drama adaptation of the webcomic-based series "Connect." It is helmed by Japanese director Takashi Miike, which marked their first project collaboration.

The series already dropped some stills to give viewers a sneak peek at what to expect from the show.

"Love in Contract" actor Go Kyung Pyo, Kim Hye Jun, Jang Gwang, and Kim Roe Ha are also confirmed to be part of the lineup.

"Connect" will premiere in December on Disney+.

Adding to Jung Hae In's upcoming projects is the sequel to his 2021 series and Baeksang Arts Awards - Best Drama trophy holder, "D.P."

The much-awaited second installment of the drama is expected to start airing in the last quarter of 2022.

Goo Kyo Hwan, Kim Sung Kyun, and Son Seok Koo will reprise their roles, while Ji Jin Hee and Kim Ji Hyun will make their debut in "D.P." Season 2.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Jung Hae In Suffers Health Issue While Filming Disney+ 'Connect'

What can you say about Jung Hae In and BLACKPINK Jisoo's reunion? Share your thoughts with us in the replies/comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramastars.

KDramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Kelowna mayor-elect Tom Dyas, shown here on Saturday night with supporters, won all 13 polling stations that were open on Saturday. His margins ranged from three-to-one at Rutland polls to one vote at downtown Kelowna polling station.
Police tape is shown in Toronto, Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Police have charged a man from Ajax, Ont., in the fatal stabbing of a male outside a bar in the town this weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
Kennesaw State receives grants to improve minority success in STEM

KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 17, 2022

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Kennesaw State University two grants totaling over half a million dollars to improve minority participation and success in undergraduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degree programs.

Aligning with one of the Universitys key initiatives, this grant will provide undergraduate students with increased opportunities to conduct research alongside faculty mentors. The grant, which is part of a $2.5 million grant over the next five years to fund a University of Georgia-directed project, Peach State LSAMP  Extending the STEM Pipeline in the Peach State: Mentorship, Research and Graduate School, will also provide added financial aid and other activities and initiatives across the Universitys two campuses.

When the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation began in 2005, Kennesaw States Marietta Campus, formally Southern Polytechnic State University, was one of the original members. Kennesaw State joined the Alliance in 2011.

There are currently more than 50 LSAMP scholars at both campuses. The Marietta Campus LSAMP effort is led by David Veazie, professor of mechanical engineering. The Kennesaw Campus LSAMP effort is led by Melanie Griffin, director of special programs and associate professor of biology.

The NSF LSAMP funding has been and will continue to be instrumental in providing not only participation support and student travel funds for various conferences, but also a major factor in facilitating undergraduate research in STEM as well as outreach with the STEM community for our underrepresented minority students, said Veazie.

Griffin pointed to several achievements in KSUs recent history that show the kind of progress programs like LSAMP can make on and off campus.

Minority enrollment at KSU reached just over half the total population for the first time in Fall 2021, up from 39% in 2020. Kennesaw State ranked 14th nationwide among more than 2,500 colleges and universities, according to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, in bachelors degrees conferred to African American students across all disciplines for the 2019-20 reporting period. Additionally, KSU ranked among the top 75 in bachelors degrees conferred to all minority students in all disciplines and among the top 100 in the nation in masters degrees conferred to African American students in all disciplines.

Federally funded programs like LSAMP allow KSU to support experiential learning for our students, which we see as very important for their retention in STEM degree programs and careers, said Griffin.

 By Thomas Hartwell

Related Stories

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 43,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
A program designed to help education students and families about the key question of how to pay for college will be held locally this week.

Gateway Technical College is one of the host sites for College Goal Wisconsin, to be held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.on Thursday, Oct. 20, in the Academic Building on the colleges Kenosha Campus, 3520 30th Ave.

The college recommends those who are interested plan to arrive at 5:45 p.m. to check in.

The event focuses on helping students and potential students navigate the financial aid process by providing in-person access to free information and financial aid experts.

By taking part in this event, we can help those within our community to see that attending college is possible, said Pam Lowrey, Gateway director of Financial Aid. Applying for financial aid can potentially help remove financial barriers that hinder the pursuit of an education.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be intimidating for some to complete. Those who attend will receive one-on-one assistance on how to complete the FAFSA.

Those who participate will be entered in a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. For the entire list of paperwork needed to make the event a success along with more information, go to www.collegegoalwi.org

Students and parents are encouraged to attend together.

Virtual College Goal Wisconsin events will also be held Oct. 19 and Oct. 26. Events begin at 6 p.m., and those interested can register at the College Goal website.

Keeshia Jones, a Gateway student finance specialist, will be Gateways Kenosha Campus College Goal Wisconsin site coordinator.

Those who would like to volunteer for the event should contact Jones for training opportunities and more information at jonesk@gtc.edu.
Kenosha County Democrats presented special awards and worked to galvanize supporters Sunday night ahead of the midterm elections.

Dozens of party members, local and state politicians and community activists attended the event held at The Vault Banquet Hall in Downtown Kenosha. Five awards were handed out after the dinner.

Leaders of Kenosha, represented by Erica Ness, director of community engagement and operations, Ariel Crowder, director of digital media, and Tanya McLean, executive director and founder, received the Community Organization of the Year award.

Leaders of Kenosha works to be a conduit for transformative and restorative justice. The organization provides resources and education, and fosters civic engagement. The nonprofit also launched a community bail fund earlier this year.

Its important that people have the ability to thrive, McLean said Sunday night. Kenoshas a wonderful place, we just have to work really, really hard to make it a place that we envision for all to thrive. We all deserve that.

Adelene Greene received the Democracy in Action Award, a new honor. She is a founding member of the Kenosha Coalition for Dismantling Racism.

I feel humbled to be among you tonight, Greene said. We should all welcome opportunities for dialogue, for debate and for discussions so we can gain a better understanding about other peoples lived experiences. We do not all have the same same experience in the country. In doing this, it should help us to realize that we all have a responsibility to educate ourselves about the issues and to take action to ensure that everyone has the same opportunities regardless of race, color, creed, culture, gender, political or sexual orientation.

This work is bigger than what one person can do alone and it cant be done by just a few. Thats why there are so many others in this community, like Leaders of Kenosha, that are doing their part to make democracy work, Greene said.

Kyle Flood received the Young Democrat of the Year Award. A former Kenosha Unified School District School Board member, he serves as the Great Lakes regional director for the Young Democrats of America Labor Caucus.

Its really awesome that the Democratic Party is recognizing young Democrats, Flood said. The big thing that everyone in this room can do if you want to celebrate young Democrats  dont just honor them with awards, dont just promote them being at things and being a young voice, elect them. Elect young Democrats.

Lori Hawkins, chair of local party, received the Democrat of the Year Award.

Those who know me best know that Im in my element when the pace is fast, synergy is in the air and were working together toward a common goal, Hawkins said. Working together with all of you on so many vital issues of this time is what inspires me and makes my life rich.

Former Kenosha County Executive James Kreuser received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Kreuser was unable to attend Sunday.

Ann Roe, who is running for office in Wisconsins first congressional district, spoke about her commitment to reproductive freedom.

Lets go win this thing. Roe is on the ballot and so am I, she said.
SOMERS  The University of Wisconsin-Parkside will honor the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) with an altar unveiling on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from noon to 1 p.m. at the glass enclosure next to the Student Center staircase.

While largely practiced in Mexico, Day of the Dead celebrations, commemorating the passing of loved ones, are practiced throughout Latin America. A centerpiece of the celebrations is the construction of an altar which contains pictures, mementos, and cultural artifacts, often calaveras (skulls or skeletons) that depict the beauty and the necessity of death. The celebration of life and death is an inclusive event where all can remember those who have passed on.

The exhibit opens in the UW Parkside student center glass enclosure on Oct. 26. The altar is open for viewing through Nov. 9. A new addition this year is the inclusion of a reference that enables viewers to learn more about the functionality and meaning of the various items that comprise the altar.

Giovanna Gutierrez who is leading the initiative along with other staff and student leaders says: An altar is a celebration of life, and we are happy to honor one of many cultural traditions at Parkside by having students and community visit the colorful altar.

The unveiling of the altar will be celebrated with hot chocolate and churros and a brief presentation as to its meaning across Latin America as well as its relevance to the campus and surrounding community. The event is free and open to the public.

UW-Parkside is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution, with 18% of students identifying as Hispanic. To learn more about UW-Parksides efforts to welcome a Hispanic community of students, visit https://www.uwp.edu/explore/aboutuwp/hsi/hsi.cfm.

For more information about the altar or if you wish to schedule a guided visit, contact Giovanna Gutierrez gutierrg@uwp.edu.
So far, fifty Bolt e-bikes have been deployed in Kilkenny city, with plans to ramp that number up to 80 following a successful pilot launch.

According to statistics supplied by the company after the launch, Newpark Shopping Centre proved to be the busiest spot for e-bikes.

Some other interesting findings:

The busiest route is to/from St Luke's Hospital and the city centre

The longest individual journey taken was 30.07km

The busiest day is Saturday, followed by Sunday and Friday

The busiest times are between 3pm and 6pm

Head of Operations for Rentals for Bolt, John Buckley, told Kilkenny Live that he has been 'delighted with the response'.

"Our fifty bikes are already very active and are offering a reliable alternative to private car journeys, supporting the active travel ambitions of the City," he said.

"In particular, we've been delighted to see the impact made at Newpark Shopping Centre, and would encourage any other businesses looking to increase footfall to support us with our highly effective virtual parking bays.

"This is really encouraging as grocery and recreational shopping are the key reasons for persistent short journey car use."

The e-bike scheme has also had a really positive impact on tourism and has seen a lot of trips from non-Irish mobile number accounts.
Courtney Cass was born and raised in the heart of Kilkenny city. She is married to Shane who she met in Langtons before doing her leaving cert. They welcomed their beautiful daughter Pippa into the world four years later.

Courtney with her daughter Pippa

Courtney also landed her dream job in the Pembroke Hotel, when she worked her way up from being receptionists to duty manager, Guest Relations Manager, and now she Rooms Division Manager.

However, during the lockdown, the 33-year-old world was about to be turned upside down when she discovered she had breast cancer.

I was getting ready for bed and while putting on my pyjamas, I found something when I was taking off my bra," she said. "I just ran my hand over something, and I was like, oh, that wasn't there last week.'

It was so small that I wasn't even sure if I should get it checked. Thankfully I rang the doctor the next day and when she examined me, she said there's something there and referred me down to Waterford.

Courtney had her first appointment in Waterford two weeks later. The doctor said that it was probably just a cyst and didn't think there's much to worry about but that they referred her for a mammogram and a biopsy.

Two weeks later, the mammogram was fine. Then she was sent in for the biopsy, and they also took a biopsy from her armpit, which left her wondering why are they going there?

Everyone was super nice to me, and I just got this feeling there was something wrong. I had not told anyone that I was doing all this, not even my husband Shane because I didnt want anyone to worry if there was no reason to.

It was during Covid, so Courtney had to go to her appointment by herself and she was not expecting it to be cancer.

When I went in the day for the results, and the doctor said, have you nobody with you? I knew straight away that there was something wrong and when I heard those words I literally froze and started crying.

He explained how it's so common for girls my age. How cancer is changing so much over the last few years and it's getting women younger and younger, and they don't know why.



Courtney recalls the awful moment when she heard the doctor saying the word cancer, I was like I'm dead. I literally just thought I was going to die and that was it. I thought that I wouldn't see my daughter Pippa grow up, how would Shane manage without me with Pippa and all that kind of stuff.



Understandably, Courtney blanked everything else out that she was been told by the doctor, but the nurse there was amazing. She wrote everything down that I needed to know.

However, there was hope as the surgeon explained that they had caught it early. At that time, it was stage two, grade three. Stage two meant that it had spread, and it was in my lymph nodes and her armpit.

I felt an uncomfortable sensation, the previous week and I kept kind of trying to fix myself and fix my bra. But no, it was my lymph nodes swelling.

Courtneys surgeon Dr Murphy told her good news that it was treatable and curable. And as soon as Courtney heard that, she knew she was going to be okay, I am going to live. My whole outlook and attitude just changed. Once I knew it was treatable and curable, I was going to do anything I had to do to live and survive it. My surgery was scheduled two weeks

after that.

Two weeks later she had her surgery - a lumpectomy. They just removed the cancer and a bit of tissue around it. They removed 21 of my lymph nodes under my armpit so it was called an axillary clear out. I even went home the day after my surgery.

It wasn't in me anymore, so it couldn't go anywhere else. That helped me to deal with the process.

It took six weeks of recovery from the surgery, and then she started chemo on February 4, on World Cancer Day.

Due to her age, the medical team wanted to give her the best chance possible of the cancer not coming back. So, Courtney had the lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and now she is on an injection monthly and the tablets for the next seven years.

Courtney with her daughter Pippa & mum Jacinta. PHOTO by Vicky Comerford

Early detection

We have all heard of Sarah Harding in Girls Aloud death really hit home to me, because she was in her thirties too. She let hers go too long because she was worried of covid, but hers was at stage four, and she ended up passing away.

Courtneys was at grade three, so it was quite aggressive. When she was first diagnosed, the cancer was at two centimetres, but by the time she had her surgery, it had grown to three centimetres.

So, it was growing quite quickly. I urge people if anything at all doesn't feel right in your armpits, your collarbones, your neck, your chest, anywhere in that kind of general area. Just get it checked out.



The whole point of sharing my story is to tell people my age that they are not exempt from it. Cancer will not discriminate against you by your age. Check yourselves, make it like a monthly thing in the shower. Anything at all, that doesn't feel right, don't leave it, go get it checked out.



Today Courtney is living life to the full and made 2022 her year for living. Besides bringing her daughter to Disney Land, she also did three concerts in two countries over nine days! She also has a trip planned for November to London, where the family will take in the Harry Potter Studios and Frozen the musical.

Courtney, with family and friends enjoyed a siper day for Kilkenny's Great Pink Run on Sunday. There was a pink tutu or two! Followed by Pumpkin picking with my family. October is my favourite time of year, as I will also celebrate another

birthday.

Courtney is testament to the message she wants to get out there, we can do it, the treatment is so advanced than what it used to be. There are a lot more success stories with people surviving. It will be hard, but people can do and they will get through it.

Every 29 seconds someone is diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Over 3,500 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed annually in Ireland. One of areas Breast Cancer Ireland is funding is education programmes which will help with early detection, which is key.
Castlewarren based community group Save Our Hills have released a statement in response to a press release issued recently by EDF Renewables Ireland wherein they confirmed their intention to submit a planning application next year for 'up to ten turbines' in the area.

Save Our Hills wishes to express their 'disappointment and dismay' at this announcement, citing 'sustained and majority opposition to the project locally'.

"The proposed industrial wind farm is colossal both in footprint and height, with turbines of 180 metres high, being installed, within a valley surrounded by 300+ homes," the statement reads.

"These homes and the families within will be subjected to 4-5 years of enormous, unprecedented, invasion by industrial levels of building activity, in addition to constant flicker of blades with flicker intensified while the sun rises and while it sets.

"Save Our Hills reject this proposal as it places our community at the frontline of sacrifice as a result of opportunistic development and not as an area that is suited to large scale industrial activity, if advanced, will destroy the lived environment and forever scar the character of the landscape which up until very recent alterations (during Covid lockdown) by Kilkenny County Council, was designated unsuitable for wind farm development."

The community group also raised concerns over the fact that the 50MW farm proposed will allow the energy company to bypass the local authority.

They are however 'confident' that given the 'entirely unsuitable location' that 'even An Bord Pleanala will reject it'.

The group holds firm that 'offshore wind production' is key to meeting climate targets and as such, believes these recently announced plans to be an 'unnecessary, unwanted and completely inappropriate' proposal.
The Irish government is urging the public to check smoke alarms are working correctly. The call comes as National Fire Safety Week (October 17 to October 23) launches to raise awareness on preventing fires, particularly in the home, and what to do if one occurs.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien, officially launched the campaign today (October 17) at the Dublin Fire Brigades Training Centre.

Speaking today, Minister O'Brien said, "The advice to the public ahead of winter is clear: make sure youve a working smoke alarm and a plan in place within your household should a fire break out. I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity of Fire Safety Week to engage with the campaign and take the simple steps necessary to safeguard your home.

"Its been an incredibly difficult couple of weeks for our emergency services following the awful tragedy in Creeslough Co. Donegal. Id like to commend the work of our fire and emergency services, particularly those in Co. Donegal and our partners in the Northern Ireland Fire Service for all of their efforts. They, like all of our Fire Services throughout the country, play a crucial role in keeping us all safe and in providing essential support and leadership at times of great tragedy and crisis.

The government is advising people to familiarise themselves with fire safety advice in line with this year's National Fire Safety Week theme "Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives  Have you a plan if yours goes off?

According to the latest data released by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), 20,545 fires were attended to by fire brigades in 2021, with chimney fires (including flues, soot and hot ashes) accounting for more than 50% of fires in domestic buildings.

The NDFEM is advising members of the public to have their chimneys and flues cleaned regularly, to use a sparkguard and to ensure fires are safely burned down before going to bed.

Overloaded sockets is another common cause of fire and the NDFEM is reminding people to use high quality extensions, repair or replace faulty appliances and not to run electrical appliances while sleeping.

Chief Fire Officer Dennis Keeley of Dublin Fire Brigade said, "The most effective fire precaution you can have is a working smoke alarm. Make sure you have one. Better still have two - one upstairs, one downstairs.

"Check your smoke alarms which together with an escape plan are the most effective ways of saving life in the event of a fire occurring. And if you know somebody who is without a smoke alarm you should inform them of just how important having one is.

"I would advise the public to check your routines with respect to fire safety in the home. Pay special attention to chargers, making sure theyre unplugged at night and bedroom doors are closed. Be careful with candles or replace with LED ones. This winter will be challenging for us all and we urge the public to heed the advice of this campaign to prevent fires in the home.

Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer of Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Aidan Jennings, said people may "put themselves at additional fire risk to deal with rising costs this winter".

He said, "We know that many people are under significant pressure at the minute as the cost of living increases and that many households may be facing large fuel bills this winter, and so may put themselves at additional fire risk to deal with rising costs.

"Please keep warm safely- if youre planning on using a portable heater or electric blanket check them first, make sure they have no frayed cables or damaged or loose wiring. Keep portable heaters well away from flammable items such as sofas, curtains and bedding."
This October Bank Holiday Monday, let your four-legged friends be part of the fun at one of the top food festivals in Ireland.

This year there is a new addition to the Savour Kilkenny line up with Madra Monday, brought to you by Leader Natural Dog Nutrition.

This family fun day is all about dogs and features an exciting line-up of doggie-inspired activities for owners and dogs to enjoy as part of the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival.

Ailish Durkin of Leader Natural Dog Nutrition said the event will also raise money for a local rescue.

Madra Monday is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween with all the family before trick-or-treating! Theres plenty of fun activities for you to enjoy and its a great way to support a worthy charity.

Kicking off at 1pm with an Ask the Expert session focusing on topics including training, behaviour, and canine nutrition with local experts on hand to answer all of your pooch related queries

Moving on to the main event at 2pm  Kilkennys Next Top Madra Fun Dog Show, with MC Tracy Millea.

A very special celebrity judge will be on hand to award best in show across 12 classes including Pawsome Pup, Most Rockin Rescue, Best Golden Oldie and many more. Winner or not, we know that theyre still the best boy/girl!

Pre-registrations are on redmillsstore.ie, its 3 per class and all proceeds on the day go to PAWS Animal Rescue.

Ger Mullally, Savour Kilkenny Committee Chair said:

Madra Monday will take place this October Bank Holiday Monday at Savour Kilkenny. This fun-filled day of dog-friendly activities provides a pawfect opportunity to get out and have a ball with your precious four-legged family members

There will also be a puppy playground to try out some agility jumps before fuelling up at the free pick n mix, or grab their favourite dog treats in the Leader Natural Dog Nutrition pop-up shop. They can take part in the dog food taste test, enjoy puppy playdates, and even get a pet portrait from an onsite pet photographer.

savourkilkenny.com
The Mayor of Kilkenny has launched his Autumn Series of Town Hall meetings which will highlight and discuss the key issues facing the local community.

The public events are aimed to provide expert advice on Cost of Living, Climate Change and Housing. In June when elected Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr David FitzGerald announced in his acceptance speech;

Kilkenny is open, open to talking about the real issues facing us.

This is the basis behind the Autumn Series of Town Hall Meetings.



We are doing these series events to highlight important issues, to allow for a public debate on these issues and have the experts on hand for people of Kilkenny to get advice. Each day I have people contacting me asking  Why cant I buy a home? Why do we have to take drastic measures to change our way of living for climate change? How am I going to afford to keep the lights and heat on in my home this winter?

This Autumn Series is about real issues facing real people living in the real world, I would hope the answers will be provided through the discussions and advice from experts on the night."

The first of the Autumn Series of Town Hall Meetings is on Cost of Living. This event will have experts speaking about Budget 2023 and how to avail of supports. There also will be experts on the night with advice on energy prices, aiming to save you money through comparing providers and also looking at the future of energy providers in Ireland. Financial experts, and local agencies will also be there with advice on managing personal finances and debt . This will be an interactive event which will allow the public to ask the experts questions.

The Cost of Living Series will take place on Wednesday, October 26 in the Town Hall at 8pm.

The second event is on the impact of Climate Change and Kilkennys bid to becoming Irelands first Carbon Neutral City, in this event Cllr FitzGerald will host a series of different sectors; farming, business and community groups and public bodies on discussing the impact of climate change on their sector. One of Cllr FitzGeralds aim for his term as Mayor of the Marble City to plan a roadmap for Kilkenny to be Irelands first carbon neutral city.

The Carbon Neutral City Town Hall meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 9 at 8pm

The final instalment of the Autumn Series of events is on the topic of Housing .This meeting is aimed at people trying to move into the private buying and rental markets. Housing is a key issue across society, the lack of supply is far too low for demand which is causing a strain on people accessing housing for private rental, social housing or buying their own home. This meeting wills ask why people are struggling to buy a house in 2022/ 2023 and what are the solutions. This meeting will have advice from Housing bodies, local estate agents and personal finance.

The Housing Town Hall Meeting is on Wednesday, November 23 at 8pm

All are welcome.
A fundraiser has recently been set up for a Kilkenny woman by her family after she experienced a life-altering medical ordeal.

Back in June, Jackie Falsey Molloy set out for the Mater in Dublin for an operation to help with pains she was having in her back and legs.

During the operation things didn't go as planned, she experienced 4 spinal strokes and things then went from bad to worse from there.

She was put into a medically induced coma to deal with the trauma and her family weren't sure if they would ever get to see her or speak to her again.

Thankfully, Jackie pulled through and woke up to see her loving husband Mush and two sons Craig and Aaron waiting patiently for her.

She then got hit with more tragic news in that she had suffered so much trauma during her operation that she was paralysed from the waist down.

This was a killer blow for Jackie and her family as anyone that knows her knows that she is so full of life and usually the one running around caring for everyone else.

"She has the biggest heart of anyone that I know," Jackie's nephew said, 'so I am asking for people to please help and support her in her new journey'.

The family home is going to have to be renovated, there will be medical bills and so much more.

The lives of the whole family are going to change.

If anyone spare anything at all to help out this lovely family during their time of need please CLICK HERE and donate.

Anything donated would be gratefully appreciated.
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Xi Jinping delivers a report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2022. The 20th CPC National Congress opened on Sunday.
Then President Moon Jae-in, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walk toward the welcoming ceremony venue at the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom, in this April 27, 2018, file photo. Korea Times photo by Ko Young-kwon



Ex-president 'shamefully walked away' from roles to address rights abuses of North Koreans, Human Rights Watch official says



By Jung Min-ho





Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division

Ruling party lawmakers have blamed the previous Moon Jae-in administration for South Korea's recent failure to keep its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, accusing it of shutting its eyes to North Korea's gross and obvious violations of human rights while seeking to improve inter-Korean relations throughout his five-year term.



Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, said he believes they were right to point out that Moon is not free of responsibility for the seat loss. Though he is not the sole reason, the international human rights expert believes his failures to do "even the minimum" on the rights of ordinary North Koreans by U.N. standards affected members' voting decisions.



"Moon shamefully walked away from any sort of leadership to address the rights abuses and suffering of the North Korean people, taking an extreme position that he would not even acknowledge, much less act on, Pyongyang's systematic human rights violations," he told The Korea Times in an interview. "The huge policy swings between the Moon and Park [Geun-hye] administrations were certainly noticed by the international community, and it was not appreciated. It appears that some governments at the U.N. were whipsawed by the massive changes in South Korean government policy toward the DPRK (North Korea) and some apparently decided that meant Seoul is an unreliable partner when it comes human rights issues."



In a vote of the U.N. General Assembly to elect 12 members to the council last week, South Korea landed fifth among seven Asia-Pacific countries competing for membership, coming in behind Bangladesh, Maldives, Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan. It was the first time South Korea had been turned down for membership since the council's establishment in 2006.



The Moon administration's 2019 decision to repatriate two North Korea fishermen against their will, along with allegations that it neglected its duties and distorted information surrounding the death of a South Korean fisheries official who was killed by the North Korean military in 2020, were the cases that drew the most criticism from human rights activists.





Children perform as North Korea marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang, Oct. 10. AFP-Yonhap



Nevertheless, South Korea not getting reelected to the U.N. Human Rights Council came as a shock to many experts, given its relatively better human rights record and the size of its financial contributions to the U.N. The country is the ninth-largest donor to the 2022-2024 U.N. regular and peacekeeping budgets.



"There is certainly a high degree of shock in New York that South Korea performed so poorly in running for a seat on the Human Rights Council," Robertson noted. "Some of the reasons are procedural, such as failing to have a strategic approach, which was seen in the decision to run for many seats on many different U.N. bodies instead of concentrating efforts on a couple of key positions. Compounding this problem, the ROK (South Korean) diplomats were apparently sluggish in their efforts to lobby other governments, meaning they were unable to keep pace against the very vigorous and focused lobby efforts by other governments, like Vietnam and Bangladesh."



His analysis is in line with the explanation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which attributed the failure to the country angling for too many leadership posts in international organizations simultaneously.





This photo taken on Oct. 11 shows a plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, as participants prepare to elect the members of the Human Rights Council. Yonhap
Mayor of Bogota Claudia Lopez speaks during a breakfast meeting promoting investment opportunities in the Colombian capital at a hotel in Seoul, Oct. 12. Courtesy of Embassy of Colombia in Seoul



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Mayor of Bogota Claudia Lopez visited Korea to attend the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) seventh World Congress and Summit of Local and Regional Leaders in Daejeon and promote investment opportunities in the Colombian capital, especially in the fields of infrastructure and mobility.



The Colombian delegation is comprised of the mayor's office, Invest in Bogota, Metro Bogota and Procolombia.



The mayor's office said this visit is a great opportunity to strengthen trade relations between the two countries as Bogota can be a great investment market for technology, innovation, pharmaceutical and cosmetics as well as city infrastructure projects.



On Wednesday, Lopez held a breakfast meeting titled "Bogota: Business Opportunities in Mobility Infrastructure Projects" to promote investment opportunities in the capital and strengthen trade relations between the two countries.



"The South Korean capital is a pioneer in innovation of industrial parks that have leveraged the industry. Therefore, it is expected to adopt good practices that can be implemented in the construction of the Science, Technology and Innovation District of Bogota, which seeks to strengthen the ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as position the Bogota region as a hub of innovation and development in the international arena," the mayor's office said in a statement.



At the UCLG summit in Daejeon, Lopez participated in panels on topics such as the development of smart districts, equality in urban policy and transparency in local governments, sharing the experiences of the Colombian capital with the construction of more resilient, sustainable and peaceful communities.



On Saturday, Lopez met Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the sister cities' relationship.



Seoul and Bogota have been cooperating in many areas, especially city transit systems, and Mayor Lopez said Seoul's integrated transfer system would help Bogota to develop a similar system for connecting public transportation systems such as subways, buses and gondola lifts.



Elected in 2019, Lopez is the first female mayor of Colombia's capital. She also serves as president of Metropolis, a global network of major cities and metropolitan areas, and vice chair of C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.


Lou Ann Homan-Saylor lives in Angola at the White Picket Gardens where you can find her gardening or writing late into the night under the light of her frayed scarlet lamp. She is a storyteller, teacher, writer, actress and a collector of front porch stories. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com.
On October 15, a post titled "The visuals that represent Korea, China, and Japan of the fourth generation" was shared on TheQoo. There, the user shared that KCON revealed the visuals that represent each country. Keep on reading to see who was selected.

1. Korea - IVE Jang Wonyoung, NMIXX Sullyoon, NewJeans Minji

For South Korea, three idols were named: IVE's Jang Wonyoung, NMIXX's Sullyoon, and NewJeans' Minji.

ALSO READ: NewJeans Minji Draws Attention for Looking Like Korean Version of THIS Western Star

Jang Wonyoung is IVE's official visual and center. She gained fame for her cute visuals in "Produce 48" and is now known as the fourth-generation's "It Girl." Despite being put under the Korea category, it is rumored that Jang Wonyoung is ethnically Taiwanese. However, she was born and raised in South Korea.

CHECK THIS OUT: DIVEs Demand Starship To Protect IVE Jang Wonyoung Against YouTuber 'Targeting' Idol

Though Sullyoon is not NMIXX's official visual, the female idol immediately went viral upon debut due to her visuals. Many claimed she looked like a mixture of TWICE's Sana and Tzuyu due to her innocent, deer-like beauty.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: THIS Idol Proves She's More Than Just Her Visuals After Hitting 4 High Notes In a Row

Upon debut, NewJeans member Minji earned the title of "Fourth Generation Nation's First Love" due to her features that are reminiscent of old-school K-pop. People claimed she look like Han Ga In and S.E.S's Eugene. Others stated she resembled a Korean version of Olivia Hussey.

2. China - Kep1er Shen Xiaoting

Representing China is Shen Xiaoting, who hails from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

MORE OF SHEN XIAOTING: Kep1er Shen Xiaoting Makes Jaws Drop With Viral Dance Performance at ISAC 2022

During her time on "Girls Planet 999," Shen Xiaoting earned the "Visual Award" after she was voted the prettiest contestant by the other contestants. As a member of Kep1er, Shen Xiaoting has garnered praise for her stunning visuals, enviable figure, and dance capabilities.

3. Japan - LE SSERAFIM Kazuha

Representing Japan is LE SSERAFIM's Kazuha. She was born in Kochi but was raised in Osaka, Japan. She has also lived in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: LE SSERAFIM Harassed At Japanese Show? Here's What Happened

Upon debut, Kazuha went viral for being a Japanese doppelganger of Suzy. Due to her background in professional ballet, Kazuha carries herself with elegance and poise. This has earned her fame from the public, who claim Kazuha is the prettiest Japanese idol from the fourth generation.

Who is your favorite fourth-generation girl group visual? Tell us in the comments below!

For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns This

Written by Alexa Lewis
ARMYs are always more than ready to scream at the top of their lungs and drain their energies whenever BTS light up the stage. Now that the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, fans can clap and make noise during in-person concerts.

BTS fired up the stage of South Korea's second most-populated city with their enormous and much anticipated 'Yet to Come in Busan' last October 15, 2022. After three years, this became BTS' first time to perform again on the stage of Busan, following their "5th Muster: Magic Shop," held in Busan Auxiliary Stadium.

In partnership with Weverse, BTS could extend their festival-like performances as the concert was live-streamed internationally. ARMYs expressed their excitement and enthusiasm for the show as this is BTS' first whole group performance after their label announced that members would focus on individual activities.

BTS Busan Boys Have Something to Share

RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook welcomed their fans as they energetically grooved with their hit song, Mic Drop. Thus, leading the fans to feel the intensity of the concert. Everything was elevated when the septet group debuted their dance performance for their song Run BTS.

Interestingly, during their June 2022 comeback, ARMYs expressed their eagerness on how BTS will choreograph Run BTS. Therefore, everyone was awed when the boys performed the song during "Yet to Come in Busan."

After igniting the stage with the opening performances, V complimented the loud and explosive cheers from the beloved ARMYs. Two of the members of BTS are from Busan - Jungkook and Jimin. So, after V, Jungkook immediately took his opportunity to scream "Busan" at the top of his lungs.

Jungkook even bragged that he is from Busan, which Jimin then supplemented. The Golden Maknae said:

"Jimin hyung and I are from Busan. I'm very happy to be with so many ARMYs here in Busan."

The two Busan boys expressed their longingness for the ARMYs. With radiant smiles from the Busan boys, they said they are beyond happy whenever performing in their hometown.

Upon seeing the crowd, Jungkook and Jimin cannot help but mention how happy they are, seeing the amount of love that they receive whenever they hold concerts and fan meetings in Busan.

Intriguingly, Jimin shared that although performing in Busan is exciting, it also gives him a "strange" feeling. Regardless, he gratified the fans for coming and welcoming them to Busan.

Aside from the Busan boys, BTS leader RM said:

"This is our first performance in Busan in three years. It's our honor to be with you guys at such a meaningful concert for the promotion of the 2030 Busan World Expo."

Aside from South Korea, other contenders for the 2030 World Expo are Rome, Odesa, Ukraine, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The host city will be announced next year, depending on the Bureau International des Expositions.

Apart from performing and sharing smiles with the ARMYs, the members took this opportunity to confess some of the members' planned individual projects for this year.

An Emotional 'Yet to Come' Encore

Indeed, the "Yet to Come" concert is a rollercoaster ride. One time, ARMYs find themselves jamming and jumping with the hyped music; then, one moment, they find themselves passionate.

During the encore performance, BTS performed Spring Day, a song close to the heart of almost every ARMY.

Suga shared that as they performed Spring Day again, the emotions doubled as it was offered to every individual who was having a hard and tiring moment. He also said that he hopes people will find strength and support with their songs.

Despite being seen as a record-breaking and historical event, "Yet to Come" in Busan is more than a festive, but a reunion between BTS and ARMYs.





KpopStarz own this article.

Written by Sophia Carson.
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) BJP leader Manoj Tiwari will have to face a criminal defamation case filed by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for allegedly levelling corruption charges against him after the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the North East Delhi MP's plea challenging the summons issued by a trial court here.

Sisodia had filed the complaint against BJP leaders -- Members of Parliament Tiwari, Hans Raj Hans and Pravesh Verma, MLAs Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Vijender Gupta, and BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana -- for making corruption allegations against him over inflated expenditure for construction of classrooms in Delhi government schools.

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Sisodia had stated the allegations made by the BJP leaders, jointly and individually, were false, defamatory, and derogatory, and with an intention to damage his reputation and goodwill.

The BJP leaders had challenged the trial court's November 28, 2019 order summoning them as accused in the criminal defamation case filed by Sisodia. The Delhi high court had refused to quash the summons.

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The top court rejected Tiwari's submission that the trial court should not have entertained a private complaint from Sisodia, Minister of a Union Territory, without following the special procedure prescribed in Section 199(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Section 199(4) of CrPC provides for a special procedure with regard to the initiation of proceedings for prosecution for defamation of a public servant.

The apex court said a minister or public servant can file a private complaint alleging defamation and need not follow the special procedure.

"The long history of the evolution of the legislation relating to prosecution for the offence of defamation of public servants shows that the special procedure introduced in 1955 and fine tuned in 1964 and overhauled in 1973 was in addition to and not in derogation of the right that a public servant always had as an individual.

"He never lost his right merely because he became a public servant and merely because the allegations related to official discharge of his duties," the bench, comprising Justices S Abdul Nazeer and V Ramasubramaniam, said while dismissing Tiwari's plea.

On the appeal filed by BJP leader Vijender Gupta, challenging the summons, the top court said 24 questions posed by him cannot be said to be defamatory as these questions seek answers to certain facts relating to the construction of some buildings.

"We do not know how a statement in a tweet that the answers of respondent No.1 to the questions posed by the appellant will disclose his scam, can be said to be defamatory. We are afraid that even if a person belonging to a political party had challenged a person holding public office by stating I will expose your scam, the same may not amount to defamation.

"Defamatory statement should be specific and not very vague and general. The essential ingredient of Section 499 (defamation) is that the imputation made by the accused should have the potential to harm the reputation of the person against whom the imputation is made," the bench said.

The apex court said it was of the view that the statement made by Gupta (to the effect your answer will disclose your scam cannot be considered an imputation intending to harm or knowing or having reason to believe that it will harm the reputation of Sisodia.

"Though the High Court prima facie examined the tweets, it upheld the summoning order passed by the Magistrate, after simply extracting Section 499. The claim made by a person involved in politics that the answers provided by his rival in public office to the questions posed by him, will expose his scam, cannot be per se stated to be intended to harm the reputation of the person holding office.

"The statements such as 'I will expose you', 'I will expose your corrupt practices' and 'I will expose the scam in which you are involved, etc.' are not by themselves defamatory unless there is something more," the bench said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Hyderabad, Oct 17 (PTI) Hitting out at BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for alleged "harsh measures" against handloom weavers, Telangana Handlooms and Textiles Minister and TRS Working President K T Rama Rao on Monday appealed to the weavers community to teach the saffron party a lesson in Munugode bypoll.

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The byelection will be held on November 3 and the counting will be taken up on November 6.

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The minister alleged that Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister in the history of India to have burdened the weavers with heavy tax, scrapped insurance and welfare schemes meant for them.

During a teleconference with handloom weavers of Munugode, KTR detailed several progressive steps taken by TRS government for the welfare of the community.

He said the TRS government has been allocating a budget of Rs 1,200 crore per annum for the welfare of the handloom sector, provided a 40 per cent subsidy on yarn and dyes through 'Chenetha Mithra' scheme, introduced Rs five lakh insurance coverage for handloom and power loom workers through 'Nethanna Ku Bhima' and implementing 'Nethannaku Cheyutha' scheme.

During COVID, the Telangana government through 'Nethannaku Cheyutha' has sanctioned an amount of Rs 100 crore to weavers much before the maturity date. The scheme is being continued keeping in view the benefit it has provided to the community, he added.

The minister said the TRS government has waived weavers loans ranging up to Rs 1 lakh which has benefited about 10,500 people.

He also said an integrated training, production and sales centre in Narayanpet and handlooms park in Gadwal are being set up.

(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 17 (PTI) Polling for the Congress president's post commenced at 10 AM at the KPCC state headquarters here where 310 Congress delegates from Kerala are expected to cast their vote on Monday either for Shashi Tharoor or Mallikarjun Kharge for the party chief's position.

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While many of the senior leaders from Kerala, the home turf of Tharoor, have openly declared their support for Kharge, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram has claimed that he has support of the youth leaders and party workers.

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Senior party leaders like Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran, V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and K Muraleedharan have said that Kharge was better suited for the party president post as he has risen through the ranks and was more experienced than Tharoor.

Tharoor, who has made an aggressive bid for the party's top post, during the poll campaign had on many occasions said that the Congress leaders in Kerala appeared to be against him.

This was refuted by the senior party leaders in Kerala who said that they are not opposed to Tharoor.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP had also claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was asked to coax him into withdrawing his candidature.

The polling for the Congress presidential election would commence at 10 AM on Monday and continue till 4 PM.

The counting of votes would be taken up on October 19 and the results are expected the same day.

More than 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates from across the country are expected to cast their votes during the day.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kochi, Oct 16 (PTI) Despite sordid details emerging since the 'human sacrifice' case came to light in Kerala's Elanthoor, details about one of the two victims, appear to remain shrouded in mystery.

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Roslin, the 49-year old woman, who was the first unsuspecting casualty of the conniving trio of Bhagaval Singh, Laila and Shafi, was said to be a lottery seller while the accused claimed she had come to act in an adult movie.

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While initial news reports said Roslin was a lottery seller, her daughter Manju claims her mother sold health products door-to-door for a living even as the accused insisted she was a call girl who had arrived to act in an adult film.

The remains of Roslin, who was missing since June 8 this year, were exhumed from the backyard of a house at Elanthoor in Pathanamthitta district as part of the investigation into the human sacrifice incident involving the murder of two women.

Roslin was living with her partner Sajeesh for the past six years at various places near Kalady, her daughter said, adding that she went missing on June 8.

The family is basically from Kattapana in Idukki district. Roslin left her husband around 20 years ago, along with her two children.

"He used to assault her. Initially, we suspected Sajeesh that was behind her going missing. My mother gave all her ornaments to him before she went missing. He pawned a few. The rest was given to us after police became involved," Manju said.

However, Kalady police have a different version.

"They have been living together for the past six years. They have lived in many houses in that locality and none of the neighbours or the landlords have any bad opinion about them," police told PTI.

Police said Sajeesh is a daily wage labourer who is regular with his work and there were no assault complaints against Sajeesh as alleged by Roslin's daughter.

"Mother went missing on June 8 while I was in Uttar Pradesh. I came back and filed a complaint with the police in the month of August," Manju said.

The remand report carried the gruesome manner in which Roslin was murdered by the trio at the house in Elanthoor.

The remand report said Roslin was persuaded by prime accused Shafi after promising a whopping Rs 10 lakh to act in a porn film and brought to the crime site. It also said that it was Laila, who murdered her.

The women in the shocking human sacrifice case in Kerala had undergone gruesome torture as the breasts of one of them had been chopped off and the body of the other was cut into 56 pieces by the accused, according to the police remand report filed before a local court here.

Meanwhile, the family of deceased Padma (42), who used to earn her daily bread selling lottery tickets on the streets here, have been staying at Ernakulam for the past 20 days.

The family from Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu reached the state a day after she went missing.

"I am working in Chennai. We came here the day after our mother went missing. We used to go to the police station everyday since September 27," Selva Raj, the youngest son of Padma told PTI.

Padma has an elder son, Settu, who is all set to join a school as a teacher.

The two sons of Padma have petitioned the Kerala and Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers seeking to release the body of their mother.

Since the bodies were in a decomposed state, the Kerala police had earlier said they would be handed over to the relatives only after a DNA test.

The samples were collected from the relatives recently and the testing will be done at a government laboratory in Thiruvananthapuram.

The two women were sacrificed by the accused to settle the financial issues of the couple and bring prosperity in their life, police had said.

Prime accused Shafi (52), Singh (68), a massage therapist and his wife Laila (59) are currently under police custody.

"The accused conspired to conduct the human sacrifice with an intention to bring prosperity in the life of the second and third accused by pleasing the goddess in favour of Singh and his wife Laila," the remand report had said.

The chopped body parts of the deceased were exhumed from the premises of the couple's house at Elanthoor village in Pathanamthitta.

The first woman went missing on September 26 and the probe led to Shafi. On further interrogating him, police found the trio had earlier murdered Roslin in a similar manner in June.

(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 17 (PTI) The government has sought data on vacancies from all public sector undertakings (PSUs) and asked them to prepare a roadmap to fill those with an aim to reducing unemployment in the country.

Information has been sought by the government regarding vacancies at the entry-level as well as at the senior level, a senior official of a PSU told PTI.

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The move comes against the backdrop of opposition parties raising concerns over rising unemployment in the country.

As per the direction, identified entry-level vacancies till December this year are required to be filled by August-September next year, the official said.

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Filling vacancies in government institutions takes time as appointments are made in a transparent manner by following specified guidelines, the official said, adding tests and interviews are conducted based on the advertisement that specifies eligibility criteria.

Each stage consumes time as aspirants across the country participate in the process, the official said.

As per the official data, there were 255 Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) operating in the country at the end of FY21. Out of the 255 CPSEs, 177 are profit-making and have generated a profit of Rs 1.89 lakh crore during FY21.

Last month, the finance ministry convened a meeting with heads of public sector banks and financial institutions to take stock of the employment situation in these entities and their monthly recruitment plan.

The total employee strength of public sector banks peaked at 8.86 lakh during 2012-13. It declined to 7.80 lakh during 2020-21.

Banks have started issuing advertisements for recruitment. For example, the country's biggest lender State Bank of India (SBI) recently issued advertisements for the recruitment of 1,673 probationary officers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June had asked various government departments and ministries to undertake the recruitment of 10 lakh people on a "mission mode" in the next one-and-a-half-year amid the opposition's frequent criticism on the issue of unemployment.

The direction from the Prime Minister came following a review of the status of human resources in all government departments and ministries. The vacancies are likely to be filled before the next general elections to be held in 2024.

Earlier this year, the government had said in Parliament that there were about 8.72 lakh posts vacant in various Central government departments as of March 1, 2020. The Indian Railways, being the biggest recruiter in the country, has nearly 2.3 lakh posts vacant.

A month after the Prime Minister's announcement, the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) constituted a task force to implement the plan and execute it in mission mode.

India's unemployment rate dropped to 6.43 per cent in September due to an increase in labour participation in the rural and urban areas, according to data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).

During August, India's unemployment rate surged to a one-year high of 8.3 per cent as employment sequentially fell by 2 million to 394.6 million.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Oct 17 (PTI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday claimed to have won a maximum of 397 seats in gram panchayat elections in Maharashtra.

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The results of the elections held on Sunday for 1,079 Gram Panchayats were declared on Monday. A voter turnout of more than 75 per cent was recorded.

The BJP has become the number one party in gram panchayat elections by winning 397 seats. Along with chief minister Eknath Shinde-led 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena', the joint rally has reached 478," the state BJP said in a social media post.

The BJP has managed to win the post of Sarpanch or village head in 235 villages.

The Congress claimed to have won 134 seats, Nationalist Congress Party 110, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) 128 and the 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena' 114.

As many as 300 Independent candidates have also won the gram panchayat elections.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said voters have given their verdict in favour of 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena'.

"The step we took (of parting ways with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena) stands vindicated. 'Balsahebanchi Shiv Sena' and the BJP have got tremendous support from the people, he said.

Shinde said people have voted with trust which is reflected in the results.

He said the state government is committed to ushering in development.

Congress candidate Mukta Kokarde was on Monday elected as the president of Nagpur Zill Parishad and Kunda Raut as the vice president.

They were elected in the special general meeting body meeting of ZP members.

The effective strength of the Zilla Parishad is 57. Incumbent Nagpur ZP president Rashmi Barve of Congress has completed two-and-a-half-year of the five-year term.

The BJP had supported Congress rebels Pritam Kawre for the post of Nagpur ZP president and Nana Kambhale as the vice president.

Nagpur Congress (rural) president Rajendra Mulak told reporters that this is a historic victory and the BJP is losing its ground.

Sangeeta Adhau and Sunil Fatkar of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) were on Monday elected as president and vice president, respectively, of the Akola Zilla Parishad, an official said.

Notably, the Congress had dominated the results of elections to the posts of Panchayat Samiti chairpersons and deputy chairpersons in Nagpur district which were declared on Saturday- on the same day of voting.

The BJP could not win even a single post of chairperson and managed to secure only three seats of deputy chairperson in the elections.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Palghar, Oct 17 (PTI) A court in Maharashtra's Palghar district has acquitted a 27-year-old man accused of raping a teenage girl, while giving him the benefit of doubt.

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Special (POCSO) court judge Dr M S Deshpande, in the October 7 order which was made available on Saturday, said the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused, a labourer from Dahanu taluka here.

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The prosecutor told the court that both the accused and the victim were neighbours. During a festival in 2017, the victim had gone to a pandal. The accused then took her to a secluded place where he allegedly raped her.

According to the prosecution, the man raped her on multiple occasions till April 2018 following which she became pregnant.

When her mother came to know about the pregnancy, she filed a police complaint against the man, who was later booked on rape charges and under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The judge in the order observed that the victim's testimony showed the accused was her neighbour and they had a love affair.

"According to her, she was aged about 18 years old at the time of the incident. The prosecution has not examined any witness in order to bring on record the victim's true age and the date of birth. Therefore, the birth certificate copy filed along with the charge sheet is not proved by the prosecution," the court said.

The court also said the victim did not support the prosecution's case about her age, date of birth and the rape/sexual assault committed by the accused on her.

The victim's mother during her cross-examination, admitted that her daughter and the accused were residing together and they had a son. According to the victim's mother, they have no grievance against the accused. The case was filed at the instance of an anganwadi worker, the court noted.

Also, there is no evidence that the accused raped or sexually assaulted the victim or threatened to kill her, the court said.

"Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances, it appears the prosecution has failed to prove the age of the victim at the relevant time. It appears that the victim had attained the age of maturity and entered into a consensual sexual relationship with the accused and they were residing together as husband and wife," the judge said.

In the back drop, the accused will be entitled for the benefit of doubt and acquittal of the charges of commission of the alleged offences, 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 [India], October 17 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate has told the Supreme Court that former chairman of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education and Trinamool Congress leader Manik Bhattacharya was a key person in a money laundering case relating to the alleged irregularities in primary teachers' appointments.

ED submitted, "investigation under PMLA has revealed the role of Dr Manik Bhattacharya Ex. President of WBBPE and MLA, Palashipara, Nadia from TMC as one of the key persons in the entire scam of offering jobs in lieu of money."

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ED, in its affidavit also said that it has been ascertained that Manik headed the West Bengal Board of Primary Education for a period of more than 10 years starting from 2011 during which more than 58000 primary teachers were recruited through the Board.

In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, ED has opposed Manik Bhattacharya's plea challenging his arrest in a money laundering case as the probe agency submitted that Manik Bhattacharya has remained uncooperative during the course of statements recorded under section 50 of PMLA, 2002 and has continuously tried to mislead the investigation by suppressing facts and details on the source of funds accumulated in the name of his family members.

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The probe agency also said that the investigation in respect of other high-value transactions is required to be done to unearth the money trail and to identify the proceeds of the crime.

ED also mentioned the seizing of huge cash of more than Rs 50 cr (approximately) during the searches conducted in the month of July 2022.

Two persons namely Partha Chatterjee, the then Education minister of the State of West Bengal and Arpita Mukherjee were arrested on July 23 2022. Manik Bhattacharyya, Ex-President of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education was consequently arrested on October 10.

Manik Bhattacharyya has challenged his arrest before the Supreme Court, which will hear the matter tomorrow. A bench of justices Aniruddha Bose and Vikaram Nath has listed the matter for further hearing tomorrow.

The top court will also take up another plea challenging the Calcutta HC order in connection with the alleged irregularities in primary teachers' appointments which is being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

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.

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. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bareilly (UP), Oct 17 (PTI) There is "no vacancy" for the post of prime minister as opposition is "out of the race" and Narendra Modi will become PM again in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Union Minister Anupriya Patel said here on Monday.

"Her party (Apna Dal-Sonelal) has contested four elections with the BJP and got good results. 2024 elections are near and the opposition is out of the race and we are going to form a government again at the Centre," Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry said while replying to a question here.

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"There is no vacancy for the post of PM. This post is for Narendra Modi," she stressed.

The minister said for ensuring justice to backward community, a separate ministry should be constituted as there was burden on courts and shortage of judges.

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"For judicial service, a separate examination commission should be constituted," the minister said.

She said, "In every district, export promotion committees are being constituted," and hence all districts across the country will now be able to become export hubs and products made under the 'one district and one product' scheme could be sent to markets all over the world.

For Nagar Nigam polls, scheduled later this year in the state, Patel said her party is making preparations at its level.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dehradun, Oct 17 (PTI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday sought the help of Indian diplomats in promoting the state as a yoga and wellness tourism destination in countries where they are serving.

"Uttarakhand has the potential to quickly emerge as an international yoga and wellness tourism destination. It is the original land of yoga. People trained in yoga here have become yoga instructors abroad," he said at a meeting in Dehradun with Indian ambassadors and high commissioners to seven countries.

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During the meeting at his residence here, the chief minister also sought the diplomats' support in promoting the state government's 'One District Two Products' programme to advertise at least two unique local products from each of its 13 districts .

He also asked the diplomats to give information to officials in Uttarakhand about the best practices prevalent in the countries where they serve.

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The diplomats suggested that products of the hill areas of the state and their cuisine should be promoted.

Diplomats who called on Dhami included India's Ambassador to Sweden Tanmaya Lal, India's Ambassador to Tajikistan Viraj Singh, India's Ambassador to Panama Upender Singh Rawat, High Commissioner of India to Brunei Alok Amitabh, Indian HIgh Commissioner to Kenya Namgya Khampa, India's Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia Namrata S Kumar and India's Ambassador to Algeria Gaurav Ahluwalia.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], October 17 (ANI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday exuded confidence to retain his 'good relations' with the Gandhi family even after the declaration of the results of Congress presidential polls.

Gehlot was one of the contenders for the top post of the grand old party but eventually decided to "not participate" as his candidature created a political crisis in Rajasthan.

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"Today is a historic day, the election for Congress president is taking place today after 22 years. This election gives the message of internal harmony in the party. My relation with the Gandhi family will be same even after 19 Oct (day of the counting of votes)," Ashok Gehlot told reporters here.

For casting their vote for party's next president, as many as 416 people are expected to vote for the Congress' next president in Rajasthan, State Returning Officer Rajendra Singh Kumpawat said.

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Kumpawat said that the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee has made arrangements so that 414 leaders related to the state Congress and two Returning Officers can cast their votes.

Voting for the Congress party presidential polls commenced at 10 am today and ends at 4 pm. Results will be declared on October 19.

The fate of the Congress party will be decided by over 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates who comprise the electoral college for electing the party chief.

Shashi Tharoor and Mallikarjun Kharge are up against each other in the race for the post of Congress president.

Earlier, due to signature issues, former Jharkhand Minister KN Tripathi's nomination for the Congress presidential election was rejected.

Meanwhile, Congress veteran, Kharge received support from nearly 30 Congress leaders for the party's presidential polls, including Digvijaya Singh who pulled out from the race and extended his support to Kharge, who he said is a senior and respected leader of the party, and against whom he "cannot think of contesting."

Singh was the second Congress leader to pull out of the race after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced he would not contest the elections following the political turmoil in his state.

In the national capital, interim president Sonia Gandhi, General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh cast their vote for the next president at the headquarters of the All India Congress Committee.

Congress MPs P Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh and other party leaders also voted for their desired candidate to hold the post.

After casting the vote, Sonia Gandhi said that she had been voting for the day since a long time.

"I have been waiting for a long time," Sonia Gandhi said as she was asked about her happiness by the mediapersons.

Shashi Tharoor said the revival of the grand old party has begun whatever the outcome and that the fate of the Indian National Congress lies in the hands of the party workers.

Tharoor said that he was confident of winning the election but acknowledged the odds stacked against him.

Tharoor also said he had spoken to Kharge earlier in the day.

"Today I spoke to Mr Kharge and said whatever has happened, we remain colleagues and friends," Tharoor said.

Kharge, on the other hand, said, "it is part of our internal election. Whatever we said to each other is on a friendly note. Together we have to build the party. (Shashi) Tharoor telephoned me and wished me luck and I also said the same."

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said that Congress was the only political party to hold elections for its president.

It is not the first time that a non-Gandhi leader is contesting for the party presidency post-Independence, Jitendra Prasad contested for the post of the president about 22 years ago against Sonia Gandhi in which she emerged as a winner holding the mantle of the party for 20 years.

Sonia Gandhi is the longest-serving president of the party, having held the office for over twenty years from 1998 to 2017 and since 2019.

This time no member of the Gandhi family is contesting for the post of president.

This is the sixth time in its nearly 137-year-old history that polls are being conducted to elect the national president of the party. In the 2017 elections, Rahul Gandhi became the president unopposed. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) The Supreme Court told the CBI on Monday it cannot stop Mainak Mehta, the brother-in-law of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is an accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, to travel abroad without any "sold material".

A bench of justices D Y Chandrachud and Hima Kohli asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to come up with some "solid material" in its plea challenging the Bombay High Court verdict of August 23, by which Mehta was allowed to travel to Hong Kong and stay there for three months.

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Appearing for Mehta, senior advocate Amit Desai said the court granted him pardon as due to his efforts, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was able to bring back more than Rs 500 crore back to the country.

"I was not directly involved in the fraud case and there is no evidence contrary to this on record. It just so happens that my wife is the sister of Nirav Modi. I have been cooperating with the ED all through the investigation, due to which the agency has not opposed my pardon. But now, the CBI wants me not to be allowed to go abroad," he said.

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The bench asked Desai what is the guarantee that Mehta will come back to India, if allowed to go abroad.

He said, "My home is in Mumbai. My parents are staying here. I have my entire family in Mumbai. Even my sister and her family are here. I cannot afford not coming back to India."

The bench asked advocate Aakansha Kaul, who appeared for the CBI in the matter, about the federal probe agency's stance, to which she said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta or any other senior law officer will argue the matter.

The court then asked her to argue as it would not adjourn the matter unless required.

Kaul said, "The pardon granted by the court was subject to a full disclosure made by him and he has not made a full disclosure."

The bench said, "You are not appearing for the ED. The CBI cannot say that he has not made a full disclosure. The court has granted pardon to him and we cannot restrict a person from going abroad without any solid material."

Desai said due to Mehta's cooperation, the ED has managed to bring more than Rs 500 crore back to the country and his client is still cooperating with the probe agencies.

"I have not been named as an accused in the case. I have written to the CBI to start the inquiry against me but no positive response has been received," he said.

The bench said it will take up the matter on Tuesday and pass orders on the CBI's plea.

On August 23, the high court had dismissed the CBI's plea against the order of a special court dealing with cases lodged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), allowing Mehta to travel to Hong Kong.

The CBI had sought that the PMLA court order be stayed.

The agency had submitted in the high court that Mehta was not named as an accused in the case and his role in the PNB scam was yet to be ascertained and for that, he needed to be interrogated.

It had claimed that Mehta had received a large sum of the siphoned amount from the PNB fraud and it was transferred to his wife's account, which needs to be probed.

The PMLA court had, in June, allowed Mehta to travel abroad. It had earlier pardoned him after Mehta turned an approver in the case.

(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 17 (PTI) Infrastructure and taxation issues as well as policies were discussed during the conference of secretaries of civil aviation departments of all states and union territories here on Monday.

In his opening remarks, Union Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Bansal urged states and union territories to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) on jet fuel and also said the country's domestic air traffic is almost near to the pre-Covid level, according to an official release.

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He also appreciated states and union territories that have already reduced the VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).

"Subjects of infrastructure support such as the extent of land requirement for different types of airports, pending cases of handing over of land, taxation related issues such as VAT, tax incentives for promoting FTO, MRO...," were discussed at the conference, as per the release.

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Also, civil aviation policies of states and union territories, sharing the best practices and promoting last mile connectivity were discussed.

"The objective of the conference is to promote greater collaboration and synergy between state civil aviation departments and the Ministry of Civil aviation to augment the development of the civil aviation sector," the release said.

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Gurugram, Oct 17 (PTI) A teenage boy, who had come to see the Diwali fair organised in a housing society in Sector 49 here, was allegedly abused and thrashed with kicks and sticks by the guards, police said on Monday.

An FIR has been registered with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under the justice juvenile act at Sector 50 police station, they said.

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According to the police the incident happened on Saturday evening at the gate of the Orchid Petal Society in sector 49 where a Diwali fair was underway. The teenage boy was also going there to visit the fair but he was stopped at the gate and was thrashed.

According to the complaint filed by the mother of a 15-year-old teenager, a resident of Valley View Estate Society, her son left home with his friends at around 7.30 pm on Saturday to visit the fair.

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"When my son along with his friends reached the society gate, the guards posted at the gate of the society and some residents stopped them. My son and his friends waited at the gate of the society for a long time and requested the guards that uncle let us go inside, but the guard suddenly started abusing them," she said.

"When my son protested against the abuse, the guards started beating him and also beat up two friends of my son. Apart from the guards, there were some people who were not in the guard's dress who also threatened to kill my son," she added.

Police said the boy is a class 10 student of a private school who informed his parents about the incident after returning from society. His mother rushed to the police with him on Sunday.

Following the complaint an FIR was registered against unknown security guards of the society under sections 147 (riots), 149 (unlawful assembly), 323 (causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and section 75 of the juvenile justice act at Sector 50 police station on Sunday.

"We have lodged an FIR and are investigating the matter. The suspect guards are absconding and we are conducting raids to nab them. Further probe is underway," said inspector Rajesh Kumar, SHO of sector 50 police station.

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Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 17 (ANI): TV actress Vaishali Thakkar's mother has demanded justice for the actress who was found hanging at her residence in the Sai Bagh colony in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, under the limits of Tejaji police station, an official informed on Sunday.

The actress' mother Anu Kaur Thakkar said that accused Rahul Navlani used to disturb her and his wife used to believe that Vaishali was at fault for their breaking the marriage, while the actual truth was the other way round.

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"She was normal before committing suicide. We did not have a one per cent clue that she would take such a drastic step all of a sudden," Vaishali's mother said adding that she had arrived in Indore from Mumbai in April."While we were also planning to her wedding in December or January, Rahul was also adamant about making attempts to get the wedding called off," she added.

"Vaishali has written that she will get justice only after Rahul will be punished," she said.The official also informed that a suicide note was also recovered from the spot which suggested that she was stressed and harassed by her neighbour, businessman Rahul Navlani.

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The Tejaji Nagar Police have booked Rahul Navlani and his wife Disha under sections 306 (Abetment of suicide) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly persuading the actor to kill herself.Seeking justice Vaishali Thakkar had asked for punishment to them for harassing her.Vaishali was quite an active social media user and had worked in multiple serials, including 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata hai', 'Sasural Simar Ka', 'Yeh Hai Aashiqui'.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Moti ur Rehman told ANI on Sunday that, "Rahul was Vaishali's neighbour and the suicide note indicated that he used to harass Vaishali, because of which she took this extreme step. She was about to get married to another man and Rahul troubled her for that. The police are currently investigating the case."

"Rahul is currently not at his residence and has fled after locking his house. Police are currently locating Rahul, after that he will be questioned," ACP Rehman added.Rahul Navlani was already married.

Rahman further said that the TV actress was basically a resident of Ujjain and she was living here under Tejaji police station limits. The incident occurred around 12:30 am on Sunday. On getting the information about the incident, the police rushed to the spot. (ANI)

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Oxford, October 17: Sea levels are rising as a result of climate change due to ocean expansion and ice melting on land. Sea level rise in the near future will be influenced by a number of factors, some of which include how frequently glaciers calve. These happen when big chunks of ice break off from tidewater glaciers, or glaciers that finish in the ocean, and fall into coastal fjords as icebergs. The more ice enters the ocean as these glaciers move quicker across the land towards it, the faster the sea level rises.

The glaciers of Greenland may melt during the hotter summer months, creating sizable lakes that may eventually flow through to the glacier's base. This lessens the friction between the ice and the ground, causing the ice to slide more quickly for a few days, according to studies on the interior Greenland ice sheet. However, it has not yet been determined whether such drainage episodes alter the tidewater glaciers' flow rate, and thus, the frequency of calving events.Trending Halloween 2022 Makeup Looks: From Zombie To Clown; 5 Creepy Make-Up Ideas That Will Help You Spook Fellow Revellers on All Hallows' Eve (Watch Videos).

A research team from Columbia University, Oxford University, and the Oxford University Mathematical Institute used GPS observations of the flow speed of Helheim Glacier, the largest single-glacier contributing to sea level rise in Greenland, to look into this. The GPS recorded high-temporal-resolution observations of the glacier's flow reaction to lake drainage, which were a nearly ideal natural experiment.

The Helheim Glacier was found to operate considerably different from the inland ice sheet, which moves quickly and downward during lake drainage events, according to the data. Helheim Glacier, in contrast, showed a relatively minor 'pulse' of movement, when the glacier accelerated for a brief period of time and subsequently slowed down, with no net increase in movement.

The researchers determined that this observation was most likely brought about by the Helheim glacier having an effective system of channels and cavities along its bed by using a computational model of the subglacial drainage system. As a result, the glacier bed can swiftly be cleared of draining fluids without increasing the overall net movement. Although this seems to be good news for sea level rise implications, the researchers were concerned that glaciers without an effective drainage system, where the surface melt is currently low but may grow in the future owing to climate change, may see a different consequence (such as in Antarctica).

Based on the conditions of colder, Antarctic tidewater glaciers, they performed a mathematical model. The findings suggested that, in these circumstances, lake drainages would result in a net increase in glacier movement. This was primarily caused by the slower evacuation of flood waters via the less effective subglacial drainage system throughout the winter. However, no in-situ observations of Antarctic tidewater glacier responses to lake drainage have been made so far. China Rolls Out 5G Base Stations in Xinjiang, Experts Say It Will Boost Surveillance.

The research questions some conventional methods for determining glacial drainage patterns from glacier velocities measured through satellite images (which are currently used in sea level rise models).

"What we've observed here at Helheim is that you can have a big input of meltwater into the drainage system during a lake drainage event, but that melt input doesn't result in an appreciable change in glacier speed when you average over the week of the drainage event," said lead author Associate Professor Laura Stevens (Department of Earth Sciences, Oxford University).

Since the best temporal precision of currently known satellite-derived glacier speeds is only around one week, lake drainage events like the one seen in the Helheim GPS data are typically overlooked.

Associate Professor Stevens continued, "These tidewater glaciers are challenging." Before we can safely predict how tidewater glaciers will react to future atmospheric and oceanic warming, we need to learn a lot more about how meltwater drainage functions and modifies tidewater glacier speeds.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tokyo, Oct 17 (AP) A former Japanese soldier who suffered sexual harassment while serving in the army said Monday she has accepted apologies from four servicemen in a groundbreaking case that prompted a Defense Ministry-wide investigation into growing reports of assaults in the military.

Rina Gonoi told reporters that the four assailants, who were her superiors in the army, met with her separately and apologized for the pain that caused her to give up her career in the military. She said some admitted that they had sexually harassed other female soldiers as well.

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The four men told her they planned to resign from the army to take responsibility, she said. They gave her hand-written letters of apology which she read in a televised news conference. The assailants did not attend and she did not disclose their names or ranks, saying that their families also were victims and she didn't want them to suffer.

When the men met with her, "I was a bit scared, but I kept up my spirit and stood face-to-face with them, because accepting an apology in person was one of my goals after seeing the truth being denied, she said.

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Gonoi filed a sexual harassment case with the Defense Ministry last year, saying she had suffered multiple assaults by male colleagues. In one case, several senior male colleagues pressed the lower part of their bodies against her in a dorm at a training ground in August 2021, forcing her to spread her legs, as more than 10 other male colleagues watched and laughed, but none tried to stop them, she said.

She said the investigation into her case was improperly conducted and local prosecutors dropped it in May this year. A month later, she quit the army and disclosed her allegations on social media.

Gonoi submitted a petition signed by more than 100,000 people to the Defense Ministry in August seeking a reinvestigation of her allegations by a third party.

She also said that she had received information about dozens of other servicemembers who had been harassed while on duty, as well as from parents who were worried about the safety of their daughters in the military.

In a rare admission of sexual harassment in the military, army chief Yoshihide Yoshida apologized to Gonoi in September.

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada also ordered a ministry-wide investigation into sexual assault following her allegations.

The ministry said complaints of various types of harassment have increased nearly 10-fold over the past five years.

It sent investigators to the regional army division overseeing the unit where Gonoi served. They found more victims in other cases, and are expected to issue their final report within weeks.

In a country where gender inequality remains high, sexual harassment is often disregarded and the #MeToo movement has been slow to catch on. But Japanese women have slowly begun to speak up, though many still suffer silently.

Gonoi said she went public because she wanted to help others who cannot raise their voices, and is happy to help the Defense Ministry create an environment in which there is less harassment and victims don't need to quit their careers.

Despite the men's apologies, the scars I have suffered will stay with me the rest of my life, she said. Now I want to regain my own life, not as a victim, but as someone who can make other people smile and who can do something for others. (AP)

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Islamabad [Pakistan], October 17 (ANI): A top Islamist political party of Pakistan has demanded the expulsion of the US ambassador to Islamabad until an apology is issued for the "dangerous nation" remark by President Joe Biden.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq said the former and current rulers in the country were American slaves while the people believed in bowing down to the Almighty alone, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

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He said both Imran Khan's PTI and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) were the pawns of the international establishment. That is why the Jamaat-e-Islami is now the only option that can make the country happy and developed, he added.

Last week Biden's candid remarks on Pakistan set off a diplomatic row after the US President during a Democratic party event described the south Asian country as "one of the most dangerous nations" in the world which holds "nuclear weapons without any cohesion."

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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.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejected Biden's comments on Pakistan's nuclear weapons capability and called it "factually incorrect and misleading".

"Over the past decades, Pakistan has proven to be a most responsible nuclear state, wherein its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system," a statement from the PM Office quoted PM Shehbaz Sharif as saying.

"Pakistan and the US have a long history of a 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 the Pakistan-US relationship while avoiding unnecessary comments. It is our sincere desire to cooperate with the US to promote regional peace and security," Pak PM was quoted as saying by ARY News.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also came to his country's defence after US President Joe Biden questioned the precarious state of its nuclear program.

"Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state that is perfectly capable of safeguarding its national interest whilst respecting international law and practices. Our nuclear program is in no way a threat to any country. Like all independent states," Nawaz Sharif tweeted.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan also reacted to Biden's remark and asked on what basis US President made this statement. "Equally important, this Biden statement shows the total failure of Imported govt's foreign policy and its claims of "reset of relations with the US"? Is this the "reset"? This govt has broken all records for incompetence," Khan added. (ANI)

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Damascus, Oct 17 (AP) The United Nations will push for a nationwide cease-fire in Syria even after bursts of fighting in the last rebel-held region have punctured a two-year truce there, killing hundreds, a UN envoy said on Monday.

Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, spoke to reporters after meeting the foreign minister in Damascus. Syria's economic situation is extremely difficult as close to 15 million people are in need for humanitarian assistance, he said.

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Syrian government forces have over the past years captured much of the country with the help of President Bashar Assad's allies Russia and Iran.

A cease-fire brokered by Turkey and Russia in March 2020 stopped a Russian-backed government offensive on the last rebel stronghold in northwestern Syria.

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But despite the relative calm, shelling and air strikes have killed hundreds of civilians in the past two years.

Since March 2020, we have a cease-fire in place, we have front lines that are not shifted but still too many civilians are being killed so that's still a challenge, Pedersen said.

He added that we will continue to work to try to see if there is a possibly for a nationwide cease-fire.

The political process has not delivered peace to the Syrian people, Pedersen added and pledged that the UN would continue to work on the humanitarian needs of all, refugees and displaced, both in and outside government-controlled areas.

More than 80 per cent of Syrians now live in poverty, leaving much of the population dependent on humanitarian assistance.

The conflict that started in 2011 has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced half the country's pre-war population of 23 million.

Pedersen said the UN Security Council Resolution 2254 that was adopted unanimously in December 2015 and endorsed a road map to peace in Syria has not been working.

The resolution calls for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with UN -supervised elections.

The good news is that all parties still say they are committed to that resolution, Pedersen said.

The main question that remains is whether everyone can start rebuilding a little bit" of confidence in order to move forward, he said. (AP)

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Brussels, Oct 17 (AP) The European Union's top diplomat says the bloc is gathering evidence about Iran's alleged sale of drones to Russia and will respond if the allegations prove true.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday, We are following very closely this use of drones. We are gathering evidence and we will be ready to react with the tools at our disposal.

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Borrell spoke after chairing a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, where the bloc decided to slap sanctions on Iranian officials deemed responsible for the crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Borrell says that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba denounced the use of drones in a speech to the ministers via video-link from a bomb shelter. Borrell did not say what kind of measures the EU would consider.

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

Kyiv - A top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is blaming Iran for the death of Ukrainians in Russian drone strikes.

Mikhailo Podolyak also warned that sanctions may not be enough to deter Tehran from supplying Moscow's forces with the deadly suicide drones that killed at least four civilians in Kyiv on Monday.

A country that oppresses its own people is now giving (Russian) monsters weapons for mass murders in the heart of Europe, Mikhailo Podolyak tweeted.

He said there could be no concessions to totalitarianism.

Podolyak also called for the Group of 20 leading rich and developing nations to expel Russia from the organisation.

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Kyiv - Ukraine's foreign minister wants the European Union to sanction Iran for providing Russia with the suicide drones that killed at least four civilians in Kyiv on Monday.

The Iranian-made drones have been used elsewhere in Ukraine in recent weeks against urban centers and infrastructure, including power stations.

They are comparatively cheap, costing in the region of $20,000. Their use in swarms presents a challenge to Ukrainian air defenses.

Dmytro Kuleba said on his social media accounts that the next EU sanctions package on Russia must be strong and again requested more air defense systems and ammunition for Ukraine.

Speaking in a video statement posted on Facebook, Kuleba said he became the first minister to participate in Monday's call with the EU foreign ministers from a bomb shelter.

He said he told his EU colleagues that the attacks on Ukraine's energy facilities amounted to a blow to European energy security, as they derailed Ukrainian energy exports to the EU.

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Brussels - The European Union has approved a military training program in Europe for thousands of Ukrainian troops.

The 27-nation bloc also gave the go-ahead Monday to another 500 million euros ($486 million) in funds to help supply weapons and other military support to Ukraine.

The aim is to train almost 15,000 Ukrainian troops, chiefly in Poland and Germany.

It's hoped the mission, which will initially run for two years, can begin in mid-November.

The new tranche of money brings to just over 3 billion euros ($2.9 billion) the total EU sum in security support available for Ukraine.

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Tallinn - Belarus is to host a total of 9,000 Russian troops and 170 tanks as part of a new joint Russian-Belarusian military force.

That's according to Belarusian defense ministry officials Monday.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced the formation of the new force last week. He said it was being created in response to Ukraine plotting an attack on its ex-Soviet neighbour in the north. Lukashenko didn't provide any evidence to back up his claim.

Moscow has used Belarus as a staging ground for its full-scale invasion and regular rocket attacks, but Belarusian troops have not been directly involved in Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

Lukashenko's statements stoked fears that the joint force would attack Ukraine from the north, aiming to disrupt corridors used to transport Western-supplied weapons across the country.

Belarusian military officials, however, insisted that the force was being created for defensive purposes only.

As Russian soldiers were deploying in Belarus, Belarusian authorities arrested at least four activists they accused of plotting terrorist attacks to sabotage the operation.

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Kyiv - Ukraine's capital is reeling from a Russian barrage of suicide drones packed with explosives, which killed at least three people.

The blasts set fire to Kyiv buildings and sent people scurrying to air raid shelters. Some tried to shoot down the kamikazes.

One of the drones slammed into a residential building, killing three people, according to the deputy head of the Ukrainian president's office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko.

Energy facilities were also targeted as Moscow tries to disrupt Ukraine's heating supply as winter approaches.

The Russian military said they used long-range air and sea-based high precision weapons to strike Ukraine's military and energy facilities.

The attack came a week after Russia unleashed its most widespread strikes against the country in months and as Moscow struggles to halt a Ukrainian battlefield counteroffensive.

Kyiv's daily life soon resumed in a city that has become grimly accustomed to attacks.

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Kyiv - Ukrainian nuclear energy company Energoatom says external power to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was once again cut off due to shelling by Russian forces.

The attack Monday struck a power substation on Ukrainian territory that supplies power to the plant, Energoatom said.

The plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. While it six reactors have been shut down due to the fighting, it needs power supply to ensure critical safety systems remain operational.

Those power supplies have been repeatedly taken offline, forcing the plant's operator to temporarily use diesel generators to power the safety systems.

Energoatom repeated its call for a demilitarization of the plant and the withdrawal of Russian forces that surround it. (AP)

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Kabul [Afghanistan], October 17 (ANI): The residents of Farah province of Afghanistan fear that nearly 70,000 children have their future lying in uncertainty due to a lack of teachers in the province.

Several tribal elders of the province demanded education for their children by calling on the Taliban as their atrocities have only added to the miseries of Afghan people amid the looming economic and political crisis since the organization seized power.

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"We call on the Islamic Emirate to make schools and clinics for us and to pay attention to this issue," said Ahmad Shah, a tribal elder reported to Tolo News.

"We have schools and buildings for schools, but there are no teachers and education," Abdul Samad, another tribal elder said.

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"We have 70,000 students and they want to be educated and for the lack of teachers they are deprived of education," said Akhter Mohammad Zayeem, the Head of the Education Department in Farah reported to Tolo News.

Several residents in Farah have stressed over the fact that if their children are not provided with the opportunity to learn they will face a dim future.

"They have to study to progress and to reach the heights of success," TOLOnews reported quoting Shaikh Ahmad, a Farah resident as saying.

Earlier, the Educational Department in Farah said there is a shortage of one thousand teachers in the province.

Earlier in April, the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) raised concerns over the closure of secondary schools for girls.

It imposed several restrictions on women after the Taliban decided to close all secondary schools for girls. The female students above grade six were banned from going to school, according to Khaama Press.

Last year, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, in its report, raised concerns over the security of children in Afghanistan saying that high levels of violence endured by children in Afghanistan are rising.

"Afghanistan continues to be one of the most dangerous places for a child to live and grow. I am appalled by the continuing and rising high levels of violence endured by children in Afghanistan, including those caught up in combat," the International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) said in its report.

An interim Afghan government led by the Taliban came to power last fall after the withdrawal of US troops from the country and the collapse of the US-backed government.

The Taliban takeover triggered economic disarray and food shortages that have pushed the country to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of Afghans have fled the country fearful of the Taliban, widespread violation of human rights, and the deprivation of women and girls of their freedoms. (ANI)

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United Nations, Oct 17 (PTI) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a two-day visit to India, his spokesperson said here on Monday.

Guterres, who will be in India from October 18-20, will take part in an event on India and UN partnership and will also participate in the launch of the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Mission, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said at the daily press briefing.

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During his two-day visit, the Secretary-General will meet with Prime Minister Modi as well as External Affairs Minister Jaishankar.

Guterres will also visit a model project site which has recently been declared India's first solar-powered village in Gujarat's Modhera.

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"At the site, the Secretary-General will witness how solar rooftops installed on more than 1300 rural houses are improving lives and community, Dujarric said.

The Secretary-General will then head off to Vietnam where he will take part in a ceremony to commemorate the 45th anniversary of Vietnam's membership to the United Nations.

When asked at the noon briefing by a Pakistani journalist whether Guterres will discuss the situation in Kashmir with the Indian leaders, Dujarric said that he wait for a readout of what is actually been discussed. And then we can talk about what's been said instead of saying what may be said.

This will be the Secretary-General's first visit to India, since he commenced his second term in office in January 2022. He had earlier visited India in October 2018 during his first term.

Announcing the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said that Guterres will commence his visit to India by paying tributes to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.

Guterres will also deliver a public address at IIT Mumbai on India @75: UN-India Partnership: Strengthening South-South Cooperation'.

Guterres will join Prime Minister Modi on October 20 in Gujarat's Ekta Nagar, Kevadiya at the launch of the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) booklet, logo and tagline.

In Kevadiya, Guterres is expected to pay floral tributes at the Statue of Unity and visit the Sun Temple in Modhera, where he will also witness other development projects in the area.

The MEA statement said that Mission LiFE will be India's signature initiative at the United Nations and other international platforms for showcasing climate action and early achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Jaishankar would hold bilateral discussions with Guterres on issues of global concern, steps to deepen India's engagement with the UN, including through India's upcoming Presidency of the G20 and reformed multilateralism.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, October 17: In an unfortunate incident that took place in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, a girl child allegedly died after it fell into a bucket full of water. The shocking incident took place on Saturday when the child fell into the bucket at her home. Police officials said that the incident took place when the child's mother was outside the house.

According to a report in the Times of India, the deceased girl child is the daughter of a coupled named Rahul Kumar (28) and Chandrika (21). Cops from Poonamallee police said that the deceased girl child's father works as a labourer at a CMRL site near Poonamallee. The three stayed together at a house at Parivakkam near Poonamallee. Another officer said that the family originally hails from Madhya Pradesh. Noida: Unable to Get Bed in Hospitals, 12-Year-Old Boy Succumbs to Injuries After Being Thrashed by School Teacher.

The shocking incident took place on Saturday when Rahul had went to work. An officer privy to the case said that the mother and daughter were at home when the incident took place. The officer further said that the mother was out of the house when the child, who was alone at home fell into the bucket full of water.

When Chandrika returned home, she found her daughter inside the bucket. While the child was immediately rushed to a nearby government hospital, she was declared dead on arrival. On receiving the information from hospital authorities, officials from Poonamallee police recovered the body. Tamil Nadu Shocker: Three Children Die, 11 Others Hospitalised Due to Food Poisoning at Childcare Centre in Tiruppu.

Cops then sent the body for postmortem to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospita. Following this, the police filed a case and began investigating the matter.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 17, 2022 09:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, October 17: The LJP (Ram Vilas) will contest the upcoming Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls, party president Chirag Paswan announced on Monday. The party is, however, yet to take a decision on the number of seats it will contest in the two poll-bound states, Paswan said.

The decision to join the poll fray in the two BJP-ruled states was taken at a national executive meeting of the party after a resolution was unanimously passed in this regard, he added. Chirag Paswan Demands President's Rule in Bihar, Accuses Nitish Kumar of Insulting Peoples Mandate For Second Time.

"The party has decided to contest the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls. We will soon take a decision on the number of seats that the party will contest in Gujarat and on the list of candidates," Paswan said at a press conference here. Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: Over 51% Say BJP Will Win Himachal Polls Again, Says ABP News-CVoter Survey.

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will appoint its Himachal Pradesh in-charge later in the day and subsequently, take a decision on the list of candidates, he said.

Polling for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly will be held in a single phase on November 12 and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 8. The Election Commission is yet to announce the dates for the Gujarat polls.
Hyderabad, Oct 17: In a shocking incident, a man murdered his wife and two children before committing suicide in Hyderabad.

The bodies were found at their house in Papireddy colony in Chandanagar area on Monday after police broke open the door following complaints by the neighbours about foul smell. UP Shocker: Annoyed by Constant Barking, Man Kills Dog With Brick in Kanpur; Arrested (Disturbing Video).

Bodies of Nagaraju, his wife Sujata and children Sidappa (11) and Ramyasri (7) were found lying in the house.

The police suspect that the incident occurred on Friday. Nagaraju attacked his wife and children with a scissor used for tailors and after killing them hanged himself.

The bodies of the deceased were shifted for autopsy. A case was registered at Chandanagar Police Station under Cyberabad Police Commissionerate.

Originally hailing from Zaheerabad in Sangareddy district, Nagaraju was living in Hyderabad for the last few years and was working as a salesman.

Family members of Nagaraju said he used to frequently fight with his wife. They suspect that he resorted to the heinous act during a quarrel with Sujata on Friday night. Video: Woman Gives Birth to Child on Handcart Outside Mirzapur District Hospital, DM Orders Suspension of Responsible Staffers.

Since the house was locked for the last three days and foul smell was also emanating, neighbours grew suspicious and informed the police.

A police officer said they were investigating the case from all angles. They were also trying to find out if Nagaraju had any mental issues or if he had any suspicion about his wife.

According to local residents, Sujata was doing tailoring work and also used to lend money on interest. They said the family did not appear to have any financial problems but Nagaraju was not treating her well.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 17, 2022 02:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Srinagar, October 17: Angered by recent innocent killings in Kashmir, some social activists on Monday damaged the office of the separatist Hurriyat conference in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar city. A group of social activists gathered outside the Rajbagh locality office of the separatist Hurriyat Conference.

Visibly angered over the recent killings, the group of activists told reporters that the Hurriyat leaders had deceived the people for the past 30 years and they were responsible for killing innocents in Kashmir. Kashmiri Pandit Killings: Farooq Abdullah Hits Out at BJP Over Normalcy Claims, Says Murders Wont Stop Until Justice Is Served (Watch Video).

The group of activists brought down the office board of the Hurriyat conference with bare hands. The Hurriyat conference is a conglomerate of separatist parties who stand for secession of Kashmir from India. Kashmiri Pandit Shopkeeper Injured After Being Shot by Terrorists in Shopian.

Between themselves, the Hurriyat leaders are divided over whether they seek an independent state or merger with Pakistan. This difference finally resulted in the split of the Hurriyat conference into the one headed by late Syed Ali Geelani and the other by Miwaiz Umar Farooq.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 17, 2022 04:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The police in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district have arrested a cleric for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in a mosque.
According to the information, the first earthquake was reported in Anupgarh of Sri Ganganagar. Its centre was very close to the Pakistan border and 10 km below the ground. The tremors were felt here at around 12.27 a.m. with an intensity of 3.7 on the Richter scale.
The Ministry of Home Affairs today placed senior IAS officer Jitendra Narain under suspension with immediate effect. The Ministry said that they had received a report on October 16 from Andaman & Nicobar Police regarding the alleged sexual assault of a lady by the officer who was then Chief Secretary of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Govt Suspends IAS Officer:

Govt suspends with immediate effect senior IAS officer Jitendra Narain, accused of rape in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: MHA  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 17, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
San Francisco: Tech giant Google's newly launched Pixel 7 and 7 Pro appear to be the first set of Android smartphones that only support 64-bit apps. The Google Pixel 7 series might be the first 64-bit-only Android smartphone. In addition, several users reported that their new Pixel phones could not sideload certain apps, likely the 32-bit ones, citing sources, GizmoChina reported.

However, the new Pixels are not running on a 64-bit-only version of Android. If users try to install 32-bit apps, Google blocks them by displaying the message "app not installed as the app isn't compatible with your phone", the report said. Google Pixel 7 & Pixel 7 Pro Go Out of Stock Within Minutes After Sale.

The report mentioned that this change would not impact users' experience because, over the past decade, Google has spent a significant amount of time building up support for 64-bit in Android. The Google Play Store has required all apps to have 64-bit support since August 2019, and it also stopped serving 32-bit apps without 64-bit support. Google Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7 Launched in India; Check Price & Other Details Here.

Powered by Google's next-generation Tensor G2 processor and shipping with Android 13, the Pixel 7 is priced at Rs 59,999 and the Pixel 7 Pro is priced at Rs 84,999 in the country. Pixel 7 Pro has a 6.7-inch immersive display, a polished aluminium frame and a camera bar in three colours: Snow, Obsidian, and a new Hazel colour. With a 6.3-inch display and smaller bezels, the Pixel 7 packs advanced features and improvements into a smaller profile in three colours: Snow, Obsidian, and a new Lemongrass colour.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 17, 2022 12:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The eyes of the world this week have been focused on what surely must be the most repulsive hamburger in the history of mankind: 10,000 bits of cloned cow stem-cell tissue formed into a patty, seared in foaming butter and served to three food scientists in front of a crowd of decidedly unhungry journalists.

If you would rather eat a hamburger than grimace at what your great-grandchildren might be forced to consider lunch, you can do better. Cheer up: Here are 10 of the best hamburgers in L.A.

The Apple Pan

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One of L.A.s greatest culinary legacies is the California lunchroom burger, the multi-layered composition of iceberg lettuce, onion and pickles slicked with a sweet, thick dressing, on a lightly toasted bun. The thin, slightly charred beef patty becomes basically another texture in this sandwich, more valuable for its crunch than for its juice -- the lunchroom burger is essentially a short-form essay on crispness. When you are seeking greatness, turn to the Apple Pan, a homey 1940s institution imitated everywhere from Duluth, Minn., to Bahrain. Is the Hickoryburger, touched with a bit of smoke in the sauce, the one to get? In my opinion, yes. 10801 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A.; (310) 475-3585.

Aroma Cafe

I once sneered at Chicago magazine for suggesting that a Bosnian flatbread, no matter how delectable, might be part of the pizza debate in one of the greatest pizza towns in the country. And here I am, suggesting that a Bosnian hamburger, pljeskavica, is among the best options in the great hamburger city of Los Angeles. Am I a hypocrite? Of course! But pljeskavica, a thin, Balkan hamburger, as big and round as a phonograph record, flavored with salt and onions and peppers, briefly cooked over a hot charcoal fire and stuffed into a focaccia, is an awe-inspiring unit of consumption, almost as daunting in its appearance as it is difficult to pronounce. Aroma Cafe, 2530 Overland Ave., West Los Angeles; (310) 836-2919, aromacafe.la.

Chronis Famous Sandwich Shop

The chiliburger has been a Los Angeles thing for nearly a century, invented at Ptomaine Tommys in the 1920s and nurtured by generations of local hamburger men ever since. The lines outside Tommys on Beverly at Rampart are still formidable. But I submit that the burgers at the Eastside institution Chronis, painted with yellow mustard and sluiced with a meaty, emulsified chili a few degrees spicier than the rest, may be the best Los Angeles-style chiliburgers in town: robust, tasting distinctly of the grill, piled high with ripe tomatoes and crisp sheaves of lettuce. And the chili-cheese dogs may be even better. 5825 E. Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 728-7806.

Comme Ca

In a bistro-starved Los Angeles, Comme Ca is a reliable bastion of onion soup, skate grenobloise and frisee aux lardons. But it is also home to a thick, dripping, loosely packed puck of bloody-rare beef, glazed with a quarter inch of good cheddar, barely but adequately contained in a soft, shiny-crusted bun -- a burger from an older tradition where ingredients are allowed to speak for themselves. These are unfussy hamburgers that taste like good aged meat. When prodded, chef David Myers may confess: Its basically my mothers hamburger. Its what I grew up eating in Ohio. 8479 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, (323) 782-1104, commecarestaurant.com.

Connie & Teds

Michael Cimarustis new restaurant would seem an odd place to order a cheeseburger. It is what might have been called the Landlubbers Delite, the single nonoceanic item on an otherwise all-seafood menu. It has a square bun, as if veering from the oysters and the grilled bluefish werent ridiculous enough, and it comes lavishly greased with Hooks cheddar, which both encourages the nautical jokes, and comes from Wisconsin, which is about as far from the sea as a self-respecting cheese can get. But there is no arguing with a thick patty of well-aged beef, cooked to a bloody medium rare, served with a basket of fries. Your move, Mr. Smee. 8171 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 848-2722, connieandteds.com.

Coras Coffee Shoppe

When I started doing these best-burger roundups for The Times in the early 90s, the winning hamburger was always the one Bruce Marder served at his West Beach Cafe, which tasted of good meat, only of good meat, and went very nicely with the half-bottles of 82 Ridge Monte Bello that were somehow within my budget back then. Marders restaurant Coras, a once-sketchy surfers dive transformed into a leafy Tuscan patio, is not the West Beach, even on its best days. But Marder has always been a hamburger man, and Coras burgers are magnificent, drippy constructions of loosely packed Wagyu cow. Good enough. 1802 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 451-9562.

Fathers Office

Umami Burger may be the outlet now exploding into a national chain. But it is Fathers Office that set the template for the modernist hamburger in L.A. with its famous no-substitutions cheeseburger -- a soft, oozing patty garnished with blue cheese, a pinch of bacon and a thick blanket of deeply caramelized onions, served with a dense thicket of arugula on a hard-crusted French roll. Is it OK to ask for ketchup, have it without the blue cheese or bring the kids to Sang Yoons beer bars? Not now; not ever. 1018 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 736-2224; 3229 Helms Ave., Los Angeles, (310) 736-2224, fathersoffice.com.

Pie n Burger

As with all good hamburgers, a Pie n Burger burger is about texture, the crunchy sheaf of lettuce, the charred surface of the meat, the outer rim of the bun crisped to almost the consistency of toast. When compressed by the act of eating, the hamburger leaks thick, pink dressing that is somewhat more tart than it may look. Soft, grilled onions, available upon request -- please do-- add both a certain squishiness and a caramelly sweetness. The slice of American cheese, if you have ordered a cheeseburger, does not melt into the patty, but stands glossily aloof from it, as if it were mocking the richness of the sandwich rather than adding to the general effect. The burgers here come jacketed in white paper and are compact enough to generally remain intact through three-quarters of their life -- its kind of a genteel thing, a Pie n Burger burger, a Pasadena thing. 913 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 795-1123.

Plan Check

Not a test tube burger, but a burger as reimagined by a gearhead working alone in his kitchen instead of by a team of technicians in a lab, Ernesto Uchimuras Plan Check burger is a griddled patty layered with translucent ketchup leather, a microscopically thin layer of crisp, fried cheese, and shaved pickle. The feather-light bun, distinctly not made from brioche, is sprinkled with white specks that look like sesame seeds but crunch like breakfast cereal. A fudgy layer of house-made American cheese, which incorporates a subtle, almost indiscernible umami jolt of Japanese kombu seaweed, frosts the patty, but what you are aware of when you bite into the burger is salt and juice and the crunchy char of well-cooked meat. The Plan Check Burger has been carefully engineered to resemble the great bar burgers of your youth, in the way that a designer at Ford might try to capture everything you love about a 1968 Mustang in an ultramodern car. 1800 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 288-6500, plancheckbar.com.

Spice Table

Am I a fan of gimmicky hamburgers? I generally am not. A mediocre burger does not improve when its patty is plumped out with ground bacon, when it is reimagined as a currywurst or when it is slathered with sriracha aioli. But I will make an exception for the cheeseburger at Spice Table, which gives the impression of an In-N-Out burger with better meat, enriched with the funky Indonesian chile sambal instead of secret spread. Why? Because I like it. Foolish consistency, as Emerson said, is the hobgoblin of little minds. 114 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 620-1840, thespicetable.com.
Colombia attracts visitors for various reasons, including its culture, scenery, history, and diverse cuisine. Colombian drinks are also getting a lot of attention from many tourists. The country offers different beverages, from hot to cold drinks, amazing booze, and coffee.

Colombia: Top 5 Most Popular Colombian Drinks

Below are the top 5 Colombian drinks you should try on your next trip to the South American country or if you want to have a Colombian vibe at home.

Champu

Champu is one of the most popular beverages in the streets of Colombia, particularly in summer. Champu is a very refreshing drink. It is usually made with dried corn, mashed lulos (also called naranjilla), pineapple, cinnamon, cloves, panela, orange zest, and lots and lots of ice. Amigo Foods said champu is considered a Christmas drink in southern Colombia.

Limonada De Coco

You have probably heard of Limonada de Coco if you know someone who has been to Colombia. This refreshing drink is created with fresh coconut cream, lime juice, ice, and as much sugar as desired.

It can also be frozen to produce a tasty popsicle. Limonada de Coco is famous across Colombia, especially in the northern coastal cities of Cartagena and Barranquilla.

Cafe Colombiano

You cannot make a list of best-tasting Colombian drinks without its famous Colombian coffee. Coffee is the Colombian way of life, and 10% of coffee worldwide comes from this country. Colcafe, Cafe Sello Rojo, and Cafe Aguila are some of the world's top coffee producers and all Colombians.

READ NEXT: Belize's Must-Try Alcoholic Drinks Perfect on a Night Out

Canelazo

Canelazo is a spiced drink popular in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina. While there are various types of this drink, most of them are produced with hot water, cinnamon sticks, and sugar or unrefined cane sugar (panela).

The flavor is generally enhanced with a splash of aguardiente. According to Taste Atlas, fruit juices and various spices are common additions, and aguardiente is occasionally replaced with rum, but it can go without alcohol.

Aguardiente

Aguardiente is Colombia's national booze and is no joke. You will only drink this with the real intention of getting drunk. Aguardiente, which translates to "firewater" in English, has an alcohol content of 29% to 60%. Sugar cane is fermented and then distilled to produce aguardiente.

The distilling and fermenting of sweet or sugary musts, vegetable macerations, or mixtures of the two produce strength. Since it is as simple as it gets, you can expect a lot of different variations from it. Most of the time, the taste of anise is used to describe Colombian aguardiente.

According to Happy Hour City, it could be pretty challenging to find aguardiente labels from other states in the country other than the one you are in because every state in Colombia maintains a monopoly on the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages.

READ MORE: Jamaica: 4 Fascinating Jamaican Traditions and Customs That Make the Country Unique

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: LA LULADA || My Favorite Colombian Cocktail Recipe || #Aguardiente Sour - From Hey Bartender
The Stockton Police Department has arrested a California man they suspect to be a serial killer. Police arrested Wesley Brownlee, 43, whom they believed was connected to six unprovoked murders.

When he was arrested, the Stockton police believed he was "out hunting" for his next victim.

"We are sure we stopped another killing," said Stockton Police Department Chief Stanley McFadden during a news conference on Saturday. Police believe Brownlee may have murdered six men ages 21 to 54 over the last few months.

READ NEXT: Jeffrey Dahmer's Cuban-Born Inmate Reveals the Real Reason Why He Tried to Kill Milwaukee's Terrifying Cannibal Serial Killer

Police Followed Suspected California Serial Killer Wesley Brownlee While He Was 'Hunting'

According to ABC News, Wesley Brownlee was followed by police surveillance teams while he was driving, and he was stopped in the area of Village Green Drive and Winslow Avenue at around 2 a.m. on Saturday.

McFadden told the press that the police "watched his patterns" and then determined that he was out hunting and was on a mission to kill another person before police arrested him.

The police chief noted that the police surveillance team saw that he was exhibiting "threatening behavior" before they sprang to action and arrested him. He was going to parks and dark places and stopping and looking around before driving on again.

"As officers made contact with him, he was wearing dark clothing and a mask around his neck. He was also armed with a firearm when he was taken into custody," McFadden added.

According to CNN, Brownlee was charged with homicide on Saturday. Authorities said he will be arraigned on Tuesday and more charges are likely.

Meanwhile, San Joaquin County District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar noted that deputy district attorneys are now reviewing the evidence against Brownlee. They were also "working to determine" which charges will they pursue against the suspected California serial killer.

California Serial Killer Wesley Brownlee's 6 Victims Revealed

In the news conference, police and media members held a moment of silence for the six people allegedly killed by Wesley Brownlee, according to NPR.

His first victim was Juan Vasquez Serrano, 39, who was killed in Oakland on April 10, 2021, followed by Natasha LaTour, 46, whom police said was shot in Stockton on April 16 of the same year, but she managed to survive.

The subsequent killings reportedly all happened in Stockton this year. The victims were Paul Yaw, 35, who was killed on July 8; Salvador Debudey Jr., 43, who was killed on August 11; Jonathan Hernandez Rodriguez, 21, who was killed on August 30; Juan Cruz, 52, who was killed on September 21; and Lawrence Lopez Sr., 54, who died Sept. 27.

So far, all the attacks seem unprovoked, though investigators are now trying to determine his motives. According to NPR, some victims were identified as homeless. Authorities said the suspect also has a prior criminal record.

Stockton Mayor Kevin J. Lincoln thanked the community who sent in some tips which led to Brownlee's arrest. Police received hundreds of tips following the announcement of a manhunt for a suspected serial killer in Stockton.

"This could not have been done, and today would not have been possible without you," Lincoln noted.

READ MORE: Brazil's Deadliest Serial Killer, Who Murdered Over 100, Including His Father, Is Freed | Where Is Pedro Rodrigues Filho Now?

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Suspected Serial Killer Linked to 6 Murders Arrested by Stockton Police - From ABC7
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will be resuming flights of migrants to Democratic-led states after his state is done dealing with Hurricane Ian relief efforts.

New York Post reported that DeSantis' spokeswoman revealed the governor's plan in an email on Saturday. Documents made public on Friday showed that two charter flights to Delaware and Illinois were scheduled to take place before October 3.

However, they were postponed after Hurricane Ian struck Florida late last month. DeSantis communications director Taryn Fenske told The Associated Press that the immigration relocation program remains active while the state addresses the effects of Hurricane Ian.

The state had reportedly paid around $1 million to arrange the two charter flights to Delaware and Illinois. The planned flights will transport about 100 migrants to the two states.

Memos released by the state Department of Transportation noted that the contractor hired by Florida later extended the window for the trips until December 1.

READ NEXT: Treasury Department Is Investigating Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' Use of Relief Funds in Transporting Migrants

Migrants' Flights After Hurricane Ian in Florida

ABC News reported that the charter flights to Illinois and Delaware were follow-up flights from Texas to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. The flight transported 49 mostly Venezuelan migrants to the island. Martha's Vineyard officials said they were not told in advance that the migrants were coming to their state.

Before the flights were suspended, flight contractor Vertol Systems Company wrote Florida's Department of Transportation that they would fly 50 people to Delaware and 50 people to Illinois between September 19 and October 3.

Local officials in Delaware reportedly started preparations last month for a Vertol flight from Texas with a stop in Crestview, Florida, to Georgetown, Delaware. According to Forbes, it was then canceled after a Texas sheriff launched a criminal investigation into the program.

Vertol CEO James Montgomerie said in the letter to the state's Transportation Department that the estimated two flights to Delaware and Illinois could cost $950,000. Ron DeSantis started the charter flights of migrants to Martha's Vineyard on September 14.

Last week, officials of Nantucket, Massachusetts issued an alert after airport authorities learned a Vertol subcontractor was set to arrive on the resort island. It turned out to be a false alarm, with the flight carrying business people instead.

Florida Migrants' Flights to Martha's Vineyard

Ron DeSantis allotted $12 million to create a program for transporting undocumented migrants out of Florida, touting it as the state's new program when it comes to immigration.

The flight to Martha's Vineyard ensued a series of lawsuits and investigations while Democrats condemned the act. The Treasury Department is probing if DeSantis misused federal COVID-19 pandemic recovery money to send migrants to Massachusetts, WGBH reported.

The probe comes after Senator Ed Markey's office requested the inspector general to pursue the matter. Six other Massachusetts legislators signed the request.

Markey also asked the Transportation Department to assess if consumer protections were violated when the migrants were flown under false pretenses to Massachusetts.

READ MORE: Texas, Arizona Keep Sending Buses of Migrants to Washington; DC Mayor Devotes $10 Million to Help

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Ron DeSantis to Continue Migrant Flights to Democratic States - From WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando
As gang violence ravages Haiti, the overwhelmed police force is getting help from the United States and Canada. The two North American countries had sent armored vehicles and other supplies to the country's police force.

The U.S. State Department released a statement and said the new equipment was bought by the Haitian government but did not provide any more details. According to the Associated Press, these new supplies were flown on military aircraft to Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince.

A U.S. military's Southern Command spokesman noted that this was a joint operation with Canada, specifically between the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force.

"This equipment will assist (Haiti's National Police) in their fight against criminal actors who are fomenting violence and disrupting the flow of critically-needed humanitarian assistance, hindering efforts to halt the spread of cholera," the Department of State noted.

U.S., Canada Delivery Comes as Notorious Gang Takes Over Haiti's Largest Fuel Terminal and a Cholera Outbreak

This action by the U.S. and Canada comes as Haiti is ravaged by continuous gang violence and a cholera outbreak. Currently, there are over 560 suspected cholera cases in the country, with at least 35 reported deaths. Experts said it is likely that the number is much higher than what is being reported.

However, the most pressing issue is a fuel shortage caused by a notorious alliance of gangs around Haiti known as the "G9 Family and Allies." According to DW, the gang confederation surrounded the Varreux fuel terminal, causing a fuel shortage, and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The situation worsened when Henry stopped fuel subsidies, forcing fuel prices to double. It has also led to protesters blocking off streets. These scenarios have disrupted hospitals, gas stations, banks, and grocery stores across the country.

READ NEXT: U.N. Targets Imposing Sanctions Against Notorious Haiti Gang Leader

Haiti Called for International Aid From U.S. and Canada Before Delivery

In a meeting of the Organization of American States summit in Lima, Peru, on Friday, Haiti's Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus called for an "international police force" to help in securing the country as problems continue to mount.

Haiti officials also asked its two richest neighbors for help. The Hill reported that Haiti's ambassador to the U.S., Bocchit Edmond, pleaded with both the U.S. and Canada for support earlier in the week.

"We wish to see our neighbors like the United States, like Canada, take the lead and move fast," said Edmond.

Aside from the supplies and armored vehicles, the U.S. also drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution targeting the notorious gang leader Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier and other Haitian individuals and groups who "engage in actions that threaten the peace, security or stability" of Haiti.

The resolution sanctioned Cherizier, a former police officer who now leads the "G9 Family and Allies," an alliance of gangs around Haiti. 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.

READ MORE: Haiti: Gang Kills and Burns Former Senator and Nephew

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: U.S. Promises to Deliver Aid to Haiti and Help Local Police Counter Armed Gangs - From FRANCE 24
Former President Donald Trump may have kept the Mar-a-Lago documents as a "trophy," according to former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

According to Axios, Christie also said that he believes Trump's actions amounted to obstructions but noted that the Justice Department might struggle to prove that obstruction occurred if a case is brought against the former president.

The former governor also told ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday that he believes Trump took those classified documents from the federal government only as a trophy and not for "leverage."

"I think it's much more likely that they're a trophy, that he walks around and says, 'Look, I got this, I've got this classified document or that'," he noted

Christie also said the Mar-a-Lago documents were kept because he "can't believe he's not president" and "can't believe he still doesn't get these documents." He added that Donald Trump needs to display to everyone at Mar-a-Lago that "he still has some of those trappings."

Christie cited the replica Resolute Desk in Mar-a-Lago, and all the rest "of those are things that are assuaging" Trump's "disappointment" and "disbelief" that he is no longer the president.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump Employee Told FBI Trump Ordered Boxes of Mar-A-Lago Documents to Be Moved

Donald Trump on Mar-a-Lago Documents

A former Trump employee has told federal agents about moving the boxes of Mar-a-Lago documents at the specific direction of Trump.

The Washington Post exclusively reported about the former president's actions and instructions days before the search of his Florida residence and private club by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The FBI agents' search was in line with their efforts to look for evidence of possible crimes such as obstructions, destruction of government records, or mishandling of classified information.

The description of events, including Trump telling people to move boxes to his residence at the property, was corroborated by security camera footage, which showed people moving the boxes.

Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich refused to answer detailed questions regarding the issue. Instead, he said the current administration "has weaponized law enforcement and fabricated a Document Hoax" to retain political power.

Budowich further noted that the president "has the ultimate authority to categorize records, and what materials should be classified."

The Trump employee is currently working with the Justice Department and has been interviewed multiple times by federal agents. People familiar with the situation declined to identify the Trump worker.

Supreme Court on Mar-a-Lago Documents

On October 13, the Supreme Court rejected an emergency request from Donald Trump to intervene in the dispute over classified documents seized from his Florida residence in August.

The former president had asked the justices to reverse a federal appeals court and allow a special master to review around 100 documents marked classified, CNN reported.

The Justice Department had previously asked the Supreme Court to stay out of the dispute while legal challenges were ongoing about the Mar-a-Lago documents.

Trump claimed that he may have had a right to have certain government documents as a former president. It includes documents with the country's top-secret information.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has authorized a special master to review seized materials, which included those with classified markings.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Admits He Didn't Win Presidential Election 2020 During Interview With Presidential Historians

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Supreme Court Denies Trump Emergency Appeal Over Documents Seized From Mar-a-Lago - From CBS Mornings
Former President Donald Trump posted about Jewish people and Israel on his social media platform, Truth Social. However, this post did not go over too well with anti-hate groups such as the Anti-Defamation League, which is accusing the former president of "Jewsplaining."

In his Truth Social post, Trump stated that American Jews must "get their act together" to show appreciation for Israel.

He added, "No President has done more for Israel than I have. Somewhat surprisingly, however, our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S."

According to The Hill, Trump also claimed that those living in Israel are a different story and said he has the "highest rating in the world." He even said that he could become the country's Prime Minister.

Donald Trump Gets Fierce Blowback From Jewish Groups and the Anti-Defamation League

Following his post, the former president came under swift criticism from Jewish people, Jewish groups, and anti-hate groups.

One of them is The Jerusalem Post's editor-in-chief, Yaakov Katz. He wrote, "Nothing to see here. Just a former US president using threatening language about American Jews at a time when antisemitism is on a global rise."

Meanwhile, retired Army Col. Alexander Vindman also blasted Trump, stating that the embattled former president "is executing the fascist playbook to turn his mob on Jews." He added that his comment cannot be ignored and also called out the Republican silence on his comments.

READ NEXT: Oath Keepers Trial: 'Civil War' Discussed by Members Ahead of January 6 Insurrection

Anti-Defamation League also called out Trump. Its CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, accused the former president of "Jewsplaining" on Sunday, stating, "we don't need the former president, who curries favor with extremists and antisemites, to lecture us about the US-Israel relationship."

Trump remains popular among racists and White nationalist groups, such as the infamously antisemitic Ku Klux Klan. Antisemites showed their support for then-President Trump back in August 2017 during the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. During that rally, openly-racist White men marched holding tiki torches while chanting, "Jews Will Not Replace Us!"

Donald Trump Repeating Claims That Play Into Antisemitic Sentiments

CNN reported that in an interview last December, Trump stated that Jewish Americans "either don't like Israel or don't care about Israel." He also repeated claims that evangelicals "love Israel more than the Jews in this country."

Trump also lamented that Israel no longer had the power it once had in Congress, and added that The New York Times "hates Israel," even if he also claimed that the publication is run by Jewish people.

"People in this country that are Jewish no longer love Israel," he claimed.

These comments were also condemned by the Anti-Defamation League. The group said that the former president was using "classic antisemitic stereotypes" about the Jewish controlling Congress and stated that his statements during that interview were disturbing.

READ MORE: Supreme Court Rejects Donald Trump's Plea to Step in on Mar-a-Lago Documents Case

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Trump uses anti-Semitic tropes to criticize Jewish Americans - CNN
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been told that their Netflix deal could be shut down if they are unhappy with what they produce. The officials of the streaming behemoth allegedly told the couple about it.

An industry insider made the claim regarding the $100 million signed contract, adding that the Sussex couple were told that there are no "guarantees" that what they create will air on the video-streaming platform, according to the U.S. Sun report.

The uncertainty in their Netflix deal could mean that Prince Harry and Markle could end up losing millions as they are yet to launch a show on Netflix.

The two reportedly want to edit the content produced for their new docuseries. Harry and Markle allegedly wished to review the tone of some statements and possibly delay its release until 2023 despite being scheduled for release later this year.

Executives have "final edit" decisions, including a veto vote on their client's proposal or end the Netflix deal.

A Los Angeles-based Netflix consultant told the media outlet that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex "are in a tricky place right now," adding that Netflix has the final say on what they would air as "no talent is greater than Netflix."

The industry insider said that development deals in Hollywood end in killed deals "all the time."

The source explained that while the Sussex couple is high profile, "this deal is a business transaction."

READ NEXT: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Are 'D-Listers' and 'Poor' for Hollywood Life, Royal Biographer Says

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix Deal

Netflix has already backed out from Markle's project, Pearl, after it decided that the content was not what it wanted.

Geo TV News noted that the Sussex couple were urged by thousands of royal fans to cancel their Netflix deal due to portrayals of some royal family members in Netflix's "The Crown." Since then, Harry and Markle have received backlash after they signed the multi-million-dollar deal with Netflix.

Harry and Markle reportedly filmed docuseries on their lives in Montecito as part of their Netflix deal as they raise their two children, Archie and Lilibet. However, they requested major edits to the footage in light of the queen's death, with many assuming the footage includes their relationship with the royal family.

A source reportedly claimed that Harry and Markle are trying to tone down much of what they have said about King Charles, Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The Cut reported that the Netflix filmmakers are reportedly fighting to keep the footage in production.

Another source claimed that the duke and duchess "made significant requests to walk back content they themselves have provided."

Netflix Docu-Series

Multiple sources noted that Netflix will stick to its decision and show the Sussex docuseries in early December, as reported by Page Six.

Harry and Markle have been filming for more than a year with Brooklyn director Liz Garbus. They are believed to have talked a lot on camera about the royal family.

One Netflix source told Page Six that the video-streaming platform needs a couple of months for the formatting, dubbing, subtitling, and audio.

Meanwhile, the Duke of Sussex's memoir still does not have a publication date.

READ MORE: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Opt Not to Hold Daughter Lilibet's Christening in the U.K. As It's Likely to Be in California: Royal Sources

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Netflix 'confused' after Prince Harry, Meghan Markle contradict their own stories - from Sky News Australia


Shelters in Mexico cannot accept more Venezuelan migrants from the U.S.

Jose Maria Garcia Lara received a call asking if they could accommodate a dozen migrants who were denied asylum in their shelter.

"We can't take anyone, no one will fit," he answered.

Garcia Lara's facility is already home to 260 refugees and migrants, which is around 80 more than it can accommodate, and most have been there since it began in 2012.

The Associated Press noted that the phone call on Thursday demonstrates how the Biden administration's decision to limit asylum for Venezuelans could be a significant problem for Mexico's already overcrowded facilities.

The U.S. agreed to allow up to 24,000 Venezuelans to apply online to fly directly to the country for temporary stays. However, it also stated that any Venezuelans crossing the border illegally would be sent back to Mexico, reaching 33,000 in September alone.

According to Jeremy MacGillivray of the International Organization for Migration in Mexico, the U.S. has dispatched Venezuelans to Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Piedras Negras, and Matamoros since Wednesday.

According to the shelter director, the Rev. Francisco Gallardo, at least 120 Venezuelans came from Brownsville to Casa del Migrante in Matamoros on Thursday.

The Mexican government was providing free bus fares to Mexico City on Friday.

READ NEXT: US-Mexico Border: Venezuelan Migrants Deported After Joe Biden's Decision

Mexico Warned Venezuelan Migrants Not To Travel in Caravans

The National Migration Institute of Mexico's government stated on Saturday that Venezuelan migrants who wish to benefit from the sponsorship program should avoid traveling in caravans or irregularly via Mexican territory as they will be disqualified, The Hill reported.

"In order to avoid a risky movement and lose the opportunity of a secure entry, for the Mexican migration authority, it is important that people from Venezuela know the new procedure established by the United States," the institute said in a press release.

The influential chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has criticized the new restrictions intended to reduce irregular migration from Venezuela.

According to Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the practices are "eroding our asylum system that President Biden promised to restore."

Venezuelan Migrants in Mexico Are Protesting the U.S. Decision

Around 70 Venezuelans wearing white paint on their hands marched in chains on the Gateway International Bridge in Matamoros, a Mexican city across the border from Brownsville, Texas, pleading to be permitted to enter the U.S.

The protesters were among the first wave of deported immigrants under the new immigration regulations. They were dressed in the uniforms of the prisons where they had been housed before being deported to Mexico.

According to VOA News, some demonstrators were nearly in tears as they said that U.S. officials had lied to them because they had been in the country for ten 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," said Jonathan Castellanos, one of the Venezuelans.

An increasing number of individuals are seeking asylum in the United States as the economy of Venezuela falls.

According to the United Nations, around 6 million Venezuelans have fled their nation, with 2.4 million migrating to neighboring Colombia.

READ MORE: US Migrant Problem: New York Governor Kathy Hochul Urges Joe Biden to Take Notice of Massive 'Humanitarian Crisis'

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Written by: Bert Hoover

Watch: Biden Administration Announces New Measures To Control Migration From Venezuela - From NBC News
A Guanajuato bar attack in Mexico left 12 people dead when unidentified gunmen opened fire in a bar in the Mexican city of Irapuato.

Local authorities noted in an Aljazeera News report that the people killed in the incident included six women. It was also determined as the second mass shooting in the Mexican state in less than a month.

The city government said in a statement that security officials were trying to track down the assailants, with three people injured in the attack on Saturday.

The search for the attackers is supported by Guanajuato's Secretary for Public Safety, the state prosecutor general's office, the Secretary of National Defense, and the National Guard.

It is still unclear who the victims are and how many gunmen were involved in the shooting, CNN reported.

The state of Guanajuato has been plagued by brutal turf wars between rival Mexican drug cartels, prompting a rise in violent attacks in the area.

On September 21, gunmen shot dead 10 people in an attack at a bar in Guanajuato in the town of Tarimoro.

READ NEXT: Mexico: Government Hack Reveals How Mexican Military Sold Weapons, Information to Mexican Drug Cartels

Guanajuato Violence

In August, hundreds of Mexican troops were deployed to the northern border city of Ciudad Juarez to improve security after a series of random gang attacks across the town, leaving at least 11 dead.

Los Angeles Times reported that the dead included a popular radio personality and three of his co-workers. In a separate incident, two inmates were shot in a prison riot.

Officials noted that the bloody prison riot in Juarez sparked the rampage in acts of retaliation, while authorities pinned the blame in Jalisco and Guanajuato on cartel leaders on plans to arrest them.

Insecurity in Guanajuato state has intensified, with one resident running a fruit and vegetable stand saying that "there's no government here," adding that the narcos are the government.

Rogelio Cornejo Diaz said the president should come to the state with his wife and children if he thinks all is fine and tranquil.

Mexico's homicide rate has dipped only slightly since Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office in December 2018.

Lopez Obrador has promised to take a more holistic approach to fight crime while vowing to reject the militarized strategy of his predecessors and boost social programs for those vulnerable to joining gangs.

Mexican Drug Cartels

Mexican drug cartels dominate the import and distribution of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine in the United States.

The largest Mexican drug cartels include Sinaloa Cartel, formerly led by El Chapo. It is considered to be one of Mexico's oldest and most influential drug trafficking groups, according to a Council on Foreign Relations report.

Jalisco Cartel is also considered Mexico's fastest-growing cartel, with operations in more than two-thirds of the country.

U.S. officials estimated that Jalisco Cartel supplies more than one-third of the U.S. drug market.

Meanwhile, the Beltran-Leyva Organization was formed when the Beltran-Leyva brothers split from Sinaloa in 2008.

All four brothers have been arrested or killed, but supporters and loyalists continue to operate throughout Mexico.

READ MORE: El Chapo's Sinaloa Cartel Continues to Thrive Despite the Drug Lord's Absence: Report

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Violence Breaks Out In Popular Mexican Tourist Destination - from NBC News


California Gov. Gavin Newsom has blocked the parole of a Charles Manson cult member, Patricia Krenwinkel.

People reported that Newsom slammed the recommendation for her release after citing the inmate still shows an "unreasonable danger to society if paroled at this time."

The recent rejection of Krenwinkel's parole was the 15th time the parole was unsuccessful.

Newsom said that Krenwinkel "fully accepted Mr. Manson's racist, apocalyptical ideologies." The Democratic governor added that Krenwinkel was not only a victim of Manson's abuse.

The California governor said that Krenwinkel was also a "significant contributor to the violence and tragedy" that has become the Manson family's legacy.

Newsom acknowledged that Krenwinkel's completion of rehabilitation and education programs during her time behind the bar has "demonstrated effusive remorse." However, he believed that Krenwinkel's efforts have not significantly reduced her risk of being dangerous.

READ NEXT: Charles Manson Cult Follower Patricia Krenwinkel Recommended for Parole for First Time in Over 5 Decades

Patricia Krenwinkel's Parole Blocked

Patricia Krenwinkel became the state's longest-serving female inmate, according to her lawyer, Keith Wattley. This is after another Manson family member Susan Atkins died of cancer in prison in 2009, as reported by Aljazeera News.

Newsom said that Krenwinkel played a leadership role in the cult and was "an enforcer of Manson's tyranny."

The California leader added that the former cult member had forced other women in the cult to follow Manson and prevented them from leaving the cult.

One of Krenwinkel's victim's relatives, Anthony DiMaria, had urged Newsom to block Krenwinkel's release, citing the rarity, severity and "egregious nature of her crimes." DiMaria is the nephew of Jay Sebring.

He added that Krenwinkel's actions sparked the whole "Helter Skelter legacy," which caused permanent scars. DiMaria noted that it also inspired at least two ritualized killings years later.

The last surviving member of Sharon Tate's immediate family, Debra Tate, dismissed Krenwinkel's explanation that she was enticed to Manson's cult by alcohol use and having a non-supportive family while growing up.

Patricia Krenwinkel in Manson Family

Patricia Krenwinkel grew up in Los Angeles and met Manson while she was living with her sister in Manhattan Beach in 1967. At age 21, she became a follower of Manson and participated in Manson's plans for Helter Skelter.

Krenwinkel was also present for the murders on Cielo Drive and testified that she was the one to murder Abigail Folger, according to an LAist report.

She said she first stabbed Folger in the living room of the house and chased her outside, then stabbed her several more times.

Aside from being present in the Cielo Drive murders, Krenwinkel also participated in the LaBianca murders, admitting to stabbing Leno with a fork and writing "DEATH TO PIGS" on the wall of their home.

She was sentenced to death in 1971, but her sentence was commuted to life in prison the following year.

Krenwinkel is currently held at the California Institution for Women in Ohio. She has also managed to earn a bachelor's degree in human services while in prison.

READ MORE: Former Charles Manson's Cult Member Recalls How He Lured Her Into His 'Family'

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel denied parole again - from CBS Evening News


A 22-year-old Missouri woman who escaped after a White man kidnapped, tortured, and imprisoned her in a basement for weeks alleged her captor murdered several other Black women.

This came less than a month after police assured residents that their fears of a serial killer were "completely unfounded," The Guardian reported.

The unnamed woman was held captive for about a month. She escaped on October 7 while still wearing a metal collar that had to be unlocked by officials.

She told police in Kansas City that Timothy M. Haslett, 39, kept her in a basement room in Excelsior Springs, a city northeast of Kansas City, and beat and raped her repeatedly.

The Missouri woman escaped while Haslett was dropping his child off at school. She then approached several neighbors for help, claiming that her friends "did not make it out" and had been murdered by Haslett.

READ NEXT: Mexican Megachurch Leader Jailed in California for Sexually Abusing Minors, Flock Still Stays Loyal Despite Guilty Plea

Police Dismissed Abductions as 'Rumor' Before Missouri Woman Escapes

People in the Kansas City neighborhood where the woman went missing were worried about a possible serial killer because other Black women and girls had gone out around the same time. However, the Kansas City Police dismissed their worries, Yahoo noted.

Social media was flooded with reports of killed and missing Black women in Kansas City before the woman's escape.

A community leader, Bishop Tony Caldwell, talked about the issue in a video that The Kansas City Defender also put out. He said women had gone missing from a certain part of Prospect Avenue. After she got away, the woman said she had been taken there.

"There is no basis to support this rumor." Kansas City Police said in a statement at the time, labeling the allegations as "completely unfounded."

"We base our investigations on reports made to our department," police spokesperson Officer Donna Drake said in an email.

Her email states that their department has not received any complaints of missing people from Kansas City.

She also said that before they could start looking for a person, someone would need to report them missing to their department.

Missouri Woman Escapes House of Horror

Around 7:45 a.m. on Friday, the Missouri woman ran barefoot down the street to a neighbor's house, Lisa Johnson, while wearing latex underwear, a metal dog collar with a padlock around her neck, and looked malnourished.

"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," Johnson said.

She also said that the victim was dehydrated and very malnourished.

Johnson also stated that the victim said her abductor would not let her go and was going to kill her as he had already killed two of her friends.

According to New York Post, the Missouri police are investigating if the suspect who held the Missouri woman captive for a month as his sex slave had killed other people.

"We are taking this accusation of two more women victims seriously and are actively investigating it," said the spoke person.

Haslett, the serial killer, was now in custody, facing rape, kidnapping and assault charges.

READ MORE: Illinois: Chicago Landlord Murdered, Dismembered by Tenant 2 Days After Getting Eviction Notice

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Missouri kidnapping suspect in court; woman may have been held for weeks - From FOX4 News Kansas City
Portlaoise will potentially get water from the River Shannon under a 1.3 billion Irish Water project to supply water to Dublin a big part of Leinster via new pipelines, under a new plan.

Irish Water has adopted its Regional Water Resources Plan  Eastern and Midlands (RWRP-EM). The plan will see 333 million litres of water taken from Parteen Basin below Lough Derg and pumped along a 174km pipe via a pump station at Birdhill to a new reservoir outside Dublin which will feed the Greater Dublin Area as well as counties Kildare, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Laois, Galway, Clare, Limeick, Cavan, Carlow, Longford, Roscommon, Kilkenny, Meath.

The estimated cost of construction is estimated to be more than 1.3 bn.

There are 14 key towns in the Eastern and Midlands region, which are, Athlone, Carlow, Ennis, Limerick, Nenagh, Tullamore, Portlaoise, Naas, Maynooth, Navan, Drogheda, Swords, Bray and Wicklow.

Irish Water has published a huge amount of document to support the ambitions project which it says will safeguard public health, support growth and meet the challenges of climate change across the East and Midlands region over the next 25 years.

While Portlaoise may be identified as a key town a summary graphic published by the water company says it could be linked into the new network of water mains that will distribute the Shannon water via a so-called, 'potential new sustainability connection'.

The Laois county town is the only such location on the map as being listed for potential connection.

Irish Water says its National Water Resources Plan (NWRP) is Irelands first 25-year strategic plan that will enable a move towards a safe, secure, reliable, and sustainable public water supplies for all of customers and communities, whilst safeguarding public health and the environment.

It says that following on from the adoption of the NWRP draft Framework Plan and associated reports in 2021, the NWRP was split into 4 separate regional plans and following a public consultation on the first regional plan, the RWRP-EM has been updated and adopted by Irish Water along with a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Statement and an Appropriate Assessment Determination.

Mairead Conlon is the Regional Water Treatment Planning Specialist with Irish Water.

Safeguarding Irelands precious water resources is a top priority for Irish Water. With increasing pressure to meet the current demand for water as a result of population growth, climate change, and our changing environmental regulations, it is essential that we plan ahead. The Regional Water Resources Plan  Eastern and Midlands will enable us to do that in a sustainable way, whilst also supporting economic development and population growth across the region.

How we choose to plan our water resources today will determine the water supply we can provide now and into the future. The Three Pillar approach of Use Less, Lose Less and Supply Smarter allows Irish Water to consider the broadest possible range of solutions through the development of the regional plans. We would like to thank everyone who made a submission to the consultation process on the first of our regional plans for the East and Midlands, which has now been adopted, she said.

There were 64 submissions received in total, including responses from the Office of the Planning Regulator, the Southern Regional Assembly and local authorities in relation to national and regional policy for growth and development.

The public consultation ran from 14 December 2021 to 8 April 2022. Printed copies of the public consultation materials were available for public display in 29 local authority offices and at two county libraries for the duration of the consultation period. Irish Water also facilitated webinars for interested members of the public and both webinars and in-person briefings for elected representatives.

Irish Water says a consultation report summarising feedback received during the public consultation, along with the RWRP-EM and all associated reports, can be viewed and downloaded at https://www.water.ie/rwrp/eastern-midlands.

Alternatively, the Irish Water team can be contacted at nwrp@water.ie or 1840 46 36 76, by those who may wish to view the RWRP-EM, AA Determination and SEA statement at one of their offices.
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Dunamaise Theatre was packed out when Laois pianist David Vesey performed his debut classical piano concert last Friday evening.

A virtuoso musician steeped in traditional Irish music, David is equally accomplished at classical music, where he is an 1848 scholarship masters student under the renowned Hugh Tinney in the Royal Irish Academy of Music(RIAM).

When he was offered the opportunity to perform an entire concert of classical music, David was clear that he wanted to perform in his home county of Laois first, and that he wanted to deliver a performance in a way which made classical music accessible and insightful, particularly to new and younger audiences.

Classical music has an incredible history and set of stories - which are ultimately connected with people, places and emotions, David said before the concert.

Sometimes, however, these stories do not come through for the audience in performances. But everyone knows some classical music - whether it is film soundtracks or famous pieces. My objective in this concert is to perform music by some of the greatest composers, but also to give some insights into their lives and the specific works, he explained.

David certainly delivered on his objective. Opening the concert with music from Mozart, David moved onto two pieces from Claude Debussy. With Davids introduction on what inspired the music, the audience were ready and tuned in to listen for different aspects of the music as it was performed.

Part one concluded with a thrilling performance of Beethovens Appasionata Sonata, which is a very complex piece of music in its own right.

The second half of the concert was devoted to music from Franz Liszt, one of the greatest pianists from the 19th century. Liszt performed right across Europe - from St Petersburg in Russia all the way through to Cork in Ireland.

The audience gave a standing ovation for David at the end of his concert in appreciation of the evening.

As part of Davids commitment to promoting music, he gave masterclasses to music students at Portlaoise College and also at the Laois School of Music, where he was once a student himself. Through these masterclasses, he was able to give back to the Laois community and expand the interest in classical music in the county. David also acknowledged the great support he has had in traditional Irish music from Spink Comhaltas and Comhaltas at a national level.

For Davids encore, he noted that he had performed in the Dunamaise Arts Centre exactly five years earlier on the same date - this was part of the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Tour of Ireland.

David described how he had made a very special group of friends on that Tour and on subsequent performances. One of these musicians was Ashling Murphy from Offaly who was tragically killed in January this year, to nationwide shock and sorrow.

David dedicated his encore, which is his own original arrangement of two traditional Irish tunes, to Ashlings memory.

David will be performing again next Sunday, October 23 in St Peters Church of Ireland, Portlaoise as part of the Laois School of Music 21st Birthday celebrations. He will perform a piano recital alongside Tatyana Vykhodtseva, Emmett Malone, Jonathan Murray and Mary Wisely. This writer very much looks forward to Davids next concert.

The concert was funded as part of the Laois Local Live Performance Programming Scheme 2022 Phase 4, by the Laois County Council Arts Office and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
The IDA is buying land in Portlaoise beside in what Laois TD and Minister for State Sean Fleming says is an 'absolute commitment' to bring foreign investment and new jobs to Laois.

Minister Fleming confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live that the State agency has sealed a deal to purchase 45 acres of former farm land adjoining the IDA Business Technology Park on the Mountrath Road.

Minister Fleming welcomed the move which he believes is a step in direction of addressing the need for more jobs in Laois created by companies based overseas.

He said demonstrates an 'absolute commitment' by the Industrial Development Authority to deliver where it has fallen short heretofore.

"This is an ideal site that can bring investors to Laois," said the Fianna Fail TD.

The Minister said the size of the site is important as it means the IDA will be in a position to market Portlaoise to companies that need a bigger site.

The purchase will double the size of the IDA's footprint in Portlaoise. The existing site is 46 acre site is home to a small number of firms including Greenfield Global a Canadian firm that opened there in 2020.

The news comes soon after the Laois Chamber Alliance wrote to TDs and Ministers for Laois seeking an urgent meeting regarding what it said was the dire need for immediate action on the countys bottom of the table placing in terms of IDA supported jobs.

The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, recently revealed through a Parliamentary Question for the number of jobs per county in IDA Ireland-sponsored companies. These figures showed that in 2021 Laois came last with 157 IDA supported jobs. This figure is less than half the number of IDA supported jobs recorded in the second lowest county, Monaghan, at 430 jobs. In neighbouring Offaly, a figure of 1,302 jobs was recorded.
A new plan to bring foreign investment and the knock-on jobs into Laois should now be developed following news that a State-owned business park in Portlaoise is set for a big expansion, according to Laois Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan.

The Government looked forward to the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) coming up blueprint for the IDA Business and Technology Park on the Mountrath Road. It is set to double in size with the purchase of 45 acres of adjoining land.

The Government representative was pleased with the IDA's decision to invest State funds in the jobs potential of Portlaoise.

"I very much welcome this development which has been underway for some time. I trust it will pave the way for an IDA plan for the greenfield site," he said.

The Fine Gael TD has been working with others on realising the sale of the land to the State agency that is responsible for bring foreign direct investment to Ireland from overseas companies.

He highlighted his previous and ongoing work in bringing employment to Laois.

"I was minster who had direct involvement when Greenfield Global from Canada opened and I was Minister when Glanbia developed its site in town," he said.

Figures revealed recently show that Laois remains at the bottom of the league for jobs created with IDA assistance. The county has ranked low on the table for several years.

Laois Chamber Alliance recently wrote to all public representatives in Laois demanding action after the Tanaiste revealed that there 157 Laois jobs supported by the IDA in Laois.
The debris of the Northern Ireland Protocol must be cleared away if Stormont powersharing institutions are to return, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has insisted.

Sir Jeffrey was speaking ahead of a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Monday, and he reiterated the political institutions need the support of unionists as well as nationalists and others.

The Taoiseach is meeting local parties in Belfast as a deadline to restore Stormont and avoid fresh Assembly elections rapidly approaches.

Mr Martin arrived at a city centre hotel on Monday morning ahead of his round of meetings.

The DUP is blocking the functioning of the powersharing institutions in Belfast as part of its protest against the post-Brexit protocol that has created barriers on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The UK Government has vowed to secure changes to the protocol, either by way of a negotiated compromise with the EU or through proposed domestic legislation that would empower ministers to scrap the arrangements without the approval of Brussels.

Relations between the UK and EU appear to have improved since Liz Truss became Prime Minister and London and Brussels have been talking up the potential for a deal through fresh negotiations.

Current legislation says that unless Stormont is restored by October 28, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has to call Assembly elections  something he has said he is prepared to do.

Sir Jeffrey said: We must lay solid foundations if we are to move forward.

We need to clear away the debris of the protocol years.

We need to restore cross-community consensus.

No unionist MLAs support the protocol. Therefore, it must be replaced by arrangements that unionists can support.

This is essential if the political institutions are to function and succeed.

The DUP leader also called on Brussels to loosen the guide ropes for its negotiating team so problems with the protocol can be discussed and resolved.

He added: The protocol continues to bedevil us, with businesses and consumers reporting further problems each week.

A 25% tariff on steel, driving up transport costs by almost 30%, and uncertainty over medicine and veterinary supplies.

The checks, however, on the Irish Sea border are but a symptom of the problem.

They are the product of Northern Ireland being subject to a different set of laws imposed upon us by a foreign entity without any say or vote by any locally-elected representative.

If we can secure a better way forward, then there is a great prize of stable devolved government, but without decisive action in Dublin and Brussels then the protocol will continue to erode the foundations of Stormont.

Devolution requires the support of unionists as well as nationalists if it is to function and succeed.

Sinn Fein, which emerged as the largest party in Northern Ireland during Assembly elections earlier this year, has repeatedly called for Stormont to return immediately to address the cost-of-living crisis.

Speaking last week, Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle ONeill said: We need to get around the executive table today, no more delays. Particularly whenever you see the scale of challenges that we have to tackle as an executive, not least fixing our health service.

The Taoiseach will hold separate meetings with Ms ONeill, Sir Jeffrey, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, leader of the SDLP Colum Eastwood and Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie.

His programme will conclude with a visit to meet participants in programmes working with schools as catalysts for peace and reconciliation.
A defendant involved in a 14,000 diamorphine charge, which is used in making heroin, has had his case sent forward to the Naas Circuit Criminal Court.

Evan Hughes, with an address listed as 27 Glenfield Grove in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, was arrested following a search on a property at Robert Street in Newbridge on March 5 last.

There, gardai found what they suspected to be 7,000 worth of crack cocaine.

On April 7 last, Detective Garda Seamus Doyle told the court that following an analysis, the haul was in fact 14,000 worth of heroin.

On the latest court date  Thursday, October 6  the 21-year-old pleaded guilty to the offences.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing 1,770, which gardai said was the proceeds of criminal conduct.

It was heard that the money was discovered in a property in Ballyfermot as part of a follow-up search by gardai.

Judge Desmond Zaidan sent the defendants case forward to the next sittings of Naas Circuit Criminal Court, which will commence at the courthouse on Tuesday, October 11.
Halloween fireworks are having a devastating impact nationwide on Guide and Assistance Dogs and their owners, according to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Fireworks are been set off for weeks ahead of Halloween on the last day of October, resulting in distress for pets for several weeks.

The charity, which supports those who are vision impaired and the families of children with autism, says fireworks can be extremely distressing for all animals but particularly working dogs such as Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs. As a result, some dogs are no longer able to support their owners and therefore must be retired.

Ulla Quayles guide dog Sage had to retire in 2020 due to the stress of the impact of fireworks.

"She was only 4 years of age; I should have had another 6 more wonderful years with this amazing dog. She suffered severe trauma from the fireworks and was never the same dog after, she was terrified to leave the house which broke all our hearts as she was a much-loved family member," Ulla said.

Even the trainers in Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind couldn't get her to overcome her fear of noises to the extent she became terrified of doors shutting. She was retired to a lovely family in Kerry where she is living out her days in peace and quiet. Guide Dogs become part of your family and parting with them is agony.

Tim O'Mahony, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind explained: "Situations like Ullas are not uncommon. Not only is the impact on the dog heart-breaking but its devastating for the owner who must wait to be matched with another dog which can take many months. In the meantime, the independence and mobility which they previously enjoyed is hugely curtailed or completely taken away. If a dog has an experience which goes beyond a normal level of stress, such as a firework exploding close to them, this can overly sensitise the dog, similar to PTSD in humans.

"Whilst most dogs can recover, some will overreact to unexpected noise which manifests as a fear reaction. Every Halloween our teams support a number of our Clients whose dogs have been adversely impacted by fireworks".

Tips to protect your dog

Dogs do not like fireworks, so ensure to get plenty of exercise before dark  ideally during school hours or at mealtimes. This will minimise the exposure and tire the dog so that they will be more relaxed and more likely to sleep through the evening.

After dark dogs should be kept indoors as much as possible.

Confine pets to the general living areas rather than quieter areas such as hallways or bedrooms.

Leave the radio and TV on to drown out some of the external noises. Pull your curtains to help reduce visual exposure to fireworks.

Do not scold or fuss over a nervous dog as this only exacerbates the situation and can reinforce the behaviour.

If a dog is particularly stressed, we recommend treating them with natural remedies available from vets and pharmacies.

Remember, no tricks and no treats for your dog. Chocolate is not safe for your pet so do not share any with the dogs.
A Kildare Senator has welcomed the allocation of 734 million under the 2022 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

Fianna Fail Senator Fiona OLoughlin has welcomed the announcement by her colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, of the commencement of advance payments under the 2022 BPS.

Senator O' Loughlin said: "I am delighted that the Basic Payment Scheme, worth 734 million to 114,200 farmers, have commenced today.

"I know how crucial this income is for family farm income and are a vital support for farmers as well as the rural economy."

She continued: "I am in regular contact with the farming community in South Kildare and I know the difficulties that many are facing with the rising costs of production.

Fianna Fail Senator Fiona O' Loughlin. File Photo

"The BPS advance payment is commencing today at a rate of 70 per cent, which is an increase on the 50 per cent normally allowed under regulation.

"Payments will be visible in farmers bank accounts in the coming days and the Department will continue to process, as a matter of urgency, all remaining cases for payment as they meet scheme criteria," she concluded.
Almost 40% of the Irish population dont know what glaucoma is, despite it being the worlds leading cause of irreversible blindness. This shock statistic came to light in a survey [1] conducted to mark World Sight Day (Thursday, 13 October) by Specsavers.

It revealed worrying misconceptions around glaucoma (a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve)  48% of respondents dont worry about it because they think its rare while 40% wrongly believe it can be cured.

There are more than 246,773 people in Ireland who are blind or visually impaired.[2] But alarmingly, almost half (48%) of people still dont know how often they should visit their optician for a routine check-up.

A staggering 75% of all sight loss is avoidable [3] and Specsavers believes nobody should have to live with sight loss that could be avoided. Thats one of the key messages in its latest report, released this week, entitled The State of Irelands Eye Health 2022.

The State of Irelands Eye Health 2022 report is officially launched by Irish doctor and television personality, Dr Pixie McKenna, who explains why looking after our eyes is so important.

We rely on our eyes all the time but its all too easy to take them for granted until our vision is affected. Despite sight being our most valuable sense, many people dont visit their optician for regular check-ups.

Perhaps the fear of losing our sight pushes the thought to the back of our minds  but eye problems are very common and while many people likely think a trip to the optician is only for people who wear glasses, there are lots of things your optician can do. A lot of eye damage goes undetected. I suspect there are a lot of treatable cases of glaucoma that could be picked up early by an optician.

The Specsavers report highlights the link between sight loss and an increase in risk of loneliness, isolation and other health conditions such as clinical depression, diabetes, dementia and stroke.

It also looks at the huge economic cost of sight loss and blindness. The annual cost of sight loss and blindness before the pandemic was 2.67 billion. With the backlog of eye care services caused by the pandemic it is likely to impose significant additional costs for people with sight threatening conditions such as glaucoma and it is estimated that the demand for glaucoma services is expected to rise by 33% in the next decade.

Glaucoma is a key focus for the report. Examples of best practice across Ireland are highlighted and the report features input from several patients who speak candidly about their own experiences.

Kerril Hickey, Chairman of Specsavers Ireland, describes the findings as deeply concerning. He says: "Glaucoma can be symptomless which is why only half of those affected even know they have the condition. While it cannot simply be cured or reversed, early treatment can be particularly effective in slowing or preventing vision loss, it is crucial that it is detected at the first possible opportunity. Thats why it is critical to educate the public on glaucoma and the importance of regular eye examinations."

Mr Hickey adds: "This report highlights examples of integrated care pathways that are delivering high quality glaucoma care, but provision remains fragmented, particularly in Ireland.

"We are sitting on a glaucoma ticking time bomb yet there appears to be no nationally agreed plan to address concerns. We must draw on the professional expertise of the entire eye care sector and gain national agreement to implement new pathways to improve glaucoma care to help save sight."

Expert contributors to the report include Fighting Blindness, a patient-led charity with a vision to cure blindness, support people living with sight loss and empower patients.

Anna Moran, interim CEO of Fighting Blindness, says: "We remain deeply concerned about the lasting impact of coronavirus on people with, and at risk of, sight loss. Throughout the pandemic, so many of us concerned with eye health have worked hard to provide urgent care and support to those who have needed it. There is now a move towards getting back to in-person meetings and consultations  but there is a backlog that the specialist hospitals are struggling to meet.

"We are sincerely grateful to everyone in community optometry for providing patients safe access to important eye tests and health care  and that this has provided a lifeline for those needing urgent care. Glaucoma is a silent destroyer; irreparable damage can be caused before symptoms become apparent to the patient. This report highlights the scale of the challenge we now face with glaucoma  and the continuing need for regular eye tests."

The report concludes by highlighting guidance from the industrys professional bodies for standardised glaucoma pathways and calling for an expanded role for community optometrists in a wider adoption of shared care services with ophthalmologists to meet current and future demand.

For more information about the State of Irelands Eye Health Report visit

https://www.specsavers.ie/reports/state-of-irelandseye-health-2022
The estimated 630 stroke survivors in Leitrim 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/
In response to the current energy management challenges facing tourism businesses, Failte Ireland has today launched a series of free in-person energy management workshops tailored support the tourism industry in managing their energy usage and reduce their energy costs. This series will run across nine locations nationwide during October and early November.

A 2-hour workshop in The Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town, will be hosted by energy experts who will provide businesses with immediate, low-cost actions that they can take to improve their energy efficiency and reduce energy bills. This is open to all tourism businesses across the county who register their attendance with Failte Ireland.

The workshops will be practical and informative with attendees encouraged to bring their business energy bills to the session to gain a deeper understanding with energy experts on the day.

There will be guidance and recommendations on low-cost and no-cost actions that can be implemented immediately to reduce energy consumption in the business and case studies of similar tourism businesses will be presented.

To support these workshops a step-by-step Failte Ireland Energy Management Guide, the first in an upcoming series of guides, is available to download.

Speaking at the announcement of the Energy Management Roadshow series, Jenny De Saulles, Director of Sector Development at Failte Ireland said; The challenge for businesses in managing their energy costs is immense and Failte Ireland recognises that tourism businesses are being hit particularly hard by the energy cost challenge.

"In response to this Failte Ireland is conducting practical in-person workshops nationwide to offer immediate guidance and information to businesses to help reduce their energy bills. Using less energy more efficiently is the most cost-effective and practical way for businesses to take action and we will be showing businesses how to implement easy changes.

"Created with energy experts these workshops are designed to offer businesses practical advice and best practise examples that can be adopted quickly for immediate effect. All tourism businesses in County Leitrim are welcome to attend so we are encouraging businesses to register today.

Along with the practical in-person events virtual sessions are also available for businesses. The Failte Ireland alwayson schedule of tourism capability supports includes webinars and workshops designed as a direct response to meet industry needs across several priority areas including climate action.

To register your attendance at the Failte Ireland Donegal Town Energy Management Workshop go to www.failteireland.ie
Ireland's online safety charity, CyberSafeKids, is hosting its third annual 24-hour CyberBreak, from 5pm on Friday, 21st October to 5pm on Saturday, 22nd October. Supported by the Lifes2Good Foundation, CyberBreak encourages families and schools all over Ireland to participate in taking a much-needed break from the online world.

CyberSafeKids is encouraging schools and families in Leitrim to get on board and sign up now at www.cybersafekids.ie

Families should embrace the opportunity of having device-free time as a family, to discuss how they can find a healthy balance between their online and offline lives and to make it a fun-filled and memorable day for the whole family.

Schools and families can find the following resources at www.cybersafekids.ie/cyberbreak to help prepare for the day itself:

- Classroom activities: some games and activities to challenge your pupils to think about life offline - what it was like in the days before smart devices!

- Fun guide: some suggestions on what to do during your 24-hour break  why not add your own?!

- Top online safety tips: a reminder of healthy tech habits for home

Recent CyberSafeKids research has found that 95% of children aged 8 - 12 own a smart device and 87% are signed up to social media and messaging apps, despite being under the minimum age requirement of 13 for all of the popular sites.

Top Tips for parents include:

 Start the conversation now! As soon as your child shows interest in your phone or tablet, talk about what's okay and not okay to do online in an age-appropriate manner. Talk to your kids about what they do and see online as often as possible.

 Do your research. Check out the apps and games that your child is using or wants to use. Download it yourself or watch videos on YouTube about it and see what functionality it has. Look, in particular, at whether it has a chat facility, how to apply safety /privacy settings and how to report abuse.

 Agree the rules. Put appropriate boundaries in place and apply them consistently, e.g. where they can use their devices, who can be on their friends lists, what behaviour is acceptable, and not to share location. Most importantly keep an eye on what your children are doing online.

For more information on CyberBreak, please go to www.cybersakekids.ie where you will find lots of helpful resources, top tips and advice.
A DRUG user has pleaded guilty, at the Central Criminal Court, to an attempted murder charge relating to a violent incident at an apartment in Limerick city centre.

Dominik Biber, aged 25, formerly of Ellen Street, Limerick has admitted attempting to murder Tomasz Grosser on April 11, 2020 at Ormston House, Ellen Street.

The Polish national has also pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Mr Grosser and to committing a burglary at an apartment in Ormston House while in possession of two knives.

The victim, whose aged in this 50s, sustained multiple injuries when he was assaulted at around 5pm.

Following the procedural hearing this Monday, Ronan Kennedy SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott that the plea was acceptable and that other counts on the indictment should be taken into account when sentencing.

Biber's barrister Mark Nicholas SC said his client's drug use was a significant factor in the offence and he asked the judge to order a probation report before sentencing. Mr Nicholas said his client also wished to apologise to Mr Grosser.

Mr Justice McDermott adjourned the case until December 5 and ordered a probation and governor's report.
LIMERICK City and County Council has announced it has engaged a new company to create a festive atmosphere in Limerick this Christmas.

Milestone, which has a wealth of experience in organising and coordinating Christmas events, has been responsible for the Christmas Market in Galway for the past decade.

It has now been tasked with creating a variety of different Christmas events at a number of locations in the city, to help promote Limerick city as the place to visit during the festive season.

Christmas activities in Limerick have been curtailed over the past two years due to Covid-19 and the finishing touches are now being put on this year's offering.

A spokesperson for the local authority says the overarching aim is to ensure that Limerick is an attractive location for people of all ages  from the young to the not so young  as they visit Limerick to savour and soak up the unique Christmas in Limerick spirit.

In addition to council-funded events, King Johns Castle, the Limerick City Traders Association, and others will have their own events taking place to ensure there is a generous sprinkling of Christmas spirit across the city.

Extra funding has been allocated to create this years festive atmosphere, starting in November and continuing across the month of December, in place of a large one-off event, to mark the turning on the Christmas lights in the city.

Eileen Coleman, Head of Tourism with Limerick City and County Council said: We are really looking forward to Christmas in Limerick this year. Milestone are a well-respected company with an impressive track record delivering unforgettable Christmas experiences. We are finalising our plans and look forward to sharing them with the people of Limerick and further afield in the coming weeks.
PRESIDENT of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane, has paid tribute to the university's All-Ireland winning Worldskills champions at a special ceremony at the Moylish Campus.

Culinary arts student Jack Rice and mechanical automation apprentice Reece Seery were awarded the Worldskills Ireland titles following a three-day competition at the RDS in Dublin, during which they battled off stiff competition to take home the top prize in their categories.

Both Jack and Reece now qualify to go on to represent Ireland at the final of the Euro Skills in Gdansk in 2023 and the Worldskills competition in Lyon in 2024.

Congratulating the All Ireland winners and their mentors, Professor Cunnane said, "We are very proud of Jack and Reece as they go on to represent TUS and Ireland on the international stage. With the support of their TUS mentors they have worked tirelessly and with great skill and determination to achieve this huge accolade".

He continued: "They also represent TUSs commitment to active learning and our undertaking to develop highly skilled, work-ready graduates.

"With their proven skill and ambition, I know Jack and Reece will continue to do us proud in this global competition, and I would like to wish them the best of luck in the next phase."

Worldskills Ireland is a partnership between enterprise, industry, education, training, government to raise profile and recognition of skills and apprenticeships.
MOTORISTS are being advised that separate sections of the M7 motorway will be closed to traffic this week to facilitate resurfacing works.

The project to install a low road-noise surface on the M7 around Limerick city, is being funded by Limerick City and County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Works began in August and the contractors will return to the section between Junction 29 (Ballysimon) and Junction 30 (Rosbrien) this week to complete the installation of traffic loops following the surfacing of the M7.

They say there will be a requirement to close the M7 for two nights (Monday and Tuesday) to facilitate the works with diversions in place from 7pm to 6am.

The westbound carriageway, between junction 29 and junction 30 will be closed on Monday night while the eastbound carriage way (between junction 30 and junction 29) will be closed on Tuesday night.

The local authority says the change of road surface to a low-noise road surface will not eliminate road noise for communities living near the M7 but it should have a positive impact on their long-term health.
A NUMBER of options are being examined in relation to the 14-storey tower within the Opera Square development after the Revenue revealed they will only need space for around half the number of staff they had originally planned.

As part of the 200m city centre development, its 14-storey tower has been earmarked to become the new home for Revenue Commissioners staff, who will move across from Sarsfield House, with that building slated for demolition.

However, concerns have now been raised as it has been stated that Revenue - the key anchor tenant for the building - no longer need the amount of office space they originally intended to occupy in the building.

A spokesperson for Revenue told Limerick Live that since the pandemic, they have reassessed their staffing requirement for occupancy within the new Opera Site.

Originally, it was intended that in the region of 900 to 1,000 Revenue staff would work in the new building, however, the most recent estimates undertaken by Revenue show that the projected maximum footfall on any given day in the new site will be "500 staff approximately".

Revenue said these numbers are "estimates" and may change as "blended working settles down and team work patterns evolve".

Speaking to Limerick Today on Live 95, Patrick O'Donovan, Minister for the Office of Public Works said it became apparent following the staff's return to the office that the Revenue Commissioners would not need as much office space as they originally planned for.

"There are discussions now between the parent departments, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Revenue with a view to seeing how we can move this project forward.

"We are committed to finding a solution to this. There are a number of options that are currently being discussed and no decision has been made".

Mr O'Donovan said a decision will be made by Christmas regarding plans for the building and staff of the Revenue Commissioner.

The news from Revenue has prompted a fresh discussion on social media in relation to the project with calls for more of a focus on accommodation.
Happilo International Private Limited, a company that owns and operates direct-to-consumer health food brand Happilo signed on actors Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani as its brand ambassadors. They have been roped in to popularise the concept of snacking on protein-rich, healthy snacks, the company said in a statement.The company has rolled out its maiden celebrity advertisement campaign featuring both of the ambassadors. The television commercial is set against the backdrop of the festive season, and it portrays celebrities at a party along with their guests who are visibly bored. The ambience is transformed with the entry of its mascot Happi - the bear, who energises the gang with his dry-fruits and trail mixes.The film, the company said has been released in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada and will also be promoted across the main television channels as well as OTT platforms, cinemas, social media to improve the brands visibility and bring it closer to consumers.Vikas D Nahar, founder & CEO of the firm said, We are ecstatic to join hands with the couple to drive the healthy snacking revolution in India."Kiara Advani said, If there is one thing anyone knows about me, it is that I love binge eating. I am thrilled to be associated with a brand that is finding delicious ways to bring health to peoples bingeing habits."Sidharth Malhotra said, Like Kiara, I am also a foodie, but I am a big believer in staying fit too. This brand stands for the ethos of being healthy and delicious."The Bengaluru-headquartered start-up, founded in 2016, was born out of Nahars ambition to build a supply of premium and healthy snacks which are high on taste as well.
NEW DELHI: In a step forward for Indias defence indigenisation ambitions, Jindal Defence is set to begin manufacturing small arms domestically in partnership with Brazilian defence major Taurus Armas S.A. Having concluded a joint venture agreement in 2020, the two companies expect to start production from January in a plant in Hisar, Haryana.

We have already set up our plant in Hisar and are now waiting for a plant approval from the various stakeholders to begin production", says CP Agrawal, head of defence and composite business at Jindal Defence and Aerospace. The plant was set up with an initial investment of $5 million for the land and construction costs.

According to Agrawal, the plant will look to manufacture a 9mm pistol for use by the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and the Indian Army. The two companies are also planning to make a 5.56 x 45mm carbine which is required in large numbers by the Indian Army. Jindal Defence and Taurus Armas are participating in the latest Request for Information process initiated by the government for this weapon.

Agrawal said that they, also have the 7.62 x 39mm which will be a replacement for the AK platform and will be supplied to the CAPF and Indian Armed Forces". The firms plan to demonstrate these weapons at the upcoming DefExpo 2022 which will be held in Gandhinagar.

We are looking to produce whatever our forces need in terms of small arms in our factory in Hisar," said Agrawal. The joint venture between Jindal Defence and Taurus Armas S.A has a 51:49 equity participation ratio.

Taurus Armas is a well-known name in the defence industry and is particularly renowned for its manufacture of pistols and firearms for law enforcement agencies. While it entered defence in the 1940s, the Jindal group is a relative newcomer to the industry. Before this venture into small arms manufacturing, the firms efforts focused on special alloys and blast-resistant armour for aerospace and defence industries.

The success of the JV agreement also speaks of progress in Indias push to manufacture defence products domestically. According to Agrawal, Taurus Armas initially came in with concerns about technology transfers and the safety of their technology. However, the perspective has completely changed now. We are going to have a completely Made in India weapon".

By January 2023, Jindal expects to achieve 92% indigenous content (IC) in its 9mm pistols and over 50% of the same for its carbines. By June 2023, it hopes to build pistols with 100% IC and achieve a 70% indigenous content ratio for its carbines.

It has not been entirely smooth sailing. Major international defence players remain cautious about transferring technology and setting up shop in India. One challenge, as Agarwal puts it, is the sheer size of the requirements that must be met in the Indian market. Many international firms are unused to catering to such volumes.

When we talk to some defence companies, they say they are ready to support us but will not transfer technology", says Agrawal. The solution, he says, is for the government to help improve comfort levels among foreign defence majors in transferring technology. Another idea is for the government to also help private firms, and not just defence PSUs, acquire key technologies. If we put government resources towards bringing technology towards the private sector as well, I personally believe we can grow this sector much faster" said Agrawal.
Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory in view of the 90th Annual General Assembly of the Interpol at Pragati Maidan in the national capital, said the official on Sunday as quoted by the news agency PTI.

According to the advisory, vehicular traffic on Janpath, Ashoka Road, and Barakhamba Road, among other roads in central Delhi, will remain affected from October 18 to 21 as the city will host the 90th Annual General Assembly of the Interpol at Pragati Maidan.

Delhi Traffic Police have shared this information on its official Twitter handle. Traffic Advisory: In view of the '90th Annual General Assembly' of Interpol at Pragati Maidan from 18th-21st October, 2022, elaborate arrangements have been made for smooth flow of traffic in the city. People are advised to plan their commute accordingly," police tweeted.

Traffic Advisory

In view of the '90th Annual General Assembly' of Interpol at Pragati Maidan from 18th-21st October, 2022, elaborate arrangements have been made for smooth flow of traffic in the city. People are advised to plan their commute accordingly.@DelhiPolice pic.twitter.com/Jjx0Px1PvX  Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) October 16, 2022

Delegations from 195 countries will attend the event, they said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate it on October 18 and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address the valedictory function on October 21.

According to the traffic advisory, the delegates will stay in seven hotels -- The Lalit, The Imperial, Shangri La, Le Meridien, The Oberoi, Hyatt Regency and The Ashok -- and travel to Pragati Maidan, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the airport. Various traffic measures will be put in place to ensure smooth transportation for the delegates.

The traffic volume on Ashoka Road, Janpath, Firoz Shah Road, Barakhamba Road, Sikandra Road, Mathura Road, Bhairon Road, Subramaniam Bharti Marg, Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Marg, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Shantipath, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Maharishi Raman Marg, Bhisma Pitamah Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, Dhaula Kuan Flyover, Gurgaon Road, Mehram Nagar Tunnel, Aerocity and T3 Approach Road would be regulated, the advisory said.

The traffic police said the commuters traveling in the vicinity of New Delhi district could encounter delays and may wish to consider alternative routes during the period specified.

The traffic police said it is important to reduce the traffic volume on the roads in New Delhi district and this can be achieved with support from corporations, organisations and individuals.

"Non-essential staff members can be directed to work from home, employees can be advised to use public transport and working hours can be staggered. Individuals can cooperate by using buses and metro trains for unavoidable travel plans, postponing avoidable travel plans and bypassing roads falling within New Delhi district," the advisory said.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya's Minister of Finance of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Khaled al-Mabrouk, has urged the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help Africa mitigate the effects of climate change in terms of combating desertification and addressing the causes of water scarcity
He has received every bounce of the ball, Judge Kenneth Connolly said as he revoked a suspended sentence committing a defendant to custody.

Arturs Bondarevskis, of 6 Pontefract House, Bridge Street, Longford was convicted of carrying out a Section 3 assault causing harm at Cuirt An Oir, Athlone Road, Longford on September 3, 2018 at a previous Circuit Court sitting.

The defendant returned before the court having failed to comply with the conditions of the bond imposed as part of the suspended sentence. Barrister Ciaran Collins acknowledged his client has been under the supervision of probation service for over a year, and has only paid 200 in compensation despite giving an undertaking he would pay compensation of 10,000 to the victim.

Mr Collins described significant background to the matter. Counsel said Bondarevskis was not in employment at the time of his convictions and spoke of the extensive submissions made. The barrister pointed to Bondarevskis' good employment history when he worked in the hotel industry.

Mr Collins referred to his client's mental health adversity which prevented him from retaining employment in the last number of years. He referenced a report from Consultant General adult psychiatrist with the HSE, Aoife Hunt, that acknowledged Bondarevskis' social anxiety.

He has had a high level of engagement with Probation Services and would take up employment, but is unable to get suitable employment given his mental adversity, Mr Collins told the court.

Council told Judge Kenneth Connolly that Bondarevskis served time in prison when the offence originally took place, speaking of the sobering and sad circumstances which arose at a time his client laboured under three mental health disorders.

Mr Bondarevskis is before the court saying I can't do it, not that he won't do it, Mr Collins said.

Judge Connolly pointed out that one of the specific conditions of Bondarevskis sentence has not happened.

The judge said: He wants the matter to be finalised in an alternative manner. I am therefore obliged to return the matter and revoke the suspended sentence.

The judge accepted the defendant has actively engaged with probation services and mental health service. Mr Collins said his client is getting treatment for his mental health issues and actively seeking employment.

This is a very serious matter, Judge Connolly pressed, describing the assault before the court as vicious.

He continued: Your client has had every bounce of the ball, he has been given every opportunity to pay the compensation element of the court order. He was given another chance in February of last year and again failed. He has not sought employment.

The defendant's barrister stated that Bondarevskis lives with his retired mother and is in receipt of social welfare.

He has no previous conviction and fully cooperated with Gardai. The probation report described the defendant as having a very low risk of re-offending.

Given the defendant's failure to pay any compensation in contravention of the bond imposed by the court Judge Connolly committed Bondarevskis to prison for one year and three months and removed the final conditions of the bond.

The judge directed the defendant to receive all appropriate treatment while in prison.
In 1962 Ireland was beginning to look a little brighter. The independent state was just 40 years old and had come through the struggles of the Civil War, state building in the 1920s, the economic war with the UK during the 1930s and the tough emergency measures during the second world war.

The late 40s and 50s the dark times continued which saw the young state losing huge numbers of its young people to emigration to the UK and the US. Added to all that, many families had suffered the loss of loved ones due to the dreadful TB epidemic.

But things began to change for the better in the early 60s under the Lemass government and their adoption of the Whittaker Economic Plan - economic growth began to increase as did employment opportunities for more young people, who were able to stay in Ireland.

And TB was being taken in hand following the work of Noel Browne, Minister for Health in the inter-party government of 1948/51. It was a decade of early promise and optimism in Ireland.

But there was added optimism in Killoe and Drumlish when a young clerical student, Liam Quinn from Ennybegs, was ordained to the priesthood in Carlow Cathedral on June 9, 1962, having studied in St Patricks Seminary in Carlow. The attendant excitement spread across north Longford, still remembered by many to this day, when he returned to his native Ennybegs as Fr Liam to say his first mass.

Soon the young priest was on his way to the US, having reconsidered his earlier intentions to go to Africa. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the RMS Mauretania  no doubt feeling the pangs of homesickness like many before him.

The experience gave him a deep understanding of the plight of the immigrants of the 17th and 18th centuries, having heard about and read their stories, he says. Msgr Liams first assignment was in Atlantic City, now famous for its casinos. He was parochial vicar at St Monicas Church there from 1962 to 64, which he recalls as a most enjoyable posting. Parishioners were predominantly African-American, who taught him a lot about their culture. There was no call for diversity in Ireland at that time, he says.

Following that early introduction to US ministry the list of appointments and responsibilities up to his retirement in 2009 is truly impressive - from 1964 to 69 he ministered in Gloucesters St Marys Church where his parishioners included descendants of Irish immigrants, who he describes as wonderful people. There then followed a complete change of role in 1969 when he went from parish work to teaching theology at Camden Catholic High School.

After ten years teaching, which he loved - as it kept you abreast of what was happening in the culture and in the minds and hearts of young people - he was named pastor (parish priest) of St John of God Church in North Cape May in 1979, a role which lasted six years; and for the following 15 years, from 1985 through 2000, the Msgr served as pastor at St Anns Church in Wildwood. It was then on to Seven Mile Beach as pastor up to his retirement in 2009.

Underlying the simple chronology outlined is a lifetime of dedicated service and real achievement, involving church building in St Johns, renovation of the church in Wildwood and completing a new Regional Catholic School and building a much needed parish hall in Seven Mile Beach and much more.

The fundraising involved in completing the projects was also led by Msgr Liam himself. Although the parish hall in Seven Mile Beach bears his name, a decision made by others, he is much too modest to mention that fact.

And while all such additional responsibilities were in progress, the central duties of his role had also to be attended to, such as running and managing the various parishes and ministering to the people in relation to births, marriages and deaths. He recalls with sadness burying five veterans of the Vietnam War in his early years in the US. The casualties of Vietnam were mostly among working class people.

Happily, I had an external source for this short profile: Msgr Liam doesnt like focusing on himself for he is a most humble and modest man, as anyone who has ever met him can testify.

Caption: Monsignor Liam Quinn, Jimmy Hannify and Liam Caldwell

Ive been lucky on that score on many occasions and there was a pleasant repeat occasion with him, his brother, Gerry, and Jimmy Hannify when he visited Dublin for a few days when he was home recently to mark his Diamond Jubilee with Mass in Ennybegs.

Over refreshments on a beautiful sunny afternoon we covered quite a range from the frivolous to the serious, which included GAA and past games and players, local characters past and present, a few good yarns  and we even touched on existential matters, though not for too long; the craic was too good!

Sixty years is a lifetime in any currency, but Msgr Liam Quinn continues to be refreshingly open and wholesome in his thinking and has wonderful understanding and insight into human nature. Its easy to come away with the impression that he is not given too much to dogma. The members of the Longford Association congratulate him on his Diamond Jubilee and wish him many years of good health in his retirement, during which he continues to help out.
Ganly's Longford has won the Excellence in Sales and Marketing Award in the Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards 2022.

Other winners in what was the first all-island awards came from Dublin, Galway, Louth, Meath, Waterford and Newry.

The Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards ceremony was held on Thursday, October 13 at a gala event in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin.

It was attended by over 300 guests including shortlisted merchants and representatives of the builders merchant trade from across the country.

The event was hosted by the eight Octabuild members, Dulux, Etex, Glennon Brothers, Grant Engineering, Gyproc, Irish Cement, Kingspan Insulation and Wavin.

Guest of honour at the awards was Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Congratulating all the winners the Minister said, I would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners at this years awards. This is the first year the awards were held on an all-island basis and I want to commend the organisers and Octabuild Chairperson, Ray Molyneaux for such a great event. These are a unique set of awards designed to promote excellence within the Irish builders merchants industry and highlight the importance of the industry to the wider construction and building sector.

Ganlys Longford were winners of the Excellence in Sales and Marketing award for the second time in succession.

The judges say that the store, which opened for business in 2007 and now employs 19 staff, is expertly managed and has moved out of the shadows of the larger Athlone branch to carve out a distinctive niche in the Longford hinterland.

"This is no doubt in part a consequence of it ensuring that no opportunity is missed when it comes to promoting the business which include, a strategically placed billboard 600m from the store to attract passing trade and advertise the business, sales-based giveaways, vouchers and discounts to advertising and promotion across radio, local papers, social media and website.

"In addition to its website the promotional tools regularly used include advertisements on local radio and in local newspapers. It also uses social media extensively through, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp and it recently used a social media Influencer. Giveaways are widely promoted and if necessary, the goods will be held for up to three months post purchase. As a result of the July giveaway, repeat business is now increasing as is online sales."

This is a store say the judges where every avenue to increase sales is explored with gusto.

Since these prestigious awards were first introduced in 1986, this is the first year they have been held on an all-island basis. Previously awards were held in Ireland and Northern Ireland on alternate years.

This year builders merchants competed for four Regional Awards, five Individual Category Awards and a Rising Star Award, which acknowledged up-and-coming talent in the industry.

Octabuild Chairperson, Ray Molyneaux said: Its important for Octabuild that the Awards highlight to the building and construction industry the excellence of Irish builders merchants amidst its ever-changing landscape. Congratulations to all finalists and winners who represented absolute excellence in the industry.

Commenting on the quality of the entries, Chair of the independent Judging Panel, Liam OGorman, said: It is evident that the industry has evolved hugely and that merchants have led the way in embracing this changed landscape. These merchants have transformed their processes, systems and operations to reflect this new way of doing business.

In total eleven awards were presented at the ceremony as well as the Octabuild Lifetime achievement Award, which was went to Brian Wogan, Dunleer Hardware, Dunleer, Co Louth.
Over the coming weeks and months Macra through its mental health programme Make The Moove will deliver tailored specific training to students in Agricultural Colleges across the country. The training is funded by Mental Health Ireland and supported and facilitated by Teagasc, and will run on a pilot basis between now and Christmas.

This training programme has been developed in conjunction with Mental Health Ireland and informed by the issues identified by young rural people as affecting their mental wellbeing. The issues identified included, financial pressures, succession on farm, social media and also the negative perception of farming in the general public, said John Keane Macra, National President.

This programme is a first of its kind as it is developed specifically to meet the needs of the students and is tailored to address the factors affecting their mental wellbeing.

"We hope to deliver this pilot training programme to around 150 students over three separate sessions before the end of November. We have also planned over the next number of months to expand the programme, to develop specific training programmes for older age groups working in and supporting agriculture.



As today is world mental health day, it is important that this topic is highlighted and spoken about in rural communities across the country. We all have a role to play in breaking down the stigma and addressing the challenges that face us all," concluded John Keane.
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 sprayed 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.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Najla Al-Mangouch M0nday stressed the need for the League of Arab States to modernize its agenda and take courageous and strict decisions, rather than looking at issues that divide them
Irish scientists hope the countrys first satellite in space will open doors for further technology demonstrations, as plans are already under way to develop a second satellite.

Deputy premier and enterprise minister Leo Varadkar and junior minister Damien English signed papers with the European Space Agency (ESA) on Monday to facilitate the launch of the satellite, which has been designed and built by staff and students at University College Dublin (UCD).

The satellite, known as the Educational Irish Research satellite 1  or Eirsat-1  will be launched from the ESAs base in French Guiana between January 20 and February 20.

The exact date is expected to be confirmed in the next week.

The Government granted authorisation to sign an exchange of letters with the ESA at a Cabinet meeting on October 4, and signed those letters on Monday.

Its a major milestone, I think, for the Irish space centre, which has huge potential for businesses and also universities, Mr Varadkar said.

Professor Orla Feely, UCD vice-president for research, innovation and impact, said the project would aim to deliver really outstanding fundamental research, and also develop talent.

You can have no bigger challenges than those associated with space research, that literally seeks to figure out where the universe came from.

This project is fundamentally a student enterprise under the wonderful and inspiring leadership of Professor Lorraine Hanlon and her colleagues, and its great to see.

Space is a wonderful way to get people to get children excited about science.

PhD student Rachel Dunwoody said the project was a huge learning experience, and will open doors as people realise the potential of Irish space technologies.

We can have a way of demonstrating Irish technology in space through this mission. Its opened a lot of doors in industry to have more technology demonstration, she said.

Weve had amazing opportunities, weve gotten to go to European Space Agency facilities to test it. Weve also developed great facilities in UCD.

Prof Hanlon, director of the Eirsat-1 project and the UCD C-Space Centre, said work is already under way on a second satellite, but attention is currently focused on the first mission.

She said: I think one of the joys of this platform for new technology development is that its a very quick way to demonstrate new technologies from Irish companies and all of it, and because there are many more launch opportunities.

One of the hardest barriers for a company to overcome is demonstrating that your product works in space.

The final costs for the project have not been confirmed, but it is estimated that the cost up until now is around 1.5 million euro, with the ESA funding the launch, the Irish Research Council funding nine team members, and Science Foundation Ireland and the Department of Enterprise also providing funds.

Mr English said 97 companies in Ireland have contracts with the ESA, and the technologies developed will not be used solely in space.

As we see it, any money we put into ESA we win back in contracts, he told reporters at a press event.

I think theres been a 50% increase in the number of companies over the last seven or eight years winning contracts through ESA, so our investment is really paying off.

But more so, its about developing talent as well and Rachel and her 12 colleagues who are here, they are going to partner up with industries and create more and more technologies.
Business & Finance

By Chris Boyle Published: October 17 2022

During the workshops, Department of Assessment staff will assist residents with filing for numerous exemptions.

Nassau County Legislator Kevan M. Abrahams (D - Freeport), in conjunction with the Nassau County Department of Assessment, invites First Legislative District residents to participate in the ongoing 2022 series of Property Tax Exemption Workshops. During the workshops, Department of Assessment staff will assist residents with filing for the following exemptions:

Veterans

Senior citizens

Cold War Veterans

Volunteer firefighter and ambulance workers

Limited-income disability and/or home improvement exemptions

Enhanced STAR applications will also be processed for homeowners already enrolled in the STAR program prior to Jan. 2, 2015.

All workshops are from 1 - 2:30 p.m. Participants should bring copies of their 2021 federal and state income tax returns and other required documentation with them to workshops; for a complete list, visit https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/3575/Exemption-Forms or call the Nassau County Department of Assessment at 516-571-1500.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS OF NOTE FOR LD1 RESIDENTS:

Monday, October 17, 2022

Uniondale Public Library

400 Uniondale Ave.

Uniondale, N.Y. 11553

Friday, October 21, 2022

Roosevelt Public Library

27 West Fulton Ave.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: October 17 2022

Andres Zapata and accomplices stole more than $1 million in cash and items from homes on the North Shore.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced today that a Queens man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a pattern burglary ring that targeted homes in gated communities on the North Shore of Nassau County.

Andres Zapata, 24, was convicted in a jury trial in April 2022 before Judge Helene Gugerty, of seven counts of Burglary in the Second Degree (a C felony); Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree (a D felony); and Possession of Burglar Tools (an A misdemeanor). Zapata was sentenced today to 20 years in prison.

Andres Zapata and his co-defendants brazenly burglarized homes on the North Shore, smashing rear windows and doors to gain access and making off with cash, jewelry, and other luxury items, said DA Donnelly. This sophisticated burglary operation was ended when Nassau County Police Department officers caught these individuals in the act and arrested them. Todays sentence holds Zapata accountable for his unsettling crime spree.

DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, between May 2018 and September 2018, Zapata and his co-defendants burglarized or attempted to burglarize eight houses in gated communities on the North Shore of Nassau County, stealing more than $1 million in peoples property, including U.S. currency, foreign currency, jewelry, and designer handbags.

The burglary ring specifically chose gated communities. A lookout was stationed at the gate to alert accomplices that police were nearby. The crimes occurred on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights, and the defendants entered homes through breaking rear windows or doors.

Zapata and his co-defendants burglarized homes in Old Westbury, Manhasset, Jericho and Woodbury.

The defendant was arrested on September 21, 2018, by members of the Nassau County Police Department.

Co-defendant Brayan Castano, 34, of Elmhurst, Queens, was convicted after a jury trial before Judge Gugerty on October 22, 2021, of seven counts of Burglary in the Second Degree; Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree; and Possession of Burglar Tools. He was sentenced on June 14, 2022, to 30 years in prison.
17th October 2022

Runtime 18:47





London South East were joined by maritime surveillance company SRT Marine CEO Simon Tucker, who explained the maritime surveillance, monitoring and management systems business to us in depth. (LON:SRT - Market Cap 58M).

"85% of the world is covered by oceans, 90% of our economic activity comes across the oceans. And not just on the big ships which you see but all the supporting vessels, fishing boats, the food and the protein which comes from fish. The control and monitoring of that is very important" said Simon.

"We believe this is a unique market segment which has been overlooked, and we were lucky enough to spot that gap many years ago and have been building a sophisticated technical offering to fit. We were lucky enough to have supportive shareholders who allowed us to build ourselves up underneath the radar and we now have product going into the Middle East and South East Asia, and a significant pipeline with more contracts coming" said Simon. "This is just the beginning."

There are two main business divisions, Transceivers, which is effectively black boxes for ships/air traffic control but for boats (the maritime domain) a strong growth market. This was the original core SRT business.

1. Repeat sales from global network of 1,100 distributors and OEM customers

2. 40% average gross profit margin

3. Strong order book across all categories

4. Market demand snow-balling due to combination of long-term regulation (that demands digitalisation) and increased general production

Secondly, the new Systems business division which is driving growth and will transform the business.



1. Systems is an integrated national scale maritime surveillance, intelligence, command and control system contracts are primarily with coast guard agencies.

2. Already have multiple sovereign government customers

3. Target customers are national governments looking to secure their seas, identify threats and manage fishing waters

4. 70m existing contracts, 600m pipeline.

Functionality includes:

1. AI analytics that automatically identify and alert suspicious vessels and events

2. Integrated command and control for efficient and effective responses

3. Specialist functionality such as electronic fish catch reporting and auditing

4. Full digital maps of seas complete with depth information and detail on ships.
(Alliance News) - Horizonte Minerals PLC on Monday said it has awarded Wood PLC, a project delivery and technical services business, the principal engineering contract for its Vermelho project in Brazil.

Horizonte is a London-based nickel company with operations in Brazil's Para state. Its two key projects are at the Araguaia and Vermelho sites, which are both large scale, high-grade, low-cost and low-carbon.

The contract is for the undertaking of the feasibility study at Vermelho. Horizonte said this award was a "key milestone" as it advances towards its long-term objective of becoming a 60,000 tonne per year nickel producer.

Vermelho is designed to produce 25,000 tonnes of nickel, and 1,250 tonnes of cobalt per year over a 38-year mine life.

The feasibility cost estimate will be completed to AACEI class three standard. Additional contracts that are in the final stages of being awarded include pilot test work, mining, hydrogeology, hydrology, infrastructure and logistics packages.

Environmental licencing for Vermelho is well advanced, with key regulatory submissions, forming the basis for the construction licence issuance.

Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Martin said: "We are pleased to be working with Wood plc to deliver the Feasibility Study for the Vermelho Project. The commencement of the FS is an important step forward in unlocking Vermelho's significant value. There are very few nickel resources of this scale and quality at an advanced stage of development, leaving Vermelho well positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for sustainable critical metals. "

Horizonte shares were trading 1.1% higher at 89.98 pence each in London on Monday morning.

By Holly Beveridge; hollybeveridge@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Fidelity Asian Values PLC - provides equity exposure to Asian businesses considered mispriced - Net asset value per share ends July 31 at 507.78 pence, climbing 2.1% from 497.50p a year ago. Says that in the year to July 31, NAV including 1.8% dividend reinvestment grows 3.9%. Notes benchmark, the MSCI All Countries Asia ex Japan Small Cap Index, fell by 5.6% over same time period.

Pays a 59% higher dividend than a year ago at 14.00p per share versus 8.80p.

Meanwhile, Chair Kate Bolsover will retire from the board at the annual general meeting in 2023. Clare Brady will become chair at that time. This year's AGM will be held on November 23.

Looking ahead, Fidelity Asian Values says the long-term outlook for Asia Pacific excluding Japan equities remains positive and attractive for investors. "At a time when the world is becoming increasingly protectionist, Asia's robust domestic demand from an expanding middle class supports the outlook for the region. Nonetheless, the region remains vulnerable to a global slowdown and tightening of global financial condition," it says. Notes that Asian countries except for China have eased international border controls, releasing pent-up consumption demand into their markets.

Current stock price: 451.29 pence, up 1.0% on Monday

12-month change: down 6.5%

By Tom Budszus; tombudszus@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Rockfire Resources PLC shares plunged on Monday after it said it has raised GBP375,000 from a subscription of 300.0 million new shares at a big discount.

Rockfire said an unnamed UK institutional investor subscribed to 240.0 million new shares at a price of 0.125 pence per share, whilst a number of directors and a member of senior management subscribed to 60.0 million shares at the same price.

The issue price represents a 52% discount to the Rockfire's closing price of 0.26p on Friday.

Shares in the London-based gold and base metal exploration company were down 47% to 0.14 pence each in London on Monday around midday.

Following the subscription, the board and management will jointly hold 15% of the company's shares.

Rockfire said that the funds will be used to strengthen its balance sheet and help facilitate its planned geophysical survey and initial drilling programme at Molaoi. The company noted that it now has sufficient funds to do both, and they are expected to be completed by the end of June next year.

Molaoi is Rockfire's 100% owned zinc deposit in Greece.

"The company has submitted the relevant applications for the initial drilling programme and is eagerly awaiting the approvals. Our geophysical survey will commence shortly, with subsequent drilling to be directed at the strongest magnetic anomalies expected to be outlined by the geophysics," Chief Executive David Price added.

By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
(Alliance News) - Vodafone Group PLC on Monday said it is creating a joint venture with Altice Ltd to deploy fibre-to-the-home to up to seven million homes in Germany over a six-year period.

Vodafone is a Berkshire, England-based technology communications company which operates mobile and fixed networks in 22 countries, and partners with mobile networks in 47 more. Altice is a telecom, content, media and advertising business led by Patrick Drahi.

The joint venture, to be named FibreCo, is designed to complement Vodafone's upgrade plans for its existing hybrid fibre cable network.

FibreCo will be owned 50% by Vodafone Germany and 50% by Altice.

As part of the transaction, Vodafone is expected to receive from Altice of up to EUR1.2 billion in cash. This includes an upfront payment of EUR120.0 million at closing, additional deferred payments of up to EUR487.0 million once the first 1.5 million homes have been passed, and an earn-out of up to EUR595.0 million based on FibreCo's performance.

Approximately 80% of the roll-out will be focused around large housing associations in Vodafone's existing hybrid fibre cable network footprint which are interested in fibre upgrades.

The remaining 20% will be outside of Vodafone's current footprint, focusing on neighbouring homes.

Vodafone said FibreCo will benefit from its commercial expertise and relationships with housing associations, and Altice's unique fibre-to-the-home roll-out, wholesale and operational expertise.

FibreCo has contracted Geodesia, a subsidiary of Altice, for the majority of construction and maintenance.

"This significant infrastructure investment supports the country's social, economic and digital development and the broadband ambitions of the German government as part of Europe's Digital Decade targets", said Chief Executive Nick Read.

Vodafone expects FibreCo to be fully completed by the first half of 2023.

Vodafone shares were trading 0.3% higher at 99.86 pence each in London on Monday morning.

Altice Europe NV has an 18% shareholding in Vodafone peer BT Group PLC. BT shares up 0.5% at 123.30p.

By Holly Beveridge; hollybeveridge@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Monday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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IQE PLC - Cardiff, Wales-based semiconductor wafer products - Signs multi-year strategic agreement with a global consumer electronics leader based in Asia. Says the agreement is focused on the high-volume production of VCSELs for advanced 3D Sensing applications. The parties are also engaged in joint research and development for next generation sensing technologies and use cases. Chief Executive Americo Lemos says: "To secure this partnership with a consumer electronics company of this calibre, reaffirms our position as the leading global vendor of VCSEL products to the semiconductor industry."

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Insig AI PLC - London-based data science and machine learning - Signs data partnership agreement with BRAIN, a research company specialising in Natural Language Processing applications and algorithms for investment strategies. BRAIN will use Insig's FilingDB-Europe to access "valuable corporate filings and structured JSON text". Says this will allow them to "build a unique derived group of data points to bring investable actions to their hedge fund clients, focused on the European equities market."

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Amte Power PLC - London-based battery cell maker - Signs non-binding heads of terms to enter into a proposed GBP5 million convertible bond facility with Arena Investors LP. Says the facility will provide "general working capital" for the company into the second quarter of 2023 and give the company financial capability to secure and execute on production contracts with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre. The production contract with UKBIC is for Amte's six minute re-chargeable Ultra High Power cells. Says Arena will provide an interest free, unsecured bond facility to the company for a total amount of up to GBP5 million. Explains that it will be available for drawdown in three tranches: GBP3 million on completion of the proposed facility and two further tranches of GBP1 million each at least 60 days following drawdown of the previous tranche.

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Allergy Therapeutics PLC - West Sussex-based commercial biotechnology company - Says all resolutions at its general meeting have been passed and it has accordingly conditionally raised around GBP17 million through a subscription and debt financing. Says 35.0 million new shares will be admitted to trading on London's AIM and following this the company's issues share capital will consist of 679.1 million shares.

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Zenova Group PLC - Essex-based fire safety and thermal insulation products provider - Enters into a sub-distributor agreement with Robert Price (Builders Merchants) Ltd. Robert Price is a builders' merchants in South East Wales, with 27 branches across the region and surrounding areas. Under the agreement, Robert Price will stock Zenova's range of thermal insulation and fire safety solutions, selling them through its branches and online via its website. Robert Price will also have a permanent display of Zenova's solutions at its Sustainable Energy Centre in Newport. Says an initial order to stock Zenova's product range has been placed. Chief Executive Tony Crawley says: "Robert Price is a long-established and well-respected independent builders' merchant. They are strategically placed to help raise awareness of, and access to, Zenova's innovative range of solutions amongst its vast and varied client base."

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Trellus Health PLC - New York-based digital health platform provider - Signs two contracts with the Mount Sinai Health System to provide access to the Trellus Resilience Training and Self-Management Program for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Says the first contract will see Mount Sinai make the Trellus IBD program available to, and paid for, as a wellness benefit, to all Mount Sinai Health System employees, focusing initially on Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including Crohn's Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis. The second contract is to make the Trellus IBD program available to eligible patients, again as a wellness benefit, who are members of a large New York state labor union, which provides health services and benefits to its members through Mount Sinai. "We believe that these contracts reflect the importance of our solution to healthcare providers and employers who want to empower their patients and employees to master the art of self-management, manage their chronic conditions with confidence, and improve health outcomes at a significantly lower cost," says Chief Executive Marla Dubinsky.

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Malvern International PLC - London-based global learning and skills development company - Plans to complete a share reorganisation, in order to simplify its capital structure. It aims to longer have shares at a sub penny share price. Under the share reorganisation, 9,312 new shares will be issued at a price of 0.1 pence each to ensure that an exact whole number of consolidated ordinary shares will be issued. Then, the shares will be consolidated into consolidated ordinary shares on the basis of one consolidated ordinary share for each 20,000 shares. Each consolidated ordinary share will then be sub-divided into 200 new shares and 1,800 new deferred shares. Calls for general meeting to be held on November 2 at which the resolution will be proposed to implement the share reorganisation.

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US Solar Fund PLC - owns and operates solar power assets in North America - Undertakes strategic review "of the options available to the company to maximise value for shareholders." Says the board will consider options including, but not limited to, a "formal sales process." Explains that structural challenges in the US solar sector alongside a recent sustained discount of the share price to its net asset value have impeded the company's ability to grow its asset base. Says it has appointed Jefferies International Ltd and KeyBanc Capital Markets as joint financial advisers, and Cenkos Securities as joint corporate broker to assist with the strategic review. "The company is not in receipt of any approach, nor in any discussions with any potential offeror, at the time of this announcement," it says.

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Aferian PLC - business-to-business video streaming solutions company - Says remaining contingent consideration for its EUR3.3 million acquisition of Unit Media AS, formerly Nordija AS, has become payable. Aferian bought the company in May 2021. Says it will pay a final amount of EUR117,000, of which EUR26,910 will be settled in cash. The remaining EUR90,090 will be settled through the issue of 52,769 new shares at the price agreed at the date of the original acquisition of 148 pence per share. The contingent consideration shares have a lock-in period of 24 months from the date of the original acquisition.

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Lexington Gold Ltd - mineral explorer with projects in US - Raises around GBP500,000 through a placing of 10.5 million new shares priced at 4.75 pence each to new and existing shareholder. This is a 8.7% discount to the shares closing price of 5.20 pence on Friday, being the last business day before this announcement. Says the placing has triggered the automatic conversion of its GBP335,000 convertible loan and interest accrued to date of GBP20,100. Therefore, the company explains that it will issue a further 11.1 million new shares to the holders of the convertible loan notes at a fixed price of 3.2p per common share. "We are looking forward to exciting times ahead for Lexington, including the upcoming release of the maiden JORC Resource for the company's Jones-Keystone project which is expected in early November 2022," Chief Executive Bernard Olivier says.

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Kingswood Holdings Ltd - London-based wealth and investment management firm - Enters new debt facility with unnamed "global financial institution" to provide GBP50 million funding, with the ability to increase the commitment to GBP150 million if needed. Says the new debt facility, which has a maturity of seven years, will accelerate Kingswood's strategic growth plans and provide additional capital to fund future acquisitions. "We continue to invest in the Group across all dimensions and in terms of future acquisitions, we continue to have a strong pipeline with eight further transactions in exclusive due diligence," Chief Executive David Lawrence says.

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By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Monday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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Resolute Mining Ltd - Perth-based gold miner in Africa - Notes a recent Australian Financial Review article in relation to a potential equity raising. Says that it continuously reviews potential sources of funding, including debt and equity but has made no decision to seek alternative sources of funding.

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CVC Income & Growth Ltd - investment firm - Tenders 2.7 million euro shares at a tender price of EUR0.8884 per share. Tenders 4.0 million sterling shares at a price of GBP0.9705 each. Anticipates that payment for the September tender will be made on November 16.

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Corcel PLC - London-based mining and mineral resource development company - Enters into a memorandum of understanding for the reorganization of its battery metal mining interests in PNG into a new carried battery metal-led Asian joint venture. Intends to own 50% of the proposed JV. "We believe this proposed PNG restructuring, with its associated carry, and an ultimate Singapore listing, is the best way to bulk up and ultimately unlock the significant value in our battery metals portfolio," Executive Chair James Parsons comments.

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MetalNRG PLC - London-based investor in natural resources and energy - Says its application for summary judgement against BritEnergy Holdings LLP and BritNRG Ltd was granted by the High Court. Says the judge refused an application for leave to appeal made to her by the defendants. In January, it filed and served civil legal proceedings in the High Court against BritENERGY, Pierpoalo Rocco and BritNRG Ltd for a declaration and the recovery of monies paid to the LLP in 2021. Further, it demanded the repayment of investment made into BritENERGY after discovering that former board member Rocco held a substantial stake in a joint venture, which was not disclosed.

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Valereum PLC - Gibraltar-based AQSE-listed firm which links mainstream currency products denominated in USD and GBP into crypto currencies - Pretax loss in the first half of 2022 widens to GBP1.0 million, from GBP501,478 a year before. Administrative expenses jump to GBP1.0 million from GBP519,532. Records no revenue in the period from GBP11,210. "We remain focused on establishing the Gibraltar Stock Exchange not only as one of the world's first fully regulated exchanges crossing the digital divide, but also linking into markets not touched by other European exchanges. Combined with our plans for an NFT platform and listing on another European market, we believe we have the technology and experience to execute our plan and deliver value for shareholders," Chair Richard Poulden says.

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Audioboom Group PLC - London-based podcast producer - Records total revenue of USD57.1 million in the nine months to September 30, up 44% versus USD39.7 million a year ago. Attributes this to strong growth in its new global advertising marketplace Showcase. Revenue in its third-quarter fell to USD16.2 million from USD16.9 million, as global economic headwinds hurt advertising demand. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization more than doubles to USD2.7 million from USD1.2 million. "Despite a challenging quarter due to a downturn in the advertising market caused by deteriorating macro-economic conditions, Audioboom has continued in its mission to deliver value for podcast creators and advertisers while continuing to generate positive adjusted Ebitda and increasing cash reserves, reinforcing the robustness we have developed within the company," Chief Executive Stuart Last says.

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Atalaya Mining PLC - Cyprus-based copper producer - Mines a total of 3.6 million tonnes of ore during the third quarter of 2022, flat on the second quarter. Mines 5.8 million tonnes of waste, down versus 6.7 million tonnes, quarter-on-quarter. Continues to advance its exploration programme at Proyecto Masa Valverde. Remains fully committed to the development of the Touro copper project in Galicia. "Regardless of current challenges, we remain excited about many growth opportunities within Atalaya's asset portfolio and confident on the outlook for copper. It is evident that more copper supply will be required to fuel the global energy transition, and that high-quality assets in safe jurisdictions will become increasingly scarce. These views are clearly shared by the diversified majors, who have been active in pursuing copper growth in recent months," Chief Executive Alberto Lavandeira says.

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Foresight Sustainable Forestry Co PLC - London-based forestry investment trust, managed by private equity firm Foresight Group LLP - Buys five properties costing GBP7.9 million over the last two months. The acquisitions increase its portfolio by roughly 700 hectares and its total portfolio now covers 9,751 hectares. "Recent market volatility has created increased uncertainty within equity and debt markets. Whilst we believe that UK forestry is relatively resilient to market turbulence, it is of course important that we consider all potential impacts in our strategic decisions and as we carefully grow our UK portfolio. We will be closely monitoring market developments and remaining dynamic in our approach to the management of the company," Co-Heads Richard Kelly and Robert Guest says.

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Cordel Group PLC - London-based artificial intelligence platform for transport corridor analytics - Pretax loss in the year ended June 30 broadly flat at GBP1.2 million. Employee benefits expenses jump to GBP2.2 million from GBP1.7 million. Revenue rises 34% to GBP2.3 million from GBP1.7 million. Attributes this to a stronger second half. "Building on momentum from financial 2021, we enjoyed increasing engagement with our target markets in financial 2022, however, customer decision timeframes were unusually stretched out, impacting revenue. A stronger second half led to an overall 34% revenue growth, but importantly we now hold a sizeable sales pipeline resulting from the decision backlog," Chief Executive Nick Smith says.

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Ironveld PLC - South Africa-focused exploration and development company - Says Enernet installed a pre-operations power supply at the Rustenburg smelter that is being used to test and recommission the plant. Says the smelter refurbishment is on schedule and first production is anticipated in the first quarter of 2023. Expects the full completion of Enernet's optimised power solution in the third quarter of 2023.

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Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust PLC - investor in solar parks, wind farms and hydroelectric plants in UK, Sweden and Finland - Notes that the UK government's proposal to introduce a "cost-plus-revenue limit" on renewable generators and the European Commission's proposal for price caps for renewable generators. Expects that roughly 59% of its revenue to 2025 from 2023 will come from its UK portfolio. Adds that this will decrease to 46% in the period to 2035 from 2026.

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City Of London Investment Trust PLC - aims for long-term growth in income and capital by investing in London-listed equities - Funds under management as at September 30 stands at USD8.51 billion, down versus USD9.22 billion as at June 30. Attributes decline largely to wider discounts in very weak market conditions. Declares a final dividend of 22 pence per share, bringing its total dividend to 46.5 pence, up from 33p a year before.

----------

By Abby Amoakuh; abbyamoakuh@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Wildcat Petroleum PLC on Monday said it has signed a deal with the Sudanese government to help develop its oil sector.

Wildcat Petroleum is an Uxbridge, England-based company targeting investment opportunities in the upstream sector of the petroleum industry, namely the exploration, appraisal, development and production of oil and gas.

Under a memorandum of understanding, the company has agreed to work in collaboration with the Sudan Oil Ministry to advance the development and commercial exploitation of hydrocarbon assets in Sudan.

Wildcat shares were 55% higher at 1.70 pence each in London on Monday morning.

The ultimate aim of the venture is to increase overall oil production in Sudan by 100,000 barrels per day by developing specific land blocks in the south of the country.

Wildcat will focus on four blocks, which together contain over one billion barrels of oil, and are already connected to petroleum transport infrastructure and other facilities.

Both the Sudanese Petroleum Corp and Wildcat recognised the significant investment that would be required to make this possible, Wildcat said.

It has been in preliminary talks with potential funding partners for some time, many of whom would be capable of providing both the scale of investment required and additional technical resources, Wildcat said.

The company itself does not expect to fund significant capital expenditure.

"A lot of work has gone on in the background in the past year both in terms of assessing third party finance options as well as drawing up operational oil production development plans with the government," said Wildcat Chair Mandhir Singh.

"With oil prices hovering at historical highs, it is the intention of the company to proceed quickly to signing its first production sharing agreement with the Sudanese government."

The agreement is for an initial period to December 31, with the option to extend pending approval from both parties.

By Holly Beveridge; hollybeveridge@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
After a hugely successful inaugural summer flight programme between New York and Palma this year, United Airlines are increasing their flights from the States to Spain and will be offering the most destinations of any U.S. airline as part of its transatlantic expansion.

By the 2023 summer season, United will be the second largest U.S. carrier in Spain, behind only American Airlines.

According to data obtained by Aviacionline through Cirium, United will have a capacity of 19,760 seats per week between the U.S. and Spain for summer of 2023, a 21.4% increase over the previous seasons offering.

The Chicago-based airline, unlike other carriers that concentrate much of their operations to major Spanish cities, will focus its network on leisure-oriented destinations, offering its customers more travel options for their vacations.

This summer the company inaugurated new services from Newark (EWR) to Tenerife  South (TFS) and Palma (PMI), the latter being the most profitable route for United in Spain.

The company is also preparing another new Spanish destination from its main transatlantic hub to Malaga (AGP), where it will be the only North American carrier with a non-stop connection on the Costa del Sol.
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
We all have our own hugot stories and unique experiences in finding The One. Sure, it can be a long and challenging process for many, but all these will be worth it when you finally experience the magical moment of finding your perfect match. The feeling is no different when youre shopping online. It takes trust and strong commitment to get to the next big step of buying big-ticket items, particularly properties and cars available online.

To help buyers -- and sellers -- find the perfect match online, Carousell Philippines, the leading online classifieds marketplace in the country, has launched its newest campaign, Find the One for Every Want to help Filipinos experience the joy and satisfaction of finding The One  the exact item that theyre looking for so they can confirm for themselves that truly, #MayKiligSaCarousell!

Weve seen how consumers searching for items online are confronted with so many confusing choices. With this campaign, we want to help buyers navigate the online clutter so they can find exactly what they are searching for - even if its their dream home or their first car. The new campaign aims to educate users on the features and tools that are available to them on Carousell so they can experience the joy in finding the listing that perfectly matches their needs, said Djon Nacario, General Manager, Carousell Philippines.

Heres how Carousell makes it more exciting, fun, and easier for you to find your perfect match:

It showcases a variety of options to match your exact needs. Carousell offers so much more than preloved clothes, mobile phones, bags and shoes. In fact, it has thousands of legitimate listings for property and cars that match every life stage. For instance, users with growing families who are looking for a bigger house or singles who are planning to move out of their parents house can surely find the right property that matches their needs on Carousell.

Moreover, its easy-to-navigate interface helps users quickly find The One property or car that theyre looking for! Searching for a second-hand car? Simply click on Cars then filter the results according to location, budget and model in one page. And if you have specifics in mind, you can further narrow down the options to include mileage, fuel type and even plate number for specific coding days! Were very single-minded in our intention to help our users find the perfect listing that match their exact need, adds Djon.

Its easy to navigate. Finding The One car or property that youre looking for is fast and easy. Once youre in the Property or Cars section, you can filter the results without going through different pages. The site is packed with features that make buying and selling so user-friendly. The options are very straightforward and all you need to do is type in what youre looking for, then tick the filter options to match what youre looking for. Press Enter and choose from the results that are based on your specific preferences. Its so quick and easy!

It is a human-to-human marketplace. Want to know if the property you want to buy or rent is facing the morning sun? Or if the car youre eyeing is still sporting its original color? At Carousell, you can chat directly with the seller and they can give you information that agents usually wouldnt know. This way, you can make informed decisions that will help lead you to the listing that matches your needs! And if youre extra lucky, you can even haggle and get good deals and discounted prices too!

With over 50,000 homes and properties starting at PHP1.2M listed on Carousell, finding The One property that youre looking for should be a breeze. No need to spend long hours going to search results that are not relevant to what you need. Just a few clicks and swipes and you can quickly filter through all the property listings. As the results of your search start loading in, youll definitely feel giddy and excited to check out the results based on the size, budget, location and structure that you require.

Apart from finding what youre looking for, the kilig also comes from having peace of mind. Thats because Carousell also boasts of the Inspected badge for second-hand cars available on the platform. Cars that carry this badge have undergone a comprehensive 188-point inspection process that looks into a car's mechanical and electrical functions, in and out of the vehicle; as well as the cars body frame itself, engine bay, undercarriage, and even the car's registration. Qualified vehicles also carry an Eligible for Warranty badge so users can choose if they want to purchase used cars with warranty. These features give buyers of second-hand cars the confidence and peace of mind they need when searching and making a purchase.

To make sure online buyers and sellers know about these features and benefits, the new Carousell campaign will also include a series of fun online videos, articles, and informative posts to help users find the perfect property or car on the Carousell platform!

So, want to skip the daunting process of finding your perfect match? Dont forget to visit www.carousell.ph or download the app on Google Play or Apple App Store for more exciting, fun time finding The One. property and car for you. Indeed, #MayKiligSaCarousell!












King Charles is set to break with tradition and become the first British monarch since the 19th century to not use Buckingham Palace as their main place of residence.

It has become the norm for the reigning monarch and their immediate family to live at Buckingham Palace and use it as their home. Charles, however, has no plans to move into the Palace in what is likely to be a controversial stance.

Charles enters Buckingham Palace for the first time as King

The late Queen Elizabeth herself was reluctant to make the Palace her home when she ascended to the throne, but eventually accepted that the tradition should be maintained. Charles going in a different direction so early in his reign is perhaps a signal of his intent to be his own King and do things his way, rather than follow in the understated footsteps of his mother.

A different kind of monarch

Royalists have long been concerned that Charles would be a meddling king, one who would not accept his role as a constitutional monarch and want to instead make changes. By turning his back on almost 200 years of tradition, this is perhaps a message that those fears were well placed.

For now, Charles has made it clear that he wishes to remain at Clarence House, which is a short walk from the Palace. He will continue to use Buckingham Palace as his administrative headquarters.

Many houses to choose from

A source told the Sunday Times that neither Charles nor Camilla are 'fans' of Buckingham Palace. They have plenty of other options, of course, as when not at Clarence House, they will divide their time between their homes at Highgrove in Gloucestershire, Sandringham in Norfolk, and Birkhall on the Balmoral estate.

"I know he is no fan of 'the big house,' as he calls the palace," said one source.

"He doesn't see it as a viable future home or a house that's fit for purpose in the modern world. He feels that its upkeep, both from a cost and environmental perspective, is not sustainable."

It remains to be seen what plan Charles has for Buckingham Palace and how he will use it. What's certain is that we are now in a new and very different era for the British Crown.
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
Appel a candidatures CHEMONICS/GGA

1. CONTEXTE

Chemonics International, une societe internationale de developpement basee a Washington, DC, est a la recherche de candidats pour un projet anticipe sur la promotion de letat de droit finance par l'USAID en RDC. Le projet vise a ameliorer la gestion financiere des ressources publiques afin daccroitre la transparence, la responsabilite et la disponibilite des ressources locales pour le developpement de la RDC. Lactivite de bonne gouvernance de lUSAID se concentrera egalement sur lamelioration de la transparence et de la responsabilite dans la gestion des finances publiques des ressources minieres. Le projet travaillera avec des entites gouvernementales nationales et locales, des organisations de la societe civile et le secteur prive pour promouvoir ces objectifs. Nous recherchons des specialistes de niveau intermediaire et superieur (a court et a long terme) dans les domaines enumeres ci-dessous. Veuillez noter que tous les postes sont sujets a lattribution du projet a Chemonics. Nous recherchons des personnes qui ont la passion de faire une difference dans la vie des gens du monde entier.

2. Resume des postes

Chef du Projet

Chef Adjoint du Projet

Specialistes du renforcement des finances et des achats des administrations nationales, provinciales et locales

Specialistes de la mobilisation des recettes interieures

Specialistes de la gestion des finances publiques

Specialistes de la societe civile et de lengagement civique

Specialistes de la gouvernance du secteur des mineraux

Specialistes de la responsabilisation publique

Specialistes de lengagement du secteur prive

Specialistes du suivi, de levaluation et de lapprentissage

Specialistes des communications

3. Qualifications

Les candidat (es) ideales possedent les qualifications suivantes :

Capacite demontree dans les domaines techniques enumeres ci-dessus.

Capacite demontree dans la collaboration efficace avec les entites gouvernementales pour developper et gerer le changement organisationnel aux niveaux national et local

Experience dans les approches efficaces pour traiter des programmes tres complexes et sensibles

Maitrise du francais et de langlais ecrits et parles (niveau de travail professionnel) requises

Experience anterieure de la supervision dequipes ou de consultants sur des projets complexes finances par des donateurs ; experience anterieure sur les projets de lUSAID preferee.

Experience de travail en collaboration avec des gouvernements etrangers, des donateurs internationaux et des organisations locales

Experience de travail dans les provinces et les Entites Territoriales Decentralisees (ETD)

Excellentes competences en communication ecrite et orale

Leadership, polyvalence et integrite demontres

4. Comment postuler?

Veuillez soumettre votre candidature par ce formulaire (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4dbe88d5f30f4bd6b82e1c3a9d672fda). La date limite pour soumission des candidatures est le 28 octobre 2022. Chemonics invitera des candidats qualifies aux entretiens au fur et a mesure de leur reception donc sil vous plait postuler sans delai. Seuls les candidats retenus seront contactes. Pour plus dinformation sur Chemonics, veuillez visiter www.chemonics.com

La protection de vos donnees personnelles est importante pour Chemonics. Si vous residez dans lUnion europeenne, veuillez lire notre Avis de confidentialite des donnees de recrutement de lUE pour savoir comment nous traitons vos donnees personnelles. Pour plus dinformations, veuillez lire lavis de confidentialite des donnees de recrutement de lUE ici : https://chemonics.com/eu-recruiting-data-privacy-notice/



Chemonics International est un employeur qui respecte legalite dans le domaine du travail. Les candidatures feminines sont fortement encouragees.

Ressources

------------------ ANGLAIS

RECRUITMENT NOTICE

Chemonics International/Good Governance Activity

5. BACKGROUND

Chemonics International, an international development company based in Washington, DC, is seeking candidates for an anticipated project on good governance funded by USAID in the DRC. The project aims to improve the financial management of public resources to increase the transparency, accountability and availability of local resources for DRCs development. USAIDs Good Governance Activity will also focus on improving transparency and accountability in the public financial management of mining resources. The project will work with national and local government entities, civil society organizations, and the private sector to promote these goals. We are seeking mid- and senior-level specialists (short-term and long-term) in the fields listed below. Please note that all positions are subject to project award. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

6. Job Summary

Chief of Party

Deputy Chief of Party

National, Provincial, and Local Government Finance and Procurement Strengthening Specialists

Domestic Revenue Mobilization Specialists

Public Financial Management Specialists

Civil Society and Civic Engagement Specialists

Minerals Sector Governance Specialists

Public Accountability Specialists

Private Sector Engagement Specialists

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialists

Communications Specialists

7. Qualifications

Ideal candidates are expected to have the following qualifications:

Demonstrated experience in the technical areas listed above.

Demonstrated experience in working effectively with government entities to develop and manage organizational change at national and local levels

Experience in effective approaches to address highly complex and sensitive programming

Proficiency (professional working level) in French and English

Prior experience supervising teams or consultants on complex donor-funded projects; previous experience on USAID projects preferred.

Experience working collaboratively with foreign governments, international donors, and local organizations

Experience working in provinces and ETDs

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity

Leadership, polyvalence et integrite demontres

8. Application Instructions

Please submit your application using this form (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4dbe88d5f30f4bd6b82e1c3a9d672fda). The deadline for submitting applications is October 21, 2022. Chemonics will interview qualified candidates on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. Only successful applicants will be contacted. For more information on Chemonics, please visit www.chemonics.com

The protection of your personal data is important to Chemonics. If you are located in the European Union, please read our EU Recruiting Data Privacy Notice to learn how we process your personal data. For more information, please read the EU Recruiting Data Privacy Notice here: https://chemonics.com/eu-recruiting-data-privacy-notice/

Chemonics International is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are strongly encouraged.

Human Resources

Chemonics International
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
The Air Force is slowly returning its C-130 Hercules to service after grounding the aircraft earlier this month after cracks in a part that holds the propeller were discovered on many older models.

In total, 116 C-130Hs were determined to be potentially affected by the issue, Air Mobility Command told Military.com earlier this month. As of this week, two planes have returned to service and others will eventually be cleared.

"As of this time, two aircraft have been returned to service," Air Mobility Command spokesman Maj. Beau Downey told Military.com in an emailed statement Monday.

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The majority of the C-130H fleet was grounded earlier this month when an issue with the propeller barrel assembly was first discovered at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.

"During a post-depot operation engine run check at Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, the maintenance crew encountered a persistent leak on one of their C-130H propellers," Air Mobility Command said in an emailed statement Oct. 4. "When the propeller assembly was removed and turned into the WR-ALC Prop Shop, a technician noted a crack in the propeller barrel assembly."

Despite the slow process of returning the C-130Hs to the air, Air Mobility Command said in Monday's statement that "we continue to have sufficient airlift to meet our global requirements."

Similar issues have popped up for the C-130Hs in the past. More than 100 of the cargo aircraft were temporarily removed from service after wing cracks were discovered during routine maintenance in August 2019, Military.com previously reported.

And earlier in 2019, 60 C-130H Hercules aircraft were taken out of service to examine and replace engine propeller blades that inspectors deemed risky because the blades were manufactured before 1971.

Replacing the propeller blades due to the latest issue will take quite a while, according to Air Mobility Command, and the service is looking for ways to move the inspections along.

"We are looking at multiple avenues for accelerating the fixes, but anticipate the process to safely inspect and if necessary replace the affected propellers will take some time," Downey said in an emailed statement.

The C-130 Hercules is just the latest aircraft to be grounded by the service.

In mid-August, Air Force Special Operations Command ordered all its CV-22 Ospreys to stop flying after recording four hard clutch engagements since 2017, an issue in which power surges into one of the two engines on the aircraft. None of those incidents happened in combat, and none was fatal.

By September, the Ospreys were cleared to fly again, but the root problem still hasn't been identified.

In late July, Air Combat Command grounded its fleet of F-35A Lightning II jets and the 19th Air Force's Air Education and Training Command stopped flying nearly 300 of its T-38 Talon and T-6 Texan II training planes over concerns about their ejection seats after a recall was issued on a part.

By mid-August, the F-35s and training planes were back in the air.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: Air Force Grounds C-130Hs to Examine Propeller Barrel Cracks
Mandatory training is an often unpleasant, time-consuming fact of life in the Army, but some reserve commanders want to rethink how big of a priority it is.

The Army requires soldiers to sit through roughly a dozen training courses per year, such as suicide prevention and cyber security fundamentals. Though the courses cover service priorities, they often boil down to soldiers clicking their way through dull online training.

The courses also eat up valuable time that is in short supply, especially for those serving in the National Guard and reserve. They are difficult for the reserve components to squeeze into their already tight training schedules.

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"I basically have to lock everyone in a computer room for a day or two to get my numbers up when they could be training," a National Guard colonel told Military.com on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press. "Sure, I can be up to date, but those things have nothing to do with my ability to go to war."

Some Army officials are encouraging leaders in the force to better organize their formations' time and place less of an emphasis on the mandatory training.

"When I became chief, that was one of the biggest complaints I got," Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told Military.com. "Soldiers sign up, and airmen, and no one really wants to spend a weekend doing [the training]. So, [we] basically got it down to one time a year, and the rest of the year they should be good."

Hokanson said he encouraged commanders under him to pick one drill weekend a year for soldiers to knock out the training.

But even when consolidated, the courses take up a sizable chunk of the Guard's training time.

National Guard and reserve units usually train only two to three days per month and conduct a field exercise for two to three weeks in the summer. Those units have to juggle the same requirements as the active-duty force, including qualifying on their weapons, passing fitness tests and staying sharp on their military jobs -- all while juggling their civilian lives.

For both components, one weekend is already set aside for yearly health exams, in many cases, with another one or two commonly set aside for a holiday party or ceremonies. Furthermore, part-time units may have limited access to Defense Department computers used for mandatory training.

Some of the service's top officials, such as Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, have tried to get commanders to reevaluate training priorities, though none has suggested tossing out all mandatory courses.

"Where do we assume risk? We have to take a look at what real combat is and what lethality means," Command Sgt. Major. Andrew Lombardo, the Army Reserve's top enlisted leader, said at an Army conference in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 11. "There's value to the required training. But if we have to make a choice between being combat ready and that mandatory training, my command is going to give or take risks on those mandatory requirements."

Commanders do have the power to direct formations to skip training, but that decision comes with risk. For example, if suicide prevention was cut from a unit's training schedule, there could be self-harm among the soldiers and that could also reflect poorly on the commander.

However, the Army did eliminate a handful of mandatory courses in 2018, including media awareness training. That move was spurred by former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' directive for service leaders to audit their training requirements.

"It is this type of burdensome requirement that unnecessarily weighs down our

Army from focusing on its core mission," Army Secretary Mark Esper, who later served as defense secretary, and Gen. Mark Milley, who served as Army chief of staff at the time, said in a memo.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: Time in the Field, Longer School. The Army's Basic Leader Course May Get a Big Overhaul.
Service members and families stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam could be without water for another week or longer after breaks in primary pipes on Friday cut off service to most of the base.

The breaks left thousands of homes in the Hawaii base community without safe drinking water and forced the closure of all but one of the base's 12 child development centers, according to the Navy. The service said repairs will take seven to 10 days.

The latest headache over potable water comes just as the base had begun to recover and move on from fuel spills at the Red Hill storage depot that contaminated tap water in the very same homes last fall. Those earlier spills may have sickened nearly 2,000 residents and forced hundreds to seek medical treatment.

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On Monday, the base told residents that water usage "is restricted to essential use only" -- namely personal hygiene and bathroom use. Furthermore, the base remains under a boil water advisory for any water that would be used for drinking or cooking.

A 36-inch break in a water line was discovered Friday morning, and smaller breaks were later discovered in several other areas, Capt. Mark Sohaney, the base commander, wrote in an Oct. 14 letter. Sohaney said that the repairs were "ongoing" in an update Monday.

"Fixing a line of this size presents an engineering challenge and there hasn't been any easy fixes," Sohaney wrote Sunday in a Facebook post. The Navy says it is looking "at about 7-10 days" as the current estimate to repair the damaged water system.

The Navy has been distributing water since the main broke but noted in public communications it would be limited to one gallon per person in each household per day. Barracks residents were issued bottled water, according to Sohaney.

But the impacts spread beyond the thousands of homes and closure of child development centers. Commands on base also lowered their manning to minimal levels, and base services like clinics and other medical facilities were affected, according to the Navy. However, schools are currently open, and the Navy says dining facilities are running as usual.

As the situation developed, Sohaney posted messages and updates to the base's Facebook page, and he participated in an online town hall on Sunday. However, the Navy's reputation on base, especially on the topic of water safety, has been tarnished by its handling of the Red Hill fuel spill.

Sohaney's predecessor, Capt. Erik Spitzer, notably told base residents in late November there were "no immediate indications that the water is not safe," adding that "my staff and I are drinking the water on base this morning, and many of my team live in housing and drink and use the water as well." The next day, though, the Hawaii Health Department advised residents to avoid drinking or using the water in any way.

On Dec. 5, Spitzer publicly apologized for trusting the initial test results and misleading the sailors and families living on base. In June, he was awarded the Legion of Merit -- an award that cited "his response to the Red Hill water contamination incident" -- ahead of his retirement.

A law firm that represents families impacted by the fuel spill said that "this event is adding trauma to the families already traumatized by jet fuel contamination last year" in a letter sent Sunday to the four-star admiral who commands the Pacific Fleet, Adm. Sam Paparo.

The letter also urged Paparo to step up medical care for family members and impacted civilians, as well as give sick families a chance to leave their assigned houses or transfer off the island.

"The additional crisis provides a new opportunity for the Navy to do right by these families, and take the corrective action requested of you all along," the letter says.

The break has also forced a halt to the efforts to drain and close the Red Hill facility, though the base is assuring residents that is "to limit the number of people on the installation to decrease the amount of water being used" and not any concern over new contamination or leak.

This latest water crisis also comes just days after the Navy admitted that sailors aboard another aircraft carrier have had to deal with concerns about their drinking water while at sea. The USS Abraham Lincoln is dealing with a contamination of E. coli, a source for which has not been identified.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Commander Retires with Award After Red Hill Disaster -- and Mistakenly Telling Residents to Drink the Tainted Water
MOSCOW  A Russian warplane crashed Monday into a residential area in a Russian city on the Sea of Azov after suffering engine failure, leaving at least 13 people dead, three of whom died when they jumped from upper floors of a nine-story apartment building to escape a massive blaze.

A Su-34 bomber came down in the port city of Yeysk after one of its engines caught fire during takeoff for a training mission, the Russian Defense Ministry said. It said both crew members bailed out safely, but the plane crashed into a residential area, causing a fire as tons of fuel exploded on impact.

After hours of combing through the charred debris of the building, authorities said 13 residents, including three children, were found dead. Another 19 were hospitalized with injuries.

Vice governor of the region, Anna Menkova, said three of the four victims died when they jumped from the upper floors of the building in a desperate attempt to escape the flames, according to the RIA-Novosti news agency.

The authorities reserved emergency rooms at local hospitals and scrambled medical aircraft. Over 500 residents were evacuated and provided with temporary accommodations.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed about the crash and dispatched the ministers of health and emergencies along with the local governor to the site. Yeysk, a city of 90,000, is home to a big Russian air base.

Surveillance cam videos posted on Russian messaging app channels showed a plane exploding in a giant fireball. Other videos showed an apartment building engulfed by flames and loud bangs from the apparent detonation of the warplane's weapons.

The Su-34 is a supersonic twin-engine bomber equipped with sophisticated sensors and weapons that has been a key strike component of the Russian air force. The aircraft has seen wide use during the war in Syria and the fighting in Ukraine.

Monday's accident marked the 10th reported non-combat crash of a Russian warplane since Moscow sent its troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24. Military experts have noted that as the number of Russian military flights increased sharply during the fighting, so did the crashes.
More than a quarter of the candidates on the ballot in November who have publicly denied or raised questions or doubts about the legitimacy of the 2020 election have served or are serving in the military, an analysis by The War Horse has found. These include congressional candidates from a major political party as well as candidates for governor, secretary of state, and state attorney general -- positions that oversee elections.

These baseless allegations of fraud follow President Donald Trump's 2020 election loss by more than 7 million popular votes and by 306-232 in the Electoral College. Yet some veterans running for office have used their military records to add credence to their false claims -- undermining faith in the very systems they swore to defend.

Election officials in every state have confirmed that there were no major electoral problems, a finding echoed in multiple Republican-led audits. More than 60 lawsuits alleging election impropriety have been thrown out. And an Associated Press investigation found fewer than 475 instances of potential voter fraud across the country, out of tens of millions of votes cast.

But claims of voter fraud and other irregularities in the 2020 election persist. Building on an analysis by FiveThirtyEight, The War Horse found more than 335 Republican candidates on the ballot this November who have publicly denied or raised questions or doubts about the security of the election -- in interviews, public statements, or comments reported on in the press, on social media, or through actions that include joining legal challenges or objecting to certifying the electoral college vote on Jan. 6. Of these candidates, 96 served in the military -- around 28%.

These veterans include high-ranking flag officers and decorated special operators, including Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets, and a Marine Raider, as well as Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipients. Some of them held up their military service as proof of their dedication to democracy, even as they questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process.

"I put my life on the line in the US Army to defend democracy at home and abroad," John James, a West Point graduate who is currently running for a House seat in Michigan, wrote in a request to delay certifying election results after losing his 2020 U.S. Senate race by more than 92,000 votes. "The people of the state of Michigan deserve election outcomes that they can trust."

Collectively, these candidates have served in every branch of the military except the Space Force, and their service spans seven decades. At least 12 candidates who have raised doubts about the 2020 election are currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard.

Veterans on the ballot who have questioned election results include newcomers to politics -- like Eli Crane, a former Navy SEAL running for Congress in Arizona who has claimed the election was marred by fraud -- as well as long-time incumbents, like California Rep. Darrell Issa, an Army veteran who has served 10 House terms. On Jan. 8, 2020, he tweeted, "It is in America's enduring national interest that we do not ignore what we know to be wrong with the 2020 elections."

The degree to which veteran candidates have questioned the election varies. Some have promoted baseless conspiracy theories, like Calvin Wimbish, who retired as a colonel after 33 years in the Army, including as a Green Beret, and is running for Congress in Florida. Wimbish told Florida Politics that he believed Donald Trump was the true winner of the 2020 election. "I believe that he had the right to win based on the truth of what should have been," he said, arguing that voting machines had been hacked to delete Trump votes -- a claim that is not backed up by evidence. Others have clearly stated that Joe Biden is the legitimate president but have promoted the false narrative of widespread voter fraud or other irregularities.

Many candidates had notable careers in the military before turning to public office. Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels, who said at a candidates' town hall this summer that there "certainly was [voter] fraud" in the 2020 election, commanded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the ceremonial Honor Guard during his time in the Army. Mark Green, who is running for reelection for his House seat in Tennessee, served as a special operations flight surgeon after graduating from West Point and was part of the team that captured Saddam Hussein. Green voted to object to certifying electors from Pennsylvania and Arizona on Jan. 6.

Flag officers on the ballot who have questioned the integrity or results of the 2020 election include Jack Bergman, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general; retired Navy Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, who served as Donald Trump's White House physician; retired Army Brig. Gen. Don Bolduc; retired Brig. Gen. Scott Perry, who served as assistant adjutant general for the Pennsylvania National Guard; and Maj. Gen. Trent Kelly, who currently serves as assistant adjutant general of the Mississippi Army National Guard.

While Americans' trust in the military has declined, it still towers over the nation's faith in Congress -- a Gallup poll this summer showed that 71% of Republicans and 67% of Democrats had a great deal or a lot of confidence in the military. For Congress, those numbers are 5% and 10%, respectively. Both Republicans and Democrats have looked to capitalize on Americans' trust in the military by recruiting veteran candidates, though veterans tend to run as conservatives. This year, veteran candidates made up about 17% of candidates in congressional primaries, with nearly three-quarters of them running as Republicans.

Some of the loudest veteran voices denying the election did not advance past the primaries. Eric Greitens, a former Navy SEAL who ran for the Missouri Republican Senate primary, frequently promoted false claims about election fraud. Greitens' campaign made headlines this summer after he released an ad in which he carried a shotgun, surrounded by men in military gear, and told viewers, "Today, we're going RINO [Republican in name only] hunting. ... There's no bagging limit, no tagging limit, and it doesn't expire until we save our country." Greiten lost his Senate primary bid.

Yet some conservative veteran candidates who advanced to the November election continue to use combat-themed campaign rhetoric and imagery, and often frame their political ambitions as a continuation of their service. In a campaign ad on his website, J.R. Majewski, who is running for Congress in Ohio, walks towards viewers, holding a semiautomatic rifle. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to return this country back to its former glory," he says. "I will hold my own and demand that once again, America stands independent and strong, like the country that I fought for."

In a video for a political action committee that supports SEALs and combat veteran candidates, Ryan Zinke, the former secretary of the interior under President Trump and a former Navy SEAL who is running for Congress in Montana, says, "As SEALs and combat veterans, we took a blood oath to support and defend the constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Today we face our most important mission: defeating Nancy Pelosi and her radical liberals in Congress."

Several political action committees recruit conservative special operators and combat veterans in particular to run for office. There are at least five former Navy SEALs, including Zinke, and three former Green Berets on the ballot who have raised doubts about the security of the election, as well as over two dozen combat veterans -- though two candidates have recently been accused of exaggerating their combat experience: Majewski and Tyler Kistner, a congressional candidate in Minnesota. Diego Morales, who is running for secretary of state in Indiana, has been accused of exaggerating his military service generally.

Some of the veterans on the upcoming ballot tout their military record specifically to try to add legitimacy to their false claims about the 2020 election. Doug Mastriano, who is running for governor of Pennsylvania, often refers to his lengthy military career as an Army intelligence officer. He shared images of himself in uniform so often that the Army reached out to his campaign in August to remind him of a Department of Defense regulation that political candidates shown in uniform must include a disclaimer that they are not endorsed by the military.

The day after winning his 2020 state Senate race, Mastriano penned an op-ed demanding Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar resign immediately for what he called her failure to secure the election.

"I spent 30 years in the Army defending American freedoms, including the right to elect our representatives," Mastriano wrote, saying he had repeatedly raised questions to Boockvar about election security. "I shared my concerns that elections in Afghanistan, in my experience, are more secure than elections in Pennsylvania." He did not question his own election night win.

The Database

Below is a database of candidates for governor, secretary of state, state attorney general, the House, and the Senate who have served or are serving in the U.S. military and who have publicly denied, questioned, or raised doubts about the 2020 election and its results. Our analysis builds on analyses of candidates published by FiveThirtyEight and Bloomberg. Data about candidates' military service is taken from information available in the public domain. If you have updates about candidates or their service, please contact The War Horse. You can read our full methodology at the bottom of the page.

Sonner Kehrt/The War Horse

Methodology:

The politics site FiveThirtyEight looked at the 2020 election stance of all Republican nominees running for governor, secretary of state, state attorney general, and Congress. We downloaded their data and found that out of 551 total candidates, 262 raised doubts or questions about the election, and 18 avoided answering the question. Ninety candidates fully accepted the results and 105 had no comment or there was no information available. We looked at the publicly available information about the military service of all Republican candidates on campaign and public office websites, in news reports, or on social media and LinkedIn. We also compared FiveThirtyEight's database to a similar analysis by Bloomberg, and we reviewed news reports about and social media posts by Republican veteran candidates.

Ultimately, we found 336 candidates who either publicly denied the results, raised doubts or questions about the election, or actively avoided answering the question when asked. (Candidates who emailed FiveThirtyEight, or their collaborator ABC News, their stance on the election but did not have other publicly available comments or actions suggesting doubt or raising questions about the election were not included in our analysis. We also did not include candidates who referred broadly to "electoral integrity" as an issue but avoided making more specific comments.)

Of these 336 candidates, 96 candidates represent as serving or having served in the military -- over 28%.

This War Horse investigation was reported by Sonner Kehrt, edited by Kristin Davis, fact-checked by Ben Kalin, and copy-edited by Mitchell Hansen-Dewar. Headlines are by Abbie Bennett. Prepublication review was completed by BakerHostetler.

Editors Note: This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter
Jennifer Barnhill is a columnist for Military.com writing about military families.

Kaitlin Erkkila's son was losing weight to the point of starvation. She went to the doctor 17 times seeking a referral to find an answer. Her husband returned from deployment and got the referral in one appointment. It was leukemia.

Two years later, his younger brother was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

While her husband was deployed, Kaitlin has wiped tears, including her own; learned medical terminology; and attended 258 medical appointments over the course of a year. She has gotten good at appearing resilient, and contrary to popular belief, that is a bad thing.

Military families are used to "making it work" and "embracing the suck." But as Americans become increasingly comfortable with embracing vulnerability, what happens when being resilient no longer serves you or your family? Or worse yet, what if it does more harm than good?

Unfortunately, resilience is not something that the military family community can opt out of. When situations are hard, they must get through it, get over it or move on. And it's not just adults who are expected to measure up against expected hardship. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife, Hollyanne, visited Sesame Street in honor of April, the Month of the Military Child, praising the resiliency of military kids.

"No matter what challenges you face or what comes your way, you bounce back and always do your best," said Hollyanne.

Their intentions can't be faulted. Without a doubt, they want to recognize the hardships faced by military kids.

"No matter how high the mountain or how wide the river, all of our military kids are resilient enough to climb the mountain or cross the river," Gen. Milley remarked.

What wasn't said was, I will work my hardest to remove the mountain from your path and build bridges so you don't have to work so hard to keep your head above water. Military family programming exists to support families through the expected, but stops short of working to make achievable improvements. The Department of Defense expects military life to require resilience. It doesn't expect to have to make it suck less.

Erkkila learned that her resilience was being held against her during a phone call she received from a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) case manager. "You haven't been selected for my case list, but I had to give you a call," Erkkila was told. The case manager proceeded to recount her supervisor's reasoning:

"This is a mom, who came in and presented as clean, dressed, she's educated. She has a master's degree, and that is, she knows how to navigate this system. We have so many other mothers who need more help. She's gonna be fine. She doesn't need your services."

Limited resources are a reality within MTFs. Planned reductions of roughly 18,000 uniformed medical billets have concerned military families since 2019, and COVID-19 has exacerbated the military provider shortage. The Erkkila family knew there were not enough case managers to go around and so did administrators. Two children with cancer is a lot to handle for anyone, surely qualifying her as someone in need of assistance.

So she asked one of her children's doctors, "'If I came in pajamas with dirty hair and no makeup, looking exhausted, screaming for help, would you say that my kid wasn't OK? Or would you flag me as someone who needed help with caregiving who wasn't capable of doing what was necessary?' And she looked me dead in the face and goes, 'You know what, that's exactly what would happen.'"

Caseworkers saw their brave faces and labeled them resilient. Their family was left to navigate the medical, financial, educational and emotional impacts of childhood cancer -- times two -- alone. Erkkila abandoned the notion of working outside the home and became a full-time caregiver, routinely spending hours on the phone with medical providers and Tricare. She reported spending 58 hours resolving three bills that weren't coded properly. She was resilient in the face of her circumstances and felt punished for her efforts.

Routine Resilience

Childhood cancer is unusual, but routine resilience is a staple of military life. Active-duty service members are thrust into dangerous situations and forced to make life-and-death decisions regularly.

Facing those kinds of stressors, it makes sense that the military would focus on developing the essential skill of resilience. On the battlefield, resilience is life-saving. To see one's friend killed or wounded in action and still be able to carry on to safety is what our servicemen and women are trained to do.

On the homefront, however, it can be used as a weapon.

I first saw how expectations of resiliency weigh on service members in 2008 while living in Atsugi, Japan. My husband and I moved to the country just shy of our second wedding anniversary. We had a few weeks to settle in to the new culture, arrange housing, buy a "base beater" (read: car), make friends and attempt to find excitement before sending him on his first deployment aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.

He left before our household goods arrived, but after signing a lease and buying the car, something I was not legally entitled to do on my own. Spouses weren't granted many legal rights in Japan as a result of service-member-focused Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs).

I made the best of the experience by making friends and exploring Japan, an admittedly easy task. This level of resilience was doable. Our spouses were quite literally in the same boat. We were far from family, in a country that can be difficult for outsiders to navigate, but we found distractions and "made it work." It highlighted the best of what a military community could be in the midst of difficulty.

But every once in a while, the white-picket-fence, surface-level perfection betrayed itself. Jobs were scarce. And even our own communities mirrored our service members' experiences, where taking care of one's own also involves not acknowledging negative experiences, to maintain morale.

The negativity that can be produced by a resiliency-focused culture bubbled over during an interaction with my close friend and fellow military spouse, Dawn Limmer, who discovered she had experienced a first-trimester miscarriage. She and her husband had been trying to get pregnant for years after having conceived their first child without difficulty. When she finally got pregnant, their family was ecstatic.

So when she lost the baby on Mother's Day, she was understandably devastated. Her husband was deployed, so she was processing much of this alone while caring for her 4-year-old daughter. She was given medicine to help her "resolve" the pregnancy and sent home to wait for the baby to pass. She did what we were all expected to do; she reached out to her community. While a few were supportive, many were more misguided:

"We've all been through that."

"Miscarriages are so common."

"You just have to pick yourself by the bootstraps and carry on."

Although these comments came from positive intentions, they felt like an accusation.

At a time she should have been processing her grief, she also worried about falling short of expectation, not behaving as a resilient military spouse would.

Ultimately she returned to the United States to see a civilian counselor to help work through the situation. "It was interesting because there was a difference. The civilian counselor said, 'It's OK; you can grieve,'" she recalled. Instead of being resilient, she needed to be allowed to sit with her sadness and to have her community allow her to grieve.

Resilience or Learned Helplessness?

There is a perception within the military family community that grief and negative emotions are contagious. We focus on positivity because we are afraid of what could happen if we let ourselves acknowledge the hardships. So we stiff-arm pain and rush through our negative emotions quickly to keep up morale so we can get through the deployment, move, fight, job loss, etc.

Military spouses carry a lot, serving as solo parents, reinventing our careers and developing new friendships with every move. Although we don't officially serve, our hidden service can have a steep cost. In 2019, the Department of Defense released its first-ever Annual Suicide Report, including suicides among military family members. Although suicide rates among the military spouse community are low, sustained resiliency asks military families to embrace the suck with no end in sight.

Science tells us that this type of sustained resilience is different than situational resilience. This is what psychologists call "learned helplessness." This idea was developed by Martin Seligman in the 1960s through a series of experiments. The experiment inflicted shocks on dogs. Some could escape the shock and some could not, and the results were telling. If we don't believe we can control our circumstances, we accept them even if there is a way to stop our pain. We are conditioned to "embrace the suck."

While military families' version of "embracing the suck" rarely involves shocks or actual physical pain featured in the experiment, we are training ourselves to let go of hope to avoid disappointment. If we can't control being separated from family during hardships, we will pretend we are strong, hoping we even fool ourselves. If we can't control a lack of opportunities within our career field in our new duty station, we settle for something less and start to resent the military or our spouse. Instead of trying to mitigate the negative aspects of military life by finding solutions to our very real problems, "embracing the suck" (read: resilience in sheep's clothing) asks us to accept our shocks, making true resilience less and less of an achievable reality.

Luckily families like the Erkkilas and Limmers have found their tribes, who allow them to sit with their sadness and frustration with the hardships of military life. But it is not enough to redact resilience from our own vocabularies. If the pressure is to be removed, our entire community needs to see resilience as a skill to be developed, not a label withheld from those who fail to or refuse to embrace the suck.

Follow Jennifer Barnhill on Twitter @more_than_mommy
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. Usually this is used for previous/next photo in a gallery, in an article or in search results. Keyboard shortcuts: use shift + the left and right arrow keys.

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> in the bottom center, raises the information box giving details and further options for the media, < at the top of this box then hides it. Keyboard shortcuts: use the up and down arrow keys.

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To enable/disable 3D stereo display of a compatible stereo pair image press the 3 key. If the left/right images are reversed on your display (this often happens in full-screen mode) press the 4 key to reverse them.

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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
French President Emmanuel Macron has lauded the "historic agreement" between Lebanon and Israel that unlocks offshore gas production, saying the deal was an "important step towards more peace" between the Mediterranean neighbours.

Last Thursday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun approved the US-brokered maritime border deal, a day after Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said it would make conflict with Lebanon's Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah less likely.

At the weekend, President Macron congratulated leaders from both nations for their "efforts and their determination".

"This is undeniably an important step towards more peace for Israel, for Lebanon and all the countries and peoples of the region.

"It will also contribute to the prosperity of both countries."

A 'permanent and equitable' solution

The agreement between the countries  that have remained technically at war since Israel's creation in 1948  has been applauded by world leaders including US President Joe Biden.

The written agreement "establishes a permanent and equitable resolution of their maritime dispute" and will go into force as soon as the US sends notice confirming it has received the separate approvals from both Lebanon and Israel.

The two nations will then register maritime border coordinates with the United Nations.

Under the deal, Israel has full rights over the Karish gas field which is expected to start gas production within weeks.

Lebanon will have full rights to operate and explore the so-called Qana or Sidon reservoir, parts of which fall in Israel's territorial waters.
A communications team member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kafui Amegah, has stated that government and the central bank are working very hard towards stabilizing the economy and strengthening the local currency.

He says skeptics who doubt the potency of recently announced measures to curb further depreciation of the cedi must give the Central Bank the benefit of the doubt.

Kafui Amegah speaking with Kwaku Owusu Adjei on Adwenekasa on Accra-based Original FM 91.9 said," there are concrete and sustainable steps being taken to shore up the economy and consequently strengthen the cedi."

Kafui Amegah announced that the government is doing a lot to implement recommendations to restructure Ghana's economy.

However, he said government is working on fixing the situation, having agreed with mining and gas companies to sell their forex to the Bank of Ghana to stabilise the currency.

We believe that there are a lot of speculative activities that are creating some unnecessary depreciation in the currency.
Despite the postponement a few days ago, on Wednesday, October 13, four teacher unions such as UTAG, GAUA, SSA-UoG and TEWU-GH have declared an indefinite strike on Monday, October 17.

After the deliberations, the Commission directed that the Employer should hold meetings with the four (4) Labour Unions on Friday, 14th October 2022, and Monday, 17th October 2022 to discuss terms of payment and other related matters. The parties have also been instructed to report back to the NLC on Thursday, October 19, 2022.

As a result of this development, we write to communicate that the intended strike action of all Labour Unions in the public universities in Ghana, which was to commence today, 13th October 2022 has been postponed for the meetings with the Employer to take place, the unions stated in their earlier statement.

However, the meeting, which was held on Friday, October 14, appears to have yielded no results, as they have stated in a release issued today that the employer (government) has since not responded positively to their demands.

The National Leaders of UTAG, GAUA, SSA-UoG, and TEWU-GH have made several efforts since April 2022 to address some issues related to their Fuel, Vehicle Maintenance, and Off-Campus Allowances.

Following the Press Conference by the Labour Unions, the National Labour Commission (NLC) invited the parties to a hearing on 12th October 2022, where the Commission entreated the parties to engage. It is important to state that up until the NLC hearing, the Employer had not responded to any of the letters of the Labour Unions or the request of the Commission for the Employer to respond to the complaints of the Labour Unions, a portion reads.

It stressed In the said meeting, the Employer was represented by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Honourable Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, the Honourable Deputy Minister of Finance, Abena Osei Asare, the Honourable Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Bright Wireko-Brobby, the Chief Executive of the FWSC, Ing. Benjamin Arthur, the Director General of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Prof. Mohammed Salifu, among other officials."

According to the statement, the NLC ruling stated that the meeting was for "... the parties to engage within one week on the terms of payment and other related matters ...". However, the Employer failed to present the "terms of payment" for the Vehicle Maintenance and Off-Campus Allowances, which are the main issues in contention, as directed by the NLC. Rather, they suggested the formation of a 10-member committee to address only the Off-Campus Allowance. The leaders of the four (4) Labour Unions rejected the "suggestion" and rather pushed for an enforcement of the 2022 adjusted fuel ex-pump rate of GH10.99, thus, the meeting ended in a stalemate.

It adds As a result of this development, we write to communicate that the intended strike action of all Labour Unions in the public universities in Ghana is to commence from Monday, 17th October 2022 as the Employer has, once again, failed to adhere to the directive of the NLC.

Students of some institutions, notably the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), whose end-of-semester examination is slated for Monday, October 17, are confused as to whether it will come on or not, amidst the strike action.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says his government, since 2017, has embarked on the construction and completion of some thirty-two (32) hospital projects in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking at the commissioning of the 60-bed Asante Akim Municipal Hospital on Sunday, 16th October 2022, as part of his 4-day working visit of the Ashanti Region, President Akufo-Addo stressed that I am not referring to CHPS compounds and health centres, I am talking specifically about hospital projects.

Under Agenda 111, the President noted that his government is constructing sixteen (16) district hospitals in Trede, Kokoben, Boamang, Nsuta Sekyere, Manso Adubia, Mankranso, Kwabenakwa, Barekese, Kodie, Asiwa, Akrofuom, Adugyama, Adansi Asokwa, Asokore Mampong, Bantama and Nyinahin, in addition to the construction of a psychiatric hospital in Onwe, in the Ejisu Municipality.

There are five (5) hospitals being constructed by VAMED Engineering in Manso Nkwanta, Twedie, Sabronum, Drobonso and Suame. Under the EUROGET Project, initiated by the NPP under President Kufuor, the Akufo-Addo Government has seen to the completion of the Ahafo Ano North District Hospital in Tepa, and the Asante Akyem Hospital in Konongo. As I indicated earlier, the two hundred and fifty bed Ashanti Regional Hospital in Sewua, and the five hundred bed Military Hospital at Afari will be commissioned and completed next year, he said.

The President continued, Again, under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the construction of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternity and Children's Block, which had stalled for forty-one (41) years, have been duly reactivated, and work is progressing steadily. We are also completing two district hospital projects in Fomena and Kumawu, which were inherited from the predecessor Government.

He told the gathering that, very soon, work will commence on the construction of district hospitals at Offinso and Effiduase, as will work on the completion of Maternity Blocks at Tafo and Kumasi South Hospitals, and the construction of a residential facility at Abrepo for Kumasi South Hospital.

As part of my tour of Ashanti, I will, on Wednesday, inspect ongoing work on the construction of a Trauma Hospital at Obuasi, which is being undertaken by Universal Hospital Group, he stated.

Konongo Municipal Hospital

Commissioning the Asante Akim Hospital in Konongo, which is part of the Ghana Hospital Project, initiated by the Kufuor Government in 2008, and executed by EUROGET De-Invest S.A of Egypt, President Akufo-Addo indicated that this is the sixth Hospital he is commissioning under the Project.

This Hospital has been long awaited in Konongo, and it is good that, today, the demand for a Municipal Hospital of quality has been realised. Residents and surrounding health facilities will now gain access to improved healthcare, he said.

The Ghana Hospital Project involves the design, construction and equipping of one (1) Military Hospital, two (2) Regional Hospitals, and six (6) District Hospitals in Ghana, at a project cost of US$339 million. It falls under the broader objective of providing infrastructure for the delivery of effective healthcare to Ghanaians.

Other hospitals being constructed under this contract are the two hundred and fifty (250) bed Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua in the Bosomtwe District; the sixty (60) bed Municipal Hospital at Salaga in the East Gonja Municipality; and the five hundred (500) bed Military Hospital, under the Ministry of Defence at Afari, again, here in Ashanti. They are all expected to be commissioned before the end of 2023.

The Konongo Hospital has been constructed at a cost of thirty-five million, eight hundred and sixty-thousand United States dollars (US$35.86 million), and has been designed with several departments including administration; outpatient department (OPD); physiotherapy; pharmacy; radiology; laboratory; surgical suite (operation dep.); laundry; mortuary; medical waste department; general stores; ten (10) staff housing units; and a mini market.

The Hospital has been equipped with modern medical equipment, such as x-ray machines, ultrasound machines, fully equipped operating theatre, medical gases, and patient monitors. It also has a medical waste treatment plant, a power station, a water treatment plant, a central air conditioning system and an anaerobic sewerage treatment plant.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated the commitment of Government to improving access to essential and quality health services through the provision of the necessary health infrastructure, equipment and logistics, including the deployment of appropriate technology, as part of Government's drive to attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The national campaign to halt illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) is unprecedented as most well-meaning Ghanaians have thrown weight behind the initiative, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said on Sunday.

Everybody is talking about it and that connotes the magnitude of the problem. The Government's agenda is to involve all identifiable groups in dealing with the issue head-on, he said.

President Akufo-Addo, who paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, rallied the citizenry to give their all to make the anti-galamsey crusade successful.

The President is on a five-day working visit to the Ashanti Region to inspect and inaugurate development projects.

Projects billed for inspection include the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternal and Children's Block, Kejetia/Central Market Phase Two, Obuasi Trauma and Accident Hospital, and Boankra Inland Port projects.

The rest are the Anwiankwanta-Obuasi and Santasi-Apire Road, Oforikrom, Nsuta and Trede Agenda 111 projects, as well as a sod-cutting ceremony for work to begin on the Suame Interchange.

President Akufo-Addo is also expected to inaugurate the Toase Magistrate's Court, residential accommodation for the Appeals Court judges, the ECG KATH 33/11 kV Primary sub-Station, and Nsuta Maize Processing Factory, which had been completed under the 'One District, One Factory programme.

On infrastructural projects executed in the region over the last six years, the President cited the construction and rehabilitation of about 400 kilometres of asphalted roads, as well as over 30 hospital projects meant to make life comfortable for the people.

The President said the Government had worked assiduously to impact positively on the living conditions of the people and was determined to improve upon it.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, welcomed the President to the region and lauded him for regular visiting to inspect ongoing development projects.

That, he said, was necessary to ensure the successful completion of those projects.

GNA
Government has given a grace period for persons who have started but not completed the process to re-register their SIM cards.

After an earlier deadline of September 30 to be registered, they will now only be blocked after October 31.

This is not an extension of the deadline but a temporary moratorium to encourage these individuals to complete the process, a statement from the Ministry of Communication noted.

However, government has said all other unregistered SIMs will also be blocked progressively.

The statement indicated that 28,959,006 SIM cards have been linked to Ghana Cards, which is the first phase of the registration process.

This represents 67.28% of the 42,749,662 total SIM cards issued nationally.

Furthermore18,930,664 SIM Cards have been fully registered, representing 44.28% of the total SIM cards issued.

On the fate of data-only SIMs, including those issued by Surfline, Busy Internet, Telesol, and any institution such as ECG, the users have been given up to the end of November to complete registration.

The ministry acknowledged that some of our citizens have had difficulties obtaining Ghana Cards to enable them to undertake their SIM registration.

It however noted that 1.3 million Ghanaians have also been issued their Ghana cards but have not collected them.

This is regrettable, and we will continue to engage the National Identification Authority to expedite the process, it added in the statement.

citinewsroom
President Nana Akufo-Addo has said his government, since 2017, has embarked on the construction and completion of some 32 hospitals in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 60-bed Asante Akim Municipal Hospital on Sunday, the 16th of October 2022, as part of his 4-day working visit of the Ashanti Region, President Akufo-Addo stressed: I am not referring to CHPS compounds and health centres, I am talking specifically about hospital projects.

Under Agenda 111, the President noted that his government is constructing 16 district hospitals in Trede, Kokoben, Boamang, Nsuta Sekyere, Manso Adubia, Mankranso, Kwabenakwa, Barekese, Kodie, Asiwa, Akrofuom, Adugyama, Adansi Asokwa, Asokore Mampong, Bantama and Nyinahin, in addition to the construction of a psychiatric hospital in Onwe, in the Ejisu Municipality.

There are five hospitals being constructed by VAMED Engineering in Manso Nkwanta, Twedie, Sabronum, Drobonso and Suame. Under the EUROGET Project, initiated by the NPP under President Kufuor, the Akufo-Addo Government has seen to the completion of the Ahafo Ano North District Hospital in Tepa, and the Asante Akyem Hospital in Konongo. As I indicated earlier, the two hundred and fifty bed Ashanti Regional Hospital in Sewua, and the five hundred bed Military Hospital at Afari will be commissioned and completed next year, he said.

The President continued: Again, under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the construction of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternity and Childrens Block, which had stalled for forty-one (41) years, have been duly reactivated, and work is progressing steadily. We are also completing two district hospital projects in Fomena and Kumawu, which were inherited from the predecessor government.

He told the gathering that, very soon, work will commence on the construction of district hospitals at Offinso and Effiduase, as will work on the completion of Maternity Blocks at Tafo and Kumasi South Hospitals, and the construction of a residential facility at Abrepo for Kumasi South Hospital.

Commissioning of Konongo Municipal Hospital

Commissioning of Konongo Municipal Hospital Posted by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday, October 16, 2022

As part of my tour of Ashanti, I will, on Wednesday, inspect ongoing work on the construction of a Trauma Hospital at Obuasi, which is being undertaken by Universal Hospital Group, he stated.

Konongo Municipal Hospital

Opening the Asante Akim Hospital in Konongo, which is part of the Ghana Hospital Project, initiated by the Kufuor Government in 2008, and executed by EUROGET De-Invest S.A of Egypt, President Akufo-Addo indicated that this is the sixth Hospital he is commissioning under the Project.

This Hospital has been long awaited in Konongo, and it is good that today, the demand for a Municipal Hospital of quality has been realised. Residents and surrounding health facilities will now gain access to improved healthcare, he said.

The Ghana Hospital Project involves the design, construction and equipping of one (1) Military Hospital, two (2) Regional Hospitals, and six (6) District Hospitals in Ghana, at a project cost of US$339 million. It falls under the broader objective of providing infrastructure for the delivery of effective healthcare to Ghanaians.

Other hospitals being constructed under this contract are the two hundred and fifty (250) bed Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua in the Bosomtwe District; the sixty (60) bed Municipal Hospital at Salaga in the East Gonja Municipality; and the five hundred (500) bed Military Hospital, under the Ministry of Defence at Afari, again, here in Ashanti. They are all expected to be commissioned before the end of 2023.

The Konongo Hospital has been constructed at a cost of thirty-five million, eight hundred and sixty-thousand United States dollars (US$35.86 million), and has been designed with several departments including administration; outpatient department (OPD); physiotherapy; pharmacy; radiology; laboratory; surgical suite (operation dep.); laundry; mortuary; medical waste department; general stores; ten (10) staff housing units; and a mini market.

The Hospital has been equipped with modern medical equipment, such as x-ray machines, ultrasound machines, a fully equipped operating theatre, medical gases, and patient monitors. It also has a medical waste treatment plant, a power station, a water treatment plant, a central air conditioning system and an anaerobic sewerage treatment plant.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated the commitment of the Government to improving access to essential and quality health services through the provision of the necessary health infrastructure, equipment and logistics, including the deployment of appropriate technology, as part of the Governments drive to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
France's Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne warned striking oil industry workers on Sunday night that the government might once again use its so-called requisition powers to force workers back to their posts to ease fuel shortages. Essential workers at two storage depots have been ordered back to work Monday.

Elisabeth Borne told TF1 television that, if the situation remained tense Monday, then the authorities would proceed with more requisitions like the ones enforced last week.

An estimated 30 percent of service stations were experiencing supply problems for one type of fuel or another, she said. "That's too many."

She appealed to those TotalEnergeies workers still on strike not to "block the country with all the difficulties that that creates".

Following three weeks of industrial action, three out of seven of the country's oil refineries and five major fuel depots (from a total of 200) are affected, the government said.

Workers at a storage depot in Dunkirk, and others at Feyzin in the Rhone have been requisitioned for duty on Monday. Those who refuse face six months jail and a 10,000 euro fine.

Geoffroy Roux de Bezieux, president of the Medef business lobby group, told Radio J that another week of fuel shortages could have a real impact on the economy.

"This isn't a normal strike," he added. "The right to strike has limits."

Farmers are struggling to find the fuel they need to plant winter crops, particularly in the north of the country.

Call for a general strike

Borne's warning came after tens of thousands marched through Paris Sunday to protest the rising cost of living, and government inaction over climate change.

The demonstration was called by the left-wing political opposition and led by Jean-Luc Melenchon, head of the France Unbowed (LFI) party.

Melenchon has backed calls by some trade unions for a general strike on Tuesday.

Opponents of President Emmanuel Macron are hoping to build on the momentum created by the refineries dispute, which began at the end of September.

"We're going to have a week the likes of which we don't see very often," Melenchon told the crowd.

"Everything is coming together. We are starting it with this march, which is an immense success."

Melenchon also called for a "general strike" on Tuesday. Some but not all unions have already declared the date a national day of strikes targetting road transport, trains and the public sector.

Public losing patience

A poll by the BVA polling group released on Friday suggested that only 37 percent of people supported the stoppages.

The strikes and protests are being closely watched by the government, which is aiming to pass a highly controversial change to the pensions system in the next few months.

Macron, who won re-election in April, has pledged to push back the retirement age from 62, with the reform scheduled before the end of the winter.
The Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom and President of the Savannah Region House of Chiefs Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresah (I) has called on the Chiefs and people of the Savannah Region to embrace peace for the development of the region.

The Yagbonwura whose speech was read on his behalf by the Registrar of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs Mr Abutu Kapori noted that there is every indication of strong social cohesion and human relationship building in the Savannah Region.

He said the forward march of the infant Savannah Region will remain an untold history if the social cohesion is not strengthened and, therefore, on behalf of the overlord called on the chieftaincy institution, politicians, various youth associations and Civil Society Organizations to collaborate

to create a serene environment for absolute peace to prevail.

He said today every citizen of the Savannah Region needs to be commended for contributing in maintaining peace in the Region more especially the Eminent Chiefs Committee and urged them to continue putting efforts towards maintaining peace since absolute peace will woo investors into the Region.

On the standard of education, the Yagbonwura said education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the World.

Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa (I) also said the leadership of the Savannah Region is unhappy with the abysmal performance recorded few years ago in the region.

He said education has become a nightmare to every parent in the Savannah Region hence the current abysmal performance should be a wakeup call to every stakeholder in the region to collectively contribute their quota towards building the lost glories of education in the Region.

Yagbonwura used the opportunity to congratulate Taribiat EA Primary School in Daboya in the North Gonja District for making Savannah Region proud for emerging 4th out of the 16 Regions during the annual National Reading Competition held in Accra in September this year.

He also congratulated the MP for the Damongo constituency and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor for initiating the Best Teacher Award Scheme adding that the benevolent initiative deserves to be adopted in the sister constituencies in the Savannah Region and urged everyone in the region to put all hands on deck in the area of education to change the narrative.

The Savannah Regional Minister Mr Saeed Muhazu Jibril addressing the gathering indicated that he is overwhelmed by the participation of the various chiefs coming together to support the Yagbonwura in celebrating the 2022 Damba festival.

He said without Peace, the region cannot develop and used the opportunity to appeal to especially the media to sell the region in terms of agriculture, culture and so on.

The Regional Minister disclosed that he visited the United States of America with some prominent chiefs of Gonjaland precisely the Buipewura and Kongwura where the region was showcased with the diasporas deciding to build their national headquarters in the Savannah Region and also plans are underway for the establishment of a lithium factory in the region for the manufacture of batteries to serve the US army.

Special Guest of Honour for the occasion Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor who is the MP for the Damongo constituency and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in an address indicated that peace is all that matters in the development of the region.

Source: Classfmonline.com
17.10.2022 LISTEN

Ghanas Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has reacted to the recent dismissal of Kwasi Kwarteng as the UKs Chancellor.

The Finance Minister of the UK was sacked last week less than two months after his appointment by Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss.

According to Ken Ofori-Atta, he has sent an email to Kwasi Kwarteng to solidarise with him.

He said he was not only surprised by the sacking of the British-Ghanaian but was also saddened by the news.

The pain or sadness is that he is a Ghanaian reaching almost the highest level, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Yes, we sat together three days ago.

I am always very optimistic, if one is really doing things in truth there might be some waves but the Lord will see him through. I was surprised at what happened. I have sent an email to him, I told him the Lord knows best, Ken Ofori-Atta told TV3s Paa Kwesi Asare in an interview in Washington DC.

Following his sacking last week, Kwesi Kwarteng has been replaced by Jeremy Hunt as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Asantehene, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has applauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for bringing development to the Ashanti Region.

His Royal Majesty received the President at the Manhyia Palace on Sunday, October 16, when the President paid a courtesy call on him.

President Akufo-Addo called on Otumfuo during his four-day tour of the Ashanti Region.

Speaking at the meeting, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed appreciation to President Akufo-Addo, stressing that he has served Asanteman very well since becoming President.

Otumfuo further prayed for the blessings of God for the President to succeed in the remaining years of his second term.

On the occasion of your four-day visit here, which has become a regular feature, I am happy you are here to commission and inspect the projects undertaken by your government for all to see that, indeed, under you, Asanteman has benefited.

You have served us well and brought honour to Asanteman in the two terms that you have served as President. Therefore, I can only ask of the blessings of Almighty God and that of the ancestors for continued strength to serve Ghana, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II shared.

Speaking at the Manhyia Palace, President Akufo-Addo said at the end of his four-day tour, it will be evident to everyone that his government has given the Ashanti Region its fair share of developmental projects.

He stressed that some 32 separate hospital projects have been done in his time in addition to various projects in education and other sectors.
The medical director of St. Lucy Eye Clinic, Dr Abalo Kodjo, is expected to be in court today, Monday, 17 October 2022, to justify a six-week excuse duty he gave the former CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board, Dr Stephen Opuni, who is one of three persons standing trial for causing financial loss of GHS271 million to the state.

Four separate surgeries on his left eye compelled Dr Opuni to miss his own trial after it resumed recently.

Dr Opuni, the first accused person, is being tried with private businessman Seidu Agongo, the second accused person, in connection with the prosecutions assertion that they caused the state to lose some GHS271 million in a fraudulent procurement of Lithovit Liquid Fertiliser from the latters agrochemical company, Agriclut, the third accused person.

In court on Tuesday, 11 October 2022, Dr Opunis lawyer, Mr Sam Codjoe, informed the hearing, presided over by Supreme Court judge Clemence Honyenuga that his client had been given a six-week excuse duty by his doctor so he could stay away from all activities that risked straining the surgically operated eye to enable proper healing.

My Lord, the first accused [person] is not in court today due to the fact that hes had surgery on his eye and we have given this court a copy of the medical report indicating that he has had four different surgeries on his eye. My Lord, as contained in the medical report, hes been given a six-week excuse duty to enable the left eye heal. My Lord, this is the reason why he is not present in court, Mr Codjoe explained.

He added: And my Lord, yesterday [Monday, 10 October 2022], I showed the prosecution a copy of the medical report but because it is a confidential document, which is, it contains details of the exact surgery, so, I informed my learned friend of the exact surgery, so, I did not give them a hard copy of the actual medical report because of the confidential nature.

My Lord, this explains the absence of the first accused [person] in court and my Lord, as a result of his absence due to ill health, we pray that this court adjourns this case to the end of the six-week period commencing from the 23rd day of September 2022, he pleaded.

He indicated: My Lord, the basis of our seeking this adjournment is because the first accused person, in the exercise of his constitutional rights under Article 19(3) of the 1992 Constitution, wants to be present during the trial. Unfortunately, hes unable to because of ill health.

Mr Codjoe, thus, prayed the court to adjourn the matter to a time after the expiration of the six-week excuse duty, in accordance with this constitutional provision, which, he noted was interpreted in the case of George Bonson, alias Benjillo v the Republic.

In a rebuttal, chief state attorney Evelyn Keelson argued: My Lord, the first accused person, who is on bail, is required to be present in this court, as undertaken in his bail conditions. My Lord, we have seen a medical report indicating that the first accused [person] has had surgery on his left eye; and in that report, the medical director has indicated that he needs six weeks to rest the eye for proper healing.

Respectfully, my Lord, this statement by the medical director is not binding on this honourable court. My Lord, the medical director did not indicate the basis for the six weeks he has indicated in the report.

My Lord, under section 169(2) of Act 30, this honourable court cannot adjourn this matter for more than one month; and having already indicated that this court is not bound by the report, I pray that the court invites the medical director, Dr Abalo Kodjo, to give further and better particulars to his request for the first accused [person] to be excused for six weeks, she went on.

She also proposed: My Lord, in the alternative, this court can sit virtually to accommodate the first accused [person]. Indeed, my Lord, during the vacation, we were sitting virtually and it worked very well.

Mrs Keelson also said: My Lord, I want to state that nobody has taken away or seeks to take away the first accused persons under article 19(3) to be present at his trial. The first accused person is on bail and is at liberty to attend the trial.

Citing the same case referred to by Dr Opunis lawyer to counter a point made by the defence team, Mrs Keelson said: My Lord, these matters were clearly explained in the case my learned friend cited; the Benjillo case, so, my Lord, it is, therefore, our submission that this court, in the exercise of its discretion, can proceed with the case without infringing Article 19(3) since, as I have stated, the doctors opinion for the accused person to stay away for six weeks, is not binding on this honourable court.

In her view, My Lord, this court can grant the accused person some days but certainly not six weeks as suggested by the medical doctor, especially when he is not admission.

However, Mr Codjoe counter-argued that the reasons for the six-week excuse duty were stated in paragraph 2 of the medical report contrary to the assertion by the chief state attorney, who interrupted and insisted the reasons had not been elaborated by the medical director and wondered where Dr Opunis lawyer was reading the alleged reasons from.

Mr Codjoe noted that though his team had no objection to the proposed summoning of the medical doctor before the court, it was most unfortunate for the chief state attorney to suggest that the first accused person, who is not supposed to sit and is not supposed to engage in any activity which will put stress on his left eye, sit in a virtual trial and lie down in a virtual trial. My Lord, this is most unacceptable even in military regimes.

My Lord, even under section 170(2) of Act 30, once the person is ill and the court is satisfied that the person is ill, which can only be done through a medical report and not by a physical examination by the chief state attorney, the court grants an adjournment, he further argued.

Mr Codjoe noted: My Lord, by this section, it does not limit this court to the period of adjournment and my Lord, we submit that insofar as the person is ill and recovering from surgery on his eye, then the court should grant the adjournment for the accused [person] to recuperate.

Adjourning the matter, he noted, would not be unusual in the circumstance.

My Lord, I would add that this court will not be doing anything unreasonable or illegal, in that the attorney generals department, as recently as August of this year, adjourned the Ato Forson case, for very good reasons, to January.

My Lord, the final point is the suggestion by the prosecution that in spite of the fact that the first accused [person] is ill, the court should still put him on trial. This will take us to the Dark Ages of Ghana when we didnt have a Constitution and/or a democracy, he told the court.

The lawyer for the second and third accused persons, Mr Emmanuel Kumadi, said: My Lord, respectfully, we associate ourselves with the submission by counsel for the first accused person, especially where some of the offences for which the accused persons are standing trial before this honourable court, are based on conspiracy.

My Lord, its our humble submission that the presence of the first accused person will be needed for the continuation of the case, especially when he did not elect not to be present.

After hearing both sides, Justice Honyenuga said: Looking at the circumstances of this case, it is my view that in order to clear any controversy or doubts about the medical report before this court, I will order Dr Abalo Kodjo, the medical director of St. Lucy Eye Clinic, to appear before this court with all the records on the first accused [person].

The Registrar of this court is to ensure that this order is served on the said medical director per his address as stated on the medical report. In the circumstances, I will adjourn this matter to Monday, the 17th of October 2022 at 10 am.

Source: ClassFMonline.com
The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured that his government will eradicate illegal small-scale mining, otherwise known as galamsey.

Speaking at Manhyia on Sunday, October 16, when he called on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the President stressed that the galamsey fight requires a collective effort.

He said with the commitment shown by his government, he will not relent until galamsey is eradicated from the system.

One issue that has generated negative public criticism is galamsey. Though it attracted less public discussion before my tenure, it is the talk of the town, even among traditional leaders.

This means the issue is common and calls for all hands on deck to bring it to an end, President Akufo-Addo said.

The President added, We are here to eradicate galamsey and surely, it would be eradicated.

No government has shown that resilience in the fight against galamsey.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is in the Ashanti Region for a four-day tour.

While in the region, he will inspect various developmental projects and engage several traditional leaders.

During his address to receive the President, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II applauded President Akufo-Addo for not neglecting Asanteman.

On the occasion of your four-day visit here, which has become a regular feature, I am happy you are here to commission and inspect the projects undertaken by your government for all to see that, indeed, under you, Asanteman has benefited.

You have served us well and brought honour to Asanteman in the two terms that you have served as President. Therefore, I can only ask of the blessings of Almighty God and that of the ancestors for continued strength to serve Ghana, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II shared.
The Accra Circuit Court 9 on Monday, October 17 granted an application by the lawyers of Evangelist Patricia Asieduaa Oduro, aka Nana Agradaa seeking bail for the arrested preacher.

The former fetish priestess turned preacher has been in Police custody for more than a week over allegations of a money-doubling scam by members of her church, Heaven Way Champion International Ministry.

The Accra Circuit Court today after hearing the application of the lawyers, has granted Agradaa a GHS50,000 bail.

The bail comes with 3 sureties of Civil servants earning not less than GHS2,000 a month.

Nana Agradaa is also to report to the Prosecutor every Wednesday.

She remains in police custody until she meets the bail requirement.

Last Friday, the Police in an update on the matter said Nana Agradaa is in court for two different cases.

In the first case, the Police arraigned the accused, Patricia Asieduaa alias Nana Agradaa before the Court on 10th October 2022. The court remanded her into Police custody to reappear on October 13.

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.

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.
Ethiopia's government on Monday vowed to seize control of airports and other sites in Tigray, while at the same time reiterating a commitment to peace talks, as international alarm mounted over fighting in the war-torn region.

The African Union on Sunday called for an immediate and unconditional truce as combat intensified in northern Ethiopia, where pro-government forces and rebels from the Tigray region have been at war for nearly two years.

AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat also urged the rivals to "recommit to dialogue" after both sides accepted an invitation to peace talks that failed to materialise as violence spiralled.

The authorities in Tigray said Sunday they were "ready to abide by an immediate cessation of hostilities" and called on the international community to press the government to come to the table.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government said in a statement Monday it was "committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict through the AU-led peace talks," without addressing the ceasefire call.

But it said it would also pursue "defensive measures" to protect Ethiopia's sovereignty and territorial integrity from internal and external threats.

"These measures are necessitated not only by the repeated attacks of the TPLF (Tigray People's Liberation Front) but also by its active collusion with these hostile foreign powers," it said, without identifying them.

"It is thus imperative that the Government of Ethiopia assumes immediate control of all airports, other federal facilities, and installations in the region," the statement from the Government Communication Service (GCS) said.

'Catastrophic conflict'

The conflict has killed an unknown number of civilians and unleashed a massive humanitarian crisis in Tigray and other parts of northern Ethiopia, with at least two million people driven from their homes and millions more in need of aid.

Tigray and its six million people are largely cut off from the outside world, facing dire shortages of fuel, food and medicines and lacking basic services such as communications, electricity and and banking.

TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda reacted to the GCS statement, telling AFP in a message: "It's a clear indication that the government and its ally will do everything to carry through their genocidal intent against the people of Tigray."

UN chief Antonio Guterres has joined the United States and other Western powers in voicing concern over the worsening violence in Tigray and called for a peaceful settlement to "this catastrophic conflict."

Abiy's government and the Tigrayan authorities were to attend AU-led negotiations in South Africa earlier this month but they did not go ahead, with logistical problems cited as one obstacle.

'Deep regret'

Ethiopian forces along with troops from neighbouring Eritrea have meanwhile stepped up an offensive near Shire, a city of 100,000 people in northwestern Tigray, where civilian casualties have been reported in heavy shelling.

It is not possible to verify battlefield claims as access to northern Ethiopia is restricted for journalists.

US aid chief Samantha Power on Sunday warned "the risk of additional atrocities and loss of life is intensifying" around Shire, and accused Ethiopian and Eritrean forces of indiscriminate attacks.

On Friday, an aid worker from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) was among three civilians killed in an attack in Shire that also injured others.

The IRC staffer was distributing food to vulnerable civilians including women and children, said the World Food Programme (WFP).

Britain's minister for Africa, Gillian Keegan, said she was "appalled" by the attack.

"This is the 24th aid worker killed in Tigray since the start of the conflict. Civilians and aid workers must be protected and #NotATarget," Keegan wrote on Twitter.

Addis Ababa said its army strove to "avoid combat operations within urban areas to prevent civilian casualties" but urged aid workers to "distance themselves from TPLF military assets".

"The Government of Ethiopia deeply regrets any harm that might have been inflicted on civilians, including humanitarian personnel," the GCS said, adding it would investigate such incidents.

Abiy, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his rapprochement with Eritrea, sent troops into Tigray in November 2020 after accusing the TPLF of attacking federal army camps.

The TPLF had dominated Ethiopia's ruling political alliance for decades before Abiy took power in 2018 and sidelined the party.
Observers of troubled West Africa have long fretted that jihadists who have rampaged across the Sahel are eyeing a southward push to the Gulf of Guinea.

But for people living on the border between Niger and Benin, that concern is already a daily reality.

"We live in fear," said Sani Harouna, a fisherman who earns a living on the Niger River, which marks the border between the two countries.

To the north of the great river lies the vast, semi-desert state of Niger, the poorest country in the world by the UN's development index.

The country is battling two insurgencies that have swept in from its neighbours.

One is a longstanding Boko Haram campaign on the southeastern border with Nigeria, while the other is a dynamic seven-year offensive in the southwest.

It swept in from Mali, where al-Qaeda and Islamic State group jihadists are active, and has also pushed into neighbouring Burkina Faso.

To the river's south lies Benin, one of a trio of coastal states along with Togo and Ivory Coast which analysts fear are next in line.

Map of Niger. By (AFP)

Last month, armed men attacked a customs post in Malanville, Benin's closest town to Niger, killing two men.

"The terrorists are on the border, and if they are pursued in Benin, they will fall back to Niger," said another fisherman, Mamane Sani Harouna.

"It's these waters that must be watched -- they can make it easier for the terrorists to infiltrate, and around here there are too many wooded areas" that can serve as boltholes, he said.

'Corridor'

Gaya district is part of the Dosso region which borders Benin and Nigeria.

The border bridge near Gaya is a crucial link in Niger's connection to the world via Benin. By BOUREIMA HAMA (AFP)

So far Dosso has escaped violent attacks, and its relative safety means that truckers prefer to use it as a corridor to reach Benin's port of Cotonou rather than cross Burkina.

"There is a security challenge, the threat is real," Assimou Abarchi, the prefect -- the state's most senior official -- for Gaya told AFP.

"But up till now, thanks be to God, we sleep soundly and we wake up in good shape."

"Right now it's calm. There are just petty thieves who steal our animals and sell them to butchers," said a Nigerien trader who was crossing the bridge to sell milk in Benin.

But the corridor and the river are also a potential flashpoint.

Officials say they are used to provide fuel and supplies for terrorists based in Mali.

"Motorcyclists sneak across from Nigeria to northern Mali and canoes involved in smuggling are equipped with powerful motors," an official in Gaya said.

Pipeline

The corridor is also being used as the outlet for a planned pipeline for Niger's oil, which is scheduled to reach the world market via Benin next year.

Niger is building Africa's longest pipeline -- a 2,000km behemoth that will take oil from the eastern region of Agadem to the Beninese port of Seme. By BOUREIMA HAMA (AFP)

In a visit to military forces in Dosso last week, Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum promised to create a "fully-equipped battalion" for the Gaya area to help strengthen surveillance of the 266-kilometre (165-mile) border with Benin.

He called for the military to "find the right response" to "cutting off" the jihadists' supply lines.

"Benin is a strategic partner for Niger," he said.

"Given that we know how these forces (the jihadists) behave, and their intentions for opening up fronts on the other side of the border, we are obliged to act preventatively," he said.

Benin and Niger in July signed an agreement to fight "terrorism" through joint military operations and exchanges of information.

Dosso already has a rapid-response battalion of more than 500 troops, which has been trained and equipped by France with pickup trucks and heavy weapons.
Some illegal miners have, in a self-filmed video, mocked President Nana Akufo-Addo's resolve to stop their operations (galamsey), teasing amidst laughter saying, "The job goes on."

The men, who filmed an excavator moving earth onto a slanted conveyor platform with two men seated at the edge washing the dirt off, said that even if their equipment were seized from them, they would use their bare hands to dig for gold.

"You can't stop the job," they told the president, adding: "We make GHS500 a day; which job in Ghana pays that much per day?"

President Akufo-Addo, on Sunday, 16 October 2022, assured Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II that he will eradicate illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).

Speaking at the Manyhia palace in Kumasi at the beginning of his four-day official visit to the Ashanti Region, the president said his government will make sure galamsey is eradicated.

In his view, no government has been more averse to galamsey and shown commitment to its fight than his administration.

At a recent meeting with some chiefs and local government authorities on the matter at the same Manhyia palace, the president said he is not against mining Ghanas mineral resources but will not accept the prevailing situation whereby it is done recklessly by illegal small-scale miners through which the environment is being decimated.

The meeting took place on Wednesday, 5 October 2022, at which Mr Akufo-Addo said: We are not against mining, but we cannot accept mining in a manner that risks destroying our country.

Our nation has always been a mining nation. Indeed, in the 15th century, when the first Europeans, the Portuguese, came to our shores, they called the first European-influenced town, El Mina, meaning the mine in Portuguese, because, from their ships, as they approached our shores, that is the activity they saw our people engaged in. It is not surprising that, in colonial times, we were called the Gold Coast.

He, thus, asked all Ghanaians to join hands with him in the fight against illegal mining, in order to bring an end to the devastation of the Ghanaian landscape and the pollution of our water bodies.

We have to win that fight to keep our environment clean, and protect our heritage for our descendants, as you did in the past, he added.

According to President Akufo-Addo, it is obvious that, if we are to win the fight, you and I [chiefs] have to take the lead to collaborate closely to do so. That is why I am here today.

He noted 80% of the lands of Ghana continue to be under the custody of chiefs while the president, per the 1992 Constitution, holds the remainder in trust for the people of Ghana.

What this means, he said, is that, ultimately, the welfare of the state of the lands is the joint responsibility of chiefs and the President, although, by statute, the minerals in the soil belong to the President in trust for the people.

Historically, we discharged that responsibility well. Even though, for centuries, we have been a mining nation, mining did not pose a threat to the health of our environment and water bodies. The rules that you put in place for mining ensured that the sanctity of our lands remained intact, and our water bodies remained unpolluted. Tragically, in the modern era, that is no longer the case. And that is why I have come to you today to talk about how, together, we can repair this dramatic situation, he said.

President Akufo-Addo indicated that, since he took office on the 7th of January 2017, he has made it a central feature of his presidency to lead in the efforts to rid the country of the menace of galamsey, with a firm commitment made in his inaugural speech on the matter.

It has not been easy, it has not been popular, and we have not got the immediate results that I was looking for. Indeed, in the last elections of 2020, my stance on the issue cost my party and me significant losses in the mining communities. It turned out that my statement that I was putting my presidency on the line in the fight against galamsey was neither bombast nor recklessness. It was the simple truth, he said.

The President continued, We have tried many initiatives, including that of the Community Mining Scheme, and the establishment of a new legal regime for dealing with the perpetrators of this phenomenon, which has imposed severe sanctions on those, Ghanaians and foreigners, convicted of illegal mining. Still, we have not won the fight.

In seeking further assistance from the chiefs in addressing the galamsey menace, he noted that taking partisan political interests out of the fight against galamsey is one way forward.

It can only succeed if it is a truly national battle, which no one seeks to exploit for political gain, as we saw in the last election. The progress of our country depends on all of us, all citizens of Ghana, all Fellow Ghanaians, pulling together to defeat this existential threat to our future, he added.

Source: classfmonline.com
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has rejected claims by his critics that mismanagement by the ruling government has led to the current economic hardships in Ghana.

He said despite the challenges he has managed the economy well.

"I am opened to all manner of criticisms but I wont take those mismanagement accusations from anyone," the President said in an exclusive interview on the Kumasi-based OTEC 102.9 FM's breakfast show Nyansapo on Monday October 17, 2022.

According to him, the current challenges were caused by external shocks  the covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

"We are all aware of the difficulties we went through during the Covid-19 era and the subsequent invasion of Ukraine by Russia, these shocks from the two unforeseen factors have heavily impacted the economy and are to be blamed for the countrys woes and not mismanagement by the government.

Like everybody on this planet you have been hurt by exogenous shocks. First the pandemic, then Russia-Ukraine. And then we need to realise is not because of bad policies in the country, but because of this combination of shocks, he told the host of the show Captain Koda.

The President has assured that his government is determined to bring relief to the Ghanaian people and return the economy back to its glory days.
Two United Nations troops were killed and four others were badly injured by a roadside bomb in northern Mali on Monday , the UN peacekeeping mission said.

They had been taking part in a search for mines in the Kidal region, the mission wrote on Twitter.

"Two MINUSMA #peacekeepers were killed today, 17 October, when their vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device during a #mine search and detection patrol in #Tessalit, Kidal region", MINUSMA said.

Four others were seriously injured, it said.

The peacekeepers were part of MINUSMA's Chadian contingent, an official at the mission's camp in Kidal said on condition of anonymity.

MINUSMA -- the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali -- was launched in 2013 to help one of the world's poorest countries cope with a bloody jihadist campaign.

It is one of the UN's biggest peacekeeping operations, with 17,612 troops, police, civilians and volunteers deployed as of May, according to the mission's website.

It has suffered 276 fatalities, one of the highest tolls in the history of "blue helmet" operations.

Of these, nearly a quarter have occurred through improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Mali has struggled with a jihadist insurgency that began in the north of the country in 2012 and then spread to the centre of the country and neighbouring Niger and Burkina.

Across the three countries, thousands of civilians, police and troops have died, and some two million people have fled their homes.

Mines and IEDs are among the jihadists' weapons of choice. They can explode on impact or be detonated remotely.

A report by MINUSMA found that mines and IEDs caused 72 deaths in 2022 as of August 31. Most of the victims were soldiers, but more than a quarter were civilians, it said.

Map of Mali locating Menaka, Gao and Kidal. By (AFP)

Last year, 103 people were killed and 297 injured by IEDs and mines.

At least 11 people were killed and 53 injured when a bus hit an explosive device in the Mopti area of central Mali last week, a hospital source said.

Mali's military seized power in August 2020. Ruler Colonel Assimi Goita says he plans to stay in power until 2024 and then hand over to civilian rule.
The government, since 2017 has undertaken 32 hospital projects in the Ashanti Region, some ongoing and others completed.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who disclosed this when he commissioned a 60-bed Asante Akim Municipal Hospital on Sunday as part of his 4-day visit to the Ashanti Region, added that I am not referring to CHPS compounds and health centres, I am talking specifically about hospital projects.

With Agenda 111, he said the government was constructing 16 district hospitals in Trede, Kokoben, Boamang, Nsuta Sekyere, Manso Adubia, Mankranso, Kwabenakwa, Barekese, Kodie, Asiwa and Akrofuom.

Other towns include Adugyama, Adansi Asokwa, Asokore Mampong, Bantama and Nyinahin, in addition to the construction of a psychiatric hospital in Onwe, in the Ejisu Municipality.

Five hospitals are being constructed by VAMED Engineering in Manso Nkwanta, Twedie, Sabronum, Drobonso and Suame. Under the EUROGET Project, initiated by the NPP under President Kufuor, the President stated.

President Akufo-Addo added that his government has seen to the completion of the Ahafo Ano North District Hospital in Tepa, and the Asante Akyem Hospital in Konongo.

The 250-bed Ashanti Regional Hospital in Sewua and the 400-bed Military Hospital at Afari, the President indicated would be completed and commissioned next year (2023).

President Akufo-Addo said the construction of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternity and Childrens Block, which was stalled for 41 years, had begun earnestly, and work was progressing steadily.

We are also completing two district hospital projects in Fomena and Kumawu, which were inherited from the predecessor government, the President stated.

He said soonest, work would commence on the construction of district hospitals at Offinso and Effiduase and work on the completion of Maternity Blocks at Tafo and Kumasi South Hospitals, and the construction of a residential facility at Abrepo for Kumasi South Hospital.

As part of my tour of Ashanti, I will, on Wednesday, inspect ongoing work on the construction of a Trauma Hospital at Obuasi, which is being undertaken by Universal Hospital Group, he stated.

Commissioning the Konongo Municipal, which is part of the Ghana Hospital Project, initiated by the Kufuor Government in 2008, and executed by EUROGET De-Invest S.A of Egypt, President Akufo-Addo indicated that this is the sixth Hospital he is commissioning under the Project.

This Hospital has been long awaited in Konongo, and it is good that today, the demand for a Municipal Hospital of quality has been realised. Residents and surrounding health facilities will now gain access to improved healthcare, he said.

The Ghana Hospital Project involves the design, construction and equipping of one Military Hospital, two Regional Hospitals, and six District Hospitals in Ghana, at a project cost of US$339 million. It falls under the broader objective of providing infrastructure for the delivery of effective healthcare to Ghanaians.

Other hospitals being constructed under this contract are the 250-bed Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua in the Bosomtwe District; the 60-bed Municipal Hospital at Salaga in the East Gonja Municipality; and the 500-bed Military Hospital, under the Ministry of Defence at Afari, in Ashanti Region. They are all expected to be commissioned before the end of 2023.

The Konongo Hospital has been constructed at US$35.86 million and has been designed with several departments including administration; outpatient department (OPD); physiotherapy; pharmacy; radiology; laboratory; surgical suite (operation dep.); laundry; mortuary; medical waste department; general stores; ten 10 staff housing units; and a mini market.

The Hospital has been equipped with modern medical equipment, such as x-ray machines, ultrasound machines, a fully equipped operating theatre, medical gases, and patient monitors. It also has a medical waste treatment plant, a power station, a water treatment plant, a central air conditioning system and an anaerobic sewerage treatment plant.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated the commitment of the government to improving access to essential and quality health services through the provision of the necessary health infrastructure, equipment and logistics, including the deployment of appropriate technology, as part of the governments drive to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its commitment to working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to address the growing humanitarian challenges in the region, especially in the Sahel.

The ECOWAS Commission is struggling to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to those in desperate need in the face of dwindling resource gaps and millions of people who have been displaced by the ravages of COVID-19, climate emergency, conflict, energy and cost of living crisis.

At the 73rd session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held from 10 to 14 October 2022, in Geneva (Switzerland), the ECOWAS Commissioner in charge of Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, said the Commission was committed to dynamic and fruitful cooperation with UNHCR.

The session raised serious concerns about the over one hundred million people forcibly displaced in the world, fuelled by COVID-19, climate emergency, conflict, energy and cost of living crisis. In addition, especially as the world was struggling to assist and protects vulnerable persons who were in dire need of help.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for UNHCR, Member State delegates, partners and NGOs to share their experiences on the policy and practical approaches used by host States and communities to address the plight of refugees, displaced persons, and asylum seekers and to eradicate statelessness.

In her address during the general debate, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr highlighted some of the ECOWAS Commissions efforts to address the growing humanitarian challenges in the region and urged for increased support for food, shelter, water, and sanitation, including mental health and psychosocial support for vulnerable populations in need.

The Commissioner also mentioned some of the interventions of the ECOWAS Commission in tackling the root causes of the growing humanitarian challenges in the region and commended the African Union on the initiatives to operationalise the Declaration of the Malabo Humanitarian Summit and the AU Humanitarian Agency.

Commissioner Sarr also held a bilateral meeting with Ms Gillian Triggs, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection in which she acknowledged and commended the UNHCR for the support to the ECOWAS Commission.

The acknowledgement was particularly in the elaboration of a 4  year Regional Action Plan on the Global Compact Refugees to be validated by ECOWAS Experts and Ministers in October and November 2022 respectively, in fulfilment of ECOWAS Global Refugee Forum (GRF) pledges.

She urged UNHCR to continue to support ECOWAS in its efforts at implementing its pledges and that of the Member States.

Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr also participated in several events at the margins of the Session including as a panellist at the African Union (AU) - UNHCR High-level Side-event on the outcomes of the AU Extraordinary Humanitarian Summit and Pledging Conference, 25-27 May 2022, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr was accompanied on the mission by, Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director, Humanitarian and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Commission.
17.10.2022 LISTEN

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has said he will not respond to attacks by party members seeking to unseat him.

This is contained in a press statement by the NDC Chairman after citing a viral interview by the General Secretary of the NDC in which he makes various references to his person, leadership style and stewardship as National Chairman of the opposition party.

According to Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, he has no plans to respond to the attacks because he has regard for the high office he occupies.

It is my considered view that the quest to lead in the NDC's impending internal elections must be about who is more experienced and competent, and not vile personal attacks, the NDC Chairman notes in his statement.

Samuel Ofosu Ampofo further charges members of the party to desist from in-party attacks in the run-up to the upcoming internal elections.

I, therefore, seize this opportunity to admonish all seeking election into various positions, from Constituency to Region to National to be minded to engage in campaigns that market their track-record, leadership abilities, experience, vision and strategic direction for the party.

Ultimately, the delegates of our party will have the opportunity to assess every candidate on the strength of their personality and ability to lead and not personal attacks, Chairman Ofosu Ampofo notes in his statement.

Below is a copy of the release:

IGNORE ATTACKS ON CHAIRMAN OFOSU AMPOFO.

17/10/22

I have become aware of a viral interview granted to a media house by the General Secretary of my party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in which he makes various references to my person, leadership style and stewardship as National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress.

Having regard to the high office of party chairman which I occupy and the onerous responsibility of overseeing a successful reorganisation of our party in our quest to wrest power in 2024, I have decided not to respond to the said accusations.

Throughout my entire adult life, I have faithfully, dutifully and conscientiously served the National Democratic Congress in various capacities. I have done so with honour and dignity, while resisting every temptation to vilify political opponents.

I hold the view that it is totally out of place for party officials to divulge or discuss internal party matters that are within their knowledge by virtue of their privileged position, in the media or on any public forum. It is within this spirit that I elect to refrain from commenting on the merit or otherwise of the matters that were referenced in the said interview, including high-level party decisions that are supposed to be held in confidence.

It is important to underscore the fact that Former President John Dramani Mahama remains the only surviving Former President of the NDC tradition, a true statesman whose stellar record in office is widely celebrated. References to the Former President in discussing sensitive party matters in the public domain relative to ones internal election campaign, as was done in the said media interview is quite unfortunate and regrettable. As a statesman of our political tradition, the least we can do to honour him is to jealously guard against commentary that brings his name and that of the party into disrepute and needless acrimony.

It is my considered view that the quest to lead in the NDC's impending internal elections must be about who is more experienced and competent, and not vile personal attacks. I therefore seize this opportunity to admonish all seeking election into various positions, from Constituency to Region to National to be minded to engage in campaigns that market their track-record, leadership abilities, experience, vision and strategic direction for the party. Ultimately, the delegates of our party will have the opportunity to assess every candidate on the strength of their personality and ability to lead and not personal attacks.

We must all be guided by the fact that after all is said and done, the party must unite at all levels to prosecute a single agenda of rescuing our country from the clutches of the misrule and economic mismanagement being supervised by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government. It is therefore important to guard against incendiary language, finger-pointing and personal attacks that have the potential to jeopardise any effort at reconciliation after this electioneering process.

Finally, we must all remember that the internal elections of the NDC are a family contest and not an internecine war against ourselves. The real opponent is out there - the New Patriotic Party who have inflicted untold hardship on our people. Ghanaians will not forgive us if we fail to rescue them from the current economic malaise that we find ourselves in. May it not be said that we failed because we were busy throwing mud at one another and took our eyes off the real enemy.

Long live the NDC.

Signed.

Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo

(National Chairman, NDC)
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday commissioned the 330-kilovolt Kumasi-Bolgatanga Transmission Line.

The transmission line, which forms a significant part of the West Africa Power Pool, will reinforce the countrys transmission system and facilitate exporting at least 100 megawatts of electricity to Burkina Faso, as well as increase the reliability of Ghana to Burkina Interconnection Project.

To help achieve that objective, GRIDCo has also constructed a 330kV Transmission line from the Aboadze Power Generation enclave through Prestea to Kumasi.

The 330 kV Kumasi-Bolgatanga Transmission Line consists of the construction of approximately 550km of 330kV Transmission Line from Kumasi to Bolgatanga, the construction of 330kV Substations in Kumasi, Kintampo, Tamale and Bolgatanga.

It also consists of expansion works on the existing 161kV Substations at these locations and the implementation of Environmental Mitigation Measures and a Resettlement Action Plan for the Project.

The Project was financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) at US$173.9 million.

Not only has the project succeeded in supplying 150 megawatts of power to Burkina Faso, but it has also increased transmission capacity to meet growing demand in Ashanti, northern Ghana and beyond.

The Minister for Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh said the projects have also contributed to the reduction of transmission line overloads and associated high transmission losses and improved voltages, particularly in Ashanti, Bono and Bono East regions.

He stressed that the 330kV transmission lines have also helped to improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply in the country.

The West Africa Power Pool projects commenced with the Coastal Transmission Backbone Projects (CTB) which involved the construction of 330kV Aboadze-Volta (Tema)-Momehagou (Togo) Transmission Line and associated substations as well as the upgrade of Power Generation facilities in Ghana.

The projects were jointly implemented by the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and Communaute Electrique du Benin (CEB) of Togo/Benin and completed in 2014.

The developmental objective of the CTB project was to increase access of WAPP Zone A coastal states (Cote-d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin & Nigeria) to more stable and reliable electricity to alleviate power supply deficits and to reduce their collective vulnerability to drought-induced power supply disruptions.

The subsequent project was the Interzonal Hub Transmission Project. The development objective of the first phase of the project was to reduce the cost of and improve the security of electricity supply to Burkina while increasing Ghanas electricity export capacity.


file photo Pakistan's former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan stunned everyone with his party re-claiming six out of eight seats of the National Assembly (NA) in by-elections. Pakistan's former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan stunned everyone with his party re-claiming six out of eight seats of the National Assembly (NA) in by-elections.



The competition was very much seen as a direct political battle between Khan and the coalition government.



Khan lost only one contest in Karachi, while his party member Meher Bano Qureshi lost her by-polls to Ali Musa Gillani of Pakistan People Party in Multan. Imran's loss in Karachi was also claimed by Pakistan People Party's Hakeem Baloch.



However, Khan's big wins in six National Assembly seats have certainly rang alarm bells in the ranks of the coalition government, especially in the current sitting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).



Khan's PTI claimed victory from Mardan, Charsadda and Peshawar in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) province, Faisalabad and Nankana Sahib in Punjab province and Korangi district of Karachi in the Sindh province.



His party also emerged victorious in at least two out of three Punjab provincial assembly by-polls while only one was claimed by the ruling party PML-N.



Khan's narrative and efforts to spread his campaign across Pakistan has certainly yielded results as he cements the claims of him being the country's most popular leader at present.



The biggest winner of the by-polls has certainly been Khan while the biggest loser has been the ruling party PML-N.



Many said that Khan was a lone fighter against a coalition of at least 13 political parties, who now stand red-faced and embarrassed after losing from almost all constituencies from where Khan stood as a candidate.



The win for Khan is more symbolic in nature and will not necessarily reflect on the outcome in terms of progress and development in respective won seats.



The PTI has maintained that Khan will not even be taking any oath of Member National Assembly (MNA) and will not be going to the parliament as an MNA also.



The win certainly holds a massive moral booster and affirmation of the claim that the current representation of coalition government in the parliament, does not represent the Pakistani nation as a whole.



Khan has repeatedly demanded the announcement of early elections to let the people of the country decide on who should lead them as premier. However, the current coalition government, which took power after ousting Khan from office through a no-confidence vote, has refused to meet Khan's demand.



Analysts believe that Khan's towering popularity among the masses, his narrative building and the overall campaign against the government, "has pushed the establishment and the coalition government's parties on the back foot as they seem to have no rebuttal to Khan's roaring and glaring political glitters".




President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been assured that the 18-year stalled Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal project, known as Boankra Inland Port in Kumasi, would be completed by the first quarter of 2024.

The Concessionaire, Ashanti Ports Services Limited, a joint venture of Afum Quality Limited of Ghana and DSS Associates of the Republic of Korea, told President Akufo-Addo on Sunday when he visited the site of the construction.

Covering a total land area of 413 acres, Concessionaire said we are working to deliver this job within the scheduled date. By the end of 2023, 80% will be done, and, by the end of the first quarter of 2024, we will finish the project.

The Concessionaire was hopeful that the eastern and western railway lines would be completed on schedule, which would further improve the viability of the Boankra inland port.

The idea of the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal project has been on the drawing board since former President John Agyekum Kufuors government and in an attempt to commence work, it encountered some challenges, a significant one being the exit of the NPP government in 2009.

But when President Akufo-Addo cut the sod for the construction of the Port on Thursday, 5th November 2020, he explained that the Boankra Inland Port project was initiated to provide service to importers and exporters in the middle and northern parts of the country, and also serve as a major conduit for the efficient transportation of transit traffic to and from our neighbouring countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

After completion of the Terminal, it will be fitted with an inland clearance depot, customs bonded and unbonded estates, commercial areas such as banks, offices and trading facilities, vehicle parking areas, light industrial areas, and an administration complex.

The project will also offer significant employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled labour during the two phases of construction and operation. Beyond the creation of jobs, there are other ancillary small and medium-scale businesses that will be located within the enclave to support the operations of the Terminal.

It is noteworthy that the transformation of the Ghanaian economy, from a raw material producing and exporting one to an industrialised one, will be given a huge impetus with the coming onstream of this facility. Governments commitment to establishing the economy of Ghana on a solid path of industrialisation, with the view to delivering a vision of self-reliance, development and prosperity for all, is unwavering, he added at the time.

The Concessionaire, Ashanti Ports Services Limited, according to President Akufo-Addo, is committed to investing a total of $330 million to complete the project. Additionally, the Concessionaire is expected to design, engineer, finance, procure, construct, operate, maintain and transfer title to the government after 30 years.

It is my hope and expectation that the Concessionaire will not renege on the confidence reposed in it and will take all the necessary actions to deliver the project on schedule and budget, he added.

One of the success stories of the African economic integration agenda is the coming into force of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The objective of the AfCFTA is to promote trade among African countries, with the President stressing that this will be buoyed by the presence of an effective and efficient transport system, especially as Ghana is playing host to the Secretariat.

President Akufo-Addo was hopeful that this project and other similar infrastructure projects, such as the development of the Keta Port, the Tema-Akosombo Railway Line, and the ongoing port expansion projects at Tema and Takoradi Ports, would make a positive contribution in ensuring that Ghana derives maximum benefits from the AfCFTA.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has applauded President Akufo-Addo Nana Addo Dankwa for his consistency and commitment to the development of Asanteman, which has brought the region to prominence.

The Asantehene said he has followed with keen interest the tenure of President Akufo-Addo since 2017, and issues of key concern to the development of Asanteman have been placed on the front burner of governments development agenda.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II commended President Akufo-Addo when he paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace at the commencement of a 4-day working visit to the Ashanti Region.

On the occasion of your four-day visit here, which has become a regular feature, I am happy you are here to commission and inspect the projects undertaken by your government for all to see that, indeed, under you, Asanteman has benefited, he said.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II added, you have served us well and brought honour to Asanteman in the two terms that you have served as President. Therefore, I can only ask of the blessings of Almighty God and that of the ancestors for continued strength to serve Ghana.

President Akufo-Addo, on his part, said the visit to the Ashanti region was part of his yearly routine to visit all the regions across the country to acquaint himself with the development needs of the people.

He said, at the end of his four-day tour of the region, all will know that indeed Asanteman has benefitted significantly in terms of development.

Nearly 350 kilometres of Asphaltic Road network, the President disclosed had been constructed in the Ashanti region, irrespective of the 100 kilometres being done in the Kumasi Metropolis and the other 100 kilometres being done with regards to urban roads.

Thirty-two separate hospital projects, he told Asantehene had been done in my time in the Ashanti region.

On galamsey, President Akufo-Addo said that he was happy that issues of illegal mining had become topical during his administration.

Nobody spoke about it before I came, now I am happy that chiefs, including you, have all joined to see the fight to a good end. We have come to end and with your support, we will indeed succeed at it, he stated.
Recently appointed United Nations rights chief, Volker Turk, voiced alarm at the escalating conflict in Ukraine when he arrived at his post in the Swiss capital Geneva on Monday, insisting that civilians must be protected.

"Any escalation in warfare is deeply troubling to us, and it's happening in Ukraine," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told reporters in Geneva on his first day on the job.

Earlier on Monday, the Ukrainian capital Kyiv was hit by a barrage of attacks by what the Ukrainian president's office described as "kamikaze drones".

Those attacks came exactly a week after Russia unleashed a massive wave of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital and cities across the country.

"We have received reports from our colleagues on the ground about these drone attacks," said Turk, who is succeeding Chilean former president Michelle Bachelet at the helm of the UN rights office.

"It is absolutely important that civilian objects, civilians, are not targeted", he said, warning, "This is very difficult in densely populated urban areas."

Turk, an Austrian national who has spent most of his career within the UN system, stressed that respect for international law was "absolutely critical".

"The big call is to de-escalate and to find ways and means to respect international law," he said.

"Ultimately, it is about human beings who are not involved in warfare, and they need to be protected."

Turk faces trouble with China

Apart from the human rights implications of on-going armed conflicts in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Syria, Yemen, to name just some of the worst situations, Volker Turk will also inherit a sensitive file on China.

Before her departure, Michelle Bachelet published a long-delayed report on possible crimes against humanity, allegedly committed by the Chinese authorities against the Uyghur minority in the north-western region of Xinjiang.

The 48-page report, which Beijing has repeatedly tried to stall, contains what UN officials call "credible evidence" of torture and sexual violence against members of the predominantly Muslim minority.

Agnes Callamard of Amnesty International has called on Turk to speak "loud and clear" on behalf of those whose human rights have been violated, even if the perpetrators are powerful states.

Adding racism in the United States to the list of tough tasks facing the new UNHCR head, Tirana Hassan of the NGO Human Rights Watch called on Turk to continue his organisation's crucial task of careful enquiry into alleged abuses, and fearless publication of the evidence found.

Distinguished UNHCR career

Volker Turk worked closely with UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, before his nomination to the post of Human Rights High Commissioner last month.

He served in key UNHCR headquarter positions, including as Director of the Division of International Protection (2009-2015), Director of Organisational Development and Management (2008-2009); and Chief of Section, Protection Policy and Legal Advice (2000-2004).

Turk also occupied various positions with UNHCR around the world, including as Representative in Malaysia, Assistant Chief of Mission in Kosovo and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Regional Protection Co-ordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Kuwait.

Turk holds a doctorate in international law from the University of Vienna and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Linz, Austria. He is fluent in English and French.

He has published widely on international refugee legislation and international human rights law.
A group calling itself Justice Alliance has written to the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, to set up a commission of inquiry to look into the October 17, 2018 murders of three natives of Japekrom in Jaman South by some natives of New Drobo.

The murders ended a solemn commemorative walk by the chiefs and people of Japekrom to Mpuasu, their ancestral home, as part of the Munufie Yam Festival.

Though they were escorted by police personnel from the then Brong Ahafo Regional headquarters, Berekum Divisional Command and Drobo District Command to perform the rites in Mpuasu, they were suddenly abandoned at New Drobo, where a group of men had mounted a barrier.

Gunshots were fired into the crowd, leaving three including a one-year-old baby dead. Others sustained various degrees of injury.

Unfortunately, this peaceful commemorative cultural walk ended in bloodshed, the petition stressed.

Known assailants, including Kwame Baah, Yaw Tawiah, Rashid (all were arrested by the police), etc., and their accomplices, ambushed the procession, firing gunshots from a story-building at the roadside (eyewitness and police accounts) into the crowd, killing three (3) natives, including a one-year-old baby, the youth chief of Japekrom and a Senior High School Student.

According to the petition, though a commendable move was initiated by the Minister in the imposition of a dawn-to-dusk curfew, it wants a commission of inquiry set up.

We are by this petition appealing to the Honourable Minister for the setting up of a Commission of Enquiry, independent of the stalled criminal investigations by the Police, to establish the underlying motivations for the unprovoked violence by the people of New Drobo against natives of the lands of the Jaman South Capital area.

Find the petition below:

The Honourable Minister

Ministry of the Interior,

Accra.

Dear Sir,

OPEN PETITION FOR THE SETTING UP OF A COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY TO LOOK INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE MURDER OF THREE (3) NATIVES OF JAPEKROM BY ASSAILANTS AT NEW DROBO

On behalf of the Justice Alliance of the Jaman South Municipality of the Bono region, we present complements to the office of the Minister of the Interior and do submit this petition in reference to the GRUESOME MURDER of THREE INNOCENT PEOPLE from Japekrom at New Drobo on the 17th October 2018.

READ ALSO: Takoradi 'kidnapper' leads investigators on wild goose chase

You will recall that as part of the cerebration of the 2018 version of the annual Munufie Yam Festival, the Chiefs and People (elders, the elderly, young wo-men and children) of the Mpuasu-Japekrom Traditional area travelled to Mpuasu, their ancestral home on 17th October 2018, to perform some cultural rites in company of police personnel from Sunyani Regional Headquaters, Berekum Divisional and Drobo District Police Service in Two Pickup Trucks.

On their return with the crowd in procession, the Police Officers suddenly jumped into their trucks and took-off without any word to the people or the organizers. Just about that time, the crowd walked to a group of men who had mounted a barrier at New Drobo preventing them from passing by, and before they could negotiate their way through, gun shots started falling on the crowd from people hiding in a nearby story-building (eyewitness and police account).

Unfortunately, this peaceful commemorative cultural walk ended in bloodshed. Known assailants, including Kwame Baah, Yaw Tawiah, Rashid (all were arrested by the police), etc., and their accomplices, ambushed the procession, firing gunshots from a story-building at the roadside (eyewitness and police accounts) into the crowd, killing three (3) natives, including a one-year-old baby, the youth chief of Japekrom and a Senior High School Student. Dozens more people suffered gunshot wounds whiles other hundreds sustained various degrees of injuries as they run for their lives. Some of the pilgrims, including old women had to hide in the bush from about 5:20pm when the crime occurred till 10:00am the next morning, when they had military escort to their homes.

Whilst commending the Interior Minister and the Brong-Ahafo Security Council for the prompt action taken to prevent mayhem in the municipality by imposing a dawn to dusk curfew and the arrest of three of the murderers, we however wish to suggest that the imposition of curfew alone WILL IN NO WAY RESOLVE THE FUNDAMENTAL PRECURSOR(s) TO THIS COWARDLY ACT BY THE CHIEFS AND PEOPLE OF NEW DROBO.

READ ALSO: COVID-19 Fund apt - Adu-Gyamfi

May it also be noted that the quest for JUSTICE for the deceased and wounded natives is one engrained in the consciousness of the Natives (the living and so shall it be for the yet unborn). The cowardly murders of the 17th October 2018, was a planned and orchestrated unprovoked attack and must be seen as such.

We are by this petition appealing to the Honourable Minister for the setting up of a Commission of Enquiry, independent of the stalled criminal investigations by the Police, to establish the underlying motivations for the unprovoked violence by the people of New Drobo against natives of the lands of the Jaman South Capital area.

The attention of the Honourable Minister is being brought to the basis for our frustration and call for a Commission of Enquiry into the murders of the 17th October 2018 and prosecutions concurrently.

It would be recalled that, on the 1st May 2004, Yaw Tawiah, a prominent associate of the Drobohene shot at natives of Japekrom whose farmland at New Drobo was being encroached on by unknown settlers from the latter community. The said case is still under lock at the Attorney General Department at Sunyani without prosecution. During the Munufie Festival celebration of 2016, a diplomatic attempt to invite the Drobo Traditional Council to the festival was met by the fatal beating of the messenger sent by the Omanhene of Mpuasu-Japekrom and the customary schnapps smashed by Yaw Tawiah, among others. The case has since stalled at Berekum Circuit Court without prosecution.

On the 20th August 2018, the people of New Drobo assaulted the family and property of the Pastor of the True Faith Church, burning down his church, destroying his house and chasing the inhabitants into the bush. Reason: the Pastor was noted for praying for the people of Japekrom. Unfortunately, the Pastor's wife lost her twin babies consequent to the assault. As at today, the Pastor and his family are in refuge at Japekrom. This case is still at the Courts.

It may also be recalled that on the 18th October 2018, a day after the gruesome murder under reference, and in defense of the shameful act, the Drobo Traditional Council issued a Press Statement (copy attached) stating; the shooting was an act of self-defense. Again, at a Court hearing at the Berekum Magistrate Court, a Lawyer for three suspects arrested by the Police in connection with the murder stated to the shock of all that, the said barrier (at which point the shooting started) was mounted because the of Japekrom were walking through New Drobo.

READ ALSO: Operation to ban public smoking in Tamale to be activated after six arrested in swoop

Further to the above, it is obvious that the murder of the 17th October 2018 was planned and premised on an underlying laxity towards the prosecution of criminal acts involving the Drobos at New Drobo who consider violence as their sole preserve.

It is our firm conviction that the establishment of an independent Commission of Enquiry shall unearth the underlying triggers of these unprovoked attacks by the people of New Drobo on Natives of the lands on which they are and remain settlors, and thus make necessary proposals to maintain the peaceful coexistence of old.

In lieu of the foregoing, the above guiding questions begs for responses.

Why did the Police who had been with the celebrants suddenly abandon the procession at the point of the gunshots? Who ordered the Police to abandon the celebrants? Why were the Police ordered to abandon the procession at the fatal moment? What is the status of the criminal investigations into the 3 Murders of 17th October 2018 at New Drobo?

In pursuit of Justice!!

The Justice Alliance

---3news.com
The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has cautioned proprietors and school heads not to prevent any candidate from writing the BECE because of school fees.

Speaking to Alfred Ocansey on the 3FM Sunrise Morning Show on Monday 17 October 2022, the Head of Public Affairs of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) Ghana, Madam Agnes Teye-Cudjoe explained that government pays fully the examination fees of all candidates writing the BECE in government schools whereas, those from private schools pay their BECE fees themselves.

However, once the candidate has paid his or her examination fees which is totally different from the school fees, the candidate cannot be prevented from writing the exams because of school fees arears. Therefore, schools should find other means of getting the fees paid by the students rather than preventing them from writing the exams.

We will not advise proprietors to stop candidates from writing the BECE because they didn't pay school fees. Once they have paid their examination fees, allow them to write the exams and then find other means taking the school fees she cautioned proprietors

Moreover, students who have not paid their examinations fees are not candidates and can't write the exams. She also advised parents or guardians whose wards are prevented from writing the BECE should report the matter to the district education office.

The WAEC head of Public Affairs also noted that the examination centers are normally not the candidate's school therefore it would be difficult for candidates to be sacked since the invigilators are also not teachers from the school.

I will still advise the parent to send the candidate (ward) to the examination center and the supervisors will allow the candidate to write the exams she emphasized.

In a statement issued ahead of the exams, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) a total of 552,276 candidates from 18,501 schools across the country take the exams for school candidates while a total of 1,132 private candidates have registered for the exams and will take the papers at 15 selected centers starting Monday 17 October 2022.

Out of the number for school candidates, 276,988 are males while 275,288 are females. The private candidates are made up of 634 males and 498 females.

According to WAEC, the total number of candidates representing the schools is 3.48 percent less than the 2021 figure of 572,167.

She assured that provisions are made for candidates with impairment or disabilities. Per the registration data, 65 candidates have visual impairment and 47 with hearing impairment. Also, candidates with physical challenges are given an hour and thirty minutes extra.

---3news.com
Kenya's new president, William Ruto, said he had dissolved a police unit accused of extrajudicial killings, in a move hailed by human rights groups.

The Special Service Unit (SSU), which was created more than two decades ago, has been in the spotlight as cases of disappearances and murders in the East African country soared in recent years.

"We have disbanded the unit that was killing Kenyans arbitrarily," Ruto said on Sunday.

"Security deteriorated and the police changed to killing Kenyans instead of protecting them," he added, referring to the tenure of the previous administration in which he was deputy president.

In January, police began an investigation after badly decomposed bodies, some of which bore signs of torture, were found in a river in western Kenya.

At least 39 unidentified bodies -- all men -- have been retrieved from the River Yala, according to Missing Voices, a campaign group focused on extrajudicial killings.

Bodies have turned up in other Kenyan rivers under similarly mysterious circumstances.

The discoveries came amid public anger over police brutality and what is seen as the government's failure to hold officers to account.

The police are yet to make public their findings into the dumped bodies.

Ruto blamed the murders on the SSU and vowed to overhaul the security sector.

"We have a plan to secure this country so that we avoid the shame of Kenyans killed through extra-judicial killings and put in Yala river and other rivers," he said.

Activists welcomed the decision and called for a probe into the elite squad.

"The police must also audit SSU activities and publicly respond to allegations of responsibility for enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of many suspects," Amnesty Kenya said on Twitter.

Police in Kenya have been accused in the past of running hit squads targeting those -- including activists and lawyers -- investigating alleged rights abuses by the security services.

According to Missing Voices, there have been 1,264 deaths at the hands of police since it began collecting data in 2007, and 237 enforced disappearances as of September.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), to which the special unit belonged, said all its officers had been recalled "for further instructions".
17.10.2022 LISTEN

The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has shot down calls to sack Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta.

In his view, the Finance Minister has performed excellently and does not deserve to be sacked just because things have been tough since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Ghana.

I came to office in 2017 when we were under an IMF programme. This same Ken Ofori-Atta was able to manage the economy for the first 3 to 4 years. We were then one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. We had an average growth rate of 7% a year.

For someone who has been able to do all these, how do I turn my back on him? For me, his performance has been excellent. That is why I have great difficulty in understanding what is going on, President AKufo-Addo said in an interview with OTEC FM on Monday, October 17.

According to the President, he does not accept the criticism that his government has taken Ghana back to the IMF because of mismanagement.

He argues that the current economic challenges have little to do with decisions taken by his government.

It is very easy for people to say we went back to the IMF due to mismanagement of the economy. I do not accept that criticism because the reasons why we got into the situation we find ourselves has very little to do with us. In fact, the IMF confirmed this.

It was a difficult decision to take, but I think that when you are in the church like I am now, you cannot but take such decisions. I am the head of the government and I take full responsibility for it., President Akufo-Addo stressed.

The President is currently in the Ashanti Region for a four-day working tour. The tour which started on Sunday is expected to end on Wednesday, October 19.
The Denkyerahemaa, Nana Ama Ayesnsua Saara III has congratulated the University of Cape Coast on its sixtieth anniversary and also for being the Best University in Ghana and West Africa.

According to a statement released from her office, "The Denkyirahemaa, Nana Ama Ayensua Saara III, on behalf of herself and the Denkyira Kingdom, wishes to express profound congratulations to the University of Cape Coast (U.C.C.) for achieving the feat of first best University in Ghana and West Africa as well as fourth best in Africa for two (2) consecutive years".

The statement added, "Is no mean an achievement and the Denkyirahemaa and the whole Denkyiraman are proud to be associated with it".

It noted that the Kingdom of Denkyira are even more excited that this achievement coincides with the 60th anniversary celebrations of UCC.

The Queen Mother of Denkyira noted that as an "Alumna of UCC herself, she has no doubt about the pedigree of her alma mater as the University of Credible Choice for Ghanaians, Africans and the world as a whole."

The statement from the Office of the Denkyirahemaa has come against the backdrop that, the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has been adjudged the best university in Ghana and West Africa in a 2022 University Rankings.

This was announced in the annual Times Higher Education rankings which were released recently and also saw the school placed 4th in Africa.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 ranked 1,799 universities across 104 countries and regions, making it the largest and most diverse university ranking to date.

The table is based on 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institutions performance across four areas: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

This years ranking analyzed over 121 million citations across more than 15.5 million research publications and included survey responses from 40,000 scholars globally. Overall, about 680,000 points from more than 2,500 institutions that submitted data were collected.
The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated that he refuses to accept the claims that his governments mismanagement is the cause of the countrys economic woes.

Following the bad state of the Ghanaian economy, the President earlier this year in July directed Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to begin engagements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for support.

After the announcement, the opposition and many economic experts argued that it was an admission of the governments mismanagement of the economy.

Speaking to OTEC FM in an interview today, President Akufo-Addo stressed that he refuses to accept that claim.

According to him, the cause of the economic challenges facing the country has little to do with decisions taken by his government.

It is very easy for people to say we went back to the IMF due to mismanagement of the economy. I do not accept that criticism because the reasons why we got into the situation we find ourselves has very little to do with us. In fact, the IMF confirmed this.

It was a difficult decision to take, but I think that when you are in the chair like I am now, you cannot but take such decisions. I am the head of the government and I take full responsibility for it, President Akufo-Addo said.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has also emphasised that he has no plans of sacking Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

He is of the view that the Minister has performed excellently and does not deserve to be sacked.

I came to office in 2017 when we were under an IMF programme. This same Ken Ofori-Atta was able to manage the economy for the first 3 to 4 years. We were then one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. We had an average growth rate of 7% a year.

For someone who has been able to do all these, how do I turn my back on him? For me, his performance has been excellent. That is why I have great difficulty in understanding what is going on, the President who is on a four-day tour in the Ashanti Region said.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured traders in the Central Business District of Kumasi of his commitment to complete the second phase of the Kejetia Redevelopment project.

According to him, the project will be completed by February 2024 and handed over to traders for use.

The President who is on a four-day tour of the Ashanti Region said this when he inspected the ongoing project on Monday, October 17, 2022.

Addressing the traders President Akufo-Addo said the much-anticipated project will be delivered on time to ease congestion in the Kumasi Metropolis.

"I am grateful to you all for supporting my bid to become President. You brought me to power and so anything affecting you is my concern.

"I have directed the contractor to expedite work on the project and I can assure you of swift execution of the facility," he told the traders.

Sod cutting for the commencement of the second phase of the project was done on May 2, 2019 and was expected to be completed in 48 months.

Though the 248-million facility, which was supposed to serve as a trading hub to decongest the Central Business District will be missing the initial deadline, President Akufo-Addo has assured keys to the facility will be handed over to them by February 2024.
Bangladesh is now one of the countries responsible for taking care of human rights situations in different countries.

by Kamal Uddin Mazumder

In the recent past, Human rights are perhaps one of the most talked about issues in Bangladesh, nationally and internationally. Bangladesh on October 11 achieved its membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term20232025 with the highest vote from the Asia-Pacific region. In the election, 160 countries among 189 supported Bangladeshs membership in the United Nations General Assembly in New York, which is an outstanding achievement for the government. It is mentionable, this would be the fifth term of Bangladesh as a member of the 47-member UNHRC. In the previous UNHRC elections, Bangladesh won in 2006, 2009, 2014, and 2018; effectively for all possible terms as per the rules of business of the Council.

File photo of members of the Bangladesh Army on a UN peacekeeping mission in Mali [Photo: United Nations]

This achievement is a great honour for Bangladesh as a country, and also a warning of responsibility in the midst of criticism from the United Nations, the United States, and other countries regarding the allegations of disappearances and human rights violations. The task of the Human Rights Council is to monitor the human rights situation of member countries around the world and make necessary recommendations. Bangladesh is now one of the countries responsible for taking care of human rights situations in different countries. Truly speaking, this victory will enhance the image of Bangladesh and the current government in the international forum.

Victory at UN

As a responsible member state of the UN, Bangladesh remains committed to making all efforts to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights nationally and globally. This prestigious win is a manifestation of recognition by the international community that Bangladeshs human rights situation is not alarming, and the government is quite aware of ensuring human rights. This UN council takes care of human rights in all countries of the world. So, if Bangladeshs human rights state had been terrible, 160 countries would not have voted for it to join the Human Rights Council.

The result of the vote is also a big blow to the active groups that continues to try to embarrass Bangladesh and its government in the international arena by spreading false information about frequent human rights violations in the country. This nullifies the ongoing smear campaign with falsified and fabricated information by some politically motivated vested corners at home and abroad aimed at negatively portraying the human rights situation of Bangladesh a foreign press ministry press release said.

The human rights situation in Bangladesh is not satisfactory according to the United Nations. They urged Bangladesh to improve its human rights situation. Last year, the US imposed sanctions on RAB and six of its former and current officials. They are ignoring the requests to withdraw it despite the situations improvement. Against this backdrop, electing Bangladesh as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council is proof of the international communitys deep confidence in Bangladeshs contribution to the UN human rights system and ability to carry out the duties of the Council under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Undoubtedly, such a position of Bangladesh in the United Nations will take Bangladesh a step forward in making its human rights more integrated.

International Communitys Deep Confidence

At the invitation of the Government of Bangladesh, Michelle Bachelet, the UN Human Rights Commissioner visited the country in August this year and held a series of consultations with the relevant stakeholders in Bangladesh. However, Bachelet did not mention anything alarming about the human rights situation in the country in the written statement she handed over to journalists before leaving Bangladesh at the end of her scheduled visit. As she called on the government to discuss with various parties to update the Digital Security Act, she also praised the steps taken by the Bangladesh government in various fields, including the Rohingya issue.

Cases of human rights abuses in various countries including Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Myanmar have come up in the latest report of the UN. But Bangladesh is not among these countries. On the contrary, the incident of sheltering the Rohingya minority fleeing from the massacre and persecution of the military forces in Myanmar has also been highlighted. Through this, the humanity that Bangladesh has shown by sheltering the Rohingyas in danger has been highlighted as a unique example in the international arena including the United Nations.

This observation of Michelle Bachelet about the human rights situation in Bangladesh proved that Bangladesh is respectful to the international human rights mechanisms and there is nothing to worry about the human rights situation in Bangladesh.

This paper however does not suggest that Bangladesh does not have any case of human rights violation. In fact, human rights challenges are faced just like any other country in the world does. Unfortunately, rule of law, democracy, and human rights are subjected to the enormous challenge of manipulation of the superpowers which want to impose imperial designs on the world in the name of peace. However, some isolated incidents have occurred in Bangladesh in which the rights of any individual or institution have been violated by some overenthusiastic members of the government or law enforcement that have embarrassed the government. But no such incident is happening regularly in Bangladesh that may be considered a human rights violation. As a result, it is not right to promote those incidents as human rights violations.

The Challenges Are Ahead

The issue of human rights is explicitly written in the constitution of Bangladesh. Article 11 of the Constitution states that the Republic shall be a democracy in which fundamental human rights and freedoms and respect for the dignity and worth of the human person shall be guaranteed. As a result, the state or the government does not have the power to take away the rights of any person or organization because the government runs the state within the guidelines of the constitution. Moreover, Bangladesh has an independent judiciary and a Human Rights Commission. These institutions should be strengthened so that any allegation of violence, extra-judicial killing, or unlawful detention against law enforcement agencies can be addressed immediately and effectively. Additionally, the law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh should be provided with intensive training to ensure that they do not violate human rights while combating terrorism and crimes unless in a given situation application of force is mandatory to save their own lives.

The responsibility of looking after the human rights situation of various countries is entrusted to the council. Bangladesh should respect the trust that the member states have shown in Bangladesh and the current government in the vote of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Finally, everyone expects that as a member of the Human Rights Council, Bangladesh will be able to make a significant contribution to the implementation of UN principles in the field of human rights, especially in the context of emerging global challenges.

Kamal Uddin Mazumder, Security and strategic affairs analyst, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Monday that the situation in Ethiopia was "spiralling out of control" as fighting raged in the north of the country and the government vowed to seize control of airports and other sites in Tigray.

International alarm has been mounting over the upsurge in fighting in Tigray, where Ethiopian forces along with troops from neighbouring Eritrea have stepped up an offensive near the city of Shire.

"The situation in Ethiopia is spiralling out of control. Violence and destruction have reached alarming levels," Guterres told reporters at the United Nations.

"Hostilities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia must end now," he said, also calling for the "immediate withdrawal and disengagement" of Eritrean forces.

The African Union had called on Sunday for an immediate and unconditional truce as combat intensified between pro-government forces and rebels from the Tigray region who have been at war for nearly two years.

AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat also urged the rivals to "recommit to dialogue" after both sides accepted an invitation to peace talks that failed to materialise as violence spiralled.

The conflict has killed an unknown number of civilians and unleashed a massive humanitarian crisis in Tigray and other parts of the north, with at least two million people driven from their homes and millions more in need of aid.

'Defensive measures'

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government said in a statement Monday it was "committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict through the AU-led peace talks," without addressing the ceasefire call.

But it said it would also pursue "defensive measures" to protect Ethiopia's sovereignty and territorial integrity from internal and external threats.

"These measures are necessitated not only by the repeated attacks of the TPLF (Tigray People's Liberation Front) but also by its active collusion with these hostile foreign powers," it said, without identifying them.

"It is thus imperative that the Government of Ethiopia assumes immediate control of all airports, other federal facilities, and installations in the region," the statement from the Government Communication Service (GCS) said.

The authorities in Tigray said Sunday they were "ready to abide by an immediate cessation of hostilities" and called on the international community to press the government to come to the table.

Reacting to the GCS statement, TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda told AFP in a message: "It's a clear indication that the government and its ally will do everything to carry through their genocidal intent against the people of Tigray."

Tigray and its six million people are largely cut off from the outside world, facing dire shortages of fuel, food and medicines and lacking basic services such as communications, electricity and banking.

Abiy's government and the Tigrayan authorities were to attend AU-led negotiations in South Africa earlier this month but they did not go ahead, with logistical problems cited as one obstacle.

'Deep regret'

Meanwhile, civilian casualties have been reported in heavy shelling as Ethiopian and Eritrean troops wage an offensive near Shire, a city of 100,000 people in northwestern Tigray.

US aid chief Samantha Power on Sunday warned "the risk of additional atrocities and loss of life is intensifying" around Shire, and accused Ethiopian and Eritrean forces of indiscriminate attacks.

On Friday, an aid worker from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) was among three civilians killed in an attack in Shire that also injured others.

The IRC staffer was distributing food to vulnerable civilians including women and children, said the World Food Programme (WFP).

Britain's minister for Africa, Gillian Keegan, said she was "appalled" by the attack.

"This is the 24th aid worker killed in Tigray since the start of the conflict. Civilians and aid workers must be protected and #NotATarget," Keegan wrote on Twitter.

Addis Ababa said its army strove to "avoid combat operations within urban areas to prevent civilian casualties" but urged aid workers to "distance themselves from TPLF military assets".

"The Government of Ethiopia deeply regrets any harm that might have been inflicted on civilians, including humanitarian personnel," the GCS said, adding it would investigate such incidents.

Abiy, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his rapprochement with Eritrea, sent troops into Tigray in November 2020 after accusing the TPLF of attacking federal army camps.

The TPLF had dominated Ethiopia's ruling political alliance for decades before Abiy took power in 2018 and sidelined the party.
President Akufo-Addo has said the ongoing prosecution of persons accused of corruption-related offences has vindicated his commitment to fighting the canker.

He noted that legislation to strengthen the legal framework for dealing with the acts of corruption such as the CHRAJ, EOCO, and the Judiciary is a clear indication of his determination to fight corruption.

The President said this in an interview on Otec FMs morning show Nyansapo hosted by Captain Koda in Kumasi on Monday, October 17, 2022.

He stated that he has not hesitated to back the Attorney-General to prosecute persons with evidence such as the former head of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), Adjenim Boateng.

There are a whole lot of prosecutions going on of people of the past government and even of this government. The former head of the Public Procurement Authority is on trial today for acts of corruption in my time, noted.

He added, There is also a whole lot of legislation to strengthen the legal framework for dealing with the acts of corruption. All the corruption institutions like the police, the CHRAJ, the EOCO, the Judiciary among others have been strengthened."

He stressed that the creation and works of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is an indication of a President willing to go after any corrupt official or appointee.

Kissi Agyabeng is doing very in that office. He is not a direct government or party member but somebody who has the courage to strike where he has to strike, irrespective of the persons party affiliation, he emphasised.
The Ministry of Education has given the assurance that it will deal with the concerns of University labour unions in a peaceful manner.

The University labour unions including the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Senior Staff Association of Ghana (SSAG) and the Tertiary Association of Workers Union (TEWU) on Monday, October 17, announced an indefinite striker.

The decision to strike is to protest what the labour unions describe as the governments unilateral move to vary their conditions of service including the payment of vehicle and fuel allowance.

Although a meeting was held on Saturday with the government, the labour unions say they did not see any sign of commitment.

Speaking to Starr FM in an interview, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Yaw Opoku Mensah stressed that the Ministry is keen on resolving whatever impasse.

It is a good package we had for them and we are expecting to carry on within the coming days. But definitely, we have taken note of their grievances because its an enhanced package that we gave out to UTAG.

Whatever be the outstanding issues our authorities have taken notice of and in the coming days we will bring finality to the whole conversation about the conditions of service of UTAG.

So the country should be rest assured that we will deal with all outstanding matters amicably and have a peaceful environment on our campuses, Yaw Opoku Mensah emphasised.

The leadership of the university labour unions want the government to issue a statement confirming the restoration of the agreed conditions of service.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says its investigation has revealed that 50 cartons of Pavo Frankfurt sausages with expiry date November 2022 were imported into the country.

It said 30 out to the 50 cartons of the substandard sausage said contain listeria bacteria were sent to Ho, 15 to Accra, with five cartoons consumed by the importers.

Mr Vigil Edward Prah-Ashun, Head of Intelligence at the FDA told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that officers of the Authority were able to intercepts only four cartons of the sausages sent to Ho.

We found out the 26 out of the 30 cartoons sent to Ho were already sold out and consumed, we have been able to trace most people who consumed the product to check for any adverse effect, he said.

Mr Prah-Ashun said so far no adverse effect had been reported among those who consumed the product, and that the FDA was working to trace the remaining 15 cartoons in Accra.

We have alerted all regional officers to be on the lookout for the product, he said.

The head of intelligence said the FDA found and detained some cartons of Pavo Frankfurt sausage in Ho on October 11 following the recall of the AIA Wudy and Pavo sausage brands in Europe and other countries.

So far, no AIA Wudy sausage had been found on the Ghanaian Market, he said.

Commenting on the fast-approaching Christmas festivities and the sale of expired products, Mr Prah-Ashun said the FDA had intensified its post market surveillance activities to rid the market of unsafe products.

He said the officers were already in the markets to look out for unregistered products, substandard products and those that had short shelve life.

Mr Prah-Eshun said the FDA would ensure that the law dealt with persons, who would take advantage of the Christmas festivities to sell expired confectionaries and frozen foods to the public.

He urged the public to check the expiry dates on all consumables, especially 'Donkomi' products.

GNA
Four Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) centres in the Hohoe Municipality have recorded eight absentee students.

Last year, three centres in the Municipality recorded 21 absentees.

A total of 1,881 students in the Municipality are sitting for this years examination, which would be held at five centres.

Mr Daniel Noble Awume, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), during a tour to some of the centres of the Municipality, urged the students to thrive hard to pass their examinations.

He noted that Free Senior High School would be available, hence, the importance for all to make good use of the opportunity.

He admonished the students to remain calm after their exams, adding that there was no need to mark events and engage in activities that could endanger their lives.

The MCE on behalf of Mr John-Peter Amewu, Hohoe Constituency Member of Parliament, presented about 2,000 branded Mathematical sets to the students as support.

He also made a presentation of snack packs to teachers and invigilators at the centres.

Madam Janet Valerie Datsa Agbotse, the Hohoe Municipal Education Director, on behalf of the students expressed gratitude to the MP for the donation.

She urged the students to learn and pass their exams successfully.

Mr Solomon Amankwah, in charge of the St. Francis College of Education Centre, disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that a male student was absent out of the 589 students writing at the centre.

He said he was informed that the student stopped going to school after registration for the exams.

Mr Kutanu Richard, in charge of the Hohoe E.P SHS Centre, said four students out of 466 were absent but was unaware of the reason for their absenteeism.

Mr Forster Asante, in charge of the Hohoe E.P Basic Schools Centre, told GNA that two out of 457 students were absent.

He said information he had indicated that one of the students was no longer in the Municipality while they could not reach out to the other absentee after several phone calls.

Mr Kafui Akorlie, in charge of the Alavanyo Wudidi M/A JHS, said one out of the 158 students at the Centre was absent.

He said information picked up was that the male student absentee was involved in an accident.

GNA
The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stressed that his government will not hide anything from the ongoing engagements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to him, it is the reason why the ongoing talks with the Fund have been the most transparent ever.

Speaking to OTEC FM in Kumasi on Monday, October 17, President Akufo-Addo said, This has been the most transparent IMF programme ever. Did you hear anything about the IMF in 2015?

Earlier this year in July, the President directed the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta to start engagements with the IMF for a support programme.

At the time, the countrys economic woes had become dire with the citizenry complaining of severe hardships.

Several months later, the government of Ghana is still in talks with the Fund in hopes of reaching an agreement for a support programme before the close of the year.

While some say talks have stalled, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is confident a deal will soon be reached.

In line with the Presidents dialogue with the IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, negotiations will be fast-tracked to ensure that key aspects of the programme are reflected in the 2023 Annual Budget Statement in November 2022, Ken Ofori-Atta told the media at a press briefing on September 28.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Swedru in the Eastern Region, Hon Kennedy Osei Nyarko has wished this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in the nation, especially those in the Akim Swedru constituency success in the upcoming examination.

The lawmaker few weeks ago distributed laptops and tablets to some teachers in the constituency as part of his commitment towards quality education. His support for education started years ago and has positively impacted the success of students.

In his statement, Hon Kennedy Osei Nyarko admonished students to be of good behaviour during the examination and advised them to respect the invigilators and listen to every instruction given them by the examination officials, and also abide by the rules and regulations regarding the examination.

The lawmaker also urged the candidates not to rely on leaked papers, but rather concentrate on what they have been taught by their teachers and success will surely come their way.

"As a father, I encourage you to be confident in the examination hall, do not be intimidated or frightened by anyone, just keep your calm and answer your questions accordingly, double check your answers if necessary and submit your answer booklets when they are requested for by the examination officials," he stated.

Hon Kennedy Osei Nyarko added: "You are the future leaders of our country, we trust in your potentials and capabilities, the President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, your parents, families, friends and the whole nation are behind you with prayers. We know you will make us proud!

"We wish you all the best in your examination, we trust God to grant you retentive memory and success so you come out with flying colors!"

Schools and private candidates who have registered for the 2022 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will simultaneously begin the exams on October 17 and end on October 21, 2022.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in a statement to announce the date for the examination said this will be the first time both schools and private candidates will take the exams at the same time.

This, the Council said is due to the consistently low entries for the BECE for private candidates over the years.

A total of 552,276 candidates from 18,501 schools across the country will take the exams for school candidates at 2,023 centres while a total of 1,132 private candidates have registered for the exams and will take the papers at 15 selected centres.
18.10.2022 LISTEN

"Our government is using digital technology to stimulate growth in the economy  President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at the launch of MTN Ghanas 25th Anniversary in June 2021

Ensuring universal access to internet connectivity remains a topmost priority on the development agenda of the Government of Ghana. The government has over the years committed to making digitalization a key driver of sustained and inclusive economic growth. Consequently, Ghana, today, is on the cusp of a digital economy, and now more than ever, closing the digital divide has become a very important goal especially as it relates to achieving the UN Secretary-Generals Digital Inclusion Goals and more importantly, to support the countrys post COVID-19 pandemic recovery process.

Access to connectivity is creating opportunities in various ways for the citizenry, especially for households considered poor. For example, the introduction of digital payment systems such as mobile money platforms are enabling financial inclusion for many people who hitherto had no opportunity of having a bank account. Similarly, through the power of connectivity, the barriers to education are gradually being dismantled and the frontiers of education are expanding with the adoption of eLearning, distance training, distance learning and massive open online courses (MOOCs) as normative forms of education in a modernized economy. There is further empirical evidence of immense benefits associated with connectivity being recorded across other sectors of the economy such as health, agriculture, governance, among others.

Current data on digitalisation position Ghana as one of the leading countries in Africa. The quarterly report from the regulator, the National Communications Authority (NCA), puts total penetration for voice at 130.37% as at the end of June 2022, with actual subscriptions pegged at 40.98 million. Regarding internet penetration, there has been an exponential increase in penetration from 2.31 million in 2012 to about 17 million users in 2022, which is about 53% of the population (Antwi-Boasiako, A, 2022, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month). Though these statistics are spectacular, the reality is that about 40% of the population remains unconnected to the internet. A more recent data compiled by the Ghana Statistical Service prior to the commencement of the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC) identified a coverage gap in almost 12,000 communities across the country, with about 30% of the population reported to be living in rural areas. These areas are noted to have some peculiar characteristics such as low population density, low-income levels, challenges with topography particularly around the middle belt of the country, and distance between settlements. These peculiarities have been the major barriers for the Mobile Network Operators to establish their footprints in these communities. Simply put, the economics are just unattractive.

To remedy the situation, the Government of Ghana launched the ambitious Ghana Rural Telephony Project and Digital Inclusion Project (GRTP & DIP). Financed with a 155 million loan secured from the China Exim Bank under the auspices of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization, the project is designed to extend connectivity to 2,016 unserved communities identified across the country using the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications as implementing agency. It is executed on a Public Private Partnership basis with a novel Tripartite Revenue-Share Model among the key partners.

The success of the project was however hinged on the type of technology required to address the peculiar rural characteristics mentioned earlier - a technology that will provide seamless and reliable voice and data connectivity to all residents, no matter where they reside, while ensuring that the selected Mobile Network Operator (MNO) could achieve a Return on Investments (RoI), or in the worst-case scenario, break-even. Through extensive research, the consortium (GIFEC, HUAWEI and MTN) developed the innovative Rural Star Technology as a site infrastructure for the project. Designed as a lightweight rural network coverage solution, it supports 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity and entails some 50 per cent savings on the cost of traditional cell sites. This allows the project to be economical and financially viable thereby generating good returns on investment.

A key advantage of using the Rural Star technology was that, potentially, more communities could be selected as beneficiaries as they satisfy the criteria compared to the requirements under the previous Rural Telephony Project. For example, the population criterion was lowered from 2000 to 500 programme (not sure if the word programme should be here) provided there were social amenities like a school, market, etc that could stimulate and sustain demand for internet services within the enclave.

This project gives hope for the over 3 million people residing in these communities to adopt and adapt to the use of ICT in their daily activities. These people will have equal opportunity to access innovations being introduced by the government in its digital transformation drive. Some of these include using digital means to acquire basic needs such as a passport, drivers license, registration of business (e-business), purchase of drugs (e-pharmacy), purchase of tickets for social events (e-ticketing), clearing of goods from the port using the paperless port clearance system, securing a unique geo-located digital address system, national identification card, and many others.

ICT has become so critical to everyday life that the government could not afford to deny any of its citizenry access to network. Government aimed to establish more than 1,000 cell sites across the country by the end of 2020 - Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications and Digitalisation

On November 4, 2020, the first site was successfully launched by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at Atwereboana, a rural community located in the New Edubiase District of the Ashanti Region. Subsequently, further deployments have been made in a span of two years. About 1000 more rural sites across the country have been connected, and more than 1.5million people, mainly poor and low-income households, have begun using digital services. Today, these previously unconnected citizens have been afforded the opportunity to participate fully in the now emerging digital economy especially in a post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Citizens have been given a voice in the governance and political process, are able to explore the economic benefits particularly for those operating in the Micro, Small and Medium Scale (MSME) enterprise sectors, interact more socially and are assured of enhanced education opportunities.

To ensure that no segment of the population is left unconnected, the project acknowledges the potential barriers existing within the beneficial communities. The issue of gender inequality is a priority. Many of women do not possess the relevant skills to access digital resources. A gender gap is estimated to be close to 10%. This is however more pronounced in rural areas with more than half of the population not using any form of ICT in general. As part of the project implementation, beneficiary communities receive digital literacy programmes that the Ministry is implementing through GIFEC. For example, this year the annual Girls-In-ICT programme is earmarked to train 5,000 girls in five regions. So far, 3000 girls have received training with the remaining 2000 expected to be completed before the end of 2022. Similarly, the Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) project will train 14,000 people drawn from diverse backgrounds in basic and intermediate ICT skills. A significant portion of the beneficiaries is earmarked for women. Other interventions such as the ICT for Women Empowerment (ISEWE) and Girls can Code are deliberate actions designed to improve digital literacy skills of connected communities under GRT & DIP and both cumulatively have trained over 2000 women in the past two years.

To function effectively in the digital economy, it is essential to build the capacity of Ghanaians, to take full advantage of the 4th Industrial Revolution, which has fundamentally changed the way we live, work and relate with each other, through technology-Prince Sefah, Administrator, GIFEC

The issue of cybersecurity and its related privacy interests of users, particularly women, also remain central to the issue of Digital Inclusion in rural areas. One cannot lose sight of the fact that these communities are typically steeped in culture and some of their beliefs and practices do not encourage women to be receptive to the use of such modern tools. The Ministry has since 2018 established a National Cybersecurity Authority (NSA) which dedicates the month of October as an awareness month for cybersecurity. The activities of the NSA are undertaken nationwide, and therefore not surprising since the commencement of the programme, more women are changing their opinions and gaining the needed confidence in the use of digital tools.

Similarly, providing assistive technologies to persons with disabilities to enable them to become a part of the digital economy is one that has gained the utmost attention under the project. GIFEC is supporting several institutions by way of assistive technologies and training to enable their effective participation in the new economy. In collaboration with the German Development Agency (GIZ), GIFEC has commenced a training programme in some of the GRT & DIP communities where it is organizing extensive training to people including persons with disabilities.

The importance of connecting the unconnected cannot be underestimated. There is no doubt that this period presents the most opportune time for Ghana to leapfrog its development to achieve her goal of a Ghana Beyond Aid. The current global economic turmoil facing economies such as Ghana notwithstanding, the future and hope for any economic recovery hinges on digitalization.
Chinese and Taiwanese printed flags are seen in this illustration taken on April 28, 2022.
By Conor Gallagher

Much like Ankara, Belgrade has tried to stay above the fray in the conflict between NATO and Russia. While Serbia doesnt share the same geographic significance and isnt a member of NATO like Turkey, it is one of Russias strongest allies in Europe, and is now receiving the same pressure to choose a side.

Comments from European leaders describe how Serbias long-term goal of joining the EU is at risk due to its friendliness with Moscow.

In the more immediate term, Belgrade is facing an economic fallout from newly restricted energy supplies, and the move risks inflaming tensions between longtime adversaries Croatia and Serbia and within Bosnia where both countries support ethnonationalist parties.

The most recent round of EU sanctions prohibits the transport of Russian oil across Croatia to Serbia, one of the few European countries not to join the sanctions party against Moscow. From Euractiv:

Until recently, Serbia had hoped that Croatias pipeline operator JANAF would continue to ship Russian crude oil, brought to Croatia on oil tankers, to NIS, in line with an agreement signed in January. This came to an end with the latest sanctions agreement. In Prague for the inaugural meeting of the European Political Community, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told reporters that Croatia had already boasted and taken credit for the full ban on Russian oil transport.

Serbia has no outlets to the sea and will therefore be forced to pay much higher prices to import oil than they would have with its deal with Russia.

Croatia does not create our foreign policy, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said. It is created by our citizens, through their democratically elected representatives.

The Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, meanwhile, said Serbia cannot sit on two stools and expect progress on its European path while disrespecting sanctions against Russia.

Serbia is in a tough spot as the EU is its top trading partner while Russia comes in second. 63% of Serbias overall trade in 2019 was done with the European Union. Russia and China rank respectively on second and third places but at considerably lower trade levels  ten times lower than trade between Serbia and the EU, but Serbia has relied on Russian gas and oil imports.

But Serbia in recent years has looked increasingly eastwards for trade  even signing a trade deal with the Russian-led Eurasian Union in 2019 despite threats from Brussels. Belgrade and Moscow also have strong military cooperation, and Russia supports Serbia internationally on issues such as Kosovo.

Serbias sole oil company is NIS, in which Russian Gazprom Neft and Gazprom together hold a majority stake. For natural gas, Serbia relies on the Turkstream pipeline that carries supplies from Russia to Turkey and onto Serbia via Bulgaria, but Turkstream is also under threat from sanctions and other means.

In May Serbia secured a new three-year deal with Gazprom for natural gas, and Belgrade is now working on a pipeline from Hungary that will transport Russian oil. From Al Jazeera:

Hungary and Serbia have agreed to build a pipeline to supply Serbia with Russias crude oil as European Union sanctions limit supplies via Croatia, the Hungarian government has announced. Hungary has been critical of EU sanctions against Russia. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said the sanctions have failed as governments in Europe are collapsing like dominoes.

Inside Serbia the public is overwhelmingly opposed to adopting sanctions on Russia.

New poll shows just how widespread Serbian support for Russian imperialism is  81% are against aligning sanctions on Russia with the EU  70% believe the US threatens Serbias independence in decision-making  The majority supports joining the Eurasian Union, not the EU pic.twitter.com/HDP8y3zCzu  Admirim (@admirim) October 7, 2022

Croatia leading the charge as the EU demands Belgrade turn away from Russia is causing alarm in Serbia. The Western media often explain that Serbia and Russia have close ties due to Orthodox Crhristianity being the major religion in both countries. What they always omit though is how both countries share a common recent history of being attacked by forces from the heart of Europe. From Diana Johnstone:

During World War II, German occupation had split [Yugoslavia] apart. Serbia, allied to France and Britain in World War I, was subject to a punishing occupation. Idyllic Slovenia was absorbed into the Third Reich, while Germany supported an independent Croatia, ruled by the fascist Ustasha party, which included most of Bosnia, scene of the bloodiest internal fighting. When the war ended, many Croatian Ustasha emigrated to Germany, the United States and Canada, never giving up the hope of reviving secessionist Croatian nationalism. In Washington in the 1990s, members of Congress got their impressions of Yugoslavia from a single expert: 35-year-old Croatian-American Mira Baratta, assistant to Sen. Bob Dole (Republican presidential candidate in 1996). Barattas grandfather had been an important Ustasha officer in Bosnia and her father was active in the Croatian diaspora in California. Baratta won over not only Dole but virtually the whole Congress to the Croatian version of Yugoslav conflicts blaming everything on the Serbs.

Now leaders across the EU are saying that Serbias reluctance to support EU sanctions against Russia could threaten the countrys ambition to join the European Union. From the Serbian Monitor:

The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, said that Serbias EU accession process will be slowed down if Belgrade does not impose sanctions on Russia. Borrell told N1 television that the EU accession process requires alignment with its foreign policy. In the European Commission report, we see that Serbia, as well as Turkey, are wavering on the issue of alignment with EU foreign policy. The decline in alignment combined with close relations with the Putin regime means that there is no choice but to signal a decline in alignment within Chapter 31, Borrell said. He also stated that there is no deadline by which Serbia must introduce sanctions against Russia and added that Serbia must follow EU foreign policy.

EU Vice-President Margaritis Schinas recently told Euronews that many leaders are looking around and they expect everybody to share the communality of the project in these difficult moments, and in particular those who aspire to be with us.

The European Union and the US are questioning Serbias commitment to join the EU after Belgrade signed an agreement with Moscow pledging long-term consultations on foreign policy matters amid Russias war in Ukraine.

US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher R Hill said further alignment with Russia is a step in the wrong direction and contrary to Serbias stated European aspirations.

The United States believes that no country should be expanding cooperation with Russia while it continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, Hill said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Additionally Brussels offered a pointed rebuke to Belgrade on October 12 when the EU Commission advised member states to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status, but criticized Serbia for not aligning with the bloc on Russia sanctions. From the EU Observer:

The commissions report noted that Serbia did not align with the EU restrictive measures against Russia, and its alignment rate on council decisions and declarations by the EUs foreign affairs chief dropped from 64 percent in 2020 to 45 percent in 2022. The EU executive also said in its report that as a matter of priority, Serbia needs to fulfill its commitment to align with EU sanctions.

The commission also said Serbia needs to robustly tackle all forms of disinformation.

In other words, Brussels is demanding Serbia cut ties with Russia and join the bloc in committing economic suicide or else.
My job with the Post has evolved since October 2000, when I began work with The City Paper. In 2008, both publications became aligned via former owner SouthComm Inc. I have served as Post managing editor since 2011.

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(Natural News) According to the insane Leftists who push gender fluidity on the whole country, babies know the gender they want to be when they come out of the womb. A new Childrens Hospital commercial features a pharma shill who informs us all that  a good portion of children do know as early as seemingly from the womb. So now, according to the left, the first time a child says the word woman or man, that means thats what they want to become, because were all supposedly gender fluid, shifting back and forth at any given moment from our biological gender to whatever other genders (sexual preferences and role-playing identities) are out there.

The trans-from-the-womb commercial informs parents to bring their children into the clinic to visit with a psychiatrist who will talk to them and encourage them to try out all the different genders right away, including bigender, genderqueer, pangender, intergender, agender, cis gender, cishet, non-binary, gender void, omni-gender, gender expansive, gender non-conforming (mysterious), anatomical sex, and lots more.

Womens Health magazine claims that gender is just how you feel

According to the ever-popular Womens Health magazine, the term gender has nothing to do with biology, and everything to do with how we feel about ourselves. So whether youre born with a penis or vagina, were all gender fluid because we can just decide at any given moment whether or not to get pregnant, have our period, or produce sperm inside our body. Its just an emotional thing, and how you feel about others that you want to have sex with, or be sexually attractive to. Understand?

In other words, the psychiatrist will be speaking directly to your child or teen, probably asking you to leave the room, and encouraging them to take cancer-inducing hormone drugs and get dangerous gender-bending bottom surgery that could end their reproductive ability forever and cause (possibly permanent) problems with urination and libido.

Disney also encourages this wave of gender-fluid insanity regarding kids and teens taking hormones and getting genital mutation surgery. The hospitals, clinics and universities make a killing from this kind of mutilation surgery, whether theyre cutting off penises to make labia and a clitoris, or cutting off girls breasts and adding a fake penis and fake Adams apple.

According to the gender-void and gender-fluid Left, the whole world is a drag-stage for strip tease acts and child molestation. Its as if camps and schools are just strip tease clubs where the gender-confused adults train the kids to think about sex, sexuality, and gender-queer-ness all day.

According to the Left and Gender-Queers, all children are trans at birth, so parents should begin counseling them as such

According to the gender-void movement in America, everyone is gay at birth, craving sex and identifying what gender they want to be already, for pleasing the other non-conforming gender fluid gays. Kids, its time for Drag Queen Story Hour, where a man who wants to be a woman dresses up in a womans one-piece, g-string bathing suit, high heels, a wig, and lots of clown makeup, and prances around the room for everyone to caress their package. Then maybe there will be a read-a-loud, if youre lucky. This is called grooming children, and the Left hates that saying as much as they hate the words woman, man, boy, and girl.

According to the gender-confused Left, when a baby first starts to talk, if they say mama, it means they saw a man dressed as a woman and they want to do the same. If a boy grabs a toy thats pink, that means hes gay or wants to be a girl. If a girl walks into a room thats painted blue, that means she wants to have surgery to add a penis (that probably wont work) and take cancer-causing drugs to make her voice deeper and grow facial hair. You may NOT want to leave your child in a room alone with a psychiatrist who also believes all of this.

Tune your internet frequency to Gender.news for updates on children screaming out what gender they want to be as they exit the womb.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Then-President Donald Trump, who was schemed against, lied about, and attacked every day of his presidency, was wrongly impeached once on the false claim that he engaged in a quid pro quo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zeleneskyy.

Readers may recall that a member of the National Security Council, now-retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, accused Trump of withholding military aid to Ukraine until Zelenskyy agreed to launch an investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden for their corrupt activities in his country.

Mind you, Joe Biden freely admitted to engaging in a quid pro quo during a foreign policy forum when he was still vice president, threatening to withhold $1 billion in aid unless the then-Ukrainian regime fired a prosecutor  who was investigating his son, Hunter, and the company he was working for.

But Trump, who took the unprecedented step of actually releasing the transcript of his phone call with Zelenskyy revealing no such quid pro quo occurred, was nevertheless impeached by partisan Democrats, with the entire country dragged along for the ride.

Now, its Republicans turn to impeach Biden for a legitimate quid pro quo that the Saudi government just exposed.

During a recent trip to Saudi Arabia, Biden begged them to ramp up oil production and exports instead of cutting production so that gas prices would continue to fall and Democrats would be in a better position to win races during next months midterms. But the Saudis, who despise Biden, said no. Whats more, in a statement released on Wednesday, the Kingdom revealed Bidens pathetic request.

An official at the Foreign Ministry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stated that the government of [Saudi Arabia] has viewed the statements issued about the Kingdom following the OPEC+ decision announced on October 5 2022, which have described the decision as the Kingdom taking sides in international conflicts and that it was politically motivated against the United States of America, a letter released by the Kingdom says, as reported by Big League Politics.

The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would first like to express its total rejection of these statements that are not based on facts, and which are based on portraying the OPEC+ decision out of its purely economic context. This decision was taken unanimously by all member states of the OPEC+ group, the letter added.

The Saudi government then exposed Biden for lobbying them to manipulate the global oil supply heading into the 2022 midterm elections  that is, increase the supply so prices would go down and Biden and Democrats would be in better shape politically.

[Saudi Arabia] would also like to clarify that based on its belief in the importance of dialogue and exchange of views with its allies and partners outside the OPEC+ group regarding the situation in the oil markets, [we] clarified through its continuous consultation with the US Administration that all economic analyses indicate that postponing the OPEC+ decision for a month, according to what has been suggested, would have had negative economic consequences, the letter states.

The Kingdom also called out Biden and Democrats directly after threats to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its decision, including halting weapons sales (the quid pro quo part).

[Saudi Arabia] affirms that any attempts to distort the facts about the Kingdoms position regarding the crisis in Ukraine are unfortunate, and will not change the Kingdoms principled position, including its vote to support UN resolutions regarding the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, based on the Kingdoms position on the importance for all countries to adhere to the United Nations Charter, principles of international law, and the Kingdoms rejection of any infringement on the sovereignty of countries over their territories, the letter added.

Incredible. Saudi Arabia just threw @JoeBiden under the bus. The Saudis expose that Biden wanted them to delay a decision about limiting oil production until after the midterms because Biden didnt want new fuel price hikes until after the election. Very corrupt and impeachable. pic.twitter.com/fcfkwSWoO7  Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) October 13, 2022

This is Exhibit A in Joe Bidens impeachment trial for Republicans when they regain control of the House and Senate. They should not be cowards and get it done.

Sources include:

BigLeaguePolitics.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) General Christian Blanchon of France has written a powerful letter in which he praises the unvaccinated for going against the tide by preserving their God-given immunity.

People who refused to get vaccinated for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) are superheroes, he says, for refusing to cave to the demands of the Big Pharma-allied globalists who are trying every trick in the book to convince everyone to comply.

Unlike French Pres. Emmanuel Macron, who proudly persecuted the unvaccinated in his country for refusing to permanently damage their DNA with the gene-editing experiment, Gen. Blanchon believes that those who followed Nancy Reagans just say no advice by resisting the drug shots embody the best of humanity.

Even if I were fully vaccinated, I would admire the unvaccinated for standing up to the greatest pressure I have ever seen, including from spouses, parents, children, friends, colleagues, and doctors, he wrote, adding that the unvaccinated are people of personality and courage.

Instead of following the herd straight off the cliff, the unvaccinated used critical thinking, leading them to the conclusion that experimental drugs from Big Pharma probably are not a good bet, especially for an alleged virus that has never even been isolated.

They are of a particular kind, Gen. Blanchon says about the unvaccinated, adding that these are the soldiers that any army of light wishes to have in its ranks.

They are beings above the average of their societies; they are the essence of the peoples who have built all cultures and conquered horizons. They are there, by your side, they seem normal, but they are superheroes.

Those who resisted covid jabs are the chosen ones of the invisible ark

It takes a certain kind of conviction and persistence to stand strong in the face of this relentless jab assault  especially when ones job or family is on the line. People who quit a pressuring job and trusted God for provision instead deserve to be commended.

According to Gen. Blanchon, these folks along with everyone else who resisted did what others could not do, further describing them as the tree that withstood the hurricane of insults, discrimination, and social exclusion.

And they did it because they thought they were alone and believed they were alone, he further writes.

Some unvaccinated people were even excluded from their familys Thanksgiving and Christmas table. They suffered immeasurable discrimination, denunciations, betrayals, and humiliation  but they continued, Gen. Blanchon says.

It is now clear as day who has beliefs they truly stand by and who simply obeys whatever the government and big corporations tell them to do  even when the orders are unlawful, make no scientific sense, and put ones health and life at risk.

By choosing not to get jabbed along with the rest of the herd, the unvaccinated purebloods represent the chosen ones of the invisible ark, the only ones who managed to resist when everything fell apart.

Youve passed an unimaginable test that many of the toughest marines, commandos, green berets, astronauts, and geniuses couldnt pass, Gen. Blanchon glowed towards the conclusion of his letter.

You are made of the stuff of the greatest that ever lived, those heroes born among ordinary men who shine in the dark.

To all of our readers out there who just said no to experimental drugs from Big Pharma: keep standing strong.

The vaccine was an IQ test, suggested a commenter, adding to Gen. Blanchons sentiments.

You can never truly know the caliber of a man until his resilience is put to the test, wrote another.

To learn more about the dangers and ineffectiveness of Chinese Virus injections, visit ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

Newspunch.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) We have all seen it: the bleeding-heart journalist who claims to represent the working poor and even be one of them. In reality, many of these folks are secret millionaires or even billionaires with the power to destroy your life while protecting their own.

Take Carlos Maza, for instance, formerly of Vox. A graduate of Wake Forest University (WFU) in North Carolina, Maza is known for pushing extreme left-wing views  views so far-left, in fact, that Vox actually fired him.

Maza offered liberal takes on all sorts of issues, framing himself as one of the little guys. What nobody knew about him, though, is that he is a secret billionaire whose privileged family flies around on private jets to their multiple mansions and hops around private islands on their yachts.

It turns out that Mazas parents are tech billionaires who raised him in a multimillion-dollar home in Boca Raton, Florida. But none of this was publicly available until after his firing from Vox because the family had some kind of secret arrangement with Google to censor this information from all search results.

Until his termination at Vox, there was no Google result you could get that could tell you anything on Carlos Mazas background. Nothing. A complete memory hole, revealed the SGT Report.

For almost 10 years he was able to use his massive platform to cancel anyone he saw fit to & abuse his power unchecked.

Maza then tried, but failed, to launch a channel on YouTube. What matters, though, is that he is a complete phony in that he pretended to be a working-class socialist while basking in the extravagant wealth of crony capitalism, which on paper and in Vox he vehemently opposes.

Taylor Lorenz is another privileged TikTok journalist who gets special treatment online

Another journalistic hypocrite is the infamous Taylor Lorenz, whom we have reported on extensively. Lorenz may or may not be quite as rich as Maza  it is difficult to tell which family has more money stuffed away  but she is still way up there compared to what her work resume suggests.

We know that Lorenz was born to wealthy and privileged elitists in New York City, and was raised in the richest zip code in Connecticut. She attended a private boarding school in Switzerland and graduated from Hobart and William Smith College.

Other than that, there is very little information about Lorenz online  and that is no accident. Like Maza, Lorenzs family holds major sway in Big Tech, having the ability to purge their private family information from most known corners of the internet.

Lorenz loves to dox people she does not like, including poor, weak and vulnerable people who do not have the same resources she and her family does. But when it comes to being doxed herself, Lorenz loves to cry rivers on the camera about how unfair life is.

Described by many as a TikTok journalist, Lorenz is one of the biggest hypocrites in media right now, having made a name for herself as a whining, complaining always-victim who does the very things to others that she herself claims are being done unfairly to her.

It turns out that Lorenzs mom and uncle are the mega-rich children of R. McDonald, a very powerful politician who just so happens to also be the owner and founder of the WayBackMachine. This is how Lorenz is able to keep her own information private while destroying the lives of others.

Trying to find info about any of these people on the internet is nearly impossible. Taylor Lorenz even had her uncle exempt her twitter account from the WayBackMachine, said the SGT Report. Once she deletes her tweets they are literally wiped from the internet forever. Now thats power you cant buy.

The latest news about left-wing journalism can be found at Deception.news.

Sources for this article include:

SGTreport.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Once again, the left-wing legacy American media is behaving more like state press in authoritarian countries like Cuba, Iran, and North Korea, echoing only regime propaganda and protecting it from exposure and scandal.

On Wednesday, Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin, who has covered the story of Joe Bidens chaotic open border for most of the presidents term, revealed that the regimes Homeland Security chief, Alejandro Mayorkas, knew reports that Border Patrol agents whipped Haitian migrants with the reins of their horses was complete BS, but he refused to acknowledge it publicly.

And of course, most of the major networks ignored that bombshell.

Mayorkas knew that the images of migrants being whipped by border patrol agents were being misconstrued, according to a DHS e-mail obtained by the Heritage Foundation, NewsBusters noted regarding the development. While at the time the three evening news networks leaped to lambast the Border Patrol agents, they are conveniently quiet over the revelation that Mayorkas knew the truth despite rushing to the White House press briefing room to excoriate Border Patrol.

Melugin reported: A DHS e-mail obtained by the Heritage Foundation reveals Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was alerted that the migrant whipping narrative the President pushed wasnt true.

The Fox News correspondent went on to provide more details regarding Mayorkas political cowardice:

At 12:05 pm, Marsha Espinosa DHSs Assistant Secretary for public affairs sent this e-mail to Secretary Mayorkas and other DHS officials where she literally highlights that the photographer who took the infamous photos said in an interview that things arent what they seem that he and his colleagues never saw agents whipping anybody and that his images were being misconstrued.

Despite having been sent that email, just two and a half hours later, Mayorkas joined a press conference at the White House where he failed to dispute or stop the false whipping narrative, Melugin reported.

Rather, this regime liar stood at a podium and said: 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 nations ongoing battle against systemic racism.

Melugin reported further that the agents were cleared of the accusations weeks ago but they are still facing administrative punishments to include two weeks of unpaid leave and, of course, a black mark on their work record. But he also said the agents are working with Border Patrol attorneys to push back on the false allegations and the administrations reprisals.

One Border Patrol union official, Brandon Judd, remarked that if Mayorkas was a better man who had a shred of integrity, he would resign. Fat chance of that happening, however, because Democrats lack integrity.

Republican lawmakers have since stepped up to blast Mayorkas for refusing to push back on a narrative he knew was false, even if it meant telling Biden he couldnt go along with the lie and resigning.

If reports are true, then Secretary Mayorkas should resign. This is a failure of leadership and a complete betrayal of the hardworking Border Patrol agents who have been doing their best to maintain some control of the border in midst of this administrations failed policies, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said on Twitter.

If reports are true, then Secretary Mayorkas should resign. This is a failure of leadership and a complete betrayal of the hardworking Border Patrol agents who have been doing their best to maintain some control of the border in midst of this administrations failed policies. https://t.co/1r77XeAUwT  Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) October 12, 2022

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) opined that Mayorkas will be impeached in just a few months, hinting GOP will act against him after taking over control of Congress.

Disgraceful. Mayorkas knowingly sold out the honorable men a women of Border Patrol all to curry favor with the Biden White House. Im just a few months, Mayorkas willrightlybe impeached. https://t.co/D5N0LVccfF  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 12, 2022

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

Newsbusters.org
(Natural News) More evidence has emerged that elements of Ukraines military are beholden to Nazi ideology, as President Vladimir Putin alleged prior to his invasion of the country in February.

The latest proof involves a bracelet worn by the Ukrainian armed forces commander-in-chief, General Valery Zaluzhny. A close-up of the bracelet, which appears to be on his right wrist, clearly shows the outline of a swastika, Russia Today has reported.

Pro-Western and pro-Ukraine media have regularly dismissed such claims as Russian propaganda. The photo in question has been circulating online at least since March, RT.com added.

A handful of pro-Ukrainian commentators claimed that Zaluzhnys bracelet actually depicted a Scandinavian pagan symbol, which looked like a swastika due to digital compression of the image. Zaluzhny himself commented on one Facebook post insisting that this was the case, the outlet reported.

But again, this isnt the first Nazi imagery seen being worn by Ukrainian military personnel. First and foremost, the notorious Azov Battalion actually began as a neo-Nazi militia. Also, regular Ukrainian service members have been seen wearing the deaths head, or totenkopf, the symbol of the 3rd SS Panzer Division, and have also daubed swastikas on their vehicles, reported RT.com.

To that point, U.S. taxpayers via the Biden regime are actually funding and providing weapons to the battalion, as well as the Ukrainian military writ large. The Azov Special Operations Detachment, or the Azov Battalion, is a fascist and neo-Nazi battalion that is an integrated unit of the Ukrainian National Guard.

It was formed in 2014 in response to the ongoing anti-Russian, pro-European Maidan protests, as well as Russias annexation of Crimea and the rise of pro-Russian separatist groups in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, which is another name for provinces.

Azov has achieved levels of mainstream media exposure far in excess of the groups minimal electoral support, noted Oleksiy Kuzmenko, an investigative reporter.

In fact, the U.S. began supporting the battalion during the Obama regime in 2015. Several members of Congress attempted to amend laws to limit providing arms, training and other assistance to the Azov Battalion and other neo-Nazi militias, but this was quashed by the Defense Department under the 44th president.

It would take targeted efforts by U.S. forces in Ukraine to ensure it does not receive the same weapons and support as other units, wrote journalists Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies in Fair Observer. Today, in the midst of a war and a huge influx of U.S. military aid, that would seem to be almost impossible.

Considering the fact that the U.S. Army has been training Ukrainian armed forces and national guard troops  Congress and the administration have paved the way for U.S. funding to end up in the hands of the most noxious elements circulating within Ukraine today, noted James Carden for The Nation, going on to suggest that members of the U.S. military have directly trained members of the Azov Battalion.

Supporting Ukraines neo-Nazis serves the U.S. own interests, added Li Wei, an expert on national security issues at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations. By inciting conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, the U.S. has weakened Russia further and pushed Ukraine to NATO. It has also improved its relationship with Europe, which has become more strategically dependent on the United States. The U.S. is really the biggest beneficiary of Russia-Ukraine tensions.

In May, human rights groups found a neo-Nazi torture chamber in Ukraine with a corpse.

Russian and Donbas investigators have gathered volumes of evidence dating back to 2014 on probable war crimes committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazi organizations against Russian forces, Donbas militia members, and civilians. Additional proof of similar acts has surfaced since Moscow launched its demilitarization campaign in Ukraine, Great Game India reported at the time.

Russian security troops patrolling in the liberated Kherson region uncovered a makeshift torture cell that might have been utilized by neo-Nazis or the Ukrainian military, the report continued.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

RT.com
(Natural News) Confusion is circulating right now about PayPals new misinformation policy that allows the company to steal $2,500 per infraction from a users account. PayPal says recent updates to its Acceptable Use Policy were done in error, but Brian A. Wilkins from The Covid Blog says this is a lie.

Wilkins is involved in an ongoing arbitration dispute with PayPal, which claims he owes the company $380,000 for spreading misinformation via his blog. Wilkins is representing himself, he says, and the arbitration is ongoing.

In case you missed it, PayPal notified its users the other day that beginning on Nov. 3, 2022, violation of the companys Acceptable Use Policy:

 constitutes a violation of the PayPal User Agreement and may subject you to damages, including liquidated damages of $2,500.00 U.S. dollars per violation, which may be debited directly from your PayPal account(s) as outlined in the User Agreement.

Since PayPal arbitrarily decides what constitutes misinformation, there was an immediate groundswell of opposition. Hashtags like #CancelPayPal, #DeletePayPal, and #GoWokeGoBroke started trending on Twitter and Facebook, and many were openly canceling their PayPal accounts and showing proof.

Some encountered opposition, including one man who says PayPal stopped allowing people to cancel their accounts online as normal. Users were forced to call the company, but PayPal was reportedly cutting people off and hanging up on them.

They are in panic mode, this person tweeted. Keep trying!

Former head of PayPal blasts company for going against everything I believe in

Former PayPal President David Marcus, who was once proud of the company he led, tweeted a message of criticism, explaining that the new PayPal is a far cry from the old PayPal he remembers.

Its hard for me to openly criticize a company I used to love and gave so much to, Marcus wrote.

But @PayPals new AUP goes against everything I believe in. A private company now gets to decide to take your money if you say something they disagree with. Insanity.

Billionaire Tesla head Elon Musk responded to Marcus tweet with one simple word:

Agreed.

PayPals stock price took a big hit following the news. It plunged 12 percent since October 6 (as of this writing), though we are told that the company has been on a downward spiral for years.

On July 23, 2021, PayPal Holdings, Inc. had a per-share price of $308.53. On October 12, PayPals stock price closed at just $83.81.

In an attempt to salvage what remains of the failing company, a PayPal spokesperson announced to several media outlets that the new looting policy went out in error.

PayPal is not fining people for misinformation and this language was never intended to be inserted in our policy, this person added. Were sorry for the confusion this has caused.

PayPal continued to spam Wilkins email inboxes and harass him after terminating his business relationship

According to Wilkins, PayPal is flat-out lying with this statement, and he would certainly know as a victim of said policy.

The entire process is a farcical clown show, and literally puts on display the god-like complex of PayPal, its attorneys, and its arbitrators, he says about the process.

As we reported earlier in the year, PayPal is also arbitrarily canceling the accounts of users who run media outlets that are deemed to be spreading misinformation.

Wilkins The Covid Blog is one such outlet that was canceled from the PayPal platform on Aug. 9, 2021. No reason was given for the termination, but Wilkins says it is obvious why.

Anyone who speaks truth and displays critical thinking skills regarding the lethal injections and those ridiculous masks gets de-platformed by big tech, Wilkins writes.

But since I was expecting the ban, it was no big deal. PayPal, however, continued filling my email inboxes daily with spam messages like Your payment didnt go through and You cant have your money.'

Wilkins says he responded to two of these emails demanding that PayPal stop spamming his account since the company had already terminated its business relationship with him  but the spam continued.

Wilkins then probed PayPals Electronic Communications Delivery Policy, in which it states that email spam such as this is a violation. Wilkins wrote another email demanding that the spam stop or else he was going to sue, but it still continued.

It was only after I served a Notice of Claim on PayPal, Inc. in Glendale, California, that the spam emails finally stopped (at least temporarily), he says.

But now I was demanding damages of over $100,000 for breach of contract and violations of California Business & Professions Code  17529 et seq. PayPal is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in San Jose, California.

Additional details about Wilkins ongoing pursuit of justice against PayPal can be found at his blog.

If the topic of Big Tech censorship interests you, more stories about it can be found at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheCovidBlog.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Some of the most common pharmaceutical drugs for cardiovascular disease can have dangerous interactions with Pfizers new Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) drug Paxlovid.

According to a new paper published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), Paxlovids combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir interacts negatively with the CYP450 pathway, which is involved in metabolizing a number of pharmaceutical medications.

Ritonavir, which was first approved in 1996 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat HIV, is guilty of CYP450 damage, as well as damage to the P-glycoprotein drug efflux pump.

Co-administration of [Paxlovid] with medications commonly used to manage cardiovascular conditions can potentially cause significant drug-drug interactions and may lead to severe adverse effects, the studys abstract reads.

It is crucial to be aware of such interactions and take appropriate measures to avoid them.

Paxlovid also interferes with some blood-thinning drugs, increasing the risk of severe and potentially deadly bleeding. We also know the antiviral drug can make statin heart drugs more toxic than they already are.

Awareness of the presence of drug-drug interactions of Paxlovid with common cardiovascular drugs is key, said lead author Dr. Saru Ganatra, M.D., who works at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Mass.

System-level interventions by integrating drug-drug interactions into electronic medical records could help avoid related adverse events.

Paxlovid has risks

Ganatra went on in a statement to warn physicians that they must pay very close attention to patients prescribed Paxlovid because of the very serious risks involved in taking the drug.

Patients already on other potentially interactive medications need to know that they should not take Paxlovid  or at the very least that they should have a consultation with healthcare providers and pharmacists to minimize their risk.

The FDAs fact sheet for Paxlovid states all of this as well, warning that patients could die if they take the drug alongside other interactive drugs, including anti-seizure medications, drugs for irregular heart rhythms, drugs for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, steroids, HIV treatments, blood thinners, and erectile dysfunction medications.

The importance of medication reconciliation before initiation of nirmatrelvir / ritonavir (Paxlovid) cannot be overemphasized to avoid serious drug-drug interactions, the new paper strongly warns.

The fact that Paxlovid contains an anti-HIV drug component only further affirms that covid vaccines are giving people vaccine-induced AIDS, also known as VAIDS. Politicians like Tony Fauci and Joe Biden, who supposedly got vaccinated and later took Paxlovid, further suggest this connection.

Remember, fraud nullifies immunity, wrote a commenter about what Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and the other Big Pharma kingpins involved in this scam have to look forward to. Its coming, you b***ards.

I certainly hope its Fauci first, responded another.

If you take any Pfizer product, youre insane, said another, pointing to the drug giants extensive history of fraud and criminality.

If you trust Big Pharma, youre insane, interjected another about how they are all untrustworthy and guilty of serious crimes against humanity.

Someone else pointed out that Paxlovid is a rip-off of ivermectin that obviously failed, at least in the sense of being beneficial for human health.

Remember when these same people were telling you ivermectin would kill you? this person further wrote. Irony.

Not to worry: they are currently testing a new drug to counteract any adverse reactions to Paxlovid, joked another about the merry-go-round of drugs that Big Pharma continues to dispense.

So far, only four of the eight mice in the trial have died, he further joked. FDA approval expected next week.

The latest news about the covid scamdemic can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

JACC.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Over the past fifty years, the world has been undergoing a mass extinction event, as habitats and bio-diverse ecosystems are diminished from the planet. The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) published a new report documenting the appalling loss of animal populations since 1970. According to their latest Living Planet Report 2022, todays agricultural practices (mono-culture) and other deleterious human activities are rapidly destroying natural habitats and displacing wildlife, leading to devastating losses for biodiversity and animal populations.

Wildlife populations plummet by 69%, millions of species on verge of extinction

The report investigated more than 5,000 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish, spanning 32,000 different animal populations. The report finds that animal populations have plummeted by 69 percent in the last 50 years! In Africa, two thirds of animal populations have been lost. In Europe, there has been an animal population decline of 18 percent. In Asia, the damage is 55 percent, and in North America, animal populations have fallen by 20 percent. The greatest losses are occurring in Latin America and throughout the Caribbean; animal populations have plummeted by 94% in these areas. Millions of species of plants and animals are now on the verge of extinction.

Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International, said the entire organization is extremely worried by the new data. The data shows a devastating fall in wildlife populations, in particular in tropical regions that are home to some of the most biodiverse landscapes in the world, he said. This includes warm water coral reefs, which have been cut in half over the past 50 years.

The preservation and restoration of biodiversity should be the goal

The freshwater populations monitored by the WWF have declined by an average of 83% since 1970. The dwindling of lakes, streams, and rivers also poses significant threats to migration routes. To make matters worse, nearly a third of all monitored global fish stocks are now over-fished. Other problems include pollution, the introduction of invasive species, and the spread of disease. The greatest threat continues to be rapid deforestation and careless agricultural practices.

Food systems today are responsible for over 80 percent of deforestation on land, and if you look at the ocean and freshwater, they are also driving a collapse of fishery stocks and populations in those habitats, Lambertini said. We need to stress the fact that nature loss is not just a moral issue of our duty to protect the rest of the world. It is actually an issue of material value, an issue of security for humanity as well, said Lambertini.

A team of researchers from Europe found that diverse plant communities are more successful and enable higher crop yields than monocultures. While monocultures are cultivated efficiently, they are not sustainable for the environment, for they cause damage to the soil and water. A more diverse plant community would therefore allow more plants and animals to thrive in their natural habitats. Instead of viewing herbs and animals as pests, farmers could find ways to allow for greater biodiversity and preserve forestry in the process. By utilizing a mixture of plants in farm fields, the different plant species, fungi and animal populations evolve together, complimenting one another. In permaculture, less pest control is required and natural fertilizers are incorporated and used more effectively.

Lambertini believes that world leaders should address biodiversity loss using a binding international commitment similar to the Paris Climate Accord. The report calls for more sustainable food production and more responsible consumption of the foods, along with an increased focus on conservation and restoration of natural habitats. The report also calls for governments to respect the value of resources provided by diverse ecosystems, including various wild foods and natural medicines.

Sources include:

IBTimes.com

LivingPlanet.Panda.org

ScienceDaily.com
More clouds are now moving into western New England, bringing humidity with them and laying the stage for showers on Monday.

summer-like vibes give rise to fire-weather fears

The Pacific Northwest, which is known for its dismal, damp weather for much of the year, is experiencing summer-like weather as a high-pressure system raises temperatures and alerts first responders to fires, as per NBC News.

Multiple high-temperature records were broken in the Seattle region on Saturday, with the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reaching 77 degrees, 16 degrees above average, and Quillayute Airport on the northern Washington coast reaching 83, according to official forecasts.

The high-pressure ridge is pushing air west, resulting in dry offshore winds that warm as they go down mountain slopes and compress the air.

A red flag warning line runs along the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains, from the California-Oregon boundary to the U.S.

According to the National Weather Service, the border with Canada is closed.

The warnings indicated that fire beginnings might swiftly turn into catastrophic wildfires.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, no large new fires have been connected to this heat wave in the Pacific Northwest, but 18 big wildfires that have burnt more than 370,000 acres are still ongoing.

The Cedar Creek Fire, which is located about 150 miles south of Portland, Oregon, was ignited by lightning on August 1 and was still burning on Saturday.

According to the US Forest Service, the fire has burnt 123,861 acres and is only 40% controlled due to "severe fire hazard."

According to National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Michalski, a lot of wildfire smoke is affecting air quality in the region.

The Puget Sound region was anticipated to have unhealthy air all weekend.

The air at Cheeka Peak, a summit in Washington's far northwestern region, was "unhealthy for sensitive populations" on Saturday, according to the partnership.

The weather forecast remained similar, with the National Weather Service office in Portland, Oregon, anticipating warm, dry, and windy conditions through Sunday, with gusts of up to 20 miles per hour possible.

A Pacific trough might bring rain to Portland on Monday and Tuesday, but summer-like weather could return on Wednesday.

Also Read: Climate change makes summer weather stormier yet more stagnant

Plenty of Sun Before the Arrival of Rain in New England

Light to moderate showers will become scattered and move into Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Eastern Massachusetts by Monday lunchtime, as per NBC Boston.

While some rain may accompany this system, most of the heavier rain is expected to fall in western Massachusetts, as well as central/northern Vermont and New Hampshire.

The Cape is expected to get a nice shot of rain tonight into Tuesday, with most of the activity clearing out by Tuesday afternoon/evening.

While the front moves out on Tuesday, taking most of the clouds with it, colder temperatures will remain.

Fortunately for us, we'll be able to bask in the sun for several days.

So, with temperatures in the 50s on Wednesday and Thursday, it won't seem too horrible, especially with the brilliant sun shining over most of New England and helping us warm up to the 60s by the end of the work week.

Surprisingly, much of the country will experience a "calm" week. That meandering low spinning over the big lakes will be the focus.

The frontal boundary that is causing showers from Arizona to Tennessee today and tomorrow will shift south on Tuesday, and a high-pressure system will take over much of the United States.

The next weekend looks fantastic, with highs in the upper 60s, dry weather, and more sun.

Related article: Wisconsin Wednesday Forecast is Warm Summer Weather at 80F Through the Weekend
A United Airlines passenger plane struck a bird mid-air shortly after taking off from the O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois.

The pilot decided to return to the Chicago airport on Friday, October 14, immediately after the bird hit the aircraft, which resulted in a loud bang that alarmed not only the flight crew but also passengers.

There were no reported casualties from last week's incident.

Since the dawn of aviation, bird strikes have been a common occurrence and posed a significant threat to both civil and military aircraft safety.

The greatest risk comes from the fact that the animals can hit and damage a plane's engine, especially during mid-air travel.

Bird collisions can also affect the windscreen of an aircraft, in addition to the animals being sucked into the engine and can result in a fire or plane crash.

United Flight Bird Strike

The Chicago Department of Aviation reportedly stated it received a call for "standby alert" at 11:14 a.m. local time on Friday.

Multiple reports indicated that the incident only involved a single bird and not a flock of bird, which had already occurred in previous cases.

The United Airlines during a statement said that Flight 1930 was able to land safely to Chicago O'Hare International Airport in the aftermath of the bird strike, as cited by NBC News.

The airlines added that the passengers deplaned at the gate and were transferred to a different plane.

The United Airlines jet was a Boeing 737-900, a large plane model with no reported pre-flight malfunction or system error.

Also Read: Bird Strikes are an Unreported Threat to US Military Aircraft

State of Panic

Passengers were reportedly terrified when the Miami-bound United Airlines passenger jet caught fire after the bird collision.

Local 10 reporter Joseph Ojo spoke with the Flight 1930 United plane passengers, where some indicated that there was a large banging noise after the bird strike.

The passengers also recalled the plane was flying for 15 minutes before it was able to reach the ground again.

Some residents in the area also captured a moment of the incident by taking a video of a sparking engine and noises from the United jet.

The Miracle of the Hudson

Multiple media sources indicate that the most famous bird strike incident is the so-called "Miracle of the Hudson," a phrase depicting the remarkable landing of US Airways Flight 1549 back in January 2009, when a total of 100 people were injured but with no fatalities.

The Airbus A320 plane that year made an emergency landing on the Hudson River on January 15 after experiencing a double bird strike shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City.

The US Airways Flight 1549 bird strikes was also made into a Hollywood movie entitled "Sully" (2016) starred by actor Tom Hanks who played as Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the pilot of the US Airways passenger plane.

Bird strikes are considered to be a major problem in the commercial aviation industry.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were 14,564 recorded bird strikes, wherein some also encountered bats, terrestrial mammals, and reptiles.

Related Article: Why Agile Birds Still Hit Cars and Planes
A new plastics plant which will open soon near the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, posing a threat to the local environment and ecology.

The threat brings fear amongst environmental that it could worsen both air and water pollution, as well as stimulate fracking, a technique that involves fracturing bedrock formations through hydraulic fracturing.

The emerging facility is operated by an international oil giant.

The plant mainly poses a threat by disseminating unwanted plastic particles in the form of either solid plastics or microplastics into the environment.

Local authorities are reportedly aware of the industrial establishment, which was granted a permit to emit volatile organic compounds.

However, some authorities are also monitoring the plant's future activities and its impact in the local populace.

Based on recent studies, air pollution has been a growing environmental and public health issue worldwide.

This threat is based on evidence that small particles of plastics have been found not only in the air and bodies of water but also inside human bodies, including the blood stream.

The holistic environmental impact and health repercussion of microplastic pollution is still unclear at this time.

Environmentalists and critics of the petrochemical industry are concerned that the new plastics plant will be a new source of harmful emissions.

These activities continue due to Pennsylvania's reported abundance of gas reserves.

These comes 15 years after the state's natural gas industry started to significantly contribute on air and water pollution due to existing activities like burning fossil fuels.

Pittsburgh New Plastic Plant

The industrial facility opening soon near Pittsburgh is expected to be operational by the end of 2022.

It will convert the natural gas ethane into ethylene, a building block for plastics which can be used to produce various plastic material from bottles to car parts.

This process is estimated to produce millions of tons of microplastics called nurdles, where its critics predict will flow into the Ohio River and beyond the area during shipment, Inside Climate News reported.

In particular, the plastics plant in Monaca, Pennsylvania, has started its construction in recent years.

Also Read: Soil Pollution Leads to Increased Risks of Heart Diseases, Study Shows

Global Microplastic Pollution

Researchers from Germany are warning that microplastics have long-term negative impacts soils, sediments, and freshwater, as well as to wider ecosystems.

The Germany team said terrestrial microplastic pollution or land microplastic pollution is much higher than marine microplastic pollution.

The former is estimated to be four to 23 higher depending on the environment, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

However, there are millions of tons of plastic floating across the world's oceans.

The pollution poses a threat not to plants and animals, including humans.

In its most fundamental basics, plastic particles never go away in spite of despite of being discarded and incinerated. This means that it could take up to 1,000 years for plastics to decompose after mostly ending up in landfills.

The global plastics crisis consist of 8.3 billion tons of plastics produced by plastic manufacturers and other industries since the 1950s.

Out of this figure, 79% of these plastics have ended in landfills or leaked into the environment, according to the Geneva Environment Network.

Related Article: EPA Ranks All 50 States: Which is the Most Polluted in US?
YUEQING, CHINA - MAY 18: (CHINA OUT; PHOTOCOME OUT) A crab comes out of its hole in a tideland on May 18, 2005 in Yueqing of Zhejiang Province, China. The tideland in Yueqing Bay is an important producing base of seafood, covering an area of over 33,000 acres. The land is rich in natural resources and especially abundant with crab, shrimp, oyster and other shellfish. (Photo : Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

A fossil of a bizarre creature looking "like a toilet brush" with eyes and spike-studded arms was discovered 1990 in the Chengjiang Lagerstatte, a site in China's Yunnan province.

Apparently, 500 million years ago, the juvenile scampered along the seafloor near what is now southwestern China and now the specimen hints at early diversity in a group of Cambrian marine arthropods called radiodonts, according to LiveScience.

The ancient 'innovation crab' (Innovatiocaris maotianshanensis) had bobbing eyes; a pair of spike-lined armlike appendages; and a tail fan with long, sweeping blades, which lived during the Cambrian period (541 million to 485.4 million years ago).

The specimen which was nearly complete when found measured nearly 6 inches long and about 2 inches wide, and was previously known radiodont species, researchers reported in the Journal of the Geological Society.

Reevaluation of the Species

After recent reevaluation of the fossils, lead study author Han Zeng, an assistant professor at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences said that the fossil had different raptorial appendages than all other radiodonts which they are "mainly distinguished".

In fact, Zeng said that the fossil was not only a new species but a previously unknown genus.

According to the study, the species was one of the ocean's most fearsome predators during its days, and are among the oldest giant apex predators on Earth.

"Their appearance in the 520 million-years-ago early Cambrian indicated the formation of complex food webs and marine ecosystems," he explained. Aside from their ecological importance, the species Radiodonta also "have a very bizarre morphology that has puzzled scientists for over a century since their first fossil discoveries in [the] 1880s."

For decades, their isolated body parts were identified by paleontologists as belonging to a wide range of animal groups. It wasn't until the 1980s when the first complete radiodont fossils were found that researchers reconfirmed the classification of the group as ancestral lineage of arthropods.

Also read: Mid-Air Bird Hit Forces United Airlines Plane to Return at O'Hare International Airport

Intriguing New Clues About the Arthropod Ancestors

The new fossil radiodont discovery are very rare, they serve important roles in understanding radiodont palaeobiology . It also led to new questions about the group's ecology and evolution over their 120-million-year history, such as how many species there were, how they hunted for food and fed on their ocean prey, and how they evolved, according to Zeng.

Based on their spinous raptorial appendages, I. maotianshanensis relatively predate on large preys. Their large eyes which suggest good vision, gills used for breathing and swimming, and tails to help them turn and maneuver indicates they are built to be an active predator.

The newfound genus, "Innovatiocaris" suggests the presence of a new evolutionary lineage among Radiodonta. The study acknowledges the fact there still much to be unearthed about the group's diversity and evolutionary history, as what Zend Zeng told Live Science. "Upcoming new fossils of Radiodonta will certainly tell us more," he said.

Overall, the study provides new insights and illuminates the early diversification of Radiodonta.

Related article: Divine 'Miracle' and Vegetarian Crocodile in Indian Temple Dies at 75
On October 14, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems handed over the first-of-class MEKO A-200 EN to the Navy of the Arab Republic of Egypt. A total of four ships were ordered, with the first three units produced in Germany and the fourth vessel built by Alexandria Shipyard in Egypt. At todays ceremony in Bremerhaven, the frigate AL-AZIZ was accepted by the Egyptian Navy after only 38 months of the contract becoming effective.

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Al-Aziz is the first of the class of four to be completed  three to be built in Germany and the fourth by Alexandria Shipyard in Egypt (Picture source: thyssenkrupp Marine Systems)

Besides the handover ceremony, the celebrations included the naming of a second MEKO A-200 EN frigate for the Egyptian Navy. The Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Navy, Vice Admiral Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa, named the warship AL-QADEER.

Vice Admiral Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa: I am grateful to the friendly Republic of Germany for the constructive relationship which sets the example to be followed by others. Germany always supports Egypt with the up-to-date technology needed to enhance our naval capabilities. We have a longstanding and successful history of cooperation, as reflected in the highly efficient 209 submarines. Our cooperation was not limited to only building new ships, but was also extended to cover advanced training for our crews to absorb the new advanced technology.

After short but intensive negotiations that started in May 2018, the contract for the four frigates was signed in September 2018, with the project work formally starting in August 2019. First steel cutting was already in September 2019 and the launching of the first-of-class took place in April 2021. In July 2021 AL-AZIZ was named, and then finally today she was handed over.

Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems: This record timeline was possible only because the Egyptian Navy and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems have such a long and trustful partnership. The strategic programme is based on an open and collaborative dialogue with our customer and we are thankful for their tireless efforts in contributing to the success of this project.

In its class, the MEKO A-200 EN is one of the most powerful warships in service today. The four ships ordered by the Arab Republic of Egypt are identical in construction. AL-AZIZ will start her journey to her homeport in Alexandria in a few days.
The Australian Government has signed a six-year contract with BAE Systems to take on a new, innovative sustainment role designed to optimise the capability of the Royal Australian Navys Hobart class destroyers.



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NUSHIP Sydney (Picture source: Australian Departement of Defense)



The $155 million contract is the result of a competitive tender process which will support around 100 local industry jobs in the Sydney region. It is part of the Australian Governments $200 billion investment in providing a secure, sustainable, continuous Australian naval shipbuilding and sustainment capability. Boosting industry capability is part of the Governments focus on building a resilient and sovereign industrial base, and bolstering the security of the Indo-Pacific region.

We are operating in an increasingly uncertain strategic environment; we have to ensure we have the necessary skill and capability, coupled with robust supply chains, here in Australia to equip and enable our Defence force, said Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP.

We know how critical the local Defence industry is to that effort and to building our sovereign naval capability. Extending our partnership with BAE Systems for our Hobart class destroyers will ensure the vessels are fit-for-purpose, reliable and available when and where they are needed.

The new approach will see a Capability Life Cycle Manager installed for the Hobart class destroyers  the first of its kind for a major in-service asset, as part of the realisation of the Future Maritime Sustainment Model under Plan Galileo. The plan is Defences new national, innovative approach to sustainment in support of Continuous Naval Shipbuilding.

Under the new approach, BAE Systems will steward the destroyers through life, including a significant upgrade to their combat management system in 2025. The Capability Life Cycle Manager will work with Regional Maintenance Centre East, which as part of the new approach is being established to maintain multiple asset classes.

Were committed to investing in our local Defence industry and our assets with an upgrade to our Hobart class destroyers valued between $3.4 and $5.1 billion to be delivered at the Osborne Naval Shipyard, which will create 300 jobs in South Australia.

The appointment of BAE Systems follows the appointment of Raytheon as the Capability Life Cycle Manager for the new Arafura class offshore patrol vessels in December 2020.
South Africa: Residents urged to refrain from vandalising water infrastructure

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, David Mahlobo has urged Kgabo Park residents in Moletji, outside Polokwane in Limpopo to play their part in safeguarding water and sanitation infrastructure, which is meant to benefit them.

As a department, we are worried about the vandalism occurring currently to the water and sanitation infrastructure, and we appeal to you as a community to look after it as it belongs to you, Mahlobo said.

The Deputy Minister made this call during the recent official launch and handover ceremony of three solar-powered boreholes in the area.

The handing over of the boreholes came through a private public partnership between Coca-Cola Beverages of South Africa (CCBSA) and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), dubbed Cokeville Project.

The project was initiated by Coca-Cola, as a direct response to the water shortages in the country, particularly distressed rural communities.

This innovative, solar-powered groundwater harvesting system, is aimed at addressing water shortages in the country and seeks to provide water access to distressed rural communities.

The newly launched project has a total capacity to pump, treat, store, and distribute 30 mega litres of clean water per year and will benefit over 200 000 households in both Ga-Ramoshwane and Kgabo Park villages.

Mahlobo thanked Coca-Cola for their partnership, noting that water is a matter of life and death.

We are aware that this intervention is not going to resolve all our water related challenges, but it will assist a big deal. South Africa is a water-scarce country with water shortages being experienced in many parts of the country and more so in Limpopo.

Both DWS and CCBSA consider reliable access to good, safe water as essential to life, nature, and the health of our communities, hence it is important to support local water access projects that help bring safe, clean drinking water to communities in need, Mahlobo said..

A total of 100 water wheelers were also donated to 100 identified households, to help them when fetching water from the boreholes to their homes.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-10-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Political debate left the deployment of 5G in Belgium at a standstill for years, but the wait is coming to an end: the country is finally poised to enter the 5G market in earnest with the long-awaited allocation of 5G spectrum taking place in June 2022.

Universal 5G coverage is set to impact all sectors of the Belgian economy, with particularly noteworthy applications for the manufacturing, transport, and services sectors. The Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) estimates that the upcoming auction is expected to bring in 800 million in revenue, which will be placed in escrow until Belgiums government agrees on how the money should be distributed at the federal and state level.

What is 5G?

5G, the fifth generation of mobile networks, supports more devices than previous networks, reduces latency, and increases speeds to up to 20 times over its predecessor. Its flexible architecture allows for network slicing, or the creation of many individual networks that can be tailored to specific needs. It enables the exchange of huge volumes of data in real time, and the data generated by smart devices can be analysed through edge computing, where data is processed and stored closer to its source to gain faster insight into usage.

[ Keep up on the latest thought leadership, insights, how-to, and analysis on IT through Computerworlds newsletters. ]

What took so long?

The deployment of 5G in Belgium has been fraught with challenges over the past three years, as the European Commissions efforts to greenlight spectrum allocations were bogged down by political debates over how to spend the revenue from the auctions. At the end of 2021, Belgiums government finally agreed to proceed with the operator selection process and determine later how the profits would be distributed.

So far, five carriers have submitted their applications for the 5G auction coming up in June 2022, which will award licenses to create a nationwide network in the allocated frequencies. While the names of the providers have not yet been announced by BIPT, major operators Orange, Proximus, and Telenet are expected to be awarded licences, with Citymesh rounding out the fourth spot as the countrys newest 5G telecom player. The candidate for the fifth licence is yet to be determined.

After the June auction, there may be opportunities for private networks to use the 3,400 MHz - 3,800 MHz band, presenting a valuable opportunity for providers such as AWS and Cisco, which are currently unable to offer private 5G services in Belgium  subject to the issuance of a royal decree and the successful acquisition of spectrum licences.

The current state of 5G in Belgium

After the auction, the nationwide coverage of 5G will quickly gain momentum, as successful candidates will be required to provide 5G to 70% of the countrys population after one year, and 99.5% by 2023. By comparison, just 3% of Belgium was covered by 5G in 2021. To enjoy the benefits of 5G connectivity, both enterprises and the public will have to be patient as companies invest in critical network infrastructure such as advanced antenna systems.

There are a few places in Belgium where 5G is already in play. The pilot 5G programmes are primarily located near Antwerp, Leuven, and along Belgiums coastline. Telenet has been testing 5G in Leuven for over a year, connecting the Leuven police to surveillance cameras and the KU engineering college to university buildings and student residences. Orange created a test network at Antwerp, one of Europes most strategically-located ports and responsible for over 18 billion in total added value every year, and offers customers 5G connectivity via the temporary 3.6 and 3.8 GHz frequency band. Several operators have set their sights on enterprise customers, with Citymesh focusing exclusively on private industrial applications and Proximus introducing an innovation platform where companies can test out potential 5G projects for a small financial investment before taking the plunge.

How will 5G converge with Wi-Fi 6?

5G is complementary to next-generation wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi 6, where in certain cases, the two technologies are used simultaneously in indoor and business environments such as enterprises, smart cities, and industrial IoT  a major benefit for Belgiums electronics, steel, and automobile industries. 5G is the next evolution of the cellular standard, at the same time Wi-Fi 6 is the next evolution of the Wi-Fi 802.11 standard. Both technologies are critical for the evolution of connectivity and digitalisation of the world, says Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance.

Whereas 5G is well-suited for wide-range coverage and mobility, such as in vehicles on a highway, the next generation of Wi-Fi will offer high bandwidth connectivity in indoor environments. To achieve seamless connectivity, the two technologies must work together: There are a few use cases relevant for mobile operators to take advantage of Wi-Fi, like offloading data from the cellular network when or where there is insufficient capacity, where there is limited cell coverage mainly indoors and, in some cases, even outdoors and where cellular signals are poor.

Rodriques also notes that many devices are still Wi-Fi only, such as tablets, laptops, and cameras. Our message is that the customer cares about being connected to the best-performing network at any given time on whatever device they are using. Furthermore, it is important for organisations to pay the right price for the right technology. Sometimes, it will be Wi-Fi, sometimes it will be 5G and sometimes it will be both. This becomes a harmonious reality with 5G and Wi-Fi 6/6E.

Use cases for the industrial and service sectors

Capgemini found that 63% of businesses in Belgium are ready to implement 5G in their day-to-day operations within 1-2 years of availability. However, of industrial companies surveyed, only 30% were interested in applying for private networks, indicating that consumer confidence might have been influenced by the glacial pace of 5G roll-out nationwide. 5G offers important opportunities in the chemical, plastics, and life sciences industries, important cornerstones of Belgiums economy that account for 61 billion annually. 5G has the power to enable real-time decision making in sensitive environments such as chemical factories, linking IoT devices to monitor equipment, assess risks, analyse products and environments, and facilitate remote operations that keep workers out of harms way.

Although industries such as steel, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals make up a significant proportion of Belgiums economy, 77% of the countrys gross value added comes from services, including the countrys booming retail and financial services sector. 5G can make communication more secure and reliable, improve fraud prevention, and complete time-sensitive transactions in milliseconds.

5G will enable banks and merchants to individually tailor their customer engagement, making relevant recommendations to clients in real time. The high speed and low latency of 5G can make shopping more immersive through virtual and augmented reality experiences, truly shoppable videos, and a high level of personalisation that engages users in new ways  creating new revenue streams for enterprises.

Whats next for 5G in Belgium

The European Commissions 5G Action Plan proposed deadlines for 5G rollout for EU member states, including commercial 5G in at least one major city by 2020, full coverage in cities and transport paths by 2025, and coverage for all populated areas by 2030. The EC estimates that 5G will contribute 1 trillion to Europes GDP by 2025 and create up to 20 million jobs across all sectors, including IT, logistics, manufacturing, and agriculture. However, due to the bureaucratic delays, a recent special report rated Belgiums likelihood of achieving those objectives as low.

All hope is not lost  with five providers slated to bid on spectrums within the next few months and the success of pilot and testing programmes across the countrys urban centres, 2022 will likely witness the accelerated deployment of 5G network infrastructure and the rollout of services for customers and enterprises alike. While the country has lagged behind its peers, this is the year to watch and see exactly how Belgium will harness the power of 5G.
IT executives must look beyond cost savings to new forms of operational excellence and seek technologies that can help them optimize resilience, scale industry-specific solutions and product delivery, and pioneer new forms of engagement, according to the 10 top strategic technology trends for 2023 unveiled at Gartners IT Symposium/Xpo 2022.

These include multiple forms of wireless, artificial intelligence, and sustainability, according to Frances Karamouzis, distinguished vice president and analyst at Gartner, and external events are making IT pros decisions about them even more difficult.

Depending on what region of the world you are in there are lots of looming issues such as a potential recession, supply chain concerns, the war in Ukraine and that impact, as well as energy-related issues, Karamouzis said.

IT executives must focus on continuing to accelerate digital transformation and consider possible use both for technologies that can be applied immediately and those that are on the horizon. With that as background, Gartners top 10 strategic technology trends for 2023 looks like this:

5G and Wi-Fi 6 and 7

No single wireless technology will dominate, but enterprises will use a variety of wireless solutions to support a range of environments, from Wi-Fi in the office, services for mobile devices, low-power protocols, and even radio connectivity, Gartner stated. So much so that Gartner predicts that by 2025, 60% of enterprises will be using five or more wireless technologies simultaneously.

We're going to see a spectrum of solutions in the enterprise that includes 4G, 5G, LTE, WIFI 5, 6, 7 all of which will create new data enterprises can use in analytics, and low-power systems will harvest energy directly from the network. This means the network will become a source of direct business value, Karamouzis said.

As wireless networks move beyond mere connectivity, they will also provide insight using built-in analysis, she said.

Rise of superapps

Gartner says organizations will increasingly embrace a type of new platform that combines the features of multiple apps and services in a single ecosystemthe superapp.

Superapp technology has been in the news recently because Elon Musk has said he wants to turn Twitter into the first truly successful superapp in the North America. Superapps have made waves in Asia with planforms such as WeChat, AliPay and Gojek.

Although most examples of superapps are mobile apps, the concept can also be applied to desktop client applications, such as Microsoft Teams and Slack, with the key being that a superapp can consolidate and replace multiple apps for customer or employee use, said Karamouzis. By 2027, Gartner predicts that more than 50% of the global population will use multiple superapps daily.

Industry-specific cloud platforms

Similar to superapps, large industry-specific cloud platforms offer a combination of software as-a-service (SaaS), platform as-a-service (PaaS), and infrastructure as-a-service (IaaS) that provide capabilities to support specific industry use cases. Enterprises can use these packaged capabilities as building blocks for differentiating digital-business initiatives and providing agility, innovation, and reduce time-to-market. Gartner predicts that by 2027 more than 50% of enterprises will use industry-cloud platforms to accelerate their business initiatives.

Adaptive AI

Gartner has flagged AI before as a strategic technology, but this year it sees a new trend: adaptive AI systems that continuously retrain their intelligence models. These modules can learn within runtime and application-development environments based on new data and so adapt quickly to unforeseen real-world circumstances.

Today if an enterprise has a SaaS application or new release, they can just update the software and things typically keep humming along, but you cant do that with AI because they are literally learning what to do on the fly, Karamouzis said. AI apps use real-time feedback to change their learning dynamically and adjust goals.

AI Trust, Risk and Security Management

Also related to AI, Gartner says many organizations are not well prepared to manage AI risks. Organizations must implement new capabilities to ensure model reliability, trustworthiness, security, and data protection of their AI models by adopting AI trust, risk, and security management (TRiSM). This requires the participation of different business units working together to implement new measures.

A Gartner survey in the US, UK, and Germany found that 41% of organizations had experienced an AI privacy breach or security incident. However, that same survey found that organizations that actively managed AI risk, privacy, and security achieved improved AI-project results, Gartner stated. More AI projects by those organizations moved from proof-of-concept to production, and they achieved more business value than did AI projects in organizations that did not actively manage these functions, Gartner stated.

Applied observability

Observable data includes digitized artifacts, such as logs, traces, API calls, dwell time, downloads, and file transfers, that are generated when a stakeholder takes any kind of action.

Applied observability enables organizations to exploit their data artifacts for competitive advantage, Karamouzis said. It is powerful because it elevates the strategic importance of the right data at the right time for rapid action based on confirmed stakeholder actions, rather than intentions. When planned strategically and executed successfully, applied observability is the most powerful source of data-driven decision-making.

This type of observability looks at data gathered from infrastructure, application, and enterprise-operations in a highly orchestrated and integrated way, she said.

Platform engineering

The discipline of building and operating self-service internal developer platforms for software delivery and lifecycle management is what platform engineering is all about, Karamouzis said.

Gartner predicts that 80% of software engineering organizations will establish platform teams by 2026 and that 75% of those will include developer self-service portals that could include a variety of reusable components and libraries of tools and other modules.

Digital immune system

A digital immune system provides a roadmap for CIOs looking for new approaches that their teams can adopt to deliver high business value, mitigate risk, and increase customer satisfaction.

Gartner says digital immunity combines data-driven insight into operations, automated and extreme testing, automated incident resolution, software engineering within IT operations, and security in the application supply chain to increase the resilience and stability of systems. Gartner predicts that by 2025, organizations that invest in building digital immunity will reduce system downtime by up to 80%, and that translates directly into higher revenue.

Sustainability

Sustainability transcends all of the strategic technology trends for 2023. In a recent Gartner survey, CEOs reported that environmental and social changes are now in the top three priorities investors have after profit and revenue. This means that executives must invest more in innovative solutions that are designed to address environmental, social, and governance demand to meet sustainability goals. Gartner noted that sustainability spending has increased by an average of 5.8% since 2017.

Organizations need a sustainable-technology framework that increases the energy and material efficiency of IT services, and enables enterprise sustainability through traceability, analytics, renewable energy, and AI. The framework should also call for the deployment of IT solutions that help customers achieve their own sustainability goals, Karamouzis said.

Targeting areas such as data-center power consumption is low-hanging fruit because its easy to measure, Karamouzis said. What enterprises need to look at is what to deploy as they get more and more data. Are they looking at buying more storage the same old way or are they looking at optimizing that system by looking at things like DNA storage and looking at the level of redundancy they need and implementing technology with a sustainable mindset.

Gartner says DNA storage allows the storage of binary digital data in the double helix from of DNA, taking binary coding and turning it into coding that fits in the human DNA strand. It would mean a year's worth of human knowledge could be stored in a gram of synthetic DNA for thousands of years, Gartner says.

Metaverse

During its keynote, Gartner said that while it might never become mainstream the metaverse shows some promise. For example, the Indian startup Hirect launched a VR recruitment event in a metaverse for companies attempting to attract technology talent.

Gartner expects that a complete metaverse would be device-independent and wont be owned by a single vendor. It will include a virtual economy of its own enabled by digital currencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). By 2027, Gartner predicts that over 40% of large organizations worldwide will use a combination of Web3, augmented-reality cloud, and digital twins-based projects aimed at increasing revenue.

Gartner defines a metaverse as a collective virtual 3D shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical and digital reality. A metaverse is persistent, providing enhanced immersive experiences.
             
MBABANE - Women and men who are arrested for the death of children at their hands continue to escape with lesser charges at the High Court.

The court has heard and determined a number of cases where minors had been killed by either their biological parents or stepparents and in most of these matters, it (court) found that there was no intention to kill on the part of the accused persons. According to a legal expert, this is usually caused by either the failure by the Crown to prove the intention to kill or the court having mentally projected itself into the position of the accused at the time the fatal act was done. The latest case is that of Fikile Zodwa Mabila, who had been charged with the murder of her three-year-old daughter, Nothando Thobela, at Maphungwane in the Lubombo Region.

Assaulted

Mabila assaulted the minor with a handle of a mop on her head after she found that she (minor) had soiled herself. After hearing the evidence, Judge Zonke Magagula came to the conclusion that the Crown failed to prove that Mabila had the intention to kill the minor and he proceeded to find her guilty of culpable homicide. Culpable homicide is defined as the negligent unlawful killing of another human being. Notably, the two crimes (murder and culpable homicide) are identical, except that murder requires intention, while culpable homicide requires negligence. In her confession, Mabila stated when she undressed the child, she found that she had soiled herself and this upset her. She stated that she then took a mop and hit the child twice on the head.

In his judgment, Judge Magagula said, on the evidence that was placed before him, he was not convinced that Mabila foresaw the possibility of the resultant death, but she ought to have foreseen that death might result, if a three-year-old was assaulted on the head with a mop handle. Crowns case founded on dolus eventualis. The Crown failed to prove that the accused foresaw the possibility that her conduct might result in death. Evidence proves culpa. That the accused ought to have foreseen that their conduct may result in death, said Judge Magagula. Dolus eventualis or legal intention, is where an accused person can objectively foresee that their conduct is likely to cause the death of another, but proceeds to act, regardless of the consequences of his conduct.

Judge Magagula said there was no doubt and what the court must do, was to try project itself into the position of the accused at the time the fatal act was committed. He highlighted that the court was informed that Mabila assaulted the minor because; she ( minor) dropped her shoes on the way from the clinic and she had to go all the way to the bus stop to look for them and because the minor soiled herself. She may have acted out of anger but the inference that she foresaw that her actions could result in death of the deceased is, to me, not only one that can be drawn from the these facts, said the judge. In another similar case, a woman of Siteki, who fed her two children weevil tablets before swallowing her own in an attempt to commit suicide, was acquitted of murder and attempted murder.

Welile Mkhweli was charged with the murder of her 18-month-old son and attempted murder of her 10-year-old son. The murder charge was reduced to culpable homicide and the attempted murder to assault. Principal Judge Qinisile Mabuza, in her judgment, said: I have tried to mentally project myself into the position of the accused at the time she administered the weevil tablets to her children. It is a difficult exercise because I also have to caution myself not to readily accept the accuseds own evidence regarding her emotional stress.

Displayed

The court said Mkhweli displayed stress when she gave evidence. The principal judge said she was inclined to find that Mkhweli proved on a balance of probabilities that she was labouring under severe emotional stress when she committed these offences and she was entitled to partial excuse in respect of the count of murder. She said on the second charge which was that of attempted murder, Mkhweli could not be entitled to the defence of partial excuse. Another case is that of a tertiary student who killed his stepdaughter by suffocating her and hung her body on a school fence to prevent it from being eaten by dogs, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

This matter was also heard by Judge Magagula, who backdated the sentence of Petros Veli Mfuma, who was 22 years old when he was arrested in December 2019, to the date of his arrest. Mfuma had been charged with murder, but was convicted of culpable homicide. When Mfuma, who was studying Electrical Engineering in a South African college was arrested, he made a confession before Acting Magistrate Justice Mzizi. The confession lasted five hours and Mfuma told the court that he had no intention of killing his stepdaughter. The body of the baby was found near the fence at Bethany Mission Primary School on December 26, 2019 - a day after the murder had occurred.

Argument

Mfuma informed the court that he had an argument with his lover on the day of the incident, which emanated from him ordering her to put on closed shoes as her feet were allegedly cracked. Also there is another case of a woman, who was found guilty of culpable homicide after she threw her newborn baby in a forest. The court in its judgment considered a number of factors, which included that she was jilted by the father of the child while in hospital after giving birth and that she had no means to support the minor as she was unemployed. The alleged father of the child also came and visited her in hospital and denied paternity. In the Mabila case, the accused was represented by Nosisa Hlophe while appearing for the Crown was Senior Crown Counsel Sandile Mdluli.
Tom Kacichs column appears Sundays in The News-Gazette. He can be reached at kacich@news-gazette.com.

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A recent The Annals of Thoracic Surgery journal study reports that the survival rate of lung transplant (LT) recipients who experienced respiratory failure following infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was not significantly different than the survival rates among patients who received an LT due to other lung etiologies.

Study: A Matched Survival Analysis of Lung Transplant Recipients with Covid-19related Respiratory Failure. Image Credit: mi_viri / Shutterstock.com

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, has infected over 624 million and caused over 6.56 million deaths. COVID-19 primarily affects lung tissues; however, it can also cause damage to various other organs.

COVID-19 precipitates two significant forms of respiratory failure: pulmonary fibrosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Both conditions may require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), prolonged mechanical ventilation, supplemental oxygen, and physical deconditioning.

LT is often recommended for patients with end-stage respiratory failure. More recently, some clinicians have also recommended LT for patients experiencing severe COVID-19 that is not responding to any other medical treatment.

As compared to respiratory failure due to other causes, patients with COVID-19-related respiratory failure often exhibit a poorer initial presentation prior to LT. Nevertheless, previous studies have reported that the survival rates of both types of LT recipients are similar.

Study findings

Between 2006 and 2021 in the United States, 37,333 individuals were listed for LT after lung injury due to other etiologies, whereas 334 patients were recommended LT due to respiratory failure following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Within the COVID-19 cohort, patients were more likely to have higher lung allocation scores (LAS) that averaged 78.3 as compared to an average of 43.1 in the other group. Similarly, 51.2% of the COVID-19 group required ECMO as compared to 1.8% in the non-COVID-19 group, whereas 36.5% and 3.0% required ventilation, respectively.

Six months after their initial diagnosis, LT was performed in 87.9% and 63.3% of COVID-19 patients and those with other lung-related dysfunctions, respectively.

While on the waitlist for new lungs, COVID-19 patients were less likely to die. The likelihood of receiving LT was comparable among both patient groups. Nevertheless, COVID-19 LT recipients waited for a transplant for a median of 14 days as compared to 48 days for other LT recipients.

COVID-19 LT recipients were more likely to have a lower functional status, be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), be put on ECMO, and require ventilation. The LAS of these patients was significantly higher prior to LT.

The overall duration of hospitalization for COVID-19 LT recipients was significantly higher than other LT recipients. Seventy-two hours following their procedures, COVID-19 patients were also more likely to be on an ECMO, remain intubated, and require dialysis. Despite the overall worse functional status in these patients, both COVID-19 and other LT recipients exhibited similar acute rejection, 30-day mortality, and 90-day mortality rates.

It should be noted that post-transplantation, COVID-19 LT recipients had worse functional outcomes. The researchers hypothesize that this may be due to the acutely ill state of these patients prior to their transplant.

Conclusions

COVID-19 patients who experience respiratory failure often deteriorate rapidly, which has led many clinicians to investigate the potential benefits LT may offer these patients. In the current study, the researchers similarly found that COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure were severely ill when first placed on the waitlist for LT.

In fact, many of these patients were on ECMO, mechanical ventilation, or in the ICU when first listed to receive an LT. The worse LAS among COVID-19 respiratory failure patients significantly reduced their waitlist time, thus also reducing their likelihood of death while waiting for lungs.

Despite the worse acute state of these patients, both COVID-19 LT recipients and LT recipients with other etiologies exhibited similar six-month survival rates. Thus, the favorable survival outcomes in COVID-19 LT recipients can support altering current consensus guidelines for LT in this patient population.

Some of the different factors that may contribute to the high survival rates in COVID-19 LT recipients may include their careful selection prior to being placed on the waitlist, overall younger age, the nature of COVID-19, as well as recent improvements in how critical COVID-19 patients are cared for in the ICU.

Overall, a history of COVID-19-related lung failure did not increase the risk of mortality in LT recipients. Nevertheless, due to the high rate of complications in these patients after their procedure, further studies are needed to determine the rate at which COVID-19 LT recipients can return to baseline levels following their transplant.
NHLANGANO  Since Thursday, the country has suffered six arson attacks, the latest being at Zombodze Emuva Constituency Centre, which was torched yesterday by unknown arsonists.

Zombodze Emuva is close to the southern boundaries of the country, in the Shiselweni Region. It was established from security personnel that the incident happened around 4am. According to security guard, Vincent Shabangu, two men came to the constituency centre and he was of the view that they wanted water. He thought the duo was from a drinking spree.

In fact, he said he saw them walking towards the tap, which had been locked, and he concluded that they would turn back after noticing it could not be used. I suddenly heard a banging noise and in a split second, there was fire inside the building, narrated Shabangu. He said when he approached, the two men who had covered themselves with hoodies ran away.

According to Shabangu, it was then that he raised the alarm and called the police. During a visit to the inkhundla, it was noted that it was partly burnt, mainly the constituency secretarys office. It would seem documents were targeted by the arsonists. Personnel from the Eswatini National Fire and Emergency Services, were also called to put out the flames. They had to cut the burglar bars to gain entry. Some of the burning papers had to be thrown out through a window and the fire was put out. Shiselweni Regional Secretary Mzwandile Mthethwa, along with Zombodze Emuva Member of Parliament Muzi Kunene and other leaders, were found at the scene to assess the extent of the damage. The police and forensic team were also found at the scene yesterday.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter. She said police were still investigating the arson incident. This arson attack follows four others that happened recently, where it was reported that there was an arson attack that saw Piggs Peak Town Council suffering E3.6 million worth of losses. On Saturday, Eswatini News reported two arson incidents wherein a soldier and warders houses were torched in two different incidents. Yesterday, the Times of Eswatini SUNDAY reported that LaMgabhi Constituency Centre building was torched by unknown people and it suffered a loss of about E2.6 million.
In a recent study published in the Frontiers in Immunology, researchers evaluated the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in individuals with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID).

Background

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The clinical course of COVID-19 in people with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) has been debated compared to that in the general public. This subset of the population may be more susceptible to COVID-19. Conversely, it has been suggested that the cytokine storm during COVID-19 might be attenuated in some IEI subtypes.

A recent study reported that COVID-19 severity and case fatality rate among individuals with IEI were not substantially different from that in the general population.

By contrast, genetic variants affecting innate immunity are associated with a higher risk of fulminant COVID-19. Moreover, reported outcomes have varied among IEI groups. Preliminary case reports suggested that agammaglobulinemia patients may have better COVID-19 outcomes than those with CVID, albeit it has been challenged.

About the study

In the present study, researchers evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with CVID relative to the general population in Denmark. This was a population-based, age- and gender-matched nationwide study comparing COVID-19 outcomes in CVID individuals with the general population. The Danish Civil Registration System was used to extract data on birth, vital status, emigration/immigration date, and death.

Data on SARS-CoV-2 tests and results were collected from the COVID-19 surveillance system. Information on COVID-19 vaccination was obtained from the Danish Vaccination Register. The Danish National Patient Register, which comprises information on admission and discharge dates, diagnoses, and procedures, was accessed for morbidity data. The personal identification numbers (PINs) assigned to all Danish residents and immigrants were used to merge register data.

The research team included individuals aged 18 or above living in Denmark at study inclusion who were registered thrice or more with D830, D838, or D839 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes. The study inclusion date was March 1, 2020, or when the subject was registered with the specified ICD-10 codes, whichever was later. Eight controls from the general population were randomly matched to each patient.

The study outcomes were time to these events  dates of 1) first SARS-CoV-2-positive test, 2) second positive test, 3) second/third vaccination, 4) first hospital contact with COVID-19, 5) hospitalization with severe COVID-19, and 6) hospitalization after the first positive test. Time was calculated from the study inclusion date to emigration, death, May 1, 2022, or until the outcome. Incidence rate ratios were computed in CVID individuals and controls for the specified outcomes.

Findings

There were 313 individuals with CVID matched to 2504 controls. Most individuals were female and born in Denmark. The analysis included 494 and 4,067 person-years of follow-up in CVID and control cohorts, respectively. The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) differed between CVID and control individuals. In line with national guidelines, CVID individuals received their second/third COVID-19 vaccine doses before the controls.

The time to the first SARS-CoV-2-positive test was slightly different between the two cohorts. The frequency of COVID-19 testing was consistently different between the two groups throughout the study. CVID individuals had elevated testing frequencies earlier in the study, while controls had increased testing during March-August 2021. However, the testing frequencies differed marginally later in the study.

Forty-five individuals with CVID had contact with the hospital for COVID-19, and four had to hospitalize due to severe disease. Individuals in the CVID group had an elevated hospitalization risk after testing positive for COVID-19. Very few individuals in either group required mechanical ventilation.

Deaths were significantly low in both cohorts without differences in the mortality rate between CVID and control groups. Though insignificant, triple-vaccinated subjects had a lower risk of COVID-19 than double-vaccinated individuals. Besides, subjects who received three vaccine doses in the CVID group had an increased risk of hospital encounters compared to those who received two doses.

Conclusions

The study found a marginal increase in the risk of first SARS-CoV-2 infection and reinfection in the CVID group. Nonetheless, this (effect) was more prominent from January 1, 2022. Similarly, the risk of hospital encounter and admission was higher; reassuringly, the mechanical ventilation requirement and mortality were not elevated. Overall, individuals with CVID had a relatively benign course of COVID-19, notwithstanding the higher CCI scores.
In a recent study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, researchers investigated the presence of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) or phthalates in commercially available face masks to assess the health risks associated with the increased use of face masks during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Background

One of the strongly recommended COVID-19 mitigation measures was using face masks to limit the airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) through aerosolized droplets.

The commonly used facemasks were surgical masks, non-surgical masks, and filtering facepiece respirators (FFP). Surgical or medical masks consist of non-woven fabric layers and are considered medical devices in the European Union (EU). Filtering facepiece respirators consist of four or five layers and are more efficient at cutting down aerosols, dust, and airborne particulate matter such as viruses.

The layers of all these face masks are made using polypropylene, polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, or polyethylene, all of which contain hazardous chemicals such as phthalates that are used to improve the flexibility of the material.

Phthalates have been associated with endocrine disruption and potentially carcinogenic effects and are subject to strict regulations. The EU has banned the use of some phthalates in cosmetics, and the use of most PAEs is permitted only with specific authorization. Considering the significant increase in the use of facemasks with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to determine the risks associated with their prolonged use.

About the study

In the present study, the researchers assessed the concentrations of 11 PAEs in 35 commercially available face masks in Italy using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method developed in this study. The risk assessment based on the GC/MS results included the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health implications.

Of the 35 evaluated masks, 31% were FFP2 masks with four or five layers, 63% were three-layer surgical masks, and 6% were non-surgical three-layered masks. The masks included in the study comprised 24 adult masks and 11 masks for children and were made in Italy (54%), China (40%), and Turkey (6%).

The hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated to estimate the non-carcinogenic risk of phthalate exposure, and the hazard index (HI) was used to understand cumulative non-carcinogenic risks. Derived no-effect levels (DNELs) were calculated from no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) or lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs). They were correlated to exposure to assess the risk to human health. Risk characterization ratios (RCRs) were used to assess the carcinogenic risks of phthalate exposure, and derived minimal effect levels (DMELs) were calculated.

For a refined exposure assessment, the Arthur D. Little Polymer Migration Estimation Model (AMEM 2.1 model) was used to estimate the fraction of the specific chemical being released from or spread through a polymer.

Results

The results from the GC/MS evaluation indicated that four phthalates  dibutyl phthalate (DBP), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)  were detected in all the face masks that were tested, in concentrations between 23.6 mg/kg and 54.3 mg/kg. The other phthalates were below the limit of detection (LoD) values.

The exposure doses for the four detected phthalates ranged between 6.43 x 10-5 mg/kg body weight/day and 1.43 x 10-2 mg/kg of body weight/day. The contribution of DEHP to the total phthalate exposure values was the highest (74.32%), while that of DIBP was 22.15%, and DBP (2.40%) and BBP (1.12%) had much lower contributions.

The median HI values of phthalate exposures for adults and children were not higher than the tolerable levels and indicated no non-carcinogenic adverse effects. However, for seven of the 35 face masks, the cumulative RCR values for carcinogenic effects were between 9.34 x 10-2 to 1.55 for adults and 1.1 x 10-1 and 5.28, much higher than the 1 x 10-6 tolerable limit.

Conclusions

To summarize, the study evaluated the presence of phthalates in non-woven fabric layers of 35 commercially found face masks and found that four phthalates, DEHP, DIBP, DBP, and BBP, were found in all the face masks at concentrations much above the limit of detection.

While the phthalate exposure values did not indicate the risk of non-carcinogenic detrimental effects, 20% of the face masks showed cumulative RCR values exceeding the tolerable limits for carcinogenic health risks.

Overall, the results indicated that while the potential carcinogenic risks of face masks need to be investigated further, most of the analyzed face masks were considered safe for use.
Commercially available noninvasive screening tests for colorectal cancer-;a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and the multi-target stool DNAtest (mt-sDNA; or Cologuard)-;are equally effective for screening patients with early-stage colorectal cancer. However, a FIT costs about one-fifth of the multi-target DNA test, according to new study results presented at the Scientific Forum of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2022.

Pavan K. Rao, MD, a general surgery resident at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, presented study results looking at 117,519 people in the Highmark claims database who underwent colorectal screening in 2019. Highmark is a Blue Cross Blue Shield Association insurer in four Mid-Atlantic states.

From that group, the researchers identified 91,297 people who had noninvasive screening with either the fecal immunochemical test (FIT, n=45,487) or the DNA test (mt-sDNA, n=46,110) instead of having a routine colonoscopy.

Key findings

Among the study population that underwent colorectal screening, 45,487 (38.7 percent) had one of two commercially available FIT tests and 46,110 (39.2 percent) had the mt-sDNA test.

Patients who were screened with either test presented with early disease, staged from 0 to II, at similar rates: 59.5 percent for FIT and 63.2 percent for mt-sDNA test (p=0.77).

Patients within the Allegheny Health Network Oncology Registry diagnosed with colorectal cancer were matched to their claims data to determine distribution of cancer stage. If the noninvasive test indicated signs of early disease, patients were then referred for additional testing to confirm the findings.

The total annual costs for the tests were $6.47 million-;$1.1 million for a FIT, or about $24 per test, and $5.6 million for mt-sDNA, or about $121 per test. Costs were calculated using Medicare reimbursement rates.

Observations on study results

The study followed guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in 2016 and updated in 2019. Since then, the guidelines were updated again in 2021.

Despite national guidelines suggesting that FIT be used as the primary noninvasive screening modality, we found that on review of our insurer's claims data, a significant proportion of patients still receive a more expensive alternative test. There is substantial cost savings not only to our patients but to our health system with promoting appropriate use of noninvasive testing." Dr. Pavan K. Rao, MD, General Surgery Resident, Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"There was no difference in the clinical stage at the time of diagnosis between the two tests, which again demonstrates the clinical equipoise maintained by switching to FIT," Dr. Rao said of the variation between the two tests.

He added, "When you look at the national data for which the guidelines put forward, they found no difference between the two tests at detecting adenoma versus colorectal malignancy."

Cost savings without compromising care

The researchers determined that transitioning all noninvasive colorectal cancer screening to FIT would result in a $3.9 million savings annually in the study population.

"In the current state of healthcare, we are thinking ever more about efficiency and reduction in costs while maintaining patient outcomes, and not compromising the quality of care we provide," Dr. Rao said. "I think a colorectal surgeon or any specialist who sees appropriate patients for colorectal cancer screening can use this data to provide recommendations of alternative screening tests to patients who primarily do not want to undergo colonoscopy. We cannot only say it is appropriate from a guideline standpoint, but we're also reducing wasteful spending in health care by appropriately using the FIT."

What makes this study unique is the methodology used to analyze the claims data, said study coauthor Casey J. Allen, MD, a surgical oncologist at Allegheny Health Network and an assistant professor at Drexel University College of Medicine, Pittsburgh. The researchers analyzed outcomes in the local health registry and then applied those outcomes to the claims database. "It's not just the cost of the mt-sDNA test kit or the cost of the FIT kit multiplied by the number of members in the healthcare system," Dr. Allen said. "It's the full downstream costs depending on the rates of false-positive and false-negative tests and how much it costs to obtain a colonoscopy when that occurs. The cost of a screening colonoscopy in the database the researchers used was $635.

These results support previous studies out of Japan and the Netherlands that found FIT was more cost-effective than other types of noninvasive colorectal screening tests.
Colorectal cancer patients with certain clinical characteristics may benefit from more frequent chest imaging to help identify and target cancer that has spread to the lungs, according to new research presented at the Scientific Forum of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2022. These findings have the potential to improve long-term outcomes of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Despite improved survival rates, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Though rates of colorectal cancer have declined among people 65 and older, largely thanks to increased screening efforts, rates among younger adults are rising. When the cancer is caught early, many patients can remain disease-free for the rest of their lives after surgical treatment, but colorectal cancer can spread (metastasize) in up to 50% of patients. One of the most common areas colorectal cancer spreads to is the lungs, affecting up to 18% of patients with colorectal cancer. Detecting cancerous nodules in the lung early provides patients with the best outcomes, but there are no evidence-based standards for when and how often to screen colorectal cancer patients with chest CT or PET scans.

"After patients are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, many of them want to better understand what their cancer diagnosis entails in terms of their surveillance and survivorship for the rest of their life, but we currently lack data and uniform guidelines to support how often these patients should be screened with chest imaging," said co-author Mara Antonoff, MD, FACS, associate professor, thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, where she also serves as program director of education. "With this study, we sought to develop a strategy that is evidence-based to determine how frequently, at what intervals, and for how long patients at risk of developing lung metastases should undergo imaging of their chest."

Dr. Antonoff specializes in thoracic surgical oncology and has a clinical interest in colorectal cancer that has spread to the lungs. She is leading a multi-institutional study, under the umbrella of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Thoracic Surgery Oncology Group (TSOG) (TSOG 103), on developing optimal treatment strategies for colorectal cancer patients whose cancer spread is limited to the lungs.

To identify which colorectal cancer patients may benefit from early chest imaging and at what time intervals, Dr. Antonoff and an interdisciplinary team of researchers at MD Anderson  including cardiothoracic surgeons, colorectal cancer surgeons, and gastrointestinal oncologists  collaborated on this research project to investigate evidence-based surveillance guidelines for colorectal patients who are at risk of developing lung metastases.

Study details

Using two MD Anderson cancer databases that included both colorectal cancer patients and thoracic cancer patients, the study team retrospectively reviewed data from patients with colorectal cancer who did and did not develop lung metastases. Patients were grouped according to the development of lung metastases and the timing of their diagnosis. The team used statistical methods to investigate which clinical characteristics, such as age or genetic factors, correlated most with the risk of developing lung metastases.

Key findings

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Of 1,600 patients with colorectal cancer, 233 (14.6%) developed pulmonary (lung) metastases, with a median time of 15.4 months following colorectal surgery.

The team identified age, neoadjuvant or adjuvant systemic therapy (such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy), lymph node ratio, lymphovascular and perineural invasion (high-risk tumor characteristics observed under a microscope), and presence of KRAS genetic mutations as risk factors for developing lung metastases.

Further data analysis revealed that patients who required systemic therapy around the time of their surgical operation for colorectal cancer, who had an elevated lymph node ratio, and a KRAS mutation, were at risk of developing lung metastases within three months of surgery.

The authors concluded that these patients may benefit from more frequent surveillance with chest CT or PET scans.

Nathaniel Deboever, MD, general surgery resident, UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School, and the lead author of the study, noted that while these risk factors are not necessarily surprising from a clinical perspective, they highlight the need to adequately screen certain colorectal cancer patients after surgical treatment. In some cases, removing cancerous lung nodules surgically early on can significantly improve outcomes.

"A concrete clinical application of this research, following validation, is to build evidence-based guidelines affecting chest surveillance in patients with resected colorectal cancer," said Dr. Deboever, who completed this research as part of his research fellowship with the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at MD Anderson. "These guidelines will hopefully allow high-risk patients to undergo radiographic screening in a timely manner, permitting the early diagnosis of pulmonary disease."

Next steps

In future research, the team plans to validate findings in a separate group of patients, with the hope of formalizing chest surveillance protocols for widespread clinical adoption. Dr. Antonoff and Dr. Deboever noted that as colorectal cancer research evolves, sensitive blood tests to detect cancer or advanced radiographic screening methods using artificial intelligence may also play an important role in monitoring patients.

There are many patients who receive cancer care outside of cancer hospitals, so having algorithms, pathways, and recommended protocols can be very helpful for providers who care for a lot of different diseases with rapidly changing recommendations. I think this research is really just the tip of the iceberg." Mara Antonoff, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston

This study was funded by the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center, which included financial support from the Mason Family Philanthropic Research Fund.

Study coauthors are Erin M. Bayley, MD, MS; Brian K. Bednarski, MD, FACS; and Van Morris, MD.
A new PLOS One journal paper by University of Louisville researchers underscored public perceptions of sewer surveillance and security issues associated with sewage monitoring that could be modified through educational programs. These findings will provide vital information for refining policy, application, and regulatory measures pertaining to wastewater-based epidemiology and improving public acceptance.

Study: Nationwide public perceptions regarding the acceptance of using wastewater for community health monitoring in the United States. Image Credit: Daniel Jedzura / Shutterstock

Background

Sewer monitoring has emerged as a potentially novel and cost-effective component of public health surveillance. Sewage monitoring involves the collection of pooled samples from sewage systems at the community or institutional levels. Sewers serve as an aggregate for human waste at the community level and a template for community surveillance.

Sewer monitoring can provide valuable insights into what pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and protozoa are prevalent in a community. Regarding public health, wastewater-monitoring programs uncover infections and diseases that may have escaped or are underreported by standard surveillance systems and could potentiate outbreaks.

For instance, wastewater monitoring has been used to detect and track outbreaks of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). During the earlier phases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, alterations in social constraints were implemented according to community infection levels. There were concerns about whether sewage monitoring data could be used as proof to change social behavior and isolation protocols.

The study

The present study explored whether public perceptions regarding sewage monitoring can be used as a public health surveillance tool  through a survey administered to a sample of individuals across the United States.

The study aimed to evaluate sewer monitoring knowledge, awareness, acceptability, confidentiality, and the variables that affect an individual's awareness of the sewage monitoring agreement.

The findings provided insights into sewer monitoring acceptance and can guide policy formulation about expanding sewer monitoring applications at national and local levels.

Participants were recruited online through Qualtrics XM  a national research panel provider randomly invited to participate in the survey. This survey consisted of three components  questions about knowledge on sewer monitoring and its acceptance; demographic questions, like age, gender identity, geography, race, ethnicity, educational level, and income; and a privacy attitude questionnaire (PAQ)to assess general privacy boundaries.

Location of respondents

The findings

Overall, 3,083 participants answered questionnaires about sewer monitoring as a public health surveillance tool that assessed their knowledge, perceptions, and privacy concerns.

Approximately half of the respondents had no idea whether COVID-19 could be detected in sewage. People across the United States (U.S.) were generally less aware of sewer monitoring than other types of public health surveillance.

Respondentsas measured by the PAQshowed moderate levels of privacy concerns, with higher levels of concern relating to personal information and lower levels for financial information.

The majority of respondents supported sewer monitoring, particularly for identifying toxins, diseases, and terrorist threats, with a decreasing level of preference in the given sequence. While the support seemed to deteriorate for assessing behaviors and health statuses of the population, such as lifestyle, diet, and mental illness.

There were no significant privacy concerns associated with sewer monitoring across the country. Notably, sampling at the city scale garnered greater support than that at a narrower scale.

Sewer monitoring is an emerging technology, so in areas where public health surveillance is relatively unknown, educational programs may prove to be advantageous in modifying public perceptions. The findings of this survey depict that while knowledge and awareness related to sewer monitoring are low, the U.S. population is specific about what is and is not appropriate for monitoring; public opinion must be considered.

The study had some caveats  the fact that participants were self-selected and the nature of the survey was concealed until the participants met the inclusion requirements. Additionally, survey researchers may have had self-selection bias; the respondents were older, wealthier, better educated, and from the suburbs; residents of rural areas were excluded, and the research was limited to the U.S.

More research is required to evaluate public attitudes toward the use of sewers for worldwide community health monitoring.
In a recent study published in Applied Geography, researchers explored the spatial variability in increasing public awareness of the efficacy of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing.

Rapid viral transmission with an upsurge in pandemics like COVID-19 usually has occurred due to invisible viral transmission by asymptomatic patients. Healthcare facilities rely on voluntary screening (VS) at a large scale to detect (and isolate) such invisible transmitters and individuals with symptoms at the earliest for disease mitigation.

Increasing public risk awareness has improved epidemic prevention strategies efficacy since high public awareness could increase testing resource use and, therefore, elevate resource/ testing kit demands. However, testing efficacy may be affected by spatial demands (SD) for resources during different periods. Further, SD could be increased by public risk awareness in different regions based on the spatial closeness to testing facilities and human movement attractiveness.

About the study

The present study investigated spatial variability in increasing public awareness to improve medical resource usage and willingness to confront the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.

Spatial simulation models were implemented to integrate the dynamics of an epidemic and differing public risk awareness levels in space and time. Subsequently, the impact of the proximity of testing resources and human movement attractiveness on SARS-CoV-2 testing at various public awareness levels was investigated.

Data from the Taipei region, a densely populated socioeconomic and metropolitan center of Taiwan (1363 square kilometers of area and six million population), was used for assessing the integrated model framework feasibility. Spatial analysis units comprised 543 TAZs (traffic analysis zones, with mean TAZ size and population being 2.5 square kilometers and 12,500, respectively.)

Thirty SARS-CoV-2 testing stations in hospitals that were CECC (Central Epidemic Command Center)-established were utilized for representing facilities for resource supply, all of which provided RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) tests. The everyday average human movement volume among TAZs was estimated by TRTS-IV (Taipei rapid transit systems demand model, fourth version), and the estimations were conducted by DORTS (department of rapid transit systems) of the Taipei government in the year 2015.

The integrated model comprised three components. The first component used a modified SEPIA compartmental model for simulating the spatiotemporal epidemic progression. The second component processed dynamic demands for COVID-19 testing resources by integrating probable requesters and the willingness for testing.

The third component used the 2SFCA (two-step floating catchment area) model for evaluating SA (spatial accessibility) to test resources at each location based on dynamic demand. All the components interacted repeatedly, and the coevolution with time reflected the effects of testing behaviors against epidemics.

The ICR (increase in capture rate) and DIP (decrease of infection proportion) measures were evaluated to determine improvements in resource use and epidemic reduction, respectively. Further, the influence of geographic factors on the local benefit index was investigated by measuring the attractiveness and proximity of each place.

Results

Increasing public awareness increased testing willingness, which caused demands to be partially satisfied at peak pandemic times; however, the testing resource shortages did not significantly elevate COVID-19 severity. The increase in testing willingness or public awareness could not notably increase resource use after resource usage had attained a high level.

Consequently, an imbalance between resource demand and resource use was observed. The peak value of the fraction of individuals with severe symptoms dropped dramatically, although the epidemic peak time appeared earlier in the case of rising public awareness.

The elevated demand triggered by increasing willingness for testing, therefore, could not be satisfied completely in the case of high-level public awareness. In the case of low public awareness, focusing on unattractive areas (like urban fringe or residential regions) could increase testing benefits, and testing willingness showed similar temporal patterns.

On the contrary, in the case of high public awareness, the distance to testing stations was more critical for increasing testing benefits; allocating additional testing resources to locations distantly located from the testing stations could improve testing benefits. Testing willingness increased earlier during an epidemic and became higher at peak times.

DIP and ICR values for the majority of TAZs gradually increased with an increase in public awareness. However, the values for some TAZs were found to continue to be low, indicating that resource use and epidemic reductions were difficult to be improved in those regions. The ICR range was generally wider than that of DIP, with larger differences between the two in increasing public awareness.

The findings indicated that pattern ICR values showed greater spatial heterogeneity than DIP values and that increasing public awareness enlarged the differences between them. In general, DIP and ICR values did not correlate and were inconsistent across TAZs in the case of high public awareness. Attractiveness dominated the spatial differences occurring due to geographical variables.

Overall, the study findings highlighted the spatial variability in increasing public risk awareness for COVID-19 screening. The findings could aid healthcare authorities in allocating resources and designing testing strategies against viral outbreaks based on public awareness levels.
MANZINI  The delivery of a petition by lowly ranked personnel from the correctional services and police Service has compelled government to raise money promptly to address their concerns.

This is subsequent to the events of last Tuesday, wherein a novel act in the Kingdom of Eswatini took place. Junior officers of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS) delivered a petition to Cabinet offices. They were calling for government to implement the protracted Phase II of the salary restructuring exercise, which they have been anticipating since 2014. Their act drew scorn from their leaders in the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Tsitsibala Dlamini and also the Commissioner General (COMGEN) of HMCS, Phindile Lomakhosi Dlamini, as both leaders said such an act was deviant from officers of both institutions. As the lowly ranked officers delivered their petition, it was gathered that Cabinet made the issue its priority as it was delivered during their sittings.

Impeccable sources claimed that it was agreed that the issue should be dealt with rapidly and money had to be raised in order to avert any repercussions that may arise when the law enforcers rebelled. The impeccable sources claimed that it was discussed that the law enforcers should be offered the money in November, if possible in order to salvage the situation.

It was gathered that the challenge was that the supplementary budget had already been passed in Parliament and seeking to have allocated within it would be futile. This move by Cabinet is seemingly a change of heart from the commitment that had been made earlier by government which said the lowly ranked officers would benefit from the E65 million set aside for appeals in the civil service.

The E65 million was announced by the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, in the Appropriations Act No. 1 of 2023, which he further affirmed when the officers bemoaned that they were being informed that there was no money to implement Phase II of the restructuring exercise. The minister said the law enforcers, like all other civil servants, would benefit from the E65 million, which was set aside for appeals. In light of the developments, which according to impeccable sources have resulted in Cabinet having to raise the money in the upcoming weeks, Rijkenberg was sought for comment.

He was asked if government was to award the law enforcers the money they were seeking and how his ministry would raise it. Rijkenberg was also asked what would be the timeframes and also if it was an option to redirect certain budgets in order to deal with the threat set to compromise national security. Lastly, the minister was asked if the E65 million that was set aside for appeals, were still an option to deal with the issue. Rijkenberg said: Government is collectively looking into the matter and is seeking solutions. The minister said the Mabulala Maseko-led Ministry of Public Service was best suited to answer the questions. Rijkenberg explained that the E65 million was set for the 2016 Salary Review Appeals. He said the Ministry of Public Service would know best on whether there would be a remainder in this amount or if they needed financial assistance.

It is worth noting that some ministries seek the intervention of government when in need to fund pressing issues. This is done through the supplementary budget, which in this financial year accommodated the increment of scholarships by E200 million. Also, government may use alternatives such as seeking a loan to raise the money sought by junior officers. This route would take time as it has to go through Parliament. Another option would be to use government bonds, which could also take a period in excess of three months. Meanwhile, the minister of Public Service, was sent a questionnaire seeking to establish what plans his ministry had to deal with this issue of junior officers, as they were not happy with waiting for the consultant assigned to review salaries and conditions of work in the civil service.

calm

Maseko was also asked if there was anything that his ministry, collectively working with Cabinet, may offer to calm what could be a setback in the quest for peace in the country.

Also, he was asked if the Ministry of Public Service had assessed if local law enforcers in the police and Correctional Services were paid at par or lower than other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. If yes, he was asked what were the results and if no, why was such an assessment not engaged on, as it would guide the ministry in dealing with the current challenge.

In July 7, 2014, the Ministry of Public Service issued Circular No.2 of 2014 for the implementation of Phase I of the Restructuring Programme for the REPS and HMCS. The rationale behind the restructuring exercise was primarily driven by a desire to re-align and re-engineer the structural make-up of both services so that they could be capacitated to deal decisively with emerging safety and security threats in a rapidly changing and dynamic operational terrain. It was also to ensure alignment of operational structures and systems with other police and correctional services within the SADC Region. This was structured to be in two phases; Phase I, which covered the strategic levels of the two services and Phase II, being the tactical layer. Phase I was implemented, Phase II was not.

In that regard, the joint task team highlighted in its report that the non-implementation of the second phase had the unfortunate consequence of sowing seeds of polarisation within the two security forces, which was not an ideal scenario for organisations entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order in society. It said such a responsibility makes it imperative that intra-organisational relations across the ranks were kept as amicable and as harmonious as they could possibly be.
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Contact Joan Skilbred at skilbred@gci.net.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandMedical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) hosted Professor Julie Green, Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery, Keele University, United Kingdom, for a partnership launch, in the presence of His Excellency Mr Roderick Drummond, British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain and Dr Jamila Jassim Mukhaimer, President of Bahrain Nursing Society.

It is under the patronage of Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the Higher Education Council and Deputy Chairperson of the Higher Education Council Board of Trustees, Thanks to the partnership, a nursing student exchange programme will take place annually where nursing students from both universities will visit one anothers campuses to participate in learning and teaching activities and attend clinical observerships in local healthcare facilities.

Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Bahrain, stated: To advance healthcare in Bahrain and beyond, it is critical that nursing students experience a diversity of interactions with patients, interprofessional relations and healthcare environments.

Nurses play a vital role in the delivery of primary and community care, and their understanding of patient care in an international context is key to evolving current practices.

He also thanked Dr Shaikha Rana for her patronage and support of this partnership, since developing future professionals with the relevant skills needed in Bahrain to construct a knowledge-based economy is part of the Higher Education Councils strategic plan, in line with the countrys goals under the National Vision 2030.

Dr Shaikha Rana noted: In healthcare, as in any other sector, it is important to prepare graduates to be able to keep up with global developments in their field of knowledge so that our workforce is ready to meet the needs of current and future societal needs.

RCSI Bahrain nursing students participate in a range of community engagement activities and undertake clinical placements in primary and secondary care nationally, contributing to the health programme of Bahrain, where they experience firsthand the advancement of the health and well-being of the local communities.

Students also have opportunities to volunteer internationally via the international community engagement initiatives.
Agencies | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

With the opening of the annual Discover America shopping festival week, around 3,800 US products went on display at Lulu Hypermarkets across Bahrain.

The annual shopping festival inauguared by US Ambassador to Bahrain Steven C. Bondy at a ceremony attended by LuLu Group Director Juzer Rupawala and senior management.

The Discover America Week festival runs until October 22.

Underscoring the American communitys bond with Bahrain, there will be information kiosks for prominent American organizations such as AmCham, American Womens Association and American Mission Hospital, a statement said.

To create the right buzz and highlight American automobile technology, Lulu has set aside a space for a display of the iconic US made Harley Davidson motorcycle and the Red Indian motorbike, it added.

"Since the inception of this annual trade promotion event, the US Embassy has proudly partnered with Lulu to support the sale and distribution of American food and agricultural products in Bahrain," Bondy said.

"Lulus continued use of the US Bahrain Free Trade Agreement expands access to high quality US made goods and strengthens commercial ties between Bahrain and the United States."

Rupawala said that the partnership with the U.S. embassy in Bahrain and the Discover America Week is a big success.
Agencies | Banjul

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Gambias government on Friday said the number of child deaths from acute kidney injury, thought to be linked to Indian-made cough syrups, has risen to 70.

President Adama Barrow gave the update at an emergency cabinet meeting which he convened on Thursday to discuss the crisis, according to a presidency statement.

The syrups were found to be made by New Delhi-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd, which has since had one of its factories shut down in northern India as health authorities there investigate.

Gambia is also investigating the deaths and this week set up a new commission of inquiry to deal with them, the statement said.
Oman's Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) said it has awarded a major contract to Galfar Engineering and Contracting for roads and infrastructure development at Mahas Industrial City in the Wilayat of Khasab within Musandam Governorate.

The project will be developed on a construction area of one million sqm at a total cost of RO5 million ($13 million), said senior officials at the signing ceremony held today (October 17) under the patronage of Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam.

Madayn Acting CEO Hamad bin Hamoud Al Qasabi said the scope of work includes incorporating internal road network of 7 km, installation of 100 lighting poles in addition to construction of a 75-m-long bridge linking the entrance of the industrial city to the main road and water and sewage networks of 5 km and 4.5 km respectively.

Moreover, the project includes electricity and telecom services and networks as well as setting up of a water tank with a 1,000 cu m capacity, a sewage tank as well as rainwater drainage channels running 4 km long.-TradeArabia News Service
Cincinnati, OH (45221)

Today

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low around 40F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low around 40F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
MONTREAL, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Beiersdorf North America announced today the appointment of Florian Wolfram as General Manager, Beiersdorf Canada, effective October 1, 2022. In his new role, Florian reports to Mauricio Valdes, General Manager, North America and will be responsible for the Canadian business. He will lead Canada's Leadership Team and become a member of the North America Leadership Team.

Florian has been with Beiersdorf for more than nine years in various sales & commercial capacities. Most recently he was Head of the German Sales organization since 2018, leading the commercial operation of the largest Beiersdorf affiliate worldwide. "I am honored and excited to join our dedicated and passionate Canadian team," said Florian. "Together we will continue developing our brands and business, nurturing our partnerships, and serving our customers and consumers in this dynamic market."

Florian is taking over for Guillaume de Vitton, who has been with Beiersdorf since 2004. He has been critical in integrating Coppertone into the Canadian business, navigating the Covid-19 pandemic and implementing hybrid work policies among many other contributions.

"Florian is a respected leader within Beiersdorf with a proven track record. He is well positioned to tackle the challenges and continue building on the success of our Canadian business," said Mauricio Valdes, General Manager, Beiersdorf North America. "We are excited to welcome him to the North American team."

ABOUT BEIERSDORF AG:

Beiersdorf Canada Inc. is part of the Beiersdorf Group, a global leading provider of innovative, high-quality skin care products and has 140 years of experience in this market segment. The Hamburg-based company has over 20,000 employees worldwide and is listed on the DAX, the German benchmark equities index. Beiersdorf generated sales of 7.6 billion in fiscal year 2021. NIVEA, the world's No. 1 skin care brand*, is the cornerstone of the company's brand portfolio, which also includes brands such as Eucerin, Elastoplast and Coppertone in Canada.

* Source: Euromonitor International Limited; NIVEA as umbrella brand in the categories Face Care, Body Care, and Hand Care; in retail value terms, 2016.

SOURCE Beiersdorf Canada Inc.

For further information: Olivia Crane, [email protected]
OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) is pleased to announce General Dynamics Mission SystemsCanada has won a $24 million contract to help the Portuguese Air Force modernize its fleet of P-3C aircraft to support Maritime patrol and reconnaissance activities.

This was secured through a government-to-government (G2G) contract between CCC and the Portuguese Air Force. G2G contracts are part of CCC's International Prime Contractor service that brings qualified Canadian companies to foreign government buyers.

Left: Colonel Jorge Nunes, Head of the Administrative and Financial Service Right: Mathieu Lacroix, Account Director, CCC (CNW Group/Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC))

General Dynamics will provide equipment and technology to upgrade the communications and mission electronics. The upgrades to Portugal's P3-C fleet are modeled on modernizations that General Dynamics provides to the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Mission Management System offered to Portugal now comprises over 50 installations worldwide on both Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Maritime Patrol Helicopters.

Portugal is a member of NATO. The upgrades will allow the Portuguese Air Force, as a NATO member, to maintain the capabilities required to contribute to new and existing NATO activities. In addition to maritime patrol and reconnaissance activities, Portugal's air force also provides air policing, air transport, search and rescue, and medical evacuations.

QUOTE

"CCC is proud to simplify and expedite the acquisitions of Canadian expertise and technology by Portugal  a NATO ally and important trading partner,"

- Mathieu Lacroix, CCC's Account Director, Aerospace Sector.

"We are very pleased to partner with the Portuguese Air Force, leveraging Canada's investment and long-term commitment to the P3 fleet," said Matt Young, Sr. Director of International Air and Naval Systems, General Dynamics Mission SystemsCanada. "As standards and threats evolve, we are proud to support our customers around the world to meet the changing environment."

QUICK FACTS

International Prime Contractor (IPC) is a fee-based service where CCC enters into commercial contracts on a government to government (G2G) basis for the sale of Canadian solutions. CCC can work with all levels of government  national, state/provincial, and municipal, as well as government agencies and government-owned enterprises.

Every G2G commercial contract signed by CCC has the legal effect of being signed in the name of the Government of Canada , and comes with an assurance of contract performance.

, and comes with an assurance of contract performance. In 2021, CCC facilitated the export of over $2.92B in goods and services by Canadian companies around the world.

RELATED

ABOUT CANADIAN COMMERCIAL CORPORATION (CCC)

We are Canada's government to government contracting agency. We help build successful commercial relationships between Canadian businesses and governments around the world by creating and supporting the successful completion of commercial contracts of public and national importance. We are also the official channel for Canadian companies looking to do business with the U.S. military. To learn more about we have facilitated billions in trade between Canadian businesses and governments in over 30 countries, visit www.ccc.ca/en/

ABOUT GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMSCANADA

General Dynamics Mission SystemsCanada delivers advanced system solutions to Canadian and international customers. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, it is one of the largest defence and security companies in Canada and is a world-class prime contractor and systems integrator for land, sea, air and cyber solutions. For more information, visit gdmissionsystems.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC)

For further information: Canadian Commercial Corporation, [email protected]; General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada: Lorena MacKenzie, Corporate Communications, [email protected]
AD Ports will be work with Nafis, a federal programme to increase the competitiveness of Emirati human resources, to recruit 7,500 UAE nationals over the next five years, at a rate of 1,500 jobs annually.

Towards this the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) and AD Ports Group have signed an MoU to enhance the participation of UAE nationals in the private sector.

During the signing of the memorandum, ETCC was represented by Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of ETCC, while AD Ports Group was represented by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group.

Raising awareness

Al Mazrouei pointed out the importance of Nafis partnerships in introducing the programme to UAE nationals and raising awareness of its benefits, as well as encouraging private sector companies to attract local talent and provide them with job opportunities that match their qualifications.

He said: Since Nafis was founded a year ago, we have witnessed numerous partnerships which have resulted in the employment of thousands of UAE nationals in the private sector, as well as providing the opportunity for many more to benefit from the training programmes and qualification courses provided by our partners. Today, we are proud to have AD Ports Group joining the group of our illustrious partners, and we hope that it will result in outcomes which reflect positively on Emirati job seekers, and for those who wish to pursue their career path within the private sector.

Targeting a wide segment

"The achievements of Nafis in the past year bode well for the future. The programme has firmly established its presence in the Emirati community and has been able to highlight to citizens the attractiveness and perks of working in the private sector and contributing to the realising the dreams of thousands. Through Nafis success stories campaign Nafis..Your Way, we have targeted a wide segment of UAE nationals, to encourage them to join the private sector by drawing inspiration from the success stories of ambitious Emiratis already occupying roles in healthcare, technology, engineering, financial services and management consulting. We are looking forward to the seeing what the future holds, and hope that our partnership with AD Ports Group will be a new a fruitful one that helps people find fulfilling careers, he added.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director & Group CEO, AD Ports Group said: We are resolute in our commitment to contribute to the UAEs economic development and diversification. AD Ports Group generated 21% of all non-oil related GDP in Abu Dhabi in 2020, doubled the Emiratisation rate in the last decade, and is proud to continue to support our people in securing fuller and more sustainable careers across the growing trade, transport and logistics sector.

Our wise leadership, through its oversight of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, has created in the Nafis platform a new and innovative approach to career building for UAE nationals. This platform will greatly accelerate the speed at which we are able to both identify these individuals and provide them with opportunities to actively contribute to the UAEs economic growth.

The partnership goals

The collaboration between Nafis and AD Ports Group aims to enhance the close, effective and continuous cooperation between the two parties and achieving mutual benefit by spreading awareness and introducing their initiatives and programmes, and notably Nafis programmes and initiatives.

The partnership also supports initiatives and programmes that encourage UAE nationals and companies to take advantage of the benefits they provide, maintain communication between the two parties to achieve common interests that benefit the nation, exchange knowledge and institutional experiences at various levels, as well as to cooperate on the implementation of the objectives, legislation and programmes related to their operations.

The partnership also aims to encourage private sector establishments and companies that deal with AD Ports Group to register for Nafis initiatives and programmes, offer job and training opportunities on the Nafis platform and employ nationals. The collaboration will also include organising workshops to provide details on Nafis initiatives and programmes and guidance on how to register onto the platform, as well as announcing and promoting relevant programmes from the two parties through the AD Ports Groups various means of communication.-- TradeArabia News Service
OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, today made the following statement in recognition of Small Business Week:

"Today marks the beginning of Small Business Week in Canada, a time to celebrate Canadian small businesses and the enormous contributions they make every single day. They are the mom-and-pop shop that has been a pillar in the neighbourhood for generations, the young entrepreneur just starting their first venture, and the restaurant down the street that knows your order by heart.

"Small businesses are at the heart of our communities and are the backbone of our economy. They represent 98% of all Canadian businesses, employ over 10 million hard-working Canadians, and make our neighbourhoods unique and dynamic.

"They support Canadians every day, and the Government of Canada will continue to be there to support them because when we support small businesses, we support a stronger economy that works for everyone. To help growing businesses, we cut taxes, implemented $10-a-day child care, expanded access to capital, are reducing the labour shortage and are securing supply chains that have been disrupted by the pandemic.

"The pandemic has demonstrated the ingenuity and grit of small business owners but has also highlighted the need to adapt to the economy of the future. That is why we invested $4 billion in the Canada Digital Adoption Program to help 160,000 SMEs grow their digital footprint, boost their technology and reach new customers online. And through programs like the Trade Accelerator Program and CanExport, we are helping small businesses scale up and reach more customers around the world.

"We also know that women, racialized Canadians and Indigenous people face systemic barriers when trying to start and grow their businessbut when we help them succeed, we help grow local economies for everyone. That is why we worked with under-represented communities to create Canada's first Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and the first Black Entrepreneurship Program, and we have made significant investments through the Indigenous Growth Fund and the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program.

"And we're helping make life more affordable for Canadians by cutting taxes for those who need it the most. We're doubling the GST credit and putting hundreds of dollars back into the pockets of Canadians, providing dental care coverage for families, and delivering $500 to help those who are struggling with the cost of rent.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank all of Canada's small business owners for the contributions they make every day. Our government will always have your back and support you as you continue to give back to your communities.

"I invite all Canadians to join me this week in celebrating our small business ownersthey are our neighbours, our friends and the people who make our communities special."

Stay connected

Follow Canada Business on social media for business-related news: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

For further information: Contacts: Alice Hansen, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, 613-612-0482 [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]
OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - In a new report, titled "Eyes On Evidence III: An assessment of the transparency of evidence usage across provincial policy announcements," Evidence for Democracy (E4D) evaluated over 100 policies issued by the provincial governments of Ontario, British Columbia and Sasketchawan, to determine whether the public can find and understand the evidence used to make policy decisions. Similar to earlier work examining federal policies, E4D found that provincial policies scored low on the transparency of evidence usage, meaning that it is difficult for people across Canada to find the evidence behind government policy.

"Our Eyes on Evidence series asks: can the evidence behind policy decisions be found by the lay public?" Dr. Caitlin Fowler, a Senior Research Associate at E4D. "This is an important question to ask because the public has the right to know and understand what considerations lead to the policy decisions that impact their lives. This understanding starts with transparent communication of evidence, from all levels of government within our federated system."

When evidence is made transparent in policy-making, the public has the opportunity to scrutinize the evidence behind the decisions shaping their lives.

E4D's provincial assessment found that policies often failed to mention the evidence used to make a decision, let alone provide a reference or citation for any evidence mentioned. Almost all policies scored poorly in the testing and evaluation section (i.e., to know how and when a policy has worked) of E4D's transparency framework, and rarely explored the merits of alternative policy options, or acknowledged any absent, weak or contradictory evidence. In particular, policies from the Government of Saskatchewan scored very poorly.

"We all benefit when governments make policy decisions informed by the best available evidence. In fact, virtually every policy issue that our elected representatives face can benefit from evidence, especially as we consider the complexity of the ever-growing challenges we must confront as a society," said Dr. Vanessa Sung, E4D's Interim Executive Director. "Asking for transparency in policy-making may be ambitious, but communicating the evidence used to make policy decisions shouldn't just be a bonus added on when time and resources permit. We must place evidence at the heart of public policy."

Read the full report.

SOURCE Evidence for Democracy

For further information: Media Contact: Caitlin Fowler, Senior Research Associate, Evidence for Democracy, [email protected], Phone: 613-282-9219
OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - It is estimated that more than 5,400 Canadians die every year from infections caused by bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) costs our healthcare system $1.4B every year and is an urgent and growing threat to global health, with wide-spread socio-economic impacts.

Globally, AMR is associated with close to five million annual deaths, more than HIV/AIDS, malaria, or breast cancer. If left unaddressed, AMR could bring a return to an era where modern-day life-saving medical procedures, such as cancer treatments and joint replacements, would no longer be possible due to the risk of untreatable infection.

As AMR knows no boundaries and poses a threat to people around the world, global commitment, collaboration, and ambitious action is critical to combatting AMR. Today, I am pleased to announce we are joining international partners with a $300,000 contribution to help address AMR.

The funding supports SECURE, a newly created initiative with the mission to expand access to essential, life-saving antibiotics for countries and populations in need, and ensuring their appropriate use. SECURE's efforts will address the burden of infectious diseases and AMR in low and middle-income countries. SECURE was developed by the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), with support from UNICEF and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).

Canada's contribution to SECURE's initiative will increase global AMR preparedness and support improved access to the antimicrobials upon which people around the world rely every day.

The hard-learned lessons of COVID-19 have demonstrated the importance of global readiness, collaboration, and equitable access to life-saving medicines for all. Just like COVID-19, AMR requires a united and concerted action.

In addition to our global cooperation, there are also individual level actions we can take to help address this public health threat. Next month we will recognize World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW). This year's theme is Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together. It's a good reminder that we can all play a part to help address AMR.

Individuals can take simple steps to reduce the spread of AMR. Keeping our vaccinations up to date, protecting ourselves from infections, speaking with a healthcare provider before using antimicrobial drugs, and using them as directed are some examples.

Lastly, it's important to recognize that, although life-saving, antibiotics are not always the answer.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

For further information: Marie-France Proulx, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]
New university will deliver technology-oriented education and bring significant economic growth to the Niagara region.

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - The University of Niagara Falls Canada is pleased to announce that it will be ready to welcome new students in 2024, following Government of Ontario approval. Operated by Global University Systems Canada (GUS Canada), the new university will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the 21st-Century workforce. The university will also provide the Niagara Region  and all of Ontario  with major economic and employment benefits.

"Today, we celebrate an important milestone for the University of Niagara Falls Canada, and the entire Niagara Region. Thanks to the hard work and support of the Government of Ontario, as well as Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, students from across the country will soon call our university and the City of Niagara Falls home," said Cyndi McLeod, Board Director for the University of Niagara Falls Canada and CEO of GUS Canada. "We know Ontarians, whether they are just finishing high school or looking for the skills they need for a second career, want to attend a university that offers the digital mindset employers have come to expect from new employees."

Bringing significant economic growth to the Niagara region

The direct and indirect impact of this new institution will be significant. On an annual basis, the University of Niagara Falls Canada is expected to generate $291 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), $194 million in labour income, and $23 million in government tax revenue, according to an analysis conducted by economist Dr. Roslyn Kunin. The University of Niagara Falls Canada will help grow the local Niagara Falls economy, while also providing the skilled labour businesses across the province require.

"This is a massive windfall for the City of Niagara Falls," said Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati. "If there was one thing on my bucket list that we had still yet to do in a big way in our community, it was this. It has been a long road behind the scenes, with many challenges, but today makes it all worthwhile. This downtown and our community will be bustling with students, new technology education and all of the economic off-spin that will come with it. Thanks to the determination of GUS, the commitment of a forward-thinking Provincial Government and a dedicated team of people, University of Niagara Falls, Canada will now be a reality."

The University of Niagara Falls Canada will bring new vitality to the city's downtown core when it fully opens its doors in 2024. It will attract students of all ages and stages from across the Niagara Region, Ontario and the country.

"Business and industry leaders helped shape curriculum, program and degree offerings with local labour market needs in mind and based on extensive consultations in the community," said McLeod. "We look forward to working with the city, the region and the province in the months and years ahead."

Delivering world-class, digitally-minded education

"A new university for Niagara Falls is good news for the region, the local economy, and for employers in high-demand fields," said Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop. "Our government is committed to supporting high-quality post-secondary education that provides workers with the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow."

The University of Niagara Falls Canada will be offering a host of distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to meet the needs of today's employers, including emerging technology, data analytics, business and digital media.

"The University of Niagara Falls Canada will be rooted in core values of innovative education and research," said Sheldon Levy, President of University Canada West and a special advisor to the University of Niagara Falls Canada. "Whether it's a young person looking to build the foundation of their career or a working professional looking to advance their skills, the University of Niagara Falls Canada will ensure our graduates leave with a set of skills and a way of looking at the world that sets them up for success." Levy is the current president of University Canada West, another GUS Canada institution based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He was previously president of Toronto Metropolitan University from 2005 to 2015 overseeing the expansion of its campus and the creation of its highly successful campus-based incubator, the Digital Media Zone (DMZ).

Building on Global University Systems' track record of national and international success

The University of Niagara Falls Canada will draw on the demonstrated expertise of Global University Systems (GUS)  one of the largest education groups in the world; offering accredited bachelor's, master's, medical and law degree programs, vocational and professional qualifications, and language courses to approximately 100,000 students globally at its 57+ teaching locations in the U.K., India, Singapore, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Canada, and the Caribbean.

GUS Canada has successfully introduced many innovative post-secondary institutions to communities across the country over the past decade, including University Canada West (Vancouver), the Canadian College of Technology and Business (Vancouver), the Toronto School of Management (Toronto), the Trebas Institute (Toronto and Montreal), and The Language Gallery (Vancouver and Toronto).

FAST FACTS

Informed by labour market needs of the region and local employers, the University of Niagara Falls Canada received consent to offer five programs:

Honours Bachelor of Science  Biomedical Sciences.

Honours Bachelor of Business Administration  Majors in Digital Economy and Digital Marketing.

Master of Data Analytics  Specializations in Marketing Analytics and Operations Analytics.

Master of Management  Specializations in Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship.

Master of Arts in Digital Media and Global Communications.

All academic programs will have a professional focus that prepares learners for a digital world.

The University of Niagara Falls Canada prides itself on small class sizes and first-class student supports.

The University of Niagara Falls Canada is expected to have a direct and indirect economic impact estimated annually at $291 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), $194 million in labour income, and $23 million in government tax revenue.

Flexibility at the University of Niagara Falls Canada means students can study when and how they want. The vision of the university is that every academic program will be offered in three formats: face-to-face, online, and hybrid.

With multiple intakes each year, The University of Niagara Falls Canada helps student mix work and study to suit their personal circumstances.

The new university is a subsidiary of GUS Canada and part of the Global University Systems (GUS) network; GUS is the largest independent education network in Europe and one of the largest education groups in the world.

SOURCE Global University Systems Canada

***

For further information: or to arrange media interviews, please contact: Midya U, Global University Systems Canada, 604-368-3268, [email protected]; Carey Campbell, City of Niagara Falls, Office of the Mayor and CAO, 905 356 7521 x 4206, 905 380 4594, [email protected]
REGINA, SK, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - VMware (NYSE: VMW) today announced a partnership with the First Nations University of Canada, where it will provide 400 students with complementary access to its transformative digital training program, VMware IT Academy.

VMware IT Academy program provides academic institutions with authorized VMware courses, curricula, and support to educate students and accelerate their careers. This includes entry level courses to facilitate a student's entry into the IT field, as well as more advanced courses aimed at achieving technical certifications.

VMware and First Nations University of Canada Launch New Digital Partnership. Tweet this

"We're excited to partner with the First Nations University of Canada to deliver valuable technical training through our VMware IT Academy Program," said Claude Reeves, VMware Country Manager, Canada. "At VMware, we believe in using technology to create a pipeline of diverse talent to address the IT Skills Gap. And we're excited to invest in Indigenous students who will become the next generation of Canadian technical talent."

Students can enroll in the online courses through theFNUniv Indigenous Continuing Education Centre (ICEC) starting October 2022. The curriculum includes the foundation and prepackaged courses on Getting Started in Information Technology to the Core Technical Skills courses aligned to the VCTA Certification. Specialized courses include:

Network Virtualizations Data Centre Virtualization Cloud Automation App Modernization Digital Workspace

"We are pleased to partner with VMware to offer the introductory and selected advance courses to FNUniv students who are interested in developing the digital skills necessary to lead a positive change in their communities" says Dr. Bob Kayseas, Vice President, Academic, First Nations University of Canada.

The program will be announced at a live event held at the First Nations University of Canada in Regina, where students will have the opportunity to learn about the program from senior executives at VMware, as well as ask questions about careers at VMware and in the technology industry more broadly.

About FNUniv

Established in 1976, the First Nations University of Canada is Canada's only national First Nations-owned post-secondary institution. We are a unique educational institution of higher learning specializing in Indigenous Education for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of all cultural backgrounds. Our Vision is to aspire to have a transformative impact by bridging our ceremonies, knowledge keepers, languages, and traditions with the delivery of high-quality post-secondary education. For more information, please visit www.fnuniv.ca.

About VMware

VMware is a leading provider of multi-cloud services for all apps, enabling digital innovation with enterprise control. As a trusted foundation to accelerate innovation, VMware software gives businesses the flexibility and choice they need to build the future. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, VMware is committed to building a better future through the company's 2030 Agenda. For more information, please visit www.vmware.com/company.

SOURCE VMware Canada

For further information: Media Contacts: Samantha Clark, Hill + Knowlton Strategies (On behalf of VMware), (519) 221-3466, [email protected]; Bonnie Rockthunder, The First Nations University of Canada, (306) 790-5950 ext. 2510, [email protected]
Socio-political activist, Aisha Yesufu has debunked rumours she was appointed into the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council. Mrs...

Socio-political activist, Aisha Yesufu has debunked rumours she was appointed into the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council.

Mrs. Yesufu is an ardent supporter of the Obidients Movement and is 24 hours on social media campaigning for the LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Ahead of the 2023 presidential elections, the LP released the list of its Campaign Council list consisting of 1,234 members last week.

The list was released 14 days after the official commencement of campaigns for the forthcoming 2023 general election.

And there were rumours that Aishas name is among the 1,234 campaign council members.

But in a tweet on Sunday, the activist said, When was I made a Labour party PCC member? I see how that is being thrown all around.

I am not a Labour Party member neither am I on their list. I have made it categorically clear I am a citizen. I am not holding any position nor on any list. I dont do appointments!.
Daikin, a leading global manufacturer of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) solutions, has announced the opening of its first factory in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in Sudair Industrial City, 150 km from Riyadh, on a total land area of 10,400 sq m, the opening of the custom-built premises is part of the companys five-year integration and industrial growth plan for Saudi Arabia and the region.

Supporting Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 objectives, Daikins second factory premises in the region will provide high-quality products, carrying the label Made in Saudi Arabia. The production of goods and services through this factory will further raise Kingdom's competitiveness and create sustainable job opportunities, a statement by the company said. The company will be able to better service the local market due to its strategic geographic location and access to highly skilled talent, it added. The factory has several international certifications, including ISO 14001, 9001, 45001, and Eurovent.

At Daikin Middle East & Africa, we formulated our Fusion25, 5-year strategic management plan, in line with KSA Vision 2030, prioritizing investments and expansion plan in Saudi Arabia to become the countrys leading HVAC company in the coming years. As a first step, we established our first factory in order to deliver the latest technologies and innovations based on the local market needs. With the opening of this factory, we can better support national energy efficiency and sustainability goals while creating vital job opportunities and supporting the kingdoms economic growth, said Masaaki Miyatake, Chairman & President at Daikin Middle East & Africa.

Daikin is starting to get its rightful market share and position in Saudi Arabia, to be the leader in this market. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is going through a lot of social and economic reforms, and it is an opportunity for Daikin to capture this transformation and achieve its objectives.  said Tariq Almutlaq, Chairman of Daikin Saudi Arabia.

The opening event, which marked the 10th anniversary of Daikin Saudi, was attended by more than 150 esteemed guests and key clients, along with IWAI Fumio, Ambassador of Japan in Saudi Arabia, Tariq Almutlaq, Chairman at Daikin Saudi and the Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Almutlaq group, Toshitaka Tsubouchi, President of Daikin Europe Group, Masaaki Miyatake, Chairman of Daikin Middle East and Africa, Tuna Gulenc, VP of Daikin Middle East and Kazuya Otoshi, MD at Daikin Saudi Arabia.

Daikin Saudi is headquartered in Riyadh and opened branches in both Jeddah and Al Dammam, along with service and training centres and spare parts center. Daikin Saudi has appointed and built a strong network of professional dealers in each key region of the Kingdom and acquired several mega project references.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rubbished claims of the All Progressives Congress, APC, accusing its presidential candidate, Atiku Ab...





The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rubbished claims of the All Progressives Congress, APC, accusing its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of playing ethnic and tribal politics.





PDP said it was shameful and irresponsible that the APC would deliberately distort, doctor, and misinterpret Atikus comment in Kaduna in an attempt to smear his image.





During a meeting in Kaduna over the weekend, Atiku had said Nigeria needed a pan-Nigerian leader and not a Yoruba or Igbo candidate.





Atikus remark has sparked reactions from Nigerians who described the former Vice President as a sectional leader.





To this end, the APC had described Atikus comment as a decisive attack on the countrys national unity.





Reacting to the comment by the APC, PDPs spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, insisted that Atiku is a pan-Nigerian leader.





A statement by Ologunagba said APCs reaction has shown that the party is jittery of Atikus popularity across the country.





The statement reads: For clarity and avoidance of doubt Atiku Abubakar remains a Pan-Nigerian leader; a symbol of national unity, cohesion and tolerance who is comfortable and loved in all parts of the country.





He had never and will never set any part of our country against the other as being mischievously hyped by the APC. To set the record straight, the PDP Presidential Candidate, in responding within the context of the question put to him at the event noted that he had built bridges across the country and that what Nigerians, including an average northerner need, was a Pan-Nigerian leader and not an ethnic champion.





We know that the APC is jittery over the overwhelming popularity of Atiku Abubakar across the nation because of his focus on issues that will improve the lives of Nigerians and as such the APC is desperate to smear his Pan-Nigerian standing.





PDP lamented that Nigeria is more divided under the APC-led administration.
Emeka Ihedioha, former governor of Imo, has denied writing to Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), on not releasin...





Emeka Ihedioha, former governor of Imo, has denied writing to Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), on not releasing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

On October 16, a letter in the former governors name which was addressed to the AGF, surfaced on social media.

In the letter, Ihedioha allegedly urged the AGF not to release Kanu to ensure stability and peace in the south-east.

Before then, a recording was in circulation wherein a voice that was claimed to be Ihediohas, said there wont be peace in the state since he isnt in government.

But in a statement on Sunday, the former governor said he had no link to the letter or audio in circulation.

It appears that some people are not satisfied with their stolen mandate. They want to drag me out by an orchestrated campaign of lies. And those carrying out this campaign of calumny against my person are doing so at the behest of the same man who was imposed on Imo state, he said.

But I understand their dilemma. Having succeeded in their evil plot of removing me from office, they realised that the bigger battle was winning the hearts and minds of the people. And that is proving difficult.

That they have failed to endear themselves to the good people of Imo State in the last 34 months is why they are now desperate. And also becoming dangerous. So dangerous that they are now working with political renegades across party lines.

While in office, Emeka Ihedioha was their nightmare. But they have also realised to their utmost chagrin that even out of office, I have remained a bigger nemesis, hence the unceasing campaign of calumny with the sole purpose of damaging my reputation and putting a wedge between me and Imolites.

In doing this, there are no off-limits. They have forged documents, concocted voice messages, perjured and maximised the social media in throwing mud to see if any one sticks.

They use issues that are very dear to our people in this nefarious project.

Two of such devious acts were a purported voice of me making threats and a letter, also purportedly written by me to the honourable Attorney General of the federation and Minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, advising him not to honour the appeal court judgement that discharged and acquitted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, so as not to imperil the 2023 elections.

It is laughable and preposterous, knowing my background and predicament, that I will be writing to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, asking him to continue to illegally hold on to Nnamdi Kanu even after a court of competent jurisdiction had discharged him. What benefits will such a letter confer on me in a matter of such public concern, sensitivity and volatility. How does that make sense?

Ihedioha also urged security agencies to investigate the source of the letter and audio attributed to him.

While Nigerians are aware that those who can forge polling results for manufactured votes can forge anything, I have decided not to keep silent again in the face of this criminal defamation of my character because as we inch closer to the 2023 elections, the evil machinations will intensify, he said.

I am not unduly worried, though, because our people know better. But we can no longer allow criminality to reign supreme. I therefore urge the security agencies to investigate those behind this blatant forgery and bring them to justice. Criminality should not be elevated to an art of governance. Imolites deserve better.
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says he will get the highest number of votes from Kaduna in ...

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says he will get the highest number of votes from Kaduna in the 2023 presidential election.

Polling 613,318 votes, Kaduna gave Atiku his highest tally from a state in the 2019 presidential election  although President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled a total of 993,482 votes to defeat him in the state.

The PDP standard bearer said he would revive dead manufacturing industries and end banditry in the state if he is elected president.

He spoke on Monday at the PDP presidential campaign rally at the Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna.

Atiku said he will take issues concerning the state serious if the people vote en masse and ensure he wins the 2023 election.

He said: Let me thank you for your support in 2019. You gave me the highest number of votes in 2019 and I believe you will do so this time around.

I have come here on behalf of PDP to tell you [that] if you vote for us, we will end insecurity in Kaduna. We will revive the industries in Kaduna in partnership with the private sector of Kaduna.

On his part, Ifeanyi Okowa, the vice-presidential candidate, said Nigerians will not go to bed hungry if Atiku is elected president.

He said the former vice-president would also ensure he tackles the problem of insecurity.

I thank God for the life of Atiku who has a solution to the problems we have in Nigeria. With Atiku as president, we should not go to bed hungry and he is ready to end insecurity in northern Nigeria, he said.

Those of us in the south-south, south-east, south-west are ready to vote Atiku and the PDP. When we went to Osun, they said we wouldnt win but we went there and we won in the home state of the APC presidential candidate. Im happy with what I have seen here and I thank you for your support.

Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto and director-general of the Atiku/Okowa presidential campaign, said the economy will bounce back if the PDP returns to power.

He said: The people of Kaduna have seen and felt the negative impact of the APC and when Atiku gets into power by next year, all the factories will return Insha Allah.

His administration will ensure we invigorate our economy to have jobs and better life. I urge the people of Kaduna to come out in their millions to vote come February 2023.

Commenting on the attempts by suspected thugs to disrupt the Kaduna rally, Iyiocha Ayu, the partys national chairman, said: When they go low, we go high. they wanted to stop this rally, but they cant.

Whether they give us the venue or not, we will do our rally on the road and win. APC has failed. They dont want us to recover this country and win. Let nobody deceive himself that we are going to lose. We are united and will win all our elections in Kaduna.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said while he deeply appreciates the call by the group known as Movement for Good Governance and Demo...





Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said while he deeply appreciates the call by the group known as Movement for Good Governance and Democracy, as well as other Nigerians who have expressed concerns that he should have been on the list of those recently given national awards by President Muhammadu Buhari, his focus is on serving the people of the State.





It was reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had on October 11, conferred some Nigerians with the national award of the Commander of the Order of Niger, CON, and Commander Of the Order Of the Federal Republic (CFR).





Some loyalists of the Benue governor, after the event, questioned why he was not listed among the beneficiaries of the award.





Reacting, Governor Ortom in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media & Publicity, Terver Akase said on Monday that he is satisfied with the honour and constant support Benue people have given him to succeed since 2015.





The governor appealed to the concerned individuals and groups not to make an issue out of the awards but rather pray for him to continue to play his role of serving Benue State and the country.





The Governor remains grateful to Almighty God for the grace to lead the state and also be able to make contributions towards nation-building.





He congratulates all recipients of the National Honours Awards and urges them to sustain their selfless services to the country, the statement added.
Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, has described the resolution by the board of trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding...

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, has described the resolution by the board of trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding Iyorchia Ayu, the partys national chairman, as ridiculous.

Wike and his supporters have been demanding the resignation of Ayu after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar won the partys presidential ticket.

The call for Ayus resignation is on the grounds that the national chairman and the presidential candidate of the party cannot be from the same region.

However, some members of the party had rejected the call for Ayu to resign, saying the national chairman can only resign after the presidential election in February  if Abubakar wins.

On Friday, the PDP BoT asked Ayu to assure members that he will resign after the 2023 general election.

The advice to Ayu was part of the recommendations of the BoT to party members to resolve the crisis in the PDP.

Speaking on Monday at the Omagwa international airport in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, when he returned from Spain, Wike said it is ridiculous for the BoT to give such advice.

To say he should make another commitment that he will resign after the elections, for me, BoT resolution is ridiculous, he said.

The Rivers governor also spoke on Ayus denial that he didnt receive N100 billion from a presidential hopeful.

Luckily for me, he (Ayu) has now mentioned that he went to the presidential candidate, alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri of Adamawa, where they discussed the issue of borrowing, the Rivers governor said.

Now, the question is, when you talk about borrowing, who approves borrowing? You must go to the national working committee (NWC) to say you want to borrow money. I challenge him to bring the records where NWC approved that the party should go and borrow N1 billion. What is the collateral?

Be sincere. How can you talk of a N1 billion loan without the NWC mooting the idea, without the governors knowledge? Then you talk about the N100 million he said he told the board of trustees (BOT).

If any governor gives you N100 million in order to rebuild one of the structures of the party, the democratic institute, let him show the minutes of the NWC where he said a governor has contributed N100 million. Let him show the account to reflect this N100 million.

Let him also say that the N100 million was in naira or in dollars. He said he gave it to the treasurer. I thought he would have told the world that NWC was aware.

In fact, the normal thing is that once any governor or any party person has donated money to the party, you will go and tell NWC that so and so person has donated money. Let him (Ayu) show us the account where this money was paid into.

Coming out to do a general denial is not denial. You must deny specifically the allegations that were made. Ask him about the contracts that are going on in this democratic institute and that of Wadata. Who is doing that contract? Is it not one of his sons?

As a party, we believe that Nigerians must trust us. We must show leadership and part of that leadership is integrity. You dont just come and deceive Nigerians that you did not collect N1 billion.
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), say any successful business owner in Nigeria today was esta...

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), say any successful business owner in Nigeria today was established when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power.

He said this on Sunday while speaking at a town hall meeting of the north-west business community in Kaduna state.

Firstly, I would like to remind you all that any successful businessman today in Nigeria, was established by the government of PDP, Atiku said.

I am also part of you because business is my profession, not politics. That is why we want to unite you so that you can grow and even become more established and successful that the others.

Just as we told the business community in the north-east, you should sit and discuss within yourselves and send to us in writing what your demands are, if you give us your support and God gives us success so that you as well can also grow.

This, in a nutshell, is the reason why the business communities were established in the different zones of the country.

You should tell us what you want and we will make you the promise that if you support us and vote for us we will fulfil our promises.

Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto and director-general of the Atiku/Okowa presidential campaign council, said Atiku understands the plight of business owners and Nigerians at large.

Our leader understands the plight of businessmen and Nigerians and there are plans on ground, with the help of God and with your help, to fix this country, he said.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), on Monday, paid a courtesy visit to Ahmad Gumi, the Islamic cleric. Obi ...

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), on Monday, paid a courtesy visit to Ahmad Gumi, the Islamic cleric.

Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed, his running mate, visited the cleric in his official residence in Kaduna state.

The LP standard bearer announced the meeting on his Twitter handle, sharing photos from the visit.

See photos below.
The Ebonyi police command says it has arrested Linus Okorie, the Labour Party senatorial candidate for Ebonyi south. Chris Anyanwu, sp...





The Ebonyi police command says it has arrested Linus Okorie, the Labour Party senatorial candidate for Ebonyi south.

Chris Anyanwu, spokesperson of the command, in a statement on Monday, said Okorie was arrested and not abducted as speculated.

He said Okorie, a former member of the house of representatives, was arrested over drug-related matters and several other offences.

Sequel to initial viral rumours renting the air, cum a Press Release accredited to one Dr David Ogbonna of Linus Okorie CaringHeart Foundation, purporting that the former member of House of Representatives, was abducted on Sunday, the statement reads.

The State Police Command swung into action and later traced the said Okorie, who had evaded many Police arrests/invitations, to the head office of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit at the Old Government House.

Police detectives were briefed on why he was arrested which includes; his activities and utterances that incited and provoked the violence that engulfed Onicha Community which led to suspected gunmen to unleash mayhem in the area in 2021.

Hence, the case has now been taken over by the Police Command for a scrupulous investigation.

Secondly, Okorie was severally invited by the Security and Intelligence Bureau of the Command over a petition dated, March 23, authored by the States Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, alleging that he was spreading fake news against Gov Dave Umahi.

When invited by the SIB over the false allegations/petition, Okorie in his characteristic pompous manner refused vehemently to report. Rather he chose to file fallacious suits against the Police Command.

It is also pertinent to mention that Okorie also have a pending case in which he is implicated in a drug-related offence where the suspects purported to be his agents were arrested for Hard drug sales and use at his City Hub Inn, Mile 50, Abakaliki, the Spokesman stated.

The lawmaker is contesting for the same senate seat as Dave Umahi, governor of the state.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has explained why it called off its eight-month strike. ASUU National President, Emman...





The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has explained why it called off its eight-month strike.

ASUU National President, Emmanuel Osodeke, said the eight months strike was called off following a court order and appeals from Nigerians.

Osodeke disclosed this while appearing on Channels Televisions Sunday Politics.

As you have seen from our press release  although there were interventions by the Speaker (Gbajabiamila) and others  the major reason we are resuming is because we are obeying the industrial courts judgement. The issues have not been fully resolved and no agreements signed.

We are resuming because we are a law-abiding organisation and we dont want to break the law.

We are also hoping that the intervention of the Speaker as promised by him will resolve this problem within a very short time. So, the issues have not been resolved but we would resume because of that court injunction.

A court of appeal had ordered ASUU to return to class after the National Industrial Court ruled against the union.

However, the ASUU National President also blamed the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, for the prolonged strike.

Osodeke stressed that negotiation was the best way to resolve trade disputes involving academics.

But one of the ministers, the Minister of Labour, believes that the best way is to force them to class. But because of the interest of the Nigerian people  the students, their parents, and the Speaker who is intervening  our members will teach, he added.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy skies with periods of rain this afternoon. High around 50F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 34F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Around 40% of all tourists cite culture as the main motivation for travelling, and UNWTO is bridging the two areas, said the UN agency for tourism as it hosted a major conference bringing together some of Africas best creative minds.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

A steady light rain this evening transitioning to showers of rain and snow overnight. Low 34F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precip 100%..

Tonight

A steady light rain this evening transitioning to showers of rain and snow overnight. Low 34F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precip 100%.
Saudi Arabia is working hard, within its energy strategy, to ensure the stability and balance of global oil markets, as petroleum is an important element in supporting the growth of the global economy, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has said.

Delivering the annual Royal speech on the work of the third year of the eighth session of the Shura Council, King Salman said Saudi Arabia is striving to ensure the immunity of the three pillars of the energy world: securing necessary energy supplies, continuous economic development by providing reliable energy sources and facing climate change, said a Saudi Press Agency report.

Its pivotal role is evident in establishing and maintaining the Opec + agreement as a result of its initiatives to accelerate the stability of markets and the sustainability of its supplies as well as the Kingdom's keenness to develop and invest all its energy resources, HRH King Salman said.

The discovery of a number of natural gas fields in some regions of the the kingdom, including (Shadoun field in the central region, Shehab and Al-Shorfa fields in Al-Ruba Al-Khali -the Empty Quarter, Umm Khanasser and Samna fields for unconventional natural gas in the northern and eastern border regions), has added a blessing to this country, and it enhances the stock of wealth and resources, which supports the leading position of Saudi Arabia in the global energy sector, contributing to economic diversification and a positive financial impact in the long term, he said.

"Our country is moving at an accelerated pace towards facing environmental challenges, foremost of which is climate change, targeting zero emissions neutrality, launching and adopting a package of initiatives that will contribute to reducing carbon emissions by 278 million tons annually, by 2030," he said.

King Salman also highlighted plans for renewable energy to take 50% share of the electricity mix, the initiative of the Saudi Energy Efficiency Program, construction of one of the worlds largest green hydrogen plants in NEOM, and investments worth SR700 billion to contribute to the development of the green economy, creating quality and investment opportunities for the private sector.

Consolidating the kingdom's leading role globally in the field of sustainability, Green Saudi Arabia and Green Middle East initiatives have been launched, thus supporting national and regional efforts in this regard. It has also put forward qualitative initiatives to protect the environment and promote sustainable afforestation, in recognition of the importance of dealing with the challenges of climate change and the necessity of addressing its negative effects, said King Salman.
Looking for more to do this week? Check out the latest on Gambit's calendar at calendar.gambitweekly.com.

Krewe of Boo

The Halloween parade with Carnival-style floats, marching groups and throws of beads and candy rolls through the French Quarter and Warehouse District beginning at sunset on Saturday, Oct. 22. Other events include a Captains Ball with Flow Tribe on Friday, Oct. 21, a zombie run on Saturday morning, and the Monster Mash ball after the parade. Visit kreweofboo.com for information.

Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer rose to stardom with standup, her show Inside Amy Schumer and movies like Trainwreck. She hasnt been on tour in four years, and recently said she moved away from the stage persona of being the worst white woman to something closer to herself. She brings her Whore Tour to Saenger Theater at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20. Tickets are $59.50 and up via saengernola.com.

Treme Fest

The music lineup features James Andrews & The Crescent City Allstars, Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots, the Andrews Family Brass Band, Little Freddie King, Erica Falls and the New Orleans Groovemasters featuring percussionists Herlin Riley, Shannon Powell and Jason Marsalis. There also are art and food vendors and childrens activities. The festival raises funds to support the St. Augustine Catholic Church. The festival is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the church at 1210 Governor Nicholls St. Visit tremefest.org for information.

Kyiv City Ballet

The Kyiv City Ballet has not been able to return to Ukraine since it left on the beginning of a tour in February. Its now on a U.S. tour, presenting classical ballet by Ukrainian choreographers, as well as Ukrainian folk dance and more. The New Orleans Ballet Association presents the company at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. Tickets $35-$169 via nobadance.com.

RuPauls Night of the Living Drag

Stars of RuPauls Drag Race, including Yvie Oddly, Aquaria, Kim Chi, DeJa Sky and others perform in in a haunting show about sinful queens on the loose. At 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Saenger Theatre. Find tickets on saengernola.com.

The War and Treaty

Anyone whos caught Michael and Tanya Trotters Jazz Fest shows has been treated to two powerhouse vocalists bringing down the house with a mix of R&B, blues and soul. Their latest album is 2020s Hearts Town. Yasmin Williams opens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Tipitinas. Tickets $26 via tipitinas.com.

The Play That Goes Wrong

Le Petit Theatre opens its season with the popular British farce about an inept and accident-prone drama club trying to stage an old murder mystery. All sorts of backstage and onstage mishaps are there for all to see in the play within the play. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, through Sat., Oct. 22, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. The show continues Oct. 27-30 and Nov. 3-6. Tickets $20-$65 at lepetittheatre.com.

Charmaine Neville benefit

Friends and neighbors organized a benefit for Charmaine Neville, who suffered a stroke in April and had her home struck by lightning in August. Performers include Cyril Neville, Omari Neville and the Fuel, Charmaine Nevilles band, Spy Boy J & Thee Storm and Nina Hungerland with ESP. The event is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at Cafe Istanbul. Theres a crowdfunding page with information about the benefit effort at gofundme.com/charmaineshouse.

Boyfriend

More than a decade into her career, Boyfriend released her first full-length album in September. With Sugar & Spice, the New Orleans-based songwriter and performance artist reinvented herself  but more in the way she ditched her well-known curlers for a new look to better reflect this era of her life than some major shakeup in her artistry. The new album features songs with Pussy Riot, Big Freedia and Bailey Flores. In the middle of a tour, shes in town for a show at 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at The Rabbit Hole. Tickets are $20 via rabbitholenola.com.

Zinefest

Burn Barrel Press presents Zinefest with live music and more than 25 vendors at Gasa Gasa. Margaret Killjoy, author of the Danielle Cane series, will read at the event, and the bands Paprika and Sodomite will perform. Vendors include Antenna press, Bad Dog Books, Bvlbancha Liberation Radio, Iron Rail Book Collective, Louisiana Books 2 Prisoners, Trembling Pillow Press, UNO Press and more. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. Visit facebook.com/burnbarrelpress for information.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

A grandstanding TV reporter tries to expose and shutdown the Chicken Ranch, a long running brothel outside a small Texas town, but the madam is a friend of the local sheriff and plenty of politicians are among the patrons. Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts presents the musical at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 22, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23., and the show also runs Oct. 28-Nov. 6. Tickets $38-$42 at rivertowntheaters.com.

Festin at Faubourg

Faubourg Brewery hosts two days of live music at its space in New Orleans East. George Porter Jr. and the Runnin Pardners, Tony Hall Band, Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots and Soul Brass Band perform Saturday. Little Freddie King, Amanda Shaw, Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue and The Iguanas perform Sunday. There also are food trucks and vendors. Music starts at noon on Saturday, Oct. 22, and Sunday, Oct. 23. Visit faubourgbrewery.com for information.

Haxan

Benjamin Christensens 1922 Haxan still packs a punch. The silent horror classic is a pseudo-documentary about the superstitions and folklore of European witchcraft  with some thoughtful-for-its-time analysis about misogyny, mass hysteria and mental illness  delivered in dark, chilling and sometimes funny vignettes. At the Broadside, Think Less, Hear More will provide a live score to Haxan. The screening is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21. Tickets are $15 via broadsidenola.com.

Tipping Point

Tulane University hosts its annual fundraising concert on Friday, Oct. 21, at The Fillmore with performances by Stephen Marley, Lukas Nelson, The Revivalists David Shaw, Ledisi, Jimmie Vaughan, Jon Cleary, Marc Broussard and Jimmy Vivino. Irma Thomas and George Porter Jr. also will be featured as special guests, and a house band will include Ivan Neville, Tony Hall, Raymond Weber, Mark Mullins and Eric Krasno. Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis will emcee the night. The concert starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are $152.25, with proceeds benefitting Tulane scholarships. Find more information at tippingpoint.tulane.edu.

Rivotrio

The former Mexican restaurant Casa Borrega has reopened for Friday night Latin music shows, with shows in the back courtyard or indoors depending on the weather. The Brazilian group Rivotrio performs at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21. Free admission.

LPO Sunset Symphony

Radu Paponiu conducts the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert on the Lakefront at the 2600 block of Lakeshore Drive in Mandeville. The program includes works by Antonin Dvorak, Jules Massenet, Mikhail Glinka and more. At 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Visit lpomusic.com for details.
Some residents are resistant to admit that the last days of Isle de Jean Charles have arrived. But environmental devastation has taken a toll on the fragile landscape and the people of the Jean Charles Choctaw Nation. (Photo by Ted Jackson, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain and the Worlds Most Improved Airline 2022, recently celebrated 40 years of direct operations between the kingdom and the Hellenic Republic.

Athens International Airport organized two events in the Greek capital in collaboration with the airline to commemorate the anniversary. The celebration included a press event where members of the media were invited to interact with Gulf Air Acting CEO Captain Waleed AlAlawi and members of the airlines executive management and airport officials.

The celebration also included a trade event which was attended by Athens International Airport CEO Dr Yiannis Paraschis, President Hatta & Fed Hatta (Hellenic association of travel & tourist agencies) Lysandros Tsilidis in addition to Police Major General Chief Commander of Athens International Airport Konstantinos Markopoulos, owners and managers of tour operators, travel agents, and shipping agents.

Speaking at the event, Captain AlAlawi said: "The Kingdom of Bahrain and Greece enjoy a strong trade and commerce relationship, and Gulf Air values the Athens route as it links both countries with a flow of tourists to both destinations. The airlines flights to its Greek seasonal destinations Mykonos and Santorini have just ended, making this summer the second time we bring back these two favorite destinations due to their popularity amongst our passengers."

"Moreover, Gulf Air recently launched a stopover programme in which passengers can choose to stay in Bahrain for a number of nights and explore what it has to offer," stated the top official.

"The programme best suits Greek travellers when connecting from Athens via Bahrain to the Middle East, GCC, Indian Subcontinent and the Far East. We look forward to another 40 years of successful operations to Athens, and we trust that our Greek travellers will enjoy the products and services of our customer-centric airline," he added.

Dr Paraschis said: "Serving Greece for 40 years and, since 2001, flying from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, Gulf Air has been one of our most valuable airline partners, with a remarkable contribution to the connectivity of our airport and the city of Athens!"

"In these 21 years of operations to/from our airport, the airline has been offering its clients a top-notch airline product, having carried in total more than 800,000 passengers on more than 10,000 flights, demonstrating in 2022 a double digit increase in passengers and flights vs 2019," he noted .

"We would like to extend our warmest wishes to our airline-partner for further development in the Athens market and reconfirm our commitment to the continuation of our close and successful cooperation for the next 40 years - and many more!," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Emirates Taipei-Dubai route is scheduled to go daily from November 6, following the conclusion of Taiwans reopening plan with the termination of its mandatory Covid-19 quarantine restrictions for arrivals.



Operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft, Emirates flight EK366 from Dubai departs at 02:50hrs and arrives in Taipei at 14:45hrs. The return flight EK367 from Taipei departs at 22:45hrs and arrives in Dubai at 4:35hrs the next day. All times are local.



The additional frequencies will provide Emirates passengers increased connectivity and options to and from Taiwan, to help meet the air travel needs for both business and leisure. Travellers who are eligible can travel to Taiwan visa-free, and all inbound passengers are advised to undergo a 7-day self-health monitoring. Travellers are encouraged to check the latest entry requirements.



Emirates commenced non-stop daily flights to Taipei in 2014, operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft. The Dubai-Taipei route was later upgraded with a daily two-class A380 service in 2016. The airline has established a solid partnership with the market which is underpinned by its contributions to the local community and air cargo transportation during the Covid-19 pandemic.



The return of Emirates operations to Taipei from the current 4 weekly to daily flights demonstrates the airlines commitment to aid the markets travel and tourism recovery, and help drive inbound traffic by connecting travellers from over 130 destinations in its global network to the cosmopolitan city.



Travel recovery in Asia has gained momentum over the past few months as many countries have relaxed their entry restrictions in an effort to revive their local tourism sectors and return to business as usual.



In line with this positive trajectory, Emirates has been increasing capacity to some of its most popular Asian destinations to help meet the pent-up and growing air travel demand, including operating additional frequencies to Singapore and Guangzhou, deploying its flagship A380 to Seoul as well as introducing its signature First Class product on the Manila-Dubai route, operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft. In addition, Emirates plans to upgrade its Narita-Dubai route with its flagship A380 from November 15.  TradeArabia News Service
New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dedicated 75 Digital Banking Units (DBU) across 75 districts to the nation via video conferencing.

In the address during the event, which he made virtually, the Prime Minister said that these Digital Banking Units will improve banking and financial management, promote transparency and financial inclusion.

"Digital Banking Units is a big step in the direction of Ease of Living for the common citizens. It will enable customers to have cost effective and convenient access, and get an enhanced digital experience of banking products and services," the Prime Minister said.

He said that the government aims to provide maximum services with minimum infrastructure.

"And all of this will happen digitally without involving any paperwork. It will also simplify the banking procedure while also providing a robust and secure banking system," he said.

"People living in small towns and villages will find benefits like transferring money to availing loans. Digital Banking Units are another big step in that direction which is going on in the country to make the life of common man of India easier," the Prime Minister added.

Recalling the traditional ways of the past where people had to go to the bank, the Prime Minister said that this government transformed the approach by bringing the bank to the people.

"We have given top priority to ensure that banking services reach the last mile... We not only removed the physical distance but, most importantly, we removed the psychological distance," the Prime Minister said.

Modi said that extensive Post Office network in the country also was harnessed via India Post Banks for providing the banking needs to the common citizens.

"Today the number of branches per one lakh adult citizens in India is more than countries like Germany, China and South Africa," he said.

"Despite initial misgivings in certain sections, today the entire country is experiencing the power of Jan Dhan Bank accounts," the Prime Minister added.

He informed that today 70 crore indigenous Rupay cards are in operation, a vast change from the days of foreign players and the elite nature of such products.

"This combination of technology and economy is enhancing the dignity and affordability for the poor and empowering the middle class, while at the same time it is also eliminating the digital divide of the country," he said.

The Prime Minister also praised the role of DBT in eliminating corruption and said that more than 25 lakh crore rupees have been transferred in various schemes via DBT. He informed that he will transfer the next instalment to the farmers on Monday.

"The whole world is appreciating this DBT and the digital power of India. Today it is being seen as a global model. The World Bank has even gone so far as to say that India has become a leader in ensuring social security through digitization," he said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech for 2022-23, announced the setting up the 75 Digital Banking Units in 75 districts.

The DBUs are being set up with the objective to ensure the benefits of digital banking reach every nook and corner of the country. 11 Public Sector Banks, 12 Private Sector Banks and one Small Finance Bank are participating in the endeavour.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Governor of Reserve Bank of India Shaktikanta Das were among those present on occasion among others. Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, State Ministers, MPs, banking leaders, experts and beneficiaries were also connected via video conferencing.

UNI ASU PRT
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with a Nordic ocean conference, Swedish Ambassador for the Ocean, Anna Lindstedt, paid a visit to Minesto's grid-connected tidal energy site in Vestmanna. The visit aimed to highlight how predictable tidal energy can be an important part of the future energy mix, and how Swedish innovation is at the forefront of ocean energy technology.

Together with Catarina Hedar, Unit Manager at Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management and Carl Rosen, Director at Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation, Swedish Ambassador for the Ocean, Anna Lindstedt, visited Minesto's tidal energy site in Vestmanna. The delegation was welcomed by Minesto's team onsite and had the opportunity to check out the "Dragon 4" power plant.

"As Ambassador for the Ocean, I have an important task to protect the world's oceans and promote sustainable use of the ocean. Undeniably, the ocean is suffering from the effects of climate change, but it can also be a part of the solution to climate change. This particularly applies to green energy, where we have the possibility to generate as much as forty times more energy from the ocean than we do today. Therefore, it's very positive that Sweden can contribute with world-leading ocean energy technology with global potential," says Anna Lindstedt.

"We are very pleased to have the ability to welcome a broad spectrum of stakeholders to our established site in Vestmanna, and the interest from Swedish governmental officials brings an important commercial value for us in approaching new markets," says Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto.

"I am delighted to see how Minesto supports the Faroe Islands in reaching their policy goal of becoming fossil-free by 2030. It's a great showcase of Nordic collaboration," concludes Anna Lindstedt.

For additional information, please contact

Cecilia Sernhage, Communications Manager+46 735 23 71 58ir@minesto.com

The following files are available for download:

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-swedish-ambassador-for-the-ocean-visits-minestos-tidal-energy-site-in-the-faroe-islands-301650590.html
Nitish launches Ganga water supply scheme for Rajgir 27 Nov 2022 | 11:15 PM Rajgir, Nov 27 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday launched the Gangs water supply scheme for the people of Rajgir to provide much-needed relief to the region facing an acute water crisis for long. see more..

Kushwaha reelected JD(U) Bihar unit president 27 Nov 2022 | 11:01 PM Patna, Nov 27 (UNI) Umesh Singh Kushwaha was reelected to the post of JD( U) Bihar unit president on Sunday. see more..

External Affairs Minister, MP CM take part in Manipur tourism festival 27 Nov 2022 | 10:34 PM Imphal, Nov 27 (UNI) Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan took part in the Manipur Tourism festival here on Sunday. Jaishankar visited the Loktak lake, INA complex, the Japanese war memorial, Commonwealth war memorial and visited the womens market. see more..

Tomar slams Odisha govt for "misleading" farmers 27 Nov 2022 | 10:33 PM Sambalpur, Nov 27 (UNI) Union Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday came down heavily on the BJD government in Odisha for "misleading" the farmers on crop insurance benefits under PMFBY. see more..
Ive had enough of the campaign attack ads from political candidates trying to earn our trust for public service.

The general election is just three weeks away, forcing some candidates to appear more desperate by the day. Its only going to get worse until Nov. 8, when the mudslinging madness will end. For now anyway.

The campaign season is like a masquerade ball with voters feeling like naked guests trying to figure out who is who behind the masks of lies, assurances, and allegations. Whos telling the truth? Whos spreading lies? Whose personal agenda trumps their public service promises?

Were forced to wade through the knee-high muck of partisan politics and pettiness to elect at least a few candidates we wouldnt elect as a middle school hallway monitor. Our task once again is to look beyond the smiles, the politeness, and the smoke and mirrors. If we focus enough, the unmistakable clarity of politics looks so clear.

Local politics can be infuriating for some of us, boring for others, and a blood sport for too many sycophants whove become infected by its venomous bite. For them, nothing can match the snarky allure of campaign season. Its an inside game for insiders who have inside information.

It's easy to get caught up in the distractions, the silliness, and the tit-for-tat that consumes our politics; the bickering that none of us are immune to, and that trivializes the profound issues, a former U.S. president once said during campaign season.

If youre already Googling which president made that statement, or which political party he represented, youre missing my point. I suggest you expand your lens of perspective beyond Democrat versus Republican or liberal versus conservative.

This sort of tit-for-tat polarization also takes place in local politics. Look no further than the latest campaign allegations and counter comments between Jennifer-Ruth Green, the Republican candidate for Congress in our region, and her incumbent opponent, U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland.

The Times has covered this issue with multiple stories, thousands of words, and detailed reporting, yet Id be shocked if such thorough coverage has swayed the stance of anyone or who they will be voting for. This is human nature as much as it is political habit. We pick our preferred candidate like a horse in a race, strap on our blinders, and circle the track until Election Day.

Voters from both sides of the political spectrum have dug in their muddy boots in a tug-of-war over a pit of hyperbole. And theyll be yanking this frayed rope back and forth through the election night results, proudly showing off their blistered hands to apathetic voters.

Last week, in-person early voting began in Indiana for the general election. Hoosier voters can go to indianavoters.com to view a sample ballot and to check their voting locations and hours. Voters who need to cast their ballot by mail can request an absentee ballot at the same website or from their county clerks office.

I recently heard a local candidate mention his challenge to sway undecided voters over the next three weeks. It prompted me to pose this question: Why?

What are you waiting for to decide who to cast a ballot for? And what would sway you one way or the other? Another television attack ad? Another glossy flyer in your mailbox? Another baseless rumor from a candidate who has nothing left in their campaign war chest?

Too many people will believe just about anything theyre told. And usually its because they really want to believe it.

It reminds me of the P.T. Barnum effect, named for the circus-owner huckster who (rightfully) believed there's a sucker born every minute. Too many of us voters are suckers for political candidates who are bluffing with a pair of deuces. Perception is reality, especially in politics.

Performance is the best politics, a Region mayor once told me.

Its the truth. And if the campaign performance of some candidates is any indication of how they will perform in office, we should take notice and remember it when we vote.
VALPARAISO  Bond was set Monday at $15,000 cash for a 61-year-old Portage man accused of repeatedly molesting a young girl, telling her afterward: "What happens in Bill's house, stays in Bill's house."

Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer set the bond three times higher than sought by prosecutors, saying Billy Brooks Jr. will also need to sign an agreement to have no further contact with the alleged victim.

Brooks was assigned the services of Porter County Public Defender Mark Chargualaf after it was determined that he does not have the money to hire a private attorney.

Brooks told the judge during a video conference from Porter County Jail that he is on disability through the Department of Veterans Affairs and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Pleas of not guilty were entered on his behalf to felony counts of child molesting and sexual misconduct with a minor.

The abuse is alleged to have gone on from July 1, 2019, through Jan. 31, 2021, beginning when the girl was 7, Portage police say.

Police said they began investigating the case in June after the girl told officials that Brooks had touched her inappropriately while baby-sitting after she got out of the shower.

He would put lotion on her back and arms, but then started asking her to remove clothing and touching her in inappropriate ways, police said.

She said he also had her sit on his lap, "but she really didn't want to." This incident occurred as the girl's father and his friends were outside, police said.

It was after one of those instances that he told her not to tell anyone, according to a charging document.

Brooks initially denied doing anything inappropriate, but police said he later told them, "OK, I did touch her accidentally."

A trial was set for March 6, with preliminary hearings Dec. 16 and Feb. 3, Clymer said.
VALPARAISO  A detention hearing is expected to convene Monday morning for the female juvenile taken into custody Friday night after a male was found dead from a gunshot wound, officials say.

"At this detention hearing the judge will decide whether the child has to stay at the detention center or if he or she can go home," according to the Indiana Public Defender Council.

"The child should have an attorney at this hearing. The attorney will tell the judge what the child wants and will give information on who will supervise the child if he or she gets released."

The hearing, which is closed to the public, must be held within 48 hours (not counting weekends or holidays) of the juvenile being taken into custody.

The girl was taken into custody by Porter County police, who said they were called out around 10:15 p.m. Friday to the 600 block of west County Road 100 North in Union Township in response to reports of shots fired.

"Upon arrival, officers located a male subject deceased from a gunshot wound," Sgt. Benjamin McFalls said.

"The suspect in the case, a female juvenile, was located and taken into custody without incident a short time later."

The Porter County coroner's office has not released the identity of the shooting victim, saying Monday morning that it is waiting on a positive identification from the family.

If charges are filed, an initial hearing will be held to inform the juvenile, the IPDC said.

Police will be releasing no further details as the investigation and case proceed, McFalls said Monday morning.

"This is an isolated incident and there is no threat to public safety," he said. "Please keep the family of the deceased subject in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
CHESTERTON  Four women believed to have stolen more than $9,000 in high-end skin care products from one or maybe two area pharmacy stores were arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase with speeds reaching 118 mph, county and Chesterton police said.

A county police officer said he attempted to stop a 2022 Toyota Sienna shortly before 3:30 p.m. Friday on northbound Ind. 49 at County Road 1100 North after seeing the vehicle change lanes without signaling nearly causing a collision with the officer.

The van continued north on Ind. 49 at 70 mph in the 55-mph-zone and then west on Interstate 94 at speeds up to 118 mph, police said.

The county officer said he learned Chesterton police were being called at the same time to the local CVS store for a report of shoplifting.

The van exited the I-94 in Lake Station where it ran off the roadway and the four occupants were taken into custody, police said.

The driver, Shariona Smith, 21, of Wisconsin, faces a felony count of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle and misdemeanor possession of marijuana and reckless driving, county police said.

Arishanta Turner, 23, of Chicago, Andrianne Price, 27, of Michigan City, and Makayla Harris, 22, of Chicago, each face a misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge, according to county police.

Chesterton police said they are seeking felony theft counts against Harris, Smith and Turner.

Chesterton police said a couple of the young women said they had also stolen items earlier in the day from a Walgreens store in nearby Michigan City, police said.
CROWN POINT  A judge ordered a man to be released back to home detention Monday to await trial on charges of intentionally running over a Hammond business owner in 2020, attempting to carjack a driver on Interstate 80/94 and attempting to hit a state trooper.

Javonte J. Miles, 22, was taken into custody Oct. 3 on allegations that he violated the rules of home detention.

Miles has schizophrenia but was deemed competent to stand trial by two mental health professionals in 2021, according to Lake Criminal Court records.

He's pleaded not guilty in two cases to charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery, auto theft, resisting law enforcement and more.

Judge Gina Jones granted defense attorney Joshua Malher's request for Miles to be released back to home detention after an ICU Monitoring employee testified that Miles was generally compliant while staying at a shelter and receiving wraparound services.

The judge ordered Miles to live at the Eden House shelter in Gary as soon as a bed becomes available.

Malher previously requested Miles be released to home detention because Miles was being held in isolation at the Lake County Jail for 23 hours a day.

Miles is accused of running over a then-66-year-old car lot owner, attempting to carjack a driver on Interstate 80/94, ramming an Indiana State Police car and driving at a state trooper in a series of alleged crimes July 25, 2020, in Hammond.

Miles jumped over an interstate wall during the confrontation with the trooper, fell 20 feet and suffered a leg injury as a result.

Jones scheduled Miles' jury trial for the week of Feb. 6.
VALPARAISO  One person, one vote  that is what the sometimes complex redistricting process really boils down to, Julia Vaughn explained.

"How the districts are drawn and where the lines fall can impact how well your voice is heard in your city government," said Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana.

Common Cause Indiana partnered with the League of Women Voters Porter County to host an informational session Thursday night detailing the redistricting currently underway in Valparaiso.

Census data shows Valparaiso's population grew from 31,730 in 2010 to 34,428 in 2020. The additional residents, paired with general population fluctuations  people moving, dying and starting families  caused the city's five legislative districts to have a population deviation of about 19.7%. District deviation should be under 10% and ideally closer to 5%.

If you have a district that has 20,000 people and a district that only has 10,000 people, then the district with 20,000 people is not getting as much representation. Their vote is diluted, Vaughn explained.

To ensure equal representation, each of Valparaiso's districts would have a population close to 6,830 residents. Currently, districts two, four and five are all about five to six percentage points larger than the ideal size. District one is about 13.4% smaller, and district three is 5.4% smaller than the ideal size.

On June 25, the Board of Works approved a contract with Indianapolis-based law firm Kroger Gardis and Regas LLP, not to exceed $40,000, to assist with the redistricting. Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Republican state Rep. Brian Bosma, who now works as an attorney with Kroger Gardis and Regas, is working with the city to draft the new maps. City Council President Casey Schmidt, R-3rd, and Vice President Diana Reed, D-1st, will review the proposed maps, selecting one to present during the Oct. 24 council meeting. Residents can also craft their own redistricting plans; however, they must be hand-delivered to City Hall by Oct. 19 before noon.

Vaughn and her co-presenter, Hammond-based community activist and Common Cause board member Christopher Harris, both urged Valparaiso residents to submit their own maps.

Harris, who also served as a member of the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission, said now is the time to show city leaders "what you think your community should be so that in the next 10 years, your city and your neighborhood is fairly represented. ... These maps will take us to 2032, so we want to make sure we get them right.

Crafting the maps

Getting the maps right is more complicated than simply dividing the city into five neat categories of 6,830 residents. Because each district is represented by one council member, where the lines ultimately fall can impact how much of a say residents have in city government, Vaughn explained.

Say you live in a neighborhood that has bad drainage and you have a really heavy rain, and its not a flood but your neighborhood is really badly impacted, ... and you need some help from the city," Vaughn said. "If your neighborhood is divided into three different City Council districts, where do you go? Who's going to help you?

Neighbors with shared drainage issues, people that live in the same watershed, racial or ethnic groups, residents who use public transportation  these categories are all examples of potential "communities of interest."

Communities of interest are groups of people that live in a concentrated geographic area and have common traits or concerns. If district lines divide communities of interest, the group's political voice could be reduced, Vaughn explained.

City Councilman Robert Cotton, D-2nd, said he believes one of Valparaiso's communities of interest is "old Valpo" as compared to "transformed Valpo," newer parts of the city developed to accommodate the growing population.

Barbara Domer, resident and member of the League of Women Voters Porter County, said the new maps should group the city's older communities together "because we have common interests."

If Im concerned about things like curbs crumbling in old Valpo, the other people in my district who are in a new community are not even going to be connected with me at all," Domer said. "Were not going to be speaking the same language to our City Council member because we have different needs.

Valparaiso residents know where many of the cities' communities of interest are located, which is why public involvement is so important, Vaughn said.

Making the map

Residents who want to draft a map can request a kit from the clerk-treasurer's office. The kit contains a map of the cities' precinct boundaries, a table of the precincts and corresponding population statistics, a description of the current districts, the redistricting guidelines and summary forms for submission of district plans.

To assist residents, a Valparaiso-specific map was created on DistrictR, a free district-mapping website. DistrictR's data layers allow users to see information such as population, racial makeup and past election results for each of the city's precincts. The data will help Valparaiso residents identify potential communities of interest and keep track of each district's population.

Because the clerk-treasurer's office requires maps be submitted using the cities' provided kit, residents have to copy the map designed on DistrictR onto the sheet in the kit.

Both the map created by Kroger Gardis and Regas and any maps submitted by the public will be reviewed during the Oct. 24 meeting at 6 p.m.

Vaughn told attendees to go to the Oct. 24 meeting to show the council that the public cares.

The final map will be adopted during the Nov. 14 meeting.

A fair process?

All legislative maps have to be redrawn after every census. Congressional, state and county maps were redrawn in 2021 and municipal maps must be redrawn before the end of 2022. Though communities throughout Indiana are engaging in the same redistricting process, it looks different across the state.

Many city councils draft the new maps with little public involvement. Vaughn said Valparaiso's efforts to include residents in the process are positive but do not go far enough.

The people tasked with making the maps are often "the folks who are absolutely most interested in doing this in a way that is political and that games the system in their favor," Vaughn said.

Reed has seen three maps drafted by Kroger Gardis and Regas thus far and said she is "not seeing any type of gerrymandering."

The objective is to keep it (the map) as clean as possible and to keep it contiguous," Reed said. "We want to be fair. In all honesty, we really do, that is the goal.

In the future, Vaughn said, she would like to see a redistricting process led by citizens.

Over the past three years, Common Cause Indiana and the League of Women Voters have helped both Bloomington and Goshen pass ordinances creating citizen redistricting commissions. Harris said Valparaiso could be a model for the rest of Northwest Indiana as the city is one of the few Region communities that has engaged the public during the redistricting process.

"It could be better, but I would say the process here in Valparaiso is better than it was 10 years ago," Vaughn said. "Lets appreciate that and take the momentum that we are building and say to the council, In 2032, we hope you will turn this job over to citizens.

How to make your own district map Valparaiso residents interested in drafting their own map during the redistricting process can do so by following these steps: 1. Visit the Valparaiso City Hall at 166 Lincolnway and request a redistricting kit from Clerk-Treasurer Holly Taylor. City Hall is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. 2. Access a map of Valparaiso's current districts and precincts on DistrictR at https://deploy-preview-690--districtr-web.netlify.app/indiana. Look at precinct populations and demographic data. Fill-in desired districts using the paintbrush feature. Ensure all five precincts are contiguous and have a population close to 6,830. 3. Transfer the map created on DistrictR to the map provided in the cities' kit by matching the precincts selected on DistrictR with the ones on the cities' map. 4. Deliver the map to City Hall by noon on Oct. 19. 5. Attend the Oct. 24 City Council meeting at 6 p.m. to explain your map. Anyone with questions can contact the League of Women Voters Porter County at president@lwvporterco.org.
In the Apple TV+ series Acapulco, the middle-aged Maximo tells his nephew the story of his rise from poverty in Mexico to riches in Malibu, thanks to the job he took in his early 20s at a prestigious resort in Acapulco. The Maximo of the 1980s is played by Enrique Arrizon, while the Maximo with the mansion and the jet is played by Eugenio Derbez, long a major screen star in Mexico.

Unlike Maximo, Derbez says the pivotal moment in his career came not in his 20s, but in his 50s. Hed spent almost a decade trying to break into the U.S. film and TV market and had some success, landing roles in the Adam Sandler movie Jack and Jill and Rob Schneiders short-lived CBS series Rob. But it didnt create the momentum hed hoped for, so he decided to return to Mexico to finally finish the script hed been tinkering with: Instructions Not Included, about a man whose onetime lover hands him a daughter she claims is his.

Derbez was the co-writer, director and star of the Spanish-language film, and when it became an enormous hit, it changed my life in every way. The doors to Hollywood opened, he changed his mind about having a child with his wife (he already had three grown kids) and he moved to the United States. In the years since, he has made inroads with U.S. audiences, thanks to starring roles in films like How to Be a Latin Lover, a supporting role in the Academy Award-winning CODA, as well as the Spanish/English-language comedy Acapulco.

I took a leap of faith, and nine years later here I am in the true prime of my career, working in another country, in another office, in another language, with a new home and a new production company, he said in a recent video interview. Im happy to have taken a second chance in my life, even though I was 52.
When Jen McCartney and Jay Balagna made a registry for their wedding on Oct. 29, among the typical items they included  plates, towels, tablecloths  was a less traditional request: donations to the National Network of Abortion Funds.

Ms. McCartney, 32, a comedy writer, and Mr. Balagna, 33, a doctoral candidate at the Pardee RAND Graduate School, said raising money for abortion access as part of their wedding was a way to honor her mother, Karen Blumenthal, a journalist and the author of Jane Against the World: Roe v. Wade and the Fight for Reproductive Rights, who died in 2020.

But the couple, who live in Los Angeles, were also motivated to request the donations by what they said was a more urgent cause than furnishing their home as newlyweds: protecting access to abortion, a former constitutional right that was eliminated by the Supreme Courts June decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, which overruled Roe v. Wade. Their registry, created using the wedding planning website Zola, has already raised more than $750 for the National Network of Abortion Funds from nine people.

Its kind of us saying that its very meaningful to get a beautiful bowl, Ms. McCartney said, and its equally meaningful to us to be able to take that money and use it to help people to have access to reproductive health care.
An activist investor is pushing for a say in the proposed merger of News Corp and Fox, a deal put forth by Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of both companies.

The investor, Irenic Capital Management, wants News Corp to explore splitting its online real estate listings unit from its other businesses, which include The Wall Street Journal, HarperCollins and The New York Post. It has requested a meeting with the special committee that the company formed to evaluate Mr. Murdochs proposal, said Adam Katz, one of Irenics founders.

The fund, Mr. Katz said, is one of the 10 largest holders of News Corps Class B shares, which confer stronger voting rights than the more numerous Class A shares. News Corp has a market capitalization of roughly $9 billion.

Irenic looks forward to engaging with the companys special committee to ensure it explores all paths to maximizing value, including a separation of its pre-eminent digital media and digital real estate assets, Mr. Katz said.
Paris Club backs SL on ending crisis

Colombo, Oct 17 (UNI) The Paris Club bas assured its fullest support for Sri Lankas ongoing efforts to find an early resolution to its debt crisis, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said in remarks published on Monday.

Met with William Roos, Co-Chairman of the Paris Club, during the IMF/World Bank annual meetings. Roos assured the Paris Clubs fullest support for Sri Lankas efforts to find an early resolution to its debt crisis, the Daily Mirror quoted the Minister as saying.

Sri Lanka is battling its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948.
Not long into the second act of Melissa Etheridges new Off Broadway show, she tells a funny, sexy, completely charming tale of falling in love with a married woman in the late 1980s, and pairs it, playfully, with a gorgeous version of her 1995 song I Want to Come Over.

Discreetly  no names  she recalls what a blast she and that partner and their showbiz friends used to have together in 1990s Los Angeles, in the heady early days of Etheridges rock fame. Then she mentions cannabis, which she didnt enjoy at the time.

It always made me feel like everyone knew I was hiding something, you know? she said on Friday, the second night of a 12-performance run at New World Stages. Like they could all see this sadness that I was hiding.

In an almost solo show that wants very much to be a good time for the audience, and a kind of celebration of its smoky-voiced 61-year-old star, suddenly here is a confession of personal vulnerability  spoken, not sung. It turns out to be valuable foreshadowing, because there is some deep, dark sadness in Melissa Etheridge Off Broadway: My Window  A Journey Through Life. And mostly, amid some staggeringly beautiful renditions of songs, that sadness is well camouflaged.
Update: The remains were identified as those of the four men, the police said.

The police in a small Oklahoma city found four bodies in a river on Friday, three days after they said four men, all described as friends, had been reported missing.

The discovery of the bodies deepened the mystery surrounding the missing men in Okmulgee, a city of about 11,000 people about 40 miles south of Tulsa. The police said the bodies were males but were awaiting a medical examiners confirmation of their identities.

The Okmulgee Police Department said a passer-by had noticed something suspicious in the Deep Fork River on Friday, leading investigators to find what appeared to be human remains protruding from the water.

Joe Prentice, the police chief, said at a news conference on Friday that he did not know whether the bodies were those of the four missing men, but that he had notified their families of the discovery.
Lauren A. Wright, a professor at Princeton who has written extensively about political appearances by first ladies, said the East Wing under Dr. Biden, 71, who kept teaching as an English professor as first lady, has become completely intertwined with the political efforts of the West Wing.

This role has become so serious and political, she said. It must be part of the strategic White House planning and effort. Otherwise youre wasting opportunities.

As first lady, Dr. Biden has traveled to 40 states, and lately, she has tucked a plethora of political visits into trips that spotlight her policy interests. On Thursday, she taught a full day of classes at Northern Virginia Community College before flying to Fort Benning in Georgia, where she visited with military families.

Her political appearances began on Friday evening, when she stood in the foyer of a home with Ms. Abrams and asked some 75 attendees, mostly women, to step closer to her. Then she took aim at Mr. Kemp and the policies that he supports, including a law he signed that bans abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, and another that limits voting access.

I know that makes you angry, she told them. And it should make you angry.

Her presence is not just a morale boost for Democrats in close races: She is a fund-raising draw who appeals to grass roots supporters, and people are more likely to donate if shes asking, according to a spokeswoman who works for the Democratic National Committee who was not authorized to speak publicly. Her events, emails, text messages and mailings have drawn millions of dollars for Democrats.

In Atlanta, Dr. Biden told her audience that she knew they had already donated, but Im asking you to dig a little deeper. (Each had already paid at least $1,000 to attend the event.) The whole appearance took about 20 minutes, and then she was on the road to the next event, slipping out through a kitchen door with a coterie of aides.

By Saturday morning, Dr. Biden was in Florida  her second visit there this month  where she started the day on a bike at a spin studio in Fort Lauderdale with several aides. (Aside from finding boutique fitness classes when she travels, she is also an avid runner, and has said that the exercise creates a sense of balance in my life.) Then she stopped for a coffee (black, no sugar) with Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Fort Lauderdale before the two of them toured a breast cancer research facility.
KYIV, Ukraine  The head conductor of Khersons top theater was killed in his home by Russian forces, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture, in what appeared to be the latest instance of Russian forces targeting dissenters in the occupied southern city.

The conductor, Yurii Kerpatenko, who led orchestras at the Mykola Kulish Kherson Regional Academic Music and Drama Theater, was fatally shot after he refused to take part in an online day of music organized by Russian-backed local officials, Ukraines culture ministry said in a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday.

The statement did not say when exactly Mr. Kerpatenko had been killed, only that the news was known on Friday.
PARIS  How do we talk about Rosa Bonheur? A realistic painter of animals, she became the richest and most famous female artist of 19th-century France, burnishing her reputation with savvy self-promotion and an eccentric personal life.

In the 20th century, she was forgotten.

Now, the Musee dOrsay in Paris is rehabilitating Bonheur with a retrospective on the bicentennial of her birth that is the biggest exhibition of her works ever and the first major Bonheur show in Paris for a century. The exhibition, which opens on Tuesday and runs through Jan. 15, 2023, brings together nearly 200 pieces and dozens of supporting prints and photographs by other artists, some of them never seen publicly in France.

Bonheur spent a lifetime studying animals. Trained by her father during her teenage years, she began copying works in the Louvre, drawing and painting them with photographic precision. Convinced that animals had souls, she often portrayed them staring straight at the viewer, as if they were human.
Kyiv is attacked by Iranian-made drones

Russia attacked Ukraines capital yesterday with Iranian-made drones, continuing its campaign of strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian targets. The attacks came during morning rush hour, killing at least four people.

The strikes highlighted Russias growing use of the Iranian-made self-destructing drones, which make a buzzing sound like a moped or a lawn mower and explode on contact. The Shahed-136 drones have a range of about 1,500 miles and carry warheads of about 80 pounds, but are slow and easy to target. Western analysts say their use is a sign Russias stocks of precision missiles are running low.

Iran has officially denied supplying Russia with drones for use in Ukraine, but U.S. officials have said that the first batch of such weapons was delivered in August. Ukraines air force said that Russia had fired 43 of the drones yesterday, but that 37 were shot down by air defense systems.

Response: Ukraine called on the European Union to punish Iran with sanctions for supplying Russia with the drones.
During his decade as Chinas leader, Xi Jinping regularly promoted the importance of opening up the economy even as he pushed the country sharply in the opposite direction. But as he laid out his ambitions at an important political meeting, he barely paid lip service to the notion.

Mr. Xi, who is expected to secure a groundbreaking third term when the Communist Party congress concludes this week, made just three references to markets in his nearly two-hour speech on Sunday and omitted more than a dozen others from a longer, written version. He instead focused on issues of national security and corruption, extolled state projects in spaceflight and supercomputers, and pledged to create a larger role for socialism and the public sector.

When he did talk about markets, the message was established rhetoric. He lauded socialist market economic reform, while also arguing that Chinas economy should give full play to the decisive role of the market in resource allocation.

Under Mr. Xis leadership, China is returning to its roots: a state-controlled economy that demands businesses conform to the aims of the Chinese Communist Party.
As Xi Jinping was preparing to take the helm of the Chinese Communist Party a decade ago, a great number of Chinas political, business and intellectual elites were hopeful that he would make their country more open, just and prosperous.

They included a professor at the partys top academy who helped train thousands of high-ranking cadres. An economist who would win Chinas top economics prize for 2012. A young historian planning to teach a class about contemporary Chinese history, including sensitive periods like the Cultural Revolution.

Mr. Xis speech at the opening of the 20th party congress on Sunday made it clearer than ever that China is moving in the opposite direction from liberalization. Obsessed with national security, he is more focused on quashing all ideological and geopolitical challenges than on reform and opening up, the policies that brought China out of poverty.

He used the term new era 39 times in his speech, boasting of the partys achievements under his leadership. But for some Chinese, it has been a dark era  a shift away from a system that, while authoritarian, tolerated private enterprise and some diversity in public opinion to one that now espouses a single ideology and a single leader.
The federal government on Monday began accepting applications for President Bidens promised student debt cancellation of up to $20,000 per borrower.

Those who meet the programs annual income limits  up to $125,000 per individual or $250,000 per household  can apply online at https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief/application.

This is a game changer for millions of Americans, Mr. Biden said on Monday afternoon.

The Education Department, which holds $1.6 trillion in student loan debt and will manage the cancellation process, quietly opened the application website for testing on Friday night. More than eight million people had already applied by Monday, Mr. Biden said. The form is available in English and Spanish, and is intended to work on desktop computers and mobile devices.

Mr. Biden announced in August that he would use executive action to cancel billions of dollars in federal student loan debt. Lawsuits seeking to block the action were then filed, most prominently by a group of six attorneys general from Republican-led states. A federal judge in Missouri heard arguments last week on their request for an injunction to prevent the government from carrying out the plan.
An early season winter storm in Michigans Upper Peninsula that brought snow, powerful winds and high waves to the Great Lakes region was forecast to taper down overnight Tuesday, forecasters said.

The storm moved over northern Lake Huron on Monday. On Tuesday, warnings about frequent and strong wind gusts were in effect for Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, according to the National Weather Service in Marquette, Mich. Waves on Lake Superior, which reached about 15 feet on Tuesday afternoon, were expected to taper down in the evening, said Tara Dudzik, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Marquette.

A cold front, meanwhile, was moving through the Midwest, where overnight freeze warnings were in effect in states including Missouri, Indiana and Kansas.

Record-breaking cold was forecast for early Wednesday morning across parts of the Mississippi Valley, central and southern Appalachians and the Southeast.
SL rehabilitation law criticized

Colombo, Oct 17 (UNI) The Sri Lankan government should withdraw a draft law that will give the authorities broad powers to detain people in military-run rehabilitation centers, placing them at great risk of abuse, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said.

The HRW said the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill, submitted to Parliament on September 23, would allow the compulsory detention in centers of drug dependent persons, ex-combatants, members of violent extremist groups and any other group of persons, the Daily Mirror reported on Monday.

The Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill would establish a new administrative structure controlled by the Defense Ministry to operate 'rehabilitation' centers staffed by military personnel.
With crunchy, juicy, new-crop apples finally here to relieve their long-stored counterparts from last year, apple season is in full swing. There are approximately 7,500 varieties of apples currently grown in the world, and 2,500 in the United States alone. Youll find only four or five kinds in most supermarkets, but your local farmers market will often stock dozens.

Even now, new cultivars are being bred at research orchards all over the world. For The Times, Elizabeth Landau visited one in Nova Scotia, where she talked to scientists who are studying the genetics of apple diversity. Their goal is to develop fruit that is tastier, hardier, more disease-resistant and with longer shelf-life in the face of changing climates, she writes  the Honeycrisps and SnapDragons of the future. Thats the apple update Im most excited about.

Do you have a favorite apple? I love Braeburns, Winesaps and Honeycrisps for eating out of hand, but for pie baking Im partial to firm cultivars such as Mutsus, Cortlands and Granny Smiths. I adore McIntoshes in autumn, when theyre super fresh, surprisingly sweet-tart and juicy. (The rest of the year theyre best for applesauce).

What else to cook with all your apples? You dont have to peel them for Genevieve Kos easy, gently spiced apple crisp (above)  thats my kind of recipe. These cinnamon-scented candy apples are slightly more involved, but worth it for the snap-crunch of that crisp sugar shell when you bite in.
The family opened Brij Mohan in 2005. Sohan Lal Gaba, an owner, said that when he moved to the United States, the quality of milk, sugar and chickpea flour was much different than what he was used to in India. There was no one to teach me about the ingredients and everything here, he said. I just figured it out myself, what I can do with available ingredients.

He has grown accustomed to using cows milk instead of buffalo milk, for example, in sweets like the shops best-selling slabs of milk cake, and sandwich gulab jamun filled with sweetened milk solids.
At Via Carota, the elegantly rustic restaurant that Rita Sodi and Jody Williams have been running in Manhattan since 2014, the deceptively simple seasonal food requires attention to countless details, unseen but tasted. The restaurants cookbook, organized by seasons, starts with spring and pages of whats required to do justice to fava beans and a fistful of other recipes that might explain why one takes a seat in the restaurant instead of shelling peas or attempting fried rabbit with bread at home. But you should add a tangy salmoriglio to your repertoire of dressings and marinades; grill leeks until blackened without and melting within; make a salad of olives, red onion and citrus; cook cannellini beans until creamy; serve a soup of onions, bread and egg; and, when summer reappears, assemble a carpaccio of squash, mint, Parmigiano-Reggiano and olive oil. The book is also personal, unpacking the backgrounds of the partners, married and with five restaurants.

Via Carota: A Celebration of Seasonal Cooking from the Beloved Greenwich Village Restaurant by Jody Williams and Rita Sodi with Anna Kovel (Alfred A. Knopf, $40).
So why dont we know? To Dr. Rubin, the reason is simple: The clitoris is intimately bound up in female pleasure and orgasm. And until very recently, those themes have not been high on medicines priority list, nor considered appropriate areas of medical pursuit.

Even in fields like urology, where male sexual pleasure and orgasm are considered integral, womens sexual health is seen as hysteria, Pandoras box, all psychosocial, not real medicine, said Dr. Rubin, who is also the education chair of the International Society for the Study of Womens Sexual Health. Sexual health and quality of life is not something we focus on for women. (In contrast, Viagra is one of the most lucrative pharmaceutical drugs in recent decades, bringing in tens of billions of dollars to Pfizer since being introduced in 1998.)

Gynecology, for its part, is far more focused on fertility and preventing disease. We dont do a great job about talking about sex from a pleasure-based perspective, said Dr. Frances Grimstad, a gynecologist at Boston Childrens Hospital. We talk about it from a prevention standpoint. Were trying to prevent S.T.I.s, or sexually transmitted infections. Were trying to prevent pregnancy, unless youre trying to get pregnant. We dont talk about sexual pleasure.

Dr. Helen OConnell, Australias first female urologist, recalled that in her own medical training, the clitoris barely made a cameo. In the 1985 edition of the medical textbook Lasts Anatomy that she studied, a cross-section of the female pelvis omitted the clitoris entirely, and aspects of the female genitals were described as poorly developed and a failure of male genital formation. Descriptions of the penis went on for pages. To her, this widespread medical disregard helped explain why her urology peers worked to preserve nerves in the penis during prostate surgeries but not during pelvic surgeries on women.

Dr. OConnell set out to investigate the full anatomy of the clitoris using microdissection and magnetic resonance imaging. In 2005, she published a comprehensive study showing that the outer nub of the clitoris  the part that can be seen and touched  was just the tip of the iceberg, equivalent to the head of the penis. The full organ extended far beneath the surface, comprising two teardrop-shaped bulbs, two arms and a shaft.

By failing to appreciate this anatomy, she warned, surgeons working in this region risked damaging the sensitive nerves responsible for pleasure and orgasm, which run along the top of the shaft. In procedures like pelvic mesh surgeries or urethral surgeries, things are potentially in the crossfire, Dr. OConnell said. You always need to be thinking of whats underneath, whats hidden from view that youre potentially altering.

Increasingly, women are speaking out about injuries they sustained to this area during routine procedures. One is Julie, a 44-year-old office manager in Essex, east of London, who lost her ability to orgasm in 2012 after a minimally invasive hip operation to address back pain. She shared her story publicly in The Telegraph last year, using only her first name to avoid discrimination by future employers.
In Connecticut, State Police officials said the incident may have been a trap, a deliberate act to lure officers to the home, my colleagues reported. And on Sunday, the states Office of Inspector General released a preliminary report about circumstances of the deadly attack, as well as harrowing body-cam footage from the surviving officer.

According to the inspector general, the three officers  Sgt. Dustin DeMonte, 35; Officer Alex Hamzy, 34; and Officer Alec Iurato  had approached a side door of Mr. Brutchers house based on a 911 call believed to have been made by Nicholas Brutcher.

The three officers spoke to Mr. Brutchers brother, Nathan, asking him to leave the house, before gunfire erupted from behind the officers; the inspector general said that Nicholas Brutcher fired more than 80 shots, killing Sergeant DeMonte and Officer Hamzy and striking Officer Iurato in the leg.

Shots fired, shots fired, Officer Iurato says. More cars. Send everyone!

Despite his wounds, Officer Iurato was able to make his way back to a police department cruiser, something caught on his body cam, which also picked up a fusillade of gunfire, screaming and the officers drawing his weapon. According to the inspector general, Officer Iurato fired one shot, killing Nicholas Brutcher, a use of deadly force that the inspector called justified on Sunday.

Over the weekend, the Bristol police announced that Officer Iurato, 26, had been released from the hospital following surgery.
To the Editor:

Re New Survey Suggests an Alarming Increase in Physician Burnout (news article, Sept. 30):

There is a crisis brewing within the health care industry. More than half the physicians in this country suffer from burnout, and roughly 300 to 400 die by suicide each year. Common causes of burnout include increased administrative tasks, long hours, frustration with the electronic health records system and insufficient compensation.

Interestingly, the burnout rate among independent physicians in New York City, at 13.5 percent, is dramatically lower than the national average of 54.4 percent.

However, there has been a significant decline in independent physicians because of the policies put in place by the Affordable Care Act that favor larger corporations and hospitals. As a result, independent medical practices are increasingly being acquired by hospitals and large corporations, which tend to put profits before patients and exercise absolute control.

While theres little growth in the number of physicians entering the work force, there has been a more than 3,000 percent increase in health care administrators over the last four decades. Unless the increasing power of hospital and practice administrators is curtailed, the situation will only get worse.
We understand the ecological benefits of oak trees, both in sustaining biodiversity and in storing carbon to mitigate the effects of climate change. We understand how many commercial industries rely on the wood from oaks. But even though we know those things, older white oak trees are not being replaced by younger white oak trees at a pace that will support long-term sustainability, according to the White Oak Initiative. The state of white oaks is just one example, but you know things are bad for a species when neither environmental nor business interests are being served by current attitudes and practices.

In my neighborhood, giant old trees are being lost to development at a prodigious rate. Some of them are cut down to make room for ever-bigger houses. Some are killed inadvertently during the construction of those new homes. Still others are removed out of nothing more than fashion  to improve the curb appeal of the house or to be replaced by a less messy tree, among other foolish reasons. Oaks, which grow so large and scatter the yard with acorns, are often the first to go when a developer buys a house to tear down.

I took note when the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries at the University of Tennessees Institute of Agriculture asked for help in collecting viable white oak acorns to use in reforestation. But with all the trees lost in my neighborhood during these years of rapid growth, I have a different plan for my acorns.

Its possible to buy young trees from a nursery, of course, but oaks do better when planted from acorns, according to Dr. Tallamy, and now is the time to collect them. Unlike acorns in the red oak group, which germinate in springtime, acorns in the white oak group send out a taproot soon after falling, which makes autumn the ideal time to plant the ones Im gathering from my tree.

Last fall I tried to start some acorns from a friends chestnut oak, which also belongs to the white oak group, but the squirrels dug them all up and carried them off. This year Ill plant my acorns in flowerpots and protect them with bricks and hardware cloth. Come spring, Ill hand the seedlings out like Easter eggs. If I can talk my new human neighbors into planting these seedlings in their yards, theyll have shade again someday, and our wild neighbors will have food and shelter, too.
Thats not to say mobilized forces will be of no use. If used in support roles, like drivers or refuelers, they might ease the burden on the remaining parts of Russias exhausted professional army. They could also fill out depleted units along the line of contact, cordon off some areas and man checkpoints in the rear. They are, however, unlikely to become a capable fighting force. Already there are signs of discipline problems among mobilized soldiers in Russian garrisons.

They join an army already degraded in quality and capability. The composition of Russias military force in Ukraine  as much of its prewar active duty personnel has been wounded or killed and its best equipment destroyed or captured  has radically altered over the course of the war. The Russian military leadership is unlikely to know with confidence how this undisciplined composite force will react when confronted with cold, exhausting combat conditions or rumors of Ukrainian assaults. Recent experience suggests these troops might abandon their positions and equipment in panic, as demoralized forces did in the Kharkiv region in September.

That does not bode well for Russias plans on the battlefield. Right now, Mr. Putin seems to have two immediate goals: to sustain control of as much of the occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions as he can (with Russias desired boundaries not yet defined); and to freeze the front line, establishing a frontier Ukrainian forces cannot broach, possibly sealed by a cease-fire. That would enable a more sustainable defense, as well as allow the military to rotate troops and regenerate its forces. Ukraine and its supporters, of course, have made it clear that neither of these conditions is acceptable. And as the Ukrainians continued headway in the south suggests, its far from clear that Russia will be able to attain either aim.

In that case, Mr. Putin could lash out more broadly against Ukraine. The attacks of the past week  particularly striking critical civilian infrastructure  could be expanded across Ukraine if missile supplies hold out, while Russia could directly target the Ukrainian leadership with strikes or special operations.

The Kremlin, reticent so far to escalate the war beyond Ukraine, could also aim to directly disrupt or deter foreign military assistance to Kyiv. Such efforts might involve attacks on NATO satellites or other reconnaissance assets, jamming or sensor blinding them to render them temporarily or permanently inoperable. To inflict domestic costs on Kyivs supporters, Russia could also conduct cyberattacks against Europe or the United States, targeting critical infrastructure like energy, transportation and communications systems. The war then would no longer be confined to the borders of Ukraine.
With more than 10 million jobs in the United States unfilled as of August, this is about as good as it gets for workers leverage. But it still isnt very good. For most Americans, particularly those earning less than the median income, employers continue to control when, where and how they work, in some cases right down to their bathroom breaks.

When we are workers, we lie under the government of a boss. Its a dictatorship. The boss rules, Elizabeth Anderson, a professor of philosophy and womens studies at the University of Michigan, told me last week. She wrote a 2017 book on the topic, Private Government: How Employers Rule Our Lives (And Why We Dont Talk About It).

Despite the obvious dominance of employers, though, a lot of economic research and legal scholarship is based on the libertarian notion that employers and employees have relatively equal bargaining power and are thus free to contract with one another as truly independent parties.

The assumption of roughly equal power is not just silly, its harmful. Take the Supreme Courts 2018 decision in Epic Systems Corporation v. Lewis, which upheld the validity of contracts in which employees surrender the right to collective litigation against their employers. Underlying the decision, written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, was the implicit assumption that when workers give up that important right, its their free choice.
The missions primary goal was to determine whether astronauts could withstand prolonged time in space, something they did just fine. But its most celebrated achievement was a pioneering 20-minute spacewalk by Mr. McDivitts fellow crewman, Edward H. White 2d, who had been his classmate at the University of Michigan and had become his best friend.

Mr. McDivitt created a stir of his own when he reported spotting what appeared to be a satellite orbiting near his spacecraft and took photographs of it.

As he later told it in the NASA oral history: It had a geometrical shape similar to a beer can or a pop can and with a little thing maybe like a pencil or something sticking out of it. It was all white.

But when NASA and Mr. McDivitt looked at the photos, they found nothing that resembled a U.F.O. Mr. McDivitt felt that his photographs had been out of focus, but he came to doubt that he had, in fact, seen another spacecraft. He said that he had probably glimpsed a piece of ice or Mylar that had fallen off his space capsule.

The supposed U.F.O. saga trailed him over the years. He once wryly remarked, I became a world-renowned expert on U.F.O.s  unfortunately. Nonetheless, he had some fun with it. In January 1974, he played himself in an episode of The Brady Bunch TV series in which he told of the sighting and suggested that earthlings were not alone in the universe.
UW in the News

State, national and international media frequently feature the University of Wyoming and members of its community in stories. Here is a summary of some of the recent coverage:

According to a new UW study, insects are causing unprecedented levels of damage to plants, even as insect numbers decline. Earth.com, Tech Explorist and Devdiscourse were among online science-related media outlets publishing UWs release. ANI, South Asias leading multimedia news agency, Sheridan Media and MSN India also published UWs announcement.

Texas Fish & Game published UWs release noting that a collaborative study by the U.S. Geological Survey and UW quantified how mule deer miss out on forage when energy development disrupts their migration corridors.

Washington deer hunting managers added a 24-hour self-service kiosk to their chronic wasting disease (CWD) monitoring efforts before the states major hunting season opened last weekend. Northwest Sportsmans article cited a UW study estimating that CWD shrank the size of one deer herd by 19 percent.

Hamodia quoted UW law Professor George Mocsary, a Second Amendment expert, on an ongoing New York case. Last week, a federal appeals court allowed the state to continue enforcing its new gun law as it considers a lower court ruling that would block key provisions.

UW political science Professor Jim King spoke with WyoFile on the legalities of Wyoming political parties operating their business meetings behind closed doors. The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) also interviewed King on crossover voting in Wyoming during primary elections.

Fred McLaughlin, UWs Center for Economic Geology Research director, was among speakers at a recent town-hall meeting in Rocks Springs that focused on how Project Bison, a 5-megaton direct air capture carbon removal project in Wyoming, will affect the state. The Gillette News Record published the Rocket Miner article.

The Sheridan Press reported that the states Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) indicates Wyomings reserve account may reach a record $2 billion this year due to high oil prices. UW economist Rob Godby, a CREG member, discussed the states volatile energy markets.

A project led by Nga Nguyen, an assistant professor in the UW Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, will explore using machine learning to optimize the energy storage systems being built alongside renewables, according to The CS-T.

The CS-T interviewed California-based playwright Gregory Hinton about his one-man show telling the story of Larry Sissy Goodwin, a military veteran, former power plant technician and retired educator who was a cross-dresser. UWs American Heritage Center is among sponsors of the nine-city tour of A Sissy in Wyoming.

Tyler ODaniel, assistant director of Manufacturing Works, located at UW, discussed the importance of National Manufacturing Day in Wyoming in a Wyoming Public Radio interview. County 10 reported that local residents participated in Manufacturing Day by touring several Fremont County operations. Manufacturing Works Project Manager Kevin Kershisnik provided a quote for the article.

Cowboy State Daily interviewed UW botany Professor Steve Miller about the dangers of eating poisonous death cap mushrooms, which will soon show up in the state.

UW researchers are collaborating on a Grand Teton National Park project that will restore native sagebrush to help support wildlife migrations, according to a report that aired on Aspen Public Radio.

Hits106 published UWs release announcing that self-measured blood pressure monitoring kits are available for checkout at the Albany County Public Library, thanks to a collaborative pilot project among UWs Wyoming Center on Aging and other entities.

UW professors and others will present their latest agriculture-related technology during a Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation seminar next month in Casper, according to Big Horn Radio Network.

Sheridan Media published UWs release announcing that the universitys Wyrkshop Mobile Makerspace program will soon be available to rural and remote communities and schools in Wyoming. Residents will have access to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) educational electronic tools and equipment.
The idea of my work is to decolonize, Ms. Ogisi said. To be colonized is to be barricaded, to be controlled, to not be free; so I do that with textures, gravity, mass, density, lighting, everything possible, to open everybodys mind to a better and freer world.

For her spring-summer 2022 collection, Green Water, Blue Forest, she collaborated with artisans in Kenya who hand-crocheted recycled plastic and wove together silk, cotton and hemp from Agraloop, a company that produces textile-grade fiber from agricultural waste.

Brightly colored plastic, hemp and cotton, intentionally left raw and unfinished, are central to the 14-look collection, which includes tassel dresses, drawstring waist culottes, hand-woven tunics and recycled PVC bikini tops. Pieces from IAMSIGO cost $234 to $750 and can be purchased through the online marketplace Industrie Africa and other retailers.

Omoyemi Akerele, the founder of Lagos Fashion Week, has followed Ms. Ogisis work for over a decade.

Its just always been clear since day 1 that she had a considered approach to creating, Ms. Akerele said. She had a distinct point of view that always drew you in and invited you to take a deeper and closer look at the inspiration behind the collection.

So not just what youre seeing, but the story behind it, where the materials been sourced from, where it came from, the community of people that shes collaborated with just bring it to life, she said.
SAN JOSE, Calif.  When Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the failed blood-testing start-up Theranos, was convicted of fraud in January, the verdict represented the end of a drawn-out saga.

But in the ensuing months, as Ms. Holmes has awaited her sentence, the drama around her case has only escalated.

First Ms. Holmess co-conspirator, the former chief operating officer of Theranos, was convicted of fraud in July. Then Ms. Holmes asked the judge to overturn her conviction, citing a lack of evidence, and submitted a flurry of requests for a new trial based on new evidence. At recent hearings over the case, she has appeared visibly pregnant with her second child. And in August, a key witness did something highly unusual in a criminal case: He showed up at her house.

That incident became the basis of Ms. Holmess latest attempt to reverse her fortunes. On Monday, the 38-year-old, her parents and partner, lawyers, and a scrum of media gathered in a federal courtroom in San Jose, Calif., for a hearing that could open the door to her getting a new trial. The visit by the key witness, Ms. Holmess lawyers argued, raised questions about his credibility and the fairness of the trial.
The first recorded dive from the bridge in Mostar  known as the Old Bridge, or Stari Most  took place in the 17th century, around 100 years after its construction. Since 1968, the city has held an annual summer diving competition, which attracts participants from all over the world.

Braving the drop of around 75 feet (it varies with the height of the river), this extreme stunt requires a healthy dose of courage. But as Amir ascends from the river to the bridge, walking past the ancient stone stairs, the picturesque streets, the backdrop of musicians in the bazaar, he has another task. With a hat in his hand, he collects donations from the crowd of onlookers.

Im done with diving today, he exclaims, still balancing on the edge of the bridge  but this time extending his arm toward the crowd. Now I have to raise some money for our club.
The two rounding errors add up to an even larger disparity between the reported and actual result when it comes to the difference between likely and registered voters. The rounded result makes it seem to be a four-point gap. In reality, the difference is a 2.5-point gap.

This is a polling custom that has always left me a little cold. The case for rounding is straightforward: Reporting results to the decimal point conveys a false sense of precision. After a decade of high-profile polling misfires, precision is most certainly not the sense pollsters want to try to convey right now. And in this case, reporting to the one-thousandth of a point would obviously be ridiculous. We didnt even contact a thousand people; how could we offer a result to the one-thousandth?

But theres a trade-off. Characterizing this poll as a four-point Republican lead doesnt merely offer a false sense of precision  its just false. Thats not something I can gloss over.

Sometimes, the difference is enough to affect the way people interpret the poll. Weve reported one party in the lead by one percentage point when, in fact, the figures are essentially even. These differences dont actually mean much, of course, but no one  not even those of us well versed in statistics and survey methodology  can escape perceiving a difference between R+1 and Even.

Hopefully, the differences between the rounded and exact results can be another reminder that polling is inexact. The results are fuzzy, and the margin of error understates the actual degree of uncertainty anyway. If we had called another 100 people, or did another round of callbacks, the results would almost certainly have been at least somewhat different, and the same if we had called another 100 more.

There isnt a great way out of this problem. We can refrain from characterizing a 49-45 lead as a four-point lead, as the main Times article on this poll does today. But even this requires us to notice when the rounded and actual margins differ, which is not easy when our crosstabs and other products use rounded numbers. When we do notice a difference worth your attention, well try to flag it here and elsewhere.

Whats different about our polls this year?

A few weeks ago, I noted that most pollsters this cycle werent making big methodological changes. Instead, theyre doing something more like tightening the screws on an old boat after a rough storm in 2020, rather than going out and buying a new boat.
The mysterious disappearance of four friends in Oklahoma took a grim turn on Monday after the police confirmed that their remains had been found in a river after they had been fatally shot and then dismembered.

Joe Prentice, the police chief in Okmulgee, a city of about 11,000 people about 40 miles south of Tulsa, said at a news conference on Monday that the remains had been identified as those of Mark Chastain, 32; Billy Chastain, 30; Mike Sparks, 32; and Alex Stevens, 29, all of Okmulgee. The chief said the Chastains were brothers.

Chief Prentice said that investigators believed the men had planned to commit some type of criminal act after they left Billy Chastains home on Okmulgees west side around 8 p.m. on Oct. 9. All four were reportedly riding bicycles, the police said.

Their plan to engage in criminal activity was based on information from a witness who had been invited to join the men to hit a lick big enough for all of them, the chief said, quoting the witness.
During his Justice Department years, Mr. Civiletti investigated sensitive cases involving a few men close to the president, starting with Mr. Lance, a banker whose friendship predated Mr. Carters years as governor of Georgia. A key adviser in the Carter campaign for the White House, Mr. Lance was named director of the Office of Management and Budget, the first cabinet officer chosen by Mr. Carter.

Within months, questions were raised by the news media and in Congress about corruption when Mr. Lance had been chairman of a Georgia bank. Facing possible indictment for trading on his ties with the president, Mr. Lance resigned and returned to banking in Georgia. It was an embarrassment to Mr. Carter and the first major scandal of his administration.

In 1979, Mr. Carters chief of staff, Mr. Jordan, 35, whose partying lifestyle made grist for the gossip columns, was accused of using cocaine and engaging in anonymous sex at the Studio 54 disco in New York City. Mr. Civilettis investigation found no credible witnesses or evidence of a federal crime. A special prosecutor was also appointed, but no case was brought to trial.

Another embarrassment for the president later arose in disclosures that his younger brother, Billy, had visited Libya three times in 1978 and 1979 and received $220,000 in what he called a loan from Libyas government at a time when he had a brokerage arrangement with an American company seeking to buy Libyan oil. The problem was that Billy Carter had not registered as a foreign agent.

Testifying before a Senate committee in 1980, Mr. Civiletti said that he had told the president that his brother was under investigation by the Justice Department but that he had not discussed details of the inquiry. Doing so would have been a conflict of interest. But he told Mr. Carter that his brother had been foolish not to have registered earlier as a Libyan agent, although failing to do so, he said, did not appear to be a prosecutable offense.

That was not quite correct. Failing to register as a foreign agent was a crime, although courts had been lenient in relatively harmless cases, imposing only fines. Billy Carter eventually registered, and was not prosecuted.
Follow our live coverage of the 2022 midterm elections for the latest news and updates.

Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia and Stacey Abrams, the Democrat he narrowly beat in 2018 who is challenging him again in 2022, have spent the last four years preparing for a rematch.

Monday nights debate in Atlanta, the lone time during this years campaign for Georgia governor that the candidates were scheduled to appear onstage together, was a demonstration of the political animus the two have had toward each other. Both Mr. Kemp and Ms. Abrams came versed in the others record  Ms. Abrams on Mr. Kemps tenure as governor (and, before that, secretary of state and state senator), and Mr. Kemp largely on statements Ms. Abrams has made as a candidate and as Georgias top Democratic political organizer.

The debate, which also included a low-polling Libertarian candidate, Shane Hazel, was a substantive hour that allowed Mr. Kemp and Ms. Abrams to demonstrate the stark differences between them. Few undecided voters who watched would be confused about how either would seek to govern.
On the eve of a primary runoff election in June, a Republican candidate for secretary of state of South Carolina sent out a message to his supporters.

For all of you on the team tomorrow observing the polls, Good Hunting, Keith Blandford, a candidate who promoted the falsehood that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald J. Trump, wrote on the social media app Telegram. You know what you are looking for. We have the enemy on their back foot, press the attack.

The next day, activists fanned out to polling places in Charleston, S.C., demanding to inspect election equipment and to take photographs and video. When election workers denied their requests, some returned with police officers to file reports about broken or missing seals on the machines, according to emails from local officials to the state election commission. There were no broken or missing seals.

After Mr. Blandford lost, the activists posted online a list of more than 60 anomalies they observed, enough to have changed the outcome of races, they said. They called the operation a pilot program.
In their own sentencing memo, lawyers for Mr. Bannon recommended that he should not spend any time in jail and instead receive a term of probation. They argued that people were rarely prosecuted on contempt of Congress charges and that the Justice Department declined to file indictments against two of Mr. Trumps other aides who also disregarded subpoenas from the committee: Mark Meadows, his final chief of staff, and Dan Scavino Jr., a deputy to Mr. Meadows.

But Mr. Bannon is not the only former Trump aide who was charged with disobeying a subpoena from the committee. Around the same time that prosecutors announced they would not seek cases against Mr. Meadows and Mr. Scavino, they indicted Peter Navarro, the former White House trade adviser, on contempt of Congress charges.

Mr. Navarro is scheduled to go on trial in Washington next month.

Prosecutors were outraged when Mr. Bannon made a remarkable about-face months ago as his criminal trial approached and sought to strike a last-minute deal to testify before the committee. But in its sentencing memo, the government revealed new details of how Mr. Bannon tried to stave off his prosecution by negotiating an agreement with congressional investigators.

Prosecutors said that just this month, Timothy J. Heaphy, the committees top investigator, told them that M. Evan Corcoran, one of Mr. Bannons lawyers, had sent him a text message asking to speak shortly before Mr. Bannons trial began.

Mr. Heaphy said he was friendly with Mr. Corcoran because they had worked together as federal prosecutors in the same office, and he worried about responding without witnesses.
WASHINGTON  The Trump Organization charged the Secret Service up to $1,185 per night for hotel rooms used by agents protecting former President Donald J. Trump and his family, according to documents released on Monday by the House Oversight Committee, forcing a federal agency to pay well above government rates.

The committee released Secret Service records showing more than $1.4 million in payments by the department to Trump properties since Mr. Trump took office in 2017. The committee said that the accounting was incomplete, however, because it did not include payments to Mr. Trumps foreign properties  where agents accompanied his family repeatedly  and because the records stopped in September 2021.

The records the panel obtained provided new details about an arrangement in which Mr. Trump and his family effectively turned the Secret Service into a captive customer of their business  by visiting their properties hundreds of times, and then charging the government rates far above its usual spending limits.

The records also make clear that Mr. Trumps son Eric  who ran the family business while his father was in office  provided a misleading account of what his company was charging.
Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio, a Democrat, and J.D. Vance, a Republican, clashed bitterly over issues of ideology and fitness for office in their final debate in the states marquee Senate race, as Mr. Ryan painted his opponent as extreme, and Mr. Vance lashed Mr. Ryan as ineffective and more liberal than he lets on.

The contest in a state that former President Donald J. Trump comfortably won twice has remained more competitive than national observers initially expected with Mr. Ryan, a strong fund-raiser, casting himself as an independent voice. Still, he has an uphill climb, and he has not had much assistance so far from national Democrats.

Here are five takeaways from their heated hourlong debate in Youngstown, Ohio:

A strikingly contentious and sometimes personal hour.

The debate crackled with condescension as the two men sparred, reflecting the close nature of the race. At times they referred to each other as pal, our guy or buddy. Mr. Ryan even accused his opponent, in two languages, of being a fraud.

J.D. Vance, all due respect, is a fraud, Mr. Ryan said as they discussed immigration. Then he invoked a saying from his little Italian grandmother that he said translated into, You have two faces. One for the camera, and one for your business dealings.
The biggest question about the biggest K-pop band has been answered.

The members of BTS will enlist in South Koreas military as required by law, the bands label said on Monday, ending months of public debate about whether the group qualified for an exemption to mandatory conscription.

The announcement of the bands decision  which came less than two days after it had performed its first concert in months  effectively confirms the hiatus that the members had first mentioned this summer. The seven members will reconvene as a group again around 2025 after completing their service, the label, Big Hit Music, said in a statement posted on Twitter.

Millions of dejected fans, who call themselves the Army, took to social media to express their support, grief and disbelief. The move is also likely to have wider ramifications, depriving

South Korea of the billions of dollars the bands followers pump into its economy.

South Korea requires all able-bodied men to enlist by the time they turn 30 and to serve for about two years. Exceptions can be granted, for example to athletes who win medals at international competitions like the Olympics and to some high-level classical musicians, but pop music artists do not qualify. The first member of BTS to enlist will be Kim Seok-jin, known as just Jin, who turns 30 in December.
A man protesting outside the Chinese Consulate in the northern British city of Manchester was dragged onto the consular grounds and beaten, increasing tensions as ties between the two countries worsen.

The scuffle at the consular gates in Manchester on Sunday took place as protesters from Hong Kong demonstrated against Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, who is expected to win a third term leading the country during this weeks Communist Party Congress in Beijing. Banners and posters placed outside the consulates entrance called for an end to the Communist Party and depicted Mr. Xi wearing only a crown and underwear.

Video footage that circulated widely online showed a group of men, presumably from the consulate, ripping up posters and dragging one protester through the consulates gate, where they wrestled him to the ground and beat him.

During the scuffle, Manchester police officers stepped onto consular property to separate the protester from his attackers. The force said on Monday it was investigating the incident and had established an online portal for people to submit additional information about the incident.
In one location in central Kyiv, a drone targeted the same site where another had hit about an hour earlier, on opposite sides of Zhylianska Street. It appeared to be what Ukrainians call a double-tap attack, a tactic that aims to kill emergency workers or firefighters responding to the first strike.

Plumes of smoke from fires rose from both sides of the street. Fire crews had earlier unfurled hoses and parked engines in the area. It was unclear if any emergency workers were harmed by the second strike.

What a horror, said Anna Chugai, a retiree, looking at the fires blazing in the capital, a week after the last major Russian aerial attack against Kyiv.

Again! This is now happening all the time, she said.

The apparent target, a municipal heating station nearby, appeared undamaged. Soldiers near the heating station opened fire with their rifles when the drones drew near, said Viktor Turbayev, a building manager for a department store a block away, who saw the drones  which he described as little triangles  buzz in and explode.
LONDON  China has recruited as many as 30 retired British military pilots, including some who flew sophisticated fighter jets, to train pilots in the Peoples Liberation Army, according to Britains Defense Ministry. A senior official said the ministry worried that the practice could threaten British national security.

Britain said it was working with allies to try to stop the practice, which the official said dated to before the coronavirus pandemic but had gained momentum in recent months. The recruited British pilots, the senior official said, included former members of the Royal Air Force and other branches of the armed forces.

None of the retired pilots are suspected of violating the Official Secrets Act, the British law that covers espionage, sabotage and other crimes. But the official said that Britain was determined to tighten the controls on retired service members to guard against training activities that could contravene espionage laws.

We are taking decisive steps to stop Chinese recruitment schemes attempting to head hunt serving and former U.K. Armed Forces pilots to train Peoples Liberation Army personnel in the Peoples Republic of China, said a spokesman for the Defense Ministry, who, under department rules, spoke on the condition that he not be named.
PARIS  When the French government returned  and Algeria accepted  the skulls of 24 people taken as trophies during Frances brutal colonial rule, both nations celebrated the powerful gesture as a milestone in their efforts to rebuild ties.

The remains, part of one of Europes biggest skull collections at the Musee de lHomme, or Museum of Mankind, in Paris, were presented by the Algerian government as resistance fighters, national heroes in Algeria for their sacrifice in chasing out French colonizers.

As recently as this month, when Frances prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, arrived in Algiers for a two-day visit, her Algerian counterpart, Aymen Benabderrahmane, expressed his satisfaction with the repatriation, which took place in 2020.

But documents from the museum and the French government, which were recently obtained by The New York Times, show that while six of the skulls returned were clearly identified as those of resistance fighters, the rest were not or were of uncertain origin. And all have remained Frances property even after they were handed over. Neither government has publicly acknowledged those facts as they seek to wring diplomatic benefit from the restitution.
KYIV, Ukraine  At least three people were killed in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, when Russia attacked the city early Monday morning with explosive Iranian-made drones, officials said, as Moscow continued its campaign of strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian targets even as it faces significant setbacks on the battlefield.

Vitaly Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, said that a young couple who were expecting a child were among the dead pulled from the rubble of a residential building on Monday. The woman was six months pregnant. Two more people were trapped and 18 others were wounded in the blasts in central Kyiv, according to Ukraines State Emergency Service.

The attacks came during morning rush hour, one week after Moscow unleashed a missile barrage on Kyiv and other cities across the country that left at least 20 people dead. While Mondays strikes were less deadly  employing Iranian-made drones known as kamikazes that explode on impact and are easier to shoot down  they again struck fear into Ukrainians far from the front lines and signaled Russias aim of crippling power and other key services as winter looms.

Mr. Klitschko said that 28 drones were spotted over the city, with five strikes reported. The targets included the headquarters of Ukraines national energy utility and a municipal heating station.
The Russian missile ripped a gaping hole into a major intersection in central Kyiv. But just a day later, dozens of road workers spread hot asphalt to patch over the spot. At a playground nearby, where a missile had struck a set of swings, children raced each other up and down the steep sides of the blast crater as they played in the sun.

Russian attacks have convulsed Ukraines capital recently, with a series of missile strikes last week, and then drones hitting the city on Monday, killing at least four people.

The renewed strikes have certainly brought fear. But they have also instilled a feeling of resilience and defiance, and a sense that Kyiv must keep moving forward. Indeed, when the air raid sirens finally ceased on Monday morning, many people came out of underground shelters and went to work. The enemy can attack our cities, but it wont be able to break us, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement on Monday.
The embattled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant briefly ran on backup diesel generators again on Monday after a Russian strike hit an electrical substation that supplies power to the facility in southern Ukraine, officials said.

As Russia unleashed another flurry of strikes at Ukraines energy infrastructure, a blast disconnected the nuclear plant from the national grid, the Ukrainian nuclear energy company, Energoatom, said in a statement. The plant, which is occupied by Russian forces but operated by Ukrainian engineers, relies on external power to operate essential safety equipment.

Russian terrorists once again fired at substations of critical infrastructure in the territory controlled by Ukraine, the company wrote in a post on Telegram, the social messaging app.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in a statement that the plants diesel generators had switched back off after about 10 minutes, when a backup connection to a nearby thermal power plant resumed supplying the necessary power.
The latest Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Monday was preceded by a sound that has become increasingly familiar in the war: the buzz of a small engine, like a lawn-mower or moped, that signals the arrival of an exploding Iranian-made drone.

Russias use of the devices, which first appeared in Ukraine about two months ago, is considered to be a sign that it is running low on precision-guided weapons, analysts say. The drones have allowed Russia to strike energy infrastructure and civilian targets, even as it loses ground on the battlefield in the northeast and south of the country.

Heres a look at what we know about the drones:

What is the Shahed-136 drone?

Irans Shahed-136 dives toward its target and explodes on impact. It has a triangular wing, carries a warhead of about 80 pounds and is launched from the back of a truck. The drones have a reported range of up to 1,500 miles, meaning they can be launched far from the front.

But they are also slow-moving, noisy and fly at a low altitude. Britains Ministry of Defense said last week that those characteristics make them easy to target using conventional air defenses.
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STOCKHOLM  Swedens Parliament approved a new right-wing government Monday that includes the Liberal and Christian Democrat parties but no formal role for the anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats, without whom the right-wing bloc would not have achieved its narrow victory last month.

Despite being the largest party in the bloc after capturing a fifth of the national vote on Sept. 11, the Sweden Democrats will have only a supporting role in the new government, which will be led by the incoming prime minister, Ulf Kristersson of the Moderate Party.

Normally, the party with the most votes would be included in the government, but because of ideological differences and the Sweden Democrats neo-Nazi roots and anti-liberal policies, the other parties did not want to give them a formal role in the governing coalition, Jonas Hinnfors, a political scientist at the University of Gothenburg, said.

Its realpolitik, Mr. Hinnfors said.

The Liberal Party conditioned its support for the coalition on excluding the Sweden Democrats from a seat in the government.
KYIV, Ukraine  They are slow flying and relatively easy to shoot down, but exploding drones were launched by Russia in such numbers on Monday that they nevertheless spread fear and death across the Ukrainian capital.

Around 7 a.m. on a crystalline fall day, as residents of Kyiv were preparing for work and children were waking up, the drones could be seen flying low over office buildings and apartment blocks in the center of the city. Some police officers fired at them with their rifles.

Then the explosions began.

By the end of the attack, at least four people in Kyiv had been killed. Among them were a young couple who were pulled from the wreckage of a residential building, according to the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko. The woman was six months pregnant.
The intensity of protests that have swept Iran over the past month, with calls to topple the Islamic Republic, have shaken the state. But in some ways, the countrys authoritarian clerical rulers have been preparing for this moment since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which established a conservative theocracy that has held firm until today.

The revolutions founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, ordered the creation of the Revolutionary Guards force that same year to defend against coups or defections by the regular army.

With hundreds of thousands of members today, the Guards are Irans most powerful military force as well as major players in its economy. Many analysts argue that Iran is no longer a theocracy ruled by Shiite clerics, but a military state ruled by the Guards.

Along with the domestic police forces, a plainclothes militia known as the Basij, a volunteer force under the umbrella of the Revolutionary Guards, has been on the front lines for weeks, using brutal tactics to try to quash the protests, as it has done in past revolts.
4 Takeaways From the Campaign Trail

Lauren Justice, Rebecca Noble and Nicole Craine for The New York Times

With elections less than a month away, our reporters are across the country following candidates. Scandal roiled the Los Angeles City Council, Mitch McConnell affirmed his support for Herschel Walker, and Senate and governor candidates in Nevada sought endorsements.

Heres a look at the week in political news 
What one word comes to mind when you think of the Democratic Party?

What word comes to mind when you think of the Democratic Party? What one word comes to mind when you think of the Democratic Party?

In September, we convened a group of 10 Latino voters from Texas, Florida and Arizona, a collection of Democrats, Republicans and independents who planned to vote or were open to voting for Republican candidates in this years midterm elections.

Is there anything that you think the Republican Party does that is off-putting to Latino voters? our moderator asked. Is there anything about the way Democrats talk to or talk about the Latino community that turns off Latino voters, in your view?

When Trump said Mexicans were rapists  even though he probably didnt mean all of us  it still left a bad taste in my mouth. You know, a lot of people clapped for that. So I was like, OK, thats how it is, one participant said.

When the first lady referred to us as unique as breakfast tacos, that kind of stands out in my mind, another participant said, referring to Jill Bidens remarks this year at a conference for UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights group.

Several of them said neither party really spoke to them in a personal, informed way. Part of the problem is that theres no one way to talk to Latino voters, because  as our participants reminded us  theres no one typical Latino voter. Theres a whole spectrum of Hispanics, one participant said. And maybe the distinction between Latino voters and other voters shouldnt be made at all: We are Americans first, another participant said.

Whats clear is that both parties have an opportunity to connect with voters like the ones we spoke to, both to solidify their support and to clear up misconceptions. Our participants thought Republicans were stronger on a variety of issues, such as crime and safety, guns, national security, immigration and the economy. But on the issue of abortion, most of them favored Democrats. One participant thought that Democrats in general supported defunding the police, and another said of Donald Trumps comments about Mexicans, I feel like he just said what other people were thinking.

Its a cliche at this point to say that Latino voters are politically powerful, that they often hold complicated political positions, that its not a given that theyll vote for Democrats. What comes after these cliches will become clearer only in the coming weeks, months and years, as politicians, news outlets and the country pay more attention to voters like these participants.
A 48-year-old Colombian woman died after allegedly swallowing and choking on her dental prosthesis while sleeping.

Doctors always recommend removing dentures at night, to avoid any kind of accidents, a piece of advice that Maria Farias Guzman, a 48-year-old woman from Colombias Armenia region did not follow. The woman reportedly went to sleep with her dental prosthesis in her mouth, only to accidentally swallow it, and become lodged in her throat somehow. Marias family would later tell investigators that they heard unusual noises coming from the womans room, so they decided to check on her, only to find that she wasnt breathing.

Photo: Diana Polekhina/Unsplash

Maria Farias Guzman was rushed to Hospital del Sur in her home city of Quindio, where doctors attempted to resuscitate the woman and clear her airways. Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful. A respiratory tract obstruction was pronounced as the cause of death.

Her relatives became aware of the situation while she was sleeping, but she arrived at the hospital with no vital signs and staff performed resuscitation maneuvers and procedures to clear her airways, but she did not respond, coronel William Alberto Zubieta Pardo, of the Quindio police department, told journalists.

Chocking on dental prostheses is considered extremely rare, so this case caused a lot of commotion online, with many people asking for more details on how it could have happened. More details are expected as soon as the full forensic report is published, but in the meantime, better put those dentures in a glass of water at night, just to be sure.
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137 Market Street, #16-01, Singapore 048943, Singapore

65-6922-0555; fax: 011-65-6735-3077; [email protected]

JJ Lee, managing director, Southeast Asia

Clients Include:

AccentureAppleAdvanced Technology Research CouncilBayerBlockchain for EuropeCignaDuckDuckGoEducational Testing ServiceEllucianEquinixG42 HealthcareHealthcare Distribution AssociationInternational Copper AssociationIKEALinkedInLumina DxGilead SciencesMicrosoftNorth Carolina Community College SystemPortland Cement AssociationReckit BenckiserRocheTetra PakThe UAE Space AgencyVMWare

APCO Worldwide in the news with O'Dwyer's:

 Corporate Advocacy Reveals Partisan Rift on Business' Role in Social Issues Thu., Nov. 17, 2022 ...social, environmental and political challenges facing the world today. According to a recent report by APCO Worldwide , however, many Americans feel put off when businesses begin preaching politicsand a sharp partisan...

 News of Firms: Argyle Joins Believeco:Partners Fri., Nov. 4, 2022 ...with a focus on tech, media, sports, and entertainment. RXN Group leaders include former APCO Worldwide senior vp Becky Boles, RPG Strategies principal Jon Potter and former Politico vice president...

 PA Pro Copeland Lands at APCO Worldwide Mon., Oct. 31, 2022 ... Ami Copeland Ami Copeland has joined APCO Worldwide as public affairs head in its Washington, DC office. Most recently, Copeland did a nearly...

 News of Firms: Trilligent Virtual Boutique Set to Launch Mon., Oct. 17, 2022 ... Trilligent, a virtual boutique agency that is a sister company of APCO Worldwide , is launching via an invitation-only virtual event on Oct. 20. Later this fall, the...

 Events: Museum of PR Spotlights Native Americans, Indigenous People Fri., Oct. 7, 2022 ...who address ESG matters. The State of ESG + Communications will be led by APCO Worldwide senior director and global lead, climate and sustainability Heather McGeory, who has more than...

 On the Move: Dow Jones Hires Citi's Sherry Weiss as CMO Mon., Oct. 3, 2022 ...managing director in FTI Consultings crisis communications and issues management practice and headed up APCO Worldwide s Chicago office. Most recently, he was vp, strategic communications & crisis communications at SmithBuckin....

 APCO Reps Leader of Democratic Opposition in Belarus Wed., Sep. 28, 2022 ... Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya APCO Worldwide is providing strategic communications and media relations in the US for Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the...

 APCO Gauges Perception of Cote dIvoire Tue., Aug. 30, 2022 ... APCO Worldwide has signed on to provide strategic communications services and opinion research for Africas Cote...

 On the Move: State Street Corp. Taps Tsai for CMO Post Fri., Jul. 22, 2022 ...said State Street executive vice president and global head of client experience Julia McCarthy. Tom Harper APCO Worldwide brings on Tom Harper as a director in its London office. Prior to joining...

 News of Firms: Allison+Partners Teams with Special Olympics Wed., Jul. 13, 2022 ...Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations will present its Betsy Plank Award to APCO Worldwide senior advisor Charlene Wheeless at the centers 12th annual Milestones in Mentoring Gala on...

 On the Move: APCO Worldwide Hires Transportation Dept. Vet Thu., Jun. 30, 2022 ... J. Todd Inman APCO Worldwide hires J. Todd Inman, former chief of staff to the U.S. Department of Transportation,...

 Grassroots Vet Verghese Joins APCO Worldwide Wed., Apr. 20, 2022 ...more than ten years of experience running grassroots and grasstops communications campaigns, has joined APCO Worldwide as senior director and head of its campaigns and advocacy practice. She takes over for...

 Technology PR Firms Registered 'Hyper-Growth' in '21 Thu., Mar. 31, 2022 ...break out its tech numbers last year, came in #8 with $21.3 million, and APCO Worldwide , which also didnt list in the tech section in 2021, was #11 with $16.1...

 Healthcare PR Firms Enjoy 47% Growth in '21 Tue., Mar. 29, 2022 ...shared purpose: to help clients act boldly to earn and keep trust. APCO Empowers Clients Evan Kraus APCO Worldwide , which showed a 12.4 percent revenue increase to $36.7M, helped clients deal with complex...

 Events: Dilenschneider Group to Explore Challenges Faced by Boards of Directors Fri., Feb. 18, 2022 ...be Caryn Medved, professor, corporate communication and MA program director at CUNYs Baruch College. APCO Worldwide founder and executive chairman Margery Kraus will lead a fireside chat, and the events...

 APCO Worldwide Hires Shearman as NA Health Chief Fri., Feb. 11, 2022 ... Mathew Shearman APCO Worldwide has named Mathew Shearman North America healthcare practice lead. Most recently, he was senior VP...
Julia Louise Krahe

The use of inclusive language to communicate with and about people from diverse backgrounds and identities has never been more important. Thanks, in large part, to recent social justice movements, healthcare organizations are increasingly attuned to the effects of discrimination and systemic racism, and widespread efforts are being made to ensure people of all genders hear themselves reflected in health-related messages and materials. Whats more, these considerations extend to a variety of subjects like sexual orientation, religion, ability level, age, and more. As a result, nearly everyonefrom specialty care societies to healthcare journalistsis thinking about how to communicate inclusively.

This isnt only the right thing to do, it can also make a real difference in peoples health. As the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says, valuing, respecting, and affirming an individuals identity contribute[s] to improved health outcomes. Experts further affirm the heightened importance of culturally competent careincluding the use of inclusive languagein reducing health disparities.

While valuing inclusive communication is an important step, its clear from Crosbys current work with payors, health systems, and federal agencies that implementation is often very complicated. While numerous inclusive language guides for health communication practitioners exist and generally rely on similar principles, a close review reveals that they often provide differing and sometimes conflicting guidance. For example, the Associated Press does not recommend capitalizing white, but the CDC does. Anyone using the Census as a guide might restrict conversations around gender to male, female, transgender or none of these, whereas the guide produced by the American Medical Association names at least a dozen different gender identities.

This article is featured in O'Dwyer's Oct. '22 Healthcare & Medical PR Magazine

(view PDF version)

As terminology evolves, its not always easy to know the right thing to say. We see this with the word Latinx, which was added to the dictionary in 2018 as a gender-neutral term for people who are of Latin American descent and would otherwise be described with the gendered Latino or Latina. The term caught on in academic and social media circles, as well as with healthcare leaders like Dr. Anthony Fauci. Yet a 2020 poll by the Pew Research Center found that just three percent of U.S. Hispanics use the term, underscoring questions about whether it resonates with the intended audience. In addition, the available guides dont generally offer suggestions for how to address historical texts, like research studies that report data based on outdated racial descriptors such as Caucasian and Colored.

As a result, each organization is left to choose for itself what inclusive language standards it will use to meet its specific needs. Any group that does not have clear, comprehensive guidelines risksat besthaving well-intentioned communicators making disparate choices that undermine brand consistency. At worst, you could quickly find yourself in the middle of a high-profile controversy around your organizations values and practices.

The following tips can help any organization that is committed to using inclusive language move from intention to action, making smart choices along the way.

Choose your guide wisely

You cant expect consistent, inclusive communication if you dont offer clear guidance for people to follow. When considering how to provide that guidance, if you can use another organizations existing inclusive language resource, do it. Though these documents are generally built around similar principles, its important to be attuned to variations in the specific guidance provided. When assessing each guide, first consider the source and how closely it aligns with your organizations mission and values. If youre primarily writing for the media, you might find that the Associated Press guidelines fit your needs. Healthcare organizations may choose to examine the American Medical Associations guide first.

But dont stop there. You need to assess each guide based on your own organizational needs and values. Read the guidelines youre considering carefully and think about whether they address all of the circumstances that your colleagues and constituents commonly face. Put a critical eye on whether you have a nuanced reason to disagree with any specific elements. If everything lines up, use the ready-made resource and focus your attention on ensuring its understood and implemented across your organization. But if there is no single guide that meets all of your organizations needs, its worth the time to build off of an existing guide or create your own.

Build your own resource

To successfully develop an inclusive language guide that works for your organization, think process before content. Start by orchestrating an approach that will not only help you effectively examine the relevant issues but also establish the buy-in necessary to see the resulting guidance widely adopted.

The first step is asking, Who should be in the room? Think about bringing together diverse voices that offer different lived experiences and represent various internal and external stakeholders. If you dont already have it, cultivate buy-in from senior-level champions. If those contributing to the process are genuinely excited to engage deeply in these complicated questions, you will be in the best position to create something of lasting value.

Once you know who your contributors are, think about how decisions will be made. Consider your organizations role, goals, values, and audiences to help guide your approach. Whenever possible, do the research necessary to understand how each of your specific audiences wants to be addressed.

Next, you need to create a process for examining discrete issues and making decisions. With so much potential inclusive language content to be covered, a clear process will help prevent you from having meandering conversations that dont result in real decisions. Its also important to ensure that you create the space to dive deep into issues that are relevant to your organization while setting aside any that might be less so. Be sure that youre considering inclusion holistically, thinking about all of the aspects of identity that your organization regularly addresses in its communications.

As you work, recognize that in many cases there is no perfect option. While some decisions likely seem more clear-cut than others, there are instances where there are good arguments on both sides of an issue. Also, build in an understanding that things will change and you will need to revisit your guidance over time. Create a plan up-front to regularly review your organizations guide to ensure that it comports with the latest thinking and continues to offer the support your organization needs to live its values.

Throughout this effort, keep in mind that many of these issues are deeply emotional. Its important to establish a culture that encourages deep and open discussion, allows people to make and repair mistakes, and meets everyone where they are so that you can move forward together. With a clear process and set of expectations in place, you will be well down the path toward establishing the shared inclusive language that best connects with your audience and communicates your organizations values.

***

Julia Louise Krahe is a lead strategist and Senior Vice President at Crosby Marketing Communications.
The city of Phoenix is looking for a marketing firm that can provide employment marketing services in an effort to attract potential applicants to join the citys police department.
The Pollack Group is retained by Linqto, a global private markets investment platform, to increase Linqtos brand awareness in the fintech and investment sectors. The agency will focus on earned media relations and thought leadership authorship, as well as content creation through the agencys video and digital services. Launched in 2020, the company says it empowers individual and institutional accredited investors to make liquid investments in innovative private companies. They understand how to raise the awareness of our platform in the ever-evolving fintech and investment space because they have the experience to help us develop an engaging strategy, said Linqto chief revenue officer Leo LaForce.

Colangelo & Partners lands New Frontier Wine Co. The agency will develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy targeted to key media, trade and consumer stakeholders, focusing on engaging new and current consumers through strategic media relations, social media, events and partnerships. Colangelo & Partners will work on a range of traditional and new media activities across New Frontier Wine Co.s 44 global brands. We are excited to partner with Colangelo & Partners and reintroduce New Frontier Wine Co.s collection of brands from some of the best vineyards and winemakers in the world to consumers across the country, said New Frontier Wine Co. managing director Jim Silver.

Adam Ritchie Brand Direction is working as PR agency for the inaugural Masters of Scale Summit, which is taking place Oct. 18-20 at the Presidio Theatre and surrounding campus in San Francisco. The Summit brings together forward-thinking, fast-scaling business leaders in an environment designed to cultivate innovation, acceleration and co-elevation. Speakers include Bill Gates, Tyra Banks, Tyler Perry, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.
Tullamore based Dotser was shortlisted for the High Potential Exporter of the Year Award at the Export Industry Awards 2022.

The company was commended at the exclusive Export Industry Awards Ceremony which took place recently last in the Mansion House, Dublin.

The Export Industry Awards recognise the tremendous achievements of companies working in international trade in Ireland.

Ecommerce, software development and integration company, Dotser; was shortlisted for the category of High Potential Exporter Award; a category which identifies an early stage exporting company which has surpassed its potential and is demonstrating success and commitment in one or more markets.

Home to Dotser Commerce, Dotser Agri, Dotser Tools and SuperShow - Event Management System; Dotser has achieved significant international growth in the past two years and is today supported by Enterprise Ireland by way of an effective sustainable strategy to achieve significant sales growth.

Commenting on the awards, founder and CEO of Dotser Loughnan Hooper said, Dotser are delighted and honoured to have been shortlisted for the award of High Potential Exporter of the Year 2022. The nomination is testament to our focus and drive and will play a vital role in solidifying trust in our company in international markets. With this nomination we look forward to our next phase, with great confidence.

Learn more about Dotsers plans and company updates at www.dotser.ie/news

The Export Industry Awards is organised by the Irish Exporters Association (IEA), the voice of the Export Industry in Ireland. The Export Industry Awards are held to recognise the achievements and milestones of companies working in the export industry. The awards celebrate companies who have excelled in their sector despite some difficult trading conditions and highlights exporters who have been fundamental to Irelands success internationally.

This year saw 10 high-profile companies winning awards across 10 categories in one of the most competitive processes in the coveted Awards history. The IEAs annual flagship event, a black-tie Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner had 460 export industry professionals, local and international dignitaries in attendance, and was moderated by comedian Oliver Callan.

The High Potential Exporter of the Year was sponsored by Enterprise Ireland. Two other companies were nominated for the award  Olas Staffing Software and Abbeylands Furniture T/A Scatterbox with the latter awarded the prestigious title.

Visit www.irishexporters.ie for more information.
TULLAMORE and the surrounding area is often left with no ambulance cover as local ambulances answer emergency calls as far away as Galway.

A disturbing letter regarding the unsafe and often dangerous conditions local ambulance paramedics are working under, was read at last Thursday's monthly meeting of Tullamore Municipal District.

Councillor Tony McCormack outlined the serious concerns of one paramedic who had written to all of the councillors, outlining his fears.

''Unfortunately we are having to cover unreasonable distances in response to emergency calls which can be two or three counties away. Therefore there may be no ambulance cover for the area we are supposed to cover.'' the letter stated.

The paramedic explained that all too often, local ambulances have to respond to calls not just in the neighbouring counties of Laois, Westmeath and Longford, but also Kildare, Carlow, Kilkenny, Roscommon and Galway.

''This is of great concern, because there may be only one working ambulance in Tullamore and it is responding to calls in different regions of the country.''

The paramedic added that it is a nationwide issue which has been allowed to develop. ''Now anyone who requires immediate emergency care is having to wait far too long for an emergency ambulance,'' the letter stated.

The paramedic spoke of the stress involved in the job when dealing with life and death challenges.

''However the working conditions have deteriorated to such an extent that too many staff have had to leave the job. In turn this exacerbates the issue. The long distances travelling, and the lack of ambulances working, means that we get no breaks between emergency calls.''

Paramedics working 12 hour shifts consistently work 5 hours over time and this is putting everyone under stress and giving them no time to recover between emergency calls.

''As was evident when an ambulance from Portlaoise crashed on the way to another call last week. Thankfully there were no serious injuries but this should be a wake up call to making the changes necessary. Nobody should have to die for the changes to be made,'' the letter outlined.

The paramedic said people are not willing to join the service where they are putting their own lives at risk not to mention there are jobs with better pay and benefits.

Councillor Tony McCormack said it was ''very alarming but I heard it before, it's shocking.

I think we need to get someone from the HSE to address it. It's dangerous, we don't' want someone to die,'' he said.

Councillor Ken Smollen said he had been contacted by an Emergency Medical Technician and he spoke about ambulances coming to the midlands not only form Athlone and Longford but from Wexford and Waterford. ''Once they go down to those places they could be tied up in Wicklow dealing with things and that leaves no ambulance in this area,'' he said.

Cllr Smollen said his own father fell recently and it took an ambulance an hour and a half to get there and it had come from Athlone.

''These people do a fantastic job and you can see they are depressed about the whole situation. They are leaving the service in droves. They can't take the stress any more. Something has to be done,'' he added.

Councillor Sean O'Brien said, it is a system that is not working.

''In the last two months an ambulance had to go to Dublin, while in Dublin they were contacted to go to Wicklow, while they were dealing with a person in Wicklow an ambulance had to come from Galway to deal with a person in Tullamore. It simply doesn't add up, it's a joke really. It's terrible to see the pressure they are under,'' he said

Leas Cathaoirleach Declan Harvey who was standing in for the Cathaoirleach Councillor Neil Feighery said ''the biggest concern is that they are absolutely wrecked. You are meant to sleep after a certain number of hours but they can't do that. I would like it if the Cathaoirleach could invite the HSE to a meeting,'' he said.
In the latest development in a series of reported war crimes committed by Russian forces in their war with Ukraine, children are reportedly being abducted in plain sight and being displaced in Russia
Nearly half (49%) of people say they have not switched their savings account in the past five years, a survey has found.
The King has held an audience with the President of Gabon at Buckingham Palace, after the formal celebrations of the countrys entry into the Commonwealth.
SALISBURY, N.C. (AP)  Two people were shot and others were injured as they fled gunfire that broke out at a North Carolina college homecoming concert featuring rapper Asian Doll on Saturday night, officials said. Officers called to the campus of Livingstone College in Salisbury around 11 p.m. found two people shot and others who [...]
Two years ago, candidate Joe Biden loudly denounced President Donald Trump for immigration policies that inflicted cruelty and exclusion at every turn, including toward those fleeing the "brutal"
The Business Council of Canada says it is concerned over the continued closure of the Nexus trusted-traveller program.
Upworthy 16 Oct 2022

Join DailyMail.com's live blog to follow all the action from Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' trip to face the Pittsburgh..
Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia:

Investor allocations to impact investing, which targets specific environmental, social, or governance outcomes instead of just screening for ESG risks, now stands at $1.164 trillion, said a study.

According to Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), more than 3,349 organizations currently manage the industry's $1.164 trillion in impact investing assets worldwide.

Average impact assets under management, per organization, is $485 million, based on a sample of 1,289 organizations, the study said.

Median impact assets under management, per organization, is $62.5 million, based on a sample of 1,289 organizations.

Fund managers account for 63% of organizations in the GIIN's sample, and 61% of directly invested impact assets under management, based on a subsample of 896 organizations.

The report, which was produced with the financial support of Nuveen, also spotlights two major areas of development relevant to impact investing: green bonds and corporate impact investing practices.

GIIN Co-Founder and CEO Amit Bouri described the new market size estimate as a sign of the impact investing industry's "undeniable momentum," when revealing the number during his keynote speech at the forum.

The comprehensive estimate of market size is a foundational data point for the still-growing industry - allowing industry players to compare impact investing to related sustainability-focused investment approaches, track the volume of capital flows......................

To view our full article Click here
" " At the heart of the University of Coimbra, in Portugal, lies a famed baroque library, the Biblioteca Joanina. Its lavish interior is shown here. Planet One Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Visiting a library for fun might not seem like a good idea, if the only libraries you've ever seen are the very plain ones in your neighborhood or college, but the ones we're featuring offer plenty of interest. From stunning architecture to innovative art, these libraries are testaments to human ingenuity and, in some cases, divine inspiration. At least two were originally part of monasteries.

Although there are dozens of beautiful libraries around the globe we could have spotlighted, these seven might just top the list.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Najla Al-Mangouch reviewed the efforts of the current national unity government to hold presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible, stressing the rejection of foreign interference in Libya's internal affairs
Photo: (Photo : Pexel/Lina Kivaka)

Majority of kids enjoy being read to, but only for 20 minutes or less. If reading becomes longer than 20 minutes , kids would most likely lose interest or get bored, according to a new survey.

Reading to children is very much important. It is said that parents and caregivers must read books to the young ones, even and including during infancy, and continue until the kids reach the Kindergarten stage as reading opens up integral developmental benefits aside from kids learning how to read. Reading teaches children to speak, to imagine and to create.

Yet, as important reading is, choosing the best duration of reading is as crucial in order to get the maximum benefit for the children. Read to kids too little and they wouldn't experience as much learning. Read to them too much, on the other hand, and they get bored and would not want to engage.

How long should you read to your child?

Premium Joy recently conducted a survey to over 800 parents in the US with kids aged 1 to 6 years old asking how many minutes they can read to their children each time before they get bored.

The survey revealed that almost 65 percent of the kids were fine with up to 5 to 20 minutes reading. In this duration, parents observed that the kids are in attention, enjoying, and listening. However, read longer than 20 minutes and the kids lose interest and get bored.

The study further showed that about 2 out of 10 children or 21 percent have a much lower tolerance to being read to. They are only able to withstand their parent's reading for only a maximum of 4 minutes. Moreover, only 14 percent of the kids do not lose interest when read to for more than 20 minutes.

Hassan Alnassir, founder and owner of Premium Joy, expressed, "You generally want to maximize the amount of books you read to your child in order to amplify the benefit, but there is a limit. Our survey findings indicate that parents should try to cap the duration of reading to their kids to about 20 minutes at most to avoid boring them."

Read Also: Top 5 Tips For Parents to Make Reading a Cool Thing for Kids

How often should you read to your child?

Furthermore, the survey also showed other relevant findings about American parent and child reading frequency and habits.

Vast majority of US parents or about 77 percent read books to their kid every single day, while 50 percent of the parents read to their kid once a day. Thirteen percent read to their kid every other day, and 10 percent once a week or less.

Sixty-seven percent of parents in the US read 1 to 2 books to their kid every day. About 16 percent read 3 books to their kids daily, and 16 percent take the time and effort to read 4 or more books to their kid every day.

When asked if they read the same book, most parents or about 55 percent of them said that they read the same book to their kid 2 to 3 times a week. Two out of 10 or 19 percent read the same book only once weekly, while there are 9 percent or parents that read the same book to their child 7 times or more every week.

The survey also found that half of the US kids ages 1 to 6 years old cannot read yet, while 40 percent are already able to read simple sight words like "from" and "the." One out of 10 or 10 percent of the kids can already read complex words.

Lastly, parents were asked if they feel they need to read more to their children, and 61 percent expressed that the amount of time they spend reading to their kids is just about right, while 32 percent of US parents feel like they are not giving enough reading time for their kid. Seven percent, on the other hand, expressed that they are reading too much to their kid.

Related Article: Easy Ways to Get Your Kids to Read More Books
On Friday, during the MicroLED Display Workshop industry event in Seoul, Samsung Display group leader Kim Min-woo said that MicroLED/OLEDoS displays would likely be used over straight OLED display panels in augmented reality (AR) devices because high luminance is needed to realize AR. This will require the development of new light-emitting diodes and wont be possible with OLED alone.

Kim further noted during his keynote that AR, AR and Mixed Reality all had different specific needs. For instance, AR needed more brightness than VR as it interacted with the real world. This also means that the display panel needs to be lighter and smaller comparatively. Samsung's long-term aim is to develop an LEDoS with 6600pixels per inch resolution.

Conventionally, OLED has lower luminance levels when compared to LED. LED also uses inorganic material and doesnt need encapsulations.

The Elec further noted that Kim said that an AR display will at minimum require 5000ppi and the pixel pitch, or the distance between the pixels, must be 5 micrometers or below and the red, green and blue subpixels must be 3 micrometers or smaller.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has asked students set to write their 2022 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) not to indulge in examination malpractices.



In a press statement, GNAT indicated that this will save students from unforeseen embarrassment, trauma and anxiety.



We are hopeful you will justify the investment and the trust reposed in you at this moment to make your nation, teachers, parents, yourself and all stakeholders proud.



We encourage you all not to indulge in examination malpractice to save yourself from unforeseen embarrassments, trauma and anxiety.



GNAT also urged all the invigilators to be vigilant during this period.



We are also hopeful that the invigilators would not condone exam malpractices and also make the exams hitch-free.









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.

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The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has announced its decision to veer into preventive healthcare with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).



The Authority has taken a stance to invest in the prevention of illnesses as against the focus on the payment of healthcare costs which have been the convention of Ghanas National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) since its inception almost 20 years ago.



The MoU details that a total number of 3,000 communities in the Asante Akyem Agogo district will benefit from free health screening to be undertaken by medical students, Health Care Professionals and the Academia from KNUST.



The exercise is aimed at generating empirical findings on diabetes and hypertension cases in the catchment area. This data will then form the basis for the NHIS resolve to veer into preventive healthcare.



Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony at the NHIA head office in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Okoe Boye indicated that Preventive healthcare is a cost-effective means of warding off illnesses and averting future complications that may arise.



Reacting to the reason behind the focus on diabetes and hypertension cases, Dr Okoe Boye stated that over 60% of adult deaths are related to these two ailments thus, investing in them will not only be beneficial to the Authority but also increase the longevity of adult life in the country.



He further indicated that to improve the health-seeking behaviour of persons living in rural areas and to provide full insurance cover for every Ghanaian, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will go a step further to register persons in the earmarked communities unto the Scheme.



Pro-Vice-Chancellor of KNUST and leader of the delegation, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo stipulated that the selection of the Asante Akyem Agogo district was a result of the recording of high cases of non-communicable diseases during preliminary health screening and research within the district.



He added that this partnership which will be extended nationwide has come in time to safeguard the healthcare needs of these indigenes, connect them to qualified medical practitioners and also provide them with Health Insurance coverage from the NHIS.



He reiterated that the partnership with the NHIS forms an integral part of the Universitys objective to bridge the gap between Services, Research, and Academia.



He pledged KNUSTs readiness to provide the Authority with evidence-based data that will inform the NHIAs roadmap towards full absorption of preventive healthcare on the Scheme.



Present at the signing of the MoU from the NHIA was the Director of Research, Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation (RPME) Dr Francis Asenso Boadi, Acting Director of Administration Mr Raymond Avinu, Acting Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs Vida Adutwumwaa Boateng and a team from the Corporate Affairs Directorate.



Witnessing the signing of the document from the KNUST was Professor Daniel Ansong, Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry and Professor Christian Agyare, Provost College of Health Sciences and a Board Member of the NHIA.

Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Christian Council of Ghana has said the leadership of the Christian Ecumenical Bodies in Ghana will on Monday present a petition to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over the menace of illegal mining and its devastating effects on the environment.



The petition is to compel the government to swiftly intervene to end the destruction of Ghanas forest reserves and water bodies through the activities of illegal miners.



The Christian body has said it is deeply concerned about the devastation that illegal mining (galamsey) has caused the country, and the negative health and economic effect it will have on the country's future.



Already, on Friday, they paid a working visit to some galamsey sites in the Eastern Region to see at first hand how the menace was affecting the environment.



Ahead of the presentation of the petition on Monday, October 17, 2022, the Christian leaders would address a press conference at the Assemblies of God Church Head Office at Osu in Accra, to remind Ghanaians of their mandate to keep the environment and be responsible stewards.



We wish to remind Ghanaians of our mandate to keep the environment and be responsible stewards of same, the General Secretary of the Christian Council, Rev Dr Cyril Fayose has indicated.



They have therefore called on natural resources, civil society, political parties, security agencies, and traditional leaders to be part of the programme



It is our hope and prayer that Ghanaians will stand up against galamsey and preserve our environment from further destruction, they added.

Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Boys Brigade Ghana has conferred an honorary award on the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for his service in leadership.



At its 70th Anniversary celebration in Accra on Saturday October 15, 2022 the Boys Brigade lauded Dr. Bawumia for his "leadership, commitment and dedicated service, which has earned you this most esteemed office in Ghana."



The Vice President was a member of the Boys Brigade during his formative years at Sakasaka Primary School, Tamale, and the Brigade, which is a platform for grooming boys to uphold good behaviour, expressed pride in the Vice President for reflecting their credo all of these years.



Delivering his keynote address, Dr. Bawumia, who expressed gratitude for the honour, recalled with fondness, his membership of the Boys Brigade in primary school.



He commended the Boys Brigade Ghana, especially its founders, for the positive impact the group continues to make.



"I have been informed that, currently, the Boys Brigade has over 700 Companies and over 38,000 Boys. Together with the Girls Brigade, you are over 100,000 in seven Christian denominations of the Country, namely: the Methodist Church, Ghana, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, the Anglican Church of Ghana, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Ghana, Evangelical Presby Church, Jesus Generation Ministries and the Perez International Church with plans of getting to the other Christian groups and schools," Dr. Bawumia noted.



"At this point I will like to pay glowing tribute to the officers and boys of the 1st Accra Company for their efforts at grooming boys to become Christian men for Church and Society. I am reliably informed that, a number of persons have passed through the Company to be notable men of church and Society."



The Vice President also urged the Boys Brigade to continue to uphold its principles in order to continue the nurturing of many future leaders.



"The principle of nurturing and equipping are very fundamental to the survival of every household, group, organisation and nation at large," Dr. Bawumia said.



"It is our collective responsibility to nurture and train the next generation to be in a position to inherit the things we will leave behind since they are heirs to these things."



The first Company of the Boys Brigade Ghana was formed 70 years ago in August 1952.

Source: presidency.gov.gh









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Persons who have linked their Ghana Cards to their SIM Cards but have not proceeded to fully reregister their SIM will lose data and voice services at the end of this month if they fail to complete the process.



Those who have not begun the process at all will have their unregistered SIM cards progressively blocked as well.



This is according to the Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.



In a statement sighted by GhanaWeb, the sector minister clarified that the grace period granted to persons who have linked their Ghana Card to their SIM in the reregistration process was not an extension of the September 30 deadline but a moratorium to serve as encouragement for them to with the registration.



All SIM Cards that have been linked to Ghana Cards (i.e. completed Stage 1 registration), but have not completed their Stage 2 registration will be blocked from the end of October.



This is not an extension of the deadline but a temporary moratorium to encourage these individuals to complete the process. If they have any peculiar challenges, they should contact the NCA.



These good people have the Ghana card, have started the process and will be encouraged to complete it with this gentle reminder. All other unregistered SIMs will also be blocked progressively, part of the statement read.



Ursula Owusu-Ekuful further cautioned persons who have used their Ghana Card to register more than the 10 SIMs allowed threshold.



She advised that such persons who have exceeded the threshold delink the excess numbers warning that the system will identify and block it if they do not do so.



She also admonished SIM card vendors against selling pre-registered SIMs stating they could spend 5 years in prison if found guilty of the act.



On data-only SIMs, the minister added that they have till the end of November 30 to complete the reregistration exercise.



All data-only SIMs including those issued by Surfline, Busy Internet, Telesol, and any institution such as ECG, have up to the end of November to complete registration.



Some people have registered more than ten (10) SIM Cards for personal use and the database has identified it and will clean it up. They should, as a matter of urgency, delink the unwanted SIM Cards immediately because any excess SIM Cards over the individual limit of 10 SIMs per person will be removed from the database and blocked.



This will also address issues of pre-registered SIMS. Let me remind all SIM card vendors that it is an offence to pre-register and sell SIM cards. The NCA has been directed to conduct mystery shopping and enforce the law against those miscreants. If found guilty, they could be imprisoned for up to 5 years, the statement continued.



According to data put out by the minister, a total of 18,930,664 SIM Cards have been fully registered while 28,959,006 SIM Cards have been linked to Ghana Cards - representing 67.28% of the 42,749,662 total SIM cards issued nationally.



This is between 1st October 2021 and 4th October 2022.









Source: ghanaweb.com









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Former President John Dramani Mahama says Africa must look beyond the deployment of troops in addressing the challenges to peace and security on the continent.



According to him, it is necessary for Africa and its institutions to rather find the source of the regional insecurity fire and extinguish the flames before they engulf the continent.



Presenting the State of Peace and Security in Africa 2021 report at the 10th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, Mr. Mahama said Africa must consider the time-tested spirit of entrepreneurship so that we can fight the trade war rather than simply expend our energies trying to put out the extremist fires  and behaving like a fire brigade, only reacting when is too late.



The former president who is the Chairperson of the Tana Forum Board noted that Africa seems unable to proactively prevent crises despite the availability of key institutions and mechanisms to pre-empt and resolve conflict.



He also argued that the degree of cross-border interaction and exchange, and the deepening reach of globalization, means we now need to frame Africas conflict situations as regional crises with national dimensions.



According to the report, Africa in 2021 witnessed a reversal of some of the democratic gains that were achieved in the 1990s and 2000, with the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government, contestation for state power, the regionalisation of violent conflict and return to authoritarian rule and the undermining of the rule of law, both of which are drivers of violent conflict.



Moreover, in 2021, limited economic growth, an immense youth bulge, and high levels of rural-urban conflict and forced migration have created conditions for extremism to spread into vulnerable countries, the report further noted.



Outlining some of the recommendations of the 2021 State of Peace and Security Report, President Mahama said Africa Union member states need to prevent the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government by reacting much more swiftly to ensuing crisis and develop continental-based pharmaceutical industries to manufacture and distribute their own COVID-19 vaccines to African citizens.



The report also recommends that the AUs Commission for Political Affairs, Peace and Security develop dedicated programmes of work with the AU Special Envoy for Youth and the African Youth Ambassadors to mobilize the continents youth to proactively work to prevent and resolve conflict as well as promote post-conflict reconstruction, peacebuilding and transitional justice.





Source: starrfm









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The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has threatened a 30 percent to 40 percent increase in transport fares.



The Unions decision follows the recent rise in prices of petroleum products.



According to the Union, it will put forward these demands during negotiations for the upward adjustment with the Transport Ministry on Tuesday [October 18].



The General Secretary of GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire, in an interview with Citi FM said they will ensure their demands are met.



By Tuesday, we are going to begin our negotiations. We are going to begin our negotiations with the forecast or reports that we have gotten and from there, we will know by what margin [we will increase transport fares].



But if you look at it fairly, the fares should not be increased by less than 30 percent to 40 percent. Anything less than that will have a serious effect on the transport sector, Mr. Abulbire said.



Already, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have begun increasing the prices of petroleum products at the pumps.



Checks by Joy Business indicate that some OMCs are selling a price of petrol per liter for 13.10, from the previous price of 11.10, about 16% increase.



On the other hand, the price of diesel per liter has shot up to about 15.99, from the previous price of 13.90. This is about a 12% surge.



Similarly, the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is expected to go up by about 10%, beginning tomorrow October 17, 2022..



However, the variance in prices of the petroleum products at the pumps will vary among the OMCs.

Source: myjoyonline









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Senior Psychologist at the University of Ghana, Professor Joseph Osafo, has called for a collective effort from all Ghanaians to end the galamsey menace in the country.



Professor Joseph Osafo advised the nation to unite in the fight against this illicit mining while commenting on the recent tour by some Clergy members to galamsey communities to assess the impact of the illegal activities.



The Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye and a host of Christian leaders visited galamsey sites in the Eastern Region.



They appealed to the nation's leaders to nip the menace in the bud and also offered prayers for Ghana and her population.



Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" Monday morning, Prof. Osafo noted that "no angel will build this nation" and reiterated that "nation building is not accidental; it is intentional".



To him, there is the need for all hands to be on deck to resolve the illegal mining situation.



He cautioned that if the menace is not stopped, posterity will judge the nation.



"When values are in crisis, our destination is also in crisis and our destiny is in a mess," he stated.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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In June 1989, the government of Ghana, under the Provisional National Defence Council administration of late former president Jerry John Rawlings, banned the activities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Jehovah Witnesses.



The two groups and their missionaries were subsequently given one-week ultimatum to leave the country after they were accused of disturbing public order and threatening Ghana's sovereignty.



The PNDC government under Rawlings in a radio broadcast said, "despite repeated warnings, the two sects have continued to conduct themselves in a manner which not only undermines the sovereignty of Ghana but is also not conducive to public order."



Although the radio broadcast at the time did not provide further details on the directive, a report by desertnews.com said the Rawlings administration, as part of its resolve, also cancelled the residence permits for foreign missionaries and other workers in addition to closure of the churches.



Years on, the ban was lifted, following numerous intervention and engagements with the Ghanaian authorities.



Meanwhile, the presence of Latter Day Saints in Ghana has rapidly grown over the years with huge membership numbering over 100,000 across the country.



The Jehovah Witnesses have also gradually made their presence felt in a country that is now inclined to being religiously tolerant.





































Source: ghanaweb.com









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A policeman has been arrested for the murder of two women, aged 18 and 24, in Durban, South Africa.



The incident took place in Mandela Park, KwaNyuswa, west of Durban, in the early hours of Friday morning, October 14, 2022.



The 18-year-old victim, identified as Njabulo Enhle Majozi, is said to be the suspect's girlfriend.



It is alleged that the cop shot the other woman first and Enhle tried to run away. He allegedly shot her outside then dragged her back into the house to create a fake crime scene.



The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson, Lizzy Suping, who confirmed the incident said a preliminary investigation is under way and the cop was arrested.



She said more details would be shared once all the facts were established.



Shawn Herbst from Netcare 91 said paramedics responded to reports of a shooting incident in the Mandela Park area just after 1am.



"Reports indicated that two people had been shot. When medics arrived on scene they were taken to a house where they found two adult females that had both been shot in the head. Sadly, none of them showed any signs of life and both were declared dead on scene by paramedics, he said.



Provincial police spokesperson, Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said a case of murder was reported at Hillcrest SAPS.



"The suspect was detained by IPID, she said.



The suspect will appear at Pinetown Magistrates court on 17th October, 2022, for bail hearing.



It was furthered gathered that the police officer was in a relationship with both women.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The current economic crisis continues to impact the lives and livelihoods of Ghanaians, especially the less fortunate in society.



Many have to readjust their lives by cutting down costs in order to be able to survive.



The situation becomes worse when a family can bearly feed themselves with three square meals a day.



That is the situation of a 28-year-old single mother of three, Salamatu Ahmed.



Salamutu Ahmed hawks sachet water, popularly called "pure water in traffic and makes as low as GHC9 profit a day. It is with this profit she feeds her family. An amount that barely allows an individual to have a sumptuous meal.



Her baby daddy abandoned her and the three children, therefore, she had to become the breadwinner of the family.



In a video report by The Independent Ghana, Salamatu Ahmed said after her baby daddy left 2 years ago, she had to take up the challenge and find a way for her kids to survive by selling pure water.



She said a typical day starts for her as early as 5.00 am, where she has to prepare her children for school so she can adequately prepare herself to hawk around the on the Achimota, ABC stretch.



Salamatu and her three kids, 8-year-old Majid, 4-year-old Samira and 2-years-old Lad, reside in a kiosk at Alogboshie.



The father of my children left us when my last born was just a month old. I then moved with my children from where we were staying to this kiosk, where I was introduced to a woman who helped me start the pure water business, she explained in the report sighted by GhanaWeb.



Unable to afford a deep freezer, Salamatu Ahmed has to opt for a more affordable way of getting her water and drinks chilled, thus, by walking several kilometres to buy ice blocks, then she heads to her suppliers house to cool her water.



Selling in traffic is risky, there are times I have witnessed a car hit some of the hawkers and it is scary, but you have no option but to move on.



On countless occasions, motorists knock down some of the sellers and in extreme cases, some of them die, Ms Ahmed narrated.



She noted that she is able to make GHC9.00 a day by selling pure water but when she is able to add carbonated drinks to the water, she is able to make GHC100.00 on a good day.



At first, I could sell 5 bags of water in a day but now due to the weather, I can only sell 1 or 2 bags. On a day when I include drinks to the water, I can make GHC100 but without the drinks, I make as low as GHC9.00," Salamatu Ahmed explained.



She indicated that she spends on average GHC30.00 on her kids daily. That is GHC18.00 for their feeding in school, thus, GHC6.00 per child. And the remaining GHC12.00 takes care of their breakfast and supper because she usually gets home late.



"Days that I dont make much, I dont let them go to school. Providing for my kids is my priority, thats why despite the challenges I go through every day, I continue to sell pure water [and make sure that my kids are ok], she stressed.



Watch the video below.



Source: ghanaweb.com









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his commitment to the fight against galamsey and how his government is eager to stop the menace.



He said the governments efforts to fight the issue have recently made the matter topical.



We are here to eradicate galamsey and surely, it would be eradicated. No government has shown that resilience in the fight against galamsey, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said on Sunday, October 16, when he called on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as part of his 4-day tour to the Ashanti region.



He indicated further one issue that has generated negative public criticism is galamsey. Though it attracted less public discussion before my tenure, it is the talk of the town, even among traditional leaders.



This means the issue is common and calls for all hands on deck to bring it to an end."



The President spent the first day of the tour worshipping at the St. Cyprian Anglican Church in the Subin Constituency.



On his itinerary, he is scheduled to inspect the Agenda 111 Hospital Project at Kokoben and commission the 30kv Kumasi-Bolgatanga Transmission line.





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.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given an assurance that the government remains focused to steer the economy out of the current challenges.

He explained that while the government was not oblivious of the challenges being faced by the private sector and Ghanaians in general, it was working hard to stem the tide of the adverse macroeconomic difficulties.



He said a number of options were being considered, including the current negotiation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to end the suffering of businesses.



The President gave the assurance in a speech read on his behalf by the Senior Presidential Advisor, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, at the 19th Ghana Club 100 (GC100) Awards in Accra last Friday night.



The President said it was the stance of the government to develop the economy based on the private sector.



Awards



On the theme: Ghana's private sector, a catalyst for post-pandemic economic transformation, this years GC100 gala night gave due recognition to outstanding Ghanaian companies for standing the test of time and making an impact in their respective industries.



The awards scheme is an initiative of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), supported by other corporate institutions.



The top 100 enterprises rewarded were in sectors such as agriculture and agribusiness, financial services, information and communications technology (ICT), infrastructure, petroleum, mining services, manufacturing, tourism, health and education.



First on the 100 top-ranked companies was Zeepay Ghana Limited, followed by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, Multipro Limited, Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Scancom PLC, Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited, Amanex Co. Ltd and Express IDS Consult Agency Limited in that order.



The 10th to 15th positions were occupied by Newmont Golden Ridge Limited, GCB Bank PLC, ASA Savings and Loans Ltd, Ecobank Ghana PLC, Nestle Ghana Limited, IT Consortium Limited and Polytank (Ghana) Limited.



It was the first time a financial technology (Fintech) company had emerged ultimate winner of the awards, and this lends credence to the fast growth of the Fintech sub-sector in the country in the past few years.



COVID-19 shatters economy



President Akufo-Addo commended the job GIPC was doing under the GC100 umbrella, which had led to determining the best and most powerful companies in the private sector.



This years edition is also exciting because it marks the return of the awards post-COVD-19, he said.



He observed that COVID-19 shattered the worlds economy and getting out of it had not been easy, but the enthusiasm of the private sector brought hope.



We commend more specifically Ghana Club 100 companies for surviving the difficulties of the pandemic and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war, he said.



Many people think the war is far away and for that reason it has no effect on us. But that war has more effect than we can imagine. I didnt know that about 35 per cent of Ghanas iron rods was obtained from Ukraine.



The two events (the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war) have affected the fortunes of the world adversely and so it is important to recognise the difficulties our country is facing; the Ghana cedi depreciation, inflation surge, high interest rates and increasing utility tariffs are having an impact on businesses in the country, President Akufo-Addo added.



Complementing efforts



The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GIPC, Yofi Grant, said the centre was complementing the governments efforts by instituting various measures and initiatives to provide the right support for the private sector.



He said the centre had stepped up efforts to use business continuity and problem-solving techniques to assist investors, while striving to be a more effective service provider through a variety of means.



Mr Grant said dialogue had also been maintained with investors, bringing up relevant programmes while supporting ongoing investments in operations.



An example is the GIPCs business continuity programme, executed with support from the German international cooperation agency (GIZ), to inform businesses on how to recover more quickly after the COVID-19 and benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).



Through another initiative, the GIPCs countrywide Regional Sensitisation Tour, organised with support from the World Bank through the Ghana Economic Transformation Programme (GETP), the centre is reaching out to private businesses to capture investment opportunities across various sectors in the country, he added.



Hard work



The Commercial Manager of Zeepay, Dede Afriyie Quarshie, said the recognition could only be attributed to the relentless efforts and hard work by the companys management.



The ingenuity of the companys CEO has resulted in Zeepay being adjudged the number one company in the country.



Zeepay is set to take over the mobile money industry, both in Ghana and on the African continent, she added.









Source: graphiconline.com









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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) needs to perfect its strategy to win the 2024 elections, Mr Sunday Casper Kampoli, a Deputy Communications Officer of the party, Upper East Region, has said.



He said the ruling New Patriotic Party was determined to win power at all costs despite its underwhelming performance in office.



I, therefore, entreat you to give me your mandate to build and lead a robust, strategic and purposeful political communications outfit to help make the Agenda 15/15 a reality, he said.



The Agenda 15/15 was a target set by the regional branch of the NDC in the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections to win all 15 parliamentary seats in the Upper East Region. Currently, it has 14 out of the 15 seats.



Mr Kampoli said this in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga to declare his intention to contest as the substantive Regional Communications Officer of the NDC.



He said after several months of thorough and wide consultations within the region and across the country, he decided to pick the form to contest the position.



Comrades, for the past four years that I have served you in the capacity as your Deputy Communications Officer, I have led an army of communicators across the 15 constituencies to project the NDC and its superior record in the Upper East Region.



Mr Kampoli said he effectively communicated the life-changing policies in the NDC Manifesto to the people, which contributed to the impressive performance in the 2020 elections, winning 14 seats out of the 15 parliamentary seats in the region.



He said through a weekly panelling of communicators, he built a regional communications bureau with membership across all 15 constituencies.



My team of committed and eloquent communicators was always at hand to expose the ineptitude and corruption going on in the country, he said.



Under the leadership and tutelage of Sammy Gyamfi (Esq,) the NDC National Communications Officer, he (Kampoli) had the privilege of participating in several political communications workshops and seminars to build his capacity for the position, he said.





Source: GNA









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Ghanaian gospel musician Nicholas Omane Acheampong, claims he has cursed self-acclaimed repented fetish priestess, Evangelist Patricia, known as Nana Agradaa.



Nicholas Omane Acheampong was one of the many public individuals that questioned Nana Agradaas conversion.



In a number of interviews, Nicholas Omane Acheampong who appears to still have a score to settle with the embattled Evangelist, was emphatic that Nana Agradaa had not really repented.



The gospel musician claims that whatever Evangelist Mama Pat, also known as Nana Agradaa, is experiencing is due to all of the insults and false charges she leveled at him in the past.



Speaking in an interview on Happy 98.9 FM with the host, Rev. Nyansa Boakwa, the gospel artist said, Shes accused a lot of people wrongly and she never apologized. Now, she claims to be an evangelist but things do not work that way. She is suffering the effects on her life now and the worse is yet to come.



When asked why he cursed Nana Agradaa, Nicholas Omane Acheampong said it was because he was hurt by the insults and unfounded charges made against him by Agradaa.



"She went around spreading rumors that she and I go to the same fetish priest in Benin for powers to sing and work. But this was never true and she made this public to ruin my reputation to the extent that everywhere I went people questioned me, he stated.



He admitted having rained curses on Nana Agradaa, adding that if she does not repent, she will endure suffering for the rest of her life.

Source: Eugene Osafo-Nkansah/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Penticton native Alyssa Kroeker above Crater Lake in Oregon along the Pacific Coast Trail, which runs from the U.S.-Mexico border to the U.S.-Canada border near Manning Park. She started the trek in part to raise money for the South Okanagan Women In Need Society.
The casket of a seven-year-old girl who was found in critical condition inside of a home and later died is carried from the church after funeral services, Thursday, May 9, 2019 in Granby, Que. The family of a seven-year-old girl who was killed while being abused at home by her father and stepmother is suing youth protection and the local school board for more than $3 million.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
APG acquired a 49% stake in the $1.2 billion Gemini project, which Quinbrook subsidiary Primergy Solar LLC is developing on 7,100 acres in the Mojave Desert, 33 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The project is slated to produce as much as 690 MWac solar plus a 1,416 MWh battery energy storage facilityenough to power Las Vegas with 100% renewable energy during peak summer months. When a total of $1.9 billion in debt and tax equity financing was completed in April, it was described as one of the largest single-asset tax equity solar financings ever completed in the U.S.

The Pillsbury team was led by Mona Dajani, partner and global co-head of the Energy & Infrastructure Projects and Renewable Energy teams at Pillsbury. Partners Jorge Medina, Veronica Relea and Steve Becker, counsel Shellka Arora-Cox, and associates Samantha Franks, Jack Price, Zachary Rozen, Samantha Sharma, Alberta Waingort-Sutton and Majk Kamami were also instrumental in completing the transaction.

The Gemini project features 1.8 million solar panels plus 380 megawatts of energy storage capacity. The batteries will charge entirely from the solar system and be able to supply offtaker NV Energy with four hours of power after sunset. The solar+storage power plant will displace the equivalent of 1.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. It is scheduled to be completed in late 2023.

We have a very significant interest in expanding our investments in renewable energy. The Gemini project seemed a natural fit, Steven Hason, an APG managing director and head of real assets for the Americas, told The Wall Street Journal. What we also like here is the double bottom line of also providing attractive financial returns as well as societal impact by continuing to invest in the energy transition.

APG is one of the worlds largest pension investors, with 558 billion euros under management as of August 2022, and offices in Amsterdam, Heerlen, Brussels, New York, and Hong Kong, as well as satellite sites in Beijing and Shanghai. It made the purchase on behalf of the Dutch pension known as ABP.




The new Tracer 29 has been redesigned for 2022 and will be replacing the Carbine in Intense's Enduro bike range, sitting alongside the Tracer 279. The full 29 Tracer matches the Tracer 279's travel with 170mm front and rear. Also coming over from the 279 is the two-position flip chip for adjustable geometry and the CHAD in-frame storage system. The frame also has space for a water bottle.

Following the launch of the Tracer 279 earlier this year Intense has announced a full 29" version.The new Tracer 29 has been redesigned for 2022 and will be replacing the Carbine in Intense's Enduro bike range, sitting alongside the Tracer 279. The full 29 Tracer matches the Tracer 279's travel with 170mm front and rear. Also coming over from the 279 is the two-position flip chip for adjustable geometry and the CHAD in-frame storage system. The frame also has space for a water bottle. Tracer 29 Details

 Wheel Size: 29"

 Travel: 170mm front and rear

 Reach from 455mm to 505mm

 CHAD downtube storage compartment

 Two-position flip-chip adjustment

 Head angle: 64.4 (High setting)

 Seat tube angle: 77.7 (Effective)

 Sizes: M, L, XL

 Price: $5,399 - 6,899 ($3,399 frame only)

 intensecycles.com  Wheel Size: 29" Travel: 170mm front and rear Reach from 455mm to 505mm CHAD downtube storage compartment Two-position flip-chip adjustment Head angle: 64.4 (High setting) Seat tube angle: 77.7 (Effective) Sizes: M, L, XL Price: $5,399 - 6,899 ($3,399 frame only)

Pro Expert

Intense says the Tracer 29 uses technology from its M29 downhill bike with a bottom link driven rear shock and progressive rear suspension. Intense claims the suspension is designed to be active in its initial travel with good mid-stroke support before firming up towards the end. The Tracer 29 is available in just three sizes (M, L and XL), dropping the size small from the 279 model. The reach extends from 455mm up to 505mm with a 64.4 head angle in its highest setting and an effective seat angle of 77.7.At launch there will be two complete build options with the top-of-the-range Pro model running Fox suspension for $6,899 USD and the slightly less expensive DVO equipped Expert for $5,399. The Pro model is available to order now while the Expert will not be on sale until early 2023. If you are after just a frameset then it can be purchased with rear shock for $3,399. Frame-only options will be offered in two colours from December 15.
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This coming Friday, Steve Bannon will be sentenced for his conviction of contempt of Congress.

On January 5th, 2021, Steve Bannon promised that All hell is going to break loose tomorrow  which, in hindsight, nearly proves that Bannon knew that things would get violent. There were very few witnesses that the Committee needed to depose more urgently than Bannon. But, instead of showing up and pleading the Fifth or asserting some bizarre privilege, Bannon acted as if his proximity to Trump gave him some kind of transcendent very close to Trump privilege, vitiating all duties as a normal citizen, and refused. In the end, things worked as they should, and a jury needed less than three hours to find him guilty of contempt. Now, DOJ wants the court to slap a six-month sentence for his sustained bad faith contempt. The Justice Department wants to send a message. Theyre tired of the lawless MAGA movement:

NEW: DOJ wants six months in prison for Steve Bannon. "For his sustained, bad-faith contempt of Congress,

the Defendant should be sentenced to six months imprisonmentthe top end of the Sentencing

Guidelines rangeand fined $200,000"  Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) October 17, 2022

There is a natural tendency for people who dont work in the legal system to say, Thats it? But a six-month sentence on two misdemeanors is a very stiff sentence. Moreover, there is an interesting dynamic here in that, normally, DOJ makes its sentencing recommendation, the defense argues for a far more lenient sentence, and the judge often comes in somewhere in between, usually closer to DOJs recommendation. But there is very little precedent in these types of crimes. Contempt of Congress is rarely prosecuted. There are guidelines as to the proper sentence, but there are aggravating circumstances that are hard to quantify. It is possible that this could be one of those rare instances when a judge goes above even the Justice Departments recommendation. A judge could find Bannons behavior to be more dangerous, more sinister, and more culpable than even the prosecutors appreciate and slap on nine months.

We will find out on Friday when Bannon will almost surely begin his sentence. Bannon will likely ask for a week or two to present himself to the jail, but the judge may refuse and have him just sent down the back hall from the courtroom. It will be worth watching.
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The Trumps lied when they claimed that they were giving the Secret Service a discount at their properties. They were actually charging five to six times more than the standard rate.

The Washington Post reported:

Former president Donald Trumps company charged the Secret Service as much as five times more than the government rate for agents to stay overnight at Trump hotels while protecting him and his family, according to expense records newly obtained by Congress.

The records show that in 40 cases the Trump Organization billed the Secret Service far higher amounts than the approved government rate  in one case charging agents $1,185 a night to stay at the Trump International Hotel in D.C. The new billing documents, according to a congressional committees review, show that U.S. taxpayers paid the presidents company at least $1.4 million for Secret Service agents stays at Trump properties for his and his familys protection.

The Trumps are so desperate to get back into the White House because not only will it stop the clock on the various lawsuits and prosecutions, but it will also turn the cash faucet back on as Trump can resume bleeding the taxpayers dry.

Donald Trumps businesses are in the dumpster, and he is facing potential financial ruin in the civil lawsuit brought by the New York Attorney General. Bilking the taxpayers became the Trump familys primary source of income.

Eric Trump and his family claimed that the taxpayers were being given discounts for the Secret Service being required to stay at Trump properties, but documents reveal that was a lie.

The 40 trips that are listed are just the tip of the iceberg. Trump visited one of his properties every 3.4 days as president and made more than 500 trips to his properties as president.

These numbers dont include visits to Trump properties by his wife and children who also had Secret Service protection. The actual amount of the Trumps theft is likely in the tens of millions of dollars.

Americas first family of grift can never be allowed back into the White House.
The Aiken County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a man found dead in the the road in Beech Island.

Investigators were called Monday morning to the 100 block of Spann Hammond Road for a death investigation, according to a news release from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

Police said around 8:08 a.m., a bicyclist called 911 to report a Black male lying on the ground near the 100 block of Spann Hammond Road, the release said.

Once deputies and Aiken County EMS arrived on scene, the victim appeared to have an apparent gunshot wound to his body, the release said.

According to the release, the victim was pronounced dead on the scene, and investigators with the Aiken County Coroners Office were called to the scene.

Police said information is limited at this time, and more information will be released once it becomes available, the report said.

Police are seeking assistance from the community in the investigation and anyone with any information is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriffs Office at 803-648-6811.

Tips can be provided anonymously through Midlands CrimeStoppers and the tip could earn a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s)responsible for any crime, the release said.

This is breaking news. Check back with Aiken Standard as this article may be updated as new information becomes available.
Town and County officials joined Moncks Corner community members on Nov. 21 at the East Main Street Regional Recreation Complex in witnessing Home Telecom CEO Will Helmly officially usher in a new Miracle League Field. The ceremony was followed by athletes of all abilities gathering to play  Read moreDo you believe in miracles?: Moncks Corner celebrates the ribbon-cutting of the Home Telecom Miracle League Field
Update: The city's Planning Commission unanimously rejected the developers' request to rezone the property on Oct. 19. The request now goes to Charleston City Council for consideration.

For nearly a decade, diners have enjoyed wings, burgers and a cold brew at Rutledge Cab Co. on Charleston's upper peninsula.

Down the street on the same block, a collection of repurposed shipping containers forms Container Bar, with its rotation of food trucks over the past four years.

But plans by a pair of developers could change the makeup of the block bound by Rutledge Avenue, Mount Pleasant and Weaver streets and the Interstate 26 off-ramp to Morrison Drive in the Wagener Terrace neighborhood.

Chicago-based commercial real estate investment firms Asbury Birch and Free Market Ventures want to build 150 apartment units in a three- and four-story structure on the entire block. The taller portion would sit next to I-26.

The development, about three blocks south of a planned 26-unit affordable housing development on Heriot Street, would feature a 2,100-square-foot retail/restaurant on the corner of Rutledge Avenue and Mount Pleasant streets, roughly where Rutledge Cab Co. now operates. The project also would include 135 interior parking spaces.

Before anything can occur, the developer will need a zoning change. On Oct. 19, a representative of the development partnership will ask the city's Planning Commission to change the land-use designation on seven parcels from general business to mixed-use/workforce housing.

Clayton McCaffery of Asbury Birch, who is heading up the proposal, said 20 percent of the units are slated for workforce housing but he declined to comment further until the city considers the request.

McCaffery met with about 75 members of the community on Oct. 8 to discuss the proposal. Some neighbors aren't happy with the plans.

"We don't want this in there," said Maximiliano Hernandez, who lives on the block south of the planned development.

He noted several others in the community expressed displeasure with the project because it doesn't reflect the look of the community on the western side of I-26, where homes and small businesses are located.

He also pointed to the after-effects of traffic congestion in an area where commuters spill off the interstate to points on the southern peninsula beyond Wagener Terrace. Hernandez also believes street parking will be overwhelmed since little streetside parking is now available next to the proposed project.

"No such megadevelopments exist here because all the land is in use by residents," Hernandez said. "A construction site of this magnitude would irreversibly change the face of neighborhoods west of I-26 and northwest of the Crosstown."

He also fears the development would set a precedent for other similar structures in the North Central and Wagener Terrace communities, which he deemed "arguably the last reasonably affordable place a family can purchase a home and safely raise their kids in Charleston."

Hernandez said he and other community members plan to attend the rezoning hearing to express opposition.

City Councilman Jason Sakran, who lives in Wagener Terrace, sees pros and cons with the proposal.

He believes it will provide some of the many workforce housing units needed by the city to offer affordable places for lower-income workers to live.

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He also noted current general-business zoning could allow a variety of businesses from a laundromat to a gas station.

"There could be other things that could be worse than apartments," Sakran said.

He also voiced concerns over stormwater mitigation, given the project's size.

"If we can get to a place where the community is supportive, I will push (the developer) to do something about mitigating flooding on the site," Sakran said.

Charleston entrepreneur R. Bradley Creger, a managing partner in Rutledge Cab Co., owns the 1.65-acre site between Interstate 26 and Rutledge Avenue through affiliates SI Holdings LLC and Azalea Holdings LLC, according to Charleston County land records.

The land involved is at 1300 Rutledge Ave., 2130-2132 Mount Pleasant St. and 2127-2133 Weaver St.

Creger bought the parcels between 2014 and 2021 for more than $5.56 million, property records show. The largest part of the purchase was the Rutledge Cab Co. restaurant site. It sold in 2021 for $3.5 million.

Creger pointed out Rutledge Cab Co., the site of a former convenience store and gas station, will celebrate its 10th year in business in January and he is gratified that people are concerned about what will happen to the restaurants if the multifamily project is approved.

"There's yet to be a decision on Rutledge Cab Co. and Container Bar if they will be reopened in new locations," Creger said. "We are looking at possible future locations."

Creger, whose business partners in the two restaurants are RiverDogs co-owners Mike Veeck and actor Bill Murray, said he never listed the property on the open market, but he is ready to sell the land to the development partners if the city approves the rezoning and the apartment project.

"These buyers saw the allure in a contiguous block in downtown Charleston and approached me," he said.

Asked if Rutledge Cab Co. could occupy the corner retail/restaurant space in the planned apartment building, Creger said, "Part of the charm of Rutledge Cab Co. is the vibe and the decor. It would take a bit to redo that in a new location, but it is under consideration."

Creger also has received previous offers on the property for other business ventures but he turned them down because he didn't think they were a good fit for the area.

"I didn't want to leave a legacy that was detrimental to the neighborhood and the location," Creger said. "What makes this project so appealing is, by design, it is trying to incorporate the nuances of the neighborhood for a walkable street environment. The workforce component also is compelling."

He also noted the negative feedback from some community members over the plans.

"It's not unusual for a project like this to have some dissension in the neighborhood," Creger said. "People don't usually deal with change easily."

If the deal falls through, Creger pointed out the restaurants will continue to operate.

"There isn't a contingency plan rather than business as usual," he said.
A rail project that's been in the planning stages for more than a decade got a ceremonial kickstart Oct. 17, and its completion will give the Port of Charleston a key asset to compete for cargo along the East Coast.

The State Ports Authority broke ground on its Navy Base Intermodal Facility in North Charleston  a $400 million development where port cargo will be transferred to and from trains operated by Norfolk Southern and CSX Corp.

The site is adjacent to the SPA's Leatherman Terminal, giving the port the near-dock rail access that already exists in Savannah and other ports.

"This dual-served intermodal yard will greatly enhance our rail competitiveness and, basically, I'll just tell you this, it erases the last major competitive disadvantage that we had being a multi-terminal footprint," Barbara Melvin, the maritime agency's CEO, said of the rail yard, which is scheduled to open in July 2025.

The groundbreaking followed the first "State of the Port" address for Melvin, who took the SPA's helm on July 1 following Jim Newsome's retirement. The speech highlighted a record year at Charleston's port, which handled 2.85 million 20-foot containers  a 12 percent increase from the previous year.

The added cargo moved the port into the No. 8 spot among the nation's top 10 ports and positions Wando Welch Terminal as the second-busiest container terminal on the East Coast, behind Savannah.

Melvin said a $558 million project to deepen Charleston Harbor to 52 feet will be finished in November. She also highlighted a $200 million investment in a new chassis pool that provides safe and updated container carriers for truckers, environmental initiatives like hybrid cranes and the creation of 22 acres of salt marsh on Drum Island, and creative solutions to solve local supply chain snarls including hiring 150 SPA workers and adding Sunday gate hours.

"Since early May, we are the only major East Coast port that can stand in front of you today and say we have no congestion," Melvin told a record crowd of more than 1,100 people who attended the speech sponsored by the Propeller Club of Charleston.

Melvin also emphasized projects still in the works, including an expansion to the inland port in Greer that will add rail and container capacity and a $150 million barge system that will take trucks off local roads by moving containers by water from Wando Welch to Leatherman.

We have made smart investments to expand and enhance operations, which has proven critical as we seamlessly handle bigger ships and record cargo volumes, Melvin said, adding the port now helps to support nearly 225,000 jobs statewide and another 10,000 or so along Charleston's waterfront.

The rail expansion on on the old Navy base represents the biggest of the SPA's future investments, with the state Legislature setting aside the money to pay for the project over the past two budget years. The concept dates to the mid-1990s, and Palmetto Railways  a division of the S.C. Commerce Department  has spent the better part of the last decade getting the permitting in place for construction to begin.

"Today was a long time coming  my gracious," said state Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee. "We've taken a lot of twists and turns to get here. But we're here today breaking ground on what will be a critical piece of infrastructure that will help elevate the lives of many South Carolinians."

The rail yard will have nearly 80,000 feet of track and the capacity to handle 1 million containers in its first phase. The SPA's board of directors last month agreed to spend nearly $47 million on electric cranes to move cargo at the site.

State Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, D-Charleston, who helped shepherd the facility's funding as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, said the project is "going to create the kind of competitive edge that the port needs to maintain moving forward."

State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a Democrat from Orangeburg, said that in addition to the jobs the facility will support she is most concerned about the port's competitiveness "and keeping our edge when it comes to the Port of Savannah."

"We are doing everything we can here in South Carolina to make sure that we don't fall behind," she said.

While CSX and Norfolk Southern will share the site, the two railroads haven't always been supportive of the project  one of the reasons it took so long for the deal to move through the permitting process. Representatives from both companies attended the groundbreaking event.

"Thank you for being partners in this because I remember one time it was like a cage match and we put CSX and Norfolk Southern together and said you all figure this out," Grooms said.

Maryclare Kenny, vice president for intermodal at CSX, said the Jacksonville, Fla.-based rail carrier "is excited about the development ... which will allow us to improve intermodal rail solutions for our valued customers, providing faster more efficient connections between ships and rail."

Kenny said the project "will reduce congestion and increase the fluidity of freight rail operations at the port, benefiting consumers and communities in the region."
The first report card ratings released in three years show South Carolina schools are getting back to normal, Superintendent Molly Spearman said.

A fifth of all schools earned an Excellent rating, a percentage comparable to 2019, the last year that ratings were issued before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted testing and prompted a pause. Spearman announced the new ratings Oct. 17 at Prosperity-Rikard Elementary School in Newberry.

We have been through a lot, and this is a celebration that we have survived the pandemic and were getting back to normal, Spearman said. The data serves as an indicator of school performance and a roadmap on our path to recovery.

The report card rating is based on a combination of academic factors  such as SC Ready and End of Course standardized tests  and nonacademic factors like school climate surveys. Schools are given an overall score on a 100-point scale that translates into one of five ratings: Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average or Unsatisfactory. What qualifies a school for each rating differs for elementary, middle and high schools.

Report cards for all schools can be found online at screportcards.com.

The number of schools earning a top ranking during the 2021-22 school year stayed steady despite the unprecedented difficulties of the last few years. Unsurprisingly, the latest report cards indicate more schools overall are struggling.

Donate to our Investigative Fund to support journalism like this Our public service and investigative reporting is among the most important work we do. Its also the most expensive reporting we do. We cant do it without your support. Donate Now

The share of schools with a Good rating slipped from 26 percent to 21 percent, while the number of schools earning Average or Below Average marks went up. Across the state, 74 schools  almost 6 percent  earned Unsatisfactory marks. Thats up from 4 percent in 2019.

In all, a fifth of schools across the state earned Below Average or Unsatisfactory marks  more than earned the top rating.

Though the results we see are perhaps expected following pandemic, state education leaders are no less concerned, Spearman said.

Matthew Ferguson, executive director of the S.C. Education Oversight Committee, said the report cards show there is more work to be done but are a testament to the effort by teachers to help students recover.

In Greenville County, the states largest district, 69 percent of schools were rated Excellent or Good.

It was a more mixed bag in other large districts.

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In Horry County, 56 percent of schools earned Excellent or Good ratings. In Charleston County, 43 percent of schools earned one of the top two ratings. But the district also accounted for 15 percent of the states Unsatisfactory-rated schools  11 in all.

More Information The Post and Courier Education Lab is a multi-year project, employing four reporters, focused on the need for public education reform in South Carolina. The Coastal Community Foundation and Spartanburg Foundation serve as fiscal sponsors for the Education Lab, which is supported by grants from the Jolley Foundation, Intertech, anonymous donors, and generous donations on behalf of donors to The Post and Courier Public Service and Investigative Fund who designate to the Education Lab.

The fact that the Charleston County School District increased its number of Excellent, Good and Average schools is a sign of progress, said district spokeswoman Sully Witte.

Spearman said one of her biggest concerns is the widening gap between the highest- and lowest-performing achievers. The results should prompt districts to pay special attention to the students who have the most catching up to do compared with their peers, she said.

Spearman said she was also concerned with a drop in the number of high schools earning an Excellent rating.

High schools struggled in particular with test participation rates. Federal requirements say 95 percent of students must to take End of Course assessments, and schools that dont meet that are docked one rating level. That accounted for 24 high schools earning a Good rating instead of Excellent.

Its possible the timing of testing affected participation rates  while elementary and middle school students test in May, high school students test in January and May. In January, large numbers of students were quarantined or out sick as the omicron variant swept through schools. Dana Yow, the Oversight Committees deputy director, said that could have been a factor and that hopefully, participation rates will improve in future years.

Patrick Kelly, director of government affairs for the Palmetto State Teachers Association, said the widening gap between high- and low-performing students concerns him most. Kelly said he was also deeply concerned by the increase in chronic absenteeism.

In 2020-21, 8.2 percent of students were chronically absent, meaning they missed 18 or more school days. Last year, 20.4 percent of students were chronically absent.

More Coverage To read more in-depth stories from The Post and Couriers Education Lab, go to postandcourier.com/education-lab.

We know theres no replacement for a student being engaged and active in school, he said.

Kelly said he hopes the report cards are viewed in context of the past few difficult years. There is a need for urgency but also a need for understanding of what students and teachers experienced.

We cant just gaslight and ignore that there are real areas to improve, he said.

Maura Turcotte contributed to this report.
Bob Meltzer, the chief operating officer of the Peddinghaus Corp. plant outside Andrews, looks on as S.C. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette points to the words Space Exploration Tech on wooden crates that were ready to be shipped to Florida. Evette toured the plant in observation of South Carolina Manufacturing Month.

DON KAUSLER JR./STAFF
ANDERSON  A group of unionized Starbucks workers placed on leave after they were accused of preventing a manager from leaving the store is suing the company for defamation.

A lawsuit filed Oct. 17 in Anderson County circuit court claims that the company's lawyers and the store manager who reported the Aug. 1 encounter as assault conspired to use the legal system to disrupt the unionization effort.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of eight current and former employees. A union release about the lawsuit claimed three of the employees party to the suit were wrongfully fired. A fourth quit. Four others remain employed, according to the union.

The report to police, filed three days after the encounter, was later deemed by Anderson County sheriff's investigators to be false, the lawsuit states.

The suit involves the summer wave of unionization efforts at Starbucks locations in South Carolina and nationwide that prompted 11 employees at the Clemson Boulevard location to present a list of demands for better pay and equipment to the store manager, who had just started work after another manager quit.

Later, five employees were fired at the start of the Labor Day weekend after an investigation into them entering the store while on strike in July.

A widely viewed TikTok video from the Aug. 2 encounter showed the employees around a store table where the manager talked on the phone while they presented their demands. The manager got up and walked toward the exit as she continued to talk on the phone, passed several workers and, toward the end, bumped into a worker as she squeezed between the employees and table chairs.

Over the course of a month, the suit alleges, law enforcement visited homes and interviewed employees who were told they were under investigation.

At one point, according to the suit, authorities requested a magistrate issue an arrest warrant, but the judge declined, citing insufficient evidence.

On Sept. 15, in response to questions from The Post and Courier, the Sheriff's Office confirmed that the report was false.

"After talking with all the employees and seeing the TikTok video that an employee posted from the event, none of the allegations were true," the suit quotes the Sheriff's Office as saying.

"The employees did not stop her from leaving and did not put their hands on her, which is what the boss reported had happened. She is the one who initiated any kind of contact when she pushed past one of the employees as she was walking out of the door."

The store's employees on May 31 voted 18-0 to unionize.

The Post and Courier reached out to Starbucks on Oct. 17 for comment. In September, the company said in a statement that it respects "our partners right to organize, and at the same time, we cannot ignore blatant violations of policy and practice.
GREENVILLE  It's been more than two years since demonstrators rallied around the Confederate monument in downtown Greenville to call for the statue's removal.

During a summer of racial reckoning, both locally and across the country, the statue on North Main Street became a lightning rod, with protestors decrying it as a symbol of a racist past.

The demonstrations drew counter-protestors, who came to the statue armed with AR-15-style rifles and wearing body armor. Fistfights erupted.

Fearing more-violent clashes as tensions at the protests rose, city officials made a deal, with Mayor Knox White telling the leaders of the protest that Greenville would work to move the monument from its place of prominence on Main Street into Springwood Cemetery, which sits just behind the marker.

Since then, the statue has remained in place.

Now Bruce Wilson, who led the protests in 2020, is renewing his call for the monument to be removed, and pushing City Council to make good on what he says is an unfulfilled promise.

"There is no doubt that the Confederate statue is nothing but a relic of the past," he said during an Oct. 10 address to council. "A relic of hatred and racism that was designed to intimidate free Black individuals from the time beyond Reconstruction. And here we are in 2022 with those same symbols."

State Rep. Chandra Dillard said South Carolina's Heritage Act, which blocks local municipalities from removing or altering public historic monuments without approval from the Statehouse, prevented the city from moving the statue in 2020 and the effort remains an uphill battle today.

Instead, White said the city is exploring adding a monument "for and by the African American community in Greenville," near the rebel marker.

The city previously explored adding a plaque at the site to put the monument in historical context following 2017 protests calling for its removal. White said leadership has since moved on from that suggestion.

"The idea of putting out an interpretive plaque, we just decided that no one was too impressed by that and didn't think it really said what we wanted to say," White said. "This has grown into something much more significant and substantial."

The process is still in its early stages, White said, but the city has been in discussions with architects and designers, and plans to form a committee to head up the effort with Dillard leading the project.

White said Greenville has also identified a source of public money that could go toward the installation in conjunction with private donations, but that it was too early in the process to discuss specific cost estimates or funding mechanisms.

Dillard said the new statue is one of several options under consideration, but that a monument acknowledging the contributions Black residents have made to Greenville throughout its history would be a welcome addition to the fabric of the city, particularly in that part of downtown.

"There are African American slaves buried in Springwood Cemetery," she said. "I don't think people know that."

Wilson said while he supports the concept of erecting an African American monument in that area, and has pushed for it for several years, the addition of a new statue would not erase the symbolism of the one that already stands there.

"I'm appreciative of them trying to put up an African American statue, but that doesn't mean that particular Confederate statue should remain," he said. "And their hands are not tied. Those statues have been removed throughout the state."

The Confederate monument, which includes a depiction of a Confederate soldier atop a pedestal, was placed in the center of Main Street in 1892 and moved to its current location about a block away in 1922 because of traffic concerns.

Wilson said if he does not have a meaningful conversation with the city by next week, he plans to stage more protests at the monument.

"It's time for it to go," he said. "I'm tired of doing this song and dance with the city. It's time for something to happen."
For nearly 10 years, dozens of families and their kids have met at Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant twice a week to train for the Reindeer Run, a longstanding annual winter 5k run/walk in downtown Charleston to raise money for the local children's hospital.

The families are part of Louie's Kids, a Charleston nonprofit helping promote healthy habits and decrease rates of childhood obesity in the Lowcountry.

This year marks the organization's first time back operating its Big Dog Little Dog program, a partnership with The Citadel Family Run Program to train with Citadel Cadets, since last year's Reindeer Run.

Officials at Louie's Kids said many of the kids in the program plateaued during the pandemic, seeping back into non-active lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits.

"We could only do online workouts," Bennett said. "But here, we'll keep everyone accountable and make sure everyone is doing the workouts."

Clinical nutrition manager at Summerville Medical Center, Courtney Morrissey, said the number of obesity referrals she received from pediatricians after the pandemic also increased.

And a recent study from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the rate of body mass index (BMI) increase nearly doubled during the pandemic compared to a pre-pandemic period for kids ages 2-19.

According to the study, young school aged children who were already overweight or obese experienced the largest increases.

"So many kids were home because of virtual school," Morrissey said. "There was less physical activity amongst the kids and more reliance on computers, devices and TVs."

And with a holiday season packed with candy, large meals and gatherings quickly approaching, Morrissey and Louie's Kids are encouraging families and kids to maintain healthy eating habits and everyday physical activity throughout the holidays.

"I really do encourage the kids and the parents to get out and have some sort of activity so they're not just relying on sitting and eating with family," Morrissey told The Post and Courier. "If you're visiting, go for a walk. Don't just sit and eat, enjoy that time outside."

Breaking old habits

People trickled into the park a little after 6:30 p.m. the evening of Oct. 12. Some inhaled deeply walking up to the park, elated to escape the evening traffic on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

Others waited patiently in the courtyard, spraying on copious amounts of mosquito repellent while chatting with the Citadel Cadets who volunteered as trainers.

The evening began with warm-up directions from the program coordinator, Justin Bennett, who started out as a volunteer cadet while attending The Citadel over 10 years ago.

Cadets paired up with kids in attendance to run their warm up laps near the playground area of the park. A number of parents and other adults accompanying little ones followed along.

Other parents stayed behind to watch proudly near the courtyard, holding their newborns and quieting their infant children.

Mary Sue Black, a Charleston mom of two, including her 5-year-old son Abram, was one those parents.

Abram ran his first 5k in 2021. He was 4 years old.

"He kinda got discouraged and was getting tired towards the end," Black said. "So Justin ran the rest of the race with him."

Originally from Jackson, Miss., Black said she's always struggled with her weight. She said her family rarely did outside activities

"I've always been the big girl," Black said, feeding her newborn son. "I want him to grow up active and not always sitting in front of the TV."

After the near 30-minute cardio workout, Bennett brought the group back together for the "field day" portion of the night.

"I want them to forget that they're working out," Bennett said. "That's always my game plan."

The program meets every Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Waterfront Park and includes race entry, nutritional education, behavioral counseling, race entry, a t-shirt, and eight weeks of training.

The cost is $50 per family of four. Officials said financial assistance is available to families if needed.

For more information visit louieskids.org/reindeer-run/.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Matt Baum was busy running his home restoration company when he got a call from a business associate in Jupiter, Fla., in early October.

Baum owns All Dry Services of Mount Pleasant and greater Charleston, which cleans and restores homes damaged by natural disasters. The caller owned a business in the same franchise and needed more help cleaning out houses after Hurricane Ian. They wanted Baum to come down and lend a hand.

Baum immediately wrapped up everything he was working on to head to Florida with two technicians on Oct. 4. They started working the next day.

Baums business is only 8 months old, so its his first time helping out in the aftermath of a hurricane. He said hed never seen anything like it, regarding the amount of debris and devastation. He has never seen houses having to be taken down to the basic framework, essentially needing to be rebuilt.

Baum talked to The Post and Courier from where hes staying in southwest Florida, working in Naples, Fort Myers and Cape Coral mostly. So far, hes worked on five houses and condominiums. He estimates he'll be staying and helping in Florida for about a month before returning to work in Charleston and Mount Pleasant.

Baum's just one of thousands. Nonprofits like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and United Way are involved in relief efforts. The American Red Cross alone has over 1,900 volunteers deployed, according to Saskia Lindsay, Red Cross of South Carolina spokesperson. Of the volunteers, 12 of them are from South Carolina, like Jeff Roediger, a former pastor and now counselor in Summerville.

Roediger has been a Red Cross volunteer since 2014, and started deploying around 2019. He said Florida is his 20th deployment and fourth hurricane.

He's in the Fort Myers area, where hes worked as a disaster mental health counselor since Oct. 5. He said he found that most clients he works with in the Red Cross shelters dont understand the process of what comes next, and tries to alleviate their fears by explaining their next steps: staying in the shelter until the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Red Cross caseworkers meet with them to start the process of getting out of the shelter.

It goes a long way, because somebody is giving them information thats concrete, Roediger said. They know whats going to happen the next couple of weeks down the road, and...their nerves start to settle a little bit. It's not quite as stressful as it was in the beginning.

Roediger added that while the mental health counselors are primarily there to help those who have been displaced, theyre also there to help out fellow Red Cross staff and volunteers.

Roediger said volunteers are usually asked to make a two-week commitment, but personally anticipates staying longer than that.

Usually when I deploy, I work until I run out of steam, then I'll go home. I'll probably be here at least a month, maybe a little bit longer, Roediger said.

Baum said while the job is tough and physically demanding, its rewarding to be able to help people out.

Its one of those jobs that people need, but dont necessarily want. ... Its a tough thing, having to take peoples belongings and put it at the end of the driveway, but its good being able to help them and let them know the sooner we get all this done, the sooner people can come back and build (the house) back up, and they can be back in their house," he said.

The American Red Cross said in a statement that it's still in need of financial donations, blood donations and volunteers. To assist in Hurricane Ian relief, go to the American Red Cross website.
Weve been here before. Too many times before.

In 2019, when Dick Trench was awakened in the middle of the night by a knock on his door, he grabbed his gun; a Greenville County sheriffs deputy, who was knocking in response to a medical alarm, fired a barrage of shots through the front door. Fortunately, Mr. Trench wasnt killed, although he had to spend 30 days with bullets lodged in his aortic artery and pelvis.

Nicolette Green and Wendy Newton were not so lucky a few months earlier, when they voluntarily sought emergency medical care for their mental illness. They were locked inside cages in the back of an Horry County sheriffs transport van. A deputy illegally drove around a barricade into floodwaters, which overtook the vehicle and engulfed them.

And of course there was Jamal Sutherland, who was committed to a private mental health facility by his family, only to get tangentially involved in a confrontation that never should have led to his arrest but did. He died in a Charleston County jail cell as sheriffs deputies used pepper spray and electric shocks in an effort to pry him out of his cell to make him attend a bond hearing state law didn't require him to attend.

To that list we can now add William Jerry Crosby, a 55-year-old Walterboro man who might have been suicidal and was gunned down in his own home in May.

You might be thinking that Mr. Crosby threatened deputies when they arrived, but he didnt. This story is even more tragic than that.

As The Post and Couriers Jocelyn Grzeszczak reports, Mr. Crosbys wife called 911 and requested a wellness check after her husband sent text messages expressing suicidal thoughts. Likely, she assumed paramedics would respond; instead it was a Colleton County sheriff's deputy, who found the doors unlocked, went inside and saw a bottle of pills and what he took to be a suicide note.

Deputy Jacob Scott found Mr. Crosby on his bed, tucked under a fitted sheet as if he were in a cocoon, according to a SLED report Ms. Grzeszczak quotes. Mr. Scott asked Mr. Crosby how he was doing; the man sounded and looked intoxicated and told the deputy to leave his house. Instead, the deputy insisted that Mr. Crosby go outside and talk and we can just handle this. SLED said the deputys body camera showed Mr. Crosby get up, walk to his closet, grab a rifle, again tell the deputy to leave and then manipulate and raise the rifle. The deputy shot and killed Mr. Crosby.

So a man who was minding his own business in his own home is dead. His wife has to live with the knowledge that her call for help set off the chain of events that killed him. The deputy has to live with the fact that he killed someone who just wanted to be left alone  perhaps to die, perhaps to sleep off some pills. Officials with the Sheriffs Office should live as well with the knowledge that their approach to potentially suicidal people  the idea that its the job of deputies to save them even if they don't want to be saved  led to his shooting death. Its a weight all of us in South Carolina, in fact, should carry

Assuming that the facts are accurate  and we dont know that for sure since most S.C. law enforcement agencies refuse to release body camera video to the public  we dont disagree with SLEDs conclusion that Deputy Scott acted in self-defense. Nor do we disagree with Solicitor Duffie Stone, who declined to indict him. Or with the Sheriff's Office's decision to let the deputy return to active duty last month. In fact, we dont even doubt that the deputy believed he was doing what was best for Mr. Crosby when he tried to make him go outside to talk.

He was terribly, tragically wrong.

What sense does it make for a deputy to insist on intervening when someone who is not threatening anyone but himself tells him to leave his home? Yes, we understand: the compulsion to save his life. Its an honorable compulsion. But at some point, we need to recognize that we could be doing more harm than good.

What sense does it make to try to force that person to get out of his cocoon rather than waiting for help from someone who is better trained to deal with potentially suicidal people than the best-trained law enforcement official? A social worker, perhaps. Or a mental health professional. Or even EMS officials. Mr. Crosby might not have welcomed any of them, but its doubtful that their presence would have elicited the defensive response an armed law enforcement officer did.

State lawmakers recognize that police have to change the way they deal with people who are emotionally distressed, as do some law enforcement officials. Last year, the Legislature embarked on a plan to give local jails access to medical professionals who can recognize and treat mental distress and to experiment with ways to divert people with mental illnesses away from jail, to increase the number of patients who can be treated at mental health centers and to get police out of the business of transporting mentally ill patients to treatment centers.

But its taking time to ramp up those programs, and too many officers still havent learned the lesson that no matter how good they think they are at talking and listening, they still need to wait for mental health professionals to arrive to treat those encounters as medical rather than criminal interactions.

Every law enforcement official in South Carolina should be chilled by what happened to Mr. Crosby, and they should be assessing whether they could end up in a similar situation  and changing their policies if they could.
Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace enters the final stretch of the election season with slightly more money in the bank than Democratic opponent Annie Andrews, putting both candidates on similar financial footing as Election Day nears.

The most recent round of campaign finance disclosures, filed by the Oct. 15 deadline, show Mace has almost $797,000 available for her reelection bid to represent 1st Congressional District.

That cash total gives Mace about $24,000 more than Andrews, a pediatrician who has put reducing gun violence at the center of her candidacy.

Andrews reported having about $773,000 cash in the bank on the same date.

The numbers, which cover July through late September, also show Mace mounting a political full-court press to keep her coastal congressional seat.

The spending by Mace, which far outpaces Andrews, suggests that her reelection campaign is not resting on the power of incumbency or newly drawn district lines to carry the freshman congresswoman to victory.

Mace spent just shy of $1 million from July through September. That's roughly how much Andrews has raised since entering the race as a first-time candidate last year.

During the same three-month period, Andrews spent about $584,000.

A review of the latest quarterly reports also shows how both Mace and Andrews are trying to grab the attention of voters at the mailbox and on television, pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into direct mail and media buys, which is campaign-speak for buying airtime on TV, radio and other channels.

But where Mace invested in mail and TV in almost equal measure, Andrews prioritized TV spending from July through September.

Filings show Mace spent nearly $264,000 on direct mail, excluding postage, and roughly $258,000 on media consulting, production and buys. Andrews spent about $318,000 on TV ads and about $30,000 on direct mail, excluding postage.

Mace, who survived a nationally watched Republican primary in June, narrowly won the congressional seat in 2020, returning the seat to Republican control after Democrat Joe Cunningham stunned the nation when he narrowly won the seat in 2018.

Now, with less than three weeks until the Nov. 8 Election Day, both Andrews and Mace are staking out their positions and making last-ditch pitches to voters.

Andrews has put gun-control and abortion access at the center of her campaign message. Mace has sought to run a more nationalized message: Dinging President Joe Biden and other national Democrats, while also tapping into GOP culture wars about transgender athletes in women and girls' sports.

So far, Mace has raised more than $5.2 million as she asks voters to send her back to Washington, D.C., for a second two-year term. Andrews, who raised more than $200,000 within the first 24 hours of launching her candidacy in 2021, has raised about $1.75 million in her bid to unseat Mace.

Their competing visions for the district will be put to the test later this week on Oct. 19, when Mace and Andrews meet in their first and only televised debate.

It will air district-wide and be live-streamed online starting at 8 p.m. on WCBD-TV.
About two dozen Eagles Field original landowners and their representatives met with Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero at Adelup Monday afternoon to follow up on compensation options they may have in light of plans to construct a medical campus on their ancestral properties.

Earlier that day, jumping ahead of Tuesday's oversight hearing on the proposed medical campus, the governor announced she will be submitting legislation aimed at compensating original landowners, called the Land Bank Reform Act of 2022.

One of the main concerns with the construction of the new medical campus is the location - 102 acres in the Eagles Field area of Mangilao. Several families claim ancestral ownership of the land, which is still under federal control.

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But even if the land were returned to the government of Guam as federal excess properties, U.S. Law 106-504 poses a roadblock for land return to original owners. This federal law restricts transfers of excess federal property to be for public use only, which is defined to exclude transfers to an individual for private use other than on a "nondiscriminatory basis."

Attorney Terrence Brooks opined in 2019 that distributing land released under U.S. Law 106-504 "to a certain class of people, for instance original land owners, would not be fair or equitable to those who are not original land owners."

The Guam Ancestral Lands Commission is charged with facilitating the return of federal land deemed excess to original landowners or their heirs. Absent land return, landowners can be compensated using lease proceeds from the agency's land bank.

"Because federal law prohibits return of ancestral lands to original owners, the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission Land Bank Trust is currently the only compensation recourse for original owners," Leon Guerrero stated in a special address announcing the Land Bank Reform Act.

However, no landowners have been compensated through the land bank due to lacking rules and regulations. Funding within the land bank is also lacking, at only about $15 million currently to spread between possibly thousands of beneficiaries. GALC had taken some initial steps to develop an investment policy statement to grow land bank funds.

The Land Bank Reform Act has three main goals, according to the governor:

 To clarify the criteria for ancestral owners eligible to receive compensation.

 To provide for multiple funding streams, including annual budget appropriations, Section 30, and others.

 To provide means for the ancestral owners' claim to be calculated and distributed to original owners or their descendants.

"We understand you do not have a path to compensation under the current ancestral land bank law. This proposed legislation will change that, by providing a method to calculate the value of your land today, and to distribute compensation to original owners," the governor said during her recorded address.

Meeting with original owners

Leon Guerrero and other officials met with Eagles Field original owners in March. That meeting left at least one claimant feeling dejected after learning that federal law essentially meant his family's land won't be returned.

After that initial discussion, the governor tasked GALC and other agencies to continue speaking with and gathering input from ancestral owners.

At a follow-up meeting held Monday, Leon Guerrero said most Eagles Field original landowners were favoring monetary compensation, although some wanted land exchange, while others wanted their land returned.

Some landowners or representatives at Monday's meeting did talk about wanting their land back or believed that the government should find an alternate site for the medical campus and then work to change federal law - so that their ancestral land can be returned to them.

Thomas Bernardo suggested finding another site and spreading out the medical campus facilities, which is supposed to include a new public hospital in addition to facilities for the Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.

"If there's an alternative site find it. Let's let the federal government keep the land, then when they declare it excess, then we'll have access to it. Then we can have the governor and the future congressman have Congress change the law so ancestral landowners can get their land back," Bernardo said.

The governor, however, was frank about what she believed might happen to the Eagles Field properties if not utilized by GovGuam.

"I'll be very honest with you Tom, I don't think the Eagles Field is going to be excess property. Because, if we don't use it for a hospital, they're going to keep it for their federal use. And for me, I would prefer to have a medical center complex there than a missile defense system," Leon Guerrero said, referring to talks of the military potentially developing missile defense facilities in the area.

Despite stating this, the governor did say at the onset of Monday's meeting that she will work closely with the next congressional delegate to see if changes to the federal law can be made, although she called that initiative a long shot.

Leon Guerrero, however, is also up for reelection.

'A grand scheme'

Eagles Field is the preferred site out of over a dozen areas identified by the governors health care task force for the medical campus. The plan is to obtain a long-term lease to GovGuam for the land.

The Land Bank Reform Act resulted from multiple agencies collaborating over several months, led by GALC, the Department of Land Management, and the Guam Economic Development Authority, which took into account the concerns expressed by original landowners and their descendants, according to the governor. She also thanked the Office of the Attorney General for helping develop the legislation.

However, GALC Vice Chairman Ronald Laguana did not know about the Land Bank Reform Act before the Post contacted him about the proposal Monday.

"That is news to me. I hope that when I do read the bill that it does fulfill in favor of moneys going to the original landowners. That is our primary goal," Laguana said. "Not only that, what about the original landowners from Tiyan? They have yet to be compensated either. ... A lot of people got their lands back in Tiyan, and only the rich people got their lands back. But there's a group of us, about 80 of us ... that were left out of the deal."

Speaker Therese Terlaje, who leads the legislative committee on health and land, also said Monday that she hadn't heard about the governor's proposal until the announcement.

"As you know we had an oversight hearing in April 2021 regarding the governors failure to communicate with landowners her desire to lease the property from the military, and held a follow-up oversight again in November 2021, and are having a hearing Tuesday to get the landowners' input on the plans to lease their property from the military to build a hospital," Terlaje told The Guam Daily Post.

When the matter was first brought up last year, the governor stated that landowners had already been compensated and were not entitled to any compensation or return of land, the speaker added.

"Then the secretary of the Navy said that this was excess land, and he was going to add it to the list of lands to be returned. Then the governor had a private meeting with the director of the Missile Defense Agency and all of a sudden the land was no longer excess land, but they were in discussions for the Department of Defense to keep the land and lease it to the government of Guam for 99 years," Terlaje said.

The legislative speaker, who is also up for reelection, took issue with the timing of the announcement - weeks away from the Nov. 8 general election.

"Now, three weeks before the election and two months before the end of these legislative and gubernatorial terms, we are hearing a grand scheme of how we are going to compensate all landowners, whose land is currently held by the military which seems to let this governor and the next governor, whoever that is, off the hook for advocating for a return of these lands," the speaker added.

The Land Bank Reform Act is anticipated to be transmitted to the Legislature Tuesday.

The governor said she had urged Terlaje to expeditiously proceed with a public hearing on the measure so that it could be placed into the November session. The speaker said she is interested in hearing from original owners on whether they agree with the proposal.
We and many others have noted that the same leftists who demand that the police be defunded spend large amounts of campaign cash or public funds on armed security. Because they are special. Calls to defund the police have mostly gone away as the political implications have become obvious. But one of the last defund holdouts, like a Japanese soldier in 1946, is Representative Cori Bush. The New York Post reports:

A Democratic member of Congress who still supports the Defund the Police movement has spent nearly $500,000 in campaign funds on private security, according to a report Sunday. Federal Election Commission records show that US Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), a former Black Lives Matter activist, shelled out more than $100,000 for security services during the third quarter of 2022, Fox News said. The spending pushed Bushs campaign outlays on private security during the 2020-22 election cycle to more than $490,000, according to the outlet.

Just short of a cool half million bucks. That would pay for at least two full-time armed guards. Cori isnt taking any chances, but nor is she backing down:

Im going to make sure I have security because I know I have had attempts on my life and I have too much work to do, she said.

I seriously doubt that there have been attempts on Bushs life. I assume she means she has gotten death threats, as does pretty much everyone in public life. I have gotten them, too. So suck it up. Cori.

Actually, she uses that phrase too:

Bush added: So, suck it up, and defunding the police has to happen. We need to defund the police and put that money into social safety nets because were trying to save lives.

$490,000 would be a pretty good contribution to, say, twenty families social safety nets. But thats different, of course.

By the way, Cori is pictured standing behind an End the Filibuster banner.

I am not sure of the contextBush is in the House, not the Senatebut if Republicans take the Senate in November, as I think they will, it is 100% certain that Bush and her fellow leftists will be fervent supporters of the filibuster, as they were last time the GOP was in control.

It is a good thing that hypocrisy is the most minor of all the vices, or the Democrats would be in deep trouble.
Here in the U.S., it is often said that the Democrats are the Evil Party, and the Republicans are the Stupid Party. That goes in spades in Britain, where the Conservative Party is in the midst of a historic self-immolation.

It started when they ousted Boris Johnson as party leader and thus as Prime Minister. Boris has his faults, most notably an unaccountable fondness for green energy. Which of course is not a campaign plus in todays Europe. Still, Johnson was the Tories most plausible leader, and they kicked him out because a gay Tory groped another guy at some kind of a party event. I dont understand it, either.

When Johnson was voted out, there was a rather bitter contest to succeed him that ultimately was won by Liz Truss. Truss tried to channel Margaret Thatcher, and her Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng produced a budget that included income tax cuts. As Steve explained, those cuts were modest, but they were denounced by the financial community, the IMF, and the usual liberal suspects.

Truss retreated and fired Chancellor Kwarteng, throwing him under the bus in an effort to save her own skin. Predictably, it didnt help. The London Times reports that Trusss head is now on the chopping block: Tories hold secret talks on crowning new leader.

Liz Truss will appeal to moderate Tory MPs to save her premiership on Monday night after it emerged that powerbrokers had held secret discussions about ousting her and arranging a coronation. The prime minister will address the One Nation group of centrist Conservatives after a weekend in which three of her MPs called on her to quit and her new chancellor tore up the agenda on which she was elected only last month.

So much for the second coming of Margaret Thatcher. In a separate article, the Times (which, to be fair, is largely hostile to the Conservatives) headlines: Truss is the latest victim of a never-ending Tory death cult. The subhead: Many Conservative MPs say it is a question of when, not if, they select a fifth party leader in six years.

I suppose we Republicans can take a certain solace in not being the worlds stupidest conservative party. But one laments, with Casey Stengel: Cant anyone here play this game?
The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has turned down an invitation to appear at an interactive session for presidential candidates organised by Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna.

In a statement signed by his campaign spokesperson, Abdulmumini Jibrin, on Sunday, Mr Kwankwaso accused the Arewa Joint Committee, of being biased and having concluded plans to endorse one of the presidential candidates.

The Arewa Joint Committee is made up of representatives from frontline northern groups such as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Ahmadu Bello Foundation (ABF), Arewa Research and Development Project, and Jamiyyar Matan Arewa.

The programme, which started on Saturday, was attended by Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Abiola of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Adewale Adeboye of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and the NNPP candidate, were billed to appear before the committee on Monday.

But Mr Jibrin claimed the NNPP has credible information that the event is compromised.

The party warned the organisers of the programme that endorsing a candidate from the region will only result in further disuniting the north and compound the challenges the region is already facing.

We have credible information in our possession that shows that some people have been compromised and these people have concluded plans to turn the event into an endorsement platform for a particular candidate, Mr Jibrin said without mentioning the name of the candidate.

We believe that it is very wrong for any group to clandestinely plan to endorse any candidate in the name of the North, especially when we have more than one candidate from our region.

We are therefore advising you not to do anything that will ridicule the legacies of Sir Ahmadu Bello and other famous Northern Leaders like Sir Tafawa Balewa, Malam Aminu Kano, Sir Kashim Ibrahim, and JS Tarka, etc. by attempting to endorse an unpopular candidate at the expense of a more competent, more experienced and more credible one.

We note that the earlier date was even postponed and a new date was fixed to coincide with the date of the rally of one of the presidential candidates in Kaduna.

This further gives credence to the information in our possession that the event is being financed by that candidate.

In the circumstance, and based on the above observations, our candidate will be unable to honour your invitation, the NNPPs presidential campaign spokesperson said.

Baseless allegations

Meanwhile, Murtala Aliyu, the ACF secretary general told the Cable that the NNPPs allegations are baseless because the event was not meant to endorse any candidate.

Mr Aliyu, who is the chairman of the steering committee of the programme, challenged the NNPP to produce evidence to corroborate the allegations.

I have not seen any candidate one on one. I have not received any donations from any candidate one on one or collectively or formally or informally.

I was taken aback when I saw it. The six groups (that makes up the Joint Arewa Committee) polled resources together to organise the programme, the newspaper quoted the ACFs scribe, Mr Aliyu, as saying.

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The newly sworn-in governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has ordered the freezing of all accounts of the state government.

Mr Oyebanji made this directive through a press statement by his chief press secretary, Yinka Oyebode, immediately after his swearing-in on Sunday.

All accounting officers and financial institutions are urged to comply with this directive, the statement added.

Earlier, during the inauguration, the emotional governor said that destiny has now placed upon my shoulders the onerous task of furthering the journey to the actualisation of Ekiti prosperity; which was, and remains, our core mandate.

My vision is for Ekiti State to be a land of prosperity, opportunities, peace and progress; a land in which transformed people and communities can reap the fruits of their labour in dignity, good health and safety; a land of honour where integrity matters.

Mr Oyebanji promised to build on the achievements of the former administration by ensuring that all our children can access free and qualitative basic education up to the senior secondary school 3, with curricula that prepare them adequately for further learning or the job market.

Also speaking at the occasion, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, who lauded Ekiti people for voting Mr Oyebanji, assured the people that the governor would not let the state down.

He also appealed to the electorates in Ekiti to choose APC over other political parties in the forthcoming 2023 polls.

Shine your eyes and prevent vote riggers from stealing your votes, said Mr Tinubu.

Do not forget your Permanent Voter Cards. Someone will say he is Abubakar Atiku while another will say he is Peter Obi, if they come to you, tell them you dont know them. Tell them the only person you know is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Present at the venue were three former governors of the state, Kayode Fayemi, Ayodele Fayose, and Adeniyi Adebayo; former Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin; and former Chief of Army Staff, Azubuike Ihejirika.

Others included Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Babajide Sanwoolu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi) and Simon Lalong (Plateau), Zamfara State former governor, Abdulazeez Yari; and Osun State Deputy Governor, Gboyega Alabi.

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Following the suspension of the eight months strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nigerian universities have begun announcing dates of resumption for staff and students.

The universities have remained closed since the academic staff embarked on an industrial action to demand better pay and funding for the system on 14 February.

The union suspended the strike on Friday, in obedience to the order of the industrial court, it said.

While some universities have released circulars informing staff and students to resume by Monday 17th October, others are yet to announce resumption.

Resumption

For instance, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) directed staff and students to resume immediately on Friday, 14th October. A circular by the schools registrar, Adesanya M.B, also stated that the matriculation ceremony for new students has been scheduled to hold on Thursday, 20th October.

However, other universities like the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; University of Port Harcourt and Federal University, Lafia have announced Monday 17th October for the resumption of academic activities, according to their respective circulars.

Others to decide

Meanwhile, the management of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) will meet on Monday to decide on resumption, the schools spokesperson, Lamara Garba, told PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday.

At Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDU), Sokoto, PREMIUM TIMES learnt that academic staff have already resumed work since Friday. ASUU Chairperson, UDUS Chapter, said the resumption date for students would be announced after the meeting of the University Senate on Monday.

The University Senate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife would also be meeting on Tuesday to decide on the date of resumption, the spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju told PREMIUM TIMES.

The Kano University of Science And Technology Wudil (KUST) will also announce a resumption date for students after the meeting of the University senate, an official of the university said.

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

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The Director of Media and Publicity of the presidential campaign of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said the comment by the partys presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, about how the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai, turned the fortunes of the state from a rotten state to a bad one was a slip of the tongue.

Mr Tinubu, the presidential candidate of Nigerias ruling party, gave a speech on his plans for Nigeria at the Kaduna Economic and Investment summit on Saturday.

Mr Tinubu who said he was confident he was going to win the election next year, asked Mr El-rufai to abandon any plans to retire from public service after his tenure as governor.

During the speech, he then curiously said Mr El-rufai could turn a rotten situation into a bad one.

I am openly begging Nasir El-Rufai not to run away for additional degree and excuse. He is going to CairoPhD and everything. There are a lot of educated relics. We are not going to let you run away, your vision, creativity and resilience in turning a rotten situation into a bad one are necessary at this critical time. That is why we are here today, he said.

The comment drew criticism and jeers aimed at Mr Tinubu from supporters of rival political parties

However, Mr Onanuga, in a statement, said the statement was a slip of the tongue and should not have been given much attention if not for the political season and the work of mischief makers.

Earlier today (Saturday) at the Kaduna State Investment Summit, All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu while commending, Governor Nasir El-Rufai for his transformational leadership in the state had a slip of the tongue that is common to every human being and even great leaders.

The APC leader inadvertently said Governor El-Rufai turned a rotten situation he met on the ground in Kaduna into a bad one whereas he meant to say to a great one.

It was a mere slip, that is not unusual in life, even among leaders of nations.

We recognise we are in a political season where everything is latched on for deliberate distortion and twisted mischief.

While mischief makers went so low, we noted that the audience at KadInvest 7.0 followed Asiwaju Tinubu with rapt attention and knew he only had a slip.

We can only tell mischief makers to look for better and productive things to do with their time, Mr Onanuga said.

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A coroners inquest to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of Jumoke Oyeleke has indicted the police.

The coroner, Mukaila Fadeyi, on Monday at the Magistrate Court in Ogba, Lagos, said the police caused her death.

Ms Oyeleke, 25, was shot dead on 3 July, when the police attempted to disperse the peaceful Yoruba Nation rally at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota by firing guns and tear gas canisters into the air.

The only logical conclusion is that the deceased died from a weapon by the Nigerian police, the coroner said.

The deceased deserve our sympathy.

Background

When the news of her death became public, the police swiftly denied complicity, saying that they never fired a single bullet at the rally.

However, the autopsy report countered their position.

In a bid to get to the root of the incident, the state government set up an inquest, a fact-finding tribunal to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.

The inquest had the mandate to establish the identity of the deceased as well as how, when and where she died. It was also asked to provide recommendations to forestall a reoccurrence.

The inquest which started in August 2021, had six witnesses including the deceaseds mother, Ifeoluwa Oyeleke; an assistant commissioner of police; Tunde Adeniran; and Sunday Soyemi, a pathologist with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

Also, a trader, David Okebe, told the coroner that when he visited the scene of the incident in April, he saw some unidentified police officers in uniform ransacking the deceased after she was shot. The police officers then left her for dead, he said.

Recommendations

The coroner said that there is a need for training, retraining and reorientation of the police on the right to hold protests especially in a democratic setting.

He urged the Inspector-General of Police to fish out the bad eggs and ensure that they are brought to book to forestall further accidental killings.

He also recommended that the federal government compensate the family of the deceased.

He advised the police authorities to provide mental and medical checkups to their officers to determine their suitability to bear arms.

Mr Fadeyi stressed that the security operatives deployed to protest grounds should not be given live bullets.

He added that the scene of the incident  Ojota  should never be cordoned off.

The commissioner for justice should be mandated by the state government to forward the recommendations to the relevant authority for implementation, he said.

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There is a need for the state to fund the activities of the coroners Act 2015, in order to stem unwarranted and unlawful killings in the state and to bring to book the perpetrators.

Speaking with journalists, Taiwo Olawanle, the lawyer to the family of the deceased, said that the verdict means that there is hope for the ordinary masses.

He, however, insisted that the culprit should be fished out and recommended for prosecution by the police.

The police have yet to react to the findings as of the time of this report.

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PARIS, France  The trial of Kunti Kamara for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Paris took a dramatic turn late Friday as the presiding judge in the trial asked a witness if the man he had described committing multiple atrocities, including killing four members of his family, was in the court.

Yes, said the victim turning to look directly at Kamara who was in a protective glass box. That is him.

The victim was standing less than 10 feet from Kamara who was also asked to stand. Neither man betrayed what must have been deep turmoil at, what the victim alleges, is their first meeting since 1993 in very different circumstances.

The last time they met in Foya, Lofa County, Kamara had the power to take his life at any minute according to the victim, just as he had taken the victims brothers life by shooting him in the head while he was standing next to him. And his sisters life when he ordered her baby torn from her back before she was slashed to death.

Judge Thierry Fusina, the Court President, asked the victim if he was sure Kamara, now 48, was the man responsible five times.

The victim did not waiver. No doubt whatsoever that is him, he said.

Kamara, who was not allowed to respond, looked straight at his accuser with an expression of bemusement, seemingly unable to comprehend the gravity of the moment.

Sabrina Delattre, lawyer for the civil parties representing the victims at the trial, asked the victim if he had anything to say to Kamara.

Kunti, for whatever you did in Foya, this is the time for justice in order for the minds of people to rest, the victim said in a calm, clear voice.

The moment was a poignant one for justice activists and journalists who have covered the four trials of Liberians and a Sierra Leonean on charges related to the Liberian wars, including John Stewart, the former Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner who was in the court.

It was the first time that a victim was given the chance to address the accused perpetrator directly.

Outside the court the victim said he felt tremendous relief. He said he had been given notice that he might have the chance to address Kamara directly and prepared his statement with the four members of his family and many others killed and maimed in his community in mind.

In another riveting moment Kamara was given a chance to respond to the allegations that had been made by four alleged victims throughout the day. The Paris Court, in the latest of a long list of unusual protocols that has surprised court watchers, will invite Kamara to respond at the end of each day that includes his accusers.

Kamara has admitted that he was a member of Ulimo previously but today he conceded that he had been in Lofa during the events described by the victim and had been one of the Ulimo rebels who searched for the Lofa chief Tamba Taylor who, he claimed, was hiding in the bush with an NPFL commander named General Fayiah and 500 civilians the general was using as a human shield. Kamara denied the victims accusation that he was in charge.

I was one of the group that brought him to Foya but I was not the one who was responsible, Kamara said.

Earlier in the day a woman and her daughter described the murder of her husband, a schoolteacher, allegedly by a Ulimo commander named Ugly Boy at the direction of Kamara.

After Ulimo destroyed a church and a school in the area, a humanitarian organisation including Europeans had visited the town. The schoolteacher translated for the group and when they asked who destroyed the buildings, he told them it was Kamara and Ulimo.

In retaliation Kamara is alleged to have imprisoned the teacher for several days tying his elbows behind his back in the Tabe torture method, before ordering Ugly Boy to kill him by chopping open his rib cage. Kamara ordered them to cook his heart and eat it.

None of the witnesses had seen the killing directly but the mans brother-in-law testified that he buried the teachers body some days later and his rib cage had been chopped open. The mother and sister described the hardship they had all suffered in the years since the schoolteachers death.

He loved me, the schoolteachers wife wept as she described how tired she was of carrying the burden of being a single parent for the thirty years since. She also said she was tired of talking to white people about the murder and never seeing any outcome from it.

The daughter, 10 to 12 at the time of her fathers murder, lost contact with her mother and siblings as they all escaped the village and went to Guinea after the murder. Alone, at a checkpoint, she said she had been gang-raped. It took many years before she was reunited with her mother in a Sierra Leone refugee camp.

She too asked why she should testify again.

Why should I explain my story to them? Because nothing will happen. My father will not come back to life. He already died for saying the truth, she said wearing a blanket over her lappa and socks under her flip flops to protect her from the Paris cold.

The only thing I want is if these people will help by giving us justice, she said. For what happened in Foya, I never heard about it. What happened in other parts but not in Foya. Someone living they cut people in pieces while youre standing. They put you in boiling water. They ask you to put your hand down. While youre standing they cut it while youre standing looking at it, she said running through many of the horrors that marked the war.

I dont want that kind of war to happen again, she said. I know the pain I went through after the death of my father. I dont want others to go through it.

Kunti Kamaras trial continues on Monday with more witnesses scheduled to testify about the murder of the schoolteacher.

This story is a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project.

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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Ogun Axis, have closed the entrance to the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, over the increment of different fees in the school.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that trouble started when the management introduced a N20,000 registration fee for new students.

The protesting students closed the school gate, singing different solidarity songs when our reporter visited the protested ground.

The students also barricaded the gates preventing movement in and out of the institution.

The ongoing second semester examinations was also disrupted as other students coming for the exams met the entrance under lock and key.

The students demanded the investigation of the management of the institution for alleged misappropriation and mismanagement of funds in the school.

Speaking at the protest ground, Ogun NANS chairman, Damilola Simeon, expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged suffering brought upon the students despite the harsh economy.

A breakdown of the new fees by Mr Simeon is thus:

Acceptance Fee (science students) N25,500 increased to N35,500; ND N55,000 and HND N51,000 increased to N62,000 and N58,000 respectively; Fresh students (non-science students) ND N51,000 and HND N46,000 increased to N58,000 and N53,000 respectively; Returning students (science) N46,000 for both ND and HND increased to N53,000; and Returning students (non-science) N41,000 for both ND and HND increased to N48,000.

A statement issued by NANS said the increment failed to consider the economic situation in the country.

Without considering the economic conditions of parents and guardians, tuition fees were increased outrageously again for two consecutive sessions, read the statement.

This is the highest level of discomfort any management could think of putting the students through.

When contacted, Yemi Ajibola, the schools Public Relations Officer, said he would get back to our reporter. He never did and subsequent calls were not responded to.

Read NANS statement:

We are disheartened to converge here today, not for celebration but to decry the suffering and panic the management of the MAPOLY has subjected us to as students.

Our offense as Nigerian students is that we want to be educated and the Dr Adeoye Odedeji led management of MAPOLY is saying education is not for the poor.

Few months ago in the last academic session, tuition fee for both ND and HND students was increased including part time students whose figure is not accurately given.

We resisted this increment and came to a benchmark of reduction in the initially added amount after due consultation. The clear promise made to the students body by this same Dr Odedeji and other members of the management team is that there will no longer be increment. At least, not in his own time as the Ag. Rector.

Little did we know that he was only waiting for the state government to confirm his appointment as substantive Rector before unveiling his anti-poor policy to make MAPOLY unaffordable for the masses.

Without considering the economic conditions of parents and guardians, tuition fees were increased outrageously again for two consecutive sessions. This is the highest level of discomfort any management could think of putting the students through.

We would have considered that lack of funding is the reason for increasing tuition fee as claimed by the management, but how do we reconcile that with the fact that the same Dr Odedeji and few of his associates in the school are buying generators, vehicles and other properties with and through the school resources and yet diverting it to be their private properties.

Even with the last tuition fee increment, there is no significant change in the institution nor in the payment of staff salary.

It is disheartening that cleaners and other petty workers who are on as little as #10,000 salary per month are owed several months of their salary.

It is only when it comes to maintaining infrastructures and paying staff salary that the management start complaining of no funds. But they manage to get the fund to finance their embezzlement and diversion.

Under the same management, projects and contracts are awarded through nepotistic means and at high rate for their personal commission.

This is to show that the problem is not lack of fund but the insatiable desire of the Rector and his friends to make illegal income by all means.

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Some supporters of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, have expressed mixed reactions over his visit to a controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi.

Mr Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, in a tweet posted on his Twitter, on Monday, paid a courtesy visit to the cleric at his residence in Kaduna State.

Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed and I stopped by for a courtesy call on Sheikh Gumi at his official residence in Kaduna, Mr Obi said in the tweet.

While the visit by the LP candidate, largely popular among Nigerian youth, may be seen as a mere political move ahead of the general polls, some of his supporters have, however, said they will withdraw their support for him.

As of the time of filing this report, the tweet had garnered thousands of comments, likes and retweets from his critics as well as supporters who felt betrayed by the visit.

Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed and I stopped by for a courtesy call on Sheikh Gumi at his official residence in Kaduna. -PO pic.twitter.com/jk2Dfq49gy  Peter Obi (@PeterObi) October 17, 2022

With the spread of terrorism and banditry in the country, the Kaduna-based Islamic scholar has been under fire over his comments which have been interpreted in some quarters to be in support of terrorists and bandits

In a post, Ogwuefe Bunkoye questioned Mr Obis latest action and vowed not to vote for him in the coming election.

Honest question Peter, do you feel happy that politics has turned you into this? Because, Im no longer voting for you, he said.

Nkem #PeterObi2023, cautioned the LP candidate against the urge to visit everyone under the guise of invitation. He described the cleric in question as a known ethnic bigot.

READ ALSO:

Peter Obi, this bridge you are building, I hope it wont connect with Buharis own at some point. Cause I dont understand anymore, another supporter, Fakoyejo Olalekan, asked.

Some supporters have, however, argued in defence of Mr Obi and his running mate.

Some said the LP candidate has made them more proud through his visit to Mr Gumi, since he remains an influential figure in the Northern region.

This is what we call Building bridges. Gumi is also a Nigerian. No court has convicted him. Lets build bridges. Even APC-dominated areas and difficult-to-reach areas will be reached, @Morris_Monye noted.

Musa Dawa said, this #Obidient team is a unifying team, with No discrimination, No Permanent Enemy but Permanent National Interest.

He went to Dunamis, Redemption Camp, etc and they said to visit the Northern clerics and Traditional Rulers. He has stopped by to meet with Gumi and now they are crying.

Questions:

Is Gumi a Criminal?

Is Gumi not a Nigerian?

Are there people that follow him? another Twitter user, Udemba Esq asked.

Although other leading candidates have continued to underrate the possible influence of Mr Obi, the LP candidate has remained one of the most discussed candidates by the youth on Twitter.

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The police in Ebonyi State have spoken about the alleged abduction of the Labour Party (LP) senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South District, Linus Okorie.

Mr Okorie is a former member of the House of Representatives.

He represented Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2011 and 2019.

Mr Okorie defected from the PDP to the LP in August to pursue his 2023 senate ambition.

He would be contesting the Senate seat against Dave Umahi, who would be completing his tenure as the Ebonyi State governor next year.

David Ogbonna, a staffer of the former lawmakers foundation, Linus Okorie CaringHeart Foundation, in a statement on Sunday, said the victim was abducted by members of Ebubeagu Security Network, a South-east security outfit backed by the Ebonyi State Government.

The former lawmakers wife, Lilian, in a live video on her verified Facebook page on Sunday, also announced Mr Okories abduction by the security outfit, claiming the action was ordered by Governor Umahi.

Police reaction

While reacting to the incident, the police said the LP candidate was arrested by Ebubeagu, and not abducted.

The police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Chris Anyanwu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

He said the police swung into action in response to the rumoured abduction of the former lawmaker and later traced him to the head office of the Ebubeagu security outfit at the Old Government House.

Mr Anyanwu said the police were briefed by the security outfit that Mr Okorie was arrested for his activities and utterances that incited and provoked the violence that engulfed Onicha Local Government Area (of the state).

READ ALSO:

The police spokesperson said the incident led to an attack by gunmen suspected to be members of IPOB, an outlawed group, who reportedly killed seven persons in the area.

Hence, the case has now been taken over by the Police Command for preliminary investigation, he said, without giving details.

It is also pertinent to mention that Honourable Linus Abaa Okorie also has a pending case in which he is implicated in a drug-related offence where the suspects purported to be his agents were arrested for hard drug sales and use at his City Hub Inn, Mile 50, Abakaliki, he said.

Mr Anyawu did not, however, say the drug case was part of the reason for Mr Okories arrest.

(the) Case was later transferred to the NDLEA for further necessary actions, he stated.

He said Mr Okorie was also accused by the state government of spreading fake news against Governor Umahi, alleging that he (the governor) illegally withdrew the sum of N6.7 billion from the governments account to fund the Appeal Court judgement against his removal from office.

Mr Anyanwu, a superintendent of police, said the LP candidate rebuffed police invitations to respond to the allegations against him but instead filed fallacious suits against the police in the state.

He defended the arrest of the LP candidate by the Ebubegu operatives, insisting that the security outfit is a lawfully established local security outfit by the House of Assembly and Government of Ebonyi State and that the security outfit was empowered by the state law to arrest anybody.

He said, as it is the norm, the security outfit has handed over Mr Okorie to the police in the state for further investigation and other necessary actions.

The police spokesperson, however, did not explain the link between the LP candidates rebuffing of police invitations and his arrest by the Ebubeagu operatives.

He was also silent on whether the police or government asked the security outfit to arrest the former lawmaker.

Ebubeagu was set up in 2021 by governors of the five states in the South-east to help in the fight against insecurity in the region, which has witnessed deadly attacks linked to Biafra agitation by the IPOB.

But the security outfit has been accused of extrajudicial killings in the region.

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Ogun State has suspended a governorship aspirant of the party, Jimi Lawal, for allegedly participating in an illegal governorship primary election in the state.

The party suspended Mr Lawal and four others including the Financial Secretary of the party, Bola Odunmosu, and the party chairman of Ijebu North-east local government, Tope Asiru.

The Secretary of the party, Sunday Solarin, announced their suspension immediately after a State Executive Council meeting held at the partys secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Mr Solarin said Mr Lawal and the others were suspended for violating the constitution of the party by conducting and participating in an illegal governorship primary election which was not authorised by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

It will be recalled that a Federal High court sitting in Abeokuta recently cancelled the partys primary and also ordered that a fresh primary be conducted within 14 days.

But the National Executive Council of the party appealed the judgement insisting that there will be no other primary in the state.

While briefing journalists at their party secretariat on Monday evening, Mr Solarin said Mr Lawal in connivance with the four others conducted an illegal primary.

Mr Solarin added that Mr Lawal and the others were suspended for one month pending the outcome of a disciplinary committee which would be set up to review their action.

Mr Solarin, while handing down the suspension said, All of these shenanigans will be put to bed and we have resolved that the principal actors of the illegal primary election will be exposed. They have been found to have transgressed against the laws of the party and their punishment will be given.

We were informed that an Illegal congress was going to happen today and history has it as of this afternoon that some people gathered somewhere to carry out an action that is not constitutionally or statutorily assigned to them.

We have also resolved today that Otunba Jimi Lawal is also going to be on suspension with immediate effect because he participated actively in a congress not conducted by the State Executives of the party, an action which has been found to bring the party into disrepute.

We must also emphasize the fact that in a house where discipline is missing, definitely such a house will not raise good children and they are not going to raise a good ambassador for that family.

Because PDP is a house that believes in the rule of law, it is a house built by our forefathers, managed by all of us. We are not going to open our eyes and allow some dissidents to destroy the house and therefore we must toe the path of discipline by showing them the way.

So they are suspended for the next one month in which case the disciplinary committee will be set up and they will be invited to come and explain the action they took, the reason why their suspension will not be elongated or the reason why it will not be translated to expulsion.

When contacted for reaction, the spokesperson of Mr Lawals faction, Austin Oniyokor, did not respond to phone calls and text messages.

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LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dechert LLP has announced today that Matthias Kerbusch has joined the firm's financial services group as a partner in Luxembourg.

Mr. Kerbusch advises domestic and international clients on the formation and restructuring of a mix of Luxembourg domiciled open- and closed-ended funds across all asset classes, particularly Specialized Investment Funds and Reserved Alternative Investment Funds, the primary vehicles for alternative investment fund managers in Luxembourg. He will work in close cooperation with Dechert's multi-jurisdictional tax practice to ensure full harmonisation of the regulatory and fiscal aspects on any fund-structuring work.

Marc Seimetz, managing partner of Dechert's Luxembourg office, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Matthias. His addition to our Luxembourg-based team will further strengthen our global ability to support our investment management clients."

"The strength of Dechert's global platform and the sophistication of its asset management clients were significant factors in my decision to join the firm," Mr. Kerbusch said. "Dechert's presence as a leading funds practice across all the European investment management centers  Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg and Paris  is very attractive to clients and I am excited to leverage these resources to further strengthen Dechert's presence and capabilities in the region."

Dechert's financial services and investment funds practice, which is made up of some 185 financial services lawyers in 17 offices throughout the world, was the first and is the leading law firm with a funds practice in all key European fund domiciles as well as the U.S., the Middle East and Asia. The firm is consistently recognized as a top law firm for investment funds by a number of publications in the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East, including Chambers, The Legal 500 and IFLR.

About Dechert

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 22 offices around the world. The firm advises on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1675243/Dechert_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Dechert LLP
Tokio Marine, alongside other shareholders, will lead bolttech's Series B funding round that follows its largest ever Series A raised by an insurtech

SINGAPORE, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- bolttech, one of the world's fastest growing international insurtech companies, today announced Tokio Marine, alongside other shareholders, will lead bolttech's Series B funding round. The investment values bolttech, Singapore's only homegrown insurtech unicorn, at an up-round valuation of approximately US$1.5 billion, one year after it closed the largest ever Series A funding round for an insurtech.

bolttech, one of the world's leading embedded insurance providers, is a global B2B2C insurtech that leverages its pioneering insurance exchange to connect insurers with distributors and their customers. With licenses to operate in more than 30 markets throughout Asia and Europe and all 50 U.S. states, bolttech's platform provides businesses inside and outside the insurance industry everything they need to offer insurance products to meet their customers' evolving insurance and protection needs in the digital age. This connectivity enables bolttech's partners to re-imagine their business models and find new revenue streams, accelerate digital transformation, and deepen customer relationships.

bolttech has achieved rapid growth since its inception in 2020. The company now quotes approximately US$50 billion worth of annualized premiums through its technology-enabled insurance exchange, the largest in the world. Globally, bolttech's insurance exchange connects over 800 distribution partners with more than 200 insurance providers and offers in excess of 6,000 product variations.

Tokio Marine's partnership as a strategic investor will complement bolttech's capabilities and reach, enhancing bolttech's distribution strength, product innovation, and balance-sheet capacity. The proceeds of the Series B will be used primarily to fuel the business' continued global growth.

Rob Schimek, bolttech's Group Chief Executive Officer, said, "Securing a lead investor of Tokio Marine's high caliber and esteem is strong validation of international investors' belief in the resilience of bolttech's business model, our long-term value proposition, and our role in shaping the future of insurance distribution. Tokio Marine will be a pivotal strategic partner as we continue to accelerate our growth strategy and global expansion."

Masashi Namatame, Managing Executive Officer, Group Chief Digital Officer, said, "Tokio Marine is excited to have the opportunity to lead bolttech's Series B round, and join bolttech on its incredible growth trajectory as their strategic partner. The scale and breadth of bolttech's platform, coupled with its industry-leading tech and digital capabilities, and extensive insurance experience, uniquely positions the company as a clear leader within the insurtech space. We look forward to working with bolttech to take advantage of the commercial opportunities our new strategic partnership will offer."

SOURCE bolttech
STONINGTON, Conn., Oct. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service by supporting members and families, announced it launched a matching gift opportunity to support Coast Guard members who lost homes to Hurricanes Ian and Fiona.

Since Hurricane Ian decimated southwest Florida, Coast Guard members rescued more than 1,000 people and 100 pets in less than seven days, including bringing relief supplies and evacuating residents from communities that were wholly isolated after the storm.

The Coast Guard Foundation provides emergency grants to help Coast Guard members rebuild and recover from Hurricane Ian. Tweet this Coast Guard National Strike Force members scan Pine Island, Florida for people in need on Oct. 1, 2022. The National Strike Force team in Southwest Florida comprises members from the Pacific, Gulf, and Atlantic strike teams. Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

Among the rescuers and first responders are Coast Guard members who lost homes or suffered other damages from Ian.

The Coast Guard Foundation is providing emergency grants to Coast Guard members who suffered losses from Hurricanes Ian and Fiona so they can quickly get resources to bounce back from the devastation as they continue to serve our nation.

"Thanks to the Coast Guard Foundation and its donors for all of the support," shared Coast Guard Commander Shawn Lansing, executive officer for Coast Guard members on the West Coast of Florida. "I know some members took advantage of the grants and were effusive on how quick and easy the process was. It was a huge relief and let them quickly address their situations and refocus on their Coast Guard duties."

To keep pace with the number of requests for assistance, the Foundation launched a matching gift appeal on Oct. 11. Every donation to the Foundation's emergency relief program up to $40,000 will be doubled by an anonymous donor.

"We are here now, and we will continue to be there in the future to lend a helping hand to Coast Guard members and families," said Susan Ludwig, Coast Guard Foundation President. "Our emergency support program is made possible by the generosity of our Coast Guard Foundation community who stands side-by-side with us in being there for Coast Guard members and families where and when they need us most."

Coast Guard Foundation senior leadership is available to speak more about how the organization supports Coast Guard members in their time of great need. Visit coastguardfoundation.org/emergency-relief-grant to learn more about the grant process.

To donate to the emergency response effort to assist in this natural disaster and others in the future: coastguardfoundation.org/emergencyrelief

SOURCE Coast Guard Foundation
Milestone Ameren Missouri infrastructure project completed six months ahead of schedule and under budget

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of residents in Missouri and Illinois are enjoying more reliable energy thanks to Ameren Transmission's completion of the $215 million Metro South Reliability Project.

The multiyear project, which was finished six months ahead of schedule, is part of Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan, a program designed to improve reliability and create a more resilient energy grid for customers.

"Our transmission system is a superhighway of energy," said Shawn Schukar, president, Ameren Transmission Company. "Thanks to this project's smart grid technology, customers on both sides of the river will benefit from a more robust system delivering safe, affordable, reliable and cleaner energy."

The Metro South Reliability Project reconstructed approximately 10 miles of 138,000-volt transmission line in St. Louis County and in the City of St. Louis. The line connects infrastructure from Shrewsbury to Bella Villa and crosses the Mississippi River into Illinois. It serves large portions of St. Louis City, South County and Metro East.

"This major investment in energy infrastructure provides great value to our customers by increasing energy supply capacity, incorporating smart technology and improving reliability, all while bringing cleaner energy sources to homes and businesses," said Suzanne Pohlman, project manager for the Metro South Reliability Project. "By bolstering the grid with needed upgrades, this project also enables a seamless transition for customers as we retire the Meramec Energy Center at the end of this year."

The project included construction of two new transmission towers on both sides of the Mississippi River. Each tower stands 294 feet tall  roughly the height of the Statue of Liberty  and weighs 500,000 pounds. The towers are connected with two transmission lines to create double circuiting. This provides a second power supply that helps prevent outages and increases energy capacity.

Watch a video of construction progress from earlier this year.

Ameren Transmission worked closely with the local neighborhoods throughout the project, including providing informational materials available in both English and Bosnian. An Ameren employee fluent in Bosnian and part of the local Bosnian community kept community members informed throughout the project. Customers experienced continuous energy service with no downtime related to the project.

About Ameren Missouri

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

SOURCE Ameren Missouri
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gerald F. Hemphill, CIC, LUTCF, of Richmond, Virginia was installed as president of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents during the organization's September 22, 2022 board of directors meeting held in San Diego, California.

Hemphill was sworn in together with his four fellow national officers: Richard A. Savino, CIC, CPIA, of Warwick, New York, President-elect; Ariel Rivera, MBA, CIC, CPIA, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Vice President/Treasurer; Mark A. Suhr of Seward, Nebraska, CIC, CPIA, Secretary/Assistant Treasurer; and Anthony "Tony" Curti, CIC, LIC, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Immediate Past President. All the officers will serve one-year terms that begin on October 1, 2022 and run through September 30, 2023.

"PIA is constantly expanding its ability to be the preferred resource for independent agents," said Hemphill. "During my installation remarks in San Diego, I mentioned a quote that has made a significant impact on me and one that I keep at my desk, 'Change is inevitable, Growth is optional.'"

Hemphill pointed out that PIA is currently in the ascendency, the result of making significant advances in key areas in recent years. He said PIA adapted quickly to changes in the business environment prompted by the coronavirus crisis, having already invested in technology upgrades. He lauded PIA's aggressive advocacy on behalf of independent agents that has produced legislative and regulatory victories that have added to agencies' bottom lines.

"Our Association heads into 2023 in a position of strength, purpose and vision," he said. "With many initiatives, programs, products and services, there are a lot of exciting things happening within our Association, and I look forward to serving alongside our Board, Members, Staff, Affiliates and Carrier partners. I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity."

An independent insurance agent in the metro-Richmond, Virginia area since 1993, Gerald represents all lines of insurance, specializing in commercial and life insurance risks. He was an agent for a large domestic carrier for five years and has been principal of his own agency ever since.

In 1996, Gerald earned his LUTCF (Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow) designation, and in 2002, completed his CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation. He is a graduate of Campbell University and Fork Union Military Academy. In addition to his designations, he holds property and casualty, and life, health and annuity licenses.

Hemphill was President of the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Virginia/DC in 2010 and has served on the National Board of PIA since 2013. He was named the PIA of Virginia/DC Agent of the Year in 2012.

Gerald and his wife have two daughters, Ashley and Taylor, and three grandchildren.

Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA's web address is http://www.pianational.org.

This press release is online at:

https://www.pianational.org/detail-pages/news/2022/10/07/gerald-f-hemphill-installed-as-president-of-national-association-of-professional-insurance-agents





SOURCE National Association of Professional Insurance Agents
South Pole's 2022 Net Zero Report found that an increasing number of climate-aware companies are supporting their net zero commitments with science-based targets, yet surprisingly, one in four do not plan to talk about them. This means many companies with robust targets are going green and then going dark.

Doing so makes corporate climate targets harder to scrutinise and limits knowledge-sharing on decarbonisation, potentially leading to less ambitious targets being set, and missed opportunities for industries to collaborate.

South Pole's 2022 Net Zero Report found:

One in four companies surveyed have set science-based emission reduction targets, but they do not plan to publicise them.

While corporate greenwash has been widely reported, this research reveals another emerging practice among companies: "green-hushing".

Customer pressure and brand leadership remain the top two drivers for setting a net zero target, but findings suggest that target-setting could become an essential, not exceptional, reputational strategy for companies.

Despite this, three-quarters of all surveyed companies have increased their net zero budgets over the past year and even a majority of those not on track to meet their net zero goals are expanding their sustainability teams.

LONDON, Oct. 17, 2022 New global research from South Pole , a world-leading climate project developer and solutions provider, has found that one in four of companies surveyed with science-based targets will not be publicising them.

South Pole's annual report Net Zero and Beyond: A Deep-dive on Climate Leaders and What's Driving Them , released today, surveyed the dedicated sustainability leads at over 1,200 large companies with net zero targets across 12 different countries and multiple sectors. Alongside net zero targets, nearly all have either set science-based emission reduction targets or plan to in the next year. Those surveyed can serve as a proxy to how some of the more climate-aware companies in the market are progressing (or not) on their net zero journey today.

South Pole has consistently found that companies are primarily driven to set net zero targets because of consumer demand for low-carbon goods and services, as well as the opportunity to show brand leadership. However, this year's report reveals that, while some companies are setting science-based net zero targets for these reasons, a significant portion will not be publicising them.

Last year, in the run up COP26, hundreds of companies across the world set net zero targets and publicised them with high-profile campaigns. Corporate ambition has not waned since, with South Pole's findings confirming that companies are continuing to set net zero targets at pace with increasing budgets to support them. Yet just one year later, ahead of COP27, this growing reluctance to publicise science-aligned climate targets raises questions around why some companies do not want to make their goals widely known.

"We see that sustainability-minded businesses are increasingly backing up their targets with science-based emissions reductions milestones, which is absolutely the right approach. But if a quarter today aren't coming forward with details on what makes their target credible, could corporate green-hushing be spreading? The speed at which we are overshooting our planetary boundaries is mind-blowing. More than ever, we need the companies making progress on sustainability to inspire their peers to make a start. This is impossible if progress is happening in silence," says Renat Heuberger, CEO of South Pole.

Honest conversations about the challenges in reaching net zero are essential as greenwash persists and litigation is on the rise. Investigative journalism calling out false claims helps to keep corporate ambition on climate high and sincere. At the same time, media scrutiny, NGO critique and the threat of lawsuits may be deterring companies who are voluntarily setting targets from being more open  as South Pole's 2022 Net Zero Report found.

"Corporate climate action is a necessary and welcome ingredient to slowing the climate crisis. If more businesses lead from the front by speaking openly about their goals, this will spur the many others out there who are yet to set company targets  ideally ones that are aligned with science," says Renee Morin, Chief Sustainability Officer at eBay.

Despite this, South Pole's report reveals that, while surveyed businesses might be forgoing the communication of their targets, they are forging ahead with their delivery. Three-quarters of companies surveyed have increased their net zero budgets since December 2021. And many are also increasing their in-house capacity by hiring new staff and upskilling their sustainability teams rather than using external consultants.

Importantly, one in three companies surveyed said achieving their targets is proving "more difficult than expected" and for those who admit to not being "on track", they plan to scale up their efforts "significantly" this year.

Even among the self-identified heavy emitters  three quarters of whom had science-aligned net zero targets  nearly a quarter have decided not to publicise their milestones beyond what is mandated. If reporting on climate performance is hushed even amid the most proactive heavy emitters, those with the media and regulatory spotlight on them, how will a 'race to the top' ever be incentivised among unlisted big polluters?

Note to Editors

The term 'science-based target' used in this release refers to self-reported claims from companies and not exclusively science-based targets that have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). A necessary condition of science-based target-setting according to the SBTi is publicly listing science-based targets on sciencebasedtargets.org, along with the annual disclosure of emissions and progress. This is different from widely publicising targets, meaning a quarter of companies surveyed are not proactively communicating their goals and progress to stakeholders.

About South Pole

South Pole, a social enterprise recognised by the World Economic Forum's Schwab Foundation, is today the world's leading climate solutions provider and carbon project developer. Since its creation in 2006, it has developed nearly 1,000 projects in over 50 countries to reduce over one gigaton of CO2 emissions, and to provide social benefits to less privileged communities who are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Projects range from sustainable agriculture, forest conservation, waste management, to energy efficiency and decentralised renewable energy. South Pole also advises thousands of leading companies on their sustainability journeys to achieve net-zero emissions. With its global Climate Solutions platform, South Pole develops and implements comprehensive strategies that turn climate action into long-term business opportunities for companies, governments and organisations around the world.

South Pole is committed to becoming a B Corp globally across all of its local entities, building on its high B Corp score and existing B Corp certification in Germany, Australia, and the U.S.

For more information, visit www.southpole.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram .

SOURCE South Pole
DENVER, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- REALM Global Founder and CEO Julie Faupel was honored this week as one of the Women to Watch in 2023 by Luxury Daily, the world's leading luxury publication. The luxury market watchdog annually names outstanding women executives who show the potential to make a difference in the luxury business in the year ahead. Faupel launched REALM Global, a luxury membership organization and technology platform in 2020 to empower exceptional luxury real estate professionals around the globe in their service to their clients.

REALM Global Founder and CEO Julie Faupel has been named to the list of top Women in Luxury to Watch for 2023 by the nation's leading luxury media organization. Faupel's REALM Global supports luxury real estate professionals across the U.S. and abroad to serve their Ultra High Net Worth and High Net Worth clients with their real estate needs.

This year's list of women features 26 honorees who have set ambitious goals to achieve in a luxury market that, while growing, is also challenged by continued fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and rapid changes in consumer behavior and technology. Other women on the list represent a wide range of top global luxury brands from Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to Buccellati and Baccarat.

"I am humbled that I have had the opportunity to manifest an idea into something that no longer is being shaped by only me and my perception of luxury," says Faupel. "For me, REALM is the luxury achievement that has resulted in connections with people that inspire me and challenge me to be better in all respects of my life  what a gift."

In August, REALM Global was recognized as real estate's Top Luxury Standout for 2022 by Inman Media, the real estate industry's leading resource. REALM joined the ranks of a prestigious group of agents, brokers, creative thinkers, and deal makers who were celebrated for testing the boundaries of the luxury real estate world and leading the industry into the future.

"Since our launch in March 2020, REALM's singular purpose has been to strengthen the individual through the power of community," says Faupel. "I am so proud of the community that exists within REALM and I am humbled by the support that we continue to see throughout our industry and beyond."

Since REALM debuted in March of 2020, the "brand-agnostic" platform has focused on building a luxury real estate community agent-by-agent. The members of REALM are on the forefront, defining the luxury real estate business of tomorrow. Today, REALM is comprised of 500+ elite luxury producers from over 40 states, 12 countries and 110 different real estate brands.

About REALM

REALM is the first globally collaborative real estate platform that combines real-time data with human experience and networking, and its membership is comprised of the most accomplished real estate professionals ever assembled. A REALM membership is a relationship enhancer and includes a game-changing technology platform that will enhance client data, provide a lifestyle profile for a member's clients, and then matches elite REALM members anywhere in the world based on the clients they represent and the listings they have.

To learn more, go to https://www.realm-global.com

MEDIA CONTACT: Terri Tiffany, [email protected] 650 387-7720

SOURCE REALM
Tarbox starts October 24

SEATTLE, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- REI Co-op announced today the addition of Mary-Farrell Tarbox to its retail leadership and corporate officer teams. Tarbox joins REI on October 24 as the company's vice president, physical stores and retail operations.

Mary-Farrell Tarbox, vice president, physical stores and retail operations

"Mary-Farrell is a proven leader in omni-channel operations. Her more than 30 years of leading successful teams across multiple retail environments made her a clear choice," says Cameron Janes, REI Co-op chief commercial officer. "As REI's retail presence expands across the nation, she will have a key role in helping the co-op achieve our aspiration to serve a 50-million-member community."

Tarbox will provide strategic leadership for REI's nearly 180 physical stores and retail operations team, which account for more than three-quarters of the company's 16,000+ employee base. She will be accountable to deliver on the co-op's goals for the retail organization that include advancing the employee experience, customer service and culture of continuous improvement.

"I have always admired REI for its commitment to its employees, members and helping get more people outside. I look forward to being part of a great team that delivers on the co-op's mission to support the outdoor community," says Tarbox.

With more than 30 years in the retail industry, Tarbox was most recently a regional vice president at Bed, Bath and Beyond where she oversaw 370 stores. She has also held senior leadership roles in retail and human resources at Crate & Barrel, Petsmart, Inc. and Target Corporation. In her immediate community, she has volunteered with Chicago Cares, Inc. for 20 years and presently serves as an emeritus board member.

About the REI Co-op

REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation's largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 21.5 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 178 locations in 42 states and the District of Columbia. If you can't visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn't just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI's active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access toand stewardthe outdoor places that inspire us all.

SOURCE REI Co-op
ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul J. Schwartz, DMD, was introduced as the 2022-23 President of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) during its recent Annual Meeting in New Orleans, La.

With AAOMS's other officers and Board of Trustees, Schwartz assumes leadership of the professional organization representing more than 9,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Schwartz of Pittsburgh, Pa., previously served as AAOMS President-Elect, Vice President and District II Trustee as well as chair of the Association's Committee on Anesthesia and an AAOMS House Delegate for several years.

"I am honored to be given this opportunity to serve as AAOMS President for 2022-23," Schwartz said during his Inaugural Address at the House of Delegates' third session. "We are all so fortunate to belong to an organization that so deeply cares about its members and this specialty."

Schwartz practiced oral and maxillofacial surgery in the Washington, D.C., metro area for more than 30 years before accepting an academic appointment at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. He has served as president of the Maryland Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, examiner and co-chair of medicine and anesthesia for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS).

As part of his training, Schwartz completed two residencies  in oral and maxillofacial surgery and a two-year program in anesthesiology/critical care medicine  both at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He received his doctorate in dental medicine with highest honors and was elected to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honorary society at Pitt. Schwartz also is a diplomate of ABOMS, the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology and the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology.

Schwartz succeeds J. David Johnson Jr., DDS, who will serve as Immediate Past President. Other 2022-23 officers elected by the House of Delegates are President-Elect Mark A. Egbert, DDS, FACS; Vice President J. David Morrison, DMD; and Speaker of the House Steven R. Nelson, DDS, MS. In addition, Gregory M. Ness, DDS, FACS, joins the Board of Trustees, serving the Great Lakes states in District IV for a two-year term and replacing Morrison. Trustees Martin E. Eichner, DDS, of District II and Charles A. Crago, DMD, MD, FACS, of District V were re-elected to two-year terms.

Egbert was Chief of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Seattle Children's Hospital for over 20 years, and he continues to practice full-time there. Previously, he spent 14 years as OMS chief at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. He is an associate professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Washington and served five years as AAOMS District VI Trustee and eight years as an ABOMS examiner. He also has been president of the Western and Washington societies of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, a director on the OMS Foundation Board, AAOMS Delegate for 14 years and a member of multiple AAOMS committees.

Morrison has a private practice in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the senior partner in a group practice. He has served as AAOMS District IV Trustee, District IV Caucus Chair and president of the Ohio Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Cincinnati Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. In addition, Morrison has been a member of the AAOMS House of Delegates for more than 20 years. He recently finished serving as a Director on the OMS Foundation Board and previously served as a volunteer faculty member at the University of Cincinnati. Morrison also has served on multiple AAOMS committees.

Nelson was elected to his 21st term as Speaker of the House and also received AAOMS's 2022 Presidential Achievement Award. He is a member of the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center and practices in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Nelson, Rollert & Wells Associates in Denver, Colo. He also is past chair of the Small Donor Committee of the Colorado Dental Political Action Committee, a member of the Colorado Dental Association Government Relations Council and a volunteer with the Colorado Dental Lifeline Network (after serving as president).

Ness has taught oral and maxillofacial surgery to dental students and residents for 30 years, with special emphasis on non-surgical and surgical therapy for temporomandibular joint disease. He has served ABOMS as an examiner, section co-chair, and content expert for temporomandibular joint disease and orofacial pain. He also serves on numerous other national, regional and local committees and organizations, including the American Dental Education Association Board of Directors, and is a past president of the American Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons.

Other AAOMS Trustees are, David M. Shafer, DMD, of District I; Debra M. Sacco, DMD, MD, of District III; W. Frederick Stephens, DDS, of District VI; and Treasurer Robert S. Clark, DMD. The Board also includes Secretary/Executive Director Karin Wittich, CAE.

SOURCE American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
LAS VEGAS , Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaming & Leisure, a preeminent gaming & hospitality organization, releases today the recipients of the 2022 Annual Gaming & Hospitality Industry Awards. The Industry Awards are uniquely free to enter globally and judged by the industry's buying constituency. Recipients will be featured in the upcoming Winter 2022 edition of Gaming & Leisure, written by industry renowned executive, Bart Lewin.

"What a true honor to award these amazing recipients." said Jeannie Caruso, CEO of Gaming & Leisure. Caruso continued, "The significance and uniquity of the awards are the G&L Board and Roundtable Colleague judges, who are the top innovation leaders in the industry, and represent a majority of gaming technology spend in North America. These distinguished judges define and create the rigorous review process, analyze the entries and select the recipients. It is my great pleasure to host the industry awards each year recognizing these well-deserving recipients."

The Platinum Award was awarded to Infor. "We are delighted and honored that Infor has received the Platinum Award in the Annual Gaming & Hospitality Industry Awards for 2022," said Jason Floyd, general manager of hospitality solutions at Infor. "Our team continually strives to embody and promote the ideals of focused transformation, technology innovation to scale with the times, and mutually beneficial trusted partnerships in a vibrant and changing industry. This is not just for our evolving journey as a company, but also in support of our customers, peers, and the hospitality and gaming industry that we seek to serve every day."

The Partner and Transformation Awards were awarded to Agilysys. "It is a great privilege to receive both the prestigious G&L Gaming & Hospitality Industry Partner and Transformation Awards," said Darren Student, Vice President - Sales, Gaming. "At Agilysys, partnering with our gaming industry customers to enable them to achieve their objectives and transform their operations is a core tenet of our philosophy. To be recognized as the only company to ever receive 2 of the 4 Annual Industry awards in one year is a clear validation of our commitment to the gaming industry and the hard work of everyone at Agilysys."

Signature Systems, Inc. (SSI) was the recipient of the Innovation Award. "There's no better honor than being recognized by the industry titans comprised on the Gaming & Leisure Board for the tireless work we perform throughout the gaming and hospitality sector. The Innovation Award for 2022 acknowledges our technological prowess, highlights our agile and collaborative approach to software development, and showcases our continuous commitment to adding measurable and meaningful value in all aspects of our customer-focused, holistic solution sets."

The G&L Roundtable is a coveted, private forum for gaming and hospitality CXOs. Among the many CXOs in attendance annually, it's hosted the most gaming CIOs in one private forum in North America.

Gaming & Leisure is an organization dedicated to the betterment and unification of the gaming and hospitality industry.

Media contact:

Jeannie Caruso

[email protected]

SOURCE Gaming & Leisure
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A 53-year-old man who was sexually abused for over three years by his elementary school teacher has received long-awaited justice in the form of a verdict in his favor by a Nassau County jury. On January 28, 2019, the New York Legislature passed the Child Victims Act, which temporarily reopened the Statute of Limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse. It was signed into law by Governor Cuomo on February 14, 2019. The Child Victims Act allowed survivors of childhood sexual abuse in New York the opportunity to file a civil lawsuit against the abuser, and potentially the institution responsible, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.

The Plaintiff, Michael Malvin, was represented by New York personal injury firm, Block O'Toole & Murphy, LLP. Firm Partners Scott Occhiogrosso and Fred Aranki tried the case on behalf of the Plaintiff. The allegations were that the perpetrator, Defendant David Savage, began sexually abusing the Plaintiff in 1979 when he was 10 years old, while Savage was the Plaintiff's 5th Grade teacher at an elementary school in Rockville Centre, New York, an upper middle-class suburb in Nassau County on Long Island. This abuse of the Plaintiff continued until 1983, when the Plaintiff was in 9th Grade. The case was vigorously defended by Savage, who denied sexually abusing the Plaintiff. The case went to trial in Nassau County Supreme Court, commencing on October 3, 2022, during which the Plaintiff emotionally and courageously recounted how the abuse started and the horrific details of the abuse that was perpetrated against him by Savage from the ages of 10 to 14. On October 12, 2022, the jury unanimously returned a verdict of liability against the Defendant Savage, finding that he sexually abused the Plaintiff while he was under the age of 17 years old.

The parties then moved on the damages phase of the trial and the same jury rendered a damages verdict on October 17, 2022, awarding the Plaintiff a total of $30,000,000. With regard to compensatory damages, the jury awarded Mr. Malvin $6,000,000 for his past pain and suffering and $4,000,000 for his future pain and suffering. The Plaintiff also asked the jury to award punitive damages against the Defendant Savage and the jury awarded punitive damages in the amount of $20,000,000. It is believed that this verdict is the first Child Victims Act verdict, on a case that was defended, in the State of New York.

About Block O'Toole & Murphy

Block O'Toole & Murphy is a top personal injury law firm in New York that has recovered well over $1.5 billion dollars in verdicts and settlements. The firm's experienced trial lawyers are committed to achieving maximum compensation for their clients, who consist of victims of childhood sexual abuse, motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian accidents, construction accidents, and other acts of negligence.

For a free consultation, please call 212-736-5300 or visit https://www.blockotoole.com/

SOURCE Block O'Toole & Murphy
DUBLIN, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Automotive Blind Spot Detection System Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global automotive blind spot detection system market size reached US$ 4.3 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 8.8 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 12.68% during 2021-2027.

Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



The automotive blind spot detection (BSD) system is a sensor-based technology that assists in controlling the vehicle and promotes passenger safety. It helps detect objects in the periphery of the mirrors or bumper of the vehicles through embedded sensors and digital cameras, which utilize electromagnetic waves or computer-processed images. It generates tactile, audible, vibrating, or visual signals to alert the driver about the presence of obstacles at blind spot areas of the adjacent traffic lanes.



The burgeoning automotive industry represents one of the key factors positively influencing the market. In addition, the increasing number of road accidents and rising safety concerns among individuals about vehicle safety are catalyzing the need for integrating advanced safety technologies in automobiles.

In line with this, the growing demand for luxury vehicles is propelling automobile manufacturers to manufacture automobiles equipped with advanced safety features, such as pedestrian detection and BSD systems, which is creating a positive outlook for the market.

Additionally, the widespread adoption of radar-based BSD systems in commercial vehicles for long, medium, and short-range object detection is also contributing to the market growth. Furthermore, technological advancements, such as the introduction of smart mirrors and multicamera systems to provide improved user convenience and safety, are offering a favorable market outlook.

These systems are integrated with the existing infotainment screens and use ultrasonic waves that work effectively in adverse weather conditions. Moreover, the implementation of stringent government policies to encourage road and passenger safety is expected to drive the market.



Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the market has been analyzed in the report, along with the detailed profiles of the major players operating in the industry. Some of these players are Autoliv Inc., Continental Aktiengesellschaft, Delphi Technologies Plc, DENSO Corporation, Ficosa International S.A. (Panasonic Corporation), Magna International Inc., Mando Corporation, Preco Electronics Inc. (Sensata Technologies), Robert Bosch GmbH, Smart Microwave Sensors GmbH and ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin-Stiftung).



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global automotive blind spot detection system market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global automotive blind spot detection system market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the vehicle type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the technology?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end user?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global automotive blind spot detection system market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Automotive Blind Spot Detection System Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Vehicle Type

6.1 Passenger Cars

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Commercial Vehicles

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Technology

7.1 Radar Sensor

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Ultrasonic Sensor

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 LIDAR Sensor

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast

7.4 Others

7.4.1 Market Trends

7.4.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by End User

8.1 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Aftermarket

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Region



10 SWOT Analysis



11 Value Chain Analysis



12 Porters Five Forces Analysis

13 Price Analysis



14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Market Structure

14.2 Key Players

14.3 Profiles of Key Players

14.3.1 Autoliv Inc.

14.3.1.1 Company Overview

14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.1.3 Financials

14.3.1.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.2 Continental Aktiengesellschaft

14.3.2.1 Company Overview

14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2.3 Financials

14.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.3 Delphi Technologies Plc

14.3.3.1 Company Overview

14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.3.3 Financials

14.3.4 DENSO Corporation

14.3.4.1 Company Overview

14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.4.3 Financials

14.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.5 Ficosa International S.A. (Panasonic Corporation)

14.3.5.1 Company Overview

14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.5.3 Financials

14.3.6 Magna International Inc.

14.3.6.1 Company Overview

14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.6.3 Financials

14.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.7 Mando Corporation

14.3.7.1 Company Overview

14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.7.3 Financials

14.3.8 Preco Electronics Inc. (Sensata Technologies)

14.3.8.1 Company Overview

14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8.3 Financials

14.3.9 Robert Bosch GmbH

14.3.9.1 Company Overview

14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.9.3 Financials

14.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.10 Smart Microwave Sensors GmbH

14.3.10.1 Company Overview

14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10.3 Financials

14.3.11 ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin-Stiftung)

14.3.11.1 Company Overview

14.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.11.3 SWOT Analysis



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tfu82n

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
13 Leading Restaurants, Including L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Leku, Lido at the Surf Club and More will Create One of a Kind iberico jamon Dishes

 Participants Can Win Dinners at Each Restaurant

MIAMI, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, South Florida diners can take part in a culinary adventure like no other, celebrating Spanish food and the tradition of tapas at some of the region's best restaurants.

From October 20 through November 3, 13 of South Florida's finest restaurants and chefs, including 2 star Michelin L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Itamae, Niu Kitchen and more will participate in the first-ever Miami GastroTour, hosted by Cinco Jotas, Spain's leading gourmet brand of acorn-fed 100% iberico ham.

From October 20th through November 3rd, South Florida diners can embark on a taps tour during the first ever Miami GastroTour, hosted by Cinco Jotas, Spain's leading gourmet, acorn fed 100% iberico ham. 13 of the finest chefs and restaurants in the area, including several with Michelin stars, will create unique dishes using Cinco Jotas. All dishes are priced at $40 or less. Pictured here: Cinco Jotas Master Carver Luis Oso. Details at https://www.cincojotas.us. From October 20th through November 3rd, South Florida diners can embark on a taps tour during the first ever Miami GastroTour, hosted by Cinco Jotas, Spain's leading gourmet, acorn fed 100% iberico ham. 13 of the finest chefs and restaurants in the area, including several with Michelin stars, will create unique dishes using Cinco Jotas. All dishes are priced at $40 or less. Pictured here: Potato Beignets with Cinco Jotas, Yuzu Kosho, Nori & Caviar at Zit Sum. Details at https://www.cincojotas.us

Guests can embark on their own progressive tapas tour of their favorite area restaurants, to experience the quality and versatility of Cinco Jotas ham, a world renowned delicacy. Dishes at each restaurant will be priced at $40 or less. Diners will also have the opportunity to win a dinner at participating restaurants. For a chance to win, guests must follow @cincojotas on Instagram, use the hashtag #GastrotourMiami, and tag the restaurant.

Participating GastroTour restaurants include:

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (Miami)

Abiaka (Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood)

Boulud Sud (Miami)

Evelyn's (Fort Lauderdale)

Fiola (Coral Gables)

Florie's (Palm Beach)

Itamae (Miami)

Leku (Rubell Museum, Miami)

Lido Restaurant at the Surf Club (Four Seasons Hotel, Surfside)

Matador Room (Miami Beach Edition Hotel)

Niu Kitchen (Miami)

Seaspice Brasserie & Lounge (Miami)

Zits Sum (Coral Gables)

Full details for the Cinco Jotas Miami GastroTour are at https://www.cincojotas.us/.

About Cinco Jotas

Founded in 1879, Cinco Jotas is a premium gourmet brand of acorn-fed 100% iberico ham of the highest quality. Raised free range in the woodlands of Jabugo (Southwest Spain), Cinco Jotas native Iberian pigs feed on acorns, roots and herbs. Cinco Jotas acorn-fed 100% iberico ham has long been considered to be one of Spain's National Treasures. Now the official partner of The World's 50 Best Restaurants, an exclusive annual event in the world of international gastronomy, Cinco Jotas is sold in over 40 countries, the leader in terms of global sales in the 100% iberico luxury ham market in Spain.

Media Contact:

Helen Patrikis

631-553-1370

[email protected]

SOURCE Cinco Jotas
Automotive Cells Company & ProLogium Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to join forces in a new strategic partnership.

Both companies are leveraging their own expertise to jointly develop state-of-the-art EV solutions based on solid-state battery: the battery technology considered the most promising in terms of safety, energy density, hyper fast-charging capability, recyclability, weight optimization, costs, & lifetime.

ACC strengthens its position as a European leader in automotive battery development and manufacturing.

ProLogium solidifies its position as a leader in solid-state battery technology.

BORDEAUX, France, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive Cells Company (ACC) and ProLogium Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate in the development of electric vehicle (EV) solid-state battery. Under the MOU, ACC and ProLogium will focus their joint efforts on the collaboration for solid-state EV battery development. "ProLogium Inside" EV battery solutions will be developed for customers based on ProLogium's leading-edge solid-state battery technology and subsequent supply chain and/or industrial agreement concluded by both parties.

"We are very pleased to partner with ACC and further build on our pioneering role in enabling the fast transition to electric driving," said Vincent Yang, founder and Chief Executive Officer of ProLogium Technology. "We are a major innovator in battery technology with already proven manufacturing capabilities, and we aim to develop a large-scale overseas manufacturing footprint and cross-culture operational capability as a driver for a more sustainable world with our high-performance, safe and affordable technologies."

"ACC's purpose is to develop and produce battery cells and modules for electric vehicles with a focus on safety, performance, and competitiveness, while ensuring the highest level of quality and the lowest carbon footprint. As one of our key partners, ProLogium will help us to deliver EV products with advanced battery technology and establish an adequate supply chain to enable a more enjoyable and safer driving experience." said Yann Vincent, Chief Executive Officer of ACC.

Earlier this year, ACC confirmed the construction of its first gigafactory in Billy-Berclau (Hauts-de-France) with the aim of achieving an installed capacity of 120 GWh in Europe by 2030. ProLogium has also confirmed the search for its first overseas gigafactory site for next-generation solid-state batteries in Asia, Europe, or USA in light of the exponential growth in demand for electric vehicles over the next decade. The battery maker has been in discussion with multiple agencies in these regions.

About ACC

Born in the 2020s, we're built for the fast-paced, high-tech environment that's the modern energy industry. We thrive in the world of EV battery technology. We are the result of an initiative undertaken by Stellantis and TotalEnergies together with its subsidiary Saftjoined by Mercedes-Benz, and strongly supported by France, Germany, and the European Union.

Our new R&D Expertise Center is already up and running in Bruges (Bordeaux), along with a state-of-the-art Pilot Plant in Nersac, France (Nouvelle Aquitaine). Our first Gigafactory is being built in Billy-Berclau Douvrin, Hauts-de-France. Then there's our new Applied Engineering Center and a second Lithium-ion Gigafactory planned in Germany for 2025. And we've announced a new Gigafactory in Termoli in Italy (subject to further confirmation).

That's a total 7 billion of investment, and it's just the beginning. We're putting down long-term roots across the world, securing a global network of R&D associates, industrial partners, and suppliers.

ABOUT PROLOGIUM

Founded in 2006, ProLogium is a global leader in innovative next-generation battery technologies for vehicle, consumer, and industrial applications. ProLogium is the first battery company in the world to mass-produce solid-state lithium ceramic batteries. Its proprietary technologies cover nearly 600 (applied and awarded) patents worldwide. ProLogium's automated pilot production line has provided nearly 8,000 solid-state battery sample cells to global car manufacturers for testing and module development. ProLogium's GWh level solid-state lithium ceramic battery plant will be the first in the world to go online in early 2023, and it aims to begin scaling up by the second half of the year, followed by capacity expansion plans in major markets worldwide. Further information can be found at www.prologium.com

SOURCE ProLogium Technology
Co-Hosted by IntegriChain and Blue Fin Group

Industry Conference Focused on Drug Commercialization Strategy and Operational Excellence

Features Keynote William Roth, Industry Panels, and Exclusive ICyte Industry Benchmarks

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IntegriChain, delivering pharma's only comprehensive data, consulting, and business process platform for market access, today announced that it has broken in-person attendance records for its Access Insights Conference 2022, now co-hosted by Blue Fin Group. The Access Insights Conference opens today at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront. Designed for commercial, operational, and financial teams at pharma manufacturers, the conference features industry executive and practitioner panels, exclusive ICyte Benchmarks presentations, and strategic and tactical programs focused on drug commercialization strategy and operational excellence. Keynoting the conference will be William Roth , General Manager and Managing Partner of Blue Fin Group and a recognized expert on business model development in healthcare, as he examines current industry trends and his vision for the future for commercialization trends by therapy archetype.

"We are excited to see the continuing growth of our Access Insights Conference as we address the industry's evolution to next-generation specialty and precision medicine," said IntegriChain Co-Founder, President, and Chief Operating Officer Josh Halpern . "Our conference uniquely focuses on current industry trends, strategies, and data-driven commercialization tactics for approaching the new era of market access for GTN optimization, innovative contracting, patient services, channel design, and more. We are thrilled to kick off this year's conference today with our esteemed colleagues from Blue Fin Group and welcome our customers, ecosystem partners and sponsors, and industry service providers for an exciting three days."

About the Access Insights Conference

The three-day Access Insights Conference features leading industry experts, industry executives, benchmarks, strategies, and tactics for data-driven patient access and therapy commercialization.

Executive Summit: Day 1 of the conference features the vision for the future of therapy commercialization and access, insights from rich benchmark reports, and real-world experiences of industry leaders and practitioners.

Topic Sessions: Day 2 will feature 24 hot topic sessions addressing the following themes and more:

The impact of drug pricing reform on government pricing and gross-to-net

Market trends and strategies for pharma product archetypes including specialty lite, biosimilars, specialty generics, vaccines, infusion products, and cell and gene products

Innovation and trends in tokenization, script optimization, and gross-to-net optimization

Industry panel perspectives on patient adherence program optimization and alternative channels

Eyes on ICyte: Day 3 is reserved for all ICyte sessions, including updates on Channel and Patient Data Products, Gross-to-Net SaaS and Managed Services, and Contracts & Pricing Managed Services.

About Blue Fin Group, an IntegriChain Company

Blue Fin Group develops strategies to optimize patient access, commercialization, and gross-to-net to support life sciences manufacturers throughout the product life cycle. Blue Fin Group is a full-service management consulting firm delivering research, strategy, and implementation to help manufacturers align all the elements of marketing, market access, field sales, pharmacy and distribution, and patient services as a seamless commercial strategy that helps optimize patient outcomes. Blue Fin Group has served more than 300 manufacturersprimarily those commercializing their first asset or large global firms with products that span cell and gene therapies, orphan/rare, specialty, primary care, vaccines, biosimilars, and generics. For additional information, visit https://consultbfg.com/ or follow on Twitter bluefingroup and LinkedIn.

About IntegriChain

IntegriChain delivers pharma's only comprehensive data, consulting, and business process platform for market access departments. We provide the strategy, data, applications, and business process infrastructure for market access and therapy commercialization. More than 400 manufacturers rely on our consulting expertise and ICyte Platform to orchestrate their commercial and government payer contracting, patient services, and distribution channels. ICyte is the first and only platform that unites the financial, operational, and commercial data sets required to support therapy access in the era of specialty and precision medicine. With ICyte, pharmaceutical innovators can digitalize their market access operations, freeing up resources to focus on more data-driven decision support. IntegriChain is backed by Accel-KKR, a leading Silicon Valley technology private equity firm. We are headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, with offices in Ambler, PA; New York, NY, Raleigh, NC, and Pune, India. For more information, visit www.integrichain.com , or follow on Twitter @ IntegriChain and on LinkedIn .

Contact

Jennifer Guinan, Sage Strategic Marketing, 610.410.8111, [email protected]

SOURCE IntegriChain
Appointment of public health veteran and current Association president signals continued focus on scientific progress and access for treatments for all who will benefit

CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Joanne Pike, DrPH, current president of the Alzheimer's Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research, will become the organization's chief executive officer in January 2023. She will be responsible for delivery of all services to achieve the organization's vision of a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Dr. Pike will succeed Harry Johns, as outlined in an earlier announcement , who has served as the Association's CEO since 2005. Under Johns' leadership, the Alzheimer's public health crisis became a global priority.

Alzheimer's Association Dr Joanne Pike

Sarah Lorance, chair of the Alzheimer's Association Board of Directors, noted the board unanimously agreed on the decision to elevate Dr. Pike to chief executive officer, signaling full, ongoing commitment to the succession plan Johns announced in 2021.

"When my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at a very young age, the Alzheimer's Association was a tremendous source of support and information for my family," said Lorance. "Dr. Pike's passion to support all communities increasingly impacted by Alzheimer's and other dementias is undeniable. She's the ideal next leader for the organization and for the millions impacted by Alzheimer's and all other dementia."

Dr. Pike's 25-year career as an innovative leader in public health uniquely positions her to advance the care and research priorities that will have the most impact on those facing Alzheimer's disease, with a particular emphasis on outreach to underrepresented and underserved communities.

"As one of the fastest-growing diseases in America, what we do next as a society to address the many impacts of Alzheimer's will be critical," said Johns, current Alzheimer's Association CEO. "With the elevation of Joanne to chief executive officer, I am confident we will continue to speed such critical advances and ultimately win the fight to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Joanne's expertise will be so important to the essential evolution of our healthcare systems to meet the very real needs of those affected in communities across the nation."

Dr. Pike will take the helm of the Alzheimer's Association at a time of great progress in research, including a robust treatment pipeline. Last month, we saw the most encouraging results in clinical trials treating the underlying causes of Alzheimer's to date.

Since joining the Alzheimer's Association in 2016, and serving now as president, Dr. Pike has had responsibilities that include the Association's global efforts to accelerate research; enhance care and support; advance public policy; strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion; increase concern and awareness; and grow revenue. Previously, Dr. Pike served as chief strategy officer of the Association, guiding the implementation of the strategic plan throughout the organization. Earlier, she was the Association's chief program officer, responsible for care and support services for those facing the disease; outreach aimed at creating partnerships with health systems, physicians, and other health care professionals; long-term care initiatives focused on person-centered care delivery models; and growth strategies to reach more individuals through quality improvement, education, and support programs and services.

"Having collaborated extensively with Joanne during the past 6 years, I have witnessed her steadfast commitment to all elements of our mission, and to all of the people that mission supports. She is dedicated to changing outcomes for the more than 6 million people living with Alzheimer's in America today, their 11 million unpaid caregivers, and to advances that will create risk reduction and treatment opportunities for everyone in the future," added Johns.

"The Board has been both intentional and thoughtful in its selection of the right leader for the Alzheimer's Association collaboratively with Mr. Johns throughout the entirety of the selection process," said Brian Richardson, outgoing chair of the Alzheimer's Association Board of Directors. "Dr. Pike's extensive public health experience combined with the humanity she lends the movement make her the obvious and best choice to ensure consistent and meaningful leadership moving forward."

"My deep passion for public health leads me to approach Alzheimer's disease and all other dementia with a particular sense of urgency," said Dr. Pike. "The next few years hold incredible promise. There are more potential treatments for Alzheimer's in the pipeline than at any point in history. I am grateful for Harry's unwavering leadership during the past 17 years and applaud all that he accomplished in his tenure. I share his commitment to achieving our mission in all communities, particularly those which have historically been underserved. It will be an honor to lead the Alzheimer's Association."

Before joining the Association, Dr. Pike spent 13 years in leadership positions at the American Cancer Society and three years as the executive director of the Preventive Health Partnership, leading a collaboration between the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association to prevent and promote early detection of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Dr. Pike earned her doctorate in public health leadership, focused on health policy and management, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has a master's degree in community counseling from St. Mary's University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Portland.

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit alz.org.

SOURCE Alzheimers Association
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio has been monitoring the architectural engineering and construction solutions (AECS) market, operating in the IT software industry. The report estimates it to register an incremental growth of USD 6.41 billion, at a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period. The global AECS market is characterized by the presence of well-diversified international and regional vendors. Competitors have to focus on performance, innovation, cost, and financial stability to strengthen their foothold in the market. Market vendors also have to leverage the existing growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Request Free Sample Report.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Architectural Engineering and Construction Solutions (AECS) Market 2022-2026

Architectural Engineering and Construction Solutions (AECS) Market Vendors

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the Architectural Engineering and Construction Solutions (AECS) Market, including some of the vendors such as vendors Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the Architectural Engineering and Construction Solutions (AECS) Market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

4M Group

Group ACCA software Spa

ANSYS Inc.

Autodesk Inc

AVEVA Group Plc

Bentley Systems Inc.

CYPE Ingenieros SA

Dassault Systemes SE

Esri

GEOTEC Software Inc.

Hexagon AB

Innovaya LLC

Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd.

Nemetschek SE

Newforma Inc.

Oracle Corp.

Procore Technologies Inc.

Trimble Inc.

Virtual Build Technologies

Construsoft B.V.

Find additional highlights on the growth strategies adopted by vendors and their product offerings, Download a Sample Report.

Architectural Engineering and Construction Solutions (AECS) Market Driver

The increasing need for managing large-scale projects is notably driving the architectural engineering and construction solutions (AECS) market growth. Currently, organizations are focusing on cultivating and managing the resources necessary for efficient product output, which increases the need for efficient solutions for the management of large-scale construction projects. The primary purpose of AECS is to automate processes to ensure maximized output by managing resources and maintaining regular follow-up. Automated services increase connectivity so that organizations can handle project-related inquiries easily and effectively. Also, automation decreases response time and increases productivity, which ensures efficient process management. By using AEC solutions, revenue possibilities can be rapidly increased by calculating conversion ratios and running reports to track the metrics detailed as per customer demand. These features reduce the operating time. Thus, such benefits associated with the adoption of AECS will drive the growth of the market in focus during the forecast period.

Architectural Engineering and Construction Solutions (AECS) Market Challenge

The challenges associated with open-source platforms is the major challenge impeding the architectural engineering and construction solutions (AECS) market growth. With the rising demand for digitalization in the current market scenario, the demand for open-source software has increased in the market. Open-source vendors provide a wide range of business analytics tools and applications. These types of feature-rich software are freely available on the Internet. Hence, several small and emerging enterprises use them, as the purchasing and licensing costs of commercial software are high. Also, the primary and common features that are provided in the proprietary are available in most of the open-source AECS. Open-source software can be downloaded and run on all platforms, posing stiff competition to commercial BIM software. Free BIM viewer, Standard office application-based BIM, BIM software toolkit, BIM as a bolt-on for CAD software, BIMx from GRAPHISOFT, BuildTools, eSUB, Estimator Application, and GenieBelt are some of the common open-source AEC solutions available in the market. Open-source platforms can be easily tested before implementation, and this makes them suitable for rapid prototyping and experimentation. In addition, open-source platforms are peer-reviewed software, which leads to better reliability. Thus, such factors might hamper the growth of the global AECS market during the forecast period.

To know about the additional drivers and challenges. Request a Sample Report

Architectural Engineering and Construction Solutions (AECS) Market 2022-2026: Segmentation

Based on geographic segmentation, 35% of the market's growth originated from North America during the forecast period. In addition, software led the growth of the product segment. This report provides an accurate prediction of the contribution of all the segments to the growth of the superfood powders market size.

Product

Software



Services

Deployment

On-premise



Cloud-based

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



South America



Middle East And Africa

Architectural Engineering and Construction Solutions (AECS) Market 2022-2026: Scope

Architectural Engineering and Construction Solutions (AECS) Market 2022-2026: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026

Detailed information on factors that will assist architectural engineering and construction solutions (AECS) market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the architectural engineering and construction solutions (AECS) market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the architectural engineering and construction solutions (AECS) market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of the architectural engineering and construction solutions (AECS) market, vendors

Related Reports:

Engineering Services Outsourcing Market by Sourcing, End-user, and Geography  Foecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Oil and Gas Engineering Services Market by Type and Geography  Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Architectural Engineering And Construction Solutions (AECS) Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 11.7% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 6.41 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 10.58 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 35% Key consumer countries US, China, Japan, UK, and France Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled 4M Group, ACCA software Spa, ANSYS Inc., Autodesk Inc, AVEVA Group Plc, Bentley Systems Inc., CYPE Ingenieros SA, Dassault Systemes SE, Esri, GEOTEC Software Inc., Hexagon AB, Innovaya LLC, Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd., Nemetschek SE, Newforma Inc., Oracle Corp., Procore Technologies Inc., Trimble Inc., Virtual Build Technologies, and Construsoft B.V. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market Overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Deployment



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 18: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 19: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 20: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 21: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 22: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 23: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 24: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 25: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 26: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 27: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 28: Data Table on Comparison by Product

5.3 Software - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 29: Chart on Software - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Data Table on Software - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Chart on Software - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Software - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 33: Chart on Services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Chart on Services - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Services - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 37: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

6 Market Segmentation by Deployment

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 38: Chart on Deployment - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Deployment - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Deployment

Exhibit 40: Chart on Comparison by Deployment



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Comparison by Deployment

6.3 On-premise - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 42: Chart on On-premise - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on On-premise - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on On-premise - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on On-premise - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 Cloud-based - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 46: Chart on Cloud-based - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Cloud-based - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Cloud-based - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Cloud-based - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Deployment

Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by Deployment ($ million)

7 Customer Landscape

7.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 51: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

8 Geographic Landscape

8.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 52: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

8.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 54: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Geographic comparison

8.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 56: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 58: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 60: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 62: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 63: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 64: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 66: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 67: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 68: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 70: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 71: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 72: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 73: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 74: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 76: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 77: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 78: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 79: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.9 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 80: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 84: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 85: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 86: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 87: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.11 France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 88: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 89: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 91: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 92: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 93: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 95: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 96: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 97: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

9.4 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 98: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

10.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 99: Overview on factors of disruption

10.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 100: Impact of key risks on business

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 101: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 102: Matrix on vendor position and classification

11.3 4M Group

Group Exhibit 103: 4M Group - Overview

Group - Overview

Exhibit 104: 4M Group - Product / Service

Group - Product / Service

Exhibit 105: 4M Group - Key offerings

11.4 Autodesk Inc

Exhibit 106: Autodesk Inc - Overview



Exhibit 107: Autodesk Inc - Product / Service



Exhibit 108: Autodesk Inc - Key news



Exhibit 109: Autodesk Inc - Key offerings

11.5 AVEVA Group Plc

Exhibit 110: AVEVA Group Plc - Overview



Exhibit 111: AVEVA Group Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 112: AVEVA Group Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 113: AVEVA Group Plc - Segment focus

11.6 Bentley Systems Inc.

Exhibit 114: Bentley Systems Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 115: Bentley Systems Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 116: Bentley Systems Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 117: Bentley Systems Inc. - Key offerings

11.7 CYPE Ingenieros SA

Exhibit 118: CYPE Ingenieros SA - Overview



Exhibit 119: CYPE Ingenieros SA - Product / Service



Exhibit 120: CYPE Ingenieros SA - Key offerings

11.8 Dassault Systemes SE

Exhibit 121: Dassault Systemes SE - Overview



Exhibit 122: Dassault Systemes SE - Product / Service



Exhibit 123: Dassault Systemes SE - Key news



Exhibit 124: Dassault Systemes SE - Key offerings

11.9 Hexagon AB

Exhibit 125: Hexagon AB - Overview



Exhibit 126: Hexagon AB - Business segments



Exhibit 127: Hexagon AB - Key news



Exhibit 128: Hexagon AB - Key offerings



Exhibit 129: Hexagon AB - Segment focus

11.10 Innovaya LLC

Exhibit 130: Innovaya LLC - Overview



Exhibit 131: Innovaya LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 132: Innovaya LLC - Key offerings

11.11 Nemetschek SE

Exhibit 133: Nemetschek SE - Overview



Exhibit 134: Nemetschek SE - Business segments



Exhibit 135: Nemetschek SE - Key offerings



Exhibit 136: Nemetschek SE - Segment focus

11.12 Trimble Inc.

Exhibit 137: Trimble Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 138: Trimble Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 139: Trimble Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 140: Trimble Inc. - Segment focus

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 141: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 142: Exclusions checklist

12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 143: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 144: Research methodology



Exhibit 145: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 146: Information sources

12.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 147: 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
The FY22 report outlines progress against the company's sustainability, people and nutrition goals

DENVER, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardent Mills, the premier flour-milling and ingredient company, today announced the release of its Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report. The report outlines the company's progress toward transforming how the world is nourished, including advancement against commitments aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

"Despite another year of challenges for our industry, we remained resolute in our commitments to our people, customers, suppliers, consumers, communities, and the planet," said Dan Dye, CEO of Ardent Mills. "By continuing to invest in our shared future, we are living out our mission to nourish what's next  each and every day."

The report reflects the company's goals, initiatives and progress across three core pillars: Sustainability, People and Nutrition. Ardent Mills' initiatives aim to protect the long-term viability of the food system, propel employees and communities forward, and improve access to nutritious ingredient solutions on local, national and global scales.

FY22 highlights include:

Sustainability:

Enrolled 250,913 acres in regenerative agriculture initiatives intended to help ensure productive and profitable farmland by improving soil health and conserving water. This year, the company expanded on its 2025 goal to work towards 750,000 acres enrolled.

Measured 145,129 program acres utilizing no-till farming practices.

Achieved 30 percent of total operations powered by renewable energy, up 7 percentage points over FY21.*

Added eight additional facilities to the organic material waste diversion program, totaling 15 locations, one-third of the way toward the company's goal to have all 45 facilities participating.

Saved 4.8 million gallons of water through wash cycle maximization.

People:

Created the People Plant Promise initiative which enhances the work experience for front-line team members.

Expanded employee resource groups (ERGs) participation and bolstered representation and visibility of underrepresented groups, including ERGs celebrating Black excellence, LGBTQ+ employees, women in ag, women in tech and military veterans.

Exceeded access to nutrition goals set for 2025, including 171,000 pounds of food donated and more than $300,000 raised for food banks.

raised for food banks. Relaunched the Ardent Mills Cultivate initiative and embedded 40 university students across the business to gain technical and leadership skills.

Nutrition:

Launched Emerging Nutrition, a center of expertise dedicated to innovation in alternative grains.

Developed new products in the areas of keto-friendly, gluten-free, chickpea and Certified Organic Ultragrain flours.

Partnered with Partners in Food Solutions where Ardent Mills employees remotely shared their expertise with entrepreneurial agri-biz companies in 11 African countries, contributing more than 4,200 hours to 100+ businesses.

"At Ardent Mills, our values  trust, serving, simplicity and safety  propel us to embrace opportunities for growth, innovation and acceleration. Our CSR efforts are a critical part of this continued journey," said Heather Dumas, chief people officer, Ardent Mills. "We believe that impact is best realized when we work together  spanning our people, customers, industry peers and beyond. It's with this spirit of collaboration and entrepreneurship that we can further drive tangible impact."

To learn more about the company's CSR initiatives, visit the Ardent Mills CSR page.

* Percentage calculation reflects directly sourcing of renewable energy and retaining related renewable energy credits (RECs), participation in community solar projects and purchase of replacement RECs.

About Ardent Mills

Ardent Mills is committed to transforming how the world is nourished. As the premier flour-milling and ingredient company, we cultivate the future of plant-based solutions to help our customers and communities thrive. We operate in more than 40 locations that specialize in flour, quinoa, pulses, and organic and gluten-free products that drive emerging nutrition and innovation across plant-based ingredients. Our holistic portfolio empowers us to meet the complex needs of customers today while focusing on the growing needs of tomorrow's consumer. Deeply rooted in communities throughout North America, we operate in Canada, the US and Puerto Rico with company headquarters in Denver, Colorado. We employ more than 100 certified millers and support thousands of local jobs that contribute billions of dollars to local economies -- helping our people, our customers, and families everywhere flourish. To learn more about our mission and our solutions, visit ardentmills.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Kelley Kaiser

External Communications Manager, Ardent Mills

[email protected]

SOURCE Ardent Mills
VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Asep Medical Holdings Inc. ("Asep Inc." or the "Company") (CSE: ASEP) (OTCQB: SEPSF) is very pleased to announce that it has signed a Feasibility Study Agreement with the Chinese firm Bohai Biomedical Technology Development Co. Ltd., (Bohai Biomedical).

The agreement permits Bohai Biomedical to conduct a feasibility study using Asep Inc.'s proprietary anti-bacterial peptide as an active ingredient. The peptide will be studied as an agent to mitigate and prevent erosive dental biofilm infections in an oral rinse product. The peptide technology has been in-licenced from the University of British Columbia (UBC) to Asep Inc.'s subsidiary, ABT Innovations. The agreement with Bohai Biomedical was signed on October 3, 2022, and the study is set to commence in the coming weeks with several thousand participants.

The peptide mouthwash has already undergone testing at the UBC Department of Dentistry under the supervision of Dr. Ya Shen and Dr. Markus Haapasalo in close collaboration with the Asep Inc. team. The preliminary results look promising in fighting difficult-to-treat oral biofilms, which are at the heart of a USD$36.2 billion global dental market.1

"We are firmly aiming at the high-end dental market to both prevent and reverse the growth of oral biofilms that cause havoc with oral health. Bohai Biomedical is an excellent and important partner to enable us to confirm the safety and efficacy of our product," said Dr. Robert E. W. Hancock, Chair and CEO of Asep Inc. and co-discoverer of the peptide technology.

"This provides us with exciting opportunities in the Chinese dental market that is proposed to be worth USD$17 billion by 2026,2" said Fadia Saad, Chief Business Officer of Asep Inc. "Oral rinses provide a fast-track path to profitability in this arena since they enable a non-FDA route to commercialization."

ABOUT BOHAI BIOMEDICAL

Bohai Biomedical bohaibiomedical.com/en/ is a Chinese medical technology testing company in Hebei Province. Established in 2010, the company uses its patented proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology platform to conduct vital clinical research for both the Chinese and global markets. The company offers a highly-skilled team and advanced testing in their modern facilities, including drug design, molecular biology, cell screening, chemical analysis and instrument analysis services.

ABOUT ASEP MEDICAL HOLDINGS INC.

Asep Medical Inc. (asepmedical.com) is dedicated to addressing antibiotic failure by developing novel solutions for significant unmet medical needs. The Company is a consolidation of two existing private companies (Sepset Biosciences Inc. and ABT Innovations Inc.) that are both in the advanced development of both proprietary diagnostic tools, enabling the early and timely identification of severe sepsis as well as broad-spectrum therapeutic agents to address multidrug-resistant biofilm infections.

ABT Innovations Inc.'s (abtinnovations.ca) peptide technology covers a broad range of therapeutic applications, including bacterial biofilm infections (medical device infections, chronic infections, lung, bladder, wound, dental, skin, ear-nose and throat, sinusitis, orthopaedic, etc.), anti-inflammatories, anti-infective immune-modulators and vaccine adjuvants. The company is in the pre-clinical development phase with promising data.

Sepset Biosciences Inc. (sepset.ca) is developing a diagnostic technology that involves a patient gene expression signature that predicts severe sepsis, one of the significant diseases leading to antibiotic failure since antibiotics are the primary treatment for sepsis. Despite this, sepsis is responsible for nearly 20% of all deaths on the planet. The SepsetER test is a blood-based gene expression assay that is straightforward to implement, and results are obtained in about an hour in the emergency room or intensive care unit. This proprietary diagnostic technology differs from current diagnostic tests in enabling diagnosis of severe sepsis within 1-2 hours of first clinical presentation (i.e., in the emergency room), while other diagnostics only provide diagnosis after 24-36 hours. Asep Inc. believes this will enable critical early decisions to be made by physicians regarding appropriate therapies and reduce overall morbidity and mortality due to sepsis.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed", "positioned" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements include but are not limited to the completion of successful clinical testing of our Sepsis diagnostic test and its intended filing for regulatory approval; and the undertaking of pre-clinical studies on our lead therapeutic, with the expectation that this will lead to fast-track clinical trials. Various assumptions were used in drawing conclusions or making the predictions contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks (including those risk factors identified in the Asep Medical Inc.'s prospectus dated November 9, 2021) available for review under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Asep Medical Inc. is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

FOOTNOTES



1. Fortune Business Insights

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/04/13/2421822/0/en/With-7-4-CAGR-Dental-Market-Size-worth-USD-63-93-Billion-in-2029.html

2. ResearchandMarkets.com

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/growth-opportunities-chinese-dental-market-143900258.html

SOURCE ASEP Medical Holdings Inc.
STOCKHOLM, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, ASSA ABLOY formally filed its response to the U.S. Department of Justices ("DOJ") complaint to block the proposed acquisition of the Hardware and Home Improvement division ("HHI") of Spectrum Brands.

On September 8, 2021, ASSA ABLOY announced it had signed an agreement to acquire the HHI division of Spectrum Brands (NYSE:SPB) for a purchase price of MUSD 4,300 on a cash and debt free basis. On September 15, 2022, the DOJ announced that it will seek to block the proposed acquisition of HHI.

ASSA ABLOY and Spectrum Brands are vigorously contesting in court the effort by the DOJ to oppose the proposed transaction. ASSA ABLOY has today filed its formal response to the District Court of Columbia noting the following:

To fully resolve all the alleged competitive concerns surrounding the acquisition of HHI, ASSA ABLOY has initiated a sales process of Emtek and the Smart Residential business in the U.S. and Canada. These businesses represented sales of about MUSD 350 in 2021. Residential businesses outside of the U.S. and Canada are not in scope to be divested.

"We believe strongly in the acquisition of HHI as we together will increase investments in the residential segments and strengthen our combined product offering for the benefit of consumers. The proposed remedies eliminate all competitive concerns alleged by the DOJ," says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY.

The proposed divestitures are dependent on our successful defense against the DOJ regarding the planned acquisition of HHI. ASSA ABLOY will remain fully committed to these excellent businesses during the process and all the businesses will continue to operate as normal.

For more information, please contact:

Nico Delvaux, President and CEO, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 82

Erik Pieder, CFO and Executive Vice President, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 72

Bjorn Tibell, Head of Investor Relations, tel. no: +46 70 275 67 68, e-mail: [email protected]

About ASSA ABLOY

The ASSA ABLOY Group is the global leader in access solutions. The Group operates worldwide with 51,000 employees and sales of SEK 95 billion. The Group has leading positions in areas such as efficient door openings, trusted identities and entrance automation. ASSA ABLOY's innovations enable safe, secure and convenient access to physical and digital places. Every day, we help billions of people experience a more open world.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/7333/3648674/1639024.pdf Press release (PDF)

SOURCE ASSA ABLOY
WORCESTER, Mass., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Assumption University Board of Trustees today announced that Greg Weiner, Ph.D., has been elected the 17th President of the University. Dr. Weiner has successfully served as Assumption University's Interim President since last April.

Assumption University's President, Dr. Greg Weiner

Very Rev. Dennis M. Gallagher, A.A. '69, Vice-Chairman of Assumption's Board of Trustees, and Provincial Superior of North America, The Augustinians of the Assumption stated that "Dr. Weiner has demonstrated a strong commitment to the University's Catholic educational mission since first setting foot on the Assumption campus. He is a man of deep faith, compassion, and character who brings great energy, innovative ideas, and humble leadership to everything he undertakes."

Chair of the Assumption University Board of Trustees Francis J. Bedard, Esq., CPA '81, said, "Dr. Weiner's varied and extensive professional and educational experience makes him uniquely qualified to chart the course for Assumption into the future. He has done an outstanding job leading the University as Interim President furthering our mission and making strategic decisions in the best interest of Assumption and its community at large."

Bedard added "I am confident that the exceptional work he's initiated during his tenure as Interim President, coupled with the continuity of his proven leadership on our campus, will take Assumption to an even greater level of excellence."

After a successful political consulting career in Washington D.C., Dr. Weiner joined Assumption in 2011 as an assistant professor of political science, bringing deep and relevant experience into the classroom. He was appointed associate professor and then full professor, and in 2019, became the University's Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Weiner has served as an officer of the Representative Faculty Senate and contributed to Assumption's restructuring from a college to university. In recognition of his dedication to Assumption students, Dr. Weiner was recognized with the Student Government Association's first "Above and Beyond" award for faculty. He is also the recipient of the Paul Ziegler Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarship.

A prolific political science writer and speaker, Dr. Weiner's articles have been published in The New York Times and The Washington Post in addition to several national magazines. He is also the author of four books on American political thought and enjoyed an influential presence in Washington D.C. Among his roles in national politics, Weiner served as communications director and policy advisor to several U.S. Senators and founded the Washington, D.C.-based speech writing firm Content Communications, LLC.

"I am grateful to Assumption University's Board of Trustees and to the members of the Presidential Search Committee for the extraordinary opportunity to lead this University," Dr. Weiner said of his appointment. "I am honored to help lead Assumption toward new possibilities that embrace our Catholic educational mission and welcome all, no matter who they may be, who seek to pursue the truth in the company of friends."

Dr. Weiner earned a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas, Austin; a master's degree in liberal studies from Georgetown University; and a Ph.D. in government from Georgetown University.

ABOUT ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY

Assumption University, founded in 1904 by the Augustinians of the Assumption, is a premier New England University for high-quality education, integrating career preparation and education of the whole person, drawing upon the best in the rich and centuries-long tradition of Catholic higher education. Assumption's graduates are known for their intellectual seriousness, thoughtful citizenship, and dedication to the common good. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, Assumption has undergone a series of major advancements since transitioning to a university, including new academic buildings, degree programs, and athletic facilities for our NCAA Division II student athlete population. The University offers 38 majors and 50 minors in the liberal arts, sciences, business, nursing, and professional studies, and other areas, as well as graduate degrees and professional credentials. For more information about Assumption University, please visit www.assumption.edu .

SOURCE Assumption College
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Atento S.A. (NYSE: ATTO) ("Atento" or the "Company"), the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing ("CRM BPO") services in Latin America and among the top providers globally, announced today that it will release fiscal third quarter 2022 financial and operating results after the market close of the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Atento's senior management team will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the Company's fiscal third quarter financial and operating results on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

Dial-in Info:

USA: +1-866-807-9684

Brazil: +55 11 4933-0682

Spain: +34 91 414-9260

UK: +44 20 3514-3188

International: +1-412-317-5415

Webcast: click here

A replay of the webcast will be available in the Events & Presentations section of Atento's website at

http://investors.atento.com .

About Atento

Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing ("CRM BPO") services in Latin America, and among the top providers globally. Atento is also a leading provider of nearshoring CRM BPO services to companies that carry out their activities in the United States. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 13 countries where it employs approximately 130,000 people. Atento has over 400 clients to whom it offers a wide range of CRM BPO services through multiple channels. Atento's clients are mostly leading multinational corporations in industries such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, health, retail and public administrations, among others. Atento's shares trade under the symbol ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Atento has been named one of the World's 25 Best Multinational Workplaces and one of the Best Multinationals to Work for in Latin America by Great Place to Work. Also, in 2021 Everest named Atento as a star performer. Gartner named the company as a leader for two years in a row, since 2021 in the Gartner Magic Quadrant. For more information visit www.atento.com

Media Relations

[email protected]

Investor and analyst inquiries

Hernan van Waveren

+1 979-633-9539

[email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "intends," "continue" or similar terminology. These statements reflect only Atento's current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance or results. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic, and governments' extraordinary measures to limit the spread of the virus, are disrupting the global economy and Atento's industry, and consequently adversely affecting the Company's business, results of operation and cash flows and, as conditions are recent, uncertain and changing rapidly, it is difficult to predict the full extent of the impact that the pandemic will have. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, competition in Atento's highly competitive industries; increases in the cost of voice and data services or significant interruptions in these services; Atento's ability to keep pace with its clients' needs for rapid technological change and systems availability; the continued deployment and adoption of emerging technologies; the loss, financial difficulties or bankruptcy of any key clients; the effects of global economic trends on the businesses of Atento's clients; the non-exclusive nature of Atento's client contracts and the absence of revenue commitments; security and privacy breaches of the systems Atento uses to protect personal data; the cost of pending and future litigation; the cost of defending Atento against intellectual property infringement claims; extensive regulation affecting many of Atento's businesses; Atento's ability to protect its proprietary information or technology; service interruptions to Atento's data and operation centers; Atento's ability to retain key personnel and attract a sufficient number of qualified employees; increases in labor costs and turnover rates; the political, economic and other conditions in the countries where Atento operates; changes in foreign exchange rates; Atento's ability to complete future acquisitions and integrate or achieve the objectives of its recent and future acquisitions; future impairments of our substantial goodwill, intangible assets, or other long-lived assets; and Atento's ability to recover consumer receivables on behalf of its clients. In addition, Atento is subject to risks related to its level of indebtedness. Such risks include Atento's ability to generate sufficient cash to service its indebtedness and fund its other liquidity needs; Atento's ability to comply with covenants contained in its debt instruments; the ability to obtain additional financing; the incurrence of significant additional indebtedness by Atento and its subsidiaries; and the ability of Atento's lenders to fulfill their lending commitments. Atento is also subject to other risk factors described in documents filed by the comp any with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. Atento undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Atento S.A.
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ATSG, a leading tech-enabled managed services and solutions company, today announced, that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named ATSG as a 2022 Triple Crown Award winner.

To qualify for the CRN Triple Crown Award, companies must earn a place on CRN's Solution Provider 500, a ranking of the largest IT solution providers by revenue in North America; the Fast Growth 150, a ranking of high-growth organizations in the channel; and the Tech Elite 250, which recognizes solution providers that have attained top-level certifications from leading technology vendors in the industry.

For nine years, the CRN Triple Crown Award has recognized top North American solution providers for displaying a tireless commitment to achieving high revenue, company growth, and unparalleled technical expertise within the IT channel. Despite the shifting IT landscape, ATSG's proven ability to provide innovative technology services that drive positive outcomes and ensure an optimal digital experience for their end-users has never wavered. This award highlights ATSG as one of the largest, fastest-growing, highly certified IT solution providers in North America who demonstrates a rare combination of market leadership, sales acumen, and technical prowess.

"ATSG is once again honored to be recognized for the third consecutive year for the most prestigious CRN Triple Crown Award," said Anthony J. D'Ambrosi, Chief Executive Officer, ATSG. "Our strategy, execution, innovation, and agility, combined with an uncompromising focus on exceptional client outcomes, is clearly working in today's dynamic marketplace. We see a clear path of success seamlessly integrating outstanding digital employee experiences with ultra-secure, hybrid infrastructure, all productized as a service. I want to thank our clients, our people, our partners, and our investors for enabling this exciting mission."

"The solution providers that have earned this year's Triple Crown Award have demonstrated an unceasing enthusiasm towards technical mastery, innovative thinking, consistent growth, and high-caliber customer service within the North American IT industry," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "This award represents a chosen company's ability to go above and beyond, and we're excited to see where their dedication, their expertise, and their passion will take them as we venture forward into the future of the IT channel industry."

This year's Triple Crown Award winners will be featured in the October 2022 issue of CRN and online at www.crn.com/triplecrown.

About ATSG

ATSG is a global leader in transformational technology solutions as a service for today's digital enterprise. Through ATSG's service portfolio of secure Digital Infrastructure, Digital Workplace, Collaboration, and Customer Experience offerings, ATSG provides Intelligent IT leveraging its comprehensive Ai2 automation platform.

Headquartered in Manhattan, New York, ATSG is a portfolio company of RunTide Capital, a private equity firm focused on building tech-enabled growth companies.

More information on ATSG is available at www.atsg.net. Like us on LinkedIn, follow us on Twitter, or become a fan on our Facebook page. #AboutATSG

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace.

 2022 The Channel Company, LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Press Contact:

Elizabeth Kubycheck

[email protected]

SOURCE ATSG, Inc.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America reported its third-quarter 2022 financial results today. The news release, supplemental filing and investor presentation can be accessed at Bank of America's Investor Relations website at https://investor.bankofamerica.com/quarterly-earnings.

Investor Conference Call information:

Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan and Chief Financial Officer Alastair Borthwick will discuss the financial results in a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET today. For a listen-only connection to the conference call, dial 1.877.200.4456 (U.S.) or 1.785.424.1732 (international), and the conference ID is 79795. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Investors can also listen to live audio of the conference call and view the presentation slides by visiting the Events and Presentations section of the company's Investor Relations website.

Replay information for Investor Conference Call:

Investors can access replays of the conference call by visiting the Investor Relations website or by calling 1.800.934.4850 (U.S.) or 1.402.220.1178 (international) from noon on October 17 through 11:59 p.m. ET on October 27.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 68 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATMs and award-winning digital banking with approximately 56 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom, and register for news email alerts.

www.bankofamerica.com

Investors May Contact:

Lee McEntire, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.388.6780

[email protected]

Jonathan G. Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income)

Phone: 1.212.449.3112

[email protected]

Reporters May Contact:

Bill Halldin, Bank of America

Phone: 1.916.718.1251

[email protected]

Christopher P. Feeney, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.386.6794

[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
LONDON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beamery , the leader in talent lifecycle management, has today announced that Katie Obi has joined its leadership team as Chief People Officer, supporting Beamery through its next phase of growth. Katie joins from Rizing where she held the role of Chief People & Transformation Officer, responsible for global HR, business transformation and operational excellence across 16 countries.

Katie Obi

At Beamery, Katie will lead the People function, supporting the company's ongoing mission to build a world where talent comes first, unleashing the potential of every employee. She will also focus on designing, building and implementing a business and customer centric talent strategy, which will play a key role in enabling Beamery to continue bringing innovative solutions to market that help solve the talent challenges facing business leaders and HR practitioners.

"At Beamery we are building a world class people function that will set an example to our customers, reinforce our mission to create access to skills and equal opportunities at work for all, and inspire others to do more with their talent management strategy," said Abakar Saidov, Co-Founder and CEO at Beamery. "As we grow, we look to our people leaders to represent the voice of our customer internally, support the business to develop better products for our customers, and inspire the next generation of workers to join us. I am delighted that Katie has joined the BeamTeam to bring our talent vision to life and help us build a legendary company."

Katie brings over 20 years of people management experience to Beamery, during which time she has helped businesses to scale, transform and reach their full potential. She has a passion for evidence-led management, making the experience of work better, innovations in technology and embracing the power of data science.

"The opportunity to work as part of the Beamery executive team, transforming our people agenda, excites me very much," said Obi. "Beamery is positively disrupting the talent management market and is being recognized as both a company to watch, and a great one to work for, and I'm looking forward to playing a key role in shaping Beamery's own future of work and creating equal access to job opportunities for all."

About Beamery

Beamery's Talent Lifecycle Management platform allows enterprises to create more human experiences for all talent, and unlock the skills and potential of their global workforce. We help organizations identify and acquire top talent, move the needle on DE&I, close key skill gaps and retain top performers.

For more information please visit: www.beamery.com .

SOURCE Beamery
NEW YORK and CARY, N.C., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lyfebulb, a digital healthcare platform that bridges patients with industry to support user-driven innovation, education and connectivity, and Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, a fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company, are excited to announce that Biohope was selected as the winner of the Innovation Award and C. Alan Foundation as the winner of the Impact Award at the 2022 Lyfebulb-Veloxis Innovation Challenge: Transforming Organ Transplantation. The awards recognized one for-profit and one not-for-profit company with promising solutions to improve the lived-experience and outcomes for transplant recipients and their loved ones.

Veloxis Pharmaceuticals and Lyfebulb Announce Winners of 2022 Innovation Challenge in Organ Transplantation Tweet this (PRNewsfoto/Lyfebulb)

"We are encouraged and inspired by the innovation on display as a part of this Innovation Challenge," said Mark Hensley, CEO of Veloxis, an Asahi Kasei company. "Each of these entrepreneurs share Veloxis' commitment to patients and we are grateful for the opportunity to support their work. Congratulations to all of the finalists on their exciting future in addressing the many unmet needs that remain in transplantation."

Biohope was represented by Isabel Portero, M.D., Ph.D., founder and CEO, and will receive a $25,000 monetary award to further develop its Immunobiogram, a precision medicine tool to optimize immunosuppressants for kidney transplant patients. C. Alan Foundation was represented by Chet Bennett, founder and CEO, and will receive a $15,000 monetary award to further expand its lifestyle brand aimed at educating, supporting and inspiring underserved yet disproportionately-affected communities with kidney disease and transplants.

The 2022 Innovation Challenge took place in Cary, N.C. over two days on October 13-14. Before a panel of independent judges, 10 finalists pitched solutions for transforming organ transplantation. Finalists also had the opportunity to listen to keynote addresses from leaders in the transplant and health care spaces and take part in several small group learning sessions.

"The transplant community is craving new technology, faster and more secure processes and less toxic drugs," said Karin Hehenberger, M.D., Ph.D., founder and CEO of Lyfebulb. "We are proud to support efforts, together with Veloxis, toward a better future for people living with an organ transplant."

Lyfebulb and Veloxis will be hosting a celebratory conversation with the challenge winners on October 6 at 5 p.m. EST. Join us for this virtual event by registering at: Transplantlyfe.com/webinars.

Veloxis Pharmaceuticals

Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, an Asahi Kasei company, is a fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company committed to improving the lives of transplant patients. Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, USA, Veloxis is focused on the global development and commercialization of medications utilized by transplant patients and by patients with serious related diseases. For further information, please visit Veloxis.com.

About Asahi Kasei

The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber business, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 40,000 employees around the world, the company contributes to sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Healthcare. Its healthcare operations include devices and systems for acute critical care, dialysis, therapeutic apheresis, transfusion, and manufacture of biotherapeutics, as well as pharmaceuticals and diagnostic reagents. For further information, please visit Asahi-Kasei.com.

About Lyfebulb

Lyfebulb is an online digital platform that empowers people living with chronic illnesses to thrive through education, innovation and connectivity. The company bridges the gap between patient communities and the healthcare industry by working directly with patients and care partners to generate insights and build new solutions to reduce the burden of living with chronic disease. The company operates two digital patient communities, TransplantLyfe and IBDLyfe . For more information, visit Lyfebulb.com , TransplantLyfe.com , IBDLyfe.com, Instagram , LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , and Karin Hehenberger's personal LinkedIn .

For more information:

Veloxis Contact:

Caroline Barnhill

Oak & State Communications

919.244.1130

[email protected]

Lyfebulb Contact:

Karin Hehenberger, M.D., Ph.D.

CEO & Founder

917.575.0210

[email protected]

SOURCE Lyfebulb
In the first face-to-face edition after the pandemic, the conference had higher figures than the one in 2019, with more than 1600 one-on-one meetings held

SAO PAULO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 11-13, BTG Pactual, the largest investment bank in Latin America, held the first in-person edition of the CEO Conference in New York after the pandemic and it was attended by more than 160 organizations and 350 investors. In all, 1,600 meetings were held with CEOs and CFOs of companies based in Latin America - a record result for the event with Andre Esteves, Chairman of BTG Pactual, Roberto Sallouti, CEO of the institution, and other partners of the bank.

The meeting's agenda was broad, from macroeconomic topics, such as GDP growth, falling unemployment and improved fiscal outlook, to investment opportunities, the global context, and other indicators.

"We are very grateful for the resumption of the face-to-face CEO Conference in New York. We really missed the one-on-one contact with our customers, and it is an honor to be able to speak about Brazil and Latin America to the world, contributing to increased investments in the region and favoring sustainable economic growth", said Roberto Sallouti, CEO of BTG Pactual.

Two-thirds of the attending entrepreneurs were from Brazilian companies, and the others were from Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. The CEO Conference also had a strong presence of international investors, mostly based in the United States, as well as representatives of family offices and insurance companies.

About BTG Pactual

BTG Pactual (BPAC11) is the biggest investment bank from Latin America, operating in Investment Banking, Corporate Lending, Sales & Trading, Wealth Management and Asset Management. Since inception, in 1983, the Bank has been run based on a meritocratic partnership culture, focused on clients, excellence and a long-term vision. We have cemented our status as one of the most innovative sector players and have won numerous national and international awards. We currently 5,000 employees in offices across Brazil, as well as in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, the US, Portugal and England. For more information go to http://www.btgpactual.com .

SOURCE BTG Pactual
PARIS and TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today CACEIS, the asset servicing banking group of Credit Agricole S.A. and Santander, and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a view for CACEIS to acquire the European asset servicing activities of RBC Investor Services and its associated Malaysian centre of excellence. This would include custody, global custody FX, fund administration, transfer agency, middle office and securities lending.

RBC Investor Services is a leading provider of asset services and holds Assets under Administration (AuA) in Europe of around 1.2 trillion and Assets under Custody (AuC) in Europe of around 0.5 trillion. Together, the combined entity of RBC Investor Services and CACEIS would have around 4.8 trillion in AuC and 3.5 trillion in AuA (all figures as at 31/03/2022).

The transaction would combine two strong asset servicers in Europe and would strengthen CACEIS' position as a global leader in asset servicing with access to a broader and complementary client base and service offering.

The integration of the RBC Investor Services business into CACEIS would deliver scale and stronger competitive positioning as CACEIS would benefit from a larger geographical presence, full coverage of the value chain and an expanded offering for both existing and new clients.

The execution of the final agreements between CACEIS and RBC requires prior consultation with the relevant works councils of CACEIS.

The completion of the contemplated transaction will be subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and antitrust approvals, and is expected to take place by the end of the third quarter of the 2023 calendar year.

Jean-Francois Abadie, CEO of CACEIS, commented: "This combination with RBC Investor Services helps us consolidate our position as a leading European player in asset servicing. We are enhancing our leadership across a range of services, increasing our position in a number of key markets, growing relationships with global asset managers, and increasing our capabilities and scale. Additionally, the staff from RBC Investor Services will bring their expert knowledge of the servicing needs of international investor clients and distribution services."

Francis Jackson, CEO of RBC Investor Services, added: "We are proud of the business that we have built in Europe, and are excited for CACEIS to continue to deepen relationships with our clients. This is an opportunity for our European clients to enjoy the combined scale of RBC Investor Services' European business and Malaysia centre of excellence and CACEIS' global footprint, while allowing us to focus on our Canadian asset services franchise in our home market. CACEIS has a track record of growth. This is an important milestone as they strengthen their position as a leading European asset servicer. We are confident this proposed transaction will bring benefits to our clients and our employees."

This transaction will have a de minimus impact to RBC's common equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio and earning per share (EPS). The proposed transaction excludes RBC Investor Services' Canadian operations.

About CACEIS

CACEIS is the asset servicing banking group of Credit Agricole S.A. and Santander dedicated to asset managers, insurance companies, pension funds, banks, private equity and real estate funds, brokers and corporate clients. Through offices across Europe, North and South America, and Asia, CACEIS offers a broad range of services covering execution, clearing, forex, securities lending, custody, depositary and fund administration, fund distribution support, middle office outsourcing and issuer services. With AUC of 4.3 trillion and AUA of 2.3 trillion, CACEIS is a European leader in asset servicing and one of the major players worldwide (figures as of 31 March 2022).

www.caceis.com

About RBC Investor & Treasury Services

RBC Investor & Treasury Services provides asset and payment services to corporate investors and financial institutions globally. Trusted with CAD 4.1 trillion in AUA, clients are at the heart of our service offering. As a financially strong partner, our focus is on safeguarding client assets as we leverage data and technology solutions to deliver meaningful insights, simplify our clients' operations and support their growth.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 92,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com .

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact .

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation, with respect to RBC's and CACEIS' financial performance, beliefs, plans, expectations, and estimates. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to plans for the combined operations of CACEIS and RBC Investor Services, the financial, operational and capital impacts of the proposed transaction, our strategies or future actions, and our objectives and commitments. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is presented for the purpose of assisting holders of our securities and financial analysts in understanding the proposed transaction and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "foresee", "forecast", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "goal", "commit", "target", "objective", "plan" and "project" and similar expressions of future or conditional verbs such as "will", "may", "might", "should", "could" or "would".

By their very nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, which give rise to the possibility that our predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct and that our actual results may differ materially from such predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors  many of which are beyond our control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict  include, but are not limited to: the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the proposed transaction, such as delivering scale strengthening competitive positioning, are not realized in the time frame anticipated or at all as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which RBC Investor Services and CACEIS currently operate; the risk that any announcements relating to the combination could have adverse effects on the market price of the common stock of RBC; the possibility that the business of RBC Investor Services and CACEIS may not perform as expected or in a manner consistent with historical performance; the ability to promptly and effectively integrate RBC Investor Services; our ability to achieve our capital objectives; our ability to cross-sell more products to customers; reputational risks and the reaction of RBC Investor Services' customers and employees to the transaction; diversion of management time on integration-related issues; increased exposure to exchange rate fluctuations; material adverse changes in economic and industry conditions; general competitive, economic, political and market conditions; and other risks discussed in the risk sections and Impact of COVID-19 pandemic section of RBC's 2021 Annual Report and the Risk management section of RBC's Q3 2022 Report to Shareholders, all of which outline certain key factors and risks that may affect our future results and our ability to anticipate and effectively manage risks arising from all of the foregoing factors.

We caution that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect our results. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to us, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Material economic assumptions underlying the forward looking-statements contained in this press release are set out in the Economic, market and regulatory review and outlook section and for each business segment under the Strategic priorities and Outlook sections in RBC's 2021 Annual Report, as updated by the Economic, market and regulatory review and outlook section of RBC's Q3 2022 Report to Shareholders.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this document represent the views of RBC and CACEIS only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, neither RBC nor CACEIS undertakes to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.

CONTACT: RBC: Europe: Anna Watson, +44.7850.287.685, [email protected]; Canada: Ylana Kurtz, 416 348-2330, [email protected]; RBC Investor Relations: Asim Imran, 416 955 7804, [email protected]; CACEIS: Claude Michaux, +352 47 67 27 92, [email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1921918/RBC_Investor___Treasury_Services_CACEIS_and_Royal_Bank_of_Canada.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1921919/RBC_Investor___Treasury_Services_CACEIS_and_Royal_Bank_of_Canada.jpg

SOURCE RBC Investor & Treasury Services; Royal Bank of Canada; RRYIR; RBC
PARK CITY, Utah, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Canyons Village Management Association (CVMA) announces the appointment of Whitney W. Ryan as Director of Marketing & Public Relations. In her role, Ryan will drive and expand the Canyons Village brand to ensure its stature as a vibrant, world-class, four-season mountain destination. Ryan's first day was Wednesday, October 12, 2022.

Canyons Village Management Association (CVMA) Announces New Director of Marketing & Public Relations Tweet this Headshot - Whitney W. Ryan

Ryan joins the CVMA with over 13 years of experience in travel and tourism with Vail Resorts (Park City Mountain and Northstar California), Park City Lodging, and most recently as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Hotels Division at Grand America Hotels and Resorts, with oversight of the portfolio's six hotels across the western United States.

"We are excited to welcome Whitney to the CVMA. She brings extensive resort knowledge and is well equipped to lead the marketing, events, and public relations strategies for the CVMA," said Brian Madacsi, President & CEO of CVMA.

"I am thrilled to join the CVMA team," said Ryan. "It is an exciting time to be here and bring world-class amenities and experiences to all who visit."

Contact Info:

About CVMA

The CVMA, formed in 1999, oversees the development and progression of the Canyons Village Specially Planned Area (SPA) and functions as the Master Association. We provide various services related to resort aesthetics, development and design, resort beautification and contributing to and developing amenities and events which promote Canyons Village as a world-class destination community. For more information, please visit cvma.com.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

435.655.2580

SOURCE Canyons Village Management Association (CVMA)
PHOENIX, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CarePatrol Co-Founder and President Becky Bongiovanni has been designated one of the top 50 "Women of Wonder" (WOW) in 2022 by Franchise Dictionary Magazine. The recognition comes at a time when the company is seeing record growth and interest from franchise prospects.

"It's an honor to be named a Woman of Wonder, among so many inspiring established and emerging leaders in franchising," said Becky Bongiovanni, president of CarePatrol. "Many seniors will face unexpected health challenges that come with the aging process. Our job at CarePatrol is to empower seniors and their families to meet these challenges by making the best and safest decision on care in their local areas."

As the nation's largest and most trusted senior care solutions agency, CarePatrol's mission is to give seniors and their families a less stressful and easier way to find safer senior care choices. The franchise assesses each client's care level needs, financial needs and general preferred locations to recommend the best independent living, assisted living, memory care and in-home care options. Their services are available at no cost to their clients, as they are paid by tens of thousands of quality pre-vetted providers across the nation.

"Women are disrupting the franchising space, and it's thrilling!" says Alesia Visconti, CEO of Franchise Dictionary Magazine. "Implementing culture and understanding the importance of everyone feeling valued, women are able to gain commitment from their teams and implement innovative ideas for success. Our '50 Women of Wonder' (WOW) are fran-tastic, talented, strong, and dynamic! The franchise community is better for their leadership and wisdom, and we are honored and excited to celebrate their powerful contributions!"

The full list of top 50 "Women of Wonder" can be found in the October issue of Franchise Dictionary Magazine. Proceeds from this issue of Franchise Dictionary Magazine will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

To learn more about CarePatrol, visit https://www.carepatrol.com/ .

About CarePatrol

CarePatrol is the nation's largest senior care solutions franchise. Through more than 150 offices in 35 states, local senior advisors provide a free service in helping families find quality, top-rated assisted living, independent living, memory care, nursing homes and in-home care. Founded in 1993, CarePatrol began franchising in 2009 and is now part of the Best Life Brands family, with private equity backing by The Riverside Company. CarePatrol is proud to have earned the Franchisee Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review for 10 years in a row, and has earned placement on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list. For more information, visit www.CarePatrol.com/franchising .

About Franchise Dictionary Magazine

The Franchise Dictionary Magazine is a national publication that is a digital magazine, with more than 350,000 readers and targets prospective franchisees in an informative and educational format. The magazine is also printed for industry events and shows.

SOURCE CarePatrol
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Peruvian Connection, known for its Peruvian-made artisan apparel featuring luxury knit and woven textiles, has teamed up with legendary editor and industry icon Glenda Bailey for PC x GB, a beautifully crafted, precisely edited collection filled with pieces designed to wear for a lifetime.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 13: Glenda Bailey, Alan Cumming, and Demi Moore attend the Peruvian Connection x Glenda Bailey Launch at the brand's pop-up at 1070 Madison Avenue. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/PMC/PMC) NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 13: Annie Hurlbut Zander, Demi Moore, and Glenda Bailey attend the Peruvian Connection x Glenda Bailey Launch Celebration at the brand's pop-up at 1070 Madison Avenue. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/PMC/PMC)

To celebrate the launch of the collection, Peruvian Connection Founder Annie Hurlbut Zander and Glenda Bailey hosted a private cocktail and store preview at the brand's PC x GB pop-up shop located at 1070 Madison Avenue through the end of the year. High profile guests included acclaimed actress and fashion enthusiast Demi Moore, a close friend of Bailey's who sported a luxe look from the collection, and renowned Scottish actor Alan Cumming.

"It isn't often that a fashion visionary like Glenda Bailey turns her attention to a small, though extraordinarily skilled and accomplished, knitwear design company in the farmlands of Kansas," noted Hurlbut Zander. "Within five minutes of meeting, Glenda and I were talking as if we'd known each other for ages. Within ten, we both knew that our shared enthusiasm and appreciation for artisan-crafted, luxury fiber apparel could lead to something extraordinary."

A veteran in the fashion industry, Bailey brings a font of fashion knowledge and innovation, leading the vision for Harper's Bazaar for more than two decades. During Bailey's tenure, she was praised for her focus on transparency, authenticity, and diversity and was highly regarded for her philanthropic endeavors.

"Glenda has been mentoring and helping to shape and define designers' brands for decades as editor-in-chief at Harper's Bazaar. The fact that she chose Peruvian Connection to partner with for her inaugural design collaboration is not only a tremendous honor, but also speaks to our years of experience in creating knit and woven textiles in the Andes," said Hurlbut Zander.

This marks the first major product collaboration Peruvian Connection has embarked upon in its impressive 45+ years in business, an exciting step for the brand that has amassed a rather large and loyal following with customers that continue to come back for the brand's high quality product offerings. "Through Glenda, an extraordinary, new chapter of Peruvian Connection has begun to unfold - one that remains authentic to our roots in artisan textiles and luxury fibers, while introducing our customers as well as a new audience to a more fashion-forward Peruvian Connection," said Hurlbut Zander.

"My adventure with Peruvian Connection has been an exploration into craftsmanship," said Bailey. "For over 45 years Annie has pioneered a collection using the inspiration and cultural heritage of Peru. She has consistently championed sustainability and local artisans. I am excited that our collaboration brings a new point of view bringing fashion to a much loved brand."

The capsule collection will feature 74 items ranging from cozy Alpaca knits and stunning shearling coats, to modern silhouettes spanning across tops and pullovers, dresses, trousers and even some select jewelry items. The majority of the collection was developed in small batch production with the brand's partners in Peru, many of which Peruvian Connection has collaborated with for decades.

Items range in price from $88 to $3,800 and are available for purchase on pcxgb.com and in the brand's seven retail stores, including its pop-up at 1070 Madison Avenue in New York City.

About Peruvian Connection

Peruvian Connection was founded in 1976 by mother and daughter team, Biddy and Annie Hurlbut Zander. While researching anthropology in Peru as a college student, Annie discovered a textile tradition as well as a remarkable fiber - alpaca - that would launch a family business and captivate her for a lifetime.

For more than 45 years, Peruvian Connection has made ethnographic textiles the point of reference for its artisan-made collections. In addition to the label's signature alpaca and pima cotton knitwear, it offers a range of romantic dresses and skirts, superbly tailored outerwear, and handcrafted accessories, all made exclusively for Peruvian Connection. Although the company has grown over the last four decades, the original goal remains the same: to offer original, artisan designs in native Andean luxury fibers.

SOURCE Peruvian Connection
BEIJING , Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Among the 2,296 delegates who were elected to attend the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), 264 of them, or 11.5 percent of the total, are from 40 ethnic minority groups.

One day after the opening session of the milestone congress, Xi Jinping on Monday joined a group discussion with delegates from south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which is home to the country's largest ethnic minority population.

Xi called on Chinese people of all ethnic groups to stay as united as "a piece of hard steel" under the leadership of the CPC and pull together with one mind to power the giant ship of national rejuvenation through the wind and waves to reach its destination.

He said the 20th CPC National Congress further points out the direction for the development of the Party and the country's cause, and serves as a political declaration and program of action for the Party to unite Chinese people to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Hailing the achievements Guangxi has made in poverty alleviation, economic reform, environmental protection and other areas since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xi said that they speak volumes for the success of the Party's ethnic policies and the system of regional ethnic autonomy, progress that is a vivid epitome of the great changes taking place in China in the first 10 years of the new era.

Guangxi's development

In April, Xi was unanimously elected delegate to the congress in the electoral unit of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, one of the 38 electoral units to represent the Party's over 96 million members across the country.

A mainly ethnic minority region in southern China that borders Vietnam, Guangxi is considered an important stop for cross-border trade with Southeast Asia. It has built closer economic ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) amid China's wider opening-up.

The momentum was visible at the 19th China-ASEAN Expo in September, during which a record 267 domestic and international deals were signed, with an investment of over 400 billion yuan, or about $57 billion, up 37 percent from last year.

In November 2020, Guangxi had lifted all its 54 poverty-stricken counties out of poverty, when the last eight impoverished counties in the region, including six ethnic minority autonomous counties, had eliminated absolute poverty.

Xi's taking part in election in border areas with a large ethnic minority population, and that of other leaders in old revolutionary base areas and key regions where national-level development strategies are implemented, has set an example for leading officials.

The leaders' election as delegates in respective electoral units and their attendance at group discussions of corresponding delegations is conducive to strengthening guidance, promoting high-quality development, furthering the implementation of major national development initiatives, as well as building China into a modern socialist country in all respects.

A strong sense of community for Chinese nation

When delivering a report to the 20th CPC National Congress on Sunday, Xi stressed the importance of making efforts to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.

China is a unified multi-ethnic state. Heightening a sense of identity of the Chinese nation, always maintaining the integrity and unification of the country, and all ethnic groups working jointly for common prosperity and development are the goals of the CPC's ethnic policies.

The system of regional ethnic autonomy means that areas with large ethnic minority populations shall practice regional autonomy, establish autonomous organs, and exercise the power of self-government under the unified leadership of the state. This basic political system is clearly specified in the country's Constitution and its Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy.

According to a white paper released in 2021, ethnic minority areas have made notable progress in fighting poverty. From 2016 to 2020, in the five autonomous regions  Inner Mongolia, Tibet, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Guangxi  and three provinces with large multi-ethnic populations  Guizhou, Yunnan and Qinghai  the number of poor residents dropped by 15.6 million.

Extreme poverty was eliminated in all 28 of the minority ethnic groups with a small population, said the white paper.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-10-18/CPC-congress-Past-decade-sees-success-of-CPC-s-ethnic-policies-1ed4NzQS7Ty/index.html

SOURCE CGTN
Tina Sparks, new CoS, brings more than twenty-two years' experience in facilitating and streamlining operational efficiency and processes that maximize time and alignment of leadership teams.

HENDERSON, Nev., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CH4 Global, Inc., today announced the appointment of the new Chief of Staff, Tina Sparks who will play a critical role in achieving the company's ambitious growth plans and fulfilling its urgent mission to impact climate change at scale.

"This addition to the team significantly enhances our capacity for rapid expansion."Steve Meller, CEO, CH4 Global, Inc. Tweet this CH4 Global Appoints Chief of Staff, Tina Sparks

CH4 Global CEO Steve Meller noted this appointment will serve to optimize efficiency in support of the company's path to globalization. "The board and the entire senior leadership team are delighted to have Tina join us at CH4 Global. This addition to the team significantly enhances our capacity for rapid expansion and to meet our gigatonne scale methane reduction commitment."  Steve Meller, Founder and CEO, CH4 Global, Inc.

Tina Sparks has the mandate to assist the executive team to excel the operational vision, with the goal of ensuring the company's processes are well-defined, documented, and scalable to facilitate rapid growth. Prior to joining CH4 Global, Tina was a senior leader of Business Operations and Analytics, at the J.M. Smucker Company where she helped guide the company's supply chain solutions. Tina will report directly to the CEO, Steve Meller, to systematize and optimize core processes with internal and external stakeholders, spearhead special projects, and drive the development of new business strategies.

Tina Sparks commented, "I'm excited to join the company at this stage and work alongside such a skilled, seasoned, and knowledgeable leadership team. Being part of a company with a team that is as passionate as I am about making a positive impact on climate change, while helping grow an industry that benefits everyone, is the perfect scenario."

About CH4 Global

CH4 Global, founded in 2018, is on an urgent mission to positively impact climate change worldwide. With expertise in turning ambitious ideas into successful, fit-for-purpose products, CH4 Global enables customers to radically reduce methane emissions in support of the 2-degree Celsius target. Its first line of methane-reducing cattle feed additives is derived from Asparagopsis Seaweed, for large beef and dairy producers, which, even if adopted for only 10% of cattle, would deliver more climate benefit than decommissioning 50 million fossil-fueled cars. CH4 Global is headquartered in Henderson, NV, with subsidiaries in Australia and New Zealand. Learn more about CH4 Global and our recent news.

Media Contacts

For press inquiries in North America, Europe & Latin America

Charlene Moore, Public Relations Officer

[email protected] | P: +1 725 272 5732 | M: +1 831 331 5332

For press inquiries in Asia, Australia and New Zealand contact

Verity Edwards, Hughes Public Relations and Communication Counsel

[email protected] | P: 08 8412 4100 | M: 0412 678 942

SOURCE CH4 Global, Inc.
BEIJING, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert Walker, who is Emeritus Fellow of Green Templeton College, Oxford University, and Professor at Beijing Normal University, contributes an opinion to China Focus.

Over 650 million people worldwide still live in extreme poverty, the kind that China eradicated in 2021. Although the United Nations is committed to reducing these numbers to zero, this is unlikely to happen.

The reason is the structure of the global economic and trading system that delivers its greatest rewards to the powerful companies and nations that largely control it.

The UN is aware of the problem. When outlining his priorities for 2022 to the UN General Assembly, Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated that "The global financial system is morally bankrupt. It favours the rich and punishes the poor."

Indeed, when the UN set out its strategy for combating poverty  the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)  in 2015, it hoped that the world's people would rise in opposition to the world economic order, demanding that the SDGs be met, and poverty eradicated. This has not happened.

For most people, global poverty is a minor concern and, in rich countries surveyed in 2018, two-thirds would not feel guilty if they personally "ignored the needs of poor people in poor countries." National populations are divided on the importance of overseas development aid with only minorities wanting it increased  except when understood to be a matter of enlightened national self-interest.

This lack of altruism extends to domestic policy once poverty falls to "acceptable" levels. Indeed, support for further reducing poverty declines even more if respondents are required to contribute through increased taxation.

There is evidence that political leadership, specifically leftist politicians coexisting with active coalitions working within supportive institutions, can help minimise levels of domestic poverty and increase development aid.

Even the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) acknowledges the uniqueness of the Chinese aid model in its propensity first "to sum up its own development experiences and then share with other developing countries."

The origins of poverty are structural. Poverty arises from the uneven distribution of natural resources and the legacy of historical exploitation epitomised by, but not limited to, colonisation. Recent research has demonstrated that half of the variation in the per capita GDP of countries, a measure of national income, can be explained by differences in national incomes in 1870.

However, poverty is continuously being reproduced by capitalism and the world trading system that foster inequality in incomes and the concentration of economic power. In 1870, per capita incomes in Western Europe were about four times those in Africa; by 2008, this difference in incomes had tripled.

Individual incomes, and the degree of inequality, result from two factors: the primary and secondary distribution of resources. The primary distribution is market driven. It takes place within and between countries through the production and sale of goods at home and/or abroad which generate income in the form of wages and returns on assets and investments. The secondary distribution is that engineered by governments through taxation and transfers which determine the resources that individuals can access and deploy.

There needs to be an intergovernmental body to organise a secondary distribution of global resources redirecting excess incomes from richer to poorer countries.

It is notable that the G77 and China grouping of developing countries does not appear be included in the biennial summits. The earlier idea of forming a UN Economic Security Council was rejected because powerful nations insisted on remaining powerful.

The organisation responsible for trade regulation, the WTO promotes the interests of the rich trading nations. Its origins can be traced back to 1950 when U.S. President Truman refused to support the proposition of 56 nations to establish a trade organisation under the auspices of the UN. He feared that U.S. influence in the organisation would be limited.

WTO rules discriminate against developing countries, thereby magnifying the inequities created by globalisation. Developing countries face peak tariffs across a disproportionate number of exports  illustrated by U.S. tariffs of over 150 per cent on peanuts and sugar. The system of tariff escalation  with higher tariffs imposed on processed goods than on raw materials  serves to prevent exporting countries from developing viable domestic processing industries. Moreover, the proportion of trade covered by import-restrictive measures has increased by 27 percent since 2012.

The UN's SDGs were premised on the WTO being reformed to rebalance the unfair distribution of power. This was to be achieved through the so-called Doha Round, a series of trade negotiations initiated in 2001. However, these negotiations were abandoned in 2015, the very year that the United Nations announced the SDGs.

Yet, for the first time in human history, sufficient resources exist permanently to eliminate extreme poverty globally. In simple mathematical terms, high income countries could eradicate all extreme poverty in low-income countries by investing just 0.1 percent of their collective GDP. For low-income countries to eradicate poverty unaided would mean them spending over 5.3 percent of their GDP continuously for more than 30 years. However, when negotiating the SDGs, rich countries refused to grant developing countries any more money, promising only to divert some of their international development aid to the very poorest countries. Instead, they encouraged governments to increase their tax revenues and turn to the private sector for support.

China offers an alternative model: one that makes "development more balanced, coordinated and inclusive"  "to create a development paradigm where its outcome benefits every person in every country more directly and fairly."

While building a fairer economic system is likely to prove difficult, the decision to start rests on a simple moral choice between two principles: (1) Me and my country first or (2) Shared prosperity for all.

In today's world, it takes great political courage to make the right choice and follow the Chinese model. Continuing with the wrong one guarantees that global poverty will never be defeated.

Contact:

Bai Shi

Tel: +86 106-899-6995

Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE China Focus
SEATTLE, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia River Partners ("CRP") is proud to announce its investment in TiniFiber Holdings, LLC ("TiniFiber"), a fiber optic assembly and custom cable manufacturer. Columbia River Partners ("CRP") is a lower middle-market private equity firm focused on investments in business service, industrial, and information technology platforms in North America.

Headquartered in Farmingdale, NY, TiniFiber will continue to capitalize on the strong long-term FTTx trends by demonstrating the superior value of its product to customers across the country. TiniFiber's products are smaller, stronger, and lighter than those of the competition, resulting in substantial savings to contractors and end users via reduced labor and transportation costs.

"Our patented Micro Armor fiber helps customers do more of what they need to, run cable, and do it faster and cheaper than ever before," said Christian Peterson, CEO of TiniFiber. Barry Skolnick, Vice President of Operations, added, "Once a customer tries our TiniFiber product, they don't go back to the legacy Aluminum Interlocking Armor competition, it just doesn't make sense after they've experienced what TiniFiber can do for their business."

Nathan Chandrasekaran and Pooneet Goel, Partners at Columbia River Partners added, "Through Christian and Barry's leadership and dedication, TiniFiber grew from an idea into the most effective fiberoptic cable on the market today. We look forward to partnering with Christian, Barry, and the rest of the TiniFiber family to build on that foundation and execute on the numerous opportunities to grow the business."

Capital to support the transaction was provided by Tecum Capital Partners, Unity Hunt, UMB Capital Corporation, and Enterprise Bank & Trust. Enterprise Bank & Trust provided senior debt financing. Geffen Mesher provided financial and tax due diligence services. McGuire Woods served as counsel for CRP and Katten Muchin Rosenman served as counsel for Tecum Capital. Lockton provided all employment and insurance due diligence.

TiniFiber was represented in this transaction by Akin Bay Company, a leading NYC based M&A advisory firm serving the middle-market for 30 years. Akin Bay also acted as the debt placement agent and invested in TiniFiber. "TiniFiber is the type of company where we strongly believed in the company, its management, and unique market position, making a compelling financial advisory and merchant banking situation" and "We look forward to helping it grow both organically and through select add-on opportunistic acquisitions," said James Rybakoff, CEO of Akin Bay Company.

About TiniFiber

With its patented, proprietary wrapped stainless-steel coil technology combined with Kevlar, TiniFiber Micro Armor Fiber Optic Cable provides unrivalled strength and resilience. Its unmatched armored bend radius delivers superior flexibility. Reliable, scalable, and sustainable, TiniFiber can meet the demands of even the most challenging applications. Jackets are available for riser, plenum, indoor, outdoor, LSZH, direct burial, industrial and harsh environments. TiniFiber patch cords can be adapted to accommodate all lengths for standard or custom projects. TiniFiber Micro Armor Fiber Optic Cable has given the industry what it has long sought  an armored fiber optic cable solution with a smaller outer diameter that is also highly durable, flexible, and adaptable to deliver seamless, sustainable end-to-end value. To learn more about our innovative solutions please contact us at 631.932.2253 or visit us at www.tinifiber.com.

About Columbia River Partners

Columbia River Partners is a private equity firm focused on control investments in lower-middle market companies in North America across the industrials, business services, and IT services sectors. Columbia River's experienced team of investors and executives seek portfolio company value enhancement through rigorous implementation of transformative strategic initiatives and operational improvements. Columbia River Partners is based in Seattle and San Francisco.

For more information, please visit www.columbiariverpartners.com.

About Tecum Capital

Tecum Capital is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based private investment firm deploying capital in lower middle-market companies. Tecum provides mezzanine debt and equity investments in growth-oriented middle-market companies across the broader high-value manufacturing, value-added distribution, and business services sectors. Our team partners with independent sponsors, family offices, committed funds, business owners seeking succession plans, and management teams to create shared success. Tecum focuses on businesses with EBITDA greater than $3 million. Tecum seeks to invest $5 million to $20 million in potential portfolio companies. Tecum manages two Small Business Investment Company ("SBIC") licensed funds and is currently investing out of Tecum Capital Partners III, L.P, a $300 million fund launched in September 2021. Since 2006, the team has collectively invested more than $850 million in over 100 platform and add-on acquisitions. For more information, please visit www.tecum.com.

About UMB Capital Corporation

UMB Capital Corporation is a small business investment company founded in 1984. Since then, our focus has evolved to a multi-strategy fund, investing in companies across the continental United States. Our specialty is capitalizing middle market businesses across many industries to effectively spur growth, assist in ownership transition, and develop platforms with subsequent add-on acquisitions. Over the last seven years, UMB Capital Corporation has assisted more than 60 companies by providing financial solutions that meet their financial needs. Our typical investment ranges from $1,000,000 - $7,500,000 with a focus on companies generating $2,000,000+ in EBITDA. For more information, please visit our website at Mezzanine Debt | Minority Equity Investments | UMB Bank.

About Unity Hunt

Unity Hunt is the company through which the Lamar Hunt family oversees its holdings. It holds a diverse portfolio of companies and investments involved in sports/media, real estate, energy/resources, private and public equity, and hedge funds. For private equity, the firm deploys capital through co-investments, independent sponsor-led deals, unsponsored transactions, and funds. Targeted industries include industrial/manufacturing, business services, consumer, technology services, and health care.

About Enterprise Bank & Trust

Enterprise Bank & Trust is built on trusted, personal relationships and offers a range of business and personal banking services, wealth management services and a variety of specialized banking services. Enterprise Financial Services Corp, with approximately $13 billion in assets, is a bank holding company headquartered in Clayton, Missouri. Enterprise Bank & Trust operates 39 branch offices in Arizona, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada and New Mexico, and SBA loan and deposit production offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. The Sponsor Finance team, a division of the bank's Specialty Banking group, is a dedicated senior leveraged finance division that partners with private equity sponsors, mezzanine lenders, SBICs, family offices and independent sponsors in support of mergers, acquisitions, and recapitalizations. The team manages more than $900 million in current commitments provided to 80+ companies. Industries served include business services, distribution, manufacturing, industrial, healthcare, and technology services, among others.

About Akin Bay Company

Akin Bay Company LLC ("Akin Bay"), founded in 1990, is a New York based, FINRA-registered investment banking firm serving middle market public, private and family-owned companies. We have differentiated ourselves with a unique business style in which we provide investment and merchant banking services with the same high-quality analysis, industry knowledge and long-term relationships with a more customized and personal approach. For over 30 years, Akin Bay has provided corporate financial advisory services, which include: mergers and acquisitions, institutional private placements of debt and equity, financial restructuring, strategic advisory, valuations and fairness opinions. Akin Bay is one of the premier independent US investment banking boutiques, with exceptional depth and breadth of industry expertise in advising companies and institutional funds in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.akinbay.com.

Media Contact:

Pooneet Goel

(650) 799-4467

[email protected]

SOURCE CRP
Digital Citizenship Week, which runs October 1721, marks the 10-year anniversary since Common Sense Education created the weeklong recognition to help educators address the critical issues children face in a fast-changing world of media and technology.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Common Sense Education is kicking off Digital Citizenship Week today by celebrating a decade of leadership. Since 2012, Digital Citizenship Week has been an opportunity to engage educators and families on the importance of kids and teens learning essential 21st century skills through Common Sense Education's award-winning and research-backed Digital Citizenship Curriculum . The free, ready-to-teach lessons have been a go-to resource for thousands of educators worldwide to prepare students to navigate their online lives.

Ten years ago, Common Sense Education started Digital Citizenship Week to highlight the importance of helping kids, families, and teachers navigate the 24/7 digital world.

The Digital Citizenship Curriculum has been accessed by 1.3 million educators and over 90,000 schools across the U.S. It includes 73 lessons for grades K12, and student resources are available in Spanish. The resources have also been localized for British English and Welsh to provide teachers in the United Kingdom with relatable resources. The Curriculum was created, and has been continually updated, in collaboration with Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The Curriculum has helped schools nationwide address timely topics and prepare students to take ownership of their digital lives in a constantly evolving environment. The original Curriculum launched in 2010, when Facebook was the most popular social media platform and Instagram was still in its infancy. The iPhone had just introduced its first front-facing camera, yet only 35% of Americans owned a smartphone, and in the classrooms, lessons around technology focused on safety issues. But the Curriculum has since evolved along with today's technologies to help young users make the most of their screen time while also knowing how to confront the kinds of digital dilemmas that kids face in today's 24/7 digital world.

"The media and technology landscape has really changed since we created Digital Citizenship Week a decade ago," said Kelly Mendoza, Vice President of Education Programs at Common Sense Education. "Kids today are learning not just how to communicate and connect with others online, but also how to manage their privacy, grapple with addictive designs and media balance, and identify misinformation. Our program teaches both the skills and habits of mind to responsibly navigate the digital world. These are essential life skills they'll carry into adulthood."

"Common Sense Education's Digital Citizenship Curriculum is ever evolving to meet emerging needs and timely challenges born out of the latest research," said Carrie James and Emily Weinstein, researchers at Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and co-authors of Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (and Adults Are Missing). "Their newest resources are designed to meet the current demand for social emotional support and for classroom content that addresses the civic dimensions of today's social media landscape."

Beyond the flagship Digital Citizenship Curriculum, Common Sense provides additional lessons on social and emotional learning in digital life , news and media literacy , and the latest Civics in Digital Life lessons. These free lesson plans and activities for grades 812 are designed to spark students' sense of civic engagement, especially in digital contexts. Because teens are increasingly exposed to contentious topics online, like the upcoming midterm elections, school shootings in Uvalde and elsewhere, and the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, teachers face the challenge of helping kids understand the content they're consuming online. These new lesson plans give students the tools they need to have more positive and healthy engagements in digital conversations.

"Over the past 10 years, LA Unified's approach to digital citizenship and engaging online has become positive and proactive," says Sophia Mendoza, Director, Instructional Technology Initiative, Los Angeles Unified School District. "This included cultivating a common understanding of empowering digital citizenship practices, creating awareness of digital citizenship implications for college and career preparedness of all learners, and supporting the integration of the Digital Citizenship Curriculum across content areas."

"In every district I've had the pleasure of working in, our partnership with Common Sense Media has been crucial as we've focused on the importance of digital citizenship education in our schools," says Matt Friedman, Superintendent, Ocean City Public Schools. "We're able to encourage staff and students to use their knowledge, skills, and understanding to protect and promote human rights online, such as freedom, privacy, and security."

Educators can find digital citizenship resources for every day of Digital Citizenship Week and a calendar of quick, easy, and fun activities here . Families can also continue these conversations at home with the free resources here .

About Common Sense

Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Learn more at commonsense.org.

Media Contacts

Lorena Taboas, Media Relations Manager

[email protected]

(786) 521-4215

Brian Ray, Communications Manager

[email protected]

(801) 875-2142

SOURCE Common Sense Media
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Continental Resources, Inc. (NYSE: CLR) today announced that it has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation ("Merger Sub"), an entity that is owned by Continental's founder, Harold G. Hamm. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will commence a tender offer to purchase any and all of the outstanding shares of Continental's common stock at $74.28 per share (the "Offer Price"), other than (i) shares of common stock owned directly or indirectly by Mr. Hamm and the Hamm family and (ii) shares of common stock underlying unvested equity awards issued pursuant to Continental's long-term incentive plans (the "Rollover Shares"). Based on the shares outstanding as of October 12, 2022, the tender offer would be for approximately 58 million shares of common stock. The Offer Price includes $0.28 in lieu of Continental's anticipated dividend for the third quarter of 2022. Accordingly, and consistent with the Merger Agreement, Continental will not pay dividends between the signing and closing of the Transaction (as defined below).

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As soon as practicable after the consummation of the tender offer, Merger Sub will merge with and into Continental (the "Merger" and, together with the tender offer, the "Transaction"), with Continental continuing as the surviving corporation, wholly owned by the Hamm family. Each share of common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than the Rollover Shares, shares owned by holders that validly seek appraisal rights under Oklahoma law and certain other excluded shares specified in the Merger Agreement) will be converted into the right to receive the Offer Price, without interest. The Offer Price represents a 15% premium to the closing price of the Common Stock of $64.50 as of June 13, 2022, prior to the June 14, 2022 announcement of the Hamm family's initial offer to Continental.

There is no financing condition to the Transaction. It is anticipated that the Transaction will be financed using a combination of (i) the Company's cash on hand, (ii) borrowings under the Company's existing revolving credit facility and (iii) a new term loan facility to be entered into in connection with the closing of the Transaction.

Mr. Hamm currently serves as Chairman of Continental's Board of Directors. He and the rest of the Hamm family collectively own approximately 83% of Continental's common stock.

Continental's Board of Directors, acting on the unanimous recommendation of a special committee consisting solely of independent and disinterested directors, has approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and recommended that Continental's shareholders tender their shares of common stock pursuant to the tender offer.

The Transaction is governed by Section 1081.H of the General Corporation Act of the State of Oklahoma and does not require a vote by the Continental's shareholders. Subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, the Transaction is currently expected to close prior to December 31, 2022.

Intrepid Partners, LLC is acting as financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is acting as legal counsel to Mr. Hamm. Evercore is acting as financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is acting as legal counsel to the special committee.

About Continental Resources

Continental Resources (NYSE: CLR) is a top 10 independent oil producer in the U.S. and a leader in America's energy renaissance. Based in Oklahoma City, Continental is the largest leaseholder and the largest producer in the nation's premier oil field, the Bakken play of North Dakota and Montana. Continental is also the largest producer in the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma and is the second largest leaseholder in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and tenth largest in the Permian Basin of Texas. With a focus on the exploration and production of oil, Continental has unlocked the technology and resources vital to American energy independence and our nation's leadership in the new world oil market. In 2022, Continental will celebrate 55 years of operations. For more information, please visit www.CLR.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements". All statements included in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, but not limited to, forecasts or expectations regarding the Transaction are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions about future events and currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Such statements are inherently subject to numerous business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Continental's control. No assurance can be given that such expectations will be correct or achieved or that the assumptions are accurate or that any transaction will ultimately be consummated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which such statement is made. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this press release occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, Continental's actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Continental undertakes no obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances after the date of this report, or otherwise.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

The tender offer referenced in this communication has not been commenced. This announcement is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities, nor is it a substitute for the transaction disclosure materials that will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") when a transaction is commenced. Merger Sub will file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO and Schedule 13E-3 and thereafter Continental will file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the SEC with respect to the tender offer (together with their exhibits and incorporated documents, the "Tender Offer Materials"). THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS CAREFULLY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT HOLDERS OF CONTINENTAL'S COMMON STOCK SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING TENDERING THEIR SHARES OF CONTINENTAL'S COMMON STOCK. The Tender Offer Materials will be made available to all holders of Continental's Common Stock at no expense to them and will be made available for free at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Copies of any documents filed with the SEC by Continental will also be available free of charge on Continental's website at www.CLR.com or by contacting Continental's Investor Relations Department at (405) 234-9620.







Investor Contact:

Media Contact: Rory Sabino

Kristin Thomas Vice President, Investor Relations

Senior Vice President, Chief Communications Officer 405-234-9620

405-234-9480 [email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Continental Resources
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global cosmetics market size was estimated to reach USD 363.80 Billion by 2028 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2022 to 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The key growth factors in the market include the rising expenditure on beauty products such as skin cream, lotions, hair colour, and others owing to the aging population across the globe.



Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report:

North America is estimated to contribute around 25% in 2021 to the global cosmetics market revenue. The presence of well-established and premium cosmetic product manufacturers is one of the supportive factors for the significant market share.

is estimated to contribute around 25% in 2021 to the global cosmetics market revenue. The presence of well-established and premium cosmetic product manufacturers is one of the supportive factors for the significant market share. The haircare segment is forecast to expand with the highest CAGR of 6.2% from 2022 to 2028. The growing demand for hair care solutions owing to the hair fall and hair scalp problems across the globe contributes to the segmental growth.

The online distribution channel is forecast to register a faster expansion of a 6.1% CAGR from 2022 to 2028. The growing preference for online shopping portals for purchasing beauty care products among the young population across the globe is the key factor that propels the market growth.

Read full market research report for more Insights, "Cosmetics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup, Fragrance), By End-use, By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2028", published by Grand View Research.

Cosmetics Market Growth & Trends

Additionally, the significant product innovation by the major players is further projected to provide significant opportunities to the market. For instance, L'Oreal SA is one major player in the cosmetics industry that launched various cosmetic products, such as skin creams, lotions, and hair colors that are long-lasting and available with natural ingredients in the market.

Governments around the world have imposed restrictions and lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many public events, fashion shows, and unnecessary travel were revoked. This also impacted the sales of cosmetics products through the offline channel as most retail stores were shut down during the lockdown. Moreover, the major players in the market experienced a decline in the sales revenue of Cosmetics products during the COVID-19 pandemic, which further impacted the market. However, the global cosmetics market is projected to recover in the future and witness significant growth due to resumed activities, offline retail, sales, and the opening of retail stores across the globe.

Based on the product, the haircare segment is forecast to expand with the highest CAGR of 6.2% from 2022 to 2028. The market is growing due to the growing adoption of hair care products owing to the rising hair fall and hair scalp problems among men and women across the globe. Moreover, the rising trend toward organic haircare products such as organic hair colors and shampoo further contributes to the growth of the market during the forecast period. Moreover, the availability of safer, advanced, and more effective hair care products has led to the increase in the adoption of hair care products across the globe.

The women segment is estimated to contribute over 60% to the global cosmetics market in 2021 and is forecast to grow with a significant CAGR of 5.0% from 2022 to 2028. The significant demand for personal beauty products such as skincare and hair care cosmetics among the women population across the globe is one of the major factors that contributed to the growth of the market. In addition, the high expenditure of women on personal and beauty products as compared to men further supports the market during the forecast period.

The online distribution channel is forecast to register a faster growth of a CAGR of 6.1% from 2022 to 2028. The rising partnerships between cosmetic product manufacturers and e-commerce companies are one of the major factors that contribute to the growth of the market. Moreover, the rising trend of using online portals for personal care product shopping among the young population across the globe further drives market growth. Increasing preference from the consumers due to the ease, convenience, fast, and price comparison are credited for the segment growth. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to many vendors and manufacturers adopting an online sales model that is expected to drive the growth of this sector over the next few years.

North America is estimated to contribute around 25% in 2021 to the global cosmetics market revenue. The U.S. is significantly backing the growth of market revenue. The presence of well-established brands such as Coty Inc, Estee Lauder Companies Inc., Revlon, Inc., Avon Products Inc, and other manufacturers is one of the driving factors for market growth. Additionally, the presence of various celebrities and the growing trend toward celebrity endorsement for cosmetics products is another factor that driving the market in the region. Moreover, the significant trend of personalizing skincare and hair care products further contributes to the market growth.

Cosmetics Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the Cosmetics market based on product, end-use, distribution channel, and region:

Cosmetics Market - Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

Skin Care

Hair Care

Makeup

Fragrance

Others

Cosmetics Market - End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

Men

Women

Cosmetics Market - Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

Offline

Online

Cosmetics Market - Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

North America

U.S.

Europe

Germany



France



U.K.

Asia Pacific

China



India

Central & South America

Brazil

Middle East & Africa

& South Africa

List of Key Players of Cosmetics Market

Coty Inc.

L'Oreal S.A.

Estee Lauder Companies Inc.

Revlon, Inc.

Avon Products Inc.

Unilever PLC

Shiseido Company, Limited

Godrej

Procter & Gamble

Beiersdorf AG

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Kao Corp.

Hoyu Co., Ltd.

Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research:

Nail Care Products Market - The global nail care products market size is expected to reach USD 30.08 billion by 2030 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2022 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing number of product launches in categories such as nail accessories, nail polish, and artificial press-on nails is the key factor driving the overall market.

The global nail care products market size is expected to reach by 2030 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2022 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing number of product launches in categories such as nail accessories, nail polish, and artificial press-on nails is the key factor driving the overall market. Dermocosmetics Skin Care Products Market - The global dermocosmetics skin care products market size is expected to reach USD 92.83 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The overall industry growth is attributed to the rising demand for skin care products with active ingredients.

- The global dermocosmetics skin care products market size is expected to reach by 2030, registering a CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The overall industry growth is attributed to the rising demand for skin care products with active ingredients. DNA-based Skin Care Products Market - The global DNA-based skin care products market size is expected to reach USD 9.87 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2021 to 2028. Consumer awareness of the dangers of using skincare products containing synthetic chemicals is pushing the demand for natural and organic products.

Browse through Grand View Research's Beauty & Personal Care Industry Research Reports.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Grand View Compass | Astra ESG Solutions

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc
A Celebration for HARMON Ballantyne and HARMON Five Points Took Place September 28

CHARLOTTE, N.C. and NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Crescent Communities and Pretium are pleased to celebrate the groundbreakings of HARMON Ballantyne and HARMON Five Points, two build-to-rent (BTR) communities under construction in Charlotte as part of the companies' joint venture and commitment to invest $1 billion in new single-family build-to-rent communities across 14 key strategic growth markets. The groundbreakings took place on September 28.

"We're thrilled to celebrate the entry of the HARMON brand in Charlotte by officially breaking ground on HARMON Ballantyne and HARMON Five Points," said Tony Chen, Managing Director of Single-Family Build-to-Rent at Crescent Communities. "HARMON Ballantyne and HARMON Five Points bring infill housing options to Charlotte providing its residents the opportunity to lease brand new homes in highly sought-after neighborhoods without the long-term commitment and high upfront cost of homeownership. We look forward to seeing the progress on these communities and are excited to share construction updates in the coming months."

"Pretium is committed to being a leading part of the solution to address the nationwide housing shortage, and our build-to-rent partnership with Crescent to develop and operate rental communities across the country is part of those efforts," said Matt Johnston, Managing Director and Head of Build-to-Rent at Pretium. "The HARMON Ballantyne and HARMON Five Points communities demonstrate our dedication to providing affordable, modern housing in the rapidly growing communities where it is needed most. We look forward to continuing to ensure our residents have access to high-quality single-family homes."

Both communities will offer townhomes ranging from 3 to 4 bedrooms each with private garages, driveways, and balconies. Located at 15825 Marvin Road, 13 miles south of Charlotte's central business district, HARMON Ballantyne will bring 60 residences to the Ballantyne area, which has experienced noticeable growth in recent years and offers access to a broad range of amenities, including shopping, dining, schools, and recreation opportunities. HARMON Five Points will offer 76 residences located at 360 Seldon Drive in the West End neighborhood. The community will have a direct trail to the playground at Five Points Park and is in proximity to the Irwin Creek Greenway and Gold Line Streetcar for easy access to Uptown. HARMON Five Points is expected to offer pre-leasing winter of 2022 and HARMON Ballantyne in fall of 2023.

The groundbreakings add to Crescent Communities' continued commitment to expanding its footprint in Charlotte. The company has also announced the development of multifamily communities NOVEL Mallard Creek and NOVEL University Place, both of which are currently under construction, the groundbreaking of NOVEL Ballantyne, and the sale of NOVEL LoSo Station to MAA.

Crescent Communities continues to experience significant growth with $7.6 billion of residential and commercial investments and developments currently under construction, operations and planning including 15,700 units of multifamily / single family build-to-rent, 200,000 square feet of complementary retail, and 11.1 million square feet of office, industrial and life science. With a focus on environmental sustainability and wellness, the organization pursues certifications including LEED, NGBS (National Green Building Standard), Fitwel, and WELL.

Additional details surrounding the communities will be announced at a later date. Renderings are available here, and photos from the groundbreaking are available here.

About Crescent Communities

Crescent Communities is a nationally recognized, market-leading real estate investor, developer and operator of mixed-use communities. We create high-quality, differentiated multifamily and commercial communities in many of the fastest growing markets in the United States. Since 1963, our development portfolio has included more than 77 multifamily communities, 24 million square feet of commercial space and 60 single family master-planned communities. Crescent Communities has offices in Charlotte, DC, Atlanta, Orlando, Nashville, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix and Salt Lake City. Our residential communities are branded NOVEL, RENDER and HARMON by Crescent Communities and our industrial developments are branded AXIAL by Crescent Communities.

About Pretium

Pretium is a specialized investment firm focused on U.S. residential real estate, residential credit, and corporate credit. Pretium was founded in 2012 to capitalize on secular investment and lending opportunities arising as a result of structural changes, disruptions, and inefficiencies within the economy. Pretium has built an integrated analytical and operational ecosystem within the U.S. housing, residential credit, and corporate credit markets, and believes that its insight and experience within these markets create a strategic advantage over other investment managers. Pretium's platform has approximately $50 billion of assets and employs more than 4,000 people across 30 offices, including London and Dubai. Please visit www.pretium.com for additional information.

Crescent Media Contact

Lauren Alligood

205-383-8450

[email protected]

Pretium Media Contact

Jon Keehner / Lyle Weston / Erik Carlson

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

212-355-4449

[email protected]

SOURCE Pretium
Body Vision's AI-driven, intraoperative imaging in combination with Auris MONARCH robotic platform achieves 91% diagnostic yield.

CAMPBELL, Calif., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Body Vision Medical, a global leader in AI-driven intraoperative imaging, today announced the presentation of results from 45 patients that underwent diagnostic bronchoscopy at the University of Chicago Medical Center using a combination of Body Vision's AI-driven, intraoperative imaging and the Auris Monarch robotic platform.

Presented by Dr. Grady Hedstrom at the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) 2022 Annual Conference, the study showed that the combination of Body Vision's LungVision() in conjunction with Auris Monarch was able to achieve a final diagnostic yield of 91.1% on pulmonary nodules between 4 - 35 mm with a mean lesion size of 16.1 mm. 32 of 45 nodules were malignant and 6 demonstrated specific benign etiology leading to an immediate diagnostic yield of 84% (38/45 patients). Three of four patients with non-specific benign pathologies were confirmed benign with 6 month follow-up, resulting in an overall diagnostic yield of 91% (41/45 patients). One patient with non-specific benign pathology was lost to follow-up and was considered non-diagnostic and 3 patients were non-diagnostic based on the initial pathology.

"The data from the University of Chicago Medical Center is encouraging and confirms what we've already seen anecdotally which is that real-time, intraoperative 3D imaging has a profound effect on clinicians' ability to successfully access and biopsy from small pulmonary nodules," said Body Vision Chief Medical Officer, Yael Vin. "This aligns with other studies in literature demonstrating that real-time, intraoperative imaging is the key to unlocking higher diagnostic yield regardless of bronchoscopy platform or navigation modality."

"The addition of Body Vision's real-time imaging and augmented fluoroscopy to our navigational bronchoscopy workflow at the University of Chicago enhances the performance of the Auris MONARCH robot by addressing CT-to-body divergence and enabling us to confirm tool-in-lesion prior to sampling," said Dr. Grady Hedstrom.

The Body Vision system, which was FDA cleared in 2019 and received CE Mark in 2021, uses a proprietary Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm to transform X-ray images from any conventional C-arm into intraoperative CT scans. This real-time imaging enables bronchoscopists to visualize the actual lung lesion and lesion location during diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures so that they can confidently biopsy from smaller, more difficult-to-access lung lesions at an earlier stage. This dramatically increases the likelihood of an early, definitive diagnosis for potential lung cancer patients, improving the probability of timely treatment and patient survival.

Learn more about Body Vision Medical at bodyvisionmedical.com

About Body Vision Medical

Body Vision Medical specializes in AI-driven, intraoperative imaging with the aim of saving lives through the democratization of innovative medical technology. Its first commercial product, LungVision, addresses the unmet clinical need for early, definitive lung cancer diagnosis and, in the future, to enable effective treatment of lung lesions via a minimally-invasive procedure. Visit bodyvisionmedical.com to learn more and connect with us on LinkedIn.

Contact

[email protected]

+1-646-863-7848

SOURCE Body Vision Medical
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Decent, Inc., an Austin-based PEO providing small businesses affordable benefits, payroll, and human resource solutions, has doubled its network of direct primary care providers through a new partnership with One Medical. It means Decent members can now enroll in health plans that feature unlimited visits at One Medical's Texas offices at no cost to them*  while saving more than 35 percent on their health insurance costs.

Benefits and HR solutions company, Decent, now offers One Medical as an in-network primary care provider for its exclusive Texas small business health plans.

Direct primary care, or DPC, is a membership model of primary care that removes the need for claims and other administrative work tied to traditional health insurance's fee-for-service structure. DPC is the cornerstone of Decent's innovative approach to fixing healthcare for their small business clients.

"We believe the best type of healthcare is where nothing gets in the way between the provider and patient relationship," said Nick Soman, Founder and CEO of Decent. "That's the foundation of direct primary care, and we're proud to offer small businesses some of the first health plans built around this high-touch style of patient care."

Initially founded in 2018 to fill the gap of health insurance options for the self-employed, Decent re-launched in 2021 as a professional employer organization (PEO) for small businesses, expanding its services to include payroll, employee management, compliance, and more.

Of the nearly 500 PEOs in the U.S., Decent is the only PEO that administers its own health insurance plan, which leans heavily on DPCs for patient engagement and cost control. DPC is gaining momentum in the U.S. as physician burnout and health care costs climb. Over the last five years, DPC membership rates have increased 241%, according to Hint Health's 2022 Trends in Direct Primary Care report. Texas was one of eight states with the highest DPC membership increase in one year.

"Small businesses have been hit hard by rising prices. As a PEO, we're making it possible for companies and start-ups to access the same level of benefits and HR solutions typically only available at larger enterprises, helping them retain and recruit top talent," said Soman.

Healthcare costs are typically the second-highest employee expense and continue to outpace wage growth, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, limiting small businesses' ability to offer health care benefits. In 2021, annual premiums averaged $7,739 for single coverage and $22,221 for families. Premiums for small business health plans are expected to rise higher than in the prior two years.

Decent offers an employer benefits package that includes One Medical providers as an in-network choice for direct primary care. One Medical has ten clinics across Austin, Dallas, and Houston and is expanding.

To learn more about Decent, visit www.decent.com or contact [email protected].

*Labwork and prescriptions will be billed to insurance (as well as services performed by 3rd parties); copays and deductible will apply.

About Decent

Decent, Inc. is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) based in Austin, Texas, offering affordable employee benefits, including healthcare, payroll, and HR solutions for small businesses and start-ups throughout Texas. To learn more, visit www.decent.com.

About One Medical

One Medical is a U.S. national human-centered and technology-powered primary care organization with seamless digital health and inviting in-office care, convenient to where people work, shop, live, and click. One Medical's vision is to delight millions of members with better health and better care while reducing costs, within a better team environment. One Medical's mission is to transform health care for all through a human-centered, technology-powered model. Headquartered in San Francisco, 1Life Healthcare, Inc. is the administrative and managerial services company for the affiliated One Medical physician-owned professional corporations that deliver medical services in-office and virtually. 1Life and the One Medical entities do business under the "One Medical" brand.

CONTACT

Ellen Decareau

Decent, Communications Lead

[email protected]

(512) 300-3334

SOURCE Decent
Follows Recent Launch of DeepIntent's Innovative Patient Planner to Simplify Audience Creation and Campaign Activation

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DeepIntent , the leading healthcare advertising technology company built to improve patient health and business outcomes, now offers pharmaceutical advertisers the ability to measure the real-world effectiveness of their entire media plan with the industry's fastest omnichannel measurement solution based on clinical data.

As part of the evolution of DeepIntent Outcomes, the platform now features new measurement capabilities that surpass those of existing third-party measurement solutions, making it a one-stop shop for healthcare marketers. These features include:

Measurement across all channels, including linear TV, connected TV, social media, search, website, email, and more

including linear TV, connected TV, social media, search, website, email, and more The industry's fastest script lift and audience quality measurement for an entire media plan, updated daily

measurement for an entire media plan, updated daily Daily campaign measurement, powered by the industry's most comprehensive healthcare data sources

powered by the industry's most comprehensive healthcare data sources Fully transparent methodology and statistical measures

methodology and statistical measures Reimagined dashboard to discover key performance insights and simplify decision-making

These features are now available to all pharma marketers and across all platforms and publishers, irrespective of whether they run campaigns on DeepIntent's healthcare demand side platform (DSP).

"Our clients need cost-effective, transparent, cross-channel measurement that provides immediately actionable insights into campaign performance. Now, DeepIntent will provide clients with the insights they need to understand channel performance in near real-time for the metrics that matter most, including script lift and audience quality. By building on the rapid adoption and tremendous success our clients have had using DeepIntent Outcomes, we are incredibly excited to expand our measurement capabilities across our clients' entire media plan," said Chris Paquette, Founder and CEO at DeepIntent.

Since its launch in April 2021, DeepIntent Outcomes has been used to automatically optimize media based on real-world clinical data for nearly 100 of the industry's leading pharmaceutical brands and manufacturers. DeepIntent Outcomes was awarded a patent in June 2021, and was later named one of 2021's "Most Innovative Products" by PM360 for its proven capability to improve audience quality and script lift.

"When we launched DeepIntent Outcomes, we set out to change how pharma uses campaign measurement. What is clear to us is that today's analytics users demand real-time results, transparent methodologies, and visualization that simplifies decision-making. Outcomes was designed to provide complete campaign measurement with daily result updates including a control to compare against throughout the campaign and visualizations that don't require deep data expertise to interpret, while also offering a fully customizable user interface for unique advanced analytics," said John Mangano, SVP of Analytics at DeepIntent. "I am confident that, with this new release, DeepIntent has established the new standard for pharmaceutical campaign measurement."

In addition to Outcomes' new measurement solutions, DeepIntent will be showcasing its recently-launched Patient Planner at this year's Digital Pharma East conference in Philadelphia. Patient Planner is the only tool that unifies medical and pharmacy claims within a healthcare DSP for on-demand patient audience creation and real-time campaign planning.

These new, innovative products being showcased at Digital Pharma East continue the momentum behind DeepIntent's continued investment in tools that improve campaign planning, activation, measurement, and optimization. At last year's conference, DeepIntent launched Audience Marketplace , the first and only diverse and premium HCP and patient data marketplace built for increased audience availability and scale. Audience Marketplace has since been embraced by dozens of data partners , several of which DeepIntent is proud to share the conference floor with, including Redi-Data, HealthLink Dimensions, Medicx, and Health Union.

"The idea that advertising technology can improve the lives of patients is, and always has been, our belief and 100% of our focus. DeepIntent continues to drive the market forward as we innovate at the intersection of healthcare and advertising, and the enhancements to Outcomes and Patient Planner represent our exciting future as a company," said Paquette, who was recently named PM360's CEO of the Year .

For a live demo at Digital Pharma East, stop by DeepIntent's booth or schedule a demo at https://info.deepintent.com/DPE-Schedule-Demo-PR .

About DeepIntent

DeepIntent is leading the healthcare advertising industry with data-driven solutions built for the future. Built purposefully for healthcare marketers, DeepIntent's platform is proven to drive higher audience quality and script lift. It enables marketers to plan, activate, measure, and optimize their campaigns all within a single platform. Conceived by former Memorial Sloan Kettering data scientists, DeepIntent empowers nine of the top ten pharmaceutical companies and the leading healthcare advertising agencies to improve patient outcomes through the artful use of advertising, data science, and real-world health data. For more information, visit DeepIntent.com or find us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Press Contact

Finn Partners for DeepIntent

Chris Shattuck

[email protected]

678 504 6785

SOURCE DeepIntent
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Denison Mines Corp. ("Denison" or the "Company") (TSX: DML) (NYSE American: DNN) is pleased to announce that it has successfully recovered uranium bearing solution from the Phoenix in-situ recovery ("ISR") Feasibility Field Test ("FFT") underway at the Company's 95% owned Wheeler River project ("Wheeler River" or the "Project"). View PDF version

David Cates, Denison's President & CEO, commented, "The successful recovery of uranium bearing solution from Denison's high-grade Phoenix deposit is a historic moment for uranium mining in Canada. This accomplishment reflects the culmination of several years of technical de-risking and provides tangible validation of the Company's selection of the ISR mining method for Phoenix in our 2018 Wheeler River Pre-Feasibility Study. With this result, Denison has truly showcased its industry leadership in bringing the low-cost ISR mining method to the high-grade uranium deposits of the Athabasca Basin."

Kevin Himbeault, Denison's Vice President of Plant Operations & Regulatory Affairs, added, "The recovery of uranium bearing solution at targeted rates and grades is history in the making. Initial analysis indicates the hydrogeological system has responded as expected with pH trends, flow characteristics and uranium recovery meeting expectations. I am extremely proud of our team's focus and dedication in getting us to this momentous stage safely and on schedule."

The leaching phase of the FFT commenced in September 2022 (see news release dated September 26, 2022) and preliminary results received to date have demonstrated the successful acidification of the Test Pattern (defined below) and recovery of uranium through the ISR mining method. Several samples of recovered solution have been collected during the leaching phase and remain subject to full lab assay and analysis, which will generate additional detailed information about the performance of the FFT.

Given the highly successful results of the FFT, lixiviant injection has ceased, and operators at the Phoenix FFT site are preparing to transition from the leaching phase of the FFT to the neutralization phase, which is expected to be completed before the end of the year. The final phase of the FFT, which involves management of the recovered solution, is expected to commence in the spring of 2023.

This press release constitutes a "designated news release" for the purposes of the Company's prospectus supplement dated September 28, 2021, to its short form base shelf prospectus dated September 16, 2021.

Feasibility Field Test

The FFT is designed to use the existing commercial-scale ISR test pattern ("Test Pattern"), installed at Phoenix in 2021 (see news releases dated July 29, 2021, and October 28, 2021), to facilitate a combined assessment of the Phoenix deposit's hydraulic flow properties with the leaching characteristics that have been assessed through the metallurgical core-leach testing program.

The FFT is fully permitted, having been authorized by both the Saskatchewan Minister of Environment (see news release dated July 12, 2022) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (see news release dated August 8, 2022).

Overall, the FFT is intended to provide further verification of the permeability, leachability, and containment parameters needed for the successful application of the ISR mining method at Phoenix and is expected to validate and inform various feasibility study design elements  including the expected production and remediation profiles.

The operation of the FFT is planned to occur in three phases: (1) the leaching phase, (2) the neutralization phase, and (3) the recovered solution management phase.

The leaching phase is designed to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the leaching process in the mineralized zone, which is approximately 400m below the surface. The leaching phase includes the controlled injection of an acidic solution into a portion of the existing Test Pattern within the mineralized zone (the "Leaching Zone") and the recovery of the solution back to the surface using existing test wells. The recovered solution from the leaching phase is expected to contain dissolved minerals, including uranium, copper, iron, molybdenum, and zinc.

The neutralization phase involves the recovery of the remainder of the leached mineralized solution from the Leaching Zone and is intended to verify the efficiency and effectiveness of the process for returning the Leaching Zone to environmentally acceptable conditions. During this phase, a mild alkaline (basic) solution will be injected into the Leaching Zone to neutralize the area and reverse the residual effects of the acidic solution injected during the leaching phase.

The recovered solution management phase involves separating the solution recovered from both the leaching phase and the neutralization phase into (i) mineralized precipitates and (ii) a neutralized treated solution.

About Wheeler River

Wheeler River is the largest undeveloped uranium project in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region, in northern Saskatchewan  including combined Indicated Mineral Resources of 132.1 million pounds U 3 O 8 (1,809,000 tonnes at an average grade of 3.3% U 3 O 8 ), plus combined Inferred Mineral Resources of 3.0 million pounds U 3 O 8 (82,000 tonnes at an average grade of 1.7% U 3 O 8 ). The project is host to the high-grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits, discovered by Denison in 2008 and 2014, respectively, and is a joint venture between Denison (operator) and JCU (Canada) Exploration Company Limited ("JCU"). Denison has an effective 95% ownership interest in Wheeler River (90% directly, and 5% indirectly through a 50% ownership in JCU).

A Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") was completed for Wheeler River in 2018, considering the potential economic merit of developing the Phoenix deposit as an ISR operation and the Gryphon deposit as a conventional underground mining operation. Taken together, the Project is estimated to have mine production of 109.4 million pounds U 3 O 8 over a 14-year mine life, with a base case pre-tax NPV of $1.31 billion (8% discount rate), Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 38.7%, and initial pre-production capital expenditures of $322.5 million. The Phoenix ISR operation is estimated to have a stand-alone base case pre-tax NPV of $930.4 million (8% discount rate), IRR of 43.3%, initial pre-production capital expenditures of $322.5 million, and industry-leading average operating costs of US$3.33/lb U 3 O 8 . The PFS is prepared on a project (100% ownership) and pre-tax basis, as each of the partners to the Wheeler River Joint Venture are subject to different tax and other obligations.

Further details regarding the PFS, including additional scientific and technical information, as well as after-tax results attributable to Denison's ownership interest, are described in greater detail in the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled "Pre-feasibility Study for the Wheeler River Uranium Project, Saskatchewan, Canada" dated October 30, 2018, with an effective date of September 24, 2018. A copy of this report is available on Denison's website and under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Denison suspended certain activities at Wheeler River during 2020, including the EA process, which is on the critical path to achieving the project development schedule outlined in the PFS. While the EA process has resumed, the Company is not currently able to estimate the impact to the project development schedule outlined in the PFS, and users are cautioned against relying on the estimates provided therein regarding the start of pre-production activities in 2021 and first production in 2024.

About Denison

Denison is a uranium exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. In addition to its effective 95% interest in the Wheeler River project, Denison's interests in the Athabasca Basin include a 22.5% ownership interest in the McClean Lake joint venture, which includes several uranium deposits and the McClean Lake uranium mill that is contracted to process the ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement, plus a 25.17% interest in the Midwest Main and Midwest A deposits, and a 67.01% interest in the Tthe Heldeth Tue ("THT", formerly J Zone) and Huskie deposits on the Waterbury Lake property. The Midwest Main, Midwest A, THT and Huskie deposits are each located within 20 kilometres of the McClean Lake mill.

Through its 50% ownership of JCU, Denison holds additional interests in various uranium project joint ventures in Canada, including the Millennium project (JCU 30.099%), the Kiggavik project (JCU 33.8118%) and Christie Lake (JCU 34.4508%). Denison's exploration portfolio includes further interests in properties covering ~280,000 hectares in the Athabasca Basin region.

Denison is also engaged in post-closure mine care and maintenance services through its Closed Mines group, which manages Denison's reclaimed mine sites in the Elliot Lake region and provides related services to certain third-party projects.

Follow Denison on Twitter @DenisonMinesCo

Qualified Persons

The disclosure of scientific or technical information related to the FFT or Wheeler River project contained in this release has been reviewed and approved, as applicable, by Mr. David Bronkhorst, P.Eng, Denison's Vice President, Operations or Mr. Andrew Yackulic, P. Geo., Denison's Director, Exploration, who are Qualified Persons in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes 'forward-looking information', within the meaning of the applicable United States and Canadian legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Denison. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'potential', 'plans', 'expects', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates', or 'believes', or the negatives and/or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will' 'be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved'.

In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the following: expectations with respect to the FFT program, scope, timing and the anticipated results thereof; the interpretation of the results of the FFT obtained to-date; and expectations regarding its joint venture ownership interests and the continuity of its agreements with its partners and third parties.

Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Denison to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For example, the modelling and assumptions upon which the work plans for exploration and/or the Wheeler River Project are based may not be maintained after further work is completed. In addition, Denison may decide or otherwise be required to discontinue exploration, testing, evaluation and development work if it is unable to maintain or otherwise secure the necessary resources (such as testing facilities, capital funding, regulatory approvals, etc.).

Denison believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate and results may differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information. For a discussion in respect of risks and other factors that could influence forward-looking events, please refer to the factors discussed in Denison's Annual Information Form dated March 25, 2022 or subsequent quarterly financial reports under the heading 'Risk Factors'. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being exhaustive.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks only as of the date of this news release. Denison does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release to conform such information to actual results or to changes in Denison's expectations except as otherwise required by applicable legislation.

SOURCE Denison Mines Corp.
BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion DMS announces certified SecureVUE integration with AutoPoint's MPI. This technology partnership brings a full-service command center to your entire shop by providing seamless communication tools to keep your service team on the same page.

This partnership brings innovative features like parts inventory integration and a self-learning pricing guide, helping dealerships deliver a consistent, transparent, and professional service experience. These key benefits ensure faster inspections and shorter wait times for your customers:

Electronic inspections

Prompt, thorough, and consistent results

In-system communication tools

Everyone on your tech team will use the same system



Exception report alerts are sent directly to your or your team's devices

Real-time estimate updates

Reports and alerts can improve management techniques

Transparent reporting so you can track your progress

AutoPoint gathers info from 100 million repair orders

Photo capability to take images of the customer's actual vehicle to support service recommendations

Photo support for service recommendations and generate upsells

Dealer Benefits

Parts catalog integration



Accurate estimates every time

"The VUE/Autopoint integration has increased our team's productivity by keeping our Tech, Advisors, and Parts Counterpersons on the same page in real-time. The in-system communication and functionality improve our Parts and Advisor response times to our Techs for repairs and provide better information to our customers for approvals." - Mike Detwiler, Vice President, Dave Sinclair Ford.

"The relationships with our technology partners allow dealerships to maximize the value of our cloud-native VUE DMS. By collaborating with strong service experience vendors, we offer dealers more choices in running their business." - Arlene Clements, VP of Business Development, Dominion DMS.

This announcement is another reason for dealers to reconsider their current DMS relationship and consider what VUE DMS can offer. To learn more about VUE DMS and future integrations, visit DominionDMS.com .

About Dominion DMS:

Dominion DMS partners with automotive dealers to offer modern solutions in an ever-evolving landscape. Dominion DMS introduced VUE DMS, a cloud-native dealer management system that gives US-based franchised automotive dealers the digital security, flexibility, and efficiency to meet today's rapidly changing market. Built on Microsoft Azure Cloud by a team with decades of experience serving dealerships, VUE DMS enables dealers to deliver seamless customer interactions, reduce costs and protect their business. Through its robust suite of certified SecureVUE APIs, VUE DMS provides technology partners with the access and workflows they need to satisfy our common customers, the dealers. Consider Dominion DMS today. For more information, visit our website , and like us on Facebook , LinkedIn , and YouTube .

About AutoPoint:

AutoPoint's dealership and service center software transform the vehicle ownership experience, bringing together every service necessary for providing unmatched automotive customer service. These industry-leading tools empower dealerships and OEMs with a robust technology platform that demystifies sales and customer retention.

AutoPoint's powerful software suite contains every tool dealerships and OEMs need to promote sales, launch effective digital and email marketing campaigns, provide maintenance support, supply proper documentation, and increase customer retention. This comprehensive software solution supports you every step of the way so that you can ensure top-notch customer satisfaction.

MEDIA RELATIONS:

Scott Smith

Product & Content Marketing Manager

Dominion DMS

[email protected]

SOURCE VUE DMS
INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dronedek, known for its "mailbox of the future," today announced its technical integration partnership with commercial drone solutions developer, A2Z Drone Delivery , the ninth organization to join Dronedek's growing "delivery ecosystem of the future" this year.

For safe and reliable drone delivery to reach scale, carriers must be part of a wider network of supporting elements - an ecosystem - delivering to devices, like Dronedek smart mailboxes, that can securely receive and store those deliveries, says Dronedek's CEO and Founder Dan O'Toole.

Dronedek and A2Z Drone Delivery deliver food in Lawrence, Ind.

"We've been very impressed with A2Z Drone Delivery over the last few years," he said. "Partnerships like these are key to building the robust infrastructure needed for the future of delivery and commerce."

A 2020 Virginia Tech survey of consumers in Christiansburg, Va., where Alphabet's Wing subsidiary conducted the nation's most advanced residential drone delivery trial, revealed that 87 percent favored drone delivery .

"The markets are showing that consumers want their orders as fast and cheap as possible, regardless of who's bringing it to them," said O'Toole. "Nothing will be gained if these goods are stolen, damaged or inaccurately delivered."

Both Dronedek and A2Z Drone Delivery are focused on addressing consumer concerns of security, convenience and reliability.

"As drone delivery becomes part of mainstream logistics operations, it is imperative that service providers prioritize consumer safety in all operations. We are excited that our tethered drone delivery system will be integrated with the Dronedek smart mailbox," said Aaron Zhang, CEO of A2Z Drone Delivery. "Our Rapid Delivery System enables payloads to be deposited from altitude, keeping spinning propellers away from people and property, mitigating intrusive rotor noise, and assuaging privacy concerns about drones near private residences."

Dronedek showcased its disruptive technology last August in Lawrence, Ind. The A2Z Drone Delivery tethered system was used to deliver food from local restaurants, including McDonald's and Culver's, and the world's first deliveries of USPS First-Class mail were made to Dronedek smart mailboxes.

In addition to improving the experiences for businesses and consumers, a robust delivery ecosystem offers significant environmental and economic impacts. An August 2022 Carnegie-Mellon University study showed autonomous delivery services use 94% less energy than traditional delivery services. The global autonomous last mile delivery market is expected to grow from $14.13 billion in 2021 to $47.69 billion in 2026, per Research and Markets' Autonomous Last Mile Delivery Global Market Report 2022.

About Dronedek: Dronedek is one of the first companies in the world to focus on package security for traditional and autonomous delivery methods. Designed to accept drone or robotic delivery, the Dronedek mailbox also accepts traditional First-Class mail delivery, and is destined to become an everyday utility service like power or water. Learn more and invest in the delivery ecosystem of the future at startengine.com/dronedek .

About A2Z Drone Delivery, Inc.: A2Z Drone Delivery, Inc. develops innovative solutions to enable safe, accurate and low-noise drone deliveries. Focused on last-mile UAV delivery systems, A2Z Drone Delivery is creating platforms capable of pushing drone delivery into the mainstream of logistics operations. Based in Los Angeles, C.A., A2Z Drone Delivery originated as a drone delivery project at Brown University in 2016 and now serves customers around the world which are leveraging its technology for a diverse array of applications. For more information visit: https://www.a2zdronedelivery.com/ .

Dronedek media contact: Cheryl Reed at 317-446-5240

A2Z Drone Delivery media contact: Zach Heath 401-559-7350

SOURCE Dronedek.com
MetLife in the UK adds Everest's Funeral Concierge service to its group life proposition

New arrangement marks Everest's first partnership in UK market

HOUSTON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Funeral planning and concierge service firm Everest announced today a new strategic partnership with MetLife in the UK market. As part of this initial three-year exclusive arrangement, MetLife will offer funeral support services to more than 1.4 million UK employees, via its Group Life insurance arrangements.

The partnership marks Everest's entry into the UK market and its first venture outside of North America, where it has a customer base of more than 25 million and has operated since 2001.

Everest's UK business will be led by Chairman, Mark Wood who has previously held senior roles including CEO of AXA UK, CEO of Prudential Europe, and founder of pension buyout firm Paternoster. He is also currently chair of Pension Bee.

"For years, Everest has been a continent-wide service to help streamline and simplify the process for grieving families," said Mark Duffey, President and CEO of Everest Funeral Package, LLC. "Expanding into the UK was the natural next step, and we are thrilled to welcome Mark Wood to lead this expansion. His significant expertise in the UK insurance markets will enable us to provide many more families with significant additional support during an incredibly challenging time."

As part of the new arrangement, MetLife's Group Life customers in the UK will be able to access comprehensive end-of-life planning services and extensive support to help their families in the event of their death. With 24/7 adviser support and assistance, along with a suite of online planning tools, customers and their families will benefit from help making difficult financial and emotional decisions. Additionally, customers will be able to use a digital vault to ensure individuals can leave their important documents easily accessible for those bereaved, as well as a free will writing service.

"Coming out of the pandemic, the perceived need for protection and life insurance has never been greater," said Mark Wood, Chairman of Everest. "Through our partnership with MetLife, we will be here to help millions of UK households to organise their affairs and provide further piece of mind, knowing that their loved ones will be taken care of, now and in the future."

About Everest:

Everest is a funeral concierge service rolled into a life insurance plan that aims to simplify and streamline the funeral planning process by offering comprehensive end-of-life planning services and extensive support to guide families through a very emotional and confusing time in their lives.

Everest has combined on-demand, personalized service, technology and consumer advocacy to revolutionize traditional funeral planning. Already supporting more than 25 million people across the U.S. and Canada, Everest aims to spearhead the funeral concierge service market in the UK and presage a change in the way people think about funeral planning and services.

Founded in 2001, Everest is headquartered in Houston, Texas with operating centres located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Houston, Texas and Toronto, Ontario.

About MetLife:

MetLife Europe d.a.c. is an affiliate of MetLife, Inc. and has been in the UK since 2007, providing innovative protection, employee benefits and retirement solutions. For more information on MetLife in the UK, visit www.metlife.co.uk

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

SOURCE Everest Funeral Concierge
ZURICH, Switzerland, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Infrastructure sensing and monitoring company, Fiber Sense Limited ("FiberSense"), today announced the appointment of Mark Sokol as a Non-Executive Director. Sokol brings an extensive background in championing the development of new technology strategies and applying them to global markets. Sokol's leadership is a significant addition to the FiberSense Board as it continues to sign new customers to its DigitalAsset and DigitalAsset Marine products.

Mark Sokol

Currently CTO of AtlasEdge, the leading European provider of edge based digital infrastructure services, Sokol has extensive experience leading technology teams, including as Senior Director of Infrastructure at Google where he was directly responsible for their global infrastructure rollout.

"Over the past few years, I've been tracking the progress that founder Mark Englund and the FiberSense Team have been making. Their proprietary sensing and monitoring tech is head and shoulders above their competitors, and they are now leading the market in forging new revenue streams from existing fiber optic assets. I am delighted to join the Board and support their ambitious growth plans," Mark Sokol said.

"I first crossed paths with FiberSense a few years ago and was struck by their vision to reimagine the inherent value in the ubiquitous fiber optic cables around us. The company is a true innovator in commercializing highly valuable sensing and monitoring services via machine learning technologies. Their vision very much aligns with the direction I see for rapidly growing critical infrastructure asset protection," Sokol added.

FiberSense Founder and CEO, Mark Englund, said "An international infrastructure leadership background like Mark's is highly sought after and it's a huge vote of confidence in our strategy and forward plans that he has agreed to come on board. The timing of this appointment couldn't be more opportune as we now move to our next phase of ramping up growth."

Fellow Co-Chair, Bevan Slattery, said "Mark brings new insights to our Board table not just related to his Google infrastructure deployment experience, but also from his recent focus and attention on European and African digital infrastructure markets. Our expansion already has footholds in places like the UK, France and South Africa and now with this new contribution, Mark will be an important part of our next steps forward in these regions."

FiberSense Founder and CEO, Mark Englund said "Mark has been a sounding board for some time and it's fantastic that he's now able to join our Board. His reputation and standing in the global infrastructure community is well known. He is amongst the very few to have navigated the rise of the global digital economy as it reshapes the demand for data centers and edge computing, in particular. "

About FiberSense

Fiber Sense Ltd ("FiberSense") was formed to dramatically improve everyone's experience in public spaces by adding a new level of real time and historical awareness of anonymised objects and events in public spaces. The team at FiberSense invented and patented a new class of sensor system over optical fiber cable infrastructure called Vibration Detection and Ranging (VID+R). FiberSense technology sits at the intersection of optical fiber sensing, integrated photonics, machine learning and optical fiber telecoms networks. They bring these capabilities together in a digital platform that can be sampled at www.fibersense.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1922215/mark_sokol.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1922214/FiberSense_logo.jpg

SOURCE FiberSense
Mistakenly labeled a fake and then kept in a Virginia closet for decades, the fabled 1913-dated Liberty Head nickel has been acquired from a Florida family by GreatCollections of Irvine, California

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A legendary, century-old rare United States nickel that was believed lost for 41 years and discovered following a nationwide search in 2003 has been sold by a Florida family for $4.2 million to Ian Russell, President of GreatCollections (www.GreatCollections.com) in Irvine, California. It is one of only five known 1913-dated Liberty Head design five-cent denomination coins, and two of them are in museums.

Only five Liberty Head nickels dated 1913 are known, made under mysterious circumstances at the Philadelphia Mint. Tweet this Recovered from a 1962 North Carolina car crash that killed its owner, George O. Walton, this rare U.S. 1913 Liberty Head nickel has been purchased from a Florida family for $4.2 million by Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections of Irvine, California. (Photo courtesy of GreatCollections.) Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections in Irvine, California holds two multi-million-dollar, rare U.S. 1913 Liberty Head nickels he has purchased in the past year, including the one on the left he just acquired from a Florida family for $4.2 million. Only five 1913-dated Liberty Head nickels are known. (Photo courtesy of GreatCollections.)

"This famous coin was once owned by North Carolina collector George O. Walton who was killed in a 1962 car crash. It was recovered from the crash, but his heirs were mistakenly told it was a fake. Walton's sister in Virginia kept it in a closet for decades," explained Russell. "The coin was off the radar until 2003 when a nationwide search was conducted, and Walton's nephew and nieces submitted it for authentication to experts at Professional Coin Grading Service."

After being sold at auction by Walton's heirs for $3.1 million in 2013, the fabled nickel was privately acquired in 2018 by the Firman family of Florida for an undisclosed price.

"Our family thoroughly enjoyed owning the Walton nickel for the past four years and it was fulfilling for us to have it on display at the American Numismatic Association Money Museum in Colorado and in exhibits across the country during this time," stated Ron Firman of Miami.

In 1913, the United States Mint changed the designs of five-cent denomination coins from the Liberty Head motif to a design that featured a Native American on the front and a bison on the back. However, a few Liberty Head examples dated 1913 were made under mysterious circumstances at the Philadelphia Mint.

"Two of the five known 1913 Liberty Head nickels are in museums; one in the Smithsonian's National Numismatic Collection and another example still at the ANA Money Museum in Colorado," explained Russell. "This is the second one that I purchased in the past year on behalf of collectors, but I doubt if any of the three 1913 Liberty Head nickels now in private hands will become available again for years."

About GreatCollections

GreatCollections, the official auction house of the American Numismatic Association, specializes in auctioning certified coins and banknotes, handling transactions from start to finish. Since its founding in 2010, GreatCollections has successfully auctioned over 1 million certified coins, making it one of the leading certified coin companies in the United States with annual sales in 2021 exceeding $235 million. Ian Russell, owner/president of GreatCollections, is a member of the prestigious Professional Numismatists Guild and a member of the National Auctioneers Association. For more information about GreatCollections, visit www.GreatCollections.com or call 800-442-6467.

SOURCE GreatCollections
BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine ranked Florida Atlantic University as No. 17 for graduating African American students with bachelor's degrees in all disciplines combined in its list of top 100 minority degree producers among American undergraduate and graduate institutions of higher education.

FAU's rankings among the Top 100 for all disciplines combined also include:

No. 17 for African Americans with bachelor's degrees

No. 40 for Hispanics with bachelor's degrees

No. 51 for African Americans with master's degrees

No. 53 for Hispanics with master's degrees

No. 44 for total minority students with bachelor's degrees

No. 60 for total minority students with master's degrees

"It is an honor to be recognized as a leader of equitable student achievement," said FAU President John Kelly. "FAU is committed to breaking down barriers to success, especially for traditionally underserved students. We are proud to be an institution that embraces diversity and creates generational change."

The data, compiled exclusively for Diverse by Rhonda V. Sharpe, Ph.D., founder and president of the Women's Institute for Science, Equity and Race, is the only national report on the ability of U.S. colleges and universities to award degrees to African American, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American students.

The Diverse top 100 report is the only national analysis to use the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education (preliminary 2020-2021 academic year). Using these statistics, Sharpe created rankings in the total number of degrees awarded at every American institution of higher education, as well as specific figures in major fields of study and disciplines. This marks the 31st consecutive year that Diverse (formerly Black Issues In Higher Education) has produced this original research.

Since 1984, Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine has been the nation's premier publication covering the issues pertaining to underrepresented groups in American higher education. A comprehensive presentation of top 100 degree statistics can be found at top100.diverseeducation.com/

About Florida Atlantic University :

Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise. For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

Media Contact: Lisa Metcalf

Senior Media Relations Director, University News

[email protected]

Phone: 561-297-2676

SOURCE Florida Atlantic University
Belize Bank embarked on a core banking transformation that will reinvent the business with cutting-edge capabilities and the flexibility needed in the M&A process

LAKE MARY, Fla., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra recently announced that The Belize Bank Limited, one of the largest banks in Belize, providing retail, corporate and commercial banking services, successfully migrated the business of Scotiabank (Belize) Limited onto the Fusion Essence core banking platform following an acquisition facilitated by its parent company, Caribbean Investments Holdings Limited (CIHL). After migrating its legacy core to Fusion Essence in 2017, Belize Bank has extended its collaboration with Finastra to bring Scotiabank (Belize) onto the next-generation core banking solution.

"Fusion Essence provides a visionary solution for a visionary bank," said Jose Cardona, Chief Information Officer, Belize Bank. "Our transformation required a platform that would allow us to expand our presence both locally in Belize as well as in the wider region. Fusion Essence provides that platform; it enables us to launch products rapidly into the market."

Belize Bank selected Finastra's Fusion Essence core banking solution to modernize its banking infrastructure and to reinvent its business with cutting-edge capabilities and a renewed focus on the customer experience. To grow in a market dominated by a small group of banks and to counteract the financial impact of COVID-19 on the Belizean economy, the bank saw opportunities to boost operational efficiency, develop innovative mobile banking services and grow its business through acquisition.

"Fusion Essence offered Belize Bank the flexibility and agility needed to expand to accommodate planned acquisitions," said Narendra Mistry, Chief Product Officer, Universal Banking at Finastra. "When we first started working with the bank, our joint success was dependent on a robust implementation plan built on best practices to ensure a smooth transition to the new platform. These same principles enabled the migration of accounts and data associated with Scotiabank (Belize) Limited onto the platform, resulting in a seamless transition within an aggressive timeframe of under 12 months."

About Finastra

Finastra is a global provider of financial software applications and marketplaces, and launched the leading open platform for innovation, FusionFabric.cloud, in 2017. It serves institutions of all sizes, providing award-winning software solutions and services across Lending, Payments,

Treasury & Capital Markets and Universal Banking (Retail, Digital and Commercial Banking) for banks to support direct banking relationships and grow through indirect channels, such as embedded finance and Banking as a Service. Its pioneering approach and commitment to open finance and collaboration is why it is trusted by ~8,600 institutions, including 90 of the world's top 100 banks.

For more information, visit finastra.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1916021/FINASTRA_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Finastra
BOLOGNA, Italy, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FoodChain ID Group, Inc., a leading provider of technology-enabled food safety, quality and sustainability solutions for the food and agricultural industry, has acquired Cosmocert S.A., a leading organic certification and inspection company in Greece providing internationally and regionally recognized certification standards.

Located in Athens, Greece, and founded in 2013, Cosmocert has grown rapidly to become one of the premier certification providers in Greece through its intense focus on integrity, customer service and the utilization of technology. Cosmocert currently serves over 7,500 customers by providing certification services including EU Organic, GLOBALG.A.P., VLOG, ISO 22000 and other standards. Cosmocert will join Bioagricert as a part of FoodChain ID's growing organic certification service within FoodChain ID's Technical Services Europe and Asia division.

"We are excited to partner with the Cosmocert team, one of the leading certifying bodies in Greece. The addition of Cosmocert will enhance the scope of our certification services for food and agricultural clients in the increasingly important Mediterranean region," explains Dr. Chetan Parmar, FoodChain ID SVP of Technical Services Europe and Asia.

"The acquisition is an ideal fit with FoodChain ID and Bioagricert's services and capabilities," explains Alessandro Lombardi, Bioagricert Managing Director. "By supplementing the Cosmocert platform in Greece with Bioagricert's other capabilities in sustainability, certification and inspections, we will enhance the experience of Cosmocert's clients with expanded capabilities in IFS, BRCGS, USDA Organic and other standards."

"We are excited to join a global leader like FoodChain ID in food safety and organic certification, further accelerating our already impressive growth," states Kostas Diamantopoulos, CEO of Cosmocert. "This will lead to an exhilarating next chapter for Cosmocert and is a monumental moment for the history of our company. We are confident we found the right partners and couldn't be more enthusiastic about what the future holds together with FoodChain ID and Bioagricert."

With the EU organic market growth at 15.1%,1 Bioagricert's organic certification services, now enhanced with further expertise, staff and auditing abilities, has responded to the demand for certification in the sustainability market.

1. IFOAM Organics Europe, Research Institute on Organic Agriculture, 2020.

About FoodChain ID

Over 30,000 companies across the global supply chain rely on FoodChain ID as their trusted partner to navigate the increasingly regulated food economy with greater transparency, safety and sustainability. By providing clients with technology-enabled solutions supported by the industry's most comprehensive data and knowledgeable experts, FoodChain ID is an essential source of timely, accurate information and expertise. Services include regulatory compliance and product development applications, as well as testing, food safety and product certification solutions. Visit www.foodchainid.com for more information.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1919789/FoodChain_ID_Logo_Logo.jpg

SOURCE FoodChain ID Inc
Leading physician-dispensed skincare brand, ALASTIN, continues to innovate with a multi-modal approach to hyperpigmentation

DALLAS, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Galderma, the world's largest independent dermatology company, today announces the launch of ALASTIN Skincare A-LUMINATE BRIGHTENING SERUM. The newest product addition to the ALASTIN Skincare lineup is designed to help reduce the appearance of surface pigmentation without any harsh, irritating ingredients.

ALASTIN Skincare A-LUMINATE BRIGHTENING SERUM

Clinically proven, A-LUMINATE BRIGHTENING SERUM contains a multifaceted blend of peptides, antioxidants, and targeted ingredients to allow the skin to appear brighter and create a more even-toned, luminous complexion over time. ALASTIN's proprietary PATH-3 Technology helps to minimize the recurrence of surface pigmentation and protect against future damage with continued use. The innovative formula also works to complement in-office treatments including chemical peels, lasers, and skin brightening treatments. The elegant, lightweight, non-irritating serum is formulated without hydroquinone or retinol and is safe for long-term daily use.

"We are thrilled to add another innovative formulation to our daily skin care product portfolio with the launch of A-LUMINATE Brightening Serum(). Pigmentation is a common skin concern that a lot of consumers face and we know it can be a long-term battle to diminish the look of melasma and dark spots. The results of our clinical trial indicate that A-LUMINATE is a topical product that provides impressive results to minimize the appearance of dark spots and discoloration without irritation, and it can be used long-term as part of their normal skincare regimen." Amber Edwards, Chief Commercial Officer, ALASTIN

A-LUMINATE Brightening Serum ($168) can be purchased from ALASTIN Skincare aesthetic physicians' offices. Visit www.alastin.com for more information and to find a physician retailer near you.

About Alastin Skincare

Alastin Skincare is a range of innovative, clinically tested skin care products that correct, protect and maintain healthy skin for a lifetime. These unparalleled Procedure Enhancement and Restore & Renew products are formulated with TriHex Technology, a patented combination of key peptides and other synergistic ingredients using the latest technology, and are clinically tested to demonstrate safety and their ability to help reawaken the skin's youthful regenerating processes.

@AlastinSkincare #AlastinSkincare

About Galderma

Galderma is the pure-play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that spans the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market through Injectable Aesthetics, Dermo-cosmetics and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human body's largest organ  the skin  meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. Because we understand that the skin we're in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story.

For more information: www.galderma.com

SOURCE Galderma
Katie Pollard is recognized for discovering fast-evolving regions of the human genome and for creating open-source software used by scientists worldwide

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Data scientist and statistician Katie Pollard, PhD, director of the Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), one of the highest honors in health and medicine. Through its election process, the Academy recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

Katie Pollard is recognized by the National Academy of Medicine for discovering fast-evolving regions of the human genome and for creating open-source software used by scientists worldwide. Photo: Michael Short/Gladstone Institutes

Pollard is perhaps best known for developing a novel statistical approach to identify human accelerated regions (HARs), which are stretches of DNA that rapidly changed when humans evolved from primate ancestors. Many of these regions of the human genome help determine when and where important genesincluding those associated with diseasesare turned on or off.

Pollard is also being recognized for the creation of statistical models and open-source bioinformatics software, which are used by researchers worldwide to investigate gene activity, genome evolution, and the microbiome (the collection of microbes found in the human gut).

"As a statistician, I am honored that the National Academy of Medicine and my nominators value our contributionsand the contributions of data scientists more broadlyto biomedical research and medicine," says Pollard. "I love coding and math, but what really motivates me is using these methods to understand how our bodies work and how they break in disease."

Pollard, who is also a professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UC San Francisco and an investigator at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, entered graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley, interested in using math and statistics for public health applications. She was moving from classwork to research when the human genome was sequenced for the first time.

"I immediately became interested in using the genome sequence to measure differences in gene activity between tissues and disease states, such as in tumors versus nearby healthy tissue," she recalls. "I also wanted to develop statistical methods that could help me, and other researchers, get reliable results from the unprecedently large arrays of genomic data being produced."

Since then, Pollard and her lab have made critical contributions to several other research areas, including decoding how genomes work by using comparative genomics; creating statistical models, open-source bioinformatics software, and machine-learning frameworks to better understand the human genome; and developing analytical tools to study the human microbiome.

Driving Medical Research with Bioinformatic Approaches

As Pollard started her postdoctoral work, the chimpanzee genome was sequenced. Because she had studied anthropology (including primatology) as an undergraduate, she understood the importance and potential applications of the new information, and performed one of the first genome-wide comparisons of human and chimpanzee DNA. That work led to the discovery of HARs.

"HARs are short pieces of DNA where chimpanzees and other non-human mammals have nearly identical sequences," she explains. "But the human HARs are very different from the chimp's, which makes HARs exciting candidates for understanding traits that are unique to humans, such as spoken language, HIV susceptibility, and psychiatric diseases."

After scientists had been trying to figure out the function of HARs for nearly a decade, Pollard and her team made a significant breakthrough by using an innovative approach inspired by the fields of bioinformatics, stem cell biology, and genomics.

They discovered that the vast majority of HARs are not genes, but rather "enhancers" that turn the activity of nearby genes up or down. They also found that many HARs control genes involved in brain development and in psychiatric diseases that are uniquely human, such as autism and schizophrenia.

In parallel, for the past 15 years, Pollard's team has been developing new ways to analyze the hundreds of species of microbes that grow inside the human gut, which play many roles in health and disease. Their breakthroughs could lead to the development of therapies to maintain or improve gut health. They are also helping set the stage for using the microbiome in precision medicine.

"To make these discoveries, we first had to create the right bioinformatics tools to tackle the questions we wanted to answer," says Pollard. "We then applied our tools to massive analyses of terabytes of publicly available data, bringing together datasets that were not originally collected for the same purpose. And we used these datasets to ask new questions beyond what was analyzed in the original studies."

She helped create several computational methods to better analyze typical datasets, including an approach that allows researchers to carry out bigger and more precise analyses of the microbiome than ever before. Their approaches are also faster and cheaper than previous technologies, making them accessible to most labsnot only the ones that can afford high-performance computing power.

To Pollard, this is one of the most crucial aspects of technology development: creating tools that can be shared with, and used by, as many scientists and students as possible. That's why she's such a strong advocate of open science, and a world leader in open-source bioinformatics software.

"The machine-learning tools and statistical methods we develop can be used to study a wide range of diseases," says Pollard. "It's important to me that they can be made available to anyone who needs them, so that we can open the door to important discoveries by researchers all around the world, across a variety of fields."

Expanding the Role of Data Science

Looking ahead, Pollard would like to help expand the role of data science in modern biomedical research. Rather than its current function of supporting the analysis of experimental research that has already been conducted, she would like to see data science setting the direction of experimentation and technology development.

"What I'm most excited about is using predictive models to drive experiments and the development of new tools and technologies," she says. "Data scientists being in the driver's seat will also ensure that we are designing the experiments and machines that best address the questions we want to ask down the line."

Pollard earned her BA at Pomona College and her Master's degree and PhD in biostatistics from UC Berkeley. She is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, the California Academy of Sciences, and the International Society for Computational Biology. She is also a member of the American Society of Human Genetics and the American Statistical Association.

Pollard's election was announced on October 17, 2022, by the NAM, which is part of the congressionally chartered National Academy of Sciencesa group of private, nonprofit institutions that provide objective advice on matters of science, technology, and health.

Pollard joins seven fellow NAM members from Gladstone Institutes: Jennifer Doudna, PhD, senior investigator; Warner Greene, MD, PhD, senior investigator; Robert W. Mahley, MD, PhD, senior investigator, president emeritus, and Gladstone founder; Lennart Mucke, MD, senior investigator and director of the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease; Deepak Srivastava, MD, senior investigator and president of Gladstone; R. Sanders Williams, MD, former Gladstone president; and Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD, senior investigator.

About Gladstone Institutes

To ensure our work does the greatest good, Gladstone Institutes focuses on conditions with profound medical, economic, and social impactunsolved diseases. Gladstone is an independent, nonprofit life science research organization that uses visionary science and technology to overcome disease. It has an academic affiliation with the University of California, San Francisco.

Media Contact: Julie Langelier | Associate Director, Communications | [email protected] | 415.734.5000

1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 | gladstone.org | @GladstoneInst

SOURCE Gladstone Institutes
DUBLIN, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Educational Robot Market by Type (Humanoid Robots, Collaborative Industrial Robots), Component (Sensors, End Effectors, Actuators, Controllers), Education Level (Higher Education, Special Education) - Forecast to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global educational robot market size is expected to grow from USD 1.4 billion in 2022 to USD 3.2 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 17.3% during the forecasted period.

Collaborative robots are becoming more affordable and are easier to program, especially for novice users. Universities are studying how to utilize the potential of collaborative robots across several different industries by uncovering new uses and applications, improving existing applications, enhancing robot efficiency, and studying robots' effects on health and occupational safety in the workplace.

For instance, the US, universities such as Johns Hopkins, The University of Maryland, Virginia Tech, Marshall University, and others have dedicated collaborative robot education centers that expose students to collaborative robots and offer robotics research opportunities.



Software is the fastest growing segment of educational robot market during the forecast period



New software solutions are being developed for use in industrial and service robots. Industrial robots require preventive maintenance because multiple robots are functioning at the same time. 5G connectivity is now also being tested for networking industrial robots. For service robots, AI plays a vital role in advancing humanoid robots for functions such as movement, speech recognition and object identification. Hence, the market for software components is expected to grow at a faster rate during the forecast period.



Special education segment is the fastest growing segment of educational robot market by 2027



The educational robot market for special education is expected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2022 and 2027. Humanoid robots hold a niche but dedicated market for catering to children with special needs. Collaborative robot technology is also being explored for assisting differently abled people. In some cases, collaborative robots are being used as assistive arms for differently abled people. Their inherently safe design allows them to be used alongside humans. Their penetration is currently limited. Kinova Robots (Canada) is one of the very few companies that has developed assistive robots using collaborative robot technology.



Europe is the second fastest growing market for educational robot during the forecast period



Unlike many countries in Europe, universities in the UK have an English-dominant curriculum, which makes it an attractive destination for foreign students looking to get a degree in robotics. Educational institutions in the UK also collaborate with other educational centers worldwide to strengthen educational partnerships with other countries.

This enables the collaboration of students from different universities in robotics projects as well as the sharing of new developments across universities in the field of robotics.

Also, the education sector in the UK has already shifted to a digital learning environment, which is facilitating robotics education in schools. Apart from Germany, Italy is the only country in Europe that houses robotics companies, such as Comau and CMA Robotics. These instances are the few driving factors enabling the growth of educational robot market in Europe.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Introduction



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

4.1 Attractive Opportunities in Educational Robot Market

4.2 Educational Robot Market, by Type

4.3 Educational Robot Market, by Component

4.4 Educational Robot Market in North America, by Type Vs. by Country

4.5 Educational Robot Market, by Education Level

4.6 Educational Robot Market, by Region

5 Market Overview

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Drivers

5.2.1.1 Increasing Deployment of Robots in Manufacturing Industries to Promote New Job Opportunities

5.2.1.2 Surging Demand for Collaborative Robots in Education and Industrial Sectors

5.2.1.3 Growing Research and Developments Related to Humanoid Robots to Transform Service Sector

5.2.2 Restraints

5.2.2.1 High Costs Associated with Educational Robots

5.2.3 Opportunities

5.2.3.1 Introduction of Industrial Robots in High Schools

5.2.3.2 Designing Humanoid Robots for Students with Special Needs

5.2.4 Challenges

5.2.4.1 Lack of Interoperability Standards in Robotic Industry

5.2.4.2 Difficulties Faced by Training Centers to Conduct Hands-On Training

5.3 Value Chain Analysis

5.4 Ecosystem/Market Map

5.4.1 Educational Robot Oems

5.4.2 Suppliers

5.4.3 Robot Integrators

5.4.4 Distributors

5.4.5 It/Big Data Companies

5.4.6 Software Solutions Providers

5.4.7 Research Centers

5.5 Price Analysis

5.6 Technology Analysis

5.6.1 Key Technologies and Trends

5.6.1.1 Integration of Vision Systems with Industrial Robots

5.6.1.2 Growing Commercial Use of Humanoid Robots

5.6.2 Complementary Technologies

5.6.2.1 Penetration of IIoT and Ai in Industrial Manufacturing

5.6.2.2 Integration of Ai with Robots

5.6.2.3 Research on Standard Os for Robots

5.6.3 Adjacent Technology

5.6.3.1 Penetration of 5G in Industrial Manufacturing

5.7 Porter's Five Forces Model

5.8 Case Studies

5.8.1 Motlow College Becomes Abb Robotics Education Affiliate

5.8.2 Madison College Students Gain First Place in Industrial Robotics Competition

5.8.3 University of Toronto Acquired Six Kuka Robots

5.8.4 Talos Humanoid Robot Introduced at University of Edinburgh

5.8.5 Talos Humanoid Robot Introduced at University of Waterloo

5.9 Trade Data

5.10 Patent Analysis

5.11 Tariffs

5.12 Regulations

5.12.1 North America

5.12.2 Europe

5.12.3 Asia-Pacific

6 Educational Robot Market, by Type

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Service Robots

6.2.1 Humanoid Robots

6.2.1.1 Humanoid Robots are Most Complex Type of Service Robots

6.2.2 Non-Humanoid Robots

6.2.2.1 Non-Humanoid Robots Offer Greater Computer-Aided Creativity Compared to Humanoid Robots

6.3 Industrial Robots

6.3.1 Robot Manufacturers Offer Low-Payload Industrial Robots for Educational Use

6.4 Impact of COVID-19 on Educational Robot Types

7 Educational Robot Market, by Component

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Hardware

7.2.1 Robotic Arms

7.2.1.1 Industrial Robots Consist of Multi-Linked Arms Having Six to Seven Axes

7.2.2 End Effectors

7.2.2.1 End Effectors are Integral Part of Any Industrial Robot

7.2.3 Actuators/Drives

7.2.3.1 Electrical

7.2.3.1.1 Electrical Actuators are Much More Efficient Compared to Hydraulic Actuators

7.2.3.2 Pneumatic

7.2.3.2.1 Pneumatic Actuators Convert Electric Energy into Mechanical Energy

7.2.3.3 Hydraulic

7.2.3.3.1 Hydraulic Actuators are Used Where Heavy Forces and High Speed are Required

7.2.3.4 Piezoelectric

7.2.3.4.1 Piezoelectric Actuators Use Converse Piezoelectric Effect for Operation

7.2.3.5 Ultrasonic

7.2.3.5.1 Ultrasonic Actuators are Used to Control Vibrations, Positioning Applications, and Quick Switching

7.2.4 Control Systems/Controllers

7.2.4.1 Controllers Allow All Parts of Robot to Operate Together

7.2.5 Sensors

7.2.5.1 Gyroscopes

7.2.5.1.1 Gyroscopes are Used to Sense Angular Velocity in Three Dimensions

7.2.5.2 Microphones

7.2.5.2.1 Microphone Arrays are Used for Speech and Speaker Recognition Applications in Educational Robots

7.2.5.3 Accelerometers

7.2.5.3.1 Accelerometers Can Sense Wide Range of Non-Gravitational Acceleration Forces

7.2.5.4 Tilt Sensors

7.2.5.4.1 Tilt Sensors Can Measure Tilt Angle with Ground Plane Reference

7.2.5.5 Force/Torque Sensors

7.2.5.5.1 Force/Torque Sensors are Mainly Used in Collaborative Robots to Detect Collisions

7.2.5.6 Position Sensors

7.2.5.6.1 Position Sensors Measure Distance Traveled by a Robotic System from Its Reference Position

7.2.5.7 Vision/Image Sensors

7.2.5.7.1 Cmos Sensors are Widely Used in Cameras and Vision Systems

7.2.5.8 Others

7.2.6 Power Source Systems

7.2.6.1 Service Robots Mainly Use Batteries to Operate

7.2.7 Others

7.3 Software

7.3.1 Software is Designed Using Coded Commands So That Robots Can Carry Out Specific Tasks

8 Educational Robot Market, by Education Level

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Elementary and High School Education

8.2.1 Humanoid Robots are Widely Used as Learning Assistants at Elementary School Level

8.3 Higher Education

8.3.1 Service Robots are Extensively Used in Higher Education

8.4 Special Education

8.4.1 Educational Robots are Mostly Adopted for Special Education to Provide Unique and Interactive Solutions for Children

9 Educational Robot Market, by Region

10 Competitive Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Market Evaluation Framework

10.2.1 Product Portfolio

10.2.2 Regional Focus

10.2.3 Manufacturing Footprint

10.2.4 Organic/Inorganic Play

10.3 Market Share Analysis: Educational Robot Market, 2021

10.4 5-Year Company Revenue Analysis

10.5 Company Evaluation Quadrant

10.5.1 Stars

10.5.2 Emerging Leaders

10.5.3 Pervasive Players

10.5.4 Participants

10.5.5 Company Footprint

10.6 Start-Up/Sme Evaluation Matrix

10.6.1 Progressive Companies

10.6.2 Responsive Companies

10.6.3 Dynamic Companies

10.6.4 Starting Blocks

10.7 Competitive Situations and Trends

10.7.1 Product Launches

10.7.2 Acquisitions, Partnerships, Collaborations, Agreements, & Joint Ventures

10.7.3 Contracts and Expansions

11 Company Profiles

11.1 Key Players

11.1.1 Abb

11.1.2 Yaskawa

11.1.3 Fanuc

11.1.4 Kuka

11.1.5 Universal Robots

11.1.6 Softbank Robotics Group

11.1.7 Robotis

11.1.8 Pal Robotics

11.1.9 Ubtech Robotics

11.1.10 Hanson Robotics

11.2 Other Key Players

11.2.1 Seiko Epson

11.2.2 Hyulim Robot

11.2.3 Probotics America

11.2.4 Aisoy Robotics

11.2.5 Sanbot Innovation

11.2.6 Techman Robot

11.2.7 Dji

11.2.8 Wonder Workshop

11.2.9 Pitsco

11.2.10 Robolink

11.2.11 Roboterra

12 Adjacent and Related Markets

13 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/u9lbas

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LONDON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Specialty Coffee Market Share was valued at USD 28.44 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 71.21 Billion by 2028. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.01% from 2021 to 2028.

Specialty coffee refers to the highest quality coffee available, usually involving the entire supply chain and using single origin or single estate coffee. On the 100-point Coffee Review scale, specialty coffee is described as coffee that receives 80 or more points. Coffee of outstanding quality both farmed and brewed to a substantially higher level than the norm is specialty coffee. Erna Knutsen coined the term in an issue of Tea & Coffee Trade Journal in 1974.

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Specialty Coffee Market: Scope

There is a growth which is going to happen in the global specialty coffee market which is going to happen due to the increase in the urban population all over the world and the demand for the price, appropriate brewing needs and suitability along with the increase in the purchase-ability in many different developing countries in the market.

Specialty Coffee Market: Competitive Analysis

Some major key players for global specialty coffee market report cover prominent players like -

Starbucks

Dunkin' Brands Group

Whitbread

McDonald's

Coffee Beane Peet's Coffee

Coffee Barista

Restaurant Brands International

Coffee Day Enterprises

Caribou Coffee

Tea and Global Baristas US

Don Fransisco's Coffee

Coffee Keurig Green Mountain

Eight O'Clock Coffee

Caffe Nero

Blue Bottle

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf . Lavazza

. Lavazza M. Smucker

Costa

Jammin Java Group

Bulletproof

Gevelia

Strauss

Stumptown

Others

Specialty Coffee Market: Segmentation Analysis

In terms of segmentation, it has been reported that the 85-89.99 grade segment has dominated this market with there being a large market share in the world. This is a coffee which is called the Robusta and has grown quite a lot in the last few years. This is a Brazilian term which is used to describe the way the coffee is made. This is a coffee which can be developed in a more chocolate, vanilla, citrus and nutty flavor and be typically smooth and sweet.

It has also been said that the commercial segment has been dominating this market with there being a huge market share and a market revenue too. The segment is going to be developing with the higher innovations and the accelerated improvements in technology which are the major factors that are driving the market in the commercial application segment. Moreover, the substantial growth of this market has been on account of the machine enterprises particularly when it comes to the developing countries.

By Grades:

80-84.99

85-89.99

90-100

By Applications:

Home

Commercial

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Specialty Coffee Market: Regional Analysis

Another factor is the emergence of the foodservice enterprise as a major end user and a surge in the number of the offices among the kitchenettes which is going to propel the sale in the coming years. In terms of region, it is going to grow most in Europe and North America due to the higher disposable incomes in these countries.

Specialty Coffee Market: Key Drivers

It is estimated that there is a rise in the specialty coffee among many different customers all over the world and that is going to expand the demand for the market in the years to come. Further, there is a rapid level of urbanization and disposable income increase happening worldwide which is going to further propel the growth of the market in the coming years.

There are some restraints however going on in the market. Such restraints include the fluctuation of the price of coffee beans and there being a lack of supply of this in the unfavorable weather conditions. Furthermore, there is an expansion in the ability of the consumers with the increase in popularity of coffee subscription as a major opportunity for the growth of this market.

Specialty Coffee Market: Key Trends

For the enhancement of their market position all over the world, this is market which is now focusing on the adoption of strategies like the innovation of products, joint ventures, partnerships etc. There is a growth in the market which is driven by the rise in the potential of the agriculture tourism and the coffee which is ready-to-drink as well as specialty coffees which is extremely special. There are reports to the effect that many customers are now moving from the traditional coffee blends to the ones which are now coming into the market.

On Special Requirement Specialty Coffee Market Report is also available for below region:

North America

U.S, Canada

Europe

Germany , France , U.K., Italy , Spain , Sweden , Netherland, Turkey , Switzerland , Belgium , Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

South Korea , Japan , China , India , Australia , Philippines , Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand , Indonesia , Rest Of APAC

Latin America

Mexico , Colombia , Brazil , Argentina , Peru , Rest of Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Saudi Arabia , UAE, Egypt , South Africa , Rest Of MEA

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DUBLIN, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Tactical Communication Market by Application (Command & Control, ISR, Communication, Combat), Platform (Ground, Airborne, Naval, Unmanned Systems), Type (Soldier Radios, Manpacks, VIC, HCDR), Frequency, Technology, Point of Sale, Region - Forecast to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Tactical Communication Market is estimated to be USD 12.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 16.0 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 4.95% from 2022 to 2027. The market is driven by factors such as transition of radio communication devices from analog to digital, customized communication on the move solutions for unmanned ground vehicles, etc.

The tactical communication market includes major players such Collins Aerospace (US), L3harris Technologies (US), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), Thales Group (France), and General Dynamics Corporation (US) are some of the leading companies in this market, among others. These players have spread their business across various countries includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. COVID-19 has affected the tactical communication market growth to some extent, and this varies from country to country.

Ground: The dominating segment of the tactical communication market, by the platform

Based on platform, the tactical communication market has been segmented into ground, airborne, naval, unmanned systems. The ground segment is projected to dominate the market during the forecast period.

Manpacks: The fastest-growing segment of the tactical communication market, by type

The manpacks type segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR. The growth can be attributed due to the high rate of adoption of technologically advanced tactical communication components due to the ease of usage and maintenance.

Single Frequency: The fastest-growing and leading segment of the tactical communication market, by frequency

The defense segment of the tactical communication market has been classified into a different frequency. The growth of the single frequency segment of the tactical communication market can be attributed to the increased use of various technologically advanced components for receiving the large set of data through signals from several parts of the world across multiple platforms.

North America: The largest contributing region in the aerospace and tactical communication market.

The tactical communication market in the North American region has been studied for the US and Canada. North American countries are awarding a number of contracts to major players of the tactical communication market for the delivery of tactical data links and related systems and components, thus driving the growth of the tactical communication market in the region.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Rising Military Spending

Demand for Mission-Critical Communication

Transition of Radio Communication Devices from Analog to Digital

Customized Communication-On-The-Move Solutions for Unmanned Ground Vehicles

Restraints

Rigorous Military Standards and Stringent Regulations

Growing Security Concerns

Opportunities

Demand for Next-Generation IP Radio Systems

Opportunities in Derived Technologies Such as Cognitive Radios

Rise in Adoption of Unmanned Vehicles

Growing Demand for Enhanced Interoperability

Challenges

Interoperability Between Disparate Communication Technologies

High Power Consumption

Key Topics Covered:

1 Introduction

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

5 Market Overview

6 Industry Trends

7 Tactical Communication Market, by Application

8 Tactical Communication Market, by Platform

9 Tactical Communication Market, by Type

10 Tactical Communication Market, by Technology

11 Tactical Communication Market, by Frequency

12 Tactical Communication Market, by Point of Sale

13 Tactical Communication Market, by Region

14 Competitive Landscape

15 Company Profiles

16 Appendix

Companies Mentioned

Aselsan A.S.

BAE Systems

Barrett Communications

Bharat Electronics Ltd.

Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions Inc.

Collins Aerospace

Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Data Link Solutions

Elbit Systems Ltd.

General Dynamics Corporation

Honeywell International Inc.

Kongsberg

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

Leonardo S.P.A.

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.

Rhode & Schwarz

Rolta India Limited

Saab Ab

Thales Group

Ultra Electronics

Viasat Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dll93x

Media Contact:

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SOURCE Research and Markets
BEIJING, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- China on Sunday expounded the country's indigenous approach to achieving modernization, as the Communist Party of China (CPC) set its sights on leading national efforts to accelerate the creation of a new development pattern and pursue high-quality development.

Scientific socialism has manifested new vitality in China in the 21st century and the Chinese-style modernization has provided a new option for mankind to realize modernization, Xi Jinping said on Sunday in a report at the opening session of the 20th CPC National Congress.

"From this day forward, the central task of the CPC will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization," he said.

As the key CPC Congress anchors the country toward greener, fairer, more secured and innovative growth in the years to come, the global economy will hinge its future on a prosperous China more than ever, they stressed.

Novel option for modernization

The Chinese path to modernization, one of the key takeaways from Xi's report to Sunday's opening session, almost instantly became a buzz phrase that reverberated across the world.

In his report, Xi reaffirmed that Chinese modernization is the socialist modernization pursued under the leadership of the CPC. Chinese modernization is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature and of peaceful development, he stressed, adding that it offers humanity "a new choice" for achieving modernization.

Tian Yun, former vice director of the Beijing Economic Operation Association, told the Global Times on Sunday that the opening speech flagged Chinese-style modernization for the first time and pinpointed it as the core mission of the CPC on the new journey of the new era.

"The 19th CPC National Congress mapped out a direction Chinese-style modernization was supposed to head but the concept still remains vague. Since it is very hard to materialize modernization in the context of World Bank technical standard, giving the unique situation and characters of Chinese economy, the report delivered on Sunday gives the concept an extension and an upgrade in connotation," Tian said.

He praised Chinese-style modernization as providing a new paradigm of modernization in a globalized era.

China adheres to the right course of economic globalization. It is committed to working with other countries to foster an international environment conducive to development and create new drivers for global growth, Xi said.

The five aspects encapsulated in the definition of Chinese-style modernization lay out the guiding principles of China's march toward the second centennial goal and when such target is achieved, it could mark an unprecedented achievement in the history of mankind and "a fundamental turnaround in global landscape," Yao Jingyuan, special researcher of the Counselors' Office of the State Council, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"China is home to 1.4 billion people, which is more than the combined population of all modernized countries [by current definition]. That means when China reaches its second centennial goal, it will be a modernized economy with the largest population in the world," Yao said.

"I believe that the decisions made at the 20th Party Congress will be a worthy response to the challenges of the modern world and will determine the course of China's socioeconomic development not only for the next five years, but also, as is customary in China, for the longer term," Belarusian Ambassador to China Yuri Senko told the Global Times over the weekend.

In the five years since the 19th Congress, the socioeconomic agenda in China has undergone quite noticeable changes, which was due to a number of objective reasons, the ambassador said.

New development pattern

China will accelerate creating a new development pattern and pursue high-quality development, Xi said on Sunday. "To build a modern socialist country in all respects, we must, first and foremost, pursue high-quality development." Specifically, the industrial system will be modernized, with measures to advance new industrialization, and boost China's strength in manufacturing, product quality, aerospace, transportation, cyberspace and digital development, Xi said.

To advance rural revitalization across the board, China will continue to put agricultural and rural development first, consolidate and expand achievements in poverty alleviation, and reinforce the foundations for food security on all fronts.

Furthermore, the CPC will work hard to resolve the pressing difficulties and problems that concern the people most, improve the basic public service system to raise public service standards and make public services more balanced and accessible, so as to achieve solid progress in promoting common prosperity, Xi said.

China will improve the system of income distribution, he said. "We will ensure more pay for more work and encourage people to achieve prosperity through hard work. We will promote equality of opportunity, increase the incomes of low-income earners, and expand the size of the middle-income group," Xi said.

Proposed amid profound changes unseen in a century, Chinese-style modernization keeps abreast of the trend of the times and fits the requirements of China's own development as the world's largest developing country, Wan Zhe, an economist and professor at the Belt and Road School of Beijing Normal University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"With aims including common prosperity for all, harmony between humanity and nature and peaceful development, Chinese-style modernization is of no fundamental difference to other countries, but underscores China's own context and socialism with Chinese characteristics," Wan said.

Cao Heping, an economist at Peking University, said that Chinese-style modernization is unique in having the CPC at its core, as the Party has always been committed to people-centered development philosophy while learning modernization from others.

After the 20th National Congress, the country will likely ramp up efforts in three important areas, namely the development of real economy, improvement in the system of income distribution and grain security, according to Wan.

"Reiterating security and green development, the authorities will attach importance to making breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, while improving the resilience and capability of industrial and supply chains to strengthen the foundation for building a manufacturing power and provide our own solution for restructuring of international industrial chains," she said.

SOURCE Global Times
GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GrandSouth Bancorporation (GRRB:OTCQX) (the "Company" or "GrandSouth"), the holding company for GrandSouth Bank, announced today that net income for the third quarter of 2022 was $4.4 million.

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.13 per common share ($0.1365 per Series A preferred share) payable on November 18, 2022 to shareholders of record on November 4, 2022.

Third Quarter 2022 Highlights  For and during the quarter ended September 30, 2022:

Net Income was $4.4 million , an increase of $0.6 million , or 15.26%, from the same quarter in 2021.

, an increase of , or 15.26%, from the same quarter in 2021. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.80 and $0.77 , respectively.

and , respectively. The annualized returns on average assets and average equity were 1.38% and 17.69%, respectively.

Total assets remained flat at $1.3 billion .

. Gross loans increased by $42.2 million , or an annualized rate of 17.59%, to $995.1 million .

, or an annualized rate of 17.59%, to . Total deposits decreased $1.1 million , or an annualized rate of 0.39%, to $1.1 billion .

, or an annualized rate of 0.39%, to . Cost of funds increased by 18 basis points, or 40.00%, from the same quarter in 2021.

0.01% of Core Bank loans (gross loans excluding specialty floor plan loans) were 30 days past due as of September 30, 2022 . The annualized net charge off ratio for the quarter was 0.24%.

. The annualized net charge off ratio for the quarter was 0.24%. The efficiency ratio was 55.12%, down from 64.38% in the prior quarter and 58.81% in the same quarter in 2021.

To view the full report, visit https://www.otcmarkets.com/otcapi/company/financial-report/348826/content

About GrandSouth Bancorporation

GrandSouth Bancorporation is a bank holding company with assets of $1.3 billion at September 30, 2022. GrandSouth Bank provides a range of financial services to individuals and small and medium sized businesses. GrandSouth Bank has eight branches in South Carolina, located in Greenville, Fountain Inn, Anderson, Greer, Columbia, Orangeburg and Charleston.

www.grandsouth.com

SOURCE GrandSouth Bancorporation
Personal-Care brand Harry's is on a mission to give back to their community in an effort to help them achieve their aspirations with their year-long Big Leap Sweepstakes; a $403,480 total giveaway

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Harry's, the men's grooming brand committed to bringing better personal care experiences to people every day, without compromising on quality, is pleased to announce Nick E. and Alvaro D. as the first and second grand prize winners of the brand's ongoing Big Leap Sweepstakes , a year-long contest that sees Harry's give a grand prize of $100,000 away to one customer each quarter.

At Harry's, the brand recognizes that its community is made up of members who are choosing to forgo the status quo and acting instead as independent thinkers, always evolving and improving to chart their own path in the world. In an effort to celebrate this individuality and provide an opportunity for select members of their community to achieve the financial freedom necessary to take the leap and follow their aspirations, Harry's launched the Big Leap Sweepstakes .

Officially running from January 1, 2022, to December 31st, 2022, the sweepstakes grants anyone who purchases a new Harry's handle, at retailers or online, a chance to win. Winners are drawn each quarter, with the grand prize recipient receiving a staggering $100,000. Additional prizes include a year's supply of shaving supplies and a year's supply of body wash.

Their second winner, Texas native Alvaro D., was thrilled to learn he had been selected as this quarter's grand-prize winner after entering the sweepstakes by chance through his Harry's trial offering. The family man intends to use his winnings to continue to support his family and pursue his dream of attending welding school to hone his craft and career. When speaking of the impact that the $100,000 winnings would have on his life, Alvaro shared, "I can actually start [acting on] old dreams and possibly starting my own small business," continuing, "It really means a lot. It could change everything."

Alvaro follows in the footsteps of Nick E. of California, the inaugural grand prize recipient selected in May 2022 as part of the sweepstakes' first quarterly drawing. Nick, a long-time Harry's user, learned of the sweepstakes after purchasing a razor for a visit with his family and plans to use his winnings to assist with student loan payments, in addition to potentially furthering his studies in higher education.

"Honestly, this money is really going to help me with student loans," Nick shares via a video interview with Harry's, continuing, "Also pay bills, and really just give me that financial freedom to possibly pursue grad school in the future."

"Since the very beginning, Harry's has sought to revolutionize the personal-care space with thoughtfully made shave, body, hair, and skincare products that make everyday grooming more enjoyable and enable guys to craft their own unique image and help them go their own way. We are grateful for our community who has been with us every step of the way," says Harry's co-founder Jeff Raider, continuing, "With our Big Leap Sweepstakes, we are thrilled to provide members of our community with an opportunity to gain the financial means to independently carve their own path and self-image."

With two more drawings still remaining this year, now is the perfect time to join in on the fun and enter the Big Leap Sweepstakes for your chance to win the $100,000 grand prize and other exciting Harry's goodies.

About Harry's

We founded Harry's because buying shaving supplies was a frustrating experience, and the products themselves were overpriced and over-designed. We saw an opportunity to create a brand that encourages guys to rethink their routines and since taking on shaving, have begun to address the same challenge across other categories in men's care, including body and hair.

At Harry's, we aim to always put our customers first, which means being readily available however and wherever they want to shop  whether that's Harrys.com or one of our retail partners  and giving to organizations that promote better mental health care for men. We set aside 1% of our sales to donate to charitable organizations that share our ambition to bring quality mental health care to men everywhere. Our goal is to provide 1.5 million men with mental health care access by 2024.

We built Harry's as a brand for guys who want to carve out their own paths. At the heart of our mission is a belief in creating things people like more. For more information on Harry's, please visit https://www.harrys.com/en/us .

Media Contact: Please contact [email protected] for all inquiries.

SOURCE Harrys
HOUSTON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hazel Health (Hazel) , the national leader in school-based telehealth, and Children's Memorial Hermann , Memorial Hermann Health System's pediatric network, are committed to providing high-quality health care to children across the Greater Houston area. Today, they proudly announce their first-of-its-kind partnership to expand and enhance access to care for K-12 students throughout the region.

Through the new partnership, schools that have agreements with Hazel will be able to offer their students access to health services with Hazel, via virtual telehealth sessions while at school or home, for several health concerns. Students can then be connected with Children's Memorial Hermann pediatricians or specialists for follow-up or long-term care management, if necessary, or if a primary care medical home is needed.

"Memorial Hermann has long been a leader in bringing increased health care to students, including those who otherwise may not receive it, to keep them in school where they can learn," said Dr. David Callender, President and CEO of Memorial Hermann. "This partnership with Hazel will further our commitment to improving students' overall health and wellbeing by innovating to make care delivery more convenient and accessible for our younger populations."

Long before this latest endeavor, for over two decades Memorial Hermann has been providing medical, mental health, dental, nutritional, navigation, and exercise programming to eligible children and adolescents in more than 80 schools in the Greater Houston area through its school-based health centers, which are open year-round to serve students and their families. While the partnership with Hazel is separate from the system's Health Centers for Schools which will continue to operate separately, Memorial Hermann's investment in both of these initiatives is representative of its long-term dedication to serving school children across Greater Houston.

Hazel is currently partnering with Aldine Independent School District in north Houston and is building partnerships with additional districts in the Greater Houston area. Through their partnership, Children's Memorial Hermann and Hazel are poised to increase access to pediatric care in schools across approximately 12 counties in southeast Texas, while also improving continuity of care for patients requiring specialty and subspecialty care. Hazel is currently contracted to serve approximately 2 million students in school districts across the country, including in the following Texas counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Kaufman, Williamson, Van Zandt, Guadalupe, Harris and Cass.

"It is Hazel's mission to transform access to pediatric care in schools and at home, to improve the quality of children's lives, and to tackle the systematic inequalities that prevent millions from receiving proper care," said Josh Golomb, CEO of Hazel. "Data shows that healthy children are better learners, meaning they are less likely to miss class and can focus on their academic outcomes while not being distracted by physical illness or unaddressed mental health issues. By joining forces with Children's Memorial Hermann, we can offer greater access for more children in Houston to get the specialized pediatric care they all need and deserve."

In addition, Memorial Hermann has also chosen to make a strategic equity investment in Hazel, given both parties' commitment to innovating and advancing health care initiatives with access and equity in mind.

"As like-minded partners, an investment in Hazel means improving student whole health, including physical and behavioral wellbeing, in the Greater Houston area by providing access to high-quality health care delivered by a diverse, multilingual and culturally competent provider team," said Feby Abraham, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Memorial Hermann.

About Memorial Hermann Health System

Charting a better future. A future that's built upon the HEALTH of our community. This is the driving force for Memorial Hermann, redefining health care for the individuals and many diverse populations we serve. Our 6,500 affiliated physicians and 29,000 employees practice the highest standards of safe, evidence-based, quality care to provide a personalized and outcome-oriented experience across our more than 265 care delivery sites. As one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in Southeast Texas, Memorial Hermann has an award-winning and nationally acclaimed Accountable Care Organization, 17* hospitals and numerous specialty programs and services conveniently located throughout the Greater Houston area. Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is one of the nation's busiest Level I trauma centers and serves as the primary teaching hospital for McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. For more than 114 years, our focus has been the best interest of our community, contributing nearly $500 million annually through school-based health centers and other community benefit programs. Now and for generations to come, the health of our community will be at the center of what we do  charting a better future for all.

*Memorial Hermann Health System owns and operates 14 hospitals and has joint ventures with three other hospital facilities, including Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital First Colony, Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital Kingwood and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy

About Hazel Health

Hazel Health (Hazel) is the leader in school-based telehealth, contracted to provide services to nearly two and a half million students in school districts across the country, consistently delivering successful outcomes for access and quality of care. Hazel partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health care services to K-12 students where they areat school or home. Hazel's diverse, culturally competent providers partner with parents and school staff to make the best care decisions for students. Hazel's mission is to transform children's access to health care because when students feel better, they learn better.

For additional information about Hazel Health, please visit www.Hazel.co or contact [email protected] .

Media contacts:

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SOURCE Hazel Health
Schappell and Warker join the leader in social health to accelerate innovation, position the company for exponential growth

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Union , the leader in social health, today announces that it has hired Scott Schappell as chief revenue officer and Steve Warker as executive vice president of product. These key hirings represent a pivotal moment in Health Union's growth journey as each brings experience and expertise that will enhance and extend the value of Health Union's business model and offerings to benefit the healthcare industry overall.

As chief revenue officer, Schappell will be responsible for optimizing topline revenue as Health Union continues its growth, develops innovative products and expands partnerships throughout the healthcare industry. He will oversee the company's sales and business development teams, including media, marketing research insights and new product sales.

Schappell brings more than three decades of influential sales leadership within both pharma and digital health companies. He joins Health Union after nearly a decade at ShareCare, where he most recently served as chief revenue officer for the company's life sciences division; among his accomplishments, he was recognized during this time as a 2021 PM360 ELITE "Sales MVP."

Schappell began his career with major pharmaceutical companies Merck and GSK, developing a tacit knowledge of the industry's evolving sales and marketing needs. He then went on to hold successful executive sales leadership positions at companies in various stages of their life cycles, whose services ranged from video (HealthiNation) to research to point-of-care.

"Scott is a rare breed that has intensive experience and, as a result, deep understanding of both the pharma industry and an array of meaningful healthcare services that are essential to the industry," said Olivier Chateau, Health Union's co-founder and CEO. "In addition to understanding what is necessary to increase revenue and optimize sales, Scott is laser-focused on finding approaches that meet the needs of both our industry partners and people living with chronic and complex health conditions."

In his role as executive vice president of product, Warker will lead the company's charge to develop new, innovative products that meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry. The expanded product portfolio will align strategically and operationally with Health Union's desire and ability to bring enhanced value to patients, caregivers and a broad spectrum of healthcare industry partners.

Warker brings two decades of experience in operations, technology and product spanning multiple industries, including energy, healthcare and information technology consulting. Specifically, his background in building and delivering data products will prove pivotal in creating meaningful, next-generation data solutions that optimize Health Union's mutually beneficial business model.

Warker began his career at Sunoco leading various technology teams over 11 years. He then joined MMIT (Managed Markets Insight & Technology) where he held multiple leadership roles across operations and data products. Immediately prior to joining Health Union, Warker served as a strategic business unit lead at IT solutions firm GalaxE.Solutions, where he serviced Fortune 500 clients across the financial, retail and healthcare industries.

"Steve serves a very important role in Health Union's ongoing growth by helping the company develop innovative products that continue to show the entire healthcare industry the power of social health," said Lauren Lawhon, Health Union's president and COO. "We are confident that, with his years of experience operationalizing product development and delivery, he will help us further tap into our impressive resources and provide products that benefit both partners and people with chronic and complex health conditions."

Both Schappell and Warker will work closely with David Shronk, Health Union's chief commercial officer. In this role, Shronk oversees the successful integration and implementation of the company's commercial strategy, specifically focused on media product delivery, analytics and client service.

About Health Union

Health Union is the proven industry leader driving and amplifying social health. As the premier social health company, only Health Union encourages the dynamic, real-time action people take to find meaningful connections and share information that impact their health journey. The company reaches millions of people through the largest portfolio of condition-specific online health communities (e.g., Migraine.com, MultipleSclerosis.net, LungCancer.net) and health leaders - addressing virtually every condition and providing the information, connection and support they need.

SOURCE Health Union
NAPLES, Fla., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsHub NewsWire -- HealthLynked Corp. (OTCQB: HLYK), ("HealthLynked" or the "Company") a global healthcare network focused on care management of its members and a provider of healthcare technologies that connect doctors, patients, and medical data, today provided an update regarding the impact of Hurricane Ian. The Company's corporate headquarters and four of its clinic sites are in Collier Country, Florida, an area significantly impacted by Hurricane Ian.

"Due to the magnitude and path of Hurricane Ian, our corporate offices were closed for nearly 7 days, constituting the final days of the fiscal quarter. The decision to close our offices was made to ensure the safety of our employees and their families," said Michael Dent M.D. Chief Executive Officer of HealthLynked.

The Hurricane resulted in a delay of shipments from our online medical supply services and closure of four of our medical office facilities, which impacted revenue for the final week of the third fiscal quarter. An initial assessment is that third quarter revenues could be negatively impacted by $100,000 to $200,000 due to these closures. Our offices did not sustain any significant damage from the hurricane, and all are now fully operational."

Dr. Dent continued, "Our thoughts and support go out to all those impacted by Hurricane Ian. Nothing matters more than the safety of the community, our employees and team members. We will continue to monitor any storm-related impacts on our business, but at this time we do not believe there will be any additional material adverse financial impact to the company's revenues or costs as a result of Hurricane Ian."

About HealthLynked Corp.

HealthLynked Corp. provides a solution for both patient members and providers to improve healthcare through the efficient exchange of medical information. The HealthLynked Network is a cloud-based platform that allows members to connect with their healthcare providers and take more control of their healthcare. Members enter their medical information, including medications, allergies, past surgeries, and personal health records, in one convenient online and secure location, free of charge. Participating healthcare providers can connect with their current and future patients through the system. Benefits to in-network providers include the ability to utilize the HealthLynked patent-pending patient access hub "PAH" for patient analytics. Other benefits for preferred providers include HLYK marketing tools to connect with their active and inactive patients to improve patient retention, access more accurate and current patient information, provide more efficient online scheduling , and to fill last-minute cancelations using the Company's "real-time appointment scheduling" all within its mobile application. Preferred providers pay a monthly fee to access these HealthLynked services. For additional information about HealthLynked Corp., please visit www.healthlynked.com and connect with HealthLynked on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn .

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our actual results, including as a result of any acquisitions, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by our management, and us are inherently uncertain. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Certain risks and uncertainties applicable to our operations and us are described in the "Risk Factors" section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings we have made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports are publicly available at www.sec.gov .

HLYK Contact:

George O'Leary

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

(800)-928-7144, ext. 103

SOURCE HealthLynked Corp.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- October 14, 2022 will be remembered as a historic day. On this day the bipartisan H. Res. 1430 , seeking formal recognition of of the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, was introduced by Congressional representatives, Steve Chabot and Ro Khanna. For more than a year, the Ohio chapter of HinduPACT led the campaign with the support of members of the Bangladeshi community from across the US.

Renu Gupta, HinduPACT

The resolution calls for punishment under international law, against war criminals in the Pakistan Army and their allied Islamists, who were responsible for the murder of 3 million people in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) over the course of 9 months. An overwhelming majority of the victims were Hindus as they were specifically targeted for extermination.

Renu Gupta, HinduPACT's chapter Lead in Cincinnati, said, "Today, Cincinnati has made history. Congressman Steve Chabot has been kind enough to understand our concerns and taking up the resolution to recognize Pakistan's crimes in 1971 as genocide. I thank our friend, Vice Mayor of Blue Ash, Pramod Jhaveri, for sensitizing Congressman Chabot about the issue. I want to thank all the volunteers in Cincinnati for making it possible."

Amulya Tyagi, a HinduPACT member from Cincinnati, said, "From the bottom of our heart we thank Congressman Steve Chabot for showing the conviction and courage to introduce this resolution. A special mention must be made of the Congressman's Foreign Policy Advisor, Mark Erste, for leading this effort and working with the HinduPACT team in bringing HR 1430 to reality. Mark's team also worked with Congressman Ro Khanna's staff resulting in the Congressman co-sponsoring the resolution. We sincerely thank Congressman Ro Khanna and his staff for this."

Vinod Sudhakar, President of the Hindu Temple of Greater Cincinnati, said, "As a Cincinnatian, I am extremely proud of Congressman Steve Chabot for showing great courage and resolve in recognizing the state sponsored massacre of millions in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1971 as a genocide. On behalf of the Hindus in Cincinnati and every person that cares for and values human life we applaud Congressman Chabot for setting an example for all political leaders in this country to choose justice and resolute action versus political convenience and inaction."

Ajay Shah, Convenor of HinduPACT, said, "Hindus have suffered countless genocides over past 1000 years. The world has ignored these genocides and textbooks have remained silent. We thank Rep. Chabot and Rep. Khanna for proposing this resolution. We hope that this resolution passes unanimously."

About HinduPACT

HinduPACT brings Hindu ethos and values of unity in diversity, plurality, compassion and mutual respect amongst religions to policy and advocacy for human rights, environmental protection, racial and gender equality. HinduPACT activities include hinduvote.org

SOURCE HinduPACT
HONG KONG, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Governance Solutions Group (GSG), China's leading ESG investment and sustainability data provider, announcing its carbon emissions data offering, Carbon Discovery, has reached critical mass.

This notice comes on the backdrop of SFC's announcement that all Hong Kong-based fund managers are required to make substantive disclosures on their climate-related investment risks by the 20th of November. Specifically, fund managers with more than HKD 8 billion AUM would have already implemented measures two months ago (20th of August), but all fund managers must comply by the November deadline.

For the last six months, GSG's data platform has been successfully providing climate-related risk management and disclosure to over a dozen of top-tier Hong Kong asset managers including CSOP Asset Management, Bosera Asset Management (International), Dacheng International, ABCI Asset Management, and CISI Asset Management, with a combined AUM of more than HKD 300 billion (USD 38 billion).

GSG's Carbon Discovery has provided reliable, comprehensive and effective data solutions to Hong Kong-based fund managers with a Collective Investment Scheme who are required to submit climate-related risk management and disclosure by no later than November 20 this year in accordance with last year's substantial revision of the Fund Manager Code of Conduct (FMCC) by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). The data has filled a gap where only few listed companies and bond issuers in China have disclosed carbon data.

Carbon Discovery is GSG's proprietary database for portfolio carbon accounting which was launched in 2021. The database aims to help fund managers assess climate-related risks at individual stock or bond level as well as portfolio level. Ultimately fund managers can achieve portfolio carbon emission accounting and management, optimize carbon-related investment strategies, and meet relevant disclosure requirements of regulators or investor clients. Further, with data support from Carbon Discovery, fund managers can better engage with portfolio companies on carbon data disclosures and net zero strategy development.

Carbon Discovery is developed based on the PCAF (Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials) methodology, which is widely adopted globally and also recognized by the SFC, so that it well fits fund managers' compliance requirements. Also, the emission factors used in its model are established with the support and guidance from the National Center for International Cooperation on Climate Change Strategy Research (NCSC) of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. This ensures that fund managers are provided with market specific and authoritative carbon accounting solutions.

Climate-related risks pose both micro and macro prudential concerns. While climate change awareness has grown, actual climate change has accelerated, with evermore severe impact. Considering the financial service industry's heavily integrated role in society, it is particularly susceptible to risks caused by climate change. Managing climate-related risks and leveraging the ability of finance to empower low-carbon transition has become a global consensus.

Today, international alliances, initiatives, and regulations have increased their attention on portfolio carbon analysis. Quantitative carbon disclosure has become vital for stringent requirements. For the financial sector, future emission reduction commitments have also become the trend as well as the focus for asset owners.

Some lead fund managers including CSOP, Bosera international, Dacheng International, ABCI Asset Management, CISI Asset Management have proactively embarked on climate-related risk management actions. GSG is cooperating with these top fund managers by offering both asset level carbon emission data (via GSG's Carbon Discovery) and consulting services to improve climate resilience and seize climate opportunities. Further, GSG is supporting clients to meet the FMCC's regulatory requirements for climate-related risks, including governance structure establishment, climate risks assessment, scenario analysis, portfolio carbon footprint calculation, and disclosure reporting.

With the enhanced data analytics platform, which uncovers climate risk exposure as well as carbon emissions of underlying assets, GSG can now provide the tools for portfolio managers to instantly calculate the carbon footprint of the portfolio, asses the climate risks at different scenario, and adjust product strategy accordingly.

Ms. Doris Lian, Chairperson, HKCAMA, CEO, Bosera Asset Management (International) Co., Limited

"As a PRI signatory and the TCFD supporter, we highly value sustainable investment and climate change issues. Leveraging GSG's Carbon Discovery database, we conducted carbon emission calculation to better understand our products' carbon footprint. This further enabled us to optimize our investment strategy and lower exposure. We also appreciated GSG's professional input in supporting us to build a comprehensive internal climate-related risks management framework, which we believe will reinforce our resilience against climate change risks."

Ms. Chen DING, CEO, CSOP Asset Management Limited

"We believe a more balanced future will yield long-term opportunities and returns. Utilizing GSG's data and analysis, we were able to make qualified climate related risks assessments, as such quantification was proved as highly valuable in facilitating our sustainable investing decision-making. This year, with GSG's support, we established our climate-related risk management policy, serving as our framework and guidance to better manage climate-related risks and take efficient concrete actions. Looking forward to working with GSG again and exploring more possibilities."

Dr. Dequan WANG, CEO, Governance Solutions Group, Vice Chair, ESG Committee, HKCAMA

"The access to quantifiable carbon emission data is crucial for asset managers to assess and manage the impact of climate-related risks. In the Chinese market where carbon disclosure is not yet mandatory for all listed companies and bond issuers, GSG Carbon Discovery, our proprietary database for portfolio carbon accounting, provides a solution for investors with a solid methodology aligned with PCAF and TCFD, as well as local expertise which ensures the authority and timeliness of our model parameters. GSG is honored to have cooperated with many leading asset managers to promote the application of Carbon Discovery. We will make every effort to continue to assist the development of climate risk management within the financial industry."

About GSG

Governance Solutions Group (GSG) is an ESG & Sustainable Investment Advisor focusing on China's capital markets. GSG is a signatory to the PRI, as well as an OECD Corporate Governance Roundtable and ICGN member. We are GRI certified trainers, a SASB Alliance Member, and a TCFD Supporter. With offices in Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, GSG provides ESG research and rating, ESG data on Chinese issuers, active ownership assistance and proxy advice for institutional investors.

GSG Founder and CEO Dr. Wang is also an invited expert on China's ESG30 Forum, Vice Chair of the ESG Committee of Hong Kong Chinese Asset Managers Association, a committee member on the Sustainable Investment Committee of China Assets Management Association(AMAC), an Advisor on the Insurance Asset Management Association of China (IAMAC). He is also a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors. For more information please visit: www.governance-solutions.com , or contact Dr. Dequan Wang at [email protected], +852 91576618

SOURCE Governance Solutions Group (GSG)
SARASOTA, Fla., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hot Chikn Kitchn , the fast casual restaurant brand that serves up Nashville-style food that's kicked up with their signature premium sauces, is opening its first franchise location with franchise partner Jon O'Driscoll . The Sarasota, FL flagship restaurant, located at 2045 Bahia Vista St., will celebrate its grand opening with a red-carpet affair on October 15th. On grand opening day, Hot Chikn Kitchn is offering $5 sandwiches all day long when the HCK app shown at check out (up to two $5 sandwiches per guest). The celebration will kick off at 11 a.m. and is open to the public.

To celebrate Hot Chikn Kitchn will give away free chicken combos for a year to the first 20 people in line. The winners will get one free combo each month for twelve months!

"We are excited to team up with Jon to launch our brand in Sarasota and to bring our flavor-packed menu to this new market," said Dave Wood, Chief Strategic Officer for Hot Chikn Kitchn. "We are looking forward to sharing our great tastes with more communities and to grow our presence with the support of our franchise partners."

Prior to joining Hot Chikn Kitchn, Jon O'Driscoll served as General Manager for a Sarasota-area Tommy Bahama restaurant; he also opened Sarasota's first Cheesecake Factory location.

"After more than 20 years managing high volume restaurants, it was time to reach out for the dream of owning one," said Jon O'Driscoll, Franchise Partner for the Sarasota Hot Chikn Kitchn. "I'm looking forward to building something great to share with our community and those who visit."

The restaurant will be open every day of the week from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. The location offers in-restaurant dining, online ordering for pickup, delivery through third party partners, and catering.

Hot Chikn Kitchn was established in 2020 by co-founders Mike Sarago, Anthony Sarago and Chef Freddy Gilmore. The restaurant specializes in hot chicken tenders and sandwiches that are prepared with made-to-order spices. Hot Chikn Kitchn lives up to its name with their unique and premium hot sauces that each infuses a different type of pepper.

For more information, visit www.hotchiknkitchn.com or follow the Hot Chikn Kitchn on Facebook and Instagram.

About Hot Chikn Kitchn

Hot Chikn Kitchn is a Nashville-style food concept that was born from one of contemporary history's most challenging periods, the global pandemic. Co-founders Mike and Anthony Sarago, along with Founding Chef Freddy Gilmore, decided to meet the moment by creating a restaurant that would unite people from all walks of life, reminding the world that despite adversity, we have the strength to survive and thrive and can do so with great tasting food.

To learn more, visit www.hotchiknkitchn.com.

MEDIA CONTACT :

Karyna Smith

[email protected]

SOURCE Hot Chikn Kitchn
Working with local partners to drive innovation

PARIS, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei hosted European Innovation Day 2022 today in Paris, under the theme of 'Open Innovation for a Sustainable Europe'. The event brought together innovators from around the world who are working on building a "Digital Europe" and exploring how digital technology can be used to protect the environment.

The agenda kicked off with a keynote from MEP Ardiana Maldonado, who discussed "Innovation as Our Best Tool for Future Global Challenges, where she stressed how Europe urgently needs digital innovation to meet future challenges. She also called for the creation of a truly open ecosystem where enterprises, startups, academia and policymakers can work together to ensure that Europe continues to lead the charge in the coming years.

Gael Blondelle, VP of Ecosystem development at Eclipse Foundation, one of the biggest open-source communities in the EU, also delivered a presentation advocating open-source solutions to the innovation challenges Europe currently faces, and Dario Rossi, Director of A14NET Lab & DataCom Lab at Huawei's Paris Research Centre discussed how Huawei is contributing to science and innovation in France and Europe.

An open ecosystem powered by digital technologies can accelerate Europe's growth

Rainer Terlutter, VP of Industry Solutions for Empolis Information Management, spoke at the event on why innovation in digital technologies is so important to Europe, saying, "Smart products and services based on artificial intelligence and smart knowledge are the engine of digitization."

David Chquiry, CEO & Founder of Green Tech Innovations also added that, "By working together, we can use edge computing and other new technologies to create solutions that are green by design."

A particularly compelling feature of Innovation Day 2022 was the startups and future leaders who shared their own successful stories. For example, Jake Phillips, Director of Ecosystem Development at an internationally recognized start-up community Dogpatch Labs, introduced their company's ecosystem and highlighted the innovation and job growth potential it will bring. He shared how 2021 had been a landmark year for investment in unicorns in Europe, with start-ups having entered a hyper-growth phase. He also touched on their work in driving positive policy initiatives that allow start-ups to unleash their potential.

Atul Shrivijay Athavale, Huawei Cloud WEU's Head of Cloud Ecosystem, then announced the official launch of the Huawei Cloud Startup Program and Huawei Cloud Developer Competition in Europe, as part of Huawei Cloud's commitment to working with partners to build an innovative startup and developer ecosystem.

A green and sustainable Europe is closely linked with digital technology

Three more speakers included the Porini Foundation's CTO Toni Caradonna, the Center for Conservation Action's Head of Protected and Conserved Areas James Hardcastle, and Rainforest Connection CEO, Bourhan Yassin, who jointly called for building a greener and more environment-friendly Europe with innovative digital technologies.

Huawei continues its contribution to Europe

Participants were then treated to a presentation by Dr Basalisco, Director of Copenhagen Economics, who shared the key findings within a study published on the 17th of October. The study demonstrated Huawei's economic contribution to Europe in 2021, which is significant in value-added, jobs supported and European tax revenues. Huawei also contributed significantly to research and innovation, talent cultivation, sustainable development, and social and digital inclusion in Europe.

In his closing remarks for Innovation Day 2022, Huawei's VP of Corporate Communications, Karl Song shared a few real-life examples of how Huawei is contributing to digital, intelligent, and green development both in Europe and around the world, said, "We will always be committed to the digital transformation of French and European SMEs and the creation of a more digital Europe."

SOURCE Huawei
Working with local partners to drive innovation

PARIS, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei hosted European Innovation Day 2022 today in Paris, under the theme of 'Open Innovation for a Sustainable Europe'. The event brought together innovators from around the world who are working on building a "Digital Europe" and exploring how digital technology can be used to protect the environment.

The agenda kicked off with a keynote from MEP Ardiana Maldonado, who discussed "Innovation as Our Best Tool for Future Global Challenges, where she stressed how Europe urgently needs digital innovation to meet future challenges. She also called for the creation of a truly open ecosystem where enterprises, startups, academia and policymakers can work together to ensure that Europe continues to lead the charge in the coming years.

Gael Blondelle, VP of Ecosystem development at Eclipse Foundation, one of the biggest open-source communities in the EU, also delivered a presentation advocating open-source solutions to the innovation challenges Europe currently faces, and Dario Rossi, Director of A14NET Lab & DataCom Lab at Huawei's Paris Research Centre discussed how Huawei is contributing to science and innovation in France and Europe.

An open ecosystem powered by digital technologies can accelerate Europe's growth

Rainer Terlutter, VP of Industry Solutions for Empolis Information Management, spoke at the event on why innovation in digital technologies is so important to Europe, saying, "Smart products and services based on artificial intelligence and smart knowledge are the engine of digitization."

David Chquiry, CEO & Founder of Green Tech Innovations also added that, "By working together, we can use edge computing and other new technologies to create solutions that are green by design."

A particularly compelling feature of Innovation Day 2022 was the startups and future leaders who shared their own successful stories. For example, Jake Phillips, Director of Ecosystem Development at an internationally recognized start-up community Dogpatch Labs, introduced their company's ecosystem and highlighted the innovation and job growth potential it will bring. He shared how 2021 had been a landmark year for investment in unicorns in Europe, with start-ups having entered a hyper-growth phase. He also touched on their work in driving positive policy initiatives that allow start-ups to unleash their potential.

Atul Shrivijay Athavale, Huawei Cloud WEU's Head of Cloud Ecosystem, then announced the official launch of the Huawei Cloud Startup Program and Huawei Cloud Developer Competition in Europe, as part of Huawei Cloud's commitment to working with partners to build an innovative startup and developer ecosystem.

A green and sustainable Europe is closely linked with digital technology

Three more speakers included the Porini Foundation's CTO Toni Caradonna, the Center for Conservation Action's Head of Protected and Conserved Areas James Hardcastle, and Rainforest Connection CEO, Bourhan Yassin, who jointly called for building a greener and more environment-friendly Europe with innovative digital technologies.

Huawei continues its contribution to Europe

Participants were then treated to a presentation by Dr Basalisco, Director of Copenhagen Economics, who shared the key findings within a study published on the 17th of October. The study demonstrated Huawei's economic contribution to Europe in 2021, which is significant in value-added, jobs supported and European tax revenues. Huawei also contributed significantly to research and innovation, talent cultivation, sustainable development, and social and digital inclusion in Europe.

In his closing remarks for Innovation Day 2022, Huawei's VP of Corporate Communications, Karl Song shared a few real-life examples of how Huawei is contributing to digital, intelligent, and green development both in Europe and around the world, said, "We will always be committed to the digital transformation of French and European SMEs and the creation of a more digital Europe."

SOURCE Huawei Technologies Co.,Ltd.
H.Res. 1430. calls for Action Under International Law Against Pakistan Armed Forces and Islamist War Criminals

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH) introduced a historic resolution recognizing the genocide that took place over the course of 9 months in Bangladesh in 1971 and which disproportionately targeted members of the Hindu community and secular groups in the country formerly known as East Pakistan.

Congressman Steve Chabot, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, and Co-Chair of the Bangladesh Caucus, who introduced H.Res. 1430 on Friday, said, "There was a genocide. Millions of people were killed [in 1971] in what is now Bangladesh, and what was then East Pakistan. About 80% of those millions that were killed were Hindus. And it was, in my opinion, a genocide just like other genocides  like the Holocuast  happened. And there were others that have occurred, and this was one that, thus far, hasn't really been declared by definition. And we are working on this now."

Saleem Reza Noor, whose family members were brutally murdered by armed Islamists in 1971, expressed relief after 51 years of despair. "Our genocide is finally getting recognition in the U.S. Congress." Noor stated his satisfaction as both Republicans and Democrats joined forces to introduce a historic resolution that has the potential to reshape the geopolitics of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Indo-Pacific.

Priya Saha, Executive Director of the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM), an organization that was at the forefront of this multi-year campaign, said, "On this 51st anniversary of Bangladesh's independence, we hope that millions of people in Bangladesh who were systematically exterminated by the Pakistan army and their collaborators in 1971 will be formally memorialized." As a survivor, I hope that this bipartisan resolution will finally bring closure to individuals who have endured pain and suffering, as well as foreign nationals from other countries in the region, who risked or lost their lives in 1971 and have gone largely unnoticed until now. We also hope that this resolution will initiate a detailed action plan to ensure that the Biden administration will hold the Pakistan Army and their Bangladeshi collaborators  the Razakars, Al-Shams, Al-Badr, and Jamaat-e-Islami  accountable." Saha added, "Even now, these extremist groups are persecuting indigenous religious minorities in Bangladesh."

Adelle Nazarian, Director of Communications and Legislative Outreach for Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective (HinduPACT) and who worked closely with lawmakers and legislators to see the introduction of H.Res.1430 , and whose members in Congressman Chabot's district played a key role in sensitizing the senior lawmaker on this issue, said "This is a powerful and necessary step towards delivering justice globally." "Recognition of the 1971 atrocity in Bangladesh as a genocide is a major win for humanity and trustfully in the global community's efforts to recognize and prevent other atrocities from ever taking place again." Adelle added, ""Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."

Aroma Dutta, a member of Parliament from the Hindu community in Bangladesh whose grandfather and uncle were killed by the Pakistan Armed Forces, said, "My grandfather, Dhirendra Nath Datta (85 years), along with his son, Dilip Datta (40 Years), were picked up by the brutal Pakistani Army on the 29th of March, 1971. They were taken into the Mainamati Cantonment in Cumilla, brutally tortured for more than two weeks and murdered; their lifeless bodies were thrown into a ditch, never to be found. Until today, they lie in a mass grave." Dutta added, "I want the killers to be punished for "Murdering innocent people, including the elderly, young women, and children." My family and I have still not recovered from the trauma and suffering. I, along with other "family members of the martyrs," demand recognition of this genocide in which millions were raped and killed."

More than 30 national Hindu community organizations, and many at the local level, expressed their deep gratitude to Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) for their perseverance and endurance in seeing this historic genocide recognition come to fruition.

For additional information and media inquiries, please contact [email protected]

Priya Saha

Executive Director, Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM)

Email: [email protected] Cell: 8135507880

2200 Eastridge Loop #731540, San Jose, CA 95173, USA

PRESS CONTACT

[email protected]

SOURCE Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities
Key Details:

For the third consecutive year, Icertis was named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Contract Life Cycle Management for its Completeness of Vision.

Icertis is positioned furthest right on the Completeness of Vision axis for three consecutive years.

We believe the growth in CLM adoption is fueled by digital transformation and automation and is increasingly recognized as a universal, critical asset for businesses across industries.

BELLEVUE, Wash., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Icertis , the contract intelligence company that pushes the boundaries of what's possible with Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM), announced today that it has been named a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Contract Life Cycle Management (CLM)1 report for its Ability to Execute and its Completeness of Vision. Gartner analysts evaluated 18 CLM vendors to determine the placement of each vendor. Icertis is positioned furthest for Completeness of Vision in the Leaders Quadrant.

This is the third consecutive year that Icertis has been named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant, which Icertis attributes to its enterprise-wide value, deep technology and SI partnerships, and robust application of artificial intelligence (AI).

The Icertis CLM offering helps customers succeed in any business climate. Its AI-powered Icertis Contract Intelligence (ICI) platform structures and connects critical contract data for automation and insights that drive business decisions and outcomes like faster revenue, bigger savings, less risk, and greater compliance. Hundreds of the world's most trusted and iconic brands, including Accenture, Microsoft, SAP, Mercedes-Benz, and Johnson & Johnson, trust Icertis to deliver enterprise-wide digital transformation, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and compliance across the entire contract lifecycle. The world's most iconic brands and disruptive innovators trust Icertis with their combined 10 million+ contracts worth more than $1 trillion in 40+ languages and 90+ countries.

"We believe Icertis' continued recognition as a Leader in Contract Lifecycle Management validates our vision to transform the foundation of commerce  contracts  with contract intelligence," said Samir Bodas, Co-Founder and CEO of Icertis. "The world's most iconic brands and disruptive innovators have chosen Icertis for our value driving CLM innovation, and our deep partnerships with Microsoft, SAP, and all the world's leading system integrators extend this value further. The major analyst firms, including Forrester and IDC, today position us a leader in CLM. We believe being a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader for the third year in a row, once again, is a testament to our bold approach to this category."

The analyst report comes at a time when the pace of innovation and adoption of CLM is accelerating. According to MGI Research, the category TAM will increase to $30B2 in the next five years. With robust AI and deep, wide-ranging technology partnerships, Icertis is able to structure and integrate contract data to deliver end-to-end value across the enterprise.

Icertis has achieved unprecedented growth and momentum in the CLM market over the last year, exemplified by a wave of industry-first solutions and top-tier recognitions, including:

A record year of partner growth, highlighted by an expanded 360-degree technology and go-to-market partnership and financial investment with SAP.

Honored as the 2022 Microsoft US Partner of the Year for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technologies, capping consecutive years of Microsoft Partner of the Year recognitions.

for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technologies, capping consecutive years of Microsoft Partner of the Year recognitions. Fourth consecutive year on the prestigious Forbes Cloud 100 list.

Cloud 100 list. Approximately 20 Fortune 100 largest public and private companies in the U.S., based on revenues, now "run on Icertis".

Silver Stevie  Award winner for Most Innovative Tech Company of the Year and Bronze Stevie  Award winner for Technical Innovation of the Year for Icertis Contract Intelligence at the 2022 International Business Awards.

Award winner for Most Innovative Tech Company of the Year and Bronze Stevie Award winner for Technical Innovation of the Year for Icertis Contract Intelligence at the 2022 International Business Awards. The launch of the industry's first vertical CLM solutions, built with deep domain expertise and designed to speed solution delivery by up to 30 percent.

Year-over-year Annual Recurring Revenue growth of more than 50% in 2021 and H1 2022.

Gartner Disclaimer*

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Gartner and Magic Quadrant are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

About Icertis

With unmatched technology and category-defining innovation, Icertis pushes the boundaries of what's possible with contract lifecycle management (CLM). The AI-powered, analyst-validated Icertis Contract Intelligence (ICI) platform turns contracts from static documents into strategic advantage by structuring and connecting the critical contract information that defines how an organization runs. Today, the world's most iconic brands and disruptive innovators trust Icertis to govern the rights and commitments in their 10 million+ contracts worth more than $1 trillion in 40+ languages and 90+ countries.

Contact

Michelle Rodriguez

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

[email protected]

1Gartner Magic Quadrant for Contract Life Cycle Management, 12 October 2022, by Patrick Connaughton, Kaitlynn Sommers, Micky Keck.

Readers can access a full complimentary copy of the report here: https://www.icertis.com/gartner

2MGI Research 2022: https://mgiresearch.com/research/mgi-forecasts-contract-lifecycle-management-software-global-tam-forecast-2022-2026/

SOURCE Icertis
The original motor oil brand continues to push its products above and beyond industry standards.

LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), a global leader in vehicle care powering the future of mobility through innovative services and products, today released its results from head-to-head testing vs. the industry-leading full synthetic.

In side-by-side comparison tests, Valvoline full synthetic motor oils provide 24X stronger protection against engine-killing contaminants than the industry-leading full synthetic motor oil.

What's considered an engine-killing contaminant? In this case, water, fuel and ethanol.

"When gasoline burns in your engine to create energy it also creates a large amount of water", says Dr. Michael D. Warholic, Valvoline Senior Technology Manager for Light Duty Lubricants. "Most of the water goes out your exhaust, but some water finds its way to your oil sump along with unburned fuel. In addition, most gasoline now contains up to 15% ethanol which can lead to even higher amounts of contamination."

If moisture builds up in the engine, and it's not properly controlled by a high-quality motor oil, it could lead to poor lubrication, corrosion, and increased friction which could result in catastrophic engine failure.

"At the end of the day, the motor oil circulating in your engine drains back into your oil pan and sits there," says Warholic. "Water is heavier than oil, so if it separates from the oil, it sinks to the bottom of the pan. When you start your car in the morning, the first thing your oil pump sees could be water, which is a terrible lubricant."

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have identified the critical need for a motor oil to properly manage water, fuel and ethanol. A mandatory performance test is included in the widely utilized API SP and ILSAC GF-6 oil specifications. The test is formally known as ASTM D7563 and measures the ability of an oil to emulsify a mixture of water and fuel for a prescribed length of time.

Through a series of exhaustive in-house tests at Valvoline's New Product Laboratory and complementary testing at an independent third-party laboratory, Valvoline's scientists were able to demonstrate a 24X improvement in emulsion stability versus the leading synthetic.

Valvoline's full synthetic motor oils emulsified the water, fuel and ethanol to keep it from separating, surpassing the industry minimum requirements by a substantial amount of time and proving Valvoline provides 24X stronger protection against engine-killing contaminants than the industry-leading full synthetic.

About Valvoline

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a global leader in vehicle care powering the future of mobility through innovative services and products for vehicles with electric, hybrid and internal combustion powertrains. Established in 1866, the Company introduced the world's first branded motor oil and developed strong brand recognition and customer satisfaction ratings over the years across multiple service and product channels. The Company operates and franchises approximately 1,700 service center locations and is the No. 2 and No. 3 largest chain in the U.S. and Canada, respectively, by number of stores. With sales in more than 140 countries and territories, Valvoline's solutions are available for every engine and drivetrain, including high-mileage and heavy-duty vehicles, and are offered at more than 80,000 locations worldwide. Creating the next generation of advanced automotive solutions, Valvoline has established itself as the world's leading supplier of battery fluids to electric vehicle manufacturers, offering tailored products to help extend vehicle range and efficiency. To learn more, or to find a Valvoline service center near you, visit valvoline.com.

 Trademark, Valvoline or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries

 Service mark, Valvoline or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Media Relations

Michele Gaither Sparks

+1 (859) 230-8097

[email protected]

SOURCE Valvoline Inc.
Latest launch delivers limitless connectivity by providing iN2L's best-in-class content directly on LifeLoop's web and mobile app-based platform

DENVER, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- iN2L + LifeLoop, provider of the senior living industry's most comprehensive engagement, wellness, and community operations platform, today announced the launch of its next generation senior living technology. At today's LeadingAge Annual Meeting + Expo , the organization will unveil its latest evolution  a comprehensive solution for resident engagement, family satisfaction, and staff efficiency, all united within a single enterprise platform. This release harnesses the best of iN2L and LifeLoop, making iN2L's unparalleled engagement content library accessible anywhere, anytime across LifeLoop's hardware-agnostic, community-centric platform.

As the industry continues its post-pandemic recovery, senior living communities are looking to their technology partners to help bridge gaps across departments, stakeholders, and locations. While other industry solutions address individual, or siloed, community needs, iN2L + LifeLoop is purpose-built to deliver a holistic enterprise solution within a single comprehensive platform. From independent living to memory care, skilled nursing, and use cases in between, iN2L + LifeLoop meets the needs of its partner organizations' entire, diverse populations.

"Our new enterprise platform is unlike any other on the market today," said Navin Gupta, CEO of iN2L + LifeLoop. "We listened to our partners and the industry at large, and what we heard is that communities need a technology partner who is agile enough to address immediate needs  such as staffing shortages  and scalable enough to support their visionary strategic priorities and future growth. Unlike others, our next-generation platform is equally adept at delighting residents, supporting daily staff workflows, and connecting seniors with their loved ones outside of the community walls. We envision a transparent, interactive aging experience that unites all stakeholders across the care continuum."

Indeed, using one powerful, connective platform, everyone from executives and caregivers to residents and their loved ones can now access iN2L's most popular content applications directly within LifeLoop's full-service operational platform. In addition to being engaging and fun, the content library is purposefully designed to address all the core dimensions of wellness, ensuring that communities can leverage a single solution for all their operational, staff efficiency, and engagement needs.

By combining the power of iN2L's person-centered content with LifeLoop's web and mobile app, users can now enjoy the impact of these two powerful solutions at their fingertips, no matter their location, operating system, or device. The integration ensures that content can be accessed on every computer, tablet, and smartphone, eliminating the need for solution-specific hardware.

"By merging the best of our technology solutions into a single enterprise platform, our primary goal is to foster connection, engagement, and operational efficiencies," said Dylan Conley, VP of Technology at iN2L + LifeLoop. "With this direct unification of our products, we are making it even easier for our customers to meaningfully impact the lives of seniors and those who care for them. Today's launch represents a major step forward for our combined organization, as we continue to focus on advancing the aging experience by creating the most person-centered engagement and operations platform in senior living."

iN2L + LifeLoop's group engagement systems have always been central to their partners' engagement and operational strategies. From communications and calendaring, resident engagement, and staff resources, to managing transportation and maintenance requests, the unified platform will provide revolutionary full-service coverage to markedly improve the daily experience of working at and living in a residential community. "With iN2L content in LifeLoop, we have amplified communities' abilities to engage residents at all levels of care," said Gupta. "The unified enterprise platform empowers caretakers and allows every staff member to access functionality from anywhere, and act as an extension of the engagement team."

To learn more about iN2L Content in LifeLoop, along with other operational features that can set your community apart, please visit our website . For those in attendance at LeadingAge, stop by booth #1623 to learn more about our exciting launch and to connect with Navin Gupta , Nick Nemer , and the iN2L + LifeLoop team.

About iN2L + LifeLoop

iN2L + LifeLoop is on a mission to enhance the aging experience. Their industry-leading enterprise platform boosts resident engagement, family satisfaction, and staff efficiency, all within a singular, comprehensive solution. Trusted by 4,500+ nursing homes, assisted and independent living communities, memory care settings, and adult day programs across North America, iN2L + LifeLoop's powerful system holistically supports the entire senior living ecosystem. One mission. One solution. For more information, please visit ourlifeloop.com .

Media Contact

John Gonda

616-309-4888

[email protected]

SOURCE iN2L + LifeLoop
DUBLIN, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "India Discrete Power Semiconductor Devices Market Research Report: By Application - Industry Analysis and Growth Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The 2021 value of the Indian discrete power semiconductor devices market was $1,007.7 million, which is set to reach $2,834.2 million by 2030, at a healthy 12.2% CAGR between 2021 and 2030

Discrete power semiconductors are used to switch between direct current and alternating current and regulate voltage and power.



Currently, EVs are the largest application area for such devices in the country owing to the stringent emission regulations implemented on conventional automobiles and initiatives in place for the promotion of electric variants. The most significant of all is the central government's FAME India initiative, which entails a total investment of INR 10,000 crore in its second phase.

Seeing the opportunities, players in the Indian discrete power semiconductor devices market are launching newer products. For instance, Infineon Technologies AG unveiled new EDT2 IGBTs for traction inverters in the TO-247 package type, which is the widest selling of all the package types in the country, in March 2022. Designed for a breakdown voltage of 750 V, it is ideal for traction inverters that require battery voltages of up to 470 V DC.



Similarly, Vishay Intertechnology Inc. launched n-channel TrenchFET MOSFETs in January 2022 for industrial and telecommunication applications. Other major companies in the Indian discrete power semiconductor devices market are NXP Semiconductors N.V., ABB Ltd., STMicroelectronics N.V., Renesas Electronics Corporation, Microchip Technology Incorporated, Fuji Electric Co. Ltd., ON Semiconductor Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC).

Key Findings of India Discrete Power Semiconductor Devices Market Report

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the demand for discrete power semiconductor devices in the country because of a significant halt in the production of such components and of the end products that need them, for instance, automobiles and consumer electronics.

However, driven by the government's EV initiatives, the Indian discrete power semiconductor devices market is set to pick up pace soon, since these components are important for the power converters of EV chargers.

In this regard, the Delhi government's plans to install 100 EV charging stations across the city in the coming years would be a key catalyst for the rising demand for such components.

government's plans to install 100 EV charging stations across the city in the coming years would be a key catalyst for the rising demand for such components. Among EVs, two-wheelers will account for the fastest increase in the integration of discrete power semiconductor devices in India as their sales are rising rapidly.

as their sales are rising rapidly. Moreover, the central government is investing $30 billion (INR 2,30,000 crore ) to make the country a global semiconductor manufacturing hub, under the larger Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

(INR ) to make the country a global semiconductor manufacturing hub, under the larger Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This will boost the sale of such components, by leading to a massive reduction in their prices, since currently, most of them are imported from Taiwan , South Korea , and China .

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Research Background

1.1 Research Objectives

1.2 Market Definition

1.3 Analysis Period

1.4 Market Data Reporting Unit

1.5 Market Size Breakdown by Segment

1.6 Semiconductor Devices Market Segmentation by Application

1.7 Key Stakeholders



Chapter 2. Research Methodology

2.1 Secondary Research

2.2 Primary Research

2.3 Market Size Estimation

2.4 Data Triangulation

2.5 Currency Conversion Rates

2.6 Notes and Caveats



Chapter 3. Executive Summary



Chapter 4. Market Indicators

4.1 Increasing Sales of Evs

4.2 Rising Renewable Energy Capacity

4.3 Growing Power Sector



Chapter 5. Definition of Market Segments

5.1 by Application

5.1.1 Ev

5.1.1.1 Two-Wheeler

5.1.1.1.1 Material Type

5.1.1.1.1.1 Silicon

5.1.1.1.1.2 Silicon Carbide

5.1.1.1.1.3 Gallium Nitride

5.1.1.1.1.4 Others

5.1.1.1.2 Package Type

5.1.1.1.2.1 To-220

5.1.1.1.2.2 To-247

5.1.1.1.2.3 To-262

5.1.1.1.2.4 To-263

5.1.1.1.2.5 To-273

5.1.1.1.2.6 Others

5.1.1.1.3 Three-Wheeler

5.1.1.2 Solar Power Generation

5.1.1.3 Domestic Power Inverter

5.1.1.4 Power Sector

5.1.1.5 Power Factor Correction

5.1.1.6 Solid-State Circuit Breaker

5.1.1.7 Micro-Grid Application



Chapter 6. Industry Outlook

6.1 Market Dynamics

6.1.1 Trends

6.1.1.1 Miniaturization in Semiconductors and Electronics

6.1.1.2 Use of Intelligent Power Modules (IPM)

6.1.1.3 Product Launches

6.1.2 Drivers

6.1.2.1 Rapid Deployment of ES

6.1.2.2 Increase in Demand for Power Electronic Modules Across Industries

6.1.3 Restraints

6.1.3.1 Rising Demand for ICS

6.1.3.2 Limited Availability of Gan

6.2 Impact of Covid-19

6.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

6.3.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers

6.3.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

6.3.3 Intensity of Rivalry

6.3.4 Threat of New Entrants

6.3.5 Threat of Substitutes



Chapter 7. Product Specifications



Chapter 8. Indian Market Size and Forecast

8.1 Overview

8.2 Discrete Power Semiconductor Devices Market Revenue, by Application (2017-2030)

8.3 Ev Market Revenue, by Type (2017-2030)

8.4 Solar Power Generation Market Revenue

8.5 Domestic Power Inverter Market Revenue, (2017-2030)

8.6 Power Sector Market Revenue, by Type (2017-2030)

8.7 India Power Modules Market Revenue, by Application (2017-2030)



Chapter 9. Competitive Landscape

9.1 List of Market Players and Their Offerings

9.2 Market Share Analysis of Key Players

9.3 Major Clients of Key Players

9.4 Product Comparison of Key Players

9.5 Recent Strategic Developments of Key Players

9.6 List of Major Distributors and Suppliers

9.7 Analyst Suggestion for Bel

9.7.1 High Revenue Pocket Sector for Bel Semiconductor Devices and Power Modules Business

9.7.2 Suitable Marketing and Distribution Channels



Chapter 10. Company Profiles

Infineon Technologies AG

Nxp Semiconductors N.V.

Stmicroelectronics N.V.

Abb Ltd.

Renesas Electronics Corporation

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

Microchip Technology Incorporated

on Semiconductor Corporation

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Toshiba Corporation

Texas Instruments Incorporated

Diodes Incorporated

Vishay Intertechnology Inc.

Rohm Co. Ltd.

Littelfuse Inc.

Nexperia B.V.

Wolfspeed Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/oxdqbq

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
New recurring subscriptions for cloud-based software solutions and precision flood hazard maps

Bolstering global climate resilience with innovative tools and analytics

DENVER, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Intermap Technologies (TSX: IMP) (OTCQX: ITMSF) ("Intermap" or the "Company"), a global leader in 3D geospatial data and intelligence solutions, today announced multiple members of the Czech Association of Insurers have agreed to sign multiyear, multi-license contracts, with a total value of USD $3.1 million, for Intermap's flood risk software, Aquarius RMA, and a new generation of precision flood hazard maps.

The new suite of agreements includes substantial upfront payment by year end, followed by five-year recurring subscriptions. The Czech Association of Insurers underwrite 98% of the total premiums in the Czech Republic. This multi-license contract with the major insurers in the market will provide critical access to flood hazard maps, high-resolution 3D data, and analytics across the industry. Intermap's cloud-based software will be integrated seamlessly into the insurers' workflows, streamlining analytics and geocoding capabilities and providing a comprehensive evaluation of flood risk that insurers will use to underwrite property.

As evidenced by recent storms such as Hurricane Ian in Florida as well as historic flooding in Pakistan and Australia, the insurance industry is grappling with the devastating effects of record natural catastrophes. Underwriters have discovered that their traditional methods of risk assessment are insufficient. Intermap's innovative solutions are invaluable tools as providers recalibrate their risk profiles. Existing customers continue to expand their contracts and grow their utilization while the demand from new customers continues to increase. In September 2022, Intermap's U.S. insurance software solution, InsitePro, generated its largest monthly revenue results ever. On a run-rate basis, this contract is expected to add 21% growth to monthly recurring revenue.

"With historic flooding around the world, the need for climate resilience is irrefutable and urgent," said Patrick A. Blott, Intermap Chairman and CEO. "From Florida to Croatia, recent flooding has been catastrophic. Insurance providers are now preparing for the future by repricing risk and subscribing to Intermap's global solutions, including our cloud-based software and precision flood hazard maps."

The Czech Republic insurance industry was valued at USD $7.9 billion in 2021. The industry is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2021 to 2026, reaching USD $11 billion in 2026 (source).

Learn more about Intermap's European offerings visit intermap.com/european-solutions.

Intermap Reader Advisory

Certain information provided in this news release, specifically the total contract, monthly recurring revenue and industry values and growth, constitutes forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast", "will be", "will consider", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap's forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, nature of government contracts, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermap's Annual Information Form and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law.

About Intermap Technologies

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQX: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap's 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world's largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company's collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap's products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation.

SOURCE Intermap Technologies Corporation
LUND, Sweden, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alfa Laval will release third quarter earnings on October 25th at 07:30 am CET. The telephone conference will start at 11.00 am CET.

The telephone conference is hosted by Alfa Laval's President and CEO Tom Erixon and CFO Jan Allde. Register here.

You can also follow the conference via a live webcast. A webcast link will be available on Alfa Laval - Investors.

Contacts:

Johan Lundin

Head of Investor Relations

Phone: +46 46 36 65 10

Mobile: +46 730 46 30 90

Beata Ardhe

Phone: +46 46 36 65 26

Mobile: +46 709 36 65 26

www.alfalaval.com

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/905/3649328/1639523.pdf Invitation Q3 2022

SOURCE Alfa Laval
Collections, Jane's personalization feature within the app, help users discover new brands and products through recommendations based on activity, reviews, and user interestssimilar to how Spotify personalizes a playlist or Airbnb recommends an experience. Jane's Collections include curated lists for everything from sleeping to socializing.

"This is an exciting time for the industry. With the Jane app, we're bringing a seamless shopping experience to cannabis and creating a platform to further connect our community, " shared Jane's CEO Socrates Rosenfeld. "The app provides consumers with a personalized, trusted shopping experience while continuing to empower our local retail partners to grow their businesses."

For cannabis retailers, Jane features customizable store pages allowing dispensaries to manage their storefront within the app, so users can shop real-time menus and schedule a delivery or pickup. For the past five years, Jane's platform has enabled retailers to digitize their live product inventory and reach new local customers online. The app provides customers with the convenience of online shopping while driving more traffic to nearby retailers  at no additional cost to the customer or retailer.

For cannabis brands, the Jane app represents a new way to get in front of consumers directly. The app features brand pages with content, products, exclusive deals and information on nearby availability. Brands can partner with Jane to sponsor relevant areas of the app experience to further boost their reach.

"The [app] design celebrates cannabis products, brands and retailers while optimizing the shopping experience and prioritizing customer needs with Collections and effect-based shopping," said Jared Marr, VP of Design at Jane. "The consumer-first UI is simple yet efficient, reframing cannabis shopping to be approachable and common like ordering lunch for delivery or pickup. The app positions Jane to shepherd the cannabis industry into the future, encouraging mainstream access and serving as the connective bridge for consumers, retailers and brands."

For each person who downloads the app and makes a purchase, Jane will donate $1 to their partners at the Last Prisoner Project .

In summary: Jane's engaging user interface, personalized shopping experience and innovative discovery features are exciting additions to the cannabis e-commerce ecosystem  for consumers, brands and retailers alike. By providing real-time local product availability, verified reviews, and the opportunity to search by desired effects and activities, the Jane app forever changes the way consumers discover and shop for cannabis.

To download Jane visit the Apple App Store .

About Jane Technologies, Inc.

Jane is the cannabis industry's largest ecommerce platform, powering 2,800+ dispensaries and brands across 38 U.S. state markets as well as the Canadian market. Jane's unique offering provides dispensaries and brands with a turnkey e-commerce solution, including real-time POS integration, curated content directly from brands (product images, descriptions, etc.), and retail and market analytics. Jane was named the 2022 Best E-Commerce Technology at Green Market Report's Cannabis Awards. For more information email [email protected] . For more information on Jane, visit www.iheartjane.com .

CONTACT:

MATTIO Communications, [email protected]

SOURCE Jane Technologies, Inc.
175 Water St. is positioned in the heart of the NYC's Seaport District and offered a true value-add opportunity

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JLL's Capital Markets group announced today that it has closed the $252 million sale of 175 Water St., a 31-story, 684,500-square-foot office tower prominently positioned in downtown Manhattan.

JLL marketed the property exclusively on behalf of the seller, Vanbarton Group, and procured the buyer, 99c LLC.

175 Water St.

175 Water St. is a fully vacant office tower offering a variety of repositioning opportunities. The property was renovated in 2014 and features a center core configuration with flexible 24,000-square-foot floorplates. Each floor offers 12-foot ceiling heights with expansive windows and an abundance of natural light and air. Additionally, the tower has two usable rooftop terraces with protected views of New York City and all three East River bridges.

"99c is tremendously excited to deliver a comprehensive re-use plan in a prominent FiDi location. The fabric of the Fox Fowle-designed building is visible from the Brooklyn waterfront and a prominent part of Fidi's skyline," said 99c co-founder Carlo Bellini. "When considering the challenges some commercial buildings are facing post-pandemic, we at 99c are looking for unique and sustainable ways to reinvent such spaces."

Located within the Seaport submarket of downtown Manhattan, 175 Water St. has exceptional accessibility throughout Manhattan and the entire New York City metro area via numerous subway lines and PATH trains. In addition, the property is served by numerous bus lines and is close to the New York Waterway East River Ferry. The Seaport submarket is New York's original commercial hub and has received more than $30 billion in public and private funding in the last decade that has revitalized the area to a 24-hour live-work-play neighborhood. Residential demand in downtown Manhattan has been on the rise with only a 3.3% vacancy rate and less than 400 units under construction.

JLL's Capital Markets Investment Sales Advisory team representing the seller was led by Senior Managing Directors Andrew Scandalios and David Giancola, Managing Directors Vickram Jambu and Marion Jones, Senior Director Steven Rutman and Director Alexander Riguardi.

"175 Water St. received a generous amount of investor interest given the nature of the building, which provided a blank canvas to reimagine and reactivate the property as a best-in-class office tower or consider alternative uses," Scandalios said.

"Downtown Manhattan and particularly the Seaport submarket is going through a transformative period for both office and residential uses," Jambu added. "Between the interest in this building and the results we achieved through this process, we think this transaction signifies the strengthening of the New York City office market."

JLL's Capital Markets group is a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors and occupiers. The firm's in-depth local market and global investor knowledge delivers the best-in-class solutions for clients  whether investment and sales advisory, debt advisory, equity advisory or a recapitalization. The firm has more than 3,000 Capital Markets specialists worldwide with offices in nearly 50 countries.

For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit our newsroom.

About 99c LLC

99c is a specialty financing and development firm focused on adaptive reuse development within urban markets. The firm is actively looking to broaden its New York portfolio.

About Vanbarton Group

Vanbarton is a privately owned, vertically integrated boutique commercial real estate firm founded in 1992 that invests in both credit and equity strategies across multifamily, office, medical office, hospitality, and retail investments in the U.S. The firm has a national market presence with offices on both U.S. coasts and an investment history across 20 states as both an owner and a lender. The firm has been a registered investment adviser since 2002 and manages private funds and programmatic ventures with tailored investment strategies on behalf of a sophisticated institutional client base.

About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $19.4 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 102,000 as of June 30, 2022. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

Connect with us

https://www.linkedin.com/company/jll

https://www.facebook.com/jll

https://twitter.com/jll

https://www.instagram.com/jll

Contact: Jenna Sharp, JLL Associate, Public Relations

Phone: +1 214 394 3356

Email: [email protected]jll.com

SOURCE JLL
WESTERVILLE, Ohio, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kauhale Health ("Kauhale") formed a strategic alliance with senior housing industry veteran Torey Riso to expand its Midwest portfolio. Kauhale and Riso will pinpoint funding and operational alternatives through strategic collaboration and co-investments with key investors in the senior living/integrated post-acute care sector.

Through traditional joint venture and creative lease structures, Kauhale and Riso will create unique long-term value for investors. Kauhale has extensive operating and ownership experience and has created significant value for its investors through passionate, programmatic, and efficient operations. This operating model is desperately needed in our current economic environment. Kauhale's first assets were acquired post-Pandemic, meaning that neither time nor attention was required to achieve pre-pandemic occupancy and income levels. Kauhale team members are keenly focused on cultivating value in current market conditions.

"By joining forces with Torey, we can build a more durable capital model and deliver a best-in-market platform for all of our stakeholders," said Blake F. Church, founding member of Kauhale. "Torey is a former CEO and President of a public REIT that invested exclusively in seniors housing and care assets with best-in-class operators and is uniquely positioned to help us grow. We look forward to leveraging our collective relationships to grow our portfolio."

"I'm thrilled to work closely with the Kauhale team to build its platform," said Riso. "I've seen this 'movie' before and know it'll happen with Kauhale. When an experienced operating team focuses on residents and associates, and is fueled by the right capital, a sizeable portfolio can be assembled and great things can be achieved. Together, we'll provide outstanding outcomes for residents and their families, create significant opportunities for associates, and offer exceptional returns for investors  even in tough economic times. I'm excited to be a part of this initiative."

About Kauhale Health

Founded in 2021, Kauhale Health (kauhalehealth.com) is a Midwest-based firm led by five principals with a combined 130 years of experience in senior living/integrated post-acute care operations, acquisitions, operational transfers, portfolio management and development. The team has experience across 20 U.S. states, including management responsibilities for more than 300 standalone Independent Living (IL), Assisted Living (AL), Memory Care (MC), Skilled Nursing (SNF), and Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) properties. The company currently has $45 MM AUM, approximately $20 MM in annual income, approximately 350 residents and 200 associates.

About Torey Riso

Torey Riso has held C-suite leadership roles in the healthcare and real estate industries throughout his career. Most recently, he served as Managing Director and Leader of Healthcare Real Estate at Huron Consulting Group, a global consulting firm. He previously served as President and CEO of Blueprint Healthcare Real Estate Advisors, a Chicago-based real estate advisory and brokerage firm; as President and CEO of Care Investment Trust, a New York City-based real estate investment company (publicly-traded REIT prior to 2014); as senior vice president and chief counsel for various business units of lender CIT Group Inc.; and was in private legal practice with Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, a national law firm in New York City. Torey is licensed to practice law in California and New York and is a registered representative with a Series 7, 79, and 63. He currently serves on the Spring Planning Committee for the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), and has served as an Executive Board Member of the American Senior Housing Association (ASHA).

Contact

Blake F. Church | Kauhale Health, [email protected], 303-818-2711

SOURCE Kauhale Health
Recognized by NCPA for Professional Leadership and Commitment

to Advancing Independent Pharmacy

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC (Upsher-Smith) is pleased to announce that Khanh-Long (Ken) Thai, PharmD, co-founder of 986 Degrees Corporation, a pharmacy franchise that serves as a platform for pharmacists to become independent pharmacy owners, is the winner of the 2022 National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year award. Thai received the award on Sunday, October 2 at NCPA's 124th Annual Convention in Kansas City, MO.

NCPAs 2022 Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year Award Presentation Left to Right: B. Douglas Hoey, NCPA CEO, Pharmacist, MBA; Ken Thai, PharmD (winner); and Mike McBride of Upsher-Smith. (PRNewsfoto/Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC)

The annual award is given to a pharmacist who exhibits exemplary professional leadership, service to community, and commitment to independent pharmacy. This year marks Upsher-Smith's 14th year of sponsoring the prestigious award in conjunction with NCPA. The award is named in honor of Willard B. Simmons, a former executive secretary of NCPA (then known as the National Association of Retail Druggists) and a longtime trustee of the NCPA Foundation.

Ken Thai, a leader who has proven his dedication to advancing the field of independent pharmacy through his teachings at the college level and public policy development, exemplifies what makes independent pharmacies so valuable to local communities. Thai is not only CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of 986 Degrees Corporation, he also owns and operates multiple 986 Pharmacy locations throughout Southern California and Nevada. The pharmacies specialize in retail, long-term care, compounding, infusion, and specialty medication.

Thai is a long-time advocate for community independent pharmacists and he demonstrates this commitment through his service on several legislative committees including the NCPA State Legislative Committee and California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) Legislative Committee. Thai was actively involved in passing SB 493 in California which officially declared pharmacists as "healthcare providers," hence having the authority to provide healthcare services. California is the first state in the nation to enact such a law.

"We're honored to partner with NCPA in recognizing pharmacy professionals like Ken who tirelessly champion the practice of pharmacy through public policy, academics and community service, all while building successful and sustainable businesses," said Rich Fisher, President and COO, Upsher-Smith. "Ken's accomplishments speak to his willingness to share his success with others, benefitting patients far beyond his immediate community."

B. Douglas Hoey, NCPA CEO, pharmacist, MBA added, "Ken is an accomplished leader whose passion for helping patients, sharing knowledge, and engaging in policy dialogue makes him a deserving recipient of this year's Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year Award. We applaud the work Ken has done to advance the future of independent pharmacy and are thankful to Upsher-Smith for its continued support in recognizing commendable pharmacists like him."

Thai's commitment to pharmacy doesn't stop at the policy level. He understands the importance of sharing his knowledge and experience with others who are seeking to make a difference in pharmacy. Thai serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Southern California's School of Pharmacy where he established its first community pharmacy fellowship program. He also teaches entrepreneurship to students at Western University of Health Sciences. Thai holds numerous leadership positions on committees and boards of several professional organizations that promote the advancement of community pharmacists including NCPA and is the immediate-Past President of the California Pharmacists Association. He is also actively involved in several community organizations.

About Upsher-Smith

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC is a trusted U.S. pharmaceutical company that strives to improve the health and lives of patients through an unwavering commitment to high-quality products and sustainable growth. The company brings brands and generics to a wide array of customers, always backed by its attentive level of service, strong industry relationships, and dedication to consistent product supply. For more information, visit www.upsher-smith.com.

About the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA  )

Founded in 1898, the National Community Pharmacists Association is the voice for the community pharmacist, representing nearly 19,400 pharmacies that employ approximately 215,000 individuals nationwide. Community pharmacies are rooted in the communities where they are located and are among America's most accessible health care providers. To learn more, visit www.ncpa.org.

SOURCE Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC
New KVCondo Division to service national lenders

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kensington Vanguard National Land Services ("KV"), one of the largest independent, full-service national title insurance agencies in the country, is pleased to announce the roll out of the new KVCondo Division ("KVCondo") led by veteran national underwriter, Clint Cintron and national operations manager, Matt Kornfeld.

KVCondo was formed after being selected as one of the preferred national title insurance providers for CondoTek's lender services platform that specializes in condominium document acquisition and lending compliance. CondoTek, led by industry veteran Orest Tomaselli, conducted a national search for preferred title insurance partners and selected KV for its institutional platform and best-in-class servicing and underwriting capabilities.

Jarett Fein, Co-CEO of Kensington Vanguard said, "We are very excited to partner with Orest and the CondoTek team for what is sure to be a groundbreaking tech platform that will change the way lenders handle loan review, compliance and servicing of condo transactions. KVCondo will specialize exclusively in the production, underwriting and closing of condominium loans nationally."

The partnership represents another strategic alliance for KV and further enhances its national footprint. KV's platform, infrastructure and technology complement CondoTek's experience and reputation in the space and creates a unique opportunity to grow a division around one of the fastest growing assets classes in the country.

Orest Tomaselli, President of Project Review at CondoTek, added, "We are looking forward to our partnership with KV which will provide even more support and value-add to our lender clients. We have built our business on exemplary service to our lender clients, and I am thrilled to work with the KVCondo team which has demonstrated their similar client servicing standards. This partnership will give our clients even more capacity and resources to focus on servicing their clientele while we centralize the title ordering process through our CondoTek platform."

Kensington Vanguard National Land Services operates three divisions:

Commercial Division i s a market leader in handling the largest and most complex commercial real estate transactions in the marketplace, servicing a prominent and diversified clientele consisting of property owners, developers, REITs, private equity funds, law firms, family offices and institutional lenders.





s a market leader in handling the largest and most complex commercial real estate transactions in the marketplace, servicing a prominent and diversified clientele consisting of property owners, developers, REITs, private equity funds, law firms, family offices and institutional lenders. Residential Division provides title and settlement services for residential purchases and refinances driven by realtors, attorneys and both regional and national mortgage originators. Approved as preferred vendor for leading financial institutions, this division's technology and operating model drive the highest quality execution and service.





provides title and settlement services for residential purchases and refinances driven by realtors, attorneys and both regional and national mortgage originators. Approved as preferred vendor for leading financial institutions, this division's technology and operating model drive the highest quality execution and service. 1031 Exchange Services Division, operating under the brand Legal 1031 Exchange, employs seasoned experts, attorneys and Certified Exchange Specialists. This subsidiary provides clients and their advisors with unparalleled IRC 1031 qualified intermediary services, enabling them to preserve wealth and achieve their business goals through the deferral of the capital gains tax they would recognize upon the sale of their investment property.

About Kensington Vanguard National Land Services

Kensington Vanguard National Land Services, headquartered in New York City, has offices in AL, AZ, DC, FL, GA, KY, NJ, NY, NC, PA, TN, TX and VA. It is one of the largest full-service national title insurance and settlement agencies in the U.S. Founded in 2002, Kensington Vanguard provides commercial and residential title insurance, settlement, escrow and 1031 exchange services. After a strategic investment by Stone Point Capital in 2016, Kensington Vanguard continued to be a consolidator driven by industry leadership and financial strength. In March of 2022, KV was acquired by Truist Insurance Holdings, the sixth largest insurance broker in the U.S. To learn more about Kensington Vanguard, please visit www.kvnational.com.

Contact:

Joesph Losos

[email protected]

Source: Kensington Vanguard National Land Services

SOURCE Kensington Vanguard National Land Services
Lancium's computing capabilities used to advance research by the U.S. Department of Energy, the University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University

HOUSTON and SAN DIEGO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lancium, Inc., an energy technology and infrastructure company that advances the decarbonization and stability of the electric power grid, has donated more than 45 million core-hours of computing time to the OSG Consortium , a fabric of distributed High Throughput Computing (dHTC) services in support of the National Science & Engineering community.

Since June 2021, members of the OSG Consortium used Lancium Compute's offering to support ground-breaking research, including the University of Chicago's astrophysics research from the South Pole Telescope, the U.S. Department of Energy's work examining atomic structure at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and running machine learning models in computational chemistry for Carnegie Mellon University, among other research organizations.

"OSG is a consortium of organizations committed to advancing open science for the betterment of the world," said Dr. Frank Wurthwein, executive director of OSG. "We appreciate Lancium's generous support of OSG over the past two years. Lancium's mission to use HPC to decarbonize the power grid helps us fulfill our mission in a way that is truly sustainable."

Lancium began donating compute time to the OSG Consortium as the company worked to refine its sustainable HPC concept in 2021.

"We believe that computation has the ability to solve the world's biggest problems. But how we power that computation is a critical part of the puzzle," said Dr. Andrew Grimshaw, president of Lancium Compute. "Lancium Compute's unique approach reimagines how HPC can work in concert with the power grid to enable more renewable energy use. We are proud to partner with OSG to demonstrate how we can build sustainability into HPC."

Lancium's Clean Compute Campus in Abilene, Texas will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy and provide computing resources with a total cost of ownership significantly lower than leading cloud providers. Lancium will achieve reduced power costs through the use of low-cost renewable energy and by operating its data centers flexibly. This flexibility helps to enhance the stability of the electric power grid. This innovative solution creates a new, dynamic approach to running HPC and AI workloads which further encourages the development of even more renewable generation.

About Lancium

Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, Lancium is dedicated to accelerating the energy transition through technologies and infrastructure designed to enable more clean energy production while also balancing and stabilizing the power grid. Lancium's Clean Campuses are designed to provide a low-cost, sustainable solution for large-scale, energy-intensive customers through our propriety Lancium Smart Response technology. For more information, visit www.lancium.com . Follow Lancium on social media: Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , YouTube

About OSG

The OSG Consortium builds and operates a set of pools of shared computing and data capacity for distributed high-throughput computing (dHTC). Each pool is organized and operated to serve a particular research community (e.g., a campus, multi-institutional collaboration, etc.), using technologies and services provided by the core OSG Team. One of these pools, known as the Open Science Pool,is operated for all of US-associated open science. The Consortium, thus, represents the totality of all researchers, resources, individuals and institutions that benefit from or contribute to any of the OSG Fabric of Services.

Media Contact:

Andy Schonert, Lancium

[email protected]

SOURCE Lancium
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading fire litigation firm Singleton Schreiber filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison alleging the utility company is responsible for the Fairview Fire, which was ignited by its negligently maintained utility infrastructure.

The Lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, claims Southern California Edison is responsible for the catastrophically impacted local community in which two fatalities occurred at the hands of the wildfire as well as destruction and/or damage of the plaintiffs' personal property, mental distress, serious out-of-pocket expenses, medical bills, personal injuries, evacuation expenses and a loss of business income incurred.

The complaint was filed on behalf of several individuals who owned property and/or resided in the impacted areas near Hemet, California. Homes and businesses were burned to the ground, while the lives of those prominently injured and fatally killed were changed forever. The wildfire blazed through 28,300+ acres, severely destroying more than 36 structures, and damaging 8 structures.

"The lives negligently taken, injured, and the destruction of properties as well as livelihoods of many could have been prevented if Southern California Edison had acted responsibly in the management of their utility infrastructure", said Gerald Singleton, Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber. "Southern California Edison has the expertise to understand when dangerous conditions to be operating its facilities are prominent and should have acted accordingly in preventing the lives of civilians from being taken because of their recklessness."

"In an Electrical Safety Incident Report provided by Southern California Edison on September 5, 2022, they reported activity from their facilities close in time to the start of the fire, further emphasizing their responsibility and fault in the fire", said Andrew Bluth, a partner at Singleton Schreiber.

The financial impact of the wildfire has not yet been reported but will likely be significant due to the scope of acres charred and destroyed

This case is Plaintiffs v. Southern California Edison, County of Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. 22STCV33558.

About Singleton Schreiber

With more than 120 employees and offices throughout the western United States, Gerald Singleton and his team have represented more than 13,000 victims of utility fires and has recovered over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for its clients. The firm currently represents thousands of victims of the numerous fires in California, Oregon and New Mexico. For more information, please visit https://singletonschreiber.com/fairview-fire-lawsuit/.

Media Contact

Joe Marchelewski  [email protected]

SOURCE Singleton Schreiber
Expanded prior employer's operations to over 120 countries with 40 product launches and 10x increase in sales

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ONIT Sciences, an agriculture company specializing in organic input technologies, announced today that internationally recognized industry veteran Michael Kosty has joined the company as Director of Global Business Development. This new hire coincides with the company's business opportunities outside of the United States in response to the global fertilizer shortage and government initiatives to adopt organic, sustainableyet profitable farming protocols that are now coming to fruition. While serving as Global Sales Director at a large Los Angeles-based fertilizer company, Michael led one of the most successful expansions, both in terms of new markets opened and products launched, in the hydroponics industry.

"I have tremendous plans for ONIT Sciences and am extremely excited to start working with the executive team," stated Mr. Kosty. "I am very familiar with the company's incredible products, and especially their flagship formulation ONIT Grow. This product is, I believe, is one of the most unique and powerful bio-stimulants and surfactants ever produced. That fact that it is all natural, organic, non-GMO and non-polymer really throws the door wide open to global applications across a myriad of crops.

Expanded prior employer's operations to over 120 countries with 40 product launches and 10x increase in sales Tweet this

"To begin with, I am building out a sales team of proven professionals who have delivered for me before, to bring ONIT Sciences products to their extensive networks," continued Kosty. "Second, I am creating a large-scale distribution center in the Netherlands, which will handle material and professional support for our European Union customers. Third, I am introducing ONIT to a large farming operation in South Africa where I was the lead consultant, which will result in immediate, significant orders. This will be in concert with field trials the company has underway in South Africa and Malawi for rice, sugarcane and hemp. I understand the company will be handing off many in-process business opportunities for me to pursue in India, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Belize, Colombia, Brazil, the UK and my native Canada. This is a fantastic opportunity for me professionally, and I believe for the company as well, to benefit from my proven ability to open new markets and generate interest and sales of great products like ONIT Grow and ONIT Input Plus."

Mr. Kosty will be provided with the resources and support to expand operations according to a detailed strategic plan he is creating in conjunction with management. Included in this plan will be support for industry events, field trials and studies, marketing and sales activities and requisite travel. Additionally, he will be asked to document processes and build standard operating procedures (SOP) which will allow programs to be more easily replicable across territories.

"Mike is one of the best-known and highly respected consultants, globally. And he's been working extensively in the industry for over 20 years, with a global emphasis during the past 10-plus years," noted Gerry Martin, ONIT Sciences' CEO. "He literally knows farmers in 100-plus countries, as well as executives at the largest agriculture conglomerates in the world. This means he is uniquely positioned to help ONIT Sciences access decision-makers who know and trust him, dramatically reducing sales cycle timelines and delivering on our revenue and growth goals. Additionally, he has managed or sold to many people in the industry who have gone on to take jobs with companies that would be ideal distribution or merger partners, or even acquirers, of ONIT.

While Mr. Kosty's title suggests an international focus, he has worked extensively within North America and has been responsible for building 290 farms producing more than 5 billion hemp seeds annually. He has extensive experience not only in sales and marketing, but also in finance, international trade and research and development.

"Mike is a perfect fit for ONIT," explained Jeff Moses, chief marketing officer at ONIT Sciences. "We are at the right stage of growth to maximize the value he can provide to us. We have so many business development opportunities in process that he will have his hands full quickly, helping us deliver on our current pipeline. Additionally, his plans for the company are truly breathtaking in scope and are perfectly aligned with management's vision. Lastly, the timing is ideal, with fertilizer supply chain challenges and constant pressure from consumers, environmental groups and governments to deliver sustainable, organic solutions to farmers that won't sacrifice yield or returns."

About ONIT Sciences

ONIT Sciences (Organic Natural Input Technologies) is an agriculture technology company whose mission is to increase plant health and crop yield through natural, organic, non-GMO sciences while maximizing value to customers, shareholders, partners and employees. Established in 2018, the company is led by industry veterans and maintains offices in Irvine, California.

SOURCE ONIT Sciences
GENEVA and ARUSHA, Tanzania and NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On 14 October 2022, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the "African Commission") announced its decision of 28 September 2022 to seize itself of a case against Ethiopia for serious and massive human rights violations against Tigrayan civilians in the ongoing Ethiopian civil war and issued provisional measures urging Ethiopia to cease all violations and ensure humanitarian access in Tigray.

The African Commission is responsible for promoting the rights contained in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (the "African Charter") and ensuring their protection in Africa. The landmark case was brought in February 2022 before the African Commission by Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), the Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU), and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, on behalf of the Tigrayan victims. The African Commission is the first regional human rights body to consider claims arising out of the ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia. It also marks the first time in more than a decade that the African Commission has seized itself of a case concerning widespread violations in the context of a large-scale armed conflict.

Along with its decision on seizure, the African Commission granted urgent provisional measures aimed at protecting Tigrayan civilians from the risk of irreparable harm. Specifically, the Commission requested that Ethiopia:

(i) Takes all necessary steps to guarantee an end to all allegations of acts including but not limited to extrajudicial killings, torture and acts of sexual and gender-based violence, that would result in loss of life or violations of the dignity and physical integrity of the Tigrayan civilians; [and]



(ii) Takes all necessary measures to ensure full humanitarian access to all areas of Tigray and guarantee the protection of all humanitarian aid workers.

Under the African Commission's Rules of Procedure, Ethiopia must report back on the implementation of these measures within 15 days. The African Commission has found that a State's failure to implement provisional measures was itself a violation of the Charter.

In issuing these provisional measures, the African Commission recognizes that the situation in Tigray, and elsewhere in Ethiopia, remains critical. Since the case was filed last February, evidence of human rights violations against Tigrayan civilians has continued to mount, with new reports of extrajudicial killings, mass arbitrary detentions, and forced displacement, among other violations. Meanwhile, according to the United Nations, approximately 5.2 million civilians90% of the civilian populationare in urgent need of food assistance as a result of Ethiopia's humanitarian blockade. The situation for many Tigrayans remains extremely dire, as access to aid remains highly restricted in most of Tigray, and hospitals in the region have had to suspend operations due to shortages of medicine, medical supplies, fuel, and electricity.

While reports suggest that a number of parties to the conflict have committed violations and abuses against civilians of different ethnicities, this case focuses on the Tigrayan community as the overwhelming victims of the conflict, and the violations committed by the state of Ethiopia, as the party with primary responsibility for its citizens. This includes both the responsibility not to commit violations against civilians, and the responsibility to prevent violations and abuses committed by other parties against civilians in its territory.

In the next phase of the proceedings, the complainants will present their factual and legal case on admissibility and merits. The complainants, in particular, will submit testimony from victims of and witnesses to Ethiopia's violations detailing their broad scale and extensive scope.

Antonia Mulvey, Executive Director of LAW, said: "For the first time, the African Commission has opened the door for victims and survivors to tell their accounts of egregious human rights violations that they have suffered at the hands of the Ethiopian Government. But this is also a reminder that many in the country remain at risk of continued violence  we hope that this decision will urge Ethiopia to comply with the provisional measures order and stop the targeting of civilians."

Donald Deya, Chief Executive Officer of PALU, said: "The Commission has taken a critical step towards promoting peace and security in Africa by agreeing to hear a case of such vital importance. Now, it must build on today's decision and deliver meaningful justice for the people of Tigray, and elsewhere in Ethiopia."

Catherine Amirfar, Co-Chair of Debevoise's International Dispute Resolution and Public International Law Groups, said: "The African Commission's decision on the seizure of this case and provisional measures is a profound testament to the rule of law, but much work remains to be done to secure the security of the Tigrayan victims. We will continue this fundamental work toward holding Ethiopia responsible for its breaches of international law."

Notes to Editors

The conflict in Ethiopia began in November 2020 in the Tigray region between, on the one hand, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, the Eritrean Defense Forces, and the Amhara Regional Defense Forces, and, on the other, the Tigray Defense Force. Since then, civilians from all sides have suffered most of the violence, with reports of brutal massacres including of children, and widespread conflict related sexual violence including rape, mass rape and gang rape. According to the United Nations, the conflict has displaced an estimated 2.6 million people in Tigray, as well as 250,000 in the Amhara region and 112,000 in the Afar region. Almost one million of those who remain in Tigray now face famine-like conditions, and 60,000 refugees crossed the border into neighboring Sudan.

LAW is an independent, non-profit organization of human rights lawyers and jurists working in fragile and conflict affected areas. LAW provides legal aid to victims and communities that have suffered human rights violations and abuses in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.

The Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) is the premier continental membership forum of and for individual African lawyers and lawyers' associations in Africa, operating from its Secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania. PALU was founded in 2002 by African Bar leaders and eminent lawyers to reflect the aspirations and concerns of the African people and to promote and defend their shared interests. Its membership comprises the continent's over five regional lawyers' associations, over 54 national lawyers' associations and individual lawyers spread across Africa and in the Diaspora, working together to advance the law and the legal profession, rule of law, good governance, human and peoples' rights and socio-economic development of the African continent.

Debevoise is a global law firm headquartered in New York with a broad public international law practice, including in representing parties before regional and international courts and tribunals. Debevoise is pro bono counsel to LAW in these proceedings.

SOURCE Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
HONG KONG, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council of Lingnan University (LU) in Hong Kong approved today (17 October) the recommendation of its Search Committee to appoint Prof S Joe Qin, who is a world-leading data science expert, as the next President for a period of five years.

The Council of Lingnan University appoints Prof S Joe Qin (Left) as the next President. Council Chairman Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai (Centre) and President Prof Leonard K Cheng (Right) congratulate Prof Qin on his new appointment.

The Council Chairman of LU, Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai congratulated Prof Qin on his new appointment. "Prof Qin is a proven leader in higher education and an accomplished scholar with global recognition. Prof Qin also has rich knowledge of education systems of Mainland, the US and Hong Kong and is an active leading researcher in his field. The Council considers him to be a suitable president to lead the University forward," he said.

President Prof Leonard K Cheng said, "I congratulate Prof Qin on his appointment as President of LU and wish him all the best in his new role. With his rich experiences in higher education and profound expertise in data science and related fields, I truly believe that he will take LU to new heights."

Professor Qin said, "LU stands out in its whole-person education system, its glorious long history of higher education, and determination to excel in the digital era. I am very fortunate and proud to be selected as its next President to carry forward the traditions and ascend to excellence on the world's higher education stage together with all Lingnanians."

Prof Qin received his Bachelor (1984) and Master degrees (1987) in Automation and Automatic Control from Tsinghua University, and his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (1992) in Chemical Engineering from University of Maryland at College Park.

Currently he serves as Dean and Chair Professor of Data Science, the School of Data Science and Director of Hong Kong Institute for Data Science at the City University of Hong Kong. Specialising in data analytics, machine learning, and model predictive control, Prof Qin has been elected to the rank of Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) in 2020. He is also Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC). His scholastic excellence has been recognized internationally with awards from IEEE and AIChE, being the only recipient among those who were educated in mainland China.

Prof Qin will succeed Prof Leonard K Cheng who has served as President of the University since 2013 and retires from his position on 31 August 2023.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Prof Cheng for his significant contributions to the University over the years. Under his leadership, Lingnan University gained notable international recognition and became a world-leading liberal arts university," said Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai.

About Lingnan University

Lingnan University is a liberal arts university in Hong Kong with the longest established tradition among the local institutions of higher education. Our history dates back to 1888, when our forerunner, the Christian College in China, was founded in Guangzhou, and to 1967, when the institution, as Lingnan College, was re-established in Hong Kong. Lingnan became a publicly funded institution in 1991 and was renamed Lingnan University (LU) in 1999.

Our undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research postgraduate programmes, run by the Faculties of Arts, Business, Social Sciences and School of Graduate Studies, enable students to pursue their goals in a rapidly changing social, cultural and economic environment.

LU is a global leader in quality education. It ranks first for "International Faculty", "Inbound Exchange Students" and "Outbound Exchange Students" in QS Asia University Rankings 2021; ranks third for "Quality Education" in THE University Impact Rankings in two consecutive years (2021 and 2022), and ranks top 22% worldwide in "Arts and Humanities" and our Philosophy ranks 3rd in Hong Kong and 16th in Asia in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022.

LU's research has also got brilliant result. LU got a high rating in The University Grants Committee's Research Assessment Exercise 2020, which more than half of the research outputs submitted by Lingnan are rated as 4-star (World Leading) or 3-star (Internationally Excellent).

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1922611/LU_president.jpg

SOURCE Lingnan University (LU)
Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn and Malden City Councilor Stephen Winslow joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Lyft for celebratory event

MEDFORD, Mass., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cities of Medford and Malden today announced they will be joining Bluebikes, Metro Boston's public bike share system. By adding a total of six new stations across the two cities, Medford and Malden will build on the expansion of the Bluebikes system. These cities join Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Newton, Revere, Salem, Somerville, and Watertown, offering 447 total stations and approximately 4,000 total bikes across the region. The new stations offer more opportunity for residents, students, workers, and visitors to experience the healthy, fun, and sustainable way of traveling via Bluebikes.

The Bluebikes system is jointly owned by the municipalities and is operated by Lyft. Blue Cross, which is providing financial support for the launch in Medford and Malden, is in the fifth year of a six-year Bluebikes title sponsorship, which launched in May 2018.

This morning, Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Malden City Councilor Stephen Winslow, executives from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts ("Blue Cross"), including Vice President of Corporate Citizenship & Public Affairs Jeff Bellows, Senior Director of Social Impact and Citizenship Yvonne Tang, Account Executive Helga DaRosa, and Director of Municipal Sales Bob Knowles, along with leadership from Lyft, gathered for a ribbon-cutting event in Medford's Tufts Park to commemorate the expansions.

"Introducing access to Bluebikes in Medford helps further connect our city and makes biking a feasible way to reach neighborhoods and destinations in Medford and across the region," said Mayor Lungo-Koehn. "With four stations now located throughout Medford, we've expanded green public transportation options for our residents, students, workers, and visitors while also promoting sustainable forms of transit and reducing our reliance on passenger vehicles. Thanks to Blue Cross, our local partners, and the City of Malden for helping make this an easy and seamless process to incorporate the bike share system into our city a reality."

"We are proud to partner with the Bluebikes program, which increases our Malden community's access to biking as a healthy and environmentally friendly way to travel," said Malden's Mayor Gary Christenson. "I am particularly grateful for Blue Cross and Lyft's role in making Malden a more bike-friendly city, enabling other safe and sustainable modes of transportation for our many commuters who cannot always rely on travel by car or other forms of public transit."

With the Bluebikes system expanding to two new cities, approximately 36 new bikes have been added throughout Medford and Malden. Both cities received a joint grant from the Boston MPO's Community Connections Grant Program (through MAPC) to help fund the bikes. The new stations can be found at the following locations:

Medford:

Tufts Square

Brooks Park (at Main St)

(at Main St) Medford Square

Malden:

Malden Center T Station

Northern Strand at Main St

Malden High School

To see a full Bluebikes station map  including all stations in Medford and Malden  please visit member.bluebikes.com/map.

"Through our ongoing title sponsorship of Bluebikes, we're committed to making it easier for more individuals in the Greater Metro Boston Area to experience the benefits of public bike share," said Bellows. "With the success of adding Medford and Malden and their six new stations to our Bluebikes network, we're excited to help broaden access to the bikeshare system across these cities and to support residents, students and visitors looking to lead healthy and sustainable lifestyles."

As a publicly owned bike share system, Bluebikes preserves and promotes equity of access for members and ensures that memberships remain affordable. The station-based system promotes riding and commuting across city lines, preserves predictability and management for the public right of way, and allows for the continuous monitoring of bike availability and maintenance needs. Through its partnership with the municipal owners of Bluebikes, Blue Cross continues to promote the health and wellness of Massachusetts communities by supporting system growth and accessibility, including station expansions, upgrades, and additional bikes.

Riders can purchase annual Bluebikes memberships  which include unlimited 45-minute rides  for $119 a year or $26.75 for 30 days. A discount program, where annual passes are $50 and 30-day passes are available for $5, is available for residents with eligible incomes. Visit www.bluebikes.com for more information on the Bluebikes income-eligible program.

To access and download photos from the celebratory event, please click here.

About Bluebikes

Bluebikes is public transportation by bike. The system is jointly owned and managed by the Cities of Boston, Cambridge, Everett, Salem and Somerville and the Town of Brookline. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is the system's title sponsor. Riders can find 447 stations and 4,000 bikes across 13 municipalities in Metro Boston. Since 2011, more than 14 million trips have been taken by bike share. For more information about Bluebikes, visit bluebikes.com.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (bluecrossma.org) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are committed to the relentless pursuit of quality, affordable and equitable health care with an unparalleled consumer experience. Consistent with our promise to always put our members first, we are rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Expects 3Q22 operating income for Ocean Transportation to be $310.0 to $315.0 million

to Expects 3Q22 operating income for Logistics to be $19.0 to $20.0 million

to Expects 3Q22 net income and diluted EPS to be $257.3 to $262.0 million and $6.67 to $6.79 , respectively

to and to , respectively Year-over-year decrease in consolidated operating income driven primarily by lower volume in China service

service Repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares in 3Q22

Announces third quarter earnings call date on November 2, 2022

HONOLULU, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Matson, Inc. ("Matson" or the "Company") (NYSE: MATX) today announces preliminary third quarter financial results, provides a business update and announces that its third quarter earnings call will be held on November 2, 2022.

"Matson's differentiated ocean services performed well in the third quarter 2022, but the Company achieved lower year-over-year consolidated operating income as we saw lower demand for expedited ocean services in the Transpacific tradelane compared to the high levels of freight demand during the pandemic in the year ago period," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Cox. "Within Ocean Transportation, our CLX, CLX+ and CCX services achieved lower year-over-year volumes which contributed to the decline in our consolidated operating income. As we mentioned on our second quarter earnings call, we believed rates had likely peaked in the Transpacific tradelane for this cycle and would be in a transitional decline from the pandemic highs. Additionally, due to less demand for expedited ocean services and easing port congestion in Southern California, we decided to end our temporary CCX service in early September, about six weeks earlier than expected. For the remainder of the year, we expect to experience lower year-over-year freight demand and a lower rate environment for our CLX and CLX+ services, but we expect to continue to earn a significant rate premium to the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index due to our differentiated, reliable and fast ocean services."

Mr. Cox added, "In our domestic ocean tradelanes, we saw continued strength in Alaska with higher year-over-year volume and lower volumes in Hawaii and Guam compared to the year ago period. The year-over-year decline in Hawaii volume was impacted by the pandemic spike in demand experienced in the year ago period, and volumes for the quarter were higher than the pre-pandemic third quarter of 2019. In Logistics, operating income increased year-over-year with strength across all of the business lines as we continued to see favorable supply and demand fundamentals in our core markets. As a result, Matson expects third quarter operating income for Ocean Transportation of $310.0 to $315.0 million and Logistics operating income of $19.0 to $20.0 million. We also expect third quarter 2022 net income and diluted EPS to be $257.3 to $262.0 million and $6.67 to $6.79, respectively."

Third Quarter Tradelane Volume (Forty-foot equivalent units (FEU)) (1)(2):

For the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021 and on a FEU basis:

Hawaii container volume decreased 7.1 percent primarily due to lower retail-related demand;

container volume decreased 7.1 percent primarily due to lower retail-related demand; Alaska volume increased 10.6 percent primarily due to (i) higher export seafood volume from Alaska-Asia Express ("AAX"), (ii) higher northbound volume primarily due to higher retail-related demand and volume related to a competitor's dry-docking and (iii) higher southbound volume primarily due to higher domestic seafood volume;

volume increased 10.6 percent primarily due to (i) higher export seafood volume from Alaska-Asia Express ("AAX"), (ii) higher northbound volume primarily due to higher retail-related demand and volume related to a competitor's dry-docking and (iii) higher southbound volume primarily due to higher domestic seafood volume; China volume was 15.1 percent lower primarily due to (i) lower demand for the CLX, CLX+ and CCX services and (ii) one less sailing;

volume was 15.1 percent lower primarily due to (i) lower demand for the CLX, CLX+ and CCX services and (ii) one less sailing; Guam volume was 1.8 percent lower primarily due to lower retail-related demand; and

volume was 1.8 percent lower primarily due to lower retail-related demand; and Other containers volume increased 11.1 percent.

(1) Approximate volumes included for the period are based on the voyage departure date, but revenue and operating income are adjusted to reflect the percentage of revenue and operating income earned during the reporting period for voyages in transit at the end of each reporting period. (2) Other containers includes containers from services in various islands in Micronesia and the South Pacific, and Okinawa, Japan.

Liquidity, Debt and Share Repurchases

During the third quarter of 2022, Matson contributed $565.0 million in cash to the Capital Construction Fund. Matson's cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2022 was approximately $240.0 million, which excludes the aforementioned cash deposited into the Capital Construction Fund. Total debt (presented before any reduction for deferred loan fees as required by GAAP) as of September 30, 2022 was $531.8 million. During the third quarter of 2022, Matson prepaid approximately $50.4 million of outstanding principal on the 4.16% Prudential Series C-2 notes due 2027 and the 4.31% Prudential Series C-3 notes due 2032, which represented all of the remaining principal amount outstanding for both notes.

During the third quarter of 2022, Matson repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares for a total cost of $88.4 million. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had approximately 3.0 million shares remaining in its share repurchase program.

A slide presentation that accompanies this press release is available on the Company's website at www.matson.com, under Investors.

Teleconference and Webcast

A conference call is scheduled on November 2, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. ET when Matt Cox, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Joel Wine, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss Matson's third quarter results.

Date of Conference Call: Wednesday, November 2, 2022 Scheduled Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 a.m. HT

The conference call will be broadcast live along with an additional slide presentation on the Company's website at www.matson.com, under Investors.

Participants may register for the conference call at:

https://register.vevent.com/register/BId470887075974c638c7f980ef087a60f

Registered participants will receive the conference call dial-in number and a unique PIN code to access the live event. While not required, it is recommended you join 10 minutes prior to the event starting time. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the event by accessing the webcast link at www.matson.com, under Investors.

About the Company

Founded in 1882, Matson (NYSE: MATX) is a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services. Matson provides a vital lifeline to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, and to other island economies in Micronesia. Matson also operates premium, expedited services from China to Long Beach, California, provides service to Okinawa, Japan and various islands in the South Pacific, and operates an international export service from Dutch Harbor to Asia. The Company's fleet of owned and chartered vessels includes containerships, combination container and roll-on/roll-off ships and custom-designed barges. Matson Logistics, established in 1987, extends the geographic reach of Matson's transportation network throughout North America. Its integrated, asset-light logistics services include rail intermodal, highway brokerage, warehousing, freight consolidation, Asia supply chain services, and forwarding to Alaska. Additional information about the Company is available at www.matson.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation those statements regarding performance and financial results, volume level and demand for Matson's CLX and CLX+ services, transition in the Transpacific tradelane, the rate environment and Matson's rate premium to the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, and new vessel program. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement, including but not limited to risks and uncertainties relating to repeal, substantial amendment or waiver of the Jones Act or its application, or our failure to maintain our status as a United States citizen under the Jones Act; changes in economic conditions or governmental policies, including from the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to offer a differentiated service in China for which customers are willing to pay a significant premium; new or increased competition or improvements in competitors' service levels; our relationship with customers, agents, vendors and partners and changes in related agreements; fuel prices, our ability to collect fuel-related surcharges and/or the cost or limited availability of required fuels; evolving stakeholder expectations related to environmental, social and governance matters; timely or successful completion of fleet upgrade initiatives; the occurrence of poor weather, natural disasters, maritime accidents, spill events and other physical and operating risks, including those arising from climate change; transitional and other risks arising from climate change; the magnitude and timing of the impact of public health crises, including COVID-19; significant operating agreements and leases that may not be replaced on favorable terms; any unanticipated dry-dock or repair expenses; joint venture relationships; conducting business in a foreign shipping market, including the imposition of tariffs or a change in international trade policies; any delays or cost overruns related to the modernization of terminals; war, terrorist attacks or other acts of violence; consummating and integrating acquisitions; freight levels and increasing costs and availability of truck capacity or alternative means of transporting freight; relations with our unions; satisfactory negotiation and renewal of expired collective bargaining agreements without significant disruption to Matson's operations; loss of key personnel or failure to adequately manage human capital; the use of our information technology and communication systems and cybersecurity attacks; changes in our credit profile and our future financial performance; our ability to obtain future debt financings; continuation of the Title XI and CCF programs; costs to comply with and liability related to numerous safety, environmental, and other laws and regulations; and disputes, legal and other proceedings and government inquiries or investigations. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. This release should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and our other filings with the SEC through the date of this release, which identify important factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this release. We do not undertake any obligation to update our forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Matson, Inc.
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest market research study published by P&S Intelligence, the revenue of the medical device analytical testing outsourcing market was about $4,712 million in 2021, which will reach almost $10,905 million by 2030, at a growth rate of around 10%.

Cardiac Device Validation in Highest Demand

Cardiac medical device testing outsourcing is the most demanded, accounting for a value of about $1,312 million in 2021. The usage of cardiac devices is due to the rising incidence of CVDs, which already kill almost 18 million people each twelvemonth.

Moreover, the demand for general and plastic surgery device validation outsourcing will grow rapidly. The presence of professional outsourcing administrations meeting the supervisory criteria, along with the snowballing demand for aesthetic procedures, will help the industry grow.

In the future, the bioburden testing category will grow at a significant rate. Bioburden testing involves the quantification of the population of microbes on medical equipment. As per the international standards, the aim is to reduce bacterial contamination before sterilization.

Get the sample pages of this report at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/medical-device-analytical-testing-outsourcing-market/report-sample

Analytical Testing Widely Conducted for Reprocessed Devices

The reprocessed device category accounts for the higher revenue generation within the device type segment, and it will grow at the higher rate, of about 10%, in the future. Reprocessing is done for cutting expenditures, but it often risks the safety of patients.

Hospitals Are Largest Users of Analyzed & Tested Medical Devices

Hospitals are the industry leaders with an over 84% revenue share. This is because of the snowballing number of patients in hospitals and the increasing financial allocation by hospital administrations for these services.

Another factor responsible for the wide requirement for analytical testing for medical equipment in hospitals is their increasing need for advanced devices. These facilities have pioneering medical devices, which are requiring to be efficiently analyzed for performance.

APAC was the global dominator, with an over 39% revenue share, in the past, because of the measures of the local governments for improving their healthcare infrastructure. Furthermore, the economic expansion in India and China will help the industry boom.

and will help the industry boom. Moreover, because of the huge population and low spending power the region, there is a high requirement for cheap treatments. Furthermore, MNCs are keen to invest in these emerging economies due to the availability of cost-effective labor.

The U.S. is the market leader, and its revenue contribution will grow at a rate of about 10%. This is because it is among the most-important manufacturing centers for reliable and cutting-edge medical products.

Browse detailed report on Global Medical Device Analytical Testing Outsourcing Market Size, Trends and Demand Forecast Report, 2030

The growth of the industry is essentially because of the increasing number of small-scale makers of medical devices, snowballing demand for medical device usefulness and safety confirmation and validation, existence of stringent regulations on medical device safety and efficacy, and increasing preference of key medical device producers for subcontracting analytical testing activities.

Medical Device Analytical Testing Outsourcing Market Report Coverage

By Services

Extractable & Leachable

Material Characterization

Physical Testing

Bioburden Testing

Sterility Testing

By Therapeutic area

Cardiology

Diagnostic Imagining

Orthopedic, IVD

Ophthalmic

General & Plastic Surgery

Drug Delivery

Endoscopy

Dental

Diabetes Care

By Device Type

Reprocessed Devices

By End Use

Hospital

Regional Analysis

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

Germany



France



U.K.



Spain



Italy

Asia-Pacific

China



Japan



India



Australia



South Korea

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico

Middle East and Africa

and South Africa



Saudi Arabia

Browse More Reports Published by P&S

Pharmaceutical Analytical Testing Outsourcing Market- Global Industry Revenue Estimation and Demand Forecast to 2030

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Medical Device Outsourcing Market- Global Industry Revenue Estimation and Trends Analysis

Computed Tomography Market Size and Share Analysis- Global Industry Revenue Estimation and Demand Forecast to 2030

About P&S Intelligence

P&S Intelligence provides market research and consulting services to a vast array of industries across the world. As an enterprising research and consulting company, P&S believes in providing thorough insights on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness. P&S keeps the interest of its clients at heart, which is why the insights we provide are both honest and accurate. Our long list of satisfied clients includes entry-level firms as well as multi-million-dollar businesses and government agencies.

Contact:

Prajneesh Kumar

P&S Intelligence

Phone: +1-347-960-6455

Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE P&S Intelligence
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The medical plastics market size is set to grow by USD 9.37 billion from 2021 to 2026. However, the growth momentum of the market will decelerate at a CAGR of 6.07% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. The market has been segmented by automated production system (medical components, mobility aids, medical device packaging, and others) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of World (ROW)).

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Medical Plastics Market 2022-2026

View a comprehensive report summary that describes the market size and forecast along with the research methodology. The FREE sample report is available in PDF format

The medical plastics market covers the following areas:

Medical Plastics Market Sizing

Medical Plastics Market Forecast

Medical Plastics Market Analysis

Market Drivers and Challenges

The growth in the geriatric population is driving the medical plastics market growth. The elderly population is prone to major musculoskeletal conditions such as balance issues and low back pain. Moreover, individuals from this population segment are also at a high risk of spinal and other orthopedic disorders. Arthritis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, elbow pain, knee pain, elbow problems, hip fractures, and neck problems are some of the most common orthopedic disorders. The rise in demand for medical products such as medical implants and components will drive market growth during the forecast period.

Concerns related to the use of medical plastics are challenging the growth of the market. Mismanagement of medical plastics can lead to severe health issues and pollution. Chemical additives used in medical plastic production can also cause health concerns among consumers. Moreover, medical plastics cannot degrade easily, leading to pollution. Thus, concern related to medical plastics will negatively impact the market during the forecast period.

Market Segmentation

The medical components segment will be the largest contributor to market growth during the forecast period. The number of patients with health disorders is rising across the world due to the increase in the aging population. Moreover, there is a growing focus on the use of medical plastics for site-specific drug delivery, such as coatings on medical components. Such applications are expected to propel the growth of this segment during the forecast period.

Key Companies and their Offerings

Avantor Inc., Celanese Corp., Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA, Eastman Chemical Co., Evonik Industries AG, HMC Polymers Co Ltd., Nolato AB, Orthoplastics Ltd., SABIC, Solvay SA, Tekni Plex Inc., The Dow Chemical Co., Trelleborg AB, Trinseo PLC, BASF SE, Covestro AG, Koninklijke DSM NV, Rochling SE and Co. KG, among others, are the key vendors in the market. The offerings of some of these vendors are listed below:

Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA - The company offers plastic materials that enhance performance in packaging, film, and printing in the medical industry.

The company offers plastic materials that enhance performance in packaging, film, and printing in the medical industry. Eastman Chemical Co. - The company offers medical components using materials such as silicone, thermoplastic elastomers, and fluoropolymers.

The company offers medical components using materials such as silicone, thermoplastic elastomers, and fluoropolymers. Orthoplastics Ltd. - The company offers plastic products under Purell, which is a polypropylene for medical and pharmaceutical applications.

The company offers plastic products under Purell, which is a polypropylene for medical and pharmaceutical applications. SABIC - The company offers plastic products under Purell, which is a polypropylene for medical and pharmaceutical applications.

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Related Reports

Global Plastic Fillers Market by Application, Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The plastic fillers market share is expected to increase by 5571.52 thousand tons from 2021 to 2026.

Global Thermoplastic Polyurethane Films Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films market size is expected to increase by USD 137.34 million during 2021-2026.

Medical Plastics Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 6.07% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 9.37 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 6.85 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 32% Key consumer countries US, Canada, China, India, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Avantor Inc., Celanese Corp., Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA, Eastman Chemical Co., Evonik Industries AG, HMC Polymers Co Ltd., Nolato AB, Orthoplastics Ltd., SABIC, Solvay SA, Tekni Plex Inc., The Dow Chemical Co., Trelleborg AB, Trinseo PLC, BASF SE, Covestro AG, Koninklijke DSM NV, and Rochling SE and Co. KG Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Browse Materials Market Reports

Key Topics Covered

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 Automated Production System



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 Automated Production System

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Automated Production System - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Automated Production System - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Automated Production System

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Automated Production System



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Automated Production System

5.3 Medical components - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Medical components - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Medical components - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Medical components - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Medical components - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Mobility aids - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Mobility aids - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Mobility aids - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Mobility aids - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Mobility aids - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Medical device packaging - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 36: Chart on Medical device packaging - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Medical device packaging - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Chart on Medical device packaging - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Medical device packaging - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 40: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 42: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.7 Market opportunity by Automated Production System

Exhibit 44: Market opportunity by Automated Production System ($ 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 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 62: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 66: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 67: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 68: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 69: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 70: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 72: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on UK - 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 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 86: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 87: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 88: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 89: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 90: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 91: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 92: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 Celanese Corp.

Exhibit 93: Celanese Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 94: Celanese Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 95: Celanese Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 96: Celanese Corp. - Segment focus

10.4 Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA

Exhibit 97: Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA - Overview



Exhibit 98: Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA - Business segments



Exhibit 99: Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA - Key news



Exhibit 100: Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 101: Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA - Segment focus

10.5 Eastman Chemical Co.

Exhibit 102: Eastman Chemical Co. - Overview



Exhibit 103: Eastman Chemical Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 104: Eastman Chemical Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 105: Eastman Chemical Co. - Segment focus

10.6 HMC Polymers Co Ltd.

Exhibit 106: HMC Polymers Co Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 107: HMC Polymers Co Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 108: HMC Polymers Co Ltd. - Key offerings

10.7 Nolato AB

Exhibit 109: Nolato AB - Overview



Exhibit 110: Nolato AB - Product / Service



Exhibit 111: Nolato AB - Key offerings

10.8 Orthoplastics Ltd.

Exhibit 112: Orthoplastics Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 113: Orthoplastics Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 114: Orthoplastics Ltd. - Key offerings

10.9 SABIC

Exhibit 115: SABIC - Overview



Exhibit 116: SABIC - Business segments



Exhibit 117: SABIC - Key offerings



Exhibit 118: SABIC - Segment focus

10.10 Solvay SA

Exhibit 119: Solvay SA - Overview



Exhibit 120: Solvay SA - Business segments



Exhibit 121: Solvay SA - Key news



Exhibit 122: Solvay SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 123: Solvay SA - Segment focus

10.11 Tekni Plex Inc.

Exhibit 124: Tekni Plex Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 125: Tekni Plex Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 126: Tekni Plex Inc. - Key offerings

10.12 The Dow Chemical Co.

Exhibit 127: The Dow Chemical Co. - Overview



Exhibit 128: The Dow Chemical Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 129: The Dow Chemical Co. - Key news



Exhibit 130: The Dow Chemical Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 131: The Dow Chemical Co. - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 132: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 133: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 134: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 135: Research methodology



Exhibit 136: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 137: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 138: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.



Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
12th Year Leading Disability Insurance Provider Received Award

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MGIS, a leading national disability insurance provider for healthcare professionals, today announced it has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Insurance in 2022. Best Companies Group gives the award to recognize employers for their outstanding performance in establishing workplaces where employees can thrive, enjoy their work and help their companies grow.

MGIS recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Insurance by Best Companies Group Tweet this Best Places to Work Logo 2022

"We are honored to have received this recognition," said Jeff Brunken, president at MGIS. "Our employees are the reason MGIS is the company it is today. We are dedicated to listening to our employees and we truly care about them which leads to high employee engagement and satisfaction levels. Attracting and retaining great talent is vitally important, particularly in today's environment."

"It is such a privilege to be recognized for an excellent human resources approach," added Glenna Lasater, vice president of human resources at MGIS. "We strive to achieve an affirmative culture where everyone is valued both as team members and as individuals by listening to our employees. For us, it is so important to create an optimal environment where employees can be inspired to contribute their best efforts to the business's success."

To recognize companies that have succeeded in creating and maintaining workplace excellence, Best Companies Group conducts a two-part assessment of each company. The first part is a questionnaire completed by the employer about company policies, practices and demographics. The second part is a confidential employee survey on engagement and satisfaction.

About MGIS

MGIS is a leading national insurance program manager experienced in building and managing specialized insurance programs for healthcare professionals. We partner with highly rated insurers and focus on disability and life insurance for practices of all sizes, types, and medical specialties. Insurance policies managed by MGIS are backed by members of the Sun Life group that are insurance companies and Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's. We work exclusively through select brokers and insurance advisers. MGIS services are provided by MGIS affiliated companies: The MGIS Companies, Inc., Medical Group Insurance Services, Inc., and MGIS Underwriting Managers, Inc. (DBA as MGIS Professional Insurance Solutions in CA and MGIS Underwriting Agency in NY). For more information, visit www.mgis.com.

About Best Companies Group

Best Companies Group works with partners to establish "Best Places to Work," "Best Companies," and "Best Employers" programs on a national, state-wide and regional basis. Through its thorough workplace assessment using employer questionnaires and employee satisfaction surveys, Best Companies Group identifies and recognizes companies that have been successful in creating and maintaining workplace excellence.

SOURCE MGIS
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio has been monitoring the military multirole aircraft market, operating under the Industrials market. The report estimates the market to grow by USD 3.67 billion between 2021-2026. The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will decelerate during the forecast period. Competitors have to focus on differentiating their product offerings with unique value propositions to strengthen their foothold in the market. Market vendors also have to leverage the existing growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Military Multirole Aircraft Market 2022-2026

Airbus SE, Aviation Industry Corp. of China Ltd., Bombardier Inc., Dassault Aviation Group, Eaton Corp. Plc, Elbit Systems Ltd., Eurofighter GmbH, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corp., Northstar, Protankgrup, Raytheon Technologies Corp., Saab AB, The Boeing Co., United Aircraft Corp., and Leonardo Spa are among some of the major market participants.

Focus on minimizing environmental effects has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, the adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) might hamper the market growth. Request Free Sample Report.

Military Multirole Aircraft Market Segmentation

Based on geographic segmentation, 36% of the markets originated from North America during the forecast period. In addition, the rotorcraft category led the growth under the type segment. This report provides an accurate prediction of the contribution of all the segments to the growth of the superfood powders market size.

Type

Rotorcraft



Fixed-wing

Geography

North America



APAC



Europe



South America



Middle East And Africa

To know additional highlights and key points on various market segments and their

impact in coming years, Buy Sample Report.

Military Multirole Aircraft Market Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The military multirole aircraft market report covers the following areas:

Military Multirole Aircraft Market Size

Military Multirole Aircraft Market Trends

Military Multirole Aircraft Market Industry Analysis

This study identifies the rising arms race among countries leading to a surge in demand for

military multirole aircraft as one of the prime reasons driving the Military Multirole Aircraft

Market growth during the next few years. Download Free Sample Report.

Military Multirole Aircraft Market Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will assist military multirole aircraft market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the military multirole aircraft market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the military multirole aircraft market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of the military multirole aircraft market, vendors

Related Reports

Aircraft Evacuation Systems Market by Product Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The key factor influencing the growth of the airplane evacuation systems market is the introduction of new aircraft into service. However, one of the key aspects affecting the growth of the aviation evacuation systems market is fluctuations in raw material prices.

Military Laser Systems Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The major factor propelling the expansion of the global market for military laser systems is the emphasis on the development of laser-based communication. However, the existing limits of laser weapon systems pose a significant obstacle to the growth of the global military laser systems market.

Military Multirole Aircraft Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 3.89% Market growth 2022-2026 $3.67 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 4.2 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 36% Key consumer countries US, China, India, Russia, and France Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Airbus SE, Aviation Industry Corp. of China Ltd., Bombardier Inc., Dassault Aviation Group, Eaton Corp. Plc, Elbit Systems Ltd., Eurofighter GmbH, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corp., Northstar, Protankgrup, Raytheon Technologies Corp., Saab AB, The Boeing Co., United Aircraft Corp., and Leonardo Spa 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 between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by 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 Rotorcraft - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Rotorcraft - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Rotorcraft - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Rotorcraft - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Rotorcraft - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Fixed-wing - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Fixed-wing - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Fixed-wing - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Fixed-wing - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Fixed-wing - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Type ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 37: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 38: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 40: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 43: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 44: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 45: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 46: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 51: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 52: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 53: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 60: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 62: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 Russia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on Russia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Data Table on Russia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 72: Chart on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 73: Data Table on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 82: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 83: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 84: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 85: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 86: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 87: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 88: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 Aviation Industry Corp. of China Ltd.

Exhibit 89: Aviation Industry Corp. of China Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 90: Aviation Industry Corp. of China Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 91: Aviation Industry Corp. of China Ltd. - Key offerings

10.4 Bombardier Inc.

Exhibit 92: Bombardier Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 93: Bombardier Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 94: Bombardier Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 95: Bombardier Inc. - Segment focus

10.5 Dassault Aviation Group

Exhibit 96: Dassault Aviation Group - Overview



Exhibit 97: Dassault Aviation Group - Business segments



Exhibit 98: Dassault Aviation Group - Key offerings



Exhibit 99: Dassault Aviation Group - Segment focus

10.6 Eurofighter GmbH

Exhibit 100: Eurofighter GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 101: Eurofighter GmbH - Product / Service



Exhibit 102: Eurofighter GmbH - Key offerings

10.7 Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.

Exhibit 103: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 104: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 105: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 106: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. - Key offerings

10.8 Leonardo Spa

Exhibit 107: Leonardo Spa - Overview



Exhibit 108: Leonardo Spa - Business segments



Exhibit 109: Leonardo Spa - Key news



Exhibit 110: Leonardo Spa - Key offerings



Exhibit 111: Leonardo Spa - Segment focus

10.9 Lockheed Martin Corp.

Exhibit 112: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 113: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 114: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 115: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 116: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Segment focus

10.10 Saab AB

Exhibit 117: Saab AB - Overview



Exhibit 118: Saab AB - Business segments



Exhibit 119: Saab AB - Key news



Exhibit 120: Saab AB - Key offerings



Exhibit 121: Saab AB - Segment focus

10.11 The Boeing Co.

Exhibit 122: The Boeing Co. - Overview



Exhibit 123: The Boeing Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 124: The Boeing Co. - Key news



Exhibit 125: The Boeing Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 126: The Boeing Co. - Segment focus

10.12 United Aircraft Corp.

Exhibit 127: United Aircraft Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 128: United Aircraft Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 129: United Aircraft Corp. - Key offerings

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 130: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 131: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 132: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 133: Research methodology



Exhibit 134: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 135: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 136: List of abbreviations

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
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The molecular microplate readers and washers market size is set to grow by USD 312.89 million from 2021 to 2026, according to Technavio. In addition, the growth momentum of the market will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. An increase in automation in healthcare is notably driving the molecular microplate readers and washers market growth. However, factors such as the high cost of instruments may challenge market growth.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Molecular Microplate Readers and Washers Market 2022-2026

Get a comprehensive report summary that describes the market size and forecast along

with research methodology. The FREE sample report is available in PDF format

Molecular Microplate Readers and Washers Market 2022-2026: Segmentation

Product

Microplate Readers - The molecular microplate readers and washers market share growth by the microplate readers segment will be significant during the forecast period. Microplate readers that can function on a 3D-printed mechanical and optical attachment to illuminate a 96-well plate with the help of an LED array are being developed. Vendors such as Thermo Fisher Scientific are offering additional software programs along with microplate readers for improved output and reproducible data. Such offerings will propel the segment growth in the forecast period.



Microplate Washers

End-user

Biotechnology And Pharmaceutical Companies



Hospital And Diagnostic Laboratories



Others

Geography

North America - 37% of the market's growth will originate from Asia during the forecast period. China and Japan are the key markets for molecular microplate readers and washers market in Asia. Recent advances in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research will facilitate the molecular microplate readers and washers market growth in Asia over the forecast period.

- 37% of the market's growth will originate from during the forecast period. China and are the key markets for molecular microplate readers and washers market in Asia. Recent advances in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research will facilitate the molecular microplate readers and washers market growth in over the forecast period.

Europe



Asia



Rest Of World (ROW)

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and

thorough descriptions. View a FREE PDF Sample Report

Molecular Microplate Readers and Washers Market 2022-2026: Revenue-generating Product Segment

The molecular microplate readers and washers market share growth by the microplate readers segment will be significant during the forecast period. Microplate readers that can function on a 3D-printed mechanical and optical attachment to illuminate a 96-well plate with the help of an LED array are being developed. Vendors such as Thermo Fisher Scientific are offering additional software programs along with microplate readers for improved output and reproducible data. Such offerings will propel the segment growth in the forecast period.

Molecular Microplate Readers and Washers Market 2022-2026: Vendor Analysis and Scope

To help businesses improve their market position, the molecular microplate readers and washers market provides a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the market. Some of these vendors include Agilent Technologies Inc., Awareness Technology Inc., Berthold Technologies GmbH and Co.KG, Bio Rad Laboratories Inc., Biosan, BMG LABTECH GmbH, Bruker Corp., Dynex Technologies Inc., Harvard Bioscience Inc., Hidex Oy, LTEK co ltd., Paramedical srl, PerkinElmer Inc., Promega Corp., Shanghai Dukee Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics Co. Ltd, Tecan Trading AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Wyatt Technology Corp, and Molecular Device LLC. The key offerings of some of these vendors are listed below:

Agilent Technologies Inc. - The company offers molecular microplate readers and washers such as biotek el406 washer dispenser, biotek multiflo fx multimode dispenser and biotek 50 ts washer.

- The company offers molecular microplate readers and washers such as biotek el406 washer dispenser, biotek multiflo fx multimode dispenser and biotek 50 ts washer. Awareness Technology Inc. - The company offers molecular microplate readers and washers such as stat fax 4200, chromate 4300 and stat fax 4700.

- The company offers molecular microplate readers and washers such as stat fax 4200, chromate 4300 and stat fax 4700. Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. - The company offers molecular microplate readers and washers such as PR 4100.

- The company offers molecular microplate readers and washers such as PR 4100. Biosan - The company offers molecular microplate readers and washers such as HiPo MPP96.

The report also covers the following areas:

Molecular Microplate Readers and Washers Market 2022-2026: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026

Detailed information on factors that will assist molecular microplate readers and washers market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the molecular microplate readers and washers market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the molecular microplate readers and washers market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of molecular microplate readers and washers market vendors

Related Reports:

Global Fetal Bovine Serum Market  Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The global fetal bovine serum market is driven by an increase in automation in healthcare. Primarily, a microplate washer offers various benefits, such as automatic biohazard waste management through the automatic addition of decontamination. These benefits will drive the market drive during the forecast period. View the Snapshot of Report

Biosensors in Life Sciences Market  Forecast and Analysis 2021-2026: The global biosensors in life sciences market is driven by advantages of biosensors in drug analysis. Several advantages associated with the use of biosensors for drug analysis during the drug discovery process are fostering the growth of the global biosensors in life sciences market. View the Snapshot of Report

Molecular Microplate Readers And Washers Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.2% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 312.89 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 4.72 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution Asia at 37% Key consumer countries US, Germany, UK, China, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Agilent Technologies Inc., Awareness Technology Inc., Berthold Technologies GmbH and Co.KG, Bio Rad Laboratories Inc., Biosan, BMG LABTECH GmbH, Bruker Corp., Dynex Technologies Inc., Harvard Bioscience Inc., Hidex Oy, LTEK co ltd., Paramedical srl, PerkinElmer Inc., Promega Corp., Shanghai Dukee Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Mindray BioMedical Electronics Co. Ltd, Tecan Trading AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Wyatt Technology Corp, and Molecular Device LLC Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 18: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 19: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 20: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 21: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 22: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 23: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 24: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 25: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 26: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 27: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 28: Data Table on Comparison by Product

5.3 Microplate readers - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 29: Chart on Microplate readers - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Data Table on Microplate readers - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Chart on Microplate readers - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Microplate readers - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Microplate washers - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 33: Chart on Microplate washers - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Microplate washers - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Chart on Microplate washers - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Microplate washers - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 37: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

6 Market Segmentation by End-user

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 38: Chart on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 40: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

6.3 Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 42: Chart on Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 Hospital and diagnostic laboratories - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 46: Chart on Hospital and diagnostic laboratories - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Hospital and diagnostic laboratories - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Hospital and diagnostic laboratories - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Hospital and diagnostic laboratories - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 50: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 54: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

7 Customer Landscape

7.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 55: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

8 Geographic Landscape

8.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 56: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

8.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 58: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Geographic comparison

8.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 60: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 62: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 63: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 64: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 65: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 66: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 68: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 70: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 71: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 72: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 74: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 75: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.7 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 76: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 77: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 78: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 79: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.8 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 80: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 84: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 87: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 88: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 89: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 90: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 91: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 92: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 93: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 95: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.12 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 96: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 97: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

9.4 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 98: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

10.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 99: Overview on factors of disruption

10.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 100: Impact of key risks on business

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 101: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 102: Matrix on vendor position and classification

11.3 Agilent Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 103: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 104: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 105: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 106: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 107: Agilent Technologies Inc. - Segment focus

11.4 Awareness Technology Inc.

Exhibit 108: Awareness Technology Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 109: Awareness Technology Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 110: Awareness Technology Inc. - Key offerings

11.5 Bio Rad Laboratories Inc.

Exhibit 111: Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 112: Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 113: Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 114: Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 115: Bio Rad Laboratories Inc. - Segment focus

11.6 Biosan

Exhibit 116: Biosan - Overview



Exhibit 117: Biosan - Product / Service



Exhibit 118: Biosan - Key offerings

11.7 Bruker Corp.

Exhibit 119: Bruker Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 120: Bruker Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 121: Bruker Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 122: Bruker Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 123: Bruker Corp. - Segment focus

11.8 Harvard Bioscience Inc.

Exhibit 124: Harvard Bioscience Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 125: Harvard Bioscience Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 126: Harvard Bioscience Inc. - Key offerings

11.9 Molecular Device LLC

Exhibit 127: Molecular Device LLC - Overview



Exhibit 128: Molecular Device LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 129: Molecular Device LLC - Key offerings

11.10 PerkinElmer Inc.

Exhibit 130: PerkinElmer Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 131: PerkinElmer Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 132: PerkinElmer Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 133: PerkinElmer Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 134: PerkinElmer Inc. - Segment focus

11.11 Tecan Trading AG

Exhibit 135: Tecan Trading AG - Overview



Exhibit 136: Tecan Trading AG - Business segments



Exhibit 137: Tecan Trading AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 138: Tecan Trading AG - Segment focus

11.12 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Exhibit 139: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 140: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 141: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 142: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 143: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Segment focus

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 144: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 145: Exclusions checklist

12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 146: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 147: Research methodology



Exhibit 148: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 149: Information sources

12.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 150: 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
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rehs Galleries Inc., a New York gallery specializing in 19th and 20th-century European and American works of art, announced their recent acquisition of Montague Dawson's Red Jacket on Open Seas.

Montague Dawson - Red Jacket on Open Seas - Rehs Galleries, Inc., New York

Montague Dawson, who today is considered by many in the art world to be the most important British marine artist of his time, showed artistic talent early in his life. By age fifteen, he was working for a commercial art studio in Bedford Row, London, but his career path was interrupted by the onset of World War I. He enlisted in the Navy, and his ability to draw, along with an intimate knowledge of ships, led his superiors to assign him the duty of visually recording the war at sea. Many of these drawings became illustrations in the weekly newspaper, The Sphere.

After the war, he continued his artistic path, and by 1926 he began a lifelong relationship with the British art dealers Frost & Reed. In the 1930s, as his reputation flourished, he moved from London to Milford on Sea, where he would remain for the rest of his life.

Dawson favored images of historically important naval events and sailing ships, often capturing the latter on high seas in stiff breezes. The Red Jacket, one of the great nineteenth-century American clipper ships, was a vessel that continued to intrigue him throughout his career, and he created several paintings featuring the ship. She was built for speed and, to this day, is still one of only ten ships that could travel 400 nautical miles in a single day.

Red Jacket in Open Seas was originally purchased by Robert and Mildred Gilfillan, who lived in Nairobi. Robert was the only full-time American businessman in Kenya for much of the early 20th century, helping import American foods and liquors to the country. Robert died in 1968, while Mildred moved back to the United States. She settled in Massachusetts, with the painting remaining in her possession until she passed away in 1992, at which point it went to her niece.

Director Howard Rehs commented, "Over the years, we have been offered many works by Dawson; however, more than a few have suffered over time. Since a work's condition is very important to us, we have only had the pleasure of handling about a dozen works by the artist. When I first saw images of Red Jacket in Open Seas, I was very impressed, dug a bit deeper into its condition, and purchased the painting." Upon its arrival, the gallery's staff could confirm that the painting was in outstanding condition; all it needed was a light cleaning. Mr. Rehs went on to say: "Back in 2018, we had the pleasure of selling Dawson's The Lightning on Pacific Rollers, then in 2021, we sold his Lightning and Red Jacket (with Red Jacket in the distance). The story goes that Lightning left Boston on February 18, 1854, heading to Liverpool. The following day, Red Jacket left New York, heading for Liverpool. The two ships entered Liverpool harbor on March 4; however, Red Jacket beat Lightning by 18 hours. She set the speed record for ships sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. Now we have one of his finest works featuring Red Jacket."

Red Jacket on Open Seas will be featured at several upcoming fairs and show the gallery participates in.

About Rehs Galleries, Inc.

Rehs Galleries Inc. is, along with its principals, considered one of the world's leading dealers of 19th and early 20th-century European paintings and is currently involved in the catalogue raisonne research projects for Daniel Ridgway Knight, Julien Dupre, Emile Munier, and Antoine Blanchard. Howard Rehs was a past president of the Fine Art Dealers Association, is currently on the Board of the Antiques Council, and has been a member of the Internal Revenue Service's Art Advisory Panel since 2008.

Howard L. Rehs, Director

Rehs Galleries, Inc.

(212) 355-5710

[email protected]

https://www.rehs.com

SOURCE Rehs Galleries, Inc.
"With all Natural Grocers Brand Products, we believe our customers will notice positive differentiators between our brand and that of others. Our Coconut Oil is no exception. This product is a high-grade, unrefined premium nutritional edible oil obtained from the first cold pressing of organic coconut kernels. This keeps the contents in optimal condition," said Natural Grocers' Vice President of Purchasing, Laura Perkins. "We are proud to put this product on our shelves, knowing it represents our commitment to quality, while also sourced from a Sri Lankan manufacturer committed to its local community."

Natural Grocers Director of Nutrition Education and Natural Foods Chef, Karen Falbo says, "Coconut oil is the perfect fat for sauteing meats and vegetables, and it makes baked goods delectable. Loaded with medium-chain fatty acids which have been shown to support brain and immune system function along with high levels of free-radical scavengers, there's good reason this fat has become a prized cooking oil."

With the holidays fast-approaching, Falbo recommends her Creamy Coconut Fudge recipe, which can be made with quality Natural Grocers Brand Productsincluding the new Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, fresh ground almond butter and Natural Grocers Brand Organic Grade A Dark Maple Syrup.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES

USDA Organic

Kosher

Soy Free

Vegan

Gluten Free

Lauric Acid Range is 48  55% (per serving)

Naturally Trans-Fatty Acid Free

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Natural Grocers Brand Organic Coconut Oils are sourced from Sri Lanka, cultivated by the same organic farmers and processing facilities as their Organic Coconut Aminos. From organic farming education to funding a community center and local schools, the manufacturer is an ardent supporter of the surrounding Sri Lankan community that the farms and processing facility are based in.

NATURAL GROCERS BRAND PRODUCT CATEGORIES & MORE PRODUCTS TO COME

The Organic Coconut Oil fits perfectly into the Natural Grocers Brand Grocery lineup with other staple grocery items like organic bread, organic canned beans, organic frozen fruit, organic and 100% grass-fed cheese and organic and Fair Trade Certified coffee. Other categories within the company's ever-expanding house brand include Natural Grocers Brand Household Products, Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Products and Natural Grocers Brand Supplements.

Other exciting items such as wild-caught, sustainably harvested Natural Grocers Brand Frozen Prepared Cod and Shrimp, Natural Grocers Brand Bath Bombs and new flavors of Natural Grocers Brand Organic Chocolate Bars are expected to arrive in stores through the end of 2022.

Click here to learn more about Natural Grocers Brand Products.

Click here for a media kit featuring the new product, courtesy of Natural Grocers.

For press-related questions or media samples, please contact Katie Macarelli : [email protected] .

ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements. The products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers make informed health and nutrition choices. The Company, founded in 1955, has 164 stores in 21 states. Visit www.NaturalGrocers.com for more information and store locations.

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of each of Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc. (NYSE American: NBH), Neuberger Berman California Municipal Fund Inc. (NYSE American: NBW), and Neuberger Berman New York Municipal Fund Inc. (NYSE American: NBO) has declared monthly distributions for the dates below. The Funds seek to provide income that is exempt from regular federal income tax. Additionally, Neuberger Berman California Municipal Fund Inc. seeks to provide income that is exempt from California personal income tax and Neuberger Berman New York Municipal Fund Inc. seeks to provide income that is exempt from New York State and New York City personal income tax. Distributions of the Funds may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax for some stockholders. Each Fund's distribution announced today is payable on November 15, 2022, has a record date of October 31, 2022 and an ex-date of October 28, 2022.

The Funds will make the distributions described above in the following per share amounts:

NBH Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund Inc. $0.05025 NBW Neuberger Berman California Municipal Fund Inc. $0.04480 NBO Neuberger Berman New York Municipal Fund Inc. $0.03933

In compliance with Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, a notice would be provided for any distribution that does not consist solely of net investment income. The notice would be for informational purposes and not for tax reporting purposes, and would disclose, among other things, estimated portions of the distribution, if any, consisting of net investment income, capital gains and return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions paid in 2022 will be made after the end of the year.

About Neuberger Berman

Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategiesincluding equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity, real estate and hedge fundson behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 26 countries, Neuberger Berman's diverse team has over 2,600 professionals. For eight consecutive years, the company has been named first or second in Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). Neuberger Berman is a PRI Leader, a designation, since last assessed, that was awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. In the 2021 PRI Assessment, the firm obtained the highest possible scoring for its overarching approach to ESG investment and stewardship, and integration across asset classes. The firm manages $408 billion in client assets as of September 30, 2022. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com.

Statements made in this release that look forward in time involve risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets or a decline in the Fund's performance, a general downturn in the economy, competition from other closed end investment companies, changes in government policy or regulation, inability of the Fund's investment adviser to attract or retain key employees, inability of the Fund to implement its investment strategy, inability of the Fund to manage rapid expansion and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations.

Contact:

Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC

Investor Information

(877) 461-1899

SOURCE Neuberger Berman
Market players are concentrating on lowering the morbidity and fatalities linked to genetically inherited diseases in children and newborns, which is anticipated to propel the global market.

The Africa market is anticipated to grow as point-of-care sickle cell screening techniques reduce mortality in the region.

WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- By 2031, the global newborn screening market size is estimated to attain value of US$ 3.3 Bn. The analysis of newborn screening market is projected to rise at ~11% CAGR during the forecast period, from 2021 to 2031. The increasing occurrence of severe congenital heart problems and more accurate NICU illness detection are expected to contribute to the massive growth of the global newborn screening market.

Global newborn screening market analysis highlight that in babies with sickle cell anemia, quick point-of-care instruments have taken the place of traditional screening techniques that involved collecting blood samples on filter paper. Though there have been numerous successes, the market for newborn screening is being restrained from expanding due to long gaps between screening and treatment availability. As a result, healthcare organizations are expected to work together on R&D to enhance diagnostic medical technology and lower the rate of neonatal morbidity and death. There is an improving link between healthcare professionals and state public health newborn screening programs, which is expected to favor expansion of the global newborn screening market.

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For children with uncommon disorders, firms in the global newborn screening market are diversifying their revenue streams. The European Commission is gaining popularity for speeding up the process of diagnosing rare diseases. This done by expanding funding and tendering options for newborn screening and digital innovations and solutions.

Key Findings of Market Report

The higher occurrence and prevalence of serious congenital heart disorders, such as pulmonary atresia and tricuspid atresia, are likely to propel the global newborn screening market. Congenital cardiac problems afflict over 40,000 newborns annually in the US alone, based on the estimates of CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Cardiac problems are estimated to account for a significant newborn screening market share during the forecast period.

Market participants in the newborn screening market are developing cutting-edge solutions based on newer methodologies. Infants with serious congenital cardiac problems can now be more accurately and successfully diagnosed owing to this. The global newborn screening market is anticipated to grow due to improvements in point-of-care diagnostic equipment and increasing reliance on early diagnosis.

Healthcare professionals are working to increase communication between healthcare professionals and government newborn screening schemes to better the health outcomes for children and infants. Information management as well as technological support for newborn screening programs are used to attain success in such initiatives.

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Global Newborn Screening Market: Key Competitors

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Natus Medical Incorporated

ZenTech S.A.

PerkinElmer, Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Baebies, Inc.

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Global Newborn Screening Market: Segmentation

Product

Instruments

Assay Kits

Test Type

Dry Blood Spot Test

Hearing Screen Test

Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) Test

X-ray or CT Scan

Electrocardiogram (ECG) Test

Others

End User

Hospitals

Diagnostic Centers

Maternity & Specialty Clinics

Others

Modernization of healthcare in terms of both infrastructure and services have pushed the healthcare industry to new heights, Stay Updated with Latest Healthcare Research Reports by Transparency Market Research:

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Trichoscope Devices Market: The global trichoscope devices market is anticipated to reach US$ 73.4 Mn by the end of 2031 at a CAGR of 7.3 % from 2022 to 2031.

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Kreuger said, "I've considered investing the money, but if I spend it, it's going to be on equipment and a space I can use to train content creators and inspire people who are where I was five years ago."

Two runners-up were each awarded $2,500. Thomas Vo, 17, of Irving, Texas, presented his business Reheats, which makes electric heated gloves for construction workers and others working in the cold. Abhinav Gorrepati, 14, of San Jose, California, presented CredX, an online educational platform that encourages financial literacy in teens through engaging lessons. Another $3,000 in prize money was distributed during the semifinals. Students may use the awards for business growth or to further their educational goals.

"In a time when innovative thinking is the new economic currency, the entrepreneurial mindset of our young competitors shines bright," said NFTE CEO Dr. J.D. LaRock. "From biodegradable drug-detecting napkins to 3D-printed eyeglasses, this year's business ideas stand as examples of how our students engage in new technologies, environmentally sustainable solutions, and social entrepreneurship."

Final round competition was judged by Citigroup's Vladimir F. Galiothe, Managing Director of Equity Derivatives Trading; Alexis Jeffries, Glassdoor's Director, Head of Business Product Marketing; 2008 NFTE alumna Amanda F. Loyola, McKinsey & Company's Engagement Manager; Dr. Lamell McMorris, Principal and Head of Policy, Regulatory and Government Relations at Edward Jones; and EY US's Alysia Steinmann, Metro New York Office Managing Partner.

Josiah Israel of Miami was honored with the Daniel Treanor Memorial Award, a $500 prize awarded to a NFTE student who has overcome a significant physical or health-related challenge.

About NFTE

A global nonprofit founded in 1987, NFTE provides high-quality entrepreneurship education to middle school, high school, and postsecondary students with a focus on under-resourced communities.

Media Contact

Katie Montroy/Lambert

(616) 951-2360

[email protected]

SOURCE NFTE
DUBLIN, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "North America Excavator Market Outlook 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



North America Excavator Market stood at around a USD 9.8 billion market size, which is anticipated to grow at more than 2.5% CAGR for 2022-2027.

In North America, the construction industry is the major contributor to the economy and is expected to grow more during the forecast period. The governments in the region are focusing more on boosting infrastructure in the transportation and power sectors.

The need for prosperity has channeled the finances towards the manufacturing of construction equipment, which will lead it to grow in the future. The excavator market is expected to expand significantly as construction investments increase. Excavators are hydraulic equipment that consists of a house and an undercarriage with a bucket attached to its arm.

An upswing in the number of large scale projects such as mining, road transportation, and port building and construction in the oil and gas sectors have led to a surge in demand for excavators. Excavator rental services are one of the major emerging trends that allow users to meet their requirements and get maximum utilization without heavy capital investments.



Off-road vehicles and heavy equipment used for heavy operations tasks such as lifting, material handling, excavation, and others are primarily driven by residential, commercial, and industrial development; public-private partnerships; and regional economic growth. The excavator market is not wholly spread in the region and is concentrated in only certain countries.

Even though the region is highly developed, the demand for large-scale earth-moving equipment shows a constant increase. It is the world's largest dozer and grader market in volume terms; more than other major emerging markets, where such equipment would be sold in large numbers for new-build infrastructure projects.



The CAGR of North America remains much the same when compared to the other regions. With the constant fluctuation in the market, the CAGR remains under 2% over the period. The majority share comes from the US, which occupies more than 3/4th of the market. Following the US are Canada and Mexico, both expected to have an increase shortly. From the obtained data, the top preferred brands of excavators as reflected by email buying requests originating from the United States are: Caterpillar (32%), Komatsu (12%), Hitachi (10%), and Doosan (9%).



For instance, Volvo Construction Equipment is boosting its compact excavator range in North America with two new short-swing models: the ECR50 and ECR58. The 5-ton ECR50 is a new entry for Volvo in North America, while the 6-ton ECR58 gains performance updates from the D-series model.

The ECR50 and ECR58 are ideal for rental markets and owner-operators who need a short-swing compact excavator that can nimbly work across a range of applications, including utilities, landscaping, road construction, and more. Both excavators have a fuel-saving ECO mode, auto-idle and auto-engine shutdown as standard features. ECO mode can cut fuel consumption by up to 10%. Auto-engine shut down reduces idling, thereby lowering maintenance costs, which leads to potentially higher resale value and lower total cost of ownership.

On the other hand, Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc. announced recently that the first medium-sized Hitachi ZX200-6 utility hydraulic excavator, built for the North American market, has shipped from Hitachi Construction Machinery Tsuchiura Works (Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan). The Hitachi ZX200-6 excavator is the first of many Hitachi-built and branded machines soon to be available throughout North America.

COVID-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into most industrial markets. Many segments saw an immediate drop in demand as governments enforced lockdown measures. GDP decreased sharply across the globe as well as for the region in the second quarter of 2020, and the industrial segment suffered an immediate drop in sales.

However, with the relaxation of restrictions and increased economic activity, GDP is recovering faster than expected. Increasing industrialization in the region is expected to drive higher excavator's market growth during the forecast period.

Intended Audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the construction machinery and excavator industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.

Aspects Covered In the Report

Market Size By Value for the historic time period (2016-2021)

Market Size By Value for the forecast time period (2022-2027)

Market Share by Application (Construction, Mining, utility & agriculture)

Market Share by Machine Type (Mini Excavator, Crawler, Wheeled, Others)

Market Share by Country (2016, 2021 & 2027F)

Major companies present in the market

Caterpillar Private Limited

CNH Industrial

Doosan Infracore

Epiroc Construction Machinery Co. Ltd

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd

J C Bamford Excavators Ltd

John Deere Ltd

Kobe Steel Ltd

Komatsu Ltd.

Kubota Corporation

Liebherr Group

Metso Corporation

Sandvik Mining And Rock Technology

Sany Group

Terex Corporation

Volvo Construction Equipments

XCMG Ltd.

Zoomlion Co. Ltd

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9xwy0a

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets
STRATFORD, Conn., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National Pasta Day, Nuovo Pasta Productions, Ltd., the world's leading artisan pasta manufacturer, is proud to announce their inspired new Italian flavor packed product line, Tour of Italy Collection.

The Tour of Italy collection was conceived based on the growing consumer demand for the diverse regional Italian food offerings inspired from:

Nuovo Pasta Productions, Ltd., artisan pasta manufacturer announces launch of new product line on National Pasta Day Tweet this Tour of Italy Pasta Collection

Ancient culture of Calabria , comes Calabrian Pepper, & Smoked Mozzarella ravioli.

, comes Calabrian Pepper, & Smoked Mozzarella ravioli. The sunny seascape of Campania , Fragrant Lemon & Mascarpone ravioli

, Fragrant Lemon & Mascarpone ravioli Tuscany's enchanting rolling hills, Chicken Cacciatore ravioli

enchanting rolling hills, Chicken Cacciatore ravioli Roman street vendors of Lazio , Roasted Porchetta ravioli

, Roasted Porchetta ravioli Adriatic coast of the Veneto and Venice magical Lido, Shrimp, Lemon & Garlic ravioli

and magical Lido, Shrimp, Lemon & Garlic ravioli Mystical hills of Umbria Wild Mushroom & Truffle

Italy's culinary capital Emilia Romagna , Parmigiano & Prosciutto sacchette

These Nuovo pasta pillows of deliciousness are an invitation to tour the regional food specialties of Italy. A passport to visit Italy's culinary destinations through pasta tastings, embodies the mission of Nuovo to present innovative and creative ways to introduce pasta flavor profiles. The Tour Of Italy Collection is merchandised for the consumer in a modified atmosphere package to preserve freshness and provide a safe product. As always they are part of Nuovo's sustainability campaign, this earth friendly packaging is made from up to 80% post consumer plastics.

"Italian cuisine is distinct and renowned, tracing back thousands of years. As with all great cuisines of the world, Italian cuisine is a composite of influences from many different cultures over a large expanse of time. Nuovo Pasta Tour of Italy Premium Collection, celebrates the typical cuisines from each region  from USA to Italy through inspired chef crafted ingredients." says CEO and Founder Carl Zuanelli of Nuovo Pasta.

For more information about Nuovo products, popular pasta recipes and Tour of Italy collection, follow Nuovo on Facebook ( @Nuovopasta ) and Instagram ( @NuovoPasta ) or visit https://www.nuovopasta.com/products/tour-of-italy/ .

About Nuovo Pasta

Nuovo Pasta Productions, Ltd., a nationally recognized producer of premium refrigerated pasta and sauces. Nuovo was founded in 1989. Thirty years later, Nuovo employs over 200 people and maintains 140,000 sq ft in Stratford, CT and in Cleveland, OH. Currently Nuovo produces over 22,000,000 pounds of fresh pasta per year. Nuovo's products are sold in specialty stores, supermarkets, and warehouse clubs in all 50 states, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Nuovo creates a contemporary culinary experience by following a traditional age-old method of making pasta married with unique contemporary filling combinations.

Nuovo is an active member of the National Pasta Association (NPA) and the International Pasta Organization (IPO). In 2019, Nuovo celebrated 30 years serving delicious pasta and pesto sauces to tables across America. Entering its fourth decade, Nuovo continues a tradition of innovation offering chef-inspired fillings, using cutting-edge culinary flavor combinations.

The NUOVO way has redefined the gold standard of fresh pasta.

SOURCE Nuovo Pasta
Champion Plumbing will donate to Oklahoma Project Woman, and its technicians will don pink foot

covers to bring awareness to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Champion Plumbing, a leading provider of plumbing services to the Oklahoma City area, will outfit its technicians in pink foot covers throughout October and will donate to Oklahoma Project Woman to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Champion Plumbing will outfit its technicians in pink foot covers throughout October and will donate to Oklahoma Project Woman in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"Our goal is to bring awareness to the lifesaving research that is being done to find a cure that affects almost 300,000 women in the United States every year," said Leslie Harpole, co-owner of Champion Plumbing. "We hope that having our techs wear pink booties will be a creative way to show our support for the research being done and to bring awareness to our customers. The pink stands out and is a real conversation starter."

Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer that American women endure. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 300,000 women are diagnosed with new cases of invasive breast cancers every year and about one in eight women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives.

Oklahoma Project Woman provides free mammograms, diagnostic procedures and surgical services for Oklahomans of any age who have no health insurance and limited financial resources. Since the project began in 1998, the organization has given out more than 63,000 vouchers for free breast health care for uninsured Oklahomans, 859 of whom have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month was started in 1985 and is held every October to promote screening and prevention of the disease. The month is known for its pink color theme and features a variety of campaigns and promotions conducted by both cancer advocacy groups and private industry to raise awareness.

"The best protection is early detection but more research is still needed to find a cure," Harpole said. "We hope that we can contribute to finding this cure, helping more Oklahomans receive the breast care exams and treatments they need and that we can share this important message to our customers."

For more information about Champion Plumbing, visit https://callthechamps.com/.

About Champion Plumbing

Started in 2015, Champion Plumbing is led by the husband-and-wife duo of Leslie and Brent Harpole. Champion provides plumbing and water quality services to the residents of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and surrounding areas. The team specializes in water heater services, drain cleaning, garbage disposals, water filtration systems, pipe lining and whole house repipes. The company is dedicated to giving back to the local community in addition to helping them with their plumbing needs.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Champion Plumbing
COLOGNE, Germany, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Omni Bridgeway is pleased to announce that Mr. Michael Munsch has joined the company's international intellectual property team as an Investment Manager and Senior Legal Counsel.

Michael Munsch, based in Cologne, brings added intellectual property specialist expertise from European markets to Omni Bridgeway's leading global IP legal finance offering.

Based in Cologne, Michael is responsible for originating, assessing, and managing funded cases in EMEA with an emphasis on intellectual property litigation. He is a Certified Intellectual Property Lawyer who brings nearly 15 years' experience covering a wide range of industry sectors including telecommunications, electronics, mechanical engineering and pharmaceuticals in all forms of disputes, including high-value and complex international litigation.

Prior to Omni Bridgeway, Michael was a Counsel at renowned German law firm Meissner Bolte, where he advised clients primarily on patent litigation. In prior roles, Michael gained substantial expertise valuating and litigating Standard Essential Patents including as a partner of the British firm EIP and as a member of the legal and intellectual property in-house teams of ThyssenKrupp Elevator and Nestle.

"We are delighted to have an expert of Michael's calibre join Omni Bridgeway," said Raymond van Hulst, Executive Director, MD and CIO for EMEA, "He has an excellent track record based on deep experience and perspective gained in both leading law firm and corporate in-house roles across various jurisdictions. In collaboration with our US based IP litigation funding team, Michael further strengthens our ability to support our global client base, and specifically those in Germany and EMEA, seeking dispute funding and specialist recovery solutions for patent and other intellectual property disputes."

Michael Munsch commented, "I am thrilled to be joining Omni Bridgeway which I consider the most skilled and respected legal finance provider in the industry. It's a particularly exciting time to join. With the upcoming Unified Patent Court developments, the European patent litigation landscape is about to undergo significant change. We anticipate increased, promising opportunities for patent owners, and Omni Bridgeway is well positioned to provide them unparalleled financial and legal support."

ABOUT OMNI BRIDGEWAY

Omni Bridgeway is the global leader in legal finance and risk management, offering dispute finance from case inception through to post-judgment enforcement and recovery. Listed on the ASX, Omni Bridgeway operates from 23 international locations.

CONTACT:

Daniela Haessler | Marketing Manager  EMEA | +49 170 9516954| [email protected]

SOURCE Omni Bridgeway
The 16th Annual Markie Awards showcase the organizations that are setting new and innovative standards with Oracle Fusion Cloud Customer Experience

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To honor the creators of truly excellent experiences across the entire customer journey, Oracle today announced the winners of the 2022 Markie Awards. The awards recognize Oracle Fusion Cloud Customer Experience (CX) customers, and the partners and agencies they work with, that have delivered standout customer experiences across advertising, marketing, sales, service and ecommerce. This year's winners include PepsiCo, Cincinnati Bengals, Flight Centre Travel Group, Johnson Controls, and Vertiv.

"The Markie Awards celebrate innovation and the fierce dedication to excellence that characterizes world-class customer experiences that drive measurable business outcomes," said Rob Tarkoff, executive vice president and general manager, Oracle Fusion Cloud CX. "We received hundreds of submissions this year and were impressed with how our customers, partners, and agencies put Oracle technology to work. The results achieved are incredible and we congratulate all of this year's winners."

Spanning 15 categories, the Markie Awards recognize CX innovation and excellence from across industries. The winners of the 2022 Markie Awards are:

Customer Award Winners:

The Visionary Award for Best Overall Digital or CX Program:

Sakura Finetek

The Orchestrator Award for Best Demonstrated ROI:

FIS Global

The Architect Award for the Best Use of Advertising Data:

PepsiCo

The Thinker Award for Best CX Innovation:

Viatris

The Strategist Award for the Best Use of Data:

Cincinnati Bengals and Johnson Controls

The Builder Award for Best Global CX Program:

Flight Centre Travel Group

The Connector Award for the Best Use of Ecosystem or Cross-Departmental Solution:

Evri

The Ally Award for the Best Engagement or Loyalty Program (Oracle CrowdTwist):

Dierbergs Markets

The Originator Award for Best Lead Management (Oracle Eloqua):

Outokumpu

The Innovator Award for Best Demonstrated Sales ROI:

Thermo Fisher Scientific

The Futurist Award for Perseverance in Customer Support Challenges:

Vertiv

Partner and Agency Award Winners:

CX Agency of the Year:

Labrys

CX SI Partner of the Year:

Accenture

CX ISV Partner of the Year:

Movable Ink

CX Partner Collaboration of the Year:

Labrys and Comtrade System Integration

The 2022 Markie Award winners will be celebrated during the Marketing Summit at Oracle CloudWorld in Las Vegas. The event will bring together customers, partners and agencies to explore cutting-edge marketing R&D, rich business insights, and exclusive leadership perspectives on marketing technology innovation and industry best practices.

About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at oracle.com.

About Oracle CloudWorld

Oracle CloudWorld is Oracle's largest global celebration of customers and partners. Join us to discover the insights you need to tackle your biggest business challenges, build your skills, knowledge, and connections, and learn more about our cloud infrastructure, database, and applications from the people that build and use them. For registration, live keynotes, session details, news and more visit oracle.com/cloudworld or oracle.com/news.

Trademarks

Oracle and Java, and MySQL are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation.

SOURCE Oracle
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) today announced that it will hold its Financial Analyst Meeting at Oracle CloudWorld, Thursday, October 20, 2022. Oracle's Financial Analyst Meeting will be live webcast at 12:00 p.m. Central Time via the Investor Relations homepage at www.oracle.com/investor.

About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

Trademarks

Oracle, Java, and MySQL are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation.

SOURCE Oracle
Embedded Software Development Teams Report Effortless Adoption & Increased Code Coverage

MONROVIA, Calif., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Parasoft, a global leader in automated software testing for over 35 years, shared that medical device companies that use its automated software testing solution for C/C++ embedded development are reporting effortless adoption of test-driven development (TDD), decreases in code complexity, and increases in code coverage. The powerful combination of Parasoft C/C++test and DTP provides clear reporting and analytic insights, enabling medical device software development teams to achieve static analysis, unit testing, and code coverage requirements. To learn more, download the IEC 62304 Software Compliance ebook.

Parasoft provides clear reporting and analytic insights, enabling medical device software development teams to achieve static analysis, unit testing, and code coverage requirements.

Parasoft will showcase its medical automated software testing solutions for process standards compliance, code safety, and cybersecurity at the 3rd Annual Medical Device and Diagnostic Software Development and Compliance Conference on October 18 and 19 in Boston, MA.

Visit Parasoft at booth #7 to talk with an expert about ensuring compliance to industry standard IEC 62304 on safety and security standards, such as IEC 62443 and UL 2900.

Attend the discussion, Barriers to Managing SaMD, on October 18 at 12:35 EST at Roundtable 3.

"This event is a fantastic opportunity to share insights, acquire knowledge, and listen to different perspectives from others in the medical device industry," said Ricardo Camacho, director of regulatory safety and security compliance. "I'm looking forward to hosting our roundtable discussion around SaMD. We'll discuss challenges, best practices, compliance, and test automation."

By automating the testing practices required by functional safety standards and implementing TDD workflows, Parasoft's medical device customers, like Smiths Medical, are seeing results.

"Parasoft C/C++test seamlessly integrates into our CI pipeline with a low learning curve, reducing adoption costs," said the senior principal software architect at Smiths Medical. His team observed that the number of tests increased due to efforts in obtaining better code coverage. Instead of test failures going up in tandem with the increased number of tests, they dropped.

Additionally, the ratio of open to closed defects has been trending toward zero. This indicates an improvement in test case quality in terms of clarity and properly set expected test results. Lastly, the amount of manual labor required to fix defects or the tests themselves has decreased. Read the customer success story.

About Parasoft

Parasoft helps organizations continuously deliver quality software with its market-proven, integrated suite of automated software testing tools. Supporting the embedded, enterprise, and IoT markets, Parasoft's technologies reduce the time, effort, and cost of delivering secure, reliable, and compliant software by integrating everything from deep code analysis and unit testing to web UI and API testing, plus service virtualization and complete code coverage, into the delivery pipeline. Bringing all this together, Parasoft's award winning reporting and analytics dashboard delivers a centralized view of quality enabling organizations to deliver with confidence and succeed in today's most strategic ecosystems and development initiatives  security, safety-critical, Agile, DevOps, and continuous testing.

SOURCE Parasoft
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The PARRIS Law Firm obtained a $4,005,551 million verdict for damages on behalf of a woman struck by a suspected distracted driver while crossing a street in Santa Monica, CA.

In 2018, a 23-year-old woman was lawfully crossing the street in Santa Monica, CA, when the driver of a 2016 Fiat 500, Lisa Stilson, slammed into the woman going 25 miles per hour. The crash threw her body 25-30 feet forward, causing severe and permanent injury.

During the trial, Lisa's attorneys argued that the plaintiff chose to walk in front of the car in an attempt to take her own life to dispute liability. "We're talking about a car traveling on a city street in a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood  the likelihood of someone jumping in front of a Fiat going less than 35 miles per hour to take their own life is slim to none," said PARRIS attorney Khail A. Parris.

"The defense was so desperate to blame our client that they refused to produce her cell phone records to hide the possibility that Lisa was distracted at the time of the crash," said Bruce L. Schechter, Of-Counsel at the PARRIS Law Firm.

After the crash, the plaintiff underwent multiple surgeries to repair the injuries to her head, neck, back, and knees. Unfortunately, these injuries will cause her lifelong pain and discomfort and affect her ability to make a living. "This verdict will not take away the suffering our client will feel from this crash, but it will at least make certain that she is properly cared for," said Parris.

The verdict includes $2,305,551 in future medical expenses, $200,000 in past-noneconomic losses, and $1,500,000 in future noneconomic losses. The case is Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. 19STCV13037.

About PARRIS Law Firm

The PARRIS Law Firm is recognized as one of America's top personal injury, employment, and environmental law firms. With a proven track record of fighting for justice on behalf of families and individuals, the firm boasts numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements. To learn more about the firm, please go to: www.parris.com

Contact

Dante Hickles 661.949.2595

[email protected]

SOURCE PARRIS Law Firm
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --The " Passenger Vehicle Dashboard Camera Market by Product, Component, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 " report has been added to Technavio's offering. The report expects the market size to grow by USD 3.00 billion, accelerating at a CAGR of 19.82% during the forecast period. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape and offers information on several leading market players including ABEO Technology Co. Ltd., Chameleon Codewing Ltd., Cobra Electronics Corporation and Escort Inc., DigiLife Technologies Co. Ltd., and DOD Tech among others.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Passenger Vehicle Dashboard Camera Market 2022-2026

Request Sample Report Now to understand the scope of our full report on the global passenger vehicle dashboard camera market.

The increasing adoption of multi-channel dashboard cameras has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, the inconsistent quality of automotive dashboard cameras might hamper the market growth. This study identifies the introduction of energy-efficient dashboard cameras as a major trend in the market.

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The passenger vehicle dashboard camera market report covers the following areas:

Passenger Vehicle Dashboard Camera Market 2022-2026: Vendor Analysis

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Competitors have to focus on differentiating their product offerings with unique value propositions to strengthen their foothold in the market. Market vendors also have to leverage the existing growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Technavio identifies the following as the dominant players in the market.

ABEO Technology Co. Ltd.: The company offers passenger vehicle dashboard cameras such as GMSL camera AG190A, GMSL camera AG190C, and USB camera.

The company offers passenger vehicle dashboard cameras such as GMSL camera AG190A, GMSL camera AG190C, and USB camera. Cobra Electronics Corporation and Escort Inc.: The company offers passenger vehicle dashboard cameras such as Cobra SC 400D, SC 200D, and SC 201.

The company offers passenger vehicle dashboard cameras such as Cobra SC 400D, SC 200D, and SC 201. DigiLife Technologies Co. Ltd.: The company offers passenger vehicle dashboard cameras such as 1080p full HD rear cam, SP19LG, and SP20LW.

The company offers passenger vehicle dashboard cameras such as 1080p full HD rear cam, SP19LG, and SP20LW. DOD Tech: The company offers passenger vehicle dashboard cameras such as FS580, GS980D, and BSD300 .

The company offers passenger vehicle dashboard cameras such as FS580, GS980D, and . Garmin Ltd.: The company offers passenger vehicle dashboard cameras such as dash cam mini.

The company offers passenger vehicle dashboard cameras such as dash cam mini. Chameleon Codewing Ltd.

Falcon Electronics LLC

Harman International Industries Inc.

Honeywell International Inc.

LG Innotek

Unlock more vendor profiles. Buy Full Report Now

Passenger Vehicle Dashboard Camera Market 2022-2026: Segmentation

The global passenger vehicle dashboard camera market is segmented as below:

Product

Single Channel



Dual Channel

The single channel segment is expected to witness significant growth in terms of revenue compared with a dual-channel segment in the passenger vehicle dashboard camera market during the forecast period. Single-channel dashboard cameras only film in one direction, placed at the front of the passenger vehicle dashboard, which comes along with features including Wi-Fi and GPS, parking mode, and night vision. Such features will enhance the growth of the single-channel segment.

Component

Battery



Lens



Gravity Sensor



GPS



Microphone



Others

The battery segment in the passenger vehicle dashboard camera market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Dashboard camera batteries are used to provide safe, reliable power to the dash camera for parking mode use.

Geographic

APAC



Europe



North America



South America



The Middle East and Africa

APAC is the major revenue-generating region in the market. The region will account for 44% of the global market share over the forecast period. Factors such as insurance premium discounts, safety-conscious vehicle users, and the increasing instances of road rage are driving the adoption of passenger vehicle dashboard cameras in APAC.

Identify major revenue-generating segments in the market. Read Our Sample Report Now

Passenger Vehicle Dashboard Camera Market 2022-2026: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026

Detailed information on factors that will assist passenger vehicle dashboard camera market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the passenger vehicle dashboard camera market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the passenger vehicle dashboard camera market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of passenger vehicle dashboard camera market vendors

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Global Automotive Camera Module 2022-2026: The global automotive camera module market is segmented by functionality (driver assistance camera and driver support camera), application (passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA). By functionality, the driver assistance camera segment will generate maximum revenue in the market. By region, the market will witness significant growth in North America over the forecast period.

View Report Snapshot Here

Passenger Vehicle Dashboard Camera Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 19.82% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 3.00 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 19.41 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 44% Key consumer countries US, Mexico, China, Japan, South Korea, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled ABEO Technology Co. Ltd., Chameleon Codewing Ltd., Cobra Electronics Corporation and Escort Inc., DigiLife Technologies Co. Ltd., DOD Tech, Falcon Electronics LLC, Garmin Ltd., Harman International Industries Inc., Honeywell International Inc., LG Innotek, Panasonic Holdings Corp., Pittasoft Co. Ltd., Rexing Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH, SCDE Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Shenzhen Daza Innovation Technology Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Firstscene Technology Co. Ltd., Steelmate Automotive UK Ltd., SUNLIGHT UK TRADING Ltd., and Waylens Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Component



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 18: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 19: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 20: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 21: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 22: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 23: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 24: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 25: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 26: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 27: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 28: Data Table on Comparison by Product

5.3 Single channel - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 29: Chart on Single channel - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Data Table on Single channel - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Chart on Single channel - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Single channel - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Dual channel - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 33: Chart on Dual channel - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Dual channel - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Chart on Dual channel - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Dual channel - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 37: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

6 Market Segmentation by Component

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 38: Chart on Component - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Component - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Component

Exhibit 40: Chart on Comparison by Component



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Comparison by Component

6.3 Battery - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 42: Chart on Battery - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Battery - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Battery - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Battery - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 Lens - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 46: Chart on Lens - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Lens - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Lens - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Lens - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Gravity sensor - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 50: Chart on Gravity sensor - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Gravity sensor - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Chart on Gravity sensor - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Gravity sensor - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.6 GPS - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 54: Chart on GPS - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on GPS - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Chart on GPS - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on GPS - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.7 Microphone - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 58: Chart on Microphone - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Microphone - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Chart on Microphone - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Microphone - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.8 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 62: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.9 Market opportunity by Component

Exhibit 66: Market opportunity by Component ($ million)

7 Customer Landscape

7.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 67: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

8 Geographic Landscape

8.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 68: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 69: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

8.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 70: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 71: Data Table on Geographic comparison

8.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 72: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 74: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 75: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 76: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 80: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 84: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 87: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 88: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 89: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 91: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.8 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 92: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 93: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 95: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.9 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 96: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 97: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 98: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 99: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 100: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 101: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 103: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 104: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 105: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 106: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 107: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.12 South Korea - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 108: Chart on South Korea - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 109: Data Table on South Korea - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 110: Chart on South Korea - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 111: Data Table on South Korea - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.13 Mexico - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 112: Chart on Mexico - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 113: Data Table on Mexico - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 114: Chart on Mexico - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 115: Data Table on Mexico - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.14 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 116: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 117: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

9.4 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 118: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

10.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 119: Overview on factors of disruption

10.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 120: Impact of key risks on business

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 121: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 122: Matrix on vendor position and classification

11.3 ABEO Technology Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 123: ABEO Technology Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 124: ABEO Technology Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 125: ABEO Technology Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

11.4 Cobra Electronics Corporation and Escort Inc.

Exhibit 126: Cobra Electronics Corporation and Escort Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 127: Cobra Electronics Corporation and Escort Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 128: Cobra Electronics Corporation and Escort Inc. - Key offerings

11.5 DigiLife Technologies Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 129: DigiLife Technologies Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 130: DigiLife Technologies Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 131: DigiLife Technologies Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

11.6 DOD Tech

Exhibit 132: DOD Tech - Overview



Exhibit 133: DOD Tech - Product / Service



Exhibit 134: DOD Tech - Key offerings

11.7 Garmin Ltd.

Exhibit 135: Garmin Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 136: Garmin Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 137: Garmin Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 138: Garmin Ltd. - Segment focus

11.8 Honeywell International Inc.

Exhibit 139: Honeywell International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 140: Honeywell International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 141: Honeywell International Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 142: Honeywell International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 143: Honeywell International Inc. - Segment focus

11.9 Panasonic Holdings Corp.

Exhibit 144: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 145: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 146: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 147: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 148: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Segment focus

11.10 Pittasoft Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 149: Pittasoft Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 150: Pittasoft Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 151: Pittasoft Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

11.11 Robert Bosch GmbH

Exhibit 152: Robert Bosch GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 153: Robert Bosch GmbH - Business segments



Exhibit 154: Robert Bosch GmbH - Key news



Exhibit 155: Robert Bosch GmbH - Key offerings



Exhibit 156: Robert Bosch GmbH - Segment focus

11.12 Shenzhen Firstscene Technology Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 157: Shenzhen Firstscene Technology Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 158: Shenzhen Firstscene Technology Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 159: Shenzhen Firstscene Technology Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 160: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 161: Exclusions checklist

12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 162: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 163: Research methodology



Exhibit 164: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 165: Information sources

12.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 166: List of abbreviations

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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.

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SOURCE Technavio
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PBS Frontline, American public television's flagship public affairs series since 1983, will receive the National Press Club Journalism Institute's 2022 Neil and Susan Sheehan Award for Investigative Journalism.

PBS Frontline has long been recognized with journalism's highest honors for its exceptional news and documentary programs. The Sheehan award honors Frontline for its Local Journalism Initiative , in particular. The Initiative supports investigative journalism done by local and regional news organizations by providing funding, editorial support, and strategic guidance. This year, the Tampa Bay Times was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting for a project supported by Frontline.

"We are pleased to recognize Frontline's Local Journalism Initiative for providing essential support to news outlets struggling to provide essential watchdog journalism. This helps ensure that local reporters have the time and resources to hold the powerful to account," said Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute.

Each year, the Neil and Susan Sheehan Award for Investigative Journalism recognizes work that best reflects the Sheehans' extraordinary commitment to the principle that a vibrant democracy depends on an informed citizenry and a free press. The award promotes the practice of investigative journalism exemplifying compassion, courage, and integrity.

"For the past three years, we've seen our Local Journalism Initiative bolster incredible local and regional news organizations, and aid in the nationwide dissemination of their accountability reporting," said Frontline editor-in-chief and executive producer Raney Aronson-Rath. "We are honored to see this initiative recognized by the National Press Club with the Neil and Susan Sheehan Award for investigative journalism."

"Local news is a vital part of our nation's journalistic ecosystem, and we're proud to see the impact of our local journalism partners' reporting reverberate  sparking national conversation and, in some cases, calls for policy change," Aronson-Rath added. "We share this award with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, whose generous support has made our Local Journalism Initiative possible."

The Institute will confer the 2022 Sheehan Award at its annual Fourth Estate Award Gala on Dec. 7 . The in-person gala will honor CNN's chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward with the National Press Club's signature Fourth Estate Award.

The celebration also will recognize the John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award honorees: Rana Ayyub, an investigative journalist living in India and a Washington Post Global Opinions contributor whose work has been met with an assault on her rights and freedom of expression, and Josh Renaud, a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter who was threatened by the Missouri governor with criminal charges for uncovering a security flaw in a state database.

The event is a fundraiser for the Journalism Institute, the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club. Financial support for the Sheehan Award is provided by a generous endowment from long-time friends of the Sheehans who wish to remain anonymous. Neil Sheehan was the author of "A Bright Shining Lie," which won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction in 1989. Susan Sheehan was the author of eight works of nonfiction. In 1983, she received a Pulitzer Prize for "Is There No Place on Earth For Me?"

The Sheehan Award was given in 2021 to The Marshall Project , a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system; in 2020 to Ed Yong , the staff writer at The Atlantic who has shaped our collective understanding of the coronavirus and its impact; in 2019 to Julie K. Brown , the Miami Herald journalist who gave voice to Jeffrey Epstein's long-ignored victims and prompted a legal re-examination of Epstein's predatory behavior and the culture that enabled it; and in 2018 to New York Times reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey for their reporting on Harvey Weinstein, which elevated the #MeToo movement.

For information on Fourth Estate sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, please click here .

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. The National Press Club, the world's leading professional organization for journalists, represents more than 3,000 reporters, editors and professional communicators worldwide.

Contact: Beth Francesco, National Press Club Journalism Institute deputy executive director, [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club
First global report on parcel theft

13% of US residents had a parcel lost or stolen between May 2021 and April 2022  up 3.2 million people on the previous 12 months and equating to over 42 million packages nationally

One in ten people globally are now reluctant to shop online because of fear of theft

Just over one in ten (12%) US residents have looked into porch piracy prevention measures

LONDON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Doorstep parcel theft is sweeping the US, according to the first global report on parcel theft. More than 42 million parcels were lost or stolen, a 1% increase compared to the previous 12 months, costing US consumers an estimated $1.8 billion in lost or stolen goods.1

The results are part of the world's first global parcel theft survey which found that close to one in ten people had at least one parcel lost or stolen from May 2021 to April 2022. This amounts to a staggering 1.009 billion packages2 globally, at a total cost of $38.81 billion.1

Worldwide, there was an all-time high of stolen or lost parcels with an estimated rise of 155 million2 compared to the previous 12 months, despite initiatives to tackle the surge post-covid. This is more than a 2% increase.

The Penn Elcom Global Parcel Theft Report was commissioned by Penn Elcom, a globally recognised British steel manufacturer and producer of the Penn Parcel Box, and sponsored exclusively by Scurri, the world's leading courier management platform for eCommerce and shipping, and produced by YouGov. It revealed that the US came fourth in countries surveyed for parcel theft increases (+1%), topped by the UK (+5%), Australia (+3%) and Canada (+2%), with the proportion of US respondents saying they had had a parcel lost or stolen up from 12% between May 2021 and April 2022.

US regional hot spots in parcel theft and loss from May 2021 to April 2022 include:

1.1 million 2 additional parcel thefts and loss in the North East (up 3%)

2 million 2 additional parcel thefts and loss in the South (up 3%)

2.3 million2 additional parcel thefts and loss in the West (up 3%)

The Midwest was the only region to see a decrease in porch piracy, with a 1% reduction of parcel theft or loss on the previous 12 months.

The psychological impact

The survey found that one in five people (20%) are anxious about parcel theft  a third of whom fear that the parcels they send and receive are also at risk of being stolen. Porch piracy anxiety means 33 million1 Americans are now reluctant to place online orders.

The Penn Elcom Parcel Theft Report also revealed that a staggering 36% of Americans have had at least one package lost or stolen in their lifetime, which amounts to over 118.6 million1 parcels, with this expected to rise unless preventive measures are put in place. Despite these figures, only 12% of US respondents have ever investigated theft-prevention products for their post.

Penn Elcom's chairman, Roger Willems, said: "A surge in online shopping accelerated by Covid, along with seasonal rushes, means couriers are under intense pressure. Professional thieves are known to follow delivery vans, stealing packages minutes after they are dropped off, while opportunistic thieves take advantage of parcels left on doorsteps."

"We expect parcel piracy to continue to rise as global parcel deliveries increase3 if measures are not taken. We are doing our best to support delivery companies and save online shoppers the headache of missed deliveries  as well as the heartache of lost and stolen parcels," added Roger.

According to Google Trends, global searches for 'parcel theft' have rocketed as shoppers continue to order online, especially for seasonal holidays. The study found that one in ten people worldwide are also now reluctant to shop due to fear of theft, impacting retailers.

Gavin Murphy, CMO of Scurri, said "When parcel delivery fails at the final hurdle, the customer experience fails expectations and customers may be discouraged from buying online again from that retailer. Real-time data is critical. Simply stating that a package has been dispatched or is on board a last mile delivery vehicle is totally inadequate."

Penn Elcom is campaigning to restore confidence in online shopping and has a solution. The Penn Parcel Box, made from quality British steel and designed using Penn Elcom's decades of steel engineering expertise, is a secure, stylish, weatherproof solution for parcel deliveries for homes and businesses.

The Penn Parcel Box was developed in response to enquiries from customers who had problems with parcels going missing.

YouGov, the leading British research group, surveyed 2,000 random consumers in the UK, US, the UAE, Canada and Australia in May 2022. 50% were male and 50% female, ranging in age from 18-55 and above.

Images are available at: https://bit.ly/3fOYly2

FOR MORE INFORMATION: including interviews and a copy of the Penn Elcom Parcel Theft Report:

Mark Foxwell, [email protected], +44 (0) 7796 473020

Charlie Jones, [email protected], +44 (0) 7710 695794

Siobhan Stirling, [email protected], +44 (0) 7990 543829

NOTES TO EDITORS

Penn Elcom is a UK manufacturing success story, with 50% of sales being overseas. Established in 1974, the company is a world leader in flight case and speaker cabinet hardware as well as 19-inch racking solutions.

The Penn Parcel Box is a stylish, secure, high-quality, contactless solution for shoppers who want peace of mind that their courier will leave their parcel at first attempt and that it will be waiting for them when they get home. Made from weather-resistant, powder-coated British steel, with interior sealing to keep water out, it is suitable for homes, workplaces and communal spaces and is available in ivy green, slate grey, white and black. Pre-assembled and easy to install by bolting to a wall or drive/floor, the one-way delivery hatch keeps parcels, letters and boxes secure in the locked storage, which is only accessible with a key.

NOTES AND SOURCES

1 Total price value has been estimated by average parcel cost, based on annual online retail spend versus annual volume of packages shipped

2 Survey results extrapolated to global and national populations

3 Pitney Bowes, 28.09.21: Global parcel volumes rose to 131 billion in 2020, a 27% year-on-year increase, and are predicted to double again by 2026 to 266 billion.

SOURCE Penn Elcom
DAEJEON, South Korea, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PharmAbcine Inc. (KOSDAQ: 208340ks), a clinical-stage biotech company focusing on the development of antibody therapeutics, announced today that the Company will present preclinical data of PMC-309, one of the Company's first immuno-oncology drug candidates, at SITC (Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer) Annual Meeting taking place November 8-12 in Boston.

Presentation Details

Title: PMC-309, a highly selective anti-VISTA antibody reverses immunosuppressive TME to immune-

supportive TME

Abstract Number: 751 Presentation Type: Poster Presentation

Onsite Location: Poster Hall

Date: November 10, 2022 9 a.m.  9 p.m. (EST)

On November 7, the abstract of the presentation will be made available on SITC website.The full poster can be accessed at Poster Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. ET on November 10.

About PMC-309

PMC-309 is a novel anti-VISTA (V-domain Ig Suppressor of T cell Activation) antagonizing antibody that can be used for the treatment of various tumor types. By inhibiting VISTA, an immune checkpoint receptor mainly expressed on MDSC (Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells) and Tregs (regulatory T cells), it can play a pivotal role in maintaining the immunosuppressive environment around the tumor cells. In the nonclinical studies, it has been discovered that PMC-309 can promote both innate immunity (monocyte activation, M1 macrophage proliferation) and adaptive immunity (T cell activation) unlike the existing drugs which show significant changes only in adaptive immunity. In addition, the in vivo data showed that PMC-309 demonstrated significantly improved tumor growth inhibition when used in combination with an anti-PD-1 drug compared to both monotherapies of PMC-309 and an anti-PD-1 drug. These findings suggest that PMC-309 can offer a new treatment strategy in immuno-oncology area as it can be used in combination with other drugs to improve their low-response rates. The GLP-Toxicology studies are already completed, and no serious safety issues were observed. The Company plans to submit Clinical Trial Application in late 2022.

About PharmAbcine Inc.

PharmAbcine is a clinical stage public company developing next generation IgG based therapeutics to treat cancer, neovascular eye diseases, and vascular related unmet needs.

After our Olinvacimab + Merck's Keytruda combo in mTNBC delivered 50% ORR, 67% DCR and clean safety in phase Ib, Phase II multicenter trial is ongoing. In contrast to bevacizumab, cyramza, lenvatinib or axitinib, olinvacimab does not cause hypertension, GI perforation, internal bleeding/hemorrhage, and proteinuria, suggesting ideal properties for combination therapeutics.

The Company also has three novel IND-ready assets with first-in-class potential.

PMC-309, a novel anti-VISTA-antagonizing IgG in pan pH, is an immune check-point regulator that targets MDSC (myeloid derived suppressor cells) and M2 macrophages which play pivotal role in maintaining immunosuppressive TME (Tumor Microenvironment). All comers with advanced cancer will be recruited for Phase I trial.

PMC-403 is a novel TIE2-activating antibody that stabilizes dysfunctional leaky disorganized pathological vessels. Wet AMD patients, who are suboptimal responding to Lucentis and Eylea, will be recruited for Phase I trial.

PMC-402 is a TIE2-activating antibody that stabilizes dysfunctional leaky disorganized pathological vessels. Diabetic patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy will be recruited for Phase I trial.

One of other non-clinical stage assets, PMC-005, is an anti-EGFRviii IgG that only binds to EGFRviii expressed on cancer cells and shows no binding to EGFR wild type. It can be applied to various modalities including CAR-T, CAR-NK, CAR-Macrophage, T cell engager, NK cell engager and Radio-Immunotherapy. Multiple collaborators showed their CAR-T using PMC-005 eradicating EGFRviii-positive tumors in animal model systems.

For additional information about PharmAbcine, visit http://www.pharmabcine.com or follow on Youtube and Linkedin.

SOURCE PharmAbcine
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pilot Company is celebrating the opening of a newly built travel center in Palmdale, CA and the completion of eight more store remodels as part of its New Horizons initiative. To officially commemorate these stores with guests and team members, Pilot Company teamed up with their local communities, partner organizations and Monster Energy to host on-site events featuring BMX bike shows, break dancers, special guests, giveaways, and more than $100,000 in donations to area schools.

To celebrate Driver Appreciation and several 'New Horizon' store remodels, Pilot Company went big in September with special events featuring BMX bikers, break dancers, giveaways, and more. The thank you to pro drivers continues in October with free drinks and more points. The Pilot travel center in Florence, SC celebrates Driver Appreciation and the completion of its major store remodel with a special event featuring Monster Energy and a BMX bike show on Sept. 2, 2022.

The festivities spanned from California to Missouri throughout the month of September and will continue in October with special offers and giving back check presentations at three locations that just completed their store remodels.

"Our team works hard to open a new store and make these remodels happen, and it's a moment of pride for them to celebrate with their family, friends, communities and guests," said Allison Cornish, VP of Store Modernization at Pilot Company. "Being that September is also when we recognize Driver Appreciation, it was only fitting that we go even bigger with these events to create a fun atmosphere for professional truck drivers and community members to gather together and have a good time."

The new Pilot travel center in Palmdale and freshly remodeled locations incorporate Pilot Company's latest store amenities and modern finishes for guests to enjoy, including:

Altoona, IA : Upgraded restrooms and bathrooms, an expanded deli menu, and new Cinnabon kiosk

Upgraded restrooms and bathrooms, an expanded deli menu, and new Cinnabon kiosk Boonville, MO : A new breakroom for team members, new kitchen to serve guests their favorite homecooked meal, and four self-checkouts

A new breakroom for team members, new kitchen to serve guests their favorite homecooked meal, and four self-checkouts Florence, SC : New kitchen for team members to prepare an expanded menu of fresh food and grab-and-go cold items, fully remodeled Wendy's, and four self-checkouts

New kitchen for team members to prepare an expanded menu of fresh food and grab-and-go cold items, fully remodeled Wendy's, and four self-checkouts Gordonsville, TN : Brand new restrooms and showers, newly remodeled Dunkin' Donuts

Brand new restrooms and showers, newly remodeled Dunkin' Donuts Hope Hull, AL : Newly added deli with grab-and-go options, an expanded beverage selection, and new Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J service center

Newly added deli with grab-and-go options, an expanded beverage selection, and new Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J service center Joplin, MO : Upgraded food and beverage selections, fully remodeled Wendy's, and four new self-checkouts

Upgraded food and beverage selections, fully remodeled Wendy's, and four new self-checkouts Palmdale, CA : Brand new location featuring a full deli with freshly prepared pizza, homestyle meals, and grab-and-go options, Subway, Cinnabon, four self-checkouts, five shower rooms, 55 truck parking spaces, 142 gasoline fueling positions and 7 diesel lanes with biofuel, DEF, and high-speed pumps for quicker refueling

Brand new location featuring a full deli with freshly prepared pizza, homestyle meals, and grab-and-go options, Subway, Cinnabon, four self-checkouts, five shower rooms, 55 truck parking spaces, 142 gasoline fueling positions and 7 diesel lanes with biofuel, DEF, and high-speed pumps for quicker refueling Pontoon Beach, IL : Fully remodeled restrooms, bathrooms, showers, kitchen, and Cinnabon kiosk

Fully remodeled restrooms, bathrooms, showers, kitchen, and Cinnabon kiosk Sullivan, MO : Upgraded deli with additional grab-and-go items, expanded beverage selection, and four new self-checkouts

Through October 23, guests can save 25% off food and beverages when checking out the latest remodels in Hope Hull, AL, Joplin, MO, and Sullivan, MO, by entering promo code PFJOctober in the myRewards Plus app.* To help guests go even further in their travels, Pilot Company is offering a 10-cent gas discount at all participating Pilot and Flying J travel centers through October 31 along with weekly deals to save on popular snacks and beverages with the myRewards Plus app.** Professional drivers are also eligible to receive special perks in the myRewards Plus app through October 31 as an extension of Driver Appreciation, including three free drinks choices each week and up to five points per gallon by activating PushForPointsTM.*

As part of the New Horizons project and in honor of its long history of giving back, Pilot Company is donating a total of $110,000 to ten local school districts in the recently remodeled and new store locations to support their robotics programs, purchase needed equipment such as projectors, and expand their creative labs.

The three-year $1 billion New Horizons project marks the company's most significant investment in store modernization to date. It will fully remodel more than 400 Pilot and Flying J travel centers and make additional upgrades at several more locations across the country. For more information about New Horizons, visit pilotflyingj.com/new-horizons, and to learn more about the 10-cent discount, visit pilotflyingj.com/rewards.

*Data rates may apply. Participating locations only. Terms and conditions apply.

**Data rates may apply. Participating locations only. Void where prohibited (not valid in Wisconsin and New Jersey). Other terms and conditions may apply. Visit pilotflyingj.com/rewards for details.

About Pilot Company

Pilot Travel Centers LLC ("Pilot Company") keeps North America's drivers moving as one of the leading suppliers of fuel and the largest operator of travel centers. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Company has grown its network to more than 800 retail and fueling locations and supplies more than 14 billion gallons of fuel per year to the market. Pilot Company has fourth largest tanker fleet with more than 1,600 trucks that supply DEF, bio and renewable fuels, and provides hauling and disposal services to the oil field sector. Pilot Company serves 1.3 million guests per day and provides over 70,000 fleet customers with solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, services and rewards. Its Pilot and Flying J travel center network includes over 750 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces with more than 790 restaurants, 75,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and offers truck maintenance and tire service with Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. The One9 Fuel Network connects a variety of fueling locations to provide smaller fleets and independent professional drivers with everyday value, convenience, credit and perks. More information on locations and rewards are available in the myRewards PlusTM app.

Pilot Company is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. For additional information about Pilot Company, its 30,000 team members and commitment to giving back, visit www.pilotcompany.com.

CONTACT:

Stephanie Myers

Manager, Media and Public Relations

865-474-4096

[email protected]

SOURCE Pilot Company
The U.S. is considered to be one of the highly lucrative markets for polysulfide. Polysulfide are widely used in industrial processing applications. Their usage in rubber industries, petroleum industries and chemical industries is rising day-by-day.

NEWARK, Del., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The polysulfide market is estimated to showcase phenomenal growth over the projection period by exhibiting a CAGR of 5.0% between 2021 to 2031. Countries including Japan, and Toray Fine Chemical, are known to be some of the leading manufacturers of polysulfide which are proceeding with the development of environmentally friendly methods of manufacturing liquid polysulfide elastomeric coatings.

As per historical estimations, the global market registered a CAGR of 4.8% between 2016 and 2020. Lithium sulfur has emerged as a promising next-generation candidate for the energy storage system.

The polysulfide market is anticipated to exhibit significant growth over the last few years and the global market is expected to bolster at a positive rate during the current estimations. The growth is attributed to its rising demand in the U.S., Brazil, and France, among other countries.

Request A Sample PDF: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-12908

Polysulfide is an essential component used in sealants, adhesives, and coatings, finding applications in the automotive & transportation Industry, industrial processing, specialty chemicals, building & construction, and protective coatings. Applications across diverse industries are creating lucrative prospects for the polysulfide market.

A significant surge in the applications of petrochemicals has been witnessed in several industries such as building and construction, automotive, transportation, and industrial processing. While these factors have been creating lucrative prospects for growth, the polysulfide market also has been gaining from strong domestic demand for chemicals and petroleum-related products.

After getting a thorough insight into the understanding of nature of the product and the extent of its use, market players in polysulfide are focusing their investments on the launch of new products and the diversification of their product portfolios to accommodate a wide range of applications.

Customization Before Buying, Visit: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-12908

Key Takeaways

Polysulfide comprises several branches such as polysulfide sealants, polysulfide adhesives, and polysulfide rubber that are used for preventing aircraft fuel tanks, industrial tank liners, and electrical potting amongst others. It is basically used in the form of sealants in order to fill the joints in the pavement, automotive window glasses, and other aircraft structures. Backed by several properties such as high dielectric strength, underwater curing capacity, exceptional chemical resistance, and metal-free, polysulfide compounds are witnessing exceptional demand at a commercial scale.

This growth is anticipated to become a long-lasting trend, especially in several end-use industries exhibiting consistent growth across the world. Some of the prominent manufacturers are shifting their focus to developing new products that are more environmentally friendly and organic in nature. By knowing the nature of the product and its breadth of use, market players in polysulfide are also concentrating their investments on the launch of new products.

Sustainable solutions have been driving the world in every industry which has resulted in the sustainable production of polymers and functional materials. Sulfur is a by-product extracted from the petroleum industry which is further converting it into polymers and several other related materials. In addition to this, the research and development initiatives have created a positive outlook for the copolymerization of sulfur with renewable monomers, representing a contribution towards sustainability.

In order to curb emissions of volatile compounds, various countries are implementing stringent regulations, manufacturers are likely to adopt strategies encouraging investments in research and development. This is inclined toward providing more sustainable solutions, which will have a positive impact on overall growth.

Use Promo Code ->> "FMITODAY" to Get Flat 20% Discount

Competitive Landscape

According to estimations done by Future Market Insights, the demand for Polysulfide market ranging from several other end-users of polysulfides such as piping and marine industries are projected to provide significant growth opportunities to the global market in the forecast period due to the solvent, weather-resistant, and other chemical properties such as stress corrosion cracking, soil PH and organic soil carbon of polysulfides. This surge of marine activities in rising economies with growing demand for recreational activities is anticipated to bolster the demand for recreational vessels, henceforth creating opportunities for the polysulfide market in the projection years.

More Insights into the Polysulfide Market

According to the analysis done by Future Market Insights, China is anticipated to dominate the global polysulfide market by accounting for a major chunk of the global market revenue. The growth in the region is expected to surge owing to the rising usage of construction chemicals such as polysulfide coatings and sealants expected to surge in response to increasing infrastructural activities in China.

China's recovery post-pandemic has assisted in a surge in the construction activities in the country, subsequently helping in recovery post-slowdown for the polysulfide market. Besides this, with manufacturing activities picking up, growth forecasts continue to remain positive for China.

Key Segments

Product Type

Thiokols

Solid Polysulfide Elastomers

End Use

Automotive & Transportation

Industrial Processing & Application

Building & Construction

Protective Coatings

Specialty Chemicals

others

Region

North America

Latin America

Europe

East Asia

South Asia & Pacific

& Pacific Middle East and Africa (MEA)

Talk with our expert : https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-12908

Table of Content

1. Executive Summary

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand Side Trends

1.3. Supply Side Trends

1.4. Analysis and Recommendations

2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations

3. Key Market Trends

3.1. Key Trends Impacting the Market

3.2. Product Innovation / Development Trends

4. Key Success Factors

4.1. Product Adoption / Usage Analysis

4.2. Strategic Promotional Strategies

Access Full Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/polysulfide-market

Explore wide-ranging Coverage of FMI's Chemicals & Materials Market Insights Landscape:

Polysulfide Resin Market: Global polysulfide resin market is poised to expand at 3.9% CAGR through 2031. Sales of polysulfide resins are projected to top US$ 229.76 Mn by 2031, with the U.S., Japan, France, Germany, and Russia emerging as key producers in the market.

Polyvinyl Chloride Market: Global polyvinyl chloride (PVC) market growth is primarily complemented by elevated demand in packaging, automotive and construction industries. The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) market is set for positive growth at approximately 4.2% CAGR over the course of projection period (2019-2029)

Phosphorus Pentasulfide Market: Global phosphorus pentasulfide demand is anticipated to be valued at US$ 442 Million in 2022, forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4% to be valued at US$ 654.25 Million from 2022 to 2032.

Polypropylene Market: Global polypropylene market registered a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 3.5% in 2021. Demand of polypropylene market is projected to grow at a value of 4.5% CAGR between 2022 and 2030.

Polypropylene Random Copolymers Market: The global polypropylene random copolymers market was worth US$ 8.3 Billion in revenue in 2021, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% between 2022 and 2032.

About Future Market Insights, Inc.

Future Market Insights, Inc. is an ESOMAR-certified business consulting & market research firm, a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and is headquartered in Delaware, USA. A recipient of Clutch Leaders Award 2022 on account of high client score (4.9/5), we have been collaborating with global enterprises in their business transformation journey and helping them deliver on their business ambitions. 80% of the largest Forbes 1000 enterprises are our clients. We serve global clients across all leading & niche market segments across all major industries.

Contact:

Future Market Insights Inc.

Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive,

Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA

T: +1-845-579-5705

For Sales Enquiries: [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197648/FMI_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Future Market Insights, Inc.
A Mubadala backed series relaunch "The Adventures of Mansour: Age of A.I." (52 x 11') becomes the first Arab cartoon originally produced in English and Arabic and repurposed for a global audience tackling issues, such as artificial intelligence, technology, climate change and space exploration

Builds on the current success of the "Mansour" show, which has racked up three million subscribers and 280 million watch hours with over 25 million unique viewers in the last 90 days

Funded by Mubadala Investment Company with the support of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority

A global network of talent including from the U.S., Canada , Europe and the Philippines have contributed to the new animation to appeal to an international audience

ABU DHABI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 'The Adventures of Mansour', a widely-popular cartoon in the Middle East with over two billion YouTube views, has announced it will re-launch an all-new series, "The Adventures of Mansour: Age of A.I." (52 x 11') at MIPCOM 2022 for a global audience, tackling issues of international significance such as artificial intelligence, the role of and reliance on technology, climate change and space exploration.

The first Arab cartoon originally produced in English and Arabic and repurposed for a global audience tackling global issues. Cartoon is funded by Mubadala Investment Company with the support of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority.

Originally created in Abu Dhabi to appeal to Arab children and encourage a healthy lifestyle, cultural appreciation and an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the show has superseded the expectations of its original, award-winning creator, Rashed Alharmoodi, to capture the imagination of children across the entire Middle East region and beyond.

Now a popular show among children in the region with three million subscribers and 280 million watch hours, and 25.2 million unique viewers in just the last 90 days, the new series aims to build on this success. As the first Arab cartoon to be originally produced in both English and Arabic, the new creators, Bidaya Media, aim to take the story of Mansour to children all around the world.

Commenting on the launch of the new globally relevant show, Brian Lott, Chairman of Bidaya Media and Chief Communications Officer of Mubadala, said: "Mansour has captured the imaginations of young audiences and established a wide fan base across the Middle East. Our upcoming seasons of the cartoon take Mansour to a new level, with the aim of encouraging children to understand issues across borders through fun and storytelling. As the first Arab cartoon to be originally produced in both English and Arabic, we have created new episodes of Mansour that build on its heritage and increase audience awareness internationally."

Set in the near future, in the technologically advanced Salam City, 'The Adventures of Mansour: Age of AI' is a sci-fi action adventure series that revolves around Mansour, a 12-year-old tech whiz, who unintentionally creates a mischievous sentient artificial intelligence known as Blink. With the support of his closest friends, Mansour must deal with all manner of pranks, challenges and dangers posed by Blink, who for his own amusement, is determined to cause as much chaos as possible for Mansour and the people of Salam City.

The series targets children aged 6-12 and is funded by Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), a sovereign investor that delivers a positive impact on the communities where it operates, and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) as part of their efforts to support children content creation that support inclusion, culture, and Arabic language.

Commenting on the partnership between the ECA and Mubadala on the show relaunch, H.E. Sana Suhail, Director General of ECA, said: "We are proud of our deepening partnership with Mubadala in expanding the available development opportunities for children worldwide through the relaunch of such a popular show. Importantly, the relaunch exhibits a healthy balance that is needed in today's world between the role of technology in our lives and the need for children to disconnect from their devices and connect with the real world. This healthy balance between the online and real worlds is at the core of this show and is key to better prepare our children for the future."

Supported by increased budgets and enhanced production values, the rebooted show has used a global network of talent to bring the fan-favorite show to children all around the world, from English voiceover performed at Baboon Animation in New York to animation production by Top Draw Studio in the Philippines.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1922024/Mubadala_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1922025/Mubadala_2.jpg

SOURCE Mubadala
Sterling Award Program Honors the Achievement

STERLING, Va., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quality Air Experts LLC has been selected for the 2022 Best of Sterling Award in the Air Conditioning Contractor category by the Sterling Award Program.

Each year, the Sterling Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Sterling area a great place to live, work and play.

Quality Air Quality Air Experts LLC Receives 2022 Best of Sterling Award

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2022 Sterling Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Sterling Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Sterling Award Program

The Sterling Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Sterling area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Sterling Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

CONTACT:

Esmaeil Behim

[email protected]

5713539900

SOURCE Quality Air
HOUSTON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE: PWR) announced today that it will release third quarter 2022 financial results on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, before the market opens. In conjunction with the press release, Quanta has scheduled a conference call and webcast for 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. Quanta will utilize a slide presentation to accompany its prepared remarks, which will be viewable through the webcast and available on the Investor Relations section of the Quanta website prior to the conference call (http://investors.quantaservices.com).

What: Quanta Services Third Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call When: Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022  9:00 a.m. Eastern time How: Live via phone  By dialing (201) 689-8345 or (877) 407-8291 and asking for the Quanta Services Third Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time.

Live via webcast  By logging on to the website through the Investor Relations section of Quanta's website (http://investors.quantaservices.com)

For those who cannot participate live, an archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call on the Investor Relations section of Quanta's website (http://investors.quantaservices.com) and dial-in information for a replay of the call will be available in the upcoming earnings release. For more information, please contact Kip Rupp at Quanta Services at (713) 341-7260.

About Quanta Services

Quanta is a leading specialized contracting services company, delivering comprehensive infrastructure solutions for the utility, renewable energy, communications, pipeline and energy industries. Quanta's comprehensive services include designing, installing, repairing and maintaining energy and communications infrastructure. With operations throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and select other international markets, Quanta has the manpower, resources and expertise to safely complete projects that are local, regional, national or international in scope. For more information, visit www.quantaservices.com.

Contact:

Kip Rupp, CFA, IRC

Quanta Services, Inc.

(713) 341-7260

SOURCE Quanta Services, Inc.
New HJT LION 390 Wp module available in European warehouses

LANNION, France, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RECOM Technologies,  leading renewable energy company and the only European Bloomberg Tier 1 PV module manufacturer, launches the new LION 390Wp Bifacial HJT Mono Crystalline Double Glass Module. Allowing more energy to be harvested, due to the Heterojunction technology (HJT), the LION 390Wp promises great performance in small and large-scale ground or rooftop solar applications.

RECOM Technologies LION HJT PV Module Series with power output over 700Wp & life expectancy over 30 years

Lion series modules with power output over 700Wp are based on Heterojunction (HJT) technology. Heterojunction (HJT) photovoltaic module is a ground breaking technology as it guarantees high performance and low degradation of the PV module, substantially improving the results and the yield in the time.

Heterojunction solar cells combine two different technologies into one cell: a mono thin crystalline silicon wafer surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers. This allows an increase in the efficiency of the panels and more energy to be harvested easily when compared to conventional silicon solar panels. With bifaciality factor up to 90% (compared to 70% industry standard modules), Lion modules gain up to 20% more energy yield, in low-light conditions, in the morning an evening hours and with cloudy skies. Owing to N-type technology the power losses are considerably decreased and there are No PID & No LID effects delivering lowest LCOE.

RECOM Technologies Lion series range is available from 375Wp and goes above 700Wp.

Product Specifications

Bifacial HJT Mono Crystalline Double Glass Module

30 Years Product Warranty & Output Warranty

Low Temperature Coefficient -0,24%/Celsius

>91,25% performance output after 30 years

10-35% Power Generation Gain

Module efficiency over 22,5%

High Bifaciality / High Energy Yield / Low Degradation

No LID & PID

RECOM's power plants are certified to ISO 9001 and 14001 standards and Lion series is fully certified to IEC61215 & 61730 standards. Lion series is also certified to withstand extreme wind Testing [2400 Pascal] and snow loads [5400 Pascal).

RECOM supports fast and reliable deliveries ensuring product availability at European warehouses.

For more information on RECOM's solar solutions, please visit https://recom-tech.com. For sales and technical inquiries please send email to [email protected].

About us

RECOM Technologies is a France based renewable energy company with notable presence in the global solar industry. RECOM is a module, cell, inverters, hybrid storage systems, batteries and electrical vehicle chargers (EV) manufacturer, an innovative company integrating R&D, manufacturing and distribution.

RECOM is a leading and the only Bloomberg Tier 1 PV module manufacturer in Europe with above 1,1GW annual production capacity and with sales of over 2GW solar modules in 95 countries.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1921301/RECOM_LION_HJT_PV.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1902016/RECOM_Technologies_Logo.jpg

Media Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +33255030861

SOURCE RECOM Technologies
"This drives real change and will also pressure the industry to notice the new benchmark of standards for the category."

dbramante1928, guided by WWF, a participant of the United Nations Global Compact and holding a validated Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) net zero carbon emissions goal by 2030, have joined with Reliance Communications, LLC to lead yet another industry first initiative in sustainable products.

"We have been creating impact across our local markets for sustainable mobile accessories and fashion products for many years, now. Partnering with Mike, and his teams at Reliance Communications, allows us to supercharge our mission in delivering sustainability and direct impact to global markets in the sustainable product race across manufacturing. The future looks very bright," said Dennis Dress, Co-Founder, & CEO, dbramante1928.

"We are thrilled to make an industry first move to bring sustainability into the North American accessory market and other global markets. Setting precedent for industry change we have been doing for years in the mobile industry, and when you can do it with such amazing partners as dbramante1928 & WWF to impact Global sustainability for generations to come, it's great to be a part of," said Mike Narula, president and CEO, Reliance Communications, LLC. "This drives real change across the industry that we are proud of and will also pressure the industry to notice the new benchmark of standards for the category."

Future looking, the organizations will expand production efforts to include Made in the USA initiatives in manufacturing from Puerto Rico and then to additional Global distribution to impact neighboring regions with their drive to provide industry change.

Additionally, dbramante1928 & Reliance Communications, LLC are proud to support LittleBigHelp, that works to create better opportunities for vulnerable children and women in West Bengal, India, as the partnership has operations in Kolkata, India, and other parts of the region. They believe it's essential to give something back to the communities they work in, supporting LittleBigHelp since 2013.

About Reliance Communications

Reliance Communications, LLC is a Global leader in distribution of wireless devices and accessories for more than two decades and is one of only three authorized Verizon Wireless distributors in the U.S.

As a one-stop service solutions provider for the world's leading wireless carriers and device manufacturers, Reliance Communications has deep expertise in distribution, forward and reverse logistics, engineering support, marketing, product training as well as refurbishment and testing facilities directly from their North American Headquarters in Bay Shore, NY, offering a full suite of modular services to their customers.

More information about Reliance Communications and Orbic available at:

www.orbic.us

About dbramante1928

Dbramante1928 is a Danish fashion and lifestyle brand with a focus on sustainable mobile accessories made of full-grain leather or recycled plastic materials. Since our foundation in 2011, we have been making high-quality, eco-friendly products that are as beautiful as they are durable.

More about dbramante1928 at: www.dbramante1928.com

SOURCE Reliance Communications, LLC
LONDON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RFI Global, the global leader in data and insights for financial services, today announced that it has acquired MacroMonitor, a leading US-based specialist financial services data and insights provider. In addition to establishing offices in Toronto, New York, San Francisco and Mexico City, this exciting acquisition will further enhance RFI's unique data and insights proposition for the US Financial Services community.

Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, MacroMonitor, has been delivering data and insights to financial services clients for over four decades and is the most comprehensive and granular financial dataset in the US.

MacroMonitor measures all financial areas: offering financial services providers reliable, single-source research about US economic households' needs, attitudes, and behaviours.

Combining RFI Global's dataset with MacroMonitor's comprehensive proposition in the US market will provide MacroMonitor's client base with enhanced services and solutions, including access to RFI's global datasets and deep FS expertise across 49 international markets in areas such as Buy Now Pay Later, Digital Innovation, SME and Commercial Banking, International and Business Payments and many more.

RFI Global's CEO and Co-Founder Charles Green says in his announcement of the acquisition: "All of us at RFI Global, and our investment partners at Diversis Capital, are incredibly excited about the acquisition of MacroMonitor. Joining MacroMonitor's rich legacy with the global reach and innovative products of RFI Global will allow us to create a superior offering for both the US and wider North American market and deliver a step change for both companies' clients."

RFI Global was founded in 2006 to provide unparalleled financial intelligence for the Australian and Asia-Pacific markets and has since grown into a global company serving 49 markets. Backed by their investment partners, Diversis Capital, RFI Global is on an exponential growth trajectory, having recently established a local presence in Mexico City, New York, Dubai, Paris and San Francisco to add to its existing presence in London, Sydney, Singapore, and Toronto.

Larry Cohen, Director of SBI's Consumer Financial Decisions and the MacroMonitor says: "RFI Global is a fantastic partner for MacroMonitor and I could not be more pleased to be joining forces with them. Our long-standing client base will benefit from the breadth and depth of RFI Global's offering, solutions and service capabilities in addition to the services they have enjoyed for years from MacroMonitor. This will be the beginning of a new era for our clients."

Notes for Editors:

About RFI Global

RFI Global is the data and insight partner for the world's financial services community. Since 2006 we've provided tailored subscription-based insight and data solutions for local, regional and global Financial Services players that enable them to make data-driven decisions confidently and quickly.

About MacroMonitor

The MacroMonitor is the most comprehensive, independent macroeconomic measurement of US households. The biennial, proprietary survey has been the foundation of CFD services. The MacroMonitor serves as an objective, single source for data about consumer needs, behaviors, and attitudes in response to financial-industry change. Its use is a reliable method to target customers and to identify trends.

About Diversis Capital

Founded in 2013, Diversis is a software and technology focused private equity fund that invests in lower middle-market companies, targeting situations where it can add unique value in helping a company reach the next level. With a collaborative approach to investing, its Operating Partners and Strategic Advisors work alongside management teams to help build successful organizations positioned for long-term growth. To learn more, please visit www.diversis.com.

For more information, contact:

Chloe James  Group Media Director at RFI Global

Email: [email protected]

OR

Valeria Balaro  VP Marketing at RFI Global

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE RFI Global
Tour the elegant Sunstone and Tourmaline models at Seasons at Calumet



JARRELL, Texas, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Richmond American Homes of Texas, Inc., a subsidiary of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MDC), is excited to announce the grand opening of two new model homes at Seasons at Calumet in Jarrell. The single-story Sunstone and two-story Tourmaline models boast open layouts, exciting structural features and the designer details homebuyers are seeking.

Model Grand Opening Event (RichmondAmerican.com/CalumetGO)

The Tourmaline is one of seven inspired Richmond American floor plans available at Seasons at Calumet in Jarrell, Texas.

Prospective homebuyers and area agents are invited to attend the grand opening from 12 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 20. In addition to complimentary lunch and model home tours, attendees can enter for a chance to win a prize drawing.

More about Seasons at Calumet (RichmondAmerican.com/SeasonsatCalumet):

New Seasons Collection homes from the mid $300s

Seven versatile single and two-story floor plans

2 to 6 bedrooms, approx. 1,560 to 2,950 sq. ft.

Close proximity to notable schools and outdoor recreation

Easy access to I-35

Move-in ready homes available!

Those who choose to build a new home from the ground up at this community will have the opportunity to work with professional design consultants to select colors, textures, finishes and fixtures for their new living spacesa complimentary service!

Seasons at Calumet is located at 609 Seabiscuit Drive in Jarrell. For more information or to RSVP, call 512.515.8103 or visit RichmondAmerican.com.

About M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

Operating under the name Richmond American Homes, MDC's homebuilding subsidiaries have built more than 230,000 homes since 1977. Among the nation's largest homebuilders, MDC's subsidiary companies have operations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Mortgage lending, plus insurance and title services are offered by the following MDC subsidiaries, respectively: HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Home Title and Escrow Company. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDC." For more information, visit MDCHoldings.com.

SOURCE M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
Leading compliance solutions provider will broaden company's capabilities across life sciences and create a robust platform for future innovation and growth

CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RLDatix, the leading global provider of healthcare operations software and services that drive safer care, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Porzio Life Sciences, a market leader in compliance solutions for the life sciences industry which had been a wholly-owned subsidiary of the law firm of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman since 2004.

Porzio Life Sciences simplifies compliance by combining its regulatory expertise with product innovation to deliver a truly unique solution to its customers. Designed by experienced lawyers and regulatory experts, Porzio Life Sciences is a database and software solutions business that automates transparency reporting and other compliance tasks for organizations around the world. Combined with RLDatix's existing governance, risk, compliance (GRC) and workforce management offerings, Porzio Life Sciences broadens the company's capabilities across life sciences and provides a comprehensive set of tools at global scale.

"RLDatix's acquisition of Porzio Life Sciences, when combined with our current solutions, will create a comprehensive suite of compliance offerings for the life sciences industry and a global leader in governance, risk, compliance and workforce management," said Jeff Surges, CEO, RLDatix. "We're excited to bring these capabilities together and to forge an innovative new path forward for our hundreds of pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device clients around the world."

Porzio, Bromberg & Newman will continue to maintain a strategic relationship with the company after the transaction closes. The two entities will co-market Porzio Life Sciences' products and services and will collaborate to deliver innovative compliance solutions for the life sciences industry.

"This is a great day for our clients," said Vito A. Gagliardi, Jr., Managing Principal, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman. "Under RLDatix's leadership, Porzio Life Sciences will continue to simplify the compliance efforts of pharmaceutical companies while benefiting from the global scale and reach that is critical to driving ongoing success and growth."

John Oroho, the Porzio, Bromberg & Newman lawyer who founded and developed Porzio Life Sciences, will join RLDatix as President and General Manager of RLDatix's life sciences division. "The success of Porzio Life Sciences was always predicated on the notion of being built from the law," said Oroho. "As we join forces with RLDatix, I am inspired by their commitment to putting the voice of the customer at the forefront of everything they do. Together, we will deliver innovative solutions that exceed the expectations of our clients."

The transaction is scheduled to close early next month subject to customary closing conditions which are expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

About RLDatix

RLDatix is a global healthcare technology company helping organizations to provide safer care. Trusted by over 6,000 customers, we integrate and automate workflows across governance, risk, compliance (GRC), and workforce management functions to deliver critical insights that improve quality outcomes. As the only technology platform linking workforce management and GRC, our broad suite of enterprise software applications and services enable the identification of risk, enhance operational efficiency and compliance, and build a consistent, transparent culture of safety. RLDatix is committed to helping our customers inspire trust and provide a better, safer experience for clinicians, staff, and patients alike. RLDatix is controlled by Five Arrows, TA Associates and Nordic Capital as major shareholders. Visit rldatix.com to learn more.

About Porzio Life Sciences

Porzio Life Sciences provides compliance services and solutions to the life sciences industry. Porzio Life Sciences' Global Risk Management Platform features software solutions and services that are "built from the law" by a team of regulatory compliance experts. The company's comprehensive solutions help inhouse compliance and legal professionals manage all aspects of the compliance lifecycle including; regulatory research, spend transparency reporting, monitoring and analytics, price transparency, and management and tracking of high-risk engagements in jurisdictions around the country and the world all with world-class support from dedicated regulatory experts.

About Porzio, Bromberg & Newman

Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. is a full-service law firm headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey. Founded in 1962, the firm has over 90 lawyers located in 8 offices throughout New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico.

For More Information:

Mike Etzinger

CMO, North America

RLDatix

[email protected]

SOURCE RLDatix
BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has appointed Manish Kumar as the new Executive Vice President of Digital Energy, effective October 1, 2022.

Manish Kumar newly appointed EVP Digital Energy, Schneider Electric (PRNewsfoto/Schneider Electric)

The Digital Energy business provides energy and automation solutions to deliver a sustainable and efficient future for customers. Power digitalization is foundational to future-ready energy management. It makes the invisible visible, turning data into business value to enable better decision-making and intelligent automation. This improves reliability, quality, efficiency, and a path to sustainability for critical infrastructures, critical facilities, and buildings.

In his new role, Kumar will be responsible for driving innovation in the Digital Energy solutions to help customers digitize and decarbonize their operations. Kumar will accelerate the digitalization of power networks and systems through EcoStruxure, an IoT-enabled architecture and platform that embraces advancements in IoT, mobility, sensing, cloud, analytics, and cybersecurity, to meet the growing market demand.

Kumar steps into this new role at a critical time for the sector as an estimated 40% of global CO2 emissions come from buildings, while stringent regulations for sustainable operations are on the rise. Approximately 50% of today's buildings will require energy efficient retrofitting by 2050  and new buildings will need to be Net Zero starting in 2030.

With his wealth of experience in digital, renewable, building and power automation, Kumar is well positioned to advance the business with developments in innovative solutions that will digitize and decarbonize our customers' operations.

Kumar remarked, "Businesses and governments around the world face the increasingly urgent need to decarbonize and drive energy efficiency to tackle climate change and energy security. I'm honored by the opportunity to lead Schneider's talented and passionate team  and to continually push envelope on what's possible in enabling the digitalization of power & buildings of the future."

Joining Schneider Electric in 2008, he has held an array of positions, including leading the Strategy, Solar and Building businesses in France, USA and Canada. In his most recent role, he led the global strategy and sustainability for Schneider's Energy Management Business.

Prior to joining Schneider Electric, Kumar worked as a software engineer and business consultant for Infosys in both India and California. He earned his MBA from HEC Paris, Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School, and his Bachelor of Engineering from Thapar Institute of engineering, India.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider's purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.

We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.

We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.

www.se.com

Discover Life Is On

Follow us on:

Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Blog





Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next generation automation on Schneider Electric Insights

SOURCE Schneider Electric
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Schulte Roth & Zabel (SRZ) is pleased to announce the addition of Martin Schmelkin as a partner in the firm's Employment & Employee Benefits practice in New York.

Marty has nearly 30 years of experience in employment law, with a particular focus on employment and employee benefits issues for investment managers. He joins SRZ from Jones Day, where he was a partner. Prior to that, he spent 15 years as a Managing Director and Associate General Counsel at Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he focused on employment law, giving him a deep understanding of the complex issues faced by clients in the financial services industry.

Marty represents clients in all aspects of employment law, including counseling on recruitment, hiring, employment agreements, compensation, and promotions, as well as disciplinary and termination activity, advising on litigation strategy, coordinating the implementation of policies and programs across multiple global jurisdictions, and leading workplace training programs. He also has a wealth of experience with diversity, equity and inclusion policies and programs, including the interplay with Environmental Social Governance (ESG) reporting. Marty's clients include hedge funds, private equity firms, asset managers and investment banks.

"I am thrilled to join the premier law firm serving the private funds industry and an employment practice that has tremendous experience, depth and breadth in all facets of employment counseling and litigation," said Marty. "Investment managers have a unique set of challenges in terms of employment issues, given market instability and continued demand for high-performing talent. I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues and providing the counsel and clarity our clients demand."

"There is tremendous need for employment counsel that intimately understands the private funds space," said Mark Brossman, co-head of SRZ's Employment & Employee Benefits Practice. "Marty's extensive background and varied experience will allow us to continue to address the complete range of interconnected issues facing investment managers today."

"Many of our Investment Management partners have known Marty for years through his engagement and stature in the industry," said David Efron, co-managing partner of SRZ and Investment Management Group partner. "He has a well-earned reputation as an adviser and problem solver, and is one of the leading employment attorneys in the private capital space. We look forward to working with him to propel our clients' ambitions and allow them to maximize their opportunities."

Marty received his undergraduate degree from the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) and his J.D. from New York University.

About Schulte Roth & Zabel:

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP is a full-service law firm with offices in New York, Washington, DC and London. As one of the leading law firms serving the financial services industry, the firm advises clients on investment management, corporate and transactional matters, and provides counsel on securities regulatory compliance, enforcement and investigative issues. The firm's practices include: antitrust; bank regulatory; bankruptcy & creditors' rights litigation; blockchain technology & digital assets; broker-dealer regulatory & enforcement; business reorganization; complex commercial litigation; cybersecurity & data privacy; distressed debt & claims trading; distressed investing; education law; employment & employee benefits; energy; environmental; estate planning; estate & trust administration; environmental, social and governance (ESG); family law; finance & derivatives; financial institutions; hedge funds; insurance; intellectual property, sourcing & technology; investment management; litigation; litigation finance; mergers & acquisitions; nonprofits; philanthropic planning; PIPEs; private credit, distressed investing & direct lending; private equity; real estate; real estate capital markets & REITs; real estate litigation; regulated funds; regulatory & compliance; securities & capital markets; securities enforcement; securities litigation; securitization; shareholder activism; structured finance & derivatives; tax; trading agreements; and white collar defense & government investigations.

Contacts:

Stanton

Mike Goodwin

[email protected]

646-502-3595

SOURCE Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
Nominate a teacher for their chance to win a Nutri-Grain bin with a supply of bars for the school year & more

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Oct. 17, 2022 Whether it be a math lesson or a life lesson, one thing remains certain: teachers go above and beyond to leave a lasting impact on their students. They show up in the ways that matter most, often digging into their own pockets to stock their classrooms (and we're not just talking school supplies) to help set their students up for success. Teachers continue to have their students' backs and Nutri-Grain wants to have teachers' backs, too  and that's why the brand is looking for your help.

Sixty percent of teachers spend an estimated $300 of their own money per year on snacks for their students.1 The Nutri-Grain "Got Your Back Bin" sweepstakes aims help alleviate some of that burden while recognizing and celebrating hardworking educators across the country.

From Oct. 17-28, Nutri-Grain encourages anyone with a special K-12 teacher in their life to nominate that educator in the Nutri-Grain "Got Your Back Bin" sweepstakes for a chance for that educator to win. Simply visit nutrigrain.com/gotyourbackbin and share a short story about how that teacher goes the extra mile to have their students' backs.

Winning teachers will receive a colorful "Got Your Back Bin" complete with a supply of Nutri-Grain bars and coupon book to replenish their Nutri-Grain classroom snacks (60 boxes combined), plus a $100 gift card to treat themselves (because, let's be honest, they more than deserve it!).

"Nutri-Grain knows food is one of the most important school supplies," says Heidi Ray, Senior Marketing Director. "Teachers know this too, so they often have snacks on hand that they've paid for out of their own pockets. Nutri-Grain has teachers' backs. That's why we are surprising teachers nationwide with a bin of Nutri-Grain bars to offer in their classrooms throughout the school year. Just one small way we can support educators and say thank you for all they do."

To further support schools, Nutri-Grain is also making a $75,000 donation to No Kid Hungry, which can help provide 750,000 meals to kids and further fuel learning in classrooms across the country.2 The donation is the latest effort in Kellogg's longstanding partnership with No Kid Hungry, which since 2013 has helped more than 1.4 million kids get access to meals at school.

To join Nutri-Grain in celebrating and supporting teachers, simply visit nutrigrain.com/gotyourbackbin between Oct. 17-28 and nominate a teacher for a chance to win a "Got Your Back Bin" prize pack. For full sweepstakes rules, visit nutrigrain.com/gotyourbackrules .

Nutri-Grain bars are available in the snack aisle of grocery stores nationwide. For more information visit NutriGrain.com.

Terms & Conditions

Abbreviated Rules. No Purchase Necessary. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry; nominated teachers must be a currently active K-12 teacher physically located in the United States. Begins at 12:00:00 AM (ET) on 10/17/22 and ends at 11:59:59 PM (ET) on 10/28/22. To enter and/or for complete Official Rules, go to www.nutrigrain.com/gotyourbackrules . Odds of winning depend on total number of eligible entries received during the Promotion Period. Prizes in this Sweepstakes will be awarded to nominated teachers, as further described in the Official Rules. Subject to complete Official Rules. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Kellogg Company, One Kellogg Square, Battle Creek, MI 49016.

, ,  2022 Kellogg NA Co.

About Kellogg Company

At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), our vision is a good and just world where people are not just fed but fulfilled. We are creating better days and a place at the table for everyone through our trusted food brands. Our beloved brands include Pringles, Cheez-It, Special K, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Eggo, Mini-Wheats, Kashi, RXBAR, MorningStar Farms and more. Net sales in 2021 were nearly $14.2 billion, comprised principally of snacks as well as convenience foods like cereal, frozen foods, and noodles. As part of our Kellogg's Better Days ESG strategy, we're addressing the interconnected issues of wellbeing, climate and food security, creating Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030. Visit www.KelloggCompany.com.











1 No Kid Hungry Survey, August 2017 2 $1 can help provide 10 meals to kids. No Kid Hungry does not provide individual meals; your donations help support programs that feed kids. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org/OneDollar.

SOURCE Kellogg Company
Acquisition Adds Technology Platform to Sitero Offerings, With Plans to Introduce Intelligent Automation to the IRB, IBC, IACUC and Higher Education Sectors

MIAMI, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sitero today announced its acquisition of Axiom, a leading technology provider of SaaS compliance solutions to higher education, IRB, IBC, Clinical and commercial research organizations.

The acquisition of Axiom supports Sitero's vision of providing technology enabled solutions to ensure the safety and protection of patients and the research community, with an emphasis on ethics, compliance, and innovation. The Axiom Mentor product suite allows Sitero to leverage its market presence and domain expertise to serve and expand Axiom's current customer base while uniting their complementary services with a cutting-edge technology platform.

Sitero is excited to introduce a next-generation product suite built with intelligent automation to a sector struggling with antiquated technology solutions.

"With a host of innovative solutions aligned to our vision, the Axiom Mentor platform adds a technology dimension to Sitero's already unique value proposition," said Sankesh Abbhi, CEO of Sitero. "This acquisition highlights Sitero's commitment to providing innovative, predictive solutions built with intelligent automation that aim to change how the IRB, IBC, IACUC and higher education sectors manage their compliance."

Donald Bodnar, Axiom's CEO, added, "We're thrilled to be joining Sitero, a company that shares our commitment to supplying innovative solutions to ensure our customers receive the highest level of service and support in their research enterprise. Now, as part of Sitero, we can help our customers by providing results that are rooted in innovation and supported by domain expertise."

The Axiom Mentor product suite will be rebranded to 'Sitero Mentor' and will be Sitero's technology offering. Sitero Mentor will continue to support Axiom's existing customer base while developing innovative compliance solutions for new customers as well.

About Sitero - www.sitero.com

Sitero is an emerging leader in Clinical services and software solutions for the life sciences industry. The Company has experience in a diverse range of therapeutic areas, with specific expertise in providing innovative, technology-enabled solutions that allow its customers to focus on their core strengths. For early phase studies through Phase III clinical trials, Sitero's seasoned team delivers high-touch services and technology to ensure the safety of all stakeholders across the clinical research community with an emphasis on ethics, compliance and innovation.

About Axiom

Axiom Mentor is a leading provider of online research compliance modules. The Mentor technology platform streamlines workflows including submissions, reviews, approvals and post-approval reporting. Mentor saves time and money by reducing administrative tasks for researchers and workload for support staff. Built by researchers, the Mentor system provides you with an intuitive, responsive interface that is configured to your workflow and policies.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE Sitero
Touchless clock in/out and automatic thermal temperature readings protect residents, patients and staff against infectious germ spread

Supports multi-position functions for employees between different assignments and departments, and associated variant pay rates and cost centers

ISELIN, N.J., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Smartlinx , the platform simplifying healthcare workforce management with transformational visibility, predictability and control, today announced that it has expanded its offerings in touchless time tracking and employee scheduling to better meet the current staffing and infection disease climate in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. The Advanced Timeclock for Employees (SLATE) curbs the spread of germs with thermal-sensing temperature monitoring and touchless functionality, preventing workers with fevers from starting a shift and halting harmful microorganisms from entering a facility.

According to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Nursing Home Data , total confirmed COVID cases amongst residents is an astronomical 1,231,578 and staff totals even greater at 1,317,494. This vulnerable population and its caregivers require protection in every way possible - the impetus for Smartlinx's creation of SLATE.

With a predicted more severe flu season this winter and rising COVID cases tied to colder weather, operators must take advanced precautions to protect residents. Longer term, by 2030, all of the United States' baby boomer generation, consisting of 74 million people, will be at least age 65 (about 10,000 people a day crossing that age threshold) - a demographic shift coined "the gray tsunami," according to the United States Census Bureau. Technology like SLATE must be adopted quickly and uniformly to help thwart infectious spread in facilities that serve the senior population.

Fully integrated with the Smartlinx suite, SLATE enables employees and agency staff to punch in and out without ever touching the high-usage device. SLATE connects to Smartlinx Go Mobile app so employees receive a QR generated code for use on their mobile device, reducing long lines at shift changes.

"We developed SLATE to meet the needs of today's healthcare workers - ease of use and safety being paramount. The workforce needs to punch in and out the way they want - touchless or easily on their phones, which bodes well for curbing germ spread in facilities. By offering this functionality, as well as easy thermal temperature monitoring, we are literally taking the heat off operators to help keep residents and staff healthy," said Marina Aslanyan, Chief Executive Officer, Smartlinx.

Additional Benefits Include:

User Friendly and Intuitive, Fits Anywhere

SLATE can go anywhere an operator wants to easily track attendance and fevers - from building entrances to nurses' stations. Employees clock in and out, see their schedules, complete questionnaires, check accruals and request time off, completing these actions many times faster than with other solutions.

Easy Credential Matching, Multi-Position Support

SLATE empowers employers to know whether a nurse is credentialed with its unique "credential logic," matching shift needs with the right caregiver. As well, SLATE supports multi-position functions for employees between different assignments and departments, and associated variant pay rates and cost centers.

Cost Efficient, Eliminates Time Theft, Violations and Fines

SLATE eliminates wasted resources as operators are afforded new levels of accountability and efficiency. SLATE prevents unscheduled, early, late and buddy punches, automatically enforces scheduling rules for early arrivals and late departures, and allows role assignments upon punch out.

Secure Interactions, Data Integrity

Communication is secure, backed by end-to-end encryption, and SLATE supports offline capture in the event of a power or network outage or cyber attack, retaining data integrity for customers.

All-in-one time and scheduling solution, easy updates

SLATE is based on hardware made in the USA with future-proof scalability. It is cloud-based and Wi-Fi-enabled with a large, interactive screen. Smartlinx offers automatic, no-cost updates and data backups, without a service call, end-user involvement or added fees. SLATE also easily supports complex overtime and break regulatory requirements, and Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) reporting. Agency staff are able to also use the same SLATE clock, which makes PBJ reporting easier and provides critical reporting of labor and care that includes all staff  contractors and employees.

"This is the new way of managing staff and keeping people healthy, and caregiving will never go back," Aslanyan added. "Technology like ours continues to make it easier and more effective to prevent germ spread, while enabling operators to avoid everyday pitfalls around staffing, fines, compliance, and other issues that arise in caregiver workforce management."

For more information on SLATE, visit www.smartlinx.com/products/time-clocks/ .

About Smartlinx

Smartlinx is the easy-to-use platform simplifying management of the healthcare workforce with transformational visibility, predictability and control. By saving operators time and money, and providing unparalleled insights in real-time, Smartlinx's purpose-built solution suite enables improved measures of care quality and reimbursement, reduces costs associated with overstaffing and excess overtime, and ensures regulatory compliance. From scheduling and time and attendance, to payroll and compliance, acquisition and onboarding, human resources, insights and more, Smartlinx is ever adapting to shifting business conditions. Founded in 2000, Smartlinx helps thousands of healthcare organizations and supports hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers by freeing them from complexities in healthcare.

The mission of Smartlinx: caring for those who care. For more information, visit Smartlinx.com .

Media Contact

[email protected]

SOURCE SmartLinx
Company uses cold weather expertise to help provide affordable clean energy to local communities in Alberta

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Solar FlexRack announced that its fixed tilt mounting solutions have been selected by engineering, construction and procurement (EPC) company, Dependable Group of Companies (DGC), to be installed in a 48 MW solar project portfolio in Alberta, Canada. These 26 MW and 22 MW projects located in Drumheller and Stavely are the latest additions to the renewable energy portfolio of Canada's largest community builder. In total, these projects will generate enough renewable energy to power over 22,000 homes year-round and are expected to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2023.

The 38 MW Cedarvale solar project in Ontario, Canada represents one of over 120 cold weather-challenged projects Solar FlexRack has supplied with its mounting solutions and engineering expertise over the past decade.

"We chose to work with Solar FlexRack on these projects due to their strong reputation and extensive experience with weather-challenged solar projects in cold climates, including throughout Canada, Illinois and the Northeastern U.S.," said Rajesh Ahuja, President of DGC. "Solar FlexRack has always been able to provide thorough and timely engineering expertise. We consider them a true partner on these projects, in addition to a reliable mounting technology supplier."

These projects will support Canada's commitment to achieving a net-zero electricity grid by 2035. This year alone, Canada is on track to see a more than five-fold increase in the installation of wind and solar power plants. In Alberta in particular, Canada's largest oil and natural gas producing province, the provincial government has set a target to eliminate coal-powered electricity, which is expected to be achieved seven years ahead of its scheduled date of 2030. Additionally, a tenfold growth in large scale solar power plants is expected in the province by 2024.

"We are grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside DGC to help deliver more affordable clean energy to these Alberta townships through several large-scale solar projects," said Sasha Honsl, Director of International Business Development at Solar FlexRack. "With a favorable regulatory environment, vast solar resources and ambitious provincial and federal renewable energy targets, Canada is currently rich for development and we are looking forward to deploying our time-tested technology and cold weather expertise in many more solar projects to come throughout Canada."

Solar FlexRack's experience in Canada dates back to the origin of the company, with the majority of the company's initial projects taking place in Ontario, Canada. The company has since leveraged its experience on over 120 weather-challenged sites in Canada to enable the growth of both fixed tilt and solar tracker projects in similar regions in the U.S.

About Solar FlexRack

Solar FlexRack, a division of Northern States Metals, is an integrated solar company that offers custom-designed, fixed tilt ground mount and single-axis solar tracking systems in the commercial and utility-scale solar mounting industries. Solar FlexRack also offers full services, including engineering, geotechnical, pullout testing, field, and layout design services to address the actual site conditions of a project site. Solar FlexRack has completed over 3.5 GW of solar racking installations in over 40 U.S. states, 9 Canadian provinces, and across the globe. For more information, go to solarflexrack.com, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Solar FlexRack Media Contact:

Staci Lombardo

330-799-1855

[email protected]

SOURCE Solar FlexRack
HARRISONBURG, Va., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Post reported on Oct. 13 that cyberattacks continue to be a concern for election security and Tech Crunch reported that social engineering attacks are on the rise, giving hackers access to data and services at well-known and well-resourced organizations such as Mailchimp and Uber.

The common target of such attacks are people, says James Madison University cybersecurity expert Ahmad Salman.

The common target of such attacks are people, says James Madison University cybersecurity expert Ahmad Salman. Tweet this James Madison University cybersecurity expert Ahmad Salman says cybersecurity starts with simple precautions.

"The biggest threat is imposed by the human factor where people may fall victim to phishing scams and e-mail spoofing to trick them into revealing sensitive information such as passwords to e-mail accounts, social media accounts and even bank accounts," said Salman, a professor of information technology who researches cryptography for secure communications in lightweight devices and also explores the security and privacy concerns in IoT devices and intelligent transportation systems.

In observance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Salman offers the following tips.

Use strong passwords that have at least 12 characters and includes a combination of uppercase characters, lowercase characters, numbers and special characters. Or choose four random words representing a place, a name, an object, and an animal (e.g. BostonJacksonTruckCow), which might make the password easy to remember and still long enough to be secure.

Never use the same password for different devices and sites.

Always use/enable two-factor authentication on accounts requiring logins. This is perhaps the most important defense mechanism that can prevent financial loss and other damages.

Install the latest operating system updates and security patches released by developers and device manufacturers.

Never click on web links or open attachments received in e-mails or text messages from untrusted sources.

Never share passwords with anyone and do not share sensitive data with anyone unless you are absolutely sure of their identity, and whether or not they need to know that information. Cyber criminals always try to add a sense of urgency when attempting to lure a victim, to prevent them from applying rational thinking. It is important to take your time before reacting to suspicious messages such as those containing unusual money requests from colleagues or supervisors

More information about James Madison University, including rankings and recognitions can be found at jmu.edu/about .

SOURCE James Madison University
DALLAS, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellar Service Brands CEO Sherry Rose was recently named one of the top 50 "Women of Wonder" (WOW) by Franchise Dictionary Magazine, which recognizes women who are making significant impacts on franchising. The recognition comes at a time when Stellar Service Brands is seeing record growth and interest from franchise prospects.

"There are so many inspiring women recognized on this list, both established and emerging, that are making a huge impact on the franchise industry. To be recognized among them is a big honor," said Sherry Rose, CEO of Stellar Service Brands. "In 2023, Stellar Service Brands will concentrate on expanding franchise networks, providing back-office infrastructure support, and identifying additional strategic opportunities for all of our brands."

With nearly 500 locations throughout the United States, Stellar Service Brands offers ways for entrepreneurs to embrace small business ownership with their own residential and commercial service franchise business. Behind Stellar Service Brands' accelerated expansion is the core belief that small businesses are the heart of the American dream and to give passionate people opportunities for their hard work to pay off, so they can build better futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.

"Women are disrupting the franchising space, and it's thrilling!" says Alesia Visconti, CEO of Franchise Dictionary Magazine. "Implementing culture and understanding the importance of everyone feeling valued, women are able to gain commitment from their teams and implement innovative ideas for success. Our '50 Women of Wonder' (WOW) are fran-tastic, talented, strong, and dynamic! The franchise community is better for their leadership and wisdom, and we are honored and excited to celebrate their powerful contributions!"

The full list of top 50 "Women of Wonder" can be found in the October issue of Franchise Dictionary Magazine. Proceeds from this issue of Franchise Dictionary Magazine will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

To learn more about Stellar Service Brands, visit Stellarservicebrands.com

About Stellar Service Brands



Based in Dallas, Texas, Stellar Service Brands is a holding company that includes Restoration 1 , an award-winning franchise that specializes in a wide array of emergency mitigations, restoration and reconstructions services; bluefrog Plumbing + Drain , a trusted franchise in plumbing repair and installation; The Driveway Company , a leading franchise for concrete driveway repair and maintenance; and Softroc , a provider of poured in place rubber surfacing. Together, they include nearly 500 franchise locations across the U.S. With the investment and support of MPK Equity Partners, Stellar plans to continue expanding by adding brands that share the company's goal of providing exceptional home and commercial services.

About Franchise Dictionary Magazine



The Franchise Dictionary Magazine is a national publication that is a digital magazine, with more than 350,000 readers and targets prospective franchisees in an informative and educational format. The magazine is also printed for industry events and shows.

SOURCE Stellar Service Brands
- 2 New Locations to Open in 2022

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stoner's Pizza Joint, a quick-service pizza franchise, announced today that it will be expanding its footprint in Denver, Colorado with two additional locations scheduled to open by year end of 2022. The locations are at 4565 E. Colfax Ave, Denver, CO and 7456 S. Simms St. #2, Littleton, CO 89127.

6460 E Yale Ave., Denver, CO 80222

"We are thrilled to be opening our 2nd and 3rd location in the Denver market after a successful launch last year," said Jason Goetz of JG Restaurant Group, a multi-unit franchisee. "The reception of our brand in the community has been amazing and we look forward to serving the greater Denver market this year!"

Stoner's Pizza Joint is a delivery and takeout focused concept featuring fresh, high-quality food prepared in-house daily with minimal production time, including proprietary recipes for the pizza dough, sauce, and cheese blend. Menu items include a variety of specialty pizzas, calzones, strombolis, sandwiches, hickory-smoked chicken wings made daily in-house, freshly prepared salads, and freshly baked desserts.

About Stoner's Pizza Joint

Founded in 2013, Stoner's Pizza Joint launched its franchising program in late 2018 along with fresh new branding and a business model that has proven resilient to massive changes sweeping the food industry. For more information, visit https://www.stonerspizzajoint.com, or call 954-982-6618.

Stoner's Pizza Joint is currently seeking qualified franchisees to help the brand grow nationwide in college town markets and high growth regions. Prospective franchisees should have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The ideal candidate is a proven, multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry and has a strong knowledge of their market. Stoner's Pizza Joint's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) reveals an estimated initial investment range of $90,000 to $206,000 for the first location, including a franchise fee of $25,000.

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Stoner's Pizza Joint, contact the Stoner's Pizza Joint Franchise Development team, at [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT:

Scott Mobley // Stoner's Pizza Joint

[email protected]

706-410-0667

SOURCE Stoner's Pizza Joint
BEIJING, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) ("Sunlands" or the "Company"), a leader in China's online post-secondary and professional education, today announced that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders (the "AGM") at 7th Floor Building 6, Chaolai Science Park, No. 36 Chuangyuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, the People's Republic of China on December 2, 2022 at 3:00 pm (Beijing time). No proposal will be submitted to shareholders for approval and no resolutions will be considered, voted upon, passed or adopted at the AGM. Instead, the AGM will serve as an open forum for shareholders and holders of the Company's American depositary shares ("ADSs") to discuss Company affairs with management.

The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on November 2, 2022 (Eastern Daylight Time) as the record date (the "Record Date") for determining the shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to attend, the AGM or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Holders of record of the Company's Class A, Class B or Class C ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share, at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to attend the AGM and any adjournment or postponement thereof in person. Holders of the Company's ADSs are welcome to attend the AGM in person.

Shareholders and ADS holders may obtain a copy of the Company's 2021 annual report on Form 20-F, free of charge, from the Company's website at http://www.sunlands.com/investorroom or by sending an email to [email protected].

About Sunlands

Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) ("Sunlands" or the "Company"), formerly known as Sunlands Online Education Group, is the leader in China's online post-secondary and professional education. With a one to many, live streaming platform, Sunlands offers various degree and diploma-oriented post-secondary courses as well as online professional courses and educational content, to help students prepare for professional certification exams and attain professional skills. Students can access its services either through PC or mobile applications. The Company's online platform cultivates a personalized, interactive learning environment by featuring a virtual learning community and a vast library of educational content offerings that adapt to the learning habits of its students. Sunlands offers a unique approach to education research and development that organizes subject content into Learning Outcome Trees, the Company's proprietary knowledge management system. Sunlands has a deep understanding of the educational needs of its prospective students and offers solutions that help them achieve their goals.

For more information, please visit http://www.sunlands.com/investorroom.

For investor and media enquiries, please contact:

Sunlands Technology Group

Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

Email: [email protected]

Yang Song

Tel: +86-10-6508-0677

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Sunlands Technology Group
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio has been monitoring the surgical apparel market, operating in the healthcare industry. The report estimates the market to register an incremental growth of USD 3.04 billion, at a CAGR of 14.38% during the forecast period.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Surgical Apparel Market 2022-2026

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Competitors have to focus on differentiating their product offerings with unique value propositions to strengthen their foothold in the market. Market vendors also have to leverage the existing growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

AD Surgical, Ansell Ltd., Cardinal Health Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Dynarex Corp., Medline Industries Inc., Owens and Minor Inc., Paul Hartmann AG, Priontex, and Synergy Medical Inc. are among some of the major market participants.

The rise in stringent government regulations has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, Technical challenges and the growing stringency of regulatory policies might hamper the market growth. Request Free Sample Report.

Surgical Apparel Market Segmentation

Based on geographic segmentation, 37% of the market's originated from North America during the forecast period. In addition, the disposable category leads the growth under the type segment. This report provides an accurate prediction of the contribution of all the segments to the growth of the superfood powders market size.

Type

Disposable



Reusable

Geography

North America



Europe



Asia



ROW

The research provides a current review of the market's geographic distribution. Given its recent rapid growth, North America is anticipated to present a number of chances for market vendors to expand over the forecast period. The rising bacterial infections and hospital-acquired illnesses would support the growth of the surgical apparel market in North America. Buy Sample Report.

Surgical Apparel Market Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The surgical apparel market report covers the following areas:

Surgical Apparel Market Size

Surgical Apparel Market Trends

Surgical Apparel Market Industry Analysis

This study identifies the rise in stringent government regulations as one of the prime reasons driving the Surgical Apparel Market growth during the next few years. Download Free Sample Report.

Surgical Apparel Market Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will assist surgical apparel market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the surgical apparel market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the surgical apparel market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of the surgical apparel market, vendors

Related Reports

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Surgical Apparel Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 14.38% Market growth 2022-2026 $3.04 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 10.40 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW Performing market contribution North America at 37% Key consumer countries US, Germany, Canada, China, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled AD Surgical, Ansell Ltd., Cardinal Health Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Dynarex Corp., Medline Industries Inc., Owens and Minor Inc., Paul Hartmann AG, Priontex, and Synergy Medical Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2021

Market outlook: Forecast for 2021 - 2026

Five Forces Analysis

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Type

Market segments

Comparison by Type

Disposable - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Reusable - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Market opportunity by Type

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ROW - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

AD Surgical

Ansell Ltd.

Cardinal Health Inc.

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

Dynarex Corp.

Medline Industries Inc.

Owens and Minor Inc.

Paul Hartmann AG

Priontex

Synergy Medical Inc.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

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
Utah's first drone show company, Open Sky Productions, created a custom drone show for private equity firm Mercato Partners. Open Sky's show was a surprise for attendees at MercAUTO but a video from the event is making its rounds now.

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Open Sky Productions has created one of its remarkable drone shows for private equity firm Mercato Partners as a surprise for guests at its MercAUTO event in Cottonwood Heights. The drone show was not announced ahead of time so guests were surprised with the 12-minute show that included 140 drones set to music in a custom show.

Utahs first drone show company, Open Sky Productions, created a custom drone show for private equity firm Mercato Partners. Open Skys show was a surprise for attendees at MercAUTO but a video from the event is making its rounds now.

"We really wanted to surprise and delight our guests with something they were not expecting and wanted them to leave with a memorable experience," said Alycia Simons, executive assistant at Mercato. "We would jump at the chance to do this again. It really was the icing on the cake for our event."

Open Sky has created epic drone shows for private parties and events in the western U.S. and for several public events, like the recent Sandy City Balloon Festival and Renaissance Fair at Thanksgiving Point. Drone shows are a safer alternative to fireworks shows, which may be why they have become popular in states with high wildfire risk, like Utah and Arizona. This month they're also heading to the east coast for a show at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania.

Designer Justin Eggbert and Chief Pilot Evan Petri visualize and program hundreds of drones, coordinating custom outdoor performances that light up the sky.

For those who haven't had a chance to see a live drone show, Open Sky is releasing a video of clips from the recent show for Mercato.

"Watching the show was mesmerizing. It was amazing to watch it, but better yet was hearing the crowd around me cheer and gasp," Simons said. "It really blew everyone away."

About Open Sky Productions

Open Sky Productions is a Utah-based drone light show company, from some of the same team behind the award-winning frozen attraction Ice Castles. Open Sky has created remarkable and safe drone shows in multiple U.S. states. Visit openskypro.com or Instagram.com/openskypro to see clips of magical drone shows and information about how to hire Open Sky Productions.

SOURCE Open Sky Productions
CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Crain's Chicago Business has chosen TAG - The Aspen Group headquarters as one of its Coolest Offices for 2022. TAG, located in Chicago's historic West Loop neighborhood, was honored along with six other winners and eight honorable mentions.

The Coolest Office Award celebrates new offices in the Chicago metropolitan area based on their design and functionality. The best offices are praised for incorporating forward-thinking design features and adapting their spaces to the needs and purposes of their business.

Today Crains Chicago Business has chosen TAG - The Aspen Group headquarters as one of its Coolest Offices for 2022. TAG, located in Chicagos historic West Loop neighborhood, was honored along with six other winners and eight honorable mentions. The state-of-the art workplace design supports team collaboration, strategy optimization, and professional education for the thousands of healthcare professionals in the TAG network. TAGs award-winning Chicago headquarters is located at 800 W. Fulton Market. It opened its doors in December 2021 after the completion of a two-year renovation initiative designed by Perkins&Will. Experiential graphics and signage were designed by IA Interior Architects. Video credit: The Aspen Group Crains Chicago Business has chosen TAG - The Aspen Group headquarters as one of its Coolest Offices for 2022. The office space spans eight floors and 200,000 square feet, making it one of Chicagos largest corporate office spaces. Each floor features flexible working options, from individual workspaces to communal tables and meeting rooms to quiet rooms. (Image credit: Perkins&Will for The Aspen Group) Crains Chicago Business has chosen TAG - The Aspen Group headquarters as one of its Coolest Offices for 2022. The office features natural lighting from floor-to-ceiling windows looking south across Chicago enhanced by a swirling, thin sculpture of light designed to resemble dental floss. (Image credit: Perkins&Will for The Aspen Group) Crains Chicago Business has chosen TAG - The Aspen Group headquarters as one of its Coolest Offices for 2022. Communal gathering spaces like Aspen Market food court with its blue brick and rough-hewn wood reflecting the bustling local neighborhood. (Image Credit: Perkins&Will for The Aspen Group) Crains Chicago Business has chosen TAG - The Aspen Group headquarters as one of its Coolest Offices for 2022. The office features three floors of collaboration spaces and training facilities dedicated to learning and development where TAG hosts programs and events for thousands of people from all across the country, from clinical training to leadership development and more. (Image credit: Perkins&Will for The Aspen Group)

"We are thrilled to receive such a meaningful recognition that displays our commitment to our team. Nurturing a collaborative and supportive culture in our workplace to ensure our team members can thrive is essential for TAG's continued growth," said Jeri Doris, chief human resources officer of TAG  The Aspen Group. "This award is an important milestone for us in our mission to attract and retain top talent. We are always looking for ways to improve the work experience for our team members and make TAG one of America's best places to work."

The state-of-the art workplace design supports team collaboration, strategy optimization, and professional education for the thousands of healthcare professionals in the TAG network. TAG's award-winning Chicago headquarters is located at 800 W. Fulton Market. It opened its doors in December 2021 after the completion of a two-year renovation initiative designed by Perkins&Will. Experiential graphics and signage were designed by IA Interior Architects.

The top features of the office include:

Office space spanning eight floors and 200,000 square feet, making it one of Chicago's largest corporate office spaces. Each floor features flexible working options, from individual workspaces to communal tables and meeting rooms to quiet rooms.

largest corporate office spaces. Each floor features flexible working options, from individual workspaces to communal tables and meeting rooms to quiet rooms. Three floors of collaboration spaces and training facilities dedicated to learning and development where TAG hosts programs and events for thousands of people from all across the country, from clinical training to leadership development and more.

Communal gathering spaces like Aspen Market food court with its blue brick and rough-hewn wood reflecting the bustling local neighborhood.

food court with its blue brick and rough-hewn wood reflecting the bustling local neighborhood. Natural lighting from floor-to-ceiling windows looking south across the city enhanced by a swirling, thin sculpture of light designed to resemble dental floss.

LEED Platinum and WELL certifications providing the space with clean air circulation and high-quality health and wellness benefits for team members working in the office.

Landscaped outdoor terraces providing access to fresh air and additional opportunities to relax, with sweeping views to the east, south and north.

For more information about TAG and its careers, please visit https://www.teamtag.com/.

About TAG - The Aspen Group

TAG  The Aspen Group was built on the simple idea of bringing better healthcare to more people. The independent healthcare practices TAG supports operate more than 1,300 locations in 45 states through its six consumer healthcare brands: Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Center, WellNow Urgent Care, Chapter Aesthetic StudioSM and AZPetVet. Combined, the practices serve more than 35,000 patients each day and more than 8 million patients each year. TAG is headquartered at 800 W. Fulton Market in Chicago. For more information, visit teamtag.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACT

Meredith Payette

m: 916.390.6316

e: [email protected]

SOURCE TAG - The Aspen Group
New agreement adds two Telix investigational PET imaging radiotracers to GE Healthcare's immuno-diagnostic portfolio, to enable patient selection and monitoring in immunotherapy trials

Telix tracers evaluate levels of carbonic anhydrase IX and lactate in tumours to inform and improve therapy selection

GE Healthcare's Pharmaceutical Diagnostics business is an established global supplier of PET imaging tracers to the global clinical research market

MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX, Telix, the Company) has today announced a collaborative development and reseller agreement with GE Healthcare to supply its investigational positron emission tomography (PET) imaging radiotracers, TLX250-CDx (89Zr-DFO-girentuximab), and [18F]-FLac (18F-3-fluoro-2-hydroxypropionate) for use in third party clinical research and development activities. These novel tracers offer the potential to provide key information about the metabolic environment of tumours, which could help to inform and improve therapy selection. The agreement was announced during the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

TLX250-CDx - the subject of Telix's recently completed Phase III ZIRCON study in clear cell renal cell carcinoma1 - targets the antigen, carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX). Expressed in many solid tumour types, CAIX can be used to identify hypoxic tumours,2 cells that have been deprived of oxygen, which can correlate with disease progression and resistance to therapy, including immunotherapy. Identifying such tumours may guide changes in care, from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy to combination treatments that overcome the hypoxic barrier.

[18F]-FLac, which Telix in-licensed in 2021,3 has shown promise in imaging lactate metabolism in oxygenated tumours. High lactate in tumours could prevent ICI responses and additionally be harmful in patients receiving ICI therapies.4 Understanding tumour lactate metabolic status could guide treatment decisions towards immunotherapy combinations that overcome this barrier.

TLX250-CDx and [18F]-FLac complement GE Healthcare Pharmaceutical Diagnostics' pipeline of investigational non-invasive [18F]-CD8 and [18F]-Granzyme-B imaging tracers for use by pharmaceutical companies in clinical trials, with the potential to predict and monitor response to immunotherapy. Currently an average of only 20-40 percent of patients respond to immunotherapies, and patient suitability is typically determined by taking tumour biopsies.5

Jonathan Barlow, SVP Global Business Development & Alliance Management, Telix, said, "This partnership will see our investigational imaging agents used more widely in third-party clinical trials. Excitingly, it will also help to expedite the development of [18F]-FLac, while expanding the utility of our TLX250-CDx imaging candidate."

Sanka Thiru, Global Business Leader, Immuno-Oncology, at GE Healthcare's Pharmaceutical Diagnostics business, said: "This partnership expands our pharmaceutical services offering, including our toolbox of investigational PET imaging diagnostics. These aim to enrich clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies with the possibility of determining the metabolic environment and immune status of tumours, and if successful, help to improve speed to market for potential therapies. Ultimately, these PET imaging diagnostics could assist in delivering effective oncology therapies to patients."

Under the agreement, GE Healthcare will be responsible for the directed marketing and sales of Telix's imaging agents to pharmaceutical companies, with the close support of Telix, whilst Telix will be responsible for manufacturing and ongoing development of each product. Telix and GE Healthcare will explore validation of [18F]-FLac for use in GE Healthcare's FASTlab, an automated PET radiochemistry synthesiser, widely used for onsite production of FDG6 and other PET tracers.

The agreement has an initial term of five years, subject to review and termination rights based on performance after three years.

About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

Telix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia with international operations in the United States, Europe (Belgium and Switzerland), and Japan. Telix is developing a portfolio of clinical-stage products that aims to address significant unmet medical need in oncology and rare diseases. Telix is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: TLX). For more information visit www.telixpharma.com and follow Telix on Twitter (@TelixPharma) and LinkedIn.

Telix's lead product, gallium-68 (68Ga) gozetotide (also known as 68Ga PSMA-11) injection, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),7 and by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),8 and by Health Canada.9

About GE Healthcare:

GE Healthcare is the $17.7 billion healthcare business of GE (NYSE: GE). As a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics and digital solutions innovator, GE Healthcare enables clinicians to make faster, more informed decisions through intelligent devices, data analytics, applications and services, supported by its Edison intelligence platform. With over 100 years of healthcare industry experience and around 48,000 employees globally, the company operates at the center of an ecosystem working toward precision health, digitizing healthcare, helping drive productivity and improve outcomes for patients, providers, health systems and researchers around the world.

This announcement has been authorised for release by the disclosure committee of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited.

Legal Notices

This announcement is not intended as promotion or advertising directed to any healthcare professional or other audience in any country worldwide (including Australia, United States and the United Kingdom). This announcement may include forward-looking statements that relate to anticipated future events, financial performance, plans, strategies or business developments. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "outlook", "forecast" and "guidance", or other similar words. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's good-faith assumptions as to the financial, market, regulatory and other risks and considerations that exist and affect the Company's business and operations in the future and there can be no assurance that any of the assumptions will prove to be correct. In the context of Telix's business, forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about: the initiation, timing, progress and results of Telix's preclinical and clinical studies, and Telix's research and development programs; Telix's ability to advance product candidates into, enrol and successfully complete, clinical studies, including multi-national clinical trials; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, manufacturing activities and product marketing activities; the commercialisation of Telix's product candidates, if or when they have been approved; estimates of Telix's expenses, future revenues and capital requirements; Telix's financial performance; developments relating to Telix's competitors and industry; and the pricing and reimbursement of Telix's product candidates, if and after they have been approved. Telix's actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those which may be expressed or implied by such statements, and the differences may be adverse. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. You should read this announcement together with our risk factors, as disclosed in our most recently filed reports with the ASX or on our website.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Telix disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or a change in expectations or assumptions.

The Telix Pharmaceuticals and the Illuccix name and logo are trademarks of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and its affiliates  all rights reserved.

1 ASX disclosure 11 July 2022.

2 Huizing, F.J., Garousi, J., Lok, J. et al. CAIX-targeting radiotracers for hypoxia imaging in head and neck cancer models. Sci Rep 9, 18898 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-54824-5.

3 Media release 9 September 2021.

4 Johnson, et al. Dangerous dynamic duo: Lactic acid and PD-1 blockade. Cancer Cell 40(2) 127-130 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2022.01.008.

5 Haslam A, Prasad V. Estimation of the Percentage of US Patients With Cancer Who Are Eligible for and Respond to Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy Drugs. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(5):e192535. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.2535

6 18F-FDG (2-deoxy-2-18F-fluoro-D-glucose)

7 ASX disclosure 20 December 2021.

8 ASX disclosure 2 November 2021.

9 ASX disclosure 14 October 2022.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1922000/Telix_Pharmaceuticals_Limited_GE.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1920208/Telix_Main_Logo_Logo.jpg

CONTACT: Telix Investor Relations: Ms. Kyahn Williamson, Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited, SVP Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Email: [email protected]; GE Healthcare Media Contact: Debbie Leven / [email protected], +44 7785 456999

SOURCE Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited
The 40-unit apartment complex has been revamped with attainable rents at 60% AMI; American South Fund Management impact fund supports affordable housing developments for low-income residents throughout the South

ATLANTA, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tenth Street Ventures, partners Miles Alexander III at Alexander Goshen and Richard Taylor with ARRC Capital Partners along with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, U.S. Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Georgia Senator Sonya Halpern and Atlanta City Councilmember Byron Amos celebrated the ribbon cutting of 12Hundred Studios at 1200 Mobile St., a 40-unit apartment complex in Atlanta's Hunter Hills neighborhood. Atlanta Affordable Housing Fund (AAHF) provided the senior loan for the project, while American South Fund Management (ASFM) provided equity.

Ribbon cutting for 12Hundred Studios. Pictured left to right: Jennifer Freeman, Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts Office; Georgia State Senator Sonya Halpern; Brian McCarthy, Principal, Tenth Street Ventures; Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens; Deborah La Franchi, Managing Partner, ASFM; Miles Alexander, Alexander Goshen; Richard Taylor, Managing Partner, ARRC Capital Partners; Atlanta City Councilmember Byron Amos, District 3; David Alexander, Managing Partner, ASFM | Photo: Diane Crow Productions

The team converted the vacant property into 40 fully furnished studio apartments, all of which have attainable rents at 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). Additionally, 25% of units are reserved for unhoused individuals through partnerships with Open Doors and HomeFirst. 12Hundred Studios won CoStar's 2022 Impact Award for Best New Multifamily Development in Atlanta.

"Affordable housing is a major tenet of my vision for Atlanta - to make sure that Atlanta is a city of opportunities for all. We want to offer residents safe, affordable, quality housing options and that's what we have here," said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens at the ribbon cutting event. "It's important to applaud these five partners that worked together diligently to make this move-in ready, affordable and permanent supportive housing."

Brian McCarthy, a principal at TSV, added, "Residents can be proud of living in this space. The reduced costs of the homes, along with full furnishing makes a higher standard of living more attainable for our future tenants."

ASFM, a joint venture between SDS Capital Group and Vintage Realty Company, manages impact funds that seek to finance projects that positively impact low-income and moderate-income communities across the Southern U.S.

The 12Hundred project exemplifies what can be achieved when you combine the acumen of a developer such as Tenth Street with the capital of an impact fund. ASFM is proud to have partnered on such a significant community project," said Deborah La Franchi, ASFM Managing Partner.

FULL PRESS RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Rachel Tobin, TobinInk., [email protected], (404) 276-5930

McKenna Kauffmann, TobinInk., [email protected], (678) 449-8725

Sybil MacDonald, Marketing & Communications, [email protected], (323) 376-8961

SOURCE American South Real Estate Fund
GetWireless added the Chief Marketing Officer role to implement its Multi-Channel Marketing Strategy

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GetWireless has announced the promotion of Terra Bastolich to the position of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). In this new capacity, Bastolich will oversee the company's brand, communication, and marketing strategies as well as lead Business Development and Carrier Relations; working cross-functionally with the GetWireless executive team to develop partnerships and sales strategies that enable continued company growth.

GetWireless is very pleased to promote Terra and welcome her to the C-Suite at GetWireless. Tweet this Terra Bastolich, CMO GetWireless

Since joining GetWireless in 2016, Bastolich has provided guidance and leadership to the growing Marketing, Carrier and Business Development teams. During that time, Bastolich was credited with a variety of important accomplishments, including successfully launched the company's first full-funnel brand campaign, the strategy, inception and growth associated with the Marketing services, "Activate where you buy" connectivity program, and other initiatives focused on bringing value to the GetWireless network of channel partners.

Bastolich brings over two decades of experience building and launching strategic marketing and sales strategies for top-tier IoT brands and channels. Prior to joining GetWireless, she held the role of Vice President of Sales, North America at NetComm Wireless (now Casa Systems of Sydney, Australia) and was responsible for sales, marketing and leadership driving new business in the US market of carrier branded products, and IoT deployments. Bastolich has a strong background in the IoT and connectivity space; having worked directly with key OEM's, carriers, distributors, manufacturers' representatives and channel partners.

According to Brian Taney, CEO and Co-founder, "GetWireless is very pleased to promote Terra and welcome her to the C-Suite at GetWireless. She has been instrumental in helping to develop and implement new growth strategies for sales, marketing and business development for the past five years." GetWireless promotes from within whenever possible, so their clients, vendors, and team members benefit from the knowledge and skills acquired over time, and ensures the best overall experience.

CONTACT: Terra Bastolich, CMO | [email protected]

About GetWireless

Established in 2001 and based in Minneapolis, GetWireless is a leading Value-Added Distributor of cellular solutions that connect the Internet of Things. By supporting a strong portfolio of embedded modules, end-device modems, intelligent gateways, and cellular boosters, GetWireless is able to supply the most advantageous cellular solution for each new IoT application.

SOURCE GetWireless
Fair brings 10 stellar hiring climate tech companies from Terra.do's leading climate career platform to one of the largest tech conferences in the world

STANFORD, Calif., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Terra.do, a global climate career platform with the mission to get 100 million people working in climate by 2030, will host its first ever live Climate Career Fair at TechCrunch's Disrupt '22 conference. The event will take place at the Moscone West Center in San Francisco on October 20th. Terra.do will bring together hiring managers from 10 leading climate tech startups and several hundred attendees of the Disrupt conference for a live, two-hour climate career session.

This is the first time a climate career-focused event is being held in a setting as wide and sector-agnostic as TechCrunch Disrupt, a conference that routinely attracts more than 10,000 attendees during its 3-day span.

"We are incredibly excited to bring our innovative and highly-effective climate job fair to the TechCrunch Disrupt arena and to get climate careers in focus for the first time at this major conference," said Anshuman Bapna, co-founder and CEO of Terra.do. "We know that there is a huge appetite among tech talent for jobs that address climate change. We couldn't be happier to deploy our climate careers expertise at the premier tech conference in Silicon Valley."

Hiring companies participating in the event include:

Sofar Ocean

NextEra Mobility

Brimstone

Mighty Buildings

Prolific Machines

Lightship RV

Kairos Aerospace

Weavegrid

Crusoe Energy

Lumen Energy

The live event will take place on Thursday, October 20th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Moscone West's 2nd Floor, in Reception Room #2 (2002). Attendees must have a valid pass to attend TechCrunch Disrupt, which can be purchased at https://techcrunch.com/events/tc-disrupt-2022/.

In addition to the event hosted during Disrupt, Terra.do has a slate of upcoming virtual job fairs accessible through the company's app (available at www.terra.do).

Oct 25 : European Climate Job Fair

: Featuring Seabound & to-be-announced European startups scaling cutting-edge climate solutions

Oct 27 : Software Jobs in Climate

: Featuring Afresh Technologies, Aurora Solar , Kairos Aerospace, and more

Terra.do's leading climate career and education platform is home to a community of tens of thousands professionals, with hundreds finding jobs in climate through the company's job fairs and thousands more having graduated from Terra.do's cohort-based learning programs. Over 50% of Terra.do graduates that want a climate job find one within 6 months of completing their program.

As part of the company's mission to educate a wide range of professionals about climate change, Terra.do offers a scholarship program for journalists to attend their flagship Climate Change: Learning for Action program. The intensive, 12-week course is a deep-dive into the entire landscape of climate change and the solutions being worked on to address it. For more information and to apply for the journalist scholarship, visit terra.do/journalist.

About Terra.do

Terra.do is a global climate career platform founded in 2020 by Anshuman Bapna, Dr. Kamal Kapadia, and Mayank Jain with the mission to get 100 million people working in climate by 2030. The platform brings together a wide-ranging community of professionals from critical climate industries such as energy, mobility, and regenerative agriculture and top experts in areas such as policy, science, and finance. Its immersive, cohort-based climate learning programs boast several thousand graduates from 25+ countries. Through Terra.do's job fairs, talent drops to employers, and rich network, its members have found roles in hundreds of leading climate tech companies and Fortune 100 sustainability teams and founded dozens of climate startups. For more information, visit www.terra.do

Contact Terra.do

[email protected]

Media

Chris Allieri

Mulberry & Astor

[email protected]

SOURCE Terra.do
Resiblock to join ES Group's Portfolio of Leading Companies in the Engineered Stone Bathroom Products Segment

Customers to Benefit from Broader Offering of Products and Brands, and Increased Capacity to Meet Customer's Needs

LONDON and CORDOBA, Spain, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Engineered Stone Group (the "ES Group" or the "Company"), announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Resiblock S.L., Baniana Bath S.L, and Bold The Solid Company S.L., (together "Resiblock"), a leading Spanish manufacturer of engineered stone and solid surface shower trays and washbasins. The acquisition further establishes the ES Group's position in the engineered stone bathroom products space, a growing segment within the broader bathroom products market. The transaction is expected to close at the end of this month and financial terms were not disclosed.

The ES Group is a global leader in the production of engineered stone bathroom products. The Company provides a broad offering of brands and high-quality products, coupled with a commitment to outstanding customer service and the scale to invest in continued product innovation. In addition to Resiblock, the ES Group is comprised of Marmite, Acquabella, F&D Group, Mcbath, Nuovvo, Fiora, MTI Baths and Aquatica. The ES Group is led by CEO Brian McCluskie and was established by The Cranemere Group, a holding company focused on building high-quality businesses for the long term.

Resiblock has established a track record of manufacturing high-quality engineered stone and solid surface shower trays and washbasins. Resiblock supplies a diverse base of customers in Southern Europe with particular focus on Spain. Resiblock will maintain its headquarters in Cordoba, Spain, as a member of the ES Group and will maintain its existing manufacturing locations and workforce, while continuing to serve its valued customers as it does today.

"We continue to see strong demand for engineered stone products in the bathroom as it replaces materials such as acrylic and porcelain. Resiblock's manufacturing capabilities, complementary geographical focus and reputation for value make them a compelling addition to the Engineered Stone Group," said Mr. McCluskie.

"We are thrilled to join the Engineered Stone Group," said Juan Vacas, Founder and CEO of Resiblock, on behalf of the owners of Resiblock. "We look forward to partnering with Brian and the team at the ES Group to further invest in product innovation and capacity expansion and to offer a broader portfolio of products and enhanced service levels to our valued customers."

"We continue to see a significant opportunity to lead the material conversion to engineered stone over the long term. Resiblock is an important addition to our Company and enhances the ES Group's position as a leader in this segment," said Christopher Mahan, Chairman of the Engineered Stone Group.

About The Engineered Stone Group

The Engineered Stone Group is a European holding company established by The Cranemere Group to be the global leader in engineered stone products. The ES Group is comprised of Marmite, Acquabella, F&D Group, Mcbath, Nuovvo, Fiora, MTI Baths, Aquatica, and now, upon completion, Resiblock. For more information about the Engineered Stone Group, visit www.engstone.com.

About Resiblock

Resiblock is a leading provider of engineered stone and solid surface shower trays and washbasins in Southern Europe with particular focus in Spain. Based in Cordoba, Spain, Resiblock offers products at outstanding value, quality, and speed. For more information about Resiblock, visit www.resiblock.es.

About The Cranemere Group

The Cranemere Group is a holding company focused on partnering with founders and management teams to build industry-leading businesses in essential industries. As a pioneer in professionally managed long-term capital, The Cranemere Group provides experience, expertise and global networks to support the growth of its companies and to create value for all its stakeholders. The Cranemere Group is headquartered in London and has offices in New York and Washington, D.C.

Media Contacts

Jonathan Keehner / Woomi Yun / Erik Carlson

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

212-355-4449

Adam Weiner

Arrowpath Advisors

212-596-7700

[email protected]

SOURCE The Engineered Stone Group
The Business Research Company's healthcare consulting services market research report expands on key drivers, trends, and growth opportunities in the market.

LONDON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The rapid adoption of digitalization in healthcare is significantly contributing to the growth of the healthcare consulting services market. Digitalization is the process of using digital technologies to change a business model, provide value-producing opportunities, and improve technology. Digitalization of healthcare provides public health data collection and disease monitoring and surveillance, which helps healthcare consulting providers with professional guidance regarding diseases. For instance, according to the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention article, a US-based health governing agency, in 2020, telehealth in the United States increased by 50% as compared to the year 2019. Therefore, the rapid adoption of digitalization is driving the healthcare consulting services market growth.

The global healthcare consulting services market size is expected to grow from $19.04 billion in 2021 to $21.50 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9%. The global healthcare consulting services market is expected to grow to $33.82 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 12%.

Request a free sample of the Healthcare Consulting Services Market Report

Technology Advancement Is A Key Trend In The Healthcare Consulting Services Market

Technology advancement is gaining popularity among the healthcare consulting services market trends. Major companies operating in the healthcare consulting services sector are focused on introducing technological innovations to sustain their position in the market. For instance, in May 2020, HSG Advisors, a US-based national healthcare consulting firm, launched a Virtual Health Consulting service based on artificial intelligence. It can be used by hospitals, healthcare systems, and doctors to address the viability of implementing virtual visits with patients. It can book the appointment automatically and allocate a time slot for the patient.

North America Held The Largest Healthcare Consulting Services Market Share In 2021

North America was the largest region in the healthcare consulting services market in 2021. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the global healthcare consulting services market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

The countries covered in the healthcare consulting services market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the UK, and the USA.

Healthcare Consulting Services Industry Segmentation

The global healthcare consulting services market is segmented -

1) By Components: Software, Hardware, Services

2) By Operations: Operational Management, Financial, Clinical

3) By End User: Government Bodies, Healthcare Providers, Health Insurance Payers, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Medical Device Companies, Others

See more on the Healthcare Consulting Services Market Report

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American College of Surgeons (ACS) news briefing is October 19, 1:00 p.m. PDT, San Diego Convention Center

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Surgeons with direct involvement caring for the injured in Ukraine, including a Ukrainian surgeon from Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, will be on-site in the San Diego Convention Center this Wed., Oct. 19, to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the current surgical issues in the war. Their remarks will be delivered during a panel presentation at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2022.

A news briefing will follow the session at 1 p.m., where panelists will discuss their surgical experiences in Ukraine and take questions. It will also be livestreamed on the ACS Media Center .

WHAT: A live news briefing following the presentation "The Ukrainian Crisis: Surgical Lessons Learned" at the ACS Clinical Congress 2022 in San Diego, California, (Oct.1620).

WHEN: Wed., Oct. 19, 2022, 1 p.m. PDT

WHERE: In-person, Room 21, San Diego Convention Center.

Journalists must bring appropriate identification and register for media credentials first in the ACS Media Room, Office E, Mezzanine Level.

**Virtually: View the event livestreamed on the ACS Media Center: https://www.facs.org/media-center/ **

Reporters should register for the conference online if they wish to view the panel session before attending the live news briefing.

Obtain media credentials online for the panel session on Wed. Oct. 19 .

. To attend the news briefing in-person, email [email protected] .

. View the press briefing virtually, via the ACS Media Center at 1:00 p.m. PDT .

at . Submit questions in advance: [email protected] .

A COVID-19 health-safety protocol is in place for all attendees. (Visit the ACS website .)

Also happening

Surgical Metrics Project, held in the San Diego Convention Center Exhibit Hall ( Oct. 17-19 ) , provides a rare opportunity to see firsthand how emerging technologies and data are transforming surgical training and helping practicing surgeons improve their skills. The interactive exhibit is considered one of the highlights of Clinical Congress.

Convention Center Exhibit Hall ( , provides a rare opportunity to see firsthand how emerging technologies and data are transforming surgical training and helping practicing surgeons improve their skills. The interactive exhibit is considered one of the highlights of Clinical Congress. Surgeons on the Frontline of Gun Violence, a media meet and greet with surgeons who treat firearm violence victims, will take place virtually and in person on Oct. 19 , 8:30 a.m. PDT , Room 21, San Diego Convention Center. Surgeons who care for victims of firearm violence every day and are involved in advocacy efforts and research on firearm safety and violence prevention will be available to talk with members of the media in person at the San Diego Convention Center and virtually through the YouTube Live platform. This session will precede a panel presentation at the Clinical Congress 2022.

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 84,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. "FACS" designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

SOURCE American College of Surgeons
Focused on scaling and institutionalizing investment for impact, Vistria's Impact Report highlights decisive actions taken to drive positive outcomes for its portfolio companies, and the lives and livelihoods they support

CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vistria Group ("Vistria"), a private investment firm focused on investing in middle market companies and delivering both financial returns and societal impact, today released its latest annual Impact Report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the firm's impact strategy and how impact is integrated into each portfolio company.

The 2022 Impact Report underscores Vistria's commitment to advancing impact alongside financial growth across healthcare, knowledge and learning solutions, and financial services, and demonstrates how the firm and its portfolio companies are progressing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) targets. Highlights from the report include*:

Strong Emphasis on DE&I : Vistria is a diverse firm led by a diverse senior leadership team, consisting of members who are 25% gender diverse and 30% racially or ethnically diverse. The report also includes data on portfolio company boards and employee diversity.

: Vistria is a diverse firm led by a diverse senior leadership team, consisting of members who are 25% gender diverse and 30% racially or ethnically diverse. The report also includes data on portfolio company boards and employee diversity. Insights on Impact of Investment Themes : The report is organized with a deep level of insight, aligning Vistria's investment theme work with the platforms in which it invests.

: The report is organized with a deep level of insight, aligning Vistria's investment theme work with the platforms in which it invests. Portfolio Company Case Studies : Vistria defines unique impact measures for each portfolio company and includes this data in the report with year-over-year trends, where available, demonstrating key performance indicators across the firm's pillars of impact.

: Vistria defines unique impact measures for each portfolio company and includes this data in the report with year-over-year trends, where available, demonstrating key performance indicators across the firm's pillars of impact. Showcasing Faces of Impact: The report spotlights voices of patients, students, and customers served by portfolio companies.

"We are committed to delivering outsized returns that contribute critical, high-quality solutions to public sector challenges," said Marty Nesbitt, Senior Partner and Co-CEO. "During the past year, we have put our Flagship Fund IV to work and continued to expand our team and capabilities with a focus on catalyzing impact. At a moment of major demographic change and ongoing inequities in the United States, Vistria remains committed to leveraging its nearly $10 billion in assets under management** to bridge the gaps in our healthcare, knowledge and learning solutions, and financial systems while delivering meaningful returns for our investors."

Kip Kirkpatrick, Senior Partner and Co-CEO commented, "We continue to make significant strides in addressing the current shortfalls in our society  through access to high-quality education, especially for nontraditional learners, critical treatment for populations battling addiction, and advancing financial capability and opportunity  by incorporating impact at every stage of our investment lifecycle. Now more than ever, we believe there is a tremendous opportunity and mandate to leverage private capital to rebuild an economic system that serves all and can respond dynamically to the challenges ahead."

Our Portfolio by the Numbers*

Vistria's portfolio companies support more than 185,000 employees. Around 75% of full-time employees supported are female and 56% are racially or ethnically diverse. In the past year, The Vistria Group's healthcare portfolio served more than 12.6 million patients, growing nearly seven-fold over 2021. The firm's education portfolio served approximately 40.9 million students, nearly doubling over 2021. Vistria's financial services portfolio served over 21,000 small businesses, growing steadily since the firm's inception in 2013.

"Measurement and management of impact has been core to Vistria's value creation strategy since its founding and we continue to upgrade our integration and reporting capabilities," said Mackenzie Turner, Director of Impact and Policy. "In partnership with our portfolio company management teams, we are working to define and improve what it means to be a good company in a given industry  by strengthening business conduct practices and driving effective outcomes for a range of stakeholders."

"We believe that impact gives us an edge in achieving outsized financial outcomes for our investors," said Jon Samuels, Partner and Co-Head of Vistria Portfolio Resources Group (PRG), the team built to accelerate and enhance strategy execution and value creation across Vistria's portfolio. "This year, we are expanding our team with additional impact management capabilities as well as strategic subject matter expertise to help our portfolio companies continue building diverse teams and impactful businesses from the top down. We continue to see that our investment thesis can deliver attractive returns for our investors while strengthening our portfolio companies, and the communities they support."

To review The Vistria Group's 2022 Impact Report, visit https://vistriaimpact.com/

About The Vistria Group

The Vistria Group is building a new kind of private investment firm that seeks to deliver both financial returns and societal impact. It invests in essential industries like healthcare, education and financial services that deliver value for investors as well as communities, employees, and consumers. The Vistria Group works as a true partner with its portfolio companies, drawing on its deep sector knowledge, operational expertise, unique network, diverse team, and impact orientation to achieve transformational growth. With nearly $10 billion in AUM**, The Vistria Group believes it has delivered attractive returns for its investors while achieving positive outcomes for its portfolio companies, and the lives and livelihoods it supports. For more information, please visit www.vistria.com.

About Vistria PRG

Members of Vistria PRG, LLC ("PRG") provide various services to one or more portfolio companies of private investment funds managed by The Vistria Group, LP ("Vistria"), including without limitation, operational support, specialized operations and consulting services, related services and/or other services to, or in connection with, such portfolio companies. PRG members are employees of Vistria PRG, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company owned jointly by Vistria's Co-CEO's that is under common control and ownership with Vistria. PRG members are not employees of Vistria. In certain cases, PRG members have attributes of Vistria personnel (for instance, they may have dedicated office space, receive Vistria administrative support services, participate in general meetings or events for Vistria personnel), even though they are not employees or personnel of Vistria.

*Metrics as of August 2022 reflect varied portfolio company reporting periods. Estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to change. Actual results may vary.

**Assets under management represents the amount committed to Vistria Fund, LP, Vistria Fund II, LP, Vistria Fund III, LP, Vistria Fund IV, LP and Vistria Senior Credit Fund. AUM also includes the amounts invested by co-investors investments, excluding co-investment from other private-equity funds that have significant ownership in a portfolio company. Data as of June 2022.

SOURCE The Vistria Group
Inspired by their fascination with astronomy, physics, and space travel, three kid brothers bring the excitement and wonder of Mars to other young readers.

DURHAM, N.C., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- When the Mars Perseverance Rover landed on the Red Planet in February 2021, it made a huge impact on three brothers from Durham, North Carolina. Listening to the broadcast alongside their dad, fourteen-year-old Atlas, and ten-year-olds Leo and Dalton, were inspired to encourage other kids to share their fascination. The idea for their illustrated picture book, Space Monkey: Mars Mission Report, was born. The boys' playful and information-packed story, beautifully illustrated by Ukrainian illustrator Lana Vivchar, has the affable character Space Monkey taking readers on an exciting journey to Mars, where they will learn amazing facts about the second-smallest planet in the solar system. From the rocks and soil to its temperature and gravity, its two moons and its biggest mountain in the solar system, children will delight in all of the wondrous data that the monkey's "Mars Mission Report" provides.

Space Monkey: Mars Mission Report Space Monkey: Mars Mission Report

Together making up L.A.D. Publishing, the brothers were inspired to write their story by the teams that worked on the Mars Roverthe physicists, astronauts, engineers, and entrepreneurs who made the space expedition a realityas well as the monkeys who were sent to space before humans. The brothers share, "We hope that Space Monkey will inspire children to be curious about the world around them, learn some interesting facts about our solar system, take an interest in astronomy and someday decide to travel to space themselves!"

Space Monkey: Mars Mission Report is the first in the Space Monkey series of picture books about the solar system and is available now wherever books are sold.

If you would like more information about the author team L.A.D. Publishing and Space Monkey: Mars Mission Report, please contact [email protected] or visit https://spacemonkeystore.com/pages/about-us .

Contact: L.A.D. Publishing

Email: [email protected]

919-338-6163

Website: https://spacemonkeystore.com/

SOURCE L.A.D. Publishing
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio has been monitoring the tokenization market, operating under the Information Technology market. The report estimates the market to register an incremental growth of USD 3.60 bn, at a CAGR of 22.49% during the forecast period.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Tokenization Market 2022-2026

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Competitors have to focus on differentiating their product offerings with unique value propositions to strengthen their foothold in the market. Market vendors also have to leverage the existing growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. American Express Co., Fiserv Inc., Futurex, HelpSystems, Lookout Inc., Mastercard Inc., MEAWALLET, Micro Focus International Plc, Thales Trusted Cyber Technologies, and Visa Inc. are among some of the major market participants.

The rising number of online transactions has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, System integration and interoperability issues might hamper the market growth. Request Free Sample Report.

Tokenization Market Segmentation

Based on geographic segmentation, 37% of the market's originated from North America during the forecast period. In addition, on-premise led the growth under the deployment segment. This report provides an accurate prediction of the contribution of all the segments to the growth of the superfood powders market size.

Deployment

On-premise



Cloud

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



South America



MEA

The research provides a current review of the market's geographic distribution. Given its recent rapid growth, North America is anticipated to present a number of chances for market vendors to expand over the forecast period. Over the projected period, increasing the use of wireless networks will support the expansion of the tokenization market in North America. Buy Sample Report.

Tokenization Market Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The tokenization market report covers the following areas:

Tokenization Market Size

Tokenization Market Trends

Tokenization Market Industry Analysis

This study identifies the rising number of online transactions as one of the prime reasons driving the Tokenization Market growth during the next few years. Download Free Sample Report.

Tokenization Market Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will assist tokenization market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the tokenization market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the tokenization market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of the tokenization market vendors

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Tokenization Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 22.49% Market growth 2022-2026 $3.60 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 21.67 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution North America at 37% Key consumer countries US, China, UK, Germany, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled American Express Co., Fiserv Inc., Futurex, HelpSystems, Lookout Inc., Mastercard Inc., MEAWALLET, Micro Focus International Plc, Thales Trusted Cyber Technologies, and Visa Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2021

Market outlook: Forecast for 2021 - 2026

Five Forces Analysis

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Deployment

Market segments

Comparison by Deployment

On-premise - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Cloud - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Market opportunity by Deployment

Customer landscape

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 MEA - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

American Express Co.

Fiserv Inc.

Futurex

HelpSystems

Lookout Inc.

Mastercard Inc.

MEAWALLET

Micro Focus International Plc

Thales Trusted Cyber Technologies

Visa Inc.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

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
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global communications firm Red Flag has won the prestigious PR NEWS Platinum Award for best global public affairs campaign of the year.

The award presented last week at PR News' gala event in New York City recognizes Red Flag's pro bono media and digital public relations campaign on behalf of Call Russia, co-created by Not Perfect Vilnius and the 15 Min Group. The initiative established a database of 40 million Russian phone numbers and has thus far generated 175,000 personal phone calls by Russian-speaking volunteers seeking to counter Vladimir Putin's propaganda over the war in Ukraine.

A committee of expert judges applauded Red Flag for its media strategy and rapid worldwide deployment that earned more than 800 articles and news reports targeted to global media and markets with large Russian-speaking diasporas, including the United States, the UK, Germany, Poland, and Lithuania.

The global campaign aimed at activating volunteer callers was also boosted by dynamic social media tactics that secured shares from, among others, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, U.S. astronaut Scott Kelly, Atlantic writer and Ukraine expert Anne Applebaum, and senior Ukrainian government advisor Liubov Tsybulska.

Red Flag founder and CEO Karl Brophy commented:

"We immediately recognised that the concept of Call Russia, introduced to us by Paulius Senuta of Lithuania and his coalition, was brilliant. But we also knew that it required huge global coverage to recruit the tens of thousands of volunteers required to make it a success.

This campaign is the most important work we've done in Red Flag's nearly ten year history. It's an honor to be recognized by some of the biggest global names in our industry, but the metric we really care about is Call Russia's success activating 49,000 individual volunteers from 149 countries and counting, each making the most important calls of their lives to end this war."

About Red Flag : Red Flag operates globally out of offices in Washington DC, Dublin, Brussels, London, and Cape Town. Red Flag acquired in 2021 the Washington DC-based International Business-Government Counsellors (IBC), bringing together IBC's 50 years of economic and trade policy expertise with Red Flag's global strategy and communications offering.

About Call Russia : Call Russia was co-created by Not Perfect Vilnius and the 15 Min Group, supported by a global network of volunteers across technology, advertising and communications. For more information, visit CallRussia.org/Eng and follow @CallRussia on Twitter.

SOURCE Red Flag Consulting
Towlift, Inc. named as the Cat Lift Truck and Jungheinrich dealer for Oakland, California

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Towlift announced today that it has been appointed to represent Cat Lift Truck and Jungheinrich forklift and warehouse product lines in the Oakland, California Bay Area, effective January 1, 2023. Towlift will serve as the authorized distributor of these brands in this territory.

Towlift is the leading Cat Lift Truck and Jungheinrich Warehouse Product dealer, representing the Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas family of brands for decades, while remaining family owned since 1965.

Towlift to represent Cat Lift Truck and Jungheinrich forklift and warehouse product lines in the Oakland, California Bay Area, effective January 1, 2023.

Towlift brings 55+ years of experience in material handling products and services.

Towlift invests in technology, so you always have the smoothest customer service experience.

Towlift invests in employee training, resulting in the BEST technicians to service your equipment.

Towlift has extensive expertise in sourcing parts and providing service repair on a wide variety of material handling equipment.

Towlift is family owned and strives to always exceed their customers' expectations by putting into action their motto "It's the dealer that makes the difference!"

"With an established track record in the Midwest, we are now in a new phase of our business," says Bob Kwieciak, President of Towlift. "We take great pride in introducing the Towlift name to the Bay Area and providing customers with unmatched material handling solutions and aftermarket service support. Our mission is to help our customers with innovative material handling solutions that improve efficiency and reduce equipment downtime."

To learn more about Towlift, visit www.towlift.com.

About Towlift: Towlift is a full-service material handling dealership founded in 1965. Over a span of 55+ years, Towlift grew to one of the largest material handling dealerships in the country. Towlift's experience provides customers a full range of material handling solutions. "It's the Dealer That Makes the Difference!" Follow Towlift on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

SOURCE Towlift, Inc.
First global report on parcel theft

100,000 more people affected by parcel issues in UAE compared to previous 12 months

One in ten people globally are now reluctant to shop online because of fear of theft

One in five UAE residents likely to explore parcel theft security  double global average

Abu Dhabi hit by both highest rates of parcel theft within UAE and the highest increase in the previous 12 months

LONDON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Doorstep parcel theft is sweeping the UAE, according to the first global report on parcel theft. More than 1.2 million parcels were lost or stolen, a 1% increase compared to the previous 12 months, despite lockdown restrictions lifting.

The results are part of the world's first global parcel theft survey, which found that close to one in ten people had at least one parcel lost or stolen from May 2021 to April 2022. This amounts to a staggering 1.009 billion packages1 globally, at a total cost of US$38.1 billion (DH 142.52 billion).1

Worldwide, there was an all-time high of stolen or lost parcels with an estimated rise of 155 million2 compared to the previous 12 months, despite initiatives to tackle the surge post-covid. This is more than a 2% increase.

The Penn Elcom Global Parcel Theft Report was commissioned by Penn Elcom, a globally recognised British steel manufacturer and producer of the Penn Parcel Box, and sponsored exclusively by Scurri, the world's leading courier management platform for eCommerce and shipping, and produced by YouGov. It revealed that the UAE had the lowest rate of increase in parcel theft and loss of the countries surveyed, but the number of people affected still rose from 1.09 million between May 2020 and April 2021 to a new high of 1.2 million2 the following 12 months (+1%).

Regionally, it was found that people who suffered parcel theft or loss increased year on year by:

+58,500 in Abu Dhabi (+4%)

+38,250 in Sharjah (+3%)

+34,000 in Dubai (+1%)

18 to 24-year-olds were the hardest-hit age group for parcel thefts and loss in the past 12 months (16%).

Nationally, an astounding 29% of people surveyed have had a package lost or stolen in their lifetime, amounting to over 2.92 million parcels. This is expected to rise without preventive measures.

The psychological impact

One in five people in the UAE (19%) were anxious about parcel theft, with this concern more common among male respondents (71%, compared to 29% women). This split was also seen in fear of stolen parcels (72% men, 28% women), as well as reluctance to make new online purchases (78% men, 22% women).

Despite a lower rise in parcel problems than the global average, 21% of residents have actively researched parcel-theft prevention products  double that of respondents elsewhere. But, while men in the UAE have concerns about parcel safety, women are more likely to research prevention solutions (one in four women, to one in five men).

Penn Elcom's chairman, Roger Willems, said: "A surge in online shopping accelerated by Covid, along with seasonal rushes, means couriers are under intense pressure. Professional thieves are known to follow delivery vans, stealing packages minutes after they are dropped off, while opportunistic thieves take advantage of parcels left on doorsteps."

According to the Penn Elcom Global Parcel Theft Report, the UK saw the largest increase in parcel theft and loss over the survey periods (+5%). Australia came second (+3%), followed by Canada (+2%), the US and the UAE (+1% respectively).

Google Trends data shows that global searches for 'parcel theft' have rocketed as shoppers continue to order online, especially for seasonal holidays. The study found that one in ten people worldwide are also now reluctant to shop due to fear of theft, impacting retailers.

Gavin Murphy, CMO of Scurri, said: "We expect parcel piracy to continue to rise as global parcel deliveries increase3 if measures are not taken. We are doing our best to support delivery companies and save online shoppers the headache of missed deliveries  as well as the heartache of lost and stolen parcels."

Penn Elcom is campaigning to restore confidence in online shopping and has a solution. The Penn Parcel Box, made from quality British steel and designed using Penn Elcom's decades of steel engineering expertise, is a secure, stylish, weatherproof solution for parcel deliveries for homes and businesses.

The Penn Parcel Box was developed in response to enquiries from customers who had problems with parcels going missing. "We have both engineering and manufacturing expertise, so when customers present us with a new challenge, we have the skills to develop a solution for them. Our innovations are in response to customer demand," said Rob Platt, Penn Elcom's Sales & Marketing Director.

YouGov, the leading British research group, surveyed 2,000 random consumers in the UK, US, the UAE, Canada and Australia in May 2022. 50% were male and 50% female, ranging in age from 18-55 and above.

Images are available at: https://bit.ly/3fOYly2

FOR MORE INFORMATION: including interviews and a copy of the Penn Elcom Global Parcel Theft Report:

Mark Foxwell, [email protected], +44 (0) 7796 473020

Charlie Jones, [email protected], +44 (0) 7710 695794

Siobhan Stirling, [email protected], +44 (0) 7990 543829

NOTES TO EDITORS

Penn Elcom is a UK manufacturing success story, with 50% of sales being overseas. Established in 1974, the company is a world leader in flight case and speaker cabinet hardware as well as 19-inch racking solutions.

Scurri is a leading software provider that connects and optimises the eCommerce ordering, shipping and delivery process for online retailers. Scurri is an Irish company, which last year announced a 9 million investment to accelerate growth in the European markets. This brings the Wexford-based company's total funding to 15.3 million to date. Scurri currently derives over 61% of its revenue from the UK, and will power over 100 million parcel deliveries this year by enabling merchants to present the most efficient delivery option via more than 700 carrier services.

NOTES AND SOURCES

1 Total price value has been estimated by average parcel cost, based on annual online retail spend versus annual volume of packages shipped

2 Survey results extrapolated to global and national populations

3 Pitney Bowes, 28.09.21: Global parcel volumes rose to 131 billion in 2020, a 27% year-on-year increase, and are predicted to double again by 2026 to 266 billion.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- UMortgage is helping drive an influx of Loan Originators from retail channels to the broker space with more than 70 former retail LOs and 112 total LOs joining its platform in Q3 of 2022. While other companies continue with mass layoffs, UMortgage continues to support its claim to grow in a shrinking market.

With rates continuing to increase month-over-month, total mortgage industry employment declined from 404,400 to 401,200 between July and August of 2022, according to a report from National Mortgage News. Recently, mortgage application activity has declined in tandem with a decrease in housing market demand. These factors have driven many companies within the mortgage industry to lay off staff members while retail Loan Originators sought out new opportunities to access more competitive rates and products.

Despite this overall decrease in industry employment, reports found an increase of 800 individuals employed in the mortgage and non-mortgage brokerage industry between July and August, with UMortgage's weekly Discovery Meeting leading 10% of those individuals to the platform across those months.

Bloated cost structures, an inability to compete with rates offered elsewhere, and outdated technologies have cut into profits for retail lenders and led to unsustainable lending practices within the channel. UMortgage has spearheaded a migration away from retail lending by offering its Loan Originators:

Robust optionality with a growing portfolio of 20+ lenders and their entire suite of loan products

Specialized Operations pods to with Loan Processors, Coordinators, and Closers assisting throughout the loan process, lead by a dedicated pod leader

A fully web-based tech stack which is accessible from mobile devices and eliminates manual data entry

Custom marketing materials to help grow individual businesses

With these tools in hand, UMortgage is helping retail LOs towards a platform which is built to help loan originators thrive in any market.

In Q3 of 2022, UMortgage welcomed more than 112 total Loan Originators to its innovative platform, upping its total number of LOs to 194. UMortgage plans for continued growth for the remainder of the year, with Q4 goals outlining a vision to onboard another 150 LOs by the end of 2022.

If you're a Loan Originator looking to increase your business and help improve the standard within the mortgage industry, register for our weekly Discovery Meeting which happens every Thursday at 2pm EDT.

Media Contact:

Gregory Mays

[email protected]

SOURCE UMortgage
NYSE American: UEC

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC) (the "Company" or "UEC") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of the Roughrider uranium development project ("Roughrider" or the "Project") located in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada (the "Transaction") from a subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc ("Rio Tinto").

Under the terms of the Transaction, Rio Tinto has now received $80 million in cash and 17,805,815 UEC common shares, valued at $70 million based on the 5-day VWAP of $3.93 per UEC share as of October 7, 2022. The cash component of the Transaction was funded using UEC's existing balance sheet, and post-closing UEC has no debt and $93 million of cash and liquid assets.

Amir Adnani, President and CEO of UEC, stated: "We are pleased to welcome Rio Tinto as a new shareholder and value their vote of confidence in choosing to complete this transaction with UEC. With the acquisitions of Uranium One Americas, UEX and now Rio Tinto's Roughrider project, we have created an unrivalled, pure play uranium company. Our two-pronged approach combines best in-class 1) U.S. ISR production, and 2) Canadian high-grade conventional pipeline. We see unprecedented growth taking place in nuclear energy and growing demand for uranium, driven by net-zero goals and global decarbonization initiatives. With this backdrop, UEC offers un-encumbered and un-hedged exposure for investors and is positioned as a reliable supplier of uranium to western utilities with the largest diversified North American focused projects and resources."

Mr. Adnani continued: "By acquiring Roughrider, UEC has achieved critical mass in Eastern Athabasca basin to pursue stand-alone production plans. The 100% owned Roughrider project will anchor our Canadian high-grade conventional business and allow us to unlock value from the portfolio recently acquired from UEX. Leveraging the first-tier ESG, geotechnical and permitting work completed by Rio Tinto since 2012, we now look forward to continuing to advance Roughrider along its development path. This includes completion of a S-K 1300 technical report, review and progress on permitting requirements, and the commencement of a study on production plans."

Roughrider Acquisition Rationale and Highlights:

World-class Project in a Premier Uranium Mining Jurisdiction: Development-stage Roughrider Project has a non-current, historic resource of 58 million lbs at an average grade of 4.73% U 3 O 8 situated in the eastern Athabasca Basin of Canada , where 10% of global uranium production was sourced in 2021. (1)(2)

Development-stage Roughrider Project has a non-current, historic resource of 58 million lbs at an average grade of 4.73% U O situated in the eastern Basin of , where 10% of global uranium production was sourced in 2021. Unlocking Value and Immediate Synergies with Recent UEX Acquisition: Roughrider will be a 100% owned cornerstone asset, that when combined with recently acquired UEX Corporation (" UEX ") projects in the eastern Athabasca , positions UEC with a critical mass of resources to enhance future production plans. Recently acquired and nearby UEC projects to Roughrider include Raven-Horseshoe, Hidden Bay and Christie Lake .

Roughrider will be a 100% owned cornerstone asset, that when combined with recently acquired UEX Corporation (" ") projects in the eastern , positions UEC with a critical mass of resources to enhance future production plans. Recently acquired and nearby UEC projects to Roughrider include Raven-Horseshoe, Hidden Bay and . Scaling up in Canada's High-Grade Athabasca Basin: After Cameco and Orano, UEC now controls the largest diversified resource base, hosted in multiple assets, in Canada's Athabasca Basin.

After Cameco and Orano, UEC now controls the largest diversified resource base, hosted in multiple assets, in Basin. Infrastructure, Nearby Operations and Long-Standing Uranium History: There are over 20 uranium deposits, five current and historically producing mines, and two uranium mills within a 100 km distance from Roughrider, providing excellent infrastructure for future development, including all-weather roads, an all-weather airstrip within seven km and robust electrical grid access, primarily generated from renewable hydroelectric power sources. (3)

There are over 20 uranium deposits, five current and historically producing mines, and two uranium mills within a 100 km distance from Roughrider, providing excellent infrastructure for future development, including all-weather roads, an all-weather airstrip within seven km and robust electrical grid access, primarily generated from renewable hydroelectric power sources. Leveraging a Decade of Development Work on a Path to Production: Since acquiring Roughrider in 2012, Rio Tinto, one of the world's largest and most experienced mine builders, advanced substantial pre-production and environmental baseline work. The work includes completion of dedicated geotechnical drilling, shaft vs. decline modelling, establishment of hydrogeological monitor wells, terrestrial and aquatic environmental assessments, heritage assessments, species at risk, and conceptual reclamation plan. This provides a strong foundation and substantial value for completion of upcoming technical reports, efficiently moving the Project forward to a production decision. (4)

Since acquiring Roughrider in 2012, Rio Tinto, one of the world's largest and most experienced mine builders, advanced substantial pre-production and environmental baseline work. The work includes completion of dedicated geotechnical drilling, shaft vs. decline modelling, establishment of hydrogeological monitor wells, terrestrial and aquatic environmental assessments, heritage assessments, species at risk, and conceptual reclamation plan. This provides a strong foundation and substantial value for completion of upcoming technical reports, efficiently moving the Project forward to a production decision. Strong ESG Foundation: Starting from the environmental baseline work and ESG initiatives established by Rio Tinto, UEC intends to continue to develop and apply high industry standards in stakeholder engagement, safety, and environmental stewardship. UEC looks forward to engaging with local communities and other stakeholders in the Athabasca Basin in developing this Project for the benefit of future generations.

Notes :

Subject to the completion of S-K 1300 technical report summary by UEC after closing. World Nuclear Association  World Uranium Mining Production and Largest Producing Uranium Mines in 2021. Cameco Corporation 2021 ESG Report, SaskPower System Map accessible at https://www.saskpower.com Saskatchewan Environment Publication 2013-014, "Rio Tinto  Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program", accessible at http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/2013-014EISMainDoc

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed by Clyde L. Yancey, P.G., Vice President-Exploration for the Company, being a Qualified Person under Item 1302 of Regulation S-K.

Advisors and Counsel

Rothschild & Co and BMO Capital Markets acted as financial advisor to UEC in connection with the Transaction. McMillan LLP acted as legal advisor to UEC.

About Uranium Energy Corp

Uranium Energy Corp is the fastest growing supplier of the fuel for green energy transition to a low carbon future. UEC is the largest, diversified North American focused uranium company, advancing the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly In-Situ Recovery (ISR) mining uranium projects in the United States and high-grade conventional projects in Canada. The Company has two production-ready ISR hub and spoke platforms in South Texas and Wyoming, anchored by fully licensed and operational central processing plants. UEC also has seven U.S. ISR uranium projects with all their major permits in place. Additionally, the Company has diversified uranium holdings including: (1) one of the largest physical uranium portfolios of U.S. warehoused U 3 O 8 ; (2) a major equity stake in Uranium Royalty Corp., the only royalty company in the sector; and (3) a pipeline of resource stage uranium projects. The Company's operations are managed by professionals with decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development, and mining.

Stock Exchange Information:

NYSE American: UEC

WKN: AJDRR

ISN: US916896103

Notice to U.S. Investors

UEC is now subject to the requirements of Regulation S-K (subpart) 1300  Disclosure by Registrants Engaged in Mining Operations with respect to disclosure of mining operations that are material to it. UEC can only rely on technical information contained in a technical report summary prepared in accordance with Regulation S-K (subpart) 1300.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

SOURCE Uranium Energy Corp
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- An international team recently completed a trap, neuter, vaccinate, release (TVNR) clinic for the dog population living at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Clean Futures Fund (CFF) has been conducting these clinics at Chornobyl since 2017 and CFF's leadership was determined to continue the program despite the risks in wartime Ukraine. A small team of veterinary professionals from the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany assembled in Poland and took an overnight train to Kyiv where they met up with Ukrainian team members. The team stayed in the town of Chornobyl and traveled daily to the power plant that is still mitigating the effects of the largest nuclear power catastrophe in history as well as recovering from Russian military occupation that occurred early in the war.

Two Chornobyl puppies after receiving care at the CFF clinic. A Chornobyl pup with the New Safe Confinement in the background.

Over the course of one week, the team treated 125 dogs that live in an around the power plant. Unlike past clinics, CFF obtained permission from Chornobyl NPP administration to work from a building inside the secure area of the plant near the New Safe Confinement that covers the original sarcophagus built over reactor number 4 that exploded on April 26, 1986. Unlike other TVNR clinics, all dogs coming into the clinic had to be checked for radioactive contamination. Unfortunately, a significant number of dogs were found to have external contamination and had to be decontaminated before entering the clinic for treatment. After treatment, to prevent re-catching, each dog received a dab of non-toxic hair dye on their face that will fade within a month.

"We have been wanting to get back to Chornobyl since 2020 when we were delayed by the pandemic. Our plans for a May 2022 clinic were shattered due to the further invasion of Ukraine in late February. After a fact-finding visit in June, we decided to conduct a clinic with a very small team before the end of the year. Thanks to the hard work of this team, the dog population around the power plant is again under control and received humane and compassionate care," said Dr. Jennifer Betz, Veterinary Medical Director of CFF.

During their visit, the CFF team provided supplies to firefighters, police, national guard, and members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that work in the Exclusion Zone. "Since the further invasion of Ukraine in February, CFF has provided almost $100,000 in assistance to the people and animals of Ukraine. We will continue to provide assistance until victory and beyond," said Erik Kambarian, Founder of Clean Futures Fund.

Clean Futures Fund is a small non-profit organization and 100% of CFF staff are volunteers. This allows CFF to operate with very low overhead to maximize donor dollars and profit from merchandise so funds can be directed to Ukraine. To donate or buy merchandise, please visit cleanfutures.org

Note: CFF uses the Ukrainian translation "Chornobyl" not the Russian translation "Chernobyl."

Contact:

Dr. Jennifer Betz

Veterinary Medical Director

618-223-3740

[email protected]

Available for interviews in person or virtually.

SOURCE Clean Futures Fund
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vial welcomes Dr. Roberta Brinton as a new Central Nervous System (CNS) advisory board member. Dr. Brinton is the Director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science and founder of NeuTherapeutics, a biotechnology company developing regenerative therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and precision strategies that preserve women's brain health.

Dr. Brinton is an internationally recognized neuroscientist and a leading expert in the field of Alzheimer's and regenerative therapeutics. Dr. Brinton has been named "Scientist of the Year" by Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, "Woman of the Year" by the California State Senate, "Science Educator of the Year" by the Society for Neuroscience, Arizona Bioscientist of the Year, and U.S. News & World Report's "Ten Best Minds." In 2010, she received one of the nation's highest civilian honors, the Presidential Citizens Medal, presented by President Barack Obama, for promoting careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among minority students.

"Vial is reimagining what the clinical trial space could look like through the lens of technology. In the neurology space, that is exactly the creative vision you need when developing new treatment methods," said Dr. Brinton on joining Vial's Scientific Advisory Board.

Vial is a tech-enabled CRO providing cutting-edge clinical trial management services that deliver faster, more efficient trials for biotech sponsors. The Vial Neurology CRO distinguishes itself by leveraging digital technology, such as its Vial Technology Platform that brings together eSource , EDC , eTMF , and ePRO , in one connected system to streamline site processes. These best-in-class CRO services will accelerate the development of new therapies and devices for neurology and CNS sponsors.

Dr. Brinton will act as a founding scientific advisor to Vial's Neurology CRO to refine the CRO to support neurology sponsors' and patients' greatest needs.

See the full release here .

About Vial: Vial is a tech-enabled, next-generation CRO that promises faster and higher-quality execution of trials. The Vial Contract Research Organization (CRO) delivers on the promise of faster trials through its innovative technology platform that powers trials end-to-end from site startup to database lock. Vial operates across multiple therapeutic areas ( Dermatology CRO , Ophthalmology CRO , Oncology CRO , Gastroenterology CRO , and Neurology CRO ). Vial is a San Francisco, California-based company with over 125 employees and has run trials from Phase I through Phase IV.

SOURCE Vial
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past two years, many industries have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, triggering one of the worst job crises since the Great Depression. According to labor statistics, millions lost jobs or were furloughed, while others had to switch occupations.

One industry that has remained strong is the energy industry. In 2021, new jobs in the U.S. energy sector grew 4% over 2020, outpacing the overall U.S. employment, which climbed 2.8% at the same time according to the United States Energy and Employment Report.

As part of the local energy industry, Virginia Natural Gas has kept up with industry trends over the past two years and looks to increase positions at the energy company in 2022. In 2020, VNG hired 38 new employees, a 30% increase over 2019, and 25 new hires in 2021, all while dealing with an ongoing pandemic.

As the industry continues to expand, the energy company hopes to add nearly 40 new hires to the payroll this year in positions that include utility workers, engineers, construction inspectors, asset protection, and project coordinators.

"As a Top Workplace in Hampton Roads, Virginia Natural Gas is the perfect place to start a career in one of the fastest growing industries," said Robert Duvall, president of Virginia Natural Gas. "We attract and retain highly skilled employees who remain with the company for sometimes up to 30 years, and in fact, we have an employee retiring soon with 50 years with the company. That speaks volumes to our culture which is built on mutual respect, inclusiveness, and safety, as well as keeping customers at the center of everything we do."

Take Kevin Stark, an engineer with VNG who has been with the company for more than 29 years. Stark began his career with VNG as an intern in the marketing department, and after graduating from Old Dominion University, rose through the ranks and into the engineering department.

Taking his knowledge of roadway projects, he now handles city service projects. He may have taken an unconventional route to the engineering department since his bachelor's degree is in business administration, but he feels the company does a wonderful job mentoring employees into successful careers.

"I enjoy the design side of my job," said Stark. "It's a challenging job, solving day-to-day problems, but I work with a great team, and we keep the projects moving."

He also loves working for the energy company that put a lot of trust in him, he said, to promote him to his present position.

"Virginia Natural Gas treats their employees great," he said. "Not only do I get the chance to do something I love, but the people are great, as well as the pay and benefits. I can't see myself working any other place."

One of the newest engineers with the company, Sloan Parker, agrees with Stark, saying that the energy industry really is the best place to begin a career.

Parker, a graduate of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, joined the VNG engineering department in May 2022 after graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. The 25-year-old always knew he wanted to begin his career in some aspect of the energy industry.

"I've always been interested in energy," said Parker. "Even though I've only been here a few months, the work has been exciting as I'm learning about all the systems. Everyone is very helpful in answering questions and mentoring, plus the pay and benefits are great. I couldn't ask for anything better fresh out of college."

Parker joins the growing number of other recent college graduates entering the energy-industry workforce. Currently, the average age of U.S. utility workers is over 50, several years older than the national average in other careers. This means that 25% of the utility workforce will retire in the next five to ten years according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and not enough skilled workers will exist to fill the gap.

Due to a "graying" of the energy industry workforce, VNG is proactively hiring in critically-manned positions, such as utility workers, to replace those workers who could retire soon, taking with them valuable institutional knowledge.

"That could be problematic as many of our positions are largely dependent on OJT, or on-the-job training," said Michele Potter, Human Resources partner at VNG. "That's why we are proactively hiring in those key entry-level roles. It's the perfect way to learn about the natural gas industry with the opportunity for growth and career advancement."

As the industry continues to expand, VNG will continue to offer career openings with opportunities for long-term career growth and stability in the energy industry. And as a Top Workplace in Hampton Roads, it's the perfect place to start a career while being well compensated with the potential for high earnings.

"This all shows we are hiring and VNG is the best place to start a career and learn about the energy industry," added Potter. "Our industry is booming, and VNG offers successful team members the opportunity to learn from some of the industry's best and be able to parlay that into a long and successful career."

To learn more about careers with Virginia Natural Gas, visit the careers page at https://www.virginianaturalgas.com/company/careers.html.

About Virginia Natural Gas

Virginia Natural Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Virginia Natural Gas provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service to more than 300,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in southeast Virginia. Consistently ranked in the top quartile for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, the company also has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) and the Virginia Oil and Gas Association for its safety, innovation, environmental stewardship, community outreach and educational programs, and has been named Local Distribution Company of the Year five times since 2015. The company has been ranked by its business customers as one of the most Trusted Business Partners in the utility industry according to Cogent Reports, and a Top Workplaces in Hampton Roads by Inside Business. For more information, visit virginianaturalgas.com and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Nextdoor.

About Southern Company Gas

Southern Company Gas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.3 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

SOURCE Virginia Natural Gas
FALLS CHURCH, Va., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies (WAEPA) announces that its membership eligibility will now include former Civilian Federal Employees. WAEPA's Board of Directors approved an update in its bylaws on August 5, 2022, to allow for this change.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9084851-waepa-extends-membership-eligibility/

WAEPAs coverage is backed by the strength of New York Life, an industry leader

WAEPA has provided current and retired Civilian Federal Employees and their loved ones with Group Term Life Insurance* since 1943. For the first time, WAEPA is offering its exclusive membership to former Civilian Federal Employees who are looking to safeguard the future of their families. Former Civilian Feds of any agency, who served for any length of time, are now eligible.

"We are proud of WAEPA's legacy and our commitment to supporting our public servants. This change shows WAEPA's continued dedication to those who serve, both past and present," said M. Shane Canfield, CEO of WAEPA. "We are excited for the opportunity to expand our membership, while continuing to provide exceptional service to our current members."

For more information on WAEPA membership eligibility, visit waepa.org/eligibility.

About WAEPA

Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies (WAEPA), is a nonprofit association (not an insurance company) formed For Feds, By Feds in 1943. The goal of WAEPA is to provide access to products and services that promote the health, welfare, and financial well-being of current and former Civilian Federal Employees. After more than 75 years in business, WAEPA has over 46,000 members.

For more information, visit waepa.org, or call (800) 368-3484.

* Underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010 on Policy Form GMR-FACE/G-30280-0

SOURCE WAEPA
VERO BEACH, Fla., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the path of Hurricane Ian pointed right towards their doorsteps, the dedicated associates of Watercrest Spanish Springs Assisted Living and Memory Care stepped forward to ensure their residents received comfort and care in the wake of the storm.

As weather reports suggested Hurricane Ian would make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane near Tampa, the path showed Watercrest Spanish Springs and their surrounding areas of Central Florida receiving the ensuing winds and rainfall in the coming days.

With Hurricane Ian tracking towards Central Florida, the dedicated team of associates at Watercrest Spanish Springs Assisted Living and Memory Care gathered at the community days prior to ensure the safety and care of all residents during the storm.

The amazing team of associates at Watercrest Spanish Springs gathered at the community prior to the start of impending weather, preparing their residents and community with a thorough plan of readiness.

"The path of the storm is beyond our control, but we can do everything in our power to be prepared for situations that may arise," says Kathy Wiederhold, Executive Director. "Watercrest Spanish Springs has an amazing cadre of servant leaders who work tirelessly for our residents and associates to ensure everyone's needs are met."

As Hurricane Ian passed across the state of Florida, Watercrest Spanish Springs only experienced strong winds and rain, but no loss of power. After the storm passed, Executive Chef Matthew Levinson displayed his true servant leadership, loading his truck full of 5-gallon containers of water the dining associates had prepared in case of power loss. Chef Matthew drove them to South Florida, delivering them to a shelter of displaced residents who expressed their utmost appreciation for the kind gesture.

"We are so proud of this team and all of our Watercrest leadership throughout the Southeast who ensured that our residents, associates and communities as a whole were staffed and prepared for a powerful weather event. It demonstrates the true dedication of our leaders to the residents that they serve," says Johnita Jackson, Regional Director of Clinical Operations for Watercrest Senior Living Group.

Watercrest Spanish Springs is an assisted living and memory care community located in the area of Central Florida known as 'The Villages.' Operated by Watercrest Senior Living Group, the community offers outstanding caregivers and exceptional care, all tailored to individual resident preferences. Watercrest Spanish Springs is located at 930 Alverez Avenue in Lady Lake, Fla. For information, please contact the community at 352-604-5140.

About Watercrest Senior Living Group

Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities, world-class care, and innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. A five-time certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest Senior Living Group specializes in the development and operations management of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders. For information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com.

SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the board of directors of Whirlpool Corporation (the "Company") declared a quarterly dividend of $1.75 per share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2022, to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 18, 2022.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit and Yummly. In 2021, the company reported approximately $22 billion in annual sales, 69,000 employees and 54 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com, or find us on Twitter at @WhirlpoolCorp.

Website Disclosure

We routinely post important information for investors on our website, whirlpoolcorp.com, in the "Investors" section. We also intend to update the Hot Topics Q&A portion of this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation
RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wood Partners, a national leader in multifamily real estate development, and PGIM Real Estate, the real estate investment and financing arm of PGIM, today announced groundbreaking of the partnership's residential communityAlta Town Centerlocated in Raleigh, North Carolina. With construction currently underway, the community is scheduled to officially open in fall 2023 with pre-leasing to begin in summer 2023.

Located on Town Center Drive in one of Raleigh's fastest growing areas, Alta Town Center will provide immediate access to nearby I-540 and Capital Boulevard, enabling residents to travel throughout the Triangle area with the greatest of ease. Within minutes of the property, top retail locations -- including Triangle Town Center Mall, Poyner Place and Plantation Point -- will offer a wide range of retail and dining options for future residents to enjoy. As a result of the area's ongoing development, residents will have numerous employment opportunities nearby, including communications leader Bandwidth, as well as Apple, Google, Fidelity, and Fujifilm, which are all in the process of constructing new campuses in the Raleigh area.

"Wood Partners is excited to continue expanding its footprint within the North Carolina Triangle area with the groundbreaking of our latest property in Raleigh, Alta Town Center," said Caitlin Shelby, Managing Director for Wood Partners. "As the Raleigh area continues to experience a massive amount of growth and development, we are thrilled to soon offer Wood Partners' signature approach to comfortable living at an attainable cost and look forward to welcoming our first residents home next fall."

Once complete, Alta Town Center will offer 336 apartment homes comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. While priced at attainable levels, all homes will feature sophisticated urban accents and high-end finishes including stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, tile backsplash, in-unit washer and dryer sets, and wide-plank flooring throughout.

Alta Town Center will also cater to residents with a wide range of attractive community amenities including a resort-style pool and courtyard, outdoor grilling and lounge areas, outdoor fitness equipment, and an on-site pet park and pet spa. Inside the community club house, residents will have access to a state-of-the-art fitness center, coworking spaces, and ample room for socializing with other residents within the hospitality bar and game room.

PGIM Real Estate invested in Alta Town Center through Impact Value Partners (IVP), its private equity impact fund that invests in affordable housing and transformative development in the U.S.

Soultana Reigle, senior portfolio manager, U.S. value-add strategies at PGIM Real Estate, commented "Alta Town Center will benefit from its position within one of the Raleigh metro's highest performing submarkets in terms of rent growth, driven by its proximity to employment and relative affordability. Additionally, the property will expand affordable living options for Raleigh residents, providing naturally occurring affordable housing at 80% of the area median income."

About Wood Partners

Wood Partners is a national leader in the development, construction, and management of multifamily communities across the United States. The company has been involved in the acquisition and development of nearly 90,000 conventional multifamily homes with a combined capitalization of $17.3 billion. The company currently owns more than 70 properties across the United States representing over 20,000 homes. Headquartered in Atlanta, Wood Partners has offices in 22 major markets across 15 states nationwide. The company also operates Wood Residential, an award-winning, full-service property management group that proudly operates both properties developed by Wood Partners and communities owned by third parties. For three years running, Wood Residential has ranked No. 1 nationally for online reputation in the J Turner ORA Power Rankings (Division III). For more information, visit woodpartners.com.

About PGIM Real Estate

As one of the largest real estate managers in the world with $206.8 billion in gross assets under management and administration,1 PGIM Real Estate strives to deliver exceptional outcomes for investors and borrowers through a range of real estate equity and debt solutions across the risk-return spectrum. PGIM Real Estate is a business of PGIM, the $1.4 trillion global asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU).

PGIM Real Estate's rigorous risk management, seamless execution, and extensive industry insights are backed by a 50-year legacy of investing in commercial real estate, a 140-year history of real estate financing,2 and the deep local expertise of professionals in 32 cities globally. Through its investment, financing, asset management, and talent management approach, PGIM Real Estate engages in practices that ignite positive environmental and social impact, while pursuing activities that strengthen communities around the world. For more information visit pgimrealestate.com.

1 As of June 30, 2022, net AUM is $136.3 billion and AUA is $45.6 billion.

2 Includes legacy lending through PGIM's parent company, PFI.

CONTACT: Rylie Geraci, [email protected]

SOURCE Wood Partners
Woodforest proudly continues its expansion across Florida

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Woodforest National Bank (Woodforest) headquartered in Montgomery County, Texas, with 760+ branches nationwide recently opened two new branches in Kissimmee and Brandon, FL.

The two new Woodforest branches are located inside Walmart at 1471 East Osceola Pkwy., Kissimmee, FL 34744 and 11110 Causeway Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511. Woodforest now has nine branches across Florida. The new in-store branches offer full-service banking with lobby and ATM services for shoppers and area consumers.

The staff at our new Woodforest Bank branch located in Kissimmee, Florida recently held a grand opening celebration to welcome our customers and shoppers. It was a great event, and our team is excited to serve this community. Woodforest National Bank recently opened two new retail branches in Kissimmee and Brandon, FL, conveniently located inside Walmart. Both locations provide full-service banking and two onsite ATMs.

"By having a larger branch network, we broaden access to retail banking services for families and the entire community. Our new Florida branches are designed for convenience, and bankers who are ready to help customers along their financial journey," said Julie Mayrant, President and Chief Retail Officer, Woodforest National Bank.

About Woodforest National Bank

Celebrating over 40 years of community banking service, Woodforest National Bank has successfully stood among the strongest community banks in the nation, proudly offering outstanding customer service since 1980. Woodforest currently operates over 760 branches in 17 states across the United States and is an Outstanding CRA rated institution. For more information about Woodforest National Bank, please visit www.woodforest.com. Member FDIC.

SOURCE Woodforest National Bank
CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a research report "Workplace Safety Market by Component (Hardware, Software, and Services), System, Application (Incident and Emergency Management, Asset Tracking, PPE Detection), Deployment Mode, End-User and Region - Global Forecast to 2027" published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Workplace Safety Market is projected to grow from an estimated USD 14.2 billion in 2022 to USD 26.7 billion by 2027, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.5% from 2022 to 2027. Growing work injuries and strict industrial and strict industrial health and safety regulations are some of the factors driving market growth.

Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=247399116

By deployment mode, on-premises segment to account for larger market size during forecast period

The on-premises deployment mode is one of the oldest and most traditional approaches to deploying software and solutions. It requires that an enterprise purchase a license or copy of the software to use it. As the software itself is licensed, and the entire software resides within the organization's premises, it offers greater protection than a cloud computing infrastructure. It is preferred by enterprises due to factors, such as the ability to store data within the company's premises, the availability of security measures, and the elimination of third-party involvement. All the operational activities, such as setup, configuration, maintenance, and deployment of the solution, are handled locally on the end-users premises.

By vertical, healthcare segment to grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period

The healthcare industry is growing continually on a global scale. Healthcare workers face several serious safety and health hazards. They include potential chemical and drug exposures, waste anaesthetic gas exposures, respiratory hazards, and ergonomic hazards from lifting and repetitive tasks. Some of the potential chemical exposures include formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, peracetic acid, and numerous other chemicals used in healthcare laboratories. The industry is facing increasing cases of workplace injuries and illnesses. The total incidence rate for this sector was 5.5 cases per 100 full-time employees in 2020 compared to 3.8 per 100 full-time workers in 2019. Governments and organizations are increasingly deploying workplace safety measures. The WHO's work on protecting the health and safety of health workers includes the development of norms and standards for the prevention of occupational risks in the health sector and advocacy and networking for strengthening the protection of health and safety of health workers.

By region, North America to account for the largest market size during the forecast period

North America is expected to account for the largest market share in the Workplace Safety Market. It is one of the most advanced regions in terms of security technology adoption and infrastructure. The region is witnessing an increase in the adoption of cloud technology across different industries, which has driven the market for cloud-based solutions in the Workplace Safety Market. It has witnessed a rise in the number of workplace injuries and illnesses across organizations and has prompted organizations to adopt products and solutions in the Workplace Safety Market. The regional presence of key industry players offering workplace safety technology solutions contributes to driving the market growth in North America. Another factor driving the growth of workplace safety in the North American region is the need for strengthening safety standards and government regulations. Three US Department of Labour agencies are responsible for the administration and enforcement of the laws enacted to protect the safety and health of workers in North America. The Fair Labor Standards Act contains rules concerning the employment of young workers, those under the age of 18, and is administered and enforced by the Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division. Intended to protect the health and well-being of youth in the region, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) contains minimum age restrictions for employment, restrictions on the times of day youth may work, and the jobs they perform. The regional organizations are increasingly engaging in partnerships and collaborations to deploy solutions according to the customers' workplace safety requirements. Countries analysed for the Workplace Safety Market in this region are the US and Canada.

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Key Players

The major vendors in the Workplace Safety Market are IBM (US), Honeywell (US), 3M (US), Hexagon AB (Sweden), Microsoft (US), Bosch (Germany), Cority (Canada), Wolters Kluwer (The Netherlands), Intelex (Canada), HCL Technologies (India), HSI (US), Vector Solutions (US), INX Software (UK), Arventa (Australia), AWS (US), Hitachi Solutions (Japan), Damotech (Canada), EcoOnline (Norway), Atheer (US), Kinetic (US), among others.

Browse Adjacent Markets: Information Security Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Customer Data Platform Market - Global Forecast to 2026

Field Service Management Market - Global Forecast to 2026

Identity as a Service Market - Global Forecast to 2027

Cyber Security Market - Global Forecast to 2027

Anti-money Laundering Market - Global Forecast to 2027

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

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MarketsandMarkets INC

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USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: [email protected]

Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com

Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/workplace-safety-market.asp

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
World's largest hotel franchising company celebrated for inclusive culture and commitment to flexibility

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,000 hotels across more than 95 countries, has once again been recognized as a best place to work, receiving in the last two weeks multiple awards and accolades including: being named one of the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces by Newsweek, one of the World's Best Employers by Forbes and one of New Jersey's Best Places to Work by NJBIZ.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has once again been recognized as one of the worlds leading employers, recently receiving a new round of accolades from the likes of Newsweek, Forbes and NJBIZ. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts employees during the Company's annual backpack mania event.

"Creating an inclusive culture where people feel valued and empowered to do their best work is fundamental to who we are at Wyndham," said Monica Melancon, chief human resource officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "Our team members are the heart and soul of our organization, which is why every day, we strive to be an organization they're proud and excited to be a part of. That means promoting flexibility while living our core values of integrity, accountability, inclusivity, caring and fun. For us, it's a proven recipe for success, helping attract and retain top talent while allowing Wyndham to differentiate itself competitively."

Supporting thousands of franchisees and a growing global portfolio of 23 hotel brandsthink household names like Wyndham, Ramada, Days Inn and Super 8Wyndham team members are a widespread group of individuals with diverse interests and backgrounds who all come together to further one of the world's most prominent hotel organizations.

In addition to comprehensive benefits, Wyndham team members are given one day of paid time-off yearly to volunteer in their communities, and have access to continuing education programs, professional development courses and several affinity business groups. The company also offers special recognition programs, virtual learning hours, celebrations, team member discounts and flexible work arrangements, enabling team members to the do their best work in the place that works best for them and the company.

This marks the second consecutive year that Wyndham was named to Newsweek's list of 100 Most Loved Workplaces and the third consecutive year of being named one of New Jersey's Best Places to Work by NJBIZ. Earlier this year, the Company was named one of America's Best Employers by Forbes and last year, named by Newsweek as one of America's Most Responsible Companies.

To learn more about at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, or to apply for an open role at one of its offices around the globe, visit www.careers.wyndhamhotels.com.

About Wyndham Hotels & Resort

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,000 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 819,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 23 hotel brands, including Super 8, Days Inn, Ramada, Microtel, La Quinta, Baymont, Wingate, AmericInn, Hawthorn Suites, Trademark Collection and Wyndham. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 95 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.

Contact

Stefanie Petropoulos

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

+1 (973) 753-6590

[email protected]

SOURCE Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Lucknow, Oct 17 : An 18-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and then dumped in the posh Gomti Nagar area of Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow by an auto driver and his aide.

According to the first information report (FIR), the survivor, a resident of Husainganj, had gone to teach a student in Chinhat area.

She finished her class and reached the Chinhat fire station to catch an auto for Charbagh.

A little later, the accused auto driver reached the spot and the girl asked him if he was ferrying passengers to Charbagh.

"The auto stopped near the fire station and I asked if he would go to Charbagh. There was a youth sitting in the auto beside the auto driver. After travelling for some kilometres, the auto driver drove the vehicle on the wrong route to a dark stretch of the road. I sensed something wrong and raised an alarm. But the auto driver took me to the dark stretch and they both took turns raping me for three hours. They took away my phone and hit a hard object on my head before dumping me. The auto driver threatened to kill me if I reported the matter to the police," the girl alleged.

The girl later found a police vehicle of 'UP 112' near the crossing.

"They enquired about the incident and went to the place where I had caught the auto. My condition started to deteriorate, and I was asked to go home. My family has filed a complaint with the women's helpline and police," she said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, East Zone, Prachi Singh, said that a case for wrongful detention, gang-rape, loot and attack on the survivor has been registered.

"The teams are hunting for the unidentified auto driver and his aide and have also got substantial leads in the case," she added.
Tehran, Oct 17 : Iranian Petroleum Minister Javad Owji has said that Iran has started refining its crude oil in Venezuela, state media affiliated to his Ministry reported.

Iran had started processing nearly 100,000 barrels per day of its crude in Venezuela's El Palito refinery, Owji was quoted by the state media as saying on Sunday.

"This was a long-standing and 43-year-old dream that was realised through the efforts of my colleagues at the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC)," he added.

Jalil Salari, Head of NIORDC, said on Sunday that efforts are underway to expand Iran's refinery operation in overseas projects, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to state media, Iran signed a $116-million contract with Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA in May to repair and expand the refinery.
Kasauli, Oct 17 : Author Geetanjali Shree, recipient of the International Booker Prize for 'Tomb of Sand' makes it clear that she did not really have any intentions of writing a novel about a 'major theme' (read Partition).

"I always start with curiosity about a mundane event. In this case, it was about an elderly woman turning her back on life. It can be a very simple image which we see all the time, but it stayed with me. Let us remember that the line between the mundane and epic is very thin. There is this woman in the book, a small one, standing at the time of the day when the shadow is very long -- thus a small image which is going into a long past. For me, something small always connects to big. So, I do not really have to set out in it. I just have to find the quiet and the place for a story to emerge -- it starts small but develops into bigger things," said the author during the concluding day of the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival.

Originally written in Hindi as 'Ret Samadhi' and translated to English by Daisy Rockwell, it is the first Hindi novel to be awarded the Booker Prize. The book is the first in any Indian language to win the award.

It tells the story of an octogenarian and her battle with depression after the death of her husband and how she comes out of it, to forge new friendships, cross borders and travel to Pakistan to confront the ghosts from Partition and re-looking at herself as a mother, woman and feminist.

Shree feels that the border (between India and Pakistan) is something that has been created politically and many people still do not 'accept' it.

"Yes, it is something that has been forced down politically. This thought finds its way into this book as well." The Partition has not taken place in many minds, and it is not complete.

The author, who took eight years to write the book, remembers it just flowed and the real fun was in the process.

"Of course, there were times when I felt stuck and did not know how to proceed. I do not work with an agenda, and was in no hurry -- I could go on and on." While it may also seem the book is about a fraught relationship between a woman and nation, she maintains it was natural for her to include women in the book, and sensitivity as well. "However, the son in the book has a special place as well." Stressing that relationships and memories are the only things that take people forward, Shree says that the only time she will translate is when she has nothing to write.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : About 9,300 Congress delegates will vote on Monday to elect a new party President between the two contenders in the fray -- Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor.

Voting will be conducted across all state and union territory offices from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. About 67 booths have been set up, according to the party's Central Election Authority (CEA).

Once the voting process ends, all the ballet boxes will be brought to the AICC headquarters in New Delhi.

Results will be declared as soon as counting of the votes end on Wednesday.

Rahul Gandhi, who is on his Bharat Jodo Yatra, will vote at a campsite in Karnataka's Ballari, while outgoing interim president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will cast their ballots at the party headquarters.

CEA Chairman Madhusudan Mistry, said: "In AICC also there will be a booth, especially for all the senior leaders, working committee members and all those whose identity card is from a different state but are staying in Delhi. If they write to us that they want to vote in Delhi then we will make arrangements here as well, they can also vote here in AICC." He also assured the voters of the secrecy of the ballot.
Lucknow, Oct 17 : The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has ruled that a mother and father are natural parents of a child and has ordered to hand over the custody of a nine-year-old boy to his father.

The boy had been staying with his maternal grandparents since he was four-month-old after his mother died.

A single-judge bench of Justice Sri Prakash Singh ordered the grandparents to hand over custody of the child, Vinayak Tripathi, to his father Deepak Kumar Tripathi on October 20 at his residence in Kushinagar district.

The court observed that parents are natural guardians of children and no one can replace them.

The court also ordered that the maternal grandparents could meet the child for the next four months on every Sunday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at his father's residence.

Vinayak Tripathi was born on October 31, 2013. In a mishap, his mother sustained burn injuries. She underwent medical treatment in a hospital for several months but later succumbed to her injuries.

Deepak Tripathi fulfilled all his responsibilities and attended his wife throughout the treatment.

During the course of treatment, the maternal grandparents took Vinayak away so that he could be taken care of properly.

Deepak married a widow on March 4, 2015 with the consent of his in-laws. From his second wife, he has two children.

During this period, Deepak made several efforts to get back his son but to no avail.

As a last resort, he approached the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court.

The court observed that the maternal grandparents were old and it would be very hard for them to take care of a minor child. The petitioner, the father, is a natural guardian and having family assistance can look after the child in a better way.

It also observed that the petitioner (father) was in a better position financially also to take care of the child as he was a reputed teacher and was drawing a handsome salary.

The court further observed that conduct and behaviour of the petitioner in society was also good and so there was no reason why he should not get custody of his child.
Bijnor, Oct 17 : The police in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district have arrested a cleric for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in a mosque.

The incident took place about a fortnight ago when the girl had gone to the mosque in Amroha for religious education.

She narrated her ordeal to her father only recently.

A case has been registered against the cleric under section 376 (rape) of the IPC and POCSO act following a complaint by the victim's father.

Inspector P.K. Chauhan said: "The accused maulvi, identified as Abdul Qadir, will soon be produced before the court and sent to jail on Monday."
Bhopal, Oct 17 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah was on a day-long tour in Madhya Pradesh during which he unveiled the Hindi version of the textbooks (three books) for the first-year MBBS students and also created a buzz when he visited the Jai Vilas Palace in Gwalior.

The ancestral house of Scindia family hosted Shah for the first time after Jyotiraditya Scindia switched over to the BJP, resulting in the decline of Kamal Nath-led Congress government in March 2020.

As per the reports, Shah visited Scindia Palace around 3.30 p.m. on Sunday where he was welcomed by the royal family and supporters. Shah also had lunch at the Palace. Later, he reached the mela ground to lay the foundation stone of a new terminal at Gwalior airport, which is to be named after Scindia's grandmother and (late) Madhavrao Scindia's mother Vijayaraje Scindia.

The new terminal building will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 446 crore. The new terminal building will have an area of 20,000 sq metres as compared to the existing 3,500 sqm. After the expansion, the airport will have the capacity to park 13 planes as against the existing capacity for three aircraft, an official told IANS.

While addressing the gathering, Shah said, "Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Airport in Gwalior is one of the most modern airports with the latest facilities. With the dedication with which this airport has been carefully planned, I think it will be one of the best airports in the country. Under the leadership of PM Modi, there has been a huge development of infrastructure in the country. Earlier 375 km of the railway line was laid in one year, today 1,458 km is being laid." Meanwhile, Shah lauded the work of the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, and he also took a dig at the Congress and said, "Madhya Pradesh has experienced the corrupt Congress government and has seen it all." Political analysts were of the view that Shah's visit to Gwalior was scheduled to lay the foundation of the terminal, which is the expansion part of the existing airport in the city, but this visit has several messages for the people in the political gallery, especially for the state BJP unit.

"Shah's visit to Jai Vilas Palace and having lunch there would be analysed in different aspects of politics, but out of all, one message was clear that Jyotiraditya Scindia's graph has increased in the BJP. Secondly, it was an indirect reply to those (Congress leaders) who were saying that Scindia would not get as much respect in the BJP as he used to get in the Congress," said a political observer in Madhya Pradesh.

Another political analyst claimed that inviting Shah to his hometown, Scindia has played to masterstroke to give an apt reply to his old political opponents, especially within the Madhya Pradesh BJP unit. "Defeat in the Lok Sabha election from his family bastion -- Guna was a major setback for Jyotiraditya Scindia. After he joined the BJP, he received another setback when the BJP lost the mayoral seat in Gwalior against the Congress. Now, when the state Assembly elections are just a few months away, and Scindia's name is already doing rounds for the leadership in Madhya Pradesh, this visit of Shah will give an extra edge to him," political analysts said.

Scindia was personally monitoring the preparations for the event in Gwalior for the last few days. The BJP leaders, who are considered Scindia's loyalists and are the ministers in Shivraj Singh Chouhan's cabinet, were assigned specific roles for this event. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and some other state ministers were present on the occasion.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : Television actress Nimrit Ahluwalia was seen telling Sumbul Touqeer about Shalin Bhanot's arrogance as he spoke about his worth being more than all of the contestants combined in the 'Bigg Boss 16' show.

While talking about Shalin's behaviour, she said that he told everyone "I'm worth more than all of you combined".

Shalin's statement created a tizzy in the house.

An offended Nimrit was heard telling Sumbul: "He is 15 years older to me and is not the one to judge me, his journey is different than mine. He talked about his worth in front of all of us and I don't think it was right." Actress Soundarya Sharma agreed with Nimrit's statement and said that she has witnessed the same as well.

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New York, Oct 17 : A fresh batch of Indian students from the University of Connecticut joined young professionals, corporate achievers and entrepreneurs at a networking event organised by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin-Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT).

GOPIO-CT, a community service organisation reaching out to Indians and Indian-Americans in the US state, has been organising the event for over 12 years.

"America is the greatest country which provides opportunity to open up your mind and you can be whatever you want to become, whether a professional in a large corporation, or help to manage a hedge fund or as a scientist or professor or as an entrepreneur, so, go and grab the opportunities awaiting you," GOPIO International Chairman Dr Thomas Abraham said while welcoming the new students.

GOPIO-CT President Ashok Nichani told the students that the Indian-American community is their host family in the US and that chapter will always stand by them.

The weekend event, held at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Stamford, also served as an interactive session with a high-profile panel of Indian-American corporate achievers and entrepreneurs, including 3Lines COO Nandu Kuppusamy, Maganti IT Resources President Prasad Maganti, eNcloud Services President Chandra Sekhar Nallam, Immigration Attorney David Nachman and Entain CIO Joseph Simon.

GOPIO-CT -- Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (Connecticut) -- serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic and community service organization - promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of PIOs through community programs, forums, events and youth activities.

The initial thrust of GOPIO, founded in 1989, was fighting human rights violation of people of Indian origin.
Jaipur, Oct 17 : Tremors were felt in Rajasthan cities -- Jaipur, Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Tonk, Jalore and Bundi. No loss of life was reported, said officials on Monday.

On Sunday night, the people came out of their homes out of fear as the doors and windows rattled in many cities.

The epicentre of the earthquake was several kilometers below the ground in Jaipur and Ganganagar districts.

According to the information, the first earthquake was reported in Anupgarh of Sri Ganganagar. Its centre was very close to the Pakistan border and 10 km below the ground. The tremors were felt here at around 12.27 a.m. with an intensity of 3.7 on the Richter scale.

After 8 minutes, a tremor was felt in Jaipur too. This time the intensity was recorded at 3.6 on the Richter scale. The epicentre of this earthquake was between Fagi and Chaksu in Jaipur. It was also about 10 kilometers from the earth The National centre for seismology said, "Earthquake of Magnitude: 3.6, Occurred on 17-10-2022, 00:36:49 IST, Lat: 26.55 & Long: 75.67, Depth: 10 Km, Location: 41km SSW of Jaipur."
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Eminent Naga Christian leader Rev Dr V.K. Nuh has mooted the idea of 'apologies' from stalwarts of the underground movement as well as from the institution of church itself for what he said need a general acknowledgement of past mistakes and repentance.

The occasion was the Naga National Prayer Day on Sunday, October 16, organised by the Council of Nagalim Churches which was also addressed by NSCN-IM chairman Q Tucco "in absentia".

Rev Nuh, 92, maintained that NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and two late rebel leaders Isak Chishi Swu and S.S. Khaplang (Hemi Naga from Myanmar) need to apologise for going against the 'institution of the Naga National Council (NNC) by forming the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) on January 31, 1980.

The Church bodies also have to apologise for "losing the divine voice, as per Biblical mandate, to challenge the bloodshed and violence in the land".

The NNC as an insurgency movement was founded by legendary Naga leader A.Z. Phizo but in 1980 the organisation split and the NSCN was floated by Late Isak Swu, Khaplang and the aging general secretary of NSCN-IM Muivah.

The prayer meeting came at a time when steps are being taken at various quarters to ensure a meeting between the NSCN(IM) and umbrella organisation NNPG -- the two principal stakeholders in the peace talks.

The two warring sides NNPG and NSCN-IM are now likely to meet 'outside Nagaland' soon to hammer out differences.

While the NNPG led by N. Kitovi Zhimomi is keen for inking a final peace pace, the NSCN-IM led by Muivah has been raising the bogied of a separate Constitution and Flag. Both the demands have been rejected by the Government of India with Home Minister Amit Shah telling a Naga delegation that such contentious issues cannot be entertained and hence need not be raised.

As an indication of some kind of reconciliation the hardliner NSCN-IM is likely to take, the organisation chairman Tuccu (whose speech was read out in absentia) said -

"...there was no other way forward to sustain our movement when we placed under the crucial juncture in order to bring yielding temperament on the part of the Government of India to respect and honour the historical and political rights." "My dear countrymen, let us invite God's gracious presence on this occasion that He will show us the way and guide our journey towards ultimate victory. Nothing is impossible with God if we approach Him with open hearts, admitting our shortcomings and confessing our sins.

What we need today is justice and unity of a people who are one in His creation and purpose," the NSCN-IM chairman said.

The NSCN-IM cherishes communist philosophy and their association with China since the 1960s but owes allegiance to the Christian values and proclaims the theme of 'Nagaland for Christ'.

The Naga peace parleys had begun in 1997 and after 25 years now the process of taking it to a logical conclusion has been expedited by the Centre.

Nagaland goes to the polls early 2023 and all are hopeful that a Solution is arrived at before that.

Rev Vuh also said that among others NNC should also apologise as it was unable to "hold onto its national principles in preserving unity among its leaders".

The Reverend also said, "We must realise that the voice of the people is the voice of God".

This also lays emphasis for an early solution and to bring a lasting peace in Nagaland and adjoining hubs in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh where sizable Naga population reside.

(Nirendra Dev is a New Delhi-based journalist. He is also author of books, 'The Talking Guns: North East India' and 'Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth'. Views are personal)
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday reached the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters where he was summoned in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam.

Before heading for the CBI office, Sisodia went to his party's headquarters from where he stopped at Rajghat (Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi). The AAP workers also took out a massive rally to show their solidarity with him.

As a precautionary measure, extra police forces have been deployed outside Sisodia's residence and the CBI headquarters to avoid unwanted gathering.

A CBI source told IANS that calling the accused to record their statement is part of a professional probe and no one has been exempted from it.

The CBI has named Sisodia accused number one in its FIR. The probe agency's FIR has been lodged under sections 120-B (Criminal Conspiracy) and 477-A (Falsification of accounts) of the IPC.

Sisodia has been accused of giving exemption of Rs 30 crore to liquor businessmen. The licence holders were allegedly given extension according to their own will. The policy rules were made by violating excise rules.

It also said that Sisodia and a few liquor barons were actively involved in managing and diverting the undue pecuniary advantage collected from liquor licensees to public servants, who have been accused in the case.

"Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Arva Gopi Krishna, the then Commissioner (Excise), Anand Tiwari, the then Deputy Commissioner (Excise), and Pankaj Bhatnagar, Assistant Commissioner (Excise) were instrumental in recommending and taking decisions pertaining to excise policy for the year 2021-22 without approval of competent authority with an intention to extend undue favours to the licensee post tender," read the FIR, which has been accessed by IANS.

As of now the CBI has made two arrests in the matter.

Last Monday, the CBI had arrested Abhishek Boinpally in framing and implementation of the excise policy of GNCTD of Delhi.

Boinpally is from Hyderabad and is a big business man. His name was cropped up during the course of investigation. He was called to join the investigation but he was not cooperating in the questioning and was allegedly trying to mislead the CBI.

Boinpally was not named in the FIR.

Vijay Nair, the Jor Bagh-based businessman, was the first one to be arrested by the agency. After him the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Sameer Mahendru who is an alleged associate of Nair.
Kanpur : , Oct 17 (IANS) In a shocking incident, a young man killed a stray dog on a pavement by hitting its head with a brick.

The youth said that he was irked over the constant barking by the dog.

The incident was caught on CCTV at a shop in the area. The video clip shows the youth, Jackie, walking up to the dog, and smashing its head with a brick.

A case has been registered after the owner of the shop, Dharmendra, submitted the CCTV footage to the police.

The police then launched a search to trace Jackie, who was on the run, and arrested him, police officials said.
After decades of enmity, Israel and Lebanon last week signed a historic agreement agreeing to demarcate their maritime boundaries and also demarcating the disputed area in Qanaa prospect, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas reserves.

Further, it has in a de-facto manner, forced Lebanon to accept Israel as a sovereign nation, which it has refused to do so till now, as it maintains no diplomatic relations with Israel.

The disputed 860 sq.km area of the Mediterranean Sea potentially holds billions of dollars' worth of oil and gas. Tensions between Israel and Lebanon worsened earlier this year when, in June, a London-based vessel arrived to develop a gas field for Israel.

Though at present the deal seems to be a win for both sides, future security threats can't be ruled out after this maritime agreement.

Welcome by Lebanon

Lebanese Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab has described the maritime border agreement as a "game changer" with hope that "People will start talking to Lebanon again," adding that the deal will give Lebanon's youth "hope".

For Lebanese government it may prove to be a shot in the arm to bolster its flailing economy and workout a package, which puts the nation back on the tracks for economic recovery and attracting potential investors.

Under the US-brokered deal, Lebanon would be able to begin gas exploration in the Qanaa prospect, which lies within Lebanon's exploration block but crosses over into Israeli waters. The Qanaa gas field is yet to be explored, but Lebanon believes it is rich with resources. It is currently estimated to be worth around $3 billion altogether. That could bring Lebanon between $100 and $200 million a year.

However, the immediate economic benefits from Qanaa for Lebanon, seems to be too far fetched, as its current infrastructure is in poor or at nascent stage and it'll not be able to start extracting natural gas and oil immediately. At the earliest it may take another four to five years.

If TotalEnergies does indeed begin exploration for the Lebanese, it could also offer incentives for other companies to get involved, with these prospects in mind, it is yet to be seen what the direct economic impacts will be.

For Israel also, the potential earnings may start after four to five years, once it signs agreements with France's TotalEnergies to explore the whole block.

Israeli response

As for the Israeli politicians, they have started hailing it as a decisive victory against Iran-backed and Lebanon-based Hezbollah. These politicians led by Prime Minister Yair Lapid seem to be in a hurry to get the agreement approved by the government and thus be able to mobilise the votes in their favour in the upcoming general elections in the country on November 1.

But the right-wing elements in Israel, led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have described the agreement as a failure of the centrist-Lapid government and describe this as conceding ground to Hezbollah, which may get further bolstered after this agreement.

But the US negotiator Amos Hochstein dismissed Netanyahu's criticisms as campaign rhetoric, saying the fact that two enemy countries managed to reach agreement on maritime border is 'enormously significant'. Overall a regional security crisis seems to have been averted due to economic interests of both sides.

Following the deal's approval by the cabinet, the agreement was presented to the Knesset for a review over the next two weeks, but not asking for the parliament's approval. Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, has opined that the current government is legally entitled to sign the maritime border agreement, and did not need to hold a referendum on the issue and suggested it would be preferable for the government to allow a Knesset vote on the issue, though it's under no legal obligation to do so.

Members of the Likud and other right-wing parties approached Knesset speaker Mickey Levy, demanding that the agreement be put to a parliamentary vote.

Countering Netanyahu's criticism Defence Minister Benny Gantz has said the talks started under his leadership, and if he were prime minister, he would probably "rush to sign the deal right now". Gantz also said that the deal also "has the potential to reduce Iran's influence on Lebanon".

Meanwhile discounting allegations of Lebanon gaining an upper hand in the agreement, Israel's National Security Adviser Eyal Hulata said though Lebanon received almost all of the waters under dispute with Israel, it did not receive what it was really after.

Behind the scene negotiators

This brings out into the open the real negotiators behind the deal. The negotiations started months before at the US insistence and brokered by France. French diplomats helped US negotiator Amos Hochstein to stitch the deal together.

Thus, apart from political gains for the ruling coalition in Israel, the agreement also brings political benefits for the US President Joe Biden, who also faces mid-term elections for both the houses, next month.

US mediation efforts were key to achieving the deal and it may bolster the Biden administration ahead of the mid-term elections next month. He might use this agreement to assuage the rising resentment amongst American public due to constantly increasing prices of oil and gas in America.

Meanwhile, Europe's gas crisis is increasing day by day. European governments are doing all they can to shield consumers from price shocks, but the crisis took a further dip after explosions damaged Nord Stream 1 and 2 last month. The Nord Stream 1 pipeline was Europe's main source of Russian gas.

Israel has said that, once the maritime deal is signed and delivered, it can begin extracting oil and gas from its Karish field and export it to Europe within weeks.

Lapid has repeatedly spoken about the role Israel can play to help Europe as Western countries try to wean themselves off Russian energy.

This development comes in the background of worsening US-Saudi relations, which hit a new low last week when the OPEC+, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, defied the US with the largest output cut since the pandemic, bringing added pressure for Biden Administration.

But, it is also a regional victory for the Biden administration, which lately has seen diplomatic tensions rise with some of its Middle Eastern allies. With the possibility of much needed gas from the Mediterranean and averting a potential security crisis between historic enemies, the US notched an important win in a region where its influence has seemingly diminished.

(Asad Mirza is a political commentator based in New Delhi. He writes on Indian Muslims, educational, international affairs, interfaith and current affairs)

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-- Syndicated from IANS
Tokyo, Oct 17 : Amid intense pressure from the opposition and diminishing support for his Cabinet, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday ordered an investigation into the controversial religious sect, Unification Church.

The investigation has been launched based on "the right to ask questions" under the Religious Corporations Act, with the probe marking the first time the government here has exercised the right, reports Xinhua news agency.

The result of the probe could see the sect lose its status as a religious corporation and its tax benefits.

At a parliamentary session on Monday morning, Kishida said he ordered the probe following more than 1,700 consultation requests received since early September through a hotline service.

An advisory panel, meanwhile, has also urged the government to use the Religious Corporations Act to disband the group or launch an investigation before disbanding it.

The Unification Church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has been under the spotlight for encouraging its followers to make exorbitant donations in the form of "spiritual sales" in return for "karmic benefits".

Following such donations, some followers have been left in financial ruin.

Tetsuya Yamagami, who fatally shot former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on July 8, had also blamed the organisation for his family's financial downfall.

"The government has taken seriously the fact that there are a large number of victims as well as poverty and broken families, and they haven't been provided with adequate relief," Kishida said during Monday's session.

Pressure has been mounting on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), amid slumping public support, to explain its connections to the organisation after having previously promised to sever ties.

An internal probe by the LDP last month revealed about half of the lawmakers, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Hiroyuki Hosoda, had ties with the controversial organisation, often referred to as a cult.

Concern has been rife among opposition parties and the public that the controversial group may have been trying to influence politics here through links with LDP lawmakers.

Keiko Nagaoka, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, said her Ministry will begin the investigation at the earliest date.

In part, owing to the LDP's links to the dubious group, the approval rating for Kishida's Cabinet has dropped to 35 per cent, marking the lowest level since it took office in October last year, according to a local media poll.
Chennai, Oct 17 : A new Tamil web series titled '5678', based on the inspiring story of talented teenagers, is to release on OTT on November 18.

The web series, which has been directed by Vijay, Prasanna J.K., and Mrudhula Sridharan, and produced by A.L. Alagappan Hitesh Thakkur, is to premiere on the OTT platform Zee5 on November 18.

The exciting, intriguing, and inspiring story highlights the journey of young and talented teenagers - Semba, Vikram, Dinesh and Swetha.

Coming from a humble background, these individuals love dancing but are not backed by any professional training.

Watching the kids from the gated community hone their skills, these young artistes decide to chase their dreams and fight against the odds. Their dreams are given wings when, Keshav, a new member from the gated community joins them.

ZEE5 India Chief Business Officer Manish Kalra said: "We are proud to collaborate with talented storytellers from Tamil Nadu to narrate interesting and impactful stories. On ZEE5, we have received a positive response for shows like 'Vilangu', 'Fingertip 2', 'Anantham' and are looking forward to a successful launch of '5678' too. The series is a powerful narrative of determination and passion of winning against odds. With a talented and enthusiastic set of creators and actors, we are sure it will connect with the audience." Director Vijay said: "It was a pleasure working on '5678' with young and talented actors. These free-spirited teenagers brought in a lot of inspiration and worked really hard while filming the series. And now that the show is releasing on ZEE5, we are excited that this fun and light-hearted show reaches and hopefully connects with audiences in over 190 countries across the globe."

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Patna, Oct 17 : Bihar supercop Shivdeep Wamanrao Lande claimed that he wanted to kill his father when he was a child.

He made this sensational revelation during the launch of his book 'Women behind the lion' on Sunday.

Lande, a 2006 batch Bihar cadre IPS officer, is currently deployed as Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Kosi range of Bihar.

While interacting with the mediapersons, he said: "Whatever I achieved in my life is only due to my mother. My father was having bad habits of liquor and contrabands. He sold our lands and the jewellery of my mother. He did not have any interest in our studies. It was my mother who helped me in my studies and my journey as an IPS officer." Lande said that he belongs to a poor farmer family in Akola district of Maharashtra.

"We did not have a proper roof to stay in the house. It used to leak during the rain. I used to study in one corner of the room. When I was selected as an IPS officer in 2006 and my cadre was Bihar, I was very happy. During my service, the people of Bihar also appreciated my job and my working style. They gave me name and fame. I also got offers from Hindi and Bhojpuri film industries but I refused, and continued to do my job as a police officer in Bihar," he said.
Jaipur, Oct 17 : As voting is underway for the election of Congress President, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday, for the first time, spoke about his relationship with the Gandhi family.

Gehlot, who arrived at the state Congress headquarters to vote in the president's election, said, "My Gandhi family relations are beyond any contention/logic and will remain so even after October 19," he said.

Notably, the final results for the Congress presidential post shall be announced on October 19. Two veterans Mallikarjun Kharge and Shahshi Tharoor are in fray over the same.

Asked to comment on discussions doing the rounds on "Udaipur Declaration" time and again and Rajasthan's politics which came into jeopardy recently, he said, "The answer to this will be given by Khargeji only after winning the election." The polling process began at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 4 p.m.

Voting is being done through ballot paper. So far, Chief Minister Gehlot, Congress State President Govind Singh Dotasra, MLA Divya Maderna, Whip Mahendra Chaudhary have exercised their franchise. At the same time, Sachin Pilot will vote at the Congress office in Delhi.

Congress leaders said, "There is every possibility of one-sided voting in favour of Mallikarjun Kharge. Chief Minister Gehlot himself has appealed to vote for Kharge. Congress delegates from Rajasthan have also been given separate calls to support Kharge."
Mumbai, Oct 17 : Bhojpuri actress named Rani Chatterjee has accused filmmaker and 'Bigg Boss 16' contestant Sajid Khan of sexual harassment.

She revealed that it happened when the actress was called to Sajid's residence in Juhu under the pretext of giving her a dance number in a film.

In a media interview, according to bollywoodhungama.com, Rani recounted the time when Sajid asked her several unsavoury questions.

While shooting for his film 'Himmatwala' in 2013 starring Ajay Devgn, Sajid reportedly offered Rani a dance number titled 'Dhoka Dhoka'.

When she contacted him regarding the meeting, the filmmaker invited her to his house to speak regarding work but also asked to not get her manager or PR since it was expected to a formal meeting, said the report.

While discussing work, he shared her that she will be wearing a short lehenga and asked her to show her legs.

Rani told that even though she felt the request to be strange, she thought it to be a part of the audition process and followed it.

As per reports, the motley of questions got bizarre when Sajid asked Rani about her breast size. He also asked about her relationship status and about the frequency of intercourse.

The actress also accused Sajid of attempting to touch her inappropriately. She said that she walked out of the meeting immediately.

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New Delhi, Oct 17 : Delhi Police on Monday detained a mentally unstable man for vandalising two cars at the residence of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal, just days after she received rape threats.

At the time of incident, neither Maliwal nor her family members were present in the house.

The police have identified the accused s Sachin, a resident of Nathurpura area in the national capital, who is under prescription from the Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS).

According to Sagar Singh Kalsi, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (North district) a call was received at the Civil lines police station at around 9 a.m. on Monday morning regarding a person entering Maliwal's official residence and vandalising the vehicles, following which an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) was dispatched.

"On reaching the spot, the police team found Sachin. Two cars were vandalised and their windscreens were broken as stated by the caller, Subash, a painter, who was working at the residence at the time of the incident," the DCP, adding that legal action is being initiated.

Just after the incident, Maliwal tweeted in Hindi: "Just a while back some attacker entered and attacked my house. The cars belonging to me and my mother have been damaged badly and he tried break into the house. Thankfully we were not at home, otherwise I don't know what would have happened! Whatever you do, I will not be afraid..." A viral video of the accused showed him singing a Hindi song, as well as dancing to it while he was being detained and also later in the police station.

In response to the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the law and order situation in the national capital has worsened in the past few months.

"Even the Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women is not safe. There are open murders. I hope that LG Sahib will also give some time to fix the law and order situation," he tweeted in Hindi.
San Francisco, Oct 17 : Google has confirmed that its recently launched "Pixel Watch", which comes with a wireless charging pad, is only meant to be charged using its bundled charger that comes with the device.

As reported by 9to5Google, the tech giant said that, no, the Pixel Watch doesn't support "Qi wireless charging pads" or 'reverse wireless charging' off of a Pixel smartphone.

"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," the tech giant was quoted as saying.

"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," the company added.

Similar to smartwatches from Samsung and Apple, the Pixel Watch uses a version of wireless charging to charge its battery. However, due to the size of its internal coil, it is difficult to ensure compatibility with other Qi devices.

According to 9to5Google's testing, the Pixel Watch will discharge when placed on the back of a Pixel 7 Pro or a Galaxy Z Fold 4 in reverse wireless charging mode, which is in line with Google's announcement.

Moreover, the Watch shows that charging is in progress, with no indication that it's not actually working, and that indication does not change even as it discharges.

However, Pixel Watch is available for $349 for Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, and $399 for 4G LTE, including six months of Fitbit Premium and three months of YouTube Music Premium (available in applicable markets).
Mumbai, Oct 17 : Actress Urvashi Rautela, who had compared herself to late Mahsa Amini, has now shared pictures of herself 'chopping off hair' in support of Iranian women protesting against Mahsa's death.

Urvashi took to Instgram and posted a note on Amini's death. She was seen sporting a blue kurta as she sat on the floor as a man cut off her hair with scissors. Her back was towards the camera.

Alongside the post, she wrote about the protests in Iran, feminism and the death of Ankita Bhandari, who was killed in Uttarakhand last month.

"Chopped my hair off! Cutting my hair in support of Iranian women and girls, who have been killed in protests at the death of Mahsa Amini after her arrest by Iranian morality police and for all the girls. And for 19-year-old girl, my Ankita Bhandari from Uttarakhand," Urvashi wrote.

She added: "Around the world women are uniting in protest against the Iranian government by cutting their hair. Respect women. A global symbol for women's revolutio... hair is seen as a symbol of the beauty of women. By chopping off hair in public, women are showing that they don't care about society's beauty standards and won't let anything or anyone decide how they dress up, behave or live.

"Once women come together and consider one woman's issue an issue of the entire womankind, feminism will see a new vigour." Twenty two-year-old Mahsa Amini was brutally killed by the "morality police" of Iran for showing a bit of her hair, not adhering to the strict dress code laws. It sparked nationwide protests.
Greater Noida, Oct 17 : The auction of residential, commercial properties of the builders seized so far will be held on November 3 with the most expensive property being of Rs 54 crore and the cheapest property being of Rs 25.11 lakh.

Most of the properties being auctioned are of Cosmos Infraestate builder. Through the auction, people will have a chance to buy shops at Wave Mall in Noida and Ansal Plaza Mall in Greater Noida.

These properties were seized by issuing recovery certificates against the builders for not paying the buyers' money on the orders of Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP RERA).

The district administration has so far confiscated properties worth about Rs 400 crore and has started the process to conduct e-auction of properties worth Rs 270 crore.

The first auction of the district and state will be held on November 3. Its process has started from October 6 and applications to participate in these auctions have been invited. On Sunday, the details of the properties included in the auction were made public by the administration.

The details have been provided to the people on the website and through social media. About 60 per cent of the properties included in the e-auction are from Greater Noida West. The most expensive property is of 1453 square meters and is located in Wave Mall, Noida Sector 18. The bidding will begin for the same property.
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 17 : Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Monday issued a warning to the state Ministers over their remarks targeting him and his office.

"The CM and Council of Ministers have every right to advise Governor.But statements of individual ministers that lower the dignity of the office of the Governor,can invite action including withdrawal of pleasure," said the Governor in his tweet.

This comes after State Higher Education Minister R. Bindhu slammed Khan for not signing a Bill which would have given a "revamp to the education sector".

"Those holding Constitution posts should act accordingly. We all saw how he went to the RSS headquarters and this does not augur well," said Bindhu, and added that the state government is in no mood for any sort of confrontation with the Governor.

Soon to latch on to this was CPI-M state secretary M.V. Govindan, who pointed out that Khan has taken a wrong position and hence none can be faulted if they say that he is trying to implement the RSS agenda here.

Meanwhile, former Lok Sabha secretary general P.D.T. Achary said the Governor does not have any such powers as the Governor can act only on the advice of the chief minister.

Last week Khan removed 15 nominated senate members of the Kerala University for not attending a senate meeting which was called to recommend a senate member to the interview panel for selecting the next vice-chancellor of the Kerala University.

Even though the notice for convening of the senate meeting was intimated to all, only a handful had turned up and the required quorum for the meeting was not there and had to be cancelled and this act of the ruling Left members had angered Khan.

Last month, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Khan had slammed each other over a few issues. The later was peeved when the former did not officially intimate him of his European trip and Vijayan told him when the two met at the funeral of CPI-M veteran Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, early this month.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : It has been seven years since Ajay Devgn's character Vijay Salgaonkar's case was closed, however, the tables have turned as Tabu's chracter IG Meera Deshmukh is hell-bent to find out what happened to her son.

She has now joined forces with actor Akshaye Khanna, who after seven years is reopening the case with 'Drishyam 2'.

The film's trailer was launched in Goa on Monday afternoon and was graced by Ajay, Tabu and Akshaye.

The over two-minutes trailer starts with Vijay saying that his family is still being troubled for IG Meera Deshmukh's son Sam's disappearance after 7 years. It sees that the case is still open. Akshaye Khanna is the investigating officer and behind Vijay. Going backward, Akshaye faces the same problem of evidence Tabu faced seven years go.

Meera, who is now a former IG says that last time she failed because she underestimated a '4th-fail anpadh' but not again as he has challenged a mother.

Directed by Abhishek Pathak, 'Drishyam 2' brings back Ishita Dutta, Rajat Kapoor, and Shriya Saran.

The film, which is a remake of Mohanlal-starrer Malayalam film of the same name, is all set to hit the theatres on November 18, 2022.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Islamabad, Oct 17 : Siraj-ul-Haq, chief of the Jamat-e-Islami (JI), has demanded the Pakistan government to immediately expel the American Ambassador in Islamabad, Donald Blome, until US President Joe Biden apologises for saying that Pakistan "may be one of the most dangerous nation in the world".

While addressing a Democratic congressional campaign committee reception, the President had said: "And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion." The statement has sparked anger in Pakistan after the White House published its transcript officially.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, former premier Imran Khan have lashed out at Biden over raising questions and concerns about Pakistan's nuclear security, emphasizing that Islamabad is a responsible nuclear state.

"Let me reiterate unequivocally: Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and we are proud that our nuclear assets have the best safeguards as per IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) requirements. We take these safety measures with the utmost seriousness. Let no one have any doubts," Sharif said.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also separately responded to the US President's statement, rejecting the remarks and terming them as "factually incorrect and misleading".

"Over the past decades, Pakistan has proven to be the most responsible nuclear state, where its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system," the PMO said in a statement.

Also in response, the Foreign Office issued a strong demarche to the American envoy after summoning Blome.

However, the JI chief is not happy with the way the government has responded and slammed it for "being slaves to the Americans" and not standing up for the country's integrity as a nuclear state.

"The PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) and the PDM (Pakistan Democratic Movement) were pawns of the international establishment and they only followed their orders.

"It was the incompetence of the rulers and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) slavery that the 220 million population of the country was gripped by crises," he said in a statement.
Hyderabad, Oct 17 : Congress MP and the party's star campaigner Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Monday made it clear that he will not campaign in the Munugode Assembly constituency where his brother Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy is contesting the by-election as a BJP candidate.

Venkat Reddy made the remarks while addressing reporters at Gandhi Bhavan, the state headquarters of Congress party, after casting his vote in the AICC presidential election.

"There is no need for a home guard like me there. Only SP level leaders will go there," the MP quipped when asked if he would campaign for the Congress party in the by-election.

"A leader said that he will bring the party to power even if 100 cases are booked against him. He will go there. I am an ordinary worker of the Congress party," he said.

Venkat Reddy did not name the leader but he was apparently referring to Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president A. Revanth Reddy.

The by-election in Munugode, Nalgonda district, is scheduled to be held on November 3. The vacancy arose after Rajagopal Reddy resigned as MLA and also quit Congress party to join the BJP.

There have been speculations for the last several weeks that like his brother, Venkat Reddy would also switch loyalties to the BJP.

A member of Lok Sabha from Bhongir constituency, Venkat Reddy is likely to leave for a foreign tour to skip the by-election. He evaded reply when asked as to when he would be leaving.A Though Venkat Reddy was named as star campaigner by the party's leadership in April, he has been keeping himself away from party activities in Munugode. He skipped Congress meetings, rallies and roadshows in the constituency.

After Rajagopal Reddy's resignation, TPCC chief Revanth Reddy had lashed out at him and also made certain remarks against his brother Venkat Reddy. Revanth Reddy's supporter Addanki Dayakar had made a bitter attack on the MP and made ahome guard' and abartender' jibes.

Revanth Reddy had later apologised to Venkat Reddy and asked the party disciplinary committee to take necessary actions against Dayakar for his comments.

Venkat Reddy had criticized the party's central leadership over the appointment of Revanth Reddy as TPCC chief in June last year. Venkat Reddy, who was also one of the aspirants for the post, made serious allegations against some central leaders of the party and had vowed not to step into state party headquarters Gandhi Bhavan.

The Bhongir MP, however, had later started participating in party activities and was seen with Revanth Reddy on a few occasions.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed petitions by Kerala government and others challenging the Kerala High Court judgment allowing the Adani Enterprises to operate, manage and develop the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

A bench comprising Chief Justice U.U. Lalit and justice Bela M. Trivedi said there is no need to interfere with the High Court decision at this stage, since a private entity has been managing the operations of the airport since October last year.

The bench also declined to entertain the plea filed by Airport Authority Employees Union (AAEU) and others challenging the High Court order. Dismissing the petitions, the bench said: "Considering the fact that the private entity has been in operation since October 2021, we see no reason to interferea." However, the top court clarified that the question in connection with the ownership of land, on which the airport is situated, would remain open. Senior advocate C.U. Singh contended before the bench that land on which the airport is situated belonged to the state government, and the state should get preferential rights, and also alleged that RFP was tailor made to suit the Adani group. However, the bench pointed out that the state government did not challenge the RFP conditions, rather participated in the bid.

The state government had challenged the Airports Authority of India (AAI) decision to prefer Adani over it for management of the airport. The appeal argued that this decision was not in public interest and granting concession to Adani, who has no previous experience in managing airports, was violative of the provisions of the Airports Authority of India Act.

After losing the bid, the Kerala government approached the Kerala High Court, but failed to get a favourable direction, following which they along with AAEU moved the apex court.

In October 2020, the High Court declined to entertain the challenge to Centre's decision to lease out the Thiruvananthapuram Airport to Adani Enterprises.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Delhi Police have arrested four members of the infamous Thak-Thak gang, who knock on car windows to distract the attention of motorists in order to rob them, officials said on Monday.

Police said that one the accused nabbed is a junior artiste in Tamil films.

The accused have been identified as Dheenathayalone (24), Raju (54), Karupa Samy (37) and Murti (24). Police said that they were all presently residing at Shakurpur in Delhi but all are natives of Tamil Nadu. With their arrest, police have also claimed to solve four cases of theft registered across the city. Four stolen laptops have been recovered from the possession of the accused.

Police said that Dheenathayalone has also worked as a 'junior artist' in Tamil films.

According to M. Harsha Vardhan, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Dwarka district, the team of Proclaimed Offenders (PO) and Jail-Bail Cell in Dwarka district was tasked to work out incidents of thefts of laptops and other costly items from vehicles.

"Keeping the task in mind, the team visited each and every place of incident and analysed the CCTV footage of the spot and route followed by the thieves," said the DCP.

"On October 16, specific inputs were received regarding an active Thak Thak gang in Dwarka and nearby district. Acting on the inputs, a police team conducted raids in the Sakurpur area and all the four accused were nabbed. Four stolen laptops with their bags were recovered from their possession," said the DCP.

"During interrogation, the gang members disclosed that, on different dates and places they broke glass of vehicles and stole laptop bags. Further, they disclosed their involvements in many theft cases," said the DCP.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer said that all police stations and district crime units have been asked to keep a close watch on the activities of these gangs.

"Also there should be electronic surveillance on their activities as they hunt in groups," he said.

Explaining the modus operandi of the gang, the senior police officer said that there is a definite pattern in their way of theft as they keep lurking near busy intersections, bridges and even near less frequented places.

"They strike when those in the vehicles are distracted by their alibis and by the time victims realise what is amiss, they disappear. As soon as the car driver stepped out, the other member of the gang would quickly take out valuables from inside the car, including laptops. In no time, they would disappear," said the police officer.
Srinagar, Oct 17 : Angered by recent innocent killings in Kashmir, some social activists on Monday damaged the office of the separatist Hurriyat conference in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar city.

A group of social activists gathered outside the Rajbagh locality office of the separatist Hurriyat Conference.

Visibly angered over the recent killings, the group of activists told reporters that the Hurriyat leaders had deceived the people for the past 30 years and they were responsible for killing innocents in Kashmir.

The group of activists brought down the office board of the Hurriyat conference with bare hands.

The Hurriyat conference is a conglomerate of separatist parties who stand for secession of Kashmir from India.

Between themselves, the Hurriyat leaders are divided over whether they seek an independent state or merger with Pakistan.

This difference finally resulted in the split of the Hurriyat conference into the one headed by late Syed Ali Geelani and the other by Miwaiz Umar Farooq.
Bengaluru, Oct 17 : Karnataka is looking ahead for the victory of veteran Congress leader and close confidante of Gandhi family Mallikarjun Kharge in the elections to the All India Congress Committee, which is being held for the first time in the history of the party.

Kharge missed the opportunity to become the chief minister of Karnataka in 2004, when JD (S)chose late senior leader Dharam Singh over him to head the coalition government.

He was later moved on to the national politics and went on to work as the opposition leader in Parliament. However, Kharge suffered humiliating defeat at his home turf in Kalaburagi district against BJP candidate in 2018 parliamentary elections.

The veteran leader was elected to the Rajya Sabha later. Dalits and oppressed classes in the state have special place in their heart for Kharge and hope to see at the helm of affairs in the Congress, a party source said.

Insiders in Congress explain that if Kharge emerges victorious in the elections, it would have direct impact on state politics. The equations will also change.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other senior leaders of BJP have already stated that Kharge, if elected, will end up becoming a remote control at the hands of in-charge AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi has clarified that the statement is an insult to both veteran leaders. The developments regarding elections are not only keenly observed by the Congress party leaders, the oppressed and backward classes especially Dalits are closely following the AICC elections. They are hopeful that history will be created this time with Kharge taking charge as the Chairman of AICC.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Supreme Court on Monday granted two weeks to the Uttar Pradesh government to file its reply on the bail plea filed by Lakhimpur Kheri violence case prime accused Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni.

A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and B.V. Nagarathna said it will hear the matter on November 7.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Mishra, submitted that notice was already issued in the matter.

On July 26, the Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench declined to entertain Mishra's bail plea.

On April 18, the Supreme Court had cancelled the bail granted to Mishra and directed him to surrender within a week.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana (retired now) and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli asked the Allahabad High Court to examine afresh whether Mishra should be granted bail or not.

"Instead of looking into aspects such as the nature and gravity of the offence, severity of the punishment in the event of conviction, circumstances which are peculiar to the accused or victims, likelihood of the accused fleeing, likelihood of tampering with the evidence and witnesses, and the impact that his release may have on the trial and the society at large, the High Court has adopted a myopic view of the evidence on the record and proceeded to decide the case on merits," the top court had noted.

It had said that the high court had shown "tearing hurry" in passing the February 10 order, granting bail to Mishra, denying a fair and effective hearing to the victims.

Mishra was arrested on October 9 last year in the case. On October 3, 2021, eight people, including four farmers, were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri in clashes during a farmers' protest.

The family members of the farmers, mowed down by a car belonging to Mishra, in Lakhimpur Kheri had moved the top court challenging bail granted to him.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : Actress Samantha Prabhu's next 'Yashoda', a new-age action thriller, is all set to release in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi on November 11.

Produced by Sivalenka Krishna Prasad prestigious Sridevi Movies Production no. 14, Hari and Harish are directing this film.

Aiming to announce the release date uniquely, the movie team made fans reveal the release date, in an interesting pixel campaign. Thousands of fans participated in this and revealed the poster in less than 30 mins.

Speaking on the occasion, producer Sivalenka Krishna Prasad said: "'Yashoda' is a new-age action thriller. Our movie has balanced quotient of mystery and emotions with gripping elements for audiences." "On the whole, it's an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Playing the titular role, Samantha put her blood and sweat in the action scenes. She dubbed for herself in both Telugu and Tamil. You will witness an entirely new dimension of Manisharma's background music. We haven't compromised on the technical and production values of the film." "With a lavish budget, we wrapped the shoot in 100 days. Audience who love new-age cinema will definitely be thrilled to watch 'Yashoda'. Watch it in theatres Worldwide on November 11, 2022" Alongside Samantha, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Unni Mukundan, Rao Ramesh, Murali Sharma, Sampath Raj, Shatru, Madhurima, Kalpika Ganesh, Divya Sripada, Priyanka Sharma and others are playing major roles.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Mumbai, Oct 17 : The upcoming Marathi film, 'Har Har Mahadev', which tells the story of Maratha warrior Baji Prabhu Deshpande - the commander for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has been in the making for close to a decade.

The film's director, Abhijeet Deshpande, had to dedicate 10 years for the research and development of the script.

He wrote the script in 2012 and since then the script has seen several changes. Talking about the same, he said in a statement: "For the last four years, I have been involved in the making of the film. It's a 10-year journey, but I am happy with the product. I had decided that whenever I make a film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, we needed to have a certain grandeur and a certain scale, which you don't often see in films based on Maharaj." The film, which narrates the inspirational story of a battle which was led by Bajiprabhu, where only 300 soldiers fought off the 12,000 enemy army, is Marathi cinema's first multilingual film.

The director further shared: "Because of the technical team, because of the support of my producer, and my actors, I have been able to come up with a scale which I can be proud of. Of course, the content is something that is of prime importance. But in today's day, if we want to make a film a great theatrical experience, we need work on the technical aspect of it. On the canvas of it, music and grandeur. I am happy that whatever has come about is a product that we all will feel proud of." Produced by ZEE Studios, the film stars Subodh Bhave, Sharad Kelkar, Amruta Khanvilkar and Sayli Sanjeev, and will debut in theatres on October 25.
Mumbai : Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Balasaheb Thorat cast his vote for the party's presidential election, in Mumbai on Monday, October 17, 2022. (Photo:IANS/Twitter) Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai : Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Balasaheb Thorat cast his vote for the party's presidential election, in Mumbai on Monday, October 17, 2022. (Photo:IANS/Twitter) Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Oct 17 : The election for the post of Congress President ended in Maharashtra on Monday with 96 per cent of the delegates casting their votes in the state, an official said here.

Of the total 561 eligible voters in Maharashtra, 542 cast their votes, including by postal ballots, at three polling stations erected in the state Congress headquarters, for the two candidates in the fray, senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor.

The Returning Officer for the state was former Union Minister M.M. Pallam Raju and his team of Dinesh Kumar, Narendra Rawat and others while Krishna Punia oversaw the elections.

All voters (delegates) were granted entry to the polling stations only after verification of their barcoded identity cards with photos, issued by the AICC.

Among the prominent voters were state Congress President Nana Patole, Congress Legislature Party chief Balasaheb Thorat, three former Chief Ministers - Sushilkumar Shinde, Prithviraj Chavan, Ashok Chavan, several ex-ministers, state and district leaders and other eligible delegates.

As many of the regional representatives were busy with the Bharat Jodo Yatra, they voted in the yatra polling station organised there, while those appointed as election officers in other states cast their votes via postal ballots.

The ballot boxes were sealed and will be despatched to New Delhi accompanied by the polling agents, state election officers and other office-bearers.

The counting of the ballots shall be conducted on October 19 and the results are expected the same day, a party spokesperson said.
Chennai, Oct 17 : In a move that brought tears of joy to the face of employees, a Chennai-based jeweller gifted his employees with Maruti Swift cars, Honda Shine and Honda Activa two-wheelers ahead of Diwali. According to information available, the businessman had spent an amount of Rs 1.2 crore on the expensive Diwali gifts.

The owner of Challani Jewellry in Chennai, Jayanthi Lal Chayanthi, showered the employees with presents, saying that every employer should treat his employees properly.

In a statement released to the media, the Chennai-based jeweller said that without the services, hard work, and trust of the employees, no business would grow. He said that his act of gifting his employees with expensive presents was a return for the hard work and trust shown by his employees.

Thirty employees benefitted from the largesse of the businessman with 10 being given Maruti Suzuki cars and 20 being handed over two-wheelers - Honda Activa and Honda Shine.

In the statement, he said that his business reached new heights of success due to his team supporting him in all the lows and highs the company has witnessed. He said that the employees were like a second family to him and that his success was due to these employees that he earned a good reputation and profit all these years.
Chennai, Oct 17 : Actress Shilpa Shetty, who is the latest to shower praise on director Rishab Shetty's critically acclaimed Kannada film 'Kantara', said that the film took her back to her roots.

Taking to Instagram, Shilpa Shetty, whose mother tongue is Kannada, wrote: "Appreciation post for 'Kantara'. Watched the film in the theatre...Oh My God! What a narrative, emotion, vibe and world." "Had goose bumps during the climax! The power of cinema transports the watcher into this world. A world I belong to! Really took me back to my roots.

"Without any bias, this one's a must watch just for the sheer brilliance of story telling, performances, heart, faith and direction. Whoa!! "Rishab Shetty - hats off to your conviction and versatility. You have worn many hats in this project and added feathers to it too. Enjoy the success." A series of celebrities cutting across south Indian film industries have been lauding the film.

Only recently, actress Anushka Shetty had said: "Watched 'Kantara'.. Totally totally loved it. Congratulations to each and every actor, producer, technicians.

"Team 'Kantara', you all were amazing, and thank you all for the experience. Rishab Shetty you were amazing. Please watch the movie in the theatres. Don't miss it!" A couple of days before, Tamil star Dhanush and Telugu star Prabhas had lauded the film.

Dhanush had said: "'Kantara'... Mind blowing!! A must watch... Rishab Shetty, you should be very proud of yourself. Congratulations Hombale Films. Keep pushing the boundaries. A big hug to all the actors and technicians of the film. God bless." Prabhas, for his part, had said: "Watched 'Kantara' for the second time and what an extraordinary experience it has been! Great concept and a thrilling climax. A must watch film in theatres!!!" The film features Rishab Shetty and Sapthami Gowda in the lead and has been written and directed by Rishab Shetty himself.

Produced by Vijay Kiragandur, 'Kantara' has music by B. Ajaneesh Loknath.
Aizawl, Oct 17 : Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Vinay Kumar on Monday met Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati at the Raj Bhavan and discussed "certain important topics".

A Raj Bhavan official said that the Indian envoy discussed "certain topics which are important for Mizoram". The official refused to share information whether they discussed the Myanmar refugee issue.

Around 30,500 Myanmarese, including women and children and some lawmakers, have been sheltered in Mizoram since the military junta seized power in the country in February 2021.

In a separate meeting, Indian Ambassador to Slovakia Vanlalhuma also met the Governor on the day and discussed issues relating to the state.

Last week, Australian Senator Dean Smith met the Mizoram Governor told Kambhampati that his government is observing the situation in Myanmar ever since the military coup.

The Governor and the Australian Senator talked about the Myanmar refugee issue and how Mizoram is handling the situation.

Kambhampati had briefed Smith about the number of Myanmar refugees in the state and how the civil society groups are extending help to them on humanitarian grounds.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : The election for the post of Congress President on Monday ended in Maharashtra with 96 per cent of all the delegates casting their votes in the state, and 97 per cent exercising their franchise in Mumbai.

Of the total 561 eligible voters in Maharashtra, 542 cast their votes, including by postal ballots, at three polling stations erected in the state Congress headquarters, for the two candidates in the fray, senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor.

The Returning Officer for the state was former Union Minister M.M. Pallam Raju and his team of Dinesh Kumar, Narendra Rawat and others while Krishna Punia oversaw the elections.

In Mumbai, of the 239 eligible delegates, 229 or 97 per cent turned up to vote at the polling station in the city party headquarters.

All voters (delegates) were granted entry to the polling stations only after verification of their barcoded identity cards with photos, issued by the AICC.

Among the prominent voters were state Congress President Nana Patole, Congress Legislature Party chief Balasaheb Thorat, three former Chief Ministers Sushilkumar Shinde, Prithviraj Chavan, Ashok Chavan, several ex-ministers, Naseem Khan, Sachin Sawant, state and district leaders and other delegates.

As many of the regional representatives from Maharashtra and Mumbai are participating in the Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY), they voted in the polling stations specially organised there, while those appointed as election officers in other states cast their votes via postal ballots.

Among the prominent Mumbai voters were city Congress President Bhai Jagtap, while three city delegates voted outside - Sanjay Nirupam in Punjab, Netta D'Souza and Sachin Rao, who are in the BJY, voted in Karnataka at the yatra polling station.

All the ballot boxes were sealed and shall be despatched to New Delhi accompanied by the polling agents, state election officers and other office-bearers.

The counting of the ballots will be conducted on October 19 and the results are expected the same day, said a party spokesperson.
Gurugram, Oct 17 : The naked body of a woman aged 20-25 was found stuffed inside a suitcase near Iffco Chowk on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway on Monday, the police said.

According to the police, the body is fresh and it seems that the woman was murdered somewhere else and later her body dumped here.

The body was found at around 4.00 p.m. on Monday after the information was given by an auto-driver to the police control room. The body was discovered stuffed inside a suitcase.

Following the information, a team from the concerned police station, and crime branch along with a forensic team reached the spot to collect evidence.

"In connection with the matter, an FIR has been registered and the body has been shifted to the mortuary. We are trying to establish identity of the woman. Further probe is underway," Deepak Saharan, DCP (West) said.

The DCP said the police will scan CCTV footage of the nearby location to identify the accused. Necessary help will also be taken from the cyber crime cell and crime branch to investigate the case.
Chennai, Oct 17 : AIADMK interim General Secretary K. Palaniswami and deposed Chief CoordinatorO. Panneerselvam held separate programmes on Monday to mark the 51st foundation day of the party.

While Palaniswami hoisted the party flag at the party headquarters, Panneerselvam did the flag hoisting at the memorial house of the party founder, M.G. Ramachandran at Arcot street in T. Nagar.

Palaniswami was accompanied by party leaders, Natham Viswanathan, D. Jayakumar and K.P. Muniswami at the party headquarters during the flag-hoisting ceremony. He distributed saris and dhotis to beneficiaries after the flag-hoisting function and attended a feast at the party headquarters.

Panneerselvam attended the party foundation day programme along with his close associates R. Vaithalingam and J.C.D. Prabhakar conducted the flag hoisting.

The former Chief Minister, while speaking to media persons after the function, said that his position is that all party workers and leaders who had worked during the period of MGR and Jayalalithaa must come together and work for the AIADMK.

While referring to the new conditions stipulated for the post of party General Secretary, Panneerselvam said that it was dangerous to amend the bylaws of the party which had allowed grass root party workers to aspire for higher party positions.
Kolkata, Oct 17 : Enforcement Directorate (ED) has finally got the court approval to take Sehgal Hossian, bodyguard of Trinamool Congress strongman, Anubrata Mondal, to New Delhi for questioning in multi-crore cattle smuggling scam in West Bengal.

ED sources here said that a special court of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi approved the agency's prayer on this count on Monday. Sehgal Hosaain is currently under judicial custody at the Asansol Special Correctional Home in West Burdwan district.

ED sources said that after failing twice to get the court approval for the production warrant to take Hossain to New Delhi, finally the Central agency has succeeded on this count. First the ED sleuths made an appeal for Hossain's production warrant at a special court in Asansol on this count.

Thereafter, the Central agency sleuths approached the Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh on this count. But there too, the ED's application was rejected and Justice Ghosh observed that without a proper and valid production document the Central agency could not be allowed to take Hossain to New Delhi and only the PMLA court there can issue that production warrant.

Then on October 15, the Central agency approached the special court of PMLA at Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi. After the hearing in the matter, finally the court on Monday approved ED's plea to take Hossian to New Delhi and question him at the Central agency's headquarters there.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is conducting a parallel probe in the cattle smuggling scam, has mentioned in its fresh charge-sheet the names of three companies.

Anant Tradecom Private Limited, Hoque Mercantile Private Limited and Hoque Industries Private Limited were basically shell companies meant for the diversion of cattle smuggling proceeds by the kingpin, Enamul Hoque.

In the charge-sheet, the CBI for the first time mentioned Mondal as the direct beneficiary of the scam.

Mondal is also currently under judicial custody at the same correctional home as Hossain in Asansol.
Moscow, Oct 17 : Production of Russia's new Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles in India may be launched before year-end, a senior Russian official has said, as per media reports.

The weapon will be manufactured at a plant in Korwa in Uttar Pradesh, according to Alexander Mikheev, the head of Rosoboronexport, the Russian state agency for international arms trade, RT reported.

"We plan 100 pert cent localisation of the production of the legendary Russian assault rifles in India," the agency quoted its chief as saying in a statement issued on Monday.

"In the future, the joint enterprise may ramp up capacity and upgrade to manufacture more advanced models based on the Kalashnikov platform." The AK-203 is part of the 'Series 200' of Kalashnikov's small arms, which includes several models using various popular round calibers and barrel lengths. The series features tuning options such as adjustable stocks and the Picatinny rail and other improvements. The AK-203 assault rifle is designed for the 7.62x39mm round.

Rosoboronexport gave the update on the joint enterprise with India ahead of the Defexpo India 2022 arms show, which is scheduled for this week. Russia and India have been closely cooperating in defense for decades and have previously launched other joint ventures for making arms in India, RT reported.

The company participates in the exhibition as a co-founder of Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, a Russian-Indian joint venture established to produce Kalashnikov assault rifles in India.

"Rosoboronexport has the world's largest portfolio of completed, on-going and future defense production projects in India. The joint venture Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, in which Rosoboronexport and the Kalashnikov Concern participate from the Russian side, is fully in line with the Government's Make in India initiative and Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 rules," said Rosoboronexport Director General Mikheev.

"The Korwa Ordnance Factory is ready to start manufacturing Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles by the end of 2022. Our plans include 100 per cent localisation of the production of legendary Russian assault rifles in India. In addition, in the future, the joint venture may increase production and modernize production facilities to manufacture advanced rifles based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle platform." During the exhibition, Rosoboronexport will discuss with the Indian side the production and supply of AK-203 for the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies of the country. In addition, the company will present a wide range of additional modern equipment designed both for customizing the assault rifle itself and for equipping personnel.

"We also look forward to fruitful meetings and negotiations with partners on the entire range of issues related to military-technical cooperation between Russia and India. Rosoboronexport is ready to discuss mutually beneficial projects and talk about its exclusive proposals on joint work complying with the terms of ToT (transfer of technology) imposed by the Indian side," Mikheev added.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 90th Interpol General Assembly at Pragati Maidan here on Tuesday.

The Interpol General Assembly will be attended by delegations from 195 Interpol member countries comprising of ministers, police chiefs of countries, heads of National Central Bureaus and senior police officers.

Interpol's supreme governing body, the General Assembly meets once a year to take key decisions related to its functioning.

The meeting is taking place in India after a gap of 25 years, after it was last held in 1997.

The event provides an opportunity to showcase best practices in India's law and order system to the entire world, an official statement said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Interpol President Ahmed Naser Al Raisi and Secretary General Jurgen Stock as well as the CBI Director Subodh Kumar Jaiswal will also be present on the occasion.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : A service disruption in Malaysia's eVisa portal leading to subsequent announcement of single-entry visas into the country has left Indians wanting to travel to the country fuming.

The Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi announced on its social media last week that due to the service disruption of the eVisa portal, the single-entry visa into Malaysia will be temporarily processed by the visa section at the consulates in Chennai, Mumbai, or New Delhi.

This means that Indian citizens will now have to personally hand over the visa applications at the Malaysian consulates.

Malaysia's eVisa website, which is the online facility to apply for a visa to Malaysia, was down since September 26. It started functioning two days back.

"This is really frustrating now... it's almost one week the server is down. Our flight ticket is booked that is also non-returnable... Now they are asking come to Delhi to apply the Visa. Is that really possible from all India location? How they are saying this type of unprofessional statement (sic)?" Amrita, a Twitter user, said.

"What about the applications that were already submitted? Already paid the visa fee and even 4-5 days were completed and then the website went down. Will the visa be sent over email in those cases?" Firdous Rawani, who will be travelling to Malaysia this month, tweeted.

"Our flight is in 8 days. Hopefully you will process the visa and share it over email," Pranjal Agarwal, a Bangalore resident, tweeted to the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi.

Under the single entry visa, issuing group visas for Indian tourists has been temporarily stopped. A maximum of six days are needed to process the visa applications, which cost Rs 1,000 (RM57).

The e-visa issued earlier by Malaysia had a validity of three months and allowed entry to that country within 30 days. However, with the change in visa rules, Indian citizens who booked non-refundable tickets would lose money if they don't receive the visa.

"Sir please do something about this problem I already pay my visa fees and book flight ticket hotel booking, But now from last week their system is not working, and they asking to apply again manually? With another fees (sic)," Gursharan Singh tweeted requesting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to intervene.

"Kindly intervene (S Jaishankar). Their eVisa site down from 10 days. No response from Malaysia embassy. Flights/ hotels booked..." Aditya tweeted.

For Indian tourists who do not wish to personally visit the consulates in Delhi, Mumbai or Chennai, they can apply for a visa-on-arrival but on the condition that they arrive in Malaysia via Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, or Brunei with a valid visa from either country, The Star reported.

According to estimates, India is the top contributor of foreign arrivals into Malaysia with 71,481 arrivals between January and June 2022.

(Meenakshi Iyer can be reached at meenakshi.i@ians.in)
Bhopal, Oct 17 : The Madhya Pradesh police on Monday booked a husband-wife duo for allegedly harassing and abetting TV actress Vaishali Takkar's suicide.

The actress was found dead at her home in Indore on Sunday.

The accused couple, who are also neighbours of the victim, have been identified as Rahul Navlani and his wife Disha Navlani. They have been booked under section 306 (Abetment of suicide) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly persuading the actor to kill herself.

"Rahul, who is Vaishali's neighbour, his name was mentioned by the victim in her sucide note recovered by the police during the investigation. The victim has mentioned that Rahul was harassing her, because of which she took this extreme step. She was about to get married and Rahul troubled her for that," said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Moti-ur Rehman.

"Police raided at Rahul's residence. However, he was not found there. Further investigation in the matter is underway," the ACP added.

She was found hanging in her room on Sunday. Local police reached the spot and took the body for postmortem.

Takkar's parents hail from Ujjain's Mahipalpur town and they were living with their daughter in Indore for the last one and half year.

Notably, back in April 2021, Takkar got engaged to the Kenya-based surgeon Abhinandan Singh and shared a video on her Instagram handle with the caption: "What's yours will Ultimately find you even from another end of the world." However, later she deleted the video and stopped posting anything about her fiance, which also led to speculations about trouble in her love life.

She was known for her work in shows like 'Sasural Simar Ka', 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' and 'Super Sisters'.
Mumbai, Oct 17 : In a major last-minute political development, Maharashtra's ruling ally Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday stepped out of the fray in the by-elections to the Andheri East Assembly constituency.

This paves the way for a smooth election for Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray party nominee Rutuja Ramesh Latke on November 3.

Hours after the announcement by state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, candidate Murji Patel withdrew his nomination papers on Monday evening - the last date for withdrawal.

Bawankule also assured that Patel would not contest as an independent or rebel, while Latke welcomed the development.

The BJP's change of heart came after appeals from a MLA of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray, and other leaders from different parties.

Latke thanked the BJP, NCP MNS and others for the move, saying that after the elections, she would work wholeheartedly for the development of Andheri East and fulfil her late husband Ramesh Latke's dreams.

State Congress President Nana Patole, NCP President Jayant Patil, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sushma Andhare and others took jibes at the BJP for deciding to withdraw from the contest.

Patole wondered whether it was linked with the ensuing BCCI elections, Patil said that the BJP was scared of defeat, and Andhare claimed Latke's victory was guaranteed prompting the BJP to leave the contest.

However, Raj Thackeray thanked the BJP for its move saying it will uphold the old political traditions in Maharashtra.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that after getting the requests from various quarters, he discussed the matter with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Bawankule and other state and central BJP leaders before deciding to bow out.

He and other BJP leaders dismissed the Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders' contentions and emphatically said that its nominee (Patel) would have romped home to victory by a huge victory margin.
Guwahati, Oct 17 : Assam Police on Monday arrested four persons for allegedly having links with Bangladeshi terror module Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), officials said.

Two each were arrested from the Nalbari and Tamulpur districts of the state.

Sadeq Ali and Jakibul Ali, who are suspected to have lured youth to join the terror outfit ABT, were arrested by the Tamulpur police.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: "Arrest of Sadeq Ali is a significant achievement since he had been radicalizing youth including Jakibul Ali for the past 2 years. He was also associated with JMB & Neo-JMB." Meanwhile, Nalbari police in a different operation arrested Habel Ali and Abu Raihan for having terror links with the ABT module.

Superintendent of Police, Nalbari district, Pabindra Kumar Nath said that during interrogation, arrested Habel Ali confessed to motivating a few people to join AQIS and ABT.

The police officer added that the investigation in this matter is on and the police are conducting search operations to find more linkmen of the terror modules.

Assam Police so far has arrested around 44 persons linked with AQIS and ABT from different parts of the state.
Jaipur, Oct 17 : Amid the ongoing political tussle in Rajasthan Congress, state minister Rajendra Singh Gudha on Monday took a dig at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, saying that the latter became the Chief Minister for the first time when he was about the same age as Sachin Pilot is now.

"At that time, many leaders, including Parasram Maderna and Navalkishore Sharma, were sidelined and he was made the CM with the passing of a one-line proposal. And Gehlot did a good job during his first tenure as CM because he was young at that time," Gudha said.

Gehlot was appointed as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan for the first time in 1998. He was 47 then, while Pilot is 45 now.

Gudha was retaliating to Gehlot's statement on Monday advising the young lobby to stay patient.

In an indirect attack on Pilot, Gehlot said: "Those who got posts without working hard are creating ruckus in the country. When the good days of Congress will come, their days will also be good. No one can stop them, as opportunities will come. But the more you hurry, the more you will stumble." Gehlot was interacting with the media at the state Congress headquarters here after voting for the Congress Presidential elections.

Gehlot said, "The youth can work hard, but there can be no substitute for experience. Be it village, town or party, everything is based on experience." Gudha said that just like one cannot sideline experience, the youth cannot be sidelined either.

"Adi Shankaracharya made a mark for himself at the age of 33. Swami Vivekananda left the world at the age of 39. The youth have always given results," he said.

Gudha also claimed that Pilot's time will come soon.

"Pilot will become the Chief Minister. After the Congress Presidential polls, Pilot's time will come. The leaders who were saying earlier that they will not obey the party high command, are apologising today," Gudha.
Amaravati, Oct 17 : Jana Sena Party (JSP) leader and actor Pawan Kalyan on Monday alleged that YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government in Andhra Pradesh is trying to create division among people of different regions in the state.

The actor alleged that Jana Sena's programme 'Janavani' was not allowed in Visakhapatnam as the government headed by Jagan Mohan Reddy feared that it would expose land encroachments by ministers and MPs of the YSRCP.

He was addressing a news conference at the party office here Monday evening after his return from Visakhapatnam after a two-day visit which saw scores of his party workers being arrested for attack on vehicles, a minister and YSRCP leaders at the airport and police subsequently barring from addressing any meeting or rally.

Pawan Kalyan denied involvement of his party in the incident that occurred at Visakhapatnam Airport on Saturday and made it clear that it had no intention of disrupting programmes of any other party. The actor said they would not stoop down the level of the YSRCP's leaders.

He alleged that the YSRCP, which had supported development of Amaravati as the state capital while in opposition, changed its stand after coming to power. Unable to make any progress on its plan for three capitals, the YSRCP is resorting to these tactics, he said.

He questioned how a ruling party can hold meetings and rallies with slogans like 'Grajana' (roar), referring to the 'Visakhara grajana' rally organised by the YSRCP in Visakhapatnam on Saturday in support of three capitals.

The JSP leader slammed the illegal arrest of his party leaders and workers after the incident at Vizag airport and said they would continue legal battle in the case.

Pawan Kalyan alleged that when YSRCP functionaries were resorting to stone pelting, it was being described as expression of feelings but when workers of other parties were raising slogans, they were being arrested.

He wondered what police were doing when vehicles of ministers were being attacked at Vizag Airport.

The JSP founder alleged that he was provoked in Visakhapatnam to create disturbances but he acted with restraint. He made it clear that the JSP will not fall into the trap of the YSRCP as his party believed only in constructive criticism.

He reiterated that his aim is to end criminalisation of politics. "We have a disgraceful system where IAS and IPS officers salute criminals," he said.

The younger brother of megastar Chiranjeevi said that Andhra Pradesh can progress and prosper only if it gets rid of the YSRCP. "There is no other way. Leaders with a criminal political mindset should be distanced from governance," he said.

--IANS ms/vd

A
New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Civil Aviation Ministry organised a conference of the secretaries of civil aviation of all the states and Union Territories here at Vigyan Bhavan on Monday.

The conference was aimed to promote greater collaboration and synergy between state civil aviation departments and the ministry to augment the development of the sector.

Officials said that subjects of infrastructure support such as the extent of land requirement for different types of airports, pending cases of handing over of land, taxation related issues such as VAT, tax incentives for promoting FTO, MRO, and others were deliberated in the conference.

Civil aviation policies of states and UTs and promotion of last mile connectivity were also discussed during the conference.

The inaugural session was chaired by Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The conference began with the opening remarks of the secretary and was followed by presentations on various initiatives and programmes of the ministry.

Bansal said, "There has been a lot of progress in the last year. Domestic air traffic is almost near to the pre-Covid level, multiple new airports have been inaugurated, and new routes have been launched, policy steps to promote drone, helicopter medical emergency services and fractional ownership have been initiated." He requested states to reduce VAT on ATF and appreciated those states who have already done it.

Interactions on Udan, Krishi Udan, aviation security, developments of airports, greenfield airports, heliports, water aerodromes and others also took place during the conference.
Patna, Oct 17 : Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Monday left for New Delhi to appear before the special CBI court in connection with the IRCTC scam on Tuesday.

Interacting with media persons in Patna airport, he said: "Such court appearances will take place until they (BJP) will stay in power." "It was clear on the day of the swearing-in ceremony when we were taking oath and the CBI conducted raids on the leaders of the RJD. So this is not new for us. It will take place until they stay in power," he said, without taking the name of the BJP.

"The court has served notice to me and I will physically appear before the CBI court of Delhi on Tuesday. We respect the judicial system of the country and have faith in it to get justice," he said.

The CBI court had issued a notice to Tejashwi Yadav on September 17, asking him to appear before it. It also said that if Tejashwi Yadav violates the conditions on which he was given bail, the court would cancel it immediately.

The CBI had alleged to the court that Tejashwi Yadav and his family members were involved in threatening its officials of CBI openly in a bid to influence the investigation. He also held a press conference and tried to stop the investigation, it claimed.

The agency also claimed that Tejashwi is facing economic offence charges and the way he and his family members tried to influence the investigation is a violation of the terms and conditions on which the court had granted bail to him.

Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, Rabri Devi and others were facing charges of corruption in the IRCTC scam. The CBI registered FIR against Tejashwi Yadav and others in 2017 and the court had given bail to him on October 6, 2018.

The IRCTC land for job scam came up between 2004 to 2009 when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister. During his tenure, two hotels were given on lease without following the norms. One of the hotels was allotted to Sarla Gupta, who is wife of Prem Gupta, a close friend of the RJD chief and a Rajya Sabha member then.

Besides Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members, Prem Gupta, Sarla Gupta, railway officials Rakesh Saksena and P.K. Goyal were also accused in this case.
Srinagar, Oct 17 : Not only sports, but people from Jammu and Kashmir are showing their potential in every field now.

A recent example of this came on the occasion of Sir Syed Day when Kashmir-born Farukh Arjmand, a professor at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), was honoured with the 'Outstanding Researcher's Award 2022'.

A press release issued by the university said that Arjamand shared the award with Hafzur Rehman Siddique from the department of zoology. Both were awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each.

Arjmand is an educationist who is associated with AMU's department of chemistry. She was presented the award on the occasion of Sir Syed Day for her valuable services.

Arjmand has three decades of experience in research of inorganic medicinal chemistry during which she has also travelled to foreign countries for her academic work, including China, the USA and Thailand, among others.

Arjmand has worked extensively in the fields of bio-inorganic chemistry, medicinal inorganic chemistry, synthesis and characterisation of anti-tumor metallodrugs, from drug development to materials evaluation.

Her research work has been published in many leading magazines and journals.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Gujarat government has told the Supreme Court that the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case were released since they completed 14 years in prison and their behaviour was found to be good.

In an affidavit, state Home Department Under Secretary said: "I say that the state government considered all the opinions and decided to release 11 prisoners since they have completed 14 years and above in prisons and their behaviour was found to be good." It added that the state government considered the opinions of the seven authorities --the Inspector General of Prisons, Gujarat, the Jail Superintendents, the Jail Advisory Committee, the District Magistrate, the Police Superintendent, the CBI, the Special Crime Branch, Mumbai, and the sessions court, Mumbai (CBI).

"After approval of the state government, orders have been issued on August 10, 2022 to release the prisoners. Hence, in instance, case the state has considered the proposals under policy of 1992 as directed by this court and not granted under the circular governing grant of remission to prisoners as part of celebration of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', added the affidavit.

The affidavit said that all the convict prisoners have completed 14+ years in the prison under life imprisonment and opinions of the concerned authorities have been obtained as per the policy of July 9, 1992, and submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, by letter dated June 28, 2022 and sought the approval/suitable orders of the Centre.

"The Government of India conveyed the concurrence/ approval of the Central Government under section 435 of the CrPC for premature release of 11 prisoners vide letter dated July 11, 2022," said the affidavit.

The affidavit said the state government is empowered to take the decisions on the proposal of premature release of prisoners under the provision of Section 432 and 433 of CrPC. "However, considering the provision of Section 435 CrPC, it is indispensable to obtain the sanction of the Government of India in cases in which the investigation of the offence was carried out by a central investigation agency. In the present case, the investigation was carried out by the CBI and the state government has obtained the approval/suitable orders of the Government of India," it added.

The Gujarat government's response came on a plea has been filed by CPI-M's former MP Subhasini Ali, journalist Revati Laul, and Prof Roop Rekha Verma, challenging the release of 11 men convicted for the gang-rape of Bilkis Bano and multiple murders during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Another plea challenging the release of the convicts was filed by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra.

The Gujarat government denied each and every assertion made by the petitioners and said the petition is not maintainable in law nor tenable on facts. "The petitioner, being a third stranger, has no locus to challenge the remission orders by the competent authority strictly as per applicable law in the instant case under the garb of a PIL," said the affidavit.

The affidavit submitted that it is well established that a PIL is not maintainable in a criminal matter and the petitioner is in no way connected to the proceedings which either convicted the accused in question nor with the proceedings which culminated in grant of remission to the convicts. Thus, a petition, at the instance of a mere busybody, (and) which has political machinations, is liable to be dismissed, it added.

On September 9, the apex court directed the Gujarat government to file all records, which formed the basis for granting remission to all the accused in the case. It directed the state government to file its response within 2 weeks and also asked advocate Rishi Malhotra, representing some of the accused, to file a response.

A convict in Bilkis Bano case has told the Supreme Court that the petition challenging Gujarat government's remission order is "speculative and politically motivated".

The plea filed by Radheysham Bhagwandas Shah said: "This court not only on the ground of locus and maintainability but also on the ground of such speculative and politically motivated petition should dismiss the said petition with heavy hand and imposed an exemplary cost so that such political motivated petition by strangers should not be encouraged in future by others."
New Delhi, Oct 17 : India is going big on its commitment regarding net zero emission and switching as fast as possible into green energy in every sphere of business.

In tune with this mission, several Indian airports are switching to green energy and the Centre has kept a target of turning 90 airports into carbon neutral by 2024.

India aims to reach net zero emissions by 2070.

In June this year, the international airport in New Delhi adopted green energy, using only hydro and solar power for all its energy needs.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Infrastructure Limited-led (GIL) consortium, which manages and operates the Delhi airport, has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with a Himachal Pradesh-based hydropower producing company for the supply of hydroelectricity for the airport until 2036.

Since June 1, the Delhi airport has adopted renewable energy use from the hydropower plant for its demand of the remaining 94 per cent, thus ending its dependency on non-renewable power. This move will help Delhi airport in the reduction of indirect energy emissions of a whopping 200,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.

Besides, DIAL has a 7.84 MW solar power plant on the airside, whereas as part of stakeholder collaboration, operators of the Cargo terminals at the airport have added another 5.3 MW rooftop solar power plant.

Working to make the aviation sector environment-friendly, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had recently informed that by 2024, more than 90 airports in the country will be carbon neutral.

The minister also added that the number of airports will also be increased from the current strength of 141 to 220 by next year.

Cochin International Airport became the first 'green airport' in the world, for which it was awarded the 'Champions of Earth' award in 2018, which is United Nations' highest environmental honour.

The airport fully operates on solar power, which meets all its electricity requirements. This is no small feat as the Cochin airport stands to be one of the most important airports for not just India, but also the rest of the world. It is the largest airport in Kerala and the seventh largest in India in terms of passenger handling.

It is also the first-ever airport in India to be developed under public-private-partnership. Installing the first solar photovoltaic power station plant on the rooftop of the arrival terminal block way back in 2013 turned out to be trendsetter. Since then, it has not looked back, adding several more solar power units to maximise energy production and produce enough for all its needs.

Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has entirely switched to green sources for its energy consumption needs, making it one of India's 100 per cent sustainable airports.

The CSMIA was the first in India to launch hybrid technology that solely runs on green energy since April 2022. This sustainable initiative undertaken by the CSMIA is part of the airport's efforts that reduces its carbon footprint and further propels its journey towards net zero emissions.

Out of the total 100 per cent needs, the CSMIA procures around 5 per cent of the airport's electricity requirement through its onsite solar generation and the rest 95 per cent from other green sources such as hydro and wind energy.

The CSMIA witnessed a rise in natural energy procurement with 57 per cent green consumption in April 2022 to a whopping 98 per cent between May and July. And, finally, attained the landmark 100 per cent utilisation of renewable sources of energy in August 2022, a national daily reported.

A transition to clean energy is a huge economic opportunity. India is particularly well-placed to become a global leader in renewable batteries and green hydrogen.

These and other low-carbon technologies could create a market worth up to $80 billion in India by 2030. Support from the international community is essential to help shift India's development onto a low-carbon path, a paper in International Energy Agency stated.
Kohima, Oct 17 : In a bid to export coffee to European and Middle Eastern countries, the Nagaland government has undertaken an ambitious plan to cover 50,000 hectares of land by coffee plantation by 2030, officials said on Monday.

With the help and support of the Coffee Board, currently around 8,412.49 hectares and 1,419.7 hectares of land in different districts are covered by plantations of Arabica and Robusta coffee, respectively.

Coffee Board Deputy Director P.P. Chaudhury said that the Board has been supporting around 400 coffee farmers per year covering around 200 hectares of land.

"The Board is also providing market linkage of the products by bringing in buyers from different parts of India," the official said, adding that the Land Resources Development (LRD) department is the nodal agency in cultivating organic coffee in the Nagaland.

Chaudhury said that the Coffee Board, under its schemes, provides seedlings to raise nurseries along with infrastructural support during harvest.

He said that though Nagaland is currently producing limited quantity of coffee, the quality of the organic beverage is 'very good' and fulfilling the international standards.

With Nagaland having a micro-climatic condition, the soil is very suitable for coffee cultivation, officials said.

The Coffee Board is supporting the LRD department in providing training to the farmers and also conducting exposure trips to other states.

According to an LRD official, the coffee plantation first began in Nagaland in the early 1990s, but initially it was not a successful mission due to the lack of market linkage.

Additional director of LRD, Albert Ngullie, said that in 2014, the Nagaland government revived coffee plantation in a mission mode across the state with the LRD department as the nodal agency. Now, the organic coffee grown in the state is being exported to European and Middle Eastern countries.

Under the post-Covid economic recovery plan, the North Eastern Council (NEC) has provided financial assistance to distribute 360 coffee pulping machines across the state. The NABARD also provides support to the farmers in cultivating organic coffee.

The Nagaland Coffee Private Limited, which signed an MoU with the Nagaland government to distribute and export coffee, is the sole exporter of coffee in the northeastern state.

The company's owner, Vivito Yeptho, said that he started exporting coffee in 2017 with a mere four tonnes while the highest has been 11 tonnes per season.

"We are planning to export at least 20 tonnes of coffee by 2023," he said, adding that Nagaland coffee is exported to countries like South Africa, Bahrain, Dubai, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and South East Asia.
Noida, Oct 17 : The Allahabad High Court on Monday granted bail to Noida 'politician' Shrikant Tyagi, who was arrested for allegedly abusing a woman at his apartment complex.

Tyagi was charged under the Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act after he was arrested on August 9 from Meerut by the Noida police.

A bench of Justice Surendra Singh granted the relief while hearing the bail petition filed by Tyagi. During the hearing, the Uttar Pradesh government in its affidavit presented Tyagi's criminal history. However, it was argued on behalf of Tyagi that he has no criminal history and all the cases registered are motivated by malice.

Tyagi had already got bail from the Sessions Court in three cases.
Chandigarh, Oct 17 : India sees Russia as a longstanding and time-tested friend that has played a significant role in its economic development and security, Indian Ambassador to Russia, Pavan Kapoor, said here on Monday.

The members of CII Punjab State on Monday interacted with heads of Indian Missions in the US, the Netherlands, Russia, Turkey, Mongolia and Togo.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Ambassador of India to the US, Reenat Sandhu, Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Pavan Kapoor, Virander Kumar Paul, Ambassador of India to Turkey, Mohinder Pratap Singh, Ambassador of India to Mongolia, and Sanjiv Tandon, Ambassador of India to Togo, interacted with CII members to explore the multitude opportunities available in Punjab and other areas of collaboration with these countries.

"Celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations this year, the United States and India share a growing convergence of strategic interests, a commitment to democracy and pluralism, promoting a rules-based international order and a robust, multifaceted bilateral agenda," said Sandhu.

Reenat Sandhu, Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, also commended the relations between India and the Netherlands, saying, "Economic and commercial ties between India and the Netherlands are an important facet of overall Indo-Dutch relations.

Image Source: IANS News

"India's economic interests in the Netherlands include technical cooperation as a partner in key areas such as transport and logistics infrastructure, water management, environment, agriculture and food processing, services and science and technology, and in promoting further FDI from an already significant investment partner." Bilateral ties with Russia are a key pillar of India's foreign policy.

"India sees Russia as a longstanding and time-tested friend that has played a significant role in its economic development and security," shared Kapoor, Ambassador of India to Russia.

Highlighting the importance of a thriving Indo-Mongolian relationship, Mohinder Pratap Singh, Ambassador of India to Mongolia, said, "With India's Act East policy, the relation with Mongolia plays a critical role towards India's association with Northeast Asian countries. The volume of India-Mongolia trade has been growing at a faster pace since the last decade. We hope to realise its full potential to strengthen our ties." Togo is also looking to invest in the country and sees the massive potential in the Indian industry.

"Togo needs machinery, skill development, and technology and is looking for investment in these areas. We would be celebrating Punjab's foundation day on November 1, where we will showcase the industrial prowess of the state to Togo and apprise them about the projects in Punjab where Togo could collaborate," said Tandon, Ambassador of India to Togo.

Paul, Ambassador of India to Turkey, also shared the investment plans and said, "Turkish companies are interested in collaborating and setting up investments in the area of life sciences and caccines, and education and skilling." "We would like to collaborate with the industries in Punjab in these sectors," Paul added.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War

-- Syndicated from IANS
Panaji, Oct 17 : After announcing a stop to vegetables from other states in government schemes, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday urged people to grow marigold flowers, which are presently imported from Karnataka.

Noting that Diwali is around the corner, he said that there will be a need for marigold flowers.

"Marigolds come from Karnataka. We can grow them in Goa. Cant we make production as per need? We can do it. We daily need it," he said, adding that as there are many temples in the coastal state and flower vendors are dependent on supplies from Karnataka, they should grow it in their villages.

Large quantity of marigold flowers come from Karnataka on the occasion of Dussehra and Diwali. Even on a daily basis, there is demand for marigold as it is required for religious programmmes in the state.

"Flower vendors selling flowers outside temples bring it from Panaji, if they grow it in their villages, then they will also save on transport. We need to think about this," Sawant said.

He said that to achieve a goal of self-reliance, there is a need to focus on the production of vegetables and fish too.

"To become self-reliant, we need to give importance to local produce. I am optimistic that people will do it," he said.

At the launch of the 'Natural Farming' programme on September 20, he had noted that Goa is dependent on vegetables procured from Karnataka's Belgavi. "We now 'like' the taste of outside procurement, more than our traditionally grown here. This is a fact," Sawant had said.

Around 1,300 vendors in the state sell vegetables supplied by the Goa State Horticultural Corporation Ltd (GSHCL), which purchases these from other states.

"If we increase local vegetable production, then the Horticulture Corporation will give a good rate (to farmers). In a few days, it will stop importing vegetables from other states and will purchase only locally-produced vegetables," he had said.
Greater Noida, Oct 17 : The farmers' meeting with the three CEOs and DMs of Gautam Budh Nagar continued for six hours from from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many farmers of western Uttar Pradesh were present in the meeting.

They say that until their demands are met, the protest will continue. Top officials were also present in the meeting.

Farmers stated that they have been protesting at zero point of Yamuna Expressway for the last three days for their various demands, yet they are being ignored. "The District Administration wants to forcefully end the protest, but we will not allow it to happen," they alleged.

Recently, Rakesh Tikait, the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, had also come to participate in this demonstration.

Farmers say that if their problems are not resolved, then a big agitation will be organised, which will be led by the Bharatiya Kisan Union. The farmers have given 15 days to the Administration in a meeting that lasted for 6 hours to accept their demands.

The protest is being held to demand 64.7 per cent compensation and 10 per cent plot. Pawan Khatana, President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union West Uttar Pradesh, says "The district administration and the three authorities together are exploiting the farmers. We will not tolerate exploitation at all." "Farmers' land was taken away and their children are not being given employment. People from outside are coming and working on our land. This is injustice to the farmers," he lamented.
New Delhi, Oct 17 : The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Nagaland government for extending the tenure of the Director General of Police after his superannuation.

A bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Hima Kohli noted that incumbent IPS officer, T.J. Longkumer participated in a meeting of the State Police Establishment Board, headed by the Chief Secretary, which recommended his 6-months extension.

The top court said the state government should put its house in order, and asked it to provide fresh names of eligible officers from the state cadre to the UPSC for new police chief's appointment.

It told the state government counsel to inform the Chief Secretary that the court has taken a very grim view that the DGP was part of the meeting, where a proposal for extension of tenure was passed.

Advocates Kaveetha Wadia and Astha Sharma, representing Nagaland Law Students Federation and others, sought a direction to Nagaland to recall its order dated August 31, granting six-month extension to Longkumer.

Counsel argued that it is nothing but a subversion of the apex court's judgment and order passed in July 2018, where it said that there should not be any acting DGP and the DGP should have a two years fixed tenure. Citing Longkumer's extension, the counsel added that his staying in office is subversion of rule of law.

The bench said Nagaland must immediately send a list of empanelled officers for the post of the DGP, drawn as per law, to the UPSC, taking into consideration deficiencies pointed by the UPSC by October 31. The UPSC will take a decision on the names suggested on the panel by November 30.

The Nagaland government counsel argued that the state government did not favour any particular person for the top position in the police establishment and there are no senior officers available to succeed Longkumer.

The apex court, in July 2018, had passed directions on police reforms in the country. It restrained all state governments and union territories from appointing any police officer as acting DGPs to avoid favouritism and nepotism.
Hyderabad, Oct 17 : Police in Telangana's Nalgonda district seized Rs 1 crore cash from a car heading to Munugode Assembly constituency where the by-election is scheduled to take place on November 3.

During the vehicle check at a check post near Chalmeda, the police found the cash in the car, in which the husband of a BJP corporator from Karimnagar was travelling.

The cash was detected during the checking by 'Dynamic teams' constituted by police in Nalgonda district. The person transporting the cash told police that it was being taken to Munugode on the direction of a BJP leader.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) alleged that the money was meant for distribution among voters.

The ruling party leaders said the incident was a clear proof that the BJP is using the money power to buy the voters.

They reiterated the allegation that BJP nominee Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy has assured the BJP leadership that he will spend Rs 500 crore in the by-election.

The ruling party alleged that Rajagopal Reddy quit Congress and joined the BJP for the sake of a Rs 18,000 crore contract. Reddy recently stated that his company was awarded the contract by the Centre six months ago.

Police in Hyderabad recently seized Rs 8 crore cash in separate incidents. It is suspected that the money was being transported to Munugode.
Hyderabad, Oct 17 : A youth created ruckus at a petrol pump in Hyderabad on Monday with what appeared to be a gun after an argument with an employee over online payment for the fuel.

He, along with two others, also ransacked the pump's office. The incident occurred at Indian Oil pump in Bahadurpura area in the old city.

A video of the youth holding a weapon in a hand and kicking a few two-wheelers went viral on social media.

The incident occurred after the youth filled fuel worth Rs 500 in his motorbike and made UPI payment. As the transaction failed, the worker at the petrol bunk insisted that he pay cash. There was an argument between the two.

The youth then called his two friends to the pump. They ransacked the office and attacked the cashier. One of them then took out a gun and moved around triggering panic among bunk employees and customers.

On receipt of information about the incident, police rushed there. Two of the attackers escaped while the third attacker was caught by the employees and handed over to the police. He was identified as Iftikhar. As he was injured, police shifted him to a hospital. The search was on for the two other attackers.
Jaipur, Oct 17 : A man, along with his mother and sister, has been booked for assaulting his wife for refusing to be part of wife-swapping in Bikaner.

In her FIR, the victim woman said that her husband pressured her to engage in wife-swapping and have physical relation with his friends. When she refused, he thrashed her and abused her sexually, forcing her into unnatural sex.

The woman is a resident of Bhopal.

Her husband, who has been identified as Mohammad Ammar, is a hotel manager in Bikaner. A case has been registered against him at a police station in Bhopal.

The woman alleged that she was called 'stupid' and 'uncultured' when she turned down Ammar's proposal. The woman alleged that her husband was a drug addict and alcoholic and had physical relationship with girls and boys.

As per the police in Bhopal, the woman came to her parents' place two months back. Her mother at that time was travelling. When she returned, the woman narrated her ordeal. Her mother then asked her to file a police complaint.

Since the time of filing of the complaint, Ammar is absconding.

The woman also alleged that both her mother-in-law and sister-in-law along with her husband demanded dowry of Rs 50 lakh. She said her in-laws never paid heed to her complaints and kept asking her to become 'modern'.

The woman also said that her health deteriorated due to the assaults, which continued for months.
United Nations, Oct 17 : General Secretary Antonio Guterres is to visit India starting Tuesday to commemorate India's 75-year partnership with the UN during which India's contribution to fighting climate change by advocating lifestyle changes will be highlighted, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric announced on Monday.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi that Guterres will start his visit by paying tributes at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks by a Pakistan-based group which claimed the lives of more than 175 people.

The ministry also said that in Gujarat, Guterres is expected to "pay floral tributes at the Statue of Unity", which is the 182-metre depiction of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, who oversaw the unification of India out of the British-administered territories and the princely states under British overlordship at the country's independence.

In Mumbai, the MEA said, Guterres will speak at the UN on "India @75: UN-India Partnership: Strengthening South-South Cooperation." This will be Guterres's second visit to India as the Secretary General and the first in his second term.

Dujarric said that during his three-day visit Guterres is to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

The MEA said that Jaishankar is expected to discuss with Guterres matters of "global concern" and deepening New Delhi's engagement with the UN when India takes over the presidency of the G20, the group of the world's large economies.

Although India was a founding member of the UN in 1945 while still a British colony, it is commemorating its participation at the UN after its Independence in 1947.

Guterres will visit a model project site, which has recently been declared India's first solar-powered village, and see "how solar rooftops installed on more than 1,300 rural houses are improving lives in the community", the spokesperson said.

While in Modhera village, which is a model of solar power use, he will also visit the Sun Temple, an 11th century structure built by the Chalukyas in homage to the Sun god, the MEA said.

At the Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Kevadia, Gutteres is to join Modi to launch the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), the MEA said.

Mission LiFE's "central idea reflects India's ethos of respect for Mother Nature and aims at piloting a focussed programme that will mobilise 1 billion Indians to become pro-planet people (3P), who would practice simple environment and climate-friendly behaviour/actions in their daily lives to promote a shared commitment to protect our planet", the MEA said calling it India's "signature initiative" for fighting climate change.

Dujarric said that Guterres will go to Vietnam from India, to participate in that country's celebration of 45 years of UN membership.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Bengaluru, Oct 17 : The president of the Bengaluru chapter of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Mohan Dasari, on Monday lashed out at the BJP government in the state for 'denting' the image of Karnataka, as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of Rs 2,900 crore on the state government for failing to dispose of solid and liquid waste.

Speaking at a presser, Dasari said, "Even though the Supreme Court in 2014 had suggested many measures regarding waste management, the government has not followed them.

"So now the government has to pay a huge fine of Rs 2,900 crore. Add to that the fine imposed earlier for the defacement of Chandapur lake, the total comes to Rs 3,400 crore. Taxpayers' money is being wasted by the incompetent BJP government." "An average of 15,000 tonnes of solid waste are generated in the state every day. Out of this, around 6,000 tonnes of waste are not adequately disposed of. They are dumped in the open. In addition to that, about 1,400 liters of untreated sewage enters water sources every day," Dasari said.

AAP lawyers' unit member Gangadhar said, "Garbage management has turned into a business worth over Rs 1,500 crore in the state, especially in Bengaluru.

"Because of this, Karnataka had to be reprimanded by the NGT. The NGT has not only fined the state government, but also ordered it to inform in detail what steps will be taken for garbage disposal. This shows that the NGT has lost faith in the state government," he said.

"Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai himself is in-charge of Bengaluru Urban Development Department. He should calrify to the people of the state immediately," Gangadhar added.
Imphal, Oct 18 : Opposition Congress and various other organisations, including the Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) in Manipur, criticised the BJP-led state government's policy to discontinue government benefits to the family having more than four children.

The Manipur cabinet headed by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on October 13 has decided to restrict the number of children to four in a family to be eligible for government jobs or benefits in various schemes.

The Council of Ministers in its Thursday's meeting approved establishing the Manipur State Population Commission.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee Vice-President, K. Tilotama said that the Manipur cabinet's decision to discontinue government benefits to the family having more than four children lacks sensibility and is unconstitutional.

"The BJP government's decision was unclear and the circumstances leading to the government taking the decision are inconceivable," she told the media.

The Congress leader said that the proposed policy would be a gross violation of the Right to Life and would deprive it of constitutional facilities and provisions.

Saying that the state government might take the decision to control the spike in population growth, she urged the government to look into the unchecked infiltration of immigrants instead of focusing on how many children a parent has.

Opposing the state government's decision, IPAK termed the proposed policy as illogical and that it would pose serious threat to indigenous communities whose demographic figure would be reduced to a micro-level.

IPAK in a statement said that India is the second most populated country in the world and is estimated to be the most populated by the next census report.

"In India, the ratio of the Meetei population is just 0.09 per cent which can be regarded as a "micro-minority community," the group added.

In states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, the ratio of population in the country is quite high, hence taking up family planning policies for such states is acceptable but it is unreasonable to adopt such policy in Manipur, it said.

IPAK added that while the state is facing continuous decrease of ethnic community, illegal immigrants are entering the state unabated.

So far, one-third of the total population of the state is shared by non-natives and amid this situation, taking the decision that limits families to just four children is unfortunate, it said.

"The association assumed the decision of the state cabinet as a hidden agenda to the extinct indigenous population of the state," it asserted.

Meanwhile, the Assam government had also, more than a year ago, adopted a two-child policy which would be a criteria to get government jobs and to avail benefits from state-sponsored welfare schemes.
Colombo, Oct 18 : The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) is seeking the support of India and other neighbouring countries to find a Navy boat with six sailors, which had reportedly gone missing for more than a month while on a naval operation.

SLN spokesman Indika De Silva told media that details of the missing boat had been shared with the Indian authorities and other neighbours like the Maldives, Indonesia and Australia.

The spokesman said that the boat ventured to Indian Ocean from the southern coast on an operation on September 16 and lost all communication on September 17.

The SLN had deployed several vessels to search the boat with sailors and had intensified the operation with the help of an aircraft of Sri Lanka Air Force.

The Navy suspects that the boat would have been drifted to the international waters after getting caught in a heavy current following an engine breakdown.

SLN carries out regular patrols to nab trafficking of narcotics which is regular in the sea routes closer to Sri Lanka, and human smugglers who take rides mostly to Australia.
Tehran, Oct 18 : Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has said that the contradiction in the US officials' words and actions is the main obstacle to an agreement on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, according to a state media report.

Speaking at a weekly press conference, Kanaani on Monday added that US officials sent messages to voice their viewpoints about the nuclear talks on the one hand, while showing contradictory behaviour in practice on the other.

He noted that Washington's approach failed to contribute to or supplement the nuclear talks, Xinhua news agency reported.

The spokesman stressed that "grounds exist for reviving the nuclear deal and all sides' return to it," but the issue currently hinges on the US government's political decision.

"We can return to the deal" whenever the US shows the necessary will, he said.

However, Iran will not keep waiting for an agreement, Kanaani emphasized.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear programme in return for removing sanctions on the country. However, former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its commitments under the pact.

The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna, but were suspended in March this year because of political differences between Tehran and Washington. The latest round of the nuclear talks was held in the Austrian capital in early August after a five-month hiatus.

On August 8, the European Union put forward its final text of the draft decision on reviving the JCPOA. Iran and the US later indirectly exchanged views on the proposal in a process that has so far failed to produce any favourable outcome.
Hanoi, Oct 18 : The OECD Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum 2022 was held in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

Themed "Connecting Regions: Partnership for Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains," the event explored how the OECD and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries can improve the resilience of their supply chain to better guard against future shocks and help build the foundations for a greener and digital future, state media reported on Monday.

In his speech, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh called for further cooperation in the supply chain between Vietnam and the OECD countries, as well as further utilisation of existing economic networks and free trade agreements between Southeast Asia and the OECD, state media reported.

He called on the OECD countries to help Southeast Asia bring into full play its potential in the digital economy, high-tech agriculture and innovation, and consider coordination in developing digital and farm produce supply chains, Xinhua news agency reported.

Minh also suggested that the OECD help Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises access international capital markets, transfer technologies, and improve administrative capacity and competitiveness.

Addressing the forum, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann affirmed to continue coordinating with Vietnam to promote cooperation between the OECD and Southeast Asian countries and to implement the OECD-ASEAN action plan, according to state media report.

Co-organised by the OECD, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Australian embassy in Vietnam, the event was attended by more than 200 delegates, including high-level officials from the OECD and Southeast Asian countries.
Clean Power Alliance is proud to provide this tremendous opportunity for many well-deserving non-profits within our service territory, said Gina Goodhill, Clean Power Alliances Director of Government Affairs.

For Immediate Release: October 17, 2022

Los Angeles, CA  Clean Power Alliance (CPA) and Calpine Energy Solutions are pleased to announce the winners of the second annual Community Benefits Grant Program. Through this grant program, 10 non-profit organizations within CPAs service territory have received funding through Calpine Energy Solutions to advance clean energy initiatives in their communities.

This years grants are being awarded to non-profits that advance environmental education; clean energy development in disadvantaged communities; green workforce development and renewable energy research and planning. Grant amounts ranged from $9,500 to $30,000.

The Community Benefits Grant Program application period took place from Aug. 1 to Sept. 16, 2022. A total of 29 applications were received, with 10 applicants being awarded grants. In all, the program awarded nearly $204,000 in grants.

The program is a partnership between Calpine Energy Solutions and CPA. Calpine Energy Solutions awards the program funding, while Clean Power Alliance develops the grant guidelines and helps recruit nonprofit organizations to apply for funding. Both entities work together to assess grant applications.

Clean Power Alliance is proud to provide this tremendous opportunity for many well-deserving non-profits within our service territory, said Gina Goodhill, Clean Power Alliances Director of Government Affairs. We appreciate Calpines ongoing commitment to providing this support which will assist thousands of individuals throughout the diverse communities we serve.

Calpine Energy Solutions Senior Vice President of the CCA Business Unit Drake Welch believes this annual Community Benefits Program provides a great opportunity to develop long-term environmentally friendly partnerships.

Calpine Energy Solutions is committed to our CCA partners and the many various communities they serve, Welch said. We are delighted to sponsor this program that highlights the important work of many community organizations, while further amplifying the positive impact of Clean Power Alliance throughout Southern California.

This years grant recipients include the following non-profit organizations:

Active San Gabriel Valley ($16,983)  Funding will support clean energy-related operations, including their Healthy Homes program and GoSGV Electric Bike Share.

Climate Action Santa Monica ($12,500) - Funding will support the CASM Climate Corps program for education and workforce development. Each year, Climate Corps provides teenager and young adults education in global climate issues and training via project-based local actions.

Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas ($19,334)  Funds will go toward encouraging local climate action plans and improving the accessibility and content of educational materials on the organizations website. Funds will also go toward the Environmental Voices Academy, which is designed to provide a deeper understanding of local environmental issues and advocacy, as well as expand the network of academy participants.

Columbia Memorial Space Center ($25,000)  Funding will support City of STEM, the largest program promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in Los Angeles. The program is committed to opening equitable access to STEM learning, especially to those members of the public from marginalized and BIPOC communities, and under-resourced neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles.

Community Environmental Council ($22,240)  Funds will be used toward general operating support for the expansion of clean energy educational programming throughout Ventura County. This work will focus on electric vehicles and building electrification education and outreach, environmental awareness, and climate literacy.

Grid Alternatives LA ($30,000)  Funds will be used to provide homeowners in Carson and Whittier with reroofs, service panel upgrades, and/or any other necessary professional services to allow them to access no-cost solar energy systems.

Merito Foundation ($25,260)  Funds will be used to train eight middle school and high school science teachers from Ventura Unified School District to instruct approximately 1,000 students in the use of Energy Efficiency to Mitigate Climate Change and Ocean Acidification curriculum.

Nyeland Promise ($20,000)  Funds will be used to develop and implement a multilingual (English, Spanish, and Mixteco) initiative to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate messaging to help residents reduce their energy usage during periods of peak energy.

Pando Populus ($23,000)  Funding will go toward Pando Days, a project-centered learning program for colleges and universities focused on implementing county sustainability goals. This years program spans a total of 16 universities to community colleges across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

Sustainable Claremont ($9,500)  Funding will support four clean energy interns to assist with public dialogs and social media/newsletter outreach.

The Community Benefits Grant Program is an ongoing program. The next call for grant applicants will take place in the third quarter of 2023.

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About Clean Power Alliance

Founded in 2017, Clean Power Alliance is the locally operated not-for-profit electricity provider for 30 cities across Los Angeles County and Ventura County, as well as the unincorporated areas of both counties. CPA is the fifth largest electricity provider in California and has the most customers receiving 100% renewable energy in the nation. CPA serves approximately three million people via one million customer accounts, providing clean renewable energy at competitive rates. For complete information regarding CPA visit http://www.cleanpoweralliance.org.

About Calpine Energy Solutions

Calpine Energy Solutions is the premier provider of data management and customer contact center services for Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Agencies. Since 2009, Calpine has been a trusted business partner serving 21 operating CCAs and managing customer data for over 4 million customer accounts across the state. As part of a Fortune 500 company, Calpine Energy Solutions best-in-class back-office services helps guide clients from the initial program launch through mass enrollment phases and beyond. Decades of utility and billing experience, electronic data interchange, customized implementation planning, and robust customer data management enable Calpines clients to achieve their missions and long-term operational success.

Media contacts:

Joseph Cabral

Clean Power Alliance

jcabral@cleanpoweralliance.org

213-442-8109

Brett Kerr

Calpine Energy Solutions

Brett.kerr@calpine.com
After identifying areas of need in the health and wellness industry, Reliable Blends made it their mission to find new, novel and all-natural solutions to deliver reliable products that solve real problems. After several years of research and development, Reliable Blends' team of physicians and health care specialists created a physician-formulated health and wellness product line that delivers high quality results and improves quality of life.

Manufactured in small batches, using pure, clinically-proven ingredients, Reliable Blends delivers products of the highest standards. With so many products in the market that are not the quality that is claimed, Reliable Blends has made it their sole focus and mission to provide products and formulations that truly benefit their customers. They offer all-natural, lab tested products ranging from pain relief creams and headache balms to overall health and wellness products.

Effectively leading an organization whose mission it is to reach those who need our products the most, mandates an absolute understanding of the responsibility we bear and the ethics required, said Steve Alasi, Chairman and CEO of Reliable Blends. Our priority is to bring products to market that offer solutions to the problems people face on a daily basis; products that touch and change lives in a beneficial and empowering way, and in fulfilling this commitment, Reliable Blends will flourish.

We are excited to be working with Shark Discoveries to accomplish these goals.

"Reliable Blends provides high quality results," says Doug Scott, Executive Producer at Shark Discoveries. "They are a brand you can trust."

Reliable Blends is a company you can trust, using proven, all natural and lab tested ingredients with the addition of pure hemp isolate in all of their products, says Kevin Harrington, inventor of the infomercial and Original Shark on Shark Tank. Im proud to support and use Reliable Blends Products and highly recommend them to everyone.

As part of its BRTV campaign with Shark Discoveries, Reliable Blends will be appearing in 60 second spots set to air nationwide and feature the original Shark himself, Kevin Harrington. Shark Discoveries is an award-winning team of producers, writers, videographers, and editors as well as industry veterans dedicated to finding the latest, most innovative products and ideas, and putting them on the BRTV map.

About Shark Discoveries

Headquartered in South Florida, Shark Discoveries is a full-service production, branding, and marketing company that specializes in brand response television, including Celebrity Influencer Videos, and brand building. Based out of a 25,000+sq ft, state-of-the-art studio, the companys creative team handles every aspect of production from script to screen to airing. About Kevin Harrington As the inventor of the infomercial, founder of As Seen on TV, and one of the original Sharks on Shark Tank, Kevin Harrington has worked with some of the worlds biggest celebrities and launched some of the best-selling DRTV campaigns in history. Since producing his first 30-minute infomercial in 1984, Harrington has been involved in more than 500 product launches that have resulted in more than $5 billion in sales. Now, in his latest venture with Shark Discoveries, Harrington is on the hunt for the best new products and ideas, bringing them to homes everywhere through personalized BRTV campaigns featuring the Shark.

For more information on Reliable Blends, please visit http://www.ReliableBlends.com.
Unlike anything else on the market thanks to PB2s roasted peanut flour and innovative resealable packaging, the mixes are 100% gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and contain no GMOs.

Holiday baking season just got a little sweeter as PB2 Foods, a pioneer in powdered nut butters and plant-based foods since 2007, has released its brand-new line of PB2 Pantry baking mixes! Unlike anything else on the market thanks to PB2s roasted peanut flour and innovative resealable packaging, the mixes are 100% gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and contain no GMOs.

Perfectly easy to make and packed with plant-based protein, PB2 Pantry baking mixes are available in three delicious flavors that the whole family can enjoy: Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, Chocolate Chip Brownie Mix, and Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix.

We couldnt be happier than to provide customers with guilt-free indulgences in PB2 Pantry baking mixes, said Craig Entwistle, CEO of PB2 Foods. Using clean, better-for-you ingredients, and packaging them in resealable jars that allow you to bake up small or big batches, weve created something truly unique that we know youll love.

PB2 Pantry baking mixes start with roasted peanut flour in place of wheat flour, delivering 14g of protein per serving for Apple Cinnamon Muffins and 4g of protein per serving for Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chocolate Chip Brownies. The baking mixes are $11.99 online at shop.pb2foods.com and Amazon (orders over $15 on shop.pb2foods.com qualify for free two-day shipping).

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ABOUT PB2 FOODS

Powdered nut-butter pioneer PB2 Foods, launched in 2007, is on a mission to help people find the balance in everyday life, feel confident in their choices, and be present each day. The company is continually working with its family of farmers to grow pure and simple products that will help people live better and happier. And when preparing its plant-based products, the makers of PB2 take their time to create the very best in quality, because they believe food can be both healthy and delicious at the same time. PB2 Foods is based in Tifton, Georgia, and is marketed from St. Simons Island, Georgia. For more information, visit pb2foods.com.
MDG is the largest full-service civil engineering, roadway design, land development, landscape architecture, and consulting firm in St. Johns County and serves the greater Northeast Florida region. In acquiring MDG, DCCM is expanding its existing partnership with industry veteran Keri Matthews, who will continue in her role as Chief Executive Officer of MDG, along with Rob Matthews III, PE, who will continue in his role as President.

DCCMs strategic investment in MDG signifies our confidence in their engineering team who already offers a variety of services in todays infrastructure market, said James F. (Jim) Thompson, PE, DBIA, CEO of DCCM. This acquisition of MDG is further evidence of DCCMs commitment to better serving our clients in the Southeastern region of the United States, with backing from exceptional team members across the United States.

Similar to DCCM, MDG is a company built on passion and expertise, said Keri Matthews. With DCCMs investment in MDG, we will be able to leverage DCCMs diverse set of resources and decades of shared experience in the infrastructure marketplace while continuing to provide the same high-quality local services and personalized attention our clients value.

With DCCMs investment in our clients and staff, this partnership is about growth and bringing possibilities to our team and the clients we serve, said Rob Matthews III. As DCCM's first acquired firm in Florida, we will continue to be that local firm our clients trust and value but now with a more diverse set of capabilities, national support, and increased resources."

Elie Azar, Managing Director of White Wolf, added, we are thrilled to partner with Keri, Rob, and the entire Matthews Design Group team in their continued growth. This strategic partnership expands not only DCCMs depth of services but also its footprint into our home state of Florida.

About MDG

MDG is the largest full-service civil engineering, roadway design, land development, landscape architecture, and consulting firm in St. Johns County, Florida. Founded in 2005, MDG provides unparalleled engineering services to public and private clients throughout the Southeastern United States. Centrally located in the historic city of St. Augustine, MDG employs registered professionals licensed in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

For more information, please visit: https://www.mdginc.com.

About DCCM

DCCM is a provider of design, consulting, and program & construction management professional services focusing on infrastructure marketplaces throughout the public and private sectors. Through a family of complementary brand companies, DCCM serves a variety of end markets while offering a national reach.

DCCM is aggressively hiring key industry professionals in all disciplines and is actively seeking further acquisition opportunities throughout North America.

For more information, please visit: https://www.dccm.com.

About White Wolf

White Wolf Capital is a private investment firm that began operations in late 2011 and is focused on making both direct and indirect investments in leading middle market companies located in North America.

On the direct side, White Wolf Capital seeks both private equity as well as private credit investment opportunities in companies with $20 million to $200 million in revenues and up to $20 million in EBITDA. Typical situations include, management buyouts, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and investments for growth. Preferred industries include manufacturing, business services, government services, information technology, security, aerospace and defense.

In addition to making direct investments in operating companies, White Wolf Capital also looks to invest with other private fund managers as a limited partner. Targeted investment candidates are North American focused private credit funds looking to raise $50 million to $500 million in assets under management, with a focus on the lower-middle and middle-market.

For further information, please visit https://www.whitewolfcapital.com
FourthSquare, a boutique global, digital, and enterprise services company, welcomes Joe Tolod as its Sr. Vice President, Sales. Joe is an accomplished industry veteran with over 30 years of earning customers' trust working in sales, consulting, delivery, customer success, strategic partnerships, and systems & software management.

"I am thrilled to have Joe step into the role to transform the way we provide a 360-degree perspective to drive customer-centric digital transformation services," said Venkatash Kovela, President & CEO of FourthSquare. "I'm also looking forward to helping our customers utilize key partner software products from on-premise licenses to IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS subscriptions."

Mr. Tolod stated, "I'm so looking forward to stepping into this role at FourthSquare and helping guide customers of all sizes from enterprise, midmarket, SMB, and public sector to focus on a services-led approach to address their immediate digital needs."

Joe earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from Boston University. He has worked for, partnered with, and sold to notable companies like Oracle, Hitachi, Fujitsu, Dell, Microsoft, and the State of Oregon. Joe is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Life is busy with his four boys and his wife's daughter and son.

"The addition of Joe to the FourthSquare leadership team cements our commitment to our clients and a renewed emphasis on building lasting relationships that thrive," said Venkatash Kovela, President & CEO.

About FourthSquare

FourthSquare is a fast-growing, boutique Oracle global partner providing end-to-end solutions for the entire Oracle stack, from applications to infrastructure. Headquartered in Irving, TX, FourthSquare has multiple offices in the U.S. The Company also has global delivery centers in India. With its bespoke engagement model, FourthSquare delivers transformational value to its clients across industry verticals.

FourthSquare delivers, with a gold standard, concierge customer service. We are scaled to be your 24/7/365 trusted partner with a 360-degree approach to ensure every engagement exceeds expectations.

For further information, visit http://www.fourthsquare.com.

Media Contact:

Venkatash Kovela

President

Info_us@fourthsquare.com

Ph: 972-919-6135

http://www.fourthsquare.com
Our growth in the Chile office has been fueled by the diverse and inclusive culture we have built," Carolina Zamora said.

Evalueserve, a leading global analytics partner serving more than 30% of the Fortune 1000, announced today its Chile office received a 2022 Great Place to Work Certification. In total, Evalueserve has won five Great Places to Work Certifications this year, with Chile joining Evalueserves India, Romania, United Kingdom, and United States offices.

The executive team cares deeply about our employees and their experiences on the job, said Nand Gangwani, Evalueserves COO. We are committed to creating an employer-of-choice workplace for our team members. We foster a collaborative environment and make every effort to ensure employees feel supported on their journeys.

Our growth in the Chile office has been fueled by the diverse and inclusive culture we have built, as acknowledged by the Chilean governments Compromiso Migrante Seal, said Carolina Zamora, Head of Latin American Operations at Evalueserve. Every employee here and across the company is given an opportunity to develop professionally regardless of a persons nationality, background, gender, or any other aspect of their identity. These awards recognize our efforts to build a great culture.

To win the certification, employees fill out anonymous surveys about their workplace experiences, including questions about culture, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. In the survey, Evalueserves employees agreed with statements including:



When you join the company, you are made to feel welcome.

I am offered training or development to further myself professionally.

Management is approachable, easy to talk with.

Evalueserves global head of human resources Bhavana Kandari, said, I am thrilled that Evalueserve has received its first Great Place to Work Certification in Chile. I am proud that our company culture has been validated in five countries this year alone. We have been making great efforts and taking strides to build a supportive, trusting culture across every Evalueserve office. Every employee should feel fully welcome here, comfortable and empowered to succeed as they are.

Evalueserve is committed to treating all employees fairly, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social background, or disability status. This year, Evalueserve invested in the career growth of its employees by launching initiatives such as the Evalueserve Mentoring Program and Evalueserve University, which provides training and career advancement courses.

Are you looking to advance your career at a recognized top employer? Check out Evalueserves job openings today. The global company has offices in Chile, the United States, the United Kingdom, Romania, India, Colombia, Germany, and Switzerland and has something for everyone: https://www.evalueserve.com/jobs.

About Evalueserve

Evalueserve is a global company at the forefront of using product-led solutions to enhance and accelerate decision-making throughout enterprises. More than 30% of the Fortune 1000, including more than 25,000 platform users, rely on Evalueserves unique product-led solutions powered by domain-specific AI and more than 4,500 subject matter experts. Evalueserve is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. Learn more at evalueserve.com.

Contact Us

For interview requests and any other information, please contact Geoff Livingston at geoff.livingston@evalueserve.com.
The Dentist Entrepreneur Organization (The DEO) of Austin, Texas, is pleased to announce that DEO Partner, Ken Kaufman has accepted a position as President & CFO of Nuvia Dental Implant Center, headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, Utah.

Previously, Kaufman was CFO of Community Dental Partners of Denton, Texas.

As a DEO Partner, Kaufman offers DSO industry expertise as an advisor to DEO programs and members. He regularly speaks at private DEO member events and the yearly DEO Growth Summit. Kaufman frequently hosts DSO finance and growth topic-related episodes of the DSO Secrets Podcast, a podcast produced by DEO.

We are very fortunate to have Ken as a DEO Partner. He generously shares his extensive knowledge of the DSO industry, leadership, and the day-to-day experience of leading a dental organization with our members. We congratulate him on his new role with Nuvia Dental Implant Center and look forward to celebrating his success, said Jacob Puhl, CEO of the DEO.

Kaufman is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the dental industry and founded DEOs free Dental Finance Forum mastermind, the first of its kind that exclusively supports finance leaders of group practices and DSOs. He is also authoring a book, DEO's Financial Secrets To Grow Dental Organizations: The 9 Required Clarity Tools, published by DEO Media, LLC, scheduled to be released by the end of this year..

Kaufman earned a business degree from BYU and an MBA from the University of Georgia in finance and entrepreneurship. Since 2004, Kaufman has served in CFO and President/CFO roles in venture capital and private equity-backed high-growth organizations, helping to drive the growth of 3 to 10x during his tenure at each.

He started his journey in dental finance in 2006. Previously, he was the President/CFO of the NOMAD handheld X-ray business until the business was sold to the KavoKerr Group. Kaufman served as CFO of Community Dental Partners for 6 years, and helped it expand from 7 practices to 70+ to date.

Kaufman has received many accolades throughout his career, such as being awarded Utah Business Magazines CFO of the year, making their top 40 under 40, and being named V100 entrepreneur by Signal Peak Ventures. He is also the creator of and host of the successful podcast, Net Worth Hacks.

Despite his many achievements, he still gets an enormous kick out of the role he plays in supporting clinicians as they build a new practice, welcome their first patients, and start making a real difference in their community.

The DEO is looking forward to leveraging Ken's knowledge as he grows in his new role, to help DEO members and followers on their path to success.

About

The Dentist Entrepreneur Organization (DEO) supports dental entrepreneurs and executives who see a future bigger than they can achieve alone by giving them the education, resources, and connections they need to grow their dental groups and fulfill their vision.

For more information, visit https://deodentalgroup.com/.
Fashion and Film collide during Emerging Talent events hosted by Tariel of Taerus PR.

During the 2022 Milano fashion week Emmy award winner Salvatore "Vincent De Paul" Zannino traveled to Italia to support emerging designers and show an excerpt of his film latest film "The Genius of Gianni Versace Alive" this motion picture celebrates the iconic fashion designer Gianni Versace. The events were held in the historic Visconti Palazzo minutes away from the Duomo.

While at the events the two Salvatore's met to discuss fashion, art, and films. Zannino was thrilled to meet and talk about Caputo's collection of shoes. " Designing for his own private label SalvatoreCAPUTO Shoes designs are magnificent." Zannino continued, "Salvatore Caputo's collection is so creative and his designs are so unique. Each shoe is like a piece of art."

Salvatore Caputo expressed his satisfaction to be part of this fantastic and unique event, and he thanked Zannino for this magnificent opportunity: " I am honored to have had the chance to design some models for this great occasion. The preview of the

film The genius of Gianni Versace Alive was truly amazing and touched my heart"

De Paul- Zannino returned to the United States to attend the premiere of his film "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE" starring David A.R. WHITE (Love On the Rock), Steven Bauer (Scarface, Ray Donovan) Stella Parton & Harry Lennix (Blacklist) directed by Matt Shapira. His next film will be "IN The Night" lensed by Brendan Moriarty in Los Angeles.
GoNetspeed Coverage Area for Glastonbury. The importance of high speed, reliable Internet access has never been more evident than it is right now, commented GoNetspeed CEO Richard Clark. We are happy to be expanding access not only in Hartford County, but in communities across Connecticut.

GoNetspeed announced today that their network is expanding in Hartford County. Construction in Glastonbury is set to begin later this month to service over 3,716 locations, with an investment of $3.5 Million.

Earlier this year, GoNetspeed finalized construction in the following locations within Hartford County:



In Windsor over 4,432 homes and businesses can sign up for service.

In Enfield; service is available to over 7,000 homes and businesses.

In Windsor Locks; service is available to 4,864 homes and businesses.

This is a continuation of earlier network expansion constructed in 2021 throughout Hartford County, including: Berlin, Bloomfield, Bristol, Burlington, West Hartford, Enfield, Farmington, Plainville, Rocky Hill, Southington, and Wethersfield.

Interested residents can visit http://www.gonetspeed.com to see check availability at their location and to sign up for priority installation when service is available.

The importance of high speed, reliable Internet access has never been more evident than it is right now, commented GoNetspeed CEO Richard Clark. We are happy to be expanding access not only in Hartford County, but in communities across Connecticut.

Residents should complete the submission form even if they are not in a currently eligible location; GoNetspeed may consider expanding the build at a future date to areas that express overwhelming interest.

What is Fiber Internet?

Fiber Internet offers symmetrical speeds, meaning that both download and upload are equally fast. The connectivity challenges that people experience with using video conferencing associated with telecommuting, on-line learning and telemedicine have emphasized the importance of fast upload speeds. GoNetspeed offers the fastest residential Internet speeds available, ranging from 150 Mbps to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps). For businesses, GoNetspeed can customize speeds beyond Gigabit capability if necessary.

About GoNetspeed

GoNetspeed, a high-speed fiber Internet provider serving residential and business customers in Connecticut, Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia, announced in January 2021 that it has formed a new partnership with Oak Hill Capital (Oak Hill) which will allow GoNetspeed to accelerate the expansion of its fiber network throughout the Northeastern U.S.

Adding thousands of new locations every year, GoNetspeed is one of the largest independent Internet providers in the east. For more information on the company, or to inquire about service in your residence or community, please visit https://www.gonetspeed.com/.

##

MEDIA CONTACT:

Clay Bailey, Marketing & Community Engagement Manager, GoNetspeed

(585) 794 - 6112. clay.bailey@gonetspeed.com
"I'm excited to be opening a new clinic in Baltimore and am looking forward to future expansion and growth in my Mount Clare location; and for our company as a whole. - Dr. Zach Woods, DC

Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic, a leading Chiropractic and Physical Therapy practice, today announced a new office location in the Baltimore, Maryland area. The new location; 1261 - D. West Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21223 located inside Mount Clare Junction, will add to the companys Baltimore area clinics. The clinic will be lead by Dr. Zach Woods, DC who has previously been the Lead Practice Provider in the Fells Point, Baltimore, Maryland clinic. Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic now has 10 Baltimore, Maryland area locations and continues to add to their growing team of healthcare professionals.

According to CEO, Dr. Marc Gulitz, the expansion has been planned for some time. Our vision has always been to serve all of Central Maryland, and then expand throughout the State and Region. We are excited about adding this locations which to create better access across Baltimore communities, and for our referring Doctors and partners. Were also committed to expanding our team and creating healthcare jobs throughout Maryland.

Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab specializes in the care of acute injuries caused by automobile or work related accidents. Adding this location is a strategic move that expands access to care for residents of Baltimore City. By expanding patient care access points Mid Atlantic plans to reach tens of thousands more Maryland residents.

Given the number of residents, and referring partners in the Baltimore Metro Area, and the surrounding communities, says Dr. Gulitz, we expect our new location to quickly grow in patient visits, and staff.

About Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic

Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic specializes in the rehabilitation of acute musculoskeletal injuries, such as those commonly experienced in auto accidents and work related injuries. Our healthcare providers work alongside primary care physicians, pain management physicians, physical therapists, orthopedists, and neurologists to manage care, and provide positive outcomes for patients. Founded in 2012, Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic is one of the fastest growing practices in the Region. For more information visit the website at http://www.midatlanticspinalrehab.com

About Growth Solutions Team

The Growth Solutions Team is a leading provider of Business Consulting, Sales & Customer Service Training, and Small Business Advisory services. Our team assists companies with revenue generation, profit maximization, business processes, Strategic HR, and business development. Our programs are designed to meet you where you are, and to generate lasting results for your company. For more information visit the website at https://growthsolutionsteam.com
Italian Beetballs Over Zoodles is a delicious, plant-based dish your family will love. As we all strive to eat a little healthier, more plant-based dishes are taking center stage on the center of our plates. Thats why Aunt Nellies is featuring five delicious new vegetable-focused recipes for its 5th Annual Beet Week celebration.

As we all strive to eat a little healthier, more plant-based dishes are taking center stage on the center of our plates. Thats why Aunt Nellies is featuring five delicious new vegetable-focused recipes for its 5th Annual Beet Week celebration.

From October 17th through the 21st, Aunt Nellies will showcase a cornucopia of ways to enjoy its beets and Holland Onions via the winning recipes from the Youve Got Great Taste recipe contest held earlier this year.

Focusing on plant-based dishes at a time when flexitarian eating is on the rise, the recent recipe contest generated inventive entries from coast to coast. The winning dishes will be featured throughout Beet Week on Aunt Nellies Instagram and Facebook pages (@auntnelliesvegetables) and include the following:



Beet and Edamame Lettuce Wraps with Sriracha Peanut Dipping Sauce, by Chera L. of Texas

Beet Super Slaw with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, by Fiona G. of Texas

Chickpea Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe with Caramelized Onions, by Jill G. of Pennsylvania

Italian Beetballs over Zoodles, by Ronna F. of Maryland

Pickled Beet Tacos, by Cheryl Malik of 40 Aprons, and partner with Aunt Nellies for the Youve Got Good Taste Contest.

Giveaways are part of the Beet Week online festivities too. By following @auntnelliesvegetables on Instagram or Facebook, commenting on their favorite Beet Week recipe and tagging a friend in the post, fans will be entered in a random drawing for a prize pack that includes a $50 gift card and a family pack of Aunt Nellies products.

Beets may be in focus during Beet Week, but they are a perennially popular vegetable, providing nutrition, taste and color to a variety of dishes. They are naturally fat-free, low in calories, and rich in several vitamins and minerals. Best of all, Aunt Nellies Beets offer excellent value, with versatile uses in a wide spectrum of delicious recipes, from sweets and snacks to soups, sandwiches, salads, and smoothies.

We are thrilled to showcase the fabulous culinary creations our fans came up with earlier this year, said Julia Storie, Aunt Nellies marketing administrator. They are inspiring, delicious and show how plant-based foods like beets can be front-and-center in todays meals.

Americas premier maker of jarred beets for more than 90 years, Aunt Nellies is named for Ms. Nellie Jones, a nationally recognized pioneer in home economics who championed rural homemakers, bringing them the latest scientific research through her role as state leader of the Home Economics Extension. Aunt Nellies makes jarred beets and onions in multiple cuts, styles, and flavors. All products are shelf-stable and gluten free. Visit AuntNellies.com for more information and delicious recipes. Aunt Nellies is owned by Seneca Foods Corporation, based in Marion, NY.

Check out this plant-based recipe, created by Ronna F. from Maryland.

ITALIAN BEETBALLS OVER ZOODLES

Prep & Cook Time: 33 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

 1 jar (16 ounces) Aunt Nellies Sweet & Sour Harvard Beets, drained

 1 cup rolled oats

 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and mixed

 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs

  teaspoon salt

  teaspoon black pepper

 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

 4 medium zucchini squash

 2 cups marinara sauce

INSTRUCTIONS



Drain beets; set aside.

Add oats to bowl of food processor. Pulse into a coarse flour. Place in a medium size mixing bowl.

Add Aunt Nellies Sweet & Sour Harvard Beets and the black beans to food processor bowl. Pulse until combined. Spoon beet mixture over oats. Add dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir until fully combined.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Brush a 13x9 baking pan with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.

Using wet palms, form 1-inch beetballs and place onto the pan. Brush tops of beetballs with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place in a preheated oven; bake 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, using a spiralizer, spiralize zucchini, forming zoodles. (See Note below)

Place remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add zoodles. Cook and stir 2 minutes until softened. Remove from heat.

Place marinara sauce in a medium microwaveable bowl; cover. Microwave for 2 minutes or until the sauce is hot.

To serve, place equal amounts of cooked zoodles onto the 4 serving plates. Top with the beetballs and warm marinara sauce. Serve immediately.

Note: 4 cups prepared zoodles from the produce section of the supermarket can be used in place of fresh.

Makes 4 Servings
These analytical tools assist surgeons to see and think in 3D, crossing the bridge between the gap of diagnostic readers to the operating table. It also can help decrease operative times while improving surgical outcomes.

Ziosoft, a pioneer in 3D/4D AI medical visualization, will highlight its virtual surgical visualization solutions at the annual American College of Surgeons (ACS) conference being held October 16-20, 2022 in San Diego, California. The company will showcase software tools, such as lung and liver segmentation, to help enable efficient surgical planning analysis.

Ziosofts segmentation analysis software provides extensive capabilities for surgical planning, said Rajeev Taitriya, vice president of marketing and business development for Ziosoft. These analytical tools assist surgeons to see and think in 3D, crossing the bridge between the gap of diagnostic readers to the operating table. It also can help decrease operative times while improving surgical outcomes.

Several features of the Ziostation2 system software assist to enable these advantages. These include allowing for an anatomical map prior to the operating procedure, which can lead to reduced time under anesthesia, and determining if the patient is a good candidate for a particular surgical approach. It also helps eliminate investigative surgery, as well as allowing for Rapid Prototypes to be printed for actual 3D planning, going beyond the screen of virtual 2D visualization.

For example, Ziosofts CT lung resection planning offers high precision automatic segmentation of the lungs, lung lobes, bronchi, pulmonary arteries and veins, enabling lung resection proposals based on bronchial or arterial anatomy. For CT liver analysis, the protocol is used to segment image masks of the hepatic artery, portal vein and hepatic vein using data of the liver scanned with a contrast material and measure the volumes including liver segments and lesions.

Our software is designed to help streamline planning and provide outstanding image quality, said Taitriya. The goal is to enhance workflow and reduce unnecessary procedures, while enabling better patient outcomes. We believe it can be invaluable in the surgical environment for optimizing excellence in patient care.

The Ziosoft platform also offers its unique PhyZiodynamics 3D/4D solution, as well as the recently introduced Zioflex, a monthly subscription program designed to provide a risk free introduction of Ziosofts many AV clinical applications. The software is vendor neutral and can be compatible with the clinicians existing hardware, hence mitigating the need for expensive capital outlays.

About Ziosoft.

Ziosoft provides a comprehensive multi-modality, 3D/4D advanced processing and viewing solution for a wide variety of specialties. Its customizable platform provides automated workflow to maximize efficiency. It is also a scalable, enterprise platform for "anywhere" accessibility and, as a software-only solution, it is simplified to minimize cost of ownership. Ziosoft is part of the Los Angeles-based Nantworks a consortium of companies led by Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD, the past founder of Abraxis BioScience, current CEO of Nantworks, founder, executive chairman and chief science officer for ImmunityBio. He is also the owner of the Los Angeles Times and San Diego Tribune. For further information on Ziosoft, visit http://www.ziosoftinc.com.

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Engel & Volkers Vero Beach I was at a turning point in my career. I knew I needed to reposition myself with a luxury brand in order to continue growing my business. Franchise ownership with Engel & Volkers is the perfect pivot...

Engel & Volkers Florida today announced its latest franchise expansion in Vero Beach, marking the brand's third location along the Treasure Coast of Florida. Local market expert, Claire Higgins will lead the new real estate brokerage as its License Partner and Managing Broker. The shop, which is located at 821A Beachland Blvd, is currently being outfitted ahead of its grand opening this winter.

I was at a turning point in my career, said Higgins. I knew I needed to reposition myself with a luxury brand in order to continue growing my business. Franchise ownership with Engel & Volkers is the perfect pivot, because their model and tools will allow me to capture market share quicker and more efficiently than if I had tried to go it alone and unaffiliated.

Higgins comes to Engel & Volkers from Keller Williams Realty, where she was affiliated for the last six years. During that time, she represented over 180 transactions, totaling more than $50-million in sales volume. Her team, The Higgins Group, consistently ranked amongst the top performing teams, earning top 100 recognition in the South Florida region in 2020 and 2021. Prior to entering the real estate industry, she spent twelve years as a Sales & Marketing Executive for the Estee Lauder Companies in New York City and Miami, and eight years in operations management for the organization. While Engel & Volkers Vero Beach is her first foray into real estate brokerage ownership, she has a strong leadership background.

Real estate can still be found at a bargain price in Vero Beach, as the typical value of homes is $363,070. However, Vero Beach home values have gone up nearly 41-percent over the past year and are predicted to continue rising. This is compounded by a 70-percent decrease in active inventory.

Ive lived in Vero Beach for 20 years, said Higgins. In that time, I've seen this market grow from a small seaside agricultural town to a highly desirable and affluent community. Residents and visitors can still enjoy the small-town ambience, but now have access to sophisticated world-class amenitiesall without high-rise buildings to obstruct the great view or congested metropolitan traffic.

Engel & Volkers Vero Beach will service neighborhoods throughout Indian River County. Higgins already has plans underway to open a second location in Sebastian, as a convenience for clients in the northern portion of the county.

We couldnt be happier to be entering the Vero Beach market this year with Claire Higgins, said Peter Giese, CEO Engel & Volkers Florida. Her successful background in real estate and corporate leadership fits our blueprint of very successful franchise owners.

###

Press contact:

Linzee Werkmeister, Junior Vice President, Marketing & Franchise Support

Email: Linzee.Werkmeister(at)evrealestate.com

Tel: (239) 348-9000

About Engel & Volkers:

Engel & Volkers is a global luxury real estate brand. Founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1977, Engel & Volkers draws on its rich European history to deliver a fresh approach to luxury real estate in the Americas with a focus on creating a personalized client experience at every stage of the home buying or selling process for today's savvy homeowner. Engel & Volkers currently operates approximately 263 shop locations with 5,000 real estate advisors in the Americas, contributing to the brand's global network of over 15,000 real estate professionals in more than 30 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services, including real estate, yachting and aviation. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and platforms; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. For more information, visit http://www.evrealestate.com.

About Engel & Volkers Florida:

Engel & Volkers Florida is the Master License Partner of the global luxury real estate brand Engel & Volkers in the state of Florida. Recognized for uniquely recruiting, training and equipping some of the top professionals in the real estate industry, Engel & Volkers Floridas exclusive business model positions its franchisees at the top of the premium market to gain market share and support their bottom line. The company represents franchise locations in 42 markets: 30A Beaches, Amelia Island, Belleair, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs-Estero, Cape Coral, Clermont, Delray Beach, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers Downtown, Gainesville, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Jupiter, Madeira Beach, Marco Island, Melbourne Beachside, Melbourne Central, Melbourne Downtown, Miami Coconut Grove, Neptune Beach, Ocala, Olde Naples, Palm Beach, Palm Coast, Pompano Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, San Marco, Sarasota, South Tampa, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, Stuart, Tampa Downtown, Venice Downtown, Vero Beach, Wellington, and Windermere.

Engel & Volkers Florida is continuing to strategically strengthen and expand its presence in premium real estate markets across the state of Florida. If you would like to know more about the Engel & Volkers brand or how to join its global networkwhich is known for demonstrating competence, exclusivity and passion, feel free to call our corporate office, located at 633 Tamiami Trl N, Suite 201, Naples, FL 34102 USA. Tel: +1 239-348-9000. For more information about Engel & Volkers Florida, please visit http://www.florida.evrealestate.com
Power Home Remodeling employees volunteer to give back to the Charlotte community for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Power Home Remodeling (Power), the nations leading exterior home remodeler and nationally-recognized top workplace, hosted their new annual Hispanic Heritage Month Initiative with a three-day celebration Oct. 13-16th in Charlotte, N.C. The weekend event provided an opportunity for employees to celebrate the richness and diversity of Hispanic culture and give back to the citys community.

Spearheaded by the companys Latinx employee resource group, Mi Gente, the Hispanic Heritage Month event will be a gathering of Latinx Power employees, allies, and leadership from across the country to engage in meaningful activities. The weekends events included team outings to Latinx-owned restaurants, a volunteer project, and participation in the Hola Charlotte Festival  the largest Hispanic heritage celebration in the city, highlighting Latin American culture.

Claiming to be an inclusive and equitable organization starts with cultivating an environment where employees feel that what makes them different is valued and celebrated, said Powers National Director of Cultural Diversity & Inclusion, Olumide Cole. But at Power, were very intentional about our DE&I work expanding to our communities outside of our walls and to help drive more awareness and positive change.

Power also partnered with Charlotte non-profit, Camino, to support a local family. Employees from the home remodeling company made needed improvements to the familys home such as power washing, cabinet installation, and outdoor repairs. Camino is a trusted multicultural health center in the Charlotte region that provides a holistic approach to healthcare to underinsured and uninsured populations by addressing needs such as primary care, behavioral health, food security, and health and wellness.

Having been a trusted ally in the Charlotte-Latino community for the past 20 years, we recognize many barriers prohibit families from coming to us to receive needed resources and services, said Deidre John, Caminos Director of Community Outreach. Having partners such as Power Home Remodeling, come alongside of Camino, allows us to meet communities outside of our brick-and-mortar to further equip them to live healthy, hopeful, and productive lives.

Recognized as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies To Work For in 2021, Power Home Remodeling offers engaging, fulfilling career opportunities where employees can thrive. To learn more about Power and view career opportunities available in its 18 territories nationwide, visit apply.workatpower.com/job.

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About Power Home Remodeling

Power Home Remodeling is a dream realization company  believing its purpose is to create positive change in everything the company touches  from customers homes to employees lives to the communities they live and work in. Power realizes this purpose by being people-first. Its employees and customers come before profit and their well-being factors into every business decision. Established in 1992, Power is the nations largest, full-service, exterior home remodeler with more than 2,800 employees, over one million customers and $825 million in annual revenue. Headquartered in the Philadelphia region, Powers primary product line includes windows, siding, roofing, doors, solar roofing panels, and attic insulation, providing energy-saving solutions to residents across its operating territories, including: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.
When conceptualizing this series, I wanted to present my listeners with industry disruptors, dynamic visionaries and inspiring storytellersI believe we have achieved this, said LaMon.

Alosant, a leader in next-generation PropTech solutions for master-planned communities, recently launched its new podcast, the Alosant Innovators Series.

From concept to design planning to marketing and engaging with prospective residents, there are many facets that go into creating a successful master-planned community. But as the industry continues to rapidly evolve and shifting buyer demands play a bigger role than ever before, addressing changes and knowing what to expect can be challenging.

Alosant Innovators seeks to bridge the gap between the past, present and future of the residential real estate industry through one-on-one discussions with a diverse group of forward-thinking and well-respected leaders in real estate development, PropTech, strategic lifestyle marketing, data intelligence, and more.

An experienced entrepreneur and residential real estate technology visionary, April LaMon, CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant, will host Alosant Innovators. LaMon specializes in the development of innovative digital platforms that seamlessly connect and engage communities with their residents. Through her work with Alosant, LaMon has led the creation and growth of groundbreaking programs and services for residential communities nationwide.

LaMon co-founded Alosant in 2017 alongside Michael Swanson after Rancho Mission Viejo requested a fully functional native app for its master-planned community. Since its foundation, Alosant has grown significantly, earning a reputation among industry leaders for staying on the cutting-edge of innovation and delivering on its promises. The company already powers apps for more than 70 of the countrys most innovative and fastest-growing communities, positively impacting the lives of nearly 200,000 residents.

When conceptualizing this series, I wanted to present my listeners with industry disruptors, dynamic visionaries and inspiring storytellersI believe we have achieved this, said LaMon. Each episode is designed to inspire, educate and provide key takeaways from the brightest minds in the industry. I am honored to share this space with such an elite group of trusted experts.

The podcasts first guests include Paul Johnson, who has served as Senior Vice President of Community Development at Rancho Mission Viejo for the past 25 years; and Monaca Onstad, Founder and CEO of Onplace, a lifestyle and amenity consulting firm that assists its clients in crafting the best human experience for their customers.

Future guests include Nicole Godfrey, Co-Owner of Runway, the leading software solution provider for the Australian and U.S. home builder and property development sector; Christen Johnson, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Johnson Development Corp.; Greg Wagner, Assistant General Manager at Moonlight Basin; and many more.

Alosant Innovators is now available on the Alosant Innovators Series website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Anchor. Listeners can sign up for the Alosant newsletter to get notified when new episodes launch each month as well as follow Alosant on LinkedIn.

To suggest a topic idea or guest for the Alosant Innovator Series podcast, please submit more information here.

For more information about Alosant, visit https://www.alosant.com/.

About Alosant

Bozeman, Mont.-based Alosant develops and powers purpose-built software solutions that connect people and places, specifically the key constituents within a residential community, including developers, home builders, residents, home shoppers, property managers, homeowner associations, local businesses, service providers and more. Offering Everything in One Place, Alosants branded native apps are designed and configured to best suit each communitys unique needs. Alosant apps are now implemented in over 70 of the countrys most innovative and fastest-growing communities, including master-planned, single-family, multi-family, mixed-use, age-restricted, and member club. Alosant was founded in 2017 by real estate tech entrepreneurs April LaMon and Michael Swanson.
Blue Run Spirits Unveils First Micro-Batch Whiskey Releases With Blue Run Flight Series Bourbons The small number of barrels used in Blue Runs micro batching allows Gammons award-winning blending artistry to shine through on each bourbon, creating exceptional flavor experiences in each Flight.

Blue Run Spirits announces its fall release - the first in what is to become a biannual series of micro batch whiskeys. Blue Run Flight Series is a six-whiskey micro batch collection of Blue Runs lauded Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon Whiskey. The first two flights and a limited number of complete sets of all six bottles are now available at select retailers in the United States and online at BlueRunSpirits.com beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Wednesday, October 19. Two more Flights will be released each subsequent day at that same time.

Each of the six Flights comes from between two to five barrels contract distilled by Blue Runs Liquid Advisor Jim Rutledge at Castle & Key Distillery. The barrels were hand-selected and expertly blended by Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon, making the Flight Series the first Blue Run whiskey release blended by Gammon since joining the company earlier this year. The small number of barrels used in Blue Runs micro batching allows Gammons award-winning blending artistry to shine through on each bourbon, creating exceptional flavor experiences in each Flight.

Micro batches are Blue Runs response to the somewhat meaningless term small batch, which has no clear definition or accepted industry standard, said Mike Montgomery, Blue Run Spirits cofounder and CEO. To make things clearer to the whiskey fan, Blue Run features what it calls micro batches, which means the blends came from at least two barrels, but no more than five. With so few barrels to work with, a micro batch truly highlights Shaylyns blending skills, introducing whiskey fans to more defined and pronounced flavors.

"Its an absolute treat to work with liquid distilled by Jim Rutledge, said Gammon. Like a painter, that gives me a wonderful palette with which to create expressions that are unmistakable, with pronounced distinctions in aroma, flavor and finish. The whiskies in our Flight Series are a fresh approach to a common misnomer in the whiskey industry.

Blue Run plans to release two Flight Series annually beginning in 2023. An iridescent white version of Blue Runs signature butterfly medallion, designed by Devon McKinney, stands out on the sleek bottle and is meant to evoke a brilliant cloud in the sky. The names of each micro batch Flight invite the consumer on a sensory journey to uniquely memorable destinations experienced by Blue Runs team. The Flights in this series include:

#1 Alpine Meadows (available Oct. 19)

Proof: 115.2

Barrels Blended: Three

Total Six Bottle Cases Available: 99

On the nose, Alpine Meadows hints at fresh cut flowers, peach skins and honeysuckle, followed by tart fruit, then smoky with a side of char. The flavor begins with subtle campfire matched with honey and spice, leading to bright citrus and green grapes, then ending in light brown sugar. The finish finds toffee and citrus, capped with baking spices and apricot preserves.

#2 Parisian Patisserie (available Oct. 19)

Proof: 113.1

Barrels Blended: Three

Total Six Bottle Cases Available: 114

Out of the gate, the aroma includes baked goods, orange peel, and French white wine, moving to roasting coffee beans and fir tree essence. That leads to sweet-fried plantains, charred wood and tea roses. The flavor opens with glazed cinnamon roll melded with baking spices, then on to almond biscotti wrapped in brown sugar. The close is warm cinnamon, vanilla bean and a citrus zest. The finish starts with honey and soft pepper, ending with baking spices and sweet fruits.

#3 Seattle Downpour (available Oct. 20)

Proof: 115.2 (cask strength)

Barrels Blended: Two

Total Six Bottle Cases Available: 65

The aroma starts with leather, pineapple juice, dried apricots and raisins, then transitions to caramel macchiato and white pear, finally ending in bread pudding, vanilla and puff pastry. On the tongue, a hint of salt kicks it off with an extra pump of vanilla and butterscotch. The middle finds juicy stone fruit, apricot and roasted coffee beans, ending with light wood, dark chocolate and caramelized ginger. The finish is warm with peach-infused maple syrup and light spice drizzled in honey.

#4 Lahaina Luau (available Oct. 20)

Proof: 109.6

Barrels Blended: Three

Total Six Bottle Cases Available: 121

On the nose, Lahaina Luau kicks off with honey and sweet pear, which is followed by caramel, roses and orange blossom with a crescendo of plumeria, caramelized brown sugar and light smoke. On the tongue, it enters salty with banana and orange slices, leading to brown sugar and fruit cake spice, then closing with spice and slight maple. The finish highlights light guava and brown sugar.

#5 Washington Apple Orchard (available Oct. 21)

Proof: 118 (cask strength)

Barrels Blended: Five

Total Six Bottle Cases Available: 176

On the nose, Washington Apple Orchard starts with fresh blueberries and dehydrated fruit, leading to delightful bubblegum and shortbread, which is capped with leather, apple juice and sweet spice. The flavor opens with vanilla bean and honey with a tinge of banana, followed by Fuji apples and oatmeal, then rounding out with essence of oak and black pepper. The finish includes wood spice, spiced apple cider and lingering toasted wood.

#6 Marrakech Market (available Oct. 21)

Proof: 110.3

Barrels Blended: Three

Total Six Bottle Cases Available: 106

On the nose, Marrakech Market opens with cloves, butterscotch and rich maple syrup, moving to dark cherry and nutty grains, and ending in light wood. The flavor enters as bright, with honey and light floral notes, followed by creme brulee meeting toasted oak, then rounds out with a medley of black pepper, peanuts and blackberries. The finish is buttery with a dash of light pepper and a hint of cardamom.

Each Blue Run Flight is available for $119.99 SRP.

Blue Run Spirits can be purchased in California, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Texas (RNDC); Georgia (Savannah); South Carolina and Tennessee (Advintage); Delaware, Maryland and Washington, D.C.(Prestige-Ledroit); Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Missouri and Nevada (Breakthru); New Jersey (Fedway Associates); New York (Park Street); and online at http://www.bluerunspirits.com/shop powered by Seelbachs.

Find Blue Run Spirits online at http://www.bluerunspirits.com, and on social media: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

EDITOR NOTE: Hi-res bottle images can be found HERE.

ABOUT BLUE RUN SPIRITS

Blue Run Spirits is a new kind of spirits company, creating a unique proposition by tapping into the deep heritage and craft that makes a truly great whiskey, then elevating the experience to reach a younger, broader and more diverse whiskey drinker.

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To complete pre-development and commence construction next year, we are evaluating offers from potential parties to close a transaction before the year end.

TRJLA LLC (TRJLA), a privately-held real estate development company, announced the Directors Determination from the City of Los Angeles has been received for the conditional approval to construct an 8-story mixed-use project located at 717-759 N Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, subject to an appeal period.

The appeal period ended on October 11, 2022 without any appeal to deem the Directors Determination for the proposed project to be fully entitled effective immediately. It is further exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15332, Article 18 (Class 32).

Joseph Chang, TRJLA CFO, stated, We are pleased to have fully entitled this modern mid-rise mixed-use project to transform Downtown Chinatown at this highly accessible urban infill development location. To complete pre-development and commence construction next year, we are evaluating offers from potential parties to close a transaction before the year end.

The proposed project totals 369,372 square feet of floor area, resulting in an FAR of 4.5:1 with a height of 91 10. Plans call for 411 apartment units with a mix of 105 studios, 265 one-bedrooms, 41 two bedrooms. 42 units or 10% of total units will be allocated to Extremely Low Income Households for 55 years.

In addition, there will be 17,140 ground floor commercial sf, 315 parking spaces located at one on-grade level and two below-grade levels, and 31,927 square feet of open space dedicated to a courtyard, podium deck, roof deck, indoor amenity and private balconies. Planned residential amenities include a fitness center, swimming pool, and roof deck.

About TRJLA

TRJLA LLC is a privately-held real estate development company based in Los Angeles, CA. The team consists of developers, architects, designers and lawyers with experience in residential, hospitality, office and retail developments. To request additional information please visit http://www.trjla.com.

###

Contact:

Joseph Chang

joe@trjla.com

(702) 900-1548
ACLS Announces Second Competition of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Buddhism Public Scholars In 2023, ACLS will place up to three early career scholars of Buddhism in one-year professional positions with host organizations that study the traditions of Buddhism.

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is pleased to announce the opening of the second Buddhism Public Scholars competition, an initiative made possible by The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundations renewed financial support to ACLS for its Program in Buddhist Studies.

In 2023, ACLS will place up to three early career scholars of Buddhism in one-year professional positions with host organizations that study the traditions of Buddhism. The selected Buddhism Public Scholars will use their academic knowledge and professional experience to bolster the capacity of museums and libraries in Buddhist art and thought across all traditions and locations in which Buddhism is practiced.

Organizations participating in the second year of the competition are:



Fellows will receive compensation equivalent to $70,000, including stipend (approximately $60,000) and allowance for relocation, travel, and other expenses (approximately $10,000). In addition, fellows will have access to health insurance through the host organizations.

Placing early career scholars in professional positions outside the academy has been a focus at ACLS for over a decade, and has been given heightened emphasis through programs such as the ACLS Leading Edge Fellowship as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to exacerbate the precarious career prospects of recent PhD recipients.

Applicants for the Buddhism Public Scholars competition must have a PhD in the humanities or interpretive social sciences conferred between January 1, 2019 and April 15, 2023, and must be authorized to work legally in the United States.

Applications will be accepted only through the ACLS online application system. Applicants should not contact any of the organizations directly. Please visit the Buddhism Public Scholars competition page for complete position descriptions, eligibility criteria, and application information. Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, January 11, 2023, 9:00 PM EST.

Inspired and informed by the concept of interconnectedness, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global supports programs in arts and culture and Buddhism, and funds initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of humanity and the environment.

Formed a century ago, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is a nonprofit federation of 79 scholarly organizations. As the leading representative of American scholarship in the humanities and interpretive social sciences, ACLS upholds the core principle that knowledge is a public good. In supporting its member organizations, ACLS utilizes its $170 million endowment and $36 million annual operating budget to expand the forms, content, and flow of scholarly knowledge, reflecting our commitment to diversity of identity and experience. ACLS collaborates with institutions, associations, and individuals to strengthen the evolving infrastructure for scholarship. In all aspects of our work, ACLS is committed to principles and practices in support of racial and social justice.
On October 17th, Cheba Hut will be opening at 1611 West Eagle Drive Suite 109 Denton TX 76201. The toasted sub shop offers over 30 signature sub sandwiches, as well as a variety of Rice Krispy treats, salads and munchies along with a full service bar. Drinks like the Dirty Hippie, Hot Box and Cheba Rita are all Cheba Hut signatures while the beer will feature a mix of national and local favorites including Silver Star Liquors.

Bhavik Bhakta and his brother are from a first generation Indian-American family whose parents came to America for the first time in 1985. Growing up, they watched their parents start from nothing and work extremely hard to achieve their goals. This fueled the brothers' passion to work just as hard and build their familys legacy through a brand they truly believe in.

The two brothers knew Denton would be a great location for a new shop because it fits the expressive culture of Cheba Hut with artwork, music festivals, and more. The shop is also located less than a mile away from the University of Northern Texas and is excited to become a key spot for students, faculty and parents!

This Denton location is one Ive personally been looking forward to for a long time, said Chief Relationship Officer, Seth Larsen. Bhavik is the perfect franchise partner for the job. We know this is going to be a huge success.

Cheba Hut has been escaping the established and getting toasted since its founding in 1998. The brand has broken the mold of mundane fast-casual concepts and set itself apart by becoming the first marijuana-themed sandwich joint (pun intended). Cheba Hut is dedicated to combining locally sourced ingredients with a chill, eclectic environment where genuine food is served by genuine people.

Cheba Hut is a concept that allows us to be ourselves and do business at the same time, says Bhakta. Being a part of this brand allows us to express our passions and share that with the people we serve.

For more information about Cheba Hut of Denton, visit the restaurants official website, https://chebahut.com/locations/denton-westeagle/ or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT CHEBA HUT:

Cheba Hut has been escaping the established and getting toasted since 1998. Breaking the mold of mundane fast-casual concepts by becoming the first marijuana-themed sandwich joint, Cheba Hut is dedicated to providing customers with delicious and memorable sandwich and munchie options in a chill, eclectic environment where made-to-order food is served by genuine people. Cheba Hut's fun and authentic dining experience includes a full-service bar and highlights its menu because its not about getting high, its about epic food and legendary service!


SAMi enables effective collaboration between technology-solutions, product owners, developers & end users, thus creating an impressive and a sustained ecosystem conducive for user engagement & business. -- Praneeth Nerimetla, Director, Product Management

SID Global Solutions (SIDGS), known for its proven track record of delivering an array of smart digital solutions and consulting services, today announced the launch of its next-generation, customer and community centric flagship product  SAMi.

SAMi  Smart API Marketplace is a Unified Catalog of API based Products created for Product owners/Managers and API developers. SAMi eases API-product onboarding and publishing product details such as product features, SDKs, API Specifications, documentation, FAQs to a unified catalog. Product owners or Product managers can choose to monetize API-products with an intelligent Rate-plan Management system supplemented by efficient reporting.

Multiple API-proxy systems can now be aggregated in SAMi where a developer looking to build an app can discover or be invited to the SAMi platform. The developer explores, tries & tests APIs in real-time & subscribes to API-products to further be entitled to use the API-Products in one or more apps.

Praneeth Nerimetla, Director, Product Management adds  SAMi enables effective collaboration between technology-solutions, product owners, developers & end users, thus creating an impressive and sustained ecosystem conducive for user engagement & business.

SAMi is a versatile API marketplace solution managing lifecycles of multiple personas  Product Managers, developers, and API-Products. To understand the capabilities of SAMi and SIDGS, visit http://www.mysami.io/ or request a demo by sending a mail to sami-connect@sidgs.com

SIDGS is highly committed to the mission of accelerating digitalization of businesses using product strategy globally. To help with this mission, we are setting up innovation and visionary products contributing to overall organizational goals accelerating customer digital transformation journeys globally.

ABOUT SID GLOBAL SOLUTIONS:

SID Global Solutions (SIDGS) is a digital transformation partner of choice for organizations around the world. As a global digital technology product solutions and services provider, SIDGS enables businesses to excel through the most potent combination of innovative technologies and fortune 500 customers digital transformation experience partnering with trusted brands such as Google providing value add, visionary & quality products for the best user experiences.

Contact SIDGS for business enquiries, partnerships, and career opportunities

MEDIA CONTACT:

SID Global Solutions,

Sai Krishna D.

(+91-9701898447)

said@sidgs.com

http://www.mysami.io
Chris Rosica donated 100 books to Rutgers-Newark Marketing & Management Society students. Rosica shared insights on authenticity and how it impacts storytelling, crisis communications, cause marketing, positioning, and branding.

Rosica Communications President Chris Rosica was a featured speaker at Rutgers-Newark, addressing dozens of students from the universitys Marketing & Management Society meeting. Rosica shared insights on authenticity and how it impacts storytelling, crisis communications, cause marketing, positioning, and branding. All Society members received copies of Rosicas first book, The Authentic Brand. In addition, he donated 100 copies of this timeless marketing book to Rutgers.

To write The Authentic Brand, Rosica interviewed 12 high-profile company founders including such iconic brands as Starbucks, Jet Blue, Ben & Jerrys Homemade, Kate Spade, Famous Amos Cookies, and Burts Bees. He shared the recipes of their success  from the entrepreneurs perspectives. Rosica also discussed how authenticity transcends industries, providing a potent marketing and business advantage regardless of whether you are trying to build a nonprofit, education, healthcare, animal health, or consumer brand.

He then fielded questions from students on the topics of entrepreneurship, public relations, and college internships.

Chris Rosica is president of Rosica Communications, which has offices in Fair Lawn, New Jersey and Burlington, Vermont. In addition to The Authentic Brand, he also wrote The Business of Cause Marketing and The Power of B2B Social Media. A popular keynote speaker, Rosica is a recognized thought leader in PR, digital marketing, online reputation management, cause marketing, and crisis communications.

The Marketing and Management Society (MMS) is a Rutgers University-Newark student organization that promotes student awareness in the fields of marketing and management through networking with professionals, sponsoring and hosting guest speaker events, and informing students of the resources available to pursue various career opportunities. MMS provides students with the opportunity to explore diverse industries and supports professional development by being the bridge between members and career opportunities.

###

About Rosica Communications

Established in 1980, Rosica Communications is a national PR and digital marketing firm specializing in integrated marketing communications work for the nonprofit, education, healthcare, and animal health sectors. The agency was recently named to the Forbes list of Best PR Agencies in America, which ranked PR firms based on client feedback and interviews. The agencys strategic services include integrated marketing communications, media relations, social media marketing, crisis communications, cause marketing, content development, influencer marketing, internal/external stakeholder communications, and content marketing. For more information, please visit http://www.rosica.com.


Every year, countless families in India struggle to provide care to family members with rare diseases. Until we achieve greater global collaboration and an increased focus on developing orphan drugs, these families will be left facing a harsh reality

In India, an estimated 70 million people are living with a rare disease.(1) According to a recent report from RARE-X, there are about 10,867 known rare diseases in the world. Most of these maladies are debilitating, life-long, and often require costly treatments. For families supporting a loved one with a rare disease, the outcome is often bleak. Many families struggle with social stigma and limited access to specialized healthcare. Most pharmaceutical advances and treatments for rare diseases are developed in the western world, making them out of reach, even when they are available in the country, due to their abnormally high cost.

"Every year, countless families in India struggle to provide care to family members with rare diseases. Until we achieve greater global collaboration and an increased focus on developing orphan drugs, these families will be left facing a harsh reality," according to Dr. Harsha Rajasimha, Founder and Chairman of the Indo-US Organization for Rare Diseases (IndoUSrare), a not-for-profit organization that seeks to bridge the gap that exists in the world when it comes to rare diseases, specifically in children.

Dr. Rajasimha lost a child to a rare disease in 2012 and has been a global rare disease advocate for more than ten years. In response to growing concerns in India, Dr. Rajasimha formed IndoUSrare in 2019. IndoUSrare aims to foster and support global collaboration to accelerate progress toward successful prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of rare diseases.

For families in India, there is a great sense of urgency when it comes to the treatment of rare diseases. Early diagnosis and intervention have the power to save lives and allow those with rare diseases the chance to enjoy a better quality of life. However, patients' and families' awareness of experts and resources available within the country and in the US/EU is extremely limited.

Dr. Inusha Panigrahi from the Department of Advanced Pediatrics Centre, PGI  who deals with rare diseases  stated recently, "There is a portal of the Government of India where private entities donate funds for the treatment. The awareness is so low that only Rs 65,000 were donated in the past month. A single injection for rare diseases like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) costs Rs 16 crore. Now, who will bear the cost of treatment for such patients? The Central Government also has limited resources."(2)

In May of this year, India's Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Rare Diseases Cell in New Delhi raised the rare disease treatment grant from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. This one-time grant for the lifelong treatment of a patient's rare disease provides financial support to patients with all three groups of rare diseases as defined in the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD). Select Centers of Excellence (CoEs) were notified and authorized in the NPRD 2021 to receive this money and prioritize patients for treatment.(3) However, most patients, pharma companies, and primary care doctors are unaware of these resources. Omnichannel communications are critical for raising awareness and building trust among various stakeholders. This requires resources and funding.

Due to these constraints, India continues to fall behind in health research data, patient registries, natural history studies, and clinical research for rare diseases. It is estimated that compared to developed countries, India is lagging by nearly 40 years in recognizing the importance of combatting rare diseases.(4)

Further adding to the complexity of the situation for families in India, some rare diseases are not officially acknowledged by the NPRD, such as Motor Neuron Diseases (MNDs) like ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. This makes it harder for patients in India with these types of diseases to access government support even when available.

To answer the cries of the millions affected in India, through IndoUSrare, Dr. Rajasimha and his team are actively building the necessary bridge between patients and government entities that can affect change. IndoUSrare has been building a multinational alliance of over 50 synergistic organizations and recently added Dr. Shyama Narang Foundation (MND Trust), a registered, not-for-profit organization located in Bengaluru, India, to their growing network of collaborators.

"We are extremely happy to collaborate with IndoUSrare as there is synergy in our mutual goals and objectives. Headquartered at the BRAINS Hospital, our common purpose will lead us to find a cure for many of these rare diseases through persistent collaborations with research institutions and clinicians worldwide," said Vasanth Rao, Founder Trustee of the MND Trust. IndoUSrare and MND Trust will advocate for the addition of unacknowledged rare diseases, such as MND/ALS, to NPRD and the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) National Registry for Rare Diseases. IndoUSrare has connected at least two Indian patients with MND/ALS with existing organizations with expertise and resources for these specific diseases. There is an urgent need for scalable technology platforms that can help establish new disease-specific or broader high-quality patient registries and natural history studies for rare diseases in India.

IndoUSrare is utilizing a technology platform to scale their patient support and care navigation services. This platform will enable a growing number of patients to contact IndoUSrare for the latest information, expert connections, and tools to help them best manage their specific medical conditions and quality of life. The platform can also connect them to clinical trials where plausible. "We are interested in collaborating with IndoUSrare to take part in any clinical trials or translational research related to rare and complex neurological disorders to ensure patients in India have the same opportunities and access at par with the western world," says Dr. N K Venkatarama, Founder Chairman of BRAINS, a super-specialty Hospital focused on rare neurological diseases.

Additionally, as part of its greater mission to improve inclusion and diversity in clinical trials, IndoUSrare is helping to match Indian patients living with rare diseases to clinical trials going on in the U.S. and globally. To learn more about the work IndoUSrare is doing to combat the challenges facing families with rare diseases in India and those in diaspora from India in the US or globally, visit https://indousrare.org. Patients and families can submit a "Patient Contact Form" on the website to receive free informational and care navigation services from the organization.

The IndoUSrare team will be presenting a poster at the NORD Summit in Washington DC on October 17th & 18th.

About IndoUSrare

IndoUSrare is a humanitarian non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity organization based in the U.S. Founder and Chairman, Dr. Harsha Rajasimha, who lost a child to a rare disease in 2012, has been a rare disease advocate for more than ten years. To address the unmet needs of diverse patients with rare diseases globally, the leadership team comprised of experienced professionals from research, advocacy, regulatory, and drug development seeks to build cross-border collaborations connecting stakeholders of rare diseases in low- and middle-income regions such as India, with their counterparts and clinical researchers in the U.S. to improve the diversity of clinical trial participants, accelerate research and development, and improve equitable access to life-saving therapies to diverse populations of rare disease patients. Visit https://indousrare.org.

References:

1. Deeksha, Johanna. "India's abandonment of families living with a child's rare disease." January 2022. https://scroll.in/article/1015343/indias-abandonment-of-families-living-with-a-childs-rare-disease.

2. Mishra, Naina. "Fund crunch in PGI, Chandigarh, hinders treatment of rare diseases." April 2. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/fund-crunch-in-pgi-chandigarh-hinders-treatment-of-rare-diseases-383085.

3. "Need for urgency in treatment for rare diseases." Times of India Blog. (2022, August 9). Retrieved October 3, 2022, from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/need-for-urgency-in-treatment-for-rare-diseases/

4. Mona and Shubhangi Patel. "Rare Diseases in India: 'Orphan' No More?" July 2022, Observer Research Foundation. https://www.orfonline.org/research/rare-diseases-in-india-orphan-no-more/
Eve of the End: When the Earth Turns Dark Volume 1: a gripping apocalyptic science fiction. Eve of the End: When the Earth Turns Dark Volume 1 is the creation of published author Forrest Fegert, a New Orleans native who graduated from Florida Southern College.

Fegert shares, The Earth is visited by two objects. As they orbit the Earth, one casts a red haze, the other a white glow. When the red object passes overhead, many people become more hateful and evil. Even world leaders become more aggressive, and war breaks out in the Middle East. Clergy, military, and scientists began to debate the real intentions of these objects. Many of the clergy believe the red object represents Lucifer, and the white glow represents God. And they have arrived at Earth for the final battle. The scientists believe they are a gateway to another universe because our laws of physics dont apply to them. There is a dynamic relationship between an astrophysicist from Barksdale Air Force base who is a nonbeliever and a Catholic priest. As the world begins to turn dark, the priest and the scientist battle forces from the red object. The red object sends dark angels to destroy the scientist and his family because they have been given a role from God. The priest and an ancient Saint Michaels medal attempts to protect them from the scorn of the devil.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Forrest Fegerts new book will capture readers imaginations from the first page as the battle to end all battles begins.

Fegert spins a vivid tale within the pages of this captivating work that will shock and delight right up to the unexpected and dynamic finish.

Consumers can purchase Eve of the End: When the Earth Turns Dark Volume 1 at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Eve of the End: When the Earth Turns Dark Volume 1, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Kierkegaards Existentialism: The Theological Self and The Existential Self: an articulate and thought-provoking study. Kierkegaards Existentialism: The Theological Self and The Existential Self is the creation of published author George Leone, a retired university professor primarily in Counseling graduate programs and secondarily in Philosophy for twenty-five years. Leone also practiced mental health counseling for thirty-six years. He currently resides in New Mexico with his partner.

Leone shares, Kierkegaards complex legacy has been claimed by two often strikingly disjunctive traditions: the Christian and the existential. Leone, however, argues that a sensitive reading of the Danish philosopher reveals that the two strains are inseparable, producing an inclusive view of the self that is aware of its worldly manifestations as well as its spiritual relation to the absoluteAlong the way, Leone astutely tackles some of the central topics in Kierkegaards esoteric body of work, including his unconventional view of God, his radical interpretation of faith, and his groundbreaking view of ethics, which turn out to be demanding but unencumbered by normative standards. What emerges from this analysis is a lively portrait of a philosopher who understood better than any philosopher before him the basic paradox of the self. Leones prose is refreshingly lucidStill, the scholarly aims require a close readA welcome, rigorous contribution to Kierkegaard-ian scholarship. From a Kirkus review

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, George Leones new book will captivate readers as they consider the carefully constructed biographical and philosophical study within. Leones passion for Kierkegaards work is apparent within the pages of this comprehensive study.

Consumers can purchase Kierkegaards Existentialism: The Theological Self and The Existential Self at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Kierkegaards Existentialism: The Theological Self and The Existential Self, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP Real Estate Practice Associate Laura Bottaro Galier was recently selected as a Buchholz fellow of the Committee of Seventy, a Philadelphia-based nonpartisan and nonprofit good-government organization.

Launched in 2017 by the Committee of Seventy Board, the Buchholz Fellowship creates a pipeline of emerging leaders under 40 who work in the nonprofit and/or private sectors and are interested in improving the governance of the city, state, and region. The program honors the late Carl Buchholz, who was a fervent civic servant. Bottaro is one of six fellows in the 2022-23 class.

We are delighted The Committee of Seventy chose Laura to serve. She is an extraordinary example of cultivating and retaining home-grown talent and continues to flourish as a leader in her field, in this office, and in the firm, said Curtis B. Toll, managing shareholder of the firms Philadelphia office. Her commitment to social action and the city has served her well from an early age, and this fellowship will allow her to expand her skillset, further increasing the citys magnetism.

Established in 1904, the Committee of Seventy works to foster better and effective government, fair elections, and informed and engaged citizens in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, according to the organization. It is an independent nonprofit guided by a board of directors made up of business, legal, and civic leaders.

In her practice, Bottaro handles a variety of commercial real estate and general corporate transactions related to complex joint ventures, financing, leasing, and dispositions of mixed-use multifamily, retail, and industrial developments. She has represented clients including insurance, private equity companies, banks, and developers across the country.

Our firm has had the pleasure of seeing three of our young attorneys complete Buchholz fellowships, and we are proud to continue this relationship that encourages collaboration and growth during a time of economic and social uncertainty, Toll said. The impact this program will have on the citys future generations is vast, and we will continue to support that mission.

About Greenberg Traurigs Philadelphia Office: Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Greenberg Traurigs Philadelphia office has grown from an initial three-attorney Public Finance Practice to include more than 60 attorneys whose practices include Real Estate; Litigation; Intellectual Property; Labor & Employment; Environmental; Government Law & Policy; Restructuring & Bankruptcy; White Collar Defense & Special Investigations; Corporate; Investment Management & Regulation; Immigration & Compliance; Health Care & FDA; and Tax. The Philadelphia office represents a broad range of clients in real estate, manufacturing, health care, financial, and insurance industries, as well as state and local governments, professional services, and energy firms. The office also is known for its pro bono work and community service/social action initiatives in the Philadelphia region.

About Greenberg Traurig's Real Estate Practice: The Greenberg Traurig Real Estate Practice is a cornerstone of the firm and recognized leader in the industry. The firms real estate attorneys deliver diversified and comprehensive counsel for property acquisition and investment, development, management and leasing, financing, restructuring, and disposition of all asset classes of real estate. The team draws upon the knowledge and experience of more than 600 real estate lawyers from around the world, serving clients from key markets in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The groups clientele includes a broad range of property developers, lenders, investment managers, private equity funds, REITs, and private owners. The firms real estate team advises clients on a variety of matters across a broad spectrum of commercial, recreational, and residential real estate, including structured equity and debt and the hybrids.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2500 attorneys in 43 locations in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm reported gross revenue of over $2 Billion for FY 2021 and is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law 100, Am Law Global 100, and NLJ 250. On the debut 2022 Law360 Pulse Leaderboard, it is a Top 15 firm. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab and the Center for Resource Solutions Green-e Energy program certifies that the firms U.S. offices are 100% powered by renewable energy. The firm is often recognized for its focus on philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com.
Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew (MEd, MPPM, FACOG),Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network (AHN). The honorees' efforts to provide greater opportunities internally while advancing health equity initiatives in their communities set a great example for others to follow. Mary Ellen Podmolik, Modern Healthcare,

For the second year in a row, Pittsburghs Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, has been selected by Modern Healthcare magazine as one of the industrys Top Diversity Leaders.

Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew (MEd, MPPM, FACOG) is the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network (AHN). A practicing obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew has spent her career engaging marginalized communities and building programs that promote access and outcomes equity for vulnerable patients and mitigate socio-economic barriers to care, particularly for women. She also is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Drexel University School of Medicine.

Modern Healthcares annual Top Diversity Leaders recognition celebrates a distinguished group of executives and organizations that are identified by an expert panel to be the nations trailblazers in the areas of health care diversity, equity, and inclusion.

These industry leaders influence policy and care delivery models across the country, while also nurturing and enhancing health cares diversity and equity standards.

The 2022 individual awardees include leaders from health care institutions, education, and government.

Since the day she arrived at AHN, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew has been a remarkable advocate for diversity and health care equity, and she has had an extraordinary impact on the people and communities we serve in the Western Pennsylvania region, said Cynthia Hundorfean, President and CEO, AHN. Her inclusion on this list, for a second straight year, speaks not only to her own professional accomplishments, and the achievements of her team, but also to AHN and Highmark Healths organizational progress toward creating a more equitable health care environment.

Profiles of the Top Diversity Leaders will be published online at ModernHealthcare.com/top-diversity-leaders and in the Oct. 17 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine.

The honorees on Modern Healthcares 2022 lists of Top Diversity Leaders and Organizations demonstrate a willingness to devote the resources necessary to execute meaningful diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, said Mary Ellen Podmolik, Modern Healthcares editor. Their efforts to provide greater opportunities internally while advancing health equity initiatives in their communities set a great example for others to follow.

At Highmark Health, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew and the AHN Equitable Health Institute  which she established  are advancing a comprehensive internal and external strategy designed to promote a culture of equity and inclusion across every component of the health and wellness enterprise. That strategy includes evaluation of the organizations recruitment, its employment and professional development practices, and the quality of care and services it provides to every patient and community.

In 2021, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew and her team focused their efforts on equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution, ensuring that historically underserved communities and populations had equal access to the vaccine. In 2022, the Equitable Health Institute expanded its First Steps and Beyond program, a critical initiative established by AHN to reduce Black infant and fetal mortality and ensure that all babies born in the greater Pittsburgh region celebrate their first birthday.

Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew joined AHN in 2020 from University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, where she served as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chair of Clinical Diversity and Inclusion and Assistant Dean of Students. She founded and continues to serve as CEO of the JustWondoor (Women and Neonates, Diversity, Outreach, Opportunity, Research) global health program; and in 2014, she was named the Universitys Chair of Clinical Excellence and Diversity, an endowed position established to promote diversity of academic faculty.

Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew earned a bachelors degree in nursing at the University of Pittsburgh, a masters degree in education from California State University, a masters degree in public policy from the University of Pittsburgh and her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander and completing an OBGYN internship at Portsmouth Naval Hospital.

She also completed a residency at Magee Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, and practiced at Magee for eight years, while also serving as Magees Director of Global Health Programs.

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About the Allegheny Health Network:

Allegheny Health Network (AHN.org) is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving the greater Western Pennsylvania region. The Network is composed of 14 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, Health + Wellness Pavilions, an employed physician organization, home and community-based health services, a research institute, and a group purchasing organization. The Network provides patients with access to a complete spectrum of advanced medical services, including nationally recognized programs for primary and emergency care, trauma care, cardiovascular disease, organ transplantation, cancer care, orthopedic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, womens health, diabetes, autoimmune disease and more. AHN employs approximately 21,000 people, has more than 2,600 physicians on its medical staff and serves as a clinical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

About Highmark Health

Highmark Health, a Pittsburgh, PA-based enterprise that employs more than 37,000 people who serve millions of Americans across the country, is the parent company of Highmark Inc., Allegheny Health Network, enGen, Helion, and Lumevity. Highmark Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates provide health insurance to approximately 6.8 million members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, and New York, as well as dental insurance and related health products through a national network of diversified businesses. Allegheny Health Network is an integrated delivery network in western Pennsylvania comprised of 14 hospitals, more than 2,600 affiliated physicians, ambulatory surgery centers, an employed physician organization, home and community-based health services, a research institute, a group purchasing organization, and health and wellness pavilions. enGen's dynamic ecosystem of smart automation and technology supports and streamlines complex operations for health plans and their provider partners. Helion works with payers to cultivate high-performing networks while empowering providers to operate at their best. Lumevity helps companies transform in ways that drive direct financial benefits while improving quality and increasing employee engagement. To learn more, visit http://www.highmarkhealth.org.
"This will be a hospital worthy of The University of Texas name.  William L. Henrich, MD, MACP, president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Surgeries in multiple specialties, new services for the region including stem cell therapies and bone marrow transplants, and access to the latest clinical research trials are drawing closer to reality as construction of the half-a-billion-dollar UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital reaches an important milestone in the South Texas Medical Center.

Leaders of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), community supporters and general contractor Vaughn Construction celebrated the hospitals topping out and beam-signing ceremony today. Construction crews have reached the highest point of the eight-story project located at Ewing Halsell Drive and Wurzbach Road.

Admitting hospital patients who are part of clinical research efforts is not done in our community now, said William L. Henrich, MD, MACP, president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio). This will be a unique aspect of the truly comprehensive care our hospital provides for the region and will maximize patients opportunity for healing and recovery. The focus, the ultimate objective, is improved patient outcomes.

The eight-story, 144-bed hospital will be patient- and family-focused. We look forward to creating a uniquely different atmosphere for patients and their families, and also for providers and trainees who will usher in the next generation of health care in South Texas, said Jeff Flowers, MBA, inaugural chief executive officer for the UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital.

Integral to the design of the hospital is the healing environment with great attention to the patient and family experience. Walking trails that connect around the hospital will help patients and care supporters with stress release. Relaxation and respite areas will include amenities such as shower facilities where family members may freshen up. Patients will have dining options with room service-style menu offerings.

Everything is designed to promote the healing process and help people build up their strength and feel good about their recovery and their experience, Flowers said. Natural light throughout the facility will create the right healing environment, as well, while features such as touchless technology will promote infection control.

The hospital will include 12 specialized operating rooms, full imaging capabilities including MRI and CT, laboratory facilities, a blood bank and stem cell lab. The hospital design is 448,819 gross square feet and includes a 673-car parking garage and 200-car surface parking lot. A skybridge will connect the hospital to the Mays Cancer Center, the National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.

This will be a world-class facility with technology and ambience backing up superb medical teams, Henrich said. This will be the predominant location of our adult oncology services and, as the name signals, other surgical specialties and clinical research. Here we will create a culture that is caring and passionate about taking care of the patient. This will be a hospital worthy of The University of Texas name.

President Henrichs leadership has been integral to the development of this innovative, first-of-its-kind facility in San Antonio, said John M. Zerwas, MD, executive vice chancellor for health affairs with The University of Texas System. The compelling vision he put forward to local leaders yielded the outpouring of support necessary to make this project possible and has earned the community partnerships required to maintain this inpatient environment moving forward.

In November 2019, the Board of Regents approved $80 million in Permanent University Fund Bond Proceeds for the project. The hospital is included in the UT Systems Capital Improvement Program.

This hospital will offer a superior patient experience that enables advanced and personalized treatment for complex conditions, said Robert A. Hromas, MD, FACP, dean of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs at UT Health San Antonio. Patients and their families will benefit from care provided right here in San Antonio rather than having to spend days or weeks far from home.

Dignitaries signed a ceremonial beam and celebrated the construction progress during todays event. The UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital, a substantial boost to the citys economy by adding more than 800 health care jobs, is projected to open in the late fall of 2024.

See also the website, https://uthealthsahospital.org/, including the For the Media tab with downloadable photos/videos, renderings and logos: https://uthealthsahospital.org/for-the-media/.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), a primary driver for San Antonios $42.4 billion health care and biosciences sector, is the largest research university in South Texas with an annual research portfolio of $350 million. Driving substantial economic impact with its five professional schools, a diverse workforce of more than 7,000, an annual operating budget of more than $1 billion and a clinical practice that provides more than 2 million patient visits each year, UT Health San Antonio plans to add more than 1,500 higher-wage jobs over the next five years to serve San Antonio, Bexar County and South Texas. To learn about the many ways We make lives better, visit https://uthscsa.edu.

Stay connected with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
Dana Gaswirth Dana has built an enviable real estate career in the DFW market and we are honored to partner with Dana to provide the resources to expand and grow her business. - Jennifer Redman, Vice President of Sales, Plano & Frisco

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty Texas, a division of one of the countrys fastest-growing real estate brokerages, PenFed Realty - with more than 2,000 REALTORS and over $8 billion in annual sales volume - is pleased to welcome Dana Gaswirth to its Plano, Texas office.

When I think about a professional that represents what we do best at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty Texas, I think of a REALTOR like Dana Gaswirth, who leads first with client-centered service, shared Jennifer Redman, Vice President of Sales for the firm's Plano and Frisco offices. Dana has built an enviable real estate career in the DFW market and we are honored to partner with Dana to provide the resources to expand and grow her business.

A native to North Dallas, Dana has extensive experience in the Dallas-Fort Worth luxury residential real estate market while offering million-dollar service at any price point. I made the move to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty Texas because of their reputation, industry-recognition and the unparalleled marketing and support," said Gaswirth.

Dana has a strong partnership with top-performing agent Jennie Block, who also joined Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty Texas in October. "Together, Jennie and I deliver customized marketing plans and complimentary design consultations to achieve the highest possible price for our clients in record time. Were excited to continue our partnership together at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty Texas, expressed Dana.

Dana lives in Preston Hollow with her husband, their three children and Lulu their Cavapoo. Dana can be reached at dana.gaswirth@weknowtx.com and 214-289-3262.

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty Texas

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty Texas (http://www.weknowtx.com) is a full-service real estate company with an annual sales volume of just under $2.2 billion. A branch of PenFed Realty which is headquartered in Alexandria, Va., the company has over 2,000 agents and nearly 60 offices, providing complete real estate services nationwide and helping over 20,000 clients with their real estate needs each year. PenFed Realty is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PenFed Credit Union and is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerage network, operated by HSF Affiliates LLC. We are proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. Equal Housing Opportunity.
This book holds references to my health journey, said McCrary. I offer my readers not only a holistic approach to healing and health but an opportunity to grow their faith with the Lord along the way.

With over 20 years of combined work experience in fitness training, law enforcement, and the U.S military, author Kevin McCrary is ready to motivate his readers to learn about their health biblically in his new book, Kingdom Fitness.

After leaving the military, McCrary became frustrated with mainstream fitness and the lack of improvement in his physical health. Following prayers and the hope of resolution, McCrary claimed that the Lord revealed to him the correlation between faith and health and how both sides need nurturing.

Health is a hot topic, said McCrary. People are always searching for the healthiest lifestyle. I became lost in the mainstream perspective of health, but after the guidance from the Lord, I began to see health within a Christ-like perception.

McCrary aims to challenge readers' minds with a kingdom perspective on health that will motivate and educate them on what the Bible teaches concerning health and fitness. He hopes they'll not only gain physical strength, but spiritual as well.

This book holds references to my health journey, said McCrary. I offer my readers not only a holistic approach to healing and health but an opportunity to grow their faith with the Lord along the way.

By Kevin McCrary

ISBN: 9781664247840 (softcover); 9781664247864 (hardcover); 9781664247857 (electronic)

Available at WestBow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Kevin D. McCrary has over 20 years of combined work experience in fitness training, law enforcement, and the U.S military. He currently serves as an elder at his church and is married to his wife, Cynthia with whom he shares a daughter named Norah. Kevin and his family reside in Columbus, Miss. To learn more, please visit: https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/818840-kingdom-fitness

General Inquiries:

LAVIDGE  Phoenix

Taylor Moralez

tmoralez@lavidge.com

480-306-6597
When you see a bottle of Nesas, look on the bottom and you will find a specific lot number, says Inesa. That lot was specifically tested by a third party based on our higher level of testing than other companies. We are totally transparent about everything we do, says Inesa.

Nesas Hemp Founder, Inesa Ponomariovaite created both the company and the products after searching the world for a cancer treatment for her mother. While the company has been around for some time, Ms. Ponomariovaite wants to give back to other cancer survivors like her mother, at a time when aid is very much needed.

Cancer has personally touched my family and we were lucky enough to find a cure for my mothers Stage 3 Cancer. My love for helping people, and for a healthier, balanced lifestyle, helped me bring Nesas Hemp to fruition. Today, its our turn to give back, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, said Inesa Ponomariovaite, CEO and Founder, Nesas Hemp.

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer amongst women worldwide and when caught early, it is very treatable. Inesa, after hearing about her mothers diagnosis, became determined to help women everywhere.

My story, like many others, began with a phone call one morning when my mother said, Inesa, Im dying. I have cancer. Instead of letting the shock get me, I decided to fight back for my mother. This began my journey with top researchers, scientists, doctors, and patients worldwide. After learning more about the hemp plant, and the impact of it on healthcare, I needed to learn more. Soon after, I discovered that most products were unacceptable, irresponsibly sourced, or that they were destroying the hemps natural healing compounds. I immediately decided to create a product that was missing in the market today and that truly makes a difference. It has for years now and will continue to do so. Giving back is my lifelong mission and this is just one way I can do it.

Today, Nesas Hemp is helping to aid in the support of survivors, as well as those that are suffering through cancer challenges today. The company is donating bottles of Nesas Hemp Full Spectrum CBD oil to survivors based on the number of bottles purchased on their website http://www.nesashemp.com during the month of October.

More and more research has recently surfaced that clearly shows a link between Cancer treatment and CBD. The Institute for Oncology in Slovenia, for example, recently announced through the National Institutes Of Health (NIH) Library of Medicine that there is likely a connection between cannabinoids and certain forms of breast cancer treatment. Additional studies have shown that cannabinoids can reduce the side effects of treatment for certain cancers.

We are constantly scouring the research journals and working with medical experts worldwide to ensure our products are the purest on the market, said Ms. Ponomariovaite. Everything from our proprietary, organic live soil to our living plants are nurtured, scientifically tested (by the batch) and proven to offer users the highest results available on the market today.

Nesas living hemp extract retains the best of the plant, so users can get all of natures hemp oil benefits and healing compounds in the highest quality, untainted product available on the market today. Because Nesas is beyond organic, we know the full impact of our CBDA tincture on the endocannabinoid system.

When you see a bottle of Nesas, look on the bottom and you will find a specific lot number, says Inesa. That lot was specifically tested by a third party based on our higher level of testing than other companies. We are totally transparent about everything we do, says Inesa. If we didnt work this way, you would never know what you are really getting in a product you purchase.

To participate in the Get A Bottle, Give A Bottle Campaign, simply visit the Nesas Hemp website in the month of October and order a bottle of Nesas Hemp. Once you place your order and it ships, a second bottle will be given to a cancer survivor. Its one way we can all help each other.
Learn what hurdles must be overcome while conducting effective clinical research in a pandemic scenario, and the advantages of having an established pandemic preparedness and rapid response model in place.

The unprecedented disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic were felt across the drug development industry, triggering renewed interest from government, biotech and biopharma entities alike to invest in pandemic preparedness initiatives.

PPD, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, immediately recognized an industry-wide, unmet need to safeguard against future disruptions to the clinical development process and spearheaded the generation of a pandemic preparedness and rapid response delivery model. This program represents an executable action plan to deliver high-quality clinical data in the face of rapidly changing regulatory landscapes, compressed timelines and resourcing challenges.

The featured speakers will discuss how they integrated lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic into an executable action plan to: Streamline feasibility and start-up processes; Build safeguards into bioprocess and manufacturing; Leverage digital tools to enhance regulatory intelligence and the patient journey; And more.

Register for this webinar to learn what hurdles must be overcome while conducting effective clinical research in a pandemic scenario, and the advantages of having an established pandemic preparedness and rapid response model in place.

Join experts from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Vanessa Elharrar, MD, MPH, Vice President, Vaccines Business Strategy Lead, PPD; Kelly Howard, Vice President, Commercial Operations Global Viral Vector Services and Advanced Therapies (mRNA, pDNA, Cell Therapy), Pharma Services Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Jennifer Crager, Executive Director, Digital and Decentralized Solutions, PPD; Dr. Ilse-Maria Nolan, Senior Director Regulatory Affairs, PPD; and Jenna McDonnell (BSc), Senior Director, Consulting, Innovation & Strategy, PPD, for the live webinar on Monday, October 31, 2022, at 11am EDT (3pm GMT/UK).

For more information, or to register for this event, visit Pandemic Preparedness & Rapid Response  Managing Clinical Research During a Public Health Emergency.

ABOUT XTALKS

Xtalks, powered by Honeycomb Worldwide Inc., is a leading provider of educational webinars to the global life science, food and medical device community. Every year, thousands of industry practitioners (from life science, food and medical device companies, private & academic research institutions, healthcare centers, etc.) turn to Xtalks for access to quality content. Xtalks helps Life Science professionals stay current with industry developments, trends and regulations. Xtalks webinars also provide perspectives on key issues from top industry thought leaders and service providers.

To learn more about Xtalks visit http://xtalks.com

For information about hosting a webinar visit http://xtalks.com/why-host-a-webinar/

Contact:

Vera Kovacevic

Tel: +1 (416) 977-6555 x371

Email: vkovacevic@xtalks.com
People of faith and churches are talking and putting politics first, David says, We need to remember to put the Kingdom of God first, and deliver messages that give hope to others.

American Idols: The American Churchs Compromise, and How to Correct Course, by pastor David M. Johnson, gives the authors account on how the Church has adopted societys standards, and has placed them before Gods.

Johnson was born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI where he is Co-Pastor at Kalamazoo Community Church. He has served there for 22 years He wants to spread the good messages for Christians to understand and embrace what Jesus has to offer. Johnson, himself, became a born-again Christian in 1981 and continues his spiritual journey.

The book shows the authors concerns about the values that believers have adopted both in and outside of church. Johnson divided the work into chapters, based on various idols he feels have replaced God in Christians lives. He describes the compromises believers use when mixing idols with their faith.

The book contains a hopeful message, however. Johnson describes the blessing of the full life promises available, and good things in store, once churches and their people remember to put God first.

People of faith and churches are talking and putting politics first, David says, We need to remember to put the Kingdom of God first, and deliver messages that give hope to others.

American Idols: The American Churchs Compromise, and How to Correct Course

By David M. Johnson

ISBN: 9781664252011 (Softcover); 9781664252028 (E-book)

Available at WestBow Press,Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

David M. Johnson currently lives in Kalamazoo, MI with his wife, Lori. They have 6 adult children and 2 grandchildren. He earned a bachelors degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University in 1986. Later, he earned a masters degree from Biblical Theological Seminary, (now Missio Seminary) in 1997. He has a YouTube channel, named WanderingPastor. To learn more, please visit http://www.wanderingpastor.com.

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General Inquiries:

LAVIDGE  Phoenix

Michelle Flor

mflor@lavidge.com
ReSource Pro, a market leader in business process solutions for the insurance industry, today announces its acquisition of MIS Insurance Services LLC., a customized software solutions company that provides an integrated suite of web-based services to the commercial P&C insurance market. Among a series of recent acquisitions, the addition of MIS is a part of ReSource Pros strategy to deepen offerings and opportunities for underwriting organizations while reducing the time and effort required to start new programs.

The business of MGAs and other underwriting organizations is changing rapidly. ReSource Pro is committed to providing solutions that allow all insurers to focus on their core value proposition while we provide the expertise and resources necessary to support their business operations, said Dan Epstein, CEO of ReSource Pro. MIS allows our clients to launch new programs with less risk, paving the way for more nimble and innovative ways to grow their books of business.

ReSource Pro is uniquely positioned to grow the business by providing the resources and expertise necessary to expand the reach of the MIS solution and increase innovation within the industry. MIS President Kris George will continue to lead the MIS team as managing director with ReSource Pro, joined by MISs current staff based in the companys Maitland, Florida office.

This acquisition provides MIS with the ability to expand our reach through ReSource Pros established and growing network of carriers, MGAs, and program administrators, said Kris George. With ReSource Pros deep experience in business process management and global reach we look forward to enhancing outcomes for our current customers while providing valuable solutions to ReSource Pros roster of clients.

The transaction closed on October 14, 2022. RVR Consulting Group acted as advisor to MIS in the deal.

About ReSource Pro

ReSource Pro is an insurance-focused business solutions company that integrates people, processes, technology, and data analytics. Over 1,000 carriers, brokers, and MGAs rely on ReSource Pro to execute strategies that improve profitability, accelerate growth, deliver improved claim outcomes, and enhance client and employee experience. With more than 6,500 employees globally, ReSource Pro provides business process management, strategic advisory services, management, and organic growth consulting, training, and compliance solutions around the clock. ReSource Pro has been listed as one of the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies annually since 2009 and has consistently achieved a +95% client retention rate for over a decade.

About MIS Insurance Services

MIS is a tech-enabled business process management company specializing in policy administration and policy servicing solutions for the commercial P&C insurance market. Through an integrated suite of web-based services, MIS offers flexible solutions designed for carriers, MGAs, and program administrators. MIS services include submission management, policy administration, regulatory compliance, accounting, and program analytics. http://www.misinservices.com/

About RVR Consulting Group

Established in 1999, RVR Consulting Group is a full-service management consulting company based in Winter Park, Florida, supporting small to midmarket companies with exit planning, growth strategy, and turnaround strategy. RVR partners with business leaders and provides tailored recommendations that optimize company performance, scalability, and profitability. http://www.rvrteam.com
Louis Roederer "We are very pleased to welcome Marc Hoellinger as the new CEO of these two jewels in the Roederer Collection group crown" - Frederic Rouzaud,

Champagne Deutz, the Champagne House founded in 1838 by William Deutz and Pierre-Hubert Geldermann, and Delas Freres, one of the great Rhone Valley wine producers since 1835, both of which became part of the Roederer Collection group in 1993, welcome their new CEO, Marc Hoellinger. Marc joins the management team from today and will officially assume his functions on 1 January 2023 when he will succeed Fabrice Rosset, who has been with the Group for 49 years, with 26 years at the helm of the two wine companies.

Marc Hoellinger has spent his entire professional career, which began at the end of the 1990s, in the wine and spirits industry, where he has held various senior management positions, including, within the LVMH group, that of CEO of The Glenmorangie Company from 2013 and then, from 2018 until very recently, that of Chief Commercial Officer at Moet & Chandon.

"As the head of Champagne Deutz, Fabrice Rosset has skilfully perpetuated the spirit of the founders while transforming this historic Champagne House, on which he will leave his mark. Delas Freres also owes a great deal to Fabrice, who is an influential figure in the wine world. With his deep commitment, his consummate professionalism, and his irrefutable talent, Fabrice was able to turn these two wine companies, which he headed for a quarter of a century, into undisputed references around the world".

"We are very pleased to welcome Marc Hoellinger as the new CEO of these two jewels in the Roederer Collection group crown. His long and varied experience working for well-known wine and spirit companies and his dedication to this industry, in which he has become something of an expert, make him the ideal person to take Champagne Deutz and Delas Freres to new heights, continuing along the path of ambitious yet sustainable development," said Frederic Rouzaud, CEO of the Roederer Collection group.

Champagne Deutz shares strong values and a commitment to sustainable viticulture with all the wine estates that are part of the Roederer Collection Group. It practices and provides training on sustainable viticulture over more than 300 hectares of vineyards, 46 of which are Deutz-owned. From the finest Champagne crus, and in the greatest Champagne tradition, Deutz crafts champagnes that are internationally acclaimed for their elegance, distinction, and finesse. From the famous Deutz Brut Classic to the iconic Amour de Deutz created by Fabrice Rosset, the style of this 185-year-old Champagne House is translated into wines with distinct personalities and which are always the result of passion, high standards, and excellence.

Founded in Tournon-sur-Rhone in 1835, Delas Freres is proud of its winegrowing heritage and its place among the great Rhone Valley wine producers. Its new premises and showcase winery in Tain l'Hermitage are just a stone's throw from Domaine Delas great terroirs and celebrated vineyards. The estate covers nearly 30 hectares spread over the Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Crozes-Hermitage AOCs. With respect for the Land and fundamental human values, the Delas Freres is careful to preserve the symbiosis which, through a sincere and exacting dialogue with its partner winegrowers, enables it to produce superb wines from other northern AOCs such as Condrieu, Cornas, and Cote-Rotie. Its range also includes wines from the southern Rhone AOCs of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Ventoux, Grignan-les-Adhemar as well as Cotes du Rhone wines.

About the Roederer Collection Group

For the past two centuries, the name Louis Roederer has been synonymous with a unique approach to creating and experiencing wine and a unique way of interpreting the moments of shared enjoyment that wine procures. This is a solid foundation on which the reputation for excellence of this family-owned company has been built. It is in this same spirit that several independent "Maisons", renowned for the close relationship they nurture with their Land and their strong desire to protect it, beautify it, and share its wonders, came together to create the Roederer Collection. Roederer Collection is the result of authentic relationships founded on shared values and a desire to work towards a common goal whilst preserving that which gives each entity its strength: its independence. This independence represents a loyalty and respect for past and future generations. It is a freedom and a movement that inspire us in our creativity every day."
Alan Walters, Ph.D., a professor at Southern Illinois University, says the pumpkin crop benefits from the states moderate temperatures and fertile soil. It is also popular since it can be planted in rotation with corn, soybean and other crops common to the region  without the need for irrigation.

From carved Halloween jack-o-lanterns to tasty holiday pies, pumpkins are central to many a seasonal celebration. Scientists with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) say it takes effective weed control, though, to bring those prized pumpkin crops to market.

Illinois is by far the largest U.S. producer of pumpkins. Growers there harvest more than twice as many acres of the crop as those in other states. About 80 percent of the Illinois pumpkin crop is devoted to nutrition-packed fruit that is processed and canned for food use. The remaining 20 percent is grown for ornamental uses.

While most standard pumpkins weigh from about eight to 25 pounds, there are small varieties that can easily fit in the palm of your hand, as well as jumbo-sized varieties that can weigh a half ton or more.

Why is Illinois such a great spot for pumpkin production? Alan Walters, Ph.D., a professor at Southern Illinois University, says the crop benefits from the states moderate temperatures and fertile soil. It is also popular among growers since it can be planted in rotation with corn, soybean and other crops common to the region  without the need for irrigation.

Despite these advantages, pumpkin production would be severely limited without effective weed control, Walters says. When left unmanaged, weeds can significantly reduce yields and fruit size. Weeds can also harbor insects, inhibit spray coverage when pesticides are applied and increase the incidence of plant diseases by limiting air movement. Weeds can also complicate the already labor-intensive process of harvesting pumpkins  requiring workers to search through weeds to locate pumpkins and cut them away from the vine.

Nathan Johanning, M.S., a researcher and extension educator at the University of Illinois, recently surveyed pumpkin growers attending a statewide conference about their weed control challenges. Their responses showed that the pigweeds  both waterhemp and Palmer amaranth  are by far the most challenging weeds encountered in Illinois pumpkin fields. Other weeds cited as problematic included morningglories, weedy grasses and ragweed.

There are relatively few herbicides registered for use in pumpkin crops, Johanning says. That makes diversified weed management tactics a must  especially since herbicide resistance is on the rise. The pigweeds, for example, have evolved resistance to multiple herbicides with different modes of action.

Johanning encourages growers to vary the types of herbicides used rather than rely on a single mode of action. He also recommends use of cultural weed control techniques, such as hand weeding, hoeing, plasticulture, tillage and crop rotation. Cover crops and growing pumpkins in rotation with wheat or other grains can be especially good options, he says. The residue left in the field by the prior crop not only provides a layer of weed protection, but also keeps pumpkins free from dirt and mud.

Above all, I advise growers to be proactive, Johanning says. Plant pumpkins in weed-free fields. If weeds emerge later, make certain they arent allowed to go to seed.

For more information

Want to know more? Explore the University of Illinois pumpkin production guide.

About the Weed Science Society of America

The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Society promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, fosters awareness of weeds and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems, and promotes cooperation among weed science organizations across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit http://www.wssa.net.

EDITORS: Supporting photos are available for download on the WSSA website.
The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) recognition supports SOLV Energy's commitment to the safety of its employees and their families living and working across the country.

SOLV Energy has been recognized as a Sapphire Class Certification Sponsor for supporting team members in achieving safety certification. This recognition is awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) to organizations that advance safety through the certification of their team.

Safety is embedded into our culture at SOLV Energy, said George Hershman, CEO of SOLV Energy. Pursuit of BCSP certifications aligns with our motto Work Safe, Work Smart and supports our people by offering opportunities to advance their knowledge and skills and grow in their careers.

BCSPs Chief Executive Officer, Christy Uden, CAE, IOM, says Our Certification Sponsors make safety a value in their organizations and demonstrate their dedication to the well-being of employees, their families, and communities by supporting their teams safety development. BCSP is glad to have them join us in creating a safer world through safety certification.

BCSP certifications, accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), provide an objective measure of certification holders experience, skills, and knowledge, as well as requiring their continued professional development. Sponsors report certificants as having increased confidence in identifying potential workplace hazards, and often credit certification as essential components in programs that have improved safety performance.

Over 50,000 BCSP certifications are currently held by safety practitioners.

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SOLV Energy is a solar services provider for utility solar, high-voltage substation, and energy storage markets across North America. We believe that good energy has a ripple effect. Thats why we only take on projects that provide cleaner power, better jobs, greater education, and a brighter future for our communities. Backed by a powerful legacy, weve branched out to focus solely on renewable energy initiatives. Recognized as an industry-leading solar contractor and O&M services provider, our team has built and manages 10 GW of solar capacity in over 25 states.

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a not-for-profit corporation recognized as a leader in high-quality, accredited credentialing for safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) practitioners. BCSP establishes standards and certifies competency criteria in professional safety practice. Since 1969, over 100,000 BCSP credentials have been achieved.
The LYNX 18 Inverter Heat Pump from Allied Air Enterprises under the Concord brand was chosen as a 2022 TecHome Brilliance Award Winner. Building codes and regulatory trends are driving towards electrification across North America and our LYNX 18 heat pump is well positioned to help builders provide a competitive solution. -- Kim McGill, VP - Marketing, Allied Air Enterprises

Allied Air Enterprises, a Lennox International Inc. Company, announces its LYNX 18 Inverter Heat Pump under the Concord brand has been selected as a Brilliance Award Winner by the 2022 TecHome Builder Summit. The 18 SEER heat pump was chosen in the HVAC & IAQ/High-efficiency heating/cooling category.

The TecHome Brilliance Awards showcase extraordinary products for the nation's most progressive single-family homebuilders and multifamily operators. Experts in homebuilding technology evaluate each entrant's level of innovation, value and excellence using a points system to select products that demonstrate a high degree of efficiency, customer satisfaction and profitability.

"The Allied team is honored to have our LYNX 18 Inverter Heat Pump selected as a Brilliance Award Winner for the distinguished TecHome Builder Summit," said Kim McGill, VP - Marketing, Allied Air Enterprises. "Building codes and regulatory trends are driving towards electrification across North America and our LYNX 18 heat pump is well positioned to help builders provide a competitive solution."

Eliminating expensive, proprietary thermostats, the LYNX 18 works with a wide range of conventional 24v thermostats and is powered by intelligent algorithms. Designed to deliver superior comfort, the unit's proprietary QuickLink Inverter technology offers consistent dehumidification and temperature levels.

The TecHome Brilliance Award winners were announced at the TecHome Builder Summit on October 4  6, 2022, in Phoenix, AZ. The TecHome Builder Summit hosts 300+ leaders expanding their technology focus to make products smarter and identifying the partners they require to succeed in a rapidly changing market. Click here for a complete list of TecHomes Brilliance Award winners.

For more information on the LYNX 18 Inverter Heat Pump and Allied Air Enterprises' complete line of leading heating and cooling solutions, please visit http://www.alliedair.com.

About Allied Air Enterprises

A division of Lennox International, Allied Air Enterprises serves residential and commercial marketplaces in the United States and Canada with the heating and cooling solutions of industry-leading brands like Armstrong Air, AirEase, Concord, Ducane, Allied, Allied Commercial and MagicPak. From concept to production, Allied Air HVAC systems are produced through the design, engineering, high-quality testing and manufacturing efforts employed at five Allied facilities based across North America. For more information, visit http://www.alliedair.com or call 1-800-448-5872.


Brendan J. Crowley Brendan has been a lifelong advocate for unions and working people, said Managing Partner Deborah R. Willig. Our clients will benefit from his tireless work on behalf of unions to secure the best possible working conditions for their members.

Labor, employment and workers compensation law firm Willig, Williams & Davidson is pleased to announce that Brendan J. Crowley has joined the firm as an associate in the labor law practice group. He comes to the firm with extensive experience representing unions and their members in labor matters.

Brendan has been a lifelong advocate for unions and working people, said Managing Partner Deborah R. Willig. Our clients will benefit from his tireless work on behalf of unions to secure the best possible working conditions for their members.

A seasoned labor attorney, Crowley has years of experience counseling union leaders at various labor organizations. As a staff attorney for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 743 in Chicago, Crowley served as chief negotiator of more than 45 successful collective bargaining agreements on behalf of organizations of all sizes. Prior to that, he served as a labor advocate for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 28, where he negotiated contracts and handled grievance settlements and a wide variety of other employment matters.

Labor unions face incredible challenges; they do not have the resources that major corporations do, and many labor laws are hostile to unions, said Crowley. Willig, Williams & Davidson has the ability to level the playing field to help working people traverse these liabilities, so their unions are in the best position to represent the membership.

Crowley earned his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he received certificates in labor and employment law and litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He received a bachelors degree in political science from the University of Iowa.

About Willig, Williams & Davidson  Willig, Williams & Davidson (http://www.wwdlaw.com) is one of the largest and most respected union-side labor law firms in the United States. The firm has offices in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Jenkintown Pa., as well as Haddonfield, N.J., and Chicago, Ill. Founded in 1979, Willig, Williams & Davidson focuses on representing labor unions, employee benefit funds and individual working people and their families on a variety of legal fronts, including national, regional and local contract negotiations; election and campaign finance; dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration and litigation; family law matters; benefits law design and compliance issues; discrimination, overtime and unpaid wages, and other employment matters; prepaid legal services for union members; social security disability; and workers compensation matters in Philadelphia and beyond. Workers inspire us.
After Macmillan quietly removed author Louis Sylvesters name from a forthcoming middle-grade novel from Henry Holt Books for Young Readers in light of a Hulu documentary that contained evidence of his predatory conduct at a Texas high school starting in 1999, publication of the book has been canceled.

In the four-part documentary, released August 29 and 30, filmmaker Cheryl Nichols does not disclose her abusers name. Clues in the narrative make him discoverable as Sylvester, a middle-grade author and a professor at Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho, where he continues teaching, although the school does not provide his faculty contact information.

On October 8, Newbery Medalist and Honoree Erin Entrada Kelly tweeted, Im watching Keep This Between Us, a documentary about Louis Sylvester, a high school teacher who apparently groomed and abused a high school student. I was disturbed to learn that he has co-authored several MG novels, one of which is being released next year. Kelly referred to The Crooked Door, the fourth book in the Legends of the Lost Causes series co-authored by Sylvester and Brad McLelland, slated for release in April 2023.

Kelly shared side-by-side cover designs for The Crooked Door, a June 30 original with both co-authors names and a revised, undated cover crediting McLelland alone. Metadata on Macmillans site presently lists only McLelland as creator of the Lost Causes series, although Sylvesters name still appears on print covers.

Kellys tweets drew the attention of authors who had blurbed the series, including Heidi Schulz (Hooks Revenge), Emma Trevayne (Coda), and Stefan Bachmann (Cinders and Sparrows). Neither Emma nor I have current representation, so Stefan asked his agent, Sara Megibow, to reach out on behalf of the three of us, said Schulz. She got an immediate response from Holt saying they would get right on removing our blurbs from websites, metadata, etc. We also emailed Brad, the coauthor, to let him know we were pulling them, and why.

I cant fathom being in [McLellands] position, but I also dont understand how the publisher ever considered moving forward as if he were the sole author, said Trevayne. I am sure they considered the legalities of the situation; I am less sure they considered the moral issues of giving a platform to a childrens author accused of predation against minors.

The publisher and co-author have known about this issue since at least the last week of August but remained silent until it was made public by a third party, Trevayne contended. Meanwhile, those of us who had blurbed any of the books were unknowingly endorsing an alleged offender for several weeks without it being considered how we might all feel about that.

Authors Anne Ursu, Samira Ahmed, Daniel Jose Older, and Mike Jung spoke out about the ethical breach, along with concerned librarians, readers, and sexual abuse survivors. Amid the increasing outcry, McLelland issued a statement on October 14. I have thought long and hard about the best path forward for me and The Crooked Door since this painful information blindsided us all, he wrote. I have made the decision not to move forward with the publication of this book. McLelland's statement concluded by saying, "As I am sure you understand, I am limited in what I can say. This has been a difficult time for me, my family, and my professional team. I appreciate the understanding and support so many of you have shown."

Macmillan Childrens Publishing Group in turn released a statement saying, Brad McLelland has decided not to go forward with the publication of The Crooked Door. We understand and respect his decision and we continue to support his work. Neither McLelland or Macmillan wish to comment further at this time.

Authors shocked by the allegations in Keep This Between Us expressed disappointment that Macmillan only changed course under public pressure. Bare minimum stands: dont publish pedophiles, Ursu commented.

When there is reliable, documented evidence that a person has demonstrated inappropriate behavior toward minors, that person should not be permitted to profitpersonally or professionallyfrom an industry whose sole purpose is to cater to minors, Kelly told PW via email. It should also be noted that innocent authors and librarians are currently under attack by extremists who accuse them of being sexual predators simply for stocking books with queer characters. I could not sit back and watch these authors and librarians navigate such disgusting accusations while an author who is accused of actual grooming quietly profits from publication.

Questions remain about advances and royalties, and about the fate of the co-authors three existing backlist titles, which are still available on bookstore and library shelves.
As Heartland Fall Forum wound down on Friday afternoon, Sarah High, senior partnerships manager at Bookshop.org, who has exhibited at five of the six trade shows this fall, declared that while she enjoyed all of them, the warmth and energy of this show is palpable. I think its because of all of the new booksellers here. Meeting so many people who are opening bookstores or have opened them within the past year is so encouraging. Ruth Liebmann, PRH v-p, account marketing added, the new bookstores I talked to have a strong vision of how they want to connect to their communities. Their enthusiasm for bookselling is contagious."

The Midwest Independent Booksellers and Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Associations 10th anniversary joint show brought 209 booksellers and 144 exhibitors to St. Louis; Close to 60% of the booksellers in attendance were first-time attendees.

The innovative young entrepreneurs who created such excitement among veteran booksellers and exhibitors alike also made this regional the most diverse gathering of Midwestern booksellers this reporter has seen in 25 years. They included Ymani Wince, the owner of The Noir Bookshop in a racially mixed neighborhood on St. Louiss South Side. Prompted by the 2016 police shooting of an 18-year-old Black man in Ferguson, Mo. and her own obsession with the Black authors and books she discovered as a young adult, Wince opened the store four months ago to create a community space that supports St. Louis. She is committed, she said, to put Black books into the community by any means possible.

Sisters Barbara Cerda and Valeria Cerda launched La Revo Books in Milwaukee last year to lift up Latinx literature. The inventory of their traveling bookstore focuses on Spanish-language books, not Huckleberry Finn in Spanish: nobody wants to read that, Barbara said, explaining that their business model is inspired by their Mexican heritage and emphasizes family, community, and collaboration. Their ultimate goal, they told PW, is to convince publishers to publish and promote more Latinx books. Were advocating for our customers and for our community, Barbara said; Valeria added, Were directly asking the publishers here for Latinx books. Theyre going to remember us, and they know were going to ask for it again next year.

Ren Dean, whose background is in urban planning and whose interests include environmental justice, intends to open Skunk Cabbage Books in northwest Chicago in early spring of 2023. She decided during the pandemic, she says, not to stay in the background anymore: I want to be on the front lines, creating a community hub in which she also can host people from the neighborhood to share their skills with others. Heartland, she noted, is a different experience from conferences Ive done in the past. Its a new world for me: intimidating, but really exciting.

Programming Highlights

With panels on alternative bookstore models, mission-driven indie presses, manga, and TikTok, Heartlands topical programming contributed to the shows energy. Thursday morning, three St. Louis booksellers  Wince; Jeffrey Blair, co-owner of EyeSeeMe African American Childrens Bookstore; and Grace Hagen, director of operations and inclusion at the Novel Neighbor  along with Lecia Michelle, author of the White Allies Handbook, were on a panel entitled, Belonging: Bringing Anti-Racism to Your Bookstore, that was moderated by another local bookseller, Left Bank Books event coordinator Shane Mullen.

Wince and Blair both explained that each launched their bookstore so that BIPOC readers would have access to literature that reflected their lives and experiences as people of color. Wince said that she wasnt exposed to books written by Black authors until she was in college, while Blair and his wife opened EyeSeeMe in 2015 because they had such difficulties finding books for their four children that had characters that looked like them. EyeSeeMe, Blair noted, is committed to a broad inventory that is inclusive in all ways -- not just race.

Expressing cautious optimism that well turn around this country if we start holding honest discussions, Michelle urged a zero-tolerance policy for both employees and customers when it comes to racist words or actions. Besides having honest conversations with employees regarding the stores environment for them and working with them to address micro-aggressions and anything that is making people not want to come in to work," she advised that bookstore owners/managers call out micro-aggressions when they see or hear of them and to have an immediate conversation with the person who did it  whether it be an employee or a customer. Michelle also suggested that owners/managers bring in a professional to start things by providing anti-racism training to employees.

Hagen urged white booksellers to practice anti-racism with humility and with curiosity." Like Michelle, she urged honest discussions with BIPOC employees about the bookstores culture, as silence sends a really loud message and a happy staff will result in the store making more money.

Three-Day Author Lovefest

Of course, bookseller gatherings are about the authors and their books, and Heartland was no different. There were 61 authors in attendance, and the show kicked off Wednesday evening with the Heartland Awards ceremony, followed by signings by 20 authors. It ended with the Authors Feast of 38 authors introducing themselves and their books to tables of booksellers. While Friday mornings multi-author breakfast featured such heavy hitters in the book world as Roshani Chokshi, Veronica Roth, and Timothy Egan, it was Ross Gay who most excited booksellers. Booksellers buttonholed him before the event began and afterwards, waited in a long line to meet him and have him personalize pre-signed copies of his recent release, Inciting Joy. When Gay walked the show floor later, both exhibitors and booksellers thanked him for the books he has written, and some asked to take selfies with him.

Im excited to sell every one of these books by this morning's authors, declared the Friday breakfast host, Javier Ramirez, the co-owner of Exile in Bookville in Chicago, But Ive never seen an author have such an impact on booksellers as Ross Gay. Mary O'Malley, a bookseller at Skylark Bookshop in Columbia, Mo. concurred, explaining, "Ross Gay reminds us that without sorrow and heartache and struggle, it's not possible to know joy. I told him that his writing healed parts of me I didn't even know were broken. He reminds us that there is light, even in the darkest days. We just have to look for it."

Heartland Fall Forum next fall will take place in Detroit, Oct. 18-20, 2023.
Created and written by Deborah Davis (The Favourite), Marie Antoinette tells the story of the modern and avant-garde young queen, played by Emilia Schule (Kudamm 56/ 63). Marie Antoinette was a young teenager when she left Austria to marry the Dauphin of France. Growing from a stubborn young princess navigating the rules of the French court under pressure to continue the Bourbon line, to a true fashion icon, she impressed with her natural charisma, and recreated life in Versailles in her image.Joining Davis in writing the drama is Louise Ironside (The Split), Avril E. Russell (All on a Summers Day) and Chloe Moss (Run Sister Run). The series is directed by Pete Travis (Bloodlands) and Geoffrey Enthoven (Children of Love).Produced by Banijay Studios France, CAPA Drama and Les Gens, the acquisition marks the latest international deal for the CANAL+ Creation Originale and follows recent Banijay Rights pre-sales to UK public broadcaster BBC2 and BBC First in Australia. Filming took place in historical places including the Chateaux of Versailles, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Lesigny, Champs, Voisins, and in the emblematic studios of Bry-sur-Marne and the series will have its North American premiere in Spring 2023.The agreement was negotiated by Matt Creasey, EVP sales, acquisitions and co-productions, Banijay Rights , who remarked: As MIPCOM gets started this week, Im excited to announce PBS acquisition of Marie Antoinette, a visually stunning drama from the exceptional Deborah Davis that continues to generate a buzz worldwide. This epic series is one of the most complete accounts of the young queen to date and were pleased that audiences in the US will get to enjoy it soon.Added Germaine Sweet, managing director content acquisitions, PBS Distribution : We are thrilled to bring the story of Marie Antionette to audiences in the US. This richly drawn period drama about the extraordinary young queen is sure to enthral PBS fans from the opening scene until the credits roll.
World of Wonder is introducing the cast of Canada's Drag Race: Canada Vs. the World.

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The series will see former contestants from the international Drag Race franchise return to compete.

Anita Wigl'it, Icesis Couture, Kendall Gender, Ra'Jah O'Hara, Rita Baga, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, Stephanie Prince, Vanity Milan and Victoria Scone will take part in the series.

Rita Baga was the runner-up in Canada's Drag Race Season 1, while Icesis Couture won Season 2. Ra'Jah O'Hara competed in RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11 and All-Stars Season 6, where she was a runner-up.

Canada will act as host nation, with Canada's Drag Race judges Brooke Lynn Hytes, Brad Goreski and Traci Melchor to serve as judges.

Contestants will take part in maxi and mini challenges, along with lip-sync battles.

Canada's Drag Race: Canada Vs. the World will premiere Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. EDT on WOW Presents Plus in the United States and Crave on Canada.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 10/17/2022



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alums Jessica Griffin and Jonathan Francetic have finally married after postponing their wedding due to COVID-19.Jessica and Jon, who met while filming Season 6 of and got engaged in April 2019 , got married in an outdoor ceremony at Ventosa Vineyards in Seneca Lake, NY, on Sunday, October 16.Jessica wore a form-fitted, low-cut lace gown with a train, while Jonathan sported a navy blue suit.The couple both posted photos from their big day on their respective Instagram accounts."Jon, before you. I didn't know love like this, for me, was possible. You know how much I love, love -- and I love, love stories. They are always other people's love stories but never my own," Jessica captioned the slideshow of pictures."'Now, our love story is one for the books.... and it will always be my favorite love story.' Those were some of the first words I shared with my HUSBAND @jon_francetic, FINALLY!!!!"Jessica continued in her post, "This weekend, surrounded by our friends and family we were married on a perfect magical day. These are just a couple photos people sent me and I promise to post many more when we get them."Jessica proceeded to thank everyone who's supported their relationship over the last four or so years."And a special thanks to my friend, my brother from another mother, @iamcalvinroberson for marrying us and always having my back," Jessica wrote to MAFS expert Pastor Calvin Roberson, who officiated the ceremony."We have had an amazing weekend so far and so much fun uniting our friends, families and the #mafs family represented -- we love you all."Jessica concluded her caption with the hashtags #married, #wedding and #marriedatfirstsight, and she tagged fellow MAFS alums Jamie Otis Hehner, Doug Hehner, Shawniece Jackson and Jephte Pierre , who attended the ceremony.For his part, Jonathan uploaded similar photos and wrote on Instagram, "A literal perfect day and phenomenal weekend with the best crew anyone could ask for!""A huge thank you to @iamcalvinroberson for running the show and making sure @dr.jessicagriffin said yes. These are all the photos I have, so more to come when we get the professional shots," he continued.Jonathan also capped off his post with the hashtags, #wedding and #bestdayever, and he tagged the same MAFS cast members as Jessica.Shawniece commented on Jonathan's post, "Yessssss I can post! So happy to be a apart of your love story."And Jamie gushed, "CONGRATS. After having to push the wedding back bc of the 'vid YOURE FINALLY MARRIED!!!! And it was a perfect weekend!!! You two are so wonderful together... Doug and I are SO FREAKIN' HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH!"Jonathan revealed to Monster & Critics in October 2019 that he and Jessica had set a wedding date and they would be tying the knot at Ventosa Vineyards in New York.Jonathan and Jessica live in Massachusetts but enjoy taking road trips around New England and New York and reportedly fell in love with the winery during a previous visit.Jessica and Jonathan's wedding was initially scheduled for early October 2020, but the pair had to postpone their nuptials due to the coronavirus pandemic."Love is not canceled in 2020, but the wedding is postponed. This was supposed to be our wedding weekend," Jessica captioned a photo of the couple kissing in early October 2020."After lots of thought, we decided to postpone it so that we can have the destination wedding we want with the friends and family who have supported us so much. I couldn't write a wilder love story if I tried, so shouldn't be surprised that this pandemic is just one more hurdle we have tackled together."Jessica continued, "I'm honestly sadder than I thought I would be now that it's here but we have each other and that's what really matters. And huge shout-out to Jon for being so steadfast while I bounced around like a ping pong ball with this decision."She concluded, "Plus, I get an extra year to figure out what the heck to do with flowers and table decor because we all know that is not my forte @jon_francetic #loveisnotcancelled."And Jonathan posted a different photo of himself giving Jessica a piggyback ride."Going to work today was more annoying than most Friday's, and everyone knows why. Fortunately, moving the wedding date doesn't mean we won't be together in the meantime!" Jonathan wrote."Here's to you jumping on my back, knocking me off balance, and laughing along the way regardless of a pandemic. Love you boo. @dr.jessicagriffin."Jonathan and Jessica got engaged in Spring 2019 at the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona shortly after People reported Jessica was leaving her role as a relationship expert on after appearing on three seasons of the Lifetime reality series, as well as its : Honeymoon Island spinoff.Jessica was replaced by Dr. Viviana Coles, a psychotherapist, on Season 9 of .Jessica and Jonathan met on Season 6 of , on which Jonathan wed a total stranger, Molly Duff , and Jessica served as one of the show's relationship experts. Season 6 was Jessica's first season as a member of the show's expert panel.Jessica, a licensed psychologist, is an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA, which is about 45 minutes west of Boston. Originally from Ohio, she has three children from a previous marriage.The Boston-based season began filming in late Summer 2017.Molly called it quits on their marriage days before "Decision Day" because she said she lacked chemistry with Jon as well as an attraction to him. The finale aired in April 2018.After Jonathan and Molly got a divorce, Jonathan and Jessica sparked up a romance, which they confirmed in August 2018 At the time, Jonathan and Jessica faced backlash and scrutiny since, in addition to helping match them, Jessica had also served as a relationship counselor to Jonathan and his then-wife Molly during 's sixth season.Critics had accused Jonathan and Jessica of engaging in an "inappropriate" romance that reflected poorly on Jessica's professionalism and credibility.Jessica, however, insisted she did not have an actual client/therapist or doctor/patient relationship with Jonathan at any point during production and outside companies are hired to conduct the psychological evaluations of 's cast members.Jonathan and Jessica's backstory was further complicated by the fact that 's sixth season had shown Jessica being unusually confrontational with Molly, with Jessica accusing Jonathan's then-wife of being a liar.But Jonathan told Monsters & Critics in October 2019 that he actually wasn't a fan of Jessica when the pair was filming Season 6 of .Jonathan insisted they had no chemistry at the time, and he even recalled himself saying at one point, "I hope I never see that woman again!"Jonathan claimed in his interview he and Jessica only met a couple of times during the show and they only formed a bond after filming wrapped."Once I got to know her, I realized how great she was and fell in love. That's why I locked that down!" he said.Molly shared her opinion on Jonathan and Jessica's relationship on the : Where Are They Now? special that aired in early May 2020 on Lifetime."Part of me was like, 'Okay, this is someone I had been confiding in the whole time," Molly said on the special."[Jessica] was supposed to be fighting for our marriage together, and then kind of out of the blue seeing they're suddenly together, it sucked. It sucked that it was someone I confided in that was supposed to be rooting for us, and I guess that's his person."Interested in more news? Join our Married at First Sight Facebook Group or click here to view our newspage!And click here for more updates on former cast members and info on where they are now!
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Occasional rain tapering to a few showers late. Low around 40F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

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Occasional rain tapering to a few showers late. Low around 40F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

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Light rain early. Then remaining mainly cloudy. Low near 40F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Light rain early. Then remaining mainly cloudy. Low near 40F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Gu Guoping's detention comes as the CCP's propaganda and censorship machine erases all sign of the protest.

Ripples of political dissent continued to appear in China in the wake of the "Bridge Man" protest against ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping, who is on track to sweep aside term limits and rule for at least another five years at the ongoing party congress in Beijing.

Shanghai-based retired teacher Gu Guoping, 67, was incommunicado, believed detained, on Oct. 16, with repeated calls from RFA to his cell phone and social media accounts going unanswered.

The rights group Weiquanwang said officers from Shanghai's Zhoujiaqiao police station under the Changning district police department detained Gu at a friend's house after threatening to use "coercive measures."

Police said they were planning to take both Guo and his friend to Lingang, a "ghost city" on the coast near Shanghai once touted as its answer to Silicon Valley.

China's state security police frequently use enforced "vacations" to silence government critics during important political events like the 20th National Congress.

However, incommunicado detention can sometimes morph into "residential surveillance at a designated location (RSDL)," allowing the authorities to hold someone for up to six months with no legal representation or family visits, a practice rights groups say is linked to increased risk of torture and ill-treatment.

Gu's wife, who declined to be named, said she hasn't been able to reach her husband since Sunday.

"He called me back yesterday to say that he was now in Lingang," she said. "They are sharing a room."

"I haven't yet received any notification of administrative or criminal detention," she said. "I'm just waiting."

Shanghai-based retired teacher Gu Guoping, 67, was being held incommunicado after sharing clips of last weeks Sitong Bridge protest in Beijing. Credit: Gu Guoping Banned searches

Gu's detention came after he retweeted photos and video of a rare public anti-Xi protest on the Sitong traffic overpass in Beijing's Haidian district on the eve of the party congress.

A protester who hung two protest banners--one of which called for Xi's removal -- was seen in a video being put into a police car.

While RFA has been unable to confirm the identity of the protester independently, content posted earlier to Peng's social media accounts was consistent with the tone of his banners, one of which read "Remove the traitor-dictator Xi Jinping!"

Video and photos of which were quickly posted to social media, only to be deleted, while keywords and accounts linked to the protest were rapidly deleted from China's tightly controlled social media platforms, as the ruling party's well-oiled censorship machine swung into action.

Searches for "Haidian," the district where the banners appeared, and "hero" were all blocked by Friday, amid reports that social media users who talked about the incident were getting their accounts shut down.

Gu had reposted some of the content to his Twitter account. While Twitter is banned in China, the authorities still track and observe content posted about China, with police often seeking out account-holders in mainland China for warnings or punishment.

Gu's wife said she has concerns over his health, with "very bad" recent scan results suggesting he has cancer, along with an existing diagnosis of diabetes.

Posters mimicking early CCP propaganda art but containing the text of Peng Lifa's bridge banner slogans have been circulating online, the U.S.-based China Digital Times reported. 'Bridge Man'

Repeated calls to the Zhoujiaqiao police station rang unanswered on Monday.

Unconfirmed social media reports have named the Sitong flyover protester, dubbed "Bridge Man," as Peng Lifa, who uses the handle Peng Zaizhou on social media.

Peng's social media accounts are a likely reference to an ancient essay describing the people as the water that holds up the boat of government, and might overturn it if they are unhappy with its rule.

"Peng Lifa made some very severe accusations against Xi Jinping and the Chinese central government in those slogans," rights activist Patrick Poon, currently a visiting researcher in comparative law at Japan's Meiji University, told RFA.

"Under Xi Jinping's ongoing totalitarian regime, [Gu] could be held under criminal detention or even secretly detained."

"[Under] RSDL, he could be tortured or treated inhumanely at a place where his lawyers and family can't find him," Poon said. "His situation is very worrying."

"The authorities could charge him with serious crimes like incitement to subvert state power, or subversion of state power," he said.

A number of posters mimicking early CCP propaganda art but containing the text of Peng's slogans have been circulating online, according to the U.S.-based China Digital Times website.

Several of the posters quote the Sitong bridge banners in their entirety, calling in block red letters for "Food, not PCR tests. Freedom, not lockdowns. Reforms, not the Cultural Revolution. Elections not leaders."

The slogans continued: "Dignity, not lies. Citizens, not slaves."

Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The assault on a man in his 30s who was later sent to hospital sparks calls for a diplomatic response.

A Hong Kong pro-democracy protester [center] and Chinese consulate staff scuffle, as a British police officer attempts to intervene, during a demonstration outside the consulate in Manchester, United Kingdom, Oct. 16, 2022.

U.K. police are investigating the assault of a man who was dragged into the grounds of the Chinese Consulate in the city and beaten by a group of unidentified men amid an altercation about a ripped protest banner at the weekend.

"Were investigating the assault of a man following a protest outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester yesterday," Greater Manchester Police said in a statement on Monday.

The man, in his 30s, was sent to hospital after suffering "several physical injuries" in the assault, which came after around 30-40 people gathered in a peaceful protest outside the consulate on the first day of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s 20th National Congress in Beijing.

The beating came after verbal altercations between protesters and a man believed to be a member of consulate staff, who kicked and ripped a banner placed on the sidewalk by protesters outside the consulate gates, according to a video clip of the incident posted to Telegram and Twitter.

"Congratulations, my ass. Wipe out the CCP!" the banner read.

The man who damaged the banner was later seen on the video inside the grounds of the consulate.

The injured protester, who gave only the pseudonym Bob, said he was held to the ground and beaten by four people for more than a minute before a policeman dragged him away from his attackers.

"Otherwise, I could have been beaten to death, with people forced to watch and police unable to save me if the gates had been closed," Bob said.

"My current injuries are mainly on my head and back, with scratches to my face, eyes and neck, and some bruising and scrapes on my back," he said. "I was afraid at the time ... but if I were too scared I wouldn't come out to demonstrate in the first place."

Bob said the officer who eventually saved him admitted he wasn't supposed to go inside the gates at all.

'Appalling violence'

Police said they already had patrols in the area, as the demonstration had been planned in advance.

"Shortly before 4.00 p.m. a small group of men came out of the building and a man was dragged into the Consulate grounds and assaulted," the police statement said.

"Due to our fears for the safety of the man, officers intervened and removed the victim from the Consulate grounds."

Officers were seen on the video moving in past the gates and dragging the man away from his assailants.

"Detectives from our Major Incident Team are investigating the incident and we are liaising with national policing and diplomatic partners," the police said.

U.K.-based rights group Hong Kong Watch condemned the "appalling violence perpetrated by individuals who are reportedly officials from the Chinese Consulate-General in Manchester."

The newly elected chair of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, Alicia Kearns, called on the government to summon the Chinese ambassador over the incident.

"The CCP will not import their beating of protesters and denial of free speech to British streets," Kearns said via her Twitter account.

"If any official has beaten protesters, they must be expelled or prosecuted," she said.

Benedict Rogers, co-founder and chief executive of Hong Kong Watch, said the incident was "outrageous."

"If the footage and reports are accurate, it would appear that Chinese Consulate officials assaulted peaceful protesters and, even more seriously, dragged them into the Consulate to beat them up," Rogers said in an Oct. 17 statement on the group's website.

"They must not be allowed to get away with this, they cannot be allowed to hide behind diplomatic immunity, and they must be investigated and, if found guilty by an investigation, they should either face criminal prosecution or immediate expulsion," he said.

"We cannot allow the CCP regimes thuggery, brutality, inhumanity and criminality on the streets of Britain."

Staff from the Chinese consulate walking toward a poster featuring images of China's President Xi Jinping to remove it during a demonstration by pro-democracy protesters outside the consulate in Manchester, United Kingdom, Oct. 16, 2022. Credit: Matthew Leung/The Chaser News/AFP 'Complex' enquiries

No arrests have yet been made in what police described as "complex" enquiries involving working with "diplomatic partners."

Anyone with video footage or information about the incident is being asked to share it at the following web address: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP22A58-PO1

It is clear what began as a peaceful protest unexpectedly escalated and our officers acted professionally in response to a hostile and dynamic situation to help the victim and ensure he didnt come to any further harm," assistant chief constable Rob Potts said.

"I can assure the public that all viable avenues will be explored to bring to justice anyone we believe is culpable for the scenes we saw outside the Chinese Consulate on Sunday," he said.

"This investigation will take time but we are supporting the man who was subjected to this assault."

The beating was not the first incident in the UK involving Chinese state actors using violence in the service of China's policies, and came amid widespread revulsion in Western nations toward China's pugnacious, nationalistic "wolf warrior" diplomats.

China's foreign ministry said it hadn't heard about the incident when contacted for comment by RFA.

"I am not aware of the relevant situation you mentioned," an official said in an emailed response. "The Chinese embassy and consulates in the UK always abide by the laws of the countries where they are stationed."

Unconfirmed reports from the scene identified the grey-haired man in a hat who damaged the protest banners as Chinese consul general for Manchester Zheng Xiyuan.

A visual comparison by RFA's Cantonese Service showed that earlier photos of Zheng did somewhat resemble the man.

A written request to the Chinese consulate in Manchester for comment had met with no reply by the time of writing.

Protest organizers -- named by CNN as a Hong Kong pro-democracy group called Hong Kong Indigenous Defence Force -- told RFA at the time that the victim of the attack was one of the demonstration organizers.

Eye on Hong Kong overseas offices

Hong Kong activists raised concerns in late 2021 over security threats to Hong Kong activists in the U.K., which has offered a path to citizenship for some three million Hong Kongers fleeing a crackdown on dissent under draconian security legislation imposed by the CCP in the wake of the 2019 protest movement.

Concerns had already been growing over the CCP's United Front operations in the country after messages were found on WeChat in December calling on Chinese patriots "of the kind who know how to fight" to target Hong Kong protesters.

Anyone attacking a group of Hong Kong protesters was told to "first go for anyone holding a camera, a black flag, or a microphone or PA, and go hard at these key points from the start," according to screenshots of the messages posted to Twitter at the time.

Exiled former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law has accused the CCP of running clandestine "United Front" operations in the U.K., while China's nationalistic tabloid the Global Times, which has close ties to CCP mouthpiece the People's Daily, said the Hong Kong group had been acting "provocatively" at the scene, while confirming that the fight was started by members of the Federation of UK Fujian Chinese, a United Front-linked organization.

The 2019 protest movement in Hong Kong exacerbated pre-existing fault-lines between mainland Chinese and Hong Kongers in the U.K., with earlier migrants and Chinese community groups often strongly supportive of Beijing's line on Hong Kong.

The Manchester attack came as Hong Kong Watch warned in a report that Hong Kong's economic and trade representative offices in foreign countries were no longer fit for purpose.

Report author and surveillance researcher Anouk Wear said the offices have been transformed in recent years into purveyors of CCP propaganda, rather than representing the interests of Hong Kongers, and called for a reexamination of their status.

The National Security Law in Hong Kong has not only destroyed basic rights and freedoms, but has supplanted the autonomy of the [Hong Kong government] and their representatives abroad, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices," Wear said.

"Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices are used today to exert [Beijing's] influence abroad in cultural and business spheres to justify the ongoing crackdown and imposition of the national security law," she said.

"Host countries should review the status of [offices], remove their privileges, and where appropriate close these offices, as it becomes increasingly hard to justify the People's Republic of China having two de facto embassies in one country," Wear said.

Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Beijing still maintains control over area it seized after a standoff with Manila in 2012.

Fishermen arrive from a trip to the Scarborough Shoal to unload their catch at the port of Infanta, in the northwestern Pangasinan province in the Philippines, May 27, 2021.

China still controls access to the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, but Filipino fishermen say they have been accorded better access to the rich fishing grounds.

Last week, two Philippine Coast Guard ships and its aircraft patrolled near Scarborough Shoal and reported that more Filipino fishermen were going to Bajo de Masinloc, the shoals local name, despite the sustained presence of Chinese maritime forces.

Joe Saligan, a 43-year-old boat captain, who has spent most of his life fishing in and around the waters of the Scarborough Shoal, said he can see improvement in access around the shoal.

Our fish catch is better now because we no longer have to play cat-and-mouse with the Chinese. Unlike before, when they would cut the ropes of our anchors, shoo us away, or sometimes use water cannons on us, Saligan said.

There are times we are not allowed to get into the mouth of the shoal where the two China Coast Guard ships are anchored. But this is better than the bullying before. Years ago, they would harass us even when we were just outside or near the shoal.

Saligan was among the fishermen who experienced Chinas intimidation and harassment from 2012  when a standoff between Manila and Beijing saw China take control of the Scarborough Shoal area  until late 2016 when then-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte pivoted to the Asian superpower.

In October 2016, Duterte said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed Filipinos fishing rights in Scarborough, leading to the improvement of treatment of fishermen.

Saligan, the captain of fishing boat F/B JJ-3, and his crew sailed from the port of Subic in Zambales in central Luzon to the shoal and its surrounding areas on Sept. 28. BenarNews met with them on Wednesday in the port of Rosario, south of Manila, where they unloaded their three-ton catch from their two-week voyage.

A fisherman sorts his catch of scad hauled after a trip to Scarborough Shoal in the port of Masinloc, the Philippines, May 28, 2021. Credit: BenarNews For their recent voyage, Saligan said members of his 11-man crew are expected to be paid at least $170 each, which is not much, he said, citing the high cost of diesel and food.

There are times, the Chinese are not strict. There are times they are cranky. They can be moody, too, Saligan told BenarNews, laughing. He said he spotted seven Chinese vessels in the area  two in the shoals mouth, three roving ships and two smaller vessels inside.

Despite this, Saligan said he is fine with the situation because the Filipino fishers can mostly continue to earn their livelihood.

Additionally, the Philippine Coast Guard has accompanied local fishermen at least twice  in March and October 2022  and provided them with relief supplies, much to the delight of Saligan and crew.

"First of all, we were really happy to see Philippine ships there, because we felt safe. We felt they were our protectors," Saligan said. For many years, only we fishermen were there, almost ready to fight against China in Scarborough just so we can continue fishing.

Sonny Gomez, 52, a crew member on another fishing boat, concurred. He told BenarNews the situation now was quite different from what it was eight years ago.

He recalled how he and his colleagues in 2014 held on tightly to wooden posts on their boat when a China Coast Guard ship trained its water cannon on them.

We begged them and thankfully they listened to our plea. But now, there are no more encounters like that, Gomez said.

But I wish they would still allow us to fish inside the lagoon, because there are lots of fish there. If they wont, we will not insist because we dont know what can happen.

But the turnaround in attitude has come at a price. By discussing Filipino fishermens rights with China, Manila had only bolstered Beijings baseless claim over Scarborough Shoal, analysts said.

Six years after a landmark international tribunal ruling invalidated Chinas expansive claims in the West Philippine Sea, the part of South China Sea that Manila claims, Beijing has refused to accept the ruling.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that both Chinese and Filipino fishermen have the right to engage in traditional fishing there. China had unlawfully prevented Filipino fishermen from engaging in traditional fishing through the operation of its official ships, the tribunal had added.

We are actually supporting Chinas narrative by asking permission to fish, Rommel Jude Ong, a retired vice admiral in the Philippine Navy, told BenarNews on Wednesday.

It reinforces their claim that they have legal claims over Scarborough Shoal and we have not challenged their assertion of control.

BenarNews is an RFA affiliated news service.
BBC Burmese and The Irrawaddy reported that junta soldiers were responsible for the deaths of 3 civilians.

In this image grab obtained from a CCTV, Myanmar junta soldiers take cover behind a makeshift security point during an exchange of gunfire with an unknown armed group near Kyaiktiyo Pagoda in southeastern Myanmar's Mon state, Oct. 12, 2022.

Local reporters from two media outlets in Myanmar went into hiding after the countrys ruling military junta threatened to sue the news agencies for reporting that regime troops killed at least three civilians near a Buddhist pagoda in Mon state last week.

BBC Burmese and The Irrawaddy online news journal reported that military soldiers allegedly fired random shots into crowds at the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda in Mon state, one of the most famous Buddhist sites in Myanmar, on Oct. 12.

The regime blamed the attack on an anti-junta Peoples Defense Force (PDF) allied with the Karen National Liberation Armys (KNLA) Brigade 1, the civilian National Unity Government and its parliamentary wing. It said three people were killed and 19 injured in the incident.

Irrawaddy and BBC reporters went into hiding after the junta issued a statement on state-controlled Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) at 8 p.m. on Oct. 14, threatening to take action against their news outlets for incorrectly reporting on the incident.

It is reported that The Irrawaddy and BBC Burmese news agencies, the blatant liars and the pessimists stooges, are going to be sued under the Electronic Transactions Law, News Media Law, and the state defamation law for their accusation that the security forces randomly fired shots into crowds of pilgrims, a shameless act of violating media ethics, the junta said in the broadcast.

A relative of a BBC Burmese reporter told RFA that all local BBC journalists, including the head of the news agency, are in hiding because of the juntas threat.

He [the reporter] wont be able to stay here anymore since the junta started threatening to sue them all, said the relative, who declined to be named for safety reasons. He is afraid of being arrested, so he had to run away and hide.

The reporters family members also went into hiding out of fear that the junta would hold them accountable, she said.

Three civilians were killed and more than 10 others were wounded when fighting broke out at a junta outpost at the foot of a mountain where the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda stands on the morning of Oct. 12, local social workers and aid groups said.

Members of an unidentifiable armed group dressed in civilian clothes attacked the outpost, which is part of the Myanmar militarys 44th Light Infantry Division in Kin Mun Chaung village, they said.

At this moment, they are all in the hospital, three dead bodies included, said one aid worker who declined to be named for safety reasons. We cannot go near them. I heard 13 were wounded.

More than 100 bullets and five artillery shells were fired during the battle which lasted over an hour, a local told RFA. He also said that there were casualties on both sides.

After the fighting, pro-military channels on the Telegram instant messaging service accused the PDF and KNLA of being responsible for the attack.

RFA has not been able to independently identify or confirm which forces were involved in the incident and was unable to reach for comment the leaders of the Karen National Union (KNU), the KNLAs political wing, in Kyaikto township.

Devotees pray before a huge rock covered with layers of gold at the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda on Mt. Kyaiktiyo, a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site and tourist attraction in southeastern Myanmar's Mon state, in a file photo. Credit: AFP

'Threats have worsened'

In a public letter to senior officials of BBC Burmese, the juntas Ministry of Information said their Oct. 12 report on the shootings intentionally attempted to defame the military by alleging that security forces shot civilians.

A senior official at BBC World News headquarters in London said the head office was aware of the Burmese authorities concerns, and we have been in contact with them to discuss this.

The Irrawaddy reported on Monday that an Oct. 14 statement from the KNU said the deaths were caused by random fire from junta forces responding to a PDF attack, citing testimony from a resident of the village where the fighting occurred.

Ye Ni, an editor at The Irrawaddy, said his news outlets coverage of the shooting was based on three sources.

He said that freedom of the press in Myanmar has been under attack since the February 2021 coup during which the military seized power from the democratically elected government.

Threats by the junta against the news media have worsened, and [were] already at the brink of total collapse with their brutal persecution of reporters and unlawful abolishment of news agencies since the coup, he said.

Ye Ni also questioned why the junta threatened to sue only The Irrawaddy and BBC Burmese when several news agencies also issued similar reports on the shooting.

Kyee Myint, a high court lawyer and legal expert who lives in Myanmar, said the rule of law had disappeared under the junta.

The junta itself are the rebels who broke the law to seize power, he said. These rebels kill, sue and do anything else to stay in power. Its no surprise. Since they are on the wrong side, they try to find fault with those who stand with the righteous people against injustice.

Myint Kyaw, former secretary of the Myanmar Press Council, told RFA that it is getting more difficult for journalists in Myanmar to do their jobs.

In this difficult time of collecting news, to sue a news agency only because what it covers is considered untruthful is the juntas direct threat against the media, he said.

He also said that because The Irrawaddy is no longer based inside Myanmar, the juntas threat would not have a serious impact on the news organization.

As for BBC Burmese, this is the juntas act to pressure the BBC to self-censor and adjust its editorial policy in favor of [the junta], Myint Kyaw said.

The junta has abolished 15 news agencies, four book publishers and two printing presses in the more than 20 months following the coup.

Translated by Myo Min Aung for RFA Burmese. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
The bodies were burned and mutilated making it hard for locals to identify them.

The remains of homes in Nga Lone Tin village in Chaung-U township, Sagaing region, which was burned down by junta troops on Oct. 16.

Junta raids on villages in Sagaing regions Chaung-U township have left four people dead. Nearly 500 homes were torched in the attacks, according to locals.

On Saturday morning, around 100 junta troops fired heavy artillery before entering Ngar Lone Tin village. An eyewitness said that nearly 300 houses were burned down and charred bodies were later discovered.

One body that we can identify was found in Nga Lone Tin village and two bodies that cannot be identified are still under investigation. Civilian or not, those two bodies were burnt and mutilated, a local told RFA on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. The first body was that of a man in his thirties who lives in the northern part of the village. His name is Yan Aung. He was shot in the head.

Later that day, junta troops raided Ma Hti Thar village, burning down more than 200 houses according to a local, who also declined to be named.

Originally our village had more than 600 houses but that grew to almost 800, the local said. More than 200 houses have been burned now. The doors and zinc roofs of brick-built houses in the middle of the village were destroyed. The rest of the huts were completely turned to ash. Now the men are going back to the village to clean up and put out the remaining fires. The women still havent returned.

Fighting between junta troops and the local Peoples Defense Force (PDF) erupted the previous day, near Hman Cho village, leaving one local dead.

A spokesman for the Chaung-U PDF said troops raided ten villages in the township on Friday and Saturday, forcing 20,000 locals to flee.

In the past the military columns entered the villages and burned them before leaving, he told RFA. Now they burn [homes] as soon as they enter the villages and then station troops there. The troops shoot when we enter the villages to put out the fires so we have to retreat.

Troops from four army divisions have been raiding the villages in Chaung-U, according to the PDF spokesman.

RFA contacted Aye Hlaing, State Administration Council (SAC) spokesman for the Sagaing regional government, by phone on Sunday regarding the raids and arson attacks but he refused to comment.

SAC Chairman, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, said during an August meeting with the UN Secretary-Generals Special Rapporteur for Myanmar his troops did not burn down houses and blamed it on local PDFs.

However, Data for Myanmar, which has been monitoring arson attacks, said junta troops have burned down 20,153 houses in Sagaing region between the Feb. 1, 2021 coup and Aug. 25 this year.

A report released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) on Oct. 1, said 545,200 civilians in Sagaing region have been forced to flee to safety due to fighting since the coup.
Xi Jinping made the Taiwan issue a key part of his opening speech at Beijings Party Congress

Taiwan has responded to Chinese leader Xi Jinpings remarks at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), reiterating that Taiwanese people reject the policy of One Country, Two Systems pursued by China.

In his opening speech on Sunday, President Xi said the CPC will unswervingly advance the cause of national reunification.

Xi outlined the official policy towards Taiwan that includes a firm warning on the use of force directed solely at interference by outside forces and the few separatists seeking 'Taiwan independence' and their separatist activities.

"Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese, a matter that must be resolved by the Chinese," stated Xi, who also serves as Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

"We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all measures necessary, he said.

Hitting back at Xi Jinpings speech, Taiwans Presidential Office Spokesperson Chang Tun-han said the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent country, and democracy and freedom are the belief and persistence of the Taiwanese people.

The Republic of China (ROC) is the official name of Taiwan, a self-governed democratic society of 24 million people that Beijing considers one of Chinas provinces.

It is the consensus of the Taiwanese people that territorial sovereignty, democracy and freedom cannot be compromised and that military confrontation is not an option for both sides of the Strait, said Chang.

Taiwan's position is very firm, the spokesman said.

Taiwan is willing to work with Beijing authorities to find a mutually acceptable way to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," Chang Tun-han added.

The right to use force

Xi Jinpings remarks signaled a shift in Beijing's policy towards Taiwan, noted a Taiwanese analyst who also said that Taiwan has now become a priority for the Chinese leader after the Hong Kong issue was considered resolved.

Wang Hsin-hsien, a professor of East Asian Studies at the National Chengchi University in Taipei, told the official Central News Agency (CNA) that cross-Taiwan Strait relations now become an integral part of the China-United States rivalry.

Xi's rhetoric was firmly directed against Taiwan independence and interference by outside forces, Wang noted.

Following U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's August visit to Taiwan and the recently proposed Taiwan Policy Act (TPA) at the U.S. Congress, China conducted regular military drills around Taiwan and increased activities seen by Taipei as provocative.

One day before the opening of the CPC Congress, Communist Party spokesman Sun Yeli told a press conference that China reserves the right to use force over Taiwan as a last resort.

Recently the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) successfully carried out a full test of combat capability of a group of its amphibious assault ships, Chinas state television network CCTV reported.

PLAN Type 075 amphibious assault ships Guangxi and Hainan during drills at an undisclosed area of the South China Sea, Oct. 2022. CREDIT: Screenshot from CCTV report.

A CCTV report on Oct. 13 showed Chinas domestically developed Type 075 amphibious assault ships Hainan and Guangxi taking part in a joint multidimensional amphibious landing and maritime replenishment drills in an undisclosed area in the South China Sea.

The Type 075s are landing helicopter docks capable of operating helicopters. They also have well decks used for transporting armored vehicles. The PLAN has two Type 075 ships and is soon putting a third into service.

During the drills, marines were carried by helicopters to an enemys beach to conduct a beach assault, supported by landing craft and amphibious armored vehicles  a scenario that could emerge during a Taiwan Straits conflict.

PLAN Type 075 amphibious assault ships Hainan CREDIT: Screenshot from a PLAN video

This move could potentially boost the PLANs capabilities in attacking Taiwan, said Shen Ming-Shih, acting deputy chief executive officer at Taiwans Institute for National Defense and Security Research, a government think-tank.

However, the PLA Army and Marine Corps have about 14 amphibious landing brigades but not enough ships like the Type 075s to transport them, Shen told RFA.

Currently the PLA still has to use civilian cruise ships to assist landing operations and these large ships are easy targets for Taiwan's long-range anti-ship missiles, said the Taipei-based military expert.

China is building another five Type 075s which can present a real threat in five years time, he said.
Chinese authorities are ordering residents of Tibets regional capital Lhasa to tune in to television coverage of Chinas 20th Communist Party Congress, forbidding them to leave their homes until the sessions end, RFA has learned.

Monasteries and schools in Tibetan areas of western Chinese provinces have also been instructed to watch the week-long proceedings, which opened in Beijing on Sunday, Tibetan sources say.

Tibetan residents of Lhasa are now confined to their homes so they can pay close attention to speeches given by Chinas President Xi Jinping and other top leaders, a source living in Tibet told RFA.

A few days ahead of the meeting, one person from each family was allowed to go out to pick up groceries and other essentials, but now no one is allowed to leave their home, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Buddhist monks in the Ngaba (in Chinese, Aba), Kardze (Ganzi), and Golog (Guoluo) Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures in Sichuan and Qinghai are meanwhile under orders to watch the Congress, another Tibetan source said, writing to RFA.

All the schools in the Ngaba, Khyungchu [Hongyuan], and Dzamthang [Rangtang] region have also been instructed to watch the Party Congress meetings from the beginning, the source said, also asking not to be named.

Also speaking to RFA, Tenzin Lekshey  spokesman for Tibets India-based exile government the Central Tibetan Administration  said that Beijing fears Tibetans may launch protests while Party Congress meetings are under way.

This is why theyre being forced to stay indoors, Lekshey said. The Chinese government regards Tibet as a very sensitive issue, but these tactics will never succeed until the status of Tibet is resolved.

Formerly an independent nation, Tibet was invaded and incorporated into China by force more than 70 years ago, following which Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and thousands of his followers fled into exile in India and other countries around the world.

Beijing has accused the Dalai Lama of fomenting separatism in Tibet.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, 69, is widely expected to be endorsed by Party Congress delegates this week for a third term in office, breaking recent party norms and becoming Chinas most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong.

Translated by Tenzin Dickyi for RFA Tibetan. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Activists say authorities need to allow free speech, a free press and freedom of movement.

Activists say Vietnam needs to change its perception of human rights to improve the country's rights record in order to contribute as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2023-2025 term.

Despite its poor human rights record, Vietnam was still elected to the UNHRC by 145 out of 189 countries in a UN General Assembly meeting on October 11.

Human rights and democracy activists in Vietnam say the current perception of human rights by the Vietnamese State is very different from that of developed democracies.

The important thing to do is to change the thinking and views of the Vietnamese authorities on human rights issues, an activist in Hanoi told RFA, speaking on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

They must see human rights as the key to resolving conflicts in society, tolerating each other, eliminating hatred and developing the country.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bui Than Son, told the Bao Quoc Te newspaper that Vietnam "will work with member countries to promote initiatives and solutions in areas such as the right to live in peace, development rights, rights of vulnerable groups, gender equality, access to health, education, employment, response to climate change, epidemics, etcetera.

However, according to some international human rights organizations, the right to development and the right to peace promoted by the Hanoi government are ambiguous and are placed above universal human rights.

Fairly enforced laws that uphold the Constitution

Another activist in Hanoi, using the pseudonym Trieu Anh, said Vietnam needs to respect its own laws and enforce them aggressively, as part of measures to improve the country's human rights record.

For improvement, it is necessary to create a legal framework, in other words simply to respect the Vietnamese Constitution so that people can exercise their rights to freedom of speech in accordance with the current Constitutional framework.

At the end of March this year, Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released a report which rejected 50 recommendations out of a total of nearly 300 that countries made during the UNs Universal Periodic Review hearing on countries human rights record.

Notably, there was a recommendation from the Czech government, asking Vietnam to create conditions for pluralism, multi-party democracy and ensure democratic elections. It was rejected by MOFA on the grounds that it was "not suitable for the political policies, laws and practical conditions" in Vietnam.

Freeing prisoners of conscience

When asked what the government must do to fulfill its responsibilities to the UNHRC Nguyen Phu Hai, a retired army colonel, told RFA the Communist Party should free prisoners of conscience and amend or remove vague provisions in the Criminal Code used to suppress dissent.

Trieu Anh said the government also needs to be able to absorb people's criticisms.

Vietnam needs to immediately stop persecuting those who exercise the right to freedom of expression online and in real life, he said, adding that the authorities should allow press freedom and the free movement of human rights campaigners.

Activists should not be banned from leaving the country when they want to go abroad to study or attend events, Anh said.

When responding to reports by international human rights organizations or foreign governments, Vietnam often says the country does not have prisoners of conscience and authorities only imprison individuals who violate the law.
KYIV -- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared that Ukraine cannot be broken as he cited his countrys fight against the Russian invasion and marked the anniversary of the famine regarded by Ukrainians to be a deliberate act perpetrated by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.

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, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

"Ukrainians went through very terrible things...Once they wanted to destroy us with hunger -- now, with darkness and cold," Zelenskiy said on November 26 in a video message.

"We cannot be broken," he declared.



The prime ministers of EU and NATO members Belgium, Lithuania, and Poland were in Kyiv to mark the day and to attend a summit hosted by Zelenskiy to press the Grain From Ukraine initiative designed to get crucial supplies to world markets. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron were among those speaking through video addresses.



Zelenskiys remarks came amid widespread cuts in power and water supplies in his country after weeks of Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and as temperatures plunge with the beginning of winter.



Zelenskiy and other leaders commemorated the victims of the Holodomor famine, which took place in 1932-33 as Stalin's police forced peasants in Ukraine to join collective farms by requisitioning their grain and other foodstuffs.

Historians say the failure to properly harvest crops in Ukraine in 1932 under Soviet mismanagement was the main cause of the famine.



It is estimated that up to 9 million people died as a result of executions, deportation, and starvation during the Stalin-era campaign.

Many Ukrainians consider the famine an act of genocide aimed at wiping out Ukrainian farmers.



Along with Ukraine, at least 16 other countries have officially recognized the Holodomor as genocide.

In October 2018, the U.S. Senate adopted a nonbinding resolution recognizing that Stalin and those around him committed genocide against the Ukrainians in 1932-33.



German lawmakers are preparing to recognize the Holodomor as genocide, according to a draft text seen by the AFP news agency of a joint resolution from Germany's ruling coalition and opposition.



Moscow has long denied any systematic effort to target Ukrainians, arguing that a poor harvest at the time wiped out many in other parts of the Soviet Union.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that he "honored the memory of the Holodomor victims" at a memorial in the Ukrainian capital.



Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, on his first visit to Kyiv since the Russian invasion, said on Twitter that "after the heavy bombing of recent days, we stand with the people of Ukraine. More than ever before."



"With the cold winter months ahead, Belgium is releasing new humanitarian and military aid," he added.



Zelenskiy told the grain summit that Kyiv is one of the guarantors of world food security and will fulfill its duties despite the Russian invasion, citing the new Grain From Ukraine initiative.



He pressed world leaders to support the initiative aimed at feeding about 5 million people in poor countries, particularly Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Congo, Kenya, and Nigeria.



Speaking through video statements to the summit, Scholz and Macron unveiled new financial packages designed to aid Ukrainian grain exports, which have been hit hard by the war, causing food shortages in many of the worlds poorer nations.



"The most vulnerable countries must not pay the price of a war they did not want," Macron said.



Zelenskiy said the Black Sea Grain Initiative -- brokered by Turkey and the UN and agreed to by Russia and Ukraine -- is not operating at full capacity, blaming what he called Moscow's efforts to delay the movement of ships, leaving many vessels trapped at Ukrainian ports.



The deal took effect in August, aimed at unblocking grain shipments to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.



Ukraine and Russia are key global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil, and other food to those countries, and Russia was the world's top exporter of fertilizer before it launched its ongoing invasion of Ukraine in February.



Many in the West have accused Russia of weaponizing the shipment of crucial food-related supplies to world markets. Moscow denies the accusations.

Meanwhile, throughout Ukraine, millions of people are still without heat or electricity after the recent devastating Russian air strikes on infrastructure sites.



Authorities on November 26 were gradually restoring power in many cities -- helped by the reconnection to the grid of the nations four nuclear plants.



Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces was reported in the east and south of the country, as Kyivs troops continue their counteroffensive, which has recaptured thousands of kilometers of territory seized by Russia early in the war.

In the recently liberated southern city of Kherson and its environs, authorities said at least 32 people have been killed by Russian shelling since pro-Kremlin forces withdrew two weeks ago and moved to the eastern bank of the Dnieper River.



"Daily Russian shelling is destroying the city and killing peaceful local residents. In all, Russia has killed 32 civilians in the Kherson region since the de-occupation," Ihor Klymenko, chief of the National Police of Ukraine, said on Facebook.



"Many people are evacuating to seek refuge in calmer regions of the country. But many residents remain in their homes, and we need to provide them with the maximum possible security," he added.

With reporting by AFP and AP
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Russian strikes with Iranian-built drones targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, early on October 17. A residential building suffered heavy damage. Russia's Defense Ministry announced that "all designated targets" had been hit. Ukrainian authorities say unmanned aerial vehicles laden with explosives, known as "kamikaze" drones, were used. RFE/RL correspondent Roksolana Bychai reported from the scene.
Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click here.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what Ive been following during the past week and what Im watching for in the days ahead.

The Big Issue

Authorities in Tehran have accused Iran's foreign enemies of stoking unrest in the country with the goal of inciting a civil war.

Officials made the accusations following what they called terrorist attacks that took place on November 16 in Izeh, in the southwestern province of Khuzestan, and in the central city of Isfahan, where they said gunmen on motorbikes opened fire on security forces and civilians, killing seven in Izeh and two in Isfahan.

The incidents followed an October 26 attack at the Shah Cheragh shrine in Shiraz that left 13 dead. The Shiraz attack was claimed by the extremist group Islamic State (IS).

Speaking on November 18, Mohsen Rezai, Iran's vice president for economic affairs, blamed Tehran's enemies for the bitter incidents and claimed that theyre trying to create a civil war in the country. "Iran cannot be turned into another Syria or Lebanon by carrying out violent acts similar to the ones in Shah Cheragh, Isfahan, and Izeh," he said.

A day earlier, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abollahian accused Israel and Western countries of plotting a "civil war" and the disintegration of the Islamic republic.

Security services, [Israel], and Western politicians who have made plans for a civil war and the destruction and disintegration of Iran must know that that Iran is not Libya or Sudan, Amir-Abdollahian said on Twitter, while failing to provide any evidence to back his claim.

Why It Matters: The warnings come amid nine weeks of antiestablishment protests in Iran triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini following her arrest by the morality police in Tehran. Iran has blamed foreign countries and intelligence services of orchestrating the unrest, which has turned into the most significant challenge to the clerical establishment in the past four decades.

Ali Alfoneh, an Iran analyst at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, told RFE/RL that the Islamic republic has only itself to blame for the situation it faces, but lacking the courage to look into the mirror and admit their own mistakes, regime officials cowardly blame the foreign powers.

Others said Tehran could use the attacks as an excuse for a harsher crackdown on the protests. We don't have a good sense of what happened in Izeh and Isfahan -- was it a terrorist group, or potentially the regime itself?" said Henry Rome, an Iran expert at the Washington Institute. "Either way, the government will probably use the attacks to send the message that the protests are undermining national security and opening the door for Western-backed terrorism," Rome added.

Whats Next: Statements by Iranian officials who have vowed a crushing response to those behind the "terrorist" attacks could provide clues about the countrys next steps. Authorities have said that the perpetrators of the attacks and their leaders who are allegedly based outside the country would be "introduced to the people."

Stories You Might Have Missed

 Activists say Iran has intensified its crackdown in the Kurdistan region in an attempt to spread fear among protesters and quell the nationwide antiestablishment protests that have rocked the country for the past two months.

 At least 47 children have been killed amid Irans ongoing crackdown on the protests that were sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini. Among them is 9-year-old Kian Pirfalak who was killed on November 16 in the southwestern city of Izeh amid the antiestablishment protests. State media claimed that the boy was killed in a "terrorist attack." But his mother says he was shot dead by Iranian security forces. His tragic death led to an outpouring of grief and anger.

 Protesters in Iran set fire to the ancestral home of the Islamic republic's late founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in the central Iranian city of Khomein, according to amateur videos posted online. Images of Khomeini have also been torched in past weeks amid the ongoing unrest.

What We're Watching

Iran said on November 22 that it had begun producing uranium enriched to 60 percent at its Fordo underground facility. The announcement was part of Iran's response to the UN nuclear watchdog's adoption last week of a resolution accusing Tehran of noncooperation. Tehran condemned the resolution as politically motivated while vowing retaliation.

"We had said that Iran would seriously react to any resolution and political pressure...that is why Iran has started enriching uranium to 60 percent purity as of Monday [November 21] at the Fordo site," the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, was quoted as saying by state media.

Why It Matters: Enrichment at 60 percent is one step away from the 90 percent level required for nuclear weapons. Iran had already been enriching to 60 percent purity at other facilities.

The 2015 nuclear deal -- which has been on life support following the U.S. withdrawal from the international agreement in May 2018 -- had limited Irans nuclear enrichment activities to 3.7 percent for civilian purposes.

Tehrans latest escalation is likely to lead to more concerns about the countrys nuclear activities from other countries that were party to the stalled nuclear deal and are working to revive it. The EU trio of Britain, France and Germany said in a joint statement that Irans increased enrichment carries significant proliferation-related risks [and] has no credible civilian justification.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have.

Until next time,

Golnaz Esfandiari

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday.
More than three dozen human rights groups have condemned Tehran's deadly crackdown on protests over the death of a young women while in custody for "improperly" wearing a head scarf as Iranians showed no signs of backing down in unrest that has shaken the entire country.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other groups voiced their "deep concern" about Iran's "mobilization of their well-honed machinery of repression to ruthlessly crack down" on the nationwide protests.

The Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights said on October 17 that at least 215 people, including 27 children, had been killed in the crackdown, which the European Union imposed new sanctions on Iran's information minister, the country's "morality police," and other senior officials.

The rights groups said evidence they had gathered showed "a harrowing pattern of Iranian security forces deliberately and unlawfully firing live ammunition and metal pellets, including birdshot, at protesters and bystanders including children."

"The United Nations Human Rights Council should act as a matter of urgency by holding a special session and -- given the gravity of crimes under international law and other serious human rights violations committed in Iran and the prevailing systemic impunity -- establish an independent, investigative, reporting and accountability mechanism," the groups said in the statement on October 17.

Mahsa Amini died on September 16 in Tehran, three days after she was seen being taken into custody by the morality police for allegedly wearing a hijab, or head scarf, improperly. Eyewitnesses say they could see her being beaten by security agents.

As word spread of the Amini's death, so too did anger, sparking protests in cities across the country in one of the deepest challenges to the Islamic regime since the revolution in 1979.

In the northwestern Iranian city of Ardabil, protesters continued to take to the streets after security forces raided a girls' high school on October 13.



Videos published on social media showed people chanting "Freedom, freedom" and also "Death to the dictator," a reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

WATCH: In an interview with RFE/RLs Radio Farda, Jarrett Blanc, the deputy U.S. special envoy for Iran, brushed aside Tehrans accusations that weeks-long mass protests in the country are orchestrated by the United States or Israel.



Reports indicate that following the raid on the school, 10 students were taken to an unknown place by security agents and seven were injured.



Meanwhile, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, a group that monitors Kurdish-inhabited areas of western Iran where Amini was from, announced on October 16 the arrest of five students by security forces in the western Iranian city of Sarvabad.



The situation at the notorious Evin prison, where many of those detained during the protests in Tehran are being held, remained unclear after a fire broke out over the weekend amid reports of an uprising.

Iran's judiciary raised the death toll to eight people who had been held on theft charges.

The judiciary's Mizan news agency described the incident as a "fight between inmates and a fire," though it offered no evidence to support the claim. Activists outside of Iran say they remain skeptical of the government's claims.

Prominent filmmaker Jafar Panahi managed to call his wife from Evin on October 16 to let her know that he and his fellow filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof are fine and that authorities had used tear gas during the unrest in Evin prison.

Panahi and Rasoulof were arrested in July because they had signed an open letter that called out corruption, theft, inefficiency, and repression in the Islamic republic.



The government has blocked the Internet to slow the flow of information between protesters. Tehran-based technology news website Digiato said that accessing virtual personal networks (VPNs) to circumvent the Internet restrictions had become almost impossible.



An online petition asking G7 countries to expel the Islamic republic's diplomats has so far collected nearly 220,000 signatures.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda
Iran's judiciary has raised the death toll for a fire at Tehran's notorious Evin prison, saying that at least eight prisoners were killed, as nationwide protests continue over the death in custody of a young woman arrested for improperly wearing a mandatory Islamic scarf.

Details still remain scarce over the fire at Evin prison, which also houses political prisoners and anti-government protesters.

The judiciary's Mizan news agency announced the new toll on October 17, saying the prisoners had succumbed to their injuries the previous day.

It said all those dead had been held on theft charges. Mizan described the incident as a fight between inmates and a fire," though it offered no evidence to support the claim. Activists outside of Iran say they remain skeptical of the Iranian government's claims.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi accused Washington of inciting chaos after U.S. President Joe Biden voiced support for the five-week old protests that have rocked Iran over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.



State media originally reported that nine people were injured but the Judiciary website Mizan.news said on October 16 that four inmates had died of smoke inhalation and 61 others were injured. It said all four who died were in prison on robbery convictions.

Mizan added that 10 inmates were hospitalized, with four of them in serious condition. Some prisoners had tried to escape but failed, the website said.

An RFE/RL reporter was told that a riot began on October 15 in Ward 7 of the prison, which is famous for holding political prisoners and was blacklisted by the U.S. government in 2018 for being a place with "serious rights abuses."

The ward is next to another area where those detained during the unrest over the death of Amini are being held.

On October 16, state-run TV aired video of what it said was the fire's aftermath, showing scorched walls and ceilings in a room it said was the upper floor of a sewing workshop at the prison.

Tehran Governor Mohsen Mansuri said the fire was caused by a fight between some prisoners" in the workshop.

Many Iranian social media posts challenged state media claims over the cause of the fire and apparent explosions at the prison.

The European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell expressed most serious concern and called for maximum transparency on the situation following the prison blaze.

Borrell said in a tweet on October 16 that Iranian authorities are responsible for the lives of "all detainees, including human rights defenders and EU nationals.

Some prisoners had called their families on October 16, relatives and lawyers said.

Prominent filmmaker Jafar Panahi managed to call his wife from Evin on October 16 to let her know that he and his fellow filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof are fine and that authorities had used tear gas during the unrest, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reported.

A lawyer representing Siamak Namazi, an American-Iranian held at Evin said on October 16 that Namazi had contacted his family.

Namazi is safe and has been moved to a secure area of Evin prison, lawyer Jared Genser said in a tweet.

Namazi has been sentenced for more than seven years on espionage-related charges rejected by Washington as baseless.

Several other dual-national Iranians and foreign citizens are being held in Evin prison, mostly on dubious security-related charges.

Speaking in the western U.S. state of Oregon on October 15, Biden said he was surprised by the courage of the people taking to the streets in protest in Iran.

Biden said the Iranian government is so oppressive and that he had an enormous amount of respect for people marching in the streets.

Tehran said the remarks amounted to interference in Irans internal affairs.

President Raisi accused Biden of inciting chaos, terror and the destruction of another country.

"The enemy's plot must be countered by effective measures to resolve people's problems," Raisi added, according to a presidency statement released on October 16.

Iran has been rocked by nationwide protests -- one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic government since the 1979 revolution -- sparked by Amini's death on September 16.

Amini was detained by morality police for "inappropriate attire" with regard to her head scarf, or hijab. Eyewitnesses say Amini, who comes from the country's Kurdish region, was beaten while in custody, but the authorities gave the official cause of death as "underlying diseases."

With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, and dpa
As Russian President Vladimir Putin's unpopular mobilization drive extends into its fourth week, body bags containing the remains of draftees have begun to arrive back home, compounding fear and disgruntlement among citizens over a process that has appeared disorganized and arbitrary.

Russian authorities announced on October 13 that five men from the Urals region who were drafted in late September had been killed in Ukraine, possibly the first official confirmation of battlefield deaths among mobilized men. A day later, a funeral was held in Moscow for another man who was called up in the mobilization announced by Putin on September 21.

The deaths come amid widespread complaints by draftees and their families about poor conditions at mobilization points, including a lack of food, shelter, gear, and training. Many claim they were wrongly drafted, including some who say they had no prior military experience or suffered from medical conditions that prevent them from serving.

Anton Borisov, 36, was drafted in late September and sent to the front lines in Ukraine a few days later, along with other mobilized men from the Urals. He quickly met his death.

"There's something that bothers me: they say and show one thing [about training] on TV, but in fact, they didn't even have any training," Vladimir Borisov, whose son Anton was among the five mobilized men from the Urals who were killed, told local media outlet 74.ru.

Putin's announcement of what he called a "partial" mobilization came after a rout in the Kharkiv region, where Ukraine regained a large swath of territory that had been seized by Russian forces since the large-scale invasion began in February. Those losses and other setbacks have raised the prospect of a Russian military defeat that could undermine Putin's rule.

Putin said the mobilization would affect only reservists and men with combat experience, and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the military would seek to call up about 300,000 men. Military officials have promised the mobilized men would receive at least two weeks of training before being sent to the front.

Putin's announcement sparked protests in dozens of cities, and tens of thousands of men have fled the country -- to avoid the draft.

Public Backlash

Struggling to contain the repercussions of the move, the government quickly passed laws promising draftees high salaries as well as compensation and debt forgiveness in the case of injury or death.

Timur Akhmetshin, a 34-year-old whose son just started first grade, was one of the five draftees from the Urals confirmed to have been killed, leaving his family devastated. His mother has suffered a stroke and his son is heartbroken, says his wife, Maria Akhmetshina.

She says financial compensation brings little solace. "What the hell do I need [the money] for?" she told 74.ru. "I'm, what, going to give [this money] to my son and say, 'Here, this is in exchange for your daddy's life?'"

Aleksei Martynov, 28,  Moscow city government official, was drafted on September 23 -- and was killed in battle less than three weeks later.

"He had no combat experience. He was sent to the front basically after a few days [of training]. Military leaders -- now is not the time to lie," Natalya Loseva, deputy editor in chief at state-owned media outlet RIA Novosti and an acquaintance of Martynov, wrote on her Telegram channel.

On the day of Martynov's funeral, October 14, Putin said that the "partial" mobilization would be over by the end of the month, adding that the military had drafted 220,000 men over the first three weeks.

"No additional mobilization actions are planned. There is no need for them. I think that within two weeks all mobilization activities will be completed," Putin said. Three days later, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the mobilization was over in the capital, and suggested that there would be no repercussions for those who did not respond to draft notices.

Martynov's death reportedly sparked anger among Moscow city workers.

Jonathan Haslam, professor emeritus of the history of international relations at Cambridge University and a Russia expert, told a conference on October 16 that Putin had been "forced to cut short" the mobilization drive because of public backlash. "If the elderly get on the street because of the deaths of unwilling conscripts in Ukraine, in the end, the pressure may build" and undermine Putin's hold on power, he said.

Dara Massicot, a military analyst at the RAND Corporation, a U.S.-based think tank, told RFE/RL that Putin may have just been signaling the end of a first wave of mobilization. "I'm not confident in their timelines and what they are saying," she said.

Sleight Of Hand?

Putin's comments may be sleight of hand, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggested: Russia will commence its postponed conscription cycle on November 1, right around the time he said mobilization will end.

Following Russia's baseless claim of sovereignty over four Ukrainian regions on September 30, the new conscripts -- a total of 120,000 are expected to be called up -- can be sent to the front lines under Russian law.

Putin "likely needs to pause or end his partial mobilization to free up bureaucratic resources for conscription," the U.S.-based ISW said in an October 14 note.

Putin's government has repeatedly lied and misinformed the public about the war, which the Kremlin insists on pain of prosecution that Russians refer to only as a "special military operation." Shortly after Putin launched the invasion on February 24, he said there would be no general mobilization.

In September, Shoigu said that fewer than 6,000 Russian soldiers had been killed in the war, though Ukrainian and Western estimates of the Russian death toll are in the tens of thousands. Russia would not need to mobilize 300,000 men if its losses were as low as claimed, economist and Kremlin critic Sergei Guriyev said in an interview with Russkie Norm, a Youtube channel, published on October 5.

Last week, ahead of Putin's announcement that the call-up would end soon, police and military enlistment officers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and several other cities were deployed in large numbers to mobilize young men.

Among other dragnet methods, they waited in apartment-building entranceways in St. Petersburg in the hope of catching men on their way to work in the morning, and searched hostels in Moscow at 4 a.m.

Many men who have sought to avoid the draft but cannot or do not wish to flee the country have chosen to hide out at hostels, dorms, or with friends.

Russian authorities used theaters and cinemas in Moscow to congregate and process those seized in the capital.

About 100 men were brought to the Roman Viktyuk drama theater in the north of Moscow, where they were pressured to sign a contract to serve, a rights group said, citing several of the men holed up.

Military analysts have said that Russia's mobilization will only slow Ukraine's efforts to regain territory, not stop them, but that Putin may be betting that Western military and financial support for Ukraine could weaken if the war drags on.

Suicides, Shootings

Some of the men called up in the mobilization have died before reaching Ukraine, including by suicide.

In the deadliest known incident involving soldiers within Russia since the invasion began, the military said that two men from an unspecified country in the Commonwealth of Independent States opened fire on October 15 at a training ground at Soloti, near the border in the Belgorod region, killing 11 servicemen and injuring 15 others. Unconfirmed accounts have put the death toll above 30, including the alleged attackers.

The Defense Ministry said the victims were volunteers, but the Soloti facility has been used to train draftees, and relatives of some of the mobilized men from the Urals who were killed said officials tried to claim they were volunteers, too.

It is not the first incident at Soloti. Earlier this month, a group of mobilized men allegedly refused to fight over scant training and medical attention, according to SOTA, an independent Telegram news channel.

"We want to return [home] and at least undergo a normal medical examination, and not at a medical unit where some doctor sits [there] and you have no idea at all what kind of doctor he is," one of the soldiers told SOTA. "We want to receive normal training. We went to the training grounds once [after being drafted]. No one here knows how to shoot."

Putin has said that mobilized soldiers are receiving 5-10 days initial training and another 5-15 days in their fighting units before being sent to the front, a period analyst have called inadequate.

Many aren't even getting that much, and analysts say the quality of the training is questionable, too, because many of Russia's best instructors have been sent to the front and some have not returned.

RAND's Massicot says it's not surprising that Russia's mobilization is "very unorganized," because the country -- and even its military, which was largely left out of decision-making ahead of the invasion -- had not expected to fight a large-scale land war.

"The mobilization system has not been a priority for the last 10+ years," she said.

Mark Krutov of RFE/RL's Russian Service and North.Realities contributed to this report
A prominent Czech expert on disinformation and "hybrid threats" says that while the West spent years underestimating the danger emanating from Moscow, a resolute response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its "nuclear blackmail" could help reverse years of "paralysis" in the face of "empty threats" oft-repeated by the Kremlin.

Jakub Kalensky of the European Center of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE), a Helsinki think tank established by the European Union and NATO, says allowing worst-case fears of Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions to steer responses to the invasion of Ukraine would be a mistake.

"Taken abstractly, the threat of a nuclear strike is obviously something absolutely horrible," Kalensky told RFE/RL's Georgian Service this month in a wide-ranging interview. "However, I really do not want us to fall for the trap and start discussing what happens if Putin does it [uses nuclear weapons], because I believe that this is only helping Putin in his work to spread fear of the consequences of opposing the Kremlin's unlawful, criminal, genocidal aggression."

Kyiv and Western officials have accused Russian officials of "nuclear blackmail" in their capture of Ukrainian nuclear facilities, including Europe's biggest power plant at Zaporizhzhya, and their threats to use nuclear weapons to defend Russian territory that they falsely claim now includes four regions of eastern Ukraine.

U.S. President Joe Biden warned earlier this month that Putin would invite "the prospect of Armageddon" if he used a nuclear weapon in Ukraine and expressed hope of finding an "off-ramp" to help avoid such a grave outcome.

Kalensky told RFE/RL that, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in late February, "we should make sure that Russia will not have the army [or] the economy to harm anyone. That's what we should be doing, and then we don't really have to worry about what Mr. Putin might do."

'15 Years Of Empty Threats'

Kalensky was a founder of the EU's East StratCom Task Force, set up in 2015 to counter Russian disinformation after the occupation and annexation of Crimea, and its flagship EUvsDisinfo database. Until recently, he was a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab).

He cites more than a decade of Russian aggression, beginning with a cyberattack on Estonia in 2007 from Russian IP addresses, continuing through Russia's five-day war to support breakaway regions of Georgia in 2008, and then the occupation of Crimea along with Russian support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

"As a disinformation or propaganda specialist, what I see is 15 years of empty threats being used over and over and over again [by Moscow] simply because they are paralyzing us," Kalensky said. "So all I'm saying is that we shouldn't fall for this trap, because that only helps Putin to achieve his goal, and it harms Ukrainians who are actually fighting for our European or Euro-Atlantic values."

Disinformation is a key component of what's become known as "hybrid" warfare, a 21st-century term for a military strategy that employs covert digital and high-tech tactics including cyberattacks, as well as armed proxy groups and military posturing.

Kalensky credits Putin's long-running information war with successfully shaping the language and coverage among European media of events from the occupation of Crimea and the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 to the pandemic and last month's "pseudo-referendums" in occupied Ukraine.

"I'm afraid that the Russian disinformation war is very competent, very skillful, and can achieve massive results," he said, "and I fear that they managed sometimes to influence how we framed the debate -- the voices that 'the more you support Ukraine, the bigger the problems will be, that Russia will be angry and they will do something terrible.'"

He suggests such responses "should be discredited as basically copy-pasting the Russian position."

Acknowledging that it might be wishful thinking on his part, Kalensky says that recent weeks have shown the Russian propaganda machine "seems to be making some mistakes" and now "it's not going that well."

He cites a recent expose by Meduza, a Riga-based news outlet made up of emigre Russian journalists, on Kremlin instructions to propagandists for covering Putin's mobilization by laying blame for call-ups on local military commissars.

"I would hope that the information machine of the Kremlin is starting to make mistakes," Kalensky said. "However, when we look at the history of dealing with the Putin regime, I'm a bit afraid that they were quite successful in influencing the way we understand the Russian regime and also the way we talk about it, and ultimately the way we actually make decisions about it."

The outspoken Kalensky says he regards the battle for Ukraine as the "purest clash of democracy and autocracy, of human rights and unlawfulness, between rule of law and might-makes-right," adding, "We really should have been much more resolute in supporting those who are fighting for our values."

He says he thinks that democratic governments should have immediately stopped all business with Russia and cut it off from the international economy.

While many Western countries have imposed unprecedented trade, economic, and other sanctions on Russia, with Moscow responding with countermeasures, Europe's dependency on Russian oil and natural gas in particular has left EU members and aspiring members vulnerable in the resulting energy crisis.

In March 2022, all 27 EU members adopted a Versailles Declaration to phase out their dependence on Russian fossil fuels "as soon as possible."

Since then, EU countries have imported tens of billions of dollars in Russian fossil fuels and debate still divides the bloc. "I'm not saying it would solve all the problems, but as a strategic communication expert, I find it a very bad message that there is still Western money going into Russia," Kalensky said. "I think that's a mistake."

While some Western comparisons of Putin to Nazi Germany's Adolf Hitler can be facile, disinformation expert Kalensky says he thinks the Russian president "has been making Hitler-like speeches for quite some time already and it ties in with the Kremlin propaganda, the dehumanizing language towards Ukraine claiming that Ukraine is not even a nation."

He calls a Putin speech last year on the "historical unity" of Russians and Ukrainians that foreshadowed the invasion "straight out of Hitler's notebook."

Kalensky links it with the steady rehabilitation of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin under two decades of Putin's leadership. "Dictators are usually inspired by other dictators," he said. "It kind of shows that if you want to commit crimes in the future, it surely helps if you start justifying the crimes of the past."

He notes Putin's reintroduction of the Soviet anthem's melody in 2000 and his lament, in 2005, of the Soviet Union's demise.

"Again, it just shows me that we in the West should have been significantly more alerted when we saw someone reinstating the Soviet anthem," Kalensky said. "When we saw someone talking about 'the biggest geopolitical catastrophe' of the 20th century, we really should have been much more sensitive to that, because this signals that the crimes will be committed again, and they are committed again."

Written by Andy Heil based on an interview by Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL's Georgian Servi

Jakub Kalensky

https://gdb.rferl.org/04230000-0aff-0242-abd6-08daaaebd7a3_w1023_r1_s.jpg

ORIGINAL GEORGIAN SERVICE INTERVIEW:
DUSHANBE -- Tajik authorities are investigating media reports that say at least two Tajik nationals were involved in a shooting spree at a military training base in Russia over the weekend that left at least 11 Russian men dead and at least 15 wounded.

The Tajik Interior Ministry told RFE/RL in a written statement on October 17 that "Tajikistan's embassy in Moscow is trying to clarify whether or not Tajik citizens were involved in the deadly shooting."

Meanwhile, relatives of a 24-year-old Tajik man, Ehson Aminzoda, told RFE/RL that Russian authorities had identified him as one of the men who opened fire on October 15 during military training near the Russian city of Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine.

Ehson Aminzoda's older brother, Firuz, who resides and works in Moscow, told RFE/RL on October 17 that Russian authorities had informed him that his brother was identified as one of the shooters.

"The Military Prosecutor's Office [in Moscow] have summoned me. Yesterday, I was informed about what happened. We do not know how he ended up in Belgorod. My brother was not a terrorist, nor did he have such thoughts. He was an ordinary migrant who wanted to work and build his life," Firuz Aminzoda said.

Firuz Aminzoda added that his brother moved to the Russian capital from his native village in Tajikistan's south seven months ago.

According to Firuz Aminzoda, Ehson, who also worked at a Moscow restaurant, was last seen near Moscow's Lyublino metro station on October 10, after which he went incommunicado.

He emphasized that Ehson was not a Russian citizen, and, therefore, was not eligible for the military mobilization that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on September 21 to support his ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Ehson's father, Tajiddin Aminzoda, confirmed to RFE/RL that his son died in Russia over the weekend, but declined to give any comments or details.

Russia's Defense Ministry said on October 15 that "two citizens of a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States" opened fire at a military training ground in the Belgorod region, killing 11 and wounding 15 military personnel. The attackers were shot dead by return fire, it added.

Some reports quoting witnesses said that three Tajiks were involved in the attack and that one of the attackers had managed to escape.

According to the reports, the shooting started amid tensions sparked by a conflict between Muslim soldiers and a unit commander who "insulted their religion."

Putin's mobilization has sparked protests, attacks on recruitment offices, and the flight of huge numbers of men out of the country.

On October 15, a military commissioner at an enlistment center in the city of Partizansk in Russia's Far East was found dead "near a fence."

Local authorities gave contradicting reports, saying that Roman Malyk died of a heart attack and that investigators later looked into the possibilities of murder or suicide. Meanwhile, local reports quoted witnesses as saying that the man was found hanged on the fence.

Last month, a man shot and severely wounded another military commissioner in the Siberian city of Ust-Ilimsk to protest against the mobilization.

On October 14, Putin said the mobilization will end in two weeks as more than 220,000 men had been mobilized through the call to fight in Ukraine.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service
Ukrainian soldiers are using heavy weapons supplied by the West to push back against Russian forces in intense battles in the Donbas. The Czech RM-70 Vampire rocket system has been deployed by Ukrainian troops in frontline battles in the Donetsk region, a hotly contested territory in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Fresh Russian air strikes have targeted Kyiv with Iranian-made drones, killing at least four people in the Ukrainian capital, while other regions in southern and eastern Ukraine were also hit, local officials said.

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, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a pregnant woman and her husband were among the dead in Kyiv. Their bodies were pulled from the remains of a destroyed apartment building and there might still be people under the rubble, he added.

The attacks are part of Russia's efforts to destroy critical infrastructure and sow panic, but they are having a completely different effect than what the Russians expected, Klitschko told RFE/RL.

Klitschko said he was currently asking international partners to provide Kyiv with modern air-defense systems to protect the city from further strikes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said more than 25 settlements were attacked late on October 16 and in the early hours of October 17.



Speaking in his nightly address, he said the armed forces managed to shoot down many missiles and drones.



"But in order to guarantee the protection of our skies and to reduce the capabilities of Russian terrorists to zero, we need significantly more modern air defense systems and more missile support for such systems," he said.



He said Russia has "no chance on the battlefield" and therefore is trying to "cover up its military defeats with terror."



The Russian shelling on October 17 -- both the drone strikes and other air strikes with missiles -- led to new power outages, which he said were being fixed. But he also asked Ukrainians to conserve electricity during peak hours.

U.S. President Joe Biden's spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre, told reporters that the White House "strongly condemns Russia's missile strikes" and said the attack "continues to demonstrate [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's brutality."

She said the United States "will continue to impose costs on Russia, hold them accountable for its war crimes."

The Ukrainian Air Force said it destroyed 37 of the 43 drones launched by the Russian military.

Russia has been using so-called suicide drones with increasing frequency in recent weeks to target urban centers and infrastructure, including power stations.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on October 17 that more than 100 such drones had struck Ukraine in the past week, hitting power stations, sewage treatment plants, bridges, and playgrounds.



"A third of Ukraine's energy infrastructure was affected," a ministry statement said.



"We call on Tehran to immediately stop supplying Russia with any weapons. Otherwise, Iran and its leadership will bear the strictest responsibility, including within the framework of international legal proceedings addressing Russia's crimes against Ukraine."



Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba appealed earlier on October 17 to the foreign ministers of the European Union to impose sanctions on Iran over drone supplies to Russia.



Several of the ministers called for sanctions against Iran over the transfer of drones to Russia.

A U.S. State Department spokesman said the United States agreed that the use of drones supplied to Russia by Iran would violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

"Earlier today our French and British allies publicly offered the assessment that Iran's supply of these UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) [to] Russia is a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231," U.S. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters. "This is something that we agree with."

Resolution 2231 endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal that limited Tehran's uranium-enrichment activity while lifting international sanctions.

Under the resolution, a conventional arms embargo on Iran was in place until October 2020. The Security Council at the time rejected efforts by the United States to extend the arms embargo, paving the way for Iran to resume arms exports. But diplomats say the resolution still includes restrictions on missiles and related technologies, including advanced military systems such as drones.

In the eastern region of Sumy, regional Governor Dmytro Zhyvytskiy said three people had been killed and several more wounded in the Russian attacks.

In the south, a big fire broke out at an energy facility in the Dnipropetrovsk region after it was struck by a missile overnight, a local official said early on October 17.

The city council in the southern port of Odesa said Russian warplanes fired missiles on infrastructure facilities in the region early on October 17.

Russia's Defense Ministry said on October 17 that it had carried out a "massive" attack on military targets and energy infrastructure across Ukraine using "high-precision" weapons.

The ministry said in its daily briefing that it had hit "all designated targets" in Ukraine and also thwarted an attempt by Ukraine to breach its defenses in the southern Kherson region.

On October 10, Russia launched strikes on Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine in the biggest wave of attacks in months.

The attacks killed at least 19 people, wounded 105 others and sparked an international outcry. Russia denies it has been targeting civilians.

Meanwhile, Britain's Ministry of Defense said in its daily intelligence bulletin on October 17 that Russia was facing more acute logistical problems in the south after the damage to the road-and-rail bridge linking mainland Russia to Crimea caused by a blast on October 8.

In Luxembourg, EU foreign ministers stepped up the bloc's military support for Ukraine on October 17 by launching a mission to train 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers and providing an additional 500 million euros ($487 million) for weapons.

Kuleba addressed a meeting of his EU counterparts from a shelter in Kyiv and urged them to provide more air defenses and to sanction Iran over drone supplies to Russia.

"While Dmytro Kuleba addresses (us) from a bomb shelter, we raise EU military assistance to 3.1 billion euros ($3 billion) and launch the EU military training mission for Ukraine," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted from the meeting in Luxembourg.

"Russia's latest indiscriminate attacks will not shake our determination to support Ukraine, it will only reinforce it."

With reporting by Reuters, AP, dpa, and AFP
Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's new newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods.

I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm drilling down on two major issues: the agreement by the European Union to finally set up a military assistance mission to Ukraine, and the potential breakthrough when it comes to visa liberalization for Kosovo.

Brief #1: A Military Assistance Mission For Ukraine

The Big Issue: It has been in the works since the spring, but on October 17, EU foreign ministers are expected to finally green-light the bloc's first-ever military assistance mission for Ukraine, christened the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM).

It has long been a sensitive topic, with the bloc reluctant to be dragged into the conflict in any way. But now Brussels is stepping up to coordinate efforts that have been in place since the start of the war in February by individual member states in an attempt to avoid duplication and boost Brussels' overall support for Kyiv.

A concept note, written by EU diplomats and seen by RFE/RL, states that if launched swiftly, the mission can "make a positive difference to the outcome of the war."

What You Need To Know: The goal is to have the mission up and running this fall to train around 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers on EU soil, ideally by the winter. There is also a possibility to scale up if needed.

The training will take place in several EU member states, but there will be two "headquarters"-- one in Germany, which will offer specialized training such as demining; and the other in Ukraine's neighbor, Poland, which will offer air defense, cyberwarfare, and artillery training, among other things.

With Poland already being a major hub for humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine and enjoying increasingly close cooperation with crucial NATO allies such as the United States and the United Kingdom, the choice was obvious, with an EU document stating that providing training close to the border "could significantly reduce the supply routes from Ukraine for the recruits and trainees and the returnto the front line of the war."

Deep Background: Two questions are worrying Brussels: Firstly, is it really necessary for the European Union to step up involvement on this front, considering NATO and its allies are already doing so much? And, secondly, how will Russia react?

After a lot of initial hesitancy over the summer, the mission did get an extra push at an informal EU defense ministers' meeting in Prague in late August when Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov requested extra support for the Ukrainian Army. A leaked document authored by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and seen by RFE/RL also came to the conclusion that "not enhancing the support to Ukraine now would leave the Ukrainian armed forces short of vital training for its personnel during a critical period of the war."

The fear of how it would be perceived in Moscow has lingered, with the concept note acknowledging that the mission could be interpreted by Russia "as an escalatory move." The concept note does add that "this risk, however, is mitigated by the fact that the proposed mission would not constitute a direct involvement by the EU and its member states in the conflict."

EU member states were adamant that no training would take place on Ukrainian soil for security reasons. The Russian air strike in March on the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security -- a military training ground near Lviv that had hosted foreign fighters -- was a cautionary example. Liaison officers from the EU, however, will be stationed in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

Drilling Down

Why has the decision not been taken quicker? Partly because of fears of a potential Russian response but also because developments on the ground have shifted faster than the slow grind of the Brussels bureaucratic machine. What first seemed like a fairly low-key training mission focusing on very specific tasks has slowly morphed into what is likely to be a substantial coordination effort. Another reason for the delays in recent weeks was a discussion between Germany and Poland on where the headquarters will be based, with several diplomats that I spoke to on the condition of anonymity saying that Berlin argued that it would look better if Germany hosted the headquarters, as Warsaw had struck too much of an aggressive tone with Moscow. In the end, Poland's advantageous geography meant that a compromise could be made.

How long will the mission last? Two years, with an assessment of its usefulness in 2023. But the EU seems to have adopted NATO's mantra of supporting Ukraine for the long haul, with the concept note stating that "the EU will support Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression, as much as needed and for as long as it takes."

How much will it cost? The initial budget of 106 million euros ($103.6 million) is coming from the EU's European Peace Facility (EPF), which "expands the EU's ability to provide security for its citizens and its partners." The facility has already provided 2.6 billion euros to finance Ukraine's purchase of military weapons from EU member states, with another tranche of 500 million euros expected to be agreed by the bloc's foreign ministers on October 17. Some of that might be used for EUMAM, but the main costs will still be borne by individual member states by providing military trainers and instructors to boost the capabilities of the Ukrainian Army.

Brief #2: Will There Finally Be Visa Liberalization For Kosovo?

The Big Issue: After years of stalling, there might finally be some movement when it comes to visa liberalization for Kosovo's citizens. With all other Western Balkan countries enjoying visa-free travel to the vast majority of EU member states for over a decade, the fact that Pristina still doesn't have this right has been a source of tension for some time.

Already in 2018, the European Commission confirmed that Kosovo had fulfilled all the required conditions. And then last week, the commission once again issued a paper stating that its recommendation from four years ago "to exempt Kosovo nationals from visa requirements in respect of short stays remains fully valid."

The problem, however, is that not all the member states agree.

Deep Background: This summer, there were signals from France and the Netherlands, the two last holdouts against visa liberalization for Kosovo, that they were willing to reconsider their positions. The Dutch had already previously indicated that they could be willing to move if the European Commission gave its thumbs up after looking into the matter again. But for France -- who previously had showed little willingness to budge, citing fake asylum applications from Albania and Georgia -- there has seemingly been a change of heart.

The Czech Republic, which currently holds the rotating European Council Presidency until the end of 2022, hopes to resolve the issue on its watch. On October 13, the topic was for the first time discussed by the council's visa working group that brings together home affairs experts from the 27 member states to Brussels once a month.

Drilling Down

 At the meeting, France threw a bit of a curveball: Paris wants to link visa liberalization for Kosovo to the entry into force of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). ETIAS is the EU-version of the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) -- essentially a digital system to keep track of non-EU visitors to the Schengen zone. It will cover every traveler from the currently 63 nations that have a visa-free regime with the EU, be they Brits or Bosnians. Under the scheme, to enter Schengen an applicant would just have to fill in a form and pay 7 euros.

 One problem is that no one quite knows when ETIAS will enter into force. It was supposed to be up and running in 2022, but the start date has already been postponed several times. Now, the working assumption is that it should start up sometime in 2023, most likely November, but that is not set in stone.

 France is not alone in liking the idea of linking ETIAS to visa freedom for Kosovars. Belgium and Spain also support the idea, and Sweden, the Netherlands, and Italy are also considering it. Germany, however, is strongly against the proposal. Paris might reportedly also push for other conditions, such as Pristina striking readmission agreements with all EU member states.

 The next step will be written comments from all EU member states by a deadline of October 21. There will be another meeting of the visa working group on November 9-10, where an agreement could be reached. The most likely outcome is that there is an agreement in principle already this year but that the actual visa-free regime enters into force in late 2023. For Kosovo, this is both a glass half-full and a glass half-empty. On the one hand, no one is de facto objecting any longer. On the other hand, there are new obstacles and it doesn't look like Kosovars will be able to travel visa free to the EU imminently.

Looking Ahead

 Politics in the EU this week will likely be dominated by the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on October 18 and the EU summit in Brussels on October 20-21. More sanctions on Russia will be on the agenda, just weeks after the bloc adopted its eighth package of measures.

Some ideas floating around include: ways on how to seize frozen Russian assets in the EU; a ban on Russian citizens acquiring property in the bloc; and more restrictive measures on Belarus, which was spared in the latest sanctions round. That said, no decision is expected this week, with the draft EU summit conclusions that leaders will likely adopt currently stating that "the European Union has strengthened its restrictive measures against Russia. The European Council discussed how to further increase collective pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression." Expect that wording to sharpen in the run-up to and during the summit.

 Having missed out on the Nobel Peace Prize recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will be awarded the 2022 Sakharov Prize. Or at least sort of. Several political groups in the European Parliament, who nominate candidates for the prize, had proposed either Zelenskiy, "the people of Ukraine," or a combination of the two.

In the end, the three biggest groups in parliament settled for a proper Brussels compromise by backing "the brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders, and civil society." That will at least make the final decision, set for October 19, a foregone conclusion. The final choice always rests with the president of the European Parliament, together with the leaders of the various political groups, but with the key political powers already backing the "Ukrainian bid," the other two short-listed candidates, Julian Assange and Colombia's truth commission, stand no chance.

Thats all for now. I really hope you enjoyed the first edition of Wider Europe. To subscribe, click here. Please feel free to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have. You can also follow me on on Twitter @RikardJozwiak.

And you can always reach us at newsletters@rferl.org.

Until next time,

Rikard Jozwiak
Increased trade, investment and regional security promised by Putin as 2022 Russia-Central Asia trade grows by 16% YTD, yet tensions remain over sanctions and Afghanistan

By Chris Devonshire-Ellis

The Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) had their annual meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan over the past weekend, with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan all taking part. Turkmenistan, Mongolia and Afghanistan all have associate or observer CIS status and additionally participate.

Collectively, the CIS covers an area of 20,368,759 km2 and has an estimated population of 234 million. To compare with the European Union, it has roughly ten times the land mass of the EU and about 60% of the EUs population. The CIS operates as a loose Free Trade area, although member states negotiate trade agreements with each other rather than collectively. It has a GDP of about US$2.2 trillion and an average GDP per capita (PPP) of US$28,000. The debt to GDP ratio is about 17% (EU: 88%).

Due to various covid and other restrictions in place, this years meeting took place in a slimmed down format, although representation from all sides took part. Meeting in person were President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, President Serdar Berdymuhamedov of Turkmenistan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan.

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev as host introduced the sessions, which concentrated on CIS humanitarian partnership, climate change, security and trade, including several initiatives aimed at expanding trade-economic cooperation, maintaining close cultural-humanitarian ties between the countries, as well as increasing the potential and international prestige of the Commonwealth.

There was some criticism aimed at Russia from Tajikistan in terms of a perceived lack of trade support and investment, where China has been more pro-active in project financing as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Tensions were also displayed between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents, whose countries are engaged in a simmering conflict with occasional flareups.

Most of the work, however, revolved around trade ties and discussions concerning the potential for secondary sanctions. Some of the CIS economies such as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are relatively vulnerable and have been impacted by the sanctions upon Russia, creating the potential for some civil unrest. They will have required reassurances from President Putin over this issue. Putin on his part, asked for increased cooperation in organizing parallel imports.

Meanwhile, a positive for Moscow given the current situation is that the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) members within the CIS  Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in addition to Russia have all agreed to pay for Russian energy in Rubles, although Kazakhstan is still evaluating the dynamics  its President Tokayev plays a more considered role in balancing Kazakhstans trade and diplomatic relations with the West than other members are wont to do.

Russia-Central Asia Forum

Following the CIS meetings, the Presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan grouped together as part of the Russia-Central Asia Forum, to further efforts to expand interaction between Russia and the Central Asian states. The agenda included measures to protect common trade and economic interests in the current geopolitical situation and regional security issues in the context of the situation in Afghanistan, an issue also on the agenda with the SCO and which China has an active involvement.

Putins commitment to Central Asia was highlighted in his speech to the forum, during which he said

It is clear that the relations between our countries are built in different areas and various formats. We maintain constant contact, direct contact, communication via bilateral channels, within the CIS, the EAEU, the CSTO and several other organisations. We can always ask for each others advice and address certain problems. However, I believe that this new format will also be useful and add value.

We are prompted to invigorate all mechanisms of interaction between us by the deteriorating global situation and the challenging regional situation, too, but primarily by the external attempts to prevent the development of our integration in many areas and upset our historically close ties and political, economic and humanitarian cooperation.

We believe there is a real demand now for the well-coordinated joint steps of our countries to build up our allied relations and strategic partnership and enhance the sustainability of our economies.

For its part, Russia is open to strengthening versatile cooperation with our Central Asian friends, in particular, to participating in creating new production-and-marketing chains, to ensuring the failsafe functioning of joint ventures and building alternative logistics routes.

We are also interested in your countries joining Russias large-scale initiatives on import substitution and other programmes and projects. I am sure this will benefit the development of all our economies and the acquisition of new competences.

Russia-Central Asia Trade & Investment

Overall, Russias interaction with the Central Asian Five is satisfactory. Over the past five years, Russias trade with these countries has doubled to reach US$37.1 billion. In the first six months of 2022, our trade with Central Asia increased by another 16%. Russia is the leading investor in the Central Asian economies. Overall, our direct investment is about US$5 billion.

Reconfiguring Intra-Regional Finance In The Wake Of Sanctions, De-Dollarisation

The process of reconfiguring financial settlement mechanisms has been launched, eliminating the unnecessary involvement of Western companies and operators. Instead of SWIFT, we are switching to the proven Russian financial messaging system for contract settlements, similar to the national systems of your countries, and expanding the practice of opening direct correspondent accounts between lending institutions.

A Unified Energy & Supply Chain Mechanism

Cooperation between Russia and the five countries in the field of energy security is intensifying. We are talking about partnerships in creating generating capacity, building nuclear power plants, and introducing digital technologies. In particular, our country is ready to provide practical assistance to restore the unified energy system of Central Asia, which will certainly increase energy security for all countries in the region.

Meaningful opportunities are opening up in such areas as expanding oil transportation routes, as well as joint development of energy reserves in the Caspian Sea, providing affordable and clean natural gas vehicle fuel, building or expanding pipelines, and increasing the sale and shipping of coal to Asian markets.

General Regional Trade Facilitation

Russias reorientation of exports and imports is stimulating the development of transport corridors throughout the Greater Eurasia region. The key task is to develop new trans-Eurasian corridors passing through the territories of your countries: East-West, North-South and Europe-Western China. The introduction of information technologies and the use of artificial intelligence, as well as the development of border checkpoints for the seamless transportation of goods and cargo can significantly accelerate cargo flows.

I must mention the opportunities which are opening up for our cooperation through the Eurasian Economic Union. By the way, the EAEU has adopted a set of measures to ensure the sustainability of member states economies and their macroeconomic stability. We estimate that the implementation of these measures will increase total gross domestic product by 2.5%, or approximately US$49 billion. The Eurasian Development Bank also effectively supports the national economies of EurAsEC members. Its investments over the next five years will total almost US$11 billion.

I would like to emphasise that Russia regards the various forms of cooperation within the EAEU with countries that have not yet joined our union (Ed: Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) as very useful.

Covid and Health

One more important issue is the improvement of interaction in ensuring epidemiological and sanitary safety. The pandemic starkly confirmed the need to develop a comprehensive regional system of measures capable of ensuring the health and wellbeing of our people, and the technological independence of the regions states. It would make sense, for one, to think about the possibility of establishing a research laboratory as part of CIS infrastructure.

One of our priorities is to build up a joint technological information security resource. We suggest starting to implement in the CIS projects on digitising the urban environment (smart cities) and government administration (e-government), ensuring network security and providing digital education.

I mentioned just the obvious areas on which we should jointly focus in mid-term perspective. The Joint Statement that we will endorse following our meeting describes these plans in the minutest detail. I propose instructing our competent departments to start implementing this important document as a priority and develop consistent cooperation with each other.

The foreign ministries of our countries could coordinate further activities in the RussiaCentral Asia format. I understand they will also prepare proposals regarding our next summit.

Afghanistan

In conclusion, I would like to say a few words about the situation in Afghanistan, which was discussed in detail at the recent summits of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and the CIS.

A hotbed of tensions is indeed smouldering on our southern borders with the potential to unleash waves of refugees, terrorist threats and the spread of extremist ideology. In the process, Western secret services, primarily American and British, are cultivating units that are opposing the Taliban, pointing them in the direction of the border areas of some of our countries to shell.

We are aware of the related risks and threats and so we are maintaining the required level of contacts with the Taliban leaders. It is in our interests to prevent another civil war in Afghanistan.

Facing economic decline, the Taliban government has had to tolerate some ways of making money, including drug trafficking, that have already become traditional for Afghanistan. This is common knowledge. Under pressure from foreign secret services, the Taliban is closing its eyes even to the appearance of terrorist support bases in the north. Cross-border ties of jihadists pose a threat to all of us.

Of course, we must work with the current authorities in Afghanistan. You know my position. But this is also a subject of meticulous analysis for us and we coordinate work in this area.

This is extremely important for all of our states. I would like to assure you that Russia is ready for work and will work, as before, in a very close contact with you in this area.

Summary

Putin showed commitment to Central Asia and the CIS yet also had to deal with some flak over the economic problems bought to some of these economies due to sanctions being imposed on Russia because of the on-going Ukraine conflict. It should be noted that Ukraine had been a de facto member of the CIS until 2018 and Kiev maintains some individual ties with the member states.

Putins response to much of this criticism was to encourage the use of parallel imports via CIS nations to Russia, which will increase their trade flows and allow middle-men to make a margin. However, this is probably not enough to allay fears of secondary sanctions  the CIS nations will be looking for more bilateral trade support, although it is true that the Western companies withdrawing from Russia does to some extent present an opportunity for CIS countries to replace some of these supply chains. Bilateral trade support will be sought by changes to the Russia-CIS multilateral trade legislation to give CIS exports to Russia a boost, while increases in Russian investment will also be requested  although this is happening to some extent as Russian MNCs are moving east, a process that will accelerate during 2023. This means that Russia will probably be able to offset CIS secondary sanctions fears.

Of additional security interest to the Central Asian states was the promising establishment of better energy supply chains to the region, in addition to potential military support to Afghanistan. Putin has already agreed an oil deal with the Taliban, whom Russia, China and the Central Asian states believe are the key to holding peace in the country. As Putin pointed out, the United States and UK appears intent on destabilizing the country yet again. The danger for Putin here is that conflict once again breaks out on a wider scale, although this would also mean US involvement at a time when Washingtons military focus is elsewhere. Nonetheless, there are US hawks who would wish to see conflict in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Taiwan break out amid some views that the US could be engaged upon three fronts  a worrying prospect.

Putin will be looking therefore to be seen to be showing some initial positives towards Central Asia and will be discussing this not just with Russias energy MNCs but other business sectors as well. Doing that however will require trade motivation  Russian businesses are overly cautious when it comes to investing overseas and creating new supply chains, although the sanctions issue has motivated many to do just that. What is probably required however is legislative adaptions to further motivate Russian investment into Central Asia and the CIS, and we may expect regulatory bills promoting this to be introduced to the State Duma in early 2023.

Related Reading
On the first anniversary of its launch, NASA's Lucy spacecraft swings over Earth's atmosphere while its route to the Trojan asteroids.

According to Digital Trends, Lucy cruised around Earth before returning to space to study the solar system's creation.

Lucy Visits Earth's Atmosphere to Say Hello

Sunday saw NASA's Lucy spacecraft lowering 220 miles above the planet's surface, traversing satellites and other junk.

Lucky onlookers in Western Australia who had been skywatching to see Lucy go into the shadow of the Earth could view the exploration satellite.

To provide Lucy with a new route for a two-year orbit that would give it the energy to pass the main asteroid, NASA (per Fox News) announced that this visit was a part of the first gravity assist.

This slingshot maneuver occurs on the same day as Lucy's October 16, 2017, launch, which begins a 12-year journey to Jupiter's asteroids.

Rich Burns, the project manager for Lucy, said in a NASA statement that Lucy was initially supposed to fly 30 miles closer but flew a little higher to lessen the disruption in the solar arrays.

According to CNN World, this minor adjustment is a part of an attempt to prevent potentially disastrous accidents in space.

Digital Trends added that Lucy also passed past the moon after it traveled away from Earth, providing a chance to snap pictures as calibrations and stand-ins for research.

ALSO READ: NASA's Lucy Spacecraft To Make a Close Flyby on Earth on the First Anniversary of Its Launch





According to John Spencer of the Southwest Research Institute, the science that Lucy will do depends on the number of craters to comprehend the Trojan asteroids' collisional history.

He thinks that by comparing the few photographs to those from earlier space expeditions, Lucy will have the opportunity to enhance its capacity to recognize craters.

Lucy will be the first spacecraft to visit the remains of an early solar system once it arrives at the Trojan asteroids, allowing researchers to understand better how the planets evolved and how they will end.

Lucy's Long Journey

NASA claims that gravitational support from Earth is required to keep Lucy on the course because the Trojan asteroids are entangled in the orbits of the sun.

As a result, the spacecraft will make three slingshot returns, the second of which is anticipated to send it straight to the main asteroid belt, where it will examine the asteroid Donaldjohanson.

According to Space.com, Lucy will fly through six Trojan asteroids during this launch, including Eurybates and its satellites Queta, Polymele, Leucus, and Orus.

When Lucy makes her final journey in 2030, it will collide with the binary asteroid pair Patroclus and Menoetius before making its final trip back to each.

By posting about their encounters with the spaceship in their communities on social media, NASA asked the public to participate in the #WaveToLucy social media campaign.

This link will take you to information on how to observe Lucy once it makes another pass by the Earth.

RELATED ARTICLE: NASA Says Lucy Spacecraft Now in Cruise Mode Despite Solar Array Issues

Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times.
Google has announced that it is kicking off its in-person SEO, creator, publisher, site owner, etc event named Google Search Central Live. The first in-person event will be in Singapore on November 24, 2022.

Google's Cherry Prommawin and Gary Illyes wrote "In 2019 we organized events for site owners and SEOs in over 15 countries, specifically in regions that otherwise don't get much search conference love. Then we had to stop for a while, but promised that we're gonna resume the events as soon as possible."

The first of the Search Central Live events are going to happen in-person in Singapore on November 24, 2022.

You can register over here through November 15th and Google will notify those who make the cut on November 17th.

Google said you can expect the same thing from this event that they had from previous events which include "lots of talks from Googlers and other speakers, lots of mingling with your fellow site owners and SEOs, maybe some fun activities."

There will be more events in other regions, so Google said you might want to not buy a plane ticket just to fly to Singapore for this event. Google may announce an event in your local area in the future, but Google did not specify which locations there will be events at yet.

Forum discussion at Twitter.
Farmers in Soc Trang Province are harvesting shrimp

General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers Truong Dinh Hoe informed that in the first 8 months of this year, the national seafood export turnover reached US$7.7 billion (a rise of 38 percent compared to this time last year). In particular, the shrimp, pangasius, and tuna export turnovers were $3 billion, $1.8 billion, and $729 million, respectively.

The Vietnam seafood industry is now facing the challenges of unpredictable impacts of climate change, drought and high salinity level, environmental pollution, the yellow card from the European Commission for fishing in Vietnam, spontaneous and unstable development, over-exploitation compared to regeneration capacity, outdated working equipment, low performance and quality, high fuel prices, outdated breeding facilities and materials, dependence on foreign countries as to equipment and materials.

Chairman of Soc Trang Province Peoples Committee Tran Van Lau stated that seafood farming and exploitation is an important method to earn a living for around 17 million citizens in 13 provinces of the Mekong Delta. This industry affects the life of over 50 percent of Soc Trang Provinces population, and thus is being the key economic sector here. Therefore, it is critical to improve the ways to farm and exploit seafood for a more sustainable short-term and long-term development.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan commented that the sea resources in Vietnam are rich but not unlimited. Hence, the reduction of exploitation and promotion of aquaculture is a better measure. To address problems in this industry, there must be close cooperation among stakeholders, be they farmers, exploiters, or seafood businesses.

According to the Directorate of Fisheries (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), Vietnam's seafood industry from 2010 to 2021 achieved a good growth rate of over 5 percent a year. Notably, Vietnam accounts for 5.5 percent and 4.4 percent of the global import-export turnover and total output, respectively (the third in the world). The national export turnover of this industry in 2021 was $8.6 billion, contributing 3.4 percent to the agricultural GDP and providing jobs for nearly 4 million laborers.

By Tuan Quang  Translated by Huong Vuong
Illustrative photo

Statistics show that in the first 9 months of this year, there were over newly registered or returning 163,000 businesses, an average of 18,100 companies a month. The Ministry of Planning and Investment reveals that over 96 percent of Vietnamese enterprises are of small and medium scales.



Mr. Thien said that the average lifespan of many domestic businesses is just 4-5 years, which cannot contribute much to the national economy and might become a waste of resources. This means the business environment in Vietnam is not truly open, and there are still various barriers.

Former Chairman of the Central Institute for Economic Management Nguyen Dinh Cung said that the short lifespan of many domestic companies is because of the public awareness about the private business sector. Besides, the State still focuses mostly on the management aspect, and thus introducing several overlapping regulations, creating confusion among private businesses.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that even though the private business sector has had many important contributions to the socio-economic growth of Vietnam, it is rather weak as to quantity and quality, which does not match its potential. In the upcoming time, the global geopolitical and economic context is still complicated, creating both opportunities and challenges.

In order for this sector to be healthier, the State should continue to provide a more favorable environment with transparency, safety. There must be a fair mechanism among businesses as to access the land and natural resources, capital sources. Businesses should receive sufficient support to approach potential markets, to carry out the digital transformation process.

Meanwhile, private enterprises should actively take advantage of even the smallest chance and devise suitable measures to adapt to changes and fluctuations in the future, to keep abreast of new trading trends, to switch to green sustainable business models, to improve the value of their own brands, and to promote business ethics, corporate culture.

By Ha My  Translated by Huong Vuong
Financial crisis can definitely be a cause for setback for most individuals. Often, people tend to stress whenever something unplanned occurs and a sudden need for money arises. However, there are solutions that can help an individual be financially stable and manage crisis at ease, and one such ideal solution is applying for a Personal Loan.

A Personal Loan is a type of unsecured loan that can be sanctioned for multiple reasons and is versatile in terms of usage. From an unplanned medical emergency to making a big-ticket purchase and from fuelling an internal trip to helping arrange for wedding funds, a Personal Loan will help you with it all.

Be it versatile uses, easy to avail, hassle-free process, or competitive rates, Personal Loans have ample advantages. No matter what the emergency, Personal Loans are usually a great resort to overcome financial crisis. Lets take a quick look at how Personal Loans can help you deal with any emergency or financial crisis:

Versatile usage

For example, when you apply for Personal Loan, the principal amount offered by the lender has to be used towards the business, be it working capital, inventory purchase, etc. However, when it comes to Personal Loans, no such defined segments restrain the borrower. Be it a sudden financial crunch, repayment of mounting credit card bills, needing money for down payment of a home or to clear a quick medical bill, you can use it for any such purpose, and more.

Collateral-free loans

Personal Loans are collateral-free in nature i.e., they are unsecured loans. Hence, it is relatively easy and quicker to avail Personal Loans as compared to other types of loans. Hence, if you need to quickly arrange funds to come out of a financial crisis, Personal Loans could be an ideal solution. However, it is crucial to remember that because this loan type is collateral-free, the rate of interest also stands to be relatively higher as lenders take a greater risk in loaning the amount in case of Personal Loans.

Alternatively, one must always ensure that their loan instalments are repaid on time as even unsecured loans can create a major dent in your credit history. You can check your free CIBIL score online and keep a tab on your credit history.

Quick and hassle-free approval

Applying for any kind of loan has now become easier with most banks and financial lenders digitising their offerings. Be it applying for business loan online or opting for a Personal Loan, it has all become very quick and hassle-free. You can avail of Personal Loans at ease because the documentation required for these types of unsecured loans is relatively lesser and digital applications have made it possible to quickly apply without stressing about paperwork.

Faster disbursal

Personal Loans are ideal for practically any purpose that an individual deems fit because most banks or lending institutions help process and sanction the amount faster as well. Once the loan application is approved, the loan amount is directly credited to your bank account. This means that you can use the amount instantly to clear past dues, make big ticket purchase, or for anything else. Unlike other loan processes, Personal Loans are disbursed faster, which makes them the perfect solution to any financial crisis.

Building credit score

For all those individuals who are still new to the concept of credit score or dont have a credit score yet, a Personal Loan can help them build their CIBIL or credit score at ease. You have to ensure timely repayment of your EMIs and that no EMI is missed in the entire repayment schedule to prove your creditworthiness to the credit bureaus. It takes time for your activities to affect the credit score but consistently staying creditworthy is the key here. Missing out on timely payments or defaulting in any kind of repayment also has a negative effect on your score.

You can check free CIBIL score online and work towards improving it by making timely repayment of loan amount, credit card bills, staying with the utilisation cap, etc.

Flexibility in loan amount

A Personal Loan can be a small term need for cash infusion or even a heftier amount that you need to take care of medical expenses. Based on your type of emergency, you can decide the amount you want to opt for and apply for as little as you need. For example, most banks offer Personal Loans that will also help you clear small time credit card bills or fill-in for an EMI if your salary is not due for the next week or two.

You can take control of your financial situation by borrowing as much as you need and only paying interest on that amount. Additionally, you can also decide the repayment tenure by calculating your monthly EMIs and asking your lender for a repayment schedule, which will help you finalise your loan tenure at ease.

In conclusion

Personal Loans have become one of the most sought-after loan types in current times and it is largely because of the flexibility they offer. If there is ever an emergency or cash flux that you can foresee in the near future, simply apply for a Personal Loan online as it is available for applicants any time of the day or night.

Personal Loans can help you overcome financial crisis with ease, ensuring that you are not stressed or burdened with the task of arranging funds during an emergency. Remember to apply for a Personal Loan as quickly as possible and not wait till the very last minute. The sooner you apply for a loan, faster it can get approved and disbursed, and you can overcome any crisis in no time! Take charge of your finances and avail a Personal Loan as per your need.
The Indira Gandhi National Open University has extended the last date of registration for UG and PG admission for the July 2022 session.

In the recent tweet made by IGNOU, "The last date of Fresh Admission for PG and UG Programme, both for Online and ODL mode (except certificate and semester-based Programme) has been extended till 20th October, 2022,".

With the extension in the last date of form submission, applicants can now register online at the official website of IGNOU admission till October 20, 2022 ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. The registration dates have been extended for both Online and ODL mode. However, the extension in dates is not made for the semester based courses and certification programs.

How to Register for UG and PG Admission

The registration process to apply for the July 2022 session admission is provided below:

Visit the official website of IGNOU, ignou.ac.in Click on the registration link Fill in the login details and submit after verifying Once Registraion is done, fill the application form Verify all the details, submit the form Pay the application fees Download the page and take its printout for future correspondence

The payment of fees can be done online through credit card/ debit card and net banking. Cross-check all the details during the application and verification processes. Notify IGNOU officials within the stipulated time frame about the discrepancy (if found).

Regarding the circulation of fake website and youtube channel being run in the Universitys name, IGNOU has clarified and issued a notice recently:

The university said that the website- https://www.ignouadmissions.com/admission-help/ does not belong to it and is fake. Similarly, YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21k4p7jd4A4 which uses the logo of IGNOU is also not authentic.

"Learners/students are informed that the following website/youtube are not belongs to IGNOU and are fake: Fake website: https://www.ignouadmissions.com/admission-help/. Ignou Logo is used in the youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21k4p7jd4A4 (sic)," a notice from the varsity read.
India is home to 5000+ MBA colleges out of which around 2900 colleges are privately owned. Private colleges primarily provide PGDM courses that are equivalent to an MBA degree. If the PGDM course is approved by AICTE then only it can be comparable to MBA in India.

Outlook is a general interest English and Hindi news magazine published weekly in India. Under its Outlook I-Care Survey, the magazine publishes top colleges under various categories and subjects. The participating colleges will receive a questionnaire and provide certain details about their college. Outlook will rank these colleges based on their own parameters like employability, research, faculty quality, student ratio etc.

Xavier School of Management is the best private MBA college in India. It tops both in terms of Outlook-Icare Rankings 2023 as well as NIRF Management Rankings 2022 for private colleges. Admission to this takes place through XAT although top MBA entrance exams like CAT is also acceptable.

Top Private Colleges

Outlook Icare takes 5 parameters into consideration while ranking the MBA colleges which are Faculty Student Ratio, Research, Employability, Faculty Quality, Inclusiveness and Diversity. All the parameters are not equally considered. Faculty Student Ratio and Employability have a weightage of 25% each. Research and Inclusivity have a weightage of 20% each whereas Research is given a 10% weightage.

Outlook-ICARE India MBA Rankings 2023 College Name Fees (INR) 1 Xavier School of Management, Jharkhand 12,90,000 2 Management Development Institute, Gurgaon 23,43,400 3 Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai 13,10.000 4 Ta Pai Management Institute, Manipal 8,00,000 5 Xavier Institute of Management, XIM University, Bhubaneswar 9,40,000 6 Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune 5,55,000 7 Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai 8,63,000 8 Amity Business School, Amity University, Noida 6,08,000 9 Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar 7,25,000 10 University School of Business, Chandigarh University, Mohali 2,17,000

Private Colleges with Best Employability

MBA is pursued in search of better career prospects and higher salary. Employability of a colleges MBA degree is one of the most important factors when choosing an MBA College. XLRI and MDI Gurgaon are the best MBA colleges in terms of employability. XLRI provided 100% placement in 2022 with an average salary of INR 30 Lakhs whereas MDI Gurgaon provides an average salary of INR 23 Lakhs.

Outlook-ICARE India MBA Rankings 2023 as per Placements College Name Score 1 Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur 100 2 Management Development Institute, Gurgaon 100 3 Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai 97.28 4 Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar 97.89 5 Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune 97.13 6 Amity Business School, Amity University, Noida 96.42 7 Xavier Institute of Management, XIM University 94.88 8 University School of Business, Chandigarh University, Mohali 95.06 9 Goa Institute of Management, Sattari 94.4 10 Ta Pai Management Institute, Manipal 92.05

Private Colleges with best Faculty Quality

A good faculty goes a long way for students to become employable. The concepts of management and the purpose of the course are addressed with a proper understanding of the subjects. A faculty with expired professors will help to make concepts of management clear to the students. An experienced faculty also helps to make better networking opportunities for the students.

Outlook-ICARE India MBA Rankings 2023 as per Faculty Quality College Name Score 1 Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai 95.61 2 XLRI-Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur 94.71 3 Siva Sivani Institute of Management, Hyderabad 93.2 4 Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai 93.49 5 Management Development Institute, Gurgaon 92.89 6 Amity Business School, Amity University, Noida 92.15 7 Ta Pai Management Institute, Manipal 92.69 8 University School of Business, Chandigarh University, Mohali 92.67 9 Chitkara Business School, Chitkara University, Rajpura 92.97 10 Goa Institute of Management, Sattari 90.52

Cities with Top Private MBA Colleges

City Name No of Colleges Chennai 10 Bangalore 16 Pune 24 Mumbai 12 Delhi 10 Kolkata 12 Hyderabad 5

Private Colleges account for almost 52% of all MBA colleges in India. Private MBA colleges provide a way better connection with the actual market. Students will work with modern software that is relevant in the market. XLRI is the best MBA college in Human Resources specialization.

It is advisable for students to choose private colleges for MBA over Baby IIMs. Top Private colleges offer MBA admission at comparatively lower cut-off scores and provide the best facilities.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is planning a platform for internal gigs for its over 600,000 employees.

The platform, in the initial stages right now, could be expanded to the external workforce as well later.

The move comes at a time when the $227-billion IT industry is grappling with the issue of moonlighting, or the taking up additional assignments by employees usually during non-work hours.

We are starting a few proofs of concept (PoCs) on gig models but it is upon our own internal engagement and does not involve any customer engagements, Milind Lakkad, chief human resource officer of TCS, told ET in an interview. We have a set of activities which can be crowd-outsourced and can be given out to people who are interested. The reward mechanism (for the gig) doesn't have to be (monetary) compensation but definitely something that recognises people.

Indias largest software services provider by revenue wants to evolve this into an internal gig-operating model for TCS.

Eventually, for a scale like ours, I see a long-term model where we will use this for even the external workforce, Lakkad said.

Many IT companies have been setting up new models or leveraging previously set-up models to engage their employees on gig-based projects.

They are doubling down on these projects of late as employees have been indulging in moonlighting, which has been partly fuelled by the flexibility provided due to the work from home option.

Infosys said last week that it had a platform called Accelerate to help employees work on gig projects within the company apart from their main projects.

Infosys does not support dual employment, chief executive Salil Parekh said, and the internal platform - open only for its employees - receives almost 4,000 applications every quarter.

Lakkad said he expects attrition numbers for TCS  which has gone above the 20% mark - to come down significantly in the next 3-4 quarters.

The LTM (last 12-months) number will not come down because of the way it is calculated, he said.

Even as the talent crunch across the industry has eased somewhat, TCSs attrition rate spiked to 21.5% in the second quarter compared with 19.7% in the previous quarter.

The company expects attrition to stabilise as freshers hired aggressively over the past year have achieved some level of maturity in the system. The company has shifted fully to on-campus training of freshers since the July-September quarter.

TCS said the junior levels (0-3 years experience) is where the maximum churn is happening, accounting for 90% of the companys total attrition.

We don't have a challenge in middle- or senior-management levels. That is also something which we don't want to happen. But from a numbers standpoint, at the lowest level is where 90% of the (overall) attrition is happening, he said.

On the topic of the US business and visitor visas appointments taking a year, Lakkad described the situation as still a challenge.

There are three levers. Some people who are visa ready even today in India. We are making them travel. Secondly, we manage a mix in the US between local trainees and lateral experienced hires and then the subcontractors, he said.

TCS typically hires 2,000-2,500 trainees every year in the US.

But (we) definitely would like to provide global opportunities for our employees performing well in India. From that (employee satisfaction) standpoint, we want it to normalise very quickly..., he added.

The United States, data shows, has more than 800,000 job vacancy postings for computer occupations and is the largest market for Indian IT vendors.

IT companies are being forced to depend on subcontractors in global client locations as the Covid-19 pandemic-related closures resulted in a delay in the processing of visas. Each year, the US issues 85,000 new H-1B visas, which are used by these tech companies to send workers to client locations.
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Many people would have given up, but not Stephen Schwartz. When, by the age of 24, the composer and lyricist had three hit musicals (including Godspell and Pippin) running in New York simultaneously, he never imagined a quarter-century drought would follow, before Wicked finally showered him with fresh Broadway success in 2003.

I didnt really know how to deal with it, he says of that wilderness period. I hadnt yet assimilated that some things work and some things dont. He was also yet to learn that shows can be revised and revived. I didnt know, for instance, when my show Working in the late 70s initially failed on Broadway that, with some revision, it would go on to many, many productions, and still be a staple 40 years later. I just thought, Oh, thats it. Its over.

Stephen Schwartz: I just always strive to do the best I can with my collaborators. Credit:

Schwartz once said that he couldnt think of anything as destructive to creativity as the fear of failure, and continues to live by that maxim. Nobody likes failure, he tells me on the telephone. Ive certainly experienced my share, and its never fun, but it isnt something I fear, which is a different thing  I just always strive to do the best I can with my collaborators on any given project, and its become increasingly important to me as I have gotten older to enjoy the experience.

If its successful, of course one is happy about that, but thats sort of gravy, if you know what I mean. If one fails its very disappointing for a while, but you look back and say, Well, at least I had a good time with my collaborators. We had something we wanted to try to do, and sometimes you get closer than others, but its always a positive experience, regardless of the outcome.
The NSW rail union has accused the Perrottet government of being more interested in having a political fight than reaching an agreement, after the government announced it would take the union to court.

NSW Transport Minister Elliott today said he would take legal action against the rail unions plans to switch off Opal card readers during peak evening hours from Thursday.

The government will seek damages from the rail unions in the Federal Court if they push ahead with planned industrial action this week.

RTBU secretary Alex Claassens. Credit:Brook Mitchell

Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary Alex Claassens said the government was more interested in using taxpayer dollars on legal fees than they are in reaching an agreement that guarantees the safety of commuters.

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The government is doing everything except sitting down and trying to reach a genuine agreement, he said.

Turning off the Opal machines and providing commuters with free travel is the kind of protected industrial action we want to take because we know the only other options available to us do unfortunately tend to result in disruption to commuters.

Suggesting that pushing a button to turn an Opal machine off is unsafe is absurd and a bit rich from a government that is insisting on putting trains that risk peoples lives on our tracks.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of an in-depth series investigating the Barangaroo precinct, one of Sydneys largest urban renewal projects. See all 19 stories . Sydneys CBD will be expanded northwards by the completion in 2024 of an $18-billion metro train line that will whisk commuters between a new station, carved out of sandstone at Barangaroo, and North Sydney within three minutes, the rail projects director says. With the first driverless train due to pass under Sydney Harbour next year as part of testing, construction of the underground station at Barangaroo is reaching its final stages. Workers are installing a sandstone facade to the stations walls in a salute to its location near the foot of Barangaroos headland park and Observatory Hill, as well as screen doors on platforms for the new metro rail line, high-voltage cables, equipment and systems. Barangaroo station construction director Claire Moore (left) and Sydney Metro City and Southwest project director Hugh Lawson in an underground cavern. Credit:Wolter Peeters An above-ground entrance to the new station via escalators and lifts near Nawi Cove  a new inlet cut out of the old container wharf  is intended to be unobtrusive on the surrounding area near the headland. Sydney Metro City and Southwest project director Hugh Lawson said the three-minute journey to North Sydney by single-deck metro trains would help overcome the natural barrier presented by the harbour, while the new station at Barangaroo would relieve pressure on existing CBD stations. It makes it one extended CBD rather than two separated by the harbour, he said. It really brings North Sydney into the CBD and shortens those journey times. Heading the other way, [it will be] only about 13 minutes to Sydenham all the way through the rest of the CBD.

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In contrast, a journey on an existing Sydney Trains double-deck service from North Sydney to Wynyard station takes about six minutes. Wynyard provides a link to train services for the southern end of the Barangaroo precinct via a popular underground walkway that opened in 2016. A station at Barangaroo was listed as only a possibility under early plans for the City and Southwest line, but the government committed to it in 2015 when it allowed the development of larger buildings on the 5.2-hectare Barangaroo Central site, the last of the precincts three sections. Under the original proposal, the line was also to be built above-ground between Chatswood and St Leonards, but plans were later altered so that it would run through tunnels along that section. The City and Southwest line and two other rail projects under construction  a line from the Sydney CBD to Parramatta, and a 23-kilometre link to a new airport in western Sydney  form the countrys biggest public transport investment. On the latest estimates, they will cost $56 billion. Construction continues at Barangaroo metro station. Credit:Wolter Peeters From Barangaroo, the City and Southwest line snakes south under the heart of the CBD and on to Sydenham and the final stop at Bankstown in the west. Perched on the harbour edge, the site of the station is up to 30 metres below ground level at Barangaroo and presented major challenges for builders due to water pressure. The contractor responsible for tunnelling the rail line had to construct a thick concrete wall around the giant hole dug for the station before lining it with a waterproof membrane. A lot of the supporting structure [had to be built] inside the primary structure  to just basically hold the box open, so it didnt try and collapse in on itself, Lawson said. We had to drill anchors and poles into the ground to stop the box lifting because we created this buoyant-like structure.

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Thanks to a giant cavern created by a boring machine used to tunnel under the harbour, the station features the only crossover  tracks which cross in an X-shape  on the line between Chatswood and Sydenham. The crossover will allow trains to be turned around if an operational problem occurs on the line, giving the metro line a relief valve to help maintain services. The Barangaroo station will improve public transport access to the north of the 22-hectare precinct, including the headland, as well as the nearby Walsh Bay Arts Precinct and the Rocks. At present, the northern part of Barangaroo is difficult to get to by public transport. What youll see is people being able to come from both the south and southwest but also from the north and exit into the city in a very different place, Sydney Metro chief executive Peter Regan said. Thats opened up a whole new catchment for the railway. The underground track crossover at Barangaroo will be critical in restoring train services if an operational problem occurs on the new line. Credit:Wolter Peeters Architect and former City of Sydney councillor Philip Thalis agreed that the new station would make Barangaroo and nearby areas much more accessible for a broader proportion of the people of greater Sydney. That whole northwestern quadrant is a dead spot in the city, and the metro station is a huge improvement. It means that the arts space at Walsh Bay immediately becomes part of the broader city because it is a long way to walk to get to at the moment from the city, said Thalis, whose team won an international design competition in 2006 for the waterfront site.

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Barangaroo station construction director Claire Moore said a canopy covering a bank of escalators and a pavilion for the lifts to the station below were designed to be deliberately understated so that they would blend into the parkland and northern headland. At other new stations on the line, vital equipment rooms are located on floors above ground level. In contrast, everything at Barangaroo is below ground. It is like an iceberg, Moore said of the underground station. The majority of what the customer sees is a very small part of the station itself. Everything else is back-of-house  power, station management room, operation rooms, staff meal rooms. Loading While the multibillion-dollar rail project is only two years from its scheduled opening, Sydney Metro is yet to put an exact date next year on when the first train will be tested on the line under the harbour to Barangaroo, blaming the pandemic and industrial action for disrupting construction. Theres a whole load of things impacting the project at the moment that potentially could delay that, Lawson said. Youll see the stations looking complete [next year] but well be heavily into the testing and commissioning of the railway phase. We can see the end in sight, but we still have to deliver a huge amount of work to get that.
A man has died and a woman is in hospital fighting for life after a home became engulfed in flames in Sydneys west on Tuesday morning.

Firefighters were called to the single-story home on Eltham Street in Blacktown about 5am following reports of a fire.

The man and woman, as well as a third person, were pulled from the home by Fire and Rescue NSW.

The man, who is believed to be in his 60s, was treated by paramedics but died at the scene. The woman, aged in her 80s, has been taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.
In 2018, Crown and its development partner Lendlease launched legal action against the former state-run Barangaroo Delivery Authority in a bid to protect sight lines from their developments at Barangaroo South. The costly courtroom showdown exposed more than two years of backroom discussions between then Crown chairman James Packers advisers at the big end of town and the highest levels of the state government. At the heart of the dispute was whether the sight lines from Crowns casino, and Lendleases apartments, towards the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge would be blocked by the developments at Central Barangaroo. Justice Robert McDougall eventually found the authority had breached its contracts with the two companies by failing to negotiate with them in good faith about plans to develop Central Barangaroo. In his decision, McDougall noted the drastic transformation of the waterfront on the eastern side of Darling Harbour had sparked competition for that most characteristic of Sydney fixations: harbour views. His findings meant negotiations between the authority and the companies had to continue with the aim of retaining views from Crowns casino tower and Lendleases One Sydney Harbour.

In 2019, Crown and Lendlease reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with the NSW government, saying the deal meant there would be clear views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from their buildings. The negotiations between the companies and authorities will be subject to fresh scrutiny during a NSW upper house inquiry into Barangaroos so-called sight lines dispute, which starts in November. The inquiry will also examine the integrity, efficacy and value for money of unsolicited proposals  including Crowns casino. Early plans for Crowns $2 billion casino tower, showing Central Barangaroo as a mid-rise precinct. Credit: The inquiry has coincided with controversy over the long-awaited plans for Central Barangaroo, known as modification 9, which Infrastructure NSW and its development partner Aqualand released in July. Aqualand first unveiled plans for the site in April, including a two-hectare waterfront park, campus-style offices, a cultural venue and central staircase, as well as mid-rise buildings and a 73-metre block above the railway station.

The proposed development would more than double the above-ground gross floor area to 116,189sqm, increase the maximum heights on all three blocks and reduce the size of Hickson Park directly behind Crown. Loading The National Trust, Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, the City of Sydney, and Millers Point residents lodged strenuous objections to the proposal, particularly the 21-storey apartment block at the northern end of the site, which they argued would destroy views of Observatory Hill and Millers Point. In his submission on the plans, architect Philip Thalis, part of the team that won the initial design competition for Barangaroo, said they continued the distortion of the planning process for this site of unparalleled importance. Modification 9 extends this principle of prioritising the private interest over the needs of the city, Thalis said.

Developer lobby group Urban Taskforce supported the proposal as the logical final component of the Barangaroo vision and said it would contribute $45 million to the construction of the public waterfront park. It also noted the state governments policy of encouraging higher-density development around train stations. The metro represents a significant investment of scarce public funds, and as such it is imperative that the government maximises outcomes such as residential development and job-creating commercial/retail. The plans for Central Barangaroo were once again plunged into uncertainty this month, when Planning Minister Anthony Roberts seemingly intervened in support of the proposals opponents by condemning the planned modification that would allow buildings taller than the original limit of 35 metres to be built at the site. Roberts  who will decide the proposal  told the Herald that the planned 73-metre apartment block served no public benefit, and he could see no way that approving the modification would be in Sydneys best interests.

The proposal, which was lodged by Infrastructure NSW, has not yet been formally rejected or withdrawn. Labors planning spokesman, Paul Scully, said Roberts condemnation of the tower was sensible, but the timing of his incursion into the debate had created confusion and uncertainty, with no clear timeframe for when the plans might be resolved. Its the government rejecting the governments own project. One wonders what that might mean for Infrastructure NSW as the proponent, Scully said. It does beg the question, what are the next couple of steps for this part of the world? Central Barangaroo is the $2.5 billion final stage of the governments urban renewal project. Credit:James Brickwood Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich said it was better for the project to be delayed than to have rushed into an inappropriate development, but noted, we clearly dont have a formal response from the government.

If the government opposes it, it really provides Infrastructure NSW an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and work with the local community to come up with an appropriate development, Greenwich said. Loading City of Sydney Labor councillor Linda Scott cautiously welcomed the ministers statement that the modification lacked the necessary support. She pushed him to provide certainty by rejecting the proposal. Millers Point Community Resident Action Group president Bernard Kelly said the scheme for Central Barangaroo developed in the three years since the government settled its dispute with Crown and Lendlease had been shrouded in secrecy. This whole process is broken. This secrecy of three years hasnt worked, its resulted in a dud proposal because they didnt consult key stakeholders.

Aqualands project director for Central Barangaroo, Rod McCoy  who thought Roberts remarks may be unprecedented  said the development company remained absolutely committed to delivering the project. Loading He emphasised that the NSW Government Architect, Abbie Galvin, should have a central role. I think what happens now is this gives us the opportunity to step back and reassess with the government, McCoy said. We need to get the brief absolutely right. Roberts and Cities and Infrastructure Minister Rob Stokes declined to answer questions about the plans for Central Barangaroo, and about Roberts comments, instead referring inquiries to Infrastructure NSW.
A survivor of one of Australias most tragic asylum-seeker voyages has spoken about the incident at a trial into one of the men accused of facilitating the plot.

Maythem Kamil Radhi, an Iraqi man, has pleaded not guilty to helping asylum seekers travel to Australia before their boat sank on its way to Christmas Island in October 2001, leaving some passengers dead.

The court heard from a witness, Fawzi Salem Ukili Al Majed, who was on board the vessel before it sank off the coast of Indonesian island Sumatra.

The court heard that Radhi  who stands accused of facilitating at least five people, who were not Australian citizens, to enter Australia from Indonesia  had in the months before the voyage allegedly collected money from passengers, took names and organised accommodation and bus travel across Indonesia for the refugees.
Echuca on the NSW-Victorian border is predicted to receive up to 20 millimetres of rain on Thursday, while the worst-case scenario for Shepparton is 80 millimetres across four days. State Emergency Service chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said while some rivers were starting to recede, a number of communities remained under threat of flooding and more rain was expected in coming days. He said Kerang would start to come under pressure on Tuesday night, with flood levels expected to peak on Wednesday and into Thursday. The challenge for Kerang is that it will be isolated, potentially for up to seven days, Wiebusch said.

He said about 85 per cent of properties in Rochester had been inundated, while water levels in Echuca would remain at major flood levels for up to 48 hours. The Murray River was expected to peak at 95 metres (according to the Australian Height Datum measure), which would put 1000 to 2000 properties at risk of flooding from Tuesday. Victoria Police has deployed officers to Kerang to assist with the Victorian flood effort. Credit:Victoria Police Weve now seen over 650 flood rescues having to occur during this event, Wiebusch said. On Monday Andrews announced a $351 million flood emergency package, including $165 million to find and fix potholes and repair road surfaces damaged by the floods, and $150 million for an immediate state-co-ordinated cleanup.

He said the package would cover larger-scale works such as rebuilding roads, bridges and culverts, particularly in the Western, Hume and Loddon Mallee regions, which had suffered extensive damage. But the final cost to the state budget will be far larger. Andrews said the floods would cost the state budget many, many hundreds of millions of dollars, with a big impact on food prices and the farming sector more broadly. It stands to reason ... that therell be big impacts, he said. This is the food bowl of our state, the food bowl of our nation, whether it be in terms of fruit and veg, cropping or broadly dairy, beef, sheep meat, this is ... a very big part of our state, so there is almost certainly going to be production impacts.

The waters are receding in Rochester but the flood damage looks set to continue. Residents were told on Monday that the towns sewage system could be out of order for two months after being impacted by the floods. It may take 6-8 weeks to restore services, a Vic Emergency alert read. Locals are now bracing for major flooding in the Murray River, which snakes around Echuca and is fed by the Goulburn and Campaspe rivers and the Broken River, where it meets the Goulburn in Shepparton. Floodwaters in Shepparton were forecast to reach 12.2 metres above sea level and inundate or isolate 7000 homes. But as it turned out, the peak was 12.05 metres, 15 centimetres lower, leaving only 4000 properties affected. Tense residents in south Shepparton, where the Broken and Goulburn rivers converge, watched on Sunday afternoon as the river welled up through the stormwater drains and crept across the tarmac of the roads.

In just two hours it had risen over the gutters and up to knee-level, prompting most to relocate to higher ground and stay with friends and family last night. We were not worried to be honest, said nurse Stephanie Wilson. We live three or four feet higher than the river bank and we thought it would be fine. But it just rose so quickly. Victorias emergency management commissioner, Andrew Crisp, said there would be four to six weeks of flooding along the Murray River, warning those at-risk communities to prepare. Were looking at ... four to six weeks. I was talking to the experts from the Bureau [of Meteorology] yesterday, and thats what we saw in 2011, he told ABC radio. For those who can remember, the front of the flood, because of the flatlands, was literally kilometres as it slowly worked its way along the Murray.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said more than 34,000 homes could be inundated with water or isolated across Victoria. Watt said with some modelling suggesting more than 9000 homes are inundated, Victoria is facing a very serious situation. The reports Im getting is that we could be looking at up to 9000 homes inundated in northern Victoria and potentially close to about 34,000 homes in Victoria either inundated or isolated, Watt said. There were 14 major emergency warnings active at the time that the premier spoke to the media late on Monday morning.

Loading Residents of Echuca, Charlton and Bunbartha in Victorias north were still being told to evacuate their homes immediately. Those in Shepparton, Mooroopna, Orrvale, Murchison and Kialla West were being told it was too late to leave their properties and urged to shelter at the highest possible location. In Maribyrnong, the enormous clean-up of Chifley Drive in Maribyrnong continued, with workers shovelling the stinking, 30-centimetre thick silt which coating the road after floodwaters receded on Friday night. Crisp confirmed police were investigating an incident of looting in Maribyrnong.
A religion teacher at Melbournes prestigious Scotch College has been seriously injured after being caught up in a muck-up incident at the school.

A spokesman for the Hawthorn boys school told The Age a member of staff and a student collided in the schoolyard on Friday, but declined to provide a detailed explanation of the incident.

Scotch College in Hawthorn. Credit:Joe Armao

It is being investigated and support is being provided to the individuals involved, he said. The safety and wellbeing of all members of our school community is of paramount importance.

Independent Education Union Victorian secretary Deb James admitted some details were still unclear, but claimed the teacher was injured after he moved to stop a group of masked year 12s in hazmat suits chasing younger students.
The Albanese government has stripped references to West Jerusalem as Israels capital from a government website after vowing to reverse the Morrison governments controversial endorsement.

Australia became one of only a few countries to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 2018, following a decision by the Trump administration to relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Morrison publicly considered a similar move at the time, but instead chose a middle path of recognising West Jerusalem while leaving the Australian embassy in Tel Aviv.

The status of Jerusalem has been hotly contested, with most countries agreeing it should be resolved as part of a two-state solution. Credit:AP

Labor vowed to unwind the decision if elected, but has said little about the issue in subsequent years, including since winning the May election.
The Coalition has vowed to roll out the red carpet for businesses and cut the payroll tax for small companies as part of its push to reinvigorate the states economy in the aftermath of COVID-19 disruption.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said on Monday that, if the Liberal Party won next months election, he would lift the payroll tax threshold  which is based on a companys annual wages bill  from $700,000 to $1.6 million.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy says lifting the payroll tax threshold will allow businesses to employ more Victorians. Credit:Eddie Jim

Under the changes, 14,000 businesses would not pay payroll tax and a further 14,000 would save up to $43,000, according to the Coalition.

Were going to make the payroll tax system from the worst in Australia to the best in Australia, Guy said at the Melbourne Performance Centre in Croydon South. Payroll tax is a tax on jobs ... [the policy] will allow those businesses to employ more Victorians or rejig their businesses to future-proof them.
Domestic ructions On the home front, the picture is of a disconnected leader finding it difficult to keep rival factions in check. Recent criticisms of Russias top military leadership have targeted Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. The chief malcontents appear to be Yevgeniy Prigozhin, head of the Wagner group (allegedly a private military company, but in reality a military arm of the state) and Ramzan Kadyrov, currently the head of Russias Chechen Republic. Aside from their opportunism and naked ambition, such critiques present Putin with a problem. He has previously been comfortable purging lower levels of Russias elite cadres: the military, the intelligence services and other parts of the Russian bureaucracy. But Shoigu is one of the most powerful people in Russia after Putin. While dismissing him would rid Putin of a potential rival, it would also upset a delicately balanced circle of patronage and power. That could end up rebounding on Putin himself. Its true that Putin has contained rumblings among the population. The estimated 700,000 Russians who fled the country following Putins mobilisation order are no longer a potential hub for disquiet.

But if jockeying for position at the top feeds popular discontent, Putin may find himself trapped between two unhappy constituencies: the Russian citizenry with whom he broke his contract by sending them to war; and Russias elites who are expected to carry out his orders without question, and then take the fall when they fail. There are signs this is already occurring. General Andrey Kartapolov, a member of Russias parliament, and until recently the head of its influential Defence Council, has called openly for the government to stop lying to the population about its military failures in Ukraine. The people know, Kartapolov observed, adding: Our people are not stupid, they see they are not telling them the truth and this can lead to loss of credibility. Where does Putin go from here? So how does Putin extract himself from this mess of his own creation? Realistically the only way to do so is to win the war in Ukraine, or at least to win sufficient concessions that would permit him to spin it as a victory. However, thats now highly unlikely. Putin has broadened the parameters of the conflict by endorsing the narrative  amplified by Russias far right  that hes at war not only with Ukraine, but with NATO itself.

Putin evidently judged that necessary to rally flagging domestic support. But doing so also redefined his concept of victory. In order to win in Ukraine, Russias armed forces must now not only achieve their stated aims but dramatically exceed them, compelling the West to accept Putins demands for a new security compact in Europe on his terms. Loading Another problem for Putin is that Ukraine is unlikely to accommodate Putin, either on the battlefield or at the bargaining table. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already said he would only negotiate with Russias new president. He has also doubled-down on Ukraines war aims, amounting to the complete liberation of its territory. The spectacular strike on the Kerch Bridge, sometimes referred to as Putins wedding band to Crimea was a direct insult to Putin, who had personally overseen its construction. In comparison to wilting Russian morale, it also symbolised the sense among Ukrainians that the wars tide had turned. Finally, Russias military position in Ukraine is now looking hopeless. Its forces are exhausted and they continue to retreat.

Putins decision to appoint Sergei Surovikin  the general who ordered indiscriminate bombings in Syria and Chechnya  to oversee Russias war has been uninspiring. Indeed, his shift in tactics to mass cruise missile strikes against Ukrainian population centres and power generation facilities has backfired completely: it has made Ukrainians even keener to fight, and been seen globally as a vindictive act of petulance. Unable to win on the battlefield, Surovikin has so far expended some US$400-700 million in missiles from a dwindling stock in an attempt to cow Ukraines population. This included hitting cities Russia had purportedly annexed, effectively targeting its own territory and people. The upshot is that unless Putin chooses to escalate dramatically, even by crossing the nuclear threshold (which itself is fraught with risk), his only option is to find a face-saving way out. 3 hints at saving face

Putin has recently tried to do that in three ways. Instructively, theyre at odds with his more customary violence and threats. They also suggest a growing sense that his position is untenable. Turkish diplomats communicated Putins desire for a new grand bargain with Europe. This reportedly envisaged talks between Russia, the US and the EU. But doing so shut Ukraine out of the process, and little has come of the proposal.

An apparent attempt to weaponise SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who tweeted a peace proposal for Ukraine and warned Russia would use nuclear weapons if its Crimean Black Sea base was threatened. Despite denying he had spoken to Putin, Musks proposal closely matched Putins past demands, including specific details about access to fresh water for Crimea.

An overture from Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, claiming Putin would be open to peace talks with US President Joe Biden at the upcoming G20 Summit in Bali. The West shouldnt react to these Kremlin hints. For one thing, they only restate its long-standing ultimatums. For another, Putin has ignored every previous diplomatic off-ramp offered to him, instead escalating his campaign against Ukraine ever more brutally. Its also likely that Putin will use any ceasefire merely as a pause to refashion his forces for a renewed onslaught. To his credit, US President Joe Biden has already said he has no intention of meeting Putin, and the recently-released US National Security Strategy paints a picture of continued mistrust of Putins intentions.
Yeysk, Russia: A Russian fighter plane has crashed into a residential building in the southern Russian city of Yeysk, engulfing apartments in a huge fireball, and officials were quoted as saying at least two people were killed.

Video published by the military news channel Zvezda on Monday (Russia time) appeared to show explosions aboard the plane as it plunged towards the apartments.

Flames and smoke rise from the scene after a warplane crashed into a residential area in Yeysk, Russia, on Monday. Credit:Kooperativ Telegram Channel

Regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev said the plane was a Sukhoi Su-34, a supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber.

News agencies quoted emergency officials as saying at least 15 people were injured. They said the pilots had ejected.
A sweet goodbye, this last episode was. Where we ended right were it all started as a family around the campfire, with flashbacks even, except this time around the family has grown quite a bit. Not only did the family grow in size over the past six season, those characters grew as individuals as well. It doesnt seem fitting to only talk about this last episode, therefore we will look back on the past six seasons of Chesapeake Shores.

As said before we end the series back around the campfire, a sacred place for the OBrien siblings to talk and hang out with each other, this last time around everyone seems happy and loved. Mick and Meghan are married again, they seem to have found their way back to each other through the struggles of life and a divorce years ago. They learned to love again, accept each others flaws and make sure to care for each other. Mick has decided to retire and leave his business to Abby, whom had been his business partner for a while now, so Mick and Meghan can travel the world. They celebrated their second wedding this episode which made them come full circle.

Abby, the women we all hoped from the beginning would end up with Trace Riley (Jesse Metcalfe red.), her high school lover. Their relationship had lots of ups and downs and after Trace left early season five, I for sure thought Abby would be done with love and just focus on her girls. That idea was short lived with two potential love interest popping up for her in season 5. Earlier this season she started dating Evan, a nice but strange guy who as I can say much needed a loving and somewhat stable family. Even though I didnt think that Abby would get married again it didnt really come as a surprise when Evan asked her to marry him.

Kevin, when we met him he was a medic in the army and recovering from an injury sustained in the field. It didnt take long for him to pursue a different career and end up at the fire department where he met his now wife Sarah. I think Kevin has been the most stable OBrien of all during the series, which is also important in a big family. It showed that everyone lived live at their own pace, and through their own obstacles. Still Kevin had some trauma to process, struggled with Sarah to get pregnant but eventually grew a little family of their own.

Bree the writer of the family, who after being a struggling playwright in Chicago returns back home to her family. It takes her a while to adjust while she keeps writing, resulting in a bestseller that causes some uproar within her family because it is about the past events that happened in her family. Eventually they get over it and Bree stays in Chesapeake even taking a teaching job there. Bree also gets two potential love interests at the same time, but ends up with Luke a former convict. They have had to overcome their struggles this past season but found their way back to each other in the end.

Connor, the youngest brother of the siblings is introduced as a law student that wants to grow up like his older sister Abby. We mostly see him as the endless student but he eventually graduates form law school. He still is finding his way in this new corporate world and figuring out what kind of lawyer he wants to be. Being pulled in all directions and even used by big and powerful companies he learns he wants to work for a small firm, resulting in starting his own. After struggling with some health issues and getting the love and support from Margaret, whom he really liked, he realises he cannot run his firm alone. He did not only make Margaret his equal in the company, she also became his girlfriend.

We met Jess as the youngest of the OBrien clan who is still resenting both her parents, her mom for leaving her at a young age and her dad for always working. This took a while to change but eventually she turned around, learned to trust her parents again and improved their relationship. She really turned around, by starting her own business, learning from her mistakes and growing as a person. She fell in love and has shown that she can be someones rock and that she is a powerful woman, her doubts and struggles made her real and just a pleasure to watch. And when you think they have found it, we learn she and David are growing their little family too!

This concluded six years of family, love and friendship with a hint of drama here and there. For me this series has always felt like a welcome relief to watch instead of all the high paced, attention needed series that are also out there! I hope that this is one for many more people to find and relax with in the future.




This episode was a new take on the role of the FBI team, where normally they are working diligently to collaborate with foreign countries and law enforcement. However in this episode, they were asked to take a different role and when diplomacy fails, they are asked to break the laws of the country to get one of their citizens out.





We open the episode with Scott playing with Tank in the park with Zsolt and Scott asks him about when he picked up Tank and who the man was in his apartment. Zsolt says is it his Dad. Scott asks if he travels a lot as he has never seen him before and Zsolt says he is busy with his job. Scott tells him that he can talk to him about anything, especially if there is anything weird at home and he says that his parents have been fighting. Scott asks for his fathers name and he says Peter, and Scott calls Jamie and asks her to look run a full background check with her international contacts on Peter Tamasi. She asks if they have a new case, but he tells her this one is personal. It is so great to see that Scotts character and the way he really cares about other people extends past his work, especially when it comes to protecting young people in danger.We then see Megan is moving in with Jamie and Jamie offers to help her in with her boxes. As she moves in she begins moving some of Jamies things without asking and Jamie does not look too impressed. These two characters will be an interesting dynamic to have as roommates and it will be interesting to see how this affects their working relationship as they get to know each other on and off the job.The scene moves to an airport in Istanbul, Turkey, where a woman and her partner and daughter are travelling together. Suddenly the police surround them with guns and a search dog. They demand for her to open her suitcase, but they tell them they have already been through security. They ask again and then get the dog to sniff the bag, it alerts and they demand again she opens the bag. She asks to speak to his commanding officer but they pull their guns so she opens the bag, revealing antiquities that she indicates are not hers, and says she has never seen them before. The police take her away.Raines reviews the case with the team, and says that Emily Reid, an ex-marine, was detained in Turkey for smuggling antiquities. Garretson asks about this usually being handled by consulate affairs, but they have been asked to assist because although they are part of Nato, the Turks and the USA do not see eye to eye. Kellett asks if the military has been alerted, but Forrester says as soon as Turkey knows the military is involved the case will hit the headlines. Consulate affairs is also hoping that they can find alternative channels to gain entry into Turkey. Garretson quickly finds them a way in, as she had worked a narcotics case with Turkish intelligence and she says one of the agents was solid and arranged for them to fly in today. The team packs up and leaves for the jet.When arrive at the US Embassy in Turkey, they meet with Jen Mercer, who is the legal representation for Emily. She says they have tried to expedite her release but the Turkish authorities are stubborn. They meet Leyla Kaplan, who is the local translator at the embassy, and used to work at the police station where they are holding Emily Reid, as she was training to be a police officer in the past. Raines and Kellett go to the hotel to meet with her partner while the rest of the team set up at the embassy.Raines asks James Greer, her partner, if they packed their bags themselves and he says of course and he asks if the bags were ever unattended, and he says only for a minute for airport inspection. They asked what they were doing in Turkey and he says Emily has a small business exporting mugs to the US and goes there for business and he and daughter Zoey had just tagged along for vacation. Kellett asks if they are not married why Zoey calls her mom and Zoey says she is her mom. James explains that Zoeys mom died when she was one and Emily is the only mother she has ever known, but Emily did not believe in marriage, which is why they never got married. Raines asks if he spoke to anyone after Emily was arrested, and he said that a police officer pulled him into a back room and kept asking him about a rush fee, but he said all he could focus on was if Zoey was safe. Kellett tells Zoey she was very brave and she asks if her mom will be okay, and Kellett promises that they will do everything in her power to get her mom back home.Back at the embassy, Raines reviews the airport security feed and they see Emily, James and Zoe go through security and their luggage was clean when it went in. They then see a police officer take the bag off the rack, and it was returned 48 seconds later. Mercer asks why only target Emily, and the team hypothesizes that by separating the woman from their male travel companion, the man is more likely to pay a fee quickly to be able to see her then. Vo asks Leyla if she ever saw anything like this when she was at the station. Leyla tells them that certain groups in the Turkish police are not known for their honesty. She says that the police force is only 10% female dictated by law, and that she was hoping to make a difference, but they saw her idealism as prudishness and they disqualified her a week before graduation for an arrhythmia. They ask if she is okay to go to the station to translate and she says of course.They go to the station and Leyla tells the officer at the desk they are FBI and they ask to speak to Mehmet Dogan, the Directorate. When they are waiting, some of the officers try to bother Leyla by asking her how her murmur is, but Cameron tells her not to give them the satisfaction. This was such a great scene as clearly Cameron has dealt with these types of situations before, and now as she is becoming a more experienced member of the team, it is so wonderful to see her character start to branch out and provide support to mentor others.Dogan tells them his department is more than happy to cooperate with the FBI. He says their investigation should be completed by the end of the week, and Forrester says things seem pretty cut and dry and asks if they can wrap it up by the end of the day. Dogan says unfortunately not, as his team is still running the investigation. Forrester tells him that they know about the scam his officers have been running at the airport with putting items in a nice looking tourists bag and scaring them until they pay up. Dogan says that is a very serious accusation, and that investigating that would take time. Forrester says if he is looking for an expedition fee, that this will not go down the way he thinks and Dogan says he always follow due process. Vo tells him to watch the security camera footage, and it should not take long, unless he wants to be the center of the next big diplomatic incident. He says if the woman in custody is innocent, he will personally apprehend the officers involved himself. He says he will not halt the investigation, but as a sign of good faith, he will start the paperwork for her release. They ask to speak with Emily, and Dogan agrees.Forrester and Vo speak with Emily and she asks if James and Zoey are safe and they tell her yes, and that they are under embassy protection. She asks if they are with the consulate, and when they tell her they are with the FBI, she says she takes it that the Turks are not making this easy then. The officers at the door are pulled away, and Emily asks Scott and Cameron to get her out now before they find out who she really is. The officers come in, cuff her and take her away, and Scott asks Dogan what about the sign of good faith, and he says they did not tell him she was a spy.Dogan shows them a technology device and says they found it in Emilys rented apartment, hidden inside the walls. Scott asks if they had a warrant and Dogan says they felt it was prudent to act quickly for due diligence to the request from FBI to expedite the process, but to feel free to file a complaint. Dogan asks them why would someone go to all the trouble to seal something in a wall, and Vo says they need to identify what it is, and that if might not even be from this decade. Dogan says he thinks it is spy equipment. Vo asks if he has he never moved into a place and found weird things the old tenants left behind, and why would you smash the wall and reseal it up in an apartment you barely used briefly. Dogan says he considered that but wondered why the FBI wanted to speed things up, especially considering it has not even been 24 hours since she was arrested. Scott wants to take the device back to the embassy to run a diagnostic, but Dogan will not let him have the device. He tells Scott they will keep him apprised of any developments.As they leave and head back to the embassy, Vo asks Forrester if he is sure Emily is a spy and he says yes, that the device they found was a CIA transmitter, and that CIA started using them in 2018 with cyber-ops in Iran. Vo asks what happens if Dogan finds out and he says they will question Emily until she confesses or begs to die. Vo asks why Dogan would tell them instead of going to Turkish intel, and Forrester says Dogan seems to think this is a name-making arrest, and that the officers who pull this ruse all the time did not know who she was until James called the embassy. Kellett comes to find them and tells them that General Finley is on the line and she has it set up for them upstairs.General Finley tells Scott and Jamie that he had hoped this situation would be resolved quickly without incident, but that he clearly underestimated the Turkish police. Scott says with all due respect that his team should have been briefed, and the General tells them that Emily in an agent with NSA and that anyone who knows her identity is a liability. Scott tells him they raided her apartment and found her covert transmitter, and that is their liability. General Finley says without her authenticator, it will never boot up and she will never hand it over, and that nothing will break her. Kellett says that does not stop the Turks from trying. Finley says now there is even more urgency to get her out.Scott says if he is putting his team at risk he needs to know how much power is in this powderkeg. It is great to see that Scott is not prepared to risk his team until he knows the full depth of the situation. It is also wonderful how gives them all the ability to express their concerns or opt out of the mission when the time comes. He tells them her real name is Isabelle Yumans, and was working as an exporter of Turkish goods while compiling information about Turkish military capabilities. Her asset works for the military. He is so high level, that he insisted that his real name be scrubbed from all documentation, so they only know his code name, Redland. Jamie says they need to figure out who Redland is and then get Emily out, and General Finley says he will provide any resources they need. Scott asks about the partner, and Finley says everything should be need to know, but Scott says they need the partner because if she met with Redland, he might be the only one who can help them find this asset.Scott goes to talk to James and he is upset and wants answers, but Scott says they have to focus right now as the most important thing right now is getting Emily back to DC. He asks if they met with anyone while they were there, and he says he did not track her every movement, as he trusted her. He says that one night she stepped away from dinner to meet a friend from university. He says his name was Sam. Raines pulls the names of everyone enrolled in her college program and that all her files were under the name Isabelle Velmaz, and that of everyone with Sam in their name, 6 have possible ties to Turkey, but none fit the profile for her source. They begin to dig in to the 6 people, and Megan says the code name is interesting and remembers that there used to be a road names Redland Road that was renamed around the time of the Queens Jubilee and as Andre to look it up, and see if anyone lived on Elizabeth Place. Megan finds Sammy Osman who was a visiting professor in Nuclear Physics when Emily was at Oxford, and is a logistics officer for the Turkish army. There have been rumors that Turkey was beefing up its nuclear capabilities. Forrester sends Kellett and Raines to secure Osman.Jen Mercer comes in to tell Scott and Megan that Director Dogan is in the lobby. He apologizes for the intrusion, but he came to update them that Emily denied the device was hers as they expected. He tells them they had been tracing her movements since she arrived and that they have footage of her entering a hotel with a man named Sammy Osman, and he asks if that name means anything to them. Scott asks if he asked Emily and Dogan says she is refusing to answer any of his questions. Scott says it is not a crime to walk into a hotel lobby, and Megan says he seems to be spinning his wheels, and there is no proof of wrongdoing. Scott says they need to get back to work and leaves the lobby. Megan tells Dogan that Forrester is doing him a favour because her vote is to take this issue straight to Europol, and has Turkey not been waiting for membership with a keen eye on their human rights abuses. Dogan says his team will continue to investigate for however long it takes, and he appreciates their patience. As Raines and Kellett are about to pull up to where Sammy is, the Turkish police arrive and throw him in the back of the police van and take him away.Scott says if they break Osman that they will bury Emily in a hole so deep she will forget what daylight looks like. He says that General Finley is getting James and Zoey out of Turkey and that they are to get to Emily in the police station before they can transfer her somewhere where they cannot get to her. Kellett asks if he is talking about a jailbreak and he says yes. He says it is a regional facility and not a supermax prison. He says that he, Raines and Vo will work on securing Emily and that Kellett and Garretson are to work on an escape route. He asks if everyone is good and if they have any doubts and Raines says they do not know the layout of the jail or what type of staffing may be on. Vo says they need Leylas help. Leyla assists them to understand the layout of the staff and cameras, and agrees to help them. She says 7pm is shift change and the night shift operates with a skeleton crew, so Scott says that is their window.Forrester, Vo and Leyla go into the station while Raines sneaks around back. Forrester says he has urgent business with Dogan, and that the officer will have to explain it to him if he has to wait to give him important message until the morning, and says to call him and tell him they have intel on Osman. She calls Dogan while Leyla gives her an excuse to get into the locker room and Raines breaks in a back door.They go to speak to Dogan, and ask to speak to Osman, but he says they are questioning him and Scott can watch on the screen. They take Vo to question Emily. Meanwhile, Raines breaks into the computer control room and Leyla meets him there with a radio. Vo meets with Emily and they know they are on camera, so they work together to play up the interview by saying Osman was a client and that they knew there were more transactions that were in the ledger, and she said it was typical practice for elite customers who paid in cash. She signals her to pretend to choke and asks the guard to get her water. Vo tells her to go when she says go.Scott is in the office watching the interview with Osman, who says he is going to tell them everything and right then, Raines cuts the power. They use the radio and alarms and door locks to get Vo and Emily out of the interrogation rooms and then jam the radio signal so the police cannot communicate with each other. Leyla leaves and says the embassy will take care of her. Raines chains the door to the control room behind her.An officer updates Dogan that Detective Akbas called and Osman broke and confessed to everything. He asks if they have the American secured, but they cannot get ahold of anyone on the radio. Dogan and the officers try to find Emily while she and Vo try to get out of the building with Raines helping them from the control room and police try to break into the control room. At one point, Vo and Emily almost get caught, but hide in an office and Raines uses the lights and door locks to help them to escape out of the station, where they get into a taxi van with Raines and Forrester. The taxi van exits onto the highway with dozens of others, and the police lose them. This was a very tense and action packed scene that really shows the level of skill of this team, and definitely kept the viewer on the edge of their seat.They meet at the meeting point and split up to head to the rendezvous point in 3 vehicles, while the embassy helps get rid of the taxi. On the way to the rendezvous, Megan and Emily get pulled over, but Megan outsmarts the policeman and several police cars join the chase. She and Emily manage to outrun them and Forrester picks them up and they get Emily to the helicopter and evacuated out of Turkey. He tells her that James and Zoey are in Budapest and that James knows who she is as they had no other choice but to tell him because she had brought them to Turkey. James, Zoey and Emily are reunited in Budapest, and they all embrace, as a family should.




At the beginning of last weeks episode, we are treated to some personal scenes unrelated to the case of the week. Remy and April are on a date at a gala where he encounters a lot of his old friends. Ray is moving in with Hana, just like Crosby and Ortiz did previously. I hope he sticks around longer than them!

Now, its time to dive into the case. A lady is jogging in a wooded area and in what may be one of the creepiest scenes on this show so far, a hand emerges from the ground and a woman pops out of the ground. This woman, Lydia, ends up dying due to a slashed throat and being buried alive. The last person she was seen with and the current suspect is a guy, Leonard Oxridge, who stole documents from the national archives in Washington D.C. Now, we know who the people at the beginning of the episode are, but still what is the secret they are hiding?Upon research, the team learns that Lydia was a geology professor and she had a side hustle involving precious metals. The documents Leonard stole are pamphlets that belonged to the Knights of the Golden Circle that date back to the Civil War. When they go to question Leonard, they find him bleeding out on the floor, so now theyre are two murders and the orginal suspect is now dead.Looking into Leonards connections, the team finds that he had a lot of contact with the Thorne brothers and they head to Pennsylvania to track down the brothers and the gold. Walking on the property, there are Confederate flags and trip wires, so the team splits up to search the house and surrounding area. Remy finds the brothers hiding in the shed and forces them to lead him and Ray to the cave where the gold supposedly is. But upon their arrival to the cave, shots are fired and a teenage girl, Sadie, walks out of the cave. Sadie is also aware of the hidden gold secret. She discovered it with her grandparents who obtained a permit to clean up the cave and eventually wanted one to excavate it. Her grandparents also state they have a finders fee agreement signed by the park ranger, Toby, but it is not a legitimate agreement. Now, its looking like Toby might be the killer and the person behind the hidden surveillance cameras outside the cave.However, theres now a halt in the FBIs investigation as the Treasury department shows up in search of the gold which is federal property. The agent doesnt care that theres a murderer on the loose, but Remy is persistent in his search of the killer.The unit continues to track down the park ranger and find out that hes been out on leave, claiming that his mother died recently, but she actually died years ago. Lydias cellphone is also found at his house, so hes absolutely the guy now. Deputies are sent out to protect the remaining people who know about the secret cave - Sadie and her grandparents and also the Thorne brothers. While under watch, Sadie sneaks away and Toby confronts her in the middle of the road and throws her into his pickup truck. Her grandmother leads the team to her granddaughters hiding spot and Ray takes the shot that kills Toby. The killing spree is finally brought to an end.The excavation performed by the Treasury department results in no gold being located, but Hana adds that people saw armored trucks going back and forth to the cave all night. The agent claims they were empty and the hidden gold was all a myth.Remy also has a chat with Sadie and leads me to think that maybe she took the gold before the Treasury department could get to it.Now that the case is solved, we are brought back to Remys apartment where hes spending a night with April, but they are interrupted by a package alert from his doorman. It ends up being a woman from the gala and Remys past, Fiona, and it clearly bothers April. I wonder if their relationship will continue or will this put a wrench into it?The episode concludes with Sadie going back to the cave to remove the hidden camera in an attempt to delete any evidence of her removing the gold from the location. So I guess she did take the gold.
Geneva, 17 October 2022 (SPS) - The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) has warned about the state of health of the Saharawi journalist, Mohamed Lamin Haddi, unjustly sentenced to 25 years in prison, because of the abuse and torture he suffers by the Moroccan authorities.



Isolation, abuse, torture... This human rights defender incarcerated for nearly 12 years has endured terrible suffering at the hands of Moroccan authorities. In addition to the harsh treatment he regularly receives in prison, he has not seen his family since September 2018, OMCT reported.



He is only allowed to call his family sporadically and only recently has he been allowed to make a very brief phone call every week.



Mohamed Lamin Haddi was subjected to numerous abuses and torture in detention before he was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2010. He was convicted of "violent acts" against the Moroccan authorities, "with the intent to kill". He denied the charges, saying his confession had been obtained under duress and that the evidence against him had been falsified.



This journalist, who has tirelessly defended the right to self-determination of his people in Western Sahara, was taken to the prison of "Tiflet 2", east of Rabat, at "the age of 20, full of energy and in good health. Today, he is not the same man", lamented the largest international coalition of NGOs working in the field of human rights.



"He can't see well in one eye. He has pain in his throat because he was hung by the neck. And he is weakened because of his hunger strike, often the only way for prisoners to protest their inhumane detention," it added.



062/T
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Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Monday participated in a meeting of the European Union foreign ministers, a Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Luxembourg, voicing support for strengthening EU military support for Ukraine and saying that it is important for the European Union to also support Moldova, told Agerpres.

The agenda of the meeting included in-depth discussions on countering the effects of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, with the participation by video conference of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, as well as on the relations between the EU and China. At the same time, European officials addressed recent developments in Iran, sending an EU monitoring mission to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and the challenges generated by climate change.

According to a press statement released by the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE), during the discussions on Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, Aurescu welcomed the participation by video conference of his Ukrainian counterpart and condemned the new attacks launched by Russia on Ukrainian cities/civilian targets, including one on Monday in the centre of Kyiv and in other cities in Ukraine, which aim to test the resilience of Ukrainian society.

He welcomed the adoption by the EU of new measures in support of Ukraine, namely the eighth package of restrictive measures aimed at the Russian Federation, showing openness to strengthening the sanctions by adopting a new package, in cooperation with the G7 member states and other international partners, to put even more pressure on Russia.

Aurescu expressed support for strengthening the EU military backing for Ukraine by adopting the sixth tranche of a financial contribution under the European Peace Facility and by launching an EU military assistance mission (EUMAM) to train the Ukrainian army. He also mentioned that Romania will continue to provide multidimensional support to Ukraine, also mentioning Romania's efforts to facilitate the export of grain and other Ukrainian products through Romanian ports. Aurescu showed that since the beginning of the crisis, more than 5.2 million tonnes of grain have passed through Romania to third destinations, which represents an important support in the management of the global food crisis.

The Romanian official also mentioned the regional consequences of the escalation of the conflict by Russia and drew attention to the situation of Moldova, whose airspace was violated by three Russian missiles during the recent Russian attack on Ukraine, which is another violation of international law, especially since it is a neutral state, according to the Constitution of Moldova. He mentioned the importance of the European Union supporting Moldova, which is one of the nations most affected by the conflict in Ukraine and the effects of this conflict, especially in terms of an energy crisis. Aurescu mentioned that Romania has already started supplying electricity to Moldova.

Aurescu also mentioned the diplomatic efforts of the EU and its member states to isolate Russia worldwide and to counter the Russian narrative regarding the consequences of the war of aggression at the global level. He pointed out that the recent resolution of the UN General Assembly was adopted with a large majority, and the results of the elections at the International Telecommunication Union Conference, which took place in Bucharest, demonstrated that Russia is increasingly isolated.

The Romanian dignitary voiced support alongside other European foreign ministers for the creation of a special court for the crimes of aggression committed in Ukraine and showed that the best and most solid basis for its establishment must be identified.

He informed the other foreign ministers about his initiative, together with the Czech, Polish and Swedish counterparts to organise, on the sidelines of the next FAC meeting in November, an informal working meeting dedicated to launching a reflection on the future and reform of the Eastern Partnership in the light of the latest developments generated by the war against Ukraine and the decisions taken at the European Council in June to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova and the European perspective of Georgia. MAE says that, considering the relevance of the PaE in supporting the Belarusian civil society, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was also invited.

Aurescu welcomed an agreement to launch an EU monitoring mission at the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, by displacing part of the EU monitoring mission staff from Georgia. He showed that he launched the idea of the new monitoring mission in 2021 on a regional tour in the Caucasus, together with his counterparts from Austria and Lithuania, in coordination and with the mandate of the High Representative of the EU, Josep Borrell.

During the discussions regarding the perspective of EU-China relations, held after the start on Sunday of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and in the preparation of the European Council on October 20-21, Aurescu showed that there is a need an increase in the strategic economic resilience of the EU, united action in reporting to China bilaterally and multilaterally, continuing cooperation with the US and other partner states, strengthening ties with countries in Africa and Latin America and implementing the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and the EU Global Gateway initiative.

Regarding the recent developments in Iran, Aurescu condemned the serious violations of human rights, including the freedom of expression, assembly and peaceful demonstration. He said that Romania supports, in this context, the expansion of the sanctions on Iran, taking into account the existing information regarding Iran's support of the Russian aggression through the delivery of drones.
The Oltenia Energy Complex will join a project to build a gas-fired power plant at Isalnita by owning a 59.9% stake in the share capital.

CE Oltenia's 59.9% stake means a contribution of 65 million euros. The selected investor, Alro SA, will own a 40.1% stake, meaning a contribution of over 43.5 million euros, told Agerpres.

"The total value of the project is estimated at 506 million euros. The project has also received funding from the Modernisation Fund, and the new special-purpose vehicle (SPV) will get financial grants covering 50% of the project value. The Romanian government will pay these amounts directly to the new SPV, as the final beneficiary of the Modernisation Fund, under a funding agreement to be concluded between the SVP and the Ministry of Energy. Also, the project will get bank funds for which CE Oltenia in August 2022 mandated an important commercial bank to act as the organiser of a syndicate," the release reads.

The date of commissioning of the Isalnita gas-fired power plant is 2026. It will replace units 7 and 8, both coal-fired, of a capacity of 315 MW.

The main shareholders in CE Oltenia are the Ministry of Energy (77%) and Fondul Proprietatea (21.5%). Its share capital is 270 million lei.
Flotilla Admiral Valentin Iacoblev handed over the command of the Romanian Navy Fleet to Flotilla Admiral Cornel-Eugen Cojocaru at a ceremony that took place on Monday in the Constanta military port, in the presence of the Romanian Navy Chief of Staff Mihai Panait, told Agerpres.

According to the Romanian Navy, after presenting the defence minister's order, Panait handed the battle flag of the Fleet to the new commander Cojocaru.

The whole event took place in the presence of the Navy commanders, officials of the Ministry of Defence, former Navy chiefs of staff and fleet commanders, as well as local administration officials.

Cojocaru graduated from the Dimitrie Cantemir Military High School at Breaza in 1988, then attended the Mircea cel Batran Navy Academy, Faculty of Navigation (1988-1993). After graduating from the naval academy, he was successively a commander of the Jupiter and the Venus diving support vessels, and in 1998 he became operations officer at the 175th Diving Ships Division, combat service commander of the Emil Racovita sea-going ship for divers, second officer at the Midia logistics combat ship and commander of the ship. After 2004, he was commander of the Constanta Training Ship, chief of staff of the 150th Naval Strike Division, and commander of the Marasesti frigate (2010-2016).

In 2017, he was appointed deputy chief of staff for training of the Fleet Command and in October 2018 became chief of staff of the Fleet Command. On March 1, 2021, he was appointed deputy commander for operations and training of the Navy Chief of Staff. On April 1, 2022, he was appointed deputy chief of the Navy Staff.
Romania's Interior Minister Lucian Bode said on Monday that Romania meets all the technical conditions for joining the Schengen area and expressed his belief that all the European Union member states will make a decision favourable to Romania.

"Romania is meeting all the technical conditions for Schengen accession. After last week's evaluation visit, during the JHA Council meeting in Luxembourg on Friday, both the European Commission, through the voice of commissioner Johansson, and the Czech Presidency, through the voice of the Czech interior minister, requested that at the next JHA meeting in December the expansion of the Schengen area be on the agenda. At the end of October, we will have the first results presented in the technical commission, of this evaluation visit to Romania and Bulgaria, and on account of those results I am convinced that all the states (...) will be able to take a decision favourable to Romania," said Bode at the Parliament House, told Agerpres.

He added that a favourable report by the evaluation commission will make the Netherlands agree on Romania's accession to the Schengen area, adding that he expressed his willingness to submit all the necessary complementary information to achieve the goal.

"I had a very good meeting with the Dutch ambassador in Romania, I had a discussion on the sidelines of the JHA council, a bilateral meeting with the Dutch minister and I want to tell you that, on the one hand, the Dutch minister emphasised the important played by Romania in this extremely complicated geopolitical context with this absurd war on the border, highly appreciated the way in which Romania has managed the humanitarian crisis generated by this war and said that he is waiting for the result of the evaluation commission and, on account of the result, the Netherlands will definitely take a decision. I expressed my availability until the end of October, when the result of the evaluation will be presented, for bilateral meetings at technical level to discuss any aspect complementary to those verified during the evaluation visit. So, I hope that the Netherlands will receive all the information by October 26, 27, 28, when the report will be presented and, obviously, a favourable report for Romania will hopefully determine the Netherlands to cast a yes vote."
A new case of monkeypox was confirmed in Romania, the Ministry of Health informed on Monday, told Agerpres.

According to the quoted source, it is about a 44-year-old man from Bucharest.

"His state of health is good and he is in isolation," the ministry said.

Until now, 41 patients have been diagnosed with monkeypox in Romania.

According to the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), a total of six people were vaccinated against monkeypox.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca will have a new meeting on Monday evening, at the Victoria Palace, with representatives of institutions in charge with energy area and various activity sectors, the Government informs, told Agerpres.

In the beginning of this month, the Executive head mentioned that the amendments to Emergency Ordinance No.119 regarding energy were not completed, being under debated in Parliament, adding that measures established at the European Union level are to be transposed.

"The amendments to Ordinance 119 haven't been completed yet, together with the proposals and measures established at the European Union level, they are also to be transposed in the amendments to be made in Parliament regarding Ordinance 119," Ciuca stated, when asked whether he endorses the amendments made in the Senate regarding this normative act.

He said that he endorses the amendment passed by the Senate regarding the facilities for the families with three or more children, but the option of granting vouchers is also discussed, mentioning that the easiest proposal to implement shall be the one selected.
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Marcel Ciolacu, the national leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), said on Monday that he will discuss with Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca the future of Defence Minister Vasile Dincu after controversial statements by the minister, and added that he received explanations from Dincu that he did not mean Ukraine giving up land, told Agerpres.

Asked if the discussion with Dincu is closed or if he has to find an honourable departure, Ciolacu answered: "I very much wish that I, and you, and our children all live in a normal country where we can do normal politics."

Asked if PSD still supports Dincu for the defence portfolio, Ciolacu answered that first of all he wants to discuss the situation with Prime Minister Ciuca, and then it is natural to discuss the matter inside the party as well.

Ciolacu also said that the prime minister has to say something because he is the decision-maker when it comes to replacing ministers.

Ciuca and Dincu met at the Government House on Monday, and one of the subjects addressed was "calibration of public communication" at the level of the Ministry of Defence in a governmental context, according to governmental spokesman Dan Carbunaru.

On a visit to Arges County last week, Ciuca said that he was waiting for Dincu to return to Romania from a NATO ministerial meeting to have a very open discussion about his opinion regarding the war in Ukraine.

Dincu said on October 8 that negotiation is the only chance for Russia to make peace with Ukraine.

"The war will continue, (...) the only chance for peace may be negotiating with Russia. Of course, it is a complex negotiation. (...) The countries of the world, NATO, the United States should negotiate security guarantees for Ukraine and a peace with Russia. Ukraine alone will not be able to negotiate with Russia, because the political class in Ukraine at this moment cannot afford to take responsibility (...) for the loss of land, an unjust loss of land after all. It would be too big a defeat in politics," Dincu told Prima TV private broadcaster.
The draft law on the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) was adopted on Monday, as a decision-making body, by the Senate plenary sitting, told Agerpres.

86 votes "for", 37 against and three abstentions were recorded.

According to the document adopted by the Chamber of Deputies on September 20, passed with some amendments by the Senate, the members of the CSM are chosen from among the judges and prosecutors appointed by the President of Romania, with at least seven years of experience as a judge or permanent prosecutor and who were not disciplined in the last three years, with the exception of the situation in which the sanction was canceled.
Dynamic currency conversion allows consumers to choose to use their home currency when transacting with retailers, restaurants and other services in foreign countries. Customers view a bill showing the cost in the local currency, their home currency and an offered exchange rate if they charge their credit card in their home currency. It may seem like an appealing offer to know how much youre getting charged without manually converting the local currency yourself, but you could wind up paying more due to markups and hidden fees.

What Is Dynamic Currency Conversion?

Dynamic currency conversion (DCC), and sometimes referred to as cardholder preferred currency (CPC), allows customers to pay for a product or service in a foreign country using their home currency instead of the local currency. It involves a type of currency conversion fee similar to other fees credit cards or ATM cards may charge for converting purchases or cash withdrawals in a foreign country to your home currency.

Currency conversion fees are typically charged by the debit or credit card processor, like Visa or Mastercard, and run around 1% of the transaction amount. DCC is usually set by a merchants service provider that processes the exchange rate and any additional fees.

It might seem appealing when presented with a DCC opportunity in a foreign country because its convenient and removes the extra step of converting the transaction amount yourself from the local currency to your home currency. But using DCC can result in a more expensive exchange than charging your credit card in the currency local to your travel destination.

Should I Pay Using Dynamic Currency Conversion?

Any time you buy something from a store or restaurant, youll likely want to see the best deal possible. By avoiding paying the DCC charges and instead paying in a local currency, you can do just that by saving money on any DCC-related fees.

You should always have a choice of currency in legitimate DCC transactions. A bill should show the transaction amount in both your home and local currencies, plus the currency conversion rate that will be applied to your transaction if you choose to charge the purchase using the DCC.

For example, if youre a U.S. citizen traveling in Paris, you might receive a tab that shows 30, $32 and an exchange rate of 1 euro = 1.05315 U.S. dollars (the current rate as of August 2022; updated EURO to USD). At first glance, the DCC may look fine, but if you compare the DCC to the current market rate that your credit card processor would charge in a few days, you will likely find that charging your card in euros is cheaper than using the DCC.

DCC does have its advantages, but the disadvantages could quickly outweigh any benefits.

Advantages to Dynamic Currency Conversion

Paying the DCC in a foreign country has a few advantages.

Youll know what youre paying upfront. Instead of waiting to see the total cost to your home currency on a bank statement, youll know how much a product or service will cost at the point of sale and wont have to estimate what youll be charged after your issuer runs the transaction and reports it.

Instead of waiting to see the total cost to your home currency on a bank statement, youll know how much a product or service will cost at the point of sale and wont have to estimate what youll be charged after your issuer runs the transaction and reports it. Its optional; merchants need your consent. Stores, restaurants and other services arent allowed to perform DCC transactions without consent. You can accept or deny DCC at any point of sale.

Stores, restaurants and other services arent allowed to perform DCC transactions without consent. You can accept or deny DCC at any point of sale. Price comparison is easier. DCC could make shopping easier by allowing you to compare prices for different products in your home currency without having to do the extra legwork of converting costs yourself.

DCC could make shopping easier by allowing you to compare prices for different products in your home currency without having to do the extra legwork of converting costs yourself. The exchange rate is guaranteed at the time of purchase. When you accept DCC, the exchange rate offered that day is guaranteed at the time of purchase. If you decline DCC, your credit cards currency conversion could happen a few days later when the transaction is processed. If you elect to wait, the actual amount will depend on the market rate that day.

Disadvantages to Dynamic Currency Conversion

DCC disadvantages may be enough to convince you to decline the option when shopping, dining or transacting in another country.

There will most likely be additional fees. A service provider contracted by the merchant will typically process a DCC for any given transaction. The provider may charge its own fee plus a markup on top of the transaction cost.

A service provider contracted by the merchant will typically process a DCC for any given transaction. The provider may charge its own fee plus a markup on top of the transaction cost. Merchants are not always required to reveal additional fees. You may not know exactly how much more youre paying when accepting DCC unless you calculate the costs yourself by comparing the market rate to the exchange rate provided by the merchant.

You may not know exactly how much more youre paying when accepting DCC unless you calculate the costs yourself by comparing the market rate to the exchange rate provided by the merchant. Your purchase could end up being more expensive. Because of the extra fees, the DCCs exchange rate provided on a transaction receipt or at an ATM is typically worse than the market rate resulting in a more expensive purchase.

Because of the extra fees, the DCCs exchange rate provided on a transaction receipt or at an ATM is typically worse than the market rate resulting in a more expensive purchase. You still have to pay transaction fees. If your credit or debit card charges foreign transaction fees, youll still be required to pay that fee on top of the fees associated with a DCC. This fee will apply even if your transaction is listed in U.S. dollars because youre still using the card in a foreign country.

How To Avoid Paying Dynamic Currency

Avoiding a DCC is easyall you have to do is decline when given the option at a store, restaurant or ATM in a foreign country. Rejecting the DCC will ensure youre not paying more than you absolutely have to.

A DCC should always be an option. If you dont have a choice, the merchant may not be following the rules outlined by the credit card processor and even by the local government.

For example, if you withdraw money at an ATM, you should be given a choice to accept or reject a conversion provided by a third-party service. Similar to making a purchase, the ATM should show the requested withdrawal amount in the local and home currency, plus the conversion rate that will be applied if the DCC is accepted. We recommend rejecting this type of conversion at an ATM in a foreign country. You should still be able to take out cash, but your bank will handle the conversion at the current market rate. If you cannot take out cash without conducting a DCC transaction, find another ATM.

Other ways to save money while traveling include using a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees and using a currency-converter app to make a quick money conversion before making a purchase.

Bottom Line

Knowing how much youre paying in your home currency at the point of sale has its advantages, but youll often end up paying more than necessary due to poor exchange rates and unclear fees often found with dynamic currency conversion. Instead, charge a credit card using the local currency and using credit cards with no foreign transaction fees to stay on budget while traveling. Use debit cards without foreign transaction fees to withdraw cash, as cash advances are inadvisable and expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should I pay using dynamic currency conversion? We recommend rejecting the offer to charge a card using a dynamic currency conversion. You may end up paying more for your purchase. How do I avoid paying dynamic currency conversion? Simply reject the offer to charge your card or withdraw money from an ATM using the dynamic currency conversion. Instead, charge the card in the local currency or reject the conversion at an ATM and continue with the withdrawal. Are there benefits to paying with dynamic currency conversion? With dynamic currency conversion, youll know how much a good or service will cost in your home currency upfront, which makes it easier to compare prices for different products. The exchange rate is locked in at the time of purchasea bank will typically charge the market rate on the day the transaction is processed.

More from Forbes Advisor
Electric car manufacturer Tesla has plans to open a massive warehouse south of Interstate 270 in the Metro East.

The company signed a lease for nearly 667,000 square feet of space at Gateway TradePort, a planned industrial park in Pontoon Beach, according to a market report from commercial real estate firm CBRE.

Its not clear what Tesla has planned for the warehouse, which is under construction at 1202 Tradeport Parkway, off I-270 and Illinois Route 111.

Neither the company nor the developer, NorthPoint Development of Kansas City, immediately responded to a request for comment. Teslas website also did not list any jobs available in Southern Illinois.

The warehouse deal comes as the company is planning to open a dealership and service center in south St. Louis County, about 27 miles southwest of the Metro East facility. It also operates a dealership in Chesterfield.

Austin, Texas-based Tesla reported earlier this month that its vehicle deliveries rebounded following a temporary shutdown of its factory in China this past summer.

The company, which will report its latest quarterly earnings this week, has long had a goal to ramp up annual production, though it and its competitors have encountered supply chain issues.
MONDAY, Oct. 17, 2022 (American Heart Association News) -- MaryKay West was at work in Portland, Oregon, after a long weekend in Southern California. Her husband, Jeff, had a work assignment there and she and their daughter, Anna, had visited. They'd gone for walks, shared nice meals and done a little sightseeing. And, as usual, MaryKay had gone for a run.

A competitive athlete since her youth, MaryKay was a state champion sprinter in high school and went on to become to a regionally ranked masters triathlete in her early 50s.

On this January morning, MaryKay arrived at work straight from the airport feeling energized.

After work, she was supposed to introduce a group of panelists at an event. Walking from her office to her car, her throat tightened. She felt like she couldn't swallow.

"That's weird," she thought.

Driving to the event, she felt pressure in her chest. It slowly moved up to her lower jaw.

At the event, she chatted with fellow commercial real estate professionals, hoping the pressure and pain would subside. Instead, it worsened, radiating into her arms.

After introducing the panelists, she whispered to a colleague that she wasn't feeling well and left.

Although she knew jaw and arm pain were symptoms of a heart attack, she also thought, "That's impossible. I'm healthy. I'm an athlete. I don't have high blood pressure. There's no reason I would have a heart attack."

At the hospital, MaryKay had normal blood pressure and heart rate readings. An electrocardiogram showed no problems.

But her symptoms continued.

"Something's not right," the doctor said.

She ordered a variety of tests. A blood test showed high levels of troponin, a sign that she'd had a heart attack.

Jeff arrived the next morning to find MaryKay feeling even worse.

On the monitor he saw that her blood pressure had spiked and asked for help. A trauma nurse arrived with a red "crash cart" stocked with emergency medical equipment in case of a cardiac arrest.

MaryKay's chest pain intensified, and her breath shortened.

"I'm really getting scared now," she told Jeff. She thought she might die.

A scheduled coronary angiogram was moved up. The procedure revealed MaryKay had a rare type of heart attack called a spontaneous coronary artery dissection, or SCAD. It isn't like a traditional heart attack, where a clot blocks blood from reaching the heart muscle. Rather, blood flow is squeezed off because of a separation, or tear, between the layers of the artery wall.

SCAD patients typically don't have heart disease risk factors. They're also fairly young, healthy and active. MaryKay was 56.

Doctors said the tear would heal itself and that she would be treated with medication. Four days later, she went home.

"I was very, very fatigued," she said. "And I could actually feel a pain in my heart where the tear was."

She wasn't allowed to use stairs for a week and could only walk on flat surfaces.

"I would walk five minutes a day, from the living room to the dining room, into the kitchen and down the hallway," she said.

She found community in an online group of SCAD survivors.

After a month, MaryKay started cardiac rehabilitation, which helped her understand her new limitations.

At the same time, her doctor strongly encouraged her to do physical activities only for fun, not for sport.

"The Type A competitive athlete side of me said, 'I'm going to get through rehab and get back into shape,'" she said. "But the other part of me was more realistic. It was very, very difficult emotionally."

Three years later, MaryKay has found the plus side of not competing. "Now, I do the same kinds of workouts my husband does, so we do more things together than we used to," she said.

For instance, in August they completed a 50-mile bicycle ride.

MaryKay is no stranger to health concerns. She is a breast cancer survivor, lost both of her parents to cancer and her brother and sister are cancer survivors. She was surprised to learn that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women and that the majority of cardiovascular disease is preventable and easily treatable.

"Getting the message out about that is so critical," she said.

For the past four years, she has served on the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement in Portland.

MaryKay had one incident 10 months after her SCAD, where she had extreme chest pain. She was scared it was a recurrence, but it wasn't. It could be treated with medication. About 30% of people who have had SCAD have a second occurrence.

Because of that experience, and her limitations, she thinks about her heart health every day.

"This is my reality. If it happens again, I know what to do," she said. "My heart is strong and I'm healthy, I take my meds and see my doctor regularly. If anyone has good odds to survive another SCAD, it's me."

American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org.

By Diane Daniel, American Heart Association News
MONDAY, Oct. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News)  New, more contagious Omicron variants are starting to spread across the United States, new government data show.

Luckily, they're related to the Omicron variant BA.5, so recently updated booster shots should provide some protection against the new variants, known as BQ.1. and a descendant called BQ.1.1. Together, they now comprise over 10% of new infections in this country, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday.

"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, President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, told CBS News.

Scientists first named BQ.1 in September. That strain and its descendant together now comprise about 11.4% of U.S. infections, while BA.5 accounts for 70% of new cases and BA.4.6 is responsible just over 12% of current infections.

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 United States," CDC spokesperson Kristen Nordlund said in a statement.

Previously, the CDC didnt separate the two new variants in its weekly report because they "were circulating at less than 1% in the empiric data," CBS News reported

Even so, the freshly reformulated boosters from Moderna and Pfizer that were approved in September could help blunt a BQ.1 surge, Fauci noted. Those boosters had been available for Americans ages 12 and up, but are now available for children age 5 and older.

So far, more than 14.7 million Americans have received those booster shots, or about 7% of the 209 million Americans who were eligible before they were approved last week for younger children.

"The bad news is that there's a new variant that's emerging and that has qualities or characteristics that could evade some of the interventions we have. But the somewhat encouraging news is that it's a BA.5 sublineage, so there are almost certainly going to be some cross protection that you can boost up," Fauci said.

Still, the pace of those getting their shots is slowing.

"That's the thing that's so frustrating for me and for my colleagues who are involved in this, is that we have the capability of mitigating against this. And the uptake of the new bivalent vaccine is not nearly as high as we would like it to be," Fauci added.

Health officials are also worried that the latest variant will evade Evusheld, an antibody drug that is being used to protect immunocompromised Americans who do contract the virus. No data on this is available yet, drug maker AstraZeneca told CBS News.

"That's the reason why people are concerned about BQ.1.1, for the double reason of its doubling time and the fact that it seems to elude important monoclonal antibodies," Fauci said.

Mutations in BQ.1 and other strains scientists are paying attention involve specific parts of the spike protein. Its not yet known how the mutations might affect severity of disease.

Still, infection rates have been improving in the United States. Only about 1% of Americans live in areas with high community levels of virus, CDC data shows, while fewer than half of counties have high enough transmission to require masking in hospitals and nursing homes.

However, New York and New Jersey are both seeing growth in hospitalizations and nursing home infections, both states where 20% of infections are now from the new BQ.1 or BQ.1.1 variants, CBS News reported.

"As much as you want to feel good about the fact that cases are down, hospitalizations are down, we don't want to declare victory too prematurely. And that's the reason why we've got to keep our eye out on these emerging variants," Fauci said.

More information

The World Heath Organization has more on COVID-19.

SOURCE: CBS News
MONDAY, Oct. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- When teens and young adults go to the emergency room or are hospitalized for critical mental health issues a staggering number are not receiving quick follow-up care, new U.S. research finds.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts looked at more than 100,000 ER visits of young people ages 12 to 27 who have private insurance. Only about 29% received follow-up care within seven days after their crisis. Less than half -- just 46% -- received follow-up care within that first month.

Similarly, in 95,000 youths and young adults whose cases were so severe they were hospitalized, less than 43% had after care within seven days and 67% within 30 days.

That left many young people without professional help while still vulnerable, including to risk of suicide.

"For people, discharging folks after a psychiatric crisis, whether it be in a hospital or in an emergency room setting, connecting with their outpatient provider to ensure there is a transfer of care and some continuity is vitally important to reduce risk for this population," said study co-author Dr. Brian Skehan, an assistant professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at UMass Chan Medical School.

Although young adults who had harmed themselves or had suicide ideation were more likely to receive follow-up care, more than half still didn't within seven days of discharge, according to the study.

Those patients who already had established care with a primary care physician or a mental health provider were more likely to receive follow-up care. Patients who had established care with both types of providers were especially likely to get follow-up help.

Follow-up rates were particularly low for patients who also had a substance use disorder.

The study years were 2013 to 2018, before the pandemic and the mental health issues it exacerbated. Moreover, the U.S. Surgeon General declared the state of children and youth mental health a crisis in late 2021.

The young people who were hospitalized had an acute mental health event, researchers said. Causes could include major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder and phobias.

These youths and young adults are in what is known as transition age, typically 15 to 26, though this study stretched that to encapsulate all of adolescence and the early adult years.

What's getting in the way?

Issues experienced by this age group in terms of access to mental health care include insurance changes as they transition from high school to college or the workforce.

In addition, "we see a transition from pediatric providers to adult providers, and there are many youth that are lost in this transition," Skehan said.

Some of the hurdles can include school, financial challenges, fewer supports in place for adults than for children and delays in psychosocial development in terms of how they interact with peers, how they get appointments, how they interact with their insurers and even how they get to pharmacies to pick up their medication, Skehan said.

Meanwhile, there's a shortage of mental health practitioners. And this age group has significant mental health needs.

A study of high school students in 2021 found more than 44% had felt persistent sadness or hopelessness in the past year, Skehan noted. About 1 in 5 seriously considered suicide, and 1 in 10 attempted suicide.

"When we look at the numbers of young adults and adolescents that are struggling with behavioral health issues, the data trend is disturbing nationwide and safety and suicidality is increasing," Skehan said.

Reducing barriers to access could help, as would increased communication between providers and having more case management at hospitals to get appointments scheduled at the time of discharge, Skehan said.

Alysha Thompson, an inpatient psychologist at Seattle Children's Hospital, said patients who require hospitalization for mental health care are experiencing serious mental illness at its most acute point. This may have led to concerns about that person's safety or concerns about severe aggressive behavior.

Several issues contribute to teens and young adults not getting rapid follow-up after the crisis that drove them to the ER, added Thompson, who was not involved in the study.

First, wait lists are incredibly long for outpatient therapy and psychiatry appointments," Thompson said.

There are not enough mental health providers to meet the need, which creates long wait times, she explained.

"Even when places prioritize people who are coming from the emergency department or from the inpatient unit, there are still waits that are weeks to months long before they can access care," Thompson said.

Health systems also need more case managers to coordinate care. It can require a massive amount of legwork to get a teen an outpatient appointment in the current system where there just aren't enough appointments available, Thompson said.

"Case management is really, really crucial," Thompson said. "Having case management funded by insurance companies and by Medicaid I see as being one piece of a puzzle."

In addition, "we absolutely need to build up our mental health workforce, and that is a years-to-decades plan," Thompson said.

The study was published Oct. 12 in the journal Psychiatric Services.

More information

The White House has more on the mental health crisis in the United States.

SOURCES: Brian Skehan, MD, PhD, director, College Consultation Service and assistant professor, psychiatry and pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester; Alysha Thompson, PhD, clinical director, psychiatry and behavioral medicine unit, Seattle Childrens Hospital; Psychiatric Services, Oct. 12, 2022
MONDAY, Oct. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- It's official: Older Americans with hearing loss can now stroll into a big box store or pharmacy  or just visit a website  and buy hearing aids without a prescription.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved this new class of over-the-counter hearing aids in order to lower prices and improve their availability.

About one in three Americans between 65 and 74  and half of those who are older  have hearing loss severe enough to affect their daily life, according to the U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).

But the American Academy of Audiology said about 70% of those who need hearing aids havent taken steps to manage their hearing loss.

Hopefully, the price will come down for hearing aids so they can be more accessible to more people, said Kathleen Cameron, senior director of the National Council on Agings Center for Healthy Aging. I also hope that as a society, we look at hearing aids differently, too. I'm hoping it's going to help reduce some of the stigma associated with wearing hearing aids and the ageism often associated with those.

But before you go shopping for an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid, there are some questions you should keep in mind.

How do I know if I need an OTC hearing aid?

The FDA specifically defines OTC hearing aids as medical devices intended to treat mild to moderate hearing loss in adults 18 and older. You dont need a hearing exam or prescription to buy them, and they are designed so you can fit and tune them yourself.

There are some specific signs that you have the sort of hearing loss that these devices are intended to address, the NIDCD says. They include:

Finding that speech or other sounds regularly seem muffled.

Having trouble hearing over background noise.

Struggling to understand speech in a phone call, on the television, or when you cant see who is talking.

Regularly asking others to speak more slowly or clearly, to talk louder, or to repeat themselves.

Getting regular complaints from family or friends that youve turned the sound up too loud or arent hearing them properly.

Hearing problems more severe than that  for example, requiring someone to speak to you loudly even in a quiet environment  likely means that your hearing loss is outside the range intended for OTC devices, according to the Council on Aging.

I dont need to see a doctor or audiologist, but should I consult with one anyway?

There are a number of red flags that should lead you to consult your family doctor before purchasing an OTC hearing aid, experts say. These include injuries or medical problems like:

Fluid, pus or blood coming from an affected ear.

Sudden or fluctuating hearing loss.

Better hearing in one ear than the other.

Ringing or buzzing in both ears.

Constant pain in one or both ears.

Vertigo or dizziness.

A full or plugged feeling in an ear.

These are an indication where you wouldn't want to rush to get an over-the-counter product. You really should see a physician that makes sure that there's not a medical condition, said Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America.

You might even consider consulting an audiologist anyway, although its not required, Cameron added. Audiologists can sell OTC hearing aids and help you fit them.

I think for many older adults, they do need an audiologist to really measure their level of hearing loss, she said. Particularly for those who might have waited a long time to get a hearing aid, perhaps their hearing loss has progressed and they might need a prescription level of hearing aid instead of the OTC kind.

Some companies selling OTC hearing aids offer online hearing tests as an option, but Ive yet to see how those compare to an in-person assessment of hearing, Cameron said. I wish I knew that right now.

What should I keep in mind when shopping for an OTC hearing aid?

Return policies: The FDA requires that a return policy appear on the packaging of OTC hearing aids. The first device you buy might not adequately address your hearing problems, so its important that you know the time period in which you can return it.

It does take time to adjust to a hearing aid, even if you have a mild or moderate hearing loss. It's important that the products have a return policy so people have the time to try them out, Kelley said. There's not a one-size-fits-all for hearing loss, so if I tell you that I just bought this OTC hearing aid and it's great, it still might not work for you.

Set up: Many of the new OTC hearing aids require a smartphone to adjust the device.

Older people might not be savvy about downloading an app or fiddling with their smartphone, Kelley said. It should be clearly labeled on the box if you need an additional piece of equipment like a smartphone to make a device work.

Battery: The package also should tell you what kind of battery the device uses, Cameron said.

Some of the older versions of hearing aids have replaceable batteries. Some of the newer ones have rechargeable batteries, where you just plug them in every night, she said. It can be very difficult for older people to take out the batteries or replace the batteries, so understanding that aspect of hearing aids is important.

Customer support: Before you buy, know what kind of help the company will provide if you have a problem later.

If you do have problems and want to address your issues, what's going to be available? Is it only going to be through a website? Do you actually talk to someone? What other support is provided? Cameron said. That varies, I think, from company to company.

More information

The Hearing Loss Association of America has more on over-the-counter hearing devices. The National Council on Aging offers a buyers guide on OTC hearing aids.

SOURCES: Kathleen Cameron, MPH, senior director, National Council on Aging's Center for Healthy Aging, Arlington, Va.; Barbara Kelley, executive director, Hearing Loss Association of America, Rockville, Md.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  As Agape Boarding School pushes to delay a hearing over abuse allegations until next summer, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a new court filing that a trial should start next month so no more children are harmed.

Thirty-seven days have now passed since the State initiated action against Agape, said the motion, filed Friday in Cedar County Circuit Court. It said the AGs office would be ready to proceed by Nov. 15. Yet still the State has not been allowed to present evidence or obtain relief for the children at Agape.

The children at Agape have been forced to stay 37 days longer than they should have around the Agape staffers who have abused them or their fellow students in the past.

The state also asked for current students to be interviewed off-site by forensic specialists.

The motion came after Agapes attorney, John Schultz, proposed that a hearing on whether the school should be shut down could not take place until July at the earliest.

On Monday morning, Schultz responded to the AGs motion, saying the state is blaming Agape for the delays. But, he said, its the AGs office that hasnt been prepared to proceed.

The Attorney General continues to draft pleadings with rhetoric designed for the media, not this Court, Schultzs response said. ... Every argument made by the Attorney General about the delay in these proceedings is disingenuous, at best.

The case against the school near Stockton has become a back-and-forth legal battle played out in court motions and numerous delays.

Last week, Associate Judge Thomas Pyle  who is the second judge to hear the Agape case  asked attorneys on both sides to present potential scheduling dates. But before the AGs office had submitted its dates, the judge set a conference call with attorneys for Nov. 14 to discuss the case.

The State should not have to wait another 30 days just to have a case management conference, the AGs motion on Friday said.

The Attorney Generals Office and Missouri Department of Social Services have been trying to shut down the embattled school since Sept. 7, when they filed a motion for injunctive relief, saying the safety of students was in jeopardy.

Since then, Agape and the courts have delayed the case nine times and continued or canceled six hearings, the motion from the AGs Office said.

The new motion stated that 35 students were still at Agape. Last year, the school had more than three times that number.

Pyle canceled a two-day hearing, scheduled for last Thursday and Friday, on whether to issue a preliminary injunction that would close the school and remove students.

The judge then approved a request by Agape to order the state of Missouri to identify the parents of current students, make them parties in the case and give them notice and opportunity to be heard at any future hearings.

The judge also approved Agapes request that guardians ad litem  who represent a childs interest in court  be appointed for each of the students still at the school.

On Friday, Schmitt asked the state Court of Appeals to rescind Pyles orders.

In that filing with the appellate court, the AG described Agape as a boarding school for young boys where, as set forth in the Attorney Generals petition for injunctive relief, staff have routinely abused young boys for years.

It said Pyles order requiring that all of the parents be made parties and that a guardian ad litem be appointed for each child was an abuse of discretion and exceeds Respondents authority.

Meanwhile, thirty-five children remain at Agape, in danger of being further abused, the appeal said. Respondents order has occasioned delay, and that delay will be compounded if the parents of thirty-five children must be added as parties to the proceedings and thirty-five guardians ad litem must be appointed to represent each child.

When Pyle canceled last weeks hearing, he told both sides to give him some proposed dates for a trial in the case. Agape proposed four dates in 2023: July 10, July 24, July 31 or August 28. The AG proposed that a bench trial begin on Nov. 15 or Nov. 22.

Since Sept. 8, employees with the states Childrens Division have been at the unlicensed school around the clock to ensure the safety of students. When the school changed its structure to group homes last month, the state increased the number of workers there every day and asked workers from across DSS to help.

Boys are split up among several homes on the property at this point.

This monitoring is important, the motion said. But ensuring workers are present at all times is difficult for an extended period of time that now stretches beyond a month, particularly since Agapes change to group homes has quadrupled the number of DSS workers needed to provide round-the-clock monitoring.

The Star has investigated Agape and other boarding schools in southern Missouri since late summer 2020. Many men who attended Agape in their youth said they were subjected to physical restraints, extreme workouts, long days of manual labor, and food and water withheld as punishment.

And, they said, former students endured constant berating and mind games, and some were physically and sexually abused by staff and other youth.

Hearings were held on Sept. 12 and Sept. 21, with the AGs office arranging for recent students to testify about the abuse they said occurred at the school. The judge at the time refused to allow the testimony.

The State and its witnesses, some from out-of-state, have prepared for and traveled to multiple hearings, only to be denied the opportunity to be heard, the AGs motion said. Whenever the State finally obtains a hearing, Agape no doubt will attack the States evidence on the grounds that the State has not shown the requisite immediacy, even though the numerous delays in this matter are due to Agapes objections, failed appeals, and scheduling conflicts.

The State and the Agape children have been severely prejudiced in both this case and the earlier case.

Schultz contended, however, that the AGs office caused the delays because it dismissed its original injunction case and refiled it with a new judge.

If the interests of the children were so important to the Attorney General why did the Attorney General dismiss the first injunction on the very day it was set to be decided?

In its motion, the state proposed that if its appeal to the Missouri Court of Appeals is denied, Pyle would allow the AG to appoint one guardian ad litem for each group home instead of one for each boy. The AGs motion said there are now four group homes on the property.

The case will be further delayed if 35 guardians ad litem become involved, the motion said. Many appointed guardians ad litem will be located hours away, and coordinating their schedules will make expeditious resolution difficult, if not impossible. For context, a list provided to DSS by the Juvenile Office for the 31st Circuit (Greene County) on October 14, 2022 includes only 16 licensed guardians ad litem.

2022 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  A second man was charged Friday after 10 months on the lam in a Christmas Eve shooting in Wellston that left one man dead and another paralyzed.

Quintavis Hart, 25, of Little Rock, Arkansas, faces counts of robbery, assault and armed criminal action in addition to the murder charge.

He is accused of working with another man, Cedric Maxwell Jr., to rob two men on Christmas Eve 2021 near Martin Luther King Drive and Ogden Avenue. Derrick Brookfield, 58, was killed and another man was paralyzed from the waist down in the shooting.

Charges allege Hart, who went by the nickname "Fish," and Maxwell robbed the victims at gunpoint, taking a ring and cell phone before shooting them both.

Maxwell, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, was charged with murder in the case just days after the shooting. Charging documents allege Hart fled to Arkansas after the shooting and evaded police for months before he was arrested on a battery charge in Arkansas last month.

He was in custody Monday in the Pulaski County Jail in Arkansas, according to a jail roster.

Hart's bail was set Friday at $1 million, cash only.
ST. LOUIS  A dispute over public records that delayed city action against a notorious Shell gas station in north St. Louis appears to have been resolved.

A new hearing on the station at 2800 North Florissant Avenue is now set for 10 a.m. Friday rather than next month.

The city declared the station a public nuisance following years of complaints from neighbors about shootings, drug use and other criminal activity. Officials were set to take action in a hearing last Wednesday that could see it boarded up and closed for a year.

But they ran into trouble when Chuck Billings, the attorney for the station, said hed asked for relevant city records and never heard back. He showed hearing officer Tom Yarbrough documents he said proved it, asked for a delay and got one.

The situation appeared to be the latest indictment of the citys handling of Missouri Sunshine Law requests, a process already under fire from journalists and attorneys who have accused the city of hiding records and taking far too long to fill requests. Billings accusation appeared to show the citys records problems had begun to hamper city business.

But in the days that followed, officials in the mayors office found that the documentation Billings showed the hearing officer had nothing to do with the gas station. It was a request for records regarding a bar a mile and a half away  and the city had indeed filled the request.

City officials said they also found a request for records related to the gas station. But they said the citys records coordinator wrote back Sept. 13 asking Billings to submit his request to the director of the Public Safety Department through the citys online records portal  and they never heard back.

On Monday, a city spokesman said Yarbrough set the new hearing date after the city identified the misinformation Billings presented at the original hearing.

Billings brushed off the accusation. He said the response from the records coordinator made no sense because hed already sent a letter to the public safety director, Dan Isom.

And he said all he ever wanted were the records, which he recently received from the city counselors office.

Yarbrough declined to comment Monday morning.

The Friday hearing will be held at 1520 Market Street, Room 278.
FLORISSANT  Parents waiting to pick up their children here Monday at Jana Elementary expressed a range of emotions in the wake of a new study that found elevated levels of radioactive contamination at the school.

One wanted the Hazelwood School District to be more transparent about the matter. Another said classes should be virtual. Scott Rose suggested going further.

The school should be shut down until they know more, said Rose, 46, waiting for his son, a second grader. I am looking to put him in a different school because I dont want him here. Its not safe.

But going private would be a hardship. Rose mows lawns for a living. His wife is a receptionist. For now, he said, he wrote an email to Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., to help the situation.

I pretty much said can you help us save our kids, Rose said.

Heightened concern started last week, when a report from an ongoing lawsuit was publicized, claiming radioactive waste was found in the area up to 22 times the expected level.

Samples taken Aug. 15 from Jana Elementarys library, kitchen, HVAC system, classrooms, fields and playgrounds were found far in excess of the natural background of radioactive isotope lead-210, polonium, radium and other toxins, according to a Boston Chemical Data Corp. report.

The school, 405 Jana Drive in Florissant, sits in the flood plain of Coldwater Creek, which was contaminated by waste from the development of atomic weapons. Mallinckrodt Chemical Co. processed massive amounts of uranium ore on the Mississippi riverfront, north of downtown St. Louis, from 1942 to 1957.

Tons of byproduct with residual radioactive material were shipped to a location on the northern border of the airport, next to Coldwater Creek, to be stored. It was later trucked about a mile away, to an industrial area in the 9200 block of Latty Avenue, which also borders Coldwater Creek. Some of the material was taken to Canon City, Colorado. Some was buried at West Lake Landfill in Bridgeton. Some of it washed away and settled after flooding.

The main storage sites along Coldwater Creek, and surrounding areas, ended up being heavily contaminated. Those sources of contamination have mainly been remediated. Now, after a lot of concern from residents, the ongoing focus of the Army Corps of Engineers has been testing so the creek can finally be cleaned up. Officials have said that nearly all the contamination is bound between the banks of the creek, a few feet down, but that there are exceptions.

Before emptying in the Missouri River, the creek travels through Hazelwood, Florissant, Black Jack, unincorporated St. Louis County and a sliver of Berkeley. An in-depth Post-Dispatch report in December signaled that many new north St. Louis County residents are unfamiliar with the saga. There have been repeated calls for better signage to warn the public.

Call for open meeting

On Monday, the leader of the Jana Elementarys parent-teacher association, called on the Hazelwood School District to discuss in open session the contents of the recent report findings. The next board meeting is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

We feel that parents and teachers would benefit from hearing the live discussion of that report, Ashley Bernaugh, president of the association, told the Post-Dispatch.

Hazelwood School Board President Betsy Rachel previously said they would discuss the report in a closed session yet expected a lot of comments during the public portion of the meeting.

Jordyn Elston, a spokeswoman for the district, refused to comment on the matter Monday and referred to a district statement from Friday:

The Hazelwood School District is aware of the report regarding radioactive contamination at Jana Elementary. Safety is always our top priority, and we are actively discussing the implications of the findings. The Board of Education will be consulting with attorneys and experts in this area of testing to determine next steps.

In July, Bernaugh and other parents approached the school board to ask for more testing and were refused, she said. But before school resumed in August, families received a letter that another study would be conducted.

Plaintiffs expert

The Boston Chemical report stems from one of the many lawsuits filed against Mallinckrodt and other companies that produced, stored and disposed of the radioactive waste.

According to filings in the federal case, Corps documents, obtained by the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, revealed significant radiation contamination in the vicinity of Jana Elementary School. But they also showed that the Corps did not collect samples within 300 feet of the school nor from the interior of the school.

On Aug. 1, attorneys for the plaintiffs asked a federal judge to allow them access to the school grounds to sample for radioactive contamination. They argued, in part, the recent flash flooding caused by the heavy rains that pummeled the region on July 26 likely caused contamination to spread. School was set to open Aug. 22.

The Corps findings were shared with the Hazelwood School District superintendent early this year, but parents werent informed, according to the plaintiffs filings. The Corps, the plaintiffs say, downplayed the contamination ... in what could be construed as an attempt to provide the Superintendent with an excuse not to inform the parents.

They should have gone all the way up the hill to the school and they didnt so we carried it forward and did the testing and paid for it, Kevin Thompson, an attorney in West Virginia, said by telephone Monday. The Army Corps of Engineers has been misleading.

Thompson said he and other plaintiff attorneys dont dispute the test numbers that the Army Corps of Engineers came up with.

What we dispute is what they mean, and how one should interpret them, Thompson said.

Corps pushes back

In an interview Monday, Phillip Moser, program manager of the Corps Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program in St. Louis, said he was appalled by the Boston Chemical report.

Its just not consistent with the way we are supposed to do business, Moser said, adding that the report would need a full evaluation that could take a lot of time. I already have questions about the conclusions.

Moser stood by the Corps findings in the area. While the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry previously recommended that indoor dust be tested in north St. Louis County, Moser reiterated that the Corps mission is to test Coldwater Creek within the 10-year flood plain. He said the Corps will go beyond that general scope if sampling leads to hot spots, but that wasnt the case near Jana Elementary.

Moser said hed be fine sending one of his own children to Jana Elementary.

I trust our evaluations, he said.

But its a large area with a lot of moving pieces.

While the Corps discourages digging along Coldwater Creek, Jana Elementary had an end-of-the-school celebration last year near an area being unearthed by St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District, according to records provided by the schools parent-teacher association.

Parents shouldnt have to make a decision between education and safety, Bernaugh said.

Updated at 7:06 p.m.
JEFFERSON CITY  Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who is a likely candidate for governor in 2024, has waded into a Republican-led controversy over banning books.

Ashcroft, who is a Republican, submitted a proposed rule change that would establish a certification requirement for libraries receiving state funds and institute measures to protect minors from what he calls non-age-appropriate materials.

Under the plan, public libraries would have to adopt policies to determine what material is appropriate for certain ages. And the proposed rule says state money could not be used to purchase or acquire inappropriate materials in any form that appeal to the prurient interest of a minor.

The proposal mirrors ongoing controversies in public schools over recent books bans in public school libraries.

At least 114 book bans have been enacted in schools across St. Louis this fall in response to a new GOP-sponsored state law prohibiting explicit sexual material  defined as any visual depiction of sex acts or genitalia, with exceptions for artistic or scientific significance  provided to students in public or private schools.

Kirkwood administrators, for example, banned 14 books in response to the law, the third-most of any school district in St. Louis County after Rockwood and Lindbergh. Eight school districts in the county did not change their library collections. Neighboring school district Webster Groves banned 11 books, including several crossovers from Kirkwoods list, such as the graphic novel version of The Handmaids Tale.

Ashcroft, a second-term Republican whose duties include being state librarian, acknowledged his plan is part of an effort by the GOP to address pervasive cultural issues.

Supporting the efforts of libraries across our state has been a priority of mine since Day 1  we have been able to provide millions of dollars to libraries through grants and other funding, Ashcroft said. Yes, we want to make sure libraries have the resources and materials they need for their constituents, but we also want our children to be children a little longer than a pervasive culture may often dictate.

Ashcroft, the son of former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, is considering a bid for governor in 2024 against fellow GOP Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe. Also eyeing the race is Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, who is expected to try and run to the right of both the statewide officials.

The Missouri Library Association, which represents local public libraries, did not have an immediate comment on the proposal.

But the organization recently released a statement in response to the new state law as part of its observance of Banned Books Week in September.

Librarians are no shrinking violets, dont let our cardigans and thick-rimmed glasses fool you. None of us want to be arrested for doing our jobs, but we will not sacrifice our ethical and moral principles simply because we are threatened, the statement said.

The number of book bans nationwide this school year is on track to top last years record total, according to the American Library Association. The spike comes amid a culture war over how educators should teach about race, gender and sexuality.

Under Ashcrofts plan, libraries also would be required to honor a parents decision as to what material their child has access to in the library. Parents also would have the right to challenge a librarys age-appropriate designation for any material.

When state dollars are involved, we want to bring back local control and parental involvement in determining what children are exposed to, said Ashcroft. Foremost, we want to protect our children.

There are 159 library districts in Missouri. In 2022, an estimated 3.3 million Missourians have library cards. The most recent figures available show card holders checked out 39.9 million pieces of material from libraries last year, ranging from books to internet hot spots.

Ashcrofts budget request for the fiscal year beginning next July shows he wants $4.5 million to distribute to libraries, which receive the money on a per capita basis.

Most funding for libraries comes from local property taxes. The federal government also helps finance local library facilities.

The proposed rule is in a review period that will last through Dec. 15.
EAST ST. LOUIS  Hundreds of residents and business owners in St. Clair County recovering from Julys historic rains and floods can finally apply for federal aid.

The White House announced on Monday a formal disaster declaration for the county to cover flooding between July 25 and 28 that walloped several cities, including East St. Louis, one of the regions poorest communities. The flooding followed a record 9 inches of rainfall that hit the St. Louis region in 12 hours on July 26. As much as a foot of water was recorded in some parts of the area.

There are a lot of residents that have been calling my office daily needing assistance, so this is really welcomed and Im sure will be well-received by those who were impacted, said Herb Simmons, director of the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency.

At least 700 homes across St. Clair County were damaged, according to an assessment by the federal and Illinois emergency management agencies. Residents have been frustrated and confused by the delay in securing the federal declaration.

Tenishia Winters, her husband and two teenage children were forced out of their split-level home of three years on Terrace Drive after the lower level was completely flooded in July. Theyve spent thousands out of pocket to pay for repairs and rent a new house in Collinsville in the meantime.

Its been two and a half months, said Winters, 38, a nurse, one of several residents who sought to question officials at a news conference here announcing the declaration. It shouldnt have taken this long.

Similar assistance has been available for weeks in Missouri.

President Joe Biden approved Missouri Gov. Mike Parsons request for a disaster declaration for flood victims on Aug. 8, enabling eligible residents in St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County to apply for federal aid. More than $100 million in aid grants and loans have been paid out across the three counties so far.

It was not immediately clear why it took so long to get the declaration in St. Clair County.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker had also requested it in August. The Illinois Congressional delegation wrote a letter in support of the request.

Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau said on Monday that local and state officials were on the ground in St. Clair County within 24 hours of the flood to assess damage. They ultimately canvassed more than 800 homes.

But obtaining a disaster declaration was more difficult in Illinois. Federal programs rely on a per-capita state damage assessment, meaning there is a higher threshold for a major disaster declaration in Illinois than in Missouri as a result of its much larger population, and in areas where the per capita income is lower, officials said.

Theres a lot of detail that goes into putting together an application of this nature, Tate-Nadeau said. We had to meet certain thresholds.

St. Clair County Board Chair Mark Kern called Mondays announcement extremely important for us.

Im just happy its here and we can move forward with repairing and rebuilding, Kern said.

Residents who sustained losses can begin applying Tuesday for grants to help pay for temporary housing, uninsured property losses, repairs and other qualifying expenses.

The disaster declaration can also help governments pay for property buyouts in flood-prone areas or take other mitigation measures, Kern said.

Simmons, director of the county emergency management agency, said that could include funding to address failures at a pump station East St. Louis residents have complained hasnt been maintained.

The Environmental Protection Agency found in an investigation last year that this pump station was not functioning and was in disrepair.

But residents were skeptical on Monday.

Winters, the homeowner on Terrace Drive, said she worries she may not have all the paperwork she needs for her FEMA application, to prove the damages and spending on repairs.

You can misplace a lot of things in two and half months, she said.

Marcus Harris-Pride, who moved to Terrace in April, said his home was filled with more than five feet of flood water, and hes spent weeks helping repair it. His landlord is paying for the work, Harris-Pride said, but he has struggled without knowing whether he can ultimately move back in.

Its been a struggle, he said. To not know where youre going ... its devastating.

St. Clair County residents affected by the flooding can apply for aid as early as Tuesday online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. The phone number is monitored 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Officials also plan to open a disaster recovery center where residents can apply for help in-person, Tate-Nadeau said.

Missouri residents can apply for FEMA aid through Nov. 7.

Missouri renters displaced by the flooding can apply for aid at 816-283-7920 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Applications for FEMA aid can also be made by calling 800-621-3362, visiting DisasterAssistance.gov. or by visiting one of three FEMA disaster recovery centers in the region.
JEFFERSON CITY  Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine pumped another $3.3 million into her campaign to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt in the most recent fundraising quarter.

The wealthy political newcomer, however, still trailed Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt in fundraising as the two march toward a Nov. 8 showdown at the polls, Federal Election Commission filings show.

Campaign finance reports filed in recent days show Valentine, a 65-year-old nurse and an heir to the Anheuser-Busch brewing fortune, has loaned her campaign a total of $6.3 million since entering the race in a state where Republicans have dominated elections in recent years.

In the three months ending Sept. 30, Valentines campaign has spent $4.6 million in an attempt to chip away at the GOP dominance.

By contrast, Schmitt, who is leading in the polls, spent $1.2 million.

And Schmitt, 47, entered the final month with a significant money advantage. He had $1.2 million in his campaign checkbook as of Sept. 30, compared with $349,000 for Valentine.

Valentine campaign spokesman Jacob Long downplayed the money gap Monday.

We will have the resources we need to communicate with Missouri voters. No matter how much Eric Schmitt spends, he cant hide his extreme record of voting to allow Chinese Communists to buy Missouri farmland, posing both food security and national security risks, and stripping millions of women of their freedom to make their own private health care decisions, Long said.

Schmitt, who has dubbed Valentine the heiress, criticized his opponents largely self-funded campaign in a statement released over the weekend.

The Limousine Liberal Trudy Busch Valentine thinks she can buy this seat and ignore the needs of working families, Schmitt said.

Schmitt reported that he had his most successful fundraising quarter, raising a total of $2.5 million when his personal campaign account is combined with two political action committees formed to help his bid for Blunts seat.

He added nearly $1.5 million to his campaign, while the Missouri Schmitt Victory Committee also added $500,000. Another supporting campaign, Save Missouri Values, raised $508,000.

Schmitt, of Glendale, previously served as state treasurer and as a member of the Missouri Senate.

Among donors to Schmitt is the Senate Conservatives Fund, a PAC founded by former South Carolina Republican Sen. Jim DeMint, which has contributed total of more than $47,000 since the race began.

Among major expenses was $2.8 million to Ax Media for advertising. The company is part of the Kansas City-based Axiom Strategies founded by political consultant Jeff Roe.

Valentine, a Ladue resident, reported a net worth between $69.4 million and $219.4 million, with annual income between $4.3 million and $30.7 million.

Along with the money shes contributed, Valentines campaign reported $5,000 checks from a number of labor unions, including ironworkers and aerospace workers.

Among her expenses was a $24,000 check to GPS Impact, a political consulting firm for advertising. Another $15,000 went to St. Louis-based MO Political Consulting, which has run campaigns for Democrats, including St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones.

Like other Republicans, Schmitt has made the economy a centerpiece of his message amid Democrats attempts to make the overturning of the Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision a key issue.

Given the disaster that is the Biden administration, it is imperative that the Republicans take back the Senate so we can restore common sense to DC, Schmitt said. This wide support demonstrates Missourians are ready for a GOP-led Senate to lower prices, make America energy independent, and hold the Biden administration accountable.

Valentine touted endorsements Saturday by two Republicans: former U.S. Rep. Tom Coleman, who represented northwest Missouri from 1973 to 1996, and former state Sen. Bob Johnson of Lees Summit, saying their support shows she can reach across the aisle to find compromise.

I dont care if you are Republican, Democrat, or independent. You are a Missourian and you come first. Unlike my opponent, I cant be bought and will be nobodys Senator but yours, Valentine said.
Immigration is an issue fraught with multiple points of disagreement and one point where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle tend to agree: Unauthorized immigrants brought here as children, who have essentially grown up as Americans, shouldnt have to live under constant risk of deportation to countries they may not even remember. Yet despite that agreement across the political spectrum, Congress has continually failed to address the situation.

The result is that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, a temporary solution created by executive order a decade ago, which is facing possible elimination in the courts. Congress must avert that potential humanitarian crisis by coming together on the one immigration issue on which it should be politically possible and stamping DACAs provisions into federal law.

There are currently some 600,000 so-called Dreamers in the U.S.  young people who were brought here as babies or children by their parents, mainly from Latin America. While the parents violated immigration laws, their children had no choice in the matter. American life is generally all they have known. Many have never been to their native countries since arriving here. Some dont even speak Spanish.

Polls consistently show that majorities of Americans oppose deporting this class of immigrants, even among Republicans and conservatives who are otherwise hawkish on immigration. The obvious solution is to provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers who have adhered to the rules of society as theyve grown up here. That premise has wide bipartisan support, yet Congress, being Congress, has never been able to reach agreement on legislation to provide that path. As with too much of federal policy today, its been left to presidents to address by executive order, which is how then-President Barack Obama created the deferred-action program in 2012.

Under the program, immigrants who arrived here as children and who meet other criteria  finishing high school, holding a job, not committing crimes  can apply for protection from deportation every two years and eventually apply for full citizenship. Its a reasonable policy except for the way it was enacted.

While former President Donald Trump and some other empathy-deficient politicians have attacked the very premise of giving this population a path to citizenship, the more valid legal challenges have been about the fact that it has been carried out with legal authority even though Congress passed no such law. The latest blow came Wednesday, when a federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling effectively declaring the program unlawful because of the way it was created.

Thats why Congress should act now to write the provisions of DACA into federal immigration law once and for all. Both parties have something to gain by showing Americans they can still work together to solve a problem with such a clear, reasonable and humane solution.
Missouri voters on Nov. 8 will be asked whether to legalize recreational marijuana statewide  an eminently reasonable goal  but theyre being asked to do it in a way that would hobble the new industry and the Missouri statutory system with complications from the start. Amending the state constitution is the worst way to legalize pot because it precludes the statutory tweaks that will be necessary going forward. Voters should reject Amendment 3 and instead insist that state lawmakers finally do their jobs regarding this issue.

Almost 40 states, including Missouri, have legalized marijuana for medical purposes, and almost half of those (including Illinois) have added full legalization for recreational use. Those states are now reaping the benefits of increased tax revenues.

Polls show vast majorities of Americans favor full legalization, as do almost two-thirds of Missourians. Those majorities have come to understand what should have qualified long ago as common sense: The double standard that treats this relatively benign substance as if its akin to heroin or crack  while legalizing and widely accepting the more deadly vices of alcohol and cigarettes  is a societal construct based on old cultural prejudices, not medical science. It also leaves massive money on the table that taxing bodies could use to improve the health and safety of its citizens.

While other states have legalized recreational pot by referendum, Missouri would be the first referendum to require the expungement of records for those convicted of marijuana offense. But since the entire measure would be an amendment, it would be imbedded in the constitution, the only way to fix its flaws  of which there are many  is through more statewide referendums.

Legislative inaction has forced Missouri voters again and again to create law via ballot initiatives, on wages, political reform, Medicaid expansion and other issues that should be addressed by their elected representatives. In fact, pretty much the only valid argument in favor of Amendment 3 is that, despite widespread support for marijuana legalization, Missouris mulish legislators are unlikely to ever do it themselves.

Thats not a good enough argument, because the provisions of legalization will undoubtedly need to be updated and amended from time to time  something thats relatively easy to do with a statute but not a constitutional amendment. The fact that state and local chapters of the NAACP are already split on whether to support the amendment because of differing assessments on whether it would promote or stymie minority participation in the new markets illustrates the kind of adjustments that would be needed.

The only reason Missourians are being asked to legalize pot by this method is because their legislators refuse to legislate. Voters should defeat Amendment 3  and consider voting against the do-nothing incumbents who have made proponents believe its necessary. Maybe that would finally prompt some actual leadership from Missouris so-called leaders.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This editorial has been updated to clarify that other states have already legalized marijuana use through referendums. The original version of this editorial incorrectly characterized the first-in-the-country conditions surrounding the Amendment 3 vote.
The American military continues to be crippled by bad leadership and a 1947 Up or Out promotion system that inhibits any meaningful changes. This became a serious problem during the decade of heavy combat in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2003 to 2014. The army noted that a lot of combat veterans and very competent officers were leaving the military. The army has long conducted exit interviews with personnel who were leaving the service for whatever reason. The combat officers said they were leaving because their superiors were incompetent and unwilling to change. These senior officers paid less attention to their subordinates than to the whims of their superiors and so on. Part of this could be blamed on reluctance to oppose any demands from politicians. This was attributed to the fact that any one being promoted to a generals rank had to be approved by Congress. Modern communications made it possible, since the Vietnam War of the 1960s. for the president of the United States or senior generals to use radio, and later video, to supervise officers engaged in combat. This ability was called micromanagement and was considered a curse immune to elimination, even when it was pointed out that this often resulted in troops killed and was one of the things that encouraged competent officers to get out. Even West Point graduates, who had the best opportunities for promotion in war or peace, were affected. A survey of West Point grads in 2011 found that 93 percent believed that most of the best officers got out early because of bad promotion policies.

Periodically the problem becomes an issue for Congress and a reform law is passed that does not work. Despite that every few years there is a major effort, often involving more than one service, to deal with the problem themselves. None ever succeed. For example, in 2017 the U.S. Air Force joined the Navy by continuing to extend temporary exceptions to the traditional (since 1947) "up or out" policy prevalent throughout the American military. What up or out meant was that if you were not promoted within a certain number of years (of your last promotion), you had to leave. That meant capable, often very capable personnel, especially NCOs and mid-rank officers, with jobs that had little opportunity for promotion were often forced to leave because of this rule. The air force, like the other services, are slowly modifying the up or out rule so that it at least becomes tolerable and not counterproductive.

Whenever there were major reductions in military personnel (after World War II, Korea and Vietnam) it was common for a lot of very competent NCOs and officers to be up or outed so, since the last major round of downsizing in the 1990s, all the services sought more ways to avoid losing skilled personnel who being lost for no other reason than that there were no opportunities for promotion in their military occupation specialties (MOS). After 2001 the navy and air force were hardest hit and both services have implemented temporary adjustments to up or out rules to keep people they could not afford to lose and could not easily replace by retraining veteran personnel in other fields or obtaining new recruits with the needed skills and experience.

This became a more frequent problem after the Cold War ended and all branches of the military sought solutions. The most common approach, which had been used successfully in the past, was retraining many of these veteran and capable personnel for other jobs where there were shortages. That did not work now because most of the people who had valuable skills, experience and, through no fault of their own, little prospect of promotion were still needed for the skill they already had.

The air force has had a particularly hard time holding onto NCOs with skills and experience in fields like intelligence, UAV operation and analyzing the vast increase in intel data from UAVs and manned aircraft sensors. These jobs often require personnel with high-level security clearances and skills not directly transferable to non-military employment. These veteran NCOs often want to stay in, at least until they are eligible for retirement after 20 years service. At first the air force solution was to simply extend temporary exemptions to up or out rules. The navy has established similar solutions but also has to deal with the problem of having far more people on sea duty, which takes them away from their families for extended periods, than the air force. That has been a problem for the navy, and to a lesser extent the army, since the end of World War II. With the air force, it was mainly about valuable skills and experience.

After 2001 the up or out rules became a major problem for the navy and air force because they were actually downsizing (meaning fewer promotions for those remaining) while the army and marines were expanding. Yet even with that the army and marines are paying more attention to avoiding losses of competent people by paying more attention to finding another career field they can train for and get promoted before they are hit with up or out. But the army and marines are also noting the success of the temporary exemption policies in the air force and navy would apply to soldiers and marines doing the same jobs. In all services the needed personnel most frequently forced out are relatively young (NCOs in ranks E-4, E-5 and E-6). The personnel benefitting from these policies are veterans with records of good performance, especially when it comes to supervising other troops or performing technical skills that are not easily transferred to civilian careers.

The air force has been faced with this problem for two decades. Back in 2003 air force leaders were alarmed at the increasing number of veteran airmen who were not reenlisting (often because of up or out) and sought ways to hold onto these experienced NCOs during wartime. They found that one minor change that worked wonders was to allow NCOs to remain un-promoted longer before being forced to leave the service.

But by 2008 those shortages were gone and there was another downsizing meant to reduce strength to 318,000, with a loss of nearly 40,000 personnel. Then a change of air force leadership in 2009 reversed that downsizing plan. The earlier downsizing was partly the result of the 2008 recession, which had led to a lot more, high quality, people trying to get in. The air force took all it could get, and then decided to cut some of the less qualified people it already had. This made it more difficult to get promoted and many NCOs with valuable skills were forced out.

The air force has long been accused (by members of the other services) of operating more like a corporation than a military organization. That's a little harsh, because the air force is the most tech minded of the services, and has always taken the lead in adapting commercial innovations to military use. But sometimes this thinking collides with the fact that the air force is a combat outfit. Especially during the Iraq and Afghanistan operation, more air force personnel found themselves under fire. Not pilots, but over 20,000 non-pilots that volunteered to help the army by doing support jobs in the combat zone. The air force was persuaded to create a Combat Action Medal for airmen who saw battle action on the ground while serving with the army. In two years, over 2,000 of these have been awarded. Volunteering for that combat zone work and doing well helped your promotion prospects, especially as more and more air force squadrons were sent overseas. The air force sent units over for shorter (three months) more frequent tours. As a result, air force NCOs with combat zone experience, became much sought after, no matter what their primary job was. But even that was only a temporary solution to the up or out problem and the air force is joining the other services to modify up or out as much as it can for as long as it can.
On September 21st Russia ordered the mobilization of 300,000 reservists, but that has not gone as planned because a third of those summoned did not appear and those who did were often sent to Ukraine with no training and little but a combat uniform and an assault rifle many did not know how to use. Few of these new troops received any other equipment. Others did receive more training by local authorities but this usually lasted no more than a month. This made it possible for the new locally raised troops to obtain, one way or another, more equipment than most of the called-up reservists, notably cold-weather gear and clothing. Some new troops were sent to Belarus for training but few were receiving more than a month of preparation.

The normally pro-Russian Internet based media, especially those who report via the encrypted Telegram app, have been covering the mobilization disaster, especially an incident in early October where hundreds of mobilized men from one city were sent to Ukraine and most were killed or wounded by Ukrainian artillery as they moved towards the front line. Their families back home discovered that many of the mobilized men were in hospitals receiving treatment and complaining that there was a shortage of personnel and supplies at the hospital. The government was reluctant to crack down on the wounded men or their families for going public with their complaints because of increasing attacks on the mobilization personnel and their local offices.

Some Russian media was reporting that many mobilized men were showing up in Ukraine and finding that the unit they were assigned to had few officers or veteran soldiers available to take charge and that troops already in Ukraine were not much better off. There were shortages of weapons, ammunition, food, medical care and shelter. The new recruits were forbidden to take their cellphones with them but, with no one supervising the new troops, it was easy to disobey the order and take their phones to Ukraine. That enabled many new soldiers to report back home that the situation was bad and there were so many of these reports from wounded soldiers in hospitals as well as those in Ukraine that news of the mess was picked up by the Russian media and there were calls for the mobilization officials and commanders in Ukraine to be held accountable.

Ukrainian media reported that general Mikhail Zusko, the commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army had ordered one of his regiments to the front line even though that unit had hundreds newly arrived, recently mobilized men who were unprepared for combat and suffered heavy casualties from Ukrainian artillery before they reached the front line. General Zusko was one of several senior officers accused of such behavior. The Russian government recently allowed this news to be made public to show that Vladimir Putin was cracking down on subordinates who did not do their jobs. This approach was meant to portray Putin as not (or at least less) responsible for the muddled mobilization. Not publicized was the fact that Putin and his defense minister ignored the warnings from their military experts that the mobilization was being mismanaged and that problems with supplying existing troops and training newly mobilized recruits was ignored in a rush to get more troops to Ukraine as quickly as possible.

Russian media, which included many men with military experience, were now able to point out the losses that would be incurred by sending untrained, ill-equipped and poorly led new troops to Ukraine. The estimates were that at least 50,000 of the 200,000 newly mobilized men would be killed or wounded by the end of the year. The Russian media confirmed that the Defense Ministry was not keeping families of new troops aware of where their men were. It was also pointed out, first in Ukrainian media and then in Russia, that a growing number of Russian offensive operations in Ukraine were being called off because the newly mobilized troops were useless for offensive operations and not much more effective when defending. The new troops were increasingly surrendering to Ukrainian forces, who were better trained, led and supplied and veterans of months of combat. The Ukrainian soldiers were told how to encourage surrenders and how to deal with those Russian prisoners. The Ukrainians did this by the book and allowed the Red Cross to meet with and confirm the wellbeing of each POW (prisoner of war) so that they could report this to the families. All this was reported by Ukrainian media, but not by Russian media.

Since August, more of the Russian POWs are poorly trained men often forced into the military. Ukraine is having a hard time finding places to put the many new POWs. There are discussions with Poland and the Red Cross to house the POWs in Poland or other NATO countries. It is obvious that Ukraine, facing months of cold weather with insufficient food and energy supplies, does not want to violate the Geneva Conventions in this respect. The Red Cross is already criticizing Ukraine for having Russian POWs appear at press conferences to describe their activities in Ukraine and let their families know they are well treated.

In Russia the Red Cross gets much less cooperation and Russia declares that many of the Ukrainian POWs the Red Cross seeks are not POWs because there is no war in Ukraine, just Russian troops seeking to put down an insurrection in what is really part of Russia. At the same time, Russia is seeking to prevent military age men from leaving the country to avoid mobilization. Russia is also trying to stem the growing number of medical professionals (doctors and nurses) leaving the country. Russian hospitals must deal with a growing number of wounded soldiers and the government is unwilling or unable to pay the bills. Russia is having many of these soldiers treated in Belarus hospitals and those hospitals get paid for what they do.

On October 14th Putin declared that his partial mobilization would end by the end of October. This was necessary because the upcoming twice a year conscription was supposed to take place in October. This year 120,000 young men are getting conscription notices. In 2021 it was 127,000 and there was no war. A year later, many of the men being conscripted have fled the country or gone into hiding. The potential conscripts know they are going to Ukraine because Russia recently declared that its fake vote in occupied Ukraine approving annexation into Russia makes it legal for conscripts to be sent there. The potential conscripts and their families also know Putin is threatening to use nuclear weapons to defend Russian occupied Ukraine. The Ukrainians are rapidly driving Russian forces out of these areas and new conscripts will be caught in the middle of it.

Russia is trying to make conscription and new mobilizations more effective by collecting more data on military-age men and organizing raids on hotels and other temporary residences where Russian men hide to avoid the conscription or mobilization notices that are delivered by mobilization personnel. Russian companies are working with their military age employees to keep them from being mobilized. If you have the money, you can bribe mobilization personnel to report you were not found. The government is aware of that dodge and schedules additional visits to not found men. The government has ordered mobilization personnel to keep at it until they meet their quotas. At the same time the quotas keep increasing and theres no end to this despite Putin implying otherwise.
Not for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2022 / Grid Metals Corp. (the "Company")(TSXV:GRDM)(OTCQB: MSMGF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("the Agreement") with Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Limited ("Tanco") for the forthcoming metallurgical tests on lithium spodumene ore from Grid's Donner Lake Lithium Property at the Tanco Mine which is located at Bernic Lake in southeastern Manitoba, which will serve as basis for further collaboration. The Tanco Mine is currently the only North American based producer of lithium spodumene concentrate. The Donner Lake Lithium Property is a 75%/25% joint venture between Grid Metals Corp and Lithium Royalty Corp. ("LRC").

Under the Agreement Grid will supply samples from Donner Lake to Tanco for metallurgical testing at the Tanco Mine in order to test their amenability to produce a quality lithium spodumene product. Following successful initial testwork and obtaining an Advanced Exploration Permit Grid will submit a bulk sample to Tanco for testing. Upon the approval of both parties and obtaining the required regulatory consents and permits, Grid and Tanco will enter into a binding agreement to split the costs and profits of mining, processing and selling lithium spodumene concentrate to the global market based on prevailing spot prices for lithium spodumene concentrate.

Robin Dunbar President & CEO of Grid Metals Corp. and Frank Wang President of Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Limited issued a joint statement about the proposed arrangement, "The arrangement between Tanco and Grid to collaborate on the potential for toll milling Grid ore at the Tanco Mine is designed to add to the production resource base of Tanco and facilitate and enable a profitable mining venture between Tanco and Grid to be developed. With record lithium spodumene prices we see an opportunity to establish a profitable lithium joint mining operation and thereby grow the economy of southeastern Manitoba. We are of the opinion that southeast Manitoba will become an important hub for lithium production in the future to supply the North American market."

Grid acquired its Donner Lake Lithium Property from Tanco in 2016 return for granting a 2% Net Smelter Return Royalty and the right of Tanco to acquire products from the property at commercial terms whether ore or concentrate. The collaboration between Grid and Tanco will provide a basis to formalize a binding commercial structure and create a path to production for Grid while Grid continues its efforts to expand its resource base. Lithium Royalty Corp. also has a 2% Net Smelter Return Royalty on the Property.

About Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Limited

The Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Limited operates the Tanco Mine located at Bernic Lake in southeastern Manitoba. It was acquired by Sinomine Resource Group Co., Ltd. which is a listed company on the Shenzhen stock exchange and has a market capitalization of approximately 7 billion US dollars. The Tanco Mine has operated since 1968 with operations focused on mining the world famous Tanco pegmatite which is one of the most evolved lithium bearing pegmatites known globally. In previous years tantalum and cesium formate have been produced at the mine. Tanco currently employs approximately 150 workers most of whom are residents of southeastern Manitoba.

Above: aerial view of the Tanco Mine at Bernic Lake Manitoba Canada.

Above: Location of Donner Lake Lithium Property and Tanco Mine in southeastern Manitoba. The location of the Makwa Mayville Ni-Cu-PGM-Co deposits are also shown.

Dave Peck P. Geo has reviewed the contents of this release and is the Qualified Person for National Instrument 43-101.

About Grid Metals Corp.

Grid Metals Corp. is an exploration and development Company that has a diversified portfolio of projects focused on the nickel-copper-platinum group metals and lithium. Grid's projects are located in the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario Canada. The Donner Lake Property is located on the traditional territory of the Sagkeeng First Nation with whom Grid has an Exploration Agreement. Grid is commencing resource drilling at its Donner Lake in October 2022 with holes to be drilled both on the Main Dyke and Northwest Dyke with the objective being a NI 43-101 resource calculation to be subsequently completed. Several exploration drill holes on new targets will also be completed during the drill program. Grid also has a portfolio of nickel properties including the PEA stage Makwa Mayville Ni-Cu-PGM-Co Property.

To find out more about Grid Metals Corp., please visit www.gridmetalscorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Grid Metals Corp.

Robin Dunbar - President, CEO & Director Telephone: 416-955-4773 Email: [email protected]

David Black - Investor Relations Email: [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

We seek safe harbour. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario) (together, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements may include the Company's plans for its properties, the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to be materially different. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risk, uncertainty of production and capital costs estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, physical risks inherent in mining operations, metallurgical risk, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of nickel, cobalt, copper and other metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the most recent financial period and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: Grid Metals Corp.

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Tuesday, October 18th @ 11:00 am Cigna HQ, Bloomfield, CT

Healthcare advocates from across the country will protest at the corporate offices of Cigna to stand up against the companys Express Scripts pharmacy benefits manager (PBM)

Advocates will protest nations 2nd largest PBM over unfair charges to, and claw backs from independent pharmacies that negatively impact patient care for those living with HIV and other critical illnesses

BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Healthcare advocates from across the country affiliated with AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will protest unethical charges and actions by Cigna via its pharmacy benefits manager (PBM), Express Scripts, to independent and specialty pharmacies providing the sensitive, lifesaving medical needs of individuals living with HIV and other critical illnesses. The protest will take place Tuesday, October 18th in front of Cignas corporate headquarters in Bloomfield, CT.

Express Scripts, the second largest PBM in the US, controls 24% of the market according to Beckers Hospital Review. In December, 2018, Cigna paid $67 billion to acquire Express Scripts, making it one of the nations largest combination medical insurance companies and PBMs.

WHAT: Health advocates PROTEST Cigna over abuses by its Express Scripts PBM WHERE: Cigna Corporate Headquarters, intersection of Simsbury Rd. & N. Main St., Bloomfield (Avon), CT WHEN: Tuesday, October 18, 2022. 11:00 a.m. (ET) WHY: Cignas Express Scripts has been unethically charging arbitrary penalties and fees to independent and specialty pharmacies providing the lifesaving medicines to those living with HIV and other critical illnesses WHO: 25-30 Healthcare advocates with AHF from across the country AHF ONSITE CONNECTICUT CONTACTS: W. Imara Canady, +1.770.940.6555- cell [email protected] Rasheed Gonga, +1.201.241.0927 mobile [email protected]

Cignas Express Scripts PBM and rivals CVS Caremark and OptumRx have disproportionately impacted access to care for those living with critical illnesses by adding arbitrary penalties and fees to small, independent pharmacies, which has resulted in many patients not having their medicines covered at their pharmacy of choice, thus causing many to fall out of care.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), which began as a way to help patients access drugs they need, have spiraled out of control, with just 3 PBMsCVS Caremark, Cignas Express Scripts and OptumRxnow controlling over 75% of the US market.

Our David and Goliath battle between independent and smaller pharmacies and PBMs continues with this Cigna protest in Bloomfield Tuesday, stated Tracy Jones, National Director for Grassroots Mobilization Initiatives for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Cignas actions rob specialty and independent pharmacies that many patients depend on, preventing those pharmacies from providing the lifesaving medicines and services patients need. The situation has gotten so out of hand that we must continue to speak out against PBM abuses and health care consolidation to help protect struggling smaller mom and pop and independent pharmacies nationwide.

A concise 3-minute PBM explainer video neatly distills the complex issue into easily understood language and imagery can be found here: (direct YouTube link).

AHF Pharmacies are vital to AHFs mission to provide cutting edge medicine and advocacy regardless of the ability to pay. Our pharmacists and staff work tirelessly with AHF medical providers to keep people living with HIV healthy and virally suppressed. PBMs interfere with that model of care. PBMs are parasitic middlemen that bring no value to patients, creating pharmacy deserts across the United States, as they steadily squeeze specialty pharmacies, preventing patients insured by their parent companies from using specialized pharmacies like AHFs. They also engage in take or leave it contracts that force claw back payments known cryptically as direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.6 million individuals in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us @aidshealthcare.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017006022/en/

W. Imara Canady, National Director, Communications & Community Engagement for AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) +1.770.940.6555- cell [email protected]

Rasheed Gonga, Advocacy, Legislative Affairs & Community Engagement for AHF +1.201.241.0927 mobile [email protected]

Source: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Mednow Co-Founder and CEO Ali Reyhany shares key financial results and indicators, recaps accomplishments and adds context on the macroeconomic climate and its impact

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mednow Inc (TSXV: MNOW) (OTCQX: MDNWF)  Mednow Co-Founder and CEO Ali Reyhany shared an open letter with investors detailing key achievements and milestones over the past 18 months as well as important context on the market overall and as it pertains to Mednow specifically. The content of that letter appears below.

Dear Shareholders, Partners, and Friends,

We appreciate your continued trust and support in Mednow as we bring pharmacy into the digital age and improve the pharmacy experience for all Canadians. Our focus remains on delivering real value to the Canadian pharmacy customer and executing on this opportunity. We expect to continue to fuel our growth and provide value for shareholders.

Mednows goal is nothing short of becoming a Canadian household name. We believe that the pharmacy customer deserves the same convenience and technology upgrades other industries have enjoyed. We have made great strides in our 18 months as a public company, supported by our accomplishments. We enter into this next growth phase for Mednow more confident than ever. 123

Its important to understand the long-term potential of the national digital pharmacy distribution network that has been established by Mednow:

Strong Financial Performance: Mednow beats guidance and achieves record Q3 2022 financial results with 225% Q/Q revenue growth and 4,800% Y/Y revenue growth

Mednow beats guidance and achieves record Q3 2022 financial results with 225% Q/Q revenue growth and 4,800% Y/Y revenue growth Pharmacy Licenses : 9 Provincially licensed pharmacies make Mednow one of the few national virtual pharmacies in Canada. State-of-the-art distribution infrastructure allows for fast, free prescription delivery across Canada and same-day prescription delivery in major Canadian cities and surrounding areas.

: 9 Provincially licensed pharmacies make Mednow one of the few national virtual pharmacies in Canada. State-of-the-art distribution infrastructure allows for fast, free prescription delivery across Canada and same-day prescription delivery in major Canadian cities and surrounding areas. Invested in tech : Investing in an area the pharmacy industry desperately needs, Mednow recruited more top talent to bring our in-house technology team to 12 employees. This is the team that built and continues to improve the stable, scalable, secure and proprietary Mednow customer relationship management (CRM) and patient app.



The Mednow app makes it easy to manage prescriptions and provides patients with instant access to pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and non-prescription product shopping. Built for a virtual pharmacy environment, the app also coordinates delivery and allows Mednows cloud-based contact center to manage relationships with patients, payors and prescribers.



: Investing in an area the pharmacy industry desperately needs, Mednow recruited more top talent to bring our in-house technology team to 12 employees. This is the team that built and continues to improve the stable, scalable, secure and proprietary Mednow customer relationship management (CRM) and patient app. The Mednow app makes it easy to manage prescriptions and provides patients with instant access to pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and non-prescription product shopping. Built for a virtual pharmacy environment, the app also coordinates delivery and allows Mednows cloud-based contact center to manage relationships with patients, payors and prescribers. Launched Mednow Virtual Care : In keeping with our pharmacy-centred healthcare approach, Mednow Virtual Care connects patients with pharmacists, doctors and nurse practitioners who diagnose virtually and prescribe medications responsibly.

: In keeping with our pharmacy-centred healthcare approach, Mednow Virtual Care connects patients with pharmacists, doctors and nurse practitioners who diagnose virtually and prescribe medications responsibly. Acquired Medvisit : Canadas largest and most established doctor home visit organization, serving the Greater Toronto Area with house call doctor care.

: Canadas largest and most established doctor home visit organization, serving the Greater Toronto Area with house call doctor care. Specialty pharmacy acquisitions : Established a comprehensive specialty pharmacy preferred provider network offering to address this high-growth drug category. With high barriers to entry, there are few competitors, and with Mednows pharmacy of the future infrastructure, we believe we have a major competitive advantage.

: Established a comprehensive specialty pharmacy preferred provider network offering to address this high-growth drug category. With high barriers to entry, there are few competitors, and with Mednows pharmacy of the future infrastructure, we believe we have a major competitive advantage. Provider collaboration: By solving administrative challenges and offering clear clinical and educational value to mutual patients, Mednow is positioned as the ideal pharmacy partner for medical clinics and virtual medicine providers.

By solving administrative challenges and offering clear clinical and educational value to mutual patients, Mednow is positioned as the ideal pharmacy partner for medical clinics and virtual medicine providers. Mednow for Business (MFB) : Partnering as the digital pharmacy solution for benefits providers and other organizations offers mutual benefits and allows Mednow to add patients at scale. MFB has secured several partnerships and continues to have discussions with other potential partners.

: Partnering as the digital pharmacy solution for benefits providers and other organizations offers mutual benefits and allows Mednow to add patients at scale. MFB has secured several partnerships and continues to have discussions with other potential partners. Established product-market fit : I am most proud of how this team turns patients into fans. With over 300 reviews, Mednow has earned and maintains an exceptionally rare 5-star rating on Google. The Google reviews show that we are solving real problems and changing what Canadians expect from their pharmacy. Customer service is our focus, and in a market as price-regulated as pharmacy, personal customer relationships make the difference.

: I am most proud of how this team turns patients into fans. With over 300 reviews, Mednow has earned and maintains an exceptionally rare 5-star rating on Google. The Google reviews show that we are solving real problems and changing what Canadians expect from their pharmacy. Customer service is our focus, and in a market as price-regulated as pharmacy, personal customer relationships make the difference. Honors and accolades: We have scaled the Mednow team to 60 employees and received honours from Great Places to Work in the categories of Healthcare, Technology, Startups, and for Women.

The macroeconomic climate has created uncertainty for many businesses. We have seen valuations severely decreased over the past 12 months. Some important factors to consider:

Pharmacies in Canada have proven to be recession and pandemic proof.

With the Canadian healthcare system in crisis we believe there is a need for healthcare innovation and an opportunity for healthcare innovators.

We believe pharmacy digitization in Canada is inevitable. With Canada being three to five years behind the US in this regard, we look to US pharmacy digitization as the benchmark.

The management team is proven in the pharmacy sector; our co-founders built and operate Care Pharmacies, one of the largest independent and pharmacist-owned group of pharmacies in Canada with annual revenues of over C$200M.

Considering all factors, we believe that Mednow is deeply undervalued.

The foundation has been built for Mednow to take charge in the pharmacy space. Mednow went public to access capital and to scale rapidly. We have deployed that capital wisely in infrastructure, the team, the technology platform and key strategic acquisitions.

The best is yet to come from Mednow. I invite you to download the Mednow app (Apple | Android | web browser) or call us (1-855-MEDNOW-1) to see for yourself and take advantage of the great services we have to offer.

Sincerely,

Ali Reyhany

About Mednow

Mednow (TSXV: MNOW) (OTCQX: MDNWF) is a healthcare technology company offering virtual access with a high-standard of care. Designed with accessibility and quality of care in mind, Mednow provides virtual pharmacy and telemedicine services as well as doctor home visits through an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare that is focused on the patient experience. Mednows services include free at-home delivery of medications, doctor consultations, a user-friendly interface for easy upload, transfer, and refill of prescriptions, access to healthcare professionals through an intuitive chat experience and the specialized PillSmart system that packages prescriptions in easy to use daily dose packs, each labelled with the date and time of the next dose.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

1 This letter from the Chief Executive Officer of Mednow Inc. ("Mednow", the "Company", "we", or "us"), provided on behalf of the Company contains forward-looking information and "forward looking statements" for purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on our current beliefs, expectations or assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, our operational results and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, may, plan, predict, project, seek, target, potential, will, would, could, should, continue, contemplate and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts, and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our operational and financial performance including revenue, gross margin and Adjusted EBITDA forecasts, Mednow's growth expectations, the long-term potential of the national digital pharmacy distribution network, market opportunities and estimates relating to market growth. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the Companys business and the industry and markets in which it operates, including among others, assumptions relating to: (i) the ability of the Company to successfully expand into additional jurisdictions; (ii) that the telemedicine and pharmacy market will grow at the rate expected; (iii) the availability of financing; (iv) that third party contractors and supplies and regulatory approvals required to conduct the Companys planned activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner; (v) that general business, legislative and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; (vi) that the Company will receive all approvals required to operate and grow its business as planned; (vii) that the Company will be successful in pursuing revenue, operational and other synergies with its recently completed acquisitions; and (viii) that COVID-19, the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, or other global events will not negatively impact the business or personnel of the Company. Despite a careful process to prepare and review the forward-looking statements, there can be no assurance that the underlying opinions, estimates, and assumptions will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the failure of the Company to realize the benefits of its expansion plans as expected; the inability of the Company to obtain the capital or approvals, permits or licenses required to achieve its business objectives; unanticipated costs; reliance on key management and other personnel; potential downturns in economic conditions; increased competition; failure to effectively synergize the operations of our recently completed acquisitions; changes in laws and regulations; impact of COVID-19 on the business and personnel of the Company; other risks associated with the Companys industry; and those described in greater detail under Risk Factors in the Company's final short form prospectus filed on July 15, 2022 on www.sedar.com under the Company's profile. If any of these risks materialize, or if any of the above assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results and developments may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this letter.

2 This letter also contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, FOFI) as defined under Canadian securities laws, prepared by Mednows management about Mednows reasonably estimated prospective results of operations and financial performance and components thereof, all of which are subject to the same assumptions, risks factors, limitations and qualifications set forth in the above paragraphs. Readers are cautioned that FOFI are not guarantees of future performance, and should not be considered as such, since actual results may differ materially from those expressed in FOFI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements or FOFI contained in this letter. Mednow and its management believe that FOFI has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting managements best estimates and judgements. FOFI contained in this letter were made as of the date of this letter and is provided for the purpose of describing the belief of Mednows management of the anticipated effects of the financing on Mednows business operations. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this letter speaks only as of the date of this letter. Mednow does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or FOFI other than as required under applicable securities laws.

3 This letter refers to certain measures and ratios that are not recognized measures under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). These measures and ratios do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures and ratios are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of our results of operations from Mednows managements perspective. Accordingly, the non-IFRS measures and non-IFRS ratios disclosed in this letter should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. We use the following non-IFRS measures and non-IFRS ratios in this letter: (i) Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization and transaction costs); and (ii) gross margin % (net sales minus the cost of goods/services sold divided by net sales). These non-IFRS measures and non-IFRS ratios are used to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and thus highlight trends in Mednows core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005258/en/

Investor contact:

Benjamin Ferdinand

1-855-686-6300

[email protected]

Source: Mednow Inc
VILLEURBANNE, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

NAVYA (FR0013018041- Navya), an autonomous mobility systems leader, announces the upcoming platooning demonstration of two Navya Autonom shuttles at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, the first of its kind at an American airport.

The awarding of a trial period to Navya is the result of a request for innovation as part of a new initiative from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages all the airports situated in the two states, including JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airport.

It represents the first phase of what may become a larger initiative to use fleets of autonomous shuttles platooned together to better connect passengers to their destinations in an airport environment.

The two Navya shuttles will undergo an initial trial period of four days from October 17th to October 21st, 2022, as part of a pilot project that will take place in a specific parking area of the airport.

During that time various configurations will be put to the test, including the platooning of the Navya shuttles.

The autonomous shuttles will be operated by an on-board safety operator at all times and supervised by Navya's control center in Michigan. The vehicles have eight lidar sensors and the pilot will be conducted in an area of the parking lot closed to the general public.

This demonstration is an opportunity to evaluate and test new and emerging technology to improve our customer experience. We continue to see the importance of offering customers innovative, and world-class services in response to their needs.

Kevin OToole, Port Authority Chairman

The Port Authority has been laser-focused on cutting-edge technological advancements, and we are happy to be participating in this first-of-its-kind exploration of autonomous vehicle use in an airport application. Our innovation group is also in touch with other transit and airport agencies around the country to establish best practices in the use of autonomous vehicles to provide 21st century transportation options in the region.

Rick Cotton, Port Authority Executive Director

We are delighted to be able to conduct a trial at an airport, which at the same time represents a first step in our collaboration with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Navya's shuttles are adapted to a large number of use cases, and airports represent a good case in point. Not only do our shuttles offer a solution for the transportation of people, but our Tract also offers the same for the transportation of goods. The trial will also provide an opportunity to demonstrate once again the strength of our hypervision technology. Our mastery of remote and platooning fleet management is already established in France, and we will be taking a further step forward by introducing it in the US."

Sophie Desormiere, CEO of NAVYA

About The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency that builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. For over a century, the agencys network of major airports; critical bridges, tunnels and bus terminals; a commuter rail line; and the busiest seaport on the East Coast has been among the most vital in the country  transporting hundreds of millions of people and moving essential goods into and out of the region. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center campus, which today welcomes tens of thousands of office workers and millions of annual visitors. The agencys historic $37 billion 10-year capital plan includes unprecedented transformation of the regions three major airports  LaGuardia, Newark Liberty and JFK  as well as an array of other new and upgraded assets, including the $2 billion renovation of the 90-year-old George Washington Bridge. The Port Authoritys annual budget of $8 billion includes no tax revenue from either the states of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, visit www.panynj.gov or check out the Now Arriving blog.

About NAVYA

Created in 2014, NAVYA is a leading French name specialized in the supply of autonomous mobility systems and associated services. With 280 employees in France (Paris and Lyon), in the United States (Michigan) and in Singapore, NAVYA aims at becoming the leading player in Level 4 autonomous mobility systems for passenger and goods transport. Since 2015, NAVYA has been the first to market and put into service autonomous mobility solutions. The Autonom Shuttle, main development axis, is dedicated to passenger transport. Since its launch, more than 200 units have been sold in 25 countries as of 31 December 2021. The Autonom Tract is designed to goods transport. Engaged in an ambitious CSR approach, the Company has an active policy in this area, as illustrated by the obtaining of the ISO 9001 certification in September 2021. The Valeo and Keolis groups are among NAVYA's historical shareholders.

NAVYA is listed on the Euronext regulated market in Paris (ISIN code: FR0013018041- Navya).

Further details: www.navya.tech

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221016005018/en/

NAVYA



Marketing & Communication

Department

[email protected]



Chief Financial Officer

Pierre Guibert

[email protected]

NewCap



Investor Relations

Thomas Grojean

Nicolas Fossiez

[email protected]

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

NewCap



Media Relations

Nicolas Merigeau

[email protected]

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 98

Source: NAVYA
Renamed company combines global leadership with focus on innovation to facilitate partner success

FREMONT, Calif. & CLEARWATER, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX) announced today that the company has now formally transitioned to the TD SYNNEX brand in its operations in Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The news comes after the merger between Tech Data and SYNNEX Corporation in 2021, which created an industry leader uniquely positioned to serve partners and vendors in over 100 countries with a comprehensive portfolio of products, solutions and service offerings.

This is a special moment of celebration as we launch the TD SYNNEX brand in Europe and LAC, said Rich Hume, CEO, TD SYNNEX. In this new phase, we will double down on our commitment to delivering higher value to our ecosystem partners through our end-to-end technology portfolio and our comprehensive services offerings, all underpinned by the passion, commitment and deep knowledge of our 22,000+ co-workers around the world.

TD SYNNEX will continue to build on the deep technology specialization, local expertise and market knowledge that its legacy brands were known for in Europe, and LAC.

In addition, TD SYNNEX will strengthen its reputation as a company that cares about its partners, co-workers, investors and the broader world with a commitment to being a diverse, inclusive employer of choice and a structured global program focused on achieving environmental sustainability objectives.

Just as TD SYNNEX plays a vital role helping transform the technology landscape, we have an equally important responsibility to have a positive impact on the world, Hume added. Our focus on corporate social responsibility embodies our commitment to make the world a better place, both today and into the future.

The Asia Pacific region is a critical part of the companys global business and will continue as Tech Data, a TD SYNNEX company. The business there will continue to have the same access to the global resources that allow the company to provide consistent reach across diverse markets.

To find out more and learn the latest news about TD SYNNEX, follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About TD SYNNEX

TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX) is a leading global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem. Were an innovative partner helping more than 150,000 customers in 100+ countries to maximize the value of technology investments, demonstrate business outcomes and unlock growth opportunities. Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, and Fremont, California, TD SYNNEX 22,000 co-workers are dedicated to uniting compelling IT products, services and solutions from 1,500+ best-in-class technology vendors. Our edge-to-cloud portfolio is anchored in some of the highest-growth technology segments including cloud, cybersecurity, big data/analytics, IoT, mobility and everything as a service. TD SYNNEX is committed to serving customers and communities, and we believe we can have a positive impact on our people and our planet, intentionally acting as a respected corporate citizen. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive employer of choice for talent across the IT ecosystem. For more information, visit www.TDSYNNEX.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Statements in this news release that are forward-looking, such as features and capabilities of products and services, security product offering expansion, technology trends, and general success of collaborations, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance that may be suggested in this release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release.

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Bobby Eagle

Global Corporate Communications

727-538-5864

[email protected]

Source: TD SYNNEX
Continental Resources, Inc. (NYSE: CLR) today announced that it has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Omega Acquisition, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, an entity that is owned by Continental's founder, Harold G. Hamm. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will commence a tender offer to purchase any and all of the outstanding shares of Continental's common stock at $74.28 per share, other than (i) shares of common stock owned directly or indirectly by Mr. Hamm and the Hamm family and (ii) shares of common stock underlying unvested equity awards issued pursuant to Continental's long-term incentive plans. Based on the shares outstanding as of October 12, 2022, the tender offer would be for approximately 58 million shares of common stock. The Offer Price includes $0.28 in lieu of Continental's anticipated dividend for the third quarter of 2022. Accordingly, and consistent with the Merger Agreement, Continental will not pay dividends between the signing and closing of the Transaction (as defined below).

As soon as practicable after the consummation of the tender offer, Merger Sub will merge with and into Continental (the "Merger" and, together with the tender offer, the "Transaction"), with Continental continuing as the surviving corporation, wholly owned by the Hamm family. Each share of common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than the Rollover Shares, shares owned by holders that validly seek appraisal rights under Oklahoma law and certain other excluded shares specified in the Merger Agreement) will be converted into the right to receive the Offer Price, without interest. The Offer Price represents a 15% premium to the closing price of the Common Stock of $64.50 as of June 13, 2022, prior to the June 14, 2022 announcement of the Hamm family's initial offer to Continental.

There is no financing condition to the Transaction. It is anticipated that the Transaction will be financed using a combination of (i) the Company's cash on hand, (ii) borrowings under the Company's existing revolving credit facility and (iii) a new term loan facility to be entered into in connection with the closing of the Transaction.

Mr. Hamm currently serves as Chairman of Continental's Board of Directors. He and the rest of the Hamm family collectively own approximately 83% of Continental's common stock.

Continental's Board of Directors, acting on the unanimous recommendation of a special committee consisting solely of independent and disinterested directors, has approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and recommended that Continental's shareholders tender their shares of common stock pursuant to the tender offer.

The Transaction is governed by Section 1081.H of the General Corporation Act of the State of Oklahoma and does not require a vote by the Continental's shareholders. Subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, the Transaction is currently expected to close prior to December 31, 2022.

Intrepid Partners, LLC is acting as financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is acting as legal counsel to Mr. Hamm. Evercore is acting as financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is acting as legal counsel to the special committee.
ESAB Corporation (ESAB or the Company) (NYSE: ESAB), a world leader in fabrication and gas control technology, announced today that it has acquired Ohio Medical, LLC (Ohio Medical), a global leader in oxygen regulators and central gas systems, from a private investor group for a cash purchase price of $127 million. The Company also expects an additional cash tax benefit with a net present value of $15 million. During the twelve months ended August 31, 2022, Ohio Medical generated over $45 million of sales, gross margins above 40%, and adjusted EBITDA margins greater than 20%. The acquisition is expected to be adjusted EPS accretive to ESAB in the first year. The Company financed the acquisition using cash on hand and expects its net leverage ratio to be less than 3x at the end of 2022. ESAB will provide additional information during its earnings call on Thursday, November 3, 2022.

Shyam P. Kambeyanda, President and Chief Executive Officer of ESAB, stated, We are thrilled to welcome the Ohio Medical team to ESAB Corporation. Ohio Medical increases our served market in North America for medical oxygen regulators and central gas systems, complementing our GCE and Victor businesses, creating a gas control equipment leader with revenues of more than $400 million. We are excited about the significant global cross-selling opportunities and how Ohio Medical advances our strategy to drive faster growth, higher margins, lower cyclicality, and stronger cash flow.

Anthony Wieczorek, Chief Executive Officer of Ohio Medical, stated, For more than 100 years, we have been a market leader in oxygen regulators and central gas systems. Joining ESAB will help us accelerate our expansion globally, while allowing us to harness the power of the ESAB Business System (EBX) to better serve our customers with increased efficiency and innovative customer solutions.

Ohio Medical is headquartered in Gurnee, Illinois and employs approximately 100 associates, providing ESAB with strong brands and distribution in the large and attractive North American market. Combined with ESABs Victor and GCE businesses, the addition of Ohio Medical creates an unmatched global medical and industrial gas control portfolio that enhances the companys worldwide offerings.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance LLC served as financial adviser and Tucker Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to the Company..
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) owned Jeep Brand unveiled their all-new electric Jeep Avenger today at the 2022 Paris Motor Show in France on Monday.

The compact Jeep Avenger is the brands first battery electric vehicle, spearheading the launch of a portfolio of capable, fully electric vehicles.

The new Jeep Avenger represents a key milestone for the brand as it is the first of a portfolio of all-new Jeep BEVs to be introduced in Europe. said Christian Meunier, Jeep brand CEO. It offers Jeep brand capability that is rightsized for the European market and at the Paris Motor Show, we are showcasing why it is a great all-electric Jeep brand alternative to current players in the B-SUV segment.

The new electric SUV is produced in the Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland, and is equipped with standard SelecTerrain and Hill Descent Control. The Jeep Avenger is also equipped with a new generation 400 Volt electric propulsion system which combines a new electric motor and a new battery.

The Jeep Avenger arrives in showrooms early next year, but customers in most European markets can already pre-book the exclusive Launch Edition at a monthly instalment at 249. UK customers will be able to place reservations from January 2023.

STLA is up 3.93% in mid-day trading on Monday.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KOP), an integrated global provider of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals, and carbon compounds, today announced that Koppers Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koppers Holdings, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Gross & Janes Co. for an undisclosed amount. The transaction is expected to close within the next thirty days, subject to customary closing conditions.

Gross & Janes, headquartered in Kirkwood, Missouri, is the largest independent supplier of untreated railroad crossties in North America, with operations in Williamsville, Missouri, and Camden, Arkansas.

Chief Operating Officer Jim Sullivan said, "The Gross & Janes name has been well respected in the industry for a long time, so I am extremely pleased to have them on our team. In addition to the increased access to crossties, their fixed assets will enable us to rethink our logistics footprint and potentially displace near-term capital requirements at some of our existing facilities while also driving other meaningful tangible synergies to our bottom line."

Commenting on the transaction, President and Chief Executive Officer Leroy Ball said, "We are happy to add the Gross & Janes team to the Koppers family, which I believe will immediately benefit our customers and shareholders. The last few years have taught us the value of a strong uninterrupted supply network, and this acquisition only enhances the value of our integrated supply model by providing additional access to untreated crossties to feed our treating facilities. From hardwood procurement, to preservative production, to treating the final product and disposing of it responsibly at its end of life, Koppers is proud to be the only crosstie supplier to offer a carbon positive circular solution for our products at scale."
PGT Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: PGTI), a national leader in premium windows and doors, including impact-resistant products and products designed to unify indoor/outdoor living spaces, today announced it has acquired Martin Door Holdings, Inc. (Martin) for a purchase price of approximately $185 million. Martin, manufacturer of the Worlds finest, safest garage doors, is headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, and is a leading custom manufacturer of premium overhead garage doors and hardware serving the Western U.S. residential and commercial markets.

This transaction is consistent with PGT Innovations continuing move into adjacent building product categories that complement its current robust portfolio of strong window and door brands. The expansion of product categories, along with the breadth of markets currently served by Martin, supports PGT Innovations strategic plan to scale its business and grow in desirable markets and geographies. The addition of Martins established brand also further strengthens the Companys market presence across the growing Western region, an area currently served by two of PGT Innovations window and door brands  Western Window Systems and Anlin Windows & Doors.

PGT Innovations has been expanding our geographic footprint and product portfolio over the past several years with great success, said Jeff Jackson, President and CEO of PGT Innovations. This transaction continues that trend and brings us into a new market of garage doors. As we looked to expand beyond our existing window and door market, we wanted to ensure we could leverage our teams extensive knowledge in the area of protecting the envelope of homes and buildings. The garage door entry market aligns extremely well with that strategy. Additionally, Martins focus on exceptional quality, safety of their products, and innovation within their industry mirrors the priorities found across all of our PGT Innovations brands, making it, culturally, a perfect fit.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, with 85+ years of operating history, Martin is known in its industry for manufacturing beautiful, high-quality, and fully customizable products to both commercial and residential end markets. The Company has most-recently strategically positioned itself to capitalize on outsized momentum across the western U.S., which is seeing robust population growth. Demand for Martins customized products along with its efficient cost structure allow the Company to achieve robust EBITDA margins in excess of 30%, while generating strong cash flow conversion. Furthermore, Martin has recently undergone a multi-year transformation focused on operational excellence and delivering innovative products. Over that time, the Company has introduced multiple new product lines, doubled its dealer base, and improved margins while also investing for growth via automation and capacity expansion. With a strong backlog and proven track record of delivering on best-in-class lead times, Martin is poised to capitalize on near- and long-term economic tailwinds in the $3.6B U.S. garage door market.

Martin will operate under the Western Division of PGT Innovations. Martins CEO Scott Huntsman will remain with the company and assume the role of President of Martin Doors. Through this reporting structure, the PGT Innovations team will collaborate with the Martin team to share best practices that may benefit the organization as a whole.

"Martins team brings a wealth of industry knowledge and has generated impressive top-line and bottom-line growth, continued Jackson. I am very pleased that Martins leadership will remain with the company and be available to collaborate with our Western Division leaders on how we can best serve our customers, provide new opportunities for team members, and drive shareholder value. I am excited to welcome the 173 Martin team members to our PGT Innovations family, and I look forward to our folks serving, leading, and thriving together.

PGT Innovations long-standing focus on innovation, safety, and quality, as well as their exceptional dedication to their team members, made the decision to join their family of brands an easy one, said Scott Huntsman, Chief Executive Officer of Martin. We are honored that the group saw similar qualities in our team and selected Martin to be the brand to help them enter into the overhead garage door industry. We are excited to work with the PGT Innovations team to advance further our manufacturing capabilities and serve as their flagship brand in the garage door product category. This transaction would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of innumerable people  from our passionate employees to our loyal dealers, and dedicated vendors who worked in synchrony to bring Martin to the company it is today. The support we received from every side was amazing, and I look forward to a long and successful continued relationship with each of these partners. We also would like to thank Black Oak Capital and Ridgeline Capital, for their support over the past several years helping us achieve the growth we have seen in recent years.

PGT Innovations entered into a new, five-year, $250 million Revolving Credit Facility which will be utilized, along with cash on hand, to fund the transaction, as well as extend maturities and create more liquidity to support our continued growth.

Martin is expected to generate approximately $60 million in sales during 2022. PGT Innovations paid a forward 2022 multiple of approximately 8.5x pre-synergies and expects the transaction to be accretive.

On a pro forma basis, as of the end of the second quarter of 2022, PGT Innovations had a trailing-twelve-month net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.6 times, added John Kunz, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Consistent with our priority of maintaining a strong and flexible balance sheet, we anticipate that reducing leverage after acquisitions will remain a capital allocation priority.

PGT Innovations plans to update its financial outlook and discuss the Company's third quarter 2022 results on its conference call and webcast scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. eastern time.

Advisors

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is serving as financial advisor and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is serving as legal counsel to PGT Innovations. KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. is serving as financial advisor and Michael Best & Friedrich LLP is serving as legal counsel to Martin Door.
Shares of Stellantis (NYSE: (STLA) are up 2.56% in pre-market trading on Monday after the company's chief executive, Carlos Tavares announced that the automaker would double the dahre of electric vehicles it produces in France. Tavares announced that some new models of its Peugeot brand will be produced in France at the carmaker's Mulhouse plant.

According to a source close to Stellantis, these models could include electric versions of the Peugeot 408 and 308, currently only available in combustion-engine and hybrid versions. The new electric models will be assembled in Mulhouse, Carlos Tavares said at the Paris Motor Show.

President of France, Emmanuel Macron announced bigger subsidies for poorer families to buy electric vehicles and pushed for more local production. Macron said EV subsidies for lower-income households would rise to 7,000 euros ($6,826) next year from 6,000 euros, while falling to 5,000 euros for other French buyers.

"We have an industrial strategy in place for people to buy more and more French (cars),"  President Macron.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Tesla is seen in Taipei, Taiwan August 11, 2017. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

By Noel Randewich

(Reuters) - While Elon Musk may be worried about the economy, job openings on Tesla's website suggest the world's most valuable car maker is hiring employees at a quick pace, in nearly every category of job.

Tesla this week listed over 6,900 jobs on its career website, almost a 50% surge since mid-June, when Reuters began tracking the data. That compares to a 2022 peak of over 7,400 job ads in May, according to data similarly tracked by Thinknum Alternative Data and hedge fund Snow Bull Capital.

GRAPHIC - Tesla job ads rebound after July slowdown

https://graphics.reuters.com/TESLA-JOBS/zdvxolzngpx/chart.png

Chief Executive Musk warned colleagues in early June he had a "super bad" feeling about the economy and said the electric car maker needed to cut jobs. He later tweeted that total headcount would increase over the next 12 months.

Jobs listed on Tesla's website showed a steep drop in June and July.

Since July, job openings for Engineering & Information Technology, Vehicle Service and Manufacturing led that revival, accounting for the vast majority of listings across 17 categories. Vehicle Service has jumped by over 40% since late June to over 1,600 this week.

GRAPHIC - Tesla's three largest job ad categories

https://graphics.reuters.com/TESLA-JOBS/akvezdkmbpr/chart.png

A LEADING INDICATOR

Tesla job ads are important because they show where Tesla is trying to grow, said Taylor Ogan, head of Snow Bull Capital. "That's the leading indicator that we have, more than really anything else."

While the job ads provide a valuable glimpse of potential trends at Wall Street's most closely scrutinized automaker, it is difficult to draw specific conclusions. Changes in the number of job ads could reflect attrition, delays in filling roles, as well as changes in the size of Tesla's workforce. Tesla could also advertise jobs in other ways. Tesla could also advertise jobs in other places. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment about the job ads.

About three-quarters of job ads on Tesla's website are for U.S. positions, followed by Germany, site of a new factory, and Canada. Tesla lists over 200 jobs on another website focused on China, where it recently upgraded its Shanghai plant to boost production.

Tesla's U.S. job ads are concentrated in California, Texas and Nevada, where it has plants and offices.

Graphic - Where is Tesla hiring?

https://graphics.reuters.com/TESLA-JOBS/gdvzyzezjpw/chart.png

During June-October, manufacturing job ads have risen a relatively modest 20% to almost 1,300, even as Tesla ramps up its monthly car output and raises prices.

"Costs for manufacturing not going up, and pricing going up. Reading the tea leaves, that could be good for margins," said Roth Capital analyst Craig Irwin.

Investors will get a fresh glimpse of Tesla's profitability when it reports its September-quarter results on Wednesday.

IN-DEMAND WORKERS

Job ads related to solar, energy, charging and sales grew at faster rates than manufacturing, with ads in the Energy - Solar & Storage and Charging categories tripling since late June.

GRAPHIC - Tesla boosts hiring in solar, charging and sales

https://graphics.reuters.com/TESLA-JOBS/myvmndwdkpr/chart.png

Ads related to Autopilot and Robotics - technologies that Tesla considers key - have almost doubled to about 80 this week after troughing in July. Musk last month said he expected Tesla would be ready to take orders for a humanoid robot in three to five years.

GRAPHIC - Tesla job ads for Autopilot & Robotics

https://graphics.reuters.com/TESLA-JOBS/egvbkzwrzpq/chart.png

While other automakers have cut their work forces in recent years, Tesla is opening new factories and has hired tens of thousands of employees worldwide.

Graphic - Tesla employee levels surge vs Ford

https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/myvmndekjpr/Pasted%20image%201665772530749.png

The steady growth in Tesla's job ads in recent months comes as almost 90% of global CEOs surveyed by KPMG expect a recession over the next 12 months, with nearly half weighing job cuts.

(Reporting by Noel Randewich; Editing by Peter Henderson, Nick Zieminski and Lisa Shumaker)
PRESS RELEASE

October 17th, 2022

Aeroports de Paris SA,

September 2022 traffic figures

Groupe ADP1 total traffic is up by +8.9 million passengers in September 2022 compared to September 2021, with 27.0 million passengers welcomed for the entire network of operated airports. It stands at 85.9% of the September 2019 group traffic.

Since the beginning of the year, Groupe ADP total traffic is up by +92.4% compared to 2021, at 204.7 million passengers, standing at 76.6% of the group traffic over the same period in 2019.

Unless otherwise indicated, the following changes are expressed in comparison with September 2021.

Regarding the Paris Aeroport:

September 2022 traffic is up by +3.4 million passengers, with 8.1 million passengers welcomed. It stands at 86.1% of the September 2019 Paris Aeroport traffic. In September 2022, ParisCharles de Gaulle welcomed 5.4 million passengers (+2.5 million passengers), at 78.7% of the September 2019 traffic, and Paris-Orly 2.8 million passengers (+0.9 million passengers), at 105.3% of the September 2019 traffic.

Since the beginning of the year, traffic in Paris Aeroport is up by +37.5 million passengers compared to 2021, at 63.8 million passengers, at 77.2% of the traffic over the same period in 2019.

At Paris-Charles de Gaulle, all terminals are currently open to passenger traffic except Terminal 1, under renovation. At Paris-Orly, all sectors are open.

In September 2022:

International traffic (excluding Europe, including French Overseas Territories) was up by +1.6 million passengers, at 84.6% of the September 2019 traffic. All the destinations are growing: North America +594,396 passengers, at 85.9% of the September 2019 traffic, Asia-Pacific +186,156 passengers, at 41.5% of the September 2019 traffic, Latin America +96,268 passengers, at 75.0% of the September 2019 traffic, the Middle East 231,879 passengers, at 95.1% of the September 2019 traffic, Africa 414,521 passengers, at 101.0% of the September 2019 traffic;

European traffic (excluding France) was up 1.6 million passengers, at 89.0% of the September 2019 traffic;

Traffic within mainland France was up by +179,684 passengers, at 80.9% of the September 2019 traffic;

Traffic with the French Overseas Territories (included within the international traffic) was up by +95,651 passengers, at 100.8% of the September 2019 traffic traffic.

The number of connecting passengers stood at 831,806 up by 365,124 passengers, at 77.7% of the September 2019 traffic. The connecting rate stood at 21.6% down by +0.5 point.

Regarding Groupe ADP's international platforms:

Passenger traffic at TAV Airports, 46.4%-owned by Groupe ADP, is up by +1.8 million passengers in September 2022, at 9.2 million passengers, standing at 86.3% of the September 2019 traffic. It is up by +54.9% since the beginning of the year compared to the same period in 2021, at 78.9% of traffic over the same period in 2019.

Passenger traffic at GMR Airports, 49%-owned by Groupe ADP, is up by +2.8 million passengers in September 2022, at 7.2 million passengers, standing at 86.7% of the September 2019 traffic. It is up by +87.2% since the beginning of the year compared to the same period in 2021, at 78.6% of traffic over the same period in 2019.

Passenger traffic at Amman Airport, 51%-owned by Groupe ADP, is up by +138,275 passengers in September 2022, at 696,096 passengers, standing at 92.6% of the September 2019 traffic. It is up by 89.6% since the beginning of the year compared to the same period in 2021, at 84.4% of traffic over the same period in 2019.

Passenger traffic at Santiago de Chile Airport, 45%-owned by Groupe ADP, is up by +504,901 passengers in September 2022, at 1.5 million passengers, standing at 78.2% of the September 2019 traffic. It is up by +124.4% since the beginning of the year compared to the same period in 2021, at 71.6% of traffic over the same period in 2019.

All the Group's hubs are open to commercial flights. However, local restrictions may apply, particularly to international flights at Group airports.

In the context created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the international sanctions imposed on Russia, the group is monitoring the situation to assess its short, medium, and long-term consequences. In 2019, traffic with Ukraine and Russia amounted to 1.4% of Paris Aeroport's total traffic, as well as to 17.1%2 of TAV Airports' total traffic, at 27.9%2 of TAV Airports' international traffic. At this stage, although air traffic between Russia and Ukraine on one part, and the airports operated by Groupe ADP located in Turkey is significantly impacted3, the Group does not anticipate, in the absence of any significant change in the situation, that the consequences of the conflict will challenge its financial forecasts and traffic hypotheses for 2022 full year.

Passengers September 2022 Change 22/21

(in passengers) Jan.  Sept. 2022 % change 22/21 Last 12 months % change 22/21 Paris-CDG 5,366,347 +2,463,146 42,241,725 +162.0% 52,312,793 +173.7% Paris-Orly 2,763,035 +932,919 21,584,809 +111.9% 27,123,681 +118.3% Total Paris Aeroport 8,129,382 +3,396,065 63,826,534 +142.6% 79,436,474 +151.9% Santiago de Chile 1,521,665 +504,901 13,418,131 +124.4% 17,451,739 +129.0% Amman 696,096 +138,275 5,835,186 +89.6% 7,316,257 +113.8% New Delhi 5,071,521 +1,851,049 42,179,061 +80.5% 55,955,977 +81.0% Hyderabad 1,626,223 +601,230 13,616,595 +78.2% 17,966,196 +71.0% Cebu 481,230 +390,834 3,667,186 +384.4% 4,227,023 +367.4% Total GMR Airports 7,178,974 +2,843,113 59,462,842 +87,2% 78,149,196 +84,7% Antalya 4,400,686 +581,545 24,825,191 +52.7% 30,581,780 +61.9% Almaty 667,983 +136,687 5,186,857 +17.2% 6,865,747 +24.1% Ankara 759,530 -4,775 6,375,292 +27.3% 8,401,285 +38.0% Izmir 1,016,522 +139,912 7,604,939 +39.5% 9,828,277 +47.4% Bodrum 585,490 +110,934 3,356,201 +36.5% 3,807,388 +38.0% Gazipasa Alanya 68,759 -14,619 559,305 +34.7% 732,262 +49.0% Medina 522,501 +379,673 4,287,604 +319.2% 5,022,898 +278.5% Tunisia 221,063 +148,781 1,199,648 +206.4% 1,332,445 +194.7% Georgia 373,173 +91,893 2,668,208 +73.3% 3,319,581 +108.4% North Macedonia 261,728 +116,494 1,811,168 +82.2% 2,208,309 +92.9% Zagreb(4) 325,339 +134,247 2,302,157 +162.3% 2,828,855 +178.1% Total TAV Airports 9,202,774 +1,820,772 60,176,570 +54.9% 74,928,827 +63.0% Other Airports 270,434 +215,992 1,995,813 +344.8% 2,173,853 +279.1% Total Groupe ADP(5) 26,999,325 +8,919,118 204,715,076 +92.4% 259,456,346 +97.4%





Aircraft Movements September 2022 Change 22/21

(in movements) Jan.  Sept. 2022 % change 22/21 Last 12 months % change 22/21 Paris-CDG 36,393 +11,165 298,593 +78.8% 381,666 +84.0% Paris-Orly 18,308 +5,338 145,036 +83.5% 184,547 +89.1% Total Paris Aeroport 54,701 +16,503 443,629 +80.3% 566,213 +85.7% Santiago de Chile 9,705 +1,962 90,880 +80.3% 118,229 +81.6% Amman 5,614 +348 51,463 +63.2% 66,529 +81.0% New Delhi 32,991 +8,199 286,018 +48.4% 382,528 +49.9% Hyderabad 12,392 +2,813 106,735 +41.0% 141,172 +36.8% Cebu 4,903 +3,930 34,134 +281.0% 39,427 +260.3% Total GMR Airports 50,286 +14,942 426,887 +53,9% 563,127 +52,5% Antalya 24,868 +4,635 147,706 +60.2% 182,811 +68.3% Almaty 5,781 +744 46,960 +13.4% 62,444 +16.6% Ankara 4,976 -1,163 44,864 +13.5% 60,712 +24.7% Izmir 6,188 +34 48,207 +29.2% 62,417 +33.1% Bodrum 3,608 +278 21,483 +29.4% 24,950 +30.9% Gazipasa Alanya 476 -192 4,011 +15.2% 5,279 +27.8% Medina 3,446 +1,853 33,892 +162.0% 40,768 +150.4% Tunisia 1,555 +994 8,713 +146.1% 9,987 +133.6% Georgia 3,482 +452 26,372 +36.8% 33,912 +57.3% North Macedonia 2,015 +284 14,823 +32.3% 18,608 +40.3% Zagreb(4) 3,945 +544 31,483 +56.8% 41,012 +65.4% Total TAV Airports 60,340 +8,463 428,514 +44.0% 542,900 +50.3% Other Airports 2,006 +1,084 16,611 +87.8% 19,556 +72.1% Total Groupe ADP(5) 182,652 +43,302 1,457,984 +59.9% 1,876,554 +63.4%





Geographic split

Paris Aeroport (Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly) Sept. 2022

Change 22/21

(in passengers) Share of total traffic Jan.  Sept. 2022 change 22/21

(in passengers) Share of total traffic France +179,684 13.6% +3,673,684 14.7% Europe +1,597,510 47.4% +18,217,140 45.7% Other International

Of which +1,618,871 39.0% +15,624,495 39.6% Africa +414,521 12.6% +4,228,132 12.4% North America +594,396 12.1% +5,344,999 11.3% Latin America +96,268 2.3% +1,294,346 2.9% Middle-East +231,879 5.2% +2,195,020 5.2% Asia-Pacific +186,156 3.0% +1,056,916 2.3% French Overseas Territories +95,651 3.7% +1,505,082 5.5% Total Paris Aeroport +3,396,065 100.0% +37,515,319 100.0%





Paris Aeroport (Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly) Sept. 2022 Change

22/21 Jan.  Sept. 2022 % change 22/21 Connecting Passengers(1) 831,806 +78.2% 6,470,239 +118.7% Connecting rate 21.6% +0.5 pt 20.4% -2.3 pts Seat load factor 84.4% +9.9 pts 81.5% +14.3 pts

(1) Departing passengers

Investor Relations: Cecile Combeau, Eliott Roch - +33 1 74 25 31 33 - [email protected]

Press contact: Lola Bourget, Head of Medias and Reputation Department +33 1 74 25 23 23

Groupe ADP develops and manages airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget. In 2021, the group handled through its brand Paris Aeroport more than 41.9 million passengers and 2.1 million metric tons of freight and mail at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, and more than 118.1 million passengers in airports abroad. Boasting an exceptional geographic location and a major catchment area, the Group is pursuing its strategy of adapting and modernizing its terminal facilities and upgrading quality of services; the group also intends to develop its retail and real estate businesses. In 2021, group revenue stood at 2,777 million and net income at -248 million

Registered office: 1, rue de France, 93 290 Tremblay-en-France. Aeroports de Paris is a public limited company (Societe Anonyme) with share capital of 296,881,806. Registered in the Bobigny Trade and Company Register under no. 552 016 628.





1 Group traffic is accounted for on a like-for-like basis, restated for the following changes: the acquisitions of Delhi, Hyderbad, Mactan Cebu and Almaty airports, and the non-renewal of the technical assistance contract (TSA) for Mauritius airport.

2 Including Almaty and Zagreb airports.

3 For the 9 first months of 2022, traffic in the Turkish airports of TAV Airports was up +44.4% compared to 2021, at 78.9% at the same period in 2019. Although traffic with Russia and Ukraine represents 49.1% and 2.4% of their respective 2019 levels, totaling 4.6 million passengers, the recovery in the Turkish airports of TAV Airports is supported by other routes.

4 Groupe ADP and TAV Airports have, a shareholding of 21% and 15%, respectively, in Zagreb Airport. To be compliant with TAV Airports presentations, Zagreb Airport traffic figures are integrated into the TAV Airports group traffic figure.

5Group traffic is accounted for on a like-for-like basis, restated for the following changes: the acquisitions of Delhi, Hyderabad, Mactan Cebu and Almaty airports, and the non-renewal of the technical assistance contract (TSA) for Mauritius airport. For the last 12-months traffic, Mauritius traffic is not taken into account. If Mauritius traffic was taken into account until December 31st, 2021, last 12-months traffic for Groupe ADP would be up by +97,5%.

groupe-adp.com

Attachment
WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) has raised the bar on its business-driven environment, social, and governance (ESG) targets by demonstrating a clear link between its long-range strategic plans and detailed ESG progress. The 2021 ESG report, available digitally, frames the companys progress across a detailed materiality matrix that shows the interrelationships between ESG issues while at the same time reinforcing the companys commitment to solving some of its industries most challenging business issues.

The report expands on Ashlands February 2021 commitment to develop science-based targets that are aligned with the ambitious aim of the Paris Climate Accord to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C above preindustrial levels. By making the United Nations (UN) Global Compact and its principles part of the companys business strategy, culture and day-to-day operations, Ashland demonstrates that company-wide commitment can reconcile the needs of people, planet and profit.

This ESG report stands alongside quarterly earnings, year-end results and long-term plans as a principal document for charting the evolution of the Ashland transformation, said Guillermo Novo, chair and chief executive officer, Ashland. We understand and demonstrate at every level how environmental actions, social strategies and public accountability and transparency are vital to business results and the value we deliver to customers, consumers, and the communities in which we live and work. These initiatives reinforce Ashlands recent reset and provide a platform for sustainable innovations that will foster top-line growth in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

1.5C Science Based Emissions Reduction TargetsMore than 1,000 businesses are working with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to reduce their emissions in line with climate science. Ashland has committed to set science-based emissions reduction targets across all relevant scopes1, in line with 1.5C emissions scenarios to ensure the strongest ambition in the short-to -medium term. The campaign is led by the SBTi and backed by a global coalition of UN leaders, business organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

United Nations Global CompactThe UN Global Compact has been deemed the worlds largest corporate sustainability initiative. It aims to accelerate business action to achieve sustainable development goals and more ambitious climate targets. By committing, Ashland joins more than 12,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries and 69 local networks. Ashlands ongoing sustainability efforts have been focused on three key domains: sustainable sourcing, operations and solutions.

SourcingAshland has recently received Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Supply Chain certification and achieved Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and has established a program for responsible guar sourcing.

Regarding corporate social responsibility, Ashland has a partnership with EcoVadis for third party supplier self-assessment verification. The code holds suppliers to the same high standards as Ashland with respect to labor and employment rights, environmental health and safety, business ethics and social responsibility, and global trade practices as well as requiring compliance with all laws and regulations. In 2021 Ashland earned EcoVadis Silver Status.

Ashland is continuing to partner with farmers in Mexico to ensure Ashlands aloe is harvested in an ecologically sustainable way and in 2021 Ashland maintained a Fair for Life certification. The Fair-Trade Funds are then used as directed by the local farmers to improve conditions within the communities where Ashlands aloe is grown. These funds have historically been used to enrich education and support local schools.

OperationsAshland has committed to completing Life Cycle Assessments for major product lines beginning with the personal care portfolio. Additionally, individual facilities have goals for the reduction of energy, hazardous waste and water.

Ashland is in the process of setting science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Currently the company is preparing the submittal and will announce targets following approval. In the interim, Ashland has emissions and energy reduction goals (intensity based), as well as hazardous waste goals to drive continued improvement.

SolutionsLiving sustainably is imperative to the planet and for the health and wellbeing of future generations. Consumers increasingly choose products that originate in nature with renewable resources, and they seek planet-friendly and biodegradable labels with assurance that ingredients are ethically sourced from farm to finished product.

Ashland has developed business-specific sustainability guides for customers to quickly identify sustainable products for their applications. Ashlands personal care business focuses on natural, nature-derived, and biodegradable products. Furthermore, the company is expanding its COSMOS* validated product portfolio and innovating for vegan products. For life sciences and specialty additives, the sustainability focus is dependent on the industry, customers needs and the end use of the customers product. Recyclability, biodegradability and the circular economy are all driving factors.

Transparency Ashland will continue reporting in line with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards for the chemical industry. Alignment allows Ashland to share the most important material issues with stakeholders and reduce environmental impact. They hold the company and its suppliers to higher social and ethical standards while innovating with a clear conscience for the environment and humanity.

Ashland is continuing to work to increase transparency in ESG, by participating in Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) audits, disclosing on EcoVadis, and achieving several key certifications mentioned above to support increased transparency and disclosures.

Innovation strategyAs part of the companys transformation, Ashland has integrated ESG into its business strategy which includes critical checkpoints within the innovation process to drive sustainable solutions.

Ashland has been recognized by the American Chemistry Council, the Society of Chemical Manufacturing Association, the European Sustainable Cosmetics Summit and others, for safe and sustainable initiatives. In 2020, the American Chemistry Council recognized Ashland with a sustainability leadership award for environmental protection and circularity.

To learn more visit ashland.com/ESG

About Ashland Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients company with a conscious and proactive mindset for environment, social and governance (ESG). The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 3,800 passionate, tenacious solvers  from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators  thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com and ashland.com/ESG to learn more.

1 In line with the criteria of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), scope 3 targets are required whenever scope 3 emissions represent 40% or more of total emissions generated by the company.

* The COSMOS* standard is an international non-profit association that establishes common requirements and definitions for organic and/or natural cosmetics. It was developed at the European and international level by the founders of the COSMOS* standard AISBL.

 Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Attachments

Ashland launches 2021 Environment, Social and Governance Report, Webpages, Videos Ashlands inaugural ESG Report is the manifestation of the company's commitment and work behind global environment, social and governance (ESG) activities. It is the holistic convergence of everything interconnecting ESG, as well as sourcing, operations and solutions. The report is a dynamic pdf so viewers can move between content within the Report. The company also launched new ESG website pages with an enhanced Social, I&D and STEM focus. The pages include videos with company leaders that demonstrate how everyone in the company fits into Ashlands ESG programs. https://www.ashland.com/esg/esg-overview Ashland focuses on I&D and STEM Ashland affirms the most important asset of any great company is its people and extends that mindset beyond the company's walls and into the wider world as part of its Social community outreach, supplier agreements, capital deployment, and customer relationships. The company recognizes diversity as a competitive advantage and that having more, and different voices, leads to better solutions. New company webpages focus on I&D and STEM and demonstrate Ashland's unique approach to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by framing its efforts within the companys larger purpose to responsibly solve for a better world. https://www.ashland.com/esg/social Ashland governs transparently At Ashland, solving is the company's promise and passion. In todays rapidly changing world, Ashland is going beyond solving complex challenges by raising transparency and governance. https://www.ashland.com/esg/governance

Source: Ashland, Inc.
CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Diamond Group Limited (Black Diamond or the "Company) (TSX: BDI), a leading provider of space rental and workforce accommodation, today announced the timing of its 2022 third quarter earnings release and conference call/webcast.

Black Diamond intends to release its 2022 third quarter results after markets close on Thursday, November 3, 2022, and hold a conference call and webcast at 9:30 a.m. MT (11:30 a.m. ET) on Friday, November 4, 2022.

CEO Trevor Haynes and CFO Toby LaBrie will discuss Black Diamonds financial results for the quarter and then take questions from investors and analysts.

To access the conference call by telephone dial toll free 1-800-898-3989 or 1-416-641-6104 and use participant passcode: 2439118#. International dial-in numbers can be found at the following link: https://www.confsolutions.ca/ILT?oss=7P1R8008983989. Please connect approximately 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the call.

To access the call via webcast, please log into the webcast link 10 minutes before the start time at: https://www.gowebcasting.com/12375

Following the conference call, a replay will be available on the Investor Events section of the Companys website at www.blackdiamondgroup.com.

About Black Diamond

Black Diamond is a specialty rentals and industrial services Company with two operating business units - Modular Space Solutions (MSS) and Workforce Solutions (WFS). We operate in Canada, the United States, and Australia. MSS through its principal brands, BOXX Modular, Britco, MPA, and Schiavi, owns a large rental fleet of modular buildings of various types and sizes. Its network of local branches rent, sell, service, and provide ancillary products and services to a diverse customer base in the construction, industrial, education, financial, and government sectors. WFS owns a large rental fleet of modular accommodation assets of all types and sizes and a fleet of liquid and solid containment assets. Its regional operating terminals rent, sell, service, and provide ancillary products and services including turn-key operated camps to a wide array of customers in the resource, infrastructure, construction, disaster recovery, and education sectors. The WFS business unit also includes the Companys wholly owned subsidiary, LodgeLink, which operates a digital marketplace for business-to-business crew accommodation, travel, and logistics in North America.

Learn more at www.blackdiamondgroup.com.

Investor and Media InquiriesJason Zhang at 403-206-4739 or [email protected]

To sign up for news alerts please go to https://www.blackdiamondgroup.com/investor-centre/news-alerts-subscription/.

Source: Black Diamond Group Limited
CHALK RIVER, Ontario, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canadas premier nuclear science and technology organization, is pleased to announce that it will be celebrating Nuclear Science Week this year by hosting a number of fun and educational activities and initiatives for the public. Running from October 17  21, Nuclear Science Week is an international week-long celebration established to provide the public with more awareness and insight into the contributions, innovations and opportunities generated through nuclear science and technology.

As part of this years campaign, CNL will be engaging with local elementary and high school students through activities that include site tours of the Chalk River Laboratories campus, as well as in-class presentations in partnership with the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) at schools across the region. CNL will also be sharing a series of informative online presentations for the public, donating dozens of educational books to local libraries, and hosting pop-up displays on nuclear energy in public buildings throughout local communities.

There are so many ways that nuclear science and technology has improved our lives here in Canada, from the delivery of carbon-free electricity that powers our way of life, to the production of life-saving medical isotopes to diagnose and treat cancer, commented Joe McBrearty, CNLs President and CEO. As Canadas national nuclear laboratory, we have a responsibility to help educate the public on the benefits of these technologies, how they work, and why they are important to our way of life here in Canada. That is the goal this Nuclear Science Week, and we hope local residents will take full advantage of the activities that we have planned.

Among the schools that CNL will visit as part of Nuclear Science Week are St. Francis of Assisi in Petawawa, Mackenzie Community School in Deep River, and Pontiac High School in Shawville, while classrooms from St. Josephs High School in Renfrew and Jeanne-Lajoie High School in Pembroke will be participating in campus tours at the Chalk River Laboratories.

CNL will also be holding pop-up displays at various public locations throughout the Ottawa Valley, including the Petawawa Library, Pembroke Library, Deep River Library, Point Alexander  Laurentian Hills Library, Pembroke City Hall, Pembroke and Area Community Centre, Deep River Town Hall, Deep River Community Pool, Deep River Arena and Petawawa Civic Centre.

Finally, in addition to book donations to local libraries, CNL will be hosting a series of online presentations and CNL team takeovers on Instagram designed to help local residents better understand some of the exciting and innovative nuclear science and technology projects that are underway at CNL. Hosted by CNL scientists and technical experts, these educational presentations and social media storytelling will cover topics that include CNLs proposed Clean Energy Demonstration, Innovation and Research (CEDIR) Park, Actinium-225 program, cyber security program, Port Hope Area Initiative, and a Nuclear 101 introduction to nuclear science.

Whether it is clean energy, public health, environmental protection or national security, we have a lot to be proud of here in Canada when it comes to accomplishments in nuclear science and technology, added McBrearty. And many of these achievements have taken place right here in our backyard in the Ottawa Valley. So Nuclear Science Week is a great opportunity to not only educate the public on our industry, but also to provide some insight into the important work that goes on at the Chalk River Laboratories.

Amy Gottschling, Vice-President of Science, Technology and Commercial Oversight for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), commented: Nuclear science directly benefits Canadians through the work CNL performs for the Government of Canada in advancing health care, decarbonizing our energy system, strengthening public safety and security, and improving environmental protection. Nuclear Science Week offers an excellent opportunity for the public to see how nuclear science enhances our everyday life.

To learn more about CNL and its nuclear science and technology projects and programs, please visit www.cnl.ca. If you would like more information on its activities during Nuclear Science Week, please follow CNLs social media accounts for ongoing news and updates.

About CNL As Canadas premier nuclear science and technology organization, CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance  restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

By leveraging the assets owned by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

To learn more about CNL, please visit www.cnl.ca.

CNL Contact:Patrick QuinnDirector, Corporate Communications1-866-886-2325

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/faef5f51-6d8c-4466-8515-ea8eff3ff765

CNL CELEBRATES NUCLEAR SCIENCE WEEK Canadas national nuclear laboratory talks up the benefits of nuclear science and technology during week-long public outreach campaign

Source: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Juva Life Inc. (CSE: JUVA) (OTCQB: JUVAF) (FRANKFURT: 4VV) (Juva Life, Juva, or the Company), a life science company with both pharmaceutical research and development and consumer-facing operations in cannabis production and distribution, today announced the successful scale up of promising proprietary molecule, JUVA-041, from microgram quantity to 5 gram quantity. The Companys approach through its proprietary platform is proving to be successful, showcasing superior medicinal chemistry, and a large commercial advantage. This strategy will not only allow for the identification of new compositions of matter, but ones that are scalable and affordable.

Novel compound Juva-041 has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory properties in phenotypic assays of inflammation, and is now being scaled up to support pre-clinical studies, said Doug Chloupek, CEO and Founder of Juva. Through Juvas proprietary platform, we have made significant developments identifying the method and mode of action behind cannabis anecdotal therapeutic potential. This scale-up hurdle we have crossed allows us a straight shot for commercial development devoid of manufacturing obstacles. These studies are the next step in unlocking the hidden value of the cannabis plant. Many companies struggle to scale up at the speed that Juva has, we are very pleased to see our alternative approach to medicinal chemistry is proving to be our competitive advantage.

To date, one of the most significant challenges companies face is the scale up of starting material and creation of finished drug products to support the FDA required non-clinical studies. This has significantly hampered existing pharmaceutical and consumer approaches. Juva has discovered novel compounds JUVA-019 and JUVA-041 that have shown superior anti-inflammatory drug properties compared to many commercially available products. This provides Juva a significant development and commercial advantage as the speed of learning and cost of development is significantly less than established pharmaceutical approaches.

JUVA-041 is a small molecule isolated from cannabis uniquely identified by Juva Lifes research team. As with previously announced JUVA-019 (announced Jan. 6, 2022), JUVA-041 inhibits key cytokines proven to be of clinical relevance in inflammation but does so with selectivity and increased potency. Through the identification of JUVA-041, the Company now has demonstrated the efficiency of its discovery approach, in uncovering a second small molecule from cannabis with bona fide anti-inflammatory properties. The Company believes that the observed clinical effects of cannabis are coupled to small molecules with selective anti-inflammatory properties.

The scale up of JUVA-041 through the standard pharmaceutical stage gate process, from microgram quantities to 5 gram quantities, will enable researchers to continue to test efficacy and toxicity of the molecule in mouse models. JUVA-041 has a pending patent filed by Juva Life and was identified by Juvas chemistry researcher through a chemocentric approach to bioactive identifications.

Juva continues its discovery efforts to identify new leads and advance JUVA-041 through industry standard pre-clinical inflammatory models and non-clinical tests enabling IND filing. Beyond its clinical research programs, Juva also recently relaunched its WIRB-approved JuLi Registry study with the goal of cultivating one of the largest data sets on the medicinal applications of cannabis use to exist to date.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

-Doug Chloupek-

Doug Chloupek, CEO and Founder

Juva Life Inc.

[email protected]

About Juva Life Inc. (CSE: JUVA) (OTCQB: JUVAF) (FRA: 4VV)

Juva Life is employing state-of-the-art science to discover, develop and commercialize safe and effective wellness and pharmaceutical products, in both the cannabis consumer segment as well as the non-cannabinoid based medical industry. The Company is successfully executing against its 2018 roadmap, initially starting with standardization of cultivation, extraction, and formulation to offer consumers reproducible benefits. Juva is building upon these natural product process chemistry skills, to now include discovery pharmacology. The Company will leverage revenue derived from its retail operations to advance its consumer and clinical development efforts of Juva-019 and Juva-041, as well as other potentially valuable non-cannabinoid bioactives with significant consumer and pharma products applications. Juva is working to bring the Cannabis market face to face with the sectors next generation investment grade business model. Find out more at: https://juvalife.com/.

For further information, please contact:

Juva Life Investor Relations

Tel: +1 833-333-5882 (JUVA)

Email: [email protected]

Investor Relations:Kyle Porter858.221.8001[email protected]

Corporate Contact:1.833.333.JUVA (5882)

Forward Looking Statement

This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding future plans, objectives, or economic performance, or the assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as may, would, could, will, likely, except, anticipate, believe, intend, plan, forecast, project, estimate, outlook, or the negative thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the objectives and business plans of the Company; product development, commercialization strategy and future collaborations.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks relating to the future business plans of the Company; risks that the Company will not be able to retain its key personnel; risks that the Company will not be able to secure financing on reasonable terms or at all, as well as all of the other risks as described in the Companys management discussion and analysis for year ended December 31, 2020 under the heading Risks and Uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. Further, any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Companys management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect information or events after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law, including securities laws.

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: Juva Life Inc.
FILE PHOTO: A Bank of America logo is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 30, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

(Reuters) -Bank of America is satisfied with its headcount for now, Chief Financial Officer Alastair Borthwick told journalists in a conference call on Monday.

The company added about 5,000 employees in the third quarter, Borthwick said after the company reported a 9% drop in third-quarter profit on Monday.

It hired specialists and salespeople in its consumer division, while also recruiting several hundred employees in its Merrill Lynch unit, alongside separate staff for risk and control functions.

When asked if the company would cut staff in its investment banking arm, Borthwick said, "No -- at this stage, we've been very purposeful in terms of building out our investment-banking coverage and footprint in the U.S. and overseas."

(Reporting by Lananh Nguyen in New York and Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama Editing by David Goodman)
2022 Chinese Bridge Storytelling Contest winners will receive grand prizes

Hangzhou, China--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2022) - The Center for Language Education and Cooperation has launched the first Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition Storytelling Contest on Sept. 28, which encourages global Chinese language enthusiasts to tell their stories to the world.

2022 Chinese Bridge CPC, the Storytelling Contest

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8457/138845_41d97fee940a6868_001full.jpg

Cyber technologies have played a good part. The contest has virtually provided a chance for all non-Chinese-native contestants to share exciting stories online, in Chinese of course. Candidates can refer to the Chinese Bridge website and get registered via email, HTML5 page, Facebook, Tik-Tok or other popular social networking apps, and are welcome to "join" the awarding ceremony with a metaverse-based community.

Registered candidates will fight on a preliminary qualifier, semi-final and final before winning prizes. The organizer posts no limits upon topic in the preliminary qualifier, but for the semi-final and final, candidates have to tell stories around the themes of "change" and "breakthrough". Candidates are allowed to submit entries in any format, including vlog, talk show, short video or interview, necessary to fulfil the purpose.

The competition has been the 14th since the first launch in 2008. Now it has become a global signature Chinese language contest and a perfect stage and platform for Chinese lovers to share, express and learn Chinese.

Details:

Organizer: Center for Language Education and Cooperation

Email: [email protected]

Social media interactive participation method:

via platforms TikTok/Instagram/Twitter/YouTube/Facebook. Participants post their works on their social media accounts with the activity topic #2022Chinesebridgestorytelling, follow, and @TikTalkStar.

Website: http://bridge.chinese.cn

YouTube: https://youtu.be/KslyX7463cE

Company: Center for Language Education and Cooperation

Contact: Danjie Zheng, Xinze Wang

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://bridge.chinese.cn/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138845
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2022) - Angold Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AAU) (FSE: 13L) (OTCQB: AAUGF) ("Angold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Hightest Resources, LLC (the "Vendor"), an arms-length party, pursuant to which it has been granted the right to earn a 100% undivided ownership interest in the Hope Butte Project ("Hope Butte" or the "Property"), located in Malheur County, Oregon, USA (the "Acquisition").

Highlights:

Intact low-sulfidation epithermal gold system with good surface grades of ~1 g/t Au.





with good surface grades of ~1 g/t Au. At surface and predominantly oxide mineralization with infrastructure nearby and favourable topography amenable to potential low-cost mining operations.





mineralization with infrastructure nearby and favourable topography amenable to potential low-cost mining operations. Untested high-grade potential with historic intercepts of up to 35.6 g/t Au over 4.57m.





with historic intercepts of up to 35.6 g/t Au over 4.57m. Large alteration and structural footprint measuring at least 3 km x 2 km which likely continues under cover.





measuring at least 3 km x 2 km which likely continues under cover. Mineralization is open to expansion where widely spaced and shallow historic drilling averaged depths of only 120 m and did not exceed 167 m.





where widely spaced and shallow historic drilling averaged depths of only 120 m and did not exceed 167 m. Permittable regulatory environment in eastern Oregon, an emerging part of the United States open to mineral development with a clear statutory path to permit.





in eastern Oregon, an emerging part of the United States open to mineral development with a clear statutory path to permit. Favourable option terms with low up-front costs allowing for more investment into project advancement and development.

Historic Drilling1: 104 known historic drill holes for gold exploration between 1985 and 2012. Historic drilling was completed by Chevron Resources, Freeport, Homestake, Horizon and Kenai Resources. Chevron's 1980's era historical drilling highlights (see footnote above for source and qualifications) include:

21-2: 88.4 m @ 0.890 g/t Au

21-10: 71.6 m @ 1.096 g/t Au

21-14: 96 m @ 0.822 g/t Au

21-26: 71.6 m @ 1.233 g/t Au

21-28: 112.8 m @ 0.959 g/t Au

21-32: 4.57 m @ 35.616 g/t Au (visible gold)

21-42: 3.04 m @ 10.548 g/t Au

21-43: 3.04 m @ 12.432 g/t Au

Angold's CEO, Mr. Adrian Rothwell, stated: "This acquisition highlights Angold's quality project pipeline and is the culmination of many months of effort by the Angold team. Hope Butte meets our target strategy to expand gold ounces in many ways - a strong jurisdiction, historic resource, excellent grades, at or near surface mineralization, and low cost of entry, with shallow historic drilling and plenty of opportunities for expansion."

Figure 1. Regional Setting of the Hope Butte Project, Oregon, USA. Figure after Edwards, 20132.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8126/140675_b2b2a5acb4a9a8e2_001full.jpg

Figure 2. Hope Butte Project Claims, Oregon, USA.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8126/140675_b2b2a5acb4a9a8e2_002full.jpg

Option Terms: Pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition, in order to acquire the Property, Angold is required to complete the following cash payments and share issuances to the Vendor (the "Minimum Payments"):

On the parties' execution of the Agreement US$50,000 Shares of value US$25,000 First anniversary of Effective Date US$75,000 Shares of value US$50,000 Second anniversary of Effective Date US$150,000 Shares of value US$75,000 Third anniversary of Effective Date US$200,000 No shares Fourth anniversary of Effective Date US$250,000 No shares Fifth anniversary and each succeeding anniversary of the Effective Date until Angold exercises the Option and closes Angold's purchase of the Property for total proceeds of US$2,000,000 (the "Purchase Price"). US$250,000 No shares

The cash Minimum Payments provided above in excess of US$725,000 shall be credited against the cash component of the Purchase Price if Angold elects to exercise the Option. Angold shall not be obligated to pay the cash Minimum Payments after the exercise and closing of the Option, provided, however, that Angold must pay cash Minimum Payments in the amount not less than US$725,000.00 and deliver all of the common share Minimum Payments above on or before Angold's purchase of the Property.

In connection with the Acquisition, Angold has agreed to grant the Vendor a one-percent royalty on net smelter returns from commercial production from a portion of the mineral claims comprising the Property.

The number of the common shares owing to the Vendor in connection with any particular payment will be calculated using the posted Bank of Canada exchange rate and the thirty-day volume weighted average trading price of the common shares as at and including the last trading day prior to the applicable payment date, subject to such minimum price as may be permitted by the TSX Venture Exchange. All common shares issued to the Vendor will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. No finders' fees or commissions are owing by the Company in connection with the Acquisition. Completion of the Acquisition, and the issuance of any common shares to the Vendor, remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Property and Geologic Setting: The Property, including surrounding staked ground, consists of 298 contiguous unpatented BLM claims representing approximately 5,713 acres (2,312 Ha.) located in south-eastern Oregon, approximately 46 km north of Paramount's Grassy Mountain deposit and within the Oregon-Idaho Graben.

Hope Butte is a large, intact hot springs gold-low-sulfidation epithermal deposit hosted in Miocene-Pliocene sedimentary and volcanic-volcaniclastic rocks. Regionally, it is located at the intersection of the Oregon-Idaho Graben and the Vale Fault Zone, an area with extensive past and currently active geothermal activity. Cinnabar bearing opaline silica exposed at surface was discovered and mined on a limited scale in the 1950's. Chevron Resources explored the Project area for oil and gas and precious metals in the 1980's, followed by limited work through the early 1990's by several other operators which included Freeport, Homestake, Horizon and Kenai Resources. Essentially all work on gold projects in the region ceased in the mid 1990's, with very limited work being completed on the Project since that time.

Opaline silica exposed on Hope Butte and elsewhere in the Project is interpreted to be sub-sinter and represents an erosional level 10s of meters below paleosurface. Kaolinite-opal and some illite-smectite alteration has been mapped historically. These alteration features coupled with the shallow nature of historic drilling and a few high-grade historic drill intercepts suggest the potential for high grade epithermal banded veins is very good at depth. Initial due diligence rock sampling by Angold staff verified the existence of gold bearing alteration-mineralization at surface consistent with historic reported grades (Figure 3). Outside of Hope Butte itself, extensive areas of steam heated and silicic alteration within the Project have seen very little historic exploration and no drilling. Future Angold work will explore these areas in conjunction with work to expand existing mineralization and to test high grade vein potential below existing mineralization.

Claim Payments: Under the Agreement, the Company must pay all applicable federal, state and local claim maintenance fees. Additionally, annual minimum payments of US$10,000 must be made to the underlying owner on part of the claims.

Figure 3. Hope Butte due-diligence rock chip sample results and alteration boundaries.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8126/140675_b2b2a5acb4a9a8e2_003full.jpg

Qualified Person

Kenneth Coleman, CPG, Exploration Manager-North America and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosures in the news release.

Data Verification

Mr. Coleman visited the Hope Butte Project from August 9 to 14, 2022. The purpose of the site visit was to verify the style and extent of alteration, for the location of historic drill holes, selection, taking, and registering of samples and the transport and storage of the samples, to observe the surface geology and map some of the principal structures, contacts and outcropping veins.

Mr. Coleman has verified all scientific and technical data disclosed in this news release including the sampling procedures and analytical data underlying the technical information disclosed. Specifically, Mr. Coleman designed and supervised the sampling, delivered the samples to Paragon Geochemical in Sparks, Nevada and verified the certified assay results from the laboratory. No errors or omissions were noted during the data verification process. The QP has reviewed the available historical data and information regarding past exploration on the Property as provided by Hightest. After further field verification of drill collar locations, the QP is confident the historical drill data can be used for guidance in the planning of future work programs.

About Angold

Angold is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in the proven districts of the Maricunga Gold Belt in Chile, Nevada and Ontario. Angold owns a 100% interest in the Dorado, Cordillera and South Bay-Uchi projects, and certain claims that append the optioned Iron Butte project.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF ANGOLD RESOURCES LTD.

"Adrian Rothwell"

Chief Executive Officer

Further information on Angold can be found on the Company's website at www.angoldresources.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting the Company by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (855) 917-4091.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualifications under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance and include expectations of the resumption of trading of the Company's common shares on the Exchange. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "appear", "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "approximate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "would" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, timelines and information contained in this news release.

1 Source of historical drill results: Hope Butte Project, Chevron Resources Company, 1989. Significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a Qualified Person before the historic drilling can be verified.

2 Joel H. Edwards, Structural Controls of the Neal Hot Springs Geothermal System, Eastern Oregon, University of Nevada, Reno, May 2013.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/140675
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2022) - ScreenPro Security Inc. (CSE: SCRN) (OTCQB: SCRSF) ("ScreenPro" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Concierge Medical Consultants Inc. ("Concierge"), has entered into a partnership agreement with a Canadian-based postpartum care agency, connecting women with health and wellness services for during and after their pregnancy journey. This partnership connects Concierge with a network of women actively looking for wellness services during their pregnancy, thus allowing Concierge's Intravenous (IV) Vitamin Therapy services to gain more traction, more potential patients, and ultimately generate more sales and profit.

Pregnancy symptoms consist of body soreness, fatigue, and extreme nausea. According to Mayo Clinic, morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy may cause dehydration and an imbalance of electrolytes in the body which can cause stress to a woman's body during and after pregnancy. Treatments recommended for morning sickness include hydration and vitamin B6. (Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morning-sickness/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375260)

IV therapy infusion can provide vitamins and nutrients that are missing in the body and repair dehydration. It can treat and fight against colds, nutrient deficiency, fatigue, burnout, low energy and provide relief to PMS and menstrual cramps, and postpartum stress. It is infused with electrolytes and vitamins such as Vitamin C, B5, B6, B12, Magnesium, and Zinc to support immune levels and immediately provide hydration into the bloodstream.

Additionally, IV infusion continues to trend for better health. In fact, the global Intravenous (IV) Therapy market is estimated to reach $54.5 billion by 2023 with a compound annual growth rate of 6% due to increasing popularity for its immediate health benefits. (Source: https://www.bccresearch.com/market-research/healthcare/intravenous-iv-therapy-and-vein-access-global-markets.html)

"The Company is thrilled to expand IV therapy services to women in and after pregnancy and welcomes this new partnership that exposes the Company to the IV market. With IV Vitamin Therapy gaining popularity for being a fast-acting solution for health and wellness, management is expecting this new service to exceed our expectations", said Andrew Ryu, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company.

About Concierge

Concierge Medical Consultants is a small group of board-certified practicing emergency physicians who think that urgent care does not just happen in an ER or your doctor's office; it can happen anywhere at any time. Dr. Jibran Sharif, MD, CCFP EM, RDMS, is the founder and President of Concierge Medical Consultants. He is a passionate advocate of Concierge medicine and believes all patients should have robust, timely, and personalized access to health care professionals. Dr. Jibran Sharif earned a degree in Economics at the University of British Columbia before graduating with a medical degree and residencies in Emergency Medicine and Ultrasound at the University of Sydney, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of Calgary, respectively. He is a full-time Emergency physician in the GVRD and a Clinical lecturer with the faculty of Emergency Medicine at the University of British Columbia.

For additional information, please visit Concierge's website at www.conciergemedical.ca.

For additional information on IV services or to book a service with one of our nurses, please visit: www.conciergemedical.ca/ivvitamintherapy.

About ScreenPro

ScreenPro is a medical technology company that provides turnkey screening solutions with its proprietary medical alerting software. ScreenPro's unique access to multiple manufacturers of high-quality test kits and its strategic partnership with labs in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec allows ScreenPro to be a full-service nationwide provider of COVID testing and breast cancer screening solutions across Canada. In addition, ScreenPro's subsidiary, Concierge Medical, is a group of board-certified physicians who provide private, discreet, and personalized healthcare to Canadians. ScreenPro prides itself in having its medical doctors and nursing professionals with on-the-ground support staff and transportation, with access to high-quality PPEs to ensure that clients are protected in all aspects of their testing needs. ScreenPro was also newly introduced.

For additional information on ScreenPro and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.screenprosecurity.com.

For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information:

Investor Relations & Communications

Priya Monique Atwal, Director of Communications

Tel: (416) 901-5611 x 204

Email: [email protected]

Andrew Ryu, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

Tel: 416-901-5611 x 201

Email: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forwardlooking information, including statements relating to the future development of ScreenPro's business. Forwardlooking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forwardlooking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forwardlooking information. The actual results of ScreenPro could differ materially from those anticipated in this forwardlooking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which ScreenPro operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to ScreenPro's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of ScreenPro. Management of ScreenPro believes that the expectations reflected in the forwardlooking information herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forwardlooking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forwardlooking information contained in this news release represents ScreenPro's expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. ScreenPro disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/140648
Daniel George has launched a new collection of unisex eyewear.

Chicago, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2022) - Daniel George has just expanded its product range with a new line of eyewear. The brand's namesake creative director has turned his keen eye for style and refinement to eyewear, starting with two pairs of sunglasses to launch the Daniel George eyewear collection.





Daniel George Eyewear



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9031/140849_da6a5afa446a1887_001full.jpg

The eyewear is entirely made in Italy and expertly constructed by Italian craftsmen. In crafting the eyewear, every detail was meticulously designed to seamlessly combine both form and function.

The new eyewear is precisely constructed from cotton linters to achieve effective water-resistance and to keep the product's weight at a minimum, which were among the primary considerations of the brand. Daniel George eyewear is not bulky or heavy. The brand's new eyewear is exceptionally lightweight and comfortable, ensuring that the frame will not slip off or slide down a wearer's nose, especially during warmer months.





Daniel George Eyewear



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9031/140849_da6a5afa446a1887_002full.jpg

Another important factor that the brand paid particular attention to in designing the eyewear is in the symmetric thickness between the eyewear's central nose bridge and the lugs, which are the extended sections on each side of the eyewear. This uniformed thickness and exact symmetry ensure durability and prevent deformation. The detailed design and precise proportions ensure that while Daniel George eyewear is close to weightless, it is far from fragile. Both of the new sunglass designs will withstand exposure to the elements from frequent use.





Daniel George Eyewear



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9031/140849_da6a5afa446a1887_003full.jpg

The first two pairs of sunglasses from the eyewear collection feature elegant tortoise frames. Daniel George especially selected tortoise, because of the material's structural elements that offer an endless puzzle of effects, which in turn change the look of the eyewear. This ensures that each customer has a chic and unique experience while wearing the sunglasses.

The Daniel George eyewear collection; introduced in two compositions - the classic Tortoise and a lighter Tobacco shade. Both colors are available in a tasteful silhouette, which compliments most faces and shapes of both men and women.





Daniel George Eyewear



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9031/140849_da6a5afa446a1887_004full.jpg

The brand purposely avoided overly large silhouettes that have the tendency to appear costume-like, as well as diminutive silhouettes that are too trendy. Instead, Daniel George eyewear is crafted for discriminating customers, for whom luxury is synonymous with quality, comfort, and style that stands the test of time. The unisex eyewear collection makes Daniel George available and accessible to everyone and those who may not necessarily be currently in the market for a tailored suit, refined tuxedo or their wonderful sportswear.

Those who want to experience the world of Daniel George need not enter the brand's waitlist and wait the customary one-month period for an appointment. The Daniel George eyewear collection launched on the 1st of October and is now available to purchase from the Daniel George website.

Brand: Daniel George

Email: [email protected]

Contact: 415-678-5069

Website: https://www.danielgeorge.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgcustomsuits/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dgcustomsuits/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/140849
SYDNEY, AU, Oct 17, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - - Novotech, the leading Asia Pacific biotech specialist CRO, and Endpoints News present a webinar for biotechs considering the clinical research opportunities in Asia Pacific and the regulatory pathways to achieving FDA approval.

Novotech has operations across Asia Pacific and the US offering a unique and unparalleled suite of CRO services for early to late phase biotech clinical research.

The webinar features regulatory affairs and investment leaders from North America and Asia Pacific who will discuss:

- why biotech companies are increasingly exploring clinical opportunities in Asia Pacific to generate diverse, globally accepted clinical trial data

- what actionable strategies can be implemented to leverage Asia Pacific's recruitment potential to accelerate your clinical development

- how Phase 1 data from Australia is acceptable to the FDA and can be used to launch global drug development programs

- deep insight into processes for designing and delivering a robust clinical program

- biotech challenges and opportunities in the post-COVID environment with a focus on global investments and drug pipelines

Register for the webinar here https://webinars.endpts.com/the-biotech-landscape-market-trends-priorities-predictions-and-pathways-to-fda-approval/

October 18, 2022

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT

The industry leaders presenting include:

- Yi Larson, Chief Financial Officer of LianBio. Formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc., and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Managing Director of Healthcare Investment Banking

- Kasey Kime, Director of Regulatory Affairs for Novotech's in-house consulting group, BioDesk

- Dr. Jeanne M. Novak, President and CEO of CBR International Corp., a full-service product, clinical, and regulatory strategy group

- Dr. Fred Cohen, a Co-Founder and Chairman of Monograph Capital Partners. He is also a Co-Founder and Senior Managing Director at Vida Ventures.

Novotech has decades of biotech drug development experience, exceptional site and investigator relationships, access to vast patient populations, and a project management approach focused on problem-solving, ownership and flexibility. Consistent investment in advanced training and technology systems combine to deliver a specialist full-service biotech CRO solution.

Novotech has recently been benchmarked as a top 10 CRO among the world's leading CROs, is a finalist in the prestigious Scrip awards, and has just been awarded the Gene & Cell Therapy Excellence Award. In Asia Pacific Novotech has more than 50 Leading Site Partnership agreements with major medical research institutions which delivers exclusive benefits for sponsors.

About Novotech

Novotech is the leading Asia-Pacific biotech specialist CRO. Novotech has integrated labs and phase I facilities and provides drug development consulting and clinical development services across all phases. It has been instrumental in the success of approximately 4,000 clinical trials across a broad range of therapeutic areas. Novotech is well-positioned to serve biopharma clients conducting clinical trials in Asia-Pacific and the US. For more information visit https://novotech-cro.com/contact

Media Contact

David James

E: [email protected]

AU: +61 2 8218 2144

USA: +1 415 951 3228

Asia: +65 3159 3427

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Union and United States of America agreed today to increase their collaboration to boost sustainable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa, by unlocking more of the continent's abundant renewable power generation potential and improving local access to affordable green energy. European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen and USAID Administrator Samantha Power signed in Washington a renewed Memorandum of Understanding on closer EUU.S. cooperation that will allow joint promotion of projects such as the African Continental Power System Masterplan.

Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said: "Under Global Gateway, we are boosting our cooperation with the U.S. administration to build the strategic autonomy of our African partners, including by unlocking more opportunities to ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. Together, we can electrify even more schools and health centers, and fight even more efficiently the inequalities linked to energy poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa."

Increasing production and access to sustainable energy in Africa

The closer EUU.S. cooperation aims at supporting a just and green energy transition, reducing energy poverty, and increasing access to affordable, reliable and modern energy for all in Sub-Saharan Africa. By working together towards these common goals with their respective strengths, expertise and resources, the EU and U.S. hope to boost their impact in increasing sustainable energy availability and access in Africa as part of poverty reduction, fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and mitigating climate change.

The EU and U.S. intend to coordinate efforts supporting projects in Sub-Saharan Africa at regional and national level in the following areas:

Small-scale and off-grid power generation to increase access to renewable energy, including the electrification of health facilities and schools, women and youth-led businesses, and rural households.

Energy storage, energy efficiency, and transmission line development.

Empowering women in the power sector.

Policy dialogue and regulatory reforms to improve the enabling environment, and institutional investments to leverage new sources of capital and drive investment.

Knowledge sharing to maximize mutual technical assistance and the progress of reforms and capacity building activities.

Specific flagship projects to further mobilize public resources and leverage private sector investments.

Background

Nearly two out of three people in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to electricity, a serious limitation to accessing quality health care, education, and economic opportunities for up to 600 million people.

Under Global Gateway, the AfricaEU Green Energy Initiative aims to support Africa's green transition in the energy sector by supporting the deployment of renewable energy generation, ensuring access to affordable and reliable energy, promoting energy efficiency, and supporting market integration and sector reforms. The EU supports Africa's ambition by 2030 to increase the renewable energy generation capacity on the continent by at least 300,000 megawatts.

The first EUU.S. Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation on energy availability and access in Sub-Saharan Africa was signed in 2015. Coordinated by USAID, the Power Africa Presidential Initiative aims to leverage private and public sector partnerships to double access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa, adding at least 30,000 megawatts of new, cleaner electrical power generation capacity, 60 million electrical connections, and 5 000 kilometres of new transmission lines by 2030.

The European Union and United States of America are working together in the G7 context of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investments (PGII).

For More Information

Memorandum of Understanding between the European Union and the United States of America for a Just and Green Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of the Energy Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa

Global Gateway

EU-Africa: Global Gateway Investment Package | European Commission

EU-Africa: Global Gateway - Africa-EU Green Energy Initiative

Power Africa | Power Africa | U.S. Agency for International Development

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-gateway-eu-and-us-boost-cooperation-on-green-energy-in-africa-301650076.html

SOURCE Delegation of the European Union to the United States
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), a diversified international transportation services company and one of the world's premier automotive and commercial truck retailers announced today the hosting of its third quarter 2022 financial results conference call as follows:

WHEN: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 TIME: 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) PHONE: Participants should dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. Domestic (844) 200-6205 International (929) 526-1599 Access code: 814779

The call will follow the release that morning of third quarter 2022 earnings for Penske Automotive Group and will be simultaneously broadcast over the Internet. This simultaneous webcast may be accessed through the Investors section on the Penske Automotive Group website at www.penskeautomotive.com.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through November 2, 2022 by dialing:

Domestic (866) 813-9403 International (929) 458-6194 Access code: 786183

A rebroadcast of the conference call will also be available through the Investors section of www.penskeautomotive.com beginning approximately two hours after completion of the live broadcast.

About Penske Automotive

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is a diversified international transportation services company and one of the world's premier automotive and commercial truck retailers. PAG operates dealerships principally in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Japan and is one of the largest retailers of commercial trucks in North America for Freightliner. PAG also distributes and retails commercial vehicles, diesel and gas engines, power systems and related parts and services principally in Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, PAG owns 28.9% of Penske Transportation Solutions, a business that manages a fleet of over 390,000 vehicles providing innovative transportation, supply chain and technology solutions to North American fleets. PAG is a member of the Fortune 500, Russell 1000, and Russell 3000 indexes, and is ranked among the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune Magazine. For additional information, visit the company's website at www.penskeautomotive.com.

Inquiries should contact: Shelley Hulgrave Executive Vice President andChief Financial Officer 248-648-2812 [email protected] Anthony Pordon Executive Vice President - Investor Relationsand Corporate Development 248-648-2540 [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/penske-automotive-group-to-host-third-quarter-2022-financial-results-conference-call-301650478.html

SOURCE Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
false 0000066570 0000066570 2022-10-17 2022-10-17









UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

________________

FORM 8-K

________________





CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): (October 17, 2022)





MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania 1-15579 46-4914539 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number)

1000 Cranberry Woods Drive Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania 16066-5207 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)





Registrants telephone number, including area code: 724 - 776-8600

Former name or former address, if changed since last report: N/A

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common stock, no par value MSA New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 









Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

(c) Appointment of Certain Officers





On October 17, 2022, Mr. Lee McChesney was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of the Company. Mr. McChesney, 50, was previously the Vice President of Corporate Finance and CFO, Global Tools and Storage, for Stanley Black & Decker (a provider of tools and innovative solutions) since February 2021. Prior thereto, for Stanley Black & Decker, he was Chief Financial Officer, Global Tools and Storage and Corporate FP&A from November 2019 to February 2021, and President, Hand Tools, Accessories and Storage, from November 2016 to November 2019. Mr. McChesney will participate in the Companys Executive Incentive Plan, Management Equity Incentive Plan, and Supplemental Savings Plan, each of which is described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and elsewhere in the Companys most recent Proxy Statement dated April 1, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference. Following Mr. McChesneys appointment, Mr. Johnathan D. Buck, Interim Chief Financial Officer, will remain as the Companys Chief Accounting Officer. A copy of the Companys press release announcing the appointment of Mr. McChesney is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K .





Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits





99.1 MSA Safety Incorporated Press Release dated August 1, 2022.





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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, MSA Safety Incorporated has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED (Registrant) By /s/ Stephanie L. Sciullo Stephanie L. Sciullo Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

Date: October 17, 2022

















EXHIBIT INDEX









Exhibit No. Description 99.1 MSA Safety Incorporated Press Release dated October 17, 2022. 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

























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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION

Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Check the appropriate box:

 Definitive Information Statement  Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2))  Definitive Information Statement

TRANS GLOBAL GROUP INC. (Name of Registrant As Specified In Charter)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 No fee required.  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: 5) Total fee paid:

 Fee paid previously with Definitive materials.  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

1) Amount Previously Paid: 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No: 3) Filing Party: 4) Date Filed:

THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT IS BEING PROVIDED TO

YOU BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE

REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY

TRANS GLOBAL GROUP INC.

Rm 2701, Block A, Zhantao Technology Building

Minzhi Street, Shenzhen 518000

Guangdong Province, China

INFORMATION STATEMENT

(Definitive)

October 17, 2022

GENERAL INFORMATION

This Information Statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is being furnished, pursuant to Section 14C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), to the holders (the Stockholders) of the common stock, par value $.001 per share (the Common Stock), of Trans Global Group Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the Company), to notify such Stockholders that on or about October 6, 2022, the Company received written consents in lieu of a meeting of Stockholders from holders of 58.6% of voting securities of the total issued and outstanding shares of voting stock of the Company (the Majority Stockholders) to authorize the Companys Board of Directors to approve the following:

(1) to effectuate a 1:1,000 reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (the Reverse Stock Split); and

(2) to decrease the authorized shares of Common Stock at 1,000,000,000 (the Authorized Shares).

On October 5, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the Reverse Stock Split and the Authorized Shares, subject to Stockholder approval. The Majority Stockholders approved the Reverse Stock Split and the Authorized Shares by written consent in lieu of a meeting on October 6, 2022. Accordingly, your consent is not required and is not being solicited in connection with the approval of the Amendments. The Authorized Shares will become effective when we file the Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware after this Information Statement is effective.

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND A PROXY.

Date: October 17, 2022 For the Board of Directors of TRANS GLOBAL GROUP INC. By: /s/ Chen Ren Chen Ren Chief Executive Officer and Director

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RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) believes that the stockholders of the Company will benefit from the Reverse Stock Split and the Authorized Shares because it will attract potential investment from outside investors which will create a more liquid public market for its common stock. In order to facilitate such transaction, the Board has determined that the capitalization structure of the Company should be simplified.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN

This Information Statement contains a brief summary of the material aspects of the actions approved by the Board and the holders of the majority of the outstanding voting capital stock of the Company.

ACTION I REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

DECREASE THE NUMBER OF ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING SHARES OF OUR

COMMON STOCK

GENERAL

The Board approved a resolution to effectuate a 1:1,000 reverse stock split. Under this reverse stock split each 1,000 shares of our Common Stock will be automatically converted into 1 share of Common Stock. To avoid the issuance of fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company will issue an additional share to all holders of fractional shares. The effective date of the reverse stock split will be approximately November 27, 2022.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT WILL NOT CHANGE YOUR PROPORTIONATE EQUITY INTERESTS IN THE COMPANY, EXCEPT AS MAY RESULT FROM THE ISSUANCE OR CANCELLATION OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE FRACTIONAL SHARES.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SHARES THE COMPANY WILL BE ABLE TO ISSUE TO NEW OR EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES WILL DECREASE AND A SMALLER RATIO.

PURPOSE AND MATERIAL EFFECTS OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

The Board of Directors believe that, among other reasons, the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock, compared to the market price, have contributed to a lack of investor interest in the Company and has made it difficult to attract new investors and potential business candidates. As a result, the Board of Directors has proposed the Reverse Stock Split as one method to attract business opportunities in the Company.

When a company engages in a reverse stock split, it substitutes one share of stock for a predetermined amount of shares of stock. It does not increase the market capitalization of the company. An example of a reverse split is the following. A company has 10,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding. Assume the market price is $.01 per share. Assume that the company declares a 1 for 5 reverse stock split. After the reverse split, that company will have 1/5 as many shares outstanding, or 2,000,000 shares outstanding. The stock will have a market price of $0.05. If an individual investor owned 10,000 shares of that company before the split at $.01 per share, he will own 2,000 shares at $.05 after the split. In either case, his stock will be worth $100. He or she is no better off before or after. Except that such company hopes that the higher stock price will make that company look better and thus the company will be a more attractive merger target for potential business. There is no assurance that that companys stock will rise in price after a reverse split or that a suitable merger candidate will emerge.

We believe that the reverse stock split may improve the price level of our Common Stock and that the higher share price could help generate interest in the Company among investors and other business opportunities. However, the effect of the reverse split upon the market price for our Common Stock cannot be predicted, and the history of similar stock split combinations for companies in like circumstances is varied. There can be no assurance that the market price per share of our Common Stock after the reverse split will rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding resulting from the reverse split. The market price of our Common Stock may also be based on our performance and other factors, some of which may be unrelated to the number of shares outstanding.

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The Reverse Stock Split will affect all of our stockholders uniformly and will not affect any stockholders percentage ownership interests in the Company or proportionate voting power, except to the extent that the reverse split results in any of our stockholders owning a fractional share. All stockholders holding a fractional share shall be issued an additional share. The principal effect of the Reverse Stock Split will be that the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will be reduced from 22,131,339,996 shares of Common Stock as of October 5, 2022, to approximately 22,131,340 shares (depending on the number of fractional shares that are issued or cancelled). The Reverse Stock Split will affect the shares of common stock outstanding. Currently, the Company has Preferred stock, $.0001 par value, 1,500,000 shares authorized, with 20,000 outstanding Series voting preferred stock.

The Reverse Stock Split will not affect the par value of our Common Stock. As a result, on the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our Common Stock will be reduced to less than the present amount, and the additional paid-in capital account shall be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share net income or loss and net book value of our Common Stock will be increased because there will be fewer shares of our Common Stock outstanding.

The Reverse Stock Split will not change the proportionate equity interests of our stockholders, nor will the respective voting rights and other rights of stockholders be altered. The Common Stock issued pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split will remain fully paid and non-assessable. The Reverse Stock Split is not intended as, and will not have the effect of, a going private transaction covered by Rule 13e-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Stockholders should recognize that they will own fewer numbers of shares than they presently own (a number equal to the number of shares owned immediately prior to the filing of the certificate of amendment divided by 1,000. While we expect that the Reverse Stock Split will result in an increase in the potential market price of our Common Stock, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Split will increase the potential market price of our Common Stock by a multiple equal to the exchange number or result in the permanent increase in any potential market price (which is dependent upon many factors, including our performance and prospects). Also, should the market price of our Common Stock decline, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater than would pertain in the absence of a reverse split. Furthermore, the possibility exists that potential liquidity in the market price of our Common Stock could be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the reverse split. In addition, the reverse split will increase the number of stockholders of the Company who own odd lots (less than 100 shares). Stockholders who hold odd lots typically will experience an increase in the cost of selling their shares, as well as possible greater difficulty in effecting such sales. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the reverse split will achieve the desired results that have been outlined above.

Anti-Takeover Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

THE OVERALL EFFECT OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT MAY BE TO RENDER MORE DIFFICULT THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MERGERS OR THE ASSUMPTION OF CONTROL BY A PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER, AND THUS MAKE DIFFICULT THE REMOVAL OF MANAGEMENT.

The effective increase in our authorized shares could potentially be used by management to thwart a take-over attempt. The over-all effects of this proposal might be to render it more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, or the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the Companys securities and the removal of incumbent management. The proposal could make the accomplishment of a merger or similar transaction more difficult, even if, it is beneficial to shareholders. Management might use the additional shares to resist or frustrate a third-party transaction, favored by a majority of the independent stockholders, that would provide an above market premium, by issuing additional shares to frustrate the take-over effort.

This proposal is not the result of managements knowledge of an effort to accumulate the issuers securities or to obtain control of the issuer by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation or otherwise. It was done as a way to attract potential investors and conduct a financing transaction.

Neither the Companys charter nor its by-laws presently contain any provisions having anti-takeover effects and this proposal is not a plan by management to adopt a series of amendments to the Companys charter or by-laws to institute an anti-takeover provision. The Company does not have any plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into other arrangements that may have material anti-takeover consequences.

As discussed above, the Reverse Stock Split was the subject of a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors approving the Reverse Stock Split. There are no rules or practices on any stock exchange that permit such exchange to reserve the right to refuse to list or to de-list any stock which completes a reverse stock split.

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PLANS, PROPOSALS OR ARRANGEMENTS TO ISSUE NEWLY AVAILABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

The main purpose of completing this Reverse Stock Split is to increase the amount of shares available in order to have the ability to issue shares and attract investors. The Company has not entered into any agreements whereby it has agreed to issue the newly available shares.

FRACTIONAL SHARES

We will not issue fractional certificates for post-reverse split shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, an additional share shall be issued to all holders of a fractional share. To the extent any holders of pre-reverse split shares are entitled to fractional shares as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, the Company will issue an additional share to all holders of fractional shares.

STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATES WITHOUT THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

SUMMARY OF REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

Below is a brief summary of the reverse stock split:

The issued and outstanding Common Stock shall be reduced on the basis of one post-split share of the Common Stock for every 1,000 pre-split shares of the Common Stock outstanding. The consolidation shall not affect any rights, privileges or obligations with respect to the shares of the Common Stock existing prior to the consolidation.

Stockholders of record of the Common Stock as of the effective date of the Reverse Split shall have their total shares reduced on the basis of one post-split share of Common Stock for every 1,000 pre-split shares outstanding.

As a result of the reduction of the Common Stock, the pre-split total of issued and outstanding shares of 22,131,339,996 shall be consolidated to a total of approximately 22,131,340 issued and outstanding shares (depending on the number of fractional shares that are be issued or cancelled).

The Companys authorized number of common stock shall be reduced to 1,000,000,000 shares of the Common Stock.

This action has been approved by the Board and the written consents of the holders of the majority of the outstanding voting capital stock of the Company.

The entire cost of furnishing this Information Statement will be borne by the Company. The Company will request brokerage houses, nominees, custodians, fiduciaries and other like parties to forward this Information Statement to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock held of record by them and will reimburse such persons for their reasonable charges and expenses in connection therewith. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 15, 2022, as the record date (the Record Date) for the determination of Stockholders who are entitled to receive this Information Statement.

You are being provided with this Information Statement pursuant to Section 14C of the Exchange Act and Regulation 14C and Schedule 14C thereunder, and, in accordance therewith, the Reverse Stock Split will not be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or become effective until at least 20 calendar days after the mailing of this Information Statement.

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ACTION II AUTHORIZED SHARES

ADJUST THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK

GENERAL

The Board approved a resolution to reduce the authorized shares of common stock of the Company to 1,000,000,000.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE AUTHORIZED SHARES AVAILABLE WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SHARES THE COMPANY WILL BE ABLE TO ISSUE TO NEW OR EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS.

PURPOSE AND MATERIAL EFFECTS OF THE AUTHORIZED SHARES

The Board of Directors has taken this action to attract investors to our growing business to further advance our business plan and enhance shareholder value.

We believe that the Authorized Shares may improve the ability of the Company to use equity to raise the capital necessary to take our business to the next level and that could help generate interest in the Company among investors and other business opportunities. However, the effect of the Authorized Shares upon the market price for our Common Stock cannot be predicted, and the history of similar authorized stock adjustments for companies in like circumstances is varied. There can be no assurance that the market price per share of our Common Stock after the Authorized Shares will rise or fall. The market price of our Common Stock may also be based on our performance and other factors, some of which may be unrelated to the number of shares authorized.

The Authorized Shares will not affect the par value of our Common Stock. As a result, on the effective date of the Authorized Shares, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our Common Stock will remain the same. The per share net income or loss and net book value of our Common Stock will remain the same.

The Authorized Shares will not change the proportionate equity interests of our stockholders, nor will the respective voting rights and other rights of stockholders be altered. The Common Stock when issued pursuant to the Authorized Shares will remain fully paid and non-assessable. We will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Anti-Takeover Effects of the Authorized Shares

THE OVERALL EFFECT OF THE AUTHORIZED SHARES MAY BE TO RENDER MORE DIFFICULT THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MERGERS OR THE ASSUMPTION OF CONTROL BY A PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER.

The Authorized Shares in our authorized shares could potentially be used by management to thwart a take-over attempt. The over-all effects of this proposal might be to render it more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, or the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the Companys securities and the removal of incumbent management. The proposal could make the accomplishment of a merger or similar transaction more difficult, even if, it is beneficial to shareholders. Management might use the additional shares to resist or frustrate a third-party transaction, favored by a majority of the independent stockholders that would provide an above market premium, by issuing additional shares to frustrate the take-over effort.

This proposal is not the result of managements knowledge of an effort to accumulate the issuers securities or to obtain control of the issuer by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation or otherwise. It was done as a way to attract potential investors in order to enhance shareholder value.

Neither the Companys charter nor its by-laws presently contain any provisions having anti-takeover effects and this proposal is not a plan by management to adopt a series of amendments to the Companys charter or by-laws to institute an anti-takeover provision. The Company does not have any plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into other arrangements that may have material anti-takeover consequences.

As discussed above, the Authorized Shares was the subject of a majority vote by the Board of Directors approving the Authorized Shares. There are no rules or practices on any stock exchange that permit such exchange to reserve the right to refuse to list or to de-list any stock which completes an Authorized Shares.

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PLANS, PROPOSALS OR ARRANGEMENTS TO ISSUE NEWLY AVAILABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

The main purpose of completing this Authorized Shares is to attract potential investors in order to further advance our business and enhance shareholder value.

SUMMARY OF AUTHORIZED SHARES

Below is a brief summary of the Authorized Shares:

The authorized Common Stock shall be reduced to 1,000,000,000.

This action has been approved by the Board and the written consents of the holders of the majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company.

The entire cost of furnishing this Information Statement will be borne by the Company. The Company will request brokerage houses, nominees, custodians, fiduciaries and other like parties to forward this Information Statement to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock held of record by them and will reimburse such persons for their reasonable charges and expenses in connection therewith.

You are being provided with this Information Statement pursuant to Section 14C of the Exchange Act and Regulation 14C and Schedule 14C thereunder, and, in accordance therewith, the Authorized Shares will not be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or become effective until at least 20 calendar days after the mailing of this Information Statement.

This Information Statement is being mailed on or about October 17, 2022 to all Stockholders of record as of October 15, 2022.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information including annual and quarterly reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q (the 1934 Act Filings) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). Reports and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained at the Commission at Room 1580, 100 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such material can be obtained upon written request addressed to the Commission, Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a web site on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the Commission through the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR).

The following documents as filed with the Commission by the Company are incorporated herein by reference:

1. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2022;

2. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022; and

3. Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2021.

OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES

Our authorized capital stock consists of 99,995,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which 22,131,339,996 shares are outstanding as of October 5, 2022, and 1,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 20,000 Series B shares are issued and outstanding as of October 5, 2022.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following information table sets forth certain information regarding the Companys common stock owned on October 5, 2022 by (i) each who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of its outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each director and officer, and (iii) all officers and directors as a group:

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) Shares (2) Shares

Underlying

Convertible

Securities (2) Total Percent

of Class (3) Chen Ren - 6,181,200,000 27.93 % Jiacheng Tang - 5,938,800,000 26.83 % Southsea Global Limited - 1,465,761,690 6.62 % All executive officers and directors as a group - 13,585,761,690 61.38 %

(1) Chen Ren: Room 2701, Block A, Zhantao Technology Building, Minzhi Street, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province  China. Jiacheng Tang: BLK 2, 5/F Zhenqi Jingyuan Bldg Qiaocheng East Rd Futian District, Shenzhen 518040, China.

(2) Unless otherwise indicated, all shares are owned directly by the beneficial owner.

(3) Based on 22,131,339,996 common shares outstanding as of October 5, 2022, and 20,000 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding, shares of common stock subject to convertible securities currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of October 5, 2022, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such convertible securities but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

Chen Ren and Jiacheng Tang hold 10,200 and 9,800 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, respectively. The Series B Preferred Stock is convertible at the rate of 6,000 of Common Stock

DISSENTERS RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL

The Stockholders have no right under Delaware General Corporate Law, the Companys articles of incorporation consistent with above, or By-Laws to dissent from any of the provisions adopted in the Amendments.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF REVERSE STOCK SPLIT AND AUTHORIZED SHARES

Pursuant to Rule 14c-2 under the Exchange Act, the Reverse Stock Split and Authorized Shares shall not be effective until a date at least twenty (20) days after the date on which this Information Statement has been mailed to the Stockholders. The Company anticipates that the actions contemplated hereby will be effected on or about the close of business on November 27, 2022.

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CONCLUSION

As a matter of regulatory compliance, we are sending you this Information Statement which describes the purpose and effect of the above actions. Your consent to the above action is not required and is not being solicited in connection with this action. This Information Statement is intended to provide our stockholders information required by the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY. THE ATTACHED MATERIAL IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

Date: October 17, 2022

By Order of the Board of Directors /s/ Chen Ren Chen Ren Chief Executive Officer and Director
The Air Force has returned two C-130H cargo planes to flight status after part of the Hercules fleet was grounded last month amid concerns about cracks in their propeller barrel assemblies, a service spokesman said Monday.

It was unclear Monday how long the remaining 114 grounded Hercules turboprop aircraft would remain out of the air, said Maj. Beau Downey, a spokesman for Air Mobility Command. He warned the process would take some time as the service worked to replace older-model propellers with an updated version on planes found to be impacted. The problem was first discovered in September at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

This is a technically and logistically complex problem, Downey said. Right now, we are in the initial stage  focused on ensuring all functions addressing the fixes are aligned. While we expect the flow of inspections and fixes to increase in the near future, we are focused on safety and quality.

Maintenance crew at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center first found the cracks during a post-depot inspection, the Air Force said. Subsequent inspections on two additional C-130Hs with the older 54H60 propellers turned up similar cracks in their propeller barrels.

Most of the C-130Hs impacted by the grounding belong to Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units, Downey said. The issue does not impact newer C-130J Super Hercules models nor C-130H aircraft that have been upgraded with NP2000 propeller assemblies, the service said previously.

Downey said the Air Force was working to hasten the process to inspect the grounded C-130Hs and replace propeller assemblies in those found to require upgrades.

The propeller crack problem marked the second time in recent years that the Air Force has been forced to ground some of its workhorse C-130 fleet. In 2019, the service halted flights of C-130H and C-130J model aircraft after discovering cracks in the wing joints of at least two of its planes.

The Air Force has flown C-130s since the 1950s. The aircraft can carry people and gear on a wide variety of operations, including landing on short, dirt airstrips under combat conditions. The newest C-130J models, which are longer, faster and capable of carrying more weight than any of the previous versions of the aircraft, entered the fleet in 1999. The Air Force has said C-130s will continue flying into at least the 2030s.
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  All Army barracks and family housing units in Europe will be checked for mold as part of the services effort to eliminate substandard living conditions worldwide.

Unit leadership will physically inspect all barracks rooms, focusing on mold and assessing any other health, safety or functionality issues that required immediate correction, Capt. Aaron Smith, a spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and Africa, said Friday in a statement.

A USAREUR-AF spokeswoman confirmed Monday that family housing at Army bases in Europe also will be inspected.

The Army in Europe will have a lot of ground to cover when inspections begin. The review will include 10,000 Army family housing units, 15,000 barracks spaces and about 7,500 other buildings, Smith said Monday.

Unit leaders will work with garrison commanders, housing officials and facility managers to determine inspection times, he said. Soldiers and families will then be notified, Smith added.

A Pentagon order requires Army commanders to inspect all quarters and offices of active-duty soldiers by Nov. 18 to check for unhealthy, unsafe, substandard living conditions, USA Today reported earlier this month.

The directive comes on the heels of the relocation of more than 1,000 soldiers at Fort Bragg, N.C., due to mold-infested barracks this fall.

Base leaders at Fort Bragg announced in August that about a dozen buildings no longer met standards for heating, ventilation and air conditioning because of mold growth in rooms.

Mold problems also have been reported at Fort Stewart in Georgia and Fort Meade in Maryland.

The inspections in Europe will look at structural conditions of walls, ceilings and doors, Smith said. Electrical and plumbing systems also will be assessed, as will environmental issues such as temperature, insects, mold and mildew.

Tenants will be able to share their concerns during interviews and Army leaders will use the findings to prioritize spending on improvements, he said.

In Europe, mold-related issues do not comprise a significant percentage of the concerns that our residents bring to our attention, Smith said.

On-base housing in Europe, however, tends to be older than units provided by Army installations stateside.

And soldiers and their families tend to be less satisfied with base housing in Europe, as results from the annual Army housing survey released this year showed.

Out of 20 Army domestic and overseas installations with housing managed by the government, the bottom four in overall satisfaction were in Germany.

The lowest, Ansbach and Stuttgart, were rated as poor, signifying substandard performance and strong displeasure with the property and/or level of service.

Army leaders in Europe at the time said hundreds of millions of dollars in housing improvements and new units are slated for Europe bases over the next six years.

Reviews of Army Reserve and National Guard buildings are expected to be included in a separate inspection order, USA Today reported.
(Tribune News Service)  Dayton, Ohio, has always been an Air Force town. But thanks to the productive presence of a cadre of U.S. Navy researchers, it's more than that.

The Navy presence at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base did not begin with the Base Realignment and Closure process in 2005. The Navy was here long before that, said Capt. Walter Dalitsch III, commander of the mission sometimes called "NAMRU (Navy Aerospace Medical Research Unit) Dayton" or simply "NAMRU-D."

"We have had a Navy presence here since 1976," said Dalitsch, whose O-6 rank as captain is equivalent to an Air Force colonel.

A Navy toxicology unit was moved to Wright-Patterson from Washington, D.C., in 1976 to partner with a similar Air Force lab, he said. An environmental health lab was already here when the 2005 BRAC outcome began the process of moving another Navy science lab, the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Lab, to Wright-Patterson, although initially not as a full command.

"Then the decision was made, 'Well, why don't we combine the environmental health effects laboratory with the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Lab and call it a whole new command?'" Dalitsch said.

The result was NAMRU Dayton Medical Research Unit.

There are some 150 people working at the command, although contractor numbers fluctuate.

"The vast majority are civilians and brilliant scientists," Dalitsch said.

Together, they research human performance  helping aviators and others work at their peak in stressful and varied environments, from jet cockpits to aircraft carriers to submarines.

They study toxins and co-stressors and the "combination effect" of both, exploring, for example, what happens when a sailor is exposed to both jet fuel and loud noises at the same time. Will such an environment make hearing loss worse faster?

One recent NAMRU customer: The U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard had a problem with laser pointers aimed at aircraft, Dalitsch said. When such lasers hit cockpit glass, they can dazzle and temporarily blind pilots.

"The Coast Guard was getting lasered on some real-world search-and-rescue missions and having to wave off in the middle of trying to save a life," he said.

NAMRU, in response, developed spectacles that cut out the wavelength of the most common lasers  and yet still allow color vision "to be able to see the instruments on the (plane) instrument panel," he said.

Those glasses are now used by the Coast Guard fleet and are going through a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval process.

While the Navy isn't new at Wright-Patterson, the service's presence there can take even people familiar with the base by surprise.

"Oh, people are surprised all the time. I tell people I feel like an aircraft carrier out of water here," Dalitsch quipped.

Friends of the mission say it's the partnership on mutual problems with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) that makes it truly special.

AFRL and NAMRU are neighbors and kindred spirits on Wright-Patterson's Area B, home to a variety of research missions.

Corey Hart, who is the lead on the biomedical impact of air and space with AFRL's 711th Human Performance Wing, said those benefits go beyond shared research assets, such as the "Kraken," the GL-6000 Disorientation Research Device that creates realistic motion simulations.

"Those assets are great, but really what we value is the shared expertise, and that covers a very broad area," Hart said.

The Navy has leading experts in sensor validation work  work on sensors meant to assist pilots in harsh environments  and other areas.

And there is attention paid to make sure research isn't duplicated, to be efficient with taxpayer dollars, he said.

"We have a strong partner there to lean on for solutions," Hart said.

It's not Dalitsch's first time on an Air Force base. He directed the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board, which happens to be at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. "It's not the first time the Navy has sent me far from the ocean."

NAMRU has repeat customers, including the FAA, the Office of Naval Research, the Defense Health Agency and NASA.

Like AFRL, NAMRU and its predecessor units have worked with NASA since it was NACA in the 1950s, the captain said. That history of cooperation stretches back to the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. And researchers both at NAMRU and AFRL are working today with NASA's Artemis program.

Said Dalitsch: "That's why we get repeat customers, because our product is pretty good."

NAMRU staff have more than doubled since 2011. Research spending has nearly tripled. And the unit's "science output" has increased nearly sevenfold, the commander said.

"I walk around and I'm surrounded by people with so many degrees," he said. "I'm just humbled by the brilliant ideas and the work that they do here."

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Visit at www.springfieldnewssun.com

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YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  More than 50,000 people poured into the home of the 7th Fleet over the weekend for the first open-base event in nearly three years.

Around 43,000 visitors, along with another 10,000 people from the naval base and the Ikego Housing Area, joined Sundays festivities, which included a vendor market, live music, street performances and a guided tour of the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge, the Navys oldest operational warship.

I am excited for the base and the community to be hosting this event, base commander Capt. Les Sobol said Sunday in an email to Stars and Stripes. It is the first time in almost three years we have been able to hold an event like this, and Im sure there will be many new friendships made and many more renewed.

Yokosukas last open event was the Mikoshi Parade on Oct. 20, 2019, just months before the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to mass gatherings. Since then, the base has held several large events, but none were open to Japans general public.

Its all about building and renewing friendships with the local community and the Japanese people, Sobol wrote in his email. The last three years have been challenging for many from both of our communities, and its my hope that today we can turn the page on the last three years and start a new chapter.

Masks were not required during the festival, thanks to the outdoor nature of the event and low COVID-19 transmission rates, Sobol said.

The crowd gathered at Berkey Field, where the 7th Fleet Band and other music groups performed, or the parking lot of the bases mess hall, where vendors representing various commands sold souvenirs or food.

Japanese visitors were particularly interested in American products that they cant easily access elsewhere, such as Monster energy drinks, according to Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Weitzel, 29, of Omaha, Neb.

"Everyone has been really friendly and excited," he told Stars and Stripes on Sunday, adding that the event helps build camaraderie between the local population and the base.

Shinobu Suzuki, 47, of Tokyo, said he was looking forward to trying the food and added that Friendship Day is a great chance for kids to get out and have fun.

Kanako Naito, 42, and her husband Yoh, 42, of Yokosuka, said it was the first time theyd been on base since 2018.

I like this kind of atmosphere, Kanako told Stars and Stripes on Sunday. My husband often finds these kinds of events and tells me about them. I lived on Okinawa, and Im interested in and familiar with military bases, so I wanted to visit."

The day concluded with nearly 40 minutes of fireworks over Tokyo Bay, provided by the city of Yokosuka, with thousands of people gathering along the bases shoreline to watch.

The city provided us tremendous assistance in managing the crowds, base spokesman Randall Baucom told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday. We appreciate all the support from them.
Give em hell Harry.

That was the preeminent statement applied to President Harry S. Truman, and accurately sums up his political and more general style while in the White House, and thereafter for the rest of his life.

At the end of September, a statue of Truman was unveiled in the U.S. Capitol, where our Congress does our nations legislative business, and conducts legislative hearings along with the more private debates, discussions and deals that have kept our great nation more or less together for nearly two hundred and fifty years.

The statue, the work of gifted artist-sculptor Tom Corbin, of Kansas City, Kan., is 7 feet tall, distinctive and captures Trumans personal style and impact. The nations chief executive is descending stairs but looking straight ahead, with straight posture, firm expression.

Every state can place two statues in the Rotunda. The statue of Truman replaces one of another Democrat, Sen. Thomas Hart Benton, who represented Missouri in the upper house from 1821 to 1851, an unprecedented length of tenure up until that time. The Benton statue will be moved to the Missouri State Historical Society Art Gallery.

The setting is appropriate and the monument fitting. Truman was an exceptionally dedicated, effective  and honest  member of the U.S. Senate, including tireless work during World War II that paved his way to becoming vice president, and then president upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in April 1945.

Democratic Party leaders very consciously selected Sen. Harry Truman as the vice presidential candidate in 1944. He was in no way an accidental president when FDR died only 82 days into his unprecedented fourth term in the White House.

Despite iron determination and discipline, Roosevelts deteriorating health at times alarmed those around him. Long-term undertow of polio paralysis, plus enormous strains of World War II and more than a decade in office exacted a final toll.

Vice President Henry Wallace, more populist left-winger than practical politician, sympathetic to the Soviet Union, was unacceptable. Truman, in World War I an artillery officer tested by combat, led effective investigation of corruption in federal contracts during World War II.

Only a few months into the job, President Truman faced the decision of whether to use the just-developed atomic bomb against Japan. He decided yes.

Truman along with Gen. George C. Marshall, Secretary of State Dean Acheson, George Kennan and others led the formation of United Nations institutions; the Marshall Plan to aid devastated Europe; and, as the Cold War descended, the NATO alliance.

Crisis followed crisis: Soviet blockade of encircled West Berlin; communist threats to Greece, Italy and Iran; communist victory in China.

Truman was decisive in supporting U.N. efforts to defend South Korea against North Koreas invasion in 1950. He fought pressure to use the atomic bomb there. When influential Gen. Douglas MacArthur publicly criticized U.S. policy, Truman fired him.

More broadly, Truman presided over the revolutionary transition to a sizable peacetime U.S. military. The American people embraced the rapid demobilization of our military following the end of World War II, which was in line with our historic tradition against sizable forces in peacetime.

The onset of the Cold War and outbreak of the Korean War required reversal of this policy. The Truman administration addressed this wrenching challenge successfully.

At home, Truman desegregated our military and federal civil services.

In 1948, Democrats nominated Truman for president but Southern Democrats and Wallace radicals ran separate tickets.

Truman campaigned tirelessly. A Bremerton, Wash., supporter shouted he should give em hell, and he did, and he won.

At the statue unveiling in the Capitol, Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, of Missouri, commented insightfully that, No president in such a short period of time made more consequential decisions.

On the base of the statue is the reminder President Truman kept on his desk, visible to visitors:

The buck stops here.

Arthur I. Cyr wrote After the Cold War.
WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  Eyvin Hernandez had been detained for six months at a notorious jail in Venezuela when seven other Americans were released earlier this month in a prisoner swap with the United States. The 44-year-old public defender from Los Angeles saw one of his best friends in prison let go as he, and several others, were left behind.

Unlike those freed, Hernandez and the others who remain are still not officially designated by the United States as wrongfully detained abroad, a determination that must be made by the State Department using criteria set by Congress. But the administration is under no legal time constraints. In Hernandezs case, half a year of imprisonment in Venezuelas infamous House of Dreams has passed without the U.S. government making a determination on his case.

A wrongful detention determination unlocks critical resources for the families of Americans imprisoned overseas, including interagency attention and access to the office of the presidential envoy for hostage affairs, which takes over the case from the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

But repeated appeals to the State Department by Hernandezs friends and family for the designation have been substantively ignored, his family said in an interview with McClatchy and the Miami Herald.

At least five other Americans are in Venezuelan custody under similar circumstances.

Hernandez is aware that, in order for him to get released, its going to have to be through political negotiations, his brother, Henry Martinez, said. Thats pretty clear.

Hooded at the border

Hernandez had been vacationing in Colombia when his father and brother quickly realized something was wrong. On March 31, Hernandez stopped making his regular calls home. So they asked local police in Medellin to visit the Airbnb where he was staying.

Police video showed his belongings  sandals, luggage, a briefcase  were still in their place.

Our hearts dropped when we saw that, said Martinez.

April 3 came around, and we were hoping he would come on the plane, Martinez continued, tearing up alongside their father, Pedro Martinez, in a video interview. Obviously he didnt make it. I would have nightmares about identifying his body, or something like that. That was the worst part.

They finally received a message on April 4 from a man who identified himself as Hernandezs public defender in Venezuela, informing them that Hernandez had been charged with conspiracy and criminal association to commit crimes against the state.

When they were able to communicate with Hernandez in prison, he told them the backstory. He had met a Venezuelan girl on an app, and later in person at a disco club, his family said.

With only days left in his trip, Hernandez offered for her to join him in travels around the country. But the girl claimed she needed a Venezuelan stamp in her passport in order to board a domestic Colombian flight. Venezuelan opposition officials living in Colombia contacted by McClatchy and the Miami Herald were not aware of any such requirement. The stamp is a formality and normally is not required by anybody in Colombia, one of them said.

Nevertheless, Hernandez agreed to accompany her to get the passport stamp she needed in Cucuta, a Colombian town on the border with Venezuela, traveling over 15 hours by bus to get there.

Once in Cucuta, the pair hailed a taxi to reach a border crossing. Hernandez told his family he is unsure where they were dropped off. But once they were, armed men intercepted them within minutes.

One of the armed men allegedly tried to extract a bribe from Hernandez, asking for $100 in order to secure him entry into Venezuela. He said he had no intention of entering the country. They were hooded, tossed in the back of a truck, and detained.

Hernandezs case is one of several instances of American men meeting Venezuelan women in Colombia before being led to the border and detained. It is unclear whether the cases form a concerted strategy by Caracas to lure and entrap U.S. citizens, but Biden administration officials told McClatchy they are aware and concerned by the potential pattern.

Hernandezs family says the girl that traveled with him was arrested as well, and remains in prison.

The State Department issued a warning in August to Americans to avoid Colombias border region with Venezuela.

A spokesperson for Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California said the senators staff has been working on Hernandezs case, was in touch with the State Department and was looking into ways the senator could help. Other representatives for Hernandezs district did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

American hostages remain

When seven Americans were released on Oct. 1, Biden administration officials proclaimed a victory. Were overjoyed, one senior administration official told reporters. We got all our wrongful detentions  all of our Americans who were wrongfully detained back home and heading to the arms of their families.

But human rights organizations in Venezuela believe there are at least six Americans still in the countrys prisons.

Besides Hernandez, there are two former Green Berets  Luke Denman and Airan Berry  who were caught in a May 2020 failed military incursion by Venezuelan dissidents, called Operation Gideon; Jerrel Lloyd Kenemore, a 52-year-old man arrested in Venezuela earlier this year; Jason George Saad, who has been described as a homeless man living on the streets of the eastern city of Maturin; and Dahud Hanid-Ortiz, a U.S. veteran wanted in Spain for the alleged killing in Madrid of two Cuban women and an Ecuadorian man.

Denman and Berry have already been sentenced to 20 years for conspiring to topple Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, but the charges against the rest of the men have not been announced.

Americans charged with conspiracy to overthrow the Maduro regime are often held by the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, known as DGCIM, at their headquarters in the Boleita neighborhood of Caracas, a former textile factory transformed into administrative offices with detention cells.

Hernandez is currently being held at a sector of the building called Casa de los Suenos, or House of Dreams, which was specifically designed to break down prisoners.

It serves as, and in fact they described it as a pressure cooker, said dissident Venezuelan Air Force Lieutenant Luis Lugo Calderon, who was held for several months at the Boleita prison, speaking of DGCIM officials. They place those that first arrive there to soften them up psychologically. Once they are broken, they are taken to other cells.

Located in the buildings third basement floor, the 16 cells, measuring six feet by six feet, have very little ventilation. Prisoners held there are subjected to perpetual harsh light that keeps most from sleeping, described a recent report prepared by the Casla Institute, a non-governmental organization that monitors human-rights violations.

The political prisoners in Casa de los Suenos have spent long periods of confinement, where up to five people have been in the same cell. The overcrowding effect and lack of ventilation make it very hard to breathe, the report said.

Detainees in this place often present respiratory diseases, as well as anxiety and depression, the report states.

Despite these conditions being known to U.S. authorities, the Biden administration still has not commented publicly on Hernandezs case.

We take our responsibility to assist U.S. citizens seriously, and we will continue to press for fair and transparent treatment and consular access for all U.S. citizens, a State Department spokesperson said. If a U.S. citizen is detained abroad, the department carefully monitors the case and provides assistance where possible.

While we have difficulties obtaining access to or confirming reports about detained U.S. citizens in Venezuela, we make every effort to provide the appropriate assistance, the official added. In general, the department regularly reviews cases of all U.S. nationals detained abroad to determine if the detention is wrongful. The Secretary makes a determination after considering information from a variety of sources and based on the totality of the circumstances in the case.

The spokesperson did not answer questions on the length of time it is taking to determine whether Hernandez is being wrongfully detained.

The president and secretary of state lead a robust team of U.S. government officials who work in partnership with families and nongovernmental organizations to secure the release of U.S. nationals who have been wrongfully detained or taken hostage abroad, the official added. We have no further comment at this time.

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Sacramento Bee reporter Gillian Brassil contributed to this article.

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2022 Miami Herald.

Visit at miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  South Koreas presidential office is on an around-the-clock alert amid expectations that the North may soon conduct its seventh nuclear test, a government official told news agencies on Sunday.

As North Korea's provocations have become more frequent, we're putting all of our effort into maintaining a readiness posture with a sense of alertness, an official said, according to Yonhap News.

Pyongyangs barrage of over 40 missiles in 26 rounds of testing so far this year, along with numerous artillery drills, are believed to be part of preparations for its first nuclear test since 2017, officials have said. North Korea last fired a ballistic missile on Friday, its ninth round of testing in three weeks.

The presidential offices remarks come after South Korean Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom Chul told Yonhap on Friday that North Korea may conduct not just one nuclear test but two or three ... in a row.

State and national security officials from the United States and South Korea have warned for months that the North has prepared to conduct a nuclear test. Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada issued the same warning to the countrys lawmakers Thursday, saying Pyongyangs weapons technology has developed at a rapid pace and it may be more difficult to intercept North Korean missiles.

The communist regime claimed its last nuclear test on Sept. 3, 2017, performed underground in the mountainous northeast region of North Korea, was a hydrogen bomb. The U.S. Geological Survey registered the explosion as a 6.3 magnitude earthquake.

A nuclear test now would dramatically raise tensions with North Korea. While Seoul has delivered stern warnings and enacted economic sanctions against Pyongyang over its series of missile and artillery tests this year, U.S. and South Korean leaders also warned of new repercussions should it detonate another nuclear device.

If North Korea conducts a nuclear test, the level of our response would be entirely different from previous tests, South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup said during a press conference in August.

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in June also said the U.S. was prepared for another North Korean nuclear test and that the entire world will respond in a strong and clear manner.

The government-funded Korea Institute for Defense Analyses estimated that North Korea is at least four nuclear tests away from constructing a tactical nuclear weapon or pairing nuclear warheads to multiple, independently targetable reentry vehicles, according to a September report from South Korean lawmaker Shin Wonsik.

North Korea codified its preemptive use of nuclear weapons during a parliamentary session in September, eight months after the regime suggested it would immediately resume weapons tests that were suspended since the summits between then-Presidents Donald Trump and Moon Jae-in of South Korea, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2018 and 2019.

The North said it would launch a nuclear strike automatically should its leaders be threatened or attacked, according to a state-run Korean Central News Agency report on Oct. 8.

North Korea claims through its state media that its missile and nuclear tests were in response to provocations from South Korea and its allies, including the recent joint military drills with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in waters near the Korean Peninsula.
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  The son of Okinawas anti-base former governor has decided to follow in his fathers footsteps and will run against his fathers former secretary to become Naha citys next mayor.

Takeharu Onaga, 35, will face former Naha city vice-mayor, Satoru Chinen, 59, on Oct. 23 when 257,645 registered voters head to the polls in the capital of Okinawa prefecture, the Naha city website said.

Onagas father, Takeshi Onaga, served as Naha mayor from 2000 until his 2014 election as governor, an office he held until his death from pancreatic cancer at age 67 in August 2018.

During his single term, Takeshi Onaga opposed construction of a new runway being built into Oura Bay at Camp Schwab to replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

Takeharu Onaga was elected to Naha City Council in 2017 and the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly in 2020, his campaign website said. He campaigns for mayor on stopping the relocation of MCAS Futenmas aircraft to Schwab in Henoko.

I dont want to leave this U.S. base problem to the generations of my children, he wrote Friday on Twitter. To achieve that, I will claim from here, Naha, that we are against the new base in Henoko, and make this a fight to show the will of the citizens of Naha.

Okinawa politicians often refer to the runway being built at Schwab as a new base.
BASRA, Iraq  Inside the dilapidated headquarters of Basra's drug unit, the colonel's stack of case files rarely shrinks. Yet every night below the flickering fluorescent lights, chatter thrums before a new round of raids.

The officers sound exhausted.

Iraq is in the throes of an addiction epidemic as parts of a generation impoverished by war and neglect is turning to the drugs that are now flooding the country. Basra's understaffed and underfunded counternarcotics squad is overwhelmed.

At the center of this blight is the cloying heat and crushing poverty of Basra, where jail cells are full and dealers have police on their payroll so kingpins remain untouched. But the origins are far away, in the cool mountains of Afghanistan and the underground laboratories of Iran where new supplies and techniques have led to a flourishing trade.

"We have a disaster here," said Col. Ehab, a career intelligence officer who was directing the house raids on a recent night. He spoke on the condition that only his first name be used over concerns for his security.

Since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion opened Iraq's border with Iran, there has been a constant flow of people, religious pilgrims, trade  and smuggling, including of drugs. But it was around 2017 that a new menace appeared: crystal meth.

A domestic crackdown on Iran's own growing drug problem was making the basic ingredients difficult to come by when producers in Afghanistan unlocked the secret to extracting a key component of methamphetamine, ephedrine, from the local ephedra plant.

Today, the fruits of that discovery are found throughout the region.

On the night that Washington Post reporters accompanied Basra's drug squad on its raids, there were almost 700 people crammed into the unit's three holding cells, built for 200 in total.

As Ehab and his drug squad snaked toward the shanty districts on Basra's northeastern edge, they worried that their nightly arrests were only magnifying the problem, as dealers used their time on the inside to recruit more people.

  

Seizures of crystal meth from Afghanistan and Iran have increased dramatically across the Middle East in recent years, according to regional officials and experts, as it has followed the well worn path of the older opium and heroin trade.

In Turkey, security forces seized more than 5 1/2 tons of methamphetamine last year with raids along the Iranian border and in Istanbul. In just the first seven months of 2022, the number jumped to 8.6 tons.

Turkish authorities report that the smuggling network involves Iranian nationals with links to domestic organized crime networks, and parts of the supply are intended for onward shipment to the European Union, Southeast Asia and Australia.

Jordan anti-narcotics department, meanwhile, reported seizures of methamphetamines soared to more than 45 tons in the first nine months of 2022  more than 20 times more than the same period last year.

"[The year] 2017 was a game changer," said David Mansfield, an expert on Afghanistan's illicit economy whose work draws from fieldwork and aerial imagery. Local producers shifted from using over-the-counter medicines  used in the rest of the world to make ephedrine  to the widely available ephedra, growing wild on Afghan hillsides.

"Suddenly you've got this new player on the block that is producing methamphetamine at half the price," Mansfield said.

With a booming market for the drug already existing in Iran, the producers decided to start using the cheaper materials imported from Afghanistan, said Alexander Soderholm, an analyst at the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

"So the logic is effectively: why don't we outsource all this to let us focus on the distribution side of things and also possibly production for external markets," he said.

The sudden surge in crystal meth supplies was soon spilling into Iraq where decades of conflict, corruption and dysfunctional governance have left the country in crisis.

Reports of drug seizures top news broadcasts almost daily. While the reported annual seizures of hundreds of kilograms are likely a deep undercount, even these numbers are doubling every year.

The trade is protected by powerful armed groups, some of them linked to Iran, as well as tribal networks and corrupt officials, according to Iraqi security, border and judicial officials.

"We've had officers arrested for this. They covered for criminals and they were on the dealers' monthly payrolls," said Ammar Shaker Fajr, a judge in Basra's Third Investigative Court.

In February, gunmen killed a senior judge in next-door Maysan province. In September, a general from the region's anti-drug squad was shot dead outside a restaurant.

Basra's drug squad is receiving a growing tide of threats, too. "There are days I just think about quitting," Ehab said. "I already feel like a dead man."

  

The flow of drugs is accelerating what civil society workers and health officials describe as a growing crisis of despair among Iraq's youth.

Public services have been ruined by corruption and mismanagement, and unemployment is rising as the farmlands dry up and cities offer little succor.

"Our young people want an escape but they don't understand what they're taking," said Enas Kareem, the founder of Iraq's only charity dedicated to helping users. She said there are no solid figures for addiction rates, but some officials estimate that up to 40 percent of Iraqi's youth in some areas have tried drugs.

Crystal meth floods the user with a sense of euphoria and invulnerability. When addiction sets in, paranoia takes over and the immune system breaks down as organs are pushed to failure.

In many cases, former addicts say that they started using drugs as solace from troubled lives. They spoke on condition that only their first names be used, due to the social stigma that comes with addiction.

Maher, 30-year-old baker in Baghdad, said that he fell in with the crowd that introduced him to alcohol and amphetamines after growing cripplingly lonely at home. His sister was killed during the U.S. invasion, his brothers during the subsequent sectarian civil war, and his parents, three years later, in a car crash.

In Basra, a 37-year-old taxi driver, Firas, was struggling to stay awake on long journeys when a dealer showed him a white powder  it turned out to be methamphetamine  that he promised would unlock the secret to longer work hours and better earnings.

He used for three years before his wife begged relatives to intervene after he began physically assaulting her, he said.

In recognition of the growing problem, a law was passed in 2017 ordering the establishment of government-run rehabilitation facilities for addicts within the next two years, but five years later there are only three across the whole country, and only one in Basra.

"Say we have 30,000 addicts in Basra, and there are just 22 beds in which the patients need three months each to recover. Well, how does anyone get a place in those beds?" asked Gen. Ismail Ghanem, the head of Basra's anti-drug unit.

When Firas went to bed at night, he'd ask himself whether he could ever stop using. When he woke in the morning, he would buy his next dose from the taxi hangar, where he worked.

He said that it was a volunteer with Kareem's charity who saved him. The young man, Hassan Majeed al-Maliki, visited and said the nearby hospital had a spare bed.

And if there hadn't been a bed?

"Then, I tell them that there is nothing we can do," Maliki said.

Below the chandeliers of a luxury hotel in Baghdad in June, officials from all major ministries outlined their thoughts for how to tackle the crisis at its root. They spoke of the need to provide young people with spaces for sport and social activities, of the need to improve the education system and launch awareness campaigns. But no further action was taken in the months that followed, as political factions squabbled over the shape of a new government, preventing ministries from carrying out any new initiatives.

"Iraqis are very good at talking, but where's the action? We don't see it," Ghanem said. "All we do is arrest people."

That is precisely why many of Maher's friends have been scared to seek help for their addiction. "If they arrest someone taking drugs, they will beat the crap out of them," he said.

  

The drug squad's first target was down an unpaved road without streetlights. They said that an informant had identified the location, and when the SWAT team stormed out with guns readied, a man in his 40s surrendered without a fight. Inside his one-story house, the unit found dozens of small pouches containing a white crystal-like substance that the officers believed to be meth, a set of small measuring scales and a loaded gun in each of the three rooms.

But at a house several districts to the north, the scene grew messier. Two women were already screaming obscenities at the police force by the time they reached the front gate. Four young men were pulled out for questioning, and a 17-year-old with messy hair was sobbing.

Inside the house, an officer found three tabs of captagon, an amphetamine, and one of the women began pleading with him. "It's not drugs, it's for his injury," she kept saying.

Around the corner, another officer was scrolling through the teenager's phone as the boy nodded frantically through his tears. The unit later said that he had been asked to cooperate with future investigations  a new informant to fuel the cycle of arrests.

It was past midnight by the time the convoy finally finished for the night. The streets were empty and the vehicles drove fast now, gliding down the highways and making sharp turns on street corners hung with pictures of the clerics and politicians.

Back at the station, the suspects were placed in a holding cell and brought for interrogation one by one. Last up was Moslem Dawoud, the alleged dealer whose home, police said, contained 16 doses of crystal meth. He kept his eyes on the floor for the most part and had stopped protesting his innocence.

An officer looked down at a faint tattoo on the man's forearm and asked if he'd been in prison before. Dawoud nodded.

"We can help you, you know," the officer told him.

Downstairs, the yells of other prisoners were floating out through the night air. After a long silence, Dawoud shared what he said was the name of his dealer.

Ehab looked down at the stack of case files on his desk.

"It's like this every night," he said blankly. "You do the raids, you do the paperwork, you're in a loop. Then you lie down, you wake up and you start again."
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Appointees of President Donald Trump oversaw a concerted effort to restrict immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border during the pandemic, change scientific reports and muzzle top officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to emails, text messages and interviews gathered by a congressional panel probing the pandemic response.

Former CDC director Robert Redfield, former top deputy Anne Schuchat and others described how the Trump White House and its allies repeatedly "bullied" staff, tried to rewrite their publications and threatened their jobs in an attempt to align the CDC with the more optimistic view of the pandemic espoused by Trump, the House select subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis concluded in a report released Monday.

Several public health officials detailed a months-long campaign against Schuchat sparked by Trump appointees' belief that her grim assessments of the pandemic reflected poorly on the president, leading Schuchat, a 32-year CDC veteran, to openly wonder whether she would be fired in the summer of 2020, her colleagues told the panel.

The panel's latest report also offers new insight into key flash points, such as a CDC-backed plan to require masks on public and commercial transportation in the summer of 2020, with Martin Cetron, director of the agency's division of global migration and quarantine, citing evidence that the requirement would have reduced coronavirus risks to travelers.

The plan was backed by the travel industry and "could have made a significant contribution" by curbing infections and deaths ahead of a fall and winter virus surge that year, Cetron added, but Trump officials blocked the measure. President Biden later issued a similar order in his second day in office in January 2021.

Redfield and other officials told the panel that they believed they might be fired if they angered the White House, hindering the CDC's ability to fight the virus.

"If we constantly are finger-pointing and blaming somebody else for things, we lose the fact that the real enemy here was the virus," Cetron said in a May 2022 interview included in the report, adding that political infighting hampered the pandemic response. Cetron also criticized a federal order, Title 42, that used the pandemic as a public health reason to bar people from entering the United States at its borders with Canada and Mexico as an example of a poorly constructed policy where CDC experts were overruled.

The order was "handed to us," Cetron told the panel, saying that then-White House adviser Stephen Miller was among the officials who discussed the immigration restrictions. Other emails and media reports have linked Miller to the order's creation.

While Cetron said he and his team opposed the order, arguing it lacked a scientific basis because the coronavirus was already widely spreading in the United States and could lead to harm for asylum seekers, Redfield signed Title 42 in March 2020. The Trump administration characterized the measure, which allows the government to immediately send asylum seekers back to their home countries, as a way to prevent the spread of infection in detention cells, at border stations and in other crowded settings. Hundreds of thousands of migrants have since been turned away at the U.S.-Mexico border. The measure remains in place under the Biden administration after a district court judge in May blocked the administration's plan to lift the order.

The panel's report draws on more than 2,100 pages of transcribed interviews with Redfield, Schuchat, Cetron and 10 other current and former CDC officials that were newly released on Monday, in addition to prior interviews and testimony from people such as former White House coronavirus coordinator Deborah Birx. The panel also released other documents, including a letter sent by a pair of former Trump appointees, Kyle McGowan and Amanda Campbell, who served as the CDC's chief of staff and deputy chief of staff, respectively, that detailed examples of political interference and poor treatment of CDC officials.

"The committee's report reflects a serious and fair look at what happened," McGowan said.

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), who chairs the panel, said that the report demonstrates how the Trump White House engaged in a concerted effort "to downplay the seriousness" of the pandemic.

"This prioritization of politics, contempt for science, and refusal to follow the advice of public health experts harmed the nation's ability to respond effectively to the coronavirus crisis and put Americans at risk," Clyburn said in a statement.

Clyburn's panel has spent more than two years investigating the Trump administration's pandemic response, issuing reports that detailed White House pressure on the Food and Drug Administration to authorize unproven coronavirus treatments such as the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine; its efforts to overrule public health officials on coronavirus guidance for churches; and exploring how its focus on challenging the 2020 election outcome distracted from the virus response, among other findings.

Republicans have assailed the panel's reports as partisan, saying it has neglected to probe Biden administration virus missteps or the origins of the pandemic. GOP leaders vow to conduct their own investigations next year should they win control of the House or Senate. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky also acknowledged this summer that her agency had made significant mistakes during the pandemic, laying out a plan intended to speed up its recommendations, improve its communications and take other steps to win back public trust.

The report also details how Trump appointees at the Department of Health and Human Services worked to wrest control of the agency's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, or MMWRs, which offer public updates on scientists' findings and had been considered off-limits to political appointees for decades.

McGowan and Campbell told the panel that fellow Trump appointees were angry about a May 2020 MMWR written by Schuchat that they believed did not give them sufficient credit for their efforts to contain the pandemic.

"Secretary [Alex] Azar, in particular, was upset and said that if the CDC would not get in line, then HHS would take control of approving the publication," McGowan and Campbell's lawyer wrote to the panel. As a result, Trump appointees increasingly received access to the CDC's draft summaries and sought to edit or block the reports, including one on the rise in hydroxychloroquine prescriptions that was held up for more than two months amid concerns it would call attention to an unproven treatment touted by Trump.

In a statement, Azar said that he "never pressured Dr. Redfield to modify the content of a single MMWR scientific article."

"I always regarded the MMWR and other peer-reviewed scientific publications as sacrosanct," Azar added, saying that he worked with Redfield to "protect the integrity" of the report's peer-review process after a "defect" was identified in May 2020. Azar did not specify the "defect" that needed to be addressed.

The panel concluded that Trump appointees had sought to "alter the contents, rebut, or delay the release" of 18 MMWRs and one health alert on an inflammation syndrome in children who had previously tested positive for the coronavirus, and succeeded at least five times.

CDC officials said the agency resisted the most significant efforts to edit their publications. "Was I concerned that there was an attempt to alter the scientific content of the MMWR? Yes. Do I think they were successful? No," Jay Butler, the CDC's deputy director of infectious diseases, told the panel in a November 2021 interview.

The panel also details repeated attempts by Trump appointees to pressure Schuchat, such as a personal phone call from then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows  the first time any White House chief of staff had called the CDC deputy, she said  that left her "very shaken," she told the panel, declining to offer details of the call, on the advice of HHS counsel.

Meadows did not immediately reply to an email sent to a spokesperson.

Schuchat was again targeted after an interview she gave to a medical journal in June 2020 in which she acknowledged the nation's struggles in containing the virus. HHS spokesperson Michael Caputo and his adviser Paul Alexander circulated internal emails claiming the CDC deputy was attempting "to damage the president."

Other officials described interactions with Caputo and Alexander where the two men "threatened" staff, such as when a CDC official spoke to NPR without the HHS spokesperson's permission in July, the panel said. Caputo "wanted to terminate the CDC official who set up the interview," McGowan and Campbell's lawyer wrote to the panel.

Caputo declined a request for comment. Alexander did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Redfield said that he repeatedly told Caputo that Alexander should stop his barrage of emails to staffers demanding changes to CDC publications and accusing them of working to undermine Trump. "I advocated to Caputo, probably around [late June], that he should get rid of this guy. He's not helpful," Redfield told the panel.

But Alexander's messages continued until mid-September, when his emails leaked to the press and Caputo subsequently accused CDC scientists of sedition in a Facebook Live video. Caputo took a medical leave on Sept. 16, and Alexander left the agency the same day.

Redfield also said he clashed with the White House and Florida politicians about his plan to reissue a "no-sail order" that would keep the nation's cruise ships in dock, given evidence that the coronavirus could rapidly spread aboard the vessels and sicken and potentially kill vulnerable passengers.

"I was signing it  [even] if that meant that I was resigning or being fired as CDC director," Redfield told the panel. He said he was eventually able to reach a compromise in October 2020 that kept the ships in dock until the cruise industry instituted more safety precautions.
WASHINGTON  U.S. forces are equipped to handle multiple conflicts abroad simultaneously, though positioning troops and weapons throughout the Indo-Pacific to challenge threats from China poses logistical issues because it is such a vast region, Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost said Monday.

China has shaped their instruments of national power to erode, disrupt or destroy our ability to oppose their revisionist aspirations, Van Ovost, who leads U.S. Transportation Command, said in an address at the National Defense Transportation Associations fall meeting in St. Louis, where TRANSCOM maintains its headquarters. And of course, we must contend with the underlying physics of the problem set. Across the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the ability to generate and sustain operational momentum in compressed timelines, to more destinations, with limited capacity will be an imperative.

Van Ovosts speech followed the TRANSCOM release last week of an updated defense strategy, which lays out several priorities and operational challenges in meeting potential threats from Russia in Eastern Europe and China in the Indo-Pacific.

Van Ovost emphasized in her remarks that China is presently the United States No. 1 consequential strategic competitor. With a population of 1.4 billion, territory covering 3.7 million square miles and an economy worth more than $30 trillion, China has a well-developed military and wields enormous influence in the Indo-Pacific.

U.S. ships cruising the South China Sea have ratcheted up tensions between Beijing and Washington. Much of the dispute has centered on which parts of the sea belong to China and which parts are international waters. But the tensions have also focused on Taiwan, an island roughly 135 miles off the southeastern Chinese coast over which Beijing has long claimed authority.

"[China] is pursuing an aggressive naval shipbuilding program to advance its excessive claims in the South China Sea and undermine freedom of navigation elsewhere around the world, the updated TRANSCOM strategy states.

[President Joe Bidens] National Security Strategy makes clear that China and Russia are working overtime to undermine democracy and export a model of governance marked by repression at home and coercion abroad, Van Ovost said. In their own ways, both seek to erode the legitimacy of established international norms and laws that have persisted for almost a century.

TRANSCOM supports the military by sending personnel, equipment and weapons to areas of need around the world. Van Ovost said while the command has already shown great adaptability and efficiency during the past 35 years, modern conflicts  particularly in the Indo-Pacific  are going to call for new approaches, some of which would likely be unprecedented.

Commercial sealifts, for example, would likely be pivotal due to the geography in the region.

The Pacific is big. Its huge. And theres not a lot of islands in there where you can park stuff, Van Ovost said Friday ahead of her speech. So, I think that operations [there] are going to require us to transload from commercial [modes] to military at a level we have not seen before.

For months, TRANSCOM has been moving support personnel and equipment to Eastern Europe in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine and Biden has said repeatedly the US will defend Taiwan militarily against any similar aggression from Beijing.

China sees the island as a breakaway territory, whereas Taiwan considers itself an independent country. Beijing has said it will act, if necessary, to protect its interests on the island and some experts have said Russias invasion of Ukraine could motivate Beijing to take a more aggressive footing.

In August, China issued several warnings to the U.S. amid reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was planning to visit Taiwan. Some of the warnings sounded ominous and one threatened strong and resolute measures. Pelosi ultimately made her visit to the island without incident.

Speed would be one of the most important elements in moving troops and equipment to the Indo-Pacific, Van Ovost emphasized. A swift and mobile operation, she said, is critical to maintain readiness and deterrence in the region, which geographically spans from just east of Papua New Guinea in the Pacific to the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.

Getting to the final destination  our ability to do that at time and tempo that meets the joint force commanders requirement is concerning, Van Ovost said of the challenges unique to the Indo-Pacific.

Despite the concerns, the commander said TRANSCOM has a cache of experience that will help the command move quicker and anticipate future obstacles. A little more than a year ago, TRANSCOM evacuated close to 125,000 people during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and, more recently, it has transported billions of dollars in U.S. aid to Ukraine.

I look at the scale that we did with respect to Operation Allied Refuge [in Afghanistan]  and the scope of what we are supplying Ukraine and some of our systems and processes are not yet fast enough to be able to do the timing and tempo that we would like, Van Ovost said. So, we are working on ensuring that we see the data to make better decisions to match our limited capacity to best effect for priorities around the world.

Such data would allow the command to push the right stuff at the right time for what would almost certainly be a high-tempo battle in the Indo-Pacific, she added.

If we can get there fast, we can deter so that we wont get into conflict, Van Ovost said. If it takes us a month to build up a credible capability in the theater, thats not going to work. That may lead to conflict. The National Defense Strategy really leans on  our ability to increase the doubt in the minds of [Chinese President Xi Jinping] and [China] that they can achieve their objectives.

TRANSCOM will participate in large-scale exercises in 2023 that will shore up gaps in capability and readiness, according to Van Ovost.

And they [China] are taking notes of what we are doing and how we are marshaling our forces. Those are some of the things I think about, she said.

The struggles of supplying troops in the Indo-Pacific are nothing new to the U.S. military. Van Ovost said she believes U.S. efforts during World War II and in the Vietnam War will offer valuable lessons if more troops and equipment are needed in the region.

This is going to be the light, lean distributed operation that we saw during World War II, she said. Maneuver is going to be what we are very focused on  and agility. Agility equals survivability, and youre seeing it right now in Ukraine. Agility and survivability and it will be the same thing in the Pacific.

Van Ovost, 57, is one of four women in the U.S. military who is a four-star general and the second woman to lead a unified combatant command. Prior to her appointment by Biden last year to lead TRANSCOM, she oversaw Air Mobility Command and was an Air Force pilot. She also held other leadership posts in the Air Force and for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Ours is a nation dependent on transportation. We are realizing that fact more now than ever, and its time for us to get on with it, Van Ovost said.
However, when the case was called by the court registrar today, ODohertys solicitor, Brendan Maloney, said he had received instructions from his client to withdraw the appeal.

Former journalist Gemma ODoherty has withdrawn her legal challenge against a conviction imposed by a district court last year in relation to an altercation with gardai over the placement of anti-vaccination banners on a footbridge over a busy road.

A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court was due to hear an appeal by lawyers for ODoherty against her conviction for threatening and abusive behaviour, resisting arrest and refusing to give her name and address to a garda on the pedestrian bridge over the N11 at Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow on August 28, 2020.

However, when the case was called by the court registrar today, ODohertys solicitor, Brendan Maloney, said he had received instructions from his client to withdraw the appeal.

ODoherty (54), whose address cannot be published as a result of a High Court order, was not in court for the scheduled hearing.

The former journalist who has played a leading role in recent years in anti-immigration and anti-vaccination campaigns, was given a two-month suspended sentence and fined 750 in September 2021 after being found guilty of a number of public order offences at Bray District Court.

After hearing that her appeal had been withdrawn, Judge Patrick Quinn granted an application made by counsel for the DPP for the forfeiture by ODoherty of three banners that had been seized during the incident.

The signs, which were placed on a footbridge over the main Dublin-Wexford Road, included messages which read No forced vaccines and Masks spread virus.

During the original District Court case 12 months ago, evidence was heard from garda witnesses that a number of complaints had been received about the banners from members of the public.

Gardai said they decided to remove the banners from the footbridge after observing that some motorists were swerving as a result of being distracted by the signs.

The court heard that gardai at the scene were called traitors to the Irish public and accused of being complicit in the cover-up of paedophilia and murder by the defendant who also refused to provide her name and address when asked.

Judge David Kennedy said the evidence showed that there had been a clear and intentional breach of the peace and he described the words used by ODoherty to gardai as atrocious.
Arthur Smyth, a former resident of the Kincora home, has waived his anonymity to make the allegations against the earl, a great uncle of Britains King Charles.

Belfast solicitor Kevin Winters of KRW Law is making a formal submission to the Government asking for a public inquiry into concerns notorious paedophile priest Malachy Finegan was police informer.   PA

The former Kincora Boys home on the Upper Newtonards Road, Belfast.   PA

File photo dated 16/07/59 of Lord Mountbatten. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has apologised for the IRA's assassination of Lord Mountbatten following the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh. Issue date: Sunday April 18, 2021.   PA

Legal proceedings have been initiated against a number of institutions in Northern Ireland alleging that Lord Mountbatten abused a boy at a notorious Belfast childrens home in the 1970s.

Arthur Smyth, a former resident of the Kincora home, has waived his anonymity to make the allegations against the earl, a great uncle of Britains King Charles.

Lord Mountbatten was killed along with three others when the IRA detonated a bomb on his boat in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, in 1979.

Mr Smyths solicitor, Kevin Winters of KRW Law, said the civil action alleging negligence and breach of duty of care was being taken against several state bodies.

The former Kincora Boys home on the Upper Newtonards Road, Belfast.   PA

He said he had filed a summons which would be issued in the High Court in Belfast on Tuesday.

Mr Winters said: Central to the case are our clients allegations of abuse by the late Lord Louis Mountbatten.

Understandably many abuse survivors for reasons of obvious sensitivity choose to remain anonymous. Arthurs decision to reveal his identity must be set against this backdrop.

It is borne out of anger at systemic state cover-up on abuse at these institutions.

Belfast solicitor Kevin Winters of KRW Law is making a formal submission to the Government asking for a public inquiry into concerns notorious paedophile priest Malachy Finegan was police informer.   PA

He alleges to have been abused twice as an 11-year-old by the deceased royal.

Its the first time that someone has stepped forward to take allegations against Lord Mountbatten into a court.

That decision hasnt been taken lightly.

He understands only too well that it will be a deeply unpopular case with many people coming as it does within weeks of the passing of the Queen.

The Kincora home opened on Belfasts Upper Newtownards Road, close to Stormonts Parliament Buildings, in May 1958, and closed in October 1980 after a sex abuse scandal.

The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry found that 39 boys were abused at Kincora and in 1981 three men were jailed for abusing 11 boys.

However, it found no evidence that security agencies were complicit in the abuse.

A recent report by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (Poni) Marie Anderson said that complaints from some former residents about the failure of police to investigate allegations of sexual abuse at Kincora were legitimate and justified.

Mr Winters said: The recent Poni report into Kincora despite a welcome finding on police investigative failures only scratches the surface of what really went on.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the woman's anonymity, had a crazy look in his eyes and told the woman he was mad enough to cut off her fingers

A man who raped his ex-partner after threatening to cut her fingers off with a garden secateurs has been jailed for ten years.

At the man's sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court earlier this year, the Cork woman described how she had stayed in a toxic relationship for 18 years for the sake of her children, whom she loves dearly.

The couple separated in 2019, but were still living together and on the evening August 2, 2019, the woman had come home from work when the man showed her the secateurs, grabbed her hand and told her that he would cut her fingers off if she didn't do what he said.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the woman's anonymity, had a crazy look in his eyes and told the woman he was mad enough to cut off her fingers, the court heard.

He ordered her into the bedroom and undressed her and forced her to carry out sexual acts.

He then raped her again and only stopped when one of their children arrived home and began shouting to be let in. The court heard that during the whole incident the woman was crying and hyperventilating.

The man was convicted last July after a trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork of two counts of rape, two of oral rape, two of sexual assault and two threats to kill or cause serious harm.

The court heard that after the attack, the woman fled her home and spent a few weeks sleeping in hotels and with friends before finding rental accommodation. She did not go to gardai because of how it might affect her children and during that time she said she was afraid to be on the streets.

She said she felt safe for the first time when she found the rented accommodation but a few days after moving in, the man smashed his way into the back of the property and came charging towards her with what the woman thought was a knife.

The knife was a modified nail file. The man told her he had paid a man 10,000 and that he would get her if anything happened to him and he went to prison.

He told her this man had a picture of her and knew where she lived and worked and said: I paid someone 10k to get rid of you if anything happens and I went to prison.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt today said the case was very tragic for all concerned and noted the very damaging effects of the offending on the woman.

He said the accused seemed to suffer from toxic masculinity. Outlining the background circumstances of the case, the judge noted that no one likes being rejected, but that decision has to be accepted and it cannot be met with sexual or any other kind of violence.

Taking into account the fact that more than one offence was committed during the first event against a background of threat, as well as taking place in a location the victim should have felt safe, the judge said the court's view was that the offending lay at the junction of the higher and ordinary level. He set a headline sentence of 10 years for the rape offence.

He said the only real mitigation in relation to the first offending was that he was a man of previous good character at the time. He took his guilty plea into account in relation to the intimidation charge.

Mr Justice Hunt imposed concurrent sentences totalling nine years in relation to the first series of offences and a consecutive sentence of three years with the final two years suspended in relation to the interference with a witness charges.

He ordered that the man should have no contact with the woman without her consent.

During the sentence hearing earlier this year, the court heard the womans victim impact statement in which she said she was in shock and believed his threats and said: It gave me chills to think I had been watched in my home.

She said she was terrified of the man because she felt he was capable of anything and she had to close her business of 18 years.

She said she used to be a confident, outgoing woman but now she still has nightmares of the man cutting her fingers off. She said she was quite surprised when the man pleaded guilty on July 14 last to the charges relating to the second attack, as it was the first time he admitted anything.

The man pleaded guilty to interfering with a witness in a criminal investigation, trespass, assault causing harm, criminal damage and making a threat to kill.

Defending counsel Siobhan Lankford SC told Justice Hunt at a hearing in July that her client has no criminal connections and that there was no reality to his threats.
The move comes just months after he was extradited from Ireland

Police officers and firefighters inspecting the carnage caused by a bomb in Market Street, Omagh in 2009.   PA

Liam Campbell was one of four men found liable for the Omagh bombing

OMAGH bomb suspect Liam Campbell is back in Ireland after Lithuanian authorities dropped terror charges against him.

The move comes just months after he was extradited from Ireland following more than a decade of legal challenges.

The notorious dissident, who was extradited in May to face charges related to weapons smuggling for the Real IRA, returned home last month after a Lithuanian court ruled the statute of limitations on the charges expired four years ago.

Prosecutors are now appealing the decision, as they argue the statute of limitations is not due to expire until January.

Campbell was one of the founding members of the Real IRA and was sentenced to eight years by the Special Criminal Court for membership of the organisation in 2004.

While he was never convicted in relation to the Omagh bomb  which killed 29 people and two unborn twins in 1998  he was one of four men found liable for the atrocity in a civil case.

He was first arrested in relation to the Lithuanian charges in 2009 but had fought several legal battles to prevent his extradition.

The Irish Supreme Court approved Campbells handover in May this year.

Campbell, with an address at Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co. Louth, appeared before a court in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in August and told the court he lived in Ireland and had a family there.

He was granted bail set at 50,000 and was required to wear an ankle bracelet to track his movements.

At the hearing, his defence attorney Inga Botyriene argued the statute of limitations had expired on the charges against Campbell.

She argued that new legislation had been enacted in 2013 which categorised the crimes he was accused of as serious, and not very serious.

As a result, the statute of limitations had reduced from 15 years to 10 years and would have expired in January 2018.

Prosecutors argued the old 15-year limit should be applied as it was deemed in that category when it was committed.

However, in a ruling delivered last month, the Vilnius District Court agreed with the defence submissions and terminated the criminal case against Campbell. The decision is now being appealed to the Vilnius Court of Appeal.

When contacted by the Sunday World this week, Ms Botyriene said Campbell has since returned to Ireland.

By the decision of the Vilnius Regional Court on September 12, the criminal case against my client, Liam Campbell, was terminated, as the statute of limitations for holding him criminally liable expired on 21 January 2018, she said.

This is the decision of the court. The prosecution has appealed to the Court of Appeal of Lithuania, but the process of considering the appeal has not yet been started.

Liam Campbell is currently in Ireland with the permission of the court.

In a European Arrest Warrant, the Lithuanian authorities alleged that while acting in an organised terrorist group, the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA), Campbell made arrangements to acquire a substantial number of firearms and explosives from Lithuania and smuggle them into Ireland.

It was further alleged that, at the end of 2006 to 2007, Campbell made arrangements with others to travel to Lithuania for the purposes of acquiring firearms and explosives, including automatic rifles, sniper guns, projectors, detonators, timers and TNT.

It was alleged he asked British cigarette smuggler Robert Jardine to set up a contact with a Lithuanian arms dealer to supply the weapons to the Real IRA. However, Jardine had been recruited years earlier to work for the British spy agency MI5.

Jardine, who has since gone into witness protection, alleged he met dissidents including Campbell to discuss the plot.

Campbell was arrested in May 2009 on a European Arrest Warrant in relation to the Lithuanian charges and spent four years in Maghaberry Prison in the North before being released in 2013 after the Belfast Recorders Court refused to approve his extradition, saying could he exposed to inhuman and degrading conditions while in prison in Lithuania.

He was arrested in Dundalk on December 2, 2016, on foot of the second European Arrest Warrant issued by Lithuanian authorities. It was the third attempt overall by Lithuania to seek his surrender.

Both the High Court and Court of Appeal had ordered that he be extradited to the Baltic state. However, he appealed those findings to the Supreme Court.

The length of time those appeals took meant the statute of limitations had expired by the time Campbell was finally extradited this year.

Liam Campbells brother Michael was found guilty of terror offences by a Lithuanian court in October 2011 following an MI5 sting operation in 2008, when he was recorded attempting to buy explosives and guns.

He was videoed meeting a person he thought was a Lithuanian arms dealer but was actually a Lithuanian security agent.

He was sentenced to 12 years behind bars but the conviction was overturned on appeal after a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to deny statements that his actions had been provoked by undercover MI5 agents.

Liam Campbell had been a member of the Provisional IRA but left in 1997 and was a founding member of the Real IRA, which opposed the peace process.

He is no longer believed to be a member of the organisation, which morphed into the so-called New IRA in recent years.
Among the mourners was President Michael D. Higgins

The coffin of Hugh Kelly, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday, is carried in to St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for his funeral mass. Picture date: Friday October 14, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Donegal. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire   PA

Father John Joe Duffy blesses the coffins of Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal, as they arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for their funeral mass. Picture date: Saturday October 15, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Donegal. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire   PA

Robert Garwe's partner Aine (centre) leaves St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, after the funeral mass of Robert Garwe and their five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal. Picture date: Saturday October 15, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Donegal. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire   PA

The coffins of Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal leave St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, after their funeral mass. Picture date: Saturday October 15, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Donegal. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire   PA

The coffins of Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal are carried into St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for their funeral mass. Picture date: Saturday October 15, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Donegal. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire   PA

President Michael D Higgins (centre) leaves St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, after the funeral mass of Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal. Picture date: Saturday October 15, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Donegal. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire   PA

An Order of Service is held outside St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of Robert Garwe and their five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal. Picture date: Saturday October 15, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Donegal. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire   PA

A Donegal priest who presided over funerals for ten people in five days after a devastating explosion claimed their lives, has described the tragedy as like a fictional movie unfolding before our eyes.

A heart-breaking week for the village of Creeslough saw the victims of the blast that ripped through the Applegreen complex on Friday, October 7, laid to rest following funerals at the same church.

There were harrowing scenes as the final two funerals took place at St Michaels Church in the north Donegal village yesterday morning.

Among the mourners was President Michael D. Higgins.

Five year-old Shauna Flanagan Garwe was the youngest to die.

And yesterday, outside the church, there were moving scenes as the community gathered to say a final farewell to the little girl and her dad. Mourners were led by Mr Garwes partner and Shaunas mum, Aine Flanagan.

Speaking at yesterdays service, Fr John Joe Duffy said Shauna and her father were a regular sight in the village on their scooters.

He said there was a strong bond between father and daughter.

Her uncle revealed how the mixed race schoolgirl died wrapped in her daddys embrace.

Shauna and her father Robert (50)  originally from Zimbabwe  had popped into Laffertys shop when the explosion happened.

Just days before, Shauna had taken ownership of a smart new pair of glasses to assist her with her school work. She was very proud of them.

The other eight victims were James OFlaherty (48). Leona Harper (14). Catherine ODonnell (39) and her son James Monaghan (13). Hugh Kelly (59). Jessica Gallagher (24). Martin McGill (49) and Martina Martin (49).

Shauna had recently started at Scoil Mhuire National School in Creeslough and pupils and staff from the school formed a guard of honour as the funeral procession passed the school yesterday morning.

At the funeral service, Fr Duffy said Shauna had already made a big impact at her school.

He said she would always have a special place in the hearts of those at Scoil Mhuire and her pre-school.

He said she had a talent for art which was well beyond her years.

Shauna was at her happiest when in her class doing her art and colouring, he said.

She was so caring and if she saw a classmate upset or in need of help she would be sure to run over to them and to give them a hug.

Fr Duffy said Mr Garwe was very proud of his homeland of Zimbabwe but enjoyed his life in Ireland.

He had a great love for Shauna and Aine, he said.

Separately, speaking to the Sunday World this week, Fr Duffy told how the horrific tragedy has broken the heart of our community.

From the moment the explosion ripped the heart out of the tiny Donegal village nine days ago Fr Duffy worked tirelessly.

He brought a sense of calm, comfort and understanding to those who mourned the devastating loss of life.

I just worked as the days unfolded. Its so surreal and unreal. Its just heart-breaking and terrible. It was like a fictional movie unfolding before our eyes.

Fr Duffys thumbnail sketches  recalling the lives of the parishioners who died  touched the hearts of the bereaved community.

But it was the diverse ordinariness of the victims in Creeslough which proved to be their greatest and most endearing achievement.

And as Scottish writer and musician Lawrence Donegan  a one-time resident of Creeslough reminded us this week  we should never forget exactly who they were: A caring son and Celtic supporter. A clothes designer.

A rugby-playing Liverpool fan. A shop worker and mother. A family buying a birthday cake. Mother. Father. Son. Daughter. Young. Old.

Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ was moved to comment on what he witnessed in Creeslough in the days after the disaster.

We see more clearly than ever before, the power of a good community. I heard from the Garda that at the very beginning, they were astounded at how readily and quickly members of the community raced up and were doing all in their power to try and help, he said.
60k claim man accused of working full time while claiming illness benefit says barrister was like a bulldog

Jake Finn was caught on video in the gym while claiming he was injured after a fall

43-year-old Jake Finn was caught on video in the gym while claiming he was injured after a fall

Jake Finn was caught on video in the gym while claiming he was injured after a fall

Jake Finn withdrew his case after being challenged by the defence   Gary Ashe

THESE images show a fitness fanatic deadlifting weights in the gym  two years after he claimed he suffered a chronic injury in a fall.

Jake Finn (43) from Sheelin Walk, Ballybrack, Co. Dublin, withdrew his 60,000 personal injuries claim this week after he was repeatedly branded a liar in court.

The former leisure centre worker, who was accused of working full-time while claiming illness benefit, told the Sunday World after the case concluded that the defence barrister was like a bulldog.

Finn was seeking damages after claiming he had slipped and fallen because of water by the side of a swimming pool where he was conducting an aqua aerobics class at the Blue Pool, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.

The centre is run by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

The accident occurred in September 2015 and Finn told defence barrister Shane English he had been on illness benefit since 2017 as he was unable to work.

However, the defence had videos of Finn lifting heavy weights while working as a fitness instructor in a gym in 2017, as well as recent surveillance footage of him working for a decorating company.

Mr English said: Youre telling the State youre not in a position to do any work?

Finn replied that was correct a number of times before Mr English said: Im going to give you one more opportunity. You are under oath.

Mr English added: We and everyone in this court are paying your illness benefit. Finn continued to insist he wasnt working.

You are lying, Mr English replied. You said you couldnt work and couldnt pick up your child of four.

You said your working and personal life were in tatters. Arent you a liar?

No, Im not a liar, Finn replied.

You are a liar and I will show that you have worked as a van driver, Mr English said, as he held up an investigators photos of him loading a van and sitting behind the wheel of a van.

He also said that Finn worked as a personal trainer in 2017.

Finn uploaded videos of himself working as a personal trainer at a gym in Bray in 2017 and lifting heavy weights.

The defence alleged that after he stopped working as a personal trainer he has been working with a decorating company.

When the picture evidence of him working for the decorating company was put to him, Finn admitted: I have done the odd day here and there.

Mr English replied: You are working full-time and claiming illness benefit.

Finn said the owner of the decorating company was a friend of his.

Mr English responded: You told the court under oath that you werent able to work. You are lying.

At this point Finns barrister Conor Duffy interjected to say the plaintiff was not seeking any additional damages for loss of earnings.

However, Judge Terence OSullivan replied: That doesnt get you off the hook.

Judge OSullivan, apologised for stopping Mr English while he was in full flow but said he was going to rise for a few minutes.

Judge OSullivan said that Mr Finns legal team may wish to consult with Mr English, who appeared with Hayes McGrath Solicitors for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Leisure Services Limited.

When proceedings resumed 10 minutes later, Finns legal team said he was withdrawing the claim. Judge OSullivan said he thought it was the best decision in the circumstances and awarded costs against Mr Finn.

When the Sunday World asked Mr Finn if he wanted to comment outside the court, he said: No, youre alright, bud. Look, things go the way they go  you know what I mean? Your man [Shane English] was like a bulldog.

Asked if he was working full-time while claiming disability as alleged in court, he said: I cant talk about it, mate.

There are numerous reviews from customers of the decorating company praising Finns work posted on their Facebook page including several this year.
Weather Eye

with John Maunder

The following data sets and comments are from the climate4you.com website developed by Professor Ole Humlum who is a Danish Professor Emeritus of Physical Geography at the University of Oslo, and Adjunct Professor of Physical Geography at the University Centre in Svalbard.

The website climate4you.com which he edits endeavours to provide an ongoing climate data website which is updated monthly.

It uses data of significant national and global sites such as NASA, WMO, NOAA, UEA, NCDC, IPCC, BoM, SIDA, UAH, NIWA. The objective of the website is to provide information on meteorological and climatological issues of general and specific interest.

Recent global air temperature change, an overview

All temperature diagrams shown below have 1979 as the starting year. This roughly marks the beginning of the recent period of global warming, after termination of the previous period of global cooling from about 1940. In addition, the year 1979 also represents the starting date for the satellite-based global temperature estimates (UAH and RSS).

For the three surface air temperature estimates shown (HadCRUT, NCDC and GISS) the reference period differs. HadCRUT refers to the official normal WMO period 1961-1990, while NCDC and GISS as reference instead uses 1901-2000 and 1951-1980, respectively, which results in higher positive temperature anomalies.

For all three surface air temperature records, but especially NCDC and GISS, administrative changes to anomaly values are quite often introduced, even for observations several years back in time.

Some changes may be due to the delayed addition of new station data, while others probably have their origin in a change of technique to calculate average values.

It is clearly impossible to evaluate the validity of such administrative changes for the outside user of these records. In addition, the three surface records represent a blend of sea surface data, moving ships or by other means, plus data from land stations of partly unknown quality and unknown degree of representativeness for their region.

Many of the land stations have also moved geographically during their existence, and their instrumentation changed.

The satellite temperature records also have their problems, but these are generally of a more technical nature and therefore correctable.

In addition, the temperature sampling by satellites is more regular and complete on a global basis than that represented by the surface records.

It therefore is realistic to recognise that the temperature records are not of equal scientific quality. At the same time the big efforts being put into all five temperature databases should be gratefully acknowledged by all interested in climate science.

On this background, the present website has decided to operate with three quality classes (1-3) for global temperature records, with 1 representing the highest quality level:

Quality class 1: The satellite records (UAH and RSS).

Quality class 2: The HadCRUT surface record.

Quality class 3: The NCDC and GISS surface records.

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The satellite records (UAH MSU and RSS)

Global monthly average lower troposphere temperature since 1979 according to University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH), USA. This graph uses data obtained by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) TIROS-N satellite, interpreted by Dr Roy Spencer and Dr John Christy, both at Global Hydrology and Climate Center, University of Alabama at Huntsville, USA. The thick line is the simple running 37 month average, nearly corresponding to a running 3 year average. The cooling and warming periods directly influenced by the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption and the 1998 El Nino, respectively, are clearly visible. Reference period 1991-2020.

Global monthly average lower troposphere temperature since 1979 according to Remote Sensing Systems (RSS). This graph uses data obtained by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) TIROS-N satellite, and interpreted by Dr. Carl Mears (RSS). The thick line is the simple running 37 month average, nearly corresponding to a running 3 yr average. The cooling and warming periods directly influenced by the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption and the 1998 El Nino, respectively, are clearly visible. Click here for a description of RSS MSU data products.

The HadCRUT surface record

Global monthly average surface air temperature since 1979 according to Hadley CRUT, a cooperative effort between the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research and the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit (CRU), UK. The thin line represents the monthly values, while the thick line is the simple running 37 month average, nearly corresponding to a running 3 year average. An introduction to the dataset has been published by Brohan et al. (2005). Base period: 1961-1990.

The NCDC and GISS surface records

Global monthly average surface air temperature since 1979 according to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), USA. This time series is calculated using land surface data from the Global Historical Climatology Network (Version 2) and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies from the United Kingdom MOHSST data set and the NCEP Optimum Interpolated SSTs (Version 3). The thick line is the simple running 37 month average, nearly corresponding to a running 3 year average. Base period: 1901-2000.

Global monthly average surface air temperature since 1979 according to the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), at Columbia University, New York City, USA. GISS is a laboratory of the Earth-Sun Exploration Division of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and a unit of the Columbia University Earth Institute. The thick line is the simple running 37 month average, nearly corresponding to a running 3 yr average. Discussions of reasons why the GISS temperature estimate differs from other estimates can be read by clicking here, here and here. Base period: 1951-1980.

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For further Information about a wide range of weather/climate matters see my new book Fifteen shades of climate... the fall of the weather dice and the butterfly effect. The book is available through the web site amazon.com. Just Google fifteen shades of climate for details.
New Zealands first planting of hatchery grown seaweed in Coromandel waters could be the beginning of a new sector for the aquaculture industry.

Over the last year, marine ecologists have been growing Ecklonia radiata seaweed collected from the wild, in a hatchery in Tauranga, as part of EnviroStrats $5 million regenerative ocean farming pilot.

Seaweed has many health benefits and can be used in everything from pharmaceuticals, beauty products to wound care and plastics.

Now around 220 metres of the tiny native seedlings have been planted in waters off the Coromandel coastline in the Hauraki Gulf, with more to be planted in the coming months.

Its an historic moment that could lead to the creation of a billion dollar industry in New Zealand, says EnviroStrat CEO Dr Nigel Bradly.

This is the first time in New Zealand that we've had Ecklonia grown in a hatchery and put onto a farm.

"What we are seeing now, is hopefully, the start of something really exciting, where we're able to create a supply chain for existing marine farming."

Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge estimated the global seaweed sector to be worth nearly $20.5 billion.

Seaweed production has tripled over the last two decades and now makes up a third of all aquatic farming.

University of Waikato researchers Dr Rebecca Lawton said its really exciting that they are at the planting stage after years of research.

By creating an economically viable seed-to-harvest model for seaweed farming, Bradly said, New Zealand has the ability to produce high end seaweed products on a large scale for the international stage.

The three-year pilot project is led by natural resource sector project developer EnviroStrat, in collaboration with Ngati Pukenga, Ngai Tai ki Tamaki, seaweed product developer Premium Seas, the Universities of Waikato and Auckland and seaweed processor AgriSea.

It will eventually see a total of 36km of seaweed planted in Tauranga and Coromandel over the next year piggy backing off of muscle farms.

Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge estimated the global seaweed sector to be worth nearly $20.5 billion.

The brown kelp is an important species in the ecosystem and has never been harvested from the wild until now, says Waikato University marine ecologist Dr Rebecca Lawton.

The tiny seedlings, wrapped around twine, will be hung six metres from the surface eventually growing to their full size, she says.

We will be outplanting every month for a whole year... with 24km of it going in Coromandel waters.

From this pilot they will be able to figure out the best time to plant seaweed and maintain it in the hopes of scaling up to another level, says Rebecca.

This could also lead to the development of machinary that can machinically wind the seaweed around the rope instead of people doing it by hand.

Whats really exciting for us is that we all see so much potential in what seaweed can do for the environment and our economy, so its really exciting to get to a stage were not just talking, but actually taking the next step.

Premium Seas CEO Lucas Evans says the opportunities will be endless for the sector  with one of his own products being used in a L'Oreal face cream.

He moved from Australia 10 years ago to get behind New Zealands emerging seaweed industry and now owns one of New Zealands largest seaweed manafacturers.

The rows of seaweed will be planted in the same area as the muscle farms in Coromandel.

Its a pinch me moment for everyone involved, says Evans.

While its still early days, he said, the pilot its proving that large scale farming can be done in New Zealand.

Its really important to the growth of New Zealands seaweed industry and once we establish this species we will be able to move on the other species.

Theres many layers that people can participate in within the sector, from the farmer to the process through to the marketers and retailers.

-Sharnae Hope/Stuff.
An updated app and website are being launched to help people stay stronger for longer and add life to their years.

The free and easy to use digital service, called LifeCurve, helps older adults stay active and independent and is based on international research about ageing.

Users can take the LifeCurve quiz to map how they are ageing based on their ability to do 19 everyday activities  such as reaching their toes to cut their toenails, walking up and down stairs or cooking a hot meal.

They can then receive a personalised results package with movement routines and hints and tips on how to age better, stay active and improve their position on the LifeCurve.

Users can also choose a goal such as Take care of myself, Manage everyday tasks more easily or Improve my strength and balance to receive personalised advice based on research and knowledge from physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

Although developed in the Bay of Plenty, LifeCurve can be used by anyone in New Zealand.

An earlier version of the app was launched in the Bay of Plenty last year. However, the LifeCurve team at Te Whatu Ora knew they had more work to do.

Project lead Kathy Everitt says they have been working in partnership with Maori through Te Pare o Toi and a local Te Ao Maori focus group for the last several months to ensure that adaptations to the new app are in line with a Maori world view.

Research shows we can make a difference to how we age and that getting older does not have to mean losing our abilities or independence, says Kathy.

Its about changing our attitudes to ageing  no matter what age we are, small changes like adding more movement into our lives can make a big difference.

The LifeCurve is based on Newcastle University research around age-related functional decline and has been in use in the United Kingdom since 2018.

The research proves that ageing does not have to mean losing your abilities, as ageing is only 20% genetic.

Users can download the app from the Apple or Android (Google Play) app stores by searching for LifeCurve.

Alternatively, they can find a link on the website www.lifecurve.co.nz.

Kathy suggests that people who dont have smartphones, or who need help with using the app, choose a support person like a family member or friend to help.

The app and website have a whanau / family focus which allows one account holder to create several profiles, similar to Netflix.

This means one account holder can help several different family members or friends to age better.

You can try it at www.lifecurve.co.nz.

More improvements will be made to the LifeCurve service based on user feedback over the next few months.
Helping a young man attain compensation for being unlawfully detained in prison is among one of Olivia Brittains highlights as a solicitor serving the community.

Looking out for those in the community who need help gaining legal assistance, Olivia works as managing solicitor at Baywide Community Law.

Our aim is to ensure access to justice for people with unmet legal needs. We provide free legal advice to people on low incomes, to people with disabilities or other disadvantages, says Olivia. If people dont qualify for legal advice, we can still give them information and point them in the right direction.

The Baywide Community Law team provides legal advice and information for a range of problems including employment, financial disputes, tenancy and housing, criminal, family, Maori Land and issues for young people.

Successful outcomes

Olivia says that the team has been able to help some very deserving people with legal needs who would not have been assisted if it wasnt for Baywide.

Most people are very appreciative of our assistance and we have managed to secure a number of very successful outcomes for a lot of people, says Olivia.

One case in particular that I did was assisting a young man secure a compensatory payment for unlawful detention in prison  thats definitely been a highlight.

Before Olivia joined the Baywide Community Law team in 2021, she had been a barrister specialising in criminal law and has more than 15 years of experience practicing law.

Now, Olivia helps people in a range of areas at Baywide in a way that fits with her personal values.

Ive always been passionate about helping people who are economically, culturally or socially disadvantaged and I felt that Baywide Community Law service is an organisation which helps people exactly like that meet their unmet needs.

She describes working with her colleagues at Baywide as extremely rewarding.

Weve got a great team.

Accessible Education

Baywide Community Law also provide legal education sessions to the community for free.

Weve recently led a couple of very successful education sessions covering protection orders, police safety orders, and domestic violence leave entitlements, powers of attorney and wills, says Olivia.

Baywide welcomes suggestions from community organisations regarding topics they would like to learn about.

Legal advice from the Baywide Community Law team can be given over the phone, online via Zoom or in-person at their offices.

For more information contact 0800 905 916 or email tauranga@baywidecls.org.nz

Keep an eye out for their new website coming soon at www.baywidecls.org.nz Or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/BaywideCommunityLaw
Construction of a $3 million extension of Heartwood Avenue in Omokoroa is set to start in November.

The extension will support planned land and housing development in the area.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has awarded the contract for the project to HEB Contractors for $3.46m.

The project involves construction of the road extension, including a new roundabout, as well as new footpaths, lighting, landscaping, and supporting utilities.

Heartwood Avenue - Prole Road to Kaimai Views. Photo: Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Councils project manager Raj Sumeran says this is an exciting step in the project, which will involve extending Heartwood Avenue from Prole Road through to Kaimai Views.

This will open up a number of potential land developments adjacent to Heartwood Avenue and ultimately help support the fast growth were seeing across the peninsula.

The extension will also assist traffic to use this as an alternative route to Prole Road while the Prole Road Urbanisation project is under construction next year.

Council worked with the community on the early stages of the Heartwood Avenue extension, with peoples feedback helping to shape the final design, says Raj.

Construction is planned to start in November, with completion estimated for mid-2023.

The works are not expected to affect the general public.

The Heartwood Avenue extension is one of more than 15 Council infrastructure projects planned for Omokoroa to provide for the communitys significant growth.

If youre keen to learn more about what else is happening in Omokoroa keep an eye out for Councils next community info session coming up in November.

Subscribe to Councils monthly Omokoroa Peninsula Projects e-newsletter to be notified of the community info session details, and stay up to date with this project and others. Sign up at westernbay.govt.nz/omokoroaprojects
The conditions are now in place for a fresh decision to be taken on data transfers between the EU and the U.S. President Biden has signed an executive order to strengthen the protection of personal data in the U.S. This paves the way for businesses to once again be able to smoothly transfer personal data across the Atlantic. Hopefully, interaction and business activity with the U.S. will be simplified in the spring.

The European Commission will draft a new decision on the transfer of personal data to the U.S. in the coming months. Photo : Mostphotos

Many businesses work hard to be able to transfer personal data from the EU to the U.S. For all types of personal data, businesses must make assessments about whether and how they can transfer data. Reasonable protective measures are not always available. Extensive requirements for technical safeguards, such as end-to-end encryption, are costly, time-consuming and sometimes make data transfer pointless.

In the past, adequacy decisions have meant that the EU approved the U.S. as a recipient country of personal data. The most recent decision, known as Privacy Shield, was invalidated in July 2020 in the Schrems II judgment of the European Court of Justice. The verdict has had major consequences. Businesses have had to invest considerable resources to ensure the protection of personal data in accordance with the court decision, guidance from the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and comply with requirements set in so-called transfer mechanisms such as Standard Contractual Clauses and Binding Corporate Rules. The public sector in Sweden has also been affected, particularly through Swedish public authoritys interpretation prohibiting the use of American IT providers and cloud services.

For a new adequacy decision to take effect, the U.S. must adopt regulations that allow only proportionate government surveillance and give individuals the opportunity to seek legal review of how their personal data is processed. This has now been confirmed by President Biden according to information from the White House.

The European Commission will now draft a new decision on the transfer of personal data to the U.S. in the coming months. After the EDPB delivers its opinion, Member States must approve the proposal before the European Commission can formally adopt the adequacy decision. By spring, businesses can hopefully breathe a sigh of relief when the transfer of personal data is facilitated through the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, (EU-U.S. DPF). Once this decision has been taken, companies can rely on personal data in the U.S. being protected in the same way as in the EU. Then the ordinary risk-based approach and measures stipulated in GDPR apply.
The world is full of networking protocols  the ways in which electronic equipment and computers communicate. A big use of these protocols can be found in data centers, especially among the hyperscales like Google and Amazon.

Connecting all the servers inside a data center is a high-intensity networking operation, and for decades these operators used the most common communication protocols like Ethernet to physically connect all those servers and switches. (Yes, there are many others still in use, but Ethernet makes up the majority of what we are talking about). Ethernet has been around a long time because it is highly flexible, scalable and all the other -bles. But as with all things in technology, it has its limitations.

Editor's Note:

Guest author Jonathan Goldberg is the founder of D2D Advisory, a multi-functional consulting firm. Jonathan has developed growth strategies and alliances for companies in the mobile, networking, gaming, and software industries.

Earlier this year, Google unveiled their new networking protocol called Aquila in which Google seems to be focusing on one big limitation of Ethernet  latency in the network, or delays caused by the amount of time it takes to move things around an Ethernet network. Admittedly, we are measuring latency in millionths of a second (microseconds, s), but at the scale we are talking about these delays add up.

In Google's words:

We are seeing a new impasse in the datacenter where advances in distributed computing are increasingly limited by the lack of performance predictability and isolation in multi-tenant datacenter networks. Two to three orders of magnitude performance difference in what network fabric designers aim for and what applications can expect and program to is not uncommon, severely limiting the pace of innovation in higher-level cluster-based distributed systems

Parsing through this dense paper two questions stood out for us.

First, what applications is Google building that are so complicated that they require this solution. Google is famous for its effort to commercialize distributed computing solutions. They invented many of the most common tools and concepts for breaking up big, complex computing problems into small, discrete tasks that can be done in parallel. But here, they are looking to centralize all that.

Instead of discrete tasks, Google is instead building applications that are closely linked and interdependent, so much so that they need to share data in such a way that microseconds bog down the whole thing by "two to three orders of magnitude".

The answer is likely "AI neural networks"  which is a fancy way of saying matrix multiplication. The bottleneck that many AI systems face is that when calculating massive models, the different stages of the math affect each other  one calculation needs the solution to another calculation before it can complete.

Dig into the travails of startup AI chip companies and many of them founder on these sorts of issues. Google must have models so big that these inter-dependencies become bottlenecks that can only solved at data center scale. A likely candidate here is that Google needs something like this to train autonomous driving models  which have to factor in huge numbers of inter-dependent variables. For example, is that object on Lidar the same as what the camera is seeing, how far is it, and how long until we crash into it?

It is also possible that Google is working on some other very intense calculations. The paper repeatedly discusses High Performance Computing (HPC), which is typically the realm of super computers simulating the weather and nuclear reactions. It is worthwhile to think through what Google is working on here because it will likely be very important somewhere down the line.

That being said, a second factor that stood out for us in this paper is a sense of extreme irony.

We found this paragraph in particular to be highly humorous (which definitely says more about our sense of humor than anything else):

The key differences in these more specialized settings relative to production datacenter environments include: i) the ability to assume single tenant deployments or at least space sharing rather than time sharing; ii) reduced concerns around failure handling; and iii) a willingness to take on backward incompatible network technologies including wire formats.

The point here is that Google wanted Aquila to provide dedicated networking paths for a single user, to provide guaranteed delivery of a message, and to support older communications protocols. There is, of course, a set of networking technologies that already do this  we call them circuit switching, and they have been used by telecom operators for over a hundred years.

We know that Aquila is very different. But it is worth reflecting on how much of technology is a pendulum. Circuit switching gave way to Internet packet switching over many painful, grueling decades of transition. And now that we are at the point where Internet protocols power pretty much every telecommunications network out there, the state of the art is moving back to deterministic delivery with dedicated channels.

The point is not that Google is regressive, merely that technology has trade-offs, and different applications require different solutions. Remember that the next time someone wages a holy war over one protocol or another.

Google is not alone in seeking out something like this. Packet switching in general and the Internet in particular, have some serious limitations. There are dozens of groups in the world looking to address these limitations. These groups range from Internet pioneers like Professor Tim Berners-Lee and his Solid initiative to Huawei's New IP (a slightly different view of that).

Those projects obviously have very different objectives, but all of them suffer from a problem of overcoming a world-spanning installed base. By contrast, Google is not looking to change the world, just its portion of it.
In context: Microsoft Defender made its debut as a downloadable free anti-spyware program in the Windows XP days. Eventually, Microsoft turned into a proper antivirus solution (it's gone through a few different names and iterations) integrating the software in the operating system. After many years, however, Defender still has a hard time detecting malware when the PC is offline.

AV-Comparatives, a leading organization in security software testing, recently released its latest Malware Protection Test for consumer antivirus software. The test compared major antivirus products with a defined set of malware samples, collecting logs and results about the software capabilities to detect and protect users against infection.

The list of tested products in the Malware Protection Test for September 2022 included well known names in the security business like Avira, AVG, Avast (which are now all part of the Norton LifeLock product family), Bitdefender, Kaspersky and many more. Microsoft Defender, the Windows' built-in security system was included as well, even though final results weren't so brilliant compared to some of the best third-party antivirus on the market.

According to AV-Comparatives, Microsoft Defender got the third lowest score for offline detection capabilities (69.8%) just before Panda (52.8%) and Trend Micro (41.1%).

Conversely, Defender's detection and protection capabilities were in line with some of the best antivirus software for Windows (98.1%, 99.99%) when using online, cloud-based features.

AV-Comparatives recently changed its testing methodology by focusing on protection rather than on detection capabilities alone. In brief, the tests are now checking whether antivirus software can prevent a malicious program to make any actual changes to the system even after it has already arrived on the targeted machine in its inactive state.

While facing the 10,019 malware samples used for the tests, Microsoft Defender was able to block almost all of them except 1  but only when the antivirus could access Redmond's cloud servers. Avast, AVG, G Data and McAfee scored a perfect, 100% protection rate, while Trend Micro was dead last with 259 successful infections.

AV-Comparatives gathered all the tested antivirus products in four different groups, assigning a different award to each group proportionally to the number of false positives detected by each antivirus.

Microsoft Defender detected "Many" false positives even with its online capabilities on (19), therefore Windows native antivirus protection could only score an "Advanced" protection award even though it got the best one (Advanced+) in previous tests.
In context: Off-hours might not accurately describe the ground time of flight attendants since much of it is spent planning their next flight. Help from the airlines they work for is less than efficient since there are no real-time updates on the numerous daily flight delays and roster schedules unless the attendant enjoys hanging out in the airport or monitoring an employee portal 24/7.

Enter an iPhone app called "Sequence Decoder." The software is available to anyone and can display past and future departure and arrival information in real time. However, it has even more value for flight attendants as it can furnish specific inflight info, calendars, crew chat, standby lists, and more. It also can show crew rosters for specific flights so that attendants can see which ones still need members and plan to fly with familiar coworkers.

One would think that airlines would embrace such a practical app for employees and a lot of them do. However, American Airlines (AA) is allegedly going to great lengths to block Sequence Decoder from gathering the information it needs to provide the company's employees with this helpful service.

In his blog Paddle Your Own Kanoo, international flight attendant Mateusz Maszczynski notes that the app has become a "must-have tool" for flight attendants. This necessity is especially true at AA because of its numerous reserve flight attendants. The fact it has an app for customers but not crew is somewhat ironic, but also not surprising since the consumer application is apparently not well designed.

Here's the American Airlines chat bot *in the American Airlines app* telling me to check in using the American Airlines app



Genius! Why didn't I think of that? pic.twitter.com/MOhvKTA8CI  B J. Witkin (@Itsjustbeej) October 17, 2022

American Airlines doesn't have an app to help employees manage their schedules and has allegedly turned down offers from Sequence Decoder developer Jeffrey Reisberg to collaborate on one. Instead, AA has deployed "sophisticated bot detection software" to keep Reisberg's app from scraping information from its public-facing websites.

For Sequence Decoder to function, it has to gather data from various AA webpages. It doesn't collect anything illegal. All the information is publicly available if you know where to look. However, the airline is actively trying to cripple the app with bot-detecting software.

"We've tried to get them to talk to us, find a way to peacefully coexist but they have refused all communications," Reisberg told app owners in an email. "At the end of the day, I don't think they understand why this service is important, and they don't care to know."

In other words, instead of allowing the app to do what it does or creating an equivalent to it, America Airlines has taken an all-too-common corporate stance that its employees are worth less than its publicly available data.

"You can gather all this data yourself and crunch the numbers manually, but we'll be damned if you can have an app that makes it easy for you," the airline is indirectly saying. It's something within its right to do, but it is terrible optics from a PR standpoint. The app's review section if full of five-star ratings and praise from flight attendants that use the app every day.

Fortunately, the bots have not entirely shut down users yet. Reisberg says he has found workarounds so far, but it's getting harder.

"We've found holes in the net and managed to survive, but the net is always getting better," he said. "Last week the net got us good again, I thought it could be the end."

Maszczynski said that he spoke to one anonymous AA attendant who said they had "never seen a company go out of their way to make life harder for their workers."

It's worth mentioning that Reisberg does not appear to be making any money from his application. Sequence Decoder is free from the Apple App Store, has no in-app transactions, and does not collect user data. So it's not even a case where someone uses AA's publicly available data for personal profit.

Sequence Decoder is not the only app of its kind out there. Other similar organizers work in much the same manner. Most airlines allow this software because they recognize its usefulness but don't have the time or resources to develop and maintain their own.

However, others are adversarial. Maszczynski relates that one unnamed airline created a copycat and then shut down access to third-party apps trying to provide the same service. At least, in that case, the airline recognized the need and provided similar functionality rather than leaving its attendants high and dry.

American Airlines has not commented on its alleged actions but is currently involved in a lawsuit with a similar website app that scrapes data to provide AAdvantage account holders an accessible portal to manage airline points and miles.
Talent sourcing tools help find dream jobs in a market where everyone is trying to stand out. It might be difficult for some people who are fresh graduates, starters who are kicking off their path, or those who are in the middle of changing careers. On the employer side, things aren't easy either, as they must deal with various challenges before selecting the right person for the position.

Fortunately, these talent sourcing tools provide assistance, so whether you're looking for IT jobs, tech jobs, or occupations that are currently sought-after yet overcrowded in the market, you'll undoubtedly land one, and employers will find their way to you.

What Is Talent Acquisition Software?

Recruiters, talent acquisition experts, and HR managers use Talent Acquisition Software to streamline and expedite their recruiting processes, such as recruiting, screening, assessing, and onboarding new employees. It's usually more on the employer's side and doesn't give many options for those who wish to be recruited.

What Are Recruitment Sourcing Tools?

On the other hand, recruitment talent sourcing tools are software systems that assist hiring managers and recruiters in dynamically locating potential employees by looking through candidate profiles, resumes, or other data. At the same time, it facilitates the recruitment of qualified individuals for open positions.

In a nutshell, a talent job search is no longer simply a way for recruiters to do their job but also a means for applicants to land a job. To see which 'tools' give the same offerings, here are our top 5 best talent sourcing tools to find dream jobs that suit you and employees that your business needs.

#1 Jobvite

Executing a successful sourcing skill is complicated. Your company needs a system that handles complexity while producing great outcomes. Jobvite's Evolve Talent Acquisition Suite is a cohesive solution that addresses your recruitment difficulties while also evolving with you to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

The flagship package of Jobvite handles the whole cycle of sourcing to help people find dream jobs, including company branding, recruitment marketing, candidate managing, onboarding, and even internal mobility.

As one of the best talent sourcing tools, you won't have to worry about integrating various point solutions to satisfy your specific recruitment needs. Jobvite offers comprehensive functionality across the recruitment experience, as well as personalization options to complement your procedures, and is purpose-built to provide better results quicker.

The Suite automates your most time-consuming recruitment procedures, allowing tech recruiters time to lead and create connections with applicants.

Jobvite's drive to innovation enables us to use the finest artificial intelligence to assist source and activating high-quality prospects. While its R&D roadmap adds depth to features across the recruiting lifecycle, it allows teams to be more productive and efficient, and achieve greater results.

Key Features and Advantages

All-in-one talent sourcing tools for your company

Use of AI to help find candidates

300+ integrations for your HR tech stack

Makes it easy to oversee tech recruiting and more

Provides data at your fingertips for future uses

#2 Hired

With Hired, you can have fast access to a vetted pool of responsive top IT and sales professionals looking for their next opportunity. Software engineers, DevOps, data analysts, CX managers, and more positions are available.

You may browse through a curated pool of highly qualified applicants, each of whom has been pre-screened for experience, abilities, and pay requirements. Based on millions of successful matches, the algorithms locate just the best individuals for your job needs, saving you 45 hours of sourcing time every hire.

Moreover, you may view candidates' wage expectations and job preferences ahead of time for more upfront discussions, saving time and preventing prejudice. A free package of configurable technical examinations may be used to examine software engineer applicants' skills offsite. For this, you can run programming tasks in real-time or asynchronously with full code replay.

As an applicant, you can simply describe your background and the qualities you seek in a position. The whole process is only a few steps, but it ensures that matching algorithms identify opportunities that match your talents and tastes. To make the situation even faster, a resume uploader awaits you, too.

Once authorized, your profile will be marketed to employers for at least two weeks. When its software identifies a potentially suitable match, the employer will notice you in their matches and may request an interview right away.

Key Features and Advantages

One of the best talent sourcing tools for tech jobs

3 easy ways for candidates to join the hiring pool

A free suite that helps tech recruiters find the one for the job

A salary expectation that is not present in other tools

#3 Job.com

Job.com offers people-first talent sourcing tools for active job search and career opportunity matchmaking that strengthens candidate relationships with genuine recruiters seeking the next great applicant. It blends clever technology with actual recruiters to make better matches, saving you time combing through postings that aren't a good fit.

To make it better, it saves you time combing through postings that aren't a good fit.

As a candidate, you may find dream jobs faster owing to a plentiful supply of available positions combined with powerful data science and AI. Because we continually monitor hundreds of possibilities around the clock, we can provide you with the best-fit positions. Schedule an interview with a recruiter who will take you through the process to get the help you need when you need it.

This platform applies powerful artificial intelligence to the hiring process, allowing for improved matching between persons and vacant positions. You don't have to go through the agony of signing up for a site that won't even help you reach recruiters and land the jobs of your dreams.

Key Features and Advantages

Talent sourcing tool that helps candidates find dream jobs

Leverages AI to streamline the whole application process

Offers a drag-and-drop feature to upload resumes and match them with jobs

Discover different jobs depending on the category, work hours, and more

#4 HiringSolved

You can say goodbye to jumbled procedures, disorganized data, and many displays. HiringSolved automates recruiting, allowing you to match candidates with opportunities quickly, accurately, and with Google-like ease. HiringSolved simplifies recruitment by putting everything in a single pane of glass, unlike conventional recruiting systems and procedures, which are notorious for their complexities and inefficiencies.

HiringSolved allows recruiters to focus on what they do best: connecting top people to suitable openings while eliminating unnecessary processes that sap profitability. There will be no more time-consuming, repetitive tasks. No more incompatible candidates, just quick and fast AI-powered search and match, and clever, first-time talent matches. Eventually, you'll be able to identify individuals with similar skill sets fast and simply by utilizing talent matching technology and AI-powered recruitment assistant RAI.

However, it does more than just use AI staffing and automation to improve recruiting procedures. This solution provides real-time insights into data from your ATS, CRM, and HRIS systems under one roof. In return, it reveals applicant sources and qualifications. With it, you can automate workarounds and eliminate time-consuming manual activities that slow you down and cost you money.

Key Features and Advantages

AI-powered search and match

Also increases matching to reduce operating costs

3x faster way to find the best candidate

Cutting edge features meant to help HR teams

#5 Talentprise

About 61% of recruiters in the workforce indicated that "identifying qualified, experienced candidates" is the most challenging recruitment process. In comparison, 52% reported that "improving hiring quality" is the top recruitment objective in the next 12 months. On the other hand, job applicants have expressed dissatisfaction with the present recruiting procedure resulting in a complicated way to find dream jobs.

But overall, perhaps the largest challenge in today's employment market is a lack of reaction or sometimes no response from businesses. "I applied for hundreds of jobs and had few responses from employers; I feel like my CV is being lost in the shuffle." In return, making the present recruiting process inefficient for both employers and candidates. It's not just difficult to find dream jobs, but also the ideal person fit for the vacant job.

This is where talent job search from Talentprise comes into play. They turned the process into a data-driven one. Personas replaced employers' job descriptions, and talent resumes were replaced by data-driven talent profiles enhanced with traits, competencies, preferences, soft skills, and so on. They also created the AI Headhunter matching algorithm to match Employers' requirements with Talents' aspirations.

Talentprise is a talent job search tool based in Toronto that was created in 2021, with offices in the United States and Dubai. Talentprise is the owner and operator of Talentprise.com, one of the best talent sourcing tools for recruiters driven by AI. Employers, talent acquisition experts, headhunters, and hiring managers worldwide rely on them to identify top talent. While assisting talent and job seekers in standing out and obtaining the dream employment they love and deserve.

For Job Seekers

Talentprise is available to talent users actively seeking a job, a career change, or career progression. Registration is open to both recent graduates and seasoned professionals. Full-time, part-time, internship, freelancing, and other employment kinds are all covered by Talentprise. All professionals and subject matter experts from a wide range of topics and sectors are welcome to apply to the Talentprise global pool. Talentprise is a platform for all types of talents.

With an abundance of people competing for job openings, it might be challenging to establish competitive advantages on a two-page CV. To find dream jobs is now more difficult than ever. By merging qualitative data from job searchers and the power of AI-powered recruitment, the Talentprise online platform makes it simple and effective for job-seeking applicants to stand out. You can land software developer jobs and tech-related positions that fit you best.

For Employers

As an employer, this talent sourcing tool helps you find the ideal fit, top-tier IT talent for the vacant positions. Utilize the power of cutting-edge AI-based technology to find as many eligible applicants as you require. Define your desired applicant persona and let Talentprise propose the best recruiting resources for you. Discover unrivaled expertise in tackling the most pressing issues confronting recruiters and the recruiting team.

Find a plethora of pre-assessed soft skills, good fit, qualified, and enthusiastic IT workers. Get in touch immediately with verified contact information and get the hiring dialogue forward. You can speed up your tech recruitment using cutting-edge AI technology and build a pool of ace-high talent with Talentprise.

Advantages

Uses data-driven, skill-based talent acquisition that comprises soft skills (pre-assessed) as a selection criteria

Built an intelligent algorithm for AI-powered matching to candidates who are very relevant to the job criteria.

Instead of reactive job postings and waiting for people to apply, use proactive headhunting and direct access to top talent.

Focuses on STEM and technology skills in the IT sector specialization

With a long-term talent sourcing database for future usage via dynamic talent pools

Lets you hire thousands of highly skilled employees from across the world remotely or on-site.

Candidates' data analytics and benchmarking allow businesses to quickly identify outstanding talent.

Overall, Talentprise proved to be the best web-based talent Intelligence tool. It is designed to assist Talents (job seekers) in finding their ideal careers while also helping Enterprises (employers) find the best-fit talents. Its data-driven platform uses artificial intelligence to connect Talents' qualifications, motivation, and interests with Employers' identities and requirements.

Find dream jobs, or let your company look for the best candidate for the job with Talentprise! Get started today and join the workforce.

What Is the Difference Between Sourcing and Recruiting?

Overall, the technique is the primary distinction between sourcing and recruitment. While sourcing is a proactive search for active and passive competent people, recruitment is a reactive process of reviewing and pre-screening prospective applications. Sourcing assists businesses in finding the best applicant for open positions, while recruitment does the same but also assists candidates in navigating the application process.

The bottom line is that the best talent sourcing tools should be more than simply a way for businesses to locate the best candidate for the position. It should also help candidates find their way without having to go through detailed information that neither HR nor recruitment managers want to go through.

Tools like Jobvite, Job.com, and Talentprise can help with this. If you're an employer, Hired and HiringSolved should work best for you.

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University of Arizona researchers believe there was life on Mars during the planet's infant stages and that it had the environment to sustain it until climate change began.

Possible Life on Mars

Most Mars researchers think Mars formerly had a far thicker atmosphere than it does now. Regis Ferriere, a professor at the University of Arizona Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and one of the study's two senior authors, agrees that it would have likely provided a temperate environment that enabled water to flow and, presumably, microbial life to flourish.

"We think Mars may have been a little cooler than Earth at the time, but not nearly as cold as it is now, with average temperatures hovering most likely above the freezing point of water," he said.

Published in Nature Astronomy, the research states that today's Mars is exceedingly improbable to support any sort of life on its surface. However, Earth's smaller, the red neighbor may have been far more livable 4 billion years ago, as opposed to its current dry and extremely cold environment with a thin atmosphere Earth rovers have explored.

Phys.org underlines that most hydrogen on Earth is bound up with water and is rarely observed on its own, except in isolated situations such as hydrothermal vents. On the other hand, its abundance in the Martian atmosphere might have given an abundant supply of energy for methanogenic microorganisms about 4 billion years ago, when conditions were more favorable to life.

Ferriere believes earlier Mars would have been substantially different from what it is today, moving into more warm and wet rather than cold and dry due to high quantities of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. But to be clear, the researchers are not claiming that life occurred on early Mars, but if it did, Ferriere said, "our study shows that underground, early Mars would very likely have been habitable to methanogenic microbes."

Also Read: NASA Perseverance Rover Discovers Mysterious Rock on Mars, Scientists Astounded on Formation

How Researchers Came to Their Conclusion

The researchers used models that estimate the temperatures at the surface and in the crust for a specific air composition to mimic the circumstances that early lifeforms would have experienced on Mars. They then merged the data with an ecosystem model they created to determine whether biological species might have survived in their particular habitat and how they would have changed it through time.

"Our goal was to make a model of the Martian crust with its mix of rock and salty water, let gases from the atmosphere diffuse into the ground, and see whether methanogens could live with that," said Ferriere, who holds a joint appointment at Paris Sciences & Lettres University in Paris.

The researchers then sought to answer an interesting question: how deep would one have had to travel to uncover life underground? They noted that the Martian atmosphere would have given the chemical energy that the creatures would have required to thrive-in this case, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

A fellow in Ferriere's team, Sauterey, finds that biological activity on Mars would have drastically altered the planet's atmosphere in a matter of tens or hundreds of thousands of years. Microbes would have significantly lowered the planet's temperature by eliminating hydrogen from the atmosphere.

As a result of biological activity, the early Mars' surface would have quickly turned glacial. In other words, the climatic change caused by Martian life may have led to the planet's surface being inhospitable early on.

Regardless, the researchers agree that it is difficult to predict how long Mars might have been habitable. Future Mars exploration missions may give solutions, but there will still be problems.

Related Article: Microbes Can Survive On Mars, Claim Scientists

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We have already heard of funeral holograms and performances involving holograms and a mixed reality stage, but Google is now pushing the use of these 3D projected images in the workplace.

According to CNBC, Google plans to expand testing of its in-house Project Starline, video call booths where users can chat with hologram versions of their friends, coworkers, and family.

Project Starline Testing

Employees can now communicate with coworkers in the same way that R2-D2 did in Star Wars, thanks to Google's new feature. The project was started last year, with the company streamlining its functions over the next few months.

Google initiated the project to address the need for more technology to enhance the sense of belonging and togetherness. According to the company, despite the availability of many simplified and collaborative apps, nothing beats meeting and talking face-to-face.

The reason cited was what motivated Google to work on Project Starline. The company will use the project to combine breakthroughs in hardware and software to create life-size and three-dimensional images that can mimic natural human gestures, voice, and eye contact.

Project Starline also employs cutting-edge research in computer vision, machine learning, spatial audio, and real-time compression. Google enhances the feature by including a state-of-the-art light field display that generates a sense of volume and depth that can be experienced without the use of supplemental glasses or headsets. After all, the goal is to provide the most realistic experience possible.

Read Also: Smartphone as At-Home Heart Monitor? Health Experts Now Assessing Device's Built-In Microphone

"One of the things we are most proud of is that as soon as you sit down and start talking, the technology fades into the background, and you can focus on what's most important: the person in front of you," Google stated.

Early Access Program

Since the project began, Google has been using Starline prototypes in many of its offices across the United States. Employees have reportedly used the hologram project for a variety of purposes, including meetings and employee onboarding.

Promising feedback from early testers came in the form of Google employees spending thousands of hours using Project Starline to do several important tasks, as well as comments noting how powerful the ability to make eye contact was, and how much more engaged and connected they felt using the program.

Google also mentioned additional interesting results in another blog post. For instance, when using Starline, users engaged in more nonverbal behaviors. Particularly, there were 50% more eyebrow movements, 25% more head nods, and 40% more hand gestures.

Additionally, when using Project Starline, participants tracked nearly 30% better when asked to recall specifics of a conversation or a meeting's agenda. Simply put, it has the potential to increase productivity.

In addition to connecting Google staff, the company also invited more than 100 business partners from industries like media, healthcare, and retail to demos at Google's offices and offer feedback on the experience and potential business applications of the project.

"The proliferation of hybrid work models is creating new opportunities to fundamentally rethink how we collaborate in the workplace," says Scott Morey, president of technology & innovation at WeWork.

Related Article: An 'AI-Powered Hologram' Creepily Revives Dead Woman to Deliver A Speech at Her Funeral

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The battle over workers between Uber, Lyft, and the gig economy will continue, according to analysts, CNBC reported.

Federal authorities tighten Trump-era labor regulations, indicating that gig workers of these services must be treated as independent contractors with a few labor law protections. However, this new regulation by the Department of Labor (DOL) does not instantly make gig workers eligible for overtime, unemployment insurance, and other benefits.

While state-level action is a possibility, Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak argues that a federal lawsuit would be more effective in requiring corporations to provide health insurance and vacation compensation to drivers.

Read Also: DoorDash, Uber Gig Workers to Benefit From New DOL's Proposed Rule But Ride-hailing Companies Will Not

What Analysts Are Expecting

Analysts and commentators tracking the ridesharing business expect compromises. One is offering drivers at least limited benefits, a model known as independent contractor-plus. Two is that the Biden administration's pro-union position will lead to workers being categorized as employees.

Both ideas will certainly boost Uber and Lyft's prices and change the economic model for entrepreneurs utilizing their vehicles as small companies. Each shows ridesharing's unfulfilled potential, which is the lack of self-driving vehicles that investors expected to boost company earnings and put most drivers out of work.

Gig Workers as Independent Contractors

For the time being, the DOL guidelines will use a more comprehensive set of standards to establish whether or not an employee is an independent contractor.

Companies argue that drivers are independent due to the fact that they have some leeway in determining when they work via ridesharing platforms. Drivers' advocates say companies like Uber and Lyft should be held to the same standards as traditional employers when it comes to things like pay, scheduling, and monitoring, and even to the point where passengers can be asked mid-ride about whether or not their driver is behaving suspiciously based on their car's speed.

This policy shift by the federal government, which essentially returns things to how they were during the Obama administration, is happening at a particularly precarious time for both rideshare companies.

Uber and Lyft During the Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic devastated uber and Lyft since it reduced demand for automobile services among drivers and passengers. In 2020, shares of each firm dropped by more than half in value; by 2021, they had climbed to all-time highs; and now, in 2022, they have fallen by even more.

According to Nicole Moore, president of Rideshare Drivers United in Los Angeles and a rideshare driver herself, drivers have felt the effects of this decline in demand by receiving lower compensation.

Uber, however, denied Moore's allegations. The firm claimed drivers' income has increased to $37 per used hour. Uber drivers also furnish their own vehicles and fuel, but the company began charging a per-trip fuel cost in March charged to the passengers, with all the proceeds going to the drivers.

Related Article: Lyft: 60 Employees Face Expulsion, Adds to List of Tech Companies Lay Offs in This Time

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In a new update that Google will be releasing soon, users will now have the ability to swap media sessions from their phones to any cast devices like television, smart display, and more.

(Photo : Alex Wong/Getty Images))

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 10: Google Home units and Google phones are on display at the Google booth during CES 2018 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 12 and features about 3,900 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 170,000 attendees.

Android 13 Audio Output Switcher

Based on a report from The Verge, there is a huge possibility that Google will make it easier for their users to cast devices using the audio output switcher in the upcoming update for Android 13. Currently, it only lets users switch from different devices through Bluetooth-compatible devices like wireless headphones and speakers.

Google described it as 'local-to-remote', 'remote-to-local', and 'remote-to-remote' transfers. Local is for devices that are powered by Bluetooth, while remote are cast devices.

Through this new update, users can seamlessly transfer media sessions from their phones to their smart display devices. For example, when a certain user is listening to a podcast from their phone and wants to share it with the group, they can transfer their listening sessions immediately by switching it from their phone to Nest Hub so that everybody in the room can hear what they are listening to.

Mishaal Rahman demonstrated the new features in a screen recording and posted it on YouTube. It shows that users can enable audio playback to multiple devices that are cast-compatible without unlocking their phones.

The convenience of not unlocking your phone or opening a certain application just to switch devices is what people want. As per Rahman, this update is long overdue as several people have been requesting to add it since when output switcher was introduced in Android 11. He added, "the good news is that this long-awaited feature is finally making a reappearance soon."

He also stated that he experienced some bugs when he was trying the new feature, which may be the reason why Google is still not announcing the new update, as it is still not finalized.

Also Read: Android 13 QPR1 Beta 2 Makes Google Pixel Media Player Navigation Easier

Android 13 Recent Updates

Android Central also reported last month that Android 13 now offers a line that will not be mixed up data from the users' work and personal life. Aside from this, Google Work profiles can now be experienced in a much smoother way, have now a minimalist design, and increase productivity.

Through corporate devices, customization based on employees' experience can be done, such as device provisioning and user settings. For the work and personal profiles, it separates the suggested data for other Google-related applications, like when using the YouTube app for personal use. Users will also have the option to have two galleries dedicated to work and personal use separately.

Related Article: Android 13 Updates Work Profiles, Improved Customization and Data Encryption





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Unhappiness and loneliness are potentially aging you more quickly than smoking cigarettes, a recent artificial intelligence (AI) study reveals.

While the study points out that smoking could shorten one's life, it also shows that being unhappy or lonely is much worse at making people age faster.

(Photo : Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 07: The audience laughs during a comedy scetch show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on August 7, 2012 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festivals in the world, it was established as an alternative to the International Festival also held in August, and celebrates it's 66th anniversary this year.

AI Study: Unhappiness 'Ages' People Much Worse Than Smoking

If you are looking to live a longer life, you might want to stay away from being lonely.

As per a recent report by Fortune, recent research found that feeling unhappy or lonely make people age faster. Not to mention that unhappiness goes further in aging mortals than the unhealthy habit of smoking cigars.

(Photo : THIBAUD MORITZ/AFP via Getty Images)

An inmate smokes a cigarette in his cell at Gradignan prison, near Bordeaux, southwestern France, on October 3, 2022.

The news outlet notes that the recent study is based on AI findings. The researchers looked into the biometric and blood data of its participants to check out how loneliness or unhappiness affects us, specifically in aging.

The researchers particularly focus on any signs of accelerated aging. It is in which "molecular damage accumulates and contributes to the development of aging-related frailty and serious diseases."

It is worth mentioning this process commonly appears in folks grappling with existing lung and liver diseases or has had a history of stroke. Apart from these health issues, accelerated aging typically occurs in people who smoke.

And it turns out that being lonely or unhappy is surprisingly worse than smoking cigarettes, the AI study finds.

Accelerated Aging in Diseases

The research algorithm also discovered that the accelerated aging for individuals with diseases, including stroke, and lung disease, only aged by roughly 1.5 years.

According to the latest news story by Science Alert, the study looked into sick people with varying diseases, which include cancer, liver disease, and heart disease. The research confirmed that these folks aged faster than people living without diseases.

Read Also: [VIRAL] Ai-Da Robot Spoke in UK's House of Lords About AI 'Threat and Opportunity'-First Bot to Do So

Unhappiness, Loneliness 'Age' People Faster

On the other hand, it appears that mental health significantly affects the aging process in humans.

The AI study shows that people feeling unhappy and lonely are aging faster than smokers and folks grappling with diseases. In fact, the algorithm concludes that the lonely participants are aged about 1.65 years.

To put it into perspective, smokers are only experiencing an accelerated aging process of roughly 1.25 years.

However, Science Alert notes in its recent story that the results do not necessarily mean that smoking is actually better.

It is still a fact that it comes with the most risk factors. Smokers might end up with heart disease or cancer.

Related Article: Companies Found Faking Employees Using AI-Generated Images On Their Websites

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Exeger, a Swedish Company introduced Powerfoyle, its solar panels that are only 2mm thick. The technology is based on strips of titanium dioxide covered in natural dye, as reported by BBC.

(Photo : INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)

A woman dances while listening to music over headphones during a 'Headphone Disco' event at the Kennedyplatz plaza in Essen, western Germany on July 9, 2021.

The dye can absorb photos from light that is converted into electrons. Although the titanium dioxide is less efficient that silicon-based solar panels, it is thinner, more affordable, and easier to produce.

Solar-Powered Headphones

The solar-powered headphones still come with a built-in battery that can power up to 80 hours of playback time. It is the battery that the Powerfoyle strip charges.

Currently, the technology can create one hour's worth of power from 20 minutes of summer sunshine. The panels can also create some power from artificial light, such as indoor lighting. It also has a power socked should back-up power will be required at night after heavy usage.

In August, Urbanista, a Swedish lifestyle audio brand, launched Urbanista Phoenix, which is the world's first true wireless earbuds with noise canceling and solar-powered charging. It was last year when Urbanista partnered with Exeger to launch the Urbanista Los Angeles headphones. They were the first to use the Powerfoyle technology in the world.

The Urbanista Phoenix users the Powerfoyle solar cell material on their charging case, and it has batteries that are continuously being charged in their case and exposed to almost any outdoor or indoor light sources.

Also in August of this year, Adidas released solar-powered headphones, the RPT-02, that uses Powerfoyle. According to the company, the RPT-02 SOL is self-charging sport headphones made from recycled plastics and powered by light. The headphones can play music for up to 80 hours on a full charge.

Adidas wearers can determine where the strongest light is coming from through a light indicator on the side of the headband. It also lets users track their charge and battery status in real-time. The latest model of headphones is said to be sweat and splash-proof.

Also Read: Urbanista's Solar-Powered Headphones Can Work Indoors and Outdoors, Converts All Types of Light Into Energy

Solar-Powered "Things" Grow

As solar power continues to grow, there is a push to create more solar-powered products, from cars and to lamps. Although most of these are early stage prototype or concept, solar-powered products are growing in solar charging space.

It is also important to note that whether a product is solar powered or not, it can be charged with the help of solar panels.

The idea of solar power has been around for decades, but it is only now that the technology is improving enough to make it a viable option for consumers. Solar-powered products become more efficient as it becomes easier to use. This is evident in solar-powered watches, small fans, and other small devices.

Related Article: Adidas Goes Green: New Solar Powered Headphones with Theoretically Infinite Power to Launch

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CryptoWatch delivers the top cryptocurrency news from last week, and it gathered massive developments for the crypto and blockchain world with many initiatives from companies. Google and Coinbase's deal is underway for the public, alongside an ex-Googler who is funding a new startup on the Web3.

Additionally, HYVE is offering perks for freelancers to earn cryptocurrency with their work via their platform.

(Photo : JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

An illustration picture taken in London on May 8, 2022, shows a gold plated souvenir cryptocurrency Tether (USDT) coin arranged beside a screen displaying US dollar notes. - Tether (USDT) is an Ethereum token known as a stablecoin that is pegged to the value of the US dollar, and is currently the largest stablecoin with a market value of USD 83 billion dollars.

Google-Coinbase Deal for Crypto Payments on Cloud

Coinbase and Google announced their partnership to allow cryptocurrency payments for the internet company's cloud platform, opening up a new way to settle payments and accelerate the platform to Web3. The company said that it has been working with Google Cloud for months to make this possible, marking a new milestone for both companies.

Google's Cloud also released information about this deal, and it aims to be the cloud provider for Coinbase's transactions and needs moving forward.

The payment with crypto via Coinbase and Google's partnership will start by 2023, allowing users to expand more on the Web3 and cloud platforms for their needs.

Read Also: CryptoWatch: Mastercard is Here to Protect Your Crypto, BNB is Back, and North Korean Scams

Ex-Google VP Backs Web3 'Nxyz' Platform

Sridhar Ramaswamy, a known former Google VP, is backing a new startup called "Nxyz," as he managed to raise a massive $40 million for the company. Nxyz is delivering a new experience with its Web3 platform, with Ramaswamy leading the company to new heights, along with the third generation of the Worldwide Web platform.

Most Web3 platforms focus on delivering a new experience for all that centers on cryptocurrency and tokens, something which Nxyz is a part of for its future operations.

Nxyz aims to deliver a service that will deliver information on tokens, NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and other items in real-time, allowing developers and users to data they need.

HYVE: Crypto for Freelancers

HYVE is offering a new experience for freelancers to earn money, and it is through cryptocurrency and the many coins present in the world. The wave of hiring freeze and layoffs contributed to the many unemployed people now, and some are resorting to freelance jobs to make ends meet or grow their careers in the meantime.

Here, HYVE delivers more earnings for freelancers without the need to commit to a certain service or experience, allowing the public to gain funds through cryptocurrency. Freelancers may do as they please with the crypto which they earn from their tasks or jobs, may it be for their consumption or investments via HYVE's offers.

Related Article: Founder of Crypto Exchange Huobi Sells Ownership to a Hong Kong Firm

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[Pick] I took care of you all my life... Son in his 40s who murdered his mother for nagging him
The Ethiopian government has renewed its willingness to engage in peace talks, stressing at the same time its desire to regain control of the federal sites in the Tigray region in the north of the country.

On Monday, the Ethiopian government renewed its readiness to engage in peace talks, stressing at the same time its desire to regain control of federal sites in the northern Tigray region, including airports and government facilities.

Addis Ababa's new position came a day after the African Union called on the parties to the conflict in Tigray, during which it called for an "immediate" cease-fire and re-entry into peace negotiations to stop the cycle of violence that has recently escalated in the besieged region.

The Tigray People's Liberation Front declared its "readiness to respect" the ceasefire, calling on the international community to compel the Eritrean army to withdraw from the region and take measures aimed at an immediate end to the fighting and put pressure on Addis Ababa to engage in negotiations.

The Ethiopian government said - in a statement today - that it is "forced to take defensive measures to protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of repeated attacks by the rebel authorities in Tigray," stressing that it is "actively" complicit with what it described as "hostile foreign forces."

"It is therefore imperative that the Government of Ethiopia immediately regain control of all airports and other federal facilities in the" Tigray region, with the aim of "protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity," she added.

It also indicated that it is "determined to find a peaceful solution to the conflict through peace talks under the auspices of the African Union."

It is noteworthy that the Ethiopian government headed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had agreed earlier, along with the Tigray Front, to an invitation by the African Union to discuss, but the negotiations that were supposed to start last weekend in South Africa did not take place.

The talks were supposed to be sponsored by the Union's delegate for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo, former South African President Bumzile Mlambo-Ngoka, and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Diplomats suggested that logistical problems were partly behind the failure to hold the meeting.





Renewed battles

The battles between the two sides resumed last August after a five-month lull that shook hopes for a settlement of the conflict, which claimed a large number of civilian casualties and was interspersed with atrocities, according to humanitarian organizations.

Renewed fighting has halted much-needed aid to Tigray, where the United Nations reports that millions of people have been forced to leave their homes while hundreds of thousands are on the brink of starvation.

It is noteworthy that the conflict in the Tigray region erupted in November 2020 when Abi Ahmed, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, sent the Ethiopian army to overthrow the ruling Tigray Front in the region, accusing it of launching attacks on military barracks.

The Front had dominated Ethiopia's ruling coalition for decades before Abiy came to power in 2018.
Ron Faucheux: Can you believe the polls in this election?
Mr Brown, who has lymphoma and diabetes, said he was keen to get to Scotland because he has an older sister and three nephews there who he hasnt seen since 1986. Loading Consumer advocate Adam Glezer from Consumer Champion said he had approached Expedia and British Airways on Mr Browns behalf. He said that because the tickets were booked with British Airways it appeared they had rights to a cash refund under a European Union and British flight compensation regulation known as EU261 and UK261. Glezer said British Airways had told him it could provide a full refund to customers in Mr Browns situation. But Expedia said British Airways was not willing to provide a cash refund on the basis of COVID-related airline cancellation. It said the airline provided only travel credits. Each party is playing the blame game, Glezer said. There is one loser in situations like these, and that is the customer.

Mr Browns travel agent used third-party travel company Expedia to book the British Airways flights, which made the matter more complicated. Loading There needs to be more transparency, Glezer said. As far as the customer was concerned, his travel agent was booking his flight with British Airways. He wasnt aware they were going through Expedia. That should have been disclosed to him. The Herald asked Expedia and British Airways for comment on Mr Browns case on Friday, citing the EU and UK compensation regulations. A spokeswoman for Expedia said on Sunday night that after investigating the matter in response to the Heralds questions, it could now confirm that the traveller will receive a full refund.

Our team will continue to investigate this case to ensure a more seamless experience for travellers in the future, the spokeswoman said. Fair Trading and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the terms and conditions of a consumers booking would generally determine their entitlement to a refund for cancellations due to government restrictions. Terms and conditions will vary between travel providers, and in some cases consumers might not be entitled to a full, or any, refund, the spokesman said. Some terms and conditions may provide for the ability to re-book, or credit notes, rather than refunds for cancelled bookings. Consumer advocate Choice has been pushing for greater legal protection for travellers seeking refunds for cancelled flights under Australian Consumer Law, which covers Australian airlines such as Qantas and Jetstar. A spokeswoman for the ACCC, which is investigating the difficulties consumers face using Qantas flight credits, said any consumer law reform was ultimately a question for governments, taking into account a wide range of views from relevant stakeholders.

A spokesman for Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones said the federal government was in discussions with the states and territories about consumer law protections for cancelled travel and would have more to say about the issue in the future. Jodi Bird, a travel analyst from Choice, said minimum conditions for travel credits should apply in a way similar to those for gift cards. People should be given at least three years to redeem their travel credit and an option for a refund if that time expires, or they cannot redeem for an appropriate service, she said. Transferring a travel credit to another person and splitting credit over multiple bookings should be allowed. Choice receives many complaints about problems using vouchers and obtaining refunds where necessary. There is a need for reform in this area to give people confidence in their consumer rights when booking holidays and travelling. A national survey from Choice conducted earlier this year found close to three quarters (72 per cent) of Australians who had a flight cancelled due to COVID-19 received a flight voucher. Only 31 per cent who had a flight cancelled received a refund. Of those who tried to use their flight voucher, 44 per cent had to pay more and a quarter had vouchers that expired before they could be used. The survey also found that 10 per cent of the 1078 respondents had problems talking to an airline when trying to use their voucher and 8 per cent were forced to use the full voucher for a flight that had a lower value. One in five have been unable to use their voucher.
Most year 9 students are structuring sentences at a level expected of those two years their junior and are using punctuation like children in year 3, which leaves them struggling to meet curriculum standards and unprepared for senior high school or life beyond it.

A review of 10 million NAPLAN year 3-9 writing results and more than 350 persuasive writing samples by the government-funded Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) has found students writing declined significantly in every key skill area but spelling over seven years to 2018.

Writing skills are declining in Australian schools. Credit:Craig Abraham

We do have a serious decline, and its worse for our older students, said the head of AERO, Jenny Donovan, who called for the core skill of writing to be given greater emphasis in the nations schools. Its a big drop and [writing] is a really basic expectation.

Claire Wyatt-Smith, an Australian Catholic University professor who was a key contributor to the NSW Education Standards Authoritys review of writing in schools, said an emphasis on reading had taken the focus off writing in Australian schools.
A Queensland forensic scientist told superiors that discrepancies in tests of sperm samples from crime scenes were freaking her out, an inquiry has been told.

Amanda Reeves raised concerns about sperm samples that could produce DNA matches being missed twice in 2016 after another scientist flagged the issue with her.

An inquiry has heard concerns were raised within Queenslands state-run forensics laboratory about its practices. Credit:Phil Carrick

An inquiry into the forensic lab, before former judge Walter Sofronoff, was told on Monday that microscope examinations were used from 2010 to work out if a sperm sample warranted further testing.

However, a scientist noticed a strong case for sperm in a sample in late 2015 even though the examination slide didnt show any sperm.
A man charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and rape has been accused by police of posing as an Uber driver to prey on intoxicated women outside pubs and clubs in Melbournes inner suburbs.

Francesco De Luise, 59, from Airport West, was arrested last month and charged with 10 sexual assault offences and one count of rape. The charges involve three women over the past 18 months, one of whom secretly filmed part of her alleged attack inside his vehicle.

Francesco De Luise.

De Luise was denied bail at a hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, after police investigators warned his alleged conduct had become more brazen and blatant.

Senior Constable Catherine Poole, of the Box Hill sexual offences and child abuse investigation team, told the court that De Luise stopped outside the Public House in Richmond on September 3 and picked up a woman whose partner had ordered an Uber.
In a fresh twist to Perths latest eyebrow-raising council saga, the City of South Perths council has rejected the largest petition its community has ever submitted.

It was a strange move, and when council executives later advised the council could not do that, an elected member came up with a fresh idea: to allow councillors to ignore petitions they deem impolite.

An $80 million project hangs in the balance as fights erupt over a once universally accepted plan. Credit:Composite image

Local parents took to the streets with pens and paper after a bloc of councillors with a voting majority withdrew support for an $80 million sport and recreation hub the city has been planning for years, effectively stopping it dead in its tracks during a delicate time of state government funding talks.

The 2500 signatures gathered over a few weeks, representing some 10 per cent of the number of people who voted at the last council election, expressed strong and overwhelming support for the project.
This story is part of a series examining how billions of dollars are being rorted from Medicare each year. See all 24 stories .

Health Minister Mark Butler has commissioned a report on the Health Departments existing compliance and audit programs following revelations billions of dollars were being rorted or wasted from Medicare each year and the system was failing to detect fraud or errors.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has also signalled Medicare rorting could form part of the governments audit of wasteful spending amidst attempts to rein in budget costs as the peak doctors group said the claims had been grossly inflated.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the overwhelming majority of Australias medical professionals did the right thing, but it was important that every dollar in Medicare was spent directly on patient care. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

A joint investigation by this masthead and ABCs 7.30 has uncovered instances of doctors billing for dead patients and radiologists over-servicing cancer patients, which highlight flaws in the Medicare system that makes it easy to rort.

Dr Margaret Faux, the countrys leading expert on Medicare, estimated the annual cost of Medicares waste and rorts of about $8 billion equated to roughly 30 per cent of its annual budget  and more than the annual cost of running the Air Force.
If this Brighton home had sold three months ago, it might have been close to the Melbourne record.

Even so, a price guide of $46 million to $50 million will place the beachfront home at 16 Moule Avenue in the top echelon of Melbournes property market once it is listed next week.

16 Moule Avenue, Brighton is for sale with a price guide of $46 million to $50 million. Credit:Kay & Burton

And its new owner could need even deeper pockets because the home is being offered as an opportunity to renovate and extend, or knock down and rebuild a new dream home.

Last renovated in the 1970s, Teychel is set on an oversized block of about 4500 square metres on Brightons Golden Mile and has had only two owners in a history that spans a century.
He was alone. Dressed as a construction worker in yellow hard hat and orange overalls, the lone protester chose a famous bridge in Beijing to make his declaration on two bold banners.

He knew hed have very little time, a few minutes at most, under the all-seeing eye of the worlds most advanced techno-surveillance state. So his protest chant, broadcast through a loud-hailer, seems to have been pre-recorded. And he lit a fire spewing black smoke to make sure he was seen.

Brave protest: Peng Lifa with his banners on the Beijing overpass last week. Credit:Twitter

He wasnt famous or powerful. Hes a physicist. He knew hed have one chance before disappearing into the black maw of the regimes secret prisons. Not that fame or power are any protection. A well-connected billionaire property tycoon, Ren Zhiqiang, was jailed for 18 years for calling President Xi Jinping a clown over COVID policy.

Students strike, workers strike, remove the dictator and state thief Xi Jinping declared one of the red-lettered banners strung across the Sitong Bridge in Beijings Haidian district on Thursday.
Hong Kong: CE to deliver Policy Address

Chief Executive John Lee will deliver his Policy Address in the Legislative Council at 11am on October 19.

People can watch or listen to the live broadcast of Mr Lees speech on the LegCo website.

To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve a seat.

Once the Chief Executive has concluded his speech, the full text of the Policy Address will be posted at www.policyaddress.gov.hk and copies of it and other related publications will be available at the Home Affairs Departments 20 Enquiry Centres.

Leaflets containing the highlights of the Policy Address will be distributed at 16 government offices, seven major public libraries and 60 shopping centres in public housing estates.

This story has been published on: 2022-10-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Members of the National Guard stand guard meters away from the bar where 12 people were killed by an armed group which opened fire on customers and staff, in Irapuato, state of Guanajuato, Mexico, on Oct. 15, 2022. (Mario Armas/AFP via Getty Images)

12 Shot Dead in Mexico Bar Attack in Gang-Plagued State

MEXICO CITYUnidentified gunmen opened fire in a bar in the central Mexican city of Irapuato on Saturday evening, shooting dead six women and six men, local authorities said.

Three people were injured in the attack in the south of Irapuato, the city government said in a statement, adding that security officials were trying to track down the assailants.

The motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear. An initial statement by the city had put the death toll at 11.

Members of the National Guard stand guard meters away from the bar where 12 people were killed by an armed group which opened fire on customers and staff, in Irapuato, state of Guanajuato, Mexico, on Oct. 15, 2022. (Mario Armas/AFP via Getty Images)

Guanajuato, a major manufacturing hub and production site for many of the worlds top carmakers, has been convulsed in recent years by brutal turf wars between rival drug gangs.

On Sept. 21, gunmen shot dead 10 people in an attack at a bar in the Guanajuato town of Tarimoro, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) southeast of Irapuato.
4 Injured in Boston Stabbing Attack, Police Arrest Knife-Wielding Suspect

A knife-wielding suspect has been arrested after multiple people were stabbed early Sunday in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, officials said.

In a statement published on Oct. 16, Boston Police said that officers responded at about 2:10 a.m. to a report of a stabbing that took place in the area of Stuart and Tremont.

Law enforcement officials found two adult male victims at the scene, while a third adult male victim had taken himself to a local hospital, and a fourth man arrived at the hospital several hours after the incident.

One of the male victims was found to have life-threatening injuries, the other three were found to have non-life-threatening injuries. All victims are expected to survive their injuries, police said.

Following an investigation, officers arrested Daryl Diamond, 39, of Dorchester.

Diamond is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on four counts of assault with intent to murder and four counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon; a knife, Boston Police said.

Police did not reveal what, if any, motive was behind the stabbings.

The latest incident comes shortly after civil rights leader Jean McGuire, 91, was stabbed multiple times while walking her dog in a Boston park last week.

Violent Crime on the Rise

Police said they believe McGuire, the first black woman elected to the Boston School Committee and a former director of the METCO desegregation program, was the victim of a random attack, CBS Boston reported.

McGuire was in stable condition last week in a local hospital and is expected to survive after sustaining non-life-threatening injuries during the attack, according to the report.

Police have not yet made any arrests in that incident but said the suspect may have also been injured.

Violent crime has soared across the United States and is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to a midyear comparison survey from the Major Cities Chiefs Association published in September.

The survey found that there were 236,962 incidents of major crimes such as robberies and aggravated assaults reported in the first six months of 2022 compared to 226,967 in the same period in 2021.

A number of shooting incidents have prompted the Biden administration to tighten gun control laws and increase tougher background checks for firearm purchases in an effort to stop dangerous people from accessing firearms.

However, Republicans have regularly taken aim at Democrats soft on crime approach and have argued that measures such as restricting access to firearms are actually encroaching on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
4 Stabbed, One Fatally, in Long Beach; Suspect in Custody

LONG BEACH, Calif.A series of stabbings in Long Beach Oct. 17 left a woman dead, three men injured, and a man in custody, police said.

The first stabbing occurred about 5:35 a.m. in the 1100 block of Atlantic Avenue, Brandon Fahey of the Long Beach Police Department told City News Service.

A woman with stab wounds to her upper body was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead, Fahey said. Her name was withheld, pending notification of her relatives.

Around 6:25 a.m., officers were sent to the 700 block of Olive Avenue on a report of a stabbing. A man with stab wounds to his upper body was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Around 7:05 a.m., officers were sent to Ocean Boulevard and Fourth Place on a report of a stabbing and found two males with stab wounds to their upper bodies. One victim was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the other victim was treated at the scene.

A man believed to be homeless, who was in possession of a knife, was arrested at the scene of the stabbing on Ocean Boulevard and Fourth Place, Fahey said.

Due to the similar circumstances among the incidents, detectives are working to determine if the stabbings are related and to determine the suspects involvement in each incident, Fahey said. At this time, detectives do not believe there is an active threat to public safety.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call police homicide detectives at 562-570-7244, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
A Guardrail of Political Stability Is About to Be Tested

Commentary

One of the two ultimate guardrails of stability in American politics is about to be tested. The burning question now is whether the Democrats will use the Department of Justice to try to defeat the renascent force of Donald Trump with politically motivated indictments.

This was almost certainly the inspiration for the asinine and outrageous intrusion at the former presidents home in Palm Beach. The controversy over that caper enabled President Joe Biden to cut his disapproval margin by approximately half to a deficit of only 10 percent. But Trump won a tactical success in shunting the issue to a special master, which has quieted it down through to the election. Last week, a former U.S. prosecutor told MSNBC that she expected Trump to be indicted over his attempt to persuade then Vice President Mike Pence not to certify Electoral College results presented by some of the contested jurisdictions.

All litigation is a craps game; American federal prosecutors win 98 percent of their cases, 95 percent of those without a trial, because of the immense practical advantages that they have through the plea bargain system over even a very well-founded defense. And in any jury trial in the District of Columbia, its effectively a criminal offense just to be a Republican, as the Democrats routinely carry over 90 percent of the vote in D.C. in presidential elections. Disgraced FBI Director James Comey chose to overlook Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clintons destruction of 33,000 subpoenaed emails ahead of the 2016 electiona possibly far more serious breach of the law than anything that could remotely be conjured from Trumps conduct.

But this argument that Trump criminally mishandled documents that he took with him when he departed as president is spurious, as is the nonsense that Trump himself committed any offenses on Jan. 6, 2021. Some of the militantly anti-Trump legal experts have torqued themselves up to cheerlead for a slam-dunk legal victory if they just indict the ex-president. This is bunk on the legal merits, and it would crash through one of the guardrails of the American political system, that prominent politicians and especially ex-presidents are not subjected to frivolous and vexatious, politically motivated indictments.

Such an initiative now would be the ultimate criminalization of electoral politics and would ring a fire bell that the entire constitutional system is in acute danger. The supreme crisis of the post-Reagan bipartisan and political establishment is almost at hand.

The other ultimate guardrail of political stability is that the judiciary wont entertain overturning the apparent result of a presidential election. This was demonstrated in the BushGore election of 2000, and again in 2020, when at all levels the courts refused to judge the merits of the constitutional arguments in 19 lawsuits over voting and vote-counting changes effected in swing states and allegedly contravening the constitutional assignment of the obligation of fair presidential elections to the state legislatures, and that, in selected states, those elections werent fair. (These suits are not to be compared to the wild goose chases of Rudolph Giuliani and Sidney Powell.)

The greatest nightmare of the post-Reagan bipartisan political establishment has returned. The Bushes, Clintons, Obamas, Biden, Romney, and Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell all thought they had seen the last of their Trump nightmare after the 2020 election, and comforted themselves with the fact that the ogre couldnt return. Anti-Trump commentators scolded Republican officeholders for being too afraid of Trump votersthey had convinced themselves that Trump had become a melting electoral iceberg.

When Trump-supported candidates won almost all of the Republican primaries, the thought that Trump might be more than a freakish and evanescent apparition startled them out of their complacent torpor.

Trumps support isnt so fragile, and the assault of the Washington swamp isnt a passing aversion. He, almost alone, saw in 2016 the proportions of the disillusionment and anger of the lower half of American income earners, and he exploited this anger in sweeping almost all of the Republican primaries in all regions of the country, and winning an astounding upset victory in the general election.

He wrenched the Republican Party away from the proverbial country clubs and placed it like a great hen on top of traditional Democratic fiefdoms of Hispanics and African Americans and generally disadvantaged voters, and made huge inroads in these areas by the application of vintage capitalism to poor districtsincentivizing investments there and cutting taxes.

Despite out-spending Trump 2-to-1 and having the often rabid support of 95 percent of the national political media, the Democrats had to have recourse to profound changes in voting and vote-counting rulespotentially millions of allegedly harvested ballots couldnt be verified as authentic, and a switch of fewer than 50,000 votes in three states would have flipped the Electoral College to Trump.

The almost totalitarian effort to stamp out any question about the 2020 result has failed. Election deniers are approximately half the country, and their numbers will grow when a Republican House of Representatives lifts the rock on some of the Democratic skullduggery. This will be the merit of the Durham Reportit has been a failure at judicial retribution, but it will be a horrifying embarrassment to the Democrats.

The most perceptive analysis of these matters in the past few days came from J.R. Dunn writing in the American Thinker on Oct. 5. He referred to what he considered a slow, dull-witted, and utterly inept effort by the bipartisan political establishment to stage the greatest American bloodless assassination since Watergate.

He cited a series of events showing the brutish lawlessness of Trumps frightened enemies: the raid at the former presidents house, the doubling of the size of the IRS and the recruitment by it of gunmen willing to use lethal force, and Bidens nonsensically histrionic speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, a few feet from where Benjamin Franklin allegedly said at the end of the Constitutional Convention in 1788 that Americans would have a Republic, if you can keep it.

He also made the point that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss reaction to the invasion of the former presidents house was inadequate. He could have ordered the state police not to cooperate with the FBI raid, and instead of condemning it, he blandly insinuated that it was excessive.

For all those who think that the OBushinton era and the ghastly Biden revival of it has failed and must be replaced by an administration that will uproot the Washington establishment as Andrew Jackson did in 1829, and will reorient the country in all major policy areas, Donald Trump is the only candidate.

Only he will lower taxes, close up the border again, end the sanctuary cities, eliminate unemployment through investment and tax incentives, and redefine legitimate national interests in the world in agreement with paid-up allies and supported by strongly motivated Armed Forces with a non-political senior officer corps and armed to the teeth with the most efficient weapons in the world.

If the Trump-backed Senate candidates win two of Georgia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania in three weeks, Trump is the almost certain Republican nominee. And a malicious and unjust indictment will ultimately assure his election as president. Even the unaccountable and over-armed U.S. prosecution service wont get away with what the desperate Democrats are contemplating.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Gen. Sam Houston rested under an oak tree on the coastal plains of Texas near Buffalo Bayou, his left ankle shattered by a copper ball. He and his Texian army of 783 men had just defeated a Mexican army detachment of about 1,500 soldiers under the command of Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, president of Mexico. When Houston gave the volunteer army its war cry of Remember the Alamo, the Texians struck their enemy like a bolt of fire in a surprise attack on April 21, 1836, near the San Jacinto River in southeast Texas.

The Battle of San Jacinto went down in history as a day of vengeance, as the soldiers sought retribution for the massacres in San Antonio de Bexar and Goliad the month before. The clash lasted only 18 minutes; the Texas Revolution was now complete after months of multiple conflicts and bloody battles. The Mexican state of Tejas won its independence from Mexico and became the Republic of Texas.

It wasnt the first time Houston had been injured in war. Under the command of Gen. Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812, the young man from Tennessee was wounded two times in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend on the Tallapoosa River in Alabama. Although Houston was taken from the battlefield with the other wounded, the Army doctors didnt expect him to live, and he was nearly left for dead. His leadership and bravery impressed Gen. Jackson, who took Houston under his political wing and encouraged the young man to read law and seek political office in Tennessee. Houston became governor of the state in 1827, and Jackson became the seventh president of the United States in 1829.

A portait of Sam Houston by William Henry Huddle, 1886. The House of Representatives, Austin, Texas. (Library of Congress)

Early Life

Houston was born on March 2, 1793, in Rockbridge County, Virginia, on the family plantation north of Lexington, Virginia, near the Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church where his family attended every Sunday. He was the fifth child of Maj. Samuel and Elizabeth (Paxton) Houston and received his fathers name.

Houstons father was passionate about military life, fought in the Revolutionary War, and continued to serve as an inspector of frontier militias until his death when young Houston was 13 years old. Maj. Houstons widow followed through on the previously planned sale of the Timber Ridge Plantation, crossed the Allegheny Mountains with her nine children, and started a new home in Blount County on the fertile banks of the Tennessee River with extended family in the area. They settled near Maryville, about 8 miles from the river, which at the time was the boundary between the Anglo settlers and the Cherokee Indians. The tribe was highly civilized and peaceful and sought to cooperate with the influx of pioneers.

As a young boy, Houston thrived in the outdoors. Riding horseback, swimming in the creeks and rivers, and hunting took precedence over being confined in a school building. He preferred his fathers library over a classroom, and he kept a well-read translation of Homers Greek epic poem The Iliad by Alexander Pope as a treasured possession and could recite passages from it. Another book he read regularly was the Bible. When his request to study the ancient languages of Greek and Latin was denied by a schoolmaster, the rebellious Houston refused to return to school. His four older brothers tried first to make him work in the fields and then in a local merchant store the family had part interest in, but these suggestions didnt satisfy Houstons restless, adventurous spirit. At the age of 15, he ran away.

The Sam Houston Monument, designed by Enrico Cerracchio, was erected in Hermann Park in downtown Houston, Texas, on August 16, 1925. (Trong Nguyen/ Shutterstock)

Living With the Cherokee Indians

Houstons family searched for him for several weeks to no avail, until they learned he had crossed the Tennessee River and was living with the Cherokees. After the young teenager was found and questioned for his motives, Houston replied that he preferred measuring deer tracks, to tapethat he liked the wild liberty of the Red men, better than the tyranny of his own brothers, and if he could not study Latin in the Academy, he could, at least, read a translation of Greek in the woods, and read it in peace. So they could go home as soon as they liked. He was adopted by Chief Oolooteka and given the Indian name of Colonneh, translated into English as the Raven.

The volunteer exile lived with his adopted family for three years before returning to Maryville for a year and then joining the U.S. Army when recruiters came to town with music, a banner, and well-dressed sergeants. Houstons friends tried to convince him to not join the military as a common soldier during the War of 1812, as his father had been an officer. His answer was that he would much sooner honor the ranks, than disgrace an appointment, yet he added: You dont know me [now], but you shall hear of me.

Houston lived with the Indians at one other time in his life and became a certified citizen in the Cherokee Nation with all rights and privileges. This was in 1829, after he held several political offices, including being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1823 and as the governor of Tennessee in 1827. His political rise was halted by the unfortunate news that he and his wife had separated after only three months of marriage. Houston suffered deep humiliation and believed that not just his political career but also his life was ruined. He resigned his position as governor and returned to live with his Indian family. This time, he was known as the Big Drunk. In later years, Houston would achieve the glory and honor he sought, but in midlife he was described as a troubled man, towering in a bright blanket, grand, gloomy and peculiar, brooding and drinking.

An illustration of Gen. Sam Houston listening to the sounds of battle. (FierceAbin/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Starting Over in Texas

After three years, Houston left the Cherokees and sought to start a new life in the American colony of Tejas, enthralled with the opportunities available. He set up a law practice in Nacogdoches, in the eastern part of the region, and found himself drawn once again into politics. The Texas Rebellion against Mexico had been brewing and, due to his prior military service, he was named major general in the Texas army within two years. His life continued on a similar path as beforesuccess and promotion in the military, which led to political office.

Houstons seemingly improbable victory at San Jacinto led to his elevation as a hero, which he accepted with reservations. He was given credit for commandeering Texass independence and was elected president of the sovereign Republic of Texas in 1836. Four months after the battle, a small town named Houston was founded on land near the banks of the Buffalo Bayou. By 1930, Houston became Texass most populous city, and it is now the fourth most populous city in the nation, behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

When Texas was admitted to the union in 1845, Houston was elected governor and became the only person to have been so elected in two different states. As before, however, he served only two years before resigning; however, this time it wasnt due to personal unhappiness. It was due to his love of Texas and the United States. At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, Texas voted to secede from the United States. Houston was a strong Unionist and refused to swear allegiance to the Confederacy, which ended his political career. On July 26, 1863, Houston died of pneumonia at the age of 70. One of his daughters reported that his last words were Texas, Margaret, Texas.

This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping (C) is applauded by senior members of the government and delegates as he walks to the podium to make a speech during the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress in Beijing, China, on Oct. 16, 2022. Xi is expected to secure a third term in power. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

An Upgraded State-Planned Economy May Be Accelerated in China After the 20th Congress: Experts

The Party attempts to monopolize all industries with a national unified market

Commentary

With the 20th congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) starting on Oct.16, Xi Jinpings re-election seems to be a given. In the face of a deteriorating economy, Xis government may go ahead with one state-owned enterprise for one industry and national unified market, an upgraded model of the planned economy, experts say.

This could be traced back to the Peoples Economy theory proposed by professor Wen Tiejun at the Renmin University of China, an academic institution with a Communist background, in late September.

Peoples Economy

In his theory, Wen claimed that the only way to implement universal ownership is to make state-owned enterprises bigger and stronger, and that the peoples economy replacing the market economy is the worlds trend.

Wen defined peoples economy as autonomy, that is: the economy is related to state sovereignty and cannot be monopolized by foreign capital; locality, revenue from resource exploring fosters local sustainable development; integration, the purpose of enterprises is not to make profits, but to achieve autonomy and locality; and universal ownership that eliminates privatization.

The peoples economy theory immediately aroused doubts and criticism from the financial sector and public opinion. For now, all opposition to the peoples economy within China has been censored by internet censors.

Xiang Songzuo, a famous economist, denounced Wens theory as absurd on his Weibo account, questioning isnt the so-called autonomy a closure of the country? Does it deny foreign-invested enterprises and joint ventures alike? Isnt the so-called locality just confining [China] to a prison?

Xiangs words stirred up the general resonance and were widely forwarded even though it was censored repeatedly, and circulated by many media outside China like Radio Free Asia.

Wens intention is that a state should come to take a tighter grip on the private economy and then the state implements a rationing system. Wu Zuolei, an independent Chinese political scientist, told VOA on Oct. 6.

This is version 2.0-like of Chinas planned economy, an enhanced, upgraded version of the planned economy. Xie Tian, a professor of marketing at the Aiken School of Business at the University of South Carolina, told The Epoch Times.

Terms like seclusion, self-sufficiency, large social enterprises, and peoples communes, characterized the planned economy introduced by the first generation of CCP leaders during the 1950s to 1970s. The extremely centralized system produced The Great Leap Forward, an economic and social campaign that pursued national steel-making surpassing the UK and the U.S. It eventually resulted in the Great Famine of 1958 to 1962, with an estimated 15 to 55 million starvation deaths.

Investors view stock indexes at a securities company in Shanghai, China, on June 10, 2008. (China Photos/Getty Images)

Unifying a State-Level Large Market

On April 10, the State Council released a notice on speeding up the construction of a national unified market and elevating it to a strategic level. It stressed that building a unified market is to break down local protection and market segmentation, especially to regulate improper market competition and market intervention.

The day after the move (April 11), the Shanghai Stock Exchange Index fell by 2.61 percent, the Shenzhen Index dropped by 3.67 percent, and the Second-board Market Index slid by 4.2 percent, and the stock traded for the day decreased to a new low since July 2020, according to a Shanghai Security News report.

The stock market plunge shows the market is expecting worse things to come and has less confidence in the economy, said Rong Jian, an independent Chinese scholar, in a tweet, believing more and more people are choosing to vote with their feet.

Public fears that the regime could return to the old path of planned economy, are shown in online comments, such as, unifying market means that everything could be decided by the central government and market prices, commodity supply, and distribution channels could be unified, that would be a national supply and marketing agency and unified purchase and distribution.

According to Ji Da, a China expert in the United States, the Communist Partys goal of unifying the market is to control resources, manipulate prices, and rule the country through the establishment of mega-central enterprises in various industries.

The CCP is also trying to use the power of these enterprises to compete for bargaining power in the international arena and to influence and threaten the international community, Ji said.

State-Owned Enterprise Reform Paves the Way for Power Resumption

Ji believes that up to the 1980s a planned economy dominated the whole of China, with state-owned enterprises holding the lifeline of the national economy. Thus, when the CCP proposed a national unified market, it seems to have started preparing for the central government to take over power.

In June 2020, the CCP released the Three-Year Action Plan for the Reform of State-Owned Enterprises. The program claims to promote the layout and restructuring of the state-owned economy. The program requires central enterprises in all industries to complete their main tasks before the 20th Party congress.

Central enterprises are state-owned and funded by the State Council or the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, wholly owned or controlled by state-owned capital, and managed directly by the central government or entrusted to central ministries.

Evergrande residential buildings under construction in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, on July 18, 2022. (Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images)

The real estate industry is a prominent case in the reforms. On Aug. 20, 2020, the Ministry of Housing and Construction and the Central Bank held a seminar on key real estate enterprises, and limited financing for property developers. In the pilot program, 12 key real estate enterprises were included. The program was pushed to the whole industry on Jan. 1, 2021.

Lacking funding to build houses, the real estate sector encountered a setback, with property developers as influential as Evergrande, Sunac, and Central China Real Estate Limited struggling to survive.

However, after those serious problems occurred, the central government shifted responsibility to the local level. On July 28, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee held a meeting and admitted that the current economic operation faces outstanding contradictions and problems, hence theres a need to stabilize the real estate market, which local government should consider protecting the delivery of buildings.

In the steel industry, China Baowu Steel Group has merged and reorganized seven or eight iron and steel companies that are spread in Wuhan, Hubei Province; Maanshan, Anhui Province; Shaoguan, Guangdong Province; Taiyuan, Shanxi Province; and Chongqing and Xinjiang forming a steel carrier fleet. After the integration, the tax revenue went directly to the central government, while settlement of the many layoffs was left to the local government.

In the energy sector, the CCP wanted to build the largest power system in the world. However, for the third year in a row, the central power company, which claims to have the worlds largest power generation capacity, experienced a power crisis in August. The local automotive, battery, chemical, and integrated circuit semiconductor industries were heavily hit by the shortage.

In addition, the public budgets of 31 provinces and autonomous regions showed a deficit in the first half of this year due to the stringent dynamic Zero-COVID policy. Many local governments have been experiencing financial difficulties and debts that exceed the risk alert line.

Shi Shan, a qualified current affairs expert, told The Epoch Times that the moves are efforts of the CCP to break local protection, cut power to local governments, and transfer economic management and tax revenue directly to the central government in a bid to realize its so-called centralized power to do big things.

Shi pointed out that, contrary to the second CCP leader, Deng Xiaoping, transferring power to local governments and opening up the market economy in an economic reform, Xi is eager to take back power through centralization and cutting local power.

Shi said this means that Chinas economic policy will completely change direction and that a planned economy 2.0 is on the horizon.

The public visit the Data Analysis Center during the 2017 China International Big Data Industry Expo in Guiyang, China, on May 27, 2017. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Big Data Technology Cannot Remedy Defects of a Planned Economy

The Party looks to using technology, such as, the internet, big data, and artificial intelligence, to make it the all-powerful hand in the planned economy 2.0 version, Ji said.

From 2017 to 2020, the CCP authorities launched the so-called National Big Data Strategy and Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development in an attempt to use big data and artificial intelligence technology to strengthen government management and decision-making.

In December 2021, the State Council issued a notice about the 14th Five-Year Plan for the development of the digital economy that called for an accelerated penetration of digital technology into all areas of economic, social, and industrial development.

Zhou Weimin, a scholar within the Communist Party system and former director of the Marxist Theory Department of the Central Party School, dismissed the theory of planned economy at the second China Economic Forum, saying that big data technology, no matter how big it is, cannot make up for the fundamental flaws of a planned economy, and therefore it cannot be an effective tool for a planned economy.

The planned economy, according to Zhou, is a restriction that deprives individuals and businesses of independence and autonomy, and big data technology cannot help overcome its inherent shortcomings.

The Planned Economy Will Intensify Conflicts

Official media reported that at a special meeting on the three-year action of state-owned enterprise reform held on Sept. 1, Weng Jiming, deputy director of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, claimed that it was necessary to vigorously promote the concentration of resources to enterprises with advantages and that more enterprises and regions should form a pattern of one enterprise for one industry, one industry has only one enterprise.

In this regard, Ji said that the CCP is trying to monopolize the Chinese market through one enterprise for one industry to influence the world, and this will be the main tone of the CCPs political and economic strategy after the 20th congress.

However, as the authorities move forward with planned economy 2.0, the conflicts between the central government and the local communities will be intensified, plunging Chinese society into havoc, This is also the inevitable demise of the Communist Party, Ji said.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Gold bars and coins are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, on Aug. 14, 2019. (Michael Dalder/Reuters)

Are Gold Coins Pure Gold?

Gold is as fundamental to our modern culture as it was to civilizations 2,000 years ago. As nations worldwide continue to produce gold bullion coins, many investors seek to buy as many as possible. Though these items are sometimes worth thousands of dollars, are gold coins pure gold?

History of the Gold Coin

Gold is a precious metal that professionals extract through the labor-intensive process of vein mining. For thousands of years, numerous cultures competed to access this commodity for their jewelry, architecture, and currency.

Gold coins made their first appearance around 550 BC in what is now modern-day Turkey. Archaeologists have determined that the gold purity of ancient coins to be as high as 95 percent in some cultures.

However, with gold becoming more accessible to industrialized societies, do modern gold bullions have similar purity levels?

The answer to this question is, yeswith some exceptions. The most valuable modern gold coins in circulation have a purity of 9099 percent.

How Are Gold Bullion Coins Made?

While you can correctly assume a gold coin consists primarily of gold, other metals (alloys) also produce gold bullion coins.

Authorized facilities produce gold coins during the minting process. This task requires several ingredients, such as precious metals, a stamping press, and a furnace that can deliver 1,943 degrees Fahrenheit of heat.

A smelter will extract gold in its purest form from a section of ore, and they may mold this element into gold bars and sell them to minting facilities. Coin producers will then melt the gold and other alloys into a coin and stamp it with identifying markers.

Minting facilities generally stamp gold bullion coins with important national or cultural symbols. In the United States, you may see gold coins with the figures of eagles or Lady Liberty enshrined on their surfaces. In addition, commemorative gold coins display other niche symbols that separate them from their standard counterparts.

Gold Coin Alloys

Minting specialists may choose to add popular alloys such as copper and silver to reinforce a gold coin. For example, 22-karat gold coins use alloying gold to reduce flexibility and offset slightly lower purity levels.

As you can expect, gold coins with high percentages of alloy will be heavier than those without them.

How to Measure the Purity of a Gold Coin

Appraisers measure the purity of gold by karats. Understanding that purity does not necessarily mean quality. Gold purity is simply a measurement of how much fine gold is present in the final product.

Twenty-four-karat gold offers the highest purity, contains 99.9 percent fine gold, and is highly malleable. Alternatively, 22-karat gold is around 92 percent pure, while alloys make up the remaining 8 percent.

How Much Are Gold Coins Worth?

The market price of a pure gold coin varies and may be difficult to determine at face value. Some factors include the coins age, weight, and condition. Still, most appraisers currently place the value of an ounce of gold at around $1,600.

Using an American Gold Eagle coin (one of the purest gold coins available) as an example, investors can expect to pay between $18,000 and $21,000 for this item. Gold and silver prices fluctuate over time, but these commodities tend to retain value despite economic downturns. After the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, global markets struggled to survive.

Nevertheless, gold prices rose by nearly 24 percent. For these reasons, many people try to buy gold bullion coins to develop and reinforce their investment portfolio.

Which Gold Coins Are Pure?

Gold bullions come in different shapes, sizes, and purities. Before buying these coins, its prudent to know which items have the highest gold content.

Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

This coin contains 99.99 percent fine gold, which makes it the purest gold coin in circulation. Investment community members respect this product and pay top dollar every year to obtain it.

The Canadian Maple Leaf has a face value of $5.

American Gold Buffalo

The American Buffalo gold bullion coin contains 99.9 percent gold content. The United States Mint attempted to outcompete the Canadian Maple Leaf and other coins with this 24-karat, one-troy-ounce bullion. Though this coins value continues to rise yearly, it is not as popular among investors as the Maple Leaf or American Eagle.

The American Gold Buffalo has a face value of $50.

Australian Gold Nugget

In 1986, the Perth Mint began producing Australian Gold Nuggets. These bullion coins also contain 99.9 percent gold, making them comparable to their American and Canadian gold coin counterparts.

Those buying gold should expect to spend quite a bit on this item. The face value of this quarter-troy-ounce gold coin is around $1 million.

Austrian Philharmonic

The Austrian Mint began printing these beautiful 24-karat bullions in 1989. Each coin weighs in at half an ounce of gold. Investors started to gravitate toward this item after Austria adopted the euro just over a decade later.

The Austrian Philharmonic sits at face value of just over $100.

The British Gold Sovereign

British Gold Sovereigns closely reflect the iconography of ancient coinage standards. These 91.67 percent gold coins bear the visage of Queen Elizabeth II on one side and St. George on the other.

Production of these coins materialized at both the Royal and Australian mints. The face value of Gold Sovereigns sits at just over $1.

American Gold Eagle

American Gold Eagles contain 91.67 percent of the purest gold on the market. In addition, they include 5 percent copper and 3 percent silver. Unlike the American Buffalo, this bullion is popular and widely available. Manufacturers produced over 665,000 gold bullion coins throughout 2021.

The American Gold Eagle has a face value of $50.

South African Krugerrand

This gold bullion coin contains 90 percent gold, while copper alloy makes up the remainder. Despite having the lowest gold content on this list, investors worldwide seek this item for their portfolios.

Though it does not have an official face value, it remains legal tender in South Africa.

How to Buy Pure Gold Coins

Buying gold coins can be challenging if you arent sure where to start. Expect to spend time researching current market trends and exploring different offers from distributors.

Ask Yourself Why You Want Gold Coins

Ask yourself some essential questions before committing to a purchase, such as:

Am I buying gold coins as an investment?

Am I seeking to complete a physical coin collection?

Do I have the storage space to secure these items?

Can I afford these items?

The answers to these questions will impact how you shop. For example, you may need to arrange extra storage space if you cannot keep these valuable items at home.

Buying Gold Coins

Once you find the right distributor, explore their options. As this article proves, not all coins are the same. Ask a professional about each coins purity, weight, age, and spot price.

If you are ordering products to your door, ensure you have all the correct tracking information. A professional can guide you through the delivery process, so you know what to expect.

Furthermore, consider that a single gold coin can offer significant financial opportunities. Partner with an experienced advisor to learn how to invest effectively in these products in other channels.

The Oxford Gold Group helps investors protect and grow their wealth by purchasing physical gold and silver for their IRAs and for home delivery as effortlessly and securely as buying bonds or stocks. Thats why investors have turned to the security of gold and silver and the Oxford Gold Group. Call 833-600-GOLD or visit OxfordGoldGroup.com to receive a complimentary copy of Your Precious Metals Investment Guide.

Third-party advertisements and links to other sites where goods or services are advertised arent endorsements or recommendations by The Epoch Times of the third-party sites, goods, or services. The Epoch Times takes no responsibility for the content of the ads, promises made, or the quality/reliability of the products or services offered in all advertisements.
Women hold signs referencing action against domestic violence during the Sydney International Women's Day march in Sydney, Australia, on March 7, 2020. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Australia Unveils National Plan to End Violence Against Women In One Generation

The Australian federal, state, and territory governments released a national plan to end domestic violence against women and children within a generation.

The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, released on Oct. 17, provides a 10-year blueprint to end gender-based violence.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said it was vital that the Commonwealth, states, and territories were all committed to the same direction.

We need sustained and collective action across society. This includes providing better support and protection to victim-survivors and holding people who choose to use violence to account, she said in a media release.

The plan also outlines how gender inequality drives violence against women, which includes any sort of physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, social, spiritual, financial, and technology-facilitated abuse.

Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said achieving gender equality was at the core of the Albanese governments agenda.

The strategy will map out how we address the structural barriers and inequalities that are a major driver behind gender-based violence, she said.

No amount of violence is acceptable, and it is crucial that we talk honestly about some of the factors that contribute to violence against women and children and what we will do to address some of the underlying causes.

A teenage girl, who claims to be a victim of sexual abuse and alleged grooming, poses in Rotherham, England, on Sept. 3, 2014. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Kate Fitz-Gibbon, director of the Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre, called the plan world-leading.

It sets the ambition to create whole of system responses that not only support victim-survivors to survive but to thrive beyond their experience of violence, she said.

According to its statistics, one in three women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and one in five has experienced sexual violence. Further, a woman is killed by an intimate partner every 10 days on average.

The blueprint will be implemented over two five-year action plans that will indicate how governments should address key areas across four stages: prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery and healing.

This includes supporting boys and men to develop healthy masculinities and positive, supportive relationships with fellow male peers under the prevention stage.

The Albanese government is also working to deliver a standalone Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Plan and recognised that Indigenous women and children experience unacceptably high rates of violence.

Nothing for Domestic Violence Against Men

However, in the National Plan, violence against men is not mentioned once in the document, with a focus on violence against women and children.

This is despite the fact that around one in three victims of domestic violence in Australia are male, according to the One in Three campaign. Around half (45 percent) of victims of emotional abuse are also male.

Similar to the statistic for women, a man was killed in a domestic homicide incident every 11 days on average between 2018-19.

Due to the stigma, men who have experienced partner violence are two to three times more likely than women to not tell anybody about it.

Lacking Funding Specifics

The former Morrison government had announced an allocation of $2.1 billion (US$1.3 billion) for womens safety, economic security, and health and wellbeing over six years in its 2022-23 budget.

The social services minister did not disclose if there would be any extra funding in the Albanese governments own budget, to be unveiled on Oct. 25.

The next budget will be available for everyone to see when the budget comes out, Rishworth told the ABC. Weve also made a commitment to ensure that that the $1.3 billion (US$810 million) thats in the budget is properly targeted and focused on the National Plan.

I think thats the keythere needs to be the resources, but the resources need to be working together, and thats exactly why having a National Plan is so important.

However, there are critics of the governments women-centred focus towards tackling domestic violence.

Bettina Arndt, a commentator on gender issues, noted that the official statistics for violence against women are swamped with emotional, psychological, and financial abuse over lifetimes to give a truly frightening impression for women.

The public doesnt realise they are paying out mainly to help women who are not under threat, she wrote in an opinion piece.

This inflated domestic violence campaign does our society a huge disservice by grossly distorting the numbers of women living with dangerous menan insult to the normal, caring men of Australia.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14
Australian Carers Recognised for Their Aid Work

Millions of Australians caring for their friends and family are having their unpaid work highlighted, but many face problems requiring more than recognition to solve.

National Carers Week seeks to highlight the contribution people make through their care, which consultant estimates have predicted would cost about $78 billion a year if they were paid for it.

The people providing the care are overwhelmingly women, with an average age of almost 60, most commonly caring for a child or partner, according to Carers NSW.

The first results of the peak bodys 2022 National Carer Survey, released on Monday, paint a picture of an unpaid, overworked and overlooked group providing care to children, people with disabilities, and chronic and mental illnesses.

Unpaid carers spend an average of 104 hours a week providing care, with close to half doing it 24/7, and on average, had been doing it for almost 13 years.

The surveys results come from more than 6800 valid responses across the country.

Carers NSW chief executive Elena Katrakis says the survey provides important insight into the unpaid work of carers and their continued support and perseverance.

However, half of the respondents again do not feel that their caring role is recognised by governments, almost one in two carers still experience some form of financial stress, and, once more, 56 per cent are socially isolated, Katrakis said.

These are extremely concerning results that need to be urgently addressed.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth says the division of labour between genders needs equalising.

One of the key things coming out of the Jobs and Skills Summit is that all the caring responsibilities shouldnt fall on the primary caregiver, which is usually mum, Rishworth told Nines Today program on Sunday.

Were looking at how we make sure that were promoting shared care when it comes to our paid parental leave.

The government plans to increase paid parental leave by two weeks every year, beginning in 2024, to reach 26 weeks by 2026.

Ms Rishworth said the more than 2.6 million unpaid carers across Australia do remarkable work.

What we want to make sure is they are getting the help that they need, she said.
Medicare cards are seen in Melbourne, Australia, on July 10, 2017. (Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Australian Government to Investigate Claims about Multi-Billion Dollar Medicare Fraud

Australian Health Minister Mark Butler has committed to investigating claims that billions of dollars are lost each year due to fraud in the Medicare system.

This comes following a joint report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Nine newspapers, which alleged that some practitioners were swindling Medicare and charging for non-delivered services.

The news outlets cited a Medicare expert who estimated that up to $8 billion (US$4.98 billion) could be lost to fraud and dishonest practices each year.

The report listed many examples of such malpractices, including billing dead people, falsifying patient medical records and overcharging underserviced patients.

The minister said he asked the Department of Health to conduct a report on compliance, audit measures and review programs, as well as perform an analysis based on the work of experts who had examined Medicare claiming and compliance.

All governments must apply strict compliance standards to any publicly funded systemincluding Medicareto ensure that the small minority that does the wrong thing are picked up quickly and dealt with, Butler said in a statement.

Australians know that the overwhelming bulk of Australias doctors and health professionals are honest, hardworking and comply with Medicare rules.

A nurse performs a consultation with a patient at a COVID-19 and flu assessment clinic in Sydney, Australia, on May 12, 2020. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Treasurer Jim Chalmers described the alleged Medicare fraud as atrocious and said it needed to be examined.

If these numbers are true, its absolutely atrocious. Every dollar rorted, whether its from Medicare or the NDIS, is a dollar thieved from people who need and deserve good health care, he told reporters in Canberra.

If youre stealing from Medicare or the NDIS, youre a grub. It means that money thats not exactly thick on the ground in the budget is not going to people who need it.

Response from the Medical Profession

Meanwhile, the countrys peak medical body criticised the report, calling it a slur on the profession.

Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Steve Robson said that most doctors did the right thing for their patients and worked hard under tremendous pressure within the system.

Doctors will be sickened by todays reporting, which is an undeserved attack on the whole profession based very much on anecdotes and individual cases, he said.

The AMA works closely with the Department of Health on compliance, and we have never seen any concerns or numbers that would support the figures reported today.

Robson then said his organisation did not tolerate fraud and that the figures mentioned in the news report were grossly inflated.

While Government Services Minister Bill Shorten acknowledged that most general practitioners did not engage in fraudulent practices, he said there was a problem with payment integrity.

It drives taxpayers to despair if they think that some people are opportunistically rorting the system, he told Nines Today.

Crooks do leave footprints  Obviously, we have got to make sure there is complete confidence in the system, but we need to put the crooks on notice that you will get caught.
A Chinese paramilitary police officer guards the Bund waterfront during China's National Day celebrations in Shanghai on Oct. 1, 2022.(Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Beijing Has Been Operating Police Station in Australia for Almost 4 Years

Chinese officials have been operating an overseas police station in Sydney since 2018, the Australian media has reported.

The contact point was established by the Public Security Bureau of the city of Wenzhou, China, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) reported on Oct. 13.

While the move was hailed at an official ceremony in Wenzhou in 2019, it received little coverage by international media at the time.

Luo Jie, chief of the Wenzhou Public Security Bureau, said at the ceremony that the contact point was a positive response to the Chinese regimes Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an infrastructure development strategy that has been derided by some Western nations as debt trap diplomacy.

The Wenzhou polices official WeChat account referred those seeking the Sydney facilitys contact point to the Australia Wenzhou Chamber of Industry, while a spokesperson for the Chamber told ABC that the contact point was closed and hadnt been operational for some time.

However, police in Wenzhou said that the contact point should still be operating, according to ABC.

Chinese Police Stations Worldwide: Report

The disclosure of the Sydney contact point follows a recent report revealing that the CCP has set up such police stations all around the world for transnational repression.

The report, 110 Overseas: Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild, which was published by international human rights group Safeguard Defenders in September, warned that the CCP has set up at least 54 police-run overseas police service centres across five continents.

These stations are also called 110 Overseas stations, named after Chinas police emergency services phone number.

The stations are called 110 Overseas, named after Chinas police emergency services phone number. (Image from WeChat: Fuzhou Police)

The report, which identified 54 Chinese overseas police stations in 30 countries, noted that the outposts are all under the jurisdiction of two local-level police services in Chinathe Fuzhou Public Security Bureau in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, and the Qingtian County police in Zhejiang Province.

However, the total number of such outposts is unclear.

There is no complete list of such 110 Overseas police service stations available, the report reads. The number is undoubtedly larger and such stations more widespread.

More Sinister Goal

While these stations serve administrative purposes on the surface, such as extending Chinas driving licenses and processing official documents, they have a more sinister goal, as they contribute to resolutely cracking down on all kinds of illegal and criminal activities involving overseas Chinese, the Safeguard Defenders report said.

Some stations have already been implicated in collaborating with Chinese police in carrying out policing operations on foreign soil, the report noted.

From April 2021 to July 2022, an estimated 230,000 overseas Chinese nationals have been persuaded to return to the country to face criminal charges, according to a Chinese state media report.

Such persuasion to return involves harassment and intimidation of the targets relatives in China, Safeguard Defenders noted. When the target refuses to comply, their families could face punishment, such as their children being denied education.

These methods allow the CCP and their security organs to circumvent normal bilateral mechanisms of police and judicial cooperation, thereby severely undermining the international rule of law and territorial integrity of the third countries involved, the report states.

Map of the 30 countries where Chinese police have established 54 known 110 Chinese overseas police stations. (Courtesy of Safeguard Defenders)

It leaves legal Chinese residents abroad fully exposed to extra-legal targeting by the Chinese police, with little to none of the protection theoretically ensured under both national and international law.

The station ought to be reviewed as a matter of urgency and investigations initiated into the illegal practices taking place on Australian soil, said Laura Harth, campaign director of Safeguard Defenders.

The existence of such an undisclosed agreement is an integral part of the CCPs ongoing campaign to instill further fear in the overseas Chinese community and may severely impact their ability to enjoy the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under Australias legal framework, she told The Epoch Times.

Furthermore, we call for coordinated, targeted sanctions on the [Chinese regimes] institutions and individuals engaged in these illegal operations.

Responses From Governments

The Safeguard Defenders report has sparked widespread concern around the world.

In the United States, Frank Gaffney, the executive chairman of the Washington-based Center for Security Policy, is urging the U.S. government to press other countries to shut down the Chinese police outposts.

This Chinese Communist Party is not just a mortal threat to us, it is a horrific, indeed mortal threat to its own people, he said.

In Canada, which has no bilateral treaties with Beijing that allow Chinese police to reside and open police stations in the country, an investigation into reports of the stations has started.

The activity thats being alleged would be entirely illegal, totally inappropriate, and would be subject to very serious representations and follow-up diplomatically, Weldon Epp, director general for Global Affairs Canada, said during testimony before the parliamentary CanadaChina committee on Oct. 4.

Ireland and Spain also initiated investigations of these stations in their countries after the report was published.

Not Something New: China Experts

However, the existence of a CCP police station in Sydney isnt a surprise to some China experts.

It is not really news that the Chinese authorities operate an overseas police presence in Australia and around the world, Lin Bin, a political scientist, told The Epoch Times. In every Chinese embassy or consulate, military attaches are part of its staff. Ostensibly, the military attaches work as security guards to keep an eye on the security of the embassy or consulate.

However, they may not tell you that they have some other duties. They may try to collect information about the military of other countries.

A Chinese flag flies at the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China on May 12 in Canberra, Australia. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Lin said that the Australian government hasnt done enough to deal with such foreign interference.

It should employ more staff to keep the safety of all people living in Australia, he said.

Dr. Chin Jin, Australia-based chair of the Federation for a Democratic China, told The Epoch Times: The CCPs long-armed jurisdiction takes place under the noses of Western countries, which is the result of the West opening the door to invite thieves for a long time.

The Wests cognitive ability and level of awareness of the CCP is so low that it is numb to its long-arm jurisdiction and unknowingly acquiesces to the infringement of its sovereignty. Beijing is the worlds largest criminal group and organization, but most Western countries do not realize this.

However, he believes that as soon as Australia wakes up, Beijings extra police presence will disappear like a monster in the dark in broad daylight.

[Its] like criminals on a crowded bus victimizing unwary passengers. With just one shout from an alert passenger, the crime can be stopped at once, he said.

AFP Agreements With Beijing Under Scrutiny

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has signed several agreements with Chinas state police agency, the Ministry of Public Security, to combat transnational crime and cooperate in a range of areas.

Kevin Carrico, a senior lecturer in Chinese Studies at Monash University, said this is an area where he would advise caution.

Theres nothing that the AFP can do to change the fact that, unfortunately, police in China are basically just tools of the party, Carrico told The Epoch Times.

But while understanding that a degree of cooperation may be necessary, I think that there does need to be real discussion and reflection on the nature of these agreements.

This needs to be done transparently and needs to be done in a way that serves Australias interests rather than just serving the interests of oppressive dictatorship, but far too often, these types of agreements with China are mired in secrecy.

Carrico, currently a DECRA research fellow for the Australian Research Council, pointed to the Confucius Institutes and a BRI agreement signed by Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews that was abolished by the former Coalition government.

There needs to be open and public discussion of all agreements and all types of collaborations, especially when we take into consideration the genuine crimes against humanity that the Chinese state and its public security organs are currently engaged in, he said.

A general view of the Australian Federal Police emblem during a press conference in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 30, 2014. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

The Epoch Times reached out to the Department of Home Affairs and was told that it wasnt a matter for Home Affairs and was referred to the AFP.

The AFP has no comment, a spokesperson told The Epoch Times about the Chinese police presence in Australia.

Officials at the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

The Australian Government should respond with decisiveness and determination, Carrico said.

The only response that the Australian Government can plausibly have that would both defend the countrys sovereignty and defend us citizens and residents rights would be to ensure that the station is closed, to ensure that anyone associated with it is either convicted or tried for crimes associated with this extra-legal institution, whether were talking about espionage or harassment.

There needs to be a very thorough investigation into this situation to see what other forms of intimidation and export of controls exist in Australia.

Dorothy Li contributed to this report.
In the last few years we have had at least three amazing, mind-boggling concepts from the super-rich and super-powerful elites who, though unelected, seem to have extraordinary influence over governments, academic institutions, and the working lives of ordinary people.

In no particular order, these three ideas are:

One, that we can go to Mars and live there. (Anyone? Great views, apparently.)

Two, that its fine for NASA to spend $324.5 million to send a rocket into space in order to save the world. This plan to save the world involved crashing into an asteroid to alter its orbit. I am reminded of Oedipus who, learning from a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, fled Corinth and, by fleeing, thereby managed to unintentionally fulfill the prophecy. Perhaps we would now call this the Law of Unintended Consequences.

Three, and perhaps most worrying of all, there is a plan for sun-dimming technology. Sun-dimming technology? What? We are going to block sunshine? Aside from all the other factors involved in climate change, one striking thing that I learned from Jeremy Nieboers book Climate: All Is Well, All Will Be Well (2021) was this astonishing piece of research: On a global scale an analysis of 75,225,200 deaths in 13 countries over the period 19852012 with wide ranges of climate conditions revealed that cold weather kills 20 times more than hot weather. I guess that blocking the sun is going to make us colder, then. Hm.

Acts of Hubris

Prometheuss hubris entailed his stealing fire for man. Prometheus Brings Fire to Mankind, circa 1817, by Heinrich Fuger. Oil on canvas. (Public Domain)

Those who have read my articles will know that I am not a scientist and am not making any pretense of being one; my interest is in mythology and what it tells us. Usually, what it tells us are profound psychological truthstruths more revealing than the many factoids of science, which seem to change as political opinion sways back and forth. The recent epidemic and the question of vaccination is just such a case in point.

So which myth is most relevant here to explain these incredibly reckless, dangerous, and irresponsible actions? Its not one myth, but really one wordone word that the Greeks had for all this kind of activityhubris.

What exactly, then, is hubris? My favorite example of it from the ancient myths is one I have referred to before. (See my previous article, part of the Myths for Our Times series, Capaneus and the Age of Hubris.) In storming the city of Thebes, Capaneus cried out, Not even Zeus can stop me now, and for this blasphemy, Zeus struck him down with a lightning bolt, for after hubris (as the Greeks knew) comes the other god, Nemesis, or retribution.

But let us examine this concept a little more. It begins with the Enlightenment. Note that the word light in enlightenment recalls that Prometheuss hubris entailed his stealing fire for man: fire producing light. The thinkers of the Enlightenment, according to the philosopher John Gray, saw themselves as reviving paganism, but they lacked the pagan sense of the dangers of hubris. With few exceptions, these savants were actually neo-Christians, missionaries of a new gospel more fantastical than anything in the creed they imagined they had abandoned.

This new gospel, of course, which replaced Christianity and all organized religions, was the gospel of reason. Through reasoning, human beings could create a utopia on earth and be free of God and the gods once and for all.

Worshiping Reason

The gospel of reason began replacing all organized religions during the Enlightenment period. Reason, the figure who is centrally located and holding a spear, is surrounded by Wisdom (holding a mirror), Advice (holding a book), and Knowledge (holding a torch). The Triumph of Reason, 18th century, by Carlo Innocenzo Carlone. Oil on canvas. (Public Domain)

The Jungian psychologist James Hollis correctly observed, however: Our hubristic belief that we are in control of ourselves and nature only makes us more unconscious of what is at work within us.

This blindness to the forces unconsciously at work within usfor all the so-called reason that was being practicedled to World War I and II, and is still with us today. Communism is just one manifestation of it as it manifests in scientific materialism.

It may seem a stretch to say that the world wars were caused by worshiping reason. Worshiping reason, in effect, is what the Enlightenment initiated and what has been going on ever since. Witness the status and seemingly unquestioning authority of science and scientific experts. It is not just a stretch but also a profound irony of the Oedipus type. The fanatics of this creed specifically sought to destroy Christianity and religions, which they perceived as superstitions, and then replace them with reason.

They held religions responsible for wars, crusades, inquisitions, and all the evils of the world. If only one could be rid of religions and replace them with reason, then the world would be a better place by far: utopia around the corner, in fact.

The Darker Side of Hubris

Hubristic individuals exhibit violence and aggression, seeking domination. A Knight, Death, and the Devil, 16th century, attributed to Jakob Zuberlin. Oil on panel. John G. Johnson Collection, 1917, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia. (Public Domain)

But hubris, when we break it down even further, isnt just about defying Zeus and the gods, or Christianity or other religions; there is a deeper level to it. In his book A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization, Stephen Kershaw writes: Hubris is more than an attitudeit manifests itself in violent or arrogant actions. It was the Greek word for GBH [Grievous Bodily Harm].

Elaborating on this further, Peter Jones, in his book Eureka! Everything You Wanted to Know About the Ancient Greeks but Were Afraid to Ask, states that hubris

 originally meant doing physical violence to someone; by extension, it came to mean humiliating someone in order to get the upper hand over them, to show them who was boss, physically or socially. The aim was to degrade or demean the other person, as Aristotle says, for the sheer pleasure of demonstrating your superiority. That was something no proud Greek would take from anyone; and no god would take from any mere mortal.

In other words, hubristic individuals are not just displaying an attitude that is antagonistic to religions, to the gods, or to God Almighty himself, but that, in its very spirit, is violent and aggressive and seeking domination. It brings to mind that prophetic book by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, wherein we have the Dark Lord, Sauron, seeking to dominate all living things in Middle Earth.

Colonizing Mars, knocking asteroids off course, and blocking the rays of the sun are surely acts of massive aggression and hubris. These acts all say: We can control the universe! Watch us as we do it!

On top of this unsavory attitude, the individuals proposing all this nonsense are also quintessentially virtue signaling. They are not only doing good, but are also saving the world. They are to be the saviors of mankind. We do not need to praise and celebrate gods or God, but them!

Charlie Munger, Warren Buffetts longtime friend and business partner, once sadly observed that In every era  a great nation will, in due time, be ruined.  Our turn is bound to come. But I dont like thinking about it too much. Who does like thinking about it? America is a wonderful country, probably the greatest in the world, but with these kinds of hubristic people taking an increasing role in its affairs, the time lag before it comes undone is massively shortened, for after hubris comes Nemesis, and Nemesis is the god of retribution.

You dont start bossing the sun and planets around, do you, and think that they are not going to come back with a vengeance.
Boston University Researchers Develop COVID Strain With 80 Percent Kill Rate in Mice

University fires back, says some reports on the study are inaccurate

Researchers with Boston University have developed a strain of COVID-19 that killed 80 percent of mice infected with it, according to a preprint study released last week, prompting concern and condemnation.

The team of researchers extracted the Omicron variants spike protein, which they noted has an unusually large number of mutations. The researchers then attached Omicrons spike protein, which is a structure that allows a virus to bind and invade human cells, to the original COVID-19 variant and dubbed it Omicron S.

In K18-hACE2 mice, while Omicron causes mild, non-fatal infection, they wrote (pdf), the Omicron S-carrying virus inflicts severe disease with a mortality rate of 80 percent. This indicates that while the vaccine escape of Omicron is defined by mutations in S, major determinants of viral pathogenicity reside outside of [Omicron] S.

We generated chimeric recombinant SARS-CoV-2 encoding the S gene of Omicron in the backbone of an ancestral SARS-CoV-2 isolate and compared this virus with the naturally circulating Omicron variant, the researchers wrote. The Omicron S-bearing virus robustly escapes vaccine-induced humoral immunity, mainly due to mutations in the receptor binding motif (RBM), yet unlike naturally occurring Omicron, efficiently replicates in cell lines and primary-like distal lung cells.

The researchers noted, however, that mice and human immune systems differ greatly. As a result, if the Omicron-S hybrid were to infect humans, it would be unlikely to be as deadly, they noted, adding that the breed of mice that was used is more dissimilar to humans than other breeds subjected to laboratory testing.

However, when they infected human cells with the Omicron-S variant, they found that it was five times more infectious than the Omicron strain of COVID-19.

False and Inaccurate

A statement issued by Boston University on Tuesday said that this research is not gain-of-function research, meaning it did not amplify the Washington state SARS-COV-2 virus strain (original virus from 2020) or make it more dangerous, adding that some online reports Monday are false and inaccurate.

In fact, this research made the virus replicate less dangerous, the university stated.

The animal model that was used was a particular type of mouse that is highly susceptible, and 80 to 100 percent of the infected mice succumb to disease from the original strain, the so-called Washington strain, the statement continued. Whereas Omicron causes a very mild disease in these animals.

The 80 percent number was taken out of context for the purposes of sensationalism and it totally misrepresents not only the findings, but [also] the purpose of the study, the statement said.

Nonetheless, the studys publication drew online condemnation and concern.

Dr. Paul Hunter, an expert in infectious diseases at Englands University of East Anglia, told the Daily Mail on Oct. 17 that he was concerned about what laboratories are capable of producing.

The issue is what youre going to be using [the labs] for. If theyre for diagnostic purposes, then you need them. But I dont think every country needs a BSL-4, Hunter said, referring to the top level of biosecurity used in laboratories.

If they start having a dual purpose for research that has offensive military implications, that is the concern, he said.

And Justin Goodman, the senior vice president of the White Coat Waste Project advocacy group, told The Epoch Times that mad scientists need to be stopped before they cause another pandemic by recklessly supercharging deadly viruses in wasteful taxpayer-funded animal experiments and called on researchers to stop the madness.

There has been widespread speculation that scientists at a laboratory in Wuhan, China, may have contributed to the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan. Although Chinese Communist Party officials have officially blamed the emergence of the virus on a wet market in the Chinese city, some U.S. intelligence officials in 2021 said they believe COVID-19 either was created inside the lab or had escaped from the facility.
A Canada Border Services Agency officer speaks with a traveller at the Nexus office at the airport in Ottawa, May 8, 2012. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Business Council of Canada Says Nexus Closure Deeply Troubling in Letter to US

The Business Council of Canada says it is concerned over the continued closure of the Nexus trusted-traveller program, which allows pre-screened travellers expedited processing when entering the United States and Canada.

CEO Goldy Hyder says it is deeply troubling that the U.S. government has not reopened 13 Nexus enrolment centres, in a letter to David Cohen, the American ambassador to Canada, obtained by The Canadian Press.

The two countries are in dispute over a long-standing request by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency that its agents be afforded the same legal protections inside Nexus facilities in Canada that they currently have at ports of entry like airports and the Canada-U.S. border.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino has cited the principles of Canadian sovereignty in explaining why U.S. customs officers cant have the same legal protections at Nexus centres that they do at airports and the border.

Hyder says in his letter to Cohen that he fears the dispute will hurt businesses whose employees do not already have a Nexus card and he strongly urges the ambassador to recommend reopening the enrolment centres.

His comments come on the heels of Canadas envoy to the U.S. saying the program is being held hostage by unilateral American efforts to renegotiate the preclearance agreement between the United States and its northern neighbour.

Theres an attempt to renegotiate the terms of a 20-year-old program unilaterally and the program is being held hostage to that effort, Kirsten Hillman told a symposium on the Canada-U.S. border hosted last week by the Future Borders Coalition.
BMW's employees are pictured working on a BMW car assembly process in a guided visit during the inauguration of the new BMW car production plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, on June 6, 2019. (Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images)

Can Any of These Countries Replace China as the Factory of the World?

Commentary

China is losing its influence; its in decline. At the same time, however, China, ruled by a despotic regime, is responsible for 28.7 percent of global manufacturing output (more than 10 percentage points ahead of its No. 1 rival, the United States). This utter dependence on China for manufacturing must be stopped. As I write this, three countries are working to siphon customers away from China. Will their efforts prove to be successful?

I speak from experience when I say the following: communist China is not a fun place to live in. Moreover, with its frequent power cuts and the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) obsession with zero -COVID policies, its not a fun place to do business in, either. Such an obsession with eradicating a borderline-endemic disease is not conducive to a healthy society; in fact, it borders on the pathological.

The CCPs utter blindness is not lost on major companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung. The three tech giants are moving more of their operations to Vietnam, home to the fastest-growing economy in Asia and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Garment factory workers are making mens suits in a factory in Hanoi, Vietnam, on May 24, 2019. (Manan Vatsyayana/AFP via Getty Images)

Vietnam seems to offer a considerably more favorable environment to big businesses fed up with Chinas constant lockdowns and production disruptions.

As the author Govi Snell recently reported, due to its cheap labor and close proximity to China, Vietnam is attracting an increasing number of renowned businesses. Greg Poling, director of the Southeast Asia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), told Snell that many of these businesses no longer see a future in China. Between the trade war with the United States, rising labor costs, and the complete failure of supply chains during COVID, said Poling, the CCPs zero-COVID policy should be viewed as the straw that broke the camels back.

Chinas loss is Vietnams gain. Take Foxconn, for example, a Taiwan-headquartered manufacturer of smartphones for Apple. The company recently signed a $300 million contract with Kinh Bac City, a Vietnamese corporation, to expand its facility in Hanoi, a city located in the north of the country.

The move could prove to be monumental, considering Foxconna company that has done so much of its business in Chinais exploring the possibility of entering the world of semiconductor manufacturing.

Apple recently announced plans to shift more of its production away from China and into India. Interestingly, Foxconn is currently manufacturing Apples latest phone, the iPhone14, at its factory in Chennai, located in eastern India. Like Vietnam, India is home to a rapidly-expanding economy. Set to become the most populated country in the world very soon, India has aspirations of becoming a worldwide manufacturing hub by the end of the decade. Such aspirations appear to be rooted in reality. Last year, India ranked second in the Global Manufacturing Index, leapfrogging the United States.

A Foxconn logo on a building in Tucheng District, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on May 6, 2022. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

Another country with dreams of becoming a manufacturing hub of genuine significance is Mexico. In July, the author Jeremy Bliss asked, somewhat rhetorically, why Mexico? He then laid out several reasons why companies, especially those based in the United States, should seriously consider moving their operations to Mexico.

In addition to its optimal location along the USs southern border, he wrote, Mexico offers convenient access to North America, as well as Atlantic and Pacific trade routes. Indeed, it does. Moreover, when comparing Mexicos cost of labor and transportation fees with other manufacturing hubs, the North American nation offers a very favorable environment. For these reasons, noted Bliss, Mexico can connect businesses to more than one billion consumers and 60% of the worlds GDP. This explains why so many companiesincluding BMW, Nissan, Honda, Audi, Daimler, Mazda, and Toyotahave moved a large portion of their operations to Mexico or are building new assembly plants there.

You undoubtedly noticed that all seven of these companies are foreign automakers. They are attracted to Mexico because of the countrys highly-skilled workforce, low energy costs, and free-trade agreements. The IMMEX program, which was signed into effect in 2006, allows foreign companies to conduct full operations in Mexico with low-tax structures and significantly reduced labor costs.

This brings us back to the title of this short piece, can any of these countries replace China as the worlds factory? To many, the question seems utterly ridiculous. But it really shouldnt. If enough companies turn away from China and direct their business elsewhere, the world can gradually become less reliant on China. This wont be easy and will take some timebut it can be done.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speak during a meeting of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group and Caribbean partners on the situation in Haiti at the United Nations in New York on Sept. 21, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Canada Sends Military Equipment to Haiti as Power-Struggle Continues

The federal government has sent armoured 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.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that by providing the equipment, Canada is supporting the restoration of security in Haiti.

The co-ordinated shipment is a joint operation between Canada and the U.S.

A standoff between a gang federation and Haitis government is testing how much power both sides wield and threatens to further derail a paralyzed country where millions of people are struggling to find fuel and water.

Trudeau said in a statement posted online the equipment will be used to fight against violent criminal gangs and help improve security.

Our two countries remain committed to supporting the Haitian National Polices work of protecting and serving the people of Haiti. And together, well continue to support the restoration of security in Haiti, his statement said.

Canada said in a statement with the U.S. it remains committed to supporting the Haitian National Police and its effort to train more officers.

This equipment will assist the HNP in their fight against criminal actors who are fomenting violence and disrupting the flow of critically-needed humanitarian assistance, hindering efforts to halt the spread of cholera, the statement said. It noted the delivery was purchased by the Haitian government, though a sum was not disclosed.

The equipment arrived more than a month after one of Haitis most powerful gangs surrounded a fuel terminal and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Demonstrators also have blocked roads in major cities to protest a sharp rise in fuel prices after Henry announced in early September that his administration could no longer afford to subsidize fuel.

The gang, known as G9 and Family is demanding positions in Henrys Cabinet, according to the director of Haitis National Disarmament, Dismantling and Reintegration Commission, speaking to radio station Magik 9 on Thursday.

Henry and 18 members of his Cabinet appealed nearly a week ago for the deployment of foreign troops to quell violence and end the fuel blockade.

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to discuss the issue and receive a report from a UN office in Haiti on Monday.

Gang demands are nothing new in Haiti, and they have grown more prominent since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, but previous threats were quickly dealt with by police and assisting U.N. peacekeeping forces.

The U.N. is reporting an estimated 60% of the countrys capital city Port-au-Prince is controlled by gangs.

Haitian officials have warned the international community that the situation is dire, noting that a recent cholera outbreak could also worsen due to the limited availability of water and other basic supplies.

On Friday, UNICEF warned that nearly 100,000 children younger than five are already suffering from severe acute malnutrition and are vulnerable to cholera: The crisis in Haiti is increasingly a childrens crisis.

Later in the day, a report from U.N. agencies and international aid groups said a record 4.7 million people in Haiti are facing acute hunger, including 19,000 in catastrophic famine conditions for the first time, all in the gang-controlled Cite Soleil slum of Port-au-Prince.

It is also becoming a crisis for women. The United Nations Population Fund said Friday that 30,000 pregnant women are at risk because roughly three-fourths of Haitis hospitals are unable to provide services due to a lack of fuel.

In addition, gangs are increasingly raping women and girls, as well as boys and to some extent men, to exert and retain control over territory, according to a U.N. Human Rights report released Friday.

Helen La Lime, the top U.N. official in Haiti, told reporters that human rights abuses including rape and sexual assault have reached alarming levels.

With files from Associated Press
CCP Using Xiaomi to Compete With Western Big Tech After US Sanctioned Huawei

Xiaomi, Chinas electronics giant, is being pushed to the forefront of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) global strategy. After the United States sanctioned Huawei, Xiaomi became a tool for the CCP to counter Western technology companies. Xiaomi, which has multiple ties to Chinas military, is not only involved in areas such as electric vehicles and mobile 5G internet, but also in the construction of the CCPs own Starlink.

In August, Lei Jun, the founder of Xiaomi, announced that from smartphones, wearables, electric cars, and bionic robots, to the CCPs satellite ground-to-space networking program, Xiaomi aims to compete with Musks Tesla self-driving and bionic humanoid robots, as well as the next-generation satellite communication network Starlink.

Xiaomi is an alternative to Huawei, China expert Li Yanming told The Epoch Times. Since Huawei is sanctioned by the United States, the CCP has replaced Huawei with Xiaomi, which also has a CCP military background, as a high-tech brand for the CCPs global expansion. On the surface, it simply looks as though Xiaomi is competing with Huawei.

On Oct. 7, the U.S. government announced that it would further expand export restrictions on advanced chips and related equipment to China. While the Biden administration removed Xiaomi from the U.S. Department of Defense list of Chinese military-owned or controlled entities last May, the U.S. restrictions on Chinas high-tech sector have also put Xiaomi in check.

Lagging Behind in Advanced Technology and Innovation

Chinese tech companies like Xiaomi are having a hard time catching up with U.S. big tech companies like Tesla and Apple. Xiaomis robot prototype is similar in appearance to Teslas Optimus robot that was released on Oct. 1, but is incomparable in terms of core algorithms, application scenarios, and cost. Teslas Optimus, on the other hand, has the same visual perception and computer systems as its smart electric car, and is built on its fully automated driving technology and network, which has broad application prospects for the future.

Musk said at the Tesla AI Day on Oct.1 that Optimus is expected to cost less than $20,000, cheaper than a Tesla car, and will be available in three to five years, with production eventually reaching several million units.

According to the Chinese robotics industry research briefing, published by Chinas Leadleo Research on Sept. 23, the cost of Xiaomi CyberOne is between $84,000 and $98,000, about four times that of Optimus, and is not available for mass production at all. In addition, the core components of Xiaomis bionic robot are 80 percent dependent on imports.

In terms of fully automated driving technology, Tesla has been driving automatically for nearly 10 years and delivered more than 1 million electric vehicles annually, accumulating a huge amount of data to help it continuously improve its technology. Chinas Xiaomi lacks the most basic data to study autonomous driving. The company may be able to poach some talent, but the gaps in the basics are so big that they cant catch up.

Xiaomi, which started out with smartphones, has been a powerful tool in the CCPs global strategy and has benefited from the CCPs Belt and Road initiative. Xiaomi entering the electric car sector is critical to the CCPs strategic plan to use it as a brand to promote Chinese high-tech products worldwide. Xiaomi has invested heavily in the field of fully automated electric cars. In August last year, Xiaomi acquired DeepMotion for 500 million yuan (about $70 million) and has invested about 2 billion yuan (about $280 million) in related companies such as ZongMu Technology and G-PAL, which produce autonomous driving systems.

Since announcing its entry into the electric vehicle field last March, Xiaomi has invested 3.3 billion yuan (about $460 million) in the first phase of research and development, and its self-driving team has grown to more than 500 people. Lei Jun also said that Xiaomis self-driving algorithm would be fully self-researched and would be at the forefront of the industry by 2024.

CCPs Starlink Ambitions

In March, GalaxySpace, a Chinese space technology company, launched six low-orbiting broadband communications satellites to join the first one and build the first converged satellite-ground 5G trial network. The purpose of this move is to compete with Musks SpaceX Starlink to create Chinas own version of Starlink, and involve Xiaomi.

As an investor, Xiaomis founder Lei Jun is listed on the official website of Galaxy Space after its founder Xu Ming, and Leis Shunwei Capital participated in all levels of Galaxy Spaces financing. In the latest round of financing, completed in early September, state-owned capital from the CCP also entered, including China Construction Banks CCB International, Anhui Provinces Triple One Venture Fund, and Hefei Citys Industrial Investment.

However, the information about the companys No. 3 person, Deng Zongquan, the technical committee chairman, that was on GalaxySpaces official website in February last year, has been removed. Deng is deeply tied to the CCPs military. He is the director of the Defense Laboratory for Aerospace Mechanisms and Control Technology in China and the chief scientist of the National Defense 973 Project. The project is the CCPs National Security Research Program, most of which is made of highly classified projects determined by the Chinese militarys Armaments Department in accordance with the CCPs national strategy. In addition, Xiaomi established a Communist Party branch within the company in 2015.

Jennifer Bateman Follow Jennifer Bateman is a news writer focused on China.
A participant stands near a logo of IMF at the International Monetary FundWorld Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, on Oct.12, 2018. (Johannes P. Christo/Reuters/File Photo)

Central Bank Digital Currencies Would Let Governments Control What People Spend Money On: IMF Official

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) could potentially allow a government to control what people spend their hard-earned cash on.

Speaking at the IMF-World Bank annual meeting on Oct. 15, Deputy Managing Director Bo Li said that a CBDC could improve financial inclusion through programmability.

A CBDC can allow government agencies and private sector players to program, to create smart contracts, to allow targeted policy functions, Li explained. For example, welfare payments, for example, consumption coupons, for example, food stamps.

By programming CBDC, that money can be precisely targeted for what kind of people can own [CBDC] and for what kind of use this money can be utilized, for example for food.

Li, who stepped into the role of deputy managing director at the IMF on Aug. 23, 2021, added that by allowing the government to precisely target what people need, this will enable said government to improve financial inclusion.

However, his comments were quick to garner a reaction from experts, including Nick Anthony, a policy analyst at the Cato Institutes Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives.

Anthony wrote on Twitter that the IMF executives comments revealed how a CBDC would allow the government to precisely control what people can and cannot spend their money on.

Prior to joining the IMF, Li worked for many years at the Peoples Bank of China, according to the IMFs official website.

A staff member counts renminbi (yuan) at a bank in Haian, Nantong city, East Chinas Jiangsu Province, on May 15, 2022. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

I Dont See How Americans Would Want This

In a follow-up post on Twitter, Anthony quoted a comment made by Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, writing: I can see how China is for this. I dont see how Americans would want this.

Anthony also noted that governments have a historical pattern of misusing these tools, citing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus move to freeze the bank accounts of anti-COVID-19 vaccine mandate protesters earlier this year.

A May report (pdf) from the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) found that almost 90 percent of national central banks are planning to launch their own CBDC for release to the general public.

That includes the United States, where Washington is currently looking into the possibilities for issuing such a digital currency, with officials citing an array of alleged benefits, such as efficient and low-cost transactions, boosting economic growth, and improved access to the financial system.

However, critics fear CBDCs will increase government control over money that could be used as a tool for financial discrimination while simultaneously tracking purchases, and restricting access to funds, thereby working against decentralization, which is one of the main advantages of adopting cryptocurrencies.

Agustin Carstens, general manager of the BIS, noted in 2021 that central banks would have absolute control over the rules and regulations that will determine the use of that expression of central bank liability, and then will also have the technology to enforce that.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell last month also stated that a CBDC would not be anonymous and would be identity-verified, meaning details regarding transactions of a CBDC would be public.

The European Central Bank (ECB) reiterated Powells remarks at the same Banque de France event on Sept. 27, with ECB President Christine Lagarde stating: There would not be complete anonymity as there is with  bank notes.

Lagarde did, though, add that there would be a limited level of disclosure and certainly not at the central bank level.
In a video, Chinese businessman Cai Yunfeng confirms that he published a 30-plus page long report on his Weibo account on September 18, 2022, implicating former Deputy Director of the Gansu Public Security Department, Yao Yuan, and his corrupt police ring. (Video screenshot / The Epoch Times)

Chinese Businessman Reports Police Corruption, Dies Within 3 Days

Cai Yunfeng 'jumped to his death' after sensational report

A Chinese businessman died suspiciously on Sept. 21, shortly after releasing a detailed report about police corruption.

Cai Yunfeng, a 53-year-old businessman in the hotel industry in Chinas northwest Gansu province, died on Sept. 21, within three days of releasing 30 pages of material exposing dozens of corrupt local officials.

While there have been many publicized cases involving the Chinese military, this incident was unusual because it unmasked wrongdoing in the public security system.

Corruption within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at both central and local levels is a fact of life. Analysts say that every corrupt official in China has one or two corrupt businessmen backing him or her. And, like Cai Yunfeng, everyone involved keeps a little black book to implicate others.

Cai Yunfeng Risking His Life to Report

In late July, Cai created the Weibo hashtag, Cai Yunfeng risking his life to report, and posted that he would shortly release reports and videos of the corrupt local police department led by Yao.

Cai mailed the 20,000-word expose to Chinas Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and other anti-corruption watchdogs.

The report gave information about the former deputy director of the Gansu Provincial Public Security Department, Yao Yuan, and his wife, Lin Mingyu. It alleged that the two were involved in serious corruption, and implicated dozens of officials associated with them.

Cai then made the report available online, along with the names, identity numbers, and phone numbers of those implicated. He indicated that he had released less than one-third of the materials he had compiled and that more information would be forthcoming.

After he posted the materials online, Cai released a video confirming that he was indeed the source of the report.

Ive Lived Another Night

On Sept. 18, Cai made the report public; the next day, he wrote, Ive lived another night.

Notably, the report survived two days online before being deleted. By the evening of Sept. 20, however, the posts had been removed and Cai was missing.

Hours before Cais death, his online interview with a number of reporters had been cut short because the police arrived, according to one report.

Local public security bureaus remained silent when Chinese netizens and overseas media questioned Cais whereabouts.

Chinese media reports did not confirm his death until Oct. 14. He jumped to his death from his apartment building in Lanzhou around 4 a.m. Sept. 21, Caixin reported.

However, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that Cai had made it clear on social media that he would not commit suicide, and that if he died it would be because he had been killed.

Details Lend Credibility to Report

Cai served as a white glove, or intermediary for Yao throughout the officials police career, from the 1990s until Yao died in 2013.

The report described how Yao, his wife, and other police were involved in buying official titles and collecting bribes for job placements, local projects, and other activities. Included in the report were details of at least 12 properties purchased for the couple as bribes.

Adding to the reports credibility were inside stories such as how Yaos wife, Lin, bribed the wife of former Deputy Minister of Public Security Fu Zhenghua, in order to arrange work for the couples son-in-law.

At a party, Fus wife complimented Lins jade bracelet. Shortly after, Lin presented Fus wife with a jewelry box containing three valuable jade bracelets, including the one she had admired.

Fu was sentenced to life in prison on Sept. 23 on corruption charges. He admitted to taking bribes exceeding 117 million yuan ($16.25 million).

Fu Zhenghua, head of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, is pictured during a meeting in Beijing, China, on January 17, 2011. Fu was sentenced to life in prison on September 23, 2022, on corruption charges. (Reuters/Stringer)

The Little Black Book

Promotions under CCP rule always come with a price tag, according to historian Li Yuanhua, a former professor at Beijings Capital Normal University who now lives in Australia.

Paying for the promotion  Its the rule of thumb in the entire officialdom and system of the CCP, Li said in a recent interview with the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times.

Whether its a partnership, a mutual benefit, or  exploitation of the relationship, in fact, everyone involved keeps a book of his own. They are all preparing it just in case it would help to settle issues. No one in the CCP officialdom is trustworthy, Li said on Oct. 16.

Li said that Cais report touched the interest of those in power who are deeply connected to the local underworld. Mafia-type authorities in the CCP determine life and death at will. Its not surprising if Cai [was] suicided, he said.

As a witness and a collaborator, Cai said he was not innocent. He was fully aware of the danger involved but felt the time was right, according to the Caixin report.

Shining a Rare Light on Police Corruption

Lin Shengliang, a Chinese dissident living in the Netherlands, told The Epoch Times China edition that this case is getting extra attention. While disclosures of corruption in the military are not unusual, Shengliang believes this may be the first such public exposure of widespread corruption in the public security system.

In the past, we have only seen the military. Large-scale and important cases with clearly marked prices, such as the cases of Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou. Such large-scale corruption cases in the public security system should be exposed for the first time.

Wang Zhian, a former investigative journalist, analyzed the case on his YouTube channel, Wang Sirs News Talk. Wang said that all successful CCP officials have one or two businessmen behind them.

These businessmen, while close to the power core that serves as their protective umbrella, are situated at the bottom of the power network. They are in fact insignificant, Wang said.

Because Cai was insignificant, he could not expect his report to receive much attention from the CCPs anti-corruption watchdogs. This may have motivated him to share the details publicly on social media.

Chinese social media comments on the incident have been deleted, including Caixins Oct. 14 report revealing Cais death.

The Epoch Times made several calls to the Lanzhou Public Security Bureau and relevant departments, but the calls went unanswered.

Xiao Lusheng and Luo Ya contributed to this report.
Licensed esthetician Simran Bal, who was taken to court by her former employer to repay $1,900 in trainings they required her to attend, poses for a portrait outside the King County District Court in Shoreline, Wash., on Oct. 13, 2022. Bal, whose case was dismissed, says she was already licensed for services the trainings covered. (Reuters/Lindsey Wasson)

Companies Are Increasingly Charging Former Employees for Job Training After Quitting

More American companies are charging employees for their own job training if they quit.

At least 10 percent of workers in the United States in 2020 were forced to sign a training repayment agreement by their employers, according to the Cornell Survey Research Institute, in a story by Reuters.

The agreements are termed Training Repayment Agreement Provisions (TRAPs) by detractors.

Many workers and employee rights advocates in multiple industries have complained to state and federal regulators about former employers charging workers large financial penalties if they quit after training.

However, this practice is beginning to draw some scrutiny from government regulators and Congress, reported Reuters.

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), for example, is looking into proposing a bill next year to rein in these TRAP agreements, a Senate Democratic aide told Reuters.

Local officials like Keith Ellison, Minnesotas attorney general, is reviewing the regularity of the practice and may push for new state guidance.

Ellison told Reuters that he leans toward opposing mandatory reimbursements for job-specific training, but he may exempt the practice for specific certifications like commercial driving licenses, which are widely recognized as valuable.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been reviewing the practice since June, according to Reuters.

The Department of Justice and theFederal Trade Commission have received complaints about TRAPs as well.

However, some employers object to federal oversight of mandated training reimbursements.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) said that the issue was outside the CFPBs authority because it was not covered under its mandate to review consumer financial products and services.

Some state governments have authority to regulate employer-driven debt. The CFPB should defer to those governments, which are closer to the people of the states than the CFPB, said the NFIB to Reuters.

National Nurses United (NNU) told the CFPB that they conducted a survey which found that the agreements are increasingly ubiquitous in the health care sector.

New nurses are particularly vulnerable after years of school bills.

There is concern that nurses may be prevented from finding new positions due to the repayments.

The NNU survey found that 589 of the 1,698 respondents were required to take training programs and 326 of them were required to pay back their hospitals if they failed to stay within a specific period.

Many nurses were reportedly not informed about the practice before starting work and that their mandatory training sessions often repeated what they learned in school.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters told Reuters that TRAP agreements were particularly egregious to truckers.

The Teamsters accused firms like CRST and C.R. England of charging new truckers more than $6,000 if they leave before a certain time after they receive their licenses.

The American Trucking Association, which represents trucking companies, argued that because a commercial truck driver license is portable from one employer to the next and is required by the government, the CFPB should exempt training reimbursements as employer-driven debt.
Corporate Social Credit Scores Mirror China, Risk the Republic

CCP-inspired sanctions on financial services risk free speech guarantees

Commentary

When the United States commenced serious trade relations with China in the late 1980s and early 1990s, policymakers hypothesized that a capitalist market in China would segue into a Western-style democratic representative government.

As China conducted its 20th Chinese Communist Party Congress last week, in which Chinese leader Xi Jinping was granted an unprecedented third term and named president for life, Americans can now only regret the naivete of the leaders who enabled and empowered the rise of the communist regime thats now an existential threat worldwide.

But as we bemoan the naivete of George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and the 106th Congress, Americans should also take heed. For we havent only failed to convert China from communist authoritarianism to the ways of a democratic society, as we had hoped, but weve also made our own society more authoritarian in a manner that mimics some aspects of China.

A Private-Sector Silencing of Speech

John Locke, the 17th-century philosopher who so influenced the Founders, wrote in A Letter Concerning Toleration: The toleration of those that differ from others is so agreeable  to the genuine reason of mankind, that it seems monstrous for men to be so blind as not to perceive the necessity and advantage of it in so clear a light.

While Locke was writing about religious tolerance among different sects, his notions were so embraced by the Founding Fathers that they became the basis for James Madisons derivation of the First Amendment, which prohibits Congress from abridging the freedom of speech or the press.

Today, however, tolerance of speech is at risk. And its private sector corporations that are limiting speech in ways that Congress cantand in ways that the Founders likely never considered.

As I reported earlier this month, private company PayPal maintains a policy that allows the company to debit $2,500 from accounts of users who promote hate, violence, racial or other forms of intolerance that [are] discriminatory. Your account can be closed if you provide false, inaccurate, or misleading information. Determinations as to whether you meet those thresholds are, of course, made solely by PayPal.

Earlier this year, Mike Lindell, the My Pillow Guy, had bank accounts that he maintained with Minnesota Bank & Trust terminated after the bank described him as a reputation risk. The bank apparently found Lindells continuing doubts about the integrity of the 2020 election to somehow be a threat to it.

Lauren Witzke, a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Delaware and a self-described Christian nationalist who opposes the LGBTQ movement, was denied access to her account at Wells Fargo. She claims that she had banked with Wells Fargo for years but only had banking services denied when she became a candidate and had a platform to espouse her views.

These blackballings of opposing speech by financial institutions all seem to go against conservative groups. Left-wing groups such as Antifa and Black Lives Matter dont seem to have been sanctioned by financial institutions, even though theyve been accused of engaging in violence. Action Network, a turnkey social and contribution platform for all sorts of progressive causes, big and small, allows contributions via credit cards.

A Virus Launched in 2013

This all seems to have begun with Operation Choke Point, a clandestine regulatory policy that the Obama administration commenced in 2013 that was purported to target money laundering but also targeted arms and ammunition sellers and so-called payday lenders (who make loans that are due to be repaid on the next payday). Documents discovered in a lawsuit showed that some regulators in the Obama administration abhorred these kinds of businesses, notwithstanding that theyre legal.

Dennis Shaul, CEO of the Community Financial Services Association of America, wrote an article for The American Banker in which he described regulators animus toward the industry, which he said they tried to obfuscate when it came to light.

A dangerous precedent has been set here, Shaul wrote. If government regulators under one administration can target businesses they personally disfavor, any subsequent administration can do the same. Personal prejudices cannot be the standard for regulation, and the government should never disregard due process or regulatory procedures to choke off lawful businesses.

Thankfully, the Department of Justice ended Operation Choke Point in the first few months of the Trump administration.

But that doesnt appear to have ended the communist-style social credit regime imposed by financial institutions. Some banks continue to impose barriers to financial services based on their own subjective views of legal businesses and controversial opinions, even though theyre no longer under the cudgel of government regulation. Most doing so are encouraged by environmental, social, and governance-conscious private equity managers and public employee pension funds.

Just last month, for example, the attorneys general of California and New York wrote to the three major credit-card companies asking them to establish a merchant category code for gun and ammunition retailers. Public employee pension funds soon jumped aboard the initiative, citing purported regulatory, reputational, and litigation risks that may harm long-term shareholder value in the credit card issuers. One can easily imagine how, if banks acquiesce to this demand, they might well be asked to de-bank controversial political movements, political parties, and religious institutions.

Financial Services Rights at Risk

Nobody should be de-banked or frozen out of their credit accounts because they support controversial political views or engage in legal activities that unelected bank executives or regulators abhor. Its an extra-judicial punishment that offends the very nature of First Amendment guarantees and the sensibilities of a democratic society.

While obscenity, defamation, fraud, incitement, true threats, and speech integral to already criminal conduct are clearly illegal, other speecheven abhorrent offensive and hate speechis legally protected, so long as it isnt incitement. And if Congress wishes to adopt a constitutional amendment to change that and make certain speech illegal, as it is in some countries in Europe and Canada, theres a process for it. But Congress, which regulates banks, shouldnt permit the process to be circumvented by bureaucrats and bankers.

Harry Truman, the plain-spoken Missouri Democrat who became an unintended president, once said of measures to restrict dissent (in his day, the threat of the Red Scare):

Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.

The next Congress should establish a national financial services bill of rights to limit the power of banks and regulators to deny credit, close accounts, or impose the kinds of fines that PayPal added to its terms and has since retracted. Its clearly a role more suited for a court, with guarantees of due process and appeal than to bureaucrats and businessmen.

Evelyn Beatrice Hall, an English writer who wrote a biography of Voltaire, summarized the philosophers view on speech by attributing to him this quote: I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

In a nation as deeply divided as ours, where outliers tend to command the greatest notice and speech we abhor is commonplace, its important that we remember Voltaires quote. And Trumans. And abide by both.

If we dont, we might ultimately sacrifice the republic.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of two protesters who have thrown tinned soup at Vincent Van Gogh's 1888 work Sunflowers at the National Gallery in London, on Oct. 14, 2022. (PA Media/Just Stop Oil)

Crowdfunder Cuts Short Funding for Just Stop Oil

The UKs biggest crowdfunding platform Crowdfunder has shut down the climate activist group Just Stop Oils account, saying it no longer complied with its terms of use after a series of acts of vandalism.

On Friday, Just Stop Oils Crowdfunder ended, saying said that it had raised over 78,000 with 535 supporters in 242 days.

Our Crowdfunder has been taken down after peacefully resisting this governments genocidal plans, Just Stop Oil claimed on Twitter.

It followed the news that its activists were arrested after for throwing tinned soup at one of Vincent Van Goghs most famous paintings in the National Gallery in London.

They threw two tins of Heinz Tomato soup over the 1888 work Sunflowers shortly after 11 a.m. on Friday, before kneeling down in front of the painting and appearing to glue their hands to the wall beneath it.

One of the activists, 21-year-old Phoebe Plummer from London, said in front of the painting: What is worth more, art or life? Is it worth more than food? Worth more than justice? Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting, or the protection of our planet and people? The cost of living crisis is part of the cost of oil crisis.

On the same day, activists sprayed the Met Polices New Scotland Yard sign with yellow paint.

If Theyre Lawful and Compliant

On Monday, Crowdfunder co-founder and director Dawn Bebe told The Epoch Times by email that Just Stop Oil was closed when it no longer complied with our terms of use.

Crowdfunder is the UKs number one crowdfunding platform. Bebe said it has raised over 4.2 million for green and sustainability projects across the UK. She did not specify which terms of use were broken.

Our project owners are a passionate bunch, aiming to tackle some of societys biggest challenges by making their ideas happen. But sometimes the projects that matter most demand changes to societys rules and they challenge the status quo, she said.

Thats why some of our biggest projects cause the biggest public debates. Not everyone agrees with the aims or actions of a project, they object loudly, and a noise erupts across on and offline media, with both sides making strong arguments for their side of the debate, she said.

At Crowdfunder projects that matter are supported by a community that cares and while we recognise that some projects may become the subject of public debate, if theyre lawful and compliant with our guidelines, the crowd will ultimately decide whether or not they receive funding, she added.

While Just Stop Oil was closed when it no longer complied with our terms of use, we welcome projects that aim to protect our planet and environment, said Bebe.

The disruptions are part of Just Stop Oils October uprising demanding the government begin the process of winding down fossil fuel production in the country.

While their Crowdfunder is cut off, Just Stop Oil still has the backing of rich families who descended from oil magnates.

Just Stop Oil, a spin-off from Extinction Rebellion, is funded by the Climate Emergency Fund, which itself is funded by the oil heirs from the Getty and Rockefeller families Aileen Getty, Rebecca Rockefeller Lambert, and Peter Gill Case.

Climate Emergency Fund has awarded millions to an international network of activists which they call the disruptive arm of the global climate movement.

A Just Stop Oil spokeswoman told The Epoch Times that it was not sure exactly why it was taken off Crowdfunder.

Alexander Zhang contributed to this report.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks in a neighborhood impacted by Hurricane Ian at Fisherman's Wharf in Fort Myers, Fla., on Oct. 5, 2022. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

DeSantis to Send More Illegal Immigrants to Democrat-Controlled Areas

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says that hes planning to send more illegal immigrants who crossed the U.S.Mexico border in recent days to Democrat-controlled areas, following his headline-grabbing move last month of transporting Venezuelan nationals to Marthas Vineyard.

A spokesperson for the Republican governor said that the flights of illegal aliens will resume following cleanup efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which slammed into Floridas western coastline as a Category 4 storm in late September.

While Florida has had all hands on deck responding to our catastrophic hurricane, the immigration relocation program remains active, Taryn Fenske, DeSantiss communications director, told the New York Post over the weekend.

She didnt elaborate about when or where the illegal immigrants will be transported.

DeSantis in mid-September sent about 50 illegal immigrants, who had recently crossed into the United States from Mexico, to Marthas Vineyard, a wealthy and elite enclave located in Massachusetts. Within hours, the governor of the state deployed the National Guard, and those illegal aliens were taken to a military base on Cape Cod.

Other Plans

DeSantis previously said that relocating the illegal aliens to Democrat-controlled areas and sanctuary cities, which flout federal immigration law to accommodate illegal aliens, is a better option, noting that Florida isnt a sanctuary state. The move prompted pushback from Democratic leaders, with the Treasury Department confirming in a letter to senators that its investigating whether Florida used COVID-19-related funds for relocation flights to Marthas Vineyard.

At the same time, the governor has rebuffed claims that his plan was a form of human trafficking, noting that the Venezuelans voluntarily signed up for the flights. All the illegal aliens who went to the Massachusetts island had to sign consent forms, he said last month.

It was clearly voluntary, and all the other nonsense youre hearing is just not true, DeSantis told Sean Hannity on Fox News last month. And why wouldnt they want to go, given where they were?

The illegal immigrants who were sent to Massachusetts from around San Antonio were in bad shape, had been abandoned, and were homeless before the flight, DeSantis said.

Illegal immigrants from Venezuela stand outside St. Andrews Church in Edgartown, Marthas Vineyard, Mass., on Sept. 14, 2022. (Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette/Handout via Reuters)

They were in really, really bad shape, DeSantis said during the Fox News interview. There are jobs available in Marthas Vineyard. There is lodging available in Marthas Vineyard. Had they lived up to  what they bill themselves out as a sanctuary jurisdiction, they could have absorbed those people without a problem.

One anti-illegal immigration group says that since President Joe Biden took office, about 5 million people have illegally crossed into the United States from Mexico.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) said weeks ago that as of July, the total of illegal aliens crossing our borders since President Biden took office [has risen] to 4.9 million, including some 900,000 gotaways who eluded apprehension and have since disappeared into American communities.

Roughly the equivalent of the entire population of Ireland has illegally entered the United States in the 18 months President Biden has been in office, with many being released into American communities, Dan Stein, president of FAIR, said in a statement. In that time, the Biden administration has blamed an unprecedented surge of illegal immigration on all sorts of external factors, except their own sabotage of our nations immigration laws.

Emergency Declarations

Several Democrat-controlled municipalities have declared emergencies over the influx of illegal immigrants being bused from places such as Texas and Arizona in recent days. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and officials in the Democrat-controlled city of El Paso, Texas, have sent thousands of illegal aliens to the cities of New York, Chicago, and Washington this year.

New York Mayor Eric Adams earlier this month declared an emergency after Texas and other areas sent 17,000 illegal aliens to the city in recent months.

This is a humanitarian crisis that started with violence and instability in South America and is being accelerated by American political dynamics, Adams said at a press conference on Oct. 7, without mentioning Bidens lax immigration policies.

Thousands of asylum-seekers have been bused into New York City and simply dropped off, without notice, coordination, or careand more are arriving every day.
GOP nominee for governor of Michigan Tudor Dixon (C) meets with a parental rights group in Troy on Oct. 14, 2022. (Steven Kovac/The Epoch Times)

Dixon Rallies with Parental Rights Group in Michigan as Campaign for Governor Heats Up

No issue in this years campaign for governor of Michigan between incumbent Democrat Gretchen Whitmer and Republican challenger Tudor Dixon more clearly highlights the difference between the two candidates than traditional family values.

From abortion, which Whitmer has publicly vowed to fight like hell to protect, to the gay and transgender indoctrination of Michigan school children, the contrast could not be greater.

In 2021, Whitmer proclaimed the month of October as Transgender Empowerment Month in Michigan.

On Oct. 14, 2022, Dixon, a pro-life advocate and mother of four daughters, met with a couple of hundred concerned parents angry about public schools sexualizing their grade school children by introducing them to gay and transgender ideology.

Dixon was part of a panel discussion sponsored by Moms for Liberty, a national organization with 240 local chapters across 42 states that is dedicated to empowering parents to defend their rights.

Whitmer, who is running for reelection to a second term, was invited to be a panelist but did not attend.

The event was held in Troy, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, the night after 1,300 parents jammed a Dearborn school board meeting demanding the removal of what they described as pornographic books from their childrens classrooms and school libraries.

The well-attended back-to-back events illustrate the importance to voters of family values and parental rights as leading issues in the fast-approaching Nov. 8 election.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon talks to the media at a Moms for Liberty rally in Troy, Mich., on Oct. 14, 2022. (Steven Kovac/The Epoch Times)

A man attending the panel discussion told The Epoch Times, We came out tonight to see and hear Tudor. She understands that we should not have to debate pornography in our schoolbooks. Shes got common sense.

Grandparents April and Larry Borton of Mount Pleasant arrived at the meeting early and were eager to share their views with The Epoch Times.

April said, I was heartbroken by what the school board did to our children. Trying to confuse them and making them think they need to be a different sex.

We are small town people. Weve always gone along to get along with others in our community, but this is so disturbing that we felt we better stand up now or it will be too late.

April recounted how her 5-year-old granddaughter was told by her teacher that she could be a boy if she wanted to and that her teacher would help her.

Thats when April started attending school board meetings.

Were part of quite a group, and, of course, we have all been labeled racists and bigots, said Larry.

Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich told the audience, Parents are under attack, but we moms have gone from baking cupcakes for our childs class to participating in school policy-making.

Our local group leaders have not been embraced by school officials. Theyve been shamed, bullied, and beaten down.

An educator in the audience with a background in psychology told the crowd, Children cannot process sexual information until high school. They are not cognitively, emotionally, or spiritually able to process this stuff.

Whats going on in our schools is evil, and were paying for it, she said.

Were in a spiritual warfare, said one man.

Our schools are infusing sex education into every course, said a panelist.

A mother, accompanied by her 11-year-old daughter, told The Epoch Times, I was shocked into getting active when on the first day of school my daughter was asked for her preferred pronouns. I am one of about 10 parents who started showing up at our school board meetings.

A former teacher from Commerce Township said she supports Dixon because she will bring new energy in pursuit of the right goals.

Weve poured record amounts of money into education, yet Michigan students are ranked near the bottom, she said.

A former educator from Rochester Hills told The Epoch Times, Things have changed. Used to be we could not tap a student on the shoulder or pat a child on the head for fear of the gesture being misconstrued as somehow being sexual.

Now, you can be so familiar with a student as to ask, Are you comfortable being a girl? Im glad my children are grown.

One speaker, a mother of four, said, We are beginning to see whats behind the curtain. We do not co-parent with the government.

A pedestrian walks by The Family Barbershop, closed due to a Gov. Gretchen Whitmer executive order, in Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. on April 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Dixon said she is a strong supporter of Michigans proposed Parents Right to Know Act.

She is also a proponent of intensive remedial tutoring for students scholastically damaged by Whitmers repeatedly extended lockdowns and school closures during the pandemic.

Dixon told the audience, As a state, we have left too many kids behind. Michigan ranks at the bottom.

Nearly 60 percent of our third graders failed reading and writing. The number in Detroit is 90 percent.

We want accountability.

According to Dixon, the Michigan Department of Education needs to report to the governor instead of functioning independently.

She bemoaned an education system led by people so extreme that they dont want parents notified even if their kid is considering self-harm.

One panelist pointed out that the school office must make a phone call to obtain a parents permission to give a student an aspirin, yet today, they want to give a child puberty blockers or take a girl for an abortion without notifying mom and dad.

Educators have said that notifying parents would endanger the child. Thats their explanation! said Dixon.

The meeting was attended by a sitting member of the state board of education, several Republican state legislators, as well as numerous candidates for local school boards and other county and municipal offices.
Steve Bannon, former adviser to former President Donald Trump, speaks to members of the media after his arrangement in New York state Supreme Court in New York on Sept. 8, 2022. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

DOJ Asks Federal Judge to Sentence Steve Bannon to 6 Months in Jail, Hefty Fine

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed that former Trump adviser Steve Bannon serve six months in jail and pay $200,000 for defying a subpoena by the House Jan. 6 committee.

A jury in July found Bannon guilty on two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to testify and provide documents to the Jan. 6 committee. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 21.

In a court filing on Oct. 17, the DOJ wrote that Bannon engaged in bad-faith contempt of Congress after the subpoenas were issued.

The defendant should be sentenced to six months imprisonmentthe top end of the Sentencing Guidelines rangeand fined $200,000based on his insistence on paying the maximum fine rather than cooperate with the Probation Offices routine pre-sentencing financial investigation, the DOJ wrote in court papers submitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Prosecutors also made reference to Bannons public statements about the House Jan. 6 committee to support its sentencing recommendations. They said that he has used his podcast and other public interviews to criticize the panel.

Through his public platforms, the Defendant has used hyperbolic and sometimes violent rhetoric to disparage the Committees investigation, personally attack the Committees members, and ridicule the criminal justice system, DOJ prosecutors J.P. Cooney and Amanda Vaughn wrote in their memo. The Defendants statements prove that his contempt was not aimed at protecting executive privilege or the Constitution, rather it was aimed at undermining the Committees efforts to investigate an historic attack on government.

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon, center, walks to speak with reporters as he departs federal court in Washington on July 22, 2022. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

Appeal

During his July trial, Bannons lawyers argued that the DOJ cant prove that he committed any crime, saying that the former White House strategist and Breitbart News executive didnt ignore the House Jan. 6 subpoenas.

There is no evidence Bannon willfully defaulted when he didnt appear in a congressional office on Oct. 14, attorney Evan Corcoran, representing Bannon, said in court. The date was the subject of ongoing discussion and negotiation, so the government cant prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Steve Bannon committed a crime.

Previously, Bannon said he couldnt testify in front of the committee or provide it with documents because it sought records that were protected by executive privilege, a legal doctrine that says the president or the executive branch of the government can withhold information in the public interest. Former President Donald Trump had asserted privilege and Bannons lawyers stated that he wouldnt testify until he reaches an agreement with Trump.

A lawyer for Bannon, David Schoen, promised that his client would appeal.

You will see this case reversed on appeal, he said in July, adding that prosecutors overreached by not taking into account why Bannon didnt comply with the House subpoenas.

When a former president or a current president invokes executive privilege, its presumptively valid. Period, he argued. Its not for Congress to decide its not valid.

Other Charges

Meanwhile, Bannon was indicted on New York state charges last month over allegations that he defrauded donors as part of a private border wall fundraising effort.

State prosecutors say that Bannon allegedly defrauded donors of the fundraising drive that raised about $15 million by diverting more than $100,000 to the chief executive of the campaign, who had said he wouldnt take a salary.

It is a crime to profit off the backs of donors by making false pretenses, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a Sept. 8 joint press conference with New York Attorney General Letitia Jamesboth Democrats.

In an interview with The Epoch Times last month, Bannon said the latest charges are an attempt to take me out of this election, referring to the midterms. He said those charges were brought against him for political purposes.
Dont Let Doctors Kill Sick Patients for Their Organs

Commentary

Because of long transplant waiting lists, bioethics and medical establishments are bent on increasing the source of organs. It has gotten so bad that some of the most influential policy advocates in bioethics are now urging that doctors be allowed to do what was once considered unthinkablekill would-be donors for their organs.

Harvesting vital organs from living patients is illegal under whats known as the dead donor rule (DDR). The DDR not only prevents removing livers, lungs, hearts, both kidneys, and the like from living people, but its corollary forbids killing patients for the purpose of obtaining themeven if they consent. Thus, the DDR ensures that every prospective organ donor remains a fully equal member of the human community with the right to life until their natural death.

The Dead Donor Rule Under Attack

In recent years, the commitment of organized medicine to the DDR has become so badly frayed that many influential voices are calling for the rule to be repealed altogether. The most recent example was just published in the influential Journal of Medical Ethics. Authored by University of Utah bioethicist Anthony P. Smith (no relation), the article urges that doctors be allowed to harvest the vital organs of cognitively disabled people such as the late Terri Schiavowhile theyre still alive.

Heres the gist of the argument: What matters most in organ donation isnt the death of the donor, but consent to harvesting, particularly if the living patient has been diagnosed as permanently unconscious. In such cases, killing isnt morally wrong because it doesnt harm the patient, who Smith says no longer has ultimate interests. He wrote that without consciousness, a person can have no wants or desires, such as choosing to buy a house or get married. This means, Smith argues, that one cannot be harmed because one has no interests to be thwarted or impeded.

Really? Taken at face value, Smiths argument would dehumanize people thought to be unconscious and strip their lives of all meaning. Indeed, it would mean that their beings wouldnt have to be protectedeven though there are many cases of the supposedly permanently unconscious unexpectedly awakening or proving to have been misdiagnosed. (One recent study found that one in five patients thought to be unconscious were actually awake. An earlier study pegged that number as up to 40 percent.)

Claiming that unconscious patients couldnt be harmed would also mean that they wouldnt be wronged by, say, being raped, since they would have no continuing interest in their bodys integrity. And since, under Smiths value system, we should be able to kill them for their organs, why not also experiment on their bodies? After all, their moral value would be reduced to that of yeast.

Why Bioethics Journals Matter

Whats that you say? Who cares what bioethicists write in their arcane professional journals?

We all should. Bioethical discourse isnt akin to barstool philosophizing. What starts in the Journal of Medical Ethics, The New England Journal of Medicine, the Hastings Center Report, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and other such publications often has a real-world impact.

Indeed, such argumentation is often an early step in the creation of public health law. First, the experts argue back and forth about policies they would like to see enacted. Once a rough consensus is reached, many of these proposals are legislated into law or imposed bureaucratically via regulation. Sometimes, they become official policy by way of litigation in which bioethicists testify about what the experts believe and a judge enacts their ideas in court rulings. As a clear example, this is precisely the process that unleashed the headlong rush to allow transgendered children to have their puberties blocked or be subjected to gender-affirming surgeries.

Killing for Organs May Already Be Happening

Killing for organs may have already leaped from advocacy to implementation by blurring the line between whats called brain death and heart death. Dead is dead, we might say, but there are two approaches to declaring that a life has ended. The first is commonly known as brain death, which involves the irreversible cessation of the whole brain and each of its functions. The second method is sometimes called heart death, meaning irreversible cardiac arrest.

Notice that the keyword in declaring death in either case is irreversible. If the heart stops but can be started againas happens routinely in open heart surgerythe patient isnt dead. If the seemingly inert brain can still recover function, the patient remains alive. In this way, the dead can be declared deceased, but the still-living wont be pushed out of the lifeboat until all hope for survival is lost.

Alas, some transplant surgeons have been blurring these crucial moral boundaries by restarting donors hearts after a planned cardiac arrest (when life-sustaining treatment is withdrawn) and clamping off blood flow to the brain to cause brain death so that beating hearts can be harvested.

Known as normothermic regional perfusion with controlled donation after circulatory death (NRP-cDCD), the procedure is quietly being tested or implemented across the country.

This is a terrible mistake. If a patient is resuscitated after cardiac arrest, the person isnt dead! Cutting off blood flow to the brain to cause brain death thereafter seems awfully close to reviving the patient and then killing him. This isnt only immoraland arguably illegal as a violation of the DDRbut it also represents another in a long series of violations that have bred so much public distrust in institutions.

You know what I mean: A controversial policy is instituted with the assurance by the experts that strict guidelines will protect against abuseonly for those boundaries to be violated or stretched beyond recognition once the policies are firmly in place. Such public policy promise-breaking has become so ubiquitous that one is tempted to believe that all such assurances are merely ruses to allow the experts to do whatever they want. Allowing doctors to restart hearts in order to induce brain death calls into question the sincerity of transplant medical ethics.

Thankfully, some in organized medicinesuch as the American College of Physiciansare resisting this new approach to organ gathering. But the process seems to be expanding, with new hospitals instituting NRP-cDCD protocols on an ongoing basis. That means its time for the general public to weigh in and say, This must stop!

Some lines should never be crossed. Allowing doctors to kill patients during organ harvesting wouldnt only be an acute threat to the sanctity of life, but I can think of no better way to sow mistrust in our health care system generallyand the lifesaving field of organ transplant medicine specifically. Reducing living patients to so many organ farms ripe for the harvest isnt only blatantly immoral, its also profoundly unwise.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to the media after attending the opening of the Kubota's new Canadian corporate headquarters and distribution facility in Pickering, Ont. on October 12, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Chris Young)

Doug Ford Reiterates That He Supports Federal Governments Use of Emergencies Act to Clear Protesters

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he supports the measures taken by the federal government to end the so-called Freedom Convoy protests last winter.

Ford says he worked with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and several mayors after hundreds gathered in downtown Ottawa in January in what local officials called an occupation that lasted several weeks.

People protesting government-mandated COVID-19 safety measures also gathered near the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., shutting down incoming traffic from the U.S. for days.

Ford says he was not asked to testify in the inquiry into the federal governments use of the Emergencies Act that got underway last week.

But he says he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Trudeau over the measures taken to end the blockade at the border and the occupation in Ottawa.

Ford says he had zero tolerance for the protesters actions, but welcomed them to demonstrate at Queens Park in Toronto.
Tesla and SpaceX Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk speaks at the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition in Washington on March 9, 2020. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

Elon Musk Says Starlink Adding Donation Feature After Ukraine Funding Controversy

Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk said that SpaceX would be rolling out a feature letting people donate Starlink satellite internet units to places in need, after Musk said that the rocket company couldnt continue to fund Starlink in Ukraine indefinitely.

Musk said in an Oct. 17 post on Twitter that SpaceX would add a donate option to Starlink, while responding to a message from Ham Serunjogi, co-founder of an African cross-border payments firm, who offered to donate money to set up Starlink terminals in parts of the continent where internet access is patchy.

Most excited about its potential to bring internet access to remote & rural areas that lack infrastructure, wrote Serunjogi, CEO of Chipper Cash. @elonmusk Id be glad to commit $$ to donate Starlink to schools & hospitals in Uganda.

Musk shared Serunjogis post, asking if there are others that want to donate Starlink to places in need.

Ok, we will add a donate option to Starlink, Musk said in a follow-up post.

Musks message is the latest development around Starlink funding controversy, which saw the SpaceX founder say on Oct. 14 that the rocket firm couldnt indefinitely fund the internet service in Ukraine, where it has has helped Ukrainian forces with battlefield communications.

The Tesla CEO made the remarks in a message that linked to a CNN report claiming SpaceX had asked the Pentagon to take over funding for Ukraines government and military use 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, Musk said in the post. This is unreasonable.

The letter cited by CNN claimed that SpaceX told the Pentagon that it could not continue bearing the cost of supplying the Starlink service in Ukraine, which reportedly would be almost $400 million for the next 12 months.

SpaceX has not returned a request from The Epoch Times for confirmation of the contents of the reported letter to the Pentagon.

Controversy

The rocket company has so far donated around 20,000 Starlink units to Ukraine, with Musk saying in an earlier post on Twitter that the move has cost SpaceX $80 million so far and would climb to over $100 million by the end of the year.

Musk suggested in a message on Saturday that SpaceX would continue to fund the Starlink service to Ukraine, though it was unclear whether the Tesla chief was being sarcastic.

The hell with it  even though Starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, well just keep funding Ukraine govt for free, Musk said.

The SpaceX founder recently suggested a peace plan for the RussiaUkraine war, including formalizing Russian control over Crimea, which set off a torrent of critical reactions.

One of those to disparage Musks proposition was Ukraines outgoing Ambassador to Germany, Andrij Melnyk.

[expletive] off is my very diplomatic reply to you @elonmusk, Melnyk said in a post on Twitter, condemning Musks proposal in harsh terms.

Musk reacted to Melnyks remark while responding to a post by Kyiv Post correspondent Jason Smart, who cited Melnyks comment, called Starlink a game changer in the war, and said SpaceX had asked the Pentagon to start paying for the service.

Were just following his recommendation, Musk said in the post, referring to Melnyks expletive-laden remark.

Days after Russias invasion of Ukraine in late February, Musk announced that the Starlink satellite broadband internet service was being provided to Ukrainians.

While Starlink delivered an information lifeline to darkened swaths of the war-torn country, it also served as a link to enable Ukrainian military drones to target Russian tanks and positions more effectively.
Protesters stand atop a truck in downtown Ottawa on Jan. 29, 2022, at the beginning of the Freedom Convoy occupation. (Noe Chartier/The Epoch Times)

Convoy Organizers Dispute Ottawa City Managers Claim Protesters Didnt Uphold Deal to Move Trucks

Ottawa City Manager Steve Kanellakos told the Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC) on Monday that Freedom Convoy protesters never fulfilled their end of the deal to move trucks out of residential neighbourhoods, which was a condition to meet with Mayor Jim Watson, but protesters representatives counter that police never allowed the move.

They never fulfilled their end of the bargain, so he never met with them, said Kanellakos, the most senior public servant at the city.

Two protesters representatives involved in negotiations told The Epoch Times they were always ready to carry forward the agreement but police action made it impossible.

Kanellakos had been involved from the start in an effort initiated by protesters to enter into negotiations with the city.

He said the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Police Liaison Team (PLT) told him on Feb. 8 that communications had broken down with the protesters, which significantly impacted their ability to negotiate and work on the ground.

The PLT implored Kanellakos to meet with the protesters because they needed to show that they could actually get me to the table to have a conversation with them, he said.

Kanellakos said he presented the issue to Watson but he was very reluctant, saying it would put some pressure on the federal government to also meet with the protesters.

Kanellakos decided to go forward and told Watson something could be obtained in return, and him taking care of it as a public servant would shield the political leadership.

Freedom Convoy spokesperson Tom Marazzo and Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) lawyers Keith Wilson and Eva Chipiuk met with Kanellakos later that same day and started negotiations on moving trucks out of the residential neighbourhoods.

Kanellakos told the commission he wasnt told by the representatives why they sought a meeting with Watson, but he gave his interpretation.

I assume that it was a symbolic, significant gesture. No one was meeting with them of any official capacity at the political level. I assumed the mayor was the first step in trying to open the door to meet with the Prime Minister, someone senior at the federal government, said Kanellakos.

He said the agreement was concluded on Feb. 12 and a logistical meeting occurred on Feb. 13 between the city, the OPS, and protesters representatives.

The Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act the next day on Feb. 14.

Ready to Fulfill

Marazzo and Wilson have pushed back on Kanellakos testimony that protesters didnt fulfill their end of the deal of moving trucks out of residential neighbourhoods.

That statement is not true and after the [Emergencies Act] was enacted it didnt matter. However, we were always prepared to fulfill this agreement but the police routinely blocked us from actually moving, Marazzo told The Epoch Times.

Wilson also told The Epoch Times the deal never fell part and that police were preventing the movement of trucks, which he attributed to a major communication breakdown between the different police forces assigned to the protest.

The truckers were always ready, willing, and able to honour the deal and move the trucks but the police kept shutting down the moves, says Wilson.

Wilson provided screenshots of text messages he exchanged with Kanellakos and Watsons chief of staff, Serge Arpin.

At noon on Feb. 14, Wilson told Kanellakos that Trucks are ready to move but are being blocked by police.

Im fixing that. We are allowing 10 trucks now as sign of good faith, replied Kanellakos.

Wilson told Arpin on Feb. 15 that protesters were willing to move over 40 trucks from residential areas to Wellington St. in front of Parliament, which would almost clear out those areas.

He said moving trucks during that morning had been stopped because police thought it was only a 24 hour movement and that window had closed.

The new chief sent out the message to his troops that there would be no movements today, said Wilson.

Then OPS chief Peter Sloly resigned on Feb. 15 and was replaced by Steve Bell.

Kanellakos told the commission at that time police were preparing for tactical operations to remove protesters, which could have impacted the agreement to move the trucks.

The Public Order Emergency Commission public hearing started on Oct. 13 and will last until Nov. 25.

Over 60 witnesses are testifying, from Ottawa residents to top government officials. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is also expected to take the stand.

The commission will seek to determine whether invoking the Emergencies Act was necessary to clear cross-border protests and blockades demanding the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
Democratic Congressional candidate for Georgia's 14th District Marcus Flowers debates the incumbent Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young General Election Debate Series held at the studios of Georgia Public Broadcasting in Atlanta, Ga., on Oct. 16, 2022. (Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press Wire)

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Marcus Flowers Square Off in Heated Debate

It didnt take long for the fireworks to start in Georgias 14th Congressional District debate on Oct. 16 between Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and her Democratic challenger, Marcus Flowers.

Flowers lit the fuse in his opening by accusing the incumbent Greene of being a Jan. 6 insurrectionist. She demanded a rebuttal.

You cannot accuse me of insurrection. I was a victim of the January 6 riot as any other member of Congress, she responded. That was the third day I had on the job. I had nothing to do with what happened there that day, and I will not have you accuse me of that.

For the remainder of the 25-minute event, they frequently tried to talk over each other, in contrast to the usually staid Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series held at Georgia Public Broadcasting studio with no audience present.

Even members of the press were watching from monitors in a separate room, leaving the studio empty except for the candidates, a panel of questioners, a moderator, and a few camera and technical personnel. With no audience, it was believed the candidates would be less tempted to play to the crowd.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) debates her Democratic opponent Marcus Flowers (not shown) during the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young General Election Debate Series held at the studios of Georgia Public Broadcasting in Atlanta on Oct. 16, 2022. (Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press Wire)

In this heated debate, however, the lack of a crowd was no deterrent. Words such as lie, liar, big lie, and lying were thrown around by both sides.

Greene chided Flowerswhose website features him leaning against a barn and wearing a cowboy hatfor being a man who wears a hat and doesnt have a single head of cattle.

Flowers responded that the hat, which he wore to the press conference afterward to underscore the point, was to honor his grandfather, a sheriff and a farmer.

He said he talks to people every day who feel attacked by his opponent, including children.

I meet somebody every day with tears in their eyes who says, Please. Get rid of Marjorie Taylor Greene,' Flowers said.

Greene labeled the Democratic Party the party of child abuse for supporting transgender surgery and medication for children.

Its the party that represents ruining children, sexualizing them in school, teaching them anti-white racism and  CRT education. And genital mutilation of kids, kids who cannot get a drivers license  and cannot vote, she said. How can you stand there and represent the Democrat party as a father? And do you believe in genital mutilation of children under the age of 18 and in puberty blockers that have severe health consequences? Ive introduced a bill to ban it and make it a felony to genitally mutilate children. Do you stand by that?

Flowers responded, That was a lot. God bless you, Marjorie Taylor Greene. If you truly believe that, Im praying for you. I believe in our democracy. And I believe in standing up for human rights. People say to me every day, they tell me how theyve been attacked by you. And yes, Im talking about children. And Im talking about the LGBTQ community. And Im talking about seniors. Latinos. Blacks. Women. Every day. This is how she treats people, treats people who have been under attack. Constantly attacking.

Marcus Flowers, Democratic congressional candidate for Georgias 14th District, debates the incumbent, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) (not shown) in the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young General Election Debate Series held at the studios of Georgia Public Broadcasting in Atlanta on Oct. 15, 2022. (Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press Wire)

Greene said, I represent and I will always protect children. And thats why I [want] to protect  children who just may be confused about their identity. Kids need to grow up. They do not need to have a mastectomy, castration, or take dangerous drugs with serious health consequences. Marcus Flowers represents the Democrat Party, and the Democrat Party is the party of child abuse.

Flowers said more than 75,000 voters in the last election cycle voted against Greene. What he meant was unclear, as she won the 2020 election with nearly 230,000 votes to her Democratic opponents 77,000. In this years primary, only around 58,000 people didnt vote for Greene, and she alone got more than 72,000 votes, more than all the other candidates, including Flowers, in both parties combined.

Press questioner Josh Roe of Chattanooga WTVC-TV called Flowers on that, noting that Greene got more votes in this years primary than she did in the 2020 primary.

She still had 13,000 more votes than everybody else, Roe said. What evidence can you provide, other than anecdotal, that the voters want change?

Flowers responded, Not everyone votes in a primary.

Marcus Flowers, Democratic nominee for Georgias 14th Congressional District against incumbent Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), wears his trademark cowboy hat as he speaks at a party event last week. (Photo courtesy of the Flowers campaign.)

Roe asked Greene about her opposition to DACADeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama-era policy preventing the deportation of illegal immigrants brought here as children, sometimes called dreamers.

If that protection goes away, the Dalton area in the districta center of the nations carpeting and flooring industry with thousands of jobswould lose 10 percent of its workforce, he said.

Be clear with your district: What will actually happen if DACA goes away? Roe asked the incumbent.

In response, Greene launched an attack on the border crisis and its downstream effects.

We have had over 5 million people invade the United States of America since Joe Biden became president, she said. Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for young people between 18 and 45. And they are using Narcan [a drug used to reverse opioid overdose] every single day in Northwest Georgia which, by the way, is not connected to the border of Mexico.

Joe Biden and his administration is the greatest business partner to the Mexican cartels that we have ever seen in United States history.

What she would do for her district, she said, is to legislate and vote, so they have a strong economy, and they have job opportunities that will not be stolen by people who are illegally invading our country to steal their jobs.

Press panelist John Druckenmiller of Hometown Headlines noted that all of Greenes previous opponents had run unsuccessfully on a platform that boiled down to I am not Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Youre saying the same thing, Druckenmiller addressed Flowers. I am not Marjorie Taylor Greene. What is your platform?

Flowers responded, First and foremost, Im running [for] Marcus Flowers, not against Marjorie Taylor Greene.

But he almost immediately came back to her:

I got into this campaign because of the events of Jan. 6 and Congresswoman Greenes participation in that.

His campaign had knocked on 70,000 doors in Northwest Georgia and had numerous conversations with public officials, he said.

And almost every one of them Ive talked to, to a person, has said to us Marjorie Taylor Greene is not who they want representing them, Flowers said.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping (C) is applauded by senior members of the government and delegates as he walks to the podium to make a speech during the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress in Beijing, China, on Oct. 16, 2022. Xi is expected to secure a third term in power. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Goal Is Total Dominance: Republican Lawmakers React to Xis Speech, Taiwan Remarks

U.S. lawmakers have levied criticism against Chinas communist leader Xi Jinping following a speech on Oct. 16 in which he swore Taiwan would be united with the mainland by any means necessary.

Xi delivered the two-hour speech as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began its 20th Party Congress, which takes place every five years. Xi downplayed the widespread suffering and economic fallout of his so-called zero-COVID policies and vowed to force Taiwan into unification with China.

Many in the West, including top Republican lawmakers, took the speech as an overt signal that Xi was preparing to expand Chinas transnational repression schemes.

The Chinese Communist Party claims it has a right to use force against Taiwan, said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) in a tweet on Oct. 16.

Taiwan has no interest in reunificationthis is a threatand its why we must never back down to this rogue, authoritarian regime, she added.

During the weeklong Party conference, Xi is set to receive a precedent-breaking third term in power as CCP general secretary, which will make him second in importance only to dictator Mao Zedong in CCP history.

During his speech, Xi said that Marxist communism was the fundamental guiding ideology of Chinas political leadership, and swore never to renounce the use of force against Taiwan.

The CCP claims that Taiwan is a part of its territory that must be forced into accepting the Partys authority. But Taiwan has been self-governing since 1949, boasts a thriving democracy and market economy, and has never been controlled by the CCP.

Xi added that Taiwan, like Hong Kong, ought to be brought under full control of the CCP. In recent years, the CCP has imposed a series of draconian measures directed at Hong Kong that has drastically curtailed freedoms and autonomy in the city. The result have left many likening the once-democratic Hong Kong to just another Chinese city.

Xi Bent on Total Dominance

Blackburn said that Xis open dedication to ending the democratic way of life enjoyed by Taiwan, and his apparent celebration of doing so in Hong Kong, was evidence of an increasingly open authoritarian governing style.

As made evident by his opening remarks, General Secretary Xi Jinping is gearing up like never before to challenge the United States and our freedom-loving partners around the world, Blackburn said in an Oct. 17 statement.

As Xi prepares to be reinstated for a third term, the United States must stand firm against this rogue dictator and bolster our national defense to ensure he does not succeed.

Blackburn said that Xis goal was nothing less than total dominance and that the CCPs escalations against Taiwan presented a direct threat to international stability.

Xis commitment to expanding the CCPs surveillance state and military power was front and center on Sunday, with the leader mentioning security nearly 90 times in his speech. A fact not lost on Western officials, who warned that Xi was likely preparing to double down on the regimes repression of minorities and dissidents.

Xi Jinpings tenure as the General Secretary of the CCP has been characterized by totalitarianism, genocide, slowed economic growth, and unprecedented aggression against the United States and its allies, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said in a statement ahead of the Party Congress.

[W]e should expect a one man-ruled CCP to be more willing to wage war over Taiwan, more repressive at home and abroad, more dominating of business, and more insistent on overturning the U.S.-led rules-based world order.

Others said that Xis speech was an effort to divert attention away from his leaderships disastrous effects on the Chinese economy by creating enemies in the Westand use this purported threat to rally support behind him.

It is obvious that security is Xis greatest concern, Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore, told Reuters. His narrative is [that] China faces many dangers, the country is in a war-like state, figuratively, and he is the savior. With this narrative, he can get people to unite around him.

In the past, Chinese leaders based their legitimacy on their ability to provide economic growth. Now, with the economy slowing, Xi tries to shift the basis of legitimacy from economic growth to security, [so] that he can be the one who saves and protects China.

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) believed that the impulse to play the savior could lead Xi into a direct conflict with the United States, particularly so if Washington did not actively deter the CCP from launching an invasion of Taiwan. To that end, Gallagher called for the United States to forward position U.S. military assets in the Indo-Pacific.

We desperately need a sense of urgency to put hard power in Xis path before it is too late, Gallagher said in an Oct. 16 statement.

This starts with providing Taiwan with security assistance and moving them to the front of the FMS [forward military sales] line, maxing out munitions production, and augmenting and dispersing American hard power forward in the region.
Members of the Ascendants Motorcycle Club hold a prayer celebration in Jerome, Ariz., on Oct. 15, 2022. The Phoenix-based club formed seven years ago to reach out the needy and hopeless. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Arizona Bikers Go From Prison, Drug Addiction to Brotherhood, Good Deeds, Prayer

JEROME, Ariz.Terry T Donahue never became an outlaw biker, although he had his rowdy moments.

He had everything he wanted in the form of stuffeverything except the one intangible thing that mattered.

A feeling of wholeness.

There had always been a kind of lack in my heart. I had all the toysthe home, the motorcycles, the carsbut there was always something missing, said Donahue, president of the Ascendants Motorcycle Club in Phoenix.

Now older and wiser, and sporting a graying goatee, Donahue admits he has mellowed as he proudly dons the colors of his faith-based motorcycle club.

Mike Big Mike Cameron, founder of the Ascendants Motorcycle Club in Phoenix, addresses club members during the annual family gathering in Jerome, Ariz., on Oct. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

He wears a black vest covered in patches with his name, rank, and club association, along with a pair of sunglasses perched atop his smoothly shaved head.

Donahue has plenty of stories to tell about his wild and crazy past, but he prefers to keep those a secret.

Without a doubt, the older you get, the milder you get, said Donahue, 55, who sees himself closer to the end of the road than the beginning.

For me, that opened my eyesmortality. What was I doing? Is this all there is?

By their admission, the Ascendants are fallen souls.

Nothingnot even money, power, or possessionscould fill Donahues spiritual void apart from the faith he acquired through a higher calling seven years ago.

It happened when he and four close biker friends were out doing security for volunteers handing out food to the homeless in downtown Phoenix.

It was a dangerous job, Donahue recalled. Thered been fist fights, stabbings, muggings, and shootings. But the five men were formidable as enforcers working as a team. They managed to keep order and the vital assistance flowing.

Eddie Smiley Hernandez of Phoenix joined the Ascendants Motorcycle Club three years ago after being homeless for nearly a decade. Below, he displays his tattooed scalp during a club gathering in Jerome, Ariz., on Oct. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Eddie Smiley Hernandez of the Ascendants Motorcycle Club at a club gathering in Jerome, Ariz., on Oct. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Being able to be of service filled that void, Donahue told The Epoch Times. By keeping [people] safe, we found our calling: helping otherskeeping law and order, but actually seeing whats going on and assisting people.

The group of bikers would become the First Five members of the Ascendants MC, founded by Mike Big Mike Cameron of Phoenix in 2017. Five is the required number of members to form a motorcycle club.

Cameron said that most of the clubs founding members remain active to this day, shining by example.

Were a bunch of guys who came from dark places and found the light, he said.

They are brothers in their passion and faith in every senserisen men with nicknames including Thumper, Scooby, Robo, Tommy Gun, Wizard, Rock, and Brutus.

Were out there sharing hope with people that are feeling hopeless, Cameron said.

The club today boasts about 20 permanent members. Each inductee wears a three-piece black leather vest of outlaw configuration, consisting of the club name and a black-and-wine-hued patch depicting a medieval Christian knight wielding a shield and sword.

The black represents the darkness from which the clubs members all cameand wine, the blood of Christ.

Jason Thumper Kowalski, chaplain of the Ascendants Motorcycle Club, gives a hands-on blessing to club member Smiley during a family gathering in Jerome, Ariz., on Oct. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

The clubs mission is to serve the downtrodden, answering to no other club and no other man except the man upstairs.

I like to call us hope dealers because thats what we do, said Jason Thumper Kowalski, the clubs chaplain. These guys are the guys to do it.

Kowalski said the club gave him the hope and faith he needed to carry on after a 20-year battle with a methamphetamine addiction.

Thankfully, thats all in the past, he said.

Cameron, 57, has been involved in motorcycle clubs most of his lifesome good, some not so good.

The not-so-good clubs go by the umbrella title one-percent. They include the Hells Angels, Mongols, and Warlocks, and other notorious biker gangs. As societys modern-day renegades, the one-percent clubs live by their own rules and code of ethics.

Drugs, alcohol, sex, and mayhem simply go with the territory.

The net result is a public relations stigma and image problem for the 99 percent of law-abiding motorcycle clubs, whose members feel theyve been unfairly profiled by the police.

Where Our Demons Hide

In any society, you have good and bad, Cameron said.

Its the same thing with motorcycle groups. Each has its bad apples, [although] it seems like the media focuses on the bad stuff. We do toy runs every year with almost every club in town, whether its a one-percent or regular club.

To be accepted into the ranks of the Ascendants is a testament to each members faith and good character.

The process begins with a statement of Christian values and a vote whether to accept the applicant as a hang-around for three months.

If all goes well, the hang-around may advance to the next level as a prospect, a six-month test before full membership is granted.

A member of the Ascendants Motorcycle Club bows his head in prayer at a family gathering in Jerome, Ariz., on Oct. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Cameron describes the Ascendants as a brotherhood much like the cohesive units found in the military.

The bonds among club members run deep and last a lifetime.

I would lay my life down for any of my brothers, he said. I dont know many motorcycle clubs that would not tell you the same thing.

When people ask Cameron why the Ascendants choose to wear colors reminiscent of outlaw biker clubs, he replies that the answer is simple: The Ascendants are a group of men who have broken the chains of a painful past, acknowledging the darkness within to show others the way out.

Cameron admits that as a passionate biker, he ran with the wrong crowd and went through hell, serving 10 years in prison before his faith straightened him out.

I was a drug addictyou name it, I did it. And I came out the other side alive, he told The Epoch Times.

Ascendants club member Wizard listens to testimony from other members during the clubs annual meeting on Oct. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

He credits his faith and a trusty moral compass for delivering him from the wicked fray and its logical conclusion. Through his personal trials and tribulations, he tapped into a wellspring of strength and discovered a new sense of life purpose.

God, Family, Club

While other Christian motorcycle clubs sought to recruit him, Cameron said he wanted to start fresh with a club of his own.

He did a lot of praying first.

I dont do a whole lot without praying. I was torn about what I wanted to do, Cameron said. I had to learn how to listen. Some people call it a sixth sense. Some people call it intuition.

He feels it was divine inspiration.

I felt like God was telling me, Hey, this is what I want you to do. Go and do it. Things just started to fall into place, he said.

On Oct. 15, the club held its annual meeting and celebration at the Gold King Mine in Jerome, Arizona.

Sitting around a bonfire, club members and supporters shared testimony of how the club helped them rise above past traumas and repair character flaws.

Im going to try to do it without getting emotional, said Cameron, a burly man wearing a bandana on his head and whose arms are covered in tattoos.

Then, the circle of testimony began.

I look around the circle right now and see a vision of the light. But its not just the men, Cameron said, pointing to the women sitting in the group.

You, you, and you. Its about all of us. Its about this family. I want you all to know that I love you.

An Ascendants Motorcycle Club member displays the club colors at a gathering in Jerome, Ariz., on Oct. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Cameron wiped his eyes and said: Smiley! Tell me what this club has done for you. Youre sporting it on the back of your head.

Eddie Smiley Hernandez, 50, stood up and removed his sunglasses, his shaved head glistening in the afternoon light.

Tattooed above his forehead is the word Ascendants, with the clubs knight logo etched in flesh on the back of his head.

Im a person that if Im going to do something, Im going to do it 100 percent, Hernandez said of his tattoos.

This motorcycle club changed my life. Its not something that Im going to get away from.

Hernandez then expressed his profound love of his new life after seven years of homelessness and drug addiction.

Without the club, he said, I dont think Id be in the place I am nowin God.

Hernandez said he joined the club three years ago, having grown up in a very dark place in Phoenix.

Ascendants Motorcycle Club president Terry T Donahue said he joined the club once he realized his materialistic lifestyle left him feeling empty. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Ascendants Motorcycle Club president Terry T Donahue points to a patch indicating his faith on Oct. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

I came into this world through the drug cartel, Hernandez told The Epoch Times. I started dealing drugs, selling drugs since I was 10 years old.

After all the drugs, I ended up in prison for eight years. When I got out, I got addicted to methamphetamine.

Nineteen years ago, his sister-in-law, diagnosed with terminal cancer, asked Hernandez to accompany her to a church service, hoping it would end the pain of his addiction.

He granted her dying wish and stopped using drugs that very same day.

She just asked me to go to church and told me God could change my life, said Hernandez, who used to ride fast and furious with a dominant one-percent motorcycle club in his maverick days.

He declined to mention the club by name but confessed he knew the Hells Angels leader and founding member Ralph Sonny Barger, who died on June 29 at age 83.

Hernandez was among the 7,000 invited guests who attended Bargers funeral in California in September.

[The] one-percent world respects us because of who we are [as Christians], Hernandez said. We go where anybody needs prayer. Thats what were here for.

Hugging was big among the Christian bikers of the Ascendants Motorcycle Club during a family meeting in Jerome, Ariz., on Oct. 15, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Steven Robo Harmon, 57, one of the First Five, said that the road he chose to travel eventually landed him in prison before his faith intervened.

Before that would happen, nothing would change [him], Harmon told The Epoch Times.

Nothing would change me from that [self-destructive path], he said.

Everybody has their issues. We used to be takers. Now were givers.

Like his fellow club members, Harmon discovered compassion for others within himself, and he believes that potential for kindness exists in every person.

Even the most hardcore biker wants to be loved, he said. Everybody has some sort of traumasome worse than othersthe things we miss.

Cameron can attest to the downward spiral of unresolved trauma and the feeling of peace he gets whenever hes out on his motorcycle, in the sun and wind, talking with God.

In those moments of perfect solitude, all is well with his souland he is free.
The complex myriad of symptoms in people suspecting of COVID-19 vaccine injury has been given a new name and an extensive treatment protocol:

Post-COVID-19 vaccines syndrome, said Dr. Paul Marik, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of the Frontline COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC), on Oct. 15 at a conference in Orlando, Florida, aimed at education and sharing information on treating spike protein-induced health issues.

Marik and 15 other experts including pathologist Dr. Ryan Cole, FLCCC co-founder Dr. Pierre Kory, and Steve Kirsch, founder of the Vaccine Safety Research Foundation, presented their research and findings.

Intended as an educational conference for health practitioners, the event attracted health providers cross-country, including Florida, New York, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and many more.

Several international doctors were also in attendance, including physicians from Australia and the Philippines.

Endocrinologist Dr. Flavio Cadegiani from Brazil, was both an attendee and a presenter. The conference was preceded by a sold-out networking dinner the night before, and was met with fervent enthusiasm by the attendees.

Post-vaccine injury syndrome is a multi-system syndrome  its not a disease, Marik said. The condition does not fit a disease model, and therefore rather than targeting the symptoms, the entire body must be treated holistically.

Expression of spike protein in shoulder muscle after vaccine injection (Michael Palmer, MD, Sucharit Bhakdi, MD)

Spike Injury: A Multi-System Disease

Spike protein-induced diseases are diseases driven by a prolonged exposure to spike proteins. Patients can be exposed to these spike proteins through infection (long COVID) or COVID-19 vaccination (post-vaccination injury syndrome).

Since the two conditions are both driven by the same stimulus, there is a high degree of overlap in mechanism and symptoms, often affecting multiple tissues and organs.

The spike proteins are small enough to travel in blood vessels. They are highly inflammatory, with strong evidence of autoimmunity and crossing the blood-brain barrier, and therefore can trigger disease in a host of systems and organs.

Cole presented biopsies that showed spike protein presence and inflammation in small blood vessels, muscles, heart muscles, brain tissue, lungs, spleen, and many more.

Most of the biopsies presented damaged cells that expressed only spike protein, rather than other SARS-CoV-2 proteins. This suggests spike injuries are caused by vaccination and not natural infection, because in infection other SARS-CoV-2 proteins including nucleocapsid proteins are present in addition to the spike protein.

Coles findings fed into Mariks lecture on symptoms and treatment options for long COVID and post-vaccine injury syndrome.

Evaluating React19 survey data from people suspecting vaccine injuries, Marik found the most common symptoms of spike protein-induced diseases.

This included fatigue, exercise intolerance, brain fog, heart palpitations, muscle weakness, tingling, dizziness, muscle aches, sleep disturbances, and joint pain.

Dr. Paul Mariks slides presented at the FLCCC Conference in Orlando Florida (Courtesy of the FLCCC)

Believe it or not  the average number of symptoms reported is 23, said Marik.

However, because most patients complain of an extensive list of symptoms not found in any disease, [patients] will go to the doctor with all these complaints  and the doctor will say its all in your head, said Marik.

Marik said that many patients are thus referred to psychiatric specialties rather than physicians who understand and can treat their disease.

The vaccine-injured are vast, said Kory, the numbers are massive  they are underserved and their needs are not being met.

Resveratrol is a compound found in the skin of grapes, blue and purple berries, and dark chocolate, that helps plants resist disease and environmental stressors. (Danijela Maksimovic/Shutterstock)

Treatment Options

Apart from ivermectin and spermidine, Marik recommended low-dose naltrexone, a common drug for overdose in narcotic users.

While some medical practitioners have complained to The Epoch Times about having ivermectin prescriptions monitored, naltrexone is a drug not on the radar.

Research has shown that in low doses naltrexone could reduce inflammation, which is a main driver of spike protein disease, and also reduce common symptoms including brain fog and neuropathic symptoms.

Though these drugs are highly effective, Marik, Kory, and many doctors encouraged personalized and patient-focused medicine where dosage and regimen are adjusted based on the patients symptoms and needs.

Kory listed six different treatment strategies for spike protein-induced diseases.

The six strategies are: expelling spike protein, reducing inflammation, reducing micro-clotting, reducing mast cell activation, reducing viral persistence or activation, and recovery of the mitochondria.

Dr. Pierre Korys slides presented at the FLCCC conference in Orlando, Florida (Courtesy of the FLCCC)

Each strategy implemented combinations of different drugs and treatments.

Based on the patients symptoms, he would prescribe different treatments. For example, a patient complaining of blood clotting would be given anticoagulants, and one complaining of chronic fatigue may be prescribed drugs to improve mitochondrial action.

Clearing Out Spike Protein

To clear out spike protein, FLCCC doctors recommended drug and lifestyle implementations to improve autophagy.

Autophagy is a natural cellular process where old cell parts are broken down and reused, which could help to clear out spike protein from the body.

Recommended lifestyle changes include intermittent fasting, where a person fasts for at least 16 consecutive hours, and sleep.

Drugs that stimulate or increase autophagy include spermidine, resveratrol, and ivermectin.

Alternative Treatments

Many alternative treatments were also discussed to improve cell repair and reduce inflammation.

Dr. Paul Harch focused on hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a repair treatment where a person is exposed to pressurized air that contains a higher concentration of oxygen.

Harch has been using this therapy to treat chronic wounds, including long-time brain injuries, by reducing inflammation.

In 2017, Harch co-authored a paper on reversing brain injury in a drowned toddler. After 40 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen treatment with Harch, her brain injury made a near-reversal.

Research has shown that increases in oxygen concentration reduces inflammation, and an increase in pressure increases inflammation. A balance between oxygen and pressure can reduce the action of inflammatory cytokines and boost wound repair.

Harch added in Q&A that oxygen therapy can help with brain damage from lack of oxygen at birth.

Its still an old wound thats there, and all of this treatment weve done is on chronic wounding, said Harch.

I totally do this, but I wrote a book years ago  the conclusion of the book is that you cannot trust the medical profession at the institutional level to do whats right for you.

Dr. Asher Milgrom, CEO of AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare Inc., through a pre-recorded video offered options of ozone therapy to improve mitochondrial dysfunctiona common driver of fatigue.

Ozone, which is usually not found at normal atmospheric level, improves energy production.

Ozone carries three oxygen atoms rather than two, which is what is typically found in oxygen molecules. Since the mitochondria use oxygen to make energy, having an extra oxygen atom can improve energy production and alleviate fatigue.

Cancer treatments are becoming more personalized. (Shutterstock)

Rebuilding to Personalized Patient-Focused Medicine

Marik said that the FLCCCs first conference is a first step in their mission to rebuild the healthcare system back to personalized, patient-focused medicinewhich is also the center of their treatment approach when it comes to spike protein-induced diseases.

What we started is a new approach to medicine that is an alternative healthcare system, said Marik, The current one is a complete and utter failure. Theyve been lying to us; theyre corrupted theyre not interested in your health.

Weve now recognized we have to do this ourselves; we can build something better, and I think this is the first step of our mission.

Marik and Kory expect future conferences will be held, with the earliest expected in 6 months.

Epoch Health will publish a series of articles detailing several of the treatments discussed at the conference.

A recording of the conference will be made available for purchase on the FLCCC website.
The Real Anthony Fauci, a full-length feature documentary based on Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.s runaway bestseller, will be available to watch free  for 10 days only  beginning Oct. 18 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern.

This article was originally published by The Defender  Childrens Health Defenses News & Views Website

The Real Anthony Fauci, a full-length, two-part feature documentary based on Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.s runaway bestseller  The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health  will be available to watch free, for 10 days only, beginning Oct. 18 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern.

Register here to watch the documentary.

The film, produced by Jeff Hays, exposes Faucis influence on government policy, the pharmaceutical industry and medical research.

It also examines the relationship between Big Pharma and the military, the outsized power of the news media and the concentration of technology companies.

The documentarys launch follows in the wake of Faucis Sept. 21 admission that he was aware the draconian COVID-19 policies he dictated would have negative consequences on the economy and schoolchildren.

It also follows an investigation by OpenTheBooks.com that showed Faucis net worth jumped to $12.6 million between 2019 through 2021  an increase of $5 million.

In the trailer for the movie, Kennedy said he once regarded U.S. government and health regulatory officials with admiration  but that changed when he witnessed their response to the pandemic.



Kennedy said his book is a product of my own struggle to understand how the idealistic institutions our country built to safeguard both public health and democracy suddenly turned against our citizens and our values with such violence.

Kennedy  a lifelong Democrat and founder, chairman and chief legal counsel for Childrens Health Defense  said he has a unique vantage point on the government response to COVID-19 because his family has 80 years of deep engagement with Americas public health bureaucracy and long friendships with key federal regulators  including Fauci, Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Robert Gallo.

Members of my family wrote many of the statutes under which these men governed, Kennedy said. They nurtured the growth of equitable and effective public health policies and defended that regulatory bulwark against ferocious attacks funded by industry.

Kennedy added:

I built my own alliances with these individuals and their agencies during my years of environmental and public health advocacy. I watched these figures, often with admiration.

But I also watched how the industry  supposedly being regulated  used its indentured servants on Capitol Hill and its financial clout to systematically hollow out those agencies beginning in the 1980s, disabling their regulatory function, transforming them into sock puppets for the very industry Congress charged them with regulating.

According to Hays, Kennedys book  a phenomenon  was the most suppressed book of my lifetime.

The book has sold more than 1 million copies and spent 17 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, despite having received no major media coverage or reviews by leading newspapers.

Hays told Real Americas Voice he was initially dumbfounded when he read Kennedys book.

I was aware of what Fauci was doing during COVID, he said, but I had no idea [of] his history and the damage that he had done and the power base that he had built during the AIDS crisis and how much he hurt people all over the world as he really assembled his powerbase during that period.

Hays asked Kennedy if he would be open to allowing Hays to create a documentary based on the book, and Kennedy said yes. But then Hays started having second thoughts.

Half of the people that worked on this film were not willing to have their names on it, for fear of retaliation, he explained.

After Jeff Hays Films Studio took on the project, Kala Mandrake joined the project to write and direct the film.

Mandrake is an independent filmmaker with 15 years of experience as a producer and writer in film and television, working on several award-winning HBO original series, including Game of Thrones.

She told The Defender it was her privilege and honor to write the documentarys script.

I was asked to write a comprehensive, chronological timeline while remaining diligently faithful to the book, Mandrake said. To do so was a massive undertaking and more importantly a labor of love.

Because Bobby had done all of the research in the book, it ended up being the fastest documentary film I have ever worked on, she said.

Mandrake added:

In the masterful writing of the book, Bobby not only points to the surrounding characters in this vast medical corruption, but interweaves his own personal experience of awakening  as an environmental lawyer and activist  into the world of vaccines and the criminality behind it.

So in order to design a compelling visual interpretation of Bobbys work, I felt it was crucial to put focus on his own battle to understand how the public health policies that his family fostered, and the health statutes which members of his family actually wrote, had systematically been undermined and overtaken by industry.

Highlighting some of the many profound and shocking truths from the book, I also pulled prominent expert voices for interviews, did a deep dive into their professional backgrounds, and wrote up questions that, in many cases, spanned four decades. The answers are riveting and often disturbing  Bobbys interview being perhaps the most extensive of them all.

My research for this film included locating the most powerful archival footage to further substantiate the truths told in this story. The extensive endnotes of each chapter in Bobbys book were paramount to this task.

However, I soon found that the censorship of this book was so pervasive that even the links to the source material in the book had been scrubbed from many websites, leaving me to search alternative routes for the footage in some cases. That was one of the challenges that came up in my journey to design this visual counterpart to the book. Another component to the design, was to incorporate the book itself as a sort of character.

Fauci Is A Puppet to an Even Bigger, More Perversive System

Mandrake highlighted several key takeaways from the film:

Faucis criminal behavior stems back to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In order to understand the strategies that were employed during the COVID epidemic, the answers can be found at the beginning of Anthony Faucis career, when he became director of the NIAID [National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases] in the year 1984.

Once Fauci partnered with Bill Gates in 2000, profiteering, gain-of-function experimentation and the amplification of vaccination in Africa, India, America and beyond really accelerated dramatically. Starting in 2001, there was a new epidemic scare almost every other year  whether it was a bioterrorism threat or of zoonotic origin.

Fauci has utilized a specific tried-and-true playbook with each epidemic or burgeoning pandemic over the past 40 years.

Fauci is a government employee whose finances should be transparent, and yet his payouts (and those of the scientists that work for him) are shrouded in secrecy. FOIA [Freedom of Information Act] documents on Fauci have been extremely difficult to obtain, and those financial documents that have been released are heavily redacted, which should raise a huge red flag.

Fauci is the highest-paid government employee. He earns more than the President of the United States. His net worth is approximately $12 million, and growing.

The films timing couldnt be better, Mandrake said.

As Fauci has publicly stated that he will step down as director from the NIAID in December, we may feel like the story is over. But the fight is not over after he is no longer in office, she said.

According to Mandrake, Fauci is a figure in a larger disturbing story that continues to unfold.

One of the most disturbing takeaways I got from Bobbys book was that although Fauci is at the center of this 40-year corruption and his influence is enormous and worldwide  he is still a puppet to an even bigger, more perversive system in place, she said.

Watch CHD.TVs Friday Roundtable as Kennedy and Hays discuss the new film:
Periodontal diseases are common diseases caused by oral bacteria, and dental plaque is the major pathogenic factor. However, what you may not know is that saliva may also increase the risk of periodontal diseases.

Dental plaque is a glycoprotein film accumulated on teeth by bacteria in the oral cavity, food debris, and epithelial cells shed from the oral mucosa. This plaque membrane is also the main attachment area for oral bacteria.

When people eat sugary or starchy foods, the bacteria in a plaque can chemically react with the carbohydrate in those foods, producing acids that can damage enamel and cause tooth decay.

Dr. George Chiou is the doctor-in-charge of the Periodontology Department at Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospitals Hsinchu Branch in Taiwan. He pointed out that if a plaque is not cleaned, it will combine with metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium in saliva and harden into dental calculus.

A chronic inflammatory reaction caused by bacteria attached to dental calculus may destroy periodontal tissues and alveolar bones, leading to periodontal diseases.

In particular, near the outlets of the salivary glands, there is a lot of saliva. If the plaques near these outlets are not removed often, it is easy for one to develop dental calculus.

One of the main glands that secrete saliva in the mouth is the sublingual gland, which is close to the teeth. It is at the outlet of the sublingual gland, which is at the position on the lingual side of the lower jaw and the inner side of the front teeth, where dental calculi are commonly seen. Other types of salivary glands are the parotid glands on both sides of the cheeks, where the teeth are closer to the outside of the posterior dental area of the lower jaw. If your toothbrush is too large to brush the teeth in the back, it will cause plaque residue and tooth problems.

Even so, saliva can actually protect our teeth, too. Saliva contains proteins such as amylase, protease, and lysozyme, although lysozyme has only a slight bactericidal effect. Most importantly, saliva contributes to acid-base neutralization in the mouth. After eating, the bacteria in a plaque will produce acidic substances, and saliva, with a neutral pH value, can neutralize the acid and alkali to prevent and reduce tooth decay.

Thus, regarding the effects of saliva on teeth, Chiou says, Personally, I think that saliva is like the same knife that cuts bread and fingers.

Warning: The latter half of this article includes dental images which may be disturbing to some.

2 Tips to End Plaques, Tilt Your Toothbrush at This Angle

To prevent periodontal diseases, we should eliminate their root causedental plaques.

Dr. Chih-Chung Hsu from Center Union Dental Clinic in Tainan, Taiwan, said that the three-dimensional structure of a dental plaque is not so easy to disintegrate by liquid rinsing alone, such as the use of a dental irrigator or a simple mouthwash. Physical cleaning by dental cleaning appliances, such as toothbrushes, dental floss, and interdental brushes, can effectively remove plaques.

After eating, plaques will form. So how can we effectively end dental plaque formation? There are two practical methods:

Using the Bass brushing technique

Many think that they do a good job brushing their teeth. However, there are many hard-to-clean blind spots on the teeth that prevent one from completely removing them.

Hsu pointed out that when a plaque display agent is applied to the teeth, we can discover that some parts are not easy to clean, such as the interdental triangles, the necks of the teeth where the teeth and the gums are connected, and the inner side of the teeth near the tongue.

He emphasized that especially in the gingival sulcus in the tooth neck area, there are often a lot of plaques accumulated due to poor oral hygiene, thus becoming a breeding ground for the proliferation of bacteria. The gingival sulcus is the groove where the gums meet the teeth, with a depth of about 1 to 3 mm.

Only by using the Bass brushing techniques in this areato gently squeeze and massage the gingival grooves with the bristles at a 45-degree anglecan the plaques hidden in the grooves be effectively removed. This avoids the accumulation of more bacteria, so as to end the formation of periodontal problems.

In contrast, horizontal brushing can only reach the crown and irritate the gums. Many people tend to brush too hard without realizing it. This way of brushing your teeth can be fine in the short term, but it may cause gingival atrophy in the long run.

Therefore, in addition to properly brushing and removing the plaques on the inside and outside of the teeth with a toothbrush, it is also necessary to brush the neck of the teeth at a 45-degree angle and to use dental floss or an interdental brush to clean the triangular spaces between the teeth.

Make sure to carry dental floss with you

Plaques build up after we eat food. So ideally, we should always make sure to floss or brush our teeth after eating.

However, most people dont have sufficient time to brush their teeth immediately after eating. What can we do then? Hsu suggests taking dental floss with you. He emphasized, As long as the triangular gaps between the teeth are cleaned, the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease can be much reduced.

Some seniors are unable to floss their teeth flexibly with their fingers, and its recommended they use a dental floss stick instead. Although a dental floss stick may not be as flexible as dental floss, which can clean each tooth with a new section, it is very user-friendly. Hsu said that it is best to rinse the dental floss stick with water between teeth, to rinse away bacteria and food residues, and then continue cleaning.

The above two methods can prevent the formation of dental plaques, but the general public may have some blind spots that cannot be cleaned. When plaques build up at a place for weeks without being brushed off, dental calculus can easily form. As the hard dental calculus cannot be removed with a toothbrush, a dentist needs to use ultrasonic tools to clean the teeth. Thus, it is recommended to go to the dentist every six months for a full-mouth scaling and oral health examination.

In addition, Hsu shared with us another method to protect teeth: to reduce the frequency of eating, to eat only at the three meals, and try to avoid snacks in between. This prevents tooth decay, which is another common disease caused by oral bacteria.

This is because during the half hour after eating, the bacteria in the plaques will produce acid, destroy the enamel, and then slowly neutralize the acidity of the oral cavity by saliva. If you eat frequently for a long time, the bacteria will continue to produce acid to destroy your teeth. Furthermore, the protective mechanism of saliva to restore the neutrality of the oral cavity will also be constantly destroyed, which will increase the risk of tooth decay.

Camille Su Follow Camille Su is a health reporter covering disease, nutrition, and investigative topics. Have a tip? kuanmi.su@epochtimes.com
A hearing in a lawsuit challenging Philadelphia's use of taxpayer money to pay for abortions was held at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 14, 2022. From left: Attorney Thomas E. Breth, Charles P. Kuhar, Sr., Theresa M. Kuhar, and Tom Stevens, President of the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia. (Lily Sun/The Epoch Times)

Hearing Held in Lawsuit to Halt Philadelphias Funding for Abortions

Lawsuit alleges funding violates state law

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.A public hearing in a lawsuit to block the use of taxpayer money for abortions was held on Friday, Oct. 14, at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

The suit was filed by the Thomas More Society on behalf of Philadelphia residents. It seeks to block the citys half-million dollar donation to the Abortion Liberation Fund of Pennsylvania (ALF-PA).

After almost three hours of arguments by lawyers in the case, Judge Joshua Roberts ended the hearing and said he would issue an order the following week.

This complaint was filed on Aug. 16, 2022, on behalf of Philadelphia pro-life activists Charles P. Kuhar, Sr. and Theresa M. Kuhar, in response to the citys allocation of $500,000 in public funds for ALF-PA. The city of Philadelphia, Mayor Jim Kenney, Treasurer Jaqueline Dunn, and Controller Rebecca Rhynhart are named in the lawsuit.

The city made the donation Aug. 4. Abortion is health care no matter where you live, Kenney said at the time, in a statement. Providing financial support for people seeking abortions is one of the ways we will support Philadelphians in their fundamental right to bodily autonomy.

After the hearing, the plaintiffs lead attorney, Thomas E. Breth, told an Epoch Times reporter: Depending upon what he puts into the order, either its going to enjoin the Abortion Liberation Fund from spending the money, or hes going to deny our injunction. Then well most likely be off to the Commonwealth Court on appeal.

Commingling of Funds an Issue

Fridays hearing was largely focused on whether the plaintiffs have legal standing to challenge the donation.

Breth, who is a special counsel for the Thomas More Society, said he appreciates that the judge has taken the time to listen to the oral arguments and testimony. But he disagreed with the citys arguments.

However, Breth added that Judge Roberts also focused a lot on the commingling of funds, federal funds, commonwealth funds, and the citys position that these are local funds, and somehow theyre free to spend local funds in their own manner.

Breth said We disagree with all of that. Once all those funds go into [the] general fund account, they all become subject to the restrictions. And that means none of those funds can be spent as public funds for abortions.

The lawsuit cites the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act of 1982, which states, No commonwealth funds and no federal funds which are appropriated by the commonwealth shall be expended by any state or local government agency for the performance of the abortion.

The lead attorney for the defendant, Aimee D. Thomson, declined to be interviewed after the hearing. Thomson is a Deputy City Solicitor for the Citys Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit.

Attorney: Court Dodged Key Issue



Breth said he felt that the court tried to avoid talking about the key issue: the citys government funding abortion. He said Philadelphias city administration wants to show support for abortion because after the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in June, abortion is no longer a constitutional right.

Philadelphia felt the need to try to fund and provide financial assistance for abortions. Thats what this money is for. They kind of dodged around that a little bit today, said Breth.

But thats absolutely what they said this money was for, and thats absolutely what the Abortion Liberation Fund said the money would be used for, and as to help finance abortions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Breth said, We feel confident that ultimately were going to prevail, whether its with the Commonwealth Court, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, or the United States Supreme Court, if necessary.

Plaintiffs: Fighting an Uphill Battle

The husband and wife plaintiffs in the case, Charles and Theresa Kuhar, are longtime residents of Philadelphia. Charles is a professional truck driver; Theresa is a registered nurse and board-certified case manager. Both are active in the pro-life movement.

They told The Epoch Times that when they filed the lawsuit, they knew they would be fighting an uphill battle.

Were hopeful that the merits of our case will stand, Theresa said. Were hopeful that the judge will see our argument as valid and will side with us.

I think the judge did a very good job, as did the attorneys on both sides. They were very professional, said Theresa Kuhar. I think the judge was very careful and considerate and deliberate, which I appreciated. We will wait patiently for his decision, I know that he is going to put a lot of thought into it.

Charles said he is a bit concerned about their safety, following the arrest of pro-life activist Mark Houck by FBI agents on Sept.23. But we do put a lot of faith in God that He will take care of us because were doing his work. So we cant be fearful of whats going to happen.

Theresa added, There are women and babies out there that are being harmed, and they need us to stand up for them. Those babies need our concern. And we have an obligation: no matter what happens to us, it doesnt matter. At the end of the day, we answer to God. And thats what were doing.

A Tough Case, a Tough Judge, and a Tough City

About 30 people, supporters and opponents of the lawsuit, attended the hearing.

Were just fighting the good fight, said Tom Stevens, president of the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia, after the hearing. I think its a tough case, a tough judge, and a tough city.

Stevens was surprised to hear attorneys for the defense say that the funds had already been distributed to ALF-PA and could not be given back to the city.

Its outrageous that the city would give $500,000 to this organization that solely has a mission to help women have abortions, said Stevens. The state has a prohibition about funding going to abortion, and the federal government has a prohibition. The state and federal money that is in this fund paid for this $500,000 grant. Stevens said he hopes that the lawsuit will prevail through the Court of Common Pleas or a future appeal.

The plaintiffs son, Charles Kuhar, Jr., an IT consultant, attended to show support for his parents. He said he repeatedly heard from the court that his parents didnt have standing to bring the lawsuit, because once the money was transferred to a third party, such as ALF-PA, taxpayers do not have input about what is done with the money.

Charles Kuhar Jr., son of plaintiffs Charles P. Kuhar, Sr. and Theresa M. Kuhar, in front of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 14, 2022. (Lily Sun/The Epoch Times)

And if we have no input now, when do we have any input? said Kuhar, Jr. The city repeatedly argued that the expenditure of these funds towards abortions does not represent irreparable harm to anyone. There is no greater or more irreparable harm than the purposeful destruction of an unborn child.

Concerns About Judicial Bias



Edward Lawrence, a retired schoolteacher who attended to show support for the couple, said he was concerned about bias in the case. I could almost see where he was going with this. But, you know, sadly enough, the city of Philadelphia is really not known for acting appropriately, said Lawrence.

Lawrence said he attended the hearing to object to the use of taxpayer money to fund abortions.

Retired schoolteacher Edward Lawrence, in front of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 14. (Frank Liang/The Epoch Times)

You would just hope that everything is applied fairly. If its applied fairly, then you know that theres a case that could be made, that that money should not have been sent out, and that it should go back into the city fund, not someplace else, said Lawrence.They should be enjoined not to do this again.

Elizabeth Madden is a social worker who has worked with women in crisis pregnancies. Madden said, Im not sure the judge was objective. I felt that some of the questions that he was asking were slanted toward the prosecution. At 12 weeks, Madden emphasized, a child in the womb has already developed a human face with distinctive features.

Social worker and pro-life activist Elizabeth Madden, in front of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 14, 2022. (Lily Sun/The Epoch Times)
Former Attorney General Suella Braverman, now home secretary, during a regional cabinet meeting at Middleport Pottery in Stoke on Trent, England, on May 12, 2022. (Oli Scarff/PA)

Home Secretary Warns UK Police Force Over Confusing Hate Crime Messaging

Leicestershire Police have removed a social media post that suggested calling a transgender person by their previous name was a crime after the British home secretary intervened.

To raise awareness for National Hate Crime Week, Leicestershire Police put out a post on Saturday on its Twitter account about a fictional transgender person called Jane.

I get called by my previous male name on purpose, but thats not who I am. It can be really hurtful especially when its just seen as a joke, the post said.

The post urged the public to report similar hate crimes via a site called Stamp it Out.

Members of the public, including Fair Cop, an organisation that was set up by former policeman Harry Miller in response to what it calls the Big Brother overreach of various police forces, asked the force what hate crime had been committed by deadnaming someone, which means referring to someones previous name before they transitioned.

What was the hate crime supposedly committed against Jane? There wasnt one, was there? wrote family law barrister and Fair Cop co-founder Sarah Phillimore.

Hate crimes are any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic, though in England, there is no such thing legislatively as a hate crime.

Hate can attach to a preexisting crime and there are several pieces of relevant legislation under which people can be prosecuted for offences towards protected characteristics.

The exchange prompted Home Secretary Suella Braverman to intervene via Twitter on Sunday.

This week I have seen confusion amongst police forces about what constitutes a hate crime. The police need to enforce actual laws and fight actual crimes. Freedom of speech must be protected and a proportionate approach must be taken, said Braverman.

The public need to have confidence in their police forces. This sort of thing undermines it. Senior police officers who allow this to happen can expect to have to explain to me why theyre spending vital resources on politically correct campaigns, she added.

The rainbow flag on a police officer during Pride in London on July 6, 2019. (Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images for Pride in London)

Equality Act

Leicestershire Police subsequently deleted the Jane post.

In a follow-up statement, temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said that hate crime law in England and Wales has developed in various phases over the past two decades and the law recognises five protected characteristics; race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.

According to the Equality Act, the law recognises nine protected characteristics, not five. Furthermore gender reassignment is a protected characteristic, not transgender identity.

Nixon focused mainly on complaints that Leicestershire Police used a stock image in its post, which the home secretary did not mention.

The source of those images had been considered to be reliable and the words on the posts were provided by an experienced police staff member who has significant knowledge of the different types of hate crime people can be and have been subjected to, said Nixon.

Having examined the posts I believe we as a force should have made clear that the images were stock images and that the names given were fictitious for illustration purposes. For completeness, I am also having a scenario presented checked against current national hate crime recording policy, he added.

Nixon encouraged the public to report hate crime.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman told The Epoch Times by email: We acknowledge the post issued should have provided further context and explanation around what a hate crime is and apologise for any offence or upset caused.

For clarity, current authorised professional practice (APP) guidance states that a hate crime is defined as any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a persons actual or perceived difference, she said.

A non-crime hate incident is defined as any incident where a crime has not been committed but where it is perceived by the reporting person or any other person that the incident was motivated by hostility or prejudice. Our post should have made this clear, she added.

Instead of saying law the recognises five protected characteristics, she clarified that the law recognises five types of hate crime on the basis of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity as defined by the Crown Prosecution Service.

This is the second time that Braverman has intervened in such a way.

On Sept. 28, Sussex Police apologised for telling people not to make hateful comments about a convicted paedophiles gender identity after the home secretary told them to focus on catching criminals not policing pronouns.

New government figures showed that the number of hate crimes recorded by police in England and Wales has risen by 26 percent this year. But critics say that the rise is down to the polices hyper-focus on collating hate crimes.
Screenshot from video showing a police officer trying to rescue a Hong Kong protester who was being beaten at the Chinese consulate in Manchester, England, on Oct. 16, 2022. (Screenshot/Hong Kong Indigenous Defence Force via The Epoch Times)

Hong Kong Protester Beaten at Chinese Consulate in Manchester

A Hong Kong protester was dragged onto the grounds of the Chinese consulate in Manchester and beaten by seven or eight people on Sunday.

The protester, identified only as Bob, said he was trying to stop consulate staff from taking a poster he was holding when he was dragged into the compound.

Bob was one of around 60 people who were taking part in a protest organised by Hong Kong Indigenous Defence Force objecting to the reelection of Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The pro-democracy group said in a statement that several staff members in riot gears [sic] from the China Consulate attempted to confiscate a large protest painting from the protesters less than two minutes into a speech by one of the activists.

The identity of the attackers is unclear but footage uploaded on social media shows them coming out of the consulate before the incident and going back into the consulate after Bob was freed by a police officer.

Consul General Zheng Xiyuan was allegedly at the scene, according to Luke de Pulford of HK Watch.

Police officers managed to stop other protesters from entering the consulate ground, while one officer went in to rescue Bob.

Bob was later taken to the hospital. Hong Kong Indigenous Defence Force said his condition was stable.

Cuts and bruises can be seen on his face, neck, head, and back.

Bruises are seen on the body of Bob, a pro-democracy Hong Kong protester who was dragged onto the grounds of the Chinese consulate and beaten in Manchester, England, on Oct. 16, 2022. (Courtesy of Hong Kong Indigenous Defence Force)

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police told The Epoch Times that police officers were present at the scene and were able to diffuse the situation and that enquiries are ongoing to understand the full circumstances.

The large poster that was taken is a caricature of Chinese leader Xi Jinping as the emperor wearing no clothes, holding blood-stained maps of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Ukraine in his hands.

A caricature of Chinese leader Xi Jinping as the emperor wearing no clothes. (Hong Kong Indigenous Defence Force)

Consul General Allegedly Present

Before the banner was taken, an older man was seen kicking another banner that says heaven will destroy the Chinese Communist Party and ripping up another banner that said Congrat [expletives].

He was later seen standing and watching Bob being beaten.

It is alleged on social media that the man was Consul General Zheng Xiyuan.

The mans face was covered by a mask and he was only seen from the side and the back in footage circulated online, but the scarf he was wearing appears to be similar to a scarf worn by Zheng at an event in 2019.

The Chinese consulate did not respond to The Epoch Times request for comment.

David Alton, Lord Alton of Liverpool, said Chinese Ambassador Zheng Zeguang should clarify whether the man was the consul general.

If it is, [Home Secretary] Suella Braverman should demand he pack his bags and leave now, the crossbench peer wrote on Twitter.
On the afternoon of Oct. 16, some Hongkongers held a peaceful rally outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester, UK. The protesters were dragged into the Chinese Consulate and beaten by the CCP staff. The white-haired person was a Chinese Consulate staff member. (Screenshot of Hong Kong Indigenous Defense Force)

Hong Kong Protesters Beaten Up by CCP Staff in UK When Protesting Xi Jinpings Reelection

Protester: 'This attack by the claws of CCP in broad daylight is beyond reason'

At British Standard Time (BST) 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 16, about 60 Hongkongers held a peaceful rally outside the Chinese Consulate at 71 Denison Road, Manchester, England. A number of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) consulate staff wearing protective equipment suddenly rushed out of the Consulate to snatch the large-scale cartoon used at the rally, they surrounded and beat the protesters who held the cartoon painting.

Oct. 16 was the first day of the Chinese Communist Partys 20th National Congress, and the theme of the rally was to object to the reelection of Xi Jinping. The spokesperson of the conference was harassed by the Chinese consulate staff members less than two minutes into his speech.

Shocking video spreading on HK Telegram channels showing someone from the PRC Consulate in Manchester kicking down pro-democracy signs. A protestor then appears to have been dragged behind the Consulate gates and beaten by consulate staff. pic.twitter.com/tntvTz38DY  Luke M (@McWLuke) October 16, 2022

When the CCP consulate staff members snatched the large-scale cartoon, the protesters tried to stop them, but they were attacked by the consulate personnel. Bob, who was holding the cartoon painting, was forcibly pulled into the consulate and was beaten and kicked by seven or eight Chinese consulate personnel. The large-scale cartoon satirizes Xi Jinping in the emperors new clothes.

Upon seeing this, the British police rushed into the consulate and rescued Bob, who was besieged. Afterwards, a number of British police officers lined up in front of the consulate to separate the protesters and consulate staff members. The injured Bob, accompanied by some of the protesters was taken to a nearby hospital. He was admitted to the hospital to check his injuries.

The personnel of the Chinese Consulate pulled several protesters into the Consulate area and pushed them down. (Screenshot of video)

This attack in broad daylight is beyond reason. The claws of CCP are upon newcomers to the UK residing on BNO visas. This happened in a land that respects liberty and emphasizes freedom of speech, Bob said.

If the British police had not intervened today, or if the assembly had taken place in Hong Kong or in mainland China, Im afraid our group of peaceful demonstrators would have been made to disappear or would have been arrested and detained on any false charged made by the CCP, he said.

The staff from the Chinese Consulate (right) pulled the anti-CCP protesters from outside the Consulate to inside the consulates iron gate. (Screenshot of video)

Staff from the Chinese Consulate tried to steal the protesters poster and pull it into the consulate grounds, and the protesters trying to resist were also dragged into the Consulate. (Screenshot of video)

The Chinese Consulate staff in bulletproof vests walked out of the Consulate and fought with the protesters. He fell to the ground in the chaos, and the helmet fell off. (Screenshot of video)

An injured protesters were covered in scars. (Courtesy of Hong Kong Indigenous Defence Force)

An injured protester was covered in marks. (Courtesy of Hong Kong Indigenous Defence Force)

The helmet of the staff of the Chinese consulate fell to the ground. It had the Chinese character American Shield and a number on it. (Screenshot of video)

Outside the Chinese Consulate, the CCP staff walked outside the gate to try to steal the poster from the protesters. The yellow arrow points to the guy who lost his helmet. The red arrow points to the CCP staff who was being pulled aside by the British police. (Screenshot of video)

Consulate staff some with helmets (red arrow), walked outside the gate of the Chinese Consulate. (Screenshot of video)

The red and yellow arrows refer to the two Chinese Consulate staff who first ran out of the Chinese Consulate gate. They later returned to the Consulate and beat a protester who was knocked to the ground. (Screenshot of video)

A reporter pointed toward the poster inside the Chinese Consulate and explained he was almost dragged into the Consulate. (Screenshot of video)
A photo illustration showing a woman holding her smartphone with Parler logo, in front of displayed same logo, on May 17, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Kanye West to Buy Parler to Cement Its Uncancelable Status, Protect Conservative Views

Billionaire musician Kanye West is buying Parler, the free speech-championing social media app that rose to prominence amid allegations that rival Twitter was suppressing conservative voices.

Parler, which bills itself as the worlds pioneering uncancelable free speech platform, announced the purchase agreement in principle in a press release on Oct. 17, the same day that West joined the service.

In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves, West, who has legally changed his name to Ye, said in a statement.

Kanye West arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2020. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Parler has not disclosed how much West will pay for the platform nor whether the purchase will yield any policy changes, with the deal expected to close by years end.

The proposed acquisition will assure Parler a future role in creating an uncancelable ecosystem where all voices are welcome, Parler said in a statement.

George Farmer, the CEO of Parlement Technologies, the parent company of Parler, welcomed Wests involvement in the platform.

This deal will change the world, and change the way the world thinks about free speech, Farmer said in a statement.

Ye is making a groundbreaking move into the free speech media space and will never have to fear being removed from social media again, he added.

The development comes after West was recently locked out of his Instagram and Twitter accounts after making posts alleged to be anti-Semitic.

Social Media Controversy

On Instagram, West shared a screenshot of a text exchange with fellow musician Sean Diddy Combs, in which he told him: This aint 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.

Shortly afterward, West was locked out of his Instagram account. He then took to Twitter, where he posted a controversial message that also got him suspended.

Im a bit sleepy tonight, but when I wake up Im going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE, West wrote. The funny thing is I actually cant be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jews also. You guys have toyed with me and tried to blackball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.

West appeared to be referring to the U.S. Armed Forces heightened readiness status DEFCON 3.

The post was later removed by Twitter for violating its rules, a spokesperson confirmed to multiple outlets, and West is currently unable to access his account.

Wests exchange with Diddy was sharply criticized by the American Jewish Committee, which said in a statement that West should figure out how to make a point without using antisemitism.

Over the last week, the musician has fomented hatred of Jews. The greed theme has led to a long list of Jewish stereotypes, such as being money-oriented or controlling the worlds finances.

The control theme seeks to falsely portray Jews as secret puppet masters ruling over others. Ye needs to learn that words matter, the statement read.

Parler, which also labels itself as viewpoint-neutral, recently secured $16 million in Series B funding, for a total of $56 million in funding as of Sept. 16.

Katabella Roberts contributed to this report.
Cars are seen on fire after Russian missile strikes in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 10, 2022. (Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters)

Kyivs Central District Rocked by Suicide Drone Blasts Second Time in Week

The central Shevchenkivskyi district of Ukraines capital was rocked by blasts early on Monday for the second time in a week, with Mayor Vitalii Klitshchko saying several residential buildings were damaged.

Rescuers are on the site, Klitshchko said on the Telegram messaging service, adding that as a result of what he said was a drone attack, a fire also broke out in a non-residential building.

There was no immediate information on casualties.

Shevchenkivskiy district, a busy hub with universities, student bars and restaurants, was hit by several explosions on Monday last week when Russia ordered the biggest aerial offensive against Ukrainian cities in retaliation for a blast on a bridge linking mainland Russia to Crimea.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidents staff, said the attacks were carried out with so-called suicide drones.

Russians think this will help them, but such actions are just their convulsions, Yermak said on the Telegram messaging app.

Ukraine has reported a spate of Russian attacks with Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks. Iran denies supplying the drones to Russia, while the Kremlin has not commented.

A view of a drone during a military exercise in an undisclosed location in Iran, obtained on Aug. 24, 2022. (Iranian Army/West Asia News Agency/Handout via Reuters)

Read More Iran Says New Suicide Drones Can Hit Israels Tel Aviv

Russia denies targeting civilians in what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine.

By Pavel Polityuk and Simon Gardner
Braya Renewable Fuels, formerly the North Atlantic Refinery, is shown in Come By Chance, N.L., on Oct. 6, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Paul Daly)

Man Injured in Newfoundland Refinery Explosion Has Died

One of the workers injured in the Sept. 2 explosion at the refinery in Come By Chance, Newfoundland has died, refinery owner Braya Renewables said.

The explosion at the refinery about 150 kilometres west of St. Johns sent eight people to hospital. Six workers have returned home, and one remains in hospital.

We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss, Braya Renewables said in an emailed statement.

Glenn Nolan, president of United Steelworkers Local 9316 which represents many staff at the refinery, identified the deceased as union member Shawn Peddle.

The union posted a tribute to Facebook on Sunday notifying members of Peddles death, saying this is a very sad day and offering condolences to his family.

The post said Peddle died in hospital after fighting for his life for the past six weeks.

The cause of the explosion and subsequent fire at the refinery is being investigated by police and the provinces Occupational Health and Safety division.

The refinery, which is a main source of employment in the area, was once an oil-producing plant that has been going through the process of conversion to a renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel operation.

Braya Renewables said in a statement the worker who died was a well-known labourer with Braya and an integral part of the team working to convert the refinery.

The refinery says it will do everything we can to learn from this tragedy and help prevent similar incidents from happening.

The unions Facebook post about the death says the tragedy was preventable and calls for the RCMP to investigate the incident under the Westray law and leave no stone unturned.

Bill C-45also known as the Westray lawwas introduced in 2003 to amend the Criminal Code and add new legal responsibilities for workplace health and safety and impose penalties for violations that result in death or injury.

The law is named after the Westray mining disaster in which 26 miners were killed when methane gas ignited in the Plymouth, N.S., coal mine in May 1992.
Michigan Bill Would Make Gender Reassignment Procedures for Minors 1st-Degree Child Abuse

Republican lawmakers in Michigan recently introduced legislation that would outlaw medical procedures for gender reassignment of transgender minors and consider it first-degree child abuse.

The proposal comes just days before the nations first trial over a states ban on such care begins this week.

A person, including parents, guardians, and licensed medical professionals, would be guilty of first-degree child abuse in Michigan if they knowingly or intentionally consent to, obtain, or assist with a gender transition procedure for a child, according to the Republican-backed proposal, House Bill 6454.

Child abuse in the first degree can lead up to life imprisonment or any term of years, according to the legislation, which was filed on Oct. 11. Republican state Reps. Beau LaFave, Ryan Berman, Steve Carra, Luke Meerman, and Steve Marino introduced the measure.

The idea that we would be making potentially life-altering changes to 11-, 12-, 13-, 14-, 15-year-old kids when it is illegal for them to have sex is insane, LaFave told The Hill on Oct. 12. Theyre not responsible enough to smoke a cigarette until theyre 21.

The lawmaker said hes optimistic that most Republicans in the state legislature will support the measure. If passed, the state would become the second in the nation to make it a felony to provide such care to minors.

A new Alabama law in April banned certain transgender procedures and substances for people younger than 18, such as hormone treatment, puberty blockers, or gender-changing surgery that includes sterilization. Yet in May, a federal judge halted its enforcement while a legal challenge to the legislation moved ahead.

State Actions

The proposal comes a week before the nations first trial over state restrictions on gender-related care for children takes place in Arkansas.

Arkansas was the first state to prohibit physicians and health care professionals from providing gender transition procedures to youth or referring them to other health care professionals for the procedures.

The state doesnt see it as a serious crime punishable by imprisonment in excess of one year. Medical providers who violate the law could face disciplinary actions from the appropriate licensing entity or disciplinary review board.

However, the law, targeting transgender treatments for minors, also faced an immediate court challenge in July 2021, as U.S. District Judge Jay Moody temporarily blocked it from taking effect for more than a year.

On Oct. 17, Moody began hearing testimony and evidence for the case. The families of four transgender youths and two doctors who provided gender-affirming care previously claimed that the legislation was unconstitutional and undermined the rights of transgender youth, parents, and doctors. But advocates of the law have argued that the prohibition is within the states authority to regulate medical practices.

The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Arizona has also passed its own version of the Arkansas law to ban youth younger than 18 from accessing so-called gender-affirming surgeries, S.B. 1138, which took effect in late September.

On Aug. 19, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) introduced the first piece of federal legislation, the Protect Childrens Innocence Act, to make gender transition procedures on minors a class C felony nationwide. The penalty under her measure is up to 25 years in prison with a maximum fine of $250,000.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Military Officers Decry Pentagons Lack of Response to Senators Queries About COVID-19 Vaccine Labeling

U.S. military officers have criticized the Department of Defense and other agencies for their lack of response to a U.S. senators queries regarding the labeling of COVID-19 vaccines that have been distributed to service members.

In August, a group of military whistleblowers delivered a 41-page memorandum to members of Congress, claiming that the Pentagon had unlawfully administered Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) vaccines, as opposed to vaccines that had received full Food and Drug Administration approval.

They argued that EUA vaccines dont fall under the Pentagons vaccine mandate because the mandate said it applied to COVID-19 vaccines that receive full licensure from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in accordance with FDA-approved labeling and guidance.

Although the Pentagon has issued a policy (pdf) saying the FDA-approved Comirnaty and EUA Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are interchangeable, the legality of that policy is contested by some service members.

The memo also asserts that new Comirnaty-labeled vials, which ostensibly have full FDA approval, carry lot numbers associated with EUA vaccines.

In response to the memo, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) on Aug. 18 sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky asking them to address multiple issues with the vaccine options. The senator questioned why some Comirnaty-labeled lot numbers correspond with EUA vaccine lots. Johnson asked for a response by Sept. 1.

On Oct. 10, a spokesperson from Johnsons congressional office confirmed that they hadnt received a reply.

Capt. Joshua Hippity Hoppe, a Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey pilot and whistleblower involved in the August memo, criticized the agencies silence.

It has been over a month past the deadline and none of the agencies could be bothered to give a response to the sitting senator, Hoppe told The Epoch Times.

Coast Guard Lt. Chad Coppin agreed, saying, This lack of response is very significant since there is documentation available that proves there has never been a fully FDA-approved COVID vaccine.

To date, all available vaccine options to service members are EUA products and experimental, which makes them illegal, he said.

The Present Challenge

Hoppe and Coppin have provided sworn declarations (pdf) (pdf) in the lawsuit, Coker v. Austin, that challenges the legality of the Pentagons vaccine mandate in federal court. The most recent filing by the plaintiffs (pdf) focuses on the appearance of the Comirnaty-labeled products.

These therapeutics being marketed as vaccines appear to be misbranded as FDA-approved and licensed products, despite being kept in the CDCs experimental Emergency Use Authorization database, Hoppe said. This and other discrepancies are outlined in the filing.

In an Oct. 4 interview on Fox and Friends, John Kirby, spokesperson for the White Houses National Security Council, defended the Pentagons vaccine mandate, calling it a valid health requirement thats central to military readiness

Hoppe disputed Kirbys claim that the vaccine was a necessary health requirement.

The virus seems to have morphed into more of a common cold than a serious illness for those who are young and healthy like the majority of the military population, he said.

Military Readiness

To Coppin, its the vaccine mandate that has impeded military readiness. The loss of unvaccinated service members, who are now unable to perform their duties or are being forced out, directly affects the militarys ability to execute its mission.

He pointed to the Coast Guard as an example.

As of Oct. 6, The Coast Guard currently has 975 Active Duty and Reserve personnel who are not vaccinated, [including] 22 rescue swimmers who are not vaccinated, according to a Coast Guard media relations spokesperson.

Coppin said, Many Coast Guard rates including rescue swimmers are already considered critical, meaning there are not enough members to fill all the billets available.

Ultimately, this critical shortage of swimmers and other rates translates to lives lost, and a reduction of capacity to respond to efforts like Hurricane Ian and other significant natural disasters in the future, he said.

I feel really bad for all of my [vaccinated] shipmates left behind, as these critical rates are already overworked, and as they force the unvaccinated out, those remaining will have to perform additional tasks, stand more duty, and have to take on even more responsibility in an already stressful job, Coppin said.

Replacing decades of experience will be an incredibly difficult task, he added.

On Aug. 26, the military whistleblowers started a petition for a congressional investigation of alleged illegal Pentagon activity.

The first wave of signatures was sent to Congress by Senator Johnsons deadline of Sept. 1 with over 5,000 signatures, Hoppe said.

We intend to continue sending the petition with added signatures to Congress at the beginning of every month for as long as necessary to capture Congresss and the American peoples attention of the wrongdoing that has and is occurring within the Pentagon, he said.

Hoppe and Coppin emphasized that their views dont reflect those of the Department of Defense, the Marines, or the Coast Guard. The Pentagon didnt respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
Ottawa city manager Steve Kanellakos appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Naive to Think Authorities Shouldve Prevented Freedom Convoy Protest: Ottawa City Manager

Not long after hundreds of vehicles entered Ottawa to protest COVID-19 restrictions last January, the highest ranking public servant in the city pushed back against the idea they could have been easily prevented from doing so.

Its a bit naive for somebody to believe that the police and the city should have just prevented the protest from happening, said Ottawa City Manager Steve Kanellakos in a text message on Jan. 30.

Trucks associated with the Freedom Convoy started arriving in Ottawa on Jan. 28 and settled in the downtown area over the weekend, with thousands of supporters joining in.

Kanellakos had sent the text to his colleague Kim Ayotte, general manager of Emergency Services at the city, and he was commenting on a news article about Ottawa residents being displeased with the protest.

The text message was mentioned during proceedings of the Public Order Emergency Commission.

Kanellakos testified before the commission on Oct. 17 and defended the initial police assessment about the size of the protest that was about to enter the city, as well as the right to protest itself.

From my point of view, and Ive been doing this a long time in terms of dealing with emergencies, it wasnt unusual to have a variance in the views of people who thought it was going to be bigger, longer, smaller, there were all kinds of opinions on what that would be, said Kanellakos.

The only information we could rely on was Ottawa Police in terms of reliable information at that time.

Kanellakos was reacting to evidence brought forth by the commissions counsel which indicates Ottawa had information that a potentially large numbers of trucks would enter the city with the intent to remain for an extended period of time.

Counsel presented an email sent presumably from convoy organizer Canada Unity to the Ottawa Hoteliers Association in late January, saying 10,000 to 15,000 convoy participants are seeking accommodation in the city for a duration of 30 to 90 days.

The Canada United truckers would like to extend its offering to all the hotels in this region, this is a peaceful convoy of hard working individuals from across this country to show our government that its not okay to discriminate and enforce unlawful mandates to all Canadians, said the letter.

Despite this piece of information, Kanellakos said the initial assessment from the city and police was that the protest would take place over the weekend and last possibly until the following week on Wednesday (Feb. 2).

There wasnt an assessment that said it would go longer than that, he said.

It Went Quite Well

After the first weekend of protest, Kanellakos said we all thought it went quite well.

There wasnt any violence, people were protesting, it was managed, there were no major incidents that weekend, other than honking and a disruption to neighbourhoods.

Was there any extreme violence or anybody seriously injured? No, said Kanellakos.

The city manager also addressed suggestions that trucks should have been prevented from entering downtown Ottawa.

He said the result could have been Hwy 417 being blocked by people parking their trucks, which would have disrupted the entire city. Instead, concentrating trucks in an area made it more manageable for police.

Despite the heavy influx of trucks and protesters into the city over the first weekend, Kanellakos told the commission there wasnt a strong effort to try to prevent more protesters or convoys from joining on the subsequent weekend.

I think they [police] were trying to guide them and prevent them from entering certain areas, but there was still the notion that we cant prevent them from their rights to protest and come in, and thats the posture that was taken for that second week.

Kanellakos played a key role in eventually bringing protesters and the city to the negotiating table, which materialized into an agreement to move trucks from residential areas to Wellington St. in front of Parliament Hill.

The agreement was never fully actioned, with Kanellakos blaming protesters and protesters representatives blaming police.

A few hours after the agreement began to be implemented, the Liberal government declared a public order emergency on Feb. 14 to remove the protest through coercive measures, such as the freezing of supporters financial accounts, and police action.

The police operation started on Feb. 18 and was completed by Feb. 20.

The Public Order Emergency Commission has been established as required by law after the Emergencies Act is invoked and will conduct public hearings until late November.
Air Force B-52 bomber flies during the annual recurring multinational, maritime-focused NATO exercise BALTOPS 2017 near Ventspils, Latvia, on June 6, 2017. (Ints Kalnins/Reuters)

NATO Begins Nuclear War Games Amid Russia Tensions

NATO has begun its week-long annual nuclear exercises in Europe as Russia plans its own nuclear war games around the same time and as tensions simmer over the RussiaUkraine conflict.

Dubbed Steadfast Noon, the NATO training kicked off on Oct. 17 and is ongoing, a NATO spokesperson confirmed to The Epoch Times.

Fourteen of NATOs 30 member countries are taking part in the exercises, which the military alliance said would involve up to 60 aircraft of various kinds, including surveillance and refueling planes as well as fighter jets.

U.S. long-range B-52 bombers will also take part in the maneuvers, which will run until Oct. 30. Training flights will take place over the North Sea, the United Kingdom, and Belgium, which is hosting this years exercise.

A different NATO ally hosts the routine exercise each year, with the defensive alliance saying that no live weapons are being used in the war games.

This exercise helps ensure that the Alliances nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective, NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said in a statement.

The bulk of the exercises will be held at least 625 miles from borders with Russia, which is planning its own large-scale nuclear war games called Grom, which translates as thunder.

Like NATOs maneuvers, Russias drills are expected to be routine, although it comes as Moscows nuclear rhetoric has intensified.

We anticipate the exercise will span several days. Itll include actions within the normal bounds of what Russia has done in the past. Itll include live missile launches and a deployment of strategic assets, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN.

Amid a counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces at the end of September, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Western powers of engaging in nuclear blackmail and put his country onto an enhanced wartime footing.

Putin ordered a partial military mobilization and vowed to use all means available in the event of a threat against Russian territory and its people, adding that hes not bluffing.

Adding to tensions, recent battlefield setbacks in eastern Ukraine prompted Chechnyas leader to call for Russia to get tougher and hit Ukraine with a low-yield tactical nuclear strike.

In my personal opinion, more drastic measures should be taken, right up to the declaration of martial law in the border areas and the use of low-yield nuclear weapons, Chechen leader and Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov said in a post on social media.

The Kremlin reacted to Kadyrovs remarks by calling for a cool-headed approach to the potential use of nuclear weapons, based on Russias established military doctrine rather than emotions.

Russias guidelines allow for the use of nuclear weapons if theyor other weapons of mass destructionare used against Russia, or if the Russian state faces an existential threat from conventional weapons.

There can be no other considerations when it comes to this, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on a call with reporters at the beginning of October.

The Kremlin has said explicitly that the four regions of Ukraine that Moscow has annexed also fall under its nuclear umbrella.

Putin said in a televised address announcing more troop mobilization that some high-ranking representatives of Western powers had expressed the possibility of using nuclear weapons of mass destruction against Russia, according to a translation of his remarks by The Scotsman.

If there is a threat to the territorial integrity of our country and for protecting our people, we will certainly use all means available to us, Putin said. Im not bluffing.

NATO said this years nuclear exercises arent focused toward any nation in particular or linked to any current world events.
US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo (L) listens as US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden, CEOs, and labor leaders, not pictured, regarding the Chips Act, in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House, in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2022. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

New Chip Ban Accelerates US Decoupling From China: Experts

The United States expanded its semiconductor ban on China and issued a China-focused National Security Strategy five days before the beginning of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) party congress on Oct. 12.

Experts believe these unprecedented moves will accelerate the United States decoupling from China and that the new Iron Curtain may have fallen.

Experts believe that the Biden administration is moving to ensure an all-round containment of the CCP. Moreover, the sanctions in the semiconductor field are likely just the beginning. If similar sanctions expand to other fields like finance and biotechnology, the decoupling of the United States and China will truly take effect.

Chip Ban Extended to Talents

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced (pdf) on Oct. 7 that it imposed new export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and chip-manufacturing equipment to prevent American technology from being used for Chinas military development.

The sweeping ban also effectively prohibits U.S. persons from supporting the development or production of chips covered by the restrictions. Under this rule, U.S. nationals in Chinese chip-related companies will face a choice between losing U.S. citizenship or quitting their jobs in China.

U.S. export controls to China for years have only been on technologies, products, companies, or organizations, and the new ban extends export controls to individual U.S. citizens and green card holders for the first time. It is considered to be the most restrictive ban on Chinas semiconductor industry.

According to Radio Free Asia, on the day the ban took effect, hundreds of Chinese-Americans working in semiconductor companies resigned from Yangtze Memory Technologies, Changxin Memory Technologies, Shanghai IC R&D Center Jiading Factory, Hefei Changxin Memory Technologies, and others.

A visitor looks at a 300mm wafer at the booth of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) during 2021 World Semiconductor Conference in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China, on June 9, 2021. (Long Wei/VCG via Getty Images)

Chiou Jiunn-Rong, an economics professor at National Central University in Taiwan, told The Epoch Times on Oct. 14: Its very likely to form a trend. Previously, capital was leaving China, and the next trend is technology professionals leaving China.

Chiou said that the indirect effect is that after the chip industry is hobbled, Chinas overall economy will be impacted, which will affect other fields, and even people in the field of business and business management will probably also leave China.

The United States also announced the National Security Strategy on Oct. 12, which focuses on the CCP and Russia, calling the latter an immediate threat and that the CCP was the only competitor with the intention and ability to reshape the international order.

Doong Sy-Chi, deputy chief executive of a Taiwanese think tank, told The Epoch Times on Oct. 14 that the United States has determined to set the CCP as a strategic competitor in all aspects. The trade competition that used to be focused on enterprises has now become on individuals. The Biden administration has made a larger strategic setting.

Decoupling Accelerated

Tsai Ming-fang, an Economics professor at Tamkang University, told The Epoch Times on Oct. 12 that from the new ban it can be seen that the trend of decoupling between the United States and China is more clear and certain. He predicts that Taiwan factories will no longer help Chinese manufacturers but will help more brands in democratic countries.

Shen Rongqin, a professor at York University in Canada, told The Epoch Times that the Biden administration has attached great importance to technological sanctions of China from the very beginning. Republican lawmakers have used the entity list to contain the CCP before. But what Biden has done is more radical and comprehensive than many Republican congressmen have suggested. Starting from the Trump administration, now Biden has accelerated the trend of decoupling between China and the United States in semiconductor technology, said Shen.

U.S.-based current affairs commentator Li Linyi told The Epoch Times on Oct. 14 that the Biden administrations actions this time are much tougher than before.

A Chinese man is silhouetted near the Huawei logo in Beijing on May 16, 2019. Conservative critics are calling for the federal government to ban the Chinese compnay from Canadas 5G network due to security concerns. (Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)

He said: These measures are likely to be just the beginning for the U.S. government. If these measures are extended to other fields such as finance, biotechnology, etc., it will really become a headache for the CCP. That is the U.S.China decoupling is really happening.

Chiou Jiunn-Rong pointed out that the tension between the United States and China seems to be very high now, but not in the military situation unlike the U.S.-Soviet relationship during the Cold War. The first will be economic wars and technological wars.

Xia Song, Luo Ya, Yi Ru, Li Xinan, and Zhang Yuanzhang contributed to this report.
A video is shown of former President Donald Trump during a hearing by the House Jan. 6 committee in Washington on Oct. 13, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

New Subpoena Targeting Trump Is Suspiciously Timed Just Ahead of Midterm Elections: Expert

News Analysis

The Oct. 13 vote by the House Jan. 6 committee to subpoena former President Donald Trump is a political ploy intended to help foster the general impression that Trump has too much baggage to run for office again, according to a political analyst who says the move also seeks to convey that the party associated with Trump, and the midterm election candidates hes endorsed, arent the right choice for the country.

The timing of the announcement cant fail to arouse suspicion, given how tight a number of the races in key states have become, notably the Senate contests in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio, and Arizona, experts told The Epoch Times.

In the Pennsylvania race between Trump-endorsed Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz and Democrat John Fetterman, intensive media scrutiny has focused on the rapid closing of Fettermans once-comfortable lead. According to a Trafalgar Group poll conducted Oct. 811, the race is now a toss-up with Fetterman at 47.2 percent and Oz at 44.8 percent, with the difference well within the margin of error.

The closely watched Senate races in Ohio, Georgia, and Arizona are similarly competitive, according to the most recent polling.

But the prime target of the House Jan. 6 committee and its activities may be Trumps 2024 ambitions, one expert believes.

The purpose of the committee is clearly politicalit is designed to block Mr. Trump from running for president in 2024, Charles Steele, chair of the department of economics, business, and accounting at Hillsdale College in Michigan, told The Epoch Times.

However, the thought processes guiding members of the committee who voted to issue the subpoena are known only to themselves, Steele doesnt see evidence rising to the level of certainty of intentions on Trumps part to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

It isnt possible to know exactly what the Jan. 6 committee intends by subpoenaing former President Trump. They have no evidence of any wrongdoing on his part, or they would have announced it, he said.

My suspicion is that they hope to set a trap in some way in order to cook up some charges so they can recommend [Attorney General] Merrick Garlands Department of Justice to start a criminal prosecution.

Steele sees a marked disconnect between the committees ostensible purpose as a nonpartisan fact-gathering body and its actual function. It has crossed the line into activity reminiscent of the targeting of political opposition under authoritarian regimes, Steele believes.

The Jan. 6 committee isnt a normal Congressional fact-finding committee. The proceedings appear to be more like a presentation from a prosecution, and, in fact, it reminds me of Soviet show trials. The committee is made up entirely of anti-Trump members of Congress, who have stated that its a foregone conclusion that Trump and his administration are guilty.

What makes this analogy particularly apt is the procedurally skewed nature of the committees actions, which preclude an opportunity to question or argue against the supposed legal basis for the subpoena.

Theres no presentation of evidence to the contrary and no opportunity for a defense. The security camera footage from the Capitol is suppressed, except for a few carefully selected excerpts. Its simply a Soviet-style tribunal where the outcome is predetermined by politics, as far as I can see, Steele said. The way the Jan. 6 committee members have conducted themselves is shameful and a very dangerous episode in American politics.

Possible Moves

Some legal experts do see, at least, the possibility of legal violations on Trumps part, but the question of whether the committee can enforce its subpoena is a complicated one. In the unusual circumstance of a federal body taking action against an official not during his tenure in office but after he has returned to civilian life, both the committee and Trump have a range of options in the weeks and months to come, the experts say.

In the view of Mark Graber, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Law, its possible that Trump may have broken the law or at least have information pertinent to what happened at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the issue of whether the committee will be able to compel Trump to testify breaks down into two basic questions, he said.

Here, Graber invoked the 1997 Supreme Court ruling in Clinton v. Jones, which found that a current president can be sued in civil court. In determining how far the Jan. 6 committees authority extends, its useful to extrapolate from this case, he suggested.

Will they be able to get him to testify? has two dimensions. The first is legal. Can a former president be forced to testify about possible crimes he and his associates committed? I think that Clinton v. Jones is the authority here. If you can sue a president while the president is in office, the president has no immunity from testifying about actions taken in office, where the argument is that these actions werent taken in furtherance of official duties, Graber said.

But the timing of the vote, again, raises questions.

The second [dimension] is political. I presume that if the GOP wins the 2022 midterms, the committee will be dissolved along with the subpoena, he said.

In agreement with Graber on this point is Eugene Mazo, a professor at Seton Hall University Law School.

Mazo doesnt think that Trump will respond passively to the committees latest move. Much depends on the outcome of the midterm races, he said.

I think Trump will initiate litigation to try to run out the clock on the Jan. 6 committee. If Republicans take over the House on Jan. 3, 2023, he will no longer have to testify. Or he may try to negotiate something like the deal that Ginny Thomas had, where his testimony will be scripted, limited, and behind closed doors. These will be lots of lawyering here, for sure, to seek as much delay as possible, Mazo said.

On Oct. 14, Trump responded to the subpoena with a 15-page letter blasting the committee for what he said was its staging of a Show Trial the likes of which this Country has never seen before, but declining to give an answer about whether he would appear before the committee in accordance with the subpoena.

Representatives of the House Jan. 6 committee didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
It was the spring of 1781, and war had come to Virginia.

Many Virginians were fighting elsewhere with George Washingtons forces, weakening the ability of the state to resist British advances. King Georges troops, some of them commanded by defector Benedict Arnold, had earlier that winter conducted raids and fought skirmishes with Americans along the James River. In May, these soldiers hooked up with the forces of Lord Cornwallis, who had marched his men up from North Carolina. In less than six months, this army would surrender to the Americans and French at Yorktown, but for now, they faced only light resistance and moved handily throughout the eastern part of Virginia.

Driven that winter out of the states new capital, Richmond, the Virginia legislature had opted in the spring to meet in Charlottesville, believing themselves secure from the British in that western hamlet. Among these lawmakers were Gov. Thomas Jefferson, now in the last days of his term of office, as well as famous patriots like Patrick Henry and signers of the Declaration of Independence Richard Henry Lee and William Harrison. Among their number was also Daniel Boone of Kentucky, then considered a part of Virginia.

When Lord Cornwallis learned that the legislature had gathered in Charlottesville, he dispatched Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton and 200 mounted troopers to ride west and capture these lawmakers. Though despised by colonial patriots for his harsh treatment of militia and civilians in the Carolinashe was nicknamed Bloody BanTarleton was a fine horseman and an aggressive commander. He pushed his men toward Charlottesville, riding much of the time at night to conceal their objective. On June 3, he paused for a few hours at the Louisa County Courthouse to give his men and horses a well-earned rest before advancing into Charlottesville the following day.

And it was on this night that one American would upend this British raid.

Thomas Jefferson by Mather Brown, 1786. National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C. (Public domain)

Virginias Paul Revere

Born in 1754 to John and Mourning Harris Jouett, Jack Jouett had grown up in Charlottesville, where his father operated the Swan Tavern. On this evening of June 3, he was almost 40 miles away in Louisa County at the Cuckoo Tavern, so named because of the clock in that establishment. Jouett had seen the arrival of the British dragoons, overheard talk in the tavern of their plans to proceed to Charlottesville, and decided on his own initiative to race through the hills to that town and alert the threatened legislators.

Mounted on his bay mare Sally, Jouett set out through the dark countryside. Fearing British troops, he took the back roads and trails with which he was well familiar. Just around dawn, his fast-paced horse brought him to Monticello, Thomas Jeffersons estate. There, he roused the household and explained the dire situation to Jefferson, who, as legend has it, offered Jouett a glass of Madeira to help revive the weary rider before he set out for nearby Charlottesville.

In Charlottesville, Jouett spread the word, which included a visit to his fathers popular tavern. The legislators agreed to move south to Staunton, about 40 miles away. Though Daniel Boone and several other members of this body were captured by the British, most of the representatives packed in haste, fled the town, and escaped safely to Staunton.

A Near-Run Disaster

Jefferson himself came close to being taken prisoner as well.

Aided by his body servant, Jefferson slowly packed up important papers and personal items, reluctant to leave the home hed designed and built for fear the British would burn it. Only when a neighbor who was an officer in the Virginia militia, Christopher Hudson, found him still on the premises and urged him to flee did Jefferson mount his horse, Caractacus, and ride into the forest. Like Tarleton, he was an excellent horseman, knew the terrain, and was confident of his ability to escape Tarletons raiders.

The British arrived at Monticello within minutes of his departure, with Jefferson still close enough to hear them and to observe through his telescope. He rode away, but his fears regarding the destruction of his home proved unjustified. Perhaps the British remembered the story of Jeffersons kind treatment of several captured officers earlier in the war. The troops did threaten to shoot a slave, Martin Hemmings, unless he informed them of his masters whereabouts, at which point the servant demonstrated his loyalty to Jefferson by replying, Fire away, then. Hemmings was left unharmed, and after a thorough search of the house and grounds, the British headed to Charlottesville.

Lt. Col. Tarleton was determined to capture colonial lawmakers. Portrait of Sir Banastre Tarleton by Joshua Reynolds, 1782. National Gallery, London. (Public domain)

As for Jack Jouett, he moved to Kentucky the year after his ride, where he married Sallie Robards, became a father to 12 children, established himself as a successful farmer, and served in the Kentucky legislature. He was a stout advocate for statehood and was undoubtedly pleased when in 1792 Kentucky became the second state to join the newly formed United States of America.

Though honors for his heroism on that night-long ride were belated, Jouett eventually received official recognition from the Virginia government for his exploit and was awarded a brace of fine pistols and a sword for his service.

The Power of One

Jack Jouett isnt as famous as Paul Revere, in large part because of Longfellows poem Paul Reveres Ride with its well-known opening lines Listen, my children, and you shall hear / Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere. Yet Jouetts bravery and boldness that June night and the following day may have helped save the American Revolution. At the time, the Americans had no sure hope of victoryfar from itand the capture of patriots like Jefferson and Richard Henry Lee might have brought disastrous consequences. At the least, such a triumph would have severely damaged American morale.

Jouett also deserves our esteem for demonstrating a particularly American trait: individual initiative. Unlike Paul Revere, who worked with a committee of others discerning and attempting to thwart British intentions, Jouett acted alone and spontaneously. No one commanded him to deliver his warning; he asked no one for advice as to what he should do. At great risk to himself, he saddled up that bay mare and set out on his self-imposed mission.

To put aside our fears, doubts, and self-interests in the pursuit of liberty and a righteous cause: That is Jack Jouetts greatest lesson for us all.

This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
Ottawa City Councillor Catherine McKenney appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission hearing in Ottawa on Oct. 14, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Ottawa City Councillor Tells Hearing She was Terrified of Freedom Convoy but Didnt Witness Any Violence Herself

An Ottawa city councillor wrote to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the RCMP in February claiming that residents in her ward, which includes the area surrounding Parliament Hill, experienced unprecedented violence from the Freedom Convoy, although she had not seen any acts of violence herself.

I didnt personally witness any acts of violence. I was told about them, Catherine McKenney testified at the Public Order Emergency Commission on Oct. 14.

McKenney, councillor for Somerset Ward, was asked by senior counsel Natalia Rodriguez whether the allegations of any kind of threats to safety, unruly behaviour posed by the convoy protesters were reported to her and or did you witness any of that yourself.

In her Feb. 3 letter to Trudeau and RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki urging them to assume full operational control of Parliament Hill and the parliamentary precinct, McKenney said residents were constantly harassed and terrorized by the protesters. She made several claims including that there were trucks driving erratically on local streets, widespread public urination and defecation, and seniors and others being harassed by strangers.

McKenney, currently a candidate in Ottawas Oct. 24 mayoralty election, told the commission she was terrified of the truckers and felt that the city needed stability, especially after she received news of Ottawa Police Chief Peter Slolys resignation, and the removal of Diane Deans as chair of Police Services Board in mid-February.

I was terrified going into another weekend where the actions of harassment and intimidation were just increasing every weekend, she said.

McKenney also told the commission that she monitored the protest closely during that time. I would go through the convoy and observe. I would meet with residents who were feeling threatened.

It was a general sense of fear, terror and dismay, she added.

McKenney admitted to the commission that she never faced any real danger from the protesters.

I was accosted on a few occasions but not, you know, never felt I was in any real danger, she said. But walking home through the residential streets was always when I felt the most threatened. She clarified she was threatened by people who recognized her as a councillor and hurled disparaging remarks at her.

Peaceful and Cooperative

According to security reports from the Government Operations Centre (GOC), an internal department of Public Safety Canada, there was no evidence of violence by the convoy organizers and supporters when they protested against federal COVID-19 mandates and restrictions in Ottawa from late January to days before the escalated operations by police on Feb. 18.

The Freedom Convoy so far has been peaceful and cooperative with police, said a Jan. 27 report, obtained by Blacklocks Reporters.

Other daily updates on the convoy protest include confirming: no major incidents (Jan. 29), no violence took place (Feb. 1), disruption to government activities is so far minor (Feb. 6), there are minimal people on Parliament Hill (Feb. 10) and situation remains stable and planning is ongoing (Feb. 11).

The GOC, whose stated role is to lead and coordinate integrated federal response to all-hazard events of national interest, characterized the convoy protest as small, peaceful, and having little impact on federal operations in its security update on Feb. 14before the Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act the same day.

Approximately 10 people on Parliament Hill and approximately 100 on the surrounding streets, reads the security update.

No concerns at this time, said an assessment by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service included in the report.
Refugees from Afghanistan and Canadian citizens board a bus after being processed at Pearson Airport in Toronto, on Aug 17, 2021, after arriving indirectly from Afghanistan. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Ottawa Seals Records of Crisis Response, Evacuation Operation Amid Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan

The federal government is sealing from the public records of its crisis response and evacuation operations in Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover last summer, said an official response to a House of Commons committee report.

Most of the Government of Canada departments and agencies engaged in the response to the crisis in Afghanistan have undertaken various internal reviews and lessons learned exercises over the course of the past year, the government said in an Oct. 6 submission to the House of Commons Special Committee on Afghanistan.

The sensitive nature of some Government of Canada operations prohibits these reviews from being shared publicly at this time.

The submission came in response to a June 2022 report released by the committee, titled Honouring Canadas Legacy in Afghanistan: Responding to the Humanitarian Crisis and Helping People Reach Safety, in which MPs questioned the decision of then-Canadian ambassador to Afghanistan Reid Sirrs to close the embassy and flee Kabul on Aug. 15, 2021, when the terrorist group seized the countrys capital city.

In response, Sirrs said in the report that information he received on Aug. 12 led him to believe that the security of the embassy and all the people who worked within its compound was at risk of attack from the Taliban.

Sirrs has been criticized for taking time off in mid-July, when Taliban terrorists were on a rampage across the country, and allegedly leaving embassy employees in the midst of threats. After returning to Afghanistan, Sirrs was later reported to be aboard one of the only two Canadian military aircraft that fled Kabul on Aug. 15.

Evacuation operations of employees and Afghan refugees were conducted in the absence of the ambassador, with the last Canadian military flight leaving Kabul on Aug. 26.

Some military officials have told the committee that they were dissatisfied with Sirrss flight out of Afghanistan at a time when 1,250 Canadian citizens and thousands of Afghan allies were desperate for help, according to Blacklocks Reporter.

We were the first embassy to depart, Major-General Dean Milner, the last Canadian combat commander in the region, testified on Feb. 14. That was very embarrassing for a lot of us on the ground.

There could have been a lot more people evacuated out of Afghanistan before Kandahar fell and before Kabul fell, said Major-General David Fraser, who also testified on Feb. 14. This is on the shoulders of Canadians and I dont just mean the military. We could have actually done more.

Sirrs was reassigned as ambassador to Argentina on Dec. 23, 2021.
Parents speak out against a proposal to recognize October as LGBTQ History Month during a meeting of the school board of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, on Sept. 7, 2022. (Courtesy of Alex Serrano, County Citizens Defending Freedom)

Parents Are Angry, Social Issues Coming Back in a Big Way for Midterm Elections: Entrepreneur

Social issues are once more coming to the fore of political debate as the midterm elections close in, with parents becoming increasingly concerned about transgender ideology being pushed in schools, according to Matthew Peterson, founder of digital network platform New Founding.

Critical race theory (CRT) and transgender laws aimed at minors are social issues that politicians usually stay away from, Peterson said in an interview with NTD. The establishment wisdom on the political right is to talk about bread and butter issues and avoid such social issues as they are seen as yucky stuff, he said.

But, I think what we see this time around is a resurgence of those issues in a big way. Theres a lot of emotion when it comes to whats going on with kids in schools especially. Thats wrapped in with all these parents who are angry throughout the country about whats being taught, Peterson said.

And so that issue was really added to CRT. The fact that youre pushing transgenderism and mutilation of children  thats hot fire, he said, while adding that both political parties are also taking the abortion issue to the polls.

Peterson pointed out that most parents initially do not want to deal with issues like gender surgery as they are likely to be in some kind of denial. But increasingly, parents are waking up to the fact that these issues are happening in their schools.

Children are now being exposed to talks about sexuality from a young age, with school officials showing them all kinds of stuff that 10 years ago we would have thought would have been an abuse, he said.

Schools are doing this couched in official language, and hiding from parents that their kids are being convinced to transition or chemically/physically castrate themselves.

Though parents are becoming increasingly angry, the way it manifests is it becomes a reason for people to move into red states, and a reason for red state leadership to be bolder, Peterson noted. In contrast, not much real change happens in blue states, he added.

Sanctuary State, GOPs Enormous Opportunity

Peterson highlighted the dangers of states like California becoming a sanctuary for  the mutilation of children. If a child decides to be physically or chemically castrated, they can go to California and the state will be their guardian, their protector, Peterson said. States will try to make these determinations unless people stand up and put a stop to it.

The economy has not been a talking point to the extent youd normally think in an election. This is because the left controls much of the media, Peterson pointed out.

He believes there is pent-up anger that could materialize into a red wave in the midterms. This is an enormous opportunity for Republicans to blame it all on the other side.

A recent CNN poll showed that voter preference tilts toward Republicans in competitive congressional districts.

Another poll by Monmouth University found that 47 percent of Americans want Republicans to control Congress compared to 44 percent who support Democrats.

Steve Lance Follow Steve Lance is the host of Capitol Report, a political news show based in Washington aimed at providing a direct channel to the voices and people who shape policy in America. Capitol Report features all of the political news of the day with expert interviews and analysis.
Planned Parenthood Appears to Be Evolving Into Planned Genderhood

While still recognized as one of the biggest lobbyists for abortion, Planned Parenthood has become equally aggressive about promoting puberty blockers and gender transitioning for children.

Besides making it a lead topic on its websites, the national organization is running an increasing number of ads and other promotional material on the subject.

Recently, Planned Parenthood released an animated video touting puberty blockers as a way to delay puberty for a while for intersex people, defined as people born with a combination of male and female biological traits.

The video appears to be aimed at minors and contains advice that includes talking to a trusted adult and an explanation that puberty blockers are a simple treatment to give teens more time to decide what feels right. It also ends the video with a link to PlannedParenthood.org/teens.

Planned Parenthood has become the direct pipeline between the medical industry and the schools when it comes to transgendering kids, Erin Friday, founder of Our Duty, told The Epoch Times.

Of course they are targeting kids; thats why they are called puberty blockers.

Our Duty is a national parents rights organization that focuses on stopping the transgender movement for minors.

In a released statement, Planned Parenthood emphasized that its advice about puberty blockers and transgender nonconforming procedures is intended only for teens age 16 and older.

However, in a section on its national website titled What Should I Teach My Middle Schooler About Their Body? the organization specifically promotes puberty blockers for preteens.

In order to get started on puberty blockers, your preteen needs to be in the early stages of puberty, the page reads.

More than 75 of Planned Parenthoods 239 offices now offer puberty blockers and other transgender services, according to The Heritage Foundation.

Some of its offices also offer online instructions on self-injecting cross-sex hormones and include referrals to places where minors dont need parental consent to obtain them.

Planned Parenthood has also set up well-being centers in several U.S. public high schools, where gender transition counseling is available for so-called transgender students. There are 50 such centers in California alone, according to Friday.

They are moving themselves as close as they can get to our kids, she said. The next step is to get them hooked on puberty blockers by gaslighting their mental health. They just need to get the parents out of the way first.

In July, Amy Cannava, chairwoman of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) LGBTQI2-S Committee, said she supports defying parents rights and even parental notification laws when it comes to helping children become gender diverse.

I recognize that parental consent is a big deal, but when Im doing anything LGBT, I dont worry about that, she said on the podcast Out, What Now?!

Cannava also said she would like laws passed that make it illegal for parents not to gender affirm their children. And just recentlyin a Sept. 28 post on the NASP websiteshe criticized proposed legislation that would require schools to obtain parental approval before involving students in any kind of gender-reaffirming activities.

While The Epoch Times couldnt find direct ties between Cannava and Planned Parenthood, Cannava has participated in several events with that organization. In February, she testified along with the Planned Parenthood Alliance on a Hawaii bill that would require teachers and school staff to be trained in gender affirming students.

She also participated in a 2021 conference called Rainbow Families with Planned Parenthood and spoke at a 2019 symposium where Planned Parenthood was one of the events main exhibitors.

Planned Parenthood workers from several states this month conducted a door-to-door campaign in Michigan to promote Proposition 3, which is billed as an abortion protection measure.

However, after Inside the Classroom, a popular advocacy group on Twitter, took a closer look at the proposed constitutional amendment, it pointed out that the proposal includes a buried clause that calls for the protection of an individuals right to sterilization.

The post drew many responses, including this one:

Passage of Prop 3 will also give boys a constitutional right to be castrated and girls the right under Michigans constitution to be sterilized by way of a hysterectomy, or the removal of their ovaries  all without their parents consent.
An egret sits on the back of a buffalo as it walks through long grass of Darwin, Australia on April 15, 2012. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Pledge to Cut Methane Fails to Include Worlds Largest Feral Populations: Regional Australian MP

Ongoing moves to cut methane gas emissions from domestic livestock, like cows and pigs, fails to take into account the sheer volume of feral animals now populating countries like Australia, one MP has said.

Keith Pitt, the Nationals Party member for Hinkler, said current measures or proposals to curb flatulence or belching from livestock needed to consider the science.

There is 10 times the number of feral pigs in Australia than domestic, he told The Epoch Times.

This is an underhanded attack on our resources sector and agriculture. If it was about science, well, the flatulence for feral animals should be included, but its not, he said.

A member of a small herd of Brumbies in the Long Plains area of the Kosciuszko National Park, Australia on Aug. 24, 2020. (Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

Australia contains some of the worlds largest feral animal populationspartly due to the lack of large land predatorswhich do not come under government moves to curb methane emissions.

The country is estimated to contain 400,000 wild horses, five million donkeys, 150,000 water buffalo, one million camels, and 24 million feral pigsin comparison, the United States contains just six million feral pigs.

Livestock the Focus of Methane Emission Cuts

Scientists blame the livestock industry as the number one agricultural source of emissions.

According to the University of California, Davis, methane accounts for around 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gases, with a single cow estimated to belch around 220 pounds of methane a year.

Methane is considered worse for the environment than carbon dioxide.

In response, the New Zealand government is considering charging farmers a tax based on the amount of methane emitted by livestock herds, including cows and sheep.

The pricing system will be set by a central authority called the Climate Change Commission, which could see farmers pay around $15,000 to $50,000 annually or risk cutting the size of their herds.

No other country in the world has yet developed a system for pricing and reducing agricultural emissions, so our farmers are set to benefit from being first movers, said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

The move follows in the wake of the U.S. Biden administration that reiterated its November 2021 pledge to cut methane emissions by 30 percent as part of the Global Methane Pledge.

We urge all countries to reduce collective anthropogenic methane emissions at least 30 percent by 2030 from 2020 levels, the White House stated following a Sept. 29, 2022 meeting with Pacific leaders.

Meanwhile, the Australian Labor government stated it was considering the proposal as part of its net-zero push but was yet to lock-in a solid commitment.

A Further Warning on Net Zero

Pitt also warned the Australian governments push for net-zero would weaken manufacturing in the country.

Keith Pitt, Nationals Party MP of the Division of Hinkler in Queensland, speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Sydney, Australia on Oct. 1, 2022. (Horace Young/The Epoch Times)

Itll have an enormous impact on the price of electricity, and it will put it up and make our network less reliable and unstable, he said.

Pitt also said there was a real risk of blackouts if there was a serious push to reduce emissions by 43 percent by 2030.

I think the risk exists right now, and I think it will get worse coming in the summer, particularly if there are early closures of reliable baseload power stations, he added. And its not just our domestic risk. Right now, we need Australia to be as strong as possible given whats happening around the world.
New vehicles are parked in storage lots near the the Stellantis Detroit Assembly Complex in Detroit on Oct. 5, 2022. (Paul Sancya/AP Photo)

Postal Worker Holdup Leads to Muscle Car Theft Ring Arrests

DETROITThieves are using cloned key fobs to steal Dodge muscle cars and other high-powered vehicles directly from dealerships and even automakers in Michigan, then selling them for tens of thousands of dollars less than their value, according to authorities and court records.

For one Ohio-based theft ring, it all came crashing down after a January holdup of a U.S. postal worker led authorities to connect several men to brazen car thefts in the Detroit area, long home to the countrys biggest automakers, including Dodge, which is now owned by international conglomerate Stellantis.

Investigators then discovered that new Chargers, Challengers, Durangos, and Ram pickups worth $50,000 to $100,000 were turning up in Ohio, Indianapolis, and East Coast shipping ports after being sold on the street for $3,500 to $15,000, according to a criminal complaint.

New vehicles are parked in storage lots near the the Stellantis Detroit Assembly Complex in Detroit on Oct. 5, 2022. (Paul Sancya/AP Photo)

Thieves in the Detroit area are primarily going after Dodge vehicles with Hellcat engines, including Chargers and Challengersthe fast ones, Sgt. Jerry Hanna with the Macomb Auto Theft Squad said.

If a patrol car gets them, they are not stopping and theyre faster than patrol cars. Theyre 150 mph all day, he said.

Instead of stealing them off the street, theyre driving them straight off dealership and assembly plant lots.

Just this year, about a half-dozen vehiclesprimarily Dodge Ram TRX pickupswere taken from a lot outside an assembly plant in Macomb County.

After security measures were stepped up at some lots with Dodge vehicles, more than a dozen 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor pickup trucks were swiped from a plant lot in June in suburban Dearborn. More than a dozen Ford Mustangs were stolen in early September from the automakers assembly plant in Flat Rock, southeast of Detroit.

Thieves have targeted Dodges by using handheld electronic pro padsa locksmiths tool that can clone keys by plugging into interior ports in the vehicles, according to the federal complaint in the Ohio case.

Authorities werent looking for stolen vehicles when they stopped Devin Rice on Jan. 31 after a postal worker in Shaker Heights, outside Cleveland, was robbed at gunpoint of a mailbox key. But court records show that a search of his car and then his home turned up not just stolen mail, bogus checks, and credit and debit cards, but also a Ram pickup, a Range Rover SUV, and a Dodge with a Hellcat engineall stolen.

Rice and others were indicted in federal court in Ohio in June. Jaylen Harris, Lavelle Jones, and Hakim Benjamin are charged with conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen vehicles. Rice, Harris, and Jones also are charged with mail theft. Their trials are scheduled next year.

Harris attorney declined comment. The AP left email and phone messages seeking comment from attorneys for Benjamin, Rice and Jones.

Harris told the FBI that he and Jones had been in contact through Instagram with people in the Detroit area to get stolen vehicles, according to the complaint. Harris said those thieves were also selling to buyers in other areas, including Chicago and Indianapolis, the complaint said.

New vehicles are parked in storage lots near the the Stellantis Detroit Assembly Complex in Detroit on Oct. 5, 2022. (Paul Sancya/AP Photo)

Videos posted on social media show how the high-horsepower vehicles outpaced and evaded police.

A judge stated in a detention order that Benjamin drove a 2022 Dodge Challenger valued at $95,000 at 120 mph down Ohios State Route 2 on a Sunday evening in February.

Spike strips were eventually needed to remind Benjamin that the law required him to comply with police orders the judge wrote.

About two years ago, police in Ohios Ottawa County began noticing the vehicles blasting along state Route 2. The sheriffs office got calls about reckless driving, Capt. Aaron Leist said.

These cars are going 140150 mph. All have the Hellcat engines. We had a lot of pursuits. We did not catch them all, he said.

Investigators learned the vehicles mostly were being stolen in the Detroit area and taken to Cleveland. Some also were destined for Memphis, Tennessee, Leist said.

We started working with (Stellantis) in early 2022, he said. They would call us and tell us `We have these cars missing.

A spokeswoman for Stellantis declined to comment.

Added security measures at some lots have included concrete barriers, according to law enforcement.

Then last fall, a dealerships showroom northwest of Detroit was broken into. Someone drove a Ram pickup through the buildings glass wall and all the other cars followed suit, said Jeff Schneider, general manager at Szott Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Highland Township.

I think they were able to find some keys in a desk drawer and used them, he added.

Police tracked one of the stolen cars, a Durango Hellcat SRT valued at about $100,000, to a suburb northwest of Detroit. The driver had crashed into a brick wall while fleeing. A 2021 Dodge Durango GT, 2021 Dodge Ram TRX, and a 2017 Dodge Charger Hellcat SRT were later recovered.

Authorities arrested four people. They were not believed to have stolen the vehicles, but to have paid $5,000 for one.

In the Detroit area they are selling them for like $3,500, Hanna said. Once they get that money in their pockets they go out and steal another one.

For dealerships and their insurance companies, the cost is high. Even recovered vehicles cant be sold for what they were once worth.

Schneider said his dealership came up with an old school solution: parking boots.

Its a deterrent that works amazingly, he said. We put boots on all the Hellcats.

By Corey Williams
The Canadian flag flies near the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in a file photo. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Providing Menstrual Products for Workers Under New Mandate Will Cost Federal Employers an Estimated $16 Million a Year

Federal employers will be required to spend an estimated over $16.6 million annually to provide workers with menstrual products if proposed regulatory changes are implemented to fulfill a Labour Program mandate, according to a government analysis report.

The absence of menstrual products in the workplace can translate into physical and psychological health and safety risks for menstruating employees, reads the report titled Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement, dated Oct. 15.

This could include turning to improvised solutions or avoiding the workplace due to anxiety, shame and stigma, and could impact mental health, performance and productivity.

Labour Minister Seamus ORegan Jr. announced in an Oct. 14 news release that the proposed regulatory amendments are now available for comment in the Canada Gazette. The amendments to the sanitation provisions in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, made under the Canada Labour Code, would require federally regulated employers, such as airlines and banks, to provide employees with free menstrual products in the workplace, as first reported by Blacklocks Reporter.

The Canada Labour Code already requires federal employers to provide workers with basic sanitation products like toilet paper and soap.

The new analysis provided an estimate of how much employers will have to spend on menstrual products over a 10-year period, from 2024 to 2033. To provide workers with just tampons and menstrual pads, excluding the cost of buying product dispensers and disposal containers, would amount to over $10.4 million annually.

The amendments also require federal employers to provide menstrual products and install disposal containers not only in womens washrooms, but also in mens washrooms, to ensure inequality does not exist.

This will ensure that the unique needs of non-binary individuals, transgender men, and intersex people are also addressed, reads the report.

The report adds that approximately 35% of federal employees require menstrual products and that expecting them to buy their own puts a financial burden on low-earning workers.

The financial burden is particularly heavy for low-income earners and marginalized individuals who menstruate, including Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+ people, said the report.

Reasons the report gave for providing federal workers with menstrual products include building a more inclusive Canada, addressing systemic inequities, such as gender-based discrimination, and promoting fairness and equality.

Wed never ask people to bring their own toilet paper to work. So why do we do that with menstrual products? Were changing that, said ORegan in a news release.

Marci Ien, minister for women and gender equality and youth, said that all barriers to accessing them [menstrual products] need to be broken down.

This initiative is a step in the right direction to reach menstrual equity and advance gender equality in the workplace, she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is warning the nation should prepare for a treacherous wet season as he visits the flooded New South Wales (NSW) town of Forbes, where people are dealing with the fifth inundation in 12 years.

Thousands of people in the flood-prone central western town have been impacted, with some evacuated on Friday after the Lachlan River burst its banks, inundating the city centre.

Prime Minister Albanese travelled to the flood zone on Monday alongside NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet as major flood warnings remain in place for almost a dozen rivers across the state.

We are living in very dangerous times in the days and weeks ahead, he said.

Relentless rain in western NSW, Victoria and Tasmania is likely to continue to cause flooding in the coming weeks, the prime minister says.

He urged people to follow warnings from emergency services, adding too many were dismissing advice to evacuate.

(People are) saying no, well be right, Albanese said.

That attitude was leading to multiple rescues in flooded regions, putting emergency personnel at risk, he said.

Perrottet said the people of Forbes were resilient, having endured five floods in the past 12 years, and reiterated that danger still loomed.

We know over the coming week, particularly heading into summer as well, we expect more challenging weather, he said.

We need to keep vigilant. We need to follow the instructions.

If its flooded, forget it. You wouldnt drive through into a bushfiredont drive through floodwaters.

Major flooding is expected at Echuca in Victoria and Moama, a border town in the NSW Riverina district, with water rises likely to be as bad or worse than the 1993 flood  the areas second-biggest on record.

In Moama, some 200 residents of an Indigenous community are being evacuated, along with residents of the Moama caravan park.

Despite clear skies on the weekend in NSW, the Bureau of Meteorologys Dean Narramore says floodwaters are still rising.

Flood warnings were continuing across inland NSW and northern Victoria, he told the ABC on Monday.

Today, were going to see a number of locations peak, he said.

Major flooding at Warren, west of Dubbo, is expected to continue, and more rain could cause further rises on the Macquarie River, threatening more severe flooding at Wellington and Narromine in the coming days.

People in South West Narrandera were ordered to evacuate before 6 p.m. on Sunday after the Murrumbidgee Rivers main flood peak passed through Wagga Wagga last week and headed downstream.

Moderate flooding is expected downstream at Darlington Point from Thursday.

The Murrumbidgee has passed the minor flood level at Balranald, while major flooding is not expected to reach the town of Hay until late October, the BOM says.

Another storm system is forecast to develop over central Australia on Tuesday, bringing widespread falls of 25 to 50 millimetres over much of inland NSW and thunderstorms to eastern states by mid-week.

This is a lot less than what we saw, but with everything now so wet and saturated, this is going to lead to renewed river level rises on many of our already flooded rivers  particularly as we get in towards that Thursday and Friday, Narramore said.
Rep.-elect Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) talks with reporters as he arrives for a class photo with incoming newly elected members of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Nov. 14, 2018. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Rep. Crenshaw Responds to Reports About Payments to Firm That Employs His Wife

Crenshaw's office says they've followed all applicable laws and regulations.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) responded to reports that his campaign has paid more than $350,000 to a firm that employs his wife since 2020, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.

The firm Pink Cilantro is a Houston-based branding firm that has been in operation since 2013 and has been commissioned by the Crenshaw campaign in the past.

Since 2020, Crenshaws campaign has given Pink Cilantro more than $350,000 in funding, FEC records show. Crenshaws legally required financial disclosures report Pink Cilantro as spouse salary.

In comments to the Daily Caller, who first broke the story, both the owner of the firm and spokespeople for Crenshaws campaign insisted that the donations had been entirely in line with federal law.

A spokesman for Crenshaw said that while the congressmans wife, Tara Crenshaw, was still in the employ of Pink Cilantro, her work was separate from the work commissioned by Crenshaws campaign.

A section of Rep. Crenshaws financial disclosures labels Pink Cilantro as spouse salary.

Pink Cilantro was first commissioned by Crenshaw to develop his branding in 2018, when Crenshaw mounted his first bid for office.

According to Open Secrets, Crenshaws campaign has paid Pink Cilantro just over $260,000 in 2022 as part of Crenshaws reelection bid.

Financial disclosures by Open Secrets show that Pink Cilantro has been commissioned by Reps. Crenshaw and Kinzinger in 2022.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), whose work on the Jan. 6 Committee has alienated him from other Republicans, also commissioned Pink Cilantro this year for his new organization, Country First. Kinzinger was reportedly impressed by the success of the firm in marketing Crenshaw. Kinzinger is not seeking reelection.

A Non-Issue: Crenshaw Spokesman

Justin Discigil, a spokesman for Crenshaw, called the story a non-issue, and denied any wrongdoing by Crenshaw, his wife, or his campaign staff.

Its not his wifes firm, Discigil said. Tara doesnt own pink cilantro. She had no role in establishing Pink Cilantro. Tara was contracted by Pink Cilantro to do promotion and distribution management for Dans book, Fortitude. Okay, so all of the money that she earned working for Pink Cilantro was solely related to the book and it was commissioned from book sales.

Discigil confirmed reports that Tara Crenshaws total income from Pink Cilantro was $60,000, and was all from her work on marketing and promoting her husbands book.

The spokesman added that Crenshaws campaign has worked with Pink Cilantro since well before Crenshaws wife began working for the firm, explaining that Pink Cilantro has done most of their promotion work since Crenshaws campaign in 2018.

[Crenshaw] started working with [Pink Cilantro] going back to when he started running for office, Discigil explained. They manage and design all of our websites. So the current Crenshaw for Congress website, the Crenshaw Youth Summit website, they manage all of those.

He continued: They also do all of our merchandise, so they design our merchandise. They distribute our merchandise. They handle our online store. And when we hold events like recently, we had the Crenshaw Youth Summit, they design and set up booths to sell our merchandise and stack them with their employees to sell our merchandise. They also do lead generation for us on Facebook with Facebook ads and design graphics for Facebook ads.

Tara Crenshaw only onboarded with Pink Cilantro, Discigil said, in 2020 as part of the team to market Crenshaws book. He emphasized that she has done no work on the campaign side of the firm.

Tara was paid for specific services, you know, by a firm that we use for a completely different set of services, Discigil added. And all of this is done under in full compliance with all relevant rules and regulations.
Republicans Sue Pennsylvania Officials Who Said Theyll Accept Mail-In Ballots Without Dates

Republicans are suing Pennsylvania officials after the states top election official said mail-in ballots without dates will be accepted, in contravention of state law.

A group of Pennsylvania voters, the Republican National Committee, and the Pennsylvania Republican Party filed the lawsuit (pdf) with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, asking justices to quickly declare illegal the guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of State regarding ballots that dont have dates.

Acting Pennsylvania Secretary of State Leigh Chapman said on Oct. 11 that every county is expected to include undated ballots in their official returns for the Nov. 8 election, consistent with the Department of States guidance. The guidance (pdf), last updated in September, states that any ballot-return envelope that is undated or dated with an incorrect date but that has been timely received by the county shall be included in the vote count.

State law states that any voter who uses an absentee or mail-in ballot must fill out, date, and sign the declaration thats printed on the envelope used to submit such a ballot, Republicans noted in their suit.

Petitioners ask the Court to issue a declaration that the date requirement is valid and mandatory, and that the Acting Secretarys contrary guidance is invalid. Moreover, to preserve the rights of all voters and candidates, the Court should immediately issue an order directing county boards of elections to segregate any undated or incorrectly dated ballots received for the 2022 general election, the suit reads.

Some counties have said that they intend to segregate undated ballots but many havent, the Republicans said, underlining the need to act quickly with the midterm election taking place in November.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) also joined in the lawsuit.

As the Pennsylvania legislature and U.S. Supreme Court have made clear, undated mail-in ballots should not be counted, Tom Emmer, chairman of the NRCC; Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee; and Lawrence Tabas, chairman of the state Republican Party, said in a joint statement.

Republicans are holding Pennsylvania Democrats accountable for their brazen defiance of the Supreme Court and the rules duly set by the legislature. Pennsylvania Democrats have a history of election integrity failures and Pennsylvanians deserve better: this lawsuit is the latest step in Republican efforts to promote free, fair, and transparent elections in the Keystone State.

The Pennsylvania Department of State didnt respond to a request for comment.

Chapman issued her latest statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the matter, vacating an appeals court decision that required officials in Pennsylvania to count mail-in ballots even if there were no dates on the envelopes.

She claimed that the order didnt affect a previous decision by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, which ruled that both state and federal law bar officials from not counting ballots without dates on the envelopes.
Approved | 1h 44min | Action, Adventure, History | 1952

Over the years, Ive become a big fan of Gregory Pecks work. Hes a very versatile actor whom Ive always associated with dramatic character-driven film roles, such as the gentlemanly out-of-towner James McKay in the magnificent Western The Big Country (1958), or the brooding bad-boy-trying-to-go-straight Jimmy Ringo in The Gunfighter (1950).

But when I think of comedy, I never really identify films of that nature with Peck. That is, until I recently saw the swashbuckling seaborne adventure yarn The World in His Arms. Directed by celebrated director Raoul Walsh (the man responsible for introducing John Wayne to the world in 1930s The Big Trail), this movie has one of the most hilarious first acts Ive ever seen, and Pecks impeccable (pun intended) comedic flourishes are a huge part of it.

Gregory Peck as Captain Jonathan Clark (C) along with right-hand man John McIntire as Deacon Greathouse in The World in His Arms. (Universal-International)

The film opens with some great shots of a dark-hulled sailboat cutting through blue, whitecapped seas, while title cards read: History records that the United States purchased Alaska on March 30, 1867.  This was the realization of a dream that started many years before, when Captain Jonathan Clark anchored his schooner, the Pilgrim of Salem, among a thousand abandoned ships that lay rotting in  San Francisco 1850.

So sets the stage for Captain Clark (Gregory Peck), known colloquially as The Boston Man, and his adventures in the still-Russian-owned waters off the coast of Alaska. Clark and his crusty crew frequently sail up the coast, catch seals, and then sail back down to California as quickly as they can (in order to avoid the Russians) so that they can sell their pelts for some pretty good profit.

Clark and his crew sail into San Franciscos rowdy Barbary Coast, after a particularly lucrative seal haul, and set themselves up in a grand hotel called The Occidental.

Clark organizes a large party for later that evening, and an assortment of interesting characters eventually begin to trickle in. This includes Clarks regular good-time-girl Mamie (Andrea King) and her gaggle of bar girls; Clarks maritime rival Portugee (Anthony Quinn), whos half-crazed; and beautiful Russian Countess Marina Selanova (Ann Blyth).

(LR) Ann Blyth as Countess Marina Selanova, Gregory Peck as Capt. Jonathan Clark, and Andrea King as Mamie in The World in His Arms. (Universal-International)

Initially, Marina and her retainers had planned for Portugee to sail them to the Russian-Alaskan town of Sitka, where her aristocratic uncle, Gen. Ivan Vorashilov (Sig Ruman), could shelter her from another aristocrat whom she was originally scheduled to marry, Prince Semyon (Carl Esmond).

However, when she learns that Clark has stolen back his original crew from Portugee, she hatches a plan to try and convince Clark to transport her.

Although Clark doesnt like Russians, hes instantly captivated by Marinas beauty, drawn to her like a barnacle to a ship. He takes her out on a night on the town, where his casual, fun-loving American ways strike a chord with her since shes tired of being around stodgy blue bloods, so much so that they fall in love and agree to marry.

However, just before Clark and Marina are about to tie the knot, Prince Semyon sails into port and captures Marina and her retinue. The dastardly prince whisks them away to Alaska and threatens to have Marinas uncle done away with if she doesnt honor their arranged marriage. Thus begins Clarks quest to rescue her.

Rival Hilarity

Although this film gets more and more serious as the stakes get higher, it starts off in a side-splitting manner, with plenty of guffaws coming from Quinns over-the-top portrayal of oddball sailor Portugee. Peck also proves that hes got the chops and timing down for comedy, as his dry humor and amusing expressions add lots of levity to the chaotic, fast-paced proceedings.

Rivals Anthony Quinn (L) as Portugee and Gregory Peck as Capt. Jonathan Clark face off in The World in His Arms. (Universal-International)

Blyth is believable as a Russian countess, and her romantic orbit with Pecks character seems natural. Fortunately, theres not much romantic play between them; rather, a lot of their chemistry comes from how they look at each other, as well as a hint of naughtiness. This is the 1950s, after all, so what youre going to see is all classy and implied.

Seeing Peck cast against type as a wild, happy-go-lucky adventurer seemed a little odd at first. But once I got hip to his unique brand of comedy (thanks in no small part to the stellar supporting cast), the movie flowed. If I had one regret, it would be that I wished it had been a longer voyage.

Promotional ad for The World in His Arms. (Universal-International)

The World in His Arms

Director: Raoul Walsh

Starring: Gregory Peck, Ann Blyth, Anthony Quinn

MPAA Rating: PG

Running Time: 1 hour, 44 minutes

Release Date: Oct. 9, 1952

Rated: 4.5 stars out of 5
Rescuers and firefighters work in a damaged residential building, hit by Russian missiles in Kyiv on June 26, 2022, amid Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia Strikes Critical Infrastructure Across Ukraine, Including Kyiv

The Russian military struck positions throughout Ukraineincluding the capital Kyivon Oct. 17, as Western powers promised to ramp up support for the beleaguered nation.

According to Ukrainian officials, Russian forces used drones to hit targets in Kyiv, while also shelling multiple positions elsewhere in the country.

Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said via messaging app Telegram, claiming that at least one residential building in Kyiv had been struck.

The enemy can attack our cities, but it wont be able to break us  we will get victory, Zelensky said.

Ukrainian officials said the Kyiv attackswhich reportedly killed at least three peoplehad featured Iranian-built suicide drones, which detonate themselves upon reaching their targets.

Iran, for its part, has repeatedly denied that it is supplying combat drones to Russia, while the Kremlin has refrained from commenting on the claims.

Last month, Ukraine revoked the credentials of Irans ambassador to Kyiv amid allegations that Tehran was supplying Russia with advanced Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles.

The latest strikes come one week after Russian forces carried out a similar barrage of drone and missile attacks targeting what Moscow described as critical infrastructure in Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine.

That initial wave of attacks on Oct. 10 came shortly after a road-and-rail bridge linking mainland Russia to the Crimean Peninsula was severely damaged by a deadly truck bombing for which Moscow has blamed Ukraines clandestine services.

Allies Vow More Support

Kyivs Western allies, meanwhile, have reiterated their ongoing support for Ukraine in the face of steadily escalating bombardments by Russian forces.

On Oct. 16, France pledged to provide Ukraine with advanced air-defense systems and expand training programs for Ukrainian military personnel. Two days earlier, the United States announced plans to provide Ukraine with a fresh $725 million military-aid package.

Whats more, on Oct. 17as Russia was striking targets in KyivNATO began conducting nuclear exercises over the skies of northwestern Europe.

Fourteen of the alliances 30 member states are set to take part in the annual wargames, which will be held over the North Sea and in UK and Belgian airspace until the end of October.

And in a notable shift on Oct. 16, Nachman Shai, Israels Minister of Diaspora Affairs, urged his country to increase military assistance to Ukraine.

Until now, Israeli contributions to the Ukrainian war effort have been largely confined to non-lethal military equipment.

Echoing recent claims in the U.S. media that Iran was supplying ballistic missilesas well as dronesto Russia, Shai said in a post on Twitter: There is no longer any doubt where Israel should stand in this bloody conflict.

The time has come for Ukraine to receive military aid [from Israel] as well, he asserted, just as the USA and NATO countries provide.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, responded to Shais appeal by saying, Israel seems to be planning to send weapons to the Kiev regime. This is a very reckless move.

Speaking on Telegram, Medvedev added: It will destroy all interstate relations between our nations.

Steadily Escalating Conflict

The military situation in Ukraine has steadily escalated since Sept. 30, when Moscow formally incorporated four regions of the countryDonetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Khersoninto the Russian Federation.

The move followed referendums held in all four regions, in which a majority of residents voted to join Russia, according to Russian and pro-Russian sources.

Kyiv and its Western allies, however, say the step amounts to the unilateral annexation of the territories by Russia, and refuse to recognize the results of the polls.

Russian forces and their local allies currently hold about 60 percent of Donetsk and almost all of Luhansk.

Together, the two territories comprise the Russian-speaking Donbas region, which has remained the primary focus of Moscows special military operation in Ukraine, which began almost eight months ago.

Pro-Russian figures in Donbas say that, since 2014, the regions civilian populations have suffered frequent abuseslargely ignored by the Western mediaat the hands of the Ukrainian army and paramilitary groups.

Authorities in Kyiv, for their part, deny the claims.

Russian forces also currently control roughly 70 percent of the southern Zaporizhzhia region and almost all of neighboring Kherson.

All four regions remain the scene of frequent fighting, mostly in the form of tit-for-tat artillery barrages across the roughly 1,100-kilometer-long frontline.

Both sides continue to accuse each other of shelling civilian areas. On Oct. 16, pro-Russian officials in the city of Donetsk accused the Ukrainian military of targeting the local mayors office.

The Epoch Times was unable to verify the claim.

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Flames and smoke rise from the scene where a warplane crashed into a residential area in Yeysk, Russia, on Oct. 17, 2022, in this still from video. (Ostorozhno Novosti via AP)

Russian Warplane Crashes Near Apartment Building, Killing 4

MOSCOWA Russian warplane crashed Monday into a residential area in a Russian city on the Sea of Azov after suffering engine failure, killing at least four people and leaving six others missing after a massive blaze that engulfed several floors of a nine-story apartment building.

A Su-34 bomber came down in the port city of Yeysk after one of its engines caught fire during takeoff for a training mission, the Russian Defense Ministry said. It said both crew members bailed out safely, but the plane crashed into a residential area, causing a fire as tons of fuel exploded on impact.

Authorities said at least four residents were killed, six were missing, and 25 others were injured, including eight people who were in grave condition. The authorities reserved emergency rooms at local hospitals and scrambled medical aircraft. At least 17 apartments were affected by the fire, and about 100 residents were evacuated and provided with temporary accommodations.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed about the crash and dispatched the ministers of health and emergencies along with the local governor to the site. Yeysk, a city of 90,000, is home to a big Russian air base.

Several hours after the crash, regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev said emergency services managed to contain the fire, making the evacuation of residents in adjacent buildings unnecessary.

Surveillance cam videos posted on Russian messaging app channels showed a plane exploding in a giant fireball. Other videos showed an apartment building engulfed by flames and loud bangs from the apparent detonation of the warplanes weapons.

The Su-34 is a supersonic twin-engine bomber equipped with sophisticated sensors and weapons that has been a key strike component of the Russian air force. The aircraft has seen wide use during the war in Syria and the fighting in Ukraine.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) welcomes U.S. President Joe Biden to Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 15, 2022. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP)

Saudi Arabias Defense Minister Astonished by False Accusations That Kingdom Sided With Russia

Saudi Arabias defense minister, Khalid bin Salman, has rejected claims that the kingdom has sided with Russia in its war with Ukraine following OPECs decision to slash oil production by 2 million barrels a day.

Taking to Twitter on Oct. 16, the defense minister re-tweeted a post from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dated Oct. 14 in which the leader thanked the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, for supporting Ukraines territorial integrity and voting to condemn Russias annexation of large swaths of the country.

Saudi Arabia pledged $400 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine on Saturday.

We agreed to interact in the release of prisoners of war. We agreed on the provision of macro-financial aid to Ukraine, Zelenskyy wrote following a phone call with the crown prince.

Alongside the re-tweet, Khalid bin Salman wrote that Saudi officials were astonished by accusations that it is siding with Russia, adding that it is telling that these false accusations did not come from the Ukrainian government.

Although the OPEC+ decision, which was taken unanimously, was due to purely economic reasons, some accused the Kingdom of standing with Russia, bin Salman wrote in a separate post. Iran is also a member of OPEC, does this mean that the Kingdom is standing with Iran as well?

OPEC+ members announced on Oct. 5 the unanimous decision to cut down oil production amid uncertainty surrounding global economic and oil market outlooks.

A number of OPEC+ member states have since released statements endorsing the steep cuts, including Iraq, the second-largest producer in OPEC, Oman, and Bahrain. They have said the cuts were decided in an effort to create market stability and avoid volatility.

Now Is Not the Time to Be Aligning With Russia

However, the Biden administration, which has for months pursued failed attempts to lobby the Saudi kingdom to produce more oil, quickly condemned the groups decision, claiming that it was aligning with Russia.

Russia is a key member of OPEC.

We believe by the decision that OPEC+ made last week, [Saudi Arabia is] certainly aligning themselves with Russia, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during an Oct. 11 press briefing when asked if the administration believes Saudi Arabia sides with Russia in the Ukraine conflict. And right now, this is not the time to be aligning with Russia, especially with this brutal, unprecedented war that they started in Ukraine.

Elsewhere, White House and Pentagon spokesman John Kirby accused Riyadh of pushing other countries into making the decision to cut oil production.

The Saudi foreign ministry can try to spin or deflect, but the facts are simple. The world is rallying behind Ukraine in combating Russian aggression, Kirby said in a statement earlier this month.

Kirby added that some OPEC nations had privately communicated to U.S. officials that they were coerced into supporting Saudi Arabias decision but stopped short of naming which nations had allegedly made those statements.

In an interview with CNN on Oct. 12, President Joe Biden said that Washington must now rethink its relationship with Riyadh following the announced production cuts.

I am in the process, when the House and Senate gets back, theyre going to have totheres going to be some consequences for what theyve done with Russia, Biden said.
Born 18 weeks early to an Oklahoma family, a premature baby girl is beating all the odds as she approaches her first birthday.

Cherie Malarney, 41, and Eric Malarney, 44, from Oklahoma City, have been married for nine years. They had three sons together before Cherie became pregnant with their first daughter. Due to her age, it was considered a high-risk pregnancy.

Baby Eris was due on March 27 this year, but on Nov. 19, 2021, Cherie developed preeclampsia, a disorder of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure. She was rushed to Oklahoma Childrens Hospital. The couple had only found out the week prior that they were expecting a baby girl.

Suddenly, Cheries dreams of a happy pregnancy, complete with a baby shower, and maternity photoshoot, were dashed.

I woke at 6 a.m. bleeding, she told The Epoch Times. After having uncontrollable high blood pressure for a couple days, the doctor recommended for me to deliver, but my heart wouldnt let me. A doctor told me I would have to stay in the hospital until my due date  I was unprepared, but willing and ready to do whatever it took.

The next day in the hospital, Cheries blood pressure increased. Doctors again recommended she deliver, but warned that her baby girl would not make it.

Cherie gave birth to her baby daughter at 22 weeks. (Courtesy of Cherie Malarney)

Baby Eris weighed just 12.5 ounces at birth. (Courtesy of Cherie Malarney)

I Immediately Fell to the Floor and Prayed to God

Cherie said: They explained to me that babies that size just dont survive. I told the doctor, She is strong and I feel her moving all the time. His reply to me was, That doesnt matterbabies that size dont make it.

The doctors left the room, and I immediately fell to the floor and prayed to God.

Thinking of her husband and sons, and the fact that she risked a life-threatening hemorrhage, Cherie agreed to an emergency Caesarean section. Prayer gave her and Eric the strength to hope their baby would survive. They pleaded with doctors, Do everything you can to save her.

Eris was delivered on Nov. 23, 2021, at 22 weeks and two days gestation. She weighed just 12.5 ounces (0.35 kg) and was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where doctors predicted she would not survive beyond 48 hours. If she did, they said, she would not have any quality of life, and not be able to walk, talk, run, or do the things that most kids do.

But the miracle baby, Eris, had other ideas.

Without Our Faith, She Would Not Be Here

Cherie said that seeing their baby girl for the first time was one of their proudest moments in life.

She was strong, like we said she was, Cherie said. It was also the scariest time of our entire life. [But] once we made it past those first 48 hours, we knew that God was going to keep her. She is a blessing from above.

Eric was the first to visit their daughter in the NICU. Cherie, heavily medicated after the birth, first saw her little girl 24 hours later.

It was touch-and-go for the first two days. Eris was resuscitated twice on Thanksgiving; both times, Cherie and Eric were called in to say goodbye. I screamed and prayed to God while they were working on her, Cherie said.

In late December, Eris contracted necrotizing enterocolitis, which caused an intestinal blockage and her lungs to collapse every day in the month of January. She had numerous blood transfusions and a stomach drain placed to empty her bowel. She contracted sepsis and meningitis. After a grade 4 brain bleed and hydrocephalus, she had a shunt fitted and has since had 12 surgeries to fix malfunctions or infections caused by the shunt.

But Eris has overcome every obstacle. Shes even earned herself a reputation among her nurses for being feisty. After two weeks of Eris being in the NICU, Cherie began sharing her daughters progress on social media with family and friends, who pray together.

I believe without our faith, she would not be here, Cherie said. My family has been praying non-stop from the moment I found out I had to deliver.

She has defeated the odds every step of the way; she has done everything that they said she wouldnt do from the moment she was born.

Holding Onto Faith

Eris remained on an oxygen ventilator for her first seven months of life, and at the time of Cheries interview with The Epoch Times, had spent 318 days in the NICU. Cherie has spent up to eight hours at the hospital every day, all while managing her home and home-schooling her 6-year-old, while Eric works to pay their impending medical bills.

Its mentally exhausting. For months I would get anxiety every time my phone rang, Cherie said. Being in here feels like being on a rollercoaster ride, and no one will stop and let you off.

But Cherie balances the stress of Eriss ups and downs by focusing on the precious moments, like dressing up her baby in beautiful clothes with a matching bow and taking photos.

Eris needs one more shunt revision, a feeding tube, and laser eye surgery for ROP eye disease (a condition that can lead to blindness in preemies with very low birth weights).

The couples main concerns are Eriss brain damage, seizures, hydrocephalus, and chronic lung disease. She may also have cerebral palsy. But amid constant bloodwork, MRIs, ultrasounds, surgeries, and visits with therapists and specialists, Cherie describes her now-10-month-old, 18-pound daughter as the sweetest and strongest little baby in the whole world.

She is unfazed by anything, she said.

Every time Eris gets close to a discharge date, something comes up. At the time of writing, she has a blood clot and will spend her first birthday in the hospital. But Cherie hopes her baby will head home before the year is out; her family is finally at a place of healing, instead of surviving.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
A photo taken on Aug. 10, 2022 shows cows waiting to be milked on a dairy farm near Cambridge in New Zealand's Waikato region on Oct. 11, 2022. William West/AFP via Getty Images)

Signing Bidens Methane Pledge a Betrayal of Farmers: Opposition Leader

The Australian Labor government will have betrayed its election promise to support farmers if it considers signing up to the Biden administrations global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent, opposition leader Peter Dutton has said.

This follows comments from Agricultural Minister Murray Watt on ABC Radio on Oct. 13 that the federal government was consulting with farm groups and individual farmers about what the impacts would be of signing up for the pledge.

Speaking on the John Laws Morning Show on 2SM Radio on Oct. 14, Dutton said that the federal government considering the pledge was a shocking day for farmers.

Weve had since 1991 one of the biggest reductions in methane emissions in the world, more than the United States and other comparable countries. If were saying to farmers that we need you to cull your stock or to reduce your numbers to make your farm unviable, then I think that is a shocking day for farmers and for our country, Dutton said.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton MP reacts during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on July 28, 2022. (Martin Ollman/Getty Images)

The opposition leader said that he did not support the methane pledge for the moment.

I think Australia does a lot in the environmental spacea lot more, frankly, than say China or India does in terms of their own emissionsand sending our country broke or sending our farmers broke is not the solution, he said.

I think [Climate Change Minister] Chris Bowen needs to be very clear here because before the election he gave an indication to farmers that he wasnt going to do this and now he is.

Government Believes Methane Pledge No Danger to Agriculture Sector

Yet the Federal Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt believes that the pledge will not affect the sector.

He told ABC Radio that the pledge would not lead to a mass cull of cattle in the country, but rather it was an aspirational pledge to bring down methane emissions.

He also said it was supported by industry citing groups such as Meat and Livestock Australia, the Red Meat Advisory Council and others already have commitments in place to reach carbon neutral meat production by 2030.

One of the things that industry has been saying to me is that theyre actually quite comfortable with these things, especially if government is prepared to provide support for the expanded use of aspargopsisthe seaweed that can help bring down methane, Watt said.

The Australian agricultural sector is pursuing new technology to address methane emissions with groups such as Meat and Livestock Australia, the CSIRO (the governments chief scientific body), and James Cook University working together to develop a livestock supplement called FutureFeedmade from aspargopsis seaweedthat is said to reduce methane emissions from livestock by up to 80 percent.

Watt called it a really exciting opportunity to create a new industry for Australia while bringing down our emissions in our livestock industry.

Support Industry, Not Regulate It: Farmers Representative

Tony Maher, CEO of the National Farmers Federation, said reducing emissions should not be a regulatory challenge but a technological one.

What we need is continued focus on the technology breakthroughs that will enable us to drive emissions lower while continuing to supply the world with food and fibre, Maher previously told The Epoch Times.

He said the red meat industry set its sights on carbon neutrality by 2030 and had cut emissions by 53 percent compared to 2005 levels. Maher said the group had already taken steps to develop the Australian Agriculture Sustainability Frameworkcalling it a world-first partnership between industry and government.

His comments come as farmers in New Zealand, the Netherlands, Canada, and Ireland launched protests against government emissions regulations.

Farmers in The Netherlands have protested en masse after the government ordered the agricultural sector cut nitrogen emissions from livestock, according to The New York Times, even via cutting herd numbers or closing farms.

While in New Zealand, Federated Farmersa lobbying group for farmers with over 13,000 membersdenounced the Ardern governments decision to tax farmers for their emissions.

The envisaged plan aims to cut emissions in dairy farming by five percent and sheep and beef farming by 20 percent. The group lambasted the targets calling them unscientific and pulled-out-of-a-hat according to an online post on Oct. 11.

We didnt sign up for this. Its gut-wrenching to think we now have this proposal from government which rips the heart out of the work we did, said Andrew Hoggard, Federated Farmers National president.

Our plan was to keep farmers farming. Now theyll be selling up so fast you wont even hear the dogs barking on the back of the ute [pickup truck] as they drive off.
The Kakao messaging application and the Kakao T taxi booking application are seen on a mobile phone in this illustration photo March 13, 2018. (Thomas White/Illustration/Reuters)

South Koreas KakaoTalk Partially Restored After Fire at Data Center Fire Causes 11-Hour Outage

South Koreas tech powerhouse Kakao Corp. has restored 40 percent of its data centers servers 11 hours after a fire at its data center caused service disruptions across some of the nations most used tech platforms.

Servers hosted at a data center operated by SK C&C in Pangyo, south of Seoul, caught fire on Saturday, causing outages for major platforms like Kakao and Naver from 3:30 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday local time.

Kakaos vice president, Yang Hyun-seo, said that 12,000 out of 32,000 servers had been restored as of Sunday. Kakaos chat app, online payment unit, and gaming platform have yet to be fully restored.

It is hard to tell exactly how long it will take before KakaoTalk and other services can be fully restored, Yang told reporters.

Kakao said it had created an Emergency Response Committee comprising three sub-committees to investigate the cause of the incident, develop disaster countermeasures, and arrange compensation for Kakaos users and partners.

In the next week, we plan to establish a channel to report damage and start receiving reports of damage. Based on the reported information, the company plans to discuss the subject and scope of compensation, it said in a blog post.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire, although an initial probe revealed that electrical difficulties in the third-floor battery room of the data center building may have been the source of the incident.

The tech companys shares dropped more than 9 percent on Monday following the incident, while shares in Kakaos affiliates, KakaoPay and KakaoBank, plunged more than 8 percent in morning trade.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Monday urged officials to ensure the swift restoration of Kakaos services, which he described as a fundamental national telecommunications network, and called for follow-up measures.

If the market is distorted in a monopoly or severe oligopoly, to the extent where it serves a similar function as national infrastructure, the government should take necessary measures for the sake of the people, he said.

Kakaos messenger app KakaoTalk has more than 47 million active accounts in South Korea and 53 million globally, the company said in a report in August.

Yoon said that he had instructed South Koreas antitrust watchdog to examine the matter.

Meanwhile, South Korean online platform Naver said in a statement on Saturday that all its services have been restored.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Special Counsel Durham Takes Aim at FBI in Closing Arguments in Danchenko Trial

ALEXANDRIA, Va.FBI agents investigating the anti-Donald Trump dossier authored by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele should have done a better job investigating the truthfulness of its source, special counsel John Durham said in closing arguments for the sources trial on Oct. 17.

Durham said FBI agents should have performed a detailed review of Igor Danchenko, the source, and his statements, including a behavioral assessment, an examination of Danchenkos finances, and a polygraph test, at least some of which were recommended by FBI experts.

With the evidence presented during the trial, jurors could conclude that the FBI mishandled the investigation, according to Durham.

The government is not here to defend the FBIs performance in these matters, he said.

The important thing is how the probe started, Durham noted.

Danchenko has taken credit for the bulk of the information in the dossier, a collection of rumors, lies, and innuendo that painted Trump as potentially under the thumb of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was hyped by Trump rival Hillary Clinton, who was later revealed as being one of the documents funders.

Danchenko allegedly lied to FBI agents when he told them that he didnt speak with Charles Dolan, a Clinton associate, about information in the dossier, even though an email from Dolan to Danchenko made its way, nearly word-for-word, into the finished product. Defense lawyers said Danchenko understood the word talked as communicating orally, an argument that helped convince the judge overseeing the case to toss the charge.

Danchenko was also charged with making false statements about thinking he spoke with Sergei Millian, a pro-Trump businessman, over the phone. No phone records support communications between the pair, and Danchenko later wrote emails to Millian and at least one other person as if he had never spoken with Millian.

In one email, Danchenko wrote that Sergei doesnt respond, with no mention of a call or a planned meeting.

Igor Danchenko outside the U.S. courthouse in Alexandria, Va., on Oct. 11, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The false statements impacted the bureaus investigation into the dossier, Durhams team alleges.

The focus of deliberations should be whether the statements affected the FBIs actions, Michael Keilty, an assistant special counsel, told the jury before deliberations began.

That is all you need to consider, he said.

Danchenko told dossier author Steele, a Clinton supporter and ex-British spy, that he met Millian in person, but he later informed FBI agents that he actually lied to Steele, according to the agents.

Stuart Sears, one of Danchenkos lawyers, said Danchenko made clear to Steele that the information he was passing on was rumor and speculation and that Danchenko told FBI agents that he didnt know if anything in the dossier was true.

Sears described his client as being shocked and upset by how Steele presented the information in the dossier, which was utilized by the U.S. government to get warrants to spy on former Trump campaign associate Carter Page and in other aspects of Crossfire Hurricane, which Durham was tasked with probing by former Attorney General William Barr.

Sears also noted that Kevin Helson, Danchenkos handling agent, actually told Danchenko to erase information from his phone after his identity as a source became known to the public.

And Danchenko was clear that he believed, but wasnt sure, that the person on the phone was Millian. Further, FBI agents didnt ask detailed follow-up questions, Sears said.

John Haughey Follow John Haughey has been a working journalist since 1978 with an extensive background in local government, state legislatures, and growth and development. A graduate of the University of Wyoming, he is a Navy veteran who fought fires at sea during three deployments aboard USS Constellation. Hes been a reporter for daily newspapers in California, Washington, Wyoming, New York, and Florida; a staff writer for Manhattan-based business trade publications.
A man waves a Sri Lankan national flag as he stands on a barricade blocking the entrance to president's office during a protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on April 11, 2022. (Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo)

Sri Lanka Seeks Trilateral Cooperation With India, Japan for Economic Recovery: Envoy

Sri Lanka has sought trilateral cooperation with India and Japan in the renewable energy, petroleum, telecoms, and port sectors to hasten its economic recovery, the Sri Lankan high commissioner to India said on Monday.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe discussed trilateral cooperation with India and Japan during his visit to Tokyo, High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda said in an interview with The Times of India.

He was referring to Wickremesinghes visit to Tokyo on Sept. 28, during which he attended the funeral of Japans former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and discussed debt restructuring with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Sri Lanka is also in talks with Israel and the United Arab Emirates for trilateral cooperation with India. Moragoda believes that Indias ties could help Sri Lanka achieve sustainable economic recovery.

Sustainable recovery is important and we would like to look at ways we can integrate with the Indian economy. Had we integrated with the Indian economy earlier, we would have grown very, very fast, he said.

Sri Lanka had $10 billion in bilateral debt as of August, of which 44 percent is owed to China, according to Sri Lankas finance ministry (pdf). Japan holds 32 percent of Sri Lankas debt, while India holds another 10 percent.

Sri Lanka Recognizes Indias Security Concerns As Its Own

The rivalry between China and India appears to complicate matters for Sri Lanka, which leased its Hambantota port to China for 99 years in 2017 to convert its Chinese loan into equity. India has been concerned that the port will be used as a military base.

Earlier in August, Sri Lanka allowed a Chinese research vesseldescribed as a spy ship by Indias mediato dock at the Hambantota port for replenishment despite Indias security objections.

Moragoda said that Sri Lanka and India had discussed mechanisms to ensure that the port would not be used by a foreign country in any way detrimental to Indias interests, which is in line with their bilateral agreement.

Our security concerns are totally in line. The basic principle is that we believe that a security threat to India is also a security threat to us, and we assume India also thinks the same, he added.

Moragoda denied that the IndiaChina rivalry had an impact on Sri Lankas debt restructuring talks with creditors, which are required for Sri Lanka to obtain an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package.

I dont think it [the IndiaChina rivalry] has affected the talks but its a fact that politics in our region has entered a dangerous phase. Theres no question that geopolitics has a bearing on every aspect of what we do, he said.

Wickremesinghe said Sunday that Sri Lanka had initiated debt restructuring talks with China, India, and Japan. The country reached an IMF staff-level agreement on a $2.9 billion bailout fund in early September, which requires financing assurances from its major creditors.
Undated photo of John Fitisemanu, lead plaintiff in Fitisemanu v. United States, a lawsuit seeking a declaration that American Samoans are full U.S. citizens. (Photo courtesy of Equally American)

Supreme Court Wont Hear Case About American Samoans Being Denied Full Citizenship

The Supreme Court on Oct. 17 refused to consider a challenge to an appeals court decision denying full U.S. citizenship to American Samoans.

American Samoa, which is roughly 1,600 miles northeast of New Zealand and more than 2,000 miles southwest of Hawaii, became a U.S. territory in 1900. It has a population of about 55,000, but more than 100,000 American Samoans reside in the continental United States, mostly in the west. Congress adopted laws granting citizenship to those born in other U.S. territoriesthe Northern Marianas, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Ricobut not to those born in American Samoa.

Residents of the territory cant vote in presidential elections and lack a voting representative in Congress, but American Samoans can apply for full U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process.

Many American Samoans defend the current status of their territory.

Most property in American Samoa is owned communally among families. Within villages, there are communal lands where extended families live together. Family members select chiefs, or matai, to regulate village life and oversee the land. Samoan law restricts the sale of most property to anyone with less than 50% Samoan ancestry, according to a 2020 article by The Associated Press.

The Biden administration filed a brief urging the Supreme Court not to take the case.

In the case, American Samoans living in Utah filed a lawsuit in 2018, asserting that because they are deemed non-citizen nationals instead of U.S. citizens, they are denied various rights, such as voting, that U.S. citizens take for granted. Their U.S. passports contain an endorsement that reads, The bearer is a United States national and not a United States citizen.

The Supreme Court turned away the case, Fitisemanu v. United States, court file 21-1394, in an unsigned order. No justices dissented from the ruling. No reasons were provided for the decision.

The lead plaintiff, John Fitisemanu, expressed disappointment in the ruling.

Its a punch in the gut for the Justices to leave in place a ruling that says I am not equal to other Americans simply because I was born in a U.S. territory. I was born on U.S. soil, have a U.S. passport, and pay my taxes like everyone else, Fitisemanu told The Epoch Times in a statement.

But because of a discriminatory federal law, I am not recognized as a U.S. citizen. As a result, I cant even vote in local elections, much less for president. This is un-American and cannot be squared with Americas democratic and constitutional principles.

The trial judge in the case, Utah-based Clark Waddoups of the U.S. District Court, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, ruled in December 2019 that American Samoans were full U.S. citizens and ordered the Trump administration to issue the plaintiffs in the case new passports reflecting their full-citizen status.

In his 69-page ruling , Waddoups wrote that the court was not imposing citizenship by judicial fiat.

The action is required by the mandate of the Fourteenth Amendment as construed and applied by Supreme Court precedent, he wrote.

At the time, the United States government argued in a brief that such a novel holding would be contrary to the decisions of every court of appeals to have considered the question, inconsistent with over a century of historical practice by all three branches of the United States government, and conflict with the strong objection of the local government of American Samoa.

In June 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ruled against Fitisemanu, finding that neither constitutional text nor Supreme Court precedent demands the district courts interpretation of the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Congress plays the preeminent role in the determination of citizenship in unincorporated territorial lands, and  the courts play but a subordinate role in the process.

The people of American Samoa do not support the granting of U.S. citizenship and have urged the court not to impose citizenship on an unwilling people from a courthouse thousands of miles away. The circumstances advise against the extension of birthright citizenship to American Samoa.

Neil Weare, president of Equally American and co-counsel in the case, told The Epoch Times in a statement that hes displeased by the ruling. The group advocates for equality and civil rights in U.S. territories.

Todays inaction by the Justices highlights the fact that America has a colonies problem. On top of that, our country stubbornly refuses to recognize that this problem even exists, much less do anything about it, he said.
Sydney pro-democracy activists held a flash mob pop-up event to support Peng Lifa, the man who held banners at Sitong Bridge, Beijing on Oct. 16, 2022. (The Epoch Times)

Sydney Pro-Democracy Activists Voice Support for Bridge Man

Pro-democracy Chinese activists held events at four landmarks in Sydney to support the bridge man who protested in Beijing last week.

On Oct. 16, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s 20th national congress, several pro-democracy activists from the Federation for a Democratic China gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate in Sydney to kick off the pop-up event.

They held placards that read We dont want lies; we want dignity, We dont want a leader; we want votes, and Dont be a slave, be a citizen to show their support for Peng Lifa, the man who shocked Beijing and the world.

Sydney pro-democracy activists held a flash mob pop-up event to support Peng Lifa, the man who had banners at Sitong Bridge, Beijing, on Oct. 16, 2022. (The Epoch Times)

Peng Lifa, known as Peng Zaizhou on Twitter, hung two large banners with red letters on the Sithong Bridge, a location where Beijings universities and technology companies are located, on Oct. 13, the eve before the CCPs 20th national congress. This event takes every five years when the party makes political reshuffles and policy decisions.

One banner read, Let us strike from schools and from work and remove the dictatorial traitor Xi Jinping.

The other read, We dont want COVID tests; we want to eat. We dont want lockdowns; we want freedom. We dont want lies; we want dignity. We dont want the Cultural Revolution; we want reform. We dont want a leader; we want votes. We dont want to be slaves; we want to be citizens.

Smoke could be seen swelling from the bridge as the man burnt what looked like tires to attract the attention of passers-by.

Pengs act of defiance is one of the rare occasions since the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989 that a protest banner has appeared on the streets of Beijing directly challenging the communist regimes brutal suppression of free speech. Videos and photos of Peng putting up the banners and using a loudspeaker to broadcast what he had written on the two banners soon went viral in China and overseas, although censors quickly moved to take down the news in China.

Peng was soon arrested by Beijing police. Since then, there has been no information on his whereabouts or well-being, triggering concerns in China and overseas over his safety.

People take pictures of rare banners of political protest from an overpass in Beijing on Oct. 13, 2022. (Screenshot of Fangshimins Twitter account via The Epoch Times)

Peng Sounded the Call to Action

Dr. Chin Jin, the global chair of the Federation for a Democratic China who participated in the pop-up event, said that the CCP is afraid because Pengs courage is an inspiration to ordinary Chinese people and tens of thousands overseas who seek democracy.

Peng fired the first shot of the contemporary Wuchang Uprising at the cost of his own freedom and life, Chin said, referring to the armed rebellion against the Qing dynasty in Wuchang District, Wuhan City, in 1911.

The Uprising started the Xinhai Revolution that overthrew Chinas last imperial dynasty and founded the Republic of China.

The CCP had to control the incident to prevent the Chinese people from following suit and creating a butterfly effect.

Following the incident, the Chinese authorities swiftly blocked information about the protest online.

Other than words and phrases on the banners, additional sensitive expressions such as Sitong Bridge, Beijing, Haidian (the district), banners, brave man, and courage have also been censored from Chinese social media platforms.

China needs to change, Chin said, and this brave man has already sounded the call to action.

Sydney pro-democracy activists held a flash mob pop-up event to support Peng Lifa, the man who held banners at Sitong Bridge, Beijing, on Oct. 16, 2022. (The Epoch Times)

He is Like the Tank Man

Chin compared Peng to the Tank Man, who stood in front of tanks heading for student protestors in Tiananmen Square.

He is only 48 years old, he said, yet he did such a feat, using his own life to bring light to the future for the entire Chinese people.

This man, to be honest, is not inferior to the tank man over 30 years ago.

Pengs online name Zaizhou means holding up the boat literally in English, which originates from an ancient Chinese saying, The water that bears the boat is the same that swallows it up. The proverb advises rulers to treat their people well, as they are the ones that will otherwise overthrow them.

The activists also went to the front of Sydney City Hall, Martin Place, and the Sydney Opera House. They held placards while chanting Down with CCP, Down with Xi in Chinese and English.

Some of the other activists who showed up on the day told The Epoch Times that they wanted to express their solidarity with this warrior on the occasion of the CCPs 20th National Congress.

Pictured are Wu Tong (first from right), Xie Xuefeng (second from right), Fu Shengli (third from right), Zheng Wei (third from left), Sun Li (second from left) and Zhao Lifei (first from left) who participated in the pop-up event.

The Sitong Bridge is not the first anti-Xi incident in China. A Twitter video shows a protester in a suit holding a banner near the Luohu port in Shenzhen on Jan. 14, chanting, Down with Xi Jinping! Defend reform and opening up!

He was taken away by police on the spot. Neither his name nor his whereabouts are known to the public.

A video uploaded to WeChat by Lu Yang (whose real name is Zhang Guiqi), a poet in Shandong Province before his arrest in May 2020, has been circulating online. Lu was sentenced to six years in prison in June for inciting subversion by a court in Liaocheng City, Shandong Province.

Lu Yangs daughter (@zhangyiranran) recently tweeted, Two years ago, my father, Lu Yang, was sentenced to six years in prison by a court in Liaocheng, Shandong Province, for speaking out against Xi Jinpings regime! He has not yet been freed! My father, Lu Yang and today Peng Zai Zhou are both innocent!

Dorothy Li and Sophia Lam contributed to this report.
James Carafano, Vice President of the Heritage Foundation, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole Aug. 6, 2022. (Bobby Sanchez for The Epoch Times)

Taiwans Loss of Independence Would Obstruct US From Projecting Power in Asia: James Carafano

Given Taiwans geostrategic location as first in a chain of islands, if the self-governed island falls into the hands of China, America will no longer be able to project power in Asia, according to James Carafano, director of the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies.

If the Communist China controlled everything in the first island chain, by force, from Taiwan to the South China Seas, that is a strategic blow to the United States, that really ends the United States as an Asian power, Carafano said in an interview with China in Focus program on NTD.

The independence of Taiwan is a vital interest for the United States, he said.

According to the expert, the best measure for America to help Taiwan defend against the mainland is by keeping free and open traffic in the Taiwan straits.

So the United States has to, and should, exercise the ability to defend air and sea space. Thats the biggest contribution that the United States can make, he opined.

If China controlled all the waters between Taiwan and the coast of China, then the Chinese could sneak their submarines out, their diesel submarines, out of port, and hide them there, and we couldnt get at them because we couldnt conduct whats called anti-submarine warfare.

He added that putting American troops on the ground in Taiwan actually isnt, wouldnt really be, militarily significant.

Besides a military perspective, America can fulfill its commitment to defend the island in other forms, including diplomatic, political support, economic engagement.

Equilibrium in Military Might

Carafano pointed out that the CCPs fighting power might be limited since it has not been involved in any big combat for a long time.

China hasnt fought an armed conflict on a large scale since its war with Vietnam, which was many decades ago. This is a military thats untested in combat, he said.

Its a military that is still, in part, transitioning from being primarily about providing domestic security and strategic deterrence, to being able to deploy and fight at an operational level.

Thus, it is still unclear how the regime would handle the fighting in long distance and long campaigns should it move to invade the island.

[In the case of] the long distance [fight], for example, between the mainland and Taiwan in multi-domain, which means air, sea, space, land, and under the sea, and in long campaigns, which require logistics, like moving supplies, or anything else, the Chinese have not done this for a very, very long time. So their military is, in a sense, untested, he stressed.

Carafano further took note of the regimes quantitative advantage over the United States should there be armed conflict in the Indo-Pacific.

Even though the United States does have more global military capability than China, he noted, America remains a global power with global interests and global responsibilities.

Meanwhile, China, from a military perspective, is still a regional power, he said.

So China can concentrate all its military capability in the Indo-Pacific, in the first island chain, the United States cant do that, he said.

Fighting in the Indo-Pacific is not just their only theater of war, its a home game. For us. its an away game, the expert said.

When it comes to the military might of the two powers, theres some equilibrium or some imbalance or uncertainty, in the military capabilities, he said.

And so could the Chinese launch a major campaign and think with confidence that they could overcome the United States today. I would say no, Carafano noted.

Hannah Ng Reporter Follow Hannah Ng is a reporter covering U.S. and China news. She holds a master's degree in international and development economics from the University of Applied Science Berlin.
Top GOP Lawmaker Says FBI Leaders Should Resign, Be Accountable for Wrongdoings

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) has called for FBI leaders to resign following a series of alleged wrongdoings and scandals and voiced his support for an outside commission to investigate the agency if the GOP wins control of the House in the November midterm elections.

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Comer said that there is currently a huge problem with the FBI and that the American people have lost confidence in the agency due to its increasing politicization.

Its been politicized for at least six years now, and its going in the wrong direction, Comer said. Every day another report comes out thats more damaging to the FBI. We certainly need to reform the FBI. We certainly need new leadership at the top.

His comments come after a senior FBI analyst revealed on Oct. 11 that the agency offered former British intelligence agent Christopher Steele $1 million as an incentive if he could prove the allegations made in his infamous dossier against former President Donald Trump.

A report published by the Department of Justice Inspector Generals Office on Sept. 29 also found that lawyers within the agencys National Security and Cyber Law Branch (NSCLB) had inappropriately opined on matters typically reserved for federal prosecutors.

FBI Whistleblowers Coming Forward

Comer noted that dozens of FBI agents have come forward in recent months to reveal alleged wrongdoings at the agency, which he said was encouraging.

I think the majority of the FBI agents in America want to do a good job, and we honestly need an FBI, but we dont need the leadership we have now. They should resign. They should be held accountable for wrongdoing. And weve got to repair and reform the FBI moving forward, Comer said.

When asked if he would support an outside commission to investigate the agency, Comer said he obviously would, although he noted that it would depend on who was on the commission.

Comer is widely expected to be named the chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee if Republicans prove to be successful in next months midterms.

He told Fox News that he would prioritize a probe into President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, and brother, James Biden.

You look at the facts with Hunter Biden and Jim Biden, the entire Biden crime family, as I would call it, they have been influence-peddling for a decade, he said. And Hunter Bidens committed serious crimes, Comer added, noting that despite 150 suspicious activity reports tied to either Hunter Biden or James Biden being flagged by U.S. banks, the FBI took no action.

Hunter Biden Threat to National Security

Comer added that Republicans winning majority control of the House would grant them the power to subpoena FBI Assistant Special Agent Timothy Thibault, the top FBI official who left the bureau last month. Republicans have accused Thibault of shutting down an investigation into Hunter Bidens laptop.

A spokesperson for Thibault told The Epoch Times on Aug. 30 that he was not involved in the investigation into Hunter Biden and was not involved in any decisions related to any laptop that may be at issue in that investigation, and he did not seek to close the investigation.

Comer said he believes Hunter Biden is a threat to national security and that Republican lawmakers fear he may have compromised the president.

So a lot of the bad policies, the energy policies, the foreign policies that Joe Biden has enacted that put America last, we believe this was done because hes compromised because of his familys shady business dealings with our adversaries, Comer told Fox News.

The Kentucky lawmaker added that he is already working with FBI whistleblowers and is further along than a lot of people realize in terms of trying to hold individuals at the agency accountable for their wrongdoings.

Were not going to let up. But we have to have subpoena power. So these Nov. 8 elections are crucial to be able to give the American people the answers they want, he added.
People attending a protest organised by Hong Kong Indigenous Defense outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester, England, on Oct. 16, 2022. (Hong Kong Indigenous Defense Force)

UK Police Launch Investigation After Hong Kong Protester Beaten at Chinese Consulate

British police launched an investigation on Oct. 17 after a pro-democracy protest supporting Hong Kong was dragged and beaten on the grounds of the Chinese Consulate in Manchester, England.

The protester, identified only as Bob, said he was trying to stop consulate staff from taking a poster he was holding when he was dragged into the compound and beaten by seven or eight men.

Bob was then rescued by a police officer at the scene.

Downing Street said the incident was extremely concerning.

In a statement published on Oct. 17, the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed the men who allegedly assaulted Bob had come out of the Chinese Consulate.

Due to our fears for the safety of the man, officers intervened and removed the victim from the Consulate grounds, police said, adding that the victim, whos in his 30s, suffered several physical injuries and remained in hospital overnight for treatment.

Bruises are seen on the body of Bob, a pro-democracy Hong Kong protester who was dragged onto the ground of Chinese consulate and beaten in Manchester, England, on Oct. 16, 2022. (Courtesy of Hong Kong Indigenous Defence Force)

No arrests have been made yet.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said it was clear that what began as a peaceful protest unexpectedly escalated and that officers acted professionally in response to a hostile and dynamic situation to help the victim and ensure he didnt come to any further harm.

Detectives from the GMPs Major Incident Team are carrying out a full and comprehensive investigation, Potts said.

All viable avenues will be explored to bring to justice anyone we believe is culpable for the scenes we saw outside the Chinese Consulate on Sunday, he said.

Its unclear whether those involved were consular staff, who enjoy some diplomatic immunity but can potentially be declared persona non grata by the UK government if they break British law.

It was alleged that an older man at the scene, who was filmed kicking and ripping banners and watching Bob being beaten, was Consul General Zheng Xiyuan, according to Luke de Pulford of HK Watch.

In footage circulated online, the mans face is covered by a surgical mask, and he is only seen from the side and back, but the scarf he is wearing appears to be similar to a scarf worn by Zheng at an event in 2019.

The Chinese Consulate didnt respond to The Epoch Times request for comment.

David Alton, Lord Alton of Liverpool, said Chinese Ambassador Zheng Zeguang should clarify whether the man was the consul general.

If it is, [Home Secretary] Suella Braverman should demand he pack his bags and leave now, the crossbench peer wrote on Twitter.

Commenting on reports of the incident shortly before the GMPs statement was published, a spokesman for Downing Street said that the reports were extremely concerning.

I understand Greater Manchester Police responded immediately to the incident, and I am conscious their inquiries are ongoing, so it would be inappropriate for me to comment beyond that, he said.

They have stepped up patrols in the area following [the Oct. 16] incident, I understand.
Screenshot of UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt making an emergency statement to the nation from the Treasury in London, on Oct. 17, 2022. (Marc Ward/PA Media)

UK Reverses Tax Cuts, Scales Back Energy Help to Calm Markets

The UKs new chancellor of the exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, has reversed the tax cuts promised by his predecessor and scaled back support for household energy bills in an attempt to restore financial stability following weeks of market turmoil.

Hunt was brought in only on Oct. 14 to boost the UK governments fiscal credibility after former Chancellor Kwasi Kwartengs mini-budget, which included 45 billion ($51 billion) of unfunded tax cuts, spooked financial markets, causing the pound to fall and borrowing costs to soar.

In an Oct. 17 televised statement, Hunt overturned almost the entire economic plan set out slightly more than three weeks ago by Kwarteng with the enthusiastic backing of UK Prime Minister Liz Truss.

It is a deeply held Conservative valuea value that I sharethat people should keep more of the money that they earn, Hunt said. But at a time when markets are rightly demanding commitments to sustainable public finances, it is not right to borrow to fund this tax cut.

Prime Minister Liz Truss during a press conference in the briefing room at Downing Street, London, on Oct. 14, 2022. (Daniel Leal/PA Media)

The Big Tax Reverse

Following negative reactions from financial markets, Truss has been forced into a series of U-turns, including scrapping the plan to cut the 45 percent top rate of tax and freeze the corporation tax.

Now Hunt has moved to scrap much of the remaining tax plans in the mini-budget. He said hes abandoning plans to cut the basic rate of tax by 1 pence and that it would remain at 20 pence in the pound until the country can afford to reduce it.

The cut in dividend tax promised by his predecessor will also go, along with VAT-free shopping for overseas tourists, the freeze on alcohol duty, and the easing of the IR35 rules for the self-employed.

Hunt said the tax measures alone will bring in 32 billion ($36 billion) after economists estimated that the government is facing a 60 billion ($68 billion) black hole in the public finances.

Less Energy Help

The new chancellor also scaled back the energy price support that the government had promised to households and businesses.

He said the energy price guaranteewhich had been due to cap prices for two yearswill end in April, after which the government will look to target help for those most in need.

Hunt called the energy price guarantee a landmark policy supporting millions of people through a difficult winter.

He confirmed that the promised support will be guaranteed until April, but that it would not be responsible to continue exposing public finances to unlimited volatility in international gas prices.

The Treasury will lead a review into how to support energy bills beyond April and design a new approach that will cost the taxpayer significantly less than planned whilst ensuring enough support for those in need, according to Hunt.

Any support for businesses will be targeted to those most affected, and the new approach will better incentivise energy efficiency, he said.

Humiliating Climb-Down

About an hour after Hunts statement, the prime minister wrote on Twitter: The British people rightly want stability, which is why we are addressing the serious challenges we face in worsening economic conditions. We have taken action to chart a new course for growth that supports and delivers for people across the United Kingdom.

Asked about the credibility problem Truss now faces after the mini-budget U-turns, her official spokesman insisted that she was providing stability of leadership.

The prime minister is listening to the public, the spokesman said. She is listening to advice on the markets, she is listening to her colleagues, and she is making the necessary difficult decisions to change our approach so that we can provide the economic stability and indeed maintain that stability of leadership, which is important.

But the main opposition Labour Party said the Conservatives have lost all credibility.

Labours shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said the Tories cant provide the confidence and stability needed for growth.

The humiliating climb-down on their energy plan begs the question yet againwhy wont they bring in a windfall tax on energy producers to help foot the bill? Reeves asked.

PA Media contributed to this report.
A bartender pours beer for his customers at a pub in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 11, 2021. (Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images)

Wage Negotiations Could Inflate Prices of Goods and Services: Australian Productivity Commission

The Australian Productivity Commission (PC) has warned that customers across the country could bear the brunt if the federal government does not correctly handle industrial relations reforms.

In its five-year productivity inquiry report, the PC said well-crafted changes to multisector bargaining and other industrial relations reforms could facilitate cooperation between small firms and allow them to secure higher wages for employees.

However, the commission said this outcome would depend on the design features of the reforms.

The report came after the federal government hinted at new changes to multi-employer bargaining regulations, which could allow workers in small businesses to band together under similar workplace conditions, following the jobs and skills summit in September.

Multi-employer bargaining occurs when two or more employers agree to bargain together with workers on an employment contract. However, this practice is generally not legal under current Australian laws.

Employees covered by multi-employer agreements could go on strike at the same time to ask for better working conditions, which stokes fears of increasing levels of industrial action among industries.

While worker unions have been pushing for the legislation of multi-employer bargaining, business groups so far have opposed the idea.

The Potential Consequences of Poor Reforms

The PC warned in the report that making poorly designed changes to multi-employer bargaining regulations could result in a drop in productivity. In addition, businesses could collude together to raise the prices of goods and services.

However, the commission acknowledged that well-designed changes would facilitate bargaining among small businesses as they could join forces and share the costs.

Meanwhile, Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus criticised the PC for its report, saying it was a politicised relic of the former Coalition government tasked with attacking workers rights.

They have no idea how wage bargaining works, do not consult and ignore international research. No credibility, McManus said.

A food delivery rider cycles down a deserted Murray Street mall in Perth, Australia, on Jan. 31, 2021. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, some business groups shared a similar view to the PC on multisector bargaining.

No one wants to return to the uncertainty and disruption of a workplace relations system that saps productivity by stoking conflict and strike action. Thats bad for workers, bad for consumers and bad for businesses, Business Council Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott said.

The best way to get wages growing is by reinvigorating bargaining at an enterprise level to drive productivity, she said.

On another topic, the report suggested the government limit the better-off overall test, which is used by the Fair Work Commission to assess whether an employee is better off under an employment contract, to improve the efficiency of the enterprise bargaining system.

It also raised concerns that categorising gig workers as employees would take away major benefits to efficiency and flexibility for workers.

Many platform-based occupations are a direct extension of existing independent contracting arrangements, which can involve relatively high rates of pay, the report said.
Western University Mandate Decision Defines Coercion Out of Existence

Commentary

The decision came as a shock, in spite of it being a near certainty.

On Sept. 23, an application challenging Western Universitys COVID-19 vaccine booster policy was dismissed by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The lawyers for the applicants (five Western students) argued that the vaccine booster itself isnt a lawfully authorized activity, that the collection of personal medical information required by it isnt necessary for the proper administration of Westerns educational services, and, thus, that the universitys conduct is contrary to the privacy protections established by Freedom of Information and Protection of the Privacy Act (FIPPA).

In her decision (pdf), Justice Kelly Tranquilli not only refuted these claims but made a telling comment about why so many anti-mandate cases may be failing:

I do not agree with the applicants characterization of the Policy as being coercive in nature.  The Policy forces individuals to choose between two alternatives, even if they like neither option. The choice is the individuals to make. Each choice comes with its own consequences. That is the nature of choices.

Tranquillis reasoning seems to be that whenever its possible to select from more than one option, theres choice, and whenever theres choice, coercion is, in principle, impossible. But the problem with this view is that it defines coercion out of existence by closing the gap between physical force and free, autonomous choice.

If someone whos stronger than you takes your hand and uses it to slap someone else, you were literally unable to do otherwise. You werent coerced. There was no process of deliberation, no psychological pressure to do one thing over another. There was simply no choice at all. In the medical context, a patient whos anesthetized and wheeled into surgery for an operation to which she wouldnt have consented isnt coerced; its strictly impossible for her to refuse.

Coercion is reserved, in law and in ethics, for those regrettable cases in which its possible to select from more than one option, but in which theres undue pressure to make a particular selection. In these cases, choice exists, but theres no meaningful choice. Coercion alters the persons payoff structure for acting in a way thats inappropriate, unfair, or simply unnecessary. (This way of acknowledging and understanding coercion is reflected in court decisions that recognize the presence of psychological compulsion as a form of coercion, cases in which a person perceives his or her freedom of choice to be suspended.)

Coercion doesnt imply a lack of choice; on the contrary, it can only exist where theres choice.

American philosopher Robert Nozick put it well when he said, Coercion exists only when there are proposals (e.g. conditional threats), and excludes direct uses of force or violence. Most of us know what this normative gradation of choice feels like from the inside; which choices are free, meaningful, and supported; and which are framed by an atmosphere of duress.

What Tranquilli perhaps meant to sayor needed to say to allow for coercion to exist at all (to be able to acknowledge cases of sexual coercion, for example)is that Westerns mandate is coercive but coercion is sometimes justified. But that isnt what she said.

The upshot of mandating compliance at a university, of all places, is that it selects for inclusion those who choose to alter their behavior on account of it, not on account of rational persuasion. And it excludes those who practice precisely the principles that their university is supposed to be teaching: critical thinking, autonomy, reflection and deliberation, respect, integrity, and, of course, courage.

In case you think Im being hyperbolic, exclusion is built right into Westerns court documents:

Without collecting Proof of Vaccination, we would have no ability to identify and exclude non-compliant individuals.

The irony is blatant. Western offers a number of courses (pdf) in critical thinking, and its Current Strategic Plan (pdf) claims to graduate students with well-developed critical thinking and communication skills. Posted prominently on the universitys Centre for Teaching and Learning website are the words: Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally about what to do or what to believe. It includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking.

Is Tranquillis description of coercion consistent with the educational mandate of the universitys booster policy that she defends? This isnt a rhetorical question. Its the question that should be on the minds of every person affected by Westerns policy.

The Democracy Fund, in conjunction with Lisa Bildy of Libertas Law, will file an appeal with the Ontario Court of Appeal, asking the court to overturn the decision of Tranquilli.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, at the White House in Washington, on April 18, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Whistleblowers Reveal FBI Has Voluminous Evidence of Possible Hunter Biden Criminal Conduct: Senator

FBI whistleblowers have revealed that the bureau has voluminous evidence of possible criminal conduct by President Joe Bidens son Hunter, according to a top senator.

Based on recent protected disclosures to my office, the FBI has within its possession significant, impactful and voluminous evidence with respect to potential criminal conduct by Hunter Biden and James Biden, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) told FBI Director Christopher Wray and other officials in a letter dated Oct. 13.

James Biden is the presidents brother.

Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been approached by a number of whistleblowers in recent months about how the bureau has handled its investigation of Hunter Biden, who carried out business in China and other countries while his father was vice president.

The evidence of possible criminal activity includes a summary of an interview FBI agents had conducted with Tony Bobulinski, Hunter Bidens onetime business partner, shortly before the 2020 presidential election.

In that interview, Mr. Bobulinski stated that the arrangement Hunter Biden and James Biden created with foreign nationals connected to the communist Chinese government included assisting them with potential business deals and investments while Joe Biden was Vice President; however, that work remained intentionally uncompensated while Joe Biden was Vice President. After Joe Biden left the Vice Presidency, the summary makes clear that Hunter Biden and James Biden worked with CEFC and affiliated individuals to compensate them for that past work and the benefits they procured for CEFC, Grassley wrote.

CEFC China Energy, now defunct, was a large energy firm in China.

According to the summary, Grassley said, Hunter Biden, James Biden, and their associates created a venture that would enable them to be compensated.

An operating agreement attached to Grassleys letter outlined the percentage each individual would receive through LLCs. Ten percent of Hunter Bidens interest was to be held for his father, according to Bobulinski.

Based on allegations provided to my office, the information provided by Mr. Bobulinski formed a sufficient basis to open a full field investigation on pay-to-play grounds; however, it is unclear whether the FBI did so and whether the information is part of the ongoing criminal investigation by U.S. Attorney Weiss, Grassley wrote.

The bureau also is in possession of other documents, including one noting that the former vice president met with his son and business associates in 2017 at a conference in Los Angeles, the senator wrote.

He sent the letter to U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware David Weiss, a Trump appointee, and Attorney General Merrick Garland, a Biden appointee, in addition to Wray.

Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz received a copy of the letter.

Grassley said the disclosures beg the question of what U.S. authorities have done to investigate, while noting that the Department of Justice and FBI havent disputed any previous revelations based on whistleblower disclosures regarding Hunter Biden since May.

Simply put, enough is enoughthe Justice Department and FBI must come clean to Congress and the American people with respect to the steps they have taken, or failed to take, relating to the Hunter Biden investigation, Grassley wrote.

The FBI said it received the letter but declined to comment on its contents. The FBI has said it is involved in the investigation.

Hunter Bidens lawyer, Chris Clark, didnt respond to a request for comment.

Clark recently said that he thinks prosecutors are diligently and thoroughly weighing not just evidence provided by agents, but also all the other witnesses in this case, including witnesses for the defense.

The Department of Justice has declined to answer many questions about Hunter Biden since he announced in late 2020 that he was under investigation. The presidents son said investigators were probing his tax affairs. Garland has said there will not be interference of any political or improper kind, when questioned on the matter.

Subpoenas show that investigators sought bank records for both Hunter Biden and James Biden.
That release could not be found.
The federal government has issued an alert that the country would witness many more floods in the coming days.

This warning is coming as over 2.5 million people have been affected by the catastrophic flooding in many parts of Nigeria.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, made this disclosure on Sunday at a press conference in Abuja.

According to her, out of the number of the affected persons, 1.3 million people were reportedly displaced, 2,407 persons were injured, and 603 people died.

Giving these figures during the press briefing, the Minister announced that Nigeria would meet with Cameroon over the release of water from the Lagdo Dam.

However, we must initiate a bilateral discussion with authorities in Cameroon in November on the periodic opening of the Lagdo dam. The delegation to Cameroon is to be led by the permanent secretary of the ministry, and the ministry of foreign affairs will be requested to facilitate the meeting, Ms Farouq said.

While urging state governments to put more effort into evacuating flood victims to higher grounds, Ms Farouq disclosed that about 121,318 houses were partially damaged, 82,053 houses were damaged, 108,392 hectares of farmlands were partially damaged, and 332,327 hectares of farmlands were damaged.

While we mourn the unfortunate boat mishap in Anambra and other locations, please, we must note that we are not completely out of the woods, she added.

However, the Minister said weather forecasts have indicated that Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa are still at risk of experiencing floods until the end of November.

So, we are calling on the respective state governments, LGAs and communities to prepare by evacuating people living on flood plains to high grounds, providing tents and relief materials, fresh water as well as medical supply for a possible outbreak of water-borne diseases, she warned.
The Buhari administration, especially President Muhammadu Buhari and Attorney General of the Federation ( AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, should be very careful over the acquittal of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

You may not like the outcome of the judgment, but you must respect the law of the land.

Nnamdi Kanu, should not be spending another minute after court discharge under the custody of the Director-General of Nigerias Department of State Services (DSS/SSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi.

The rule of law demands that blind and careful obedience to the letter of the law is the right thing to do now.

President Buhari and his AGF must know that no one can just disobey the law because no one is above it.

As at the time of writing this note, Nigeria has not turned into a banana republic, where manipulative leaders get away with criminality such as disobeying court rulings.

Everyone, including the President, AGF, and SSS Head, must submit themselves to the rule of law and not act as tyranny of the judiciary.

The Buhari administration must obey the law or be held accountable if they continue to refuse to release Kanu after the court freed him.

Our young democracy may be growing, but it clearly insists that the law be equally, fairly, and consistently applied to all.

The court said it was satisfied that the Buhari administration blatantly violated all known laws when it forcefully sneaked or renditioned Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria in the face of the fact that he was a British citizen who was visiting Kenya.

A three-member panel of the appellate court stated that the Buhari government flouted the Terrorism Act, Extradition Act and also violated international conventions and treaties guiding extraditions all at the same time

Prof. Mike Ozekhome, senior counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, says his client is now a free man and should be allowed to go home to Britain.

President Buhari, with some weeks to go, this is the wrong time for your regime to be testing the will of all Nigerians and international criminal laws.

Remember, with some weeks to go from the presidency followed by a lack of political immunity beyond Nigeria, American Bruce Fein, Kanu Kanus international lawyer, could soon pose a legal danger to Buhari, Malami, and Bichi as he will fully take them before the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, in the Hague. And they can't say no

As noted by Ozekhome, "The single issue bordering on extraordinary rendition, after he was brutally captured, tortured, in Kenya, blindfolded and extrajudicially rendered back to Nigeria...

With the court discharging Kanu from terrorism charges, Buhari, who felt hurt emotionally or personally from Kanus London broadcasts, insulting him by calling him an idiot and stupid. Sir, let it go!

Any way the rightful place to file any case against Kanu is in the United Kingdom, where he did the broadcast calling Buhari a buffoon.

Ozekhome stated "that... Section 45 of the Federal High Court Act and decisions of the supreme court make it clear that you can only try a person in the place where you disclose the venue of the commission of the crime, the time and the circumstances."

Even if the Buhari regime wants to head to the Supreme Court in the exercise of its right under the countrys body of laws, it must first release Kanu from the police (SSS) cell, which is the wrong custody place to be kept in the first place, and possibly place him in a civil-like monitored environment as he is criminally free, to do less than further shows human rights abuse.

President Buhari, remember despite your dictatorship military background, todays Nigeria is a signatory to the OAU Convention that it duly ratified, as well as the Charter on Human and People's Rights, which it said prescribed how a wanted person could be transferred from one country to the other. And due to gross incompetence or I dont care mentality on the part of your legal and judicial hands, human rights rules were cast aside.

The appellate court has ordered that the "appeal succeeds and it is allowed. The ruling of trial Justice (Mrs.) Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court delivered... is hereby set aside.

President Buhari, the newly sworn in Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Olukayode Ariwoola, and his co-justices will follow Nigerian law. Believe it.

Kanu has been discharged, acquitted, and ordered to be released from detention. Your administration must obey now or you, along with the AGF and SSS head, will not like how this will end for you locally, nationally and internationally. Sir, stop shaming Nigeria. It has had enough shame. Enough is enough. We can't continue like this.

Prof. John Egbeazien Oshodi

John Egbeazien Oshodi, who was born in Uromi, Edo State in Nigeria to a father who served in the Nigeria police for 37 years, is an American based Police/Prison Scientist and Forensic/Clinical/Legal Psychologist. A government consultant on matters of forensic-clinical adult and child psychological services in the USA; Chief Educator and Clinician at the Transatlantic Enrichment and Refresher Institute, an Online Lifelong Center for Personal, Professional, and Career Development. He is a former Interim Associate Dean/Assistant Professor at Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African Settings In 2011, he introduced State-of-the-Art Forensic Psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C and Nasarawa State University, where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. He is currently a Virtual Behavioral Leadership Professor at ISCOM University, Republic of Benin. Founder of the proposed Transatlantic Egbeazien Open University (TEU) of Values and Ethics, a digital project of Truth, Ethics, and Openness. Over forty academic publications and creations, at least 200 public opinion pieces on African issues, and various books have been written by him. He specializes in psycho-prescriptive writings regarding African institutional and governance issues. His most recent textbook publication is Concise Psychology: An Integrated Forensic Approach to Psychology for Global African Settings.

Prof. Oshodi wrote in via [email protected]
Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, the special counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari over the continued detention of his client.

Revealing four times of which the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has fumbled on matters related to Nnamdi Kanu, Ejimakor warned the government not to misfire for the fifth time.

He made this disclosure while sharing a tweet from a former US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, who cautioned the Nigerian government against flouting the Appeal Court judgement which discharged and acquitted, Nnamdi Kanu.

The former US envoy stated that Buharis government misfired by embarking on the extraordinary rendition of Kanu from Kenya in 2021.

Meanwhile, Ejimakor noted that Nigeria should not set bad precedent as a country of lawlessness by not complying with the order of a court of competent jurisdiction concerning Kanus release.

He said: Nigerias disobedience of a 2018 decision of a continental tribunal on Kanu was the first mishandling.

The extraordinary rendition was the second. Putting Kanu on trial was the third. Disobeying the United Nations was the fourth. And the likelihood of disobeying the judgment of the Court of Appeal will be the fifth.

Ejimakor called on Nigerians of means and influence, and the international community to intervene in persuading President Muhammadu Buhari to promptly comply with the court order which discharged Kanu from all the criminal charges pending against him.

He also recalled that Buhari had on two occasions promised to obey any court order that bears on the release of Kanu, adding that a promise of this sort is a debt.
Three eminent Nigerians have been honoured with Doctor of Science Honoris Causa of Crescent University, Abeokuta at the institution's 14th convocation ceremonies.

The honorees are the Osi of Egbaland, High Chief Bode Mustapha, the Chief Executive Officer, Splash FM, Chief Murtala Adebayo Akande and Banking and Finance Amazon, Mrs Tamramat Mosun Belo-Olusoga popularly known as Aunty Mo.

The institution which prides itself as citadel of academic and moral excellence is the brainchild of the former judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), His Excellency Prince Bola Ajibola.

Representing the Proprietor, a member of the Board of Trustees, Prince Adesegun Ajibola (SAN) said "we must congratulate ourselves for success recorded in building the educational brand that Crescent University has become today", stressing that the managers would not rest on their oars to continue to raise the bar of excellence.

In his convocation address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila announced that a total of 446 graduates bagged various degrees from five colleges namely: Bola Ajibola College of Law, College of Arts, Social and Management Sciences; College of Natural and Applied Sciences; College of Information and Communication Technology and College of Environmental Sciences respectively.

Also, a former Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Barracks, Abeokuta, Brigadier General Basil Adonke also graduated with Master of Science (MSc) Information Technology along 41 others in the School of Postgraduate Studies.

The Vice Chancellor lauded the honorees for their numerous contributions to education and human capital development. Not less than ten fresh undergraduates have also benefitted from scholarship largesse by honorary degree awardees.

He also saluted the courage of diploma in films theatre and communication graduates majorly from Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) and Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria ( FIBAN).

In a related development, a former Minister of Communications, Barr Adebayo Shittu said he was gratified that her daughter also graduated with a second class upper degree from the Bola Ajibola College of Law. He congratulated the Proprietor Judge Ajibola on many feats that Crescent University has recorded in its close to two decades of operation.
Phuket officials assess flood damage, set up relief shelters

PHUKET: The flooding across Phuket so far has affected more than 6,000 people and 1,850 households, disaster officials have confirmed.

weatherdisastersSafety

By The Phuket News

Monday 17 October 2022, 01:08PM

Residents are evacuated from their homes in Srisoonthorn yesterday (Oct 16). Photo: PR Phuket

The tally came as officials from the Phuket Provincial office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) delivered their assessment of damage done by the floods to Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew late yesterday (Oct 16).

The heavy rains began at about 3am yesterday, resulting in roads being cut off and thousands of people affected across all three districts in Phuket, DDPM-Phuket reported.

Five major roads and three bridges have suffered damage. Electrical and water supply systems have been affected by landslides, the report added.

In total, 6,080 people living in 1,850 households have been directly affected by the floods. Across the three districts  Muang Phuket, Kathu and Thalang  80 communities/villages in 16 tambon (subdistricts), have been impacted.

There have been no injuries or deaths as a result of the floods, DDPM-Phuket noted.

In Thalang District, 2,800 people of 950 households in 29 communities/villages spread across six subdistricts, have been affected.

In Kathu district, 280 people of 100 households in 11 communities/villages across three subdistricts, have been affected.

In Mueang Phuket District, 3,000 people of 800 households in 40 communities/villages across seven subdistricts, have been affected.

DDPM-Phuket did not give an estimated value of the damage done by the floods so far.

As of 4pm yesterday, the rains had eased and standing floodwaters had started receding, DDPM-Phuket noted.

However, more rain is falling across the island today, though, officials are hoping that the volume of rainfall is much less than yesterday.

At the meeting last night, Phuket Governor Narong ordered officials to deploy teams to conduct mass cleanups of their areas to mop up after the floods.

PROVIDING ASSISTANCE

Local government organisations (municipalities and OrBorTor) and agencies have mobilised personnel and resources to provide assistance, the report noted.

DDPM-Phuket has deployed large pumps to hard-hit areas to remove what floodwaters they can from lowland residential areas and major roads.

Disaster personnel have also coordinated with local community leaders to assist in clearing any mud and debris from landslide sites, the report added.

Relief shelters for flood victims have been set up at four locations:

Wat Thepkasattri in Baan Don, Thalang - contact Thepkrasattri OrBorTor at 076-274573

Kamala OrBorTor, the Multipurpose Building - call 076-385789

Kathu Municipal School 2 (the Dome Building), in Baan Kathu  call Kathu Municipality at 076-322121-2

Phibun Sawasdee Municipal School in Phuket Town  contact Phuket City Municipality at 076-211111, or the Phuket Municipality hotline 1132

Alternatively, people can call the DDPM hotline 199 for help.

People in need of medical assistance but were unable to make it to a hospital were urged to call the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) at 087-8821883.

In addition to the hundreds of DDPM officers, more than 220 police and scores of other local officials tasked with providing assistance, 150 personnel from the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, based at Cape Panwa, had joined the efforts to help people in need, the report added.

The Phuket Chapter of the Red Cross had provided 100 packs of sanitary items and 100 items of clothing to flood victims, the report noted.

The Phuket branch of the Kusoldharm Foundation was given special mention for emergency assistance quickly provided to people in distress, by providing rescue workers to evacuate people in need, as well as essential equipment including rubber dinghies.
Russian kamikaze drones strike Kyiv: Ukraine

KYIV: Russian-launched kamikaze drones attacked Kyiv early this morning (Oct 17), the Ukrainian presidency said, describing the strikes as an act of desperation nearly eight months into a war that has claimed thousands of lives.

RussianUkraineviolencemilitarypolitics

By AFP

Monday 17 October 2022, 04:50PM

A drone approaches for an attack in Kyiv early this morning (Oct 17). Photo: AFP

Photos captured by an AFP photographer showed the drones swooping low across the skies of Kyiv as police officers fired at them from the ground. Other images showed smoke rising from explosions across the city.

Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv shortly before the first explosion at around 6:35am (9:35am Phuket time), followed by sirens across most of the country.

The capital was attacked by kamikaze drones, the presidents chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on social media.

The Russians think it will help them, but it shows their desperation, he added.

We need more air defence systems and as soon as possible. More weapons to defend the sky and destroy the enemy.

The attacks come exactly a week after Russia unleashed a massive wave of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital and cities across the country.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the drone attack had caused a fire and damaged several buildings in the central Shevchenkivsky district and warned residents to take shelter.

Fire departments are working. Several residential buildings were damaged. Medics are on the spot, he said on Telegram.

We are clarifying the information about the casualties.

The mayor also posted a picture of what he said was the charred wreckage of one of the kamikaze drones, loitering munitions that can hover while waiting for a target to attack.

Iranian drones

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week said Iranian drones were used in Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in several cities, although Tehran denies supplying Russia with weapons for the war.

On Oct 10, Russian missiles rained down on Kyiv and other cities in the biggest wave of strikes in months.

The attacks killed at least 19 people, wounded 105 others and sparked an international outcry.

Moscow carried out further strikes on Oct 11, though on a smaller scale, striking energy installations in western Ukraine far from the front.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strikes were in retaliation for an explosion that damaged a key bridge linking Russia to the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula.

Putin on Friday had expressed satisfaction and said there was no need for further massive strikes on Ukraine for now.

The Russian president also claimed Moscow was doing everything right in its invasion of Ukraine despite a string of embarrassing defeats.

In southern Ukraine, Kyivs troops have been pushing closer and closer to Kherson, the main city in the region of the same name just north of Crimea.

Kherson is one of four regions in Ukraine that Moscow recently claimed to have annexed, and the city of Kherson was the first major city to fall after the Kremlin launched its invasion.

Washington on Friday announced fresh military assistance for Kyiv in the wake of Russias brutal missile attacks on civilians across Ukraine.

The new US$725 million package included more ammunition for the Himars rocket systems that have been used by Ukraine to wreak havoc on Russian targets.

It brings the total US military assistance to Ukraine to $17.6 billion since the Russian invasion began on Feb 24.
Today

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Vice-Speaker and a member of Georgian parliamentary delegation Levan Ioseliani said at the plenary session of the fall session of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg that Georgia fully shares the world's messages against Russia.Levan Ioseliani reminded the members of the assembly that Georgia has already experienced Russian aggression and that the population of Georgia supports the resolutions of the United Nations and the Council of Europe. According to his statement, it is impossible not to share the world message directed against Russia for a country that has already experienced Russian aggression on its own territories.Levan Ioseliani touched upon the issue of Georgia's integration into European structures and noted that nothing can stop the desire of the Georgian population to be an integral part of Europe."At the plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, I spoke about Russia's aggressive policy and the unanimity of the West against this aggression,The assembly voted in favor of a resolution that affirms the terrorist nature of the Russian regime.Today, the entire civilized world actually condemns Russia's policy, and no matter how ambiguous statements the Georgian government makes, no matter how much we complain about the lack of pro-Ukraine statements from the ruling team, the Georgian people really stand by this unanimous position and are loyal to their declared European choice" Levan Ioseliani said."The European Union has opened the door to Georgia, but the "Georgian Dream" is standing at the door. Our task is to push the "Dream" out the door.In order to bring the country into the European Union, Badri Japaridze, one of the leaders of the "Lelo - for Georgia" party, said this while talking to journalists.According to him, instead of the ruling party working closely with the USA or the European Union to protect the country from possible threats, they attack the United States, its ambassador and shamelessly criticize the activities of the European Union. "The European Union has opened its door to Georgia, the member states of the European Union have already taken this decision, but the "Georgian dream" is standing in these doors, and our task is to push the "dream" out of the door in order to bring the country into the European Union. Under the conditions of the new, multi-party, coalition government, Georgia will receive the candidate status in 3 months.Unfortunately, we do not see a possibility for the country to receive the status of a candidate for EU membership under the "Georgian Dream" rule. Fulfilling the recommendations of the European Union practically means changing the governance of "Georgian Dream", for which the governing team is not ready, therefore, until there is a multi-party governance, we will not be able to move forward on the path of integration into the European Union." said Badri Japaridze.
Banks face the prospect of a 33 per cent corporation tax rate following Jeremy Hunts reversal of the mini budget tax cuts

Banks face the prospect of a 33 per cent corporation tax rate following Jeremy Hunts reversal of the mini budget tax cuts.

Lenders were understood to be in talks with the Treasury yesterday after the new Chancellor made no mention of the so-called bank surcharge, which had been due to fall when corporation tax rose.

After the 2008 financial crisis, lenders were hit with the surcharge tax of 8 per cent on top of their corporate tax bill. As recent Chancellors have fiddled with the base level of corporation tax, they have tried to keep the burden on the banks even by also adjusting the level of the bank surcharge.

But Hunt made no mention of the surcharge in his statement yesterday as he U-turned on Kwartengs policy to keep corporation tax at 19 per cent.

This could mean banks face a rise in corporation tax to 25 per cent, and a surcharge of 8 per cent, taking the total tax rate to 33 per cent. A Treasury spokesman said the department was acutely aware of the pressure this could place on lenders.
Scrapping VAT-free shopping for overseas visitors is a 'hammer blow' to tourism and high streets, industry leaders have warned.

The move will slow the return of international visitors and cost the Government more in lost tax revenues elsewhere, they argued.

The then Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng promised to reintroduce the tax break for tourists in the mini-Budget last month. It gave overseas visitors a refund of the 20 per cent VAT paid on goods bought around the country when returning home.

Hammer blow: Luxury brands such as Mulberry will be hit by the decision

But the move was reversed by Jeremy Hunt as he tore up his predecessor's plans yesterday.

Paul Barnes, head of the Association of International Retail, said: 'The decision to reverse plans to reintroduce VAT free shopping for international visitors will come as a hammer blow to UK tourism and the High Street.'

VAT-free shopping was scrapped by then Chancellor Rishi Sunak after the UK left the European Union. Chris Sanger, head of tax policy at consulting giant EY, said Hunt's decision was 'surprising'.

The British Retail Consortium said it was 'disappointed' by Hunt's decision, which leaves the UK as one of the only countries in Europe without a tax-free shopping scheme.
The chair of the African Union on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire in Ethiopias Tigray region and urged parties in the two-year-old conflict to agree to direct peace talks.

The Ethiopian government and its allies have been fighting Tigray forces on and off since late 2020. The violence has killed thousands of civilians and uprooted millions, with hundreds of thousands now facing possible famine.

Both sides have blamed each other for starting the conflict.AU chair Moussa Faki said he was following reports of escalating violence in Tigray with grave concern.

The chairperson strongly calls for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and the resumption of humanitarian services, the AU said in a statement.

AU-led peace talks proposed for earlier this month were delayed for logistical reasons.

Tigray authorities said their forces would abide by an immediate truce.

Efforts to bring about a cessation of hostilities underscore the gravity of the humanitarian catastrophe, they said in a statement.

Ethiopian government spokesperson Legesse Tulu, military spokesperson Colonel Getnet Adane, Redwan Hussein, national security adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Abiys spokesperson, Billene Seyoum, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

U.S. development agency USAID chief Samantha Power on Sunday joined the call for the joint offensive by Ethiopian federal forces and Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF) to stop.

With as many as one million people teetering on the edge of famine, we urge all parties to agree to a ceasefire, and call for safe and unhindered humanitarian access and withdrawal of the EDF from Ethiopia, Power wrote on Twitter.

The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez said on Saturday that, in the absence of a ceasefire, he would seek to pass an act imposing sanctions on those undermining efforts to end hostilities or those providing weapons to the warring parties.

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel did not respond to requests for comment.

SOURCE: REUTERS
Russian forces attacked Ukraines capital on Monday for the second time in a week while Russian and Ukrainian forces battled it out in heavy fighting around two towns in the Donbas region in the east, officials said.

Fighting was particularly intense this weekend in Donetsk and Luhansk, which make up the industrial Donbas, and the Kherson province in the south. They constitute three of the four regions Russia said it had annexed last month after holding what it called referendums  votes that were denounced by Kyiv and Western governments as illegal and coercive.

The key hot spots in Donbas are Soledar and Bakhmut, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his nightly address on Sunday. Very heavy fighting is going on there.

Bakhmut has been a target of Russian forces in their slow move through the region since taking the twin industrial towns of Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk in June and July.

Soledar is just north of Bakhmut.

Russias defence ministry said on Sunday its forces had repelled efforts by Ukrainian troops to advance in the Donetsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. Russia also said it was continuing air strikes on military and energy targets in Ukraine.

Reuters was not able to independently verify the reports on the fighting.

Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what it called a special operation to root out what it calls dangerous nationalists. Ukrainian forces have mounted stiff resistance, with the help of arms supplied by the United States and its allies, who have also imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia in an effort to force it to withdraw.

Away from the front line, Ukraines capital of Kyiv was attacked on Monday by so-called kamikaze drones, Andriy Yermak, head of the presidents staff, wrote on the Telegram messaging service. Russians think it will help them, Yermak said.

Kyivs Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said on Telegram that several blasts had rocked the central Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv, with a Reuters witness reporting three explosions. Several residential buildings had been damaged, he said.

Rescuers are on the site, Klitschko said, adding that a fire had broken out in a non-residential building. There was no immediate word on casualties.

The same district was hit by explosions a week ago, as Russia ordered the biggest aerial offensive against Ukrainian cities in retaliation for a blast on a bridge linking mainland Russia to Crimea  the peninsula Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

The head of the Russian-backed administration in the Donetsk region said on Sunday Ukrainian shelling had damaged the administration building in the regional capital.

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 Donbas.

Rybar, a pro-Russian military channel on Telegram, said Ukrainian forces again shelled the southwestern Russian town of Belgorod, near Ukraine.

Anti-aircraft units intercepted most of the attacks, but there were two explosions near the airport. Three people were injured, it said.

GUNMEN OPEN FIRE

Russian authorities said on Sunday, a criminal investigation had been opened after gunmen shot dead 11 people and wounded 15 at a military training ground in the Belgorod region.

Russias RIA news agency, citing the defence ministry, said two gunmen opened fire with small arms during a 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.

Russias 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 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.

Meanwhile, British military intelligence said Russia was facing more acute logistical problems in the south after the damage to the road-and-rail bridge linking mainland Russia to Crimea caused by the Oct. 8 blast.

A spokeswoman for Ukraines Southern Military Command said Russian forces were suffering severe shortages of equipment because of the damage to the bridge.

Almost 75% of Russian military supplies in southern Ukraine come across the bridge, the spokeswoman said.

Russian officials said the explosion on the bridge was caused by a truck bomb. Putin has branded the blast a terrorist attack orchestrated by Ukrainian security services.

Ukraine did not claim responsibility for the blast but celebrated it.

European Union foreign ministers are expected to agree on Monday on a mission to train 15,000 Ukrainian troops and an extra 500 million euros ($487 million) in funding for arms for Kyiv.

SOURCE: REUTERS
Medical Call Management Company Clarus Acquires Call Simplified

Medical messaging, once completed through the use of human agents, has significantly advanced thanks to omnichannel communications. Patients often found themselves in a black hole of voice mail if they experienced problems outside of office hours.

Medical call management company Clarus, which is owned by Graham Healthcare Capital (GHCC), recently announced that is had acquired Call Simplified, a medical call automation software company. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to increase Clarus's existing customer base of 8,000 providers and administrators in physician offices. Call Simplified founder Scott Reynolds will join Clarus as Head of Product.

Call Simplified offers a software-as-a-service (SaaS (News - Alert)) technology that allows patients to submit after-hour requests electronically and be automatically routed to the after-hours on-call provider, resulting in more accurate messaging and faster response times compared to voicemail-only services. The companys web request technology allows patients and providers to bypass using a phone entirely, allowing requests to be completed three times faster.

Rich Maradik, CEO of Clarus, noted that Clarus was attracted to Call Simplified because its product complements and expands Clarus's patient call automation software.

"Clarus chose Call Simplified because Scott has done a great job with their product," he said. "It has features that, once incorporated into our existing product, enable us to grow our leadership position in call automation software for physicians' offices."

The Call Simplified acquisition will allow Clarus to quickly expand in the Southern California region, accelerating the companys organic growth. Maradik said the company will add more than 2,000 users before the end of year.

"I am excited to be a part of Clarus and the Graham Healthcare family," Reynolds said. "Rich and his team have demonstrated their commitment to innovation in call automation technology for the physician services segment of the healthcare industry. This is an outstanding opportunity to continue to develop unique solutions that help medical professionals respond quickly and accurately to their patients' needs."

Edited by Erik Linask
Microsoft-Certified Poly Devices Offer Improved Meeting Collaboration

Hybrid work setups are quickly becoming the norm for workers across the globe. With more employees connecting remotely and enjoying work from anywhere perks, the need for devices and solutions to collaborate and work efficiently is also on the rise.

Poly, a provider of pro-grade audio and video solutions, announced its expanded portfolio of Microsoft Teams certified solutions. These latest offerings take hybrid work to the next level and are designed to meet the needs of all types of work styles and meeting spaces.

The new device updates from Poly include additional Android capabilities with the Poly Video OS 4.0 software update (Nov. 2022). This includes the Poly Studio X30 & X50 video bars which have been re-certified for Microsoft Teams on Android 10 and the Poly G7500 video conferencing system.

For Windows devices, it's also offering Poly Studio Kits for Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows. This makes it easier for rooms of any size to deploy Poly DirectorAI technology right out-of-the-box. With artificial intelligence and machine learning, this technology offers real-time automatic transitions, speaker framing and tracking capabilities.

Also coming in 2023 are the Poly Lens remote management and insights tools to better manage, monitor, and maintain Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows.

"Because meetings happen anywhere and everywhere, Poly offers a wide variety and style of solutions for Microsoft Teams, so users can look and sound their best in every meeting," said Natalia Herrera, Senior Director of Alliances, Poly. "Our solutions enable Microsoft Teams customers to easily manage, monitor, and maintain every Poly device across their business, to include remote, hybrid, and on-site workers through a beautifully designed, equitable experience."

As part of the move to improve collaboration capabilities for hybrid workers, Poly has also announced an expanded portfolio of phones integrated with Teams. The Poly CCX 350 will be available later next month, as a wired or wireless solution with a durable dial pad that has Microban antimicrobial protection  for areas that are high-touch. Poly is also offering its Rove family of wireless DECT IP phones on the Microsoft Teams SIP Gateway for secure, wireless voice communications.

Please enable JavaScript to view the

Edited by Erik Linask
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[October 17, 2022] Renault Trucks now assembles and distributes e-cargo bikes with Kleuster

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven by the same mission to decarbonise professional mobility, Renault Trucks, part of the Volvo Group, has joined forces with Kleuster, a Lyon-based electric cargo bike manufacturer, to accelerate the production and distribution of the Freegones e-cargo bikes. These cargo bikes will be assembled at the heart of Renault Trucks' Venissieux industrial site and distributed through the manufacturer's European network. Through this partnership, Renault Trucks is adding last mile delivery solutions to its electric vehicle range. With the expansion of low-emission zones (LEZ), booming demand for last mile delivery, and increased environmental awareness, agile and decarbonised transport is clearly the future in urban areas. To address this pressing need, Kleuster launched its pioneering Freegones professional e-cargo bike 8 years ago. Renault Trucks is equally committed to developing decarbonised transport modes. The manufacturer is gradually electrifying its vehicle ranges for customers operating in cities. To respond to the demands of urban logistics, Renault Trucks has entered the field of cycle logistics by partnering with Kleuster to produce Freegones at its Venissieux plant. These e-cargo bikes are now being sold through the French Renault Trucks network and in its European network from 2023. A Synergistic and Complementary Partnership By joining forces with Kleuster, Renault Trucks is sharing its expertise, industrial infrastructure, and large-scale production capacity. Freegones' assembly and logistics have moved to a 2,100 m2 building in Renault Trucks' long-standing Venissieux site, which also boosts the regional economy. Renault Trucks has already put in place a production team of around a dozen people to meet increasing demand. In the very short term, production capacity will increase fivefold in comparison to 2022. This partnership reflects Renault Trucks' desire to strengthen its positioning in urban logistics and prepare its plants to take on new future-looking activities. Kleuster's Freegones is an outstanding product developed through years of research and adaptations based on feedback, with an active portfolio of key accounts working primarily in last mile delivery. Nearly 200 Freegones are currently pedalling all over France, some for more than 7 years, a testament to their reliability and durability. By integrating Kleuster products as a complement to its range of electric vehicles, Renault Trucks is providing professionals with an effective and innovative solution for last mile delivery. Renault Trucks is now the only European manufacturer with such a wide range of electric vehicles, varying between 650 kg and 44 t GVWR. A Partnership to Benefit Both Users and Urban Mobility The sharing of a common clientele also motivated this partnership on the commercial side through the distribution of a cyclo-logistics solution in the Renault Trucks network. Using the truck manufacturer's distributors in several European countries allows Kleuster to take full advantage of a dense and local network to guarantee top-notch sales and after-sales services. Renault Trucks, for its part, is adding another string to its bow and opening up to potential new clients by covering the entire logistics chain. Freegones take over where trucks stop. "E-cargo bikes can be a great option for customers in urban environments that need to access zero emissions zones. Through this partnership with Kleuster, Renault Trucks is differentiating itself and taking the lead in offering even better solutions to our current and future clients," says Bruno Blin, President of Renault Trucks. Kleuster Freegones: Reliable, Durable, Cost-effective Not only can Freegones access roads, cycle lanes, pedestrian zones, and LEZs, their small size and agility mean they can get close as possible to delivery sites, and therefore, customers. With its 80 km range, this e-cargo bike can be more productive than a utility vehicle and more cost-effective, thanks to its low carrying cost. Built on a single body chassis, Freegones is the only cargo bike on the market that offers 5 modules (dry box, refrigerated box, food service, flat bin, and refuse skip), each with its specific features. While the Freegones dry box has unmatched carrying capacity (350 kg payload and 2m3 of useful volume), the Freegones refrigerated box is the only e-cargo bike to offer ATP-approved temperature control ranging from -25C to +4C. The refuse skip is the only e-cargo bike that can automatically unload into a tipper truck or container in less than 20 seconds. This modularity makes this e-cargo bike ideal for a variety of uses, from collecting or delivering packages or groceries, courier services, the craft trades, waste collection, green space maintenance, and the food sector. "Renault Trucks is the ideal partner to support Kleuster's growth. The two companies are both committed to providing the best possible urban mobility solutions in very densely populated environments. Joining forces with Renault Trucks benefits both our companies and contributes to environmental targets while also meeting the needs of our current and prospective customers," says Gerard Tetu, Founder and CEO of Kleuster. About Kleuster Aware of the challenges of urban mobility, Gerard Tetu founded Kleuster in 2012, manufacturer of the electric-assisted cargo bike Freegones. The ambition of the French company based in Lyon and its twenty employees: to offer a reliable, sustainable and profitable work tool to professionals operating in urban areas with high population density. The Freegones, based on a single chassis, accommodates 5 modules (dry cell, refrigeration cell, food, tray and waste bin) and is aimed for a wide range of uses. The Kleuster solution has been tested by a hundred professionals such as Veolia, Intermarche, Leclerc Drive, Lime, Cityscoot, Metropole de Lyon, etc. Kleuster Freegones is available starting at 319 excluding tax per month. In 2020, Kleuster joined the Jean Lain Mobilites group, Top 20 automotive distribution groups in France present in the French Alpine arc and brings together more than 1,800 employees. Jean Lain Mobilites generated consolidated sales of 850 million in 2021. More info on: www.jeanlain.com About Renault Trucks Renault Trucks, the French truck manufacturer, has been providing professionals with transport solutions since 1894, from light commercial vehicles to heavy duty tractors. Committed to energy transition, Renault Trucks offers fuel efficient vehicles and a complete range of 100% electric trucks, with their operating life extended through a circular economy approach. Renault Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and industrial and marine engines. The group also provides complete financing and service solutions. Key figures:

9,450 employees worldwide

4 production sites in France

1,400 sales and service points worldwide.

54,000 vehicles sold in 2021 For additional information: www.renault-trucks.fr/communiques-de-pressewww.kleuster.com Severyne Molard

+33 (0)4 81 93 09 52

[email protected] Agence Plus2sens

Leslie Brunner

06 76 33 55 15

[email protected] Quentin Pechoux

04 37 24 02 58

[email protected] Laurence Nicolas

06 64 50 59 50

[email protected] Kleuster press contact

Alice Thuot

Tel. +33 (6) 65 49 09 69

[email protected] The following files are available for download:







https://mb.cision.com/Main/39/3648456/1638800.pdf 221017-rt-renault-trucks-x-kleuster-en https://news.cision.com/ab-volvo/i/renault-trucks-kluster-221017,c3101120 RENAULT-TRUCKS-KLUSTER 221017

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/renault-trucks-now-assembles-and-distributes-e-cargo-bikes-with-kleuster-301650592.html SOURCE AB Volvo

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[October 17, 2022] TIBCO Honors Customer Excellence with the Annual Lighthouse Awards

TIBCO, a global leader in enterprise data, empowers its customers to connect, unify, and confidently predict business outcomes, solving the world's most complex data-driven challenges. Today, TIBCO announced the winners of its annual TIBCO Lighthouse Awards, recognizing exceptional leadership and innovation amongst TIBCO customers who successfully unlock the power of data in today's modernized and digital world. "The number of connections between people, ideas, and technology continues to increase. This creates volumes of data that, if used effectively, have a profound impact on the people around us, the organizations we work for, and the world as we know it," said Matt Quinn, general manager, TIBCO, a business unit of Cloud Software Group. "The winners of this year's Lighthouse Awards are data pioneers in a world of digitally connected networks, showcasing the transformative possibilities of data through their success and innovation." Everyone. Everywhere. Award Autostrade per l'Italia, winner of the Everyone. Everywhere. Lighthouse Award, is one of Europe's leading companies for integrated smart mobility management. To gain better access to complete and trusted data, Autostrade per l'Italia deployed TIBCO solutions, using simple construction dashboards based on traffic data going back more than 10 years. This is a key foundation for artificial intelligence algorithms. Results included digital twins for every tunnel and bridge, a risk index for all traffic and highways, and snapshots for every 250 meters of road. With dashboards powered by TIBCO relaying information, Autostrade per l'Italia can prevent large road interruptions, such as maintenance activities that conflict with peak traffic times. New dashboards increased accuracy in estimating traffic backups by 97.5 percent, easily displaying more than 300 key performance indicators, and reduced traffic chart creation from hours to minutes. Business Reinvention Award Safaricom, winner of the Business Reinvention Lighthouse Award, is the largest telecom provider in Kenya and one of the most profitable companies in the East and Central Africa region. To become a "purpose-led, customer-obsessed, technology company" by 2025, Safaricom needed to migrate from legacy platforms to cloud-native and API-led integration. Using TIBCO solutions, it created new business models and accelerated business initiatives, improving Safaricom's pioneering mobile banking app, M-PESA, which handles more than $200 billion in transactions annually. By implementing 200 APIs on its common service model, Safaricom adopted best practices for integration and reusability - replacing its monolithic architecture with microservices and cloudnative APIs for enhanced billing services. With TIBCO's integration platform, Safaricom has reduced developer onboarding time by 80 percent and increased merchant registration by 20 percent.



Operational Excellence Award A high-tech multinational company in the Netherlands won TIBCO's Operational Excellence Lighthouse Award. Using TIBCO technology, the company is taking insight-driven decision making to the next level with advanced data models and financial metrics, providing integrated, quality, and timely insights that drive business value. The company created an application, built on TIBCO Spotfire, to orchestrate its change process. These capabilities help it achieve worldwide standardized process management and reporting.

Social Impact Award National University Health System (NUHS), winner of the Social Impact Lighthouse Award, is an academic health system in Singapore that operates several tertiary, acute and community hospitals, national specialty centers, primary care clinics and academic health sciences institutions. To better plan for Singapore's long-term health strategies, NUHS leveraged TIBCO's AI-based predictive and streaming capabilities. NUHS's new platform, ENDEAVOUR AI, is a core system that houses multiple AI tools and technologies, including TIBCO technology for messaging, microservices, and other capabilities. ENDEAVOUR AI aggregates live data throughout the health system, read by TIBCO Spotfire, to display outcomes in a command center format. The platform relies on TIBCO to enable real-time execution of AI algorithms and output advisories to doctors and patients, eliminating manual processes, such as calling for appointments and gathering patient feedback. The productivity gains are not limited to patient care as institutional processes are similarly enhanced through the provision of live analytics. NUHS plans to operationalize as many as 150 distinct AI and automation tools as microservices on the new platform. Using AI, NUHS hopes to reduce chronic disease complications by 20 percent in five years within an initial population of 170,000. Visionary Award Norfolk Southern operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 6.7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and it is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Through an initiative led by Norfolk Southern's chief information officer, Fred Ehlers, the company unified its operation systems with central intelligence built into the core. By leveraging TIBCO solutions, the company has greater visibility into daily operations, providing more precise forecasting for its customers. Additionally, with real-time insights from Ehler's team, Norfolk Southern is better positioned to respond and adapt to environmental challenges. With the help of these initiatives, the company reduced train idle time by 80 percent, lowered contractor costs, and increased train capacity. Ehlers' team has also modernized its core systems through the capture of 17 lines of business, gaining 360-degree views of its assets and developing a mobile app for employees to more easily communicate with one another in the field. TIBCO Legend Award The City of Brampton is a public sector organization in the Greater Toronto Area that manages hundreds of applications and datasets critical to delivering services to its residents. Led by Gustavo Espinosa, a BI, MDM, DBA, and integration program manager, the organization turned to TIBCO analytics, master data, and data integration technology to help top-level management make timely and informed decisions with quality data - including fueling the city's insights around COVID-19, transit, and improving residents' satisfaction of city services by providing a wealth of information quickly and easily. Results include bylaw route optimization, fuel consumption reduction, and workforce optimization. The City's Transit Smart Bus consistently meets service level agreements of two minutes, minimizing complaints and making travelers happier. With access to accurate, trusted data, officials efficiently deliver public services while dealing with continuous change. Espinosa's leadership, and the impact his team is making, continues to fuel change for the organization, making the City of Brampton an even better place to live for all. About TIBCO TIBCO, a business unit of Cloud Software Group, unlocks the potential of real-time data for making faster, smarter decisions. Our Connected Intelligence Platform seamlessly connects any application or data source; intelligently unifies data for greater access, trust, and control; and confidently predicts outcomes in real time and at scale. Learn how solutions to our customers' most critical business challenges are made possible by TIBCO at www.tibco.com. TIBCO, Spotfire, and the TIBCO logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TIBCO Software Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other product and company names and marks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned for identification. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005055/en/

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[October 13, 2022] Vonage Applauded by Frost & Sullivan for Its Fully Integrated API, Unified and Contact Center Communications-as-a-service Platform, and Competitive Strategy

Vonage's VCP strategy comes at a perfect time when the industry and customers are recognizing the value of programmable communications. SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 13, 2022 /CNW/ -- Frost & Sullivan has recognized Vonage, a global leader in business cloud communications, with the 2022 North American Competitive Strategy Leadership Award for its API-led business communications solutions. The recognition comes as a part of Frost & Sullivan's recent research focused on the North American API-led business communications industry and, based on its findings, recognizes Vonage with the 2022 North American Competitive Strategy Leadership Award for its API-led business communications solutions. Through the integrated Vonage Communications Platform (VCP), the company provides a business cloud communications services via a unique combination of unified communications, contact center and communications APIs. Pandemic-driven workflows, including curbside pickup, COVID-19 pre-screening ahead of appointments, and telehealth visits, highlighted the need for business communications services to adapt quickly to changing business environments. Every business, regardless of size or vertical, needs more than a phone system or contact center to engage with customers effectively and in a meaningful way. Vonage has a global community of more than 1 million registered developers that leverage Vonage APIs to create custom, embedded and programmable solutions for any number of applications and use cases. The company also drives organic development and innovation of its product portfolio through the single, integrated Vonage Communications Platform (VCP). The integrated platform for business communications services includes unified communications-as-a-service (UCaaS), contact center-as-a-service (CCaaS), and CPaaS capabilities through APIs. Open and extensible Vonage APIs empower businesses to embed, integrate, and program communications into the core of its business processes. Product and development synergies continually prove the company's differentiated value of VCP, including: Supports a wide range of communications modalities through APIs, including voice, video, short message service (SMS), two-factor authentication, social media messaging channels, email, and in-app notifications

Enables the rapid development of new products and solutions in response to shifting market demands and requirements

Enables Vonage to take a more holistic approach in the consumption of its platform

Provides businesses with a customized solution that meets their exact needs and requirements. According to Michael Brandenburg, a Frost & Sullivan Connected Work Senior Industry Analyst, "Vonage has invested sgnificantly in technology development and acquisition to achieve the vision of a fully integrated platform that enables a virtuous cycle for the vendor and its customers and partners. As new technologies and APIs become available to developers via VCP, UCaaS and CCaaS applications deliver enhanced employee or customer experiences."



"We are honored to be recognized by Frost & Sullivan for the strength of our API offering and strategy behind our robust Vonage Communications Platform, a differentiating combination of APIs, unified communications and contact center," said NAME, TITLE for Vonage. "With the power of the VCP, our customers are creating the kind of embedded, personalized connections that help them drive more meaningful conversations with their own customers - from anywhere and on the channels of their choice for a truly unique experience." VCP is a bold strategy and Vonage's greatest strength, appealing most strongly to customers seeking fully integrated services. VCP allows the company and its customers to innovate and grow, especially when addressing the growing demand for video-enabled contact center agents. Vonage has seen significant video growth in custom, secure, and embedded solutions that leverage video APIs to enable telehealth, social, and education platforms. The company works closely with customers to determine their specific needs and pricing for advanced business application integrations and embedded business applications.

"Vonage recognized that customers across different industries would need long-term programmable communications options and more traditional communications services. It aligns all its core services under a shared platform for renewed success and growth in the UCaaS, CCaaS, and CPaaS markets," added Brandenburg. With its strong overall performance, Vonage earns Frost & Sullivan's 2022 North American Competitive Strategy Leadership Award in the API-led business communications market. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has leveraged competitive intelligence to successfully execute a strategy that results in stronger market share, competitive brand positioning, and customer satisfaction. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Frost & Sullivan For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion . Contact: Bianca Torres

P: 1.210.247.8860

E: [email protected] About Vonage Vonage, a global cloud communications leader, helps businesses accelerate their digital transformation. Vonage's Communications Platform is fully programmable and allows for the integration of Video, Voice, Chat, Messaging, AI and Verification into existing products, workflows and systems. The Vonage conversational commerce application enables businesses to create AI-powered omnichannel experiences that boost sales and increase customer satisfaction. Vonage's fully programmable unified communications, contact center and conversational commerce applications are built from the Vonage platform and enable companies to transform how they communicate and operate from the office or remotely - providing the flexibility required to create meaningful engagements. Vonage is headquartered in New Jersey, with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Israel and Asia and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ericsson. To follow Vonage on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/vonage. To become a fan on Facebook, go to facebook.com/vonage. To subscribe on YouTube, visit youtube.com/vonage. Vonage Media Contact: Santina Stankevich, 201-407-8474, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vonage-applauded-by-frost--sullivan-for-its-fully-integrated-api-unified-and-contact-center-communications-as-a-service-platform-and-competitive-strategy-301648119.html SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

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[October 14, 2022] Huawei Intelligent Cloud-Network Upgrades Capabilities in Three Scenarios Based on Innovative Technologies

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- During HUAWEI CONNECT 2022 Dubai, Huawei unveiled the upgraded capabilities of its Intelligent Cloud-Network Solution at the "Intelligent Cloud-Network, Unleashing Digital Productivity" summit. These capabilities, which center on three major scenarios CloudFabric 3.0, CloudCampus 3.0, and CloudWAN 3.0 are provided to meet network development trends. Huawei also released the L3.5 Data Center Autonomous Driving Network White Paper, together with IEEE-UAE Section and pioneering customers, to contribute to the thriving data communications industry and unleash digital productivity. The changes in enterprise business are driving the development of enterprise ICT infrastructure, and IP networks  serving as the bridge between IT and CT and covering all production and office procedures of enterprises, constitute the connectivity foundation for industry digital transformation. Networks have never been more important than they are today. Daniel Tang, CTO of Huawei Data Communication Product Line, shed light on how to respond to future development trends and address network challenges. According to Daniel Tang, Huawei keeps innovating data communications technologies in areas such as Wi-Fi 7, 400GE, IPv6 Enhanced, multi-cloud synergy, autonomous driving network, and ubiquitous security. With these innovative technologies, Huawei has upgraded its capabilities in three scenarios: CloudFabric 3.0, CloudCampus 3.0, and CloudWAN 3..



CloudFabric 3.0 Huawei CloudFabric 3.0 offers full-lifecycle intelligent capabilities for multi-cloud and multi-vendor networks based on L3.5 ADN technology. Stand-out features include unified management and control, flexible orchestration and collaboration, simulation & verification, risk prediction, and unified O&M for applications and networks. Plus, this solution facilitates easy interconnection with customers' IT management systems to achieve end-to-end automation. Key results include easy deployment, easy O&M, and easy evolution. By leveraging Huawei's ADN and hyper-converged Ethernet technologies, Ankabut is building the world's first HPC supercomputing center with Ethernet and InfiniBand co-cluster.

At the summit, Huawei, together with IEEE-UAE Section, Ankabut of UAE, and CBK of Kuwait, released the L3.5 Data Center Autonomous Driving Network White Paper. CloudCampus 3.0 Huawei further upgraded its CloudCampus 3.0 offerings by unveiling a host of flagship products, including the first enterprise-class Wi-Fi 7 AP AirEngine 8771-X1T, next-generation flagship core switch CloudEngine S16700, and 4-in-1 hyper-converged enterprise gateway NetEngine AR5710. Huawei CloudCampus 3.0 helps enterprises simplify their campus networks from four aspects: access, architecture, branch, and Operations and Maintenance (O&M). CloudWAN 3.0 In the WAN field, Huawei continues to innovate technologies such as SRv6, FlexE slicing, and application-based IFIT measurement, and all of these technologies rely on IPv6 Enhanced. Huawei has further upgraded its CloudWAN 3.0 offerings to achieve agile connectivity, deterministic experience, and agile O&M and launched an ultra-high-density multi-service aggregation router  NetEngine 8000 F8  to improve digital productivity with agile connectivity. With Huawei's help, the Gauteng province successfully deployed the first 100GE private network in South Africa  GBN. The future digital world is full of uncertainties. As the saying goes, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Mindful of this, Huawei strongly advocates partnerships and will continue to cooperate and innovate with more customers and partners in the data communication field. Vincent Liu, President of Huawei's Global Enterprise Network Marketing & Solutions Sales Dept, highlighted that Huawei has set up many regional joint innovation labs and OpenLabs. Through these labs, Huawei is well poised to jointly innovate with customers from sectors such as public service, oil and gas, electric power, finance, education, and ISP. These concerted efforts pay off in many high-value application scenarios and achieve remarkable results. To date, Huawei has already trained and certified 188,000 data communication engineers, providing a large pool of ICT talent for digital transformation across industries. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1921355/image_986294_38236382.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/huawei-intelligent-cloud-network-upgrades-capabilities-in-three-scenarios-based-on-innovative-technologies-301649627.html

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[October 14, 2022] Cancer to Be Treated as Easily as Common Cold When Humans Crack Quantum Computing

Breakthroughs in quantum computing will enable humans to cure diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's as easily as we treat the common cold. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221014005367/en/ One of the sessions that took place at Dubai Future Forum in the Museum of the Future (Photo: AETOSWire) That was one of the major insights to emerge from the Dubai Future Forum, with renowned theoretical physicist Dr. Michio Kaku telling the world's largest gathering of futurists that humanity should brace itself for "major transformations" in healthcare. The forum concluded with a call for governments to institutionalize foresight and engrain it within decision making.



"Nowism is a virus. Corporations and governments are infected," she said.

One panel session heard how humans could be ready to test life on the Moon in just 15 years and be ready for life on Mars in another decade. Sharing his predictions for the future, Dr. Kaku also said there is "a very good chance" humans will pick up a signal from another intelligent life form this century. Dr. Jamie Metzl, Founder and Chair, OneShared.World, urged people to eat more lab-grown meat to combat global warming and food insecurity. "If we are treating them like a means to an end of our nutrition, wouldn't it be better instead of growing the animal, to grow the meat?" he said. Among the 70 speakers participating in sessions were several UAE ministers. HE Mohammad Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees and Managing Director of the Dubai Future Foundation, said ministers around the world should think of themselves as "designers of the future". "Our stakeholders are 7.98 billion people around the world,' he noted. Dubai's approach to foresight was lauded by delegates, including HE Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, who said: "What makes our city and nation successful is not natural resources, but a unique ability to embrace all ideas and individuals." More than 30 sessions covered topics including immortality, AI sentience, climate change, terraforming, genome sequencing, legislation, and the energy transition. *Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221014005367/en/

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[October 16, 2022]

World Health Summit kicks off with German Chancellor Scholz, numerous Government Officials, WHO Director-General Tedros

Global health in focus

BERLIN, Oct. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Health Summit 2022, the world's leading meeting for global health, began on Sunday morning in Berlin. For the first time it is co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Among the central topics are climate change and health, pandemic preparedness, sustainable health systems and the role of the G7 and G20 in global health. More than 300 speakers from all regions of the world and from all sectors of society are expected, including over 20 government officials.

The entire program is available for free online.

More on speakers and program

The official opening is tonight at 6:00 PM CEST. Speakers include German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russel, EU-Commission Director General for Health and Food Safety Sandra Gallina as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Senegal's President Macky Sall via video.

More info







Livestream of the opening ceremony: www.worldhealthsummit.org

Please find details on the use of video material below.

Information on special events during WHS 2022 and further press information is available in the press kit in the media center:

https://www.worldhealthsummit.org/whs-2022/media-center.html

The entire World Health Summit is open to the press.

Accreditation for on-site participation is closed.

Digital participation is possible without accreditation. Zoom links are available in the online program and during WHS 2022 at www.worldhealthsummit.org. Video and audio material can be used upon request. Source: World Health Summit

All recordings: https://www.youtube.com/worldhealthsummit

For on-site participation, wearing an FFP2 mask is mandatory.

World Health Summit

October 16-18, 2022

Hotel Berlin Central District

Stauffenbergstrae 26

Berlin, Germany & Digital

www.worldhealthsummit.org

#WHS2022

Twitter: @WorldHealthSmt

LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram: @worldhealthsummit

Press contact

Alida Tiekotter

+4930450572102

[email protected]

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[October 16, 2022] PopReach Announces Christopher Locke to Step Down as President, and Termination of Certain Capital Markets Advisory Agreements

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/ TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2022 /CNW/ - PopReach Corporation ("PopReach" or the "Company") (TSXV: POPR) (OTCQX: POPRF) announced today that Christopher Locke will step down from his role as President of the Company, effective November 30, 2022, for personal reasons. To help ensure an orderly transition, Mr. Locke has entered into a consulting agreement with the Company beginning on December 1, 2022, to advise on matters related to strategy, corporate development, and PopReach's portfolio of games. Mr. Locke will continue to serve as a member of Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"). "Since we co-founded this business together, Chris has been instrumental in our journey to build PopReach into a multi-platform digital technology company with substantial revenue scale and positive cash flow generation," said Jon Walsh, CEO of PopReach. "We're in a great spot today, with a strong portfolio of companies that have the management depth and experience to continue our growt path. Although he's stepping away from day-to-day duties at PopReach, Chris will continue to play an important role in advising on our strategic direction in a consulting capacity, and as a member of our Board."



"The critical scale that we envisioned for PopReach is coming together and I'm excited for this next phase of the Company's growth," added Christopher Locke. "PopReach is a truly global organization, and working with our talented and diverse group of people has been extremely rewarding. I want to thank Jon, Ted, and the Board, for the trust and support they've provided me in order to execute on our shared vision." "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Chris for his passion, leadership, and tireless dedication to PopReach," said Ted Hastings, Executive Chairman of PopReach. "He's led multiple transformative transactions for the Company, and we're grateful to have his ongoing counsel as we drive our strategy forward."

Termination of Certain Capital Markets Advisory Agreements The Company today also announced the termination of its market making services agreement with Independent Trading Group Inc, as disclosed on September 3, 2020, and its investor marketing services agreement with Hybrid Financial Ltd, as disclosed on March 10, 2021. These agreements will end on November 2, 2022, and December 2, 2022, respectively. About PopReach Corporation PopReach, a Tier 1 Issuer on the TSX Venture Exchange, with shares also trading on OTCQX Best Market, is a multi-platform technology company focused on acquiring, optimizing and growing companies and assets that provide services, technology or products within the digital media ecosystem. The Company's portfolio includes: PopReach Games, a free-to-play mobile game publisher with over 25 games enjoyed by millions of players; notifyAI, a push notification subscription and monetization platform; Q1Media, a digital media advertising services provider; Contobox, an award-winning personalization, eCommerce and creative advertising technology platform; and Ubiquity, data-driven user acquisition and marketing technology consortium. Additional information about the Company is available at www.sedar.com . Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE PopReach Corporation

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[October 16, 2022] MUFG Announces Regulatory Approval From the U.S. Federal Banking Regulators for the Sale of MUFG Union Bank to U.S. Bancorp and Related Transactions

On September 21, 2021, MUFG and MUFG Bank, a core banking subsidiary of MUFG, announced an agreement[1] to sell all shares of MUFG Union Bank, N.A. ("MUB"), MUFG's subsidiary owned through MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation ("MUAH"), to U.S. Bancorp ("USB"), pending receipt of all required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of other closing conditions. Although the closing date had been expected to be in the first half of CY2022, considering the ongoing U.S. regulatory approval process, on May 16, 2022, MUFG announced a shift[2] in the expected closing date to the second half in CY2022. MUFG announced today the receipt of regulatory approvals from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to complete the sale of MUB and related transactions contemplated by the Share Purchase Agreement. These approvals are part of the conditions precedent to complete the sale of MUB. We will announce the planned closing date after the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, which announcement is expected to occur no less than 30 days prior to the closing date. If any event which should be disclosed occurs, it will be announced promptly. [1] For details on the agreement for the sale, please refer to the following press release: https://www.mufg.jp/dam/pressrelease/2021/pdf/news-20210921-001_en.pdf

[2] For details on the announcement, please refer to the following press release: https://www.mufg.jp/dam/pressrelease/2022/pdf/news-20220516-002_en.pdf - End - Cautionary Statement Regarding MUFG's Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements. We use ords such as expects, intends, and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected or forecast in the forward-looking statements. MUFG assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.



About MUFG

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world's leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with approximately 2,400 locations in more than 50 countries. The Group has about 170,000 employees and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management, and leasing. The Group aims to "be the world's most trusted financial group" through close collaboration among our operating companies and flexibly respond to all of the financial needs of our customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges. For more information, visit https://www.mufg.jp/english. About Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.'s U.S. Operations including MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation

The U.S. operations of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG), one of the world's leading financial groups, has total assets of $342.4 billion at June 30, 2022. As part of that total, MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation (MUAH), a financial holding company, bank holding company, and intermediate holding company, has total assets of $152.5 billion at June 30, 2022. MUAH's main subsidiaries are MUFG Union Bank, N.A. and MUFG Securities Americas Inc. MUFG Union Bank, N.A. provides a wide range of financial services to consumers, small businesses, middle-market companies, and major corporations. As of June 30, 2022, MUFG Union Bank, N.A. operated 297 branches, consisting primarily of retail banking branches in the West Coast states. MUFG Securities Americas Inc. is a registered securities broker-dealer which engages in capital markets origination transactions, domestic and foreign debt and equities securities transactions, private placements, collateralized financings, and securities borrowing and lending transactions. MUAH is owned by MUFG Bank, Ltd. and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. MUFG Bank, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., has offices in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and Canada. Visit www.unionbank.com or www.mufgamericas.com for more information.

About MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

As of June 30, 2022, MUFG Union Bank, N.A. operated 297 branches, consisting primarily of retail banking branches in the West Coast states. We provide a wide spectrum of corporate and retail banking and wealth management solutions to meet the needs of our clients. We also offer an extensive portfolio of value-added solutions for clients, including investment banking, personal and corporate trust, global custody, transaction banking, capital markets, and other services. With assets of $124.7 billion, as of June 30, 2022, MUFG Union Bank has strong capital reserves, credit ratings, and capital ratios relative to peer banks. MUFG Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE: MUFG), one of the world's largest financial institutions with total assets of approximately 386.9 trillion (JPY) or $2.8 trillion (USD) [3], as of June 30, 2022. The corporate headquarters (principal executive office) for MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation, which is the financial holding company, and MUFG Union Bank, is in New York City. The main banking office of MUFG Union Bank is in San Francisco, California.

[3] Exchange rate of 1 USD=136.68 (JPY) as of June 30, 2022 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221016005049/en/

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[October 17, 2022] CitiusTech wins the 18th Indo-American Corporate Excellence (IACE) Award for Excellence in Services by an Indian company in US

MUMBAI, India, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CitiusTech, a global provider of digital technology and consulting to healthcare and life sciences organizations, won the 18th Indo-American Corporate Excellence (IACE) Award for Excellence in Services by an Indian company in US. The IACE Awards have been given by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) since 2004. The award was received by Manoj Balwani, SVP and Head  Admin, Travel & Procurement, CitiusTech and Sumit Bharadwaj, SVP  Delivery, CitiusTech. The awards were decided by a special jury of eminent industry leaders such as Mr. Shailesh Haribhakti, Jury Chair and Chairman, Bluestar Ltd., Mr. Suresh Kotak, Chairman, Kotak Commodities, Mr. Nanik Rupani, Event Chair and Chairman, Roopmeck Electricals Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Lalit Kanodia, Chairman, Datamatics Group of Companies, Mr. Naushad Panjwani, Founder, Mandarus Partners, Ms. Rajyalakshmi Rao, Independent Director, Tech Mahindra Ltd., Mr. Kapil Kaul, Advisor, Rasoi Group and Dr. Lalit Bhasin, Managing Partner, Bhasin & Co. The IACE awards felicitate the top Indian and US corporates that have had significant contributions in boosting bilateral trade between the two countries. This this is the second time CitiusTech has been recognized by IACC, having also received the 2013 IACE Award in technology and communication. The IACE awards are presented across multiple categories including Excellence in Services, Excellence in Manufacturing, Excellence in Innovation, Corporate Leader of the Year, Significant Contribution in CSR, Outstanding ontributor to the Indo-US Corridor, and Outstanding Contributor to the Cross Border Trade. Two new categories were introduced this year by the Chamber, i.e., Significant Contribution in Women Empowerment, and Significant Contribution in Climate Action.



About IACC The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), established in 1968, is the apex bilateral Chamber synergizing India-US Economic Engagement. It was started by Ambassador Chester Bowles along with the then Industry leaders and visionaries like Mr. S.L. Kirloskar, Mr. Harish Mahindra, Mr. H.P. Nanda, Mr. Ambalal Kilachand, Mr. A.M.M. Arunachalam, Mr. Frederick Fales and Mr. John Oris Sims for enhancing US India Economic Engagement. Today IACC has a pan-India presence with 2400 members, representing the cross section of US and Indian Industry.

The major objective of IACC is to promote Indo-American business, trade and economic relations. IACC promotes bilateral trade, investment and technology transfer, facilitates business collaborations, joint ventures, marketing tie-ups and strategic alliances through a set of proactive business-oriented initiatives. About CitiusTech CitiusTech is a leading provider of digital technology and consulting services to payer, provider, medical technology and life sciences companies. With over 7,500 healthcare technology professionals worldwide, CitiusTech powers healthcare digital innovation, business transformation and industry-wide convergence for over 130 organizations, through next-generation technologies, solutions and products. Key focus areas include healthcare interoperability, secure data management, quality and performance analytics, value-based care, patient experience, medical imaging, connected health, payer-provider convergence, care coordination and population health management. CitiusTech's cutting-edge technology expertise, deep healthcare domain expertise and a strong focus on digital transformation enables healthcare and life sciences companies to reinvent themselves to deliver better outcomes, accelerate growth, drive efficiencies, and ultimately make a meaningful impact to patients. Find out more: www.citiustech.com. Follow CitiusTech on Twitter or LinkedIn. Media Contact:

Saviera Baretto

+91-8424917719

[email protected] Komal Chawla

[email protected]

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[October 17, 2022] E-learning Courses Market to grow by USD 109.05 Bn, Digitization of Learning Process to Boost growth - Technavio

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "E-Learning Courses Market by End-user and Geography  Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026" report by Technavio expects the market size to grow by USD 109.05 billion by 2026. The market observed a YOY growth of 15.67% in 2021 and the growth momentum is expected to accelerate at a CAGR of 16.75% during the forecast period. The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the current market size, future growth opportunities, key strategies adopted by vendors, new product launches, and key segments to invest in over the forecast period. Download the PDF Report Sample to understand the scope of our full report on the global e-learning courses market. The global E-learning courses market is fragmented, owing to the presence of well-diversified international and regional vendors. International vendors are increasing their footprint across the world. This creates significant challenges for regional vendors that cannot compete based on quality, technology, and price. Technavio expects the competitive environment to intensify over the forecast period, owing to product and service extensions, M&A, and innovations in technology by leading global and regional vendors. As the demand for E-learning increases, several vendors will focus on providing E-learning courses with varying content across different domains. Technavio expects several vendors to focus on selling e-learning courses to university students, corporations, and individuals. Adobe Inc., Articulate Global Inc., Blackboard Inc., Cegos Group, Cisco Systems Inc., Citrix Systems Inc., City and Guilds Group, Compunnel Software Group Inc., Coursera Inc., CrossKnowledge, D2L Corp., Docebo Inc., edX LLC., Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH, and Co. KG, GP Strategies Corp., Kaplan Inc., NIIT Ltd, Pearson Plc, Skillsoft Corp., and Seek Ltd. are among some of the major market participants. Digitization of learning processes has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, credibility issues might hamper the market growth. 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. E-learning Courses Market 2022-2026: Segmentation End-user

Higher Education



Corporate



K-12 The e-learning courses market share growth in the higher education segment will be significant during the forecast period. The higher education sector dominates the global E-learning courses market, with a sizable number of vendors offering a wide range of courses, mainly in the STEM segment, followed by courses in arts and other subjects. Geography

North America



APAC



Europe



South America



Middle East And Africa To get more insights on segments. Download the Sample PDF Here. E-learning Courses Market 2022-2026: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026

Detailed information on factors that will assist e-learning courses market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the e-learning courses market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the e-learning courses market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of the e-learning courses market, vendors Related Reports: Information and Communications Technology Services in Education Market Type, Region, Application, and Segment Forecast 2022-2026 Online Photography Education Market in Higher Education by Courses and Geography  Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026







E-learning Courses Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 16.75% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 109.05 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 15.67 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 34% Key consumer countries US, Canada, China, UK, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Adobe Inc., Articulate Global Inc., Blackboard Inc., Cegos Group, Cisco Systems Inc., Citrix Systems Inc., City and Guilds Group, Compunnel Software Group Inc., Coursera Inc., CrossKnowledge, D2L Corp., Docebo Inc., edX LLC., Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH and Co. KG, GP Strategies Corp., Kaplan Inc., NIIT Ltd, Pearson Plc, Skillsoft Corp., and Seek 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 End-user



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2021 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 4 Five Forces Analysis 4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison 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 End-user 5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%) 5.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by End-user 5.3 Higher education - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Higher education - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Higher education - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Higher education - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Higher education - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Corporate - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Corporate - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Corporate - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Corporate - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Corporate - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 K -12 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

-12 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 36: Chart on K-12 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on K-12 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Chart on K-12 - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on K-12 - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.6 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 40: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million) 6 Customer Landscape 6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 41: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 42: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 44: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Geographic comparison 7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 47: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 48: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 49: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 50: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 60: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 63: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 64: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 65: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 66: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 67: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 68: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 69: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.9 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 72: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 73: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 74: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 75: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 76: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 77: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.11 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.12 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 86: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.2 Market challenges 8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 87: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 88: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 89: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 90: Impact of key risks on business 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 91: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 92: Matrix on vendor position and classification 10.3 Cegos Group

Exhibit 93: Cegos Group - Overview



Exhibit 94: Cegos Group - Product / Service



Exhibit 95: Cegos Group - Key offerings 10.4 City and Guilds Group

Exhibit 96: City and Guilds Group - Overview



Exhibit 97: City and Guilds Group - Product / Service



Exhibit 98: City and Guilds Group - Key offerings 10.5 CrossKnowledge

Exhibit 99: CrossKnowledge - Overview



Exhibit 100: CrossKnowledge - Product / Service



Exhibit 101: CrossKnowledge - Key offerings 10.6 D2L Corp.

Exhibit 102: D2L Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 103: D2L Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 104: D2L Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 105: D2L Corp. - Key offerings 10.7 Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH and Co. KG

Exhibit 106: Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH and Co. KG - Overview



Exhibit 107: Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH and Co. KG - Product / Service



Exhibit 108: Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH and Co. KG - Key offerings 10.8 GP Strategies Corp.

Exhibit 109: GP Strategies Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 110: GP Strategies Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 111: GP Strategies Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 112: GP Strategies Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 113: GP Strategies Corp. - Segment focus 10.9 Kaplan Inc.

Exhibit 114: Kaplan Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 115: Kaplan Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 116: Kaplan Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 117: Kaplan Inc. - Key offerings 10.10 NIIT Ltd

Exhibit 118: NIIT Ltd - Overview



Exhibit 119: NIIT Ltd - Product / Service



Exhibit 120: NIIT Ltd - Key news



Exhibit 121: NIIT Ltd - Key offerings 10.11 Pearson Plc

Exhibit 122: Pearson Plc - Overview



Exhibit 123: Pearson Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 124: Pearson Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 125: Pearson Plc - Segment focus 10.12 Skillsoft Corp.

Exhibit 126: Skillsoft Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 127: Skillsoft Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 128: Skillsoft Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 129: Skillsoft Corp. - Segment focus 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 130: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 131: Exclusions checklist 11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 132: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 133: Research methodology



Exhibit 134: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 135: Information sources 11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 136: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/e-learning-courses-market-to-grow-by-usd-109-05-bn-digitization-of-learning-process-to-boost-growth---technavio-301649546.html SOURCE Technavio

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[October 17, 2022] Stavian Chemical leads the way with the 'One-Stop Shop' solution for the global plastics industry at K 2022

DUSSELDORF, Germany, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stavian Chemical, the 22nd largest global chemical distributor, is showcasing its exceptional 'One-Stop Shop' solution' and a wide range of polymers, affirming its leading position in the global plastics industry, especially in Europe, at booth C12, hall 7.2, during the K 2022. The K 2022 is taking place from October 19 - 26 at the Fairground Dusseldorf to present new products and innovations from all sectors of the industry  from production to processing, to mechanical engineering while guided by three main themes: Circular Economy, Climate Protection, and Digitalization. In line with this, Stavian Chemical's 'One-Stop Shop' concept is a crucial business solution connecting oil refineries and chemical manufacturers to hundreds of thousands of plastic manufacturers that contribute to the sustainable growth of each partner. The 'One-Stop Shop' solution, comprising 12 specific business solutions, from in-depth customer-centricity advisory and financial support to warehousing and customs handling and clearing, provides a world-class full-service package for Stavian Chemical's customers and partners. This is in addition to the brand's strategic relationships with oil and gas conglomerates, top global multi-industrial corporations, and its decades of expertise in the logistics industry. "The European plastics market is foreasted to grow by around 2% annually, reaching a volume of US$108 billion in 2031. As an international polymer distributor, and a major manufacturer of eco-friendly biodegradable packaging with high trustworthiness in the chemical industry, Stavian Chemical is proud to showcase One-Stop Shop at the K 2022 and become a strategic partner supporting the sustainable growth of European clients," said Stavian Chemical representative.



Proving its value to European clients, Stavian Chemical delivers innovative and sustainable solutions for customers and partners while maximizing values and prosperity for all stakeholders. In 2021, the company has developed a network of more than 21 offices and 40 warehouses across 30 countries. It also has served 14,000 partners across more than 100 countries, and this exponential business growth resulted in revenues of US$1.2 billion last year. "Spurred on by the European Union  Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Stavian Chemical has entered Europe with a strong proposition, bringing premium quality polymers from Vietnam, China, South Korea, and other countries that are priced competitively. We have also developed a bonded warehouse ecosystem in Europe. This expansion is ongoing and we want to ensure effective logistics, timing, and cost efficiency not only in the European market but also for our clients worldwide," he added.

About Stavian Chemical Established in 2009 and headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam, Stavian Chemical - a member of the multi-industry and multi-national corporation Stavian Group - is a global chemical distributor and a leading eco-friendly biodegradable plastic packaging manufacturer. Stavian Chemical provides an exceptional 'One-Stop Shop' solution in B2B and global seamless connectivity with its offices across the globe. With several accolades under the belt including being named the Top 22 largest chemical distributor worldwide and Top 6 in the Asia Pacific by the Independent Chemical & Energy Market Intelligence (ICIS) in 2021 and more recently the Corporate Excellence award at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2022, Stavian Chemical will continue to pave the way in the industry to provide holistic and end-to-end services in K 2022. For more information, visit the Stavian Chemical website at https://stavianchem.com/. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1921960/Stavian_Chemical_BoothC12.jpg

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[October 17, 2022] Wiley Launches 'Partner Solutions' Division in Research to Support the Transition to Open Access Publishing

In the run-up to the Frankfurt Book Fair, Wiley (NYSE: WLY), a global leader in research and education, today announced Wiley Partner Solutions, a new division within its Research business. Wiley Partner Solutions serves associations, scientific publishers, societies and corporations as they transform their business strategies and publishing processes in the open research era. The Partner Solutions team will operate globally under the leadership of Wiley Senior Vice President Dr. Guido F. Herrmann, based in Germany. Wiley Partner Solutions delivers a broad array of digital platforms, publishing solutions, and services to help partners scale, collaborate, and accelerate their publishing programs, while at the same time supporting the value chain of scholarly publishing. The range of offerings address all stages of the academic publishing process from manuscript submission through publication and beyond. Among the solutions available are those that drive and improve author submissions, scale high quality editorial and production services, provide peer review, grow engagement, diversify revenue, offer career center services, manage open access payments, and enable connections between researchers and the organizations that serve them. Current customers include the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), academic institutions, and global corporations in the pharmaceutical, life sciences and chemical industries. "No other company today can provide the same comprehensive support across the researcher's journey. As the world's number one society publisher with over 900 partnerships, we have the expertise, knowledge, and global network to deliver on scholarly publishing needs at scale," said Jay Flynn, Wiley Executive Vice President and General Manager, Research. "hrough organic growth and acquisitions, we have assembled a dream team of leaders and solutions to solve the big problems facing the academic publishing ecosystem."



"The transition to open access is the driving force in research publishing today. All stakeholders in the research ecosystem play an important role in ensuring that findings are widely accessible to better support researchers and to enable solutions to real-world problems," said Guido F. Herrmann, Wiley Senior Vice President of Partner Solutions. "This new offering further showcases Wiley's expertise as a partner to societies, reinforces our commitment to innovation, and advances a shared goal among the industry to make peer-reviewed research more broadly available." Recent successes coming out of Wiley Partner Solutions include delivering Oable, the innovative open access payment management solution that connects libraries, authors and publishers, to a fast-growing number of institutions . In addition, Wiley and the International League Against Epilepsy recently launched the Epilepsy Knowledge Hub to provide health care professionals with the latest research and guidelines to aid in diagnosis, classification, and treatment for people with epilepsy syndromes. Both projects highlight Wiley's dedication to supporting its partners in solving real-world problems, underpinned by peer-reviewed research.

The acquired brands integrated into Wiley Partner Solutions include Atypon, Inera, J&J Editorial, eJournalPress, Knowledge Unlatched, and Madgex. With the products, services, and talent available across the division, Wiley will continue to deliver the best of its portfolio in new and innovative ways. Wiley Partner Solutions will operate separately from Wiley's Research Publishing business and will be reported as "Research Solutions" or "Research Partner Solutions" in the Company's public filings and financial statements. About Wiley Wiley is a global leader in research and education, unlocking human potential by enabling discovery, powering education, and shaping workforces. For over 200 years, Wiley has fueled the world's knowledge ecosystem. Today, our high-impact content, platforms, and services help researchers, learners, institutions, and corporations achieve their goals in an ever-changing world. Visit us at Wiley.com, Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Category: All Corporate News

Category: All Journals and Research View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005152/en/

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[October 17, 2022] PIKOM CONGRATULATES DR SEAN SEAH AS CHAIRMAN OF THE WORLD INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES ALLIANCES (TERM 2022-2024) FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF WCIT 2022

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PIKOM, the National Tech Association of Malaysia congratulates Dr Sean Seah as the new Chairman of the World Innovation and Technology Services Alliances (WITSA) for the 2022-2024 term. Dr Seah, who is also Chairman of PIKOM, was appointed as Chairman of WITSA at its Annual General Meeting on 12th September 2022, held in Penang, in conjunction with the 26th World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT) 2022. Dr Seah started his career in the tech industry as early as 1993 in Silicon Valley before joining Sun Microsystems. He ventured into the entrepreneurial sector since 2001 as the co-founder of Afor Pte Ltd which was later listed in the Singapore Stock Exchange in 2008 as Epicentre Holdings Limited (SGX:5MQ). Dr Seah also founded and was CEO of Galasys PLC (GLS: LSE) in 2012. Galasys PLC listed in the London Stock Exchange in 2014. The most recent positions held by Dr Seah included Executive Director & Chief Investment Officer at SEATech Ventures Corp (OTCPINK: SEAV) in 2018, Executive Director of ASIAFIN Holdings Corp (OTCPINK: ASFH) in 2019 as well as Executive Chairman of ANGKASA-X Holding Corp in 2020. Angkasa-X is a Satellite-as-a-Service ("SaaS") company that invests in R&D, IP creation, components sourcing, assembly-integration-testing, launching, managing state-of-the-art Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites, and operating its own satellite ground stations to control downlink o uplink and process satellite data for its customers globally.



As Chairman of WITSA, Dr Seah envisions to grow the global industry alliance platform further. He expressed his vision at the recent WITSA AGM that took place recently during WCIT 2022 in Penang, "I aim to continue positioning WITSA as the global digital ambassador and promote greater international cooperation by supporting multilateral win-win trade agreements. With the new committee, we will drive greater awareness of the competitive advantage in the digital technology industry, in tandem with the vision to strengthen WITSA's role in the development of technology-related international public policy." PIKOM also stated that this appointment is indeed something the tech association is very proud of. It mentioned that Dr Seah has shown exemplary leadership as Chairman of PIKOM as well as Chairman of the WCIT 2022 Organizing Committee. He is driven by result and that is one of the many attributes that garnered him chairmanship at WITSA.

WCIT 2022, which took place from 13-15 September 2022 in Penang, has been reputed to be the most successful tech event since the pandemic. The 3-day packed congress recorded 4,043 registered delegates from 65 countries, 46 media establishments, 220 speakers and secured more than 80 corporate sponsors. The biggest international delegation came from Singapore with 83 participants. Even before the congress began, it sold out more than 300 booth space, that covered an exhibition space of 6448sqm, at both WCIT 2022 and TechFest 2022. "The success of WCIT 2022 could not have been achieved if not for the overwhelming support from the Governor of Penang, The Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Chief Minister of Penang, Penang State EXCO members & lead agencies, our industry partners, MDEC and HDRD Corp as our strategic partners and everyone involved in making WCIT 2022 such a resounding success. Despite the international borders only reopened in April 2022, with SOP restrictions and some SHORTCOMINGS, we pulled it off with flying colours. This is also the key reason why PIKOM was awarded to host WCIT 2023 again next year, with Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation." concluded Dr Seah. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pikom-congratulates-dr-sean-seah-as-chairman-of-the-world-innovation-and-technology-services-alliances-term-2022-2024-following-the-success-of-wcit-2022-301650520.html SOURCE PIKOM

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[October 17, 2022] ACC & ProLogium Partner up to Accelerate the Development of Solid-State EV Battery

Automotive Cells Company & ProLogium Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to join forces in a new strategic partnership.

Both companies are leveraging their own expertise to jointly develop state-of-the-art EV solutions based on solid-state battery: the battery technology considered the most promising in terms of safety, energy density, hyper fast-charging capability, recyclability, weight optimization, costs, & lifetime.

ACC strengthens its position as a European leader in automotive battery development and manufacturing.

ProLogium solidifies its position as a leader in solid-state battery technology. BORDEAUX, France, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive Cells Company (ACC) and ProLogium Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate in the development of electric vehicle (EV) solid-state battery. Under the MOU, ACC and ProLogium will focus their joint efforts on the collaboration for solid-state EV battery development. "ProLogium Inside" EV battery solutions will be developed for customers based on ProLogium's leading-edge solid-state battery technology and subsequent supply chain and/or industrial agreement concluded by both parties. "We are very pleased to partner with ACC and further build on our pioneering role in enabling the fast transition to electric driving," said Vincent Yang, founder and Chief Executive Officer of ProLogium Technology. "We are a major innovator in battery technology with already proven manufacturing capabilities, and we aim to develop a large-scale overseas manufacturing footprint and cross-culture operational capability as a driver for a more sustainable world with our high-performance, safe and affordable technologies." "ACC's purpose is to develop and produce batery cells and modules for electric vehicles with a focus on safety, performance, and competitiveness, while ensuring the highest level of quality and the lowest carbon footprint. As one of our key partners, ProLogium will help us to deliver EV products with advanced battery technology and establish an adequate supply chain to enable a more enjoyable and safer driving experience." said Yann Vincent, Chief Executive Officer of ACC.



Earlier this year, ACC confirmed the construction of its first gigafactory in Billy-Berclau (Hauts-de-France) with the aim of achieving an installed capacity of 120 GWh in Europe by 2030. ProLogium has also confirmed the search for its first overseas gigafactory site for next-generation solid-state batteries in Asia, Europe, or USA in light of the exponential growth in demand for electric vehicles over the next decade. The battery maker has been in discussion with multiple agencies in these regions. About ACC

Born in the 2020s, we're built for the fast-paced, high-tech environment that's the modern energy industry. We thrive in the world of EV battery technology. We are the result of an initiative undertaken by Stellantis and TotalEnergies together with its subsidiary Saftjoined by Mercedes-Benz, and strongly supported by France, Germany, and the European Union. Our new R&D Expertise Center is already up and running in Bruges (Bordeaux), along with a state-of-the-art Pilot Plant in Nersac, France (Nouvelle Aquitaine). Our first Gigafactory is being built in Billy-Berclau Douvrin, Hauts-de-France. Then there's our new Applied Engineering Center and a second Lithium-ion Gigafactory planned in Germany for 2025. And we've announced a new Gigafactory in Termoli in Italy (subject to further confirmation). That's a total 7 billion of investment, and it's just the beginning. We're putting down long-term roots across the world, securing a global network of R&D associates, industrial partners, and suppliers. ABOUT PROLOGIUM Founded in 2006, ProLogium is a global leader in innovative next-generation battery technologies for vehicle, consumer, and industrial applications. ProLogium is the first battery company in the world to mass-produce solid-state lithium ceramic batteries. Its proprietary technologies cover nearly 600 (applied and awarded) patents worldwide. ProLogium's automated pilot production line has provided nearly 8,000 solid-state battery sample cells to global car manufacturers for testing and module development. ProLogium's GWh level solid-state lithium ceramic battery plant will be the first in the world to go online in early 2023, and it aims to begin scaling up by the second half of the year, followed by capacity expansion plans in major markets worldwide. Further information can be found at www.prologium.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acc--prologium-partner-up-to-accelerate-the-development-of-solid-state-ev-battery-301650282.html SOURCE ProLogium Technology

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[October 17, 2022] Air Defense Systems Market to Reach $78.2 Billion, Globally, by 2031 at 5.6% CAGR: Allied Market Research

Rise in cross-border conflicts, technological advancements in weapon system, and use of new-age weapons including drones drive the growth of the global air defense systems market. PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Air Defense Systems Market by Component (Weapon System, Fire Control System, Command and Control System, Others), by Range (Short Range Air Defense System, Medium Range Air Defense System, Long Range Air Defense System), by Platform (Ground, Airborne, Naval), by Type (Missile Defense System, Anti-Aircraft, Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar System): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031". As per the report, the global air defense system industry was pegged at $46.2 billion in 2021, and is estimated to generate $78.2 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2022 to 2031. Download FREE Report Sample (345 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures) at https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/8154 Major determinants of the market growth Rise in cross-border conflicts, technological advancements in weapon system, and use of new-age weapons including drones drive the growth of the global air defense systems market. In addition, surge in defense budgets across the globe supplement the market growth. However, high cost associated with air defense systems hinders the market growth. On the contrary, development of new-generation air and missile defense systems is expected to open lucrative opportunities in the future. Covid-19 Scenario: The Covid-19 pandemic had a minor effect on the global defense industry. However, the allocation of financial and non-financial resources toward managing the pandemic took a hit during the pandemic.

The global shutdown of trade, decline in manufacturing, and challenges in logistics negatively affected the market. The counter rocket, artillery, and mortar system segment to portray the highest CAGR through 2028 By type, the counter rocket, artillery, and mortar system segment would register the highest CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period, due to increase in importance of systems capable of defending against a wide range of projectiles. However, the missile defense system segment held the largest share in 2021, accounting for around two-fifths of the global air defense systems market, owing to rise in importance of systems capable of defending against a wide range of projectiles. The weapon system segment held the lion's share By component, the weapon segment dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2021, contributing to nearly two-fifths of the global air defense systems market, due to rise in demands for means to counter threats such as enemy drones and ballistic missiles. However, the command-and-control system segment is projected to register the highest CAGR of 6.6% from 2022 to 231, owing to rise in use of command-and-control systems to improve communication systems and computing power to analyze and forecast data more effectively.



The short-range air defense system segment to showcase the highest CAGR by 2021 By range, the short-range air defense system segment is projected to register the highest CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period, due to increase in demand for means to counter short-range threats such as terrorist attacks. However, medium-range air defense system segment held the largest share in 2021, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global air defense systems market, owing to high reliability of medium-range air defense systems in intercepting medium range threats such as cruise missiles.

The ground segment held the largest share By platform, the ground segment held the largest share in 2021, contributing to more than two-fifths of the global air defense systems market, due to rise in demand for defense system that has capability to intercept any small, medium, and long-range threats. However, the airborne segment is estimated to showcase the highest CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period, owing to rise in demand to counter new projectiles such as drones. North America dominated the market in terms of revenue By region, the market across North America held the largest share in 2021, contributing to nearly one-third of the global air defense systems market, due to presence of prominent market players and huge investments by governments in the region. However, the market across Asia-Pacific is anticipated to portray the highest CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period, owing to rise in investments made by countries to develop advanced air defense system to strengthen defense system and tackle inter-regional conflicts. Interested to Procure the Data with Actionable Strategy & Insights? Inquire Before Buying - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/8154 Key market players Saab AB

Lockheed Martin Corporation

BAE Systems PLC

Rheinmetall AG

Thales Group

Kongsberg Gruppen

Raytheon Technologies

MBDA

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Boeing

Hanwha Corporation

Leonardo S.P.A.

Airbus Defense and Space

Aselsan A.S.

Elbit Systems

General Dynamics Similar Reports We Have on Military/ Defense Industry: Drone Defense System Market Expected to Reach $16.76 Billion, at 26.6% CAGR by 2030 Ground Defense System Market Expected to Reach $79.16 Billion, at 5.2% CAGR by 2030 Missile Defense System Market Expected to Reach $40.04 Billion, at 4.4% CAGR by 2030 Long Range Air Defense Systems Market by Type, Platform, and Component, 20202031 Short Range Air Defense Systems Market by Type, Platform and Component, 20202031 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa

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[October 17, 2022] Booking.com's Seven Predictions for the Reimagination of Travel in 2023

LONDON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Booking.com releases travel predictions research that foresees travellers navigating contradiction and chaos as they adapt to changing times in the year ahead. Against the backdrop of global upheaval, the digital travel platform reveals people are experiencing a multi-directional tug-of-war, working to reconcile what is important. As the mood shifts from one of hopeful uncertainty in 2022 to bold adaptability in 2023, some of the predicted trends include: Preppers in Paradise  Some are losing confidence in the world and the frivolous must-have comforts of modern life, with over half of UK travellers (57%) seeking 'off-grid' style vacations to escape from reality. Close to three in five (54%) want to use travel as an opportunity to learn survival skills and, in some cases, prepare for an apocalypse. Delight in the Discomfort Zone  Whether it's bottled-up energy, pent-up frustration or a new lease on life, the world is ready to dive into new experiences. Over half (58%) of UK travellers are looking forward to experiencing 'out of comfort zone' trvel and, as a result, we'll see an influx of niche experiences allowing people to take travel escapades to the extreme. Saving to Splurge  While investing in a holiday remains a top priority for 44% of Brits, amidst economic uncertainty being budget conscious is key, with over three-fifths (62%) seeking more bang for their buck. Despite this, many travellers are still prepared to splurge. 2023 will see people employing savvy saving methods in order to spend more on holiday elements that mean the most to them.



https://news.booking.com/ For further information, contact the Booking.com UK Press Office; [email protected]

Ellie Foster, [email protected]

About Booking.com: Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com's mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world whenever it's safe to do so again. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com seamlessly connects millions of travellers with memorable experiences, a range of transportation options and incredible places to stay -from homes to hotels and much more. Booking.com is available in 44 languages and offers more than 28 million total reported accommodation listings, including more than 6.5 million listings of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bookingcoms-seven-predictions-for-the-reimagination-of-travel-in-2023-301650589.html

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[October 17, 2022] ESAB Corporation Acquires Ohio Medical

ESAB Corporation ("ESAB" or the "Company") (NYSE: ESAB), a world leader in fabrication and gas control technology, announced today that it has acquired Ohio Medical, LLC ("Ohio Medical"), a global leader in oxygen regulators and central gas systems, from a private investor group for a cash purchase price of $127 million. The Company also expects an additional cash tax benefit with a net present value of $15 million. During the twelve months ended August 31, 2022, Ohio Medical generated over $45 million of sales, gross margins above 40%, and adjusted EBITDA margins greater than 20%. The acquisition is expected to be adjusted EPS accretive to ESAB in the first year. The Company financed the acquisition using cash on hand and expects its net leverage ratio to be less than 3x at the end of 2022. ESAB will provide additional information during its earnings call on Thursday, November 3, 2022. Shyam P. Kambeyanda, President and Chief Executive Officer of ESAB, stated, "We are thrilled to welcome the Ohio Medical team to ESAB Corporation. Ohio Medical increases our served market in North America for medical oxygen regulators and central gas systems, complementing our GCE and Victor businesses, creating a gas control equipment leader with revenues of more than $400 million. We are excited about the significant global cross-selling opportunities and how Ohio Medical advances our strategy to drive faster growth, higher margins,lower cyclicality, and stronger cash flow."



Anthony Wieczorek, Chief Executive Officer of Ohio Medical, stated, "For more than 100 years, we have been a market leader in oxygen regulators and central gas systems. Joining ESAB will help us accelerate our expansion globally, while allowing us to harness the power of the ESAB Business System (EBX) to better serve our customers with increased efficiency and innovative customer solutions." Ohio Medical is headquartered in Gurnee, Illinois and employs approximately 100 associates, providing ESAB with strong brands and distribution in the large and attractive North American market. Combined with ESAB's Victor and GCE businesses, the addition of Ohio Medical creates an unmatched global medical and industrial gas control portfolio that enhances the company's worldwide offerings.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance LLC served as financial adviser and Tucker Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to the Company. About ESAB Corporation ESAB Corporation (NYSE: ESAB) is a world leader in fabrication and gas control technology, providing our partners with advanced equipment, consumables, gas control equipment, robotics, and digital solutions which enable the everyday and extraordinary work that shapes our world. To learn more, visit www.ESABcorporation.com. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the Company's plans, goals, objectives, outlook, expectations, and intentions, and other statements that are not historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005323/en/

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[October 17, 2022] AnyDesk 7.1: Administration rethought

AnyDesk releases version 7.1, continuing the company's strategy of making Remote Access Solutions appealing to large enterprises. CLEARWATER, Fla., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AnyDesk Software GmbH, the fastest-growing Remote Access Software company, released AnyDesk 7.1, continuing its strategy to develop the best Remote Access Solution on the market. The application's elegant software architecture and its intuitive and appealing user interface are central to this strategy. As a result, companies and private users can increase their productivity when accessing their devices remotely. AnyDesk 7.1 is initially available for Windows, with other operating systems to follow. Optimizations for System Administration Version 7.1 is complemented by version 2 of my.anydesk, the company's Management Console. With it, administrators can assign permissions to user accounts and groups within AnyDesk to fine-tune their processes. Authorization profiles can be implemented intuitively and in a targeted manner. Overall, the new functionalities simplify processes and administration tasks. Additionally, security is ensured through multi-factor authentication (MFA).



AnyDesk CEO and founder, Philipp Weiser, states that "AnyDesk 7.1 is an important step in our strategy to realize the added value of our solution even in complex company structures. Because of the expanded target market it provides, we can ensure further growth, which will help us finance the expansion of our product portfolio."



More security and convenience with the option of user login The new version of AnyDesk offers the option of user login, which can be done either directly in the application or online. With it, AnyDesk enhanced its security and convenience. Not only that, but a simple sign-on (SSO) with existing accounts, such as Google or Facebook, is also supported. This simplifies new logins, as users do not have to create a new username and password. Non-commercial users are also given the option to create an AnyDesk account, which allows access to functionalities such as the Address Book. AnyDesk is introducing these product changes based on analysis of user data, which will allow the company to not only provide greater security to end users, but also to further reduce irregular activity within the AnyDesk network.

About AnyDesk AnyDesk is one of the world's leading providers of remote desktop software and boasts over 600 million downloads. Downloads for AnyDesk's remote desktop solution doubled in 2021, making AnyDesk one of the 50 fastest growing companies in Europe. Present in more than 190 countries, over 120,000 customers rely on AnyDesk, including internationally renowned companies such as Bosch, McDonald's and Google. Further information: Website | Blog | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram - Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) - Press Contact

AnyDesk

Cariann Tanner

19321 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, Florida 33764, US

eMail: [email protected]

AnyDesk Press Team, c/o fischerAppelt, relations Daniel Impertro

5 Waterloohain, 22769 Hamburg, Germany

eMail: [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/anydesk-7-1-administration-rethought-301650627.html

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[October 17, 2022] QuestionPro Acquires SuiteCX, Creates First "Full Stack" CX Platform

CHARLOTTE, N.C. and AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QuestionPro, a global provider of online survey and research services has acquired SuiteCX , the leading customer experience (CX) and journey mapping platform provider. The combination creates the first full stack customer experience platform that offers capabilities across the lifecycle of the customer experience, from Journey Mapping to Voice of the Customer programs to surveys, NPS and Reputation management, including workflows to manage both the inner and outer loops.

By bringing SuiteCX into QuestionPros market research platform, customers can now benefit from a fully integrated, end-to-end solution for the customer experience  from the earliest stages of ideation and mapping to the understanding of customer sentiment through surveys and analytics. The combined solution is now easier and more powerful than ever for customers seeking to develop and deliver the ultimate customer experience. All too often brands invest the time and effort to perfect the customer experience and customer journey in theory, only to have reality interfere, said Ken Peterson, President of QuestionPro CX. The integration of SuiteCX into QuestionPro will make it easy for CX professionals to not only create that perfect map, but then see what is actually happening in practice along with the insights and tools to make the necessary changes. Because were going to be able to take actual voice of the customer along with NPS and sentiment data and overlay it with precisely where the customer is in their overall life cycle or journey, we can help give CX professionals much deeper, more informed data about whats working and whats not in the CX journey, said Valerie Peck, founder andCEO of Suite CX. Well take the guesswork out of continuous improvement in a CX process.



SuiteCX is the only customizable and secure customer experience, journey mapping and journey analytics platform. The platform includes support for design-based innovation, facilitated brainstorming, 360-degree CX visualization, customization, persona support, collaboration & sharing, diagnostics, storytelling and prioritization. According to Priyanka Panhale, Analyst, Quadrant Knowledge Solutions, SuiteCX facilitates end-to-end customer journey management with modular CX journey mapping and planning support. The company reaffirms its positions in the SPARK Matrix through its CX expertise, holistic approach towards addressing complex business requirements and continuous platform enhancements in areas including visualization, collaboration, data integration and actionability.

QuestionPro a global provider of online survey and research services that help companies make better decisions through data. Its leading CX platform offers a range of features designed to help companies rate, understand and improve consumer sentiment, Net Promoter Score and Reputation so that they can reduce customer churn, boost satisfaction and referral and acquire new customers. As part of the transaction, SuiteCX will integrate into QuestionPros CX group as an operating subsidiary and maintain its separate name and brand. Related, SuiteCX has fully integrated its 1to1 Marketing Strategy and CX consulting business, the East Bay Services Group, into SuiteCX to create one streamlined business entity able to understand both the what and why of customer relationships. About SuiteCX SuiteCX is the only customizable and most secure customer experience, journey mapping and journey analytics platform. In addition to robust customer journey mapping capabilities, the platform enables companies to plan and improve customer experience through integrated survey data, persona development, improvement planning, and the creation of detailed contact strategies. The IP behind SuiteCX is backed by over 150 years of combined experience in Customer Relationship Management and Customer Experience Consulting. As a powerful alternative to delivering tons of slides, documents, spreadsheets and posters, SuiteCX is able to empower marketing, operations, sales, service and other CX professionals with a software tool that holds all CX analysis and planning in one place. SuiteCX is recognized as a leader by Forrester and Spark Quadrant in the field of strategic thinking and mapping of the customer experience. About QuestionPro Founded in 2006, QuestionPro is a global provider of online survey and research services that help companies make better decisions through data. From free consumer accounts to robust enterprise-level research, we offer tools for the creation, distribution, and analysis of surveys. We also offer platforms for polling, mobile research and data visualization. Fortune 100 companies rely on us to help unlock insights about customers, employees and the marketplace. With offices in the US, Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and India, we offer customers 24-7 access to highly trained support specialists and engineers. More information is available at www.questionpro.com . Media Contact

John Williams, Scoville PR for QuestionPro

+1-206-660-5503, [email protected]



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[October 17, 2022] Replay establishes distinguished Scientific Advisory Board of genomic medicine and cell therapy experts

Replay establishes distinguished Scientific Advisory Board of genomic medicine and cell therapy experts San Diego, California and London, UK, October 17, 2022  Replay, a genome writing company reprogramming biology by writing and delivering big DNA, today announced that it has established a scientific advisory board (SAB) comprising ten experts across a broad range of areas of scientific importance in genomic medicine and cell therapy. The newly formed SAB will provide input into Replays strategy, portfolio of next-generation genomic and cell therapy medicines, and associated technology platforms. The SAB complements Replays industry seasoned management team and board. Adrian Woolfson, Executive Chairman, President and Co-founder of Replay, commented: The multi-disciplinary nature of our scientific advisory board reflects Replays commitment to invoking innovation from a broad range of scientific specialties and leveraging this across our research and development programs. Our new advisors represent some of the best scientific minds of their generation and bring a unique and differentiated portfolio of expertise into the Company. Their contribution to Replay will be invaluable as we continue to address some of the most significant challenges in genomic medicine and cell therapy. Lachlan MacKinnon, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Replay, added: Following on from our recent launch, the formation of our uniquely distinguished scientific advisory board further demonstrates Replays commitment to developing a cutting-edge portfolio of medicines guided by world-class science. The combined inter-disciplinary expertise of our scientific advisory board brings tremendous knowledge and experience into the Company as we continue to expand our operations, with a view to developing transformative genomic medicines. Replays SAB will be chaired by Professor Roger Kornberg, PhD, a biochemist whose laboratory work has focused on the molecular basis of eukaryotic transcription and in particular the structure of RNA polymerase and the nucleosome. Professor Roger Kornberg, PhD, Chairman of Replays Scientific Advisory Board, said: Replays scientific advisory board incorporates expertise across several areas relevant to Replays genomic medicine and cell therapy technology platforms. I am excited to be working with this exceptional group of scientists and believe we can make a compelling contribution and help Replay realize its vision for genomic medicine. Replays SAB members are as follows: Professor Roger D. Kornberg PhD (Chairman), is the Winzer Professor of Medcine in the Department of Structural Biology at Stanford University School of Medicine. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2006).



Professor Carl H. June, MD, is the Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is Director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at the University of Pennsylvania, Director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies at the Perelman School of Medicine, and Director of Translational Research at the Abramson Cancer Center. He was the co-founder of TMunity. Professor Robert S. Langer, ScD, FREng, is one of 12 Institute Professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), co-founder of Moderna, and was formerly Chair of the FDAs Science Board. He has been awarded 40 honorary doctorates, written over 1,500 articles, and received over 220 awards.

Professor Lynne E. Maquat, PhD, is the J. Lowell Orbinson Endowed Chair and Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, and founding Director of the Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester NY. She was awarded the Wolf Prize in Medicine from Israel (2021) and the Warren Alpert Foundation Prize from Harvard Medical School (2021). Professor Dame Carol Robinson, DBE FRS FMedSci FRSC, is the Dr Lees Professor of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, the Founding Director of the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery at Oxford, and a Founder of OMass Therapeutics. She is a Professorial Fellow at Exeter College, Oxford, and was formerly President of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Professor David V. Schaffer, PhD, is the Hubbard Howe Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Bioengineering, and Neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is Director of the Bakar BioEnginuity Hub and Director of the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3). He was the co-founder of 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Ignite Immunotherapies, Rewrite, and 5 additional companies. Professor Stuart L. Schreiber, PhD, is the Morris Loeb Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. He is a co-founder of the Broad Institute at Harvard University and MIT and co-founder of Harvards Institute of Chemistry and Cell Biology. He was awarded the Wolf Prize in Chemistry (2016). Professor Pamela Silver, PhD, is the Elliot T. and Onie H. Adams Professor of Biochemistry and Systems Biology in the Department of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School, and a founding member of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard Medical School. Professor Sir John E. Walker, FRS FMedSci, is Emeritus Director and Professor at the MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit at the University of Cambridge, England, and a fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1997). Professor John Fraser Wright, PhD, is Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, and Director of Technology Innovation at the Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine at Stanford University. He is co-founder and was Chief Technology Officer at Spark Therapeutics and is co-founder and Chief Scientific Advisor at Kriya Therapeutics. Ends About Replay Replay is a genome writing company, which aims to define the future of genomic medicine through reprogramming biology by writing and delivering big DNA. The Company has assembled a toolkit of disruptive platform technologies  including a high payload capacity HSV platform, a hypoimmunogenic cell therapy platform, and a genome writing platform  to address the scientific challenges currently limiting clinical progress and preventing genomic medicine from realizing its full potential. The Companys hub-and-spoke business model separates technology development within Replay from therapeutic development in product companies that leverage its technology platforms. For example, Replays synHSV technology, a high payload capacity HSV vector capable of delivering up to 30 times the payload of AAV, is utilized by Replays four gene therapy product companies, bringing big DNA treatments to diseases affecting the skin, eye, brain, and muscle. The Company has, additionally, established an enzyme writing product company that leverages its evolutionary inference machine learning and genome writing technology to optimize enzyme functionality. Replay is led by a world-class team of academics, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The Company raised $55 million in seed financing in July 2022 and is supported by an international syndicate of investors including: KKR, OMX Ventures, ARTIS Ventures, and Lansdowne Partners. Replay is headquartered in San Diego, California, and London, UK. For further information please visit www.replay.bio and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contacts: Replay Dr Adrian Woolfson/Lachlan MacKinnon [email protected] Consilium Strategic Communications  Media relations Amber Fennell/Tracy Cheung/Andrew Stern [email protected]



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[October 17, 2022] CI Financial Reports Total Assets of $338.1 Billion for September 2022

CI Financial Corp. ("CI") (TSX: CIX, NYSE: CIXX) today reported preliminary total assets of $338.1 billion as at September 30, 2022, consisting of asset management assets of $114.2 billion, Canadian wealth management assets of $74.0 billion, and U.S. wealth management assets of $149.9 billion. CI also reported preliminary net sales results for its asset management businesses for the third quarter of 2022. Overall, CI had net sales of $0.2 billion, driven by Canadian retail with net sales of $0.6 billion.







CI FINANCIAL CORP. September 30, 2022 PRELIMINARY MONTH-END ASSETS (C$ Billions) ENDING ASSETS September 2022 August 2022 % Change September 2021 % Change Asset management (1) $114.2 $119.0 -4.0% $139.4 -18.1% Canada wealth management $74.0 $76.5 -3.3% $76.9 -3.8% U.S. wealth management (2) $149.9 $150.4 -0.3% $97.0 54.5% TOTAL ASSETS $338.1 $345.9 -2.3% $313.2 8.0%

AVERAGE AUM September 2022 August 2022 June 2022 Fiscal

2021 % Change Monthly average $117.4 $121.9 - - -3.7% Quarter-to-date average $119.1 - $125.4 - -5.0% Year-to-date average $127.5 - - $137.9 -7.5% Includes $30.4 billion of assets managed by CI and held by clients of advisors with Assante, CIPC and Aligned Capital as at September 30, 2022 ($31.7 billion at August 31, 2022 and $34.7 billion at September 30, 2021). Month-end USD/CAD exchange rates of 1.3813, 1.3134 and 1.2680 for September 2022, August 2022 and September 2021, respectively. PRELIMINARY QUARTER-END NET SALES RESULTS (C$ billions) Asset Management Segment 3Q22 2Q22 1Q22 4Q21 3Q21 Canadian retail $0.6 ($0.4) ($0.9) $0.1 $0.7 Canadian institutional ($0.0) ($3.2) ($0.3) ($0.3) ($0.1) Australian asset management ($0.4) ($0.1) ($0.3) $0.1 $0.2 U.S. asset management $0.1 ($0.2) $0.4 $0.3 $0.2 Closed business ($0.1) ($0.2) ($0.2) ($0.2) ($0.1) TOTAL $0.2 ($4.1) ($1.2) ($0.0) $0.8 About CI Financial CI Financial Corp. is a diversified global asset and wealth management company operating primarily in Canada, the United States and Australia. Founded in 1965, CI has developed world-class portfolio management talent, extensive capabilities in all aspects of wealth planning, and a comprehensive product suite. CI operates in three segments: Asset Management, which includes the operations of CI Global Asset Management and Australia-based GSFM Pty Ltd.

Canadian Wealth Management, which includes the operations of CI Assante Wealth Management, Aligned Capital Partners, CI Private Wealth (Canada), Northwood Family Office, CI Direct Investing and CI Investment Services.

U.S. Wealth Management, which includes CI Private Wealth US, a national network of best-in-class wealth management teams. CI is headquartered in Toronto and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CIX) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CIXX). To learn more, visit CI's website or LinkedIn page. This communication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase mutual funds managed by CI Global Asset Management and is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax, legal or accounting advice, and should not be relied upon in that regard. Every effort has been made to ensure that the material contained in this document is accurate at the time of publication. Individuals should seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding any particular investment. Investors should consult their professional advisors prior to implementing any changes to their investment strategies. These investments may not be suitable to the circumstances of an investor. CI Global Asset Management is a registered business name of CI Investments Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CI Financial Corp. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005310/en/

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[October 17, 2022] Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market to Acquire Around USD 28,000 Million by 2033 and to Grow at a CAGR of ~4% During 2023-2033; Rising Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis to Elevate Market Growth - Kenneth Research

New York, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kenneth Research has published a detailed market report on the  Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market  for the forecast period, i.e., 2023-2033, which includes the following factors: Market growth over the forecast period

Detailed regional synopsis

Market segmentation

Challenges

Key market players and their detailed profiling Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market size: The global multiple sclerosis drug market is predicted to acquire around USD 28,000 million by 2033 and to grow with a CAGR of ~4% during the forecast period. In addition, the market garnered a revenue of USD 23,000 million in 2022. The expansion of the market is majorly attributed to the increasing incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) among women all over the world. The risk of MS is higher in women. In terms of sclerosis diagnoses, women outnumber men. There are 1:5 more women than men who have multiple sclerosis. Hence, an increase in the number of sclerosis patients is expected to result in a rise in the need for medications and medical care. Moreover, the effectiveness of the medications and rapid advancements in MS therapy is anticipated to drive market expansion. Around 80% of patients with high thalamic volume (45.5% improved and 34.1% preserved) benefitted from the medicine, according to Bristol Myer Squareb, which published the cumulative results of the early Zepsosia treatment in June 2022. Additionally, the global market for multiple sclerosis is anticipated to rise as a result of proactive government activities for patients with the disease. In order to lower the cost of therapy in the nation, the Indian government recommended including MS in the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, a Nation Health Protection Mission. Get a Sample Copy of This Report @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10352448 Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market: Key Takeaways North American region gains the largest portion of the revenue

The oral segment to influence the revenue graph

The hospitals segment retains a sizable presence in the market Higher Rate of MS Victims and Rapid Development of Healthcare Sector to Boost the Market Growth Multiple Sclerosis is now more frequent in the world. There were around 3 million persons with MS in 2020, with the frequency of the disease being 36 per 100,000 individuals. In addition to this, in Europe, 700,000 individuals suffer from MS. Moreover, the healthcare industry has always been strong, and COVID-19 has added to its burden. The demand for high-quality medical facilities has contributed to its expansion. The World Economic Forum estimates that USD 44 billion in funding for health advancements was raised in 2021 which was almost double that raised in 2020. Further, global healthcare spending was 9.83% in 2019 which was up from 9.7% in 2017. The improvement of medical procedures and facilities which raises the market growth is made possible by increased healthcare spending. Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market: Regional Synopsis The global multiple sclerosis drug market is segmented into five major regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa Region. Browse to access an In-depth research report on Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market with detailed charts and figures: https://www.kennethresearch.com/report-details/multiple-sclerosis-drug-market/10352448 Surge in Prevalence of MS in Women to Fuel the North American Market By the end of 2033, it is predicted that North America to hold the biggest market share. Increasing rates of MS in the general population and the possibility that women may contract the illness are two variables that are predicted to fuel market expansion in North America. Every week about 200 new cases of MS are reported in the U.S. Furthermore, it had an impact on about 400,000 people in 2019. Around 70% of patients in North Americas 140 instances per 100,000 people are females, and during the past 30 years the population of women to men has increased from 2:1 to 3:1.



Rising Government Initiatives and Growing Population of MS Patients to Propel Asia Pacific Market On the other hand, it is anticipated that over the forecast period, the market in the Asia Pacific region would flourish at a relatively high growth rate. The market is predicted to be boosted by the advancements of new treatment options, a large population of MS patients in China and Japan and government initiatives to enhance the quality of life for MS patients. For instance, the occurrence of MS in China in 2018 was 0.235 per 100,000 people which was expected to grow more in recent years while in Japan, the incidence rate was 19 per 100,000 people, 7 years back. In addition to this, the government initiatives further improved the market growth in the region. For instance, to enhance the clinical benefit of MS patients, the Chinese government categorized MS as a rare disorder in 2018.

Get a Sample PDF of the Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10352448 The study further incorporates Y-O-Y growth, demand & supply and forecasts future opportunities in: North America (U.S., Canada)

Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg, NORDIC [Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark], Poland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe)

Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)

Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of Asia Pacific).

Middle East and Africa (Israel, GCC [Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman], North Africa, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa). Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market, Segmentation by Medication Type Oral

Injection By the end of 2033, the oral sector is projected to command the biggest market share. During the forecast period, it is expected to increase at a considerable CAGR. The oral segments expansion is probably being fuelled by the rising acceptance of oral medications. For instance, Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate DR capsules), an oral medication to treat the relapsing forms of MS, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by Cipla Inc. on September 29th, 2020. Furthermore, with 562,123 MS patients treated globally as of December 31st, 2021, dimethyl fumarate (DMF), which has been available since 2013, is presently the most popular oral medication. Access full Report Description, TOC, Table of Figure, Chart, etc. @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10352448 Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market, Segmentation by End User Hospitals

Speciality

Clinics

Homecare

Others The hospitals segment is predicted to hold a substantial market share during the forecast period. Two elements that have contributed to the growth of the segment are the desperate tendency of the people to be treated by well-skilled medical experts and the adoption of advanced technologies in the treatment for MS. In 2020, there were around 6,095 hospitals in the U.S. while 8,240 hospitals in Japan. The necessity for drugs for the treatment of MS increases with the number of hospitals, which enhances the development of the segment. Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market, Segmentation by Drug Immunomodulators

Immunosuppressants

Interferons

Others Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market, Segmentation by Type Clinically Isolated Syndrome

Relapse-Remitting MS

Primary Progressive MS

Secondary Progressive MS Enquiry before Buying This Report @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10352448 Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market, Segmentation by Treatment Medications

Stem Cell Therapy

Physical Therapy

Plasma Exchange A few of the well-known market leaders in the global multiple sclerosis drug market that are profiled by Kenneth Research are Biogen, Pfizer Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Novartis AG, Sanofi, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Merck KGaA., Janssen Pharmaceuticals Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Cipla Inc., and others. Recent Developments in Global Multiple Sclerosis Drug Market On March 19 th , 2021, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies reported that FDA had approved PONVORY, an oral drug for the treatment of people with relapsed multiple sclerosis.

, 2021, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies reported that FDA had approved PONVORY, an oral drug for the treatment of people with relapsed multiple sclerosis. On January 9th,2018, Biogen and Eisai Co., Ltd. worked together to jointly promote MS medications such as Tecfidera, Tysabri, and Avonex in Japan. Browse More Related Reports: Q Fever Market Segmentation by Treatment (Surgery, and Antibiotic); by Type (Chronic, and Acute); and by Diagnosis (Serology Tests, and Others)-Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2031 Home Healthcare Services Market Analysis by Product (Peak Flow Meters, IV Equipment, Coagulation Monitors, and Dialysis Equipment); by Type (Physician Care, Nursing Care, Occupational & Speech Therapy, Physical, Medical Social Services and Others); and by Payer (Private Health Insurance, Public Health Insurance, and Personal Savings)-Global Supply & Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2023-2033 Prefilled Syringes Market Analysis by Design (Single-Chamber, Dual Chamber, and Customized); by Material (Glass-Based, and Plastic Based); and by Application (Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Anaphylaxis, Cancer and Others)-Global Supply & Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2023-2033 Cardiac Implants Market Analysis by Application (Congestive Heart Failure, Myocardial Ischemia, Arrhythmias, and Acute Myocardial Infraction); by End-Users (Specialty Clinics, Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and Others); and by Device Type (Heart Value, Peacemakers, Coronary Stents, Ventricular Assist Devices, and Others)-Global Supply & Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2022-2031 Organs-on-Chips Market Segmentation by Organ Type (Lung, Intestine, Kidney, Brain, Liver, and Others); by Offering (Product, and Services); by Application (Drug Discovery, Toxicology Research, Disease Modeling, and Others); and by End-User (Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Companies, Academic & Research Institutes, and Others)-Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2020-2030 About Kenneth Research Kenneth Research is a leading service provider for strategic market research and consulting. We aim to provide unbiased, unparalleled market insights and industry analysis to help industries, conglomerates and executives to take wise decisions for their future marketing strategy, expansion and investment, etc. We believe every business can expand to its new horizon, provided a right guidance at a right time is available through strategic minds. Our out of box thinking helps our clients to take wise decision so as to avoid future uncertainties. Contact for more Info: AJ Daniel Email: [email protected] U.S. Phone: +1 313 462 0609 Web: https://www.kennethresearch.com/



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[October 17, 2022] Intermap Announces $3.1 Million Contract with Multiple European Insurers

New recurring subscriptions for cloud-based software solutions and precision flood hazard maps Bolstering global climate resilience with innovative tools and analytics DENVER, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - Intermap Technologies (TSX: IMP) (OTCQX: ITMSF) ("Intermap" or the "Company"), a global leader in 3D geospatial data and intelligence solutions, today announced multiple members of the Czech Association of Insurers have agreed to sign multiyear, multi-license contracts, with a total value of USD $3.1 million, for Intermap's flood risk software, Aquarius RMA, and a new generation of precision flood hazard maps. The new suite of agreements includes substantial upfront payment by year end, followed by five-year recurring subscriptions. The Czech Association of Insurers underwrite 98% of the total premiums in the Czech Republic. This multi-license contract with the major insurers in the market will provide critical access to flood hazard maps, high-resolution 3D data, and analytics across the industry. Intermap's cloud-based software will be integrated seamlessly into the insurers' workflows, streamlining analytics and geocoding capabilities and providing a comprehensive evaluation of flood risk that insurers will use to underwrite property. As evidenced by recent storms such as Hurricane Ian in Florida as well as historic flooding in Pakistan and Australia, the insurance industry is grappling with the devastating effects of record natural catastrophes. Underwriters have discovered that their traditional methods of risk assessment are insufficient. Intermap's innovative solutions are invaluable tools as providers recalibrate their risk profiles. Existing customers continue to expand their contracts and grow their utilization while the demand from new customers continues to increase. In September 2022, Intermap's U.S. insurance software solution, InsitePro, generated its largest monthly revenue results ever. On a run-rate basis, this contract is expected to add 21% growth to monthly recurring revenue. "With historic flooding around the world, the need for climate resilience is irrefutable and urgent," said Patrick A. Blott, Intermap Chairman and CEO. "From Florida to Croatia, recent flooding has been catastrophic. Insurance providers are now preparing for the future by repricing risk and subscribing to Intermap's global solutions, including our cloud-based software and precision flood hazard maps." The Czech Republic insurance industry was valued at USD $7.9 billion in 2021. The industry is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of6.5% from 2021 to 2026, reaching USD $11 billion in 2026 (source).



Learn more about Intermap's European offerings visit intermap.com/european-solutions. Intermap Reader Advisory

Certain information provided in this news release, specifically the total contract, monthly recurring revenue and industry values and growth, constitutes forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast", "will be", "will consider", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap's forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, nature of government contracts, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermap's Annual Information Form and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law. About Intermap Technologies Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQX: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap's 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world's largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company's collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap's products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/intermap-announces-3-1-million-contract-with-multiple-european-insurers-301650605.html SOURCE Intermap Technologies Corporation

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[October 17, 2022] 25th Annual Vancouver International Privacy & Security Summit

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - Reboot Communications Ltd. is pleased to announce the 25th Annual Vancouver International Privacy & Security Summit will be held February 22-24, 2023, at the Westin Bayshore Hotel. The Summit is globally recognized as a must-attend event that creates a unique nexus of industry, government, non-profit and academia, by connecting and educating professionals in the age of digital transformation. "As we accelerate the move to digital platforms, the major issues are the rising costs of cyber-attacks, the move to cloud computing, the current cyber security labour shortage and modernizing Cnada's privacy legislation," says Gregory Spievak, CEO of Reboot Communications.



We expect over 800 delegates including 75 subject matter experts from industry and government to discuss the most important trends in the industry. Major topics will include, quantum computing, privacy legislation, crypto currency fintech breaches, artificial intelligence, ransomware, healthcare cyber-attacks and privacy breaches, metaverse Web 3.0 and digital identification platforms for public service. To meet the demand for data security and privacy professional training, we have announced the Reboot Educational Institute as part of the 3-day Summit. These innovative educational sessions will explore top-of-mind issues and challenges related to digital skills, security and privacy. "This is exciting news and I look forward to the sessions and further strengthening our collaboration to ensure our workforce has the digital skills for today and tomorrow," says Steve Wilson.

ISACA Vancouver is a founding partner for the Vancouver International Privacy & Security Summit. "We are extremely proud that our cybersecurity awareness conference, BC AWARE evolved to be part of the steeped heritage of the Vancouver International Privacy & Security Summit." says Anthony Green, President of ISACA Vancouver. Registration is now open. Click here to register: vipss.ca Follow the Summit: @VIPSSummit #VIPSS About Reboot Communications Ltd: Reboot Communications Ltd. is a conference management company that provides a platform for public sector, private sector, academia and non-government organizations to discuss major issues and opportunities related to the rapid transformation to digital platforms in healthcare, security and privacy.

About Reboot Training Institute XXXXX About ISACA Vancouver Chapter: The goal of the Vancouver Chapter is to promote the practices and the development of professionals in IT risk, governance of enterprise IT, information security management, and IT assurance within the local business and academic community, the chapter membership, and with future members throughout the Greater Vancouver area. SOURCE Reboot Communications Ltd.

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[October 17, 2022] Desktop Metal to Release Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results on Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE: DM) today announced it will report financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022 after the market closes on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. At this time, a summary presentation will also be available online at the Events & Presentations section of Desktop Metal's Investor Relations website, https://ir.desktopmetal.com. Desktop Metal will host a conference call on the same day at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the results. Participants may access the call at 1-888-999-5318, international callers may use 1-848-280-6460, and request to join the Desktop Metal financial results conference call. A simultaneous webcast of the conference call and the accompanying summary presentation may be accessed online a the Events & Presentations section of https://ir.desktopmetal.com. A replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the conference call at the same website.



About Desktop Metal Desktop Metal, Inc., based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is accelerating the transformation of manufacturing with an expansive portfolio of 3D printing solutions, from rapid prototyping to mass production. Founded in 2015 by leaders in advanced manufacturing, metallurgy, and robotics, the company is addressing the unmet challenges of speed, cost, and quality to make additive manufacturing an essential tool for engineers and manufacturers around the world. Desktop Metal was selected as one of the world's 30 most promising Technology Pioneers by the World Economic Forum, named to MIT Technology Review's list of 50 Smartest Companies, and the 2021 winner of Fast Company's Innovation by Design Award in materials and Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech Award for sustainability.

For more information, visit www.desktopmetal.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005278/en/

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[October 17, 2022] Global Preclinical CRO Market to Grow at a CAGR of ~8% during 2022-2031; Growing Pharmaceutical Companies, Clinical Research Outsourcing, and R&D Expenditure Catapult Growth - Kenneth Research

New York, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kenneth Research has published a detailed market report on  Global Preclinical CRO Market  for the forecast period, i.e. 2022  2031, which includes the following factors: Market growth over the forecast period

Detailed regional synopsis

Market segmentation

Growth drivers and challenges

Profiling of key market players Global Preclinical CRO Market Size: The global preclinical CRO market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of ~8% over the forecast period, i.e., 2022  2031. Moreover, in the year 2021, the market registered a revenue of approximately USD 5 billion. The growth of the market can be attributed to the increase in the number of pharmaceutical companies in the world and surge in the research and development expenditure. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics, approximately USD $1.7 trillion has been spent globally on research and development (R&D) and countries have promised to substantially increase their expenditure on R&D by the end of 203o. Additionally, the rising chronic diseases with the need of earlier diagnosis and treatment is expected to increase the research and development process. According to the National Library of Medicine, nearly 1 in a 3 adults suffer from multiple chronic conditions that are leading to a global burden. Therefore, preclinical CRO are required for the trials of medicines in order to defeat chronic diseases. Get a Sample Copy of This Report @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10094812 Global Preclinical CRO Market: Key Takeaways The North America region gained the largest portion of the revenue in 2021

The biopharmaceutical industry segment to dominate the revenue graph

Chemistry segment remains prominent in the service segment Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases to Boost Market Growth Growing worldwide prevalence of chronic or non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and others, and development of treatment procedures across various health sectors are anticipated to be significant factors to influence the growth of the global preclinical CRO market. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or chronic diseases kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. Each year, more than 15 million people die from a NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years; 85% of these premature deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. Increasing health spending by nations across the globe are also estimated to accelerate the market growth. Moreover, governmental campaigns and endeavours to spread awareness about treatment procedures among mass are estimated to be major factors to propel the market. In addition to this, number of geriatric population has been increasing significantly throughout the years and it is anticipated to increase more over the forecast period. According to the data by World Health Organisation (WHO), the number and proportion of geriatric population, meaning the people aged 60 years and older in the population was 1 billion in 2019. This number is estimated to increase to 1.4 billion by 2030 and 2.1 billion by 2050. Aged people are more prone to chronic diseases. Hence, this is expected to be a prime factor to propel the growth of the global preclinical CRO market. Furthermore, the rising investments in the R&D activities to continuously bring up more feasible solutions for medical procedures are predicted to fuel the market during the forecast period. To Gain More Insights into the Global Preclinical CRO Market Analysis, Browse Summary of the Research Report @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/report-details/preclinical-cro-market/10094812 Global Preclinical CRO Market: Regional Overview The global preclinical CRO market is segmented into five major regions includng North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa region.



Increasing Expenditure on R&D Propelled the Market in The North America The market in North America region witnessed noteworthy growth in the year 2021 owing to the presence of advanced level preclinical CROs. Furthermore, as per the data by National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, the U.S. total expenditure on R&D was USD 667 billion in 2019. This expenditure is estimated to increase even more over the forecast period. Additionally, increasing percentage of healthcare expense in overall GDP is also expected to be an important factor to boost the growth of the market in the region. As per the data by the World Bank, as of 2019, current health expenditure in North America accounted to 16.32% in regional GDP. Further, the easy availability of better medical facilities, backed by the favorable medical policies in the region are estimated to fuel the market growth. In addition to this, the boost in the market growth can be associated with the rising investment in R&D activities, and the presence of key market players in the region.

Increasing Healthcare Expenditure to Favor Market in the Europe Region On the other hand, the preclinical CRO market in Europe region is anticipated to have the second largest growth by the end of 2031. The growth is primarily attributable to the emerging concept of outsourcing services, which is anticipated to increase the outsourcing of preclinical activities to the CROs. Moreover, increasing governmental projects and rules to provide clear information about the toxicity, efficacy, and safety of the new drug by utilizing specialized skill sets and highly technical knowledge, and increasing healthcare expenditure throughout the region is anticipated to significantly add to the market growth. As per the data by the World Bank, current health expenditure per capita was USD 3476.43 in European Union in the year 2019. Get a Sample PDF of Global Preclinical CRO Market @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10094812 Global Preclinical CRO Market, Segmentation by End-User Biopharmaceutical Industries

Medical Device Companies

Academic Institutes & Government The biopharmaceutical industry segment is expected to have modest growth over the forecast period. This is attributed to government support through subsidies and funds for the development of the biopharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, there is growing trend among the small & medium scale enterprises to outsource their services to biopharmaceutical companies. Hence, government support and small and medium scale enterprises outsourcing trend are expected to drive the growth of the biopharmaceutical industries segment. It was noticed that, as of January 2021, the global biopharmaceutical industry has reached an estimated aggregated industry value of nearly USD 7 trillion. Global Preclinical CRO Market, Segmentation by Service Bioanalysis & DMPK Studies

Toxicology Testing

Compound Management

Chemistry

Others The chemistry segment is estimated to hold a substantial market share in the global preclinical CRO market during the forecast period. The growth of this segment can majorly be attributed to the notable growth of chemical industry, and the increasing value of the industry to the world Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It was observed that, the chemical industry touches nearly every good-producing sector, making an approximate USD 6 trillion contribution to world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through direct, indirect and induced impacts, equivalent to seven percent of the world's GDP, and supporting over 100 million jobs across the globe. For More Information or Query or Required Customization @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10094812 Few of the well-known market leaders in the global preclinical CRO market that are profiled by Kenneth Research are PPD Inc. (Thermo Fisher Scientific), Medpace, Inc., Eurofins, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Intertek Group plc, Envigo, MPI Research, Crown Bioscience, Inc. and others. Recent Developments in the Global Preclinical CRO Market In March 2022, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. announced plans to open bioanalytical facilities in the Richmond area over the next three years. Due to the rising demand for its services, the corporation plans to invest $97 million for the clinical research activities.

In October 2019, the molecular and genetic laboratory capabilities of Medpace, Inc. have been expanded in Belgium. The evaluation of the advantages and risks of a treatment on an individual and the choice of a patient increasingly depend on molecular and genetic testing. Browse More Related Reports: Sterilization Technology Market Analysis by Product Type (Chemical & Gas Sterilization, Filtration Sterilization, Ionizing Radiation Sterilization, and Thermal Sterilization); and by End User (Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverages, Agriculture, Cosmetics, Manufacturing, Medical Devices, and Others)-Global Supply & Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2022-2031 Medical Nutrition Market Analysis by Product Type (Enteral, Oral Supplements, and Parenteral Nutrition); by End Users (Pediatric, and Adult Nutrition); and by Distribution Channels (Hospitals, Retail Pharmacies, and E-commerce Websites)-Global Supply & Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2022-2031 Molecular Robots Market Segmentation by Application (Drug Discovery & Delivery, Genetic Research, and Others); and by End-User (Pharmaceutical, Research Institutes, and Others)-Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2031-2036 Radiotherapy Positioning Devices Market Segmentation by Product Type (Head, Neck, & Brain Immobilization Device, Thorax & Breast Immobilization Device, Pelvic Immobilization Devices, and Others); and by End-Users (Hospitals, Cancer Research Institutes, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and Others)-Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2020-2030 Vital Signs Monitoring Equipment Market Segmentation by Product Type (Pulse Oximeters, Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices, Temperature Monitoring Devices); by End-User (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Clinics, Home Care, and Others)-Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2030 About Kenneth Research Kenneth Research is a leading service provider for strategic market research and consulting. We aim to provide unbiased, unparalleled market insights and industry analysis to help industries, conglomerates and executives to take wise decisions for their future marketing strategy, expansion and investment, etc. We believe every business can expand to its new horizon, provided a right guidance at a right time is available through strategic minds. Our out of box thinking helps our clients to take wise decision so as to avoid future uncertainties. Contact for more Info: AJ Daniel Email: [email protected] U.S. Phone: +1 313 462 0609 Web: https://www.kennethresearch.com/



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[October 17, 2022] BYD launches 3 new electric vehicles at the Paris Motor Show

BYD (Build Your Dreams) arrives in Europe with three complete new pure-electric passenger vehicles. From the eye-catching contemporary stand in hall 4 of the Parc des Expositions in the center of the City of Lights, BYD, the world's leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries, unveils its innovative and technologically-advanced electric car range to customers in Europe. This includes the BYD ATTO 3, a C-segment SUV, designed with the European customer in mind, the BYD TANG, a 7-seater with variable all-wheel drive and the sleek and sporty sedan BYD HAN. BYD is founded in 1995 as a pioneer in battery technology, BYD's mission is to influence change through sustainable innovation by creating a complete, clean-energy ecosystem that reduces the world's reliance on fossil fuels. In Europe, BYD is dedicated to making mobility solutions emission-free. Over the past 27 years, BYD has focused on mastering advanced technologies spanning batteries, electric motors, electronic control systems and semiconductor chips. BYD is a high-tech brand BYD is not just another car manufacturer. Emerging from this considerable research and development is the ground-breaking Blade Battery which is revolutionizing safety, durability and performance in the EV industry. This works in close synergy with BYD's exceptional competency in electric powertrain technology for the ultimate in system efficiency and integrated vehicle intelligence. Combined, this integrated technology has been developed to deliver optimum performance and a better driving experience. Notably, BYD owns the vertical supply chain for seamless integration and manufacturing control, including the production of semiconductors. Driving this innovation in technology, is a sincere commitment from BYD to provide safe and appealing solutions that reduce pollution from carbon emissions and address the issue of climate change, supporting the initiative to Cool the Earth by 1?. The green dream has long been a priority for BYD and is the vision for the future. For over two decades, BYD has been at the forefront of sustainable innovation. In 2008, BYD launched the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid at the Geneva Motor Show. BYD was also the first automotive OEM in the world to announce it would be ceasing production of ICE vehicles this year to focus on BEV and PHEV products. BYD is the first, and only company in the world, to provide full market new energy vehicle solutions. Global leader in new energy vehicles BYD is the global leader in new energy vehicles (NEVs), and the third largest auto brand in the world based on market capitalisation. BYD has ranked as number one for sales of new enery vehicles in China for 9 consecutive years.



Globally, BYD has committed to more than 2.6 million new energy passenger cars, reinforcing the brand's credentials as it enters new markets in Europe. The BYD footprint now covers six continents, more than 70 countries and over 400 cities saving the equivalent of more than 14 million tonnes in carbon emissions. BYD achieved listing on Fortune Global 500 in 2021. The European market is not entirely new to BYD. BYD's European headquarters are based in Rotterdam in the Netherlands; its home since 1998 with branches in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden, as well as a high-tech manufacturing facility for its thriving eBus business in Hungary. During this time, BYD has established numerous collaborations with European partners, and gained a thorough understanding of customer expectations in Europe.

BYD is a true explorer when it comes to cleaner energy and has major aspirations for the future. This joins seamlessly perfect with the mobility goals of its automotive partners in Europe: Louwman Group in the Netherlands. Hedin Mobility Group in Sweden and Germany, Nic. Christiansen Group in Denmark, RSA in Norway, Inchcape in Belgium and Luxembourg, Denzel in Austria and Shlomo Motors in Israel. Living up to the expectations of the European customer Michael Shu, General Manager and Managing Director, BYD Europe and International Cooperation Division, says: "BYD comes to Europe with a full range of new electric cars, that live up to the high expectations of our customers. We introduce vehicles that are reliable, practical and comfortable with premium equipment as a standard feature. We have high respect for the European auto industry and its ecosystem, including design, R&D, manufacturing, sales, aftersales network, and services. Our strategy is to work with established and respected local dealers who share our vision, to provide high levels of customer service. Therefore, BYD has prepared the European market entry with care. With our car design, our technology, our services and our dealer partners BYD will try to stand out from the crowd and offer the best possible experience to European consumers." For specific prices and specifications per country please look at www.byd.com and contact BYD local dealers. About BYD BYD is a multinational high-tech company devoted to leveraging technological innovations for a better life. Founded in 1995 as a rechargeable battery maker, BYD now boasts a diverse business scope covering automobiles, rail transit, new energy, and electronics, with over 30 industrial parks in China, the United States, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Hungary, and India. From energy generation and storage to its applications, BYD is dedicated to providing zero-emission energy solutions that reduce global reliance on fossil fuels. Its new energy vehicle footprint now covers 6 continents, over 70 countries and regions, and more than 400 cities. Listed in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, the company is known to be a Fortune Global 500 enterprise that furnishes innovations in pursuit of a greener world. About BYD Auto Founded in 2003, BYD Auto is the automotive subsidiary of BYD, a multinational high-tech company devoted to leveraging technological innovations for a better life. Aiming to accelerate the green transition of the global transportation sector, BYD Auto focuses on developing pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The company has mastered the core technologies of the entire industrial chain of new energy vehicles, such as batteries, electric motors, electronic controllers, and automotive-grade semiconductors. It has witnessed in recent years significant technological advancements, including the Blade Battery, the DM-i and DM-p hybrid technology, the e-Platform 3.0, and the CTB technology. The company is the world's first carmaker to stop the production of fossil-fuelled vehicles on EV shift and has remained top of new energy passenger vehicle sales in China for 9 years in a row. About BYD Europe BYD Europe is headquartered in the Netherlands and is the first overseas branch of BYD Group, with a commitment to deliver safe and efficient sustainable solutions in new energy vehicles through world-leading technological innovations. For more information, please visit www.byd.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005490/en/

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[October 17, 2022] Andes Announces the N25F-SE Processor, the World First RISC-V CPU IP with ISO 26262 Full Compliance

HSINCHU, TAIWAN, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Andes Technology, a leading supplier of high efficiency, low-power 32/64-bit RISC-V processor cores and founding premier member of RISC-V International, today announces its safety-enhanced AndesCore N25F-SE is the first RISC-V CPU IP certified to be fully compliant with ISO 26262 functional safety standards for the development of automotive applications. SGS-TUV Saar GmbH, an independent functional safety certification body, has assessed and completed product audit process for N25F-SE with achieved functional safety for ASIL B (Automotive Safety Integrity Level B) applications, according to all applicable ISO 26262 series of standards including Parts 2, 4, 5, 8 and 9. AndesCore N25F-SE. The N25F-SE is a 32-bit RISC-V CPU core that supports standard IMACFD extensions, including efficient integer instructions and single/double precision floating point instructions. It incorporates the Andes V5 extension instructions to further boost performance and reduce code size. The efficient 5-stage pipeline of the N25F-SE provides a good balance of high operating frequency and compact design. Its flexible interfaces greatly simplify SoC designs. Like its sought-after cousin the N25F, the N25F-SE comes with rich configurable options, all of which are fully certified, and thus SoC design teams are not limited by one fixed CPU configuration when offering automotive solutions. ISO 26262 and ASIL-B Applications. ISO 26262 defines functional safety as the absence of unreasonable risk due to hazards caused by malfunctioning behavior of electrical/electronic systems. To enforce functional safety with a reasonable cost structure, proper safety measures for desired ASIL levels should be applied, from the least stringent ASIL A to the most stringent ASIL D. Examples of electronic systems where ASIL B is sufficient are dashboard, in-car monitoring, keyless entry, lighting control, tire pressure monitoring, vision ADAS, and window control. Either to incorporate new electronic systems on board, or to upgrade existing ones without ISO 26262 compliance, the N25F-SE is well suited for the wide range of applications requiring ASIL B compliance. Leader of RISC-V Functional Safety. Andes is the first RISC-V CPU vendor certified, for the development process of automotive processor cores, to be compliant with ISO 26262 standards up to ASIL D in 2020. With the certified development process in place, we formally started our functional safety roadmap to deliver at least one ISO 26262 compliant core every year to cover all segments of performance and features, said Dr. Charlie Su, President and CTO of Andes Technology. Andes has developed a wide range of AndesCore processors, from driving cost sensitive MCUs to accelerating datacenter AI/ML computations. We are excited to announce our first safety-enhanced AndesCore the N25F-SE based on the most popular and mature CPU IP family, the 25-series." ISO 26262 Full Compliance. The ASIL B fully compliant N25F-SE was developed under considerations on all applicable requirements of ISO 26262 standards by defining tailored safety activities with solid rationales, from the fundamental specification, analysis, and design to verification and many more. It comes with the Safety Package which includes Safety manual, Safety analysis report(FMEDA and more), and Development Interface Outline. Together, the N25F-SE and its Safety Package offer an effective, efficient, and flexible automotive solution. It greatly reduces the time for SoC design teams to certify their ISO 26262 compliant SoCs. In comparison, an ASIL B ready solution is without certifying all required ISO 26262 Parts (2, 4, 5, 8 and 9) and thus provides incomplete support for the SoCs certification; as a result, SoC design teams must go through all the work the CPU IP vendors are supposed to do. In addition, the N25F-SE helps reduce the cost and power consumption for SoCs requiring only an ASIL B processor IP without forcing them to use a double-sized dual-core lock-step solution with ASIL D. As the only public RISC-V CPU IP company and a leader in the RISC-V ecosystem, we want to raise the awareness of the importance of ISO 26262 full compliance. Dr. Su stressed.



Cidana . Consumer experience is shaping expectations for In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems. It is one of the segments evolving rapidly in the automotive industry. Cidana offers the optimized LC3+ codec and makes it available on Andes ISO 26262 compliance platform. Other mainstream audio codecs can be supported based on the required performance, said Chinn Chin, the Chief Executive Officer of Cidana. We are looking forward to collaborating with Andes and bringing the Cidana solutions to automotive SoCs powered by the N25F-SE.

. Consumer experience is shaping expectations for In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems. It is one of the segments evolving rapidly in the automotive industry. Cidana offers the optimized LC3+ codec and makes it available on Andes ISO 26262 compliance platform. Other mainstream audio codecs can be supported based on the required performance, said Chinn Chin, the Chief Executive Officer of Cidana. We are looking forward to collaborating with Andes and bringing the Cidana solutions to automotive SoCs powered by the N25F-SE. Green Hills Software. We are pleased to expand our production-ready automotive safety solutions to support the safety-certified AndesCore 25-Series

RISC-V IP core family from the technology leader, Andes Technology, said Dan Mender, Vice President, Business Development, Green Hills Software. This combined hardware-software solution for the AndesCore N25F-SE gives SoC providers a valuable head-start in offering integrated and optimized production-proven platforms for next-generation vehicle ECUs that require the highest performance and lowest power, with advanced tools that reduce their customers time to market and development costs.

We are pleased to expand our production-ready automotive safety solutions to support the safety-certified AndesCore 25-Series RISC-V IP core family from the technology leader, Andes Technology, said Dan Mender, Vice President, Business Development, Green Hills Software. This combined hardware-software solution for the AndesCore N25F-SE gives SoC providers a valuable head-start in offering integrated and optimized production-proven platforms for next-generation vehicle ECUs that require the highest performance and lowest power, with advanced tools that reduce their customers time to market and development costs. IAR Systems. RISC-V is being adopted at a remarkable speed in applications from the edge to the cloud and now it is entering the automotive market. IAR Systems support the mature and popular Andes RISC-V 25-series processors since its release a few years back in the IAR Embedded Workbench for RISC-V, Functional Safety edition. We are glad to learn that Andes N25F-SE has been certified for full ISO 26262 compliance, said Rafael Taubinger, Sr. Product Marketing Manager at IAR Systems. We are looking forward to extending our collaboration with Andes to support its Safety Enhanced processors starting from the N25F-SE enabling our mutual customers to speed up the path to using RISC-V in automotive safety-critical applications.

RISC-V is being adopted at a remarkable speed in applications from the edge to the cloud and now it is entering the automotive market. IAR Systems support the mature and popular Andes RISC-V 25-series processors since its release a few years back in the IAR Embedded Workbench for RISC-V, Functional Safety edition. We are glad to learn that Andes N25F-SE has been certified for full ISO 26262 compliance, said Rafael Taubinger, Sr. Product Marketing Manager at IAR Systems. We are looking forward to extending our collaboration with Andes to support its Safety Enhanced processors starting from the N25F-SE enabling our mutual customers to speed up the path to using RISC-V in automotive safety-critical applications. Parasoft . We would sincerely congrats on Andes Technology's N25F-SE been certified to the ISO 26262 functional safety standard, said Yue Liu, the President of Parasoft Greater China. "Andes is a leading provider of RISC-V processors, and PARASOFT, a solution provider that helps enterprises deliver defect-free software, is pleased to partner with Andes to further deliver RISC-V ecosystem solutions to our customers. I am confident that we will be able to provide a complete suite of testing solutions for the automotive safety lifecycle in the near future, helping customers improve their ability to develop and deliver high quality software.

. We would sincerely congrats on Andes Technology's N25F-SE been certified to the ISO 26262 functional safety standard, said Yue Liu, the President of Parasoft Greater China. "Andes is a leading provider of RISC-V processors, and PARASOFT, a solution provider that helps enterprises deliver defect-free software, is pleased to partner with Andes to further deliver RISC-V ecosystem solutions to our customers. I am confident that we will be able to provide a complete suite of testing solutions for the automotive safety lifecycle in the near future, helping customers improve their ability to develop and deliver high quality software. Virtual Open Systems. At Virtual Open Systems we are working with Andes to enable hypervisor-less mixed criticality virtualization supporting concurrent execution of a certified real time operating system (OS) with a general purpose OS using our VOSySmonitoRV, a low level firmware developed with ASIL certification in mind," said Daniel Raho, Virtual Open Systems SAS CEO. "We are excited to extend VOSySmonitoRV with support for Andes Safety Enhanced processors starting from the N25F-SE. The AndesCore N25F-SE is available for licensing now. Over half of a dozen leading SoC companies are already developing in-vehicle applications with the N25F-SE. Following the N25F-SE, the D25F-SE with DSP/SIMD extension and Bit Manipulation extension is expected to be available in early 2023. About Andes Technology

Seventeen years in business and a Founding Premier member of RISC-V International, Andes is publicly-listed company (TWSE: 6533; SIN: US03420C2089; ISIN: US03420C1099) and a leading supplier of high-performance/low-power 32/64-bit embedded processor IP solutions, and the driving force in taking RISC-V mainstream. Andes fifth-generation AndeStar architecture adopted the RISC-V as the base. Its V5 RISC-V CPU families range from tiny 32-bit cores to advanced 64-bit cores with DSP, FPU, Vector, Linux, superscalar, and/or multicore capabilities. The annual volume of Andes-Embedded SoCs has exceeded 3 billion in 2021 and continues to rise. By the end of 2021, the cumulative volume of Andes-Embedded SoCs has surpassed 10 billion. For more information, please visit https://www.andestech.com. Follow Andes on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!





Jonah McLeod +1 (510) 449-8634 [email protected] Hsiaoling Lin +886-3-6687253 ext.644 [email protected]

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[October 17, 2022] Value of Tissue Analytics for Remote Care Highlighted in Research From Australian Virtual Wound Care Program

PITTSBURGH and SYDNEY, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Net Health, a leading provider of specialty electronic health record (EHR) systems and advanced healthcare analytics, announced results from a first-of-its-kind study for a promising wound care treatment model. The findings showed Net Health Tissue Analytics, the company's AI-powered wound imaging and analysis software, helps clinicians provide more timely access to wound care services, enables patients to communicate faster with their specialists, and improves management of chronic wounds in remote populations. Net Health Tissue Analytics is a best-in-class wound imaging and documentation solution that applies computer vision to images taken with traditional smartphones or tablets to automatically measure and document wound healing. The technology was recently granted Breakthrough Device status by the FDA for future development initiatives, becoming one of the few digital health solutions to achieve such recognition. It is one of the most widely used wound care technology platforms in the U.S. and has begun expansion internationally. Net Health's partner in Australia is Virtualcare, a digital health company working with leading healthcare organizations. Australian Study Featured in Major Industry Journal The lead study author is Michelle Barakat-Johnson. The "online first" edition of The Viabiity and Acceptability of a Virtual Wound Care Command Centre in Australia is open access and available online now from International Wound Journal. The final published article is scheduled for the first quarter of 2023. The study is based on findings from the Australian New South Wales (NSW) Health Service. The goal of the study was to determine whether wound care delivered remotely using the Tissue Analytics platform was successful and well received by patients.



NSW researchers examined how Net Health Tissue Analytics was being used as part of a Virtual Wound Care Command Centre (eWCC) by wound specialists, including nurses, podiatrists and physicians, across nine centers dealing with podiatry and vascular outpatient clinics, general community nursing and specialized wound services such as vascular and endovascular surgery. Patients participating in the study took images of their wounds and provided relevant information through the digital platform using the clinician interface of the app, which would then notify the specialist to review the report and triage as appropriate. Wound specialists would enter data on the treatment plan and respond to the participant, supporting remote wound care assessment and management.

Results Highlight Tissue Analytics Role in Successful eWCC The study found that individuals with chronic wounds receiving remote wound care services through the eWCC using Tissue Analytics experienced more timely access to wound care services; improved communication with their wound specialist; had more time with clinicians, which encourages engagement and adherence; and gained self-empowerment to better manage their wounds. A post-trial participant survey also provided important insights. Timely access to care increased (rising from 91.7 to 98.5 percent)

Communication improved (increasing from 90.3 to 97 percent)

Travel requirements were easier (going from 65.5 to 69.5 percent) The researchers also emphasized the favorable ratings given by both patients and clinicians to Tissue Analytics, pointing out that the app saved patients time and money, especially in travel costs, since it limited the number of times one needed to see a wound specialist in person. It's estimated participants saved several hundred dollars on travel costs. Less travel also led to the greater good of reducing CO2 emissions. "You don't need to wait so long to get feedback, or you don't feel like you're out of contact, which generally helps because you can at least get a faster response if you're worried about something," one patient noted. Another, a 61-year-old who had bilateral forefoot amputation wounds and lived in a rural community, shared that being able to converse with a wound specialist in this way was both reassuring and convenient. Based on the study findings, the researchers recommend the continued expansion of digitally-driven wound care across the health network. About Net Health Net Health's mission is to harness data for human health. Net Health solutions are trusted in over 23,000 facilities across the continuum of care. Our EHR software enables caregivers and their organizations to engage effectively with patients, streamline documentation, staff efficiently, secure maximum appropriate reimbursement and maintain regulatory compliance. Our unique approach to analytics seamlessly presents insights in clinical and operational workflows to improve care and business performance. Net Health is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, Level Equity and Silversmith Capital Partners. www.nethealth.com. About Virtualcare Virtualcare is an Australian digital health company providing solutions to healthcare's most challenging problems. We partner with leading healthcare companies to bring game-changing technology solutions to health organizations in Australia and New Zealand. Virtualcare represents Net Health Tissue Analytics in Australia and New Zealand. www.virtual-care.com.au Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1157663/Net_Health_Systems_Logo.jpg SOURCE Net Health Systems, Inc.

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[October 17, 2022] Patrick Healy, a Senior Biopharma Executive with a Successful Track Record in Clinical Trials Development, joins Aviceda Therapeutics as Chief Operations Officer

Aviceda Therapeutics, a private company located in Cambridge, MA with a Phase II ready ophthalmic lead product for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to dry AMD (dAMD) announced, today, Patrick Healy, founding CEO of Trial Runners, will join their management team consisting of Key Opinion Leaders in the field of Ophthalmology. Mr. Healy is joining Aviceda as Chief Operations Officer and Senior Vice-President. He joins Drs. Mohamed Genead (CEO), David Callanan (CMO), Michael Tolentino (Chief Technology Officer), Tarek Hassan (Chief Development Officer), Derek Kunimoto (Chief Strategy Officer) and Christopher Scott (Chief Scientific Officer), leaders in the field. At Trial Runners, Mr. Healy has overseen over 90 ophthalmology clinical trials, having engaged with more than 17,000 patients. Aviceda is focusing its efforts on commencing its clinical trial for its lead product, AVD-104 for GA secondary to dAMD. Based on AVD-104's proprietary approach to treating GA and its in-vivo safety and efficacy results, it has the potential to demonstrate superiority compared to other compounds for this large critical indication. "Aviceda is honored to have one of the most successful leaders in the field of drug development for the retina and beyond join the Aviceda team. We believe that we have now assembled the top executive team in drug development. As our lead product is about to enter the clinic, this is the opportune time for Patrick to join our management team," said Dr. Genead. "Patrick is the ideal individual to design and manage the trial that will potentially demonstrate the efficacy, safety and differentiation of AVD-104 from other compounds in the space." "I am honored to join this incredible team of thought leaders in the field of ophthalmology at Aviceda," said Mr. Healy. "I am excited about the opportunity to execute the vision set for the company as well as complete the planning and oversee the execution of the Phase II trial for AVD-104 for GA associated with AMD. This is a critical inication with a large patient population for which there are no currently approved treatments. This is an outstanding opportunity to make a major contribution to the field by successfully treating patients with this serious ophthalmic disease. Not only does Aviceda have great potential to develop a major drug for GA, but the underlying technology also has broad potential in other therapeutic applications in the eye and beyond. I look forward to helping guide the company forward in driving the lead product to market and developing a strong pipeline that optimizes the potential of its science."



About Patrick Healy Mr. Healy has over 25 years of experience in the industry having begun his career in clinical and program management roles at Pfizer, Roche, and Schering-Plough.

His passion for entrepreneurship began in 2001 when he was recruited to an ophthalmology start-up, Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, where he provided strategic and management oversight in clinical development. He gained experience collaborating directly with C-Suite, board members and venture capital personnel while receiving FDA approval for Macugen, a first in class anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). Mr. Healy's deep relationships with biotech executives, clinical key opinion leaders and venture capital partners have helped shape ophthalmology development towards becoming more innovative and cost effective. Seeing a need for clinical contract research organizations with ophthalmology experience, Mr. Healy began his entrepreneurial career by launching Trial Runners in 2006. Since then, the company has become a leading choice for ophthalmology pharmaceutical and biotech companies to conduct their clinical trials. As a founding CEO, Patrick has helped grow the business from the idea stage to executing over 90+ ophthalmology clinical studies across 19 countries for 60+ biotech and pharmaceutical companies. About Aviceda Therapeutics Aviceda is a private biotechnology company located in Cambridge, MA with a proprietary nano-technology HALOS platform with an IND-ready ophthalmic lead product for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to dry AMD (dAMD). AVD-104 is an intravitreally injected molecule with a unique dual MOA for GA, affecting both critical inflammatory & complement pathways. The complement pathway for GA has been clinically validated in Ph III trials. Published research also demonstrates that the inflammatory pathway, via immune cells modulation of macrophages and microglia, is a major contributor to disease initiation and progression. AVD-104 has demonstrated robust in-vitro/vivo efficacy, with inhibition of both complement & inflammatory pathways, and the potential for Q12 week dosing. Outstanding safety of AVD-104 has been demonstrated in multiple animal models including non-human primates (NHP). GLP-Tox studies have been completed in two species and have shown excellent safety profiles and no sign of any intra-ocular inflammation. In addition, AVD-104 has demonstrated superior prevention of neovascularization compared to Eylea in a well-established ocular CNV model. AVD-104 is now ready for IND submission. Based on the positive outcome of the pre-IND meeting with the FDA, IND submission for initiation of the Phase II trial is planned for 4Q22 with Fast Track Designation. In addition to AVD-104, Aviceda has a broad pipeline of products in development in the fields of Ophthalmology and other therapeutic areas such as Neurology, Fibrosis, and Immunology. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005092/en/

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[October 17, 2022] Keelvar is Selected for 2022 Spend Matters '50 Providers to Watch' List

Keelvar, a global pioneer of intelligent autonomous sourcing solutions, has been included in the Spend Matters '50 Provider to Watch' list, as revealed today during the SIG Global Executive Summit, a destination for industry recognition and achievement hosted by Sourcing Industry Group (SIG). "Keelvar is the last pure-play optimization vendor that has not yet keeled to a larger vendor, and deserves to be recognized for this," says Michael Lamoureux, Consulting Lead Analyst and Futurist. The recognition highlights Keelvar's autonomous sourcing solution and sourcing optimizer platform, which leverages AI, data science and smart sourcing bots to offload up to 90% of manual tasks in the sourcing process - enabling businesses to identify reliable suppliers, control costs and make quick, effective and smart sourcing decisions that drive key business objectives, like ESG, product innovation, profitability and resilience. Keelvar's solutions help organizations achieve sourcing excellence by making the sourcing process simpler, smarter and faster, so customers can quickly react to market changes amid supply chain disruption. "As market volatility continues, businesses cannotsurvive without the ability to quickly pivot in the face of adversity. At Keelvar, we're powering sourcing teams with the agility needed to weigh various sourcing scenarios and determine the best decisions for their supply chains," said Alan Holland, Founder and CEO of Keelvar. "This recognition by Spend Matters - one of the most qualified independent platforms in the procurement industry - is an honor, and we're excited to continue helping businesses leverage autonomous sourcing to ensure resiliency."



Each year, the '50 Providers to Watch' list recognizes the fastest-rising companies in the procurement and supply chain market. This year marks the ninth year of publication for the Spend Matters '50 to Watch,', as well as its counterpart, the 50 to Know. Vendors featured on the annual 50/50 lists are independently selected and reviewed by the entire Spend Matters analyst team. For more information, please visit https://www.keelvar.com/

About Spend Matters Spend Matters is the leading solution intelligence source for procurement and supply chain professionals. Combining deep technology analysis and tailored advisory services with daily news coverage and subscription research, Spend Matters is trusted by CPOs, consultants, investors and solution providers alike as their procurement technology intelligence partner. About Keelvar Keelvar is moving procurement forward with its best-in-breed software for intelligent sourcing optimization and automation, designed for easy adoption, scale, and productivity. Keelvar's SaaS-based award-winning products utilize artificial intelligence, machine learning, and category expertise to deliver purpose-built solutions that are delivering results for blue-chip global companies and mid-sized enterprises. Customers are turning to Keelvar to advance their strategic sourcing journey spanning logistics, packaging, direct materials, and indirect spends. That momentum has resulted in Keelvar receiving $24 million in Series B funding in April 2022 and steady growth of its team worldwide, with headquarters in Cork, Ireland. Visit www.keelvar.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005529/en/

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[October 17, 2022] NeuroSigma Announces Commercial Launch of The Monarch eTNS System for the Treatment of Pediatric ADHD at Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeuroSigma, Inc., a Los Angeles-based bioelectronics company, today announced the commercial launch of The Monarch eTNS System at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) in Toronto. The launch includes a new co-pay program that will allow commercially insured children between the ages of 7  12 with an Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis to obtain the Monarch eTNS System and the first months supply of disposable NS-2 electric patches for $100. The co-pay for each additional month of patches will be $40.

The Monarch eTNS System is a bioelectronic medical device that uses external trigeminal nerve stimulation (eTNS) to treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In 2019, the Monarch eTNS System became the first-ever medical device cleared by FDA for treating pediatric ADHD. NeuroSigmas new Pediatric Care Co-Pay Program is the next step in commercializing the Monarch eTNS System, with the goal of making eTNS therapy available to a substantially greater number of children diagnosed with ADHD. NeuroSigmas mission is to facilitate access to eTNS therapy for the millions of children worldwide struggling with ADHD, said Dr. Colin Kealey, President of NeuroSigma. Our new Pediatric Care Co-Pay Program is an important milestone towards achieving this goal and will significantly increase the affordability of our therapy for eligible patients and their caregivers in the United States. Given emerging shortages of leading ADHD medications in the United States, the launch of a non-drug alternative to potentially addictive pharmaceuticalstimulants is even more imperative in expanding long-term therapeutic options, added Dr. Ian Cook, NeuroSigmas Chief Medical Officer.



Attendees of the 2022 AACAP conference can learn more about the Monarch eTNS System and the Pediatric Care Co-Pay Program by visiting NeuroSigmas booth 312 at the conference. Families interested in the Monarch can call NeuroSigmas patient hub at 877-765-7660 or simply have their physician complete the Monarch eTNS Prescription Form and fax it to the indicated number. About NeuroSigma

NeuroSigma is a Los Angeles, California-based bioelectronic medical device company developing technologies to transform medical practice and patients' lives. The company is commercializing the Monarch eTNS System, which is the first non-drug treatment for pediatric ADHD cleared by the FDA. Pipeline indications for the Monarch and NeuroSigmas TNS platform include a wide spectrum of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as ADHD, drug-resistant epilepsy, and depression. For more information about NeuroSigma, please visit www.neurosigma.com. For more information on the Monarch eTNS System, please visit www.monarch-etns.com. Contact:

Colin Kealey, M.D., President of NeuroSigma at [email protected]



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[October 17, 2022] Flowcode Announces Real-Time Consumer, Geo-Location, and Attribution Analytics for 95% of the U.S. TV Market

Flowcode's TV conversions rival the Internet NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Flowcode, the direct to consumer company, building direct connections for brands and consumers, is announcing the launch of their industry-changing data and design TV tool within the FlowcodeTV platform, making Flowcode the only technology provider to offer real-time analytics, geo-location data and attribution across screens. The first-of-its-kind TV product also includes a patented video editing tool, giving brand and media partners the ability to embed Flowcode-enabled content with code animations and graphics to instantly connect with viewers in a dynamic way that has never been done before. Because of Flowcode's custom-designed, privacy compliant, code activations, viewers are 2.5X more likely to scan a Flowcode over a generic QR code on TV.* "At Flowcode, we believe TV is one of the most undervalued, yet one of the most powerful platforms to connect brands and fans, which is why we created two-way TV. Millions of people around the world watch TV, from local to live to sports, and want to create a direct way to interact with the content and advertising they are viewing. Flowcode creates an unprecedented, seamless interaction for viewers and a measurable connection point for brands. We are fortunate to have incredible partners helping us reimagine the future of interactive and shoppable TV," said Meghan Glenn, who leads media at Flowcode. Broadcasters, brands and agencies all have turned to Flowcode to power omnichannel experiences across screens and platforms to drive conversions and attribtion. One of America's leading appliance companies ran a Flowcode-enabled CTV campaign across 6 different providers and saw a 15% conversion rate after just one week, generating nearly $500K in ROI. In addition, Sinclair Cares, which supports various community and charitable endeavors through Sinclair Broadcasting Group's media platforms has seen 3X the scan volume from similar initiatives run last year due to Flowcode. In just two weeks, Sinclair Cares: Ukraine Relief raised over $165,000 directly through Flowcode.



"Through Flowcode's QR codes we have found an additional way to inform our viewers and when used as part of our Sinclair Cares charitable campaigns, we are able to mobilize fundraising and add an additional element for outreach," said Dana Feldman, SVP Marketing & Promotions, Sinclair Broadcasting Group. Through partnerships and distribution, Flowcode reaches 95% of the national TV market.** According to Flowcode's internal data, nearly 40% of adults in the U.S. have scanned a QR code on TV in the last 30 days and consumers are 2X more likely to scan a QR code than type in a URL from a TV ad and 3X more likely to scan than to call a 1-800 number from their TV. The number of U.S. smartphone users scanning a QR code will grow from 83.4M this year to 99.5M in 2025 according to eMarketer. To learn more about how to make TV clickable, shoppable and measurable with Flowcode, visit Flowcode.com/TV .

*Independent 3rd party research conducted (April 2022)

**Based on Nielsen coverage statistics About Flowcode Flowcode is the direct to consumer company, building direct connections for brands and consumers. By unifying data-driven design with the latest in QR technology, Flowcode enables contactless connection with speed, security and ease. Privacy compliant, ultra-fast scanning, and designed with intention, Flowcode is the number one trusted QR provider. Our companion product, Flowpage, organizes your digital footprint in one mobile-first landing page, creating a seamless experience to more deeply connect with audiences while tracking real-time analytics. Paired together, our tech allows consumers and creators to instantly connect the real world to the digital world instantly and magically. To learn more, visit Flowcode.com or explore our social channels on our Flowpage. For press inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

For business inquiries, please contact: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flowcode-announces-real-time-consumer-geo-location-and-attribution-analytics-for-95-of-the-us-tv-market-301650370.html SOURCE Flowcode

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[October 17, 2022] Apogee Announces Expansion of its Managed Campus Services Portfolio

Demonstrating its ongoing leadership as a highly valued and trusted strategic technology services partner to higher education, Apogee today announced the expansion of its Managed Campus services portfolio with the addition of new Managed IT Services and Professional Services. These new leading-edge services enable colleges and universities to partner with Apogee to free in-house teams from IT operational headaches so they can pursue strategic innovation and digital transformation initiatives. The expanded portfolio unlocks time and delivers peace of mind by relieving institutions from the ongoing struggle of finding, hiring, and retaining scarce IT talent, and by providing a higher ed-friendly and predictable OPEX funding model. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005595/en/ Apogee Managed Campus Services and Solutions Portfolio (Graphic: Business Wire) Recognized as a leader and expert in managed networks at scale for both residence halls (ResNet) and administrative and academic networks, Apogee today expands its menu of Managed Campus technology services with: Apogee Managed IT Services is a customizable suite of IT services designed to provide the performance and reliability essential to a productive, secure campus technology environment. These services ensure consistent access to applications and data, improve IT efficiency, and create new opportunities for IT innovation. The suite includes the following discrete services that may be bundled together:



Managed Infrastructure provides proactive monitoring, updating, and remediation of critical Windows and Linux systems. Managed Infrastructure services protect infrastructure and data with antivirus monitoring, updating, and automated remediation of antivirus violations; address security and data concerns through industry-standard backups of physical and virtualized servers, test restorations, and server remediation; and proide 24/7 access to Apogee experts.







Managed Endpoints maintains efficient operation of campus PCs, laptops, and iOS devices. With more than 100 monitors, antivirus updates, URL filtering, and customized remote management capabilities built in, Managed Endpoints identifies and remediates known threats quickly to maximize device uptime and reduce risk to network resources and data.



Active Directory provides efficient end-user access and protection of network resources, limiting access to sensitive data while maintaining faculty and staff productivity. Routine and 24/7 critical server support ensures uptime and availability, while customized group policies limit access to institutional research, student data, or other sensitive information. Apogee integrates single sign-on (SSO) into essential applications, while standardized policy enforcement and daily oversight of multi-factor authentication (MFA) ensure VPNs and applications are highly available and accessed appropriately.





Office 365/Google Workspace maximizes the uptime and efficiency of email, chat, and file storage. Apogee works to understand campus-specific use cases for email, chat, and file storage; ensures efficient operation of applications while enhancing the security of end-user data with standardized policy, implementation, and enforcement; and delivers monthly insights reports to isolate key usage trends and identify opportunities for operational improvements.



IT Service Desk eliminates the burden from campus IT teams for call-in support. Campuses can depend on Apogee for 24/7 IT service desk support to eliminate challenges associated with receiving and routing Level 1 and Level 2 support tickets. Highly trained Apogee staff receive, resolve, and escalate incoming calls fast, freeing in-house staff from operational pain and helping improve campus technology reputation.





is a customizable suite of IT services designed to provide the performance and reliability essential to a productive, secure campus technology environment. These services ensure consistent access to applications and data, improve IT efficiency, and create new opportunities for IT innovation. The suite includes the following discrete services that may be bundled together: Apogee Professional Services deliver immediate help to campus IT leaders struggling with staff or expertise challenges and include:



Networking and IT assessments help define and prioritize the repair of critical gaps in infrastructure, processes, or tools. CIO advisory services help with strategy development, planning, budgeting, and short-term guidance of in-house resources to achieve operational steady state. Staff augmentation addresses immediate gaps in in-house expertise or staffing. Project-based engagements resolve specific operational or systems issues.

deliver immediate help to campus IT leaders struggling with staff or expertise challenges and include: "Campus leaders are facing extreme pressure to deliver high educational ROI (return on investment) and exceptional student experiences at a time when finding, hiring, and retaining IT talent is challenging. Apogee is excited to expand our Managed Campus portfolio with nine new innovative and leading-edge managed technology services designed specifically for higher education," said Scott Drossos, Apogee chief executive officer. "By partnering with Apogee, colleges and universities can offload IT operational challenges to an expert, rapidly scale IT to address emerging needs, and eliminate annual budgeting pain. Apogee helps put institutions on a path to IT efficiency, unleashing their ability to deliver innovations and programs that give them a competitive edge in student experience, education, research, and community outcomes." Located in Saint Joseph, Mo., Missouri Western State University (MWSU) has a student enrollment of 3500+. In 2021, MWSU faced daunting challenges: financial exigency, several new leadership transitions, and an aging technological infrastructure. Darrell Morrison, MWSU chief financial officer, sought Apogee CIO Advisory Services to provide strategic planning prowess, uncover IT problems, and complete numerous institution-wide IT projects. Apogee then ensured a successful implementation of Apogee ResNet and Managed Campus Services while shepherding the campus through the process of hiring a permanent Chief Information Officer. "The days of break/fix IT and silos are over," said Mr. Morrison. "Working with Apogee means the MWSU IT team can focus and collaborate on the projects that will drive transformation across the entire campus. Apogee is particularly adept at understanding the big technology picture on campus while also homing in on the most urgent IT priorities that need to be addressed. And they do this without pressure or trying to sell us more than we need. I am thrilled to see Apogee expand its Managed Campus portfolio and look forward to a continued long and productive partnership." New Website and Availability Apogee has launched a new website with the expansion of the Managed Campus portfolio to help higher education leaders quickly access information about all Apogee managed technology services. Campus leaders are invited to explore a wealth of resources, such as e-books, case studies, videos, worksheets, blogs, and on-demand webinars, to learn how partnering with Apogee to offload IT operations can meaningfully contribute to realizing campus outcomes. The full Managed Campus portfolio is now available, and institutions may schedule a consultation with an Apogee higher education expert by filling out this form. About Apogee Established in Austin in 1999, Apogee is a leading provider of managed technology services that enable colleges and universities to innovate to enrich the campus experience and foster student vitality. Uniquely positioned to serve higher education, Apogee supports a community of more than one million students and administrators at over 350 colleges and universities nationwide. The company's comprehensive managed services portfolio includes Managed Campus networks and IT services, residential networks (ResNet), campus engagement, and video. Visit Apogee at apogee.us. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005595/en/

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[October 17, 2022] MEDIA ADVISORY: Merit to Host Coalition of Veteran and Military Spouse Organization Leaders October 19, 2022 at The National Press Club

Verified identity platform Merit will host an afternoon press event at The National Press Club in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Among the featured speakers will be members from the Alliance for States Providing Interoperable REciprocity (ASPIRE), including leaders of leading veterans and military spouse organizations. The event takes place at 3pm ET. An online broadcast of the event is free and open to all. Media are additionally invited to attend in person after registering in advance. Please join a coalition of veteran and military spouse organizations, as well as current and former state electe officials and appointees, who recognize the critical role military personnel and their families play in the fabric of America. Speakers will address the need to reform outdated and inefficient state licensing and credential reciprocity laws and regulations which make it more difficult for military families to work in their chosen field when they are reassigned across state lines. At the event, new research demonstrating Americans' support for military families will be released.



WHAT: ASPIRE Launch Event

WHO: Merit and a coalition of veteran and military spouse organizations, as well as current and former state elected officials

WHERE: Online, and at The National Press Club in Washington D.C. - 529 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20045

WHEN: October 19, 3pm ET-4pm ET About ASPIRE: Alliance for States Providing Interoperable REciprocity

A national coalition facilitating states' support for service members and families with interoperable verified digital credentials. Merit is the first technology company to facilitate universal license recognition - cutting red tape, speeding up the hiring process, and propelling economic competitiveness. Learn more at Merits.com/ASPIRE About Merit Merit is the interoperable ecosystem for all digital credentials issued by trusted organizations. The platform allows everyone to access, track, and organize their licenses and credentials in real-time. Merit works with more than 1,000 organizations for professional licensing, occupational regulation, workforce development, emergency services, and other digital credentialing needs. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005228/en/

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[October 17, 2022] Nokia chooses Ottawa, ON, tech cluster to build world-leading, sustainable ICT and cyber security R&D hub

Partnerships with Government of Canada, Government of Ontario and City of Ottawa to support cutting-edge labs, infrastructure at new Nokia tech centre OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - Nokia Canada and federal, provincial and municipal partners today announced plans to transform Nokia's Ottawa, ON, facility into a world-leading, sustainable research and development (R&D) hub. The tech center will significantly expand Nokia Canada's capacity in next-generation information and communications technology (ICT) and cyber security innovation. This transformation is expected to create more than 340 new, high-value jobs and help Nokia attract highly-skilled, global talent to Canada's tech ecosystem. Nokia Canada plans to begin site construction in 2023 and expects to open the new facility in 2026. This project will transform Nokia Canada's 26-acre campus at the Kanata North Business Park into a sustainable, accessible mixed-use corporate, residential and commercial hub where nearly 2,160 local employees, Ottawa residents and businesses, and Canada's entire tech ecosystem can collaborate, innovate and drive Canadian and global wellbeing and prosperity. The new R&D hub will help secure Canada's position as a global leader in the green digital future by broadening Nokia Canada's expertise in 5G, cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, accelerating growth in cloud software, and enhancing digital identity management and security for devices connected to critical networks. Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia, said: "Nokia is helping to drive Canada's tech leadership. This world-class, sustainable R&D hub will be one of Nokia's most dynamic developments  and I'm proud that it will benefit the people of Ottawa also. This is an exciting day. I want to express my appreciation to the local, provincial and national governments for working with us on this project." Nokia Canada's connectivity solutions form the critical foundation for major Canadian industries and infrastructure, including transportation, utilities, smart cities, government services and natural resources. Nokia Canada is also the major supplier to Canada's leading tlecommunication carriers, including 5G radio and core, fiber-to-the home, IP-routing, optical networks, cyber security, submarine cable, and network management software.???



The new Ottawa facility will support Nokia's global target of 50 per cent greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2030 by implementing sustainable technologies, including water side heat recovery, air side heat and energy recovery, water side free cooling, and rainwater harvesting. Jeffrey Maddox, President of Nokia Canada, said: "Today's announcement reinforces Nokia's commitment to the Canadian market, where we have invested $1.4 billion in R&D over the past five years. Nokia's R&D hub will generate net-new Canadian IP and bring innovative advanced telecommunications and cyber security technologies to market, helping us achieve our goal of improving people's lives in Canada and across the world."

The transformed campus is expected to enable Nokia Canada to grow its Ontario-based team by more than 340 positions to 2,500, 2,160 of which will be based in Ottawa, increase co-op and intern positions for university and college students in STEM fields by 100 to 400 per year, and introduce new, cutting-edge lab space and equipment. Nokia Canada plans to invest CAD 340+ million in labs and equipment, labour, and operating costs between 2023 and 2027. The Government of Canada is finalizing plans to provide up to CAD 40 million via its Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) and the Government of Ontario, through Invest Ontario, will provide CAD 30 million to the project. These contributions will support the long-term capability of Nokia, Canada and Ontario in cyber security, R&D, and next-gen technology, including 6G, while delivering high-paying jobs in construction and technology. The City of Ottawa, through Hydro Ottawa, will make a capital contribution of CAD 2 million for control system upgrades. Additional Quotes The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, said: "The project we're announcing will help connect Canadians to the jobs of today and tomorrow. It will bring economic benefits to the National Capital Region and stimulate Canada's tech ecosystem. This is about building a strong economy and a better future for everyone." The Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said: "Canadians rely on wireless and Internet services for virtually everything: working, school, commuting, as well as staying in touch with loved ones. That is why it's essential we have access to the most advanced digital telecommunications tools. Today's announcement will help to enable exciting new technologies that will have a transformative effect on Canada's economy and the day-to-day lives of Canadians. By partnering with Nokia, Canada is strengthening its digital infrastructure and cementing its position at the forefront of the digital technology." The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, said: "This monumental investment from Nokia shows once again that there is no better place for businesses to grow and jobs to be created than here in Ontario. We are proud to work alongside our partners to secure hundreds more in demand, high skill jobs for the Ottawa region and we welcome this long term commitment from Nokia to our province, and our workers." The Hon. Vic Fedeli, Ontario's Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, said: "Nokia's investment and expansion project are strong signals that Ontario continues to be the best place for businesses around the world to invest and grow. Ontario is home to a wealth of world-renowned research institutes and top talent who work collaboratively with businesses to create game-changing solutions. Working closely with Invest Ontario, our government is proud to support global innovators like Nokia as part of our plan to build Ontario." His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, said: "I want to thank Nokia, as well as our federal and provincial governments, for investing in our community and growing our local economy. Not only will this see more cutting-edge R&D taking place in Ottawa; it will lead to a more sustainable mixed-use campus for Nokia, while creating hundreds of new jobs and co-op/intern positions. This is a good day for Ottawa and Kanata North.'' About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world. SOURCE Nokia

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[October 17, 2022] Secure Transfusion Solutions Presents Data Demonstrating Feasibility and Safety of its Novel Compensated Blood Donation Model

Results underscore the initial safety and viability of the Companys paid donor model to supplement and diversify the existing platelet supply, and to support further application in new markets affected by the ongoing national platelet shortage





The model shows the ability to reliably control donor recruitment and to provide blood component surge capacity in times of supply chain weakness, a novel concept in transfusion medicine





Findings include donor demographics, motivations, recruitment, retention, and operational efficiencies during the initial 22 months of operating the Companys first platelet donation center in Edina, Minnesota





Data were planned for presentation at the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida October 1-4th

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Secure Transfusion Solutions (STS), a private life sciences company pioneering innovative solutions to overcome the nations growing blood and platelet shortage, has shared new data from its initial experience operating its first paid blood platelet donation center, Trusting Heart Blood Center (THBC), in Edina, Minnesota. The findings, originally planned for presentation at the cancelled 2022 Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) Annual Meeting, include donor demographics, motivations, recruitment, retention, and operational efficiencies observed in the first 22 months of THBC Edina operations and suggest initial viability and safety of this novel paid donation model. An electronic version of the poster presentation can be found on STS website. Our mission is to permanently solve for one of the greatest challenges facing humanity this century, the ongoing blood and platelet shortage affecting more and more families in severity and scope, said Vijai Mohan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Secure Transfusion Solutions. The success observed from our first centers operations is promising and affirms that our paid blood donation model, modernized facilities, and rigorous donor safety protocols including pathogen reduction and screening criteria in excess of regulatory requirements serve as the blueprint for a new and integral supply paradigm capable of stabilizing hospital platelet supplies and permanently improving patient access to life-saving care. Joseph Cho, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs at STS commented: The availability of life-saving blood components, such as platelets, is under threat. Due to an aging donor base, recruitment of younger, diverse donors is of vital importance to sustain the platelet supply. Our data demonstrate the effectiveness of our model to recruit and retain younger platelet donors, both male and female. We also share data on our ability to increase the number of collections in a controlled manner around holidays, which are known times of blood supply chain fragility. Our initial experience operating Trusting Heart Blood Center in Edina, Minnesota provides evidence of a solution towards a reliable and sustainable platelet supply. Mr. Mohan added: We are also pleased to be experiencing similarly positive trends at newer STS facilities operating in Raleigh, North Carolina and Beaverton, Oregon, indicating that trends observed at our Edina, Minnesota center can be reproduced nationally. We look forward to the continued execution of our mission and the opening of future centers which pave the way to the betterment of this critical facet of our national healthcare system. Data presented by authors Joseph H. Cho, M.D., Ph.D., Sean P. Cotter, Selena K. Brown and Philip C. Spinella, M.D., titled: Initial Experience of a For-Profit Blood Center Collecting Apheresis Platelets Indicates Feasibility and Safety were collected from three sources: (1) the donor database at the blood center from its inception through its first 22 months of operations, (2) internal marketing data and (3) a donor motivation data form completed by all individuals who completed a second donation at Trusting Heart Blood Center in one of three locations: Edina, MN, Raleigh, NC and Beaverton, OR. Donor motivation data forms were collected between June 2022 through August 2022 from 452 individuals.

Details on the results of the presentation can be found below.



Data Highlights



Donor demographics reveal a younger and majority female donor base in contrast to the older, majority male donor base of other blood collection organizations. A major factor contributing to the national platelet shortage is an aging donor pool with an insufficient number of young donors willing to regularly participate in the two to three-hour apheresis platelet donation process.1 To provide a solution for this problem, STS develoed a new donation model combining a high-quality experience and donor compensation, in tandem intended to increase engagement and donation frequency (Figure 1). The initial 22-month experience at Trusting Heart Blood Center in Edina, MN validates the new donation model by demonstrating the recruitment and retention of a younger donor base (N=893) in comparison to other blood collection organizations.2,3 The median (IQR) male donor age is 43 (32-55) and the median female donor age is 45 (32-57). The percentage of male donors and female donors is 46.7% and 53.3%, respectively, in contrast to other blood collection organizations which typically have a majority male donor base.2



Donor motivations include factors outside of monetary compensation. Reported data indicate that while monetary compensation is an important factor for donors at Trusting Heart Blood Center (THBC), other motivators include altruism, personal significance, and understanding the current need for platelets.

Respondents were asked to evaluate the extent to which a motivational criterion served as a driver for their donation. The percentages presented represent the combined rates of agree or strongly agree responses. Altruism, goodwill, kindness: 91%

Understanding the need for platelets for patients: 88%

Monetary incentive: 80%

Location of the center: 57%

Personal connection to someone who received blood components: 40%

Respondents were also asked if they would consider donating blood or platelets even if no monetary compensation was provided. The responses were as follows: Probably would and/or definitely would: 33%

Perhaps might: 29%

Unsure: 26%

Not at all: 12% The STS platelet donation model allows for substantial efficiencies in split rate, high order fill rates and predictability as well as control over donor recruitment, donation frequency and the opportunity for collection surge capacity, especially evident during traditionally challenging holiday periods. Split rate is the average number of transfusable units manufactured per platelet collection. Every platelet collection has the potential to yield either one, two, or three transfusable units. The split rate reflects the use of pathogen reduction for all collected platelets intended for transfusion and is based on the 2,665 collections performed between October 2020 and August 2022. The highest split rate observed was 2.28 as of June 2022, with a mean split rate of 2.21 in the last four months reported in the study. A rigorous donor selection and retention process afforded by the compensated donor model allows the higher observed split rate compared to other blood collection organizations that also employ 100% pathogen-reduction.4 The average monthly order fill rate from June 2021 through August 2022 was 92% (2,289/3,694). Donor recruitment at THBC is performed using digital marketing strategies employing various social media platforms. A lead is generated when an individual fills out an online interest form. The next step is for the completed lead to visit THBC for a pre-screen appointment which serves as the first step towards qualifying a donor. After at least 21 days, if the pre-screen applicant passes all screening requirements including infectious disease testing and physiologic thresholds predictive of higher split rates, the individual can make a first platelet donation, however that donation will only be processed for transfusion if the donor passes a second round of infectious disease testing and therefore becomes a qualified donor. Using seven-day moving averages, we report that the number of leads generated is a forward indicator for the number of completed pre-screen appointments 12 days later and the number of first-time donations completed 26 days after pre-screen appointments. This industry-first predictability and control over donor recruitment allows for the ability to match supply against the rapidly growing needs of patients who require platelet transfusions. Donor frequency is a measure of the number of instances an individual has presented for collection in a specific time frame. Since THBC has only been operational for 22 months and the mean length of time a donor has been donating at the blood center as of July 2022 is 4.47 months, the data is instead described as in-month donor frequency  the mean number of times a donor in a given month have donated since being qualified. For example, the average number of times donors presenting in the month of January 2022 have donated since previously being qualified was 7.1 times. Collection surge capacity was calculated by comparing the number of collections during the holiday promotion period to baseline collection capacity (the average number of donations collected per day for the eight days immediately preceding a holiday promotion period). Collection surge capacity, reported as a percentage, was the average collections per day during the holiday period relative to baseline. The reported results were as follows: Christmas 2021 and New Years Day 2022: 232% compared to baseline

Thanksgiving 2021: 206% compared to baseline

Labor Day 2021: 149% compared to baseline

The effective utilization of a novel combination of safety measures yields zero positive donor test results and no withdrawals or lookbacks to date. STS implements significantly more rigorous safety and screening protocols for donors and collected platelet units at THBC compared to other blood collection organizations. These protocols include (1) testing every applicant donor for the presence of infectious disease twice with each test performed at least 21 days apart, (2) the use of pathogen reduction for all platelets intended for transfusion, and (3) performing quality control review of all manufactured components. THBC in Edina, MN has experienced zero positive donor tests, withdrawals, or lookbacks during its first 22 months of operation. Stubbs, J.R., Homer, M.J., Silverman, T., Cap, A.P. (2020). The current state of the platelet supply in the US and proposed options to decrease the risk of critical shortages. Transfusion, 61(1), 303-312. Sayers, M. (2022). Donor motivation and psychosocial research. Transfusion, 62(9), 1912-1916. Bravo, M., Kamel, H., Vassallo, R.R. (2020). Changing Demographics of Platelet Donors Across the Years: 2011, 2015, and 2019 (P-BB-11). Plenary Oral Abstract Session. Transfusion, 60(S5), 7A-260A. Shu, E., Owen, B., Belanger, G.A., Sussman, H., Pandey, S., Pham, T. (2021). Implementing Full Pathogen Reduction Technology Apheresis Platelet Inventory Does Not Reduce Overall Production Compared to Dual Inventory (P-BB-40). Abstracts. Transfusion, 61(S3), 7A-251A. About Secure Transfusion Solutions Secure Transfusion Solutions (STS) is a life sciences company pioneering innovative methods to overcome the nations growing blood and platelet shortage. Its purpose is to restore hope, build trust and improve quality of life by increasing patient access to readily available and safe transfusion solutions. An innovative company able to execute strategies out of reach of others in the transfusion space, STS provides healthcare institutions with safe and consistent service and true supply chain diversification. By partnering with STS, hospital systems increase confidence in the sourcing of blood components, better preparing them to meet evolving patient transfusion needs. For more information, visit www.securetransfusion.com. About the Platelet Shortage Each day, hospitals around the U.S. require an average of 7,000 platelet doses, and with the national blood and platelet shortage, a significant number of hospitals struggle to meet this demand. The majority of platelet transfusions at hospitals are used to prevent bleeding in certain cancer patients and those undergoing cardiac surgeries and organ transplants. Platelets have a shorter shelf life than typical blood components alone and must be transfused within five to seven days from collection, driving a continuous need. Exacerbated by industry challenges to the effective recruitment of blood donors, hospital demand for platelet units continues to exceed available supply. Company Contact:

Secure Transfusion Solutions, Inc.

[email protected]

(855) 944-3787 Media Contact:

Mike Tattory

LifeSci Communications

[email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d601445-7dbc-49ed-8d8a-86eb2f61c5a6



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[October 17, 2022] Netsmart Showcases the Power of a Platform Strategy for Providers to Digitize Their Enterprise at LeadingAge 2022

Netsmart, an industry-leading healthcare technology partner, will showcase the power of leveraging the CareFabric platform to digitize enterprises to achieve greater efficiencies and support a value-based future across the post-acute care continuum at the 2022 LeadingAge Annual Meeting and Expo Oct. 16-19 in Denver. LeadingAge attendees can discover solutions and services that accelerate value-based care delivery in the Netsmart booth 2013, where visitors can explore the most recent technology innovations and offerings of the CareFabric platform that are driving organizations into the future. Predictive analytics, reporting, mobility and referral management are just a few of the Netsmart solution capabilities designed to help optimize data, simplify reimbursement and improve care delivery. Visitors can learn about the latest capabilities to improve Five-Star ratings by leveraging Netsmart Simple offerings. With the recent acquisition of CORE Analytics, Netsmart now offers the only solution suite capable of calculating Quality Measures and Five-Star ratings leveraging Minimum Data Set (MDS), Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) reporting, and claims data. Netsmart Simple is the most comprehensive data analytics suite for integrating clinical, staffing and financial data for better intelligence and reimbursement, saving time for clinical and reimbursement staff. More than 50% of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) across the nation now utilize Netsmart Simple to improve data workflows and optimize reimbursement. "The LeadingAge Annual Meeting and Expo allows us to interact with providers and better understand how we can continue to advance our solutions and services to meet their needs in an evolving value-based care world," said Netsmart SVP & Managing Director of Post-Acute Dawn Iddings. "Today, post-acute care leaders are navigating new payment models and are being tasked with managing the digital transformation of their organizations, while providing care to those that they serve. Our Netsmart teams have remained committed to developing an innovative, singular platform and investing in innovative tools to empower providers to better connect across the healthcare ecosystem. We look forward to showcasing new capabilities and functionalities of our software that is reducing staff burden, driving efficiencies and ultimately delivering better care to our most vulnerable populations." Attendees can also experience firsthand what it is like to use automated referral technology to gain more referrals and boost revenue. Netsmart Referral Manager is a web-based, EHR-agnostic referral solution that simplifies the acceptance and rejection process, enabling providers to handle referrals efficiently and effectively. Referral Manager eliminates the need for emails, phone calls and manual data entry reducing time spent by 50% on the referral proces. The benefits experienced by clients include achieving up to a 40% reduction in time spent on referral admission processes, a 70% reduction in time spent processing referrals into EHR, and a 10% reduction in annual costs of care for shared risk programs.



Netsmart will also demonstrate CareManager, a person-centered solution that provides comprehensive care coordination and data sharing across all care settings. This technology is advancing post-acute care organizations' population health initiatives, enabling providers to expand their payor partnerships by arranging a value-based payment program with a technology platform that drives a managed care strategy. Clients can experience up to a 10% reduction in annual costs for value-based contracts, a 40% reduction in time spent coordinating treatment across partner providers, 50% less time spent on caseload management, and up to 80% less time spent on double entry of clinical data. Increasingly, senior living providers are partnering with health plans to take on risk by participating in value-based purchasing models. Netsmart population health management solutions give providers the ability to aggregate clinical, financial and operational data, giving organizations near real-time insights on value-based contracts that can be reported back to payers or other partners. It's the most powerful, comprehensive set of population health management tools available to post-acute organizations.

Additionally, visitors can also learn more about myUnity, the industry's first electronic health record software (EHR) serving all care settings. The full-continuum solution offers a single login and EHR across multiple post-acute care settings with reporting capabilities that span all service lines. Robust functionalities of myUnity equip clinicians and staff with intuitive workflows that better support clinical, operational and financial staff to drive efficiencies and improved care. This next-generation platform streamlines care coordination, will grow with your organization's expanding service lines and enables post-acute care providers to meet government compliance and succeed in value-based care programs. More than 25 representatives from Netsmart client organizations will present education sessions covering important topics and emerging trends relevant to the industry including: Leveraging technology for staffing shortages and retention

Combating the impact of COVID-19 on senior living

Utilizing artificial intelligence for data

Expanding service lines and organizational growth

Navigating regulatory and payment model changes Stop by Netsmart booth 2013 to connect with industry leaders, experience advanced technology or schedule a meeting to learn how Netsmart is helping organizations digitize their enterprise to deliver value-based care in the exhibit hall at the Colorado Convention Center. About Netsmart Netsmart, a leading provider of Software as a Service (SaaS) technology and services solutions, designs, builds and delivers electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchanges (HIEs), analytics and telehealth solutions and services that are powerful, intuitive and easy-to-use. Our platform provides accurate, up-to-date information that is easily accessible to care team members in the human services and post-acute care (which is comprised of skilled nursing, home care, hospice, palliative and senior living), physical therapy and rehabilitation markets. We make the complex simple and personalized so our clients can concentrate on what they do best: provide services and treatment that support whole-person care. By leveraging the powerful Netsmart network, care providers can seamlessly and securely integrate information across communities, collaborate on the most effective treatments and improve outcomes for those in their care. Our streamlined systems and personalized workflows put relevant information at the fingertips of users when and where they need it. For more than 50 years, Netsmart has been committed to providing a common platform to integrate care. SIMPLE. PERSONAL. POWERFUL. Our more than 2,700 associates work hand-in-hand with our 680,000+ users at our clients across the U.S. to develop and deploy technology that automates and coordinates everything from clinical to financial to administrative. Learn more about how Netsmart is changing the face of healthcare today. Visit www.ntst.com, call 1-800-472-5509, follow us on our CareThreads Blog, LinkedIn and Twitter, like us on Facebook or visit us on YouTube. Netsmart is pleased to support the EveryDayMatters Foundation, which was established for behavioral health, care at home, senior living and social services organizations to learn from each other and share their causes and stories. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005383/en/

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[October 17, 2022] Forbes Ranks UKG #40 on World's Best Employers List

UKG, a leading provider of HR, payroll, and workforce management solutions for all people, today announced that Forbes ranked UKG #40 overall on its World's Best Employers 2022 list, among 800 companies, and #6 in the IT, Internet, Software & Services category. The honor follows UKG ranking #2 on Forbes America's Best Employers 2022 list in the same category, and #18 overall, earlier this year. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005600/en/ Forbes ranked UKG #40 on its World's Best Employers 2022 list, #6 in its category worldwide, and in the top 5% of all 800 global companies ranked. (Photo: Business Wire) "This honor is a testament to the culture of belonging we're building together at UKG and the commitment and care of our employees and leaders worldwide," said Pat Wadors, chief people officer at UKG. "Our purpose is people, and that purpose applies to U Krewers and their families as well as our customers and their people everywhere. Our aspiration as a company is to help people find fulfillment in their roles, feel a sense of purpose and belonging, and be net better off - personally and professionally - for having been part of the UKG family. We're focused every day on providing tools and resources to enable that to happen." Leading benefits At the heart of its people-centered purpose, UKG works to foster a companywide culture of belonging that empowers U Krewers to thrive at every stage of their careers, while finding purpose both in and outside of work. This includes a comprehensive global benefits program highlighted by: 100%-paid healthcare premiums for the majority of employees worldwide for medical, dental, and vision - including coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents - with coverage for infertility treatments, gender affirmation surgery, and surrogacy reimbursement, where allowed

A 45% dollar-for-dollar match on employee retirement-fund contributions in the U.S. and Canada, as well as retirement-matching programs worldwide

Student loan repayment assistance and tuition reimbursement

Financial support for employees during times of adversity and immense need via the PeopleInspired Giving Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization providing U Krewers and their family members with access to financial-relief grants

Fully paid parental leave and financial assistance for adoptive parents

Annual stipends for parents' childcare expenses and their children's extracurricular activities, as well as a global college scholarship program and free online tutoring for children of employees Developing great leaders Because UKG believes ever employee deserves a great manager, the company conducts a biannual, companywide Manager Experience (MX) assessment as part of its global U Krew Experience (UKX) employee engagement survey. The MX assessment consists of 15 questions answered by every employee about their direct leader's behaviors to drive engagement, inspiration, innovation, career development, work-life balance, and belonging. Companywide results from the UKX survey and MX assessment are shared with all employees, and then people leaders share their individual MX and UKX results with their teams, and then create an action plan for improving in areas of opportunity.



ERGs: Uniquely you, uniquely valued UKG also offers eight employee resource groups (ERGs) as part of its "Uniquely You, Uniquely Valued" global diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging program for all U Krewers. These include:

ADAPT (Accessibility and Disability Allies Partner Together) - raising awareness around people with different abilities

AsPIRE (Asians and Pacific Islanders Raising Equity) - building an equitable community where members feel safe, seen, heard, and part of one Ohana (family)

(family) BUILD (Black U Krewers in Leadership and Development) - fostering inclusion and advancement for Black employees at all levels of UKG

CARES (Cancer, Awareness, Resources, Education, and Support) - creating a community where people do not have to walk alone in the cancer fight

FIRE (Female Inclusion, Resilience, and Excellence) Up - cultivating an inclusive, supportive community of change through the power of growth, allyship, and networking to advance equity for all women

PRIDE at UKG - driving inclusion for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, allies, and all U Krewers

UNIDOS (Uplift, Network, Impact, Develop, Orgullo, and Support) - uniting the Hispanic and Latinx community and its allies

UKG VETS - supporting military veterans, their families, and their friends, along with UKG colleagues and supporters of veterans To determine rankings for the World's Best Employers 2022 list, Forbes partnered with Statista to conduct an independent survey of approximately 150,000 employees across 57 countries. The evaluation was based on direct and indirect recommendations from employees who were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. "Today is another proud day for UKG and our more than 15,000 U Krewers worldwide," said Chris Todd, CEO at UKG. "Our goal as UKG has always been twofold: to become one of the greatest people companies in the world and to help companies everywhere create great workplaces for their own people, guided by UKG's purpose-driven HCM and workforce management solutions. It gives me great pride to see that nearly half of the top 100 World's Best Workplaces are also UKG customers. People are the cornerstone of every successful business, and we will continue to support organizations everywhere in serving their employees, customers, and communities so they can become great places to work, too." Supporting Resources Learn more about UKG and why our purpose is people .

. UKG continues to hire to support its growth. Discover career opportunities .

. View the UKG Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Report to learn more about how UKG is making a difference for its employees, customers, community, and environment.

to learn more about how UKG is making a difference for its employees, customers, community, and environment. Join UKG in making pay equity a priority. Read about the UKG Close the Gap Initiative .

. Follow UKG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. About UKG At UKG, our purpose is people. As strong believers in the power of culture and belonging as the secret to success, we champion great workplaces and build lifelong partnerships with our customers to show what's possible when businesses invest in their people. Born from a historic merger that created one of the world's leading HCM cloud companies, our Life-work Technology approach to HR, payroll, and workforce management solutions for all people helps more than 70,000 organizations around the globe and across every industry anticipate and adapt to their employees' needs beyond just work. To learn more, visit ukg.com. Copyright 2022 UKG Inc. All rights reserved. For a full list of UKG trademarks, please visit ukg.com/trademarks. All other trademarks, if any, are property of their respective owners. All specifications are subject to change. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005600/en/

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[October 17, 2022] Schneider Electric Appoints Manish Kumar as Executive Vice President of its Digital Energy Business

BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has appointed Manish Kumar as the new Executive Vice President of Digital Energy, effective October 1, 2022. The Digital Energy business provides energy and automation solutions to deliver a sustainable and efficient future for customers. Power digitalization is foundational to future-ready energy management. It makes the invisible visible, turning data into business value to enable better decision-making and intelligent automation. This improves reliability, quality, efficiency, and a path to sustainability for critical infrastructures, critical facilities, and buildings. In his new role, Kumar will be responsible for driving innovation in the Digital Energy solutions to help customers digitize and decarbonize their operations. Kumar will accelerate the digitalization of power networks and systems through EcoStruxure, an IoT-enabled architecture and platform that embraces advancements in IoT, mobility, sensing, cloud, analytics, and cybersecurity, to meet the growing market demand. Kumar steps into this new role at a critical time for the sector as an estimated 40% of global CO2 emissions come from buildings, while stringent regulations for sustainable operations are on the rise. Approximately 50% of today's buildings will require energy efficient retrofitting by 2050  and new buildings will need to be Net Zero starting in 2030. With his wealth of experience in digital, renewable, building and power automation, Kumar is well positioned to advance the business with developments in innovative solutions that will digitize and decarbonize our customers' operations. Kumar remarked, "Businesses and governments around the world face the increasingly urgent need to decarbonize and drive energy efficiency to tackleclimate change and energy security. I'm honored by the opportunity to lead Schneider's talented and passionate team  and to continually push envelope on what's possible in enabling the digitalization of power & buildings of the future."



Joining Schneider Electric in 2008, he has held an array of positions, including leading the Strategy, Solar and Building businesses in France, USA and Canada. In his most recent role, he led the global strategy and sustainability for Schneider's Energy Management Business. Prior to joining Schneider Electric, Kumar worked as a software engineer and business consultant for Infosys in both India and California. He earned his MBA from HEC Paris, Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School, and his Bachelor of Engineering from Thapar Institute of engineering, India.

About Schneider Electric Schneider's purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On. Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency. We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries. We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values. www.se.com Discover Life Is On Follow us on:

Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Blog





Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next generation automation on Schneider Electric Insights View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/schneider-electric-appoints-manish-kumar-as-executive-vice-president-of-its-digital-energy-business-301650914.html SOURCE Schneider Electric

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[October 17, 2022] Kent County Asks Residents and Businesses to Participate in Survey on Broadband Internet Access and Speed

Better Data Will Inform Decisions for Improving Service in County KENT COUNTY, Mich., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kent County is asking residents and businesses to take a 15-question survey about Internet service at their households and locations. The survey asks whether high-speed ("broadband") Internet service is available at a given address, and if so, at what speed and cost. The goal is to gain a clearer picture of connectivity in Kent County and support planning and possible broadband expansion efforts, including grant applications. Over the past two years, the need for broadband has become more evident, with residents teleworking, students attending school online and patients meeting doctors virtually. The Kent County Broadband Policy Committee knows may of our residents and businesses experience frustration over Internet connectivity. In some areas, high-speed Internet is unreliable or simply not available.



Home Internet connectivity prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was viewed by many as a luxury. Now though, it is a necessity, similar to electricity and clean water. The Kent County Broadband Policy Committee recognizes this and is committed to surveying residents and businesses to identify gaps in Internet service. To accomplish this, Kent County is partnering with Merit Network to develop a survey and marketing materials aimed at reaching all properties in Kent County. Merit Network, a Michigan-based nonprofit, is conducting the service as part of its Michigan Moonshot initiative.

Visit MichiganMoonshot.org/Kent to complete the brief survey. Paper surveys are available upon request by calling (616) 632-6512. ABOUT THE MICHIGAN MOONSHOT: The Michigan Moonshot is a collective call to action which aims to bridge the digital divide in Michigan. Stakeholders include Merit Network, the nation's longest-running research and education network, the Quello Center at Michigan State University, and M-Lab, the largest open Internet measurement platform in the world. Learn more about the Michigan Moonshot at Merit.edu/Moonshot. MEDIA CONTACT:

Dawn Davies

616-632-6512 For more information:

MichiganMoonshot.org/Kent View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kent-county-asks-residents-and-businesses-to-participate-in-survey-on-broadband-internet-access-and-speed-301650950.html SOURCE Merit Network

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[October 17, 2022] University of Phoenix Celebrates National Transfer Student Week and Helping Students Affordably Earn Degrees

University of Phoenix is celebrating National Transfer Student Week and the opportunities transfer of college credit offers students to potentially save time and money when transferring between educational institutions or returning to school with some college credit and no degree. The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) has declared the third week of October as National Transfer Student Week. A recent report found that during the pandemic, about 300,000 students who normally would have transferred, instead stopped their educational journey. "University of Phoenix believes strongly that transfer is a valuable path to degree completion," stated John Woods, Ph.D., provost and chief academic officer. "Many of our students are working adults and we have a continued focus on helping students to get the most out of their transfer credits, to help them save as much time and money as possible, and to quickly leverage their degrees and pursue their chosen career path. During National Transfer Student Week, we celebrate our transfer students as well as the faculty and staff who help them maximize their credit earning potential and make them feel welcome." Although students often transfer between institutions because they are seeking to lower costs and find the school that is the best fit for their educational needs and career aspirations, transferring credit is also a path forward for individuals with some college credit and no degree. "Students who have some college and no degree do not need to start over," shares Devin Andrews, vice president, admissions and evaluation at Uiversity of Phoenix. "Our own students are often in this situation and at University of Phoenix they have found they can continue their work toward a degree by transferring credit."



While the transition between institutions can be complex, the University of Phoenix works to make the process of transferring credit straightforward for students, as well as actively seeking money saving opportunities with relevant life and work experience. The University of Phoenix supports student transfers in several ways: Simplifying the college credit transfer process: knowledgeable staff provide supportive guidance and academic advising, request transcripts from prior institutions on students' behalf, and specially trained transfer evaluators review all prior credit;

Earning life and work experience credits: earning college credit for prior learning is an assessment process, offered at no cost, that allows individuals to demonstrate learning gained from work and life experience that may count towards a degree. The assessment includes evaluation of on-the-job training, workplace certifications, military service, and other life experiences

Offering generous credit transfer possibilities: credit transfers can cover up to 75% of a bachelor's degree;

Saving students money: on average, University of Phoenix students save $11,000 and shave 1 year off their undergraduate degree with eligible transfer credits and relevant work experience. "I started on a journey to gain a better education with my local community college a few years ago. When I graduated in 2020 with dual associate degrees in Network Support and Cybersecurity, I was able to continue my journey thanks to an agreement between my employer, T-Mobile USA, and University of Phoenix," shares Daniel Wineinger, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, '22. "I found that my community college credits seamlessly transferred toward my intended program of study, and I graduated this fall, just two years later, with my bachelor's degree as well as an Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate. I can't wait to see what the future holds."

Additionally, University of Phoenix offers the opportunity to apply for a Transfer Student Scholarship of up to $3,000, for new students with at least 13-60 combined transfer credits from accredited institution(s) pursuing their bachelor's degree at University of Phoenix. Applicants must be continuously enrolled and maintain a 3.0 GPA (Grade Point Average). Students and others who want to learn more can explore ways to save through transfer credit and more at the University of Phoenix transfer credits information page. About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005721/en/

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[October 17, 2022] Toyota Motor Corp Case Study including Generic Strategies, Product Range, Growth and Marketing Strategies - ResearchAndMarkets.com

The "Toyota Motor Corp Case Study including Generic Strategies, Product Range, Growth and Marketing Strategies" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The overarching strategy of Toyota is skewed towards cost leadership, the strategy employed by its flagship brand which accounts for the vast majority of its sales. Cost leadership where Toyota's competitive advantage stems from is a result of a lean manufacturing method and standardized methods and processes that save costs and increase productivity. The company's culture is another source of competitive advantage not only maintaining cost leadership by supporting the lean manufacturing prices, but also by helping create hard innovation that has led to differentiation. Key Highlights The overarching strategy of Toyota is skewed towards cost leadership, the strategy employed by its flagship brand which accounts for the vast majority of its sales. Cost leadership where Toyota's competitive advantage stems from is a result of a lean manufacturing method and standardized methods and processes that save costs and increase productivity. The company's culture is another source of competitive advantage not only maintaining cost leadership by supporting the lean manufacturing prices, but also by helping create hard innovation that has led to differentiation.

The Toyota Motor company has extensive product breadth as its product lines are not limited to the manufacturing of passenger and commercial vehicles. In addition to the above, Toyot also provides mobility services, financial services, warranties, and car services to its customers. Toyota has large product depth in passenger and commercial vehicles, a reflection of the company's mix of strategies through different brands. Notably, the company's large product breadth also stems from a relatively high level of product customization to local markets.

The company has adopted a mix of growth strategies, which puts more emphasis on product development, as well as market development. Electric and fuel cell vehicles, along with sales in emerging markets are the company's top growth priorities.



Scope The analysis of generic strategies, product mix and growth strategies serve as essential tools to understand the key success factors of Toyota, as well as its future strategy approach.

Brief on Toyota's generic strategies, marketing mix (through use of the 4Ps) and growth strategies. Reasons to Buy

What is Toyota's overarching growth strategy?

What is Toyota's strategy regarding its product range?

What are Toyota's main growth strategies? Key Topics Covered: 1. OVERVIEW 1.1. Catalyst 1.2. Summary 2. TOYOTA'S GENERIC STRATEGIES 2.1. A production process that maintains a cost competitive advantage 2.2. A company culture that creates innovation 3. MARKETING MIX 3.1. Product 3.1.1. Product Range (Depth and Breadth) 3.1.2. Quality 3.2. Place 3.2.1. Manufacturing Locations 3.2.2. Trade Channels and Sales Locations 3.3. Price 3.3.1. Price Strategy 3.3.2. Costs 3.4. Promotion 3.4.1. Advertising 3.4.2. Promotional Channels 4. GROWTH STRATEGIES 4.1. Diversification: New Markets - New Products 4.1.1. Tapping into the emerging prospect of hydrogen fuel 4.1.2. Backwards integration with the production of electric car batteries 4.2. Product Development: Existing Markets - New Products 4.2.1. A strategic shift to electric vehicles 4.2.2. Hydrogen-fueled vehicles are a long-term bet for Toyota 4.2.3. Limited new ICE model launches over the last two years focused on the domestic market 4.3. Market Development: Existing Products - New Markets 4.3.1. Launching selected models into emerging markets 4.3.2. Mobility as business: Expanding auto-leasing 5. APPENDIX 5.1. Sources 5.2. Further reading 6. ASK THE ANALYST 7. About the Publisher For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nb7gg0 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005724/en/

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[October 17, 2022] National Bank of Canada Announces Dividend Rates for First Preferred Shares, Series 38 and 39 (NVCC)

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ MONTREAL, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Further to its announcement of October 7, 2022, National Bank of Canada ("National Bank") (TSX: NA) announced today the dividend rates applicable to the Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset First Preferred Shares, Series 38 Non-Viability Contingent Capital (NVCC) (the "Series 38 Shares") and the Non-Cumulative Floating Rate First Preferred Shares, Series 39 (NVCC) (the "Series 39 Shares"). Holders of Series 38 Shares, should any remain outstanding after November 15, 2022, will be entitled to receive fixed rate non-cumulative preferential cash dividends on a quarterly basis, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of the Bank and subject to the provisions of the Bank Act (Canada). The dividend rate for the five-year period commencing on November 16, 2022, and ending on November 15, 2027, will be 7.027% being equal to the sum of the five-year Government of Canada Bond yield (3.597%) plus 3.43%, as determined in ccordance with the terms of the Series 38 Shares.



Holders of Series 39 Shares, should any be issued on November 15, 2022, will be entitled to receive floating rate non-cumulative preferential cash dividends on a quarterly basis, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of the Bank and subject to the provisions of the Bank Act (Canada). The dividend rate for the three-month period commencing on November 16, 2022, and ending on February 15, 2023, will be 7.256%, being equal to the sum of the 90-day Government of Canada Treasury Bill yield (3.826%) plus 3.43%, calculated on the basis of actual number of days elapsed in such quarterly floating rate period divided by 365, as determined in accordance with the terms of the Series 39 Shares. Holders of the Series 38 Shares have, subject to certain conditions, the right to convert all or part of their Series 38 Shares on a one-for-one basis into Series 39 Shares on November 15, 2022.

Beneficial owners of Series 38 shares who wish to exercise their conversion right should communicate as soon as possible with their broker or other nominee and ensure that they follow their instructions in order to meet the deadline to exercise such right, which is October 31, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. (EDT). About National Bank of Canada With $387 billion in assets as at July 31, 2022, National Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups. The Bank has more than 28,000 employees in knowledge-intensive positions and has been recognized numerous times as a top employer and for its commitment to diversity. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:NA). Follow the Bank's activities at nbc.ca or via social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter SOURCE National Bank of Canada

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[October 17, 2022] Talend Announces 2022 Data Masters Award Winners

Innovative Global Leaders Recognized for Transforming Data into Operational and Business Excellence SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Talend , a global leader in data integration and management, today announced the international winners of its 8th annual Talend Data Masters Awards. Talend honors select companies that demonstrate their commitment to being data-driven by implementing Talend to drive value from data and increase business agility and effectiveness. Award winners will be recognized at Talend's virtual Talend Connect conference taking place on October 17 and 18. "This year's winners of the Talend Data Masters Awards demonstrate the critical value Talend serves to customers of all industries to transform data into operational excellence, customer-centricity, and growth," said Christal Bemont, Talend CEO. "Our customers have shown how healthy data can help drive greater business outcomes while navigating through uncertainties and pursuing sustainability." Since 2015, Talend Data Masters Award winners have included companies of all types and sizes that share a goal of turning the possibilities of data into quantifiable business value. This year's winners are judged based on creativity and innovation to create better customer relationships, streamline operations, achieve cost efficiency, and gain competitive advantage. Talend will make a charitable donation in the winner's name to the organization of their choice. 2022 Talend Data Masters Award Winners: NORAM Commonwealth Care Alliance: Based in Boston , Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA) is focused on healthcare breakthroughs that fill important gaps in care. Using Talend, the firm integrated its systems, applications, and data sources; coordinated secure data exchange among state health plans, partner providers, compliance officers, and others; and automated core service processes to streamline operations.

Based in , Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA) is focused on healthcare breakthroughs that fill important gaps in care. Using Talend, the firm integrated its systems, applications, and data sources; coordinated secure data exchange among state health plans, partner providers, compliance officers, and others; and automated core service processes to streamline operations. Covanta: With headquarters in Morristown, New Jersey , Covanta and its 4,000 employes are dedicated to sustainable waste solutions and material management across 55 facilities in North America. With Talend, Covanta will save approximately $2 million annually through the elimination of duplicate work resulting from redundant data entry. The company is also saving more than $500,000 per year through the ability to proactively adjust to energy market conditions.

With headquarters in , Covanta and its 4,000 employes are dedicated to sustainable waste solutions and material management across 55 facilities in North America. With Talend, Covanta will save approximately annually through the elimination of duplicate work resulting from redundant data entry. The company is also saving more than per year through the ability to proactively adjust to energy market conditions. Material Bank: Material Bank is the world's largest marketplace for architectural, design, and construction materials. With Talend, the company has realized a 70% reduction in development time for its integrations, making it easier for them to connect with their members and Brand Partners  and ultimately supporting Material Bank's overall ability to scale its business on multiple levels.



EMEA RS Group PLC: Founded in 1937, RS Group is a global omni-channel provider of product and service solutions for designers, builders, and maintainers of industrial equipment and operations. By improving data governance with Talend, RS Group achieved considerable annual savings with cloud and market optimization insights, cut reporting time on competitor pricing from two weeks to five hours, reduced freight costs 1 million/year by exploiting data-driven insights, cut GDPR compliance risks, protected its brand through Master Permissions, and improved its ability to meet customer needs quickly.

Founded in 1937, RS Group is a global omni-channel provider of product and service solutions for designers, builders, and maintainers of industrial equipment and operations. By improving data governance with Talend, RS Group achieved considerable annual savings with cloud and market optimization insights, cut reporting time on competitor pricing from two weeks to five hours, reduced freight costs 1 million/year by exploiting data-driven insights, cut GDPR compliance risks, protected its brand through Master Permissions, and improved its ability to meet customer needs quickly. Uniper: Uniper is a global energy company that is actively addressing the challenges of the energy transition. Using Talend, Uniper is undergoing a mindset shift towards a data culture that is built on trust, accountability, transparency, and psychological safety. Making data accessible and shareable across the organization gives the company the power to create value from data.

Uniper is a global energy company that is actively addressing the challenges of the energy transition. Using Talend, Uniper is undergoing a mindset shift towards a data culture that is built on trust, accountability, transparency, and psychological safety. Making data accessible and shareable across the organization gives the company the power to create value from data. Veolia: Veolia, an international company providing solutions for water management, waste management, and energy services, is translating its data into valuable insights that accelerate solutions for ecological transformation. With Talend Veolia integrated more than 20 different data sources as internal ERP systems, external partner data, smart meters, and IoT devices. All of this data is now available in real-time or near-real-time to 672 active users in finance, customer service, sales, operations, billing, and more. Asia Pacific/Japan

Harmoney: Harmoney is a New-Zealand based fintech firm. Faced with the challenge of improving traditional lending to be fast, simple and data-driven, Harmoney used Talend to deliver real-time data and created a frictionless loan application process that led to rapid business growth.

Harmoney is a based fintech firm. Faced with the challenge of improving traditional lending to be fast, simple and data-driven, Harmoney used Talend to deliver real-time data and created a frictionless loan application process that led to rapid business growth. Meralco: Meralco is the largest private-sector electric distribution utility in the Philippines with a reputation for excellent service. To take the customer experience to an even higher level, Meralco is now using Talend as the centerpiece of its innovative, data-driven, business transformation initiative. By providing clean, complete, and secure data, Talend enables Meralco to use data analytics and intelligence more broadly, efficiently, and effectively in making business decisions in a timely manner.

Meralco is the largest private-sector electric distribution utility in with a reputation for excellent service. To take the customer experience to an even higher level, Meralco is now using Talend as the centerpiece of its innovative, data-driven, business transformation initiative. By providing clean, complete, and secure data, Talend enables Meralco to use data analytics and intelligence more broadly, efficiently, and effectively in making business decisions in a timely manner. OCBC Bank: Singapore -based OCBC Bank is the second-largest bank in Southeast Asia . The institution partnered with Talend to create innovative ways to apply analytics, AI, and automation to better understand and serve customers. OCBC processes over 120 billion data points monthly when deriving the Next Best Conversation for each customer.

-based OCBC Bank is the second-largest bank in . The institution partnered with Talend to create innovative ways to apply analytics, AI, and automation to better understand and serve customers. OCBC processes over 120 billion data points monthly when deriving the Next Best Conversation for each customer. HCF: Australia's largest not-for-profit health insurer, HCF, is transforming its business by expanding the use of AI-powered business intelligence (BI) across the organization. Talend provides the technological foundation for the company's use cases, making it possible for HCF to create a unified source of trusted information. To learn more about the 2022 Talend Data Masters Awards winners, visit the blog. About Talend?

Talend, a global leader in data integration and data management, is taking the work out of working with data. Talend offers the only end-to-end platform that combines enterprise-grade data integration, integrity, and governance capabilities to unify data across any cloud, hybrid, or multi-cloud environment. With Talend's no-code and low-code modules, data experts and business users actively collaborate to make data more discoverable, usable, and valuable organization-wide. Over 7,250 customers around the world rely on Talend for healthy data and a healthy business. For more information, please visit www.talend.com and follow us on LinkedIn.com and Twitter @Talend. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/talend-announces-2022-data-masters-award-winners-301650930.html SOURCE Talend Inc.

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[October 17, 2022] Telescent Signs Milestone Agreement To Deliver Automated Cross-Connections For Quantum Loophole's QLoop Fiber Network and the Quantum Maryland Campus

Telescent, a leading manufacturer of automated fiber cross-connects for data centers, announces that Quantum Loophole, Inc. has signed an agreement for Telescent's automated interconnect system to be deployed at the company's Quantum Maryland data center development site, currently under construction. Quantum Loophole is the first-of-its-kind Gigawatt-scale master-planned data center developer deploying Telescent's automated system to manage the diagnostics and connectivity for the company's QLoop fiber network, a 40 (+/-) mile hyperscale fiber ring connecting Quantum Maryland to the Northern Virginia Internet ecosystem. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005108/en/ Encasement supply for Quantum Loophole's QLoop fiber network (Photo: Business Wire) This signed milestone agreement sets into motion Telescent's next phase of growth. Set to be deployed across multiple operation centers at the Quantum Maryland data center campus, Telescent's automated interconnect system will manage interconnections across the campus and between Frederick and many locations across data center alley in Northern Virginia. The automated interconnection system reduces the need for additional manpower, will minimize truck rolls, and provides the ability to process interconnections within a few minutes end-to-end. Telescent's interconnect system is a robotic patch panel that addresses the requirements of automating fiber management between enterprises, cloud service providers, network operators and telecom carriers. Robotic systems provide the opportunity to manage more than 200,000 fiber connections simultaneously, and is supported by an algorithm that enables the robotic arm to weave around fibers without restrictions to manage connections, disconnections, and reconnections over the lifetime of the data center. Telescent's system enables the remote and near real-time delivery of services such as bandwidth-on-demand solutions, unmanned interconnection capabilities, and offers the opportunity to turn on new services in remote locations directly through the platform. "With Telescent's automated cross-connect system, we're on track to enable one of the largest regional fiber backbones to ever be built by offering automatic direct connectivity between Frederick, Maryland and the Northern Virginia Internet ecosystem," comments Josh Snowhorn, Founder and CEO of Quantum Loophole, Inc. "With Telescent's system, we will be capable of processing cross-connects in minutes instead of hours or days, all without a human being touching it."



"We are confident that the use of robotics in our high-capacity network and development site will enable our customers to connect with ease and allow for management of fiber at a significantly higher scale," says Josh Snowhorn, Founder and CEO of Quantum Loophole, Inc. "We're excited to be one of the largest scale customers to deploy Telescent's automated cross-connect platform in our Quantum Maryland campus and across our QLoop network. It's exciting to continue to raise the bar of what is possible in the industry." "Integrating our automated cross-connect system into the Quantum Maryland campus and QLoop network is a massive milestone for Telescent. Not only does this kick into motion the next phase of growth for our company, we now have the opportunity to illustrate the powerful capabilities that an automated cross-connect platform could enable - particularly as the need for interconnection services continues to grow while being part of one of the largest regional fiber network deployments to be built," adds Anthony Kewitsch, co-founder and CEO of Telescent. "Telescent is excited to play an integral role in the future capabilities of interconnection across the Quantum Maryland campus development - and to the entire Northern Virginia internet ecosystem."

Quantum Loophole's QLoop fiber network is a 40 (+/-) mile hyperscale fiber ring that will connect Quantum Maryland to the Ashburn, Virginia ecosystem. The network ring will offer capacity for more than 200,000 strands of fiber. In the summer of 2022, Quantum Loophole broke ground on QLoop, with a completion date targeted for 2023. For information about Quantum Loophole and the QLoop fiber network, visit: www.quantumloophole.com. For more information about Telescent, visit www.telescent.com. About Telescent With a large-scale, low-loss, robotic patch-panel solution, Telescent Inc. brings automation to the fiber layer of optical networks. Telescent's all-optical approach ensures optimal performance and reliability while enabling software control for remote reconfigurations and diagnostics. Companies can enjoy the advantages of automation with Telescent's new RobUSTTM system design while having the option to upgrade the system on a pay-as-you-go basis as their automation requirements expand. Automation of the fiber layer can reduce operating expenses and manual errors while creating new service opportunities for multi-tenant data center operators, telecom service providers, and at hyperscale cloud data centers, to find out more about Telescent, including any recent product updates, please visit www.telescent.com. About Quantum Loophole Quantum Loophole disrupts data center site selection offering a rapid platform delivery for land, power, connectivity, and scale. The company's first-of-its-kind gigawatt-scale, master planned data center development uniquely addresses the scalability, connectivity, and cost-efficiency challenges of today's large-scale deployments. Powered by innovative energy systems, hundreds of thousands of strands of fiber from multiple carriers, and mass-scale entitled land, Quantum Loophole's master planned communities take the guesswork out of adding needed data center capacity, allowing hyperscalers, enterprises, and colocation providers speed with go-to-market capabilities. Incorporating renewable energy, land and water improvements, Quantum Loophole offers an environmentally sound approach that reduces the overall carbon footprint while fully enabling powered land with the highest level of connectivity, reliability, and security. For more information, please visit www.quantumloophole.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will," and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our plans for data center cities, sustainable growth and community-mindedness, ability to manage pricing pressure, and similar statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans, and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict, and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, economic and financial conditions, including volatility in interest and exchange rates; commodity and equity prices, and the value of financial assets, land prices, power pricing volatility, capital and/or credit market availability; the adequacy of our cash flow; strategic actions; the occurrence of hostilities; political instability or catastrophic events; changes in customer demand; the extent to which we are successful in gaining new long-term relationships with customers and the level of service failures that could lead customers to use competitors' services; and developments and changes in laws and regulations, including increased regulation of the power and data infrastructure industry through legislative action and revised rules and standards, among others. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005108/en/

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[October 17, 2022] Bluevine Expands Insurance Partnerships to Provide Small Businesses with Tailored Insurance Solutions

Bluevine adds Coalition in addition to existing partner NEXT Insurance, bolstering its roster of insurance partnerships and further supporting the small business growth journey REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bluevine, the leading provider of holistic banking solutions designed for small businesses, today announced the expansion of its small business insurance offerings to include Active Cyber Insurance offered by Coalition, one of the world's leading cyber insurance providers, in addition to its existing small business insurance provider, NEXT Insurance. With the addition of Coalition's cyber insurance offerings, Bluevine is providing the small business community seamless access to explore insurance providers right from their account dashboard. Available now, Bluevine Business Checking customers can research a broad set of insurance products and complete the steps to receive a customized insurance quote from our partners. Finding the right business insurance provider remains a confusing and significant pain point for small business owners looking for reliable coverage from a trusted source. Often, small business owners rely on recommendations from the small business community to determine their insurance needs, but this can leave them with ill-fitting policies that don't address the specific needs of their small business. As many as 75% of small businesses in the U.S. are underinsured, and 40% do not have any insurance, pointing to an acute need for insurance solutions designed with this community in mind. "After the initial success of our small business insurance partnership with NEXT last year, we took a closer look at the gaps our customers might still have with their insurance policies and worked to close them," said Eyal Lifshitz, CEO and co-founder of Bluevine. "By partnering with Coaltion and NEXT, Bluevine is serving the broader small business community by providing in-dashboard access to trusted insurance companies that support the small business community on their journey to grow and scale."



Since the launch of Bluevine's insurance partner program, 28% of customers have clicked through to learn more, and thousands have continued on to receive quotes from Bluevine's licensed insurance partners. These partnerships serve the small business owner's journey by providing the tools they need to grow and scale their business from one easy-to-access platform. "When we first started our business, we looked for insurance from multiple sources, but when we signed up with Bluevine and learned more about what their insurance partners offer, it made the process so much easier," said Daphne Simmons, owner of Ovrtake Fitness. "They helped us learn what we need for our business and get a quote. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for insurance. We are very happy with our policy."

Overall, these partnerships serve the small business owner's journey by providing the tools they need to grow and scale their business from one easy-to-access platform. Active Cyber Insurance offered by Coalition provides a new integrated approach for companies to manage cyber risk. Coalition's offering provides small and midsize companies with cybersecurity tools, active monitoring, and anytime access to digital forensics and incident response services, combined with insurance coverage provided by well-known insurance carriers. By identifying and mitigating digital risk, policyholders that choose Coalition's offering experience 50% fewer cyber claims than the broader U.S. market, with 45% of incidents resolved at no cost. "In our experience, many cyber criminals are opportunistic, particularly when it comes to small organizations. No company is too small to be an enticing financial opportunity for attackers," said Catherine Lyle, Coalition's Head of Claims. "Choosing to go with Coalition's Active Cyber Insurance offering can help a small business avoid a potentially catastrophic cyber incident  like a ransomware attack  where financial costs could cripple a business. We are delighted to bring Coalition's product offering to Bluevine customers with the aim of increasing access to cyber insurance for organizations of all sizes and continuing to prevent digital risk before it strikes." By providing access to multiple insurance offerings for new and existing digital banking customers, Bluevine is providing entrepreneurs with curated partnership solutions that support their goals. Starting today, existing Bluevine Business Checking customers can log in to their account dashboard and determine the best insurance provider for the current stage of their business. This insurance dashboard expansion enables Bluevine to help solve the ongoing financial needs of small businesses by providing entrepreneurs with access to trusted and best-in-class insurance products quickly and seamlessly. About Bluevine

Bluevine provides small businesses with fast and simple access to holistic banking solutions built with them in mind. Bluevine's advanced online platform offers an intuitive, convenient solution designed to meet the financial needs of today's business owners with a suite of products including Bluevine Business Checking, Bill Pay, and Line of Credit. Since launching in 2013, Bluevine has served more than 450,000 small businesses and is backed by leading private and institutional investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Menlo Ventures, 83North, Citi Ventures, ION Crossover Partners, SVB Capital, Nationwide Insurance, and M12 (Microsoft's Venture Arm). Lines of credit are issued by Celtic Bank, a Utah-chartered Industrial Bank, Member FDIC. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC. For more information, please visit https://www.bluevine.com/ or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. About Coalition

Coalition is the leading provider of Active Insurance, combining comprehensive insurance coverage and cybersecurity tools to help businesses manage and mitigate digital risks. Through its partnerships with leading global insurers, including Arch Insurance North America, Allianz, Ascot Group, Lloyd's of London, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, and Vantage, Coalition offers its Active Insurance products in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, and its security products to organizations worldwide. Coalition's Active Risk Platform provides automated security alerts, threat intelligence, expert guidance, and cybersecurity tools to help businesses remain resilient in the face of cyber attacks. Headquartered in San Francisco, Coalition is a distributed company with a global workforce that collaborates both digitally and in office hubs. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bluevine-expands-insurance-partnerships-to-provide-small-businesses-with-tailored-insurance-solutions-301651033.html SOURCE Bluevine

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[October 17, 2022] Quora launches video ads

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quora, the knowledge sharing platform, expands brand advertising business with new video ads. Brands know Quora as the place to go to reach the high-intent, affluent, and educated audience that will deliver results. Unique ad types like Promoted Answers drive traffic and boost conversions for marketing campaigns and now with video, brands can more effectively tell their story. The format will be horizontal, paired with a banner to boost clickthrough rate. CPC and CPV bidding options will be available and ads can range from 6-30 seconds. Quora's unique ad types like Promoted Answers boost conversions. With video, brands can tell their story on Quora.



"We have always had more video assets than static ones, and Quora supporting video ads helps us showcase our Brand Videos." -Swapnil Kumar Associate Manager - Performance & Brand Marketing at HealthifyMe. Vinay Pandey, Chief Revenue Officer at Quora, says "Video ads offer a rich and engaging experience while delivering superior performance for advertisers. We are very excited to see how brands are going to use this new ad format to deliver a more powerful message about their products and services."

More details are available at https://business.quora.com/advertising/video-ads/ About Quora: Quora is a knowledge sharing platform with earning options for creators and a mission to share and grow the world's knowledge. Founded in 2009, Quora serves over 300 million readers a month with important insights that have never been shared anywhere else, from people that couldn't be reached any other way. Millions of people search the web for answers and millions of people write answers on Quora, every week. Brands can reach this high-intent, affluent audience with unique ad types and precise targeting. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quora-launches-video-ads-301651168.html SOURCE Quora

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[October 17, 2022] Leading Global Business Development Expert Michael Kosty Joins ONIT Sciences

Expanded prior employer's operations to over 120 countries with 40 product launches and 10x increase in sales IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ONIT Sciences, an agriculture company specializing in organic input technologies, announced today that internationally recognized industry veteran Michael Kosty has joined the company as Director of Global Business Development. This new hire coincides with the company's business opportunities outside of the United States in response to the global fertilizer shortage and government initiatives to adopt organic, sustainableyet profitable farming protocols that are now coming to fruition. While serving as Global Sales Director at a large Los Angeles-based fertilizer company, Michael led one of the most successful expansions, both in terms of new markets opened and products launched, in the hydroponics industry. Expanded prior employer's operations to over 120 countries with 40 product launches and 10x increase in sales "I have tremendous plans for ONIT Sciences and am extremely excited to start working with the executive team," stated Mr. Kosty. "I am very familiar with the company's incredible products, and especially their flagship formulation ONIT Grow. This product is, I believe, is one of the most unique and powerful bio-stimulants and surfactants ever produced. That fact that it is all natural, organic, non-GMO and non-polymer really throws the door wide open to global applications across a myriad of crops. "To begin with, I am building out a sales team of proven professionals who have delivered for me before, to bring ONIT Sciences products to their extensive networks," continued Kosty. "Second, am creating a large-scale distribution center in the Netherlands, which will handle material and professional support for our European Union customers. Third, I am introducing ONIT to a large farming operation in South Africa where I was the lead consultant, which will result in immediate, significant orders. This will be in concert with field trials the company has underway in South Africa and Malawi for rice, sugarcane and hemp. I understand the company will be handing off many in-process business opportunities for me to pursue in India, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Belize, Colombia, Brazil, the UK and my native Canada. This is a fantastic opportunity for me professionally, and I believe for the company as well, to benefit from my proven ability to open new markets and generate interest and sales of great products like ONIT Grow and ONIT Input Plus."



Mr. Kosty will be provided with the resources and support to expand operations according to a detailed strategic plan he is creating in conjunction with management. Included in this plan will be support for industry events, field trials and studies, marketing and sales activities and requisite travel. Additionally, he will be asked to document processes and build standard operating procedures (SOP) which will allow programs to be more easily replicable across territories. "Mike is one of the best-known and highly respected consultants, globally. And he's been working extensively in the industry for over 20 years, with a global emphasis during the past 10-plus years," noted Gerry Martin, ONIT Sciences' CEO. "He literally knows farmers in 100-plus countries, as well as executives at the largest agriculture conglomerates in the world. This means he is uniquely positioned to help ONIT Sciences access decision-makers who know and trust him, dramatically reducing sales cycle timelines and delivering on our revenue and growth goals. Additionally, he has managed or sold to many people in the industry who have gone on to take jobs with companies that would be ideal distribution or merger partners, or even acquirers, of ONIT.

While Mr. Kosty's title suggests an international focus, he has worked extensively within North America and has been responsible for building 290 farms producing more than 5 billion hemp seeds annually. He has extensive experience not only in sales and marketing, but also in finance, international trade and research and development. "Mike is a perfect fit for ONIT," explained Jeff Moses, chief marketing officer at ONIT Sciences. "We are at the right stage of growth to maximize the value he can provide to us. We have so many business development opportunities in process that he will have his hands full quickly, helping us deliver on our current pipeline. Additionally, his plans for the company are truly breathtaking in scope and are perfectly aligned with management's vision. Lastly, the timing is ideal, with fertilizer supply chain challenges and constant pressure from consumers, environmental groups and governments to deliver sustainable, organic solutions to farmers that won't sacrifice yield or returns." About ONIT Sciences ONIT Sciences (Organic Natural Input Technologies) is an agriculture technology company whose mission is to increase plant health and crop yield through natural, organic, non-GMO sciences while maximizing value to customers, shareholders, partners and employees. Established in 2018, the company is led by industry veterans and maintains offices in Irvine, California. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leading-global-business-development-expert-michael-kosty-joins-onit-sciences-301651223.html SOURCE ONIT Sciences

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[October 17, 2022] Carnegie Learning Triples High-Dosage Tutoring Team

Carnegie Learning, a leading provider of K-12 education technology, curriculum, and professional learning solutions, today announced the company has tripled the number of certified math and ELA instructors to the national tutoring team. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005951/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) The chronic teacher shortage continues to have a direct impact on school districts across the United States, with hundreds of thousands of vacancies. Many of the teachers entering the profession are coming through lateral entry, and facing regional shortages, US schools are now employing 160,000 emergency credentialed teachers. According to the Brookings Institution, high-dosage tutoring has demonstrated direct positive results in student proficiency - particularly in math. Carnegie Learning has one of the largest and most qualified teams of math and ELA tutors in the country. During the 2021-22 school year alone, Carnegie Learning Tutoring Services teachers served thousands of students in small group sessions across eight grade levels, all content aligned to the pacing and scope and sequence of the school district. Tutoring sessions directly supported what students were working on within the classroom. The typical (median) student experienced 30% growth from pre-assessment to post-assessment over 8 to 10 weeks of tutoring. "We have a proven, accessible and affordable solution for school districts across the country," said Carnegie Learning CE Barry Malkin. "Our team is an extension of the classroom, designed to bridge the gap during a national teacher shortage in our nation's schools. Our partnership with school districts helps bring support to students that traditionally has not been accessible to all of them. This includes access to certified teachers, many of whom are trained experts in using the very same instructional resources the students of our district partners use."



Carnegie Learning believes that students can reach far beyond their perceived potential, academically as well as socially and emotionally. To help students achieve this we strive to bridge the gap between access to high-quality instructors, award-winning AI software, and high-quality instructional resources. For more information on Carnegie Learning High-Dosage Tutoring, please visit https://www.carnegielearning.com/services-overview/tutoring-services/.

ABOUT CARNEGIE LEARNING, INC. Carnegie Learning is a leading provider of K-12 education technology, curriculum, and professional learning solutions. With the highest-quality offerings for K-12 math, literacy, world languages, professional learning, high-dosage tutoring, and more, Carnegie Learning is changing the way we think about learning and creating powerful results for teachers and students alike. Born from more than 30 years of learning science research at Carnegie Mellon University, the company has become a nationally recognized leader for its ability to harness the power of data to improve student performance. The company's 700+ employees across the US and Canada-the majority of whom are former teachers-are passionate about partnering with educators in the implementation of effective, student-centered instructional strategies and supporting them in the classroom. For more information, visit carnegielearning.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005951/en/

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[October 17, 2022]

Custom Legal Marketing Wins W3 Award for Steinberg Law Firm's Website

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Steinberg Law Firm has been working for families in South Carolina for nearly 100 years. Their dedication to helping those that put their trust in the firm is made apparent by the 650+ five-star reviews publicly shared by clients. Over the last decade alone, Steinberg Law Firm has recovered over half a billion dollars for their clients.

Custom Legal Marketing has been Steinberg Law Firm's exclusive law firm SEO agency for half a decade. The work done by CLM's team has helped increase monthly organic lead generation by over 1,100%. When designing the new website for Steinberg Law Firm, the mission was to develop a conversion-friendly user experience that would also build on the firm's powerful search engine rankings.

When someone needs a workers' compensation lawyer, car accident attorney, truck accident lawyer, or motorcycle accident attorney, or experiences a construction defect, the new website makes iteasy to understand their rights and offers illustrations as well as videos to help future clients understand the process of getting compensation.







The new website was also an opportunity to strengthen Steinberg's commitment to helping the thriving Hispanic communities in Charleston, Summerville, Goose Creek, North Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, and throughout South Carolina. All of the firm's online resources including over 1,200 pages and articles are available in Spanish. When someone needs abogados de accidentes or abogados de indemnizacion laboral y de accidentes de trabajo or suffers from any kind of lesiones personales, Steinberg Law Firm wants to make sure they know their rights.

The W3 competition is sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals. AIVA members include executives from Foursquare, Comcast, Disney, Microsoft, Wired, and many others.

This is the second award won by Custom Legal Marketing for their work on the Steinberg Law Firm website. You can see the award-winning website at https://www.steinberglawfirm.com.

Custom Legal Marketing is a search engine optimization company for law firms. The company's award-winning designs and SEO strategies have helped law firms dominate search results in some of the nation's most competitive markets.

Every firm that works with CLM gets a No Competition Guarantee, which means the legal marketing company won't work with any competitors in the same market.

Contact Information:

Custom Legal Marketing

Media Contact

[email protected]

800.789.6451



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[October 17, 2022] COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES NON-BROKERED PRIVATE PLACEMENT

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ CALGARY, AB, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (TSXV: CHS) (the "Company" or "CHS") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of 30,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $1.5 million. In its discretion, the Company may, in the context of the market, increase the size of the Private Placement in accordance with policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Company reserved the price for the Private Placement by filing a price reservation form with the TSXV on October 12, 2022. The Private Placement is expected to close on or around October 31, 2022, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Company. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of CHS (a "Share") and a transferable warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable for a period of 24 months from the date of issue of the Warrant (the "Exercise Period"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.10 per Warrant Share for the first 12 months of the Exercise Period and at a price of $0.15 per Warrant Share between 12 and 24 months of the Exercise Period. The Company will pay eligible arm's length parties (each a "Finder") a cash fee equal to 7% of the aggregate value of the Units sold pursuant to the Private Placement in respect of subscriptions referred to the Company or directly sourced by the Finder and issued on closing (the "Finder's Fee"). The Company will also issue to each Finder that number of warrants, expiring twenty-four months from the date of issuance, to purchase that number of additional Warrant Shares equal to 7% of the number of subscriptions of Units referred to or directly sourced by the Finder to the Company (the "Finder Warrants") in connection with the Private Placement. Each Finder Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to subscribe for one Warrant Share at a price of $0.10 per Warrant Share for the first 12 months of the Exercise Period and at a price of $0.15 per Warrant Share between 12 and 24 months of the Exercise Period. The Company may complete the Private Placement via the closing of multiple tranches. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to a number of conditions, including, without limitation, approval of th TSXV and receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals.



The securities issued under the Private Placement are offered by way of private placement in such provinces and/or territories of Canada as may be determined by the Company and to certain subscribers in the United States and outside the United States, in each case pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws. All securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period which will expire four months and one day from the date of the applicable closing of the Private Placement. The net proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes and may also be used to fund the purchase price for the acquisition of Professional Benefit Administrators West, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company d/b/a Benveo (the "Benveo Acquisition"). For further details on the Benveo Acquisition, please refer to the Company's press releases dated September 22, 2022.

About Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta and is the parent company of Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (Delaware). The Company is a vertically integrated software as a services (SaaS) company focused on digitizing healthcare with Telehealth and Healthcare Benefits Administration solutions, providing reliable and high-volume transaction capable systems. The Company's state-of-the-art Novus 360 Healthcare Welfare and Benefits Administration (HWBA) SaaS platform is used by clients for all aspects of healthcare benefits administration (including self-funded employers, hospitals, doctors, and labor unions, through various corporations in which the majority shareholder has controlling ownership), providing healthcare administrative software, licensing and maintenance services. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "budget," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "scheduled," "forecast," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "to be," "could,", "would," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include the: (i) completion of the Private Placement; (ii) the payment of the Finder's Fee and issuance of Finder Warrants; (iii) obtainment of approval from the TSXV; (iv) the jurisdictions of the Private Placement; (v) the intended use of the proceeds of the Private Placement; and (vi) the possibility of the Company increasing the size of the Private Placement. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as of the date they are provided, including assumptions that the Private Placement will proceed and that all necessary regulatory approval will be obtained. However, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors that could cause the Company's actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: that regulatory approval, including that of the TSXV, is not obtained; that the closing conditions for completion of the Private Placement are not satisfied; general economic, market and business conditions in Canada and globally; market volatility; unforeseen delays in the timelines for any of the transactions or events described in this press release; and the risk of regulatory changes that may impact the business of the Company. All forward-looking information is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc.

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[October 17, 2022] Australian owned tech company Annature to power eSigning across all NSW government agencies

BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The NSW Government has selected Australian tech company Annature over some of Silicon Valley's biggest names to power digital document and contract signing across all agencies as part of the state's customer-centric digital customer service strategy. In a strong sign of support, the NSW Government will also be embedding Annature's eSigning technology into the buy.nsw Supplier Hub, a portal used by over 39,000 suppliers to bid on and win some $37B of work. "This is a great moment for Australian tech - Annature is homegrown technology with the most secure and compliant electronic signing experience, category-leading features and taxpayer-friendly pricing," said Annature CEO, Amreeta Abbott. As a next-generation eSigning tool certified carbon neutral by Climate Active, Annature's technology has been designed from the ground up to be easy for Government departments to integrate into existing systems and processes while offering a best-in-class user experience.



Conscious of the constant threat of data breaches, Annature maintains a vigilant data and user security posture.

"We built Annature's technology to exceed the security requirements and certifications needed to be used in government at a state level, which is no easy feat," said co-founder Corey Cacic. Two-factor authentication methods ensure only intended recipients can access documents, data is stored in Australia and managed in accordance with Annature's ISO 27001 certification, and all support is provided by the company's responsive on-shore customer support team. It's the business's first state government contract, but not the first major appointment; Annature recently announced deep integrations with Xero and Xero Practice Manager, as well as partnerships with Qantas Business Rewards, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and McDonalds Australia. About Amreeta Abbott Amreeta Abbott is the CEO and Founder of Annature and award-winning entrepreneur behind NowInfinity. This industry-leading platform provided its cloud-based Documentation Suite, Corporate Messenger, Trust Register, and Super Comply products to more than 4,000 accounting firms responsible for around 750,000 entities. The company was sold to ASX-listed Class Limited (ASX: CL1) in 2020 for $25 million. Today, as a born innovator, she is either at the helm or on the board of a dynamic ecosystem of impressive multiple fintech organisations. www.amreetaabbott.com.au About Annature Annature is the leading Australian-owned eSigning solution with an integrated digital signature and identity verification platform built on blockchain technology. Annature delivers a complete ISO 27001 certified Digital Transaction Management (DTM) solution. Being purpose-built for all industries - and working seamlessly with existing business tools - Annature helps business owners lower costs, improve engagement and elevate customer satisfaction and has been designed for the secure digital age. For more visit www.annature.com.au SOURCE Annature

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Right now there's a local journalistic fight over the narrative of local crime reporting.

As we noted over the weekend . . .

Reporting on an alleged "sex dungeon" in Excelsior Springs, Missouri has sparked renewed claims of a local serial killer which have heretofore been debunked by KCPD.



Here at TKC we had second guesses about this narrative after activists attempted to politicize the suffering of women who might be been working as prostitutes in order to survive a myriad of hardships.



Today, one of Kansas City's top talkers offers his hot take on this debate . . .



So far there isn't any response.



What we think might be important is that close news watchers were finally able to identify that author of the initial online video as a VERY CONTROVERSIAL East side bishop who has confronted serious legal questions about property loans among a litany of complaints.

And so . . .

Again, we advise news watchers to WAIT FOR VERIFICATION until believing serial killer speculation.

Accordingly . . .

Here's an important bit of local news that just hit our feeds . . .



Everything we know, and don't know, about the Excelsior Springs, Missouri rape and kidnapping case NOTE: Details in this story may be considered graphic to some. The details read like a horrible true crime podcast - a woman showed up at an Excelsior Springs, Missouri, home pleading for help. She said she'd been taken from Kansas City, held in a small room in a basement, bound, beaten, and raped.

Police refute serial killer rumors in Excelsior Springs investigation LIBERTY, Mo. - An investigation into a suspected kidnapping and sex assault case expands, as officers work to quash rumors that it is tied to a possible serial killer in the Kansas City area. The Excelsior Springs Police Department asked the Clay County Investigative Squad Task Force for help in the ongoing criminal case against Timothy Haslett, Jr.

Developing . . .
From our vantage . . . A recent abortion vote revealed one thing that progressives & conservatives share in common . . .

Nobody likes being told what to do with their body.

Accordingly . . .

Now that the American public has admitted defeated in the battle against marijuana and we've seen legal weed take hold in other parts of the nation without overwhelming problems . . . Weed prohibition just seems silly.



Nevertheless . . .

GOP leadership drags their feet on the issue of weed decriminalization that OBVIOUSLY has a great deal of grassroots support . . .



Senate President Ty Masterson (R) recognizes that the reform issue is maturing, adding that any federal action would be more evidence of that. However, it is not a priority for the senator, who wields significant influence over what legislation advances. That prompted House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer (D) to issue a statement criticizing the Senate president on Friday.



Lets be clear: Legalizing medical marijuana is a priority for countless Kansans, including myself, and Senate President Masterson is wrong, he said. He is ignoring widespread, bipartisan cooperation in the House; repeated calls for movement from industries across the state, and public energy.







Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
An agenda that has NEVER been put to a public vote continues to claim one street after the next without any conversation with local biz, residents or stakeholders.



What's worse is that anybody who questions the urbanist dream is met with Twitter trolling.

Here's one more example of a pricey project that hasn't really enjoyed much scrutiny . . . Check-it:



"For nearly two years, the city has been working on adding protected bike lanes throughout the metro. Their latest focus is on Truman Road with plans to take the six-lane roadway and cut down the driving lanes to four. The remaining space is set to be turned into protected bike lanes. "



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
What can I do to recession-proof my finances?
Fewer Torontonians voted in advance polls for this months municipal election than did in 2018, despite having more days to vote, in what one political scientist is chalking up to an uncompetitive race.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees says its 55,000 education workers in Ontario will be in a legal strike position as of Nov. 3. - Pixabay photo
Christine Ibbotson is a Canadian financial planner, chartered investment manager, insurance broker, commercial and residential mortgage broker, estate planner and taxation expert with over 25 years of experience in Canadian banking. - Christine Ibbotson photo
Here's where to go to find emergency and non-emergency resources.
Rajasthan is a place to explore. Its a land of ancient monuments, palaces and forts that are still standing today.



(TRAVPR.COM) INDIA - October 14th, 2022 - Rajasthan is a place to explore. Its a land of ancient monuments, palaces and forts that are still standing today. Rajasthan is a land of beautiful palaces, temples and forts. The state has been a centre of art, culture and commerce since its inception in the 11th century. The state is home to some of the most important historical sites like Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur and many more. The warm weather and pleasant climate of Rajasthan make it one of the best places to visit during any season. However, there are certain factors that affect the best time to visit Rajasthan.

The summers can be very hot in Rajasthan so it's best to visit during these months only if you are prepared for that kind of weather. The state experiences extreme heat and monsoon rains during the summer months, and even though temperatures begin to drop in December, theres still no guarantee that you won't face torrential downpours when visiting this unique place with Best Taxi Services in Udaipur.

However, people visit this place in any month as weather plays a big role in deciding when you should visit Rajasthan for vacation purposes.

December: This month offers some nice weather with clear skies and maximum temperatures ranging between 20-28 degrees Celsius which makes it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, camping etc.

January: This month offers warm days with minimum temperatures ranging between 18-25 degrees Celsius which makes it ideal for outdoor activities like camping etc.

February: February offers maximum temperatures ranging between 24-35.

As a result of its unpredictable weather patterns, many travelers are unsure about when is the best time to visit Rajasthan. In order to avoid any disappointing or uncomfortable experiences while on vacation, here's what you need to know:

The best time to visit Rajasthan is between September and March.

You should avoid the monsoon season, which is between June to September, as it could be risky for your health. The summer season will be too hot and humid. The winter season will also be cold and dry.

If you don't have time to visit Rajasthan during these times of the year, then spring (MarchMay) and autumn (SeptemberNovember) are perfect seasons to visit this place as they have pleasant weather conditions without being too hot or rainy.

Summer and winter are the two main seasons in Rajasthan.

If you want to avoid summer heat, then it's better to plan your trip during winters or when monsoon hits these cities (rainy season). In summers, most of the places in Rajasthan get extremely hot due to high temperature levels. In such a situation, traveling can become difficult for tourists because even small distances take long hours due to traffic jams and roadblocks caused by dust storms or other natural disasters like floods or earthquakes etcetera.

The ideal time to visit Jaipur, Bikaner and Jodhpur is January to February.

The ideal time to visit Jaipur, Bikaner and Jodhpur is January to February. This is the best season for a trip to these cities in Rajasthan, as the weather is pleasant with moderate temperatures. The climate is dry and pleasant during this time, which makes it perfect for sightseeing. Summer is also not too hot during this period.

Tourists can enjoy festivals such as Holi (Bharatpur), Gangaur (Gangapur City), Teej (Jodhpur) etc., which add more color to their trip with Taxi Services in Rajasthan. If you want to visit Udaipur during the best time of the year, then October  March is your best bet. The weather is moderate and pleasant during this time, making it a great time to explore the city and its surroundings. During this period, tourists can enjoy sightseeing spots like City Palace and Saheliyon-ki-Bari as well as go on treks around Mount Abu or Ranakpur Jain Temple.

If youre looking to explore the rustic, rural side of Rajasthan, then head there during the monsoon season from July till mid-September.

If youre looking to explore the rustic, rural side of Rajasthan, then head there during the monsoon season from July till mid-September. During this time, it rains heavily in some parts of Rajasthan and as a result, many traditional festivals are celebrated with much pomp and show.

These places are known for their architectural marvels that include beautiful temples and palaces built by rulers who ruled over vast territories back in the day. You will be able to see locals celebrating religious festivals with great fervor at these sites which gives travellers an insight into Indias vibrant culture.

The ideal time to plan a trip to Mount Abu is from October through March.

The ideal time to plan a trip to Mount Abu is from October through March. The monsoon season (JuneSeptember) can be unpredictable with heavy showers and thunderstorms. If you do visit during this period, make sure you carry umbrellas or raincoats with you at all times.

Avoid visiting during winter (DecemberFebruary) as it gets very cold, especially at night; also avoid spring (MarchMay) as it gets too hot during the day but cools down quickly at night resulting in fluctuating temperatures throughout the day which can be uncomfortable for travellers who have just arrived from other regions of India where winter months are not so extreme.

Conclusion

If you are planning a trip to Rajasthan and want to make it memorable, then plan your trip around the weather and avoid visiting in the summer and monsoon seasons. The ideal time to visit is between September and March when temperatures are pleasant and there are fewer tourists than other months. This way, you get to explore Rajasthan at its best.

If you're interested in experiencing more cultural activities and events, you should plan your trip between November through March when weather is cooler than it is during summer months, but still warm enough so that people can enjoy outdoor activities such as biking, swimming or walking around town without being too cold. You will not be disappointed when you visit Rajasthan because it has so much to offer for its tourists.

For more information, please contact-

Address- Office No. 103 Ground Floor SM Lodha Complex Court Chauraha Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001

Contact no.-+91-9460344344 +91-2942431111

Email id- cabwale.cab@gmail.com

###
Coptic Solidarity Hosts DC Event, The Indigenous Copts: Marginalized & Excluded in their Homeland

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Coptic Solidarity

Oct. 17, 2022

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2022 /Standard Newswire/ -- Coptic Solidarity will be hosting an event in Washington, DC on October 20th, titled The Indigenous Copts: Marginalized & Excluded in their Homeland from 11:30AM  5:00 PM at 224 2nd St SE, Washington, DC 20003. This event is open to the pubic and press and requires online registration. Although CS has hosted an annual conference since its founding, and a Modern Coptic Martyrs Remembrance Day for the past 6 years, this is the first in-person event Coptic Solidarity has hosted since the start of the global pandemic and is a demonstration of the renewal of an advocacy presence in Washington DC.

The purpose of this event is to create awareness and action for Egypt's indigenous Christians who continue to experience systematic discrimination in Egypt, in addition to heinous acts of violence against individual Copts, the burning of 11 churches in August of this year, and the continued trafficking of Coptic women and minor girls.

Given that the U.S. House of Representatives will be in a district work period this week, critical supporters of #CopticEquality have recorded messages for the event, including U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) - Co-Chair, Egypt Human Rights Caucus; U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) Co Chair, International Religious Freedom Caucus; Executive Committee Member, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC); U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) Original Co-Sponsor of H. RES 117 Supporting Coptic Christians in Egypt; U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) Sponsor of H. RES 117 Supporting Coptic Christians in Egypt; and U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) Co-Chair, TLHRC.

Confirmed speakers include Mr. Mohamad Magid - Commissioner, US Commission on International Religious Freedom; Ambassador Albert M. Fernandez - Vice President, Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI); Ms. Amy Hawthorne - Deputy Director for Research, Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED); Mr. Raymond Ibrahim - Author & public speaker specializing in the Middle East & Islam; Mr. Sean Nelson, JD Legal Counsel, Global Religious Freedom - ADF International; and Mr. Peter Burns, Director of the International Religious Freedom Summit.

Coptic Solidarity is an organization seeking to help minorities, particularly the Copts, of Egypt and we support those in Egypt working for democracy, freedom, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens. It advocates in cooperation with the affiliated organizations in Canada and in Europe (Solidarite Copte). For more information, contact Lindsay Rodriguez at 801-512-1713 or coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org

SOURCE Coptic Solidarity

CONTACT: Lindsay Rodriguez, 801-512-1713, coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org
Several parts of the country are inundated by flood water this evening.

It comes as a result of more rainfall overnight, causing many rivers to break their banks and water courses to spill over.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba of Ukraine has appealed to the Council of the European Union to provide more air defense systems to Ukraine and impose sanctions on Iran, as well as the ninth package of restrictions  on Russia.

That's according to Kuleba's tweet, seen by Ukinform.

Im probably the first foreign minister to address EU FAC from a bomb shelter because of the air raids siren. Requested more air defense & supply of ammo. Called on EU to impose sanctions on Iran for providing Russia with drones. 9th EU sanctions package on Russia must be strong, Kuleba tweeted.

As reported earlier, the EU foreign ministers at the meeting in Luxembourg on October 17 intend to adopt a package of sanctions against Iran in connection with the violation of human rights, and will also consider the evidence regarding Irans involvement in the supply of weapons to Russia.

Four kamikaze drone strikes were confirmed in Kyiv on Monday morning. A residential building was hit in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Three civilians were killed in the attack, according to preliminary reports.
After the morning drone attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has called on all democratic countries to unite to repel the evil of terror.

Russia and Iran unite to spread terror and death. Shahed-136 is just one of their tools, along with Kalibr, Iskander, Kh missiles, Mojaher-6 drones, Fateh-110, Zolfaghar. Democracies and the brightest minds of the world must come together to repel these attacks and defeat evil, he wrote on Twitter.

As reported, Kyiv was attacked by kamikaze drones on Monday morning. A residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district was struck. As of now, it is known about three dead.

iy
Rescue works at the site of an apartment block damaged by an enemy suicide drone this morning are still going on. Four civilians were reported killed.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

It seems that the current enemy unites in its evil all previous enemies of our statehood. It acts insidiously  kills civilians, hits housing, infrastructure. Today, as a result of the occupiers attack on a residential building in Kyiv, 4 people have already died. Among them is a young family that was expecting a child. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, Zelensky wrote, posting the photographs taken at the scene.

In his words, terror must lose and will lose, and Ukraine will prevail.

The President of Ukraine expressed confidence that every Russian terrorist would be brought to justice, from commanders to privates who carried out criminal orders.

mk
For the whole world, Ukraines grain exports are one of the key guarantees of stability.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his video address, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The full text of the speech is provided below:

Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!

World Food Day is celebrated on October 16. This day is established in memory of the establishment of the UN special structure dealing with poverty and famine - FAO. This is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

For decades, the world has worked to solve the problem of famine. And it is unlikely that any of the founders of the UN could have thought at the time that in the XXI century all of us in the world will again be forced to fight the threat of mass famine, moreover artificial famine!

A famine for which only one country in the world is responsible - Russia - and its terrorist war against the free world.

When Russia blocked our Ukrainian ports and disrupted normal food supply chains, it returned the world to a situation as if these decades of work for international food security had never existed.

Fortunately, Ukrainian ports started working again for the export of agricultural products. Since July, we have been supplying exactly the amount of food that restores stability to the world market. And precisely to those segments of the food market that ensure the consumption of some of the most fragile countries in Africa and Asia.

And although our export capabilities are still far from complete, we managed to export almost 8 million tons of food by sea - that's more than 300 ships. 60% of this volume was directed to Africa and Asia. This is the global mission of our country: and thanks to Ukrainian supplies, entire regions of the world maintain social and political security.

And I want to thank everyone who ensures this: first of all our farmers, our transporters, port workers, our diplomats and government officials. Of course, our defenders, who hold the south and restore safety to the sea. And I want to thank our partners who managed to help with this initiative. In particular, UN Secretary-General Guterres and President of Turkiye Erdogan.

We must do everything so that Ukrainian grain exports only expand. These are jobs for our people and export income. Plus funds to ensure a sowing campaign next year. And for the whole world this is one of the key guarantees of stability.

The way Ukraine helps maintain normal life in the world only strengthens the reputation of our state and makes it easier for us to establish new ties in different regions. This upcoming week, I expect new international results for our state.

And for the past week, it is worth noting the strengthening of contacts with Saudi Arabia. There are significant agreements. Among other things, this is the decision of the partners to provide a package of humanitarian support in the amount of 400 million dollars. It is very important. Right now we have the most meaningful relations with Saudi Arabia in 30 years.

The situation on the frontline has not undergone significant changes over the past day. The key hotspots in Donbas are Soledar and Bakhmut, where extremely heavy fighting continues. The occupiers threw everyone they could against our forces, including 2,000 "prisoners" - they are among the mercenaries right there.

And these are "convicts" with long sentences for serious crimes. They are kept at the front not only with money, but also with the promise of amnesty.

This is how the Russian state sponsors terror - it looks for murderers in prisons and promises them freedom if they kill again. Does anyone in the world still doubt whether Russia should be officially designated as a terrorist state? I don't think so.

I thank all our warriors who are heroically holding their positions near Bakhmut, near Soledar and in all other directions where military clashes are currently ongoing - in the east, in the south of the country.

Today, in the Southern direction, I especially want to celebrate the 60th Inhulets Infantry Brigade, the 17th Separate Kryvyi Rih Tank Brigade named after Kostiantyn Pestushko, the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Zakarpattia Brigade and the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakov Handziuk for coordinated actions in the Kherson direction and effective destruction of enemy equipment. I thank you, warriors!

I also thank the Kherson anti-aircraft missile brigade for successfully protecting our skies from Iranian drones and Russian aircraft.

Separately, I would like to note today those units that provided us with the result of replenishment of the exchange fund. This is extremely important - everyone who captures the Russian military provides us with the opportunity to release our heroes.

I thank the 54th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion named after Mykhailo Tysha, the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade and the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, which during the offensive significantly increased our ability to return Ukrainians home.

We remember our people detained in Russia. We must liberate them, and we must liberate them all, leaving none to the enemy. But for this we need to capture the occupiers - as many as possible.

And one more thing worth talking about today.

Due to the Russian missile terror in some cities and regions of Ukraine, energy workers have to limit the supply of electricity so that the entire system works stably. But it will be possible to avoid such stabilization blackouts if all of us in Ukraine consciously treat our consumption during peak hours. This is a small thing for every person's life - but extremely tangible within the entire energy system. For example, this Saturday residents of the Chernihiv region limited their electricity consumption by 20 percent. I am very grateful to you. And in general in the country on average - by 10 percent. Kyiv and the region - only by 7 percent. Please do more - if you have the opportunity. From 17:00 to 23:00 we must reduce our electricity consumption. This is a step that, along with others, will ensure the failure of Russian terrorist plans.

I am grateful to everyone who defends Ukraine!

I am grateful to everyone who fights, works and helps for our victory! Unity and joint actions are our strength, the strength of Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!
Japan is ready to provide assistance to Ukraine in the restoration of energy infrastructure damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities.

"Special attention at the meeting was paid to the readiness of the Japanese side to help restore Ukraines critical infrastructure facilities damaged or destroyed during the hostilities, in particular, by providing the necessary equipment. The relevant energy projects will be implemented jointly with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)," the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine posted on Facebook following the meeting between Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko and Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine Matsuda Kuninori.

Minister Galushchenko informed the Ambassador about Russias systematic attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities and the current situation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

As reported, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and the International Energy Cluster agreed on cooperation in the restoration of energy infrastructure facilities.

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The EU Foreign Affairs Council will consider the ninth package of sanctions against Russia at a meeting on Monday, October 17.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics wrote this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council will call for more support for Ukraine, work on the 9th sanctions package against Russia, confiscation of the frozen Russian state assets and the establishment of the special tribunal for the crime of aggression committed by Russia, the minister wrote.

As Ukrinform reported, on October 6, the European Union adopted the eighth package of sanctions against Russia over the attempted illegal "annexation" of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine.

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The ministers of foreign affairs of the EU member states, who are meeting on October 17 in Luxembourg, intend to adopt a package of sanctions against Iran in connection with human rights violations, and will consider the evidence regarding Irans involvement in arms supplies to Russia.

EU High Representative Josep Borrell spoke of this today ahead of the meeting of the EU foreign ministerial, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

At the same time, the ministers will decide on the allocation of the next tranche of European military aid to Ukraine and on the deployment of a training mission for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

We will start with Ukraine, certainly, where [there are] bad news from the Russian attacks. This morning, Kyiv was also under heavy attack by drones in the center of the city. We will discuss the situation in Ukraine and [we will be] taking some measures [and] adopting some decisions. () The most important decision will be related to the new tranche of military support to Ukraine and to the deployment of a training mission. It is the last point of our discussions. I hope that, at the end, everybody will agree with that, said Borrell.

He noted that some member states, such as France, Germany, and others, continue to train Ukrainian servicemen in handling weapons that are being handed over to Ukraine. At the same time, the creation of an EU training mission, which will be based outside Ukraine, will allow to combine the efforts of many European armies and carry out training and provide high-level military education not only for Ukrainian soldiers, but also for commanders.

Responding to journalists' questions about the EU's reaction to Iran supplying drones to Russia to launch attacks on Ukraine, the high representative noted that today the ministers will consider the evidence of such involvement and look into possible measures to be taken.

This is something that will be discussed and we will look for at concrete evidence about the participation that Iran is strongly  in the strongest possible terms  denying, Borrell said. Well, lets see what is the information. [Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro] Kuleba will participate in the meeting. But the sanctions today are related to the repression against the demonstrators, as consequences of the death of Ms. [Mahsa] Amini. This package of sanctions has been discussed and prepared, and I am sure will be adopted.

He noted that the socio-economic consequences of the war are evident. This war continues sending shockwaves around the world. Russia is more and more isolated, as we could see on the vote last week in the United Nations [General Assembly]. Morally, politically, even militarily: Russia is losing this war, so we have to continue supporting Ukraine, said the EU high representative.
Ahead of EU's Foreign Affairs Council, foreign ministers of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia issued a joint statement calling on the European Union, together with international partners, to help Ukraine establish a Special Tribunal to probe Russias crimes of aggression against the neighboring country.

Thats according to a tweet by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, seen by Ukrinform.

With my Latvian and Estonian colleagues called for a Special Tribunal on Russia. As a geopolitical Union, the EU could take the lead in founding it and help fill in the loophole in international jurisdiction. Russia's war crimes are so immense that ICC alone cannot handle it, said Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuanias Foreign Minister.

This tribunal would investigate the crime of aggression and would fill in the existing jurisdictional loophole, and would ensure Russia's accountability against Ukraine, reads the joint statement by the three top diplomats.

The rules-based international order, which we all strive to defend, cannot survive if there is impunity for the deeds that violate it most blatantly  genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crime of aggression, the three ministers state. Recent deliberate targeting of civilian homes, schools and playgrounds, as well as civilian infrastructures across Ukraine is just the latest episode of Russias unprovoked terror campaign against Ukrainian people. As Russias brutal assault against Ukraine continues, the EU must act to ensure that seeking justice and accountability for Russias horrific crimes in Ukraine is at the center of our policy.

They note that currently, there is no international court or tribunal that could bring Russias top political and military leadership to account for committing the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, they believe, a Special Tribunal for the Punishment of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine has to be established to fill this jurisdictional loophole, while the EU together with its partners must be at the center of this effort.

The establishment of the Special Tribunal would complement the role of the ICC, the three ministers believe. While the ICC would prosecute individuals for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, the Special Tribunals core responsibility would be the crime of aggression, they stress.

The key masterminds, instigators and facilitators of this murderous aggression cannot escape justice simply because of the gap in the international criminal jurisdiction, the joint statement concludes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine calls on Tehran to immediately stop the supply of any weapons to Russia. Otherwise, Iran and its leadership will bear the strictest responsibility, including within the framework of international legal proceedings over Russia's crimes against Ukraine.

In its statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine notes that the Russian Federation continues to carry out terrorist acts against the civilian population and critical infrastructure of Ukraine, using Iranian-made combat drones.

Over the past week alone, the Russian Federation has launched more than 100 strikes by Iranian kamikaze drones on residential buildings, power plants, sewage treatment plants, bridges, and playgrounds throughout Ukrainian cities, the Ministry emphasizes. Dozens of people, including children, were killed and injured. A third of Ukraine's energy infrastructure facilities were affected. The buildings of two diplomatic institutions in Kyiv were damaged.

The MFA underlines that arms supplies for waging a war of aggression in Ukraine and killing Ukrainian citizens make Iran complicit in the crime of aggression, war crimes, and terrorist acts carried out by Russia against Ukraine.

"We call on Tehran to immediately stop supplying Russia with any weapons. Otherwise, Iran and its leadership will bear the strictest responsibility, including within the framework of international legal proceedings over Russia's crimes against Ukraine," the Ministry states.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that Minister Kuleba today appealed to the foreign ministers of the EU member states with a request to impose new sanctions on Iran for helping Russia carry out terror against Ukrainians. "The new tough sanctions against Iran become particularly relevant against the background of reports on the Iranian side's intentions to transfer surface-to-surface ballistic missiles for their use in the war against Ukraine," the Ministry emphasizes.

The statement also says that Ukraine will take all possible measures to protect the civilian population, sovereignty and territorial integrity from external aggression within the framework of exercising the inalienable right to self-defense in accordance with the UN Charter.

As reported, infrastructure facilities and a residential building were damaged in a kamikaze drone attack on Kyiv on Monday morning. Four people were killed.

Later, Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the Head of the President's Office, said that Iran was directly responsible for the murders of Ukrainians and that sanctions against it alone were not enough.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that more than 25 Ukraines settlements came under Russian strikes last night and this morning.

In his evening address, the President noted that the rubble was still being cleared away in the areas which Russian terrorists managed to hit today.

In Kyiv, they killed a young family, targeting an apartment building with an Iranian Shahed. A guy and a 6 months pregnant girl... Vladimir Putin can mark another achievement  he killed another pregnant woman. In total, four people were killed by this Shahed alone. There were other hits. More than 25 settlements of our country were attacked this night and morning. Eternal memory to all victims of Russian terror, Zelensky said.

He added that right now there is a new Russian drone attack and they are downed.

The world can and must stop this terror. When we talk about Ukraine's need for air and missile defense, we are talking about real lives that are being taken by terrorists. We manage to shoot down some of the missiles and drones. In just 12 hours from 9 p.m. Sunday, 37 Iranian Shahed drones and several cruise missiles were destroyed. But in order to guarantee the protection of our skies and to reduce the capabilities of Russian terrorists to zero, we need significantly more modern air defense systems and a greater missile provision for such systems. And this is not only Ukrainian interest. The fewer terrorist opportunities Russia has, the sooner this war will end, the Head of State believes.

Zelensky also thanked all Air Force fighters, anti-aircraft fighters, other warriors who are involved in countering Russian attacks.

Every Russian missile shot down and every drone destroyed is a life saved. I am also grateful to everyone who is involved in eliminating the consequences of terrorist attacks: our rescuers, police, doctors, energy workers, utility workers, heads of local self-government, government officials and business representatives who help, the President added.

He noted that today's Russian missile and drone attack also caused new power outages but restoration works were ongoing.

According to Zelensky, this form of terror will not give Russia anything even now, when we still do not have a sufficient number of air defense and missile defense systems.

The President underscored that Russia stands no chance on the battlefield and tries to cover up its military defeats with terror.

As reported, Russia attacked Kyiv with 28 drones on Monday morning. Five hits were recorded. In particular, a residential building in Shevchenkivsky district was destroyed. Four people were killed.

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Forty-eight residents of Slovyansk community, Donetsk region, were evacuated from Kyiv to Nice, France.

"Today [October 16], we had an unusual evacuation route. A bus with residents of Slovyansk community left Kyiv for Nice. The group was gathered for two months, and now 48 Slovyansk residents will spend the winter on the Cote d'Azur," Vadym Liakh, Head of the Slovyansk Town Military-Civilian Administration, posted on Facebook.

As noted, the evacuees will be provided with housing, food, and financial assistance for six months.

This became possible thanks to cooperation with public figure Evheniya Kuleba and her charity organization "Save Life", the official noted.

"We hope that the cooperation will continue and we will be able to send another group of our compatriots to France," he added.

Liakh thanked everyone who helps Slovyansk.

As reported, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine together with the European Commission this week evacuated another 22 Ukrainians injured due to Russia's armed aggression to Europe for treatment.

Photo: Vadym Liakh, Facebook

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Najwa, a 25-year-old Sudanese refugee living in Egypt, works as a trainee lab technician after completing a biochemistry degree at Cairo University thanks to a DAFI scholarship.  UNHCR/Antoine Tardy

Geneva  For the last 30 years, the German-backed DAFI scholarship programme has helped transform the lives and prospects of numerous young displaced people, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, said today as it urged more investment in access to higher education for refugees to help realize their potential.

The Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) scholarship programme has transformed over 21,500 refugee students lives around the world, with most in recent years from the Syrian Arab Republic, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Somalia. They are majoring in fields from medicine to business administration, social and behavioural sciences, mathematics and computer sciences, among other subjects.

Over three decades, DAFI has been transformative, providing opportunity and hope to thousands of refugee students, enabling them to fulfill their potential, and change their lives for the better, said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Its a proven model that must be scaled up to help ensure we reach our 15by30 goal - to get 15 percent of refugees in tertiary education by 2030!

In its 2021 DAFI report, Higher Education: Now is the Time, UNHCR warns of widening disparity in both education quality and access between high- and low-income countries, where most refugees are hosted. Uneven re-openings of schools following the COVID-19 pandemic heightened the risk of reversing hard-won gains.

By the end of 2021, over 8,300 young refugees from 53 countries were enrolled in DAFI scholarships in 55 countries, an impressive leap of nearly 1,000 students compared to the 2020 cohort. Female students represented 41 per cent of the total, and achieving gender parity remains a core aim of the programme.

Nearly half of the students were studying in Ethiopia, Turkiye, Pakistan, Kenya and the Islamic Republic of Iran, countries that host some of the largest refugee populations worldwide.

Last year drew record applications of more than 15,800, reflecting increased demand and greater need for investment in higher education scholarships and opportunities for refugees.

Still, refugee enrolment in higher education stands at only 6 per cent, although this continues an upward trend from a mere 1 per cent only a few years ago.

Due to host community restrictions, severe cost and financial barriers, the lack of opportunities for employment, the language barrier, and other factors, access to higher education for a refugee seems impossible, said a graduate from the DAFI programme, Khatira, a finance officer working in Pakistan, regarding the broader barriers refugees face in accessing higher education. "In these circumstances, opportunities like the DAFI scholarship are nothing short of a miracle.

Notes to editors

For 30 years, the German Government has been the principal donor to the DAFI programme. In 2021, the Government of the Czech Republic again committed support and financial backing. The continued partnership with the Danish Government, private sector actors and charitable bodies has ensured DAFI students can continue studying. Additionally, in 2021, the Aiming Higher Campaign  the UNHCR global fundraising campaign for tertiary education  raised US $3.3 million to directly fund talented refugee scholars.

Through profiles and conversations with DAFI students, alumni and key partners -- including Teach For All, Duolingo, Times Higher Education and Mosaik Education -- the 2021 annual report highlights women in higher education, complementary education pathways, the right to work, transitioning to employment and building inclusion in higher education all as critical areas of focus in collective pursuit of the 15by30 target.

On Tuesday UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements will join a UNHCR event with DAFI students and DAFI alumni in Berlin, Germany. The German Foreign Office, as main sponsor of DAFI, and Volkswagen, as a private donor, will be present to discuss the results and the future of this worldwide scholarship initiative.

For more information, contact:
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MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th October, 2022) Latvia appears irreversibly late to fill its gas storage facilities by 80% by November 1, as it was required by the European Union, according to Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) data.

Latvian storage facilities were 53% full as of 04:00 GMT on October 5, GIE data shows. If Latvia maintains the average filing rate for October, which is 0.115% per day, the storage facilities will be filled only by 56.

1% by the end of the month.

On Thursday, Latvia filled its storage facilities with 1.14 billion cubic meters.

In general, European gas storages are filled by an average of 89.85% or 97.1 billion cubic meters of gas.

According to new EU rules, by November 1, all countries must fill their facilities by 80%. Apart from Latvia, this figure has not yet been reached in Bulgaria (77.3%) and Hungary (74.51%). Meanwhile, only 18 countries out of 27 in the EU have underground gas storage facilities.
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Around seven to ten agreements relating to trade promotion, political consultations, defense cooperation, aviation, technology transfer and others are scheduled to be signed between with Pakistan and Ethiopia this month or next

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Oct, 2022 ) :Around seven to ten agreements relating to trade promotion, political consultations, defense cooperation, aviation, technology transfer and others are scheduled to be signed between with Pakistan and Ethiopia this month or next. In his interactive meeting with present and former office bearers of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at the chamber, Ambassador of Ethiopia Jamal Beker Abdula informed that these agreements would strengthen the connectivity between the two countries and also support the economies.

"Ethiopia is ready to welcome you in trade, investment and tourism etc. We are ready to assist and facilitate trade by efficiently removing the trade barriers," he reaffirmed.

He stressed on the need to work together and his country was very clear on strengthening the relations with Pakistan for boosting trade, investment and cooperation in different fields.

Chairman Businessmen Group in KCCI, M. Zubair Motiwala, President KCCI Muhammad Tariq Yousuf, Senior Vice President Touseef Ahmed, Vice President Haris Agar, former presidents Majyd Aziz and Khalid Tawab and KCCI Managing Committee Members were also present.

The Ambassador informed that Ethiopian Airlines, which has been flying to 127 destinations, would soon start flights to Karachi. The crew of the airline was ready. "We are also working on the modalities so that the goods could directly be transited from Gwadar to Modjo Dry Port in Ethiopia", he added.

While appreciating KCCI's eagerness to enhance trade and investment ties with Ethiopia, he said that Pakistan was a big destination for Ethiopian businesses.

However, lack of information and relationship had created a big gap between Ethiopia and Pakistan despite political will. The business communities would have to come forward and navigate so that trade and investment ties could be taken to new heights. The Envoy announced appointed of Ibrahim Khalid Tawab as Honorary Consul General of Ethiopia in Karachi. He hoped that he appointment would help who has been bridge the gap between the business communities of the two friendly countries.

Chairman BMG, M. Zubair Motiwala, in his remarks, stressed the need to create a win-win situation between Pakistan and Ethiopia by improving people-to-people and business-to-business contacts. Also, mutually beneficial policies, regulations and frameworks need to be devised to achieve this goal.

Referring to "Look Africa" program initiated by the government, he said that the purpose was to diversify Pakistan's exports which remain mostly confined to United States and European Union but to attain the objective of this program. There was a need to have Free Trade Agreements with African countries including Ethiopia while people to people and business to business interactions have to be particularly focused during the next five years which would certainly help in attaining the desired results.

President KCCI Muhammad Tariq urged for removal of the trade barriers with a view to promote the bilateral business between the two countries.

Lack of Banking Channel has been a main hurdle in expanding trade while trade via land route must also be taken into consideration which would considerably bring down the cost.
The remaining three German air defense systems IRIS-T promised to Ukraine will be delivered in 2023, German Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht said on Monday

BERLIN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2022) The remaining three German air defense systems IRIS-T promised to Ukraine will be delivered in 2023, German Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht said on Monday.

On October 12, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that the first IRIS-T had arrived in the country. In total, Berlin plans to deliver four such systems to Kiev.

"The rest (air defense systems) will be delivered within the next year, in accordance with the industry's capacity," Lambrecht was quoted by German broadcaster ZDF as saying.

Lambrecht said the slow pace of production and the lack of already built systems was due to the previous government's economy agenda. The minister promised to provide the Ukrainian military with tents and heaters amid the looming winter.

On Sunday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that additional support would be provided to Kiev, especially in the field of air defense, which is more important than the supply of German tanks, she added.

Russian missile systems Iskander and Kalibr are able to effectively overcome such air defense systems, primarily due to the ability to get as close as possible to the target at a distance of 10-15 meters (33-50 feet), military expert Alexei Leonkov told Sputnik.

Russia has repeatedly denounced the West for sending Ukraine billions Dollars worth of weapons, noting that it adds fuel to the fire and only prolongs the conflict. Moscow warned that any cargo that contained weapons for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for the Russian armed forces.
Ethiopia's government on Monday vowed to seize control of airports and other sites in Tigray, while at the same time reiterating a commitment to peace talks, as international alarm mounted over fighting in the war-torn region

Addis Ababa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Oct, 2022 ) :Ethiopia's government on Monday vowed to seize control of airports and other sites in Tigray, while at the same time reiterating a commitment to peace talks, as international alarm mounted over fighting in the war-torn region.

The African Union on Sunday called for an immediate and unconditional truce as combat intensified in northern Ethiopia, where pro-government forces and rebels from the Tigray region have been at war for nearly two years.

AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat also urged the rivals to "recommit to dialogue" after both sides accepted an invitation to peace talks that failed to materialise as violence spiralled.

The authorities in Tigray said Sunday they were "ready to abide by an immediate cessation of hostilities" and called on the international community to press the government to come to the table.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government said in a statement Monday it was "committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict through the AU-led peace talks," without addressing the ceasefire call.

But it said it would also pursue "defensive measures" to protect Ethiopia's sovereignty and territorial integrity from internal and external threats.

"These measures are necessitated not only by the repeated attacks of the TPLF (Tigray People's Liberation Front) but also by its active collusion with these hostile foreign powers," it said, without identifying them.

"It is thus imperative that the Government of Ethiopia assumes immediate control of all airports, other Federal facilities, and installations in the region," the statement from the Government Communication Service (GCS) said.

- 'Catastrophic conflict' - The conflict has killed an unknown number of civilians and unleashed a massive humanitarian crisis in Tigray and other parts of northern Ethiopia, with at least two million people driven from their homes and millions more in need of aid.

Tigray and its six million people are largely cut off from the outside world, facing dire shortages of fuel, food and medicines and lacking basic services such as communications, electricity and and banking.

TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda reacted to the GCS statement, telling AFP in a message: "It's a clear indication that the government and its ally will do everything to carry through their genocidal intent against the people of Tigray.

" UN chief Antonio Guterres has joined the United States and other Western powers in voicing concern over the worsening violence in Tigray and called for a peaceful settlement to "this catastrophic conflict." Abiy's government and the Tigrayan authorities were to attend AU-led negotiations in South Africa earlier this month but they did not go ahead, with logistical problems cited as one obstacle.

- 'Deep regret' - Ethiopian forces along with troops from neighbouring Eritrea have meanwhile stepped up an offensive near Shire, a city of 100,000 people in northwestern Tigray, where civilian casualties have been reported in heavy shelling.

It is not possible to verify battlefield claims as access to northern Ethiopia is restricted for journalists.

US aid chief Samantha Power on Sunday warned "the risk of additional atrocities and loss of life is intensifying" around Shire, and accused Ethiopian and Eritrean forces of indiscriminate attacks.

On Friday, an aid worker from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) was among three civilians killed in an attack in Shire that also injured others.

The IRC staffer was distributing food to vulnerable civilians including women and children, said the World Food Programme (WFP).

Britain's minister for Africa, Gillian Keegan, said she was "appalled" by the attack.

"This is the 24th aid worker killed in Tigray since the start of the conflict. Civilians and aid workers must be protected and #NotATarget," Keegan wrote on Twitter.

Addis Ababa said its army strove to "avoid combat operations within urban areas to prevent civilian casualties" but urged aid workers to "distance themselves from TPLF military assets".

"The Government of Ethiopia deeply regrets any harm that might have been inflicted on civilians, including humanitarian personnel," the GCS said, adding it would investigate such incidents.

Abiy, who won the Nobel Peace prize in 2019 for his rapprochement with Eritrea, sent troops into Tigray in November 2020 after accusing the TPLF of attacking federal army camps.

The TPLF had dominated Ethiopia's ruling political alliance for decades before Abiy took power in 2018 and sidelined the party.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2022) The Council of the European Union announced on Monday the extension of restrictive measures against the Islamic State (IS, ISIL) and Al-Qaeda terrorist organizations (both banned in Russia), as well as individuals and organizations associated with them, for another year.

"The Council adopted today a decision prolonging the restrictive measures against ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them for a further year, until 31 October 2023," the statement said.

The current sanction regime applies to 13 individuals and 4 groups who are prohibited access to their funds and entry to the EU, according to the Council of the EU.

"Additionally, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed," the statement read.

The decision will enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.

The EU sanction regime against IS and Al-Qaeda, which is complementary to that imposed by the UN Security Council, was introduced in 2016. The main targets of the restrictive measures are those who directly perpetrate and support terrorist attacks, or who recruit for the terrorist organizations and their affiliates.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2022) Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani criticized US President Joe Biden for his remarks on the protests that swept across Iran after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini and his comments about the country's leadership.

During his speech at Irvine Valley Community College in California on Saturday, Biden said that he was "stunned" by the wave of demonstrations in Iran, noting that the US stands with "the brave women of Iran."

"Ever since the recent events (protests and riots) in Iran, just as he did yesterday, on Saturday, US President Joe Biden yet again supported the unrest in Iran with his statements... Your habit (addressed to Biden) is to fish in troubled waters. But remember, this is Iran," Kanaani was quoted as saying by Iranian news agency ISNA.

The official noted that Tehran was not surprised by Washington's comments, while "aggression and interference in domestic affairs are inherent in US politics and lie at its core."

Mass protests started in Iran after the death of 22-year old Amini on September 16 after her detention by the controversial morality police over "improper" hijab wear. Over 40 people were reportedly killed and 100 others injured during violent demonstrations.

Tehran claimed that the unrest was instigated from abroad and handed notes of protest to the ambassadors of the United Kingdom and Norway, along with the French charge d'affaires in connection with what Iran believes was propaganda of subversive, anti-Iranian messages in their media, as well as calls for a government coup in Iran.
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CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2022) The mayor of the Syrian city of Talbiseh was killed in a car bombing, media reported on Monday.

The mayor of Talbiseh in the Homs Governorate died after an explosive device planted in his car went off, Syrian radio station Sham FM reported.

No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far, the report said.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

BELGRADE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th October, 2022) The pressure that Western countries exert on Serbia to force it to support sanctions against Russia is unprincipled, unacceptable and against international law, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Sputnik on Monday.

"There is no real policy here, but there is a desire to punish Serbia for its insubordination, for its principled position, for the fact that Serbia defends its national interests. We see that they have already crossed the line, because sanctions against Russia are illegal, this is quite obvious, about 12,000 of sanctions have been introduced, but now they are imposing sanctions against us in such a way as to directly punish Serbia, depriving it of access to Russian oil," Grushko said.

The diplomat added that although the West constantly appeals to the rules based order, it also tramples the principles of international law.

"What is being done against Serbia is not only immoral, but also contrary to international law, and this pressure is absolutely unprincipled and unacceptable, so international affairs are not conducted like that in a civilized society," the Russian diplomat said.

On October 6, the European Union announced the eighth package of sanctions against Moscow which, among other things, sets a framework for capping the price of Russian seaborne oil exports at a level coordinated by G7 allies. The measure will take effect from December 5 for crude oil and from February 5 for refined petroleum products.

The package was actively supported by Croatia which receives tankers with oil products via the port of Omisalj located on the island of Krk in the Adriatic Sea. From there, oil is sent to Serbia via a pipeline to be processed at the country's oil refinery plant, which is 56.15% owned by Russia's Gazprom Group companies. According to Serbian Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin, the eighth package of sanctions against Russia is also the first package of sanctions against Serbia, which depends on the supply of Russian oil through Croatia.
The Netherlands will host a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine on Wednesday in the Hague, the foreign ministry said

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th October, 2022) The Netherlands will host a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine on Wednesday in the Hague, the foreign ministry said.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands is organizing a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine on Wednesday, October 19, in the Hague," the statement read.

The purpose of the conference is to bring together Dutch companies and organizations that wish to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine after the conflict, the ministry said.

The agenda of the conference will include various topics, such as the role of business and public-private partnership platforms in agriculture, water management and healthcare spheres. Attention will be paid to both short-term tasks, such as preparing for the upcoming winter, and long-term ones, the ministry clarified.

On February 24, Russia began a military operation in Ukraine responding to calls for help from the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics. The Russian Defense Ministry said the goal of the operation, which targets Ukrainian military infrastructure, is to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine, and to completely liberate Donbas.

On October 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Russia's Security Council that Russia had carried out retaliatory strikes using precision-guided weapons against Ukrainian infrastructure, in response to Kiev's criminal attacks against Russian civilian infrastructure. Putin also condemned the bombing of the Kerch Strait Bridge, known as the Crimean Bridge, that took place on October 8, saying that such a terror act cannot be left without retaliation.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Col. Gen. Alexander Fomin discussed the "food deal" with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths at talks in Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2022) Russian Deputy Defense Minister Col. Gen. Alexander Fomin discussed the "food deal" with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths at talks in Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"On October 17, 2022, negotiations were held in Moscow between the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Col. Gen. Alexander Fomin, and the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths. The parties reviewed in detail the progress of the project to export grain from Ukrainian ports in direct connection with the implementation of agreements on export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers," the ministry said.

The Black Sea "food deal" can be extended only if all previously reached agreements are fully implemented, the ministry stressed.

Fomin and Griffiths also discussed initiatives on prisoners of war and promotion of Russian ammonia on the global market, the ministry said.
(@FahadShabbir)

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2022) At least eight people were injured in a shooting near the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, according to the city authorities.

"Tyreaf Isaiah Fleming, 20, of Harrisonburg, was arrested Sunday afternoon following a shooting in the 1500 block of Devon Lane that left eight individuals with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds," the city of Harrisonburg said in a statement on social media.

According to the release, the suspect is facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated malicious wounding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

According to Harrisonburg police, the wounded are aged 18 to 27 and have all been hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

"While the victims from this incident sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are not students currently enrolled at James Madison University, it is important to keep them in your thoughts as they recover," James Madison University said in a Sunday statement.

According to the university's safety update, the shooting occurred at around 2:20 a.m. on Sunday (06:20 GMT), when the suspect fired into a crowd at an outdoor gathering near the university campus.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
ZURICH (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2022) The Swedish parliament approved on Monday Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson as the country's new prime minister.

Kristersson's candidacy was supported by 176 lawmakers, 173 voted against, as broadcast by the parliament's website.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th October, 2022) The Syrian military has neutralized several leaders of the Islamic State (IS, terrorist group banned in Russia) in the southern part of the country, the Syrian state-run Al-Ikhbariya broadcaster reported on Monday, citing its sources in security forces.

For a few days, Syrian troops have been conducting an operation against terrorists in the town of Jasim, which is in Syria's southern province of Daraa. The troops also found a facility where bombs and other explosive devices had been produced.

On Sunday, Russian forces and Syrian troops conducted an operation in Daraa, killing 20 Islamic militants, according to Maj. Gen. Oleg Yegorov, deputy head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th October, 2022) Letters demanding a vote of no confidence in British Prime Minister Liz Truss may have been written by as many as 100 Conservative backbenchers, The i newspaper (inews) reports.

Chair of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers Graham Brady, who will return from a holiday on Monday "will have letters piling up against the back of his door. He will be pushing the door open with a few people, because of all the letters piling up the back of it," a veteran Tory member told the newspaper on Sunday.

According to The i, about 100 Conservative backbenchers may have written no-confidence letters, although such a vote would be impossible under the current party rules, which state that the leader is safe from a formal challenge for their first year in office.

Nonetheless, a party source told the newspaper that the executive of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers could stage its own vote of no confidence in Truss, even before September 2023, when her first year ends. Graham Brady could then advise that she step down.

A number of parliament members are in favor of UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace replacing Liz Truss as prime minister, according to The i newspaper.

According to British media reports, Conservative parliament members Crispin Blunt, Andrew Bridgen and Jamie Wallis have all publicly said that Truss should step down.

On Friday, Kwasi Kwarteng resigned as the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer after reports leaked that he had been fired by Truss 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 Jeremy Hunt.

According to The Guardian, on Monday, senior Conservative parliament members will hold a meeting, convened by leading supporters of Rishi Sunak, discussing the prime minister's future, after Hunt dramatically tore up her economic package. The newspaper said on Saturday that some British parliament members are threatening to publicly call on Truss to stand down over her failed tax-cutting plan.

Last week, Truss promised to reduce public debt amid a flurry of criticism over the government's new plan to support the economy, which includes large-scale tax cuts. After the plan's announcement, the yield on five-year UK government bonds rose to its highest level since 2008, at 4.6%, which meant a decrease in demand for debt securities. Consequently, sterling fell to an all-time low of $1.054 per pound.
As Pope Francis meets with Peru's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cesar Landa Arroyo, the Vatican signs an agreement to repatriate three Peruvian mummies dating from pre-Hispanic civilizations.

By Sebastian Sanson Ferrari

The repatriation of three ancient mummies from Peru corresponds to the spirit of integration between cultures on which the Anima Mundi Ethnological Museum was founded.

The Anima Mundi is a section of the Vatican Museums that preserves thousands of prehistoric remains, dating back more than two million years, from all over the world.

On Monday, 17 October, the President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, Cardinal Fernando Vergez signed an agreement with Perus Minister of Foreign Affair, Cesar Rodrigo Landa Arroyo formalizing the repatriation.

Meeting with the press

Cultural appreciation

According to a statement from the Vatican Museums, these historical artifacts will be studied in order to determine the period of origin of the mummies. However, it is known that they were found at an altitude of three thousand metres in the Peruvian Andes, along the course of the Ucayali River, a tributary of the Amazon.

As Minister Landa explained in a meeting with the press following his audience with the Pope, the agreement completed achieved on Monday reflects the shared feeling that, more than objects, they are the remains of human beings that should be appreciated in the place from which they came.

The mummies were loaned for the Universal Exhibition of 1925, after which they remained in the museums. The situation became known several years ago, according to the Minister, and the Vaticans willingness to return them was made concrete during the pontificate of Pope Francis.

Mr. Landa points out that Peru has been recovering archaeological material from the United States and Chile, among other countries, and hopes to continue along these lines.

Ancient Peruvian mummies

Exchange with the Successor of Peter

According to the Foreign Minister, during the cordial meeting with the Bishop of Rome and the Secretariat of State, relations between the Republic of Peru and the Holy See were discused, with an emphasis on the desire to re-establish dialogue and harmony in the nation as the basis for governance and respect for human rights.

Mr. Landa said he appreciated the Popess magnanimous gesture in desiring to receive him.

The relationship between the Peruvian State and the Church is growing stronger because Peru is a country with a great faith, founded on the cultural, religious, and ethical contribution of the Catholic Church, which allows it to face challenges and turbulent times, always seeking the best, which is the common good, said Mr. Landa.

He also expressed his hopes and prayers for the improvement of the socio-political situation in Peru. After the international conflicts and the pandemic, social gaps have opened up, the Minister noted, saying he considered that this context calls for the government and the opposition to work together to guarantee basic needs.

Mr. Landa stressed the importance of dialogue and harmony as a task that invokes the need to talk and to listen, because without consensus, the solution to the most pressing problems is delayed.

In the conversation with the Pope, they also discussed the importance of strengthening the links that are maintained at a high level in terms of support for the Churchs social work, and its efforts in the fields of education and health. We will continue to talk to see concrete ways of strengthening the efforts of the Church and the State, concluded Mr. Landa.
File photo of a destroyed tank in Tigray (AFP or licensors)

The head of the African Union has called for an immediate ceasefire in Ethiopias northern Tigray state, where aid agencies say around a million people face famine.

By Nathan Morley

The head of the African Union is appealing for an immediate ceasefire in conflict-wracked northern Ethiopia.

Moussa Faki Mahamat said he was following with great concern reports of increased fighting in the Tigray Region, where a two-year-old conflict continues to rage.

He called for an immediate ceasefire and urged the resumption of humanitarian services.

At the same time, U.S. development agency USAID chief Samantha Power joined the call for the joint offensive by Ethiopian federal forces and Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF) to stop.

Years of fighting

Ethiopian government forces have been involved in fighting with Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) rebels since late 2020.

Over the last two years, the conflict has killed thousands of civilians and displaced millions.

AU-led peace talks were expected to take place in South Africa, but no date has been fixed for the meeting after it was postponed, ostensibly due to logistical problems.

The Tigray region has been largely isolated since the war broke out leaving over five million people without electricity, phone, and internet services.

Medicines, baby care products and food often run low.
Authorities have detained two owners and the 15-year-old operator of a boat that sank, killing 11 children, Cambodian police said Saturday.

The small boat -- carrying students aged between 12 and 15 back from an English class -- went down in the Mekong River late Thursday, floundering roughly 50 metres (160 feet) from its destination in southeastern Kandal province.

Local police chief Am Thou told AFP that three individuals had been detained for questioning over the incident.

"They may have to face legal action. We are looking into what charges they may face," he said.

The police chief added that the three had been sent to Kandal provincial police headquarters, where their next steps would be determined.

Local officials called off the search for survivors on Saturday morning, with the death toll rising to 11.

Two adult boat operators and two students were rescued Friday.

Prime Minister Hun Sen warned people to be cautious during the heavy flooding that has raised the Mekong River's levels.

Such incidents are common in the Southeast Asian country, where people living along the river are often reliant on boats for transport.
Brazils final two presidential candidates faced off in a nationally televised debate Sunday just two weeks before a runoff vote.

Incumbent right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro and his left-wing challenger, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, traded accusations of corruption and lying during the long debate.

Bolsonaro attacked Lula over the corruption scandals that plagued the former presidents Workers Party during his presidency from 2003 to 2010, which led to Lulas conviction on bribery charges in 2017, while Lula attacked Bolsonaro for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic that claimed the lives of 680,000 Brazilians.

Lula was convicted in 2017 of accepting bribes and was imprisoned the following year, disqualifying him for the 2018 election. His conviction was later overturned by the Supreme Court, allowing him to face Bolsonaro this year.

Neither Bolsonaro nor Lula received more than 50% of the vote in the initial October 2 election. Recent voter opinion surveys show Lula with a slight lead ahead of the October 30 runoff vote, although earlier polls had shown him leading Bolsonaro by about 10-15 percentage points ahead of the first round of voting.

The much tighter result dashed expectations of a quick resolution to a deeply polarized election in the worlds fourth-largest democracy.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse.
Diplomats are calling on Ethiopia 's federal authorities and their rivals in the northern region of Tigray to agree to a cease-fire as heavy fighting raises growing humanitarian fears.

African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed "grave concern" in a statement Sunday over the fighting and called for an "immediate, unconditional cease-fire and the resumption of humanitarian services."

AU-led peace talks were due to take place in South Africa earlier this month but were postponed because of logistical and technical issues.

The warring parties had said they were ready to participate in the process, even though fighting persists in Tigray.

"The Chairperson urges the parties to recommit to dialogue as per their agreement to direct talks to be convened in South Africa by a high-level team led by the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, and supported by the international community," Mahamat said in a statement.

The AU statement followed one issued late Saturday by a U.N. representative who said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "gravely concerned about the escalation of the fighting" and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

Fighting resumed between the Tigray forces and the federal troops in August, bringing an end to a cease-fire in place since March that had allowed much-needed aid to enter the region. Fighting has drawn in forces from Eritrea, on the side of Ethiopia's federal military.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power called on Eritrean forces to withdraw from Tigray and urged the parties to observe a cease-fire, warning in a tweet that up to a 1 million people are "teetering on the edge of famine" in the region.

"The conflict has displaced millions of people, and camps for displaced Ethiopians have also fallen under attack," said Power, who warned of further bloodshed if Eritrean and Ethiopian federal forces take charge of the camps.

The cease-fire calls came as heavy clashes were reported near the northwestern Tigray town of Shire, where an attack Friday killed an International Rescue Committee worker who was distributing aid supplies.

European Union foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell said he was "horrified by the reports of continuous violence, including the targeting of civilians in Shire."

Tigray forces said in a statement that they welcomed the AU's cease-fire call.

"We are ready to abide by an immediate cessation of hostilities," the statement said. Ethiopia's federal government has yet to respond.

Aid distributions are being hampered by a lack of fuel and an ongoing communications blackout in Tigray. The Associated Press reported Saturday that a U.N. team found there were "10 starvation-related deaths" at seven camps for internally displaced people in northwestern Tigray, according to an internal document prepared by a humanitarian agency.

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.
Thousands of people protested Monday against separatist attacks and abductions at schools and churches. Demonstrators demanded to know the whereabouts of scores of people, including five Catholic priests, a nun, and two worshippers taken last month from a church on Cameroon's western border with Nigeria.

Hundreds of people march in Ebonyi, a village in the Tombel district, asking separatists to stop brutalizing, abducting, killing and maiming civilians.

The Tombel district is in the Southwest region, one of two regions that separatist groups want to split off from Cameroon for a new English-speaking state.

During the daily protests that started Saturday, demonstrators say they want all schools shut down by rebels to reopen so children can have an education.

The protesters say humanitarian workers, teachers, traditional rulers, hospital staff and the clergy  who are often harassed, abducted or tortured by fighters  should be allowed to work freely.

Protesters are demanding that all captives be immediately released and said no one should be forced to pay a ransom.



Among the abducted people the protesters want released are five Catholic priests, a nun, and two worshippers abducted last month from a Roman Catholic church in the town of Nchang. The clergy and missing parishioners are from the Roman Catholic diocese of Mamfe.

Reverend Father Humphrey Tatah Mbui, director of communications at the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon Catholic Bishops, says the whereabouts of the abducted clergy remains unknown.

"Gunmen have been asking for money and the bishop of Mamfe, his lordship Aloysius Abangalo does not have that money they are asking for, and even if he had, I wonder whether we have reached a point where the church should be giving money as ransom," Mbui said.

Mbui said the church did not organize the protests but that several hundred Christians are taking part in them.

Cameroons government says protests are taking place in English-speaking towns and villages including Kumbo, Oku, Esso Aah, Wum, Kumba and Mamfe.

The government said it ordered troops to protect the protesters.

Capo Daniel is deputy defense chief of the Ambazonia Defense Forces, one of the main separatist groups. Daniel accuses the government of organizing the protests to give the impression that locals are revolting against the rebels.

"We have seen enablers of Cameroon rule corrupt some Ambazonia forces to get populations to rise up and stage this propaganda march past calling for the disarmament of the Amazonia forces and the support of the Cameroon state. We will send our forces to those areas to investigate and anybody that organizes such treasonous demonstrations will be brought to justice," said Capo.

Daniel did not say the form of punishment fighters will dole out. Protesters said they are counting on Cameroon government troops to protect the safety of all civilians.

The government said it did not organize the protests. Civilians say their communities organized the protests because people are angry with separatists for torturing the civilians that separatists claim to be protecting.

Cameroons separatist crisis began with protests against the dominance of the French language in 2016 and degenerated into conflict the following year. The U.N. says the crisis has left more than 3,300 people dead and displaced more than 750,000 others.
Clashes have resumed in and around a town in northwest Syria, days after a powerful Islamist group captured it from Turkish-backed militias.



A local source told VOA that fierce clashes erupted on Monday in the town of Afrin and its surrounding areas between the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group and a Turkish-backed armed group known as the Third Legion, or the al-Shamiya Front.



The HTS is a major Islamist group that controls most of the province of Idlib in northwest Syria. Formerly known as al-Nusra Front, the group was the main affiliate of al-Qaida in Syria until 2018 when it formally severed ties with the global terror organization.



The United States has designated the HTS as a terrorist organization.



Last week, HTS fighters took control of Afrin, which had been controlled by the Third Legion and other Turkish-backed Islamist militias since 2018 after a Turkish military offensive that ousted Syrian Kurdish forces that Ankara considers terrorists.

The two sides had reached an agreement over the weekend to cease hostilities, but that quickly ended with the Monday clashes.

Rami Abdulrahman, director of the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told VOA, The cease-fire agreement didnt hold because the al-Shamiya Front thought anti-HTS protests in the area would give them momentum to attack again  and thus the fighting has resumed.

The observatory reported that during the clashes on Monday, HTS fighters were able to take control of another village close to the nearby town of Azaz. Local news reports said the fighting killed several people on both sides.

Another source, who didnt want to be identified for security reasons, told VOA, The ongoing fighting has resulted in the closure of the main road between Afrin and Azaz, preventing locals who want to escape the violence from leaving their homes.

While rights groups have accused Turkish-backed groups in Afrin of carrying out rights violations against civilians, they fear the HTSs seizure of the town could make the situation even worse for the locals.

The Human Rights Organization in Afrin said that immediately after the HTSs takeover of Afrin, the militant group imposed stringent restrictions on the local population, including forcing an Islamic dress code on women.

This story originated in VOAs Kurdish Service.
Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his commitment to his governments zero-COVID policy during an address to the Chinese Communist Partys 20th Party Congress Sunday.

Analysts say the remarks may disappoint many people who were hoping Xi would abandon tight restrictions that have shut out foreigners and slowed economic growth. The policy is blamed for contributing to a global supply chain shortage and delaying the recovery of the aviation and tourism sectors.

Even though everyone can see economic growth has slowed, he still wants to persist in zero-COVID. This will hurt peoples livelihoods, said Simon Chen, a political science professor at National Taiwan University.

Observers have speculated that although its infection and death rates are very low, China has not reopened its borders and returned to normal life because Beijing refuses to allow imports of widely used vaccines developed by Western companies, such as Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna.

China has relied on domestically produced vaccines and some observers see Xis insistence on the zero-COVID policy as evidence that his government does not believe its vaccines will protect against a new wave of infections expected this winter.

If he gives up this policy, major problems could occur, said Chen, adding China may also be trying to give itself time to develop its own mRNA-based vaccine, which is considered more effective.

Victor Gao, a professor at Chinas Soochow University and vice president of the Beijing-based research group Center for China and Globalization, says the governments position is aimed at prioritizing saving lives and preventing deaths.

At the core of human rights in China is life, the right to live, Gao said. Now you have two ways to deal with the virus. One is herd immunity and two is dynamic zero-COVID. Herd immunity is a dead end because Chinas CDC doesnt allow it; it means you have to sacrifice tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people and if this happened in China, youre talking about close to 10 million people dead because of COVID-19.

He was referring to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Maintaining the zero-COVID policy doesnt mean the policy will remain unchanged, Gao said. He pointed out that Chinas quarantine period for COVID-19 has already been adjusted from two weeks to seven days. Depending on the severity of the infection, along with vaccination and death rates, it could be further reduced or even eliminated, he added.

Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a researcher at the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China, Hong Kong, said that despite some opposition within the party to the zero-COVID policy, there is strong support overall for it in some small cities and among physicians and experts in China.

He suspects Xi and the leadership are conservative and believe its better to keep China closed for now.

My hunch is something else is behind it, the desire not to open up China too much to the outside world. I think what theyre worried about is changes within Chinese society, youths, Cabestan said. He [Xi] says the economy is a priority, but we dont know if security is more important than economic development to him.
The European Union on Monday sanctioned officials of Iran's morality police and Tehran's information minister for their role in the Islamic Republic's violent crackdown on protesters demonstrating against the death of a young woman held by the morality police for failing to properly cover her hair with a hijab.

The 27-nation bloc froze the assets of 11 people, including two leading morality police officials, Mohammad Rostami and Haj Ahmad Mirzaei, and Information Minister Issa Zarepour, who was cited for his alleged responsibility in the internet shutdown after the protests started. They were also banned from traveling in Europe.

EU foreign ministers, meeting in Luxembourg, also targeted the Iranian Law Enforcement Forces and several local police chiefs "for their role in the brutal repression of the protests."

The demonstrations started in mid-September after the arrest and death days later of Mahsa Amini, who was 22 years old. Dozens of protesters have been killed by security officials during street demonstrations throughout Iran.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the EU "cannot and will not close our eyes" to the crackdown in Iran. "It is also clear that, if this regime continues to pummel its population in this way, there will be further targeted sanctions packages against those responsible," she said.

In the statement, the EU condemned "the widespread and disproportionate use of force against peaceful protestors. This is unjustifiable and unacceptable. People in Iran, as anywhere else, have the right to peacefully protest and this right must be ensured in all circumstances."

Several European ministers also warned that they will impose additional sanctions against Tehran if the Iranian government's intervention in Russia's war against Ukraine is proven.

Russia is believed to have purchased explosives-laden Iranian drones it has been launching against Ukrainian cities in recent days, including Kyiv on Monday, although Iran has denied sales of the unmanned weaponry.

VOA Persian Service contributed to this report.


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 Solomons employer, The Wall Street Journal, at its Washington, D.C., 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 decadelong 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.



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 Solomon a minority stake in a company he was setting up.



The Journal fired Solomon shortly before 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.



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."
France on Sunday pledged air defense systems to protect Ukrainian cities against drone strikes, as well as an expanded training program for Ukrainian soldiers, as it seeks to puncture perceptions that French President Emmanuel Macron's government has lagged in supporting Ukraine militarily against the Russian invasion.

Up to 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers will be embedded with military units in France, rotating through for several weeks of combat training, more specialized training in logistics and other needs, and training on equipment being supplied by France, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, said in an interview published in Le Parisien.

"We are noting the fact that the war, alas, will last," the newspaper quoted the minister as saying. "A new generation of soldiers must also be trained, to last the distance."

France had previously trained Ukrainian artillery troops to use Caesar self-propelled howitzers it has supplied.

The expanded training that France is now offering is "a very important step," the minister said. "We are changing the scale."

The minister said Crotale air defense missile batteries that France is preparing to send to Ukraine "will be particularly useful in the fight against drones and against aerial bombardments."

France has 12 of the batteries, the minister said. He didn't specify how many of them will go to Ukraine but said "it will be significant to enable them to defend their skies."

The aim is for Ukraine to be able to deploy them within two months, which includes the training time for Ukrainians to use them, the minister said.

France has supplied 18 Caesar artillery pieces and is in discussions to furnish six more. Lecornu said France is also studying a Ukrainian request for rocket-launched ground-strike weaponry.

France also has set up a fund of $97 million, "which the Ukrainians can use to buy what they want, on condition that the supplier is French," the minister said.

Among recipients of the first Ukrainian orders using the fund is a French firm that will supply pontoon bridges, he said.

France's dipping into its stocks of weaponry to supply Ukraine has also turned a spotlight on the country's own defense needs.

Lecornu said the Crotale batteries destined for Ukraine are being replaced by the more modern Mamba air defense system, which is expected to form part of the security shield around the 2024 Paris Olympics.

France has also placed orders to replenish its stock of Caesar cannons, to replace those sent to Ukraine, the minister said.

The French defense budget for 2023 will climb to its highest levels since World War II, at $42.8 billion, he said. That compares with $31.4 billion in 2017 when Macron won his first term, the minister said.
The U.N. secretary-general warned Monday that the situation in northern Ethiopia is spiraling out of control and he sees no military solution to the conflict.

Violence and destruction have reached alarming levels; the social fabric is being ripped apart, Antonio Guterres told reporters at U.N. headquarters. Hostilities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia must end now  including the immediate withdrawal and disengagement of Eritrean armed forces from Ethiopia.

The U.N. chief said the international community must come together to end the nearly two-year-old conflict, which has killed and injured thousands and left millions on the brink of starvation.

The United Nations is ready to support the African Union in every possible way to end this nightmare for the Ethiopian people, he said. We need the urgent resumption of talks towards an effective, lasting political settlement.

His call joins others, including from Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, who called Saturday for a new cease-fire and resumption of humanitarian services.

U.N. Security Council diplomats said on background that the councils three African envoys -- from Gabon, Ghana and Kenya -- have requested an urgent private meeting to have a briefing from the African Union and the U.N. humanitarian department.

The Ethiopian government said Monday that it is committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict through African Union-led talks, while the Tigray regional government said it would respect an African Union call for an immediate cease-fire.

The government and Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) have yet to agree on who should lead the reconciliation process. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo is currently the AUs special envoy for the Horn of Africa and has led several missions there.

Planned peace talks for this month in South Africa failed to take off due to technical and logistical issues.

Each side has blamed the other for violating a March cease-fire after fighting resumed in Tigray in August.

Also Monday, Ethiopian authorities said their forces will take charge of the aviation, transport and communication infrastructure in the embattled Tigray region.

The head of the Horn International Institute for Strategic Studies, Hassan Khannenje, told VOA the governments goal is to control the movement of the rebels and humanitarian services in the Tigray region.

Any limitations to the ability to transport and move around and communicate tends to heighten an existing situation such as the humanitarian situation is ongoing right now in Ethiopia, Khannenje said. In fact, humanitarian organizations are going to find it harder to reach in those areas, and communication is going to be limited in regards to assisting for help or humanitarian assistance. So, of course, that is going to make things worse for those who are already vulnerable.

The government defended its move to take over key facilities in the Tigray region, saying it will protect the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity and speed up humanitarian aid to those who need assistance.

U.N. aid flights have been suspended to Tigray since August 25 due to the resumption of hostilities, further hampering efforts to assist people in need. The situation is also dangerous for humanitarians. On Saturday, the International Rescue Committee said one of its staffers had died of injuries after an attack in Shire Town in Tigray.

The conflict began in November 2020 in the Tigray region between the government forces and the Tigray rebel group and has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. Rights groups accuse both sides of committing widespread human rights violations.

The U.N. humanitarian office says 20 million Ethiopians need humanitarian assistance. Millions of people in the northern regions of Tigray, Amhara and Afar have been displaced due to the conflict.
The death toll from a fire at Tehrans Evin prison has risen to eight people, Irans judiciary said Monday.

The fire erupted Saturday amid ongoing protests, now in their fifth week, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman held by the countrys morality police for failing to properly cover her hair with a hijab.

Iranian state media reported that the blaze was extinguished after several hours, and no detainees escaped.

In a statement, the U.S. State Department said, 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.

U.S. President Joe Biden said Saturday, the Iranian government is so oppressive and that he had an enormous amount of respect for people marching in the streets.

Evin Prison, which holds detainees facing security-related charges and includes dual-national 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.

Nahid Delili, the wife of Shahab Delili, a dual-nationality prisoner in Evin, told VOAs Persian service that she talked to her husband and that he is healthy.

In online videos, gunshots and explosions could be heard in the area of the prison.

Video of the fire circulated online, including shots ringing out as plumes of smoke rose into the sky amid the sound of an alarm. Soon after, the videos showed a protest breaking out on the street outside the prison, with many chanting Death to the Dictator!  a reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei  and burning tires.

The videos appeared to show projectiles being launched into the prison by security forces, followed by the sound of at least two explosions. It wasnt immediately clear what kind of rounds Iranian security forces used in the incident.

Traffic was heavy along major freeways near the prison, which is in the north of the capital. Many people honked to show their solidarity with the protests.

Authorities have attempted to distance the events at the prison from the ongoing protests, while state media has offered conflicting accounts of the violence.

Irans state-run IRNA news agency, citing one senior security official, had reported Saturday that inmates in one ward fought with prison personnel. The official said prisoners set fire to a warehouse full of prison uniforms.

The security official said the rioters were separated from other prisoners to de-escalate the conflict.

Later, Tehran prosecutor Ali Salehi said that the unrest was not related to the protests which have swept the country following Aminis death. Rights groups say more than 200 protesters have been killed since demonstrations swept through Iran September 17, with Iranian authorities saying more than two dozen security force members have also been killed in the unrest.

But Iranian social media posts challenged state media accounts of the cause of the fire and apparent explosions at the prison. A former inmate of Evin and rights activist Atena Daemi said in a tweet Sunday that normally all prisoners are sent to their wards and the workshops are closed by sunset.

The video broadcast by state TV in the fires aftermath showed scorched walls and ceilings in a room it said was the upper floor of a sewing workshop at the prison.

This fire was caused by a fight between some prisoners in the sewing workshop, said Tehran Gov. Mohsen Mansouri. The workshop was set up to create jobs for prisoners, he said.

VOAs Persian service contributed to this report. Some information came from Reuters and The Associated Press.
A human rights activist in Iran told VOAs Persian service that according to her sources, authorities at Tehrans Evin prison shot at prisoners who were fleeing the fire and smoke during a deadly blaze there Saturday.

"Everything we see from the government is just a disaster, said Pouran Nazemi, a civil and human rights activist based in Iran. There was no immediate response from Tehran to her comments.

Iran says eight people were killed in the fire but Nazemi said the number is still unknown as "several hospitals are on alert" and that government forces "are standing in front of them and not letting anyone close."

According to the human rights activist, many prisoners have not yet contacted their families.

The fire came amid continuing protests in Iran sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman held by the countrys morality police for failing to properly cover her hair with a hijab.

Nazemi said that chants of "Death to the dictator" could be heard from inside the prison.

Irans state-run IRNA news agency, citing one senior security official, had reported that inmates in one ward fought with prison personnel. The official said prisoners set fire to a warehouse full of prison uniforms.

Tehrans governor Mohsen Mansouri said This fire was caused by a fight between some prisoners in the sewing workshop.

The workshop was set up to create jobs for prisoners, he said.

Iranian social media posts challenged state media accounts of the cause of the fire. A former inmate of Evin and rights activist Atena Daemi said in a tweet Sunday that normally all prisoners are sent to their wards and the workshops are closed by sunset.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has ordered an investigation into the Unification Church after the assassination for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe led to the revelation of close ties between the group and members of Japans ruling party.

Kishida said Monday that Education and Culture Minister Keiko Nagaoka would conduct the probe under the Religious Corporations Act.

The prime minister told parliament he wants resolve issues related to the church.

Abe was shot to death during a rally in July, and the suspected killer said his mothers large donations to the church had bankrupted the family.

Kishida said Monday a government hotline had received more than 1,700 complaints related to the church, including financial and mental health problems.

He said the government would do more to support victims.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine.

The latest developments in Russias war on Ukraine. All times EDT.

11 p.m.: Canada announced new sanctions on Monday against 34 Russian journalists, actors and television presenters, as well as state-owned national TV Zvezda, calling them "propaganda agents" for their government, Agence France-Presse reported.

The list includes Vladimir Mashkov, best known in the West for his work in the films "Behind Enemy Lines" and "Mission Impossible," Pavel Gusev, editor-in-chief of the Moscow daily Moskovskij Komsomolets, and Kirill Kleimyonov, head of the news division at Russia's state-owned Channel One.

Ottawa accuses them of "spreading false narratives that serve as pretexts for the Russian regime's unjustifiable war" in Ukraine, according to a statement.

9:36 p.m.: The United States agrees with British and French assessments that Iran supplying drones to Russia would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution that endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six powers, U.S. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said, according to Reuters.

"Earlier today our French and British allies publicly offered the assessment that Irans supply of these UAVs (for) Russia is a violation of UN Security Council resolution 2231," Patel told reporters, referring to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones. "This is something that we agree with."

Ukraine has reported a spate of Russian attacks using Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks. Iran denies supplying the drones to Russia, while the Kremlin has not commented.

8:24 p.m.:

7:37 p.m.: Russia and Ukraine completed a prisoner swap Monday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, The Associated Press reported.

It said 110 Russians who were freed included 72 seamen from commercial vessels held since February, while 108 Ukrainian female prisoners of war were handed over to Kyiv authorities, with two saying they wanted to stay in Russia.

The Ukrainian side confirmed the exchange but not that two Ukrainians decided to stay in Russia.

6:56 p.m.: The Pentagon is considering paying for Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network that helped restore communications in war-torn Ukraine, Politico reported on Monday, citing two U.S. officials involved in the discussions, Reuters reported.

SpaceX, which operates Starlink, and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

The most likely source of funding would be the U.S. Department of Defense Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, designed to support the country as it fights Russia, the report added.

The move comes after Musk on Friday said SpaceX could not indefinitely fund Starlink in Ukraine, but quickly backtracked over the weekend to assert the rocket company would continue to fund the service in the country.

6:10 p.m.:

5:23 p.m.: The Belarusian defense ministry said on Monday it will conduct live fire exercises and anti-aircraft guided missile launches as part of its joint grouping with Russian forces, Reuters reported, citing Interfax.



"Military units from the formations are planned to be deployed at four training ranges of the Republic of Belarus in the eastern and central part of the country, after which they will start conducting combat training activities," Interfax quoted a Minsk defense official as saying.



The Belarusian defense ministry said last week that Russian troops would deploy to the country to form a new "regional grouping" amid claims from Minsk that Ukraine is preparing to attack its territory. Belarus has offered no evidence of Ukraine's aggressive intentions.



Belarus is a close Russian ally that has provided logistical and political support to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.



4:37 p.m.:

4:07 p.m.: Prague and other Czech cities are donating old trams and buses to war-torn Ukraine where public transit systems across the country have been damaged by Russian bombing. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this report.

3:18 p.m.: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz ordered ministers Monday to prepare to keep all of the countrys three remaining nuclear plants running until mid-April, putting his foot down on an issue that had threatened to split his three-party government, The Associated Press reported.



The decision comes as Germany tries to prevent a possible energy crunch due to cuts in fuel supplies from Russia over the war in Ukraine.



Scholzs office said he announced the decision in a letter to the Cabinet, an unusual move reflecting the deep divisions that had riven his junior coalition partners on the issue in recent weeks.



2:30 p.m.:



2 p.m.: Discussions will continue on extending and expanding a U.N.-brokered deal allowing Ukrainian Black Sea grain exports, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday, after U.N. officials held positive and constructive discussions in Moscow on the deal, Reuters reported.

The July deal has allowed more than 6 million metric tons of grains and other foods to be exported and could expire next month.

U.N. trade official Rebeca Grynspan and U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths met on Sunday and Monday with Russia Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin, Dujarric said.

Grynspan also held discussions with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov on facilitating exports of Russian grain and fertilizer to global markets and Griffiths met with Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Alexander Fomin to discuss more effective implementation of the deal.

Facilitating Russias food and fertilizer shipments is a central aspect of a package deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey on July 22 that also restarted Ukraines Black Sea grain and fertilizer shipments.

Russia has criticized the deal, complaining that its exports were still hindered. Moscow could object to extending the pact allowing Ukraines exports beyond late November.

1:40 p.m.: A Russian fighter plane crashed into a residential building in the southern Russian city of Yeysk on Monday, engulfing apartments in flames, the regional governor said, Reuters reported.

Footage showed a large fireball erupting from a multi-story building. Russian news agencies said the pilots had ejected.

Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said the plane was a Sukhoi Su-34, a supersonic medium-range fighter-bomber.

RIA news agency said it crashed during a training flight from a military airfield. TASS said the crash was caused by an engine fire.

1:15 p.m.:

12:45 p.m.: Moscow's mayor said on Monday that military mobilization in the Russian capital was now complete while St. Petersburg sacked the official in charge there, the latest sign of problems with the unpopular and chaotic draft for the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin thanked Muscovites for their sense of patriotism and told departing soldiers in a blog post: "We will hope and pray that you return alive and healthy."

He said mustering points in the capital were closing on Monday afternoon and draft papers previously issued to men who had not yet reported for duty would no longer be valid. Opposition activists reacted skeptically on social media.

State-owned news agency RIA reported that St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov had sacked the official in charge of the call-up there, but it did not give a reason for his removal.

12:25 p.m.:

12:10 p.m.: Belarus is to host a total of 9,000 Russian troops and 170 tanks as part of a new joint Russian-Belarusian military force, The Associated Press reported.

Thats according to Belarusian defense ministry officials Monday.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced the formation of the new force last week. He said it was being created in response to Ukraine plotting an attack on its ex-Soviet neighbor in the north. Lukashenko didnt provide any evidence to back up his claim.

Moscow has used Belarus as a staging ground for its full-scale invasion and regular rocket attacks, but Belarusian troops have not been directly involved in Russias war effort in Ukraine.

Lukashenkos statements stoked fears that the joint force would attack Ukraine from the north, aiming to disrupt corridors used to transport Western-supplied weapons across the country.

Belarusian military officials, however, insisted that the force was being created for defensive purposes only.

As Russian soldiers were deploying in Belarus, Belarusian authorities arrested at least four activists they accused of plotting terrorist attacks to sabotage the operation.

11:50 a.m.:

11:35 a.m.: The United States and Britain will further their cooperation on sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine as well as on other targets, top financial officials for the two allied nations said in a joint statement on Monday, Reuters reported.

"Over time, we expect to realize the benefits of our collaboration not only in relation to the sanctions imposed in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine, but also across other common sanctions regimes," Andrea Gacki, the head of the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, and Giles Thomson, the head of Britain's Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, wrote.



11:20 a.m.:

11:05 a.m.: A top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is blaming Iran for the death of Ukrainians in Russian drone strikes, The Associated Press reported.

Mikhailo Podolyak also warned that sanctions may not be enough to deter Tehran from supplying Moscows forces with the deadly suicide drones that killed at least four civilians in Kyiv on Monday.

A country that oppresses its own people is now giving (Russian) monsters weapons for mass murders in the heart of Europe, Mikhailo Podolyak tweeted.

He said there could be no concessions to totalitarianism.

Podolyak also called for the Group of 20 leading rich and developing nations to expel Russia from the organization.

10:55 a.m.:





10:40 a.m.: European Union countries generally agree that sanctions should be imposed on Iran if investigation proves the country provided Russia with drones used in attacks in Ukraine, the Polish foreign minister said on Monday after meeting his counterparts in Brussels, according to Reuters.

Earlier Monday, the EUs top diplomat said the bloc is seeking concrete evidence for any Iranian involvement in Russia's war on Ukraine.

"We will look for concrete evidence about the participation (of Iran in the Ukraine war)," Josep Borrell told reporters as he arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, adding Ukraine's Dmytro Kuleba would take part in the gathering.

Ukraine has reported a spate of Russian attacks with Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks. Iran denies supplying the drones to Russia, while the Kremlin has not commented.

10:25 a.m.:

10:10 a.m.: Elena Mazur rushed to the blast site of a Russian drone attack in Kyiv on Monday when she received a phone call from her mother saying she was trapped under the wreckage of a residential building, Reuters reported.

"Please find someone to help me urgently! I'm buried under the rubble," Mazur, 52, cited her mother as saying as Mazur later stood near a ruined building where rescuers were digging.

She was still looking for her mother.

"We asked, we were told someone was taken to hospital, it might have been her but we do not know. She is not picking up the phone," Mazur said.

Hours earlier, residents of several Ukrainian cities had scrambled for cover for the second time in a week as Russia launched attacks with drones and missiles, striking residential areas and energy infrastructure.

Four people, including a woman who was six months pregnant and her partner, were killed when a "kamikaze" drone hit a block of flats on the edge of Kyiv's central Shevchenkivskyi district, the city mayor said.

9:50 a.m.:

9:35 a.m.: Ukraines capital is reeling from a Russian barrage of suicide drones packed with explosives, which killed at least three people, The Associated Press reported.

The blasts set fire to Kyiv buildings and sent people scurrying to air raid shelters. Some tried to shoot down the kamikazes.

One of the drones slammed into a residential building, killing three people, according to the deputy head of the Ukrainian presidents office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko.

Energy facilities were also targeted as Moscow tries to disrupt Ukraines heating supply as winter approaches.

The Russian military said they used long-range air and sea-based high precision weapons to strike Ukraines military and energy facilities.

The attack came a week after Russia unleashed its most widespread strikes against the country in months and as Moscow struggles to halt a Ukrainian battlefield counteroffensive.

Kyivs daily life soon resumed in a city that has become grimly accustomed to attacks.

9:25 a.m.:

9:10 a.m.: President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has set Russia on a path towards turmoil that could unseat the Kremlin chief, trigger civil war or even break the country apart, said a Russian diplomat who resigned over the war, Reuters reported.

Boris Bondarev, a counsellor at Russia's permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva, resigned in May because he felt the war had shown just how repressive and warped his homeland had become.

In a 6,500 word critique of Putin's Russia, Bondarev said the state was infested by sycophantic "yes men" who repeated the Kremlin's line, allowing Putin to make crucial decisions in an echo chamber of his own propaganda.

The future could be laced with chaos, he said.

"If Putin is kicked out of office, Russias future will be deeply uncertain," Bondarev, who worked at the foreign ministry from 2002 to 2022, said in an essay in Foreign Affairs.



8:50 a.m.:

8:40 a.m.: The European Union on Monday approved a military training mission in Europe for thousands of Ukrainian troops and a plan to provide around 500 million euros ($486 million) in extra funds to help buy weapons for the war-torn country, The Associated Press reported.

The mission, which will have a headquarters in Brussels and be under the command of French naval officer Vice Adm. Herve Blejean, will initially run for two years with a budget of almost 107 million euros ($104 million).

EU headquarters said in a statement that the missions aim is to allow the Ukrainian armed forces to effectively conduct military operations, so that Ukraine can defend its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, effectively exercise its sovereignty and protect civilians.

It said that the EU will provide individual, collective and specialized training. Countries that arent part of the bloc will be allowed to take part in the training effort. The aim initially is to train about 15,000 Ukrainian troops, chiefly in Poland and Germany.

Its hoped that the mission will be up and running by mid-November.

Several EU and NATO nations are already training Ukraines armed forces on a bilateral basis. Asked what added value the Brussels-headquartered mission would bring, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday that hes strongly convinced that putting together the capacities of the European armies we can offer a much better product.



8:20 a.m.: Tajik authorities are investigating media reports that say at least two Tajik nationals were involved in a shooting spree at a military training base in Russia over the weekend that left at least 11 Russian men dead and at least 15 wounded, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

The Tajik Interior Ministry told RFE/RL in a written statement on October 17 that "Tajikistan's embassy in Moscow is trying to clarify whether or not Tajik citizens were involved in the deadly shooting."

Meanwhile, relatives of a 24-year-old Tajik man, Ehson Aminzoda, told RFE/RL that Russian authorities had identified him as one of the men who opened fire on October 15 during military training near the Russian city of Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine.

Ehson Aminzoda's older brother, Firuz, who resides and works in Moscow, told RFE/RL on October 17 that Russian authorities had informed him that his brother was identified as one of the shooters.



8:05 a.m.:

7:50 a.m.: The U.S. embassy in Kyiv condemned Russian attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Monday and said the United States stood with the Ukrainian people, Reuters reported.

"More desperate and reprehensible Russian attacks this morning against civilians and civilian infrastructure. We admire the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people. We will stand with you for as long as it takes," the embassy wrote on Twitter.

7:35 a.m.:

7:15 a.m.: Germany will end a program aimed at helping Ukrainian refugees exchange their hryvnia currency into euros on October 30, Reuters reported, citing a joint statement from the finance ministry and the central bank.

The move has been agreed with Ukraine's central bank, they said on Monday. Brisk demand has diminished considerably, and only very few transactions have been carried out recently, according to the statement.

7:05 a.m.: NATO on Monday began its long-planned annual nuclear exercises in northwestern Europe, as tensions simmer over the war in Ukraine and President Vladimir Putins threat to use any means to defend Russian territory, The Associated Press reported.



Fourteen of NATOs 30 member countries were due to take part in the exercises, dubbed Steadfast Noon, which the military alliance said would involve around 60 aircraft including fighter jets and surveillance and refueling planes, and will run until October 30.



The exercises involve fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads, but do not involve any live bombs.



The bulk of the war games will be held at least 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) from Russias borders. The exercises were planned before Putin ordered Russian troops into Ukraine in February. Russia usually holds its own annual maneuvers around the same time, and NATO is expecting Moscow to exercise its nuclear forces sometime this month.



6:55 a.m.: NATO said Monday that Neptune Strike is underway and described it as a multi-domain exercise, organized and conducted by Naval Striking and Support Forces. The exercise is being conducted between October 14-28 in the Mediterranean Sea. This is in addition to NATOs annual nuclear exercise, Steadfast Noon, which began Monday in northwestern Europe and will continue until October 30.



6:40 a.m.: At least six people were killed by Russian attacks on the capital and the eastern region of Sumy, Ukraine officials said Monday, after dozens of drones were launched at Kyiv, Agence France-Presse reported.



"As of now, the number of people killed as a result of a kamikaze drone attack on a residential building has increased to three. Nineteen people have been rescued. [Rescue] work is ongoing," the deputy head of the presidency, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said on social media.



In the eastern region of Sumy, the regional governor meanwhile said three people had been killed and several more were injured.



"At 5:20 [0220 GMT] in the morning, three Russian rockets hit a facility of civil infrastructure. At least three people died. Nine are injured. There are still people under the rubble," Sumy regional governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky said on social media.



Prime Minister Denys Shmygal earlier said Russian strikes had hit energy facilities in Sumy and the central Dnipropetrovsk region, where, according to the presidency, attacks had left some people killed and injured.



6:25 a.m.: Ukraines agriculture ministry data showed on Monday that Ukrainian grain exports in the first 17 days of October were just 2.4% lower than in the same period of 2021 despite the closure of several seaports and the Russian invasion, Reuters reported.



The country's grain exports have slumped since February as the war closed off Ukraine's Black Sea ports, driving up global food prices and prompting fears of shortages in Africa and the Middle East.



Three Black Sea ports were unblocked at the end of July under a deal between Moscow and Kyiv, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.



The ministry's data showed that Ukraine has exported 2.12 million tons of grain, mostly corn and wheat, so far in October, versus 2.17 million tons in the same period of October 2021.



The data also showed that Ukraine has exported a total of 10.8 million tons of grain so far in the 2022/23 July-June season compared with 16.5 million in the same period of 2021/22.



This season's volume includes 3.99 million tons of wheat, 5.88 million tons of corn and 896,000 tons of barley.



6:10 a.m.: Russian kamikaze drones hit tanks with sunflower oil at one of the terminals in the Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv late on Sunday, the city mayor said on Monday.



One of Ukraine's largest ports, Mykolaiv halted shipments at the start of the Russian invasion, but Ukraine is pushing to open the port to expand shipments of food under a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.



"In Mykolaiv, three drones hit an object of industrial infrastructure, where tanks with sunflower oil were ignited," Mykolaiv mayor Oleksandr Senkevich.

6 a.m.: Russia's defense ministry said on Monday it had carried out a large-scale attack on military targets and energy infrastructure across Ukraine using high-precision weapons, Reuters reported.

In its daily briefing the defense ministry said it had hit "all designated targets" in the latest bombardment of Ukrainian cities and also thwarted an attempt by Ukraine to breach its defenses in the southern Kherson region.

Several people were killed in Russian air attacks on Ukrainian cities on Monday, Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi said.

"During the day, Russia's armed forces continued to strike with high-precision long-range air and sea-based weapons at military command facilities and Ukraine's energy system. All designated objects were hit," the Russian defense ministry said.

Russia has escalated its missile strikes across Ukraine after an explosion hit a landmark bridge linking Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula earlier this month.

Following that blast, Russia unleashed its largest missile attacks since the start of the invasion, hitting targets in more than a dozen cities and regions across the country, and has launched several follow-up missile strikes in the days since.

5:30 a.m.: The new United Nations human rights chief, who took office on Monday as Russian drones struck the Ukrainian capital, said attacks on civilians in Ukraine had to stop.

"We have received reports from our colleagues on the ground about these drone attacks and it is absolutely important that...civilians are not targeted, this is very difficult in densely populated urban areas," Volker Turk of Austria, the new High Commissioner for Human Rights, said.

Respecting international human rights law and humanitarian law was "absolutely critical, so the big call is to de-escalate," he told reporters.

A new wave of Russian drone attacks hit Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Monday, causing people to scramble for cover during the morning rush hour for the second successive week.

Turk, a U.N. veteran who had been a senior aide to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, succeeded Chile's Michelle Bachelet, whose term ended on August 31.

5 a.m.: Ukraine's air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said on Monday that they have destroyed 37 Russian drones since Sunday evening, around 85-86% of the number involved in attacks, Reuters reported.

"That's quite a good result for the work of our air defenses and that number will rise in the future," he told a news briefing, adding that all the drones had flown into Ukraine from the south.

4:30 a.m.: Iran said on Monday that it had not provided Russia with drones to use in Ukraine, Reuters reported.

"The published news about Iran providing Russia with drones has political ambitions and it's circulated by western sources. We have not provided weaponry to any side of the countries at war," said Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani during a weekly press conference.

4:15 a.m.: Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said after a new wave of Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian cities on Monday that Russia should be expelled from the Group of 20 major economies and other international groups.

"Those who give orders to attack critical infrastructure to freeze civilians and organize total mobilization to cover the frontline with corpses, cannot sit at the same table with leaders of G20 for sure. Time to put an end to Russian hypocrisy. The Russian Federation must be expelled from all platforms," he wrote on Twitter.

4 a.m.: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Russia had launched a barrage of drone and missile attack across his country but that the attacks would not "break" Ukrainians, Agence France-Presse reported.

"All night and all morning, the enemy terrorizes the civilian population. Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine. The enemy can attack our cities, but it won't be able to break us," he said.

He confirmed a residential building in Kyiv had been hit, after the mayor of the capital said two people had been trapped under the rubble.

3:30 a.m.: The European Union is seeking concrete evidence for any Iranian involvement in Russia's war on Ukraine, Reuters reported Monday, citing the bloc's top diplomat.

Ukraine has reported a spate of Russian attacks with Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks. Iran denies supplying the drones to Russia, while the Kremlin has not commented.

"We will look for concrete evidence about the participation (of Iran in the Ukraine war)," Josep Borrell told reporters as he arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, adding Ukraine's Dmytro Kuleba would take part in the gathering.

The EU could decide to move towards imposing new sanctions against Iran over the matter, according to two diplomats involved in preparing talks among the ministers, though no detailed decisions were expected on Monday.

Denmark's Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said the EU should react strongly to new air attacks on Kyiv where drones struck buildings near a central railway station during rush hours on Monday morning.

"What we can see now: Iranian drones are used apparently to attack in the middle of Kyiv, this is an atrocity," Kofod said, saying the EU had to take "concrete steps" in response to that, as well as Tehran cracking down on protesters at home.

3:15 a.m.: Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was disconnected from the national power grid on Monday following Russian shelling, prompting backup diesel generators to kick in, state nuclear energy firm Energoatom said.

"Russian terrorists once again shelled critical infrastructure substations in Ukraine-controlled territory, resulting in the shutdown of the last 750 kV ZNPP-Dniprovska communications line at 03:59," it said in a statement.

Russian forces have occupied the plant in southern Ukraine, Europe's largest, since shortly after invading Ukraine nearly eight months ago but it is operated by Ukrainian staff.

3 a.m.: Ukrainian army spokesman Oleksandr Shtupun said that Russians have begun the evacuation of "state institutions" from the Kherson region to Crimea, according to The Associated Press.

He added that due to the mobilization of medical workers, civilians are being denied medical care in the Belgorod region.

Shtupun said the Ukrainian army carried out 20 strikes over the past day.

"Seventeen areas of concentration of weapons and military equipment, as well as four positions of the enemy's anti-aircraft missile systems, were confirmed to have been hit", he said.

2:25 a.m.: Multiple explosions hit Ukraine's capital Monday, with the head of the Ukrainian president's office saying Russian forces had attacked using Iranian-made drones.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klichko said blasts took place in the central Shevchenko district, the same area where Russian missiles struck last week as part of widespread airstrikes across the country.

Klichko said Monday's attack damaged several apartment blocks and sparked a fire in a non-residential building.

Andrii Yermak, the head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, attributed the attacks to so-called kamizake drones, a tactic Russia has used recently to crash drones into a target.

Last week's attacks interrupted a long stretch of relative quiet in Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said those strikes and the ones elsewhere were in retaliation for an attack on a key bridge linking Crimea to Russia.

1:45 a.m.: In response to the morning attacks on the city of Kyiv, Ukrainians are seeking shelter in basements and subway stations, according to multiple media reports. The targets of the attacks included the headquarters of Ukraine's national energy utility, Ukrainian officials said, according to The New York Times.

12:34 a.m.: Logistical issues faced by Russian forces in southern Ukraine have become more acute following damage to a key bridge to Crimea on October 8, a British intelligence update said on Monday.

"With the Russian presence in Kherson strained, and the supply routes through Crimea degraded, the ground line of communication through Zaporizhzhia Oblast is becoming more important to the sustainability of Russias occupation," the U.K. Ministry of Defense tweeted in a regular bulletin.

Russian forces in southern Ukraine are likely increasing logistical supply flow via Mariupol in an attempt to compensate for the reduced capacity of the bridge, the update said.

12:05 a.m.: Daniel Boffey, The Guardian's chief reporter, tweeted about three Kamikaze drone strikes in Kyiv.

12:05 a.m.: Pope Francis said the need to reform the United Nations was "more than obvious" after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war exposed its limits, in an extract of his new book published Sunday, according to Agence France-Presse.

The Argentine pontiff said Russia's February invasion of Ukraine highlighted the need to ensure the current multilateral structure  especially the U.N. Security Council  finds "more agile and effective ways of resolving conflicts."

"In wartime, it is essential to affirm that we need more multilateralism and a better multilateralism," but the U.N. is no longer fit for "new realities," he added in an extract published by La Stampa daily.

The organization was founded to prevent the horrors of two World Wars from happening again, but although the threat represented by those conflicts was still alive, "today's world is no longer the same," said Francis.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
A photograph of migrants found exposed, without clothing, along the border of Greece and Turkey last week shocked the world and is raising international concerns that the migrants and refugees are becoming the latest victims of a growing dispute between Turkey and Greece. From Istanbul, Dorian Jones reports both nations blame each other for the incident.
More than 600 people are now known to have perished in the worst floods in a decade in Nigeria, according to a new toll released Sunday.

The disaster had also forced more than 1.3 million from their homes, said a statement by Nigeria's ministry of humanitarian affairs, released on Twitter.

Unfortunately, over 603 lives have been lost as of today October 16, 2022," Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq said.

The previous toll from last week stood at 500, but the numbers had risen in part because some state governments had not prepared for the floods, the minister said.

The flooding also destroyed more than 82,000 houses and nearly 110,000 hectares (272,000 acres) of farmland, said Umar Farouq.

While the rainy season usually begins around June, the rainfall had been particularly heavy since August, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

In 2012, 363 people died and more than 2.1 million were displaced by flooding.

Sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change and many of its economies are already struggling from ripple effects of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Rice producers have warned that the devastating floods could impact prices in the country of some 200 million people where rice imports are banned to stimulate local production.

The World Food Program and the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization said last month that Nigeria was among six countries facing a high risk of catastrophic levels of hunger.
Nigeria's defense chief defended the destruction of a seized ship that was smuggling stolen oil, saying no investigation was needed. Critics say the military's burning of the ship last week destroyed vital evidence and accused the military of a cover-up.

Nigeria's chief of defense staff, General Lucky Irabor, spoke after last Friday's national security meeting with the president.

Irabor said the swift response of security operatives followed the rules of engagement and that they didn't need to carry out any investigation because the ship was caught in the act.

Security operatives last week seized and burned an 87-meter-long vessel allegedly carrying 650,000 liters of crude oil in southern Delta state. The vessel had seven crew members aboard.

The bust was one of the biggest in recent weeks led by a former Delta state militant, Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo. Nigerian authorities in August awarded him a multi-billion-dollar surveillance contract in a desperate bid to address rampant oil theft.

On Sunday, popular human rights lawyer Femi Falana called for the removal of the defense chief. Human rights lawyer Marshall Abubakar said he agrees and said the burning of the ship is highly suspicious.

"Why the hurry in destroying this vessel? Abubakar said. There have been allegations that the menace of oil theft is being perpetrated by persons in authority. The hurried destruction lays credence to that particular allegation."

Experts say Nigeria has been losing thousands of barrels and millions of dollars every day to crude oil theft.

The ex-militant's company has so far uncovered 58 instances of oil being siphoned from pipelines, including one connected to Nigeria's major export line where oil was tapped unnoticed for nine years.

Tompolo has also alleged that security operatives, oil companies and local residents usually collude to steal oil. Last week, lawmakers promised to investigate the matter and make public their findings.

Abuja-based lawyer and economist Eze Onyekpere said the burning of the ship will make any investigation more difficult.

"When you apprehend an offender, you'll need evidence to be able to prove before a court of law that such a person committed the offense in question, Onyekpere said. The vessel on which the crude oil is being carried is one of those pieces of evidence that you'll need to bring before a court of law."

Abubakar also worries about environmental damage.

"The destruction of this vessel in open space without appropriate paraphernalia to protect the ozone layer is an injustice the struggles and environmental rights of the Niger Delta people, Abubakar said.

Critics are waiting for answers and monitoring what authorities do next.
A Russian warplane has crashed into a residential area in the Russian port city of Yeysk, causing a massive fire at an apartment building and killing four people.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the plane was on a training mission Monday when one of its engines caught fire. The plane's crew safely ejected before the crash.

Local authorities said the plane crash ignited a massive fire that engulfed several floors of a nine-story apartment building in Yeysk, on the Sea of Azov. In addition to the four dead, six people were missing and 25 others were injured, officials said.

Several hours after the crash, Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said emergency services had contained the fire.

Yeysk, with a population of 90,000, is in southwestern Russia near the border with Ukraine and is home to a large Russian air base.

The Defense Ministry said the plane was a Su-34 bomber, a supersonic twin-engine plane that Russia has been using during its war in Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin was informed of the crash and ordered government officials to provide all necessary help, the Kremlin said.

Reuters news agency reports that Russia's state Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case and sent investigators to the scene of the crash.

Some information in this report comes from The Associated Press and Reuters.


A Sweden Democrats official was suspended by the far-right party for making degrading comments about Jewish teenage diarist Anne Frank.

In an Instagram posting that has now been deleted, Rebecka Fallenkvist called Anne immoral among other things, according to Swedish media.

Anne, who wrote a diary while in hiding in Amsterdam before she was captured, died at age 15 in Nazi Germany's Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in February 1945.

The posting by Fallenkvist, a 26-year-old head of television programming for the Sweden Democrats, prompted strong reactions from Jewish groups and Israeli Ambassador Ziv Nevo Kulman, who in a tweet said: I strongly condemn this despicable insult, disrespectful of the memory of Anne Frank. His posting included what appeared to be a screen shot of Fallenkvists Instagram post.

The Sweden Democrats media director, Oskar Cavalli-Bjorkman, told the Swedish news agency TT late Saturday that the party would take Fallenkvists insensitive and inappropriate comments seriously and launch an internal investigation on the matter.

While it remained unclear what kind of point Fallenkvist wanted to make with her comments on Anne's diary, later she sent a text message to Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter saying she had been misinterpreted.

The book is a moving depiction of human good and evil," Fallenkvist said in her message to the newspaper. The good Anne, who in the first chapters is like any other young girl living her life in peace and finding an interest in boys (which I highlighted), is contrasted with the evil of Nazism. My story was aimed at the good and human in Anne while not playing down the evil to which she was subjected.

Sweden Democrats was founded in the 1980s by people who had been active in right-wing extremist groups, including neo-Nazis. The party emerged as Swedens second-largest party in the Sept. 11 election under the leadership of Jimmie Akesson.

On Friday, three Swedish center-right parties agreed to form a coalition government with the support of the Sweden Democrats that has moved toward mainstream politics but retains a hard line on immigration.
Ukraine announced Monday it had swapped more than 100 prisoners with Russia in what it said was the first all-female exchange with Moscow after nearly eight months of war.

"Another large-scale exchange of prisoners of war was carried out today ... we freed 108 women from captivity. It was the first all-female exchange," the Ukraine presidency's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said on social media.

In his daily address late Monday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, "Ninety-six [of the swapped prisoners] are servicewomen, including 37 evacuees from Azovstal, and 12 are civilians."

Zelensky thanked "all involved for this success ... the more Russian prisoners we have, the sooner we will be able to free our heroes."

The head of the breakaway region of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, Denis Pushilin, confirmed the exchange, saying that out of 110 people agreed in the swap, two people had decided to remain in Russia.

The Russian defense ministry said that 72 people returned from Ukraine were crew of civilian ships held by Ukraine since February.

It said all those returned would be flown to Moscow and provided with medical and psychological assistance.

Yermak said on the Ukraine side that some of the people exchanged were mothers and daughters who had been held together. Thirty-seven, he said, had surrendered at the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol.

Images released by Yermak showed dozens of women  some wearing coats and military fatigues  disembarking from white buses.

Mariupol, a port city on the Sea of Azov in southeastern Ukraine, withstood weeks of relentless Russian bombardment, with resistance concentrated in a dense network of underground tunnels at its Azovstal steel plant.


The war in Ukraine has provoked an economic crisis in Germany, which was heavily dependent on Russian energy. Not only are small businesses concerned about their survival, economists also say the crisis will force a redirection of the entire German economy. Jacob Russell has this report from Berlin
The United States is expanding its fight against al-Qaidas affiliate in Somalia, adding a new, expansive round of sanctions to drone strikes and military advice from U.S. forces on the ground.

The Treasury Department Monday unveiled sanctions targeting four senior al-Shabab leaders as well as five operatives, all said to be key players in a network charged with raising money, recruiting fighters and procuring weapons.

According to the U.S., the smuggling network took in money from a variety of sources, including non-governmental organizations, helping al-Shabab generate an estimated $100 million per year, helping to grow the terror groups size and capabilities.

A report earlier this year by the Mogadishu-based security think tank, the Hiraal Institute  subsequently affirmed by intelligence estimates shared by United Nations member states  indicates about a quarter of that money, or some $24 million, is spent on weapons alone.

Treasury named one of the key leaders as Abdullahi Jeeri, al-Shababs chief of weapons procurement.

Treasury said Jeeri has been active as recent as late last year, often getting weapons from local sellers and international suppliers based out of Yemen. U.S. officials also said Jeeri is responsible for collecting payments levied against various Somali businesses. The U.S. says Jeeri is a member of al-Shababs Shura (Consultative) Council, the groups second highest administrative body after the Tanfid (Executive) Council.

A former Al-Shabab official who defected from the group but could not be named for security reasons described Jeeri as the groups commander of logistics.

He controls all the weapons, sending them to the frontlines, storing them, he said, adding Jeeri is connected to weapons smugglers in the Horn of Africa.

Another sanctioned al-Shabab official, Khalif Adale, reportedly answers directly to the terror groups emir, Ahmed Diriye, and served as the point of contact for organizations forced to pay off the group.

Adale is one of the first Somali businessmen who openly joined the group early on. People who know him say that by using his business connections, he used to import uniforms, communications equipment and GPS devices for the group.

The U.S. Treasury also sanctioned Abdikarim Hussein Gagaale, a deputy finance official, and Hassan Afgoye, a key negotiator responsible for overseeing various racketeering efforts. Gagaale previously served as the groups military commander in the Hiran and Galgudud regions of central Somalia. He was also a top operational militant officer.

Afgoye previously served as head of the groups financial department, which resulted the United States putting a $5 million bounty on his head.

He is currently said to be head of financial investigation for al-Shabab, an office that accounts for how al-Shabab spends. The U.S. State Department calls him critical to the groups continuing operations.

Treasury is focused on identifying and disrupting al-Shababs illicit networks operating in Eastern Africa, Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.

We will continue to take action against the weapons smuggling and fundraising activities of al-Shabab and other al-Qaida affiliates, he added.

Horn of Africa regional analyst Matt Bryden says targeting al-Shababs finances is a significant strategy.

The most important thing about it is that it demonstrates that the United States government and presumably the Somali federal government are demonstrating a commitment to a whole-of-government approach to fighting al-Shabab, he said.

This is a clear sign that the battle against al-Shabab is no longer simply going to be fought militarily on the ground, but that it's going to involve attacks on al-Shabab financial networks.

Bryden said although the impact of the sanctions may not necessarily hurt al-Shabab members, its still a warning to those who are dealing with the group.

Obviously sanctioning people, members of al-Shabab who are in Somalia [who] don't have foreign bank accounts, don't travel, is not going to have an impact, but it's a very important international signal, and it's also a signal to Somali businesspeople and political people who actually do business with them, he said.

The U.S. sanctions follow recent moves by the Somali government to curtail al-Shababs fundraising and militant operations, part of what Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has described as an all-out war on the terror group.

This past Saturday, Somalias government warned businesses to stop paying off al-Shabab, saying there would be stiff penalties for anyone succumbing to the groups extortion efforts.

"Any merchant who obeys instructions issued by the terrorists, and pays them income, will never be allowed to do business in Somalia again," the ministry of commerce and industry said in a letter to traders.

Last week, the government in Mogadishu won support from neighboring Ethiopia to end a partial arms embargo on Somalia to allow its forces to better take on al-Shabab.

And the Somali government has also announced a crackdown against media outlets that publish information considered to be favorable to the terror group.

Somalias recent counteroffensive against al-Shabab has been making some gains, according to government officials who say that as of earlier this month they have retaken more than 40 localities from the group.

Those gains follow a U.S. decision this past May to deploy a few hundred troops to Somalia to help advise Somali forces in their fight against the terror group.

In addition, the U.S. has carried out a handful of airstrikes in support of Somali government forces over the past several months, with estimates suggesting dozens of al-Shabab fighters have been killed.

But despite the recent airstrikes, al-Shabab has since claimed some of those areas are back under its control. And recent intelligence estimates suggest al-Shabab is still a force to be reckoned with.

One assessment, shared in July by the United Nations terrorism monitoring team, said al-Shabab commands between 7,000 and 12,000 fighters, up considerably from earlier estimates.

Other assessments suggest al-Shabab has also become more influential within al-Qaida, due in part to its help funding core al-Qaida activities.

This past July, the outgoing commander of U.S. forces in Africa warned of an increasingly aggressive al-Shabab, saying in response to a question from VOA that a series of incursions by al-Shabab in Ethiopia were not a one-off.

It's only been less than a year ago that al-Shabab emir [Ahmed] Diriye called for an increased emphasis on external attacks and increased emphasis on attacking Western targets in the Horn of Africa, General Stephen Townsend said at the time. This is a response.

Ahmed Mohamed contributed to this report.
Suspected Zanu PF activists have attacked a Citizens Coalition for Change lawmaker and several members of the party in Zimbabwes Insiza District.

In a tweet, CCC spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, said, We have received a report that Hon Jasmine Toffa & a group of CCC members have been attacked by suspected Zanu PF thugs in Insiza. Their vehicles have been badly damaged. We condemn this escalation in political violence.

Weve received a report that the thugs are pouring sand into the vehicle engines. They have stolen Hon Toffas handbag, personal belongings, money & fuel coupons. Theyve smashed windscreens. Hon Toffa & others are badly injured.

Reports also indicate that some CCC councilors in Chitungwiza have been arrested.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they are investigating the political violence in Matobo.

Suspected Zanu PF supporters on Sunday attacked CCC lawmakers and several party members in Matobos Ward 2 ahead of the forthcoming council by-election. Some of them were badly injured.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has condemned what it calls the barbaric conduct of some ruling ZANU PF party supporters, who unleashed violence on opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party supporters in Matobo in Matabeleland South province.

In a statement, ZLHR said several CCC party supporters sustained injuries after they were assaulted and roughed up by some ZANU PF party supporters who they encountered while preparing for a local authority by-election for Ward 2 in Matobo in Matabeleland South province scheduled for 22 October.

ZLHR said, Some women were indecently abused, as they were forced to undress, by the ZANU PF party supporters. Several vehicles and houses were also damaged while some goods were reported to have been looted at a local shop and at a homestead.

ZLHR condemns this unacceptable, violent, inhuman, dehumanising and degrading treatment of people, which has no place in a civilised society. The deplorable acts of violence by supporters of ZANU PF party are extremely concerning considering that they are happening ahead of general elections scheduled for 2023.

ZLHR said violence has no place in an aspiring democracy and is a monumental threat to the peaceful co-existence of all Zimbabwean citizens and such acts by some misguided political party supporters threaten Zimbabwes democratic trajectory.

Tolerance towards people who hold differing political views and utmost respect for fundamental rights and freedoms of everyone by all members of society is key to achieving a thriving democracy.

It said Section 52(a) of the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to be free from all forms of violence while section 155 of the Constitution also prescribes that electoral processes must be free from violence and other electoral malpractices.

The acts of violence perpetrated by ZANU PF party supporters on CCC party members contravene these constitutional provisions and are a malicious disregard for fundamental rights and freedoms such as the right to life, the right to human dignity, the right to personal security, freedom of assembly and association and political rights.

In recent months and weeks, ZLHR said it also noted rising incidents of political violence across the country where opposition political party supporters were subjected to wanton violence.

This onslaught bears all the hallmarks of a pre-meditated attack, which is aimed at intimidating political contestants and their supporters and block them from accessing potential voters and constituents.

The ZLHR said the actions of ZANU PF party supporters flies in the face of contents of a report released during the United Nations Human Rights Councils 50th session by Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, who raised concerns about the violation and curtailment of freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression and asked government to take measures consistent with his recommendations produced through his country visit to Zimbabwe.

Sadly, the perpetration of violence by some ZANU PF supporters comes some few days after Zimbabwe recently joined the world to commemorate the International Day of Non-Violence, which is a global observance that promotes non-violence. The unprecedented levels of polarisation can only be addressed when there is political will from leaders of offending political parties, who must preach tolerance, diversity of political beliefs and thought and decisively dissuade their supporters from resorting to barbaric and stone-age tactics of settling perceived political differences.

To stem the culture of violence, ZLHR calls upon ZANU PF party supporters to shun political violence and all forms of intolerance towards members of different political parties and leaders and members of ZANU PF party to condemn and desist from all violent activities and to inculcate a culture of tolerance and non-violence in settling disputes.

The ZLHR also urged the Zimbabwe Republic Police to urgently and thoroughly investigate the acts of violence that took place in Matobo and all other incidences of political violence across the country and bring perpetrators of violence to account irrespective of their political party affiliation.

Meanwhile, suspected Zanu PF activists have attacked a Citizens Coalition for Change lawmaker and several members of the party in Zimbabwes Insiza District.

In a tweet, CCC spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, said, We have received a report that Hon Jasmine Toffa & a group of CCC members have been attacked by suspected Zanu PF thugs in Insiza. Their vehicles have been badly damaged. We condemn this escalation in political violence.

Weve received a report that the thugs are pouring sand into the vehicle engines. They have stolen Hon Toffas handbag, personal belongings, money & fuel coupons. Theyve smashed windscreens. Hon Toffa & others are badly injured.

Reports also indicate that some CCC councilors in Chitungwiza have been arrested.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they are investigating the matter.

In a tweet, he said both CCC and Zanu PF filed a complaint at Kezi Police Station claiming that its members were attacked.

Suspected Zanu PF supporters on Sunday attacked CCC lawmakers and several party members in Matobos Ward 2 ahead of the forthcoming council by-election. Some of them were badly injured.
Casino dell'Aurora goes under the hammer again after failing to sell at auction three times.

An historic Rome villa with the world's only known ceiling painting by Caravaggio is up for auction, on 18 October, for the fourth time in less than a year.

The new reserve for the Casino di Villa Boncompagni Ludovisi, also known as Villa Aurora, has been slashed a third time, after three previous court-ordered auctions failed to attract a single bid.

The villa's original asking price on 18 January was a colossal 471 million, reduced to 376 million on 30 April, and again on 30 June to 301 million.

When Casino dell'Aurora is put on the block on Tuesday, the base asking price will be 241 million, with a minimum opening bid of 180 million.

The auction will be once again be online, at 15.00, via a website that deals with bankruptcy property, ranging from apartments and second-hand cars to farmyard machinery and power tools.

In addition to its Caravaggio mural - an allegorical scene measuring 2.75 metres wide - the villa contains lavish frescoes by Guercino, works by Bril, Domenichino, Pomarancio and Viola, a staircase by architect Carlo Maderno, and a statue attributed to Michelangelo.

Caravaggio's ceiling mural at the Casino dell'Aurora features Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto.

The courts have stipulated that whoever purchases the property  protected by Italian cultural heritage laws  must spend a further 11 million on restoration costs.

Under Italian law, the state has a 60-day window to exercise its right of first refusal after a sale agreement to a private buyer.

However even with the newly reduced price the state may be unable to purchase the property or unwilling to set a precedent by doing so.

Why is the villa up for auction?

The sale is the result of a bitter inheritance battle following the death in 2018 of Prince Nicolo Boncompagni Ludovisi, whose family has owned the property near Via Veneto for the last 400 years.

The dispute is between the prince's three sons from his first marriage, and his third wife, the American-born Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi, 72, who spent much of the last two decades renovating the 2,800-sqm property with her late husband.

The prince's sons contested their father's will, which the princess says entitles her to live in Villa Aurora for the rest of her life and, that if sold, the proceeds would be split between her and her stepsons.

After the two sides failed to reach an agreement, the courts ordered that the 11-bedroom villa be put up for auction.

For insights into the property's rich history, in English, see the Archivio Digitale Boncompagni Ludovisi.
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The UK takeover regime isnt kind to private equity buyers. It got even tougher after Kraft Foods Inc.s bitter acquisition of rival confectioner Cadbury in 2010. But are its rules too restrictive? If the leveraged finance market bounces back, UK stocks should be a prime hunting ground for the private equity industry. Yet local M&A rules are often seen as a brake.

Blair Jacobson, co-head of European credit at Ares Management, told a Financial Times summit last week that everything in the UK is on sale and weak sterling was an advantage for US dollar-denominated funds. At the same time, he cautioned that negotiating the takeover regulators requirements could be difficult.

Its a common observation from the buyout industry. UK transactions are governed by a 433-page code that is enforced by the Takeover Panel. The slightest whiff of a possible bid, and the regulator forces the putative buyer to clarify their interest. After the disruptive four-month siege of Cadbury, a rule was introduced requiring bidders to formalize any offer within 28 days, unless the takeover target is happy with an extension.

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Above all, acquirers must have guaranteed funds  vouched for by their advisers  before making a formal offer.

A corporate buyer with ready cash, supportive banking relationships and the option of paying for a takeover using its shares wont be too phased by all this. But the rubric is a challenge for private equity given its reliance on hefty amounts of debt. If a deal leaks, the clock starts ticking and theres not much time to finish kicking the tires and secure funding. The argument is that the rules make buyout firms steer clear of riskier transactions to avoid the possibility of being seen to try and then fail.

Still, the UKs checks and balances look justified. Last years deals boom shows that the rules dont hinder takeovers: It culminated in the buyout of grocer Wm Morrison Supermarkets, the UKs largest in the more than a decade.

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Meanwhile, the saga in the US generated by billionaire Elon Musks bid for Twitter Inc. is a reminder of why the UKs focus on speed and certainty in deal-making is a good thing. Twitter shareholders and employees have suffered a rollercoaster ride. Ever since Musks deal was struck on April 25, the market has been nervy about the financing. That doesnt happen in the UK given the regulatory requirement for funding to be 100% in the bag, even if the bid targets board would happily sign a deal with wishy-washy financing commitments.

Musks attempts to back out of his Twitter offer triggered potentially protracted litigation. While it seems equally hard to reverse a deal on both sides of the Atlantic, the decision process would take less time to conclude under the UKs regulated approach. Put simply, the UK rules maximize the chances of a deal completing at the announced price as quickly as practicable.

London is an open market for deal-making. Listed firms cant do so-called poison pill defenses with the potential to frustrate bidders (like Twitter did). Where a private equity buyer is dangling a tempting price, the target company is highly unlikely to use the regulatory timetable to kill the transaction.

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If there are brakes on UK buyouts, they are less procedural and more political, like the governments national security veto. Private equity firms can get deals done if they pay up. Given the grief Morrison has caused the lenders lumbered with its debt, some might even wish the regime made buyouts a lot harder than it does.

Time wasters will get short shrift. But lowly valuations and a weak currency are a greater help for bidders than the UKs rules are a hindrance.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Chris Hughes is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering deals. Previously, he worked for Reuters Breakingviews, the Financial Times and the Independent newspaper.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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Elons gonna Elon. That was the view of one US official in the Washington Post, describing Elon Musks threat to cut financial support for his satellite communications service Starlink to Ukraine without more Pentagon aid. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight That Musk appears to have already changed his mind and will keep the funds flowing suggests theres something to this characterization. His erratic, mercurial online persona is impossible to separate from his businesses, as his frazzled stockholders know firsthand. At his level of wealth  around $200 billion  Musk may find all this thoroughly entertaining. If he keeps a diary, the entry for the last month might read something like: Tried and failed to get out of a $44 billion deal; annoyed governments with a peace plan for Russia and Taiwan; had a word with Kanye West about his anti-Semitic outburst.

But the Starlink-Ukraine episode has implications that should keep policymakers up at night. We are opening a wartime chapter in the Musk story with new risks to go with it. If I were a policymaker  I would be very concerned, says Richard Tedlow, author of Giants of Enterprise: Seven Business Innovators and the Empires They Built.

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Musk and his rivals are involved in a billionaires space race that combines the dream of a common good with the reality of geopolitics. Musks Starlink and Jeff Bezoss Project Kuiper want to launch swathes of low-orbiting satellites to bring more of the world online. Demand for faster and more powerful telecommunications wont just be from consumers but also from the military, as contracts show. Satellites have a Star Trek side and a Star Wars side.

Starlink has been a good-news story for both Musk and the US defense sector so far. Ukrainians need communications that the Russians cant jam, and Musk benefits from adopting the persona of a problem-solving savant. Despite his theatrics over an outlay of around $80 million, this is a rounding error for Musk but a big marketing boost for Starlink  and a strategic advantage to Ukraine and its allies.

But outsourcing critical tech to billionaires carries risks. Musks persona is unpredictable. His peace plans for Ukraine and Taiwan, perhaps reminiscent of the brittle convictions of Henry Fords Peace Ship a century ago, werent just water-cooler conversation but spilled over into negotiations and perception of Musks long-term reliability and that of his tech. One Ukrainian diplomat suggested Musk f**k off.

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The speed of disruption is also unnerving. European governments are clearly worried about ceding ground to the US. Even NASA has been wary of the Starlink revolution. Low-orbit satellites are potentially vulnerable to attacks or cyberattacks or collisions; we have seen how energy infrastructure has already been sabotaged in this war. This is new territory.

Governments should also be mindful of the risk of failure. Musk expects Starlink one day to bring in $50 billion in annual revenue. But this sector has produced plenty of failed ventures, such as the UKs OneWeb. Ukraines dependence on one man and one project might not be healthy in the long run.

Musk himself probably doesnt care about some of these worries. After Bloomberg News emailed him questions about his geopolitical positions, he responded When did Bloomberg News become worthless trash? He has made a product that people need, and if he has to burn some public bridges to get credit, so be it. His latest U-turn on Ukraine allows him to play yet again the role of entrepreneurial savior. It is, in a sense, more marketing for Starlink.

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Yet to others, Musks charismatic leadership style  showing a self-confidence that borders on arrogance, as Keith Grint, author of The Arts of Leadership puts it  is now a clear warning. It will encourage the European Union in its plans for more sovereignty in the realm of telecommunications, says Sebastien Moranta of the European Space Policy Institute, such as via the proposal to merge OneWeb with Eutelsat Communications SA. And it will keep the Pentagon assessing options with other firms.

Its impossible to know what goes on in the mind of the worlds richest person. But just as Henry Ford had to adjust to the business of war after failing in his own peace plan, Musk may find Elons gonna Elon has reached its limits.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:



The European Way of Life Isnt Looking Too Sweet: Lionel Laurent

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Elon Gets Three Weeks to Change His Mind: Matt Levine



Ukraines Wins Make Russian War More Dangerous: James Stavridis

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Lionel Laurent is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering digital currencies, the European Union and France. Previously, he was a reporter for Reuters and Forbes.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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Russias efforts to use natural-gas exports as a geopolitical weapon present Europe with a challenge: When faced with such a clear and present threat, can it muster the solidarity required of a true union? Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Policymakers might be coalescing around what they see as an adequate plan. They should be more ambitious: Europe needs a permanent solution to its chronic coordination failures.

Not since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 has Europe had such an opportunity to demonstrate its cohesion. Vladimir Putins energy cutoff  intended to punish opposition to his invasion of Ukraine  is a classic external shock that will affect countries differently according to their dependence on Russian gas supplies, with both Germany and Italy among the hardest hit. To mitigate the impact of rising prices, help the most vulnerable get through the winter and speed the transition to other energy sources, public spending on the scale of hundreds of billions of euros is justified.

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In a fully integrated union, the fiscal response would be largely automatic. Support would immediately flow to the hardest-hit areas, initially through direct aid and later through income-tax relief and credits for both businesses and households. This is the kind of burden-sharing required for governments to share a currency. Without it, some could end up with debts that would be too much to bear.

Not so in the EU. Just as in other crises, its 27 member states have been struggling to mount an ad hoc response to the gas shortage, divided by everything from domestic politics to the physical structure of the energy network. Some countries, including France, Italy and Spain, pushed for price caps that they hoped would reduce the cost of their own liquified natural gas imports. Germany, for its part, unilaterally announced a 200 billion ($195 billion) price-mitigation program. Markets reacted to the dissonance by increasing borrowing costs for Italy, where the governments already heavy debt burden would make additional spending particularly fraught.

Fortunately, Europes leaders may be headed toward some form of cooperation. According to Bloomberg News, Germany may be open to providing EU loans to struggling governments, funded by jointly issued debt. This could somewhat lower borrowing costs for the likes of Italy. But it would fall short of the pandemic recovery fund, which was hailed as a breakthrough for including some grants along with loans  and far short of the kind of fiscal burden-sharing required to ensure the currency unions longer-term viability.

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Such half-measures leave Europe unprepared for further challenges and gradually slipping toward another debt crisis. No doubt, efforts to expand risk-sharing face strong political headwinds in individual countries. But at the very least, the EU should be able to establish a permanent fund to provide both loans and grants in emergencies  with clear procedures on its use, so that EU members neednt negotiate a new program every time a crisis arises.

Ultimately, whats needed is a central fiscal authority, with its own revenue source and the power to spend when needed to mitigate asymmetric shocks. If neither the pandemic nor a hybrid war with Russia can bring the EU to even consider such a possibility, its hard to imagine what will. The longer Europe waits, the greater the chance that its experiment in unification will fail.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Putin Helps Forge European Unity on Energy Aid: Lionel Laurent

 Nord Stream Shows Deep Sea Is a Battleground: James Stavridis

 Putin Has Never Cared About Red Lines: Leonid Bershidsky

The Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board.

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Its the time of year when US public health officials are practically begging people to go out and get a flu vaccine. This year, their message is particularly urgent: Protect yourself now because the country might be in for a bad flu season that coincides with a resurgence in Covid cases.

Last week, I took their advice and got my shot (and my Covid booster at the same time). But Im likely to be in the minority. A recent survey by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases gauging flu vaccine attitudes in the US found that just 49% of Americans planned to get immunized this year. When people were asked why they were skipping out on the shot, 41% said they didnt think flu vaccines worked very well.

Maybe its time for better vaccines, then. Flu vaccines that offer better, broader and longer-lasting protection might meaningfully bump up the vaccination rate and, in turn, significantly lower the burden of the virus.

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The current vaccines still have merit. Even in a year where effectiveness of the shot is low, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention credits flu vaccines with avoiding millions of illnesses and doctors visits, averting tens of thousands of hospitalizations, and saving thousands of lives.

Still, the flu vaccines effectiveness is notoriously uneven from year to year. (Effectiveness measures how well the shots can prevent a doctors visit, hospitalization, or death.) Because of the lengthy manufacturing process, public health authorities have to make a call on the composition of the vaccine months before people start rolling up their sleeves. The Food and Drug Administration, for example, picked the strains included in this years vaccine back in early March. That means some years the predictions of which viruses will circulate are better than others. The range of protection spans anywhere from over 60% to below 20%.

If that effectiveness were more reliably high, maybe more people would be motivated to get their shots. The good news is that after a decades-long struggle to improve the flu vaccine, followed by delays in clinical trials during the pandemic, the next few years could bring more options.

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Progress will likely come in waves, initially with seasonal vaccines that align better with circulating flu viruses. Eventually, if all goes well, we might see so-called universal vaccines.

That potential first wave of better seasonal vaccines relies on the mRNA technology that brought us our Covid vaccines and boosters. Development of these vaccines began well before the pandemic. Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech both are working on shots that carry recipes for building four versions of a flu protein called hemagglutinin  one for each strain included in the traditional flu vaccine.

The advantage of mRNA is speed. Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech need less time to design, manufacture and distribute an mRNA flu vaccine than to produce the traditional version. In theory, this means they can make a more accurate choice about the composition of the annual shot, resulting in a more consistently effective vaccine.

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Of course, both companies still need to show how well their mRNA vaccines stack up against conventional flu vaccines. Thats an open question. Both companies recently started large, late-stage studies of flu shots.

Both are also already pursuing next-generation mRNA flu vaccines that might improve upon this first round. Moderna, for example, is working on shots that include the recipe for two flu proteins. And Pfizer has said that it is exploring the potential of a self-copying mRNA technology that, as Ive explained in the past, could allow for much smaller doses and is easier to store and distribute.

The more distant wave that many researchers hope would be a game changer in flu is the arrival of universal vaccines. That term universal has become a catchall for a lot of different types of vaccines, including ones that could protect against all strains of a particular subtype (say, every variation on H1N1); ones that protect against all strains of a particular flu (say, influenza A, which is responsible for the majority of infections); and shots that could protect against all past, current and future strains of all types of flu (a much harder problem).

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Because these vaccines would in theory work against whatever types of flu ended up in circulation, they wouldnt need to be updated from year to year. That could make them less expensive to manufacture, and some researchers hope they might even open the door to less frequent vaccination. Unfortunately, these universal vaccines are also in the earliest stages of testing.

If any of these new generations of flu vaccines turns out to work, hopefully people let go of their excuses and line up for one. For now, with CDC data showing flu cases in the US are already ticking upward, everyone should consider getting the shots we already have. They might not be perfect, but they work well enough to save many lives.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Heres Who Really Needs the New Covid Booster: Faye Flam

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 Dont Cancel Your Colonoscopy Just Yet: Lisa Jarvis

 Enjoy the Social Security Bump Now. Youll Pay Later: Allison Schrager

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Lisa Jarvis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering biotech, health care and the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, she was executive editor of Chemical & Engineering News.

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In response to military setbacks in other parts of Ukraine, Russia used single-use drones to attack central Kyiv Oct. 17. The drones, according to Ukraine and the US, are supplied by Iran. 1. What are the drones? Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Named the Shahed-136, theyre sometimes called kamikaze drones because they arent designed to survive their mission. But they are really more guided missiles than airplanes, and all missiles are kamikazes. Because the Shahed-136s are fitted with swept wings and a propeller motor, they can loiter for hours before locking onto a target and striking. While new to the war in Ukraine, the Shahed comes from a family of slow, low-flying projectiles that have been around since the 1980s, upgraded primarily by the inclusion of commercial GPS systems available on Alibaba. The name can mean martyr in Persian.

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2. Is this the first use of Iranian drones in Ukraine?

No. According to the US, Russia took delivery of 1,000 drones from Iran at the end of August. The next month, the Russians started using them to attack the southern port city of Odesa. For months before that, the Ukrainians had been hammering Russian forces with the much smaller Switchblade 300, a portable, single-use, loitering drone made by the Virginia-based company AeroVironment Inc. Ukrainian forces have also used the reusable, armed Turkish Bayraktar drone, as well as commercially available drones improvised to drop explosives over a target.

3. Whats Irans role?

Iran says its not a party to Russias war in Ukraine and denies exporting any weapons for use there. Ukraine hasnt bought it, and has ejected Irans ambassador from the country. Remnants of the drones -- renamed Geran-2 (Germanium-2) by Russia -- have been found after being shot down.

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4. Whats the advantage of using the Shahed drones?

As Russia runs down its stockpile of precision-guided missiles and struggles to buy or make replacements while under sanctions, Irans drones offer an accurate, mid-range alternative. Several drones may be necessary to achieve a hit equivalent to a cruise missile, but because they are inexpensive they can be deployed cheaply in so-called swarms. Although they move relatively slowly, they fly low and can be hard for some air defense systems to locate and shoot down, especially when used in numbers. The air defense missiles often used to shoot them down cost far more. The launch systems for the drones can be mounted onto trucks and are therefore relatively mobile and hard to destroy on the ground.

5. How are the Russians using them?

When deployed against cities such as Kyiv and Odesa, the Shahed has a psychological impact on residents, spreading fear and disrupting daily activity. Theyve also been used at the front, with some Russian military bloggers publishing images of Ukrainian armored personnel carriers and artillery pieces they said were destroyed by the Shaheds, a scenario supported in a report by the Wall Street Journal. On pro-Russia online sites, theres been speculation that the drones could be used in swarms to destroy Ukrainian anti-aircraft batteries, giving Russia the air superiority it has lacked throughout the war. Those hopes arent so far being realized.

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6. Whats the defense against the drones?

They can be shot down using old-fashioned anti-aircraft cannons, as well as more sophisticated missile defenses, and the Ukrainians have brought down some of them. The difficulty, in a country larger than France, comes in deciding where to place limited stocks of air defenses. The Shahed can fly hundreds of kilometers. (Irans claim of a range in excess of 2,000 km, or 1,243 miles, is likely an exaggeration). Ukrainian officials have expressed interest in buying air defense systems from Israel, which has a near perfect record shooting down even more sophisticated Iranian drones. Israels provision of such equipment would risk upending relations with Russia. Russia, which continues to maintain a military presence in Syria, has turned a blind eye to Israeli attacks there. Those strikes target Iranian arms supplies to Hezbollah, the militant, anti-Israel Lebanese group.

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The midterms are coming, and with them, the pressure is building on President Joe Biden to let everyone know whether he is running in 2024. In a normal presidential election cycle, we would be about to hit the two-year mark in the invisible primary. Thats the period before voters get involved, in which candidates seek the support of key party players. That process usually begins immediately after the previous presidential election.

By the midterms, presidential campaigns start getting organized as candidates decide whether to run a full-on campaign or to drop out. Formal declarations may wait, but most serious candidates are in full election mode just a few months after the midterms, when the Iowa caucuses are still a full year away.(1)

2024 is different.

On the Democratic side, whats unusual is that there is an invisible primary at all. Parties with a first-term president normally get a respite from nomination jockeying. Not so for a party that elects a president who will be 82 by the start of his second term. For now, Biden is acting as if he will be running for a second term. The demands of governing make that the smart move whether he intends to seek re-election, plans to retire or just doesnt yet know.

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Amid this uncertainty, potential candidates including those who made a splash in 2020 as well as newcomers likely to run if the nomination is open are doing things to drum up attention. Generally, sitting vice presidents are leading contenders for open nominations, and Kamala Harris surely would be first in line  but no vice presidents have been nominated in the modern era without facing serious competition.

Once upon a time, presidential campaigns didnt begin this early. But that was when invisible campaigning  winning the support of party actors, often by talking with a small universe of people one-on-one  was the bulk of campaigning. Indeed, the conventional wisdom was once that early campaigning was a sign of weakness.

Beginning in 1972, changes to the nomination process that introduced the modern system of primaries and open caucuses made public campaigning necessary in order to accumulate delegates. When George McGovern captured the 1972 nomination by doing well in early primaries, and then when Jimmy Carter shocked the party by winning in 1976 after spending four years campaigning in Iowa and other early states, candidates learned the lesson that they couldnt begin too soon.(2)

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As president, it is in Bidens interest to hold off on announcing his intentions, especially if he doesnt intend to pursue a second term, to avoid governing as a lame-duck chief executive.

But as party leader, Biden has other responsibilities. If he isnt going to run in 2024, he needs to give Democrats time to sort through the candidates, push for their policy preferences and then coordinate with each other so that they back a candidate the entire party can accept while also making that candidate firmly commit to the partys agenda and priorities.

Consider, for example, the push for new federal day care programs. Thats a policy issue that has been simmering among Democrats for years. The presidential nomination cycle  if Biden doesnt run  is a big opportunity for those calling for more federal day-care funding. It isnt just that they will want to lock up support from all the candidates. They also ideally will want the candidates to agree on as strong a policy that they can get consensus on, while also moving day care up the list of party priorities. In doing so, they will have to compete against advocates for student loan reform, expanding health care and every other spending priority.

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Its also a question of which bills will move forward when the votes might only be there for some of them. Or which ideas will be stuffed into a must-pass omnibus bill and which will have to wait. Advocates want strong commitments from the candidates, and they want to nominate a candidate who leans their way.

But parties also want to reach agreement on a candidate, preferably early on, so that the nomination process resolves quickly and cleanly, and leaves everyone in the party reasonably satisfied even if their first choice doesnt win. If a party can settle on a candidate early on (as Democrats did with Al Gore in 2000 and Hillary Clinton in 2016) they can send clear signals to primary and caucus voters to support that candidate, which in turn will help that candidate win even if he or she faces a strong challenge for the nomination.(3)

The later that process begins, the harder it will be for the party to come to an agreement and the weaker the signal will be to voters in the primaries. That could lead to a factional candidate who owes nothing to most of the party. Or an unvetted newcomer who could turn out to be ill-equipped for a general election campaign  or for the presidency if elected. Or a media darling who might enjoy a burst of attention but burn out quickly after locking up the nomination. Or some combination of those unfortunate scenarios.

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There is no specific date by which Biden will have to make known his decision, but if he is going to retire he risks harming the party if he doesnt make that clear by early next year or spring at the latest. And although we might not see it in public, some pressure will start to build on him soon after the midterms.

Perhaps Biden really does intend to run in 2024. But if not, its getting close to the time for him to let people know.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:



Republicans May Yet Abandon Herschel Walker: Ramesh Ponnuru



Jan. 6 Panel Proves Again Trump Must Be Held Accountable: Timothy L. OBrien



Biden Should Govern With a Second Term in Mind: Jonathan Bernstein

(Corrects spelling of harming in 15th paragraph.)

(1) Or whatever the first event with voters will be in 2024; Democrats are considering changes in the calendar, with a real possibility that Iowa will lose its first-in-the-nation slot.

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(2) Whether its really true that candidates need to start very early isnt clear - but most politicians and campaign professionals believe that its true, which is what drives their behavior.

(3) They send those signals directly through endorsements, and indirectly by providing valuable resources - money, expertise, coverage in party-aligned media - that are valuable in primaries and caucuses. Party actors dont have a monopoly on those resources, but they have enough to give a candidate a very large advantage.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. A former professor of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio and DePauw University, he wrote A Plain Blog About Politics.

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Romanian hackers took over two-thirds of the Districts outdoor surveillance cameras just before President Trumps inauguration, according to a federal criminal complaint unsealed Thursday.

The January attack affected 123 of the D.C. police department's 187 outdoor surveillance cameras, leaving them unable to record for several days. Two Romanians, whom law enforcement officials describe as part of a bigger extortionist hacking group, are being charged in D.C. federal court with fraud and computer crimes.

This case was of the highest priority due to its impact on the Secret Services protective mission and its potential effect on the security plan for the 2017 Presidential Inauguration, Bill Miller, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, said in a statement.

Mihai Alexandru Isvanca, 25, and Eveline Cismaru, 28, were arrested in Romania earlier this month, along with three other Romanian hackers who will face prosecution in Europe. The U.S. charges, filed under seal on Dec. 11, were first reported by CNN.

Prosecutors plan to seek extradition for Isvanca and Cismaru soon, according to court filings. They both face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

On Jan. 12, D.C. police noticed several surveillance cameras were not functioning properly. Secret Service Agent Brian Kaiser was given access to the computers that operate the cameras, according to the court filing, and saw they had been taken over by non-police users. Those people were sending spam messages infected with ransomware to a long list of email addresses.

The city resolved the problem by taking the devices offline, removing all software and restarting the system at each site, a process that took about two days, according to police. From Jan. 12 to Jan. 15, none of the cameras were able to record video. No ransom was paid.

There is no evidence the disruption threatened or harmed anyones safety, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Ransomware is generally spread in email links or attachments and encrypts files or otherwise locks users out of their computers until they pay to regain access.

Its unclear whether the hackers knew they were infecting police computers. The Secret Service was able to see the computers accessing email addresses, according to the court papers, and those addresses led authorities to Isvanca and Cismaru.

Two people were arrested in London as part of the same investigation in February. A tracking number for a package that was displayed on one of the hacked police computers brought law enforcement to their address. But according to the affidavit, a forensic analysis of their devices revealed no connection to the crime. A British health-care company's IP address was used to create that online order; that company also reported being hacked.


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Eastern Shore crab processors welcomed the federal governments planned release of new visas to hire foreign guest workers, but they called it a one-year remedy that fails to address recurring labor shortages. Fast, informative and written just for locals. Get The 7 DMV newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. ArrowRight We need a long-term fix to survive, said Jack Brooks, one of the owners of J.M. Clayton Seafood Co. in Cambridge in Dorchester County and president of the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said last week that it plans to release 64,716 additional H-2B visas, allowing Maryland crab processing companies and other businesses across the country  such as landscapers and resorts  more access to the temporary workers from Mexico and other countries that they say they desperately need.

The additional 64,716 would be available in the federal fiscal year that began Oct. 1 and would be on top of the 66,000 visas that DHS can release annually.

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Well take that while we wait for a permanent fix, said Bryan Hall, co-owner of G.W. Hall and Sons in Fishing Creek in Dorchester County.

Its uncertain how many of the visas Maryland companies would get  there is often overwhelming demand  or when the workers would be available, according to Brooks and other company officials.

The workers, usually women, are used to help pick the crabmeat sold in restaurants and supermarkets. Around the country, such seasonal laborers are also coveted by hotels, restaurants, landscape companies and amusement parks that say they cant find enough domestic workers. Its good news in the fact that theyre doing it, sales manager Aubrey Vincent of Lindys Seafood in Woolford in Dorchester County said of the governments announcement. But we dont have any idea how theyre going to do it. Will they release half now and half in the spring? Spring is the largest demand for the program.

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DHS said in a news release last week that the visas would be available at the outset of the fiscal year and that it would be issuing a regulation about its plans. The Department of Homeland Security is moving with unprecedented speed to meet the needs of American businesses, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in the release.

It was uncertain precisely when the regulations would be issued, and the department did not immediately respond to information requests from the Baltimore Sun.

In the early 2000s, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland, a Democrat, intervened when Northern ski resorts and Florida landscapers were scooping up the visas before Maryland crab houses had a chance to apply. She championed a change that divided the annual 66,000-visa allowance into two semiannual allotments.

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But Eastern Shore processors have struggled to keep operating in recent years because the demand is so great that many have not been receiving their requested allotments. Before being granted visas, the guest worker program requires companies to establish that they could not find enough assistance in the United States.

In a typical year, as many as 10 Maryland crab plants enter a U.S. Department of Labor lottery in January that is used to parcel out the visas. The Eastern Shore plants say they collectively need 400 to 500 foreign workers, but often receive far fewer. The workers typically live in company-provided houses and take shifts cracking shells with tiny knives and piling the meat into plastic containers.

Brooks, whose company requests 85 to 90 workers, said its difficult to plan for the peak spring and summer season when his workforce must depend on another lottery ticket.

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Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin of Maryland said in a news release last week that they are working with congressional colleagues to develop a lasting solution that provides clearer, more certain rules of the road for our seafood businesses.

That could mean, Brooks said, that seafood workers would receive an exemption from visa caps, allowing the industry more year-to-year stability.

Crab companies also have pursued a more limited fix in which returning workers arent counted against the annual limits, meaning they would be grandfathered in.

The majority of processors have had the same staff for more than 20 years, Vincent said. Wed like to get the same people back.

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The Commanders have to run the ball and to play disruptive defense. And they often have to make a play or two in the final minute to seal things.
Hillary Clinton poses with Neera Tanden, center, president of the Center for American Progress, and the centers founder, John Podesta, in October 2013. Emails between Tanden and Podesta show frustration over Clintons email controversy. (Yuri Gripas /Reuters)

On the day the news broke that Hillary Clinton had used a private email account as secretary of state, the man who would soon be named to chair her presidential campaign fired off a note of distress, venting frustration about some of Clintons closest aides.

Speaking of transparency, our friends Kendall, Cheryl and Phillipe sure werent forthcoming on the facts here, John Podesta complained in the March 2015 note, referring to Clintons personal lawyer, David Kendall, as well as former State Department staffers Cheryl Mills and Philippe Reines.

Why didnt they get this stuff out like 18 months ago? So crazy, replied Neera Tanden, a longtime Podesta friend who also has worked for Clinton. Then, answering her own question, Tanden wrote again: I guess I know the answer. They wanted to get away with it.

The exchange, found in hacked emails from Podestas account and released Tuesday by the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, provides a striking window into how the revelation of Clintons email setup roiled her nascent campaign team in the weeks before its official April 2015 kickoff.

The Washington Posts John Wagner breaks down some of the consequences of the release by WikiLeaks of hacked emails from Hillary Clintons campaign. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

The emails show that while aides struggled to get past the public controversy, they also expressed exasperation at each other and, at times, at Clinton  both for her decision to use the server and for the way she handled questions about it. Several exchanges illustrate fears among some top advisers that Clinton and other aides were demonstrating the very traits that polls suggested made her vulnerable: a penchant for secrecy and a hesitancy to admit fault or error.

Weve taken on a lot of water that wont be easy to pump out of the boat, Podesta wrote to Tanden in September 2015, at a time when Clintons campaign feared that Vice President Biden was about to enter the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Most of that has to do with terrible decisions made pre-campaign, but a lot has to do with her instincts.

Tanden responded, Almost no one knows better [than] me that her instincts can be terrible.

Tanden and Kendall declined to comment. Neither Reines nor a lawyer for Mills responded to requests for comment.

Clintons campaign has largely declined to comment on the WikiLeaks emails, which U.S. officials say were stolen through hacks of Democratic groups and leaders orchestrated by the Russian government. Clinton aides have declined to authenticate the emails, noting that the Russians have been known to doctor documents, but they have not disputed any specific revelation from Podestas email trove.

Instead, Clinton spokesman Glen Caplin on Tuesday responded to questions about the internal campaign struggles revealed in the emails by attacking GOP nominee Donald Trump for his recent comments disputing U.S. government findings that the Kremlin was behind the hacks and for cheering on WikiLeaks Russian-directed propaganda.

Though the WikiLeaks disclosures have not contained the sort of campaign-shaking bombshell that some Trump backers had hoped for, the Podesta emails have provided an almost unprecedented historical archive of the inner workings of a major-party presidential campaign.

1 of 57 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail View Photos The Democratic presidential nominee hits the road after her partys national convention. Caption Hillary Clinton loses to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Nov. 9, 2016 Hillary Clinton speaks in New York while her husband, former president Bill Clinton, applauds. Melina Mara/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Some of the emails include private and contemporaneous assessments of the candidates strengths and weaknesses by advisers widely seen as likely to hold top posts in Clintons White House should she win.

They show that in August 2015, months after the New York Times revealed Clintons use of a private account and after the Associated Press identified her private server, Clintons aides were still struggling to persuade the candidate that she should show remorse for her email practices.

By that time, the FBI had opened an investigation into whether classified material had been mishandled through Clintons use of the server.

Some of the most frank commentary can be seen in exchanges between two friends and frequent correspondents: Podesta, a longtime Clinton hand who founded the powerhouse liberal think tank Center for American Progress, and Tanden, a former top aide to Clintons 2008 presidential run who now heads the center. Both are strong supporters of Clinton and her presidential bid. In another email released by WikiLeaks, Tanden referred to herself as a loyal soldier who would do whatever Hillary needs always. Their email exchanges often appear to have been written out of concern for Clintons best interests.

I know this email thing isnt on the level. Im fully aware of that, Tanden wrote in an August 2015 note to Podesta. But her inability to just do a national interview and communicate genuine feelings of remorse and regret is now, I fear, becoming a character problem (more so than honesty).

On Sept. 4, Clinton gave an interview to NBC Newss Andrea Mitchell, saying that she was sorry that this has been confusing to people but otherwise dodging questions about whether she apologized for her actions.

Tanden wrote later that day: Everyone wants her to apologize. And she should. Apologies are like her Achilles heel.

Three days later, Clinton had still not apologized, even as the issue dominated campaign news coverage. This apology thing has become like a pathology, Tanden wrote. I can only imagine whats happening in the campaign. Is there some way I can be helpful here?

Podesta replied: You should email her. She can say shes sorry without apologizing to the American people. Tell her to say it and move on, why get hung on this.

Finally, the next day, Clinton told ABC News that her use of the server had been a mistake. Im sorry about that. I take responsibility, she said.

The WikiLeaks disclosures reveal how, from the earliest days of the campaign, some advisers and staffers feared that Mills  who had served in the White House counsels office during the Republican investigations of the 1990s and then was Clintons chief of staff at the State Department  enabled Clintons tendencies to hunker down.

In her March 2015 exchange with Podesta about the email controversy, Tanden lay the blame squarely at Millss feet.

This is a cheryl special, Tanden wrote. Know you love her, but this stuff is like her Achilles heal. Or kryptonite. she just cant say no to this s---.

Mills has no formal relationship with the campaign but, the emails show, consults frequently about all major decisions. If Clinton wins, Mills could assume a significant role in the White House.

The emails show, at one point, similar skepticism of Mills from campaign manager Robbie Mook, the young operative Clinton appointed to build an operation that would avoid the personality clashes and internal dramas that plagued her 2008 presidential bid.

In February 2015, Mook complained to Podesta that Mills was going around him to vet campaign contractors. It is secretly going around a transparent system we all agreed upon, he wrote. The secret s--- has got to stop. Its a giant time suck.

The emails also show a fondness among Clintons staff for her strengths and genuine enthusiasm when she did well in interviews or other public appearances. After Clinton appeared on Face the Nation in September 2015, an ally wrote to Podesta to praise her appearance. Thought she was really good. Really good, he wrote, before adding: She sometimes laughs a little too hard at jokes that arent that funny. Other than that.

Podesta responded with humor: Laughing too hard, he wrote, is her authentic weirdness.

Read more:

Hacked emails show extent of foreign government donations to Clinton Foundation

WikiLeaks emails show Clinton campaign collected data to discredit Bill Clinton accuser

Hacked emails appear to reveal excerpts of speech transcripts Clinton refused to release
US film studio giant NBCUniversal will give the majority of its programs and films to pay TV and streaming company Foxtel as incumbent streaming partner Stan looks to alternative ways to acquire content from Hollywood for subscribers.

Multiple media sources, who spoke anonymously because the talks are confidential, said Foxtel is on the verge of securing a long-term deal for the majority of NBCUs programs, including content from Sky Studios, online streaming service Peacock and a back catalogue of programs such as Parks & Recreation and Brooklyn 99. The deal was being finalised and could be completed within the week, the sources said.

Gangs of London is one of several programs in NBCUniversals slate. Credit:Stan

Other media sources said Seven West Media is expected to pick up the free-to-air rights for some of the content slate, including reality TV content which typically runs on Hayu. Foxtel, Seven and NBCUniversal declined to comment.

Incumbent Stan, which has a contract that expires this year, was involved in talks to secure programming for its subscribers, but sources said the service and its parent company Nine Entertainment Co walked away several weeks ago over concerns of price and clauses that give NBCUniversal the power to terminate and launch its own service, Peacock, at any time. Nine, the owner of this masthead, declined to comment.
More than a hundred of the best-known clothing companies in Australia arent paying the workers who make their clothes enough money to afford the basics of human life on a living wage, despite the growing efforts from the fashion industry and consumers to make more ethical choices.

A new ethical fashion report that surveyed 120 companies operating in Australia found just one in 10 paid workers in some or all of their factories a living wage. Brands that scored a zero in the field included Industrie, Novo Shoes, Nine West, Wittner, Windsor Smith, Sheike and Shein. Companies making good progress towards living wages include Nobody Denim, and those making some progress include Kmart, Country Road, Cue and Nudie Jeans Co.

Whos paying factory workers a living wage? Of these three, only Mighty Good Basics (centre), according to a new report.

One of the reports co-authors, Baptist World Aid corporate advocacy lead Sarah Knop, said while companies showed some improvement in several areas of clothing production, for garment workers, earning a living wage has been a lifelong struggle we are failing to make progress on.

A living wage, which varies by region and is measured by a number of internationally recognised standards, covers what a worker needs for food, housing, healthcare and clothing, as well as some discretionary income. It is not a minimum wage, which Knop said can be as little as half of what a worker actually needs to survive.
This story is part of a series examining how billions of dollars are being rorted from Medicare each year. See all 24 stories .

Rorting Medicare has become so lucrative that courses teach doctors and health professionals how to milk the $28 billion taxpayer-funded billing system and cover their tracks.

Offering carefully worded courses and conferences, some operators market themselves as experts in educating health professionals on how to get the most out of the 5800 services eligible for a Medicare rebate.

Rorting Medicare has become so lucrative, there are courses that teach medical professionals how to milk the system. Credit:iStock

A joint investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and ABCs 7.30 has uncovered flaws in Medicares systems that make it easy to rort and almost impossible to detect fraud, incorrect payments and errors.

The investigation has also obtained access to teaching materials from an online course that offers doctors step-by-step guides on how to maximise returns and promotes the practices as legal and ethical.
Fauxs 30 per cent estimate has been corroborated by Dr Tony Webber, a GP and former head of Medicare watchdog the Professional Services Review. While running the regulator for six years until late 2011, he estimated misuse of Medicare was costing Australians up to $3 billion a year. Ive read [Fauxs] PhD, and Id have to agree with what shes said, he said. Webber said that he saw egregious misconduct from within his profession, including the ordering of pathology tests which were inappropriate for the clinical condition and had a huge impact on the health budget. And many of these private radiotherapy clinics are run by corporations, where their shareholders are overseas, he said. Medicare was never designed to both reimburse the doctor and an overseas shareholder. Margaret Faux estimates there is about $8 billion in annual leakage from Medicare. Credit:Janie Barrett When Webber raised his concerns with health ministers from both sides of politics, or the federal health department, he was shut down.

The administration of Medicare is a very political creature to work with, and it can be very difficult for change to occur, he said. If one side of politics decides to make a radical change, the other side of politics can use it to beat them over the head in an election. A report by the Australian National Audit Office into Medicare compliance released in November 2020 estimated the cost of health provider non-compliance at up to $2.2 billion. For comparison, that is about double the ABCs annual taxpayer funding. Foreign aid costs about $4.5 billion a year, the Royal Australian Air Force about $7.8 billion and the CSIRO about $1.4 billion.

Faux has warned the 2020 estimate grossly underestimates the problem. The inappropriate billing occurs in all areas of the health sector including GPs, surgeons, pathologists, anaesthetists, radiologists and dentists who use the child dental benefit scheme. She said the doctor busted in February for billing Medicare for dead people in government-funded aged care facilities for consultations of varying lengths was not an isolated case. Aged care facilities have some of the greatest vulnerabilities to Medicare fraud, she said. Billing dead people, billing for ward rounds that didnt happen or billing residents who are cognitively impaired and dont have a recollection of what was discussed make it an area of concern, she said. Hundreds of millions of Medicare claims are made each year  many of them are under $100  but the high-volume, low-dollar transactions make it easy for fraud to fly under the radar.

Faux believes wrongful claims are being applied to millions of billings. We removed consumers and took them out of the transaction, she said of changes to the administration of Medicare by doctors a few years ago. Patients used to sign a piece of paper, so we knew they were there, now they dont even do that, so you dont know how much is billed when you walk out the door, and few check their Medicare records. Her business, Synapse Medical Services, is paid by doctors, hospitals and corporate medical practices to process their Medicare bills. Faux said she constantly finds problems in client billing practices and even her own personal Medicare records, which include services she never had and services that were recorded as having taken longer than they did to attract a higher Medicare fee. A bulk-bill GP consult of less than 20 minutes is $39.75 and a bulk-bill GP consult that lasts at least 20 minutes is $76.95. The bottom line is we dont know exactly how much is fraud, deliberate abuse and how much is errors. Whether its deliberate or unintentional, it has to stop, she said.

As long as a practitioner stays within the bell curve, they are very unlikely to come to the attention of Medicare, and be audited, even if 100 per cent of their claims are fraudulent. Faux said the government tells Australians we have the best health system in the world. But unfortunately the reality is very different. Medicare is actually haemorrhaging. It is very badly broken and in need of urgent reform. Some of the biggest offenders are corporate health clinics including pathology chains and GP super clinics, as well as public hospitals where errors and fraud have largely been left unchecked. Documents obtained by the Herald, The Age and 7.30 show an online telehealth company was charging some patients fees of $38 or $50 and also bulk-billing them, which is illegal under the Health Insurance Act. Some records show the GP had overstated the length of the consultation, which attracts a higher rebate. Separately, Tweed Health for Everyone in northern NSW, one of the countrys largest super clinics, alleged to have claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars  and possibly more than $1 million  for services that werent performed or potentially shouldnt have been claimed.

Patients were allegedly misdiagnosed with diabetes for extra Medicare billings, patient records falsified and targets set for a certain number of monthly wound debridements, a procedure for treating a wound in the skin that attracts certain Medicare reimbursements of more than $250. A former co-founder, director and GP at the clinic, Dr Austin Sterne, said that in 2015 he first discovered questionable Medicare billing. To support his suspicions, he pulled out the CCTV footage in the waiting room and compared it to the clinics appointment book, patient records and billings. He even called some patients, who denied they had seen the practitioner. He informed the clinic, but they were reluctant to act. In one email he wrote: The CCTV footage shows that [a health practitioner] bills 40 mins for each consult but typically spends only 10-15 minutes with the patient. Typically, [the practitioner] is billing $800-$900 per day but only legally should be claiming approximately $250 per day. On Monday, she should have claimed $50 but claimed $656 instead! Dr Austin Sterne uncovered incidences of some medical practitioners billing more than they were owed. Credit:Elise Derwin Months later an investigation was launched and the practitioner resigned but continued to see some patients. Sterne said after getting legal advice, the clinic eventually informed Medicare that some billings had been claimed incorrectly but did not inform Medicare of the suspected fraudulent billing.

Sterne was also concerned about the way the clinic was claiming wound debridements, which didnt fit Medicare criteria to qualify for the payment. He said the practice was billing between $123,000 to $266,064 a year in wound debridements alone. The service was attractive for the GPs as the debridements paid $277 for only a couple of minutes of the GPs time, with a wound care specialist nurse doing the debridement itself, he said. At one point in 2016, the clinics then-CEO prepared a spreadsheet for the wound business saying the clinic should double the number of wound debridements to make the numbers more profitable for the business. The CEO said 80 of the procedures a month should become the target because we do not wish to reduce GP income. Sterne left in December 2017 after legal action that culminated in him signing a deed of release. Since then, there has been a change in senior management and the board.

In response to a series of questions, the clinics spokesman, who joined the clinic in 2013, said the questions refer to a period before the change of ownership and management of the clinic. He said the clinic takes compliance extremely seriously and conducts regular training for doctors, providing them with continuous updates on compliance with the requirements of the Medicare Benefits Schedule. The Hawke government established Medicare (its predecessor, Medibank, was set up by the Whitlam government) in 1984 as a universal health system paid for by taxpayers through a levy that provides free or subsidised healthcare services to Australians. It was set up as an honour system with the hope that doctors would bill correctly for the service provided. However, armed with a patients name, date of birth and Medicare number, health practitioners can log into the portal and bulk-bill anything and patients are often none the wiser. The government would not ordinarily be alerted to any suspicious activity and patients dont know because they rarely check their Medicare records. Dr Tony Webber, a GP and former head of Medicare watchdog the Professional Services Review, corroborated Fauxs estimate. Credit:Brook Mitchell

A series of questions were sent to the Department of Health and Aged Care, including about Fauxs estimate that up to 30 per cent of Medicare claims were leaking from the system from fraud, errors and overservicing. A department spokesperson said it had a strong compliance program to ensure the integrity of Medicare, involving assessment of external tip-offs, analysis of claiming patterns and trends, and advanced analytics. It said it takes any allegations of non-compliance seriously. The fresh revelations about the rorting of Medicare have been aired at a time when medical bills are rising and health spending comes under pressure due to a deteriorating economy and federal budget outlook. Ambulances ramping, public hospitals cannot cope, general practices in tatters  its all part of the same problem, Faux said. So it is taxpayers who are paying for a system that they can no longer afford or access. Faux estimates more than $100 billion has been lost since 1974 from fraud and non-compliant billing. She estimates that Medicare has paid $400 billion to $500 billion since July 1975. She applied her estimate of a 30 per cent leakage, which is more than $100 billion. We could have built more than a couple of hundred state-of-the-art hospitals and given the whole of Australia free dental services for that money, she said.
To get parental leave pay, the government applies an income test. But the test applies only to the income of the newborns mother. To get parental leave pay the government applies an income test. Credit:iStock If she earned more than $156,647 in the last financial year, she and her partner get nothing. It doesnt matter how much her husband or partner earns.

They could be literally taking home millions, but as long as the mothers income is less than $156,647, the family can get the governments money. In his speech on Saturday, the prime minister said he wanted a modern policy, for modern families which will support dads who want to take time off work to be more involved in those early months. Anthony Albanese says he wants a modern policy, for modern families. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Amen to that, but if hes serious about, it he needs to do something about a scheme that gives families with female breadwinners and stay-at-home dads nothing. To be fair, mothers can currently transfer parental leave payments to their husbands or partners if they are the primary carer.

But again  only if her income is less than $156,647 a year. Loading We all know (or are) a woman who goes out to work to pay the mortgage while her husband works on his many unproduced screenplays and collects rejection slips from The Monthly. Parts of Australian society still arent comfortable with the female partner earning more than her other half, but the government should not be designing policy based on that prejudice. Because surely thats discrimination? You cant treat someone less favourably because of their sex in Australia!

Well in this case you can and the Human Rights Commission and Administrative Appeals Tribunal have agreed its lawful. The inequality has been there since the scheme was birthed by Julia Gillard in 2011 and during their nine years in government the Coalition frustrated attempts by Centre Alliance senator Stirling Griff to correct the anomaly. Former prime minister Julia Gillard. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Perhaps if the Coalition had been prepared to stand up for professional women when they wanted to start or grow their families, fewer of them would have turned against the government at the last election. Albaneses decision to extend parental leave payments to 26 weeks isnt surprising.

He copped an earful about it at last months jobs summit where it was argued the current entitlements hold women back. The unions were particularly scathing with the ACTUs Michelle ONeil complaining we have the second worst paid parental leave scheme in the developed world. Adding to that pressure was a push from the Greens and teal MPs including Zali Steggall and Zoe Daniel to increase it to six months. Independent MPs Zali Steggall and Zoe Daniel pushed for an increase in paid parental leave. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The government will no doubt reap the electoral reward for this extension while hoping voters forget the role it played in scuppering Tony Abbotts plans to extend paid parental leave to 26 weeks.

Abbotts proposals  there were a few iterations  would have tied the rate of payments to womens actual wages with a maximum payment of $50,000. Loading Labor opposed Abbotts plan with then shadow treasurer Chris Bowen describing it as extravagant, unaffordable and a frolic. But it also stuck rigidly to Julia Gillards policy, in December 2014 describing the 18 weeks she had legislated as a perfectly good, rational, sensible paid parental leave scheme. The press release spruiking Albaneses expanded scheme states Equality for women is at the heart of our vision for a fair go at work  Because the full and equal and respectful participation of women in our economy is our nations greatest untapped resource.
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.
WARNING: CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGE

Istanbul: Turkish officials have hit back at Greek allegations that Turkey forced 92 naked migrants into Greece, calling it fake news and accusing Greece of the mistreatment.

Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi was sharing false information after the official tweeted a photo of the naked migrants on Saturday and blamed Turkey, said Fahrettin Altun, the communications director of Turkeys president.

Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi. Credit:AP

Altun tweeted in Turkish, Greek and English that this was to cast suspicion on our country, while calling on Athens to abandon its harsh treatment of refugees.
Former foster child finds home, success at Weber State

September 27, 2022

OGDEN, Utah  For many children in foster care, attending college can feel like another challenge that comes with being part of the system. For Raquel Andreasen, a passion for learning helped her overcome that challenge and forge her own path at Weber State University.

Andreasen was placed in foster care at age 16. She said it was the safest place for her at the time and an overall good experience thanks to her dedicated foster parents. But it wasnt without struggles, including a sense of uncertainty about what the future would look like when she aged out of the foster care system.

Once I turned 18, I was responsible for myself completely, Andreasen said. And that was definitely difficult, figuring out where I was going to go and what I was going to do. And eventually I got to Weber, and I feel like it has been one of the best decisions Ive ever made.

Growing up, Andreasen said she felt like her life and future were completely out of her own control.

Thats a feeling I wasnt able to shake until I came to Weber, she said. Once I began my major, I felt I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Now a senior studying criminal justice with an emphasis in crime scene investigation, Andreasen said Weber State has given her the opportunity to do exactly what she wants to do with her life.

There are so many amazing professors, and they all want to see you succeed, Andreasen said. Theyve made me want to further my education and have made me feel at home at Weber.

This semester, shes taking a hands-on forensic lab that gives her access to some of the tools and techniques shed only known through her interest in true crime podcasts.

Andreasen said the CSI program is equipping her with skills in forensic photography, fingerprint analysis and a completed portfolio. Shes also made friends and connections with other students in the tight-knit CSI community.

Her time studying criminal justice has also inspired a new ambition: upon graduation, Andreasen plans to apply for law school in hopes of becoming a prosecutor. As a teenager in foster care, she was required to go to court once a month to discuss her case, which shaped her interest in the field.

I had a really good experience with everyone in the courts, the case workers and the judge, and seeing how they were able to make a positive impact on my life, she said. Id like to do the same for others.

Prior to starting her junior year, she was offered a scholarship through the Ogden Foster Scholarship Program, which supports students who have aged out of foster care.

Some of the kids who age out of foster care need continued support, said Kris Youngberg, founder of the scholarship program. Once you hear the statistics, youre really drawn in and want to help any way you can.

Youngberg said some national studies show that 1 in 10 foster children attend college, and only 1 in 100 graduates. So far, the Ogden Foster Scholarship Program has provided eight scholarships and plans to add six more in the coming year, giving more students like Andreasen an opportunity to attend college.

That program has been a huge help to me because not only has it taken off that financial burden of school, but its also connected me to some really great counselors at Weber that have helped support me through lifes other obstacles, Andreasen said.

A first-generation college student, Andreason earned a place on the honor roll and is preparing to graduate in 2023. She now wants to share her story with other foster children who are considering college but might feel that its out of reach.

The one thing I want people to know is that no matter what youve come from or what your upbringing is, you always have control over your own future, she said. College is an opportunity to do exactly what you want with your life despite the cards youve been dealt.
If you know of local business openings or closings, please notify us here.

PREVIOUS OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS

- Air Products & Chemicals Inc. plans to invest a half-billion dollars to produce environmentally friendly hydrogen in New York state.

- The Trexlertown Chick-Fil-A plans to add a second drive-thru lane as part of a plan to reduce traffic congestion.

- The Harrisburg-based Mid Penn bank has opened its first full-service branch in the Lehigh Valley in South Whitehall.

- The Allentown Planning Commission put off a decision on a new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen at the site of the former Nostos Greek restaurant.

- The former Star Crete concrete plant at the intersection of Farmersville Road and Easton Avenue has been sold for $1.58 million, and that may clear the way for a medical office building.

- The local business SuperSets Gym will open its third location in Allentown's South Mall, with no opening date set yet.

- The jewelry boutique Versant will close later this year, but the business will be consolidated at Gary Werkheiser's other location in Saucon Valley Square.

- The DSW Woodmill Commons has moved to Berkshire West, 1101 Woodland Road in Wyomissing.

- Trainer Michael Melendez has opened his new Reading Extreme Boxing Club where PacSun used to operate in the Berkshire Mall.

- Frackville NAPA Auto Parts held a grand opening with the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and Frackville Business & Professional Association.

- Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers in North Manheim Township held a grand opening, in conjunction with the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and Pottsville Business Association.

- PDC Machines, a maker of hydrogen compressors, showed off a new plant in Lower Salford.

- Maya Capital Partners has acquired Amwell Valley Self Storage, a 265-unit storage business on Route 31 in Ringoes, New Jersey.

- Norwescap is buying the former Sullivan's on the Main restaurant in Phillipsburg to renovate the building and then use it for programs to help educate and feed people.
Today

A bit of rain or drizzle early; otherwise, mostly cloudy, turning breezy, and mild.

Tonight

A bit of rain or drizzle early; otherwise, mostly cloudy, turning breezy, and mild.

Tomorrow

Breezy with clouds and some sun.
READING, Pa.  A middle school teacher in the Reading School District has been accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old child.

Authorities say they discovered numerous sexually explicit conversations between Michael Conner Jr., 38, of Reading, and the minor.

Berks County District Attorney John Adams said detectives received a Childline referral from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on Monday, Sept. 19, which reported that Conner, a teacher at Central Middle School, exchanged sexually inappropriate messages with the child.

Based upon the Childline referral, detectives began an investigation.

On Thursday, Sept. 22, officials conducted a forensic interview with the child at the Berks County Children's Alliance Center in Reading, the district attorney's office said. During this interview, the juvenile disclosed that they had become involved in a relationship with Conner, beginning with communication between the two via social media accounts.

According to the juvenile victim, the relationship eventually turned sexual in nature, the district attorney's office said. The juvenile victim said Conner sent pictures and videos depicting himself performing sexual acts, and that he would request similar videos in return.

Authorities say the victim disclosed that on more than one occasion, Conner picked them up in his vehicle after school and drove them to a secluded location.

Law enforcement says during one of the encounters Conner sexually abused the 13-year-old.

As part of the investigation, authorities reviewed cell phone content. Numerous conversations between Conner and the juvenile were discovered to be sexually explicit in nature, according to the district attorney's office.

Conner was employed as a fifth-grade teacher at the district since 2020.

The district attorney says Reading School District has been fully cooperative with the investigation.

"The Reading School District was very cooperative as a result of our investigation," Adams said, "and I know that he has been, was immediately suspended from his role as a teacher."

Conner surrendered himself to the Berks County Detectives Monday. He is currently at the Berks County Sheriff's Central Processing Center awaiting his arraignment.

He is charged with sexual abuse of children, institutional sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, indecent assault, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

"This afternoon, the Reading School District was made aware of the arrest of a Central Middle School teacher," RSD wrote in a statement released Monday. "The Reading School District follows Pennsylvania law and best practices in our hiring. This includes mandatory background checks, verification of appropriate licensure, and reference checks."

The district says there were no previous incidents or allegations involving Conner and that its priority is to ensure the safety of its students and staff.

A crisis team has been made available for any students or staff who need to talk, the district noted.

Adams says anyone with additional information should contact the Berks County Detectives.
WASHINGTON TWP., Pa. - Firefighters battled a house fire in northern Lehigh County on Monday.

It was reported around 10:30 a.m. on Quincy Court, in the Glencrest mobile home park in Washington Township, south of Slatington.

Crews struck two alarms for additional manpower to the scene, as smoke was seen pouring from a window.

The North Whitehall Township Fire Marshal said the homeowner tried to put the fire out and is hospitalized at LVHN-Cedar Crest.

The homeowner's dog died in the fire.

The fire started in the kitchen and was accidental. It appears the bulk of the fire was knocked down in about 30 minutes.
The Pennsylvania Senate race is one of the most watched in the country, and that took on added meaning over the past week.

After being absent from public events and interviews for much of the summer, Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman is going on the offensive. This comes as Dr. Mehmet Oz has been making up a lot of ground in the polls.

Making himself more available during his recovery from his May stroke, Fetterman sat down with the Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board for an hour.

Via the remote interview, the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's Senate seat answered a variety of questions. He reaffirmed his commitment to raising the minimum wage, codifying abortion rights, and protecting unions.

This, after a lengthy interview with NBC News that led some to question whether he was fit for office.

Fetterman has been criticized by Oz, his Republican opponent, for not being transparent about his health and for needing closed captioning to better understand questions.

Oz, who did not respond to the Inquirer's request to sit down, did say during his own NBC interview that he supports President Joe Biden's pardon plan for those convicted of simple possession of marijuana.

With three weeks to go before election day, Oz has closed the polling gap. There was a double-digit gap between Oz and Fetterman. That gap is now under four points.

In the governors race, Democrat Josh Shapiro maintains his large lead over Republican Doug Mastriano.

Shapiro, who's aired ads every day since April, has outspent Mastriano 16-1.

Mastriano, who recently declined to say if he will accept the results of the election, is a 2020 election denier and he's not alone on the campaign trail. The Brookings institute counted 37 Republican candidates on the ballot in Pennsylvania who deny the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Who's voting and when will be the key, as mail-in ballots will play a large role again this year. So far more than 1.1 million Pennsylvanians requested them, with Democrats making up nearly 80% of those mail-in requests.

If candidates were elected simply on fundraising Democrats would win, at least in the big races. Fetterman, Shapiro, and Susan Wild in her Congressional race have all outraised their opponents by wide margins.

Nov. 8 will tell if that's a good investment for Democrats.
U. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. - Upper Macungie's Planning Commission has a loaded agenda for Wednesday night. Up for review are 476 total housing units, as well as the warehouses planned for the former Air Products campus.

The biggest housing project is known as Sunset Orchards, at Schantz and Ruppsville roads, near the Sunset Grille bar and restaurant. The proposal is for 110 twin homes and 106 townhouses in an R3, medium low density residential zoning district.

Another 128 townhouses are planned for Trexler Pointe, near the intersection of Route 100, Weilers and Schafer Run roads. That property is also in an R3 zone.

Wednesday's agenda also includes the Twin Ponds Development at 8739 Hamilton Blvd., where a daycare center and 132 apartments in 22 buildings are planned.

The biggest project on the planners' list is not new. Air Products plans to demolish buildings at its old campus to make way for three warehouses.

The warehouses will cover a total of 2.61 million square feet, or 60 acres.

Air Products has chosen Prologis as developer, owner and operator of the warehouses. San Francisco-based Prologis is a titan in the warehouse industry, and already manages 13 million square feet of property in Upper Macungie, 30 million square feet in the Lehigh Valley and 50 million square feet in Pennsylvania.

Prologis got even bigger recently with the acquisition of Duke Realty Corp. for about $23 billion.

The Hamilton Boulevard land where Prologis will build became available when Air Products moved its headquarters a mile away.

Prologis is a real estate investment trust that is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PLD. In early trading Monday, common stock was trading at $104.93, up $5.40 from Friday. In the past 52 weeks, it has traded as high as $174.54 and as low as $98.03.

Air Products is also traded on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol APD. It last traded at $232.53.

The Upper Macungie Township Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the meeting room at 833 Schantz Road. The commission is holding a workshop meeting Monday night, also at 7 p.m. in the meeting room.
HARRISBURG, Pa. - We are now three weeks away from the midterm elections, and the legal fight over Pennsylvania's mail-in ballots is still going strong.

Republican lawmakers, the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and the Republican Party of Pennsylvania have filed a new lawsuit that has gone straight to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The paperwork was filed late Sunday night.

It's another effort to block ballots that don't have the voter's handwritten date on the outer envelope from being counted in the November election.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's administration has told counties to count the undated mail-in ballots.
A retired Army colonel who is biking across the country to honor fallen soldiers will be in Schuylkill County on Monday.

Col. Chris Kolenda will visit the gravesite of Capt. Dave Boris, who was from Pottsville.

Boris was one of six men in Kolenda's troop who died in Afghanistan in 2007.

Kolenda is biking 1,700 miles from Nebraska to Arlington National Cemetery, and stopping to pay tribute to each of those men.

He's raising money for fellow veterans and for a scholarship in the names of the fallen soldiers.
MINERSVILLE, Pa. - A retired Army Colonel brought his cross-country motorcycle journey to Schuylkill County Monday.

Christopher Kolenda's Fallen Hero Honor Ride stopped in Minersville.

Kolenda is riding 1700 miles to honor six paratroopers from his military unit who were killed in action in Afghanistan in 2007.

He's visiting each of their grave sites.

Kolenda traveled to Saint Stanislaus Kostak Cemetery Monday afternoon to pay his respects to David Boris.

Kolenda called Boris his "little brother."

Kolenda kicked off his ride last month in Nebraska and will finish up at Arlington National Cemetery.
A pair of Levi's jeans from the 1880s has sold at an auction in a small town in New Mexico for more than $87,000.

The jeans -- found in an abandoned mine by a "denim archaeologist" -- were bought by 23-year-old Kyle Hautner and Zip Stevenson, a veteran of the vintage denim market.

"We didn't have any plans to buy the jeans together until the auction started, which is kind of insane looking back on it," Stevenson told CNN.

The jeans were sold for $87,400 -- one of the highest prices ever paid for a pair of denims -- including a 15% buyer's premium. Hautner paid 90%, while Stevenson contributed the remaining 10%

Stevenson has run a denim repair shop in Los Angeles for nearly three decades -- but he had never found a pair quite like this.

"These jeans are extremely rare -- especially in this fantastic worn condition and size," he told CNN.

Stevenson first heard about the jeans "about five years ago when they were first discovered" in the American West by Michael Harris, who "has looked in at least 50 abandoned mines for five years and has not found a pair of equal quality," according to Stevenson.

Only a couple of similar pairs exist -- but they are kept in museums and too delicate to wear.

This pair, however, "are surprisingly durable, so they definitely can be worn," Stevenson told CNN. "There's a couple of soft spots on the jeans that could use a bit of reinforcement but otherwise they're super-duper solid jeans."

"I could easily imagine Johnny Depp or Jason Momoa wearing them," he said.

The auction was held at the Durango Vintage Festivus on the outskirts of the small town of Aztec. The four-day festival is put on by vintage denim expert Brit Eaton -- who described finding items like this as "a total addiction."

"I needed a 'headliner' that would rival the music acts I booked. I knew these jeans would be a major draw," Eaton told CNN.

"I've been doing this business for a quarter of a century and the average vintage jeans are worth about $100. So to find a pair this valuable is once in a lifetime."

Eaton said he didn't originally intend to sell the jeans, which was why he put them up for this "massive" price. But given their rarity, he said, it was "no surprise" that they were snapped up at auction. "It was super fun to see them sell live to floor bidders," he said.

While iconic of the American West, the jeans also bear witness to a dark episode in the country's history. An inside pocket is printed with the phrase "The only kind made by White Labor." The Wall Street Journal cited a Levi's spokesperson who explained that the company used this slogan after the introduction of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, which barred Chinese laborers from entering the US. The WSJ reported that Levi's dropped both this policy and the slogan in the 1890s. The act was repealed in 1943.

What does Stevenson plan to do with the jeans now? "We would consider offering them for sale to an extremely interested private buyer," he said, but added that the owners would prefer them to be bought and displayed in a museum "such as the Smithsonian or the Metropolitan Museum of Art."

For now, they're kept in a safety deposit box near Stevenson's Denim Doctors store in Los Angeles and are available for viewing by appointment.
A Hungarian nobleman stood on his piece of land. It was a beautiful place above the Wisconsin River. The Sauk Prairie, on which he stood and surveyed, was verdant. Edenic. He wanted to plant roots here. He wanted to build something; create something lasting and good.

Agoston Haraszthy had only been in America for about a year. He left Hungary in 1840. He left for America, he wrote, for one reason only  namely, to see the blessed country for myself.

Blessed he felt, in Wisconsin. So much so, he laid out a town, later to be called Sauk City. He built mills, raised grains, kept sheep. He started a store. He owned and operated a brickyard. He ran steamboats up the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. He donated land for Sauk Citys first school and first Roman Catholic Church.

He also, wanting to plant roots, planted roots. He was one of the first men to plant a vineyard in Wisconsin. He planted grapes and dug wine cellars above the river. The cellars and slopes are today home to the Lake Wisconsin American Vinticultural Area and the Wollersheim Winery.

The Wollersheim Winery opened in 1972. Celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2022, there are still plenty of celebrations forthcoming, including Ruby Nouveau Day on Nov. 17, when the winery will have a barrel topping. Festive Fridays happen throughout December, on Dec. 2, 9, and 16, when the winery will be bedecked in holiday lights and music, with holiday specials to be had at the on-site bistro.

We didnt choose Wisconsin, Wisconsin chose us, said Julie Coquard. Julie is the daughter of the Wollersheim Winery founders, Bob and JoAnn Wollersheim. She operates the facility with her husband, Wollersheims winemaker, Philippe Coquard.

This is where our family is from and the history of this property is steeped in winemaking and brandy distilling back to the 1800s. The on-site distillery opened in 2015. Our history, she continued, is a part of the foundation of the Wisconsin wine industry.

From family to family, from row to row of wine grapes grown, the piece of land has been beloved by those who lived on it and worked on it. Wisconsins harsh winters proved challenging for Haraszthy and the lure of the California Gold Rush pulled at him. He left Wisconsin for San Diego in March 1849. He would, alongside Junipera Serra, become the Father of California Wine, introducing to the area 300 varieties of European grapes.

Meanwhile, over Sauk Prairie, his Wisconsin vineyard still stood. It was purchased by Peter Kehl, a German immigrant who built the structures still standing on the sprawling lush Wollersheim property. Kehl planted American grapes. His family made wine and brandy. But, after a harsh winter in 1899, they converted the land to a conventional dairy farm. It was that way for decades, though the spirit of Haraszthy and Kehl remained there in the fertile soil, the blue skies, the riffling river.

Our family bought the property in 1972 with the intention of restoring it into a working winery, complete with vineyards and wine cellars, Julie Coquard said. Her parents knew a thing or two about wine. They sold winemaking supplies out of their garage in McFarland. While Julies father worked on the Hubble Telescope program at UW-Madison, he was partnering in the Wine and Hop Shop on Monroe Street in downtown Madison.

When we first started, Coquard said, there were very few grapes grown in Wisconsin and there were even fewer wineries. She continued, We had to experiment with different varieties that could thrive in the Wisconsin climate.

The first wine made from grapes grown on-site was Sugarloaf Hill White in 1976. A barrel-aged, dry white wine, the name Sugarloaf is still used for the vintage dance hall located on the second floor of their historic winery building.

It wasnt until the release of Prairie Fume in 1988 that things really took off, Coquard said. This was the wine that Wisconsin was looking for.

Philippe Coquard concurred. We always say that without Prairie Fume, life would have been a lot different for us and for wine in Wisconsin. It opened the door for everything.

Philippe is from the Beaujolais region of France. He is a 13th generation winemaker. The Coquard family have been making wine since the 1500s.

The lifestyle of a winemaker and the relationships with my family, he said, gave me the passion to pursue it.

Prairie Fume is an American Seyval semi-dry wine. A national gold medal winner, three times over, it has highlights of citrus and mango. Other wines created on the property include, among others: Domaine du Sac, an estate-grown dry red wine, aged in oak; White Port, a sweet port wine that has grape brandy added to it; and Eagle White, an estate-grown, semi-dry white wine made with St. Pepin and LaCrosse grapes.

Being a family business, Julie Coquard said, our proudest moments are often those special milestones we get to celebrate with one another.

Celebrating 50 years with the public is a milestone. Julies father passed away in 2005 after a battle with brain cancer. The business is now run by her and her husband. Their oldest daughter, Celine Coquand-Lenerz, is a future winemaker and married to the Wollersheim distiller, Tom Lenerz. Julie and Philippes oldest son, Romain, is chef at the Wollersheim Bistro. Julies sister, Eva Danner, runs Wollersheims sister winery, Cedar Creek Winery, located in Cedarburg, with her husband, Steve Danner.

Wine is in the Wollersheim blood. The grapes growing over the river have grown, time and time again, under the watchful eyes, and careful hands of those who have cared, creating beauty and beautiful tasting wines for generations.

In March 2007, Agoston Haraszthy was inducted into the Vinters Hall of Fame by the Culinary Institute of America. A long time and a long way from the Sauk Prairie, and yet, hes still in the cellars dug into the hillsides, still wandering amid the vines, undoubtedly raising a glass to celebrate the Wollersheims family on 50 years.
JUNEAU  A 61-year-old Beaver Dam man made his initial appearance in court on Monday after being accused of having a dangerously high blood alcohol level when he pulled up to a doctors appointment in Mayville earlier this month. Peter Stegner submitted to a Breathalyzer test which resulted in a reading of .343.

Stegner is charged with his sixth offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. He could face up to 5 years in prison and 5 years of an extended sentence if convicted of the charge.

Stegner appeared before Dodge County Court Commissioner Steven Seim on Monday and was released on a $1,000 signature bond. As conditions of his bond, he must maintain absolute sobriety and may not operate a motor vehicle.

According to the criminal complaint: A witness saw Stegner drive away from a business on South Street in Mayville on May 5 at 1 p.m. at a fast rate of speed. Stegner left in his truck after being told that his appointment wasnt until 2 p.m., but he did return a short time later. The witness spoke to him and asked him how much he had to drink, and he allegedly said, Enough.

A Mayville Police Officer responded at 1:30 p.m. Stegner allegedly told the officer that he had driven to the appointment in Mayville from Beaver Dam and was there for back problems.

Stegner had previously been convicted of OWI in 2002, 2005, 2008, 2015 and 2022.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3.
JUNEAU  A 17-year-old Fall River boy, who faces first degree attempted homicide charges stemming from running over a Beaver Dam girl on Saturday night, allegedly told police after being taken into custody that he had bad thoughts about murdering people.

Dylan Lenz could face up to 40 years in prison and 20 years of extended supervision if convicted of the felony charges against him.

Lenz appeared before Dodge County Court Commissioner Steven Seim on Monday and was placed on a $150,000 cash bond. As conditions of his bond, he may not have direct or indirect contact or communication with the victim, victims residence, victims family, victims school, victims medical facilities and victims employment. He may not have violent or abusive contact with anyone. He shall remain at home except for school, court hearings, work and all health care appointments.

According to the criminal complaint:

Beaver Dam Police responded to the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter, 120 Frances Lane, on Saturday at 9 p.m. after a 17-year-old girl had been run over in the parking lot and the driver had fled the scene. The girl was located behind the automotive department, and officers noticed she had a significant amount of road rash on her body but she was breathing. She was also bleeding from her mouth and nose at one point while officers were attempting to clear her airway. Beaver Dam Paramedics arrived and took over her care.

Witnesses had been at Menards, across the street when they saw the small SUV in the parking lot and observed a human body lying under it. The vehicle then left the parking lot out of Frances Lane. The witnesses waited with the victim while contacting 911. The girl was flown to American Family Childrens Hospital in Madison for treatment.

An officer accessed the FLOCK camera system, which are cameras used to obtain information on vehicles when they pass certain locations, and was able to determine the vehicle was a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The license plate number led the police to Lenzs home.

Columbus officers responded as well but the parents were uncooperative and confrontational with the police. Lenz was eventually taken to the Fall River Police Department to be interviewed, and a warrant was issued to search the vehicle. An officer saw blood both inside and outside of the vehicle.

Beaver Dam Police came to Fall River to speak to Lenz. Lenz originally said that the girl had struck him in the nose so he kicked her out of the vehicle before driving away and striking a curb.

Lenz was read his Miranda Rights and responded, Whats an attorney? He was told it was someone who practices law. He allegedly told officers he would talk about that night and said he met the girl that night on Snapchat and made a plan to pick her up that night. The two went to Walmart and stayed in the vehicle for a while before going inside and went to a few other stores in the area.

Lenz allegedly told officers that he had had bad thoughts and had thought about using a box cutter to stab. Lenz said he made stabbing motions but the girl did not know he had a knife. He also attempted to choke her after she told him to stop. He eventually did use the box cutter to stab the girl a couple of times in the shoulder area. The girl was able to grab hold of the knife and the girl asked to leave. He agreed to let her leave and unlocked the door. Lenz said the girl was screaming as she was running away and had blood dripping down her shoulder.

Lenz told the officer that he thought he would get in trouble for attempted murder and was having bad thoughts about murdering people. He said that he drove after her and might have hit her but did not know if he did the first time. However when she was running down a hill, the girl tripped and he ran over her. He allegedly had planned to take her body, but he saw a car drive up.

I was trying to kill her while shaking his head yes, Lenz was quoted in the criminal complaint. I knew she would go tell someone my name or my license and now I think Im in more trouble that I would have been.

Lenz said he asked the girl if anyone had known where she was and when she was expected home in order to know how long it would be before people was looking for her.

While in the store, I was like this is the last day she was going to be alive, Lenz is also quoted as telling police. This is the last night of her life. I was out of control. I wasnt thinking. My body just took over.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Nov. 17.
On Saturday, Oct. 15, at approximately 8:59 p.m. the Beaver Dam Police Department took a report of a hit and run crash involving a pedestrian. This incident occurred in the 100 block of Frances Lane.

Upon arrival on scene, a juvenile victim was found with critical, life-threatening injuries. The victim was transported to the Marshfield Medical Center, and eventually taken via flight for life for additional treatment.

After an initial investigation, it was determined the crash was part of a larger incident. A 17-year-old Fall River man was identified and arrested with various felony charges. The incident is still under investigation. There is no danger to the public.

The Beaver Dam Police Department was assisted by the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, their crash investigation team, the Beaver Dam Auxiliary Police Department, Beaver Dam Fire Department, Fox Lake Police Department, and Fall River Police Department.
Elizabeth Burnette, 80, said she and more than two dozen other residents of Cedarhurst of Madison, an assisted living facility on the East Side, were told this week they have to move out within 60 days.

St. Louis-based Cedarhurst Senior Living said it will stop accepting Medicaid payments Dec. 10, in what a related organization said is a move to convert the 60-bed facility from assisted living to private apartments.

I feel betrayed, said Burnette, who has lived at Cedarhurst for more than two years and has no family in the area. I dont know whats going to happen to me, and winter is coming.

An Oct. 12 letter from Cedarhurst to affected residents said the company is ending its relationship with Wauwatosa-based My Choice Wisconsin. My Choice is a managed care organization that oversees care for frail older adults and people with disabilities in Wisconsins Family Care program, part of Medicaid.

We found that our partnership with this provider and the restrictions on care and services because of the relationship does not align with our mission as an organization, said the letter from Sherry Kizer, divisional director of operations for Cedarhurst.

Kizers letter said My Choice would help residents find other housing.

Maria Ledger, CEO of My Choice, said she first heard of the action Thursday from residents, not from Cedarhurst. When she contacted Cedarhurst, she said the company explained it is converting the facility  a type of assisted living known as a residential care apartment complex, or RCAC  to private apartments.

A similar facility in Milwaukee recently did the same, also requiring many residents to move, Ledger said.

Im sorry this is happening to our members and I am concerned that it is not the last we will be seeing of it, she said.

Ledger said the move at Cedarhurst of Madison has nothing to do with actions by My Choice. There have been no restrictions placed on the care and services members receive at Cedarhurst, she said.

Its not clear if Cedarhursts Medicaid decision affects its four other facilities in Wisconsin, including two in Verona, one of which is also an RCAC.

Kizer and others at Cedarhurst declined to answer questions sent by the Wisconsin State Journal.

In a statement, Cedarhurst spokesperson Christie Schrader said, This was a difficult decision for us to make, but we genuinely believe this will provide Cedarhurst of Madison a hopeful and fulfilling future for current and prospective residents where they are cared for in the way which best suits their individual needs.

Schrader said a home will be provided by Cedarhurst of Madison until a new placement is found through My Choice.

Ledger said My Choice will make sure that no one is left without a safe and appropriate place to live. She said its possible some of the 27 My Choice members at Cedarhurst might be able to stay there if they can afford the private market rates, which typically are higher.

Mitchell Hagopian, an attorney with Disability Rights Wisconsin, said, This is a symptom of a much larger problem. Residential providers in the Family Care program are leaving it in droves.

The state Department of Health Services said it wasnt able to immediately respond to questions received Friday afternoon about how many residential providers have left Family Care.

Burnette, a retired nurse who uses a wheelchair, said she and other residents who must leave Cedarhurst are distraught and confused.

All of us are disabled in one way or another, she said. I feel like I have no home.

RCACs, often referred to as independent living apartments, are one of three types of assisted living facilities in Wisconsin. The others are community-based residential facilities, which mostly serve the elderly, and adult family homes, which mostly serve people with developmental, mental or physical disabilities.

Unlike the other two types, which must be licensed by the state, RCACs dont have regular oversight if they dont take public funding.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnsons campaign paid over $20,000 in consulting fees to a law office led by an attorney who represented former President Donald Trump in his effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin.

The two payments, including one for legal consulting regarding a possible recount in next months election, were sent to a law firm led by Jim Troupis, a former Dane County Circuit Court judge who was reportedly involved in the plot to pass then-Vice President Mike Pence slates of fake electors as Pence was set to confirm the presidential election results on Jan. 6, 2021.

The news about the payments, first reported by NBC, comes after Johnson refused to unconditionally commit to accepting the certified results in his upcoming Nov. 8 election against Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. Recent polls have shown the Oshkosh Republican several points ahead of Barnes.

Under state law, if an election is within 1% of the winners total vote, the second-place candidate has the right to request a recount.

Noting that close elections were common in Wisconsin, Johnson campaign spokesperson Ben Voelkel said, It would be reckless to be unprepared for any possible circumstance  and this campaign has been preparing for months for just that.

Johnsons campaign paid the Troupis Law Office $7,000 on Aug. 18, saying the payment was for Recount: Legal Consulting, federal campaign finance reports show. The law office received over $13,000 from the senators campaign on July 15 for Legal Consulting.

Sounds like theyre gearing up to try to destroy our democratic processes again, Barnes said on Twitter. We cant let them get away with it.

Federal campaign reports show the Barnes campaign has paid the Elias Law Group, led by Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias, around $90,000 in the past year.

As is standard practice, the Barnes campaign has made plans in case of a possible recount, but unlike the Johnson campaign, we have not and would not pay a lawyer involved in efforts to overturn the results of a free and fair election, Barnes campaign said in a statement.

Elias brings his own baggage, having been accused of rigging the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries to thwart Bernie Sanders and facilitating a deluge of big money into politics, The New York Times reported in 2018.

Work for Trump

Trumps campaign paid Troupis firm for legal consulting regarding a recount after the 2020 presidential election that he lost, federal reports show. Recounts in Dane and Milwaukee counties reaffirmed Trumps loss.

Troupis also represented the former president in a bid to invalidate enough ballots to overturn the 2020 election result in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected Trumps effort on Dec. 14, 2020. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case in February 2021.

But Trumps bid to overturn the 2020 election in Wisconsin continued, as did Troupis involvement with the effort.

Troupis did not respond to a request for comment Monday.

Coordination with Johnson

Johnsons chief of staff told Pences aide on Jan. 6, 2021, that the senator needed to pass the vice president documents falsely stating Trump won in Wisconsin, text messages released this summer by the Jan. 6 committee revealed. The texts came as the vice president was set to confirm Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 election. Johnson initially denied involvement in the attempt to hand off the documents.

But the fallout continued when text messages revealed Troupis had first texted Johnson to pass along documents to Pence.

We need to get a document on the Wisconsin electors to you for the VP immediately, Troupis told Johnson at 11:36 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2021, according to texts provided to conservative media outlet Just the News. Is there a staff person I can talk to immediately. Thanks Jim T.

Johnson then put Troupis in touch with chief of staff Sean Riley before Riley contacted and was subsequently rebuffed by Pences aide.

After the revelation about Troupis involvement, audio revealed Johnson calling him a victim of the radical left who needs to be supported.

Troupis sued

In May, a handful of Democrats sued the 10 Republicans who acted as the fake electors, alleging that, by attempting to hand Wisconsins Electoral College votes to Trump, the GOP activists played a role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. The plaintiffs also sued Troupis and Boston-area lawyer Kenneth Chesebro.

The group alleges the Republicans and their attorneys broke several criminal and civil laws when the fake electors met at the state Capitol on Dec. 14, 2020, to sign official-looking documents asserting that Trump won the state. The Republicans have said the meeting was to preserve their legal options amid litigation surrounding the election.

The meeting came after Chesebro sent a memo to Troupis on Nov. 18, 2020, detailing the Republicans eventual plan to pose as electors.

Documents have underscored efforts by those in Trumps inner circle to circumvent the Electoral College process in several states, including Wisconsin, following the 2020 election, despite recounts and court decisions affirming that Biden defeated Trump in the battleground state by almost 21,000 votes.
Many present-day hunters probably grew up learning to hunt a bit at a time, over many years. In addition to filling ones mind with details and philosophy of ecology and conservation, an appreciation developed.

Hunter education instructors should not be disappointed if, whether part of Wisconsins formal course, finds a student uninterested. Or student hunter may desire to forgo some childhood activities in order to sit in a tree stand for four hours looking at leaves falling and squirrels scurrying.

Then again, many young folks explode with enthusiasm at the first yelp from a box call or first grunt from a deer tube. Others keep their reactions more private, but have the desire, too.

Providing the opportunity and encouragement along the way mimics what others did. It took time, time spent sitting and listening, time messing up on a pursuit, even time falling asleep on a stool or bucket awaking to a turkey, deer or another hunter looking at us.

Where does a mentor begin? Where does the novice begin and where does a returning hunter begin?

No one should expect to be an expert tracker, marksman, bird caller or stalker after one morning, after one learn-to-hunt session. Itll take a lifetime of learning and gaining respect for the land, organisms and others who hunt, trap, hike, photograph and watch wildlife.

So, lets get going and help a novice. Whats necessary for the soon-to-be hunter?

Here, too, simply walking outside, into a woods, with the shirt on your back and boots on your feet is OK. Develop a plan of adding an item at the time as money permits: boots, brush pants, right size cap, warm gloves.

Eventually articles of clothing are the best money can buy. For deer hunting half the cap and coat must be blaze orange (or pink). Pants can be orange or blue jeans, or some other type of warm fabric.

Youll need a gun deer license, but if just starting to hunt, the cost is usually a reduced rate. With that license may come a few other authorizations such as an antlerless permit.

Youll read in the regulations pamphlet that attaching the tag is no longer necessary. Registering definitely is required, but could be done by phone.

There are two pamphlets worth reading, the 2022 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations, free at counters where licenses are sold or online at the Department of Natural Resources website. The 2022 Deer Season Forecast is just that, 11 pages of the deer seasons of the state, as well as other information.

Some of this youll not understand, and thats okay, you can read it again. You can discuss it with an experienced hunter. If you read these two things, youll be doing more than most other deer hunters have done, regardless of age.

At this point, take the information at face value, dont question why you must do this or do that this way. Hunters often get so wrapped up in the whys that are required that they forget the facts. The disagreements with rules can come later, even at a different time of the year.

An implement, gun or bow, is necessary as well as a formal session about gun handling and safety. Use the internet or another person to help you sign up for the hunter class. The course might be called hunter education or gun safety.

For almost all beginning hunters, guns are too expensive to buy right out of the shoot. Borrow one. Most hunters purchase several guns in a lifetime and usually keep their first gun. Theres more to learn later on this issue.

Tree stands and associated safety equipment, a stool, seat or bucket to sit on are probably a good item to buy borrow.

Youve no doubt forgotten lots of items youll want to have in the field, but those will come to you when you miss them, such as a lunch bucket and thermos bottle. Get those next time out or next year.

Wisconsin DNR has a program just for beginners and others who what to learn more about the outdoors. A major section of the R-3 Team deals with hunting. Many subsets are called Learn to hunt: turkeys, upland game, waterfowl and deer, as well as Learn to gather food, fish, venison, mushrooms and edible plants.

Bob Nack, a longtime wildlife biologist, grew up in Sheboygan County hunting and fishing with his dad and grandfather. He supervises R-3, which stands for recruit, retain and reactivate. The subject could be hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering.

Nack is still learning himself and also teaching his children to hunt after 15 years working for the DNR. For seven years he managed the Poynette Game Farm that raised 78,000 ring-necked pheasants to be released on public hunting grounds. You may want to learn to hunt that bird.

He also spent eight years as the DNRs big game (deer and elk) section chief. To become qualified to do that as well as supervising the R-3 team, he earned a college degree from UW-Stevens Point and another degree from the University of Minnesota. R-3 promotes hunting, fishing, and trapping in Wisconsin.

The DNR is interested in maintaining outdoors enthusiasts who purchase licenses to enjoy hunting and other activities. Recruiting is helping new people get started hunting. Retaining is helping hunters continuing to do hunt and reactivating is helping older hunters who want to get back into hunting and up to speed with the many changes that have occurred since they stopped hunting.

One aspect of R-3 is offering Learn-to-Hunt programs, which are one or two sessions, some in the field, and some in a classroom practicing.

Getting people outdoors is a good thing, physically and mentally, which also creates great memories and great traditions, like meeting up with friends for a pheasant or deer hunt, Nack said.

Another aspect of hunting, fishing and gathering is acquiring food to eat or freeze or dry and to eat later. Maybe that turkey, venison or goose would be great, or even become a tradition of having a wild turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Learn-to sessions may or may not involve a hunt. In the case of picking berries, nuts and mushrooms implements, guns or bows, are not necessary.

Another value of outdoors pursuits is that those who hunt quickly learn and understand the value of conservation of natural resources. Hunters make excellent nature spokespeople for those who research and manage land conservation programs.

More information on all the DNR programs are available on the departments website or find an interesting section by Googling the words learn to hunt deer WDNR.

Dont forget a camera or note pad to record the needs and memories.
#FromNowOn  getting here and going forward

This years Fakugesi African Digital Innovation Festival is the first full in-person Festival since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

From doodles to trash art, telling stories through VR, AR and all about XR, to Jamz, an innovative combination of an animation jam and video game hackathon, and ending with the first Fakugesi Awards for Digital Creativity happening on Friday, this years festival is a celebration of young Pan-African talent in the digital sphere to its fullest.

In its 9th edition, the festival is rooted in showcasing and developing skills in technology, art and culture in Africa. It continues to bring industry, researchers and African creators together to celebrate how technology enables creativity while zooming in on the ways this relationship shapes our lives.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Fakugesi Creative Director, Eduardo Cachucho, said he truly believes in artists' capability to change the world', and he thanked his team of incredible young people who worked tirelessly to bring this years festival to life.

Newly appointed Head of the Wits School of Arts, Dr Rene Smith, said that content remains paramount now more than ever. It is where the synergies between the academic and industry intersect and form a number of possibilities. It is where critical practice and embodiment provide for a richer, a textured and an intertextual reference and experiences, and it is where diversity and inclusion can be realised.

Lesley Williams, CEO of Wits Universitys Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct where the Festival is taking place, said the creative and cultural industry was one of the most affected industries in the pandemic. Livelihoods were shattered but it also challenged us to with a sense of urgency think about the full value chain of our work as digital creatives. One way we are going to sustain our livelihoods is by being entrepreneurial.

This year's theme, #FromNowOn, aims to showcase the creative climate of a new age after the positive (and negative effects) of the Covid-19 pandemic. it calls for a moment to pause and reflect on where we are today and takes a look into Africa's digital future.

Splitting the theme into "FromNow" and "NowOn", the Festival will firstly look at how we arrived at our current context and how we got here, and then the latter will investigate how we use what we know of the now and respond energetically with creative solutions to our new perspectives on problems and opportunities in society.

!! Still to come this week

Dont miss the Digi Echoes: 100 Years of Wits History through AR & VR, a collaboration between the Film and Television and Digital Arts Departments in the Wits School of Arts showcasing five VR films and Augmented Reality experiences that aim to capture Wits Universitys place in time from the 1970s to the 2010s. This lookback digitally capture fragments of Wits history as the University celebrates its centenary this year. Fakugesi Explorer Maya travels back in time, living an echo, of the past in order to find her way back to the present.

Visit the super.site for more programme details.
Review: Farm Killings in South Africa

Some of the best books about the media are not about the media. While dealing with very different topics, they probe the central institution of our world.

A good example is Tina Browns Diana, which gives insight from a major journalist  the former editor of the New Yorker - into the role her profession played in creating and destroying this 20th Century royal character.

Journalist Nechama Brodies new book looks at first glance like it is about that all-South African phenomenon, farms murders, but its actually about the media: how the portrayal of farm murders have given the issue the place it has in South African politics.

Farm Murders in South Africa (NB Publishers) is Brodies second such apparently macabre work, her previous one being Femicide in SA. She is nothing if not prolific: apart from these two books, she has produced in recent years two novels, short stories, wonderful books about Joburg and Cape Town, a PhD, and is a musician and karateka (second dan) on the side. So death is not the only thing she writes about.

Farm murders, she writes, makes up a remarkably small proportion of violent acts overall but because of their unique prominence, are able to place an entire country on a knifes edge. They have led to other disputes: claims that these killings and the brutality that often accompanies them are part of an organized attempt to drive whites from the land, a symbol of the states abandonment of white farmers, a demonstration of the loss of white power, proof of black racism against the white minority and even the beginning of a white genocide. The murders have been used to mobilise a white constituency and to tap into a global rightwing network to protect white rights. This has in turn been used by black nationalists to provoke racial confrontation and mobilise supporters over land rights issues and abuse of farmworkers. The confrontation is best captured in the long-running dispute over whether the singing of the struggle song Kill the Boer is hate speech, linked to the farm murders.

But first, Brodie, tells us, you have to decide what is a farm murder. Why does the loose definition usually used in the media include many incidents that occur on smallholdings rather than actual farms and exclude many of the incidents where black farm workers and rural dwellers are the victims? The lack of an agreed definition means there has been endless circular disputes over whether that rate of farm killings is higher than other murders and has allowed it to be used and abused as a political issue.

The medias lack of precision  or is it care? - in deciding what can be labelled a farm murder has fed into this political contestation. So has the definition of torture, used often in relation to the killing of white farmers, but less often in relation to other equally brutal killings. The reporting of some kinds of murders more than others  particularly the more brutal ones  skews our perceptions of what is actually going on.

Journalists all the time make these micro-decisions that shape the public perception of these events: which to cover, how much prominence to give it, how to label it, what context to use to explain it, who to quote, what adjectives to use  Sometimes, reading or watching the material, you have to wonder if journalists are conscious of the import of these quick, routine decisions.

Brodies analysis of the coverage tells us a great deal about which perspectives are dominant in our media, who gets to tell the stories and decide what is a farm murder, when there is torture and, indeed, which murders get covered and which do not. Farm murders, she shows, are seldom placed in the context of the long history and contemporary prevalence of violence and harsh inequality in rural South Africa. Our farms began a places of violence and still are, in many different ways.

It is the constant presence of violence, the normalization of violence, the repeated use of violence to establish very masculine forms of dominance, that enables the landscape of violent acts that continue to this day, she writes.

You cant solve the problem, she says, unless you understand it. And media coverage is distorting it.

Her conclusion is chilling: The figures of murders on farms are staggering and shocking. Yet when theyre viewed alongside violence figures from immediately adjacent and neighbouring areas, they begin to appear less as exceptional and more as collateral casualties in much larger killing field.

Anton Harber is Caxton Professor of Journalist at Wits and executive director of the Campaign for Free Expression.
Biden will wait for Congress to return before taking any major steps on US-Saudi relationship, national security adviser says
An Iranian security official said thugs set fire to the warehouse of prison clothing, which led to a fire in the prison, Iranian state media IRNA reported.
Bristol Police Sgt. Dustin Demonte, left, and Officer Alex Hamzy, center, were killed and Officer Alec Iurato was wounded in an ambush attack on October 12, police said.
Calls for health board and ministers to deal with workforce planning and deliver better health care for the region

The North Wales health board has been urged to deal with workforce planning and deliver better health care for the region.

It comes after concerns that a severe understaffing at the radiotherapy unit at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd has led to some cancer treatments have been outsourced to centres in England.

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board have confirmed that whilst this might happen to a small number of overall patients, the majority will continue to receive their treatment in North Wales.

Plaid Cymru MS Llyr Gruffydd said that issues in the the radiotherapy physics department at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd has been exacerbated by the resignation of two senior members of staff.

Yesterday Wrexham.com reported that concerns had been raised by two separate North Wales Members of the Senedd over staff retention in the Welsh health service.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan acknowledged that keeping staff was currently a bigger challenge than recruiting new workers.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymrus North Wales MS, said the health service now faces a situation where even more overstretched staff will be expected to do even more.

He has now written to raise these concerns with the North Wales health board and has urged on the health minister to understand that the NHS in north Wales is still in crisis, despite the Governments best efforts to pretend otherwise.

Mr Gruffydd said: Concerned NHS insiders have outlined the problems facing the radiotherapy service in north Wales.

The unit serves the whole of the North and the radiotherapy physics department in particular is severely understaffed  in the radiotherapy planning area I understand there are big problems after two senior staff members resigned.

These two alone had almost 50 years experience between them and the lack of capacity now means that junior staff arent able to get the training they need to reach competency in a timely fashion. Corners are being cut to try to achieve this.

There is also a severe lack of engineers in the physics department which means vital maintenance on the specialist machinery is impacted. Without this maintenance, patients cant be treated.

In addition, more than 50% of consultants have left in the past three months through resignation or long-term absence. This is on top of existing shortages and I have to question the ability of senior management within Betsi if they are allowing this to happen.

This is not a new problem  Im told management have been consistently warned of the impact of staff shortages for a decade and more but there has not been a positive response.

He said the situation was completely unacceptable and emphasised yet again the failure of the health board to deal with workforce planning and deliver better health care in the North.

Mr Gruffydd added: A decade ago, NHS bosses trumpeted that they were making big changes and healthcare in north Wales is changing. Well, it has  for the worse.

There are very well publicised problems with mental health, vascular services and the lack of community beds but this is yet another service that demands urgent attention from the health board.

Experienced staff who know whats needed describe the future for the radiotherapy unit as scary and terrifying. Its clear that they are at breaking point and that does not bode well for the future.

The staff are the NHSs greatest asset and they deserve the same care and attention as they give to their patients.

There doesnt appear to be an adequate workforce planning strategy in place or a succession plan.

Staff need reassurance that people in power  both the health board and Government  are actually aware of the problem and that they have a plan to deal with it.

In response to the comments and claims made by Mr Gruffydd, Dr Nick Lyons, Executive Medical Director at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: We would like to reassure our patients that despite experiencing serious staffing challenges our Radiotherapy Department is continuing to provide a safe service.

A small number of our overall patients may be offered appointments at hospitals outside of North Wales, in order to ensure that their treatment isnt delayed.

However, the vast majority will continue to receive safe and timely care within the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre at Glan Clwyd Hospital.

Over the last five months, we have received unexpected resignations from three of our substantive Clinical Oncologists.

We are working hard to recruit to these roles; however, there is a UK wide shortage of Clinical Oncologists with approximately 200 vacant clinical oncology posts nationally.

We are doing everything we can to maintain a safe service for our patients. To support this we are recruiting three additional Clinical Nurse Specialists to develop and lead on metastatic cancer, this will help to free up Consultant capacity.

Further funding has also been identified to appoint two Consultant Radiographers, which we are currently recruiting to. In addition, we have recently appointed an Advanced Practitioner.
Meet Ted and Meg  the Cocker Spaniels hoping to make it as police detection dogs

Two puppies have enrolled in the Cheshire and North Wales Police Alliance unit as prospective detection dogs of the future.

Spaniel pups  brother and sister, Ted and Meg, have been donated to the police by Beverly Rogers of Coed y Celyn Cocker Spaniels in Mold.

Once trained theyll play a pivotal role in our efforts in safeguarding the most vulnerable in the communities in North Wales and Cheshire.

Sergeant Colin Jones of the Alliance said: Beverly, who breeds and works her own dogs, made contact with us back in March, asking if she could donate a puppy from a future litter to the police  however to be gifted two puppies is just fantastic.

As both parents are working dogs, developing and adapting the dogs for police work will be a natural experience for them  at eight weeks old they are already displaying the desire to search and work.

Inspector Sam Lovatt said: We are seeking to modernise our dog section by developing the skills and services we provide to our colleagues, to help them address the policing challenges we face today.

Across the UK, police detection dogs are being deployed to search and detect a more diverse range of targets that pose the greatest risks to the vulnerable in our communities.

Beverleys valuable and incredulous donation of Ted and Meg will enable us to progress with our exciting plans, allowing us to play our part and ultimately, making North Wales and Cheshire a safer place to live.
Police expecting busier than usual Halloween and Bonfire Night period this year

North Wales Police said its officers are expecting a busier than usual Halloween and Bonfire Night period this year.

But whilst it is a fun and exciting time of year for many, it can leave many members of the community feeling anxious, intimidated and fearful.

Every year police forces encounter problems with anti-social behaviour, so North Wales Police are urging parents and carers to take an interest in their childrens plans to ensure theyre acting responsibly and not causing issues in the community.

The consequences of anti-social behaviour and criminality can have a long-term impact on a young persons life, and on those affected by their actions.

#OpBang is an annual campaign whereby partners and local authorities will be working together to help reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour over the coming weeks.

In preparation for #OpBang officers from Neighbourhood Policing Teams across North Wales have been engaging with young people in schools and youth clubs, organising diversionary activities with the help of funding from the Police and Community Trust (PACT).

Work over the period will also include promoting key messages about being considerate and respectful to all members of the community and reinforcing that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated, as well as safety messages for children.

Shopkeepers are also being encouraged not to sell flour and eggs to unaccompanied children in the days running up to the 31st October.

Inspector Wesley Williams of North Wales Police said We hope that this year, as has been the case on previous years, people take a responsible attitude to Halloween and Bonfire Night.

We know the majority of people enjoy this time of year sensibly and we are not out to spoil their fun but unfortunately there is a minority who are intent on causing problems and use the festivities as an excuse to commit crime and act anti-socially.

We want to work with our communities to ensure that they can enjoy themselves safely.

Our teams, alongside partners, will be out and about across the region  helping to educate, reassure and keep our communities safe.

Demand on emergency services rise significantly during the Halloween and Bonfire period.

Police have asked for lines to be kept free for those who need us most, please ensure youre contacting the most relevant agency and using the most appropriate means of contact adding:

Concerns around anti-social behaviour and public safety is a matter for the police. If its not an emergency, you can contact us via our website  Home | North Wales Police . In an emergency always dial 999.

Concerns about noise, the sale of fireworks and other related items, and littering/fly-tipping should be directed to your local authority via Our partners | North Wales Police

Inspector Williams added: We have designed posters for people to display in their windows, and I would encourage you all to download these from our website and print for elderly relatives or neighbours.

If you see a poster being displayed asking for trick or treaters not to call, please respect their request to be left alone.

Have a safe and enjoyable Halloween and Bonfire Night and look after each other.
Senior councillor walks out of Planning as webcast of meeting removed from public view

The Leader of Wrexhams Labour Group Cllr Dana Davies walked out of a Planning meeting saying she would be reconsidering her position on the committee.

Wrexham Councils planning committee visited Ballswood Quarry, off Gegin Lane in Llay, after a heated two-hour debate about the application at a previous meeting recommended a site visit to discover more about the plans.

That meeting triggered claims of an official complaint after a council was apparently misrepresented in reports.

The quarry, which is used for mineral extraction, dates back to the 1800s. The applicants warned that supplies of construction materials from the current area of the site could run out in the near future, and that they needed to extend into eastern and western parts of the site as an alternative.

The councils planning department recommended the application be approved as they considered there were no justifiable reasons to refuse, despite objections from residents.

Following the site visit councillors returned to the Guildhall for a further debate to decide the outcome of the application, on a single agenda item meeting  which took a further two hours to get no further forward.

Members still had concerns about the application and seemed set to refuse it for reasons put forward by Cllr Apsley, which included detriment to countryside, landbank, ecology, highways safety, loss of hedgerow and noise pollution.

But before a vote could be taken a visibly upset Ruabon Cllr Dana Davies (Lab), addressing the chair and the authoritys planning officers on a technical point, said she had felt intimidated during the process of deciding the application, with the officer replying that she was not an intimidating person.

The two then had a brief exchange with the officer noting the debate had closed, and Cllr Davies pointing out she was trying to answer the officers points.

Cllr Davies walked out of the meeting, leading Hermitage Cllr Graham Rogers (Lab) to suggest the application be deferred again due to members were becoming upset.

He said: People are getting upset here now. Danas really upset, shes walked out. I dont like it.

Just minutes before, Cllr Apsley had taken objection to chair of the meeting, Holt Cllr Michael Morris (Con) suggesting he was rambling when repeating his objections.

Cllr Morris did apologise, saying Im sorry if I used that word, it was not appropriate.

Minutes later, just after Cllr Davies had walked out, Cllr Matthews said: Weve had conflicting advice. I didnt want to criticise any office here today but there are members being criticised, and Bryan (Cllr Apsley) has had poor treatment in both meetings in my opinion.

Ive heard an officer say things like we need to pass as Padeswood needs this sand, but thats an economic development matter for another authority (Flintshire), its not a planning consideration. No-ones picked that up.

I dont think members are being treated fairly and I think we need time to take a breath on this.

Cllr Rogers, who proposed the deferment, added: With a bit of luck peoples patience will be better, they will have calmed down and we can address it in a sensible matter.

After a vote the application was again deferred and will be on the agenda for the November meeting.

In light of the events Cllr Paul Rogers appeared to request further training for the Planning Committee however the webcast of the meeting ended before the response was recorded.

Members of the public cant watch the meeting in a normal manner as the webcast is not public.

Usually a meeting is held and broadcast live, with the feed showing concluded. The meeting video then moves to processing, which when complete ends up on public view. Normally that is at most a 24 hour period, including weekends.

At the time of writing the meeting does not appear on the public list of meetings on https://wrexham.public-i. tv/core/portal/webcasts nor on the frontpage of the Council TV page on https://wrexham.public-i. tv/core/portal/home which all other meetings have historically done.

The website was showing as concluded this morning on https://wrexham.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/709257 but at the time of writing has changed to password protected.

For a brief time today the full meeting was viewable, and downloadable only via the meeting agenda page ( https://moderngov.wrexham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=137&MId=8538&LLL=0 ) however that too now says password protected.

Just before 9am we asked Wrexham Council for comment on what has happened with the webcast, and if there has been any request to pause the re-publication of the meeting, and if so from who and why. We also asked when the meeting would be published, and if it would be unedited.

(Wrexham.com / LDRS. Top pic from the meeting stream, If Wrexham Council has lost a copy, Wrexham.com did manage to download a full copy of the meeting and is happy to provide a version if required.)
25 years ago: Castro regime canonizes Che Guevara

On October 17, 1997, 30 years after his death in a guerrilla fiasco, the remains of Ernesto Che Guevara were laid to rest in Santa Clara, Cuba. The long dead Argentine-Cuban guerrilla was interred together with six of his comrades, whose bodies were also discovered the previous summer in an unmarked grave in the Bolivian jungle.

The Castro regime turned the occasion into a major state event, with quasi-religious overtones. The boxes bearing the remains were presented for a public viewing in Havanas Plaza de la Revolucion, and their interment in a specially constructed mausoleum in Santa Clara was accompanied by military parades, hymns and a speech by Cuban President Fidel Castro.

For its own purposes, the Castro regime joined in an international effort to mythologize Guevara, turning him into an icon which had little to do with the views he espoused in life. But the ceremonies in Cuba were noteworthy for the virtual absence of those forces from throughout Latin America who sought to emulate Guevaras guerrilla war strategy.

The Cuban government had long ago renounced the conception of a continental-wide guerrilla war, which Guevara had insisted was the only means of liberating the continent from US imperialist oppression. This thesis, which insisted that the road to revolution lay through the formation of bands of guerrillas in the countryside, served to divert a generation of Latin American youth into suicidal adventures. By isolating some of the most militant and self-sacrificing elements of the younger generation from the masses, it likewise solidified the grip of Stalinist and bourgeois nationalist parties over the working class, thereby helping pave the way to the terrible defeats and military dictatorships of the 1970s.

Many of those who followed Guevaras example ended up like himhunted down, tortured and murdered by US-backed military forces. Others moved on in their political careers, abandoning armed struggle for parliamentary seats for its leaders or positions in capitalist business for selected members, like the Chilean MIR, Nicaraguas Sandinistas and the FMLN in El Salvador.

The attempts at reviving the Guevara myth, not only by the Cuban government but also various middle class left groups and even commercial ventures seeking to market his well-known image, served to block a serious reexamination of his politics and their bitter legacy.

50 years ago: Military dictatorship established in South Korea

Promoting the cult of personality for Park Chung-hee at the Army Parade at Armed Forces Day on October 1, 1973

On October 17, 1972, South Korean President Park Chung-hee declared martial law and dissolved the National Assembly. In the weeks that followed, Park established a new government with all power concentrated in the executive.

Park first came to power in a 1961 coup launched to preempt a revolutionary movement of the working class and youth, known as the April Revolution. Park, who had served in the Imperial Japanese military during World War II and alongside the Americans during the Korean War, established a military junta that eventually gave way to the Third Republic in 1963. Presented to the public as a liberal democracy, the Third Republic maintained Park as the president through a series of narrow election victories. Just before the 1971 election, in which Park should have been unable to run due to constitutional term limits of the president, the National Assembly, stacked with his supporters, amended the constitution to allow his candidacy.

During Parks democratic phase there was a massive push from the South Korean bourgeoisie to rapidly industrialize the country. Often referred to as an economic miracle, the breakneck industrial development was achieved only by the most brutal exploitation of the working class.

Facing major opposition to his regime and scraping by in the 1971 presidential election with just 53 percent of the vote, Park feared a new mass movement of workers would emerge that would threaten both his rule and the development of South Korean capitalism. Following the example of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippians, Park and the South Korean ruling class, supported by their American backers, deemed that dictatorship was the most prudent course for defending the profits of Korean and US capitalism.

Once Parks new military dictatorship was established, no time was wasted in crushing strikes, protests and all political resistance. Park used the Korean Central Intelligence Agency to arrest, torture and execute any known political dissidents and established large forced-labor prison camps. Repression especially targeted communist and left-wing movements.

75 years ago: HUAC launches anti-communist witch-hunt in Hollywood

On October 20, 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), an investigative body of the House of Representatives, began hearings supposedly aimed at uncovering communist influence in Hollywood.

The launching of the witch-hunt followed a media campaign, initiated the previous year, in which the Hollywood Reporter named a series of prominent actors, directors and other film personalities as members of the Communist Party. This right-wing effort was taken up by HUAC, under conditions in which the Truman administration was sharply escalating the Cold War against the Soviet Union, having overturned the alliance between American imperialism and the Stalinist bureaucracy in World War II.

The first week of HUAC hearings heard from friendly witnesses, who served to legitimize the new focus of the committee. Animator and film producer Walt Disney was among the first, railing against the existence of unions among Hollywood employees. Asked about the Communist Party, Disney said: I dont believe it is a political party, I believe it is an un-American thing before voicing support for un-American things to be outlawed. Disney named several film professionals who he claimed were likely communists.

Future American president and then head of the Screen Actors Guild Ronald Reagan gave similar testimony, asserting that a clique within the guild involved unnamed Communist Party members or those under its control. Actor Adolphe Menjou declared: I am a witch-hunter if the witches are Communists. I am a Red-baiter. I would like to see them all back in Russia.

Later in October, 10 hostile witnesses were called and were instructed to confirm whether they were in the Communist Party and to name names. The ten were Alvah Bessie, Herbert Biberman, Lester Cole, Edward Dmytryk, Ring Lardner Jr., John Howard Lawson, Albert Maltz, Samuel Ornitz, Adrian Scott and Dalton Trumbo. The group initially included exiled German playwright Bertold Brecht, but he fled to Europe.

After the 10 refused to provide testimony, they would be found in contempt of Congress in November, with punitive sanctions and an effective blacklist imposed. This set off what would become hundreds of artists placed on blacklists.

100 years ago: Sugar industry heir assumes presidency of Dominican Republic

On October 21, 1922, the American High Commissioner of the Dominican Republic, Sumner Welles, selected Juan Bautista Vicini Burgos to become the countrys acting president. The American military had occupied the Caribbean nation since 1916, sparking armed resistance by Dominicans from 1917 to 1921. The occupation resulted in American control over the political and economic life of the nation, whose finances were managed by the National City Bank of New York. American companies purchased large tracts of land on which to cultivate sugar under near-slave labor conditions by workers brought across the border from Haiti.

Welles had been sent by American President Warren G. Harding, a Republican, to implement the Harding Plan, which sought to replace direct American military control with US domination of the police, American supervision of elections and a $2.5 million loan to develop the countrys infrastructure.

The shift in imperialist policy occurred not only because American public opinion had increasingly opposed the occupations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, but also because the direct entrance of American imperialism into European affairs after World War I required that American rule take a more indirect form in the Caribbean and in Latin America.

The Harding Plan, nevertheless, was rejected by much of the Dominican population and a round of negotiations between the American secretary of state, Charles Evans Hughes, and the Dominican ambassador to Washington, Francisco J. Peynado, resulted in the appointment of Vicini, the son of a sugar magnate, as acting president. Vicinis government was constrained by the presence of American occupation forces. When US soldiers finally withdrew in 1924, the American favorite, Horacio Vasquez, defeated Peynado in the presidential elections.
As a massive coronavirus wave develops in the autumn and hospitalization rates skyrocket, more and more studies are revealing the dangerous consequences of COVID infection, even for children.

The number of coronavirus infections in Germany has increased exponentially in recent weeks, with more than 100,000 people becoming infected daily. On Thursday alone, 145,000 infections were reported to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Just a week ago, an average of only 62,000 people were being infected every day. According to official figures, 1.4 million people in Germany are currently infected: about one in 60 inhabitants.

The actual figures are much higher. Only positive PCR tests are included in the RKI statistics. However, many people do not take a PCR test after a positive lateral flow test. The testing infrastructure and mandatory testing have been almost completely scaled back. The high positive test rate of 47.8 percent gives an indication of the high number of unreported cases.

As the number of infections increases, the number of those who experience a severe illness also skyrockets. The adjusted hospitalization incidence rate is now almost 20 per 100,000 inhabitants, which corresponds to 15,000 hospitalizations per week, meaning it has doubled in less than two weeks. At latest count, the number of people being treated in intensive care is 1,706.

The German Hospital Association (DKG) warns of hospitals becoming overloaded. Compared to the previous week, bed occupancy for those with COVID increased by 50 percent, the chairman of the board Gerald Ga told Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. Things will be extremely difficult in the weeks ahead, he said.

The drastic situation is the result of the governments policy of deliberately allowing the contagion to run wild. With the current Infection Protection Act, which came into force on October 1, the federal coalition government has eliminated almost all remaining protective measures. New measuresmost notably lockdowns, such as the closure of schoolsare now prevented by the law.

The president of the Standing Conference of State Education Ministers, Karin Prien (Christian Democratic Union, CDU), recently emphasized that as in all other areas of life, the motto living with the virus now applies to schools as well.

Recent studies on the long-term consequences of a coronavirus infection, especially for children, have revealed the criminal results of this policy. A recently published study by the Erlangen University Hospital, which examines the long-term consequences of COVID infections in children and adolescents, concludes that minors experience enormous changes to their lungs due to infection.

Through examinations with a special MRI, researchers determined that in study participants the air and blood flow of the lungs no longer functioned properly. In the recovered group, the V/Q (ventilation/perfusion) ratio was 62 percent, and in the group with Long COVID, it was 60 percentboth a significantly lower value than the ratio of 81 percent in the healthy control subjects, explained Dr. Ferdinand Knieling, a specialist in paediatrics and adolescent medicine at the Childrens Hospital at Erlangen University Hospital.

This means that the air and blood flow of those infected was significantly lower than in uninfected children and adolescents. How long ago the infection had occurred did not matter, according to Dr. Knieling; lung function was lower in all cases.

Another recent study by the University Hospital of Dusseldorf and health insurer AOK found that children from poor families had a significantly higher risk of contracting severe COVID-19 than children of wealthy families.

The study looked at the period from the beginning of the pandemic to July 2021, before the start of the Delta wave. Data from nearly 700,000 children and adolescents insured via the AOK were included, with 1,600 of them (0.2 percent) being hospitalized due to coronavirus.

The study found that children whose parents were unemployed or had low-paying jobs were 1.4 times more likely to be hospitalized. For children living in a deprived neighbourhood, the risk is as much as three times higher. Both figures are independent of pre-existing conditionsi.e., they emerge from social conditions.

The study is a follow-up to one in which the AOK looked at the risk of severe illness among the long-term unemployed in the early months of 2020. Using data from 1.3 million insured persons, the study concluded that recipients of unemployment benefit have a 17.5 percent increased risk of coronavirus-related hospitalization. Recipients of the lower unemployment benefit have an 84 percent increased risk. The results are independent of age and gender in both cases.

Official RKI figures also show a clear link between social status and deaths from COVID-19. During the second coronavirus wave in the winter of 2020/21, an average of about 45 out of 100,000 men and 30 out of 100,000 women died in wealthier population groups, whereas nearly 80 out of 100,000 men and about 40 out of 100,000 women died in poorer population groups.

Social disparities have a significant impact on health outcomes. This is also evident in the Covid pandemic. But an individuals health should not depend on social status, Gunter Waltermann, CEO of AOK Rheinland/Hamburg, said after the first study was published. We have known for a long time that poverty and health are linked, said Prof. Nico Dragano of Dusseldorf University Hospital.

In fact, poor men live on average 10 years less than rich ones. For women, the figure is eight years. Poor people also suffer more frequently from diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other illnesses. They often do not have the means to obtain adequate or optimal medical treatment.

The pandemic has significantly exacerbated the class issues in health. Workers live predominantly in cramped housing conditions. Working from home is not possible for many, without a suitable room, sufficient space and adequate IT equipment, or a job that can be done remotely. The trade unions have also played a crucial role in forcing workers back to workplaces in unsafe conditions, where coronavirus outbreaks occur regularly.

In the last week alone, the RKI recorded 65 outbreaks in workplaces and 45 outbreaks in training centres. However, due to a lack of infrastructure and recording capabilities, the actual numbers are far higher.

The increasing knowledge about the dangerous consequences of COVID infections and the again exploding infection and death figures underline the criminal character of the policies of the ruling class: The health and life of the population are being sacrificed to capitalist profit interests. In Germany alone, more than 150,000 people have already succumbed to the virus.

To stop the mass deaths and implement the scientifically necessary measures to end the pandemic, the intervention of the working class, equipped with an international socialist program, is necessary.
By Trend

The Southern Gas Corridor offers great opportunities for the countries which are not crossed by this pipeline, Francis Perrin, Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS, Rabat) and at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS, Paris), told Trend.

"Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine the European Union has launched a search for new sources of natural gas as the 27 member states have decided to get rid of Russian gas in a medium-term horizon. Over the last months the EU has concluded three agreements with gas exporting countries, one with the U.S. (the largest gas-producing country in the world and a key liquefied natural gas - LNG - exporter), another with Egypt and Israel (Eastern Mediterranean) and the third one with Azerbaijan. Italy signed a gas agreement with Algeria, Germany will import LNG from Abu Dhabi and France is negotiating with Algeria for additional gas supplies," he said.

Perrin pointed out that the U.S. will export more LNG, Egypt and Israel will also export more LNG and Azerbaijan will increase its exports through the existing gasline network, the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), which links Azerbaijan to the EU through Georgia and Turkey.

"The aim is to double to 20 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year the capacity of the SGC by 2027. It is of course an important target as the EU decided last spring to stop importing Russian gas by 2027 approximately. Azerbaijan's gas supplies to the EU are already on a rising trend. They reached 8.1 bcm in 2021 and should amount to 12 bcm in 2022," the expert added.

Perrin noted that the existence of the SGC offers interesting opportunities for other countries than those which are directly crossed by it.

"The last step of the SGC is the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP - Greece/Albania/Adriatic Sea and Italy). Various connection options are possible from these countries towards South-East European and Central European countries. And Italy is part of an interconnected gas network within the EU. These two elements strengthen the strategic importance of the SGC for the EU in such an exceptional period. TAP can also be used in a reverse flow mode, which means that Italy could send gas to South-East Europe under certain circumstances. And in the longer-term hydrogen could be transported through TAP. The SGC is thus a strategic energy project for the EU in a short-term, mid-term and long-term horizon," he added.
Yesterday, October 16, marked the 45th anniversary of the assassination of Tom Henehan, a member of the political committee of the Workers Leaguethe predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party in the US.

On October 19, 1997, the SEP held a meeting in Ann Arbor to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Tom Henehans death.

Below we post the tribute to Tom that then SEP National Secretary David North delivered at the meeting. This lecture is also available in pamphlet form at Mehring Books.

On the evening of October 15, 1977, Tom was supervising an activity sponsored by the Young Socialists, the partys youth movement, in Brooklyn, New York. Two men, later identified as Edwin Sequinot and Angel Rodriguez, started a disturbance by attacking another Workers League member, Jacques Vielot. As Tom rushed to Vielots aid, he was shot five times by a third assailant lying in wait, a professional gunman named Angelo Torres. Sequinot then pulled out a gun and shot Vielot, severely wounding him. The injured Vielot rushed Tom to Wyckoff Heights Hospital. Tom died approximately an hour after arriving at the hospital, in the early morning hours of October 16. He was 26 years old.

[Photo: WSWS]

The murder of Tom Henehan was a political attack aimed at intimidating the Workers League and blocking its efforts to build a socialist leadership in the American working class. Toms death came at a point when the party was gaining significant influence among city workers in New York, coal miners in West Virginia and Kentucky and other sections of militant workers.

At the same time, the Workers League was involved in an historic investigation of the circumstances surrounding the 1940 assassination of Leon Trotsky, the founder of the Fourth International. This investigation, whose findings were published under the title Security and the Fourth International, exposed the decades-long efforts of the police agencies of imperialism and Stalinism to penetrate and sabotage the world Trotskyist movement. Among other things, the investigation revealed the insidious links between Joseph Hansenwho later became a leader of the American Socialist Workers Partyand the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In June 1977, Hansen and the SWP published a statement that warned of deadly consequences if the investigation continued. Shortly afterwards, Tom Henehan lay dead in a Brooklyn hospital.

Soon after Toms death, the Workers League and the Young Socialists launched a campaign to demand the arrest and conviction of his killers. The campaign won widespread support from workers and youth throughout the country, including tens of thousands who signed petitions to the Brooklyn District Attorneys office. Officials from unions representing 3 million workers in the US also endorsed the campaign.

Late in 1980, after three years of claiming that Torres had fled and could not be found, and that there was no case to be brought against Sequinot, the New York police finally arrested both men. Torres had been living in the same apartment throughout this period and had once been arrested and released, despite an outstanding murder warrant. The two were tried in the summer of 1981, convicted, and sentenced to long prison terms for acting in concert in the murder of Tom Henehan and the wounding of Jacques Vielot.

The death of Tom Henehan at such a young age was a tragic loss for the international working class. Intelligent, courageous, dynamic, indefatigable and compassionate are the words that best describe young Tom. He was born on March 16, 1951 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When Tom was still a young child his family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Later, when Tom was a teenager, the family settled in Kalamazoo. In 1969 Tom entered Columbia University in New York City, where he met the Workers League during his senior year. In March 1973, Tom joined the party and dedicated his life to the political education and liberation of the working class.

During his four years in the party, Tom played a central role in the development of the youth movement in the US and internationally and was particularly active in expanding the Workers Leagues influence among coal miners in West Virginia and Kentucky. Tom was charismatic and, in the best sense of the word, idealistic. He left an immense and unforgettable impression on all those who knew him and with whom he worked.

* * *

Tom Henehan leading the Gary Tyler march through Harlem, December 1976 [Photo: WSWS]

Tom Henehan: A revolutionary life

I would like to begin my remarks with a recollection. After returning from the hospital where Tom Henehan had died in the early morning hours of October 16, 1977, I called Toms older brother, Paul, and relayed to him the terrible news. Paul then told me that he would take responsibility for informing other members of Toms family.

A few hours later I was told by Paul that Toms mother, Mary Elise Henehan, would be flying to New York the next day. I recall awaiting the arrival of Mary Elise Henehan with trepidation. I had never before met her. What, I asked myself, could I say to Toms mother that might in some way be of help to her at such a tragic moment? But when she arrived at our offices, before I had managed to say anything to her, she embraced me. I, who had been wondering how to comfort Toms mother, was instead being comforted by Mary Elise.

None of us who lived through the events of October 1977 can forget the strength and support that Mary Elise Henehan gave us during what must have been the most terrible week of her life. I realized then that Tom Henehans extraordinary qualities were due in no small measure to the fact that he was the son of an extraordinary human being. All of us are very proud that this extraordinary person, Mary Elise Henehan, as well as Toms sisters are with us today on this memorial occasion.

Tom Henehan campaigning among youth in Brooklyn, January 1975 [Photo: WSWS]

On October 22, 1977, at the memorial held only a few days after the murder of Tom Henehan, we promised that we would never forget him. Today, 20 years later, we are honoring that pledge. The very fact that many of those who were present at the first memorial meeting are here again todayin some cases traveling thousands of milesis a poignant expression of the enduring impact of Toms personality upon those who knew, respected and even loved him. Even after 20 years, so many facets of his personality remain vivid in our memories of Tom: his intelligence, determination, physical courage, compassion, energy, sense of humor and enthusiastic enjoyment of life.

And yet the purpose of this meeting is not only to recall the past and pay tribute to the memory of a fallen comrade. We are also, in the very process of honoring Tom on the anniversary of his death, reaffirming our own enduring commitment to the ideals and principles for which he lived. Indeed, the power and relevance of those ideals finds expression in the presence at this meeting of representatives of a younger generation, some of whom were only infants at the time of Toms death or even not yet born.

Tom Henehan was only 26 years old when he was assassinated in New York City. When we who were his contemporaries look at the photographs of Tom, having ourselves aged by 20 years, we are able to appreciate today, more profoundly than in 1977, how very young he was at the time of his death. We have a better sense today of how much more he could have and would have accomplished had he not been murdered. To this day we feel an enduring sense of loss, but not of waste and futility. The 26 years of Toms life were far too short, but they were not short of purpose and enduring meaning.

Had Tom not died in October 1977, had he been privileged to live another 20 years and were he still with us today, he would certainly have experienced and accomplished more than what was possible in the space of 26 years. But the essential course of his life would have proceeded along the lines that were set down when he decided, in the spring of 1973, on the eve of his graduation from Columbia University, to join the Workers League and devote his life to the cause of the working class and the struggle for international socialism.

Tom was, in the best and positive sense of the word, an idealist. He believed passionately in justice, equality and the solidarity of mankind. But he did not join the Workers League in a fit of thoughtless youthful exuberance. Tom matured amidst the social and political convulsions of the 1960s and early 1970s, and he was politically radicalized by the Vietnam War, the violent struggles in the cities, and the obvious inability of liberal reformism to fashion any viable solution to the problems of poverty and oppression in the United States. Like many others of his generation, he was drawn to the conclusion that the cause of the social ills that plagued American society was capitalism.

Campaigning for the Bulletin among workers at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, October 1976 [Photo: WSWS]

By the time Tom first made contact with the Workers League he already had encountered many of the innumerable political tendencies on the left that were active at the timefrom the splintered fractions of the SDS and the Maoists of Progressive Labor to the revisionists of the Socialist Workers Party and the Spartacist League. But none of these tendencieswhich had in the course of the previous decade found supporters among thousands of student youthwon the allegiance of Tom Henehan.

What was it that attracted Tom Henehan to the Workers League? Just as the character of a person is expressed in the philosophy he adopts, an individual reveals, in the choice of a party, the forces, ideals, principles and aims that motivate him at the most profound level of his intellectual and moral being. But the relation between the party and the individuals of whom it is composed is a complex one. It is undoubtedly true that an individual must choose the party that he wishes to join. But in a broader historical sense, it is still truer to say that the members of a partyand especially a Marxist partyare themselves the product of a historical selection.

The revolutionary movement is a great fisher of men and women. It seeks out those who have the capacity to rise to the level of the most difficult of historical tasks, who are prepared to devote to the socialist cause not merely months or even several years, but decades and even a lifetime. It demands of its members exceptional powers of intellectual and moral endurance. Those who are seeking only superficial answers to the problems of this world will choose a party that makes few demands upon their intellect, that offers easy and reassuring answers to complex problems, that adapts to the prevailing prejudices of public opinion and so-called common sense, and that denies the depth of commitment, intensity of struggle, and theoretical labor required for the revolutionary transformation of society. Superficial organizations attract superficial people.

Of all the words that could be used to describe Tom Henehan, superficial is the last that would come to mind. Tom was drawn to the Workers League by its concern for problems of theory, its study of Marxism as a science, and the profound sense of history that permeated its perspective and program. Toms decision to join the Workers League expressed an essential seriousness of thought and purpose.

Those of us who, like Tom Henehan, joined the Workers League in the early 1970s did so because this was the only movement that placed the problems confronting the working class in the United States within the broader context of the historical experiences of the international socialist movement in the 20th century. It explained that enduring answers to the great political and social questions of the day were not to be found at the level of radical-sounding but basically empty-headed slogans (such as: Power comes out of the barrel of a gun) or in the midst of frenetic activism. Rather, the Workers League insisted that the essential foundation of revolutionary practice consisted in the assimilation of the theoretical and political lessons derived from the monumental struggle waged by Leon Trotsky and the Fourth International against the betrayal of the 1917 October Revolution by Stalinism.

Tom printing party literature [Photo: WSWS]

Back in the 1970s, the Workers League was commonly denounced by its many opponents within the radical left as sectarian. With this epithet they wished to malign the very political characteristics that we considered our greatest strength: our preoccupation with materialist dialectics, our passionate interest in history, and, flowing from this, our irreconcilably critical attitude toward the parties and organizations that dominated the mass movements of the day. We were the party that refused to either forget or forgive the crimes that had been committed by the Stalinist bureaucracy and its accomplices against the Soviet and international working class. Unlike the revisionist movements, we refused to attribute to Stalinism any progressive characteristics. We did not see Stalinism as a misguided political tendency that was to be influenced and moved to the left, but rather as the political expression of a counterrevolutionary bureaucracy that was to be exposed, discredited and destroyed.

Our attitude to the politics of radical bourgeois nationalism was no less uncompromising. The Workers League had been founded in 1966 on the basis of the struggle waged by the International Committee of the Fourth International against the American Socialist Workers Partys capitulation to the politics of Fidel Castro. As the International Committee correctly warned, the SWPs adaptation to Castroism represented a rejection of the predominant revolutionary role of the working class. Castros victory represented, no doubt, an embarrassment and setback, albeit of a temporary character, for the United States. It did not, however, represent either a new form of proletarian power or a viable strategy of socialist revolution. No combination of urban and rural guerrilla forces, led by politicians from the radical petty bourgeoisie, could bring about socialism. We maintained that the fate of socialism depended upon the conscious political struggle of the international working class, educated and led by an international Marxist party, for power.

These were not popular conceptions in the political climate of the 1970s. The Soviet bureaucracy and its associated Communist parties still disposed of vast resources and exercised immense influence over millions of workers. The national liberation movementsas they were then knownenjoyed an immense international prestige. With the help of funds provided by the Soviet Unionwhich saw in these organizations a means of countering the global influence of the United Statesthe armed struggle waged by the radical nationalists of the so-called Third World was followed with enthusiasm and admiration by broad sections of students, intellectuals and other sections of the middle class. The 1970s were the heyday of national liberation movementsthe IRA, the MPLA, the PLO, the Sandinistas, the Farabundo Marti, Frelimo, and countless other organizations.

Our criticisms of such movements, the analyses we offered of the real social interests expressed in the politics of the bourgeois nationalists, and our warnings of the inability of these movements to solve the related problems of imperialist domination, economic backwardness and national oppression were frequently met with hostility. You Trotskyites, we were told scornfully again and again, live in a world of theory and are always criticizing movements that are leading real struggles.

Tom speaking at a young Socialist meeting in Jersey City, 1977 [Photo: WSWS]

Tremendous pressure was placed upon our movement to adapt and conform to the popular politics of the radical petty bourgeoisie. Unfortunately, a section of our international movement buckled under that pressure. By the mid-1970s, the Workers Revolutionary Party in Britain began to adopt the very conceptions it had earlier opposed when it had fought against the opportunism of the Socialist Workers Party. In fact, at the memorial meeting held after Toms murder in October 1977, we listened with a mixture of surprise, alarm and dismay as Mike Banda, the general secretary of the WRP, transformed what had begun as a eulogy of Tom into an unabashed tribute to the Palestine Liberation Organization! Praising the politics of Arafat, Banda declared that in the pursuit of the goal of a democratic and socialist Palestine, the PLO leaders were not trying to take any shortcuts, any pragmatic expedients....

In the last 20 years, Arafat and the PLO have attempted not a few shortcuts and pragmatic expedients. I believe that visits to the White House, a trip to Oslo to collect the Nobel Peace Price, and countless secret parleys with various Israeli prime ministers qualify as pragmatic expedients, if not exactly shortcuts. At any rate, Arafat and the PLO long ago abandoned the goal of a democratic and secular Palestine and have settled instead for (what is called in the language of international diplomacy) an entity in which the Palestinian masses live in utter poverty and without rights, oppressed not only by the Israeli regime but also by the police of the so-called Palestinian authority. I have recalled Bandas speech and drawn attention to the evolution of the PLO in order to illustrate how completely the historical process has vindicated the political principles and program for which the International Committee, the Workers League and Tom Henehan fought.

In a speech which Trotsky recorded at the time of the founding of the Fourth International, he referred to the powerful mass organizations of the daythe parties and trade unions controlled by the Stalinists and the social democratsand predicted that they would be shattered by historical events that will not leave of these outlived organizations one stone upon another. In the years since the death of Tom Henehan we have seen the fulfillment of that prediction. One after another, organizations that seemed so powerful such a short time ago have been blown to pieces. The Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union imploded. The Maoist regime in China presides over a system of brutal economic exploitation that has become one of the linchpins of globalized capitalist production. Fidel Castro, deprived of Soviet subsidies, stakes the fortunes of the Cuban economy on the promotion of a tourist trade that is already recreating in modern form the squalor and corruption of the Batista era.

In evaluating the life of Tom Henehan it is necessary to consider the validity of the cause and the principles for which he fought. From all sides we hear the claim that socialism is dead. But the entire basis of this claim rests on the false and cynical identification of the Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union with Marxism and socialism. The irreconcilable opposition of Marxism to Stalinism was the essential premise of the political program and perspective of the Workers League. For Tom, the struggle for socialism proceeded necessarily through a fight against Stalinism and the politics of the Soviet bureaucracy. The collapse of the Soviet Union signified the end not of socialism, but of a reactionary regime that utilized Marxist phraseology only to betray and discredit socialism.

Of course, it cannot be denied that the cause of socialism was dealt terrible blows by Stalinism. There is, inevitably, a difference between our scientific assessment of the nature of Stalinism and the way in which the demise of the USSR is understood at the present time by the broad mass of the working class. It will take time for the masses to assimilate and understand the complex political experiences of the 20th century. No one can predict the duration of that period of assimilation and reeducation. But while political confusion may retard for a certain period the growth of the socialist movement, there still remain within the very structure of the capitalist mode of production contradictions of which socialism is the necessary and, in a historic sense, ineradicable expression.

Speaking at the Young Socialists Fifth National Conference in Philadelphia, June 1977 [Photo: WSWS]

These contradictions find direct and potentially explosive expression in the dominant role of the transnational corporation, the global integration of production, and the internationalization of the capitalist labor process. The past 20 years has seen, as a direct consequence of international capitalist development, a vast expansion in the size of the proletariat. Another phenomenon of the last 20 years has been the extraordinary polarization of capitalist society between the fabulously wealthy, who constitute a tiny percentage of the population, and the broad mass of the people who live in varying degrees of uncertainty and distress. The process is much lamented but, within the framework of capitalism, uncontrollable.

The productive forces grow ever more gigantic and the technology increasingly amazing. In the realm of science everything seems possible. In the realm of society, however, humanity seems to be caught in a rut. If anything is to be learned from the scientific study of history, it is that such a situation cannot last. Sooner or later the existing barriers to progress will be burst aside. Beneath the surface of events, notwithstanding the prevailing confusion and disorientation, powerful objective processes are laying the foundations for a new eruption of revolutionary cataclysms.

The death of Tom Henehan was a tragic loss for his family, for his comrades and friends, and for the cause of the working people. For those of us who personally experienced the events of October 1977, I think I speak for all of them when I say they were the saddest of our lives. The sense of loss not only remains with us to this day, but has even become more profound. Having passed through the upheavals and convulsions of the last 20 years and witnessed their impact upon society, we have today a deeper sense of what we lost with the death of Tom.

If we have learned anything with age and experience, it is the immense significance of socialist consciousness in the modern historical process. The unending war against Marxism waged on so many fronts by the bourgeoisie expresses its own recognition of the power of socialist thought and the danger posed by its dissemination. Objective conditions provide the working class with the possibility but not the guarantee of socialism. To an extent even greater than suspected by the founders of our movement, the fate of socialism, and, therefore, of mankind, depends upon the expansion of the intellectual horizons of the working class.

In this sense, socialism is not merely the mobilization of the working class around a set of economic and political demands but also an immense cultural movement of the proletariat. But this movement cannot emerge spontaneously. It is only through the cadre that socialist politics and culture can be brought into the working class. The cadrethe men and women who make the fight for socialism the central purpose of their livesare the human bearers of the only scientific doctrine of universal social emancipation. What we mourn in the death of Tom Henehan is the loss of not only a comrade and friend, but a precious and irreplaceable instrument of social enlightenment and human progress.

Signing up a Young Socialist member in 1976 [Photo: WSWS]

In conclusion, I would like to address myself to the younger generation which has much to learn from the example of Tom Henehan. Through no fault of their own, the youth have been cut off not only from the revolutionary spirit that loomed so large throughout the first three-quarters of this century, but even from the intellectual traditions that inspired earlier generations of youth to immerse themselves in great and self-sacrificing social struggles. The young people of today are, indeed, the targets and victims of a ferocious assault on the very process of socially-critical thought. In countless ways and in innumerable variations, the makers of official public opinionin the government, the media and especially the universitiespreach the same dreary message of conformity and complacency. Money, it is proclaimed, is the measure of all things. The point of life is simply to live as long and accumulate as much as possible. The most important decision in an individuals life is not the cause for which he will fight, but the mix of mutual funds in which he will invest.

History shows that the dominance of such empty and egotistical conceptions is characteristic of a society that is in a process of decay and dissolution. The youth must free themselves, intellectually and practically, from this fetid environment. They must think of the future and assume responsibility for it. They must ask themselves why and for what purpose are they alive. Tom Henehan asked himself these questions, and acted seriously and passionately upon the answers he found. And in doing so, he lived a life of enduring significance.

In the prevailing climate of cynicism, there are no doubt people who believe that to die at so young an age is merely a personal calamity and that no cause could possibly be worth such a sacrifice. The same people give little thought to the fact that their own precious comfort, which they value above all else, rests upon an economic order that condemns countless millions to privation and early death. All of us wish that Tom were alive today. But a life must be measured not by its longevity or other superficial and conventional indices of personal success, but by what it contributed to the improvement of the human condition. The fact that Tom is remembered by so many, that he remains a source of inspiration to people all over the world, is the truest indication of the value of his life.

It has been said that youth is the finest period of a persons life, the time when ideals count for more than anything else. If a person is not seized by ideals when he is young, then he never will be, and his life will never amount to anything. Such people are only to be pitied, for they have condemned themselves, whether they know it or not, to a life without any real purpose.

But there is another element of this insight into the significance of youth, and that is the relation of ones youth to the rest of ones life. The moral quality of an individuals life is best measured by determining the degree to which he has remained loyal to the ideals of his youth. That is a very difficult test, not only for individuals but also for political parties.

Tom Henehan was part of the youth of this party. He exemplified the ideals that motivated this party in its youth. Our party has in the course of the past 20 years lived through many experiences, including that of a bitter political split that separated us forever from the Workers Revolutionary Party. We have learned a great deal and become more mature. We have transformed the Workers League into the Socialist Equality Party. But in all these experiences, and in the midst of political upheavals that have turned the world upside down, we have remained true to the revolutionary principles that once inspired Tom and fired his imagination.

The resiliency of this party, its unyielding commitment to its founding principles, and its confidence in the future are derived, in the final analysis, from the power of its historical perspective and insight into the insoluble contradictions of the world capitalist system. Capitalism is only one stage in the historical evolution of man, and the market is not the highest and final expression of mans genius. Labor, from which capital is derived, remains the essence of man; and the movement of history, for all its complexities and tragedies, leads inexorably toward socialism.

The years since Toms death have been for our party, both within the United States and among its international sections, a period of political and intellectual growth. But for all the necessary changes in the forms of our practical work, Tom Henehan, were he alive today, would still recognize this movement as his party. His work lives on in this movement. That is why the Socialist Equality Party and the International Committee of the Fourth International can hold this anniversary and honor the memory of Tom without a trace of inner discomfort. This is the party of genuine Marxism and revolutionary socialism, and we appeal to the youth to come forward and help us build the movement that will put an end to all forms of exploitation and injustice.
There are now numerous reports emerging from Australias public school system on the devastating effects of staffing shortages driven by abysmal working conditions, excess unpaid overtime requirements, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (see: Australian teacher staffing shortage exacerbates schools crisis).

Striking NSW teachers at Sydney protest in early May 2022. [Photo: WSWS]

One source detailing the perspective of multiple public school teachers is a New South Wales (NSW) government inquiry into teacher shortages. The ongoing inquiry commenced in June 2022 and has received more than 250 submissions from different organisations and individuals, including numerous teachers and school workers.

The inquiry itself is a sham, convened by the upper house of the NSW parliament and chaired by Mark Latham, the former federal Labor Party leader and now member of Pauline Hansons One Nation extreme-right party. The state Liberal-National government of Premier Dominic Perrottet is spearheading a right-wing offensive against the public education system. Under the guise of addressing the crisis in the schools, it is advancing the most regressive education policy ideas long demanded by the corporate elite, such as so-called performance pay for teachers.

The content of the inquiry submissions nevertheless reflected the sharpness of the crisis in the schools.

A principal of a regional secondary school wrote on the impact of the staffing shortage at their workplace. We have had unfilled vacancies all year and no capacity to release staff for training or excursions because we also have no casual staff, they explained. To ensure that students are supervised, our staff have been combining classes and changing arrangements to minimal supervision and covering vacancies and for staff on sick leave, by teaching extras in their scheduled non-teaching preparation time. Our class sizes are larger, even for our most disadvantaged students and our capacity to address equity gaps has been significantly reduced as a result.

A support teacher from a western Sydney public primary school wrote: The impact the staff shortages have had on my job as well as other non classroom teachers is insurmountable. I am constantly being called upon to replace a classroom teacher due to illness and my other programs are left desolate.

The teacher went on to detail the disproportionate impact on students with disabilities: Students with learning difficulties are no longer given intensive lessons and as time goes on in these important early years of interventionthe opportunity is missed. Our English as Another Language or Dialect (EALD) teacher has the same interrupted expectations to drop everything and go into class time and time again. The CILSP (Covid Intensive Learning Support Program) teacher is a casual teacher who has been employed for the year to specifically work with small groups to assist with gaps that may have occurred as a result of school closures and Home Learning. There have been two days this year that the CILSP teacher has been able to work with these students.

Another theme in the inquiry submissions was the impact of ever increasing administrative work.

A teacher from a south-western Sydney public high school wrote: Teachers are regularly swept up in endless amounts of administration, meetings and compliance/box ticking measures, instead of doing what they loveteaching students. We have reduced preparation time to create meaningful, exciting and relevant lessons, which is having a negative and long-lasting impact on the educational outcomes of young people in schools.

The treatment of teachers by the politicians and the mainstream media was also mentioned by numbers of submissions.

A high school teacher from regional NSW wrote: Teachers have become the fall guy for the failings of the education system, and governments cling on to this to avoid any accountability for the fact that they run and fund the system and if there is a problem with it, they are ultimately responsible.

A theme that was in almost all submissions was the impact of increasing workloads.

A head teacher at a public high school explained: If schools cannot locate enough teachers or enough appropriately qualified teachers, then naturally workloads increase for those who are already employed within that school, and there is little to no compensation, in-kind or otherwise, offered to those who are compelled to paper over the teacher shortage crack. Every teacher I know is having to plan additional lessons or teach additional classes on a regular basis, resulting in the loss of planning and preparation time.

Another submission, from a high school science teacher with 15 years experience, explained: I usually work 50-60 hours a week and half of my holidays. In other jobs I have been able to negotiate the workload but this is not possible in teaching as they are all fixed tasks.

Submissions from teachers demonstrated a passion for their profession and concern about the state of public education.

One senior teacher who has worked in both metropolitan and regional high schools wrote: Put simply, my colleagues and I find ourselves in an ever deepening workplace crisis.  I have grave concerns for the future of our fine public education system and the profession I love. This industry has run on its employees goodwill for far too long, and now we find ourselves in a situation where there are not enough staff with enough goodwill left.

Contact the Committee for Public Education (CFPE):

Email:cfpe.aus@gmail.com

Facebook:facebook.com/commforpubliceducation

facebook.com/groups/opposeaeusellout

Twitter:@CFPE_Australia
On Monday, the NATO military alliance will hold a training exercise, known as Steadfast Noon, in which US B-52 bombers and F-16 fighters will simulate dropping atomic bombs over Europe amid a deepening nuclear standoff with Russia.

The training exercise comes just ten days after US President Joe Biden warned of a nuclear apocalypse, saying the risk of nuclear war is the greatest since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

This is the exercise that practices NATOs nuclear strike mission with dual-capable aircraft and the B61 tactical nuclear bombs the US deploys in Europe, wrote Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists.

The aircraft will rehearse dropping B61 tactical thermonuclear bombs, each of which is up to 20 times more powerful than the weapon that destroyed Hiroshima in World War II, killing as many as 126,000 civilians.

A B-52 bomber releases a bomb during a training operation. [Photo: US Department of Defense]

While nuclear training exercises are usually presented as routine, nonthreatening, and not targeting any specific country, this year NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg made clear that the exercise is intended as a threat to Russia.

In a speech that mentioned Russia five times, Stoltenberg announced, Next week, NATO will hold its long-planned deterrence exercise, Steadfast Noon. He added, Russia knows that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.

As of 2019, the United States had 150 tactical nuclear warheads stationed throughout Europe as part of the NATO nuclear arsenal, including in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.

On Sunday, one day ahead of the scheduled nuclear drill, China told its citizens living in Ukraine to evacuate the country, citing the grave security situation.



In June, the NATO alliance published a document pledging to deliver the full range of forces needed for high-intensity, multi-domain warfighting against nuclear-armed peer-competitors.

In announcing the Steadfast Noon exercise, NATO said the training flights include 14 countries and up to 60 aircraft of various types, including fourth and fifth generation fighter jets, as well as surveillance and tanker aircraft. It added that US B-52 long-range bombers will fly from Minot Air Base in North Dakota to take part in the exercise.

The flights will take place over Belgium, which is hosting the exercise, as well as over the North Sea and the United Kingdom.

NATO added, No live weapons are used, which is a relief because the weapons involved in the drill would irradiate several hundred square miles and disperse fallout in multiple countries.

On October 7, President Joe Biden said the world is at risk of nuclear Armageddon, implying that the rapid escalation of the war in Ukraine could lead to nuclear war between the United States and Russia.

We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis, Biden said.

Biden added that he did not think theres any such thing as the ability to easily (use) a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon.

In February, he warned that sending offensive weaponry to Ukraine would trigger World War III. Since that time, the US has sent hundreds of armored vehicles, advanced long-range missile systems, and other high-end weapons to Ukraine.

In an article published last week in Politico, former CIA Director Leon Panetta wrote that the US intelligence agencies believe the odds of the war in Ukraine spiraling into a nuclear war are as high as one in four.

Some intelligence analysts now believe that the probability of the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine has risen from 1-5 percent at the start of the war to 20-25 percent today, Panetta wrote.

On Friday, the Guardian reported that governments are making plans to prevent panic should the war in Ukraine escalate into a nuclear conflict. West makes plans to avoid panic if Russia uses nuclear bomb in Ukraine was the headline of its report, which cited an unnamed official as saying that governments are carrying out prudent planning for a range of possible scenarios.

The NATO nuclear exercise is set to occur at virtually the same time that Russia carries out its grom nuclear exercise. While NATO has been loudly announcing its nuclear bombing exercises, no similar announcement has come from Russia.

That has not, however, prevented NATO officials from vocally denouncing the as yet unannounced Russian exercise as a provocative escalation.

An unnamed US official told Reuters, Brandishing nuclear weapons to coerce the United States and its allies is irresponsible.

He added, We think nuclear saber rattling is reckless and irresponsible. Russia may choose to play that game  but we won't. The US official said this just days before Washington planned to fly bombers to Europe to practice dropping nuclear bombs.

Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, last week threatened to annihilate the Russian military if nuclear weapons were used in Ukraine, saying, Any nuclear attack against Ukraine will create an answer, not a nuclear answer, but such a powerful answer from the military side that the Russian Army will be annihilated.

On October 7, the same day as Bidens comment about nuclear Armageddon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, at a meeting of an Australian think tank, called for NATO to carry out preemptive strikes on Russia to prevent the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons.

What should NATO do? Eliminate the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons, Zelensky said. We need preventive strikes, so they know what will happen to them if they use nukes, and not the other way around.

In this super-heated atmosphere, the US-led nuclear training exercise raises the prospect of a major miscalculation. It is a well-known fact that the annual NATO Able Archer exercise during the Cold War almost led to a full-scale nuclear war in 1983, when the leadership of the Soviet Union became convinced that the United States was actually going to launch a nuclear attack.

The night the world almost ended - BBC REEL

The Washington Post noted that Soviet bomber crews were ordered to load nuclear bombs on one squadron of aircraft in each regiment, and aircraft were placed at readiness 3, meaning a 30-minute alert.

In February 2021, the Historian's Office of the US State Department declassified a letter by S. Lieutenant General Leonard H. Perroots that made clear Soviet forces had responded to the US buildup by loading nuclear warheads onto their bombers, and that if the United States had responded in kind, it could have triggered a nuclear war.

After being publicly released, the Perroots memo was taken offline by the State Department and a judge ruled that it should be reclassified as secret.
Work at the Port of Mobile? Tell the World Socialist Web Site why youre ready to strike by filling out the form at the bottom of this article. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

Around 800 members of International Longshoremens Association (ILA) Local 1410 at the Port of Mobile in Alabama are poised to strike this week after rejecting a new company contract for the third time last month. Workers at the CSA Equipment Company have been without a contract since October 2018, and already voted down two previous proposals in October 2020 and April 2021. While the union is continuing to negotiate with the company, workers will strike if no deal is reached by midnight on October 20.

Local 1410 President Mark Bass reported to Al.com that three of the memberships demands are: union control over tying up vessels, more workers assigned per unit, and retroactive payout of benefits and pensions since the last contract expired. For four years, including three during the COVID-19 pandemic, union members have had their benefits and pension funds frozen, but CSA has agreed to backpay only from October 2020.

CSA, formed in 1999 out of partnership between parent company Cooper/T. Smith Stevedoring and SSA Marine, is one of several bulk, container, cargo, and rail terminals that operate out of the 3,600-acre deep-water Port of Mobile. A strike by ILA members would be a major development which would impact Alabamas infrastructure expansion projects and the entire national supply chain.

It would also objectively undermine attempts by the Biden administration to prevent strikes and enforce substandard contracts in critical infrastructure with the assistance of the union bureaucracy. For the past three months, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), the West Coast counterpart of the ILA, has kept workers on the job and in the dark without a contract, in talks with unprecedented involvement from the White House. Biden also brokered a sellout contract last month with the two largest rail unions in a bid to prevent a national strike, which workers are now voting on. Just as with the Mobile workers, railroaders nationwide have been working without a contract for three years.

The potential strike in Mobile is part of a broader international movement by dockworkers. In addition to the 22,000 ILWU workers on the west coast, 200 Canadian ILWU members at Westshore Terminals Ltd. and the Delta coal port in Vancouver walked off the job in September. German port workers took part in a national strike earlier this year against the Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS). In England, dockworkers in Liverpool and Felixstowe (the UKs largest ports), which handle 60 percent of UK container freight combined, are engaged in a bitter struggle.

Established in 1928, the Port of Mobile has become one of the top 20 tonnage, dry bulk, and container ports in the US as of 2020 statistics provided by the US Department of Transportation. With the facility playing an increasingly prominent role in the global shipping and transportation supply chains in recent years, politicians from federal down to the local level have accelerated investments in the port and its interconnected logistical networks since 2020.

One of the recent investment programs is the Alabama Seaport Modernization Program, a $365.7 million, four-year port expansion project initiated in May 2021 and overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Its aim is to widen and deepen the Ports waterways to 50 feet in order to facilitate the handling of larger cargo ships.

Another is the Alabama-USA Corridor development project. Announced at the beginning of this year, it is a massive multi-million-dollar project co-directed by Norfolk Southern, one of the five Class I rail carriers that have terminals at the port. Its aim is to increase the rail capacity of Norfolk Southerns 3B line, stretching from Mobile up into the Birmingham area, in order to strengthen the resiliency of the supply chain in the Southeastern United States, according to the projects website.

The project is directly overseen by the states Republican Governor Kay Ivey, the state Commerce and Transportation departments, the Business Council of Alabama (whose First Vice Chairman and Executive Committee member is Angus Cooper III of Cooper/T. Smith Corporation), and Birmingham Business Alliance (one of whose investors is Norfolk Southern). US Senator Tommy Tuberville and House Representatives Robert Aderholt, Barry Moore, and Mike Rogers are also major supporters.

Speaking on the significance of the project, Ivey said, [w]orking together with the Port in Mobile to build out our infrastructure to move the commerce for Alabama and the greater southeastern region of the country must be one of our top priorities. President of Norfolk Southern Alan Shaw stated that the A-USA Corridor is an innovative public-private partnership that will strengthen the nations supply chain at a critical time and boost the regional economy.

Additionally, the Port of Mobile has received over $100 million from the federal government this year to expand its rail and freight capacity. This includes over $50 million allotted to a joint construction project between the Port and CSX rail carrier for an inland intermodal transfer facility (ICTF) in Montgomery that will increase the speed of transit between the Port and the state capital.

Combined, these projects are fueling the rapid uptick in volume the Port has handled over the past year, with the Port announcing last week that it handled 56,545 20-foot containers last month, [surpassing] Julys record of 52,911 20-foot containers, making September the largest throughput month since APM Terminals container operations began in 2008.

ILA Local 1410 also has members contracted with APM Terminals, whose website boasts that it operates one of the worlds most comprehensive port networks, with terminals and inland services stretching across five continents. Its terminals in Mobile are also in the process of a $104 million expansion.

Managing director of APM Terminals Mobile Brian Harold commented on the expansion, APM Terminals is extremely excited by this next step. This is our third expansion in six years, which underscores the high level of demand by the shipping community to utilize the Mobile gateway. Mobile County Commission President Connie Hudson added that the investment is further proof that Mobile County is the gateway for containerized cargo along the central gulf coast.

The Ports expansion projects are a response to the ensnarled supply chain. Beth Branch, chief commercial officer for the Alabama Port Authority, stated that [w]e talk daily with shippers who are actively shifting their supply chain to the Port of Mobile because their bottom line depends on it, adding that the Port is here to help companies reduce the landed cost of their goods and to offer reliability.

These increased investments and demands on the Port are finding their reflection in increased exploitation. ILA members that work for CSA at the Port have smaller work crews assigned to each unit than their counterparts that work at APM Terminals. Compounding this is a modern-day shape up system where ILA members at CSA only work when a ship contracted with the company enters the docks. Because of this, job consistency is one of the demands of the workers, just as it was for the earlier generations of ILA members.

ILA members confront a union bureaucracy that does everything in its power to prevent a strike from happening and, if one takes place, works day and night to ensure its isolation and suppression.

With 200 local affiliates at 100 seaports, the ILA is the largest union of maritime workers in North America, representing upwards of 65,000 longshoremen on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, Great Lakes, major U.S. rivers, Puerto Rico, Eastern Canada, and the Bahamas, according to its website. Its International President, Harold J. Daggett, was first elected in 2011 and is only the ninth president in the ILAs 124 years of existence. Department of Labor filings indicate that he took home over $710,000 last year. Other bureaucrats in the upper echelons of the union also make six-figure salaries.

Notoriously anti-communist, the ILA declares in its history page that its patriotism runs deeper than the personal convictions of the Unions dynamic leadersit is an expression of the central role longshoring has played in this nations history. This patriotism, that is, the defense of American business interests, is bound up with the ILAs $0 in expenditures on strike benefits last year, while $866,000 was outlaid for political activities and lobbying.

To wage a successful strike that will not be blindsided by the union bureaucrats means developing the organizational means through which rank-and-file control can be enforced over the entire process, including the central question of whether or not a strike will take place. There can be no doubt that, both under pressure from and in collaboration with the state government in Montgomery and with Washington, the ILA will be working overtime this week to find some means of avoiding a strike, or of limiting its scope and impact if that proves to be impossible.
The 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) opened yesterday in Beijing with a speech from President Xi Jinping. The congress is likely to conclude with the installation of Xi as CCP general secretary for a third terma break from the two-term norm established after the death of Mao Zedong.

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves as he leaves the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of China's ruling Communist Party, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein]

The congress takes places amid a rapidly escalating US-led military build-up and aggressive confrontation with China, as well as an economic slowdown and mounting domestic social tensions. The gathering is being closely watched by the ruling elites in the US and internationally for any signs of internal divisions that can be exploited.

Xi spoke in the most general terms of the partys need to navigate abrupt changes in the international situation and to be ready to weather high winds and dangerous storms. He made no direct reference to the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine or indeed to the US, which just imposed potentially crippling bans on the export of advanced computer chips and chip-making equipment to China.

In a pointed indirect reference, however, Xi declared: China ... resolutely opposes all forms of hegemony and power politics, opposes the Cold War mentality, opposes interfering in other countries domestic politics, opposes double standards. The comments reflect a recognition in the CCP leadership that the US is determined to use all means, including military, to prevent China from challenging American global domination.

Just as the US goaded Russia into invading Ukraine, so Washington is seeking to provoke China into using military force to integrate Taiwan with the Chinese mainland. The Biden administration, following Trump, has increasingly undermined the One China policy under which the US de facto recognised Beijing as the legitimate government of all China including Taiwan.

By strengthening US political and military ties with Taipei, Biden is threatening to bring the island, which is strategically and economically vital for China, within Washingtons sphere of influence. The US calculates that a war with Taiwan can be exploited to weaken and destabilise China, as Washington has done with Russia in Ukraine, as part of its broader ambition to dominate the Eurasian landmass.

Xi said China was seeking peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but would not exclude the use of force as a last resort. In a barely-veiled criticism of the US, he added: Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese, it is a matter that must be resolved by the Chinese. While the US media cast the comments as aggressive, the remarks were a rather bland restatement of Chinas longstanding position in the face of ongoing US threats and provocations over Taiwan.

On domestic issues, Xi defended Chinas record on suppressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Beijing is under considerable pressure from the US and other major countries to end its public health restrictions and adopt the murderous let it rip policy of other governments. To do so in China would result in millions of deaths and many more cases of debilitating long-COVID.

Xi hailed the success of the all-out peoples war on the virus, which had protected the peoples health and safety to the greatest extent possible. He gave no indication that the government intends to relax its zero-COVID policy that has come under fire in social media commentary reflecting the frustrations of sections of business and middle-class layers hostile to the restrictions.

Last week, in a rare public protest, two large banners were hung from a bridge in Beijing opposing the zero-COVID policy and calling for the removal of dictator and national traitor Xi Jinping. One of the banners declared: Say no to Covid test, yes to food. No to lockdown, yes to freedom.

However, Chinas COVID policy, based on widespread testing and contact-tracing, vaccination, targeted lockdowns and the isolation of those infected, has been widely supported in China despite inconveniences and bureaucratic excesses. It has demonstrated that the virus could be eliminated if such measures were implemented internationally.

Significantly, Xi made no criticism of the criminal character of the herd immunity policy implemented by governments in the US and elsewhere. As it manoeuvres on the international stage, the CCP has no intention of campaigning for an international strategy of elimination. Rather, even as the US imperialism intensifies its aggressive confrontation, Beijing is still seeking an accommodation with Washington.

After presiding over four decades of capitalist restoration, the CCP continues to attempt to dress up its pro-market program under the fraudulent banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It does so to claim the heritage of the 1949 Chinese revolution, which is still broadly viewed as a huge progressive step forward for working people. Having abandoned socialism in all but name, the CCP has rested on the claim to be looking after the peoples welfare and cannot afford to be seen to be allowing millions to perish from COVID-19.

Sustained high economic growth over decades has lifted most Chinese out of absolute poverty but has also opened up a huge social divide between rich and poor. Chinas growth has now plunged amid a mounting international crisis of capitalism compounded by the COVID pandemic and the US-NATO war against Russia. The Chinese economy also has been hit by US trade tariffs and economic sanctions, imposed under Trump and maintained and widened under Biden.

The latest World Bank forecast for Chinas growth in 2022 is just 2.8 percentthe lowest in decades and well below the 8 percent level that the CCP regards as essential for low unemployment and social stability. In July, the official unemployment rate, which only covers urban areas, was 5.4 percent, but the youth jobless rate hit a record of 19.9 percent. The mounting economic problems and social crisis are leading to growing social tensions that will inevitably erupt in the not-too-distant future.

Behind the facade of party unity, the social tensions also will be expressed in factional in-fighting within the CCP. The elevation of Xi as the indispensable core of the party and government and the endless promotion of Xi Jinping thought enshrined in the party constitution at the last congress is a sign of weakness, not strength. The regime is relying on a political strongman in a bid to hold the party together in the face of mounting threats, both of war abroad and economic and social crisis at home.

For his part, Xi has sought to consolidate his position through a sweeping anti-corruption campaign that has investigated millions of officials and removed or sidelined key rivals and threats. Over the past decade, Xi has strengthened his grip on government through the appointment of powerful leading small groups to oversee all areas of government policy. He is also chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission. As a result, few surprises are likely. After the CCPs week-long congress, held largely behind closed doors, Xi is likely to be re-elected as party general secretary and will retain the post of Chinese president at the National Peoples Congress next March.
On Sunday morning, former President Donald Trump criticized US Jews for not being more appreciative of his support for Israel.



In the post on his platform Truth Social, he warned: US Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel  Before it is too late!



While Trump did not elaborate on his threat, world famous pianist Igor Levit, himself the target of anti-Semitic death threats, retweeted an image of Trumps post with the caption, Before it is too late.



No President has done more for Israel than I have, Trump declared. Somewhat surprisingly, however, our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the US.

Donald Trump's post warning "US Jews" to "get their act together" and support him. [Photo: Donald J. Trump/@realDonaldTrump]

Trump has consistently polled poorly with American Jews, especially among the working class and younger sections who do not share his affinity for Israels oppression of the Palestinian people or his fascistic politics.



Trump boasted, Those living in Israel, though, are a different story--Highest approval rating in the World. He claimed he could easily be P.M.!



Yaakov Katz, editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, responded to Trumps attack on Twitter, writing, Nothing to see here. Just a former US president using threatening language about American Jews at a time when antisemitism is on a global rise.



Last week in Bondi, Australia, neo-Nazi fliers were distributed throughout the Jewish neighborhood, with a QR code and instructions for only white people to scan it. If scanned, the code takes users to the National Socialist Network, an Australian fascist group.

The Australian Jewish News reported that in the nearby suburb of Rose Bay during the same week the fliers were distributed, parents were confronted with a Nazi swastika found drawn on a wall outside a Jewish-run daycare.



Responding to Trumps threat on Sunday, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said in statement, We dont need the former president, who curries favor with extremists and anti-Semites, to lecture us about the US-Israel relationship.



In September, the ADL released a report titled Hate in the Sunshine State: Extremism & Antisemitism in Florida, 2020-2022. The report noted that from January 2020 to August 2022, the ADL Center on Extremism recorded over 400 instances of white supremacist propaganda distribution in Florida. It added that Ninety-five of these incidents featured antisemitic language or symbols, targeted Jewish institutions, or both.



The study also reported that in Florida, antisemitic hate crimes have risen 300 percent since 2012.



This shocking rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes has taken place in part under fascistic Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who took office in January of 2019 and has sought to position himself as a more polished 2024 presidential alternative to Trump. DeSantis has refused to denounce neo-Nazi elements operating in his state.



Trumps threat against US Jews is the latest in a series of openly anti-Semitic statements by Republican politicians and operatives in recent weeks.



In September, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano attacked his Jewish Democratic opponent, Josh Shapiro, for sending his children to Jewish parochial schools, which he called elite and privileged.



Less than three weeks later, prior to bringing Mastriano onstage at an October 1 rally, Jack Posobiec, a Republican operative, January 6 conspirator and acolyte of Roger Stone, told the audience, Just like Josh Shapiro, its all about power. Power for them. At the end of the day, its money and power... these scumbags.



Invoking fascist conspiracy theories that Jewish people control the world, Posobiec spoke of a dark alliance between Josh Shapiro and politicians like him. He claimed that Shapiro and others want to take minors... from the foster system and put them in a program for gender transition therapy.



Jack Posobiec speaking in suport of Doug Mastriano on October 1, 2022 [Photo: WSWS]

A week later at a Save America rally in Mesa, Arizona, self-identified Christian nationalist and QAnon adherent Marjorie Taylor Greene incited political violence and invoked the neo-Nazi Replacement Theory. This fascist doctrine, repeated frequently on right-wing talk radio and Fox News Tucker Carlson show, argues that politicians or activists who defend immigrants are part of a Jewish-communist plot to replace White Christians with inferior stock from Africa, South America and Asia.



In her speech, Greene said that Joe Bidens five million illegals are on the verge of replacing you... your jobs, and replacing your kids in school they are also replacing your culture.



Another Trump acolyte, Ye (formerly Kanye West) has taken to spewing anti-Semitic filth on a regular basis. The pro-Trump rapper sat down with Tucker Carlson for a multi-hour interview earlier this month, during which he said, I prefer my kids knew Hanukkah than Kwanzaa. At least it will come with some financial engineering.

That Trump and the Make America Great Again movement are increasingly promoting overt anti Semitism is a significant expression of the transformation of the Republican Party into a fascist organization.






A flood crisis which began last Thursday is continuing to expand, with the disaster impacting directly on tens of thousands across south-east Australia and imperiling hundreds of thousands or even millions more. The two largest east-coast states Victoria and New South Wales (NSW)have been affected, along with Tasmania, while there are warnings of possible flooding in Queensland.

Flooded home in rural Victoria. (Image: Victoria State Emergency Service) [Photo: Victoria State Emergency Service]

While in some areas, residents are beginning the painful process of cleaning up inundated homes, the dangers are far from over. In large parts of Victoria, authorities have warned that swollen rivers have yet to peak, meaning that there are ongoing dangers of greater flooding. The threat includes regional and rural areas along the Victoria and NSW border, with the danger extending into the latter state.

While heavy rains have eased over the past day, showers and storms are forecast for NSW. Then, from Wednesday, meteorologists are predicting that a low, developing in central Australia, will move east, threatening rainfalls of 20 to 50 millimetres across much of the east coast, including those areas that have already flooded. The flood crisis, some experts have warned, could persist at various levels of intensity for the next six weeks.

Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) this morning, federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said that We could be looking at up to 9,000 homes inundated in northern Victoria and potentially close to about 34,000 homes in Victoria either inundated or isolated. That would make the current crisis one of the worst flooding disasters to occur in Victoria in decades.

Already, the Victorian State Emergency Service (SES) has reported close to 5,000 calls for assistance, which have led to the organisation conducting some 600 rescues.

Victoria Emergency Services worker rescuing stranded residents near Maribyrnong River (Image: Victoria Emergency Services).

Over the weekend, the northern Victorian town of Rochester was entirely inundated. Local SES controller Tim Williams told the Sydney Morning Herald that all of the towns 3,100 residents have been affected. Every single house in town will have water, Rochester said. He noted that many homes that had been spared in 2011 floods had this time not escaped the floodwaters.

While many of the towns residents appear to have evacuated, there were confronting scenes when the deluge reached Rochester on Friday and Saturday. In images reminiscent of the Lismore floods early this year in northern NSW, locals rescued one another using small boats and other improvised crafts.

On Saturday morning, emergency services discovered the body of 71-year-old Kevin Wills in his backyard. The Rochester resident is the first confirmed fatality in the current floods. His wife only narrowly escaped, having been trapped in the house before being rescued.

Shepparton, a major regional city two hours north of Melbourne has also been hit, with hundreds of homes damaged. While thousands have been evacuated from the working-class city of some 77,000, authorities have warned that it is now too dangerous for those who remain to try and flee.

Echuca, a town of 15,000 further north, was hit by floodwaters when the Murray River overflowed on Sunday. There are warnings that the hundreds of homes already damaged will be joined by hundreds more over the coming days.

Ron Ash, a 77-year-old resident whose home was inundated yesterday, said it was the first time he had seen a major flooding event. He told the ABC that he was devastated, adding, Theres nothing you can do about itthe waters here, we knew it was coming, but when it goes through your house you sort of think, whats going to happen next?

Dozens of smaller towns have been or are expected to be impacted. An untold number of people in more isolated properties, outside major towns and regional cities, have been cut off as roads have been submerged. More than 1,800 people are without power. Authorities have stated that the full impact will not be known for days or weeks.

The flood has also struck Melbourne, the state capital and the second-largest city in the country. On Friday, sections of central Melbourne were deluged as the Maribyrnong River overflowed its banks. At one stage, more than 40 Melbourne suburbs were under a flood alert.

Hundreds of homes were damaged in Moonee Ponds and surrounding areas. Residents have condemned the state warning system, with many saying they were only sent text messages alerting them that their home was likely to flood after 2 a.m. on Friday morning, giving them no time to prepare for the inundation.

There is also substantial anger over a flood wall around the Flemington Racecourse. Pictures posted by the press and to social media showed the grounds of the racecourse protected from the floodwater, while virtually all neighboring homes and residential areas were under floodwaters. Flemington is home to the Melbourne Cup, the most lucrative horse race in the country, and the spring racing season has begun.

Dozens of homes near the Maribyrnong River have been gutted, with owners placing mountains of damaged contents in front of their properties. A commercial cleaner working on one of the impacted homes told the WSWS that the cleaning bill would likely run to $20,000 per home.

Piles of destroyed furniture outside homes flooded in Maribyrnong in Melbourne. [Photo: WSWS]

In NSW, the town of Forbes has been hit by floodwaters. In total, 31 Local Government Areas in the state are still in a disaster declared state, with the risk of further inundation remaining.

In Tasmania, almost 100 properties are confirmed to have been damaged, after flooding struck the north-west of the island state over the weekend.

As in all previous natural disasters, the floods have highlighted the lack of any national disaster body responsible for developing a coordinated and cohesive response to these events. Successive inquiries into past bushfires and floods have called for the formation and funding of such a body, but it has been stymied by governments.

Instead, ordinary people are left to defend their properties, conducting much of the sand-bagging and other measures aimed at preventing inundation. The various State Emergency Services (SESs) are woefully under-resourced and are staffed primarily by volunteers.

Again, the absence of any civilian disaster force has been used to deploy the military, with one hundred Australian Defence Force personnel dispatched in Victoria. The use of the army in such situations is now standard procedure. Its purpose is to justify the refusal of governments to allocate sufficient resources to combating floods and fires, and to condition the population for the greater domestic use of the armed forces under conditions of social crisis and widespread opposition among working people.

The woefully-inadequate response to the Lismore floods, in which residents were left to rescue one another and flood victims remain homeless, provoked mass anger. In the current floods, all of the governments involved have responded nervously, fearful of a repeat.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews declared this morning that money would not be an issue. He claimed that uninsured flood victims would be able to apply for a government grant to recoup their losses and to repair damage. It is, however, capped at just over $40,000 and has to go through an approval process.

Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave a press conference with extreme right-wing NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, where they made similar statements. The conference is only the latest display of the complete bipartisanship that exists within the political establishment.

The federal government is rolling out one-off payments of just $1,000 per adult and $400 per child in select flood-affected areas. Additional, capped assistance will need to be applied for. The woeful payments contrast with the Labor governments commitment to Stage Three tax cuts, that will overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy, worth $243 billion over a decade. They are also at odds with the hundreds of billions being spent on the military, in preparation for war.

The floods will be used to intensify an onslaught on the social conditions of working people. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who is preparing to release an austerity budget next week, has declared that the disaster will further constrain national finances. At the same time, he and others have predicted that it will result in further price increases, especially for food, under conditions of a skyrocketing cost of living and stagnant or declining wages.
Over 212 nursing home workers have died from COVID-19 infections since August, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data tracking infections and deaths among nursing home residents and staff. In just the first two weeks of October, 26 nursing home workers across the US have died from COVID-19 infections.

This data is collected from nursing homes self-reporting to either the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or the Nursing Home and Skilled Nursing (NHSN) COVID-19 module with the CDC. This data does not include deaths or infections from other types of long-term care facilities, such as rehabilitation centers and assisted living facilities.

The CDC NHSN COVID-19 module also displays infection rates among nursing home staff. Since the beginning of August there have been over 111,000 reported COVID-19 cases among nursing home staff. While the severity of these cases and hospitalization rates were not reported, even mild cases have the potential to render workers disabled or fraught with new health conditions if they develop the common post-viral syndrome known as Long COVID.

According to the same data set, there have been a total of 2,732 confirmed nursing home staff deaths from COVID-19 from May 2020 to the end of September 2022.

Workers across Reddit and Facebook shared that many of their facilities are no longer requiring masks for patients, staff or visitors and many are cutting down or completely halting regular testing of staff and patients. Other facilities where infection protocols are taken seriously are finding it increasingly difficult to fend off the new, extremely transmissible variants.

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) from Pennsylvania told reporters via private message on Reddit about his experience working in nursing homes throughout the pandemic. He went on to describe the situation he and his coworkers are facing today: It has been awful. Cases have spread so quickly already that its shocking.

We are severely understaffed, he said. Our turnover rate is insane due to new employees underestimating the spread of COVID. There is absolutely no support from the administration, which makes it even worse. We are under an immense amount of pressure every single day.

In response to the high rates of COVID deaths among staff, the CNA stated, Im absolutely not surprised. For many of us, going to work feels like an extreme risk every day. We adhere to all of the rules; we are under very strict rules regarding COVID compared to other hospitals and it still has spread so quickly like a fire in our facility. Many of us are getting the virus for the second time.

When asked if he felt his facility was prepared for a coming fall and winter surge, he added, I absolutely do not think we are prepared. We are beginning to get slammed with COVID cases and deaths and the anxiety and depression among the staff has become worse and worse. We are trying to prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally for what this season and new year have to come.

The tragic number of nursing home staff deaths reported is likely a gross undercount. In addition, comparisons between nursing home worker deaths to overall health care worker deaths are not possible, as overall health care worker deaths are not currently being reported or tracked. According to CDC data, there have been zero deaths among health care workers beginning abruptly at the end of February, an obvious falsehood.

In its latest anti-scientific move, the CDC quietly announced that it will switch from daily to weekly reporting of COVID-19 infections and deaths beginning October 20. Coming just before what is widely expected to be another devastating surge of the pandemic across the US this fall and winter, the move marks a major deepening of the Biden administrations COVID-19 cover-up, tailoring data to match Bidens lie that the pandemic is over.

The reality of the deadly spread of COVID-19 can be found in the voices of nursing home workers who spoke with World Socialist Web Site reporters on staff deaths and overall conditions they face in their workplaces.

One Reddit user, another CNA, said, It  pisses me off that they act like the pandemic is over when its very much not. Its such a weird difference to go from contact precautions all day at work to everyone acting like nothing is going on after work.

A travel nurse who works in various nursing homes across Northern California also spoke to reporters about the conditions facing nursing home workers as COVID cases rise.

From experience I can tell you if someone tests positive they move them out of the wing as quickly as possible, he said. But, if someone tested positive today I dont know where they would put that person since the COVID unit is down. Are they going to move them back down the old hallway, where everyone tested clean, and move those patients out?

When I started the wings were depleted, but now they are starting to fill up again. We are getting more people transferred from other hospitals so there are more people that the nurses are attending to.

He continued, The ratio is very high, and it can be hard to get around since the residents can be very demanding. We need to work our rounds up the hallway, but at times the residents can be so demanding that they demand the nurse give them their medication right then and there. It can be daunting and very anxiety filled for a nurse to look after these residents.

Throughout the pandemic, nursing home workers across the US have faced a lack of proper PPE, little to no organized infection control protocols, and high levels of staff burnout. According to an analysis by Scientific American of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, deaths among nursing home staff ranked among the highest of any job in the US in 2020.

Nursing home workers are a highly exploited group. The average median salary for a CNA in the US is $30,000. Other nursing home staff, such as laundry workers and kitchen staff, are paid even less.

CNAs comprise the majority of staff in nursing facilities across the country, while there are state requirements that a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) also be present to oversee the CNAs. Many workers have little to no sick leave and are responsible for difficult physical tasks such as turning, mobilizing and bathing patients. It is common for nursing home workers to become injured on the job performing patient care tasks without the proper assistance or tools.

The spread of COVID-19 throughout nursing homes that workers are describing on social media can likely be attributed to the latest BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 variants that the World Health Organization (WHO) has listed as dangerous. These variants concern many health officials and scientists because they are very effective at evading current medications being used to manage infections as well as immunity from vaccination and previous infection.

Data emerging from the current surge in the UKwhere cases are doubling every week and spreading twice as fast as previous subvariant BA2.75.2seems to indicate that the BQ1.1 variant is highly transmissible and immune evasive.

These facts sharply contradict the sociopathic pandemic policies demanded by the capitalist elites and Bidens phrase-mongering that COVID is over. The reality is that tens of thousands of nursing home workers, health care workers, and workers across all industries are standing before a tidal wave of COVID-19 variants that threatens to sicken, disable and kill anyone in its path.

Health care workers are not sitting back to accept this fate, but rather are rising up in larger numbers to protest their declining and unsafe working conditions. Nurses at University of Michigan, health care workers at Kaleida Health in Western New York, mental health workers at Kaiser Permanente in California, and over 15,000 nurses across Minnesota are just the latest examples of this growing opposition to conditions and to the trade unions that seek to contain and isolate their struggles.

The situation within hospitals and nursing home facilities is untenable and workers are exiting the profession in droves. Staffing in every state is at crisis levels and health care workers are unable to provide high quality care to their patients. The erosion of medical care resulting from the profit-driven delivery of health care is a crime being carried out against workers and patients alike.
A group of internationally renowned experts in public health, virology, wildlife biology and ecology warned this week that emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are an urgent and growing threat to public health. They published their peer-reviewed findings and recommendations last week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

The members of the task force include Drs. Peter Daszak, Isabella Eckerle, Marion Koopmans and 11 other widely respected scientists from throughout the world. In the decades leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, these and other scientists repeatedly warned that such a pandemic would emerge unless earnest efforts were undertaken to study, monitor, and prevent the spillover of diseases from animals to humans.

The failure to heed scientists warnings set the stage for the disastrous response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was determined, in the final analysis, by the social, political and economic imperatives of world capitalism. Furthermore, despite the confirmations of these scientists most dire prognostications, governments around the world continue to ignore their pleas to prepare for further pandemics.

In the PNAS report, the scientists note that RNA viruses, including coronaviruses, have had a long history of spilling over into human populations and will continue to do so at an increasing pace, for which the world remains woefully unprepared. Globalization, climate change, and environmental degradation have only raised these threats.

In many ways, the SARS-CoV-1 global outbreak in 2002-04 was a dress rehearsal for the COVID-19 pandemic. The report notes that scientific evidence shows the two events shared many similar pathways, involving spillover from bats into intermediate hosts which then emerged in human populations.

Commenting on the findings of their report, task force member Dr. John Amuasi of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, wrote, Despite advancements in biomedical science and technology over the past century, we have largely turned a blind eye to the inextricable interconnections among humans, other animals, and the shared environment. COVID-19 has taught us that failing to recognize the relevance, complexity and dynamism of the socioecological systems of planet earth not only puts the world at risk of pandemics but limits our ability to effectively counter them.

Not only does the report add further crucial evidence refuting the Wuhan Lab leak conspiracy theory that has been promoted by numerous politicians and the corporate media, but its primary strength and importance lie in a sober assessment of the dangers posed by the growing threat of EIDs and the necessity for addressing these under the construct of a unified One Health approach.

The One Health Initiative Task Force (OHITF) defines this approach as the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals, and the environment. In December 2007, One Health was officially adopted by representatives of 111 countries and 29 international organizations, and in July 2010 the United Nations and World Bank made recommendations of adopting the One Health approach towards pandemic preparedness. Nevertheless, the guiding principles of this scientific approach have yet to be implemented throughout the world.

Background: The Independent Task Force and the Lancet COVID-19 Commission Chair, Jeffrey Sachs

One year ago, Columbia University economist Jeffrey Sachs, chairman of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission, disbanded the group working on the question of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, citing a supposed potential conflict of interest due to various ties of panel members to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), which has been at the center of right-wing conspiracy theories surrounding the pandemic.

A review of these interests demonstrates that they were based on long-term academic collaborations, not a nefarious scheme to design biological weapons, as evidenced by numerous publications in top-rated scientific journals. The present political climate has ruptured this vital international cooperation necessary to address the problems of emerging infectious diseases.

Providing context to the publication, Independent Task Force chair Dr. Gerald Keusch, associate director of the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories at the Center for Emerging Infectious Disease Policy and Research at Boston University, recently told Science that despite the groups having been dissolved by Sachs last year, its members continued to study these vital questions.

Dr. Keusch noted, We had a distinguished, diverse group of experts across a whole range of disciplines, and we thought we had something to offer whether or not we were part of the commission.

At the time of the split between Sachs and the highly distinguished task force members, Dr. Keusch told Science that Sachs did not trust the members to render a fair and scientific evaluation of a lab-origin hypothesis and on several occasions attempted to influence members and gain access to transcripts of confidential interviews held with experts. Sachs continues to espouse absurd theories that SARS-CoV-2 was leaked from a US biotechnology lab.

Our mistake was to think that we were appointed as an independent, autonomous group of experts without the supervision, intervention, or micromanagement by the sponsor, the COVID-19 commission, Dr. Keusch said.

Notably, Sachs has appeared on the podcast of anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and has accused the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Anthony Fauci of deceiving the public on the origins of SARS-CoV-2. He has insisted that there is equal probability that the virus emerged from a research-related incident or a zoonotic spillover event, despite ample evidence that the latter is the only viable scientific explanation.

In promoting a nonscientific and reactionary conclusion, Sachs seeks to provide credence, using scientific jargon, for politicizing the pandemic. Virologist David Robertson has called his theory wild speculation, adding, Its disappointing to see such a potentially influential report contributing to further misinformation on such an important topic.

Nevertheless, the Independent Task Force persisted in its collaboration.

The natural origins of SARS-CoV-2 revisited

Searching for hard evidence on the origin of SARS-CoV-2 is like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, as summarized in the appendix of the PNAS report, a plethora of evidence has been provided in peer-reviewed publications showing that a zoonotic spillover incident led to the outbreak of the virus.

As the report notes, The increasing scientific evidence concerning the origins of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is most consistent with a zoonotic origin [disease spread from animals to humans] and a spillover pathway from wildlife farming and the wildlife trade.

Sharing the report on Twitter, task force member Dr. Peter Daszak explained, the lack of dispositive information so far on COVID-19 emergence is not unusual. It normally takes many years to identify the wildlife reservoir or amplifier host of a novel pathogen. Some are still unknown decades later. Almost all important coronaviruses have wildlife origins, many from bats, including common cold coronaviruses that first spilled over to people centuries ago. Scale, frequency of wildlife coronavirus emergence in people/livestock is a key indicator of future risk.

Dr. Daszak, president of Eco Health Alliance, is one of the worlds leading zoologists and researchers of bat coronaviruses. He had initially headed the Lancet Commission before it was disbanded by Sachs, and has been maligned by the US corporate media and far-right politicians due to his close collaboration and partnership with Dr. Shi Zhengli of the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The PNAS report documents that the search for the origin of SARS-CoV-2 in the wild has turned up numerous SARS-CoV-2-related viruses found in bats and animals that act as intermediate hosts from Laos. At a genomic level, they share a common ancestor from 30 years ago and harbor a nearly identical receptor-binding structure that allows them to enter human cells.

The task force report also references recent laboratory-based work done on SARS-CoV-2-related viruses which lack the critical furin cleavage site (FCS) present on other coronaviruses, suggesting that this cleavage strategy may coevolve with the host. The FCS is necessary for the virus to bind to the ACE2 receptors and enter human cells.

When these related viruses were serially passed in humanized mouse or primate animal models, they did not evolve an FCS. The authors wrote, The failure to detect the evolution of an FCS in closely related viruses from Laos after repeated passage in human cells in vitro suggests that it was unlikely to have evolved into SARS-CoV-2 during laboratory passage in cell culture.

Important circumstantial evidence for the natural origin of SARS-CoV-2 was recently presented in peer-reviewed studies by Michael Worobey from the University of Arizona and Jonathan E. Pekar from the University of California, San Diego. These studies placed the epicenter of the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China. They noted that it is very likely, given the two distinct mutations identified at the time, that there had been several spillover events into humans, which must have occurred before the infections latched on to enough people to ignite the epidemic.

According to the World Health Organization investigation into the origins of SARS-CoV-2, several provinces around Hubei province, including Guanxi, Shaanxi and Shandong, have significant wildlife farming and source these animals to the Huanan Market. The supply chains have yet to be investigated. Still, there are profound similarities between the origins of SARS-CoV-1, which was eventually traced to civet cats, and the COVID-19 pandemic, as many infectious disease experts have noted.

As for weighing the evidence between the natural origin and lab-leak theories, Daszak writes, We reviewed theories on the origin of COVID-19, laying out all available scientific (reproducible, validatable, testable) evidence and assessing rigor of the science behind them. Most publications with evidence on so-called natural origins have primary data and analysis and are in peer-reviewed journals. Lab leak papers are almost all Op-Eds, commentaries, preprints, or web articles. This is part of the normal measure of rigor for a scientific hypothesis. Our review concluded that the quality of evidence for the so-called natural origins hypothesis substantially outweighs that for lab leak. In fact, we found no reproducible, testable, scientific evidence for the latter.

In their key findings, the task force notes, [We] find no verifiable or credible evidence to support the possibility that SARS-Cov-2 was created in or released from a laboratory.

Fundamentally, the natural origin theory provides the correct orientation to the question of the growing rate of outbreaks of EIDs, which are now approaching 10 per year.

RNA viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and wildlife trade

The COVID-19 pandemic has been only the latest zoonotic RNA virus epidemic of concern and will not be the last. Three years into the pandemic, global society is presently witnessing the complete dismantling of all surveillance systems for tracking COVID-19 infections, in a vast assault on the basic principles of public health. At the same time monkeypox is being declared endemic globally, while Ebola and cholera are reemerging as potential international menaces.

The task force writes in their report, The emergence of animal-origin (zoonotic) RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2, whether from wildlife, livestock, or domestic animals, is an urgent and growing threat to public health. Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 and other RNA virus outbreaks originate can guide how we can more effectively prevent, mitigate, or respond to future emerging infectious diseases (EIDs).

They add, Increasing outbreaks in recent decades have been driven by many factors, including human and livestock population growth coupled with expanding human-animal-environment interfaces, changing patterns of land use, climate change, globalized travel, and trade. These outbreaks have common characteristics, including zoonotic spillover from an animal reservoir host to humans, with or without involvement of another animal transmission host. These events highlight the importance of a One Health approach to design relevant, feasible, and implementable solutions to prevent, mitigate, and respond rapidly to future outbreaks.

The task force conducted an extensive review of previous epidemics and pandemics involving RNA viruses, including the origins and causes of coronavirus infections in humans and livestock.

They highlight the driving force of globalization, which has seen human activity encroach upon highly biodiverse regions of the world, as well as the effects of wildlife trade, land usage, demographic shifts and the broader issue of climate change, all of which are contributing to the acceleration of emerging infectious diseases. These include the influenza pandemics in 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009; HIV, first recognized in 1981, continues to kill around 650,000 annually; and, most recently, SARS, MERS and other pathogens in the current century.

As to emerging RNA virus outbreaks, the PNAS report notes that from 1967 to 2015, all such epidemics involved ancestral animal viruses, all were zoonotically transmitted to humans, repeated spillovers were common, the majority were readily transmissible between people, and it took years to identify their origins.

The World Bank reported in June 2021 that zoonotic diseases affect more than 2 billion people and are implicated in the deaths of 2 million people annually, deemed the normal burden of zoonoses.

While the economic impact of SARS, H1N1 and Ebola has been in the billions, the global economy contracted 4.3 percent in 2020, amounting to trillions of dollars in goods, services and other output lost. Estimates of excess deaths place the true death toll from the pandemic at more than 22 million worldwide, while studies indicate that well over 100 million people are now suffering from Long COVID, which will have immense social repercussions for years to come.

The need for proteins and access to food has driven an increase in traditional wildlife hunting. The PNAS report notes, Traditional wildlife hunting to provide food for small rural communities, particularly in Southeast Asia and southern China, has been transformed into an industrial-scale process that employed around 14 million people in China alone in 2016. Wildlife trade supply chains now include thousands of wildlife farms with mixed captive-bred and wild-caught animals transporting live animals, carcasses, or products regionally and nationally, while the international trade in live animals and their products has continued to expand.

Smart surveillance and future pandemic preparedness

Coronaviruses, first discovered in the early 1930s, will remain as pathogens with high pandemic risk. The emergence of three highly virulent coronaviruses in this century aloneSARS-CoV-1, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2concretizes the dangers they pose to human populations.

In a report published in Nature in April 2022, Dr. Colin Carlson and colleagues noted that ongoing climate change will dramatically increase the potential for novel viruses to spill over into human populations in the coming years. Of the 40,000 viruses that are known to infect mammals, a quarter could infect humans too.

Under the climate-change and land-usage scenarios up to the year 2070, they note, We predict that species will aggregate in new combinations at high elevations, in biodiversity hotspots, and in areas of high human population density in Asia and Africa, causing the cross-species transmission of their associated viruses as estimated 4,000 times.

To address these risks, the Independent Task Force report stresses that three fundamental approaches must be implemented. The most essential is smart surveillance that incorporates two strategies: 1) identifying and targeting regions at high risk for spillover events and 2) systematizing the surveillance of wildlife, farmed wildlife, domestic animals, and people who have high contact with animals.

These surveillance efforts must be supplemented by field and laboratory research that attempt to identify priority pathogens to enhance pandemic preparedness, as well as vaccines and therapeutics which entail the coordination and cooperation of pharmaceuticals and industry that supports such work. Beyond this, buy-in with local and national public health authorities and health systems is critical to assist in efforts when outbreaks occur to immediately eliminate them and the threat to affected people.

Without this buy-in and international collaboration, these efforts will fail to the detriment of the worlds population. The report also stresses the need to combat anti-scientific misinformation and disinformation from right-wing forces and governments, and that information sharing and investment in collaborative scientific efforts is essential.

Conclusion

The growing threat posed by emerging infectious diseases is not relegated just to novel viruses. Previously eliminated pathogens like cholera, which have high fatality if adequate medical resources are unavailable, are reemerging in a world that is facing a global economic catastrophe accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Extreme poverty and social strife are increasingly commonplace and the threat of nuclear war is now imminent.

The recent catastrophic flooding in Pakistan, directly attributed to climate change, has devastated the worlds fifth most populous country. Eight million people have been displaced, 2 million homes destroyed, crops and livestock wiped out, and the infrastructure collapsed, with roads no longer accessible to affected regions. Much of the countrys land remains underwater, raising the specter of further disease and pestilence.

As WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently stated, There is now a malaria outbreak in 32 districts [of Pakistan], while the incidence of cholera, dengue, measles, and diphtheria is also increasing in flood-affected districts. We expect the situation to continue to deteriorate. But so far, international support has not been at the scale or speed needed. [Meanwhile] trillions of dollars are being poured into fighting wars around the world.

In this present global context, the emphasis of the Independent Task Force report on the need for a highly-integrated, multi-disciplinary and international One Health approach to address EIDs is compelling.

However, what has emerged openly during the COVID-19 pandemic is the frenzied resistance of the corporations and financial elite against any such efforts to defend or expand public health or social planning. Indeed, the advanced decay of global capitalist relations mean that the acknowledgment for the need of a One Health approach by leading international institutions like the World Bank amount to mere rhetoric, as is the case with global agreements on climate change and other international crises.

The commendable role played by the task force in continuing its collaboration in the face of controversy and roadblocks placed before it speaks volumes on the integrity demonstrated by these principled scientists. Their document stands as critical testimony on the COVID-19 pandemic and the dangers of future pandemics.

The problems raised by the report must be analyzed in their political context. Any examination of the growing threats posed by EIDs must be situated in the context of the breakdown of world capitalism, which now threatens the very foundations of human society.

The report provides powerful evidence that protecting human society from infectious diseases requires global planning and the organization not just of economic life, but of wildlife conservation and ecology. However, all of this is impossible under capitalism, which subordinates everything to the profit interests of a money-mad financial oligarchy whose wealth has vastly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The scientists methods to prevent future pandemics are correct, but these methods are incompatible with the capitalist order. The rational organization of human society and the conscious and scientifically grounded stewardship of the planet is inseparable from the fight for socialism.
Frogger was among the most popular video games of its day and it recently got the live action treatment in the form of a gameshow streaming on Peacock. In both the show and the video game its based on, a frog  or a human contestant  attempt to navigate the many perils of modern life. Navigating an obstacle course of lily pads and floating logs, like navigating the real world, provides countless opportunities for failure. In the game of life, failure often results in death.

While digital frogs and human contestants have hopped their way to high scores and big prizes, real world amphibians arent having as good a time of things. Loss of habitat, invasive species, pollution, and disease all conspire against our affable amphibian friends, driving their numbers down and in some cases ending in extinction.

We often think of population decline or species loss as something which happens outside of our own experience. Species disappear and its sad because well never see them again but thats about where our feelings end. We dont often think of the ways in which their loss can ripple across the rest of the planet and impact other species, including us.

Pumpkin Toadlet

Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the University of Maryland, and the University of California, Davis studied the impact of amphibian decline on the wider ecosystem and found that frogs are more important to us than we may have realized. Their results were published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

Frogs and other amphibians are under constant threat from a fungal infection caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Bd for short. Its estimated that hundreds of species have been decimated or wiped out as a result of the fungus. Once infected, the pathogen eats away at the frogs skin and eventually causes a fatal heart attack. Its estimated that more than 500 amphibian species have been affected by the disease with approximately 90 of them being driven to extinction.

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Researchers used ecological surveys, satellite data, and digitized public health records in an attempt to draw a line between the reduction of amphibian species around the world and the rate of disease infections in humans. To make their comparison, they looked specifically at Costa Rica and Panama, two countries who experienced a rash of Bd outbreaks in recent years.

They found that in the years following a dramatic loss of amphibians, the number of malaria cases in the two countries increased dramatically. They estimate that Costa Rica and Panama experienced between 0.76 and 1.1 additional malaria cases per 1,000 people every year for about six years after Bd wiped out amphibians in the region.

That might not sound like a lot, but according to the paper, the case counts per 1,000 people peaked at 1.5 and 1.1 for Costa Rica and Panama respectively. That means the proportion of cases correlated to the loss of amphibians is significant. While we cant draw a direct line between the rise in cases and the loss of amphibians, there is a reasonable argument to be made for a causal relationship.

Adult frogs and other amphibians consume adult mosquitos and help to keep their population in check. The more frogs you have hopping around, the less likely it is that a malaria-carrying mosquito will find its way to you. In fact, amphibians work to control mosquito populations nearly from the moment they are born. Tadpoles, for instance, hunt and eat mosquito larvae, further reducing their numbers before they ever have a chance to take wing.

Interestingly, after about six years the number of cases per 1,000 people dropped back down to the background rates. Scientists arent yet clear on what drove that decline. Perhaps some other animal stepped in to fill the gap amphibians left behind. Whatever the reason, its a clear reminder that we dont exist in a vacuum. Each individual thread in the web of life impacts every other, and if we want to maintain a balanced place within our ecosystem, we might need to clear the road for frogs.
Around 9,000 Russian troops will deploy to Belaruss border with Ukraine, according to the Belarusian minister of defense as Ukraines president warns Moscow is trying to pull its ally into the war.

Valery Revenka, the head of the Belarusian international military cooperation department, tweeted on Sunday that Russian troops were beginning to arrive in Belarus, adding, The total number will be a little less than 9 thousand people.

Last week, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced a joint military task force with Russia would deploy to the border, saying he was warned through unofficial channels about strikes on Belarus from Ukraine, without providing evidence.

On Monday, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said the task force has begun to deploy and carry out tasks.

We are not going to attack anyone. I emphasize once again that the tasks of this grouping are purely defensive, Khrenin said during a briefing, according to the defense ministrys Telegram channel.

Belarus was used as a staging ground for Russian troops early in the war, but the nation has not sent its own troops into Ukraine.

Russian troops have faced humiliating setbacks in the war as Ukrainian forces pushed the army out of occupied cities and reclaimed territory in the east.

Russia has resorted to mass strikes on civilian and infrastructure targets, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has also threatened to use nuclear weapons.

Lukashenko, a close Putin ally, said in an NBC News interview last week that Russia does not need to use nuclear weapons but explained it has other weapons it could deploy.

Thats why you dont cross red lines, he said, saying leaders must move forward when backed into a corner. You cannot cross them.

Putin has not drawn clear red lines, however, saying only that he would be willing to use nukes if Russia is attacked. President Biden has also maintained strategic ambiguity about how the U.S. would respond to a Russian nuclear attack in Ukraine.

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Lukashenko last week vowed to join the war against Ukraine if the country touches a single meter of our territory with their dirty hands.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an exiled Belarusian opposition leader, said last week that Lukashenko is creating a false narrative around Ukrainian threats.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the Group of Seven (G-7) nations last week for a United Nations mission to deploy to the Belarusian border.

Russia is trying to directly draw Belarus into this war, Zelensky told the G-7, per CNN.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Did the OBrien clan get a happily ever after ending during the Chesapeake Shores series finale? Of course they did, this is Hallmark Channel!

Chesapeake Shores Series Finale

After welcoming Kevin and Sarahs baby, named little Mick (aww!), the episode shifts to the planning of big Mick and Megans upcoming wedding, which is happening ASAP at Jess B&B. Because when youve already been married once before, theres no point in waiting. Plus, Mick and Megan are planning to finally take that trip around the world after their nuptials. That means Megans taking time off from the Getty, while Mick tells Abby that hes retiring and turning over the family construction business to her. But he hopes that she wont make the same mistake he did of letting work become his whole life.

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Ahead of the ceremony, Nell sends Megan a hairclip from Ireland as her something new, which prompts Megan to realize she forgot about that tradition. Bree offers up her sapphire ring as something blue and something borrowed. Megan rushes home in search of something old, when she runs into Mick, who jokes hes the something old. Then Mick gives her back her old wedding band, which he held on to all these years after their divorce.

Chesapeake Shores Series Finale

After the couple exchange vows, the family heads back to the house and sit around the fire pit with their significant others, one-upping each other with big life news as the episode ends. And boy are there some big announcements! Like an engagement! And a pregnancy! Lets rewind to check in with the OBrien siblings:

* After Mick gives her the company, Abby runs into Mandrake and offers him a job as her right-hand man. Later, Evan opens up to Abby about his moms abusive boyfriend and how their escape lead to her car accident. Evan then makes peace with his biological father. Having confronted his past, it makes sense that Evan is now looking toward the future. He brings Abby to his new house and pops the question with a heckuva rock, telling her that he loves her and her whole family. Abby, of course, happily accepts his proposal. (I love you, and I like you, they both say, stealing a page out of Leslie and Bens Parks & Rec notebook?) And their new home even has an apartment above the garage for Mandrake, although hes still mulling whether he wants to work for Abby or come back to Evan.

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* Jess tells David that shes ready to start a family, and theyve already begun trying, because shes pregnant!

Chesapeake Shores Series Finale

* Luke leaves the hospital against medical advice and visits Bree to say goodbye. He doesnt want to burden her with his problems, so hes going to leave town. Bree exclaims that she loves him and that he doesnt get to make decisions about her life for her. Even though he says he loves her, too, Lukes not even planning to come to the wedding because it would send the wrong message. Thankfully, the stubborn man comes to his senses and shows up unexpectedly as the ceremony is starting. He explains to Bree that he doesnt trust it when things are too good, but she makes him want to trust.

* Margaret is mad at Connor for taking Davids fathers case, thereby ignoring her thoughts entirely even though shes a full partner. The ice between them starts to melt, though, when Margaret realizes that Davids father is being set up by his friend and that they can actually win this case.

* Future doctor Kevin decides to apply to Johns Hopkins and University of Pittsburgh.

Chesapeake Shores fans, what you think of the series ender? Was it satisfying? Grade it below, then hit the comments!

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Get ready for Emily Blunt to take your breath away with this stunning red carpet look. On Oct 16 in Cannes, France, Blunt was one of many who arrived at the MIPCOM 2022 At Palais Des Festivals, specifically wowing at a special screening of her upcoming western TV series The English. And to say she looked breathtaking is an understatement.

See the photos below:

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In the photos, we see the Mary Poppins star looking amazing in a dramatic monochromatic gown from Miu Miu. The top half of the dress is a glittering, jewel-encrusted jacket structure, with shining white jewels covering the trim and buttons. Then in the second part of the dress, it cuts off into a sheer tulle skirt that shows off her long, toned legs. She paired the Miu Miu gown with chic and delicate Messika rings and earrings, along with elegant black heels.

As for her hair, she decided to go for shining, day-old curls that give off old Hollywood glamour vibes. And for her makeup, she did a glowing, natural look with warm-toned eyeshadow, matching blush, and pink lipstick.

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Truly, all eyes were on her when she came out onto the red carpet. Over the years, Blunt has truly come into herself with her glittering and bold red-carpet fashion. She previously told InStyle, Ive become a bit more bold with color and print. I was a bit more tentative when I first started out. Now, I love to embrace the spectacle of it.

In the same interview, she added that the key to her amazing confidence is from a simple act: taking a shower. Blunt said, I feel confident when Ive had a shower. I think sometimes the shower doesnt happen in the first part of the day when you have a kid. I always feel more confident when Ive had a shower! You feel like a new person.

Before you go, click here to see more photos of celebs on the 2022 Cannes Film Festival red carpet.



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Six-time Primetime Emmy award-winner Frank Doelger, whose credits include Game of Thrones, The Swarm, John Adams and Rome, and Intaglio Films, a joint venture between Beta Film and ZDF Studios, have started production on surveillance drama thriller Concordia, set in an experimental utopian community.

ZDF, MBC, France Televisions and Hulu Japan have signed up as partners for the six-part series, shot in English and directed by Barbara Eder (The Swarm, Barbarians, Cop Stories). Doelger helms as executive producer and showrunner, alongside the executive producers Ute Leonhardt, Rafferty Thwaites, Jan Wunschmann and Robert Franke. Shooting takes place at various locations in Rome, Northern Italy, and Leipzig in Germany.

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The world of Concordia, created by Mike Walden (The Frankenstein Chronicles, U Want Me 2 Kill Him) and Nicholas Racz (The Burial Society, The Real Thing), is powered by AI to ensure a freer, fairer, and more humane society. As the community approaches its 20th anniversary, cities around the world are lined up to replicate its success. Then the secret behind its creation threatens to destroy everything its creators have achieved.

Starring in the lead roles are International Emmy-winner Christiane Paul (Counterpart, In July) as Juliane, the visionary behind the new utopia; Steven Sowah (For Jojo, Before We Grow Old), who plays her son Noah, the ambassador and in charge of expanding the experiment; Ruth Bradley (Ted Lasso, Humans) takes on the role of Thea, an external investigator, who joins up with Isabelle, played by Nanna Blondell (Black Widow, House of the Dragon), to uncover secrets which led to the utopias creation.

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Kento Nakajima (Detective Novice, She was Pretty), one of Japans top actors, stars as A.J., the 27-year-old Japanese wunderkind and head of the AI system that is the beating heart of Concordia. Jonas Nay (Line of Separation, Deutschland 83) joins the cast as Moritz, a senior operator of the anti-surveillance group called The Faceless, and one of the main antagonists of the project. Also starring are Ahd Kamel (Collateral, Honour), Hugo Becker (Baron Noir, Leonardo), and Josephine Jobert (Death in Paradise, Summer Crush).

Concordia is written by Nicholas Racz, Isla van Tricht, and Mike Walden. Producers are Tobias Gerginov, Jacob Glass, and Sergio Ercolessi.

Doelger said: Throughout history, blueprints for the reimagining of society along religious, political, economic, and environmental lines have been put forward  particularly in periods marked by a sense of tumult, cultural and financial dislocation, and a rise in violence, like our own. The visionaries behind Concordia think they finally have the technology to realize such a brave new world, only to discover that there is no way to keep evil out as it comes from the inside.

Eder added: Im very excited to be part of a project that has such thought-provoking and increasingly pertinent subject matter. The exploration of surveillance, privacy, and data is the backdrop for this chilling thriller. Concordia merges both, technology and its abuses, and also how it shapes the hierarchy of society.

Concordia is supported by Mitteldeutsche Medienforderung, Sachsische Staatskanzlei, and Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, and is jointly distributed by ZDF Studios and Beta Film. The series is Intaglio Films latest production following the eight-part eco-thriller The Swarm, an international co-production with ndFI, ZDF, France Televisions, RAI, ORF, SRF, the Viaplay Group, and Hulu Japan. The Swarm is in post-production.

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An independent report by leading academics into the chaos at Mays Champions League final claims police treatment of fans constituted criminal assault.

The report also suggests UEFAs egregious failures led to thousands of supporters being caught up in severe congestion on the approaches to the Stade de France and those who reached the ground being forced up against the perimeter fence as ticketing and turnstile problems caused huge bottlenecks.

In addition to being targeted with violence by local gangs ahead of the showpiece between Liverpool and Real Madrid in the French capital on May 28, Paris police also used tear gas on supporters waiting to get into the venue and on those in the fan zone several miles away.

Police used pepper spray against fans outside the Stade de France before the game (Adam Davy/PA)

A panel led by Professor Phil Scraton, who also led the Hillsborough Independent Panel into the 1989 disaster in which 97 Liverpool fans died and has been an advocate for the affected families, has produced its own report based on 485 eyewitness testimonies  two thirds of which mention fearing for their lives on the night.

Persistent, random police assaults on fans, and unprovoked deployment of tear gas on men, women and children trapped in confined spaces, was reckless and dangerous. It constituted criminal assault, the report states.

The hostility of the police prior to the match (at the Fan Zone and stadium approaches), during (in the stadium) and after (at the stadium, the stations and in the City) demonstrated a collective mind-set which resulted in breaches of criminal law.

At the Stade de France there were egregious failures on all aspects of UEFAs responsibility for stadium safety.

Sustained failure in crowd management severely compromised the health and well-being of fans.

It is clear from fans statements that they were put at risk by aggressive policing, ineffectual safety measures and a failure to implement comprehensive stadium safety management plans based on risk management principles.

Grounded in their understanding, and for some direct experience, of the Hillsborough disaster, Liverpool fans prevented a fatal tragedy occurring through their collective action.

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The report states the organisation of the final showed a lack of coordination between the different actors involved. And, with the Rugby World Cup and 2024 Olympics to be held at the Stade de France, which was awarded the Champions League final in February after St Petersburg was stripped of the event, the concern was the multiple malfunctions identified, and the presence of local criminal gangs, were likely to occur again.

Some of the reports key findings identified aggressive policing, inadequate provision for crowd safety and event management and fans being left traumatised by unprovoked assaults by police and local gangs.

It is difficult to comprehend the sequence of events that constituted the debacle in Paris, leaving so many people physically injured, psychologically harmed and financially compromised, said Scraton, Professor Emeritus, School of Law at Queens University Belfast.

Men, women and children were subjected to unprovoked, indiscriminate police violence including tear gas and baton assaults, together with robbery at knife-point by local gangs.

Many left before the match, those who stayed were subjected to further attacks by riot police and gangs on leaving the stadium and arriving at local stations.

Responsibility for the collapse in authority, management and safety, lies with those organising and administering the event.

UEFAs own independent report into the scenes which saw kick-off delayed by 38 minutes despite large numbers still being stuck outside is due next month and it will not comment on the subject until it is published.
Multi-Platinum, Grammy, BRIT, Golden Globe, and Oscar winning artist/songwriter Sam Smith will release Gloria, their fourth studio album, on January 27, 2023 via Capitol Records.

Made with longtime collaborators Jimmy Napes, Stargate, and Max Martin stablemate ILYA, Gloria is not only a creative revelation but something of a personal revolution for the celebrated artist. Lyrically, the subjects dive deep and wide, into contemporary narratives around sex, lies, passion, self-expression, and imperfection.

Sam Smith says, It feels like emotional, sexual, and spiritual liberation. It was beautiful, with this album, to sing freely again. Oddly, it feels like my first-ever record. And it feels like a coming of age.

Recorded in Jamaica, Los Angeles, and London, Gloria is the dazzling, sumptuous, sophisticated, unexpected, and at times thrilling, edgy sound of Sams creative heart today. The sound of constricting shackles crashing to the floor, of boundaries joyfully breached, of a still-searching talent discovering what it means to be truly free.

The album is now available for pre-order. Fans who pre-order the digital edition of Gloria will instantly receive the chart-topping lead single, Unholy featuring Kim Petras, plus Love Me More.

Since its release last month, Unholy has become a global smash, amassing over 300 million combined global streams. The single has already captured the No.1 spot on three Billboard chartsGlobal 200, Streaming Songs, and Digital Song Salesand topped the U.S. Shazam chart.

Unholy has spent three consecutive weeks at No.1 on the UK Official Singles Chart, marking Sams eighth song to top the tally. The track also hit No.1 worldwide on Apple Music and Spotify. Within the first 24 hours of release, the song ranked among the Top 10 Spotify debuts of all time. Unholy gave Universal Music Group its biggest streaming debut of 2022.

The official video for Unholy follows a person who ducks out on his wife and sneaks off to his favorite sex club cabaret, only to find his guilty pleasures revealed in a very public manner. It was directed by Floria Sigismondi (The Runaways film, David Bowie, Christina Aguilera) and choreographed by French dance collective (LA)HORDE.

Story continues

Pre-order Gloria.

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.
FORT LEE  Colorful silk garments imported from South Korea filled the Fort Lee Community Center as hundreds celebrated New Jersey's second annual Korean Hanbok Day.

"Hanbok" refers to traditional Korean clothing, and luxurious designs dating as far back as the first century B.C. were on display in a fashion show organized by the Korean American community and the Asian American Youth Council of Tenafly.

Over $100,000 worth of clothing was featured, from a judges outfit to a commoner's jacket.

People gathered at the Jack Alter Fort Lee Community Center for the Korean Hanbok celebration, Sunday, October 16, 2022.

The theme of the event was education, said Brian Jon, the founder of the Asian American Youth Council.Educators were part of the cultural event, which organizers hoped would spread the word about Korean culture.

Since the first Hanbok Day, held last year in Tenafly, plans have been announced for similar events in Fort Lee; Closter; Aurora, Colorado; and Mesa, Arizona.

Jon said the other hosts approached his group for help on how to host a Hanbok Day.

Members of the Woorigarak Korean Cultural Art Center, help each other with their traditional dress, at the Hanbok festival in Fort Lee on Sunday, October 16, 2022

The hanbok can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms of Korea period, dating from the first century B.C. to the seventh century A.D., with origins in what is now northern Korea and Manchuria.

Its basic elements include the jeogori jacket, baji pants, chima skirt and po coat. The style remains unchanged in modern South Korea, with the hanbok worn for festivals, weddings and celebrations.

Mary Chao is a columnist who covers the Asian communities and real estate in North Jersey.

Email: mchao@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Hanbok Day fashion show in Fort Lee honors Korean culture
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Vladimir Putins most devoted bootlickers went into a frenzy to prop up his ailing war against Ukraine after his mobilization announcement last month sparked backlash. But just a few weeks later, some of those who yelled the loudest about their willingness to join the waror to send their own underage kids thereseem to have slinked away from their promises.

Perhaps the most shocking show of support had come from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who promised last week that three of his sonsaged 14, 15, and 16would soon head to the most difficult parts of the front line.

Akhmat, Eli and Adam are ready to use their skills in the [special military operation] zone. And I'm not kidding. The time has come to prove themselves in a real battle, and this is their desire, which I only welcome, the Putin loyalist announced on Telegram.

He then went on to perhaps inadvertently reveal that his own bruised ego was likely the real reason behind the decision.

I appeal to the blabbermouths who claimed that my relatives are not taking part in the [special military operation]: in the near future you will have the opportunity to find the guys [on the front line] and personally see that AKHMAT is POWER! he said, apparently referring to the Akhmat special forces unit deployed in Ukraine.

To critics abroad, whom he deemed Chechen-speaking armchair warriors, Kadyrov said: We are convinced that even underage children will be able to crush you to smithereens, because you have neither spirit, nor honor, nor dignity. Just wait!

The announcement was accompanied by nearly three minutes of his teenage sons cosplaying soldiers to dramatic music in an empty lot. It was met with praise by someand warnings from legal experts that sending children into a warzone was more than enough to see the Chechen braggart stripped of parental rights.

Two of Kadyrovs teenage sons high-fiving in a video the Chechen leader shared to apparently prove they are ready for war. Telegram

In the dozens of social media posts made in the twelve days since, Kadyrov has shared poetry and footage of Chechen fighters he said were preparing to punish Satanists in Ukraine, but has made no mention of his sons joining them.

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His vow also seemed conveniently forgotten when he announced the deployment of hundreds more Chechen volunteers this week.

Kadyrovs press secretary and several of his aides did not respond to requests for comment on whether the teenagers would still be hitting the battlefield.

Denis Pushilin, Russias puppet leader in occupied Donetsk, however, did share a photo on Telegram early Sunday purporting to show Kadyrovs three sons in Donetsk. The teens were decked out in military garb, but bizarrely, Pushilin made no mention of them whatsoever, instead announcing that he had awarded Chechen Culture Minister Aishat KadyrovRamzan Kadyrovs daughterwith the Order of Friendship for supporting those involved in Putins war.

If the photo of Kadyrovs mini-mes was intended to appease critics waiting for the Chechen leader to follow through on his promise, it seemed to fall flat.

We are waiting for the long-awaited participation in the war of Kadyrovs sons in the form of a couple of videos from behind the lines, the Chechen Telegram channel NIYSOO wrote in response to the photo.

And if Kadyrov had hoped his pledge would be quickly forgotten, many Russian commentators made clear they were still waiting for him to keep his word.

How are those glorious warriors, the sons of Kadyrov, have they already been broken in? one man wrote.

Where are Kadyrovs sons fighting? another commented.

A soldier of Ukraines 5th Regiment of Assault Infantry fires a U.S.-made MK-19 automatic grenade launcher toward Russian positions less than 800 meters away at a front line near Toretsk in the Donetsk region on Oct. 12, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty

Kadyrov is ready to send anybody to the front, as long as he doesnt have to go himself, blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov, an outspoken critic, wrote on Telegram.

OK, were waiting for your sons on the front, Kadyrov.

Kadyrov, where are you, theyre calling you. Are you going yourself? Or youll send your three fools? another Chechen blogger critical of Kadyrov, Khazan Khalitov, wrote Sunday while sharing footage of Ukrainian troops in newly liberated territory.

Mind you, no cheating with gas stations, he said, referring to Kadyrovs attempt early on in the special military operation to claim he was in Mariupol, Ukraineby posting a selfie in front of a gas station located in Russia.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, mocked the Chechen leader for bragging about Chechen fighters while doing nothing himself. While his dear brothers fight in Ukraine for glory on TikTok, Ramzan Kadyrov himself heroically sits by in his office, training on a $175,000 punching bag from Louis Vuitton, Anton Herashchenko, an adviser to Ukraines interior minister, wrote on Telegram.

Kadyrov was not alone in trying to prop Vladimir Putins war machine up with promises of personal sacrifice. Several Russian lawmakers also pledged to join the battlefield as public outrage over the presidents mobilization order spread throughout the country.

Dmitry Sablin, Sergei Sokol, and Dmitry Khubezovall members of Putins United Russia partyvowed to take part in the war.

Russian lawmaker Dmitry Sablin. VK

I will ask for the most dangerous part of the front and am ready to work as a paramedic, dragging guys out of the battlefield, Khubezov declared in a video posted to Telegram.

As of Sunday, it was not clear if Sablin, Sokol, or Khubezov had already headed to the battlefield. Sablin shared several photos taken in the Moscow region on Thursday and was otherwise mum on his plans to join the war. Khubezov, apart from sharing a poem on VK that was widely interpreted as a sign he was preparing for the front, also provided no further updates.

Even some of his apparent constituents seemed skeptical, however.

We are waiting for photo reports of the mobilized deputies of the State Duma,  how they were equipped, which military training centers they were sent to, and so on, one commentator wrote in response to his poem last week.

United Russia confirmed in a statement last week that Khubezov, Sablin, and Sokol have all filed paperwork to join the so-called special military operation. Several other lawmakersIgor Kastyukevich, Alexander Borodai, Oleg Kolesnikov, Vitaly Milonovwere also said to have previously signed up to join the war, though Milonov was spotted in St. Petersburg this week in what he told reporters was only a quick trip to file paperwork changing his military status.

Andrei Turchak, the general secretary of United Russia, issued a statement on the same day saying Milonov was soon heading to the special operation zone after visiting his local military kommissariat.

Several other Russian lawmakers said they were ready to join Russian troops on the front in the wake of Putins mobilization order, but there has since been no sign of them following through.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have made clear they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of high-profile Russian figures who have championed the war. Ukrainian intelligence on Sunday announced a $100,000 reward for the capture of Igor Strelkov (a.k.a. Girkin), the Russian nationalist who commanded troops in the Donbas during Putins first stage of the war against Ukraine in 2014. Strelkov, also wanted in connection with the downing of MH17, had frequently taken to social media to bash Russian military leaders in recent weeks, before suddenly going dark for several days and, according to pro-Kremlin Russian war reporters, heading to the frontline.

The effort to bolster domestic support for the war with the help of Russian lawmakers and three hapless teenagers comes as Russian officials have finally begun to acknowledge that troops called up to fight just three weeks ago have already been killed.

Unfortunately, the military registration and enlistment office confirmed the information about the deaths of five South Uralsmen called up from the Korkino military commissariat. We mourn together with the family, we express sincere and deep condolences, authorities in the Chelyabinsk region were quoted saying Thursday.

Several other draftees from the Sverdlovsk region have also been killed, along with a lawyer called up in St. Petersburg, according to local media reports.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Lillis School of Business building exterior on a Spring day at the University of Oregon.

Getty

The University of Oregon has formed a new program to help Indigenous students living in the state by paying their tuition and fees.

The Home Flight Scholars Program was announced and made immediately available by the university on Oct. 10, according to a news release.

It will help 150 to 175 American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) undergraduate students receive financial assistance.

"The Home Flight Scholars Program tackles the unique challenges these students face and prepares them to graduate with an education and the experience that empowers them to return home and make a positive impact in their communities and for their families," University of Oregon interim president Patrick Phillips said in a statement.

Oregon already has a program that covers tuition and other fees for Indigenous students who are members of the state's nine federally recognized tribes, as noted by CNN.

RELATED: Boise State Joins Over 140 Other Schools Partnering with Amazon to Offer Free College Tuition

But the Home Flight Scholars Program expands on that by offering to cover fees for any student who is a part of one of the 574 federally recognized tribes throughout the entire country  if they live in Oregon.

"With Home Flight, we can provide academic and social guidance that will compliment tribal educational values," Jason Younker, the university's assistant vice president, said in the release.

"We hope that each graduate will consider returning to their home reservations and become future stewards and leaders within their communities," he added.

RELATED: Dolly Parton's Dollywood Theme Park to Pay Full Tuition for Employees Pursuing Education

According to the Hunt Institute, as of 2019, 28.4 percent of Native Americans live below the poverty level  a number that is double the national average.

While students from minority backgrounds make up about 29 percent of college students, the institute says Native Americans account for only 1 percent of that amount.

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RELATED VIDEO: Carpenter with Just 2 Pairs of Jeans Dies with $3 Million in Savings and Sends 33 People to College

The Home Flight Scholars Program is funded through federal, state, and institutional grants.

"Most of us have grown up wondering whether we were going to be able to afford college, or whether going to college or staying home is our choice," Younker said in the press release.

"But each of us has had ancestors that sacrificed and survived so that we could have the choices that we do today," he continued. "The choice should be where to go to college, not if we can go to college."
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Andy Garcia looks like hes ready for an Architectural Digest photoshoot. Seated in his studio for our Zoom interview, the actor tells me in that distinct and distinguished murmur, This is where I live. Sunlight bounces around the room, illuminating an appealingly cluttered menageriea stack of books on the coffee table here, four conga drums there and two Panama hats side by side on the back of a tan leather couch.

As a devout maximalist, Im enchantedand perhaps reminded of my late abuelos office, which also pulled off a certain organized-but-chock-a-block je ne sais quoi. When complimented on his decorating, however, Garcia affably corrects me: This is not decor, he says, but things thrown around.

Its engulfing me, he adds with a touch of levity. I need some spring cleaning in the fall!

As National Hispanic Heritage Month came to a close, Garcia spoke with The Daily Beast about his long career in Hollywood, the state of Latinx representation in film, and the challenges he faced while making his passion project The Lost Citya love letter to the Cuba his family left behind in 1961. The 66-year-old actor has been known over the decades to be a private person, but he does not mince words about how the industry has historically treated anyone with a Latin surnameor the joy hes nonetheless gleaned over the years from working with heavy-hitters like Francis Ford Coppola, Brian de Palma, Ridley Scott, Diane Keaton, and Meryl Streep.

I think people get tired and spit you out if youre in the public eye too much, he said. I think its important to have some sort of a privacy or enigma so people can accept you as a character and not see you as who you are in real life.

How Warner Bros. Discovery Is Screwing Over Latinos

When a young Garcia first arrived in Los Angeles in 1978, flush with cash from a summer job at a disco club, he had only one friend in the city: fellow Cuban American actor Steven Bauer, who enjoyed early-career success in Scarface and urged Garcia to make the move. When I got here, I didnt get the same kind of reception, Garcia said. It took a very long time. It was seven years, to be exact, before he landed his career-boosting role in the 1985 thriller The Mean Season.

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At that time, the media landscape included only a handful of studios, a few broadcast TV networks, and PBSso opportunities were scarce, especially for actors who fell outside Hollywoods conventional box. In a 1991 Sun Sentinel interview, Garcia recalled a comment he once received from an agent: Fix your teeth, change your hair, and lose your accent and Ill represent you.

That was common, Garcia said; he spent much of his early career funneled into auditions for Mexican gangster characters thanks to his Latin surname, only to find out in the room that he didnt look the part.

The agent would see an actor that had a Hispanic surname and say, Youre limiting yourself. Change your name. You can pass. You can play Latin, but you can also play Indian, or you can play Italian, Garcia recalled. They always encourage you to change your name.

Changing ones name to hide their Latin roots is a practice at least as old as Rita Hayworth, and it remains pervasive to this day. Garcias friend and Big Gold Brick co-star Oscar Isaac did it, as did Psych actor James Roday Rodriguez, who in 2020 announced his decision to reclaim the surname he was given at birth.

While Garcia emphasized that he doesnt judge anyone who agrees to change their name, he just couldnt go there himself.

I felt at the end of the day, if Im going to carve out any kind of directiona window for myself and a path to create a body of work, which is what I was trying to doit would have to be grounded in a real person, he explained. I couldnt introduce myself as somebody else.

We later discussed another choice Garcia doesnt criticize but cannot bring himself to make: returning to Cuba under the current regime. The actor has previously stated that due to his fame, he worries any visit he might make to the island could be used as propaganda. When asked whether hed return if he were not famous, he said his answer would remain the same.

I just dont want to be morally approving of whats going on there. Of course, I want to go back every day. But no, I will not. There might be a circumstancelike I went to Guantanamo to do a concert for the 16,000 refugees that were there, rafters, with Cachao [the co-creator of mambo] and Gloria and Emilio [Estefan]. But we were only on the base.

When Garcia first came to the U.S. as a 5-year-old, a couple years after Fidel Castro came to power, he thought it was merely a temporary vacation. He remembers hiding under his bed during the U.S.s failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961, as bullets sprayed in the sky. The next morning, he went outside and gathered empty shells from the anti-aircraft artillery on the ground.

Once the Revolution came in, the presence of the new order began to permeate society really quickly, Garcia said. There was sort of a cult of personality around Fidel. Everyone was very enthusiastic around him. You can feel the energy, even as a young 5-year-old.

There are also happier memories of his childhood in Cubalike swimming in the ocean or lingering around his fathers farm. You sort of hold onto those things, he said. You freeze them in your mind.

Although most people might consider Garcia an enigma relative to some of his chattier celebrity peers, hes a legend within the Cuban exile community in Miamiespecially thanks to his work directing the 2005 film The Lost City, a passion project that took 16 years to make as he struggled to secure funding within the traditional studio system.

The film takes place in 1958, just before dictator Fulgencio Batista flees the country and Castro comes to power, as the Revolution unfolds through the eyes of one Cuban familyspecifically, three brothers with distinct political views. Garcia plays Fico, an insistently apolitical club owner; Nestor Carbonell plays Luis, who joins the student activist group Directorio Revolucionario Estudiantil; and Enrique Murciano plays Ricardo, who grows a beard and joins Castros rebel army in the Sierra Maestra.

Lions Gate Film/Alamy

Garcia began the project when Frank Mancuso Sr., the former chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, asked him if there were any films he wanted to work on. By the time the script (from Cuban novelist and film critic Guillermo Cabrera Infante) was ready, however, Mancuso was no longer with the company.

I got the project back and tried to find a partnersomeone who would support it in the traditional way, the studio system, Garcia recalled. And for 16 years, I never got any support for the film.

Feedback from prospective financiers tended to ring along the lines of, Its very interesting, but its not for us. Then, once the film was in the can, potential distributors assumed only Cuban Americans would be interested in the filmwhich is perhaps why, as Garcia notes, it got turned down by the Cannes Film Festival, San Sebastian International Film Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival.

All those festivals screen a lot of movies, Garcia said. You can come to your own determination why they turned the movie down.

The Lost City did eventually screen at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado, though distributors still balked at what they saw as a limited audience. I would say to them, Theres no Cubans in this festivalIm the only Cuban here, Garcia said. If [Telluride] was a microcosm for the cinephiles in America, youd think a distributor would say, Wait a second, people are interested in this story.

As misguided as it is to assume that only Cuban Americans could be interested in a story about Cuba, The Lost City did strike a nerve in Miamis exile community. Garcia recalled that during an early screening at the Miami Film Festival, he found one elderly woman passed out in the lobby as a handful of people attempted to give her water. When she came to, he said, she told him, Oh, Andy, that is my story. Its the kind of anecdote that would almost strike me as hyperbolic, had I not watched my usually stoic abuelo well up during a screening in Miami when the film was first released.

Critical feedback for The Lost City was mixed. In his review at the time, Roger Ebert aptly observed that the film feels like the distillation of countless conversations and family legends, rehearsed from time immemorial by Cubans who fled their homeland and sought to re-create it in their memories. Some critics knocked the script or the acting, while others questioned the films choice to center a wealthy family as its vantage point into the Revolution.

Garcia said he can handle craft-centered quibbles, but he also believes some of the ire directed toward his film comes from outsiders who remain enamored with what they believe Fidel Castro represents. I think thats what made the people turn on it. Even so, hes happy with the audience his film has been able to reach in the years since its release. (It is now available to stream on Amazon Prime.) Ultimately, he said, I really feel its the most important work Ive ever done.

Although Garcia believes that the state of Latinx representation has improved since the beginning of his career, theres still progress to be made. I think what were still lacking, he said, is for the studio systemor the financiers of the world, the distributors of the worldto actually embrace our stories.

Weve come a long way, I think, in gaining opportunities to tell our stories, but theres still a long way to go in that regard, he added. Theres a long way to go.

But things are improving. Just look at the success of one of Garcias latest projects, HBO Maxs Latinx Father of the Bride reboot. In the past, the actor and executive producer noted, when a studio wanted to branch out and portray other cultures, the project would often (to its detriment) fall into the hands of someone outside it. If The Godfather was not directed by Francis Coppola and was directed by a great director who also had no affinity or understanding of the culture, well, it wouldnt be the same film.

With Father of the Bride, however, that was not the case; director Gary Alazraki is Mexican, and screenwriter Matt Lopez is a Cuban American who grew up in Tampa. In order to make fun of yourself accurately, and for it to ring true and still have dignity and respect, its gotta be by people who really are from that culture, Garcia said.

Warner Bros.

Father of the Bride continues a hot streak of comedies for an actor whose early years leaned heavily on brooding, dark dramas. There was Garcias smoldering performance as Diane Keatons love interest Mitchell in the effervescent rom-com Book Club; a surreal turn as Tommy Bahama in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar; and even an unforgettably committed performance as Chers old flame Fernando in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. (If only we could all be so lucky as to have Andy Garcia woo us with the words, You have the courage of a lion, the passion of a panther, and the wisdom of a flamingo.)

As a performer who got his start doing an improv show at The Comedy Store in the 70s, it should come as no surprise that Garcia can go full goofball. For years, however, the actor admits that Hollywood probably didnt think he could be funny. If youre typecast, obviously it means theyre responding to your work and youre getting work for thatso its a good thing, he said. But as an actor, youre trying to have a wider palette.

Indeed, despite his comedy training, Garcias early work is rife with bleak, often pitch-black dramas. In Dead Again, his character smokes a cigarette through a tracheostomy, and in When a Man Loves a Woman, he plays an enabling husband to an alcoholic played by Meg Ryan. And in the 1990 cop drama Internal Affairsproduced specifically for the actorhe plays a detective whose suspect (an incredibly twisted Richard Gere) likes to hit extremely close to home.

Garcia praised his co-stars performance in the latter film, noting that Geres role as a detestable cop who nonetheless manages to ensnare disciples both male and female requires a specific kind of magnetism. Richard was brilliant in the film, and I thought we worked very well together, he said. We pushed each others buttons; we trusted each other to go in that direction as a unit. And it got uglyI mean, it got ugly.

Meet the Father of the Bride Remakes Secret Feminist Weapon

It was always layered with respect, Garcia added, but hey, were gonna gowere gonna open this door, and youve gotta be ready. You hold hands through it, but it can get dark. And it did.

Once hed established himself in the dramatic world with early roles in The Untouchables, Black Rain, and The Godfather: Part III, Garcia was able to produce some projects with a different tone. (Among them was Just the Ticketa 1998 rom-com co-starring Andie MacDowell that put him in a nuns habit almost two decades before Paddington 2 became a glimmer in Hugh Grants eye.)

Garcias connections in the entertainment industry encouraged him to continue with drama in those days, he recalled, while people who knew me always would say, You should do more comedy.

Reflecting on his late-career renaissance, Garcia kept his tone as measured and appreciative as ever. When people respond to your work in a positive way, its a blessing. Its a privileged situation to be in that people respond to you, the work that you do. If the work really is the best way to get to know the real Andy Garcia, at least hes been able to give us a vast variety over the yearseven in spite of the box Hollywood first tried to place around him.

In the end, Garcia says, That was my goal as an actor. I wanted to be able to have a long career, and have a body of work, and provide for my family and challenge myself as often and as much as I can.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A wave of drones struck Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Monday morning, killing at least four and wounding several others, after one blew apart a residential building in the capital and other drones targeted thermal power stations across the country.

The attacks appeared to be the largest drone assault unleashed by Russia on civilian targets since the start of the war. Russia launched 43 drones and Ukraine successfully shot down all but six, Ukraines Air Force said.

The attack highlighted how Russia is increasingly turning to using attack drones built and supplied by Iran to bolster its failing war effort in Ukraine. Russia has ordered hundreds of military drones from Irans government, according to western and Ukrainian officials, as it seeks to fill gaps in its own drone arsenal and as it runs short of long-range missiles.

Ukraines government said the drones used in the attacks were mostly Irans Shahed-136s, large so-called loitering munitions, which Russia is employing like slow, small cruise missiles.

MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates: Drones strike Kyiv early Monday

Irans government has denied it is supplying drones to Russia to use in Ukraine but their deployment has already been widely documented since September. Ukrainian troops regularly post images of their wreckage and the drones' distinctive wing shape makes them easily identifiable.

The 11-foot-long, propeller-powered drones are relatively unsophisticated, according to defense analysts, but still pose a serious threat, particularly if Russia receives them in large numbers.

The Shahed-136 relies on a small civilian motor and commercially available GPS systems, making it vulnerable to jamming and relatively easy to bring down, Samuel Bendett, an expert on Russian unmanned military systems at CNA, a Virginia-based security research group, told ABC News. Russian troops have taken to nicknaming the drones mopeds", he said.

PHOTO: Firefighters works on a destroyed building after a drone attack, Oct. 17, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

But while vastly slower than Russias advanced cruise missiles, they are still able to fly hundreds of miles, capable of reaching almost anywhere in Ukraine. Slow and low-flying, they can also be difficult for some air defenses to detect and intercept. Their 50 kilogram payload is also relatively limited, but as Mondays attacks show, the missiles can still sometimes cause significant damage.

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The drones greatest advantage, experts said, is that they are cheap compared to conventional missiles.

The whole point of using these Shaheds is to send them in waves, to stress Ukrainian air defenses, to have them expend ammunition, to keep people on edge, Bendett said. Its not about all of them making it through, its about just some of them making it through.

Russia appears to be using the Iranian drones to maintain a campaign of aerial terror aimed at sapping Ukrainians will to fight, some experts said. In particular, Russia is targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure, hoping to damage it as winter closes in. Mondays attack again struck critical energy facilities, cutting hundreds of settlements off from the electricity grid, Ukraines prime minister said.

The supply of Iranian drones is significant because Russia increasingly has insufficient missiles to keep up a daily campaign against civilian targets, according to Ukrainian and western officials. Most independent experts agree that Russia is unable to manufacture large enough numbers to replenish its stocks. But Irans drones may allow Russia to fill that gap, letting it continue its terror campaign and to degrade Ukrainian infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week said Russia is seeking to acquire 2,400 drones from Iran.

MORE: Zelenskyy to publish book of wartime speeches in December

The Washington Post reported over the weekend that Iran has agreed to increase its supply of attack drones to Russia, citing officials.

Irans weapons supplies to Moscow are also fueling tensions with Israel. Following The Washington Post report, Israels Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai publicly said it should start sending military aid to Ukraine.

Israel has so far resisted calls from Ukraine to provide its vaunted "Iron Dome" anti-missile defense system and Israels government on Monday did not confirm it would send weapons.

But Russia reacted furiously to the possibility, with former President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday warning that it would destroy all interstate relations between Russia and Israel.

A senior adviser to Zelenskyy, Mykhailo Podolyak, blamed Iran for Mondays attacks, writing on Twitter it was responsible for the murders of Ukrainians.

Most experts said they did not believe the Iranian drones would be capable of fundamentally altering the military direction of the war, but that they could inflict daily death and destruction on civilians.

Perhaps the biggest threat the drones pose currently is to Ukraines energy infrastructure.

"Even if its a 50 kilogram warhead flying in at a very high speed and it hits an electric power station, it can cause very significant damage. So I wouldnt downplay that at all," said Bendett.

But even such strikes seemed unlikely to break Ukrainian's determination to fight, he added.

"The cost could be substantial but its probably not going to change Ukrainian resolve, Bendett said.

What to know about the Iranian drones Russia is using to attack Ukraine originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Throwback baby names are more popular than ever, but we think its time to throw it way back  to a time before the West was won. If you want to capture that rugged American spirit in your little dude, youll likely get a kick out of these Western monikers inspired by notable outlaws and heroes.

Western-sounding baby boy names can be heard throughout history  many from the American Old West or Wild West (a period that generally took place during the second half of the 19th century) are those of famous or infamous outlaws and the sheriffs who sought to capture them. On this list youll find the names (first or last) of historical brothers Frank and Jesse James, who were outlaws from Missouri and the Earps (Morgan, Wyatt, and Virgil), who were legendary lawmen from Arizona, along with Butch Cassidy, a notable member of the Wild Bunch, a group of cowboy criminals who robbed trains and banks in the late 1800s.

More from SheKnows

Other names compiled below come from Western tales in radio, film, and literature  depicted by popular actors such as John Wayne and Gary Cooper, fiction writers like Louis LAmour, and film character Ranger Reid  also known as The Lone Ranger.

Dust off those spurred boots, pop on a cowboy hat, grab that lasso, and saddle up your horse: youre in for a fun and bumpy ride with these Western-style names. Just dont be surprised if your little rascal lives up to his reputation.

Western baby boy names & their meanings:

Alonzo: Eager for battle

Austin: Majestic, venerable

Bart: From the barley farm

Birch: Bright, shining

Bill: Resolute protector

Bo: Commanding

Boone: Good, a blessing

Butch: Butcher

Carson: Son who lives in the swamp

Cassidy: Clever

Clay: Clay maker, mortal

Clayton: Settlement, place name, clay town

Clint: Settlement on a hill

Cole: Victory, of a triumphant people

Coleman: Dove

Colt: From the dark town

Cooper: Barrel maker

Dallas: Wise, dwells by the waterfall

Earle: Noble leader, chief

Flynn: Son of a red-haired man

Ford: River crossing

Frank: Frenchman or free one

Gary: Spear, modest and brave

Harry: Home protector

Henry: Home ruler

Holt: By the forest

Ike: Laughter

Lawrence: Fierce

Levi: Attached or pledged, associated with him

Logan: Finnians servant

Louis: Famous fighter, famous in Washington

Luke: Light

James: Supplanter

Jesse: Gift

John: The grace or mercy of the Lord

Morgan: Dwells near the sea

Porter: Gatekeeper

Ranger: Ward of the forest

Reid: Red-haired

Reuben: The vision of the son

Sam: Sun child

Shane: Gift from God

Tom: Twin

Virgil: Flourishing

Wayne: Craftsman, wagon driver

Wesley: From the west meadow

West (or Weston): West town

Wyatt: Guide

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Click here to read the full article.

A version of this article was originally published in January 2013.

Expecting a little Leo or a tiny Taurus? Check out the best baby names according to star sign.

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A suspect is in custody, authorities said, after a shooting near the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in the early morning hours Sunday left eight people wounded. All are expected to survive.

At approximately 2:20 a.m., multiple gunshots were fired into a crowd at an outdoor gathering near the JMU campus, Harrisonburg police said in a statement. Eight people, ages 18 to 27, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

On Sunday afternoon, police announced they had arrested a suspect, identified as 20-year-old Tyreaf Isaiah Fleming, on charges of attempted murder, aggravated malicious wounding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, the city of Harrisonburg tweeted Sunday.

In a statement, James Madison University Police Chief Anthony Matos said the victims "are not students currently enrolled," but that regardless, "it is important to keep them in your thoughts as they recover."

There was no word on the circumstances that precipitated the shooting or a possible motive. Police said they are continuing to investigate the shooting to determine if any additional suspects were involved.

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Home Town stars Ben and Erin Napier are acknowledging the biggest misconceptions about living in a place like Laurel, Miss.

The HGTV duo  who opened the new Laurel Mercantile Co. in 2016 in an effort to create jobs, sell goods and rebuild the small town  have been followed by television cameras and crews for years documenting their journey. Even still, they explained in the new Townsizing podcast that people have a skewed view of what their town is really like.

"We actually do have the internet, you know, contrary to what you might believe about us right now. We have shoes and teeth in Mississippi and the internet," Erin joked. "I think one of the big misconceptions is that its podunk and its backwards. There are podunk and backwards people in every single square inch of this country. Its not like a small-town problem."

Ben went on to note one of the more troubling perceptions of Southerners.

"Being from South Mississippi I think that the one that hits the hardest for us is that ,you know, we are 'racist' or 'prejudiced' or whatever. That is a pandemic that spans the globe," he said.

Erin acknowledged that changing these perceptions is a big mission of the series. "Small-town America has this really rich and flavorful story to tell and we have to work extra hard to combat the stereotypes that people have already placed on small-town America," she told Townsizing host Anne Helen Petersen.

It isn't the first time that the couple has addressed those perceptions, as Erin was asked about her seeming lack of support for the Black Lives Matter movement on social media in the summer of 2020. In response to a follower who had suggested Erin should be more outspoken with her platform, the HGTV star shared the efforts that she was actually making.

"I want you to know that my social media quiet is not a difference of opinion, it's just a difference of expression. I think taking a 'bigger' stand lies in the small opportunities we meet every day as we go to the post office or order food in a restaurant," she wrote, noting that she lives in a city that is 60% Black. "I believe social media posting under duress from the world is not the answer. It is artificial. It will not heal what's wrong."

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Erin's screenshots of the conversation, which she posted to her Instagram page, showed her going on to say, "I think we all have so much more in common than the world wants us to believe." She echoed that sentiment in her podcast appearance. "We have more in common than we have differences," the couple said.

In fact, community and connection with others is what the two credit as the foundation of their work.

"We have a sign, a poster that we sell in our shop that says, 'No strangers, no secrets' because thats the big thing that we hear a lot about small towns is like, 'Man, everybody knows your business.' But its also kind of like, if you aint doing something youre not supposed to, who cares if they know your business 'cause theyre looking out for you," Ben said.

Erin added, "Find the richness in the friendships and doing things that really matter, like bringing a town back to life; its important work."

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President Joe Biden has no plans to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next month after the kingdom moved to cut international oil production in line with Russia, a senior White House official said Sunday.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the president would continue to examine the U.S. relationship with the Saudis ahead of the G20 summit in Indonesia next month. But Sullivan added the president wouldnt make any major diplomatic shifts until Congress returns from its recess.

This is a relationship that got built over decades on a bipartisan basis. And so the president isnt going to act precipitously, Sullivan said Sunday on CNNs Face the Nation. He is going to act methodically, strategically. And hes going to take his time and consult with members of both parties, and also to have an opportunity for Congress to return so that he can sit with them in person and work through the options.

Biden said earlier this month it was time for the U.S. to rethink its relationship with Saudi Arabia, saying there would be consequences after the kingdom allied with the Kremlin, saying the OPEC+ bloc of oil-producing nations would dramatically cut oil production by 2 million barrels a day.

OPEC+ includes Saudi Arabia, Russia and other major petroleum exporters, although the bloc is effectively led by the Saudis.

The move is expected to lift falling oil prices, which will, in turn, help Russian President Vladimir Putin fund his ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The decision will also lift U.S. gas prices ahead of the midterm elections, a crucial barometer of political support.

Theres going to be some consequences for what theyve done with Russia, Biden said at the time.

Sullivan said Sunday that one potential shift could be a reevaluation of U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, although he said there was nothing imminently moving now on the issue.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

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Britney Spears has joined her husband in showing support for the protests taking place in Iran.

As of last month, many people have been protesting in the country against the strict rules set out by the government. The protests began in direct response to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while in custody of the morality police.

Amini was held by the countrys police for allegedly having a loose headscarf, or hijab. Although police have denied any mistreatment, and say she died of a heart attack, her family believe otherwise.

Since then, deadly demonstrations have taken place across Iran, with Iranian women shown on video cutting off their hair and defying dress rules.

Me & my husband stand with the people of Iran fighting for freedom, Spears wrote on her Twitter account on Sunday.

Her tweet follows her husbands vocal support for the protest. In September Sam Asghari shared a passionate video on Instagram in support of the Iranian people.

Asghari started by suggesting how different Iran had been pre 1979, when he claimed their people had freedom and hope.

The Iranian-American actor is referring to the change in 1979, which involved a revolution that saw the Islamic republic come into power under Ayatollah Ruholiah Khomeini.

Me & my husband stand with the people of Iran fighting for freedom.  Britney Spears  (@britneyspears) October 16, 2022

After 1979, the Islamic Republic regime took over and forced its ideology, propaganda and dictatorship on the people, Asghari, 28, said. It slaughtered, murdered and stole from innocent people, he claimed.

The country is now known for being the biggest sponsor of terrorism. Its now hated by every single country because of this horrible government. But they are the biggest terrorist for its own people, he said in the video.
On Wednesday, Anana, a beloved polar bear and long-time Columbus Zoo and Aquarium favorite, died by euthanasia.

There is an enormous, 900-plus pound hole in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's polar building.

On Wednesday, Anana, a beloved polar bear and long-time zoo favorite, died by euthanasia.

The Columbus Zoo announced Anana's death on Friday via social media, noting that the 16-year-old polar bear did not previously suffer from any medical conditions, but had been acting "unusual" over the past few months.

"Extensive testing did not provide a clear diagnosis, and the possibility of an autoimmune syndrome could not be ruled out, so Anana was aggressively treated," the Columbus Zoo wrote on Facebook. "Although Anana initially improved, her condition declined dramatically over the last week and the decision was made to humanely euthanize her."

Anana, a mother, sister, aunt and independent bear was best known for crafting cozy napping spots, masterfully hunting trout and acting as a "true princess" when refusing to get on the scale to reveal her actual weight, the Columbus Zoo added in its post.

Who was Anana?

The 16-year-old and her twin sister, Aurora, were born on Nov. 25, 2006, at the Toledo Zoo before moving to the Pittsburgh Zoo in 2008. After their stint in Pennsylvania, the sisters arrived at the Columbus Zoo in February 2010, just in time for the grand opening of the zoo's Polar Frontier exhibit.

Polar bear sisters Anana, left, and Aurora prepare to take the plunge at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in January.

Anana gave birth to one surviving cub in November 2016. Her daughter, 6-year-old Amelia Gray, lives at the Oregon Zoo with her cousin, Nora  born to Aurora in November 2015.

In a tribute to Anana, the Columbus Zoo shared a memory from one of the bear's keepers, who still can't imagine the zoo without her.

"She was a wonderful mother and best friend to her only cub, Amelia Grey," the Columbus Zoo shared in a Facebook comment. "She gave her all the nurturing and guidance she needed to be a strong and fierce polar bear while also not forgetting to show her what it means to have some fun."

Champion of her species

The Columbus Zoo said Anana was an ambassador for her species, an increasingly important role as polar bears remain vulnerable  not quite endangered, but at high risk of extinction.

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Some experts estimate that only 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears are left in their native range, which includes Alaska, Canada, Russia, Norway and Denmark. If the warming trend continues, two-thirds of those remaining bears could disappear by 2050, according to the World Wildlife Foundation.

More: Columbus zoo officials hoping for a first-ever 'artificial' polar bear birth

In March, Anana and Aurora were artificially inseminated in an effort to protect their species and increase the population, The Dispatch reported.

The effort, if successful, would mark the first birth due to artificial insemination, the zoo told The Dispatch in July.

There is no way to tell if a polar bear is pregnant until just before she gives birth, so if Aurora is pregnant the Columbus Zoo could potentially expect a new cub in November or December.

Ceili Doyle is a Report for America corps member and covers rural issues in Ohio for The Dispatch. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift at https://bit.ly/3fNsGaZ.

You can reach her via email at cdoyle@dispatch.com or follow her on Twitter at @cadoyle_18

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Zoo honors polar bear Anana with tributes from staff
Luckily for travelers, China has begun easing restrictions on international travel. Unluckily for them, though, plane tickets are coming at a pretty steep cost.

Some tickets to China from the United States are selling for up to 10 times what they were only a few years ago, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. That means people are paying thousands of dollars to get to the countryeven for flights with layovers. For example, a one-way economy-class seat on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Shanghai, with a layover in South Korea, is going for $4,000 or more.

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All over the world, airline ticket prices are rising thanks to higher fuel and labor costs and higher demand among travelers. But the situation in regards to tickets to and from China is even wilder than the overall market right now. Economy-class tickets from Chicago to China cost six times what they did in 2019 and twice what they did last year, according to data from the Internova Travel Group cited by the WSJ. If youre flying from San Francisco, fares can be 10 times higher than what they were in 2019.

Even flights out of China are facing the same problem. Its totally different from what it was like even two years ago, the Beijing resident Vlatka Jovanovic told The Wall Street Journal. Her recent round-trip ticket between China and Germany cost 3,000 euros, or about $2,900. Before the pandemic, the same trip might have cost her just 400 euros.

Part of the difficulty is due to the scarcity of flights into and out of China. The countrys aviation industry has rules on how frequently airlines can operate flights to China, and its zero-tolerance policy toward Covid-19 has made things even harder. Flights can be suspended if too many people test positive for Covid-19, and travelers as well as crew members are governed by quarantine requirements.

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Additionally, before the pandemic, you may have been able to count on dozens of direct flights to China from the US every day. Now, only four carriers operate direct flights to the country, and sometimes theres just one direct flight from America to China on a given day.

I cant imagine doing this with my family, with my kids, the business-class traveler James Zimmerman, a lawyer in Beijing, told the WSJ. His ticket from San Francisco to Shanghai cost a whopping $12,000and he still had to deal with a layover in Seoul.

For some travelers, though, the trip might be worth the troubleand the cost.

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Click here to read the full article.
Opening Ceremony Of The 20th National Congress Of The Communist Party Of China

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during the opening session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Great Hall of the People on October 16, 2022 in Beijing, China. More than 2,200 delegates, representing more than 96 million CPC members, attend the congress. Credit - Lintao Zhang-Getty Images

As the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party starts, the Xi Jinping regime finds itself on the ropes struggling to recover from self-inflicted blows instead of coasting triumphantly into the future. Its aggressive posture in world affairs and its relentlessly tight grip on domestic society have led to what it most fearsa return to the politics of containment. Countriesin Asia and globallyare now fully in doubt that China intends a peaceful rise to superpower status and are defending themselves by various economic, diplomatic, and military measures. After three decades of a restrained foreign policy that reassured the world about its benign intentions, China has overreached, and the costs are piling up both domestically and internationally.

The 20th Congress will nonetheless solidify Xi Jinpings strongman leadership. Over the past decade he has drained the authority of the Partys institutions that could have checked his power. Since 2012, Xi has made himself chairman of everything, consolidating agencies in every sector, from the coast guard to cybersecurity, and putting them under his personal command. The military and police answer only to him. He has purged his Party rivals and promoted those officials who display their loyalty by over-complying with his edicts. Few officials now dare to give him honest feedback, such as telling him that he has harmed Chinas interests by constructing large and militarily fortified artificial islands in the South China Sea and the prison indoctrination camps in Xinjiang; or by cracking down on private businesses, stubbornly clinging to a zero-COVID model, and supporting Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Winning an unprecedented third term could embolden Xi to act even more aggressively. So what should the world do to prevent that? And more specifically, how should the U.S. react?

The key is to use Xis ambitions for China and himself to motivate him to adjust his policies.

Xi wants China to be respected as a global power, as well it should be, by virtue of its large and talented population, geographic scale, centrality in Asia, and unique history. He therefore doesnt want China to be ostracized as a rogue state, an international spoiler trying to build a sphere of influence from intimidation or outright aggression. Thats the Putin model, with which Xi Jinping sometimes flirts but hasnt, yet, fully adopted.

Xi prefers other countries to be attracted to China, not afraid of it. The country has formidable soft-power assets, including of course its huge market. China is the top trading partner of 128 out of 190 countries in the world. And it is surrounded by twenty Asian neighbors, many of them electoral democracies like South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines whose good will it needs to earn for its own security. China will achieve global leadership if it provides international public goods and if its presence is welcomed by other countries. And key to this is establishing a modus vivendi with the U.S., the one country that can make or break China, as one Chinese scholar has put it. A stable relationship with the United States should be considered a Chinese core interest.

To avoid further escalation of the hostilities between China and the U.S., Xi needs to find ways to reassure the outside world that Chinas intentions remain friendly. He also needs to shore up his domestic popularity to compensate for the economic problems he has caused by his policy blunders the 20 percent of youth who are unemployed, the crash of real estate values, and the plummeting of growth rates.

Read More: What the Xi Jinping Regime Means for the World

Xi has accumulated more personal power than any Chinese leader since Mao, but may himself remain conflicted about his policy choices: The greatest contradictions in Chinese politics are inside Xi Jinpings own mind, a Chinese academic once told me. Inside he is hesitating what to do.

All of this offers American diplomacy an opening. Both sides have allowed lines of communication to atrophy in recent years. China failed to take advantage of a new President in the White House to restore access for American officials. Our Ambassador in Beijing, veteran diplomat Nicholas Burns, remains unable to meet anyone higher than a Vice Foreign Minister. Without channels for engagement, we simply dont know whether or not Xi Jinpings regime is influenceable. That is why the US needs to test the proposition by avidly pursuing negotiations over our economic and foreign policy differences as well as by applying pressure. Yet many Americans have concluded that China is bent on supplanting the United States as the worlds number one power and that negotiating would be fruitless.

There are two reasons to reject that conclusion. First, American primacy is the wrong goal for U.S. China policy.

Americans have enjoyed the economic, political, and security benefits of being number one in a unipolar world ever since the fall of the Soviet Union. They are having a hard time adjusting to the possibility of losing that status. Nonetheless its only realistic to acknowledge that China is bound to catch up with the U.S. in some dimensions. Concluding prematurely that China is our enemy would be self-defeating.

Second, its too soon to give up on diplomacy. Chinese leaders have recalibrated their policies in the past. Xi still appears motivated by a desire for international respect. Only after attempting a serious diplomatic effort should Americans conclude that the only option is to degrade and defeat China.

My experience in dealing with China has led me to a few recommendations about what constitutes an effective diplomatic strategy.

A successful diplomatic effort should involve clearly specifying our priority disputes where theres a realistic possibility of getting an agreement, communicating our agenda to China, and negotiating the disputes in a businesslike manner at an appropriate level. Every agreement builds mutual confidence in the two sides ability to work things out again.

As a practical manner, well want to deploy carrots and sticks that can be calibrated up and down to to nudge China in a positive direction. For example, rather than starting by imposing sanctions, give China a chance to avoid them by adjusting its conduct.

Although large multiagency dialogues can turn into bureaucratic circuses that accomplish little, some regular dialoguessuch as between the assistant secretaries responsible for Asia policy in the State Department or between military commanderscan establish a familiarity that forms a foundation for practical problem-solving. General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, called his Chinese counterpart to reassure him that the Trump administration had no plans to attack China despite the chaos of its final days, precisely because he knew General Li Zuocheng well enough to sense that the Chinese general remained unusually rattled, and needed a second call to ease his worries.

Read More: Why Taiwan Really Matters to the U.S.

Diplomatic discussions can be beneficial even if they dont achieve their main objectives. Take nuclear issues, for example. Chinas recent efforts to modernize its nuclear weapons and develop new hypersonic missiles are destabilizing what is already a shaky strategy stability between the two nuclear powers. The U.S. should keep pressing Xi to reduce the dangers of miscalculation by initiating such talks. Even if the talks do not achieve any agreements to limit arsenals, they could lead to exchanges on nuclear safety and encourage nuclear professionals inside China to voice caution.

Strategic dialogues for sharing perspectives on foreign policy hotspots throughout the world, with no scripted talking points, also are invaluable for exploring areas of convergence and divergence; these strategic dialogues also connote respect, which is highly valued by China.

Frustrating as they may be, negotiations test our assumptions about the Xi regime and provide vital information for updating our overall China strategy. The Biden administration has already learned, for example, that the Chinese government wants to restore the Iran nuclear deal; as an energy importer, instability in the Middle East is as little in Beijings interests as it is in the U.S.. China also agreed with other countries to release crude oil from its strategic reserves in February 2022 to reduce global prices, a collective move all the more needed to stabilize global energy markets after Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Dialogue and negotiation, whether scripted or freewheeling, are essential to determine whether overreach is hardbacked into Xis regime or he might be persuaded to moderate his policies during his third term. Relying solely on military deterrence and sanctions without negotiations will only harden Xis stance. Will Beijing be willing to coordinate with Washington on its response to North Koreas new more aggressive nuclear doctrine and its resumption of missile tests? Can we induce the Chinese government to reconfirm Xis previous commitments to President Obama not to militarize the artificial islands in the South China, or to cease cyberhacking to steal technical and commercial secrets from private firms? We can only assess Xis flexibility to reduce overreach by not overreacting to it, and by keeping open the lines of communication.
Chances are, there are a few different grocery stores where you livebut, as with many things in life, you probably have a favorite one to shop at. Maybe it has the best produce selection or a nice array of baked goods, or maybe you've just forged a special relationship with the employees. With that in mind, saying goodbye to your preferred supermarket can be both inconvenient and upsetting. Now, one popular grocery chain announced that it's closing locations, with the potential for many more closures to come. Read on to find out which chain is shutting down stores starting in December.

READ THIS NEXT: These Popular Grocery Chains Are Closing Stores, Starting Nov. 11.

Grocery stores have been going at an alarming rate.

These aren't the first grocery stores to be on the chopping block this year, and no region of the U.S. has been immune. A Shaw's grocery store in Scarborough, Maine, was set to close "on or around" Oct. 8 due to profit shortfalls, a spokesperson told Best Life, and on Oct. 14, regional grocery chain Remke Markets shuttered a store in Hyde Park Plaza in Oakley, Ohio. Connecticut residents will say goodbye to a ShopRite in Waterbury, Connecticut, on Nov. 11, while those in Englewood, Illinois will lose a Whole Foods on Nov. 13. Later this year, on Dec. 30, Giant Eagle will also close up shop in Edinboro, Pennsylvania.

Now, the nation's largest supermarket chain has announced another set of closures.

These locations are on the chopping block.

Kroger operates nearly 2,800 storesunder 28 different namesin 35 states, but a select few are shuttering for good. A store in New Albany, Indiana just closed on Oct. 7, as it "struggled to be profitable for many years," a spokesperson told the Louisville Courier Journal in September. And now, two more locations are being shut down.

On Oct. 14, Kroger confirmed that two stores in the Metro Atlanta area are being shut down, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. The Kroger on Commerce Drive in Decatur is the first to go on Dec. 2, closing due to "declining sales and negative profit," the grocery chain told Fox 5. The location was called "Baby Kroger" by locals, according to Atlanta Intown, due to its smaller size compared to other Kroger stores.

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The Kroger in Buckhead, a residential district in Atlanta, will be shuttered a week later on Dec. 9. This store also had a nickname"Disco Kroger"as it previously neighbored Limelight, a disco and nightclub, according to 11Alive. Citing the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the outlet reported that a new grocery store will likely replace Disco Kroger, but the beloved disco-themed mural on the side of the building will be preserved.

While these quirky Krogers are the next to go, they might not be the last.

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Kroger has plans for a merger.

Kroger is the largest supermarket chain in the U.S., just ahead of Albertsons, but the two don't want to stay separate for long. On Oct. 14, the two companies announced a merger agreement, where Kroger will purchase Albertsons for a whopping $24.6 billion. Albertsons has 24 different store bannersyou might recognize them as Acme, Vons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, and Shaw's.

According to the press release, the deal was unanimously approved by both companies' boards of directors and established to "merge two complementary organizations with iconic brands and deep roots in their local communities to establish a national footprint." The two grocers were likely motivated by the ability to save on operating costs, according to The New York Times, while also increasing competition with Walmart.

The merger is expected to cause a bit of a stir, NPR reported, primarily with regulators like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This is largely due to the formation of a "new supermarket colossus at the time of soaring food costs," according to the outlet. But while regulators may take issue with the deal, shoppers might be affected by a loss of local stores.

The deal could force hundreds of store closures.

According to PYMNTS, to minimize criticism of the merger and prevent a monopoly, Kroger and Albertsons may be forced to close nearly 400 locations. This could largely impact the West Coast, where both Kroger and Albertsons have a large presence, per The New York Times. To further allay scrutiny, the companies also said that they are open to establishing a separate company with 100 to 375 stores, in an effort to "create a new, agile competitor."

But even if 400 stores are axed or sold to competitors, J.P. Morgan analyst Ken Goldman notes that the companies would still control 13 percent of the grocery market, PYMNTS reported. In light of these figures, some have already voiced opposition to the deal.

"There is no reason to allow two of the biggest supermarket chains in the country to mergeespecially with food prices already soaring," Sara Miller, executive director of the American Economic Liberties Project, said in a press release. "With 60% of grocery sales concentrated among just 5 national chains, a Kroger-Albertsons deal would squeeze consumers already struggling to afford food, crush workers fighting for fair wages, and destroy independent, community stores. This merger is a cut and dry case of monopoly power, and enforcers should block it."

Regulatory approval is currently pending, The New York Times reported. Before making a decision the FTC will consider previous deals, as well as whether competition will still exist after they sell stores.
Despite being on desk duty for months due to her pregnancy, Maryland firefighter Megan Warfield took the call to action when she saw someone was in peril. They say adrenaline is a powerful epinephrine, but that combined with innate bravery from being a firefighter, was a recipe for an incredible story.

Earlier in Oct, Warfield found herself in a multi-car collision, and while she was overall fine, it induced labor contractions. However, Warfield saw someone who was in a horrible situation, and she couldnt help but run to the rescue.

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Without hesitation, Warfield ran to help a woman trapped in their car. I started to climb in there with her, but then I was like, What are you doing? Youre nine months pregnant, Warfield told TODAY Parents. I ended up holding onto her to keep her in place because I wasnt sure of her injuries at the time. It was also important that I keep her calm. It was a pretty traumatic event.

Not only did she end up rescuing her, and keeping her calm throughout it all, but her boyfriend Joshua Daugherty was one of the first responders on the scene to help with everyone.

Click here to read the full article.

Once the woman was taken care of, Warfield focused on her situation, making her way to the hospital. And within less than 24 hours, her and Daugherty ended up welcoming their daughter named Charlotte. The two also share two more children named Ellie, 6, and Jameson, 5.

And that is literally the most epic birthing story we may have ever heard.

Childbirth is nothing like in the movies, as these beautiful photos show.

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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."

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"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
Saturday Night Live took aim at the Texas mother who went viral for warning parents against letting their children see Hocus Pocus 2.

During a recent interview with KWTX, Jamie Gooch said that the Disney + film could unleash hell in ones home.

Comedians Chloe Fineman and Heidi Gardner spoofed the concerned mother on Saturday (15 October), playing characters Debbie Hole and Stacey Bussy.

Imagine that, Fineman said in a mock-Texan accent, your home with hell in it!

The two comedians went on to joke that Halloween in general was satanic, as were the sweets children eat. Discussing Sour Patch Kids  a popular US brand of confectionary  Gardner said: I mean think about it, were feeding kids, kids. Making a bunch of Armie Hammers.

Hammer was accused of having a cannibal fetish in unverified text messages allegedly sent by the actor that were shared on social media last year.

debbie hole and stacey bussy are real scared about hocus pocus 2 and halloween pic.twitter.com/mWhdO5UI4y  Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) October 16, 2022

In the real-life interview with KWTX, Gooch said: A worst-case scenario is: you unleash hell on your kids and in your home. The whole movie is based on witches harvesting children for blood sacrifices.

Similar to the plot of the beloved 1993 original, Hocus Pocus 2 is centred on a group of women trying to stop three witches from kidnapping and harming the children of Salem, Massachusetts, after accidentally being brought back to life.

Do not watch this film, Gooch continued in the interview. Everybody thinks its fake and innocent, but they could be casting any type of spell that they want to, anything could be coming through that TV screen into your home.

Elsewhere in the episode, hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, rapper Jack Harlow was announced as the next host and musical guest for 29 Octobers episode.

Saturday Night Live airs on NBC and streams on Peacock at 11:30pm ET and 8:30pm PT on Saturdays.
The Supreme Courtdeclined to take a case challenging its 100-year-old racist precedents that continue to deny equal rights to the 3.6 million residents of overseas U.S. territories on Monday.

Three American Samoans living in Utah and a Samoan nonprofit petitioned the court in Fitisemanu v. U.S. to overturn the Insular Cases, the courts early 20th-century precedents that enabled the countrys colonial expansion by allowing it to absorb overseas territories populated by non-white peoples while denying them equal rights or a path to statehood.

Its a punch in the gut for the Justices to leave in place a ruling that says I am not equal to other Americans simply because I was born in a U.S. territory, John Fitisemanu, the lead plaintiff in the case, said in a statement. I was born on U.S. soil, have a U.S. passport, and pay my taxes like everyone else. But because of a discriminatory federal law, I am not recognized as a U.S. citizen.

The Insular Cases that deny people like Fitisemanu equal rights as citizens were explicitly founded on racist premises. The cases, which occurred from 1901 to 1922, claimed that the people of the overseas territories the U.S. conquered in the Spanish-American War came from savage tribes and alien and uncivilized race[s] who were absolutely unfit to receive the rights provided by the Constitution. The court invented a new legal class of unincorporated territory for the colonial possessions taken from Spain that denied them equal rights and statehood.

Today, the Insular Cases still govern the U.S. overseas territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In each territory, Congress has negotiated different rules for peoples access to their rights as Americans.

For example, unlike other territorial inhabitants, American Samoans are not officially U.S. citizens, but American nationals. This means that even if they move to a state or the District of Columbia, they will be denied the right to vote. This was one of the chief complaints made by Fitisemanu and the other plaintiffs in the case.

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Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch (standing second from the left) and Sonia Sotomayor (seated furthest left) are the only justices known to support overturning the Insular Cases. (Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch (standing second from the left) and Sonia Sotomayor (seated furthest left) are the only justices known to support overturning the Insular Cases. (Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Fitisemanu v. U.S. challenged the constitutionality of the Insular Cases by arguing that the 14th Amendments citizenship clause grants U.S. citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. As these territories are both a part of the U.S. and subject to its jurisdiction, the residents of the territories ought to be granted full access to that citizenship, the plaintiffs argued.

For years now, territorial residents have sought to loosen the grip of the Insular Cases or overturn them entirely through the courts. In each case, the courts have refused to do so.

There was some expectation that the Supreme Court may act differently on Fitisemanu after Justices Neil Gorsuch and Sonia Sotomayor declared in the case of Vaello-Madero v. U.S. that they would like to see the Insular Cases overturned.

[It is] past time to acknowledge the gravity of this error and admit what we know to be true: The Insular Cases have no foundation in the Constitution and rest instead on racial stereotypes. They deserve no place in our law, Gorsuch wrote in a concurrence in Vaello-Madero.

In agreeing with Gorsuch that the Insular Cases should be overturned, Sotomayor called them both odious and wrong in her Vaello-Madero dissent.

But four of the nine Supreme Court justices must vote to take up a case. Clearly, there were not four votes to take up Fitisemanu. There were also no written dissents from the denial of the case.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
At least 30 people were injured and four killed in a spate of mass shootings across the country this weekend, following a shooting in North Carolina that left five dead on Thursday.

The Gun Violence Archive reported six mass shootings, defined as an incident in which four or more people are shot, from New York to Colorado on Saturday and Sunday.

In Harrisonburg, Va., eight people were shot early Sunday morning after an unknown assailant or assailants opened fire at a crowd during an outdoor gathering.

City officials said the victims ranged in age from 18 to 27 and were being treated for non-life-threatening wounds.

In Atlanta, four were injured after gunfire erupted around midnight on Sunday at Clark Atlanta University as students gathered for homecoming weekend.

A Saturday night shooting near Denver at a house party injured seven and left one person dead, according to the Adams County Sheriffs Office.

Six people were injured in Worcester, Mass., on Saturday, while another four were injured in Freeport, N.Y., that same day.

In Pennsylvania, three people were killed and one injured in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The shootings come after a 15-year-old teenager opened fire in a neighborhood in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday evening, killing five people and injuring another two.

The deadly rampage in Raleigh underscored yet again the prolific number of shootings across the U.S. The Gun Violence Archive has recorded more than 500 mass shootings this year.

Congress passed the most significant gun legislation in decades over the summer after a gunman opened fire inside an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 children and two adults.

But gun control activists are still calling for what they say are commonsense measures, including universal background checks and a ban on assault rifles, which President Biden has pledged to make happen during his time in the White House.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The three women hadnt seen each other in 67 years. But on a warm fall day, Lucie Hoffman Schulz, Sally Elder and Linda Robinson Painter reunited to remember their trip to Cuba in 1955. They were part of the Jefferson County Youth Ambassador group that brought the bust of Cuban hero Jose Marti to Shively Park.

It all started with the Courier Journal Mobile Newsroom. We set up in Shively City Hall for the month of July looking to learn more about this community in the South End of Louisville. I was immediately drawn to the bust of Jose Marti, and wondered how the apostle of Cuban independence, the man who is considered the highest symbol of the Cuban homeland ended up in Shively Park.

To understand I had to go back 75 years to where it all began.

Youth ambassadors

In the 1940s, Jefferson County organized county-wide recreation with the motto of Proper play keeps trouble away. The robust youth programming included 34 indoor recreation centers and 30 playgrounds along with teen clubs, arts and craft programs, drama, dance classes, music lessons and sports.

Charlie Vettiner, the Jefferson County recreation director at the time had even bigger dreams  to put the programming together with ambassadorship in mind. He first organized the annual Camp-On-Tour to the Great Smoky Mountains from 1949-1952, financed and performed by teenagers. County youth applied and raised funds to participate. The result was a production of singers, dancers and musicians. They called it Chuckles. In 1953 and 1954, the teenagers also put a showboat production on the Ohio River. But Vettiners ultimate dream was international.

More:'Culture is  who you are.' How Kentucky's Latinx creatives are merging art and heritage

Next stop, Havana

In the 1940s and 50s, Cuba was Americas playground for the wealthy. So perhaps when The County Recreation Youth Association chose Cuba for its first international Camp-On-Air trip, it didnt seem so far-fetched of an idea. From thousands of applications, they selected 85 Jefferson County teenagers.

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After learning of the trip, I published a column hoping to find anyone who may have gone so I could learn more. I heard from three. Lucie Hoffman Schulz and Sally Elder were dancers and both still living in Louisville. Linda Robinson Painter was a singer and living in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her sister read the column and told her to contact us. Each had applied and were accepted to be part of Chuckles of 1955" in Cuba.

For children, by children

Youth ambassadors took handmade gifts with them to Cuba and presented a bronze plaque to President Fulgencio Batista to commemorate their "Youth Ambassador Good Will Flight." They also performed Chuckles for the president and met with Cuban children who in turn had a special gift for them.

Dr. Gustavo Adolfo Bock was the general director of Cubas Civico Militar, which operated five schools in which 4,300 orphan students were given a high school education and training in a trade. The children had cast a bust of Jose Marti and a bronze tablet themselves. Both were given to The Jefferson County Youth Ambassadors as a gift.

Later that summer, 500 people attended the unveiling in Shively Park on Friday, August 12, 1955. The Cuban delegation in attendance included Dr. Bock, instructors from the Civico Militar, 12 Cuban students and Edmund Chester, a former Courier Journal reporter who went on to advise President Fulgencio Batista.

Lucie Schulz places sunflowers for Jose Marti. Lucie was part of the Jefferson County Youth Ambassador trip that resulted in the gift of the Jose Marti Bust in the summer of 1955.

When we met in Shively Park last month, Schulz brought sunflowers to set at the base of Jose Martis bust just like they had done in Cuba all those years ago. As part of their trip, the ambassador group visited the statue of Jose Marti in Havana's Central Park in Havana to place flowers.

After taking photos together with the bust, the women gathered in Shively City Hall to share memorabilia and enjoy Cuban pastries from Sweet Havana. Lucie Hoffman Schulz still has the earrings she bought in Cuba. She remembers wearing them to her prom. Linda Robinson Painter brought the handkerchief she had bought in Cuba for her mother who had pinned a hand-written note to it so she would remember where it came from. Sally Elder managed to save everything  from her application to go on the trip, newspaper clippings in both English and Spanish, the event programs from both Cuba and Shively and even the meal card that showed what they ate on the plane  she had it all. Elder credits her mother for saving everything.

There was still another meaningful addition to this reunion. Luis David Fuentes, the publisher of Kentuckys Cuban magazine El Kentubano was also there. Rarely do we get the chance to understand how our experiences have rippled into the future to affect the next generation. But Fuentes helped these three women from Louisville do just that.

Memorabilia from the 1955 Jefferson County Youth Ambassador trip to Cuba that resulted in the gift of the Jose Marti bust that stands in Shively Park

Opinion:Louisville's Cuban population is growing. Here are 2 refugees' stories of triumph

A special place

In 2009, Fuentes got a call about the Jose Marti bust. The Shively mayor had found it in really bad shape. Fuentes helped the city organize a fundraiser to have the bust restored. Then, on July 21, 2012, Mayor Sherry Conner declared the day Jose Marti Day in Shively and the community came together for a rededication ceremony, returning the bust to a prominent spot in Shively Park.

In the past ten years the bust in Shively Park has become a special place for local Cubans.

This is the most Cuban corner of the whole state, said Fuentes. Every time we have an event or a commemoration or anything, the community comes here. It is our special place.

Kentucky has a large Cuban population with Louisville being one of the top metropolitan areas in the country for Cuban immigrants.

It was the desire of the County Recreation Youth Association "to do something constructive in building better relations between this country and other nations, the promotional flyer for the 1955 trip stated. But the trip offered something more. A gift from Cuba  before Fidel Castro took over  that would serve as a beacon of hope for Cubans arriving in Kentucky decades later.

The bust of Jose Marti is a piece of Cuba in Kentucky, Fuentes said. He represents the freedom, love and prosperity that we do not have in Cuba, and we could find here in Kentucky, our second home. God bless the commonwealth!

"Its a beautiful thing," Lucie Hoffman Schulz said, Little did we know on that August day in 1955 what the dedication of that bust would mean or its historical significance to the people of Cuba. Im so happy for the Cuban people who immigrated to our state.

Does Louisville have more spaces like Shively Park that hold special meaning for our immigrant communities? Wed love to know.

Bonnie Jean Feldkamp is the opinion editor. She can be reached via email at BFeldkamp@Gannett.com or on social media @WriterBonnie.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Jose Marti bust in Shively, KY, a monument to international friendship
Former President Donald Trump wrote that "U.S. Jews have to get their act together" on his social media platform Truth Social Sunday morning, saying "no President has done more for Israel than I have."

"U.S. Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel - Before it is too late!" Trump wrote.

Trump, whose daughter, Ivanka, converted to Judaism, has long touted his 2017 decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner's work attempting to negotiate peace in the Middle East.

A 2020 AJC survey of American Jewish Opinion found that 75% of American Jews planned to vote for President Biden. Trump has long been frustrated by lack of support among the Jewish community in the U.S., saying in 2021 that "the Jewish people in the United States either don't like Israel or don't care about Israel."

In the post early Sunday, Trump wrote that "Wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S. Those living in Israel...are a different story."

Former President Donald Trump posts to Truth Social, stating,

It's not clear what prompted Trump's post, but it has drawn significant backlash.

The White House denounced Trump's comments on Monday, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre calling his post "antisemitic" and "insulting."

"We need to root out antisemitism everywhere it rears its ugly head," she said. "We need to call this out."

Alexander Vindman, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel  and former director for European affairs for the National Security Council  wrote on Twitter that "Trump is executing the fascist playbook to turn his mob on Jews."

The Jewish Democratic Council of America described his comments in a tweet as "more unabashed antisemitism from GOP leader Donald Trump."

"His threat to Jewish Americans and his continued use of the antisemitic dual loyalty trope fuels hatred against Jews," they continued.

Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO, responded to Trump's comments on Twitter, stating, "We don't need the former president, who curries favor with extremists and antisemites, to lecture us about the US-Israel relationship."

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"This 'Jewsplaining' is insulting and disgusting," he added.

We don't need the former president, who curries favor with extremists and antisemites, to lecture us about the US-Israel relationship. It is not about a quid pro quo; it rests on shared values and security interests. This "Jewsplaining" is insulting and disgusting. pic.twitter.com/5XihxQGmLT  Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) October 16, 2022

Trump's comments fall on the last day of Sukkot, one of three Jewish pilgrimage festivals, and the eve of Simchat Torah, a holiday that marks the ending of the annual cycle of Torah readings, and the beginning of the new cycle.

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Which drinks go with Mexican food classics like birria and posole? An expert explains how to order the perfect tequila-based cocktail for your meal. (Photo: Getty Creative)

When he's not behind  or in front of  the camera, documentarian and actor Diego Osorio talks Mexican drinks, namely tequila. He's founder of spirits brand Lobos 1707 Tequila and Mezcal, and believes tequila is more than just a shot to get the party started ... although, it's great for that, too.

Although it seems like a no-brainer to order a margarita at a Mexican restaurant, one of Osorio's missions is to educate people on tequila and mezcal, so when they take a look at their local Mexican restaurant menu, they know which pairings will best compliment the food they crave.

Before you order that frozen marg, Osorio offers suggestions that just may give your next Mexican dinner an extra flavor boost.

Tequila 101: It's all in the agave

More than 200 species of agave exist, but only blue agave is used to produce tequila, and most of those agave plants are grown in the state of Jalisco on Mexico's Pacific coast. Similar to how true Champagne must be produced in a certain region of France to earn its name, tequila must be produced in the Mexican states of Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit or Tamaulipas to be considered the real deal.

"The agave that's used to make tequila is cooked after it's harvested," says Osorio. "The juice is then fermented and distilled and aged." The different types of tequila  silver, reposado, anejo and extra anejo  refer to the amount of time the tequila has been aged from youngest to oldest.

Tequila is for more than just shots, according to Osorio. He shares ways to incorporate joven, reposado and anejo tequila into your next Mexican restaurant visit. (Photo: Getty Creative)

"Our joven tequila is usually aged for three months, the reposado is aged for seven months and the extra anejo is aged for three years," explains Osorio. "Depending on how long tequila is aged, certain notes will come through more than others." For example, he says, joven tequila (Spanish for "young") is nicely balanced, but the extra anejo is full of aroma and has a hint of molasses in the flavor profile.

"Lobos 1707 ages our tequila in American white oak barrels," he adds. For extra flavor, the tequila is finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry barrels. Tequila's smokier, sexier cousin, mezcal, is made in the same way, using agave roasted in an open fire pit, lending the spirit its signature smoky finish.

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In a cocktail or over ice, tequila is endlessly versatile

While Americans typically think of tequila as a spirit you drink as a shot, traditionalists taste tequila more like wine. "A lot of people are tricking themselves out of a great tasting experience," says Osorio.

Served either at room temperature (best for anejo or extra anejo) or chilled, tequila is traditionally served in a small glass and sipped slowly. It's an experience to savor, even if you're enjoying a silver, or blanco, style.

To elevate the experience, some tequila experts even suggest sipping the spirit from a flute, as all the aromas float to the top of the glass, revealing the characteristic earthy, herbaceous notes for which fermented agave is known. Riedel, a company that specializes in beverage-specific stemware, even developed a custom tequila glass for tasting the spirit properly. Tulip-style glasses, called copitas, are often used to taste older-style tequilas and mezcals, as the narrower mouth allows for a more concentrated experience of the spirit's aromas.

A citrusy paloma, says Osorio, is a perfect companion to the fresh flavors found in Mexican food. (Photo: Getty Creative)

The next time you hit up a Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurant, consider diving a bit deeper into the top shelf of the tequila bar, pairing these Osorio-recommended cocktails with common dishes on the menu:

Silver tequila pairs well with fresh ingredients, like those found in aguachile (a shrimp dish made with lime juice, cucumber, onion and seasonings) or ceviche (fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices). Both are refreshing, beachside staples, and so is a margarita or paloma made with citrus and young, bright tequila.

Mezcal cocktails pair with birria , a popular style of taco traditionally made with mutton, but adapted stateside with beef, or even jackfruit. "The robust flavor would be nicely balanced with the smooth smokiness and citrus undertones of mezcal," says Osorio.

Reposado tequila should be paired with a hearty stew like posole, which mixes the bright flavors of lime and green chilies with braised pork shoulder and creamy hominy.

Osorio says younger tequilas, which may be labeled as joven or blanco, are perfect on the rocks or in a cocktail like a margarita or paloma. Reposado tequila, which spends a few months in an oak barrel and carries a light caramel color, can be a perfect substitute for whiskey as "an amazing Old Fashioned with an orange twist."

Partial to extra anejo tequila, aged for a lengthy time period, Osorio suggests drinking that variety neat (poured into a glass with no other ingredients, even ice). "It's so special," he says, "that it doesn't need anything else."

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MATLACHA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference on the island of Matlacha on October 05, 2022, in Matlacha, Florida. DeSantis delivered remarks about the completion of a temporary bridge to reconnect the island, and Pine Island as well, to the mainland.

Florida citizens are still trying to pick themselves up after the damage of Hurricane Ian. However, Florida Governor Ron Desantis has only elected to make voting easier for one million voters located in three Republican counties, according to the Washington Post. This comes as the 2022 midterm elections are only three weeks away.

Last Thursday, Desantis signed an executive order extending early voting days and allowing voters to send mail-in ballots from addresses not listed in voting records. It also suspends some of the requirements for poll workers. This only goes into effect for about 1 million voters in Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota counties. With these counties, in particular, more than 450,000 of them registered as Republican. Lee County provided a 62,000-vote margin to DeSantis in the 2018 election when he slightly beat his Democratic opponent Andrew Gillium.

Read more

Voting rights groups had previously asked Desantis to extend the statewide voter registration deadline and to add more early voting days across the board. However, DeSantis said the decision to only accommodate three counties was based on the collective feedback of the Supervisors of Elections across the state and at the written requests of the Supervisors of Elections in Charlotte, Lee, and Sarasota counties. Yeah, right.

Florida director of All Voting is Local Brad Ashwell questioned the use of untrained poll workers in those three counties alone.

From Politico:

State officials must do more to ensure voting access after one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history, Ashwell said. Voters in any storm-affected county in Florida, not just the three where local elections officials asked for help, deserve extended time and resources to adequately cast their ballots. The state must consider the needs of voters across the state, not just the needs of supervisors of elections in a few counties.

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People look at these moves, and they draw warranted concern. Equal Ground founder Jasmine Burney-Clark says that Floridians all over have been displaced.

From The Washington Post:
Jonah Ryan, left, who lives on the street with his dog, Jesse, joins Roach (middle) and others in downtown Eugene in August 2022. Mayors from around Oregon have created a statewide plan and submitted it to the state with a request for funding and assistance.

Twenty-five Oregon mayors joined together for the common goal of creating a strategy to address the statewide homeless crisis using funding and construction investments, submitting the plan to state officials Friday.

A subcommittee on the Oregon Mayors Association, which included Eugene and Cottage Grove's mayors, put together the request calling for a partnership between the cities and the state to fund a response to local homelessness and preventative programs  totaling about $123 million annually.

In addition to the annual funding for those programs, the plan also calls for construction investments for shelters and transitional housing projects.

The letter to legislators highlighted the crisis, stating the municipal leaders "cannot be left to solve this statewide crisis" on their own.

"The No. 1 issue throughout Oregon  in both rural and urban communities, large and small  is homelessness. We know this humanitarian crisis is impacting both the individuals directly experiencing homelessness as well as communities at large," stated the OMA letter.

Although many cities have individual or regional programs to address local issues, the statewide crisis has exceeded their "individual capacity."

Most recently in Eugene, the River Avenue Navigation Center, a 75-bed low-barrier shelter for people with nowhere to go, opened in August  a collaboration between the City of Eugene and Lane County. However, the shelter's beds still only make a small dent in the problem. The wait lists for the city's Safe Sleep sites, which are city-funded places where people can legally sleep in vehicles, tents or other structures, has grown to over 900 individuals.

"No one single approach is effective without a collaborative and coordinated strategy to work together to create thequality of life we all want for everyone who lives in our cities and state," the letter stated. "Cities are one part of what must be a statewide approach. We need state leadership to allocate direct funding that is scaled to respond to the gravity of this crisis facing cities statewide."

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Twenty-five mayors comprise the task force:

Jeff Gowing, Cottage Grove; OMA President

Teri Lenahan, North Plains; OMA President-Elect

Julie Akins, Ashland

Lacy Beaty, Beaverton

Gena Goodman-Campbell, Bend

Meadow Martell, Cave Junction

Beth Wytoski, Dayton

Jim Trett, Detroit

Lucy Vinis, Eugene

Carol MacInnes, Fossil

Travis Stovall, Gresham

Dave Drotzmann, Hermiston

Steve Callaway, Hillsboro

Kate McBride, Hood River

Carol Westfall, Klamath Falls

Ray Turner, Lakeview

Randy Sparacino, Medford

Jessica Engelke, North Bend

Ted Wheeler, Portland

Michael Preedin, Sisters

Richard Mays, The Dalles

Jason Snider, Tigard

Rod Cross, Toledo

Tom Vialpando, Vale

Henry Balensifer III, Warrenton

Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon mayors ask for state funding to aid homeless crisis
PRAGUE (AP)  Qatars emir paid his first visit to the Czech Republic on Wednesday for business talks expected to include a potential deal for deliveries of Qatari liquefied natural gas.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who is accompanied by a large delegation, was formally greeted by Czech President Milos Zeman at the Prague Castle.

The emir and his entourage will meet Czech officials including Finance Minister Zbynek Stanura, Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela and Transport Minister Martin Kupka.

Among other issues, talks are expected to focus on deliveries of liquified natural gas from Qatar, the world's biggest LNG exporter. Following the Kremlin's war on Ukraine, t he Czech Republic, like other European nations, is seeking alternative sources for fossil fuels to replace its former dependence on Russian gas.

Later in the day, the emir will meet Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Other issues to be discussed include cooperation in the arms industry, space technology and the possible involvement of Qatari investors in building Czech transport infrastructure.

An economy and trade cooperation deal between the Czech Republic and Qatar was expected to be signed at the Prague Castle later Wednesday.

During his three-day visit, the emir is also expected to meet some of the leaders from more than 40 countries who are attending a summit in Prague on Thursday aimed at boosting security and prosperity across Europe.
State and local authorities are investigating an incident in south Augusta involving the death of an in-custody suspect.

Richmond County Sgt. William McCarty said via email that deputies reported to a home early Monday morning on the 3400 block of South Kensington Drive off Deans Bridge Road at 12:35 a.m. in response to a disturbance.

"Deputies encountered a male subject who was being combative and attempted to take him into custody," McCarty wrote in the email. "During the encounter, a Deputy deployed his Taser to subdue the subject and he was taken into custody. Afterwards, the subject became unresponsive and Deputies began performing CPR."

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Augusta Fire and EMS also responded and continued CPR, but were unsuccessful in reviving him. The suspect was pronounced dead on the scene at 2:34 a.m.

In an email sent Sunday at 10:02 a.m., Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen identified the suspect as Christopher Tyrone Blount, 45, of the 2700 Block of Crosshaven Drive in Hephzibah.

At the request of the sheriff's office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene where the investigation was turned over to them. The Sheriff's Office Internal Affairs Division will be conducting an internal investigation into the incident. One deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Richmond County, Augusta deputy tases suspect, dies in custody
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas at the US Capitol on September 29, 2022. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Ted Cruz's campaign paid him $555,000 to cover old personal loans to his Senate committee.

It comes after Cruz successfully challenged a law that capped the amount candidates could repay themselves.

Ethics advocates and some Supreme Court justices warned that the decision could lead to corruption.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas received $555,000 from his campaign account two months ago, according to new documents filed with the Federal Election Commission.

And the one-time presidential candidate and two-term senator has the US Supreme Court to thank for it.

When Cruz first ran for the United States Senate in 2012, he loaned his campaign over $1 million of his own money amid a heated primary campaign against then-Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst of Texas. Cruz would go on to win a run-off against Dewhurst.

However, the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act  championed by the late Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona  set a $250,000 limit on the amount of money that candidates could raise after the election for the purpose of paying off personal loans to their campaign committee.

Thus, Cruz essentially lost $545,000 of his own money after the campaign, with the outstanding portion of the loans converted to an in-kind contribution.

Six years later, facing an unexpectedly competitive re-election campaign against then-Rep. Beto O'Rourke in 2018, Cruz opted to challenge the law. He lent his campaign $260,000  just $10,000 more than the limit  on November 5, just one day before the election.

That allowed Cruz to initiate a lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission, which eventually made its way up to the Supreme Court.

In a 6-3 decision issued in May, the Supreme Court ruled in Federal Election Commission v. Ted Cruz for Senate that the limit was unconstitutional, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing that the limit "inhibits candidates from loaning money to their campaigns in the first place, burdening core speech."

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That's despite concerns not just from the three liberal justices who dissented, but from outside good-government groups  including Campaign Legal Center, the Brennan Center for Justice, Public Citizen, and Common Cause  that argued lifting the cap could fuel corruption by allowing campaign donors to essentially pay candidates directly by contributing to the repayment of their personal loans.

Trevor Potter, a former Republican FEC chairman and today president of the Campaign Legal Center, said in a statement that lifting the limit "gives an obvious and lamentable opening for special interests to purchase official favors and rig the political system in their favor."

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan echoed that same argument in her dissenting opinion.

"It takes no political genius to see the heightened risk of corruption  the danger of 'I'll make you richer and you'll make me richer' arrangements between donors and officeholders," she wrote. "In discarding the statute, the Court fuels non-public-serving, self-interested governance."

But for Cruz and other conservatives, the issue was a matter of free speech.

A Cruz spokesman confirmed to Insider that the payments came as the result of the May ruling, declaring in a statement that the court "delivered a decisive 6-3 victory for the First Amendment when it ruled that these restrictions unconstitutionally limited free speech, benefitted incumbents, and discouraged challengers."

And on August 5, Ted Cruz for Senate paid the senator $545,000  the original amount that he'd been unable to recover after his 2012 primary campaign  along with the extra $10,000 he loaned his campaign in 2018.

Cruz's campaign noted the loan repayments in quarterly disclosure forms filed with the FEC on October 15, 2022. Federal Election Commission

Read the original article on Business Insider
Negotiations over the US and Iran both rejoining a 2015 nuclear accord signed under the Obama administration are not likely to bear fruit any time soon, the White House said on Monday.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made the remark after being asked about Tehrans involvement in selling arms to Russia for use in Ukraine as well as the ongoing bloody protests that have rocked the country in the wake of the death of Mahsa Amini.

Ms Amini, a 22-year-old, was killed in police custody after being detained for not wearing a headscarf properly. Her death has inspired furious protests in Tehran and other cities where women have burned their own head coverings and cut their hair in defiance.

Is the JCPOA still a priority? How is the administration keeping it top of mind? asked a reporter, referring to the official acronym for the agreement.

The door for diplomacy will always remain open, but as of now we dont see a deal coming together any time soon, Ms Jean-Pierre responded.

Its a stark analysis of the negotiations that means the Biden administrations biggest foreign policy goal of his first term  beyond pressuring Saudi Arabia and Opec to increase oil production  remains firmly out of reach for now.

The deal is popular with the more left-leaning members of Joe Bidens party who oppose US military force being used to topple Irans government, which many progressives have long warned would ensnare the US in a quagmire that would make the Iraq War look simplistic by comparison. The Washington foreign policy consensus for many years now has been that Iran should be prevented from becoming a nuclear-armed state by whatever means necessary, a goal aligned with US allies in the region including Israel.

Many in Washington have now come to tread a fine line of supporting a campaign of so-called maximum pressure against Tehran, which was followed by the Trump administration and largely abandoned by Joe Biden. That school of thought, the more hawkish of DCs stances on US-Iran relations, states that Washington should inflict increasingly withering economic sanctions on Iran in an effort to put further pressure on the regime in Tehran and create favourable conditions for popular revolt.

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That position is supported by the Organization of Iranian-American Communities, which celebrated the news of the talks stalling on Monday in a statement to The Independent.

"It is long overdue for Washington to abandon the idea of providing relief to the ruling theocracy in Iran, as there is a revolution in the making in Iran. Instead, the Administration must focus on siding with the Iranian people and recognizing their right for self-defense in overthrowing this regime. Remember people in the streets are chanting 'death to Khamenie' non-stop and everyday, said Dr Ramesh Sepehrrad, the groups chief spokesperson.

On Sunday, the group held a rally outside of the White House in support of Ms Amini and protesters across Iran; roughly 200 people attended according to organisers.
SHANGHAI  Ahead of its December IPO, Lanvin Group revealed its 2022 interim results and an updated company valuation in a recent amendment to its registration statement with the SEC.

Heading into a roadshow in Hong Kong, South Korea and the U.S., the Fosun International Ltd.-owned luxury fashion company lowered its pre-money equity valuation from $1.25 billion to $1 billion. Group revenue grew 73 percent on a year-to-year basis to 202 million euros in the first half of 2022. The company is on track to achieve profitability in 2024.

More from WWD

The 20 percent cut is due to challenges in the global stock market and the currency market, said Joann Cheng, chairman and chief executive officer of Lanvin Group, in an exclusive interview with WWD.

Eleven percent of the adjustment was due to the shifts in the currency market, especially the euro and U.S. dollar exchange rate. Nine percent of the adjustment reflects this years global economic changes and the performance of our reference peer group, Cheng said.

The new valuation will help us deliver significant upside potential and long-term value for both current Primavera Capital Acquisition Corp. shareholders and future shareholders of Lanvin Group, she added. Our outlook for the business remains unchanged.

Lanvin Group also confirmed Meritz Securities Co. Ltd., a South Korea-based financial services conglomerate, as its latest investor. Meritz has committed $50 million in a private placement and is considering an additional investment of up to $15 million via a PIPE subscription, or private investment in public equity, as Lanvin Group continues the de-SPAC process before going public, a mandatory last step in which a listed SPAC successfully merges with a private company.

Meritzs decision to join our strategic ecosystem shows a global investors confidence in our growth potential, Cheng commented. As South Korea becomes an increasingly important luxury market, it also means some potential cooperation opportunities with them down the line.

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The owner of Lanvin, Sergio Rossi, Wolford, St. John and Caruso highlighted results for Lanvin and Wolford in the interim report. For Lanvin, global sales in the first half grew 117 percent to 64 million euros compared to the same time last year. Wolford, the biggest brand in terms of sales in 2021, saw its revenue grow 29 percent year-over-year to 54 million euros.

We have seen all our group brands use different strategies to grow and achieve our goals, Cheng said. Lanvin has been expanding into footwear and leather goods categories while growing its online distribution. The brand will continue its retail expansion with a Tokyo store set to open in the next few months.

Wolfords unique fabrication has helped the brand grow via product lines. The W athleisure collection has shown tremendous growth, she continued. Sergio Rossi, a brand we acquired last year, has continued to expand its retail presence online and offline, utilizing more localized marketing initiatives to gain popularity on platforms like Xiaohongshu.

Key markets continued to show growth momentum. Group revenue grew 91 percent year-over-year in the first half of 2022 in the European market and 58 percent year-over-year in the North American market during the same period.

Cheng said the U.S. market, the biggest for the group, has shown strong growth momentum after recovering from the pandemic. America accounts for about 15 percent of group sales. There is still a lot of room for growth, aside from the brand St. Johns, we expect the market to grow by at least 10 percent, Cheng said.

The Greater China market grew 32 percent in the first half, while sales in the rest of Asia grew 194 percent year-over-year. The Great China market currently makes up around 14 percent of group sales, which includes 10 percent from mainland China. Cheng expects the Greater China market to grow by around 28 percent.

As for future acquisition targets, Cheng said the group is looking at new luxury brands that target Gen Z shoppers or brands with a relatively new business model and a strong online presence, Cheng said. Its still early stages in the selection process. We want to focus on the completion of the IPO first, she said.
The University of Florida moved into the top 10 of the 247Sports recruitment rankings on Thursday when a pair of safeties committed to the program.

To start the day, three-star safety Bryce Thornton announced he had chosen the Gators. He had 27 offers, according to 247Sports, and is ranked as the No. 45 safety in the class. His commitment helped Florida add strength to the secondary.

But the cherry on top came later in the day when four-star recruit Dijon Johnson elected to remain in his home state. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound safety, listed as a top-100 player and the No. 7 safety in the class on the 247Sports composite rankings, was previously an Ohio State commit before decommiting on July 30.

Johnson had 36 offers, according to 247Sports.

With those commitments, Florida moves into the top-10 recruiting rankings nationally and fourth in the SEC behind Alabama, Georgia and LSU, in that order. While the Gators lack the five-star commits of the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs, they do have 17 four-star commits, more than Alabama and Georgia and the fourth-most in the country.

List

Top 10 colleges in the 2023 recruiting class rankings

Live-Stream High School Football:

NFHS Network

Story originally appeared on High School Sports
Jeep

The 2023 Jeep Avenger is the brand's first fully electric model, and today it debuted at the Paris auto show.

Unfortunately for fans of the adorably rugged little EV SUV, Jeep will not be offering the subcompact Avenger in America.

Jeep also revealed the Avenger 4x4 concept that features blue front tow hooks, wider fenders, and chunkier tires.

Don't worry, all you EV-loving Jeep fans who live in America. The company won't sell the 2023 Jeep Avengerits first fully electric modelin the U.S., but the electron-fueled Recon and tentatively titled Wagoneer S will fill that void when they both eventually arrive on our shores in 2024. While we wait, let's take a closer look at the Avenger, which today made its debut at the Paris auto show.

The Jeep Avenger has been on our radar for a while now. We caught our first glimpse of it back in March when Jeep's parent company, Stellantis, announced its future EV plans. A lot was said, but what really caught our attention was the image of the chunky, yellow model that accurately previewed the Avenger's appearance. Then, early last month, Jeep revealed details about the upcoming Recon and Wagoneer S as well as the Avenger's official name, its production design, and that it wouldn't be sold in America. Womp.

Photo credit: Jeep

Jeep Avenger, Assemble!

The Avenger's small dimensions are well-suited for Europe. It's considerably smaller than the already stubby Jeep Renegadeabout a half-foot shorter, actually. Jeep says the Avenger is about 4.1 meters long, which equals about 161 inches, and it rides on 18-inch wheels. Thanks to short overhangs, the tiny ute has a 20-degree approach angle and a 32-degree departure angle. It also has about 7.9 inches of ground clearance. Jeep says it even has hill-descent control and skid plates. Of course, we doubt many Avenger drivers will try to tackle truly treacherous terrain.

At the Avenger's core is a 400-volt electrical system that pairs with a single electric motor powering the front wheels; a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive 4xe model is reportedly coming, too. Oddly enough, there will also be a gas engine option available at launch, but it'll only be offered in Italy and Spain. Regardless, the front-drive Avenger EV has 154 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Its electric motor draws power from a lithium-ion battery pack with a gross capacity of 54.0 kWh. The Jeep's DC fast-charging speed tops out at 100 kW, and that's said to take the battery from 20 to 80 percent in approximately 24 minutes.

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Cockpit and Really Cool 4x4 Concept

Inside, the Avenger's cabin features a clean dashboard design that's highlighted by a body-color panel that connects the front pillars and includes integrated air vents. Along with a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the driver faces either a 7.0- or 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster. There's also a parcel shelf bisecting the dash that provides a perfect place to store small items. The front of the center console has a unique foldable magnetic cover, and the space it protects has a wireless charging pad and can hold a 1.5-liter bottle. Need to store bigger stuff? The rear cargo area will swallow 13 cubic feet of junk.

Photo credit: Jeep

While a tiny electric Jeep is cool, especially one that looks like the Avenger, we weren't too bent out of shape about its forbidden-fruit statusat least not until we saw the rad Avenger 4x4 concept that Jeep also revealed at the Paris auto show. It features wider fenders and a wider track as well as chunkier tires. There's also additional front lighting and a unique hood with a black decal and a blue-trimmed vent that ties in with the other blue accents on the front tow hooks. We're told the 4x4 concept improves on the regular Avenger's off-road attributes with more ground clearance and slightly steeper approach and departure angles. Needless to say, now we are a little bummed it's not coming to our shores.

Photo credit: Jeep

The 2023 Jeep Avenger will be built at Stellantis's factory in Tychy, Poland, and it's slated to arrive in European showrooms early next year.

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Kelly Rizzo honored her late husband, comedian Bob Saget, with a tattoo tribute to one of his favorite things: a martini.

My tattoo for Bob, Rizzo captioned a black-and-white photo of the ink she reshared on her Instagram story Sunday. The photo was originally shared by the tattoos artist, Rick Coury.

He loved his martinis so much, Rizzo added of Saget.

Coury told HuffPost by email on Monday that the tattoo took him around 45 minutes to complete, from Rizzo sketching it out to Coury inking it. He said it was great knowing that this was a tribute tattoo.

It means a lot to me when I get to honor someones loved one through a tattoo, the artist told HuffPost.

Kelly mentioned that Bob loved martinis yet wasnt the biggest fan of tattoos, so we got a little laugh out of that, Coury added. Im just so happy that Kelly loves this tattoo so much and that it means a lot to her. Thats the most important part for me.

The entertainer previously noted the Full House stars love of the classic cocktail in a post on what would have been Sagets 66th birthday in May.

Eat Travel Rock/Ink by Rico (Photo: Eat Travel Rock/Ink by Rico)

Eat Travel Rock/Ink by Rico (Photo: Eat Travel Rock/Ink by Rico)

Honey, everyone loves you so damn much, Rizzo wrote at the time. You are one of a kind and you certainly made my world go round. I love you more than anything and miss you every minute.

Your girls and I will hold on tight to each other today, she added. And I know youd want me to get a martini tonight, so Ill oblige. Happy birthday, honey.

Saget and Rizzo began dating in 2015 and tied the knot three years later. He is survived by his three daughters, Aubrey, Lara and Jennifer, whom he shares with ex-wife Sherri Kramer.

Aubrey Saget, Bob Saget, Kelly Rizzo and Lara Saget attends the 30th annual Scleroderma Benefit on June 16, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo: Leon Bennett via Getty Images)

Aubrey Saget, Bob Saget, Kelly Rizzo and Lara Saget attends the 30th annual Scleroderma Benefit on June 16, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo: Leon Bennett via Getty Images)

Saget was found dead in his hotel room in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 9, just after performing a standup set as part of his new comedy tour.

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The comedians family later confirmed that his cause of death was related to an accidental head injury.

This story has been updated to include an interview with the artist.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

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KONA GOLD BEVERAGE INC.

The Company recently signed distribution agreements in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington

Melbourne, FL, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. (OTCQB: KGKG), a holding company focused on product development in the better-for-you and functional beverage sector is pleased to announce it has signed a distribution agreement with Hayden Beverage Company. Hayden Beverage Company, based in the great state of Idaho, is the state's largest and most professional distributor of beer, wine, and premium non-alcoholic beverages and has a distribution footprint that covers all of Idaho and all of Montana. Hayden Beverage Company is family owned and has operated since 1970, recently celebrating 50 years in 2020.

Hayden Beverage Company will be distributing Kona Gold's sparkling and non-sparkling lemonades in the markets of Idaho and Montana, which are new markets for Kona Gold. Kona Gold has been aggressively growing its market presence in the western region of the United States where it previously lacked distribution and market share.

"I'm excited to share with our shareholders that we continue to grow our western region presence with the signing of Hayden Beverage Company, stated Robert Clark, CEO of Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. "Our West Region Territory Manager, Brett Catanzaro, is making a huge impact withing our team, leading our West Coast expansion. We are currently in talks with distribution partners in Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Hawaii, which would fill out our expansion to western markets."

Clark added, "We recently exhibited at the 2022 NACS Show in Las Vegas, our second consecutive showing at that show, where we had great success again this year in networking, finding new distribution partners, and finding new products for our own distribution company. Our team is signing distribution partners, lining up big retail meetings, and putting pieces in place to have accelerated growth in early 2023."

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Kona Gold Beverage recently announced it has signed agreements with three new distribution partners in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Kona Gold has been focused on bringing its beverage portfolio to the West Coast of the United States, recently signing distribution partners in California and Nevada. With the addition of Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, the Company will be making a big market push in the remainder of 2022 and into 2023 with its Ooh La Lemin Lemonades.

For more information regarding Hayden Beverage Company, please visit:

https://www.haydenbeverage.com/

For more information regarding Kona Gold Beverage, please visit:

https://konagoldbeverage.com/

About Kona Gold Beverage, Inc.

Kona Gold Beverage, Inc., a Delaware corporation, has created wholly-owned subsidiaries, Kona Gold LLC, HighDrate, LLC, and Gold Leaf Distribution, LLC. Kona Gold, LLC has developed a premium Hemp-Infused Energy Drink line; please visit its website at www.konagoldhemp.com. HighDrate, LLC has developed the beverage industry's first CBD-Infused Energy Water, available in 6 delicious flavors; please visit its website at www.highdrateme.com. Gold Leaf Distribution, LLC was created to fill the Company's distribution needs in markets that it wants to enter quickly; please visit its website at www.goldleafdist.com. Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. recently rebranded its Lemin Lemonade to Ooh La Lemin Lemonade; please visit its website at www.oohlalemin.com. Kona Gold and its family of companies are located on the east coast of Florida in Melbourne and in Greer and Conway, South Carolina.

Safe Harbor Statement:

The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact:

Robert Clark

844-714-2224

investorrelations@konagoldbeverage.com




There will only be 6,500 Clase Azul bottles up for grabs.

Zenith Adventure Media/Courtesy of Clase Azul

Today, Clase Azul unveils its latest limited-edition tequila for Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead, which this year begins on Nov. 1 and ends on Nov. 2. Its the luxury brands second iteration of their Nuestros Recuerdos, meaning "our memories," bottling series.

Dia de los Muertos is one of Mexicos most important holidays, honoring those who have passed away, and for this bottle, Guadalajara-based brand Clase Azul and master distiller Viridiana Tinoco have concocted a tequila (in a hand-painted decanter) that effectively commemorates the occasion.

Zenith Adventure Media/Courtesy of Clase Azul

The bottles design is inspired by the ofrenda, an often elaborate and colorful offering for the deceased. The base of the decanter is decorated with iconography emblematic of the marigold flowers and papel picado (paper with cut-out designs) placed on the altars dedicated to the deceased. The bottles white glaze is representative of alfeniques (sugar confections). But arguably the most eye-catching design on the bottle is the depiction of a calavera de azucar, or sugar skull. The vibrant bottles were handmade by the companys Mexican artisans and each bottle took around 12 days to complete.

In addition to this magnificent decanter, the contents inside are also worth marveling over. Aged for 28 months, the anejo tequila spent its first 22 months in American whiskey casks before being finished in artisanal rum barrels from Martinique. The result: a hint of sweetness with notes of orange peel, clove, walnut, and cacao.

Zenith Adventure Media/Courtesy of Clase Azul

The limited-edition bottle will be available for purchase in the United States, Asia, and Europe as of this week. However, those who want first dibs can make a trip out of it and head over to Clase Azuls flagship store in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. Tucked behind the boutique is the brand's newly launched hospitality concept, with the interactive Taste of Culture dining experience, upscale restaurant La Terraza, Clase Azul Omakase, and Clase Azul El Bar, where adeptly crafted cocktails will shine a light on tequila, mezcal, and seasonal ingredients.

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Clase Azul Tequila Dia de los Muertos Limited Edition Colores will be available in one-liter decanters for $1,050. The link for purchase is not yet available.



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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
NEW YORK  Melanie Van Orden is a volunteer with NYC ICE Watch, a mutual aid group working with the migrants flooding into the city. One night, late, she got a text: A group of migrants was wandering the city looking for a place to stay the night.

The six young men had arrived in New York a few days earlier, sleeping on the streets after being turned away from the 30th Street homeless intake shelter, Van Orden said. They met volunteers on Randalls Island.

This was the third night and they didnt want to sleep on the street again, Van Orden said.

The migrant crisis has officially become an emergency in New York City, with Mayor Eric Adams recently declaring the city does not have the space to adequately house the massive influx of South and Central American refugees. More than 17,000 migrants have pushed the citys shelter system to nearly 100% capacity.

But some New Yorkers, more quietly, are helping solve the problem on a smaller scale. Theyre opening their own homes, trying to offer what they can in an extraordinary moment.

Van Orden thought quickly. Her apartment was empty: She was planning on staying with a friend that night, and her daughter was staying with her dad for five days. She leaped into action, finding someone who could speak Spanish and grabbing protein bars and bottled water for the migrants.

They were really hungry and thirsty when we got out there, she said. I was worried that they hadnt had access to a bathroom or water for a long time. The shelter wouldnt let them use the bathroom or have any water. It was pretty sad. ... They all had colds, they had sore throats and really bad coughs.

Van Orden crammed everyone in her car and drove them to her Bedford-Stuyvesant apartment, where they stayed for five days.

Were one of the richest cities in the world and we have plenty of money to spend on what we care about, she said. And we spend money  too much money  on some things and not enough on others. And one of the things that we dont spend enough money on is taking care of each other and taking care of people that really need help.

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We could do it if we wanted to. We could do a much better job than were doing. And the city could set its budget priorities accordingly if it wanted to.

Van Orden is far from the only one. Nonprofits, church groups, mutual aid groups and other volunteers have been working to fill the gaps in government response since the first buses dispatched by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pulled into Port Authority.

Theyve spread by word of mouth and provide beds, showers, food, clothes, food, toiletries, legal help for migrants, as well as tickets to migrants intended destinations.

On a recent weekday evening on the Upper West Side, Candice Braun rifled through her apartment, searching for a toothbrush and razor for a migrant spending the night in her spare bedroom.

Braun has hosted a half-dozen migrants in recent weeks. None of them intended New York to be their final destination. Braun takes them in for a night, gives them a meal and a comfy bed, and then a ride to the airport or back to Port Authority, where they go off to places like Chicago; Bakersfield, California; Chattanooga, Tennessee, where they have friends, family or leads on jobs.

I guess were running a little youth hostel here for 19- to 22-year-olds, Braun joked.  ... Its just been really nice to be able to give them, after their horrendous journey, a warm kind of homey experience

Braun is a volunteer with Team TLC NYC, who has sponsored plane and bus tickets themselves without being compensated by the city. The group, which is an affiliate of Grannies Respond, has spent more than $60,000 in tickets alone.

Its a huge group effort of people just pitching in and wanting to help, Braun said.  ... You know, if it wasnt for the money, it would be totally fine.

Two of Brauns children are away at college, giving her the free bedrooms and fridge space to host others.

I think that its an easy way to help someone whos super vulnerable, you know? Its like being an aunt for a couple of days. I mean, it gives them more hope and faith and humanity when people are nice to them, Braun said.

Advocates and officials have criticized Mayor Eric Adams for his plan to place migrants in a tent camp on Randalls Island for a lack of plans to transition people out of the shelter system.

I think it is easy to despair over a lack of formalized coordinated response from the federal government, the state government and the city government, Rev. Lea Matthews, who hosts five migrants at St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church, said. She coordinates the efforts of a network of 288 volunteers.

Matthews thought the Upper West Side church would serve as just a temporary way station for migrants passing through New York. It became a more lasting project when she realized the city wouldnt help transition the migrants into permanent housing.

What is hardest to stomach, certainly as a person of faith, is that human beings are treated in this horrible way so cavalierly, so chaotically, Matthews said. That is the part that is hardest to witness. But I will say that into that gap, seeing people respond, huge amounts of people responding out of compassion and out of care where the government is not  that is heartening.


Outsourcing Back-Office Duties Yields Optimal Business Growth and Customer Satisfaction in Startup Companies & Enterprises; The Philippines Emerging as a Leading Offshore Location

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2022 / In the age of instant gratification and immediate action, a quality customer service experience is not only needed but expected to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with any organization. Having a quality and capable back-office support team ready to tend to customer needs and stay on top of all the back-office administrative procedures is the key to maximum startup success and growth.

"Great solutions should be built, not sold," says Timothy Witucki, President of Omada One Inc., an organization based in The Philippines that optimizes and operates micro technology, DevOps, and accounting contact centers throughout the Asia Pacific Region designed to empower teams to reach their full potential. At Omada One, we drive performance and outcomes and reduce costs. The value add a business receives from partnering with Omada One extends well beyond cost savings and includes improved remote staff efficiency, execution, effectiveness, flexibility, quality assurance training, and performance.

While the front office of an organization traditionally acts as the face of the company, the back office is the driving force behind every startup organization. The front office attracts customers, drives in new business, and the back office keeps them stable and satisfied and coming back for more. Attracting and retaining millennial staff is increasingly difficult. Team members want stimulating and challenging work but are all too often stuck behind a screen instead of sitting in front of clients. Startups lack the capacity to scale and grow. Low margin compliance and administrative work chews up too many hours, leaving less time for high-margin strategic and advisory work.

Paramount Relations, Monday, October 17, 2022, Press release picture

Most startup and enterprise companies have hired talented people capable of high-margin advisory work, who are unfortunately dragged into time-consuming, repetitive tasks and lower-margin compliance work. According to Business World , companies with inefficient back-office strategies waste around $480 billion, which is why many business leaders are investing in building a strong back-office team through in-house development and expanding to offshore options. As a result of this investment of resources, the Philippines has emerged as the world's second-largest outsourcing destination accounting for 10-15% of the global business process outsourcing for call centers and other back-office procedures. Overall, this produces maximum customer experience satisfaction with minimal money and time wasted in-house. "We know what makes successful teams tick."

By adopting an outsourced strategy, developing a startup "proof of concept" POC pilot together with 1-2 dedicated staff, and partnering with Omada One, our clients emerge with the ability to support their external outsourcing strategy demands better.

According to Witucki, many startups outsource their contact centers, DevOps, and other back-office duties to strengthen and build their internal delivery capacity. Redistributing the workload from an overworked, in-house staff to a highly-skilled, remote team sets the foundation for the most productivity among staff, allowing the company to satisfy and exceed clients' and stakeholders' expectations while still adding to its profitability.

Paramount Relations, Monday, October 17, 2022, Press release picture

Many North American, Europe, and Australian companies have turned to The Philippines as their outsourcing destination, thanks to the country's many competitive advantages, including investments in world-class processes, education-neutral English language, stable and growing economy, technologies, and infrastructure that enable them to provide exceptional customer experience support, DevOps, accounting, and finance support solutions. Additionally, the country's thriving outsourcing industry provides reliable 24/7 omnichannel support, saving companies between 48-to 62% in labor and HMO costs.

As a high-tech and business executive entrepreneur, Witucki has found that investing in a nearshore/offshore team of dedicated and skilled workers should be implemented along with an in-house skill-set development program to yield the best results. A hybrid effort of both in-house training and certification courses on best back-office practices combined with expert outsourcing and external management services helps businesses function at peak performance and improves operations immediately. This is why Omada One offers both services to help companies champion staff productivity and efficiency and drive execution and staff outcomes.

"Businesses need to make it a priority to cultivate approachable and positive employees that go above and beyond in their quest to Wow' their customers," says Witucki. "Customer satisfaction and happiness are always my top daily priority, making our business stand out from competitors."

Paramount Relations, Monday, October 17, 2022, Press release picture

It is clear that smaller startups keep pace and even disrupt larger companies. Business leaders need to relieve their in-house staff from the back-end workload to increase productivity, outcomes, and profits. While The Philippines is one of the leading locations for contact centers, other offshore and nearshore locations are also being utilized to fill the gap with our Multilingual Support Remote Champion Teams. Witucki is attuned to these opportunities, which is why he set up Omada One's low labor cost micro contact centers in North America, Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Paramount Relations, Monday, October 17, 2022, Press release picture

AN OUTSOURCING SUCCESS STORY

Improving back-office strategies through in-house development and outsourcing some of the workload is the key to success. This is not just true in theory but also in practice. Witucki recalls working with a small, well-known dental practice in Silicon Valley, looking to overcome several personal challenges and meet new goals.

Witucki worked closely with the CEO and dental practice leadership team to identify their exact needs and get to know their staff and operations. In just 90 days, Witucki assisted the practice in vetting and hiring a dedicated team of professional and dedicated offshore employees in The Philippines. The small offshore dedicated team of accounting, social media content, digital marketing, business AI analytics, and operations staff were also able to identify process and skills GAPS and correct several accounting and back-office operations low marginal inefficiencies, which allowed the dental practice to cut payroll by 53% and reduced the practice's 30-60-90 day AR aging claims by 49%. Adding a dedicated remote team helped the medical practice eliminate repetitive and time-consuming back-office support activities, which freed up the patient in-house team to help expand their capacity for patient care. The dental practice was very impressed with how successful the outsourcing pilot went and the outcome results with their back-office duties achieved and KPIs were met, and they continue to use the guidance Witucki provides with Omada One in The Philippines.

Paramount Relations, Monday, October 17, 2022, Press release picture

ABOUT OMADA ONE

Omada One is an organization that provides hands-on training and guidance as well as nearshore/offshore remote staff services and management to disrupter startups and enterprise companies (customer experience, accounting, finance, and DevOps-software development). Timothy Witucki, an accomplished, high-tech, and business executive entrepreneur, Omada One offers custom-tailored staffing solutions expertly implemented under Witucki's leadership. Witucki began his career working in private equity finance with early-stage startups in California, so he has an in-depth understanding of what makes a startup successful. As an optimistic and passionate thought leader, Witucki has demonstrated experience helping startup and enterprise businesses build and operate offshore / nearshore world-class remote teams and staff offshoring services.

"Omada" means "teams" in Greek, which is the belief Witucki has in his organization and their clients worldwide. Omada One believes in the power of teams and works with clients to build, nourish, develop, and scale amazing ones. With more than 40 years of combined experience working in and creating productive, high-performance outsourcing remote teams worldwide, the professionals at Omada One know how to build environments that execute and deliver performance and outcomes.

To learn more about getting started with a pilot trial and optimizing your startup's success through back-office strategies, visit Omada One's website at www.omadaone.com .

Paramount Relations, Monday, October 17, 2022, Press release picture

CONTACT:

Timothy Witucki

President

Omada One, Inc

Email: Timothy@Omadaone.com

Phone: Los Angeles (213) 425-7107

Phone: San Francisco (415) 697 -2724

Website: www.omadaone.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothywitucki

SOURCE: Omada One Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/720550/Outsourcing-Is-In-NearshoreOffshore-Micro-Contact-Centers-Are-The-Secret-To-Successful-Startups




editor's node column

Crypto is totally dead latelyif you're only looking at the price action.

Yes, Bitcoin is down 72% from its all-time-high price in November 2021, almost one full year ago. Ethereum is down the same, 72% from its own high of $4,878. Woof.

Crypto advocates point out that it's not just crypto, stocks have been hammered too. And they're right: everything is down right now. But that's cold comfort for crypto believers, whoI'll let you in on a little crypto media trade secretdo not care to read any crypto news when crypto prices are down. ConsenSys CEO Joe Lubin put on a brave face last week when talking to me about the technological success of the Ethereum merge, but ETH is down a disheartening 21% since the event.

For a better temperature check on how crypto is doing, look at the major recent signs of mainstream adoption. In the past two months, we got a string of indications that major financial institutions and tech companies believe crypto is here to stay. You'd be excused for having missed these news stories while the global economy was collapsing all around us.

In August, BlackRock, the largest asset manager in the world, launched a spot Bitcoin private trust to give its customers exposure to the current price of Bitcoin. (As a reminder, the SEC has staunchly refused to greenlight a publicly-traded spot Bitcoin ETF, allowing only Bitcoin futures ETFs; but BlackRock can offer its own clients whatever service it wants.) BlackRock also said it's seeing substantial interest in crypto from its institutional clients, and that it's exploring stablecoins and tokenization. Wow. Bitcoin didn't budge on that news, a sign of just how much the economy is weighing on every type of asset.

This past week brought two more big shows of faith.

Google announced it will start accepting crypto as payment for its cloud services early next year by plugging into Coinbase. As part of the deal, Coinbase Commerce will move its "data-related applications" from Amazon Web Services over to Google. So not only is this Google Cloud welcoming crypto, but also a form of tie-up between Google and Coinbase.

Story continues

On the same day, 239-year-old Bank of New York Mellon launched its own Bitcoin and Ethereum custody service. The bank will hold clients' private keys and provide accounting on their crypto portfolios. This follows BNY Mellon becoming the custodian for the cash reserves that back Circle's USDC stablecoin in March. And last year, BNY Mellon launched a Bitcoin custody service in Ireland.

BlackRock, Google, BNY Mellon Probably nothing  Barry Silbert (@BarrySilbert) October 11, 2022

All of this might look to sneering crypto-skeptics like a sad attempt at rationalization. The favored mantra of Web3 builders, "bear markets are for building," gets so oft-repeated at times like these that it has become cliche. That doesn't mean it's untrue.

I first wrote about Bitcoin in 2011. I've witnessed the freezing crypto cycles of 2014, 2018, and now. Some of the best-known crypto companies and platforms were built during those "winters."

Lubin says crypto is "the tail being wagged by a very sick dog" right now and that it won't get better until the economy improves. Solana founder Anatoly Yakovenko thinks it could take 12-18 months.

Meanwhile, they're all still building, as signs of future adoption quietly multiply.
Sydney, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proactive, provider of real-time news and video interviews on growth companies listed in Australia, has covered the following companies:

Westar Resources Ltd (ASX:WSR) has completed its consolidation of the Gidgee North Gold Project in Western Australias Mid-West with the acquisition of the historically operating Fairy Well Prospect. Click here

Race Oncology Ltd (ASX:RAC) has received a valuation of A$3.4 billion base case and A$6.1 billion bull case in Pitt Street Researchs initiation report as the company advances the development of its key drug, Zantrene. Click here

Cobalt Blue Holdings Ltd (ASX:COB, OTC:CBBHF) is making positive progress with processing ore from the Broken Hill Cobalt Project (BHCP) into concentrate for use in its Demonstration Plant to provide bulk samples for potential commercial partners of high-value cobalt products. Click here

Medibank Private Ltd (ASX:MPL) has resumed trading after its shares were placed in a trading halt following a cyber incident that occurred on its networks last Wednesday. Click here

Aldoro Resources Ltd (ASX:ARN) is tapping the market for $2.475 million to continue exploration at its Niobe Rubidium-Lithium Project and Narndee Nickel-Copper-PGM (platinum group metals) Project in Western Australia. Click here

Southern Gold Ltd (ASX:SAU) is adding new ground to its portfolio with the lodging of 25 new exploration licence applications, covering more than 70 square kilometres in the historical Goseong copper-gold-silver mine district in South Korea. Click here

Australian Vanadium Ltd (ASX:AVL) has appointed experienced battery-metals executive Graham Arvidson as its chief executive officer. Click here

Lanthanein Resources Ltd (ASX:LNR) has secured an exploration investment scheme grant to the tune of $200,000 to support part of an exploration drilling program over the Lyons Intrusive Complex of the Lyons Project in Western Australia, hunting for carbonatite-hosted rare earth elements (REEs). Click here

PolarX Ltd (ASX:PXX) has released a positive scoping study that outlines a viable production profile and confirms the economic potential of its Alaska Range Copper-Gold Project in Alaska, USA. Click here

Boadicea Resources Ltd (ASX:BOA)s exploration partner in the Fraser Range of Western Australia, IGO Ltd, has completed an extensive exploration program within its tenements, predominantly in the northern Fraser Range area. Click here

The 2022 International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) at the ICC Sydney from November 2-4 is putting the spotlight on Indigenous participation within the sector through multiple partnerships, opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander industry leaders and a panel discussion dedicated to First Nations people working in the field. Click here

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX:CXO) has bid farewell to its managing director Stephen Biggins, who announced his decision to resign following the opening of the Finniss Lithium Mine and the appointment of Gareth Manderson as chief executive officer. Click here

Azure Minerals Ltd (ASX:AZS) has successfully applied for a Western Australian State Government grant of up to $220,000. Click here

Patrys Ltd (ASX:PAB) has fielded preclinical data that demonstrate the companys full-sized IgG antibody, PAT-DX3, can effectively cross the blood-brain in healthy animals, opening potential new pathways to use deoxymabs to deliver small molecule therapeutics and gene editing technologies for various neurological conditions. Click here

Galena Mining Ltd (ASX:G1A) has kicked off commissioning in several key areas as it passed 87% completion of construction at the Abra Base Metals Mine in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. Click here

Eastern Metals Ltd (ASX:EMS) has cut the ribbon on a key project acquisition in the highly mineralised Arunta Province in the Northern Territory. Click here

Strickland Metals Ltd (ASX:STK) has intersected more shallow high-grade oxide gold in drilling of the Wanamaker discovery at Millrose Gold Project within the Yandal Greenstone Belt in Western Australia, this time hitting up to 7 metres at 22.2 g/t from 72 metres in hole MRRC329. Click here

Argonaut Resources NL (ASX:ARE) has received a $946,613 tax rebate thanks to the Australian Governments AusIndustry R&D Tax Incentive program. Click here

Alto Metals Ltd (ASX:AME) has bolstered its board with the appointment of experienced and highly regarded mining executive Mark Connelly as independent, non-executive chairman. Click here

ClearVue Technologies Ltd (ASX:CPV, OTCQB:CVUEF) is set to deploy its patented solar energy windows in a luxury residential project in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) suburb of Griffith. Click here

Pantoro Ltd (ASX:PNR) has begun phase two of an exploration drilling program, targeting the high-grade Mainfield mining centre with extensional drilling intended to expand the Norseman Gold Projects current mineral resource of 4.8 million ounces and ore reserve of 973,000 ounces. Click here
MELBOURNE, Australia, October 17, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm, said: "Delivering the full potential of our assets remains a priority: production improved versus the prior quarter across most of our sites, particularly where we have implemented the Rio Tinto Safe Production System (RTSPS). We progressed our excel in development objective, commissioning some major projects and advancing the next tranche of Pilbara mines, agreeing to enter a joint venture with Baowu to develop Western Range and modernising the joint venture covering the Rhodes Ridge project in the East Pilbara, unlocking a pathway to develop this significant, high quality resource. We also approved growth capital for underground mining at Kennecott, early works funding at Rincon Lithium and continue to progress Oyu Tolgoi. Our proposal to take Turquoise Hill Resources private has unanimous support of the Turquoise Hill Board who have recommended shareholders vote in favour of the transaction.

"We continue to deliver our strategy with decarbonisation at its centre. Last week we announced a partnership with the Government of Canada to invest up to C$737 million over eight years to decarbonise our Rio Tinto Fer et Titane operations in Quebec, and to position the business as a centre of excellence for critical minerals processing.

"We are taking action to transform our culture and rebuild trust, implementing the recommendations of the Everyday Respect report and publishing our second progress report on our Communities and Social Performance practices, which includes increased feedback from Traditional Owner groups, with responses from seven groups compared to four in 2021."

Production* Q3

2022 vs Q3

2021 vs Q2

2022 9 MTHS

2022 vs 9 MTHS

2021 Pilbara iron ore shipments (100% basis) Mt 82.9 -1% +4% 234.3 -1% Pilbara iron ore production (100% basis) Mt 84.3 +1% +7% 234.7 0% Bauxite Mt 13.7 -2% -3% 41.4 +1% Aluminium kt 759 -2% +4% 2,226 -7% Mined copper kt 138 +10% +9% 390 +8% Titanium dioxide slag kt 310 +48% +6% 876 +11% IOC** iron ore pellets and concentrate Mt 2.8 +28% +7% 7.8 +8% *Rio Tinto share unless otherwise stated **Iron Ore Company of Canada

Q3 2022 operational highlights and other key announcements

In the last quarter we exceeded four years without a fatality on a managed site. However, our all-injury frequency rate of 0.43 has deteriorated from the third quarter of 2021 (0.40), and from the prior quarter (0.36). We continue to prioritise the safety, health and wellbeing of our workforce and communities where we operate.

Pilbara operations produced 84.3 million tonnes (100% basis) in the third quarter, 1% higher than the third quarter of 2021, and 7% higher than the prior quarter with continued commissioning and ramp-up of Gudai-Darri and Robe Valley. Shipments were 82.9 million tonnes (100% basis), 1% lower than the third quarter of 2021, and 4% higher than the prior quarter despite two unplanned rail outages on the Yandicoogina and Gudai-Darri lines. The investigation into the Gudai-Darri derailment is ongoing. Full year shipments are expected to be at the low end of the original 320 to 335 million tonne range.

On 14 September, we agreed to enter a joint venture with China Baowu Steel Group Co. Ltd with respect to the Western Range iron ore project in the Pilbara, investing $2 billion ($1.3 billion Rio Tinto share1) to develop the mine. Its annual capacity of 25 million tonnes will help sustain production of the Pilbara Blend, with construction expected to begin in early 2023 and first production anticipated in 2025. The transaction with Baowu is subject to satisfaction of various conditions precedent, including approvals from Rio Tinto shareholders, the Australian Government, Chinese Government regulatory agencies and the Western Australian Government, among others.

We have agreed, together with Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd, to modernise the joint venture covering the Rhodes Ridge project in the East Pilbara, Western Australia. The joint venture updates an existing agreement between the two parties dating back to 1972 and now provides a pathway for the development of the Rhodes Ridge deposits utilising Rio Tintos rail, port and power infrastructure. The participants have commenced an Order of Magnitude study, to be conducted by Rio Tinto, which will consider the development of an operation before the end of the decade with initial plant capacity of up to 40 million tonnes annually, subject to the receipt of relevant approvals.

Bauxite production of 13.7 million tonnes was 2% lower than the third quarter of 2021 due to equipment reliability issues at Gove.

Aluminium production of 0.8 million tonnes was 2% lower than the third quarter of 2021, and 4% higher than the prior quarter as the Kitimat smelter continues to ramp up and Boyne smelter cell recovery efforts progress as expected. The Kitimat pot restarts are progressing but structural issues with the alumina conveyor system caused disruptions through the quarter slowing the rate of pot restarts. We continue to focus on full recovery during the course of 2023.

Mined copper production of 138 thousand tonnes was 10% higher than the third quarter of 2021 due to higher grades and recoveries at Kennecott, partly offset by lower grades and recoveries at Oyu Tolgoi as a result of planned mine sequencing. Refined copper production guidance has been reduced to 190 to 220 thousand tonnes (previously 230 to 290 thousand tonnes), given further downside risk associated with Kennecotts smelter and refinery performance, until we undertake the largest rebuild in nine years which is planned for the second quarter of 2023.

On 27 September, we announced approval of $55 million in development capital to start underground mining and expand production at Kennecott. This will initially focus on the Lower Commercial Skarn area, which will deliver a total of around 30 thousand tonnes2 of additional copper through the period to 2027 alongside open cut operations. The first ore is expected to be produced in early 2023, with full production in the second half of the year. Underground battery electric vehicles are currently being trialled at Kennecott to improve employee health and safety, increase productivity and reduce carbon emissions from future underground mining fleets.

On 5 September, we entered into a binding agreement to acquire all of the remaining shares of Turquoise Hill Resources that Rio Tinto does not currently own, subject to shareholder approval. The transaction delivers significant value to Turquoise Hill minority shareholders with the certainty of an all-cash offer of C$43 per share (with a total cash consideration of $3.3 billion), and provides greater certainty of funding for the long-term success of the Oyu Tolgoi project.

Titanium dioxide slag production of 310 thousand tonnes was 48% higher than the third quarter of 2021, due to community disruptions at Richards Bay Minerals in South Africa in 2021, and continued improved performance of operations at Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT), Canada.

Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) production of pellets and concentrate was 28% higher than the third quarter of 2021 due to improved operational performance as well as timing of the planned annual maintenance shutdown (seven days) which was successfully completed in June (this work was completed in September in 2021).

This quarter marked 12 months since we began the roll-out of the Rio Tinto Safe Production System (RTSPS). We now have 22 deployments at 13 sites and 63 rapid improvement projects (Kaizens) completed or in progress. We are on track to meet our 2022 target of 30 deployments at 15 sites.

In the third quarter, we entered into additional partnerships and progressed initiatives to decarbonise our business and our value chains, including entering strategic partnerships with Volvo Group and Ford Motor Company. We also joined the First Movers Coalition, a global initiative to help commercialise zero-carbon technologies by harnessing purchasing power and supply chains.

On 11 October, we announced a partnership with the Government of Canada to invest up to C$737 million over the next eight years to decarbonise our Rio Tinto Fer et Titane operations in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, and to position the business as a centre of excellence for critical minerals processing. The partnership will also support projects including BlueSmelting, a low-carbon ilmenite smelting technology, increasing scandium production, and adding titanium metal to the portfolio. The Government of Canada is investing up to C$222 million over the next eight years through its Strategic Innovation Fund which supports large-scale, transformative, and collaborative projects that will help position Canada to prosper in the global knowledge-based economy. There is no impact to our current capital guidance.

On 20 July, we announced we reached agreement with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) on all tax matters in dispute. As part of this agreement, in August we paid the ATO additional tax of A$613 million for the period from 2010 to 2021. Over this period, Rio Tinto paid nearly A$80 billion in tax and royalties in Australia.

On 2 August, we completed the sale of a royalty on an area including the Cortez mine operational area and the Fourmile development project in Nevada to RG Royalties LLC, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Gold Inc., for $525 million in cash.

In October, we entered into a definitive agreement with Uranium Energy Corp (UEC) pursuant to which UEC will acquire 100% of Rio Tintos wholly owned Roughrider uranium development project located in Saskatchewan, Canada for total consideration of $150 million comprised of $80 million in cash and $70 million in UEC stock. The transaction completed on 14 October.

On 29 September, we noted the independent valuation report released by Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) on 26 September 2022, to determine a valuation of the company as it seeks to address material cost and schedule overruns on the critical Ranger rehabilitation project in Australias Northern Territory. Our consistent position is that the terms of any ERA funding solution should reflect fair value having regard to: the material cost overruns and interim funding requirements; funds raised will be dedicated strictly to rehabilitation and not any future development; and the Traditional Owners, the Mirarr Peoples consistently publicly stated opposition to developing the Jabiluka uranium deposit.

On 6 October, we welcomed ERAs announcement that it will renew its independent board committee to introduce new perspectives to address the material cost and schedule overruns on the critical Ranger rehabilitation project. We remain committed to ensuring the rehabilitation is completed to a standard that will establish an environment similar to the adjacent Kakadu National Park and continues to provide technical support to the project.

All figures in this report are unaudited. All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tintos share of production, unless otherwise stated.

The full third quarter production results are available here

1Rio Tinto share includes 100% of funding costs for Paraburdoo plant upgrades.

2Lower Commercial Skarn production targets referred to in this release are reported as recoverable copper and are underpinned as to 100% by Probable Ore Reserves. These estimates of Ore Reserves were reported in a release to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) dated 31 August 2022 "Rio Tinto Kennecott Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" (Table 1 Release) and have been prepared by Competent Persons in accordance with the requirements of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, 2012 (JORC Code).

This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Steve Allen, Rio Tintos Group Company Secretary.

riotinto.com

LEI: 213800YOEO5OQ72G2R82

Classification: 3.1 Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005852/en/

Contacts

Please direct all enquiries to

media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations, UK

Matthew Klar

M +44 7796 630 637

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Americas

Simon Letendre

M +514 796 4973

Malika Cherry

M +1 418 592 7293

Investor Relations, UK

Menno Sanderse

M: +44 7825 195 178

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

Clare Peever

M +44 7788 967 877

Media Relations, Australia

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

Jesse Riseborough

M +61 436 653 412

Investor Relations, Australia

Tom Gallop

M +61 439 353 948

Amar Jambaa

M +61 472 865 948

Rio Tinto plc

6 St Jamess Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

Category: General
By Trend

The EU highly values its energy partnership with Azerbaijan, Tengiz Pkhaladze, a non-resident senior fellow at the European Center for International Political Economy (ECIPE), told Trend.

"About 5 or even 10 years ago many had been delivering the message that Azerbaijan has all the capabilities [to deliver more gas], and that Europe should pay more attention to the energy partnership with the country, to the Caspian region and its gas potential, and develop it all together with Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, Europe has been somewhat neglecting those opportunities, and the priorities were given to other projects. Today, I think, everyone in Europe regrets it. But it is better late than never," he said.

According to Pkhaladze, today the cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan in the energy sector does not only gain political support but is also reflected in practical business initiatives.

"But I dont think that whole responsibility should fall on the shoulders of one party. Yes, Azerbaijan has all the capacities, but it also needs alike reliable partners from the EU countries. Azerbaijan should deliver, and the EU should make the biggest financial pledge in this regard," Pkhaladze added.

Although, as the expert pointed out, the interest in Azerbaijani gas should not be divided by countries.

"This should be the interest of the whole of Europe. First of all, the European Commission should express its will to increase energy cooperation with Azerbaijan further. This will be the right sign for the private companies across the world, for the UK and the US companies as well," he explained.

Regarding the recent launch of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) Pkhaladze noted that it is an essential and important project for Europe today, as the region suffers from Russias supply cuts.

"This is a great example for other countries and investors to follow and use this capability, and think about how to widen this capability. Azerbaijan surely has the capacity, but, as I already said, all the financial burden should not be placed on the country alone. The interest is already there, and, eventually, it will grow and transform into active business initiatives," he said.

Further speaking, ECIPE senior fellow noted that Azerbaijans potential in exporting electricity, as well as electricity generated from renewables, is huge and it is in fact possible to launch it soon.

"Everything is possible if EU extends its connectivity project. This means expanding critical infrastructure, such as electricity. The EU should boost new processes and initiatives for connectivity. Those are already developed from the EU to Georgia, and then to Azerbaijan. Today new types of infrastructure should be developed," he explained.

"It is worth mentioning that Azerbaijan made an outstanding impression at the first European Political Community Summit in Prague. The remarks that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has made demonstrate the countrys willingness to contribute to development and stability. Besides the significant progress that has been achieved in regard to the peace treaty with Armenia, Azerbaijan has also demonstrated itself as not just a reliable energy supplier, but also as a country that really cares about the stability in the world," the expert concluded.
Virtual Investor Conferences

Company invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend real-time, interactive presentations on VirtualInvestorConferences.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Southern Silver Exploration Corp., (OTCQX:SSVFF), based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, focused on [advancing one of the worlds largest undeveloped Ag-Zn projects, the Cerro Las Minitas, Ag-Pb-Zn project, located in Durango, Mexico, today announced that Rob Macdonald, VP Exploration, will present live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com on October 18th, 2022.



DATE: October 18th, 2022

TIME: 4:00pm EST

LINK: https://bit.ly/3q1Z3Ka



Available for 1x1 meetings: October 19/20/21

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

Recent Company Highlights

Recent PEA announced

Updated Resource Calculation expect Q4/2022

About Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

Southern Silver Exploration Corp. is an exploration and development company with a focus on the identification of world-class mineral deposits in major jurisdictions, advancing them either directly or through joint-venture relationships. Our specific emphasis is on advancing the 100% owned Cerro Las Minitas project, one of the worlds largest undeveloped silver-lead-zinc deposits, to a production decision.

Southern has assembled a team of highly experienced technical, operational and transactional professionals to support our efforts in developing (recent robust PEA) the Cerro Las Minitas project into a premier, high-grade, silver-lead-zinc mine. Our property portfolio also includes the Oro porphyry copper-gold project where a diamond drill program is underway and the Hermanas gold-silver vein project where permitting applications for the conduct of a drill program is underway; both are located in southern New Mexico, USA.

Story continues

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

Name: Jay Oness

Title: VP Corporate Development

Phone: 604-808-9479

Email: joness@mnxltd.com

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

johnv@otcmarkets.com




The White House said on Monday that President Biden thinks Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman is capable amid questions over his health as he recovers from a stroke he suffered earlier this year.

The president feels he is very much capable of doing the job, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

She said Biden has had many interactions with Fetterman over the last several months as well as an in-person meeting in September. Biden is set to appear with Fetterman on Thursday at an event in Philadelphia.

The president has found him to be an impressive individual who is just as capable as always, Jean-Pierre said, adding that Fetterman, as lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, is doing the job with great ability.

A NBC News interview last week raised fresh questions over Fettermans health when he used closed captioning to help him understand dialogue, answering questions orally after reading them on a computer screen.

The effects of his stroke in May were discussed in the interview, which highlighted some of the difficulty Fetterman has in articulating himself. While it was common knowledge that Fetterman has been using closed captioning when talking to reporters since his stroke, the interview provided viewers with a look at his process and showed him struggling at times to find the correct word.

Fettermans health will be in the spotlight on Oct. 25 when he debates Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Explore editor

Hi! Im Sara Rae Shields, Explore editor for the Yakima Herald-Republic. Im a very outgoing and sociable person and I want to share with readers whats going on in the Yakima Valley. I also want to hear from you. Lets create strong community bonds over the fun events and fascinating people to meet in the area. Im Wapato born and raised and love meeting locals and transplants. I spend a lot of time supporting the Seattle Sounders as part of the Dry Side Supporters, raving about my rescue dog, Telly and hanging out at local gathering spots like restaurants, breweries, wineries and bars. Prior to working for YHR, I was a GIS Specialist for the Yakama Nation and take great pride in the 15 years I spent working for my tribe. I also coached middle school girls soccer in Wapato and worked the front desk at a tattoo/body piercing shop.
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It Happened Here is a weekly history column by Yakima Herald-Republic reporter Donald W. Meyers. Reach him at dmeyers@yakimaherald.com. Sources for this weeks column include An Illustrated History of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas Counties by Interstate Publishing Co.; Ka-Mi-Akin, The Last Hero of The Yakima By Andrew J. Splawn; There Were Giants by Maurice Helland; familysearch.org; historylink.org; and the archives of the Yakima Herald-Republic.
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In June 2020, Raz Simone meets with Seattle's then-Mayor Jenny Durkan and Police Chief Carmen Best as a community stakeholder during Capitol Hill protests against police brutality. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
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The information about Mr. Greniuchs new position caused a massive media storm just a couple of days after it broke out. A constant stream of outrage and distaste from all over the world followed.

Even key members of Polands ruling Law and Justice party criticized the decision. "There should be no place in the IPN for people who raised their hands in a Nazi salute. This is obvious. The sooner we see a resignation, the better for Poland" - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Assets Jacek Sasin wrote on Twitter.

Tomasz Greniuch himself explained in a statement that he "was never a Nazi" and that the salute was merely a display of his "youthful bravado". "The symbols and gestures I raised were nothing but youthful bravado, often deaf to common sense and possible consequences. However, they were never meant to glorify totalitarian ideologies!" - wrote the 39-year-old historian.

"Wyborcza" reported on the IPNs decision and the outrage it had caused. One of the articles featured a photo of Mr. Greniuch during an ONR rally in Krakow. The picture shows him making a Nazi salute against the backdrop of the Celtic cross flag. Greniuch did not keep his new post for long and resigned soon after the controversy attracted public attention. He was later dismissed from the Institute.

A state institute wants to censor independent media

On October 12, "Wyborcza" received a rather curious request. The Institute of National Remembrance demanded... the removal of Mr. Greniuch's photo. Reason? The Institutes authorities believe that the publication violates the law.

REKLAMA

"Regarding the maintenance on your website the link to a photo showing a group of people making the "Heil Hitler" salute gesture and the symbol of the Celtic cross, the propagation of which is prohibited by law and criminalized in Article 256 section 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code. The IPN branch in Wrocaw demands the removal of the photo in question, as it violates the above-mentioned legal provision".

The request was signed by Maciej Parysek, press assistant of the Institute's Wrocaw branch.

According to the mentioned article, "whoever publicly propagates a fascist or another totalitarian state system or incites to hatred on the grounds of national, ethnic, racial, religious differences or on the grounds of irreligiousness, shall be subject to a fine, restriction of liberty, or deprivation of liberty for up to 2 years".

No response from the institutes authorities

"Wyborcza" asked the Institute about the analysis or legal opinion upon which it based its claim. We also asked whether the analysis took into account the issue of constitutionally and conventionally guaranteed right to freedom of speech, including freedom of the press, and how specifically "Wyborczas" article propagates a totalitarian regime.

REKLAMA

Furthermore, "Wyborcza" asked whether the Institute reported Tomasz Greniuch's action to the prosecutor's office. This is because according to Article 304 of the Polish Code of Criminal Procedure, every state institution has an obligation to do so. A public official (i.e., for instance, the director of an IPN regional office) who knows that a crime has been committed ex officio and fails to report it, is himself subject to punishment.

Unfortunately, the IPN did not answer our questions. Instead, it sent us a statement. Maciej Parysek repeated the claim about violating Article 256 of the Penal Code, and added "a similar request was made by the IPN branch in Wrocaw to all editors who reproduce the photo in question". He also recalled that Mr. Greniuch was fired.

Legal expert: propagating totalitarianism? Quite the contrary

Mikoaj Maecki, Ph.D., of the Jagiellonian University's Department of Criminal Law and president of the Krakow Institute of Criminal Law, believes there is no question of a crime having been committed in this case.

REKLAMA

- Article 256 section 1 of the Criminal Code speaks of propagating a fascist or totalitarian regime. The word "propagation" implies that we must examine the intentions of the person who publishes the content in question. In the case of press activity, showing a picture of someone who is a fascist or holds such views, there is no possibility of "propagation". Quite the contrary, it is an activity that informs the public that this person holds such hateful views. And this would apply not only to journalists but even to private individuals who post a photo of a particular symbol - for example, Nazi inscriptions on a wall with a comment that someone has destroyed a wall by painting such symbols- says the legal expert. - On top of that, journalistic activity is constitutionally protected. The fourth estate is there to inform citizens about such controversial or even criminal activity.

In its letter, the IPN also refers to section 2, which speaks more broadly about "presenting" content that propagates fascism or totalitarianism.

-According to the provision, we have an act of presentation, but the presented content must be propagandizing anyway, that is, it is not enough to show something to the public, but it must be done with the intention of spreading a particular view or gathering its supporters. Here, we are dealing with the opposite. Not every presentation of something is immediately propagation. Otherwise, one would have to, for example, erase swastikas from movies or theatre plays- Dr. Maecki points out.

Section 3 of the same article also says that "the perpetrator of the prohibited act specified in  2 [presentation of content propagating a fascist system] does not commit an offense if he or she has committed the act as part of an artistic, educational, collector or scientific activity".

Dr. Maecki: - We have listed artistic, educational, collecting and scientific activities. Journalistic activities could fall under educational activities in the broadest sense of the word. Either way, even though journalism is not explicitly mentioned here, it is still protected by the Constitution and the press law.
The Democratic Coalition (DK) has joined the Party of European Socialists (PES), the party told MTI.

DK has been a member of the European parliamentary group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats for nine years and now it sees the time ripe for joining PES, the alliance of European left-wing parties, it said in a statement.



A Hungarian opposition party, the Democratic Coalition said that the congress of PES unanimously supported its application on Friday.



In line with the PESs rules, DK will be an associate member for a year, and then become a full member.





MTI Photo: Janos Marjai




Some 15 Arabic countries were presented at the Arab Cultural Day at the Museum of Ethnography in Budapest.

The event featuring exhibitions, presentations by Arabic artists, concerts and food was opened by House Speaker Laszlo Kover. Kover in his address said Hungarians links with the Arab world and culture go back to the time preceding the founding of the Hungarian state.







The intensity of maintaining ties received new impetus with the government launching its policy of opening to the south after 2010, he said.



Economic mixed committees have been reformed, we have developed a network of attaches covering the entire region and we have launched the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship scheme, said Kover.



Some 3,308 Arab students study in Hungary on scholarships and they represent 31% of all students in the Stipendium Hungaricum scheme, he added. Economic relations represent the main area of cooperation, the speaker said.







Hungarys exports to Arabic countries exceeded 1 billion dollars in each of the past six years and Hungarian imports from these countries doubled during the period of 2016-2018, he added. It is our common interest to further enliven foreign trade, he said.



Learning about each others values is a tool for this and culture and education play an important role in this process, he added.







Ambassador of Morocco Karima Kabbaj said culture plays a key role in the cooperation of nations and in maintaining their relations in the long term. She added that Hungarian and Arab culture have maintained a harmonious relationship for a very long time.



She expressed thanks to the Hungarian government for its position on Arab affairs, especially in efforts aimed at resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The ambassador also expressed thanks for the scholarships Hungary has offered to Arab students.





MTI Photo: Zsolt Szigetvary
YORK  The Holthus Convention Center was bustling with excitement as 650 people from all over Nebraska attended the 2022 Nebraska Czech of York Czechfest.

Dave Vavra, chairman of the Nebraska Czechs of York, said their mission is to preserve the Czech heritage and encourage people to appreciate their cultural backgrounds no matter where they come from.

Czechs and non-Czechs enjoyed a day of music, family fun activities and delicious food. The day began with coffee and kolaches of all kinds from apple to Bavarian Creme to poppy seed.

Music was a big hit as musicians took part in the accordion jamboree in the ballroom. There were also accordion lessons onsite, taught by Don Osentowski of York. Osentowski said, This is one of best turnouts Ive ever had in years.

Czech language lessons were taught along with childrens cultural crafts. Vavra said he was excited to see the youth heavily involved with the dancing, the kolache eating contest and craft activities.

In the afternoon, over 20 Czech Queens, princesses and princes paraded on stage. Yorks Czech Queen Alisha Vavra showcased her talent by singing a traditional Czech song.

Following the queen introductions, the Milligan Czech Brass Band got people on their feet, waltzing around and around in circles with ease.

Ven Lanik from Lincoln said he and his wife Willa have come to Yorks Czechfest the past six years. Lanik said, We love it. How couldnt you have fun? Theres good food, good dancing and good heritage!

There were vendor booths full of crafts, clothing, jewelry and divine pastries and breads to take home.

Its through events like these, people are reminded of what makes their heritage so special.

Vavra said, In Nebraska, traditionally, we have a lot of Swedes, Czechs and Italians. There are traditions in those cultures that need to be preserved. People should strive to celebrate their heritage.

It takes a team of people to put on an event like this said Vavra. They have over 50 volunteers and a board of directors that make the event successful year after year.

Save the date for next years Czechfest on Sunday, October 15.
YORK  The Nebraska Public Power District, the City of York, GRNE Solar and others will be celebrating the completion of the new community solar facility, on the landfill property, on October 20 at 3:45 p.m.

The 3.2-megawatt solar facility is located near the intersection of Hwy 81 and County Road 15, and at its peak can generate the same amount of energy needed to power over 1,030 homes.

We are excited to be cutting the ribbon on this new project, which will provide the community of York a great way to take advantage of renewable energy for years to come, says NPPD General Manager of Retail Pat Hanrahan. NPPD worked closely with the City of York and GRNE Solar throughout the development of this community solar facility and the ribbon cutting will be a great opportunity to celebrate everyones hard work.

Community solar projects generate solar energy shares that can be used by community entities to reduce energy costs and use green energy. The City of York decided to distribute the solar shares to taxpayer entities in the community so that everyone in the community benefits from savings. Starting in October, the city, public school and county buildings in York will operate entirely with solar shares. That left a few shares, so the city decided to collaborate with York University to use those shares for the Holthus Field House.

We appreciate the collaboration with NPPD and GRNE on this project. We are excited to have solar shares to cover all the City of Yorks electricity needs and to be able to provide solar shares that cover all of York Public Schools energy as well as energy for some York County buildings and the Holthus Field House, says York Mayor Barry Redfern.

This project has been very exciting for GRNE Solar for many reasons, notes GRNE founder and COO, Jess Baker. Year-to-date this is one of the largest projects we have now completed, and now for decades it will be utilized for the communitys benefit. Not only will this solar field be reducing the local environmental carbon footprint, but it will also be used to educate our next generations on the many benefits of solar energy. We thank the Nebraska Public Power District and the City of York for their forward-thinking vision and their pursuit towards a cleaner and greener future.
The airport has said two of Mumbai International Airport's runways will be closed on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. The runway will be closed for post-monsoon upkeep, according to the announcement. To guarantee seamless flight operations from the airport, this maintenance work is done often. Being one of the busiest airports in the world, Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) requires routine maintenance to keep business activities going smoothly.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has announced that the maintenance work would take place between 1100 and 1700 hours. As a result, flying operations will not resume during this period. The work will specifically be done on runways RWY 14/32 & 09/27.

Also read: SpiceJet smoke in cabin incident: DGCA asks Indian airline to analyse engine oil samples of Q400 fleet

The Mumbai airport authorities said in a statement, "In order to continue with its superior airport operations, CSMIA has planned a runway closure on Tuesday, 18th October 2022, from 1100 hrs to 1700 hrs, for repair & maintenance work on both its runways - RWY 14/32 & 09/27. As part of its post-monsoon preventive maintenance of runway intersection, major tasks like runway edge lights for runway 14/32, and upgradation of AGL (Aeronautical Ground Lights), will be undertaken."

As part of our post-monsoon preventive maintenance of runway intersection, we at #MumbaiAirport have planned a runway closure on Tuesday, 18th October, 2022, from 1100 hrs to 1700 hrs.#PassengerAdvisory #GatewayToGoodness pic.twitter.com/wIC9bCkEkH October 17, 2022

As part of its post-monsoon preventive maintenance of the runway junction, significant work such as runway edge lighting for runway 14/32, upgrading of AGL (Aeronautical ground lights), and other significant activities will be carried out. This annual practice of runway maintenance following the monsoons is part of a series of actions carried out with accuracy and precise efforts to ensure operational continuity and passenger safety, with more than 800 planes landing and taking off each day.

On September 17, 2022, Mumbai Airport accomplished the record-breaking achievement of processing 1,30,374 passengers. It should be mentioned that since the Covid-19 pandemic, this is the airport's busiest day for travellers. Airlines have been connecting additional locations with airports, which has led to this increase in passenger traffic.
New Delhi: Diwali, a much-anticipated celebration, will be celebrated this year on October 24. However, the celebrations last far longer than a single day, starting with Dhanteras and Naraka Chaturdashi on the 22nd and 23rd days of this month, respectively. Dhanteras is thought to be the start of the Diwali celebrations. The words "Dhan" and "Trayodashi," which refer to the 13th day in the Hindu calendar, are also known as "Dhanatrayodashi" or "Dhanvantari Trayodashi."

Significance of 'Dhanteras'

On Dhanteras, people also worship the Ayurvedic god Lord Dhanvantri. It is thought that Lord Dhanvantari contributed to the alleviation of suffering and worked for the advancement of civilization. Dhanteras will be observed as National Ayurveda Day, according to the Indian Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. And it is being observed on October 23, this time. (Also Read: DHANTERAS 2022: Check out the QUALITY of GOLD in just a click, here's HOW)

Why buy Gold, Silver or new utensils on Dhanteras?

On Dhanteras, people typically swarm the markets to either buy new kitchenware or jewellery made of gold, silver, and coins. However, have you ever questioned why? Well, we considered looking further and discovered that there are numerous historical legends and beliefs associated with it.

It is common to purchase new clothing for the celebration, where people enjoy dressing up in their finest ethnic attire and preparing for Maa Lakshmi's devotion. To prepare for the Diwali holiday and to welcome the Almighty and his blessings, homes are thoroughly cleaned on this day.

According to folklore, a 16-year-old son of King Hima once found himself in problems since his horoscope indicated that he would pass away from a snake bite on the fourth day of his marriage. Because of this, his newlywed wife forbade him from sleeping that particular day. At the door to the sleeping chamber, she piled up all of her ornaments and several gold and silver coins. She also placed lamps all over the room.

Then, in an effort to keep her husband awake, she began telling him stories and singing songs. The God of Death, Yama, appeared as a serpent the following day when he knocked on the prince's door, but the brightness of the lamps and jewellery temporarily blinded him. Yama went to the top of the pile of gold money and spent the entire night there listening to the tales and songs because he was unable to enter the Prince's chamber.

But he left in silence the next morning. So, the young prince was delivered from the grips of death, and the day became known as Dhanteras. The next day eventually earned the name Naraka Chaturdashi. It is also known as "Chhoti Diwali" because it falls on the night before Diwali.

Another legend claims that when gods and demons stirred the ocean for "Amrit" (during Amrit Manthan), Dhanvantari (the gods' physician) came out of it on a lucky day carrying a jar of the elixir.
New Delhi: Fintech startup Snapmint on Monday said it has raised USD 21 million, about Rs 160 crore, in an equal mix of equity and debt from existing investors as well as institutional investors.

The equity funding was led by Prudent Investment Managers CEO and CIO Prashasta Seth.

The funding round also saw participation from Kae Capital, 9 Unicorns, Anicut Capital, Negen Capital, Snapmint co-founder Anil Gelra said in a statement.

While the equity round saw participation from marquee and existing investors, the participants in the debt funding round included institutional investors led by debt platform Northern Arc Capital and high net-worth individuals who made investments through non-convertible debentures.

Buy-now-pay-later focussed firm Snapmint intends to deploy the funds to expand its merchant network both online and offline to power the purchases of 550 million PAN card holding Indian consumers, the statement said.

Gelra said Snapmint is a non-banking financial company, which is compliant with all digital lending guidelines of RBI. It has been able to leverage the infrastructure changes the government has brought about in the ecosystem post-Covid.

"With digital KYCs and account aggregator infrastructure being introduced along with the growth in digital payments powered by UPI, we see strong tailwinds in customer adoption of Snapmint payments. We are excited to collaborate with prominent investors and industry players to empower young consumers in India," he said.

Snapmint claims to have grown 6 times in 2022, largely driven by over 300 D2C brands adopting Snapmint instalment payments, and its app has been downloaded by 8 million consumers in India.

"We believe that there is huge potential in the installment BNPL segment. In India, there are about 22?25 million installment BNPL customers. The sector is a high-yielding one as it is predicted to expand by an astounding 11 times to USD 43 billion by 2025, at a compound annual growth rate of 80 per cent. Snapmint is a unique affordable installment BNPL player and has already created a niche for itself," Northern Arc CEO Ashish Mehrotra said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today took a walkthrough of the Pavilion of Agri Startup Conclave and Exhibition in Delhi. About 300 startups are showcasing their innovation related to Precision Farming and modern-age equipment in the exhibition. The startups explained the working mechanism and benefits of the equipment to PM Modi as he took stock of most of the stalls in the pavilion before inauguration PM Kisan Samman Sammelan and launching 600 PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras.

The equipment and technologies put up on display by these 300 startups include 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 exhibition will 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.

Prime Minister Modi today inaugurated the two-day event PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi. The event brings together more than 13,500 farmers from across the country and around 1500 Agri Startups. Over 1 crore farmers, from various institutions are expected to attend the event virtually in two days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a walkthrough of Pavilion of Agri Startup Conclave and Exhibition in Delhi. About 300 startups showcasing their innovation related to Precision Farming.



PM Modi to inaugurate PM Kisan Samman Sammelan, inaugurate 600 PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras. pic.twitter.com/CiKSZ6og2D  ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2022

PM Modi today also inaugurated 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.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the two-day event PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022 today (17 October). The event will kick off at around 11:30 AM at Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi.

During the event, Prime Minister will release the 12th instalment amount of Rs. 16,000 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through Direct Benefit Transfer. Under the scheme, eligible farmer families are provided a benefit of Rs. 6000 per year in three equal instalments of Rs. 2000 each. So far, eligible farmer families have received benefits of more than Rs. 2 lakh crore under PM-KISAN.



"The event brings together more than 13,500 farmers from across the country and around 1500 Agri Startups. More than 1 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," said an official release.

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, Prime Minister will launch Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana - One Nation One Fertilizer. Under the scheme, Prime Minister will launch Bharat Urea Bags, which will help companies market fertilizers under the single brand name "Bharat".

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.

During the event, Prime Minister will also launch Indian Edge, an e-magazine on fertilizer. It will provide information on domestic and international fertilizer scenarios, including recent developments, price trends analysis, availability and consumption, success stories of farmers, among others.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who is on his visit to the southern state of the country- Tamil Nadu, on Sunday addressed the students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. "World today recognizes that India`s time has arrived", Piyush Goyal addressed.

"Americans and Europeans would also want to engage with sustainability, newer technologies at an affordable price & they would look forward to you for it", Commerce Minister underlined. In another event, while inaugurating government stalls Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said that today`s meeting had been the most-engaging one with exporters in Chennai and that he had noted all the points.

The minister also added that the southern state was at second place in state GDP (SGDP) and that the state is the major exporter in the sectors of textiles, leather, marine food, auto components.

Piyush Goyal was inaugurating stalls of the Union government schemes as part of the public outreach at the Madipakkam bus stand in Chennai. He also said that the country was really proud that Tamil Nadu was supporting national-building and the development of the country. He also mentioned that the future of Tamil Nadu is K Annamalai, the leader of Tamil Nadu.

He said there were wonderful things happening in Tamil Nadu, and added, "In 2047, when we are about to celebrate our centenary of our country, $20-trillion economy will surely be achieved in India." K Annamalai is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president in the state.

We want to see the country become an economy of more than 30 trillion dollars by 2047... In next 8 years, we wish to see a 3X performance so that we can be a 2 trillion dollar export economy & not only can India achieve this but exceed this by 2030: Union Min Piyush Goyal (16.10) pic.twitter.com/cOYZe9k62x October 17, 2022

He also added that, "In 2030, service and merchandise exports will increase to $1 trillion and even in other sectors economy." "I salute the women`s empowerment of India. The principles, the culture, the heritage and the family value system added economic value to the nation," the minister said.

Piyush Goyal also said, "I have the confidence that by our strength, $750-billion of exports will be done soon and India will grow to 11 per cent in exports."He said, "When we work together, we can achieve anything in India. I enjoyed listening to all of your points and I have noted it that I`ll try to rectify the issues in a possible manner."
Mumbai: Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that BJP will not contest Mumbai's Andheri East assembly by-election and their candidate Murji Patel will withdraw the nomination. This comes after MNS chief Raj Thackeray's request to the party to let Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction candidate Rujuta Latke contest unopposed. Speaking on the same, Bawankule told ANI, "We were sure of our victory but BJP has been doing this in the state for a long time. This is an example for people that although we were winning, we've taken back our nomination. This is a good decision by Devendra Fadnavis."

Maharashtra Navirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray and an MLA from Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena camp had requested Shinde to not field a candidate against Rutuja Latke for the upcoming Andheri East Assembly bypoll.

Maharashtra | We were sure of our victory but BJP has been doing this in the state for a long time. This is an example for people that although we were winning, we've taken back our nomination. This is a good decision by Devendra Fadnavis: BJP state pres Chandrashekhar Bawankule https://t.co/Pxcc0x1pun pic.twitter.com/a6eHaPDPzD  ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2022

The reason behind this unusual request was to honour Rutuja Latke's late husband and MLA Ramesh Latke. Raj Thackeray had written a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the same.

After confirming that he received the letter, Fadnavis said he will discuss the matter with his party MLAs and senior leaders. In a letter to Fadnavis, the MNS chief said, "I am writing this letter with a special request. After the sudden death of MLA. Ramesh Latke, for the Andheri East, the by-poll election has been announced. His widow, Rujuta Latke has filed in for candidature for the same."

Thackeray further said that Ramesh was an efficient worker who began his journey up from being a `shakha-pramukh`. Ramesh Latke, the sitting MLA from Andheri East, died of a cardiac arrest in May this year. The upcoming Assembly bypoll is slated for November 3.

(With agency inputs)
In what can be termed as a big victory, Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi - an alliance of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress - won 464 out of 1079 seats in Maharashtra Panchayat Polls 2022. The MVA won 107 seats more than its rival NDA - the alliance of Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) - that won 357 seats. The other small parties and independent candidates won 258 seats in the election that gives a prediction about the mood of rural population.

Maharashtra Gram Panchayat Election Final Result

MVA 464

INC 152

NCP 157

SHS(UBT) 155

NDA 357

BJP 244

BSHS 113

Others 258

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), that won a maximum of 397 seats in gram panchayat elections, claimed victory.

A voter turnout of more than 75 per cent was recorded.

The BJP has become the number one party in gram panchayat elections by winning 397 seats. Along with chief minister Eknath Shinde-led 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena', the joint rally has reached 478," the state BJP said in a social media post.

The BJP has managed to win the post of Sarpanch or village head in 235 villages. The Congress claimed to have won 134 seats, Nationalist Congress Party 110, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) 128 and the 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena' 114.

As many as 300 Independent candidates have also won the gram panchayat elections.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said voters have given their verdict in favour of 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena'. "The step we took (of parting ways with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena) stands vindicated. 'Balsahebanchi Shiv Sena' and the BJP have got tremendous support from the people," he said.

Shinde said people have voted with trust which is reflected in the results.
New Delhi: The Gujarat government on Monday told the Supreme Court that petitioners challenging the remission given to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case are nothing but an "interloper" and a "busybody". It also said that since the investigation in the case was carried out by the CBI, it had obtained "suitable orders" for the grant of remission of the convicts from the Centre. The state government filed its reply on a PIL filed by CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali, Revati Laul, an independent journalist, and Roop Rekha Verma, who is a former vice chancellor of Lucknow University.

The affidavit filed by Mayursinh Metubha Vaghela, an under-secretary in the home department of the Gujarat government said, "I respectfully state and submit that a bare perusal of the circumstances in which the present petition is filed manifest that the petitioner is not an aggrieved person but a mere interloper, who has invoked Articles 32 jurisdiction vested with this court under the Constitution of India, for extraneous purpose".

Referring to the 1976 verdict of the apex court, the state government said that a "person aggrieved" should be one who has the personal and individual right in the subject matter and that there is an infringement of the said legal right or prejudice to some legal interest.

It said that to invoke the extraordinary jurisdiction of this court and to seek a writ under Article 32 of the Constitution, it is clear that the person has to be a "person aggrieved", meaning the decision of the authority ought to be materially averse to the said person.

"In the present case, there is not even a whisper in the pleadings as to how the petitioner is aggrieved by the order passed by the respondent granting remission to the 11 convicts who have already suffered incarceration for more than 14 years. Thus, on the ground also the present petition is liable to be dismissed," it said.

The affidavit said that the petitioner being a "third-party stranger", has no locus to challenge the remission orders passed by the competent authority as per applicable law in the instant case under the "garb of PIL".

"It is submitted that it is well settled that a PIL is not maintainable in a criminal matter. The petitioner is in no way connected to the proceedings which either convicted the accused in question nor with the proceedings which culminated in grant of remission to the convicts. Thus, a petition at the instance of a mere busybody which has political machinations is liable to be dismissed," it said.

The state government said that like a third party stranger either under the provisions of the CrPC or under any other statute is precluded to question the correctness of the grant or refusal of "sanction for prosecution or the conviction and sentence imposed by the court after a regular trial, similarly a third party stranger is precluded from questioning a remission order passed by the State".

It said that the petitioner in the PIL, who is admittedly a political functionary, has not even pleaded that how she has the locus to see a writ to quash the remission order of the 11 convicts in the case.

"The petitioner has nowhere in the writ petition has pleaded as to how her fundamental rights have been abridged and as to how she is aggrieved by the action of the state government. The mandatory pleadings of locus and infringement of fundamental rights is conspicuously missing from the writ petition", it said.

The state government said that its bonafide belief that the present petition is nothing but an abuse of PIL jurisdiction of this court and is motivated by "political intrigues and machinations".

The state further gave factual details of the 11 convicts and said that it has issued a circular in 1992 for early release of the prisoners, who have completed 14-years of imprisonment and were sentenced to life imprisonment.

It gave the procedure which had been adopted under 1992 circular and said, "The state government has considered the cases of all the 11 prisoners as per the policy of 1992 and remission were granted on August 10, 2022. It is pertinent to note that the remission was not granted under the circular governing grant of remission to prisoners as per the celebrations of "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav".

On September 25, a convict Radhey Shyam has also questioned the locus standi of the petitioners challenging the remission given to him and the 10 other convicts in the case, saying they are "complete strangers" in the matter.

On August 25, the top court had sought responses from the Centre and the Gujarat government to the petition challenging the remission granted to the 11 convicts in the case.

It had asked the petitioners to implead the convicted persons, who have been granted remission, as parties in the matter.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra has also filed a separate plea in the top court challenging the grant of remission.

Bilkis Bano was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gang raped while fleeing the riots that broke out after the Godhra train burning incident. Her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members killed.

The investigation in the case was handed over to the CBI and the trial was transferred to a Maharashtra court by the Supreme Court.

A special CBI court in Mumbai had on January 21, 2008, sentenced the 11 to life imprisonment on charges of gang rape of Bilkis Bano and murder of seven members of her family.

Their conviction was later upheld by the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court.
New Delhi: Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday (October 17, 2022) said the revival of the grand old party has begun whatever the outcome and that the fate of the Indian National Congress lies in the hands of the party workers.

"I am confident. The fate of the Congress party is in the hands of party workers. The odds have been stacked against us as the party leaders and establishment were overwhelmingly with the other candidate," Tharoor told mediapersons at Kerala`s Thiruvananthapuram today.

Tharoor also said he had spoken to Kharge earlier in the day. "Today I spoke to Mr Kharge and said whatever has happened, we remain colleagues and friends," Tharoor said.

I believe the revival of Congress has begun: Congress presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor



Today I spoke to Mr Kharge and said whatever has happened, we remain colleagues and friends, Tharoor adds. pic.twitter.com/4gv1zR5W99  ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2022

Together have to build party: Mallikarjun Kharge

"It is part of our internal election. Whatever we said to each other is on a friendly note. Together we have to build the party. (Shashi) Tharoor telephoned me and wished me luck and I also said the same, Kharge was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Karnataka | Congress presidential election candidate Mallikarjun Kharge casts his vote in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/bfIsEGfVPp  ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2022

Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka vote to elect next Congress chief

Sonia Gandhi cast her vote at the headquarters of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also accompanied her mother Sonia Gandhi and cast her vote for the next president of the Indian National Congress in the national capital on Monday.

Congress presidential elections | Party's interim president Sonia Gandhi and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra cast their vote at the AICC office in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/N5dJLQFQ7l  ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2022

Rahul Gandhi cast his vote in a meeting room container converted into a polling booth at the Bharat Jodo Yatra camp site in Sanganakallu in Ballari district, while Kharge voted at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office in Bengaluru. About 40 other Bharat Yatris, who are PCC delegates, will also be casting their votes at the camp site in Sanganakallu on Monday, which has been declared as "Rest Day" for the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

#WATCH | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi casts his vote to elect the next party president at Bharat Jodo Yatra campsite in Ballari, Karnataka



(Source: AICC) pic.twitter.com/9Jit8vIpVo  ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2022

I have been waiting for a long time: Sonia Gandhi

Congress president Sonia Gandhi cast her vote in the party`s polls to elect her successor today. "I have been waiting for a long time," Sonia Gandhi said when she was asked by mediapersons on the poll.

#WATCH | "I have been waiting for a long time for this thing," says Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on the party's presidential election pic.twitter.com/9giL5DeOEX  ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2022

Voting for the party`s presidential polls commenced at 10 am today and will culminate at 4 pm. Results will be declared on October 19.

The fate of the Congress party will be decided by over 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates who comprise the electoral college for electing the party chief.

With the party all set to elect its new president, the 75 delegates, including interim chief Sonia Gandhi, General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and senior leaders will cast their vote in the headquarters of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in New Delhi.

Apart from these, 280 other delegates will also cast their vote in the Delhi Congress office, the sources added. The delegates who obtained prior permission from the Central Election Authority to cast their vote will vote in Delhi instead of their own state today.

It is not the first time that a non-Gandhi leader is contesting for the party presidency post-Independence, Jitendra Prasad contested for the post of the president about 22 years ago against Sonia Gandhi in which she emerged as a winner holding the mantle of the party for 20 years.

Sonia Gandhi is the longest-serving president of the party, having held the office for over twenty years from 1998 to 2017 and since 2019.

This time no member of the Gandhi family is contesting for the post of President.This is the sixth time in its nearly 137-year-old history that polls are being conducted to elect the national president of the party. In the 2017 elections, Rahul Gandhi became the president unopposed. (With agency inputs)
DU Admission 2022: Delhi University will be releasing the DU Merit List 2022 for UG Admissions tomorrow, October 18, 2022. Students can see the merit list once it is published on the official website, du.ac.in. Additionally, students will have access to the merit list via the CSAS portal on admission.uod.ac.in. Admissions are being held by Delhi University (DU) for the 20222023 academic year. Phases 1 and 2 of the DU admissions process are now over, and according to reports, the majority of applicants choose to enroll in BCom courses. Delhi University has now published the DU Academic Calendar for the academic year 20222023. According to this, first-semester students will start attending classes on November 2, 2022.

DU Merit List: Steps to check allotment

Visit the official website- admission.uod.ac.in or du.ac.in

On the homepage, click on Declaration of First CSAS Allocation List link

The PDF for DU UG First Merit List 2022 will appear on the screen

Check and download the result

Take a printout of the result for future reference

The DU simulated list has been made public by Delhi University. The simulated list, which included everyone applicant who submitted an application for DU Admissions 2022 during Phases 1 and 2, was effectively a mock allotment list. At DU, seat distribution is now in progress. Through these lists, students would finalize their allotted seats and courses at colleges affiliated with DU.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today said that he was offered Chief Minister's post and pressured to quit Aam Aadmi Party during his questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation today. Sisodia, speaking to the media after a 9-hour long questioning with the CBI, said that all the allegations on him are fake. He further added that the liquor scam, and his subsequent arrest have been done to make the BJP's 'Operation Lotus' successful in Delhi.

Sisodia added that he and his partymen will not bow down against the BJP's conspiracy. Sisodia had arrived at the agency's headquarters around 11.15 am and was taken straight to the first floor of the anti-corruption branch, they said.

The deputy chief minister was grilled for over nine hours on various aspects of the Delhi government's excise policy, his relations with other accused, including businessman Vijay Nair, and documents recovered during searches in the case, the officials said.

The CBI has also questioned Raghava Reddy, the son of YSRCP Lok Sabha MP Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, in the case, they said.

CBI dismisses Sisodia's claims

The Central Bureau Of Investigation dismissed Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's claims that he was pressurised to quit Aam Aadmi Party and join BJP during the questioning in the Delhi Excise Policy case.

"Some sections of the media have aired a video in which, after leaving the CBI office, Manish Sisodia has stated on camera that during his questioning in CBI, he was threatened to leave his political party and similar such insinuations," the central agency said in a statement.

"CBI strongly refutes these allegations and reiterates that examination of Shri Sisodia was carried out in a professional and legal manner strictly as per the allegations against him in the FIR. The investigation of the case will continue as per law," the agency added.
New Delhi: Democratic Azad Party (DAP) chairperson Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday (October 16, 2022) listed out three main agendas that his party will concentrate on if elected to power. We have three main agendas, first to restore statehood, second to reserve the rights of purchasing lands for J&K people only and third to reserve jobs rights only for local youth, said Democratic Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir | We have three main agendas, first to restore statehood, second to reserve the rights of purchasing lands for J&K people only and third to reserve jobs rights only for local youth: Democratic Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad (16.10) pic.twitter.com/4ulQDBePxM  ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2022

During the address, DAP chairperson also stressed the need for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir before the holding of assembly elections and urged his party activists to launch a mass contact programme to mobilise public support for the party.

The former chief minister said his party is committed to strengthening communal harmony and social fabric.

"Restoration of statehood, protection of land and jobs for natives and the return and rehabilitation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits is the core agenda of our party," he said addressing DAP workers in Kathua.

He said people across Jammu are worried over the delay in restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

"The BJP government must not procrastinate on the matter (of restoration of statehood). We need it back before the holding of assembly elections so that our own people can run the administration," Azad said.

Additionally,he said the DAP is committed to assuage the urges and aspirations of every segment of the society in all the regions and sub-regions.

"The cadre must reach out to the people and help them get solutions to their problems. We will try to work out a strong front to provide good governance to the people," Azad said.

He said the economy of Jammu and Kashmir is at the brink of collapse. "There is no sector -- be it tourism, horticulture, transport, or trade -- that has not suffered losses in the past two years," he said, adding that thousands of unemployed educated youth are waiting for job openings.

"The situation has become much worse as the industrial sector, which is supposed to absorb the unemployed youths, continues to struggle," he said.

(With agency inputs)
Protest and demonstrations are being held for the third consecutive day across the Kashmir Valley against the fresh targeted Killing of Kashmiri Pandits in the region. On Monday, angry protestors removed the board of Hurriyat Conference (Moderate) faction from the top of the gate at one of their offices in the valley. The protestors also wrote 'India' on the Gate of the Hurriyat Conference Office.

Protests, sit in, candlelight marches were held at Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Budgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Baramulla and Kupwara district of Kashmir Valley. Apart from the Migrant Kashmiri Pandit employees, huge number of locals, including members from civil society also took part in these protests and demanded stern action against the killers.

The protestors demanded for the security of Kashmiri Pandits and said those responsible for these killings should be hanged in the middle of road publicly.
Jaipur: As voting in the Congress presidential polls got underway on Monday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, once a frontrunner for the post, said his relationship with the Gandhi family will be the "same for life".

"Even after October 19, my relation with the Gandhi family will remain the same as it has been for the last 50 years, I can say this with certainty," he said. Gehlot was at the PCC office to cast his vote. Counting will take place on October 19.

"Vinoba Bhave had once said that his relationship between with Gita Mata was beyond reason. I have the same relationship with the Gandhi family and it will be the same for life," Gehlot told reporters.

He was responding to questions on speculation around his relation with the Gandhi family in the wake of the presidential polls of the party.

Gehlot was a frontrunner for the post of the Congress president but political developments unfolded with the party's move to hold a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting at the chief minister's residence on September 25.

It was seen as an exercise to change the chief minister under the party's 'one man, one post' line ahead of its presidential polls.

The meeting, however, could not take place as Gehlot loyalist MLAs held a parallel meeting and handed their resignation to Speaker C P Joshi to protest against any move to make Sachin Pilot the chief minister.

Later, Gehlot apologised to Sonia Gandhi in Delhi for not being able to get a resolution passed in the CLP meeting and said he would not be contesting the party president election.

Folowing this, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge filed nomination papers for the party president election. Gehlot was among Kharge's proposers.

On the political situation in the state and the developments which took place recently over the implementation of Congress' 'one man, one post' line, Gehlot said Kharge would win the Congress president election and answer it.
New Delhi: The Centre on Monday (October 17, 2022) suspended senior IAS officer Jitendra Narain, who is accused of raping a woman in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with immediate effect. Narain, who is presently posted as the chairman and managing director of the Delhi Financial Corporation, was suspended after Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed immediate strict action against him. In an official statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that it received a report on October 16, 2022, from the Andaman and Nicobar Police regarding the alleged "sexual assault" of a lady by Narain, the then Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and others.

"As the Report indicated the possibility of grave misconduct and misuse of the official position on the part of Jitendra Narain, IAS (AGMUT:1990), the Union Home Minister directed to take immediate strict action against the officer concerned as per law," the statement read.

Accordingly, disciplinary proceedings have also been ordered against Narain, the statement said.

"The Government is committed to ensuring zero tolerance towards the acts of indiscipline by its officials irrespective of their rank and status, especially with regard to incidents involving the dignity of women," it added.

An FIR has also been registered and action in the criminal case is being taken separately by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Andaman and Nicobar Police.

The 21-year-old was promised a govt job

The SIT was constituted to probe allegations that a 21-year-old woman in Andaman and Nicobar Islands was lured to the chief secretary's home by promising a government job and then raped by top officials there. The police registered a case earlier this month after the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Port Blair ordered its filing based on a petition by the young woman.

The court which took cognisance of the complaint accusing the then chief secretary of the island Jitendra Narain and a labour commissioner RL Rishi of raping the woman besides naming a police officer and hotel owner as among accomplices in the crime also ordered the probe on August 30.

The woman alleged she "was gang raped" by the two officials after she met them for a job.

She said as her father and stepmother did not take care of her financial needs, she needed a job and was introduced by some people to the labour commissioner as he was close to the then chief secretary.

The woman claimed that the chief secretary appointed "7,800 candidates" in various departments in the administration of the islands "on the basis of recommendation only" and without any "formal interview".

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 - on April 14 and May 1 - and requested that the CCTV footage of the then chief secretary's residence be preserved as evidence.

She has also requested a Test Identification Parade of the employees - a cook and a driver - present at the chief secretary's residence.

The then CS also threatened her to finish her and her family members if she revealed to anyone what had happened to her, she alleged.

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.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea for minority status filed by Smartha Brahmins living in Tamil Nadu and propagating the religious philosophy of Advaita. A bench comprising justices Krishna Murari and S Ravindra Bhat upheld a Madras High Court order which had held that Smartha Brahmins are not a religious denomination and hence, could not be accorded minority status.

The apex court bench said, "Many people follow the Advaita philosophy... In that case, we will have a nation of minorities."

The high court on June 7, 2022, had said Smartha Brahmins were not entitled to benefits under Article 26 (freedom to manage religious affairs) of the Constitution of India.

Also read: Cong Prez Polls: I am confidentpartys future with workers', says Tharoor

"It is clear that there is no common organisation whatsoever by the name Smartha Brahmins or any other name. It is just a caste/community without any peculiarity specifically attributable to them which distinguishes them from other Brahmins of the State of Tamil Nadu.

Also read: DHANTERAS 2022: Why people buy gold, silver and utensils on this day!

"Hence, they cannot call themselves to be a religious denomination. Consequently, they are not entitled to the benefits under Article 26 of the Constitution of India. Both the substantial questions of law are answered as against the appellants," the high court had said.
UPSSSC PET 2022: The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UPSSSC) will release the answer key of the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) 2022 soon. Candidates can download the draft answer keys from the official website upsssc.gov.in. more than 35 lakh candidates were eligible to appear for the examination but only 25 Lakh students appeared for the exam. Over 37 lakh students registered for UPSSSC PET and out of a total around 25 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. Over 12 lakh students left or missed the exam which means only 67% of registered candidates appeared for the exam and 33% of candidates were absent.

ALSO READ: CSIR UGC NET 2022 Result to be DECLARED SOON

UPSSSC PET 2022 Cut Off Marks: Category Wise Expected Cut Off Marks

1. General - 72-85

2. OBC - 65-70

3. SC - 55-62

4. ST - 48-53

5. EWS - 60-66

UPSSSC PET answer key: Steps to download

Visit official website upsssc.gov.in

Click on the PET answer key link

Enter roll no and date of birth to login

The UPSSSC PET answer key will appear on screen

Download and take a printout.

The prelims exams were conducted on October 15 and 16 in two shifts, with the first one being from 10am to 12pm and the second one being from 3pm to 5pm. UPSSSC PET Exam 2022 was held in various test centers in UP and the candidates were required to appear for the exam as per the allotted test center. Due to massive rush and mismanagement, many students missed exams as alleged by the students.
New Delhi: Reacting strongly to the news of a 20-year-old student being pushed to death by her stalker in Chennai, actress Sakshi Agarwal has expressed the opinion that the stalker, identified as Sathish, should be hanged to prevent such incidents from recurring again.

Taking to Twitter, Sakshi Agarwal said: "Sathish should be hanged then only this kinda incident won't happen again! Women's safety is important for a good society."

Sathish should be Hanged then only this kinda incidents won't happen again !

" Women Safety Is Important " for a good society .. pic.twitter.com/TxNZN7PEIv  Sakshi Agarwal (@ssakshiagarwal) October 15, 2022

Sakshi isn't the only celebrity to have raised her voice seeking the death penalty for the stalker.

Actor and music director Vijay Antony too had expressed a similar opinion a couple of days ago.

Taking to Twitter, Vijay Antony had in Tamil placed a request to the judge who would be hearing the case.

Vijay Antony said that instead of patiently investigating the case for 10 years and then hanging Sathish, who had killed the victim and was responsible for the suicide of her father, the case must be immediately investigated and Sathish must be punished by being pushed in front of a moving train, in the same manner, he killed the victim.

Antony said that he was making this humble request on behalf of the victim and as a member of the general public.
New Delhi: Pushpa actress Rashmika Mandana recently attended a Meta creators event in Hyderabad and grooved on Saami Saami along with her fans.

The actress had donned a colorful jacket and her unique combination of footwear was the talk of the event. While she is at the top of her career with her popularity touching the skies and her making headlines for everything she does. Her song Saami Saami from the film Pushpa has been on top of all trends and is one of the most-played songs in clubs and events. The song is currently trending in all quarters, from clubs in Delhi to Garba nights, the song is everywhere.

As soon as Rashmika Mandana stepped on the stage of the event, several fans in the audience demanded for she dances on Saami Saami. Now with her performing quite often on this song, we can certainly say that the song and the hook step is owned by her. Every time this song is played, it's Rashmika who we remember.

Rashmika Mandannas performance in Pushpa made her an overnight sensation and since then her popularity has skyrocketed, unlike anyone. Her songs Srivalli and Saami Saami have been at hype since the beginning and it seems that there is no end to it. Now everywhere the actress goes, she is profoundly called the Srivalli girl and her fans get excited to dance with her on Saami Saami.

Meanwhile, on the work front, the trailer of her upcoming film next to Amitabh Bachchan - Goodbye is receiving love from all quarters. Rashmika will also soon commence work on the second part of the Pushpa franchise. The film will see her reuniting with Allu Arjun.
NEW DELHI: Filmmaker Sajid Khan, who has been roped in as one of the contestants on Salman Khan-hosted reality show 'Bigg Boss', has been in the news of late, courtesy, he has once again triggered the MeToo allegations. Several women, including Sherlyn Chopra, Mandana Karimi, Kanishka Soni, Aahana Kumra, Saloni Chopra, Rachel White and a few others have accused him of sexual misconduct. Now, popular Bhojpuri actress Rani Chatterjee has shared her casting ordeal with the controversial filmmaker.

Rani, who is quite a big name in the Bhojpuri film industry and has several blockbusters to her credit, revealed during an interview that she met Sajid during the filming of 'Himmatwala'. However, but what transpired at her meeting with the filmmaker was far from what she had imagined. She said that Sajid informed her that he will directly connect with her. When Rani spoke to Sajid over the phone, the filmmaker asked her to come to her residence and advised her to not bring her manager or PR along since it will be a formal meeting.

Rani Chatterjee continued, "Since he's such a huge director in Bollywood, I listened to him. I went to his Juhu house where he was alone. He initially told me that he was casting me for the 'Dhoka Dhoka' item song. He told me that I will have to wear a short lehenga and asked me to show him my legs. Since I was wearing a long skirt, I had to lift it till my knees assuming maybe that is the process."

BHOJPURI ACTRESS RANI CHATTERJEE ACCUSES SAJID KHAN OF CASTING COUCH

The actress revealed that after checking on her legs, the filmmaker questioned her about her breast size and further quizzed her about her frequency of intercourse with her boyfriend. Rani revealed that the filmmaker even tried to touch her inappropriately during the conversation.

"I got scared when he asked me to tell him about my breast size. Don't be shy, do you have a boyfriend or not? How often do you have sex? I got uncomfortable and asked him 'what is all this conversation? He thought I would do him a favour but I immediately left. He even tried to touch me inappropriately, Rani Chatterjee added.

Rani Chatterjee confessed that she feared a ban from the film industry had she called out Sajid for his indecent behaviour. However, she gathered courage when she noticed that several women accused the filmmaker of sexual misconduct, and then decided to call out Sajid in public.

Recently, there were reports that the channel makers are considering showing the exit door to Sajid from Bigg Boss 16 house as there has been a growing demand for his ouster in the public. However, it seems like there is no truth to it as Sajid continues to be a part of the show.
With the onset of the festive season, Indian Railways is buckled up for the influx of passengers. Preparing for the oncoming wave of passengers, the behemoth organisation has begun multiple special trains on various routes to cater to the passengers. Following the same, Railways recently announced that they are beginning the Reserved Festival Special Rajdhani Express train between New Delhi and Patna. The new service is expected to clear the extra rush of passengers during the festivals like Diwali and Chhath Puja.

New Delhi-Patna Special Train timings

The 02250 New Delhi  Patna Reserved Festival Special Rajdhani Express train will depart from New Delhi on 22.10.2022, 25.10.2022, and 27.10.2022 at 07.10 p.m.to arrive at Patna Jn. at 06.50 a.m. the next day. In the return direction, the 02249 Patna  New Delhi Reserved Festival Special Rajdhani Express train will depart from Patna on 23.10.2022 and 26 .10.2022 at 09.00 a.m.to arrive at New Delhi at 08.55 p.m. the same day.

Also read: Duronto robbery triggers safety concerns! Railways Ministry mulls giving special protection to premier trains

Having A.C. class accommodations, the 02250/ 02249 New Delhi- Patna  New Delhi Reserved Festival Special Rajdhani Express train will stop at Kanpur Central, Prayagraj Jn. and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn. stations en route in both sections.

Earlier, Indian Railways announced that it will launch 82 special trains during the holiday season in October, anticipating an increase in passenger demand. This programme made it easier, more comfortable, and more convenient for travellers to travel during holidays like Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Chhath Puja, and Diwali. These unique trains were supposed to travel on a variety of routes to make it easier to travel around India.

Meanwhile, Indian Railways reaches a new milestone today with the delivery of the nation's first aluminium goods train rake. This aluminium goods train is unique from all others since it has a greater capacity for hauling freight while being lighter than its predecessors. In Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, it was launched by the state's railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw. The rake is 180 tonnes lighter than current steel rakes, allowing it to travel the same distance at a higher speed and with less power. The lifetime carbon savings range from 8 to 10 tonnes, but the Indian Railways will save more than 14,500 tonnes of carbon with the start of this train.
New Delhi: Pan Indian Actress Samantha's next 'Yashoda' is all set to release in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi on November 11th.

Produced by Sivalenka Krishna Prasad prestigious Sridevi Movies Production no. 14, Hari and Harish are directing this film.

Aiming to announce the release date uniquely, the movie team made fans reveal the release date, in an interesting pixel campaign. Thousands of fans participated in this and revealed the poster in less than 30 mins.

Speaking on the occasion, producer Sivalenka Krishna Prasad says, "Yashoda is a new-age action thriller. Our movie has balanced quotient of mystery and emotions with gripping elements for audiences. On the whole, it's an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Playing the titular role, Samantha put her blood & sweat in the action scenes. She dubbed for herself in both Telugu and Tamil. You will witness an entirely new dimension of Manisharma's background music. We haven't compromised on the technical and production values of the film. With a lavish budget we wrapped the shoot in 100 days. Audience who love new-age cinema will definitely be thrilled to watch Yashoda. Watch it in theatres Worldwide on November 11th, 2022"

Besides Samantha, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Unni Mukundan, Rao Ramesh, Murali Sharma, Sampath Raj, Shatru, Madhurima, Kalpika Ganesh, Divya Sripada, Priyanka Sharma and others are playing major roles.
New Delhi: The festival of lights has started to draw nearer. With only one week left, India is in the midst of a festival frenzy. Google's search engine has also joined the celebrations. Google is preparing a "Diwali surprise" for its local users. The business requests that visitors from India type "Diwali" into the website's search bar.

"Just here to say search Diwali for a surprise," Google wrote in a tweet." the phrase "look for a surprise around Diwali" "Earthen lamps are situated all over the tweet. (Also Read: DHANTERAS 2022: Why people buy gold, silver and utensils on this day!)

On Google India's website, you may search for "Diwali" to get a variety of results on the holiday. Diwali, a lamp, and the term "Festivity" are written at the top of these results. Stars are twinkling all around the bulb. The user's screen will fill with dazzling lamps after clicking on the lamp. (Also Read: DHANTERAS 2022: Check out the QUALITY of GOLD in just a click, here's HOW)

Behind these lamps are glistening stars. One lamp circles the screen as the cursor moves. The same lovely animation may be seen when searching for "Diwali 2022."

When searching for the phrases "Diwali" or "Diwali 2022" in the Google mobile app for Android and Apple devices, users will find identical results. The user's mobile screen fills with a dazzling light when they click on any lamp in the app available for iOS and Android, and the lamp moves with their hand or finger.

Both on a laptop and a phone screen, the view is lovely.
New Delhi: Garena Free Fire releases redeem codes on an everyday basis. The 12-digit redeem code consists of alphabets and numbers. Players can get rewards such as skins for in-game weapons and characters to improve their gaming experience.

Garena Free fire is banned in India. However, if you are located outside India, you can access the reward codes and redeem them. For that you will be required to visit official Garena Free Fire reward site and log in to your Facebook, Google, and Twitter IDs to access the Free Fire redemption page. (Also read: WhatsApp entering film-making biz, movie to premiere on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube)

Check out the Garena Free Fire Redeem Codes for October 17, 2022

FG45TIW34ERT

YUVGHI865RBH

NJKLO987Y6TG

H3Y4U5RT6F5R

VB8HJI8E73TG

FVBRNTKGIVY6

TSRQFD2CV3B4

N5J6KYIH8B7V

Y6TDGEB4N5M6

7KULOJNOB9V8

7D6YSTRFAQVW

B3EN4RJTKGIH

B876V5CTDRSW

FD3CV4NH5BTY

NHJHNBVDFGHU

(Also read: OMG! An 18-year boy hacks Uber, employees' thoughts someone is joking)

How to Redeem Garena Free Fire codes for today, October 17, 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: It's another day at Bigg Boss house and it begins with the morning anthem which all the housemates sing together. Archana and Shiv have a fun banter over who had left wet clothes inside the washroom. Nimrit then takes captain Gautam to everyones room to check if Rajma-Chawal is kept there. She first goes to Sajids room and Shivs room to check about Rajma-Chawal. Sajid says they are not thieves. Shiv and Nimrit have a fight when she comes to check and it is found in her own room. He says that Nimrit is doing overacting. To this, Nimrit breaks down and says that her blood pressure is low.

MC Stan and Tina Dutta discuss about captaincy. Bigg Boss calls Tina and Shalin to confession room and asks about their relationship. They say they are just friends. Bigg Boss points out the flaws in Gautams captaincy. Tina says that he doesnt stand by his own friends.

Bigg Boss then calls and fires Gautam. He asks everyone to assemble in the living room. Bigg Boss asks Archana to stay in the kitchen after she fails to make it to the living area on time. Bigg Boss then asks everyone to give two names for captaincy race. Majority of the housemates vote for Shiv and Priyanka.

The captaincy battle involves both of them to pick a colour and stack them up. Contestant with the longest stack wins. Other contestants can destroy the stacks if they want but without touching. The contest begins! Nimrit destroys Priyankas stack. Bigg Boss House is in total chaos as contestants keep sabotaging Priyanka and Shivs stack. Priyanka goes into the washroom to do her task when Bigg Boss calls her out and asks her to do in front of everyone. Priyanka blocks the entire area to which Gautam complains to Bigg Boss and says that she should be disqualified and Shiv should be the winner. And Shiv wins the captaincy race at the end!

There is total chaos in the Bigg Boss as Priyanka fights with Gautam over disqualifying her. Sumbul gets into a verbal tussle with Shalin when she says that she felt he was a good friend.

Shiv discusses everyones duties with Sajid. Taking over his new role, he distributes the tasks and says that everyone will clean their own plates. Tina asks Shalin and Gautam to resolve their issues and hug it out.

Thats all for today. Stay tuned for more updates!
Islamabad: In a major upset to the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) won six National Assembly and two Punjab Assembly seats in by-elections. PTI was contesting from seven constituencies --won the by-elections in six of eight National Assembly seats up for grabs across Pakistan, as per unofficial results, reported Geo News. The PTI chief won the seats in Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Faisalabad, and Nankana Sahib after beating the ruling coalition`s candidates. The main opposition party also won two of three Punjab Assembly seats in the by-elections, further strengthening its position in the country`s biggest province -- where it rules in coalition with Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q), reported Geo News.

Constituencies where polling took place

The constituencies where polling took place included NA-22 Mardan-III, NA-24 Charsadda-II, NA-31 Peshawar-V, NA-108 Faisalabad-VIII, NA-118 Nankana Sahib-II, NA 157 Multan-IV, NA-237 Malir-II, NA-239 Korangi, Karachi-I.

Also Read: Pakistan: Imran Khan accuses Sharif govt for rising terrorism in Swat valley, asks 'Why are terrorists allowed to come?'

The lower house seats were vacated after NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had accepted the resignations of PTI MNAs -- nine on general seats and two on reserved seats for women.

By-elections were also held on three Punjab Assembly seats -- PP-241 Bahawalnagar-V, PP-209 Khanewal-VII, and PP-139 Sheikhupura-V, reported Geo News.

The counting of votes started at 5 pm after the polling -- was held without interruptions despite the intense political activity. Sporadic clashes were reported in some constituencies, reported Geo News. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that overall, the polling process remained peaceful, and the commission`s central control room received 15 complaints of code violations.

Everyone must turnout to vote in all the constituencies where bye elections are being held today. This is a referendum for Haqiqi Azadi from the cabal of crooks. We are contesting against all of PDM, the Election Commission and "namaloom afraad". October 16, 2022

As the polling process started, Khan urged the people in the constituencies where the by-election is being held to come out in large numbers to vote."This is a referendum for Haqiqi Azadi from the cabal of crooks. We are contesting against all of PDM, the Election Commission and 'namaloom afraad'," he said in a tweet.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asked the voters to decide wisely about who they are voting for as the "development and welfare of your country depends on it". He also urged the people to participate fully in the polling. "This [by-polls] is a constitutional and legal process and only people have the right to elect who they want," he wrote on Twitter.

By-elections amid aftermath of floods

The by-polls were the latest twist in political wrangling that began after Khan`s April 10 ouster via a parliamentary no-confidence vote -- making him the first prime minister to be voted out of office. The by-elections come as the nation grapples with the aftermath of devastating monsoon floods that affected more than 30 million people and left a third of the country under water, reported Geo News.

The government wanted to delay the elections for at least the next 90 days as it said that security personnel were busy in flood relief works, while there were also reports of terrorist activities during the polls. But the ECP -- despite two letters from the Ministry of Interior -- rejected the suggestion of delaying the by-polls and asked the relevant authorities to beef up the security.
Moscow: A Russian warplane crashed Monday in a residential area in the port of Yeysk on the Sea of Azov after suffering engine failure on Monday, the military said. A Su-34 bomber came down after one of its engines caught fire during takeoff, the Russian Defence Ministry said. It said that both crewmembers bailed out safely, but the plane crashed into a residential area, causing a fire as tons of fuel exploded on impact.

The Kremlin said that President Vladimir Putin was immediately informed about the crash, and he ordered ministers of health and emergencies along with the local governor to head to the site.

Regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev said that emergency services were working to put out the fire.

Local authorities said that the massive blaze engulfed several floors of a nine-story apartment building and at least 17 apartments were affected. There was no immediate information about casualties.

The Defense Ministry said the plane that crashed had taken off for a training mission.

Yeysk, a city of about 90,000, is home to a big Russian air base.

The Su-34 is a supersonic twin-engine bomber equipped with sophisticated sensors and weapons that has been a key strike component of the Russian air force. The aircraft has seen wide use during the war in Syria and the fighting in Ukraine.


New Delhi: The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports have made alarming revelations about the huge loss of global biodiversity that has declined by 69% since 1970. According to the Living Planet Report 2022, human race is facing dual crises as there is biodiversity loss and climate change both of which are driven by the unsustainable use of resources available on the planet earth. Latin America shows the greatest regional decline in average population abundance (94%), as per the Living Planet report that was released by WWF on October 13, 2022.

A senior World Wildlife Fund (WWF) officials said that the alarming loss of species in Africa, fueled by climate change, unplanned development, and pollution, requires bold policy and legislative measures to reverse.

Loss of Biodiversity by

#BREAKING! Species population numbers have plummeted by 69% on average since 1970.

Nature is sending us an SOS: our life-line is in danger.

We need to turn things around  now. RT if you're with us #ForALivingPlanet! #LivingPlanet #LPR2022 pic.twitter.com/LovbPvSwC5  WWF (@WWF) October 12, 2022

One million plants and animals are threatened with extinction. 1- 2.5% of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish have already gone extinct, stated the report. According to the Living Planet report, regionally Latin America has suffered the largest decline, with 94% followed by Africa - at 66%, Asia Pacific at 55%, North America at 20%, and Europe-Central Asia at 18%.

The 2022 edition of Living Planet Report revealed that Africa`s wildlife population fell by 66 percent 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.

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 the 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 the 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.

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.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry has revealed the volumes of gas and oil output and export in the country during the period from January to September 2022, Azernews reports.

Gas production and export

During the first three quarters of 2022, Azerbaijan increased natural gas output by 8.6 percent, or 2.7 billion cubic meters, compared to the same period in 2021. Thus, in the reporting period, the country produced 34.4 billion cubic meters of gas.

Of the total natural gas production, the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli block of fields accounted for 10 billion cubic meters, and Shah Deniz for 18.5 billion cubic meters. In the meantime, SOCAR produced 5.9 billion cubic meters of gas.

Moreover, gas sales abroad amounted to 16.3 billion cubic meters, which is 22.6 percent more than in the same period of 2021.

Turkiye accounted for 5.4 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijans natural gas export. During this period nearly 6.1 billion cubic meters of gas were exported to Turkiye, with nearly 4.2 billion cubic meters of gas exported through TANAP. In addition, 8.3 billion cubic meters of gas were transported to Europe and 1.9 billion cubic meters of gas to Georgia.

Since their commissioning till October 1, 2022, about 200 billion cubic meters of gas were produced from the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli block of fields and more than 176 billion cubic meters from the Shah Deniz field. Since commissioning, 122.6 billion cubic meters of gas were exported from the Shah Deniz field.

Oil production and export

Some 24.5 million tons of oil, including condensate, were produced in Azerbaijan in January-September 2022.

The Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli block of fields accounted for 15.4 million tons of oil, while Shah Deniz accounted for 3.3 million tons of condensate. SOCARs oil production, including condensate, amounted to 5.8 million tons.

During the reporting period, 19.7 million tons of oil, including condensate, were exported. The consortium accounted for nearly 18.6 million tons of oil export, while SOCAR for 1.1 million tons.

Since the commissioning of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli and Shah Deniz fields till October 1, 2022, some 600.9 million tons of oil, including condensate, were extracted from ACG, while 39.1 million tons of condensate from Shah Deniz. In addition, some 599 million tons of oil were exported.

By the end of nine months of 2022, Azerbaijan refined 4.5 million tons of oil.

The contract for the development of the ACG oil fields was signed on September 20, 1994, and came into effect in December. The contract for the development of the ACG block was extended by 2050 in September 2017. The shareholders in the ACG project are BP (operator, 30.37 percent), SOCAR (25 percent), MOL (9.57 percent), INPEX (9.31 percent), Equinor (7.27 percent), ExxonMobil (6.79 percent), TPAO (5.73 percent), ITOCHU (3.65 percent), ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) (2.31 percent).

The contract for the development of the Shah Deniz gas field was signed in 1996. Shareholders of the Shah Deniz project are BP (operator, 29.99 percent), LUKOIL (19.99 percent), TPAO (19 percent), SOCAR (14.35 percent), NICO (10 percent), and SGC (6.67 percent).
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. FLYONE ARMENIA, the first Armenian national low-cost airline, has transported the most passengers via the Zvartnots International Airport in 2022.

In the past 10 months, the airline has served more than 300,000 passengers, who traveled to Armenia and other countries with the aircrafts of FLYONE AREMNIA.

In a statement the company said that from 2003 till today no Armenian airline has managed to regain the leading position in the field of air transportation in Armenia.

FLYONE ARMENIA has repeatedly announced its goal to become a leading company in the Armenian aviation market. Today, ahead of the 1st anniversary of the launch of the companys operation, we got informed that the first national low-cost airline has successfully achieved one of its goals. I want to thank all passengers of FLYONE ARMENIA for the trust, as well as the companys staff and all our partners, FLYONE ARMENIA Board Chairman Aram Ananyan said.

He added that the company is going to further expand the geography of its flights. You know that regular direct flights to Yekaterinburg are launching on December 19. Mineralnye Vody and Milan will join our aviation network in the foreseeable future. The airline will do everything to keep its leading position and increase the volume of transportation, Aram Ananyan said.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. During its 20 years of activity, PROFAL, a leading company in production sector in Armenia, has provided large-scale and multi-profile services both in the Armenian and the international markets. Since 2013, the companys production has been represented in the Georgian and Saudi Arabian markets, and from 2018  in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the United States, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates and the Caribbean Islands. Thanks to its high-quality productions, Made in Armenia has its demand abroad.

We have talked about the large projects implemented by PROFAL abroad with companys international projects manager Hovhannes Aghajanyan, and chief engineer Asatur Aghakhanyan.

Russia: Patriot Park

Our team was entrusted with a large-scale state program in Russia. PROFAL has carried out the glazing of the floor of the Road of Memory Museum which opened at Patriot military recreational park on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the World War II. We have started to implement the project in 2020 and completed it successfully within just 2 months. Like in other projects abroad, in this project as well the most difficult part was the transportation because in addition to pandemic-related border restrictions, each country also has its own criteria for the methods of transportation of raw materials. Nevertheless, we proposed the correctly selected construction and managed to implement the project by giving the fastest and simple solution in a very short period of time, Asatur Aghakhanyan said.

The Road of Memory Museums gallery is 1418 meters long, under every glass of which the history of one day of the Great Patriotic War is depicted.

University of Puerto Rico

This is one of the projects when we had concrete and strict requirements connected with the climate conditions of that country. We have provided the University of Puerto Rico with glass-enclosed constructions, which must have been storm resistant. The engineering designing was followed by delivery and transportation stages which have been at the direct participation of the team. We also had a very interesting experience while working in this country because the specialists of our team have actively worked with the masters there, trained and shared our experience and skills. Thanks to the wonderful implementation of the project, the constructions provided by PROFAL stayed safe during the recent storm.

Along with the University project, we were also implementing a seaside mansion project. It was the first experience when PROFAL was in a role of a supervisor during the installation process of constructions, in other words, our specialists were following the accurate process of assembly constructions. Having reliable and experienced partners was a priority in a country like Puerto Rico. In this respect PROFAL managed to present Armenia at best, Hovhannes Aghajanyan said.

Saudi Arabia

We have been implementing projects in Saudi Arabia since 2013. At first, an engineering visit took place, followed by production stage and then by installation process which again was carried out by our team. There, great importance is attached to the hermeticity of buildings with regards to the sand, and the local constructions that time were not meeting the required standards. PROFAL had a big test to do: it had to produce wind-resistant constructions. The task was carried out efficiently, and the ideal result served as a base for other projects. Several companies have started to be interested in us, tried to contact us and make new proposals for cooperation. Among them is the 68 private house major project, when the entire constructions of two or three-story buildings have again been re-measured, produced and sent to Saudi Arabia. At the initial stage of the cooperation, PROFAL was providing aluminum doors and windows, then the number of services has gradually expanded, including interior partitions, bathroom and kitchen furniture, pergolas, facade constructions and dormer windows, Hovhannes Aghajanyan said.

Currently, Armenia-Saudi Arabia-Italy talks are underway. Its a private house project which again has very serious demands, such as out-of-format glasses, heavy sliding constructions which need to be opened with a panorama, assembled, re-assembled, give them angular bends, etc. This is a difficult task technically, thats why the works are being held with their architectural team.

Another project that we implement in Saudi Arabia is currently at an assembly stage. Thanks to a coordinated work, which are being held at the direct participation of the coordinator, we are able to do right measurements and designing. As a result, there is no need to frequently visit Saudi Arabia, the works are being carried out fast and in an operational way, Asatur Aghakhanyan said.

PROFAL has also carried out other projects in different scale in these countries. One more cooperation is also at a stage of implementation, this time in the Bermuda islands.

With its high-quality production, service and professional approach, PROFAL is the best visiting card representing Armenian. Many big markets already know if quality constructions and flawless work, then an Armenian company and in particular PROFAL.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. On October 17, Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan held a meeting with representatives of the political powers represented in the Artsakh Republic National Assembly and members of the delegation present at the discussions held with the Armenian authorities in Yerevan the previous week.

The particularities of the meetings were on the discussion agenda. It was noted that an agreement was achieved in the current situation to continue political consultations with various structures of the Republic of Armenia and the Artsakh Republic.

The discussions will continue at the tomorrows government sitting and during the meeting with deputies of the National Assembly.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. On October 17, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received the members of the EU technical assessment mission, the ministry said in a news release.

During the meeting the members of the mission presented the results of their meetings and visits held in Armenia so far.

The sides discussed the mandate, locations and other details of the EU monitoring mission to be deployed along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in accordance with the Prague Statement of October 6.

The purpose of the EU monitoring mission will be to support the restoration of security and stability in the region, the confidence building, and the work of the commissions on delimitation and border security.

Highlighting the deployment of the EU monitoring mission, Minister Mirzoyan emphasized that its observations and analyses will play an important role in providing objective information on the situation to the EU member states.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. At the invitation of the Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the delegation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) led by Chairman of Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH) Dr. Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Almusallam, will arrive in Armenia on an official visit on October 17 on a five-day visit, the ministry said.

The delegation includes Ahmed Al-Dah, Head of the International Relations Department at SIH and his deputy Saif Al-Hajri.

Official meetings will take place aimed at developing the cooperation. Possibilities of exchange of experience and implementation of joint projects, expansion of institutional partnership and other issues will be discussed during those meetings.

The UAE delegation is expected to visit cultural centers, the Dashtadem Fortress and the Zvartnots Cathedral.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of Armenia issued a statement in response to the statement by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense which said that the Armenian forces have positioned additional military hardware facing the Azeri troops on October 16.

The presence of artillery measures in the direction of Vardenis is directly connected with the movement and deployment of additional forces and equipment by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, which caused certain tension, the Armenian Defense Ministry said. The steps of the Armenian side, which were taken after the Azerbaijani deployment of additional artillery and anti-air measures in the given area, are exclusively of defensive nature. The actions of the Armenian side dont seek to escalate the situation, and the Armenian side will pull back its additional measures in case of Azerbaijan pulling back the abovementioned measures from the given direction. The Armenian side is ready to negotiate over this issue.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. On October 17, the delegation led by the chairman of the House Democracy Partnership of the US House of Representatives, David Price, arrived in Yerevan.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the National Assembly of Armenia, on October 18, the press conference of the chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Eduard Aghajanyan and David Price will take place.

David Price is accompanied by members of the House of Representatives Diana DeGette, Jim Cooper and Andy Levine.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The deputies of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation, who visited Armenia on a four-day working visit, visited Jermuk on October 16, which had been shelled by the Azerbaijani military on September 13, ARMENPRESS was informed from the National Assembly of Armenia.

"I feel great pain when I see what the Azerbaijanis did in Jermuk. They used this peaceful place to spread terror among the people. It is terrible for me to see all this," said Stephan Muller-Altermat, deputy of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation, co-chairman of the Switzerland-Armenia parliamentary group.

"The Azerbaijanis, using weapons of different calibers, damaged the infrastructure of the resort town. Jermuk sanatorium, guest houses, roads have been damaged. The Kechut cemetery was also attacked in an attempt to exert a psychological impact on the local population. The adversary also used cluster bombs, which are prohibited by international conventions," the National Assembly said.

Deputy of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation Michel Mater noted during the visit. "We adopted a resolution in Geneva, where we condemned the Azerbaijani aggression of September 13-14. This is the first level. Now we need to move forward, the Federal Council. this is important. This applies not only to Switzerland, but to the whole of Europe, because we have the same values: democracy, human rights and international law."

Stephan Muller-Altermat emphasized that they visit Jermuk little after the incident. According to him, they stand not only with their parliamentary partners, but also with the Armenian people.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The US Embassy in Armenia welcomes the visit of the congressional delegation led by the Chairman of the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) of the US House of Representatives, David Price, to Yerevan.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the US Embassy in Armenia, the delegation will lay a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Memorial within the framework of the two-day visit that started on October 17. Then, during the meetings with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan, Armenian-American relations will be discussed. The delegation will also hold consultations with parliamentarians representing different political circles.

The HDP is a bipartisan commission of more than twenty members of the US House of Representatives that works directly with parliaments around the world to support the development of effective, independent and responsive legislative institutions. The commission established an official partnership with the National Assembly of Armenia in 2020.

President Price is accompanied by members of the House of Representatives Diana Deggett, Jim Cooper and Andy Levine.

David Price is accompanied by members of the House of Representatives Diana DeGette, Jim Cooper and Andy Levine.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS. A military plane crashed in Yesk, Russia. Firefighters and ambulances have arrived at the scene, ARMENPRESS reports witnesses told TASS.

"A plane crashed in the city of Yeysk. It fell on the territory of a residential building. Ambulances and firefighters are coming from the whole city, helicopters are in the air," a witness told TASS.

Another resident of the city specified that the above-mentioned building has nine floors. According to witnesses, the building is on fire from the first to the ninth floor.

The Ministry of Emergency Situation said that the number of casualties is being clarified.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan has discussed prospects of cooperation with a number of financial institutions, Azernews reports.

The discussion took place between Azerbaijan's Central Bank delegation headed by its Board Chairman Taleh Kazimov and the management of Citibank, J.P.Morgan, BNY Mellon, Clearstream, ODDO BHF, and other financial institutions.

The discussion took place on the margins of the Central Bank delegation's business trip to the US.

"We discussed the status and prospects of cooperation at bilateral meetings held with the management of @Citibank, @jpmorgan, @BNYMellon, @Clearstream, @ODDO_BHF, and a number of financial institutions as part of the business trip to the #USA," Taleh Kazimov tweeted.

As part of the visit, the delegation also held a meeting with the World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Anna Bjerde. During the meeting, they discussed the bank's strategy in Azerbaijan and the projects implemented with the bank's support.

"Today we met with Anna Bjerde (@bjerde_anna), Vice President of the World Bank (#WB) for Europe and Central Asia, discussed about the WB strategy on #Azerbaijan and the projects implemented with the support of the WB (@WorldBank)," Taleh Kazimov tweeted.

Moreover, the meeting was held with International Financial Corporation Regional Director for Europe Rana Karadsheh. The parties discussed IFC cooperation perspective's on Azerbaijan.

"We met with Rana Karadsheh as IFC Regional Director for #Europe (@IFC_ECA) and spoke about the IFC cooperation perspective's on #Azerbaijan and the projects implemented with the support of the IFC (@IFC_org)," Taleh Kazimov tweeted.

Note that the Azerbaijani Central Bank delegation arrived in the US to participate in the annual meetings of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The delegation will participate in a number of events within the annual meetings, which will be held on October 12-18 in Washington.

Azerbaijan joined the WB in 1992. Since then, the bank has financed over 50 projects with total commitments of $4.4 billion. It started economic cooperation in Azerbaijan to help increase the countrys institutional capacity and build efficient oil reserves management. The WB has always supported the large-scale reforms carried out in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on September 18, 1992. Since Azerbaijan's induction into the organization, the IMF has implemented several programs in Azerbaijan that foster economic growth.
The foreign ministers of the EU member states are expected to approve today the civilian observer mission which will be sent to Armenia.

October 17, 2022, 13:18 EU plans to deploy around 400 monitors along Armenia-Azerbaijan border at initial phase

STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 17, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: The issue will be discussed during todays session in Luxembourg.

On October 6, during the meeting of the French President, the President of the European Council, the Prime Minister of Armenia and the Azerbaijani President, an agreement was reached to form a mission. The ministers, as expected, will approve that mission on Tuesday, EUs representative said.

The EU representative added that there are not many details available about the mission, but added that around 400 monitors will be deployed at the initial stage. He also stated that the first monitors will be sent to the border from the EU observer mission in Georgia, taking into account the urgency of the issue.
The European Council on Monday decided to deploy up to 40 EU monitoring experts along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan with the objective of monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on the situation in the region, as news.am informs, the Council stated.

October 17, 2022, 14:34 European Council decides to deploy civilian monitoring mission on Armenia border with Azerbaijan

STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 17, ARTSAKHPRESS: This decision follows the quadrilateral meeting between President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Macron and President Michel on 6 October, and is aimed at facilitating the restoration of peace and security in the area, the building of confidence and the delimitation of the international border between the two states, the respective statement adds.

In order to ensure a swift deployment of the EU monitoring capacity, it was decided that the monitoring experts will be temporarily deployed from the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (). The monitoring mission will have a temporary nature and in principle will not last more than two months, the statement added.

The EUs deployment of up to 40 EU monitoring experts along Armenias international border with Azerbaijan will aim to build confidence to the unstable a situation that is putting lives at risk and jeopardizes the conflict resolution process. This is another proof of the EUs full commitment to contributing to the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable peace in the South Caucasus, said Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
On October 17, Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan held a meeting with representatives of the political powers represented in the Artsakh Republic National Assembly and members of the delegation present at the discussions held with RA authorities in Yerevan the previous week, the Presidential Office stated.

October 17, 2022, 15:44 President Harutyunayn met with representatives of the political powers represented in the Artsakh Republic National Assembly

STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 17, ARTSAKHPRESS: The particularities of the meetings were on the discussion agenda. It was noted that an agreement was achieved in the current situation to continue political consultations with various structures of the Republic of Armenia and the Artsakh Republic.

The discussions will continue at the tomorrows government sitting and during the meeting with deputies of the National Assembly.
City

 Joshua Ralph Centolella, 21, transient, Auburn, was charged Oct. 14 with third-degree robbery.

 Ashley Elizabeth Puchala, 38, transient, Auburn, was charged Oct. 14 with petit larceny, sixth-degree conspiracy and second-degree criminal contempt.

 Steven Michael Rudick, 41, 115 Franklin St., Auburn, was charged Oct. 14 with petit larceny.

 Stacee Suzanne Harvey, 36, 7 Venice St., Auburn, was charged Oct. 14 with third-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal mischief and petit larceny.

 Jonathan Winston Hand, 31, 130 Cottage St., Auburn, was charged Oct. 14 with third-degree menacing and criminal obstruction of breathing.

 Brandon C. Ellis, 22, 2765 Lockwood Ave., Weedsport, was charged Oct. 15 with driving while intoxicated-first offense and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of at least 0.08%.

 Martia Lindae Goldsmith, 22, 19 McMaster St., Room 119, was charged Oct. 15 with fourth-degree criminal mischief, aggravated family offense, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and endangering the welfare of a child.

 Paul Rause, 62, 94 Frances St., Auburn, was charged Oct. 16 with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny.

County

 Mathew R. Abbott, 41, 727 State Route 34, Hannibal, was charged Oct. 14 with petit larceny.

 Kevin A. Hernandez, 22, 2238 Oran Delphi Road, Pompey, was charged Oct. 14 with driving while intoxicated-first offense and operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of at least 0.08%.

 Jordan Nicole Wilson, 27, 52 West St., Apt. B, Auburn, was charged Oct. 16 with second-degree aggravated harassment.

 Brittney R. Tinelli, 35, 3 Balmoral Way, Homer, was charged Oct. 16 with driving while intoxicated with a previous conviction in past 10 years and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

State

 Stephen C. Moore, 29, Port Byron, was charged Oct. 16 with second-degree criminal contempt.

 Richard T. Kolacz, 62, Canandaigua, was charged Oct. 15 with driving while intoxicated-first offense.

 Walter D. Silensky, 55, Port Byron, was charged Oct. 16 with third-degree criminal mischief, first-degree criminal contempt and endangering the welfare of a child.
Polls show it's a close race in the 22nd Congressional District, but Democratic candidate Francis Conole has a clear financial advantage over Republican Brandon Williams.

Conole, D-Syracuse, outraised Williams, R-Sennett, by a 3-to-1 margin in the period covering Aug. 4 through Sept. 30. Conole raised $993,202, while Williams raked in $297,550.

The financial reports include three weeks before the Aug. 23 primary election. While Conole was viewed as the favorite to win the Democratic nod, Williams upset the GOP's preferred candidate, Steve Wells, in his party's primary.

After the primary, Williams received financial support from top House Republicans and GOP-aligned groups. Records show House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy gave $7,000 through his campaign committee and PAC. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise also donated $7,000 through his committee and PAC. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, the No. 3 House Republican, contributed $2,000 from her campaign funds.

The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC linked to House Republicans, gave $10,000 to become one of Williams' largest donors. He also received $5,000 from the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP's campaign arm.

Conole has already received financial backing from Democratic leadership throughout his campaign, and that continued in the most recent fundraising period. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, through his campaign and PAC, gave $7,000. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee donated $4,904.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, both of whom represent New York, also supported Conole's campaign. Schumer's IMPACT political action committee contributed $5,000, while Gillibrand's Off the Sidelines PAC provided $2,000.

Conole also outspent Williams by a 4-to-1 margin, $774,834 to $193,249. The Syracuse Democrat's campaign has already aired a handful of TV ads on issues ranging from abortion to the economy. Williams has released a few commercials of his own. Both parties have outside groups running ads in the 22nd district, which includes Onondaga, Madison and Oneida counties, plus a village in Oswego County.

With less than a month to go until Election Day, Conole has more cash on hand  $527,839 to $274,003  than Williams.

So far, though, the money has not translated to a polling advantage for Conole. One public poll released by Spectrum News and Siena College showed Williams, not Conole, had a five-point lead, 45 to 40%, in the 22nd district. Conole's campaign released an internal poll that showed a dead heat, with the Democrat up one point over his GOP opponent.
One step inside a new Thruway service area and you notice the difference.

For this review, I visited the first three service areas  Chittenango, Indian Castle and Junius Ponds  that reopened after being closed since July 21 for reconstruction. The service areas are either being rebuilt or improved as part of a $450 million project.

No state tax or toll dollars are being used to fund the upgrades. A private entity, Empire State Thruway Partners, which is led by Ireland-based Applegreen, was awarded the contract to operate the service areas for the next three decades.

Before visiting the service areas, I heard from readers who had few good things to say about the stops. Nearly every person complained about the lack of space  and they were right.

I went to Junius Ponds on a Friday night  the second day it was open to the public. There were several people inside, some of whom were getting food at Shake Shack  the first full-time Shake Shack location in upstate New York. The restaurants (Starbucks is the other) are located close to the front entrance, so people either in line waiting to order or people waiting for their food can spill into the walking space. It can make for a tight squeeze when trying to walk to the restrooms or the convenience store. Plus, there are seating areas on the opposite side of the restaurants. On busy days, you can see why that could be problematic.

But there is no better example of the lack of space than the restrooms. Restrooms in a service area are arguably its most important amenity. There aren't a lot of places to stop along the Thruway where there are restrooms easily accessible.

At Junius Ponds and, as I learned over the weekend, Chittenango and Indian Castle, the corridor leading to the bathrooms is tight. There are gender-neutral restrooms on your left and right in the small hallway that lead you to the men's and women's restrooms.

Inside the restrooms, it's confined. On the men's side, there are three stalls and four urinals. My wife tells me there are seven stalls on the women's side. At Indian Castle, where we stopped on a Saturday, there was a line for the women's restroom.

The restrooms should have been (and need to be) bigger. You can offer other amenities, such as dog parks, outdoor seating and electric vehicle chargers. But the restrooms are the most important amenity of them all. These service areas make restrooms seem as if they are luxuries, not necessities.

One suggestion for Empire State Thruway Partners: For the remaining service areas that need to be reconstructed, ditch the large outdoor seating areas in favor of more interior space. It's silly to have outdoor seating that won't be needed for half the year because it snows in upstate New York. That space should be used to increase the building's available space.

There is one positive with this service area improvement project. The restaurants are clearly superior. Chittenango has Chick-fil-A, Indian Castle has Popeye's and Junius Ponds has Shake Shack. The food is a major upgrade over their predecessors. That's another reason why the lack of space is maddening. The restaurants could attract more people to these service areas. Why not give them more room to enjoy their meal?

Hopefully, Empire State Thruway Partners listens to feedback from travelers who have stopped at the first three service areas that have reopened. It could help them avoid making the same mistakes again at other service areas that will be rebuilt over the next few years.

UPDATE: The Thruway Authority says decisions on the levels of service at each service area are based on 10 years of sales and traffic data. Feedback from the traveling public was also a factor.

"Some locations will have larger buildings and more amenities, while others will be smaller but still offer a wide variety of services," a Thruway spokesperson said.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Dongfeng Motors Sino-French joint venture, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobiles (DPCA), celebrated its year-to-date sales volume exceeding 100,600 vehicles by October 16 2022.

Photo credit: DPCA

The cumulative sales volume also surpassed the company's full-year sales volume in 2021.

Under the various external challenges in the first three quarters of the year, including the pandemic, chip supply crunch, and power rationing, DPCA still achieved remarkable market results and scored a year-on-year growth in monthly sales for a total of 23 consecutive months so far.

The automaker strived to reinforce its competitiveness in products, marketing, and service. In the second half of 2022, the company rolled out a slew of customized vehicle models, including the C5 AIRCROSS BEYOND by Dongfeng Citroen and the all-new 408 by Dongfeng Peugeot.

With six optional packages and over 80 standard configurations, the C5 AIRCROSS BEYOND offers users a higher-end experience than the other entry-level SUV models in its price segment. Meanwhile, the new 408 has also been attracting orders since its launch.

In the new energy vehicle field, DPCAs new battery-electric sedan model targeting business purposes, the Dongfeng Fukang ES600, has brought in orders for 30,000 units on the day it went on sale.

Last but not least, in an effort to serve more consumers, DPCAs two jointly owned brands all set up direct distribution centers in China, allowing users everywhere to purchase its vehicles with transparent prices.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Great Wall Motors electric vehicle (EV) brand, ORA, will officially put its signature Good Cat model onto the European auto markets at the Paris Motor Show 2022, on October 17.

Photo credit: ORA

Aside from the Good Cat, the Chinese EV maker will also showcase its other hyped models, including the Lightning Cat, which has just kicked off presale in China last week.

On October 29, 2021, the ORA Good Cat officially started its global journey and was first launched in Thailand. Its retro design and automotive intelligence helped the EV maker attracted over 10,000 units of order of intention within 5 days after presale began.

In April 2022, the popular model was showcased at the FULLY CHARGED auto show in London, further highlighting the company's globalization determination. In June, the Good Cat made an appearance at the Norwegian auto show. In August, ORA saw the first right-rudder Good Cats exported to the UK and arrive at the end of the month.

In 2021, the cumulative sales volume of the Good Cat amounted to 50,931 vehicles, outselling other A0-segment battery-electric vehicles priced over 100,000 yuan in China. For the first nine months of 2022, the cumulative sales volume of the model summed up to 55,822 units, again leading the A0-segment full-electric vehicle market with prices above 150,000 yuan in the country.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

BAIC Group's says sales of ARCFOX vehicles jump 24.84% YoY in Sept. 2022

BAIC Group today announced via its WeChat account that ARCFOX, its premium electric vehicle brand, scored a 24.84% year-on-year jump in its Sept. 2022 sales. As of now, the EV brand has launched over 150 sales and service shops across China.

ARCFOX S HI; photo credit: ARCFOX

CATL's Sichuan subsidiary sees hike in registered capital

Sichuan Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CATL, saw its registered capital surge 110% to 4.2 billion yuan ($582.993 million) on Oct. 14, according to the corporate data platform Tianyancha.

Two NIO centers launched on same day

On Oct. 16, NIO opened two NIO Houses, the showroom gallery and members' clubhouse for the electric vehicle brand. The newly launched facilities are located in Shenzhen and Xi'an cities, respectively. Up until now, NIO has deployed 86 NIO Houses across China.

Chinese OTA solution provider ABUP closes Series B round

Chinese OTA solution provider ABUP today announced via its WeChat account that it has completed its Series B funding with nearly 100 million yuan ($13.881 million) raised.

Ganfeng Lithium's Q1-Q3 2022 net profit projected to soar 478.29%-518.73% YoY

Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd. ("Ganfeng Lithium"), one of the world's leading producers of battery-grade lithium, announced on Oct. 15 that its net profit attributable to shareholders were estimated to be between 14.3 billion yuan ($1.986 billion) and 15.3 billion ($2.125 billion) for the first three quarters of 2022 (Q1-Q3 2022), soaring 478.29%-518.73% year on year.

ORA Good Cat to hit European market at Paris Motor Show 2022

Great Wall Motor's electric vehicle (EV) brand, ORA, will officially put its signature Good Cat model onto the European auto markets at the Paris Motor Show 2022, on October 17.

Baidu receives Guangzhou, Shenzhen's first permits for high-level urban assistant driving map

The two metropolises in Guangdong Province, namely Guangzhou and Shenzhen, issued their first urban high-level assistant driving map licenses, with Baidu among the first permittees.

Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen YTD sales surpass 2021 annual sales by Oct.16 2022

Dongfeng Motor's Sino-French joint venture, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobiles (DPCA), celebrated its year-to-date sales volume exceeding 100,600 vehicles by October 16 2022.

Baidu to help Guangxi Autonomous Region with intelligent transportation development

China's tech giant Baidu recently hosted its 2022 Baidu Intelligent Transportation City Summit  Guangxi, in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

China's Shanxi province aims to have 10,000 plus fuel cell vehicles by 2025

China's Shanxi province aims to see over 10,000 fuel cell vehicles ("FCV") running on roads by the end of 2025, over 2,000 units should be deployed in its capital city, Taiyuan, according to a document recently released by the Shanxi Development and Reform Commission.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinas tech giant Baidu recently hosted its 2022 Baidu Intelligent Transportation City Summit  Guangxi, in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Photo credit: Baidu

During the summit, Baidus navigation department, Baidu Maps, reached a strategic cooperation with Guangxi Expressway Development Center. The two parties jointly launched the expressway lane-level accident alert function, signifying the partners comprehensive and in-depth cooperation in the data sharing and distribution sector of expressway dynamic traffic incident across Guangxi.

In an effort to accelerate the construction of related ecosystem and further promote the development of intelligent transportation industry, Baidu Intelligent Transportation also inked strategic partnership agreements with seven other local Guangxi enterprises. In the future, Baidu Intelligent Transportation will continue to work with excellent partners to explore more possibilities of intelligent transportation.

According to Chinas 14th Five-Year Plan and the regions 2035 long-term goal, over the next 15 years, the intelligent connected industry will be the main focus of Chinas industrial transformation, R&D innovation, and supply reformation, and intelligent transportation will be of great potential. Baidu aims to give full play to its strengths in intelligent connectivity, smart highway, intelligent traffic control, as well as smart parking, jointly explore Guangxis intelligent transportation market and contribute to the local digital economy construction with the companys partners.

On the other hand, Guangxi also set a goal to become a country-leading region in terms of transportation in West China. By virtue of major enterprises in the digital economy field, including Baidu, the region will strengthen the synergetic innovation in intelligent connected vehicles, autonomous driving, and C-V2X technologies, focus on breakthroughs in core technologies, actively carry out pilot demonstrations, and explore ways for industrialization and commercialization.
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 21th day of the Second Karabakh war:

- President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed to the nation and announced the liberation of the city of Fuzuli and several villages in the Fuzuli district.

- Azerbaijans First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva shared a post on her official Instagram account about the terror attack committed by Armenia on Ganja city. "Ganja is the heart of Azerbaijan. And, nobody will ever subdue staunch spirit of its residents!"" she wrote in her another post.

- Armenian armed forces fired missiles at Ganja and Mingachevir. The death toll in Ganja reached 13, and 52 people were injured. As a result of the Armenian shelling of Ganja, 20 houses were completely destroyed.

- Azerbaijani troops have managed to advance in different directions of the front. A colonel, chief of the Armenian armed forces engineering fortifications was liquidated.

- A large number of Armenian manpower was liquidated, military equipment and Su-25 aircraft belonging to Armenian armed forces were destroyed. A split began in the ranks of the Armenian armed forces, as the "volunteers" left their positions arbitrarily.

- President of the Republic of Azerbaijan awarded Hikmat Mirzayev [who participated in the liberation of the territories from Armenian occupation] the highest military rank of lieutenant general.

- Another armored vehicle, "Tor-M2KM" anti-aircraft missile systems, BM-21 "Grad" missile launcher, and "S-125" anti-aircraft missile system belonging to the Armenian armed forces were destroyed.
We were horrified by the multiple advertisements placed by Citizens for Sanity in your Oct. 11, 2022, edition. The ugly images and clear anti-immigrant rhetoric are unfair and deceptive portrayals of Sen. Mark Kellys policy positions, and also vile racist portrayals of the majority of immigrants arriving at our border seeking asylum and honest employment.

Citizens for Sanity has placed similar extremist advertising on billboards, television stations and newspaper pages throughout the country, supposedly using parody to ridicule progressive policies. In fact most of these ads are overtly racist, transphobic or just plain hateful.

The out-of-state organization has clearly spent a huge amount of money to place these ads in the Daily Sun and the Daily Star. Where does the money come from? When we first saw the ads this morning we searched for information on the group online and saw them acknowledging support from Turning Point USA -- a right-wing group fighting liberal thought through projects like Professor Watch and school board harassment. Later in the day this reference had been removed -- but investigation by the Open Secrets project (following political funding) found ties between Citizens for Sanity and the America First Legal Foundation, with several former Trump administration officials now serving both groups.

If not for the disgusting nature of these ads, it would be laughable to see a group whose mission is to defeat wokeism attacking Mark Kelly, who is by no means a radical progressive leftist. Voters are better advised to check Sen. Kellys actual policy positions and communications.

Perhaps your paper has a policy of accepting virtually any political advertising, without reference to content or accuracy or funding source. Certainly these multiple ads must represent a huge infusion of advertising revenue! We believe that the inflammatory rhetoric and the dehumanizing photos stigmatize the immigrants who live in our community and those seeking asylum and escape from violence. Flagstaff values and democratic values call for tolerance, compassion and respect. These ads seek instead to turn people against each other -- please reject the blatant effort to stoke anti-immigrant fears.

Signed,

LAURA F. HUENNEKE; JOE BADER; DEBRA BLOCK; ROBERT BREUNIG; SHARON EDGAR; KAREN ENYEDY; LUIS FERNANDEZ; MARCUS FORD; MONIQUE FRESQUEZ; LINDA GUARINO; ANN HEITLAND; DON HOWARD; BJORN KRONDORFER; SANDRA LUBARSKY; DEBORAH WITHERSPOON MCFATTER; LARRY MCFATTER; LEAH MUNDELL; ROBERT NEUSTADT; BARB ORCUTT; EVA PUTZOVA; MIGUEL VASQUEZ; MARILYN WEISSMAN; HARRIET YOUNG

(All signing as private citizens, and not in any professional or party capacity)
Phase 1, 1949-1972:



Containment and Red Scare, the standard response during the Cold War.



Sanctions and isolation, cut off all relations with China. pic.twitter.com/ogfMTzejyJ  S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) October 16, 2022

Phase 2, 1972-2008: Hopeful Times



But the containment failed as China grew powerful and even developed nuclear weapons.



Hence the engagement period for almost four decades.



Started with Nixons visit to Beijing to meet with Mao.



Carter and Deng sealed the deal in 1979. pic.twitter.com/LairNawuzP  S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) October 16, 2022

Phase 2 was the Hopeful period. Because the US hoped that China would renounce communism/socialism and become a capitalist society.



Americans were convinced that their system is so awesome that Chinese could not resist it!



Hey, who can resist McDonalds and Coca Cola? pic.twitter.com/LRHRugK9ri  S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) October 16, 2022

Phase 2 hit a bump in 1989 when the US tried a color revolution in 1989.



But US corporations couldnt resist the opportunity to make trillions of dollars from Chinas cheap labor and promising consumer market.



Thus, George W. Bush welcomed China into WTO in 2001. pic.twitter.com/9VDphYTrJ7  S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) October 16, 2022

Phase 3, 2008-2020: Change through Hostility



By 2008, the US was not only mad at China but started to feel threatened.



China grew too fast and, worse, refused to embrace US-style capitalism.



China was like a guy who went to church every week but wouldnt get baptised!  S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) October 16, 2022

The housing crisis of 2008 revealed the entire Western system to be a Ponzi scheme.



And China not only unscathed by the global crisis, but its growth skyrocketed.



China was also mastering hi-tech and quickly moving up the value chain. Chinese cities looked amazing. pic.twitter.com/SDQAFo9JbX  S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) October 16, 2022

Hence Phase 3 was about destabilising China to force change.



1) Obamas pivot to Asia, military encirclement



2) Unrests in Xinjiang and Hong Kong



3) Trade wars



and so on were unleashed by the US.



Under Trump, the US even demanded Plaza Accord 2.0.



Nothing worked.  S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) October 16, 2022

Phase 4: Strategy of Denial



Hence the new strategy of denial. Bidens advisor Colby has even written a book about it.



This is Americas last hope. Its a targeted containment policy. pic.twitter.com/9VzCEB9hil  S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) October 16, 2022

Phase 4 is surgical.



Trade with China except in high-end semiconductors and other advanced areas of technology.



Attack Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.



Coup in China-friendly nations.



Kick China out of large consumer markets like India.



Arm Taiwan & other neighbors.  S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) October 16, 2022

Phase 4 is like a modified version of Phase 1.



Impose isolation and sanctions on just strategic areas.



The next five years will reveal how effective the Strategy of Denial is.  S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) October 16, 2022
Travelers passing through the Billings airport has steadily grown over the last two months and November is anticipated to be no different when compared to last year.
A Bismarck man has pleaded guilty to one of four charges filed against him after a September crash that allegedly damaged an apartment building and injured someone inside.

Brody Seitz, 29, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI, court records show. He pleaded not guilty to felony criminal vehicular injury and duty in an accident involving injury, and to misdemeanor DUI drugs.

South Central District Judge Lindsey Nieuwsma placed Seitz on probation for a year and suspended a 30-day jail term. She also ordered him to pay $750 in fines and fees.

Seitz is scheduled for a Jan. 11 trial on the remaining charges. The defense attorney listed in court records did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper on Sept. 14 stopped Seitz on U.S. Highway 83 north of Bismarck because his front bumper was dragging, according to an affidavit. Seitz allegedly told the trooper that he had stopped earlier in the parking lot of an apartment building near Cracker Barrel in Bismarck. Seitz said he didnt think his car was in drive when he stepped on the accelerator and he crashed into the building, according to an affidavit.

An occupant of the building was taken by ambulance to a hospital emergency room for treatment of neck, back and side pain, the document states.

Authorities allege Seitz also backed into another vehicle in the lot, causing heavy damage.

Seitz allegedly told authorities hed been drinking until 4 a.m. and had also smoked marijuana around that time. His blood alcohol content was 0.124% at 2:06 p.m., and 0.089% at 3 p.m., according to the affidavit. The legal limit for driving is 0.08%.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol has identified the victims of two recent fatal crashes in the northern part of the state.

Ernest Counts, 57, of Minot, died Oct. 12 when the pickup truck he was driving was struck by a car that disregarded a stop sign at a U.S. Highway 281 intersection in Rolette County, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol. Three other people suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Kyle Watts, 35, of Drayton, died the same day when the pickup truck he was driving crossed the center line on a Pembina County road and struck a farm truck loaded with sugar beets, the Patrol reported. The other driver suffered minor injuries.
A nonprofit leader and a county tax official who also serves as a city commissioner are vying to to be Burleigh County's next auditor.

Kirsten Dvorak, executive director of The Arc of Bismarck and The Arc of North Dakota, faces Bismarck City Commissioner Mark Splonskowski in the Nov. 8 general election. Splonskowski has worked for the county tax equalization department since 2014.

The auditor is the county's chief financial officer and also handles the administration of elections. The position is a four-year term and has a salary between $87,500 and $97,100. The elected candidate will take office May 1, 2023.

Current Auditor Leo Vetter is not seeking reelection. He has not elaborated on his reasoning. Vetter was elected in 2020 to fill out the rest of former auditor Kevin Glatt's term. Glatt resigned in October 2019 without offering a reason.

Splonskowski grew up near Lake Park, Minnesota, and moved to Bismarck in 2013 to marry his wife, Alexandria. They have two children. Dvorak was born in Bismarck and makes her home in the city. She and her husband, Dan, have one son.

Potential conflict?

Splonskowski was elected to the Bismarck City Commission in 2020. If elected county auditor, he intends to continue serving on the city board. His term ends in 2024.

There is no state law that addresses a person holding two elected offices, according to North Dakota Association of Counties attorney Aaron Birst. State Supreme Court cases and attorney general opinions have fleshed out the issue, and the principle is that someone cannot hold two positions in government if the offices are "incompatible," he said.

Incompatibility exists when performing the duties of one office interferes with performing the duties of the other, Birst said. He added that the attorney general has said it is a case-by-case analysis.

Splonskowski said he would avoid conflicts of interest by abstaining from any commission votes where he wouldnt feel comfortable voting because of the two positions he would hold.

Ive had experience as a tax assessor for Burleigh County for nearly nine years now and as a city commissioner as well. I really grew a passion about making sure that the people have good and true representation, he said.

Dvorak believes her opponent would have a conflict of interest if hes elected and continues to be a city commissioner, in part because he would be working with "tax dollars from both the city and the county, which impact each other."

Dvorak

Dvorak believes her experience with budgets and managing a team makes her the best candidate.

Ive done fiscal work. I have a degree in human services management and health administration ... In my nonprofit work and being a leader of a nonprofit for the last seven years now, Ive done a lot of budget work, she said.

Dvorak's biggest priorities if elected would be election security and ensuring safe elections continue in Burleigh County. Educating the public on how the election process works, making sure budgets are fiscally sound and improving the countys working relationship with the city are other goals she has.

I think some of the biggest challenges, (while) talking to leaders throughout the community, is just making sure the city and the county are working together and making sure that we have the same goals," she said.

Ill be there to represent all of Burleigh County. I think its about smart public policy, and Ill be able to work with stakeholders and community leaders to make sure that Burleigh County and the city get along, she said.

She'd like to improve the county website and enhance public education in other ways.

Maybe its messaging through Facebook. Its those kinds of things through social media. But I think for the main part, its mostly just accessing information and making sure were accessible, Dvorak said.

She believes that the 2020 election was safe and secure, and said she's a big believer in voter ID. She also stated that mail-in ballots are another way that provides verification for voters because they're able to be tracked.

Splonskowski

Splonskowski noted that local elections in 2020 did not show any evidence of voter fraud. North Dakota elections are secure, he believes.

When you talk nationally, I think that there are several states that have some serious issues that need to be addressed ... The things that happened in other states, I want to ensure never happen in North Dakota, he said.

Splonskowski said that his biggest priorities if elected would be making the office more accessible, which might include streamlining services to county residents, and taking a proactive approach to election integrity. He said he would continue researching voting machines to make sure that they are legitimate.

"Making sure that when they're in use they don't have connection to Wi-Fi. Also having good dialogue with the state auditor, who's been doing research on these particular machines ... and not just simply believing that they're secure, but really testing them -- verifying that they're secure."

He added that "If it's the Democrats (who win), if it's the Republicans, it doesn't matter. We need to make sure that whoever wins is a verified winner, that they truly did win the election."

Modernizing certain aspects of the auditors office would help make services more approachable for the public, he said, including improving the process of getting callers directly to the offices they need to talk to.

I think Im the best (candidate) because Im very experienced with working for the county as a tax assessor," he said. "Ive worked alongside the auditors office through several tax seasons, through several election cycles. Im familiar with a lot of the work that they do as well as the office dynamics there."

His biggest challenge would be running the auditors office as efficiently as possible, he said, including making recommendations to the county commission that would improve county services while keeping the budget as minimal as possible.
Firefighters in western Montana have pulled a doe and her fawn from the icy Clark Fork River in sub-zero temperatures. Missoula firefighter Brett Cunniff says the deer darted up the bank and ran away after they were rescued Friday morning, so crews hope they're OK. Someone reported the deer had fallen through the ice at about 7:30 a.m. The National Weather Service says the temperature at the time was minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Fire crews used a ladder and ropes to pull the animals to safety. Cuniff says such rescues are not uncommon, but they usually involve dogs. He says he's never been involved in rescuing a deer before.
Republican Congressman Kelly Armstrong has raised nearly $2 million for his reelection bid for North Dakota's lone U.S. House seat -- far and away more than his independent challenger, former Miss America 2018 Cara Mund.

Recent campaign finance reports indicate Armstrong has more than $1.8 million to Mund's $77,790 -- the first official comparison of the two candidates' fundraising efforts. Armstrong has spent about $1.47 million. Mund has spent $6,318.

Armstrong's fundraising total dates to Jan. 1, 2021, and includes roughly $478,000 raised from July 1-Sept. 30, the same period as all of Mund's fundraising.

She announced her candidacy in early August, and submitted enough signatures to make the November ballot in September. Shortly beforehand, Democrat Mark Haugen suspended his campaign, citing pressure from party leaders. He and Armstrong oppose abortion. Mund has cited supporting abortion rights as one of the reasons for her candidacy.

Armstrong and Mund have debated three times, as recently as last week, a debate in which campaign donations and political action committees were a topic.

Armstrong said he's "raised a lot of money from individual North Dakota donors. I raise money from employee PACs. I raise money all across the spectrum, whether it's car dealers, agriculture, oil and gas," but added he has "no idea" how much came from North Dakotans.

Mund said $1 million of Armstrong's previously reported $1.4 million of donations is from 571 PACs, citing her review of his filings.

"Keeping in mind, who is he representing: Is it the people of North Dakota or it large corporations?" she said.

Armstrong said the PACs are employee PACs of companies such as Microsoft, Basin Electric and Continental Resources.

"All of those people employ and work and help to make North Dakota a better place. I'm proud of that. I continue to work hard," he said. "I work towards good policy, and I'm proud of the fact that we have a good fundraising record."

Mund said she is accepting money from individual donors and acknowledged Armstrong "will outspend me."

"It would have been a lot easier to go with a party. It would have been a lot easier to take that PAC money, but the easy road is not always the honorable road," she said.

All of Mund's donations were from individuals; about $205,000 of Armstrong's $477,771 in third-quarter donations were from individuals, according to disclosure reports.
This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up or thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

Up

A new $6.2 million Lineworker Training Center dedicated last week on the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives campus will enhance the state's co-op workforce as well as provide training space for Bismarck State College's lineworker program. The 26,337-square-foot facility has an 18,000-square-foot indoor training area to train workers on the construction and maintenance of electrical infrastructure. It also includes two classrooms and a simulator room for Commercial Drivers License training. It's an important investment as an estimated 80% of lineworkers who work for North Dakota's electric co-ops are trained by the BSC lineworker program.

Down

COVID-19 was the cause of death for nearly 600 North Dakota residents last year. It remained the No. 3 cause of death in the state. Bismarck funeral home owner Mike Nathe says a "dramatic" spike in deaths last fall was somewhat of a surprise due to the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Health officials continue to stress that the vaccines are safe, and that they can help prevent sickness or make it less severe if a person does become ill. But it seems a lot of people continue to disregard the message -- and pay the ultimate price for it.

Up

The North Dakota Stockmen's Association and its Foundation recently distributed nearly a quarter of a million dollars in aid to ranchers impacted by severe April blizzards. The string of storms killed tens and possibly hundreds of thousands of cattle and calves, and also damaged a lot of ranch infrastructure. Federal aid also is available, and thousands of ranchers in the state are likely to apply. The assistance from the Stockmen's is a good start. It amounts to about 25% of the value of the lost animals, and in a disaster, every little bit helps.

Down

Active shooter hoax calls that have plagued schools around the country in recent weeks finally reached North Dakota, and they caused a lot of disruption. Schools in Bismarck, Minot, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Fargo, West Fargo, Williston and Watford City got hoax calls last week, and law enforcement responded. In Bismarck alone it tied up the time of 15 officers, not to mention the disruption it caused the targeted school. Such incidents are called "swatting," since they often result in a response from a SWAT team. The FBI says it's aware of the trend and taking it seriously. Hopefully the experts can figure out who's coordinating the hoax, and put an end to it.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov will attend an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Turkic States (OTS), Azernews reports.

On October 17, Istanbul will host an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Turkic States and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov will also attend the meeting, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

The meeting will be attended by Foreign Minister of Turkiye Mevlut Cavusoglu, foreign ministers, and other high-level representatives of the member states of the organization - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, as well as UTC observers - Hungary and Turkmenistan. The priority issues for the discussion on the OTS agenda are preparations for the summit of the organization, slated to be held on November 11, 2022, in Samarkand, the report said.
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On Bypassing eBPF Security Monitoring

There are many security solutions available today that rely on the Extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) features of the Linux kernel to monitor kernel functions. Such a paradigm shift in the latest monitoring technologies is being driven by a variety of reasons. Some of them are motivated by performance needs in an increasingly cloud-dominated world, among others. The Linux kernel always had kernel tracing capabilities such as kprobes (2.6.9), ftrace (2.6.27 and later), perf (2.6.31), or uprobes (3.5), but with BPF its finally possible to run kernel-level programs on events and consequently modify the state of the system, without needing to write a kernel module. This has dramatic implications for any attacker looking to compromise a system and go undetected, opening new areas of research and application. Nowadays, eBFP-based programs are used for DDoS mitigations, intrusion detection, container security, and general observability.

In 2021 Teleport introduced a new feature called Enhanced Session Recording to close some monitoring gaps in Teleports audit abilities. All issues reported have been promptly fixed, mitigated or documented as described in their public Q4 2021 report. Below you can see an illustration of how we managed to bypass eBPF-based controls, along with some ideas on how red teams or malicious actors could evade these new intrusion detection mechanisms. These techniques can be generally applied to other targets while attempting to bypass any security monitoring solution based on eBPF:

A few words on how eBPF works





Extended BPF programs are written in a high-level language and compiled into eBPF bytecode using a toolchain. A user mode application loads the bytecode into the kernel using the bpf() syscall, where the eBPF verifier will perform a number of checks to ensure the program is safe to run in the kernel. This verification step is critical  eBPF exposes a path for unprivileged users to execute in ring 0. Since allowing unprivileged users to run code in the kernel is a ripe attack surface, several pieces of research in the past focused on local privilege exploitations (LPE), which we wont cover in this blog post. After the program is loaded, the user mode application attaches the program to a hook point that will trigger the execution when a certain hook point (event) is hit (occurs). The program can also be JIT compiled into native assembly instructions in some cases. User mode applications can interact with, and get data from, the eBPF program running in the kernel using eBPF maps and eBPF helper functions.

Common shortcomings & potential bypasses (here be dragons)

1. Understand which events are caught

While eBPF is fast (much faster than auditd), there are plenty of interesting areas that cant be reasonably instrumented with BPF due to performance reasons. Depending on what the security monitoring solution wants to protect the most (e.g., network communication vs executions vs filesystem operations), there could be areas where excessive probing could lead to a performance overhead pushing the development team to ignore them. This depends on how the endpoint agent is designed and implemented, so carefully auditing the code security of the eBPF program is paramount.

1.1 Execution bypasses

By way of example, a simple monitoring solution could decide to hook only the execve system call. Contrary to popular belief, multiple ELF-based Unix-like kernels dont need a file on disk to load and run code, even if they usually require one. One way to achieve this is by using a technique called reflective loading. Reflective loading is an important post-exploitation technique usually used to avoid detection and execute more complex tools in locked-down environments. The man page for execve() states:  execve() executes the program pointed to by filename, and goes on to say that the text, data, bss, and stack of the calling process are overwritten by that of the program loaded. This overwriting doesnt necessarily constitute something that the Linux kernel must have a monopoly over, unlike filesystem access, or any number of other things. Because of this, the execve() system call can be mimicked in userland with a minimal difficulty. Creating a new process image is therefore a simple matter of:

cleaning out the address space;

checking for, and loading, the dynamic linker;

loading the binary;

initializing the stack;

determining the entry point and

transferring control of execution.

By following these six steps, a new process image can be created and run. Since this technique was initially reported in 2004, the process has nowadays been pioneered and streamlined by OTS post-exploitation tools. As anticipated, an eBPF program hooking execve would not be able to catch this, since this custom userland exec would effectively replace the existing process image within the current address space with a new one. In this, userland exec mimics the behavior of the system call execve() . However, because it operates in userland, the kernel process structures which describe the process image remain unchanged.

Other system calls may go unmonitored and decrease the detection capabilities of the monitoring solution. Some of these are clone , fork , vfork , creat , or execveat .

Another potential bypass may be present if the BPF program is naive and trusts the execve syscall argument referencing the complete path of the file that is being executed. An attacker could create symbolic links of Unix binaries in different locations and execute them - thus tampering with the logs.

1.2 Network bypasses

Not hooking all the network-related syscalls can have its own set of problems. Some monitoring solutions may only want to hook the EGRESS traffic, while an attacker could still send data to a non-allowed host abusing other network-sensitive operations (see aa_ops at linux/security/apparmor/include/audit.h:78 ) related to INGRESS traffic:

OP_BIND , the bind() function shall assign a local socket address to a socket identified by descriptor socket that has no local socket address assigned.

, the function shall assign a local socket address to a socket identified by descriptor socket that has no local socket address assigned. OP_LISTEN , the listen() function shall mark a connection-mode socket, specified by the socket argument, as accepting connections.

, the function shall mark a connection-mode socket, specified by the socket argument, as accepting connections. OP_ACCEPT , the accept() function shall extract the first connection on the queue of pending connections, create a new socket with the same socket type protocol and address family as the specified socket, and allocate a new file descriptor for that socket.

, the function shall extract the first connection on the queue of pending connections, create a new socket with the same socket type protocol and address family as the specified socket, and allocate a new file descriptor for that socket. OP_RECVMSG , the recvmsg() function shall receive a message from a connection-mode or connectionless-mode socket.

, the function shall receive a message from a connection-mode or connectionless-mode socket. OP_SETSOCKOPT , the setsockopt() function shall set the option specified by the option_name argument, at the protocol level specified by the level argument, to the value pointed to by the option_value argument for the socket associated with the file descriptor specified by the socket argument. Interesting options for attackers are SO_BROADCAST , SO_REUSEADDR , SO_DONTROUTE .

Generally, the network monitoring should look at all socket-based operations similarly to AppArmor.

In case the same local user has mixed monitored and unmonitored console sessions, it could be possible for an attacker in a monitored session to leverage open file descriptors and sockets to send data to restricted hosts. In 2020 some versions of Linux kernels had introduced a new system call to achieve this called pidfd_getfd . A small number of operating systems (like Ubuntu) implement the Yama kernel module that limit file descriptor access to only child-parent processes. A PoC code for using this function is available on Github (TheZ3ro/fdstealer).

2. Delayed execution

If only active console sessions are monitored, eBPF programs may only live for the time span of the session. By delaying the execution of a command (through sleep , timeout , sar , vmstat , inotifywait , at , cron ) and quitting the session, it could be possible to completely evade the solution.

3. Evade scoped event monitoring based on cgroup

A security monitoring solution may only be interested in auditing a specific user or cgroup (such in the context of a remote console session). Taking Teleport as an example, it achieves this by correlating every event to a session with control groups ( cgroupv2 in particular). Control grouping is a Linux kernel feature to limit access to resources to a group of processes. It is used in many containerization technologies (behind the scenes Docker creates a set of namespaces and control groups for the container) and its peculiarity is that all child processes will keep the id of the parent process. When Teleport starts an SSH session, it first re-launches itself and places itself within a cgroup. This allows not only that process, but all future processes that Teleport launches, to be tracked with a unique ID. The BPF programs that Teleport runs have been updated to also emit the cgroup ID of the program executing them. The BPF script checks the value returned by bpf_get_current_cgroup_id() and only cares about the important session cgroup. The simplest evasion to this auditing strategy would be changing your cgroup ID, but an attacker needs to be root to achieve this. Meddling with the cgroupv2 pseudo file system or abusing PAM configuration are also potential opportunities to affect the cgroup/session correlation.

Another technique involves being reallocated by init. In the case of Teleport, when the bash process spawned by the session dies, its child processes become orphans and the Teleport process terminates its execution. When a child process becomes an orphan, it can be assigned to a different cgroup by the operating system under certain conditions (not having a tty, being a process group leader, joining a new process session). This allows an attacker to bypass the restrictions in place. The following PoC is an example of a bypass for this design:

Open a new eBPF-monitored session Start tmux by executing the tmux command Detach from tmux by pressing CTRL+B and then D Kill the bash process that is tmux s parent Re-attach to the tmux process by executing tmux attach . The process tree will now look like this:

As another attack avenue, leveraging processes run by different local users/ cgroupv2 on the machine (abusing other daemons, delegating systemd) can also help an attacker evade this. This aspect obviously depends on the system hosting the monitoring solution. Protecting against this is tricky, since even if PR_SET_CHILD_SUBREAPER is set to ensure that the descendants cant re-parent themselves to init, if the ancestor reaper dies or is killed (DoS), then processes in that service can escape their cgroup container. Any compromise of this privileged service process (or malfeasance by it) allows it to kill its hierarchy manager process and escape all control.

4. Memory limits and loss of events

BPF programs have a lot of constraints. Only 512 bytes of stack space are reserved for the eBPF program. Variables will get hoisted and instantiated at the start of execution, and if the script tries to dump syscall arguments or pt-regs , it will run out of stack space very quickly. If no workaround on the instruction limit is set, it could be possible to push the script into retrieving something too big to ever fit on the stack, losing visibility very soon when the execution gets complicated. But even when workarounds are used (e.g., when using multiple probes to trace the same events but capture different data, or split your code into multiple programs that call each other using a program map) there still may be a chance to abuse it. BPF programs are not meant to be run forever, but they have to stop at some point. By way of example, if a monitoring solution is running on CentOS 7 and trying to capture a process arguments and its environment variables, the emitted event could have too many argv and too many envp. Even in that case, you may miss some of them because the loop stops earlier. In these cases, the event data will be truncated. Its important to note that these limitations are different based on the kernel where BPF is being run, and how the endpoint agent is written.

Another peculiarity of eBPFs is that theyll drop events if they can not be consumed fast enough, instead of dragging down the performance of the entire system with it. An attacker could abuse this by generating a sufficient number of events to fill up the perf ringbuffer and overwrite data before the agent can read it.

5. Never trust the userspace

The kernel-space understanding of a pid is not the same as the user-space understanding of a pid . If the eBPF script is trying to identify a file, the right way would be to get the inode number and device number, while a file descriptor wont be as useful. Even in that case, probes could be subject to TOCTOU issues since theyll be sending data to user mode that can easily change. If the script is instead tracing syscalls directly (using tracepoint or kprobe ) it is probably stuck with file descriptors and it could be possible to obfuscate executions by playing around with the current working directory and file descriptors, (e.g., by combining fchdir , openat , and execveat ).

6. Abuse the lack of seccomp-bpf & kernel discrepancies

eBPF-based monitoring solutions should protect themselves by using seccomp-BPF to permanently drop the ability to make the bpf() syscall before spawning a console session. If not, an attacker will have the ability to make the bpf() syscall to unload the eBPF programs used to track execution. Seccomp-BPF uses BPF programs to filter arbitrary system calls and their arguments (constants only, no pointer dereference).

Another thing to keep in mind when working with kernels, is that interfaces arent guaranteed to be consistent and stable. An attacker may abuse eBPF programs if they are not run on verified kernel versions. Usually, conditional compilation for a different architecture is very convoluted for these programs and you may find that the variant for your specific kernel is not targeted correctly. One common pitfall of using seccomp-BPF is filtering on system call numbers without checking the seccomp_data->arch BPF program argument. This is because on any architecture that supports multiple system call invocation conventions, the system call numbers may vary based on the specific invocation. If the numbers in the different calling conventions overlap, then checks in the filters may be abused. It is therefore important to ensure that the differences in bpf() invocations for each newly supported architecture are taken into account by the seccomp-BPF filter rules.

7. Interfere with the agents

Similarly to (6), it may be possible to interfere with the eBPF program loading in different ways, such as targeting the eBPF compiler libraries (BCCs libbcc.so ) or adapting other shared libraries preloading methods to tamper with the behavior of legit binaries of the solution, ultimately performing harmful actions. In case an attacker succeeds in altering the solutions host environment, they can add in front of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH , a directory where they saved a malicious library having the same libbcc.so name and exporting all the symbols used (to avoid a runtime linkage error). When the solution starts, instead of the legit bcc library, it gets linked with the malicious library. Defenses against this may include using statically linked programs, linking the library with the full path, or running the program into a controlled environment.

Many thanks to the whole Teleport Security Team, @FridayOrtiz, @Th3Zer0, & @alessandrogario for the inspiration and feedback while writing this blog post.
Oct 10

1/ Bennington

It was raining early morning with overcast skies, which is not welcome for fall foliage peeping. When arrived at Battle Monument in Bennington VT, the rain turned into a downpour, preventing us from doing anything except giving up all the activities preplanned for this location.

The reason why we were there was because we wanted to go a bit deeper into the history of America. It seemed that a whole lot of American history (the independence war against British, the establishment of the 13 colonies, the constitution, and so forth, all of these legends told in American history books) was literally written nowhere else but in New England. The Battle Monument in Bennington VT, is part of the memorandum of the independence war.

Bennington is also part of the South Corridor of Vermont which goes about 50+ miles latitudinally along Route 9 and connects Bennington in the west, Wilmington in the middle, and Brattleboro in the east.

The rest of the day, we focused on touring these three towns of Vermont. First, we started the journey from the Main Street of Bennington. However, there was nothing worthy of mentioning, only a few shots of old fashioned structures, plus some pictures of rainy day scenery.

2/ Wilmington

Wilmington was second to stop by. It's a small town with rugged streets, rusted buildings, and old-school-looking type of folks. You would've got a weird feeling as if you were wandering off somewhere that belongs to the third world, no kidding!

However, in its vicinities of less than 30 minutes drive, there're great scenic spots worth a go, like Raponda Pond, Molly Stark State Park, and Hogback Mountain.

You could certainly be shocked by the view of an ocean with waves after waves of gold or amber looking forests spreading out in all directions on top of the Hogback Mountain. Also, you might be amazed by a bite of a local snack, the maple syrup donut. It tasted really good and refreshing, injecting a warm and sweet feeling into and circling within your body as exposed out in the cold.

3/a Brattleboro: Museum of Art

The third town, Brattleboro, is pretty rustic as well, but a little fresher and moderner overall, in terms of local lifestyle. Immediately after arrival, we went to the Brattleboro Museum of Art Center and very much appreciated the exhibits of Felt Experience.

Every piece of the artwork is made of felts (), an ancient material with extraordinary sensorial connection between humans and animals on earth. Also, it's believed that the warmth and affection of the wool felts is able to awaken memories gained from childhood, and thus to help people make a better sense out of their interactions with the real world.

3/b Brattleboro: Main Street

After the Felt Experience, we then scouted the Main Street of Brattleboro all the way through, taking quite a few pictures of local churches, street arts and stuff.

In a food store, a special pack of beers caught my eyes. It's a mix of different brands brewed locally but in Austria style, a little Austria, a lot of Vermont as advertised outside of the pack.

A drink of beer, of course, concludes today's touristy log. Hopefully, a good sleep tonight, and a good day tomorrow!
Axolotls are having a moment, and many are now being abandoned to pet shelters because owners can't take care of them. A new article in The Guardian explains that axolotls have become popular pets because they have been featured on social media such as TikTok and in online games such as Minecraft. Animal shelters are now overrun with axolotls, however. Amelia Seales, owner of one reptile and animal shelter in Dunedin, New Zealand, says she is currently caring for 2000 axolotls, after receiving a whopping 600 just last week. What's happening here? Tess McClure, writing for The Guardian, explains:

Seales said some inexperienced owners were failing to desex their pets or accidentally placing breeding pairs together in tanks. The amorous amphibians ended up "having accidental clutches and [owners are] not knowing what to do with the eggs  then ending up with literally thousands of them and not being able to find them a home," she said. "They can produce a huge number of eggs," said SPCA science officer Alison Vaughan. "That situation can very quickly get out of control." Axolotls are considered critically endangered in the wild, but are widely bred in captivity. Their growth has been driven partly by their popularity online, where their little faces, set in a constant grin, are well suited to memes and shareable videos. The creatures have been a hit on TikTok, where their hashtag has accumulated 2.6bn views. Axie Infinity, an online game where players battle cartoon axolotls, peaked at about 2.7m users in November last year. Perhaps the greatest contributor to the axolotl renaissance, however, might be Minecraft, the enormously popular children's world-building game, where the amphibians were introduced as a companion creature in 2021. Google trend reports indicate that searches for axolotl peaked when Minecraft introduced them in July 2021, but have remained elevated since. Internationally, outlets began reporting last year that axolotls had become a hot new pet for Minecraft-playing children.

Please, folks, don't buy axolotls, no matter how much your children beg. Veterinarian Helen Beattie is quoted in The Guardian article, stating: "They're not easy pets  They've got really specific needs." They need special equipment and treatment in order to remain healthy and happy. They can also live up to 25 years, so adopting an axolotl shouldn't be done lightly or without a great deal of thought.

Instead, if you MUST have an axolotl, opt for an axolotl plush toy or something similar. If you do a Google shopping search for "axolotl," you'll find more axolotl-themed goods than you can handleshoes, clothing, Squishmallows, toys of all kinds, mugs, throw blankets, posters, and more. I was excited to find a tiny axolotl finger puppet at Zia Records last night, so now I have an axolotl at home. I definitely get the desire for axolotlsthey are so adorable with their little legs and cute weird smiles. But let's skip the real ones, please.
From Bloomberg:

Rozhkov, a Ukrainian immigrant turned soldier, was killed 20 years ago, when he was 25. [] The paraphernalia from Rozhkov's service forms a shrine in the apartment. His M16 rifle is framed on a wall with pictures of him wearing his green beret. On a desk sit military medals and trophies. Many of the mournersnow leafing through photos, gently mocking their younger selvesknew Rozhkov. They served with him and were his neighbors. His mother, Ludmila, a former teacher in Crimea who lives alone in the apartment, tells the group that their presence is comforting. "An apartment should be filled with children and light," she says in heavily Russian-accented Hebrew. "Thank you for bringing them." One of the children darting among the mournerssitting on laps and nodding shylyis 5-year-old Veronica. She never met Rozhkov, of course, but she's his daughter. Thirty hours after he was killed, his sperm was extracted, preserved in liquid nitrogen, and, 14 years later, used to fertilize the eggs of Irena Akselrod. She didn't know Rozhkov, but she volunteered to bear and raise his child after meeting Ludmila. "I was moved by her story," Akselrod says. "She's alone in Israel, she lost her only son, and had no grandchild."

From there, the article gets into some of the complications of this, umm, fascinating new industry. Things like legal ramifications: can you prove that the deceased did in fact want children, and/or that the deceased wanted you to have their posthumous jizz cup? What if sperm is retrieved from the corpse, but the deceased's widow remarries, and doesn't want her late husband's family to give his sperm away to someone else  whose property is that semen, anyway?

And of course, there's already a US-based company making plans to offer similar services here.

Postmortem Sperm Retrieval Is Turning Dead Men Into Fathers [Ethan Bronner and Chen Shalita / Bloomberg]

Israel extracting sperm from dead soldiers and using it to create children [Maggie Harrison / Futurism]

Image: Public Domain via RawPixel
As Seth Rogen said in 2020, "I'm only surprised by Mel Gibson's 'oven dodger' comment because it acknowledges the Holocaust actually happened." (Here's a list of anti-Semitic remarks Mel Gibson has made over the years.) Wow, he sure hates Jews. That's why Harvey's Weinstein's lawyers asked the judge in Weinstein's upcoming sexual assault trial in Los Angeles to be allowed to question Gibson about his feelings towards Jews. But according to Variety, the defense won't be allowed to broach the subject.

Judge Lisa B. Lench allowed prosecutors to call Gibson to the stand. She also denied a defense request that they be allowed to ask Gibson about racist and antisemitic statements he has made over the years. But the defense will be allowed to ask whether Gibson holds a grudge against Weinstein.

The defense argued that Gibson has ill will toward Weinstein dating from the release of "Passion of the Christ," which was widely seen to play on antisemitic themes. Weinstein later published a book, "Perspectives on the Passion of the Christ," that challenged the film.

"This created a feud between Mr. Gibson and Mr. Weinstein," argued Mark Werksman, Weinstein's attorney.
I just started listening to a new podcast that I highly recommend. Witnessed: Mystic Mother presents the story of the Phoenix Goddess Temple, which was, depending on whose version of reality you adopt, either a spiritual sanctuary or an alleged brothel. It was started by "Mystic Mother" Tracy Elise, in Phoenix, Arizona, and operated between 2008 and 2011, when it was shut down following a Phoenix Police Department investigation. The Witnessed: Mystic Mother website describes the podcast like this:

Hosted by sisters Leah and Katie Henoch, Witnessed: Mystic Mother follows the rise and fall of the Phoenix Goddess Temple, and tells the story of a community still reckoning with the fall out a decade later. The series raises fundamental questions around the criminalization of sex work and the boundaries of religious freedom in America. "This complicated story has captivated us for years. Mystic Mother explores the larger questions around religious freedom, control of women's bodies and the law's complicated role in both," said Leah and Katie Henoch. "This series offers a unique perspective on the story of the Phoenix Goddess Temple, allowing listeners to draw their own conclusions about what happens when your beliefs might be against the laws."

The podcast provides perspectives on the Phoenix Goddess Temple from folks who hold different and often opposing viewpoints on the events and their aftermathincluding police officers involved in the case, prosecutors and defense lawyers, former employees at the temple, and Tracy Elise herself (she wasn't interviewed for the podcast, but the producers use other interviews she's done over the years). The podcast dives into questions around religious freedom, sex work, and the privileges or disadvantages accompanying one's positionality in the sex work industry.

One terrific source of information about the case is the Phoenix New Times, which has published several stories about the Phoenix Goddess Temple over the past decade, including Niki D'Andrea's first piece on the temple in February 2011 entitled, "Phoenix Goddess Temple's "Sacred Sexuality" Is More Like New Age Prostitution." This was the article that alerted the Phoenix Police Department and that eventually led to a search warrant, criminal charges, and jail time for Tracy Elise. Miriam Wasser, writing for the Phoenix New Times, explains:

At the center of the case were two big questions. First, was the temple a church offering sacred sexual healing or a brothel selling sex acts? And second, was Elise "a priestess under attack," as she maintained, or was she, as the state charged, the mastermind and leader of a prostitution ring?



Earlier this year, after a colorful and at times humorous four-month trial, a jury found Elise guilty on 22 criminal counts of prostitution, maintaining a house of prostitution, illegal control of an enterprise, money laundering, pandering, racketeering, and conspiracy.

I highly recommend listening to the podcast, and if you want to know more about the Phoenix Goddess Temple, I recommend reading the articles about the case, the trial, and the aftermath from the Phoenix New Times, which include: Phoenix Goddess Temple's "Sacred Sexuality" Is More Like New Age Prostitution (Niki D'Andrea, February 17, 2011); Phoenix Goddess Temple Raided; 16 People Detained (Niki D'Andrea, September 8, 2011); HBO Star and Bunny Ranch Owner Dennis Hof Testifies In Phoenix Goddess Temple Trial (Miriam Wasser, February 4, 2016); Phoenix Goddess Temple Head Priestess Found Guilty of All 22 Criminal Counts (Miriam Wasser, March 2, 2016); The Trouble With Sex: Why Phoenix Goddess Temple Founder Insists She's a Priestess, Not a Prostitute (Miriam Wasser, April 13, 2016); Phoenix Goddess Temple Priestess Tracy Elise Heads to Prison (Ray Stern, May 20, 2016); and From Prison, Phoenix Goddess Temple Founder Vows to Keep Fighting for Religious Freedom (Miriam Wasser, September 19, 2016).

I've searched around the internet to find current information on what Tracy Elise is doing now. She's out of jail and is continuing to lead her religious practicesshe describes herself on her Instagram as "Mystic Mother Tracy Elise, Religious School, Sacred Feminine Activist, Teacher of Tantric Temple Arts; Priestess for the Mother; Magnetic Tantra & Ladder of Light Guide." And on her Twitter as "Mystic Mother of Mother Medicine Wheel, & Phoenix Goddess Temple; Radical Tantrist, Priestess, Whole Body Healer, Magnetic Touch Teacher." She also seems to post occasionally on her Facebook account.
Jana Elementary School in Missouri is contaminated with radioactive waste from World War II weapons production, according to a Boston Chemical Data Corp report.

From NPR:

Levels of the radioactive isotope lead-210, polonium, radium and other toxins were "far in excess" of what Boston Chemical had expected. Dust samples taken inside the school were found to be contaminated. Inhaling or ingesting these radioactive materials can cause significant injury, the report said. "A significant remedial program will be required to bring conditions at the school in line with expectations," the report said.

Christen Commuso with the Missouri Coalition for the Environment made the report public through a Freedom of Information Act request. It's amazing that the report wasn't immediately released to the public

"I wouldn't want my child in this school," Commuso told NPR "The effect of these toxins is cumulative."

NPR says, "The new report is expected to be a major topic at Tuesday's Hazelwood school board meeting." Ya think?
Folklore and mythology have always mixed fact and fiction. But we're all fortunate (or not) to exist in a time when our access to folklore and mythology  really, our entire cultural presentation of history  is most accessible through corporatized media franchises. And corporatism (vis a vis colonialism) means the stories that we're getting  the mythologies thrust upon us at impressionable ages  are neither fully representative of historical fact, nor rooted in the needs of the common people like other oral traditions.

Now let's talk about some fuckin' pirates.

Under The Banner of King Death is a new graphic novel adaptation of Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age, a non-fiction pirate history book by acclaimed historian Marcus Rediker. Illustrated by David Lester, Under The Banner of King Death smartly transforms Rediker's history lesson into a tightly-focused, character-driven adventure. I assume it's slightly fictionalized, but it feels accurate to the broader ideas of Rediker's book (or at least, the part I've read of it). Which is to say: what if the real-life pirates of the 18th century Caribbean were actually one of the earliest models of the workers' rights movement?

Building off of Rediker's history, Lester introduces readers to John Gwin, a Black man who escaped slavery in South Carolina; Ruby Decker, a working class white seaman from Amsterdam; and Mark Reed, a white American who  mild spoiler for dead people from history  is actually a woman who's been living in drag to order to work on ships and have more freedom than she otherwise would have been granted as some man's property. Right of the bat, this is an intriguing cast  much more diverse than the pirate stories that you're used to, but in a way that feels natural, and frankly, more realistic, given what we actually know about the Triangle Trade Industry in the Atlantic Ocean.

John, Ruby, and Mark aren't off seeking gold and sunken treasure. They're just sick of being mistreated. They want to put in a hard day's work, and be compensated fairly, without fear of being lashed by the snooty captain of the ship in his stupid wig and frock. Over drinks, they discuss their frustrations with their working conditions, and realize that there's strength in numbers. If they can build solidarity with the rest of crew  hell, even those African prisoners in the cargo bay, en route to being sold as property  what if they all stood up together, and told the Captain they weren't taking any more of his shit, and also, they wanted better pay?

Emboldened by the barroom rumors of similar working class uprisings, our trio makes their move, staging a mutiny and commandeering the ship. The bulk of the black-and-white graphic novel focuses on what happens next, as they try to build their own anarcho-communist society on the sea. The crew learns how to make decisions through direct democracy  which of course, includes some struggles  and agrees to split things more evenly. No one's looking for treasure; they just want to survive, and enjoy life, in exchange for some labor. When attack other ships, it's usually for one of two reasons: to liberate Africans who have sold into slavery, or to get some supplies. As far as these pirates are concerned, the captains of these "legitimate" ships are all corrupt, greedy bosses anyway. They abuse their crews and exploit the resources of indigenous people, so it's fair game to treat them just like they treat other people.

This, of course, as an affront to the self-important bureaucrats of European colonizers. These be-wigged bastards believe in rules, you see  in law and order, I say! But history has shown, most of those "laws" were just little scraps of paper created specifically to justify horrible atrocities, and punish anyone who tries to push back. Pirates may have a reputation for being these debased, immoral savages  but that reputation only exists to help the bosses keep their workers in line. Sure, they engage in wage theft, whipping, and literal slavery  but that's different from those savage, race-mixing pirates, reveling in the pleasures of life.

And so, like all workers' rights movements, Under The Banner of King Death is a tale that inevitably heads towards a confrontation between the workers, and the enforcement arm of the bosses and landlords (aka, the cops). This goes about as well as it usually does. But that's what makes this such an interesting story: realizing how much more you and me and every Starbucks worker has in common with these pirates than with the so-called legitimate sea captains, who will whip and lash you 'til the profit's in the black.

Overall, Under The Banner of King Death is a quick, fun read that twists the conventions of pirate stories into some fascinating ways. The ending draws some parallels that are particularly poignant, if you've ever had to fight for rights in the workplace, or in society. Lester's sketchy artwork is simple enough to carry you through the story, while sparking just enough synapses that your mind fills in the bigger, brighter pictures. There a few points where the artwork gets a little muddled, but ultimately, none of it took away from my understanding of the story; even if I couldn't tell who specifically did X thing, I still got enough of the gist to keep going.

Pirate solidarity!

Under the Banner of King Death: Pirates of the Atlantic, a Graphic Novel [David Lester and Marcus Rediker with Peter Buhle / Beacon Press]
On a map, Africa seems far, far away. Sit in an African restaurant on Kenmore Avenue and chat about the finer points of Ghananian red-red while you tuck into fufu and the revelations of jollof rice, and Africa seems more like just another seat at humankinds table.

We all want a satisfying meal cooked from real ingredients  glorified by careful cooking  that fortifies, sustains and delights. Buffalos restaurants are a fine place to ponder how much our hunger has in common.

Patrick Agyapong and Ophelia Amponsah, born in Ghana, opened their restaurant on Kenmore Avenue last year. Yalleys African Restaurant is a roomy place, quiet as a library, which is appropriate, given its role as an excellent place to study up on African cuisine.

Ghana, on the western side of Africa, is the 13th African nation ranked by population, with about 31 million people. While many of the dishes on Yalleys menu can be found across Africa by name, local variations abound, with Buffalo-wing-level pride applied to local versions. The simplest way to start an argument in a roomful of Africans is to declare which nation has the best jollof rice.

Thats because jollof rice is a magnificent dish, which skilled cooks can coax into soulful chords of spice and heat worthy of standing ovations. Rice comes out almost dry, each grain jacketed in seasonings that unfold to reveal deeper permutations with each bite.

Yalleys Ghanaian version is served with salad, chicken, beef or fish, and a thick red sauce made from tomatoes, chiles and ginger. Chicken ($18) is skinless drumsticks fried simply, no coating. Until a Nigerian opens a restaurant in Buffalo, its the undisputed champion of Buffalo jollof rice.

Fufu with peanut soup ($19) was the dish that first made clear to me that I needed to learn more about Ghanaian cuisine. Ive made soup with peanut butter before, myself, but this bowl made clear to me I had been headed down the wrong track.

When I met Yalleys peanut soup on a frigid January night, I found myself stunned by how the old familiar peanut was coaxed into the base of a soup that rewarded slow, contemplative spooning. Hacked up bone-in chicken provides more sustenance, but the star is the broth, which puts peanut flavor first, so that you dont miss the added sugar youve been trained to expect from peanut butter.

Then there was fufu. Cassava or yam roots are boiled and pounded, then rolled into balls, producing white stuff thats like Play-Doh. You can just use your spoon and scoop some up like gluey mashed potatoes. Or you can use your hands, pull off a chunk, flatten it in your hand, and use it to scoop up food, in the manner of a scarpetta or Ethiopian injera.

Its amiable, filling and gently tasty. Theres another doughy specialty called banku, made of slightly fermented corn or cassava dough ($20-$25 with choice of protein) that Ill get stuck into next time. Banku and okra stew ($25) is a classic Ghanian pairing thats offered on Kenmore Avenue.

Other choices for accompaniment besides peanut soup include chicken pepper soup, egushi soup  which is made from melon seeds  goat pepper soup ($22), and palmnut soup.

Palmnut oil is the favorite fat of West Africa, and the worlds most popular vegetable oil. In Ghana, black-eyed peas simmered in seasoned palmnut oil is a prized dish called red-red for the scarlet oil and chiles brightening up its countenance. The result is rich, creamy and heartwarming, devastatingly effective vegan cooking. Fried plantains and beans (red-red) with beef, chicken or fried tilapia ($18-25) are one of Yalleys signature pleasures.

Astounding discoveries included marinated fried turkey tails called tsofi ($16) that celebrate the best bite of Thanksgiving: the birds fatty, skin-clad butt crisped up the oven, the cooks secret reward. In Ghana, cooks season turkey tails, fry them and dust them with more spices, like a spice rubbed chicken wing, but more decadent.

That said, Yalleys does consider vegetarians. Four entrees ($15-$22) include boiled yams, boiled plantains, spinach stew, bean stew and boiled eggs.

Speaking as a not particularly well-traveled American, the strangest thing to me about African food was how normal it was. I walked in expecting exotic, incomprehensible mixes of flavor and texture, but found the opposite: comfort food in another tongue, meeting and sating my hunger like an old friend.

Instead of finding myself overwhelmed with exotica, I left Yalley's thinking about which friends I would invite there next, to get in on the goodness.

As I would invite all of you: Get off your couches. Put down the remote. Live a little. Join the big table of genius cooking from all over the globe that we are so fortunate to find, right here at home.

Yalleys African Restaurant

290 Kenmore Ave., 716-322-1012

Hours: noon to midnight Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 2 a.m. Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday. Closed Monday.

Prices: soups, $9.50-$10.50; meals, $13-$25.

Atmosphere: quiet satisfaction

Parking: lot

Wheelchair accessible: yes

Gluten-free options: fufu, plantains, fried fish.
South Africa: Dhlomo calls on African countries to produce their own medicines, vaccines

Deputy Health Minister, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has called on world health leaders to assist Africa in ensuring it can produce its own pharmaceutical products.

Citing the latest International Monetary Fund publication data, Dhlomo said Africa, with a population of about 1.3 billion, had 375 drug makers.

Of these, most were in North Africa, while those based in Sub-Saharan Africa were found in nine out of 46 countries.

By comparison, China and India, each with roughly 1.4 billion in population, have as many as 5 000 and 10 500 drug manufacturers, respectively, the Deputy Minister said.

Dhlomo was speaking on Monday at the World Health Summit currently underway in Berlin, Germany, where he is leading the South African delegation.

By 2040, the Deputy Minister said the world population would have increased to an estimated 9.4 billion, representing a growth of 1.4 billion between 2020 and 2040.

When we consider the worldwide population growth against the manufacturing capacity we need to achieve, we should take this as a great opportunity for Africa to manufacture for the world.

However, according to the Deputy Minister, Africa, with a 3% share market, has a long way to go.

I believe each of us has a role to play to ensure Africa has adequate capacity to satisfy the growing demand, he said.

The Deputy Minister said manufacturing geo-diversity for public health goods is a non-negotiable for global health security.

As South Africa, we can never forget that despite being able to afford vaccines, our COVID-19 inoculation campaign was delayed by export bans and contamination in foreign manufacturing plants.

This compounded the fact that we were already at the back of the queue because our volumes and market influence could not compete with those of rich nations.

This years World Health Summit focuses on key themes such as pandemic preparedness, strategies for improving global healthcare, digitalisation, and health aspects of climate change and interdisciplinary cooperation in research.

As a continent, we cannot forget that hundreds of millions have died of preventable, infectious diseases in the past century, while we negotiated for the right things to be done  for prices to come down; for technology to be shared and for those who need it most to be prioritised.

It was never sustainable to depend on others for our own needs and the African Union has therefore called on all of us to shift gears and create domestic capacity for domestic resilience.

Dhlomo highlighted the importance of financing, policymaking and law-making aspects of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

From the governance perspective, we look forward to your insights on what sovereign States and governments, regional organisations and global organisations that represent governments should be taking responsibility for and how we can enable the private sector and civil society to honour their responsibilities.

Meanwhile, he said South Africans have collectively made great strides to contribute to the local manufacturing agenda for the continent.

He touched on the countrys success stories and progress. Dhlomo referred to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), which has advanced to the World Health Organisation maturity level three qualification.

This is an important milestone, as we ratify the African Medicines Agency treaty in our Parliament.

He told delegates that the Department of Science and Innovation has invested R15 million into the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Hub and R25 million into genomic surveillance, which is now at the heart of manufacturing precision.

He urged the continent to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area to manufacture products together rather than creating inter-country competition for end-to-end capability.

It is not feasible for every manufacturer to do end-to-end. Therefore, we must have a clear picture of the manufacturing landscape on the continent, so that we can coordinate more effectively to deliver high-quality African products.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-10-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Trend

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has addressed the nation.

Trend presents the address.

Nationwide address of President Ilham Aliyev: Dear fellow compatriots!

Today, the fascist leadership of Armenia committed yet another war crime. The cities of Ganja and Mingachevir came under rocket fire. As a result of this cowardly shelling, our compatriots have been killed and wounded. May Allah rest all our martyrs in peace and send healing to our wounded compatriots!

This once again shows the fascist nature of the Armenian leadership. This is not the first time our cities have come under fire. Armenia fires on Tartar, Aghdam, Goranboy, Aghjabadi and other cities practically every day. As a result of this fire, our citizens have been killed and wounded, more than 2,000 houses have been destroyed or seriously damaged. However, these cowardly actions cannot break the will of the Azerbaijani people.

Armenian leadership is committing a war crime. Shooting at civilians, including firing missiles, is a war crime, and they must and will bear responsibility for this crime. We are giving their answer on the battlefield. We are avenging and will continue to avenge the deaths of our martyrs, of innocent civilians on the battlefield. We have never fought or will ever wage a war against the civilian population. We are not Armenians. We have our own way, we have our own cause, and all the Azerbaijani people are united around this cause. All the Azerbaijani people are showing solidarity and patriotism.

The victorious Azerbaijani Army is driving and will continue to drive the enemies away from our lands in the ongoing battles. I said that if they do not leave our lands of their own free will, we will chase them away like dogs and we are doing that. Every day, the victorious Azerbaijani Army liberates new strategic locations, new heights and new settlements from the occupiers. Our revenge takes place on the battlefield.

These days, from 27 September to the present, a crushing blow has been dealt to Armenia's military potential. I just want to bring some figures to the attention of our citizens. I must say that the list I will provide is incomplete. An even larger amount of enemy equipment has been destroyed and, of course, it is impossible to calculate it accurately during the battle. However, the figures I will quote show explicitly that we have gained a complete advantage on the battlefield and have almost completely destroyed the military-technical potential of Armenia. The question is where do so many weapons and so much equipment come from to Armenia? Armenia's military budget is well known. Armenia's state budget is also well known. Armenia is a bankrupt country. The country's foreign debt accounts for 60-70 percent of the country's gross domestic product. The country's foreign exchange reserves are only $1.5 billion, which are bank reserves. That is, it is not free funds. What money are they getting these weapons and equipment with? The equipment we have destroyed and taken as booty so far is worth at least $2 billion. But there is still more in their hands  in the occupied territories and in the territory of Armenia. The question is who is arming them. In some cases, we are criticized that we are arming ourselves, we are buying weapons and this can allegedly aggravate the situation and turn it towards an unacceptable direction. The question is what about Armenias armament. Where do so many weapons and hardware come from to this poor country? Today, they are smuggling weapons and equipment using some smuggling schemes. And they are very dangerous and very destructive weapons. Therefore, we want answers to these questions, and I am sure we will get them.

I would like to bring to the attention of my people some of the Armenian equipment the Azerbaijani Army has destroyed in recent days. Thus, the list of the destroyed Armenian equipment includes: 234 tanks have been destroyed, 36 tanks have been taken as military booty, 49 infantry fighting vehicles have been destroyed, 24 have been taken as military booty, 16 self-propelled artillery pieces have been destroyed, 190 cannons of various calibers, two "Hurricane" systems, one TOS flame-thrower, two "Elbrus" operational tactical missile complexes, one "Tochka-U", 35 "OSA" anti-aircraft missile systems, three "TOR" anti-aircraft missile complexes, five "KUB" and "KRUG" anti-aircraft missile complexes, nine radio-electronic combat systems, two S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, 196 trucks have been destroyed, and 98 have been taken as booty. Anyone, any specialist can calculate the price of this equipment from open media. We must and we will find answers to these questions.

The glorious Azerbaijani Army is successfully continuing its salvation mission. In recent days, I have informed my people and announced the names of the newly liberated villages. Today, with a feeling of great satisfaction and joy, I want to convey to my dear people the names of more settlements that have been liberated. The following settlements of Fuzuli district have been liberated from the occupiers  Gochahmadli village, Chiman village, Juvarli village, Pirahmadli village, Musabayli village, Ishigli village, Dadali village and Fizuli city. The city of Fizuli has been liberated from the occupiers, Fuzuli is ours, Karabakh is Azerbaijan!

I heartily congratulate all the people of Azerbaijan on this occasion. I heartily congratulate the people of Fuzuli on this occasion. Many years of longing for native land are coming to an end. We are honorably fulfilling our mission, restoring and will restore the territorial integrity of our country. The battles for Fuzuli were very hard. Time will pass and books and papers will be written about these battles. It was a battle that required great professionalism, skill, courage and self-sacrifice. Because during these 30 years, the enemy has built such a strong fortification on the line of contact that some people thought that it was impossible to liberate the city of Fuzuli from occupation. Even the most well-known military experts were of the opinion that it would take months to capture Fuzuli and free it from occupation and whether the operation would be successful was still in question. However, the victorious Azerbaijani Army was able to cope with this glorious mission and most of the villages of Fuzuli district and the city of Fuzuli have been liberated from the enemy in a short time. When we talk about the city of Fuzuli, of course, we should all know that there is nothing left of the city, no monuments, not a single safe building. For 30 years, it was in the hands of wild beasts, in the hands of predators, in the hands of jackals. All the buildings have been demolished, our religious sites have been demolished, everything has been looted, the roofs of the houses, the windows, the belongings  everything. It was as if a wild tribe had taken over the city. The remains of the city of Fuzuli are a manifestation of Armenian fascism and a witness to Armenian fascism.

We will return to Fuzuli, we will rebuild and landscape all the villages. Life will return to those villages. Just like in the past when the Azerbaijani Army liberated 22 villages of Fuzuli district, including Horadiz settlement, under the leadership of the great leader. Look at how beautiful this place is now. Horadiz settlement has become a very prosperous and modern town. Fuzuli people live in liberated villages. I can say that about half of the population of Fuzuli has been settled in the villages liberated so far, but more villages inhabited by Fuzuli people have been liberated today. Life will return there, they will return there, they will live there, they will visit the graves of their ancestors. The call to prayer will be heard in the mosques to be restored there. We are fulfilling our glorious mission. I am confident that the glorious Azerbaijani Army will continue to drive the invaders away from our lands.

The Fuzuli operation is quite symbolic. Azerbaijan has regained its historical and ancient settlement and ensured the return of tens of thousands of people to these places. At the same time, from a strategic point of view, the splitting of several lines of defense on the line of contact with Fuzuli gives us another strategic advantage. Because our armed forces located in the direction of Fuzuli have been fighting there these days. Of course, it is not a secret now where we were able to enter Fuzuli from. As a result of tremendous military professionalism and courage, we were able to liberate Fuzuli from the occupiers. Before that, the city of Jabrayil was liberated from the invaders. Before that, Hadrut was liberated from the occupiers. Many villages of Khojavand and Jabrayil districts, including Fuzuli district, were liberated from occupation. Only after that were we able to liberate the city of Fuzuli from the occupiers.

In the latest stage, the enemy has dropped his guns and fled. Today, I can say with full responsibility that the Fuzuli operation will be included in military books. In fact, not only Fuzuli operation but also other operations. According to the information I have today, military experts are already clearly saying that the Azerbaijani Army is an army with great combat capability and technical support.

It is a historic day today. The date of 17 October will remain forever not only in the memory of Fuzuli people but also in the history of the Azerbaijani state. Today, we, all the people of Azerbaijan, are writing the brightest page of our people and our state together. Today, we are writing this glorious history of solidarity, mutual support and unity. We are lucky to live in these moments. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of our refugees and IDPs who were looking forward to these moments did not live to see these days. But I am sure that their spirit is happy today because their native lands have been liberated from the occupiers.

Despite the fact that the cowardly, treacherous and vile enemy commits war crimes, fires on the civilian population and kills children as a result of todays shooting, I want to say again that we must not take revenge on civilians. We are taking revenge on the battlefield. The blood of our martyrs and civilians does not and will not remain unavenged. I warn the fascist leadership of Armenia again  leave the remaining lands of your own accord. We will throw you out of there anyway. There will be no trace of them left on those lands. We will drive them out of our lands to the end. Let them leave of their own accord!

He did not want to give up Fuzuli even though he understood perfectly well that he would not be able to keep it. He did not want to give up Jabrayil. Yesterday, the day before yesterday and today, successful operations were carried out in the direction of Jabrayil and strategic heights were taken. I do not want to say anything about that yet. I do not want to get ahead of the events. But the victorious Azerbaijani Army is achieving and will continue to achieve its goals, our territorial integrity is being restored and will be fully restored. No force can stop us. No force can stand against the will of the Azerbaijani people. Everyone should know this. No-one can stand in front of us. Let the predatory Armenian state vacate our lands. After that, a ceasefire will be ensured. A ceasefire was declared, but Ganja was bombed a day later. And which part of it? A residential settlement. Where did they hit today? Again, a residential area. When did they shoot? At night, so that more people die.

This is a crime against humanity. If the international community does not want to bring Armenia to justice for the crimes it has committed  just as no-one has brought them to justice for the Khojaly genocide  we will bring them to justice ourselves. We will punish them, and our punishment will be just. They deserve the most severe punishment. The military-political leadership of Armenia are criminals and we will punish these criminals.

The prime minister of Armenia who said that "Karabakh is Armenia", what happened, why arent you saying that "Karabakh is Armenia" now? Come to Fuzuli, where you were exploiting our land. Come to Jabrayil, come to Hadrut, come to other liberated places and say that "Karabakh is Armenia". You are sitting there in Yerevan, making statements from there, annoying world leaders  there is no-one left you didnt phone.

Why arent you saying that "Karabakh is Armenia"? You are afraid and you should be. But why were you so brave when you insulted the Azerbaijani people by saying that "Karabakh is Armenia, full stop"? Who did you rely on? Didnt you know that one day you will be held accountable for your actions? The day has come and is coming. Bringing Armenians from Lebanon and other countries to Shusha is a war crime that contradicts the Geneva Convention. They do it demonstratively, they show it on TV, they show Armenians coming to live and work in our ancient land. Let's see now who will come to settle in Shusha. You were building a new road with Armenia from Jabrayil. Why? You have illegally occupied that region, our Araz region, in order to settle Armenians there? You wanted to make us face facts? What was the purpose of bringing Armenians from abroad and settling them there in various ways, including through deception because Armenia has a small population? The goal is to keep our historical lands under eternal occupation, to ensure eternal occupation and Armenianize our lands. Look, they gave Fuzuli an ugly name. Let this name be a curse to you. This name will go to hell. This name no longer exists. There is no Madagiz  it is Sugovushan. We will restore our other historical names. You wanted to move the parliament of your "entity" to Shusha. Go ahead and do it now! Where is the place where you conducted the "swearing-in ceremony" of the leader of that fake gang? We have destroyed it, completely destroyed it. You put forward seven conditions to us. You were speaking to us in the language of ultimatums. Let's see what your conditions are now. What happened? You cling to people, fall at their feet begging for help in stopping Azerbaijan. Tell Azerbaijan to stop. Get out of our land and we will stop! Get the hell out of our lands! I have said this before and do not hide anything. The people of Azerbaijan know this and the international community is saying this too. I say this every day  get out and say that you will leave here tomorrow, and we will stop. We do not need to shed blood. We need lands. We will get this land by any means. Let everyone know this. The history of the last days shows this.

It is proving too costly for you, for the Armenian leadership, to insult the Azerbaijani people. Too costly. The Armenian people must finally bring the leaders of this criminal regime to justice. Rallies are already being organized in military conscription offices in Armenia. Mothers are blocking the roads and preventing their children from dying in another country. I also appealed to the Armenian people, and I am appealing to them again: Do not let your children go! What are they doing in our lands? Live in your own country. We have nothing to do with you. Go and live in your own country, do whatever you want but leave our lands. I am confident that the Armenian people will also bring the leaders of their criminal junta to justice. We are on the path of truth, we are on the path of justice. We are right, we are fighting in our own land, we are giving martyrs on our own land. Ours is a holy war!

We have shown our strength on the battlefield, both to the enemy and to the whole world. The strength we are showing on the battlefield is underpinned by the will of the Azerbaijani people, the talent of the Azerbaijani people and our success.

I want to say again that we are a lucky people. Our generation is happy to be witnessing these happy days. I consider myself a lucky person to convey this good news to my people. As the Commander-in-Chief, I lead all the work and want to assure the people of Azerbaijan that I will continue to do my best to protect the national interests of our country and our people. No threat and no pressure can affect my will. Ours is the cause of truth. We are fighting on our own land and restoring our territorial integrity.

Long live the Azerbaijani Army! Long live the people of Azerbaijan! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!




Rocky Night is Jamie Nablos favorite night of the year.

The current cast director of the Francis Bacon Experiment, a Buffalo-based group that performs interactive "shadowcasts" for screenings of the movie Rocky Horror Picture Show every October, explained that Rocky Night is traditionally the Friday before Halloween.

Nablos husband, Ryan Kaminski, who plays the Brad to her Janet in the FBE "Rocky" cast, proposed to her on Rocky Night 2018. They were on stage at North Tonawandas Riviera Theatre, where FBE has produced its interactive screenings annually since 2007 (excluding 2020 and 2021, when the pandemic necessitated the use of other venues). The drag queen emceeing the show handed Kaminski the microphone, and he proposed in front of 1,100 cheering audience members.

It was awesome, Kaminski said. We were surrounded by friends, and we had family in the audience that night.

FBE was named after founder John Kehoes cat and functions as an umbrella term for his various artistic pursuits. The group's shadowcasting involves performers acting out every gesture and movement in front of a screen while the film plays.

The group's shadowcasting continues a long-standing tradition with "Rocky Horror Picture Show" that started shortly after the 1975 musical parody premiered. In the film, Susan Sarandon and Barry Boswick play sweethearts who get stuck in a storm at the mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry) with a house of strange characters. Though the film initially didn't do well, it became a midnight movie sensation and cult classic when audience members started to act out scenes, singing along to songs such as "The Time Warp," and dressing as characters.

In addition to Rocky at the Riv, the FBE cast has performed across the northeast United States and produced expanded "Rocky Horror"-adjacent programming since Kehoe handed Nablo the reins in 2020. So far in October, FBE hosted a Rocky Horror trivia night and a screening of another horror-musical-comedy cult film, Phantom of the Paradise.

On Oct. 22, FBE will team up with local burlesque troupe the Glam Vamps for a brunch show at Community Beer Works (520 7th St.). And on Oct. 28, the troupe returns to Riviera Theatre to shadowcast the film there for the first time since 2019.

Kehoe, who plays Frank-N-Furter, and Nablo are certain that they will cry when they return to the Riv. It will be an emotional experience with their cast, an ever-growing chosen family.

The minute we bring somebody in, they're just welcomed so quickly, Nablo said. They become part of our family, and they become some of our best friends that we can lean on and reach out to. It's really heartwarming.

Kaminski echoed that sentiment.

Really, for me, it's the community aspect of it that keeps me coming back and keeps our cast growing, he said.

Nablo has been passionate about Rocky Horror Picture Show since age 5. A VHS copy of the film was the first thing she bought with her own money, and she watched it on repeat in her childhood bedroom. She still has the tape.

Its a special movie, Nablo said. It's not a good movie by any means. Its a terrible movie, but there's something about it that just draws you to it.

Kehoe felt a similar attraction to the film from a young age. He noted that the communal energy of screenings creates a singular experience.

If you yell lines back at it, you throw your toilet paper, you go to a theater that's full of crazies who are doing all the same things, you get up and dance through part of the movie, thats what makes it so much fun, Kehoe said.

The growth of FBEs programming has allowed the cast to experiment with different roles and forms of expression. The brunch show with Glam Vamps is one example.

Theres no screen, so the charisma of the performers will really take center stage, Kaminski said.

The artists will perform iconic songs from the film like The Time Warp as well as original Rocky-inspired numbers. Nablo said they were still finalizing the set list, but planned to include songs from Rocky sequel Shock Treatment and a song inspired by that other notorious cult favorite The Room. The Glam Vamps will be devising original material that will potentially include a Barbarella tribute and a Magenta and Columbia duet.

Nablos vision for the groups future includes holiday-themed "Rocky" screenings and shadowcasts of The Room and The Princess Bride. At the end of the day, though, theres no place like "Rocky Horror."

I really wanted to have a place where if this show is screening, you're going to have a safe space to just go and be yourself, Nablo said. Whether you want to dress up, whether you just want to scream at the screen and let out some internalized rage, whatever you want to do, it's a place where you can go and have fun and be comfortable in yourself. Rocky means family, and there's no wrong way to Rocky.

PREVIEW

Francis Bacon Experiment

Oct. 22: Brunch show featuring burlesque, drag and shadowcast-style performances with the Glam Vamps at Community Beer Works (520 7th St.). Doors open at 11 a.m., show is at noon. Cost is $10; food and drink is extra. The film will not be shown.

Oct. 28: "Rocky at the Riv: 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' Party." Starts at 10 p.m. at the Riviera Theatre (67 Webster St., North Tonawanda) with performances by the Eye Candy Vixens Burlesque and the Ladies of Illusion, followed by audience costume contest. An interactive screening of the movie with the Francis Bacon Experiment starts at midnight. Cost is $20 to $35.
The disturbing video that Keaira Bennefield posted on her Facebook page on the night of Sept. 28 shows her being punched, kicked and slapped.

For nearly eight minutes, the video shows what her estranged husband inflicted upon her earlier that day, starting a little after 7:30 a.m.

Keaira Bennefield wrote on the Facebook post: "this is what this man dose to me but i'm always treated like i'm the abuser!"

She had set up two surveillance cameras from opposite angles in her Cheektowaga apartment. The video shows her walking away from the front door, and then a man tackling her to the floor. He punched her in the stomach and then repeatedly hit, slapped and kicked her as she writhed on the floor. The video shows him holding her down at times and then standing over her, as he appeared to take cell phone photos of her, the flash of the camera flickering against his shirt. He paced around, and then cornered her against a door and pulled at her pants.

She survived that assault.

Amid rise in extreme domestic violence, advocates offer support to victims The Keaira Bennefield case has renewed focus on the crisis of domestic violence in Western New York, which has only gotten worse in recent years.

A week later, Adam Bennefield was arrested for the beating caught on video.

But he was charged only with misdemeanors, and he was able to walk out of Cheektowaga Town Court.

The next morning, on Oct. 5, the 30-year-old mother put on a bulletproof vest and prepared to drive her three children to school. Keaira Bennefield was staying at her mother's house, and she put on the vest because she was terrified of her estranged husband, according to a family representative. While on her way to the school drop-off, she sat in her car near the intersection of Shawnee and Richlawn avenues in Buffalo's Fillmore-Leroy neighborhood. According to authorities, Adam Bennefield rammed his car into hers, got out of his vehicle, pulled out a shotgun and fatally shot her. Her children were in the backseat.

Following a regionwide manhunt, police arrested Adam Bennefield, who now faces a second-degree murder charge.

The horrific killing raises questions about how the police and courts handled Keaira Bennefield's case and whether New York's bail reform laws played a role.

Mother's slaying in Buffalo intensifies GOP blast of bail reform "This really is a serious and horrific failure of bail reform laws," Nicholas Langworthy said. "But for the changes to our criminal justice system in 2019, this would never have happened."

Among them:

 Should police and judges have more leeway to consider the dangerousness of a defendant  especially in domestic violence cases?

 Should Adam Bennefield have been charged with a more serious offense in the Sept. 28 beating, which would have allowed the town justice to impose bail before releasing him?

 Should police have provided more protection for Keaira Bennefield?

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said he believes the state needs to amend its bail reform laws to allow judges to evaluate the dangerousness of a defendant when determining bail.

"This could easily be solved with one sentence in the bail law. You don't have to throw it all out the window," Flynn said, pointing out that New York is the only state in the U.S. that doesn't allow judges to consider "dangerousness."

Suspect in Buffalo homicide was charged with assault in Cheektowaga the day before Law enforcement is looking for Adam R. Bennefield, 45, to question about the death of his estranged wife Keaira Bennefield, 40, who was shot in front of her children in her SUV at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Shawnee and Richlawn avenues in the city's Leroy neighborhood.

'System let her down'

Adam Bennefield was charged with a misdemeanor count of assault in the third-degree because Keaira Bennefield didn't appear injured, Flynn said.

"You can't charge on optics," he said, adding, "that was the highest charge."

Because of the level of the charge, under state law, Adam Bennefield didn't have to post bail to be released.

The judge also could not take into account that Adam Bennefield was convicted in 2000 of kidnapping and escaping from the Erie County Correctional Facility. He was convicted of stealing a car and using it to cut off an ex-girlfriend's vehicle. He then forced the ex-girlfriend and her friend to drive at gunpoint to Grand Island as police chased them. While awaiting trial, he escaped from the jail. He served 15 years in prison.

Bail law changes enacted in 2020 prevent courts from imposing money bail on virtually all misdemeanors and non-violent felonies. The changes are not to blame in this case, proponents of the changes say.

Police and prosecutors could have charged Adam Bennefield with a felony, such as attempted second-degree assault, which is a bail-qualifying offense that could have allowed the court to require him to make bail to secure his release, said Kevin Stadelmaier, first deputy defender with the Erie County Assigned Counsel Program.

"The ball was absolutely dropped," said Stadelmaier, adding, "I think it's a failure of the Cheektowaga police."

Keaira Bennefield's family members, who are now planning her funeral, feel the criminal justice system failed her, said Pastor Tim Newkirk of GYC Ministries.

"They truly missed the warning signs," Newkirk said. "They were supposed to protect her. They were supposed to protect the kids. They were supposed to be the big arm of the law."

Other women who are being abused by intimate partners are afraid.

Kareema Morris of Bury the Violence, who advocates for crime victims, said two women have reached out to her since Keaira Bennefield's killing, scared that they could meet a similar fate.

"They're terrified," she said. "It's become a reality that is really happening."

Morris said the incident should be a wake-up to call to the community.

The police investigation

Cheektowaga Police Chief Brian Gould gave The Buffalo News a detailed account of the investigation into the Sept. 28 beating.

Cheektowaga police received a 911 call at about 9 a.m. Sept. 28 about a female victim being punched by a man. It wasn't clear whether it was Keaira Bennefield who called or a relative who lives in the building.

Police officers spoke with Keaira Bennefield for about 45 minutes, and she told them her estranged husband hit her.

"There were no visible injuries," Gould said.

Keaira Bennefield did not ask to go to the hospital. The officers didn't see a need to take her, Gould said.

Based on that interview, officers determined they would arrest the husband for harassment, a violation that is the lowest kind of charge. It is technically not considered a crime, but can be punished by up to 15 days in jail.

When the officers went to arrest Adam Bennefield, he had locked himself in a bathroom. They gained entry "and due to the condition he was located in," they decided he should go to Erie County Medical Center for a physical and mental evaluation. Gould declined to elaborate on why the officers made that decision.

In the meantime, Gould said, the officers obtained an arrest warrant on the violation for Adam Bennefield, and told Keaira Bennefield to call the police if her estranged husband returned to the home.

The next day, Thursday, Sept. 29, the Cheektowaga Police Department's full-time domestic violence advocate called Keaira Bennefield.

She gave more information to the advocate and brought up that she had video of the incident. Keaira Bennefield had already posted the video on her Facebook page, but Gould said she did not tell the police or the advocate about that.

The advocate spoke to a detective, relaying that the case appeared more serious than harassment. The advocate also told the detective about the video evidence.

"This is the first we learn of the video," Gould said.

At that point, the detective reached out to Keaira Bennefield and gave her a link to a portal to upload the video to the Police Department's computer system. By that Friday, the video had not been uploaded and Gould said the detective called Keaira Bennefield, who said she was having trouble sending it. They arranged for her to come to the police station on Monday and show the officers the video in person.

The following Sunday night , Keaira Bennefield called Cheektowaga police. She thought someone was in her house. Patrol officers arrived at her apartment but did not find anyone else there. However, she showed them the video, which prompted the officers to call their supervisors.

The detectives, who were off duty, were called in to further investigate.

"They review it," Gould said. "After doing a more in depth investigation with video evidence now, they determine it should be misdemeanor assault."

Gould said they added more charges: two counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, one count of menacing in the second degree, one count of unlawful imprisonment in the second degree  all misdemeanors and the harassment violation.

Gould said he understands the public outrage over only misdemeanors being charged.

"If you just look at it on the video without any further investigation, it's disturbing," he said. "That's why the detectives were called in Sunday night. But you need to look at the actual laws."

The charge of second-degree assault, a felony, requires a "serious physical injury" that could lead to death or serious long-term consequences, Gould said.

"I get it  the video looks violent. We can't base criminal charges on how we feel about something," Gould said. "She was not seriously physically injured by that fight."

No option but release

On Monday, Oct. 3, Keaira Bennefield came to the police station and signed paperwork regarding the charges.

In the meantime, Gould said, Adam Bennefield went to Family Court and got an order of protection against Keaira Bennefield. Family Court wanted Cheektowaga police to serve Keaira Bennefield with the order, but the department informed the court about the investigation and the Family Court request was withdrawn.

The police contacted Adam Bennefield and arranged for him to come to the police station on Tuesday, Oct. 4. He came in and was arrested. Then he was taken to Cheektowaga Town Court before Justice David Stevens.

"The officers went down there and let the court know, you really need to do whatever you can," Gould said.

The advocate also passed along information to the assistant district attorney in court.

"They learned there was no option but to release him," Gould said.

The prosecution asked for an order of protection, ordering Adam Bennefield to stay away from Keaira Bennefield. And then he was released.

The advocate alerted Keaira Bennefield that her estranged husband was free, and also told her about the order of protection. They were working on finding housing for her.

The next morning, she was fatally shot.

Newkirk, the GYC Ministries pastor, said the family believes the police should have been monitoring Adam Bennefield.

The police knew what he reportedly did to Keaira from watching the video and that he had a history of disregarding the law. Bail law changes wouldn't have prevented them from protecting Keaira, Newkirk said.

"They should have been following him from the minute he was let go," Newkirk said.

The Family Justice Center  Erie County provides a one-stop shop for domestic violence survivors. Anyone being abused or needs help can get free, confidential help. The Family Justice Center can be reached by calling 716-558-7233 or emailing safe@fjcsafe.org.
The Jesse Ketchum Awards ceremony, a 150-year-old Buffalo tradition, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium at West Hertel Academy, School No. 94.

The awards are presented in recognition of the academic excellence achieved by eighth-grade students in the Buffalo Public Schools, according to Fatima Morrell, chief of Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Initiatives and president of the Jesse Ketchum Memorial Fund Board, who will preside over this year's ceremony.

Jesse Ketchum medals are awarded to students who, according to Ketchum Fund guidelines, "make the most of his or her school career, to do the absolute best in daily lessons in order to succeed," and based on the eighth-graders who achieve the highest grades in English, social studies, math and science.

This year's gold medalist with the highest average is Semiah Balazadeh, formerly of School 81 and who now attends Leonardo DaVinci High School. She had a 100% grade-point average.

Rasni Ullah, formerly of School 53, will receive the silver medal. She currently attends McKinley High School. She has a grade-point average of 99.75%.

Bronze medals will be awarded to the remaining 32 students from various Buffalo schools. In addition to the medals, all of the award recipients will receive a certificate and monetary awards. All of the medalists were allowed to choose which high school they wanted to attend.

The awards are bestowed in honor of Jesse Ketchum, a 19th century Canadian political figure who moved to Buffalo at age 63 and acquired extensive land holdings in downtown Buffalo, Black Rock and South Park. He is credited with donating land and buildings to establish Buffalo's first teacher training school, the Buffalo Normal School, which was a precursor to Buffalo State Teachers College and is now SUNY Buffalo State.

Buffalo Public School Superintendent Tonja M. Williams will deliver the keynote address at Tuesday's ceremony.
The 2022 Buffalo School Board election will begin to reveal effects of a long-awaited calendar adjustment.

But while six seats are up for election, only one district has a contested race.

State legislation passed in 2019 has gone into effect: Buffalo's School Board elections have moved from May to November to coincide with the general election. It's a change that was pushed for more than a decade by myriad local advocates, from Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes to parent advocate Sam Radford, as an attempt to increase voter turnout, which The News reported has previously been between 5% and 14% from 2005 to 2019.

The seats of all six district representatives, who serve on the board alongside three at-large members, are up for re-election this year. That could have prompted a sea change on a board tasked with representing the district, making policy decisions and overseeing the Buffalo schools superintendent.

But only one of those seats is being contested. On the ballot for West District residents, incumbent Jennifer Mecozzi seeks her third term but faces challenges from Le'Candice Durham and Mustafa Abdo. Only West District residents can vote in this race.

School Board members have expressed surprise at the lack of contested races. One obstacle facing challengers had been the number of signatures required to run, which was 500 for district seats and 1,000 for at-large seats. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation in August to reduce the number of signatures to 200 for district seats and 400 for at-large seats.

Louis Petrucci, the board's president since July 2021, said prospective challengers may have been dissuaded by the time commitment required for the position and the complex issues the district faces.

"Across the nation, we see school boards at the center of the culture wars in our country from vaccines to single-family zoning to what subject matters should be taught in the classroom, and that further discourages candidates from wanting to serve," Petrucci said Friday.

Petrucci will step down from representing the Park District, while Hope Jay has opted not to run for re-election in the North District. Terri Schuta is running unopposed to fill Petrucci's district role, while Cindi McEachon does not face a competitor on the North ballot. Sharon Belton-Cottman, Paulette Woods and Kathy Evans Brown are the incumbents running unopposed in the Ferry, Central and East districts, respectively.

Hochul signs bill making it easier to run for Buffalo School Board The legislation reduces the number of signatures required for nominating petitions. Instead of getting 500 signatures, candidates seeking district seats will have to turn in petitions with 200 signatures.

With larger races for governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and State Senate and Assembly also on New Yorkers' ballots in November, Erie County Board of Elections spokesperson Derek Murphy said he did not want voters to allow school board elections "to get lost in the landscape."

The general election date is Nov. 8, but early voting  from Oct. 29 through Nov. 6  applies to the School Board race as well, Murphy said. The School Board races are toward the bottom of the ballot and not left-aligned.

School Board terms are five years for at-large members and three years for district seats. Election winners will take their seats in January. Under the previous calendar, elected members would start July 1.
State Sens. Ed Rath and Sean Ryan have agreed to a debate set to take place six days before next month's general election.

St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in the Town of Tonawanda will host the pair on Nov. 2 in their annual political debate.

"This is a unique race, with two incumbents, and our students are working hard to prepare questions relevant to voters in the 61st district and the entire WNY community," St. Joe's President Christopher M. Fulco said in a statement Friday. "This debate is a long-standing tradition at St. Joe's, a wonderful learning experience for our students and a terrific opportunity for candidates to share their visions and platforms with their constituents."

The debate will take place at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 2 at the high school, 845 Kenmore Ave.

It is open to the media, not to the public, but it will be livestreamed on the school's Facebook page and YouTube channel. Students from St. Joe's Equity and Diversity Club and its AP government class will moderate the debate.

The veteran lawmakers were thrown together in the new 61st Senate district after district lines were redrawn earlier this year.

Rath, an Amherst Republican, represents the current version of the 61st, which now stretches from northeastern Erie County across Genesee County to a portion of Monroe County.

Ryan, a Buffalo Democrat, represents the 60th district, which covers part of Buffalo, the City and Town of Tonawanda, and the towns of Brant, Evans, Grand Island, Hamburg and Orchard Park.

Reapportionment, required once a decade, led to new district boundaries that thrust the lawmakers into the same race.

The reshaped 61st Senate district still includes the Town of Amherst, represented by Rath now, but also takes in a large swath of Ryan's 60th district: a chunk of Buffalo, the Tonawandas and Grand Island.

Redistricting created a 61st district with enrollment that is 47% Democratic and 25% Republican, state election records show. City & State New York rates it as a safe Democratic seat.

For example, residents of the newly drawn 61st district went for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election by 63% to 37%, according to data from the New York Times tabulated by The Graduate Center at CUNY and the Center for Urban Research for their Redistricting & You collaboration.

Rath had $173,173 in his campaign account as of Oct. 7, according to state campaign finance records, compared to $322,308 for Ryan at the same point.

The two candidates will take part in this year's version of an annual, student-led debate tradition at St. Joe's that goes back to 1984. Last year's debate featured Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Democratic nominee India Walton and write-in candidate Ben Carlisle.

This year, the high school had invited Gov. Kathy Hochul and GOP opponent Lee Zeldin to debate but the gubernatorial candidates did not accept.

Instead, the school will host a debate between two sitting state senators.

"Senator Ryan is excited to be out on the campaign trail meeting and speaking with voters and telling them why he fights for what's right for Western New York," Alex Elmasri, Ryan's campaign spokesman, said in an email. "He looks forward to speaking with students at St. Joe's and the voters of the 61st district about what is at stake in this election from gun safety to reproductive rights."

The Rath campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated how much money Rath had in his campaign account as of Oct. 7.
Should at-large seats be added to the Buffalo Common Council?

It's worth talking about, says Council President Darius G. Pridgen.

A recently adopted resolution instructs Council staff to research the process, benefits, concerns and timeline for adding at-large seats.

I just want to be clear this is not stating that this Council supports or does not support at-large (members), said Pridgen. There have been many people who have come to this Council and others who have called and asked us to at least look at if there is a benefit, if there is not a benefit to the residents of the city of Buffalo.

I think that this is timely to talk about," Pridgen added. "It is time for the Council to explore at-large members who then are not necessarily beholden to one district but to the city. It is really about how we move forward in the future and what is best for the people of Buffalo.

The Council had at-large members in the 1980s. For such seats to be brought back, a majority of voters would have to support the notion in a referendum.

Some 40 years ago, there were 15 Council members, including five at-large and one Council president. The at-large members and president were elected city-wide, said North Council Member Joseph Golombek Jr.

In 1983, two at-large seats were eliminated. Then in 2002, the Council eliminated the remaining at-large seats and the citywide elected Council president.

That brought the number of Council members down to the current nine, each representing a distinct district. The reasoning for the downsizing back then was similar to the reasoning now  population size.

The population of the city had shrunk so much that the argument was why do we need politicians if we have less people, Golombek said.

The newly adopted resolution referenced the 2020 Census in which the city recorded its first population growth in 70 years.

Community group going to court to stop Buffalo redistricting plan "We will not back down," Our City Action Buffalo said in a statement Tuesday.

Golombek said he supports discussing the idea of adding Council members because all the different pros and cons should be brought up.

But he said he has some discomfort with at-large positions based on past experience and the fact that at one point, 90% of the at-large members came from the Fillmore, Masten, South and Delaware districts.

I was here back when we downsized the Council from 13 to 9, he said. One of the concerns that Ive always had with the at-large members was because of where I come from. The North District never had an at-large representative, and in a perfect world you would have somebody that is an at-large person that looks out for the whole city of Buffalo. The unfortunate aspect is because of politics, we take care of our base.

My fear has always been, and I think that its been borne out on numerous occasions, that you ended up having at-large members who tried to look out city wide but ultimately ended up catering to their base so it ended up like you had duplicate Council members and whether it was from South or Fillmore or Masten or Delaware  you ended up having two votes, three votes that would go in that direction to help out that district, Golombek said.

The public is encouraged to share feedback on the process by visiting www.buffalony.gov/atlarge. The public comment period will be open for six weeks.
It was nearly a week after the May 14 mass shooting at Tops  about the same time Jefferson Avenue reopened  when Paula Connors and her husband visited the scene to pay their respects to the 10 people killed in the racist massacre.

There she met Gary Heard, a longtime Cold Spring resident who knew several of the victims and was searching for a way to lift up his neighborhood, bring residents together and honor those lost.

Heard told Connors he had a vision for a permanent mural on the wall adjacent to the store along Landon Street, but he wasn't sure how to make it happen.

And in that moment, two people who had never met  brought together by tragedy  decided to do what they could, together.

"God put us in the same place at the same time to make this happen," Heard said. "Without her, I would not have been able to do it as smooth as it went."

Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund to begin distributing payments this month Some eligible recipients have been notified already, but the fund's steering committee is still vetting others.

The mural was completed Friday  exactly five months after the shooting  and publicly unveiled at an event Saturday evening. About 100 people gathered, eating together and admiring the mural, which features the words "Cold Springs Strong" and "Long Live the Jefferson 10," with 10 doves, for each of the victims, flying high above the Buffalo skyline. The mural's theme is unity, with Heard believing it can provide hope to the neighborhood.

The mural continued to grab attention early Sunday afternoon, with cars slowing down to take a look and those walking stopping to snap a photo.

Buffalo resident Sharif Powell, who made his first trip to the Tops on Sunday since the shooting, said he was impressed with the mural, calling it a "good look for the neighborhood" with a positive message after such a tragic event.

"Hate should not live in this world," he said.

While Connors and Heard were the effort's key coordinators, the duo brought together many community members to get it done.

That included Connors getting permission from building owner William Paladino to paint the mural as well as donations from area businesses, such as paint donations from the Home Depot's Elmwood Avenue location and American Paint, and food donations from Paula's Donuts and Franco's Pizza. In addition, 84 Lumber donated lumber so benches could be built, though the lumber was stolen from the site and put those plans on hold.

Connors also credited the University District Community Development Association, which helped with the management of project funds.

Heard brought in several local artists for the mural, including Mariah Kegler for the conceptual drawing, Grady Lewis, Johnny Frederick and David Jones, aka "New York."

Scholarship awarded in honor of Tops mass shooting victim 'Kat' Massey Camrin Mosley, a graduate of the Buffalo School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, has been awarded the first annual scholarship in memory of Katherine Kat Massey, who was killed in the May 14 mass shooting at Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue.

"It's a very heartfelt mural that also had the input of the people of the community," Connors said.

But it all started with that first encounter between Connors and Heard back in May.

"We didnt even know each other and we made this happen, and it can make a major impact on the people," Heard said. "Two people  a black man, and a white woman. We came together."

"Let's work and build together," he added. "This is what I've been trying to do my whole life."

Connors noted that funds are still needed to beautify the site, including plans to install heavy-duty benches and cement flower pots for seasonal arrangements. For more information, email Connors at paula.peaceweaver@gmail.com. Checks can be made payable to UDCDA, with "Landon St. Mural Project" on the memo line, and mailed to UDCDA, 995 Kensington Ave., Buffalo, NY 14215.
October is International Health Literacy Month, and theres no better time to address the critical need for health literacy improvement in Erie County. Nearly 150,000 adults in Erie County struggle with low literacy. When someone struggles to read, they also struggle to understand written instructions from physicians, prescription information, public health and safety messages, and so much more. Literacy is an important survival skill and a large portion of our local population is living without it.

According to ProLiteracy.org, between $106 billion and $238 billion in health care costs each year are linked to low adult literacy skills. Limited health literacy leads to higher hospitalization rates and emergency medical service use. This places stress on our healthcare resources still reeling from a global pandemic.

Literacy Buffalo Niagara has joined forces with the Erie County Health Department to launch Health Literacy Week. From Oct. 17-21, well be shining a light on why health literacy is important, how people can find literacy help, and how organizations and individuals can help our neighbors in need. We want to see our community not just living but thriving, and we know literacy is an important piece of that puzzle.

We are so grateful to the Erie County Legislature, which has recently signed a resolution, led by Legislator Lisa Chimera, in support of our initiative. This is a great honor for our agency and an inspiring start to this initiative. We hope to educate the community and ignite interest and engagement in our vision to see all people in Erie County literate.

Literacy Buffalo Niagara is the only provider of one-on-one tutoring for adults in Erie and Niagara counties. Adults looking to read better or learn English are welcome to reach out to us.

Our mission is to develop literacy skills by providing free tutoring in Erie and Niagara counties through engagement and training of diverse community volunteers. If you would like to learn more about Literacy Buffalo Niagara, please visit our website at www.literacybuffalo.org or give us a call at 716-876-8991.

Tara Schafer is executive director of Literacy Buffalo Niagara.
High-Performance Computing

Oregon State U Announces $200M Research Complex with Supercomputer for AI, Materials Science, and Robotics

Artist rendering of the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex

Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis has announced the construction of a $200 million research and education complex that will feature a powerful supercomputer to support research in AI, materials science, and robotics. The complex will provide students and researchers with the technology tools to tackle challenges in climate science, oceanography, sustainability, and water resources, as well as support OSU's education in semiconductors and other tech industries in and beyond Oregon.

The 150,000-square-foot facility, named the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex, is supported by a $50 million gift from Jen-Hsun Huang, founder and CEO of computer company Nvidia, and his wife Lori, who are both OSU alumni. Nvidia will provide a supercomputer capable of "training the largest AI models and perform[ing] complex digital twin simulations,"the university said. It will incorporate NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD and OVX SuperPOD systems, and the water used for cooling will help heat buildings across the OSU campus. The center will also contain an advanced clean room, research laboratories, extended-reality theater, robotics and drone playground, and makerspace.

"The Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex will be an incredible contributor to our state and world by supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and partnerships with industry and other higher education institutions,"said Edward Feser, OSU provost and executive vice president.

In 2023, with support from the governor and state legislators, OSU plans to request $75 million in state-paid bonding to match philanthropic and university contributions for the complex, as well as seek other donations. Part of the funding will support "targeted faculty hires and the university's goals to increase diversity in STEM fields,"OSU said. The center is expected to open in 2025. For more information, read the full release.
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By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Armenian Armed forces shelled Ganja city with multiple missile attacks

The Armenian armed forces, grossly violating the humanitarian ceasefire, continued shelling Goranboy, Tartar, Aghdam, Aghjabadi, and Fuzuli districts of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by Sky News TV, Turkish Haber Global TV, France 24 TV channel

On September 27, 2020, in response to a large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline, the Azerbaijani army launched a counter-offensive operation, later dubbed Iron Fist.

The 44-day war put an end to the nearly 30-year-long occupation and secured the liberation of Azerbaijani lands and the restoration of the country's territorial integrity.

The Azerbaijani army declared a victory against the Armenian troops. A Moscow-brokered ceasefire deal from November 10, 2020, stipulated the return of Azerbaijan's Armenian-occupied Kalbajar, Aghdam, and Lachin Districts and obliged Armenia to withdraw its troops from the Azerbaijani lands that it had occupied since the early 1990s. Before the signing of the deal, the Azerbaijani army had liberated around 300 villages, settlements, city centers, and the historical Shusha city.

Heres how the third week of the war played out:

Chronicles of Victory: October 10

Sky News TV channel has broadcasted an interview with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, in which the president said that Armenia is suffering a bitter defeat on the battlefield and noted that hopefully after that, they will be more reasonable, and they will listen to the advice of the mediators. Aliyev noted that negotiations should leave to the political settlement, and to the liberation of the occupied territories.

Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reveals pictures of a ballistic missile, released from the territory of Armenia in the direction of Azerbaijans Mingachevir.

The Azerbaijani army has destroyed the S-300 system of Armenian armed forces in Gubadli District. Besides, the Azerbaijani army has destroyed the 19J6 (ST-68U) radar system of the Armenian armed forces in Khojaly District.

The sides declared a humanitarian ceasefire at 1200 on October 10, 2020.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed the Moscow meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers with the mediation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The Azerbaijani minister noted that an agreement was reached between the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides on a temporary ceasefire for humanitarian purposes and that the aggressor country was given the last chance to withdraw Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

On October 10, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by the Russian RBC TV channel.

Chronicles of Victory: October 11

At least nine civilians were killed and 33 more were injured in Armenia's overnight missile attack in Ganja, Azerbaijan's second-largest city, on October 11. Among the casualties are children.

Presidential aid Hikmat Hajiyev said that Armenia's terror policy at the state level continues.

Impunity of Armenia encourages it to further war crimes and military crimes. Misusing humanitarian truce Armenia indiscriminately fired densely populated residential part of Ganja. #Armenia must be stopped. #GanjaStrong, Hajiyev wrote on Twitter.

On October 11, 2020, around 0400 (gmt+4) the Armenian Armed Forces launched missile attacks on Mingachevir, a large industrial city lying 100 km away from the then frontline, targeting the Mingachevir Hydro Power Plant which is the largest hydroelectric power station in the South Caucasus.

Azerbaijani Prosecutor-General's Office noted that Armenia continues to shell residential areas as well as strategic facilities with heavy artillery, deliberately targeting the civilian population of Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that a lot of Armenian armed forces members were killed. The list also included 5 T-72 tanks, 6 D-20 and D-30 howitzers, 5 trucks with ammunition, 11 units of other vehicles, 3 MLRS BM-21 Grad, 5 self-propelled howitzers 2S1 Gvozdika, 8 air defense systems. Azerbaijan Air Defense Units also destroyed Armenias unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which attempted to carry out a flight in the Mingachevir direction.

Chronicles of Victory: October 12

President Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by the Turkish Haber Global TV channel.

The territory of Aghdam District came under fire by the Armenian Armed Forces. The commander and large manpower of the forces were killed.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry shared a video of the destruction of three Armenian UAVs and a video of the liberated village of Suleymanly, Jabrayil District.

Mobile support points for the Azerbaijani troops participating in the hostilities were created.

The death toll as a result of missile attacks on Ganja city by Armenia reached 10 people.

Chronicles of Victory: October 13

President Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to the Turkish Haber Turk TV channel.

The Armenian armed forces fired on the territories of Azerbaijans Goranboy, Tartar, Aghdam, and Aghjabadi Districts. Additionally, Armenia fired missiles at a secondary school in Duyarli village of Azerbaijans Tartar district. The school building collapsed as a result of the missile attack.

The Institute on Law and Human Rights of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) sent an appeal to the embassies of Azerbaijan in foreign countries, diplomatic missions of foreign countries in Azerbaijan, as well as scientific and pedagogical institutions and organizations that are partners of the institute in countries of the world, in connection with the Armenian missile attack on Ganja city.

A large number of Armenian manpower and equipment were destroyed.

The Armenian armed forces fired at the villages of Aghdam District using artillery and missiles.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has released a video of the liberated settlement of Hadrut.

Chronicles of Victory: October 14

President Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by France 24 TV channel.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev tweeted, stating that Azerbaijans glorious army has liberated Garadaghli, Khatunbulag, Garakollu villages of Fuzuli District, and Bulutan, Melikjanli, Kemertuk, Teke, and Tagaser villages of Khojavend District.

The Armenian armed forces destroyed a shopping center in Azerbaijans Tartar, Aghdam, and Agjabadi Districts.

The Azerbaijani army destroyed one more ballistic missile system of Armenia and neutralized legitimate military targets aimed at the civilian population.

An Azerbaijani civilian was killed as a result of the Armenian Armed Forces' missile firing.

The Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani journalists in Tartars Duyarli village on October 14. A car with the local AZTV channel's ?amera crew was shelled, and as a result, driver Namig Gambarov was wounded, and the car was damaged as well.

As many as 43 civilians have died as a result of the shelling of Azerbaijani settlements by the Armenian armed forces from September 27 till October 14.

Chronicles of Victory: October 15

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by the Turkish NTV channel. President Ilham Aliyev was also interviewed by Dmitry Kiselev, Director General of the Russia Today media group, for the Russian RIA Novosti news agency.

Azerbaijans Army liberated Arish village of Fuzuli District, Doshulu village of Jabrayil District, and Edisha, Dudukchi, Edilli, and Chiraguz of Khojavand District.

A motor rally in support of Azerbaijan has been held in Turkiye. The rally was organized by the Turkish IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation.

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.

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.

Chronicles of Victory: October 16

President Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by A Haber TV channel.

The Azerbaijani army has liberated Xirmanjig, Agbulag, and Akhullu villages of Xojavand District.

The artillery battery belonging to the Armenian armed forces was destroyed, and the deputy commander of the regiment was injured. A list of the equipment of the Armenian armed forces destroyed at night was disclosed.

The Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office reported that 47 civilians were killed and 222 injured as a result of the shelling of Azerbaijani settlements by the Armenian armed forces.

The Armenian armed forces, grossly violating the humanitarian ceasefire, continued shelling the territories of Goranboy, Tartar, Aghdam, Aghjabadi, and Fuzuli Districts of Azerbaijan. Armenia bombarded a cemetery in Ahmadaghalilar village, Aghdam District.

The Armenian armed forces launched a missile strike on Ordubad District of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.
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LA CROSSE  Derrick Van Orden was among the thousands of people who went to Washington for the Stop the Steal rally headlined by then-President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. Afterward, Van Orden was photographed on or near the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, where rioters violently breached the building in one of American democracys darkest days.

Now Van Orden, a Donald Trump-endorsed retired Navy SEAL who says he took no part in the riot and did not set foot on the Capitol grounds, appears poised to win the U.S. House seat held since 1997 by retiring Democratic Rep. Ron Kind. Voters in the southwestern Wisconsin district say they are more concerned about daily economic issues than what happened on Jan. 6.

He shouldnt have been there. Dont get me wrong, said Rosemary Hermanson, a 60-year-old political independent from Black River Falls. Im just worried about feeding myself and making sure Ive got gas to get to my cancer treatments.

Thats the challenge for Democratic state Sen. Brad Pfaff as he scrambles in the final weeks of the Nov. 8 election to sound the alarm and raise money, trying to make Van Ordens attendance on Jan. 6 a disqualifier for holding elective office. The stakes are high as Pfaff's party seek to stop the slide in this once-Democratic leaning part of the country.

I think its the No. 1 issue. Its the underlying issue of this race, Pfaff said in an interview. Jan. 6 opened up the window into his soul. And what we saw there, is we saw something that is unfortunately very dark.

Pfaff acknowledges he is trailing the Republican, who has a vast fundraising edge.

Van Ordens campaign declined to make him available for an interview with The Associated Press.

Just noise

Some voters in the 3rd Congressional District, a sprawling landscape of dairy farms, small manufacturing hubs and college towns, have sharply negative views of what happened Jan. 6. But that doesnt mean they blame Van Orden.

Hermanson said she had not seen Pfaffs ads on the issue. Nor had Beth Hammond, a 49-year-old Republican from nearby Taylor who said the economy, followed closely by gun rights, top her list of concerns.

Even if Id seen his ads, it wouldnt matter to me, she said. It wasnt a good thing. But its not whats at the heart of peoples lives now.

Even Susan Burlingame, a Democrat in Black River Falls who will be voting against Van Orden, said it wasnt because of the riot.

Im afraid hes going to cut Social Security, said Burlingame, 80. The other stuff is just noise.

Changing district

Their ambivalence about Pfaff's key strategy is noteworthy, considering all three are from Jackson County, the most closely divided among the 18 in the district. It's territory that Democrat Barack Obama won twice in his White House races, but has become more conservative as rural areas generally have done so. Trump carried the district in 2016 and 2020.

Perhaps mindful of the shift, Kind chose not to run for a 14th term after beating Van Orden by less than 3 percentage points two years ago.

The district runs from north of the university town of Menomonie in the northwest down through the Mississippi River bluffs and rolling hills of the picturesque Driftless Area and includes Chippewa Falls, home of Leinenkugel beer. From the Illinois border, it stretches 250 miles north past Prairie du Chien, Van Orden's home, known for its Cabela's outdoor gear distribution center and 19th century riverside historic sites.

Pfaff, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture appointee and past state secretary of agriculture, says Van Orden's presence at Trump's rally, on Jan. 6, held shortly before a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, suggests he would have a hard time building relationships in Congress.

"How is he going to do any of this when his character and judgment is the way it is? said Pfaff, 54, who's from La Crosse.

Van Orden, 53, has said he was in Washington for political meetings when he decided to attend the rally near the White House. He says he did not march to the Capitol and he condemned the violence.

A Facebook photo from that day appears to show Van Orden posing with a small handful of protesters on the Capitol grounds. Van Orden has said the suggestion he was within the restricted area is inaccurate.

Stretch run

Pfaff and his Democratic allies are trying to make a late push.

Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan, from the neighboring district that includes Democratic-dominated Madison, campaigned this month with Pfaff on the five smaller University of Wisconsin system campuses in the district. The hope was to scoop up supporters in the small Democratic-leaning cities from Platteville in the south to Menomonie in the north.

Pocan fretted that national Democrats have so far failed to commit to pouring late money into the race and would reconsider.

Van Orden had raised more than six times as much as Pfaff through early summer. Pfaff was expected to have raised a little more than $700,000 in the third quarter, still certain to leave him trailing Van Orden by millions in overall money raised. Outside conservative groups were expected to spend more than $1 million for Van Orden in the final weeks, while an independent group had committed to spending roughly $500,000 on an ad condemning him.

The House Democrats' super political action committee has reserved $1.68 million in advertising time for Pfaff, but could choose to shift that elsewhere.

GOP congressional strategists said the uncertainty over Pfaff's money was telling.

Associated Press writer Will Weissert contributed to this report.
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District Attorney Sean McCormack is convinced that a regional gun testing lab in Cumberland County could have made a difference in at least one Carlisle murder case.

We could have prevented that second girl from dying, he told Cumberland County commissioners Thursday. Whether Im 100% right or not, I dont know. But thats how I feel.

McCormack referenced the 2020 shooting deaths of Sydney Parmelee and Kaylee Lyons, both 23, of Carlisle. Davone Unique Anderson, 27, was convicted of both homicides in May.

McCormack spoke about that case while asking the commissioners for authorization to submit a grant application for $1,639,521 to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

The grant money would be used to establish a gun testing unit within the county forensic lab that would not only process firearms from within Cumberland County, but possibly also from Dauphin, York and other nearby counties. McCormick said the county could offset future personnel costs by opening the gun testing unit to adjoining counties and then charging those counties a fee for processing firearms tied to investigations.

Commissioners authorized seeking the grant, but made acceptance of the money conditional on the district attorneys office coming back with solid written commitments from nearby counties to pay for use of the lab as needed.

The board reserves the right to reject this grant if those items are not received, Commissioner Jean Foschi said.

We have no information on forward costs, Commissioner Chairman Gary Eichelberger said. We dont have any projections. This was referred to us as a plan. Its not a plan. Its a concept unless you have the numbers. We dont know what the market looks like.

While there are verbal assurances that counties such as Dauphin and York might use the unit, there are no written commitments, Eichelberger said. He asked what would happen if nearby counties apply for the same funding only to end up as competitors instead of regional partners.

We need to proceed cautiously, Eichelberger said. A key question is whether the gun testing unit is a nice-to-have as opposed to an actual need with a realistic demand, he said.

Though the grant was due on Thursday, a decision is not expected until mid- to late November in the lead up to a Commission on Crime and Delinquency meeting, said Eric Radnovich, director of the forensic investigation division of the county district attorneys office.

Anderson case

The jury agreed that the death penalty should be imposed in the case of Lyons, but was deadlocked in the case of Parmelee. By law, county Judge Edward Guido imposed a life sentence on Anderson for that murder conviction.

Carlisle police said Anderson shot Parmelee in the head in Lyons home on July 5, 2020.

When police arrived, they thought it was a suicide, McCormack said Thursday. The gun was lying next to her body. It appeared to be a suicide though there was some inkling that maybe her boyfriend was involved.

Unsure whether the death was a suicide, the examiner recommended that the firearm be tested to determine if Parmelee could have held the gun in her hand and pulled the trigger, McCormack said.

We were unable to use the state police lab because it would have been a significant amount of time before we would get something back so we wound up sending the handgun to New Jersey, he said.

Weeks went by before the district attorneys office received the results from a private testing firm, McCormack said. Meanwhile, Anderson shot Lyons in the head in her home on July 31, 2020.

McCormick said he thought of this after being notified of the grant opportunity made possible by lawmakers in Harrisburg allocating money for gun violence prevention and prosecution.

The grant would cover the costs of developing and equipping space within the county lab for the gun testing unit, Radnovich said.

The biggest challenge for Cumberland County would be paying the personnel costs of technicians manning the gun testing unit, McCormack said. Some initial costs are included in the application.

The unit could also have equipment on hand to match shell casings to records stored in a statewide database coordinated by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, he said.

Part of the issue with the grant proposal was that the state timeline for applications involved a quick turnaround  so quick that the county district attorneys office was forced to submit incomplete information for the commissioners to review.

Whats more, a decision on the application had to be made on Thursday.
WILDWOOD, N.J.  Authorities have announced more arrests in connection with chaos during a pop-up car rally in southern New Jersey last month where a Carlisle woman died.

Cape May County prosecutors and Wildwood police said one man was arrested on a riot charge and another in connection with an alleged assault on a police officer in the unsanctioned rally called H2Oi or H2O22 that occurred during the weekend of Sept. 24.

Police across multiple communities struggled to control the chaotic situation as Nj.com reported social media videos showing modified vehicles revving engines and speeding off to cheers from crowds. WCAU-TV reported people hanging out of cars as drivers spun in circles, and also showed burnouts, drifting and crashes.

Prosecutors earlier said Gerald White, 37, of Pittsburgh, was charged with two counts of death by auto, assault by auto and other counts. They allege his car hit another car, killing a passenger in the other vehicle, Timothy Ogden, 34, and then struck two pedestrians, killing Lindsay Weakland, 18, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Weakland, a 2022 Cumberland Valley High School graduate, is the daughter of Mark and Sharon Weakland of Carlisle.

Authorities also announced aggravated assault and assault by auto charges against Eryk Wnek, 31, of Linden, alleging that he collided with another vehicle and then struck a low-speed vehicle, critically injuring the driver and also injuring a woman and four juvenile passengers.

Participants say the event gives enthusiasts a chance to gather and check out cars, but officials in other areas such as Ocean City, Maryland, have reported problems stemming from the event in previous years.
NEWTOWN  Political signs in southeastern Pennsylvania have been found booby-trapped with razor blades, which resulted in sliced fingers for one resident, police said.

Upper Makefield Township police said Sunday that a campaign sign for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro was placed without permission on someones property, and while trying to remove it the resident found that razor blades had been placed around the perimeter of the sign.

Obviously, this was designed to inflict punishment on anyone who attempted to remove the sign, police said in a social media post.

Police said they inspected all campaign signs and found razor blades placed around the perimeter of signs for two other Democratic candidates, John Fetterman and Ashley Ehasz. Fetterman is running for U.S. Senate and Ehasz for U.S. House.

Police said their investigation continues and warned residents to exercise caution in removing signs placed on their property without permission, and to call them if any implements have been installed on the signs.

Over the past election cycles, we have dealt with theft of signs, vandalism of signs, neighbor disputes, etc., but this is the first time we have dealt with this situation, police in the Bucks County community said, calling it totally unacceptable and a disgusting act.

No matter your political affiliation, no matter your candidate preference, resorting to this type of depravity is unacceptable and criminal. We can do better and must, police said.
Former President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized American Jews for what he argued was their insufficient praise of his policies toward Israel, warning that they need to get their act together before it is too late!

The suggestion, made on Trumps social media platform Truth Social, plays into the antisemitic trope that US Jews have dual loyalties to the US and to Israel, and it drew immediate condemnation.

No President has done more for Israel than I have, Trump wrote before saying it was somewhat surprising that our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S.

The head of the American Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt accused Trump of Jewsplaining.

We dont need the former president, who curries favor with extremists and antisemites, to lecture us about the US-Israel relationship. It is not about a quid pro quo; it rests on shared values and security interests. This Jewsplaining is insulting and disgusting, he wrote.

The Jewish Democratic Council of America similarly lambasted Trumps remarks. His threat to Jewish Americans and his continued use of the antisemitic dual loyalty trope fuels hatred against Jews, the group tweeted. We will not be threatened by Donald Trump and Jewish Americans will reject GOP bigotry this November.

Trumps comments echo an argument he has made before. In an interview last December, the former President argued that Jewish Americans either dont like Israel or dont care about Israel, and also repeated his claim that evangelicals love Israel more than the Jews in this country.

A Pew Research survey released in 2021 found that 45% of Jewish adults in the US viewed caring about Israel as essential to what being Jewish means, with an additional 37% saying it was important, but not essential. Only 16% said caring about Israel was not important.

During his first campaign for president, Trump delivered a speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition that was rife with antisemitic stereotypes.

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Separate child pornography investigations by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) have led to multiple felony charges for two area men in St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve counties.

Timothy Ray White, 60, of Festus, has been charged with five counts of possession of child pornography and one count of first-degree promoting child pornography.

According to a probable cause statement from the MSHP, an investigator with the DDCC was provided information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating that on Sept. 6, Google became aware of a video containing child pornography that was stored in the Google Photo account of a Gmail address.

The report states the account was registered to White, and the video depicted illicit content involving a female child approximately 12 years old. Google reported that the video was uploaded to White's Google Photos account on Aug. 23, 2021, according to the report.

After investigators received the initial information, Google reportedly responded to a legal process for the contents of the suspect account, and hundreds of files of child pornography and personal identifying documents for White were allegedly found within the account. Another subpoena was sent to T-Mobile for subscriber information tied to the phone number listed on the Google account. The cell phone carrier responded to the request, reportedly providing White's address, date of birth, and the date he activated the cell service in 2018.

The report states investigators checked the Missouri Department of Revenue records for White, confirming his address in Ste. Genevieve County.

On Oct. 6, a search warrant was served at White's home. The man was reportedly standing outside the house as one of the investigators pulled into the driveway. The investigator introduced himself, and White allegedly responded, "I know why you are here." White was then informed that authorities were there for a child pornography investigation, and he replied, "Yea, there's tons," according to police.

The report states White provided his cell phone to the investigators and said there were numerous files of child pornography on it. After being informed of his Miranda rights, White reportedly told police there were two other cell phones and multiple storage drives in his bedroom that contained child pornography.

A search of the White's cell phone allegedly revealed hundreds of videos of children engaged in sex acts and videos of children being raped. The report states the man admitted to owning the Google account reported to the MSHP and said he had been addicted to child pornography since he went through puberty.

After the search of his house, White was placed under arrest and taken to the Ste. Genevieve Detention Center, where he remains in custody without bond. The man was searched during the arrest, and an officer reportedly found a bag of marijuana and a container of a white powdery substance in his pocket.

White was arraigned on the charges in court last week and has pleaded not guilty. A bond reduction hearing in the case is scheduled for Tuesday.

Another area man has been indicted on multiple charges of promoting child pornography in St. Francois County.

Bruce A. Wiseman, 44, of Farmington, was indicted by a grand jury late last month on six counts of first-degree promoting child pornography.

Court records show that a warrant was issued, and Wiseman was taken into custody at the St. Francois County Detention Center on Oct. 9. The man's bond was set at $200,000 with no 10% cash bond accepted for release.

The charging documents allege that late last year, between Dec. 6-25, Wiseman possessed, with the intent to transfer, six obscene videos depicting children younger than 14 years old engaged in sexual activity.

A motion for a change of judge in the case against Wiseman was granted on Friday, and an initial hearing was rescheduled for this Friday.
Farmington High School's Career Steering Committee met Sept. 20 for an update on the various programs the high school is implementing to put graduating students on the right track for their upcoming careers.

Brian Reeves heads up the committee and introduced Josh Johnson as the new rootEd advisor for the school.

We are excited to have this program because its going to allow a lot more one-on-one meaningful conversations with students, Reeves said. Mr. Johnson comes from an administrative position in the Central School District.

Johnson explained that rootEd is a program designed to help expose rural students to what their options are after high school and to help them plan a smooth transition from high school into a career.

I meet with students one-on-one, all day, every day, he said. There are 307 seniors, so I started with the As and worked my way down.

Each student  before this year is over, before they graduate  they are going to have a post-secondary plan, he said. Part of that is a financial plan, too. If they havent already done it, it starts off with some career or college research. Narrowing down what it is you want to do and then, if there is some education to that, making sure that is planned for as well.

The hope for this is that students are going to be involved in  if not college  at least some sort of post-secondary training. Those jobs tend to pay a bit more. Not all students are going to need a four-year degree for what they are going to do, but a lot are going to need a two-year or even a one-year training, depending on the program they are going into.

Johnson said the student's next step involves applying to a college or trade school and then applying for federal student aid and Pell Grants.

Then, whatever university they choose, seeing if there are merit scholarships or academic awards, they can get through there, he said. Then, looking at independent scholarships like local scholarships here or national scholarships offered by philanthropic groups.

Johnson can also help students get student loans and work-study programs.

We dont want finances to be in the way of a student getting an education and being able to do the job they want, he said.

Making a decision on where to attend school based on the cost of various colleges is another part of Johnsons counseling.

Some colleges cost a lot more than others, he said. Ive had a lot of students want to jump into a four-year university right out of high school, and I talk to them a little bit about what this school costs.

"For one year, $20,000 for tuition, another $10,000 for room and board  which is a thing they kind of forget about. It doesnt take long to think about going to another university. Maybe they need to take advantage of the A+ program and get two years basically free while eating mom and dads food.

"People may want to go to a big school but dont have the academics to get in. Lets make a backup plan so that if you cant get into Washington University, there are other schools that offer this program.

Johnson follows up his meetings with students because there is simply too much information shared in one 30-minute meeting for them to take it all in.

I send them an email with links to FAFSA, ACT and links to some college and career research information, he said.

Johnson noted that rootEd Alliance found about a third of high school students are from rural areas, with only about a third of those students attending any kind of post-secondary school.

But, 80% of the jobs that pay a middle-class salary or better require a post-secondary school, he said. Students in the rural areas  Farmington is a little different  dont have the exposure to different industries that may exist in bigger cities where those students can take jobs tours.

"We have a student here that wants to be a chemical engineer. Ive been talking to Jost Chemical in St. Louis to let that girl come up and job shadow for a day or two.

Launched in 2018, rootEd started out with eight schools. In Missouri, it is a philanthropic partnership between rootEd Alliance and Ozark Technical College in Springfield. According to Johnson, only 8% of educational funding is spent on rural students.

They had some success and expanded it to about 56 schools over the next few years, he said. They found that rootEd Schools had increased post-secondary educational enrollment by 7% while the rest of the country had gone down by 9%. Those students are staying at a rate 2% higher than the rest of the country. Theyve found this success and partnered with the Department of Education, and theres a massive funding infusion.

Now Farmington has one, North County, Fredericktown, Bismarck, Arcadia Valley  all of these schools have installed rootEd advisors. We have a kind of middle-management section of rootEd directors. Michelle Dane works out of Mineral Area College. She helps provide resources and opportunities. She meets with me once a month to make sure everything is going well. RootEd offers multiple $12,000 scholarships themselves. Im hoping that this is kind of the beginning, that for all rural schools, a rootEd advisor will be a known thing, just like a high school guidance counselor.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has dismissed Armenias alleged ceasefire breach allegations, Azernews reports, citing the ministry.

The information spread by Armenia on October 16 about the alleged firing of positions of its armed forces by the Azerbaijani army units does not reflect the truth and is completely false, the ministry underlined.

"We categorically refute the distributed information," the ministry stressed.

Armenia periodically shells Azerbaijani military positions on liberated territories. Since early September, Azerbaijani positions have multiple times come under Armenian fire.

The major border clashes since the 44-day war (2020) erupted between the sides on the night of September 12 leading to 13, when units of the Armenian armed forces carried out large-scale provocations along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border in Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin directions.

Following the October 6 meeting in Prague between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders under the auspices of EU Council President Charles Michel and French President Emmanuel Macron, all parties reaffirmed their commitment to the peace negotiations while recognizing each other's territorial integrity.

President Ilham Aliyev praised the EU's efforts in the peace talks during an interview with Azerbaijani TV channels, emphasizing that Azerbaijan and Armenia are gradually reaching peace.

Aliyev added that the peace talks are still ongoing and should not be disrupted.
The Alzheimers Association Walk to end Alzheimers held their annual event in Farmington Saturday morning at First State Community Bank.

Beginning at 9 a.m., several sponsors and those who suffered from Alzheimers and who are caretakers of Alzheimers patients were recognized. At 9:30, the crowd started the walk west on Liberty, turned south on Jefferson, turned east on Columbia and returned to First State Community Bank.

Peggy Killian, vice president of communications of Alzheimers Association of Greater St. Louis spoke about the caretakers of Alzheimer sufferers and the neglect they often face.

They wont do their own doctors appointments, they backburner all their health issues because they are focused on the person with the disease and month after month and year after year that takes a toll, she said. Thats why they refer to it as a family disease because its the individual thats living with it, but then it is the caregivers, primary and secondary that are suffering as well.

"Weve seen too many individuals that, as primary caregiver, ignore their own health and then they are the one that passes first and then its the person with the disease that are on their own and the disease is on full display and others had no idea.

Killian says that individuals can be very adept at hiding Alzheimers as they start suffering from it.

We are doing a lot of education programs, and one of them is knowing the signs, she said. One of the true indicators is that theres an interruption in their daily life, a behavior change that is not normal. An individual used to balance their checkbook down to the penny and all of a sudden their checkbook is missing check entries. We see caregivers cover for someone  and not in a malicious way  but can shore them up and other people may not notice it.

Walk Manager Matt Bergman got involved with the organization in 2017.

When I was 15, my grandmother had the disease and I saw the effect it had on my aunts and uncles and especially my dad, her not knowing his name. I told myself back then, if I could do anything to help fight this disease, I will, he said.

Jennifer Childers saw multiple generations in her family suffer from Alzheimers disease.

The first experience was my grandfather had it. I didnt understand it, she said. Then my mother was diagnosed when she was 60 and lived with it for 17 years. My dad had it for five years. I moved back home with my parents to take care of mom and we finally had to put her in Presbyterian Manor, they were awesome.

Its a horrible disease, its very trying on your patience when you are a caregiver. We had to eventually put my mom in a nursing home and my dad also. It steals your relationships. They are still there; its hard to describe, my mom, she was there, but she really wasnt there. It took a lot of my time, which I didnt mind, but its a 24-hour thing. You just miss them so much even though they are still there, its awful. I dont really have words to describe how painful it is when they forget who you are. Its like you lose them once and then you have to deal with their death, you lose them again.

The Alzheimers Association has a 24/7 helpline at 1-800-272-3900 that is staffed by counselors to help those caregivers that need answers and resources for dealing with those affected by Alzheimers Disease. Resources are also available at www.alz.org.
Charges in a Madison County murder case are moving forward.

Last week, Larry Allen Young, Jr. 25, of Orange appeared in Madison County General District Court for a preliminary hearing. Young was arrested March 5 following an incident that occurred in the Graves Mill area of Madison County Feb. 28. The Madison County Sheriffs Office responded to the area for a deceased male located within a residence. Days later, the office announced the arrest of Young. He faces first degree murder; breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny with a deadly weapon; use of a firearm in the commission of a felony; malicious discharge in an occupied dwelling; possession of a firearm in violation of a protective order; and grand larceny of a firearm.

According to evidence presented by Madison County Commonwealths Attorney Clarissa Berry, victim Darren Hayward was discovered deceased at the bottom of the stairs in the familys Rivendell Lane home by his father, John McDaniel and sister. A gun cabinet had been broken into and a .270 rifle was missing. Investigator Woodward testified that several firearms were obtained from Young after he was arrested by the University of Virginia Police. They responded to a possible armed robbery in the Central Grounds Parking Garage on Emmet Street the same day the incident in Madison County occurred. Young had already fled, but was located in the construction area behind Alderman Library. Police negotiated with him for an undisclosed amount of time before making the arrest.

Following the incident in Charlottesville, Woodward said several items were obtained from Young including two handguns, a shotgun and a .270 rifle. Woodward said Young told officers he had went to the home on Rivendell to steal a gun. Body camera footage from the university police featured polices encounter with Young after his arrest. Young said he knew where the key to the Rivendell home was hidden and had previously been friends with Haywards brother. Young said he then went to UVa with the intention of harming himself. An autopsy report revealed that Hayward died from a bullet wound to the head. That bullet, Woodward said, matched the .9mm Ruger handgun obtained from Young. Virginia State Police Special Agent Michael Covert testified that blood on Youngs clothes matched that of Hayward.

Berry moved to certify the charges to the grand jury.

Defense attorney Ryan Rakness objected to two of the charges. He said there was no evidence to show that Hayward had been shot in the home and thus the malicious discharge in an occupied dwelling charge should not move forward. He also said there was no identification of the .270 to determine the one missing from the home and the one recovered from Young were the same weapon. Rakness said the grand larceny of a firearm charge should also not move forward.

Berry disagreed stating the preliminary hearing only required probable cause and a reasonable inference could be made that the missing .270 and the recovered .270 were one and the same. She said Young had stated he had stolen three other guns from a home in Orange County prior to stealing the one in Madison. As for the discharging a firearm, she said the victim was killed by a single gunshot wound and discovered in the home. She said theres no other sense of how that would have happened.

Madison County General District Court Judge Theresa Carter agreed, certifying all of the charges to the grand jury, including a misdemeanor charge of purchasing a gun with a protective order in place. The Madison County Grand Jury will next meet Nov. 7.

Young also faces one count of abduction by force or intimidation in Albemarle County. He is set to appear in court on Dec. 8 for that charge. He also faces several charges in Orange County including eight counts of a parent violating a child under 15; seven counts of intercourse with a child under 13; eight counts of aggravated sexual battery of a victim under 13; one count each of child abuse, cruelty/injury of a child, sodomy of a victim under 13 and object sexual penetration of a child under 13; entering a house to commit assault and battery; grand larceny; petit larceny and strangulation. He is scheduled to appear in Orange County Circuit Court Nov. 28.
It has been clear for some time in the United States that, as a bloc, women have the voting power to control elections. The 2022 midterms offer an opportunity for women to shape their individual destinies. Proof lies in a poll of Virginia registered voters released last week by the Wason Center at Christopher Newport University.

It showed how the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to claw back national abortion rights from individual American women and place that choice in the hands of male-dominated state legislatures has turned two of the countrys most critical congressional races into cliffhangers. Contests for Virginias 2nd and 7th Congressional District are critical in deciding who will control the House of Representatives. Democrats Elaine Luria in the 2nd and Abigail Spanberger in the 7th favor letting women choose personally and privately. Their Republican opponents, Jen Kiggans in the 2nd and Yesli Vega in the 7th, do not.

This makes the two races critical in determining the future of reproductive rights for American women. The ability to determine personal health care hangs in the balance Nov. 8.

The CNU poll left little doubt that a substantial majority  58% to 36%of Virginians who responded disagreed with the Supreme Courts overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. That decision and one other established a womans right to privacy and personal choice in determining how to handle pregnancy.

The CNU poll also showed that by a margin of 67% to 27% respondents believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases.

If they value the right to choose, women and the men who support them will need to make this a deciding issue, even though they list the economy as their top concern.

Remember the Great Recession that began in December 2007. It ended in June 2009. We must alter our economic path now as we did in 2008. The current situation is complicated by external elements such as the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But this economic downturn will end.

By comparison, women may never get back the personal freedom they lost to a Supreme Court packed with lifetime Justices whose judicial philosophy reflects the states rights mentality that led to legal racial segregation in some states for half the 20th century.

For women or men, health care decisions should not be determined by those who know nothing about us, those who owe allegiance to political parties whether conservative or liberal. Any woman who wants to be pregnant should absolutely have a baby and be guaranteed good prenatal care.

On the other hand, since the Dobbs decision overturned Roe in June, several states have virtually outlawed abortion, criminalizing it in some cases, and making women who dont want to be pregnant have babies. Statistics show that many of those same states offer the least public support for children.

Virginia still retains abortion rights. Those rights will be attacked if the U.S. House and Senate flip to Republican control. For now, President Joe Biden, a Democrat, can probably fend off that attack with his veto power. But unless women make a powerful political statement in support of reproductive freedom at this moment, they will eventually lose the right to choose.

The Christopher Newport poll showed 51% of respondents would support a law that banned abortions after 15 weeks with exceptions for rape, incest and the mothers health. That is inside of the polls 4.5% margin of error. Sen. Lindsay Graham has offered roughly the same legislation as a base line in the U.S. Senate while allowing states to be more restrictive. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has said he would sign a 15-week ban if the General Assembly passed one. But Youngkin also says he believes in life at conception which likely means he would sign such a bill from the legislature, effectively outlawing abortion entirely.

What women will decide at the ballot box next month is how much they value personal reproductive freedom in comparison to everything else in their lives. That is fundamental because this election is not about forced abortions; it is about forced pregnancies.
Phony phone calls are not a new scam. But there are many iterations of this common fraud.

One that those around the mid-Willamette Valley may have experienced involves scammers impersonating local police.

It can be quite alarming when someone claiming to be the local authorities gives you call. You may be inclined to do whatever they say, regardless of whether you have done something illegal or not.

Lies in Lebanon

Local agencies have received reports of these kinds of scams, with the Lebanon Police Department being the latest agency to bring attention to the issue.

In an October Facebook post, Lebanon PD alerted community members to a scam going around the community where someone calls pretending to be Chief Frank Stevenson. The caller reportedly asks community members for their social security numbers and credit card information.

If you live in the area and receive a call from Chief Stevenson, think again.

The impersonator may even spoof the phone number, meaning the phone number that appears on your phone could appear to match the Lebanon police phone number.

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In cases like these, it can be hard to believe its a scam. Keep in mind what the caller is asking for and consider what a police agency would or would not ask of you.

Law enforcement agencies would never ask you for your social security number out of the blue. Instead of giving in, hang up and contact the police agency directly.

Bogus claims in Benton County

This summer, the Benton County Sheriffs Office also made community members aware of a fraudulent deputy.

According to an agency Facebook post, residents reported someone claiming to be a Benton County Sheriff's deputy told them they had a warrant out for their arrest for missing jury duty.

The caller demanded payment in the form of gift cards and wanted to stay on the line as the resident bought the gift cards. The scammer claimed that the community member would be surrendering themselves to be arrested if they went to the courthouse to submit payment.

The fraudster even had a fake voicemail greeting claiming to be the deputy.

Personnel from the sheriffs office would never call and ask for any payment via phone or request personal information. These types of actions will be done in person or through a formal letter.

If youre being accused of a crime youre pretty sure you didnt commit, chances are, youre talking to schemer.

Crooks in Corvallis

The Corvallis Police Department has also been a pawn in a scammers scheme. In September, the agency reported that residents were receiving calls from someone claiming to be a Corvallis PD sergeant.

Like the BCSO fraudster, the fake cop was telling community members they had a warrant out for their arrest. The caller requested ITunes and pre-paid credit cards as a form of payment. They used the threat of jail to intimidate the residents.

If youre in doubt, call back the agencys direct number. Dont let the word police keep you from being skeptical from time to time.

If you receive a call from a law enforcement agency this fall, pause. Check the number and think about the requests being made. Take a deep breath, and proceed with caution, and youll be able to see right through a phony phone call.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has urged the international community to condemn Armenias acts of vandalism against Azerbaijani cultural heritage, Azernews reports, citing the ministry.

On October 17, the ministry issued a statement in response to recent social media footage of extremist Armenians' destroying Azerbaijani cemeteries.

Video showing radical Armenians destroying graves belonging to Azerbaijanis is spread in social media. Filmed at a cemetery near Khankandi, the footage is yet another proof of vandalism & destruction of Azerbaijans heritage. Perpetrators of these hate crimes must be held accountable! the ministry tweeted.

These video clips, in which acts of vandalism are performed against Azerbaijani graves with derogatory attitudes and gravestones are smashed by trucks, are yet another glaring indication of Armenia's long-standing strategy of destroying Azerbaijani heritage, the ministry stressed.

Armenia has inflicted unparalleled damage on Karabakh and neighboring territories, which it had controlled for over 30 years, in addition to deliberately destroying the historical, cultural, and religious legacy of Azerbaijanis, who had historically lived in its territory.

It also destroyed historical and religious monuments and vandalized graves in an attempt to completely eliminate Azerbaijani traces from these areas.

Proofs of Armenia's criminal activities, including instances of urbicide, ecocide, and culturicide, were gathered and presented to international organizations, the ministry stressed.

Armenians, who had illegally settled in Azerbaijani territories, inflicted severe damage on the infrastructure, monuments, and environment while leaving these areas following the 44-day war in 2020.

So far, no efforts have been made by Armenia's competent institutions to prevent hate crimes and punish perpetrators. This is due to Armenia's state-backed policy of eliminating Azerbaijani legacy, the ministry underlined.

It is profoundly sad that a UNESCO mission's visit to the region was prevented during Armenia's 30-year occupation period, and the fact-finding mission has yet to take place owing to Armenia's destructive stance, despite Azerbaijan's invitation to the mission after liberating its lands, it recalled.

The circulating video clips plainly demonstrate why Armenia is opposed to the international mission's arrival in the region. These acts of vandalism committed by extremist Armenians constitute a setback to the fragile post-conflict normalization process between the two countries, the statement stressed.

Azerbaijan has collected and documented the vandalism acts depicted in videos and images and carried out appropriate procedures to hold Armenia accountable for the massive destruction it inflicted in the liberated territories.

The international community must not remain silent in the face of Armenia's atrocities not just against Azerbaijans cultural legacy, but also against the heritage of humanity.
Reliance Jio signed up Nordic vendors Ericsson and Nokia to build its standalone 5G network in the wake of India completing its long-awaited 5G auction.

In a statement, Nokia detailed it was selected as a major supplier of 5G RAN equipment by Jio, and the Finnish vendor will supply its AirScale range in a multi-year deal. Under the contract, Nokia will sell equipment such as base stations, high-capacity 5G massive MIMO antennas and remote radio heads to support the multiple spectrum bands at Jios disposal.

Jios standalone 5G network will interwork with its4G network and enable the company to deliver 5G services such as massive machine-to-machine communications, network slicing, and ultra-low latency.

Nokia president and CEO Pekka Lundmark said: This is a significant win for Nokia in an important market and a new customer with one of the largest RAN footprints in the world. This ambitious project will introduce millions of people across India to premium 5G services, enabled by our industry-leading AirScale portfolio. We are proud that Reliance Jio has placed its trust in our technology and we look forward to a long and productive partnership with them.

Ericsson said this would be the Swedish vendors first partnership with Jio for RAN deployment in India. Ericsson will supply equipment from its Ericsson Radio System portfolio and E-band microwave mobile transport solutions for Jios network, in a separate statement,

Ericsson president and CEO Borje Ekholm said: India is building world-class digital infrastructure that will drive innovation, job creation and entrepreneurship across the country. We are happy to partner with Jio in those ambitions, through Ericsson 5G Standalone connectivity, which will be a major catalyst in meeting those digital transformation goals across society, enterprise and industry.

India completed its 5G auction in August selling 71% of available airwaves and raising over US$19 billion. Jio is targeting to switch on its 5G network on October 22, in time for the festival of Diwali when it also plans to launch its own 5G smartphone in collaboration with Google.

Analysts speaking to Developing Telecoms believe India's 5G market is primed and ready for commercial 5G network launches, as devices are becoming more widespread.
OZARKAn opportunity to make a difference one project at a time, no matter how large or small, is the purpose of the designated Make a Difference Day Saturday in Ozark.

The 26th Annual Make a Difference Day kicks off with a community gathering at Ozark Baptist Church at 8 a.m. Saturday and ends with lunch at First Ozark United Methodist Church at noon. In the hours in between, civic and church groups and individuals work on projects at sites around town they select.

The purpose of the day is simply to demonstrate that Christian giving and brotherhood extend beyond church walls, said Chuck Auman, who started the project in Ozark 26 years ago. Its to show that concerned Christians can make a difference.

A project can be an individual helping an elderly neighbor with yard work or a group tackling a landscaping project at a building. If an individual or group does not have a project in mind, they are invited to call First Ozark UMC at (334) 774-2569 or Susan Judah at (334) 714-8743 ideas or to connect with groups that have already posted their projects.

The retired civil servant shakes his head and smiles as he realizes that the service day project is now more than a quarter century old. It was really just a suggestion to my Sunday School class that we initiate such a project here after I read an article about Make a Difference Day in the newspaper that was sponsoring it nationwide, he said. Because it was my suggestion, I was appointed chairman.

Twenty-two members of the Ozark First UMC John Wesley Sunday school Class participated in that first service project on Oct. 26, 1996, which was landscaping the Ozark Dale County Public Library. They cleaned the yard, planted flowers, filled holes, trimmed bushes, removed old stumps and edged 400 feet of sidewalk and driveway. They filled four truckloads of trash. We were proud of the trash piles as that was one measure of progress, Auman said. Inside the library, the class indexed and filed 44,000 library cards.

The John Wesley Sunday School Class project received national recognition in a newspaper magazine and as a result, a $2,000 donation from actor Paul Newman and his food company, Newmans Own. In a May 29, 1997, proclamation to the First United Methodist Church of Ozark, signed by then Gov. Fob James Jr., the John Wesley Sunday School Class was commended for making a difference within their own community.

That got the communitys attention and the project expanded beyond our church, which we were very happy about, Auman said.

Auman and his wife, the late Pat Parker Auman, continued to work each year on the annual service project. I didnt do anything without her, he said. Well, except for play Duplicate Bridge. Thats a fierce, ugly game so I dropped out of that.

Its been fascinating to see all the churches, families, and individuals who have gotten involved in Make a Difference Day over the years, said First Ozark UMC Associate Pastor Melanie Sebastian Foust, chairman of this years event, as she reviewed decades of notes, agendas, and news clippings that Auman has collected. We invite everyone to come join us Saturday at 8 a.m. to get a project assignment if they dont already have one.

In the manila folder containing notes from that inaugural Make a Difference Day, Auman had written We know now, that members of our class, collectively or individually will continue our efforts to make a difference in our community.

Perhaps in the future, we can involve the entire church and someday the entire community, Auman wrote in his 1997 notes. Its with a certain amount of pride that we can say that we did exactly that, he said.
Industrial robot sales hit new high in 2021  but UK sales fall

The number of industrial robots installed around the world hit last year an all-time high of 517,385, representing a 31% year-on-year expansion. The number was 22% higher than the pre-pandemic record of 422,000 reached in 2018, and took the total number of operational robots around the globe to a new record of around 3.5 million.

Most major industrial countries expanded their sales of industrial robots during 2021. One exception was the UK, where the number of new industrial robot installations fell 7% to 2,054. The UK now has around 24,445 industrial robots in operation  a 6% rise during 2021, but the UK still has less than 10% of the number of robots in use in Germany. One reason for the poor UK performance was that automotive industry cut its number of new industrial robot installations by 42% to 507 during 2021.

The figures come from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) whose latest World Robotics report shows that Asia is by far the worlds largest regional market for industrial robots, with 74% of all new robots being installed in the region  up from 70% in 2020. And China remains the regions biggest adopter with the 268,195 robots shipped, representing a 51% increase on the previous year. This means that half of all new robot installations worldwide during 2021 were in China, which now has more than a million installations  a 27% increase on the 2020 figure.

The use of robotics and automation is growing at a breathtaking speed, comments IFR president, Marina Bill. Within six years, annual robot installations have more than doubled. According to our latest statistics, installations grew strongly in 2021 in all major customer industries, although supply chain disruptions, as well as different local or regional headwinds, hampered production.

The number of industrial robots bought by the electrical/electronics sector is pulling ahead of the automotive market, which was the biggest buyer globally until 2019. In 2021, electrical users bought 137,000 new robots (a 24% increase on 2020), while the automotive sector bought 119,000  a 42% increase, but not enough to catch up with the new leader.

Although the use of collaborative robots (cobots) is rising, and new models are offering higher payloads and longer reaches, they still represent a tiny part of the industrial robot market. In 2021, just 39,000 cobots were sold worldwide, compared to 478,000 traditional robots, but this does represent a 50% rise on the 2020 figure of 26,000.

Japan remains the second-largest market for industrial robots, with installations up 22% in 2021 at 47,182 machines. Japans operational stock hit 393,326 in 2021  5% more than in 2020. Japan also remains the world leading robot manufacturer, with exports hitting a new peak of 186,102 robots in 2021.

In the US, new industrial robot installations rose by 14% in 2021 to 34,987 systems, exceeding the 2019 level of 33,378, but considerably lower than the pre-pandemic peak of 40,373 in 2018. The automotive industry is still, by far, the number one adopter, having installed 9,782 new robots during 2021. However, demand from this sector had been declining continuously for five years, and the number of automotive installations was 7% lower than in 2020.

By contrast, new installations in the US metal and machinery industry surged by 66% to 3,814 during 2021, putting it in second place in terms of applications. The US plastic and chemicals industry bought 3,466 robots in 2021  a 30% increase  while the food and beverage industry installed 25% more new robots to hit a new peak of 3,402.

Chinas dominance of the global market for industrial robots is growing Source: IFR World Robotics 2022

In Europe, the number of new industrial robots rose by 24% to 84,302 during 2021, again hitting a new peak. Demand from the automotive industry remained steady, while demand from general industry was up by 51%. Germany accounted for 28% of all new robots in Europe, followed by Italy on 17% and France on 7%.

Germany added 23,777 new industrial robots (a 6% increase) during 2021. This is the second-highest installation count ever recorded, and took the countrys operational stock to 245,908  a 7% rise. Exports of industrial robots from Germany rose by 41% to 22,870, exceeding the pre-pandemic level.

Italy is Europes second-largest robot market and achieved an operational stock of 89,330 robots in 2021  a 14% rise. A reduction of tax credits led to a 65% increase of robot installations, which hit a new record of 14,083.

France, Europes third-largest robot market added 5,945 machines last year  an 11% rise. It now has 49,312 operational robots  10% more than in 2020.

The International Federation of Robotics reports that order books for industrial robots are full and that demand for industrial robots has never been higher, despite the challenges of rising energy prices and component shortages.

The IFR predicts that the number of industrial robots installed globally during 2022 will rise by 10%, to reach almost 570,000. But it expects the post-pandemic boom to fade. From 2022 to 2025, it is forecasting average annual growth rates in the mid to upper single-digit range.

IFR: Twitter LinkedIn
Australian Senator Tim Ayres, Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing (L) meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Oct. 17, 2022. Photo courtesy of Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested Monday that Australia opens its doors wider to Vietnamese agricultural and fisheries products.

Receiving Australian Senator Tim Ayres, Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing, in Vietnam to attend the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum 2022, Chinh also requested that Australia stops anti-dumping investigations into some Vietnamese products.

Ayres confirmed that Australia always attached importance to the strategic partnership with Vietnam and wished to further boost bilateral ties.

He also agreed that both countries need to strengthen cooperation in responding to regional and world challenges, including climate change and energy security.

Two-way trade between the two countries stood at $12.4 billion in 2021, up nearly 50% against 2020; and reached $9.6 billion in the first seven months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 40%.
Vietnams tra fish exports to Southeast Asia exceeded US$152 million in the first nine months of this year, a year-on-year increase of over 83%.

Higher transport costs due to rising fuel prices caused exporters to opt for closer destinations, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said, adding that Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines are the biggest markets for Vietnamese tra fish among the ASEAN nations.

Shipments to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines increased by 81%, 56%, 114%, and 92%.

Exports to Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Indonesia rose by two to four times.

ASEAN countries would import more tra fish and become fish and become than the EU soon, VASEP predicted.

Overall tra fish exports were worth nearly US$1.97 billion in the first nine months, up 83.3%, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Its biggest markets were the U.S., China and the EU.
A map that predicts storm Nesat's trajectory and areas of effect. Photo courtesy of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting

Storm Nesat lay centered 600 km to the northeast of the Paracel Islands on Monday morning, stronger than when it entered the East Sea the previous afternoon.

At 7 a.m., the storm's maximum wind speed was 133 kph, 16 kph strong than what was recorded on Sunday, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Within Monday, the storm would move west-southwest at 15 kph and may get stronger over time.

By 7 a.m. Tuesday, the storm would be 270 km to the north-northeast of the Paracel Islands, the center anticipated.

Nesat would retain its trajectory and strength, and by 7 a.m. Wednesday, it would be about 200 km to the north-northwest of the Paracel Islands.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said storm Nesat would reach its peak strength, with a wind speed at 145 kph, on Tuesday, before gradually weakening to 65 kph as it enters the waters of central Vietnam.

The Hong Kong Observatory predicted that Nesat's peak wind speed would be 155 kph, before weakening to 85 kph as it moves closer to the shoreline.

Nguyen Van Huong, head of the Vietnamese center's weather forecast department, said there are three scenarios predicted for Nesat in the East Sea. The first case is the storm will meet a cold spell from the north and weaken off the central coast before devolving into a tropical depression upon making landfall.

The second scenario is the storm will meet a weak cold spell before entering the central coast with winds of 75-102 kph.

The third scenario is that it will move to the south of China's Hainan Island, meet a strong cold spell and weaken and break apart at sea.

On Sunday afternoon, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has requested localities from the northern province of Quang Ninh to Khanh Hoa in the central coast to closely monitor the storm, re-check the number of vessels, and prepare rescue plans to make sure people stay safe.

Nesat makes the sixth storm in Vietnam's waters this year.

It arrives shortly after Storm Son Ca raged the central region, bringing rainfall of up to 795 mm from 7 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday that caused unprecedented flooding in Da Nang.
Nha Trang Bay's management board has suggested a safe area for sea turtles to lay eggs in an effort to protect the endangered species.

In a statement sent to Nha Trang's administration, the board said the area should be established on Tre Islet off the town, a tourist attraction on Vietnam's central coast.

Huynh Binh Thai, head of the board, said in recent years, sea turtles have been spotted more than a few times along Bang Beach on the islet, but due to human activities, the turtles have had difficulties laying their eggs.

He said a separated, protected egg-laying area for them should be set up soon to lure more turtles back as naturally, some sea turtles would return to the beach where they were born to nest and the process takes around 30-35 years.

He added the move would fall in line with a government program approved in 2019 to protect endangered sea turtles in Vietnam until 2025 and with a vision until 2030. The objective of the program is to protect Vietnam's endangered turtle populations and ensure their habitats will develop sustainably, contributing to the conservation of Vietnam's biodiversity.

As one of 16 marine protected areas of Vietnam, Nha Trang Bay spreads over almost 350 square kilometers.

The bay used to receive sea turtles that come to lay eggs decades ago but fewer and fewer have returned.

Nearly all species of sea turtles are now classified as endangered, with three of the seven existing species being critically endangered, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Over the last 200 years, human activities have tipped the scales against the survival of these ancient mariners. Slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin, and shells, sea turtles suffer from poaching and over-exploitation. They also face habitat destruction and accidental captureknown as bycatchin fishing gear. Climate change has an impact on turtle nesting sites; it alters sand temperatures, which then affects the sex of hatchlings, the WWF said.
An IELTS examiner screens candidates body temperatures before letting them get into the testing room in February 2022. Photo courtesy of IDP's Facebook

The British Council and IDP, Vietnam's only two IELTS testing institutions, are warning candidates not to fall for online scammers offering "authentic" test papers.

After getting a score of 4.5 last year, Pham Nhung retook the IELTS test many times but could not get higher marks.

The sophomore at a university in Hanoi wants to get a score of 6.0 as soon as possible to meet her schools graduation criterion.

She looked up online earlier this year for community groups selling IELTS exam papers.

After she contacted a page, a staff member offered three different packages: VND599,000 ($24.45) for IELTS predicted questions every quarter until December 2022, a VND5 million "Diamond" package with eight exam papers delivered two or three months before the exam and a VND36 million "VIP" package with one "genuine" test with "100% accuracy" included.

The person told Nhung the exam questions were "top secret" and obtained directly from the British Council and IDP.

She bought the Diamond package after seeing several good reviews on the page.

But the actual test did not match any of the exam papers she had received. When she tried to get a refund from the, she was blocked.

Nhung is among many people paying millions of dong for "genuine" IELTS test papers with answers. The demand for IELTS is skyrocketing as more and more universities have made the certificate one of their admission priorities.

In 2017, only a few colleges had IELTS as an admission criterion. But that number increased last year when more than 30 schools incorporated it into the admission process.

There are many other similar scammers like the page Nhung contacted who extract VND120 million with a promise candidates will receive the "authentic" test paper the day before the exam.

One Tiktok account with over 10,000 followers even said online "Selling IELTS BC (British Council) - IDP" for VND5-45 million.

Steve Adams, regional exams director for East Asia at the British Council, said he is aware there are many groups online and offline tarnishing the reputation of the IELTS exam.

They claim to have people working inside the IELTS testing centers who can leak the test paper.

Some even claim to use technology to "alter IELTS scores," "produce fraudulent IELTS certificates without taking the actual examinations," and "fake test results on the online IELTS score confirmation system."

These adverts can be found on sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and come by email.

Scammers also often approach students at exam venues and test preparation centers.

Adams said such actions and marketing are fraudulent.

IDP said on its website that these services are a scam and legal offense.

Diep Nang Binh, head of Tinh Thong Luat Law Firm and a member of the HCMC Bar Association, said the selling of IELTS test papers by offering a 100% guarantee of success is tantamount to appropriating property by fraud and "deception."

Candidates should report these groups to authorities and refrain from engaging in this "potentially risky financial and unlawful" behavior, he added.

The British Council warned that cheating could result in cancelation of exam results, test bans for two years and denial of reviews for a period at all IELTS testing centers.

Nguyen Huong Ngoc Quynh, a University of London graduate who received an IELTS score of 9.0 in August this year, said learning English is a long process and acquiring counterfeit IELTS tests is a waste of money.

If students cannot afford preparatory courses, they could buy books and search for IELTS preparation materials online, she said.

"After all, the most effective method is to practice, practice and practice."

Nhung, who lost money after being conned into buying bogus exam papers, has decided to study diligently for the next six months.

She has got a friend, who scored 8.5 in IELTS, to tutor her twice a week.

She also attends meet-ups with a large number of foreigners on a regular basis to improve her communication skills.

"I hope my hard work will pay off and I get a 6.0 IELTS score next year," she said.
The United States hosted the first-ever U.S.-Pacific Islands Country Summit to build on the commitment to the people of the Pacific. The Pacific Islands and the United States have long standing trade and diplomatic relationships. In addition to protecting the security of the region, the United States is also committed to combating the dangers of climate change. At the summit, President Joe Biden stressed the importance of strengthening these partnerships.



"Were seeing the consequences of climate change around the world very vividly, including in the United States right now. And  and I know your nations feel it acutely."



However, preparing for climate change is a complex challenge noted Secretary of State Blinken.



"Building resilience is about more than equipping communities to adapt to the effects of the climate crisis, which for many of you is an existential threat; its also about preparing communities to weather a wide range of interrelated shocks that we know have caused cascading effects."



To that end, President Biden has announced $810 million in expanded programs to improve the lives of Pacific Islanders. These investments include preparing for climate impacts on health and food security and building early warning capacity to predict, prepare for, and respond to climate hazards.



Secretary Blinken also discussed plans to strengthen marine livelihoods by supporting fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism as part of the Resilient Blue Economies program. The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.



The United States also joined Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom in the first Partners in the Blue Pacific Ministerial. Together these countries met with members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to discuss how to efficiently develop and bolster the Pacific Island governments and economies in line with the PIFs 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.



The United States is committed to deepening the relationship with the Pacific Island countries and helping them prepare for future climate hazards that threaten the region.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

The common history, language, identity, and culture serve as a basis for solidarity and close cooperation among the Turkic-speaking nations, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

Bayramov made the remarks at the Council of Ministers of Turkic States (OTS) in Istanbul on October 17.

Foreign Minister Bayramov Jeyhun attends the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Turkic States (OTS) in Istanbul. Common history, common language, common identity, and common culture are the basis for deeper relations & solidarity amongst Turkic speaking countries! the ministry tweeted.

The meeting's agenda includes OTS priorities, such as preparations for the Summit on November 11 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the ministry reported.

[I was] delighted to attend the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Turkic States (OTS) in Istanbul. I thank Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu for the great hospitality in hosting the meeting. Azerbaijan as a founding member will further support and work to strengthen OTS!, Bayramov tweeted.

On November 12, 2021, the 8th summit of the OTS was held in Istanbul. At the summit, the decisions were made to change the name of the organization and to grant Turkmenistan observer status. In addition, the document vision of the Turkic World-2040 and the declaration of the 8th summit were adopted. Azerbaijan transferred its chairmanship to Turkey.
Next year, the United States and Chile will mark 200 years of partnership, remarked Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his recent visit there. We have a relationship that has been bound together fundamentally by shared interests and shared values, he said.



Economic ties between Chile and the United States have grown substantially since a free trade agreement was signed by both nations in 2003. As Secretary Blinken noted, Trade between our countries has more than quadrupled, reaching more than $38 billion last year, supporting tens of thousands of jobs in both of our countries. The United States is Chile's top source of foreign direct investment over time, investing more than $25 billion in high-growth areas like Chile's renewable energy sector. The United States has invested $760 million and provided technical assistance across five solar power projects in Chile, several of which are already powering homes and businesses across the country.



Chile's renewable energy sector provides 45 percent of the country's electricity supply and helps further Chile's ambitious clean energy goals, as Chile seeks to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.



Although Chile's economy has grown over the years, so too has inequality, as it has more broadly across the hemisphere, said Secretary Blinken. Under President Joe Biden, the United States is committed to partnering with Chile to demonstrate that democracies can deliver concrete results for their people, address their needs, and advance their aspirations. That's one of the reasons the United States launched the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity. It is focused on laying the foundation for economic growth from the bottom up and the middle out by expanding digital connectivity and making supply chains more resilient in the Western Hemisphere.



The United States looks forward to working with Chile to expand access to essential services like health and education. The goal is to train and equip 500,000 local health care workers across the hemisphere in five years. This initiative, if fully realized, will make a profound practical difference in the lives of millions of people across our hemisphere, said Secretary Blinken.



He also expressed his appreciation for Chile's leadership on migration, including by hosting roughly half a million Venezuelan migrants and refugees and 180,000 Haitians.



Based on a foundation of shared values and interests, the U.S. looks forward to continuing its cooperation and partnership with Chile for years to come.
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The United States took another step in support of securing a lasting peace in Colombia, by becoming the first International Accompanier to the Ethnic Chapter of Colombias 2016 the Peace Accord.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is intending to use winter as a weapon of war, declared U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power. By increasingly targeting civilian infrastructure, Russias forces threaten to leave hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without heat and electricity in the coldest months of the year. In an effort to help the Ukrainian people defend against such tactics, she announced during her recent visit an additional $55 million dollars to help keep Ukrainians warm this winter.



This support, said Administrator Power, will help up to seven million Ukrainians get urgently needed heat this winter. We know more is needed and we're working with other countries, other donors, to look at this critical issue of energy, electricity, and gas this winter.



Administrator Power met with Ukrainian farmers whose lands had been occupied by Russian forces and then liberated, who found their farm equipment either pilfered, stolen, or destroyed, and who found their farmlands and their homes mined. She also met with farmers who harvested their crops and until the UN-Turkish Black Sea deal was brokered, had no way of getting their wheat out of the country. USAID announced several months ago the AGRI-Ukraine initiative, which is a $100 million program to support Ukrainian farmers as they seek to move more grains by land, rail, and river.



This AGRI-Ukraine program is vitally important to help Ukraine get back on its feet, even as it is still pursuing victory on the battlefield. The Ukrainian economy can't await the formal end of this conflict, warned Administrator Power. Ukrainian teachers, civil servants, shopkeepers, and professionals of all kinds want to be working here and now. And the tax revenues that they will pay are a critical part of getting Ukraine back on its feet.



My bottom line message here is the same, declared Administrator Power, the United States, we the American people, stand with the people of Ukraine in their hour of need. And we will stand with the Ukrainian people for as long as it takes. We recognize the difficulties, the horrors that are being inflicted on the people of this great country for no reason whatsoever. And we want to do everything in our power to help our partners on the ground get through, not only this winter, but so many aspects of this man-made crisis.
The Communist Party of China (CPC) on Sunday unveiled its blueprint for building a modern socialist China in all respects for the next five years and beyond as the 20th CPC National Congress opened.

The five-yearly meeting is the first national congress of the CPC after its centenary in 2021, when the Party led the Chinese people to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

"From this day forward, the central task of the CPC will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization," Xi Jinping said in a report at the opening session of the congress.

He urged all CPC members to never forget the original aspiration and founding mission and to have the courage and ability to carry on the fight.

MILESTONE DECADE

Xi hailed the great transformation in the first decade of the new era as "a milestone in the history of the Party, of the People's Republic of China, of reform and opening up, of the development of socialism, and of the development of the Chinese nation."

The CPC embraced its centenary, ushered in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and eradicated absolute poverty and finished building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, thus completing the First Centenary Goal, he said, calling the three major events "historic feats."

China's GDP has come to account for 18.5 percent of the world economy, up 7.2 percentage points over the past 10 years. The world's second largest economy has become a major trading partner for over 140 countries and regions, leading the world in total volume of trade in goods.

China has also joined the ranks of the world's innovators with breakthroughs in some core technologies in key fields. With its people-centered philosophy of development, the country has built the largest education, social security, and health care systems around the globe.

As a collaborative endeavor, the Belt and Road Initiative has been welcomed by the international community both as a public good and a cooperation platform.

Other great achievements highlighted by Xi range from comprehensively deepening reform to advancing the critical battle against pollution.

While fully affirming the Party's remarkable achievements, Xi also urged all CPC members not to lose sight of the shortcomings, difficulties and problems, such as bottlenecks hindering high-quality development and wide gaps in development and income distribution between urban and rural areas and between regions.

CHINESE PATH TO MODERNIZATION

The world's most populous country is walking on a model of modernization that has not been seen before.

In his report, Xi reaffirmed that Chinese modernization is the socialist modernization pursued under the leadership of the CPC.

Chinese modernization is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature and of peaceful development, he stressed, adding that it offers humanity "a new choice" for achieving modernization.

In its two-step strategic plan, the CPC aims to basically realize socialist modernization from 2020 through 2035 and build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful from 2035 through the middle of this century.

Xi expounded on China's overall development objectives for the year 2035, which include substantially growing the per capita GDP to be on par with that of a mid-level developed country, significantly enhancing national soft power, steadily lowering carbon emissions after reaching a peak as well as comprehensively strengthening the national security system and capabilities.

He also stressed tasks and targets in China's ambitious modernization drive, such as building a high-standard socialist market economy, advancing whole-process people's democracy, implementing the employment-first strategy as well as exercising law-based governance on all fronts.

"The next five years will be crucial for getting our efforts to build a modern socialist country in all respects off to a good start," Xi said.

Sean Slattery, one of the foreign experts invited to translate the heavy-weight report, said that to achieve modernization for the 1.4 billion people is a huge step forward for humanity.

"China is underscoring the importance of every country pursuing modernization through a path that suits to their own conditions and that their people would accept and support," he said.

BACKBONE OF NATION, ANCHOR OF STABILITY

China has entered a period of development in which strategic opportunities, risks, and challenges are concurrent and uncertainties and unforeseen factors are rising, Xi told the 2,340 delegates and special delegates at attendance representing over 96 million CPC members.

Warning of various "black swan" and "gray rhino" events that may occur at any time, Xi, in the report, urged the CPC to be ready to "withstand high winds, choppy waters, and even dangerous storms."

He called on the Party, which he said has always remained the "backbone" of the nation, to always stay alert and bear in mind that self-reform is "a journey to which there is no end."

Describing corruption as "a cancer to the vitality and ability of the Party," Xi called for winning the tough and protracted battle against it.

Xi underscored that Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which the CPC and China are founded and thrive.

"Our experience has taught us that, at the fundamental level, we owe the success of our Party and socialism with Chinese characteristics to the fact that Marxism works, particularly when it is adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of our times," he said.

In a world that "has once again reached a crossroads in history," Xi reiterated China's commitment to promoting common development and a human community with a shared future.

"Only when all countries pursue the cause of common good, live in harmony, and engage in cooperation for mutual benefit will there be sustained prosperity and guaranteed security," according to the report.

China adheres to the right course of economic globalization and opposes all forms of unilateralism, it added.

China stands firmly against all forms of hegemonism and power politics, the Cold War mentality, interference in other countries' internal affairs, and double standards, Xi said.

"No matter what stage of development it reaches, China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansionism," he said.
Policymakers around the world have been facing a dilemma  how to deliver economic growth and at the same time preserve nature. Countries face the challenge of shifting to a path of win-win policies for the ecology and the economy.

For the developing world, this opens a new pathway to development, creating jobs and prosperity by going green. In this sense, China is setting an example for the developing world at large, which can take a leaf out of China's book.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, China has abolished extreme poverty  10 years ahead of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development target  and made remarkable achievements in economic development.

According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, the nation's average contribution to global economic growth was the highest during the 2013-21 period, exceeding 30 percent. In 2021 alone, China's economic aggregate accounted for 18.5 percent of the world's total after currency translation based on average annual exchange rates  the second largest in the world and up 7.2 percentage points from its 2012 global share.

As a response to the call for all-out war against pollution, the concept of an ecological civilization was elevated to be a national strategy in 2012. An ecological civilization is a concept promoted by President Xi Jinping for balanced and sustainable development that features harmonious coexistence between mankind and nature.

This concept brings us a very different way of environmental thinking. It is positive, being focused on creating a better world for everyone.

An ecological civilization is predicated on the belief that humans can and should live better, healthier lives in harmony with nature. The emphasis is on how to organize the global community in a new way to work on issues with global implications. We should act out of respect for Mother Earth, on whom we all depend, and in so doing increase the happiness and dignity of human beings.

To build a beautiful China, the country has launched an ambitious plan for a system of national parks. China is on track to keep a total area of 230,000 square kilometers of land under national-park protection and give space to endangered species such as the giant panda, Siberian tiger and Tibetan antelope. The 10 national parks, which are spread across 12 provinces, are dedicated to protecting the habitats of vulnerable species such as snow leopards and bringing them back from the brink of extinction.

In addition, China is now by far the most enthusiastic tree planting nation in the world, having planted more than 78 billion trees in the past four decades, doubling the forest coverage rate from the early 1980s.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the nation is now taking the lead in renewable energies. Over the past decade, global solar panel manufacturing capacity has increasingly shifted from Europe, Japan and the United States to China, which has become a leader in investment and innovation in solar panels. The International Energy Agency said in a special report in July that China now holds a market share in excess of 80 percent in all the stages of solar panel manufacturing.

The latest UN projections suggest that the world's population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050, before reaching a peak of around 10.4 billion people during the 2080s. The population is expected to remain at that level until 2100.

The planetary crises such as climate change are putting the living environment of humans and other species in jeopardy. We need the concept of ecological civilization to achieve a harmonious relationship with nature.

The 20th CPC National Congress is an opportunity for China to celebrate more than 40 years of the most unprecedented economic growth anywhere and at any time in world history and the success of bringing nearly 100 million rural residents out of poverty. It is also the opportunity to highlight the country's resolve to accelerate its green transition.

The author is president of the Belt and Road Initiative Green Development Institute and former executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China convened in Beijing on Sunday. In the report Xi Jinping delivered at the opening session, he objectively summarized the progress of the Party and the nation over the past five years and the past 10 years of the new era, and provided a guideline for their joint development in the foreseeable future.

In doing so, he ushered the country onto the next stage of its journey of rejuvenation, setting the country's sights firmly on the goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

Over the past decade, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, with Xi at its core, the nation has stayed united and responded effectively to the momentous challenges it has faced.

Today, although the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, the nation can forge ahead with confidence and determination knowing that it is on the right road and that under the leadership of the Party it can secure new successes.

The path and development philosophy that have enabled China to weather the storm of COVID-19 and resist external attempts to blackmail, contain, blockade and exert maximum pressure on the country are crystallized in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Characterized by the awareness that all things are interrelated and a problem-oriented approach that always puts people's interests first, the Thought upholds fundamental principles while breaking new ground. It firmly safeguards the dignity and core interests of the country, while keeping it well-positioned to navigate its ongoing profound transformation.

While China's transformation contains elements that are common to the modernization processes of all nations, it has features that are unique to the Chinese context. But these endow it with global significance as it offers Chinese wisdom and solutions gained from the experience of exploration and practice.

China's modernization is a task of unparalleled difficulty and complexity, as it involves a huge population, 1.4 billion, a number that is larger than the combined population of all developed economies in the world today. It is a task that can only be realized by fostering a firmer sense of purpose, fortitude and self-belief in pursuing high-quality development.

That said, China will never yield to any external coercion, containment or bullying that aims to derail its development. Meanwhile, it will unswervingly expand its opening-up and contribute to the common development of less-developed countries to make the international order fairer.

It should be noted that, fundamentally different from Western political parties that represent special interests, the CPC has always dedicated itself to securing better lives for the Chinese people.

Despite vicissitudes, it always remains resolutely committed to the cause of peace and development for humanity. That explains the perseverance and determination it has demonstrated in contributing to world development and fighting against headwinds and side winds.
Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh presented support of the Great Solidarity House to localities. (Photo: CPV)

She made the appeal at a ceremony recently held in Hanoi to launch a Month for the Poor, which will last until November 18.

Huong praised the donations from businesses, organisations and individuals to assist poor people in Hanoi as well as support the city's social security activities.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of Hanoi Peoples Committee Chu Xuan Dung said the city has carried out effective activities to improve the living conditions of the poor and disadvantaged, contributing to ensuring social and political stability and creating a driving force for its economic development.

According to Hanoi VFF committee, the citys Fund for the Poor has received 56.2 billion VND from organisations, enterprises and individuals since 2021.

The city supported the building of 653 houses for poor households and repaired 145 other houses with capital sourced from the fund. Thousands of poor households have accessed preferential loans and received support in medical examination and treatment.

At the ceremony, organisations and enterprises pledged to donate over 30 billion VND to the fund for the poor.

On the occasion, the Hanoi Peoples Committee and VFF committee also handed over 200 houses, 20 cows and 15 motorbikes to poor households in the city.

The Hanoi VFF committee will receive donation through the following accounts: Vietnam Fatherland Front  Hanoi chapter  For the poor Fund, account number: 3761.0.9057259.91046 at the Hanoi State Treasury, or bank account: 1500201116868 at the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development - Hanoi branch./.
Outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the venue of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

The CPV Central Committee extended the warmest congratulations to the CPCs 20th National Congress, and through the congress, to all CPC members and Chinese people, the message reads. With comradeship and fraternity, we are closely following each step of development and growth of China and rejoice to notice that since the 18th Congress to now, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core, and the orientation of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the CPC has led the Chinese people to win many great and extensive achievements, complete on schedule the goal of an "all-round well-off society," successfully organize celebrations to mark the CPCs centenary anniversary, adopt the Resolution on Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century and firmly take socialism with Chinese characteristics into a new era. We highly value and warmly congratulate Chinese comrades over those great accomplishments."

The 20th National Congress of the CPC is a significant historic milestone and an important event in the political life of the CPC and the Chinese people. We firmly believe that the Congress will define important orientations and policies, and make major decisions so as to successfully realise the goal of basically achieving socialist modernization, towards building a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful on the centenary anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Vietnam and China are two close neighbours. Both the CPV and the CPC are leading the cause of Doi Moi (renewal), door-opening reform and socialist building in our respective countries. The Party, State and people of Vietnam always bear in mind the great and valuable support of the Chinese Party, State and people in Vietnams revolutionary struggle for national liberation in the past and the current national construction. We consistently attach importance to and are ready to, together with the Chinese Party, State and people, make unceasing efforts to consolidate and lift the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China to a new stage of development, meeting the aspirations and essential interests of the two countries people and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The message concludes with a wish for great success of the CPCs 20th National Congress./.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R) receives Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang (Photo: VNA)

Guterres made the statements during his meeting in New York on October 13 with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

He told the diplomat that he will pay an official visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to the UN later this year.

According to him, his visit aims to deliver a strong message of the importance the UN attaches to the Vietnam-UN partnership over the past 45 years, affirming that Vietnam is one of the indispensable members of the UN, and has been making significant contributions to the UN's common work in solving global challenges, for peace and development in the world.

Ambassador Giang emphasised the significance of the Secretary-General's visit, affirming that Vietnam is committed to making active contributions to the UNs common work, including promoting the Sustainable Development Goals, response to climate change and maintenance of international peace and security./.
At the event (Photo: NDO)

In recent times, the impacts of heavy rains and storms caused severe floods in the northeastern provinces of Thailand such as Ubon Ratchathani, Loei, Chayaphum, and Khon Kaen. The flood caused a lot of damages, greatly affecting the economic and social development in the localities as well as the daily life of many households, including overseas Vietnamese families.

At the meeting, Consul General Chu Duc Dung encouraged and deeply shared with the Vietnamese-Thai community, the people and the government of Ubon Ratchathani province.

On behalf of the Consulate General, Mr. Chu Duc Dung presented gifts to 53 overseas Vietnamese households in the province that were flooded and suffered a lot of damage from the storm.

He expressed his belief that with the spirit of solidarity and mutual help in times of trouble of the Vietnamese nation, along with the diligence of families, support of the overseas Vietnamese community and local authorities, the overseas Vietnamese family victims will soon overcome difficulties, stabilize their lives and restore production./.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has warned of a possible escalation of tension on the state border with Armenia, Azernews reports, citing the ministry.

On the afternoon of October 16, the Armenian armed forces, using military vehicles, deployed extra military troops and four artillery pieces to their positions opposite the Azerbaijan army units in Dashkasan direction, the ministry said.

We declare that the Armenian military-political leadership bears the entire responsibility for the tension that may arise in the region, the ministry stressed.

Armenia periodically shells Azerbaijani military positions on liberated territories. Since early September, Azerbaijani positions have multiple times come under Armenian fire.

The major border clashes since the 44-day war (2020) erupted between the sides on the night of September 12 leading to 13, when units of the Armenian armed forces carried out large-scale provocations along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border in Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin directions.

As a result, 79 Azerbaijani armed forces personnel were killed, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

The Armenian government reported 207 losses among its own military personnel. Moreover, 293 soldiers and three civilians were wounded, and 20 soldiers were taken as prisoners.
Every year, the association and the precinct Party Committee organize courses with thematic topics according to Directive 05 of the Politburo, and at the same time direct their branches through periodic activities and organize seminars.

Veterans of Cong Vi precinct visit Dien Bien Phu battlefield in April 2022. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

The Executive Board of the precinct War Veteran Association promptly supplemented the criteria and standards of members in accordance with the new requirements. Every year, the association guides and urges officials and members to review their training results, and select content to register for studying and following Uncle Ho by practical and specific work.

Comrade Nguyen Duc Quang, Chairman of the Cong Vi War Veteran Association, said that studying and following Uncle Ho must be demonstrated by the effectiveness, quality of work, by successfully completing the political tasks of the association and localities. The associations determination must perform the most important political task of participating in building and protecting a strong Party and government; at the same time it is the core force in popularization and mobilization of people to carry out patriotic emulation movements and local campaigns.

Over the past 5 years, the association has raised more than 571 million VND to support the funds for camaraderie, gratitude, the sea and islands of Vietnam, compatriots affected by natural disasters, storms, and COVID-19 vaccine and other charities.

Currently, the association has 34 members participating in the Party Committees at all levels, 74 comrades in charge of the positions of cadres of residential groups and political organizations in the precinct, and they all successfully and excellently completed their tasks.

In the 5 years, the association has had 58 collectives and 98 individuals awarded certificates of merit for performing the associations tasks and local political tasks./.
Xi Jinping presides over a preparatory meeting for 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. 16 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping presided over a preparatory meeting for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the afternoon of October 15.

A total of 2,310 of the 2,379 elected and specially-invited delegates to the 20th CPC National Congress attended the meeting.

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 that Wang Huning will serve as secretary-general of the congress. The setup and tasks of the secretariat of the congress were also approved.

The agenda for the 20th CPC National Congress was set at the meeting. Delegates are expected to hear and examine a report of the 19th CPC Central Committee, examine a work report of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, deliberate and adopt an amendment to the Party Constitution, and elect the 20th CPC Central Committee and the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

A preparatory meeting for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 15, 2022. Xi Jinping presided over the meeting. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

A preparatory meeting for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 15, 2022. Xi Jinping presided over the meeting. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Editor: WXL
A girl shows her name in Chinese calligraphy at a charity event in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Oct. 15, 2022.

The Confucius Institute in Ljubljana on Saturday showcased Chinese culture at a charity event held in the capital of Slovenia.

Visitors had the chance to taste Chinese tea, experience Chinese calligraphy, and put on Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing, to take photos at the event, which aims at raising fund for Slovenian children in need. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

LJUBLJANA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius institute in Ljubljana on Saturday showcased Chinese culture at a charity event held in the capital of Slovenia.

Visitors had the chance to taste Chinese tea, experience Chinese calligraphy, and put on Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing, to take photos at the event, which aims at raising fund for Slovenian children in need.

Teachers from the institute also performed cucurbit flute and guitar duet and Tai Chi.

Lu Tingyao, Chinese director of the institute, told Xinhua that the institute participated in the event to show the charm of China to foreign people and to show welcome to anybody who is interested in Chinese culture. 

Teachers from the Confucius Institute in Ljubljana perform a cucurbit flute and guitar duet at a charity event in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Oct. 15, 2022.

The Confucius Institute in Ljubljana on Saturday showcased Chinese culture at a charity event held in the capital of Slovenia.

Visitors had the chance to taste Chinese tea, experience Chinese calligraphy, and put on Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing, to take photos at the event, which aims at raising fund for Slovenian children in need. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

A teacher from the Confucius Institute in Ljubljana (3rd L) showcases Chinese calligraphy at a charity event in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Oct. 15, 2022.

The Confucius Institute in Ljubljana on Saturday showcased Chinese culture at a charity event held in the capital of Slovenia.

Visitors had the chance to taste Chinese tea, experience Chinese calligraphy, and put on Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing, to take photos at the event, which aims at raising fund for Slovenian children in need. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

A staff member serves a cup of Chinese tea to a visitor at a charity event in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Oct. 15, 2022.

The Confucius Institute in Ljubljana on Saturday showcased Chinese culture at a charity event held in the capital of Slovenia.

Visitors had the chance to taste Chinese tea, experience Chinese calligraphy, and put on Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing, to take photos at the event, which aims at raising fund for Slovenian children in need. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
A boy experiences virtual reality goggles while visiting the 3rd edition of the new media art festival RADAR in Bucharest, capital of Romania, Oct. 16, 2022. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Children jump over a light installation while visiting the 3rd edition of the new media art festival RADAR in Bucharest, capital of Romania, Oct. 16, 2022. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

A boy experiences virtual reality goggles while visiting the 3rd edition of the new media art festival RADAR in Bucharest, capital of Romania, Oct. 16, 2022. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

A woman enjoys an interactive light installation while visiting the 3rd edition of the new media art festival RADAR in Bucharest, capital of Romania, Oct. 16, 2022. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Children interact with a small intelligent robot while visiting the 3rd edition of the new media art festival RADAR in Bucharest, capital of Romania, Oct. 16, 2022. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

People interact with a small intelligent robot while visiting the 3rd edition of the new media art festival RADAR in Bucharest, capital of Romania, Oct. 16, 2022. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Ukraine needs to protect the sky over its energy facilities, Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko has said.

"It turned out to be not enough for the Russians to break only the line to de-energize the nuclear power plant. Now, they are testing our ability to quickly restore the electrical substation. Such nuclear blackmail by a terrorist country should not go unanswered by the world community," Haluschenko wrote on his Facebook on Monday.

He said that in attacks by Russian terrorists on Monday, the energy infrastructure in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions was damaged, and both household consumers and industrial enterprises were again disconnected from power.

In addition, the minister said that the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant again lost external power supply source and operated on diesel generators, since the substation from which the single line connecting the ZNPP with the Ukrainian power system was damaged.

At the same time, Haluschenko appealed to all Ukrainians with an urgent request to reduce electricity consumption during the day, and especially during the evening peak hours from 17:00 to 23:00.

"This will help restore and maintain the stability of the power system, which the Russians are trying to destroy," the minister said.
As part of preparing the Ukrainian energy complex for the heating season, DTEK Energy shipped almost 100,000 tonnes of coal to state-owned TPPs, the energy holding's website reported on Monday.

"Providing fuel to own thermal power plants remains a priority, while DTEK Energy also finds an opportunity to support state-owned thermal power plants with it. To date, almost 100,000 tonnes of coal have been shipped for the needs of state-owned thermal power plants," DTEK Energy holding noted.

It is noted that additional volumes of fuel will help state generation more reliably prepare for the start and end of the heating season.

"Therefore, no matter what terror the Russian troops continue to resort to, Ukrainian power engineers, miners and machine builders will do everything to jointly hold the energy front and provide Ukrainians with light and heat," DTEK expressed confidence.

As reported, on September 15, DTEK Energy announced the start of deliveries of the first 50,000 tonnes of coal to the state-owned company PJSC Centrenergo for the autumn-winter heating season.
All educational institutions in Kyiv switched to remote mode, air raid continues

In Kyiv, which was attacked by kamikaze drones on Monday morning, all educational institutions switched to remote mode.

"All the capital's educational institutions switched to remote mode, since the air raid alert was announced before the start of the educational process," Kyiv City State Administration said on the Telegram channel.

Earlier, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported several explosions in Shevchenkivsky district of the capital on Monday.

Klitschko also published a fragment of one of the kamikaze drones that attacked Kyiv this morning.

Air raid continues in Kyiv.
The 750 kV ZNPP - Dniprovska line of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which received external power from the Ukrainian power system, was once again disconnected due to rocket attacks by the Russian military on remote substations, and the plant switched back to providing its own needs with diesel generators, Energoatom has reported.

"Today, October 17, Russian terrorists once again fired at critical infrastructure substations in the territory controlled by Ukraine, as a result of which, at 03:59, the 750 kV ZNPP - Dniprovska line, was disconnected. During the transition process, due to a short-term voltage drop, the backup transformer of ZNPP needs and diesel generators were launched," Energoatom said, describing the situation.

The company said that Russian terrorists have changed tactics and are now trying to blackmail Ukraine and the whole world with rocket attacks on remote substations through which the ZNPP is powered.

The company also reported that the 750 kV Pivdennoukrainska NPP - Dniprovska line was disconnected, but without affecting the load of the Pivdennoukrainska NPP.

"Once again, we appeal to the international community to urgently take measures for the speedy demilitarization of ZNPP, the withdrawal of all Russian military personnel from the territory of the plant and the city of Enerhodar, and the return of the Zaporizhzhia NPP under the full control of Ukraine for the sake of the security of the whole world," Energoatom called.
Under the rubble of a residential building in Shevchenkivsky district of Kyiv, there are, preliminary, two people, 18 people have been rescued, rescue work continues, the mayor of the capital, Vitali Klitschko, has said.

"As a result of an attack by kamikaze drones, an explosion occurred in a residential building in Shevchenkivsky district of the capital. Currently, 18 people have been rescued from it. According to preliminary information, two residents remain under the rubble. Rescue work continues. The extinguishing of destroyed building structures and the removal of rubble continues. We are clarifying the information whether there are any dead," he wrote on the Telegram channel.

In turn, Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Kyrylo Tymoshenko said that all four "arrivals" took place in Shevchenkivsky district.

"A hit in a residential building. There are people under the rubble. A fire broke out in a neighboring building on an area of more than 250 square meters. It has already been localized. The State Emergency Service is working on the spot. Information about the dead and injured is being specified," he wrote on the Telegram channel.
On Monday, October 17, the enemy launched a missile attack on Odesa region, the infrastructure facility was damaged, there were no casualties, Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesman for Odesa regional military administration, said.

"Missile attack on Odesa region. From the Black Sea. Su-35 aircraft. X-59 missile. One of the infrastructure facilities was hit. No human casualties," he wrote on the Telegram channel.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on the release of Elchin Baghirov from the post of head of the Protocol Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Following another presidential order, Elchin Baghirov was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The decree comes into force from the date of its signing.
Rescuers recover woman's body from rubble of house in Kyiv, search for one more person, three victims hospitalized - Klitschko

From under the rubble of a residential building in Shevchenkivsky district of Kyiv, where the explosion occurred, rescuers pulled out the body of a woman, another person is under the rubble, three victims were hospitalized, Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko said.

"From under the rubble of a house in Shevchenkivsky district, where an explosion occurred as a result of an attack by drones, rescuers removed the body of a dead woman. Another person is under the rubble. Search and rescue work continues. Three victims were hospitalized," he wrote on the Telegram channel.
Shmyhal: Russian terrorists once again attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure in three regions this morning

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says that as a result of morning shelling, attacks were made on the critical infrastructure of Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions.

"This morning, Russian terrorists once again attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure in three regions. In particular, five drone strikes were recorded in Kyiv. Energy facilities and a residential building were damaged. The aggressor also launched missile attacks on critical infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions. Hundreds of settlements were de-energized as a result of the attack," Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel.

According to him, all services are working to eliminate the consequences of shelling and restore power supply.

"Each region has an anti-crisis response plan. And we ask the Ukrainians for the sake of stabilizing the energy system to approach the sparing consumption of electricity in the same united and conscious manner. Especially during peak hours," the prime minister wrote.
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine called the morning Russian attacks on Kyiv "desperate and reprehensible," and stressed that it would stand with the Ukrainian people for as long as necessary.

"More desperate and reprehensible Russian attacks this morning against civilians and civilian infrastructure. We admire the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people. We will stand with you for as long as it takes," it said on Twitter.
As result of shelling of Romny district by Russian invaders, three people killed, nine more injured

At least three people were killed and 9 more were injured as a result of a missile attack on Romny district of Sumy region, carried out by Russian invaders on Monday morning, head of Sumy Regional Military Aministration Dmytro Zhyvytsky said.

"At 5:20 am, three Russian missiles flew into a civilian infrastructure facility. At least three people were killed. Nine were injured," Zhyvytsky wrote on Telegram.

According to him, there are still people under the rubble of the object.

"In Sumy region, 1,625 subscribers were disconnected from power supply. The request to you regarding saving electricity consumption during peak hours (8-11 am and 17-22 pm) remains relevant," he summed up.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba appealed to the EU Foreign Affairs Council and requested additional air defense, the supply of ammunition for Ukraine, and also called on the EU to impose sanctions against Iran for providing Russia with drones.

"I'm probably the first foreign minister to address EU FAC from a bomb shelter because of the air raids siren. Requested more air defense and supply of ammo. Called on EU to impose sanctions on Iran for providing Russia with drones. 9th EU sanctions package on Russia must be strong," Kuleba said on Twitter on Monday.
Ukraine will receive the first NASAMS air defense systems soon, Defense Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov has said following a dialogue with international partners during the sixth meeting of Ukraine Defense Contact Group and the Informal Meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Brussels last week.

"We are expecting the delivery of the first NASAMS air defense systems soon. Our military are finishing to master the equipment. In addition, thousands of our defenders are preparing are getting ready for training in partner countries," he said on Facebook on Monday.

The minister also said that he expressed sincere gratitude to Defense Minister of Spain Margarita Robles for a quick decision to supply Ukraine with the HAWK systems.

"The UK and the Netherlands have announced their decision to supply additional missiles for the air and missile defense systems. I thanked my counterparts Ben Wallace and Kajsa Ollongren," Reznikov said.

An intensive dialogue with France on the CROTALE air defense systems continues, the minister said.

"We also hope that decisions on the SAMP-T systems would be made," he said.

Reznikov said that Ukraine also particularly emphasized the danger of Iranian drones which pose a threat not only to Ukraine.

"According to our intelligence, there were about 300 of them a week ago, but the entire contract with the Russians is for 2,400 items. If there is no strong joint response, the practice of terrorist attacks with drones that can cover hundreds of kilometers may spread and pose direct danger to all countries of the free world," he said.

The minister also said that Ukraine is implementing the NATO LOGFAS system for accounting and logistics. He added that Ukraine has mastered more than 300 NATO standards and is carrying out one of the largest transformations of defense forces since World War II, moreover, Ukraine is doing it during the active phase of hostilities.

Given this background, there are less and less arguments not to provide Ukraine with planes and tanks, Reznikov said, adding "I am sure that these arguments will end soon".

"After all, Ukraine proved not only the ability to use the supplied weapons on the battlefield extremely effectively, but also demonstrated high responsibility and unwavering compliance with obligations," the minister said.
Iran is directly responsible for the killings of Ukrainian citizens as a result of infrastructure attacks by Iranian-made kamikaze drones, said Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine.

Iran is responsible for the murders of Ukrainians. Country that oppresses its own people is now giving ru-monsters weapons for mass murders in the heart of Europe. That is what unfinished business and concessions to totalitarianism mean. The case when sanctions are not enough ..., Podoliak said on Twitter.

As reported, an explosion occurred in a residential building in Kyiv in the morning after an attack by Iranian-made kamikaze drones. As of 16:00, four bodies of the dead were recovered from the rubble of the destroyed house, 19 more were injured.
Disconnections of new Russian banks from SWIFT should become part of the ninth package of EU sanctions against Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"Now work begins on the ninth package [of sanctions] of the EU. I was very frank. First of all, I mentioned very specifically what Ukraine expects in this ninth sanctions package. This includes disconnecting new Russian banks from SWIFT. I don't understand at all why they stopped doing it, what obstacles - there are no rational explanations for this. More precisely, there are: we know about them, but they are insufficient," Kuleba said in a video message on Facebook on Monday.

He added that Ukraine is aware that some countries have started talking about fatigue from sanctions.

"Today I told my European colleagues very simple words that neither Ukrainians nor EU citizens can afford fatigue. Just as we cannot get tired of fighting for our state, European security and prosperity, so they cannot get tired of applying sanctions," the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

Kuleba stressed that for the first time in the history of Ukrainian-Iranian relations, he called for sanctions against Iran. According to him, these sanctions should be a signal to the countries which Russia is asking for military assistance.

"As they say, patience has run out. We listened for a very long time to different explanations, different arguments, but you can't hide the truth, and this truth has flown into the houses of the city of Kyiv today. Therefore, the time has come to apply sanctions against Iran for the supply of weapons to the Russian Federation. If applied, these sanctions should also be a signal to other countries to which Russia is now turning for military assistance (and we know that it is doing this) - that anyone who decides to help Russia should immediately suffer and feel the price of this," Kuleba said.
Russia to supply several hundred tanks, armored vehicles, artillery to Belarus as part of deployment of joint group of troops

About 470 tanks, armored fighting vehicles, artillery pieces and mortars will arrive in Belarus from Russia as part of the deployment of a joint group of troops, said Valery Revenko, head of the Department of International Military Cooperation, Assistant Minister of Defense of Belarus for International Military Cooperation.

"The total number will be up to 9,000 military personnel, about 170 tanks, up to 200 armored combat vehicles and up to 100 guns and mortars with a caliber of more than 100 mm," Revenko said on Twitter Monday.
Are you looking to make a traveling tour of Ukraine? But before approaching a car rental in Ukraine , you want to know which is the best route to travel through Ukraine. Here are some of the best routes that are safe for traveling through the country.

Kherson  Radensk  Armyansk

This route will take no more than one day, which can be a great start to a trip to Ukraine by car. Some of the things that await your at the first point include:

magnificent castles;

temples;

monasteries;

gates.

The second point is famous for the Oleshkiv sands, and the third - the Askania-Nova nature reserve.

Uzhhorod - Nevitske - Mukachevo

A route for those who are inspired by architecture. Nevitske is famous for the old crater of the volcano, inside which Anna Drugett's castle is located. The last point is known as Palanok Castle.

Vinnytsia - Tulchyn - Busha

Tourists in Vinnytsia will be able to visit the Pirogov Memorial Museum and his estate. The next point of the road trip will be highlighted by the Potocki Palace. And in Busha, you can take care of the spiritual by visiting the pagan rock temple.

Conclusion

Ukraine remains a tourism-rich country and we've seen the three best routes for traveling whether in a rental car or any form of road transportation.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

The EU Council agreed to deploy up to 40 EU monitoring experts on the Armenian side of the state border with Azerbaijan to monitor, analyze, and report on the regional situation, Azernews reports, citing the council.

The decision follows the October 6 quadrilateral meeting between President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan with the mediation of President Macron, and President Michel, and is intended to facilitate the restoration of regional peace and security, as well as trust building, and the delimitation of the two states' international border, the statement reads.

The EUs deployment of up to 40 EU monitoring experts along Armenias international border with Azerbaijan will aim to build confidence in the unstable situation that is putting lives at risk and jeopardizes the conflict resolution process. This is another proof of the EUs full commitment to contributing to the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable peace in the South Caucasus, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell stressed.

It was determined that the monitoring specialists would be temporarily deployed from the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia to guarantee a timely deployment of the EU monitoring mission (EUMM Georgia). The EUMM is taking operational steps to ensure that its monitoring capability in Georgia is not jeopardized.

The monitoring mission will be of a temporary nature, lasting no longer than two months, the council underlined.

During the European Political Community conference in Prague on 6 October, Armenia and Azerbaijan reiterated their adherence to the UN Charter and the Declaration reached in Alma-Ata on 21 December 1991, in which both governments recognize each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The sides agreed that it would serve as the foundation for the work of the border delimitation commissions and that the next border commission conference will take place in Brussels by the end of October. The mission's goal is to instill trust and contribute to border commissions through its reports.

In a letter received by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on September 22, the Armenian Foreign Minister asked the EU to deploy a civilian Under the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) Mission to Armenia.
Early-season merrymakers sipping mulled wine and shopping for holiday decorations packed the Verona Christmas market for its inaugural weekend.
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul-Gheit said that consultations are ongoing between Egypt and Sudan on one side and international parties on the other concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute.

The Nile Basins downstream countries and the international community cannot accept Ethiopia imposing its will in defiance of international law and rules governing the use of international rivers, Abul-Gheit added.

The issue that should be addressed is the importance of Ethiopias respect for international law, Abul-Gheit said in an interview with Al Arabiya Al Hadath news channel.

In the absence of the binding agreement, Addis Ababa has unilaterally completed three fillings of the 74 billion cubic metre reservoir in recent years, with the most latest finishing in August. It has also started unilaterally operating two of the dam's electric power turbines.

Egypt and Sudan have reiterated their rejection of the unilateral Ethiopian acts regarding the $4.2 billion GERD.

The two downstream countries have repeatedly affirmed their support for Ethiopias right to development, but called on Addis Ababa to sign a binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam that would secure their water rights and their peoples interests.

Egypt and Sudan have been negotiating with Ethiopia for almost a decade now to reach a legally binding and comprehensive agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD, which Addis Ababa started building on the Blue Nile in 2010.

Cairo and Khartoum have blamed the failure of the talks on Ethiopian intransigence and refusal to sign any legally binding deal.

The latest round of African Union (AU)-sponsored talks between the three countries over the GERD in Kinshasa, DRC collapsed in April 2021, and all attempts to revive the negotiations since have failed.

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Some 4.9 million tourists visited Egypt in the first half of 2022 (from January to June), an 85.4 percent increase compared to the first half of 2021, where 2.6 million tourists visited the country, Egypts Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced on Tuesday.

In a statement issued on World Tourism Day on 27 September, CAPMAS said that 8 million tourists visited Egypt in 2021, a 117.5 percent increase compared to 3.7 million tourists in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.

Eastern Europe topped the areas exporting tourists to Egypt in 2021 at 50.6 percent, followed by the Middle East at 18.9 percent, Western Europe at 16.4 percent, and Africa at 7.1 percent.

The total number of tourists coming from Arab countries in 2021 reached 2 million, a 114.9 percent increase compared to 900,000 tourists in 2020.

CAPMAS also revealed that the total number of nights spent by tourists in Egypt during the first half of 2022 was 52.6 million nights, a 63.6 percent increase compared to 32.2 million nights in the first half of 2021.

The total number of nights spent by tourists in 2021 was 93.8 million nights, a 118.3 percent increase compared to 43 million nights in 2020, the CAPMAS statement said.

The total number of nights spent by Arab tourists in 2021 was 33.2 million, a 121.6 percent increase compared to 15 million in 2020.

CAPMAS added that the average number of nights spent by tourists during their visits to Egypt was 12.4 in 2021 compared to 11.4 nights in 2020.

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Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reasserted to Christophe Lutundula, the foreign minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypts firm stand on reaching a legally binding agreement based on international laws between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia in the dispute over the operation and filing of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

This came during a meeting between the two top diplomats on Tuesday on the sidelines of the first preparatory meeting for the COP27 (pre-COP27 meetings) in Kinshasa.

The last round of AU-sponsored talks between the three countries, which were hosted by the DRC as the chair of the AU in 2021, ended in a stalemate.

Ethiopia has refused in years of negotiations to sign any legally binding agreements in the GERD dispute, opting to conduct three separate fillings of the dam unilaterally.

Shoukry and Lutundula also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, according to a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry.

The Egyptian foreign minister affirmed to Lutundula that Cairo is keen on fostering security and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citing Egypts participation in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) since its launching more than 20 years ago.

He added that the operation of the first direct airline between Cairo and Kinshasa since March fosters economic relations between the two countries.

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The American administrations reaction to the decision by OPEC and its allies to cut production by two million barrels a day as of next month was strong enough to indicate a rising tension with oil producers, especially Saudi Arabia. Though the decision was widely expected, and in fact did not have much impact on oil prices, Washington considered it a clear message by its Gulf allies that they are not inclined to honour the American request to keep pumping oil.

Democrats and Republicans alike have seen the move as an indication that the Gulf countries are siding with Russia against the American and Western stance on the war in Ukraine.

OPEC officials insist the decision is purely technical, aimed at sustaining stability in global markets. But, since the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak was in the OPEC+ meeting in Vienna, the Americans were furious. OPEC+ is an alliance of OPEC members led by Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC producers led by Russia. So Novak, who is Russias energy minister, had to be in the meeting. Though he is under American sanctions, Novak is not under EU sanctions. Sources at OPEC told Al-Ahram Weekly that the US tried to pressure Austria to ban his attendance but OPEC+ members threatened to move the organisations headquarters from there if its integrity is not preserved.

Whether Russians took part or not, the meeting was destined to cut production to face dwindling demand due to anticipated global economic recession. In fact, balancing the demand-supply equation might have required bigger cuts as a preemptive measure to avoid a glut in the market and a price crash.

As the decision was made just over two months after Bidens meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman in Jeddah, some in the US saw it as a failure of Bidens Gulf policy. Apart from the war in Ukraine and economic sanctions on Russia, the ruling Democratic Party is nervous about the Congressional midterm elections next month. High petrol prices at the pump exacerbate their gloomy prospects with opinion polls suggesting Republicans might win majority in both House and Senate.

The decision by OPEC+ on Wednesday also coincided with the Jewish Yom Kippur, the 19th anniversary of the October War of 1973 when the Arabs defeated Israel and liberated part of their occupied lands. That drove many analysts in the West to compare the current energy crisis with the oil crisis of the 1970s when Arab oil countries cut their exports to countries supporting Israel. That was an entirely different situation, but the analogy remained tempting.

Just after the OPEC+ decision, a veteran analyst at S&P Global Commodity Insight, Roger Diwan said in a note that the cuts marked a weaponisation of oil and suggested the timing and location of the meeting were a deliberate signal: The presence of the Russian deputy prime minister under US sanctions, to discuss tightening of oil supply heading into a winter in which Russia has already weaponised its gas exports to Europe sends a clear message... Saudi Arabias adversarial path will skew price risk even higher for oil.

That, however, did not happen. And yet the move might still be an indication that the Gulf countries have changed. As Emirati professor of politics Abdulkhaleq Abdullah told the Financial Times, Some in Washington definitely dont realise theres a new Gulf and we no longer take orders from Washington. Abdullahs remark might be something of exaggeration, but the days of Americans automatically having their way in the Gulf are clearly over.

Emirati Energy Minister Suhail Al-Mazrouei told reporters after the Vienna meeting that OPEC acted to ensure producers would keep investing in new oil supplies. He added, in Europe, they have their own story, in Russia they have their own story. We cant be siding with this country or that country.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman denied any political motivation, implicitly rejecting the idea that the decision involved any aggression towards the US or other consumers, saying it was not made in defence of Russia. Show me, where is the belligerence? Where is the ill intent? Prince Abdulaziz said.

Yet President Joe Biden had already said he was disappointed about the decision to cut oil production and would be looking at alternatives to bolster supplies. The White House said OPEC had aligned with Russia. Two senior officials, the National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and the Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese issued a joint statement suggesting the White House should reverse course and support bipartisan legislation (so-called NOPEC) that would make the oil-producing cartel legally liable for any price collusion.

The other option for Bidens administration is to release more of oil from the strategic reserve which has been at its lowest levels since 1984. An announced release of tens of millions of barrels earlier didnt impact the market, but more releases might cause a supply glut justifying more cuts by OPEC.

The NOPEC draft has been used for more than two decades to pressure Gulf oil producers, but it never made it through Congress, not because of Gulf countries lobbying but rather due to fierce opposition from American oil companies. There is no guarantee it will make it this time if the threat is carried out.

In a measured response to the American reaction, Saudi Arabias energy minister warned in a Bloomberg TV interview that US-led plans for a price cap on Russian exports are fanning the uncertainty that drove OPEC+ to its biggest production cut in two years. The lack of details and the lack of clarity about how the price cap will be implemented add to the sense that coming two months will be a period of uncertainty We dont see what will be the reaction of the market or the participants, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said.

Some Gulf sources predict the tension will not escalate into a full-blown energy crisis, noting the strategic relationship between US and Gulf countries. They even suggest it will all cool down after the midterm elections next month.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 October, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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"Troubles" erupted between inmates and guards at Tehran's Evin prison and a fire broke out but the situation is "under control", Iranian state media reported Saturday.

"Troubles and clashes took place on Saturday night" in the prison and "rioters" started a fire, the IRNA news agency said, citing a senior security official.

At least eight people were injured, IRNA reported, citing a firefighter at the scene.

"The situation is currently completely under control," according to the security source.

"Calm has been restored and firefighters are working to put out the flames," the source said, adding that "thugs" had set fire to a clothes storage area.

Video footage shared on social media showed flames and a plume of smoke billowing over the prison.

The judiciary's official website Mizan Online said that section of the prison caught fire "following a fight between several detainees".

Citing the prison service, Mizan said police were "called on to help prison guards restore calm in Evin as quickly as possible".

"The fire has been put out," the report said.

The unrest at the prison came as Iran has been rocked by weeks of protests since Mahsa 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.

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On the occasion of the 27th session of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP27) scheduled to be held in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh on the Red Sea in Egypt in November, Ahram Online shares a list of the most endangered species in the Red Sea and the related conservation initiatives.

The group of species at risk listed below are based on the internationally recognised Red List for endangered marine species worldwide issued by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a 1948 global nature conservation heavyweight that is composed of both governments and NGOs.

Sea turtles (green sea and hawksbill sea turtles)

For decades, there has been a myth in Egyptian coastal cities, on both the Red and Mediterranean seas that the blood of a turtle (tersa) gives health and immunity against diseases, though such folk tales never came into play in dealing with threats besting the sea turtles.

Despite the fact that sea turtles have been living on earth for 200 million years, witnessed the extinction of many animals, and seemed tolerant and adaptable to extreme climate changes, only recently a huge decline in their numbers and gatherings has been noticed around the globe due to one main weak point they have: nesting on sandy beaches.

According to professor of Marine Biology at the University of Suez Canal Mahmoud Hanafy, there are five types of marine turtles in the Red Sea, of which two are among the top endangered species: the green sea turtle and the hawksbill Sea turtle.

They both nest on the beaches of the Red Sea governorate, specifically at the Red Sea isles and that is why those isles should be under protection, Hanafy told Ahram Online.

The Red Sea governorate officially has 39 sea isles and most of them are already nature reserves.

The green sea turtles, for example, dig a hole and nest their eggs and then they head back to the sea while the eggs stay in the nest for 50-55 days before hatching. The hatchlings head east to the seawater where they grow and live in the sea for over 25 years till they become adults and they repeat the cycle.

The mother turtle returns to the same beach where it was hatched as an egg to lay its own eggs like its mother, and this is how those turtles are connected to those sandy beaches, the professor of marine biology elaborated, adding that the nesting place of those turtles became their own challenge.

It has been a challenge since beaches now have their economic importance for tourism as well as industrial and coastal development, he said.

Hanafy explained that more people now live by the coastline near to the beaches, and more hotels and resorts arebuilt on the beaches while other beaches are turned into ports, leaving a smaller place for female turtles to nest.

If the turtle returns to its nesting and hatching beach and finds that it was urbanised, it has only two options; it either nests the eggs in the water or it re-absorbs the eggs back into its body.

When we destroy a place for turtle nests, we destroy the ability of turtles to reproduce for survival, he added.

The nesting beaches represent places with huge values and when human activities increased on their beaches, the nesting beaches deteriorated.

Egypt prohibits the sale and hunting of sea turtles according to local laws as well as in accordance with international treaties.

In 1978, Egypt was one of the first countries to sign the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of international trade.

Egypts Nature Reserves Law 102/1983 prohibits the activities that destroy, damage, or degrade the natural environment, wildlife, marine life, plant life, or affect their ecosystem.

It also prohibits the hunting, transporting, killing, or disturbing wildlife or marine life organisms in those reserves.

Environment Law 4/1994 prohibits hunting, killing, or catching wild birds and animals or species threatened with extinction.

Penalties for breaking the law range from financial fines --between EGP 500 and EGP 50,000 -- to prison sentences not exceeding one year.

The country's Dar El-Ifta, the highest institution for religious edicts based on Islamic Sharia, prohibits the hunting of sea turtles.

Recently the Egyptian Ministry of Environment in cooperation with local animal rights activists managed to save several sea turtles and return them to the sea before they were sold in the market.

The Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA), Egypts prominent marine environment NGO, launched in the past decade several projects and initiatives including Turtle Watch, Turtles of the Red Sea, and Beach Nesting awareness campaign.

In cooperation with several beaches and hotels, HEPCA launched a campaign to preserve the nesting places of turtles on urbanised beaches by creating a safe zone for turtles and their hatchlings.

The dugong

The dugong, which is commonly known in Egypt as mermaid and sometimes sea cow, is one of the most endangered marine species worldwide due to the loss of seagrass habitat because of coastal development and sea pollution.

This marine mammal is an endangered species, but studies on the Red Sea concluded recently that dugong numbers began to increase when it was widely believed it began to disappear worldwide, Hanafy said.

The professor believes that the numbers of dugongs began to increase again in Egyptian waters due to protection when people began to release how it can be an important source of income for the Egyptian economy.

One dugong in the Red Sea governorates Abu Dabbab Bay can generate alone $1.8 million from divers and snorkellers who come from all over the world to see it, Hanafy said, adding that those mammals presented a huge economic opportunity for Egypt.

The dugong must be protected, he said, adding that Red Sea fishermen do not eat it and believe that fishing it was a bad omen, unlike in other parts of the world.

In 2007, HEPCA, Egypts Ministry of Environment, and the Red Sea governorate came up with a management strategy to protect Abu Dabbab Bay and its inhabitants, including sea turtles and dugongs.

Whale shark

Whale sharks, commonly known as Bahloul by local fishermen, are the largest known extant fish species. The largest confirmed whale shark had a length of 12.65m (41.5 ft) and a weight of about 21.5 tons (47,000 lb), while its height commonly ranges between five to 10 metres.

They are a top endangered species. The whale shark's appearance in the Red Sea is an annual phenomenon, especially during the start of the spring season in the Red Sea and during the summer in the southern parts of the country.

Several whale sharks have been spotted in the Red Sea since July 2016. Sightings have occurred at Port Ghalib, the Fanous area, and between the Geftoun islands, according to the management of Red Sea wildlife reserves.

The whale shark is not a predator type, on the contrary, it is a filter feed creature, which means it feeds by straining suspended matter and food particles from water, typically by passing the water over a specialised filtering structure, Hanafy explained.

Hunting and fishing are the main challenges facing whale sharks.

Hunting the whale shark is prohibited in Egypt, as the animal is considered an important part of the Red Sea ecosystem.

The Napoleon fish

According to Hanafy, Egypt used to have huge numbers of Napoleon fish in the Red Sea, but their numbers dwindled thanks to illegal fishing.

Sometimes it gets tangled in fishermens nets, he told Ahram Online, adding that it must be protected in accordance with the law and international treaties.

Since 2004, the Napoleon fish has been listed as endangered on the IUCN's Red List of Endangered Species.

Egyptian divers have repeatedly warned of the disappearance of the giant fish, which is also an attraction for foreign divers.

In 2017, the colourful fish made national headlines when it was found that a Red Sea hotel presented it on its menu. The Ministry of Environment opened an investigation into the matter reminding, the public that it was prohibited to fish a Napoleon.

Not endangered, but still on the concerned list

Dolphins

Despite not being an endangered species, dolphins are currently facing huge pressure, according to Hanafy, as they represent economic opportunities as a tourist product.

Most people are protecting them in the Red Sea, he said.

One single dolphin can generate $91,000 annually as a tourist product, providing many jobs starting from trainers, divers and drivers, he explained, citing studies conducted in Egypt about the dolphin house area in Samadai natural reserve.

Coral reefs

The Coral Reef of the Red Sea is probably the last surviving coral reef in the world, with almost all the other reefs dying due to climate change.

The tolerance of the Red Seas reef to climate change and its rising temperature is remarkable, unlike in Australia, which lost over 50 percent of its great barrier reef, Hanafy explained.

He has been demanding the protection of Egypts coral reefs.

Currently, HEPCA in cooperation with IUCN launched Bleach Watch Egypt as part of the Climate Change and Coral Reef. Coral bleaching is the result of rising water temperatures and herein comes the importance of coral monitoring and care.

Bleach Watch Egypt launched a series of workshops and training for a coral monitoring programme along the Red Sea coast and other activities to educate divers and trainers.

For the time being, the Red Sea seems to be the last fortress against climate change, but no one knows if it will remain standing while Earths temperature keeps rising.

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Egyptian MP Gihane Zaki participated in the celebration of the bicentenary of the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs by Jean-Francois Champollion, at Italy's prestigious Turin Academy of Sciences on Saturday.

The event dedicated to Champollion was organised by Professor Massimo Moro, the academys president,

The Italian press described the event as a celebration of Egyptology, highlighting the quality of the gatherings panel discussion, in which Zaki participated.

Zaki, who is also a researcher at the CNRS-Sorbonne University in Paris, spoke in Italian at the inaugural session, describing the Egyptian perspective in a talk titled Champollion... seen by Egyptians.

Equipped with images from the time and rare Arabic manuscripts, Zaki's talk focused on the political and cultural life of the early 19th century in Egypt and especially the years between the departure of the last scholars of Napoleon Bonaparte's expedition and the arrival of members of the Franco-Tuscan mission in March 1828.

Zaki also spoke of the cultural diversity of Egyptian society at the time between Arabs, Greeks, English, Turks, French and Italians, and confirmed the importance of this backdrop in shaping political life on the shores of the Nile.

She also discussed the establishment of the new discipline of Egyptology in the heart of the country thanks to the efforts of the historian Rifaa El-Tahtawi and the great statesman Ali Mubarak

Afterwards, she touched on the birth of a new form of Egyptian archaeology, which has developed over time to reach its modern form, which is regulated by strong national and international legislation.

The meeting between Mohamed Ali, the Wali of Egypt, and Champollion was also at the center of her speech. She described it as "historic," given the exceptional dialogue between the two men and the diplomatic relationship they skillfully created.

This archaelogical diplomacy  including the sharing of obelisks between France, England and the United States  helped the leader of Egypt counter-balance the authority of the Ottoman Empire, which nominally ruled Egypt at the time, Zaki asserted.

Professor Alessandro Roccati, the great Italian Egyptologist moderated the prestigious panel, which brought together, among others, Christian Greco, the director of the Egyptian Museum of Turin, and Professor Bernard Mathieu, former director of the French Institute of Oriental Archeology (IFAO).

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Egypt is committed to doing its utmost to resolve the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue in such a manner that serves the interests of all the parties involved, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said.

"Egypt also appeals to the international community to consolidate the efforts needed for achieving this fair goal,' President Sisi added in a pre-recorded speech for the opening of the 5th edition of Cairo Water Week (CWW 2022), which kicked off Sunday under the theme: "Water at the Heart of Climate Action."

He also stated that Egypt had always been among the first countries to uphold international law and principles related to transboundary rivers, to avoid casing any harm to other parties and ensure equitable use of shared resources.

Sisi stressed that it is Egypt's firm conviction to work together to optimize the wealth of the Nile basin to ensure prosperity for all, instead of uncooperative individual action that only leads to limited development.

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Iran vowed Monday an "immediate" response to the European Union as it prepares new sanctions on the Islamic republic after over a month of protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death.

EU foreign ministers met Monday to adopt sanctions on Iran, including on the morality police in whose custody Amini died on September 16 after she was detained for allegedly breaching Iran's strict dress code for women.

Iran will "decide and act immediately in accordance with the decisions and actions" taken by EU member countries, foreign ministry spokesman Naser Kanani said.

"If they initiate new sanctions, this action is definitely unconstructive and irrational."

Iran has been rocked by demonstrations since the death of 22-year-old Amini and a crackdown on protesters.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warned last week that "now is the time to sanction those responsible" in Iran "for the repression of women".

The planned EU sanctions target 11 Iranian officials and four entities, including the morality police, who will be subject to EU visa bans and asset freezes.

The United States, Britain and Canada have already announced sanctions against Iran over rights violations.

Tehran has accused the United States and some US allies of fomenting the protests.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a Decree on the reconstruction of highways in Baku's Sabail district.

According to the decree, the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads has been allocated 1.2 million manats ($705,907) for proceeding with the reconstruction of the capital's Yasamal district highways in accordance with subparagraph 1.26.18 "Allocating funds envisaged for state capital investments in the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022".

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Finance was tasked with providing relevant funds, whereas the Cabinet of Ministers  with resolving issues stemming from the order.
Egypt has voiced support to Saudi Arabias explanation of the technical considerations behind the recent decision of the OPEC+ group to cut oil production, which triggered tensions.

Egypt follows closely the reverberations of the decision recently issued by the OPEC+ and the tensions that arose around it, Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Monday.

Egypt endorses the stance expressed by the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in explaining the technical considerations for the OPEC+ decision as it aims to maintain oil market discipline in the first place, the foreign ministry said.

This comes in a way that enhances the ability of the international community to tackle the current economic challenges, the ministry added, citing Saudi explanations.

In the first week of October, Saudi-led OPEC+, a group of countries that includes the largest global oil producer Saudi Arabia, announced cutting production by two million barrels per day starting November.

In a statement last week, the Saudi foreign ministry said the decision, adopted unanimously, aims at curbing market volatility while taking into account supply and demand.

The decision comes after prices dropped to $90 per barrel in September, down from $120 in spring. The move is expected to ensure therecovery of oil prices for producers.

The decision, however, has angered the United States, the worlds top oil and consumer. The US accused the kingdom of aligning itself with Russia amid the current crisis in Ukraine.

Riyadh knew the cut "would increase Russian revenues and blunt the effectiveness of sanctions" on Russia, said White House Spokesman John Kirby last week.

The US pushed hard over the past weeks to discourage the OPEC+ output cut decision as President Joe Biden struggles to prevent a new hike in US gasoline prices ahead of the upcoming congressional elections.

Egypt as well as OPEC+ members, including Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria, have voiced support to the organisations production cut decision.

Egypt, a major oil importer, imports 100 million oil barrels per year despite producing a part of its required consumption of petroleum products, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said in July.

Saudi Arabia has rejected the US accusations of making oil production cuts to drive up crude prices, saying the decision was based on pure economic reasons rather than political ones.

OPEC+ is a group of 24 oil-producing nations consisting of the 13 members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers, including Russia.

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The Egyptian authorities have released a new group of 26 pretrial detainees pending investigation, members of the Presidential Pardon Committee said on Monday.

Tarek El-Kholy, a member of the committee, shared on Facebook photos of the detainees following their release.

According to El-Kholy, the freed detainees included human rights lawyer Amr Nohan, who was arrested in June 2019 on charges of joining a terrorist organisation and spreading fake news.

Egypt's prosecution has been ordering the release of hundreds of pretrial detainees in batches in recent months.

Last week, the prosecution ordered the release of 70 pretrial detainees pending investigation. This was the largest batch to be released pending investigation since the reactivation of the Presidential Pardon Committee in April.

Since the re-activation of the Presidential Pardon Committee in April and the launch of preparations for the National Political Dialogue in May, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has pardoned many high-profile political activists who had received final sentences.

The committee, which was first formed in 2016, receives the names of prisoners considered for presidential pardon from various parties and political forces, including the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), parliaments Human Rights Committee, as well as directly through its website.

The scope of the work of the committee has been expanded to include imprisoned debtors.

The government and various political forces are preparing for the National Political Dialogue that will discuss pressing political, economic, and social issues within a few weeks.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry highlighted the dangers of filling and operating the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in a meeting with the President of the World Water Council (WWC) Loic Fauchon on the sidelines the 2022 Cairo Water Week (CWW 2022).

Shoukry stressed to Fauchon the need for reaching a binding deal between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on the rules of filling and operation of the dam, according to a statement released foreign ministry.

During the meeting, Shoukry also reviewed the water security challenges that face Egypt, including challenges posed by the GERD.

Egypt and Sudan have rejected unilateral Ethiopian actions in the filling and operation of the GERD, including Addis Ababa's recent embarking on the third phase of filling the dam's 74-billion-cubic-metre reservoir and operating the dam turbines without their consent.

The two downstream countries have repeatedly called on Addis Ababa to sign a binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam that would secure their water rights and protect their peoples interests, but to no avail.

Egypt is organising the fifth edition of CWW 2022 - under the slogan Water at the Heart of Climate Action' - less than a month before the country hosts the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) 6-18 November in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

This years edition of CWW 2022 features over 1,000 participants from 70 countries and from 66 international organisations.

The annual event, which aims to spread awareness on water issues and promote innovation to face the most pressing water-related challenges, is scheduled to run through Wednesday.

In his speech during the opening of the CWW, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed water challenges facing Egypt and the world.

El-Sisi renewed Egypts commitment to doing its best to settle the GERD issue in a manner that protects the interests of all parties.

He urged the international community to concentrate its efforts to ensure the achievement of this just goal.

El-Sisi also Egypt will launch the Water Adaptation and Resilience initiative in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) at the COP27.

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The poverty rate in Egypt dropped to 29.7 percent in 2019/20, compared to 32.5 percent in 2018/17, the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced on Monday.

On the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, CAPMAS issued a statement about poverty rates in Egypt as well as in Africa and the Arab world.

According to CAPMAS, this is the lowest rate in Egypt in 20 years.

The drop in the poverty rate reflects the success of the states effort to achieve social justice in parallel with economic reforms, CAPMAS said in its statement, adding that the state is cultivating the fruits of the economic reforms from national projects like Takaful and Karama as well as the Decent Life initiative.

CAPMAS stated that overpopulation is the main cause of poverty, adding that poverty correlates to family size.

The increase in family size is the reason and the result of the poverty at the same time, it said.

Poor families often have more children because because of a lack of social protection, with parents betting that their childrens income can support them as they age or get sick, CAPMAS elaborated.

According to CAPMAS, 80.6 percent of people living in families of 10 people or more suffer from poverty.

Nearly half of people living in families of six to seven are poor, while only 7.5 percent of families of less than four are poor.

Education is another reliable indicator of poverty, with higher education levels corresponding to lower levels of poverty, according to CAPMAS.

The agency stated that in 2019/2020, 35.6 percent of the illiterate are poor, compared to 9.4 percent of university graduates.

In December 1992, the United Nations General Assembly declared 17 October as The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and invited all states to devote the day to promoting the eradication of poverty.

CAPMAS stated that more than 736 million people globally lived below the international poverty line in 2015, or about 10 percent of the world's population, and struggled to meet basic needs such as health, education, access to clean water and sanitation.

The statement pointed out that the coronavirus pandemic has pushed between 143 and 163 million additional people into poverty.

South Asia and Africa are expected to see the largest increases in extreme poverty rates due to the pandemic, with an additional 32 million and 26 million people respectively living below the international poverty line, it added in its statement.

In Africa, Nigeria has the largest number of people living below the poverty line (70 million), followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (67 million), Madagascar (21 million), and Angola (18 million).

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The House of Representatives Legislative and Constitutional Affairs committee approved on Monday a draft law submitted by the Cabinet allowing Egyptians aged 15 to obtain national IDs , lowering the age requirement from 16 to 15.

The draft law, approved by the Cabinet last July, amends some provisions of the Code on Civil Affairs No. 143/1994. As per the amendments, children are required to obtain national IDs within six months of reaching the age of 15.

In its explanatory notes, the Cabinet proposed lowering the age requirement for obtaining national IDs to grant children more rights.

Local media cited the undersecretary of the House's committee MP Ehab El-Tamawy as saying that the amendments come in line with the Egyptian Constitution and with family laws that granted citizens aged 15 the right to sue over matters related to guardianship.

The amendments are also consistent with Child Law No. 12/1996, which prohibits the employment of children under the age of 15, El-Tamawy added.

In November last year, Egypts House of Representatives also gave its final approval for the amendments to the traffic regulations law no. 66 of 1973, which lower the age requirement to acquire a drivers license for motorcycles from 18 to 16.

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More than half of the flood victims in Pakistan's worst-hit Sindh province have returned to their homes over the past three weeks as the waters there gradually receded, officials said Monday.

The announcement came as Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the district of Jaccobabad in Sindh, from where he was traveling to the town of Sohbatput in another flood-stricken province, Baluchistan, his office said.

Floodwaters are gradually receding in both provinces and elsewhere in Pakistan, engulfed since mid-June in unprecedented monsoon rains and floods that have killed 1,719 people in the impoverished South Asian country. At one point in August, more than half a million people were living in tents across Pakistan.

The disaster management agency in Sindh said currently a little over 200,000 people are living in relief camps in the province, where the floods have affected 12 million people and killed 780.

The Indus River, which caused much of the devastations in Sindh, is now at normal levels, though authorities say it will take another two months to completely drain the water.

Waterborne diseases and skin infections are spreading in Sindh, where doctors have treated 30,000 people over the past 24 hours, the provincial health department said Monday.

Nationwide, the floods have affected 33 million people, damaged over 2 million homes, washed away thousands of kilometers of roads and destroyed 435 bridges. The overall fatalities have included 641 children and 345 women.

Several economists and government officials have said the cost of the disaster may reach $32 billion.

The United Nations humanitarian agency said over the weekend that 7 million women and children and women require immediate access to food and that around 5.5 million people have no access to safe drinking water. Around 8.2 million people in flood-affected areas needed urgent health services, OCHA said.

The U.N. in early October raised its call for $160 million to $816 million to help with the crisis.

For his part, Sharif has repeatedly asked developed countries _ nations that experts say have impacted climate change the most _ to scale up aid to his impoverished Islamic nation, where authorities say flood survivors will face a harsh winter this December.

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Ethiopia's government on Monday recommitted to peace talks over Tigray but did not address African Union appeals for a ceasefire, vowing instead to carry out "defensive measures" including seizing airports and other federal facilities in the region.

"These measures are necessitated not only by the repeated attacks of the TPLF (Tigray People's Liberation Front) but also by its active collusion with these hostile foreign powers," the Government Communication Service said in a statement, without naming those powers.

On Sunday, AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat called for an "immediate, unconditional ceasefire" as combat intensifies in war-torn Tigray, and for both sides in the nearly two-year war to "recommit to dialogue".

Authorities in Tigray said Sunday they were "ready to abide by an immediate cessation of hostilities" and called on the international community to press the government to come to the table.

Addis Ababa said Monday it was "committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict through the AU-led peace talks."

But it said it would pursue this along with "defensive measures" to protect Ethiopia's sovereignty and territorial integrity from internal and external threats.

"It is thus imperative that the Government of Ethiopia assumes immediate control of all airports, other federal facilities, and installations in the region," the statement said.

UN chief Antonio Guterres, the United States and other Western powers have voiced alarm over the worsening violence in Tigray and called for a peaceful settlement to "this catastrophic conflict".

There is particular concern for Shire, a city of 100,000 people in northwest Tigray, where Ethiopian and Eritrean troops have launched a joint offensive and civilian casualties have been reported.

On Friday, an aid worker from the International Rescue Committee was among three civilians killed in an attack in Shire, where witnesses have reported heavy shelling in recent days.

The government said its army strives to "avoid combat operations within urban areas to prevent civilian casualties".

"The Government of Ethiopia deeply regrets any harm that might have been inflicted on civilians, including humanitarian personnel," the GCS said, adding it would investigate such incidents.

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The European Union on Monday approved a military training mission in Europe for thousands of Ukrainian troops and to provide around 500 million euros ($486 million) in extra funds to help buy weapons for the war-torn country.

The mission, which will have a headquarters in Brussels and be under the command of French naval officer Vice Adm. Herve Blejean, will initially run for two years with a budget of almost 107 million euros ($104 million).

EU headquarters said in a statement that the mission's aim is to allow the Ukrainian armed forces to ``effectively conduct military operations,'' so that Ukraine can ``defend its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, effectively exercise its sovereignty and protect civilians.''

It said that the EU will provide ``individual, collective and specialized training.'' Countries that aren't part of the bloc will be allowed to take part in the training effort. The aim initially is to train about 15,000 Ukrainian troops, chiefly in Poland and Germany.

It's hoped that the mission will be up and running by mid-November.

Several EU and NATO nations are already training Ukraine's armed forces on a bilateral basis. Asked what added value the Brussels-headquartered mission would bring, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday that he's ``strongly convinced that putting together the capacities of the European armies we can offer a much better product.''

NATO started training military instructors in Ukraine after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. The military alliance believes that training the trainers is the most effective way of helping Ukraine's armed forces as it doesn't require troops needed for battle to leave the country.

The EU also approved a sixth tranche of money, worth 500 million euros ($486 million), from the European Peace Facility _ a fund being used to reimburse member countries that provide weapons, ammunition and non-lethal military support to Ukraine.

Around 10 million euros ($9.7 million) from that sum will be used to provide equipment and supplies, like personal protection gear, first-aid kits and fuel.

It brings to just over 3 billion euros ($2.9 billion) the total EU sum in security support being made available for Ukraine. Individual countries are also spending more on top of that. The decisions will come almost eight months after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

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The United States warned Monday it would take action against companies and nations working with Iran's drone program after Russia used the imports for deadly kamikaze strikes in Kyiv.

"Anyone doing business with Iran that could have any link to UAVs or ballistic missile developments or the flow of arms from Iran to Russia should be very careful and do their due diligence, the US will not hesitate to use sanctions or take actions against perpetrators," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.

"Russia deepening an alliance with Iran is something the whole world, especially those in the region and across the world, frankly, should be seeing as a profound threat," he said.

Patel said that the United States also believed that Iran's shipment of the drones, formally known as unmanned aerial vehicles, violated UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which blessed a now moribund 2015 nuclear deal.

"It is our belief that these UAVs that were transferred from Iran to Russia and used by Russia in Ukraine are among the weapons that would remain embargoed under 2231," he said.

The resolution's ban on Iranian exports of conventional weapons expired in October 2020 despite efforts at the United Nations by the administration of Donald Trump, who left the unclear deal.

But the resolution maintains restrictions through October 2023 on exports related to ballistic missiles that could deliver nuclear weapons.

Citing previously released US intelligence, Patel said that some of Iran's drones being sold to Russia have malfunctioned.

The transfer shows the "enormous pressure" on Russia, which according to US figures has lost 6,000 pieces of equipment since invading Ukraine, he said.

Moscow is "being forced frankly to resort to unreliable countries like Iran for supplies and equipment," he said.

US officials have previously said that Russia, historically a major arms exporter, is also turning to North Korea but that China has rebuffed calls for assistance.

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Saudi Arabia has rejected US accusations of aligning itself with Russia amid the Ukraine war by making oil production cuts to drive up crude prices, insisting it was purely a business decision.

"We are astonished by the accusations that the kingdom is standing with Russia in its war with Ukraine," the Saudi defence minister, Prince Khaled bin Salman, tweeted late Sunday.

The Saudi-led OPEC+ cartel -- which includes Russia -- has angered Washington by deciding to cut production by two million barrels per day from November, adding further pressure on soaring crude prices.

"It is telling that these false accusations did not come from the Ukrainian government," Prince Khaled wrote. "Although the OPEC+ decision, which was taken unanimously, was due to purely economic reasons, some accused the kingdom of standing with Russia.

"Iran is also a member of OPEC, does this mean that the kingdom is standing with Iran as well?" he asked, referring to Saudi Arabia's regional rival.

In a speech broadcast on Sunday night, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud insisted his country was "working hard, within its energy strategy, to support the stability and balance of global oil markets".

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which like Saudi Arabia are OPEC partners, also defended the cartel's decision as a "technical" move.

White House spokesman John Kirby said last week that Riyadh knew the cut "would increase Russian revenues and blunt the effectiveness of sanctions" on Moscow.

The United States has vowed to re-evaluate ties with the oil-rich kingdom since the cut, which was seen as a diplomatic slap in the face for President Joe Biden by hiking prices on US consumers weeks before congressional elections.

Biden travelled to Saudi Arabia in July and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman -- with the two greeting each other with a high-profile fist bump.

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By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has urged Armenia to honor its international commitments for the opening of the Zangazur corridor, Azernews reports.

Armenia should avoid fake pretexts to evade from its commitments under the November 10, 2020, Trilateral Statement to link auto/railroads through the Zangazur corridor. To suggest 3 unrealistic options of checkpoints for connectivity ignoring 20 months-long discussions is not a good policy, the ministry tweeted in response to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans statement.

A draft decision of the Armenian government on the opening 3 checkpoints on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border to provide a connection between eastern Azerbaijan & Nakhchivan is being formally circulated for several months. The government of Armenia is waiting for a positive reaction from Azerbaijan, Pashinyan tweeted on October 17.

The trilateral ceasefire deal signed by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders on November 10, 2020, ended the three-decade conflict over Azerbaijans Karabakh region, which along with the seven adjacent districts came under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in the war in the early 1990s.

On January 11, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed the second statement since the end of the 44-day war. The newly-signed statement was set to implement clause 9 of the November 2020 statement related to the unblocking of all economic and transport communications in the region.

On November 26, 2021, the three leaders signed a statement and agreed on a number of issues, including the demarcation and delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border. On May 23, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed decrees on the creation of border delimitation and security commissions.

So far, two meetings of the border delimitation commissions led by Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and his Armenian opposite side Mher Grigoryan was held prior to the border clashes that erupted as a result of the Armenian provocation on September 12-14.

Following the October 6 meeting in Prague between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders under the auspices of EU Council President Charles Michel and French President Emmanuel Macron, all parties reaffirmed their commitment to the peace negotiations while recognizing each other's territorial integrity.
Kuwait's crown prince swore in a reshuffled new government on Monday, less than a month after the oil-rich emirate held parliamentary elections in which the opposition reaped major gains.

The elections came after the previous parliament was dissolved, capping off a political stand-off between the former cabinet and legislature that saw lawmakers occupy the national assembly building for days.

The new government team, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf al-Ahmed Al-Sabah -- son of the country's 85-year-old ruler -- comes after lawmakers objected to an initial line-up in early October.

Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, who has been delegated many of the emir's responsibilities, "received the prime ministers and ministers who were sworn in", the state news agency KUNA reported.

The new government will be tasked with dealing with "priority issues" such as development, investments and the fight against corruption, KUNA quoted the crown prince as saying.

Charges of corruption have been at the heart of tensions as opposition MPs have routinely levelled graft accusations at ministers in successive cabinets.

The new cabinet line-up comprises 15 ministers, including two women, with two new names in key posts -- Salem Al-Sabah as foreign minister and Badr al-Mulla leading the petroleum ministry.

The elections in late September saw Kuwaitis elect an opposition-led parliament once again, with women making a comeback in the legislature after two female lawmakers secured seats.

Twenty-eight of the 50 seats were won by opposition candidates as 20 former MPs were ousted, including three former ministers.

The only fully elected parliament in the Gulf, Kuwait's National Assembly has been fraught with repeated crises between the executive and legislature, with September's elections marking the sixth in a decade.

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Germany will create the "legal basis" necessary to keep all three of its remaining nuclear power plants running until mid-April, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Monday, as the country faces an energy crisis this winter.

"The legal basis will be created to allow the operation of the nuclear power plants Isar 2, Neckarwestheim 2 and Emsland beyond December 31, 2022 until April 15, 2023," Scholz said in a letter to cabinet ministers seen by AFP.

The government had previously only agreed to keep two of the three plants going beyond their planned end-of-year phaseout, as Europe's top economy scrambles to reduce its reliance on Russian energy imports in the wake of the Ukraine war.

The fate of the Emsland plant in northern Germany had caused a rift between Scholz's two coalition partners, with the anti-nuclear Greens resisting calls by the liberal FDP to keep the Emsland plant online as well.

Repeated rounds of talks in recent days failed to resolve the row, and Scholz's statement on Monday evening indicates he pulled rank to break the impasse.

The letter says Scholz, from the centre-left Social Democrats, was invoking his authority as chancellor to issue a directive.

Germany had initially aimed to exit nuclear power by the end of 2022, completing the phase-out planned by former chancellor Angela Merkel.

But the Ukraine war has upended the energy landscape, forcing a dramatic rethink as power prices soar and Russia has shut off gas supplies through the crucial Nord Stream 1 pipeline.

Germany is now racing to secure enough energy supplies as the colder winter weather approaches, and is even restarting mothballed coal-fired power plants.

In a major U-turn, Economics Minister Robert Habeck recently announced that Germany would keep two of its last three nuclear power plants, Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim 2, on standby until the spring of 2023 as an emergency back-up.

But he had faced growing pressure from the FDP to keep all three plants running, with its head Finance Minister Christian Lindner saying all three were needed to "reduce prices and prevent blackouts".

Justice Minister Marco Buschmann from the FDP welcomed Scholz's decision on Twitter.

"Common sense prevails," he wrote. "This strengthens our country because it ensures more grid stability and lower electricity prices."

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed in a meeting with the Joe Kaiser, chairman of the supervisory board of the German company Siemens, cooperation in green energy projects in order to make Egypt a regional centre for the production and exchange of new and renewable energy.

The meeting was attended by Egypts Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker, President and CEO of Siemens Energy Christian Bruch and Managing Director of Siemens Energy in Egypt Engineer Layla El-Hares.

During the meeting, Sisi expressed appreciation for the achievements reached by the Siemens company in implementing development projects and its successful efforts in establishing power plants in Egypt, according to the Egyptian presidency.

Moreover, the president stressed his aspiration to benefit from the companys expertise in several development sectors, including new and renewable energy and electricity interconnection.

El-Sisi added that the country could benefit from Siemens expertise regarding the professional, technical and vocational training programs provided to Egyptian personnel, thus consolidating the German standards of high performance and accurate production.

On his side, Kaiser praised the fruitful cooperation with Egypt across numerous energy projects. The most notable of which, he said, are the three gas-fired combined cycle power plants that have become the backbone of the Egyptian power grid.

Siemens considers this project one of the prominent icons in the history of the company since its inception, he said.

The Beni Suef, Burullus and New Capital power plants, which started operation in 2018, generate a total capacity of 14,400 MW.





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Elon Musk said Saturday his rocket company, SpaceX, would continue to fund its Starlink internet service in Ukraine, citing the need for "good deeds," a day after he said it could no longer afford to do so.

Musk tweeted: "the hell with it... even though starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, we'll just keep funding ukraine govt for free."

Musk said Friday that SpaceX could not indefinitely fund Starlink in Ukraine. The service has helped civilians and military stay online during the war with Russia.
Bangtan Boys, also known as BTS, held a free concert titled "Yet to Come" in Busan on Saturday to support Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo. For the one-and-a-half-hour concert, the Busan Asiad Main Stadium accommodated 50,000 spectators including a standing audience of 20,000. The Army, as the boy band's fandom is known, gathered from all over the world, and turned the country's second-largest city into a venue full of festive vibes. The city's famous landmarks were lit up in purple, the color associated with the group, and stores selling BTS goods and holding related exhibitions saw long lines.

Bangtan Boys perform at a concert in Busan on Saturday.

It was their first offline concert in four months after the group announced in June that it would take an indefinite hiatus. Since Jin, the oldest member among the seven, is set to start his mandatory military service in December, many fans from across the country and all over the world flocked to the city to see the concert, which could be the last one for years with all the members participating. Many of the fans waited outside the venue from the early morning to get a spot in the front row of the standing area and have a closer look at the group.

Fans wait to enter Bangtan Boys' concert in Busan on Saturday. /News1

When reservations for the concert opened last month, as many as 100,000 fans had to wait to log on to the site to secure one of the 50,000 seats available. Thousands of other unlucky fans gathered outside the stadium in the hope of hearing some live songs. According to the band's management agency Hybe, the gig, which was livestreamed through the agency's platform Weverse, recorded 49 million views from 229 countries.
Notorious child rapist Kim Geun-sik (54), who is completing a 15-year prison term for raping 11 minors, was indicted again a day before he was set to be released on Monday.

He is being investigated on a new charge of sexually assaulting a minor in 2006. The Suwon District Court issued an arrest warrant for Kim on Sunday.

The decision quells a massive uproar over his scheduled release after he served the maximum sentence on the books for his offenses.

Kim was scheduled to be freed from prison on Monday and sent to a rehabilitation center in Uijeongbu north of Seoul, triggering vociferous protest from local residents.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of strengthening "strategic communication" between China and North Korea.

In a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last Thursday, Xi wrote that the traditional friendship between the two countries is getting stronger with the passage of time.

That suggests that despite a flurry of provocations by the North, Beijing is steadfast in its support of the crackpot regime.
KYODO NEWS - Oct 17, 2022 - 18:30 | All, Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Monday to launch a probe into the Unification Church, the first such move under the Religious Corporations Law, reversing his initial decision amid a plunge in support for his Cabinet to its lowest level since he took office last year.

The probe will be implemented under a provision of the law that allows authorities the "right to question" a contentious group.

Depending on the outcome of the investigation and judgement by a court, the Unification Church could lose its status as a religious corporation and be deprived of tax benefits, although it would still be able to operate as an entity.

Revelations about the way the organization has encouraged followers to make financially ruinous donations and the links it had with members of Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party have become a serious headache for the premier.

The group has been under the spotlight since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was gunned down in July by a Unification Church member's relative who held a grudge against it and believed Abe was a supporter.

The Kishida administration had previously been cautious about ordering a probe into the Unification Church -- founded by a staunch anti-communist in South Korea in 1954 and often labeled as a cult -- due in part to fears of violating the principle of freedom of religion.

But Kishida said at a parliamentary session on Monday that he ordered the investigation of the religious organization as the government received more than 1,700 consultation requests by Sept. 30 through its telephone service set up on Sept. 5.

"The government has taken seriously the fact that there are a large number of victims as well as poverty and broken families, and they haven't been provided with adequate relief," he said.

It is difficult to predict when the investigation will end, said Kishida, who has denied any relationship with the Unification Church, emphasizing that his administration has "no intention of protecting" the group "at all."

Keiko Nagaoka, minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, said her ministry is eager to begin the probe as soon as possible, adding an expert panel on the issue is expected to start considering the details of the investigation as early as Oct. 25.

Nagaoka said groups affiliated with the Unification Church will be exempt from the probe, as they are not legal entities based on the religious corporations law.

Revealed connections between LDP members and the Unification Church have sparked concern that the organization may have tried to exert influence in the political arena for its own interests.

The group has become a social problem mainly for its mass weddings and "spiritual sales," in which the church pressures people to buy jars and other items for exorbitant prices by the use of threats, including the citing of "ancestral karma."

Kishida's policy shift came as a panel of experts at the Consumer Affairs Agency announced a set of proposals regarding the Unification Church on Monday, including asking the government to exercise its power to investigate the organization.

The agency said it has received many complaints about the Unification Church purportedly demanding huge donations from its followers that push them to the point of financial ruin.

Tetsuya Yamagami, the man who shot Abe during an election speech, said his family was financially ruined after his mother made huge donations to the church.

The group, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has acknowledged the financial impact on the family from the donations.

Yamagami also reportedly said that he targeted Abe as he was aware that the former prime minister was linked to the Unification Church. Abe appeared in a video message aired at an event held by an organization affiliated with the group in 2021.

A Kyodo News survey conducted earlier this month found the approval rating for Kishida's Cabinet has fallen to 35.0 percent, its worst level since its launch in October last year.

An LDP internal investigation released in September showed around half of the ruling party's lawmakers had some connection 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.

The Kishida administration has been shaken by several issues, such as his decision to hold a controversial state funeral for Abe on Sept. 27 and rising prices without wage growth, in addition to the dubious ties between LDP members and the Unification Church.

So far, only two religious organizations have received a dissolution order from a court because of legal violations in Japan. One was the AUM Shinrikyo cult, which carried out the deadly 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system.

The other was 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.

The government did not exert the right to question the two religious organizations, as the groups were ordered to disband after their executives were sentenced in criminal cases.

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Japan PM eyes launching probe into controversial Unification Church
KYODO NEWS - Oct 17, 2022 - 20:58 | All, Japan

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday sent a ritual offering to the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo, a source of diplomatic friction with some Asian neighbors who view it as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

Kishida sent the "masakaki" ceremonial tree on the occasion of the Shinto shrine's autumn festival, but he is likely to refrain from paying a visit during the two-day festival through Tuesday, people close to him said.

Yasukuni shrine honors the souls of the nation's more than 2.4 million war dead, but Japanese leaders convicted as war criminals by a post-World War II international tribunal are also enshrined there.

Past visits to the shrine by Japanese prime ministers, including assassinated former leader Shinzo Abe, and lawmakers have drawn harsh criticism from China and South Korea, where memories of Japan's wartime actions run deep.

Economic security minister Sanae Takaichi visited Yasukuni on Monday. Known for sharing Abe's hawkish views, Takaichi, who assumed her current post in Kishida's Cabinet reshuffle in early August, has repeatedly visited the shrine.

At his daily press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, the top government spokesman, declined to comment on the administration's view regarding Kishida's ritual offering to Yasukuni.

Matsuno said Kishida made the offering "as a private person" rather than a public figure, although the masakaki was sent with a board stating "prime minister."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Monday that Beijing "firmly opposes Japan's negative move" on the Yasukuni shrine and has lodged "solemn representations" with Tokyo.

China urges Japan to "face up to and reflect on its history of aggression, completely cut itself off from militarism, and take concrete actions to win the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community," he said at a press conference in Beijing.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry voiced "deep disappointment and regret" over Kishida's ritual offering, urging Japan to demonstrate remorse with action over its wartime history.

Last Friday, Yasutoshi Nishimura, economy, trade and industry minister, visited Yasukuni ahead of its autumn festival beginning Monday, according to sources close to him.

The shrine said Monday that among Cabinet members, health minister Katsunobu Kato sent an offering, while Hidehisa Otsuji, president of the House of Councillors, followed suit.

A cross-party group of lawmakers, meanwhile, is expected to visit the shrine on Tuesday. The group last visited the religious facility en masse in April for its spring festival.

Japan invaded a wide area of China, while it ruled the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

In December 2013, Abe paid a visit to the shrine, triggering a strong backlash from Beijing and Seoul. The United States, Japan's key security ally, also said it was "disappointed" by Abe's action, which it said would "exacerbate tensions with Japan's neighbors."

Apparently to avoid confrontation with China and South Korea, recent prime ministers have sent offerings to the shrine at the time of its biannual festivals in the spring and autumn as well as the anniversary of the end of World War II on Aug. 15.

In 1978, Yasukuni added 14 Class-A war criminals, including wartime Prime Minister Gen. Hideki Tojo who was executed by hanging for crimes against peace, to the enshrined deities, stirring controversy in Japan and abroad.

The seasonal festivals normally run for three days but have been shortened to two days as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the shrine said.

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Japanese minister visits war-linked Yasukuni shrine before festival
BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- As the world embraces the 42nd World Food Day, China, the world's most populous country, is making every effort to ensure grain supply amid growing uncertainties in global food security.



Food security is among the country's most fundamental interests, said Chinese President Xi Jinping. To ensure food security, he has on different occasions stressed farmland protection and improvement, development of seed industry, collection and protection of germplasm resources, as well as supporting farmers and agriculture in all ways possible.

PROTECTING, IMPROVING QUALITY OF FARMLAND

China needs to feed nearly one-fifth of the global population with only 9 percent of the world's arable land. To the president, protecting and improving the quality of farmland means a lot, in order to fill Chinese people's rice bowls, mainly with Chinese grain.

Xi has said that farmland is the lifeline of grain production and the foundation of the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, and urged the implementation of the strictest possible system for farmland protection.

To ensure the country's farmland area remains above the red line of 1.8 billion mu (about 120 million hectares), China has basically formed a legal system for farmland protection, including related provisions in its civil code and criminal law.

At the annual central rural work conference in 2020, Xi stressed the importance of developing high-standard farmland to secure high and stable yields despite droughts and floods.

Through a decade-long endeavor, the country's high-quality farmland will have reached 1 billion mu by the end of 2022, with a stable grain production capacity of over 500 billion kilograms.

INCREASING GRAIN PRODUCTION WITH TECHNOLOGY

To ensure food security from the source, Xi has made special emphasis on the seed industry. During an April visit to a seed laboratory in Sanya, Hainan Province, he said seed resources must be "firmly held in our own hands" to ensure food security.

He stressed efforts to achieve self-reliance in seed technology and ensure that China's seed resources are self-supporting and under better control.

Under his leadership, the country has made progress in collecting and protecting germplasm resources and building seed banks, while making breakthroughs in seed breeding and selection as well as in the research and development of cutting-edge breeding technology.

So far, the number of national seed breeding and production bases in China has increased to 216, official data showed. These hubs breed or produce seeds for grain, cotton, oil and sugar, among others.

With the help of technology, China's grain production has undergone structural upgrade. Over the past decade, the comprehensive mechanization rates of wheat, corn and rice production have exceeded 97 percent, 90 percent and 85 percent, respectively.

Supported by technological innovations, Chinese farmers can now install small weather stations and soil moisture meters in their fields, supervise crops through mobile applications, and use intelligent tractors and agricultural drones in farming.

SUPPORTING FARMERS IN MULTIPLE WAYS

To ensure food security, Xi has also urged efforts to implement all supportive policies, protect farmers' enthusiasm for their work, and improve incomes from food production.

Over the past decade, a string of policies have been introduced to bring more benefits to grain planters. China has steadily raised the minimum purchase prices for rice and wheat, provided subsidies for grain planters, and introduced cost and income insurances for major grain producers in main production areas.

The country has encouraged the development of family farms and farming cooperatives. In recent years, over 78 million farming households have received support from more than 950,000 socialized agricultural services organizations.

This year, 40 billion yuan (about 5.63 billion U.S. dollars) has been allocated from the central government budget to ease the impact of agricultural material price rises, agricultural specialists have been sent to fields to assist farms, and various government agencies have strengthened consultations, early warning and disaster relief for floods and droughts.

As an epitome of China's agricultural infrastructure construction, water conservancy projects have seen rapid development. In the past decade, over 7,000 large and medium-sized irrigation areas were built in China, with an effective irrigated farmland area of 69.13 million hectares, accounting for 54 percent of the country's arable land and producing 75 percent of the country's grain.

With hardwork on all fronts, China's grain output had topped 650 billion kilograms for seven consecutive years by 2021, with the per capita grain supply remaining higher than the internationally recognized security line.

This year, China has seen output increases in summer grain and early rice and is expecting another bumper harvest. Such achievement didn't come easily as the country has overcome the impact of last year's rare autumn floods in the north, the late sowing of winter wheat in large areas and sporadic resurgences of COVID-19 cases, and coped with severe heat and droughts in some southern regions. 
South Africa: Gauteng working on strategy to fight crime

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the provincial government will, in due course, announce a strategy which he says is expected to take fight against crime to the next level.

Lesufi was briefing the media outside the family home of four-year-old Bokgabo Poo who was found murdered and her body mutilated in Tamboville last week.

The Premier, together with Gauteng MEC for Safety and Security Faith Mazibuko was visiting the family in the wake of the discovery of the childs body.

We have to take this fight back to criminals which simply means that we have to capacitate our law enforcement agencies. We have to get every cent that we have as the state to empower the police. We cant rely on any other thing but the capacity of the state to confront [crime] and attend to it.

We will make announcements on this matter. We have finalised the strategy, we have costed it [and] we really believe that it will assist us to arrest some of the situations that we have. We have shared that strategy with the police, they are agreeing to it, he said on Monday.

Lesufi added that budgets have been drawn up to ensure that the strategy is implemented and executed.

We need every placein this province to be under the watch of the police. We are moving all the relevant budgets and resources everywhere. We are confronting this problem of crime and lawlessness. This is pure lawlessness and we must close it and confront it, he said.

Lesufi condemned the murder of the child and called on justice to be meted out to anyone found guilty of the murder.

We are coming here to strengthen the family, to give them the support and to tell the police to leave no stone unturned until we get everything that we need. What has happened to this family is cruel and painful. Even animals dont behave like this.

We are dealing with somebody who has been an enemy of our people. We are dealing with somebody who has done these things before. We are dealing with somebody who is heartless. We are dealing with somebody who we believe the law must not even give him a chance to get bail again, Lesufi said.

He called on the community to assist the police in tracking down other parts of the childs body which have still not been found.

The body of [Poo], we still have parts that are still missing. We need to unleash all the law enforcement agenciesI have asked the police...to bring all the technology that they have at their disposal so that we can assist the family to close this chapter that is so painful, he said.

A 30-year-old man appeared at the Benoni Magistrates Court today on charges of kidnapping and murder related to the case.

The case has been postponed to 24 October.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-10-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Trend

Unfortunately, France and French President Emmanuel Macron can't be objective, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye Mevlut Cavushoglu said during the press conference following the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Istanbul on October 17, Trend reports.

"A quadripartite meeting was held in Prague. And even this meeting was held in order to put pressure on Azerbaijan. However, this is not the same Azerbaijan that accepts everything offered, this is the Azerbaijan that liberated its territories from occupations. The provocateur is obvious with its intentions and everyone knew who the occupier was," he said

"Why did the Karabakh problem remain unsolved for 30 years? The reason for this is the unconditional support of Armenia shown by Russia, the US, and France. Azerbaijan showed patience for 30 years. As a result, it liberated its lands from Armenian occupation. And now, according to international law, Karabakh is the land of Azerbaijan," Cavusoglu stated.
DAMASCUS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The visiting UN special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Monday called for progress on the political front to resolve the Syrian crisis.

Speaking to reporters following his meeting with Syria's Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, Pedersen recounted the difficulties facing the Syrian people, saying that despite a ceasefire being established in 2020, many civilians are still being killed, and 15 million Syrians still need humanitarian assistance.

Pedersen made it clear that the UN is still committed to working on providing humanitarian assistance and supporting a nationwide ceasefire, but these two factors are not enough without progress achieved on the political front.

The UN envoy said he and Mekdad discussed ways to establish "confidence-building measures" in line with Security Council resolution 2254 that provides for a roadmap for a political settlement of the Syrian crisis.

"We start slowly but steadily to implement the different provisions of the UN Security Council resolutions, and the good news is that all parties say they are committed. The question is can we build a little bit of confidence so that we are able to move forward," he said.

The two officials also discussed the UN-facilitated Syrian Constitutional Committee, said Pedersen, adding although the mechanism hasn't been working so far, its prospects remain.

The Syrian Constitution Committee was launched in late 2019 in Geneva, as part of the peace process that seeks to reconcile the Syrian Government with its opposition and to revise the Syrian constitution or draft a new one. Since then, it has held several meetings but has yet to agree on an agenda. 
TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a Saturday blaze at Tehran's Evin prison rose to eight as four other inmates died at the hospital due to severe injuries, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday.

Citing the Iranian Judiciary's media center, it reported that all the deceased prisoners were among those held in the ward for theft, adding six others are still undergoing treatment at the hospital.

According to the report, over 70 detainees have been rescued from the fire on the night of the incident by prison officers, police forces, and emergency personnel.

Earlier reports said the large fire was ignited following clashes among a number of inmates in the wards for theft and financial convictions, which spread to a tailoring workshop of the prison.

Official news agency IRNA earlier reported that four inmates died from smoke inhalation in the fire, and 61 injured prisoners were receiving treatment, 10 of whom were hospitalized, including four in critical conditions at the time.

During the conflict and fire, a number of prisoners convicted of violent and dangerous crimes tried to escape, but failed thanks to security measures, IRNA said. 
by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's endorsement of Russia's proposal to establish a natural gas distribution center in the country reflects its ambition to become an international energy hub, but the plan needs the participation of more producers than Russia to become practical, said experts.

After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Kazakhstan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on Friday that he agreed to Putin's proposal to set up a gas hub in Turkiye and recommend the northwestern Thrace region bordering Bulgaria and Greece as the best spot for the plan.

"There will be no waiting," said Erdogan, who ordered the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to carry out joint work with the Russian side immediately.

The proposal comes at a time when the Nord Stream pipelines transporting Russia's gas to Europe were recently damaged in a series of explosions.

Turkiye is playing along with Putin's idea but the project would be realistic when other producers such as Iran, Azerbaijan or Turkmenistan are also involved, Serkan Demirtas, a Turkish foreign policy analyst, told Xinhua.

"If a big international distribution center is established in Thrace, as President Erdogan has suggested, and there are different gas suppliers besides Russia ... It would be a more sensible and viable project," Demirtas said.

The project will convince European countries, which want to reduce their dependency on Moscow, to buy gas from the new gas hub, the analyst noted.

The European Union, which has imposed sanctions on Russia, has vowed to cut purchases of Russian gas by at least two-thirds by the end of the year amid skyrocketing energy prices.

The Russian leader is trying to reassure European nations scrambling to curb energy use this winter that they can still count on Russia for gas needs, Demirtas added.

Multibillion-dollar projects such as the TurkStream pipeline and the nuclear power plant being built by Russia in southern Turkiye symbolize the rapprochement between Moscow and Ankara since 2016.

"Turkiye is now becoming a new reliable energy corridor for the world and Europe," said Altug Karatas, an energy expert at the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association.

"Turkiye is the only route through which Azerbaijani gas, even Turkmen gas, Iranian gas, and Eastern Mediterranean gas will pass" and flow to Europe, the expert was quoted by Internet daily haber7com as saying.

Once it grows into a hub as planned, Turkiye will become an energy exchange in the world's natural gas market and turn into a center where gas prices are determined, Karatas noted.

Following the blasts at the two Nord Stream pipelines, TurkStream, a natural gas pipeline running from Russia to Turkiye, along with limited transit flow via Ukraine, is almost the last remaining route as Russia has cut gas shipments to Europe.

As a NATO member, Turkiye has close relations with both Ukraine and Russia and has not joined the Western sanctions drive on Moscow. Instead, it has been seeking to mediate between the two countries since their conflict broke out in February.

Still, there are some aspects of the Russian proposal that need to be clarified through negotiations, a source close to the Turkish government told Xinhua.

Commercial and legal points have to be agreed upon between Turkiye and Russia, and eventually third parties will likely export Russian gas to European markets, the source said on condition of anonymity.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday that the Russian proposal needs "to be studied well."

"There are investments that need to be made. They need to be examined," he was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu Agency. 
TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Ground Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched a large-scale three-day military exercise in Iran's northwestern region of Aras on Monday, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

The war game was being held in areas along Iran's northwestern borders in the provinces of Ardabil and East Azarbaijan, it reported.

IRGC Ground Force Commander Mohammad Pakpour said heliborne and airborne operations, night raids, and operations involving combat helicopters and "suicide" drones will be carried out during the exercise.

The military exercise involves hybrid security and defense scenarios, including a building drill of military pontoon bridges, according to the report.

Last week, Pakpour said the drill is part of the scheduled annual missions of the IRGC Ground Force, which aims to boost its combat preparedness, the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News reported. 
The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened on Sunday.

The central committees of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) have respectively sent their congratulations to the CPC Central Committee on the successful convening of the meeting.

Calling the week-long congress a landmark event, the four parties spoke highly of China's achievements over the past decade under the leadership of the CPC, and expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with the CPC in the future.





LANDMARK EVENT

The WPK Central Committee extended warm congratulations to the 20th CPC National Congress.

The 20th CPC National Congress is a political event of milestone significance in a new 100-year journey of the Chinese people, the WPK Central Committee said, adding that it firmly believes that this congress will be historic.

The CPV Central Committee also hailed the 20th CPC National Congress as an important event of historic and milestone significance for the party and in the political life of the Chinese people.

It expressed the firm belief that the congress will set the course for China to basically realize socialist modernization by 2035 and build it into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful in the middle of this century.

Aerial photo taken on July 22, 2022 shows a view of Yangpu port in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS

The WPK Central Committee said that the CPC has united and led the Chinese people in striving for building a modern socialist country, and has achieved remarkable results.

Over the past decade, the CPC has comprehensively strengthened party building and led the Chinese people in their vigorous struggle for sustainable development and prosperity of the country and for safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the WPK Central Committee said, noting that China's comprehensive national strength and international status have been improved unprecedentedly.

The CPV Central Committee said it is glad to see that since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the CPC has led the Chinese people in making great achievements in various fields, completing on schedule the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics into a new era.

Under the strong leadership of the CPC, the brotherly Chinese people have made remarkable achievements in building socialism with Chinese characteristics, said the LPRP Central Committee.

In particular, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the Chinese people in making new leapfrog development, successfully achieving the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and historically resolving the problem of absolute poverty, it said, adding that China's international status has been on the rise.

These historic achievements have provided valuable experience and set a successful example for other developing countries, including Laos, and have also made major contributions to the cause of global development, it said.

The PCC Central Committee said that the CPC has led the Chinese people in defending national sovereignty, independence and unity, building socialism, developing the country's economy and consolidating China's role in ensuring global stability and balance.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC, under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, has turned China into a global leader of innovation, it said, noting that China has pursued an active foreign policy and put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, which are widely commended.

Workers operate at the assembly workshop of automaker SAIC Motor's Lingang base in Shanghai, east China, April 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

CLOSER BONDS

The WPK Central Committee said the party stands ready to work with the CPC to further consolidate their bonds, and make sure that the vitality of their bonds is given more powerful demonstration in all spheres of bilateral relations.

Vietnam and China are two friendly neighbours, the CPV Central Committee said.

The CPV has always attached importance to its ties with China and is ready to work with the CPC, state and people of China to continuously consolidate and promote the Vietnam-China good-neighborly friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new stage of development, it added.

The LPRP, the Lao government and the Lao people of all ethnic groups cherish the traditional friendship between Laos and China, and are willing to work with the CPC, the Chinese government and people to continuously consolidate and develop the Laos-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and continuously deepen and solidify the building of the Laos-China community with a shared future, so as to better benefit the two countries and their people, and to make greater contributions to regional and global peace, cooperation and development, the LPRP Central Committee said.

The PCC reiterated its firm position of upholding the one-China principle and said that it firmly opposes any attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs. 
BOGOTA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least one child was killed and five adults were injured in a plane accident in northern Colombia, local authorities said on Sunday.

The accident occurred around 11:00 a.m. local time (1600 GMT) when a small plane went off the runway at Simon Bolivar International Airport in the city of Santa Marta, Magdalena department.

A child about two years old who was not on the aircraft was killed by the plane as it crashed through the airport fence and hit a tree, the commander of the Santa Marta Metropolitan Police, Colonel Adriana Paz, told local media.

"We also have five people who were (injured while) being moved or transported by the plane," she said. 
Zhao Chenxin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, speaks at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China will further intensify its efforts to encourage foreign investment, an official with the country's top economic planner said Monday.

Zhao Chenxin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, made the remark at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. 
TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian foreign ministry said on Sunday that U.S. President Joe Biden meddled in Iran's "state matters" by supporting "riots" in the country, state-owned Press TV reported.

"On Saturday, Biden interfered for the umpteenth time in Iran's state matters by supporting the riots as he has done ever since the outbreak of recent developments in Iran," the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani was quoted as saying by Press TV.

Iran has not given in to the U.S. "cruel sanctions and idle threats" and will be unfazed by its interventionist policies and the futile campaign, Kanaani added.

A day earlier, Biden said he "was surprised by the courage of the people taking to the streets in protest in Iran." Protests broke out across Iran following the death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16 at a hospital in the capital Tehran after police custody.

"You (U.S. officials) are accustomed to fishing in troubled waters. Since the 1953 coup until today, the anti-Iranian policies by the U.S. government have been well recorded in our minds," Kanaani said. 
KIGALI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) affirmed working in partnership with national parliaments to push forward gender equality and responsive legislation.

At the conclusion of its 145th assembly in Kigali, Rwanda's capital, Saturday, the lawmakers adopted the Kigali Declaration, highlighting actions to be undertaken to achieve gender equality including enacting gender-responsive laws and ensuring parity in political decision-making.

Esperance Nyirasafari, vice-president of Rwanda's Senate, and Ivan Flores, member of Parliament from Chile, said the Kigali Declaration was arrived at after a "rich, insightful and inspiring general debate of this 145th IPU Assembly."

The lawmakers said gender equality and gender-sensitive parliaments are drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world.

According to the IPU, gender-sensitive parliaments are founded on the principle of gender equality, with women and men having equal rights to participate without discrimination or recrimination. Such parliaments respond to the needs and interests of both men and women in their structures, operations, methods and work.

"We must reach parity in political decision-making by all means, including 50:50 quotas," Nyirasafari said, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic had revealed that crises are never gender neutral, but exacerbate gender-based inequality, hold back society and challenge resilience. "We affirm that gender equality is key in confronting pandemics, conflicts, economic recessions and climate change," she said.

IPU President Duarte Pacheco said gender-equal parliaments have the power to influence decisions that can prevent wars.

"Gender-sensitive parliaments can help bring more global security. This is because there's no mother that feels well when she sees their children going to war. And that just shows the difference," said Pacheco. "I believe that with gender-sensitive parliaments we will be more open, and try to understand the positions of the others and to open to dialogue and avoid so many conflicts."

The week-long assembly convened more than 1,000 delegates, including MPs and Speakers from 120 parliaments. The assembly was held under the theme "Gender equality and gender-sensitive parliaments as drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world."

The lawmakers called for a new generation of more diverse parliamentarians to advance gender equality and inclusivity. They also committed to placing vulnerable populations at the center, end to gender-based discrimination and ensuring equal sharing of care responsibility.

"We must share the care responsibility equally among men and women. Let's act as examples in our societies by undertaking 50 percent of the daily care work for our families, regardless of whether we are male or female MPs," Nyirasafari said.

MP Ivan Flores stressed the need to end gender-based discrimination and violence, and other harmful practices while ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice for all women and girls.

Martin Chungong, the secretary general of IPU, said peace negotiations involving women tend to be sustainable. "That is why we say that it is important for women to be at the table when peace processes are initiated," he said.

Meanwhile, a survey presented at the IPU assembly indicated that women lawmakers across the world have been targets of violence, sexism and sexual harassment perpetuated by their male colleagues.

"Sometimes, we don't believe it but discrimination also happens inside our own parliaments," Pacheco told the assembly.

Female lawmakers make up 26 percent of parliaments globally.

Over 85 percent of female MPs in Europe face psychological violence while in Africa 40 percent of surveyed female MPs were sexually harassed, the survey showed.

Globally, 25 percent of female MPs faced physical violence.

Speaker of Rwanda's Parliament Donatille Mukabalisa said the assembly held robust deliberations having heard 150 interventions from close to 120 national parliaments and partner organizations.

Other topics discussed by the assembly included environmental degradation and its effects on the proliferation of terrorism, the impact of war and atrocity on the civilian population, and war and climate change as triggers of global food insecurity. 
BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The report delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the opening session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Sunday comprehensively summarizes the achievements and experience of China's reforms and development, and contains an overall strategic plan for the cause of the party and the country, overseas analysts and observers said.

The CPC will score even greater achievements, lead the Chinese people to write a new chapter along the new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects, and to join the rest of the world in building a better future for all humanity, the analysts and observers noted.

GREAT TRANSFORMATIONS IN NEW ERA

Xi said in the report that the past decade marked three major events of great immediate importance and profound historical significance for the cause of the party and the people.

"We embraced the centenary of the Communist Party of China; we ushered in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and we eradicated absolute poverty and finished building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, thus completing the First Centenary Goal," he said.

"This report contains the crystallization of the CPC's important experience and provides ideological guidance for China's march towards the second centenary goal," said Vanxay Tavinyan, the editor-in-chief of the Pasaxon, the newspaper of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, who has been closely following this CPC national congress.

Deeply impressed by the CPC's adherence to the people-centered development philosophy, he said China has secured a victory in the battle against extreme poverty, the largest scale of such efforts ever made in history, and made significant contributions to global poverty reduction.

"China has achieved many milestones" in the past decade, said Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, chief executive officer of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan, after listening to the live-streamed report via the Internet.

China's big achievements have demonstrated that socialism with Chinese characteristics is presenting a better model with global appeal, Ramay added.

Under the CPC's guidance, China has shown the world how to achieve goals like eradicating extreme poverty with political will and effective actions, said Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business, adding that realizing economic and social development, and eradicating poverty and social inequality are a sure way to build a healthier world.

The poverty alleviation efforts led by the CPC will be remembered by the human society as a model of good governance in human history, Lins added.

"Every time when I returned to China, I could clearly see the rapid economic and social progress in the country," said Rafael Hernandez, director of Cuban political magazine Temas, adding that he was impressed by the data on China's economic development in the report.

The CPC's historic achievements since the 18th CPC National Congress have demonstrated that the party is dedicated to pursuing happiness for the people and rejuvenation of the nation, he said, adding that it's the CPC's strong leadership that has led to China's great success today.

The 20th CPC National Congress is of great significance, said Yuri Tavrovsky, a professor with the People's Friendship University of Russia.

Over the past decade, China has made great achievements in accelerating the construction of a modern economic system, promoting technological innovation, improving state governance, eliminating extreme poverty, and pushing for green development, he said, adding that China's development path has become more attractive to the international community.

China's development is very important to global development, and China's successful experience offers reference and inspiration to many countries, said Alexey Maslov, director of the Institute of the Asian and African Studies of Moscow State University.

GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS TO HUMAN PROGRESS

From this day forward, the central task of the CPC will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, Xi emphasized in the report.

To build a modernized society for more than 1 billion people is undoubtedly a huge contribution to the progress of mankind, Adhere Cavince, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, told Xinhua.

China is setting a good example for other developing countries to hold in hand their own path to national regeneration and development, Cavince added.

The Chinese path to modernization is a modernization of shared prosperity for a huge population and it is also committed to facilitating global peace and development, said Cavince.

It is immensely important that the report elaborated on a new philosophy on China's comprehensive development for the goal of improving people's living standard, said Zivadin Jovanovic, former Serbian senior diplomat, adding that China's focus on its further modernization is really important for the global economy.

The Chinese-style modernization is a vision of a world without poverty, hunger, war, conflict, discrimination, and hegemony, among others, said Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at Cambodia's BELTEI International University.

The Chinese path to modernization pursues inclusive development, common prosperity, as well as a harmonious relationship between human and nature, and will have a direct positive impact on global development, Matthews told Xinhua.

Kanat Beisek, chairman of the Board of the Kazakh-Chinese Trade Promotion Association, said he looks forward to seeing the Chinese path to modernization, noting that through cooperation with China in such fields as agriculture, energy, e-commerce, he has deeply felt that the continuous progress of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has benefited Kazakhstan and other countries along the route.

While concentrating on major tasks at home, Chinese development has produced positive spillover effects to the world, reflecting China's wisdom and strength, Beisek said.

The Chinese path to modernization will drive the country to make new economic and social achievements, and will also bring more cooperation and development opportunities to Kazakhstan and other developing countries, he added.

Giving great attentions to the Chinese path to modernization, the CPC national congress mapped out a clear plan for China's sustainable development in the future, said Diaa Helmy, secretary-general of Cairo-based Egyptian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

The successes achieved by China will continue as it sticks to socialism with Chinese characteristics, Helmy said, noting that China will strongly go further in its modernization process.

JOINTLY BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR HUMANITY

China has always been committed to its foreign policy goals of upholding world peace and promoting common development and is dedicated to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said in the report.

China put forward the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and is willing to implement them together with the international community. The Chinese people are ready to work hand in hand with people across the world to create an even brighter future for humanity, he said.

"From the report, I strongly feel China's determination and confidence in striding forward, developing peacefully and opening up to the outside world," said Uzbek political observer Tulanbay Kurbanov.

By striving to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization, China will provide huge development opportunities for developing countries and inject impetus into global economic development, he added.

The GDI and GSI proposed by China are in line with the common aspirations of the international community for justice, peace, and development, and will surely further build global consensus, gather strength for cooperation, and inject strong positive energy into improving global governance, Kurbanov said.

Xi's report emphasizes that China adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in pursuing friendship and cooperation with other countries, and will firmly support and help developing countries achieve faster growth, which will further encourage emerging economies like Indonesia to recover at a faster pace, said Teuku Rezasyah, international relations expert of Indonesia's Padjadjaran University.

Xi stressed China's commitment to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind in his report, said Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee, director of the Thailand-China Research Center of the Belt and Road Initiative, noting that no single country can solve global challenges, which require solidarity and cooperation of all countries.

The world should be a place where win-win cooperation and common development abound, and in the process, the vision of building of a community with a shared future for mankind plays a very important role, he added.

China has been providing the world with huge development opportunities through projects like the BRI and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and China-Africa cooperation has been growing especially through FOCAC in the past decades, said Rwandan researcher and publisher Gerald Mbanda.

African countries are looking forward to strengthening cooperation with China under FOCAC and the BRI, he added.

The global community expects China's initiatives such as the GDI and GSI "will play more positive roles around the world in the future," said Hamed Vafaei, director of the Center for Asian Studies at the University of Tehran.

As the largest developing country in the world, China's development model is of great significance to developing countries like Iran, and many Iranian academic institutions, including his center, have been paying close attention to the congress and hope to study China's successful experience in state governance through it, he said.

"The 20th CPC National Congress is of great significance and will have far-reaching influence on China's future development as well as world peace and stability," said Luciana Santos, president of the Communist Party of Brazil.

China sticks to an independent foreign policy of peace, firmly upholds multilateralism, is actively involved in global governance, and takes the lead in improving the global governance system, playing an active role in shaping a more just and reasonable world order, Santos added. 
By Trend

Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a staff-level agreement to support the country's economic policies with a 48-month arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of about 1.9 billion U.S. dollars, reported Tunisian media on Saturday, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

"As is always the case, the final agreement on the arrangement is subject to the approval of the IMF's Executive Board, which is scheduled to discuss Tunisia's program request in December," an IMF statement was quoted as saying.

The new EFF arrangement will seek to "restore Tunisia's macroeconomic stability, strengthen social safety nets and tax equity, and step up reforms that support an enabling environment for inclusive growth and sustainable job creation," noted the statement.

It added that the loan will support the authorities' economic reform program to restore Tunisia's external and fiscal stability, enhance social protection, and promote higher, greener, and inclusive growth and private sector-led job creation.

Tunisia has been seeking a multi-billion-U.S.-dollar loan from the IMF to avoid bankruptcy.
TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said Monday that the contradiction in the U.S. officials' words and actions is the main obstacle to an agreement on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, according to the official news agency IRNA.

Speaking at a weekly press conference, Kanaani added that U.S. officials sent messages to voice their viewpoints about the nuclear talks on the one hand, while showing contradictory behaviors in practice on the other.

He noted that Washington's approach failed to contribute to or supplement the nuclear talks.

Kanaani stressed that "grounds exist for reviving the nuclear deal and all sides' return to it," but the issue currently hinges on the U.S. government's political decision.

"We can return to the deal" whenever the United States shows the necessary will, he said.

However, Iran will not keep waiting for an agreement, Kanaani emphasized.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for removing sanctions on the country. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its commitments under the pact.

The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna, but were suspended in March this year because of political differences between Tehran and Washington. The latest round of the nuclear talks was held in the Austrian capital in early August after a five-month hiatus.

On Aug. 8, the European Union put forward its final text of the draft decision on reviving the JCPOA. Iran and the United States later indirectly exchanged views on the proposal in a process that has so far failed to produce any favorable outcome. 
Li Keqiang participates in a group discussion with delegates from northwest China's Gansu Province who are attending the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing, Oct. 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Li Keqiang on Monday participated in a group discussion with delegates from northwest China's Gansu Province who are attending the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Li said he gave his unequivocal support to the report delivered by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee to the congress.

Li had in-depth exchanges with the delegates. He said impressive advances have been achieved in the cause of the Party and the country over the past decade. These were achieved through the concerted efforts of the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Li said development is the Party's top priority in governing and rejuvenating China. He called for effectively upgrading and appropriately expanding the country's economy.

As the Chinese economy is on a recovering and upward trend, a basket of pro-growth policies should be fully implemented to maintain the economic performance within a reasonable range, Li said.

Reform and opening up must be firmly pushed forward, Li said, highlighting the importance of adhering to reforms to develop the socialist market economy, creating conditions to ensure fair market competition, promoting high-level opening up, among others.

Li stressed safeguarding people's fundamental interests. He said the people's well-being must be protected and improved in the course of pursuing development to see that the results of modernization are shared more fully and fairly by all the people.

He called for concrete work and a sense of responsibility to strive in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts. 
Zhao Leji joins a group discussion with delegates from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region who are attending the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing, Oct. 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji on Monday called for pooling strength to implement strategic arrangements laid out in a report of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to the 20th CPC National Congress, when he joined delegates from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in discussing the report.

Zhao said the report is a guiding document that pools the wisdom of all in the Party, reflects the will of the people, and has a major guiding role in developing the cause of the Party and the country.

He said General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee have always stayed alert and determined to tackle the special challenges that a large party faces, made unremitting efforts to improve conduct, and staunchly opposed privilege seeking, yielding remarkable and far-reaching results in the full and rigorous governance over the Party.

Zhao said the Party's self-reform is a journey to which there is no end. "We must never slacken our efforts and never allow ourselves to become weary or beaten," he added.

He urged persistent efforts to advance the Party's full and rigorous self-governance to ensure that the Party will never change its nature, its conviction, or its character. 
KAMPALA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has put the country's capital Kampala on a high Ebola response alert as the east African country grapples with the deadly disease.

Museveni in a tweet on Monday said while two cases that tested positive in Kampala came from Mubende, the epicenter of the outbreak, there are contacts to the cases and a risk of infection.

"For Kampala city, while the two cases that tested positive came from Mubende district and are regarded as Mubende cases, because of the presence of contacts of these two cases and the risks of infection, I have directed a full mobilization of Kampala city into a response mode," Museveni said.

Museveni's latest update on the outbreak in the country comes after he instituted a 21-day lockdown and night curfew in Mubende and Kassanda districts on Saturday in an effort to contain the spread of the deadly disease.

Of the two patients who tested positive in Kampala, one died, while the other one is under isolation.

Museveni last week warned that if the public does not heed medical advice, there is a possibility of Ebola erupting in Kampala. He said already 24 contacts are under quarantine.

"Several such alert cases have been tested and the results have turned out to be negative. The Ministry of Health teams will continue to investigate any such cases and inform the public accordingly," Museveni said.

According to government figures, as of Oct. 15, the country has 58 confirmed cases of Ebola, 19 deaths, and 20 people have recovered since the index case was reported on Sept. 20. 
ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government on Monday vowed to take control of major public facilities in the country's conflict-hit northernmost Tigray region.

The Ethiopian Government Communication Service said in a statement issued Monday that the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) is "solely responsible" for the current situation.

It said the rebel group, if given the time and space, will do this again as exhibited in its latest communication.

The Ethiopian government said the measures are necessitated not only by the repeated attacks of the TPLF but also by its active collusion with hostile foreign powers.

"It is thus imperative that the government of Ethiopia assumes immediate control of all airports, other federal facilities, and installations in the region," the statement read.

The government said the decision to assume immediate control of major public facilities is necessary to protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, in particular as it relates to its airspace. It is also said to facilitate and expedite humanitarian aid to affected people in the region.

The Ethiopian government, however, said it is still committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict through the African Union-led peace talks.

"We believe that there is a need for a comprehensive and negotiated settlement that would bring about durable peace," it said.

Amid ongoing concerns by different actors over the conflict's possible impact on civilians, the Ethiopian government said its forces "strictly abide by all pertinent norms and principles of international humanitarian law."

It said the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) endeavors to avoid combat operations within urban areas to prevent civilian casualties, and strict instructions have been given to all combat units to reinforce this commitment.

Humanitarian aid had been heading to the Tigray region after the Ethiopian government and the rebel forces in late March agreed to a conditional cessation of hostilities and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid into the region.

Conflict resumed in August as the Ethiopian government accused the TPLF of resuming fighting. The situation eventually halted humanitarian aid flow into parts of Northern Ethiopia.

Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation, has seen a devastating conflict between government-allied troops and forces loyal to the TPLF since November 2020, which has left millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. 
SYDNEY, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Aboriginal students in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) will soon be able to learn their own language in schools as part of the state's curriculum reforms.

The plan, announced by the state's education department on Monday, will see a new Aboriginal Languages syllabus be available for teachers to plan during 2023, and be available to be taught in NSW schools from 2024.

"The new syllabus gives students valuable opportunities to learn the language of their local area and develop an understanding of Aboriginal languages and cultures," said NSW Minister of Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell.

"For the first time students who speak an Aboriginal Language or Torres Strait Islander Language at home will be able to progress the study of that language at school."

The content of the new syllabus is available in two pathways, one for students with no prior learning, and another for ones who already speak their language at home.

The syllabus, developed with the support of the Aboriginal Community members, will also offer guidelines for schools on how to involve local Aboriginal communities when teaching the language.

NSW is home to over 35 Aboriginal language groups and 100 dialect variations.

In 2016, the estimated resident population of Aboriginal people in the state was 265,685, representing 3.4 percent of the total NSW population, while less than 1 percent of Aboriginal people in NSW spoke an Aboriginal language at home, compared with 15 percent for the rest of Australia.

"Creating more opportunities for Aboriginal students to communicate in an Aboriginal language not only strengthens their connections to country, culture and their identity but it promotes the importance of language revitalization and the continuation of learning," said Ben Franklin, NSW minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts, Regional youth and Tourism.

"Empowering young Aboriginal people to maintain a strong sense of identity, belonging and culture and learn more about Aboriginal languages is also hugely beneficial to their overall educational and social outcomes." 
NEW DELHI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- In a bid to reduce carbon emissions, India's National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and its subsidiary Mitsubishi Power India Private Limited, said an official statement by the federal Ministry of Power on Monday.

The MoU will pave the way for demonstrating the feasibility for hydrogen co-firing blended with natural gas in MHI-701D gas turbines installed at NTPC Auraiya gas power plant in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

NTPC is India's largest integrated energy company with an installed capacity of 70,234 megawatts.

The total installed capacity of Auraiya gas power plant is 663 megawatts, with four gas turbines operating in combined cycle mode.

"Achieving decarbonizing targets requires a concerted and wide-ranging roadmap across all energy intensive sectors. As a part of this roadmap, hydrogen co-firing in gas turbines can play a key role in reducing Co2 emissions," said the statement.

It said that being the largest power generator in India, NTPC intends to play a major role in India's energy transition and achieving its carbon emission commitments.

"As a part of this initiative, NTPC is exploring various new hydrogen generation technologies along with hydrogen usage so as to ensure future readiness, develop the required capabilities, and technical expertise, and align with the national decarbonizing and hydrogen mission targets," added the statement.

Under the MoU, both companies will collaborate to carry out the study and identify key actions for introducing hydrogen co-firing at NTPC Auraiya gas-based combined cycle power plant. 
SYDNEY, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Australian parents and guardians were warned to be aware of their children's online activities as police found young gamers may be targets of extremist recruitment.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Sunday that it has seen a concerning trend of members and associates of extremist groups targeting young people to expose them to dangerous content -- including violent recreations of actual terrorist events -- across online gaming platforms.

AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner of Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Sandra Booth said spreading extremist content on online gaming platforms was a serious concern for law enforcement agencies in Australia and around the world.

"We know that nationalist, racist and violent extremist content in online games is almost certainly part of a radicalization process for some young people," she said.

"There are a number of popular games that enable users to create scenarios and record them for others to re-watch and share online across social media."

"Our concern is extremist groups are exploiting these platforms to target a very young group of Australia's population, by creating content to share and encourage far-right/extremist ideologies and abhorrent violence against others," she said.

According to AFP, far-right terrorism-related investigations have increased from 2 percent prior to 2020 to about 15 percent in 2022.

Booth said parents and guardians could play a significant role in preventing extremist groups from preying on young Australians via online games.

The AFP encouraged parents and guardians to talk to their children and understand what games they are playing and who they may be interacting with in those games, and observe and interpret their children's behavior online.

The authorities also suggested several signs that need to be vigilant for such as using hateful or emotionally-charged language, an increase in the extremist nature of their rhetoric, or developing a fixation on conspiracy theories or contentious social issues.

AFP said it will continue to work with other law enforcement partners, through the Joint Counter Terrorism Teams, to identify and disrupt anyone who attempts to incite violence and spread harmful messages through the community. 
NEW DELHI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- India's civil aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), said on Monday that it was keeping a close watch on private airline SpiceJet and "shall take all appropriate action to avert any untoward incident."

The DGCA statement came in the backdrop of a SpiceJet Q400 aircraft coming from Goa making an emergency landing in Hyderabad on Oct. 12 around 11:00 p.m. local time after extensive smoke was detected in the cabin. The plane landed safely and passengers disembarked through the emergency exit.

The preliminary investigation carried out by the DGCA revealed evidence of engine oil entering the aircraft's air-conditioning system, causing smoke in the cabin.

The aviation watchdog ordered SpiceJet to send all oil samples to Canada every 15 days in order to ensure that no metal or carbon seal components are present in them. It has also instructed the airline to immediately inspect the magnetic chip detectors on all Q400 aircraft for the presence of any metal particles.

DGCA also asked the low-cost airline to conduct a one-time borescope inspection of all operational engines within one week.

SpiceJet is under enhanced surveillance of the DGCA.

On July 27, DGCA directed SpiceJet to operate a maximum of 50 percent of its flights, which were approved in the summer schedule for a period of eight weeks owing to a series of incidents involving its flights. Last month, the restrictions were extended until Oct. 29. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin (3rd L), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (3rd R), Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (2nd R) and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov (2nd L) attend the inauguration ceremony of the TurkStream project in Istanbul, Turkey, Jan. 8, 2020. (Xinhua File photo)

Once it grows into a hub as planned, Turkiye will become an energy exchange in the world's natural gas market and turn into a center where gas prices are determined, a Turkish expert says.



ANKARA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's endorsement of Russia's proposal to establish a natural gas distribution center in the country reflects its ambition to become an international energy hub, but the plan needs the participation of more producers than Russia to become practical, said experts.

After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Kazakhstan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on Friday that he agreed to Putin's proposal to set up a gas hub in Turkiye and recommend the northwestern Thrace region bordering Bulgaria and Greece as the best spot for the plan.

"There will be no waiting," said Erdogan, who ordered the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to carry out joint work with the Russian side immediately.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (C), Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for a photo ahead of a trilateral meeting on the situation in Syria, in Tehran, Iran, on July 19, 2022. (Iranian Presidential Website/Handout via Xinhua)

The proposal comes at a time when the Nord Stream pipelines transporting Russia's gas to Europe were recently damaged in a series of explosions.

Turkiye is playing along with Putin's idea but the project would be realistic when other producers such as Iran, Azerbaijan or Turkmenistan are also involved, Serkan Demirtas, a Turkish foreign policy analyst, told Xinhua.

"If a big international distribution center is established in Thrace, as President Erdogan has suggested, and there are different gas suppliers besides Russia ... It would be a more sensible and viable project," Demirtas said.

The project will convince European countries, which want to reduce their dependency on Moscow, to buy gas from the new gas hub, the analyst noted.

The European Union, which has imposed sanctions on Russia, has vowed to cut purchases of Russian gas by at least two-thirds by the end of the year amid skyrocketing energy prices.

The Russian leader is trying to reassure European nations scrambling to curb energy use this winter that they can still count on Russia for gas needs, Demirtas added.

Photo taken on Aug. 18, 2022 shows the Akkuyu nuclear power plant constructed by Russia's state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom in south Turkiye's Mersin Province. (Xinhua photo)

Multibillion-dollar projects such as the TurkStream pipeline and the nuclear power plant being built by Russia in southern Turkiye symbolize the rapprochement between Moscow and Ankara since 2016.

"Turkiye is now becoming a new reliable energy corridor for the world and Europe," said Altug Karatas, an energy expert at the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association.

"Turkiye is the only route through which Azerbaijani gas, even Turkmen gas, Iranian gas, and Eastern Mediterranean gas will pass" and flow to Europe, the expert was quoted by Internet daily haber7com as saying.

Once it grows into a hub as planned, Turkiye will become an energy exchange in the world's natural gas market and turn into a center where gas prices are determined, Karatas noted.

Following the blasts at the two Nord Stream pipelines, TurkStream, a natural gas pipeline running from Russia to Turkiye, along with limited transit flow via Ukraine, is almost the last remaining route as Russia has cut gas shipments to Europe.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) attends the joint press conference with visiting Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, capital of Turkey, on March 15, 2016. (Xinhua File photo)

As a NATO member, Turkiye has close relations with both Ukraine and Russia and has not joined the Western sanctions drive on Moscow. Instead, it has been seeking to mediate between the two countries since their conflict broke out in February.

Still, there are some aspects of the Russian proposal that need to be clarified through negotiations, a source close to the Turkish government told Xinhua.

Commercial and legal points have to be agreed upon between Turkiye and Russia, and eventually third parties will likely export Russian gas to European markets, the source said on condition of anonymity.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday that the Russian proposal needs "to be studied well."

"There are investments that need to be made. They need to be examined," he was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu Agency. 
By Trend

Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Baghdad Mohammad-Kazem Al Sadeq in a meeting with the newly-elected Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid on Sunday called for boosting mutual ties, Trend reports citing IRNA.

Al Sadeq met and held talks with the newly-elected Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid on Sunday, the Iraqi news outlet Middle East News reported.

In a congratulatory message, Al Sadeq congratulated Abdul Latif Rashid upon his election and wished success and prosperity for him, and reiterated Iran's support for Iraq in strengthening its security and stability.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations and stressed the importance of strengthening joint cooperation and coordination between the two neighboring countries.

Rashid replaced his fellow Iraqi Barham Saleh as head of state after the two-round vote in parliament on Thursday, winning more than 160 votes against 99 for Saleh.

In a message congratulating Abdul Latif Rashid upon his election, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed hope that the new government of this country would take steps toward the growth and prosperity of Iraq.
NEW YORK, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A desperate migrant mom said she was reduced to begging on Staten Island of New York City (NYC) because her girls can't stomach the food being served at the hotel where the city put them after they arrived in the Big Apple on a bus from Texas, reported the New York Post last week.

"In a heartbreaking scene Monday, Catherine Cruz flagged down an SUV passing through a parking lot near Victory Boulevard and held her 1-year-old baby, Scarlet Caiza, up to the front passenger's window as she gestured with her hand toward her mouth," said the report.

Cruz said her other daughter, Lady Cruz, 7, hadn't eaten anything since the family arrived at a nearby hotel three days earlier because the only food available there was cereal and pizza, it noted.

City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli blamed the situation on both U.S. President Joe Biden and Mayor Eric Adams, who recently declared a state of emergency over the ongoing influx of migrants, according to the report.

"Only a fundamentally flawed federal policy could net this tragic result, and we warned the city that there are no resources whatsoever in this neighborhood for this population," Borelli was quoted as saying. 
DUBAI: Demonstrations against the Tehran government on Monday spread across Iran's vital energy sector, threatening the long-term existence of the country's clerical rulers.

Iranian oil refinery workers from the Abadan, Kangan and Bushehr petrochemical plants joined the nationwide demonstrations. On the Gulf Coast in Asluyeh, video footage posted online showed dozens of workers shouting "death to the dictator" and blocking a road leading to the Bushehr plant.

Also Read: Yemenis and Iranians are targets of Tehran's ruling

The demonstrations began more than three weeks ago after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini of Iran's Kurdistan province, who was detained and beaten up for wearing a hijab "inadequately" while she was being treated by ethics police. was in custody.

Young women and college students have so far led the demonstrations, but analysts said the support of those in the energy sector was a worrying sign for Iran's ruling mullahs.

Karim Sajjadpour, an analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, warned that a prolonged strike by energy workers combined with US sanctions on Iran's oil exports could bring the Islamic republic to its knees.

Also Read:Afghan women take to the streets after a deadly school attack

According to him, Iran's dependence on oil as a percentage of GDP has decreased since 1978, but energy exports are essential to the country's economy.

Iranian security forces continued to block demonstrations on Monday.

At least 185 people, including 19 children, have been killed, hundreds injured and thousands detained, according to rights organizations.

Social media videos of Monday's protests in dozens of Iranian cities showed violent clashes between protesters and riot police in Kurdistan province, where at least five people have been killed and more than 150 injured in protests since Saturday.

Also Read:US and UK conduct a drone exercise in the Arabian Gulf following Iran seizure

In the Kurdish cities of Sanandaj, Sakez, and Diwandareh, armed security forces were heavily present and often used ammunition, clubs, and tear gas.

In one video, several explosions were seen flashing indiscriminately in the neighborhood of Sanandaj, the capital of Kurdistan.
Iranian regime is directly responsible for the murders of Ukrainians, says presidential advisor Podolyak 17 October, 07:02 PM Mykhailo Podolyak (Photo:www.president.gov.ua)

Iran is directly responsible for the killings of Ukrainians, presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said when commenting on the Russian drone attack on Oct. 17.

Iran is directly responsible for the killing of Ukrainians, he wrote on Twitter.

A country that suppresses its own people is now giving Russian-monsters weapons for mass murder in the center of Europe.

According to him, this is the result of unfinished business and concessions to totalitarianism.

Video of day

Its one of those cases, when sanctions are definitely not enough, he added.

On Oct. 17, Russia attacked Kyiv with Iranian kamikaze drones. After the first attack, a fire broke out in a non-residential building, and several houses were damaged.

After 8:00 in the morning, new strikes were inflicted on the Shevchenko district in the citys center. Kamikaze drones hit a residential building, causing an explosion. At least four people were killed as a result, including a pregnant woman and her husband.

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Photo: Pexels/ Jonathan Borba

Eight years ago, when Sunita Shrestha got pregnant, she had to leave her job as she was denied maternity leave.

When she delivered her first child, all she wanted was to get the time off from her work to have time to rest and spend with her child. But Shrestha, a teacher at Loyola Higher Secondary School in Kathmandu then, did not get paid or even unpaid leave. Choosing her child over work, Shrestha had no option but to leave her job.

Six months ago, 35-year-old Shrestha delivered her second baby. This time, while working as a teacher at Prime Global School, she got two months of paid leave and was assured of another month of unpaid leave. However, she says, Because there was no other teacher to handle my job, I had to cut short my leave and came back in the second week of my unpaid maternity leave.

Shrestha is juggling her work and baby these days. Yet, the early stress has caused her body to feel more tired and the separation from her baby is also not that easy to deal with. It is important for mothers to get at least three months of compulsory time off to spend with their baby. After that, it gets easier for new mothers to cope and focus on their work.

Narayani Adhikari, a librarian at Prime College, also delivered her first baby over three months ago. She got two months of paid and one month of unpaid maternity leave from the office. Adhikari still finds it difficult to join work because she is always worried about the baby at home; she has to rush to work early in the morning and bottle her breast milk to feed the baby during the day.

Yet, stakeholders observe there has been a consistent irregularity in women getting maternity leave in Nepal although they are hopeful of change.

Underlying uncertainties

Chapter 9 of the Labour Act, 2017, has the provision of 14 weeks of maternity leave including 60 days of paid leave and the remaining period of unpaid leave (spanning across pre-natal and post-natal periods). But, whether women get maternity leave and if yes, how long depends on the employer, the company policy and the workplace environment.

The law also suggests that a pregnant woman shall compulsorily take leave at least two weeks before the expected date of delivery. But, Adhikari remembers she was in the office a day before her delivery too.

Like Shrestha, Pranjali Singh, a senior officer at Leapfrog Technology, also suffered during her pregnancy. My previous job required me to travel; travelling before and after delivery became a big hassle for me to manage time and be able to take care of the kid. That time, six years ago, I got only one month of paid leave and two months of unpaid leave.

But, Singh says her current employer is giving its female employees 90 days of paid maternity leave and additional 30 days of unpaid leave. The company also gives them 180 days (six months) of work-from-home (WFH) facilities before or after delivery.

The company also has the provision of 15 consecutive days of paid paternity leave for the new fathers with additional 30 days of the WFH facility, before or after the delivery.

Why the disparity?

Representational image. Photo: Pexels/ Ron Lach

Over these years, the age group of women getting pregnant has not changed. But, what seems to be key in workers getting a better facility in the workforce is the management or the head of the company and their sensitivity regarding the matter.

Singhs plight during her pregnancy also played a role at Leapfrog changing the ways of the company. When I joined the company some four years ago, I did not have the support to take care of the kid (who was two-and-a-half years old). So I had to either take leave and stay at home or bring him to the office.

She continues, Though I was reluctant, my seniors made it easy and comfortable for me to bring the child into the office and even facilitated me further to take care of the child. The experience encouraged me to start a discussion in the office that we need a policy for the new parents in the office.

What Singh mentioned, the open discussion about maternity leave, however, seems absent at any other institutions, giving continuity to the disparity. Before getting pregnant, you do not think about maternity leave, so it is easily ignored. And after getting pregnant, it might be too late to hold the discussion and get the necessary facility.

There is a guild or an office group called WoMen at Leapfrog. In 2019, we conducted an extensive survey of the workforce. I was the only mother at the time, but looking at the age group of the office workforce [i.e. 20-30], we felt the need for the initiative and open discussion now that they will start getting married or start their families.

She adds, By 2020, all the policies were identified and moved forward. We first included the governments mandatory 60 days of maternity leave and added the WFH facility. And, in the recent revision, we extended the leave policy to 90 days of maternity leave with six months of WFH facility. New parents are enjoying their time with their family, without hampering the office work.

Learning is possible

Representational image. Photo: Pexels/ fauxels

If it is possible for a company to discuss and extend its maternity leave policy, is it possible for others to replicate it as well with the open discussion? Shrestha and Adhikari say they are yet to enjoy that facility.

As someone who has worked at multiple offices, Singh also observes that holding the discussion might have been easy for her at the new office because of the young leadership and the lack of judgement that is usually expressed by the workers or supervisors/bosses.

Sabnam Budhhacharya, Leapfrongs people management officer, says, We have a majority of male workers, but we have never had the problem of them being biased or judgemental towards the female counterparts either for menstrual leave or maternity leave. The company has zero tolerance for physical and mental abuse and believes in a happy work environment. The employees are all oriented on their joining day and that might have helped us avoid the situation too.

Budhhacharya adds that to date, seven mothers have used the facility and are having no problem adjusting to motherhood, without hampering their performance. The company already has a system. Women have to inform the office during the first trimester of their pregnancy and their due date. Thus begins the process of grooming and handing over the projects and documentation to their substitutes. When they go on leave, the HR department tracks it.

She adds, During their maternity leave, they are kept in the loop regarding the projects they are working on so that transitioning to leave or back to their work is easy. Depending on the need, they also transfer to the new department so that their work or family is not hampered. Proper communication is the key to the process. It applies to both new mothers and fathers.

Addressing one of the common concerns about the evaluation of their performance, Budhhacharya says that they have an evaluation every six months and are in close coordination with the project managers giving them the liberty to bounce back when needed.

Taking a step further, Leapfrog is also planning to open a nursery or daycare centre within the office or nearby to make the transition more smooth.

Not every office can afford this particular facility for their staff, the office realises. Yet, for the betterment of their staff and the intention of not hampering the work progress, the office manager can at least practise more sensitivity and proper communication channels with concrete policies on maternity leave in place, Buddhacharya advises.
File: Leaders of different Madhesh-based parties announce their merger, in Kathmandu, in 2017.

If the results of the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for November, will be different from the 2017 elections in any way, they will be most deeply felt in the Madhesh province which includes eight districts of Nepals southeast.

Even though there are some promising independent candidates, the main competition, across the country, is likely to be against the two major coalitions: one led by the Nepali Congress and the other by CPN-UML.

The Nepali Congress-led coalition includes the Maoist Centre, CPN-Unified Socialist, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party and Rastriya Janamorcha. The CPN-UML-led coalition on the other hand has Janata Samajbadi Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and RPP-Nepal (Kamal Thapa).

So, unlike the last elections, Nepal will see a battle between the two major political forces in the Madhesh province also. In 2017, things were different as the partnership between the Federal Socialist Forum (FSFN) and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN), led by Upendra Yadav and Mahantha Thakur respectively, meant there were three alliances in the Madhesh province, and the results were in favour of the Madheshi alliance.

The FSFN-RJPN coalition, despite facing stiff competition from the then UML-Maoist Centre alliance and Nepali Congress, won the highest number of seats in the Madhesh province, shocking both parties. But, this year, two major Madhesh-centric forcesUpendra Yadavs Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal (JSPN) and Mahantha Thakurs Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP)have sought help from the two major coalitions. This has given a bad message as these parties, which went toe-to-toe with major forces, seem to have given up.

The paradigm shift

Political analyst Chandrakishore says major political parties have never liked Madheshi parties being a major force and have tried to decrease their influence in the Madhesh province time and again.

It seems theyve finally been successful in doing so as I know for a fact they havent liked these parties being an alternative force, says Chandrakishore.

And, he is right. This is the first time since the 1999 elections that the major political parties have established themselves in the Madesh province. In between, the scene was dominated by different Madhesh-centric political parties as most of them came to rise in the first Constituent Assembly elections in 2008. After that, parties like Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML were almost ineffective in the region.

The rise of Madheshi regional forces was also important for the constitution as many essential features in the charter were added thanks to the pressure and perseverance of these parties. But, now, as Madheshi leaders are not on the same page, major political parties presence is back in Madhesh province after a hiatus of 24 years.

The two parties, JSPN and LSP, recently even switched their sides on the eve of the candidate registration. The JSPN was part of the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government. But, after a dispute about the seats, its leaders decided to leave the Nepali Congress-led coalition and joined hands with the CPN-UML. On the contrary, the LSP, which was trying to work with the CPN-UML, joined hands with the ruling alliance.

This is bad news for them as they are likely to get fewer seats in this round of elections compared to 2017 as the LSP has been promised just eight House of Representatives seats while the JSPN has been promised 17. In the 2017 elections, the two parties together got 19 seats from the Madhesh province alone.

This should be seen as a victory for the establishment that failed to meet the demands of the Madheshis during the drafting of the constitution. I think this shows how Madheshi leaders have failed badly, says Chandrakishore, who feels the identity that Madheshi parties had created after a long struggle has now vanished.

The rising action

It took a lot of effort for Madheshi leaders to stand up against the establishment. It was like the people standing up to the autocratic Rana regime.

As the Rana regime ended, people like Raghunath Thakur, Bedananda Jha, Durgananda Jha, Raghunath Raya Yadav and Satya Dev Mani Tripathi tried to raise issues that were plaguing the people of Madhesh. They even announced a Madhesh Mukti Andolan and demanded the state listen to the issues of the people of Madhesh.

Bedananda Jha even formed a Terai Congress to raise demands such as people from Madhesh get employed as civil servants, the Hindi language be recognised by the state and Madhesh be an autonomous state.

The Terai Congress took part in the 1959 elections in the country but none of its leaders won; it did get 0.07 of the total votes. But, once the Panchayat system was put in place by King Mahendra, things started to take an ugly turn.

In 1963, Durga Nanda Jha, in revolt against the system, exploded a bomb in Janakpur. After the state found out, Durga Nanda along with the people who helped himRamji Mishra, Raghunath Raya Yadav and Satya Dev Mani Tripathiwere killed.

But, that did not stop people from todays Madhesh province from questioning. People kept on pushing for change. When a referendum was held on May 3, 1979, a lot of people voted for Nepal to become a multi-party democracy.

Madhesh was once again unhappy when Harka Gurung prepared a report in 1983 that stated that a lot of Indians had settled in Nepal, particularly in Madhesh. Ram Janam Tiwari, Gajendra Narayan Singh, and Ram Chandra Mishra formed Nepal Sadbhawana Parishad and wrote to the king stating this was wrong.

After the establishment of multiparty democracy in 1990, Nepal Sadbhawana Party was formed under the leadership of Gajendra Narayan Singh, Badri Prasad Mandal and Hridayesh Tripathi. Following that, the voices of the people of Madhesh started to reach Kathmandu on a regular basis.

But, despite this, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML dominated the political scene in the Madhesh province as the Sadbhawana Party only won six seats in the 1991 elections. In 1994, it won three seats and in 1999, it won five seats.

The reason why it did not do well in the elections was the internal politics within the party and its failure to make public its agenda at the national level.

The climax

Madhesi leaders rose to power after the monarchy was overthrown in 2008.

After the monarchy was overthrown in 2008, the Madhesh province then continued to try to find its identity in Nepali politics. Upendra Yadav came to rise with the Madeshi Andolan. The protest started a new wave in Madheshi politics as more political parties were formed as a result to contest the 2008 elections.

Leaders quitting major parties and wanting to put Madhesh first formed the Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party on December 27, 2007. All key Madheshi leaders like Manhantha Thakur, Hridayesh Tripathi, Brishesh Chandra Lal, Mahindra Raya Yadav, Ram Chandra Yadav and Jitendra Sonal joined the party.

Sadbhawana Party continued to exist, but there were internal disputes within the party. Despite all that, the Madeshi parties stamped their authority in the 2008 elections as major parties failed to do anything there. Besides the Madhesh province, the parties even won seats in todays Province 1, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim.

The 2008 elections, to this day, hold a special place in the heart of the Madheshis as they won 87 seats. Thanks to the movement, Ram Baran Yadav, a Madheshi, became the countrys first president.

The falling action

But, what happened then was most of these leaders became power-hungry. With all of them wanting power, the parties started to spilt.

The Madheshi Janaadhikar Forum Nepal, which was the fourth biggest force in Nepali politics and the biggest in the Madhesh province in 2008, split in 2010. Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar played a major role in splitting the Upendra Yadav-led party and joined the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government. By 2017, Gachhadar packed his bags and joined Nepali Congress, when he had come from.

After that, the Madheshi parties continued to split.

The first Constituent Assembly failed to draft the constitution and the Madheshi parties had to pay the price for it as Madhesh-centric parties only won 12 seats in the second Constituent Assembly elections in 2013. This was mostly because of a lack of coordination.

The constitution was then drafted, but Madhesh was not happy. But the major parties did not care and went ahead which resulted in multiple protests in the region. People died and the country underwent a six-month-long blockade.

The leaders knew that the reason they were not taken seriously by the establishment was that they were divided. In order not to be bullied, they decided to contest the 2017 elections in the Madhesh province as one.

The Rastriya Janata Party and the Federal Socialist Forum worked together to contest the elections and won 19 seats compared to 13 by Nepali Congress, Maoists and the UML combined.

They dominated the provincial elections too as they won 44 seats and formed the provincial government. Even though the Nepal Communist Party had the provincial government everywhere else, in the Madhesh province, it could not lay a glove.

The RJP and FSFN merged to form the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal. By early 2020, the JSPN had 34 lawmakers in the House of Representatives.

But, KP Sharma Olis decision to dissolve the House created issues within the JSP. When Oli dissolved the House on December 20, 2020, Upendra Yadav protested and stood against him despite being in the coalition. But, people like Mahantha Thakur and Rajendra Mahato did not speak out against Oli, which was seen as silent support. That created a further divide in the JSPN, the biggest player in the Madhesh province.

Oli dissolved the House again on May 21, 2021. By this time, the JSPN was already politically divided. Upendra Yadav, wanting to save the House, signed a document to make Sher Bahadur Deuba the new prime minister. But, Thakur and others did not sign and instead said they will support Oli.

Following that, the JSPN split. Both parties tried to claim the JSPN was theirs and wrote to the Election Commission. The commission decided in favour of Upendra Yadav.

After that Deuba also brought an Ordinance on Political Parties, which helped Thakur form LSP. This difference meant the two major political leaders do not work together in the elections, which has given the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML a chance to take control of the Madhesh province.

We didnt want to join this coalition, but sadly, the circumstances are unavoidable, says a leader from the JSPN. But, this doesnt mean the Madhesh movement was a failure. The fight goes on.

This story was translated from the original Nepali version and edited for clarity and length.
Home  Society  Satya Mohan Joshi death: Public holiday across Nepal on Tuesday

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Singhadarbar, Kathmandu

Kathmandu, October 17

The government has declared a public holiday across Nepal on Tuesday to mourn cultural historian and polymath Satya Mohan Joshis death.

The biggest living authority in Nepali cultural history, Joshi, 103, died on Sunday morning.

Whereas Culture Minister Jeevan Ram Shrestha said on Sunday the government would declare a public holiday to honour him, a formal announcement was awaited.

According to a notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, a decision today declared the holiday for tomorrow.
Fortune Business Insights

According to Fortune Business Insights, The Dental Prosthetics Market size is anticipated to reach USD 9.71 Billion by 2026, the market size was USD 6.09 billion in 2018 and is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 6.0%

Pune, India, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global dental prosthetics market size is predicted to reach USD 9.71 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period. The increasing prevalence of periodontal diseases will have a positive impact on the dental prosthetics market revenue during the forecast period. The growing cases of dental caries and tooth loss will spur opportunities for the market during the forecast period.





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Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2019 to 2026 Forecast Period 2019 to 2026 CAGR 6.0% 2026 Value Projection USD 9.71 billion Base Year 2018 Market Size in 2018 USD 6.09 billion Historical Data for 2015 to 2017 No. of Pages 125





The emergence of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill. We understand that this health crisis has brought an unprecedented impact on businesses across industries. However, this too shall pass. Rising support from governments and several companies can help in the fight against this highly contagious disease. There are some industries that are struggling and some are thriving. Overall, almost every sector is anticipated to be impacted by the pandemic.

We are taking continuous efforts to help your business sustain and grow during COVID-19 pandemics. Based on our experience and expertise, we will offer you an impact analysis of coronavirus outbreak across industries to help you prepare for the future.





Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market.

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Competitive Landscape:

Acquisition of Henry ScheininCliniclands to Back Growth

Henry Schein, Inc., an American distributor of health care products and services announced that it hasacquired majority of equity stake in Cliniclands, an innovative distributor serving dental practices throughout Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. The new development of Henry Schein can be an essential factor in boosting the dental prosthetics market trends owing to the variety of dental consumables offerings such as implants, prosthetic and orthodontic solutions as well as small and office equipment. Furthermore, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Stanley M. Bergman, said in statement. Cliniclands is a rapidly growing, successful company built upon a valuable business model.

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We are delighted to partner with the co-founders and the entire Cliniclands team. Our two companies have a shared commitment to the use of advanced technology to help our customers run successful, profitable businesses. We expect to achieve meaningful operating synergies and category expansion while expediting the delivery of products to Scandinavian dental customers. In addition, the increasing advancement in technologies such as 3D printing and CAD/CAM technologies for teeth customization will enable speedy growth of the market in the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, the rising use of mini dental implants due to their benefits such as non-invasive nature and low cost will spur demand for dental prosthetics in the forthcoming years.





Quick Buy Report Dental Prosthetics Market Research Report - https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/102677





Dental Prosthetics Market Segments:

Market Segmentation By Type Crowns

Bridges

Abutments

Dentures

Others By End User Dental Hospitals & Clinics

Dental Laboratories

Others By Geography North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa





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Regional Insights:

High Demand for Dental Products to Augment Development in Europe

The dental prosthetics market in Europe generated a revenue of 2.48 billion in 2018. The growth in the is attributed to the higher diagnosis and treatment rates for dental diseases. The rising dental expenditure and utilization of dental services will aid the growth in the region. The increasing demand for premium dental products will further enhance the market in Europe. The market in Asia Pacific is likely to grow rapidly during the forecast period owing to the rising prevalence of dental caries and growing geriatric population. The growing disposable income will bolster healthy growth of the market in Asia Pacific.

List of Key Players Mentioned in the Report:

Dentsply Sirona

Institut Straumann AG

Nobel Biocare Services AG (Danaher)

Henry Schein, Inc.

IvoclarVivadent AG

3M

Planmeca OY

Dentium

Zimmer Biomet

BioHorizons

BIOTECH Dental





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Table of Content

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Prevalence of Periodontal Diseases by Key Countries Regulatory and Reimbursement Scenario Key Industry Developments - Partnerships, Mergers & Acquisitions Technological Advancements in Dental Prosthetics

Global Dental Prosthetics Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Type Crown Bridges Abutments Dentures Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End User Dental Hospitals & Clinics Dental Laboratories Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa

North America Dental Prosthetics Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis  By Type Crown Bridges Abutments Dentures Others Market Analysis  By End User Dental Hospitals & Clinics Dental Laboratories Others Market Analysis  By Country U.S. Canada



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Adroit Market Research

Key driving factor of global Agricultural Insurance Market is subsidies presented by the government and augmented technological development are mainly flourishing the customer demand for agriculture insurance on a global level

Dallas, Texas, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The ability to help farmers fight poverty and prevent severe financial loss due to natural disasters will significantly boost the global agricultural insurance market. Agricultural insurance helps farmers to compensate for the loss that occurred due to damaged caused by natural disasters and reinvests in farming and cultivation. The insurance policies relieve farmers from the burden of worrying about damages and focus on product improvement and quality. Farmers can implement the latest technologies to simplify and ease agricultural processes with the help of various insurance policies.

Agricultural insurance allows farmers to absorb monetary shock in case of technological failures. Agricultural insurance enables farmers to use efficient tools and technology to increase their productivity and maximize revenue. Farmers can sustain smooth cash flow throughout their business due to the excellent coverage provided by insurance companies.

The global agricultural insurance market estimated to reach USD 72 Billion with an expected CAGR of 7.65% by 2030.

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Furthermore, the agricultural insurance market can be classified into livestock, crop-hail, and multi-peril types of insurance coverage. The ability to provide farm animals mortality coverage will expand demand for livestock insurance coverage. Livestock insurance provides coverage protection against natural disasters, theft, and earthquake. Farmers do not worry about reduced livestock prices due to the presence of excellent livestock insurance policies. Livestock insurance protects the farm animals as well as the living of the farmers.

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Global Agricultural insurance market scope:

Metrics Details Study Period 2020-2030 Market Size in 2030 USD 72 Billion Segment Covered by Type, By Region, by Type Covered Bancassurance, Digital & Direct Channel, Broker, and Agency Application Covered Crop/MPCI, Crop/Hail, Livestock and Others Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa and South America Key Players Profiled PICC, Zurich (RCIS), Chubb, QBE, China United Property Insurance, American Financial Group, Prudential and XL Catlin, Everest Re Group, Sompo International (Endurance Specialty), UNA Mutual, Agriculture Insurance Company of India, Tokio Marine, CGB Diversified Services, Farmers Mutual Hail, Archer Daniels Midland, New India Assurance, and ICICI Lombard among others.

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The insurance guarantees to cover uncertainties leading to financial loss or damage caused to the livestock. Poor and small-scale operating farmers immensely benefit due to the presence of agricultural insurance policies which majorly contributes to the growth of the global agricultural insurance market. Crops hail insurance is beneficial due to its providence of coverage based on the actual value of crops. The crop hail insurance supports farmers during the loss of crops and damage caused due to hail storms. The insurance enables farmers to obtain coverage even for minor damage caused due to hails. The ability to benefit from the complete agricultural process and provide coverage against several farming operations will significantly boost the global agricultural insurance market.

The global market has attained greater heights due to recent expansions and innovations. Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm have announced to provide improved insurance services to Americas agricultural producers in August 2022. India Post Payments Bank and the Agricultural Association of India collaborated in October 2020 to provide enhanced insurance schemes to the farmers. Some of the major advancements and collaborations adopted by key market players will contribute to the growth of the global market.

A momentous amount of the global market will be seized by North America in 2030. The expanding focus on agricultural risk management policies and government initiatives to enable farmers to implement advanced agriculture techniques will immensely boost the regional agricultural insurance market. The need to provide the best quality food products will lead to the increasing demand for better agricultural processes. The implementation of advanced techniques by farmers will grow the demand for agricultural insurance policies in this region.

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Important Points from Table of Contents:



Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Research Methodology

Chapter 3 Executive Summary

Chapter 4 Market Outlook

Chapter 5 Agricultural Insurance Market by Type

Chapter 6 Agricultural Insurance Market by Application

Chapter 7 Agricultural Insurance Market By Region

Chapter 8 Competitive Landscape

Chapter 9 Company Profiles





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Appointment of public health veteran and current Association president signals continued focus on scientific progress and access for treatments for all who will benefit

CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Joanne Pike, DrPH, current president of the Alzheimer's Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research, will become the organization's chief executive officer in January 2023. She will be responsible for delivery of all services to achieve the organization's vision of a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Dr. Pike will succeed Harry Johns, as outlined in an earlier announcement , who has served as the Association's CEO since 2005. Under Johns' leadership, the Alzheimer's public health crisis became a global priority.

Alzheimer's Association Dr Joanne Pike

Sarah Lorance, chair of the Alzheimer's Association Board of Directors, noted the board unanimously agreed on the decision to elevate Dr. Pike to chief executive officer, signaling full, ongoing commitment to the succession plan Johns announced in 2021.

"When my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at a very young age, the Alzheimer's Association was a tremendous source of support and information for my family," said Lorance. "Dr. Pike's passion to support all communities increasingly impacted by Alzheimer's and other dementias is undeniable. She's the ideal next leader for the organization and for the millions impacted by Alzheimer's and all other dementia."

Dr. Pike's 25-year career as an innovative leader in public health uniquely positions her to advance the care and research priorities that will have the most impact on those facing Alzheimer's disease, with a particular emphasis on outreach to underrepresented and underserved communities.

"As one of the fastest-growing diseases in America, what we do next as a society to address the many impacts of Alzheimer's will be critical," said Johns, current Alzheimer's Association CEO. "With the elevation of Joanne to chief executive officer, I am confident we will continue to speed such critical advances and ultimately win the fight to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Joanne's expertise will be so important to the essential evolution of our healthcare systems to meet the very real needs of those affected in communities across the nation."

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Dr. Pike will take the helm of the Alzheimer's Association at a time of great progress in research, including a robust treatment pipeline. Last month, we saw the most encouraging results in clinical trials treating the underlying causes of Alzheimer's to date.

Since joining the Alzheimer's Association in 2016, and serving now as president, Dr. Pike has had responsibilities that include the Association's global efforts to accelerate research; enhance care and support; advance public policy; strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion; increase concern and awareness; and grow revenue. Previously, Dr. Pike served as chief strategy officer of the Association, guiding the implementation of the strategic plan throughout the organization. Earlier, she was the Association's chief program officer, responsible for care and support services for those facing the disease; outreach aimed at creating partnerships with health systems, physicians, and other health care professionals; long-term care initiatives focused on person-centered care delivery models; and growth strategies to reach more individuals through quality improvement, education, and support programs and services.

"Having collaborated extensively with Joanne during the past 6 years, I have witnessed her steadfast commitment to all elements of our mission, and to all of the people that mission supports. She is dedicated to changing outcomes for the more than 6 million people living with Alzheimer's in America today, their 11 million unpaid caregivers, and to advances that will create risk reduction and treatment opportunities for everyone in the future," added Johns.

"The Board has been both intentional and thoughtful in its selection of the right leader for the Alzheimer's Association collaboratively with Mr. Johns throughout the entirety of the selection process," said Brian Richardson, outgoing chair of the Alzheimer's Association Board of Directors. "Dr. Pike's extensive public health experience combined with the humanity she lends the movement make her the obvious and best choice to ensure consistent and meaningful leadership moving forward."

"My deep passion for public health leads me to approach Alzheimer's disease and all other dementia with a particular sense of urgency," said Dr. Pike. "The next few years hold incredible promise. There are more potential treatments for Alzheimer's in the pipeline than at any point in history. I am grateful for Harry's unwavering leadership during the past 17 years and applaud all that he accomplished in his tenure. I share his commitment to achieving our mission in all communities, particularly those which have historically been underserved. It will be an honor to lead the Alzheimer's Association."

Before joining the Association, Dr. Pike spent 13 years in leadership positions at the American Cancer Society and three years as the executive director of the Preventive Health Partnership, leading a collaboration between the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association to prevent and promote early detection of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Dr. Pike earned her doctorate in public health leadership, focused on health policy and management, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has a master's degree in community counseling from St. Mary's University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Portland.

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit alz.org.

Alzheimer's Association Logo (PRNewsfoto/Alzheimer's Association)

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SOURCE Alzheimers Association
Ambi Robotics, a startup developing supply chain automation hardware, today announced that it raised $32 million in additional funding led by Tiger Global and Bow Capital, with participation from Ahren and logistics firm Pitney Bowes. Pitney Bowes is a strategic investor in Ambi, having recently inked a $23 million deal with the company to deploy Ambi's hardware in U.S.-based Pitney Bowes fulfillment centers.

The new capital came in the form of a SAFE, or simple agreement for future equity, which grants investors the right to purchase equity in the company at a future date, allowing Ambi to delay negotiations around valuation and terms of investment. CEO Jim Liefer says that it'll be put toward continuing deployments and installations of Ambi's tech, expanding the company's product portfolio and growing engineering, customer support and operations teams headcount.

"This additional funding round came together very quickly, spawning from a 'normal' company update to our existing investors and partners," Liefer told TechCrunch in an email interview. "It sparked interest to further fuel manufacturing and deployments of our current and future categories of AI-powered parcel sorting systems ... Just this year, our team has more than doubled and we will continue to add engineering and customer success talent and other areas to keep pace with customer demand for our robotic solutions across their operations."

The co-founders of Ambi -- including Ken Goldberg, the chair of the industrial engineering and operations research department at UC Berkeley -- years ago discovered clever techniques to train robots in simulation and transfer those learnings to the real world. After a breakthrough on a system called Dex-Net, Goldberg and Jeff Mahler, a former doctoral student, launched the company in 2019, along with other scientists and engineers from UC Berkeley.

Dex-Net, short for Dexterity Network, is an AI system that trains on thousands of images of 3D models of objects. Using deep learning, the system scans the data and uses algorithms to learn the best way to pick up the objects.

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Ambi Robotics

A row of Ambi's autonomous item-sorting robotic arms deployed to a warehouse floor. Image Credits: Ambi Robotics

Ambi's robotics platform builds on this to automate processes primarily in logistics and fulfillment. The company claims its products, which include robotic arms and the software to run them, can be "taught" to pick and pack millions of unique items while adapting to different packaging (e.g. boxes and envelopes) on the fly.

Using "end effectors" like suction cups, Ambi machines pick, scan, insert, place and pack items arranged in mail sacks on fulfillment center floors in tandem with workers. Software running in the background analyzes data on productivity, item dimensions and weights, utilization and more and identifies "pick points" on items in cluttered environments like conveyor belts, totes and bins.

Customers pay upfront for Ambi's robotics units and then pay a monthly subscription cost for use of the software.

"The team at Ambi Robotics brings a new way of thinking about traditional problems," Liefer said. "With advanced tech that can solve a wide range of real-world problems, the team [has] decided to use their expertise to drive the exploding ecommerce industry toward a sustainable supply chain, so the strain of sorting parcels doesnt rest on the shoulders of our most valuable asset -- people."

Liefer says that Ambi's current focus is deploying the latest generation of its robotics tech, AmbiSort A-Series v3, which features a "soft-touch" end effector that can handle both deformable and rigid items. Ambi claims that warehouse associates can work alongside three to four of these systems to increase the average throughput per employee to over 1,200 items sorted per hour.

Ambi competes with Covariant, Nomagic, Soft Robotics, Pickle, Hai Robotics, XYZ Robotics and RightHand, among others, in a favorable investment climate for robotics. According to Crunchbase, more than $17 billion poured into VC-backed robotic startups in 2021 -- nearly triple the investment in 2020. In April, Amazon announced that it would create a new $1 billion fund to back companies working in the customer fulfillment, logistics and supply chain sectors. And in May, Walmart expanded its partnership with robotics startup Symbotic to install the latter's machines into all of Walmart's distribution centers in the U.S.

As of 2019, the global warehouse automation market was worth about $15 billion, according to Statista. That number is expected to double within the next four years, with supply chain executives in an Accenture survey citing automation as one of their top three investment priorities -- workers' concerns about the tech aside.

Leifer says that Ambi, for its part, began generating revenue through commercial deployments in October 2020, installing systems prior to the peak holiday buying season. The company is currently in the process of installing 80 parcel-sorting systems while supporting more than 80 "full-stack" sorting systems across 15 sorting hubs.

Gregg Zegras, EVP and president of global e-commerce at Pitney Bowes, added in an emailed statement: "Ambi Robotics is an important part of an innovation strategy that is helping Pitney Bowes improve service to our clients and efficiently grow our global ecommerce business. In Ambi Robotics, we see the same commitment to client-led innovation that has helped Pitney Bowes evolve and win in the marketplace for over 100 years. We look forward to continuing to work together to drive innovation in our global ecommerce hubs.

Berkeley-based Ambi, which recently moved into a new HQ, has raised $67 million to date and has more than 50 employees.
The impressive legacy of the Kuwaiti banking sector since its founding and its achievements during 80 years of banking in Kuwait were highlighted at the Kuwait Banking Association evening reception in Washington, DC.

Burgan Bank recently took part at the reception, which was held on the sidelines of the 2022 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG). The event took place under the patronage of the Minister of Finance, Abdulwahab Muhammad Al Rashid, and the Governor of Central Bank of Kuwait, Basel A Al-Haroon.

The Burgan Bank delegation was headed by a number of senior executive members of the banks leadership team, including: Mohammad Al-Zanki, Head of Corporate Banking; Abdullah Marafie, Chief Treasury Officer; Dalal Al Sane, Head of Investment Banking; and Qutaibah Ahmad Al Rabe  Head of Digital and Marketing Communications. The Burgan team joined the rest of the high-level invitees to the exclusive event, including the Kuwait delegation to the Annual Meetings, Kuwaits Ambassador to Washington, DC, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi and key decision makers from across Kuwaits banking sector.

Leading role

Al Rabe said: At Burgan Bank, we have always sought to be an active and leading member of Kuwaits banking sector. That is why we are keen to be a part of key industry events that seek to generate positive discussions and drive positive action when it comes to economic development and growth.

It is absolutely critical for us as industry leaders to get together, and with top international industry shapers like the IMF and WBG, to address the key issues, challenges and opportunities facing the world of banking. Fast-paced change and ever-growing market demands mean that we need to be in constant pursuit of innovation and development in our operations, customer experience and service offerings.

Al Rabe further added: Our strategy as a bank is focused on our domestic market and driving sustainable and diversified growth within it. Accordingly, we seek to focus our efforts on the three core pillars of sustainability, digitalisation and human capital development  both within our own organisation but also within the sector and economy at large. This reception was not only a chance for us to celebrate the resounding success of the Kuwaiti banking sector over the course of eight decades; it was also a great opportunity for us to engage our peers and global thought leaders in fruitful conversations about driving even greater success within the sector in the coming years.-- TradeArabia News Service
ReportLinker

Atole Market in North America 2022-2026. The analyst has been monitoring the atole market in North America and it is poised to grow by $7. 69 mn during 2022-2026, decelerating at a CAGR of 3. 19% during the forecast period.

New York, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Atole Market in North America 2022-2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05377642/?utm_source=GNW

Our report on the atole market in North America provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors.

The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by Increased consumption of atole in Mexico, Increased demand for tamales, and Rising demand for chocolate-based atoles.

The atole market in North America analysis includes product and distribution channel segments.



The atole market in North America is segmented as below:

By Product

 Nut atole

 Fruit atole

 Others



By Distribution Channel

 Offline

 Online



This study identifies the availability of multiple flavors as one of the prime reasons driving the atole market growth in North America during the next few years. Also, rising inclination toward corn-based beverages and rising awareness about the health benefits of masa will lead to sizable demand in the market.



The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. Our report on atole market in North America covers the following areas:

 Atole market sizing

 Atole market forecast

 Atole market industry analysis



This robust vendor analysis is designed to help clients improve their market position, and in line with this, this report provides a detailed analysis of several leading atole market vendors in North America that include Grupo La Moderna SA de CV, HERMEL S.A. de C.V., Los Chileros de Nuevo Mexico, Nestle SA, PepsiCo Inc., The Klass Company SA de CV, and Unilever PLC. Also, the atole market in North America analysis report includes information on upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth. This is to help companies strategize and leverage all forthcoming growth opportunities.

The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to an analysis of the key vendors.



The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters such as profit, pricing, competition, and promotions. It presents various market facets by identifying the key industry influencers. The data presented is comprehensive, reliable, and a result of extensive research - both primary and secondary. Technavios market research reports provide a complete competitive landscape and an in-depth vendor selection methodology and analysis using qualitative and quantitative research to forecast accurate market growth.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05377642/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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ReportLinker

The Global Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension Market size was estimated at USD 5,383. 02 million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 5,620. 85 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 4.

New York, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension Market Research Report by Shape, Type of End, Vehicle, Distribution, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06336515/?utm_source=GNW

59% to reach USD 7,048.52 million by 2027.



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 Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Shape, the market was studied across Elliptical and Parabolic. The Elliptical is further studied across Semi-elliptical and Transverse.



Based on Type of End, the market was studied across Double End and Open End.



Based on Vehicle, the market was studied across Commercial Vehicles and Passenger Vehicles.



Based on Distribution, the market was studied across Aftermarket and OEM.



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 Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension 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 Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension 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 Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension Market, including Emco Industries, Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., IFC Composite, Jamna Auto Industries, LITEFLEX., Mubea, NHK Springs Co. Ltd., Rassini, SGL Group, and Sogefi SpA.



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 Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Automotive Leaf Spring Suspension Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06336515/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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(Bloomberg) -- Indian edtech Byjus said it has raised $250 million from existing investors led by the sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority, days after announcing job cuts in a bid to slash costs.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The fundraising keeps Byjus valuation of $22 billion and its status as Indias most valuable startup, with the bulk of the capital coming from the Qatar fund, a person familiar with the deal said on Monday, asking not to be named as those details are private.

Backed by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, General Atlantic and Tiger Global, Byjus -- formally known as Think & Learn Pvt -- has raised billions of dollars in capital to finance a global acquisition spree in the face of a tech downturn worldwide. The company, which has 150 million users, has since been plagued by challenges including a long-delayed filing of audited financial statements and a truncated fundraising this year.

The company last month filed its audited financial results for the year ending March 2021 showing steep losses. Last week, the company said it would shed 2,500 workers or about 5% of its total workforce and lower its marketing and sales costs, pledging to become profitable by March.

The company will use the fresh capital to help it become profitable, founder Byju Raveendran said in a statement. Regardless of the adverse macroeconomic conditions, 2022-23 is set to be our best year in terms of revenue, growth and profitability.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Whether these companies are using RegA+, RegCF or RegD, they are now able to accept investments via credit cards from investors using KoreConX All-In-One Platform, without the abusive high fees normally charged from companies in this sector

Cannabis Companies Can Raise Money Using Credit Cards

Cannabis Companies Can Raise Money Using Credit Cards

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KoreConX's innovative approach to the cannabis ecosystem enables companies to raise money by accepting credit cards. It sounds like a simple solution, but it can actually revolutionize how the sector operates. Using the exemptions of Regulation A+, Regulation CF or Regulation D, companies can easily turn their customers and brand advocates into shareholders.

KoreConX has enabled credit card acceptance and escrow providers in their platform, ending the issue of high fees that were traditionally charged from this sector due to a perceived higher risk and lack of nationwide legalization, especially in the USA. Although legal for medicinal and adult recreational use in some states, there are still obstacles that cannabis companies face regarding their capital needs.

Nonetheless, President Joe Biden's announcement that all federal convictions for simple marijuana possession were to be pardoned is a milestone in the continued growth of the cannabis sector. According to Grand View Research Institute, market size was valued at USD 13.2 billion in 2021 and USD 16.7 billion in 2022, with a revenue forecast of USD 102.2 billion for 2030, which would represent a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.5% from 2022 to 2030.

Secure platform

Companies in the cannabis sector had found it difficult to raise capital in the traditional capital markets, making the private capital market a more viable option. KoreConX All-In-One Platform uses its proprietary solution based on blockchain - the KoreChain - to make transactions and shareholder management safe for investors and entrepreneurs.

"Our Platform can be integrated with the company's URL, making it user-friendly and reducing the risk of taking users to other websites," explains Oscar Jofre, CEO and co-founder of KoreConX. The innovation for the cannabis ecosystem is the possibility to make customers into shareholders, by making investing easy. "Our partnership with SecureTranz allows the credit card use, as well as providing options to complement wire transfer, ACH and crypto payments," explains Oscar.

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KoreSummit

In a clear display of support for the sector, KoreConX is putting together a team of specialists in their next KoreSummit - Pocket Sessions | Empowering Growth. Covering topics from the preparations to the offering promotion, and choosing the best regulation, panels with sector experts will be available daily, from Oct. 24 to 28. Learn more on the event website.

About KoreConX

Founded in 2016, KoreConX provides the first secure online infrastructure for private companies to conveniently and compliantly manage every aspect of their capital market activities, from issuing securities to shareholder relations. Investors, broker-dealers, law firms, accountants and investor acquisition firms, all leverage our ecosystem solution. KoreConX also maintains a large online library of educational content to help companies navigate their capital-raising journey.

Contact Information:

Rafael Goncalves

Communications

rafael@koreconx.com



Carolina Casimiro

Marketing Manager

carolina@koreconx.com



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Not many hedge managers have ignited as much controversy as Cathie Wood. The founder of Ark Invest has built her brand on running against the crowd. From her early embrace of tech stocks to her outspoken political conservatism, Cathie Wood has always been something of a lightning rod.

Wood is staking her reputation and fortune on a belief that new technologies, and especially the way that new technologies will interact with each other, are going to completely transform our world. In her view, sectors such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, genomic, and robotics can provide new ways of seeing the world, and their combinations may bring us new medical treatments or autonomous mobility systems.

We believe  and just to give some numbers  that truly disruptive innovation will scale from $7 trillion in market cap today to $210 trillion by 2030, from less than 10% of the broad base public equity market to more than 60. And so if you're short innovation, you're going to be missing some of these unbelievable opportunities, Wood opined.

Now to be fair, we should note that Wood flagship fund, the ARK Innovation ETF, peaked in February of 2021, and that it is down 78% since then. But we should also note that this same ETF surged over 300% in the year after the COVID-based market crash of March 2020. As Yogi Berra famously said: 'Its tough to make predictions, especially about the future.' Time will tell if Wood is right  but her track record shows that she cant be ignored.

So lets take a closer look at two innovation stocks that Wood has been buying lately. According to the TipRanks platform, Wood is not the only one singing these stocks praises. Wall Streets analysts have also voiced approval of them, and they both feature plenty of upside potential.

UiPath Inc. (PATH)

Well start with UiPath, a company specializing in robotic process automation, RPA, using a combination of artificial intelligence and machine learning to create automated software bots to take over the digital worlds boring and repetitive ordinary tasks. UiPaths products promise digital customers benefits from cost savings, resilience, higher accuracy, improved regulatory compliance, and increased productivity. The company counts such major names as Google, Airbus, and GE among its customer base.

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A look at the companys last quarterly financial release, from Q2 of fiscal year 2023  the quarter ending on July 31  shows the underlying strength of UiPaths offerings. The company had a top line of $242.2 million, up 24% in 12 months, and increased its annual recurring revenue, ARR, by 44% year-over-year to $1.043 billion. While the company posted a net earnings loss of 2 cents per share in the quarter, and a cash burn of more than $23 million, it also reported having $1.7 billion in cash and liquid assets on hand as of July 31.

At the same time, PATH shares have fallen 74% so far this year. So what we have here is an innovative company, working in AI and software automation, currently trading at a steep discount  and Cathie Wood took notice. She had already bought into this stock, but in the September-October period this year, her five ARK ETF funds bought up another 10.6 million shares of PATH. This gives her a total of 42,759,557 shares in PATH, a stake that is worth well over $475 million at current prices.

Wood is not the only bull on PATH. Wells Fargo analyst Michael Turrin has also taken an upbeat stance on this stock, writing of its prospects going forward: Our main takeaway is that UiPath continues to make necessary changes to adapt to the current environment (+ prior period of hyper-growth) and maintain share within the burgeoning automation market. While the sharply decelerating profile is likely to keep PATH in the show-me camp and shares volatile in the NT, suggestions automation remains a spend priority and the muted 2H/FY24 outlook present room for improvement well-beyond current expectations

To this end, Turrin rates PATH an Overweight (i.e. Buy), and sets a $16 price target to suggest an upside potential of ~44% over the course of the next 12 months. (To watch Turrins track record, click here)

Overall, PATH shares have a Moderate Buy rating from the analyst consensus. This is based on 17 recent reviews, which break down to 9 Buys and 8 Holds. The stock has a current trading price of $11.12 and its average price target of $18.38, more bullish than the Wells Fargo view, implies ~65% upside on the one-year horizon. (See PATH stock forecast on TipRanks)

Verve Therapeutics (VERV)

The second Wood-pick well look at is Verve Therapeutics, an early-clinical stage biopharma firm with a focus on cardiovascular disease. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease, which kills almost 18 million people globally every year, is the worlds leading cause of premature death. In the US, it is responsible for more than 610,000 deaths annually. Verve Therapeutics has taken aim at this collection of conditions, and is working on new medicines to bring new approaches to the treatment of coronary problems.

The company currently has two drug candidates in its pipeline. The first of these, VERVE-101, has recently entered the clinical trial stage, and patient dosing has begun in the heart-1 clinical trial in New Zealand. The drug candidate is a novel agent, a gene editing medicine designed to turn off the PCSK9 gene in the liver and reduce the production of the disease-driving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). VERVE-101 has recently received clearance from the UK medicine and healthcare products regulatory agency for the clinical trial application in that country. The clearance is for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, and the trial will be part of the recently begun heart-1 testing in New Zealand.

The second drug candidate, VERVE-201, is a proposed treatment for improving the bodys natural regulation of cholesterol and triglycerides through targeting of the ANGPT3 gene. This gene is involved in regulation of lipids, and offers a potential pathway for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. The company has recently released pre-clinical data at the European Society of Cardiologys 2022 Congress, supporting the drug candidates nomination for clinical trials.

On the financial front, Verve is still pre-revenue, and in 2Q22 the company ran a net loss of $40.9 million, or 84 cents per share. Verve reported having $595 million in cash on hand, giving it a clear runway to conduct operations into 2H25.

In the meantime, Cathie Wood has been making large purchases of VERV shares. In September, she bought 831,145 shares through her ARK Innovation ETF, and another 321,630 shares through the ARK Genomic Revolution ETF. She now holds more than 859K shares through ARK Innovation, and about 2.37 million shares through ARK Genomic. Woods total VERV holding, of 3,229,636 shares between the two funds, is worth over $98 million.

Is it a good buy? Stifel analyst Dae Gon Ha believes so, basing his bullish stance on the potential upcoming catalysts in the pipeline.

We think catalysts like VERVE-101 IND and its clinical data (2023) will drive shares. We plan on reassessing our long-term theses in due time but for now, our diligence on the upcoming catalysts (conversations with three ex-FDA KOLs and management, and IND clinical hold precedents) adds optimism to VERV's 1-2 year outlook," Ha noted.

"Even under a bear case of no IND for VERVE-101, NTLA-2001 precedent suggests that positive Ph.1 heart-1 data, irrespective of geography, may present meaningful upside from current levels. Admittedly, regulatory decisions are hard to handicap but given VERV's extensive foundational work supporting VERVE-101, we think positive updates are more likely (than not), the analyst added.

In line with his comments, Ha rates VERV shares a Buy, with a $56 target price that implies an 83% one-year upside potential. (To watch Ha's track record, click here)

Overall, there are 9 recent analyst reviews of this stock on record and they break down 7 to 2 in favor of Buys over Holds, for a Strong Buy consensus rating. The shares are currently priced at $30.56 and the $53.13 average price target suggests a 12-year gain of ~74% lies ahead. (See VERV stock forecast on TipRanks)

To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Corrugated Box Market in Europe by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026" report has been added to Technavio's offerings. The market size is expected to grow by USD 4.66 billion from 2021 to 2026. In addition, the growth momentum of the market will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.68% during the forecast period, according to Technavio.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Corrugated Box Market in Europe 2022-2026

Get a comprehensive report summary that describes the market size and forecast along with research methodology. The FREE sample report is available in PDF format

Corrugated Box Market in Europe 2022-2026: Scope

The corrugated box market in Europe report covers the following areas:

Corrugated Box Market in Europe 2022-2026: Driver and Challenge

The growing demand from the e-commerce industry is driving the corrugated box market growth in Europe. The changing lifestyles of consumers and the demand for convenience have propelled the growth of the e-commerce industry. Online retailers ship products using different types of corrugated boxes to ensure product safety. These boxes can also be customized. Moreover, countries such as Germany, France, and the UK are recording significant investments in this sector. Hence, the demand for corrugated boxes is expected to increase during the forecast period.

The rise in the cost of raw materials is challenging the growth of the market. Paper pulp is a raw material for corrugated boxes. However, its cost is volatile and depends on the demand and supply scenario. Moreover, the price of wood has grown by more than 10% since 2014. In addition, kraft paper accounts for more than 70% of the total input cost in manufacturing corrugated boxes. All these factors have increased the cost of production and, in turn, the price of corrugated boxes.

Corrugated Box Market in Europe 2022-2026: Segmentation

End-user

Geography

Story continues

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a FREE PDF Sample Report

Corrugated Box Market in Europe 2022-2026: Revenue-generating End-user Segment

The food and beverages segment will be the largest contributor to market growth during the forecast period. The food and beverage industry is expected to dominate the economy of Europe during the forecast period. The demand for organic food products is driving the demand for corrugated boxes in the region.

Corrugated Box Market in Europe 2022-2026: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the corrugated box market in Europe, including Bio Pappel SAB de CV, Buckeye Corrugated Inc., Cascades Inc., DS Smith Plc, Europac, Georgia-Pacific LLC, International Paper Co., MODEL HOLDING AG, Mondi plc, Mosburger GmbH, Nampak Ltd, Rengo Co. Ltd., ROSSMANN SAS, S.A Industrias Celulosa Aragonesa, Smurfit Kappa Group Plc, Sonoco Products Co., Stephen Gould Corp., Stora Enso Oyj, Tetra Laval International SA, and WestRock Co.

Subscribe to our "Basic Plan" billed annually at USD 5000 that enables you to download 5 reports and view 100 reports per month

Corrugated Box Market in Europe 2022-2026: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026

Detailed information on factors that will assist corrugated box market growth in Europe during the next five years

Estimation of the corrugated box market size in Europe and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the corrugated box market in Europe

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of corrugated box market vendors in Europe

Related Reports

Single-Use Packaging Market in the US by Product, End-user, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The single-use packaging market share in the US is expected to increase by USD 2.35 million from 2021 to 2026.

Flexible Industrial Packaging Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The flexible industrial packaging market share is expected to increase by USD 594.77 million from 2021 to 2026.

Corrugated Box Market In Europe Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.68% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 4.66 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 3.75 Regional analysis Europe Key consumer countries Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Bio Pappel SAB de CV, Buckeye Corrugated Inc., Cascades Inc., DS Smith Plc, Europac, Georgia-Pacific LLC, International Paper Co., MODEL HOLDING AG, Mondi plc, Mosburger GmbH, Nampak Ltd, Rengo Co. Ltd., ROSSMANN SAS, S.A Industrias Celulosa Aragonesa, Smurfit Kappa Group Plc, Sonoco Products Co., Stephen Gould Corp., Stora Enso Oyj, Tetra Laval International SA, and WestRock Co. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Browse Materials Market Reports

Table Of Contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

5 Market Segmentation by End-user

5.1 Market segments

5.2 Comparison by End-user

5.3 Food and beverages - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.4 Electronic goods - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.5 Personal and household care goods - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.7 Market opportunity by End-user

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

7.2 Geographic comparison

7.3 Western Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.4 Central and Eastern Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.5 Market opportunity by geography

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

9.3 Landscape disruption

9.4 Industry risks

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

10.3 Buckeye Corrugated Inc.

10.4 DS Smith Plc

10.5 Georgia-Pacific LLC

10.6 International Paper Co.

10.7 MODEL HOLDING AG

10.8 Mondi plc

10.9 Mosburger GmbH

10.10 Smurfit Kappa Group Plc

10.11 Sonoco Products Co.

10.12 WestRock Co.

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

11.5 List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Corrugated Box Market in Europe 2022-2026

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Intertrust Group

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

This is a joint press release by Intertrust N.V. ("Intertrust" or the "Company") and CSC (Netherlands) Holdings B.V. ("CSC" or the "Offeror") pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, paragraph 3, of the Dutch Decree on public offers Wft (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft, the "Decree") in connection with the recommended public offer (the "Offer") by the Offeror for all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of Intertrust. This announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in Intertrust. Any offer will be made only by means of the offer memorandum (the "Offer Memorandum") approved by the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets (Stichting Autoriteit Financiele Markten, the "AFM") which was published on 31 March 2022, and subject to the restrictions set forth therein. With reference to the joint press releases of 6 December 2021, 31 March 2022, 30 May 2022, 21 July 2022, and the Intertrust press release of 31 May 2022, the Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the offer conditions, all in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement (the "Merger Agreement") between Intertrust and Corporation Service Company as executed on 6 December 2021 and the Offer Memorandum (the "Offer Conditions"). The offer price of EUR 20.00 per Share (the "Offer Price") is "cum dividend". This announcement is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into, directly or indirectly, Canada and Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. Capitalised terms used herein but not defined in this press release will have the meaning as ascribed thereto in the Offer Memorandum.

CSC and Intertrust have obtained all Regulatory Clearances: the Offer Period ends on 31 October 2022

Wilmington, Delaware, USA / Amsterdam, the Netherlands  17 October 2022  CSC and Intertrust jointly announce that all Regulatory Clearances have been obtained in the Bahamas and, consequently, all required Regulatory Clearances in respect of the Offer have been obtained. As a result, the Offer Condition with respect to the Regulatory Clearances has been satisfied. This is an important milestone in the transaction process. In accordance with the waiver granted by the AFM on 21 July 2022, the Offer Period will end on 31 October 2022, at 17:40 hours CET. CSC and Intertrust jointly recommend all Shareholders to tender their Shares before that time.

Reference is made to (i) the joint press release issued by CSC and Intertrust on 31 March 2022 in respect of the publication of the Offer Memorandum for the recommended all-cash public offer by the Offeror for all issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Intertrust at an offer price of EUR 20.00 (cum dividend), on the terms and subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Offer Memorandum, (ii) the joint press release issued by CSC and Intertrust on 30 May 2022 in relation to the extension of the Offer Period until 19 August 2022 at 17:40 hours CET, (iii) the joint press release issued by CSC and Intertrust on 21 July 2022 in relation to the further extension of the Offer Period, and (iv) the joint press releases issued by CSC and Intertrust in relation to the receipt of all required Regulatory Clearances in Curacao, the British Virgin Islands, Singapore, Ireland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the Cayman Islands on 24 July 2022, 31 July 2022, 19 August 2022, 15 September 2022, 3 October 2022, 6 October 2022 and 13 October 2022, respectively.

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Offer Condition with respect to Regulatory Clearances has been satisfied; Offer Period ends on 31 October 2022, at 17:40 hours CET

CSC and Intertrust have received all Regulatory Clearances in the Bahamas. Consequently, CSC and Intertrust have obtained all Regulatory Clearances in the 13 required jurisdictions (the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jersey, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom).

As a result, the Offer Condition with respect to the Regulatory Clearances has now been satisfied and, in accordance with the waiver granted by the AFM on 21 July 2022 and the joint press release issued by CSC and Intertrust dated 21 July 2022, the Offer Period will end on 31 October 2022, at 17:40 hours CET (the "Closing Time").

Acceptance of the Offer by the Shareholders

CSC and Intertrust recommend that all Shareholders tender their Shares under the Offer. Shareholders who hold their Shares through an Admitted Institution are requested to make their acceptance known through their bank or stockbroker no later than the Closing Time, in accordance with the instructions they have provided. The custodian, bank or stockbroker may set an earlier deadline for communication by Shareholders in order to permit the custodian, bank or stockbroker to communicate its acceptances to the Settlement Agent in a timely manner. Accordingly, Shareholders holding Shares through a financial intermediary should comply with the dates communicated by such financial intermediary, as such dates may differ from the dates and times mentioned in the Offer Memorandum or in this or previous announcements.

Declaring the Offer unconditional

As a result of the adoption of the Asset Sale and Liquidation Resolutions at the general meeting of Intertrust held on 31 May 2022, under the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer Memorandum, the Acceptance Threshold has been lowered from 95% to 80% of the Outstanding Capital. Accordingly, if all Offer Conditions are satisfied or waived on or before 31 October 2022, at 17:40 hours CET, including the total number of Tendered, Owned and Committed Shares at such time represent at least 80% of the Outstanding Capital, the Offeror will declare the Offer unconditional. In case the Acceptance Threshold is not met, the Offeror is under no obligation to declare the Offer unconditional. If the Offeror does not declare the Offer unconditional, the Offer will be terminated.

If the Offer is declared unconditional, the Offeror will accept all Shares that have been validly tendered (or defectively tendered, provided that such defect has been waived by the Offeror) and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the terms of the Offer in accordance with section 5.3(e) of the Offer Memorandum. The Offeror has the right (but not the obligation) to accept any tender of Shares pursuant to the Offer, even if such tender has not been made in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Offer.

Publication of Q3 2022 results

In light of the developments in the Offer process, Intertrust has decided to publish a condensed trading update instead of a full set of results. In addition, Intertrust will not host its regular analyst / investor call. The publication of Intertrusts third-quarter 2022 trading update is scheduled for 27 October 2022.

Further information

This announcement contains selected, condensed information regarding the Offer and does not replace the Offer Memorandum and/or the Position Statement. The information in this announcement is not complete and additional information is contained in the Offer Memorandum and/or the Position Statement.

Shareholders are advised to review the Offer Memorandum and the Position Statement in detail and to seek independent advice where appropriate in order to reach a reasoned judgement in respect of the Offer and the content of the Offer Memorandum and the Position Statement. In addition, shareholders may wish to consult with their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of tendering their Shares under the Offer.

Digital copies of the Offer Memorandum and the Position Statement are available on the website of Intertrust at ( www.intertrustgroup.com/investors/offer-for-intertrust ) and a digital copy of the Offer Memorandum is available on the website of the Offeror ( www.cscglobal.com ). Such websites do not constitute a part of, and are not incorporated by reference into, the Offer Memorandum and the Position Statement. Copies of the Offer Memorandum and the Position Statement are also available free of charge at the offices of Intertrust and the Settlement Agent at the addresses set out below.

Intertrust:

Intertrust N.V.

Basisweg 10

1043 AP Amsterdam

The Netherlands

The Settlement Agent:

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

Gustav Mahlerlaan 10

1082 PP Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Attachment




Chantier Davie Canada Inc

LEVIS, Quebec, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Davie Shipbuilding announced today that CCGS Vincent Massey, a medium icebreaker (MIB), was delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG).



The CCGS Vincent Massey will join its two sister vessels, CCGS Captain Molly Kool and CCGS Jean Goodwill which are already providing vital icebreaking services in Canada.

The delivery of the CCGS Vincent Massey occurs in time and to the budget negotiated with the Canadian Coast Guard.

As Davie is set to enter the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the delivery of the CCGS Vincent Massey is yet another strong demonstration of Davies ability to deliver the ships needed by the Government of Canada while providing value to Canadian taxpayers.

About CCGS Vincent Massey

Originally built in 2000, CCGS Vincent Massey was acquired in 2018 by the CCG to be upgraded as part of the MIB class of vessels.

CCGS Vincent Massey has four medium-speed diesel engines geared to two controllable pitch propellers in nozzles with a total propulsion power of 13,440 kW (18,020 hp). She can achieve a maximum speed of 16 knots (30 km/h) in open water and break 1-metre ice at a continuous speed of 3 knots (5.6 km/h). She is 83.7 metres long overall.

A maximum of 30 cabins to accommodate officers and crew who will serve onboard when the vessel is commissioned by the CCG.

About Davie Shipbuilding

Based in Levis, Quebec, Davie is Canadas premier shipbuilder and a global leader in the delivery of specialist, mission-critical vessels to government and commercial customers. Founded in 1825, Davie is Canadas longest-established, largest and highest capacity shipbuilder. Our world-class workforce builds and sustains complex ships that enable our customers to protect national and economic security, or fulfill acute business needs. Find out more at davie.ca.

For more information:

Denis Boucher

Vice President, Public Affairs and Strategic Relations

514-913-1957




President Vladimir Putin's refusal to rule out using "tactical" nuclear weapons in Russia's war against Ukraine put much of the world on edge last month. But economist Nouriel Roubini says a nuclear escalation of that nearly eight-month conflict could mark just the start of a global battle.

The world could also see nuclear conflict in Iran and, most worrying for the U.S., around China's fight for Taiwan, says Roubini, who was dubbed Dr. Doom after the realization of his dire predictions including the 2008 housing crisis that sparked the Great Recession.

The New York University business professor contends a cold war already exists between the U.S. and China, and that it could escalate into a "hot war" as President Xi Jinping aims to unite China and Taiwan. Roubini appeared on Monday at the Yahoo Finances 2022 All Markets Summit, ahead of the release of his book, Megathreats: Ten Dangerous Threats that Imperil our Future and How to Survive Them.

In some sense, World War III has already started, Roubini said. It started in Ukraine because this conflict has broader implications that go well beyond Russia and Ukraine. Its the beginning of something else.

A cold war between the West 'and a number of revisionist powers

Speaking to Yahoo Finance's editor-in-chief on Monday, Roubini highlighted geopolitical threats and what he calls a new cold war that has emerged between the U.S. and China as well as between the West and "revisionist" powers including Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan.

They're essentially challenging the economic, social, and geopolitical order that the U.S., and Europe, and the West created after World War II, Roubini said, explaining this crisis could ensnare the U.S.

In addition to Ukraine, another flash point could also be Iran, Roubini says.

The negotiations between the U.S. and Iran on the new nuclear deal are not going anywhere, and Israel is saying if [Iran is] going to become nuclear  and they're one step away from it  we're going to attack them, Roubini said.

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At the same time, the U.S. and China are on a collision course as the two countries continue to uncouple on fronts from trade to the movement of labor to technology.

I believe the next 5-10 years is going to be the time where theres going to be a confrontation between the U.S. and China on the issue of Taiwan and that could be a trigger of this cold war becoming a hot war, he said. Thats how we get to World War III.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is widely expected to claim a third term atop his nation during the Communist Party's national congress this week, cementing him as China's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong.

The leader also called to build up Chinas military further as the conference kicked off on Sunday, reportedly saying the country should "be prepared for danger in times of peace [and] prepare for a rainy day and be ready to withstand major tests of high winds and high waves."

The developments this week come after tensions over Taiwan peaked this summer when U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei on Aug. 2. Chinese warships encircled the island, roiling world markets and raising the possibility of much more dire consequences if China directly attacked Taiwan.

In Ukraine, that conflict took another turn on Monday when a wave of explosives-laden Russian suicide drones exploded in Kyiv. The attacks set buildings ablaze and further frayed nerves in Ukraines capital.

Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said SpaceX will add a donate option to Starlink. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images/Taras Podolian/Gazeta.ua/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

Elon Musk said SpaceX will add a donate option to Starlink for areas in need of internet.

Musk said SpaceX was burning through $20 million per month to maintain Starlink in Ukraine.

The CEO has seemingly backtracked on his refusal to fund Starlink in Ukraine.

SpaceX plans to let people to donate money towards its Starlink satellite internet service for areas in need of broadband access, according to CEO Elon Musk.

The billionaire's comments were in response to a tweet by Ham Serunjogi, CEO of fintech Chipper Cash, who said he'd be willing to donate Starlink to schools and hospitals in Uganda.

"Are there others that want to donate Starlinks to places in need?" Musk wrote in a Twitter post.

Six minutes after posting, the post gained thousands of likes and Musk tweeted again, saying: "Ok, we will add a donate option to Starlink."

Plans for Starlink donations come after Musk has expressed how the satellite internet network continues to lose money, especially after aiding Ukraine earlier this year following Russia's invasion.

CNN reported on Thursday that SpaceX asked the Pentagon to take over paying for Starlink in Ukraine because the company couldn't afford it. SpaceX projected in a September letter to the Pentagon that running Starlink in Ukraine would cost more than $120 million for the rest of 2022 and nearly $400 million over the next year, per CNN.

Musk said on Friday in response to a Twitter thread that referenced CNN's article it was "unreasonable" for SpaceX to pay indefinitely for the existing Starlink network in Ukraine on top of sending thousands more internet terminals with higher data usage to the country. He also tweeted that SpaceX was burning through around $20 million per month to maintain Starlink in Ukraine.

The following day, Musk seemed to u-turn on his plea for help, suggesting that SpaceX will keep funding Starlink in support of Ukraine during its war with Russia.

"The hell with it," he said, adding that SpaceX will go on funding the Ukraine government for free, despite the amount of money Starlink continues to lose.

SpaceX, designed to provide internet to rural locations, also delivered 120 Starlink internet kits to southwest Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Other schemes put in place using Starlink include providing internet to a remote 3,000-person indigenous community in Canada.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC) will welcome its community members, home buyers, investors, art and design enthusiasts to the island to discover a 10-day Art of Living event featuring design concepts in the show villas.



Open from the October 14 to 23, guests will discover an opportunity to witness the interior and exterior landscape styles as well as a feel of the community vibes and sustainable lifestyle that people can expect once the properties are completed.



Curated by Architectural Digest Middle East, the Art of Living exhibition will host more than 22 projects, the villas will be staged with a series of immersive showcases, embodying the creativity of more than 35 international designers and artists from across the region.



The designers have been selected for their unique voice and expression to create a space of inspiration, wonderment and wellness. Each of the chosen designers has been commissioned to design their dream space within the model homes, with designs exclusive to the Art of Living showcase.



A special celebration will also be held at Jubail Street for two days on 14th and 15th where guests can experience a magical evening to elevate their spiritual wellness by coming together to enjoy an immersive evening where they can enjoy live music performances from a piano, handpan and saxophone as well as live food stations, and art activations.



Mahmoud Dandashly, Chief Business Officer of Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC) said: The art of living event held in partnership with Architectural Digest Middle East, supports creativity, art and wellness by embedding them into Jubail Island lifestyle as part of its vision from aspiration to reality.



The Art of Living event will celebrate creativity by bringing together art and design enthusiasts as well as homebuyers and investors where they can reflect and be inspired by the artistic designs, products and installations. The event provides a platform for our guests to meet the artists first-hand and learn from them the importance of adding art to our lives on every level. We look forward to welcoming guests to Jubail Island for a one-time-only experience.



He added: Every stage of our project has been carefully planned to ensure the properties meet the needs of people, catering to lifestyle requirements while giving them a sense of belonging in Jubail Island and visitors can envision what a real-life home would look and feel like at Jubail Island by stepping into one of the models.



Owned by JIIC and developed and managed by LEAD Development, the AED10 billion ($2.72 billion) Jubail Island will be home to an idyllic collection of six residential village estates located between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island.



Nestled among the mangroves' breath-taking natural beauty and rich biodiversity and covering more than 5,000 hectares, the landmark community will offer residents every convenience and amenity, seamlessly blending sustainable living, luxury, and wellness in an iconic new addition to Abu Dhabis real estate landscape.  TradeArabia News Service
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Dublin, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "European Post Marketing Pharmacovigilance - Including the EMA/PRAC Deliberations and Brexit Implications Training Course" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of key post-market pharmacovigilance activities required as the foundation for further understanding of new EU legislation that was introduced in 2012 and has undergone over 20 updates in the last 10 years.

The course intends to show how the safety of products is managed at the Regulatory Authority level, the interactions with Regulatory Bodies and Pharma, and the internal Pharma processes in managing the safety of the Company products from receiving safety cases/information, all the way through to signal analysis and safety communication. All of this is viewed from a practical point of view for compliance and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) deliberations and Brexit implications will be discussed.

Who Should Attend:

This 3-day course is intended for those individuals from Europe and the USA, who need to understand EU Pharmacovigilance, it will be beneficial for those working in allied technical areas (Regulatory, Clinical, QA, and Auditing) who require an overview of key pharmacovigilance activities and also need to understand the many complexities of EU pharmacovigilance. All of these activities are discussed in relation to Quality Management Systems (QMS), audits and inspections.

Key Topics Covered:

An Introduction to the New PV Structure

The new Modules

The interaction of the Modules

The EU Modules & ICH

Quality Management Systems (QMS) (Module 1)

Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and Quality Management

Quality Management of PV systems

The QP PV and Quality Management

Quality & Training

QA & Quality Management & internal audits

The Pharmacovigilance Systems Master File (PSMF - Module II)

The content of the PV Master file

Licence submissions and the PV Master file

The QP PV and the PV Master file

Control/Management of the PV Master file

The PSMF/Annexes and Regulatory Inspections

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Pharmacovigilance Inspections (Module III)

The purpose of the Inspection

Types of Inspection

Inspection findings

Re-Inspections

Pharmacovigilance Audits (Module IV)

The purpose of Company audits

Audit scheduling and risk assessments

Audit outputs and findings

Audit findings and their corrections - Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Action Plans, Completion and re-audits/scheduling

Risk Management Plans (RMPs - Module V)

ICH E2E - Pharmacovigilance Planning

The RMP purpose in Europe

The RMP format - Generic products v Innovator

Updating the RMP

RMPs & REMs

Adverse Reaction Reporting - Part 1 (Module VI)

Definitions

Special Situations

IMEs and DMEs

Triage - Seriousness

Expectedness and Causality

Expedited reporting (including Country specific v EMA)

Adverse reaction Reporting - Part 2 (Module VI)

Electronic ADR reporting local & International

Follow up of cases

ICH E2D - Post Marketing Safety

Literature ADR reporting

Case Closure

PBRERs (Module VII)

ICH E2F & ICH E2C (R2) - DSURs & PSURs/PBRERs

Objectives of the PSURs

Risk Benefit Analyses in PSURs

The format of the PSUR

Mapping Signals and Risks to the PSUR

Signals and their Management (Module IX)

What is a signal?

Signal Scheduling

Signal validation

Signal analysis and prioritisation

Signal Assessment

EVDAS and signalling

Actions to be taken

Post-Authorisation Safety Studies (PASS) (Module VIII & Addendum)

The need for PASS

The design of the PASS

Results from the PASS & RMPs

Post Authorisation Efficacy Studies

Additional Monitoring (Module X)

The purpose of additional monitoring for products

What needs to be done?

Mandatory & Optional aspects of additional monitoring

The role of the MAH in additional monitoring

Risk Minimisation (RM) Measures and Tools

RIsk Minimisation measures

Educational Tools

Controlled Access programmes

Other RM techniques

Urgent Safety Restrictions & Safety Communications (Modules VI, IX and XV)

Safety Communications to the Regulatory Authorities

Process for Urgent Safety Restrictions

What Safety Communication and where

Approval and Monitoring of Safety Communications

The EU QP PV & Local (National) QP PVs - Modules I & II - Knowledge & Oversight

The roles and responsibilities of the EU QP PV

Knowledge of the EU QP PV

The EU QP PV and Regulatory Inspections

The EU QP PV & Local (QP PVs/Responsible Person)

Brexit - The UK QP PV

Speaker



Graeme Ladds

Director

PharSafer Associates Ltd.



Graeme Ladds, Director of PharSafer, has over 22 years' experience working in the pharmaceutical industry. Having started his career at Ashbourne Pharmaceuticals in 1989 as Head of Drug Safety & Medical Information, Graeme went on to become Head of Global Pharmacovigilance at Shire Pharmaceuticals.



The last 11 years have been spent in his consultancy company, PharSafer Associates Ltd. During this time, Graeme has been involved in establishing pharmacovigilance in companies, performing audits across Europe and the USA, SOP writing, acting as QP for companies, and helping with regulatory inspections.



For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gwwf5w

CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900




PARIS, Oct 17 (Reuters) - EDF, the power group which the French government is in the process of fully nationalising, must reach a wage deal with its workers, said French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire.

"I want EDF to reach a wage deal with workers as fast as possible," Le Maire told BFM TV and RMC Radio on Monday.

Le Maire added it was "vital" for the French economy that EDF's nuclear reactor maintenance schedule was not further affected by walkouts from staff protesting over pay and working conditions. (Reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
ReportLinker

Renewable power generation has been central to decarbonization initiatives by governments and the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector. Energy storage solutions address the challenges posed by renewable power sources, including intermittency, thereby accelerating the deployment of renewables, which have rightfully gained substantial investments in recent years.

New York, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Non-battery Energy Storage (NBES) Growth Opportunities" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06346919/?utm_source=GNW





Pumped hydro storage, which has dominated long-duration energy storage for more than a century, is now being challenged by other new and promising low-cost, high-efficiency technologies, each with unique benefits for end users.



Forecasts are based on energy storage targets that governments aim to achieve by 2030 to meet their climate change targets; announced projects (where available); and Frost & Sullivans assessment of the growth potential of energy technologies.



With potential investments in non-battery storage expected to exceed hundreds of billions of dollars over the next few years across all technologies, several opportunities exist across the value chain, including logistics, operations and maintenance (O&M), financing, and technology related to non-battery storage.



The study profiles countries committed to decarbonization and those investing in technology R&D and commercialization.



It also highlights companies that have contributed innovative solutions in this space.



Key regions for investment for energy storage technologies have been identified based on investments and interest in a particular technology, either due to its suitability to the geography (or the project) or commercial advancements in the technology.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06346919/?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




Kenneth Research

Key Companies Outlined in the Global Prefilled Syringes Market Research Report by Kenneth Research Include Abbott, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Baxter Biopharma Solutions, BG (Becton, Dickinson and Company), Gerresheimer AG, Medtronic, Nipro Pharma Corporation, Terumo Medical Corporation Vetter Pharma International GmbH, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., and others.

New York, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kenneth Research has published a detailed market report on the  Global Prefilled Syringes Market  for the forecast period, i.e., 2023-2033, which includes the following factors:

Market growth over the forecast period

Detailed regional synopsis

Market segmentation

Growth drivers

Challenges

Key market players and their detailed profiling

Global Prefilled Syringes market size

The global prefilled syringes market is predicted to acquire around USD 16,100 million by 2033 and to grow at a CAGR of ~12% over the forecast period. In addition, the market garnered revenue of around USD 5,900 million in 2022. The market is majorly being driven by the increase in HIV and hepatitis infection rates. In 2019, there were 296 million individuals worldwide suffer from hepatitis B, and 58 million suffer from hepatitis C according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Get a Sample PDF of This Report @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10352443

Prefilled syringe demand is accelerating as there is a greater chance of contracting an infection through needles. Around 900 healthy kids under the age of 12 in Pakistan were given HIV-infected needles by a doctor and they have been added to the list of affirmed cases of HIV. Furthermore, the market for prefilled syringes is projected to expand owing to the increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, arthritis, and others. According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, cardiovascular disorders claimed the lives of close to `18 million individuals.

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Global Prefilled Syringes Market: Key Takeaways

The European region gains the largest portion of the revenue

The diabetes segment to influence the revenue graph

The single-chamber segment retains a sizable presence in the market

Mounting HIV and Hepatitis-B cases and Soaring Biological Drug Adoption to Boost the Market Growth

The self-filling needles used with individuals who have HIV and hepatitis have frequently been misused. Prefilled syringes are the ideal treatment to use for HIV and hepatitis patients. At the end of 2021, there were an estimated 38.5 million HIV-positive individuals worldwide, with 26 million of them residing in the African region. As HIV and hepatitis cases increase, the adoption of prefilled syringes rises on account of safety reasons.

Furthermore, biological drugs are now being used to treat conditions including cancer, asthma, allergies, and more as a result of rising demand. For instance, the sales of biologics have been predicted to surpass those of small molecules for the next 5 years and by 2027, biologic medication sales are anticipated to be USD 120 billion more than those of small molecules. In 2019, 460,000 individuals died from asthma, which is thought to have afflicted 263 million people. The rising prevalence of asthma further increases the need for prefilled syringes in the market.

Browse to access In-depth research report on Global Prefilled Syringes Market with detailed charts and figures: https://www.kennethresearch.com/report-details/prefilled-syringes-market/10352443

Global Prefilled Syringes Market: Regional Synopsis

The global prefilled syringes market is segmented into five major regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa region.

Rising Investments and Growing Immunization Rate to Fuel the European Market

By the end of 2033, it is anticipated that Europe to hold the biggest market share. Increased investment in injectable medications is predicted to drive market growth. For example, Baxter International, Inc. spent roughly USD 100 million in 2021 to increase the production of sterile fill in Germany. The regions increased immunization campaign is expected to fuel the market expansion in Europe. As of August 2022, over 171.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccination had been delivered in Russia whereas Germany had delivered more than 185 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Developing Healthcare Infrastructure and the Rising Number of Hospitals to Fuel the Asia Pacific Market

On the other hand, the Asia Pacific (APAC) market is projected to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period. The APAC market is expected to be driven by improvements in healthcare infrastructure, an increase in the number of hospitals with cutting-edge equipment, and increased demand for the COVID-19 vaccination. The rising healthcare expenditure in China develops the healthcare infrastructure and increases the number of hospitals with advanced treatment facilities and propels the market in the region. The healthcare expenditure per capita in 2018 was USD 501.6 which rose to USD 535.13 in 2019 in China. Moreover, the total hospital population in China has grown dramatically during the past 10 years. In 2020, there were around 25,500 hospitals which rose from 23,500 hospitals, 10 years back.

Get a Sample PDF of Global Prefilled Syringes Market @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10352443

The study further incorporates the Y-O-Y growth, demand & supply, and forecasts future opportunities in:

North America (U.S., Canada)

Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg, NORDIC [Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark], Poland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe)

Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)

Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of Asia Pacific)

Middle East and Africa (Israel, GCC [Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, QATAR, Oman], North Africa, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa)

Global Prefilled Syringes Market, Segmentation by Application

Diabetes

Multiple Sclerosis

Anaphylaxis

Cancer

By the end of 2033, the diabetes segment is predicted to have the greatest market size. The diabetes segment is anticipated to rise as a result of the increased demand for insulin medications. In 2018, approximately 150-200 million persons worldwide needed insulin therapy. The rising prevalence of diabetes worldwide drives the expansion of the segment. The WHO estimates that 1.5 million fatalities and 422 million people globally suffer from diabetes.

Access full Report Description, TOC, Table of Figure, Chart, etc. @ https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10352443

Global Prefilled Syringes Market, Segmentation by Design

Single- Chamber

Dual Chamber

Customized

The single-chamber segment is estimated to hold a substantial market share during the forecast period. The rising incidence of chronic diseases, growing demand for prefilled syringes, and increased benefits from prefilled syringes are all contributing factors to the expansion of the segment. For instance, one or more chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiac disorders, and stroke affect 6 out of 10 U.S. citizens. The primary cause of fatalities and disability in the U.S. are rising chronic diseases. In addition, according to the CDC statistics, cardiac disorders claimed the lives of almost 697,000 persons in 2020 accounting for 1 in 5 fatalities in the U.S. The elevating incidence of chronic diseases increases the demand for single-chamber syringes.

Global Prefilled Syringes Market, Segmentation by Material

Glass-Based

Plastic-Based

A few of the well-known market leaders in the global prefilled syringes market that are profiled by Kenneth Research are Abbott, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Baxter BioPharma Solutions, BG (Becton, Dickinson and Company), Gerresheimer AG, Medtronic, Nipro Pharma Corporation, Terumo Medical Corporation, Vetter Pharma International GmbH, West Phaemaceutical Services, Inc., and others.

Do You Have Any Query or Specific Requirement? Ask to Our Expert: https://www.kennethresearch.com/sample-request-10352443

Recent Developments in Global Prefilled Syringes Market

On April 2021, Nipro Pharma Corporation declared that the Schreiner MediPharm Needle-Trap is compatible with Nipro D2F prefilled syringes.

On February 2022, Abbott established a corporation with the major health tech firm Sugar. fit, HealthifyMe, Fitterfly, BeatO, PharmaEasy, GOQii, 1 MG, and Zyla Health in February 2022. Abbott hopes to provide a glucose monitoring solution to 8 million patients with diabetes through the agreement.

Browse More Related Reports:

Atorvastatin API Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel (Online, and Offline); and by Application (Dyslipidemia, Hypercholesterolemia, Hypertriglyceridemia, and Others)-Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2031

Montelukast API Market Segmentation by Type (Oral Solution, Chewable Tablet, and Tablet); and by Application (Urticaria, Asthma, Bronchospasm, Allergic Rhinitis, and Others)aGlobal Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2031

Cardiovascular Information System (CVIS) Market Segmentation by Mode of Operation (On-Premise, and Cloud); by Component (Software, Hardware, and Service); and by Application (Electrophysiology, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology, ECG Monitoring, and Others)-Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2031

Closed System Drug Transfer Device (CSTD) Market Segmentation by End-Users (Academic & Research Institutes, Hospitals & Clinics, Oncology Centers, and Others); by Type (Needleless System, and Membrane-To-Membrane System); and by Technology (Air filtration, Compartmentalized, and Diaphragm-Based Devices)-Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2031

Global Epilepsy Market Segmentation by End-Use (Diagnostic Centers, Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and Others); and by Treatment & Diagnosis (Treatment, and Diagnosis)-Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2031

About Kenneth Research

Kenneth Research is a leading service provider for strategic market research and consulting. We aim to provide unbiased, unparalleled market insights and industry analysis to help industries, conglomerates and executives to take wise decisions for their future marketing strategy, expansion and investment, etc. We believe every business can expand to its new horizon, provided a right guidance at a right time is available through strategic minds. Our out of box thinking helps our clients to take wise decision so as to avoid future uncertainties.

Contact for more Info:

AJ Daniel

Email: info@kennethresearch.com

U.S. Phone: +1 313 462 0609

Web: https://www.kennethresearch.com/




Company Logo

Global Seed Coating Market

Global Seed Coating Market

Dublin, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Seed Coating Market by Form, Additives (Polymers, Pellets, Colorants, Minerals/Pumice), Process (Film coating, Encrusting, Pelleting), Crop (Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds & Pulses, Vegetables, Flowers & Ornamentals) and Region - Forecast to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global seed coating market is projected to reach USD 3.6 billion by 2027 growing at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2022 to 2027. The increasing population has also led to increasing demand for food, resulting in the need to enhance agricultural productivity. Government support, and the presence of key manufacturers in this market, have contributed to the growth of the seed coating market.

Seed coating has high demand in additives segment

The seed coating market has been segmented based on additives into polymers, colorants, pellets, minerals/pumice, active ingredients, binders, and other additives. The polymer segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021, accounting for USD 651.3 million. It is among the fastest-growing additives segments, followed by colorants and active ingredients.

Seed coatings are critical carriers of active ingredients, such as nutrients, protectants, and phytoactive promoters. Using seed coatings enhances the delivery of active ingredients in treated seeds. They not only minimize the on-farm activities by effectively binding components to the seed but also maintain environment-friendly standards.

Asia-Pacific is projected to witness growth of 9.2% during the forecast period

The seed coating market in the Asia-Pacific is growing at a CAGR of 9.2% due to increased demand for high-quality crops, a decrease in arable lands, and an increase in the population. Companies in the seed industries are working on creating new innovative products to boost the growth of seeds by aiding in every stage of seed growth.

The Asia-Pacific seed coating market is competitive, with many domestic and multinational players competing for market share. Emphasis is given to the companies' mergers, expansion, acquisition, partnership, and new product development as strategic approaches adopted by the leading companies to boost their brand presence among consumers.

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Key Topics Covered:

1 Introduction

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

4.1 Attractive Opportunities in Seed Coating Market

4.2 Seed Coating Market: Growth Rate of Major Regional Submarkets

4.3 Asia-Pacific: Seed Coating Market, by Crop Type & Country

4.4 Seed Coating Market, by Form

4.5 Seed Coating Market, by Additive

4.6 Seed Coating Market, by Process

4.7 Seed Coating Market, by Crop Type

4.8 Seed Coating Market, by Region

5 Market Overview

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Drivers

5.2.1.1 Enhancements and Benefits Derived from Seed Technologies to Encourage Adoption of Seed Coating

5.2.1.2 Seed Coating Would Support Agricultural Productivity on Marginal Lands

5.2.1.3 Increase in Seed Replacement Rate to Drive Adoption of Commercialized Seeds

5.2.2 Restraints

5.2.2.1 Uncertainty in Climate Conditions to Impact Seed Coating Market

5.2.2.2 Low Yield of Crops in Under-Irrigated Areas to Impact Seed Coating Market

5.2.3 Opportunities

5.2.3.1 Development of Biodegradable Seed Coatings to Reduce Environmental Pollution

5.2.4 Challenges

5.2.4.1 Unorganized New Entrants with Low Profit-To-Cost Ratio

6 Industry Trends

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Value Chain

6.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

7 Seed Coating Market, by Form

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Powder

7.2.1 Solid Particulate Binders Applied as Fine Powders Become Hydrolyzed as Water During Coating Process

7.3 Liquid

7.3.1 Dosage of Liquid Seed Coating Formulations Typically to Range from <0.05 to 1.0% by Weight

8 Seed Coating Market, by Crop Type

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Cereals & Grains

8.2.1 High Consumption of Cereals in Food and Feed to Encourage Growers to Adopt Seed Coating Technique

8.3 Oilseeds & Pulses

8.3.1 High Protein Content to be Major Driver of Demand for Oilseeds & Pulses

8.4 Vegetables

8.4.1 Protected Cultivation of High-Value Crops to Drive Use of Innovative Techniques

8.5 Flowers & Ornamentals

8.5.1 High Export Potential to Urge Growers to Maintain Standard Quality

8.6 Other Crop Types

9 Seed Coating Market, by Process

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Film Coating

9.2.1 Film Coating is Available in Several Different Colors to Aid in Seed Identity and Safety Awareness

9.3 Encrusting

9.3.1 Encrusting Enables Singulation Maximizing Plant Efficiency

9.4 Pelleting

9.4.1 Pelleting Results in Uniformity of Plant Growth

10 Seed Coating Market, by Additive

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Polymers

10.2.1 Polymers are Widely Used in Seed Coating as They Offer Multiple Benefits

10.2.2 Polymer Gels

10.2.3 Superabsorbent Polymer Gels

10.3 Colorants

10.3.1 Colorants to Enhance Appearance of Seeds

10.4 Pellets

10.4.1 Pelleting to Increase Weight of Seed, Improving Plantability

10.5 Binders

10.5.1 Survival of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria to Grow Demand for Binders

10.5.2 Polyvinyl Alcohol

10.5.3 Bentonite

10.5.4 Other Binders

10.6 Minerals/Pumice

10.6.1 Porosity of Pumice to Help in Germination of Seeds

10.7 Active Ingredients

10.7.1 Involvement of Active Ingredients to Enhance Seedling Health, Combat Pest Infestation, and Improve Plant Establishment

10.8 Other Additives

11 Seed Coating Market, by Active Ingredient

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Protectants

11.2.1 Demand for Disease-Resistant Crops to Pave Way for Protectants

11.3 Phytoactive Promoters

11.3.1 Innovation in Use of Phytoactive Promoters Via Seed Coats to Make Farming Possible in Degraded Areas

11.4 Other Active Ingredients

12 Seed Coating Market, by Region

13 Competitive Landscape

13.1 Overview

13.2 Ranking of Key Players, 2021

13.3 Company Evaluation Quadrant (Key Players)

13.3.1 Stars

13.3.2 Emerging Leaders

13.3.3 Pervasive Players

13.3.4 Participants

13.4 Competitive Benchmarking

13.5 Competitive Scenario

13.5.1 Expansions & Investments

13.5.2 Acquisitions

13.5.3 Agreements & Joint Ventures

14 Company Profiles

14.1 Key Players

14.1.1 BASF SE

14.1.2 Solvay SA

14.1.3 Croda International PLC

14.1.4 Clariant AG

14.1.5 DSM

14.1.6 Sensient Technologies

14.1.7 Brettyoung Seeds Limited

14.1.8 Milliken Chemical

14.1.9 Precision Laboratories, LLC

14.1.10 Germains Seed Technology Inc.

14.1.11 CR Minerals Company, LLC

14.1.12 Globachem

14.1.13 Universal Coating Systems

14.1.14 Centor Oceania

14.1.15 Chromatech Incorporated

14.1.16 Michelman, Inc.

14.1.17 Smith Seed Services

14.1.18 Prebble Seeds Ltd.

14.1.19 Organic Dyes and Pigments

14.1.20 Cistronics Technovations Pvt. Ltd.

15 Adjacent and Related Markets

16 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/v4rwta

Attachment

CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900




WINNIPEG, TRADITIONAL TREATY 1 TERRITORY, MB, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - Shelters provide protection, services and resources that enable women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people who have experienced gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence and exploitation, to have a safe space to turn and take steps to regain an independent and self-determined life.

Supporting Indigenous-led 24/7 safe spaces, emergency shelters, and transition homes is an important part of the Government of Canada's Federal Pathway to Address Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.

In Winnipeg, Velma's House, operated by Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc., was created through the collaboration of community-based organizations serving adult Indigenous women, gender-diverse people, and other women at risk of violence and exploitation, including those who have been trafficked.

Velma's House provides important services, including access to traditional medicines and cultural ways of healing, hot meals, hygiene and harm reduction supplies, as well as extensive support in helping those in need navigate systems of employment and housing. Due to an increase in operational hours and support, Velma's House has outgrown its old space and requires an expansion to accommodate more people in need of its services.

Today, the Government of Canada announced over $6.9 million in immediate and ongoing funding that will support Ka Ni Kanichihk and Velma's House, as well as $1.53 million for Indigenous women's organizations in Manitoba. The announcement was made in Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg) by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services; the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth; and the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister for PrairiesCan, Minister for CanNor and Member of Parliament for Saint BonifaceSaint Vital.

These investments will allow Velma's House to expand its capacity to provide life-saving shelter services to those in need on a 24/7 basis, and is part of the Government of Canada's larger commitment to address the critical need for culturally appropriate Indigenous safe spaces in cities and urban settings across the country.

Story continues

These investments include:

$930,000 through the Women's Program at Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) to provide emergency relief funding to support immediate organizational needs and increase capacity. This funding is in addition to over $1.4 million that WAGE has provided Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. since 2015.

$2 million through Indigenous Services Canada's (ISC) Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund, which will enable Ka Ni Kanichihk to purchase a new building for Velma's House, allowing for expanded capacity and care of up to 40 people at a time.

$1 million per year through to 202526, totalling $4 million, delivered through ISC's Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative to support operational expenses and furnishing costs.

Through Women and Gender Equality Canada, $1.53 million will be invested in three Indigenous women's organizations in Manitoba:

$499,154 will support the work of Infinity Women Secretariat Inc. to increase the organization's capacity to address gender-based violence issues more effectively in the Metis community in Manitoba.

$500,000 will support 2-Spirited Peoples of Manitoba to increase the capacity of 2Spirit Manitoba Inc. to prevent and address gender-based violence against Indigenous 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

An additional $533,118 for Ka Ni Kanichihk to strengthen their capacity to prevent gender-based violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people through the improvement of partnerships, sharing of information and the development of skill-based tools.

Quotes

"Today speaks to the power of collaboration and of community-led efforts. Credit for establishing Velma's House goes to those with lived experience who fought so hard to establish this safe space. Thank you to the federal government for listening to the community and supporting their expertise, their knowledge and their solution."

Yvonne (Dodie) Jordaan

Executive Director of Ka Ni Kanichihk

"Velma's House is the ONLY 24/7 safe place in the province of Manitoba that supports sexually exploited adult women, the ONLY PLACE. With continued funding we can ensure our women will always have a low/barrier safe space. With supports and resources to help to support them wherever they are at in their journey."

Isabel Daniels

Advocate for sexually exploited persons

Survivor of gender-based violence

"Everyone in the community is excited to finally have an adequate building to support the women who access Velma's House 24/7. The women who come here are strong and their lives need to be valued. The new safe space will provide them with more access to culture, programming, resources, and safety. It will allow them to have the supports and guidance that are needed as they walk the red road to healing. It will simply save lives."

Bianca Moar

Velma's House Staff

Former Lived Experience Advisory Committee Member

"Velma's House and Ka Ni Kanichihk provide essential services and a safe space for Indigenous women in Winnipeg. Their work is critical, saves lives and protects the next generation of children. But their services have been stretched and they will be able to do so much more with more space and stable funding. With new investments of just over $8.4 million announced today by the Federal Government, Velma's House, Ka Ni Kanichihk, and other Indigenous women's organizations in Manitoba will be able to keep doing their work, increase their capacity and deliver culturally appropriate programs and services to those who need it most. As a former Executive Director of a homeless shelter myself, I know how important and how difficult this work can be. I commend Executive Director Dodie Jordaan and the Velma's House team for their advocacy and vision to expand their services and continue to serve the most vulnerable women in the community."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu

Minister of Indigenous Services

"We know that Velma's House is a lifeline for women fleeing domestic and street violence, providing a wide range of culturally safe supports and essential services. I'm pleased to announce that Women and Gender Equality Canada provided $930,000 to keep their doors open 24/7 and, ultimately, save more lives. I'm also pleased to announce that $1.53 million will be invested in three Indigenous women's organizations in Manitoba to provide long-term support to organizations that are doing the crucial work on the ground. Organizations like these have been at the forefront of efforts to address and prevent gender-based violence, particularly in underserved communities. Our government is committed to continuing our support for this essential work."

The Honourable Marci Ien

Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

"Together with community leaders and organizations, we are taking important steps forward in expanding access for Indigenous women and children in need of critical services, safety and support, right here in the heart of Winnipeg. Velma's House is an integral part of our community and a positive and safe space that so many continue to devote their passion and lives to creating and growing. To all the workers, supporters and advocates of Velma's House, I thank you for the essential work you are doing to provide for, and serve, those who need it most."

The Honourable Daniel Vandal P.C., M.P.

Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for CanNor, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and Member of Parliament for Saint BonifaceSaint Vital

Quick facts

Velma's House, operated by Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc., is a low-barrier safe space for women and gender-diverse people over 18 years of age. It is a culturally Indigenous safe space in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that offers a wide variety of essential supports and services.

The Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund supports and invests in the immediate infrastructure needs of Indigenous communities for ongoing, new and shovel-ready projects. The Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative aims to fund services that contribute to the safety and well-being of Indigenous Peoples, families and communities through community services that are developed and implemented through an Indigenous lens.

Since 2015, WAGE has provided $232.8 million to initiatives that aim to end gender-based violence, and $152.8 million to initiatives that support Indigenous women and girls.

Since April 2020, approximately $300 million in emergency COVID-19 funding has been committed to organizations supporting individuals experiencing gender-based violence. This includes:

In 202122, the Federal Pathway provided funding under the Support for the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Contribution Program for a pilot project to expand operations of Velma's House to include overnights and weekends.

In 202223, Ka Ni Kanichihk received $1.8 million, under the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples funding stream, to support the construction of the Ka Ni Kanichihk Cultural Wellness Centre to increase access to wellness, education and training programs.

Associated links

Stay connected

Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada:

Twitter: @GCIndigenous

Facebook: @GCIndigenous

Instagram: @gcindigenous

Facebook: @GCIndigenousHealth

You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.isc.gc.ca/RSS .

SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada

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View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2022/17/c3831.html
PRINCE ALBERT, SK, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) have signed an agreement to explore new, community-oriented ways to deliver police services and improve safety in First Nations communities.

The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Christine Tell, Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, and Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte, of Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), today announced the creation of this new collaborative working relationship. This partnership will create an implementation plan that will improve public safety and policing in its 12 member First Nations and 28 communities.

Ministers Mendicino and Tell and Grand Chief Hardlotte signed a Letter of Intent between the three parties, officially establishing the PAGC Public Safety Implementation Team. This team will advance work on Indigenous-led public safety initiatives, tailored to the needs of each community. It will begin engaging residents in early winter. The findings will help design and determine costs for a feasibility study under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program.

First steps have also been taken toward developing a comprehensive approach to community safety planning for PAGC communities. Public Safety Canada's Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative supports Indigenous communities in the development of a community safety plan specific to their unique circumstances.

Canada and Saskatchewan are committed to community-oriented public safety and policing, and working in the spirit of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through renewed relationships based on respect, co-operation and partnerships.

Quotes

"Advancing Indigenous-led approaches to public safety is a cornerstone of reconciliation. Today's announcement of the creation of the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) Public Safety Implementation Team will do just that, allowing its 28 communities to make a plan tailored to their specific needs. I look forward to seeing the difference it makes in communities across Northern Saskatchewan."

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 The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety

"The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to ensuring safe communities across the province and is pleased to partner with the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) on this important initiative. The establishment of the PAGC Public Safety Implementation Team is part of a larger implementation strategy to address policing for First Nation communities in our province."

 The Honourable Christine Tell, Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety

"This letter of intent to pursue community-oriented public safety and policing formalizes a shared commitment to ensure effective and culturally appropriate police services for our 12 member Nations. The consultation process marks the first step in achieving this goal. This work is guided by the recommendations from PAGC's National Symposium on First Nations Policing and Justice that identified the need to decolonize policing, courts, and corrections in order to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, as well as the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls."

 Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte, Prince Albert Grand Council

Quick Facts

Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) represents 12 First Nations comprised of 28 communities in northern Saskatchewan, which are organized into four sectors: Athabasca Denesuline, Plains / Dakota Cree, Swampy Cree and Woodland Cree.

The First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) is a contribution program created in 1991 that provides funding to support professional, dedicated and responsive policing services.

Under the FNIPP, eligible costs are shared with provinces and territories in accordance with a 52% federal and 48% provincial/territorial cost-share ratio.

Community safety plans developed under the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative identify community strengths, assets and safety and wellness goals in order for all community members to see themselves involved on a path leading toward a healthier, safer home and community life.

Federal Budget 2021 provided $861 million over five years, beginning in 20212022, and $145 million ongoing, to support culturally responsive policing and community safety services in Indigenous communities.

Associated Links

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

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View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2022/17/c6171.html
Opens the door for JPMorgan Chase to bring trusted financial tools and services to the aid of states and municipalities in new markets across the country

NEW YORK, October 17, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JPMorgan Chase today announced that it is now able to accept government deposits in all 50 U.S. states. This milestone is significant because most states require or encourage banks to have a local branch presence to be eligible to receive or hold government deposits in the state, often described as a qualified public depository. As the only bank to achieve this status today, JPMorgan Chase is expanding its banking services to new states and municipalities, improving accessibility to innovative and secure financial solutions that help public entities operate more efficiently and dedicate more resources to serving their communities.

Chase Consumer Banking announced a major expansion effort in 2018 to increase its retail branch presence and by August 2021, Chase opened branches in all of the lower 48 states becoming the first national bank to have a retail presence in the contiguous United States. The market expansion effort was pivotal in the Bank securing todays distinction.

"Being able to accept government deposits in all 50 states has been a multi-year effort and a true testament to our firms dedication to the public sector," said Mike Nevins, Head of Government Banking for JPMorgan Chases Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries business. "Weve been working with governments since 1799 when Aaron Burr founded the earliest predecessor of JPMorgan Chase, the Manhattan Company, to deliver fresh water to lower Manhattan. We have been serving citizens and governments since our inception and are thrilled at the prospect of building on that strong foundation as we enter new communities."

The expansion benefits public entities as they now have more choices when searching for a financial institution to help with their banking needs. Examples of these entities include cities, counties, school districts and other special districts, like airports, water and transit authorities, tax assessors, public universities, hospitals and community colleges.

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"Our business is only as strong as our communities, and thats why were committed to deepening our impact," said Jamie Dimon, CEO and Chairman of JPMorgan Chase & Co. "Weve done this in many ways, including by extending credit to vital institutionssuch as hospitals, governments and schoolsthat keep the communities where we live and work healthy, stable and vibrant. Expanding our ability to serve states and municipalities across the country is another example of our commitment and an exciting milestone as we continue to focus on making a positive difference in our communities."

Located in communities nationwide, the Government Banking group consists of a dedicated team of bankers that brings specialized knowledge of these complex organizations to serve governments at every level and across all areas of their business. Examples of helping governments innovate and make citizens lives easier, include: implementing contactless payment technology in everyday scenarios like public transportation, online digital bill payments, lending for capital projects and essential equipment, and tax and fee collection, among others.

For more information about Government Banking and the services available, visit: https://www.jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking/industries/government.

About JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $3.8 trillion and operations worldwide. Through its Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries, Corporate Client Banking & Specialized Industries and Commercial Real Estate businesses, Commercial Banking serves emerging startups to midsize businesses and large corporations as well as government entities, not-for-profit organizations, and commercial real estate investors, developers and owners. Clients are supported through every stage of growth with specialized industry expertise and tailored financial solutions including credit and financing, treasury and payment services, international banking, advisory services and more. Information about JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking is available at www.jpmorganchase.com/commercial

 2022 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Visit jpmorgan.com/cb-disclaimer for full disclosures and disclaimers related to this content.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221017005344/en/

Contacts

Media Contacts:

Melinda Bonner: melinda.bonner@chase.com
LONGUEUIL, QC, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - On October 18, the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, will make an announcement about Canada's contribution to an international Earth observation mission.

Canadian Space Agency Logo (CNW Group/Canadian Space Agency)

This mission will support Canada's Strategy for Satellite Earth Observation.

Media representatives are invited to attend the Minister's keynote speech at Space Canada's conference, Spacebound 2022. Those who wish to attend the rest of the conference must register in advance by contacting Space Canada: info@space-canada.ca.

Date: October 18, 2022



Time: 8:15 a.m. ET



What: Announcement about Canadian contribution to an international Earth observation mission



Who: The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry



Where: 7 Bayview Station Road

Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 2C5

Follow us on social media

SOURCE Canadian Space Agency

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View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2022/17/c4596.html
Middlefield Canadian Income PCC Net Asset Value

Middlefield Canadian Income PCC

Middlefield Canadian Income - GBP PC

(a protected cell company incorporated in Jersey with registration number 93546)

Legal Entity Identifier: 2138007ENW3JEJXC8658

Net Asset Value

As at the close of business on 14 October 2022 the estimated unaudited Net Asset Value per share was 129.03 pence (including accrued income, which excludes an amount of 1.275 pence per share in respect of the quarterly dividend to be paid on 31 October 2022).

Investments in the Companys portfolio have been valued on a closing price basis.

Enquiries:

JTC Fund Solutions (Jersey) Limited

01534 700 000




The UAEs Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and preserving its rich biodiversity of both animal and plant species to help maintain the balance of natural ecosystems.

Opening the 21st World Congress of the International Society on Toxinology (IST) in Abu Dhabi, Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD said: Over 25 years, a lot of information had been collected through a comprehensive biodiversity monitoring programme covering both land and marine ecosystems.

She continued: This wealth of data collected has enabled us to complete an IUCN Red List of Species and we have just recently finalised the Abu Dhabi Red List of Ecosystems for the emirate.

Species protection

All wild species in the UAE are protected under the Federal Laws. Therefore, it is important that any collection of venoms or other toxins from the wild for research uses is done in accordance with the local and federal regulations in line with the international best practices, which assure their sustainability and animal welfare, she added.

She also said: Our ancestors managed to benefit from the different elements of biodiversity in their daily lives and managed to live in such environment, where part of its biodiversity is considered to be poisonous and toxic with the least negative possible effect of this biodiversity in their daily livelihood.

They were able to use this biodiversity and its related traditional knowledge to get the proper cure when effected by any toxin or poison for them and for their livestock, as well as extracting the necessary treatments and medicines from them, she added.

In the area of toxinology, a lot needs to be done in the UAE and in our region, especially to promote research and facilitate exchange of information and knowledge. In this context, the Congress is highly significant and that its outcomes will contribute to enhancing better-understanding and cooperation at the local and global levels, she said.

300 participants

The Congress, from October 16 to 21, is being organised by Amsaal, the first of its kind company in the Middle East, in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, EAD, Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company Seha at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers.

About 300 participants interested in toxinology attended in person, while over 2,000 are participating remotely from 37 countries. Among of them 137 speakers from scientists, specialists and experts in toxicology, as well as researchers, professors of international universities, executives, and those interested in toxicology.

Dr Tarek Abd El-Aziz, Scientific Director at Amsaal, and Chair of the International Toxinology Congress, said that the large participation of specialists in the Congress confirms the prestigious international position of Abu Dhabi and its excellence in organising major international events.

The Congress will encompass a broad range of themes, including animal venoms, bacterial toxins, fungal toxins, plant toxins, synthesised toxins, toxin discovery and structure identification, toxin pharmacology, clinical toxinology, as the speakers from 37 countries will introduce experiences and results of their research in toxicology, Dr El-Aziz added.

Scientific results

The Congress is anticipated to achieve outstanding scientific results, benefiting from the great support provided by many official authorities in the UAE, and the great global presence of distinguished elite of scientists and experts from different countries of the world.

Dr Julian White, President of the IST, said that the 21st World Congress of the International Society on Toxinology (IST) is one of the unique conferences of its kind, and it is being held for the first time in the Middle East, in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

The participants will discuss many important topics related to toxicology, particularly clinical toxicology, as the scientific committee was keen to develop a distinguished scientific programme for this edition, based on the successes achieved in previous ones, Dr White said.

He added: We are looking forward to achieving more success through the participation of prominent scientists, specialists, researchers and university professors, to reach new and exciting results in toxicology.

First-day activities

On the first day of the Congress, Dr Richard Dart-Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety (RMPDS) Colorado, USA, delivered a lecture about snake antivenom. In addition, two main sessions were organised. The first, which was moderated by Dr Julian White, President of the IST and Womens & Childrens Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia, and Dr David Williams-World Health Organisation (WHO)-Switzerland, discussed clinical toxicology  snakebites. During the session, Dr Sakthivel Vaiyapuri (University of Reading, UK) talked about the peripheral arterial-thrombosis following Russells viper bites, while Dr Abdulrazaq G. Habib (Bayero University Kano, Nigeria) talked about the access to snakebite medical care in Northern Nigeria through an epidemiologic & geo-spatial study.

Meanwhile, Dr Soumyadeep Bhaumik (University of New South Wales, Australia) reviewed a qualitative study on snakebite and care during the two waves of COVID-19 in West Bengal, India. While, Dr Abdulsalami Nasidi (Nigeria-UK EchiTAb) presented a study conducted in Nigeria and UK on the impact of climate change on snakebite and the response to mitigate its impact in Nigeria.

The second session, which was titled Basic Toxinology - Toxins and Ion Channels, was moderated by Dr Alexander Sobolevsky-Columbia University, USA, and Dr Glenn King-University of Queensland St. Lucia, Australia. The speakers were Dr Alexander Sobolevsky, who spoke about polyamine-containing toxins and their analog, Dr Ashlee H. Rowe (Oklahoma University, Oklahoma, USA), who spoke about structure and mechanism of scorpion venom peptide, Dr Steve Peigneur (University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium), who spoke about the functional characterisation of ion channel toxins from the longest animal on Earth, and Dr Robert Kennedy (Vestaron Corp., Kalamazoo, USA), who spoke about the commercialisation of an insecticidal peptide derived from a funnel web spider for crop protection.-- TradeArabia News Service
P10, Inc.

DALLAS, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- P10, Inc. (NYSE: PX), a leading private markets solutions provider, today announced it will release its third quarter 2022 results on Thursday, November 10, 2022, after U.S. markets close.



The company will also host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 10, 2022. The call may be accessed here. All participants joining by telephone should dial one of the following numbers, followed by the Participant Access Code provided:

U.S. (toll free): 1-844-200-6205 US (local): 1-646-904-5544 All other locations: +1-929-526-1599 Participant Access Code: 075962

For those unable to participate in the live call, a replay will be made available on P10s investor relations page at www.p10alts.com.

About P10

P10 is a leading multi-asset class private markets solutions provider in the alternative asset management industry. P10s mission is to provide its investors differentiated access to a broad set of investment solutions that address their diverse investment needs within private markets. As of June 30, 2022, P10 has a global investor base of over 2,700 investors across 49 states, 53 countries and six continents, which includes some of the worlds largest pension funds, endowments, foundations, corporate pensions, and financial institutions. Visit www.p10alts.com.

Ownership Limitations

P10s Certificate of Incorporation contains certain provisions for the protection of tax benefits relating to P10s net operating losses. Such provisions generally void transfers of shares that would result in the creation of a new 4.99% shareholder or result in an existing 4.99% shareholder acquiring additional shares of P10.

P10 Press and Investor Contact:

info@p10alts.com








By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY, Oct 17 (Reuters) - South Pacific defence ministers will meet in Tonga on Tuesday, with Australia seeking a closer military relationship with the three island nations that have defence forces to counter China's security push in the region.

Australia's defence minister Richard Marles was due to arrive in Tonga on Monday ahead of the South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting this week, held annually to discuss regional security challenges.

Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga - the only Pacific Island nations with militaries - are members, as are New Zealand, France, Australia and Chile.

Last week Marles said Australia was negotiating a defence treaty with Papua New Guinea that would see the two nation's navies and armies work alongside each other more often, and Canberra also wanted to "evolve our relationships" with other Pacific islands.

In a statement on Monday, Marles said the region was facing more threats to shared security.

"The Pacific family is stronger when we respond together, by enhancing coordination, sharing information and improving interoperability between our countries and our defence forces," he said.

The United States and allies including Australia have been alarmed at China's growing influence in the strategically important region after Beijing struck a security pact with the Solomon Islands in April and sought a wider trade and security pact with 10 nations in May.

Although the Solomon Islands does not have a military, a leaked draft of the agreement showed it would allow Chinese naval vessels to replenish there.

China has been a significant donor of equipment to Fiji and Papua New Guinea's militaries, while Tonga, with heavy debts to Chinese banks, has received some Chinese military funding.

Marles will also travel to Fiji for defence talks and visit the Blackrock military camp, funded by Australia as a regional disaster relief centre, his statement said.

In January, Tonga was hit by a volcanic eruption and tsunami that saw Australia and New Zealand coordinate a humanitarian response from defence forces that included those of Japan, France and Britain. China also deployed navy vessels to provide humanitarian assistance.

Papua New Guinea said this month it would sign an agreement with the United States to put its military officers on U.S. coast guard and navy ships to patrol for illegal fishing, local media reported. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
ReportLinker

The Global Polyimide Films Market size was estimated at USD 1,521. 24 million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 1,610. 53 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 6. 12% to reach USD 2,173.

New York, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Polyimide Films Market Research Report by Application, End Use, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06340742/?utm_source=GNW

21 million by 2027.



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 Polyimide Films to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Application, the market was studied across Flexible Printed Circuit, Motor/Generator, Pressure Sensitive Tape, Specialty Fabricated Product, and Wire & Cable.



Based on End Use, the market was studied across Aerospace, Automotive, Electronics, and Labeling.



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 Polyimide Films 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 Polyimide Films 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 Polyimide Films Market, including 3M Company, Arakawa Chemicals Industries Ltd., COPPRROD Industries Pvt Ltd., DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Flexcon Company Inc., IST Corporation, Kaneka Corporation, Kolon Industries Inc., Liyang Huajing Electronic Material Co. Ltd., PI Advanced Materials Co. Ltd., Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Shinmax Technology Ltd., Suzhou Kying Industrial Materials Co. Ltd., Taimide Tech Inc., Tianjin Hengji International Trade Co. Ltd., and Ube Industries 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 Polyimide Films Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Polyimide Films Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Polyimide Films Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Polyimide Films Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Polyimide Films Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Polyimide Films Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Polyimide Films Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06340742/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




A Mubadala backed series relaunch "The Adventures of Mansour: Age of A.I." (52 x 11') becomes the first Arab cartoon originally produced in English and Arabic and repurposed for a global audience tackling issues, such as artificial intelligence, technology, climate change and space exploration

Builds on the current success of the "Mansour" show, which has racked up three million subscribers and 280 million watch hours with over 25 million unique viewers in the last 90 days

Funded by Mubadala Investment Company with the support of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority

A global network of talent including from the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Philippines have contributed to the new animation to appeal to an international audience

ABU DHABI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 'The Adventures of Mansour', a widely-popular cartoon in the Middle East with over two billion YouTube views, has announced it will re-launch an all-new series, "The Adventures of Mansour: Age of A.I." (52 x 11') at MIPCOM 2022 for a global audience, tackling issues of international significance such as artificial intelligence, the role of and reliance on technology, climate change and space exploration.

The first Arab cartoon originally produced in English and Arabic and repurposed for a global audience tackling global issues.

Originally created in Abu Dhabi to appeal to Arab children and encourage a healthy lifestyle, cultural appreciation and an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the show has superseded the expectations of its original, award-winning creator, Rashed Alharmoodi, to capture the imagination of children across the entire Middle East region and beyond.

Now a popular show among children in the region with three million subscribers and 280 million watch hours, and 25.2 million unique viewers in just the last 90 days, the new series aims to build on this success. As the first Arab cartoon to be originally produced in both English and Arabic, the new creators, Bidaya Media, aim to take the story of Mansour to children all around the world.

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Commenting on the launch of the new globally relevant show, Brian Lott, Chairman of Bidaya Media and Chief Communications Officer of Mubadala, said: "Mansour has captured the imaginations of young audiences and established a wide fan base across the Middle East. Our upcoming seasons of the cartoon take Mansour to a new level, with the aim of encouraging children to understand issues across borders through fun and storytelling. As the first Arab cartoon to be originally produced in both English and Arabic, we have created new episodes of Mansour that build on its heritage and increase audience awareness internationally."

Set in the near future, in the technologically advanced Salam City, 'The Adventures of Mansour: Age of AI' is a sci-fi action adventure series that revolves around Mansour, a 12-year-old tech whiz, who unintentionally creates a mischievous sentient artificial intelligence known as Blink. With the support of his closest friends, Mansour must deal with all manner of pranks, challenges and dangers posed by Blink, who for his own amusement, is determined to cause as much chaos as possible for Mansour and the people of Salam City.

The series targets children aged 6-12 and is funded by Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), a sovereign investor that delivers a positive impact on the communities where it operates, and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) as part of their efforts to support children content creation that support inclusion, culture, and Arabic language.

Commenting on the partnership between the ECA and Mubadala on the show relaunch, H.E. Sana Suhail, Director General of ECA, said: "We are proud of our deepening partnership with Mubadala in expanding the available development opportunities for children worldwide through the relaunch of such a popular show. Importantly, the relaunch exhibits a healthy balance that is needed in today's world between the role of technology in our lives and the need for children to disconnect from their devices and connect with the real world. This healthy balance between the online and real worlds is at the core of this show and is key to better prepare our children for the future."

Supported by increased budgets and enhanced production values, the rebooted show has used a global network of talent to bring the fan-favorite show to children all around the world, from English voiceover performed at Baboon Animation in New York to animation production by Top Draw Studio in the Philippines.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1922024/Mubadala_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1922025/Mubadala_2.jpg

Cartoon is funded by Mubadala Investment Company with the support of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority.

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SOURCE Mubadala
In the news release titled "RBC Global Asset Management Inc. announces RBC ETF cash distributions for October 2022" issued October 17, 2022 by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. over CNW, the cash distribution amount for RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF (TSX:RPDH) was incorrect. The complete, corrected release follows:

RBC Global Asset Management Inc. announces RBC ETF cash distributions for October 2022

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - RBC Global Asset Management Inc. ("RBC GAM Inc.") today announced October 2022 cash distributions for unitholders of RBC ETFs, as follows:

RBC (CNW Group/RBC Global Asset Management Inc.)

FUND NAME FUND TICKER CASH DISTRIBUTION PER UNIT RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF RLB $0.040 RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond ETF RBO $0.041 RBC Target 2022 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQJ $0.040 RBC Target 2023 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQK $0.040 RBC Target 2024 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQL $0.048 RBC Target 2025 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQN $0.047 RBC Target 2026 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQO $0.030 RBC Target 2027 Corporate Bond Index ETF RQP $0.042 RBC Canadian Discount Bond ETF RCDB $0.020 RBC PH&N Short Term Canadian Bond ETF RPSB $0.040 RBC Short Term U.S. Corporate Bond ETF RUSB $0.043 RBC Short Term U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (USD Units)* RUSB.U $0.031 RBC Canadian Preferred Share ETF RPF $0.090 RBC Quant Canadian Dividend Leaders ETF RCD $0.088 RBC Canadian Bank Yield Index ETF RBNK $0.087 RBC Quant U.S. Dividend Leaders ETF RUD $0.086 RBC Quant U.S. Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RUD.U $0.062 RBC Quant U.S. Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF RUDH $0.074 RBC U.S. Banks Yield Index ETF RUBY $0.045 RBC U.S. Banks Yield Index ETF (USD Units)* RUBY.U $0.033 RBC U.S. Banks Yield (CAD Hedged) Index ETF RUBH $0.050 RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders ETF RPD $0.080 RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RPD.U $0.058 RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF RPDH $0.100 RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders ETF RID $0.095 RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RID.U $0.069 RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF RIDH $0.110 RBC Quant Emerging Markets Dividend Leaders ETF RXD $0.060 RBC Quant Emerging Markets Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RXD.U $0.043

* Cash distribution per unit ($) amounts are USD for RUSB.U, RUD.U, RUBY.U, RPD.U, RID.U, and RXD.U

Unitholders of record on October 24, 2022 will receive distributions payable on October 31, 2022.

For further information regarding RBC ETFs, please visit www.rbcgam.com/etfsolutions.

Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"). Please read the applicable prospectus or ETF Facts document before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. ETF units are bought and sold at market price on a stock exchange and brokerage commissions will reduce returns. RBC ETFs do not seek to return any predetermined amount at maturity. Index returns do not represent RBC ETF returns. RBC ETFs are managed by RBC GAM Inc., a member of the RBC GAM group of companies and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada.

The RBC Target Maturity Corporate Bond ETFs ("TMCBs") have been developed solely by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. ("RBC GAM"). The TMCBs are not in any way connected to or sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (collectively, the "LSE Group"). FTSE Russell is a trading name of certain of the LSE Group companies.

All rights in the FTSE Canada 2022 Maturity Corporate Bond Index, FTSE Canada 2023 Maturity Corporate Bond Index, FTSE Canada 2024 Maturity Corporate Bond Index, FTSE Canada 2025 Maturity Corporate Bond Index, FTSE Canada 2026 Maturity Corporate Bond Index, and FTSE Canada 2027 Maturity Corporate Bond Index (collectively, the "FTSE Maturity Corporate Bond Indices") vest in the relevant LSE Group company which owns the FTSE Maturity Corporate Bond Indices. "FTSE" is a trade mark of the relevant LSE Group company and is used by any other LSE Group company under license.

The FTSE Maturity Corporate Bond Indices are calculated by or on behalf of FTSE Global Debt Capital Markets Inc. or its affiliate, agent or partner. The LSE Group does not accept any liability whatsoever to any person arising out of (a) the use of, reliance on or any error in the FTSE Maturity Corporate Bond Indices or (b) investment in or operation of the TMCBs. The LSE Group makes no claim, prediction, warranty or representation either as to the results to be obtained from the TMCBs or the suitability of the FTSE Maturity Corporate Bond Indices for the purpose to which they are being put by RBC GAM.

RBNK, RUBY, RUBY.U, and RUBH have been developed solely by RBC GAM and are not sponsored, promoted, sold or supported by Solactive AG. The Solactive Canada Bank Yield Index, Solactive U.S. Banks Yield Index and Solactive U.S. Banks Yield (CAD Hedged) Index are calculated and published by Solactive AG. Solactive AG does not offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance regarding the results to be obtained from the use of the index or index price nor does Solactive AG make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the ETF.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 92,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.

About RBC Global Asset Management

RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and includes money managers BlueBay Asset Management and Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management. RBC GAM is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors through separate accounts, pooled funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and specialty investment strategies. The RBC GAM group of companies manage approximately $540 billion in assets and have approximately 1,500 employees located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

SOURCE RBC Global Asset Management Inc.

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 17, 2022 / Route1 Inc. (TSXV:ROI) (the "Company" or "Route1"), an advanced North American provider of turn-key engineering and professional services, today announced that it has, subject to the receipt of all required approvals, including the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") agreed to issue common shares to Peter Chodos, Executive Vice President and CFO, Jerry Iwanski, Executive Vice President and COO, and Alex Shpurov, Senior Vice President and CTO (the "Team") in lieu of cash compensation.

The compensation to the Team is per their respective employment agreement, or consulting agreement, for the period August 1, 2022 to October 15, 2022.In aggregate, the Company has agreed to issue 623,368 common shares at a deemed price of CAD $0.085 (the "Shares") in lieu of paying CAD $36,454 and US $12,041 in cash compensation to the Team. The USD to CAD exchange rate at market close on October 17, 2022 was 1.3730. The issuance of the Shares is subject to the receipt of all required approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. All securities issued pursuant to the issuance of the Shares are subject to a statutory four month hold period.

The issuance of the Shares constitutes a "related party transaction" as this term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101: Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on the exemption from the valuation requirement of MI 61-101 contained in section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the Shares nor the debt exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

Tony Busseri, the Company's President and CEO commented, "Today's announcement, similar to the Company's announcement on September 19, 2022 where Route1's independent directors and I stepped up to further invest in our Company and take certain of our compensation in Route1 common shares, drives home the point that our leadership team has a strong, shared belief in the Company's current business model and the opportunity deriving from its sales pivot towards turn-key engineering services for clients using video capture technology to deliver real-time, secure actionable intelligence."

Independent Directors will be Reduced to from Five to Three

The Company's annual general and special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") is to be held on November 30, 2022. The Company intends to mail its management information circular later this month. One of the matters to be voted on at the Meeting is the election of the Company's directors. The Company intends to put forward three independent directors, Michael F. Doolan, Michael D. Harris and John Marino, for election.

Each of David A. Fraser and Edward M. Reeder Jr. has elected not to seek another term as a director.

Tony Busseri, commented, "Major General Fraser, retired Canadian Forces, and Major General Reeder, retired U.S. Army, assisted our Company as it grew its MobiKEY business within the U.S. Department of Defense, pursued cybersecurity based business opportunities in Canada, and mostly recently adjusted its growth course to reflect new market realities. We are thankful for their service as business and community leaders."

About Route1 Inc.

Route1 Inc. is an advanced North American engineering and professional services company using data capture technologies. We bring security and operations together with real-time actionable intelligence to enhance safety and security, drive greater profitability and improve operational efficiencies. With a deep-rooted background in software development, network operations, and cybersecurity, Route1 brings a unique and valuable approach to the turn-key engineering and professional services arena. Route1's services follow a complete life-cycle model, ensuring the evolution of your technology to meet your desired outcomes. Route1 is listed in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ROI. For more information, visit: www.route1.com.

For More Information, Contact:

Tony Busseri

President and Chief Executive Officer

+1 480 500-7030

tony.busseri@route1.com

This news release, required by applicable Canadian laws, does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

 2022 Route1 Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, transmitted or otherwise used in whole or in part or by any means without prior written consent of Route1 Inc. See https://www.route1.com/terms-of-use/ for notice of Route1's intellectual property.

This news release may contain statements that are not current or historical factual statements that may constitute forward-looking statements or future oriented financial information. These statements are based on certain factors and assumptions, including, expectations regarding the expected growth in the value of support contracts for the LPR business, price and liquidity of the common shares, competition for skilled personnel, expected financial performance and subscription-based revenue, business prospects, technological developments, development activities and like matters. While Route1 considers these factors and assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the market demand for the Company's products and services and risk factors described in reporting documents filed by the Company. Actual results could differ materially from those projected as a result of these and other risks and should not be relied upon as a prediction of future events. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or future oriented financial information to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. Estimates used in this presentation are from Company sources. Past or forecasted performance is not a guarantee of future performance and readers should not rely on historical results or forward-looking statements or future oriented financial information as an assurance of future results.

SOURCE: Route1 Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/720741/Route1-Announces-Agreement-for-Issuance-of-Shares-for-Compensation-to-Executive-Management-Team-Members




The Somali government wants to curtail the coverage of terrorism in its country believing that will help in the war on terror.



At least 10 news websites and one television station have been banned from covering terrorist group Al Shabaab, with telcos also mandated to play a part in stamping out insecurity. The information ministry issued a directive warning news outlets that dissemination of extremism ideology messages both from traditional media broadcasts and social media is forbidden.

Read more

Deputy minister of information Abdirahman Yusuf announced the government will regard all Al Shabaab related propaganda coverage including their terrorist acts and their ideology as punishable crimes. So far, he said, more than 40 accounts on Facebook and Twitter have been suspended.

Disseminating extremism ideology is recognized as a crime, federal government warned to traditional media broadcasts and social media both local and international outlets - Press Release. #Somalia #Mogadishu pic.twitter.com/tYRkQETa2n  SONNA (@SONNALIVE) October 8, 2022

Underlining its call for journalists to preach respect for human rights, a government statement first seen by the East African reads: This order is based on Article 10 of Somalias [provisional] constitution that safeguards social stability and integrity.

Al Shabaab media war

But the order has just kick started a war of who will control what is published in Somalia after Al Shabaabs response warned reporters not to take sides and instead discharge you jobs in full fairness.

Story continues

We are hereby warning all the media houses inside Somalia joining the war against the Islamic Sharia [Islamic laws]. Any media that intentionally sides with the government will be considered as part of the aggression.

Journalists in the country decry attacks from the government, Al Shabaab, and even online trolls, with some being forced to delete their social media accounts, according to the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). Journalists are routinely and personally harassed and attacked for writing in their Facebook pages or accounts. Those who report on political events have been the subject of open and violent online attacks, says NUSOJ secretary general Omar Osman.

Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks Somalia at position 140 out of 180 in terms of press freedom in 2022, noting that the countrys legal framework is extremely repressive. Journalists are frequently forced to face military courts, which are used to justify prolonged detention.

But even if local Somali journalists avoid covering the militias acts, international media and newsrooms in the neighboring countries of Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda continue to cover terrorism in the region as it keeps claiming thousands of innocent lives.

According to Sarah Repucci, senior director for research and analysis at US freedom advocacy non-profit Freedom House, technology can be used to circumvent censorship by recording videos with low bandwidth on mobile devices and then automatically delete it after transfer to a secure server, reducing the risk of reprisals against journalists.

Al Shabaab has been terrorizing Kenya

Kenya, which has had its soldiers in peace keeping missions in Somalia, has suffered greatly from Al Shabaabs bloody killings, and its journalists have given extensive coverage to fatal terrorist activities in the recent past, starting with the execution of 67 people at a mall in the capital Nairobi in 2013, followed by the murder of 147 people at a university close to the Somalia border in 2015, and that of 21 people in a hotel in the capital in 2019.

And in what was largely seen as a controversial move, in August, prime minister Hamza Barre appointed former Al-Shabaab commander Mukhtar Robow, who in 2012 had a $5 million US bounty on his head, as the minister for endowment, religious affairs, and counter-terrorism ideology, telling the press that he wanted to form an inclusive government.

The African Center for the Study and Research on terrorism reports that between there were 379 terrorist attacks that resulted in over 2,824 deaths across Africa in the first three months of this year. The Horn of Africa region accounted for 47 attacks with 310 deaths during the period.

In 2016, Uganda jailed for life five Al Shabaab terror suspects for their role in two bombings that killed 76 people watching the World Cup soccer final in July 2010.

The cost of terrorism in Somalia has been dire going beyond the loss of lives and the restriction of individual freedom to economic devastation with many foreign investors avoiding the market and choosing to do business in neighboring countries.






Press Conference on Perceptions on Tobacco Harm Reduction and Nicotine in France and Germany

Left to right: Julia Kril, communications manager at World Vapers' Alliance; Bill Wirtz, senior policy analyst at Consumer Choice Center; Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers Alliance; Konstantinos Farsalinos, Cardiologist, performing clinical and laboratory research on electronic cigarettes; Aleksandr Kvitashvili, Public Health Adviser at Consumer Choice Center, former Health Minister in Georgia and Ukraine

Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The study commissioned by Consumer Choice Center and written in cooperation with the World Vapers Alliance reveals several misconceptions about nicotine and harm reduction among healthcare practitioners and consumers.

The survey on Perceptions on Tobacco Harm Reduction and Nicotine in France and Germany was conducted to gain a greater insight into the impact of misperceptions about vaping among general practitioners, smokers, and policymakers, on the future harm reduction policy in Europe. The survey features 30 interviews with general practitioners and a quantitative survey of 862 French and German smokers.

Key findings:

Only three out of 15 doctors in Germany say they know the term harm reduction.

33% of smokers in France and 43% in Germany wrongly believe vaping is as harmful or more harmful than cigarettes.

69% of smokers in France and 74% of smokers in Germany wrongly believe nicotine causes cancer.

62% of smokers in France and 53% in Germany believe anti-smoking policies ignore how difficult it is to stop smoking.

The findings of the survey were presented at the press conference in Brussels.

"There are two major sources of information for current smokers who want to quit: the internet, and their general practitioner. Unfortunately, the existing perceptions among doctors on vaping as a harm reduction tool prevent them from recommending it for smoking cessation. Large numbers of GPs also hold the erroneous belief that nicotine causes cancer. From a patient perspective, this reduces potential improvements in public health", says Bill Wirtz, Senior Policy Analyst at the Consumer Choice Center.

This survey reveals many misconceptions around harm reduction and vaping in countries that should be at the front line of the fight for harm reduction in Europe. Smokers are not satisfied with traditional methods to quit smoking, and they should be informed that vaping can help. More than 19 million people can potentially switch from smoking to vaping in the EU, and politicians should help them by encouraging vaping as the most successful smoking-cessation method so far, said Michael Landl, director of World Vapers Alliance.

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Konstantinos Farsalinos, a physician and public health expert with a lot of experience in tobacco harm reduction research, mentioned:

Currently available scientific evidence is crystal clear: vaping is by far less harmful than smoking and should be part of every smoking cessation framework around the world. Those misconceptions about relative risk and harms show that public health must do a better job to encourage smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives.

The study was conducted by the research company Info Sapiens and co-authored by Consumer Choice Center in partnership with the vaping advocacy group World Vapers Alliance.

The results of the survey are available here.

Attachment

CONTACT: Julia Kril World Vapers Alliance julia@worldvapersalliance.com




(Adds Maran Gas Troy) Oct 17 (Reuters) - The following liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers are expected to arrive in Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands in the coming weeks. Estimated arrival dates, often revised by port authorities and AIS Live ship-tracking data on Refinitiv Eikon, are updated below. Some tankers heading for Belgium and Britain may be loading at the terminal. Those expected to load are indicated with an (L). Those likely to perform ship-to-ship transfers are indicated with (STS). Tankers that have docked are indicated with (A). Floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) terminals are added to the table when they become fully operational. As of Sept. 30 2022 this includes the Eemshaven terminal in the Netherlands. For the Reuters LNG guide, click here: LNG TANKER CAPACITY in EXPECTED ARRIVAL FROM PORT cubic metres BRITAIN LNG Bonny II 173,000 Oct. 15 (A) United States Isle of Grain Cool Runner 158,000 Oct. 17 United States South Hook Elisa Aquila 174,000 Oct. 19 United States Isle of Grain Flex Constellation 170,000 Oct. 19 United States South Hook Sonangol Etosha 158,000 Oct. 20 Angola Isle Of Grain Bu Samra 261,000 Oct. 21 Qatar Isle of Grain Seapeak Marib 162,000 Oct. 22 United States South Hook Methane Mickie Harper 167,000 Oct. 22 United States Dragon Maran Gas Ithaca 170,000 Oct. 29 United States South Hook Kool Boreas 167,000 Nov. 5 Peru Milford haven BELGIUM Shagra 261,000 Oct. 16 (A) Qatar Zeebrugge Al Jasra 137,000 Oct. 19 Qatar Zeebrugge Lng Megrez 174,000 Oct. 23 (L) N/A Zeebrugge Aamira 261,000 Oct. 24 Qatar Zeebrugge Umm Al Amad 206,000 Oct. 27 Qatar Zeebrugge Gaslog HongKong 174,000 Oct. 29 United States Zeebrugge Maran Gas Nov. 4 Qatar Troy 157,000 Zeebrugge NETHERLANDS Arctic Aurora 150,000 Oct. 18 N/A Gate Adam LNG 159,000 Oct. 20 Trinidad and Tobago Gate LNG Schneeweisschen 177,000 Oct. 23 Unites States Gate Diamond Gas Met Olis 174,000 Oct. 24 United States Gate Maria Energy 174,000 Oct. 29 United States Gate Golar Glacier 162,000 Nov. 9 United States Gate Transgas Force 174,000 Nov. 28 United States Eemshaven Sources: Ports, AIS Live ship tracking, Refinitiv Eikon data. (^) Partial unload (*) Arrival date estimated based on flows data (Reporting by Marwa Rashad)
Increases Total Capacity by $25 Million

Extends Maturity to January 2027

Reduces Pricing Grid Spread

GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT), a leading operator of upscale open-air outlet centers, today announced that its operating partnership, Tanger Properties Limited Partnership, has amended its $300 million unsecured term loan, increasing total capacity to $325 million, extending maturity through January 2027 (plus a one-year extension option), and reducing the applicable pricing margin from LIBOR plus 125 basis points to adjusted SOFR plus 120 basis points based on Tanger's current credit rating. The amendment also incorporates a sustainability metric, reducing the applicable grid-based interest rate spread by one basis point annually, subject to meeting certain thresholds.

"We appreciate the continued strong support we have received from our lender group, particularly in light of challenging conditions in the debt markets," commented Stephen Yalof, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This amendment improves our liquidity, leaves no unsecured debt maturities until 2026, and further strengthens Tanger's balance sheet as part of our commitment to deliver long-term growth for shareholders."

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., Regions Capital Markets, a division of Regions Bank, TD Bank, N.A., Truist Securities, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association served as Joint Lead Arrangers while First Citizens Bank and Trust Company served as a Lender.

Tanger also recently refinanced secured mortgages at its Columbus, OH and Southaven, MS (Memphis) properties, extending the maturity dates to October 2032 and October 2026 (plus a one-year extension option), respectively. As a result of these financing activities, the weighted average term to maturity of total outstanding debt, including extension options and Tanger's pro rata share of unconsolidated joint ventures, was increased from 4.8 years to 5.9 years.

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About Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT) is a leading operator of upscale open-air outlet centers that owns (or has an ownership interest in) and/or manages a portfolio of 37 centers with an additional center currently under development. Tanger's operating properties are located in 20 states and in Canada, totaling approximately 14.0 million square feet, leased to over 2,700 stores operated by more than 600 different brand name companies. The Company has more than 41 years of experience in the outlet industry and is a publicly-traded REIT. For more information on Tanger Outlet Centers, call 1-800-4TANGER or visit the Company's website at www.tangeroutlets.com.

Investor Contact Information

Doug McDonald

SVP, Finance and Capital Markets

T: (336) 856-6066

TangerIR@tangeroutlets.com

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SOURCE Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.
Aster DM Healthcare, one of the largest integrated healthcare providers, is expanding its footprint in Saudi Arabia, aiming to set up 250 pharmacies over a period of five years.

Through a joint venture agreement with Al Hokair Holding Group, both partners will work towards bringing Aster Pharmacys in-house quality care products to serve the healthcare needs of the local population in KSA.

The partnership plans to open and operate in high streets, communities and shopping malls of KSA beginning with Riyadh, the capital and the largest city of the kingdom. As Phase 2, Aster aims to set up pharmaceutical manufacturing within the kingdom to support the Saudi Vision 2030.

446 pharmacies in India, GCC and Jordan

Aster DM Healthcare currently operates 446 pharmacies in India, GCC and Jordan, including 201 Pharmacies in India operated by Alfaone Retail Pharmacies Private Limited under brand licence agreement. Originating in UAE, Aster Pharmacy has become a household name and has emerged as the brand of choice amongst pharmacies due to its ease of access and customer first approach. During the last financial year, Aster Pharmacy recorded 8 million visits across its units.

Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare said: Aster DM Healthcare entered Saudi Arabia through Aster Sanad Hospital in Riyadh in 2016. Being the largest, most populated, and fast-growing country in GCC, we have decided to expand our presence in the kingdom.

The plan is to expand our primary care footprint through the introduction of Aster Pharmacy to serve the large growing market and we are glad to partner with the prestigious Al Hokair Holding Group in this venture to set up 250 retail pharmacies in the first phase.

Group strategy

Speaking on the venture, Mishal AlHokair, Deputy CEO of Al Hokair Holding Group, said: This agreement comes within the group strategy that represents a new and additional step for our investment portfolio in Al Hokair Holding for the coming years. and a qualitative addition in line with the kingdom's vision 2030 and quality of life program that is mainly focused on healthcare and wellbeing of humanity.

Alisha Moopen, Deputy Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare said: At Aster, we always strive to bring our quality care offering to the doorsteps of the community that we serve and thereby ensure that the highest standards of healthcare services are easily accessible for our customers. Aster Pharmacys entry into KSA in partnership with Al Hokair Holding Group reiterates our commitment to the people of Saudi Arabia to bring our health and wellness experience closer to their homes.-- TradeArabia News Service
A former laboratory director for the failed Silicon Valley blood-testing startup, Theranos, testified against the companys former CEO Elizabeth Holmes for a second time on Monday, diminishing Holmes prospect for a new trial.

Lawyers for Holmes and federal prosecutors questioned Dr. Adam Rosendorff under oath during an evidentiary hearing on Monday. The hearing was sparked by Holmes claim that Dr. Adam Rosendorffs post-trial statements to her romantic partner Billy Evans conflicted with those he made at trial. In January, a jury found Holmes guilty of using her now defunct blood diagnostics company, Theranos, to defraud investors.

"Do you still stand by your testimony?" U.S. Assistant Attorney John Bostic asked Rosendorff, according to Law 360s Dorothy Atkins. "Absolutely, I do," Rosendorff said.

During Holmes trial, Rosendorff testified on behalf of the government, saying he felt pressured to rapidly expand Theranos blood-testing system, despite problems with its technology.

However, Holmes contends that Rosendorff sought out Holmes at the couples Woodside, California home on Aug. 8, seven months after Holmes' trial. In a conversation with Evans, she claims, Rosendorff allegedly said that government prosecutors made his testimony about conditions at Theranos seem worse than they actually were. Holmes argues that a mischaracterization of Rosendorff's testimony could justify retrying the case.

But in a court filing and again in court Monday, the former Theranos lab chief made it clear that he stands by his prior testimonyand that he visited the residence to forgive the 38-year-old Holmes, not to recant his statements under oath.

On the stand Monday, Rosendorff reportedly told Wade that he showed up at Holmes' home after feeling distressed that Holmes' child, born in August 2021 around a month before the start of her trial, would be raised at first without her mother, if Holmes is sentenced to serve time in prison. Rosendorff reportedly added that he understood Holmes to be pregnant with a second child.

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Holmes lawyer Lance Wade also pressed Rosendorff about his mental health, citing a September story published in South African Jewish report in which Rosendorff said his role as a whistleblower led to a breakdown that included hospitalization, health problems, and medication prior to Holmes trial.

Rosendorff told Wade that the state of his mental health didn't impact the truthfulness of his trial testimony, Law 360 reported.

Criminal defense lawyers who talked with Yahoo Finance anticipate that Holmes' chances of securing a redo are slim. His post-trial statements were at the center of Holmes' request.

If Rosendroff testifies in the way he previewed in his motion...and the judge credits him, its over, Andrey Spektor, a partner with the law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, said before the hearing.

Even if Evans story is accurate, it wouldnt necessarily lead to a new trial for Holmes, criminal defense attorney Michael Weinstein told Yahoo Finance. In addition to his motion and trial testimony, Weinstein said, Rosendorff also signed a certification to affirm the truth of his statements made on the stand.

"Based on what he filed already, I don't see this developing into a new trial,"Weinstein said. "Unless he comes out and says I lied, or I testified falsely, which of course, would put him in serious jeopardy..."

In order to grant a new trial the attorneys said the judge would need to find that the government committed prosecutorial misconduct. Specifically, that they shaped Rosendorffs testimony in a way they knew would be false to secure a conviction.

Judge Edward Davila, who also presided over Holmes highly-publicized trial, granted Holmes and federal prosecutors until Oct. 20 to file briefs, according to Law 360.

In January, Holmes was convicted on three counts of criminal wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Her jury unanimously found her guilty of illegally fleecing investors out of millions of dollars through her Silicon Valley blood-testing startup.

In July, a separate Silicon Valley jury closed another chapter in the decades-long Theranos story, convicting its former president and chief operating officer, Ramesh Sunny Balwani, of criminal fraud. Balwani was also Holmes romantic partner during the time the two ran the biotech startup.

Holmes sentencing, which was postponed multiple times, is now scheduled for Nov. 18.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

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Find live stock market quotes and the latest business and finance news

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New university will deliver technology-oriented education and bring significant economic growth to the Niagara region.

Global University Systems Canada (CNW Group/Global University Systems Canada)

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - The University of Niagara Falls Canada is pleased to announce that it will be ready to welcome new students in 2024, following Government of Ontario approval. Operated by Global University Systems Canada (GUS Canada), the new university will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the 21st-Century workforce. The university will also provide the Niagara Region  and all of Ontario  with major economic and employment benefits.

"Today, we celebrate an important milestone for the University of Niagara Falls Canada, and the entire Niagara Region. Thanks to the hard work and support of the Government of Ontario, as well as Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, students from across the country will soon call our university and the City of Niagara Falls home," said Cyndi McLeod, Board Director for the University of Niagara Falls Canada and CEO of GUS Canada. "We know Ontarians, whether they are just finishing high school or looking for the skills they need for a second career, want to attend a university that offers the digital mindset employers have come to expect from new employees."

Bringing significant economic growth to the Niagara region

The direct and indirect impact of this new institution will be significant. On an annual basis, the University of Niagara Falls Canada is expected to generate $291 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), $194 million in labour income, and $23 million in government tax revenue, according to an analysis conducted by economist Dr. Roslyn Kunin. The University of Niagara Falls Canada will help grow the local Niagara Falls economy, while also providing the skilled labour businesses across the province require.

"This is a massive windfall for the City of Niagara Falls," said Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati. "If there was one thing on my bucket list that we had still yet to do in a big way in our community, it was this. It has been a long road behind the scenes, with many challenges, but today makes it all worthwhile. This downtown and our community will be bustling with students, new technology education and all of the economic off-spin that will come with it. Thanks to the determination of GUS, the commitment of a forward-thinking Provincial Government and a dedicated team of people, University of Niagara Falls, Canada will now be a reality."

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The University of Niagara Falls Canada will bring new vitality to the city's downtown core when it fully opens its doors in 2024. It will attract students of all ages and stages from across the Niagara Region, Ontario and the country.

"Business and industry leaders helped shape curriculum, program and degree offerings with local labour market needs in mind and based on extensive consultations in the community," said McLeod. "We look forward to working with the city, the region and the province in the months and years ahead."

Delivering world-class, digitally-minded education

"A new university for Niagara Falls is good news for the region, the local economy, and for employers in high-demand fields," said Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop. "Our government is committed to supporting high-quality post-secondary education that provides workers with the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow."

The University of Niagara Falls Canada will be offering a host of distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to meet the needs of today's employers, including emerging technology, data analytics, business and digital media.

"The University of Niagara Falls Canada will be rooted in core values of innovative education and research," said Sheldon Levy, President of University Canada West and a special advisor to the University of Niagara Falls Canada. "Whether it's a young person looking to build the foundation of their career or a working professional looking to advance their skills, the University of Niagara Falls Canada will ensure our graduates leave with a set of skills and a way of looking at the world that sets them up for success." Levy is the current president of University Canada West, another GUS Canada institution based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He was previously president of Toronto Metropolitan University from 2005 to 2015 overseeing the expansion of its campus and the creation of its highly successful campus-based incubator, the Digital Media Zone (DMZ).

Building on Global University Systems' track record of national and international success

The University of Niagara Falls Canada will draw on the demonstrated expertise of Global University Systems (GUS)  one of the largest education groups in the world; offering accredited bachelor's, master's, medical and law degree programs, vocational and professional qualifications, and language courses to approximately 100,000 students globally at its 57+ teaching locations in the U.K., India, Singapore, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Canada, and the Caribbean.

GUS Canada has successfully introduced many innovative post-secondary institutions to communities across the country over the past decade, including University Canada West (Vancouver), the Canadian College of Technology and Business (Vancouver), the Toronto School of Management (Toronto), the Trebas Institute (Toronto and Montreal), and The Language Gallery (Vancouver and Toronto).

FAST FACTS

Informed by labour market needs of the region and local employers, the University of Niagara Falls Canada received consent to offer five programs:

Honours Bachelor of Science  Biomedical Sciences.

Honours Bachelor of Business Administration  Majors in Digital Economy and Digital Marketing.

Master of Data Analytics  Specializations in Marketing Analytics and Operations Analytics.

Master of Management  Specializations in Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship.

Master of Arts in Digital Media and Global Communications.

All academic programs will have a professional focus that prepares learners for a digital world.

The University of Niagara Falls Canada prides itself on small class sizes and first-class student supports.

The University of Niagara Falls Canada is expected to have a direct and indirect economic impact estimated annually at $291 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), $194 million in labour income, and $23 million in government tax revenue.

Flexibility at the University of Niagara Falls Canada means students can study when and how they want. The vision of the university is that every academic program will be offered in three formats: face-to-face, online, and hybrid.

With multiple intakes each year, The University of Niagara Falls Canada helps student mix work and study to suit their personal circumstances.

The new university is a subsidiary of GUS Canada and part of the Global University Systems (GUS) network; GUS is the largest independent education network in Europe and one of the largest education groups in the world.

SOURCE Global University Systems Canada

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2022/17/c8127.html
The White House on Monday condemned former President Trumps comments telling American Jews to get their act together as antisemitic.

Donald Trumps comments were antisemitic, as you all know, and insulting both to Jews and to our Israeli allies, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a briefing. But lets be clear, for years, for years now Donald Trump has aligned with extremists and antisemitic figures, and it should be called out.

Trump on Sunday touted his support of Israel in a post on Truth Social, his fledgling social media company, before questioning why Jewish people in the U.S. did not support him more strongly.

No President has done more for Israel than I have. Somewhat surprisingly, however, our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S., Trump wrote. Those living in Israel, though, are a different story  Highest approval rating in the World, could easily be P.M.! U.S. Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel  Before it is too late!

The comments were widely criticized by Jewish groups and U.S. lawmakers, who bemoaned that Trump has on multiple occasions reduced Jews in the U.S. to their support for Israel.

It is bewildering that President Trump, who has Jewish children and Jewish grandchildren, continues to evoke age-old antisemitic tropes, Jonathan Greenblatt, head of the Anti-Defamation League, said Monday.

American Jews got their act together in 2020, when 77 percent supported Biden. This wont change because Jews view Trump and MAGA candidates as extremist-aligned threats to our security, democracy & values, as epitomized by this antisemitic screed, Jewish Democratic Council of America CEO Halie Soifer said in a statement.

Trump made support for Israel a cornerstone of his foreign policy, but he has repeatedly drawn criticism for dabbling in antisemitic tropes or failing to condemn extremism.

Story continues

In 2019, Trump suggested that Jewish people who vote for Democrats are either ignorant or disloyal.

The president angered Jewish groups and others in 2017 when he said there were very fine people on both sides of a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., where marchers carried Nazi banners and chanted antisemitic slogans.

Jewish groups also called on Trump to more forcefully condemn white nationalism in 2018 after a gunman killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

In 2016, Trump tweeted an image of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton with the phrase Most Corrupt Candidate Ever inside a Star of David on top of piles of cash.

Updated at 2:28 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Stepping Up: Male leaders who are closing the gender gap in Armenia's IT industry

Two female employees from the IT sector at the Gyumri Technology Center, Credit: Davit Hakobyan

Two female employees from the IT sector at the Gyumri Technology Center, Credit: Davit Hakobyan

IT employees at work at Renderforest, Credit: Davit Hakobyan

IT employees at work at Renderforest, Credit: Davit Hakobyan

Yerevan, Armenia, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the bustling tech hub that is Armenia, the typically male-dominated IT industry is experiencing a shift. Women are climbing the ranks in companies like Synergy Armenia, Renderforest, and Resal Soft  paving the way for young women to break into the IT sector. See how male employers are meeting the moment to help close Armenias gender gap in this issue of AGBU Magazine.

By Araks Kasyan, Photos by Davit Hakobyan

Information Technology (IT) has become a vital part of our lives. There is hardly a single field of activity not directly or indirectly connected digitally.

For many years it was believed that the fast-growing IT industry belonged mainly to men. Nevertheless, now Armenia is breaking that stereotype by its own example.

According to the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, today the share of women employed in Armenias IT sector is about

40 percent. This is significantly higher than in many advanced countries, including the United States, considered a leader in the field of IT.

In recent years, the IT sector in Armenia has begun to attract more women, who see the opportunity for professional growth and advancement.

Anna Stepanyan, who started her first steps in IT as an administrative assistant in 2008, now holds the position of director in Synergy Armenia, one of the largest IT companies in the country. I have always loved my job. From the very beginning I saw great opportunities and big potential in the knowledge-based IT sector. And with every day I felt more and more confident that I want to create a professional future in this environment, says Anna.

Today, 56% of Synergy International Systems employees are women. Moreover, 49.95% of tech roles and 33% of leadership roles are occupied by women.

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I dont know who created the stereotype that the IT sector mainly belongs to men, but Synergy is a shining example that womens involvement is a strategic issue. The involvement of women in the IT sector is also strategic for Armenia, as we already have a problem with resources. In Armenia, women and men can have the same success. Moreover, in many cases women also have an advantage, because they are more focused on details, they are more patient and punctual. It is very effective for the IT industry to have people of such qualities, says Ashot Hovanesian, Synergy International Systems founder and CEO.

Narek Safaryan, CEO and founder of Renderforest, an automated all-in-one platform for building videos, notes that he founded the company in 2013 with two other men, but today 60% of the employees are women. This male-female ratio came out in a natural way as we could find more female employees meeting our standards. As employer, professional qualities are a priority for me, says Safaryan. He thinks that in recent years women are largely engaged in the IT sphere of Armenia because they are more motivated to gain new knowledge, to move forward, and reach success than men.

Mariam Grigoryan, a lead project/product manager of Renderforest, had been working in the field of tourism and event management before coming to IT. In the beginning there was a fear that I might not succeed in IT. My family didnt believe in me. They tried to hold me back from that decision, saying that it is a mans world and I have nothing to do there. However, I decided to try and I have never regretted it, says Grigoryan. She believes that one should not be afraid of stereotypes and should not hold oneself back from fulfilling a dream. If you are afraid, you will never know whether it will work or not, she adds.

Resal Soft, a business automation company based in the Gyumri Technology Center, has begun to hire more women in recent years. Today, about 30% of company employees are women. Varsik Manukyan is one of the recently hired employees of Resal Soft. She works as a financial assistant to the director of the company. After working in the financial sector for about ten years, I decided to learn something new. Upon completing programing courses, I applied to IT companies for a job. Finally, I received an offer from Resal. I really enjoy my work, because the two spheresfinances and programmingare interconnected here. I feel very comfortable, says Manukyan, noting that no matter a woman or a man, you must have aspirations and goals and you should do everything to achieve them.

Artak Gevorgyan, the founding director of Resal, lists several reasons behind the growth of womens involvement in IT. Diligence and the ability to quickly adapt are more noticeable among women than men. Moreover, women are more proactive and purposeful, says Gevorgyan, who is confident that the number of women working in IT will increase along with the development of the sector.

Government programs provide additional stimulus to increase the number of women in Armenias IT sector.

In 2002, within the framework of the World Banks Enterprise Incubator project, the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) was established in Armenia, becoming one of the largest technology business incubators and IT/High-Tech development agencies in the region. Since the day of its foundation, EIF has been actively engaged in the development of IT in Armenia.

Bagrat Yengibaryan, director of EIF, recalls that years ago when they were doing some research in the field, it became clear that there are certain directions, particularly program management, test-ing, etc., where women have a competitive advantage over men. Women have a serious advantage in terms of multitasking, they are more persistent and determined. Taking into consideration these qualities, EIF began to implement targeted programs for IT education for women and employment in this field. We can be proud to say that today we have about 37-40% womens involvement in IT. This is a really good percentage compared to other countries where womens involvement is about 20-25%. In this respect, Armenia is in a leading position, says Yengibaryan.

EIF, in cooperation with the government of Armenia and the World Bank, established technology centers in Gyumri in 2014 and in Vanadzor in 2016. The centers were an important step to involve the residents of the regions, and in particular women, in IT. In the past, many women, especially in the regions of Armenia, viewed programming as a mens activity field, so they didnt even try their abilities here. But now the picture has changed. One of the important factors here was the fact that women with success stories shared them and inspired many others, says Yengibaryan, adding that high salaries make this field more attractive.

Viktorya Aydinyan, the advisor to the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia, says the new generation is thinking freely and doesnt obey the stereotypes. Today if you visit STEM faculties, you will see that the share of women is higher. I think the key issue at the moment is to support young women to combine work with family and child care. The key task of our Ministry is to eliminate environmental problems that prevent women from taking their place in the labor market, says Aydinyan. The Ministry is launching a new program jointly with the Ministry of Economy and the UN Development Program. The program is called National Platform for Womens Economic Empowerment. We will outline a number of areas, including IT, where we will support the development of female capabilities, and then help them find a job, says Aydinyan.

The AGBU WomenCoders program, launched in November 2020, has become a unique opportunity for many women to grow in personal skills and achieve new professional levels. Seventy percent of the women participating in the first phase of the program now are successfully working in IT companies.

AGBU Armenia President Vasken Yacoubian explains that the WomenCoders program is part of a larger nation-building strategy called AGBU EmpowerHer, which has received wide participation from women from both rural and urban Armenia, who are seeking to gain financial independence through career-oriented jobs. The goal is to integrate Armenias women, who represent over half of Armenias population, into the socio-economic fabric of Armenia and IT is one of the key frontiers for change, says Yacoubian.

The success of WomenCoders promp-ted the launch of the second cohort in November 2021. Seventy-five participants are taught NodeJS, PHP, quality assurance, product management, UA/UX design courses that last three to seven months. The program also offers online courses in workplace fundamentals that teach email writing, presentation skills, financial literacy, critical thinking, business ethics, and many more. Specialists from Armenian IT companies as well as from the Armenian Diaspora are involved in the courses.

Today 1,120 participants have applied to participate in the third phase of AGBU WomenCoders program.

Product Director of Synergy Inter-national Systems Grigori Aghayants, who was teaching product management, says that working with AGBU was a unique experience. I saw a very serious approach working with AGBU. It is gratifying that a significant number of participants in the courses have already been hired by IT companies. They share their success stories, motivating other women to move forward and not be afraid to step into the world of IT, says Aghayants.

Read more online here.

Attachments

CONTACT: Armenian General Benevolent Union press@agbu.org




Most of us are familiar with clay as a medium for sculpting three-dimensional pieces, from the lumpy bowls your elementary-schooler brings home to hundred-dollar designer pottery.

Fewer of us are familiar with clay as a medium for two-dimensional print-makingbut thats the medium that has captured artist Rondall Jamess vision for over a decade.

I was hooked the first time I took a workshop [in this technique], said James, who retired in 2016 after two decades working as an art teacher at Courtland High School in Spotsylvania County and then Brooke Point High School in Stafford County. I love the simplicity of it. I took printmaking at the undergrad level working with inks, and the inks were expensive. With this process, you can print on the clay with anything that will leave its impression. Its very accessible.

Jamess vibrant, colorful clay prints exploring Afrocentric themes are on display at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center through Friday.

The clay-printing process begins with applying a slipor clay slurry colored with different pigmentsto a handmade wooden printing plate. James then uses different objects that catch his interestpotato mashers, twisty straws, strips of paper, yarn, scraps of lace, gutter screens, hot plate holdersto make imprints in the slip and create his desired image.

In many of his pieces, hes used a scrap of a bedspread that his mother crocheted.

So theres some of her art in my art, he said.

When hes finished arranging the image, James presses porous paper on top of the plate to capture the impression.

The process usually yields one finished print, but sometimes he makes duplicates if there is enough leftover slip.

James said hes always worked with clay and was a mask-maker earlier in his career. While working on a masters degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007, he was briefly introduced to the clay-printing process through a paper another student wrote.

He was intrigued, and back in Fredericksburg, he called up local potter Dan Finnegan to ask if he knew anyone who printed in clay.

Finnegan told James that he knew of one artist who used the technique, Delaware-based potter and printmaker Mitch Lyons.

James traveled to Delaware to participate in a workshop led by Lyons and fell in love with clay-printing.

I went back four or five times and worked with him, James said.

James was born and grew up in Hampton. In school, he was frequently taught by student teachers from Hampton University, a historically Black university founded in 1868.

I remember when I was in fifth grade, there was a student teacher who did a series on African sculpture and African masks, James said.

He fell in love with the big, bold images and Afrocentric art has been an inspiration for him since then.

Some of his work has an element of social commentary, such as Gentrification, which depicts a majority Black neighborhood morphing into a majority white neighborhood.

Some of it reflects a mood, such as Yes We Can, which is a joyful image of dancing figures that celebrates the inauguration of Barack Obama, and Freedom, which shows a female figureJamess granddaughtershaking ocean water from her long braids.

Before he was a public school teacher, James worked for the Virginia Department of Corrections, teaching art to students in detention centers, and he arranged for their work to be displayed in the General Assembly building in Richmond.

After retiring from Brooke Point, James moved to Williamsburg. Hes continued to teach as an adjunct professor at the University of Mary Washington and by giving lectures on the clay printmaking technique.
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.
Salem Lutheran, Fontanelle, (15 miles west of Blair on Highway 91) will host its first Fall Festival from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23.

There will be 10:30 a.m. worship with a potluck meal following that is open to all visitors. Piano and organ Autumnfest music will be provided by by Nancy Schroeder at 1 p.m.

Visitors are free to come and go while they discover the cathedral sanctuary at Fontanelle.

Other events will include food and craft vendors, quilt raffle, pumpkin painting, Fontanelle Orchard and trick or trunk for children at 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Salem Lutheran at 402-721-6639.
The Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), the export-financing arm of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, took part in a CEOs Forum for Exporting Manufacturers, which was held in the UAE capital. The event was attended by senior government officials and representatives of public and private companies and industrial institutions.

Organized by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), Emirates Development Bank (EDB) and Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the forum explored mechanisms to enable national businesses to increase their export volumes through risk-free financing.

Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Chairman of the Export Executive Committee of the Abu Dhabi Exports Office, said that the forum was in line with the vision of the UAE government to drive the growth of the export sector, which is a major driver and constituent of economic diversification.

The forum is an important platform to connect with stakeholders, discuss how to develop the industrial sector, how businesses can benefit from the competitive financing from (ADEX) and the innovative solutions offered by its partners. The event also provided an ideal means to explore appropriate solutions to the challenges faced by exporters, especially in terms of securing financial resources to expand their global footprint, Al Suwaidi said.

Khalil Fadhl Al Mansoori, the Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Exports Office, talked about ADEXs contribution towards the UAEs industrial development as it offers attractive credit facilities to foreign buyers to purchase Emirati goods and services. We are also working to establish strategic partnerships with national agencies and international institutions that would support vital sectors such as pharmaceutical, food, defense, water and renewable energy, in addition to opening new markets for them to export their products, he added.

The CEOs Forum for Exporting Manufacturers included seminars where the participants agreed on the importance of promoting national products and providing credit facilities to Emirati companies operating in various industrial sectors.---TradeArabia News Service
The Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has won all six seats that were contested in national assembly by-elections over the weekend, stunning Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif's ruling coalition.

In what was seen by many as a referendum on his popularity after he was ousted in April in a no-confidence vote, Khan won three seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two in Punjab and one in Sindh Province, beating ruling coalition candidates in each.

PTI also won two of three Punjab Assembly seats in the by-leections, further strengthening its position in the country's biggest province -- where it rules in coalition with Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q).

Candidates can stand for multiple seats in Pakistan elections. If they win more than one they choose which to keep, and a separate vote must later be held for those forfeited.

Since his ouster, Khan has held dozens of rallies to push his demands that Sharif call a nationwide general election instead of waiting for the next scheduled vote in October 2023.

The weekend balloting also came as tens of millions of Pakistanis battle to regain their lives following recent devastating floods that forced some 8 million people from their homes and caused damage estimated at more than $28 billion.
Democrats held leads in three of the four seats up for grabs on the State Board of Education this year as of 9 p.m. on Election Day.
Napco National Packaging will showcase its comprehensive portfolio of agricultural films and packaging solutions at the Saudi Agriculture 2022 from 17-20 October 2022 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

Growers, farmers and food producers can learn about our conscious plastics and corrugated products that meet their everyday challenges helping them improve productivity and efficiency and guaranteeing abundant, healthy and safe food. Our wide range of products targets animal feed, crop cultivation, fresh produce packaging, irrigation, soil treatment, dairy production packaging, poultry meat packaging, date packaging, red meat packaging and aquaculture sectors, Napco National said in a statement.

With sustainability at the heart of its operations and processes, Napco will unveil its Sustainable Packaging Solutions for Food Security in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. Our Gaia brand, showcased at the show, reaffirms our aim to protect the environment from any harm as we work towards a healthier environment for the coming generations, the company statement said.

Through digital transformation, our AgriSmart technology enables growers to increase their profitability by implementing precision farming practices, optimizing resource use, and reducing agricultures impact on the environment, it added.

The company said it relies on its teams specialised agronomic know-how and knowledge of the latest innovations, and leverages on the best practices in assuring superior product quality and performance while operating at international standards and contributing to positive environmental impact.

Chadi Radi, Napco Packaging Business Development Director, explains: At Napco Packaging, we foster a culture of innovation and product development. We rely on technology advancement to enhance products people use. During Saudi Agriculture 2022, we will discuss with our customers and visitors our latest product developments that meet their most challenging farming conditions. Over the past year, we worked on complementing our farming line by developing the cooling greenhouse films, insect repellant pesticide reduction greenhouse film, silage stretch film, hydroponic bag, shade net, as well as high thickness geo-membrane.

Radi adds: We have also expanded our offerings to the aquaculture industry, as well as the red meat and poultry producers by adding Vacuum Bag, Absorbent Pad and Breathable top web. New product releases for dairy producers include the IWS for Single Slice Roll (IWS-C), High-Barrier Multi-Wall Sack, Shrink Sleeve as Peel-able Lid.

Saudi Agriculture 2022 is the 39th edition of the international exhibition for agriculture, food, aquaculture, packaging and agro-industry and is among the largest B2B events in the agriculture industry in the region showcasing leading technologies and solutions, cutting-edge engineering, and innovations.

Napco National Packaging produces a wide range of raw materials and packaging solutions in Napco Nationals manufacturing plants in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia. Leveraging on manufacturing excellence since 1956, Napco National Packaging partners with world leading manufacturers to produce sustainable and high-quality plastics and corrugated products for agricultural, beverage, building and construction, chemical and petrochemical, food, healthcare, household care, hygiene and tissue converting, personal care, plastics converting, retail and wholesale, transportation and warehousing, and other manufacturing industries.

Napco National Packaging is committed to a circular economy by fostering premium re-use of industrial, commercial and agricultural plastic scrap to reduce carbon emissions and divert plastics destined for landfills or incineration into recycled applications supporting a circular economy of plastics, the company said.--TradeArabia News Service
Jefferson County sheriffs cruisers surround a truck believed to have plowed through an after-hours bar crowd in Golden last week, killing one person and injuring seven others.
Wilo Middle East hosted the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce - AHKs Regional Directors Roundtable, at the company's facility in Jafza, to discuss Middle East and particularly UAE market trends with senior industry professionals.

Wilo hosted more than 70 guests, who discussed regional economic challenges and developments in the region.

During the conference, regional-level representatives from companies gathered to discuss the industry's strategic interests. Some of the distinguished guests included HE Alexander Schonfelder, German Ambassador to the UAE, HE Sybille Pfaff, German Consul General in Dubai, HE Rudiger Lotz, German Consul General in Karachi, along with 70 C-Level delegates from several German companies.

Yasser Nagi, Managing Director of Wilo Middle East and Group Sales Director of MENA Region also took this opportunity to present the companys pilot Hydrogen Power Plant project at Wilopark in Dortmund, which is aimed at exploring the potential of hydrogen for sustainable energy supply. The firm showcased how its advanced systems will contribute to the generation, distribution, and use of climate-neutral hydrogen in the future.

Nagi said: It was an honour to host the AHK Regional Directors Roundtable at our facility in Jafza. The informal gathering gave us an opportunity to share our vision for the industry, as well as explore hydrogen technologies and systems that are of strategic interest. We believe Wilos services are thus systemically relevant in this discipline and can contribute to the advancement of hydrogen-based technologies and systems.

Oliver Oehms, CEO of AHK, said: The UAE has been a promising hub for growing businesses, including several German companies operating in large parts of South Asia and Africa. As a result, the Gulf region emerges as a strong foundation for future-oriented growth, while also serving as a key source of energy."

Furthermore, Nagi gave a detailed overview of Wilo's journey over the years, as well as their strategic projects in the region. Guests and representatives expressed their gratitude to the company for managing this collaborative effort, and emphasized the importance of similar conferences in the future.--TradeArabia News Service
Nearly 10 years ago, the state legislators representing our county rejected the expansion of Medicaid.

I, personally, appealed to then-N.C. Rep. Bert Jones and Sen. Phil Berger at the time and was rebuffed.

It was clear to me that their rejection was solely for political reasons. Joining with other like-minded legislators across the state, they rejected Medicaid expansion to our working poor and placed our rural hospitals on a financial collision course.

In this political season, its a sad fact that our state, our county and our residents have paid dearly for their political posture.

I seek here to make a recommendation for those who hope to maintain the health of our local hospitals and, ultimately, the residents of the county.

Consider some facts

First, consider a few proven facts.

According to a recent study by the University of Colorado, rural community hospitals in states that have not expanded Medicaid coverage are four times more likely to fail than community hospitals in expansion states. This is basic Economics 101.

Community hospitals provide less of the high-paying procedures compared to their big-city counterparts. Also, rural community hospitals, such as Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville and UNC Rockingham Health Care in Eden, provide uncompensated care for a proportionately higher percentage of their customers.

Medicaid expansion has been an economic lifeline thrown to struggling rural hospitals  but only in those states that have made the wise decision to accept the help.

Hospitals have closed

North Carolina has seen seven rural community hospitals either close or massively downsize services since we first started to reject Medicaid expansion.

This is a much higher closure rate than the national average. We have already seen one of our local hospitals  the former Morehead Hospital in Eden  go through bankruptcy. The UNC Health System took over the hospital in turn. I would like to remind our readers that the UNC Health System promised to maintain Edens UNC Rockingham Hospital as a full service hospital for five years only  and that guarantee expires in a few months.

UNC Rockingham must maintain financial positivity going forward in order to survive.

For those on the Reidsville side of the county who rely more on Annie Penn for community hospital services, I would urge you not to be complacent.

Large systems loom

Just two years ago, Greensboro-based Cone Health, the owner of the hospital, almost merged with a much larger system based in Norfolk, Va.

This merger failed, but the future awaits and its uncertain.

Annie Penn is currently on stable financial footing, and Cone Health has been mostly supportive.

But, imagine if we were to find our local hospital owned by a conglomerate headquartered hundreds of miles from here with no long-term commitment to our community. Imagine that we entered a protracted difficult financial period and the hospital found itself on shaky financial ground and not making money.

Ive got news for you, even nonprofit systems keep a very close eye on what is profitable and what is not.

A community hospital that is not profitable sooner or later runs a high risk of being shuttered or diminished greatly.

This does not have to be our future reality. If only our legislators would get their act together, or if only we would elect representatives who strongly favor Medicaid expansion, the problem could be solved.

The Human Cost

The human cost in loss of health and loss of life to the uninsured is well documented. In fact, Ive published numerous articles describing some of my patients who died prematurely or lost their good health because of a lack of insurance.

A Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Foundation-sponsored study shows that more than 5,000 Rockingham County residents would immediately gain coverage if we were to expand Medicaid today.

Numerous national studies have revealed higher dialysis rates, and increased stroke, cancer, and premature death rates in states that have failed to expand Medicaid.

Maybe you are not swayed by this because you and your family have good insurance, and you believe this problem could not possibly affect you. Wrong.

Local residents who lose their rural community hospital see an immediate 5.9% higher risk of dying, according to a recent University of Washington study.

This makes sense: when all women in labor have to leave the county to give birth, when all patients with an acute stroke or heart attack find themselves having to take a 30-mile ride to the nearest specialty staffed hospital and emergency room, when folks seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents need to travel farther for lifesaving care, when patients start seeing their specialists leave the county and decide to skip crucial follow-up appointments, such scenarios lead to a higher risk of death.

Hospitals are big county employers

Furthermore, our community hospitals are two of the largest employers in the county; they improve our chances of recruiting and retaining industry, and they provide tremendous state-of-the-art care to our residents.

Annie Penn alone wrote off $9 million in unpaid care last year. This is not sustainable. Medicaid expansion, according to multiple analyses, would bring $20 million more in total revenue to our countys hospital health systems and other healthcare industries yearly.

It would improve our ability to recruit and retain primary care providers, specialists, nurses and other health care workers. It would create 250 more jobs in the county.

This would be funded by tax dollars our state already pays to the federal government. What are we waiting for?

And now, the political discussion, because, ultimately, the resolution to this is political, as opposition to Medicaid expansion has always been partisan in its underpinnings.

Medicaid expansion is not socialism. Come on, that is silly.

Every industrialized country in the world provides some level of insurance coverage to its citizens, except for the United States. Medicaid expansion would go a long way to providing coverage for our uninsured and to help fortify our local hospitals.

Our current and recent state legislators have utterly failed us. Our community hospitals remain at a substantially increased risk of closure, directly because of the failure of legislators to represent our community in a non-ideological, common sense fashion.

Berger, a staunch opponent until very recently, now expresses support for Medicaid expansion. I appreciate his conversion to sensibility, if its sincere.

But it does not reverse the excessive hospital closures and bankruptcies that have already occurred, nor does it bring back those uninsured who died or experienced health decline prematurely.

And though Berger expresses support for expansion, this summer he offered a Senate bill so weighed down with other matters that it failed to pass in the House dominated by his own Republican party.

I think, deep down inside, Berger finally knows that if one or both of our countys hospitals collapse on his watch, the obstinate refusal to expand Medicaid would be a chief culprit.

N.C. Rep. Reece Pyrtle recently attended the Rockingham County Candidates Forum where candidates for office state their priorities for their constituents.

Pyrtle, a Republican, made zero mention of the need for Medicaid expansion. Former Reidsville mayor Jay Donecker, his Democratic opponent, stated in the forum that Medicaid expansion would be one of his highest priorities for the community. Pyrtles website has no mention of Medicaid expansion; Doneckers goes into great detail of its importance for our county.

It is my understanding that UNC Rockingham remains in a tenuous fiscal position. Reece Pyrtle sits on its board.

I can tell you from my experience as a member of the Annie Penn Board that members are kept completely in the loop regarding the financial status of their hospital.

For Pyrtle to remain silent on this issue boggles the mind. If I were in his position, with the ability to shore up the finances of our crucial community hospitals by publicly and loudly advocating for Medicaid expansion, Id confront Berger and demand a clean bill. Id challenge my own leadership in the House to make it happen. Id crawl a mile across cut glass in Raleigh if it would help.

I would never have come to this county to serve for three decades as a family doctor if our local hospitals had been reduced to glorified Band-Aid stations by distant conglomerates or by thoughtless politicians clinging to failed positions.

If you believe, as I do, that we desperately need our community hospitals, you need to speak up with your vote for Medicaid expansion.
MARTINSVILLE, Va.  From Heidi Pinkstons first visits to Martinsville 30 years ago, she fell in love with Piedmont Arts and has been deeply involved since.

And in recent years, after volunteering and then rising through the ranks, its been as executive director.

Pinkston, who grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was exposed to all forms of art and experienced a strong art presence there, she said. Her mother would always take her to as many art opportunities as possible.

Pinkston said she always enjoys seeing the Winston-Salem Symphony and going to the Reynolda House Museum of American Art. The art scene there was a really amazing art community, she said.

She and her husband, Shane Pinkston, moved to Martinsville in 1992 for his job at Southprint. Before that, she said, she had never heard of Martinsville, even though it was close to where she lived.

As part of getting to know the area, Pinkston stopped at Piedmont Arts and loved it so much she asked how she could get involved  and has been at it since. She said that she was able to see from the beginning what a gem in this community Piedmont Arts was.

Before the pandemic, Pinkston would go to a morning exercise class taught by Anita Hooker at the Martinsville-Henry County YMCA. It was her favorite class, but she now attends Judy Rs class. She also loved to hear live music, especially at Pops Farm.

Pinktson has now worked for Piedmont Arts for 18 years, moving through many of the different positions at the museum. She spent one year on the board of Piedmont Arts and ended her term as chairman, was the education coordinator, then the director of exhibits and is now the executive director.

As executive director, she said, her role changes from day-to-day but the main function is to secure the well-being of the organization and its physical building.

Under Pinkstons leadership, Piedmont Arts aims to bring an impactful arts eeducation to the community and be an accessible art experience for anyone who is interested, not excluding anyone no matter what their background is like. It hosts and sponsors a variety of events, some that have an admission fee and others that are free to attend.

The accessibility of the organization, Pinkston said, is to make the building a safe place that encourages and inspires the people who come inside. Piedmont Arts also aims to showcase a variety of different types of arts, she said, which allows the museum to have something of interest for pretty much anyone.

From visual arts, to written, to auditorythey try to have it all. Pinkston said they have up to five exhibits throughout the year from artists with varying backgrounds. Currently they are showcasing Virginia Derryberrys Private Domain and Davis Chouns Continuity (Color + Texture).

The museum hosts performances such as dance and symphonies and poetry slams and events like Blues, Brews and Stews which took place on a recent Friday. Piedmont Arts works with local schools to provide educational art experiences for local kids.

People who experience art as young children can see positive effects later in life from expressing themselves through all types of art, she said. Piedmont Arts helps children become comfortable in art museum settings and live performances.

They may not realize the impact it has at the time, but later in life, engaging with art experiences and performing arts can help people be more open-minded as they get older and be able to appreciate the arts, Pinkston said.

Compared to the Winston-Salem art scene, Pinkston said that the Martinsville art scene is much smaller, but still produces a high-quality art experience. With Piedmont Arts, Pinkston said, the mission is to bring impactful arts education to the community, and in her opinion, they are succeeding.
A group of students at a Burke County high school say their nod to equality in a school mural prompted officials to paint over a portion of the artwork.

When I first saw it, I was in tears, one student who participated in the project told The News Herald on the condition of anonymity. Not only because we had spent a lot of time, money and effort, also because it shows that we arent allowed to have equality.

Funded by a grant from The North Carolina Arts Council, the program paid for an Arts in Education Arts Residency for a variety of projects throughout the campus, including murals. At the center of the controversy was a painting of a fist, which students said was a reference to the Black Lives Matter movement, and rainbow-colored butterflies. Students said the butterflies were drawn in support of the LGBTQ community.

By Friday, the fist and the butterflies had been painted over by school officials.

The original mural contained the letters EBHS, for East Burke High School. According to multiple sources, the E, which was repainted, was to represent equality, with the B standing for belonging, the H for heritage and the S for success.

Burke County Public Schools released a statement on Friday saying the school is able to restrict political expression, regardless of viewpoint, for a school sponsored expressive activity located on school property.

Burke County Public Schools seeks to educate all students in a safe and supportive environment that is politically neutral, the statement said.

The district also cited laws prohibiting public schools from using funds to endorse or oppose a political referendum. School officials also told The News Herald the move was made in response to numerous complaints.

Among East Burke parents, reaction was mixed on Friday, with some feeling the mural should have been left intact and others saying it never should have been allowed.

According to Burke County Public Schools, officials will be working with students to come up with a new design for the E in the mural.
North Carolinas deadline to register to vote for the midterm elections taking place on Nov. 8 has passed, but there are still options to those that want to cast their ballot.

This deadline applies to people who plan to vote by mail, sometimes dubbed absentee voting, or on Election Day itself. But if you miss it, you can still register and vote on the same day at an in-person early voting site.

The deadline applies not only to those registering to vote, but also to those who want to update their voter registration, such as to reflect changes in their address, name or party affiliation.

Here are your registration options:

At the DMV, either online or in-person.

In-person at your countys board of elections office during regular business hours. Pick up an N.C. Voter Registration Application form, fill it out, sign it and return it.

By mail: Print, sign and fill out an N.C. Voter Registration Application form. Submit the completed form by mail to your countys board of elections office or the N.C. State Board of Elections, P.O. Box 27255, Raleigh, NC 27611-7255. You can fill out an English or Spanish form.

If you are not registering to vote for the first time in your county of residence, you can also submit the form via fax or email. County board of elections offices provide fax, phone and email information.

You can also give the registration form to another person or organization to submit on your behalf.

As the deadline is near, if you plan to mail in your registration, be sure to do so early this week, as forms must be received by the county board of elections office or postmarked by the deadline to be accepted as valid. If the options are available to you, you may want to register in-person, online, or via email or fax.

You can check your voter information online at vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup.

If you miss the deadline

If you dont make the deadline, you can still register to vote via early voting, which runs from Oct. 20 to Nov. 5.
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South Africa: Kubayi launches plan for informal settlements

Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has unveiled a global plan aimed at dealing with informal settlements and slums.

The Global Action Plan Framework on Informal Settlements and Slums consolidates and heightens efforts to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda (NUA) in the Decade of Action.

The Global Action Plan Framework initiative is anchored in the Slums and Informal Settlements Network (SiSnet), launched during Habitat III in Quito as part of the global Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP).

The Global Action Plan Framework aims to take coordination, collaboration, commitments and partnerships to the next level. It also provides a joint vision to inform actions framed by partnerships, and is the basis for Member States to elevate commitments in form of a resolution to be pledged in the UN-Habitat Assembly process.

Breeding ground for social ills

Speaking at the launch of the Global Action Plan Framework held at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria on Sunday, Kubayi said in South Africa, the apartheid spatial development of cities is characterised by segregation, and it continues to weigh heavily on the development pattern of the country.

She said the majority of South Africans, who are now urbanising at a rapid rate, find themselves relegated to slums and informal settlements, as they fail to find decent dwelling in the cities that are unwelcoming for the poor.

The slums and informal settlements are a breeding ground for social ills and the burden is often carried by women, girls and children. These settlements often lack basic services such as sanitation facilities, health, education and recreational facilities, Kubayi said.

The Minister said South Africa embraces the UN Habitat III Pretoria Declaration on Informal Settlement Upgrading, signed in South Africa in 2016. The declaration recognises that informal settlements must be addressed through an integrated approach to sustainable urban development, taking into account the national policy frameworks, legal, financial resources and spatial issues.

In South Africa, we have learned that upgrading can have a profoundly positive effect on social cohesion, resilience, and safety, especially when there are targeted interventions to protect vulnerable women, youth, children, the elderly and the disabled.

We have also learned that when we involve the community in their development, they respond and adapt more positively to change. Thus, our approach to Upgrading Informal Settlements Programme has evolved to entail extensive community participation and consultation in the provision of emergency basic services, permanent services, and security of tenure, the Minister said.

She said the launch of the Global Action Plan Framework on Informal Settlements and Slums is a great milestone in the preparation for the development and tabling of a Global Action Plan at the United Nations Habitat Assembly in 2023.

SAs commitment to transform informal settlements commended

UN-Habitat Executive Director, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, expressed her gratitude to the Government of South Africa for continuing to champion the call Cities for All, through its commitment to positively transform informal settlements and slums.

As you know, the New Urban Agenda provides 53 entry points to slum and informal settlements transformation, but we need leadership and investments to translate policy into positive action on the ground, Sharif said.

She warned that if no transformative action is taken, it is estimated that by 2050, there will be three billion people living in slums or roughly an increase of 183 000 people every day.

Threats to SDGs

Sharif said with the triple Cs - COVID, Climate and Conflict - the SDGs are further away than ever before.

This Global Action Plan: Accelerating the Transformation of Informal Settlements and Slums by 2030 aims at creating a new momentum for slum transformation at scale. We need to take transformative action to end the marginalisation of people and places through spatial integration.

We need serious commitment by Member States to improve the standard of living for all. We must not only mind the gap but [also] create action plans and approve budgets to ensure no one and no place is left behind, the Executive Director said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-10-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
UAE-based company, Ultimate Motors has been confirmed as the new authorised dealer for Automobili Lamborghini in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Since the August 1, 2022, the current and new Lamborghini customers across Dubai and Abu Dhabi can refer to the dealership located in Sheikh Zayed Road for all sales (including new and certified pre-owned cars), after sales and customer service.

Speaking about the appointment, Paolo Sartori, Regional Head, Automobili Lamborghini Middle East and Africa said: We are excited to welcome Ultimate Motors as our new dealer in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. With a product offering more wide-ranging than ever, more technologically advanced and able to amplify our customers emotions, Im sure that we will continue to grow the brand in the UAE, building on our success and popularity from previous years.

Successful first half

Comprising a highly experienced and skilled management team, Ultimate Motors has been appointed by the Italian super-sports car manufacturer following a successful first half of 2022 for the brand in the UAE.

Martino Picotti, General Manager at Ultimate Motors said: We are delighted to take on this role as the new dealer for Automobili Lamborghini in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. And we are confident that we can create a successful future for the Italian automaker in the UAE by continuing to gear up our operations and enhancing our structure with the introduction of key functions and departments such as the Selezione Certified Pre-owned, CRM, and Training & Compliance. Therefore we look forward to providing our customers with an unrivaled experience, while maintaining the highest levels of quality.

The UAE is the biggest market for the car manufacturer in the region, and with Ultimate Motors, Automobili Lamborghini is looking forward to introducing its customers to a wide range of new and exhilarating models as well as continuing to push forward the brands vision of the future and adoption of innovative technologies in the years to come.-- TradeArabia News Service
The Montana Land Board on Monday approved the states purchase of a nearly 5,700-acre property in the Big Snowy Mountains north of Ryegate for a new wildlife management area.

The board, made up of Gov. Greg Gianforte, Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen and state Auditor Troy Downing, voted 4-1 to approve the purchase of the property owned by Shodair Childrens Hospital. Knudsen was the lone dissenting vote.

The $8.22 million purchase will be managed as a new wildlife management area by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as both year-round and winter range habitat. In August it received unanimous support from the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, propelling it to Mondays final vote at the Land Board.

State ownership will also provide access to tens of thousands of acres of federal public lands. Those include the Bureau of Land Managements 6,936-acre Twin Coulee Wilderness Study Area and the Forest Services 88,696-acre Big Snowies Wilderness Study Area.

Shodair received the property in 2019 as a donation from the Forrest Allen Estate, CEO Craig Aasved told the Land Board, and its sale to the state would benefit both the hospital and the public. The proceeds will go towards construction costs for hospital facilities while opening up new land to the public, he said.

When I received this phone call that this property was being gifted to Shodair, of course I was elated, he said. Im a Lewistown boy, I grew up in that area, I hunted that property, the Snowy Mountains, Ive hiked that property and it just was a dream come true.

But the story is, Shodair is not a real estate company. From the very beginning it was very intentional that we would sell this property and we wanted to sell it to benefit Montanans.

FWP will tap 75% of the purchase price from federal Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration funds with the other 25% from Habitat Montana, funded by hunting license sales.

A driving force behind the project was the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which assisted Shodair through the process and has pledged a $250,000 grant as startup funding for infrastructure and management of the property.

Mike Mueller, RMEF senior lands program manager, said the project will also help the state better manage elk populations in an area where numbers are far above desired levels.

Elk management benefits come with this project, he said. Fish, Wildlife & Parks reports population objectives are over 900% above objective there, and a contributing factor, one of those, is lack of public access. So this is a public access project.

The project received support from the Golden Valley County Commission and has seen support from a number of other public access advocacy groups, including the Montana Wildlife Federation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Wild Montana and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

It has broad public support and its an excellent access project, said Scott Laird with TRCP. It is a legacy project to match those other wildlife management areas of Montana. Like Rob-Ledford, Sun River, Fish Creek Blackfoot-Clearwater, the next should be the Big Snowies.

The project saw opposition Monday from livestock interests. Ross Morgan and Will Graveley the with Rocky Mountain Stockgrowers Association based in Avon believed FWP has poorly managed other properties such as the Spotted Dog and Canyon Creek wildlife management areas.

We feel FWP is overextending themselves on property ownership, Morgan told the board. We feel a better direction for Pittman-Robertson money rather than purchasing more land is maybe developing wildlife habitat in places that already (have) access to the public.

Chief among their concerns were reductions in cattle grazing at Spotted Dog and lack of infrastructure improvements such as fencing and water projects. A better option, Morgan suggested, would be to put a conservation easement allowing access on the property but allow it to be sold to a private party.

Knudsen, in explaining his vote against the project, shared some similar concerns and suggested FWP and the Legislature should look at other ways to provide habitat on private lands. He also questioned why more federal funds were not being spent on other priorities, such as hunter education.

I dont think its a surprise to anyone in here given my previous comments that Im not going to vote for this. Im opposed to this. Ive made that clear to anyone thats come to talk to me about this, he said. I do think Fish, Wildlife & Parks has an empire-building problem. I do think they have a problem with maintenance and management of a lot of land that they already own, so Im not inclined to vote for more state ownership of fee land.

Gianforte said in support of the project that he had concerns about the loss of agriculture lands, and instructed language in the deed to maintain livestock grazing. The current grazing lease lasts until 2031 and the deed includes the requirement for FWP to develop a grazing plan with leases offered to neighboring landowners.

My insistence that we put this on the deed was that the state has a vested interest in seeing land co-managed both for conservation and production agriculture, he said. Because at the point production ag leaves the landscape it has a negative effect on our local communities.

Gianforte also said the purchase consolidated public ownership and that state ownership would offer better tax benefits to Golden Valley County as opposed to purchase by BLM, which was also a possibility.

Following the vote, Aasved reflected on a three-year effort to sell the property to the state.

You know you do things for the right reasons and this was the right reason, he said. We committed to, the board at Shodair committed to this and three years later here were at. And again, its about Montanans, you know opening up access, but then Shodair so we can continue to treat more kids.

FWP spokesperson Greg Lemon said the new wildlife management area will not be open in time for this hunting season. Like many wildlife management areas, the Big Snowy Mountains will be closed from Dec. 1 to May 15 to protect wintering wildlife.
DECATUR  Detrich L. Barbee came face-to-face with a police patrol as he strode through a high crime area while armed with an illegally owned handgun, a sworn affidavit said.

The Decatur police affidavit said Barbee, 42, was carrying an open red plastic cup of beer in one hand while the outline of a semi-automatic handgun could be seen in the front pocket of his hooded sweatshirt after he was stopped in the 1200 block of North Union Street.

The 1200 block of North Union Street is a high-crime area where officers have made numerous arrests for unlawfully possessed firearms and illegal narcotics, said Officer Clayton Zilz, a member of the police departments Community Action Team which targets gun offenses. The officer had stopped Barbee at 11:30 p.m. Sept. 5.

During a Mirandized interview, Detrich advised he was carrying the handgun for protection and stated he had purchased the firearm a few months prior from a firearms store in Covington, Tennessee," Zilz added.

The officer said the gun was loaded and Barbee also had a spare loaded magazine held inside a gun holster clipped to the waistband of his jeans. Police said Barbees criminal record shows six prior felony convictions for offenses ranging from theft to criminal damage and drug dealing, and he is not allowed to own a firearm.

Barbee appeared in Macon County Circuit Court on Sept. 21 and pleaded not guilty to being a felon in possession of a weapon. Judge Rodney Forbes found probable cause to try him after conducting a preliminary hearing and the defendant is due back in court for a pretrial hearing Oct. 27.

A check of Macon County Jail records Monday showed that Barbee remained in custody with bail set at $50,000, requiring him to post a bond of $5,000 to be released.
DECATUR  Annie Brady spends her mornings rocking and playing with babies and toddlers, just when they need it the most.

During a recent morning, shortly before nap time, Brady was found calmly rocking a fussy baby. This doesnt bother me, she said. She's just tired and doesnt want to go to sleep.

Brady is one of nearly 20 volunteers who spend their days as Foster Grandparents, a Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois program designed to assist and mentor children with exceptional needs in educational settings.

Well, I raised seven of my own, she said. And Ive never volunteered anywhere other than with kids.

Rhi Wrigley is the teacher for the Baby TALK infant class where Brady volunteers. She does a lot with the babies. If one of the kids is upset, shell try to calm them down, she said. She keeps the class calm.

Brady is the first Foster Grandparent to help in Wrigleys classroom. But its usually chaotic, Wrigley said.

Brady said the work she does as a Foster Grandparent helps fulfill her days. I thought maybe I could help some of the kids and help myself also, she said. I get out and meet people while Im helping the children.

The 50-year-old program provides volunteers with a tax-free stipend to help supplement their income while giving them a sense of purpose, the program stated.

CAPCILs Foster Grandparent Program For more information on the Foster Grandparent program, visit CAPCILs website at www.capcil.info, or by calling the corporate office at 217-732-2159 ext. 290.

According to Melissa Hamblin, volunteer services director with the nonprofit organization Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois, the Foster Grandparent program is in seven local counties  Dewitt, Logan, Macon, Mason, Menard, Piatt and Fulton.

Macon County adopted the program approximately 50 years ago. Its actually a nationwide program, Hamblin said.

It is funded by the AmeriCorp Seniors federal grant. The state funding is provided by the Illinois Department of Aging. A stipend is available for income eligible volunteers. But most of them arent motivated by that, Hamblin said. It helps them to supplement.

The grandparent's are available 15 to 40 hours a week, working among children with special or exceptional needs. They are also required to be 55 years old or older.

Macon County has approximately 20 Foster Grandparents volunteering among the local schools and agencies. And were still taking applications, Hamblin said.

Information about how to apply is available on the CAPCIL website or by calling Hamblin at 217-732-2159 ext. 290.

Debra Baltimore is a site supervisor for the Foster Grandparent program and is a family services specialist for Baby TALK. They are here everyday, she said about the Foster Grandparents. Theyre just like a part of our family.

At Baby TALK, the Foster Grandparent is assigned to a classroom with eight babies and toddlers ready to assist where needed. They may give extra attention to children with additional needs, either in a small group or one-on-one.

That could be anything from reading or just rocking a baby, Baltimore said. Sometimes the children just need that little extra attention.

#TogetherDecatur Do you know a person or of a story that exemplifies the best of Decatur? Contact Donnette Beckett at 217-421-6983 or dbeckett@herald-review.com.

C. Etta Rice has been referred to as one of the best grandmas in Robertson Charter School. Ive never thought of being one of the best, she said. But, thats an honor Ill take.

Rice currently helps in a second grade class. She offers some advice for those thinking about becoming a Foster Grandparent. If your heart's not in it, then youre not going to do it, she said. Its challenging and frustrating sometimes.

A calm, reasonable approach works best for the grandparents, she said. I have worked with kids and their spelling, their sounds and letters. I have worked with them one-on-one with their math, she said. Sometimes I work with three or four if they are having a problem with anything.

Rice has learned different techniques in helping children, such as having the student read to her. It works really well that way, she said.
How to cast your ballot in New Braunfels and Comal County
New Braunfels' Christian Brothers Automotive is set to participate in its eighth Service Day on Saturday, Oct. 15. Courtesy photo
Virginia senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced more than $4 million in federal funding for economic development projects in Southwest Virginia Monday. Two of those projects totaling $2 million include funding for projects in far Southwest Virginia.

The Appalachian Sustainable Development for the Food Sector Workforce Development in Central Appalachia Project to address new opportunities and challenges facing agricultural producers and food processors across Southwest Virginia will receive $1.5 million.

Also, $500,000 goes to St. Marys Health Wagon for the Expansion of Dental Services for Central Appalachia Project to facilitate education and training of new dental professionals in Clintwood, Virginia.

This funding was awarded through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative. The initiative provides grants to communities affected by severe job losses in the coal industry and the changing dynamics of Americas energy production.

We are excited to support this investment in Southwest Virginias economic development, a press release from Warner and Kaine said. These funds will create job, increase recreational opportunities, improve public health and make necessary advancements for Virginias underserved communities as we continue to support increasingly diverse local economics.
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.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told The (Morganton) News Herald that full-time employees at Catawba Brewing Co.s Morganton location were given layoff 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.

The brewery got its start in Glen Alpine in 1999 by brothers Scott and Billy Pyatt, eventually growing to five brewing locations and six tasting rooms 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 Co. The company just last month merged with Faubourg Brewing Co. in New Orleans, with its headquarters to be set there, according to a news release from Faubourg.

Alexi Sekmakas, CEO of Made By The Water, said 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 he declined to give specifics on the offers.

Sekmakas also said White Zombie, Catawba Brewings flagship beer, would continue to be brewed in North Carolina.

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 is 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 might 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.

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 1,070 signatures at noon Monday.
At 10 o'clock on 16 October, all the cadres and staff of Hunan Overseas Chinese Federation watched live broadcast of the opening meeting of the 20th CPC National Congress.

Hunan Overseas Chinese Federation held a seminar.

On October 16, All the cadres and staff of Hunan Overseas Chinese Federation watched live broadcast of the opening meeting of the 20th CPC National Congress, and held a seminar on the content of the meeting.

During the seminar, Sun Minsheng, Party secretary of Hunan Overseas Chinese Federation, led to learn from the contents of the report of the 20th CPC National Congress, Li Zuyuan, a member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Chairman of the Federation, Zhang Xin, Mao Binghua, Vice Chairman of the Federation, and the participating cadres all shared their learning experience based on their own practice and work.

Li Zuyuan said that the 20th CPC National Congress is a very important congress held at a critical moment in the march towards the second centenary goal. The report provided a comprehensive summary of the work done since the 19th CPC National Congress, which has further strengthened the belief of overseas Chinese to followthe Party, enhanced the confidence of hard work. With the theme of studying and propagating the spirits of the 20th CPC National Congress, the Federation will vigorously publicize the historical achievements made by the Party and the people under its leadership, the advantages of China's system, and the adherence to the People first theory, so as to further reinforced the ideological guidance tothe overseas Chinese.

Sun Minsheng pointed out that the Party group of Hunan Overseas Chinese Federation firmly support Comrade Xi Jinping's report at the 20th CPC National Congress. The report clearly defines what banner to hold, what road to take and what mental state to continue to advance in the future. All cadres and staff of the Federation should learn and understand the spiritual essence, use the spiritsof 20th CPC National Congress to unify their thoughts, hold fast to the "Two Upholds", and show the absolute loyalty of overseas Chinese federation to the Party through practical actions. We should preach the spirits of the 20th CPC National Congress to the overseas Chinese community, and unite the masses of overseas Chinese to listen to and follow the Party.

Sun Minsheng said that we should adhere to the guidance of party constructionand to the People first theory, safeguard the fundamental rights and interests of returned overseas Chinese and the family members of overseas Chinese, and serve overseas Chinese wholeheartedly. We should also adhere to high-quality development, put the work of the overseas Chinese Federation into the overall work of the Party committee and of the government, to safe development, establish the overall national security concept, to protect the survival and development of overseas Chinese abroad.
Medicare has been thorough in responding to a cyber incident. Photo: Shutterstock

One of Australia's largest private health insurance providers has suffered a major cyber security incident.

Medibank, which covers 3.7 million people as of 2021, reported unusual activity on its network on 13 October and immediately engaged a specialised cyber security firm, as well as an investigation into whether any sensitive data, such as customer records, had been illegitimately accessed.

The company also took down access to customer systems in an effort to isolate the incident and reduce the chances of system damage and data loss.

Medibank went on to provide regular, detailed updates on the incident via its website, and on 14 October, announced having already sent around 3.7 million informational emails to current and former customers of Medibank and ahm health insurance  the private health insurance company which operates as a member of the Medibank group.

"I apologise and acknowledge that in the current environment this news may make people concerned," said Medibank CEO David Koczkar.

"Our highest priority is resolving this matter as transparently and quickly as possible."

As of 17 October, Medibank has reported there is no evidence of customer data having been removed from its network as a result of the cyber security incident, however, due to the response measures taken by Medibank, users of ahm and international student policy systems were unable to access relevant services between Thursday 13 October and early Friday 14 October.

This disruption to services was an intentional decision by Medibank made in order to mitigate potential damage while the suspicious network activity was investigated.

"This was done out of an abundance of caution, and it enabled Medibank to provide additional protection of customer data on that system," said Medibank.

"We apologise for the disruption this incident caused some of our customers yesterday, but we have made good progress with our systems overnight," said Koczkar on 14 October.

"We took the necessary precautions to protect the data of our customers, people and other stakeholders, and we will continue to do so."

Is it ransomware?

Medibank's apparent cyber security incident is still developing, and the finer details are yet to wholly surface  however, communications from Medibank indicate the aforementioned suspicious network activity was consistent with precursors to a ransomware event.

"Medibank has contained the ransomware threat but remains vigilant and will take necessary steps in the future to protect its operations and its customers data," said Medibank.

Given the current trend of big brands suffering major data breaches, attacks of this nature tend to attract scrutiny and customer concern.

Medibank has demonstrated a thorough, fast response to the incident, and has engaged cyber security experts in dealing with the attack, as well as a multitude of relevant government agencies.

"We have spoken with the Australian Cyber Security Centre, APRA, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Private Health Insurance Ombudsman, the Department of Health and the Department of Home Affairs over the course of the day to ensure that our regulators and other key stakeholders are informed."

Medibank has also said it is working in an open and cooperative manner with the Australian Cyber Security Centre, the Australian Government's lead agency for cyber security, to receive information and intelligence' relevant to the incident.

To date, Medibank's ongoing investigation and management of the incident seem to have revealed no direct proof of ransomware infection or customer data loss.

"Medibank systems were not encrypted by ransomware during this incident and there is no indication that the incident was caused by a state-based threat actor."

What should Medibank customers do?

Medibank has said customers will be kept up-to-date as the situation evolves, and has stressed that Medibank will never make contact in request of passwords or other sensitive information.

While customers are being advised there is nothing they need to do for the time being, they are advised to remain vigilant of any suspicious emails or SMS messages regarding insurance or Medibank services.

As for the impact to Medibank, the potential ransomware attack and subsequent shut down of certain systems could be responsible for a trading dip, as shares resumed trading down nearly three per cent today.

Medibank has assured investors the incident has not disrupted its business momentum, as it continues to liaise with customers and stakeholders via ongoing updates.
Microsoft has been accused of using a huge network of tax havens and subsidiaries to minimise the quantum of tax it pays in Australia, a report from a tax transparency group claims.

The Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research said in a 36-page report that while Microsoft reported an operating profit of more than 30% to shareholders, the financial reports from its subsidiaries in the UK, Australia and New Zealand among other countries listed profit as being between 3% and 5%.

The report, which needs to be read in its entirety to understand the scale of these tax-minimisation operations, pointed out that Microsoft's Irish subsidiaries took in profits from around the world and paid nothing in corporate taxes.

"The Irish subsidiary Microsoft Round Island One has previously made headlines for its US$315 billion (A$506.4 billion) annual profit  nearly equivalent to three-quarters of Irelands GDP  and a corporate tax bill of zero dollars, thanks, in part, to its tax residency in Bermuda," the report claimed.

Profits from Microsoft's operations in Australia were handled through another Irish company, Microsoft Ireland Research, it said.

CICTAR said the alleged global shifting of profits could be studied better in Australia due to the stricter tax transparency requirements.

"In Australia, Microsofts primary subsidiary is Microsoft Pty Ltd, which is owned by both Microsoft Ireland Research (MIR; over 99% of stock) and Microsoft Ireland Operations Ltd (MIOL; less than 1%); MIOL is also owned by MIR, registered at the same address in Dublin, with the same Matsack Trust as company secretary," the report said.

"MIR was owned by Microsoft Luxembourg USA Mobile S.a.r.l., incorporated in Luxembourg  which was listed as a subsidiary of MIOL in its 2020 annual report. ... MIR is now owned by Microsoft Round Island One, incorporated in Ireland, but tax-resident in Bermuda and owned via a Bermuda holding company."

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

The report said MIRs 2020 turnover in Ireland was entirely from royalties, with additional income from dividends and transactions relating to other global Microsoft subsidiaries.

"MIR had income from royalties of US$33.5 billion in 2020 and US$25.8 billion in 2019 but reported income tax expenses of only US$1.8 billion (2020) and US$1.2 billion (2019)," CICTAR pointed out.

"Among the charges that reduced its profits were about US$6.5 billion per year in research and development costs. MIRs tax expenses were significantly lower, as a share of the reduced profit before tax, than the already low Irish statutory corporation tax rate of 12.5%.

"MIRs 2020 annual report lists 18 subsidiaries, including two in the Isle of Man, one in Singapore, but do not include the Australian company. Along with Bermuda, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, the Isle of Man and Singapore are frequently used as tax havens by multinationals.

"MIOL and three LinkedIn Irish subsidiaries, registered at the same Dublin address, are also listed as 100% subsidiaries of MIR and all serviced by Mathesons and Matsack Trust."

CICTAR said another Irish subsidiary was tax-resident in Bermuda and at the centre of the software behemoth's global web of subsidiaries.

It claimed Microsoft Global Finance had more than US$100 billion in investments and paid no tax in 2020, even though it had an operating profit of US$2.352 billion from transferring funds from one subsidiary to another around the globe.

The report alleged Microsoft used a vast network of subsidiaries to game its taxes. "It traces billions of dollars in financial flows between companies that have zero employees and claim residency in known secrecy jurisdictions including Luxembourg, Singapore, Bermuda, Ireland, and the Netherlands," the report said.

Microsoft is being audited by the US Internal Revenue Service at the moment, one of biggest audits conducted by the authority.

Regarding revenue from governments in Australia, CICTAR said Microsoft had been awarded more than A$634 million in Federal Government contracts, and A$270 million just since 2017.

"The majority of these contracts are for Defence (A$90 million), Services Australia (A$42 million), the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (A$13 million), the Digital Transformation Agency (A$11 million) and the Department of Home Affairs (A$10 million)," the report said.

"The remaining A$100 million in contracts is spread across a wide range of federal government agencies. In addition, Microsoft receives contracts at other levels of government.

In New South Wales, Australias largest state in terms of economic activity, Microsoft received more than $14 million in contracts over the same period. In the state of Victoria, a 'rapid evaluation process' saw Microsoft gain a contract to provide a cloud-based vaccination management platform in the second year of the pandemic.

"Unlike in other states, the cost of the platform increased over the course of the contract, from an initial cost of A$5.8 million over six months to A$18 million over 18 months. Notably, the states Department of Health, which issued the contract, is a heavy user of Microsofts existing products."

Microsoft was contacted for comment on Monday morning and a response sought by noon. The company is yet to respond to iTWire's inquiry.

Back in January 2020, the non-profit ProPublica issued a lengthy report about how Microsoft had fought back in court against moves by the IRS, lobbied Congress and got laws changed to favour the company.

And in March this year, Microsoft sacked employees and ended some of its partnerships in the Middle East and Africa as part of its investigations, following allegations of kickbacks and bribery in its operations in those regions.

Thanks to InnovationAus for a link to the report.
Amazon.sa has unveiled its new office in Riyadh that houses employees from various sectors of the companys operations in Saudi Arabia, including e-commerce, smart devices, Amazon Payments Services, Amazon Internet Services, and Amazon Advertising.

We are pleased to inaugurate our new office in the capital of the Kingdom, confirming our commitment to serving Amazon customers, vendor partners, and employees in the Kingdom, as well as supporting its social and economic growth in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, said Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President of Amazon Middle East and North Africa (MENA). We will continue to develop our investments in the Kingdom across various sectors, including e-commerce, smart devices, and Amazon Payment Services, among others.

Amazons new office is in the Riyadh Front Tower, an iconic destination offering an extraordinary urban experience that reimagines how people work, play, dine, shop, and share space. The tower, the tallest in the area, provides an ideal work environment to attract and retain talent in line with Amazon's mission to strive to be Earths Best Employer.

Since the launch of Amazon.sa in 2020, the company has recruited more than 1,400 talents in its various sectors, and the new office paving the way for attracting more local talent to join the company and to help Amazon innovate on behalf of customers.

With the opening of the new office, Amazon is also working to launch an initiative to empower and train Saudi talent by meeting with employees working in various functions across the company. Details about the initiative will be announced later this year, the company said.

At Amazon, we talk about hiring builders who will help us invent and innovate on behalf of our customers. This means investing in the right talent and people who are equipped to be customer obsessed and to continuously improve the customer experience, said Abdo Chlala, Director of GCC. With our new office, we look forward to welcoming not only our existing builders, but attracting and developing new talent through our upcoming talent program.

Since launching its operations in Saudi Arabia in 2020, Amazon has boosted its investments across the Kingdom and expanded its activities in various business sectors. Amazon has also provided hundreds of jobs and launched many local programs and products. For example, the Amazon Prime program offers free same-day delivery in Riyadh and Jeddah, and Amazon is introducing, for the first time ever, Alexa with an Arabic language option with the Khaleeji (Gulf) dialect.

Last March, Amazon.sa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Investment (MISA) and the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at). The MoU will enhance Amazon's presence in the local market, enable tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises to sell their products to millions of customers across the Kingdom, and help scores of entrepreneurs set up their logistics businesses.  TradeArabia News Service
Democratic incumbent Michael Frerichs and Republican Tom Demmer are competing for an office that deals primarily in dollars and cents, but issues from abortion to the failed graduated-rate income tax amendment have also found a way into the campaign for Illinois treasurer.

Frerichs, 49, a former state senator from Champaign, has touted his accomplishments over two terms in office, which he said include returning more unclaimed property to residents, starting new investment programs and making significant changes to the states Bright Start college savings program.

Demmer, 36, a state representative from Dixon, said hes trying to run with a focus on whats the states financial situation, what pressures do families have because of the taxes and the spending in Illinois.

Demmer has promised to serve as a check on Democratic-dominated state government while also emphasizing his experience as budget point person for House Republicans in Springfield.

One of his main lines of attack on Frerichs is over remarks the treasurer made in 2020, when he said voter approval of a graduated income tax on the ballot that November could open the door to conversations about whether the wealthiest retirees should have some of their retirement income taxed.

The comment was seized upon by Republicans, even as Frerichs went on to repeatedly insist he opposed any state tax on retirement income.

Demmers website features a petition that reads Do you agree that we should protect, NOT tax, Illinois citizens retirement? Let Tom know you stand with him!

Frerichs said Demmer is using the retirement income tax argument simply to distract voters.

I do not support and will not support the retirement tax, Frerichs said. My opponent knows this. He continues to repeat this lie, and I think its because he is scared to talk about his extreme positions.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a debate this month that he would not take another swing at implementing a graduated income tax in Illinois, which suffered a bruising defeat at the hands of voters in 2020.

But Demmer told the Tribune he is convinced the graduated income tax proposal will be back.

I dont believe that the graduated tax is dead in the water, he said. The spending trend of the last couple of years has shown that while voters rejected that graduated tax in 2020, Democrats continue to spend as if they approved it.

Demmer was one of only two candidates on a Republican slate backed by billionaire Ken Griffin to survive the primary in June. Frerichs has tried to question Demmers appetite for the treasurers post.

He wanted to be secretary of state and hasnt bothered to really study this job, Frerichs said. He said he was running for secretary of state until Ken Griffin told him we have a candidate for secretary of state and then he announced for treasurer.

Demmer did not respond directly when asked about Frerichs claim that he wanted to run for secretary of state, instead pointing to his experience working on financial issues in Springfield.

The treasurers office is one where I see a real opportunity for somebody to speak up more about the condition of Illinois finances, about how tax-and-spend policies affect Illinois families, he said.

Frerichs also said Demmer has waffled on his support for Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey, depending on the audience. Bailey, branded by Pritzker as too extreme for Illinois, was endorsed by former President Donald Trump in the primary and handily defeated Griffins candidate, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin.

Demmer said he has not endorsed Bailey, nor has Bailey endorsed him. In an Aug. 9 news conference, Demmer said yes when asked whether Bailey would make a good governor, but said he disagreed with Baileys controversial comparison of abortion to deaths in the Holocaust.

I dont think the Holocaust should be used as a comparison with anything, he said.

In an election year during which womens reproductive rights are front and center, Frerichs has worked to make abortion an issue in the race, even while acknowledging choice doesnt have much to do with the treasurers office.

Frerichs has argued that Demmer, who received a fully pro-life rating from Illinois Right to Life in June, has adapted his position depending on his audience.

If he says no, I support reasonable exceptions (for legal abortion), then I think the people of Illinois Right to Life would like to know that before they vote based on his survey, he said.

In response, Demmer said that Frerichs comments are consistent with his constant deception and deflection of responsibility.

Demmer accused Frerichs of trying to get attention by talking about abortion instead of the important fiscal issues facing Illinoisans to deflect from his dismal record of increasing taxes and spending.

He continues to prove he is not the fiscal watchdog the people of Illinois need, Demmer said.

There is one issue on which both candidates agree. Demmer and Frerichs have each stated their support for merging the treasurers office with the comptrollers office, which oversees the states checkbook.

Its a perennial election-year issue that would need to be executed in a constitutional amendment approved first by three-fifths majorities in both chambers of the legislature and then by voters. Such a referendum has never gone on the ballot, but both candidates said theyd support the idea.

Frerichs offered a technical take on how such a merger might unfold, noting that some responsibilities the treasurer and the comptroller currently split might need to be delegated.

You could take some of the incompatible duties and give them to the attorney general or the auditor general, or the secretary of state or to the governors office and then still find some economies of scale, still have a reduction in duplicate services and save the taxpayers money, he said.

Demmer has filed legislation in Springfield that would begin the process of putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot, and cast the issue as a common sense reform.

The important part is that Illinois voters are given the chance to weigh in on this and do something that has for years been talked about as an opportunity for some streamlining and savings, but has always been stymied by some kind of backroom force under the Capitol dome, he said.

The treasurer also is the steward of the states 529 college savings program, Bright Start. Frerichs office switched the contract for supervising the funds under Bright Start from Oppenheimers OFI Private Investments to Union Bank and Trust in 2017 in an effort to reduce fees and offer more investment choices.

We took our program from one of the worst in the nation, a bronze rating, to literally tied for first, a gold grade, Frerichs said.

Demmer questioned that rosy picture of the college savings program, noting that his 5-year old daughters Bright Start account had seen double-digit losses along with the rest of the stock market.

He said he wasnt worried about his own childs savings account, but about older children who are closer to needing to put that money toward tuition.

Having a loss when you still have 13 years before you need the money, thats all part of the long-run investing, but thats a very different story from somebody who is losing double digits and theyre 17 years old, he said.

Demmer added that the treasurer should be more proactive in communicating with families about their risk profiles and helping them come up with good investing strategies.

Frerichs accused Demmer of fearmongering over Bright Start and said his opponent doesnt understand the program.

We have structured for parents an option that will move them more out of equities and into bonds as they get closer to their childs graduation, he said.

If parents are following the age-adjusted investing guidelines, Frerichs said, their accounts will be much more stable when the stock market dips.

Demmer said hed work to implement a program passed in the federal 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that allows families to use 529 accounts to help pay for private elementary and secondary education.

Frerichs said hed put such a program into effect if the General Assembly implemented it for Illinois  while pointing out that, as a legislator, Demmer has more power over that than he does but has not acted on the issue.

Rep. Demmer had no interest in filing legislation to make these changes while serving in the statehouse, he said.

Frerichs has reported having considerably more campaign cash than Demmer. He had more than $2 million in his campaign fund on July 1 and as of Friday had reported raising nearly $755,000 in additional contributions, state records show.

Demmer began the general election period on July 1 with more than $465,000 cash on hand in his campaign fund and as of Friday had reported receiving nearly $94,000 in additional large-dollar contributions, state records show.

Chicago Tribunes Dan Petrella contributed.
The board of directors of F.N.B. Corp. declared Monday a quarterly cash dividend of 12 per share on its common stock. The dividend is payable Dec. 15 to shareholders registered as of Dec. 5.

At last count, F.N.B. has three branches in Forsyth County, 31 in the Triad and Northwest N.C., and 81 in North Carolina. In the past year, F.N.B. has been on a branch-opening spree in Charlotte and the Triangle.

On Oct. 5, F.N.B. said it has received all regulatory clearances for its proposed $117 million purchase of UB Bancorp of Greenville. The deal is projected to close in December.

F.N.B. Corp. has chosen to buy UB to fill in market-share gaps in the Triangle and eastern North Carolina.

UB has 15 Union Bank-branded ranches and $1.2 billion in total assets as of March 31. Unions only Triad presence is a loan-production office in Burlington.

F.N.B. projected having $43 billion in total assets when adding UB, as well as moving from 11th to eight in N.C. market share at about $7.2 billion.
Food Network and Netflix star Alton Brown will bring his Beyond the Eats - The Holiday Variant tour to the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts in Greensboro at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16.

Brown became famous in the world of food television with the Food Networks Good Eats and later was the host of Iron Chef. He currently is the host of the Netflix reboot Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend.

Fans can expect more cooking, more comedy, more music and more potentially dangerous science stuff with a sprinkle of seasonal spices, Brown said of the holiday tour. Plus, youll see things Ive never been allowed to do on TV.

The show is also interactive. Prepare for an evening unlike any other, and if I call for volunteers  think twice, he said.

Tickets start at $35, plus tax and fees. For more information, visit tangercenter.com.
A renewable energy company says it will seek state approval for six solar projects that would be among the largest in North Carolina and have the capacity to produce a combined 480 megawatts of electricity  enough to power the equivalent of about 67,000 typical homes at one time.

California-based Cypress Creek Renewables will file applications for the facilities with the N.C. Utilities Commission this week, a company spokesperson told the Journal Monday.

Based on other Cypress Creek projects in North Carolina, total investment in the new power plants would likely top $500 million.

The solar farms, if approved and fully operational, would reduce emissions that contribute to climate change by 370,000 tons per year, the equivalent of taking 71,000 cars off the road, according to Cypress Creek.

Two of the 80-megawatt projects are planned in Duplin County, with the others in Bladen, Jones, Onslow and Wayne counties.

Cypress Creek has submitted proposals with Duke Energy to sell electricity generated by the solar farms directly to the utility, and there likely will be stiff competition from other projects.

While Duke originally planned on committing to at least 700 megawatts of additional solar capacity from new projects through its 2022 solar procurement program, the utility has received eligible proposals totaling nearly 5,000 megawatts, spokesman Randy Wheeless said Monday.

We are awaiting a N.C. Utilities Commission decision on an approved (megawatt) target quantity, Wheeless added in an email.

Part of the planDukes future energy mix will be guided by the states so-called carbon plan when it is approved this year by the utilities commission. That plan will provide a path for meeting North Carolinas target of eliminating 70% of climate-related emissions, compared to 2005 levels, by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by mid-century.

Those standards were established by climate legislation passed by the N.C. General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper in October 2021.

The commission has received carbon plan proposals from Duke and other organizations and completed weeks of public hearings ahead of its final decision, which must come by the end of the year.

Cypress Creek spokeswoman Angeli Chandler said the company expects Duke to commit to between 1,200 and 1,500 megawatts of new solar energy this year.

While we hope to secure a contract with Duke Energy under (the 2022) procurement, there is a reasonable chance that Duke Energy will elect to contract with other projects submitted, Chandler noted. If a project is not selected, it can participate in the next annual Duke Energy procurement or choose to not proceed.

Construction on Cypress Creek projects accepted by Duke and approved by the utilities commission would likely begin in 2024 or 2025, she added.

Local land-use approvals, environmental studies, and reviews of grid compatibility and connection costs also would be part of the pre-installation process.

Clean-energy leaderboard

Cypress Creek Renewables says it has invested more than $2.3 billion in North Carolina projects and owns 145 solar and energy storage sites in the state. The company, which operates a 24-hour operations center in Durham, also runs more than 100 facilities for other owners and employs about 150 people in North Carolina.

The company already is seeking approval for a $104 million, 80-megawatt solar facility near Denton in Davidson County and a nearly $90 million, 74-megawatt project in Lenoir County.

Investments from companies like Cypress Creek are critical to meeting the states climate goals, said Matt Abele, spokesman for the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association.

As a whole, North Carolina has more than 8,000 megawatts of solar installed, so proposed projects like these would continue to add to our states leadership on the national clean-energy leaderboard, Abele explained.

North Carolina is fourth in the nation for solar capacity, behind California, Texas and Florida.
Two teenagers are dead and some residents of a nearby apartment complex were wondering about their safety on Monday, as police investigated a Sunday night shooting on an empty parking lot off Bethabara Park Boulevard on the north side of Winston-Salem.

Although police said there was no evidence the shooting was random or that that the public was in danger, some apartment residents said they worried what might happen next.

The investigation started when police were told that a man with a gunshot wound to the head had been taken to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist about 10:15 p.m. Sunday.

Police said the shooting victim, identified as Marcus Lee Marshall, 19, a resident of Britt Road, died soon after his arrival at the hospital.

The investigation stretched into the early morning hours of Monday, and led police officers to the parking lot at the end of Hunt Drive off Bethabara Park Boulevard. When police arrived they found the body of 17-year-old Corey Blake Simons in the lot. Simons, who lived on Vista Circle, had apparently been shot in the torso. Simons was a student at Reagan High School.

Police said their preliminary investigation showed that both teens were at the parking lot Sunday night when a dispute occurred and firearms were discharged. Police offered no information on how Marshall was brought to the hospital, and stressed that their investigation is ongoing.

Family members of the victims declined comment as they dealt with their grief.

The parking lot where the shooting took place is just to the west of Hunt Park Apartments, and appears to have been built for a housing development that was never constructed. The lot is located on what is called Deacon Way Court.

Angela Cooper, who lives at Hunt Park, said that shes seen people hanging out in the parking lot where the shooting took place, but never thought anything of it and hadnt seen any danger. She said she came home from work Sunday evening and went inside, and never heard any suspicious sounds, certainly not gunfire.

Monday morning, she said, she went outside and saw a lot of police cars, and homicide trucks on the lot. As she drove past, she said, she looked over and saw what looked like a black covering over a body.

Now it makes me scared, she said. Im terrified now because you never know, after you saw something like that, getting off at 7 it is dark and you never know.

Another resident was visibly shocked when she learned that a shooting had taken place just down the hill. She declined an interview saying she was worried she might become a victim.

Meanwhile, Reagan Principal Brad Royal was letting people connected with the school know that they had lost one of their own.

I am deeply saddened to share with you that last night we lost one of our Raiders, Corey Simons, Royal said in an email. As a family, we love and we grieve together. I ask that you please keep Coreys family in your thoughts and prayers. We will have counselors as well as our districts crisis support team on site tomorrow. If students need to talk at any time, please encourage them to ask their teachers to allow them to come to student services.

Police said the deaths of Marshall and Simons were the 25th and 26th homicides in Winston-Salem for 2022, compared with 33 homicides by the same date in 2021.

Police said anyone with information on the case should call police at 336-773-7700 or Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.
A 28-year-old man found guilty at trial of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old college student in Lincoln last year has been sentenced to 18 to 20 years in prison.

Victor Osuna-Veliz, of Grand Island, also will have to register as a sex offender for 25 years as part of his sentencing for first-degree sexual assault.

At trial in September, the woman, who is 19 now, said on the night of Sept. 22, 2021, she was a freshman and at her dorm at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln when one of her friends wanted to go meet a man she had met on Tinder. She and a third friend went with the woman to Sky View Homes off North 48th Street.

They met up with the man and two of his friends, who gave them alcohol. She and Osuna-Veliz, who went by Hector, eventually went into a camper and he led her to a bedroom.

She was OK with the kissing, but when Osuna-Veliz went further she said "no" and that she needed to go. She said he pushed her onto the bed and had sex without her consent.

When she got back to the dorm she saw the blood and her fat lip, realized what happened and started crying, she said at trial. She went to a hospital, where the incident was reported to police.

Defense attorney Tim Noerrlinger asked the judge to consider assessments that put Osuna-Veliz at a low risk to reoffend.

Lancaster County District Court Judge Kevin McManaman said while Osuna-Veliz essentially had a blank criminal record before this, the crime involved significant violence.

Supervision is necessary for the protection of the public and incarceration as well, the judge said.

Osuna-Veliz will have to serve nine years in prison before he's eligible for parole.
An unidentified man who robbed a Lincoln woman of her 2022 Mazda at gunpoint Saturday afternoon crashed the car minutes after stealing it and fled the scene, according to police.

The ordeal  which lasted less than 10 minutes  began just before 3 p.m. Saturday, when the 29-year-old woman called police and reported she was robbed of her Mazda CX30 by a masked man who was wielding a rifle, Lincoln Police Sgt. Chris Vollmer said.

The woman had been parking her car at 16th and S streets, near the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, when a red Ford Fusion pulled beside her, she told police.

The masked man got out of the Ford and demanded the woman open her door before he entered the Mazda, Vollmer said. Both cars fled the scene.

Four minutes after the woman called police, officers were dispatched to the intersection of State Fair Park Drive and Cornhusker Highway, where a vehicle later found to be the stolen Mazda was involved in a hit-and-run crash, Vollmer said.

The male driver got into another vehicle after totaling the Mazda in the crash, witnesses told police.

Police in Omaha later pursued a stolen Ford Fusion suspected to have been involved in the Lincoln incident  and allegedly connected to multiple drive-by shootings there  and apprehended two 17-year-old boys, Vollmer said.

The teens have not been arrested for any suspected involvement in the Lincoln robbery.
The victim suffered a laceration to his heart that required the emergency surgery at Bryan West Campus in Lincoln. His condition was upgraded from critical to serious Friday. He has since been released from the hospital.

Authorities on Thursday found a folding knife near the scene of the stabbing at the park, where Moore, wearing blood-stained clothes, remained in the aftermath of the alleged stabbing, Schwarz said in the affidavit for his arrest.

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.

Waverly Superintendent Cory Worrell said the district had no comment on the matter.

Moore had recently moved to Waverly, a community of about 4,000 just northeast of Lincoln. Wagner said the teen had moved to Nebraska from Colorado, where he had "some issues" that the sheriff described as criminal.

Pruess, the prosecutor, said Moore had been hospitalized in that state because of previous homicidal ideations.

Moore, she said, "had been thinking about doing it for a while."

Judge Joseph Dalton set the teen's percentage bond at $1 million. He must pay $100,000 to be released from the Youth Assessment Center, where he was held over the weekend without bond.

Dalton appointed the public defender's office to represent Moore after inquiries about the teen's ability to hire a private attorney were met with a shrug.

"I don't know," Moore told the judge. "You gotta talk to my mom about that."
New innovations for surgical robots, developments improving firefighting drones, and breakthroughs in long-acting HIV therapies helped move the University of Nebraska up on a list of patent-earning institutions.

The NU system tied for 64th on a list of the top 100 universities for earning U.S. patents in 2021, according to a report issued by the National Academy of Inventors and Intellectual Property Owners Association last week.

It marks the fifth straight year NU has appeared among the top universities around the world for patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and an improvement of 13 places from its 2020 ranking.

According to the annual ranking, NU finished behind the Ohio State University (50th) and Rutgers University (in a four-way tie for 60th) but ahead of Penn State University and Indiana University (tied for 73rd), and Michigan State University (84th).

NU, with its 43 patents, tied with Chinas Southwest Petroleum University.

Bob Wilhelm, vice chancellor for research and economic development at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said a boost in research funding from government and private sources has given faculty and student researchers more opportunities to develop ideas into marketable products.

At the same time, Wilhelm added, UNL and its technology transfer office  NUtech Ventures  is getting better at identifying research that could make a splash and be licensed by private companies for further development.

We can get as many patents as we want  there are many patents in the patent office that havent led to any particular product or impact in the world, Wilhelm said, but we are working at pursuing patents that companies are interested in making use of for their own products, systems and services.

NUtech Ventures executive director Brad Roth said the process for advancing from the research lab to the commercialization track is strenuous. Less than half of the inventions or innovations developed through UNL research make it through an initial screening process, he explained.

The novel discoveries that do have a decent chance at becoming licensed for commercialization, Roth said: We have an extremely high success rate compared to a lot of universities in terms of getting things licensed.

Research on improving a line of surgical robots led by UNL engineering professor Shane Farritor earned four patents in 2021. One was for a new quick-coupler to attach tools, while another was for an attachment that affords the robot more options for cauterizing and cutting.

Virtual Incision, the company that spun out of the research done on the surgical robots, has received $100 million in private investments since 2006, and recently was selected to take part in a 2024 trip to the International Space Station for testing.

Work done to improve a firefighting system mounted to an unmanned aerial drone also received a patent in 2021. Drone Amplified, a startup founded by UNL computing professor Carrick Detweiler, manufactures the drone platform that has been used to fight forest fires in several states.

Roth said other products, like a special mix of concrete capable of protecting sensitive data or energy infrastructure from an electromagnetic pulse being pioneered at the Peter Kiewit Institute, as well as safety barriers developed at the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility will continue to draw attention.

UNL is also eyeing future technology transfer opportunities when a proposed U.S. Department of Agriculture building opens at Nebraska Innovation Campus. The university successfully pitched a companion facility to state lawmakers that would take discoveries made at the USDA lab and turn them into commercial products.

There will be a need for intellectual property protection and commercialization, that whole transition piece, Roth said. Its still a little ways off, but its certainly on our minds.

At the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a potential treatment for HIV requiring one dose per year developed by Howard Gendelman and Benson Edagwa, earned three patents in 2021.

The startup company launched to commercialize Gendelman and Edagwas discoveries  Exavir  has won $4 million from investors to date.

Michael Dixon, president and CEO of UNeMed Corp., which serves UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said the technology transfer office also has a high rate of success turning discoveries into licensed products.

Of the 28 patents UNeMed Corp. registered in 2021, 23 have been licensed  an 82% hit rate for getting technology out the door, according to Dixon.

If we werent doing anything with them, I wouldnt think were successful, he added. I think we do a really good job of getting those technologies into the public so they can be developed further.

Dixon said he anticipates future technology growth in some of the research being done at UNMC in conjunction with the National Strategic Research Institute  one of 14 university-affiliated research centers sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Technologies like a portable isolation chamber that could be used in infectious disease hotspots, or devices capable of detecting weapons of mass destruction developed through research done in conjunction between UNMC and NSRI will be key to that growth, Dixon said.

According to Wilhelm, NUs improving position on the patent list, which has been published annually since 2013, will help spur further research and development at the states public university system.

Private partners look at a universitys track record and experience in deciding to invest in further research, Wilhelm said, while the federal government is putting an increased emphasis on research that leads to commercialization and economic growth.

Success in turning ideas into marketable products also helps draw talented faculty, staff, and students, he added.

It really comes down to talent, Wilhelm said. Thats the thing that really makes a difference in terms of having inventive ideas that lead to patents, licenses and new products.
OMAHA -- A man was found dead after Omaha police were called to a business early Sunday near 84th and Grover streets.

Around 3 a.m., police were called to investigate a man found down in a parking lot. The death was determined to be suspicious, and police are investigating it as a homicide.

Police also were investigating several injuries to people that occurred about 2:45 a.m. at the Tudor Heights apartments in northwest Omaha. Douth Gouk, 19, was taken from an apartment at 3414 N. 105th St. to CHI Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy with critical injuries, a police spokesman said.

Officers also found Didmar Jimenez, 18, with stab wounds a short time later outside a nearby fast-food restaurant at 108th Street and West Maple Road. Jimenez was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center with serious injuries.

A 24-year-old man with stab wounds went by private vehicle to the Nebraska Medical Center about 2:30 a.m. and was later transferred to Bergan. Investigators determined that Brandon Aguayo-Enriquez had been wounded near 33rd and O streets.

Anyone with information about these incidents may contact Omaha Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP or at www.p3tips.com or by downloading the p3tips mobile app. Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest in a homicide.
Qatar Airways has been named Airline of the Year by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax, for an unprecedented seventh time.



At a glittering event in London on Friday, the national carrier also took home three additional awards including Worlds Best Business Class, Worlds Best Business Class Lounge Dining, and Best Airline in the Middle East. Qatar Airways has been named Airline of the Year in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and now 2022.



The prestigious 2022 Skytrax awards are coveted within the industry due to their reputation as the benchmark for excellence and distinction. Qatar Airways home airport and hub, Hamad International Airport, was also recently voted the Worlds Best Airport 2022, taking home the award for the second year in succession, ensuring that passengers can relax and enjoy their flights knowing they are travelling with the Worlds Best Airline through the Worlds Best Airport.



The airlines premium cabin featuring the patented Qsuite, has been voted Worlds Best Business Class for the sixth year running while the Al Mourjan lounge was recognised for its outstanding culinary excellence and was awarded the Worlds Best Business Class Lounge Dining. In a further endorsement of its leading role not just in global aviation, but also within a highly competitive region, Qatar Airways was also announced as Best Airline in the Middle East, a strong affirmation of its reputation for excellence, a strong global network, leading global partnerships and every passenger journey having a touchpoint with Hamad International Airport.



Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, said: To be named as the Worlds Best Airline was always a goal when Qatar Airways was created, but to win it for the seventh time and pick up three additional awards is a testament to all the hard work of our incredible employees. Their continued dedication and drive is to ensure our passengers have the best experience possible when they fly with Qatar Airways.



To win these awards in the same year that we celebrate our 25th anniversary is even more rewarding and I want to offer a sincere thanks to all our passengers who voted for us. Your support drives us to greater achievements every day, we value your loyalty and aim to create memories of a lifetime when you fly with Qatar Airways.



Edward Plaisted of Skytrax said: "To receive the 2022 Worlds Best Airline award is a great recognition of Qatar Airways high standards, and recognises the hard work and dedication from every member of the airlines staff to satisfy customers. Qatar Airways were the largest airline to have flown consistently throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, with their network never falling below 30 destinations, and that determination has clearly been well recognised by customers with this award as Airline of the Year 2022. For Qatar Airways to achieve this top accolade for a seventh time is both a unique and remarkable achievement, and we congratulate them for this success.



The awards, widely known as the Oscars of the Aviation Industry, covered the 12 months from September 2021 to August 2022 with over 14 million eligible entries counted in the results, a period when Qatar Airways increased its global network back to over 150 destinations. The airline also earlier became the first global airline to receive the Skytrax Covid-19 Safety Rating in January 2021.



The Skytrax World Airline Awards are independent and impartial, introduced in 1999 to provide a customer satisfaction study that was truly global. Travellers across the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners.  TradeArabia News Service
Rep. Liz Cheney touched on what she called a key lesson from the Capitol attack investigation in her opening statement for the Jan. 6 Select Committees last hearing.

Cheney asked why Americans would assume the Constitution and institutions  U.S. democracy in general  would be invulnerable and not falter if assaulted again.

Our institutions only hold when men and women of good faith make them hold, regardless of the political cost, Cheney, R-Wyoming, said Friday. We have no guarantee that these men and women will be in place next time.

A month before the mid-term general elections, her statement and question are front and center as some Republicans in or campaigning for statewide offices that oversee elections still outright deny or cast doubt on Joe Bidens 2020 presidential election win.

Federal election security officials under former President Donald Trump announced that the election Biden won was the most secure in American history, with no evidence any voting system was compromised. Courts consistently have turned away baseless allegations of widespread voter fraud.

But Trumps so-called Big Lie that the election was rigged or stolen has resonated among his supporters, and many candidates seek to tap into Trumps base.

A Lee Enterprises review of its west region found four candidates for secretary of state offices who openly have denied or cast doubt on Joe Bidens victory  Republican Jim Marchant in Nevada; Republican Mark Finchem in Arizona; Republican Chuck Gray in Wyoming; and Independent Charles Tuttle in North Dakota.

Additionally, Wyomings interim secretary of state, Karl Allred, has said he would support Gray.

Some other candidates and officeholders have been coy about their thoughts or position on the 2020 election.

The Guardian in January reported that a group of Republicans running to serve as chief election officials in key swing states formed a coalition to share unfounded election fraud conspiracy theories and ideas to reshape election systems in ways that could overturn legitimate results in the next presidential race.

Jim Marchant  running for secretary of state in Nevada  leads the coalition. Marchant as recently as this month told Trump supporters at a rally that he and his coalition of secretary of state candidates will "fix the whole country" if elected and that Trump will be president again in 2024, according to the Guardian.

Mark Finchem, who attended the Jan. 6 riot, is campaigning for secretary of state in Arizona and is a prominent member of that "America First Secretary of State Coalition."

Finchem has suggested he wouldn't certify the vote if Biden won Arizona in 2024, according to an Arizona Daily Star story.

Some experts are unsure what might happen if election deniers gain more control overseeing state elections, but they dont see furor provoked by Trump subsiding soon.

Bruce Schulman is a U.S. historian at Boston University who says the risk to democratic institutions and traditions must be taken seriously.

However, Schulman noted, many Republican politicians arent true believers of election conspiracy theories. He referenced Sen. Ted Cruz as an example of someone embracing election denialism for political reasons.

The big question is what happens when push comes to shove, when those people who are not true believers, will either have to stand up for democratic practices or join the authoritarian bandwagon, Schulman said. I'm not sure what will happen.

Joseph Uscinski, a University of Miami professor who researches conspiracy theories, elections and politics, said its common for some voters to believe they were cheated after their chosen candidate loses.

Uscinski said whats different about the 2020 election is that the majority of Republicans now hold that belief because of the echo chamber cultivated by Trump, his allies in Congress and conservative media outlets.

With that said, its not clear to me that these high numbers are going to remain permanently, but I think theyre going to be with us for a while, Uscinski said.

Lisa Bryant, a California State-Fresno professor who is an expert in voter confidence and election administration, said she sometimes is told she is too optimistic.

While skeptical of politicians, Bryant said her optimistic view is that good policies and procedures will win the day if and when election deniers achieve oversight of elections because statewide elections are run so well and securely.

She thinks politicians who tout that the election was stolen are inflicting the most damage in state Legislatures, where  unlike state election offices  election codes and rules can be changed to make it tougher to vote.

We dont know yet what could happen if people got into really powerful positions as the state senior election official  like secretary of state  but we can see whats happening when theyre in state Legislatures, Bryant said. We can see in many places it has been made a little bit more difficult for people to be able to cast ballots.

Candidate quality issue

Uscinski said people believe conspiracy theories largely for the same reasons they believe anything else  a persons beliefs tend to be a reflection of who one is and how they view the world.

So those who still view the 2020 election as fraudulent likely wont change their view, Uscinski said, especially with the consistent reinforcement by conservative elites.

He said the Republican Party should take stronger control over who it allows to run in its primaries under the GOP banner.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in August acknowledged that Republicans have a candidate quality issue.

Some people should not be allowed to run under the party banner if theyre engaging in a bunch of wild-eyed nonsense, Uscinski said. I mean there are other people in Georgia who could run for Marjorie Taylor Greenes seat.

Trump reshaped the Republican partys structure. Uscinski said theres now a generation of politicians emboldened by Trump who are changing their tunes to match his.

He built a base for himself that is less about traditional Republicanism and conservatism and much more about antagonisms toward the political establishment as a whole, Uscinski said. And oftentimes those antagonisms are expressed as conspiracy theories.

GOP confidence drops more

Bryant, who is a part of the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, said there is some level of a winner effect on voter confidence after an election.

Voter confidence  how confident a person feels that ballots are counted as intended  always goes up among people who voted for a winner and down in those who chose the loser, Bryant said.

But the difference is that traditionally Democrats lose only a little confidence while Republican confidence goes down more, she said.

Bryant said what would boost confidence but largely goes under-reported or unnoticed is how IT departments and election offices are keenly aware of the evolving election landscape and are updating to handle it.

She worries about local election officials  essentially civic-minded volunteers from the community  being forced to bear the brunt of conspiracy theorist harassment. Bryant noted that election administrators in a county clerks office in a small Texas county resigned because of threats.

My hope, as always, is even if people who are election deniers get elected into office  that once there they will see that the majority of people running the elections are just bureaucrats, Bryant said. They are friends and neighbors  people they go to church with or bowling with or whatever  and that they are just following procedures.

They are not people sitting in offices with grand schemes to try to change election results.

Parallels, precedents in US history

Schulman, who contributes his U.S. history insights to some national news outlets, said there are no cases historically that specifically resemble Trumps efforts.

But Schulman noted that there are many pertinent parallels and precedents.

He pointed to a lengthy history of voter suppression, intimidation and violence surrounding elections and its relation to the countrys history of racial discrimination and white supremacy.

He said that most notoriously in the late 19th and early 20th century South, white people used a variety of sinister means  legal and extralegal  to deny non-whites the right to vote.

Some part  I cant say how much  of the explanation for how people believe claims of widespread fraud despite the lack of evidence is that fraud designates who voted, not how they voted, Schulman said.

In the early 1860s, Schulman emphasized that eleven states not only rejected Abraham Lincons election to president but seceded from the U.S. and launched a civil war rather than accept the result of an election they found unwelcome.

Schulman said there have been numerous close and contested elections in which supporters of the losing candidate saw the outcome as fraudulent or corrupt.

The most famous case, he explained, is the 1824 election in which none of the candidates received a majority in the Electoral College and the decision went to the House of Representatives.

Candidate Henry Clay gave his support to John Quincy Adams, who defeated the biggest vote-getter  Andrew Jackson  and Clay became Adams secretary of state.

The apparent deal, denounced as the Corrupt Bargain by Jackson supporters, led to widespread Jacksonian complaints about the legitimacy of the result and Adams subsequent presidency, Schulman said.

Here are brief views into some states from journalists  Joshua Wolfson, Sam Wilson, Nathan Thompson, Mychel Matthews, Jack Dura, Dave Bundy, Corey Jones and Hayley Day  in Lee Enterprises' west region:

Wyoming

In Wyoming, the secretary of state is the No. 2 elected official.

Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Buchanan departed office in September for a judgeship in his hometown, choosing that over seeking re-election this year.

Buchanan, a Republican, sought to push back against claims that election integrity was an issue in Wyoming. He traveled around the state to give presentations to groups about why Wyoming elections are safe and secure.

State Rep. Chuck Gray won the Republican nomination in August for secretary of state and is running unopposed in the general election. Gray has called Bidens election fraudulent and illegitimate on Twitter.

Grays platform focuses on voter fraud and banning ballot drop boxes, even though voter fraud is extremely rare in Wyoming. He briefly ran for U.S. House against Liz Cheney, and made a point of visiting the Arizona recount.

The interim secretary of state  Karl Allred  was appointed in October. Allred is a member of the Wyoming Republican State Central Committee, and he said he would support Gray.

Allred hasnt said that Wyomings existing elections are secure. But within days of taking office, he asked county clerks to remove absentee ballot drop boxes even while acknowledging there have been no reported issues with them.

The final decision on whether to do so remains in the hands of the seven clerks in counties that provide ballot drop boxes.

Montana

Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, a Republican, was elected to her current term in 2020. She will be up for reelection in 2024.

Her predecessor, Corey Stapleton, was the most prominent elected GOP official in Montana to acknowledge Trump's loss shortly after the 2020 election was called.

But Jacobsen has never publicly addressed the 2020 election conspiracy theories, other than to say Montanas elections are secure and to note that the states tabulating machines dont connect to the internet.

She has aggressively lobbied for legislation similar to Republican-backed legislation elsewhere in the country to improve election integrity and security. Opponents have said the measures, including tighter voter ID requirements and earlier registration deadlines, limit access to voting.

The only official comment from her office on broader conspiracy theories related to the 2020 election came from her chief legal counsel during a trial in August.

Austin James acknowledged giving testimony in a deposition, under oath as Jacobsen's representative, in which he referred to those pushing those claims as "wingnuts" and described efforts to eliminate tabulators from the state as crazy.

South Dakota

Monae Johnson is a Republican candidate campaigning for secretary of state in South Dakota on election integrity.

Johnson hasnt agreed to interview requests from the Rapid City Journal.

In a July media release posted on her campaign website, Johnson said she understands the challenges in the coming months as the radical left continues its assault on election integrity  despite the fact that its Trump and his Republican supporters who question or deny the 2020 presidential election results.

She referenced South Dakotas elections as fair, transparent and secure.

Her Democrat opponent, Tom Cool, acknowledges on his campaign website that there is no evidence of widespread manipulation of the election process in the last election.

Local media are the chief source of information for voters and we need to ensure that the media are fully informed on the election process and that they have open access to election officials and results, Cool says on his website.

Idaho

In Idaho, the attorney generals race has drawn attention.

Lawrence Wasden, the states longest-serving attorney general, was beaten in the Republican primary by former U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador.

Wasden had declined to join Texas lawsuit against Georgia and other states that contested the 2020 presidential election, which rankled elected Republicans in Idaho. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Texas suit.

Throughout the campaign, Labrador said that as attorney general he would be aggressive in actions taken against the federal government and against big government overreach. Labrador said he would have joined lawsuits over the 2020 presidential election.

Democrat candidate Tom Arkoosh has said he accepts the results of the 2020 presidential election. Arkoosh is touting support from dozens of Republicans  many are former office holders  who are concerned Labrador will politicize the AGs Office.

North Dakota

Independent Charles Tuttle, vying to be North Dakotas secretary of state, is a Trump supporter who has said Trump won the 2020 election.

The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation in August searched his Minot home and seized 15 time cards in connection with an investigation into fraud allegations related to signature collection for a ballot measure for term limits on North Dakota lawmakers and the governor. No arrests resulted from the warranted search.

Secretary of state candidates Jeffrey Powell, a Democrat, and Michael Howe, a Republican, discussed election administration during a candidate forum in May.

Howe said he is comfortable with our election process the way it is but that he is willing to make improvements if it would become easier to vote and harder to cheat.

Powell said North Dakota has a secure voting system and that he doesnt have major changes from a procedural viewpoint.

North Dakota is a Republican-controlled state, with no Democrats holding statewide office.

Nebraska

Republican incumbent Bob Evnen is running unopposed for secretary of state.

In the May primary, Evnen defeated Bob Borer, a Trump supporter who campaigned heavily on election integrity as a member of the "America First Secretary of States Candidates" coalition.

Evnen and Gov. Pete Ricketts each have maintained that Nebraskas elections are safe and that Biden is president.

However, Ricketts is advocating for Initiative 432, which is a ballot measure to enact voter identification requirements.

Oklahoma

Oklahomas chief state election official is the secretary of the Oklahoma State Election Board, which is a position appointed by the leader of the Senate  a Republican.

Secretary Paul Ziriax in a letter to the State Legislature after the 2020 presidential election wrote that Oklahomas elections are free, fair, safe and secure.

In response to concerns after the Cyber Symposium hosted by Trump supporter and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, Ziriax probed data purporting to show evidence that cyber intruders electronically manipulated Oklahomas election.

Ziriax said an initial review showed the data did not appear to be credible and that a subsequent investigation by the state found the allegations to be entirely without merit.

Unfortunately, several Oklahomans have seen or read misinformation like that provided at the Cyber Symposium and on The Big Lie website and have demanded a so-called forensic audit of Oklahomas 2020 General Election  something that is neither justified by the evidence nor authorized under the laws enacted by the Legislature, Ziriax wrote.

Washington state

There is no official Republican candidate in Washington states secretary of state race.

Democrat incumbent Steve Hobbs was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee in November 2021 when the previous secretary of state accepted a federal position in the President Joe Biden administration.

His opponent, nonpartisan candidate Julie Anderson, is the auditor in Pierce County.
Slender shoots of green poke through the charred floor of the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey.

Hope, people say, in an area traumatized by a deadly wildfire that burned nearly 30 square miles of central Nebraska earlier this month.

But the future for this special area  where the Sandhills join with what was once described as

Questions surround whether to replant the forest, rebuild the 4-H camp and whether the public will return given how much of the forest has burned.

Overhanging everything is the risk of additional fires. Virtually all of Nebraska is in drought, many areas are tinder-box dry and the arrival of autumn means an uptick in strong winds.

"We aren't out of the woods," said Darren Clabo, South Dakota's state fire meteorologist. Clabo assisted Nebraska and federal officials in efforts to quash the fire, which was known as the Bovee fire. "We won't be out of the woods until we see snow cover."

In terms of replanting trees, Julie Bain, ranger for the Bessey District of the Nebraska National Forest, said multiple discussions will be necessary to decide next steps and there's no simple answer.

After a 1965 blaze known as the Plum fire, volunteers hand-planted about 3,000 trees. That fire was caused by a lightning strike.

This is the second major fire this year at the Nebraska National Forest, and together they have claimed about half the trees that were there a year ago, according to Bain.

Those losses, combined with fires from previous years, mean that the forest at Halsey is about 30% of its original size, she said.

"It's not like there's no forest, it just looks different," she said.

Trees were first planted outside Halsey about 100 years ago as an experiment to see if they could survive in the otherwise grassy Sandhills. It was also thought that trees might increase precipitation. At the time, it was dubbed the world's largest hand-planted forest.

Questions also surround the future of the State 4-H Camp, which had drawn campers from around the state and was a popular regional draw for hosting weddings, proms, family reunions and community events.

Asked whether the camp would rebuild, Stuart Shepherd, executive director of the Nebraska 4-H Foundation, wrote via email: "Weve not had these conversations. We are still processing the overwhelming loss."

Shepherd said the 4-H Foundation will focus first on working through the insurance claim and cleaning up debris.

The buildings at the State 4-H Camp were owned by the 4-H Foundation and were insured, he said. The foundation board will meet with the claims agent this week. Sixteen of the 17 buildings at the camp were destroyed, including Eppley Lodge, the main conference center, the education center and all of the cabins.

Nebraska 4-H has scheduled a special thank you for firefighters, first responders, community members and others with ties to the camp. The barbecue will be from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 6 at Sandhills High School in Dunning. Reservations are requested so that 4-H can have an idea of attendance.

In the meantime, the organization is moving forward with next year's camp schedule, Shepherd said, and is looking at locations that could host 4-H campers.

Another big question, Bain said, is will visitors return to a fire-scarred landscape? A major attraction at the forest had been its 30-plus miles of off-road trails for all-terrain vehicles. That's the area that caught fire and a significant share of the trees there burned, she said.

The fire has been ruled accidental and occurred when an ATV caught fire, then ignited nearby trees.

"Are people going to want to come ride out here if there really isn't a forest?" Bain asked. "We don't know the answer to that."

The trails have been described as the best publicly available off-road system in the state. The Forest Service can't unilaterally relocate the trails to a less-affected area of the park, Bain said. Any action of that magnitude would require a lengthy review and public comment period.

If the fire leads to a drop in visitors, then the loss of activity would have a spillover economic impact on nearby communities.

"It's pretty important" to the local economy, Rodocker said. "We'll just have to wait and see what their plans are."

But Rodocker said that all thoughts right now are with the Moody family. People also are concerned about the economic losses suffered by area ranchers. Most of the land that burned was privately owned.

Of the 18,930 acres that burned, 5,130 were National Forest lands, 13,217 were privately owned and 583 were owned by the state.

For now, the focus is on making the National Forest safe enough for the public, Bain said. Firefighters are removing hazard trees  those most likely to fall across roads and trails.

Officially, the target reopening date is the end of November, but Bain said her hope is that the forest will reopen sooner.

"The immediate goal is to get the forest opened up again," she said. "This is public land for the public to enjoy."

For all that was lost, Bain said it could easily have been much worse: more people could have died.

The fire occurred early on a Sunday afternoon, which is not nearly as busy as a Saturday, when hundreds of people are in the park.

Additionally, three riders whose off-road vehicles quit working after the fire started were rescued by a firefighter who went hunting for them.

Another disaster was averted because firefighters were able to keep the fire away from the Bessey Nurserys pesticide shed. If the shed had caught fire, all firefighters would have had to immediately evacuate because of toxic fumes.

"We would have lost everything," she said. "There are always 'what-ifs.' In some ways, we were lucky."

Both Bain and Shepherd took note of new grass they'd seen after the fire.

"There is grass coming up through the ashes," Shepherd said at a post-fire community meeting. "There are new pine cones on the ground ... those are all signs of hope."
SOUTH SIOUX CITY  The city of South Sioux City is seeking damages from a national consulting firm for its role in marketing the addictive opioid painkiller OxyContin.

In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Omaha, the city, along with Sarpy County, says it is has incurred "substantial costs" because of opioid addiction that resulted from a "broad scheme to deceptively market opioids" by drug manufacturers with the help of McKinsey & Company, a New York-based consulting company hired by OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma to increase sales of the powerful painkiller.

South Sioux City and Sarpy County "... are experiencing a severe public health crisis and have suffered significant economic damages, including but not limited to increased costs related to public health, opioid-related crimes and emergencies, criminal justice and public safety," the lawsuit said.

South Sioux City continues to sustain damages for health care costs, providing addiction treatment and rehabilitation services and law enforcement and public safety training.

"Plaintiffs have expended substantial amounts of money to fix or mitigate the societal harms caused by McKinsey's conduct," the lawsuit said.

South Sioux City mayor Rod Koch said the city joined the lawsuit in hopes of claiming a share of a damage award that could help the city beef up the abilities of police and public safety to respond to opioid-involved cases.

"Like any other city, we're taking it very serious," Koch said. "We think there's going to be funds available, and we're trying to get reimbursed and get out in front of that. It will help with police training and education and safety measures."

It's one of dozens of similar federal suits filed against McKinsey by hundreds of cities, counties, school districts and Indian tribes across the country. It's believed to be the first filed by Nebraska municipalities. The suits follow a $573 million settlement McKinsey reached in February 2021 with 47 states over its role in helping to market and boost OxyContin sales. Nebraska's share of the settlement was nearly $2.6 million.

Widely reported by national media, drug makers continually downplayed the risks of deaths from overdoses and addiction to OxyContin and other opioids, aggressively marketing them to physicians to prescribe to their patients. The resulting so-called opioid crisis has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths nationwide and thousands more fighting addiction and related health issues.

The lawsuit alleges McKinsey and drug companies knew of the dangers, but continued their marketing strategies to maximize sales. It accuses them of unjust enrichment, conspiracy and racketeering committed through mail and wire fraud, using the mail and other means of communication to disseminate false and misleading information about the dangers of opioid use and creating a public health epidemic that is an ongoing public nuisance.

South Sioux City and Sarpy County, which includes several Omaha suburbs, are seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory damages for the costs caused by the opioid crisis, including health care, treatment and rehabilitation, law enforcement and public safety and other social services. Under federal law, those damages could be tripled.
At the beginning of the school year, Margret Hinze was both a special education teacher for grades six to 12, and a contestant in the Miss Racine Scholarship Competition.

One of her students joked that if she did not win, Miss Hinze could not be their teacher anymore.

It looks like they get to keep their teacher.
The Racine man who filed a federal lawsuit against a Racine County Sheriffs Office deputy, alleging excessive use of force, scored a significant victory after the judge hearing the case ruled against the deputys claim of qualified immunity  at least for now.

Deandre R. McCollum claimed in the federal suit his Fourth Amendment rights were violated by Deputy Edward Drewitz who tased him after he surrendered and allowed his K-9 partner, Friday, to repeatedly bite McCollum after he was on the ground and handcuffed.

Drewitz claimed he did not use excessive force and that, even if he did, he was protected by qualified immunity from the claim.

Body camera footage, viewable at youtube.com/watch?v=XGaVRywcke0, shows McCollum fleeing on foot from a traffic stop, falling in the backyard of a home, being bitten by Friday, saying he was surrendering, Friday being pulled back by Drewitz but then Friday getting away and biting McCollum again, and at least once being tased.

Judge J.P. Stadtmueller, originally nominated to the court by then-President Ronald Reagan in 1987, ruled that it would be up to the jury to decide if there was excessive use of force and only then could the issue of qualified immunity be examined.

A trial in McCollum v. Drewitz was scheduled to begin in U.S. District Court-Eastern District of Wisconsin on Monday, Oct. 17. However, Stadtmueller has cleared his calendar for undisclosed reasons. The case will be rescheduled at a later date.

Summary judgment

McCollums lawsuit has been making its way through the federal court process since it was filed in March 2021.

In August 2022, Drewitz filed a motion for summary judgment, a legal procedure that asks the court to make a judgment on the merits of the case before trial and is used when there are no material disputed facts.

The court summarized Drewitzs motion as follows:

The deputys actions were reasonable under the circumstances.

He did not violate the Constitution.

If the Constitution was violated, Drewitz is entitled to qualified immunity because the law was not clearly established and he was therefore not noticed that his actions could be unlawful/unconstitutional.

Stadtmueller denied the motion, writing, Because the facts of the case present significant issues only capable of resolution by a jury, the court denies defendant Edward Drewitzs motion for summary judgement.

Qualified immunity

Qualified immunity has long been a hurdle to overcome on claims of excessive use of force.

The concept came from a 1967 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Qualified immunity can shield government representatives from lawsuits filed in connection to actions they took while going about their duties.

Critics of qualified immunity argue it is a shield that allows law enforcement to avoid culpability for excessive use of force by allowing law enforcement officers to argue they were not put on notice that their actions were problematic because the law was not clearly established, the language used by Drewitz in his request for summary judgment.

In court, law enforcement officers have successfully argued that because there are not similar cases, they could not be aware their actions represented excessive use of force.

As Reuters defines qualified immunity: The qualified immunity defense protects police and other government officials from civil litigation in certain circumstances, permitting lawsuits only when an individuals clearly established statutory or constitutional rights have been violated.

Case history On Aug. 13, 2018, Deputy Drewitz reported that he observed a person get into a vehicle and get out again with fast food. The driver of the vehicle was McCollum. Suspicious, Drewitz attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle being driven by McCollum, because the window tint on his vehicle was too dark. McCollum attempted to flee the traffic stop on Main Street in a pursuit that purportedly reached 65 mph. The pursuit concluded when McCollum swerved to miss another vehicle and crashed. McCollum, who was unarmed, fled on foot. He was apprehended by Friday and arrested by Drewitz. McCollum can be heard repeatedly pleading for help. In the body camera footage, McCollum can be heard saying, I give up and get this dog off me and All right, Ill stop, as the dog bites him. A subsequent search of the vehicle after the arrest turned up marijuana. McCollum ultimately pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute THC and fleeing/eluding law enforcement. The additional charges of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and two counts of resisting arrest were dismissed but read into the record.

Reasonable

As Stadtmueller noted, law enforcement officers will use force to apprehend a suspect and protect the public, but its not without limitations.

In cases where there are allegations of excessive use of force, the standard relies on the reasonable officer scenario, as Stadtmueller outlined in his denial of the summary judgment.

In determining whether an officers actions are reasonable, the jury will be asked to consider:

The severity of the crime connected to the suspect.

Whether the suspect posed an immediate threat to the safety of the officer/public.

Whether the suspect was actively resisting.

Stadtmueller reviewed the actions of both men in his analysis of Drewitzs use of a Taser on McCollum under the reasonable officer lens.

In Drewitzs body camera video, he can be heard to say lay on the ground while McCollum is on his knees, his hands were to his sides, his pants had been pulled down and Friday was biting his leg. When McCollum does not immediately get to the ground, Drewitz deploys the Taser, and McCollum goes down.

These are the facts of what is shown, the judge notes, but the inferences will have to be determined by the jury.

Would a reasonable officer have believed McCollum was a threat to the officer at this point? Was he still resisting arrest? Was he even aware of what Drewitz said considering a dog was biting his leg?

While one juror might find a reasonable officer would attribute McCollums actions to intentional resistance, the next juror might find a reasonable officer would think McCollum hadnt heard or understood his command to get on the ground, Stadtmueller wrote.

With his hands to his side, Drewitz could see McCollum had no weapon in his hands. Further, his pants had been pulled down by Friday, so he could not go to his waistband for a weapon if he had one, which he did not.

Would a reasonable officer believe that McCollum was still a threat? That is up to the jury to decide, Stadtmueller ruled. A reasonable juror might find that McCollum was still a threat because he could have a weapon somewhere on his body.

Since reasonable jurors could draw divergent inferences from the fact about whether it was reasonable for Drewitz to believe McCollum was still actively fleeing or presented a threat to officer or public safety, the court declines at this time to decide whether Drewitz is protected by qualified immunity for use of the taser, Stadtmueller wrote.

Second confrontation

During the August 2018 arrest, Drewitzs body camera shows that after McCollum was handcuffed and on the ground, Drewitz released Friday, who attacked McCollum immediately.

Drewitz claims in the suit that he released Friday in order to use his radio, and the dog was back under his control within three seconds.

In that three seconds, McCollum was bitten multiple times by the dog on his upper torso, while he was on the ground handcuffed.

Drewitz claimed that, at most, the action was negligent and not actionable in the case.

Stadtmueller disagreed writing, Whether Drewitz intended to release the dog or was merely negligent in doing so is irrelevant. Even accidental uses of force can implicate the Fourth Amendment reasonableness standard.

The issue, too, would have to go before the jury, the court ruled.

Drewitz was described in court documents as being primarily a drug enforcement officer who worked with a K-9 partner, Friday.
Editor's Note: The online version of this story has been updated to include a statement from Joel Jacobsen and to add a clarification in the section titled "ABSENTEE."

Leaked phone call recordings allegedly show a write-in candidate for the state Legislature from Racine County, Adam Steen, making misogynistic comments, calling some of his own supporters stupid, openly considering breaking election law for a stunt, and agreeing with a statement that his own volunteers are legitimately barbaric.

WisconsinRightNow, a conservative online-only news outlet, reported for the first time Monday on what it says were secretly recorded phone calls between Steen and top Republicans.

In a statement, Steen did not deny any allegations regarding what he said in the recorded phone calls. He said: I recently learned that someone I believed to be a trusted friend and volunteer campaign staff member made an unauthorized disclosure of archival data from both my campaign and private business.

Steen also stated that the leaked audios were a desperate and blatantly political attack intended to derail my campaign just weeks before the election, and called his opponent, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a weak and corrupt  lying coward.

Steen is in a unique three-way race to represent Wisconsin Assembly District 63 against the incumbent, Vos, and Democrat Joel Jacobsen. Steen lost to Vos by 260 votes in a Republican primary that ended Aug. 9.

In a phone interview with The Journal Times on Saturday, prior to the publication of WisconsinRightNows expose, Steen expressed confidence that he would defeat Vos in the general election. Steen also had been confident that he would defeat Vos by 20 points in the primary when in actuality Vos ended up winning by 2.6 points, the narrowest margin of Voss political career.

Now, Steen and Jacobsen are running as write-ins against Vos ahead of the Nov. 8 Election Day.

Steen and Vos did not immediately reply to requests for comment on this story. Jacobsen declined to comment.

In his statement, Steen said he has no plans to give up on his campaign. I will be undeterred and will continue to offer the voters of this district a candidate willing to fight for those values we hold most dear, his statement concluded.

District 63 primarily includes the southern half of Racine County west of Highway 31.

Leaked conversations

According to WisconsinRightNows reporting, Steen had been recording conversations using the archive function of a phone application his campaign staff was using. A staff member who quit allegedly shared those archived recordings with WisconsinRightNow.

Here is a selection of what Steen allegedly said, according to the report:

WOMEN: Steen at one point was recorded giving a backhanded compliment, saying Youre a female, I get this, but youre fairly logical.

He also laughed at a joke being made by a female staffer, who said If she gets too out of hand you can ask her to go have her period somewhere else, to which Steen replied, Yes, that sounds like a lovely idea.

REGARDING TRUMP SUPPORTERS: Whenever he talks about Donald Trump in public and with reporters, Steen speaks highly about how important the former presidents endorsement has been to generating support for the Steen campaign. But according to WisconsinRightNows reporting of the recordings, Steen said voters are stupid to have been swayed to support him solely because of the Trump endorsement.

When a campaign volunteer told Steen We just have stupid voters. I mean like seriously thats the unfortunate fact. Like the reason that the Trump endorsement would be such a big deal is that people solely base their vote on Trumps endorsement, Steen reportedly interjected and apparently agreed, saying, is for the stupid voters, ah, wow.

On Saturday, Steen had told The Journal Times that His (Trumps) continued endorsement is big.

Trump endorsed Steen less than a week before the end of the Aug. 9 primary election as Steen has supported Trumps unending attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which Vos has refused to support.

Steen along with MyPillow Guy Mike Lindell  who is perhaps the nations top purveyor of conspiracy theories about President Joe Bidens 2020 election win  have been advocating to get Trump to headline a rally for Steen in Wisconsin.

In another call, state Rep. Chuck Wichgers told Steen that it would be neat if Trump came in.

GABLEMAN AND ALUMINUM FOIL: A campaign volunteer said she was ordered to wrap her phone in aluminum foil before meeting with former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman. She allegedly went on to say that we were told  we couldnt know the location of the meeting and that our phones had to be in Faraday bags or Faraday cases or wrapped in aluminum foil.

Faraday bags and aluminum foil can block wireless signals.

Gableman led a yearlong investigation into the operation of the 2020 presidential election, which is costing taxpayers more than $1 million, at the order of Vos. After Gableman turned against Vos and endorsed Steen in the final days of the primary, Vos soon after fired Gableman, calling the former Supreme Court justice he hired an embarrassment.

Despite claims from Gableman and others to the contrary, his investigation uncovered no evidence of widespread fraud.

Gableman, in a call reviewed by WisconsinRightNow, allegedly called the New York Democratic Attorney Generals investigation into Trump a f**king criminal thing. Gableman also described Trump as amazing; hes just amazing.

SHERIFF: According to the report, Steen also disparaged Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, who is highly regarded by conservatives. He was a d***head, he said in a recording. He said Schmaling told him: Im the sheriff, and I dont have time for this stuff.

The sheriff declined to comment on this story.

ABSENTEE: An unnamed Wisconsin Assembly member allegedly suggested to Steen that someone request to have Voss absentee ballot mailed to Steens address and then have Steen deliver it to Voss house on video, as a way of again exposing alleged vulnerabilities in Wisconsins absentee ballot system.

After being told about that suggestion, Wait allegedly replied the answer is yes, in a fricking heartbeat.

This would essentially replicate what Steen supporter Harry Wait did with the ballots of Vos and Racine Mayor Cory Mason, for which Wait now faces felony ID theft and election fraud criminal charges.

BARBARIC: Steen allegedly responded by saying correct after a campaign staff member told him Your volunteers are legitimately barbaric.

On Tuesday, after the publication of this story, Joel Jacobsen issued the following email: "I don't regard Wisconsin Right Now as a credible source of information. I have no way of verifying what is true. My main focus is that Wisconsin women are at risk of dying from ectopic pregnancies and other complications due to the archaic 1849 Anti-Women Law. Robin Vos had the opportunity to address this travesty, but gaveled in and out in seconds as he has for so many pressing issues in our state."
Since the August primary, Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson has released a steady stream of television ads attacking Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.

In one, released in mid-August, Johnson said Barnes wanted to abolish the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office and join a progressive group in Congress known as "The Squad." In early September, another Johnson ad called the lieutenant governor a "radical leftist" who wants to defund the police. Several more ads seek to draw voters away from Barnes by suggesting the Democrat is a threat to public safety.

It's a tried-and-tested campaign strategy  painting the other candidate as out of touch and potentially dangerous.

Yet, between the time he was named his party's nominee in August and early October, Barnes didn't release a single television ad attacking Johnson. Instead, most of his campaign ads featured Barnes in an ordinary setting, like unpacking groceries or making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, sometimes defending his record and other times promoting his current platform.

It wasn't until earlier this month that Barnes' campaign released a television ad going after Johnson's support for national abortion bans. It's the campaign's only television ad going after Johnson so far.

Negative ads by the Johnson campaign have continued apace, meanwhile. His latest features a mother negatively reacting to Barnes saying, "reducing prison populations is now sexy."

To be sure, outside organizations have poured tens of millions of dollars  many times what the campaigns have spent  into running negative ads against both candidates since at least the primary. But amid Republicans' ad blitz, the Oshkosh Republican surged in the polls.

"The trouble is running those positive ads, even if they have kept his image a bit more positive than it might have been, is that they do very little to change people's perceptions of his opponent," Marquette Law School Poll director Charles Franklin said.

Some Democrats are questioning the substance of Barnes' positive ads.

"It just seemed in August and September, the GOP just blasted (Barnes), and I just don't know where our side was in comparison," said Irene Lin, who ran Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson's U.S. Senate campaign. "It's been a collective Democratic failure that we have not managed to drive up the negatives of the second most unpopular senator in America."

"From what I hear from voters, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches don't seem to have been a strong enough response to the GOP racist smear campaign," Lin said.

Noting that outside Democratic groups were already running negative ads against Johnson since before the primary, Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki said Barnes' television campaign strategy early in the general election phase was likely to focus on filling the gaps in the race.

"You cannot argue with the fact that coming out of the primary, Barnes was not well defined statewide," Zepecki said. "And so what the Barnes campaign, I believe, felt like they had to do was continue introducing the lieutenant governor to the state of Wisconsin on their terms. ... If they had not done that, no one else was going to do it for them."

"I think they made exactly the right decision in terms of trying to define Mandela," Zepecki said about Barnes' campaign.

Indeed, in the first post-primary poll by the Marquette Law School in August, Barnes was ahead by 7 points. But by October, Johnson had taken a 6-point lead.

In August, 37% of registered voters had a favorable view of Barnes and 22% had an unfavorable view, according to the Marquette poll. In the latest poll, 39% of registered voters had a favorable view of Barnes and 40% had an unfavorable view of him. Opinions of Johnson have remained steady, with around 40% of voters having a favorable view of him and 45% having an unfavorable one since August.

"This is an incumbent senator. Most Wisconsinites have made up their mind," Zepecki said about Johnson. "And so, in the choice between reminding people that they dislike Ron Johnson or making the case for why they should hire Mandela Barnes, I think they had to take that into account."

As of Sept. 19, Republicans had outspent Democrats in the race $49 million to $40 million, according to data by media tracking firm AdImpact. The early Republican advantage, Zepecki pointed out, came from $10 million that longtime GOP donors Diane Hendricks and Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein put into the pro-Johnson Wisconsin Truth PAC.

Speaking to the surge of voters with newfound unfavorable views of Barnes, Zepecki said special interest groups "were going to clobber Barnes no matter what, and I don't think there's anything the Barnes campaign could have done that would change that."

Barnes spokesperson Maddy McDaniel predicted the "early groundwork and aggressive campaign" will be enough for the Democrat to win Nov. 8.

Money still coming in

Barnes brought in over $19.5 million between July 21 and Sept. 30, according to a recent federal campaign report. In the same period, Johnson brought in $11.6 million.

But despite Barnes' fundraising advantage, the Oshkosh Republican still had slightly more cash on hand: Barnes had just under $3.5 million at the end of the reporting period and Johnson had $4.5 million. Johnson spent $9.1 million during the reporting period and Barnes spent $17 million.
1. Yes. Using marijuana odor to determine probable cause is vital to police investigations.

2. Yes. As the ordinance is written, it targets police; that shouldnt be allowed to stand.

3. No. The council should leave the ordinance alone and respect the will of the voters.

4. No. The council should repeal the ordinance altogether. It conflicts with state law.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say how the council should proceed on addressing the ordinance.

Vote

View Results


The report examined around 43 Indian print, TV, and digital media outlets for their coverage, the social location of the leadership, and the caste composition of journalists employed by the organizations.

Afnan Habib | TwoCircles.net

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NEW DELHI  Upper caste groups hold about 90% of leadership positions in Indian media, with no scheduled caste (SC) or scheduled tribe (ST) in charge of mainstream media outlets, reveals an Oxfam India-Newslaundry report titled Who tells our stories matters: Representation of Marginalized Caste Groups in Indian Media.

The second edition of the report released at The Media Rumble, South Asias largest news media forum, also shows that General caste authors write every 3 out of 5 articles in Hindi and English newspapers while marginalized castes (SC, ST, or OBC) only contribute to around 1 out of 5 articles.

The report examined around 43 Indian print, TV, and digital media outlets for their coverage, the social location of the leadership, and the caste composition of journalists employed by the organizations. The research, conducted between April 2021 and March 2022, analysed over 20,000 magazine and newspaper articles, 2075 primetime debates with 76 anchors and 3318 panellists, and 12 months of online news reports.

Upper castes govern the media

While examining the domination of the upper castes, after collecting 190 samples from across Hindi and English newspapers and TV channels, the report revealed that Around 91% of the positions were occupied by the general category, followed by 2.65% OBC presence and 1.59% SC presence.

Of the 62 samples collected from English news channels examined for leadership roles, 88.52% were from the general category, followed by 3.28% OBCs and 1.64% SC. Like newspapers, no people from the ST category held leadership positions, the report said.

Newspapers and online portals

While analysing 14 Hindi and English newspapers, the study revealed that Reporting of caste issues in print media appears to be dominated by journalists from the general category. While OBC journalists had 0-25% bylines, writers from SC and ST categories hardly accounted for bylines in any of the major newspapers.

Bylines in digital news portals were also dominated by journalists from general category with Newslaundry English topping the list with 68.5% bylines, followed by Firstpost and the Scroll.in. The report said that journalists from the OBC category accounted for only 7-20% of the appearances, and the ST/SC category hardly had any contributions.

TV and magazines

More than half of the anchors from 8 news channels analysed for the study belong to upper caste groups, while no channel had an anchor from Dalit or Adivasi community to host the debate. The report said, None of the mainstream Hindi news channels had anchors representing SC, ST communities. All anchors at News18, Republic Bharat, and Zee News were from the general category. The report also revealed that Sansad TV was an exception, with 67% of its anchors from the OBC category.

While analysing English News channels, the report found that TV anchors belonging to the marginalized communities in the English news channels were heavily under-represented. Four of the seven channels studied did not have any anchor from the OBC category. India Today and Mirror Now had over 65% of journalists from general categories.

While studying the caste composition of 12 Magazines, the report found that In almost all magazines, more than half of the articles were written by journalists from the general category. Not a single magazine had over 10% representation of SC and had either zero or negligible presence of people belonging to ST categories.

Commenting on the report, Dr Nookaraju Bendukurthi, an assistant professor at the Central University of Kashmirs School of Media Studies told TwoCircles.net that Indias caste system is a structure of social hierarchy that grants advantages to upper castes while allowing the favoured groups to repress the lower castes.

For decades, the caste system has made it nearly impossible for members of lower castes to exercise fundamental rights like education. Caste-based intolerance is prevalent throughout a variety of industries in India, not just the media, he said.

Abhinandan Sekhri, CEO of Newslaundry, said, The report captures the state of diversity in Indian newsrooms. Acknowledging the problem and diagnosing the fix is always the first step of any change. Hope editors and media owners can use its findings to make newsrooms more inclusive.

The report suggests that media organisations be made more aware of caste issues, affirmative policies in the industry for marginalised groups be introduced, transparent hiring procedures be used, and equal and fair pay be implemented.

Afnan Habib is a freelance journalist based in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. He tweets at @afnanhabib_
KEARNEY  Nathan Buckner, pianist for the Frahm-Lewis Trio, understands the value of programming music from contrasting eras of musical history.

We have a contemporary piece, which in this case is a very traditional and tonal piece of music, he said. And then we have a historical piece by Ferdinand Ries that is not familiar to most audiences. Its a piece that could be called neglected literature. And then the Brahms is a pretty standard thing. So we have something new, something historic and then something standard.

When it comes to the music of a piano trio, the Frahm-Lewis Trio tries to demonstrate the power of the trio  piano, violin and cello.

The trio, featuring Buckner, piano, Ting-Lan Chen, violin, and Noah Rogoff, cello, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday as part of the Nebraska Music Teachers Association 2022 Conference at the Fine Arts Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Building on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus.

Admission to the performance is free.

The program includes:

 Three Lyric Pieces by Steven Christopher Sacco (b. 1965), composed in 2019.

 Piano Trio No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 29, by Ferinand Ries (1784-1838), composed in 1809.

 String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat, Op. 18, by Johannes Brahms (1833-1987), composed in 1860.

Buckner described the history of the piece by Sacco as interesting.

The daughter of the composer is a violinist who plays in a piano trio, Buckner said. They never quite got around to doing the piece. Steven Sacco handed us the score in January 2020. We planned on performing it in April.

That never happened because of the pandemic.

One thing lead to another, and nothing was happening in April of 2020, he said. This is actually a 3-year-old piece, but this will be the first performance of it.

WHEN & WHERE What: Frahm-Lewis Trio performs a concert of piano trio music When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday Where: Fine Arts Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building at 2506 12th Ave., on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus Admission: Free Contact: 308-865-8618; UNK.edu

Sacco will travel to Nebraska for the performance.

Buckner knew the composer when they were students at Julliard. At the famous music school in New York City, Sacco studied with Milton Babbitt (1916-2011), known primarily for his serial and electronic music. One of Babbitts students was also Stephen Sondheim.

As for performing a piece of music for the first time, Buckner sees a certain responsibility to both the composer and to future performers.

I would be lying to say that its similar to playing a piece of music that has been performed before, he said. Theres an awareness  and a responsibility  that the piece might not be heard again for a while. We try to make a good first impression with the piece, staying honest to the piece as a representative performance.

Buckner calls the first performances of a piece a fools errand.

Youre coming up with a conception that is plausible for the piece, but its certainly not the only conception, he said. Even though, down the pike, another group is going to listen to the music and say, yeah, thats okay, but I think it would be better if we did this 

That said, the members of the Frahm-Lewis Trio want to interpret the music with a certain amount of honesty.

We try to put our best foot forward and give a good representation, but you know that over the course of time, this performance will be somewhat diminished in the context of performances to come.

Buckner considers the groups performance as a starting point for the piece of music by Sacco, a living composer.

Working together as a piano trio for more than 14 years, Buckner, Chen and Rogoff feel comfortable with each other.

In our rehearsal process, we can anticipate what the others are going to do, Buckner said. If we get it wrong, we may be surprised. Most of the time we can predict what our ensemble mates are going to do. Thats part of the pattern.

Buckner can only think of several other collaborators with the same level of comfort, something he acknowledges as a growing process.

For example, if one member leaves the ensemble and is replaced, there is a transition that occurs, he said. We have played together since 2008. At first we were just playing together for fun because we all like piano trios.

A grant given in the name of Bettelee Lewis, the former cellist of the Kearney Symphony Orchestra, allowed the three University of Nebraska at Kearney faculty members to perform as a piano trio. Beyond the support from the grant, Buckner knows that the pull of the music remains strong.

If the funding for the Frahm-Lewis trio were to come to an end, we would still play together, he said.
KEARNEY  With Denver Air Connection set to begin Kearney-to-Denver flights on Nov. 1, the city of Kearney and Kearney Regional Airport would like to thank current and future passengers for their patience as Kearney transitions to the new air service provider.

Denver Air Connection will provide 12 weekly round trip flights from Kearney to Denver.

The schedule will be similar to the current schedule through December, including an early morning departure. Beginning in early January, the morning flight will leave Kearney at 7:30 a.m. There will be a midday flight to Denver from Kearney as well as a returning flight from Denver to Kearney that arrives at 7:40 p.m.

According to a city press release, frequently asked questions have been posted on the Fly Kearney website, flykearney.com/faq. For additional questions, please visit the Contact Us page on the Denver Air Connection website, denverairconnection.com/contact-us, or reach out to Kearney travel agent Michelle Lewis at michelle@travelkearney.com.

Here are some of the FAQs that are answered online:

 How do I book a ticket? Travelers going directly to Denver can book on fly-dac.com. If travelers are looking to go beyond Denver, flights can be booked on united.com, AA.com, travelocity.com or Expedia or by using a travel agent.

 Does DAC offer reserved seating? DAC uses open seating  first come, first serve  for their aircraft.

 Why does the ticket say Key Lime Air instead of DAC? Thats because DAC is owned by Key Lime Air.

 Will my bags be transferred from DAC to other airlines? DAC has interline ticketing and baggage agreements with United Airlines/American Airlines, so passengers will have access to the United and American network. Checked baggage connecting to or from the United/American network need only be checked in the originating city and will transfer to United/American flights.

Travelers can connect to Denver Air Connection on the web at flydac.com, or Google Denver Air Connection. The customer service center is at 866-373-8513. According to the FAQ, there are typically no baggage fees on Denver Air Connection.

Still have questions? Travel agent Michelle Lewis has additional information and can be reached by email at michelle@travelkearney.com.
KEARNEY  Once upon a time, Michelle Lewis was a bored housewife.

Married and the mother of three, she signed up for a class on interior design at the community college near her home in Derby, Kansas, but the class was canceled.

On a whim, Lewis replaced it with a five-month class on travel careers. It sounded interesting, she said.

Now, 34 years after she graduated from the travel careers division of what was then the Climate Institute offered at the community college, she has become one of the top 500 agents with ALG Vacations (Apple Leisure Group), based on productivity, in the U.S. Lewis owns Independent Travel Service at 816 E. 25th St. in Kearney.

I loved that class. At first, I just liked intermingling with people, but as we got into the systems and booking trips, it got more and more interesting, she said.

One week after she completed the class, the family moved to Crete. Within four days, she found a job as an issuing agent at a travel agency in nearby Lincoln. She earned $3.46 an hour.

Those online agencies like Expedia and Cheap Tickets all use a travel agency to have tickets issued, she said.

One year later, the family moved to Kearney. Since no travel agency jobs were available here, she worked in the office of Paul Younes.

That was a great experience learning about the hotel business. Hotels are the fastest way to move up the chain in this field, but I still loved booking airline tickets and travel packages, she said.

A few years later, she became an agent with the now-closed Adventure Travel. At the same time, she and a friend launched Expression Wear, an embroidery business, in the same building. During this period, she also got divorced and became a single parent.

I was running up and down the hall every day and raising three kids on my own, but my parents always told me, Remember: Theres nothing you cant handle, so I took a deep breath and just did it. I didnt think about it. You do what you have to do, she said.

She worked hard at Adventure Travel, but decided she could make more money if she went out on her own, so she did. She founded Independent Travel Service.

In 2017, with the travel industry booming, she sold Expression Wear. The travel industry was my first love, she said.

Pandemic slow-down

Like all travel agents, Lewis toughest period was March 2020 when the world shut down due to COVID-19.

The cancellations started coming in, and it felt like 9/11 all over again. I said, I hope its not as bad as that, but it was much, much worse, she said.

For the next 10 months, she didnt earn a dime, but she came into the office every day. People werent out and about, but 90% of my business is done over the phone, she said.

I had to cancel clients upcoming trips, but I had to get in line to get on the phone with the airlines. December 2020 was the first time I issued a ticket where I made money, she added.

By January 2021, people were eager to travel, and Mexico was a popular pick because its a prime spot and easy to get to, she said. By the third week in January, people could go in and out of Mexico without being tested for COVID, but the U.S. required tests for Americans returning to the U.S. Those who tested positive had to stay in Mexico, so that put the skids on things, she said.

The Caribbean required testing, too, as did Jamaica and Costa Rica, so people shifted their destinations, she said.

By the summer of 2021 (a long summer), people were tired of COVID and began resuming travel in larger numbers. By now, most countries have lifted testing requirements. Lewis returned from the Bahamas on Sept. 24. She had to have a test going in, but testing was lifted when she came back. That was relaxing, she said.

Airline trouble

Lewis, who was born and raised in Litchfield, said the airlines are still recovering from their drastic losses during COVID. Its tough, she said.

Theres a pilot shortage. Airlines want pilots to come back, but many found other jobs in other fields or decided to stay retired. Some got jobs with smaller airlines, she said.

Flight attendants, too, found other jobs or changed careers. Todays air passengers may notice quite a few older flight attendants for that reason, she said.

She has seen other changes: In the middle of Nebraska, travel insurance has never been a big deal, but cancellation insurance has gotten popular now, she said.

Shes also concerned about the damage done by Hurricane Ian in late September on Floridas southwest coast. She has been unable to contact some hotels and resorts she regularly deals with, but she applauds airlines that have changed vacation locations for some passengers without a penalty.

Maybe that was due to COVID. You can now cancel most flights without a penalty, she said.

Happy customers

Lewis is the last travel agent with an office in Kearney. Others have relocated to Grand Island and beyond, but she believes in keeping her presence here even though she does 90% of her business over the phone with people she has never met personally. She has formed lasting friendships that way as well. She handles a wealth of business travel and conventions, too.

She is excited about the new Denver Air Connection air service that begins in Kearney Nov. 1. Lewis sits on the citys Air Transportation Committee, and she was at a reception at the Kearney Regional Airport Oct. 5 when DAC unveiled its planes.

SkyWest Airlines, the airline that previously served the city, is pulling out of Kearney and 28 other cities in 14 states due to chronic pilot shortages.

Lots of cities were affected, but we got lucky because air connections wanted us, she said. We were fortunate. Kearney is a wonderful community.

Her favorite part of her job? Her customers. One Pleasanton couple took a tour across Canada in August and came in a few weeks later to show Lewis their pictures. They said that was the best trip they ever had, she said, beaming.

She heard the same thing from a Cozad couple who recently took a fall foliage trip to New England.

Thats what keeps me going, she said. These have been trying times, but for the most part, Ive had wonderful opportunities, and Ive met a lot of wonderful people.


By James Stavridis



In the rapidly shifting Ukraine war, the growing failure of Russian President Vladimir Putin's ground game is causing him to seek asymmetrical responses. Most visibly, he is turning to what is essentially a terror-bombing campaign against the civilian population of Ukraine.



Much like the V2 blitzes Nazi Germany directed against British cities in World War II, these missile attacks will accomplish very little tactically. Instead, they will heighten the already enormous anger and resolve of the Ukrainians and likely cause U.S. and European supporters to accelerate arms deliveries. These may include some weapons previously held back to avoid escalation between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).



I led a major air campaign over Libya in 2011, Operation Unified Protector. The mission, assigned to NATO by the United Nations Security Council, was to create a no-fly zone to keep the dictator Moammar Gadhafi from using his air and ground firepower to massacre his political opponents. We launched over 25,000 air sorties, dropped nearly 10,000 precision-guided weapons, and closed the skies over Libya.



But ultimately, to depose the Gadhafi regime, the rebels had to create an effective ground force, which they eventually did. What I observed is that air power  even massive air superiority  cannot ultimately take and hold ground. Putin will discover the same thing.



The Russian leader fired yet another army commander (this one lasted seven weeks) and installed a new chief for his "special military operation." That leader, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, is dual-hatted as the senior leader of the Russian air force. Surovikin is also an accused war criminal who led indiscriminate bombing campaigns in Syria and Chechnya. His ascension to the top post in Ukraine, truly a poisoned chalice, indicates that the bombing campaign will be prolonged.



Yet it is unlikely to significantly change the facts on the ground, and will deplete the Kremlin's dwindling supply of artillery, particularly "smart" weapons to use against Ukrainian logistics networks  something the Russians failed to do effectively thus far.



The West needs to put more capability in the hands of the Ukrainians. Some of the systems under consideration include:

 MiG-29 Soviet-era fighters, now in the Polish air force. These could be given to the Ukrainians immediately, as their pilots already fly them very capably. In exchange, the U.S. would provide the Poles with American F-16s.

 F-16s. Early models of the Fighting Falcon are relatively simple to fly, and very lethal in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. The U.S. would need to train a cadre of Ukrainian pilots, probably at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

 Surface-to-air defensive missile systems. These would likely be the Patriot, which can cover a wide area and is relatively easy to train to operate, and Iron Dome (developed jointly with Israel) for the defense of population centers and critical infrastructure.

 More sophisticated electronic jamming systems.

 Enhanced offensive cyber capabilities, to go after Russian intelligence and targeting operations.



So, what happens when the bombing campaign proves ineffective? Putin has other asymmetrical cards to play, including cyberattacks on Western targets. Several key U.S. airports had their websites hacked this week  the customer-facing portions, not actual command-and-control or radar systems. Pro-Russian hackers claimed responsibility. The question is whether this was a warning shot or the best the Russians could muster.



Putin would likely direct cyberattacks at "soft targets" like consumer supply chains  recall the meatpacking and fuel pipeline ransomware hacks of last year. U.S. and allied hard targets  military command and control, financial systems, critical infrastructure like electric, water, gas and transportation grids  are better defended. An attack any of those vital systems would invite a significant counterstrike by U.S. Cyber Command, something that worries the Kremlin considerably.



Worst case: Putin could use a tactical nuclear weapon, either to shock the Ukrainians into surrender, or to simply destroy an even bigger swath of targets. While it's not inconceivable, I would place a tactical nuke in the 10 percent-15 percent range of probability. This desperate move would immediately shift world opinion against Russia, and put enormous pressure on China and India to abandon their neutrality.



Most likely, however, Putin will continue his strategy of massive bombing through the winter, even as his stockpile of precision weapons dwindles to nothing. His best hope is that the Europeans will crack under high energy prices and cold homes, the demoralized Ukrainians will sue for peace, and the U.S. will get caught up in fractious domestic politics.



Don't count on it. The bet Putin is placing on air power, like so many other aspects of his strategic analysis, is a bad one. Missiles and planes are seldom decisive over a determined foe on the ground, a lesson the Kremlin will learn soon enough.





James Stavridis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. A retired U.S. Navy admiral, former supreme allied commander of NATO, and dean emeritus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, he is vice chairman of global affairs at the Carlyle Group. He is the author most recently of "To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision." This column was distributed by Tribune Content Agency.




How can a school reduce its energy usage? That was one question that students, administrators and science teachers at Chippewa Falls High School wanted to ask  and answer.

By combining green initiatives with science and drone technology, students are now coming up with answers. Their hope is that the data theyve uncovered will lead to repairs at the school and better, more energy-efficient decision-making in the future.

In the process the high schoolers are learning about ways to combine civic engagement, classroom learning, independent study, drone technology and grant funding into initiatives that serve local schools and school districts.

Nicholas Gagnon, science teacher and academic chair at Chippewa Falls High School, advises the student Green Team. He also oversees two drone projects at the school.

One of his goals is to empower students to become problem-solvers, to address energy waste at the schools.

Gagnon and the Green Team decided to use drones to study the schools carbon footprint and try to reduce energy consumption districtwide after receiving a grant to purchase dual-imaging (thermal and visual) drones.

After receiving the drones, Gagnon helped students to earn their remote pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.

These students have the choice to get their commercial drone pilots license after they successfully complete the FAA-107 exam, he said.

With this certification, students earn FAA credentials that can be applied to jobs across multiple industry sectors. This provides an opportunity for those students to explore a multitude of careers while learning about green science and technology.

Energy reduction initiative

Heat leaks from buildings. Lighting may be energy inefficient. But addressing this was going to be hard.

First, Chippewa Falls students needed to find where the heat was leaking the worst, and which light bulbs needed to be replaced at the schools.

Using a grant from the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program, the school purchased the drones that allowed students to look at the school from every angle. The goal was to see how they could reduce energy usage, something that helps the environment while increasing cost-efficiency for each individual school, and the district overall.

Gagnon wanted to show students the many ways that drones could be used in service of the school community. The goal was to identify trouble spots and prioritize repair of the most egregious locations, environmentally speaking, in the school structures.

As shown in a video, the students used drones and thermal cameras to identify areas of heat loss at the school.

In the videos black and white images, lighter shades show warmth. That could include things like car engines, heating vents and open doors. Cold areas are dark in tone, like sheets of ice or regions of the school in the shade.

Adding color to the visuals makes it easier to see gradients in the images. The colors help lay people understand, and visualize, where there is heat loss, and then imagine ways to improve energy efficiency.

In the colored versions, reds and oranges show the most heat being emitted. Blues and purples show colder subjects.

Gagnons students have spent months analyzing each of the districts building envelopes using a thermal imaging drone to find heat leaks. Now theyve organized that data, and compiled it with the facilities long term master plan, to prioritize areas that need repair.

The students demonstrated areas where the schools need attention. This has led to more in-depth conversations about the schools energy use.

Independent projects

Three high school juniors in Chippewa Falls are now working on independent projects to come up with ways to reduce the schools energy usage.

Bella Biederman, Kamryn Glamann and Maddie Hunt are part of the Green Team. Over the summer, they finished the remote pilot coursework and passed the FAA-107 exam. That means that all three students are now commercial drone pilots.

The drone program is, Im fairly sure, like, a relatively new opportunity that we provide. So you take a course that teaches you everything you need to know about the airspace guidelines and basically, how you fly your drone, Biederman said. Then at the end after youve gone through, I think its, like, eight chapters, you take a test at the airport to get your license.

The young women completed the online course components by themselves over the summer, Hunt said.

Instead of in a class, we did it together over the summer, independently. So then at the beginning of this school year, we were able to fly drones around the school district and collect the data, Hunt said.

Currently, these students are working on a PSC grant to secure funding to find the best way to reduce energy consumption in the district. These PSC grants are worth up to $1,000,000, Gagnon said.

Last year, we were in a group together for an AP course seminar. And our success in that class drove us. We were chosen to write the grant because of our writing skills and our presentation skills and all our research skills, Glamann said.

With their findings comes a lot of responsibility. These students want to do something useful with the data they compile. That means communicating with school administrators.

Weve met and talked to our superintendent, Jeff Holmes. Weve talked to Susan Kern (the executive director of curriculum and instruction) and every single other building principal, Hunt said.

But the work doesnt stop there. On Monday, these students went to Madison to a climate convention to speak to experts about the environment and energy efficiency, Biederman said.

We were invited to this conference. Their goal in the future is to engage with professional people under the age of 35. But were all 16-year-olds going to this conference, which is not a normal thing. Its a big deal. A huge honor, Biederman said.
Ahead of the Wisconsin fall election on Nov. 8, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminds voters how to obtain identification, free of charge, that is valid for voting.

Valid identification for voting purposes includes a driver license, identification card, military or student ID card, etc. There is no separate voter ID. A federally compliant REAL ID card is not required for voting purposes. Anyone unsure if their identification meets the requirements should visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission website to check.

To obtain identification to show at the polls for voting, begin online. A list of the required documents to bring to a DMV Customer Service Center is available at wisconsindmv.gov. If the required documents needed for an ID are not readily available, DMV has a process, called the Voter ID Petition Process, to obtain the necessary information. This process, available free of charge, may be used to quickly obtain a receipt valid to take to the polls for voting while the remaining documents or verifications are obtained.

Anyone with questions related to obtaining an ID to vote should call DMVs toll-free Voter ID hotline at 844-588-1069. Questions regarding voter eligibility, poll locations, voter registration information or other election information can be directed to the Wisconsin Elections Commission at elections.wi.gov

Start your application now at wisconsindmv.gov or at a local DMV Customer Service Center. To find a DMV, check hours, services and wait times, visit wisconsindmv.gov\centers.
Potatoes are one of the worlds most versatile crops, with a long history of cultivation in Wisconsin. While the first potato came to America around 1621, they were first cultivated around 200 B.C. Using technology developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, they were even the first food grown in outer space!

While the environment in space for those potatoes needed to be created, Wisconsin naturally has a suitable environment for producing top notch spuds. Our cool northern climate, quick spring warm-up, and sandy soils make Wisconsin a great place to grow potatoes. Knowing that, it is no surprise that Wisconsin ranks third in the nation for potato production, and first among states east of the Mississippi River. This production is centered in Wisconsins central sands region, so that is where I headed to experience potato harvest firsthand.

I traveled to Wysocki Produce Farm to tour their facility this October. Founded in the late 1950s by three brothers, Louis, Francis, and Greg Wysocki, Wysocki Family of Companies (WFC) began as a potato farm, which still exists today as Wysocki Produce Farm. The farm is still owned and operated by the family, with three generations actively involved in the business.

There are six varieties of potatoes grown in Wisconsin, which can be used for baking, mashing, microwaving, grilling, and more. Each variety has its own shape, color, texture, and taste. Wysocki Family of Companies grows three of those varieties each year, the most common being the russet potato. These are best for mashing, frying, or baked  one of my favorite meals at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Many people do not know that potatoes are actually a living, breathing organism. This is why potatoes are best kept in a cool, damp place to avoid sprouting. For home storage, potatoes should be stored in a well-ventilated cool, dry, and dark place, ideally between 4555F. Potatoes should not be stored at refrigerator temperatures because this can cause potato starches to convert to sugars, resulting in a sweeter taste and excessive darkening during cooking. Additionally, potatoes should not be washed by consumers before storing, as dampness promotes early spoilage.

In addition to being able to meet, talk with, and learn from potato producers like the Wysockis, I have also been fortunate enough to work with the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) at various events. From a tour of the Spud Mobile at Farm Technology Days to learning the secrets of making the best baked potatoes at the Wisconsin State Fair, it is always fun to talk about (and taste) our special spuds.

Not only are those spuds delicious and versatile, but they are also loaded with nutrients! They are low in calories, high in fiber, and are a great source of vitamin B6, potassium, vitamin C and antioxidants. I have enjoyed finding new ways to enjoy potatoes with recipes from eatwisconsinpotatoes.com.
Farmers from throughout Wisconsin will gather at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells Dec. 9-11 for the 92nd Annual Wisconsin Farmers Union State Convention.

Since the 1930s, the annual convention has provided a place for farmers to come together, hear from agricultural leaders, and set grassroots policy that supports a united vision for family farm agriculture, said WFU President Darin Von Ruden. Well continue that legacy as we gather together.

This years keynote speaker will be USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux, who will speak about leveraging federal programs for farm resilience. Ducheneaux, a fourth-generation rancher on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and the former executive director of the Intertribal Agriculture Council, was appointed FSA director in 2021. In this role, he provides leadership and direction on agricultural policy, administering loan programs, and managing conservation, commodity, disaster, and farm marketing programs through a national network of offices.

The convention weekend kicks off at noon on Friday, Dec. 9th with a pre-conference Groundswell event, Climate Smart Agriculture in WI: Policy, Practice, and Programs. The afternoon of programming is being planned by WFUs farmer-led Climate Change Committee.

The official convention kicks off at 9am on Saturday with a presidential address followed by workshops on farm financials, dairy policy, USDA programs, and the 2023 Farm Bill. The weekend will also feature ample networking time, the Torchbearer award ceremony for youth program graduates, and a celebration of rural champions.

WFU is soliciting raffle baskets, products, art or other donations for a silent auction at the convention. If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Brad Henderson at 715-214-7244 or bhenderson@wisconsinfarmersunion.com.

The convention is open to the public but only member delegates may vote on policy issues. On the final day of convention, members will elect two delegates to represent Wisconsin at the National Farmers Union Convention March 5-7, 2023 in San Francisco. They will also elect directors for the WFU Board from District 1 (Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Lincoln, Oneida, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, and Washburn Counties), District 4 (Buffalo, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, and Trempealeau Counties), District 8 (Brown, Calumet, Dodge, Door, Fond du Lac, Forest, Florence, Kewaunee, Langlade, Marinette, Manitowoc, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Shawano, Sheboygan, Washington, Waukesha, and Winnebago Counties), and the At-Large seat.

Visit www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com/convention for more details and to register.
MADISON  Four individuals have been selected as Wisconsin Farm Bureaus Outstanding Agriculture Professional Award finalists and will compete in December for the top honor.

The Outstanding Ag Professional Award recognizes members of Farm Bureaus Young Farmer and Agriculturist Program who excel in their leadership abilities and involvement in agriculture, Farm Bureau and other civic and service organizations.

We have four outstanding agricultural advocates in this years state competition, said Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Kevin Krentz. This contest highlights how these individuals have positively impacted Wisconsin agriculture and Farm Bureau while inspiring others to do the same.

The four finalists are:

 Christa Hoffman of Shawano County. Christa is the business development administrator at URUS.

 Amy Silver of Green County. Amy is an agricultural and business lender at State Bank of Cross Plains.

 Julie Sweney of Dodge County. Julie is the director of communications and marketing at FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.

 Julie Wadzinski of Barron County. Julie is a farm operations instructor at Northwoods Technical College.

Outstanding Agriculture Professional Award applicants are agriculturists who have not derived a majority of their income from a farm (that they own) for the past three years. Examples of occupations of ideal applicants include agricultural education instructor, fertilizer salesperson, veterinarian, farm employee, journalist and marketer.

Each finalist must make a presentation and answer questions in front of a three-judge panel during WFBFs Annual Meeting and YFA Conference at the Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells, December 2-4. The winner of the Outstanding Agriculture Professional Award will receive $1,500 courtesy of GROWMARK, Inc., the opportunity to attend the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation FUSION Conference in Jacksonville, Fl., will be eligible to participate in the 2023 YFA Washington, D.C. Fly-In and be a guest of WFBF at the 2023 YFA Conference. The total value of the prize package is valued at over $5,000.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation co-sponsors this contest with GROWMARK Inc. and Rural Mutual Insurance Company. Information about all YFA contests can be found on wfbf.com.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is the states largest general farm organization, representing farms of every size, commodity and management style. WFBFs YFA program is open to Farm Bureau members ages 18 to 35.


The absence of the signatures on the recoveries has led many to cast doubts on the authenticity of the claims made by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), who took over the case from the Uttar Pradeshs Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).

TCN Staff Correspondent

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NEW DELHI  Glaring loopholes have emerged in Uttar Pradeshs Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) claims and the subsequent charge sheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against five men who were arrested from Lucknow in 2021 on charges of being members of an Al-Qaeda module in India.

On July 2021, the ATS claimed to have busted the terror module, known as Ansar Ghazwatul Hind (AGH), by arresting two men identified as Museeruddin (41) and Minhaj Ahmad (32) whose interrogation later on led to the arrest of three more accused namely Mohammad Mustaqeem, Shakeel and Mohammad Moid.

The ATS officials stated that they had recovered explosive substances and other materials required for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from the houses of the two prime accused, Museeruddin and Minhaj, but did not substantiate their claims.

Precisely, the agencys recovery memo did not have the signature of any independent witness as mandated by Section 100(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which says that seizure must be witnessed by at least two independent witnesses (respectable inhabitants of the locality in which the place to be searched is situated).

Advocate Najmussaqib Khan, who is representing the two accused in the special NIA court in Lucknow, stated, There is no independent witness to the raids conducted at the residences of Museeruddin and Minhaj where the ATS claimed to have recovered incriminating materials. The seizure memo does not even have signatures of the fathers of the accused persons.

The absence of the signatures on the recoveries has led many, he said, to cast doubts on the authenticity of the claims made by the NIA, who took over the case from the ATS and has filed a chargesheet, accessed by TwoCircles.net, even though it is for the court of law to take a call on it.

Families reject ATS claims

However, Museeruddins wife Saeeda rejected all the claims made by the NIA. She said that they had bought a new gas stove and a cooker, which the police took away along with their childrens books and some posters in Urdu.

She recounted, The horror struck our home (at Fatima Nagar area) at around 11 am when security officials in plain clothes came in, picked Museeruddin and took him to Madiyaon police station. We also went along to accompany him. But when I returned a few hours later, security officials had frisked the entire house. I found the new pressure cooker that we bought days ago was missing.

On the other hand, Minhajs father, Siraj Ahmad, said he was not informed anything by the raiding party of the ATS, underscoring that the police had completely cordoned off his sons room during the raid and did not even inform him about the recoveries made.

Ahmed, who is a retired additional statistics officer, told TwoCircles.net, They did not even bother to tell us the charges under which my son was arrested.

The 67-year-old man claimed that the security officials came out from Minhajs room after several hours with boxes. When he enquired, they refused to open them. They frisked us as well and made us sign a blank form before leaving, he added.

According to him, a recovery memo was furnished to his family only after the NIA took over the case from the ATS on August 4, 2021.

How did the case crack?

According to the chargesheet, the ATS zeroed in on Meesuruddin and Minjah based on the information it received from one Umar Halmandi, an Al Qaeda suspect, based at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Halmandi was allegedly radicalizing and recruiting members for the terror outfit in the Indian subcontinent.

Halmandi through his associates based in Jammu and Kashmir has already identified and recruited a few people in Lucknow for raising an Al-Qaeda module to carry out terror attacks, says the chargesheet.

The sources added that Minhaj was tasked to recruit as many persons as possible for, what they call, jihad and Museeruddin instigated to join the same. Since Museeruddin had already held orthodox views, he was an easy target. Minhaj asked him to take baiyat (pledge) to serve Al-Qaeda, alleges the chargesheet.

Since Museeruddin drove an e-rickshaw and Minhaj  an electrical engineer by education  ran a battery shop at Khadra in Lucknow, the two enjoyed working relations, according to investigators.

Museeruddin would often visit Minhajs shop to recharge the battery or get other repair works done for his e-rickshaw. Subsequently, they became friends.

The interrogation of the two allegedly led to the arrest of Shakeel and two other accused  Mohammad Mustaqeem and Mohammad Moid. The probe agency said that Mustaqeem temporarily resided at Takiya Taranshah locality at Sitapur Road and Moid lived at New Haiderganj.

NIA takes over the case

The Union government, however, transferred the case to the NIA on July 28, 2021, for further investigation. Accordingly, the central agency took over the investigation and re-registered the case as RC-02/2021/NIA-LKW at Police Station-NIA, Lucknow, on July 29 last year.

According to the NIA chargesheet filed on January 5, 2022, Museeruddin, Minhaj and Shakeel are important characters of the case.

The interrogation of the accused brought out that they were members of the proscribed terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), which is referred to here as the AGH, and they had conspired to wage war against the Government of India. They procured arms, ammunition and explosive materials with the intention to wage the war, alleges the chargesheet.

The NIA alleged they were planning to commit terrorist acts before August 15, 2021, in various towns of Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow.

They had already arranged arms and explosive substances for committing the terrorist acts, it alleged.

The NIA claimed that Minhaj adopted the way of jihad to settle the score with other communities (presumably Hindus). The chargesheet stated that he, at the beginning of 2020, had replied to an Instagram post related to the alleged atrocities of the Indian Army on innocent Kashmiris.

The NIA claimed in the chargesheet that Minhajs comment on the post got a message from a Kashmiri youth  Tawheed Ahmad Shah, a 19-year-old B.Sc. student from Budgam.

The NIA said that both of them later became friends and started chatting frequently.

Tawheed asked Minhaj to create an ID on the Telegram app, where the messages are more secure and anonymous. He did so, and they used to discuss issues related to abrogation of Article 370, atrocities being faced by Muslims and that they should go for jihad against these issues, claimed the investigators.

They added it was Tawheed who instigated Minhaj to join jihad.

The chargesheet alleges that Tawheed shared Minhajs Telegram ID with his ameer (chief) named Adil Nabi Teli, who was active on the instant messaging service app with the pseudo name Musa. Teli aka Musa, a resident of Galchibal in the Pampore district of Jammu and Kashmir and suspected C category militant, was killed in an encounter with the security forces on March 3, 2022.

Minhaj subsequently received a message from Musa, and both of them began talking to each other. On Musas instructions, Minhaj joined a Telegram channel, Haqaiq Ki Duniya (World of Truth). Apart from Tawheed and Musa, others were also members of the group or channel, states the prosecutions case.

It alleged that Minhaj donated Tawheed an amount of Rs 93,441 for the cause of jihad in five instalments. The alleged amount was credited to the bank account of one Suhail Majeed Magray, also a Jammu and Kashmir resident.

The NIA also enclosed a summary of Magrays bank account transactions and credit vouchers, allegedly mentioning Minhajs cell phone number. Other than Suhail, Minhaj allegedly deposited money in two other bank accounts in Jammu and Kashmir.

Khan questioned the NIAs money transfer charges. Anyone can send money, using some fake names and mobile numbers, as the banking system does not verify the depositors identity if the amount to be deposited is less than Rs 50,000, he said.

Except one, which is a UPI transfer by someone called Shamsul Ansari, all credits are less than Rs 50,000 and have been done against cash payments to the bank? he said.

Loopholes in NIA chargesheet

Notably, the NIAs case against Minhaj and Museeruddin heavily relies on video recordings of the alleged baiyat and conversations through Telegram and WhatsApp. Besides, the NIA also cites the alleged pictures and videos found in the duos cell phones and call data records.

Advocate Khan rejected the NIAs claim of the oath of allegiance taken by Minhaj for Al-Qaeda. Baiyat is a sworn declaration that needs two individuals: one who is pledging and the other who is administering the oath of allegiance. There is no second person in this case.

Tawheed, according to the NIA, is the main character of the prosecutions case who was an overground worker of the AGH.

He was summoned by the NIA to join the probe in Lucknow and then arrested on February 7 this year, nearly seven months after the first two arrests were made. He was charge-sheeted only a couple of months ago on August 3, 2022.

Isnt it surprising that the man who supports militancy in Kashmir, has contacts with alleged foreign handlers and allegedly radicalised all the accused to wage war against the Government of India and is an over ground worker of a terror organization joins probe when he is asked to do so, gets arrested and charge-sheeted months after his so-called module was busted? asked Najmussaqib.

To substantiate the claim that Minhaj was in contact with Umar Halmandi, the NIA has enclosed with its chargesheet a Telegram reply, which says the IP address and the mobile phone number linked to the Telegram channel @Qafilahjihad belongs to Afghanistan.

When asked about it, Advocate Khan drew attention to NIAs admission that Minhaj broke his mobile phone, Oppo F-11, by throwing it during the search at his residential premises. And as a result, it caught fire.

When the mobile phone Minhaj was using was destroyed, how did the agency get so much of his alleged digital data? he asked.

In a letter to his counsel, Minhaj has rubbished the NIAs allegation of a reconnaissance mission, arguing that anyone who watches the video with an open mind will say one person is simply showing the other the place where he has been living since childhood.

He further argued that had it been a reconnaissance mission, he would have deleted it.

Charges slapped

A case (number 10/2021) against all five accused from Lucknow was registered at Police Station ATS, Gomti Nagar under IPC sections of 121 A, 122 and 123 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, sections 13, 18, 18B, 20 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or UAPA, 1967, sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substance Act,1908, and sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act, 1959.

The charges include waging or attempting or abetting, collecting arms, advocating, abetting, advising or inciting an unlawful activity and being a member of a terrorist organisation etc.

Families recount tales of trauma

Saeeda, a mother of four, said her family has virtually been ruined. Her relatives stopped coming to her; her two daughters (aged 15 and 16 years) were expelled from the Lucknow Inter College without any explanation.

The youngest daughter, 12, has been suffering from some health problems and is unable to attend school and her six-year-old son looks for his father every now and then.

She concluded, I simply cant tell what happened and why it happened. I keep telling him that his father will return soon from work.

Why UAPA against 3 others?

The chargesheet states that Minhaj, on the instructions of Tawheed, to procure arms and ammunition, contacted Shakeel. Both of them visited Kanpur to get firearms and ammunition.

They met Laiq and Affaq who allegedly showed them a revolver. But the deal, the NIA says, could not materialise as the ammunition was not available.

Minhaj allegedly clicked a photo of the revolver. Many photos of small firearms were recovered from Minhajs digital extracted data, alleges the investigating agency.

Minhaj then allegedly contacted Mustaqeem and asked him to arrange the same. The duo along with Museeruddin in February 2021 allegedly met one Saddam at Shamli who refused to arrange the weapons.

Mustaqeem then allegedly reached out to Moid who handed over a pistol to Minhaj for Rs 40,000 at Kacchi Dhal near Lucknows Khadra locality on July 10, 2021. And the next day, the investigators allege, he also arranged the ammunition required.

The said pistol along with four ammunitions were recovered during the search of Minhajs house by the UP ATS, the chargesheet claims, further alleging that three more ammunitions were recovered from his residence on July 25 following his disclosure during interrogation.

Moid had allegedly purchased the pistol and the rounds from one Ajaz Mohammad, a resident of Faridipur village at Lucknow Dubagga.

Despite no recovery and possession of any firearm from Shakeel, Mustaqeem and Moid, the trio were booked under the same sections of the IPC, the UAPA, the Arms Act and the Explosive Substance Act by the UP ATS.

But when the NIA took over, it removed section 25 (1b) (a) of the Arms Act against the trio.

Ideally, they should have filed an FR (final report), saying that there is no evidence to support the charges. To book someone under the Arms Act, there must be recovery, possession, purchase and sale of firearms by the accused. But the NIA chargesheet does not establish it, said Khan, wondering how they were booked for waging war and carrying out terror activities.

The NIA has concluded that Shakeel, Mustaqeem and Moid aided and abetted Minhaj and Museeruddin in procuring weapons and ammunitions, thus becoming a party in furtherance of the larger conspiracy.

But nowhere in the chargesheet, the NIA has established that the trio were aware of the alleged intention or conspiracy hatched by Minhaj and Museeruddin.
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?
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 17, 2022

Just How Long Will Europeand the U.S.Keep Drinking Londons Kool Aid?

Oct. 16, 2022 (EIRNS)Over the last decade, a combination of British geopolitics and wetworks succeeded in shutting down four out of six existing or planned Russian gas pipelines, which could today be exporting over 260 billion cubic meters per year of natural gas to Europe. Instead, less than 55 bcm are now flowing, and that largely through the TurkStream pipeline. The Presidents of Russia and Turkey met last week, and they announced their intention to build a second TurkStream pipeline, capable of pumping over 60 bcm per year, doubling the current capacity of exports to Europe. But will Europe cooperate with this policy?

Europe is currently facing a winter of cold and hunger, as prices for scarce energy double and triple before peoples eyes, all as a result of London-led policies of financial speculation, sanctions, and green medievalism. People in country after country are now taking to the streets in protest against this insanity. Will Europe, finally, stop drinking the Kool Aid of Londons deindustrialization and war policies?

And likewise, will Americans finally put an end to the psychotic nuclear chicken game that a London-led Washington and NATO insist on provoking with Russia and with China? Will we answer the call for a new international security architecture voiced today by Sun Yeli, Chinese spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) now underway, who said: We have never believed in the so-called Thucydides trap, and oppose the logic that a strong country is bound to seek hegemony.... We believe that the people of China and the U.S. have the wisdom, opportunity and capability to find such a way to get along.

At the Oct. 15 Schiller Institute conference Build the New Paradigm, Defeat Green Fascism, Helga Zepp-LaRouche put the task in focus for the largely youth participants in the following way:

We are now at the point forecast by [Lyndon] LaRouche in 1971. The continuation on the monetarist road would necessarily lead to a new depression, a new fascism, and a new world war, unless one would establish a completely different economic world order. The majority of the worlds population is doing exactly that.

She emphasized that we are up against an international oligarchy which has driven this civilization to the edge of nuclear extinction, but that

we are in the early phase of a world revolution, where the largest part of the world population is already in the process of building a completely new economic system. Larger and larger segments of the population in Europe and the United States are revolting against the politics of an establishment which are destroying the material basis of existence for most people.

Zepp-LaRouche stressed:
A new study suggests that ancient Mars might have been able to support a large population of microscopic organisms.

French scientists used computer models to predict climate and land conditions under the planets surface about 4 billion years ago.

The study said the microorganisms might have been growing just beneath the Martian surface. The microbes could have been covered by several centimeters of dirt. This would have protected them from severe radiation.

The researchers said any place free of ice on Mars could have been filled with the living organisms. But, if they did exist, these simple life forms would have changed the atmosphere so much that they would not have survived the new environment.

Boris Sauterey was the lead writer of the study, which recently appeared in the publication Nature Astronomy. He is a postdoctoral researcher at Sorbonne University in Paris. Sauterey said that in the time period studied, Mars was thought to contain lots of water and had less severe conditions than today.

But he told The Associated Press the research results present a picture of how things can develop in the universe.

Sauterey said that life on Mars  even simple life like microbes  might actually commonly cause its own demise." He added that while the findings might seem a bit gloomy, he also finds them exciting.

The researchers said ancient Mars likely had a wet, warm climate. But this environment would have been threatened by large amounts of hydrogen being removed from the thin, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere. Temperatures then dropped by about minus 200 degrees Celsius. The researchers said any organisms at or near the surface would likely have buried themselves deeper underground in an attempt to survive.

This is unlike Earth, where microbes may have helped keep climate conditions more moderate. Researchers say this is because Earth had an atmosphere rich in a nitrogen.

Kaveh Pahlevan is a planetary scientist at the SETI Institute, a nonprofit space research center in California. He told the AP he thinks any future models of Mars climate should consider the new French research.

Pahlevan recently led a separate study suggesting Mars was born wet with warm oceans that lasted millions of years. At the time, the atmosphere would have been dense and mostly hydrogen. But over time, some gases were likely transported higher into the atmosphere and lost to space.

The French study investigated the climate effects of possible microbes when Mars' atmosphere was mostly carbon dioxide. So Pahlevan said the research would not relate to earlier times.

What their study makes clear, however, is that if (this) life were present on Mars during this earlier period, they would have had a major influence on the prevailing climate, Pahlevan said.

The French researchers offered some suggestions about where to look on Mars for signs of past life. They named the Hellas Planitia area, as well as around Jezero Crater. Jezero Crater is where the American space agency NASAs exploring vehicle, Perseverance, is carrying out research activities.

Next, Sauterey said he would like to begin research into the possibility that microbial life could still exist deep within Mars.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English.

Quiz - Scientists Use Model to Predict Conditions for Life on Ancient Mars Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

__________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

post-doctoral adj. relating to work done after a PhD degree has been completed

demise  n. the end of something

gloomy  adj. unhappy and without hope

prevail  v. to be common among a group of people

_______________________________________________________________________

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A Hindutva mob allegedly barged into the prayer hall on Wednesday, October 12 night, ransacked it and assaulted and threatened people who were praying inside.

TCN Staff Correspondent

Support TwoCircles



NEW DELHI/GURUGRAM  It is your private space where only you and your family can perform prayers; its not a designated mosque open for all worshippers; you cannot hire an imam (prayer leader).

Laid down by his co-villagers, these were the alleged conditions to be complied with by Nazar Mohammad and his family who have been using their own personal space at Bhora Kalan in Gurugram (formerly Gurgaon) for prayers for years.

An alleged violation to the restrictions led to an attack by a large Hindutva mob, which barged into the prayer hall on Wednesday (October 12) night, ransacked it and assaulted and threatened people who were praying inside.

A police complaint against 10 people, including Sanjay Vyas, Anil Bhadoria, Rajesh Chauhan and others, was lodged by Nazar (a retired subedar) who withdrew it later after villagers assured him that the incident would never be repeated in the future.

But the police said they have registered an FIR, are verifying the evidence and will take action according to law.

An SIT (Special Investigation Team) has been constituted to investigate the incident. The guilty wont be spared. Appropriate actions will be taken. This is the first such incident in the area, and we will ensure that nothing like this happens in the future, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Harinder Singh.

The accused have been charged with Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapons), 295A (deliberately outraging religious feelings), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation). But no arrests have been made so far.

The village has only four houses, belonging to Muslims.

The incident

Nasir Hussain along with three female members of his family was performing the night prayer (isha salah) when he heard a commotion outside.

Armed with sticks and rods, a mob was asking us to step out, he recounted while Narrating the horror.

Before we could realise anything, they forcibly entered the hall on the ground floor of his house where he and his family members together offer prayer five times a day. They hurled abuses and assaulted me. They even did not spare the women when they intervened, he told TwoCircles.net.

To support his allegation, Nasir showed a video clip  which he himself had recorded  wherein a few women can be seen arguing with a group of men.

He said a strong mob of around 200 had created a ruckus in the morning as well.

They had surrounded the mosque and threatened the worshippers with expulsion from the village.

They had gathered here following a rumour that we were constructing a larger mosque. They left after they found it to be untrue as there was some repair work was going on. But there were some mischievous people among them who were saying that they would seal the place in the evening, he said, adding that they did the same at night.

After beating him up and misbehaving with the women, he said, the attackers forced him and his family to vacate the hall and locked it from outside.

The police came and broke the lock, he said.

Dont make a mountain out of a molehill

When asked about the incident, locals said it was a small dispute, which got resolved. So, please dont make a mountain out of a molehill, one of them, refusing to reveal his name, asked this reporter.

Others too echoed him, saying, We live together peacefully. Disagreements happen even in a family. Have you observed any animosity among people here?

It was only the Hindu villagers of the area who were talking about peace and brotherhood, but also Nazar Mohammad who had lodged the complaint about the incident.

A panchayat (meeting of villagers) was held here a day after the incident. Those whom we suspected to be part of the mob were also present. They have assured that such an incident will never happen again and that brotherhood will be maintained in the village as before. They told us if it happens in the future, they will be held responsible. Following this assurance, I withdrew my complaint, he told TwoCircles.net.

According to the earlier agreement between his family and the villagers, the place cannot be turned into a mosque for everyone, and only his family members can pray there. They are not permitted to hire an imam. And that is why even other Muslims in the village also refuse to consider it a mosque.

What led to the violence?

Hindu residents of the village, refusing to come on record, said Muslims from and outside the village offer prayers there.

This caused resentment among the locals who wanted it to stop as they do not want a mosque in the village, they said.

TwoCircles.net reached out to the accused Rajesh Chauhan, Anil Bhadauria and Sanjay Vyas, but they refused to make any comment.

Its not so easy to offer namaz in Gurugram

From mosques to vacant grounds, offering namaz in the group in Gurugram is not at all an easy task. There have been several incidents of disruptions in offering the prayer even at open designated places in the satellite city.

The city has witnessed a series of protests last year by Sector 47 residents who were opposing Fridays congregational prayer in a designated ground. The believers had to perform namaz by shifting venues in heavy police presence.

The situation slipped out of hand when the residents played bhajan at the spot on October 15 and tried to disrupt the peaceful worshippers.

A petition in this regard is pending in the Supreme Court.

Following a consensus reached in 2018 after protests against 108 designates sites for namaz, it was reduced to 37 open spaces where Muslims can offer Friday prayers. The number has been further brought down to 20 after the 2021 protests.

City planners, according to the Gurugram Muslim Council, provided space for 42 temples and 18 gurdwaras, but only one mosque was given space. Two Muslim organisations had participated in the auction of plots of land for religious purposes five years ago, but they could not get the plots.
A new study has found that many drivers using driver assistance tools often treat their vehicles like they are fully self-driving.

The study warns that drivers who put too much trust in driver assist technologies are putting themselves at risk for serious accidents.

The research involved drivers of three vehicles that offer advanced driver assistance systems. Each vehicle came from one of three companies: Cadillac, Nissan/Infiniti and Tesla.

The study was led by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a nonprofit group financed by Americas insurance industry. The group carries out research and crash tests and seeks to persuade automakers to design safer vehicles.

The IIHS said it questioned 600 drivers who often use the manufacturers driver assistance tools. A majority of users said they were more likely to perform non-driving related activities, like eating or texting, while using assist technologies.

Cadillacs driver assist tool is called Super Cruise. The study found that 53 percent of active users of that system said, they were comfortable treating their vehicles as fully self-driving." Teslas driver assist system is called Autopilot.

The research showed that 42 percent of drivers using that tool said the same thing. And 12 percent of drivers using Nissan/Infinitis ProPILOT Assist technology said they also felt comfortable treating their vehicles as fully self-driving.

The results come even as car manufacturers have repeatedly warned drivers that they must never fully depend on driver assistance for full operation of the vehicle. Users are urged to be fully prepared to take control of driving at any time.

There have also been highly publicized accidents involving cars with drive assistance programming.

Both Super Cruise and Autopilot have a feature that turns off the vehicles advance driver assistance system if users do not appear to be attentive while driving. The study found that about 40 percent of users of Autopilot and Super Cruise reported the systems had at some point turned off while they were driving and would not reactivate.

IIHSs President, David Harkey, said in a statement, "The big-picture message here is that the early adopters of these systems still have a poor understanding of the technologys limits." He added that it is possible that system design and marketing are adding to these misconceptions.

The study comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) examines a series of crashes involving Teslas Autopilot system. Since 2016, the NHTSA has opened 37 special investigations involving 18 crash deaths involving Tesla vehicles where systems like Autopilot were suspected of use.

Tesla did not answer requests for comment from Reuters news agency. But the company has said in the past that Autopilot is meant for use with a fully attentive driver who is prepared to take control of vehicle operation.

General Motors, which produces Cadillac models, said it "believes driver engagement is critical and required to operate any advanced driver assistance system in any vehicle we sell."

IIHS said advertisements for Super Cruise center on the systems hand-free abilities. It noted that Autopilot uses the same description used in passenger airplanes, which "implies Teslas system is more capable than it really is."

By comparison, IIHS said ProPILOT Assist "suggests that its an assistance feature, rather than a replacement for the driver."

Nissan said its name "is clearly communicating ProPILOT Assist as a system to aid the driver, and  requires hands-on operation.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Reuters.

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Words in This Story

insurance  n. an agreement in which you pay a company and they pay your costs if you have an accident, injury, etc.

comfortable  adj. not causing any physically unpleasant feelings, but producing physical comfort

feature  n. a typical quality or important part of something

adopt  v. to accept or state using something new

misconception  n. an understanding of something that is wrong

engage  v. to interest someone in something and keep them thinking about it

imply  v. to suggest of show something, without saying it directly

_____________________________________________________________________

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Scientists have transplanted human brain cells into the brains of baby rats, where the cells grew and formed connections.

The research is part of an effort to study human brain development and diseases affecting this most complex of organs.

Dr. Sergiu Pasca of Stanford University in California was the lead writer of a study describing the work. It appeared recently in the publication Nature.

Many disorders such as autism and schizophrenia are likely uniquely human, Pasca said. But the human brain has not been very easy to study. Research that does not involve taking tissue out of the human brain is a promising area for trying to deal with these conditions, Pasca added.

The research builds upon the teams earlier work creating brain organoids. These organoids are very small structures similar to human organs. Organoids have been made to represent organs such as the liver, kidneys and prostate.

To make the brain organoids, Stanford University scientists changed human skin cells into stem cells. They then caused the stem cells to become several kinds of brain cells. Those cells then grew in number to form organoids that resemble the cerebral cortex, the human brains outermost layer. The cerebral cortex is linked to memory, thinking, learning, reasoning and emotions.

Scientists transplanted those organoids into baby rats that were two to three days old. At that age, brain connections are still forming. The organoids grew so that they eventually occupied a third of the hemisphere of the rats brain where they were implanted. Neurons from the organoids formed working connections with the brain.

Human neurons have been transplanted into rodents before, but in adult animals, usually mice. Pasca, who is a professor at the Stanford School of Medicine, said this is the first time these organoids have been placed into the brains of baby rats.

To examine how the idea might be useful for studying human health, scientists transplanted organoids into both sides of a rats brain. One side had organoids created from a healthy persons cells and the other side had cells of a person with Timothy syndrome, a rare genetic condition linked with heart problems and autism.

Five to six months later, they saw effects of the disease in the activity of the neurons. There were differences in the two sides electrical activity, and the neurons from the person with Timothy syndrome were much smaller and did not grow as many extensions that pick up signals from nearby neurons.

The researchers, whose study was paid for partly by the National Institutes of Health, said they could do the same kinds of experiments using organoids made from the cells of people with disorders such as autism or schizophrenia. Such studies could help them learn new things about how these conditions affect the brain.

Dr. Flora Vaccarino of Yale University said the study moves the field forward.

Its extremely impressive what they do here in terms of what these cells can actually show us in terms of their advanced development  in the rat, said Vaccarino, who was not involved with the study.

Im John Russell.

Laura Ungar reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

transplant  v. medical : to move an organ or other part (such as a cell) from something and put it into something else

disorder  n. medical : a physical or mental condition that is not normal or healthy

uniquely  adv. belonging to or connected with only one particular thing

stem cell  n. a simple cell in the body that is able to develop into any one of various kinds of cells (such as blood cells, skin cells, etc.)

impressive  adj. deserving attention, admiration, or respect : making a good impression

advanced -- adj. far along in a course of progress or development
A handful of people gathered around a simple headstone Saturday morning, Oct. 15, in South Corvallis, bowed their heads in careful observation and exclaimed with delight.

They paid their respects to preservationists Bernadette Niederer and David Pinyerd, who were showing the group how to restore a 100-year-old headstone to a nearly new appearance.

Wow! You can really see the detail in the flower now, said Jesse Ott, county parks deputy director.

Decades of sediment and plant material had made the stone at Crystal Lakes Masonic Cemetery mysterious and nondescript. Whats under the lichen is shiny, smooth, cleaner than suspected.

Spray bottles and brushes and scraping tools revealed floral patterns carved in the stone.

This one now we clearly can see is marble, Niederer said.

There also was a sense of how the handful of people gathered, ultimately responsible for several mid-Willamette Valley Cemeteries, could get work done in spaces that are sometimes taken for granted as public service.

But a cemetery is an expensive plot of land to maintain.

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Managing the dead

Benton Countys is cleaner than most. The first burial was in 1850, that of a small child.

Visitors still periodically adorn the grave marker with items.

Masons turned the cemetery over to Benton Countys commissioners in 2001, donating the land. Board members said its very uncommon for a county to own and operate a burial ground, but that its a relatively small cost for public service.

Benton County apportioned $68,040 in its 2021-2022 biennium for cemetery operations  thats out of its $363 million budget for the same period.

Niederer and Pinyerd said the county has done a better job than many sextons maintaining a pioneer-era cemetery.

Some, maintained by ailing fraternal orders, disappear beneath blackberry vines or see historic trees topple or grave markers heave and slump at odd angles.

The mirror finish of red granite or clean milky surface of marble disappears beneath sediment and plants and the stones all take on the same rough look of anything that sits outside too long in Willamette Valley weather.

A hulking cedar tree near the cemeterys center probably was a sapling when it was planted. Its roots now appear to have gathered up two grave markers.

Thats near where volunteers found themselves among the cemeterys oldest markers, trying to determine what type of cleaner, how hard to brush, on what kind of stone.

Elizabeth Spatafora said her mycologist husband would groan at the beautification.

Id be in trouble, she said.

Spatafora sits on the countys Natural Areas, Parks and Events advisory board that provides spending recommendations to the board of commissioners.

She wanted to hear how the county can organize volunteers to help clean some of the hundreds of grave markers in the cemetery.

But the lichen on many of the grave stones helps biologists understand the effects of climate change, and the dates on the markers help biologists see that change on a timeline.

Bring out your help

Carol Walsh also is on the advisory board and said shes taken an interest in ways the county can fund historical preservation.

As a history buff, it seems like a valuable thing to help with, she said.

Under Niederer and Pinyerds instruction, she splashed water onto a torso-height marker and began scrubbing off decades of grime.

The pair of restorers have a niche knowledge base. Their mentor was Sally Donovan, a renowned preservation expert and educator and rescuer of unhoused kittens.

Niederer and Pinyerd said Donovan was a driver of cemetery preservation efforts in the state. The Oregon Heritage Commission gives an annual award in her name, the Sally Donovan Award for Historic Cemetery Preservation.

They interned, he said, with Bruce Howard, the man married to Donovan. When Howard exited the practice sometime after 2017, they took over restoration efforts at Oregon cemeteries.

Theyve cleaned, lifted, replaced, reported on or otherwise helped restore more than 500 grave markers since then, in some 20 cemeteries.

Once you get 30 stones under your belt, you know what youre doing, Pinyerd said.

Well, were less of a danger, Niederer said. Weve refined our technique.

They cautioned the group half-circling an upright grave marker to beware granite. After 2000, the stone likely comes from China and is dyed to look like the red stuff used in U.S. grave markers of antiquity.

Too harsh a cleaning solution can cause the dye to run.

Anything pre-2000, you should be solid, he said.

Even when clean, markers are challenging.

Burial dates are conspicuously absent. Naming conventions differ from Oddfellows to Masons to others who run the plots of land where bodies are buried 6 feet below.

Sometimes stones are missing or dont match the person actually buried there.

Like any task in a cemetery, people bring reverence and personal values to the job. The respectful thing to do, she said, is make sure everyone is properly memorialized.

A living space

The public view of cemeteries is always changing.

A movement to take a picnic to grandma in the late 1990s shifted the public view of cemeteries from dour, ceremonial spaces to park-like plots, Niederer said.

Theyre not in the church yard anymore, she said.

Cemeteries are natural havens for genealogists interested in mapping out a familys diaspora or recording all the historic changes in a regions culture.

They offered a word of advice about knowing when its time to move on to the next stone:

People really get into the genealogy, she said. Is there a rock there we can work on? If not, have a nice day.

A cemetery serves as a snapshot of how people in one culture treat bodies in the ground based on their beliefs.

Settlers observed burial mounds of Kalapuya-speaking people along the Santiam River in present-day Linn County. The roadways, pipelines and foundations of expanding towns have plowed into the ancestral sites and historic lands of Native American groups and tribal governments.

In 1908, the cemetery moved the remains of Corvallis settlers Eliza Gorman and mother Hannah. The women were Black and their graves exhumed to make way for a U.S. Civil War monument footed by Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans fraternal organization.

Ground not infrequently owned by fraternal organizations like Odd Fellows, Masons and Woodmen of the World served as a kind of insurance policy for members of social clubs  join us and be assured there is a place for you to be buried.

WOW Hall in Eugene is named for the latter fraternal order and was the most expensive building constructed in the city in 1932.

On Saturday, the cemetery was mostly quiet save for the occasional pounding of a joggers feet or the distant snapping of changing bicycle gears.

This space is interactive, open, and managers said they appreciate the public.

Its changing once again, and its a teaching moment, Niederer said.
Jacques Ziller (University of Pavia, Department of Political and Social Sciences; Universite Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne; European University Institute - Department of Law (LAW)) has posted Political accountability and Role Splitting of the Executive in the EU Member States (M. MORABITO and G. TUSSEAU (eds.), Regional Accountability and Executive Power in Europe London, Routledge, Forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

The decision-making procedures of the European Union and many of its institutions, bodies and agencies operate in a mode of functional duplication (according to Georges Scelle's concept) of the holders and agents of the executive power of the Member States, who act as organs of the States and, at the same time, of the Union. The EU functions as a form of executive federalism similar to that of Germany, with all the problems of an interlocking political system (Fritz W. Scharpf's Politkverflechtung). The development of European integration has strengthened the national executive in relation to the parliament and local and regional authorities. But this strengthening has been accompanied by a blurring of lines of accountability which complicates the implementation of executive responsibility.

The paper includes the following sections:

1. Role splitting and European federalism

2. Role splitting putting the executives at the centre of political action

a. Strengthening the position of the executive at the expense of the parliament

i. Role Splitting the Council of the European Union and its preparatory bodies

ii. Role Splitting in the European Council

b. Strengthening central executives in relation to local and regional authorities

3. The reduced legibility of political action of member states executives

a. Role splitting and joint decision trap b. Sectorisation of policy making

i. Sectorisation as a consequence of transfer of competences

ii. Variety of policy coordination systems across the EU member states

c. The reduced autonomy of the executive.

The executive federalism based on role splitting that characterises the EU institutions and decision-making procedures and the resulting joint decision trap mechanism have a twofold impact: the institutions of the Union, especially the Commission, are perceived by citizens as a cumbersome machine that is remote from their concerns; the institutions of the member states, in particular the parliaments, but also the executives, are perceived as being weak in protecting citizens, and also far removed from their concerns. This is a phenomenon that needs to be understood and its reasons explained. Furthermore, the ultimate benefits of common decision making at European level need to be explained clearly and as simply as possible.
Three days after Quantaze Campbell was shot and killed by a Dane County Sheriffs deputy at a Windsor hotel, his family members say they are still waiting for answers about what happened.

About 40 people gathered outside the Super 8 hotel in the village of Windsor on Sunday evening, to hold a vigil for Campbell, 46, of Madison.

Weve spoken to a lot of people, but no one has been able to tell us the slightest bit of anything, said Devonte Gafford, Campbells stepson. Thats probably the most bothering part for everybody, because its all we can hear is that our father was shot by the police.

Right now all we can do is just wait I guess, he said, try and wait for answers.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice, which is investigating the Oct. 13 shooting, said a deputy shot and killed Campbell while making contact with a vehicle at the hotel, 4506 Lake Circle, at 6:10 p.m. The deputy, whose name has not been released, has been put on leave.

Authorities have released few details about the incident, including what led up to the shooting, how many times Campbell was shot and whether he was armed.

Freedom Inc., a Madison nonprofit that held Sunday nights vigil, said in a statement that Campbell, a Black man, was unarmed. The Wisconsin State Journal could not confirm if Campbell was unarmed.

The family is asking for anyone who witnessed the shooting to come forward. During the vigil, they spoke directly to guests at the hotel watching from their windows, asking them to come forward if they saw what happened.

The vigil included an outpouring of love for Campbell. Candles were placed around his photo in the parking lot of the hotel, those in attendance brought balloons, flowers and teddy bears, and posters of Campbell were distributed.

Campbell was described as a family man who was loved. He often bought treats for his children and was nicknamed T-Money, according to one of his friends. On Sunday, his family embraced each other as they stood feet from where he was shot.

I just need to know why, I need justice for my baby. Im not going to stop fighting for that until I close my eyes. Somebodys got to be held responsible for my baby being dead, Campbells mother said.

According to online court records, Campbell had a warrant out for his arrest since Sept. 20 after missing a court date for charges of being party to a theft between $10,000 and $100,000.

Campbell has a criminal record dating back to 1994 for offenses including substantial battery, disorderly conduct, theft and robbery, drug charges, and resisting or obstructing an officer.

Madison police have said a vehicle that was stolen from a Super 8 hotel in the city was later found at the Super 8 in Windsor where Campbell was shot, but its not clear that the stolen vehicle was connected to the shooting.

His family said a warrant didnt justify Campbells death, and they called out racial disparities in the process.

If there was a Black guy who shot a police officer in this same parking lot, we would know what happened right now. We would know exactly what happened, we would know why they approached him, we would know how many times he was shot, Gafford said.

Gafford asked for the respect of the family and community as they grieve.

We dont have any hatred towards anybody, we dont have any ill feelings towards anybody, he said. We just want to know what happened to our father.
Leaked phone call recordings allegedly show a write-in candidate for the state Legislature from Racine County, Adam Steen, making misogynistic comments, calling some of his own supporters stupid, openly considering breaking election law for a stunt, and agreeing with a statement that his own volunteers are legitimately barbaric.

WisconsinRightNow, a conservative online-only news outlet, reported for the first time Monday on what it says were secretly recorded phone calls between Steen and top Republicans.

In a statement, Steen did not deny any allegations regarding what he said in the recorded phone calls. He said: I recently learned that someone I believed to be a trusted friend and volunteer campaign staff member made an unauthorized disclosure of archival data from both my campaign and private business.

Steen also stated that the leaked audios were a desperate and blatantly political attack intended to derail my campaign just weeks before the election, and called his opponent, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a weak and corrupt  lying coward.

Steen is in a unique three-way race to represent Wisconsin Assembly District 63 against the incumbent, Vos, and Democrat Joel Jacobsen. Steen lost to Vos by 260 votes in a Republican primary that ended Aug. 9.

In a phone interview with The Journal Times on Saturday, prior to the publication of WisconsinRightNows expose, Steen expressed confidence that he would defeat Vos in the general election. Steen also had been confident that he would defeat Vos by 20 points in the primary when in actuality Vos ended up winning by 2.6 points, the narrowest margin of Vos's political career.

Now, Steen and Jacobsen are running as write-ins against Vos ahead of the Nov. 8 Election Day.

Steen and Vos did not immediately reply to requests for comment on this story. Jacobsen declined to comment.

In his statement, Steen said he has no plans to give up on his campaign. I will be undeterred and will continue to offer the voters of this district a candidate willing to fight for those values we hold most dear, his statement concluded.

District 63 primarily includes the southern half of Racine County west of Highway 31.

Leaked conversations

According to WisconsinRightNows reporting, Steen had been recording conversations using the archive function of a phone application his campaign staff was using. A staff member who quit allegedly shared those archived recordings with WisconsinRightNow.

Here is a selection of what Steen allegedly said, according to the report:

WOMEN: Steen at one point was recorded giving a backhanded compliment, saying Youre a female, I get this, but youre fairly logical.

He also laughed at a joke being made by a female staffer, who said If she gets too out of hand you can ask her to go have her period somewhere else, to which Steen replied, Yes, that sounds like a lovely idea.

REGARDING TRUMP SUPPORTERS: Whenever he talks about Donald Trump in public and with reporters, Steen speaks highly about how important the former president's endorsement has been to generating support for the Steen campaign. But according to WisconsinRightNows reporting of the recordings, Steen said voters are stupid to have been swayed to support him solely because of the Trump endorsement.

When a campaign volunteer told Steen We just have stupid voters. I mean like seriously thats the unfortunate fact. Like the reason that the Trump endorsement would be such a big deal is that people solely base their vote on Trumps endorsement, Steen reportedly interjected and apparently agreed, saying, is for the stupid voters, ah, wow.

On Saturday, Steen had told The Journal Times that His (Trumps) continued endorsement is big.

Trump endorsed Steen less than a week before the end of the Aug. 9 primary election as Steen has supported Trumps unending attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which Vos has refused to support.

Steen along with MyPillow Guy Mike Lindell  who is perhaps the nations top purveyor of conspiracy theories about President Joe Bidens 2020 election win  have been advocating to get Trump to headline a rally for Steen in Wisconsin.

In another call, state Rep. Chuck Wichgers told Steen that it would be neat if Trump came in.

GABLEMAN AND ALUMINUM FOIL: A campaign volunteer said she was ordered to wrap her phone in aluminum foil before meeting with former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman. She allegedly went on to say that we were told  we couldnt know the location of the meeting and that our phones had to be in Faraday bags or Faraday cases or wrapped in aluminum foil.

Faraday bags and aluminum foil can block wireless signals.

Gableman led a yearlong investigation into the operation of the 2020 presidential election, which is costing taxpayers more than $1 million, at the order of Vos. After Gableman turned against Vos and endorsed Steen in the final days of the primary, Vos soon after fired Gableman, calling the former Supreme Court justice he hired "an embarrassment."

Despite claims from Gableman and others to the contrary, his investigation uncovered no evidence of widespread fraud.

Gableman, in a call reviewed by WisconsinRightNow, allegedly called the New York Democratic Attorney Generals investigation into Trump a f**king criminal thing. Gableman also described Trump as amazing; hes just amazing.

SHERIFF: According to the report, Steen also disparaged Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, who is highly regarded by conservatives. He was a d***head, he said in a recording. He said Schmaling told him: Im the sheriff, and I dont have time for this stuff.

ABSENTEE: An unnamed Wisconsin Assembly member allegedly suggested that someone request to have Voss absentee ballot mailed to Steens address and then have Steen deliver it to Voss house on video, as a way of again exposing alleged vulnerabilities in Wisconsins absentee ballot system.

This would essentially replicate what Steen supporter Harry Wait did with the ballots of Vos and Racine Mayor Cory Mason, for which Wait now faces felony ID theft and election fraud criminal charges.

BARBARIC: Steen allegedly responded by saying correct after a campaign staff member told him Your volunteers are legitimately barbaric.
A homeowner and a sheriffs deputy were evaluated at a hospital after a house fire in the town of Mazomanie on Saturday morning, the Dane County Sheriffs Office reported.

At about 5:15 a.m. Saturday, deputies and the Mazomanie and Black Earth fire departments and EMS units responded to a house fire at 10106 Highway Y in the town of Mazomanie, Sgt. Michael Sinclair said in a statement.

There was a chimney fire at the house and when the deputy arrive, the homeowner re-entered the home to retrieve items. The deputy also entered the residence to assist the homeowner to safety, Sinclair said.

The homeowner and deputy were taken to a hospital to be evaluated, Sinclair said, with no details provided on any injuries.

The house was considered a total loss, the cause of the fire is under investigation, and the Red Cross was assisting the homeowner, Sinclair said.
JEROME  Cesar Sandoval entered unchartered territory among members of his family on Aug. 16 when he arrived at the University of Idaho campus, where hell major in mechanical engineering.

Sandoval, a recent Jerome High School graduate and the son of a migrant farmer, is a first-generation college student who attributes much of his success to the Juntos program, offered through UI Extension 4-H Youth Development.

Juntos, which means together in Spanish, provides resources and support to Latinx youth in grades eight through 12, helping them graduate from high school and access post-secondary education.

The Jerome County program has raised the bar when it comes to brightening futures, prompting other Idaho counties to model new Juntos programs after it. Other states with Juntos programs are also taking notice: a school in North Carolina, for example, is implementing the Jerome County approach in its existing program.

While Juntos typically operates as a stand-alone, after-school 4-H program, Jerome High School  where half of the study body is Hispanic  was the first to schedule Juntos during school hours for credit as an elective course, available to freshmen through seniors.

You get more access to the students. You get more time for daily interaction. They also have a safe space in that classroom, said Gretchen Manker, UI Extension educator in family and consumer sciences who serves as Juntos program manager in Jerome County.

Sandoval was part of the first cohort of Jerome County Juntos graduates last May, and hes one of five Juntos participants from the high school now enrolled as freshmen at U of I.

Sandoval credits his former Juntos advisor, Eduardo Reyes, who now works as a U of I recruiter, with pushing him to go on to college.

I learned how to give back to everyone, and I grew as a person in Juntos, said Sandoval, who entered the program as a high school freshman. For someone like me who wants to learn and wants to grow as a person, you could get all the help you needed to grow as a person and keep pushing toward your goals.

In 2022, 91% of the 44 students enrolled in Juntos graduated from Jerome High School or an alternative school. By comparison, the most recent statewide data from the Idaho State Department of Education shows about 80% of the general student population graduated from high school, including 71.8% of Latinx students.

Juntos, offered in 15 states, is made possible through partnerships involving Extension 4-H and family and consumer science agents, school and college administrators and staff and community volunteers.

Recruiters from several colleges frequently visit Jerome High School to make Juntos students aware of their options.

The Juntos coordinator and experts from the community help teach lessons in personal finance, basic cooking, nutrition, food safety, home ownership, resume writing, job interviewing and other life skills. Juntos students hear about scholarships and other financial aid options from College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) recruiters representing area colleges and universities. CAMP helps students with backgrounds in migrant or seasonal farm work succeed. Furthermore, Juntos families and students collaborate in six annual family workshops.

The first goal of Juntos is for families and students to work together, Manker said.

Each Juntos class also has its own 4-H club, where students learn parliamentary procedure through biweekly meetings, elect officers, maintain log books and foster speaking and leadership skills.

Juntos participant Wendy Montano, whose parents immigrated from Mexico, is poised to be the first in her family to graduate from high school, let alone attend college. Because her Juntos instructor encouraged her to take college-level courses for dual credit, shell also leave Jerome High School at the end of this school year with an associate degree in psychology. Shes considering the University of Idaho among her options for postsecondary education.

Before I started Juntos, my goal was just to get through high school because nobody in my family had ever graduated from high school, Montano said. Juntos opens your eyes and tells you theres more opportunities than you think. I think its that they support you unconditionally. Theyre always believing in you.

U of Is Juntos program traces back to 2017, when the university awarded funds to start a two-year program to improve academic success of Latinx eighth graders at Jerome Middle School, called Go On. The program had 37 graduates.

In 2018, U of I partnered with North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University on a five-year, $1.28 million grant  half of which went to U of I  through USDAs National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The grant established the Jerome High School Juntos program, which recently started its final year.

The Juntos program also returned for the current school year to Jerome Middle Schools eighth grade classrooms.

I love the fact that its back, said Jerome Middle School Vice Principal Sam Sharp. Im glad we have our eighth graders thinking about college.

In 2019, U of I obtained another USDA-NIFA grant for $1.28 million over five years to start Juntos programs at Twin Falls Middle School, Twin Falls High School and Blaine County High School. Those programs were short-lived due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing shortages. Tina Miller, UI Extension Twin Falls County 4-H educator, is well-versed in the success of Juntos 4-H at Jerome schools. Shes taken the lead in using the funding to reboot the program at South Hills Middle School in Twin Falls.

There are at least 10 counties that had at least a 50% Hispanic population that we knew we needed to do something different, said Judith Schoenfelder, state 4-H Youth Development program specialist.

Last year, U of I led the efforts in a joint project with Washington State University to receive a five-year, $1.28 million USDA-NIFA grant to start new Idaho Juntos programs in Canyon County and Coeur dAlene Reservation, as well as programs in Chelan and Whatcom counties in the state of Washington.

Northwest Farm Credit Services has been so impressed by Juntos that it recently donated $80,000 to fund the programs in Jerome County through the end of 2024.

The Juntos 4-H program reaches more than 70 Latinx students in Jerome County and we respect the programs record of success in helping many first-generation students develop a greater sense of belonging and confidence, said Doug Robison, Idaho president of Northwest Farm Credit Services. Students who participate in Juntos 4-H achieve higher grades and their probability of graduating from high school increases.

A Payette County Juntos program is also planned.

It helps parents and youth know they can go on  that they can graduate and they have a possibility of looking in a broader way at what they can do as adults, Manker said.
A day without Elon Musk is an OK day. Not that I dont like him. Hes a business genius, after all, who launched the electric-vehicle future. He helped preserve online access in a battered Ukraine by sending over 12,000 Starlink terminals that work with orbiting satellites. Ukraine thanked him for that.

Ukraine was less enthusiastic about Musks tweeted peace plan, which included surrendering much of its occupied land to Russia. Ukraines ambassador to Germany responded with a vulgar suggestion.

Point is, Musk may be a techno-wizard and the worlds richest human. But that doesnt make him the globe-trotting wise man able to resolve the knottiest political tensions. Of course, he can put off-the-top-of-his-head observations on Twitter, the social media giant he seems about to buy. Lots of smart people do.

But his vow that if/when he becomes Twitter boss he will end the moderation policies that got Donald Trump thrown off the platform is problematic from a business model standpoint. Oh, that may sound swell to a chest-pounding libertarian. And true, Twitter would be Musks party to which he could invite anyone to say almost anything, however repulsive, false or dangerous.

What Musk seems to miss, apart from a sense of civic responsibility, is this: No one has to be on Twitter. Letting Trump and his thuggy minions back on would ruin the neighborhood. Twitter would turn into a right-wing cesspool, as a writer for Vanity Fair put it.

When Trump was booted off Twitter after the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol, he started his own social media platform, Truth Social. Trump had 90 million followers on Twitter but only 4 million on Truth Social.

Now, why would that be? The reason is that all those liberals, moderates and sane conservatives that Trump was trolling on Twitter give a very wide berth to Truth Social. No one goes to a fight with only one guy in the ring.

The right complains that Twitter unfairly censors its political opinions. Not true. The right may not have a monopoly on idiocy, but it does have a commanding market share  the crowning example being dangerous conspiracy theories about the 2020 election having been stolen.

Interesting that so-called conservatives in the Texas legislature passed a law that would stop tech companies from banning commentary on the basis of political viewpoint. They seem to have missed the lecture on the rights of private ownership.

Christopher Cox, a former Republican congressman from California, says he sympathizes with conservative angst over some of the platforms decisions. But as a board member of Netchoice, a tech industry lobbying group, Cox says, Politicians exercising control over the political speech of others is a very dangerous recipe.

You cant own the libs if the libs have left the premises. And that lack of customers may be a big reason Truth Social may be going the way of Trump Steaks, Trump University and the six bankrupt Trump casinos.

A Twitter that becomes a right-wing cesspool transforms itself into a Truth Social. Finding a proper balance for content moderation is not easy to do, but understand this: A site bursting with lunatics hollering QAnon crap would be avoided by the very people it should want.

As for the worlds richest man, Musk should know that he does not get to dominate my attention for free. If hes interested in paying me to listen to everything he has to say, he should give me a call. Im open to negotiation. But he should know: It will cost him.

Elon Musk may be a tech superman, but a day without him is still an OK day. Same goes for a day without Twitter.
HILDEBRAN  A Thursday night disturbance led to a high-speed chase on Interstate 40 that ended in a crash and deputies finding an infant inside the vehicle.

JerMichael Davidson, 24, of Charlotte, was charged with felony flee to elude arrest and felony possession of a firearm by a felon, according to a release from the Burke County Sheriffs Office. Also charged was 20-year-old Lee Owens, of Charlotte, who was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon.

The charges came after deputies were dispatched to the Pond View Apartments on Main Avenue East in Hildebran around 9:13 p.m. for a reported disturbance, according to the release.

A caller described two people in a tan, older-model car brandishing multiple firearms in the parking lot of the complex and causing a disturbance, the release said. One of the individuals was screaming for someone to come downstairs.

BCSO investigators responded to the scene and saw the two men, later identified as Davidson and Owens, outside of the vehicle. Investigators attempted to stop the vehicle, but it fled the scene and tried to hit a marked BCSO patrol vehicle to escape, the release said.

Deputies gave chase, following the vehicle east on I-40 into Catawba County, hitting speeds as high as 115 mph, the release said. The chase came to an end on the ramp at Exit 125, where the vehicle crashed.

BCSO investigators took Davidson and Owens into custody, and Davidsons infant was found in a car seat in the back of the car. The child was not hurt.

Investigators also found crack cocaine in Owens possession, the release said.

Davidson, who has a previous conviction of felony possession of stolen goods, had his bond set at $35,000 secured, while Owens bond was set at $5,000 secured, the release said.

Theyre both set to appear in court again Nov. 4, according to records from the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
Lawyers for Biafran separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu said late last week that their client had been acquitted by a ruling of the Abuja Court of Appeal, although he remains in prison for the time being.

The ruling refers to Kanus arrest abroad and transfer to Nigeria, a process the lawyers said was illegal and they said they had the process struck down.

Extradition is an obstacle to the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, tweeted one of his lawyers Aloy Ejimakor, adding that his client is thus freed of all charges.

Mr. Kanu is the leader of the Independence Movement for the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (Ipob), which seeks the rebirth of a separate state for the Igbo ethnic group in southeastern Nigeria.

A British citizen, he was first arrested in 2015, but took advantage of his bail to leave Nigeria in 2017.

Late last week, two of his lawyers, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Aloy Ejimakor, said the Abuja Court of Appeal had acquitted Mr. Kanu by withdrawing the charges against him.

However, Nigerias attorney general, Abubakar Malami, responded to the ruling in a statement saying the separatist was discharged but not acquitted.

Malami said authorities will explore legal steps to revisit the courts decision. He said the court failed to take into account issues that took place before Nnamdi Kanu was extradited to Nigeria from Kenya last year.

The former Biafra, a deprived region in the southeast mainly populated by the Igbo community, was the scene of a bloody civil war between 1967 and 1970.

After the death of more than a million people, notably from famine, and the failure of the rebellion, the Republic of Biafra was finally reintegrated into Nigeria, a country of nearly 200 million inhabitants regularly shaken by intercommunal tensions. However, the desire for independence has not disappeared.

Southeastern Nigeria is experiencing an upsurge in violence, blamed by the authorities on ipob, which has repeatedly denied any responsibility.

Targeted attacks have killed more than 100 police and other security personnel in the region since the beginning of the year, according to local media reports.
Moving at a fast pace since it was reprivatized in 2021, Textang II textile factory aims to conquer the Angolan market with national fabrics and expects to reach a turnover of 30 million euros already next year.

As explained in an interview, Jorge do Amaral, who leads Alcaal, the Argentine group that took over the factory in the scope of the Privatization Program of the Angolan government, through a management contract with the company Investimentos e Participaces (IEP).

We are still a long way from reaching the factorys maximum production capacity, admits Alcaals CEO.

The factory currently produces over 50 thousand meters of fabric per month, but it can produce up to 800 thousand meters of fabric per month, a goal that Jorge do Amaral hopes to achieve as early as next year by doubling the number of workers, from the current 250 to 500 workers, and by starting to work 24 hours a day, divided into three shifts.

The goal is to reach 10 million meters of fabric produced in 2023, he emphasized during a visit to the Textang II factory in Cazenga, Luanda.

The top priority is self-sufficiency in the domestic market. Maybe in four or five years, we can think about an export profile, but the focus today is the domestic market, he stresses.

Unless unexpected opportunities arise, he added, noting that the rise in energy costs will have a brutal impact on the Portuguese textile industry. After the conclusion of the reprivatization processes, Textang II is now managed by Alcaal, while the former Satec and Africa Textil are under the responsibility of Baobab Cotton (Zimbabwe).
The Cape Verdean Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, said that the National Institute of Forensic Medicine is a priority for the country and predicted its full installation in less than 10 years.

The Government has already created the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences and its operation is a priority and its impact on the quality of criminal investigation and in reducing the slowness of justice will be felt, said the head of the Government, in a speech, in Praia, during the inauguration of the new Campus of Justice.

In March, the Minister of Justice, Joana Rosa, said that the country is in a hurry to fully install this institute, expecting it to happen within 10 years.

We will work to significantly shorten the plan for its implementation, it wont be 10 years, it will have to be much less time and it is in the framework of investment priorities and the good cooperation that we also have with Portugal regarding this matter, predicted the Prime Minister.

According to a study presented in October 2021, the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (INMLCF) of Cape Verde will be installed gradually and should be fully operational on all islands in 10 years.

The Government of Cape Verde has since 2017 in progress the installation of this institute, which aims to make the justice system faster and more efficient, especially in the process of obtaining criminal evidence.

The installation, which will be in the old University of Cape Verde (Uni-CV) facilities in the city of Praia, has the support of Portugal and the Cape Verdean government wants it to be phased and with well identified goals at each stage.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)a type of high blood pressure that affects arteries in the lungs and in the hearthave improved significantly over the past 15 to 20 years and researchers at the University of Cincinnati have been at the forefront of those improvements.

The result of a series of studies UC researchers were part of have allowed new medications to come to market for patients with PAH.

"Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a severe and life-limiting vascular disease and initially the only therapy for this condition was a continuous IV infusion," says Jean Elwing, MD, in the Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the UC College of Medicine. "Since 2007, there were several studies which the UC pulmonary hypertension program was actively involved in to evaluate an oral form of prostacyclin," she said, referring to a drug that inhibits platelet activation and is also an effective vasodilator that opens or dilates blood vessels. "These studies allowed this medication to become [Food and Drug Administration] approved for use in our patients."

One of the patients Elwing has been working with since 2007 is Gary Hammond, 70, of Cincinnati. He developed PAH toward the end of 2004 and beginning of 2005.

"When this patient was initially diagnosed, his symptoms were very severe," says Elwing. "The most effective option at that time was continuous IV therapy for the severity of pulmonary hypertension that he was experiencing. He was subsequently changed to subcutaneous medication because at that time it was a better delivery system for him."

Hammond describes the continuous IV therapy as an "ordeal."

"You have to stick a needle in your abdomen, and that needle site would last maybe two weeks. Then you would have to take it out and replace it. And the medicine is a very potent vasodilator so wherever you stick it in, you get a bruise. It gets very painful," Hammond says. "I had plastic bags I had to put the pump in to take a shower. You roll over in bed, you had to take the pump with you. You have to be careful not to pull it out. I pulled it out several times in my sleep."

Elwing says one of the first studies her team was part of was called Freedom M, which examined prostacyclin as a monotherapy, or the use of a single drug to treat a disease or condition. The subsequent Freedom C study examined prostacyclin in combination with other PAH therapies. Later, Elwing and her team participated in the Freedom EV study, which is long-term research looking at the change in disease progression in patients on prostacyclin. Data from that study was presented by Elwing at the American College of Chest Physicians international conference in mid-October.

Elwing says several factors contribute to her passion for researching PAH. One is the science and physiology of the disease, which she describes as complex and delicate and very challenging to manage.

"Secondly, you've taken a disease that in the 1990s was a death sentence and now you've made it a condition we can live with," Elwing says. "That has been extremely fascinating, amazing to work through and be part of developing the drugs that made it happen."

Another key component of her passion for fighting this disease is the PAH patients.

"You get to know these people. You get to help them through many life events while you're managing their disease so they can experience those moments," Elwing says. "You want them to experience the birth of their grandchild, their daughter going to high school, their kid finishing grade school, and we couldn't do this without these medications."

Patient Hammond is thankful for the medications as well as the health care providers who have helped him along the way.

"Outside of being old, I feel pretty good and all of it I attribute to the doctors I have, from my rheumatologist to my cardiologist to my pulmonologist," Hammond says. "I think Dr. Elwing has done wonders for me. I can never thank her enough for keeping me alive."
News from the DEA has some parents worried that rainbow-colored opioids could be given to their children this Halloween. Not only is the claim misguided, Northeastern experts say. It also contributes to a dangerous dialogue about drugs in the United States. Credit: Drug Enforcement Administration

Parents may have noticed a disturbing trend on social media this month: claims that fentanyl is being manufactured in colorful tablets that are meant to attract their children.

Politicians like Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) spread the news on their own social media accounts, telling parents to be aware ahead of the upcoming Halloween holiday and blaming President Joe Biden for not cracking down harder on immigration. And programs like Fox News and Good Morning America have covered the claims as well.

In reality, experts say colorful fentanyl is not likely to pose a risk to children, and in fact, it might actually help keep users from unintentionally overdosing. What's more, rather than helping to protect children, the spread of misinformation like this could actually be harmful for those who are already at risk.

The trending news comes thanks to an August DEA release which calls colorful fentanyl "a new method used by drug cartels to sell highly addictive and potentially deadly fentanyl made to look like candy to children and young people."

Experts have disputed the claim that fentanyl could be distributed to young children, who have very little buying power, and others have noted that the claim, combined with pre-existing panic about children being harmed by trick-or-treating candy, has been used by the right to bemoan the Biden administration's response to immigration.

None of this is a surprise to Leo Beletsky, Northeastern professor of law. He agrees that there is a low probability that opioid distributors would target children and says that actually, the colorful tablets might be a good thing.

Much of the danger from opioids, Beletsky says, comes from users taking a drug without being aware that it contains fentanyl. During the manufacturing process, drugs like meth, cocaine and opioids are "cut" with other agents to increase the volume being sold; this dilutes the actual amount of the drug. Fentanyl, which is far easier to make than heroin and is currently prevalent in the Boston drug supply, is mixed with cutting agents to make it look like a lot is being sold, despite the fact that a small amount is extremely potent.

During this cutting process, Beletsky says, there is a risk of other products getting cross contaminated with fentanyl. Someone using cocaine, for example, may accidentally ingest fentanyl despite having no intention of using an opioid. They may be "opioid naive," or have no tolerance of the drug, so a small amount can be deadly.

Colorful fentanyl tablets, however, are clearly marked and distinguishable from other products like oxycontin. "It used to be that illicit manufacturing tried to mimic what the pharmaceutical product looks like, and that's super dangerous," Beletsky says. "The rainbow fentanyl could be actually a positive signal that this is a fake counterfeit material."

Fentanyl has been largely responsible for the steep rise in opioid-related overdoses in recent years. There were 2,234 opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts in 2021, up nearly 9% from 2020, and up nearly 500% from the year 2000. The report attributes this rise to fentanyl, which was present in 93% of the opioid-related deaths in 2021. Nationally, 82.3% of opioid-related deaths involve synthetics like fentanyl, according to the CDC.

Despite the dangers, those who claim children could be targeted with fentanyl misunderstand the real risks for children in the United States. Of the opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts in 2021, 91% were people between the ages of 25 and 64, and of those who died of opioid overdose in 2020, only 0.2% were under the age of 15. The CDC reports that the biggest causes of death for children by far are guns and vehicle crashes; drug poisoning is on par with cancer and suffocation.

But, as Chad Lee-Stronach, a professor of philosophy who studies risk, says, sensational headlines, and especially those involving children, could distort one's sense of danger.

"There are certain cognitive biases that we have that lead us to have a distorted appreciation of the actual risk," he says. In cases like these, "we confuse salience for greater degree of risk."

The consequences of overstating this particular risk are more far-reaching than parents having to spend an extra moment checking their kids' candy. Not only do statements like the DEA's encourage politicians to be tougher on issues like immigration, they also contribute to a landscape where addiction is treated as a crimewhich "has not been effective in any way," Beletsky saysinstead of a health issue. Misinformation like this leads to harshly punitive policies, Beletsky wrote in a report, and restrictions on access to medical fentanyl.

As the national dialogue shifts focus to treatment over incarceration, "it's in [the DEA's] interest to create these kinds of panics" to stay funded, Beletsky says. "I think they do it for clout," he says. As Lee-Stronach notes, the DEA warning does not include any recommendations or guidance.

While rainbow fentanyl may dominate the drug news cycle, there are other issues affecting opioid users that need more attention, Beletsky says. This includes the self-regulated rehabilitation system, which, he says, can claim to offer miracle therapies and "snake oil" solutions. Misinformation can become a barrier to getting effective treatment, as well as cost. He calls it a "consumer nightmare."

Another problem is the underprescription of opioids. Unlike in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when doctors overprescribed opioids to the point where patients became addicted, now it is difficult for people to get ahold of pain treatment, so they go outside of traditional medicine.

"The pendulum has swung really far in the other direction, and so people are not able to access medications that they need," Beletsky says.
Mandatory isolation rules for people with COVID end today. Pandemic leave disaster payments will also cease for all workers except casual workers employed in aged care, disability, hospitals, Indigenous health services and hospitals.

These changes signal the end of most legislated COVID safeguards. Rules to enforce mask-wearing on public transport, vaccination for entry to public spaces, and isolation of close contacts have been dropped by state and territory governments in recent months.

Many places have also discontinued vaccine mandates for workers in sectors such as aged care, disability, and health.

Despite the clear benefits of good indoor ventilation to reduce COVID transmission risk, many schools, workplaces, and public spaces are poorly ventilated.

The withdrawal of active protections plus the failure to ensure safe indoor air puts people with disability at greater risk than the rest of the population. Action is needed to protect this group.

People with disability face deadly risks

International studies show disabled people are at higher risk of dying from COVID than their age-matched peers. People with intellectual and psychosocial disability (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and social anxiety disorders) are at the highest riskthree to nine times that of the general population.

In England between January 2020 and March 2022, 60% of people who died from COVID were disabled.

To date, comparable data has still not been reported for Australians with disability. But there is no reason to believe the risk for disabled Australians is any different than overseas.

Some people with disability are clinically vulnerable because they are immunocompromised due to medications for conditions such as for rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. This group also has a higher prevalence of conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory disease. These are associated with serious disease and death from COVID.

Many disabled Australians also have difficulties accessing health care because of physical inaccessibility and lack of knowledge and expertise of health care providers about disability. This means they may not receive anti-viral COVID treatments, even if they are eligible.

Enforced isolation

Many people with disability continue to isolate at home to avoid infection and are effectively shut out of society as online options for participation dry up.

For people who rely on paid support, isolation is not an option. Their workers are still circulating in the community. Some disabled people live and work in congregate environments with other people with disabilitysettings associated with higher rates of COVID infection and death.

A significant minority of people with disability have not had the recommended COVID vaccinations and boosters.

Almost one quarter of participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) aged 16 and over have not had three COVID vaccine doses; less than one-third have had four doses. A third of NDIS participants aged 12 to 15 have not had two COVID vaccine doses. The vaccination rates of the 88% people with disability who are not on the NDIS are not reported.

A forgotten workforce

Disability support workers we spoke to in 2020 told us they felt forgotten by government without access to personal protective equipment and tailored information about how to protect themselves and people they supported.

Workers we surveyed in 2021 reported higher levels of vaccine hesitancy than the general population and expressed concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy.

Concern about what's next

Without isolation periods in place, people with disability are deeply concerned about what will happen when new immune-evasive variants of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) arrive.

Throughout the pandemic, disability advocates and supporters and academics have drawn attention to the risks of COVID for disabled people.

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability criticized the federal government for its slow initial efforts to protect people with disability during the pandemic and for delays in the vaccination rollout.

Governments around the world have reassured the public COVID is more dangerous for the chronically ill, elderly and disabled. This has the effect of suggesting their/our lives matter less.

Public health measuresor decisions to end themsignal what our society is prepared to do to care for people at risk. Some advocates have labeled the relaxation of COVID protections as ableist, even eugenicist. Others say it will guarantee the societal exclusion of the clinically vulnerable.

With evidence long COVID can affect one in 20 of those infected, including previously healthy people, the proportion of disabled people in our community will likely swell in coming years.

Five COVID protections needed for people with disability

Strategies to minimize the COVID risk for people with disability should include:

concerted government campaigns to increase uptake of third and fourth doses among people with disability continued access to free rapid antigen tests (RATs) for people with disability and support workers advice about ventilation of indoor spaces, particularly in congregate settings with access to air quality monitors and purifiers if needed free access to respirator (P2/N95) masks for use indoors outreach to ensure people with disability who are eligible for antiviral treatment can access it promptly.

Governments need to work with services and workers to make sure they understand the risks to people with disability if they have symptoms of COVID or other respiratory infections.

Workers who test positive for COVID should be blocked from face-to-face support of people with disability for at least seven days and pending a negative RAT. Access to paid isolation leave for disability workers is critical, so they don't have to choose between exposing the people with disability they support to illness and paying the rent.

Finally, when new COVID variants and waves inevitably emerge, governments will need to remain open to reintroducing measures including isolation of positive cases and mask-wearing indoors. This could avoid devastating outcomes for people with disability and other Australians at increased risk of serious disease and death.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The COVID pandemic changed people's lives in many ways. For instance, lockdowns and curfews drove people from their cities' streets and kept many at home. Nigeria was no different.

Many studies about COVID have focused on economic losses, disrupted livelihoods and changes in social relations. But there's been little research into changes in criminal behavior. Criminals, too, altered their routines, as seen in increased robberies in some communities.

As my new research found, this spurred communities in one of Nigeria's largest cities, Ibadan, to work together to keep their neighborhoods safe.

Their initiative seems to have been successfulfor example one respondent told me there had been no robberies while the effort was under way. This underscores the important role community policing can play in Nigeria's overall security system. The people I interviewed acted in a way that aligned with a Yoruba saying related to safety: "A secured household is a secured community." That is, individual security leads to collective security; so, if a person is safe, the community is also safe.

Since precolonial days, communities have played a significant role in their own security. Research has shown this happening in communities outside Africa too.

COVID restrictions have ended. That doesn't mean community policing is no longer useful. Nigerian authorities should explore how the model I studied might be harnessed to empower communities.

Community mobilization

My study focused on the community of Awotan. It is largely populated by professionals like lawyers, medical doctors and academics. Younger residents tend to work in the informal sector such as transport, masonry, tailoring and carpentry. Awotan is made up of seven zones or communities, each with its own executive. Each executive is made up of community chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, security coordinator, environment coordinator, electricity coordinator and public relations coordinator. I interviewed 15 residents, ranging in age from 30 to 58, to understand how the community reacted to security threats during COVID lockdowns.

Awotan is in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in southwest Nigeria. The state imposed a partial lockdown on 28 March 2020 that allowed only essential workers and some markets to operate. Hotels, banks and schools were shut. The economy slowed down. The pandemic restrictions forced customers and business owners to move from the business districts to residential areas.

Before COVID-19, the Awotan communities were occasionally exposed to burglary, theft and armed attacks. Awotan residents were also worried after gangs of armed robbers attacked three adjoining communities.

Before the pandemic, the Central Community Development Association moderated the amount security personnel were paid, to ensure uniformity. When necessary, it supported the police to patrol communities.

During the pandemic, the crime fighting structures were modified. A community watch was supervised at each community by its executive and centrally by the president of the central association and some of their executives.

The community watch increased during the lockdown. The community's central executive committee met with zonal executives to agree on simultaneous proactive community mobilization. Each community manned its own borders and patrolled dark spots.

Groups went out every night at midnight, from house to house, using whistles to call people out to be part of the community safety initiative. Some of those who joined the community watch were deployed to hotspots and gathered around small fires to signal their presence and deter criminals. Residents were also divided into different groups to patrol community borders and guard against invasion.

One of my interviewees told me:

"The neighboring communities were being attacked and robbed. Papa community was robbed. At Aderogba community, the thieves came on motorcycles but we mobilized to that community to resist them. We modified the vigilante operation and patrol. This approach worked for us because we did not experience any robbery in our community since we adopted concurrent patrol operation."

Another male resident said: "My community has over 200 houses and more than 200 households. Before COVID-19, occasional theft occurred during daytime when most people would have gone out to work while burglary was most popular. While some houses have experienced serial theft and burglary, many have not. The news of victimization around the area spurred many to join the neighborhood watch team."

He added: You see, if you don't join them and thieves attack your house, you will be left alone. Those who do not join may be seen as sabotaging the security of the community. Thus it is better one comes out and patrol with them. "

The community has now reverted to the old form of policing, but coordinated with information from the central executives.

Community policing is important

The structures which formed the neighborhood watch are still in place despite relaxation of lockdown. And communities still work together when there is a threat to their living.

The results of this mobilization suggest that Nigerian authorities should consider embracing a decentralized policing system. This would involve incorporating ordinary people into the security architecture, contributing to everyone's safety.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Graphical abstract. Credit: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2022). DOI: 10.1172/JCI162123

A new study provides novel insights on dynamics of blood sugar levels and autoimmunity in early childhood: When and why does type 1 diabetes manifest in children? For the first time, researchers conducted a long-term study on infants and young children with increased genetic risk of type 1 diabetes.

The results have now been published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The authors provide a unique picture of the dynamics of blood sugar regulation during early childhood and its relationship to the development of autoimmunity.

POInT study is uniquely poised to study blood sugar levels during the development of autoimmunity

Within the framework of the Global Platform for the Prevention of Autoimmune Diabetes (GPPAD), the clinical primary prevention study POInT (Primary Oral Insulin Trial) is conducted multicentrically at seven clinical sites in five countries. POInT aims to prevent the formation of islet autoantibodies, and thus the induction of type 1 diabetes.

As a result of a misdirected immune reaction, the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are destroyed in people with type 1 diabetes. It was previously thought that metabolic changes occur close to the onset of clinical disease and that the pancreatic beta cells are destroyed by the autoimmunity. However, no one had looked closely at what happens when the autoimmunity starts.

Therefore, the POInT study conducted a frequent follow-up in the first years of lifestarting at four months of agein over 1,000 children with a genetically determined 10 percent risk to develop type 1 diabetes. This enabled the researchers to precisely correlate changes in blood glucose with the timing of islet autoantibody development.

"Our results change our understanding of the development of type 1 diabetes. We show that metabolic changes occur in an earlier phase of the disease than previously anticipated," explains Anette-Gabriele Ziegler, Director at the Helmholtz Munich Institute of Diabetes Research (IDF). Together with an international team of researchers, she conducted the POInT study. The team examined the pre- and post-prandial blood sugar levels together with islet autoantibodies in the participating children.

Results provide new approaches for research

First, and in contrast to the previous assumption, the results showed that the blood sugar concentrations shortly after birth are not stable. Instead they decrease in the first year of life, and then increase again at around 1.5 years of age.

"The dynamic changes in glucose metabolism in the first years of life were a surprise to us. They very likely reflect changes in the pancreatic islets and signal that we need to study glucose metabolism and the pancreas in early life more intensely" says Katharina Warncke, Chief Physician for Pediatric Endocrinology / Diabetology at the Department of Pediatrics and scientist at the IDF.

Importantly, the scientists found that in the children who developed autoimmunity compared to children who did not, blood sugar levels after meals were already higher two months before the formation of islet antibodies. This difference persisted and was also followed by increases in pre-meal values after the autoimmunity.

Puzzle around the key event inducing the autoimmune reaction

The researchers were able to determine that blood sugar levels of infants and young children behave dynamically and reflect the concentration peak of islet autoantibodiesthis indicates a phase of activity and susceptibility of islet cells.

"The change in post-meal blood sugar levels shortly before the initial detection of autoantibodies points to the likelihood that there is an event impairing the function of the islets preceding and contributing to the autoimmune reaction. As glucose values further increase after seroconversion, the impairment or damage seems to be sustained leading to further glucose instability," explains Warncke.

"The observed changes in blood sugar levels in relation to autoantibody formation are exciting. Now we know that the start of the disease process is likely to be acting at the pancreatic islets and we can focus our research to find the cause of this chronic illness," says Ezio Bonifacio, Professor at the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden at the Technische Universitat Dresden.

In summary, the scientists discovered that metabolic alterations occur in a much earlier stage of the disease than previously assumed: changes can occur in parallel to autoimmunity or even precede it. The researchers suggest that the excess increase in blood sugar levels after eating and shortly before the formation of antibodies is connected to a change in islet cell function.

"Changes in glucose levels could thus serve as an indicator of islet cell dysfunction and a potential onset of autoimmunity against beta cells in the future," summarizes Ziegler. However, this requires intensive further research of glucose metabolism and additional biomarkers in early childhood. The scientists ultimately strive to reduce the number of new cases of type 1 diabetes. Four out of every 1,000 children in Western, industrialized nations are currently affected.

More information: Katharina Warncke et al, Elevations in blood glucose before and after the appearance of islet autoantibodies in children, Journal of Clinical Investigation (2022). Journal information: Journal of Clinical Investigation Katharina Warncke et al, Elevations in blood glucose before and after the appearance of islet autoantibodies in children,(2022). DOI: 10.1172/JCI162123

Provided by Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen Deutsches Forschungszentrum fur Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH)
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The abuse began with seemingly small insults: If she could do more around the house, he'd be happier. If she weren't disabled, their sex would be better.

Then came the threats. He'd take the children away. He'd tell her to kill herself. He said he'd kill her. "I can kill you right now," he said, "and there's nothing you can do about it."

"It just kept escalating," said the woman, who, for her safety, asked that her name not be used. "At first, I did anything I could to get him to stay, because I was afraid of not having anyone love me, was ashamed and embarrassed, and blamed myself a lot. He used the chair against me, said I would not be capable of raising the kids."

Her story isn't uncommon.

About 12% of American women of reproductive ageroughly 1 millionlive with at least one physical or cognitive disability. When compared to non-disabled peers, women with disabilities are far less likely to use contraception and far more likely to become pregnant unintentionally, University of Virginia nurse scientist Jeanne Alhusen has found. And more often, these women face intimate-partner violence behind closed doors.

Alhusen's latest study revealed that women with disabilities were 2.5 times more likely to experience violence in the year before and during pregnancy, compared to their non-disabled peers. She also found that one-third of the disabled women reported that their pregnancies were the result of sexual violence. The researchbased on the responses from nearly 44,000 women from 24 states who gave birth between 2018 and 2020is published in a recent issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing.

Alhusen, an associate professor in UVA's School of Nursing, and her co-authors say that traditional screening questions for intimate-partner violence recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists don't go far enough for women with disabilities.

They suggest more personalized, probing questions such as, "Has your partner prevented you from using a wheelchair, cane, respirator, or other device? Has your partner refused to help you with an important personal need, such as taking your medicine, getting to the bathroom, getting out of bed, bathing, getting dressed, or getting food or drink, or threatened not to help you with these personal needs?"

Regardless of disability status, exposure to violence before, during and after pregnancy can have grave consequences. Alhusen, whose research was among the first to identify the link between exposure to violence during pregnancy and infants' low birth weight, has, with colleagues, repeatedly affirmed that women who experience violence during pregnancy are more likely to be depressed, experience PTSD, and attempt or commit suicide.

Their children are more likely to be born prematurely, and more likely to suffer from lifelong cognitive problems and physical delays. Their children are also more likely to die at birth.

The study "strongly [suggests] that perinatal intimate-partner violence is a substantial problem for women with disabilities," Alhusen and her co-authors write, "requiring attention by providers with disability-related knowledge and experience. Given the disparities shown  screening women with disabilities for intimate-partner violence during the perinatal period is an important step toward preventing the occurrence of serious injury, additional disabling health conditions, or death."

For the woman who endured taunts and later physical violence, when her marriage later ended, she was granted custody of the children. She's now remarried.

She's still troubled by the abuse she suffered, and by her willingness, at least for a while, to accept it.

"Part of me feels angry that I should've left sooner," she said. "I was educated. I knew it was all wrong, but I did not want him to have the kids, even part-time, and it scared me to think of what would happen if he did."

More information: Jeanne L. Alhusen et al, Intimate partner violence during the perinatal period by disability status: Findings from a United States populationbased analysis, Journal of Advanced Nursing (2022). Journal information: Journal of Advanced Nursing Jeanne L. Alhusen et al, Intimate partner violence during the perinatal period by disability status: Findings from a United States populationbased analysis,(2022). DOI: 10.1111/jan.15340
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, San Francisco, or UCSF, have added new documents to the Opioid Industry Documents Archive that detail the role of retail pharmacies in the opioid overdose epidemic.

The documents, based on litigation led by the Florida Attorney General, the Ohio counties of Lake and Trumbull, and the San Francisco City Attorney, show how companies including CVS, Rite-Aid, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart repeatedly failed to employ safeguards meant to prevent the over-dispensing and diversion of potentially dangerous controlled substances.

The court records show that pharmacies repeatedly ignored the strict policies and guidelines from the Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, designed to protect patients who receive controlled substances like prescription opioids. The records also show that many of these pharmacies repeatedly faced disciplinary action for failing to take corrective steps after breaking the rules. Examples include:

Not following DEA guidelines on drug dispensing

Failing to report suspicious drug sales to the DEA

Not having (or not following) a plan to prevent the illegal diversion of drugs

In the case of Walgreens, engaging in deceptive marketing by not informing patients about the dangers of opioids

The archive, launched by the two research universities in March 2021, is a digital repository of publicly disclosed documents arising from litigation brought against opioid manufacturers and consultants to the manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies by local and state governments and tribal communities. For decades, as opioid addiction and deaths mounted, the public knew very little about the hidden business of making and selling prescription painkillers. Thousands of lawsuits have since shone a bright light on the industry's practices. The archive is collecting as many documents as possible and sharing them freely.

"Much attention has been paid to the role of pharmaceutical manufacturers like Purdue in causing the opioid epidemic. But the archive's documents are showing the public with great detail that drug makers did not create this tragedy by themselves," said G. Caleb Alexander, professor of epidemiology and medicine at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and co-founding director of its Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness. Alexander, who has served as a paid plaintiff's expert in federal and state opioid litigation, added, "There is a long path from the pill maker to the public, with multiple players including pharmacies in between."

The addition of more than 2,200 pharmacy documents will expand the archive's collection of more than 1.5 million opioid industry documents. The archive may be of use to many different parties, including families harmed by the opioid crisis, as well as the media, health care practitioners, students, lawyers, and researchers.

Documents are full-text searchable and include an array of relevant materials, including company emails, memos, presentations, sales reports, budgets, audit reports, Drug Enforcement Administration briefings, meeting agendas and minutes, expert witness reports, and trial transcripts.

The opioid archive is modeled after UCSF's pioneering Truth Tobacco Industry Documents archive, which has fostered scientific and public health discoveries shaping tobacco policy in the U.S. and around the world. Like its counterpart, the opioid archive is designed to accommodate new documents from future settlements or judgments as litigation continues.

It will allow researchers and historians to find and analyze negative patterns and practices of industry behavior that can lead to new policies and laws to protect the public from criminal, unethical and dangerous behavior.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first wave of opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. began as early as 1999 with the increased opioid prescribing of the 1990s. Between 1999 and 2020, according to the CDC, more than 564,000 people in the U.S. fatally overdosed from prescription and illicit opioids. The White House Council of Economic Advisers' most recent analysis estimates that the opioid epidemic cost $696 billion in 2018, and more than $2.5 trillion between 2015 and 2018.

"These documents are of huge importance, now and in the long term," said Kate Tasker, UCSF Industry Documents Library's managing archivist. "We are making them publicly available as soon as possible so that they can inform current public health investigation and action, but we are also working to preserve them for future generations of researchers, historians, policymakers, and others who want to prevent harms such as these from happening again."
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The same proteins thought to contribute to motor neuron disease can be found in the gut many years before any brain symptoms occur, a new study by the University of Aberdeen has found.

The study, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and published in The Journal of Pathology: Clinical Research, found evidence of the disease in one patient 14 years before they went on to develop the condition.

The researchers suggest it could be possible to detect motor neuron disease (MND) and take action long before the brain is affected by taking a small gut biopsy or stool sample.

Although often thought of as a disease that only affects the brain, people with MND often have symptoms affecting other parts of the body, especially the gut. These symptoms can include altered bowel habits and weight loss.

MND is thought to be linked to the accumulation of certain proteins in the brain that inappropriately clump together making the cells of the brain sick, causing problems with moving, breathing and even thinking.

In an effort to understand wider manifestations of MND, the researchers studied historically banked tissue biopsies to search for signs of disease.

The study revealed disease-associated proteins present in the gut, skin, lymph nodes and other tissues often years before these patients presented with symptoms.

Credit: University of Aberdeen

Dr. Jenna Gregory of the University of Aberdeen who led the study says that she believes "this is a significant finding for our wider understanding of this disease. The early detection of disease could be a critical missing step in our attempts to cure this diseaseif disease markers are present outside of the brain it could pave the way for non-invasive early detection."

Despite extensive clinical trials there is currently only one licensed drug which has been shown to increase the lifespan of people with MND by only a few months. One possible explanation for unsuccessful drug trials is that by the time someone has symptoms of the disease, it may be too late for successful intervention.

Dr. Fergal Waldron, a co-author on the study from the University of Aberdeen says that "potentially effective treatments have been identified from a wide-range of experimental studies, however, in these studies they were often only effective, or most effective, when applied prior to the onset of the diseaseearly detection in this way is huge step forwards in our search for a cure."

"We hope that this will mean that there is a better chance of treatment success, and that the onset of the disease could be delayed or even prevented if caught and treated early enough."

Dr. Mathew Horrocks from the University of Edinburgh added that "MND is a devastating disease, with those being diagnosed surviving a mean of 3-5 years. This work shows that it's possible to observe hallmarks of the disease in easily accessible tissue more than a decade prior to the first symptoms. This could pave the way to earlier diagnosis, extending the therapeutic window, leading to an eventual cure to MND."

"This work also highlights the fantastic tissue resources available in Scotland and exemplifies the strength of interdisciplinary research at the Chemistry-Medicine interface in Edinburgh and Aberdeen."

More information: Samuel B Pattle et al, pTDP 43 aggregates accumulate in noncentral nervous system tissues prior to symptom onset in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case series linking archival surgical biopsies with clinical phenotypic data, The Journal of Pathology: Clinical Research (2022). Samuel B Pattle et al, pTDP 43 aggregates accumulate in noncentral nervous system tissues prior to symptom onset in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case series linking archival surgical biopsies with clinical phenotypic data,(2022). DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.297
Most of the increase in cannabis poisonings in young kids happened after edible products came to market. The increase was much more modest in Quebec, where the sale of these products was prohibited. Credit: Daniel Myran, Yaron Finkelstein, Author provided

When Canada legalized non-medical cannabis four years ago, there was enormous uncertainty about how legalization could impact the health of Canadians. Since then, there has been increasing evidence that legalization has resulted in some negative health effects. The clearest of these is a large increase in accidental cannabis poisonings in young children.

We conducted two large studies that found a nine-fold increase in emergency department visits and a six-fold increase in hospitalizations for cannabis poisoning in children younger than 10 years (average age of 3.5 years) following cannabis legalization in Canada. These increases have been so substantial that cannabis is now a leading cause of hospitalizations for poisoning in this age group.

The government of Canada has just launched a mandated federal review of the health and social impacts of cannabis legalization. We argue that addressing the impacts of legalization on the health of Canadians must take precedence over the financial concerns of the cannabis industry, which are demonstrated by their growing calls to roll back or remove government regulations in the upcoming review.

Provincial variation

Looking at the provincial variation in the ways that legalization was implemented across Canada, it's clear that increases in cannabis poisonings in young children did not need to occur.

At the start of legalization in October 2018, the federal government only allowed the sale of dried cannabis flower. After an intentional one-year delay, new products, including cannabis edibles like candies and chocolates, were permitted.

A wide variety of these edibles went on sale everywhere in Canada except in Quebec, which prohibited anything in the form of chocolates, gummies and candies based on concern over their high appeal to children.

We found that most of the increase in cannabis poisonings in young kids happened after edible products came to market, and that Quebecwhich prohibited their salewas protected from this effect and saw a much more modest increase in pediatric cannabis poisonings.

This lack of increase in Quebec strongly argues against alternative explanations, including that these hospital visits are from illegal cannabis products, caregivers becoming more comfortable disclosing that kids may have ingested cannabis or pandemic influences.

Child cannabis poisonings

When we care for infants and young children who have been rushed to the hospital for cannabis poisoning, we see many parents and caregivers who are shocked by the severity of the cannabis effects on their intoxicated child. Children can become very sick, be less responsive and in severe cases suffer from seizures, trouble breathing on their own, or even enter a coma.

With no effective antidote, children with severe cannabis poisoning require hospitalizationsometimes in intensive care units requiring a breathing machineuntil the cannabis is processed and cleared from their body. The long-term effects of these unintentional poisonings are unknown.

These increases in child poisonings occurred despite safety efforts by the federal government, which included parental education, restricting cannabis advertising, mandating plain and child-resistant packaging and restricting the amount of THC (the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis) in a package to a maximum of 10 milligrams.

It's important to note the cannabis industry is specifically asking that many of these regulationsincluding THC limits and child-resistant packagingbe removed to make their products more competitive with the illicit market.

But legalization is not shaping up to be just about replacing the illegal market. The legal market is expanding far faster than the illegal market contracts. Canadian households now spend an estimated 37.3 percent more on cannabis from all sources (medical, legal non-medical and illegal) than they did before legalization (1.44 billion in the third quarter of 2018 vs 1.93 billion in the second quarter of 2022). That means that we, as a country, are likely using increasing quantities of cannabis.

Youth cannabis use and harms

A key goal of legalization was to reduce cannabis use and related harms in youth. While the data is less definitive, there is also some reason for concern that these harms have increased.

In Ontario, emergency department visits due to cannabis-induced episodes of severe vomiting (hyperemesis) and for cannabis addiction, cannabis-induced psychosis and poisoning have also increased in young adults since legalization.

The largest increases in emergency department visits due to cannabis occurred when the legal market began carrying new high-potency products and the number of cannabis retail stores rapidly expanded. These increases overlapped with much of the COVID-19 pandemic so it is hard to disentangle whether they reflect changes from legalization, a response to COVID-19 related stressors or a combination.

Social benefits of legalization

Increases in cannabis harms in young children and youth do not negate the social benefits of cannabis policy reform. Criminalization of cannabis created major problems, including life-altering limits on employment, education and financial opportunities. These effects were well documented to be heavily discriminatory due to over-policing among racialized communities and Indigenous youth.

Reducing criminal justice harms is of considerable public health interest. However, we argue that it does not necessitate cannabis commercialization that includes cannabis marketing, widespread cannabis retail stores and permitting ultra-high-potency products that appeal to youth and children.

As the federal government reviews the impacts of legalization to date, we recommend protecting the health of Canadian children and youth byat a minimummaintaining existing regulations. This includes plain and child-resistant packaging and THC content limits on edibles. Without these, we will almost certainly see greater numbers and far more severe cannabis poisonings in children.

While we examine more evidence on the impacts of legalization on younger Canadians, we also caution against loosening current rules that limit cannabis marketing and advertising which can appeal to youth and young adults.

If we want to reduce cannabis poisonings in children, we should consider further national restrictions on the taste and visual appearance of edibles and the type of edibles approved, as Quebec has implemented.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Too much screen time can slow children's recovery from concussions, but new research from UBC and the University of Calgary suggests that banning screen time is not the answer.

The researchers looked for links between the self-reported screen time of more than 700 children aged 8-16 in the first 7-10 days following an injury, and symptoms reported by them and their caregivers over the following six months.

The children whose concussion symptoms cleared up the fastest had engaged in a moderate amount of screen time. "We've been calling this the 'Goldilocks' group, because it appears that spending too little or too much time on screens isn't ideal for concussion recovery," said Dr. Molly Cairncross, an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University who conducted the research while a postdoctoral fellow working with associate professor Dr. Noah Silverberg in UBC's psychology department. "Our findings show that the common recommendation to avoid smartphones, computers and televisions as much as possible may not be what's best for kids."

The study was part of a larger concussion project called Advancing Concussion Assessment in Pediatrics (A-CAP) led by psychology professor Dr. Keith Yeates at the University of Calgary and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The data came from participants aged 8-16 who had suffered either a concussion or an orthopaedic injury, such as a sprained ankle or broken arm, and sought care at one of five emergency departments in Canada.

The purpose of including children who had orthopaedic injuries was to compare their recoveries with the group who had concussions.

Patients in the concussion group generally had relatively worse symptoms than their counterparts with orthopaedic injuries, but within the concussion group it was not simply a matter of symptoms worsening with more screen time. Children with minimal screen time recovered more slowly, too.

"Kids use smartphones and computers to stay connected with peers, so complete removal of those screens could lead to feelings of disconnection, loneliness and not having social support," Dr. Cairncross said. "Those things are likely to have a negative effect on kids' mental health and that can make recovery take longer."

The UBC/Calgary study differed from another study conducted last year in the U.S. in that it tracked screen time and recovery over a longer period of time. The earlier study found that screen time slowed recovery, but it measured screen use only in the first 48 hours and symptoms for only 10 days.

The longer timeline led to another interesting finding, described by Dr. Silverberg:

"The amount of time spent in front of screens during the early recovery period made little difference to long-term health outcomes." he said. "After 30 days, children who suffered a concussion or another type of injury reported similar symptoms, regardless of their early screen use."

The researchers also observed that screen time seemed to have less bearing on symptoms than other factors such as the patient's sex, age, sleep habits, physical activity or pre-existing symptoms.

"Screen time didn't make a lot of difference relative to several other factors that we know can affect concussion recovery," said Dr. Yeates. "Encouraging concussion patients to sleep well and gradually engage in light physical activity will likely do a lot more for their recovery than keeping them off their smartphones."

Ultimately, the findings suggest that blanket restrictions on screen time might not be helpful for children and adolescents with concussion. Instead, the researchers suggest using the same approach as with other activities, which is moderation. If symptoms flare up, screen time can always be limited.

The study was published today in Pediatrics.

More information: Early post-injury screen time and concussion recovery, PEDIATRICS (2022). Journal information: Pediatrics Early post-injury screen time and concussion recovery,(2022). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-056835
Standardized Coefficients for Multilevel Models Predicting Global Distress, Loneliness, and Traumatic Stress (N = 5,594). Credit: Health Psychology (2022). DOI:10.1037/hea0001233

Despite concerns that stay-at-home orders and other government efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic would cause lasting harm to people's mental health, research published by the American Psychological Association found that state restrictions in the first six months of the pandemic were not related to worse mental health.

Instead, people with personal exposure to the virus and those who consumed several hours of COVID-19-related media a day were the most likely to experience distress, loneliness and symptoms of traumatic stress.

The findings were published in the journal Health Psychology.

"For the past several decades, our team has been examining the psychological impact of large-scale disasters on the population. In February 2020, we realized that the novel coronavirus, as it was called at the time, was likely to have an effect on the U.S. population in the months to come," said senior author Roxane Cohen Silver, Ph.D., a distinguished professor of psychological science, medicine and public health at the University of California Irvine. "We were particularly interested in the potential negative mental health effects of the associated restrictions placed on individuals throughout the pandemic, despite their potential for minimizing the spread of illness."

The researchers surveyed a nationally representative sample of more than 6,500 participants at the start of the pandemic from March 18 to April 18, 2020, then surveyed almost 5,600 of the same participants approximately six months later from Sept. 26 to Oct. 16 to measure how their mental health and exposure to the virus changed over the course of the pandemic.

Respondents answered questions about symptoms of distress, loneliness and traumatic stress (acute and post-traumatic stress) they experienced in the prior week; whether they had contracted COVID-19; how many people they knew who had contacted the virus or died because of COVID-19; and how many hours on average they spent daily over the past week consuming pandemic-related news on traditional media, online news sources and social media platforms. The researchers then compared their responses with data about the spread of COVID-19 and government mitigation efforts, such as school closures and stay-at-home orders in each respondent's state.

Researchers found that, overall, participants experienced more loneliness and symptoms of global distress, such as depression and anxiety, over the course of the six months, but their distress was not significantly related to state-level restrictions. Instead, personal experiences with COVID (degree of illness, losses), along with the amount of media about the pandemic to which individuals were exposed, were stronger predictors of psychological symptoms than state-level restrictions (mask mandates, closures, etc.) or case rates or death rates.

Participants who responded that they had contracted COVID-19 in the first six months of the pandemic were the most likely to report poor mental health. Knowing someone who died because of COVID-19 or someone who had contracted COVID-19 were also significantly related to distress, loneliness, and symptoms of traumatic stress, according to Rebecca Thompson, Ph.D., the report's first author and postdoctoral scholar at UC Irvine.

"Because a strong predictor of distress in our study was personal bereavementknowing someone who had been very sick or died was far more stressful than the presence of state-level restrictionsfuture waves of COVID-19 and other potential pandemics should be met by targeted interventions to prevent loss of life," Thompson said. "Given this work, we would likely expect similar distress responses in future pandemics, highlighting the importance of public health initiatives to curb the spread of illness in our communities."

Greater hours of exposure to pandemic-related media coverage was also significantly related to increased symptoms of distress over time.

"For the first year of the pandemic, it was all bad news all the time," Silver said. "Repeated exposure to that content was unlikely to have psychological benefits."

In the case of future disasters or traumatic events, Silver recommends that individuals monitor the degree to which they immerse themselves in bad news (e.g., avoid "doomscrolling") and consider specific times to check the news throughout the day.

"One can stay informed without becoming overwhelmed with a constant onslaught of bad news," said Silver.

More information: Roxane Cohen Silver et al, Psychological Responses to U.S. Statewide Restrictions and COVID-19 Exposures: A Longitudinal Study, Health Psychology (2022). Roxane Cohen Silver et al, Psychological Responses to U.S. Statewide Restrictions and COVID-19 Exposures: A Longitudinal Study,(2022). DOI: 10.1037/hea0001233 Dana Rose Garfin et al, The novel coronavirus (COVID-2019) outbreak: Amplification of public health consequences by media exposure., Health Psychology (2020). DOI: 10.1037/hea0000875 Journal information: Health Psychology
Prostate cancer cells. Credit: NIH Image Gallery

Finding valuable therapeutic interventions for prostate cancer has long guided the research of Dr. Feng Yang's lab at Baylor College of Medicine. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Yang's team took a close look into what drives the growth of advanced tumors that have become resistant to standard castration therapy. Working with cells in the lab and animal models, they discovered an approach that suppresses the growth of therapy-resistant tumors.

"Advanced prostate cancer is usually treated by blocking the actions of androgen, the male hormone that helps it grow," said Yang, assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology and a member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor. "Although initially effective, this treatment, called castration therapy, often becomes ineffective as tumors develop resistance to it and are able to continue growing, a lethal condition."

Looking for ways to suppress these tumors' growth, Yang and his colleagues studied signals tumor cells use to drive cell proliferation. They knew that androgen receptor activation remained a key driver of the growth of castration-resistant tumors, so they focused on GATA2, a factor known to promote androgen receptor expression and activation.

"While directly inhibiting GATA2 activity remains challenging, enhancing GATA2 degradation to prevent androgen receptor activation seemed a plausible therapeutic strategy," Yang said. "We discovered that the enzyme COP1 drives GATA2 degradation, and that this was followed by striking inhibition of androgen receptor expression and activation. Importantly, when we promoted GATA2 degradation in our animal models, tumor growth as well as castration resistance were markedly suppressed."

"Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in cancer male patients in the United States and the fifth among men worldwide," Yang said. "Our study has laid out a novel path that can potentially lead to improved treatments for castration-resistant prostate cancer, supporting further studies to translate this strategy into the clinic."

Tao Shen, Bingning Dong and Yanling Meng at Baylor College of Medicine and David D. Moore now at University of California, Berkeley, also contributed to this work.

More information: Tao Shen et al, A COP1-GATA2 axis suppresses AR signaling and prostate cancer, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Tao Shen et al, A COP1-GATA2 axis suppresses AR signaling and prostate cancer,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2205350119
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

More than 130 national and state children's groups are asking the Biden administration to do more to address youth mental health, including by issuing an emergency declaration on the issuethe latest amplification of the seriousness of the youth mental health crisis.

The groups made the request in a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday. The letter came a year after child and adolescent psychiatrists, children's hospitals and pediatricians declared their own state of emergency over the dramatic uptick in children's mental health concerns and months after Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued his own advisory pertaining to the youth crisis.

Congress and the administration have taken some actions to specifically address the behavioral health needs of children and adolescents, but the groups want them to do more.

The 2022 gun safety law included $80 million to support pediatric mental health care teams, and several congressional committees still hope to pass additional bipartisan legislation this year.

And this week the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued recommendations that children 12 and older be screened for depression and children 8 and older be screened for anxiety.

Those recommendations mean that under the 2010 health care law, most private insurance plans must cover these screenings as a preventative service.

Still, children's health experts say these are just one piece of the puzzle.

"The pandemic for children's mental health has not subsided. I think sounding the alarm was the first step," said Warren Y.K. Ng, president of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. "We are going to need some new skills, but we're also going to need the foundation to sustain it."

Both American Academy of Pediatrics President Moira Szilagyi and Paul King, chair of the board of the Children's Hospital Association, said their organizations had held recent summits at which adolescent mental health was a top issue.

Szilagyi said that, on average, one-third of visits to pediatricians are related to mental health but that that has changed.

"I think most pediatricians now would say it's in the 45 to 55 percent range depending on where they work. It has taken over our practices and it is telling us the children in America are not doing well," she said.

Amy Wimpey Knight, president of Children's Hospital Association, said a universal worry is how to expand the mental health workforce, an issue that Congress has also identified in hearings and draft legislation.

"A lot of the legislation that we're supporting specifically focuses on making sure there's enough workforce across the continuum," she said. "I think the reimbursement rates are really challenging for people to train in this field and then stay in the field for a long period of time."

Experts say that if Congress adds a mental health section to the expected end-of-year spending package, it will need to include language specifically targeting youth.

"There's been a lot of fantastic mental health legislation this year, but by the time it gets to a state, the likelihood of it getting to a child is slim to none," Knight said. "We really actually need some specific funding directed at this workforce, infrastructure, telehealth [and] screening."

Lee Ann Savio Beers, a pediatrics professor and medical director for Community Health and Advocacy at Children's National Hospital, said providers also need financial incentives and payment to support additional services, such as mental health.

"It truly can take hours for a physician or psychiatrist to do care coordination for a patient," she said, adding that a colleague recently said they could spend two minutes freezing a wart off a child's foot and be paid more than days of care coordination for insurance for a family with mental health concerns.

Appropriate financial incentives, she said, "would pay for these additional things because all these bodies are not paid for through our existing billing and payment systems and hospitals and clinics are very stretched right now."

2022 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Kanye West addresses anti-Semitic controversy

Kanye West is upset at being "blocked out" by the "Jewish media".

The 'Gold Digger' rapper was recently blocked from Instagram and Twitter for anti-Semitic posts and he's been left unimpressed at the response to his controversial comments, which came in the wake of a row over him wearing a 'White Lives Matters' t-shirt during Paris Fashion Week.

Speaking on Revolt TV's 'Drink Champs' podcast, he moaned: "They blocked me out. The Jewish media blocked me out.

"This s*** lit. I'm lit, right? I'm lit. I'm lit, you know what I'm saying?"

Read more here:

Megan Thee Stallion's home 'ransacked in $400K burglary'

Megan Thee Stallion's home has reportedly been ransacked by two thieves who took up to $400,000 in jewellery, cash and electronics.

The rapper, 27, announced she was pulling out of hosting 'Saturday Night Life' minutes after TMZ said on on Friday (14.10.22) law enforcement sources said her LA house had been targeted on Thursday night.

It said authorities had told them the pair were wearing hoodies and gloves, smashed a glass door at the back of the rapper's home and headed straight for her "primary bedroom".

The outlet added: "Our sources say the crooks took an estimated $300-$400,000 (270-360,000) in jewellery, cash and electronics from inside the home".

Read more here:

Abigail Breslin revealed she is a survivor of domestic violence

The 'Little Miss Sunshine' actress explained that she was in an abusive relationship for two years and it left her feeling as if she "deserved less than dirt".

Abigail, 26, shared her story on Instagram for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, saying: "As a DV survivor I felt compelled to write a little but about my story. I was in a very abusive relationship for close to 2 years. It all started out perfectly, I was so in love.

"Unfortunately my abuser took advantage of my innocence and naivete and the relationship subsequently became violent. I was beaten on a regular basis, locked into rooms and forced to pretend everything was ok and normal while dealing with intense injuries...injuries most people didn't even see.

Read more here:

Robbie Coltrane has died aged 72

The 'James Bond', 'Cracker' and 'Harry Potter' actor's passing on Friday (14.10.22) was confirmed by his agent.

Belinda Wright said: "My client and friend Robbie Coltrane OBE passed away on Friday, October 14.

"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 TV's series 'Cracker' in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon.

Read more here:
Monks Bar on Friday is hosting a release show for Automatic, the newest album by local hip-hop artists Foreshadow and elair.

Doors open at 8 p.m., and music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 and the show is for people ages 21 and older.

Foreshadow, who is Salish and Blackfeet, said he and elair worked on the album for three years, and the work encapsulates our creativity during the pandemic.

While musicians everywhere struggled during pandemic closures, Foreshadow said the music on the album is high energy, positive and confident. He said the album is titled Automatic because it is a testament to the idea that if you put the work into something, you will be rewarded for it.

As Foreshadow says, with hard work, success is automatic.

Automatic will be released on all platforms, including YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music, on Friday.

For more information on the show, visit monksbarmt.com.
Devastating wildfires, unprecedented floods, prolonged drought, unrelenting heat waves with record high temperatures: pick a locale or a time, there are plenty to choose from across the United States in each of those categories this year alone. Even when experienced as a single event, each of these has significant detrimental impacts on peoples health; when more than one occurs at once, as is often the case, those impacts worsen.

Air pollution, especially in the form of particulate matter (PM), comes from burning fossil fuels, industrial and agricultural processes, and more intense wildfires. This leads to more emergency room visits and hospitalizations from asthma exacerbations, premature births, and heart conditions. There is also mounting evidence that PM can harm fetuses.

Many people associate the health impacts of extreme heat with dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, all of which are true. Few realize that heat, even with modestly increased temperatures, has been associated with increases in heart attacks and strokes, flares of lung conditions, and complications in pregnancy and worse birth outcomes for mothers and their babies.

Extreme precipitation events can lead to flooding, often with loss of life and property. Loss of ground cover and debris flows can lead to worse flooding in areas damaged by wildfires. Water-borne illnesses from contaminated water supplies and respiratory conditions from people living in mold-infested homes can follow flooding.

Often overlooked are the detrimental effects on pregnant women. Pregnant women and their fetuses are particularly sensitive to air pollution and climate change. Heat has been associated with more pre-term births. PM can increase the risk of pre-term birth and certain conditions in the fetus that will affect the child throughout their life.

Climate change is also having a major impact on mental health. Climate anxiety affects many people. Farmers, ranchers, foresters, and indigenous populations often experience solastalgia, the distress people feel due to changes in their environment. Any climate event  flood, drought, wildfire, extreme rain or snow  can lead to worsening mental health, especially when more than one event occurs at the same time, such as droughts and heat waves.

There are things we can do as individuals or local communities to prepare. Doing an assessment of our home or surroundings can help determine the risk of things such as floods or wildfires. If there is risk, developing a plan for what to do and take should such an event occur could save lives.

Wildfire smoke is increasingly common. Becoming familiar with air quality indicators, such as the EPA flag program, can guide responses. Limiting exposure by avoiding strenuous activity when air quality is poor helps. Portable or whole-house air purifiers can improve indoor air quality. You can make an air purifier from an inexpensive box fan and filter. Many local organizations will provide these for people who cannot afford them.

Addressing climate change and its causes will take the combined effort of all of us. Start by talking to our families and neighbors about what is happening. Let your elected officials know that you think these are important issues. Talk with your school board about switching to electric school buses.

Heres my prescription: demand that candidates who ask for your vote have developed plans to address the air pollution and climate change that is affecting everyones health.
School, cemetery vandalized

The faculty lounges at Morganton High School were vandalized sometime after 3 p.m. Sunday. Police officers report that the lounges were entered through unlocked doors. Tables and chairs were thrown into the middle of each room. Ashtrays were emptied and then broken on the floor. Coffee cups, drink bottles and a large lamp also were broken. Paper and magazines were strewn everywhere. The incident was reported by Frank White, a school employee who had left the building at 3 p.m. Sunday. He noted that the school could be easily entered.

Vandals returned to the school Wednesday and broke six windows in one classroom. Police report that either a pellet or BB gun was used. The windows broken were located on the first floor in the alley between the gym and the main building.

Forest Hill Cemetery also was the site of recent vandalism. Woodrow Clark, superintendent of the cemetery, found 10 headstones knocked over last week. On Friday, he found 13 more that had either been pushed off their bases or completely turned over. A few of the headstones pushed over had broken in the fall. Clark noted the vandalism actually began last month when someone had entered the cemetery and turned on its water spigots, letting the water run all night.

Student named to state office in organization

Jeannie Sutton, a sophomore at Oak Hill High School, was recently named state vice-president of the Future Homemakers of America.

Her election came at a district FHA rally at Avery County High School. Sarah McCreight, FHA advisor at Oak Hill, noted that this is the first time in more than 20 years that Burke County has had a state officer in the organization.

Sutton serves as secretary for the Oak Hill FHA and was named its FHAer of the Month for September. She has earned her Junior degree in FHA. As part of her FHA participation, she helped with plans for the parade float, a mother-daughter tea and a district rally.

She is a member of the French Club and Student Council at Oak Hill and maintains a scholastic average of A-. She was a finalist in the essay division of the Miss North Carolina Teenage Pageant and in the top 10 in the 1972 pageant.

Sutton is a member of Catawba Valley Baptist Church, where she participates in the choir, Girls Auxiliary, Training Union and womens softball team.

State education officials tour new high school site

Keen interest of visiting superintendents marked the tour of Freedom High School Wednesday that was part of the Northwest District superintendents meeting.

During the meeting, Dr. Charles Weaver, superintendent of Burke County Public Schools, described the expanded instructional program that this building will make possible. Throughout the tour, the visiting superintendents complimented the buildings functional design, the multi-use of space that in more traditional buildings would be used only for a few hours or between classes, and the greatly expanded opportunities for vocational training.

Dr. Roger Jackson, director of regional education for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, said that Freedom High School is the most impressive secondary school he has seen.

Head Start program set for Hildebran

A Head Start program, federally funded and sponsored locally by Blue Ridge Community Action, will be conducted for a year with the Hildebran Optimist Clubhouse serving as its center for the local area.

A total of 17 4- and 5-year-olds from low-income families in the Hildebran area will participate in the child development program starting Nov. 1, according to Carla Martin, Blue Ridge Community Action director. She said Carolyn Rhoney and Judie Huffman will serve as co-teachers. Rhoney and Huffman have completed a comprehensive training on the goals and objectives of Head Start, classroom curriculum, health care and social services, and nutrition.

The main objective of the program is to help the children develop a positive self-image. The agency is still accepting applications for children to participate in the program.

Among us Morgantonians: J. Gordon Queen

Talk about apartment buildings  they are being built on Bethel Road, and they look to be modern in every respect. We understand they are being built by Clonninger, Boyles and Ross. Yes, they are inside the corporate limits. And across the road, Ingle Development Company is going right ahead with another housing development. Such projects as these are what we have been needing for many years. These buildings are not shoddy, but of the very best type of residences. Go out and look these developments over, and you will readily agree that Morganton will grow whether we like it or not, and we like it.

The United Fund Drive is now going in full swing. Make your donations to the United Way and do all your giving at one time.

Have you noticed that a number of Morganton stores have facelifted the back of their buildings? That is good business, as many parking lots are at the back of the stores, and many shoppers use the back entrances.

Come to think of it, the Christmas shopping season is coming upon us. We have the shops to take care of all shoppers far and near. We will talk about Christmas decorations in Morganton a bit later.
Its been a long time coming but the greenway through the heart of state-owned facilities in Morganton is one step closer to reality.

The North Carolina School for the Deaf will host a drop-in meeting on the Hunting Creek Greenway and Park on Thursday, Oct. 27. The drop-in meeting will be held in the Main Building Auditorium on the deaf school campus and will offer information about the proposed greenway and park, according to a release from Destination By Design.

Interested community members are encouraged to drop in between 5:30 and 7 p.m. to view maps of the proposed greenway alignment, trail type cross sections and conceptual design for Hunting Creek Park. The park would be located where the current Western Piedmont Community College Emergency Operations Training Center now sits, the release said.

There will be a short presentation explaining the project background, planning process and recommendations will be made at 5:45, 6:15 and 6:45 p.m., the release said.

The release from Destination By Design says the Hunting Creek Greenway is an approximately 1.5-mile-long proposed trail that follows Hunting Creek through several publicly accessible properties, including WPCC, Broughton Hospital, the North Carolina School for the Deaf and the North Carolina School of Science and Math. Eventually the trail segment will connect the properties to downtown Morganton, offering increased connectivity and walkability within the city, the release said.

Hunting Creek Park will feature either an open green or a wildflower field, picnic shelters, a mountain bike skills park, bouldering wall, stormwater wetland with boardwalks and overlooks, as well as other important recreational amenities, the release said.

WPCC is excited to be a part of this project and we believe the proposed connecting trails and park will benefit our community, Joel Welch, president of WPCC, said in the release. It is great to see all of our stakeholders working together to consider the best path forward to enhance quality of life in Morganton and Burke County. WPCC looks forward to supporting this project and welcoming our neighbors and guests onto WPCCs campus.

Hometown Strong and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources have engaged Destination by Design, a Boone-based economic development and planning firm, to lead the Hunting Creek Greenway project. The Hometown Strong initiative creates a partnership between state agencies and local leaders to champion rural communities. They help to leverage state and local resources, identify ongoing projects and community needs, and implement focused plans to boost the economy, improve infrastructure and strengthen North Carolinas hometowns, the release said.

The Hunting Creek Greenway will serve as a gateway between downtown Morganton and the mountainous landscape that surrounds the community. Hometown Strong, Governor Coopers rural initiative, is honored to play a supporting role in convening the state agencies and local partners that are committed to making this project a success, Mary Penny Kelley, executive director of NC Hometown Strong, said in the release. This greenway and park will provide community members access to nature and active recreation opportunities within the historic Broughton Campus, extend connections to State Trail systems, and will serve as boon to both economic development and investments in Burke County. 

Local leaders for the project include representatives from Broughton Hospital, Western Piedmont Community College, NC School for the Deaf, NC School of Science and Math, City of Morganton, Burke County, NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and NC Division of Parks and Recreation, the release said.
Construction continues of the nearly 45,000-square-foot building that will house Murdochs Ranch & Home Supply in Anaconda.

John Aitchison, the companys construction and facilities manager, said Murdochs hopes to open the new store at the end of May.

We are looking forward to getting that open, he said.

What will become Murdochs 13th store in Montana will add more commercial vitality to Anacondas East Yards, where its neighbors will include The Forge Hotel, the Barclay II restaurant and the Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park.

Aitchison said there have been a few supply chain issues with rooftop units for heating and cooling but other challenges have been mostly par for the course for a commercial construction project.

The retail chain got its start in Bozeman in 1994, when John Murdoch opened his first store. He hoped the merchandise and customer service would appeal to ranchers, the outdoors community and others. Murdochs has stores in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Texas and Nebraska.

The retailer sells a variety of goods, including: tools and hardware; farm and ranch products; clothing; products for pets and animals; home goods, gifts and toys.

The East Yards site features wide streets and replicas of antique street lights that were manufactured both by AFFCO in Anaconda and another supplier. Anaconda-Deer Lodge County officials have said they anticipate other businesses will choose the location for commerce.
Milo Milasevich has been identified as the man who was involved in last weeks standoff on Buttes west side.

The 36-year-old Butte man, now deceased, lived at 519 W. Aluminum St., and had barricaded himself in his home early last Wednesday afternoon, when members of the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force attempted to serve him with a search warrant.

It was believed Milasevich had a multitude of dangerous drugs at his residence, including fentanyl, and that these drugs were being sold from this address.

The State of Idaho had also issued an extraditable arrest warrant out for his arrest.

Two hours into the standoff, Milasevich allowed a woman to leave the residence.

Early on, Milasevich told law enforcement he had firearms and explosives inside the home, along with a loaded automatic rifle.

Negotiations were ongoing but by Thursday morning, chemical agents were used to flush Milasevich out, but he had gone silent. Soon after, the Lewis & Clark County Bomb Squad were at the scene, using drones to locate Milasevich inside the home. Using a K-9 dog from the Montana Highway Patrol, he was found dead in a basement crawl space.
Burglary at The Derby

Sometime early Sunday, an illegal entry was made into The Derby, 2016 Harrison Ave.

The thief or thieves took off with an undisclosed amount of money that was inside the establishment. The case remains under investigation.

Mortar round found

Last Tuesday a mortar round was found on Charcoal Gulch Road near Divide.

An explosives team from Malmstrom Air Force Base was called in to dispose of it.

A Malmstrom spokesperson confirmed the unexploded military projectile was found inside a shed.

Arrest warrants

Just around 7:15 p.m. Sunday, while investigating a shoplifting incident at Walmart, Kelly Lee Taylor, 25, of Butte was taken to jail on two misdemeanor warrants out of Powell County and an additional misdemeanor criminal contempt warrant.

Dale Michael Ray Hjelt, 32, of Butte already had warrants out for his arrest when police arrived Sunday afternoon at an uptown residence to investigate a disturbance. He was jailed to on two counts of misdemeanor partner or family member assault and tampering with a communication device.

Men caught

While investigating an incident Sunday afternoon regarding two Butte men on a 4-wheeler in the 600 block of South Travonia Street, Lonnie Joseph Stevens, 31, and Kyle James King, 35, took off running when discovered by police and would not stop when told to do so.

One officer caught up to King; another was able to take Stevens in.

King was arrested for obstructing a peace officer and also had a warrant out for his arrest for felony criminal warrant, with an additional out-of-jurisdiction warrant.

Stevens, who turned 32 Sunday, was arrested for obstructing a peace officer and additional warrants for felony criminal endangerment and criminal contempt, and misdemeanor reckless driving and eluding police.

MHP arrest

At around 3:30 p.m. Sunday, a trooper with the Montana Highway Patrol arrested Cecil Dwayne Miller, 41, of Butte and Megan Ann Boe, 32, of Twin Bridges near the intersection of Montana and Porphyry.

Miller and Boe were both jailed for felony possession with intent to sell and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Boe also had a misdemeanor warrant out for her arrest for driving with a suspended or revoked drivers license.

Booked into jail

Just after 3 p.m. Friday afternoon, Sean Terrance McLaughlin, 42, of Butte was booked into the jail on the felony offenses of revocation of sentence and probation violation, and misdemeanor offenses of disorderly conduct, obstructing a peace officer, criminal mischief and simple assault.

Woman punched

At around 1 a.m. Friday, a woman living on Continental Drive called police to report that Dennis Matthew Schadler, 39, of Butte had punched her in the face.

Schadler, who was not supposed to be at this property, was agitated and screaming when officers arrived. He was arrested on the misdemeanor offenses of partner or family member assault, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass to property.

Failure to register

Last Tuesday night, officers received a call that a man was allegedly waving a machete while at the Thriftway, 901 E. Front St.

Curtis Peter Onco III, 49, of Butte was not armed with a machete when officers arrived, but had warrants out for his arrest for the felony offense of failure to register as a violent sexual offender and the misdemeanor offenses of criminal contempt and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He was taken to jail.

Third offense

Jeffrey David Vaira, 41, of Butte was picked up just before 5 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of Front and Main for misdemeanor driving under the influence (third offense).

Additional reports

Three vehicle break-ins were recently reported at the Copper King Inn, 4655 Harrison Ave. Documents were taken from a car parked at the facility. A work truck had a DeWalt impact drill taken, along with a band saw and grinder. It was also reported that a Springfield Armory handgun was taken from another car.

A bike was stolen from a shed in the 600 block of South Colorado Street.

Tools were taken from a garage in the 3000 block of Josephine Street.

A truck parked at Legion Oasis had its front windshield smashed.

A resident living on West Broadway Street thought the neighbors home was on fire. It turned out the neighbors were just using their woodstove.

Some panels were stolen from the speed light sign on Beef Trail Road.
The race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker in Georgia may determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. It will also show how much voters care these days about character. My guess: more than the cynics say.

Its certainly true that, as recently as 10 years ago, America would not have had a debate about whether a candidate for Senate could survive credible allegations of paying for a girlfriends abortion and then lying about it, or the disclosure of the existence of two previously unacknowledged children, or the candidates own admission of past domestic violence. His polling would have plummeted. His party would have concluded that he had no chance of winning and that continued support for him would bring it discredit.

But the abortion accusation, which Walker denies, does not seem to have cost him many points in polls, even as he continues to advocate a ban on abortion. Politics, it seems, is too important these days for questions of character to matter, writes Washington Post columnist Henry Olsen. Donald Trump got elected president in 2016, after all, even after the Access Hollywood tape.

Voters are holding politicians to lower standards than they once did. Trump has contributed to the trend, as did Bill Clinton before him. One result is that politicians such as Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., remain in office after a series of scandals that would have made the Borgias blush.

Misconduct can, however, still bring politicians down. In 2017, the Republican candidate for Senate from Alabama, Roy Moore, lost in that deep-red state after accusations of sexual assault, including assaults of minors. Even in recent years, many officeholders, including members of Congress such as Reps. Katie Hill and Joe Barton, have decided not to face voters after scandals.

Perhaps the abortion story isnt hurting Walker in the polls because voters had a low assessment of him beforehand. The same poll that found it had not changed his standing in the race showed him running five points behind Brian Kemp, the Republican governor who is seeking reelection in the state. Walker is running seven points behind Kemp among Republicans and eight points behind among independents. Most voters consider him dishonest.

Pundits and political strategists may have learned the wrong lesson from 2016. Trump was running against a very unpopular Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, one who had been a figure of controversy for decades. Walker does not have a similarly helpful circumstance: His opponent, Warnock, still has more voters who view him favorably than unfavorably. (Thats even though his ex-wife claims that he ran over her foot with a car.)

It may also make a difference that Trump was running for president while Walker is running for Senate. You might think that a minimum level of probity is more important in presidents than in senators. Presidents have vastly more power and responsibility than senators. A senator can neither start a war nor end one. Modern presidents can and do.

But in a political era defined by negative partisanship  in which people are more likely to hate the party they oppose than to love the one they support  the logic flips. Letting the other side capture the presidency is a more devastating loss than letting it take one Senate seat precisely because the presidency matters more. If youre a voter who leans strongly toward one party or the other, the cost of insisting on a moral test for office is therefore highest when it comes to the White House.

My theory is that moral principles are a kind of luxury for voters, one they indulge more in lower-stakes races. If thats right, the perverse result is that voters have a higher standard for character for senators than for presidents. Unless theres a big Republican wave this year, it may still be too high for Walker.
MUSCATINE  For the first time this weekend, the American Queen, the largest passenger steamboat in the world, will put ashore in Muscatine, and its guests will have the chance to explore some of the attractions Muscatine has to offer.

The Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the city of Muscatine are inviting the community to join in a send-off of the ship when it leaves port at about noon Saturday. Residents and visitors are asked to visit Riverside Park and to wave to the majestic ship as it leaves to continue its voyage and then to enjoy the remainder of their afternoon in downtown Muscatine. The stop will be one of the final hurdles for the city to be put on American Queen Voyages 2023 port calendar.

I cant say exactly what the criteria is on their end, but essentially if this is a successful trip, which Im sure it will be, they will be taking that into consideration as they build their schedule for next year, Rebecca Paulsen, vice president of community development and tourism for the Chamber, said of the test docking. This is a great way to get people from out of the area familiar with Muscatine. The cruises run up and down the Mississippi, so guests come from all over the country to be on these tour boats.

The ship will dock between 11 p.m. and midnight Oct. 21, at which time no one will get off the boat. Guests will disembark between 8:30 a.m. and noon to explore Muscatine. The boat will withdraw its gang plank at about 12:15 p.m. and leave about 12:30 p.m. Excursion stops are planned at the National Pearl Button Museum at the History and Industry Center, the Muscatine Art Center and the Environmental Learning Center. Guests will also be encouraged to explore the downtown and the riverfront. There are about 350 guests on the ship.

The Iowa Avenue parking entrance will be closed, so residents will need to enter the parking lot at the Cedar Street entrance. In the event the parking lot is full, there is parking available along Mississippi Drive and downtown Muscatine. No tours of the boat will be available to the public for security reasons.

During a special meeting, Paulsen had stressed the importance of trying to limit the number of people traveling to the riverfront to see the boat. She said the visitors would go on bus tours of the city and the chamber was hoping to keep the roads clear for the buses.

They really view their port stops as community partnerships, Paulsen said of the cruise line. They like to get to know the people of the area. They are really about coming and getting to know the community.

Because of the rising popularity of river cruising, tourist money has been flowing into smaller communities where the boats dock. Vicksburg, Miss., reports that since 2018, the American Duchess and sister ship American Queen have brought more than $2 million to the local economy, according to an article in the Vicksburg Post. Paulsen said tickets on the boats were about $3,000 each and the visitors would be in the 70s and well-traveled.

For more information on the American Queen Voyages visiting Muscatine, contact Paulsen at rpaulsen@muscatine.com.
MUSCATINE  Two people were hospitalized Saturday after a vehicle they were riding in rolled over into a ditch.

According to a report from the Iowa State Patrol, at about 3:43 p.m. Saturday, a 2010 Honda FHX driven by Juan Carols Sanchez, 42, of Muscatine, was traveling northbound on North Mulberry Street from 155th Street. The vehicle reportedly lost control on the gravel, entered the east ditch and rolled. Officers believe alcohol played a contributing factor in the accident, although the incident remains under investigation.

Sanchez was transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City by Medforce. Passenger Melissa Diane Gordy, 32, of Muscatine was transported by Aircare to the University Hospital. The vehicle was towed by Midtown Towing.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted by Muscatine Ambulance, the Muscatine County Sheriffs Office, Wilton Fire and Ambulance, Medforce and Aircare.
Hong Kong: Enforcement action achieves results

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department said today that it achieved initial results in combatting illegal shop front extensions effectively after it conducted joint enforcement operations with Police in various districts.

It pointed out that such operations have been taking place since October 3 in Tuen Mun, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Southern and Wong Tai Sin districts.

To sum up the past week from October 11 to 16, the department explained that in addition to issuing 56 fixed penalty notices and nine summonses against the shops for causing obstructions and cleanliness offences in public places, it also removed about 4.66 tonnes of waste.

Furthermore, two people were arrested during the enforcement operations for illegal hawking and causing an obstruction in a public place by the related shops, and about 108kg of related commodities were seized.

Moreover, a total of 35 warning notices, which require the owners of the articles to remove the obstructions within a specified time, were issued by Police. Among these, 10 warning notices had yet to be complied with and as a consequence, the department removed about 771kg of goods or articles involved.

Additionally, the department has taken out summon action against a licensed fresh provision shop for contravention of the Food Business Regulation during the past week's joint operations. It involves extending the business area without permission at or from any place beyond the confines of the food premises as delineated on the plan approved in respect of the licence.

The main focus of the second month of the Government Programme on Tackling Hygiene Black Spots is to combat hygiene black spots with illegal shop front extensions leading to street obstructions.

The Government appeals to shop operators and other stakeholders not to extend their business areas illegally by placing goods or articles in public places or on carriageways causing an obstruction to pedestrian and vehicular flow.

The department added that it, along with Police, will continue to closely monitor and take stringent enforcement actions to tackle the citys shop front extension problem.

This story has been published on: 2022-10-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
When I moved to Napa 27 years ago, the farmers market was a spirited community of produce vendors, local farmers, and on-the-rise small food businesses, located right in the heart of downtown Napa.

For me, it was a place I could bring my small children for a morning outing that included fun activities, familiar faces, foodie conversations and buy-in for including a dose of healthy fruits and veggies into our home meals.

For my growing children, it was a place where Mom or Dad would buy them freshly popped kettle corn and friendly farmers would introduce them to delicious home-grown produce like cherry tomatoes they called farmers candy.

Todays iteration of the Napa Farmers Market is more vibrant and vital than ever. It survived earthquakes, floods, air quality crises caused by wildfire smoke and a pandemic that threatened its very existence. Instead of caving to the pressure, the market has fashioned itself into an essential community resource, not only for food, but for food security, education and connection.

Its weekly presentation of produce, baked goods, coffee, breakfast and local crafts is reason enough to keep me coming week after week, but it is the markets deep community roots that truly have me hooked.

In recent years, my personal affinity for the market has morphed into a professional one as well. As community engagement coordinator for Abode Services in Napa, I oversee the meals program at South Napa Shelter and Day Center. We serve continental breakfast and hot lunch to between 50 and 80 people, six days each week. As we are not able to cook meals on site, we rely on generous local restaurants to provide all our lunches. Our clientele are all people experiencing homelessness and rely on our meals program for daily nourishment.

For the last five years or so, the Napa Farmers Market has been collecting cash donations from market shoppers for the purpose of sourcing fresh produce for people without ready access to fresh healthy food. In 2018, we joined forces to realize our shared vision of bringing the markets bounty to those in our community most in need of healthy food. We dubbed the program Shopping for the Shelter, wherein chefs from our partner restaurants show up at the market and shop with the assistant market manager for ingredients to put into their weekly shelter lunches.

Shopping for the Shelter at the Napa Farmers Market is an important program that demonstrates the Napa Farmers Markets vital mission. It addresses food insecurity among the homeless population by putting fresh, healthy ingredients into the daily lunch offering. It provides some no-cost ingredients to restaurants who are donating their time, staff and kitchens to prepare those lunches. And it also supports the farmers who grow those healthy ingredients.
Three weeks after rejecting a plea agreement for the Napa man accused of plotting to blow up Sacramentos Democratic Party headquarters, a federal judge has delayed sentencing until defendant Ian Benjamin Rogers can have his mental status evaluated.

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Because the court desires more information as to defendant Ian Benjamin Rogerss mental condition for the purpose of sentencing, the court hereby orders a psychiatric examination and report, Senior U.S. District Judge Charles E. Breyer wrote in an order filed in San Francisco Friday.

Breyer, who halted a Sept. 28 sentencing hearing after saying Rogers appeared more concerned about the fact that he was caught than his actual plot, ordered that all sentencing documents be turned over to a San Francisco psychiatrist to assess the defendants mental condition, recommend an appropriate course of treatment, if any, and assess the defendants dangerousness.

The judge asked for a report back within 60 days, meaning the Oct. 27 hearing that had been set for Rogers and his co-defendant, Jarrod Copeland, has been postponed for Rogers.

Both men were accused by federal prosecutors of concocting a bizarre plot to firebomb the Democratic headquarters in downtown Sacramento, as well as a number of other targets, over their anger at then-President Donald Trumps loss in the November 2020 election to Joe Biden.

Judge blocks plea deal for Napa business owner Ian Rogers in bomb plot A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a plea deal that would have sentenced Ian Rogers to seven to nine years in prison for a plot to blow up Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento.

Both men accepted plea deals, the Justice Department says, but at the Sept. 28 hearing for Rogers, where lawyers had worked out a deal for Rogers to get between seven and nine years in prison, the judge refused to go along with the deal because of questions about Rogers remorse.

His regret was that his conduct led to his arrest and disclosure of his activities, the judge said then. And now the government was taking action against him. Thats his regret.

Putting it another way, he regrets he was caught. I have to say, in 23 years Ive never seen that type of statement. Ive never seen a defendant come in and say I regret I was caught.

Rogers attorney, Colin Cooper, said at the hearing that his client regrets his conduct terribly and told the judge that he had had many sleepless nights about whether your honor was going to accept this plea agreement.

Cooper had previously blamed Rogers actions on excessive beer drinking that spiraled into talk about getting revenge for Trumps loss, and noted that Rogers had never been in trouble before.

But the judge noted that law enforcement officers who on Jan. 15, 2021 searched Rogers' auto repair business, British Auto Repair of the Napa Valley, and his home after receiving a tip found five pipe bombs and 48 firearms, including four machine guns.

He had an arsenal that would be the envy of the Ukrainian people, the judge said, noting evidence that Rogers had sent a text message to Copeland at one point that read, I want to blow up a democrat building bad.

Ian Rogers, facing federal sentencing in bomb plot, to get Napa plea hearing in November Ian Benjamin Rogers, facing sentencing for a planned attack on a Democratic headquarters in San Francisco, is set for a Nov. 3 plea hearing in Napa County on explosives and gun allegations.

With his federal sentencing postponed, Rogers, who is being held at the Santa Rita jail in Alameda County, faces a plea hearing next month on local bomb and gun charges also connected to the alleged plot. The plea setting hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3 in Napa County Superior Court on 28 counts including possession of explosives and of firearms that were illegal, unregistered or unlawfully modified.

The judges order in Rogers' federal case was handed down in the same week that another judge in Iowa ordered a competency hearing for a Sacramento-area resident who was arrested last year while driving across the country with an alleged plot to attack the White House and kill Biden, former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to the president.

Kuachua Brillion Xiong, a former Merced grocery clerk and Sacramento resident, was arrested after he was stopped for speeding Dec. 21, 2021, in Cass County, Iowa, with his GPS set for directions that would take him to the White House, court filings say.

Court documents say Xiong appeared to have been living in his car, had an AR-15 rifle, body armor and boxes of ammunition and made statements that he wanted to combat evil demons in the White House.

A lawyer for Xiong filed court documents shortly after his arrest indicating plans to seek an insanity defense for Xiong, and the case has been in limbo since then, with status reports on Xiong filed under seal.

However, Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams issued an order last week for a competency hearing to be held Dec. 9 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for Xiong, a move that may determine whether he is able to stand trial.

Napa Valley Register city editor Howard Yune contributed to this report.
Rep. Liz Cheney touched on what she called a key lesson from the Capitol attack investigation in her opening statement for the Jan. 6 Select Committees last hearing.

Cheney asked why Americans would assume the Constitution and institutions  U.S. democracy in general  would be invulnerable and not falter if assaulted again.

Our institutions only hold when men and women of good faith make them hold, regardless of the political cost, Cheney, R-Wyoming, said Friday. We have no guarantee that these men and women will be in place next time.

A month before the mid-term general elections, her statement and question are front and center as some Republicans in or campaigning for statewide offices that oversee elections still outright deny or cast doubt on Joe Bidens 2020 presidential election win.

Federal election security officials under former President Donald Trump announced that the election Biden won was the most secure in American history, with no evidence any voting system was compromised. Courts consistently have turned away baseless allegations of widespread voter fraud.

But Trumps so-called Big Lie that the election was rigged or stolen has resonated among his supporters, and many candidates seek to tap into Trumps base.

A Lee Enterprises review of its west region found four candidates for secretary of state offices who openly have denied or cast doubt on Joe Bidens victory  Republican Jim Marchant in Nevada; Republican Mark Finchem in Arizona; Republican Chuck Gray in Wyoming; and Independent Charles Tuttle in North Dakota.

Additionally, Wyomings interim secretary of state, Karl Allred, has said he would support Gray.

Some other candidates and officeholders have been coy about their thoughts or position on the 2020 election.

The Guardian in January reported that a group of Republicans running to serve as chief election officials in key swing states formed a coalition to share unfounded election fraud conspiracy theories and ideas to reshape election systems in ways that could overturn legitimate results in the next presidential race.

Jim Marchant  running for secretary of state in Nevada  leads the coalition. Marchant as recently as this month told Trump supporters at a rally that he and his coalition of secretary of state candidates will "fix the whole country" if elected and that Trump will be president again in 2024, according to the Guardian.

Mark Finchem, who attended the Jan. 6 riot, is campaigning for secretary of state in Arizona and is a prominent member of that "America First Secretary of State Coalition."

Finchem has suggested he wouldn't certify the vote if Biden won Arizona in 2024, according to an Arizona Daily Star story.

Some experts are unsure what might happen if election deniers gain more control overseeing state elections, but they dont see furor provoked by Trump subsiding soon.

Bruce Schulman is a U.S. historian at Boston University who says the risk to democratic institutions and traditions must be taken seriously.

However, Schulman noted, many Republican politicians arent true believers of election conspiracy theories. He referenced Sen. Ted Cruz as an example of someone embracing election denialism for political reasons.

The big question is what happens when push comes to shove, when those people who are not true believers, will either have to stand up for democratic practices or join the authoritarian bandwagon, Schulman said. I'm not sure what will happen.

Joseph Uscinski, a University of Miami professor who researches conspiracy theories, elections and politics, said its common for some voters to believe they were cheated after their chosen candidate loses.

Uscinski said whats different about the 2020 election is that the majority of Republicans now hold that belief because of the echo chamber cultivated by Trump, his allies in Congress and conservative media outlets.

With that said, its not clear to me that these high numbers are going to remain permanently, but I think theyre going to be with us for a while, Uscinski said.

Lisa Bryant, a California State-Fresno professor who is an expert in voter confidence and election administration, said she sometimes is told she is too optimistic.

While skeptical of politicians, Bryant said her optimistic view is that good policies and procedures will win the day if and when election deniers achieve oversight of elections because statewide elections are run so well and securely.

She thinks politicians who tout that the election was stolen are inflicting the most damage in state Legislatures, where  unlike state election offices  election codes and rules can be changed to make it tougher to vote.

We dont know yet what could happen if people got into really powerful positions as the state senior election official  like secretary of state  but we can see whats happening when theyre in state Legislatures, Bryant said. We can see in many places it has been made a little bit more difficult for people to be able to cast ballots.

Candidate quality issue

Uscinski said people believe conspiracy theories largely for the same reasons they believe anything else  a persons beliefs tend to be a reflection of who one is and how they view the world.

So those who still view the 2020 election as fraudulent likely wont change their view, Uscinski said, especially with the consistent reinforcement by conservative elites.

He said the Republican Party should take stronger control over who it allows to run in its primaries under the GOP banner.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in August acknowledged that Republicans have a candidate quality issue.

Some people should not be allowed to run under the party banner if theyre engaging in a bunch of wild-eyed nonsense, Uscinski said. I mean there are other people in Georgia who could run for Marjorie Taylor Greenes seat.

Trump reshaped the Republican partys structure. Uscinski said theres now a generation of politicians emboldened by Trump who are changing their tunes to match his.

He built a base for himself that is less about traditional Republicanism and conservatism and much more about antagonisms toward the political establishment as a whole, Uscinski said. And oftentimes those antagonisms are expressed as conspiracy theories.

GOP confidence drops more

Bryant, who is a part of the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, said there is some level of a winner effect on voter confidence after an election.

Voter confidence  how confident a person feels that ballots are counted as intended  always goes up among people who voted for a winner and down in those who chose the loser, Bryant said.

But the difference is that traditionally Democrats lose only a little confidence while Republican confidence goes down more, she said.

Bryant said what would boost confidence but largely goes under-reported or unnoticed is how IT departments and election offices are keenly aware of the evolving election landscape and are updating to handle it.

She worries about local election officials  essentially civic-minded volunteers from the community  being forced to bear the brunt of conspiracy theorist harassment. Bryant noted that election administrators in a county clerks office in a small Texas county resigned because of threats.

My hope, as always, is even if people who are election deniers get elected into office  that once there they will see that the majority of people running the elections are just bureaucrats, Bryant said. They are friends and neighbors  people they go to church with or bowling with or whatever  and that they are just following procedures.

They are not people sitting in offices with grand schemes to try to change election results.

Parallels, precedents in US history

Schulman, who contributes his U.S. history insights to some national news outlets, said there are no cases historically that specifically resemble Trumps efforts.

But Schulman noted that there are many pertinent parallels and precedents.

He pointed to a lengthy history of voter suppression, intimidation and violence surrounding elections and its relation to the countrys history of racial discrimination and white supremacy.

He said that most notoriously in the late 19th and early 20th century South, white people used a variety of sinister means  legal and extralegal  to deny non-whites the right to vote.

Some part  I cant say how much  of the explanation for how people believe claims of widespread fraud despite the lack of evidence is that fraud designates who voted, not how they voted, Schulman said.

In the early 1860s, Schulman emphasized that eleven states not only rejected Abraham Lincons election to president but seceded from the U.S. and launched a civil war rather than accept the result of an election they found unwelcome.

Schulman said there have been numerous close and contested elections in which supporters of the losing candidate saw the outcome as fraudulent or corrupt.

The most famous case, he explained, is the 1824 election in which none of the candidates received a majority in the Electoral College and the decision went to the House of Representatives.

Candidate Henry Clay gave his support to John Quincy Adams, who defeated the biggest vote-getter  Andrew Jackson  and Clay became Adams secretary of state.

The apparent deal, denounced as the Corrupt Bargain by Jackson supporters, led to widespread Jacksonian complaints about the legitimacy of the result and Adams subsequent presidency, Schulman said.
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Armenia FM: I am deeply shocked by news of Vladimir Makei's death

The New York Times: Artillery breaking in Ukraine, becoming problem for Pentagon

Karabakh MOD dismisses Azerbaijan statement

Americans spend record $9.12bn on online shopping on Black Friday

North Korea aims to have world's strongest nuclear force, Kim Jong Un says

What is best age to seek jobs?

Scholz says Germany will allocate another 10 million to ensure grain supplies from Ukraine

Azerbaijan opens fire on Armenian border positions

Parapolitika: U.S. drone base is being set up near the Greek city of Larissa

Belgium to send to Ukraine 100 instructors who fought in Afghanistan

U.S. household spending up $433 for the year

Authorities of Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine signs Declaration of Lublin Triangle PMs

CIS Executive Committee says they agreed with CSTO, SCO on combining anti-terrorist exercises

Over 10 people are missing in Italy after landslide

Finns saving on alcohol

Kyodo: Japan ready for joint counterstrikes with U.S. in case of attack

OSCE PA session in Warsaw kicks off in darkness as sign of solidarity with Ukraine

Times: Britain may triple its nuclear energy production by 2050

IAEA tells what blow to spent fuel at Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant will lead to

AFP: Macron wants to dissuade Biden from unequal competition with EU

ARF Dashnaktsutyun delegation meets with Spanish PM

India launches vehicle with 9 satellites on board

Bloomberg says cost of chartering oil tankers exceed $100,000

Belgium to provide Ukraine with underwater unmanned drones and mobile laboratories

Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan has phone talks

22 people injured in Turkish minibus accident

Xi Jinping says he wants to develop relations with North Korea amid global changes

Inauguration ceremony of Tokayev takes place in Astana

Greta Thunberg and 600 more eco-activists sue Sweden

Secretary of Armenian Security Council to visit France and Germany

US starts transferring 80 power generators to Ukraine

Another disinformation: Armenian soldiers did not shell Azerbaijani positions

New York builds world's thinnest skyscraper

Armenian Defense Ministry: Azerbaijan shells Armenian border positions

Ford Motor Co. recalls 634,000 SUVs worldwide due to risk of fire

Chinese man becomes famous for looking after 320 wolves at once

Taliban bans women from visiting doctors without men in Nangarhar province

Norway to provide almost $14 million for the EU mission of training AFU

World economy predicts to roll back to the level of the 2008 financial crisis

UN: Every hour more than five women are killed by their families around the world

Drone use bans in Tatarstan

Russian MOD advises Azerbaijani MOD not to question activities of Russian peacekeeping contingent

Dutch ambassador summoned to Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry

French MFA: Paris is committed to supporting negotiations between Pashinyan and Aliyev

Sweden says it will not wait for Turkish elections to join NATO

Germany's economy grew slightly more than expected in third quarter

Putin says there is no need to recruit more people through partial mobilization

Spiegel: Bundestag will vote on recognizing the holodomor as genocide

Putin informs participants of Security Council about trip to Yerevan

Hungary to receive exception to EU's planned price cap on Russian oil imports

Uruguay's first resident ambassador presents his credentials to Armenian president

Scholz surprised by companies' dependence on China

Armenian PM receives Managing Director of European External Action Service of EU

Doctors suspect poisoning of former Georgian President Saakashvili

British Foreign Secretary announces millions of pounds in additional support for Ukraine

Turkey and Qatar finalize talks on providing Ankara with up to $10 billion

Armenian Deputy Defense Minister briefs EU representatives on situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

Switzerland approves CHF 960,000 in aid for resilience, economic recovery of Armenia border communities

Xavier Villar: Tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan through the prism of Ummatic identity

Over $11M pledged during 25th Hayastan All Armenian Fund annual Telethon

Forbes: Armenia's purchase of Iranian drones could be a potential deterrent

FM, EU official discuss Armenia-Turkey relations

Dollar is down, euro is relatively stable in Armenia

Azerbaijan president receives EU Special Representative for South Caucasus

Lithuania terminates cooperation with Belarus in field of interior affairs

France seeks to poach India from its main arms supplier, Russia

AraratBank launches Google Pay for its card users

MFA: Armenia ready for meeting in accordance with Prague agreements, format

ARF Dashnaktsutyun: We condemn the Turkish army's actions in Northern Syria

Saudi Arabian and Iraqi energy ministers highlight importance of OPEC+ work

Grigoryan, Zohouri discuss Armenia-Iran railway operation in case of possible unblocking

Kopirkin on Armenia-Russia relations: There are problems but they are being resolved

Lemkin Institute: Giving up Artsakh would mean condoning genocide against Armenians

Russia envoy to Armenia: Impressions from last summit of leaders of CSTO member countries are quite positive

Chevron Corp may soon get U.S. approval to expand operations in Venezuela

Kazakhstan, Turkey and Azerbaijan FMs meet in Aktau to discuss Middle Corridor

Canada to open new consulate in Armenia

Politico: US is profiting from war, while the EU countries suffer

Cavusoglu declares strategic importance of so-called 'Zangezur corridor'

Azerbaijani Armed Forces continue shelling civilians in Artsakh

Berlin warms to France's 'Buy European' plans

Kremlin: no meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Russia scheduled in near future

Belgium and Great Britain quarrel over nuclear press

MOD: Artsakh army units did not fire at Azerbaijani positions in occupied territories

British government frightened by Chinese CCTV cameras
Million Armenians Killed Or Exile. Tell Horror Done in Armenia. Armenians Are Sent To Perish In Desert. These are just some of the headlines from The New York Times articles from 1915 describing the first genocide of the 20th century, when over 1.5 million Armenians were systematically exterminated by the Ottoman Turks, an event that the Turkish government denies to this day. Despite incontrovertible evidence, the world sat idly by and did nothing at the time, writes Stephan Pechdimaldji in his Daily Beast article.

"In his most recent project, Ken Burns, the celebrated American documentary filmmaker, looked at Americas response (or lack thereof) to the Holocaust and its indifference in preventing one of the greatest humanitarian crises of the 20th century by asking if the nation lived up to its principles and ideals.

The United States has a long history of failing to prevent or halt genocide, though it has a rich history of offering hollow statements like Never Again. Whether it was President Bill Clintons mea culpa for failing to intervene the 1994 Rwandan genocide, or the Trump administrations loud but feckless accusation of genocide by China against the Uyghurs, U.S. foreign policy has been big on words but small on action.

That is why the current crisis taking place in the South Caucasus, where Azerbaijan is currently committing war crimes and atrocities against Armenians, offers the Biden administration an opportunity to change that narrative.

Since the fall of 2020, Azerbaijan, a country led by the petro-dictator Ilham Aliyev, has escalated tensions with Armenia over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabagh by launching an illegal war and unprovoked attacks.

Armenians, like myself, see these latest acts of aggression by Azerbaijan as a continuation of the 1915 genocide and a threat to their existence.

I grew up hearing stories of how my grandparents survived the Armenian genocide. I heard how, at the age of 15, my grandfather hid in a haystack during the day to avoid being taken away by Turkish soldiers. And I heard how his own father and brother were taken away, never to be seen or heard from again. Ill never forget the story of how he fled through the deserts of Syria and made his way to Aleppo, where he worked as a welder to make enough money to eventually settle in Cairo.

But his story could have been prevented had powerful nations intervened. Tragically, that history is repeating itself.

Taking a page out of the Ottoman Empires playbook, Azerbaijan has embarked on a campaign to wipe out any existence of Armenians in the region. Aliyevs anti-Armenian rhetoric has fostered a climate of hate that has permeated throughout Azeri society and on the battlefield.

That animosity has been evidenced by the way Azeri troops have treated Armenian prisoners of war. For example, video evidence recently emerged showing Azerbaijani troops executing a small group of captured Armenian soldiers.

And there continue to be reports of Armenian historical and cultural sites in Nagorno-Karabaghincluding churches and monasteries that have stood for hundreds of yearsbeing defaced, vandalized, and destroyed.

Genocide Watch, a U.S.-based nonprofit advocacy group, recently issued a genocide warning against Azerbaijan, and called for sanctions if attacks continue. And unlike Ukraine, where Russian aggression has been met with worldwide condemnation and stifling sanctions, Azerbaijans government has gotten a free pass from Western governments. If anything, it has been rewarded for its actions.

Over the summer, the European Union signed an agreement with Azerbaijan to double gas imports by 2027with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, calling Aliyev a reliable partner. This is the same reliable partner that is regularly on the lists of international human rights abusers, and who commissioned a Military Trophies Park in the capital city of Baku last year, that features a display of hundreds of helmets taken from Armenian soldiers killed during the war.

The park also features wax mannequins of captured soldiers portrayed through exaggerated caricatures based on Armenian stereotypes and tropes like crooked noses and bushy eyebrows. Many of these mannequins are shown in their dying moments or chained to jail cells.

President Biden came into office stating that human rights would be at the crux of his foreign policy, and yet he has done next to nothing in holding Azerbaijan accountable. What he has done is provide Azerbaijan with more resources, by waiving Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act which bans military aid to Baku. Instead of keeping Azerbaijan in check, Biden has emboldened Aliyev to continue his reckless and vicious behavior towards Armenia.

To be clear, Armenian-Americans are not calling for the United States to intervene militarily. The last thing that this country needs is another forever war. But we want our government to acknowledge the crimes and atrocities that are being perpetrated towards Armenia, and for human rights abusers like Aliyev to be reprimandedand not rewarded.

Why should Americans care about what is happening to a small country in a remote part of the world? Its because history has shown that small conflagrations have the potential to spread into larger wildfires.

That is why it is in Americas interest to hold countries like Azerbaijan accountable. Allowing would-be genocidal tyrants to eschew the rule of law provides aid and comfort to autocrats all over the world.

Joe Biden has shown that he has the guts to stand up to bullies. He has done it with Trump. He has done it with Putin. He now has an opportunity to do the same with Aliyeva relatively much smaller threat to the U.S.

If Biden truly wants to uphold the principles of democracy and human rights, then hell do what is right and make sure that Never Again actually means something."
Despite battling a wave of unrest, Iran remains vigilant about developments in the South Caucasus region and is ready to safeguard its interests in the region, the Tehran Times writes.

"Over the last few weeks, Iran has been dealing with an unprecedented wave of unrest that broke out over the death of Mahsa Amini, a young girl who died in police custody. The unrest came at a time when the South Caucasus region has become a flashpoint of sporadic skirmishes between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

On Sunday, the Azerbaijani ministry of defense said Azerbaijani forces along the border with Armenia came under fire and took adequate retaliatory measures.

Armenia denied firing at Azerbaijani forces. "Units of the Armenian Armed Forces did not open fire in the direction of the Azerbaijani positions, and the daily dissemination of such misinformation by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan is nothing but an attempt to artificially create tension on the border, a spokesperson for the Armenian defense ministry said in a statement.

The resumption of tension on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border has long been a source of concern for Iran, given Azerbaijan's plans to create the so-called Zangezur corridor, which, if implemented, would cut Iran's land border with Armenia.

Iran's concerns about international borders in the South Caucasus region escalated after the Karabakh war in 2020. Since then, Iran has warned that it will not accept any border changes in the region.

The recent turmoil in Iran has further exacerbated these fears, as Iran has been busy putting its own house in order. But a senior Iranian official calmed fears about the situation in the South Caucasus region. Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president's deputy chief of staff for political affairs, said the unrest was not distracting Iran from observing events in the region.

Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the CICA summit in Astana last week. "In this meeting, Ayatollah Raisi rejected any change in the historical borders, the geopolitics of the region, and the Iran-Armenia transit route. He said it will elicit a decisive response from Iran. Ayatollah Raisi also rejected European military presence in the region under any cover. He said internal issues wont distract us from the Iranian nations strategic interests, Jamshidi said of the meeting on Twitter.

At the meeting, Raisi said the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Armenia must be respected, according to a release from the meeting.

"From the point of view of the Islamic Republic of Iran, any change in the historical and geopolitical borders of the region and any change in the transit status of Iran and Armenia are rejected, President Raisi said. Recalling that the Islamic Republic of Iran was the first country to welcome the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh, he added: "Iran is ready to use its great capacity to resolve the discords between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

For his part, the Azerbaijani president gave a detailed report in Prague on regional developments and the latest status of multilateral talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

He also stressed the observance and respect for the Islamic Republic of Iran's international borders.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian exchanged views on the most important issues in bilateral, regional and international spheres in a telephone conversation with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Saturday.

Amir-Abdollahian noted the depth of Iran-Azerbaijan relations and called the recent meeting of the two presidents on the margins of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) summit in the capital of Kazakhstan important.

Referring to the recent developments in the Caucasus region, the Iranian Foreign Minister stressed support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, including Azerbaijan and Armenia, stressing that this approach is a permanent policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Amir-Abdollahian said that the presence of foreign forces in the Caucasus is a common problem for the countries of the region and stressed that the IRI is against the deployment of any foreign forces in the region.
The European Commission intends to propose this week a "dynamic" limit on natural gas prices in the EU and binding limits on the extent to which traded prices can fluctuate in a single day, Reuters reported, citing a draft proposal.

The proposal, to be agreed by EU governments, would task the European Agency for Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) with setting a benchmark price for liquefied natural gas that the EU buys by March 23.

The Commission is recommending potential intervention in the price of the Dutch TTF, which is widely used in Europe for contracts and hedging.

The EC would "as a last resort" propose setting a market-based "dynamic" price at which natural gas transactions can take place on the TTF spot market under certain conditions.

The draft states that these measures should not affect the reliability of supply, lead to an increase in gas consumption or affect the orderly functioning of energy derivatives markets. Claims that the measures will be temporary - no more than three months.

Other EU gas trading centers will be pegged to an adjusted TTF spot price through a dynamic price corridor.

The Commission's draft proposal also states that EU trading venues must set a limit on the extent to which energy derivatives can move up or down in a single day by January 31.

These proposals must be approved by EU governments, which have been arguing for more than a month since the Commission first proposed a price cap on Russian gas alone in early September.

EU members such as Germany, Austria and the Netherlands have said that price caps could lead to gas shortages and discourage energy conservation.

Others supported broad price caps. Belgium, Greece, Italy and Poland want a price corridor for wholesale deals, which would mean a price range with a central value below the market price.

EU leaders intend to discuss options later this week.

The European Commission's proposal also includes the idea of joint gas purchases, a solidarity mechanism to avoid sharp variations in supply across the bloc, and a desire to reduce gas demand.
An old West story; how Frank Eaton shaped OSU's identity

Media Contact: Stephen Howard | Manager of Communications | 405-744-4363 | stephen.howard@okstate.edu

When Benny West was growing up in Perkins, Oklahoma, in the 1940s, there was a sign on the edge of town that said, Home of the 500 friendliest people in the world.

That number has jumped to around 3,000 people now, but West is sure the tagline still applies.

Counted among the 500 smiling faces was a weathered blacksmith with braids down to his hip pockets named Frank Eaton, the real-life inspiration for the Oklahoma State University mascot, Pistol Pete. Eaton and his legendary .45 revolver have come to personify the trailblazing OSU identity, but to West and the residents of Perkins, he was the friendly old-timer down the street with endless tall tales.

He was one of a kind, said West, now 86, as he reflected on growing up a couple of streets over from Eaton. I thought he was an old-time cowboy, and I guess he was.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1860, Eaton was that and more. Legend has it Eatons father was murdered when he was 8 years old and he swore revenge on the men who were responsible. Eaton learned to shoot a gun like no one else on the frontier, and he spent the ensuing years crisscrossing the country exacting his revenge.

With those debts settled, a 29-year-old Eaton joined the land rush to the Oklahoma Territory and found a place on the Cimarron River near Perkins to serve as the local sheriff. He went on to open a blacksmith shop, raise a family and unintentionally forge a new identity for the OSU community just by being himself.

To West and the kids in Perkins, an afternoon of storytelling at Eatons house was a journey into swashbuckling adventure.

My cousin and I would always stop by his house and talk with him, West said. He was always sitting out on his porch, so everybody in town would come by and visit from time to time.

One visit to Eatons place ended with an upset stomach when West and his cousin accidentally discovered Eatons affinity for Browns Mule Tobacco, a chewing plug sold in a small rectangular package about 3-inches across. To the West kids, Browns Mule looked exactly like a chocolate bar, and the two made the mistake of a lifetime when the grown-ups werent looking.

Golly, did we get sick, West said. I remember laying in the middle of the dirt street heaving my insides out. That was my last experience with chewing tobacco. I never wanted any more.

West managed to recover, and a few years later, he found himself drawn 10 miles up the road to Oklahoma A&M College to study accounting. The 1950s were a remarkable time to be on campus in Stillwater.

The school was in search of an identity, both academically and reputationally, and Eatons rugged persona became the model for the new brand. The school changed its name to Oklahoma State University in 1957, and a year later, OSU made the Eaton-inspired Pistol Pete their official mascot.

There was a lot of buzz on campus, said West, who had a front-row seat to the updates. You had the feeling like OSU was going places and that it was going to change your life. We were going from being a small school to a big school, and we had a new heritage to go with it.

West met his wife, Irene, at OSU, and he earned his bachelors degree in accounting in 1961. He began his career at a local accounting firm, but six months later was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve in the Vietnam War. West returned from military service to a job at North American Aviation in Irenes hometown of Tulsa. He worked in the business side of the aerospace industry until his retirement in 1996.

Raising a family in Tulsa made it tough for West to get back to Stillwater as often as he would have liked, but he could hardly believe his eyes when he returns to campus today. Enrollment has more than doubled since he took his first classes in 1957 and the campus has grown by leaps and bounds.

His first tour of the new Business Building was in October with his son, Steven West, an Instructor of Professional Practice at the Spears School of Business Hospitality and Tourism Management program. Benny beamed at how far his alma mater had come, and the sentiment wasnt lost on Steven.

To Benny, the 1957 vision of turning OSU into a big school is coming to fruition, and he has a sense of fulfillment in knowing the old blacksmith from Perkins had a hand in that.

Im proud of the way this place is coming along, he said. I have no idea what its going to turn into in the next few years, but Im sure its going to be big.
CX to add hundreds of Japan, UK-bound flights

Cathay Pacific says the government's lifting of mandatory hotel quarantine last month boosted travel sentiment. File image: Shutterstock

Cathay Pacific said on Monday that it plans to add 700 flights in November and 1,200 flights in December, as passenger figures improved following the lifting of mandatory hotel quarantine for airport arrivals last month.



"We remain focused on adding as many passenger flights as we can, and have already added more than 400 flight sectors in October to and from regional and long-haul destinations since the September announcements by the government," Cathay said in a statement.



It said many of the additional flights are bound for popular destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka and London, adding that its noticed a "considerable increase" in demand for flights to Singapore, Bangkok and Seoul.



But the flag carrier said while the number of passengers it carried last month doubled from a year ago to 265,845, it was still down almost 90 percent compared to the same month in 2019.



It said its on track to reach its target of doubling its total number of destinations from the level it offered in January, to 58 by the end of the year. It's restored services to Madrid, Milan, Dubai, Kathmandu and Bengaluru this month.



Separately, Cathay said cargo tonnage fell nearly 21 percent year-on-year to 104,055 tonnes in September, as a result of the base effect from an "exceptionally high level" of cargo recorded in the same month last year.



But the airline also conceded that the decline was larger than expected because of weaker consumer demand and lower manufacturing activities on the mainland.
New Delhi [India], October 17 (ANI/PNN): DU DIGITAL GLOBAL & Convergence, the official Visa Application Centre for Malaysia Visas in India has announced that due to a temporary outage of the Malaysia E Visa portal, applicants can submit their applications at our Malaysia Visa Application centres at Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai and with our partner VFS Global in all major cities. The centres will facilitate all categories of Visa including Work, Student, Tourist and Medical Visa. Temporary process for till further notice: Visa Fees is Rs1000/- in the form of demand draft + Service Charge Applicable Processing Time: 6 working days List of documents required: Visa Application Form (Applicant can get from Visa Application Centres) Original Passport along with one copy of passport bio page Confirm Air Tickets: For Tourist Visa: Entry & Exit both, For work Visa: Only entry Hotel Bookings for Tourist & Invitation cases 2 Passport size Photographs Demand Draft of Rs 1000/- per applicant Please Visit any of the following Visa Application Centres Address: Mumbai Visa Application Address: 03rd floor, Urmi Axis Building, Behind Famous Studio, Opp E Moses Road, Mahalaxmi (West), Mumbai - 400 011 Delhi Visa Application Address: Mezzanine level, Shivaji Stadium metro station, Baba kharak Singh Marg, Connaught place New Delhi 110001 Chennai Visa Application Address: No 74, 2nd floor, Fagun Towers, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai 600 008 Visit our website for more information www.malaysiavac.com or can write at contactcentre@malaysiavac.com or Call at +91 22 67866032 This story has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/PNN)
New Delhi [India], October 17 (ANI/PNN): Spherea, a leading French electronic system manufacturing and testing group is participating at the 12th biennial edition of DefExpo India 2022 in partnership with Crown Group Defence, India's Defence MRO major supporting the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative. Keeping with the theme of DefExpo 2022 'Path to Pride' powering 'Make in India, Make for the World' resolve of the Govt. and the nation at large both Crown Group Defence & Spherea of France will make big partnership announcement at the DefExpo to meet the Indian Air force and Indian Navy's existing & upcoming needs. India and France have a long history of defence co-operation and with French envoy recently announcing the interest of France to be India's 'best partner' in boosting its defence manufacturing, the Spherea and Crown Group partnership will add another milestone to this glorious relationship. Florence Pabon, Vice President Sales, Spherea Group said "Our participation at DefExpo 2022 as partners of Crown Group Defence gives us the opportunity to showcase our portfolio of testing solutions for electronic systems across diverse sectors of Aeronaval and Defence, Railways and Energy." "We look forward to join hands with Crown Group Defence with an aim to demonstrate the commitment of both Spherea & Crown Group Defence towards the Government of India's vision of achieving self-reliance, particularly in defence technologies," said Christian Dabasse, President and CEO, Spherea Group, France. Spherea Test & Services is engaged in the business of design, manufacturing and support of Automatic Test Equipment (ATE), test programs, test systems and associated services intended for the Development, Integration, Production and Maintenance of Electronic Systems. "We are delighted to have the leading French testing solutions company, Spherea, join us at DefExpo 2022. We look forward to building the partnership with Spherea, and utilize our respective technical expertise and capabilities, towards enhancing operational availability of aircraft fleets and contribute to the security of the nation" said Rear Adm Devender Sudan (Retd), Head of Aerospace division, Crown Group Defence. "Crown Group's focus is on expanding in-country capability towards Defence Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of aircrafts and its aggregates along with manufacturing, through partnership with international OEMs and in-house development." Rear Adm Devender Sudan further added. This story has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/PNN)
Nokia on Monday said it has been selected as a major supplier by Reliance Jio to supply 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment from its comprehensive AirScale portfolio countrywide in a multi-year deal. Reliance Jio is India's number one mobile operator and has one of the largest RAN footprints in the world. Under the contract, Nokia will supply equipment from its AirScale portfolio, including base stations, high-capacity 5G Massive MIMO antennas, and Remote Radio Heads (RRH) to support different spectrum bands, and self-organising network software, Nokia said in a statement. Reliance Jio plans to deploy a 5G standalone network which will interwork with its 4G network. The network will enable Reliance Jio to deliver advanced 5G services such as massive machine-to-machine communications, network slicing, and ultra-low latency. "We are pleased to be working with Nokia for our 5G SA deployment in India. Jio is committed to continuously investing in the latest network technologies to enhance the experience of all of its customers. We are confident that our partnership with Nokia will deliver one of the most advanced 5G networks globally," Reliance Jio Chairman Akash Ambani was quoted in the statement. Commenting on the deal, President and CEO of Nokia Pekka Lundmark said, "This is a significant win for Nokia in an important market and a new customer with one of the largest RAN footprints in the world. This ambitious project will introduce millions of people across India to premium 5G services, enabled by our industry-leading AirScale portfolio. We are proud that Reliance Jio has placed its trust in our technology and we look forward to a long and productive partnership with them." Nokia has a long-standing presence in India. This new deal will mean that Nokia is now supplying India's three largest mobile operators, the company said in the statement. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], October 17 (ANI/PNN): The film originally in Kannada language will release pan India in Hindi apart from Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil languages in the southern states. Directed by Jaratgirtha, known for directing the Kannada film Bell Bottom (that was remade in Hindi with Akshay Kumar), Banaras will release in Cinemas on November 4 all across India. Banaras is a musical love story with backdrop of time travel. The film was extensively shot in Banaras at all 84 beautiful ghats and a few other prime locations. "Earlier we were not planning to release the film in multiple languages. The film has come out well and when the team saw it, they thought we should release it in other languages as well" said Zaid. Actor Zaid Khan comes from a political background but has chosen a path of an actor. He trained at Anupam Kher's Acting academy in Mumbai before making his debut. The 24-year-old is fluent in Hindi and Urdu, and for Banaras, learnt to read, write and speak Kannada. Actress Sonal Monteiro is already an established name in Kannada films. She made her debut in Kannada films with Abhisaarike in 2018 for which she was nominated for the best debutant actress category at SIIMA Award. Her film Panchatantra directed by Yogaraj Bhat was a super hit film. The actor also attended Manikarnika Film Festival in the city where they were felicitated by veteran Actor Sanjay Mishra. Banaras also stars actors like Achyuth Kumar, Sujay Sastry and Devaraj in important roles. Backed by Tilakraj Ballal, the film has music scored by Ajaneesh B Loknath and cinematography by Advaitha Gurumurthy. This story has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/PNN)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 17 (ANI/PRNewswire): Ajanta Pharma, a specialty pharmaceutical formulation company, has been awarded as "Best Managed Companies" in India by Deloitte for 2022. The selection process for the award had rigorous evaluation of management abilities for Strategy; Capabilities and Innovation; Governance and Financials; Culture and Commitment. It once again confirms Ajanta's agile management, resilient strategy and superior performance. Yogesh Agrawal, Managing Director, Ajanta Pharma received the award at the Best Managed Companies programme held on October 14 at Deloitte Knowledge Center in Mumbai. "We are delighted to receive the Best Managed Companies award from Deloitte as it validates our emphasis on commitment towards excellence in people, processes, infrastructure and practices. This award is dedicated to over 7,000 motivated Ajantaites spread globally who make Ajanta an exciting and vibrant place to work," said Yogesh Agrawal. Ajanta Pharma is a specialty pharmaceutical formulation company having branded generic business in India and 30 emerging markets, generic business in US and institution business in Africa. Ajanta is determined to find answers for patient-needs by developing differentiated 1st to market products. This smart product portfolio provides the company leadership in various molecule and therapeutic segments. Company's ground presence in all the emerging markets provides it an edge to build enduring product brands and strong equity with customers. Moreover, the company's robust supply chain ensures these medicines are available for needy patients across the globe every single day. Ajanta's success in different markets is backed by its strong belief in R&D. Company's R&D has strong capabilities in finished product development of different dosage forms by designing robust formulation. Ajanta has been consistently developing difficult and complex products to harness patient needs. Company's 800+ scientists embrace technology to find appropriate solutions to address the challenges faced by patients across the globe. Company has 6 world class formulation & 1 API manufacturing facilities in India having best-in-class equipment. These facilities are run by a skilled and knowledgeable team who follow outstanding quality systems to ensure world-class quality products. Stringent authorities like the US FDA and WHO have approved the company's facilities at Paithan in Maharashtra and Dahej in Gujarat. For last 10 financial years, company has posted healthy performance with its Revenue from Operations growing at 15 per cent CAGR and net profit at 23 per cent CAGR. For more details visit: www.ajantapharma.com For regular updates follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/ajantapharmaltd For specific queries, contact : Abhineet Kumar Tel: +91 22 66061814 Email: abhineet.kumar@ajantapharma.com Reuters: AJPH.NS, Bloomberg: AJP:IN, NSE: AJANTPHARM, BSE: 532331 Corporate Identity Number (CIN): L24230MH1979PLC022059 Safe Harbour Statement This story has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Korean Cultural Center in India, the South Korean Pop- girl, boy groups 'Bug-Aboo' and 'Kingdom', came to participate in the two-day Korean cultural festival 'Rang De Korea' and said that they would love to work with Indian Bollywood artists. In a press conference, artists of both groups said, "We may not understand the language of the people here but they have deeply felt the love, innocence and purity of Indians." The artists of the 'Kingdom' group said, if the Indian government supports us they would like to make a song at the Taj Mahal, giving a Fusion touch to Indian music. Given a proposal, they would love to work with Indian Artists. One of the boys from the group said that he is overwhelmed by the love and hospitality that he received from Indians and wanted to share the stage with the artists here. Talking about their favourite Indian Artists, from Bollywood they added, "Aamir Khan's '3 idiots' and Shah Rukh Khan's 'My name is Khan' films that are famous in Korea." Another artist said that he would like to see the Taj Mahal during his next visit to India. One of the artists of the girl group revealed that she used to read about the holy river Ganges as a child and wanted to see the sacred scenes associated with the Ganges. By coming here, her wish was fulfilled. Korea Cultural Centre of India (KCCI) organized a two-day cultural festival 'Rang De Korea' program on Saturday and Sunday at DLF Avenue, Saket to mark its 10th anniversary. In this, a large number of Korean artists gave their performances. Artists associated with Korean songs and music from Korea and India have impressed the audience with their skills stunned. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India Chang Jae-Bol and other dignitaries were present at the event. (ANI)
According to Variety, it does not appear, however, that Ford will star in 'Thunderbolts', Marvel's anti-hero team-up film that is scheduled to immediately follow 'Captain America 4'.

The fourth 'Captain America' film, which is being directed by Julius Onah, will show the events that take place after 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' series, reported Variety.

Hurt first played Ross in Marvel Studios' second feature film ever, 2008's 'The Incredible Hulk', as a US Army general who is instrumental in transforming scientist Bruce Banner (then played by Edward Norton) into the Hulk; Ross then spends the rest of the movie hunting for Banner.

The character showed up again in 2016's 'Captain America: Civil War' as the Secretary of State, tasked with enforcing the Sokovia Accords meant to curtail the actions of the Avengers.

After brief cameos in 'Avengers: Infinity War' and 'Avengers: Endgame', Hurt's final performance as Ross was in 2021's 'Black Widow'.

Though this is Ford's first MCU film, it is far from his only franchise appearance. The 80-year-old actor has previously also headlined the 'Star Wars', 'Indiana Jones' and 'Jack Ryan' movies.

His next starring role will be the fifth 'Indiana Jones' movie, set to premiere in June 2023, as per Variety. (ANI)
Hollywood actor Ezra Miller, who is set to star in DC's 'The Flash', pleaded not guilty to burglary charges in a Vermont court where if found guilty he would face up to 26 years in prison. According to Variety, the charges against Miller are for burglary into an occupied home and petit larceny. The actor appeared virtually with their lawyer Bennington Superior Court. Miller is accused of breaking into a residence in Stamford, Vermont on May 1, 2022. Following an investigation, Vermont State Police discovered several missing bottles of alcohol from the property while the homeowners were not present. After collecting statements and reviewing surveillance footage, police charged Miller with felony burglary. The petit larceny charge states that the stolen items were less than USD 900 in total value, reported Variety. The felony burglary charge has a maximum of 25 years in prison and a USD 1,000 maximum fine. The larceny charge is a maximum of one year and a similar USD 1,000 fine. Miller also agreed not to have any contact with the homeowner or return to the residence. As per Variety, Miller's attorney Lisa B. Shelkrot has said, "Ezra Miller this morning pled not guilty to one count of burglary and one count of petit larceny in Vermont Superior Court and accepted the court-imposed conditions of not contacting or entering the home of the inhabitants." She added, "Ezra would like to acknowledge the love and support they have received from their family and friends, who continue to be a vital presence in their ongoing mental health," The Vermont charges were just a couple of the controversies and legal issues Miller has been facing in recent months. The embattled actor was arrested on two separate occasions in Hawaii, once in March for disorderly conduct and harassment following an incident at a karaoke bar, and again in April for an alleged assault in which Miller was accused of striking a woman on the head at a private residence. Further, the parents of an 18-year-old filed an order of protection against Miller, alleging the actor groomed their child from the age of 12, though the child has denied it, reported The Hollywood Reporter. In August, Miller apologized for their past behaviour and began undergoing mental health treatment. Meanwhile, on the work front, Miller was first introduced as 'The Flash' in Joss Whedon's 2017 released 'Justice League'. The actor will be reprising the superhero role in 'The Flash', which following several delays is set to release in theatres on June 23, 2023. (ANI)
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH) is all set to become an express highway as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is working round the clock to turn this important thoroughfare into an all weather road. From 1947 to 2019, former rulers played politics over this all important highway, which connects Kashmir with the rest of the country. Instead of developing it, they kept on talking about opening alternative routes. They misled people by stating that Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Road will be reopened and Kashmir would get connected to Pakistan. In 2005, India and Pakistan started cross LoC bus service. In 2008, the cross-LoC (Line of Control) trade was also introduced for the first time since 1947. Both, the bus service and the trade, were called off in 2019. The Government of India ended the cross-LoC trade between PoK and J&K due to the misuse of the route by terrorists and their handlers. The misuse included smuggling of illegal weapons, narcotics and currency. By calling off the cross-LoC trade and the bus service, regime led by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, sent a clear message that Pakistan won't be allowed to promote terror under the garb of trade, and it drove home a point that experiment of trying to connect J&K with PoK had failed. * Prime Minister's Rs 80,000 crore package Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during his visit to Kashmir in 2015 had announced Rs 80,000 crore package for building 'Naya Jammu and Kashmir'. The package included money for constructing new roads and highways. However, the then regime led by People's Democratic Party (PDP) in J&K didn't pay much attention towards spending the money on the projects which it was meant for. The work on turning Srinagar-Jammu NH into an express highway was carried on at a snail's pace, which led to the frequent closure of the road. It provided the leaders of the political parties, including PDP and National Conference, with a chance to mislead the people that Srinagar-Muzaffarbad highway was more dependable than the Srinagar-Jammu NH. These leaders in a way endorsed the narrative of the separatists and sent a message to them that they support their agenda of separation. The mainstream Kashmiri leaders till 2019 left no opportunity to appease the separatists' and Pakistan. * Connecting Kashmir Situation in J&K changed on August 5, 2019 - when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate the state's special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories. The government embarked on a mission to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country through road, air and railways. As on date, nearly 100 flights operate from Srinagar international airport daily, the train to Kashmir is not that far away and the Srinagar-Jammu NH within a year or two would become a four-lane express highway. * Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Navyug tunnels Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Tunnel is not only India's longest highway tunnel (9 km long) but also Asia's longest bi-directional highway tunnel. It's also known as Chenani-Nashri tunnel. It has reduced the travel time between Nashri and Chenani from two hours to mere 15 minutes. Similarly, the 8.5 km long Navyug Tunnel at elevation of 1,790 m in the Pir Panjal range has reduced the travel time between Qazigund and Banihal to 15 minutes from nearly two hours. Nandni Tunnels, the series of four highway tunnels on Jammu-Srinagar NH in Udhampur district have cut down the travel time by at least one hour. The distance between Jammu and Srinagar cities has been reduced from 300 kms to 260 kms and the journey which used to get covered in 10 to 12 hours till 2019, is covered within 5 to 6 hours in 2022. The four lane highway corridors from Srinagar to Qazigund and Jammu to Udhampur have made travel faster and easier on NH-44. * Chief Secretary monitoring progress J&K Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta is personally monitoring the progress of the work on Srinagar-Jammu NH. In a review meeting held earlier in October, Mehta directed the NHAI to follow all deadlines for clearing of muck, improvement of road surface, completion of the vital T-5 tunnel and widening of Ramsoo-Rampari-Sherbibi stretch on NH-44. He emphasised on the need to find a one-time solution to the highway woes. Once the T-5 tunnel is completed, it will reduce the travel time between Banihal to Ramban - treacherous mountainous terrain - from three hours to 25 minutes. The T-5 tunnel would bring Jammu and Srinagar more close. * Srinagar comes closer to Jammu The present dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is keen on ensuring that the travel time between the twin capitals of J&K, that is, Srinagar and Jammu comes down to four hours. The areas which were prone to land and mudslides have been developed and the tunnels that have come up on the highway have made commuting easy and hassle free for the travellers. The improvement in the condition of Jammu-Srinagar NH has punctured all the fake narratives about this highway being an unnatural route. The new tunnels and the expansion of the highway are major steps towards "completing the integration of Kashmir with the Union of India". The NH-44 turning into an express highway has shattered the myth about Srinagar-Muzzafarabad Road being the natural route to Kashmir. The government has also taken up the work on Mughal Road which connects South Kashmir with Jammu region. This road too will be developed into an all weather highway to end Kashmir's status of being a landlocked Valley. * Former rulers have no answers Former J&K rulers, who used to claim that the route from Srinagar to PoK would become a permanent thoroughfare, have been left with nothing to sell. People are asking why couldn't they develop the Srinagar-Jammu NH for 70 years. Is it that they delayed the development projects to mislead the people by claiming that J&K can never be developed? Anyway their time has ended as the people have realised that the leaders whom they reposed their trust on were never interested in J&K's development. The only thing that mattered for them was power. The highway which troubled people of Kashmir for seven decades has been developed just in three years. It's a big achievement of Prime Minister Modi-led government and leadership deserves accolades for it. --IANS shs ( 1055 Words) 2022-10-16-20:44:02 (IANS)
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who is on his visit to the southern state of the country- Tamil Nadu, on Sunday addressed the students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. "World today recognizes that India's time has arrived", Piyush Goyal addressed. "Americans and Europeans would also want to engage with sustainability, newer technologies at an affordable price & they would look forward to you for it", Commerce Minister underlined. In another event, while inaugurating government stalls Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said that today's meeting had been the most-engaging one with exporters in Chennai and that he had noted all the points. The minister also added that the southern state was at second place in state GDP (SGDP) and that the state is the major exporter in the sectors of textiles, leather, marine food, auto components. Piyush Goyal was inaugurating stalls of the Union government schemes as part of the public outreach at the Madipakkam bus stand in Chennai. He also said that the country was really proud that Tamil Nadu was supporting national-building and the development of the country. He also mentioned that the future of Tamil Nadu is K Annamalai, the leader of Tamil Nadu. He said there were wonderful things happening in Tamil Nadu, and added, "In 2047, when we are about to celebrate our centenary of our country, $20-trillion economy will surely be achieved in India." K Annamalai is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president in the state. He also added that, "In 2030, service and merchandise exports will increase to $1 trillion and even in other sectors economy." "I salute the women's empowerment of India. The principles, the culture, the heritage and the family value system added economic value to the nation," the minister said. Piyush Goyal also said, "I have the confidence that by our strength, $750-billion of exports will be done soon and India will grow to 11 per cent in exports." He said, "When we work together, we can achieve anything in India. I enjoyed listening to all of your points and I have noted it that I'll try to rectify the issues in a possible manner." (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the Hindi version of three MBBS textbooks in Bhopal on Sunday. The translated textbooks will be introduced in the 1st year of MBBS at Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal in the new academic year. With this, Madhya Pradesh would be the first state in the country to start medical education in Hindi. It is being introduced in the Bhopal-based medical college on pilot basis and the state government has planned to introduce the system in all 13 government-run medical colleges across the state. "This historic day will be written in golden words," the Union Home Minister said while unveiling the textbooks of three subjects - Biochemistry, Anatomy and Medical Physiology - in Hindi. Shah further said that the MBBS course in Hindi was launched as part of the National Education Policy and soon it will be started in other languages also, Shah added. "Now, the students of the country will not have any inferiority complex about not knowing the English language and they can study with pride in their own language," he added. Meanwhile, he said that earlier there were 387 medical colleges in the country with a total of 51,000 seats. Now, the nation, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has 596 medical colleges with an additional 89,000 seats. The country had 16 IITs earlier, and the number has now gone up to 23, the number of IIMs has increased from 13 to 20, Shah added. Shah praised Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the state Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang for taking "the lead in the country in starting the MBBS course in Hindi". Chief Minister Chouhan said that these textbooks have technical terms written in Hindi the way they are pronounced in English, like 'kidney' is written as kidney only. He also said that students from rural areas who were unable to get medical education because of lack of knowledge of English will not lag behind and will be able to pursue the MBBS course in Hindi. --IANS pd/shs ( 351 Words) 2022-10-16-22:54:01 (IANS)
"After receiving an intimation about the gathering of some Naxals, late night Yesterday, a DRG team left for the operation. Following which a clash broke out between the Naxals and the security forces in the jungle between Devgaon and Huchadi", Sadanand Kumar, Police Inspector, Narayanpur told reporters.

"The encounter lasted for about half an hour", he added.

"After the clash, the security personnel found some blood clots on the ground, which lead to them towards the injured Naxals", Sadanand Kumar, Police Inspector said.

"The Police found a huge amount of ammunition, 'Desi' Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL), and Naxal-related things from their hideout", Police Inspector underlined.

The area was cordoned off and a search operation is underway.

Earlier this month, a soldier of the Border Security Force (BSF) was injured in an IED blast near Markanar village under the Police Station limit of Koyalibeda in Chhattisgarh's Kanker.

"One BSF jawan was injured in an IED blast near Markanar village under Koylibeda PS limit," said Shalabh Sinha, Superintendent of Police (SP), Kanker.

Earlier on March 14, an Assistant Sub-Inspector rank officer of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was killed in a high-pressure improvised explosive device (IED) blast attack by Naxals in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh, which is within the 3 Km of ITBP's Sonpur camp.

Notably, Sadanand Kumar told reporters that all the security personnel of the team have safely returned and are constantly monitoring the area. "Further action will be taken, following any intimation", he added.

As many as 10 indigenous BGL, bore rounds, codex wire, Naxali Literature, and other Naxal-related items were recovered by the security forces from their possession. (ANI)
Ahead of Diwali, earthen lamp (diya) sellers at Rajasthan's Jaipur are hoping for good business this festive as they resume Diwali business. "Work is going good this time. Earlier due to Covid, sales were down but we are hopeful that sales will be good this time", said a seller. As the festival of joy- Diwali- is around the corner, people can be seen in the markets shopping for one of the most biased free festivals. Not just Diwali, but also Dhanteras' preparation was witnessed in a full swing. Dhanteras, which marks the beginning of the five-day festival of lights, is considered a propitious day to buy and bring in new metal items, especially metals like gold and silver. Jewellery shops in Rajkot, Gujarat are preparing for upcoming Dhnateras as on this day customers who buy gold and silver items as well as utensils. The shop owners have noted a price rise in the prices of Gold. While speaking to ANI, Ashok- the owner of Radhika Jewel Company Ltd., said that the increased price of gold is still much less than the price in the international market. "The rise in the price of the gold in the market is due to the continuous depreciation of the Indian rupee in the market", he added. "Suppose the price of gold becomes 1,850 US dollars in the international market, then the price of gold can also cross Rs 58,000." Ashok further said. Another shop owner told ANI that the rate of gold in the Indian market depends upon the rate going on in the international market. At least within the last fortnight, the price has increased by Rs 1,500-2,000. Asked about the impact of the prices in the sale of gold at the time of festivals around the corner, he said that Diwali is an auspicious festival for Hindus and their family. During Diwali, people receive a bonus and people buy gold no matter the rise in the prices. (ANI)
According to the outlet, the news was shared by Esper's Mishaal Rahman. The output switcher, which was first introduced in Android 11, currently only lets users swap between media playback sessions on paired Bluetooth devices, such as wireless headphones or a speaker.

However, an update to the Google Cast SDK (software development kit), suggests that Android 13's output switcher could allow for local-to-remote, remote-to-local, and remote-to-remote transfers.

As pointed out by Rahman, "local" refers to transfers involving paired Bluetooth devices, while "remote" refers to cast devices, as per The Verge.

This should let users seamlessly transfer media sessions from their phone to a smart display and back again using the audio output switcher from their lock screen.

The Verge has reported that Rahman experienced some bugs when trying out the "stream expansion" feature that allows users to enable audio playback across multiple cast devices at once, so it doesn't seem like it's ready just yet.

Google was working on adding support for cast devices in the output switcher back in 2020 but for whatever reason, it was never finalized.

Now that the company has outlined the feature in developer documents, looks like it could come to fruition in a future update, as per The Verge. (ANI)
Democratic Azad Party chairperson Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday reiterated the demand for the restoration of statehood ahead of the assembly elections scheduled next year. Former Congress Rajya Sabha MP and Democratic Azad Party chairperson Ghulam Nabi Azad addressed a public rally in Kathua and launched three main agendas of his outfit. "We have three main agendas, first to restore statehood, second to reserve the rights of purchasing lands for J&K people only, and third to reserve jobs rights only for local youth", Azad said in a public rally. Adding that we will not step back until these agendas are fulfilled. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday announced that his new political outfit will be named as ''Democratic Azad Party''. The development comes exactly a month after Azad resigned from the Congress party. Announcing the name of the new party at a press conference here, Azad said that the outfit will be secular, democratic and independent from any influence. Azad also unveiled the flag of the Democratic Azad Party. The flag has three colours - mustard, white and blue. Earlier, Azad, in his first public meeting in Jammu after quitting Congress, had announced to launch of his own political outfit that will focus on the restoration of full statehood. Ghulam Nabi Azad resigned from Congress in August 26 after being part of the outfit for 52 years. In his resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi, he had targeted party leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, over the way the party has been run in the past nearly nine years. In the hard-hitting five-page letter, Azad had claimed that a coterie runs the party while Sonia Gandhi was just "a nominal head" and all the major decisions were taken by "Rahul Gandhi or rather worse his security guards and PAs". He was earlier Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. Recounting his long association with the Congress, Azad had said the situation in the party has reached a point of "no return." While Azad took potshots at Sonia Gandhi in the letter, his sharpest attack was on Rahul Gandhi and he described the Wayand MP as a "non-serious individual" and "immature". (ANI)
A total of 75 delegates from the Congress party will cast their votes for electing the new party president in the national capital, said sources on Monday. With the party all set to elect its new president, the 75 delegates including interim chief Sonia Gandhi, General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and senior leaders will cast their vote in the headquarters of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in New Delhi. Apart from these, 280 other delegates will also cast their vote in the Delhi Congress office, the sources added. The delegates who obtained prior permission from the Central Election Authority to cast their vote will vote in Delhi instead of their own state today. In the race for a new face of the party, the Congress is conducting its presidential elections today with the voting set to start at around 10 am. After 22 years the Congress is all set to witness a contest for the president post with senior party leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor pitted against each other to lead the party with new vigour so as to fulfil the aim of defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. It is not the first time that a non-Gandhi leader is contesting for the party presidency post-Independence, Jitendra Prasad contested for the post of the president about 22 years ago against Sonia Gandhi in which Sonia emerged as a winner holding the mantle of the party for 20 years. Sonia Gandhi is the longest-serving president of the party, having held the office for over twenty years from 1998 to 2017 and since 2019. This time no member of the Gandhi family is contesting for the post of President. This is the sixth time in its nearly 137-year-old history that polls are being conducted to elect the national president of the party. In the 2017 elections, Rahul Gandhi became the president unopposed. About 40 delegates involved in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, including Rahul Gandhi, will be casting their vote in the camp itself as the meeting room container in the Bharat Jodo Yatra (which is observing its 'rest day' today) was converted into a polling booth for the party members to elect their new president. This polling booth is located at the campsite of the Bharat Jodo Yatra where the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party's 3500 kilometres yatra from Kanniyakumari to Kashmir is observing a "rest day" on the 40th day of the march in Sanganakallu since its commencement on September 7. A polling station is being set up at the Sanganakallu campsite in Bellary. While the two contestants Shashi Tharoor and Mallikarjun Kharge will cast their votes in their respective state's headquarters Trivendram and Bengaluru. After voting, the ballot boxes from all the states will be brought back to Delhi where the results will be announced after the counting of votes on October 19. (ANI)
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh informed on Monday that the meeting room container in the Bharat Jodo Yatra had been converted into a polling booth for the party members to elect their new president. This polling booth is located at the campsite of the Bharat Jodo Yatra where the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party's 3500 kilometres yatra from Kanniyakumari to Kashmir is observing a "rest day" on the 40th day of the march in Sanganakallu since its commencement on September 7. https://twitter.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1581846537893994496?t=7heTMZr1OXEYD8NBdz9fhg&s=08 "This is the polling booth at the #BharatJodoYatra campsite in Sanganakallu that will open at 10 am. It is the meeting room container converted into a polling booth for the Congress Presidential elections," Jairam Ramesh said in the tweet. The Congress party also took to Twitter to inform about the party's presidential elections today as Rahul Gandhi along with 40 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates who are part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra are scheduled to cast their vote for the party presidential election at the campsite as the special booth is established for them to take part in the polls. "The elections for Congress Party President will be held on the 17th of October between 10 am and 4 pm at the campsite in Sanganakallu," Congress tweeted. https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/1581685514717233153 The Central Election Authority, headed by senior party leader Madhusudan Mistry, will oversee the voting and also have laid the guidelines for the 'voters' to make their choice. Via an official notice, Mistry guided the voters to 'tick mark' before the name of the candidate they wish to see as the party's national president after Sonia Gandhi. Shashi Tharoor and Mallikarjun Kharge are up against each other in the race for the post of Congress president. Earlier, former Jharkhand Minister KN Tripathi's nomination for the Congress presidential election was rejected due to signature issues. A total of 20 forms were submitted during the nomination process and four of them were rejected due to signature issues. Of which 14 nominations were received by Mallikarjun Kharge, five by Shashi Tharoor and one by Jharkhand Congress leader KN Tripathi. Meanwhile, Congress veteran, Kharge received support from nearly 30 Congress leaders for the party's presidential polls. These names include Deepender Hooda, Salman Khurshid, Ashok Gehlot, Digvijaya Singh, Manish Tewari, Prithviraj Chavan, and others. Digvijaya Singh earlier pulled out from the race and extended his support to Kharge, who he said is a senior and respected leader of the party, and against whom he "cannot think of contesting". Singh is the second Congress leader to pull out of the race after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced he would not contest the elections following the political turmoil in his state. With the Gandhis not running for the top post this time around, the grand old party is all set to get a non-Gandhi president after over 25 years. After the voting concludes today, the results are slated to be declared on October 19. (ANI)
Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai attended an event on the occasion of World Elders Day and distributed numerous types of equipment to the needy on Sunday. The event was organized by Indian Medical Association (IMA) at Raj Bhavan. The theme for this year's event was, 'Care for the elderly.' "Raj Bhawan is involved in welfare schemes for the weaker sections of the society. In 2021 we started such schemes to provide financial aid to 71 charitable institutions. Today more than 800 patients got benefit from Raj Bhavan," Goa Governor Pillai told ANI. He emphasised that service to people has been the pioneering concept of the Raj Bhavan, adding, "This year we are aiming to spread in more areas with the various schemes for the welfare". "It is for the first time in India that a 'Vamana Vrukhsha Kala Udyan' was set up in Goa Raj Bhavan, in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17", added Pillai. Speaking about the importance of the Vamana Vrukhsha he said, "From time immemorial which means small Vruksha in a pot that was part of our system, at that time 15,000 species were there which were used in Ayurveda". He further added that China has been exporting many Bonsai plants but there is still scope for India and said, "If we focus and research the importance of Bonsai, it would definitely yield positive results for the country." The IMA distributed wheelchairs and walkers to old-age homes for needy people. (ANI)
Police confirmed the boat mishap and the death of an individual.

The deceased was identified as Aijul Hoque. The injured persons were identified as Moqibul Islam, Taizuddin Ahmed and Farman Ali.

According to locals, a country-made boat carrying at least 12 people on its way from the Goroimari area in the Kamrup district to the Kurihamari area in the Nalbari district and another boat coming from the opposite direction collided.

Following the incident, locals rescued the passengers of the boats.

"One person died and three others injured in the incident and the injured persons were rushed to Mukalmua hospital," Simanta Borah, Officer-in-Charge of Mukalmua police station in Nalbari district told ANI

"At around 5 pm, the boats collided head-on. One of my family died in the accident and three others were injured," a relative of the deceased person said.

In late September, at least six people were reported missing after a boat capsized in the Brahmaputra river in the Dhubri district. One of them was found dead, a Circle Officer. The body of the missing officer in the boat incident was recovered 72 hours after the mishap. (ANI)
As per the release, CM Yogi instructed the officials to take the survivors to hospitals and ensure proper treatment for them.

He further instructed the District Magistrates (DM) and senior police officials to carry out the rescue work on a war footing., the release said.

Reportedly, three people died and two more were left injured on Monday, after two vehicles crashed into each other near Mainpuri village in Auraiya.

The police reached the spot and the survivors were admitted to the hospital.

Further details are awaited in the case. (ANI)
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi cast his vote to elect the new Congress president at the campsite of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka's Ballari on Monday. The 3,500-km yatra from Kaniyakumari to Kashmir is observing a "rest day" on the 40th day of the march in Sanganakallu since its commencement on September 7. Rahul Gandhi voted at the campsite, which was the meeting room container eventually converted into a polling booth for the elections. As per the information from Congress' Twitter, the Wayanad MP along with the 40 other Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates has been scheduled to cast their vote at the specialised booth amid the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Earlier in the day, Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cast their vote for the next president of the Congress party at the All India Congress Committee headquarters in the national capital. Voting for the party's presidential polls commenced at 10 am today and will culminate at 4 pm. Results will be declared on October 19. The fate of the Congress party will be decided by over 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates who comprise the electoral college for electing the party chief. Congress MPs P Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh and other party leaders have also cast their votes at the AICC office in Delhi. In the race for the next president of Congress, party leaders Shashi Tharoor and Mallikarjun Kharge are in direct contest with each other. Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who is pitted against party veteran Mallikarjun Kharge for the post of the Congress president on Monday, said the revival of the party has begun whatever the outcome and that the fate of the Congress lies in the hands of the party workers. Tharoor said he was confident of winning the election but acknowledged the odds against him. He also said he had spoken to Kharge earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Kharge also told ANI: "It is part of our internal election. Whatever we said to each other is on a friendly note. Together we have to build the party. (Shashi) Tharoor telephoned me and wished me luck and I also said the same." As per the sources, 280 other delegates are also scheduled to cast their vote in the Delhi Congress office. The delegates who had obtained prior permission from the Central Election Authority to cast their votes will vote in Delhi instead of their own states today. It is not the first time that a non-Gandhi leader is contesting for the party presidency post-Independence, as Jitendra Prasad contested for the post of the president about 22 years ago against Sonia Gandhi in which she emerged as a winner holding the mantle of the party for 20 years. Sonia Gandhi is the party's longest-serving president, having held the office for over 20 years from 1998 to 2017 and since 2019. This time no member of the Gandhi family is contesting for the post of President. This is the sixth time in its nearly 137-year history that polls are being conducted to elect the national president of the party. In the 2017 elections, Rahul Gandhi became the president unopposed. (ANI)
A seminar titled "Imam Khomeini the Pivot of the World Unity" was organised by the JK People's Justice Front of Srinagar at the Syed Mehdi Auditorium, Kargil, which was attended by prominent personalities from Kargil and Kashmir valley. A variety of audiences took part in the programme from different backgrounds and beliefs. Also, several colleges and Higher Secondary School students also attended the seminar. While speaking at the event, Chairman JK People's Justice Front Aga Syed Abass Rizvi called India as a "mother" and attacked Pakistan for targeted killings in the country. "India is like a mother where different religions are flourishing together, whereas on the other hand in Pakistan target killing of minorities is common, specifically of Shia Muslims. The Shia community forms only 20 per cent of the total Pakistani population. They are also followers of Islam, but still, the Shia community doesn't hold the status of equality in the state of Pakistan," he said. Chief Coordinator JK People's Justice Front Syed Mubashir Kazimi also criticised Pakistan for attacks on holy sites saying, "There is no record of blasts in the holy places of minorities in India whereas it is common in Pakistan." "Any kind of intoxication is Haram in Islam, but Pakistan makes all-out efforts to push drugs into our society and drugs are ruining the younger generation and we all have to come together and unitedly fight this evil," said another prominent personality Sheikh Abdullah Jaleeli. Sheikh Muhammad Hussain Lutfi of Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust Kargil stressed the India-Iran relations saying, "India-Iran relationship has always been strong since time unknown and it should further be strengthened." He also said that other diplomats holding charge of religion, culture and education shall visit Kargil and Kashmir valley to further strengthen the Indo-Iranian relationship. Syed Mohammad Kazim Sabiri, the Chief Guest of the seminar called India as the most trusted friend of Iran. "India supplied technology to Iran when it was in most need and India had always been a trusted friend to Iran and its masses, so that friendship should be continued and expanded, at any cost," he said. Aqleemah Banoo, a religious scholar and a teacher in a local Maktab also addressed the audience and stressed that more opportunities must be made available to the girls to prove to the world that the Shia community is a progressive community, unlike what's happening in our neighbourhood. Several other speakers including Syed Tayyeb Rizvi of Anjumane Sahib Zaman, Moulana Zahid Hussain representing Anjumane Sufi Noorbakshia, Sajjad Hussain Kargili, a prominent social activist, and Mohammad Sajjad Khan, a public speaker took part in the programme. (ANI)
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met with seven ambassadors of India posted in different nations on Monday at his residence. Various topics were discussed between the Chief Minister and the ambassadors on this occasion, said an official statement. "Cooperation of ambassadors would be taken to promote 'One District Two Products' of the state in different countries. More efforts are needed to make people aware of the local products of Uttarakhand in different countries," CM Dhami said. "Uttarakhand has many possibilities in the field of tourism, industry and horticulture. The state government is making continuous efforts to promote them", he said. The Chief Minister asked all the ambassadors to inform the officials of the Uttarakhand government about the best practices of the countries in which they are working. The Chief Minister directed the government officials to make complete documentation of the suggestions received in the meetings with ambassadors on various subjects today and tomorrow. He further gave instructions to the officers to make an action plan by implementing these suggestions to make Uttarakhand one of the best states in the country. "Infrastructure and connectivity are expanding rapidly in the state and if people from different countries want to come to Uttarakhand for information related to various products, tourism, local culture and cultural heritage in the state, then the information should also be given about it. Everyone will be welcomed in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and all possible help will be given," the Chief Minister said. On this occasion, the Indian ambassadors suggested that the products and food of the mountainous region of the state should be promoted. Along with promoting the products of the state, there should be a good system of their manufacturing, branding and packaging. It was suggested in the meeting that the state can be rapidly promoted on the global level in the form of Yoga and Wellness tourism. Uttarakhand has been the land of Yoga. By taking training from here, people in different countries are training in yoga. More and more people can take training in yoga in the state, it can be arranged well in the state, said the ambassadors at the event. Tanmay Lal, Ambassador of India to Sweden, Viraj Singh, Ambassador of India to Tajikistan, Upendra Singh Rawat, Ambassador of India to Panama, Alok Amitabha, Ambassador of India to Brunei, Namgya Khampa, Ambassador of India to Kenya, Ambassador of India to Slovenia, Namrata S. Kumar, Ambassador of India to Algeria, Gaurav Ahluwalia, Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pandey and Additional Secretary Nitin Bhadauria were present. (ANI)
The latest peer-reviewed journal based on published studies in the Indian Journal of Preventive Medicine (IJPM) suggests that a revised Covid-19 vaccine policy is the need of the hour to safeguard the science. "Covid-19 is two years old, and sufficient evidence exists about the superiority of protection offered by the natural infection over vaccination. A revised COVID-19 vaccine policy is the need of the hour to safeguard the science," reads the journal. The medical journal also mentioned that the current Covid-19 vaccines are not very effective in the prevention of infection from SARS CoV, "All the vaccine efficacy and effectiveness studies have shown that the vaccine significantly reduces the severity of illness and deaths from COVID-19 in susceptible populations. However, current available COVID-19 vaccines are not very effective against prevention of infection from SARS," it read. "The breakthrough infections after vaccination are being reported from all parts of the world, including India. Global evidence has demonstrated that natural infection provides better and longer protection against COVID-19. In fact, recent evidence suggests that natural infection may provide lifelong immunity. Currently, we don't have sufficient evidence to infer that vaccination provides better immunity than natural infection. The vaccine may evoke a higher specific IgG level than the natural infection, but that doesn't necessarily mean that an individual is better protected," it was further explained in the journal. The journal has also said that the waning of IgG levels doesn't mean that there is a corresponding decline in immune protection provided that cellular immunity is intact. "The vaccine does significantly reduce the severity of the disease and consequent mortality compared to the unvaccinated susceptible group. This is the biggest advantage of vaccination. But, if one were to compare the naturally infected group with the vaccinated group; the naturally infected group has better immune protection (longer duration, and lower reinfection rate) than the vaccinated group. Data from Israel suggest that the fully vaccinated group was six times more likely to get SARS CoV," states the medical journal. Public Health England released the data of 4 million infected individuals, "reinfection rate among naturally infected individuals was very low compared to the breakthrough infection rate among the vaccinated group, only 53 had confirmed reinfection out of 4 million infected people by June 2021. Most of the breakthrough infections occurred within 2 to 3 months of receiving the second dose of the vaccine. However, among the naturally infected individuals, the rare reinfection occurred approximately one year after the original infection," it said. The journal has also mentioned that the vaccines should only be given to those who have never tested positive for Covid-19 in past, other than that these vaccines may harm due to a few known and unknown severe adverse events, "India needs to reexamine its COVID19 vaccination policy. Vaccines should be prescribed to only those who have never tested positive for COVID-19 in the past. "These individuals are at a higher risk of infection and severe disease conditions. Individuals with documented COVID-19 infection in the past may be vaccinated after generating evidence that the vaccine is beneficial even after natural infection. Based on the available evidence, we can say that there is no additional benefit of vaccination for COVID recovered individuals. Actually, it may cause harm due to few known and unknown severe adverse events following immunization," mentioned in the journal. "In India, all individuals older than 12 years are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. To increase vaccine uptake, a new strategy has been introduced called 'Har Ghar Dastak'. The main goal is to ensure that everyone is vaccinated. To many, this policy may appear to be a form of mild coercion. Considering the latest available evidence, this policy seems misplaced and needs reexamination, rather than blindly copying whatever is being advocated elsewhere. This virus is now more than two years old, and we have generated sufficient evidence to support the superiority of protection offered by the natural infection over vaccination," the journal further advised on re-examining the policy. The corresponding author of the medical journal is Dr Sanjay K. Rai, National President, Indian Public Health Association, and Professor of Community Medicine, at AIIMS, New Delhi. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine the plea of the National Commission For Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) against Punjab and Haryana High Court order which stated a Muslim girl who is 16-years-old is competent to enter into a contract of marriage with a person of her choice under the Muslim Personal Law A bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaun said it will examine the issue and appointed senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao as amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter. The bench also issued notice to the Punjab government and others on the plea filed by NCPCR. "There is a question of law that requires to be considered," the bench said while posting the matter for hearing on November 7. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for NCPCR contended that the Commission is not against the protection order granted to the girl but asked can the court pass orders against the penal provisions. The High Court in June in its order had cited the provisions of the Muslim Personal Law on marriage for ruling that a 16-year-old Muslim girl was competent to enter into a contract of marriage with a person of her choice. The NCPCR sought to ensure the proper implementation of statutory laws that are specifically in place to protect children below the age of 18 years. The Commission highlighted the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) 2006 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) to put forth its reasons for challenging the High Court ruling. NCPCR order is violative of PCMA which, the petition said, is a secular law that is applicable to all. It further said that the provisions of POCSO say no child under 18 years can give valid consent. The High Court order had come on a plea by a Pathankot-based Muslim couple that had approached the court seeking protection after allegedly being threatened by their families for marrying without their permission. The girl and a 21-year-old man had said that they got married as per Muslim rites and ceremonies. The High Court had granted protection to the Muslim couple noting that the law is clear that the Muslim Personal Law governs the marriage of a Muslim girl. (ANI)
The officer-in-charge Husdia Hussain Abbas is part of the local police team.

As per reports, the girl was raped while returning to her residence on October 15. The auto driver and his accomplice raped her and fled the spot. The accused left by the victim at the Husdia intersection, informed police.

"After the complaint of the victim, the local police were negligent, due to which the outpost in charge has been suspended," said Lucknow Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), Prachi Singh.

The investigation has now been handed over to ADCP East.

"The police are investigating the matter promptly and the accused have been identified, soon the accused will be caught," said DCP East Prachi.

Further details on the matter are awaited. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday granted more time to Uttar Pradesh Government to file a reply to the plea filed by Ashish Mishra, challenging the Allahabad High Court order, denying him bail in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. A bench of justices BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna adjourned the matter for further hearing on November 7 as the next date for hearing. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the petitioner in the matter. Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra, has moved Supreme Court challenging Allahabad High Court which denied bail to him in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case On Tuesday, July 26, the Allahabad High Court denied bail to Ashish Mishra, the son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra, in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. The bail was rejected by the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court. The said order is challenged by Ashish Mishra in the Supreme Court filed through advocate on record T. Mahipal. Four farmers died in the Lakhimpur case, the accused and the accused's car was present there. This is the biggest fact, this case comes under the category of a heinous crime, said the High Court. Mishra is facing a case of murder for the incident that took place on October 3, 2021, in which eight people, including four farmers, were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri. Mishra allegedly ran over the farmers, protesting against the Centre's three farm Laws. He was arrested on October 9 and granted bail in February 2022. Mishra, again moved to the High Court as the Court's earlier order was set aside by the Supreme Court in April 2022 and had ordered fresh consideration of his bail plea. The top court earlier had set aside the Allahabad High Court order dated February 10, 2022, and remitted the matter back to the High Court. The top court had said that the order of the Allahabad High Court could not be sustained and had to be set aside and the bail bonds of the respondent/accused are cancelled. The Court had directed Ashish Mishra to surrender within a week. Family members of the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident moved the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad High Court order, which granted bail to Ashish Mishra. In the Special Leave Petition, family members of the deceased challenged the Allahabad High Court order dated February 10, 2022, wherein Ashish Mishra was granted regular bail. The petitioner said that the Allahabad HC order is unsustainable in law. They also said that they have approached the Apex Court as the State of Uttar Pradesh has failed to prefer any appeal against the impugned order. Earlier, the Supreme Court had appointed a committee headed by retired Punjab and Haryana high court judge Rakesh Kumar Jain to monitor the probe into the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. (ANI)
Former senior Congress leader and former union minister Ashwani Kumar on Monday said that there is no doubt that Mallikarjun Kharge is winning the election for the post of Congress president, but it is necessary for the party to do "Congress Jodo" before Bharat Jodo. Asserting that Congress cannot unite India without unifying the party itself, Ashwani Kumar told ANI, "The most important thing that Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also a senior leader, will do is to take everyone along. Till the time Congress does not unify itself, they cannot unite the country (Bharat Jodo)." Former Union Minister further said that the most crucial thing Shashi Tharoor has done in the battle for the Congress president post is that he (Tharoor) has decided the path of his future. "He may not win the elections but the courage he exhibited by contesting the presidential polls has established his good image in people's minds. It would be important to know what is Tharoor's stand, where is he moving and what are his actions after the election results on Wednesday (October 19)," the former Union Minister said. He further lauded the Congress' initiative to conduct internal elections and claimed that Kharge will win these elections. "It is good that elections are being held in the Congress party, everyone knows who will win. Kharge will win because he is the unofficially declared candidate of the Congress leadership. But there are two favourable things here that both the candidates have kept their campaign level high and this election could be held in a cordial manner," he added. Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor, the two senior leaders of the Congress Party, face off each other on Monday for the post of All India Congress Committee (AICC) chief. This will be for the first time in over 24 years that the party would elect a non-Gandhi president to lead this 137-year-old party. Both Mallikarjun Kharge (80) and Shashi Tharoor (66) maintain a close relationship with the Gandhi family. Over 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates are voting to elect the party's chief in a secret ballot. Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and others cast their votes in Delhi. While Party President Candidate Malikarjun Kharge cast his vote in Bengaluru, Shashi Tharoor cast his vote in Trivandrum. (ANI)
Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Monday said that the new party president would take forward and implement the vision of the party leadership. "Party leadership will remain. The new party president will decide how to take forward and implement the leadership's vision," Congress leader Salman Khurshid said after casting his vote at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office in the national capital. He also lauded Shashi Tharoor's attempt to contest the internal elections. Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has directly contested against veteran leader Mallikarjun Kharge and earlier in the day said that the revival of the party has begun whatever the outcome and that the fate of the Congress lies in the hands of the party workers. He further said that he was confident of winning the election but acknowledged the odds against him. Tharoor also said he had spoken to Kharge earlier in the day. Kharge also told ANI today: "It is part of our internal election. Whatever we said to each other is on a friendly note. Together we have to build the party. (Shashi) Tharoor telephoned me and wished me luck and I also said the same." Meanwhile, Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh, after voting for his desired new chief, said that Congress was the only political party to hold elections for its president. Speaking to the ANI further, Salman Khurshid said that one should not compare the value of human life and political scores. Reacting to National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah's allegation that the incidents of targeted killings by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir are not going to stop "until justice is served", Khurshid said that it is crucial to hold a healthy conversation with the ones who have been there experiencing the ground reality. "This will never stop until justice is served. Earlier they said such killings happening due to Article 370, but it's abrogated now, so why such killings haven't stopped? Who's responsible?" National Conference's Farooq Abdullah said earlier in the day, reacting to the recent killing of a Kashmiri Pandit in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. (ANI)
Out of the 70 Jana Sena Party (JSP) supporters booked by the Andhra Pradesh police, the district court of Vishakhapatnam during the early hours of Monday granted bail to 61 people while the situation in the city continues to remain 'stressed' for the third day. The court has also sent the nine people for judicial remand. The development emerged days after the police barred JSP chief and actor Pawan Kalyan from holding meetings or rallies in the city here. Out of the 70 JSP leaders and activists, who were arrested for their alleged attack on the state ministers at Vishakhapatnam airport, 61 got reprieve on the condition of signing a surety bond of Rs 10,000, while the remaining nine have been sent to the judicial remand till October 28. The court has also removed section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and invoked section 326 against these nine people, who have been shifted to the Visakhapatnam central jail for remand on the early morning of Monday. The JSP chief is currently in a private hotel near the RK beach and a throng of his followers gathered outside the hotel to catch his one glimpse. Posting the video of himself waving at the crowd from the sixth floor, Kalyan captioned it as, "Hope, the AP police won't tell me not to greet from my room's window." https://twitter.com/PawanKalyan/status/1581596305230508033 "It's very unfortunate to witness such high handed police behavior In Visakhapatnam. JSP has always held AP Police force in high esteem. Arresting our leaders is unwarranted," he said in another tweet. The JSP chief told ANI on Sunday that the police had internationally registered cases against the party leaders, who sought permission for the Jana Vani programme. Pawan Kalyan said that purposefully they (YSRCP) wanted to create an issue on Saturday. They did not want me not to be present. Kalyan said that the police personnel had turned up at the hotel in large numbers in the early hours of Sunday morning and arrested more than 100 of his supporters and also booked 14 to 16 people under IPC 307. (ANI)
Pabindra Kumar Nath, Superintendent of Police of Nalbari district told ANI that Nalbari district police arrested two persons and Tamulpur district police arrested two other persons linked with AQIS, who were identified as Sadeq Ali and Jakibul Ali.

"In connection with Ghograpar police station Case number 163/22, U/S- 120(B)/ 121/121(A)/122 IPC , R/W-Sec -10/13 UA(P) Act, Nalbari district police arrested two persons identified as Md Habel Ali (26 years old) and Abu Raihan (26 years old). Today police produced them before the court," Pabindra Kumar Nath said.

The top police official further said, during interrogation, Md Habel Ali confessed that he indoctrinated a few people to join AQIS and ABT.

"Our investigation is on and few other people are currently under police radar," the police official said.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the police for the "commendable job" and said that the government is determined to "root out jihadi elements" from the state.

"We're determined to root out jihadi elements from Assam. @TamulpurPolice has done a commendable job in nabbing 2 persons -- Sadeq Ali & Jakibul Ali -- who lured youth to join B'desh-based terror outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team affiliated to al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)," Sarma tweeted.

"Arrest of Sadeq Ali is a significant achievement since he had been radicalising youth including Jakibul Ali for past 2 years. He was also associated with JMB & Neo-JMB. Meanwhile, Ghagrapar Police (Nalbari Dist) too arrested 2 persons -- Habel Ali & Abu Raihan -- in a similar case," the Chief Minister added.

Earlier, Assam Police had arrested 38 persons linked with AQIS/ABT from different parts of the state. (ANI)
In a move to draw a roadmap for a broad-based development of the state, Assam government has inked seven memoranda of understanding and agreement (MoU, MoA) with different industry players in presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati on Monday. On behalf of the government, Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) entered into agreements with the Microsoft, Google India, Larsen & Toubro and Health Care Sector Skill Council. Moreover, the directorate of employment and craftsmen training executed an MoU with Info Edge (India) better known as Naukri.com while Assam Tourism Development Corporation signed an MoU with the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship, Government of India, TATA Strive Skill Development Initiatives of Tata community Initiative Trust and the Indian Hotels Company. Further, Assam Power Distribution Company (APDCL) also signed an agreement with Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam's Green Energy for the generation of 1000 MW solar power. The state government said the MoU with Microsoft will pave the way for building the capacity of the youth in Assam Skill Development Centres across the state. Microsoft through their modules of MDSP (Microsoft Diversity Skilling Programme) will provide intervention for under-served youth to ensure their active participation in workforce. With this programme, the government said youth would be equipped with the skills required to thrive in a digital economy. Moreover, the objective of the agreement with Google India is to support the state government in skilling youth with job-ready digital and business skills. The best part of this arrangement is that Google Career Certificate Course will provide an enabling job connection to the skilled youth via cohort of potential employers, the statement added. With L&T's MoU with the Assam government, the statement said the infra giant would offer knowledge and support for establishing training setup and executing greenfield projects under the construction sector. The objective of the MoU with the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) is to mobilise the unemployed youth of Assam for skill-training. Besides, skilling the unemployed youths, placement will be provided for industrial jobs within one month of training completion. The Directorate of Employment and Craftsmen Training's MoU with Naukri.com would provide an online platform to the unemployed youth to have their profile uploaded on digital domain to attract prospective employers. The MoU between APDCL and SJVNL Green Energy (SGEL) would also aim at the development of renewable power projects namely solar power with 1000 MW installed capacity. The agreement signed between the Assam Tourism Development Corporation and TATA Strive Skill Development Initiatives and others would also set up a hospitality skill centre of excellence for the training of the youth of the state. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma termed the MoU signing as momentous occasion as the agreements would help in harnessing state's potential in renewable energy, skill development, tourism and hospitality industries. He also said that the MoUs would also help the state to realise the dream of a developed Assam in line with the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to transform North-East into a new engine of growth. Thanking the companies for coming forward and partnering with Assam government, Chief Minister Sarma said that the agreements would be a way forward to form a strategic collaboration for multi-tier transformational development of Assam. Considering the immense potential of the State to act as a spring board to expedite pace of development of the region, CM Sarma said that his government was fully committed to enhance the skilling of its huge human resources to catapult development. He said that state government has set up Assam Skill Development Mission with a vision of capacity building of the youth for their meaningful employment and stimulate economy of the state. The Mission has envisaged to skill 1.50 lakh youth every year. The Chief Minister said that it was a red-letter day for the state of Assam as APDCL entered into an agreement with Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Green Energy (SGEL) to develop renewable power projects. He said that the development-centric approach of this government has been able to create an investment-friendly ecosystem. He said in view of the transition of the state's requirement from fossil fuel to green fuel, State Cabinet has approved Assam Renewable Energy Policy 2022 to boost the development of renewable power in the state. As a part of the MoU, a floating solar power project would be developed. Sarma also said that once commissioned, the project will reduce the state's dependence on fossil fuel. Generation of green power will be augmented and as such surplus generation will help Assam in supplying renewable energy to other states thereby reducing carbon emissions. The Chief Minister also hailed all the industry partners for successful venture in Assam and extended his best wishes to make the arrangements a great success. He also assured full support from state government in the execution of the projects in time. Skill Employment Entrepreneurship Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, who also spoke on the occasion, gave a brief outline of his ministry's efforts in a making an enabling ecosystem in the state for skill development of the youth. He said by skilling the youth for which a comprehensive action plan has been formulated, the state government under the leadership of the Chief Minister has been working to make Assam one of the most-developed states of the country. Earlier, all the industry partners who entered into MoUs with the government expressed their commitment to work for the success of their respective ventures in the state. Power Minister Nandita Gorlosa, Minister of Labour Welfare Sanjay Kisan and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion. (ANI)
Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Monday issued a notice to Delhi Police and Miranda House after a video went viral in which a few men are seen attempting to enter the all-women Miranda House in the national capital during a Diwali Mela event organised at the college. "DCW Chief @SwatiJaiHind notice to Delhi Police and Miranda House over trespassing and sexual harassment of girls during recent Diwali fest," the Commission said in a tweet. The Commission has demanded a copy of the FIR registered in the matter. "Provide the details of the arrested persons in the matter. If no arrests have been made, please inform the steps being taken to make arrests," the Commission added in its notice to Delhi Police. Following the issue, the Delhi Police earlier took suo moto cognizance and registered an FIR against some unidentified persons who allegedly were seen in the video. On Friday the DCP North Delhi said in a statement, "Due to a huge crowd gathering at a Diwali Mela organised in Miranda House College in North Campus on October 14, gates were closed by college admin. Some students tried scaling the walls but were prevented. The program went peacefully No formal complaint received so far." A purported video of the event of the Delhi University all-women college in which some men can be seen scaling the wall to enter the college was shared widely on social media.Based on this, the Delhi Police on Monday said that it had taken suo moto cognizance of the matter and a case is being lodged."Investigation will follow," the DCP North Delhi said in a tweet. A Twitter handle whose bio described the user as the college's student alleged in a post on the microblogging site posted a video that men are seen scaling the compound wall of the college."Men climbing over the walls to get into Miranda House during an open fest. What followed was horrible. Cat-calling, groping, sexist sloganeering and more. Men entering safe spaces to harass gender minorities is nothing new, but they out do themselves every time," the twitter user posted. (ANI)
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan as Chancellor of Kerala University has granted an extension of 3 months from November 5 to the Search Committee to make recommendations for the appointment of VC of Kerala University, a Raj Bhavan official said on Monday. The tenure of the Kerala University Vice Chancellor will expire on October 24. The university representative has not been selected by the search committee formed by the Governor. "The chancellor is pleased to grant an extension of time to the search committee constituted to make recommendations for the appointment of Vice Chancellor of the University of Kerala for further periods of three months from November 5. All other terms of the notification dated August 5 will remain unchanged," the Raj Bhavan statement said. Earlier, the Governor was questioned if he would sign the Universities Law Amendment Bill that is lying pending with him as he believes that the bill aims at appointing the unqualified relatives of the Chief Minister and ministers in universities. "I won't allow the appointment of unqualified relatives of CM and ministers in the universities...I am not a rubber stamp. I will apply my mind, come to my own judgment, and then decide what's in accordance with the law, constitution and convention," Khan had said on the issue of the appointments in the Kerala University. The University Laws Amendment Bill, which aims to curtail the power of the Governor in the selection of vice-chancellors, was passed by Kerala government this month. Since then, the bill has been pending before the Governor. "Everything will be considered on merit. The government cannot be given the power to appoint the Vice Chancellors. I am saying it clearly, this will amount to executive interference," Khan had said on the matter of the University Laws Amendment Bill. "The Chief Minister (Pinarayi Vijayan) had written to me assuring me that there will be no interference and now they are proposing that they will appoint Vice-Chancellor. That would mean the erosion of autonomy of educational institutions," he had added mentioning that as long as he remains in power, he won't let universities' autonomy erode. Earlier on August 30, the Kerala Governor had said that his decisions on key legislations will be based purely on constitutional merit and not dictated by any pressure. Speaking to mediapersons, Governor Khan said, "Whatever decision I take shall be dictated by the requirements, rather the obligations, which I have on me and that is to decide every issue on the basis of Constitutionality, law and its spirit." The Governor reiterated that the decisions taken by him would be solely based on merit. On the appointment of Chief Minister's Private Secretary KK Ragesh's wife Priya Varghese as an associate professor at Kannur university, Khan had promised to order a full-fledged investigation into the allegations of nepotism in appointments made to various posts in Universities in the state. The controversy pertains to the matter in which the Governor stayed the appointment of Priya Varghese, wife of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Private Secretary and CPI (M) leader KK Ragesh, as an Associate Professor in Kannur University's Malayalam department.Currently, Varghese is working as deputy director of Kerala Basha Institute. Varghese was an assistant professor in Kerala Varma College in Thrissur and was working at Basha Institute on deputation as deputy director. Earlier in 2021, a letter from Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu was out which recommended the reappointment of Dr Gopinath Ravindran (former VC of the university) as its Vice-Chancellor. In the letter dated November 22, 2021, to the Governor, she had recommended Dr Gopinath Ravindran may be allowed to continue for another term as Vice-Chancellor and to cancel the notification dated October 27 this year appointing a Search-cum-Selection committee for identifying the person to be appointed as Vice-Chancellor. In another letter dated November 22, 2021, the higher education minister mentioned that steps have been taken to withdraw the notification inviting applications to select a Vice Chancellor for Kannur University, after which Bindu welcomed the verdict of the Lokayukta to reappoint Ravindran as the university's vice-chancellor. However, the High Court of Kerala as well as the Supreme Court dismissed a writ petition, holding that the impugned appointment violated no statutory provisions in the "reappointment" of the man concerned as the Vice-Chancellor. (ANI)
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday placed Jitendra Narain, a 1990-batch senior IAS officer of Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) Cadre and then Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, under suspension with immediate effect over an allegation of an alleged sexual assault of a lady, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Joint Secretary (Union Territory Division) in MHA Ashutosh Agnihotri said that the action was taken the day after the MHA received a report on October 16 from Andaman and Nicobar Police regarding the alleged sexual assault. "As the Report indicated the possibility of grave misconduct and misuse of the official position on the part of Jitendra Narain, the Union Home Minister directed to take immediate strict action against the officer concerned as per law," he said. The Home Ministry in a statement said, "The Ministry received a report on October 16, 2022, from Andaman and Nicobar Police regarding the alleged sexual assault of a lady by Jitendra Narain, IAS (AGMUT:1990), the then Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and others. As the Report indicated the possibility of grave misconduct and misuse of the official position on the part of Sh. Jitendra Narain, IAS (AGMUT:1990), the Union Home Minister directed to take immediate strict action against the officer concerned as per law." "Accordingly, Jitendra Narain, IAS (AGMUT:1990) has been placed under suspension with immediate effect and disciplinary proceedings have been ordered against him," it added. The Home Ministry said that it is committed to ensuring zero tolerance towards the acts of indiscipline by its officials irrespective of their rank and status "especially with regard to incidents involving the dignity of women". "An FIR has been registered and action in the criminal case is being taken separately by the SIT of Andaman & Nicobar Police," it said. (ANI)
India's "biggest-ever" defence exhibition till date and - DefExpo 2022 is all set to take place in Gujarat's Gandhinagar between October 18 and 22. According to the Ministry of Defence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will grace the inaugural ceremony on October 19. This is the 12th edition of the event that has been organised on the theme 'Path to Pride'. Addressing the curtain raiser press conference in Gandhinagar on October 17, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, that the DefExpo 2022 will showcase the growing prowess of the domestic defence industry, calling it one of the major drivers of the nation's resolve to achieve 'Make in India, Make for the World'. "The biennial exhibition has been organised to support, showcase and forge partnerships for the Indian aerospace and defence manufacturing sectors with Indian as well as global customers to achieve the overall objective of catering to domestic requirements while fulfilling the needs of friendly foreign countries," Singh said. The Defence Minister termed DefExpo 2022, exclusively for Indian companies, as a humble tribute of an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' to Mahatma Gandhi who he called the "pillar of the Swadeshi movement". "DefExpo 2022 during 'Amrit Kaal' reflects India's resolve to be among the leading nations in the defence & aerospace sectors in the next 25 years. Under the dynamic leadership of our PM Modi, the defence sector has made giant strides on the 'Path to Pride' with passion and dedication to achieve the goal of 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence. We are moving towards becoming pioneers in design, development and manufacturing at a global level. We are witnessing a transformational journey from being the largest defence importer to a net exporter. This DefExpo will further accelerate the pace of this journey," he said. The Defence Minister described 'Path to Pride' as not just a theme of DefExpo 2022, but a 'Make in India, Make for the World' vision of a 'New India'. He called it a continuous process in which all the stakeholders - public and private sectors, MSMEs, academia, start-ups and Research & Development establishments - work together with the aim to provide innovative ideas and state-of-the-art products to the world. "This expo will be an important platform for big industrialists, help them prioritise their investment plans in the defence industry and contribute to govt's plans of Make in India & make for the world," he said. "This expo will also encourage new MSMEs & start-ups who can contribute to global supply chain & create new employment opportunities," Singh added. DefExpo 2022 will be the first-ever edition exclusively for Indian companies. Indian companies, Indian subsidiaries of Foreign OEMs, Division of a company registered in India, and Exhibitor having a Joint Venture with an Indian company will be considered as Indian participants. The DefExpo 2022 will also mark the celebration of one year of the formation of the seven new defence companies, carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board. All these companies will participate in DefExpo for the first time. 451 partnerships in terms of MoUs, Transfer of Technology agreements and product launches, almost double than the last edition, are expected during the Bandhan ceremony on October 20. The India Pavilion - a marque pavilion of the Department of Defence Production - will showcase the maturity of indigenous defence products, start-ups and the latest technology, including Artificial Intelligence in defence, while presenting India's vision for 2047. In addition, there will be an exclusive Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Pavilion to showcase the prowess of the country's start-ups carrying out R&D and innovation in futuristic technologies. For the first time, States/Union Territories (UTs) have been invited to set up pavilions at the event. The Defence Minister emphasised that with this new initiative, States/UTs will get an opportunity to participate in nation-building by attracting investment and bolstering their potential of indigenous aerospace & defence manufacturing. (ANI)
As many as eight persons had died during a flash flood that hit the Mal River in Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal.

Four women were among those killed in the tragic incident.People who sustained minor injuries were admitted to a nearby hospital.

Bengal CM has already announced payment of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand to the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed deep grief over the loss of lives due to a mishap during Durga Puja festivities in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.

"Anguished by the mishap during Durga Puja festivities in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones" tweeted Prime Minister's Office. (ANI)
The Gujarat government on Monday defended before the Supreme Court its decision to grant remission to the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case saying remission was granted as they completed 14 years sentence in prison and their "behaviour was found to be good". The State government said it has considered the cases of all 11 prisoners as per the policy of 1992 and remission was granted on August 10, 2022, and the Central government also approved the pre-mature release of convicts. It is pertinent to note that the remission was not granted under the circular governing grant of remission to prisoners as part of the celebration of "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav", it said. The affidavit stated, "State government considered all the opinions and decided to release 11 prisoners since they have completed 14 years and above in prisons and their behaviour was found to be good." Gujarat government had granted remission to 11 convicts, who had gang-raped Bilkis Bano and murdered her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots. The State government said that in a circular dated July 9, 1992, it had issued a policy for early releasing those prisoners who have completed 14 years of imprisonment who were imposed life imprisonment punishment. "State Government is empowered to take the decisions on the proposal of premature release of prisoners under the provision of Section 432 and 433 of CrPC. However, considering the provision of Section 435 CrPC, it is indispensable to obtain the sanction of the government of India in cases in which the investigation of the offence was carried out by a central investigation agency. In the present case, the investigation was carried out by the CBI and the state government has obtained the approval / suitable orders of the government of India," the affidavit said. It further stated that all the convict prisoners have completed 14 plus years in prison under life imprisonment and opinions of the concerned authorities have been obtained as per the policy of July 9, 1992, and was submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India on June 28, 2022, and sought the approval of suitable orders of the government of India. "The government of India conveyed the concurrence /approval of the Central Government under section 435 of the CrPC for premature release of 11 prisoners vide letter dated July 11, 2022," it added. The government also questioned the locus standi of petitioners who filed the PIL challenging the decision saying they were outsiders to the case. The government has said the plea is neither maintainable in law nor tenable on facts, saying that the petitioners as the third parties have no locus to challenge the remission order. Member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Subhashini Ali, journalist Revati Laul, social activist and professor Roop Rekha Verma and TMC MP Mahua Moitra had filed pleas against the release of convicts. Earlier, the top court had issued notice to the Gujarat government and convicts and sought their responses on the pleas challenging remission order. It had also asked the State to file the entire record of the proceedings in the Bilkis Bano case, including the remission order. The pleas had sought setting aside of order granting remission to 11 convicts and directing their immediate re-arrest. "It is submitted that it would appear that the constitution of members of the competent authority of the Gujarat government also bore allegiance to a political party, and also was sitting MLAs. As such, it would appear that the competent authority was not an authority that was entirely independent, and one that could independently apply its mind to the facts at hand," the plea stated. The plea said they have challenged the order of competent authority of the government of Gujarat by way of which 11 persons who were accused in a set of heinous offences committed in Gujarat were allowed to walk free on August 15, 2022, pursuant to remission being extended to them. The petition said the case which led to the conviction of the 11 convicts was investigated by the CBI, accordingly, the grant of remission solely by the Gujarat government without any consultation with the Central government is impermissible in terms of the mandate of Section 435 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The remission in this heinous case would be entirely against public interest and would shock the collective public conscience, as also be entirely against the interests of the victim (whose family has publicly made statements worrying for her safety), the plea stated. The Gujarat government had released the 11 convicts, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, on August 15. All the 11 life-term convicts in the case were released as per the remission policy prevalent in Gujarat at the time of their conviction in 2008. In March 2002 during the post-Godhra riots, Bano was allegedly gang-raped and left to die with 14 members of her family, including her three-year-old daughter. She was five months pregnant when rioters attacked her family in Vadodara. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday kickstarted the distribution of PMJAY-MA Yojana Ayushman cards in Gujarat via video conferencing and said that India is going beyond health insurance and is ensuring "health assurance". The Prime Minister also interacted with the beneficiaries of PMJAY-MA Yojana Ayushman cards on the occasion. "We have been hearing about health insurance in many countries of the world but India is going beyond that, ensuring health assurance," PM Modi said. Referring to the spirit of 'Sarve Santu Niramaya' i.e. may all be free of diseases, the Prime Minister said Ayushman Yojana aims for health for all. He appreciated the enormity of the campaign of distributing 50 lakh cards to the people in the state. Highlighting the "changed" political thinking and work culture, the Prime Minister said that the schemes for the benefit of the common man had become a mere formality in the earlier governments, however, it was "necessary to change the situation". "The money that was spent on these schemes was done keeping in mind a particular area and political interests. It was necessary to change this situation and we took the lead in this change. Today when planning is done, we first study the condition of common citizens and study their needs," he said. "Our schemes today directly address the needs of the common citizens," PM Modi stressed. The Prime Minister said that the government has focussed on empowering the common citizen, especially the women of the country. He listed free gas connection, pucca houses, toilets, free ration, and piped water as examples of this approach. The Prime Minister informed that so far, around 4 crore poor patients have availed the benefit of Arogya under this scheme across the country. He further added that out of this, about 50 lakh poor patients are from Gujarat. Highlighting the commitment, the Prime Minister informed that the government has spent crores of rupees for the treatment of these beneficiaries. The Prime Minister recalled that as the Chief Minister, he had introduced Chiranjeevi, Balbhog and Khilkhilat schemes. Mukhyamantri Amritam was introduced many years ago in Gujarat. The introduction of PMJAY-MA will enable the people of Gujarat to avail benefit of free treatment even outside Gujarat. (ANI)
Slamming Arvind Kejriwal for comparing his deputy Manish Sisodia and minister Satyendar Jain with Bhagat Singh, a close relative of the freedom fighter, Harbhajan Singh Dhath, on Monday asked the Delhi Chief Minister to "fight his fights politically". Dhath also asked Kejriwal to refrain from "equating" criminals with freedom fighters and suggested that he "concentrate" on the "miserable" condition of Punjab, where the Aam Aadmi Party was voted to power earlier this year with a thumping majority. Kejriwal on Sunday had equated Sisodia who is facing a probe in the alleged excise policy case, and jailed minister Jain, with Bhagat Singh. "Jail bars and hanging noose could not deter Bhagat Singh's resolute intentions. This is the second fight for freedom. Manish and Satyendar are today's Bhagat Singh. After 75 years, the country got an education minister who gave good education to the poor and gave hope for a bright future," he had tweeted. Speaking to ANI, the relative of the freedom fighter lambasted the Delhi Chief Minister and asked "what political mileage did he want from it?" "Why are criminals caught in corruption cases being compared with martyrs? What political mileage did he want from it? Whatever your fight, fight it politically. Do not equate them with the martyrs. It is not only about Bhagat Singh but also do not equate anybody with other freedom fighters," Dhath said. "It was never his (Bhagat Singh's) mission to be elected to power or else he could have survived and would not have been hanged... They should concentrate on the condition Punjab is in today," he added. The freedom fighter's relative asked Kejriwal to follow Bhagat Singh's vision but not "equate anybody" with him. "There could not be a more shameful thing than comparing Satyendar Jain with Bhagat Singh. He is lodged in jail for months and the court is denying him bail. And you compare him with Bhagat Singh. We do not have any problem if you follow his vision, but do not equate anybody with Bhagat Singh," Dhath said. Calling the condition of Punjab "miserable", he said that the people who voted them to power can also remove them from the top position. "People have brought you to power (in Punjab), but if they can bring you to power, they also know how to remove you. The condition of Punjab is miserable. It was unimaginable to think that you would do such a thing to Punjab after coming to power," he said. "We have seen it earlier also that they took his name before the elections. I want to ask Kejriwal why did you need it? People know Bhagat Singh, he does not need recognition from the political parties. People respect him across the country and consider him an idol," Dhath added. Kejriwal's remarks had come after his deputy Manish Sisodia was issued summon by the CBI in the excise policy case, in which Sisodia is one of the accused. (ANI)
Chouhan made the announcement during a discussion with the ministers before the cabinet meeting in Bhopal on Monday.

He said that PM Modi would virtually join the 'Grih Pravesh' programme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Satna district on October 22.

It will be the third big programme of PM Modi in the state within the last one month.

Before this, PM Modi dedicated Shri Mahakal Lok in Ujjain on October 11.

PM Modi had come to Madhya Pradesh to gift 8 cheetahs to the Kuno National Park on his birthday on September 17. The cheetahs had been brought from Namibia.

The Prime Minister also interacted with the women of Self Help Groups in Sheopur district. (ANI)
Production of Russia's new Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles in India may be launched before year-end, a senior Russian official has said, as per media reports. The weapon will be manufactured at a plant in Korwa in Uttar Pradesh, according to Alexander Mikheev, the head of Rosoboronexport, the Russian state agency for international arms trade, RT reported. "We plan 100 pert cent localisation of the production of the legendary Russian assault rifles in India," the agency quoted its chief as saying in a statement issued on Monday. "In the future, the joint enterprise may ramp up capacity and upgrade to manufacture more advanced models based on the Kalashnikov platform." The AK-203 is part of the 'Series 200' of Kalashnikov's small arms, which includes several models using various popular round calibers and barrel lengths. The series features tuning options such as adjustable stocks and the Picatinny rail and other improvements. The AK-203 assault rifle is designed for the 7.62x39mm round. Rosoboronexport gave the update on the joint enterprise with India ahead of the Defexpo India 2022 arms show, which is scheduled for this week. Russia and India have been closely cooperating in defense for decades and have previously launched other joint ventures for making arms in India, RT reported. The company participates in the exhibition as a co-founder of Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, a Russian-Indian joint venture established to produce Kalashnikov assault rifles in India. "Rosoboronexport has the world's largest portfolio of completed, on-going and future defense production projects in India. The joint venture Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, in which Rosoboronexport and the Kalashnikov Concern participate from the Russian side, is fully in line with the Government's Make in India initiative and Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 rules," said Rosoboronexport Director General Mikheev. "The Korwa Ordnance Factory is ready to start manufacturing Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles by the end of 2022. Our plans include 100 per cent localisation of the production of legendary Russian assault rifles in India. In addition, in the future, the joint venture may increase production and modernize production facilities to manufacture advanced rifles based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle platform." During the exhibition, Rosoboronexport will discuss with the Indian side the production and supply of AK-203 for the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies of the country. In addition, the company will present a wide range of additional modern equipment designed both for customizing the assault rifle itself and for equipping personnel. "We also look forward to fruitful meetings and negotiations with partners on the entire range of issues related to military-technical cooperation between Russia and India. Rosoboronexport is ready to discuss mutually beneficial projects and talk about its exclusive proposals on joint work complying with the terms of ToT (transfer of technology) imposed by the Indian side," Mikheev added. --IANS san/arm ( 479 Words) 2022-10-17-19:10:04 (IANS)
President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice DY Chandrachud as the next Chief Justice of India. Justice Chandrachud will be sworn in as India's 50th CJI on November 9. Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, in a tweet, said: "In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, President appoints Dr. Justice DY Chandrachud, Judge, Supreme Court as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 9th November, 22". On October 11, Chief Justice of India U.U. Lalit named Justice Chandrachud, the seniormost judge in the Supreme Court, as his successor. CJI Lalit, who will retire on November 8, had, in presence of all Supreme Court judges, handed over the letter of recommendation to Justice Chandrachud.A Justice Chandrachud, who will hold office till November 10, 2024, is the son of former Supreme Court judge Y.V. Chandrachud, who was the longest-serving CJI, being in office for about seven years and four months between 1978 to 1985. During his tenure, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud overturned two judgments of his father - which were related to adultery and the right to privacy. Justice Chandrachud, who is a PhD from Harvard Law School, is known as a non-conformist judge. He has played a key role in introducing virtual hearings during the Covid time, which has now become a permanent feature. He has been part of the landmark judgments on Ayodhya title dispute, decriminalisation of homosexuality, adultery, privacy, entry of women into Sabarimala etc., Justice Chandrachud practised in Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court. He passed BA with honours in economics from St Stephen's College, New Delhi and completed LLB from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. He also served as Additional Solicitor General of India from 1998 till 2000. He was first appointed as judge of the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000. Justice Chandrachud has also served as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court since October 31, 2013 until his elevation as an apex court judge on May 13, 2016 Justice ChandrachudAhas been a visiting Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law at the University of Mumbai and at Oklahoma University School of Law, USA. In June, 1998, he was designated as senior advocate by the Bombay High Court. The Centre, as per Memorandum of Procedure, asks the outgoing CJI to name the successor, just before a month of retirement. Law Minister Rijiju, on October 7, sent a letter to Chief Justice Lalit to make recommendation for appointment of his successor. --IANS ss/vd ( 420 Words) 2022-10-17-19:16:02 (IANS)
The Interpol General Assembly will be attended by delegations from 195 Interpol member countries comprising of ministers, police chiefs of countries, heads of National Central Bureaus and senior police officers.

Interpol's supreme governing body, the General Assembly meets once a year to take key decisions related to its functioning.

The meeting is taking place in India after a gap of 25 years, after it was last held in 1997.

The event provides an opportunity to showcase best practices in India's law and order system to the entire world, an official statement said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Interpol President Ahmed Naser Al Raisi and Secretary General Jurgen Stock as well as the CBI Director Subodh Kumar Jaiswal will also be present on the occasion.

--IANS ans/vd

( 156 Words)

2022-10-17-19:26:03 (IANS)
Amid the ongoing political tussle in Rajasthan Congress, state minister Rajendra Singh Gudha on Monday took a dig at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, saying that the latter became the Chief Minister for the first time when he was about the same age as Sachin Pilot is now. "At that time, many leaders, including Parasram Maderna and Navalkishore Sharma, were sidelined and he was made the CM with the passing of a one-line proposal. And Gehlot did a good job during his first tenure as CM because he was young at that time," Gudha said. Gehlot was appointed as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan for the first time in 1998. He was 47 then, while Pilot is 45 now. Gudha was retaliating to Gehlot's statement on Monday advising the young lobby to stay patient. In an indirect attack on Pilot, Gehlot said: "Those who got posts without working hard are creating ruckus in the country. When the good days of Congress will come, their days will also be good. No one can stop them, as opportunities will come. But the more you hurry, the more you will stumble." Gehlot was interacting with the media at the state Congress headquarters here after voting for the Congress Presidential elections. Gehlot said, "The youth can work hard, but there can be no substitute for experience. Be it village, town or party, everything is based on experience." Gudha said that just like one cannot sideline experience, the youth cannot be sidelined either. "Adi Shankaracharya made a mark for himself at the age of 33. Swami Vivekananda left the world at the age of 39. The youth have always given results," he said. Gudha also claimed that Pilot's time will come soon. "Pilot will become the Chief Minister. After the Congress Presidential polls, Pilot's time will come. The leaders who were saying earlier that they will not obey the party high command, are apologising today," Gudha. --IANS arc/arm ( 337 Words) 2022-10-17-20:02:04 (IANS)
Bhartiya Janta Party national spokesperson Sambit Patra on Monday lashed out at Manish Sisodia in a furious reply to Deputy CM's allegations on linking the CBI interrogation to 'operation lotus'. While replying to Sisodia's statement post-CBI interrogation, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra told ANI that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, both are looking for an opportunity in politics in the disaster of corruption. Sambit Patra terms Manish Sisodia corrupt, calling his statement, "Jashn-e-Bhrashtachaar". Asked about Sisodia's denying the allegations of irregularities in the 'Delhi Excise Policy', Patra said, "Have you ever seen someone committing the crime after coming out of the interrogation." Patra responding to Sisodia's allegations of linking the CBI interrogation to 'operation lotus' said, "This operation is called 'Operation Non-Cooperation'. " Being an independent authority no one knows what the CBI has asked Sisodia during interrogation. But, CBI must have asked him Why the Excise Policy was reverted? Why was Delhi Ex-chequer bearing loss because of this 'Excise Policy'? Why you made such a policy with no cabinet approval?", he added. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia left the CBI headquarters in the national capital on Monday after nine hours of questioning in the excise policy case. He was summoned by the Central agency following which the Aam Aadmi Party took out a rally in support of Manish Sisodia on the way to CBI headquarters earlier today. Speaking to the media at his residence, Sisodia alleged that the case against him was intended not to probe any scam but to "make Operation Lotus successful in Delhi". "Today I saw in the CBI office that there's no issue of any scam (excise policy case). The whole case is fake. I understood all that in the 9 hour-questioning today. The case isn't to probe any scam against me, but to make Operation Lotus successful in Delhi," he alleged. Sisodia further claimed that he was asked inside the CBI office to leave AAP and said that he was offered to be made the Chief Minister. Replying to which Patra further said that during the 9 hours of interrogation CBI must have asked Manish about the irregularities. "Batao Mota Maal Kaha Hai?", Patra said while talking to ANI. "They both (Sisodia and Kejriwal) are looking for an opportunity in politics in the disaster of corruption. This is a Jashn-e-Bhrashtachaar", Patra underlined. Adding that Kejriwal and Sisodia are trying to convert a vice into a victory. (ANI)
The most prevalent enzyme on earth is Rubisco, which serves as the primary biocatalyst in photosynthesis. One of the key adaptations of early photosynthesis has been understood by a group of Max Planck researchers by reconstructing billion-year-old enzymes. Their findings not only shed light on how modern photosynthesis evolved, but also give fresh ideas for enhancing it. Today's existence is entirely dependent on CO2 being captured and converted by photosynthetic creatures like plants and algae. An enzyme known as Rubisco, which yearly absorbs more than 400 billion tonnes of CO2, is at the centre of these operations. Rubisco had to continuously adjust to shifting environmental circumstances in order to take on such a significant position in the global carbon cycle. A team from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg, Germany, in partnership with the University of Singapore, has now successfully revived and investigated billion-year-old enzymes in the lab using a combination of computational and synthetic methods. The researchers discovered that in this process, which they refer to as "molecular palaeontology," a completely new component prepared photosynthesis to adapt to increased oxygen levels rather than direct mutations in the active centre. Rubisco's early confusion Rubisco is very old; it first appeared in the early metabolism, around four billion years before oxygen was present on earth. As oxygen levels in the atmosphere increased and oxygen-producing photosynthesis was developed, the enzyme began catalysing an unintended reaction in which it mistook O2 for CO2 and created compounds that were harmful to cells. This unclear substrate scope continues to harm Rubiscos today and reduces photosynthetic productivity. Even while CO2 specificity increased through time in rubiscos that evolved in oxygen-rich settings, none of them was able to entirely eliminate the oxygen capture response. It is still completely unknown what chemical factors contribute to Rubisco's higher CO2 specificity. However, those who are working to enhance photosynthesis are quite interested in them. It's interesting to note that the Rubiscos with higher CO2 specificity recruited a brand-new protein component with an unidentified function. Although it was hypothesised that this component was responsible for raising CO2 specificity, it was difficult to ascertain the real cause of its origin because it had already evolved over a period of billions of years. Studying evolution by resurrecting ancient proteins in the lab Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore used a statistical algorithm to recreate forms of Rubiscos that existed billions of years ago, before oxygen levels started to rise, in order to understand this crucial event in the evolution of more specific Rubiscos. Tobias Erb and Georg Hochberg's team at Max Planck revived these antiquated proteins in the lab to investigate their properties. The researchers specifically questioned if the emergence of increased specificity had anything to do with Rubisco's new component. The answer was surprising, as doctoral researcher Luca Schulz explains: "We expected the new component to somehow directly exclude oxygen from Rubisco catalytic centre. That is not what happened. Instead, this new subunit seems to act as a modulator for evolution: recruitment of the subunit changed the effect of subsequent mutations on Rubisco's catalytic subunit. Previously inconsequential mutations suddenly had a huge effect on specificity when this new component was present. It seems that having this new subunit completely changed Rubisco's evolutionary potential." An enzyme's addiction to its new subunit This function as an "evolutionary modulator" also explains another mysterious aspect of the new protein component: Rubiscos that incorporated it is completely dependent on it, even though other forms of Rubisco can function perfectly well without it. The same modulating effect explains why: When bound to this small protein component, Rubisco become tolerant to mutations that would otherwise be catastrophically detrimental. With the accumulation of such mutations, Rubisco effectively became addicted to its new subunit. The findings collectively provide an explanation for why Rubisco has retained this novel protein component ever since it was discovered. Georg Hochberg, the head of the Max Planck Research Group, explains: "The fact that this connection was just recently discovered emphasises how crucial evolutionary analysis is for comprehending the biochemistry that powers the world around us. We can learn so much about why biomolecules like Rubisco are the way they are today by studying their past. Furthermore, we still know very little about the evolutionary history of many biological phenomena. Being an evolutionary biochemist at this time is therefore incredibly interesting because nearly the complete molecular history of the cell has not yet been uncovered." Scientific journeys back in time can provide invaluable insights for the future According to Max Planck Director Tobias Erb, the study also has significant implications for how photosynthesis may be enhanced. "Our research showed us that previous attempts to enhance Rubisco may have been looking in the incorrect area. For many years, research was confined to altering the amino acids within Rubisco itself. Our research indicates that modifying the enzyme with whole new protein parts might be more beneficial and open up previously impassable evolutionary pathways. The field of enzyme engineering is unexplored here." (ANI)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Saturday said that SpaceX will continue funding Starlink internet service in war-torn Ukraine. A tweet from Musk's verified account posted said, "The hell with it ... even though Starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, we'll just keep funding Ukraine govt for free." Backtracking on refusal to pay for Starlink in Ukraine, Musk in a series of tweets, criticized the government and suggested SpaceX will 'keep funding' Starlink, reported CNN. SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet services have been a vital source of communication for the country's military during the war with Russia. Earlier this week, SpaceX warned the Pentagon that it may stop funding the service in Ukraine unless the US military kicks in tens of millions of dollars per month, according to documents obtained by CNN. The letter also requested that the Pentagon take over funding for Ukraine's government and military use of Starlink, which SpaceX claims would cost more than USD 120 million for the rest of the year and could cost close to USD 400 million for the next 12 months. The report elicited a torrent of tweets from social media users both defending and criticizing the move. Since they first started arriving in Ukraine last spring, the Starlink satellite internet terminals made by Musk's SpaceX have allowed Ukraine's military to fight and stay connected even as cellular phone and internet networks have been destroyed in its war with Russia, reported CNN. A Pentagon spokesperson said Friday that it had been in communication with SpaceX but did not say whether it was over the funding of the Starlink satellite communication product. In response Saturday to a follower who replied to Musk's tweet, "No good deed goes unpunished," Musk said, "Even so, we should still do good deeds." Musk on Friday had doubled down on SpaceX's request to the Pentagon in a series of tweets, reported CNN. "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," read one post from Musk's verified account. He also said that in asking the Pentagon to pick up the bill for Starlink in Ukraine, he was following the advice of a Ukrainian diplomat who responded to Musk's Ukraine peace plan earlier this month, before the letter was sent to the Pentagon, with: "F*** off." SpaceX's suggestion that it would stop funding Starlink also came amid rising concern in Ukraine over Musk's allegiance. Musk recently tweeted a controversial peace plan that would have Ukraine give up Crimea and control over the eastern Luhansk and Donetsk regions. After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised the question of who Musk sides with, he responded that he "still very much support[s] Ukraine" but fears "massive escalation." (ANI)
The new head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Roza Otunbayeva on Sunday met with several Taliban leaders and discussed a range of issues including the importance of girls' education. "UN envoy @Otunbayeva at her first meeting with df @MoFA_Afg Muttaqi discussed wide ranging issues for cooperation, incl. trust-building, banking system & edu for all incl. girls. Acknowledged differences but agreed on the need to bring Afghanistan & IC closer for the sake of #Afghans," tweeted UNAMA News. Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting minister of Foreign Affairs, in a meeting with Otunbayeva, asked her to inform the world of the facts within the scope of her responsibility, reported Tolo News. The meeting covered bilateral cooperation, economic initiatives, security issues, and education, according to the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that now is the time for Afghanistan and the world to come closer together and understand each other's priorities, conditions, and requests, and UNAMA can achieve this well," said Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, reported Tolo News. She also met the Taliban's Deputy Prime Minister, Abdul Salam Hanafi and reiterated the need for close cooperation to prioritize the needs of the Afghan people. "In a meeting with df DPM Hanafi, UN Envoy Otunbayeva discussed a broad range of issues, including international assistance, drug abuse, and the importance of girls' education. The new UNAMA head reiterated the need for close cooperation to prioritize the needs of #Afghan people," tweeted UNAMA News. The head of UNAMA in Afghanistan has said that both sides should cooperate to address basic issues in Afghanistan. Political analysts consider UNAMA's role in various sectors, especially the recognition of the current government, to be important. "UNAMA can convince the world on the question of recognizing Afghanistan if the Taliban's strategy is such that it can satisfy UNAMA in the first step," said Aziz Marij, a former diplomat, reported Tolo News. "The Islamic Emirate should provide full and direct cooperation with UNAMA leadership about the search for the truth," said Yosuf Amin Zazai, a political analyst. Otunbayeva also met the Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Abdul Kabir and agreed to close cooperation to address pressing issues faced by Afghans. "New UNAMA head, Otunbayeva, today met with df DPM Kabir & discussed, among others, media rights, girls' education, governance & the vital contribution of all Afghans, incl. women, in rebuilding the country. Agreed close cooperation to address pressing issues faced by Afghans," tweeted UNAMA News. In September, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Roza Otunbayeva of Kyrgyzstan as his new Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA. Otunbayeva succeeds Deborah Lyons of Canada. Otunbayeva brings to the position over 35 years of professional experience in leadership, diplomacy, civic engagement, and international cooperation. She served as the president of Kyrgyzstan, as well as in other roles, reported Tolo News. (ANI)
The Pakistan Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies on Sunday gunned down five terrorists in Balochistan's Mastung district. The operation was jointly conducted by CTD, and intelligence agencies and they recovered arms and ammunition from terrorists' hideouts, reported Geo News. At least three officials conducting the operation were also injured. According to CTD's spokesperson, the operation was jointly conducted with intelligence agencies in Mastung during which five terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with the personnel, reported Geo News. The spokesperson for CTD added that arms and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists' hideout. The department shared that the killed terrorists were planning attacks on forces and pilgrims. Balochistan is in conflict with Pakistan Government since 1947. The cause of conflict along with ethnicity includes economic and political exclusion. Balochistan is the largest province by geographical area in Pakistan, constituting approximately 43 per cent of the total area of Pakistan. it is Pakistan's largest province, as well as is poorest and least populated. The grievances of the masses relating to political, economic and cultural rights, have given rise to nationalist movements; the absence of problem-resolution mechanisms, even in the democratic setups; continued negligence of the well-being of the masses that has been the hallmark, though out Pakistan since its creation. Moreover, 70 per cent of people in Balochistan live in poverty. The maternal death rate in Pakistan is 278 per 100,000, whereas in Balochistan it stands at 785. Natural gas was discovered at Sui in Balochistan, yet major parts of the province are still deprived of natural gas. It's important to understand that the violence in Balochistan is not just because of terrorism. The insurgents are mostly local people longing for their constitutional rights and welfare. Therefore, most of the insurgent movements in Balochistan have been linked with deprivation and underdevelopment. (ANI)
Ukraine's capital city Kyiv was rocked by multiple explosions early on Monday in an attack by "Kamikaze" drones, an Ukrainian official said. Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office of Ukraine, said kamikaze drones were attacking the city. "The Russians think it will help them, but these actions look like desperation," Yermak said in a statement, blaming Russia for the attack, CNN reported. Several residential buildings were damaged in the attack. In a Telegram message, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the "drone attack" caused a "fire in a non-residential building." Kyiv says Moscow has used Iranian-supplied drones in the strikes against Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia and other cities across Ukraine in recent weeks, and pleaded with Western countries to step up their assistance in the face of the new challenge, CNN reported. At least three explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital at around 6:45 a.m. local time on Monday as a result of apparent Russian strikes, according to CNN. One of the blasts was in the Shevchenkivskyi district in the centre of the Ukrainian capital. In order to tackle the situation, emergency services have been sent on site. The war between Russia and Ukraine has only escalated after a truck recently exploded on the Crimea road bridge, causing seven fuel tanks of a train heading to the Crimean Peninsula to catch fire. Three people were killed in the blast, which also led to the partial collapse of two spans of the road bridge. The Crimean Bridge was opened in 2018 by President Vladimir Putin, four years after Moscow annexed Crimea and was designed to link the peninsula to Russia's transport network. The 19-kilometre bridge, which runs across the Kerch Strait and connects Crimea with mainland Russia, consists of a railway and vehicle sections. It became fully operational in 2020. Earlier, the transport ministry had said the bridge, which consists of two parallel routes for automobiles and trains, will possibly open to trains by 8 pm Moscow time (1700 GMT) on Saturday. (ANI)
Hong Kong: Power plant event reported

The Security Bureau today said the Guangdong Nuclear Emergency Committee Office notified it about an operational event at Ling Ao Nuclear Power Station (LNPS).

On October 15, unit 4 of LNPS shut down safely and automatically due to activation of the unit's protection system.

The bureau explained that during an inspection, station staff found that the cause of the shutdown was a fault in a flow control board of the main feed water system in the secondary loop. They have now completed the repair work and the unit has resumed normal operation.

Throughout the event, the unit remained in a safe and controlled condition.

The bureau said the event was classified as a level 0 deviation in accordance with the International Nuclear & Radiological Event Scale, adding that it did not affect the units safe operation, workers health, nearby public or the environment.

This story has been published on: 2022-10-17. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, children in both countries have been most affected by its economic fallout, said UNICEF regional director for Europe and Central Asia, Afshan Khan, Al Jazeera reported. According to a report of the United Nations children's agency, the study of 22 countries showcased how the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing crisis pushed approximately four million children into poverty across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. "Children are bearing the heaviest burden of the economic crisis caused by the war in Ukraine," UNICEF said. The report further noted that due to the ongoing economic slump an additional 2.8 million children now living in households below the poverty line. Moreover, Romania has a further 110,000 children living in poverty, Al Jazeera reported. "Children all over the region are being swept up in this war's terrible wake," said UNICEF regional director for Europe and Central Asia, Afshan Khan. This could well translate into an additional 4,500 children dying before their first birthdays, and an additional 117,000 children dropping out of school this year alone, Al jazeera reported quoting UNICEF. Another report of UNICEF which was released recently stated that nearly 1,000 boys and girls have been killed or injured in the war in Ukraine. "At least 972 children in Ukraine have been killed or injured by violence since the war escalated nearly six months ago, an average of over five children killed or injured each day," UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement. The Russia-Ukraine war began nearly six months ago. The full scope of the Ukrainian refugee crisis is difficult to quantify and far exceeds any other refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. Meanwhile, almost every child in Ukraine has been exposed to deeply distressing events. Those fleeing violence are at significant risk of family separation, abuse, sexual exploitation, further attacks, and trafficking. The escalating hostilities have devastated the education system. UNICEF estimates that 1 in 10 schools have been damaged or destroyed. Schools have been targeted or used by parties to the fighting, which means families do not feel safe sending their children back to the classroom. The UN Children's Fund continues to call for an immediate ceasefire. Multiple UN agencies say that families have been separated and lives are torn apart. (ANI)
The United States on Monday condemned early morning drone strikes on Kyiv as it rebuked Russia for "reprehensible" attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. "More desperate and reprehensible Russian attacks this morning against civilians and civilian infrastructure. We admire the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people. We will stand with you for as long as it takes," the US embassy in Ukraine tweeted. Ukraine's capital city Kyiv was rocked by multiple explosions early on Monday in an attack by "Kamikaze" drones, according to a Ukrainian official. Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office of Ukraine, said kamikaze drones targeted the city. "The Russians think it will help them, but these actions look like desperation," Yermak said in a statement, blaming Russia for the attack, CNN reported. Several residential buildings were damaged in the attack. In a Telegram message, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the "drone attack" caused a "fire in a non-residential building." Kyiv says Moscow has used Iranian-supplied drones in the strikes against major Ukrainian cities in recent weeks and pleaded with Western countries to step up their assistance in the face of the new challenge, CNN reported. On Monday, at least three explosions were heard in Kyiv at around 6.45 am (local time). One of the blasts was in the Shevchenkivskyi district in the centre of the Ukrainian capital. In order to tackle the situation, emergency services have been sent on-site. The war between Russia and Ukraine has only escalated after a truck recently exploded on the Crimea road bridge, causing seven fuel tanks of a train heading to the Crimean Peninsula to catch fire. Three people were killed in the blast, which also led to the partial collapse of two spans of the road bridge. The Crimean Bridge was opened in 2018 by Russian President Vladimir Putin, four years after Moscow annexed Crimea and was designed to link the peninsula to Russia's transport network. The 19-kilometre bridge, which runs across the Kerch Strait and connects Crimea with mainland Russia, consists of a railway and vehicle sections. It became fully operational in 2020. Earlier, the transport ministry had said the bridge, which consists of two parallel routes for automobiles and trains, will possibly open to trains by 8 pm Moscow time (1700 GMT) on Saturday. (ANI)
Pakistan's Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah appeared before Lahore High Court on Monday in the case registered against him by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) of Punjab province. Last week, the Rawalpindi bench of LHC suspended a non-bailable warrant to arrest Rana Sanaullah in the Bismillah Housing Scheme case, Geo News reported. Apart from the minister, the director general of ACE Punjab was also summoned by the LHC. The warrants were issued by a special magistrate for failing to appear in an inquiry regarding a corruption case filed against the minister. ACE Punjab had tried arresting the minister but failed to do so. The development came following a petition filed by the interior minister's counsel advocate Razzaq A Mirza on his behalf, which stated that the ACE has obtained the warrant through misrepresentation, according to Geo News. Earlier, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab on home affairs Omar Sarfraz Cheema said that Rana Sanaullah will be arrested if he enters Punjab. His statement came after the ACE obtained a non-bailable warrant to arrest Rana Sanaullah. The arrest warrant was effective till October 19, reported Geo News. Cheema also directed the Inspector General of Punjab police to provide assistance to ACE Punjab for Sanaullah's arrest. He directed that the arrest be carried out according to the law. On October 8, a special judicial magistrate of Rawalpindi issued the arrest warrant against Sanaullah in the Bismillah Housing Scheme case at the request of ACE Punjab to initiate the inquiry. Earlier, Adviser to Punjab CM for Anti-Corruption Brigadier (retd) Musaddiq Abbasi told the media that Rana Sanaullah has been found guilty in the corruption case against him, according to Geo News. "During the investigation, it has been revealed that in the opening ceremony of Bismillah Housing Society, Colony Kallar Kahar, Rana Sanaullah, who was provincial law minister at that time, participated along with his wife. The housing society's owner gifted Sanaullah two plots measuring 10 kanals as a bribe," the adviser had said and added the plots in question were transferred to Sanaullah by the society at a much lower than scheduled rate, according to dawn. Abbasi had said these two plots were still in the possession of Sanaullah and his wife, which itself was "proof" that he had got these as a bribe by using his official position. He said the case was registered in 2019 but the minister did not appear before ACE. "Sanaullah was re-summoned on Oct 6 but he did not appear before the ACE after which non-bailable arrest warrants were issued against him," he said. The retired brigadier said the ACE was taking indiscriminate action against the corrupt elements and no one was above the law. Sanaullah accepted two plots as a "bribe" from an "illegal housing society" -- Bismillah Housing Scheme -- in the Chakwal district, he said. Abbasi said the ACE had launched the land acquisition inquiry in 2017 against the minister. As per inquiry, the housing society's owner presented two plots measuring 10 kanals as a bribe, he said as quoted by Geo News. (ANI)
Interpol head Jurgen Stock on Monday said that the agency cannot grant Taiwan observer status at the Interpol general assembly as the international criminal police organization only recognises the People's Republic of China and not Taiwan as the sole representative of China. Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock during a press conference said, "In 1984 Interpol general assembly recognised the People's Republic of China as a sole representative of China. As such Interpol recognises Taiwan as part of China and as China is a member of Interpol, it can't grant Taiwan observer status at Interpol general assembly." "Arrangements were put in place after 1984 to enable Interpol national centre bureaus and China-Taiwan police administration to exchange info through Interpol," the Secretary-General added. He made these remarks at the 90th INTERPOL General Assembly. These statements also come in the backdrop of a strong war of words which has been brewing between China and Taiwan for quite some time now, especially after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island nation. In a recent scathing attack, Chinese leader Xi Jinping while delivering a report to the 20th Communist party National Congress in Beijing, defended the military aggression against Taiwan, saying he "safeguarded" the country's "dignity and core interests" for ensuring security. Reacting strongly to Xi's rhetoric, the island nation responded by saying that it will never compromise on the values of sovereignty, democracy and freedom. "The national security team is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to pay close attention to subsequent developments," Taiwan presidential office spokesperson Chang Tun-han said. This is not the only international body which has denied Taiwan observer status. Earlier, Taiwan requested to participate in the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer; however, the island nation was excluded from the conference for the sixth straight year in 2022 as the Chinese government has been blocking Taiwan's representation. 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. It meets once a year and takes all the major decisions affecting general policy, the resources needed for international cooperation, working methods, finances and programmes of activities. These decisions are in the form of resolutions. This year, India is hosting the General Assembly's 90th session in New Delhi. The agenda includes presentations, workshops and discussions on various subjects. INTERPOl has thanked India and the officials from New Delhi for hosting this year's General Assembly and welcoming its delegates from member countries. It recognized India's efforts to put on an event of this scale. The 90th Annual General Assembly of Interpol is going to be held between October 18-21 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the Assembly on October 18 while Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be addressing the valedictory function on October 21. A composite security system has been set up in and around Pragati Maidan and the JLN stadium. (ANI)
Apple has shelved plans to use memory chips from China's Yangtze Memory Technologies Co (YMTC) in its products, Japanese newspaper Nikkei Asia reported citing multiple sources. Before the US introduced its fresh export control list this month, the report said that the American multinational technology company had already completed the process to certify YMTC's 128-layer 3D NAND flash memory for use in iPhones. According to Nikkei Asia, NAND flash memory is a key component found in all electronic devices from smartphones and personal computers to servers. These Chinese chips are by far the most advanced produced by the chipmaker. Though YMTC chips are cheaper than those of its leading rivals, mounting geopolitical pressure and criticism from U.S. policymakers led Apple to change course, the newspaper said. Last month, reports surfaced that US Senators had protested Apple's decision to purchase memory chips from YMTC and had ordered an investigation into the threat that the deal poses to national security. Among those who requested the review of the controversial deal was the Democratic chair of the Senate intelligence committee Mark Warner, and the Republican vice chair Marco Rubio. The US lawmakers wrote to the director of national intelligence, Avril Haines and called for an investigation. YMTC has ties to the Chinese Communist party and this new deal that the chipmaker has reportedly brokered with iPhone carries "privacy and security risks" in the global digital supply chain, according to Financial Post. The senators exhorted that the dangers of the deal to the economy and national security must be assessed. They even urged a probe into how the Chinese Communist Party uses YMTC to support its native chip industry and oust semiconductor producers from the US and its allies. They also asked for a review of YMTC's suspected assistance in Huawei and other Chinese firms evading US sanctions. (ANI)
Ahead of the 90th General Assembly of INTERPOL tomorrow, Secretary General Jurgen Stock on Monday said India plays an extremely active role in a range of global operations coordinated by INTERPOL. The 90th General Assembly of INTERPOL will be held from October 18 to 21. The meeting will be attended by delegations from 195 INTERPOL member countries comprising of Ministers, Police Chiefs of countries, Heads of National Central Bureaus and Senior police officers. "I would like to start by saying how very pleased I am that we are here in New Delhi for our 90th General Assembly, especially as this coincides with India's celebrations of 75 years of independence," Jurgen Stock said during a press conference. The four-day General Assembly is INTERPOL's supreme governing body and meets once a year to take key decisions related to its functioning. Over the coming days, Secretary General Stock said they will be addressing a range of global security issues and how these can be addressed through the unique platform which is INTERPOL. "It was to gain a better view of the threats faced by law enforcement that we have produced the first INTERPOL Global Crime Trend Report, which will be present to our membership during this General Assembly," he said. Giving details about the most significant trend in the world of organized crime, Stock said, "Organized crime networks are making billions of dollars, and the fact that less than one per cent of global illicit financial flows are intercepted and recovered - or rather, nearly 99 per cent of stolen assets remain in criminal hands - should be of greater concern to everyone." He said that combined with estimates of the global cost of cybercrime which is expected to reach 10.5 trillion US dollars by 2025. "Police around the world are overwhelmed with data, and too often they do not have the capacity to deal with the volume of cases - and here INTERPOL is uniquely placed to provide the support they need." "Today, with the click of a button, police anywhere in the world can instantly check against INTERPOL's 19 global databases containing 126 million records including DNA profiles and facial recognition images. Our databases are checked more than 20 million times each day - which equates to around 250 searches per second," he added. On India's role in International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Stock said, "Indeed India plays extremely active role in a range of global operations coordinated by INTERPOL." "For example in the recent Operation Lionfish targeting drug trafficking, when Indian authorities made the largest single seizure of heroin during the operation intercepting 75kg of the drug," he added. (ANI)
The partial mobilization ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin to recruit reservists for its war in Ukraine is now completed as the quota limit has been reached, media reports said quoting Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin as saying. On September 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered partial military mobilization in Moscow as it had planned to conscript around 300,000 troops in an apparent escalation of its Ukraine invasion that began in February this year. In the latest statement on his website, Moscow mayor Sobyanin said that the draft offices will now be closed after the mobilisation quota is reached. He said that Kremlin's mobilisation quotas to recruit reservists had been completed, reported Al Jazeera. "Gathering points for mobilised people will close on October 17 2022, at 2:00 pm, 1100GMT," Sobyanin said on his website where he added that "the tasks of the partial mobilisation", announced last month, had been "completed in full." The Russia-Ukraine war is now in its eighth month as the missile strikes continue to hit major Ukrainian cities. In a recent escalation, Ukraine's capital city Kyiv was rocked by multiple explosions early on Monday in an attack by "Kamikaze" drones, a Ukrainian official said. Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office of Ukraine, said kamikaze drones were attacking the city. "The Russians think it will help them, but these actions look like desperation," Yermak said in a statement, blaming Russia for the attack, CNN reported. Several residential buildings were damaged in the attack. In a Telegram message, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the "drone attack" caused a "fire in a non-residential building."Kyiv says Moscow has used Iranian-supplied drones in the strikes against Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia and other cities across Ukraine in recent weeks, and pleaded with Western countries to step up their assistance in the face of the new challenge, CNN reported. At least three explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital at around 6:45 a.m. local time on Monday as a result of apparent Russian strikes, according to CNN. One of the blasts was in the Shevchenkivskyi district in the centre of the Ukrainian capital. In order to tackle the situation, emergency services have been sent on-site. The war between Russia and Ukraine has only escalated after a truck recently exploded on the Crimea road bridge, causing seven fuel tanks of a train heading to the Crimean Peninsula to catch fire. Three people were killed in the blast, which also led to the partial collapse of two spans of the road bridge. The Crimean Bridge was opened in 2018 by President Vladimir Putin, four years after Moscow annexed Crimea and was designed to link the peninsula to Russia's transport network.The 19-kilometre bridge, which runs across the Kerch Strait and connects Crimea with mainland Russia, consists of a railway and vehicle sections. It became fully operational in 2020. Earlier, the transport ministry had said the bridge, which consists of two parallel routes for automobiles and trains, will possibly open to trains by 8 pm Moscow time (1700 GMT) on Saturday. (ANI)
Confirmation of Xi Jinping's third term will be an ominous moment not only for China but for the world, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director Hana Young has said. This comment comes as the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. The week-long event will conclude on October 22 which is likely to confirm Xi Jinping as CCP General Secretary for a third term. "Confirmation of Xi Jinping's third term will be an ominous moment not only for the millions of Chinese citizens who have suffered grave human rights violations under his rule, but also for people around the world who feel the impact of the Chinese government's repression," Hana Young said in a statement on October 15. "President Xi's decade in power has been characterized by sweeping arbitrary detentions, a ruthless nationwide crackdown on freedom of expression and association, crimes against humanity against Muslims in the Xinjiang region, and a dramatic escalation of repression in Hong Kong," she added. Further slamming China's repressive policies, Young said the government's policies and practices under Xi's leadership pose a threat to rights not just at home, but globally. "From the government's campaign to silence and forcibly repatriate Uyghurs overseas to its attempts to redefine the very meaning of human rights at the United Nations, the arm of Chinese state repression increasingly extends beyond China's borders," she added. On Sunday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping opened the ruling Communist Party's twice-a-decade National Congress. Analysts 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)
Even after a ban on gatherings in Haripur district in Hazara city in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a TLP head entered the region alongside thousands of supporters who were carrying sticks and marched on towards Havelian in adjacent Abbottabad District, where the leader was scheduled to address a rally, media reports said. "We allowed them to enter and cross the urban limits of Haripur peacefully as we avoided taking action fearing loss of property as hundreds of Rizvi's followers were wielding clubs," said a police officer, reported Dawn. In the limits of Haripur, there is notably a ban on carrying out processions and gatherings for 15 days. However, Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Allama Saad Rizvi was defiant to the rules as he planned to address the Eid Miladun Nabi procession. Eid Milad-un-Nabi is celebrated annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad and is observed in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which commences with the sighting of the moon. The occasion also marks the death anniversary of the Prophet. Rizvi as he transgressed the norms by holding the procession stopped briefly at Sidiq-i-Akbar Chowk. He asked the workers to chant with him the party slogans. Instead of making a planned address in Haripur, he left for Havelian on a container surrounded by club-wielding supporters, reported Dawn. As per TLP local leadership, over 30,000 participants attended the procession however as the media portal quoting an official source said that the number was not more than 6,000 to 7,000. To tackle any untoward incident, the administration put blockaded all entry and exit points on the Hazara Motorway and the GT Road. They parked containers on Saturday night and deployed 1,600 riot police. To quell any unrest, two companies of Frontier Corps sent in aid of the civil administration remained alert. However, due to all this deployment, there was a traffic snarl. The passengers and motorists travelling in or out of the district using GT Road and motorway were facing issues. Moreover, the mobile service remained suspended throughout the day. However, internet service was functional but with poor signals. The traders on both sides of GT road kept their business shut, reported Dawn. (ANI)
Waves of explosive-laden suicide drones reportedly struck Ukraine's capital Kyiv with "Kamikaze" drones or Iranian-made loitering munitions on Monday. Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, while in conversation with ANI, explained what these drones are and if this will further escalate and intensify the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "They are not a new type of weaponry. The technology has been around for the last 15 years, at least. It is an evolution of different weapon systems, essentially just a cruise missile." Before explaining what Kamikaze drones are the expert described the functionality of a cruise missile to help understand the difference between the two. The expert noted that a cruise missile is essentially an aircraft that does not return to its base, rather it carries a bomb when it destroys itself in the process, a precision-guided munition. Drawing a comparison between these cruise missiles and Kamikaze Drones to help understand the technology, expert Abhijit said that these both are something very similar. However, he explained that "this (Kamikaze Drone) is a shorter range that is attached to an aircraft where the pilot decides at the last minute whom to release it on or what target to release it on and then it separates from the aircraft." "The important thing is that it gives a last-minute determination of what the target should be. A cruise missile, you know, the target is fitting to the cruise missile at the time it is launched, whereas here (with the Kamikaze Drones) one can take a split-second decision at the last minute when it goes to." The other thing about the Kamikaze drones, he said is that they are a relatively cheaper option because technology is becoming cheaper and the ability to remote control has also become cheaper. "So it is the sort of the democratization of technology if you want to call it. It's a cheap smart option to be used. Hence, a Kamikaze drone is really no different from a cruise missile, it is just a loitering aircraft with a bombload on it and a guidance war hit on it", he added. When asked if this will escalate and intensify the conflict between the two countries, the expert said that it is not bringing any sort of new capacity but geopolitically, it would harden American attitude towards Iranians. "It is not a new kind of weapon. It's not bringing any specific new capacity except a sort of cost reduction in that sense. So it's not going to change anything much. I think what we've seen is just going to continue for quite some time in the future. It is impossible to predict, but no, it doesn't change anything in the conflict." Speaking further, he said that "geopolitically, the only thing it would possibly change is that it would harden American attitudes towards Iran." "Remember, there's the nuclear deal that they want to renegotiate at the moment or rather bring back at the moment. Iran accepted the deal but it was Trump who cancelled the deal. So, it'll make things tougher because you look at the Americans, then they've alienated the Russians, they have alienated Saudis and the Emiratis and now and they are alienating the Iranian", said the expert. (ANI)
Heavily impacted by the unprecedented floods throughout the country, Pakistan is now planning to buy wheat from sanction-hit Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. "The two technical sides are already discussing that. We want to procure wheat from Russia," Pakistani Ambassador to Moscow Shafqat Ali Khan said in an interview with the news agency TASS. The Pakistani ambassador said they look to Russia as a long-term and stable partner when it comes to food supplies amid the food crisis. "...Russia has emerged as a new supplier for us, earlier it used to be different other countries. We look to Russia as a long-term, stable partner when it comes to food supplies for us," he said. According to Dawn, Pakistan is staring at a possible food crisis after the production of wheat in the upcoming Rabi season is expected to drop as farmers look out for alternative crops due to low-profit margins. The Pakistani envoy said both countries are also discussing the possibility of switching to settlements in national currencies in trade. "That is one of the areas under discussion. The two sides, the central banks are trying to work out a series of practical questions. Russia has a very strong experience in dealing with so many countries. We don't have experience with trading in local currencies. So, this is something we would want to learn," he told TASS. Shafqat Ali Khan also noted that the parties also intend to discuss the possibility of trading in yuan. "Bilateral trade is extremely important for us. Some bilateral trade relationships going down may not impact Russia, but it impacts us deeply. We don't want our trade with Russia to suffer," he said. Notably, these talks on wheat procurement and trade in domestic currencies come amid the diplomatic row over US President Joe Biden's remark on Pakistan. At a Democratic party event, US President described the south Asian country as "one of the most dangerous nations" in the world which holds "nuclear weapons without any cohesion." (ANI)
A delegation from Rosoboronexport, a subsidiary of the Rostec State Corporation, is taking part in Defexpo India 2022 slated to take place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat starting Tuesday, the company said. The company participates in the exhibition as a co-founder of Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, a Russian-Indian joint venture established to produce Kalashnikov assault rifles in India, according to a Rosoboronexport press statement. "Rosoboronexport has the world's largest portfolio of completed, on-going and future defense production projects in India. The joint venture Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, in which Rosoboronexport and the Kalashnikov Concern participate from the Russian side, is fully in line with the Government's Make in India initiative and Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 rules," said Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev. "The Korwa Ordnance Factory is ready to start manufacturing Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles by the end of 2022. Our plans include 100 per cent localization of the production of legendary Russian assault rifles in India. In addition, in the future, the joint venture may increase production and modernize production facilities to manufacture advanced rifles based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle platform," Mikheev said. In the statement, Rosoboronexport said Kalashnikov AK-200 series assault rifles have successfully passed the test program, are supplied to government customers in Russia, and are also exported to partners who impose higher requirements on small arms. These assault rifles have retained all the advantages of the traditional AK pattern: reliability, durability and ease of maintenance. Kalashnikov A-200-series assault rifles are in line with all current trends in small arms technology. They are fitted with integral Picatinny rails for convenient and easy mounting of sights and tactical accessories, enabling the effective use of weapons in various conditions. The rifles have a folding stock. In addition, a number of other ergonomic solutions have been incorporated into them to optimize operation. In particular, they feature a redesigned fire selector and a modified receiver cover. This gives the users the opportunity to fully realize their shooting skills, regardless of their anthropometric data and the availability of a variety of personal gear, outfit and uniforms. During the exhibition, Rosoboronexport will discuss with the Indian side the production and supply of AK-203 for the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies of the country. In addition, the company will present a wide range of additional modern equipment designed both for customizing the assault rifle itself and for equipping personnel. "We also look forward to fruitful meetings and negotiations with partners on the entire range of issues related to military-technical cooperation between Russia and India. Rosoboronexport is ready to discuss mutually beneficial projects and talk about its exclusive proposals on joint work complying with the terms of ToT (transfer of technology) imposed by the Indian side," Alexander Mikheev added. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday reiterated India's stance of inclusive, "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled" reconciliation process to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan. Speaking at a media briefing at the Modi@20 event "Conversation of India's role in global affairs" in Surat, he said, "Tragic things are happening in Afghanistan... India cannot determine what is happening in Afghanistan, Afghans have to determine what is happening in Afghanistan. What India can do, is help Afghan people in a difficult time." Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the country is facing a severe decline in human rights, women's rights and religious freedom. Since the Taliban took over on August 15 last year, the atrocities of Taliban officials have forced the country's Hindu and Sikh minorities to escape persecution. Gender minorities have either fled or evacuated to other countries. Notably, Afghan women are staring at a bleak future due to a number of restrictions imposed by the Taliban governing aspects of their lives including the denial of education to girls above 6 standard, they are not allowed to do jobs, females are no longer allowed to travel unless accompanied by men related to them and are being curtailed from wearing make-up as well as their reproductive rights. Unrecognized by most of the international community, the Taliban-led government has committed to curtailing basic human rights as the citizens of Afghanistan continue to live a miserable life in the country. "We today have to work with our neighbours... Our neighbours are comfortable with us... But we also must understand neighbours will look to see where they can get an advantage," said Jaishankar. India has been calling upon all sections of the political spectrum in Afghanistan to work together to meet the aspirations of all people in that country including those from the minority community for a prosperous and safe future. He also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in the digitisation of public services. Recalling his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he said, "Modi was the only CM to understand the power of Aadhar. Because of it, direct benefit transfers could become possible. CoWin portal, PM Awas Yojna, PM Gareeb Kalyan Yojna- nothing would have been possible without it." Jaishankar also shared the experience of the evacuation of Indian citizens during the Russia-Ukraine war. He said that PM Modi had made a call to leaders of Russia and Ukraine to secure assurances for the safe return of Indian students who were stuck in war zones. Russia started its military operation in Ukraine in the last week of February this year, resulting in a large-scale humanitarian situation. Under operation Ganga, India facilitated the safe return of 22,500 Indian nationals, most of them students, studying in various universities in Ukraine. "In Ukraine's Sumy and Kharkiv, PM Modi made a call to Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy, told them our children are stuck... got the assurance that firing will not happen during that period and that is how we were able to get our children out," said Jaishankar in Surat. Speaking before a live audience in Surat, Jaishankar said that despite the uncertain global landscape due to COVID-19, climate change and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India continues to project strong business sentiment worldwide. (ANI)
A military plane crash in a residential area of the southwestern Russian town of Yeysk, near Ukraine, left at least two dead and 15 hospitalised, Russian state-run news agencies reported. A Russian Su-34 supersonic fighter-bomber jet crashed into a residential building in the city of Yeysk on Monday, citing the Russian state media TASS, CNN reported. The crash was due to the ignition of one of the engines, Russian state media RIA Novosti reported citing the country's defence ministry. It is not clear how many people were in the fighter jet. "On October 17, 2022, a Su-34 aircraft crashed while climbing to perform a training flight from the military airfield of the Southern Military District," the ministry said in a statement to RIA. "According to the report of the ejected pilots, the cause of the plane crash was the ignition of one of the engines during take-off. At the site of the crash of the Su-34 in the courtyard of one of the residential quarters, the plane's fuel ignited." The area of the fire that started after the crash is 2,000 square meters, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations told RIA. The information about casualties in the area is being established, according to the ministry. Veniamin Kondratyev, the governor of the Krasnodar Krai region, is on his way to the city, he said in a statement on his Telegram channel. "Emergency services are already working on the spot -- all regional fire and rescue garrisons are engaged in extinguishing the fire," he added. The state media reported that another resident of the city specified that this residential building has nine floors. The entire house is on fire, according to the eyewitnesses, as quoted by TASS. Yeysk is located across the water from the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol. Earlier, at least four people were killed after Russia attacked the capital of Kyiv with Iranian-made "kamikaze" drones on Monday, according to Ukrainian officials, who repeated their calls for Western allies to supply Ukraine with more advanced air defence systems. Drones have played a significant role in the conflict since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, but their use has increased after Moscow acquired new drones from Iran over the summer. Iran on Monday once again denied supplying weapons to Russia in its war on Ukraine. The European Union's foreign policy chief said the bloc "will look for concrete evidence" on Iran's involvement in Moscow's military assault on Ukraine, and the Ukrainian foreign minister has called for sanctions against Iran. (ANI)
Post US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, China's rhetoric on the self-governing island has increased to an unprecedented level, visible by increased military exercises by China in the Taiwan Strait. One of the persistent myths propagated by the People's Republic of China (PRC) is that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted on October 25, 1971, automatically made Taiwan a part of the PRC, reported Global Strat View. This myth has been repeated most recently in the White Paper on Taiwan (Xinhua, August 10, 2022, The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era') released by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the State Council Information Office It is important to understand the original Resolution and its intent to appreciate the distortion and disinformation engaged in by the PRC to convince the world of its 'One China' policy. The latest White Paper cites the original Resolution adopted in 1971, which undertook "to restore all its rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all organizations related to it." China has thus taken the position that this Resolution "settled once and for all the political, legal and procedural issues of China's representation in the UN, and it covered the whole country, including Taiwan, reported Global Strat View. China's strategy, as will be seen, is two-fold. First, it distorts UN Resolution 2758 to prevent Taiwan from being recognized at the UN or its related bodies as an independent nation and, therefore, states, "Taiwan does not have any ground, or right to join the UN, or any other international organization whose membership is confined to sovereign states." Second, its universalization of the 'One China' principle in the context of Resolution 2758 has coincided with its increasing penetration of the UN system, permitting the PRC to get other organizations to accept its stand on Taiwan, reported Global Strat View. A March 2022 Report by Jessica Drun and Bonnie Glaser written for the German Marshall Fund contends that since the early 2000s, the PRC has undertaken a campaign to reinterpret UN Resolution 2758 as based on its 'One China' principle and spread the fallacy that, through the Resolution, UN member states came to a determination that Taiwan is a part of PRC. Significantly, PRC has gained the ability to influence the UN system in a manner as to able to exclude Taiwan from organizations under the UN, reported Global Strat View. This penetration of the UN system has been achieved through various means, including specialized funding schemes, signing of MoUs, and embedding PRC nationals across all levels of UN staff and outside it. While China has repeatedly claimed that there is international consensus to its claims on Taiwan, a closer look at UN Resolution 2758 shows that its language in no way gives effect the Chinese position. Crucially, the UN Resolution does not include the words "Republic of China" or "Taiwan." It merely alludes to the former vacating its UN seat, reported Global Strat View. China's strategy to equate UN Resolution 2758 with its One China Principle has been backed by secret agreements with relevant UN bodies to restrict Taiwan's access to UN buildings and by embedding Chinese nationals in various UN organizations. Several NGOs and civil society organizations have reported that China has restricted access to UN buildings if Taiwan is not recognized as a part of China on its websites and public dissemination materials, reported Global Strat View. (ANI)
One person has been taken to the hospital after a shooting in Dayton early Monday morning.

Crews were called to the 2000 block of Emerson Avenue on the report of a shooting victim around 1:35 a.m., according to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch.

>>1 taken to hospital after shooting in Springfield

The victim was taken to Miami Valley Hospital, and we are working to learn about their condition.

Further details are unavailable at this time.

We will update this story once we learn more.
Pedestrians wearing protective masks cross a road in front of Sunshine 60 Building on July 21, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images

Tokyo police responded to a 100-person fistfight at a restaurant in a Japanese skyscraper on Sunday.

The brawlers appeared to be gang members who booked out the restaurant, per Japanese media.

Police said they found broken bottles and glasses on the scene, per local media.

A massive fistfight involving around 100 people broke out at a French restaurant in Tokyo on Sunday evening, Japanese media reported.

The customers booked out the entirety of a contemporary French restaurant called Sunshine Cruise Cruise on the 58th floor of the Sunshine 60, a skyscraper in the Ikebukuro district, Kyodo News reported. The fight appeared to involve members of a gang called the Chinese Dragon, per Kyodo News, which cited an unnamed source linked to the investigation.

The 100 people had gathered to celebrate one of the gang members getting out of prison, the Asahi Shimbun reported, also citing an unnamed source.

Police were notified about the brawl at around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday after restaurant staff made an emergency call, per the Asahi Shimbun. Most of the diners involved in the brawl quickly left the premises, and it's unclear how many people remained when the Tokyo police arrived.

One man who remained at the restaurant was taken to hospital with a minor head injury, the Asahi Shimbun reported.

Videos posted to Twitter on Sunday showed a fleet of emergency vehicles arriving outside the Sunshine 60 skyscraper.

Some videos on Twitter also showed a crowd of policemen gathered outside the Sunshine Cruise Cruise restaurant.

A staff member at Sunshine Cruise Cruise who responded to a call from Insider said she was unable to confirm or comment on the incident, citing an ongoing police investigation.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police told Kyodo News that it found broken beer bottles and glasses at the restaurant and that it's investigating a case of suspected property damage. The Tokyo police department declined Insider's request for comment via Japan's Foreign Press Center.

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The Chinese Dragon gang maintains links to Japanese crime syndicates but is not considered an established criminal organization, per Kyodo News.

Its ranks are widely believed to consist of the descendants of Japanese orphans who were left in China during Japan's chaotic pullout from the country at the end of World War II. Many of these descendants later returned to Japan.

Read the original article on Insider
Apologies for the interruption in service last week - I came down with an awful case of flu. But dont worry - were back on track for your daily updates from Ukraine.

- Romeo

The $100,000 has been officially issued by Ukraines military intelligence service HUR, while a combination of Ukrainian officials and public figures have promised an additional $50,000 for his capture. Girkins wife, Myroslava Reginska, recently posted a picture of Girkin in uniform, sparking speculation that he has joined the war of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

During a Central Asia-Russia summit in Astana, the Kazakh capital, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon directed the criticism directly at the Russian dictator. Why do we have to beg (Russia to attend) some miserable forum in Tajikistan? he asked Putin. I ask you not to pursue a policy towards the Central Asian countries as (if they are) the former Soviet Union.

This package is mostly focused on ammunition for various weapons systems given to Ukraine, including HIMARS, but also contains 5,000 anti-tank weapons and 200 vehicles, as well as medical supplies.

During the annual Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer said that Beijing "doesnt share our values and undermines the rules-based international order. In response, Chinese Ambassador to Iceland He Rulong shot back that that statement was arrogant, though he was unable to fully articulate his objection to Bauers comment.

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According to French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, these anti-air batteries will be particularly useful in the fight against drones and against aerial bombardments. France currently has 12 of these systems, which it plans to upgrade to the modern Mamba systems. It did not specify how many Crotales would be supplied to Ukraine, though he noted that they would be ready to deploy in two months.

Enerhodar mayor Dmytro Orlov said that a number of children have been sent to the Russian city of Krasnodar Krai in southern Russia under the guise of a vacation trip. 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 comment came amidst days of controversy regarding the tech oligarchs statements on Ukraine, despite previously tweeting that he was ready to cut Ukraine off from Starlink access. However, it is not clear how much of Starlinks services are actually being compensated for by SpaceX  volunteers on the ground using the systems say that they have been paying the monthly connection costs out of pocket, though Musk claims that SpaceX had donated 25,000 terminals to the Ukrainian military.

Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said that the introduction of a price limit for Russian gas, which the EU is considering as part of sanctions in response to the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine and provoking an energy crisis, allegedly violates terms of contracts signed with European companies. As a result, Russia would have justification for a cessation of services. Similar threats were recently made over oil supplies, which are also subject to EU price caps due to sanctions.

In an interview with Radio NV, journalist Roman Tsymbalyuk spoke about the casualties taken by newly conscripted Russians, how Russian propaganda is dealing with these losses, and the fate that awaits the Russian dictator.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey, seemed like a dream house. Derek and Maria Broaddus purchased the home for nearly $1.4 million in 2014.

Already living in Westfield  which made Bloomberg's list of the 100 wealthiest towns in the U.S. in 2018, clocking in at 99th  this was an upgrade for the young family, as they explained in an interview in New York Magazine. Built in the Dutch Colonial Revival style, the house had six bedrooms, four bathrooms, four fireplaces and two porches.

Then, the letters came. Over the course of a year-and-a-half span, the family received at least four threatening letters from a figure that called himself or herself "The Watcher."

What was supposed to be the start of their new life was the start of something else: A series of lawsuits, investigations and yes, letters. The couple never moved in, instead selling the house in 2019.

Now, their story is the inspiration for a Netflix show created by Ryan Murphy and starring Bobby Cannavale and Naomi Watts as a fictional version of the Broadduses, Dean and Nora Brannock.

Here's what to know about the real Westfield home and what happened to it after the Broaddus' purchase.

The Broadduses never moved in to 657 Boulevard

Unlike in the show, in which the Brannock family moves into the house immediately, the Broadduses decided to complete renovations before moving in.

During this time, the family says they began to receive the ominous typed letters from an individual called The Watcher.

Who am I? the letter-writer wrote in the first note to the Broaddus family. There are hundreds and hundreds of cars that drive by 657 Boulevard each day. Maybe I am in one. Look at all the windows you can see from 657 Boulevard. Maybe I am in one.

As the months went on without the Broadduses, The Watcher expressed discontent with their absence: 657 Boulevard is anxious for you to move in.

The Broadduses rented out and later sold 657 Boulevard in 2019

Having sold their other home, the Broadduses continued to live with Marias mother in Westfield. They put the house back on the market in 2017, and when it didnt sell, decided to rent out the house.

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Speaking to NJ.com in 2017, the renter  who was identified only by the name Chris  said he responded to the ad for the home without ever reading about The Watcher.

Never followed it ... that is not my issue, the renter said.

The house was sold in 2019 at a loss of about $400,000. The real estate agent, Beth Sullivan of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, confirmed the purchase with TODAY at the time, saying the homeowners would like to remain anonymous.

What previous residents of 657 Boulevard said about the home

Prior to the Broaddus family moving in, the house  built in 1905  had over 100 years of residents, some notable: William H. Davies, the mayor of Westfield in the 1930s, once lived there.

Margaret Davis, who lived in the home from 1963 until her marriage in 1988, told N.J.com in 2015 that she was surprised by the Watcher headlines.

It sounds so bizarre, Davis said. We never had anything like this happen when we were there. We had a great time there.

A previous owner did receive a letter from the Watcher

The Broadduses bought the house from a couple named John and Andrea Woods, who moved in in 1990. The Broadduses say one of the letters from The Watcher mentioned them: I asked the Woods to bring me young blood and it looks like they listened.

Maria Broaddus reached out, per New York Magazine, and Andrea Woods told her they hadnt received a letter in their 23 years at the house  until days before moving out. Andrea said the letter seemed odd.

The Broadduses filed a civil lawsuit in 2015 against the Woods for not disclosing information about the letter, claiming that the couple was so desperate to sell the million dollar home they willfully failed to disclose  this disturbing letter.

The lawsuits three counts of fraud were dismissed by a Superior Court judge in 2017, per N.J.com, saying there was no evidence the Woods deliberately hid the letter.

The judge also dismissed all four counts in a counter claim filed by the Woods alleging the Broadduses were deliberately trying to smear their reputation through news stories.

But 'The Watcher' on Netflix is filmed in a different house

Dean and Nora Braddock's house is supposed to be Westfield, but it's actually filmed in Rye, N.Y.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Liz Woods and Ed "Big Ed" Brown during a recent episode of "90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?" TLC/Discovery Plus

Big Ed Brown broke off his engagement with Liz Woods after a heated argument.

In the most recent episode of "90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?," Ed accused Liz of being a lesbian.

Things then devolved, and Liz revealed that she left her engagement ring in the grass.

Ed "Big Ed" Brown called off his engagement with Liz Woods in the most recent episode of "90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?" after accusing Liz of being a lesbian.

The previous episode saw Ed and Liz get into a heated argument at their engagement party, and the altercation continued to play out this week.

Once Liz returned home (after storming out of the restaurant and later throwing her engagement ring in the grass), she accused Big Ed of being "insecure." Ed responded by asking Liz repeatedly about the nature of her relationship with an ex-coworker who showed up to the engagement party. Liz was adamant that there was never anything romantic between her and the other woman, but Ed seemed convinced that his fiancee was "hiding" a relationship from him, and said he couldn't "trust" her.

Ed then asked his fiancee point blank, "Are you a lesbian?"

"I have no physical attraction to any females," she replied.

Unfortunately for the couple, things continued to devolve (Liz told Ed that he was "not that attractive," and accused him of calling her "fat"), and during a tense exchange, Ed noticed that Liz's ring was missing.

"Where's the $13,000 ring I bought you?" he asked Liz, who responded: "Probably in a fucking bush."

After Ed said he hoped Liz was joking, the 29-year-old said she "100 percent" left the ring in the grass.

"You are dumb," the reality star told his fiancee, adding that he would rather Liz have pawned the ring and helped out her grandparents financially than thrown it into a bush.

Liz Woods and Ed "Big Ed" Brown. TLC

"That was a $13,000 ring that means nothing to her," Big Ed said in a subsequent confessional. "In this moment, I realize this is it. That's the icing on the cake. The ring in a symbol of, you know, our love. Even though she's mad, it's the worst possible thing she could have done."

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Ed went on to break things off with Liz, telling her: "You're not getting anything. You're out of my life."

But before she walked away, Liz told him, "I know that I'm innocent in this, and I'm sorry that you're insecure."

On the previous episode of "90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?," the couple got into a blowout fight at their engagement party, after Big Ed saw Liz's former coworker grab her arm during an argument the two women were having. Ed and Liz have had a tumultuous relationship after first meeting on the spinoff series "90 Day: The Single Life."

Big Ed previously starred on "90 Day Fiance: The Other Way" along with his then-girlfriend, a woman from the Philippines named Rose. As People noted, after Rose and Brown broke up, she reportedly entered into a relationship with another woman.

Though the latest episode of the TLC series appeared to show that Ed and Liz's relationship was through, it's unclear when the breakup scenes were filmed. Recent Instagram activity on Ed's account suggests the two have since reunited.

Read the original article on Insider
A prominent restaurateur has called out James Corden for abusive behavior toward wait staff and banned the comedian from his New York City establishment Balthazar.

Keith McNally, creator of the popular French restaurant and many others, wrote in an Instagram post on Monday that the Late Late Show host is a hugely gifted comedian, but a tiny cretin of a man. And the most abusive customer to my Balthazar servers since the restaurant opened 25 years ago.

McNally said it was rare for him to nix a customer, but he had banned Corden that day. He shared two examples of Cordens treatment of his staff and noted that the comedian had behaved similarly in another restaurant he previously owned, Cafe Luxembourg, several years ago.

In one instance, in June, the British comedian apparently found a hair in his food and after eating his main course, showed the hair to the manager  referenced as G  who was very apologetic.

Corden was extremely nasty to G, and said: Get us another round of drinks this second. And also take care of all of our drinks so far. This way I [dont] write any nasty reviews in yelp or anything like that, McNally wrote, citing a managers report.

On Oct. 9, Corden was at Balthazar with his wife, TV producer Julia Carey, for brunch, according to McNally. Carey ordered an egg yolk omelet with salad.

A few minutes after they received the food, James called their server, M. K. and told her there was a little bit of egg white mixed with the egg yolk, McNally said. M. K. informed the floor manager, G. The kitchen remade the dish but unfortunately sent it with home fries instead of salad.

Thats when James Corden began yelling like crazy to the server: You cant do your job! You cant do your job! Maybe I should go into the kitchen and cook the omelette myself! he wrote.

McNally said the server was apologetic and brought the floor manager, G, over to the table. G returned the dish and after that, everything was fine, he said, adding that G also offered them champagne glasses to smooth things out.

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G said that Corden was pleasant to him but nasty to the server, McNally wrote, adding that the server was very shaken.

A representative for Corden did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
The World Health Summit, a World Health Organization (WHO)-backed global health conference, is underway in Berlin, Germany.



The event, held from Oct. 16 to Oct. 18, is large and high profile. Around 400 speakers are listed on the official website, and among them are some of the worlds most prominent figures in global health. WHOs head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, and UNAIDS lead Winnie Byanyimia are expected to be in attendance. So are Bill Gates, Ayoade Alakija, who works on covid-19 access for the WHO, and Ahmed Ogwell Ouma (who goes by Ahmed Ogwell), the acting director of Africas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Read more

Except Ogwell almost didnt make it to Berlin. At Frankfurt airport, he noted on Twitter, he was mistreated.. by immigration personnel who imagine I want to stay back illegally. His attendance at the summitwhich is supposed to advance global health, with a specific focus of low-income countrieswas in doubt. Im happier & safer back home in Africa. They invite you then mistreat you, he wrote. Visas, he reflected, are like health emergencies and vaccinations: They leave Africa behind.

Zero visa problems with speakers.

Ogwell was eventually able to enter Germany, and check into the conferences hotel in Berlin, according to Daniela Levy, a spokesperson for the summit, who said the organization only learned of the issues faced by Ogwell via Twitter. [W]e had zero visa problems with speakers, she added.

But the experience of some of the actual speakers or attendees might be different.Ultimately these incidences dont just happen to Dr. Ogwell. I too was asked whether I had a return ticket and implied that I would stay illegally in Germanyand these incidences happen very often to Black and brown people when traveling in Europe, says Fifa Rahman of Matahari Global Solutions, a global health nonprofit. At the end of the day, no matter how many degrees we get or how prominent we become in global health, we are often disrespected at borders due to our skin color, and it does become a deterrent to us participating in these spaces, she added.

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Although many of the issues they focus on target countries in the so-called global south, international health conferences are overwhelmingly held in high-income countries, where delegates from Africa or Asia often face significant attendance barriers, both practical and psychological. Visa issuance does not protect you from further subjection to indignity when you get to immigration. You may have a visa, but get there and just the way you are interrogated is dehumanizing and demeaning and undignified, says says Nadia Sam-Agudu, a professor of pediatrics in the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Beyond the cost of travel and accommodation, visas are often burdensome to obtain and expensive, even for those who manage to get them. Many visas are often denied or delayed, often leading to extra expenses to change tickets and other reservations.

We keep hosting global health meetings in visa hostile countries, says Madhukar Pai, the director of McGill Universitys global health programs. Pai is outspoken in highlighting the power inequalities reflected by global health conferences and those who get to attend, and has frequently denounced the elitism of the field.

A legacy of colonialism

Most of the people attending are from high income countries. They might be working in African countries, but they are from high income countries, says Sam-Agudu, who holds an American passport, but says she has witnessed many colleagues from low-income countries being mistreated in the immigration process. You have people not able to show up to present their work. They are not able to show up to collect the awards. They have to present virtually because they didnt get a visa, she says.

A look at the World Health Summits speakers list shows exactly this kind of imbalance. Speakers and participants are from every region of the world and from every sector, says Levy. We have a strong participation from the global south including high profile speakers charting the narrative on public health and inclusivity. Everyones voice matters and we are mindful that discussions arent one-sided.



Yet out of the 400 speakers listed, nearly 200 come from Germany, the US, Switzerland, and the UK, and another 50 belong to international organizations. Only 39 speakers come from African countries, and fewer than 20 from Asia. This is the norm for a global development conference, and the difficulty in traveling to the locations where such gatherings are held doesnt help.

Changing the locations where these events are held could improve diversity in attendance, a conferences held in poor countries often take ease of travel for attendants into account, says Sam-Agudu, who is on the board of five health conferences, including three AIDS-focused gatherings based in Africa. Yet this change would fundamentally reshape the power dynamics, and arguably the whole system, of global health. Historically, we have to say, some of these global health conference and some of the oldest international health and tropical medicine organizations were not established necessarily to serve the interests of the people among whom the work was done, she says.

Still, there is an understanding that in many cases the infrastructure of the global south doesnt meet the standards required by high-level meetings, and that gathering in the rich centers of the world is inevitable. But the question is to whose standards do these conference cater? There are many global south countries which can host big conferences and are safe and more importantly will enable meaningful participation of global south experts without being disrespected at borders, says Matahari Global Solutions Rahman

If international organizations want to embrace the principles of global health, says Sam-Agudu, they have to reconsider the way they organize their meetings, and the venues of their conferences. If the organizing committees are not prepared to work on the inequity of simply attending conferences, she asks, how much more do you think they can work on inequity of health systems?
By selling US$660k worth of American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) stock at an average sell price of US$236 over the last year, insiders seemed to have made the most of their holdings. The company's market worth decreased by US$4.1b over the past week after the stock price dropped 4.5%, although insiders were able to minimize their losses

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

See our latest analysis for American Tower

American Tower Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider sale was by the Senior VP & Chief Accounting Officer, Robert Meyer, for US$660k worth of shares, at about US$236 per share. We generally don't like to see insider selling, but the lower the sale price, the more it concerns us. It's of some comfort that this sale was conducted at a price well above the current share price, which is US$186. So it may not tell us anything about how insiders feel about the current share price. Robert Meyer was the only individual insider to sell shares in the last twelve months.

You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

If you like to buy stocks that insiders are buying, rather than selling, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Insider Ownership

Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. American Tower insiders own 0.3% of the company, currently worth about US$265m based on the recent share price. I like to see this level of insider ownership, because it increases the chances that management are thinking about the best interests of shareholders.

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So What Does This Data Suggest About American Tower Insiders?

It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded American Tower shares in the last quarter. It's heartening that insiders own plenty of stock, but we'd like to see more insider buying, since the last year of American Tower insider transactions don't fill us with confidence. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. To help with this, we've discovered 2 warning signs (1 can't be ignored!) that you ought to be aware of before buying any shares in American Tower.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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By Tatiana Bautzer

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Both candidates in Brazil's presidential runoff election this month have offered relief for unpaid debts weighing on family finances and hurting economic growth.

But economists and bankers say their solutions are minor band-aids compared to the impact of overextended consumers on Brazil's economy  and lenders themselves are finding new ways to renegotiate delinquent debts and lift that overhang from credit markets.

With nearly 70 million Brazilians blacklisted by credit agency Serasa, owing 290 billion reais ($54.4 billion), debt relief is smart politics in a closely fought presidential campaign, ahead of an Oct. 30 runoff vote. Once a customer is behind on any loan or payment, creditors can request restrictions on their credit profile if efforts to get payment failed.

Leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who narrowly led the first-round vote, is proposing government-backed renegotiation of consumer debts. Advisers say he would focus first on 95 billion reais of unpaid bills accumulated by families earning up to 3,600 reais ($676) per month. Later steps would focus on incentives to restructure bank debt, for this population.

Looking to steal his thunder, right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro announced a program offering a sharp discount on bank debts. But the scope is far more modest, applying to some 4 million borrowers from state bank Caixa Economica Federal, which estimated about 1 billion reais of restructuring.

"It will not change much," said Eduardo Martins, partner at consumer credit restructuring firm MGC Crediativos, which estimates Brazil's total volume of non-performing loans around 1 trillion reais, including bank debt, retail credit, telecom bills and utilities.

Martins was also skeptical of how easily Lula could get lenders to the negotiating table: "Any plan should take into consideration that 60% of the debt was already sold onto other investors, so incentives given to banks would be useless."

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Brazil's secondary market for non-performing loans has grown dramatically in recent years, as the central bank has changed how it requires that lenders' provision for losses and asset managers have grown more interested in the segment.

They have also had more to work with, as a downturn during the pandemic, followed by high inflation and aggressive interest rate hikes have begun to push up delinquency rates and put more families on Serasa's blacklist.

Fabio Mentone, formerly an executive at bank deposit guarantor FGC, said restructuring consumer debt is important, but will have limited effect if Brazil cannot improve the underlying economic conditions, including high inflation, unemployment and borrowing costs.

"If you just solve the credit problem now but interest rates stay high, you will have the same problem in a short period of time," he said.

MARKETS KEEP BUSY

For its part, the private sector is already divvying up and discounting the bulge of bad credit portfolios with specialized firms offering discounts of more than 90% for the older credit in arrears. The original creditors, which frequently write off the debts entirely, are wary of offering such terms directly to borrowers for fear that other clients stop paying.

Restructuring firm Pantalica Partners estimates that about 115 billion reais in non-performing loans have been sold on Brazil's secondary market this year alone - up nearly five-fold from 2019.

Most of the volume is related to loan portfolio sales by Brazil's largest retail banks, utilities and retailers. Around 37 billion are sales of defaulted corporate debt of single companies, such as bonds.

Among the largest acquirers of portfolios this year are asset managers and credit management companies such as Jive, SPC, Cerberus, BRD, Quimera and Quadra. Intrum, one of Europe's largest credit managers, also opened a subsidiary in Brazil in 2020. Higher interest rates are expected to increase delinquency in loans and grow the total pool of distressed assets.

The largest banks also own credit management companies to restructure overdue debt, such as Recovery (owned by Itau Unibanco Holding SA), Return (Banco Santander Brasil) and RCB Investimentos (controlled by Banco Bradesco SA).

Since the pandemic, many overburdened borrowers have been using dedicated websites to pay their debts off at a discount without needing to negotiate with representatives of the creditors. All companies specialized in credit recovery such as Crediativos, have their websites with offerings to borrowers.

Of total debt renegotiations in Crediativos since the pandemic, for example, around 70% have been made through the website. A smaller portion of clients use call centers.

Most of the debts that lead Serasa to "blacklist" Brazilian consumers are relatively small - the average value at Serasa is 1,215 reais ($228) and are usually not refinanced, but paid off with a steep one-time discount. Delinquencies in larger loans such as mortgages is dealt with in a different way, since these loans usually have collateral.

One large non-performing loan auction is slated to be held in the coming weeks by Emgea, a non-financial company controlled by Caixa Economica Federal that owns around 60 billion reais in credit with individuals and companies, usually with some collateral. Most of the credit is long overdue, with some in arrears for more than 20 years. The sale is unrelated to the Caixa program announced for small borrowers by Bolsonaro.

Samuel Oliveira, founder at advisory firm Northstone, said large international investors in distressed credit are looking at Emgea assets and increasing purchases of Brazilian portfolios. Unlike previous cycles of high interest rates, Brazilian families have higher debt. Debt levels reached records in August, with around 80% of families using credit, according to industry data. Debt volume also increased. Mortgages, for example, that represented 4% of GDP in 2010, reached 10% of GDP last year.

($1 = 5.3284 reais)

(Reporting by Tatiana Bautzer; Editing by Brad Haynes and Nick Zieminski)
By Guy Faulconbridge

LONDON (Reuters) - The United States has said the world faces the gravest nuclear danger since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis because of remarks by Russian leader Vladimir Putin during the Ukraine conflict, but Moscow says its position has been misinterpreted.

Kyiv and its Western allies fear tactical nuclear weapons could be used in battle after Putin and others warned Russia was prepared to use all its vast arsenal in defence.

WHAT ARE TACTICAL NUCLEAR WEAPONS?

Academics and arms control negotiators have spent years arguing about how to define tactical nuclear weapons (TNW). The clue is in the name: they are nuclear weapons used for specific tactical gains on the battlefield, rather than, say, destroying the biggest cities of the United States or Russia.

Few people know exactly how many TNW Russia has because it is an area still shrouded in traditions of Cold War secrecy.

Clearly, however, Russia has a huge numerical superiority over the United States and the transatlantic NATO military alliance when it comes to TNW: the United States believes Russia has around 2,000 such working tactical warheads, 10 times more than Washington.

These warheads can be delivered via a variety of missiles, torpedoes and gravity bombs from naval, air or ground forces. They could even be simply driven into an area and detonated.

The United States has around 200 such weapons, half of which are at bases in Europe. These 12-ft B61 nuclear bombs, with different yields of 0.3 to 170 kilotons, are deployed at six air bases across Italy, Germany, Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The atomic bomb dropped by the United States on the Japanese city of Hiroshima in 1945 was about 15 kilotons.

WHO GIVES THE RUSSIAN LAUNCH ORDER?

The president is the ultimate decision maker when it comes to using Russian nuclear weapons, both strategic and non-strategic, according to Russia's nuclear doctrine.

The so-called nuclear briefcase, or "Cheget" (named after Mount Cheget in the Caucasus Mountains), is with the president at all times. The Russian defence minister, currently Sergei Shoigu, and the chief of the general staff, currently Valery Gerasimov, are also thought to have such briefcases.

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Essentially, the briefcase is a communication tool which links the president to his military top brass and thence to rocket forces via the highly secret "Kazbek" electronic command-and-control network. Kazbek supports another system known as "Kavkaz".

Footage shown by Russia's Zvezda television channel in 2019 showed what it said was one of the briefcases with an array of buttons. In a section called "command" there are two buttons: a white "launch" button and a red "cancel" button. The briefcase is activated by a special flashcard, according to Zvezda.

If Russia thought it faced a strategic nuclear attack, the president, via the briefcases, would send a direct launch order to general staff command and reserve command units which hold nuclear codes. Such orders cascade swiftly down different communications systems to strategic rocket force units which then fire at the United States and Europe.

If a nuclear attack were confirmed, Putin could activate the so-called "Dead Hand" or "Perimetr" system of last resort: essentially computers would decide doomsday. A control rocket would order nuclear strikes from across Russia's vast armoury.

HOW WOULD A TNW ORDER WORK?

The procedure for ordering a TNW strike is thought to be similar to that of a strategic launch but there are key differences and much is unknown due to the intense secrecy of nuclear command procedures.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Russia had around 22,000 TNWs while the United States had around 11,500. Most of these weapons have been dismantled or are waiting to be dismantled.

The ones that remain are stored in at least 30 military bases and silos under the control of the 12th Main Directorate of the defence ministry (12th GUMO) headed by Igor Kolesnikov, who reports directly to the defence minister.

To prepare a TNW strike, it is likely that Putin would consult with senior allies from the Russian Security Council before ordering, via the general staff, that a warhead be joined with a delivery vehicle and prepared for a potential launch order.

These steps could be picked up by Western intelligence, as would unusual Russian troop movements away from any potential target in Ukraine or change to Russia's nuclear posture.

"I think Putin would signal and would want us to see that he was moving towards nuclear weapons because he would like to get whatever he wants for free," said Jeffrey Lewis, an arms control expert at The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

"If you are going to use a nuclear weapon to send a very costly signal, the first thing you do is say: You know what I am going to do, right?. And then you might get what you are asking for and if you dont then you go through with it."

Because Putin could not predict the U.S. response, Russia's entire nuclear posture would change: submarines would go to sea, missile forces would be put on full alert and strategic bombers would be visible at bases, ready for immediate takeoff.

Then, at his leisure, Putin could use his nuclear briefcase to give, or not to give, a launch order.

"You can imagine that Putin might want to have a slow process so that Ukraine and West would sweat as they watched the preparations," said Hans Kristensen, director of the nuclear information project at the Federation of American Scientists.

COULD ANYONE SAY 'NO'?

Much depends on the Russian military, which is seeped in Soviet traditions and reports ultimately to the president who is also the supreme commander-in-chief.

"The Russian system, in reality, also has checks in it, but it's not an official description of it, of course, because Putin has the authority and the assumption is that the military obeys his command - whether or not they'll do it is another matter," said Kristensen.

"You can easily imagine a scenario where Putin decides to do something really crazy with nuclear weapons in Ukraine or elsewhere, and the Russian military just says: you know we don't agree with this, this is not necessary and would make things worse for Russia. And you would then have this situation really of what amounts to a nuclear mutiny in essence."

In a scary precedent, just past midnight on Sept. 26 1983, the Soviet Union's warning system detected what it thought was five U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile launches against Russia. The computers said the United States had begun a nuclear war.

But Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov, a 44-year-old in a secret bunker south of Moscow, decided it was a mistake. He was later interrogated for his actions, which almost certainly avoided a nuclear war.

Others are less sure that a Putin command could be defied.

I think it would be unwise to count on that because the people who are selected for these positions are picked in part because they are assessed to be loyal and reliable," said Lewis.

"So if you're the kind of person who walks around, who has you know a rep' as being a real independent thinker, they are not going to let you anywhere near nuclear weapons."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
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 the harsh reality is that very many loss making companies burn through all their cash and go bankrupt.

Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether ANGLE (LON:AGL) shareholders should be worried about its 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. We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway.

Check out our latest analysis for ANGLE

How Long Is ANGLE's 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 June 2022, ANGLE had UK20m in cash, and was debt-free. In the last year, its cash burn was UK19m. Therefore, from June 2022 it had roughly 13 months of cash runway. 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. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Is ANGLE's Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

In the last year, ANGLE did book revenue of UK1.1m, but its revenue from operations was less, at just UK1.1m. We don't think that's enough operating revenue for us to understand too much from revenue growth rates, since the company is growing off a low base. So we'll focus on the cash burn, today. During the last twelve months, its cash burn actually ramped up 78%. While this spending increase is no doubt intended to drive growth, if the trend continues the company's cash runway will shrink very quickly. While the past is always worth studying, it is the future that matters most of all. For that reason, it makes a lot of sense to take a look at our analyst forecasts for the company.

Can ANGLE Raise More Cash Easily?

Given its cash burn trajectory, ANGLE shareholders may wish to consider how easily it could raise more cash, despite its solid cash runway. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. 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.

ANGLE has a market capitalisation of UK141m and burnt through UK19m last year, which is 14% of the company's market value. Given that situation, it's fair to say the company wouldn't have much trouble raising more cash for growth, but shareholders would be somewhat diluted.

Is ANGLE's Cash Burn A Worry?

Even though its increasing cash burn makes us a little nervous, we are compelled to mention that we thought ANGLE's cash burn relative to its market cap was relatively promising. Even though we don't think it has a problem with its cash burn, the analysis we've done in this article does suggest that shareholders should give some careful thought to the potential cost of raising more money in the future. On another note, ANGLE has 4 warning signs (and 1 which can't be ignored) we think you should know about.

Of course ANGLE may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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US-POLITICS-BIDEN-EDUCATION-DEBT

President Joe Biden delivers remarks about the launch of the application for student debt relief in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 17, 2022. Credit - Brendan Smialowski/AFPGetty Images

The Biden Administrations application for student debt relief officially launched on Monday, days after the Education Department published a beta version, beginning the process of providing student debt relief to about 40 million borrowers.

Borrowers can now apply for up to $20,000 in student loan reliefanytime before Dec. 31, 2023. The more than 8 million borrowers who already applied during the beta launch do not need to reapply to be considered.

Well determine your eligibility and will contact you if we need more information, the federal student aid site states. Your loan servicer will notify you when your relief has been processed.

The Student Loan Debt Relief application is open!



Apply now and encourage others to take advantage of this relief. https://t.co/xxWb0YFvkM pic.twitter.com/fwU31z4aDD  The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 17, 2022

The application launch comes as the debt-forgiveness program faces several legal challenges, including lawsuits from a conservative legal organization and Republican-led states. It is also just a few weeks before the midterm elections that could undo Democrats narrow majority in Congress.

President Biden acknowledged the lawsuits in remarks on Monday, but said he doesnt expect them to get in the way of debt relief.

Who can apply for student loan forgiveness?

People who make less than $125,000 per year, or families who make less than $250,000 per year, are eligible for up to $10,000 in loan forgiveness. Borrowers who meet those same income requirements and attended college with Pell Grants, designed to help low-income students, are eligible for up to $20,000 in forgiveness.

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The income requirement is based on a persons adjusted gross income, which is usually lower than their total income. A persons adjusted gross income can be found on line 11 of the IRS Form 1040 in their federal income tax filings from 2020 or 2021.

What details do I need in order to apply?

The brief application asks borrowers for their name, social security number, birthday, and contact information. No further documentation is required, but borrowers are asked to certify under penalty of perjury that they meet the eligibility requirements for the debt forgiveness program. The Education Department could request proof of income later.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona previously said borrowers could expect to see relief four to six weeks after completing the application, and he encouraged them to fill out the application by Nov. 15 in order to receive relief before the pandemic-related pause on student loan repayment ends.

This is a game-changer for millions of Americans, Biden said in remarks on Monday, calling the application launch a step toward making education a ticket to the middle class that folks can actually afford.
An Army reserve officer told New York media this week that he deliberately released a pornographic film as part of his congressional campaign.

Maj. Mike Itkis, who is running as an independent against Democratic incumbent Rep. Jerry Nadler for New Yorks 12th Congressional District, posted a 13-minute video of himself having sex with adult film star Nicole Sage.

The self-proclaimed sex-positive soldier has served in the Army Reserve since 2009. He is currently assigned to the 335th Theater Signal Command out of Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst in New Jersey, according to records obtained by Army Times.

According to his campaign site, Itkis is running on a platform that includes decriminalizing sex work and ending adultery laws.

Itkis told the City & State that the film was a conversation piece.

If I would just talk about it, it wouldnt demonstrate my commitment to the issue, Itkis told City & State. And the fact I actually did it was a huge learning experience, and it actually influenced items on my platform.

At the time of this writing, Itkis has not yet responded to a request for comment. The Army Reserve, however, is aware of the situation and looking into it, though as long as Itkis was not on orders when the film was made, hes probably in the clear.

It is difficult for the Defense Department to punish part-time troops for off-duty conduct.

The Army Reserve is aware of the allegations and is conducting an investigation, Army Reserve spokesman Lt. Col. Addie Leonhardt told Army Times.

Under the Privacy Act, the Army Reserve cannot comment on individuals under investigation or investigation findings, Leonhardt said. The Army Reserve is committed to upholding good order and discipline within its ranks.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. Army will roll out a contract worth as much as $1 billion this fiscal year to spur the services migration to cloud-based computing.

The multi-award, multi-vendor Enterprise Application Migration and Modernization deal, or EAMM, is expected to kick off in the second or third quarter, according to Chief Information Officer Raj Iyer. The contract is meant to make it easier and cheaper to advance the Armys comprehensive cloud goals, including rapid software development, data-driven decision making and zero-trust cybersecurity.

This is going to become the easy button for the Army to actually move to the cloud, Iyer told reporters Oct. 11 at the Association of the U.S. Army annual conference.

Army IT leader pledges quicker cloud uptake in year of action

Right now, whats happening is even when we have commands that want to move to the cloud, today there is not one contract that they can go to, he said. So they are doing a lot of shopping. Theyve got to go to multiple contracting centers to go find the right vehicle, and then when they go there, it takes them nine months before they actually get on contract.

That timeline is too long and that process too clunky, Iyer said. Under EAMM, the intent is to slash the time it takes to award task orders to four weeks.

Iyers office will spearhead the effort alongside the Armys Enterprise Cloud Management Agency, which provides oversight for all of the services cloud processes and activities. The agency is led by Paul Puckett.

Its no longer just telling the commands, Hey, you got to go figure it out, Iyer said. Were really kind of holding their hand to help them migrate their applications in the cloud, all the way from architecting it, working through migrating the data, the contract vehicle, and so on.

The Army considers cloud migration and widespread, secure use foundational to the grander modernization of its networks, computers and collaboration. The Armys updated cloud plan was unveiled this month, weeks after the services top uniformed information technology official, Lt. Gen. John Morrison, described the coming year as one of action and acceleration and much more rapid movement to the cloud.

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The Army requested $16.6 billion in cyber and IT funding for fiscal 2023, which started Oct. 1, or more than 9% of the services $178 billion budget blueprint. Hundreds of millions, officials said, would be invested in cloud.

U.S Army Chief Information Officer Raj Iyer speaks to the audience at the Cyber Security Summit in July 2022. (Michele Wiencek/U.S. Army)

2023 is the big year for us, Iyer said. Were going to be scaling a lot of the efforts we initiated in 22.

The EAMM contract will coexist with the prospective Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability, or JWCC, the Department of Defenses $9 billion follow-up to the failed Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure arrangement, or JEDI.

Defense officials anticipate awarding JWCC by the end of the year. Selections were previously expected in April, but an unexpectedly hefty workload slowed the process.

JWCC will be an avenue for the DoD to actually procure, compute and store directly from the cloud service providers, like the Amazons and the Googles of the world, Iyer said. What EAMM does is its the vehicle to actually modernize your application, get it to be cloud native, and then migrate to the cloud, right? Youre going to need both.

With reporting by Molly Weisner.
TOKYO (AP)  A former Japanese soldier who suffered sexual harassment while serving in the army said Monday she has accepted apologies from four servicemen in a groundbreaking case that prompted a Defense Ministry-wide investigation into growing reports of assaults in the military.

Rina Gonoi told reporters that the four assailants, who were her superiors in the army, met with her separately and apologized for the pain that caused her to give up her military career. She said some admitted that they had sexually harassed other female soldiers as well.

The four men told her they planned to resign from the army to take responsibility, she said. They gave her handwritten letters of apology which she read in a televised news conference. The assailants did not attend and she did not disclose their names or ranks, saying that their families also were victims and she didnt want them to suffer.

When the men met with her, "I was a bit scared, but I kept up my spirit and stood face-to-face with them, because accepting an apology in person was one of my goals after seeing the truth being denied, she said.

Gonoi filed a sexual harassment case with the Defense Ministry last year, saying she had suffered multiple assaults by male colleagues. In one incident, several senior male colleagues pressed the lower part of their bodies against her in a dorm at a training ground in August 2021, forcing her to spread her legs, as more than 10 other male colleagues watched and laughed, but none tried to stop them, she said.

She said the investigation into her case was improperly conducted and local prosecutors dropped it in May. A month later, she quit the army and disclosed her allegations on social media.

Gonoi submitted a petition signed by more than 100,000 people to the Defense Ministry in August seeking a reinvestigation of her allegations by a third party.

She also said that she had received information about dozens of other servicemembers who had been harassed while on duty, as well as from parents who were worried about the safety of their daughters in the military.

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In a rare admission of sexual harassment in the military, army chief Yoshihide Yoshida apologized to Gonoi in September.

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada also ordered a ministry-wide investigation into sexual assault following her allegations.

The ministry said complaints of various types of harassment have increased nearly 10-fold over the past five years.

It sent investigators to the regional army division overseeing the unit where Gonoi served. They found more victims in other cases, and are expected to issue their final report within weeks.

In a country where gender inequality remains high, sexual harassment is often disregarded and the #MeToo movement has been slow to catch on. But Japanese women have slowly begun to speak up, though many still suffer silently.

Gonoi said she went public because she wanted to help others who cannot raise their voices, and is happy to help the Defense Ministry create an environment in which there is less harassment and victims don't need to quit their careers.

Despite the mens apologies, the scars I have suffered will stay with me the rest of my life, she said. Now I want to regain my own life, not as a victim, but as someone who can make other people smile and who can do something for others.
Rob Velez and Zofia Fenyrch with their two daughters, 2-year-old Bathsheba and 3-month-old Dorothea. Courtesy of Rob Velez

Baby Dorothea Velez had a 10% chance of surviving her birth and complex heart surgery.

Her parents refused to listen to doctors who told them there was no hope.

Dorothea, now 3 months old, is thriving, but she needs a second life-saving surgery in a few months.

When Zofia Fenyrch was pregnant with her second child  a girl with a rare and complex heart defect named Dorothea  she and her husband, Rob Velez, hoped to increase their baby's chances of survival through fetal intervention.

The couple told Insider their story in April while they tried to raise $3.25 million to cover the cost of the in-utero surgery that only a leading cardiologist in Houston, Texas, could perform.

They fell short of their financial goal. It meant that Dorothea, whom they said doctors had suggested they terminate, would have a less-than-10% survival rate at birth.

She had hypoplastic left-heart syndrome  a condition that occurs when the left side of the organ is chronically under-developed. In her case, the prognosis was worse because her condition came with an "intact atrial septum," meaning there was no hole in the upper chambers of her heart. It meant that blood couldn't return from her lungs to her already compromised heart, causing backup and subsequent damage.

Dorothea was safely born via C-section but has faced severe health challenges ever since

A paper published by the Journal of the American Heart Association described the combination of the two conditions as "highly lethal."

Fenyrch and Velez said that it felt like a miracle when Dorothea beat the odds and was safely delivered by C-section on July 7, 2022. "We always hung onto hope. There was fear, but faith and hope dominated because we'd loved her and fought for her for so long," Fenyrch said.

Zofia Fenyrch told Insider that she'd never give up on Dorothea. Courtesy of Rob Velez

However, she said that they needed to cling to that hope "even harder" because Dorothea faced a second challenge  a surgery with a similarly low rate of survival to that of her birth.

Fenyrch, who is from Brighton, England, said that medical staff told her even if Dorothea survived the surgery, which doctors needed to perform during her first week of life, there would be "neurological complications."

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Velez said they were "strongly pushed to decide on palliative care."

But, he said, they refused to give up on Dorothea. Velez said that they managed to find possibly the only surgeon in the UK who was willing to carry out the procedure. The consultant who agreed to take on their case was Guido Michielon, a lead congenital surgeon at Royal Brompton Hospital. Michielon told Insider that the "complex anatomy" of Dorothea's heart meant the operation was "highly likely to be unsuccessful."

Dorothea's parents refused to give up on their baby as she fought to survive

Fenyrch described the upcoming surgery as "altering the plumbing" of Dorothea's heart so that her blood could circulate more efficiently. She said that Michielon told her that he was motivated by the knowledge that she and Velez "had already come so far with Dorothea and were determined that she would live."

"I told him that I wanted her to know that we did everything we could in our power to help save her," she said.

But the parents hit a roadblock. They said that two days before the planned surgery, the hospital canceled the procedure. The couple said that the administration told them the chances of Dorothea surviving the surgery were too low.

"It felt like they cut our wings off," Fenyrch said.

The couple, who have another daughter, 2-year-old Bathsheba, hired a human-rights lawyer. "We were devastated, but we were determined to continue our fight. We started bombarding the hospital with personal and legal letters," Velez said.

He said that the strategy worked. Michelion was able to perform the surgery on Dorothea when she was almost a week old. The surgeon told Insider that it was an all-day procedure.

He said that, to the surprise of many of his colleagues, the baby pulled through and appeared to be stable.

However, Michelion said, Dorothea had a sudden drop in blood pressure after she was transferred to the pediatric intensive-care unit. She went into cardiac arrest and medical staff performed CPR.

It took more than an hour for doctors and nurses to restore Dorothea's heartbeat after she went into cardiac arrest

"They turned on the alarms, and it was scary sounding," Fenyrch said.

The 41-year-old, who, like her husband, is Catholic, said that they had to wait in a separate room while the hospital staff worked on their newborn. "We thought, 'God, if the six days we've had with Dorothea are all you can give us, then we are thankful for the time we had together,'" Fenyrch said.

To their relief, she said, a nurse later told them that the CPR  which had lasted more than an hour  had been successful. Dorothea was placed on an ECMO machine, which temporarily took over the function of her heart and lungs by oxygenating blood outside her body.

Bathsheba Fenyrch-Velez, 2, visits her baby sister, Dorothea, 3 months, at the hospital. Courtesy of Rob Velez

"It was a scary sight because she was swollen with an open heart and dozens of tubes and drains in her body," Velez said. "But we looked beyond all that because our miracle was still happening and she was alive."

Dorothea experienced a series of complications. "We were told there were potential horrific outcomes including brain death," Fenyrch said. She said that a nurse told her to have Dorothea's sister and half-brother, Cyprian, visit. "She said that it might be their only memory of her," Fenrych added.

The baby needs to have another round of heart surgery when she reaches 6 months old

But Dorothea battled on. She was moved from the PICU to the high-dependency ward at the end of August. A recent MRI proved that, despite the risky surgery and her cardiac arrest, she'd suffered no brain damage.

"She smiles all the time," Fenyrch said. "She's an amazing and smart little girl."

Dorothea needs to have a second reconstruction of the heart, known as the Glenn procedure, in three months' time to further improve the flow of blood to her lungs. But, as Michelion pointed out, Dorothea's case remains more complex than most others.

"It's not going to be a straightforward procedure," Michelion, one of a handful of surgeons in the world who are skilled enough to perform the intricate surgery on Dorothea, said.

Baby Dorothea Fenrych-Velez has beaten the odds during her 3 months of life. Courtesy of Rob Velez

Fenyrch and Velez must clear another hurdle on their daughter's behalf. Michelion will shortly leave the Royal Brompton Hospital to work at a hospital in Genoa, Italy. The only way that Dorothea can achieve continuity of care  and the highest rate of survival  is to have her second surgery there.

Velez, who has set up a fund to raise money for the latest step, said that the medical and travel costs are expected to reach more than $100,000.

"We've come so far and we will keep fighting for Dorothea," the father said. He noted that the family sings "Happy Birthday" to the baby every morning to celebrate her new day of life.

Meanwhile, Michelion said that Dorothea's "miracle" is "not just the work of science."

"It's got a lot to do with love," the surgeon said.

Read the original article on Insider
A school custodian accused of secretly filming people in restrooms in Vancouver Washington, for nearly a decade has had bail set at $500,000.

The Columbian reports 38-year-old James Mattson was booked into the Clark County Jail Thursday on suspicion of 137 counts of voyeurism. His bail was set Friday in Clark County Superior Court.

Vancouver Public Schools said that Mattson is on unpaid leave pending dismissal proceedings.

Senior Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Vu said investigators seized computers, cellphones, and other devices from Mattsons Hazel Dell house.

Mattsons attorney Erin McAleer said he thinks prosecutors requesting $500,000 bail should shock the courts conscience as the allegations are nonviolent.

More news from KIRO 7

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The Baker administration took meaningful steps Friday towards sending nearly $3 billion in excess state revenue back to taxpayers, officially repealing the regulation that governed how taxpayers obtained a credit the only other time that Chapter 62F came into play, in 1987, and releasing a technical document spelling out exactly how the process will work this year.

About 3.6 million Bay Staters are expected to get back a piece of $2.941 billion that state government is required to return after it collected more in taxes last year than a 1986 voter law known as Chapter 62F allows. Auditor Suzanne Bump certified that amount last month and the Baker administration said it planned to return the money via mailed checks or direct deposits, likely starting in November. To be eligible, a taxpayer must have filed a 2021 state tax return by Monday.

The revelation that the mostly-forgotten law would come into play and trim the size of the historic surplus that Beacon Hill could carve up paralyzed legislative Democrats, who have still not been able to come together around any path forward on the massive economic development bill that they prioritized earlier this year.

But while Chapter 62Fs nearly $3 billion impact was not clear until late July, the Department of Revenue began the process of repealing the obsolete regulation that guided 62F distributions in April when it posted notice of a May hearing on the little-known rules.

On Friday, DOR sent a notice saying that the regulation had officially been repealed because it is out-of-date.

The Baker administration told the New Service in August that it got no public comments on its plan to repeal the regulation (830 CMR 62F.6.1) stemming from the May hearing.

The regulation that was repealed described a process under which a taxpayer may claim an excess revenue credit toward personal income tax liability for the current taxable year equal to the taxpayers personal income tax liability for the previous taxable year multiplied by the excess revenue percentage.

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But with nearly $3 billion due back to taxpayers instead of less than $30 million in 1987, Baker has said he wants the money to go out as rebate checks in the coming weeks rather than as a credit on next years taxes.

To that end, DOR later on Friday also published a technical information release that explains how the agency plans to handle the excess revenue credit any time that the auditor certifies that the state collected more than the Chapter 62F cap allows. The document makes clear that it begins with the credits required to be issued for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

First, DOR will calculate the excess revenue percentage that will be used to calculate the amount of a taxpayers excess revenue credit by dividing the excess state tax revenues determined by the State Auditor for the previous fiscal year by the estimated total personal income tax revenues received by the Commonwealth in the current calendar year in payment of personal income tax liabilities incurred for the previous taxable year. DOR said that will happen after the deadline to file an eligible return, which is Monday.

Next, DOR will multiply the liability as reported on a taxpayers personal income tax return (after being reduced by any credits) by the excess revenue percentage to calculate the taxpayers excess revenue credit amount.

Where the application of the excess revenue credit would reduce a taxpayers liability as reported on the taxpayers tax return filed for the previous year, the Department will issue the amount of the reduction to said liability as a refund. The excess revenue credit cannot reduce a taxpayers liability for the previous taxable year to an amount less than zero, DOR wrote in the document.

It is unclear whether the administration has taken any additional steps towards the distribution of Chapter 62F money. A spokeswoman for the Executive Office of Administration and Finance was out of the office when the regulation repeal and new guidance was announced Friday. The budget offices chief of staff, to whom media inquiries were directed, did not acknowledge the News Services questions.

What was made official Friday mirrored what the Baker administration had announced a month ago. Since then, a top senator quibbled with the administrations plan -- The law is pretty clear, in my opinion, if you read the law, Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues said last month. So if youre going to follow the law, which were hoping everybody follows the law, then there will be credits next year. -- and a small group of progressives have launched a bid to change how the excess revenue is returned to taxpayers.

On July 31, Education Committee Co-chairwoman Rep. Alice Peisch told the News Service that the regulatory repeal effort suggested that Baker administration officials knew in May that the law might trigger refunds, a situation that Baker publicly disclosed in late July, after both branches passed bills weighing in at more than $4 billion and featuring a combination of direct spending and permanent tax relief proposals.

It would have been nice to get a bit of a heads up that it looked like maybe we were getting to that point before we did the economic development bill, Peisch told the News Service. During the same interview, she also said she has no idea if they knew or not about the likelihood of mandatory tax relief under 62F.

Baker has noted that lawmakers have access to the same revenue collection figures as the administration does.

Monday afternoon could reveal exactly where House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka stand on Bakers latest plan: the so-called Big Three is scheduled to meet privately -- and then with the media -- at 12:30 p.m. in what has become a rare leadership meeting.

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Fort Custer Honor Guard presents the flag to the family of U.S. Army Pfc. Lowell D. Smith during a memorial service at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022.

AUGUSTA - A Battle Creek soldier killed during World War II reached his final resting place Monday afternoon.

U.S. Army Pfc. Lowell D. Smith received full military honors on the cool, rainy afternoon before being laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery Monday, 77 years after he was killed during the Battle of Reipertswiller in France.

Smith was reported missing following the battle on Jan. 21, 1945. He was 24 years old.

Historians with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency successfully identified Smith's remains in June using mitochondrial DNA analysis, officials said. He was returned to Michigan Friday.

Honor Guard members carry the casket during a memorial service for U.S. Army Pfc. Lowell D. Smith at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022.

"This country owes Lowell a great debt, along with all the men who have lost their lives serving," Chaplain Zachary Hooey said during the service. "Its been said that the men who served in World War II were part of the greatest generation this country has ever seen and historians of this war repeat the mantra, 'Lest we forget.'"

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags be lowered to half-staff throughout the state Monday to coincide with Smith's funeral.

On behalf of the entire state of Michigan, I express my gratitude for Army Pfc. Lowell Smith for his service and the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, Whitmer said in a statement. Pfc. Smiths heroism and selflessness are examples for us all, and we are grateful to finally have him home for an honorable burial. My thoughts are with his loved ones as he is laid to rest.

Fort Custer Honor Guard member Don Kujawa addresses attendees during a memorial service for U.S. Army Pfc. Lowell D. Smith at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022.

Smith was born in Brentwood, Arkansas, on Oct. 16, 1920. His family moved to Michigan in 1937 where they heard there was "more work and better pay."

Smith married in 1939 and, with his wife, had two sons, Joseph and Paul.

Smith was drafted into the U.S. Army in the summer of 1944 at the age of 23. He was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division during Word War II in January 1945, according to a release from the U.S. Army.

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Smith wrote more than 80 letters back home to his wife and kids during his time in the Army.

In a letter addressed to his family in December 1944 from France, Smith wrote, "Well, its almost Christmas. I guess I wont make it home by then. Well, maybe Ill make it by next Christmas, I hope."

Honor Guard members fold the flag during a memorial service at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022.

The last letter Smith's family received was dated Jan. 10, 1945. He was killed in the battle with German soldiers on Jan. 21, 1945.

The American Graves Registration Command searched the area of Reipertswiller for fallen American personnel in 1946 and eventually declared Smith non-recoverable on July 19, 1951.

Historians with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, conducting ongoing research into soldiers missing from combat around Reipertswiller, successfully identified Smith's remains in June using circumstantial evidence as well as dental, anthropological and mitochondrial DNA analysis.

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: G_SteeleBC

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek's Lowell Smith, killed in World War II, laid to rest at Fort Custer
Many of us have seen how scammers try to impersonate the government or a business to convince unsuspecting people to hand over their money.

Now the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning about a growing trend of con-artists pretending to be from your bank while using multiple layers of contact to try and make it seem legitimate.

The BBB said the scammer will send a text message that looks like a fraud alert from your bank.

If you reply that you dont approve the supposed transaction, the scammer now knows they have an active phone number for you.

The scammer may then try to call you from a spoofed phone number that shows your bank name pop up on the caller ID.

The fraudster will pretend to be a bank representative and claim you need to send money to your own account through Zelle or another digital pay app to fix the bogus problem.

If the person sends the money, that victim has now handed the money over to a scammer.

We asked the BBB about what people need to know to protect themselves.

Understanding your bank policies, said Josh Planos, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations for the BBB. Know that your bank is never going to ask you to send money to yourself.

People have reported losing as much as $3,500, according to the BBB scam tracker.

The minute you fork over information to your bank account, its very difficult to ever see that money again, said Planos.

Washington D.C. resident Jim Green said he never engages with the mystery person on the other end behind a suspicious text message or phone call.

I immediately delete, said Green. I wouldnt trust anybody coming to me, telling me that I have a problem.

Its advice echoed by the BBB, which is urging people to report the incident if you have been contacted by one of these scammers.

You can report it anonymously on the BBB scam tracker.

Its really important to share your story, said Planos. The only person you are protecting when you stay silent is the perpetrator. It allows scammers to continue to weaponize any sort of agenda they may have.
(Reuters) - The Belarusian defence ministry said on Monday it will conduct live fire exercises and anti-aircraft guided missile launches as part of its joint grouping with Russian forces, Interfax reported.

"Military units from the formations are planned to be deployed at four training ranges of the Republic of Belarus in the eastern and central part of the country, after which they will start conducting combat training activities," Interfax quoted a Minsk defence official as saying.

The Belarusian defence ministry said last week that Russian troops would deploy to the country to form a new "regional grouping" amid claims from Minsk that Ukraine is preparing to attack its territory. Belarus has offered no evidence of Ukraine's aggressive intentions.

Belarus is a close Russian ally that has provided logistical and political support to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Shortly before the Feb. 24 invasion, Russian troops arrived in Belarus for what Moscow described as military exercises, before launching cross-border attacks against the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
(Photo: Getty/HuffPost)

(Photo: Getty/HuffPost)

The Great British Bake Off fans know that the worst thing to happen to a pie is the soggy bottom, aka the leaky, imperfectly baked pie crust. While in an ideal world we make pie dough from scratch, most of us dont have the time or skill to do so. This is where pre-made pie dough comes in.

But theres a Russian roulette of choices: Some are too sweet, some fall apart too easily, some are just downright oily. HuffPost spoke with chefs and food scientists about what to look for, what to avoid and how to choose the best pre-made pie dough.

What To Avoid

If you make pie dough at home, you may be familiar with the easy-to-remember formula of 3 parts flour to 1 part fat. Food manufacturers modify this ratio, pushing it to 2-1 or 1-1 for ease of manufacturing and use, according to Karen Scaich, a professor in food science at Rutgers University.

Higher amounts of fat generate doughs that are easier to handle raw and to reproduce each time, but can also give them very greasy, fatty flavors, and sometimes can even release fat or oil from the dough, Scaich said. (You can see how common this is by reading consumer reviews of commercial pie doughs. Along with comments like this has great flavor are gripes like too oily  inedible.)

Higher fat ratios not only cause a greasy flavor, but create structurally unsound pie dough  the soggy bottom that would get you booted off GBBO in a heartbeat.

They also give weaker doughs during baking  there is a lower proportion of gluten matrix to hold the liquified fat and the dough shape in the molten state, Schaich said. One result is dough flopping over during blind baking.

While we may not associate protein with pie dough, Schaich said products with low protein should be avoided, as the dough will crack and tear more readily. To create a firm crust, the dough needs adequate amounts of protein. One medium-protein dough on Schaichs list is Trader Joes.

Rhoda Boone, the culinary creative director for Made In, recommended steering clear of pre-rolled pie doughs in aluminum tins.

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Doughs that are rolled or pressed too thin dry out rapidly, then crack when handling and baking, Schaich said.

What To Look for

Read the ingredient list. Fat creates texture  either flaky and light, or short and oily  depending on which type is used. Schaich recommends a pie dough that uses a combination of butter and lard.

If the taste is most important and you dont like oily flavors, look for a brand that has a fat or oil whose flavor you like, and has lower total fat, higher percentage of saturated fat, and contains some (but not all) butter, Schaich said. If flaky texture is most important to you, look for a dough that contains a lower ratio of fat to protein, but has a higher proportion of saturated fat. If animal fats are not a problem, products containing some lard or stearin (beef fat) will usually give firm, flaky crusts.

Boone said she prefers pie dough you can roll out yourself and place inside a higher quality pie dish for baking.

The pie dough sold in an aluminum tin never browns how I want it to, she said. I also look for a brand with at least some butter in the ingredient list, which I think tastes better and creates a flakier crust.

Consider frozen pie dough instead of the refrigerated type, advised chef Dario Jurcevic. The freezer gives the dough a longer shelf life and eliminates the need for extra ingredients like preservatives.

Stay away from products that have enriched flours or other preservatives, Jurcevic said. The extra ingredients may negatively affect the taste of the whole dish. Just remember to thaw frozen dough before working with it by sticking the pastry in the fridge overnight.

Check the weight of the pie dough to ensure it will fit in your pie dish. Jurcevic said premade doughs should weigh 7 to 12 ounces (220g-350g) to fit in a regular pie dish.

The Best Store-Bought Pie Dough

Wholly Wholesome traditional organic pie shells and Pillsbury pie crust (Photo: Wholly Wholesome/Target)

Wholly Wholesome traditional organic pie shells and Pillsbury pie crust (Photo: Wholly Wholesome/Target)

Ive had success with Trader Joes brand in a pinch, Boone said. It contains some butter and is forgiving to beginner dough rollers, as it stays pliable without much cracking. Most importantly, the size is generous enough to fit into my favorite pie dish, with enough dough left over to add a decorative crimp.

With rich flavor and flaky texture, the Wholly Wholesome traditional organic pie shells are Jurcevics top choice.

Great taste, comes in a pre-formed tin, not soggy, does not crack during par bake and holds up well for a few days after, Jurcevic said. When shopping for a pre-formed pie shell, always check to ensure the dough isnt cracked.

You may already be a fan of Pillsbury pie crust, according to baker and photographer Sarah Farmer, who explained that high-production bakeries typically use that brand instead of making hundreds of tart shells from scratch.

Its a proven product, many of us in our lifetimes have had that crust and its good, Farmer said. Its as close as youre going to get to homemade.

A tip from Jurcevic for working with dough sheets: Take the crust out of the fridge 10 to 20 minutes before rolling to prevent cracks and tears. Room-temperature dough is much easier to work with.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

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Photo: Jonathan Weiss (Shutterstock)

Two of the largest supermarket brands in the country are teaming up, and our local grocery stores may look a little different if the deal goes through. According to NPR, Kroger has purchased Albertsons for $24.6 billion, a move that combines the two largest standalone grocery store chains in the US. The merger will put the companies on the tail of Walmart, which leads as a retailer with groceries, but the wide gap it will leave behind could lead to higher grocery prices across the board.



Grocery stores affected by the Albertsons-Kroger merger

In Chicago, this news is hitting hard, because it means two of the most prominent grocery chains in the city will become part of the same family: Jewel (Albertsons), a long beloved regional brand, and Marianos (Kroger), a newer, smaller chain that is known for being slightly higher end with in-store bars and even an in-store pianist at certain locations. It has not yet been announced whether both of these chains will continue to exist as usual, but it can be expected that some kind of combination or elimination of stores is possible, especially in neighborhoods where both stores are located near each other.

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Because Kroger and Albertsons are two of the nations largest grocery companies, many regional stores may be affected. Among them are:

Bakers

City Market

Fred Meyer

Gerbes

Harris Teeter

King Soopers

Ralphs

Safeway

Shaws

Tom Thumb

Vons

In total, both Kroger and Albertsons and their affiliated brands encompass around 6,000 stores across the country, according to NPR, and in parts of the country where theres overlap, this could result in spinning off up to 375 stores into a separate company.

What could stop the merger of Albertsons and Kroger

Because of the prominence of both brands, the Federal Trade Commission is looking closely at the deal to ensure that the lack of grocery store competition doesnt put an undue financial burden on shoppers.

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Bloomberg Law reports that when Albertsons and Safeway Inc. merged back in 2015, part of the deal was divesting in 168 stores. However, in that case, Albertsons ended up buying back several of those stores within the year after the new holding company went bankrupt, something that was frowned upon by current FTC chair Lina Khan. That instance will, in theory, cause the FTC to keep a closer eye on this deal and ensure that something similar doesnt happen with the 375 planned spinoff stores. Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen told Reuters that its important to the company that those stores thrive as strong businesses to keep competition alive.

How the Albertsons-Kroger merger could affect grocery prices

The FTCs biggest concern, one that should be of concern to shoppers, is that without competition, grocery prices will rise unchecked. This can affect the entire industry: Suppliers will eventually charge more across the board, meaning that even if you prefer to shop at your local market for a good deal, eventually those high costs will trickle down to wherever youre shopping. Either that, or supply could be limited because of one mega-brand dominating the market. But Kroger has also promised in a statement that it will reinvest half a billion dollars into cost-saving measures for customers and, in that same statement, said that $1 billion from the merger deal will go toward raising employee wages and benefits.

Only time will tell what this grocery behemoth will actually look like at ground level. Once the FTC approves the merger it will still be a while before the companies restructure and rebrand physical grocery locations. But one things for sure: We all better get used to Kroger brand products, because theyre soon to be everywhere.




Titus Low

Bisexual OnlyFans creator Titus Low has been sentenced to three weeks in prison for breaching previous offenses under the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code in Singapore.

Though the consumption of pornography is legal in Singapore, selling it is illegal. According to CNN, Low pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined 3,000 Singapore dollars. He is set to go to jail starting Wednesday, October 26.

In a YouTube video, Low clapped back at the conservative laws that have gotten him into trouble.

We only create content for people who are our age and wish to have content they want to see. All of this is on the basis of everything is consensual. We dont force you to watch our content or force you to pay. Its not open for public consumption, and if I dont impede your life and your lifestyle, the person reported me, why are you impeding mine?

On Monday, October 17, Low also shared an emotional message via Instagram.

Hi guys, as you all know, Im going to jail very, very soon. Im scared of what Im about to experience, and whats next for me. The experiences of being labelled, hated, judged and ostracised is crazy emotionally daunting, especially considering the fact that I was just doing what I could to get by and how this career choice was my rice bowl.

He continued:

Its not easy for me to be myself in public as many of you may think. Even though I call myself an Onlyfxns creator all the time, Im always left wondering if this me is the one I should still continue to show to the public. I love what I do and (try) to do what I love, but I guess life has other plans for me! While Im away, I just want my family and my four fur babies to be fine. I hope you would support me on my journey as I take you with me on my path to becoming a better person, everyday.

Though these conservative laws certainly do exist in Singapore, it is noteworthy that Low is the first OnlyFans creator to be prosecuted to this extent in the country. Many of Lows supporters credit the enforcement of these conservative laws due to the fact that he is publicly out as bisexual.

For the time being, though, it appears that Lows sentencing is irreversible.

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Black Bear Value Partners, an investment management firm, published its third-quarter 2022 investor letter  a copy of which can be downloaded here. A quarterly portfolio return of -2.4 was recorded by the fund for the third quarter of 2022 resulting in a year-to-date return of +0.7%. Meanwhile, its benchmarks, the S&P 500 and HFRI Index delivered -8.0% and -5.7% returns respectively for the same period. Try to spare some time to check the fund's top 5 holdings for you to have an idea about their best stock picks this 2022.

In its Q3 2022 investor letter, Black Bear Value Fund mentioned Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-A) and explained its insights for the company. Founded in 1839, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-A) is an Omaha, Nebraska-based multinational conglomerate company with a $583.5 billion market capitalization. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-A) delivered a -8.41% return since the beginning of the year, while its 12-month returns are down by -3.15%. The stock closed at $412,760.00 per share on October 14, 2022.

Here is what Black Bear Value Fund has to say about Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-A) in its Q3 2022 investor letter:

"Going forward I expect Berkshire to compound at above average returns from this price. BRK is a collection of high-quality businesses, excellent management, and a good amount of optionality in their cash position. If the cash were to be deployed accretively, the true value would be greater than an 8% premium (as mentioned above). The combination of a pie that is growing, an increasing share of said pie due to stock buybacks, upside optionality from cash and a tight range of likely business outcomes that span a variety of economic futures gives me comfort in continuing to own Berkshire.

Our calculations show that Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-A) ranks 11th on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-A) was in 109 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the second quarter of 2022, compared to 104 funds in the previous quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-A) delivered a -0.41% return in the past 3 months.

In October 2022, we also shared another hedge funds views on Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-A) in another article. You can find other investor letters from hedge funds and prominent investors on our hedge fund investor letters 2022 Q3 page.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
DW Burnett / PUPPYKNUCKLES

It's no secret: The manual transmission is a dying breed. While enthusiasts love to shift gears themselves, manufacturers are finding it harder and harder to justify keeping three-pedal options around. BMW, though, seems committed to the stick shift, at least until 2030.

CarBuzz caught up with M boss Frank van Meel at a recent event at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in South Africa and asked where the brand stood on the manual transmission.

"The manual is, unfortunately, not so widespread anymore," van Meel told CarBuzz. "It's more in the segments of the M2 and M3, and the M4. And for those cars, we continue offering the manual, and those cars will run for a long time until the end of this decade," said van Meel.

As CarBuzz points out, current product cycles mean the new M2 should remain available until 2030. But the M3 and M4 are slightly behind, with new versions expected by 2028. Whether the new version will actually have a stick is up in the air. Of course, van Meel added that the manual will stick around as long as customers demand it. So if you want three-pedal options to remain available, be sure to put your money where your mouth is next time you buy a new car.

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Luan Nguyen, Phong Le and Son Nguyen were just guys going fishing on a Saturday morning. They never imagined Oct. 8 would be the day their boating, survival and swimming skills would all be put to the test.

"The fishing trip actually started off as a regular fishing trip," Le told AccuWeather National Weather Reporter Emmy Victor. However, by 10:30 a.m. they ended up in the water.

Phong Le's fishing trip was supposed to go smoothly. The sky was clear and was expected to stay like that until the afternoon. (Phong Le)

It was supposed to go smoothly. They said the plan was to go to Empire, Louisiana, fish for some red snapper and come back home to cook it. They knew they couldn't take too long because the weather wasn't looking optimal later that day.

"We knew that the weather was getting worse towards the afternoon, mid to late afternoon," Le said. But it started changing way earlier than the friends expected, leaving them with no boat and trying to survive for 28 hours before any help arrived.

Both Le and Luan Nguyen had been fishing since they were kids. Le said he has even owned a boat for a decade now, but as waves got bigger and the wind started blowing, the boat took on water very quickly.

"We started taking water in the back of the boat," Le said. "And by the time we noticed that, we were taking on too much water."

In a matter of seconds, Le's instinct made him take quick actions. He said he made the decision right then and there that the boat was not going to make it and life vests had to be put on.

An anecdote from an old friend who survived a similar situation played a vital role in Le's thinking process. He knew ice chests, especially from the brand he and his friend had, were going to stay afloat.

"When the boat sank, we jumped into the water and swam toward the ice chests," Le told AccuWeather. "That's pretty much what really saved us. We grabbed both ice chests, tied them together and pretty much hung on for dear life."

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The next step was coming up with a plan for when the sun went down. Reaching to the oil rigs across the Gulf became the immediate goal, but Le said they soon discovered the currents near them were too strong to grab on to them. "We passed up four before nighttime," Le said.

"If you get high enough on an oil rig, maybe somebody can see you, maybe you'll get phone signal. We all had our phones on us," Luan told AccuWeather.

Luan Nguyen and Phong Le share their story with AccuWeather National Weather Reporter Emmy Victor. (AccuWeather)

Luan said they were persistent because this was the only way to get out of the water, the only thing that could almost guarantee their survival. Yet they were not able to get to any by 6:30 p.m., when the sun came down and the full moon rose up. That was the start of about 12 hours of darkness.

They ended up floating around all night, timing each other off and trying their best to keep each other warm.

Among the jellyfish stings every half an hour while swimming, Luan also experienced a shark attack that left him with no life preservers, just hanging to the ice chest and losing energy by the minute, but glad that the life vest was the only thing the shark teeth got a hold of.

"We're just floating and then next thing you know, a shark just bites the life vest right in front of me, right here," Luan said. "I'm face to face with it. The face of it is about 12 to 14 inches wide across."

Despite the shock, Luan's instinct took control of the situation.

"I try to push him, to get off, to go away. It doesn't go anywhere. So I just take my thumbs and jammed his eyes and he just took off," Luan shared.

Another bliss of hope was an anchor trip boat they saw the next morning. Le said he even let go of the group and of the ice chest this time as he realized he could gain more distance without it.

"Son told me not to do it," Le said. "He didn't want me to go, you know, but he had to stay back with Luan. And I left them early that morning to go towards the shrimp boat."

After three to four hours of swimming by himself, Le said he saw there was smoke coming out of it and he just had to go the opposite direction. However, this was not his last hope as he was now "fairly close" to another oil rig.

Three more hours of swimming went by and the current started pushing against him, stopping him from reaching this rig as well. That's when Le pulled out his phone to check his location on Apple Maps.

The screenshot of Phong Le's location was the key for him and his friends' survival. (Phong Le)

"It showed my location in the Gulf of Mexico," Le said. "So I screenshotted it and I turned my phone off of airplane mode and text messages started coming in. So I caught some kind of signal being closer to that other oil rig."

Le texted that screenshot to his friend Ben, as he had been the last to text him, as well as letting him know his boat had sunk and he was floating in the middle of the Gulf. Ben was quick to respond, but Le's phone ran out of battery before any further communication could happen.

"That was my Hail Mary that was tossed out there," Le told AccuWeather.

Within 30 minutes, Le started hearing helicopters and planes flying over them. The feeling of relief filled his body when he realized he didn't need to push, swim or fight currents anymore, just wave and ensure they could see him.

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Their rescue was streamed on live TV and involved about 30 people working behind the scenes to find them all.

For Luan, seeing a boat coming up to him and Son was a surprise. Luan said his sigh of relief came once he was pulled out of the water. Son, on the other hand, strained himself a lot being out there and is currently recovering back his strength, but he helped push the three of them along while in the water.

"Shoutout to him," Le said referring to Son, and then added a number of other shoutouts including to the maker of the ice chests that he credited with saving their lives. "You know that was our Wilson in Cast Away."

Ultimately, Le said his only goal was to save his friends, one way or another. They knew it would have been almost impossible for them to survive another night. Luan said he wouldn't have made it.

The friends hope their story can serve as a reminder to others on the importance of going boating with the appropriate equipment and "a float plan," as indicated by the Coast Guard, and to mainly never forget life vests -- in particular brightly colored ones with reflectors -- and ice chests.

"Just got to go to the Coast Guard website and they tell you exactly what you need to bring on the boat and then just have what they tell you. That will save your life," Le said.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Booker Prize winner Shehan Karunatilaka (Dominic Sansoni)

Shehan Karunatilaka, winner of the Booker Prize 2022, began planning how to tell the brutal horrors of civil war in Sri Lanka through fiction more than a decade ago. He said he gradually realised he would need a magical realist presentation, because only the dead could offer plausible explanations of the Sri Lankan tragedy, as the living clearly did not have a clue.

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, published by the independent Sort of Books, is the complex story of a gay war photographer who wakes up dead, in an underworld, and has seven moons (seven days) to discover who murdered him, expose his killer and find evidence to bring down a corrupt government.

I understand why the judges loved this metaphysical thriller  chair Neil MacGregor picked out the hilarious audacity of its narrative techniques  and Karunatilaka, who becomes the second Sri Lankan-born author to win the 50,000 Booker Prize following Michael Ondaatje in 1992, admitted honing constant edits to make the book less impenetrable for readers unversed in Sri Lankan folklore or tragedy. A great novel exists on so many different levels and the more patience a reader brings to Karunatilakas book, the better it will be for them. But its not a simple read. And it really is more of a ghost story than a humorous satire.

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, which has also been called afterlife noir, is richly atmospheric and full of colourful similes, and has the boldness you would expect from the author of Chinaman, the 2011 debut novel that won the Commonwealth Prize. His Booker winner also has a touching tenderness amid the mayhem.

Yet, it was not my favourite from the shortlist. Are you happier eating ice cream than tiramisu? Like desserts, choosing the winner of a literary prize is a matter of taste. The judges whittled down 169 submissions to an impressive, varied final six (although without the deserved After Sappho, by Selby Wynn Schwartz), with an equal split of women and men.

Story continues

I admire Alans Garners body of work and hopefully the 2,500 condolence prize given to each shortlisted author will have been a nice bonus on his 88th birthday. However, and whisper this heresy quietly, I found Treacle Walker, a story about dreamlike encounters between a lonely boy and a rag-and-bone man, to be, well, a little tedious  even at just 15,000 words.

Another loser was NoViolet Bulawayos bold satire Glory, about the fall of an African dictator, told from the perspective of talking animals. The judges were right not to crown Oh William!, another book featuring Pulitzer-winning Elizabeth Strouts character Lucy Barton, even though it is a reliably strong novel. The most anarchically entertaining book was Percival Everetts The Trees, a bitingly original satire on racism in America. Its genuinely funny and might even have been a deserved winner bar some overcooked lampooning.

Winner Karunatilaka at a Booker Prize 2022 shortlist event (David Parry)

The novel I would most eagerly press into someones hands is Claire Keegans Small Things Like These. The story is short (114 pages) yet perfectly formed. Set in 1985 in a small Irish town, it centres on one ordinary mans reaction to the Magdalene Laundries scandal. It is a quiet, undemonstrative book that is remarkably moving. Perhaps its nitpicking to extol the virtues of a loser, yet Shuggie Bain (Douglas Stuart) and The Promise (Damon Galgut) were standout winners in the past two years, and it is hard to share that conviction over The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida.

In any case, its best not to get too het up about who takes the ribbon in a literary winners enclosure. Hopefully, the Booker will stimulate sales of all the books. And, in the midst of chaotic, bewildering times, Karunatilakas novel offers the opportunity to understand what is transpiring in a troubled part of the world, with compelling things to say about the nature of conflict and the importance of an individual life.
BRASILIA (Reuters) - Right-wing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attacked each others' records in office on Sunday in the first debate of the second round of Brazil's election.

Reflecting a fiercely polarized race that has been largely devoid of policy debates, the two candidates fell back often on personal attacks during two hours of debate on TV Bandeirantes.

Lula said half of the 680,000 deaths caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil could have been avoided if not for delays in the purchase of vaccines by the government of Bolsonaro, who minimized the gravity of the virus and pushed unproven cures.

Bolsonaro later took the offensive and blasted Lula for corruption scandals during the 14 years that his Workers Party governed Brazil. A huge graft probe arrested dozens of business leaders and politicians, including Lula, who spent time in jail on a bribery conviction that was later overturned by Brazil's Supreme Court.

Lula won 48% of the votes in the first round of the election on Oct. 2 against 43% for Bolsonaro, whose unexpectedly strong performance set the stage for a competitive runoff on Oct 30.

In a heated campaign to win swing votes, both candidates have ramped up their rhetoric, and delivered bruising personal attacks in TV ads.

Bolsonaro's campaign was counting on Sunday's debate to help close the gap with Lula, who still has a lead of roughly 5 percentage points, based on surveys by pollster Datafolha.

Neither candidate detailed in the debate how they would raise the money to extend a more generous welfare program, which both have promised to do without breaking federal budget rules.

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
BARCELONA (Reuters) - Brazil forward Neymar arrived at a Barcelona court on Monday to face a trial on fraud and corruption charges over his transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013, a Reuters witness said.

The complainant, Brazilian investment firm DIS, said on Thursday it was demanding a five-year jail term for the player.

(Reporting by Guillermo Martinez, Elena Rodriguez, writing by Inti Landauro; Editing by Emma Pinedo)
Brendan Fraser has addressed his part in creating a traffic jam while filming George of the Jungle, 25 years ago.

The actor stars in the new Darren Aronofsky film The Whale, which marks his triumphant return to Hollywood after a long battle with depression. Prior to this, he also played the lead in the childrens comedy film George of the Jungle in 1997.

He starred as George whod been abandoned in the jungle as a child and had been raised on the ways of the animals. Eventually, his burgeoning romance with a nature-exploring heiress led to him attempting a new life in San Francisco.

In a recent interview, Fraser looked back at his time making the Disney movie, and how the filming of a scene involving an accident on the citys Bay Bridge resulted in undue media and authority attention.

When we were doing George of the Jungle, George goes to rescue a parachutist tangled in the [Bay] Bridge, Fraser told San Francisco publication, SFGATE.

That means Disney put a mannequin hanging by a parachute from the uprights.

With a presumed human in trouble, traffic then came to a standstill as authorities investigating the shocking scene tried to figure out what to do.

My trailer was on the other side in a parking lot, Fraser continued. I just remember watching the [Bay] Bridge. There's this dummy parachutist hanging from it. I had the TV on, and Oprah got interrupted because there was a special news report with helicopters saying a parachute is dangling on the bridge.

He added: And I'm going  wait a minute, I'm looking at the helicopters and TV  somebody didn't pull a permit, somebody's going to get in trouble with the mayor's office. So I can only apologise for that.

Last week, Fraser became emotional when The Whale received a five-minute standing ovation at London Film Festival, after a similarly rapturous reception at the Venice Film Festival in September.
A Russian official said on Sunday that the detention of WNBA star Brittney Griner isnt a priority for the Kremlin despite President Biden repeatedly pushing for her release.

In this tense situation, I think that he (Biden) is thinking first and foremost about the upcoming midterm elections, Yury Ushakov, a close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, told the state-run TV program Moscow.Kremlin.Putin., according to USA Today.

He keeps emphasizing the need to bring (Griner) back home  however, its not the main issue that we are concerned about.

Ushakovs remarks come after Griners wife, Cherelle, said in an interview last week she is terrified that her partner wont ever return home.

The 31-year-old basketball star has been detained in Russia since February, when she was arrested by authorities days after Russia began its unprovoked invasion of neighboring Ukraine. The seven-time WNBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist was handed down a nine-year prison sentence by a Russian court after pleading guilty to the charges against her.

The Biden administration has made Griners case, along with another wrongfully detained American, former U.S. Marine Paul Whalen, one of its top priorities.

President Biden said last week that he had no intention of meeting Putin at an upcoming Group of 20 summit, but would consider it if the Russian leader wanted to discuss Griners release.

Griners wife told CBS Gayle King in an interview on Thursday that she feels like shes stuck in a movie.

In no world would I have ever thought our president and a foreign nation president would be sitting down having to discuss the freedom of my wife, she told CBS Mornings anchor/ It feels to me as if she is a hostage.  It terrifies me.

Cherelle Griner added that both Russia and the U.S. need to settle their differences and work on solutions to bring her partner home.

My brain cant even fathom it, she told King. I feel like everyday I hear something new, and its terrifying.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BTS backstage at the Grammys John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Members of the wildly popular South Korean boy band BTS will officially serve in the country's military and reconvene after their service is completed "around 2025."

Big Hit Music, BTS' label, confirmed in a tweet the group's seven members will all enlist in the South Korean military, following the country's law requiring young men to serve, The New York Times reports. The label said they are "looking forward to reconvening as a group again around 2025," per The Associated Press.

There had long been questions about whether the members of BTS would enlist in the military or if they might be able to receive an exemption. South Korea requires most able-bodied men to enlist in the military for 18 months by age 28, though the country passed a bill in 2020 allowing those who "excel in popular culture and art" to defer service until 30, CNN reports. Jin, who is the oldest member of the group and turns 30 in December, will enlist first.

"Group member Jin will initiate the process as soon as his schedule for his solo release is concluded at the end of October," BTS' label said, per CNN. "He will then follow the enlistment procedure of the Korean government. Other members of the group plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans."

In June, BTS announced they would take a hiatus to pursue solo projects. "I hope you don't see this as a negative thing, and see it as a healthy plan," member J-Hope said at the time. "I think BTS will become stronger that way."

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Bucks County "Hoax mom" Bonnie Sweeten, who gained infamy in 2009 when she faked a kidnapping after stealing $700,000 from her employer and family is facing new charges that she embezzled from another Bucks County business.

Bonnie Sweeten, 51, of Delanco, New Jersey, was charged in the U.S Eastern District Court in Philadelphia on Monday with two counts of wire fraud for stealing from her former employer, according to a press release. She has not made her initial court appearance where bail would be set, a U.S. Attorney spokeswoman said.

Federal authorities allege Sweeten, who worked as a bookkeeper, forged checks and made fraudulent purchases with a company credit card, according to a press release, which did not list a total amount of money she is accused of stealing.

According to a copy of the charges, federal authorities allege that in December 2017 Sweeten cashed two company checks and kept the $2,220.50.

Bonnie Sweeten seen here at her June 2009 preliminary hearing on charges of identity theft and false reports in connection to her kidnapping hoax. She was convicted of embezzling $700,000 in 2011 and now faces new charges in New Jersey of stealing from her employer

The name of the company was not released, but it was described as a Doylestown excavating company. The company president, who knew Sweeten, hired her in 2017, the release said.

As a bookkeeper Sweeten had access to company bank accounts, checkbooks, mail and other "sensitive personal information" belonging to the company president and the company itself, authorities said.

She allegedly used her position and access to company accounts to issue "dozens" of company checks to herself and stole checks that were mailed to the company, then fraudulently endorsed them over to herself. She also used the company credit card to make "tens of thousands of dollars" in personal purchases, authorities said.

Bonnie Sweetens alleged actions are the epitome of biting the hand that feeds you, said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Philadelphia Division. Defrauding ones employer is both a bad career move and a federal crime, for which violators must be held accountable.

If convicted, Sweeten faces a potential maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

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Sweeten rose to national infamy when in May 2009 she called 911 and claimed she and her 9-year-old daughter were kidnapped after her car was rear-ended along busy Street Road in Upper Southampton. Sweeten told the dispatcher that she was calling from the trunk of the kidnappers' Cadillac sparking a massive search effort by law enforcement.

The kidnapping hoax meant to deceive family and law enforcement quickly unraveled when authorities tracked Sweeten to a luxury resort in Walt Disney World in Orlando. She stole the driver's license of a former coworker that she resembled and used it to buy plane tickets from Philadelphia the day she claimed she was kidnapped.

Sweeten ran because she was unable to repay $280,000 she stole from the elderly grandfather of her first ex-husband, authorities said. She left with her daughter the day a restitution check she wrote to the man's family bounced. It was later, learned, though that authorities were also investigating thefts from her employer at the time.

A Bucks County judge sentenced Sweeten to nine months in county jail after she pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of identity theft and false reports in 2009. At her sentencing, Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Finley called Sweeten a "calculating, manipulative cold-blooded woman."

In 2010, though, Sweeten was hit with federal charges for stealing $700,000 from the Lower Southampton law firm and its clients where she worked as an office manager. She pleaded guilty to felony charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft a year later and was sentenced to eight years in federal prison and ordered to pay $1 million in restitution.

Sweeten used the identity of another person and posed as another person while using false identification and forging signatures on various documents including a property settlement. She also forged a signature of a judge on a court order for the purpose of fraudulently withdrawing client funds from a bank.

Both Bucks County and federal prosecutors alleged in their cases that Sweeten was motivated by greed and her desire for a comfortable lifestyle that was beyond her financial means. Sweeten also admitted she also used the money for fertility treatments. She has three daughters from two marriages.

"Hoax mom" pleas guilty to $700K theftHoax mom to plead guilty to fraud charges

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: 'Hoax mom' Bonnie Sweeten accused of stealing from employer, again
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Californias 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.

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 doesnt have sufficient insight into what caused her to commit the crimes or her triggers for antisocial thinking and conduct during bad relationships, Newsom said.

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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 Newsoms decision.

But Anthony DiMaria, nephew of Jay Sebring, one of Krenwinkels 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 couples 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 Krenwinkels 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 didnt decide to go out and brutally kill seven strangers, Tate told parole officials.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Canton Police

CANTON  A Canton man just released from prison after serving more than two years on an aggravated robbery charge was shot and killed early Monday morning.

Javontae Conner, 21, was found in the living room of a home in the 1600 block of Oakmont Street NW around 3:14 a.m. Monday.

Conner had gunshot wounds to his torso and was unresponsive upon the arrival of officers. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Stark County Coroner's Office.

More crime news:Canton police investigating early morning shooting, person of interest in custody

An 18-year-old Canton woman was also found in the home with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Officials said she was alert and talking and was transported to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital by the Canton Fire Department. Hercondition is unknown.

Conner pleaded guilty in March 2020 to felony aggravated robbery and was sentenced to four to six years in state prison.

According to court records and police reports, Conner put a gun to the head of an 18-year-old Massillon man on Jan. 5, 2020, in the 3100 block of 14th Street SW, Canton, and watched as six accomplices assaulted, kicked and punched the man. Conner then took the victim's cellphone and car keys, and then the car, which belonged to the victim's mother.

Police said they have no reason to believe at this time that the shooting is connected to the incident.

Police continue to investigate the shooting and ask that anyone with information contact the Canton Police Detective Bureau at 330-489-3144. Anonymous tips can also be sent through Tip411 or theStark County Crimestoppers.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

Correction: The shooting took place in the 1600 block of Oakmont Street NW early Monday. A prior version of this article gave the wrong street.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Man dead, woman injured in early morning shooting in Canton
Carol Vorderman loved Miriam Margolyes on Radio 4. (Getty)

Carol Vorderman loved Miriam Margolyes' swearing on BBC Radio 4

The Harry Potter star appeared on the Today show to discuss the death of her co-star Robbie Coltrane after new chancellor Jeremy Hunt had been interviewed in the previous segment.

After coming on air, Margolyes revealed what she said to Hunt when she met him in the hallway at the BBC's studios: "The thing is, when I saw him there, I just said, 'Youve got a hell of a job, the best of luck.'

Read more: Miriam Margolyes shares sweary insult about Jeremy Hunt

"Of course what I wanted to say was, 'F**k you, you b*****d!' But you cant say that."

Miriam Margolyes had some choice words for Jeremy Hunt. (BBC)

Broadcaster Vorderman reacted to the viral moment on social media, writing on Twitter: "This is genius.the bit that gets me most of all, having said F youyou b*****D live on air is..But you cant say that. genius. like the cutest puppy wagging its tail right after destroying a cushion. God we love you @MMargolyes."

This is genius....the bit that gets me most of all, having said "F you...you b*****D" live on air is....."But you can't say that"....genius.......like the cutest puppy wagging its tail right after destroying a cushion. God we love you @MMargolyes https://t.co/I7Od9hpkxu  Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) October 17, 2022

Justin Webb, co-host of Today, had to apologise for the language used by Margolyes: "When I watched the Rugby on BT Sport they always apologised when you hear words that you possibly shouldnt have heard, as they put it on BT Sport, in the scrum.

"Well, we apologise to you if you heard a word that you shouldnt have heard, earlier on. The rest of Miriam Margolyes interview was wonderful though."

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Jeremy Hunt is the UK's new chancellor. (Getty Images)

It's not the first time, Margolyes has said something controversial on air. When appearing on The Last Leg in 2020, she said she had difficulty not wanting Boris Johnson to die when he caught Covid-19.

Hunt is the UK's fourth chancellor of 2022, replacing Kwasi Kwarteng, who held the post for only 38 days.

The stint made him the second shortest serving post-war chancellor after Iain Macleod who died in office.

Watch below: Miriam Margolyes says 'f*** you' live on Radio 4 as Jeremy Hunt arrives for interview.
(Maple Hill Farm Sanctuary )

A carriage horse that collapsed during the summer in New York City has been euthanised.

The 26-year-old horse, known as Ryder, was put down due to serious pre-existing conditions he could not overcome, the Maple Hill Farms sanctuary said in a statement.

[Ryder] was given a dignified and peaceful passing. He had many days of green grass and sunshine in his final two months, the release read. While Ryder is no longer with us, we find some comfort in knowing that Ryders new owner provided him the best possible care, utmost attention and longaneeded love that he so deserved.

Ryder garnered national attention after he suddenly collapsed in Midtown on 10 August, prompting renewed calls from the public to ban horse carriages. An investigation by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office was launched after a veterinarian determined Ryder was 26 years old and not 13 like his previous owner reportedly told the NYPD, according to the New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets (NYCLASS) association.

The horse was relocated to an upstate farm for his retirement, where he was said to be safe until news of his death was announced on Monday by the Equine Rescue Resource, Maple Hill and the Unbridled Heroes Project. His body will be sent to the Cornell Equine Hospital for a necropsy.

Ryder has been euthanised two months after his collapse (Maple Hill Farm Sanctuary)

According to the statement, Ryders new owner retained a team of veterinary experts for his care after he was rescued in August. Ryder was sent to Cornell Equine Hospital for an evaluation and he was eventually diagnosed with a variety of serious medical conditions.

Ryders health conditions will not be released at this time pending the DAs investigation, the statement noted.

We are devastated to learn that Ryder has died. His horrific collapse, after years of abuse, inspired tens of thousands of people from across the globe to stand up to carriage horse industry cruelty, NYCLASS executive director Edita Birnkrant told the New York Post in a statement.

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But make no mistake: this tragedy was not caused by an act of God  Ryders death was the result of savage cruelty and greed. To make a profit, the horse carriage industry would have literally worked Ryder to death if it werent for viral videos and the people who exposed their endless lies and cover-ups.

Their mistreatment of Ryder is the reason he is dead two months later.

times square nyc horse collapsed from heat exhaustion after working in 90 heat all day. shes already malnourished to begin with. stop supporting carriage rides. stop supporting animal abuse. #NYC pic.twitter.com/GkkyGpb50h  grace channel (@gracechannel0) August 10, 2022

Ryders collapse was recorded by passersby who witnessed how the NYPD doused him with water on the hot summer day. The DAs office initially found that Ryder was malnourished, underweight and suffers from the equine neurological disorder Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), according to the Post.

A spokesperson for horse carriage owners told NBC that EPM, a neurological disease caused by possum droppings, had made Ryder trip and fall.

However, NYCLASS has denied the claim, saying that experts at Cornell Equine did not find evidence that he had EPM when he was first checked, and that his health ailments were the result of abuse.

During a hearing last month, the city Health Department accused Ryders previous owner and his brother, Ian and Colm McKeever, of forging documents to lie about the horses age, NBC reported.
Sara Larson is the executive director of Awake Milwaukee, an organization composed of practicing Catholics who want to improve the church's response to the sex abuse crisis from the inside. Shes photographed outside St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, where she attends, in Milwaukee on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022.

When a group of local Catholics decided to expand their advocacy work outside a Milwaukee living room, they had to come up with a name for their new organization.

They settled on Awake Milwaukee.

As Catholics who wanted to push for change on the issue of sexual abuse from within the church, the name represented their own views as well as what they hoped to do for others.

We felt like we were finally awake. We were finally paying attention to something that had been there all along, said executive director Sara Larson. Its also what were aiming to do for our broader community: to help people wake up to this reality.

The groups ethos is that while the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has come a long way in addressing clergy abuse, more can be done to support survivors and increase transparency. The group has also recently released a list of recommended changes.

Awake is unique among most anti-clergy sexual abuse groups because its leaders are practicing Catholics who want to remain in the church and see it improve.

Real change and structural change can only come from within, when the laity really is speaking and saying were not comfortable with where this is at, said Patty Ingrilli, a member of Awakes board of directors.

An archdiocese spokeswoman said the church has put stringent policies in place to prevent abuse, worked with survivors and given anti-child abuse training to 100,000 people.

"No organization in the U.S. has done more than the Catholic Church when it comes to addressing sexual abuse, and incorporating prevention measures throughout the organization," said communication director Sandra Peterson.

'It's about listening first'

A lifelong Catholic with a theology degree, Larson was working at a local parish in 2018 when two pieces of news hit her like a punch in the gut and caused her to pay attention to the abuse crisis. The cardinal Theodore McCarrick was removed from ministry over allegations of child sex abuse, and the sprawling Pennsylvania grand jury report was released, detailing widespread abuse and cover-ups.

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Previously, Larson believed a narrative she thinks is common among Catholics: Sexual abuse in the church "happened a long time ago, and when we found out about it, we fixed it, and now it's time for us to move on.

Within a year, Larson had dived into research on the crisis, hosted other local Catholics in her home for discussions on the issue and launched Awake Milwaukee.

The groups first action was an open letter to survivors, apologizing for the abuse they experienced and for the many ways your abuse was ignored, minimized, and covered up. Dozens of local Catholics, including priests and deacons, signed on.

Most of the groups founders werent survivors of abuse or close family or friends of survivors. But they were people of faith who cared.

We were people who maybe had been part of the problem by not caring enough about this, and not learning and not taking action earlier, Larson said.

Ingrilli, a Brookfield Catholic whod served as chair of her parish council, got involved because it was important to raise her three sons in the church, she said.

I needed the Catholic Church to be a safer place than what I felt it was, she said.

Awake has four areas of focus: education, prayer, advocacy and survivor support.

Educating "Catholics in the pews" about the full reality of sexual abuse in the church is key, Larson said. Awake runs a blog and hosts regular panel discussions with survivors and experts.

Its been painful that some Catholics dont support Awakes mission, she said.

We really think that a lack of understanding is a huge part of the problem, she said.

Awake also runs support groups for survivors of clergy abuse. The virtual groups have drawn survivors from across the U.S. and Canada, Larson said. Not all experienced abuse within the Milwaukee archdiocese.

Most of the survivors have remained in the church and were looking for a place to be honest about the crisis while remaining rooted in faith and hope, Larson said.

People want to be heard, and they want to be believed. That is the foundation of everything we do, Larson said. Its about listening first.

More: At funeral Mass for former Archbishop Weakland, some pray for forgiveness while others slam legacy of abuse coverup

Group compiled list of recommendations

Awake recently released a list of recommended policy changes for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Among the recommendations: publish an online list of all priests credibly accused of abuse in the archdiocese, including visiting priests and those from religious orders  the current list only includes diocesan priests; publish twice-annual reports detailing the work of two oversight boards; and acknowledge the sexual abuse of adults, not only children, in Archdiocesan documents.

Each recommendation includes reasoning for why Awake leaders believe it should be implemented, as well as examples of dioceses that have implemented it.

We really wanted to focus on things that, from what we understand, are very possible, Larson said.

While some changes may seem minor, they can have a big impact on survivors, Larson said. Take the suggestion to list all credibly accused priests online.

She says that an average parishioner likely would make little distinction between a diocesan priest and, for example, a priest who was ordained in the Archdiocese of Chicago but was working at a church in Milwaukee.

A survivor could go looking and say, my abuser is not on this list, Larson said.

And while so-called extern and religious-order priests arent directly accountable to the Milwaukee archbishop, its just a really good way to increase transparency about the full scope of abuse that happened in our archdiocese, Larson said.

The archdiocese says it does not list extern and religious-order priests because it has no way of knowing key details about abuse allegations against such priests and how they were investigated. "There is also no certainty that the Archdiocese would be informed of allegations against every priest who worked at some point in the Archdiocese," the statement said.

Another of Awake's recommendations is to be more public about the work of two lay-led oversight boards, which provide advice to the archdiocese on its clergy abuse policies and whether people are fit to serve in ministry.

In response to a reporter's question about the recommendation, the archdiocese spokeswoman said the Community Advisory Board includes survivors of abuse, victim advocates, professional psychologists and therapists, and members of law enforcement.

The board meets regularly and "serves as an instrument of education and vigilance and as a pathway of archdiocesan accountability to the larger community," Peterson said.

Especially important to Larson is the recommendation to expand protections for child victims to adults. Its not just children who are vulnerable to power differentials, she said: women in religious orders, adult seminarians and lay leaders also suffer sexual abuse.

I've come to believe that the abuse of adults in the church is happening on a really broad scale today and still being tremendously mishandled by the church, Larson said.

Awake Milwaukee has not received a response after sharing the recommendations with archdiocese officials.

My hope is at least that they can see that the recommendations have merit and that even if they don't directly respond to us, that it just makes them think, Ingrilli said.

Ingrilli led a campaign last year to ask the archdiocese to ban liturgical music from David Haas, a widely known contemporary composer who was accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women. Officials didnt reply. The decision whether to play Haas songs falls to individual parishes.

In response to a reporter's questions about the lack of response to Awake's leaders, Jerry Topczewski, chief of staff for the archdiocese, issued a statement:

"We are always open to input from professionals regarding the Churchs considerable and ongoing efforts assisting those who were victims of clergy sexual abuse of minors, while also remaining vigilant in our abuse prevention and safe environment efforts."

More: 'This is criminal evidence': Advocates deliver boxes of documents regarding clergy abuse to attorney general

More: Wisconsin's attorney general is investigating the handling of clergy abuse claims. Six months in, here is what we know.

Catholicism 'part of the fabric of my life'

Even as they find little traction with archdiocesan officials, Awakes leaders remain committed to their cause as well as their faith.

It hasnt been easy.

I had no idea, when I said yes to this, how much it would break my heart, Larson said. The depth of the pain and the depth of the wounds that are still present in the church is just not something that I understood.

For Ingrilli, the groups work has been personal. She found her great-uncles name on the Green Bay Dioceses list of credibly accused priests. Her priest working at her hometown parish in Kiel, a Salvatorian from the Buffalo diocese, was also accused of abuse but wasnt removed from ministry until decades later.

The discoveries galvanized her to make a difference within the church. She didnt consider leaving it.

That is part of the fabric of my life. That is very much who I am. I can't imagine not having it, Ingrilli said.

Ultimately, Ingrilli hopes Awakes work prompts enough change that people who have left the church feel comfortable enough to return.

Its her way of evangelizing, she said.

Contact Sophie Carson at (414) 223-5512 or scarson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @SCarson_News.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Catholic anti-sexual abuse group Awake Milwaukee presses for change
Flu season is here, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging Americans to get their flu shot by the end of the month.

CDC officials say it takes two weeks for full protection to set in, so getting it by Halloween allows you to be protected in time for the holiday season.

Click here for a directory on where you can get the flu shot, and see a list of other Central Florida flu vaccination events below:

Seminole County

Flu shots for children and adults are available at the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County, Sanford, located at 400 W. Airport Blvd., by appointment Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flu shots are free for children 6 months through 18 years of age. To schedule an appointment, call 407-665-3700. For more information on immunizations, click here. You may also get the flu vaccine through your health care provider, pharmacy or supermarket.

Read: D-SNAP: People affected by Hurricane Ian in these 2 counties can now apply for food assistance

Orange County

Florida Blue Center flagship locations are hosting flu shot events this month. The events will feature food, treats, special giveaways and a variety of fun, fall-themed activities. Insurance cards from any carrier are welcome, but health insurance is not required. Flu vaccines are available to everyone age 3 and older, and a $10 Publix gift card will be available for all who get a vaccine at a Florida Blue Center.

The next events will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 434 Orlando Ave., Winter Park, on Saturday, Oct. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 12.

Read: Its flu vaccine time and seniors need revved-up shots

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.
Xi Jinping

Bloomberg sources told the publication that PetroChina Co, Sinopec, and Cnooc Ltd were approached by the National Development and Reform Commission, China's main economic planning body. China did not officially comment on the news.

"The sales provided some relief to European buyers, but rapid restocking and record high shipping costs have also reduced the appeal of new fuel deliveries," Bloomberg sources said.

China's move to secure its own supplies could cut supplies to Europe and exacerbate the region's energy crisis in the event of a cold winter, Bloomberg noted. China has large contracts to buy LNG from the US, with traders diverting some of the supply to Europe due to sluggish domestic demand.

In 2021, China overtook Japan to become the world's largest LNG importer.

Reports are stating that gas prices in Europe have fallen to the lowest level since the end of June, and storage facilities are almost 92% full.

European LNG terminals are operating at around 63% capacity in October. In September and August, the figure was 59%. LNG imports in October may reach 11.5 billion cubic meters, which is one of the highest amounts in history.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- Chinas central bank halted its cash withdrawal via medium term loans for the first time in three months in a bid to boost the economy as the Communist Partys twice-a-decade leadership congress gets underway.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Peoples Bank of China injected 500 billion yuan ($70 billion) via its one-year medium-term lending facility on Monday, matching the amount maturing this month. The outcome was predicted by five out of the eight economists and analysts in a Bloomberg survey.

The move follows a net withdrawal of 200 billion yuan via policy loans in the previous two months and underscores Chinas accommodative monetary policy stance amid growth concerns. The liquidity could also help smoothen out the increased demand for funds due to tax payments and an expected increase in local government bond issuance this month.

The full rollover reflects the need to support credit and the economy, especially as China sticks to the Zero Covid policy, said Frances Cheung, a Singapore-based rates strategist at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. The policy response next month will be key as the MLF maturity is huge at 1 trillion yuan. Since policy appears to focus on liquidity, the market is not pricing in any imminent rate cut, she said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping asserted that economic development remains the Communist Partys top priority, during a speech opening the 20th Communist Party congress in Beijing on Sunday. However, he signaled no change in strict Covid rules and housing market policies that are weighing down on growth.

PBOC Governor Yi Gang vowed last week that the central bank will push banks to increase loans to infrastructure, manufacturing and property sectors. The central bank could also be looking to keep cash levels ample after the demand for loans recovered more than expected in September, signaling that the stimulus is trickling through into the real economy.

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The rate on the MLF was left unchanged at 2.75%, as expected. China has kept policy rates on hold after a surprise cut in August sparked a selloff in the yuan, which snowballed due to hawkish Federal Reserve bets. Traders will watch the decision on loan prime rates, Chinas de-facto benchmark loan rates, which are quoted as a yield spread on the MLF rate.

The one-year loan prime rates may be left unchanged at 3.65% on Thursday, but a further cut to the 5-year LPR by 15 basis points cant be ruled out given recent endeavors to support the housing market, according to a Maybank note.

Chinas benchmark 10-year bond yield edged up one basis point to 2.71% after the MLF operation. The offshore yuan gained 0.1% to 7.1995 as of 12:13 p.m. local time as the PBOC set the daily reference rate for the yuan at the strongest bias on record versus the average estimate in a Bloomberg survey of analysts and traders.

(Updates with Maybank comment in 8th paragraph, market moves in 9th.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
By Kevin Yao

BEIJING (Reuters) -China's economy showed a significant rebound in the third quarter and employment was largely stable, even amid continuing challenges, a senior official at the state planner said on Monday.

Policymakers have rolled out a flurry of measures to bolster the world's second-largest economy, which narrowly escaped a contraction in the second quarter, as stringent COVID curbs and a deepening property slump weigh on the outlook.

"The economy picked up significantly in the third quarter," Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, told a news conference during the once-in-every-five-years Communist Party Congress.

"Consumer prices have risen modestly, in sharp contrast to the high global inflation, and the employment remained generally stable."

China will delay the release of third-quarter GDP and September activity data originally scheduled for publication at 10:00 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) on Tuesday, according to an updated calendar on the statistics bureau's website. No explanation was given.

The GDP data had been eagerly awaited by investors, after an unexpected delay of trade figures due to be released on Friday.

China's economy likely grew 3.4% in July-September from a year earlier, gaining pace from the 0.4% growth in the second quarter, but the expected 2022 growth could still be one of the weakest in almost half of a century, a Reuters poll suggested.

Policymakers have rolled out more than 50 economic support measures since late May, channelling more money into infrastructure projects and cutting taxes for businesses.

The recovery will be consolidated as the effects of macro policies continue to be released, said Zhao, who conceded the economy still faces multiple headwinds.

"Influenced by changes in the external and internal environment, there are still some outstanding contradictions and problems in the economic operation, and economic development still faces many difficulties and challenges," he said.

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Amid weak consumer and business confidence, firms are wary of expanding and hiring more workers. The nationwide survey-based jobless rate eased slightly to 5.3% in August from 5.4% in July. Youth unemployment stayed high at 18.7%, after reaching a record 19.9% in July.

President Xi Jinping touted the fight against COVID-19 as he kicked off the party congress by focusing on security and reiterating policy priorities on Sunday, suggesting strict COVID restrictions will not ease anytime soon.

China will take steps to stabilise its supply chains and ramp up policies to attract foreign investment, particularly in the manufacturing sector, Zhao added.

Other senior government officials vowed at the news conference to greatly increase domestic energy supply capacity and further increase reserve capacity for key commodities.

(Additional reporting by Liangping Gao; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Ana Nicolaci da Costa and Lincoln Feast)
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged his nation will prevail in its fight to develop strategically important tech, underscoring Beijings concern over a US campaign to separate it from cutting-edge chip capabilities.

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We will focus on national strategic needs, gather strength to carry out indigenous and leading scientific and technological research, and resolutely win the battle in key core technologies, Xi said in a speech Sunday at the opening of the ruling Communist Partys twice-a-decade congress in Beijing.

Xi said the worlds No. 2 economy will speed up innovation in areas that are vital to technology self-reliance, adding that China will move faster to launch a number of major national projects that are of strategic, big-picture and long-term importance. He didnt give details on those efforts.

Xi Says Chinas Power Has Increased, Warns of Dangerous Storms

The comments illustrate how China plans to deal with the US placing new restrictions on tech exports that could undercut its ability to develop broad sections of its economy such as semiconductors, supercomputers, surveillance systems and advanced weapons.

The focus on science was a reflection on just how much Xi Jinping is betting on innovation as a solution to Chinas economic problems and to its reliance on Western technology, said Neil Thomas, a China analyst at Eurasia Group Ltd., a political risk advisory firm.

Thats super significant. It really shows his increasing priority that this is his big bet basically for the future of China.

Xis Vow to Stand Tall Has China on Collision Course With US

Earlier this month, the US Commerce Department unveiled sweeping regulations that limit the sale of semiconductors and chip-making equipment to Chinese customers, striking at the foundation of the countrys efforts to build its own chip industry. The US also added 31 organizations to its unverified list, including Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. and a subsidiary of leading chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group Co., severely limiting their ability to buy hardware from abroad.

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Those moves were the Biden administrations most aggressive yet as it tries to stop China from developing capabilities it sees as threatening. The US is seeking to ensure that Chinese companies dont transfer technology to the Peoples Liberation Army, and that chipmakers in China dont develop the capability to make advanced semiconductors themselves.

Depending on how broadly Washington enforces the restrictions, the impact could extend well beyond semiconductors and into industries that rely on high-end computing, such as electric vehicles, aerospace and smartphones.

Xi Says Economic Development Is Communist Partys Top Priority

Beijing has criticized the expanded US curbs on its access to semiconductor technology, saying they will harm supply chains and the global economy. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning said the measures -- which start to go into force this month -- are unfair and will also hurt the interests of US companies.

In the speech to the party congress thats expected to result in him getting more time in power, Xi said China was now one of the worlds great innovating nations, lauding its capabilities in areas such as space exploration and biomedicine.

China and the US are in an increasingly fierce competition over space as Beijing sends probes to the moon, builds its own space station and sets its sights on Mars. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has accused China of stealing space technology, and the country has been criticized over its handling of debris falling back to earth.

Last month, China said it plans to launch three unmanned missions to the moon over the next decade, an announcement that came a day after saying it discovered a new lunar mineral via samples retrieved by its Change-5 mission.

(Updates with more context.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
city of london jobs employment

Hiring in the City of London has plunged almost by a third as economic turmoil spells the end of a dealmaking boom for banks and financial services companies, a leading recruiter has warned.

Morgan McKinley, which specialises in hiring for financial services roles, found that the number of vacant City jobs in the third quarter fell by 31pc to 7,907 from the previous three months.

It came even as the number of highly skilled workers out of work but looking for a job in finance jumped to 27,097, the highest level since 2017 and a 14pc jump on a year earlier.

Hakan Enver, a managing director at Morgan McKinley, said: Its been over a year since the economy fully reopened. We saw a sustained period of recruitment activity for most of that time, but now it seems hiring in the city's financial services sector has slowed down a little.

After a run of bumper profits for banks during the pandemic, employers woke up in 2022 with a lot of fat to trim across all levels of seniority, said Loula Lefkaritis, a consultant, who oversees financial services hiring at headhunter Egon Zehnder.

She added: Clearly, because the IPO market has been dead this year  the market slump has caused valuations to plummet  equity capital markets teams will definitely be among the most badly affected. Banks have already throughout the year been trimming down and repositioning these teams.

When it comes to the M&A product, its holding on, relatively speaking. If you speak to some individual bankers, youll see that theyre still busy and their pipelines are decent, given the abysmal state of the economy. The problem is how that translates to fees, because they have tremendous fee pressure from clients.

Some banks have already started to cut back.

The Financial Times reported last month that Goldman Sachs is looking to cull up to 5pc of its global workforce, after revenues fell 38pc year-on-year in investment banking and 83pc in asset management.

Meanwhile, Berenberg has said that it will cut 5pc of its 500-person strong workforce in London, citing the quietest year [for equity issuance] since 2003.

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Simon Humphreys, associate director at recruitment agency Randstad, said: Our financial services clients are still recruiting, albeit not quite at the same volume as in H1.

This has had a knock-on effect on wage growth, Mr Humphreys added.

He said: For the most part we're not seeing big salary increases being offered, so we're having to manage expectations more.

Earlier this summer, law firm Allen & Overy froze the salaries of junior solicitors at 107,500, after increasing pay twice in the past year to prevent itself from being outgunned in a war for talent with higher-paying US firms.

In an email seen by RollonFriday, a legal news website, Allen & Overy told associates that after careful consideration of the market and with economic conditions becoming more challenging the firm had decided not to increase associate spot salaries.

The Magic Circle firm also called off the pay review for senior associates.

Other recruitment agencies have warned of a drop-off in hiring for new roles, too, as the previously tight labour market begins to unwind.

PageGroup Global on Wednesday put out a trading update warning that it had seen employers pull job adverts towards the end of September.

We saw a slight softening in client confidence across the majority of our regions, said PageGroup chief executive Steve Ingham in a statement.

He added: This led to a small number of jobs being withdrawn and a slowdown in time to hire in a number of our markets towards the end of the quarter.
Teachers opted to go on strike in two Massachusetts cities after contract negotiations failed over the weekend, prompting the cancellation of classes on Monday.

Educators have walked out of the classroom in Malden and Haverhill, leaving thousands of students at home as teachers demand better pay and improved working conditions.

Scott Wood, of the Haverhill School Committee, said Monday morning that teachers left the bargaining table Sunday night after the district made a very generous offer.

The city has offered a financial package of over $20 million in raises. This is an unprecedented amount. We think this is more than fair and in line with what teachers in other districts are being paid, Wood said.

Late Monday afternoon, a judge responded to an injunction request from the Haverhill School Committee, ruling that the teachers must return to the classroom.

BREAKING: In Haverhill, judge issues temporary restraining order forcing striking teachers back to work. Ruling says 8,000 students will suffer immediate and irreparable injury if TRO not granted. Ill have more @boston25 5/6PM pic.twitter.com/75oA08PTcr  Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) October 17, 2022

The Haverhill YMCA and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Haverhill will be open on Monday for children presently enrolled in their programs.

Teachers in Malden began picketing at all seven of the citys public schools starting around 8 a.m. Teachers and the school system could not reach a deal on a new contract Sunday night.

The Malden teachers, like their Haverhill counterparts, are trying to negotiate a new contract with added benefits such as more reasonable schedules, smaller class sizes and better compensation

Maldens Superintendent says while this may be intended to send a message to school district leaders, in her opinion, its the students and families who are suffering the consequences.

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Boston 25 has learned that teachers in both cities are scheduled to renew their separate negotiations with various officials from Haverhill and Malden at 4:00 p.m. on Monday.

Wood called the strikes a coordinated effort by the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

Whose schools? Our schools!



Teachers and staff chanting outside Malden High School as day one of their strike gets underway.



A union negotiator tells me the district has not given them a date for their next negotiation session@boston25 pic.twitter.com/yW6h0ct4rn  Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) October 17, 2022

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Relentless drought in China, East Africa, the U.S. West and northern Mexico, devastating floods in Pakistan and Kentucky, scorching heat waves in Europe and the Pacific Northwest, destructive cyclones in southern Africa and intense hurricanes in the U.S. and Central America make up just some of the recent extreme weather events that scientists have long predicted would be more intense with a warming climate.

With just over one degree of warming since pre-industrial times, we are already seeing more extreme weather patterns," said Elizabeth Robinson, director of the Grantham Research Institute in London.

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EDITORS NOTE: This story is part of an ongoing series answering some of the most fundamental questions around climate change, the science behind it, the effects of a warming planet and how the world is addressing it.

___

Scientists have been tracking precisely how much the climate has already changed due to human activity. Temperatures around the world have been inching upwards.

The average global temperature today, which tends to be compared to estimates for the pre-industrial era that kickstarted the mass burning of fossil fuels, has shot up between 0.9 and 1.2 degrees Celsius (1.6 to 2 degrees Fahrenheit) since 1850, in large part due to human activity, according to estimates in the most recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Most of that warming has happened from 1975 onwards, at a rate of 0.15 Celsius (0.27 Fahrenheit) to 0.2 Celsius (0.36 Fahrenheit) per decade.

Most people are living in areas that have heated up more than the global average, partly that is urbanization  people move into cities, which are urban heat islands  and partly populations growing, Robinson said. Urban areas, packed with plenty of heat-absorbing infrastructure like roads and buildings and less cooling tree cover, become islands of warmer weather.

Sea levels, which have swelled due to both warming, expanding oceans and the melting of ice over land, have also been jumping up more rapidly. In the twentieth century, seas were rising by about 1.4 millimeters (0.06 inches) a year, but thats doubled to 3.6 millimeters a year (0.14 inches) in the past fifteen years, data suggests. Seas have risen by about 21 to 24 centimeters (8 to 9 inches) so far since 1880 on average, according to estimates, with the IPCC suggesting this will likely be up to 43 to 84 centimeters (17 to 33 inches) by 2100.

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While the climate and global temperatures have fluctuated throughout the Earth's history, it is the rate of change that is most alarming to researchers. Fossil fuels  made up of ancient decomposing plants and animals deep in the earth  have been dug up at extraordinary rates. Scientists are now starting to pinpoint details about rates and magnitudes and timing of changes as well as the varying impact on regions, said Brown University climate scientist Kim Cobb.

With the planet already facing the effects of climate change, adapting to hazards is one major way humans can limit the damage. Weather-related disaster deaths are generally trending lower globally as forecasts, preparedness and resilience improves, scientists say.

"The extent to which people are harmed by an extreme weather event is strongly influenced by government policies, Robinson said, but added that there are limits to adaptation.

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AP Science writer Seth Borenstein contributed to this report.

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Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Coinbase, the worlds second-largest cryptocurrency trading platform by volume, is hinting it may sue about 1,000 users in the republic of Georgia for taking advantage of a pricing glitch.

On Aug. 29, about 1,000 Coinbase users in the country straddling Europe and Asia exploited the arbitrage opportunity when the lari, the local currency, was priced at $290 rather than $2.90 for about six hours on Coinbase. The group constitutes only 0.001% of the U.S.-based companys users.

The glitch was a fault of a third party, Coinbase told CoinDesk then, without identifying the company. As such, the incident illustrates a longstanding concern of financial regulators: The risks posed to institutions by external partnerships.

"When everything is done within a bank, we know exactly who is accountable when things break," said U.S. Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu last week. When work is split between an institution and fintech startups with different business models, however, that's when risk can get lost."

The amount of money Coinbase lost on the Georgia snafu, which the company refused to disclose, was, according to a spokesperson, immaterial.

Nevertheless, Coinbase is working with law firm Gvinadze & Partners to assist in retrieving the improperly credited funds, a Coinbase spokesperson told CoinDesk in a written statement.

We cannot comment on the status of specific demands or litigation, the company representative said. However, users that return the improperly credited funds will not be subject to further legal proceedings.

Run on ATMs

Avtandil Kutchava, host of the Georgian television show Crypto Bazari, told CoinDesk that about 470 people reached out to his team about the situation. Altogether, people could have made tens of millions of dollars on trades with the erroneous lari rate, Kutchava estimated, and that day ATMs in Tbilisi, Georgias capital, ran out of banknotes as traders rushed to cash out their jaw-dropping profits.

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For example, one bitcoin was trading for 5,000,000 to 6,000,000 lari, or around $1.7 million apiece, while the average price in late August was just 55,000 to 60,000 lari.

CoinDesk talked to four traders who took advantage of that pricing glitch on a group video call. All of them said they had their bank accounts briefly frozen hours after they sold crypto for lari and withdrew fiat to their bank accounts. Several days later, the accounts and bank cards were unfrozen without any action from them.

However, on Sept. 24, all four received emails from Gvinadze & Partners saying that Coinbase is determined to use any and all available legal means to recover improperly credited funds as soon as practical and warning that if the users fail to respond to the email and return the money, legal action could be taken against them.

Marked suspicious

Coinbase did not confirm whether the exchange reached out to the Georgian banks asking to freeze traders accounts. At least two of Georgias major banks, Bank of Georgia and TBC, froze the accounts of the users who took advantage of the glitch but then unfroze them, the traders said.

One of the users who talked to CoinDesk, a manager at a Georgian tech startup and amateur trader named Tornike (he asked to withhold his surname), sold some Stellar lumens (XLM) on Aug. 29 while on vacation in Grigoleti, a small resort on the Black Sea shore.

He immediately withdrew his profits into his Bank of Georgia account and hit a nearby ATM to double-check: the money was available for him to withdraw. But several hours later, Tornike said, he tried buying some wine in a local store and his payment wouldnt go through  his debit card was frozen. After three days, something changed and Tornike was able to use his bank accounts again.

Blockworks, a news site, cited a text message received by one of the traders from their bank. Hello, we have marked your transactions with Coinbase as suspicious and were locking all your accounts and cards, one banks blanket text message to customers reads. Please be aware that Coinbase may request clawback of the funds. Sorry.

Neither of the two banks responded to CoinDesks request for comments by press time. Gvinadze & Partners also did not respond.
Attorneys for Oklahoma death row inmate Benjamin Cole have filed a request with the Supreme Court, asking the justices to spare his life.

The request for was filed last week.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted against recommending clemency to Cole last month. If the Supreme Court fails to intervene, Cole will be executed Thursday morning in McAlester.

In the written request, Coles attorneys claim he has severe mental illness and is not fit to be executed. Cole is allegedly catatonic, cant manage his own personal hygiene, and crawls if he is not placed in a wheelchair.

Cole was convicted of killing his infant daughter in Rogers County in 2004.




Rep. Lauren Boebert. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Don Coram wrote a scathing op-ed slamming Lauren Boebert for being "disgraceful."

He accused Boebert of "jet-setting around the country promoting herself and extreme rhetoric."

Coram was a Republican congressional candidate who lost the GOP primary to Boebert in June.

In an op-ed published on October 12, Don Coram, a Colorado Republican who lost to Lauren Boebert in the primaries in June, criticized Boebert and endorsed her Democratic midterm rival.

Boebert spends "her time jet-setting around the country promoting herself and extreme rhetoric that only divides this country further," Coram wrote in the op-ed, which was published weeks out from the midterm vote on November 8.

"It's disgraceful and we should expect more from our United States representative," he continued.

Coram threw his weight behind Adam Frisch, a Democratic candidate running against Boebert in Colorado's third district.

"Let's elect someone who cares about representing the majority of people in the middle that are fed up with extreme partisanship and juvenile antics. Join me in voting for Adam Frisch for Congress," Coram wrote.

Coram went on to compare the far-right congresswoman to her Democratic Party colleague, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He cautioned voters about the ills of politicians putting their interests "before the overall interest of the republic." He referenced an old warning from former President George Washington about political parties one day being used by "unprincipled men" to "subvert the power of the people."

"Sadly, we are at a time when it seems neither party nor their loudest voices have the highest interests of our nation at heart," Coram wrote. "The proof lies in candidates like AOC (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) and Colorado's own Lauren Boebert, who are the poster children for what President Washington feared."

Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive lawmaker, has feuded with Boebert on many occasions. As recently as Tuesday, the two engaged in a tit-for-tat on Twitter, where they accused each other of not spending enough time with their constituents.

Representatives for Boebert and Ocasio-Cortez did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Columbus man is facing at least two decades behind bars after admitting Monday to the 2019 fatal shooting of his girlfriend the day after city police officers responded to the couple's North Linden home on a domestic violence call.

Marcos Solis III, 26, pleaded guilty Monday in Franklin County Common Pleas Court to involuntary manslaughter and possessing a weapon under disability (having a gun as a convicted felon). Under a plea deal, prosecutors dropped murder charges against Solis for the shooting death of his girlfriend, 32-year-old Deborah Saenz, on July 12, 2019.

The family of the victim sued five veteran Columbus police officers, a 911 dispatcher and the city of Columbus over the alleged mishandling of a domestic violence call, citing the failure of police to make an arrest or confiscate Solis' guns. The plaintiffs later dropped the city from the suit for legal reasons, but the city attorney's office is representing the remaining defendants.

The civil lawsuit states that Saenz called 911 on July 11, 2019, and told a dispatcher she had been beaten and that Solis, a convicted felon recently released from prison, had two guns despite the fact a convicted felon is barred by law from owning or possessing a firearm.

The next morning, Solis called 911 and reported he had shot Saenz, who died later that morning from her wounds.

Context:Family of woman killed by boyfriend sues Columbus police officers, 911 dispatcher

In a separate case, Solis also pleaded guilty Monday to attempted possession of a weapon while under detention for having a shank in jail, according to Franklin County Assistant Prosecutor Jack Wong.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Andy D. Miller found Solis guilty in both cases and sentenced him to a total indefinite prison term of 20 years (18 years for the involuntary manslaughter case) to a maximum of 25.5 years, as jointly recommended by prosecutors and defense counsel.

The maximum sentence Miller could have given Solis for the involuntary manslaughter case was 26 years to 31.5 years in prison. Solis has been in jail for more than three years awaiting trial, which will count as time served toward his prison sentence.

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Election:Who's running for judge on Franklin County Common Pleas Court, General Division?

Solis' attorney, Mark Collins, said his client took responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty, which will allow the victim's family to begin the healing process. Solis apologized in court Monday to Saenz's family and his own family, Collins said.

"This was a tragic situation," Collins told The Dispatch. "I want to thank the victim's family for their strength and compassion and (allowing) the joint recommendation."

Wong declined to comment on the case.

When you lose someone so close, as Deb was to her family, in such a horrible way, its a long road to heal, said Robert Wagoner, one of the attorneys representing the family in their civil suit. For the family, theres no among of time Mr. Solis will serve that would ever be enough to properly punish him for what he did. But they are looking at this as a positive step forward.

Solis was released from prison a few months before he killed Saenz. According to court records, he served time for several felony drug possession cases. Before that, Solis served time in juvenile detention. At 14 years old, Solis slit the throat of a classmate at Columbus' West High School with a box cutter, according to previous articles by The Columbus Dispatch. The victim survived.

More court news:Holli Osborn found guilty on both counts of murder in husband's death

The civil lawsuit by Saenz's family, which alleges wrongful death as a result of negligence on the part of officers, is scheduled to go to trial in Franklin County Common Pleas Court on Oct. 16, 2023. The family is seeking damages in excess of $25,000.

Jeffrey Dittmer, another attorney on the civil suit, said Miller acknowledged before sentencing Solis that Saenz would still be here today if Solis had not illegally possessed guns.

"That's very telling," Dittmer told The Dispatch.

jlaird@dispatch.com

@LairdWrites

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus man pleads to killing girlfriend day after domestic violence
John Eastman, left, and Rudy Giuliani at Donald Trump's Jan. 6 Save America Rally. Both men are members of Trump's circle who deserve aggressive scrutiny by the Justice Department. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)

The Jan. 6 committee preceded its dramatic Trump subpoena vote last week with a montage of former administration insiders repeatedly invoking the 5th Amendment. It was characteristically clever storytelling, driving home the stark contrast between the holdouts and the many other witnesses  most of them also administration insiders  who recognized their duty, however reluctantly, to provide truthful information to Congress.

We saw a parade of cravenness: Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, John Eastman and Jeffrey Clark provided rote 5th responses to even the most bland questions, such as Rep. Liz Cheneys inquiry of Flynn, Do you believe in the peaceful transfer of power?

These Trump loyalists, and others, are still helping to protect the former president from a true reckoning for his antidemocratic actions. Many of them may well have committed crimes themselves. The House committee lacked the time and muscle to force them to cooperate. Now the Justice Department should aggressively pursue their testimony and investigate their possible criminal conduct.

From the start, the Jan. 6 investigations in Congress and the Department of Justice have been widely compared to Watergate, and what grew out of it: societys essential condemnation of the constitutional misconduct of Richard Nixon and all the presidents men.

Nixon escaped incarceration for his Watergate actions when he was pardoned by President Ford in 1974. The move was enormously controversial and may have resulted in Fords 1976 electoral loss to Jimmy Carter. But history has by and large acquitted Ford and endorsed his effort to bring our long national nightmare to an end.

However, dozens of other Watergate actors pleaded guilty or were convicted for the burglary of the Democractic National Committee or for its ensuing coverup, for which liability was shared with an unindicted coconspirator  Nixon himself.

Those who served time include break-in foot soldiers such as Bernard Barker and Virgilio Gonzalez; political dirty tricksters including Donald Segretti, James McCord and G. Gordon Liddy; and, crucially, Nixons senior advisers  H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, Charles Colson and onetime Atty. Gen. John Mitchell.

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The rash of convictions held corrupt officials to account and represented society's condemnation of wrongdoing at the highest levels of government, notwithstanding the Nixon pardon.

Imagine if those men had not faced retribution, if the response to Watergate had been only forward-looking legislative efforts, such as the intelligence-gathering reforms that emerged from the so-called Church Committee convened in 1975. It might remain an unsettled matter whether the rule of law had effectively re-asserted itself and whether Watergate was so bad after all.

Glossing over the crimes of Jan. 6 is the risk we face now, particularly as large segments of the country continue to believe that Trump won the 2020 election, or that the House and Justice Department investigations represent a witch hunt, or that the U.S. Capitol marauders were, in the words Trump employed last week, great American patriots.

The chance that the attempted insurrection will never be properly punished is only compounded by the distinct possibility, for various legal, political and practical reasons, that Trump himself  however compelling the case against him marshaled by the committee  could escape criminal punishment for his Jan. 6 conduct.

One salutary obstacle to Trumps prosecution is this: The Justice Department seems likely to bring charges against Trump based on the Mar-A-Lago document scandal, and to do so relatively soon, well before a possible prosecution for his Jan. 6 conduct could be readied. If the former president were to be indicted and possibly convicted because of the Mar-a-Lago case, the national appetite to pursue him further, and the resolve of Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland to do so, would diminish.

Such considerations do not apply to anyone else who criminally conspired against the peaceful transfer of power that the American people mandated with their votes in 2020.

By my count, more than a dozen people in Trump's circle deserve serious scrutiny. In addition to Stone  who appears to have been a bridge to the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers  Michael Flynn, would-be DOJ coup orchestrator Clark and phony-electors plotter Eastman, the list includes lawyers Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis and serial fibber Rudy Giuliani; former Secret Service agent and Trump partisan Anthony Ornato; Trump aide Peter Navarro; schemer in chief Steve Bannon; and assorted hangers-on who spent time in the Jan. 6 war room at the Willard Hotel.

Above all, former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows' actions should be investigated and he should be questioned under oath. Despite being at the center of much of the Jan. 6-related activity, he has remained largely in the background and dodged efforts to force him to testify.

Not all of these actors will turn out to have committed crimes, but most of them surely have important, as yet not fully revealed, information about Trumps post-election conduct. I can see no reason why they should not promptly be called before the Jan. 6 grand jury convened by the Department of Justice, and if appropriate, quickly charged. Proper action now could have the collateral benefit of leveraging cooperation against higher-up actors including Trump himself.

Whether or not Trump faces federal charges for his Jan. 6 conduct, the aggressive pursuit of all the presidents people, as with Watergate, will be crucial to societys and historys assessment of the outrageous offenses against democracy that took place after the 2020 election. The sooner it begins, the better.

@HarryLitman

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Stockton man was arrested in connection to a series of killings in the city  and one in Oakland  on Saturday, and residents are breathing a sigh of relief.

Cristl Phillips, a lifelong Stockton resident, said she feels "much better" knowing an arrest has been made. She said the news hits close to home, as her daughter lives in the area where the man was arrested.

"He was literally on the hunt in my child's neighborhood, and [she] could have very easily been his next victim, so I thank the Lord he was captured," Phillips said.

Phillips said that while the city has always had high crime rates, serial killings are "not very common."

"We as a community need to thank each other for our vigilance ... as well as our law enforcement agencies," Phillips said. "Three weeks after making the connection, they took this monster down and we can all sleep more peacefully tonight."

Wesley Brownlee, 43, of Stockton was arrested early Saturday morning, Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden announced at an Oct. 15 news conference. He's yet to be charged with a crime and is expected in court Tuesday.

"Just because an arrest was made does not mean the investigation stops," McFadden said. "We now have to have a successful prosecution for our victims and their families."

Brownlee was taken into custody at about 2 a.m. Saturday near Village Green Drive and Winslow Way, McFadden said. He added that Brownlee was wearing dark clothing and a mask around his neck, and was also armed with a firearm.

"The arrest of the serial killer is an absolute victory for the victims, their families, and our community at large," Renee Myers of Stockton said.

Myers runs Stockton Serial Killer Community News and Information, a members-only Facebook group created to share tips and express concerns regarding the recent series of killings. Nearly 4,000 members have joined the group since it was created on Oct. 5.

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"Going into this, there was no doubt in my mind that the community would play an integral part of the investigation, capture and prosecution of this killer," Myers said.

Read more:

The public has been on high alert since Sept. 30 when McFadden announced that police are investigating a person of interest in connection with five similar fatal shootings that have occurred across north Stockton over the past several months.

The five shootings police are investigating as part of the series of connected killings occurred north of the Calaveras River and east of I-5 between July 8 and Sept. 27.

Police later linked two additional shootings  one fatal  that occurred in April 2021 in Oakland and Stockton to the series of connected killings under investigation.

Brownlee is scheduled to be arraigned in San Joaquin County Superior Court at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. But there are still some Stockton residents who refuse to let their guard down.

"I don't think it's him," Ronnie Fernandez of Stockton said. "I am continuing to be safe and cautious."

Fernandez said she doesn't believe Brownlee looks like the person of interest police identified in surveillance video footage in late September and questioned how police were able to catch him "so fast."

Maria Olivera of Stockton was also doubtful. She, like Fernandez, said she will remain vigilant when she goes out.

"I think maybe he's still out there," Olivera said. "I don't think it's certain it's the right person."

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton residents react to man's arrest in connection with serial killings
M&T Bank has awarded its Amplify Fund grants, giving $6 million to 44 Connecticut nonprofits.

Announced in May 2022, the fund is aimed at addressing underserved, marginalized and overlooked communities.

The 44 nonprofits are part of the first round of grants. In total, the Amplify Fund will award $25 million in unrestricted, multi-year support to organizations. The grants will help organizations improve the lives of their communities through programmatic, capacity-building or policy-based work.

The fund was created after the merger of Peoples United Bank and M&T Bank and serves Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont.

M&T is a community-focused bank, and we are proud to support and stand alongside these impactful organizations to help them do good in the communities which we all value, said Mike Keegan, M&T Bank senior executive vice president. This first round of Amplify Fund grants being invested in Connecticut is part of a broader commitment to initiatives that are focused on supporting local partners with more capacity to achieve their objectives.

Grants were awarded based on proposals submitted earlier this year by the nonprofits. Priority was given to nonprofits that articulated the needs to be addressed, the strategies to be employed in response to those needs and a plan to demonstrate effectiveness. There was also a separate category for organizations addressing environmental justice and equity in communities.

Requests for the next round of grants will be announced at a later date.

Awarded grants include funding for projects that include but not limited to:

Helping low-income BIPOC individuals find new career pathways via job training and mentorship programs, and direct support to BIPOC and women owned small businesses to help develop and grow their businesses.

Funding and expansion of safe and stable mission-driven housing to low-income households, and expansion of physical and mental health services for homeless youth in Connecticut.

Hiring of additional staff and expansion of organizational capacity across numerous organizations of different types and missions.

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The full list of Connecticut Amplify Fund recipients include:

Alliance for Community Empowerment

Arts for Learning CT

Barnum Museum Foundation, Inc.

Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders

Bridgeport Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO)

Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, Inc.

Capital for Change

Cardinal Shehan Center

Career Resources, Inc.

Central Connecticut Coast YMCA

Community Action Agency for New Haven

Connecticut Association for the Performing Arts (Shubert Theatre)

Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program (ConnCORP)

Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants

CT Council for Philanthropy

CT Students for a Dream

Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities Inc

Fairfield Countys Community Foundation

Forge City Works

Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County

Hartford Land Bank, Inc

HEDCO, Inc.

Housatonic Community College Foundation

Housing Development Fund, Inc.

International Hartford Ltd.

Junior Achievement of Fairfield County

LifeBridge Community Services, Inc.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation Connecticut

Make the Road Connecticut

Mutual Housing Association of Greater Hartford Inc

Mutual Housing Association of South Central Connecticut, Inc.

Mutual Housing Association of Southwestern Connecticut (Connecticut Housing Partners)

Neighborhood Housing Services Of New Haven, Inc

Our Piece of the Pie, Inc.

Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP)

SCSU Foundation

Sheldon Oak Central, Inc.

The Center for Family Justice, Inc.

The Open Door Shelter

The San Juan Center

The WorkPlace

United Way of Coastal Fairfield County

Womens Business Development Council

The full list of Amplify Fund Equity and Environment Initiative recipients include:
The body found over the weekend in a Port Royal retention pond was identified as a 66-year-old man from the area, according to the Beaufort County Coroners Office.

Willie Wal Thour, 66, of Port Royal was identified as the man found floating in the pond Saturday, according to Coroner David Ott and the Port Royal Police Department. Police were called out to Madrid Avenue after neighbors reported seeing a body in the water. The officers and firefighters were able to pull Wal Thour out of the water.

While speaking with neighbors, police were told that several people had seen Wal Thour walking in the area of 9th Street Friday around 8:30 p.m., according to previous reporting by The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.

A forensic autopsy for Wal Thour is scheduled to take place Tuesday at the Beaufort County Coroners Office.

Police believe the death was an accident and is not related to a crime or animal attack, according to a department news release.

As of Monday, Wal Thours death remains under investigation, said Capt. John Griffith, a spokesperson with the Port Royal Police Department.

Anyone with information regarding this incident may call Detective John Hogue with the Port Royal Police Department at 843-986-2220.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal seeking to give people born in American Samoa U.S. citizenship.

In leaving in place an appeals court decision, the court also passed up an invitation to overturn a series of decisions dating back to 1901 known as the Insular Cases, replete with racist and anti-foreign rhetoric. Justice Neil Gorsuch had called for the cases to be overturned in April.

But the justices refused to take up an appeal from people born in American Samoa, and living in Utah, who argued that a federal law declaring that they are nationals, but not citizens, of the United States at birth is unconstitutional.

A trial judge in Utah ruled in their favor, but the federal appeals court in Denver said Congress, not courts, should decide the citizenship issue. The appeals court also noted that American Samoa's elected leaders opposed the lawsuit for fear that it might disrupt their cultural traditions.

Its a punch in the gut for the Justices to leave in place a ruling that says I am not equal to other Americans simply because I was born in a U.S. territory," John Fitisemanu, the lead plaintiff, said in a statement. I was born on U.S. soil, have a U.S. passport and pay my taxes like everyone else. But because of a discriminatory federal law, I am not recognized as a U.S. citizen.

American Samoa is the only unincorporated territory of the United States where the inhabitants are not American citizens at birth.

Instead, those born in the cluster of islands some 2,600 miles (4,184 kilometers) southwest of Hawaii are granted U.S. national status, meaning they cant vote for U.S. president, run for office outside American Samoa or apply for certain jobs. The only federal election they can cast a vote in is the race for American Samoas nonvoting U.S. House seat.

Not taking up the case helps preserve American Samoas cultural priorities and right of self-determination, said Amata Coleman Radewagen, American Samoas U.S. House delegate.

Story continues

Our people value American Samoas right of self-determination, with great love for the United States as expressed in our peoples high rate of service to the country, she said in a statement. The issue of the Insular Cases can be addressed by Congress, based on self-determination by the people of each territory."

The Insular Cases, which arose following the Spanish-American War, dealt with the administration of overseas territories.

In their conclusion that residents of territories had some, but not all, rights under the Constitution, justices wrote in stark racial and xenophobic terms. Citizenship could not be automatically given to those absolutely unfit to receive it, one justice wrote.

That history prompted Gorsuch to comment in a case involving benefits denied to people who live in Puerto Rico, decided in April. He wrote that the Insular Cases were wrongly decided because they deprived residents of U.S. territories of some constitutional rights.

It is past time to acknowledge the gravity of this error and admit what we know to be true: The Insular Cases have no foundation in the Constitution and rest instead on racial stereotypes. They have no place in our law, Gorsuch wrote.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed by three American Samoa natives now living in Utah, where they are prohibited from voting or becoming police officers.

The Biden administration joined the American Samoa government in calling for the court to reject the appeal. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, wrote that the government in no way relies on the indefensible and discredited aspects of the Insular Cases reasoning and rhetoric that was highlighted in the appeal. __

AP journalist Jennifer Sinco Kelleher in Honolulu contributed to this report.
By John Revill and Oliver Hirt

ZURICH (Reuters) - Credit Suisse Group AG has approached at least one Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund for a capital injection, a source said, while some funds are looking at the scandal-hit Swiss bank's businesses as potential investment opportunities.

Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia were weighing up, through their sovereign wealth funds, whether to put money into Credit Suisse's investment bank and other businesses, Bloomberg reported. An investment would be to take advantage of low valuations, it said.

Credit Suisse's investment banking chief, Christian Meissner, will be leaving the bank once it has announced a strategic overhaul on Oct. 27, a source familiar with the situation said.

The size and other details of a potential capital injection could not be learned.

A spokesperson for Credit Suisse declined to comment, reiterating that it will update on its strategy review when it announces third-quarter earnings.

The largest Middle Eastern sovereign fund investor in Credit Suisse, the Qatar Investment Authority, declined to comment. Mubadala declined to comment. ADIA and PIF did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Credit Suisse's U.S.-listed depository receipts closed 3.6% higher on Monday. (Graphic: Cost of insuring Credit Suisse debt, https://graphics.reuters.com/CREDITSUISSE-CDS/dwpkroxdxvm/chart.png)

Credit Suisse, one of the largest banks in Europe, is trying to recover from a string of scandals, including losing more than $5 billion from the collapse of investment firm Archegos last year, when it also had to suspend client funds linked to failed financier Greensill.

Analysts have said the company might need as much as 9 billion Swiss francs ($9 billion) as part of a reorganization, some of which may have to come from investors and some from the sale of assets.

It has already begun a sale process for its U.S. asset management arm, with initial bids due at the end of this week, a source familiar with the matter said. Bloomberg News, which first reported the news on Monday, said the unit is expected to draw interest from private equity firms.

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Its approach for a capital raise indicates that the sale of assets alone may not be enough to cover the costs of an imminent overhaul that the embattled bank hopes will draw a line under heavy losses and a string of scandals.

On Monday, the Swiss lender agreed to pay $495 million to settle legal action over mortgage-linked investments in the United States, adding to the billions it has been paying out to resolve legal cases linked to its residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) business in the run up to the 2008 financial crisis.

The New Jersey case was the largest of its remaining exposure on its legacy RMBS business, Credit Suisse said, with five remaining cases, all far smaller, still in litigation.

In June, Credit Suisse was convicted of failing to prevent money laundering by a Bulgarian cocaine trafficking gang, while a Bermuda court ruled that a former Georgian prime minister and his family were due damages of more than half a billion dollars from Credit Suisse's local life insurance arm.

Credit Suisse's chairman, Axel Lehmann, pledged on Friday to reform the bank after a "horrible" 2021 in which it lost billions of dollars, the biggest ever loss in its history.

"We are fully aware that we need to change and we will change, clearly," he said.

Lehmann took over in January at the Swiss bank.

(Reporting By Paritosh Bansal in New York, Elisa Martinuzzi in London, John Revill, Oliver Hirt and Noele Illien in Zurich, and David French in New York; additional reporting by Yousef Saba in Dubai; editing by John O'Donnell, David Evans and Stephen Coates)
The death toll as a result of a suicide drone attack on a residential building in the center of Kyiv has grown to three people.

Read also: Residential buildings hit by Iranian-made drones  photo report

"19 people have been rescued from under the rubble, he added.

Read also: Kyiv Oblast under serious drone attack, says governor

Rescue workers continue to search for survivors.

Earlier, Tymoshenko stated that two people had perished in the attack.

Read also: Zelenskyy calls Russian drone strikes on Kyiv an act of terror

On the morning of Oct. 17, Russia attacked the center of the capital with Iranian suicide drones  Shahed-136. The first strike caused a fire in an office building and damaged a number of residential houses.

One more strike on the center of Kyiv was carried out after 8 a.m. Drones hit another house, causing an explosion. In total, Kyiv was attacked four times with the Iranian-made loitering munitions.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- Florida Governor Ron DeSantiss top aide helped plan flights of undocumented immigrants from Texas to Massachusetts that are now the subject of a criminal investigation, federal probe and lawsuits, newly released public records show.

Most Read from Bloomberg

You have my full support, James Uthmeier, the governors chief of staff, texted another Florida official who was in Texas arranging the flight, on Sept. 5. Nine days later, the first chartered jet took off from San Antonio with dozens of undocumented immigrants from Venezuela and Peru aboard, headed for the seaside resort of Marthas Vineyard.

The 150 pages of documents -- released by DeSantis office at 9:10 p.m. Friday following a similarly timed release the previous week -- are among the first to point directly at the involvement of top aides in the flights. The documents include photos of migrants waiting to board a jet in San Antonio, their faces blacked out, and partially redacted Department of Homeland Security waivers that they signed. There are also two videos of planes taking off and a TikTok post panning the inside of a packed plane to a reggaeton soundtrack.

The documents include texts to Uthmeier from a second official who shows up as only LK and Larry. The Miami Herald reported Friday that the official is Larry Keefe, DeSantis public safety chief. Calls and emails to DeSantis office over the weekend werent returned.

Florida used $615,000 of interest earned from federal Covid-19 relief funds to pay a Destin, Florida, aircraft charter company, Vertol Systems Co., to fly the roughly 50 immigrants to Marthas Vineyard, state invoices show.

The documents show Uthmeier communicating about the timing of the flights and also suggested the second official, known as Larry, traveled to Texas to work on the flights. On Sept. 14, as the first flight prepared to leave, the official texted Uthmeier: All good. Close to departure. Then, Wheels up.

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The group of men, women and small children were dropped off in the seaside resort without any warning, sparking condemnation from migrant assistance groups, Massachusetts officials, and Democrats across the country. President Joe Biden accused Republican governors of using people as props.

Golden Crib

After the flights left Texas, Uthmeier received photos of migrants and screen shots of texts in Spanish thanking someone named Perla, who has been identified in other media as the person who recruited the migrants in Texas for the flights. There are all kind of journalists here asking questions, the person wrote. I have not said that anyone put me on a plane. I just say Im here, thats all. The person also thanks Perla for everything shes done to help, and she ends: You tossed us into a golden crib.

The flights put the DeSantis administration in the middle of multiple probes into potential wrongdoing. A sheriff in Texas opened a criminal investigation into who had lured and transported the migrants and recently declared the migrants to be victims of a crime. On Oct. 7, the US Treasury told members of Congress that it was investigating whether Florida improperly used federal Covid-19 relief funds for transporting migrants.

The governor tapped into $12 million of the interest Florida had earned from federal pandemic relief funds that the legislature had earmarked to facilitate the transport of unauthorized aliens from this state consistent with federal law, according to state documents.

Thats raised questions about how the governor could use the funds to transport migrants who were not in Florida to other states.

One of the key questions being pursued by the Treasury Department is whether Florida was authorized to use the money for Covid relief to send migrants to Massachusetts.

Republican governors in Texas and other border states have been sending thousands of people -- more than 10,000 from Texas alone -- north to Democratic-led cities and states, saying they should help handle the results of Bidens immigration policies.

DeSantis, frequently mentioned as a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2024, joined in on the practice last summer. He defended his actions in the days after the flights. We are not a sanctuary state, and we will gladly facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants to sanctuary jurisdictions, he said in mid-September.

The documents were released in response to public records requests from media organizations and the Florida Center for Government Accountability.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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More than 9 million people have not collected all or some of their coronavirus stimulus payments, including the Child Tax Credit, the Recovery Rebate Credit, or the Earned Income Tax Credit, the IRS said in a news release on Thursday, October 13, 2022.

CPI: Septembers Consumer Price Index Shows Inflation Higher Than Expected After Fed Rate Hikes

Social Security: 2023 COLA to Rise 8.7% for its Biggest Gain in Four Decades

In order to claim the stimulus funds, individuals or couples must file their 2021 federal income tax return. The IRS is also keeping the Free File service open until November 17, 2022, to make it easier for people to file and receive their money.

These tax credits are available for people even if they do not have taxes to pay and normally would not file because they have little or no income. However, to claim the money, a tax return must be filed.

The IRS announced that it will be sending a reminder letter to individuals and families who may be eligible for the credit. The letter will be mailed in Spanish and English, according to the news release posted in the IRS.gov newsroom.

The letter will go out to people who typically do not file tax returns because they appear to have very low incomes based on their W-2s, 1099s, or other third-party statements. The letter will remind people that theres no penalty for filing a return after the April 2022 tax deadline if you dont owe money. You should file as soon as possible to claim your refund. You can get your refund quickly and easily by filing your tax return online and setting up direct deposit to receive your money.

If you earn $73,000 or less, you can use IRS.gov/FreeFile to file your taxes free online with user-friendly, brand-name tax software.

Social Security COLA 2023: How Can I Find Out How Much More Money I Am Getting?

Social Security: Could COLA Increase Reduce Your Food Stamps Benefits?

Families could receive up to $3,600 in CTC payments, along with other payments that were part of the Biden Administrations $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, WDBJ7.com reported.

Story continues

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Didnt Get Stimulus Money or Your Child Tax Credit? Watch Your Mailbox for a Letter From The IRS
This week, doctors are asking more people to go ahead and get flu shots.

Channel 2s Linda Stouffer talked to doctors about the spike in respiratory viruses, and why this flu season is already starting off with warning signs for winter.

Theres a new flu shot reminder that shows what youre missing out on if you get the flu. For example, partying, being with family and friends, and fun.

The flu can lead to coughs and body aches for about a week, or more serious illness.

700,000 people ended up being hospitalized per year from the flu and over 50,000 die, said Dr. Willie Underwood with the American Medical Association.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Underwood said he is concerned about hospital and medical staffing if we are hit with the flu and a COVID-19 spike at the same time.

This could be the perfect storm for disaster. And not only that, a disaster that can be easily prevented from just getting a vaccine. A vaccine is a simple thing to do. Safe thing to do, said Underwood.

According to the CDC flu map, Georgia is in the red zone again this week for high flu-like activity.

And Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta is seeing so much RSV and flu. They added a tent outside to treat more children with mild respiratory issues.

The CDC recommends the annual flu shot for everyone six months and up.

Were going into the holiday season. Folks want to spend time with their friends and family. And we dont want folks to miss out on those moments, said Dr. Chastity Walker with the CDC. So vaccination is the one thing that you can do to keep yourself healthy and protect it, as well as your loved ones around you.

TRENDING STORIES:

It takes about two weeks for the full protection form a flu shot to kick in. This year, there are several versions of the shot.

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There is a high dose for older people and a nasal spray that may work for some children.

Doctors say you can get the flu shot at the same time as the COVID-19 booster shot.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS;
Donut Fest Pittsburgh will arrive in the Steel City Oct. 22.

For the first time in Pittsburgh, Donut Fest will feature offerings from local bakeries as well as coffee, tea and soda from local brands.

A portion of proceeds will benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, according to a news release.

Donut Fest will be held in the Cathedral Room at St. Nicholas, 419 S. Dithridge Street, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 22. Tickets are on sale now at www.donutfest.com/tickets.

Some of the vendors to be featured are Valencia Donut Company, Oakmont Bakery, Peace, Love & Little Donuts, Periwinkles Bakery & Cafe, Baked True North, Duck Donuts Pittsburgh, DeAngelis Bakery, Scratch & Co. and Lascos Little Os, Natrona Bottling, Redstart Roasters, Lady Blue Coffee and Standing Wave Coffee, with more attendees to be announced as they are confirmed on the Donut Fest website.

Donut Fest Pittsburgh is sponsored by Pittsburghs Super Bakery.

TRENDING NOW:

Missing Texas teen found driving in Nebraska with mothers dead body in trunk Pittsburgh Public Schools mourning after student hit and killed by car in Ross Township parking lot Tennessee football program fined $100K when fans storm field after Alabama upset VIDEO:Police: Teenager dead after hit by vehicle in North Hills Village shopping center DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Mehmet Oz, the celebrity doctor and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, said of course hes tasted his own urine in a newly unearthed interview from Jimmy Kimmels late-night talk show.

And he offered up some very specific thoughts on the matter  including not just the smell, but also flavor notes in the footage posted online by Patriot Takes, which monitors right-wing media.

The segment includes some basic medical information, such as noting that bright yellow urine can be a sign of excess B vitamins.

But then it takes a turn.

Same goes for diabetics, tastes like wine  cherry wine, Oz said.

How do you know how it tastes? Kimmel asked. Whos tasting it?

You gotta do it in med school, Oz said, although numerousdoctorschimedinonsocialmedia to say thats not been the case at any school theyve attended.

Oz eventually asked Kimmel if hes ever had his own urine.

No, the late-night host said.

Are you kidding me? Oz said. Where have you been!

You have, really? Kimmel asked in disbelief.

Of course, Oz replied:

Dr. Oz said of course he has tasted his own urine, claims medical school forces doctors to taste it, and said his curiosity for it started when he was a kid.



Oz: Arent you curious about your urine? pic.twitter.com/2SgMCSe7JQ  PatriotTakes  (@patriottakes) October 15, 2022

Oz has been a guest on Kimmels show multiple times over the years, and its not clear which appearance this is from.

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, the Democratic candidate for Senate, wrote on Twitter that Oz is the G-O-Pee nominee.

In another part of the interview, Oz recalls using a needle to extract juice from an orange when he was a youth  and then trying to do the same to his sisters head.

It didnt go in! The skull got in the way, he explained. I got no brain, I got nothing back.

Story continues

Wow, said Kimmel. I have to say, you might be one of the craziest people weve ever had on the show.

Unearthed: Dr. Oz said he was so fascinated by needles that he stabbed his sisters head from behind with one.



Oz: The skull got in the way. I got no brain I got nothing back. pic.twitter.com/tSWzEo494U  PatriotTakes  (@patriottakes) October 16, 2022

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
They're known as kamikaze or suicide drones because they're meant to destroy upon impact as they inflict the most damage possible and spread terror.

That's precisely what they've done over the last eight days, as Russian attacks with drones carrying explosives have sent civilians scrambling for cover in several parts of Ukraine, especially the previously peaceful capital of Kyiv.

At $20,000 per, the Iranian-built Shahed drones cost about 1/50th as much as a cruise missile, and they can be employed in large numbers for maximum effect, overwhelming defenses. On Monday, a large percentage of those fired at Kyiv were deflected, but one drone struck an operations center and another one collapsed at least three apartments in a five-story residential building, killing four people.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia can't prevail on the battlefield, "and it tries to compensate for its military defeats with terror. Why this terror? To put pressure on us, on Europe, on the entire world.

His words were echoed in a CNN interview by retired U.S. General David Petraeus, who called the drone attacks "huge and problematic'' in their ability to impact Ukraine's energy sector and scare the population.

But the former CIA director said they won't change the direction of a war that has featured plenty of Russian missteps and a counteroffensive that has allowed Ukraine to recapture more than 1,000 square miles of territory while seizing momentum. Instead, he sees the drones as one of the few options left for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The one action he can still take is punish Ukraine, with missiles, with rockets, with bombs and with these drone swarms,'' Petraeus told the network.

Ukrainian firefighters works on a destroyed building after a drone attack in Kyiv on Oct. 17, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Other developments

The European Union approved a program Monday to train 15,000 Ukrainian troops in Europe and agreed to provide almost $500 million more to help supply weapons and other military support to Ukraine.

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Belarus, Russia's closest ally, will host 9,000 Russian troops and 170 tanks as part of a new joint Russian-Belarusian military force. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the effort is in response to his unsubstantiated claim that Ukraine is plotting an attack on its neighbor to the north, a fellow former Soviet republic.

The warring countries completed their latest prisoner exchange, and each side got more than 100 of its fighters back. The 108 POWs who returned to Ukraine were all women.

NATO began its annual nuclear exercises Monday in northwestern Europe. Fourteen of NATO's 30 member countries were due to take part in the exercises, which were planned before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.

Four Russians are being detained in Norway after being accused of taking photos in areas where photography is banned. Norwegian officials declined to provide additional information and are continuing to investigate. The Russians say they are just tourists.

RUSSIAN DRAFTEES IN BATTLE: New draftees already in combat with scant equipment; Kremlin in no hurry to release Brittney Griner: Ukraine updates

Warplane crash kills four, ignites enormous blast in Russian port city

At least four people died, six were missing and 25 were injured when a Russian warplane crashed Monday into a residential area in the Russian port city of Yeysk, setting off a huge fire in a nine-story apartment building.

The Su-34 bomber plummeted into the city of 90,000 on the Sea of Azov after one of the engines caught fire during takeoff for a training mission, the Russian Defense Ministry said, adding that its two crew members parachuted to safety.

Videos posted on Russian messaging app channels showed a blaze engulfing the building and blasts that might have come from the warplanes weapons. At least 17 apartments were damaged by the fire, which was contained several hours after the crash, local authorities said.

In this handout photo taken from video released by Ostorozhno Novosti, flames and smoke rise from the scene where a warplane crashed into a residential area in Yeysk, Russia, on Oct. 17, 2022.

Kyiv rocked by drone barrage

Explosions rocked Kyiv on Monday as dozens of armed drones unleashed by Russian forces set buildings ablaze, killed at least four people and sent residents scrambling for cover.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said most of the 28 drones targeting Kyiv were shot down, but explosions were heard across the city. One strike appeared to target the citys heating network; another virtually destroyed a four-story residential building, collapsing at least three apartments on top of one another.

Four deaths were reported at one residential building alone, Klitschko said.

He said the drones were Iranian-made Shaheds, which Russia has rebranded as Geran-2 drones. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, denied Monday that Iran provided drones to Russia, which is trying to avoid depleting its supply of long-range missiles. The drones cost just $20,000 apiece, compared with $1 million for each of the Kalibr cruise missiles Russia has used widely in Ukraine.

The attack came a week after Russias barrage of missile strikes in Kyiv and other major cities across Ukraine killed at least 20 people. That assault was the first to reach Kyiv in four months.

Enemies can attack our cities, but they won't break us, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address.

Ukraine seeks sanctions against Iran for supplying Russia with drones

Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged the European Union to sanction Iran for supplying Russia with deadly drones. The EU foreign ministers were meeting Monday in Luxembourg to adopt a package of sanctions against Iran in connection with violations of human rights and also will consider evidence on Irans role in supplying weapons to Russia. Iran denies involvement.

"Im probably the first foreign minister to address EU FAC from a bomb shelter because of the air raids siren," Kuleba said in a Twitter post that also urged the EU to approve another "strong" sanctions package for Russia.

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant once again loses external power from shelling

Ukrainian nuclear energy company Energoatom says external power to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was once again cut off because of shelling by Russian forces that struck a power substation on Ukrainian territory. Operators have been compelled to use diesel generators to power the safety systems at the facility, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. The six reactors have been shut down amid the fighting, but the plant needs power to ensure crucialsafety systems remain operational.

Energoatom and international atomic energy experts have repeatedly called for a demilitarization of the plant and the withdrawal of Russian forces that surround it.

Ukrainian conductor reportedly killed for rejecting Russian concert

A Ukrainian philharmonic conductor was shot to death in his home by Russian soldiers after refusing to participate in a propaganda concert in Russian-occupied Kherson, the Ukraine Cultural Ministry said. Yuri Kerpatenko had been conducting in Kherson since 2000 and was the main conductor of the Gilea Chamber Orchestra, the ministry said in a Facebook post citing local journalist Elena Vanina.

"Kerpatenko openly showed his civic position and refused to leave occupied Kherson," the ministry said.

The Russians wanted the orchestra as part of a concert intended to demonstrate "improvement of peaceful life" in Kherson under Russian rule, but Kerpatenko refused to cooperate, the ministry said.

What are tactical nuclear weapons, and how big is Russia's arsenal?

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine live updates: Kyiv rocked by Russian drone attacks
Dustin Lance Black in HBO's Mama's Boy. (Photo: TRAVERS JACOBS/HBO)

Dustin Lance Black in HBO's Mama's Boy. (Photo: TRAVERS JACOBS/HBO)

Viewers may be surprised to find only fleeting references to Dustin Lance Blacks game-changing Hollywood career in Mamas Boy, his new documentary.

Instead, the film  which premiered last week at NewFest, New Yorks annual LGBTQ film festival, ahead of its HBO debut this Tuesday  zooms in on the Oscar-winning Milk screenwriters relationship with his mother, Roseanna Anne Bisch. Born into a Southern family that lived below the poverty line and paralyzed from childhood polio, Bisch overcame fractured marriages and other personal setbacks to become a medical technologist for the Department of Defense.

Though Bisch died in 2014, she lives on through Black, who credits her tenacity with helping to drive his own commitment to LGBTQ advocacy work.

When I teach film students about how to tackle a biopic, I always ask them: Whats necessary about the story? And when I asked myself that question, it kept coming back to these lessons I learned from my mother, he told HuffPost in an interview. She was conservative, but created connections with people who werent, which defies the way so many of us live today, which is, sadly, in our own silos. Mamas Boy is how she created someone like me.

HuffPost caught a sneak peek at Mamas Boy via the following clip. In it, Black discusses feeling his mothers defiant spirit when he was asked to serve as a grand marshal for the 2012 Utah Pride Festival.

Watch a scene from Mamas Boy below.

Directed by Laurent Bouzerau, Mamas Boy is adapted from Blacks 2019 memoir of the same name. The film also explores how Black, who was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, struggled to reconcile his childhood faith with his identity as a gay man before moving to Los Angeles to study filmmaking. Once Black began living as his true self, he became estranged from members of his extended family.

Story continues

These days, Black is no stranger to depicting Americas political divide and anti-LGBTQ sentiments in his screenplays. His next film is Netflixs Rustin, which examines the life of Bayard Rustin, a confidant of Martin Luther King Jr. and a key organizer of the famed 1963 March on Washington.

But Mamas Boy presented Black with the challenge of being vulnerable, requiring him to open himself up to personal rejection from family members once more. With Bouzeraus encouragement, he traveled to Texas, where he spent a number of years as a child, and Bischs home state of Louisiana to reconnect with those loved ones who remain deeply conservative.

While such scenes were difficult to film, the process seemed worth it to answer my mothers call to keep those bridges standing, Black explained. Among the most touching moments are segments in which he discusses his older brother, Marcus, who was also gay but loved being a son of the South during his lifetime. He died of cancer in 2012.

She was conservative, but created connections with people who werent, which defies the way so many of us live today, which is, sadly, in our own silos, Black said of his mother, Anne Bisch (center). (Photo: Courtesy of HBO)

She was conservative, but created connections with people who werent, which defies the way so many of us live today, which is, sadly, in our own silos, Black said of his mother, Anne Bisch (center). (Photo: Courtesy of HBO)

Its not easy to go back through your life, particularly in a film where youre stepping down those same physical paths that you grow up in, and seeing the people and being with the people who might not agree with you and your family, Black said. It was challenging, it was taxing, it was emotionally brutal. [But] if we share space with people we disagree with and we dont make it a fight to see whos right, you can actually build these very unexpected bridges that heal family, heal community, maybe heal country. Im so glad I did it.

Bouzerau, whose credits include 2020s Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind, believes Mamas Boy, in some respects, reflects his own journey as a gay man.

Even though Im a completely different person, there is a mirror here and Im seeing myself, he said. It was really speaking to something that I hope a lot of families can relate to.

Black (left) and husband Tom Daley. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images)

Black (left) and husband Tom Daley. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images)

These days, Black is a devoted husband and father. He married Olympic diver Tom Daley (who appears in Mamas Boy) in 2017. The two men welcomed a son, Robert Ray Black-Daley, a year later.

As to how the memory of his mother has impacted his outlook on parenthood, Black said he hopes to raise his son with a wider sense of family that doesnt discriminate on the basis of political affiliation.

My son is going to know his cousins and aunts and uncles who probably vote differently than I do, he explained. Having been raised by a woman who was judged every time she walked into a room because she looked so different and moved so differently taught me that other peoples opinions of you are none of your business. Get on with the business of being you. So Im going to pass that on to him. I hope he hears it.

Mamas Boy is out Tuesday on HBO.

(Photo: HBO)

(Photo: HBO)

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
A Canutillo man allegedly assaulted his mother, pushed her out of a vehicle and drove toward a security guard when he was shot Friday at the foot of the Stanton Street international bridge, El Paso police said.

Maxwell Billingslea, 32, was booked into the El Paso County Jail Downtown on Sunday after he was treated and released from a hospital after being wounded during the border confrontation, police officials said Monday.

Crime:Man wounded in shooting at Sunrise shopping center in Northeast El Paso

Billingslea was booked on charges of assault-family violence, aggravated assault against a security officer, escape while arrested and a traffic warrant for not having a driver's license, according to a jail log.

The incident occurred about 3:30 p.m. Friday as cars were lined up to head south into Mexico at the Stanton Street Bridge at 1001 S. Stanton St.

Billingslea and his 64-year-old mother were in a Toyota Rav4 waiting in line when Maxwell allegedly assaulted his mom and pushed her out of the SUV, police said.

Police said that the woman asked for help from security guard Luis Velarde-Garcia, 38, who was working at the bridge. As the uninformed guard approached the Toyota, Billingslea began driving back and forth, hitting other cars before allegedly driving toward Velarde-Garcia, who in defense fired his gun at the vehicle.

A cellphone video shared on social media shows a man in the traffic lanes appearing to aim a gun as at least five gunshots ring out even as some Juarez-bound pedestrians hardly take a glance.

Crime:'We can't do this alone': El Paso FBI leader talks efforts to fight mass shootings, border crime

Billingslea was shot and wounded and treated at University Medical Center of El Paso before he was booked into jail. He remains jailed under a total bond of $100,000, according to a jail log.

The shooting was investigated by police detectives with the Crimes Against Persons Unit.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Driver wounded in El Paso border bridge shooting arrested
Four months ago I was waiting for a yoga class to start when the teacher said hello to me. Shes one of my favorites  I think of her as a little light bulb that hardly touches the earths ground as she walks. She just floats through this world. No one else was in the lobby, so I decided to share my news with her.

I just wanted to let you know that I have breast cancer, and I had chemo yesterday, I said. Im not sure how Ill do in class today.

I wanted her to know that if I had to leave early or walk out in the middle of a pose, it wasnt because I didnt like her class.

You have breast cancer? she asked, and I nodded.

Congratulations on your journey, she said, as though Id told her I had won the lottery.

If someone had a picture of my face at that very moment, I can tell you, it would have been epic. I wanted to say, Lady, you need to quit smoking that incense you are always burning in here. I couldnt imagine what she was talking about. I was so taken aback. During class, I was pissed, getting madder by the minute  but I stayed the whole time.

Four weeks earlier, Id been at a sports bar in Oxford, Mississippi, where I live. Ole Miss baseball season ended with the Rebels in Omaha and it was an amazing game. About halfway through the game, I scratched my breast and felt a lump  a big lump. I made my friend Machelle come to the bathroom to feel it. Ill never forget the look on her face. She was terrified.

Heiskell with her husband and two of their daughters. (Courtesy Elizabeth Heiskell)

Machelle met me at my gynecologists office the following Monday morning. We went into the room and Julie, my doctor, started to examine me. A very worried look came over her face. We talked about the mammogram I recalled having months earlier, and she went to look at the film. When she came back, she looked even more worried. Elizabeth, she said, it has been 2 years, not 8 months since your last mammogram.

Then she gave me the plan: mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy.

I was hearing the words, but they were not sinking in  I couldnt let them. Julie sent me to get bloodwork but not before Machelle stood up, crying, and said, Can we please hold hands and pray? So we all stood there holding hands in the exam room and Machelle prayed. They were both crying, and I can remember thinking, This is pretty dramatic, Machelle.

Story continues

Test after test, I was in more denial. I was in the best shape of my life. My career was flourishing. My daughter and I were driving to Memphis, where I had a big meeting  Goldbelly was interested in selling my cakes  when my phone rang. It was the doctor.

Elizabeth, we have the results of the biopsy and you have invasive ductal carcinoma, she said. (Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer, which starts in the milk ducts and spreads to nearby tissue.) She went on to explain that I was hormone receptor-negative but still waiting on the results of the HER2 test. That is all I remember. At that point, I went into complete panic mode. We turned the car around.

We got home and my husband, Luke, knew when he saw us back so soon. He knew from the look on our faces. I didnt have to say the words I have cancer, but I did because I wanted to know what it felt like. I wanted to see if my brain could even let me form the sentence. Being told you have cancer is hard. Having to tell the people you love is near impossible.

After getting multiple opinions from different specialists, we finally came up with a plan. Honestly, that was half the battle. Once I knew what was coming, facing it all seemed bearable. The plan was six rounds of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.

The morning of my first round of chemo, I tried to remember all the tips Id been given on what to wear. Lord, I had been schooled on black-tie, summer casual, business casual, even Delta casual, but chemo casual? Not so much.

I decided on soft drawstring joggers and a deep V-neck T-shirt. I had borrowed my daughters soft bathrobe to keep me warm and packed it in my suitcase  yes, I took a suitcase. Luke and I may as well have had a neon sign on our backs that read, Hello, we are new here!"

Heiskell wearing the cold cap to preserve her hair during her cancer treatment. (Courtesy Elizabeth Heiskell)

I texted my friends a picture of me in the cold cap and wrote, This fing sucks. My friend Mendy responded with instructions: Visualize a perfect beach day, sand in your butt crack in those God-awful canvas beach chairs, a cooler full of cold beer, a slaw dog lunch, a giant bag of chips. Well, that helped more than anyone could imagine. Then Machelle chimed in: I think the cold cap looks like a helmet required on a vespa in Italy. Dream about riding that curvy road in Capri. Hot Italian men and an Aperol spritz.

But the cold was unimaginable. When I thought I couldnt take it any more, another woman who was there in a cold cap  Diane, a chemo veteran  spoke from behind the curtain where she was having her own treatment: Just a few more minutes and the worst will be over. I wanted my hair for my daughters debutante ball. I wanted my hair for an upcoming wedding in Paris. I wanted my hair even if there was only half left. She was right. I didnt quit and within a few minutes, the sharp pain was gone  the cap felt cold and tight, but it was manageable.

Around that time, the nurse came in with the chemotherapy machine. My anxiety and fear started to well up. The panic started in my gut. I looked at Luke, sitting in a tiny chair, and he had tears in his eyes. I knew what he was thinking. I knew all he wanted to do was take it all away from me. He looked so helpless, and I dont think in the 27 years of marriage I have ever been so in love.

I was elated when the day was behind me. Its amazing how our minds can run wild with fear. The day was hard  filled with excruciating pain and lots of tears  but it was nothing compared the picture my mind had created.

At this point I have checked off half of my six chemo treatments. The tumor has shrunk by more than half its size. What I do to stay positive is wrap myself up in all the silver linings I have, even in this mess. And now I finally understand what my sweet yoga teacher was talking about when she said congratulations. There are so many lessons that can only be learned in the dark times, so many gifts that are only discovered by overcoming fears.

I cant tell you how many people have told me, Youre strong. God wont give you any more than you can handle. Weve all heard that when going through hard times. But thats not it. I think its that God knows you are ready to embark on another journey. You are ready to discover all the lessons that this new journey has to offer.

That day at yoga, I picked up a small card the studio has set out at the front desk, each one with a different, inspiring quote. That day mine said, Each difficult moment has the potential to open my eyes and open my heart.

You dont get to choose if you get cancer, but you do get to choose how you experience this cancer journey. It is different for everyone, but I choose to search for joy and to lean into all the lessons that only moments like these can teach me.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Elizabeth Holmes, the convicted founder of biotech company Theranos. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of disgraced biotech company Theranos who was convicted on wire fraud and conspiracy charges, will get a chance in court Monday to argue for a new trial.

Holmes was convicted in January of defrauding investors through fraudulent claims about the accuracy of Theranos' blood testing devices, and is facing up to 20 years in prison. However, she requested a new trial in September after one witness reportedly told Holmes his testimony had been twisted by prosecutors to make her actions at Theranos look worse than they were.

The witness, Adam Rosendorff, was the former lab director of Theranos, and following his testimony against Holmes, he allegedly "felt guilty to the point where he had difficulty sleeping," The Wall Street Journal reported. Following this revelation, Holmes' lawyers argued that Rosendorff's conversation with Holmes provided enough evidence for her to get a new trial.

Despite this, Rosendorff's lawyers shot back, claiming he didn't recall the conversation or statement with Holmes. A court filing from Rosendorff's lawyers further added that Holmes' claims of their conversation did not accurately represent how he felt about Theranos, with the Journal reporting that Rosendorff "provided a sworn statement saying he stood by his testimony in Ms. Holmes's trial and had no reason to believe the government misrepresented her conduct at Theranos."

Holmes is set to appear before a U.S. District Judge in San Jose, California, along with Rosendorff, where the court will seek to determine if his testimony during Holmes' trial was truthful.

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